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Using empirical data I demonstrate that the result of performance evaluations by percentiles can be drastically influenced by the proper choice of the journal in which a manuscript is published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There is a large value in making Pulp and Paper mills more energy efficient. ABB has developed an energy assessment service where opportunities to save energy in the paper machine are identified. The energy assessment is done by quantifying energy flows, benchmarking energy users, data mining and steam sensitivity analysis and by experiments and additional measurements at the paper machine. Energy quantification helped in identifying main energy consumer, benchmarking was useful to assess the gap between operating performance and best performance whereas data mining and steam sensitivity analysis helped in studying the impact of key operating variables on performance of paper machines. After the assessment an action plan was presented to the mill for energy efficiency improvement together with a return on investment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Inventory pooling occurs when different actors share their inventories with the aim of reducing costs while improving performances. The paper-making industry requires large amounts of ready to install spares aimed at assuring high availability, but presents the drawback of excessive inventory costs. Pooling inventories, with the support of appropriate IT solutions, can be considered an effective strategy to improve availability while reducing the total costs. In the present work a real-life implementation within an important Italian paper-making district has been successfully carried out. Throughout the study the most recent theoretical models have been adapted after a methodical analysis that has been devoted to allow the identification and of the most significant issues and the building of a wide and solid agreement among the participants. Indeed, this required a thorough investigation, since the involved actors are generally competitors and only agree to pool inventories if this leads to increasing profits for themselves. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Carbon black, a black material popular for use in electronic paper, could limit the performance of the electronic paper due to its non-uniform structure. Carbon spheres, with spherical shape and relatively narrow size distribution, are expected to overcome this limitation and substitute for carbon black in the electronic paper. Carbon spheres were synthesized through a hydrothermal reaction using glucose as a raw material. By controlling reaction time and glucose concentration, appropriate non-agglomerated carbon spheres with an average diameter of 202.26 (±26.15) nm were fabricated. To increase their dispersibility in dielectric fluid, p-(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) was grafted onto the surface of the carbon spheres. Then, acid and base charge control agents were mixed with the carbon spheres to produce a pigment with higher mobility in the dielectric fluid. The optimized combination of pigment, charge control agent and solvent reveals reasonably fast switching time of about 540 ms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The systematic, transparent and accurate on-line energy information of the production process is quite the basis of mill energy management and conservation. An Energy Management System (EMS) was built according to the characteristics of the energy usage in a typical newsprint paper mill. The EMS first realized the process data acquisition and integration, second fulfilled the on-line energy information calculation from the integrated data. A water and steam properties query component based on IAPWS-IF97 was developed and plugged into the EMS to facilitate the energy calculation of water and steam. The practical performance in the paper mill showed that the integrated energy information of the whole mill was gained and the on-line energy supervisory was achieved. In the end a systematic, transparent and accurate energy usage profile is obtained and it would provide the valuable fundamental energy data for the further energy analysis and optimization in the EMS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The intent of this study is to determine the minimum ambient illumination requirement for legible electronic-paper display. Not only the young but also the elderly were included as research subjects. Through the method of character-search task, the results indicated that the significant performance improvement of all subjects occurred at 52lux on the search time and at 62lux on the subjective visual fatigue. Therefore, the minimum ambient illumination requirement for legible electronic-paper display can be synthesized at 62lux. This minimum point of ambient illumination for the young and the elderly represents that the reflective-type display started presenting its better legibility and the subjective visual fatigue started decreasing. As electronic-paper display technology applications gradually expand, product designers need notice this fundamental limit of electronic-paper display when they continue to create possible applications in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Forming fabrics are an integral component in the production of paper. Wet paper is dewatered and partially dried on belts made from the forming fabrics. The process of moving across water removing devices at the high speeds causes the fabric to wear. In fact, wear is the primary degradation mechanisms which control the lifespan of the fabric. Several wear tests exist for measuring the wear of these forming fabrics, however, there is no agreed upon industry standard. Further these tests measure the resistance of a finished woven fabric to wear. In order to overcome this limitation, a new test was devised that measures the performance of single yarn filaments in a realistic simulated environment. This test also allows easy comparison of the wear caused by different counterfaces used during paper production. The test consists of a single loop of filament tensioned against a cylindrical form. This shaped loop is submersed in a test solution and run against a counterface. Two different filament materials were tested against alumina and zirconia counterfaces in several different test solutions. Tests were conducted for both a fixed distance and until filament failure. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the wear mechanisms that occurred during testing. The fabrics tested displayed similar wear characteristics to fabrics used in actual paper production. Differences in wear rate were seen both for different filament materials and counterface materials. This indicates that this new test can be used to evaluate the wear behavior of forming fabrics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Quantification is a fundamental aspect of performance of an analytical system. Paper-based analytical device (PAD) as an on-site detection platform has drawn wide attention mainly due to its portability and cost effectiveness. In this work, a portable and low-cost PAD for online preconcentration and sensitive determination of fluorescent whitening agent (FWA) was demonstrated, which was consisted of ultra violet light-emitting diode (UV LED), macro-focusing lens, smartphone and miniaturized DC voltage source. Taking a widely used FWA component VBL as the analyte, the performance of the PAD enhanced with electrokinetic stacking (ES) and fluorescence imaging detection was systematically investigated. With ES, the sensitivity of the PAD system was 160-fold enhanced, and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.06 μg mL −1 was achieved. The dynamic range was 0.1–10.0 μg mL −1 (linear in 0.1–0.7 μg mL −1 , R 2 = 0.99). With manual operation, the relative standard deviation (RSD) of intra-day and inter-day were all below 15%. Eventually, VBL from different napkin samples and toilet paper was determined with average recovery rates in the range of 90%–95% (RSD = 8.0%–12.0%). This work shows that with ES, the sensitivity of PAD can be greatly improved, and a LOD close to a desktop fluorescent spectrophotometer can be achieved as demonstrated by the detection of FWA component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As the industrial systems are growing complex these-days and data related to the system performance are recorded/collected from various resources under various practical constraints. If the collected data are used as such in the analysis, then they have high range of uncertainties occurred in the analysis and hence performance of the system cannot be done up to desired levels. Thus the main objective of the present work is to remove the uncertainties in the data up to a desired degree of accuracy by utilizing the uncertain, vague and limited data. For analysis of this, an artificial bee colony based Lambda–Tau (ABCBLT) methodology has been used in which expression of the reliability parameters are computed by using Lambda–Tau methodology and their membership functions are formulated by solving a nonlinear optimization problem with artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm. A time varying failure rate has been used in the analysis instead of constant failure rate. A new RAM-Index has been proposed for ranking the systems’ components based on its performance. The technique has been demonstrated through a case study of press unit of a paper industry, situated in Northern part of India, producing 200tons of paper per day. The results computed by the proposed approach are compared with the Lambda–Tau methodology and concluded that they have a reduced region of prediction in comparison of existing technique region, i.e. uncertainties involved in the analysis are reduced. Thus, it may be a more useful analysis tool to assess the current system conditions and involved uncertainties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recommendation algorithms have been researched extensively to help people deal with abundance of information. In recent years, the incorporation of multiple relevance criteria has attracted increased interest. Such multi-criteria recommendation approaches are researched as a paradigm for building intelligent systems that can be tailored to multiple interest indicators of end-users – such as combinations of implicit and explicit interest indicators in the form of ratings or ratings on multiple relevance dimensions. Nevertheless, evaluation of these recommendation techniques in the context of real-life applications still remains rather limited. Previous studies dealing with the evaluation of recommender systems have outlined that the performance of such algorithms is often dependent on the dataset – and indicate the importance of carrying out careful testing and parameterization. Especially when looking at large scale datasets, it becomes very difficult to deploy evaluation methods that may help in assessing the effect that different system components have to the overall design. In this paper, we study how layered evaluation can be applied for the case of a multi-criteria recommendation service that we plan to deploy for paper recommendation using the Mendeley dataset. The paper introduces layered evaluation and suggests two experiments that may help assess the components of the envisaged system separately. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study evaluates the effect of presentation media (PC tablet versus pencil and paper) on the performance, level of visual fatigue, and subjective preference of those taking visuospatial tests. Fifty university students participated and performed three visuospatial short-term memory tests and three visuospatial ability tests by using both types of display media. The display medium substantially affected all of the measured variables ( p < 0.01). On average, the paper–pencil test scores of the visuospatial short-term memory tests were about 10% higher and the answer time was about 20% shorter than those of the PC tablet tests. The average paper–pencil test score of the visuospatial ability tests was about 35% higher than the average test score of the PC tablet test. The visuospatial performance was substantially decreased under the PC tablet condition compared with that under the pencil–paper condition. In addition, visual fatigue was greater when participants used the PC tablet than when they used a pencil and paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced paper-based friction (CFRPF) material is a new type wet friction material which has been used in automatic transmission. In this study, four kinds of CFRPF were prepared by paper-making process with cashew-modified phenolic resin. The resin contents ranged from 35wt.% to 50wt.%, and the effect of phenolic resin on properties of CFRPF was investigated. Porosity of the samples was measured by liquid permeation method. The degradation characteristics of the samples were analyzed using a thermal analyzer. The friction and wear properties were tested by a wet friction performance tester. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also employed to study the wear mechanisms. Experimental results indicated that the reinforced fibers were dispersed uniformly in the phenolic matrix, containing some pores with different size. There were three stages in the thermal degradation of CFRPF, and the resin content had great effect on the degradation temperature at the second stage. Lots of tiny wear particles were found on the surface of the worn samples with lower resin content. Continuous friction film was formed on the worn surface with the increasing resin content, which efficiently enhanced wear resistance of the samples. Comprehensively, the samples with lower resin content (ranging from 35wt.% to 40wt.%) demonstrated better potential with high friction coefficient, excellent friction stability, good heat-resistance and reasonable strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was to develop a new building material, Wood-Crete, using sawdust, waste paper and Tradical lime. The paper presents the processing technologies, factors which affect the performance of the developed composites, and properties of Wood-Crete. The results showed that lightweight sustainable blocks can be produced with good insulating and other relevant properties for building construction with density ranging from 356 to 713kg/m3 and compressive strength from 0.06 to 0.80MPa. The properties were closely related to the composition of Wood-Crete with an addition of waste paper being a dominant influence on both strength and thermal conductivity, reflecting its effect on the structure of composite and contribution of self strength of paper fibres. The combined effect of sawdust and waste paper and Tradical lime had a direct effect on the strength properties of Wood-Crete. Of significant importance was the contribution of self strength of Wood-Crete due to the influence of the size of sawdust particles used. The developed Wood-Crete was able to withstand considerable amount of impact load and considered, like hempcrete, most suitable for wall panelling or other non- and semi-structural applications with good thermal insulating properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Architectonics of the paper-structured catalyst for the application to the biofuel reformer or direct internal reforming SOFC (DIRSOFC) was studied. Inorganic fiber network, “paper”, composed of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) fiber (Zf), alumina fiber (Af) and inorganic binder (Al2O3 sol (As) or ZrO2 sol (Zs) or CeO2 sol (Cs)) was prepared by a simple paper-making process. Then, the catalytic activities of the Ni and Ni–MgO loaded papers called “paper-structured catalysts (PSCs)” for the steam reforming of biodiesel fuels (BDFs) were evaluated. Ni–MgO loaded PSC using Cs as an inorganic binder, Ni–MgO/ZfAfCs, exhibited excellent performance over Ru/γAl2O3 catalyst beads. Formation of light hydrocarbons, especially C2H4, was eliminated and water–gas shift reaction was more promoted compared to the catalyst beads. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Self-supporting bucky-papers membranes were processed from chemical vapour deposition grown carbon nanotubes and coated with a thin layer of poly(tetra-fluoro-ethylene) (PTFE) to enhance their hydrophobicity and improve their mechanical stability over time, without drastically changing their average pore size and porosity. Contact angles and bubble point pressure were respectively increased by 23% and 28%. After coating the membranes were tested in a direct contact membrane distillation setup at various feed temperatures with 35g/L NaCl feed solution and coated samples exhibited improved lifespan and water vapour permeability at salt rejection higher than 99%. The bucky-paper membranes were also compared with commercial PTFE membranes of similar properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Paper/paperboard has great advantages over plastics as packaging material in terms of cost and sustainability. However, the application of paper/paperboard