bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Method of Analysis of Lipids in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) Insects by Direct Immersion Solid-Phase Microextraction (DI-SPME) Coupled with GC–MS
Authors: Alnajim Ihab , Du Xin , Lee Byungho , Agarwal Manjree , Liu Tao , Ren Yonglin
Published: October 2019

Lipids play an essential role in providing energy and other physiological functions for insects. Therefore, it is important to determine the composition of insect lipids from cuticular and internal tissues for a better understanding of insect biology and physiology. A novel non-derivatization method for the analysis of lipids including fatty acids, hydrocarbon waxes, sterols in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) was explored using the direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Nine extraction solvents, acetonitrile, methanol, hexane, ethanol, chloroform, acetonitrile and ethanol (1:1 v/v), acetonitrile and water (1:1 v/v), ethanol and water (1:1 v/v) and acetonitrile and ethanol and water (2:2:1 v/v/v) were selected and evaluated for the extraction of insect lipids with DI-SPME fiber. Acetonitrile extraction offered the best qualitative, quantitative, and number of lipids extracted from insects samples results. Acetonitrile extracted high-boiling point compounds from both species of tested insects. The range of hydrocarbons was C25 (pentacosane) to C32 (dotriacontane) for T. castaneum and C26 (11-methylpentacosane) to C34 (tetratriacontane) for R. dominica. The major compounds extracted from the cuticular surface of T. castaneum were 11-methylheptacosane (20.71%) and 3-methylheptacosane (12.37%), and from R. dominica were 10-methyldotriacontane (14.0%), and 15-methyltritriacontane (9.93%). The limit of detection (LOD) for the n-alkane compounds ranged between 0.08 (nonacosane) and 0.26 (dotriacontane) µg/g and for the fatty acids between 0.65 (arachidic acid) to 0.89 (oleic acid) µg/g. The study indicated that DI-SPME GC–MS is a highly efficient extraction and a sensitive analytical method for the determination of non-derivatized insect lipids in cuticular and homogenized body tissues.
Expansion of Imaginal Disc Growth Factor Gene Family in Diptera Reflects the Evolution of Novel Functions
Authors: Zurovcova Martina , Benes Vladimir , Zurovec Michal , Kucerova Lucie
Published: October 2019

Imaginal disc growth factors (IDGFs) are a small protein family found in insects. They are related to chitinases and implicated in multiple functions, including cell growth stimulation, antimicrobial activity, insect hemolymph clotting, and maintenance of the extracellular matrix. A number of new IDGFs have been found in several insect species and their detailed phylogenetic analysis provides a good basis for further functional studies. To achieve this goal, we sequenced Idgf cDNAs from several lepidopteran and trichopteran species and supplemented our data with sequences retrieved from public databases. A comparison of Idgf genes in different species showed that Diptera typically contain several Idgf paralogs with a simple exon-intron structure (2–3 exons), whereas lepidopteran Idgfs appear as a single copy per genome and contain a higher number of exons (around 9). Our results show that, while lepidopteran Idgfs, having single orthologs, are characterized by low divergence and stronger purifying selection over most of the molecule, the duplicated Idgf genes in Diptera, Idgf1 and Idgf4, exhibit signs of positive selection. This characterization of IDGF evolution provides, to our knowledge, the first information on the changes that formed these important molecules.
Honey Bee Alarm Pheromone Mediates Communication in Plant–Pollinator–Predator Interactions
Authors: Wang Zhengwei , Tan Ken
Published: October 2019

Honey bees play a crucial role in pollination, and in performing this critical function, face numerous threats from predators and parasites during foraging and homing trips. Back in the nest, their defensive behavior drives some individuals to sacrifice themselves while fighting intruders with their stingers or mandibles. During these intense conflicts, bees release alarm pheromone to rapidly communicate with other nest mates about the present danger. However, we still know little about why and how alarm pheromone is used in plant–pollinator–predator interactions. Here, we review the history of previously detected bee alarm pheromones and the current state of the chemical analyses. More new components and functions have been confirmed in honey bee alarm pheromone. Then, we ask how important the alarm pheromones are in intra- and/or inter-species communication. Some plants even adopt mimicry systems to attract either the pollinators themselves or their predators for pollination via alarm pheromone. Pheromones are honest signals that evolved in one species and can be one of the main driving factors affecting co-evolution in plant–pollinator–predator interactions. Our review intends to stimulate new studies on the neuronal, molecular, behavioral, and evolutionary levels in order to understand how alarm pheromone mediates communication in plant–pollinator–predator interactions.
Efficient Dynamic Flow Algorithms for Evacuation Planning Problems with Partial Lane Reversal
Authors: Pyakurel Urmila , Nath Hari Nandan , Dempe Stephan , Dhamala Tanka Nath
Published: October 2019

