bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analisis Pengaruh Dimensi Kualitas Jasa terhadap Kepuasan Nasabah Bank Mandiri KCP Mojosari Kabupaten Mojokerto
Authors: Sholeh Rachmad
Published: October 2018

This study aims to analyze the Influence of Service Quality Dimension on Customer Satisfaction of Bank Mandiri KCP Mojosari Mojokerto Regency. This type of research is quantitative research. The variables of this study consist of independent variables, namely the Influence of Service Quality Dimension which includes: Tangible/Direct Evidence (X1), Reliability/X2, Responsiveness (X3), Assurance/X2, Emphaty/Empati (X5) and the dependent variable of Customer Satisfaction (Y). Population in this research is segmentation of consumer group which become customer and do transaction at Bank Mandiri KCP Mojosari Mojokerto regency, hence this research only use a number of respondents selected as sample counted 100 responden. The sampling method used is accidental sampling. Sampling is done when the respondent transacts at Bank Mandiri KCP Mojosari Mojokerto regency. Data collection was done by using questionnaire that has been tested for its validity and reliability. Hypothesis testing is done by using multiple correlation analysis tools and multiple regression. For testing of the hypotheses proposed, it can be interpreted the influence between independent variables with dependent variables. From the results of multiple regression testing it can be seen that the independent variables are Tangible/Direct Evidence (X1), Reliability/Reliability (X2), Responsiveness/Responsiveness (X3), Assurance/Assurance (X4) and Emphaty/Empathy (X5) has a significant influence on Customer Satisfaction (Y) Bank Mandiri KCP Mojosari Mojokerto regency.
STRATEGI PROMOSI PENJUALAN RITEL TRADISIONAL (Studi Pada Pedagang Sembako Pasar Karangsambung)
Authors: Fitra Joko
Published: October 2018

This study examines the sales promotion strategies undertaken by traditional retailers, in this case in the Market merchants Karangsambung groceries. Some of the strategies offered by marketing experts may be modified by traders in the Market groceries Karangsambung in promoting the products sold. This is done because of limited resources owned by the merchant.

This research approach uses qualitative descriptive approach. The data collection technique using observation, in-depth interview techniques, and the library to study and documentation. Decision informants conducted by using informants aims. Analysis of the data using analytical models Miles and Huberman comprising the steps of data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion. The results showed that the basic needs trader in the Market Karangsambung keep doing sales promotion in the form of point of purchase, samples, loyalty programs, direct gifts, and gifts for referrals. Implementation of sales promotion conducted by the merchant groceries market Karangsambung influenced by several things such as Marketers (Knowledge and market network owned by the merchant), the availability of marketing costs, the nature of the market (broad market geographically, the market concentration, and the type of buyer), as well as the types of products traded.
Deep learning evaluation in vocational teacher education: Conducted on the principles of authentic and dialogical collaborative knowledge construction
Authors: Ruhalahti Sanna , Aarnio Helena , Ruokamo Heli
Published: October 2018

The vocational education system is being challenged to achieve a greater amount of deep learning. To facilitate the inclusion of more deep learning in the teaching and learning process, curriculum restructuring is required. This article reports the results of a study that investigated the kind of authentic and dialogical collaborative knowledge construction toward which the DIANA model (Dialogical Authentic Netlearning Activity) directs vocational student teachers (n=76). The results indicate that using authenticity as the basis for a learning process enabled individual study circles (f=19) to define questions that were meaningful to them but mainly directed the learners toward superficial learning-oriented activities. Notably, despite engaging primarily in superficial learning-oriented activities, the results indicate that dialogical collaborative knowledge construction still directed the learners toward deep learning, demonstrating how learning changed and was enriched during the process. The framework re-designed for evaluating superficial and deep learning will facilitate the examination of vocational teacher education learning activities in the future.
Camelina as a Rotation Crop for Weed Control in Organic Farming in a Semiarid Mediterranean Climate
Authors: Royo-Esnal Aritz , Valencia-Gredilla Francisco
Published: October 2018

Crop rotation in winter cereals in semiarid Mediterranean climates is highly desirable to prevent weed infestations, but the climatic conditions make it difficult to implement alternative crops to winter cereals. Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) is an interesting option, as it is able to produce profitable yields thanks to its tolerance to cold and drought. In this work, three autumn–winter sowing dates (SD1, October; SD2, December; SD3, January) and two sowing rates (R1, 8 kg ha−1; R2, 11 kg ha−1) were chosen to evaluate the effectiveness of these cultural methods to control weeds over three seasons, and to determine effects on camelina seed yield. Results showed that a significant reduction of weed coverage was obtained by delaying the sowing date. Sowing rates did not show differences in weed coverage. In contrast, no apparent yield penalty was observed among sowing dates and rates. These results show that the introduction of camelina as a rotational crop in semiarid Mediterranean climates is a feasible option for helping to suppress winter weeds, as well as to provide productive seed yield in these climatic conditions.
The Adoption of Good Practices for Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs Use among Peasant Family Farmers of Chile
Authors: Lagos Susaeta Francisco , Maino Mario , Lapierre Lisette , Oviedo Pilar , Riquelme Ricardo , Baeza Villarroel Andrea , Quintrel Marianela , Hervé-Claude Luis , Cornejo Javiera
Published: October 2018