packaging is limited due to their inferior water resistance performance. Here we report a functional overprint varnish prepared with the aim to significantly abate the wettability of the printed packaging. The prominent water repellency of the varnish is rendered by its unique nano-structured morphology, a technology bio-mimicking lotus surface. The frost formation on the applied packaging is also inhibited. Moreover, the transparency and the application process of the varnish are retained. We expect such varnish has high potential for expanding the application field of paper/paperboard packaging, especially for uses requiring a strict standard of water resistance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Since its invention, paper has become one of the main carriers of our cultural, scientific, political, economic and historical information. Given the importance of this material, its preservation is a matter of great interest. Paper can be deteriorated due to physical, chemical and biological agents. Within microorganisms, fungi are the major paper biodeteriogens. Throughout history, several methods have been used to prevent and stop fungal deterioration on paper based materials. In this work we present a review of the main chemical and physical methods used to avoid fungal paper biodeterioration until nowadays and also of some new approaches tested recently. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods are discussed as well as their health effects. Studies regarding antifungal compositions, methods of application, performance and effects on the treated materials are also presented with the aim of providing a clear set of conclusions on the topic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of light source, ambient illuminance, character size, and interline spacing on visual performance and visual fatigue in using commercial electronic paper displays. Regarding visual performance the results showed that display type, character size, interline spacing had significant effects on search time. Electrophoretic electronic ink display had a shorter search time than chlorestic liquid crystal display. Searching time decreased as character size and interline spacing increased. Ambient illumination, display type, character size, and interline spacing had significant effects on accuracy. Accuracy was highest for 1500lx ambient illumination. Accuracy of electrophoretic electronic ink display was greater than chlorestic liquid crystal display. Accuracy increased as character size and interline spacing increased. Regarding visual fatigue, results showed that light source and ambient illumination had non-significant effects on change of critical flicker fusion (CFF) and subjective visual fatigue. Results could be able to provide some guidelines for consumers to choose a suitable electronic paper according to lighting condition and set appropriate character size and interline spacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant capacity of two active papers (based on solid and emulsion paraffin) with cinnamon essential oil was studied. Mushroom samples were introduced in macroperforated PET trays covered with the active papers, and weight loss and browning monitored for 9 days. The antioxidant capacity of the different papers was evaluated based on scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and tyrosinase inhibition kinetics, and the release of aromatic volatile oils was determined by HSPME–GC–MS. Differences in performance were observed: the active papers were more efficient at avoiding weight loss and mushroom browning when compared to the non-active paraffin-based papers. The efficiency increased when the bottom and walls of the trays were covered rather than the bottom alone. Better results were observed when cinnamon was incorporated as emulsion paraffin instead of a solid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examining gains in undergraduate writing abilities, Haswell (2000) applied a multi-dimension construct of writing to impromptu writing exams composed at the first- and third years. This project replicates Haswell's original study to impromptu writing exams composed at the same points, and extends that methodology to course papers written for common undergraduate curricular contexts—first-year composition, general education requirements, and advanced undergraduate writing in the disciplines requirements—to consider the use of such assessment scores as plausible and appropriate evidence for outcomes assessment purposes within a validational framework (articulated by Kane, 2006, 2013). This study considers the feasibility of reporting such localized assessment information as an alternative to represent progress for undergraduate writing ability, and reports preliminary evidence suggesting positive effects of distributed writing requirements across undergraduate curriculums on student writing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Performance of the IGEs prepared by LPT as humidity sensors. [•] Change in roughness was evidence of an alteration in the morphology of the surface after IGE fabrication. [•] It was possible to show that the sensors present 215% of sensitivity and 99% of reversibility. [•] Tracing paper can be applied to the design and fabrication of extremely low-cost electrodes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performances of cellulosic pads made out of Kraft and NSSC corrugated papers in three flute sizes, experimentally. A number of experiments have been done in a wind tunnel in order to evaluate the cooling efficiency and water consumption as a function of air velocity. The tests were carried out at three levels of air velocity (1.8, 2.25, and 2.67ms−1) for three flute sizes of Kraft and NSSC corrugated papers (2.5, 3.5, and 4.5mm). Analysis of the results indicated that cooling efficiency improves with decrease of air velocity and flute size of corrugated papers; however, water consumption increases with the increase of air velocity. The results were compared with each other and it was shown that the cellulosic pad made out of Kraft paper with 2.5mm flute size has the highest performance (92%) at 1.8ms−1 air velocity in comparison with the other cellulosic pads. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Our study addresses the following research questions: Are there differences between handwriting movements on paper and on a tablet computer? Can experienced writers, such as most adults, adapt their graphomotor execution during writing to a rather unfamiliar surface for instance a tablet computer? We examined the handwriting performance of adults in three tasks with different complexity: (a) graphomotor abilities, (b) visuomotor abilities and (c) handwriting. Each participant performed each task twice, once on paper and once on a tablet computer with a pen. We tested 25 participants by measuring their writing duration, in air time, number of pen lifts, writing velocity and number of inversions in velocity. The data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects modeling with repeated measures. Our results reveal differences between writing on paper and on a tablet computer which were partly task-dependent. Our findings also show that participants were able to adapt their graphomotor execution to the smoother surface of the tablet computer during the tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article analyzes the appropriateness of a text summarization system, COMPENDIUM, for generating abstracts of biomedical papers. Two approaches are suggested: an extractive (COMPENDIUM E ), which only selects and extracts the most relevant sentences of the documents, and an abstractive-oriented one (COMPENDIUM E–A ), thus facing also the challenge of abstractive summarization. This novel strategy combines extractive information, with some pieces of information of the article that have been previously compressed or fused. Specifically, in this article, we want to study: i) whether COMPENDIUM produces good summaries in the biomedical domain; ii) which summarization approach is more suitable; and iii) the opinion of real users towards automatic summaries. Therefore, two types of evaluation were performed: quantitative and qualitative, for evaluating both the information contained in the summaries, as well as the user satisfaction. Results show that extractive and abstractive-oriented summaries perform similarly as far as the information they contain, so both approaches are able to keep the relevant information of the source documents, but the latter is more appropriate from a human perspective, when a user satisfaction assessment is carried out. This also confirms the suitability of our suggested approach for generating summaries following an abstractive-oriented paradigm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of lime mud from paper-making process (LMP) addition on the H2 fermentation of food waste (FW) was investigated. It was found that a slight addition of LMP (1.0–4.0 g in 200 g FW) significantly enhanced the H2 fermentation performance, not only increasing the total amount of H2 produced but also accelerating the whole reaction, shortening the lag period, and increasing the H2 production rate. Fermentation stability and microbial germination were also facilitated by LMP addition. This was attributed to the existence of Ca, Fe, Mn and alkaline substances such as CaCO3 and NaOH. The batch process treating a mixture of FW and LMP was showed that the highest hydrogen production of 137.6 mL H2/g VS was achieved at final pH 5.0, adding 3 g LMP (in 200 g FW) to the fermentation process, which lag-phase time was about 2.5 h. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new method for detection of viruses has been developed. The entire assay can be performed within 2h, and consists of a polyelectrolyte-multilayer-modified cellulosic filter paper combined with immunodetection. The M13 bacteriophage was used as a model virus. A visual colour-based detection system, anti-M13 horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate and 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), was selected to allow semi-quantitative assessment by human eye, or quantitative assessment using a digital scanner. By filtering a volume of 0.50ml, it was possible to visually detect a concentration of 106 pfu/ml. The detection limit was improved to 5×104 pfu/ml by increasing the volume of the sample to 100ml. For comparison, it was only possible to detect a concentration of 107 pfu/ml using conventional sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the same detection system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: We propose to look at the quality of performance metrics reporting in papers comparing two or more treatments. Our goal is to provide additional context in the focus on evidence-based medicine. Methods: We reviewed papers (1082 papers with 98 papers meeting the inclusion criteria) from four important orthopaedic journals published in 2009 to quantify and analyse the quality of papers reporting performance metrics, defined as (1) radiographic evidence; (2) training/experience of surgeon(s); and (3) intra-operative measurements. Results: Our research revealed that only 32 papers (33%) reported performance metrics. There were no significant differences in the rate of performance metrics reporting amongst the journals included or amongst the different orthopaedic subspecialties topics; however, papers from