Contraflow technique has gained a considerable focus in evacuation planning research over the past several years. In this work, we design efficient algorithms to solve the maximum, lex-maximum, earliest arrival, and quickest dynamic flow problems having constant attributes and their generalizations with partial contraflow reconfiguration in the context of evacuation planning. The partial static contraflow problems, that are foundations to the dynamic flows, are also studied. Moreover, the contraflow model with inflow-dependent transit time on arcs is introduced. A strongly polynomial time algorithm to compute approximate solution of the quickest partial contraflow problem on two terminal networks is presented, which is substantiated by numerical computations considering Kathmandu road network as an evacuation network. Our results show that the quickest time to evacuate a flow of value 100,000 units is reduced by more than 42% using the partial contraflow technique, and the difference is more with the increase in the flow value. Moreover, the technique keeps the record of the portions of the road network not used by the evacuees.
Hybrid Contractions on Branciari Type Distance Spaces
Authors: Abodayeh Kamaleldin , Karapınar Erdal , Pitea Ariana , Shatanawi Wasfi
Published: October 2019

In this manuscript, we consider some hybrid contractions that merge linear and nonlinear contractions in the abstract spaces induced by the Branciari distance and the Branciari b-distance. More precisely, we introduce the notion of a ( p , c ) -weight type ψ -contraction in the setting of Branciari distance spaces and the concept of a ( p , c ) -weight type contraction in Branciari b-distance spaces. We investigate the existence of a fixed point of such operators in Branciari type distance spaces and illustrate some examples to show that the presented results are genuine in the literature.
A Multi-Attribute Pearson’s Picture Fuzzy Correlation-Based Decision-Making Method
Authors: Jin Yun , Wu Hecheng , Sun Dechao , Zeng Shouzhen , Luo Dandan , Peng Bo
Published: October 2019

As a generalization of several fuzzy tools, picture fuzzy sets (PFSs) hold a special ability to perfectly portray inherent uncertain and vague decision preferences. The intention of this paper is to present a Pearson’s picture fuzzy correlation-based model for multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) analysis. To this end, we develop a new correlation coefficient for picture fuzzy sets, based on which a Pearson’s picture fuzzy closeness index is introduced to simultaneously calculate the relative proximity to the positive ideal point and the relative distance from the negative ideal point. On the basis of the presented concepts, a Pearson’s correlation-based model is further presented to address picture fuzzy MADM problems. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to examine the usefulness and feasibility of the proposed methodology.
Left Atrial Function after Atrial Fibrillation Cryoablation Concomitant to Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair: A Pilot Study on Long-Term Results and Clinical Implications
Authors: Anselmino Matteo , Rovera Chiara , Marchetto Giovanni , Castagno Davide , Morello Mara , Frea Simone , Gaita Fiorenzo , Rinaldi Mauro , De Ferrari Gaetano Maria
Published: October 2019

Background and Objectives: Surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation concomitant to minimally invasive mitral valve repair has been proven to offer improved short- and long-term sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance compared to mitral valve surgery only. The objective of the present study was to explore, by thorough echocardiographic assessment, long-term morphological and functional left atrial (LA) outcomes after this combined surgical procedure. Materials and Methods: From October 2006 to November 2015, 48 patients underwent minimally invasive mitral valve repair and concomitant surgical AF cryoablation. Results: After 3.8 ± 2.2 years, 30 (71.4%) of those completing the follow-up (n = 42, 87.5%) presented SR. During follow-up, four (9.5%) patients suffered from cerebrovascular accidents and two of these subjects had a long-standing persistent AF relapse and were in AF at the time of the event, while the other two were in SR. An echocardiographic study focused on LA characteristics was performed in 29 patients (69.0%). Atrial morphology and function (e.g., maximal LA volume indexed to body surface area and total LA emptying fraction derived from volumes) in patients with stable SR (60.6 ± 13.1 mL/mq and 25.1 ± 7.3%) were significantly better than in those with AF relapses (76.8 ± 16.2 mL/mq and 17.5 ± 7.4%; respectively, p = 0.008 and p = 0.015). At follow-up, patients who suffered from ischemic cerebral events had maximal LA volume indexed to body surface area 61 ± 17.8 mL/mq, with total LA emptying fraction derived from volumes 23.6 ± 13.7%; patients with strokes in SR showed very enlarged LA volume (>70 mL/mq). Conclusions: AF cryoablation concomitant with minimally invasive mitral valve repair provides a high rate of SR maintenance and this relates to improved long-term morphological and functional LA outcomes. Further prospective studies are needed to define the cut-off values determining an increase in the risk for thromboembolic complications in patients with restored stable SR.
Environmentally Friendly and Controllable Pyrolysis Method to Synthesize Ni-Modified Graphene Nanosheets as Reinforcement of Lead-Free Solder
Authors: Wang Huigai , Zhang Keke , Yin Chenxiang , Zhang Meng
Published: October 2019