Improvements and good practices (GPs) in rural environments are often developed by peasants themselves and shared among trust-based networks. The level of adoption of GPs by peasant family farmers (PFF) has been poorly studied. This paper describes the performance and results of the innovation adoption index (InAI) and rate (InAR) which were used to estimate the adoption of GPs for pesticide and veterinary drug use by PFF from eight different regions of Chile. Surveys were conducted among 257 farmers to find out about the adoption (yes/no) of a set of GPs in the adequate handling, use and storage of these chemical products, as well as some identifying information. The farmers in this study are producers of berries, dairy cows, honey and vegetables. The results of the survey showed an average of 57.33% GPs were adopted by farmers. Group averages of 55.23–61.32% were observed in the numbers of practices adopted by farmers. This survey data collection was part of a wider study intended to design a national plan to reduce chemical residues in food produced by PFF in Chile, with a focus on organizing practical workshops with extension officers and farmers.
Sensitivity Analysis of Alisma plantago-aquatica L., Cyperus difformis L. and Schoenoplectus mucronatus (L.) Palla to Penoxsulam
Authors: Loddo Donato , Kudsk Per , Costa Bruno , Dalla Valle Natalino , Sattin Maurizio
Published: October 2018

Determining the intra-specific variability of response to a given herbicide is important for monitoring the possible shifts in the sensitivity of weed populations. This study describes the responses of populations of Alisma plantago-aquatica, Cyperus difformis, and Schoenoplectus mucronatus from Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Spain to penoxsulam, an acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor widely used in rice. To evaluate previously evolved resistance to ALS inhibitors, sensitivity to azimsulfuron and bensulfuron-methyl was assessed. Dose-response experiments with penoxsulam were performed in a greenhouse simulating paddy rice field conditions. Log-logistic dose-response curves were used to estimate the ED50, ED80, ED90 and GR50, GR80, and GR90. To calculate the average ED and GR and assess the intra-specific variability, an artificial resampling method was performed. Populations ALSPA 0364, 0365, 0469, 0470, 0471; SCPMU 0371, 0475, 0267; CYPDI 0013, 0431, 0432, 0433 appeared to be resistant to sulfonylureas, while a higher sensitivity to penoxsulam was observed, while populations ALSPA 0363, CYPDI 0223 and SCPMU 9719 proved to be cross-resistant. Regardless of species, ED90 of susceptible populations were below penoxsulam label dose (40 g ai ha−1) while they reached values higher than 320 g ai ha−1 for resistant populations. Average GR50 were generally lower than ED50. Sensitivity variability among susceptible populations is relatively low, allowing for discrimination between susceptible and resistant populations, and previously evolved resistance to sulfonylureas can influence sensitivity to penoxsulam.
Antiradical and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity Evaluations of Averrhoa bilimbi L. Leaves and Tentative Identification of Bioactive Constituents through LC-QTOF-MS/MS and Molecular Docking Approach
Authors: Ahmed Qamar Uddin , Alhassan Alhassan Muhammad , Khatib Alfi , Shah Syed Adnan Ali , Hasan Muhammad Mahmudul , Sarian Murni Nazira
Published: October 2018

The objective of the present study was to investigate the antiradical and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effects of Averrhoa bilimbi leaves. Hence, crude methanolic leaves extract and its resultant fractions, namely hexane, chloroform, and n-butanol were evaluated for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. The active constituents were tentatively identified through LC-QTOF-MS/MS and molecular docking approaches. The n-butanol fraction of A. bilimbi crude methanolic leaves extract displayed significant DPPH radical scavenging effect with IC50 (4.14 ± 0.21 μg/mL) (p < 0.05), as well as xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity with IC50 (64.84 ± 3.93 μg/mL) (p < 0.05). Afzelechin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside and cucumerin A were tentatively identified as possible metabolites that contribute to the antioxidant activity of the n-butanol fraction.
Correcting Inertial Dead Reckoning Location Using Collision Avoidance Velocity-Based Map Matching
Authors: Krasuski Adam , Meina Michał
Published: October 2018

We propose an algorithm for map-aided inertial dead reckoning (DR) for indoor navigation. The technique is based on a concept of collision avoidance velocity. New positions estimated by DR are checked for collision detection with walls and if such a situation is detected, the collision avoidance velocity is calculated to avert the obstacles. The differences between an individual’s indicated velocity and collision avoidance velocity are then used to correct errors for further path development. The best performance of the proposed technique is achieved when the individual moves along building obstacles. This type of movement is typical for firefighters, during search and rescue operations in thick smoke. Such conditions provided the environment for testing our algorithm.
Learning and Planning Based on Merged Experience from Multiple Situations for a Service Robot
Authors: Chen Zhixian , Zhao Baoliang , Zhao Shijia , Hu Ying , Zhang Jianwei
Published: October 2018

