6664 research outputs found
Sort by
Secure Target-Tracking by UAVs in O-RAN Environment
No full textThe paper presents a comprehensive inves�tigation into a secure target-tracking system employ�ing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) within urban
environments. We introduce the Enhanced Multi-Agent
Q-Learning (E-MAQL) algorithm designed to enhance
target-tracking accuracy while minimizing energy con�sumption by UAVs. Additionally, we propose a robust
security framework leveraging Deep Q-Networks (DQN)
for Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), alongside the
implementation of Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
and Lightweight AES (LW-AES) protocols to ensure
secure communication within the Open Radio Access
Network (O-RAN) architecture. Our evaluations validate
the effectiveness of E-MAQL in improving tracking
performance and reducing energy consumption, while
the proposed security framework demonstrates promising
results in detecting and mitigating potential security
threats within O-RAN-based systems. Furthermore, we
measured the False Positive Ratio (FPR) of the IDS
at 6%. Notably, our security framework significantly
enhances the target-tracking system’s accuracy by 33%
when exposed to false injection data attacks, elevating
accuracy from 53% to 86%
Bayesian neural networks for uncertainty quantification in remaining useful life prediction of systems with sensor monitoring.
Get PDFMany machine learning (ML) algorithms have been developed over the past two decades for prognostics and health management (PHM) of complex engineering systems. However, most of the existing algorithms tend to produce point estimates of a variable of interest, for example the equipment’s remaining useful life (RUL). The point estimation of the RUL often neglects the uncertainty inherent in model parameters and/or the uncertainty associated with data inputs. Bayesian Neural Networks (BNNs) have shown a lot of promise in obtaining credible intervals for model parameters, thus accounting for the uncertainties inherent in both the model and data. This paper proposes a deep BNN model with the Monte Carlo (MC) dropout method to predict the RUL of engineering systems equipped with sensors and monitoring instruments. The model is tested on NASA’s Turbofan Engine Degradation Simulation Dataset and the results are discussed and analyzed. It is revealed that the method can produce highly accurate predictions for RUL distribution parameters in safety critical components
The Effect of CSR on Corporate Financial Performance, considering the Role of Female Representation in the Retail Industry
No full textThe aim of this study is to examine relationships between CSR and corporate financial performance, considering the role of board diversity in retail industry in the UK. The theories examined include Friedman’s theory and Stakeholder theory, which have conflicting ideas on whose needs a company should serve. Quantitative methodology is utilized to capture sample data comprising 10 years of financial data. Data is collected on companies listed on the FTSE 100 during 2012 to 2021 that were operating in the UK retail sector. This study uses regression analysis to test the hypothesis that analyses the relationship between CSR, gender diversity, and financial performance. There is no significant relationship between gender diversity and financial performance. The number of female directors on the board does not impact financial performance, so the regression analysis does not allow us to reject the null hypothesis. Instead, past performance, sales growth, and leverage impact financial performance
Factorial validity and measurement invariance of the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ)
Get PDFThe Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) is the gold standard measure for burnout in athletes. However, previous assessments of factorial validity have: (a) tested overly restrictive measurement models; (b) provided mixed support for factorial validity; and (c) not been applied to assess measurement invariance across gender, sport type, or age. To address these issues, we used ABQ data provided by 914 athletes (Mage = 21.75 years, SD = 8.79) and examined factorial validity using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) techniques. We also examined measurement invariance of the ABQ data across reported gender (female, male), sport type (individual, team), and age (≤18 years, >18 years) groups. The analyses revealed that an ESEM model provided superior fit over the corresponding CFA model. In terms of measurement invariance, support was provided for the equivalence of the ABQ across each group. This means that researchers using the ABQ can collect data across these groups and examine potential differences with confidence that the ABQ is approximately invariant. In all, we provide evidence that the majority of ABQ items are key target construct indicators and the burnout construct (as measured by the ABQ) has the same structure and meaning to different athlete groups
What is the experience of Black staff working with people from Black communities who have co-existing mental health and substance use problems, and does Police contact impact this cohort?