A tactic for the synthesis of Ni-modified graphene nanosheets (Ni-GNSs) as a high-performance reinforcement of a lead-free solder is proposed and achieved via an environmentally friendly and controllable pyrolysis method. The segmented pyrolysis processes of an Ni(CH3COO)2∙4H2O@GNSs hybrid are discussed. The morphology, microstructure, phase transition, and adsorption strength of nanoparticles on the surface of GNSs with various theoretical Ni loadings are characterized. The adsorption mechanism of a single Ni atom on the surface of perfect graphene and defective graphene was studied based on density functional theory. The corresponding underlying formation mechanisms of Ni-GNSs are analyzed. The results show that the grain size, distribution and phase composition of the nanoparticles on GNSs could be controlled by changing the theoretical Ni loading level. The morphology and dispersity of Ni nanoparticles on GNSs did not significantly change after long-time or high-power ultrasonic treatment, suggesting that the adsorption strength between Ni nanoparticles and GNSs was relatively large and belonged to chemical adsorption based on first-principle calculation. Ni atoms tend to adsorb in the center of the carbon six-membered ring. The obtained Ni-GNSs nanohybrid exhibited a small size, fewer defects, and higher crystallinity and adsorption strength when the theoretical Ni loading was 17 mol %. The results have potential applications in the design of the reinforced phase of composites.
Effect of 2024 Al Alloy Insert on the Grain Refinement of a 2024 Al Alloy Prepared via Insert Mold Casting
Authors: Zhu Cheng , Zhao Zhihao , Wang Gaosong , Zhu Qingfeng , Wang Shiliang
Published: October 2019

In this study, an insert mold casting was fabricated by inserting 2024 Al extruded rods into a 2024 Al melt. The molds were kept at a 2024 Al melt for different times. The 2024 Al extruded rods were used to refine the 2024 Al alloy grains because the advantage of this method is that it is contamination free compared with other grain refiners. Moreover, we investigated the macro and microstructure of the ingots. Further, we analyzed the refinement mechanism of the 2024 Al rod on the 2024 Al alloy. Our result showed that when the immersion time of the 2024 Al insert was 0 s, a metallurgical bonding was partly formed between the 2024 Al insert and the 2024 Al alloy mold cast. When the immersion time of the 2024 Al insert increased to 5 s, the 2024 solid insert was dissolved in the liquid; the coarse dendritic grains were replaced by fine equiaxed grains. The refinement mechanism for the insertion of a 2024 Al rod on the 2024 Al alloy was to melt the 2024 Al insert and have it decrease the degree of the liquid superheat, which thus increased the cooling rate and provided a large number of small particles that acted as the nucleus of heterogeneous nucleation. However, these particles were melted gradually in the high-temperature liquid after an increase of immersion time. Thus, the refinement effect of 2024 Al insert on the solidified structure was weakened.
Assessing the Pre-Analytical Stability of Small-Molecule Metabolites in Cerebrospinal Fluid Using Direct-Infusion Metabolomics
Authors: Haijes Hanneke A. , Willemse Eline A.J. , Gerrits Johan , van der Flier Wiesje M. , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Verhoeven-Duif Nanda M. , Jans Judith J.M.
Published: October 2019

Metabolomics studies aiming to find biomarkers frequently make use of historical or multicenter cohorts. These samples often have different pre-analytical conditions that potentially affect metabolite concentrations. We studied the effect of different storage conditions on the stability of small-molecule metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid to aid a reliable interpretation of metabolomics data. Three cerebrospinal fluid pools were prepared from surplus samples from the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort biobank. Aliquoted pools were exposed to different storage conditions to assess the temperature and freeze/thaw stability before final storage at −80 °C: storage up to four months at −20 °C and up to one week at either 5–8 °C or 18–22 °C and exposure to up to seven freeze/thaw cycles. Direct-infusion high-resolution mass spectrometry was performed, resulting in the identification of 1852 m/z peaks. To test the storage stability, principal component analyses, repeated measures analysis of variance, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and fold change analyses were performed, all demonstrating that small-molecule metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are relatively unaffected by 1–3 freeze/thaw cycles, by storage at −20 °C up to two months, by storage at 5–8 °C for up to 72 h, or by storage at 18–22 °C for up to 8 h. This suggests that these differences do not affect the interpretation of potential small-molecule biomarkers in multicenter or historical cohorts and implies that these cohorts are suitable for biomarker studies.
WebSpecmine: A Website for Metabolomics Data Analysis and Mining
Authors: Cardoso Sara , Afonso Telma , Maraschin Marcelo , Rocha Miguel
Published: October 2019

Metabolomics data analysis is an important task in biomedical research. The available tools do not provide a wide variety of methods and data types, nor ways to store and share data and results generated. Thus, we have developed WebSpecmine to overcome the aforementioned limitations. WebSpecmine is a web-based application designed to perform the analysis of metabolomics data based on spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques (NMR, Infrared, UV-visible, and Raman, and LC/GC-MS) and compound concentrations. Users, even those not possessing programming skills, can access several analysis methods including univariate, unsupervised and supervised multivariate statistical analysis, as well as metabolite identification and pathway analysis, also being able to create accounts to store their data and results, either privately or publicly. The tool’s implementation is based in the R project, including its shiny web-based framework. Webspecmine is freely available, supporting all major browsers. We provide abundant documentation, including tutorials and a user guide with case studies.
Bioleaching of Au-Containing Ore Slates and Pyrite Wastes
Authors: Daibova Elena B. , Lushchaeva Inna V. , Sachkov Victor I. , Karakchieva Natalia I. , Orlov Vladislav V. , Medvedev Rodion O. , Nefedov Roman A. , Shplis Olga N. , Sodnam Natalya I.
Published: October 2019