For a service robot, learning appropriate behaviours to acquire task knowledge and deliberation in various situations is essential, but the existing methods do not support merging the plan-based activity experiences from multiple situations in the same task. In this paper, an abstract method is introduced to integrate the empirical activity schemas of multiple situations, and a novel algorithm is presented to learn activity schema with abstract methods. Furthermore, a novel planner called the schema-based optimized planner (SBOP) is developed based on the learned activity schema, in which actions merging optimization and partially backtracking techniques are adopted. A simulation with a PR2 robot and a physical experiment is conducted to validate the proposed method. The results show that the robot can generate a plan to recover from failure automatically using the novel learning and planning method, given that the experienced exception has been merged in the activity schema. Owing to the improved autonomy, the proposed SBOP exhibits increased efficiency in dealing with tasks containing loops and multiple activity schema instances. This research presents a novel solution of how to merge activity experiences from multiple situations and generate an intelligent and efficient plan that could adapt to a dynamically changing environment.
Assessment of Appropriate MMC Topology Considering DC Fault Handling Performance of Fault Protection Devices
Authors: Lee Ho-Yun , Asif Mansoor , Park Kyu-Hoon , Lee Bang-Wook
Published: October 2018

The eventual goal of high-voltage direct-voltage (HVDC) systems is to implement HVDC grids. The modular multilevel converter (MMC) has been identified as the best candidate for the realization of an HVDC grid by eliminating the shortcomings of conventional voltage source converter (VSC) technology. The related research has focused on efficient control schemes, new MMC topologies, and operational characteristics of an MMC in a DC grid, but there is little understanding about the fault handling capability of two mainstream MMC topologies, i.e., half bridge (HB) and full bridge (FB) MMCs in combination with an adequate protection device. Contrary to the existing research where the fault location is usually fixed (center of the line), this paper considered a variable fault location on the DC line, so as to compare the fault interruption time and maximum fault current magnitude. From the point of view of fault interruption, AC and DC side transient analyses were performed for both MMC topologies to suggest the appropriate topology. The simulation result confirmed that the fault handling performance of an HB-MMC with a DC circuit breaker is superior due to the smaller fault current magnitude, faster interruption time, lower overvoltage magnitude, and lesser stresses on the insulation of the DC grid.
Temporal Modeling on Multi-Temporal-Scale Spatiotemporal Atoms for Action Recognition
Authors: Yao Guangle , Lei Tao , Liu Xianyuan , Jiang Ping
Published: October 2018

As an important branch of video analysis, human action recognition has attracted extensive research attention in computer vision and artificial intelligence communities. In this paper, we propose to model the temporal evolution of multi-temporal-scale atoms for action recognition. An action can be considered as a temporal sequence of action units. These action units which we referred to as action atoms, can capture the key semantic and characteristic spatiotemporal features of actions in different temporal scales. We first investigate Res3D, a powerful 3D CNN architecture and create the variants of Res3D for different temporal scale. In each temporal scale, we design some practices to transfer the knowledge learned from RGB to optical flow (OF) and build RGB and OF streams to extract deep spatiotemporal information using Res3D. Then we propose an unsupervised method to mine action atoms in the deep spatiotemporal space. Finally, we use long short-term memory (LSTM) to model the temporal evolution of atoms for action recognition. The experimental results show that our proposed multi-temporal-scale spatiotemporal atoms modeling method achieves recognition performance comparable to that of state-of-the-art methods on two challenging action recognition datasets: UCF101 and HMDB51.
Intra-Oral 3D Scanning for the Digital Evaluation of Dental Arch Parameters
Authors: Kašparová Magdaléna , Halamová Simona , Dostálová Taťjana , Procházka Aleš
Published: October 2018

Intra-oral scanning technology has brought a completely new approach to examination methods in dentistry. In comparison to traditional plaster casts, it allows more precise digital analysis of dental arch components during the treatment of dental disorders. Data acquired can also be used for the creation of three-dimensional (3D) models using 3D printers. This paper describes a data acquisition system, the mathematical processing of resulting three-dimensional model, and the statistical analysis of selected parameters of the dental arch. The study aims at comparing the results achieved from 20 models of the same individual acquired by different specialists. The proposed methodology includes mathematical rotation of objects into the optimal plane defined by the teeth tops’ location to increase the accuracy of the resulting parameters. The mean evaluated distances between canines (3-3) and premolars (5-5) are 24.29 mm and 37.98 mm, respectively, for the lower dental arch. The proposed object rotation increased these distance by 0.9% and 1.4%, respectively, reducing the rotation error. Moreover, the variability of results decreased and the mean value of the coefficient of variation was lowered by 12%. Image registration was then used to evaluate changes of dental arch parameters. This paper presents the advantages of digital models for visualisation of the dental arch allowing its flexible rotation and evaluation of its parameters.
The Seepage and Stability Performance Assessment of a New Drainage System to Increase the Height of a Tailings Dam
Authors: Liu Chong , Shen Zhenzhong , Gan Lei , Xu Liqun , Zhang Kailai , Jin Tian
Published: October 2018