Get PDFThe Black community continue to bear the brunt of negative stereotypes when it comes to treatment from both primary care services and the criminal justice system, particularly where the police are concerned. Those who are affected by co-existing mental health and substance use issues (also called “Dual Diagnosis”) also bear the additional burden of these highly stigmatising conditions. Despite the implications that these conditions can have on individuals and the wider community, the experience of Black people with “Dual Diagnosis” navigating the health and social care system is under researched, especially when the Criminal Justice System is involved. Therefore, the aim of
this study is to explore these journey’s through the lenses of Black practitioners whose work revolves around members of the Black community with a dual diagnosis.
The study utilised a qualitative method, whereby 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Black practitioners working in a variety of health, social care, and criminal justice services. that encounter Black clients who have a dual diagnosis and who have come into contact with the criminal justice system. The main finding was that, according to participants’ experiences, the Black community were suffering not only from stigma and trauma due to their life experiences but were also unfairly treated when it came to treatment services or indeed dealings with the police. Practitioners reported that the Black community are often stereotyped by White professionals and seen as aggressive and severely stigmatised. Black professionals also reported that training across the board for all staff, management, the police, and services was crucial if the status-quo was to be altered. Another prominent theme to arise was the issue of the lack of cultural awareness and needs of those members of
the Black community who encounter the police and dual diagnosis services.
This lack of understanding both on a ‘don’t need to understand’ and no inclination to want to understand is severely impacting the engagement and successful completion of treatment of these members of the Black community who are in need. Where the police were concerned Black professionals felt there was an inherent racist attitude to the Black community and those with a dual diagnosis were particularly treated poorly. Black professional relayed that they were seen as relatable by Black clients and on the whole Black clients had predominantly wanted to work with only Black staff. The study recommends that for effective change to take place there needs to be a greater sense of
cultural understanding by treatment services and the criminal justice services, especially at the front end where policing is integral. Aligned with this, policies
guidelines and training that have the desired impact need to be put into place to effect meaningful change going forward
Audience Musical Absorption: Exploring Attention and Affect in the Live Concert Setting
Get PDFMusical absorption is a multi-dimensional phenomenon that has been understood in various ways, but is related to strong, immersive, and transformative musical encounters. For this exploratory article, we used a phenomenologically and psychologically informed questionnaire to measure audience members’ reports of musical absorption and affective experiences at the MusicLab Copenhagen research concert with the Danish String Quartet (DSQ). We aimed to examine the relation between musical absorption and (1) attention, mind-wandering, and senses of transformation; (2) affective phenomena of feeling moved or touched and awe; (3) social context, as determined by technological mediation of a livestream; (4) musical context (Beethoven, Schnittke, and folk music); and (5) motion. There were 91 participants in the live audience and 43 participants in the livestreaming audience, who completed questionnaires after each piece in the concert and who had their motion measured through an application that recorded accelerometer data from their smartphones. Drawing on methods from experimental psychology, we found that (1) being “absorbed in the music” was not related to mind-wandering, but it was related to a sense of positive transformation; (2) musical absorption was related to experiences of feeling moved, awe, connectedness, and enjoyment, and to being an “admirer” of the DSQ, as well as to being familiar with the music; (3) being at the live concert facilitated more musical absorption than watching the livestream; (4) the final concert section, containing a collection of folk tunes, promoted the most musical absorption; and (5) within the restrained movement dynamics of the live audience, motion trended as an indicator of an embodied experience of musical absorption. We use these results to engage in a phenomenologically informed and empirically enriched discussion of musical absorption and related affective and attentional dynamics
The BBC, public intellectuals, and the making of Five Views of Multi-Racial Britain
