Search

This paper devotes to the study of the classical Abel equation d x d t = g (t) x 3 + f (t) x 2 , where g (t) and f (t) are trigonometric polynomials of degree m ≥ 1. We are interested in the problem that whether there is a uniform upper bound for the number of limit cycles of the equation with respect to m , which is known as the famous Smale-Pugh problem. In this work we generalize an idea from the recent paper (Yu, Chen and Liu, Disc. Cont. Dyn. Syst. Ser. B, 2023) and give a new criterion to estimate the maximum multiplicity of limit cycles of the above Abel equations. By virtue of this criterion and the previous results given by Álvarez et al. and Bravo et al., we completely solve the simplest case of the Smale-Pugh problem, i.e., the case when g (t) and f (t) are linear trigonometric, and obtain that the maximum number of limit cycles, is three, which gives a positive answer to the sixth of 33 open problem proposed by Gasull in paper (Gasull, SeMA J., 2021). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kikuchi‐Fujimoto Disease (KFD), also known as Kikuchi disease or Kikuchi histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare and self‐limiting condition characterized by cervical lymphadenopathy and fever, primarily affecting young Asian adults. The aetiology of KFD remains unknown, although various infectious agents have been suggested as potential triggers. With the emergence of the COVID‐19 pandemic, cases of post‐COVID‐19 KFD and post‐COVID‐19 vaccine KFD have been reported. In this article, we present the first case of post‐COVID‐19 KFD in Hong Kong. A 24‐year‐old man developed fever and painful neck swelling 1 month after recovering from COVID‐19. Diagnostic evaluation, including ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), confirmed the diagnosis of KFD. The patient's symptoms resolved spontaneously with supportive care. This case underscores the importance of considering KFD as a potential differential diagnosis in patients presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy and fever following COVID‐19 recovery or vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wiener index is one of the most classic and widely used indicators in topology. It reflects the average distance of any node pair in the graph. It not only makes the boundaries of given graphs clearer but also continuously generates topological indices that are more suitable for new fields, such as the Gutman index. The Wiener index and Gutman index are two important topological indices, which are commonly used to describe the characteristics of molecular structure. They are closely related to the physical and chemical properties of molecular compounds. And they are widely used to predict the physical and chemical properties and biological activity of molecular compounds. In this paper, we study the vertex Gutman index and Gutman index and describe the structural characteristics of all cases of two simple cycles intersecting. We comprehensively analyze the Gutman index and vertex Gutman index in these cases in detail by means of classification discussion and analogical reasoning and characterize their maximum and minimum accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modified Z-score (mZ-score) method has been used to detect outliers in time series received signal strength (RSS) observations. Its performance is dependent on the scale estimator used, and each has advantages and disadvantages over the others. One approach to developing a scale estimator that combines the advantages of two or more scale estimators is through scale estimator hybridization. In this paper, the outlier detection performance of a mZ-score method with different hybridization approaches for Sn and median absolute deviation (MAD) scale estimators is determined and analysed. Three different hybrid scale estimators are identified, namely weighted, maximum, and average hybrid scale estimators. The performance of the mZ-score method using the three different hybrid scale estimators is determined using three experimentally generated and publicly available time-series RSS datasets. Based on the simulation results, the weighted hybrid scale estimator results in the best outlier detection performance amongst the three hybrid scale estimators. When compared to the mean-shift-based outlier detection (MOD) technique, the k-means clustering-based technique, and the density-based spatial clustering (DBSCAN) technique, the mZ-score method with the weighted hybrid scale estimator performs better with little or no false alarm and false negative detections.

Forecasting the maximum pressure exerted by cast-in-place self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a major concern for formwork designers, researchers, and site engineers to accurately design the bearing capacity of the formwork and control the casting rate for safe and fast construction. This article aims to utilize the ARX-Laguerre model, which is a data-driven model to forecast the maximum form pressure. A laboratory instrumented setup was used to cast a 2-m column using SCC made with two different types of cement. A pressure system consisting of four sensors was used to document the pressure during casting. The data were sent to the cloud at every 1-min interval for real-time monitoring. The data were used to develop the model. The results demonstrated that forecasting with the ARX-Laguerre model is highly accurate. The model can forecast the maximum pressure exerted by SCC with less complexity. The model performance was also found to be consistent with insignificant differences between actual experimental results and predicted results. With a recursive and straightforward representation, the resulting model, known as the ARX-Laguerre model, ensures the parameter number reduction. Providing fast prediction of the maximum pressure. The model enables formwork designers to forecast the form pressure to design safe formwork and also helps to control the casting rate when SCC is used.