The influence of the environment and bacterial cultures on the degree of gold leaching from Au-containing raw materials of different compositions, origins, and with different contents of gold, selected in the Ural Federal District (Russia), was determined. The leaching degree was determined according to the change of the gold concentration in the ore by means of mass-spectrometry with inductively-coupled plasma. It was demonstrated that the degree of Au bioleaching from carbonaceous-argillaceous slates, containing 2.17 g/t of gold, and from pyritic technogenic raw materials, containing 1.15 g/t, when holding them in peptone water and Leten medium reached 92.17% and 87.83%, respectively.
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Molecular Differences between Leaves of Wild-Type Upland Cotton and Its Fuzzless-Lintless Mutant
Authors: Zhu Liping , Zheng Bowen , Song Wangyang , Tao Chengcheng , Jin Xiang , Li Hongbin
Published: October 2019

Fuzzless-lintless mutant (fl) ovules of upland cotton have been used to investigate cotton fiber development for decades. However, the molecular differences of green tissues between fl and wild-type (WT) cotton were barely reported. Here, we found that gossypol content, the most important secondary metabolite of cotton leaves, was higher in Gossypium hirsutum L. cv Xuzhou-142 (Xu142) WT than in fl. Then, we performed comparative proteomic analysis of the leaves from Xu142 WT and its fl. A total of 4506 proteins were identified, of which 103 and 164 appeared to be WT- and fl-specific, respectively. In the 4239 common-expressed proteins, 80 and 74 were preferentially accumulated in WT and fl, respectively. Pathway enrichment analysis and protein–protein interaction network analysis of both variety-specific and differential abundant proteins showed that secondary metabolism and chloroplast-related pathways were significantly enriched. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that the expression levels of 12 out of 16 selected genes from representative pathways were consistent with their protein accumulation patterns. Further analyses showed that the content of chlorophyll a in WT, but not chlorophyll b, was significantly increased compared to fl. This work provides the leaf proteome profiles of Xu142 and its fl mutant, indicating the necessity of further investigation of molecular differences between WT and fl leaves.
In Vitro Benznidazole and Nifurtimox Susceptibility Profile of Trypanosoma cruzi Strains Belonging to Discrete Typing Units TcI, TcII, and TcV
Authors: Revollo Susana , Oury Bruno , Vela Andrea , Tibayrenc Michel , Sereno Denis
Published: October 2019

We ascertain the in vitro Benznidazole (BZN) and Nifurtimox (NFX) susceptibility pattern of epimastigotes, trypomastigotes, and amastigotes of 21 T. cruzi strains, from patients, reservoir, and triatomine bugs of various geographic origins. Using this panel of isolates, we compute the Epidemiological cut off value (COwt). Then, the frequency of the susceptible phenotype (Wild type) towards benznidazole (BZN) and nifurtimox (NFX) within this set of strains belonging to three discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI, TcII, and TcV, was deduced. We observed that the susceptibility status of individual T. cruzi isolates toward BZN and NFX is related to the genetic background and underlying factors that are probably related to the individual life trait history of each strain. Analyzing drug susceptibility in this conceptual framework would offer the possibility to evidence a link between isolates expressing a low susceptibility level (not wild-type) as defined by the COwt value and none-curative treatment. It will also permit us to track drug-resistant parasites in the T. cruzi population.
Can Religiosity Be Explained by ‘Brain Wiring’? An Analysis of US Adults’ Opinions
Authors: Mehta Sharan Kaur , Scheitle Christopher P. , Howard Ecklund Elaine
Published: October 2019

Studies examining how religion shapes individuals’ attitudes about science have focused heavily on a narrow range of topics, such as evolution. This study expands this literature by looking at how religion influences individuals’ attitudes towards the claim that neuroscience, or “brain wiring,” can explain differences in religiosity. Our analysis of nationally representative survey data shows, perhaps unsurprisingly, that religiosity is negatively associated with thinking that brain wiring can explain religion. Net of religiosity, though, individuals reporting religious experiences are actually more likely to agree that brain wiring can explain religiosity, as are individuals belonging to diverse religious traditions when compared to the unaffiliated. We also find that belief in the general explanatory power of science is a significant predictor of thinking that religiosity can be explained by brain wiring, while women and the more highly educated are less likely to think this is true. Taken together, these findings have implications for our understanding of the relationship between religion and science, and the extent to which neuroscientific explanations of religiosity are embraced by the general US public.
Life Signs Detector Using a Drone in Disaster Zones
Authors: Al-Naji Ali , Perera Asanka G. , Mohammed Saleem Latteef , Chahl Javaan
Published: October 2019

