1,721,312 research outputs found
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
The ecological importance of wetlands for aerial insectivores (swifts, martins and swallows) along the Tyrrhenian coast.
No full textWe studied phenology and density of migrant aerial insectivore birds (Riparia
riparia, Hirundo rustica, Delichon urbicum, Apus sp.) from a coastal landscape mosaic of
central Italy, in order to detect differences in habitat use and seasonal dynamics of each
species. Two habitat types were surveyed: wetlands (a mosaic of reed beds and rush beds)
and altered habitats, consisting of orchards and urban areas. We used the point count
method from January to June, in a set of randomly selected sampling points. A comparison
between all species showed that swifts reached the highest mean point density, while sand
martin showed the lowest values, mainly in altered habitats. Initially, all the breeding
species were numerous in wetlands; subsequently they shifted toward altered habitats
(mainly used as breeding sites), where they were observed up to the end of the counts.
Along the Tyrrhenian coast, wetlands are exploited as soon as these aerial foragers arrive
in the study area and then shift to the surrounding altered (i.e., urbanized or land reclaimed)
zones for nesting after some ten-days
A quantitative risk-based approach for assessing optimal inspection intervals of a caustic soda recovery plant: a case study
No full textInspection and maintenance activities are necessary to ensure mechanical integrity and the efficient and safe operation of systems and equipment. The management of critical assets is crucial, and it should take into consideration the inspection and testing of the equipment using proper approaches and procedures. The Risk Based Inspection (RBI), proposed by the American Petroleum Institute (API), is currently the major practical standard for the management and scheduling of in-service/on-site inspection activities in the chemical industry. In this paper, the risk-based inspection (RBI) technique, based on API 581 standard, is introduced for determining optimal inspection intervals of a caustic soda recovery plant. Using inspection data based on active major damage such as corrosion and thinning both the probability and consequence of accident have been investigated as well as the annual cost of the inspection program. The novelties lie in performing this analysis on a caustic soda recovery plant due to limited literature on this specific application and the inclusion in the proposed approach of several damage mechanisms aiming at providing a more accurate analysis. Therewith, the corresponding scenarios and outcomes of potential failures are determined, and accordingly, appropriate inspection dates and maintenance routines are proposed by considering the assumption that risk remains acceptable between two planned intervals. This paper summarizes that, as a fundamental step in the risk analysis, the RBI can be considered as suitable maintenance guidance for assessing critical equipment affected by multiple damage mechanisms providing an effective approach for inspection programs that increases plant availability and reduces unplanned shutdowns
A methodological framework to integrate motion capture system and virtual reality for assembly system 4.0 workplace design
Full text linkNowadays new products are required more and more often. Since a certain product is assembled only on a specific Assembly System (AS), a new AS has to be designed every time a new product is developed. Similarly, since an AS is constituted by one or more workplaces, new workplaces need to be designed every time a new product is developed. However, this is not feasible considering the time- and resource-consuming AS workplace design procedures currently used (e.g., physical mock-ups and computer-aided systems). New solutions have thus emerged to accelerate the AS workplace design procedures, especially since the advent of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies. Specifically, the combined use of motion capture (mocap) systems and Virtual Reality (VR) has been considered very promising, with many researchers showing its potential. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, none of them suggests a clear methodology to follow when designing AS workplaces using the mocap system and VR. In this paper, we thus aim to fill this gap by developing a methodological framework that describes in detail the different steps to be followed. Moreover, the methodological framework has been developed in such a way that both productivity and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) considerations are included. Furthermore, it encompasses the current ageing workforce scenario by explicitly including the ageing workforce's main characteristics (reduced flexibility and strength and greater experience of older operators). A simple but representative case study has then been carried out to demonstrate how to use the methodological framework and to prove its validity
Enhancing performance of a InGaP/GaAs VCO by means of a switching architecture
No full textThe introduction of a compact switching architecture in the design of a monolithic microwave integrated voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is described, that is able to provide enhanced characteristics in term of both linearity and tunability. The proposed solution is applied to the design of a C-band GaAs MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuit) VCO. The chip has been realised with the heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) HB20M technology process provided by UMS Foundry. Measurements show a relative tuning range of about 30%, an average sensitivity of about 83 MHz/V, a minimum output power of 11.4 dBm and a phase noise at 100 kHz of frequency offset from the carrier lower of −107 dBc/Hz
Optimization of brewing and beverage packaging process using V-graph analysis
No full textOne of the features that should be considered when focusing on increasing company profits is the dynamic process that regulates a production line. Indeed, poor packaging line efficiency causes limited production capacity generating high levels of rework. This work presents the implementation of a line balancing optimization using V-graph method on a production line of an important Italian beverage company. In particular, the analysis of throughput changes and throughput levels on different machines of the bottle packaging line is carried out. The concept of V-graph method is to ensure that the bottleneck asset is fed with material at a rate greater than it can cope with in order to enhance the continuous flow of goods within the production line. To fulfill this task, two different studies are carried out: the first is a zero-cost solution only based on asset throughput optimization without modifying the production line layout. Instead, the second study involves structural modification to the packaging line which consists of generating buffers within the line by increasing the capacity of conveyors located between two successive machines. Finally, a feasibility analysis is performed to determine the best of the two proposed solutions by evaluating parameters such as payback period and return of investment (ROI)
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
GaAs Monolithic Wideband VCO for S and C bands
No full textThis work presents a GaAs monolithic voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) for S and C bands. It has enhanced performance in term of both linearity and tunability, providing a wideband solution for modern re-configurable communication systems. The chip has been designed and fabricated with the HB20M technology process provided by UMS Foundry. Measurements show very good results demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed design strategy. The measured tuning range is about 30%; the VCO shows an average sensitivity of about 83 MHz/V with a minimum output power of 11.4 dBm and a phase noise lower of -107 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz of frequency offset from the carrier
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