Abstract-In this article, we investigate the periodicity of a four-order maximum fuzzy difference equation with the positive fuzzy numbers for the initial values and the parameter. Firstly, we transform the maximum fuzzy difference equation into a corresponding maximum ordinary difference equations with parameters by utilizing the fuzzy set theory. Secondly, we obtain the expressions of the eventual periodic solutions for the maximum ordinary difference equations by the inequality technique, the iteration method and the mathematical induction. Finally, we achieve the expressions of the eventual periodic solutions for the maximum fuzzy difference equation. In addition, we give some numerical simulations to verify the effectiveness of our theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research analyzes the monthly drinking water consumption in the residential sector of 46 Ecuadorian towns to determine if there was greater consumption duringthe quarantine’s isolation due to COVID-19 thanthe historical values. Over 28million data were analyzed previously throughthe Box and Whisker Test, ANOVA,and Tukey to getthe average monthly consumption (CMM) and the historical maximums (CMH) for eachyear ofregistration. The standard deviation is calculated to compare the maximum consumption during quarantine (CMC) with the historical one. No town has quarantine consumption more significantthan the historical maximum, but a third of the sample reaches the historical maximum during isolation, which shouldraiseconcernsdue to recurring natural or anthropic emergencies. Consumption during the months of isolation (March, April, May,and June of 2020) hasdistinct patternsthan those of the historical ones and are attributed to migration caused by fear and unemployment caused by COVID-19, which directly affect drinking water consumption.

Influential Spanish artist Pablo Picasso utilized the concepts of minimum and maximum, and the contrast between these concepts within several aspects of the subjects he depicted. The painting of Les Demoiselles d' Avignon (1907) is analyzed as a dynamic scene of four prostitutes competing for a client, along with a madam, to construct an original Cubist geometric analysis and representation of female form that transforms naturalistic depiction. Cubism geometrically analyzes and represents anatomy utilizing the triangle, curve, cone, circle, rectangle, square, cylindrical, and trapezoid forms involving simultaneous multiple planes and various perspectives. Les Demoiselles d' Avignon is analyzed as a dynamic progression from the most naturalistic analysis and representation of female form to a Cubist content-principled conceptual representation (Erdynast & Chen, 2014). Picasso surpasses other artists by finding a minimum or a maximum beyond what other artists had achieved, e.g., an extended elbow, or a dropped arm. Using his own remarks that are rarely utilized in other analyses of his paintings, Picasso's own agency is used to account for his objectives and to deny what he did not do. Within this paper additional works of Picasso are analyzed: The Bull Series (1945-6), Woman Ironing, (1904), Bust of a Young Woman, (1937), Weeping Woman, (1937), Massacre in Korea (1954), Final Self-Portrait Facing Death, (1972). The subjects that Picasso analyzed and represented sometimes substantially differs from the titles he gave his paintings. An analysis of the Bull Series (1945-46) by Stella Adler, a renowned acting teacher and acting coach, illustrates a formal level understanding of Picasso's very complex art (Erdynast & Chen, 2014). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The suggested methodology for the characterization of temperature extrema presents a multistep preprocessing procedure intended to derive extrema time series of correctly identified and thermally defined daily air temperature extrema pairs. The underlying conceptual framework for this approach was developed in response to the existing gaps in the current state of daily extrema identification and the development of extrema-based synthetic air temperature time series. A code consisting of a series of algorithms was developed to establish four-parameter criteria for a more accurate representation of daily variability that allows easy replication of temperature distribution based on the correct characterization of daily temperature patterns. The first preprocessing step consists of subjecting the high-frequency temperature time series to a theoretical diurnal observing window that imposes latitudinally and seasonally crafted limits for the individual identification of daily minima and maxima. The following pre-processing step involves the supplementation of air temperature extrema with the information on the occurrence of extrema timing deemed as vital information for the reconstruction of the temperature time series. The subsequent step involves the application of an innovative temperature pattern recognition algorithm that identifies physically homogeneous air temperature populations based on the information obtained in previous steps. The last step involves the use of a metric for the assessment of extrema temperature and timing parameters’ susceptibility to climate change. The application of the presented procedure to high-frequency temperature data yields two strains of physically homogeneous extrema time series with the preserved characteristics of the overall temperature variability. In the present form, individual elements of this methodology are applicable for correcting historical sampling and air temperature averaging biases, improving the reproducibility of daily air temperature variation, and enhancing the performance of temperature index formulae based on daily temperature extrema. The objective of this analysis is the eventual implementation of the presented methodology into the practice of systematic temperature extrema identification and preprocessing of temperature time series for the configuration of physically homogeneous air temperature subpopulations.