In the aftermath of a disaster, such as earthquake, flood, or avalanche, ground search for survivors is usually hampered by unstable surfaces and difficult terrain. Drones now play an important role in these situations, allowing rescuers to locate survivors and allocate resources to saving those who can be helped. The aim of this study was to explore the utility of a drone equipped for human life detection with a novel computer vision system. The proposed system uses image sequences captured by a drone camera to remotely detect the cardiopulmonary motion caused by periodic chest movement of survivors. The results of eight human subjects and one mannequin in different poses shows that motion detection on the body surface of the survivors is likely to be useful to detect life signs without any physical contact. The results presented in this study may lead to a new approach to life detection and remote life sensing assessment of survivors.
The Use of SMAP-Reflectometry in Science Applications: Calibration and Capabilities
Authors: Rodriguez-Alvarez Nereida , Misra Sidharth , Podest Erika , Morris Mary , Bosch-Lluis Xavier
Published: October 2019

The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission became one of the newest spaceborne Global Navigation Satellite System–Reflectometry (GNSS-R) missions collecting Global Positioning System (GPS) bistatic radar measurements when the band-pass center frequency of its radar receiver was switched to the GPS L2C band. SMAP-Reflectometry (SMAP-R) brings a set of unique capabilities, such as polarimetry and improved spatial resolution, that allow for the exploration of scientific applications that other GNSS-R missions cannot address. In order to leverage SMAP-R for scientific applications, a calibration must be performed to account for the characteristics of the SMAP radar receiver and each GPS transmitter. In this study, we analyze the unique characteristics of SMAP-R, as compared to other GNSS-R missions, and present a calibration method for the SMAP-R signals that enables the standardized use of these signals by the scientific community. There are two key calibration parameters that need to be corrected: The first is the GPS transmitted power and GPS antenna gain at the incidence angle of the measured reflections and the second is the convolution of the SMAP high gain antenna pattern and the glistening zone (Earth surface area from where GPS signals scatter). To account for the GPS transmitter variability, GPS instrument properties—transmitted power and antenna gain—are collocated with information collected from the CYclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) at SMAP’s range of incidence angles (37.3° to 42.7°). To account for the convolutional effect of the SMAP antenna gain, both the scattering area of the reflected GPS signal and the SMAP antenna footprint are mapped on the surface. We account for the size of the scattering area corresponding to each delay and Doppler bin of the SMAP-R measurements based off the SMAP antenna pattern, and normalize according to the size of a measurement representative to one obtained with an omnidirectional antenna. We have validated these calibration methods through an analysis of the coherency of the reflected signal over an extensive area of old sea ice having constant surface characteristics over a period of 3 months. By selecting a vicarious scattering surface with high coherency, we eliminated scene variability and complexity in order to avoid scene dependent aliases in the calibration. The calibration method reduced the dependence on the GPS transmitter power and gain from ~1.08 dB/dB to a residual error of about −0.2 dB/dB. Results also showed that the calibration method eliminates the effect of the high gain antenna filtering effect, thus reducing errors as high as 10 dB on angles furthest from SMAP’s constant 40° incidence angle.
Turbulence Measurements with Dual-Doppler Scanning Lidars
Authors: Peña Alfredo , Mann Jakob
Published: October 2019

Velocity-component variances can be directly computed from lidar measurements using information of the second-order statistics within the lidar probe volume. Specifically, by using the Doppler radial velocity spectrum, one can estimate the unfiltered radial velocity variance. This information is not always available in current lidar campaigns. The velocity-component variances can also be indirectly computed from the reconstructed velocities but they are biased compared to those computed from, e.g., sonic anemometers. Here we show, for the first time, how to estimate such biases for a multi-lidar system and we demonstrate, also for the first time, their dependence on the turbulence characteristics and the lidar beam scanning geometry relative to the wind direction. For a dual-Doppler lidar system, we also show that the indirect method has an advantage compared to the direct one for commonly-used scanning configurations due to the singularity of the system. We demonstrate that our estimates of the radial velocity and velocity-component biases are accurate by analysis of measurements performed over a flat site using a dual-Doppler lidar system, where both lidars stared over a volume close to a sonic anemometer at a height of 100 m. We also show that mapping these biases over a spatial domain helps to plan meteorological campaigns, where multi-lidar systems can potentially be used. Particularly, such maps help the multi-point mapping of wind resources and conditions, which improve the tools needed for wind turbine siting.
An Ensemble Filter for Indoor Positioning in a Retail Store Using Bluetooth Low Energy Beacons
Authors: Stavrou Vasilis , Bardaki Cleopatra , Papakyriakopoulos Dimitris , Pramatari Katerina
Published: October 2019