Effective methods for extending the storage capacity of tailings for a mining company include expanding and increasing the height of the tailings dam. However, this change could lead to an uplift in the phreatic line and a decrease in the slope stability. In this paper, a new drainage system combining a horizontal drainage pipe with an upward bending slotted pipe was proposed and applied to the design of a seepage-proof system for the Xigou tailings dam with an increased height. To accurately simulate the performance of the seepage control system, a three-dimensional finite element model was established on the basis of a geological investigation of the site conditions. In this work, a substructure technique was used to model the drainage pipe with a small radius and dense spacing to reduce the difficulty in mesh generation, and a back-analysis method called MPSO-BP (modified particle swarm optimization algorithm and a back propagation neural network) was used to correct the measured permeability coefficients. The results show that the new drainage system can effectively dissipate the seepage pressure, decrease the phreatic surface, and improve the safety factors of the slope stability. The proposed drainage system can also meet the seepage stability requirements of the higher tailings dam. Additionally, this system can be widely deployed in similar projects.
Fabrication of Silicon Carbide from Recycled Silicon Wafer Cutting Sludge and Its Purification
Authors: Hossain Sakib Tanvir , Johra Fatima Tuz , Jung Woo-Gwang
Published: October 2018

Around the world, silicon carbide (SiC) is used as a raw material in several engineering applications because of its various beneficial properties. Currently, though the Acheson method is one of the most emblematic to manufacture SiC, the direct carbonization of metallic silicon is simple and beneficial. In this reaction, silicon wafer cutting sludge can be used as an alternative silicon source material. The silicon wafer sludge contains silicon, ethylene glycol, cooling water, and a small amount of impurities. In this study, SiC was synthesized using silicon wafer sludge by a carbothermal process. In a typical experiment, the silicon sludge was mixed with carbon at different molar ratios. Then, the mixture was turned into pellets, which were placed in alumina crucibles and heat-treated at a temperature from 1400 °C to 1600 °C to fabricate SiC. To deduce the optimum condition for the synthesis of SiC, an investigation was carried out on the effects of different mixing ratios, temperatures, and heating times. To ensure sufficient carbonization, excess carbon was mixed, and the synthesized SiC was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Subsequently, purification of the synthesized SiC products by oxidation of excess carbon was performed. The removal of extra carbon could be confirmed by XRD and attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy. This process can give basic information for the development of a technology to produce SiC using recycling Si wafer cutting sludge waste.
An Integrated Method for Factor Number Selection of PMF Model: Case Study on Source Apportionment of Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds in Wuhan
Authors: Wang Fenjuan , Zhang Zhenyi , Acciai Costanza , Zhong Zhangxiong , Huang Zhaokai , Lonati Giovanni
Published: October 2018

The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model is widely used for source apportionment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The question about how to select the proper number of factors, however, is rarely studied. In this study, an integrated method to determine the most appropriate number of sources was developed and its application was demonstrated by case study in Wuhan. The concentrations of 103 ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured intensively using online gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) during spring 2014 in an urban residential area of Wuhan, China. During the measurement period, the average temperature was approximately 25 °C with very little domestic heating and cooling. The concentrations of the most abundant VOCs (ethane, ethylene, propane, acetylene, n-butane, benzene, and toluene) in Wuhan were comparable to other studies in urban areas in China and other countries. The newly developed integrated method to determine the most appropriate number of sources is in combination of a fixed minimum threshold value for the correlation coefficient, the average weighted correlation coefficient of each species, and the normalized minimum error. Seven sources were identified by using the integrated method, and they were vehicular emissions (45.4%), industrial emissions (22.5%), combustion of coal (14.7%), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (9.7%), industrial solvents (4.4%), and pesticides (3.3%) and refrigerants. The orientations of emission sources have been characterized taking into account the frequency of wind directions and contributions of sources in each wind direction for the measurement period. It has been concluded that the vehicle exhaust contribution is greater than 40% distributed in all directions, whereas industrial emissions are mainly attributed to the west southwest and south southwest.
Empirical Model of Human Thermal Comfort in Subtropical Climates: A First Approach to the Brazilian Subtropical Index (BSI)
Authors: Gobo João Paulo Assis , Faria Marlon Resende , Galvani Emerson , Goncalves Fabio Luiz Teixeira , Monteiro Leonardo Marques
Published: October 2018