A sufficient condition for solvability in natural numbers of linear Diophantine equation is obtained and a problem on maximizing the product of powers natural numbers whose corresponding weighted sum is given is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Definition: The suggested methodology for the characterization of temperature extrema presents a multistep preprocessing procedure intended to derive extrema time series of correctly identified and thermally defined daily air temperature extrema pairs. The underlying conceptual framework for this approach was developed in response to the existing gaps in the current state of daily extrema identification and the development of extrema-based synthetic air temperature time series. A code consisting of a series of algorithms was developed to establish four-parameter criteria for a more accurate representation of daily variability that allows easy replication of temperature distribution based on the correct characterization of daily temperature patterns. The first preprocessing step consists of subjecting the high-frequency temperature time series to a theoretical diurnal observing window that imposes latitudinally and seasonally crafted limits for the individual identification of daily minima and maxima. The following pre-processing step involves the supplementation of air temperature extrema with the information on the occurrence of extrema timing deemed as vital information for the reconstruction of the temperature time series. The subsequent step involves the application of an innovative temperature pattern recognition algorithm that identifies physically homogeneous air temperature populations based on the information obtained in previous steps. The last step involves the use of a metric for the assessment of extrema temperature and timing parameters' susceptibility to climate change. The application of the presented procedure to high-frequency temperature data yields two strains of physically homogeneous extrema time series with the preserved characteristics of the overall temperature variability. In the present form, individual elements of this methodology are applicable for correcting historical sampling and air temperature averaging biases, improving the reproducibility of daily air temperature variation, and enhancing the performance of temperature index formulae based on daily temperature extrema. The objective of this analysis is the eventual implementation of the presented methodology into the practice of systematic temperature extrema identification and preprocessing of temperature time series for the configuration of physically homogeneous air temperature subpopulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we present a new class of continuous distributions called the exponentiated reduced-Kies-G family. The basic mathematical properties of the new family are addressed. A special sub-model of the proposed family, called the exponentiated reduced-Kies exponential (ERKiEx), is studied in detail concerning the aspect of estimation and inference, we described eight estimation methods. A comprehensive set of simulation studies are performed to compare and rank the proposed methods based on partial and overall ranks. Two real-life reliability engineering data applications are employed to explore the applicability and flexibility of the new ERKiEx distribution as compared to well-known other exponential extensions such as the Marshall{Olkin exponential, Kumaraswamy exponential and exponentiated exponential distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important topic in the field of geometric optimization is finding the largest rectangle separating two different points sets, which has significant applications in circuit design and data science. We consider some extensions of the maximum bichromatic separating rectangle (MBSR) problem. In one of the extensions, the optimal rectangle may include up to k outliers, where k is given as part of the input. This extension and is called MBSR with outliers or MBSR-O. In this paper, we improve the current known time bounds for MBSR-O from O (k 7 m   log m + n) to O (k 3 m + k m   log m + n) using a clever staircase sweep approach. We also propose another extension, which is named MBSR among circles or MBSR-C and asks for the largest rectangle separating red points from blue unit circles. Our solution to MBSR-C is an O (m 2 + n) -time algorithm that involves an optimized scanning of all candidate circle arcs for locations of potential optimal solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scalar limit operators (or superlative scalar modifiers), such as at least and at most , have been shown to develop a range of functions crosslinguistically. This article brings to the discussion evidence from Russian – operators based on the construction po + Adj + mere 'by + Adj + measure' – and interprets synchronic patterns of associated functions in light of historical change. The construction has given rise to several lexicalized operators, both minimal and maximal, which, similarly to their counterparts in other languages, evoke different kinds of scales pertaining to representational, evaluative, or illocutionary (rhetorical) domains. A corpus-based analysis of their usage across three centuries has revealed a narrowing down of lexical variation within the construction, attributable to competition of different variants for the speaker's selection, and a reduction of the functional overlap between the variants. The data also suggest reorganization of the functional repertoire within particular variants. For the most frequent operator, po krajnej mere 'at least' lit. 'by the extreme measure', the share of 'rhetorical' observations has increased over the years while that of 'evaluative' ones has shrunk. • The article explores Russian [po + Adj + mere]-based scalar limit operators. • They evoke various scales in representational, evaluative or illocutionary domains. • Lexical variation within the construction has substantially decreased. • Functional overlap has also shrunk. • The reason for uneven distribution of uses between the variants is not semantic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the application of mathematical methods in economics, in particular discussing economic problems that are easily solved using derivatives. The purpose of the article is to show students the way and opportunity to use mathematical methods to solve economic problems. To this end, the article discusses and analyzes several economic tasks in detail, which will be interesting and easy for students to master. I considered the derivative of a function as the rate of change and introduced the definition: The instantaneous rate of change of the function f with respect to x at a point is called the derivative if it exists. With the help of this definition I have discussed and explained Task 1: Suppose that the increase in production of a certain product over a period of time is described by a function And population growth is described by the following function: Where is the number of years from the initial period, then the production of these products per capita is given by the function: Find the growth rate of product production. By solving this task I came to the conclusion that after a year the production of products per capita increases. In the following tasks I used the method of finding the extremum values of a function using a derivative, namely I equated the first-order derivative to 0, found the critical points, and with the help of the second-order derivative I determined the extremes of the function. I discussed task 2: For the production of X volume of products, the firm plans a cost that is calculated by the formulan . For what volume of production will the average cost be the smallest? Find the numerical value of this small expense. Solving this problem, I came to the conclusion that the given function of the average cost takes on the least value when the output volume is a unit , and this value is equal to: which is the marginal cost when producing the volume output. I discussed Task 3: How many products should be sold in order for a firm to profit maximally if the derivative cost function is known: And return function: Here I came to the conclusion: if 600 units of the product are sold, then the firm's profit will be maximum and it will be numerically equal At the end of the article I discussed such a task 4 of applied optimization. What is the minimum amount of material needed to make a 2 liter cylindrical jar? Where I came to the conclusion: the smallest amount of material will be spent to get a cylindrical vessel if we take the height 2 times the radius of the base.