This paper has developed and deployed a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon-based indoor positioning system in a two-floor retail store. The ultimate purpose of this study was to compare the different indoor positioning techniques towards achieving efficient position determination of moving customers in the retail store. The innovation of this research lies in its context (the retail store) and the fact that this is not a laboratory, controlled experiment. Retail stores are challenging environments with multiple sources of noise (e.g., shoppers’ moving) that impede indoor localization. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first work concerning indoor localization of consumers in a real retail store. This study proposes an ensemble filter with lower absolute mean and root mean squared errors than the random forest. Moreover, the localization error is approximately 2 m, while for the random forest, it is 2.5 m. In retail environments, even a 0.5 m deviation is significant because consumers may be positioned in front of different store shelves and, thus, different product categories. The more accurate the consumer localization, the more accurate and rich insights on the customers’ shopping behavior. Consequently, retailers can offer more effective customer location-based services (e.g., personalized offers) and, overall, better consumer localization can improve decision making in retailing.
A SINS/DVL Integrated Positioning System through Filtering Gain Compensation Adaptive Filtering
Authors: Yan Xiaozhen , Yang Yipeng , Luo Qinghua , Chen Yunsai , Hu Cong
Published: October 2019

Because of the complex task environment, long working distance, and random drift of the gyro, the positioning error gradually diverges with time in the design of a strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS)/Doppler velocity log (DVL) integrated positioning system. The use of velocity information in the DVL system cannot completely suppress the divergence of the SINS navigation error, which will result in low positioning accuracy and instability. To address this problem, this paper proposes a SINS/DVL integrated positioning system based on a filtering gain compensation adaptive filtering technology that considers the source of error in SINS and the mechanism that influences the positioning results. In the integrated positioning system, an organic combination of a filtering gain compensation adaptive filter and a filtering gain compensation strong tracking filter is explored to fuse position information to obtain higher accuracy and a more stable positioning result. Firstly, the system selects the indirect filtering method and uses the integrated positioning error to model the navigation parameters of the system. Then, a filtering gain compensation adaptive filtering method is developed by using the filtering gain compensation algorithm based on the error statistics of the positioning parameters. The positioning parameters of the system are filtered and information on errors in the navigation parameters is obtained. Finally, integrated with the positioning parameter error information, the positioning parameters of the system are solved, and high-precision positioning results are obtained to accurately position autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The simulation results show that the SINS/DVL integrated positioning method, based on the filtering gain compensation adaptive filtering technology, can effectively enhance the positioning accuracy.
Does Mothers’ Parental Leave Uptake Stimulate Continued Employment and Family Formation? Evidence for Belgium
Authors: Wood Jonas , Neels Karel
Published: October 2019

Parental leave schemes undoubtedly facilitate the combination of work and family life during leave-taking. In addition to this instantaneous effect of parental leave uptake, a growing yet limited body of research addresses the question of subsequent effects of parental leave uptake. As work-family policies, such as parental leave, are geared towards stimulating family formation and (female) employment, this study assessed whether the individual uptake of parental leave by employed mothers after the birth of a child yielded differential parity progression and employment patterns compared to eligible employed mothers that did not take leave. Using data from the Belgian Administrative Socio-Demographic panel, we applied dynamic propensity score matching and hazard models. Our results indicate that previous leave uptake is a differentiating factor in subsequent fertility and employment outcomes, but also that (self-)selection strongly affects this relation. Descriptive analyses indicate that mothers who use leave shortly after childbearing exhibit a similar progression to second births, more third births and less fourth births, while displaying substantially lower hazards of exiting the labour force regardless of parity. However, when controlling for the fact that mothers who use parental leave exhibit a stronger pre-birth attachment to the labour force, work for larger employers in specific employment sectors, and also differ from non-users in terms of household characteristics (e.g., higher household income, more likely to be married and less likely to have a non-Belgian background), many associations between leave uptake and subsequent fertility and employment outcomes turn neutral or even negative. No indication for higher parity progression among leave users was found and the hazard of exiting the labour force was moderately higher for leave users. These empirical results are discussed in the Belgian context of low parental leave benefits, short leave entitlements and low uptake of parental leave, features which are also displayed by other Western European countries and contrast with the Nordic European countries studied in previous research.
Conceptualization and Development of a DFuzzy Model for Low-Carbon Ecocities
Authors: Hsueh Sung-Lin , Sun Yue , Yan Min-Ren
Published: October 2019

The Industrial Revolution has enabled mechanization to lead the manufacturing industry into a new era of explosive economic growth. Mass production through the use of machines has improved the overall societal prosperity in industrialized countries. The great and continuous demand of mechanization, economic growth, and energy consumption has resulted in the excessive use of natural resources and the mining of natural energy deposits. Challenges such as serious environmental pollution, ecological damage, and climate change have been identified as some of the critical issues for sustainable development. Therefore, this paper proposes a Delphi and Fuzzy (DFuzzy) model in order to institute low-carbon ecocities. DFuzzy is a scientific decision-making model with quantitative multiple attributes and artificial intelligence. Twelve specialists from the Delphi experts were interviewed, including chief executive officers (CEOs) of industries, management committee members, and senior academics, all of whom have 15 years of experience in urban planning practice. After a three-round Delphi process with 17 criteria that were taken from the literature, four criteria of the DFuzzy model were recognized by experts: policy norms, resident cooperation, pollution prevention and control, and ecological reserves. The practical application of the DFuzzy model took three areas as examples: the Baiyun District and Conghua District of Guangzhou City, and the Dahu Community of Kaohsiung City. Through the experts’ consensus in the two-round Delphi process, the four criteria, as the input basis, demonstrated the objective quantitative calculation function of the DFuzzy model and also indicated that the model established in this study provides a reference for evaluating low-carbon ecocities.
The Determinants of Income of Rural Women in Bangladesh
Authors: Kabir Md.Shajahan , Radović Marković Mirjana , Radulović Dejan
Published: October 2019