The bioclimatic well-being of individuals is associated with the environmental characteristics of where they live. Knowing the relationships between local and regional climatic variables as well as the physical characteristics of a given region and their implications on thermal comfort is important for identifying aspects of thermal sensation in the population. The aim of this study is to develop an empirical model of human thermal comfort based on subjective and individual environmental patterns observed in the city of Santa Maria, located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (Subtropical climate). Meteorological data were collected by means of an automatic meteorological station installed in the city center, which contained sensors measuring global solar radiation, air temperature, globe temperature (via a grey globe thermometer), relative humidity and wind speed and direction. A total of 1720 people were also interviewed using a questionnaire adapted from the model recommended by ISO 10551. Linear regressions were performed to obtain the predictive model. The observed results proposed a new empirical model for subtropical climate, the Brazilian Subtropical Index (BSI), which was verified to be more than 79% accurate, with a coefficient of determination of 0.926 and an adjusted R2 value of 0.924.
New Bell–Sheffer Polynomial Sets
Authors: Natalini Pierpaolo , Ricci Paolo Emilio
Published: October 2018

In recent papers, new sets of Sheffer and Brenke polynomials based on higher order Bell numbers, and several integer sequences related to them, have been studied. The method used in previous articles, and even in the present one, traces back to preceding results by Dattoli and Ben Cheikh on the monomiality principle, showing the possibility to derive explicitly the main properties of Sheffer polynomial families starting from the basic elements of their generating functions. The introduction of iterated exponential and logarithmic functions allows to construct new sets of Bell–Sheffer polynomials which exhibit an iterative character of the obtained shift operators and differential equations. In this context, it is possible, for every integer r, to define polynomials of higher type, which are linked to the higher order Bell-exponential and logarithmic numbers introduced in preceding papers. Connections with integer sequences appearing in Combinatorial analysis are also mentioned. Naturally, the considered technique can also be used in similar frameworks, where the iteration of exponential and logarithmic functions appear.
Distance-Constrained Outage Probability Analysis for Device-to-Device Communications Underlaying Cellular Networks with Frequency Reuse Factor of 2
Authors: Ningombam Devarani Devi , Shin Seokjoo
Published: October 2018

Device-to-device (D2D) communication is affirmed as one of the dynamic techniques in improving the network throughput and capacity and reducing traffic load to the evolved Node B (eNB). In this paper, we propose a resource allocation and power control technique in which two-pairs of D2D users can simultaneously share same uplink cellular resource. In this case, interference between D2D users and cellular users is no longer insignificant so it must be properly handled. The proposed scheme considers fractional frequency reuse (FFR) scheme as a promising method that can relatively reduce the intra-cell interference. The main objective of the proposed scheme is to maximize the D2D communication throughput and overall system throughput by minimizing outage probability. Hence, we formulate an outage probability problem and overall system throughput optimization problem while guaranteeing minimum allowable signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). For fair distribution of cellular resources to multiple D2D pairs, we used Jain's fairness index (JFI) method. Simulation is conducted in MATLAB and our simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves remarkable system performance as compared with existing methods.
Perspectives of XRF and XANES Applications in Cryospheric Sciences Using Chinese SR Facilities
Authors: Xu Wei , Du Zhiheng , Liu Shiwei , Zhu Yingcai , Xiao Cunde , Marcelli Augusto
Published: October 2018

As an important part of the climate system, the cryosphere, can be studied with a variety of techniques based on laboratory-based or field-portable equipment in order to accumulate data for a better understanding of this portion of the Earth’s surface. The advent of synchrotron radiation (SR) facilities as large scientific interdisciplinary infrastructures has reshaped the scenario of these investigations and, in particular, of condensed matters researches. Many spectroscopic methods allow for characterizing the structure or electronic structure of samples, while the scattering/diffraction methods enable the determination of crystalline structures of either organic or inorganic systems. Moreover, imaging methods offer an unprecedented spatial resolution of samples, revealing their inner structure and morphology. In this contribution, we briefly introduce the SR facilities now available in mainland China, and the perspectives of SR-based methods suitable to investigate ice, snow, aerosols, dust, and other samples of cryospheric origin from deep ice cores, permafrost, filters, etc. The goal is to deepen the understanding in cryospheric sciences through an increased collaboration between the synchrotron radiation community and the scientists working in polar areas or involved in correlated environmental problems.
Quantum Mechanical Engine for the Quantum Rabi Model
Authors: Alvarado Barrios Gabriel , Peña Francisco J. , Albarrán-Arriagada Francisco , Vargas Patricio , Retamal Juan Carlos
Published: October 2018

We consider a purely mechanical quantum cycle comprised of adiabatic and isoenergetic processes. In the latter, the system interacts with an energy bath keeping constant the expectation value of the Hamiltonian. In this work, we study the performance of the quantum cycle for a system described by the quantum Rabi model for the case of controlling the coupling strength parameter, the resonator frequency, and the two-level system frequency. For the cases of controlling either the coupling strength parameter or the resonator frequency, we find that it is possible to closely approach to maximal unit efficiency when the parameter is sufficiently increased in the first adiabatic stage. In addition, for the first two cases the maximal work extracted is obtained at parameter values corresponding to high efficiency, which constitutes an improvement over current proposals of this cycle.
Nestedness Maximization in Complex Networks through the Fitness-Complexity Algorithm
Authors: Lin Jian-Hong , Tessone Claudio , Mariani Manuel
Published: October 2018