Copyright of Adab Al-Kufa is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study analyzed the determinants of household demand for food away from home (FAFH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Truncated generalized Poisson regression (TGPR) and truncated standard Poisson regression (TSPR) was applied to data from a random sample of 101 families. Maximum likelihood was used to obtain parameter estimates for these two models. TGPR was found to be optimal and appropriate for the analysis of demand data. Both income and number of household members had a significant positive effect, which is consistent with economic logic and reality in Saudi society. Price and taste also had positive effects on FAFH demand. Household income as an economic variable has a significant positive effect on the number of times that a household dines out during the month. When income increases by one thousand Saudi riyals, the demand will increase by 11%, which is consistent with economic logic. Household income as a quantitative economic variable and the number of household members as a quantitative demographic variable are the most important variables in household demand for FAFH. However, the effect of income is more significant than that of the number of household members. As this study investigated the impact of socio-economic and demographic factors on food away from home (FAFH) demand in Riyadh such as household income, number of household members, education level, prices and cleanness of restaurant, and taste of food. Still there are other variables could be used as potential variables could affect FAFH demand in Saudi Arabia in future research such as the change in number of working women which there is shift in the number of female workers recently. The future studies could look at the differences in socio-economic between consumers for different types of restaurants such as traditional, fast food, fish, and luxury restaurants. Due to the high demand for restaurant meals, officials should tighten the health control and close restaurants that do not comply with health requirements as well security and safety requirements. Restaurants should pay attention to improving the quality of meals and offering them at affordable prices to consumers.

On April 17, 2020, one male specimen of the shi drum, Umbrina cirrosa (Linnaeus, 1758) was measured as 104 cm in total length, weighed 11080 g, and 18 years old. The U. cirrosa were sampled at 2 m depth by using trammel net in Ordu at the southern Black Sea. Up to date, this length, weight and age are a new record for the maximum size of U. cirrosa. These measurements make it the largest individual in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bessel functions of the first kind are ubiquitous in the sciences and engineering in solutions to cylindrical problems including electrostatics, heat flow, and the Schrödinger equation. The roots of the Bessel functions are often quoted and calculated, but the maxima and minima for each Bessel function, used to match Neumann boundary conditions, have not had the same treatment. Here we compute 10000 extrema for the first 600 orders of the Bessel function J. To do this, we employ an adaptive root solver bounded by the roots of the Bessel function and solve to an accuracy of 10−19. We compare with the existing literature (to 30 orders and 5 maxima and minima) and the results match exactly. It is hoped that these data provide values needed for orthogonal function expansions and numerical expressions including the calculation of geometric correction factors in the measurement of resistivity of materials, as is done in the original paper using these data.