This study investigated the factor which influences rural women’s income after participation in small-scale agricultural farming, their contribution to the household, as well as their empowerment status. This research was conducted in Jinaigati upazila of Sherpur district in Bangladesh. A total of 80 respondents (women) from this upazilla of Sherpur were selected purposively using simple random sampling. The quantitative data were collected by in depth interviewing of the 80 respondents through personal interview. The quantitative analytical tools used to attain specific objectives included various descriptive statistics, functional analysis, multiple regression co-efficient, used to identify the factors of influencing women’s income through small-scale agricultural farming. Problem Confrontation Index (PCI) used through different problems identified scores. In accordance with the results of the educational level of woman, other sources of income, experience and training, access to credit, decision-making ability have an positive impact on rural women’s income. These variables were statistically significant. From the Problem Confrontation Index, it was found that lack of capital was the first ranked problem, need-based training the second ranked problem, high interest rate the third ranked problem, insufficient farm size the fourth ranked problem, and lack of quality of seed the fifth ranked problem. Their income from this brought remarkable positive change in their life and they had better control over their decisions and income. Finally, their active economical participation in small-scale farming assists them to overcome prejudice, socio-economic barriers, and highest empowerment attainment in the context of Bangladesh—and, if the government takes proper initiative in terms of gender policy, then rural women’s income and livelihood status will be increased remarkably.
Filtration of Uncharged Solutes: An Assessment of Steric Effect by Transport and Adsorption Modelling
Authors: Miron Simona M. , Dutournié Patrick , Ponche Arnaud
Published: October 2019

The major aim of this work was to understand and estimate the evolution of the membrane selectivity of neutral solutes after the filtration of protein or amino acid solutions. Classical methodologies led to the estimation of the mean pore radius, different for each filtrated neutral solute. The use of pore size distribution from nitrogen adsorption/desorption experiments enabled a good description of hydraulic and selectivity performances. The modification of the membrane hydraulic properties after the successive filtration of protein solutions revealed that the decrease is quasi linear, the same for all the studied membranes and independent of prior tests. According to the experimental observations, an adsorption model was developed, considering a layer by layer adsorption in the larger pores of the membrane. The predictive obtained results are in good agreement with the experimental rejection rates, validating the assumptions.
Android Applications based on software repository analysis
Authors: Ribeiro Tayse Virgulino
Published: October 2019

Context: Software repositories have been a source for studies about software evolution and its relation to software defects. In addition, the context of repositories has also been used for the purpose of analyzing refactoring practiced by programmers throughout the development process. Objective: Our objective is based on android projects stored in software repositories, to determine what types of transformations, that is, which refactorings are used, seeking to relate them to quality and security factors. Method: This research uses as an approach an exploratory study of a qualitative character, based on a systematic review of the literature, which will be carried out between the period from 2015 to 2019, as well as the application of research and quality criteria regarding the work context. In addition, develop a case study with projects for Android, relating refactoring quality criteria to non-aggregated projects in software repositories, glimpsing comparative and resulting factors. Expected results: It is expected with this review analysis and a summary of existing literature on Code Quality in the process of Software Refactoring for Android projects. Conclusions: The research is guided by this approach in identifying the types of refactorings practiced and extracting the related quality factors in the development process. We believe that our results will benefit in the updating and summary of the literature in the context of refactoring, glimpsing comparative factors.
La formación docente desde la percepción de los egresados de una universidad pedagógica
Authors: Lara Sara
Published: October 2019

El objetivo de la investigación fue Interpretar a través de la reflexión de los egresados, sus experiencias en torno a la formación docente recibida y la transferencia realizada en los entornos educativos donde se desempeñan. Como investigación Cualitativa, se aplicó el Método Comparativo Continuo de la Teoría Fundamentada a las entrevistas en profundidad realizadas a docentes egresados de una Universidad pedagógica. Se concluyó que el estudio de las reflexiones de los egresados en torno a su formación docente, se constituye en fuente de información válida que puede servir en insumo para las instituciones formadoras de formadores a fin de mejorar la formación impartida. Se requiere Formar para a) Orientar los problemas del contexto educativo b) Utilizar adecuadamente las herramientas tecnológicas c) Enfrentar la obsolescencia del conocimiento y d) Formar desde la civilidad apegados a los valores de democracia y libertad en la búsqueda de la dignificación de la profesión docente.
Clima institucional administrativo de la organización educativa escuela de educación de Colombia
Authors: Rodríguez Guillén Rosa
Published: October 2019

