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Design of a novel, low impact bogie for a freight locomotive
No full textThis paper reports on the work being carried out in the Shift2Rail ‘DYNAFREIGHT’ project to develop a novel freight locomotive bogie which will reduce wheel and track wear and run with lower noise than current locomotive bogie designs. This is being achieved by developments in several areas including the use of advanced materials and manufacturing processes and the adoption of passive and mechatronic systems for radial steering of bogies, which will allow improved running performance compared to conventional bogies. In particular, significant reduction of wheel wear and damage, improved traction in curves and reduced resistance to motion in sharp curves will be achieved. The use of noise optimized wheelsets and noise absorbing structure in order to reduce the running gear related noise is also being considered. Monitoring of the most maintenance cost-intensive bogie elements is also being considered in order to contribute to lower life cycle costs and to improve the reliability and availability of the locomotive
First record of Phormia regina (Meigen, 1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from mummies at the Sant’Antonio Abate Cathedral of Castelsardo, Sardinia, Italy
No full textThe studies of insects from archaeological contexts can provide an important
supplement of information to reconstruct past events, climate and environments.
Furthermore, the list of the species present in an area in the past allows the reconstruction
of the entomofauna on that area at that time, that can be different from
the nowadays condition, providing information about biodiversity changes. In this
work, the results of a funerary archaeoentomological study on samples collected from
mummified corpses discovered during the restoration of the crypt of the Sant’Antonio
Abate Cathedral of Castelsardo (Sardinia, Italy) are reported. The majority of the
sampled specimens were Diptera puparia, whereas only few Lepidoptera cocoons
and some Coleoptera fragments were isolated. Among Diptera, Calliphoridae puparia
were identified as Phormia regina (Meigen, 1826) and Calliphora vicina, (RobineauDesvoidy,
1830) both species typical of the first colonization waves of exposed bodies.
Three puparia fragments were also identified as belonging to a Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826,
species (Sarcophagidae). Several Muscidae puparia of the species Hydrotaea capensis
(Weidmermann, 1818), a late colonizer of bodies, and typical of buried bodies were
also collected. The few moth (Lepidoptera) cocoons were identified as belonging to the
family Tineidae. This family comprises species feeding on dry tissues and hair typical of
the later phases of the human decomposition. Among Coleoptera a single specimen in
the family Histeridae, Saprinus semistriatus(Scriba, 1790) and a single elytra, potentially
of a species in the family Tenebrionidae, were also collected. Overall, the samples
collected indicated an initial colonization of the bodies in an exposed context, mainly
in a warm season. This research allows the finding of elements indicating the presence,
at least in the past, of P. regina in Sardinia. This species at the moment seems extinct
from Sardinia while it is quite common in the continent
3D Object Classification Using Geometric Features and Pairwise Relationships
Full text linkObject classification is a key differentiator of building information modeling (BIM) from three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD). Incorrect object classification impedes the full exploitation of BIM models. Models prepared using domain-specific software cannot ensure correct object classification when transferred to other domains, and research on reconstruction of BIM models using spatial survey has not proved a full capability to classify objects. This research proposed an integrated approach to object classification that applied domain experts’ knowledge of shape features and pairwise relationships of 3D objects to effectively classify objects using a tailored matching algorithm. Among its contributions: the algorithms implemented for shape and spatial feature identification could process various complex 3D geometry; the method devised for compilation of the knowledge base considered both rigor and confidence of the inference; the algorithm for matching provides mathematical measurement of the object classification results. The integrated approach has been applied to classify 3D bridge objects in two models: a model prepared using incorrect object types and a model manually reconstructed using point cloud data. All these objects were successfully classified
Bubble size and bubble rise velocity estimation by means of electrical capacitance tomography within gas-solids fluidized beds
Full text linkElectrical capacitance tomography (ECT) has been developed as a non-invasive and non-intrusive measurement technique to investigate the internal hydrodynamic characteristics of gas-solids systems in fluidized beds. This paper describes an investigation, in which a customized twin-plane ECT sensor was designed and constructed to study the fluid flow processes within a bench-scale gas-solids fluidized bed. A detailed calibration process was conducted using hollow plastic balls of different diameters to derive the reference grey level cut-off values for determining the bubble diameter. In addition, numerical simulations were carried out to investigate the plastic ball wall effect on measured capacitance values. Bubble diameters were estimated by means of the individual reference cut-off values and their linear and second-order fitted curves. Linear back-projection (LBP) and iterative LBP image reconstruction algorithms were compared with respect to estimating the bubble diameter. A number of approaches were investigated to estimate the bubble rise velocity including three methods based on cross-correlation techniques and the detailed signal analysis. Bubble diameters were also obtained using a new approach based on “back-calculation” of the bubble rise velocity through widely accepted empirical correlations from the existing literature
Does collaboration pay in agricultural supply chain? An empirical approach