We describe the mating behavior of 4 species of Oxyinae: Oxya hyla hyla Serville, 1831, O. velox (Fabricius, 1787), O. fuscovittata (Marschall, 1836) and Oxyina bidentata Willemse. In trials carried out in laboratory we verified the following mating sequence: (1) sexual recognition by antennation; (2) courtship with male turning his abdomen towards the female performing mediolateral antennae vibration and jerking its body antero-posteriorly. We quantified elapsed time of each behavioral sequence i.e. age of maturation, duration of pre-copulatory and mating, interval between each mating, length of copulation, and number of mating in entire life of insect and also discussed its implications in the observed mating behavior. We examined that reproductive activity of Oxyinae was at its maximum in August to December. Mating duration has also been identified as a pest control method in which the insect does not become resistant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is devoted to the ontogenetic features of haloaccumulation of some hemihalophytes in the conditions of Karakalpakstan. The work revealed quantitative and qualitative indicators of haloaccumulation as the development phases of the studied plants progressed: Atriplex tatarica L., Zygophyllum oxianum Boriss., Elaeagnus turcomanica N. Kozl. The change in the content of mineral salts in the leaves of hemihalophytes was investigated. The results of the study showed that different species differ in qualitative and quantitative indicators of haloaccumulation by developmental phases, but the studied species have a single regularity of haloaccumulation intensity: in the initial phases it is low, reaching a maximum during the period of intensive growth and formation of vegetative and generative organs; drops sharply in the flowering phase, increases again at the fruiting stage and gradually decreases towards the end of the growing season as the growth processes diminish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metre used by the Spanish writer Juan de Mena in his long allegorical work Laberinto de fortuna has been puzzling metrists for over five centuries. Usually identified as a variety of the verse called arte mayor, this metre has been analysed, among other things, as a divided line – one systematically allowing internal extrametricality – and as an amphibrachic line. Here it will be argued that the arte mayor exemplified by Mena’s Laberinto does not allow internal extrametricality and that it is a dolnik, a syllable-stress form not usually discussed in connection with the Spanish language. At the same time as it introduces the main problems encountered by traditional approaches, this article analyses the constant and necessary characteristics of the metre used in Mena’s composition, advocating the reliance on the notion of the metrical maximum. Next come some comments on other phenomena that are constant in Laberinto but not necessary in other kinds of arte mayor, and on several characteristics displayed by those other kinds but absent from Mena’s work. The Conclusion offers a series of suggestions for further research into the limits of this metre.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the time course of the changes of various muscle and tendon mechanical properties and the function responses of the plantar flexor muscles following 1 min of static stretching. Twenty-five healthy volunteers were assigned into a static stretching group or a control group. The static stretching group was tested with three different rest times (0 min,20 min,40 min) after 2x30s of stretching. Controls were tested before and after a control period (10 min) without stretching. Dorsiflexion range of motion (RoM), passive resistive torque (PRT), and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) were measured with a dynamometer. Ultrasonography of the medial gastrocnemius (GM) muscle-tendon junction (MTJ) displacement allowed us to determine the length changes in the tendon and muscle, respectively, and hence to calculate their stiffness. Following the stretching, we observed a significant increase in RoM directly following the stretching, 20 min post-stretching, and 40 min post-stretching. However, no changes were found in other functional parameters (PRT, MVC) or structural parameters (muscle and tendon stiffness). No changes were detected in any variable in the control group. We conclude that a static stretching exercise of 2x30s increases the RoM for at least 40 min. However, this gain in RoM is not accompanied with more compliant muscle and/or tendon tissue, suggesting that 60s of static stretching might not be stimulus enough to induce changes in the muscle-tendon structure. Hence, we speculate that other factors, such as increased stretch tolerance, might be responsible for the changes in the RoM observed in the present study.

The contributions of urban surface expansion to regional warming over subregions of Shanghai and Shanghai as a whole using different methods to calculate the daily mean surface temperature (SAT), including the averages of four daily time-records (0000, 0600, 1200, and 1800 UTC; T4), eight daily time-records (0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, and 2100 UTC; T8), and the averages of the SAT maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin), Txn, were compared based on simulated results using nested numerical intergrations with the Weather Research and Forecasting regional climate model, where only the satellite-retrieved urban surface distributions differed between two numerical experiments. The contributions from urban-related warming expressed similar intensities when using T8 and Txn, while the smallest values occurred when using T4 over different subregions of Shanghai (with the exception of areas that were defined as urban for both time periods (U2U)) and Shanghai as a whole. Similar values for the changing trends could be detected over different subregions when no urban surface expansion (EX1) was detected for both T4 and Txn. The corresponding values increased under urban surface expansion (EX2) and varied over different subregions, revealing much stronger intensities over urban-surface expansion areas; the weakest intensities occurred over U2U areas. The increasing trends for EX2 and relative contributions when using T4 were smaller than those when using Txn, with the exception of those over U2U areas, which could be explained by the changing trends in Tmax and Tmin due to urban surface expansion, especially during intense urban expansion periods.