Nestedness refers to the structural property of complex networks that the neighborhood of a given node is a subset of the neighborhoods of better-connected nodes. Following the seminal work by Patterson and Atmar (1986), ecologists have been long interested in revealing the configuration of maximal nestedness of spatial and interaction matrices of ecological communities. In ecology, the BINMATNEST genetic algorithm can be considered as the state-of-the-art approach for this task. On the other hand, the fitness-complexity ranking algorithm has been recently introduced in the economic complexity literature with the original goal to rank countries and products in World Trade export networks. Here, by bringing together quantitative methods from ecology and economic complexity, we show that the fitness-complexity algorithm is highly effective in the nestedness maximization task. More specifically, it generates matrices that are more nested than the optimal ones by BINMATNEST for 61.27% of the analyzed mutualistic networks. Our findings on ecological and World Trade data suggest that beyond its applications in economic complexity, the fitness-complexity algorithm has the potential to become a standard tool in nestedness analysis.
Leveraging Shannon Entropy to Validate the Transition between ICD-10 and ICD-11
Authors: Chen Donghua , Zhang Runtong , Zhu Xiaomin
Published: October 2018

This study aimed to propose a mapping framework with entropy-based metrics for validating the effectiveness of the transition between International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD-10)-coded datasets and a new context of ICD-11. Firstly, we used tabular lists and mapping tables of ICD-11 to establish the framework. Then, we leveraged Shannon entropy to propose validation methods to evaluate information changes during the transition from the perspectives of single-code, single-disease, and multiple-disease datasets. Novel metrics, namely, standardizing rate (SR), uncertainty rate (UR), and information gain (IG), were proposed for the validation. Finally, validation results from an ICD-10-coded dataset with 377,589 records indicated that the proposed metrics reduced the complexity of transition evaluation. The results with the SR in the transition indicated that approximately 60% of the ICD-10 codes in the dataset were unable to map the codes to standard ICD-10 codes released by WHO. The validation results with the UR provided 86.21% of the precise mapping. Validation results of the IG in the dataset, before and after the transition, indicated that approximately 57% of the records tended to increase uncertainty when mapped from ICD-10 to ICD-11. The new features of ICD-11 involved in the transition can promote a reliable and effective mapping between two coding systems.
Operating Range for a Combined, Building-Scale Liquid Air Energy Storage and Expansion System: Energy and Exergy Analysis
Authors: Howe Todd A. , Pollman Anthony G. , Gannon Anthony J.
Published: October 2018

This paper presents the results of an ideal theoretical energy and exergy analysis for a combined, building scale Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) and expansion turbine system. This work identifies the upper bounds of energy and exergy efficiency for the combined LAES-expansion system which has not been investigated. The system uses the simple Linde-Hampson and pre-cooled Linde-Hampson cycles for the liquefaction subsystem and direct expansion method, with and without heating above ambient temperature, for the energy production subsystem. In addition, the paper highlights the effectiveness of precooling air for liquefaction and heating air beyond ambient temperature for energy production. Finally, analysis of the system components is presented with an aim toward identifying components that have the greatest impact on energy and exergy efficiencies in an ideal environment. This work highlights the engineering trade-space and serves as a prescription for determining the merit or measures of effectiveness for an engineered LAES system in terms of energy and exergy. The analytical approach presented in this paper may be applied to other LAES configurations in order to identify optimal operating points in terms of energy and exergy efficiencies.
Effects of Near Wall Modeling in the Improved-Delayed-Detached-Eddy-Simulation (IDDES) Methodology
Authors: Saini Rohit , Karimi Nader , Duan Lian , Sadiki Amsini , Mehdizadeh Amirfarhang
Published: October 2018

The present study aims to assess the effects of two different underlying RANS models on overall behavior of the IDDES methodology when applied to different flow configurations ranging from fully attached (plane channel flow) to separated flows (periodic hill flow). This includes investigating prediction accuracy of first and second order statistics, response to grid refinement, grey area dynamics and triggering mechanism. Further, several criteria have been investigated to assess reliability and quality of the methodology when operating in scale resolving mode. It turns out that irrespective of the near wall modeling strategy, the IDDES methodology does not satisfy all criteria required to make this methodology reliable when applied to various flow configurations at different Reynolds numbers with different grid resolutions. Further, it is found that using more advanced underlying RANS model to improve prediction accuracy of the near wall dynamics results in extension of the grey area, which may delay the transition to scale resolving mode. This systematic study for attached and separated flows suggests that the shortcomings of IDDES methodology mostly lie in inaccurate prediction of the dynamics inside the grey area and demands further investigation in this direction to make this methodology capable of dealing with different flow situations reliably.
On the Samaritan’s Dilemma, Foreign Aid, and Freedom
Authors: Faria Joao Ricardo , Arce Daniel
Published: October 2018