Full text linkThis paper examines the effect of different types of collaboration on the level of Postharvest Food Losses (PHFL) and the proportion of low-quality peaches produced using a unique dataset of Greek peach producers. Quantile regression techniques are adopted to estimate the effects at different points of the conditional distribution of our variables of interest. The findings of this study suggest that high levels of collaboration between producers and cooperatives are associated with both low levels of PHFL and a low proportion of low-quality peaches. We also find that specific types of collaboration, such as ‘goal congruence’, can play a significant role in reducing PHFL and improving the quality of peach production at the extremes of the distribution. Important policy implications regarding collaborative practices and systems that can be implemented to reduce PHFL and boost a producer’s performance together with sustainability credentials are drawn from this study
Does economic policy uncertainty predict the Bitcoin returns? An empirical investigation
Full text linkThis paper analyzes the prediction power of the economic policy uncertainty (EPU) index on the daily Bitcoin returns. Using the Bayesian Graphical Structural Vector Autoregressive model as well as the Ordinary Least Squares and the Quantile-on-Quantile Regression estimations, the paper finds that the EPU has a predictive power on Bitcoin returns. Fundamentally, Bitcoin returns are negatively associated with the EPU. However, the effect is positive and significant at both lower and higher quantiles of Bitcoin returns and the EPU. In the light of these findings, the paper concludes that Bitcoin can serve as a hedging tool against uncertainty
An Analysis of Key Ideas of Deconstruction through Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis
Full text linkIn On Truth and Lies in an Extra-Moral Sense, Friedrich Nietzsche challenged the correspondence theory of linguistic truth, suggesting that the inherently analogous nature of linguistic reason renders even the most foundational of truths to be illusory metaphors. Following in this distinctly anti-metaphysical strand of continental philosophy, Jacques Derrida formed a deconstructive method of reading where this Nietzschean approach to linguistic truth is imbued with a further ethico-political dimension. This entails undermining the ostensibly immutable and neutral character of metaphysical binaries inherent to our method of contradistinctive reason, instead presenting these binaries as rationally unstable hierarchies. This paper intends to apply such a method of reading to Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, whereby methods of human reason are immediately undermined as the protagonist’s unexplained and inexplicable metamorphosis into an insect occurs in the first sentence. Most prominently, this paper aims to discuss how Kafka deconstructs the metaphysical distinction between man and animal and the hierarchical relation implicit in this distinction. This distinction is particularly pertinent to Nietzschean scepticism towards linguistic reason, given both that our language remains a fundamentally human construct and the Aristotelian-scholastic notion of man as a ‘rational animal’
The independent effects of match location, match result and the quality of opposition on subjective wellbeing in under 23 soccer players: A case study
Full text linkThis study examined if subjective wellbeing in soccer players was affected by match location, match result and opposition quality before a match (PRE), 1 day after (POST-1), and 3 days after a match (POST-3). Eleven professional male soccer players from the under 23 squad playing in the Premier League 2 division completed a wellbeing questionnaire before and after 17 matches. Match training load (session-rating perceived exertion) was not different, regardless of the location, result, or quality of opposition faced (P>0.05). Subjective wellbeing was not different at PRE (P> 0.05); however, at POST-1 and POST-3, stress and mood were ≥20% lower after playing away from home or losing (P<0.05). Stress, mood and sleep were ≥12% worse after playing against a higher-level opposition at POST-1. Coaches need to be aware that match location, match result and the quality of the opposition can influence post-match wellbeing, irrespective of match load
A Blockchain-based Service Provider Validation and Verification Framework for Health-care Virtual Organization
Full text linkVirtual organization (VO) and blockchain are two newly emerging technologies that researchers are exploring their potentials to solve many information and communication technology unaddressed problems and challenges. Health care is one of the sectors that are very dynamic, and it is in need of constant improvement in the quest to better the quality of cares and reduce cost. One of the hotlines of research in the sector is the use of information and communication technology to provide health care, and this is where the concept of virtual health care is relevant. In virtual health care, patients and care providers are collaborating in virtual settings where two of the most difficult challenges are verifying and validating the identity of the communicating parties and the information exchanged. In this paper, we propose a conceptual framework using blockchain technology to address the health-care provider and record verification and validation issue. The framework is specific to health-care systems developed based on Virtual Breeding Environment and VO. We outline and explain each step in the the framework and demonstrate its applicability in a simple health-care scenario. This paper contributes toward the continuing effort to address user identity and information verification and validation issues in virtual settings in general and in health care in specific
The Fashion Blogosphere: Success from the readers’ perspective
No full textThe role of blogs and bloggers as conduits of fashion information has strengthened through their growing popularity with fashion consumers. Convenience has been identified as a key reason why fashion consumers use the internet and social media, enabling them to quickly and easily find trend information, new products and retailer discounts. While research into blogs and blogging is growing little is given of how blog readers perceive and merit the success of fashion blogs. In this study we aim to promote a better understanding of the characteristics that fashion blog readers’ value as contributing factors of a successful fashion blog. This is achieved through an exploration of blog readers’ opinions and through the identification of key blogging trends focusing on female fashion bloggers and readers. The most significant measure of a blog’s success was found to be how relevant it is to its readers, the qualities of which are revealed in this article
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