Introduction: Background: although obesity has been consistently associated with lower 25-OH hydroxyvitamin D-25(OH)D-levels, little is known about the effect of weight change on said 25(OH)D levels. Methods: the present analysis was based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Percent weight changes were calculated from participant-reported maximum lifetime weight and weight in the past year and 10 years ago. Subsequently, general linear models adjusted for potential confounders were assembled to examine 25(OH)D concentrations across percent weight change categories. Results: a total of 6,237 participants with a mean age of 57.5 (SE, 0.2) years comprised the study sample. After adjustment for potential confounders, subjects who have gained weight ≥ 5 % in the past year and 10 years before had on average 4.5 and 5.1 nmol/L lower 25(OH)D levels than those with a stable weight, respectively. Moreover, this association persisted even among participants with adequate vitamin D intake. Notably, subjects who lost weight > 5 % from their maximum reported weight had significantly higher 25(OH)D levels than those who did not. Conclusion: subjects with a stable weight and those who lost weight ≥ 5% from their maximum reported lifetime weight had significantly higher 25(OH)D concentrations than those who did not. Thus, maintaining a healthy weight over time may be an effective strategy to reach optimal serum 25(OH)D levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One extension of mel-frequency cepstral feature vector for automatic speaker recognition is considered in this paper. The starting feature vector consisted of 18 mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs). The extension was done with two additional features derived from the appropriate spectral maximums of the speech signal. The main idea behind this research is that it is possible to increase the accuracy of automatic speaker recognition which uses only MFCCs by adding additional features based on the energy maximums in the appropriate frequency ranges of observed speech frames. In the experiments, accuracy and equal error rate (EER) are compared in the case when feature vectors contain only MFCCs and in cases when additional features are used. For the case of maximum recognition accuracy achieved (92.94%), recognition accuracy increased by around 2.43%. EER values have smaller differentiation, but the results show that adding proposed additional features produced a lower decision threshold. These results indicate that tracking of proposed spectral maxima in the spectrum of the speech signal leads to more accurate automatic speaker recognizer. Determining features which track real maxima in the speech spectrum will improve the procedure of automatic speaker recognition and enable avoiding complex models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Andrzej Grzybowski,1,2 Ronald A Schachar,3 Magdalena Gaca-Wysocka,2 Ira H Schachar,4 Barbara K Pierscionek5 1Institute for Research in Ophthalmology, Foundation for Ophthalmology Development, Poznan, 2Department of Ophthalmology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland; 3Department of Physics, University of Texas, Arlington, TX, 4Byers Eye Institute of Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA; 5School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK Purpose: To measure the maximum, objectively measured, accommodative amplitude, produced by pharmacologic stimulation.Methods: Thirty-seven healthy subjects were enrolled, with a mean age of 20.2±1.1 years, corrected visual acuity of 20/20, and mean spherical equivalent refraction (SER) =–0.83±1.60 diopters. For each subject, the right pupil was dilated with phenylephrine 10%. After 30 minutes, the pupil was measured, the left eye was patched, and the right eye was autorefracted. Pilocarpine 4% was then instilled in the right eye, followed by phenylephrine. At 45 minutes after the pilocarpine, autorefraction and pupil size were again measured.Results: Mean pupil size pre- and postpilocarpine was 8.0±0.8 mm and 4.4±1.9 mm, respectively. Pre- and postpilocarpine, the mean SER was –0.83±1.60 and –10.55±4.26 diopters, respectively. The mean pilocarpine-induced accommodative amplitude was 9.73±3.64 diopters. Five subjects had accommodative amplitudes ≥14.00 diopters. Accommodative amplitude was not significantly related to baseline SER (p-value =0.24), pre- or postpilocarpine pupil size (p-values =0.13 and 0.74), or change in pupil size (p-value =0.37). Iris color did not statistically significantly affect accommodative amplitude (p-value =0.83).Conclusion: Following topically applied pilocarpine, the induced objectively measured accommodation in the young eye is greater than or equal to the reported subjectively measured voluntary maximum accommodative amplitude. Keywords: maximum, accommodative amplitude, objective, pilocarpine

The mathematical models of many engineering problems can often come down to two-dimensional optimization problems,it has been one of the hot issues of seeking the high effective and precision optimizing method.The characteristics of harmonic function and Green theory were used to study the relations between the values of harmonic function and its boundary values,and demonstrate the non-locality of its extreme value.When the objective function of the optimization is harmonic function,the two-dimensional optimization can be simplified as a one-dimensional optimization on the boundary of its feasible region.At last,three examples were given to show the feasibility of the method here.The research ideas and the conclusions can be generalized to the solution of the three-dimensional optimization problems.