Get PDFThis article retrieves and assesses a significant moment of public engagement on race and racism in Britain in the 1970s. Known as Five Views of Multi-Racial Britain it linked the national broadcaster, the BBC with prominent social scientists who delivered lectures to camera. By going back to the archive films, along with interviews with the producer of the BBC series, the discussion sheds new light on the making of the programmes, connecting a piece of media history with the role of public intellectuals on racism. The idea of positioning highlights the significance of context, effects, performance and relationality, identifying the interconnections of self/other and institutional positioning. This provides a multifaceted perspective on the emergence and form of the series in the febrile political climate of the period
Coupling Behaviour of Autogenous And Autonomous Self-Healing Techniques for Durable Concrete
Get PDFRecent research on self-healing concrete has shown some drawbacks and conflicts between the 12 different techniques such as difficulty in casting, healing agent release, preparation complexity, 13 high safety requirements against bacteria protection, undesirable expansion, and uncertainty in 14 healing product generation. Despite these limitations, the hybrid technique was suggested and 15 showed promising results. This paper explores the hybridization of the two techniques; 16 autonomous and autogenous by utilizing the B. subtilis bacteria, mineral admixtures like fly 17 ash, and Polyvinyl alcohol fibers (PVA) together. The experimental program involves 18 assessing the self-healing efficiency when coupling the bacteria, fly ash, and PVA fiber by 19 assigning six mixtures, including a control OPC. The six mixtures encountered the Bacteria 20 addition at certain concentrations and varying PVA fiber percentages; 1, 1.5, and 2% while 21 partially replacing the cement replacement with 20% fly ash, while the last mixture combines 22 both the bacteria, fly ash and 1% PVA fiber. Mechanical properties such as compressive and 23 flexural strength, in addition to, water absorption and sorptivity as transport properties were 24 examined for concrete repair and restoration purposes. The results reveal that the B. subtilis 25 bacteria significantly enhance the compressive and flexural strength recovery along with 26 lowering sorptivity and absorption rate compared to those with PVA addition when exposed to 27 wet and dry cycles of curing at 28 days of age. The coupling effect, on the other hand, provides 28 a substantial gain in strength of 63% at a longer age (56 days), indicating the potential of this 29 approach for long-term concrete repair. Despite the challenges of the B. subtilis survival 30 bacteria, the coupling of both bacteria and PVA fiber demonstrates superior performance in 31 maintaining the durability of repaired concrete in the long term
Global disease burden linked to diet high in red meat and colorectal cancer from 1990 to 2019 and its prediction up to 2030
Get PDFAbstract
Numerous studies have already identified an association between excessive consumption of red meat and colorectal cancer (CRC). However, there has been a lack of detailed understanding regarding the disease burden linked to diet high in red meat and CRC. Our objective was to evaluate global, regional, and national mortality rates and disability-adjusted Life years (DALYs) related to this diet. We also considered factors such as sex, age, the socio-demographic index (SDI), and evaluated the cross-national inequalities. Furthermore, we utilized DALYs data from 204 countries and regions to gauge cross-country inequalities of CRC by calculating the slope index of inequality and concentration index as standard indicators of absolute and relative inequalities. Our data was derived from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019. The results show that globally, the ASMR and ASDR related to CRC due to diet high in red meat have decreased, with EAPCs of -0.32% (95% CI -0.37 to -0.28) and -0.18% (95% CI -0.25 to -0.11). Notably, the burden was higher among males and the elderly. The slope index of inequality rose from 22.0 (95% CI 18.1 to 25.9) in 1990 to 32.9 (95% CI 28.3 to 37.5) in 2019 and the concentration index fell from 59.5 (95% CI 46.4 to 72.6) in 1990 to 48.9 (95% CI 34.6 to 63.1) in 2019. We aim to offer evidence-based guidance for developing effective strategies that can mitigate the elevated CRC burden in certain countries.
Keywords: colorectal cancer, red meat, Global Burden of Disease, mortality, disability-adjusted life years, health inequality, epidemiolog
The progressive collapse behavior of precast floor-to-floor connections using longitudinal and transverse ties
Get PDFThis paper involves a fundamental study of a numerical method for progressive
collapse resistance design of floor-to-floor joints in precast cross-wall structures. It presents a 3D
numerical study of a floor-to-floor system with longitudinal and transverse ties. The model is also used to derive the post-bond behavior and the mechanism of forming catenary action concerning the bond behavior in precast cross-wall structures. The obtained results indicated the adequacy and
applicability of the code specifications in British Standard, Euro Codes, and DoD 2013. Discrepancies
in the tie-force between the numerical results and codified specifications have suggested an inappropriate use of the current TF method, hence, an improved model based on the numerical results has been proposed to address this concern. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first numerical
study to investigate the behavior of floor-to-floor joints following the removal of wall support in typical precast cross-wall structures when considering bar fracture and pull-out failure mode