22 research outputs found
Robust Detection of R-Wave Using Wavelet Technique
No full textElectrocardiogram (ECG) is considered to be the
backbone of cardiology. ECG is composed of P, QRS & T waves and
information related to cardiac diseases can be extracted from the
intervals and amplitudes of these waves. The first step in extracting
ECG features starts from the accurate detection of R peaks in the
QRS complex. We have developed a robust R wave detector using
wavelets. The wavelets used for detection are Daubechies and
Symmetric. The method does not require any preprocessing therefore,
only needs the ECG correct recordings while implementing the
detection. The database has been collected from MIT-BIH arrhythmia
database and the signals from Lead-II have been analyzed. MatLab
7.0 has been used to develop the algorithm. The ECG signal under
test has been decomposed to the required level using the selected
wavelet and the selection of detail coefficient d4 has been done based
on energy, frequency and cross-correlation analysis of decomposition
structure of ECG signal. The robustness of the method is apparent
from the obtained results
Synthesis of ECG from arterial blood pressure and central venous pressure signals using Artificial Neural Network
No full text
Participatory identification of indicators for assessing options for climate compatible development of smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia.
No full textChemically exfoliated large-area two-dimensional flakes of molybdenum disulfide for device applications
No full textA solution-based exfoliation method for obtaining large-area two-dimensional flakes of molybdenum disulfide, followed by the fabrication of electrical devices is presented in this manuscript. The exfoliation method is based on the use of an aprotic solvent, namely, acetonitrile under mild sonication steps. In order to fabricate devices, a dielectrophoresis technique is used for transferring MoS2 flakes site-specifically on to the electrode pairs pre-written on the glass chips. The devices fabricated thus can be operated as chemical sensor in liquids while investigations under photo illumination indicate that such devices can also efficiently function as photodetectors. (C) 2013 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.LSE
The impact of climate change and adaptation on food production in low-income countries: Evidence from the Nile Basin, Ethiopia
No full text"This paper presents an empirical analysis of the impact of climate change on food production in a typical low-income developing country. Furthermore, it provides an estimation of the determinants of adaptation to climate change and the implications of these strategies on farm productivity. The analysis relies on primary data from 1,000 farms producing cereal crops in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia. Based on monthly collected meteorological station data, the thin plate spline method of spatial interpolation was used to interpolate the specific rainfall and temperature values of each household. The rainfall data were disaggregated at the seasonal level. We found that climate change and climate change adaptations have significant impact on farm productivity. Extension services (both formal and farmer to farmer), as well as access to credit and information on future climate changes, affect adaptation positively and significantly. Farm households with larger access to social capital are more likely to adopt yield-related adaptation strategies." from authors' abstractAdaptation, Climate change, farm level productivity, rainfall,
Satellite Observations Reveal Inequalities in the Progress and Effectiveness of Recent Electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa
No full textEnding energy poverty is a necessary condition for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Boosting electricity access levels is, however, insufficient if consumption and reliability indicators stagnate. Previous research has shown that satellite-derived data can complement field surveys in tracking energy poverty but with little consideration for the multi-dimensionality of energy access and the role of demographic dynamics. Here, we process 6 years of high-resolution population, nighttime light, and settlement data for sub-Saharan Africa to derive multi-dimensional estimates of electricity access. Our results, validated against a range of sources, confirm a recent surge in electrification such that >115 million people gained access over the 2014–2019 period. Yet, they reveal wide inequalities in the quality of electrification, which cannot be observed in the existing statistics. The pace of electrification must more than triple to fulfill SDG 7.1.1 by 2030. Efforts could fall short if aimed solely at boosting numbers of national electricity connections.Financial support from the MIUR (Italian Ministry of University and Research) and to Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei is gratefully acknowledged. The first author would like to thank the Energy Program of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis for the fruitful discussions.FacultyReviewe
Modeling Low Energy Demand Futures for Buildings: Current State and Research Needs
No full textBuildings are key in supporting human activities and well-being by providing shelter and other important services to their users. Buildings are, however, also responsible for major energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during their life cycle. Improving the quality of services provided by buildings while reaching low energy demand (LED) levels is crucial for climate and sustainability targets. Building sector models have become essential tools for decision support on strategies to reduce energy demand and GHG emissions. Yet current models have significant limitations in their ability to assess the transformations required for LED. We review building sector models ranging from the subnational to the global scale to identify best practices and critical gaps in representing transformations toward LED futures. We focus on three key dimensions of intervention (socio-behavioral, infrastructural, and technological), three megatrends (digitalization, sharing economy, and circular economy), and decent living standards. This review recommends the model developments needed to better assess LED transformations in buildings and support decision-making toward sustainability targets.Policy Analysi
The Real Challenge of Climate Change
No full textClimate change is confirmed by a global scientific consensus. Although no serious disagreement about whether climate change exists, deep controversy remains about what should be done about its many harmful effects. These effects are wide-ranging and include, for example, the increasing threat to coastal wetlands from rising sea levels, the greater likelihood of droughts harming agricultural production, and the spread of tropical diseases (Pachauri and Reisinger 2008). One further effect is the increasing risk of triggering an environmental catastrophe, such as an ice age, that might result in major loss of human lives. Thom Brooks is reader in law at Durham Law School. He was previously reader in political and legal philosophy at Newcastle University, and Brooks held visiting appointments at Oxford, St Andrews, and Uppsala. He holds a visiting scholarship at St John's College, Oxford. Brooks is an academician in the Academy of Social Science and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Society of Arts. Brooks works broadly in the areas of ethics, law, and public policy. Current research interests include criminal justice, citizenship and immigration, global justice, and public policy reform. Brooks is the author of two recent books including Hegel's Political Philosophy (2007, 2012) and Punishment (2012). He has edited several books and a five-volume collection on papers in criminal law and philosophy (forthcoming). His current book project is Rawls' Political Liberalism coedited with Martha C. Nussbaum. His research on criminal justice has featured in the RCUK Report on the top 100 Big Ideas for the Future. He can be reached at [email protected]