The optimization problems of binary functions widely exist in many practical engineering problems,their global optimization methods have always been one of the hot research issues. A high effective method of global optimization to nonnegative binary functions was put forward basing on the maximum modulus theorem of the analytic function of complex function,this method can simplify the optimization problem of the object function on a two-dimension bounded area as an one-dimension global optimization problem,the theory basis for the optimization method was given,and three numerical examples were given to show the effectiveness of the method. On one hand,the conclusions obtained in this paper can be directly used to solve the optimization problem in which the analytic function theory could be used,on the other hand,it can be used to obtain the global optimization solutions of the two-dimension mathematical optimization problems in which the method could be used in a high precision and high effective manner.

Considerations are being proposed to the new class of airborne laser facilities for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), specifically concerning to the on-board laser altimeter and vertical speed gauge (LASG) combined in one device. LASG is designed on the base of conventional units of a laser rangefinder. Distinguishing constructional peculiarities of LASG and its application features are shown. LASG implements the two methods of speed measuring. The first method comprises non-coherent accumulation of receiving signals with calculating the speed as a difference of two measured ranges divided by interval of time between them. The second method employs the linear regression method by finding the straight line that provides the least squares fitting to a series of distances measured in the monopulse mode. The last method could be applied at low altitudes of UAV (< 200 m), giving most accurate results, while the first method is more appropriate for high altitudes (up to 1000 m), where monopulse mode is rather energetically deficient. The ways to optimize these methods are discussed for various flight stages with regard to a function to be performed. The prototype of LASG is described.

Development of sorghum processing industries is essential in expanding sorghum market as wells as it’s an economic value. Fertilizer is needed in planting. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium availabilities are the most limiting factors for maximum growth and yield. Sorghum (Numbu Variety) was planted to evaluate the maximum and optimum rates of N, P, and K fertilizers. The research was conducted in Cikarawang field, Darmaga, Bogor from MarchJuly 2015 with multi-nutrient response method. Each experiment evaluated different rates of N, P, and K fertilizer with randomized complete block design and three replications. The fertilizer rates were 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200% of recommendation rate (100% N = 120 kg N ha-1, 100% P = 36 kg P2O5 ha-1, and 100% K = 90 kg K2O ha-1). The result showed relative yields of sorghum increased quadratically based on y = -0,0015x2 + 0,4011x + 67,571 for N, y = -0,0012x2 + 0,2917x + 78,457 for P2O5, and y = -0,001x2 + 0,2777x + 74,457 for K2O. The maximum rate for each nutrient was 160,4-43,7-124,9 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1. Fertilizer recommendation based on P threshold (no P) was 36,7-0,0-13,7 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1, K threshold (no K) was 22,0-0,0-0,0 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1, and no fertilizer needed on N threshold. The optimum rate fertilizer based on the yield vs. cost rule, therefore, the most economical recommendation would be 160,4-43,7-124,9 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1.

In this paper the application of metric relations in triangle for determination of extremes of functions is studied. The proposed method is efficient when the traditional methods leads to cumbersome calculations.

Copyright of Journal of Kirkuk University for Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The use of solar cells despite being free of contamination and unlimited in terms of the amount of energy is considered as a costly way to generate energy. Two main factors may be enumerated as follows. First of all, the amount of sunlight and ambient temperature affected the amount of energy received from sunlight by solar panels, as long as the amount of sunlight changes overnight in line with changing weather conditions and the second one is the low efficiency of the energy conversion. The main reason for the low electrical efficiency is the nonlinear variation of the output voltage and current along with the change of the amount of radiation, the change of the temperature of the operating environment and the change of the electric charge, respectively. To address this concern, the maximum point of the photovoltaic system can be tracked through an appropriate algorithm and pushes the system point to the optimal point. In a word, the key goal of the investigation presented here is to provide an approach that in the high speed and precision of convergence to the maximum power point is well considered. So far, a large number of available methods have been used to increase the efficiency of solar cells. Some of these are associated with problems in the tracking process or they respond slowly. It should be noted that a set of them are depended on the types and structures of solar cells and also their implementation is very complex and costly. Therefore, this study has focused on intelligence-based techniques such as artificial neural networks to solve all the problems mentioned. The investigated outcomes verify the effectiveness of the approach performance proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We introduce logarithmic generalized Maxwell distribution motivated by Vodă (Math. Rep. 11:171-179, 2009), which is an extension of the generalized Maxwell distribution. Some interesting properties of this distribution are studied and the asymptotic distribution of the partial maximum of an i.i.d. sequence from the logarithmic generalized Maxwell distribution is gained. The expansion of the limit distribution from the normalized maxima is established under the optimal norming constants, which shows the rate of convergence of the distribution for normalized maximum to the extreme limit.