La presente investigación tiene el propósito de describir el clima institucional administrativo de la organización educativa Escuela de Educación de Colombia (Esesco). La investigación de tipo descriptiva, con un diseño de campo transaccional contemporáneo. La población la conforman 19 empleados de la institución estudiada. Para la recolección de los datos se empleó la técnica de la encuesta mediante el instrumento escala Clima Institucional Administrativo (CIA), contentiva de 24 ítems de alternativas de respuestas dicotómicas; la validez se calculó mediante el juicio de experto y una confiabilidad de 0,97 de Alfa de Cronbach. En el análisis de los resultados se utilizó la estadística descriptiva, específicamente la frecuencia absoluta y porcentual, y la mediana como medida de tendencia central por cuanto la variable se midió en un nivel ordinal. Los resultados indican que en el evento existe un clima institucional administrativo desfavorable, ubicándose según el baremo en el criterio desfavorable y lo cual se manifiesta como una debilidad para dicha organización. Se recomienda a la organización educativa Escuela de Educación de Colombia crear espacios en un clima armonioso que propicie la integración del personal, así como afianzar las relaciones interpersonales.
La calidad de los procesos de enseñanza de la lectoescritura en Colombia: entre concepciones y prácticas
Authors: Morales Londoño Ferney De Jesús
Published: October 2019

El propósito de este artículo estuvo orientado a presentar un abordaje teórico conceptual de la calidad en los procesos de enseñanza de la lectoescritura en el nivel de educación básica primaria en Colombia. Se estudió este evento por cuanto, se percibieron grandes dificultades en la lectoescritura de los estudiantes que egresan de la primaria a la secundaria. Para la revisión documental se utilizaron dos niveles, un nivel monográfico dirigido al arqueo de las fuentes para recopilar las ideas de los planteamientos conceptuales de autores como Teberosky y Ferreiro (1982), Lerner (2001), Hernández (2006), entre otros, luego se desarrolló un nivel hermenéutico en el cual se hizo una interpretación de los planteamientos de los autores a partir de la sustentación, vigencia y alcance, de esta manera se plantea la problemática de la lectoescritura en Colombia con relación a los resultados de pruebas saber que se aplican a los estudiantes, el reconocimiento de los lineamientos del MEN para el área de lenguaje y las estrategias como parte de la política de gobierno para el mejoramiento de la calidad de la enseñanza de la lectoescritura en el país. Las reflexiones finales conllevan a resaltar la importancia de construir un marco teórico que explique los factores que inciden en la calidad de la enseñanza de la lectoescritura en el nivel de básica primaria en Colombia.
Senior Citizens’ Intention to use Digital Banking (With special reference to selected Commercial Bank in Sri Lanka)
Authors: C Kuruppu. , A Jayawardena. , S Weerasinghe. , D Samarathunga. , R Mihipal.
Published: October 2019

This paper examines Senior Citizens’ intention towards using digital banking in a context where there is a rapid development in online banking systems in Sri Lanka. It was revealed that most of the Senior Citizens are away from the digital banking platform even though bank has made huge investments for the implementation of the digital banking systems. Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate the impact of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, on the behavioral intention of Senior Citizen to use the digital banking system with the application of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The structured questionnaire used as the main instrument in gathering primary data from 200 respondents from 20 branches of the selected commercial banks using convining sampling method. This study investigated that there is a positive relationship between perceived usefulness and beheviroal intention, also between perceived ease of use and beheviroal intention.
Transformation of banking in the new paradigm strategy of Ukraine’s development
Authors: Lutsiv Bohdan
Published: October 2019

Transformation of banking in the new paradigm strategy of Ukraine’s development
Bohdan Lutsiv

Abstract

The article considers the issues of transformation of banking into the new strategy of Ukraine’s development in conformity with the accelerating comprehensive transformations of the modern world. It is found that the crisis of globalization is deepening, resulting in the end of the industrial matrix of globalization and the beginning of post-industrial paradigm. It is pointed out that due to the networking transformation of the world a strategic perspective is rather an apolar world than a multipolar one, or a world of equivalent entities. This signals the end of Euro-centrism. In the paper, it is shown that Ukraine’s course to European integration should correlate with current Euro-integration strategies.

The systematic analysis of the modern state of the economic backwardness of Ukraine was carried out and the dynamic model of development with the new industrial policy in the reform of the economy was used. A system analysis of the current economic underdevelopment in Ukraine is carried out and a dynamic model of development with a new industrial policy is proposed.

Taking into account the deterioration of investment climate, Ukraine’s position in the global investment flows is determined. The structure of capital investments is analyzed by funding sources. In order to mitigate investment risks, a scheme of interaction between tools and instruments used for attracting investments to Ukraine’s economy is proposed. It is stressed that a sustainable stabilization of Ukraine’s banking system is a key driver for the recovery of the real sector. Since the banking sector has been and continues to be a leader and a driving force for reforms in the country, the current state of Ukraine’s banking system after a “big banking cleansing” is assessed. It is concluded that restoration of lending is an essential result received from the transformation of banking. The roots of non-performing loans in bank portfolios are defined and ways for restructuring non-performing loans are outlined. It is noted that addressing the problem of insider lending plays an important role in improving loan portfolios.