This paper presents an extension of the two-period Samaritan’s Dilemma in order to analyze the potential for foreign aid to promote freedom. An example is the United States’ recent opening towards Cuba. It is shown that a donor nation’s dual concern for economic reforms and greater freedoms can exacerbate the Samaritan’s Dilemma, even when economic aid is coupled with targets for freedom. By contrast, a policy that is focused on freedom alone can potentially resolve the Samaritan’s Dilemma. Such a policy requires the donor to temper the degree of altruism that motivates its provision of economic aid to the recipient nation.
A New Approach for Real Time Train Energy Efficiency Optimization
Authors: Rocha Agostinho , Araújo Armando , Carvalho Adriano , Sepulveda João
Published: October 2018

Efficient use of energy is currently a very important issue. As conventional energy resources are limited, improving energy efficiency is, nowadays, present in any government policy. Railway systems consume a huge amount of energy, during normal operation, some routes working near maximum energy capacity. Therefore, maximizing energy efficiency in railway systems has, recently, received attention from railway operators, leading to research for new solutions that are able to reduce energy consumption without timetable constraints. In line with these goals, this paper proposes a Simulated Annealing optimization algorithm that minimizes train traction energy, constrained to existing timetable. For computational effort minimization, re-annealing is not used, the maximum number of iterations is one hundred, and generation of cruising and braking velocities is carefully made. A Matlab implementation of the Simulated Annealing optimization algorithm determines the best solution for the optimal speed profile between stations. It uses a dynamic model of the train for energy consumption calculations. Searching for optimal speed profile, as well as scheduling constraints, also uses line shape and velocity limits. As results are obtained in seconds, this new algorithm can be used as a real-time driver advisory system for energy saving and railway capacity increase. For now, a standalone version, with line data previously loaded, was developed. Comparison between algorithm results and real data, acquired in a railway line, proves its success. An implementation of the developed work as a connected driver advisory system, enabling scheduling and speed constraint updates in real time, is currently under development.
Gas Release Characteristics in Coal under Different Stresses and Their Impact on Outbursts
Authors: Wang Hanpeng , Zhang Bing , Yuan Liang , Yu Guofeng , Wang Wei
Published: October 2018

The impact mechanism of in situ stress on outbursts plays a key role in the prevention of outbursts during deep coal mining. The in situ stress may influence the outburst by affecting the gas release intensity according to theoretical analysis, but none of the existing studies have taken into consideration this perspective. To explore whether the influence of in situ stress on gas release in coal is an important reason for stress-induced outbursts, experiments on gas release in coal under different axial stresses and on exposure-induced outbursts with different gases were conducted to respectively study the influence of in situ stress on gas release and the impact of gas release on outburst. The results show that with the increase of stress, the methane release intensity rises by 1~2.4 times and shows an obvious periodicity due to different degrees of fracture development. A small increase in gas release intensity can lead to huge increase in the outburst intensity based on an energy analysis of the outburst experiments, indicating that the gas release intensity is a sensitive physical quantity that influences outbursts. The differences in gas release in coal with different stresses will result in differences in the outburst results based on data from the two experiments, proving that the change in gas release intensity during variations of in situ stress is an important factor for in situ stress-induced outbursts. The research achievements can enrich the impact mechanism of in situ stress on outbursts.
BFC-POD-ROM Aided Fast Thermal Scheme Determination for China’s Secondary Dong-Lin Crude Pipeline with Oils Batching Transportation
Authors: Han Dongxu , Yuan Qing , Yu Bo , Cao Danfu , Zhang Gaoping
Published: October 2018

Since the transportation task of China’s Secondary Dong-Lin crude pipeline has been changed from Shengli oil to both Shengli and Oman oils, its transportation scheme had to be changed to “batch transportation”. To determine the details of batch transportation, large amounts of simulations should be performed, but massive simulation times could be costly (they can take hundreds of days with 10 computers) using the finite volume method (FVM). To reduce the intolerable time consumption, the present paper adopts a “body-fitted coordinate-based proper orthogonal decomposition reduced-order model” (BFC-POD-ROM) to obtain faster simulations. Compared with the FVM, the adopted method reduces the time cost of thermal simulations to 2.2 days from 264 days. Subsequently, the details of batch transportation are determined based on these simulations. The Dong-Lin crude oil pipeline has been safely operating for more than two years using the determined scheme. It is found that the field data are well predicted by the POD reduced-order model with an acceptable error in crude oil engineering.
Comparative Study of AC and Positive and Negative DC Visual Corona for Sphere-Plane Gaps in Atmospheric Air
Authors: Riba Jordi-Roger , Morosini Andrea , Capelli Francesca
Published: October 2018