Metric spaces provide a framework for analysis and have several very useful properties. Many of these properties follow in part from the triangle inequality. However, there are several applications in which the triangle inequality does not hold but in which we may still like to perform analysis. This paper investigates what happens if the triangle inequality is removed all together, leaving what is called a distance space, and also what happens if the triangle inequality is replaced with a much more general two parameter relation, which is herein called the "power triangle inequality". The power triangle inequality represents an uncountably large class of inequalities, and includes the triangle inequality, relaxed triangle inequality, and inframetric inequality as special cases. The power triangle inequality is defined in terms of a function that is herein called the power triangle function. The power triangle function is itself a power mean, and as such is continuous and monotone with respect to its exponential parameter, and also includes the operations of maximum, minimum, mean square, arithmetic mean, geometric mean, and harmonic mean as special cases.

Abstract Let { X n , n ≥ 1 } $\{X_{n},n\geq1\}$ be an independent and identically distributed random sequence with common distribution F obeying the lognormal distribution. In this paper, we obtain the exact uniform convergence rate of the distribution of maxima to its extreme value limit under power normalization.

Objective: To study the average maximum interincisal distance (MID) and its association with individual physical parameters and dietary pattern in a representative convenient sample of healthy adult Nigerians from two ethnic groups. Materials and Methods: This was a pilot cross-sectional study of healthy adults, free of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, aged 18–58 years in Ile-Ife (Southwest Nigeria) and Kano (Northwest Nigeria). MID, body weight, and height were determined using a clean wooden spatula on a transparent plastic linear gauge, calibrated body weight electronic scale, and wall-mounted height scale, respectively. Dietary habits and history were assessed using a validated structured questionnaire. MID was compared in each group and related to subjects' age, sex, height, and weight. Results: Of 853 subjects screened, 794 (93.1%), aged 18–58 years, met the inclusion criteria. About 393 (49.5%) and 401 (50.5%) subjects were from the Northwest (Kano City) and Southwest (Ile-Ife), respectively. The mean age of the subjects from the Northwest and Southwest Nigeria was 35.4 years and 26.7 years, respectively, and M:F ratio was 1:1.02. Female subjects recorded higher body mass index (BMI) and were slightly older than the males. Mean MID (SD) values in millimeters were 45.68 (6.7), 47.60 (7.73), and 46.69 (7.29) in the Southwest, Northwest, and combined groups, respectively. MID was significantly higher in males than females, peaked at age 33 years in both the sexes and, thereafter, decreased with increasing age. Conclusion: The MID vary with ethnic origin, weight, height, age, and BMI. A peak MID in adult appears to exist at about 33 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal (RBSPA) is the property of Revista Brasileira de Saude e Producao Animal (RBSPA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The spectra of 16 optical Mg2Si functions in the range from 0 to 11 eV at 77 K are determined. They contain five maxima and shoulders due to interband transitions and metastable excitons, as well as the maxima of bulk and surface plasmons at ~9.56 and ~7.30 eV. Their peculiarities and general patterns of behavior are established. Calculations were performed based on a well-known experimental reflection spectrum in the range from 0 to 11 eV at 77 K. The integral spectra of the imaginary parts of the permittivity ε2(E), characteristic bulk (-Im ε-1), and surface (-Im (1 + ε)-1) energy losses of electrons are expanded into elementary components in the region from 2 to 5 eV. The main parameters of the transition components were determined, including the energies of their maxima and oscillator strengths. Calculations were carried out using computer programs based on the Kramers-Kronig relations and known analytical formulas for the correlation between optical functions, as well as an improved nonparametric method of combined Argand diagrams taking into account the effective number of valence electrons participating in the formation of individual bands. Instead of five maxima and shoulders of the integral spectra, 17 elementary bands with oscillator strengths in the range from 0.0003 to 1.92 were established. They are due to transverse and longitudinal type excitonic and interband transitions. Based on known theoretical calculations, we propose herein the localization and assumed nature of the optical transition bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectral complex of fundamental optical functions of strontium-selenide (SrSe) crystal in the range 0-40 eV was determined. Spectra of the imaginary parts of three functions [transverse dielectric permittivity ε2(E) and longitudinal volume -Im ε-1 and surface -Im (1 + ε)-1 characteristic electron energy losses] of SrSe crystal were deconvoluted into 36 elementary bands. Energies of maxima Ei, half-widths Hi, amplitudes Ii, areas Si, and oscillator strengths fi were determined for every band of the three spectra. The main spectral features of the optical functions and 36 elementary bands of SrSe in the range 3-35 eV due to excitons and transverse and longitudinal interband transitions were established. The calculations were based on experimental reflectance spectra and used the Kramers-Kronig integral relations, a modified combined Argand diagram method, and a number of computer programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]