Due to the expansion of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power systems, manufacturers of high-voltage (HV) hardware for alternating current (ac) applications are focusing their efforts towards the HVDC market. Because of the historical preponderance of ac power systems, such manufacturers have a strong background in ac corona but they need to acquire more knowledge about direct current (dc) corona. Due to the complex nature of corona, experimental data is required to describe its behavior. This work performs an experimental comparative analysis between the inception of ac corona and positive and negative dc corona. First, the sphere-plane air gap is analyzed from experimental data, and the corona inception voltages for different geometries are measured in a high-voltage laboratory. Next, the surface electric field strength is determined from finite element method simulations, since it provides valuable information about corona inception conditions. The experimental data obtained are fitted to an equation based on Peek’s law, which allows determining the equivalence between the visual corona surface electric field strength for ac and dc supply. Finally, additional experimental results performed on substation connectors are presented to further validate the previous results by means of commercial high-voltage hardware. The results presented in this paper could be especially valuable for high-voltage hardware manufacturers, since they allow determining the dc voltage and electric field values at which their ac products can withstand free of corona when operating in dc grids.
A 10- and 12-Bit Multi-Channel Hybrid Type Successive Approximation Register Analog-to-Digital Converter for Wireless Power Transfer System
Authors: Rikan Behnam Samadpoor , Kim Sang-Yun , Abbasizadeh Hamed , Hejazi Arash , Rad Reza E. , Shehzad Khuram , Hwang Keum Cheol , Yang Youngoo , Lee Minjae , Lee Kang-Yoon
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) designed for a wireless power transfer system. This is a four–channel SAR ADC structure with 10-bit resolution for each channel, which can also be applied as a single 12-bit ADC. To reduce the area and the number of the required devices in the ADC module, a hybrid-type structure with capacitor and resistor DACs is applied, in which the resistor DAC is shared between channels and determines the seven least significant bits (LSB)s, while the capacitor DAC determines the three most significant bits (MSBs). For the 12-bit operation mode, and to reduce the number of capacitors required in the capacitor DAC, the capacitors of the four channels are shared to determine the five MSBs. A foreground calibration is applied to the capacitor DAC to remedy the gain and offset errors after fabrication. An additional low resistive path is also implemented in the resistor DAC for error correction. The conversion speed for 10- and 12-bit operations reaches up to 1 and 0.5 MS/s, respectively. The prototype ADC is designed in a 180 nm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. For 10- and 12-bit operating modes, this ADC module achieves up to 9.71 and 11.76 effective number of bits (ENOBs), respectively.
Spatiotemporal Changes in PM2.5 and Their Relationships with Land-Use and People in Hangzhou
Authors: Tian Li , Hou Wei , Chen Jiquan , Chen Chaonan , Pan Xiaojun
Published: October 2018

Increases in the extent and level of air pollution in Chinese cities have become a major concern of the public and burden on the government. While ample literature has focused on the status, changes and causes of air pollution (particularly on PM2.5 and PM10), significantly less is known on their effects on people. In this study we used Hangzhou, China, as our testbed to assess the direct impact of PM2.5 on youth populations that are more vulnerable to pollution. We used the ground monitoring data of air quality and Aerosol optical thickness (AOT) product from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) for the spatiotemporal changes of PM2.5 by season in 2015. We further explored these distributions with land cover, population density and schools (kindergarten, primary school and middle school) to explore the potential impacts in seeking potential mitigation solutions. We found that the seasonal variation of PM2.5 concentration was winter > spring > autumn > summer. In Hangzhou, the percentage of land area exposed to PM2.5 > 50 µg m−3 accounted for 59.86% in winter, 56.62% in spring, 40.44% in autumn and 0% in summer, whereas these figures for PM2.5 of <35 µg m−3 were 70.01%, 5.28%, 5.17%, 4.16% in summer, winter, autumn and spring, respectively. As for land cover, forest experienced PM2.5 of 35–50 µg m−3 (i.e., lower than those of other cover types), likely due to the potential filtering and absorption function of the forests. More importantly, a quantitative index based on population-weighted exposure level (pwel) indicated that only 9.06% of the population lived in areas that met the national air quality standards. Only 1.66% (14,055) of infants and juveniles lived in areas with PM2.5 of <35 µg m−3. Considering the legacy effects of PM2.5 over the long-term, we highly recommend improving the monitoring systems for both air quality and people (i.e., their health conditions), with special attention paid to infants and juveniles.
Neuromodulation of Synaptic Transmission in the Main Olfactory Bulb
Authors: Harvey John D. , Heinbockel Thomas
Published: October 2018

A major step in our understanding of brain function is to determine how neural circuits are altered in their function by signaling molecules or neuromodulators. Neuromodulation is the neurochemical process that modifies the computations performed by a neuron or network based on changing the functional needs or behavioral state of the subject. These modulations have the effect of altering the responsivity to synaptic inputs. Early sensory processing areas, such as the main olfactory bulb, provide an accessible window for investigating how neuromodulation regulates the functional states of neural networks and influences how we process sensory information. Olfaction is an attractive model system in this regard because of its relative simplicity and because it links primary olfactory sensory neurons to higher olfactory and associational networks. Likewise, centrifugal fibers from higher order brain centers target neurons in the main olfactory bulb to regulate synaptic processing. The neuromodulatory systems that provide regulatory inputs and play important roles in olfactory sensory processing and behaviors include the endocannabinoid system, the dopaminergic system, the cholinergic system, the noradrenergic system and the serotonergic system. Here, we present a brief survey of neuromodulation of olfactory signals in the main olfactory bulb with an emphasis on the endocannabinoid system.