South Korea and China reported both performance metrics in general and radiographic measurements specifically at a higher rate than papers from the western world. Conclusions: The low rate of performance metric reporting could have an impact on the reader''s ability to determine the reproducibility of the results published. We propose a new section on performance metrics reporting for editors to include in their instructions to authors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Covalently bonded multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to cellulose were used to fabricate electro-active paper (EAPap) and its mechanical properties as well as actuator performance were investigated. A cellulose solution was prepared by dissolving cotton pulp in LiCl/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solution. MWNTs were covalently bonded to cellulose by reacting MWNTs-imidazolides with cellulose solution. Using this, MWNTs/cellulose (M/C) EAPap was fabricated with different weight percents of MWNTs. This EAPap was analyzed by Fourier-transform IR, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and their Young''s modulus was measured. The actuator performance of M/C EAPap was evaluated in terms of bending displacement, resonance frequency and electrical power consumption depending on the weight percent of MWNTs and humidity levels. Due to the presence of covalent bonds between MWNTs and cellulose, the Young''s modulus of M/C EAPap was remarkably enhanced more than the MWNTs blended EAPap. The enhanced Young''s modulus was strongly associated with the crystallinity change of cellulose. The actuator performance of M/C EAPap was improved also. More explanation about the characteristics, actuation principle and actuator performance of M/C EAPap actuator is addressed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper provides a systematic study of mobility performance and Bias Temperature Instabilities (BTI) reliability in advanced dielectrics stacks. By studying a large variety of dielectric stacks we clearly demonstrate that mobility performance, interface defects Nit and Negative BTI reliability are strongly correlated. All are affected by nitrogen species N which is clearly identified as the main mobility killer when it reaches unintentionally the Si interface during the deposition of nitrided gates or the nitridation steps. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ge CMOS is very attractive for the post size-scaled Si-CMOS. However, we have to tackle a number of challenges with regard to materials and their interface control. In this paper, we discuss gate stack formation and source/drain engineering, as well as their implications for the performance of n- and p-MOSFETs. Because the Ge interface is significantly degraded by the GeO desorption occurring at a relatively low temperature (∼500°C), it is very hard to control Ge gate stack formation by a simple thermal budget control. In addition, strong Fermi-level pinning at the Ge/metal interface is a big problem in source/drain engineering. After discussing ways to control this desorption and Fermi-level pinning at the interface in both p-FETs and n-FETs, we discuss our current status of both electron and hole mobilities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Investigates benchmarked performance of global and emerging knowledge cities. [•] Introduces a knowledge-based urban development performance assessment model. [•] Applies the assessment model into an international comparative study. [•] Reveals insights on scrutinizing the development perspectives of knowledge cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At crime scenes, fingerprints are often found on paper. The visualization of invisible fingerprints, so-called latent fingerprints (LFPs), is critical in forensic investigation. Laser-induced fluorescence technology for fingerprint detection has the advantages of sensibility, high-resolution, non-destructiveness and non-contact. In this paper, the characteristics of commonly used paper and the interaction between ultraviolet light and porous paper are briefly analyzed firstly. Next the fingerprint detection device is introduced. Then the output energy of the laser is optimized and a series of experiments are carried out. Local gray value stretching and power enhancement algorithms are used to process the fingerprint fluorescence data, and the high contrast fingerprint images are obtained. The experimental results show that the fingerprint substance and paper are degraded in different degrees under the excitation of ultraviolet light, and the second or third detection can improve the signal-to-noise ratio of detection. By the method of this paper, clear fingerprint images can be obtained quickly, and more than 10 secondary fingerprint structures can be extracted from these fingerprint images, which provides quantitative evidences for criminal investigation. • No sample paper pre-treatment required, and it is non-destructiveness and non-contact. • It can quickly detect the fingerprint on large-scale paper. • It can realize sensitive and high resolution detection. • It can get high signal-to-noise ratio of fingerprint detection on paper. • It can obtain secondary fingerprint structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper presents a performance assessment method whose purpose is to make controller maintenance based on adjusting the controller gain, more systematic. A normalized gradient of a quadratic cost function is calculated with regard to the loop gain. It is shown that this statistic is very easy to calculate and that the information can be useful to improve performance. Calculations of the gradient for two loops from a pulp and paper mill that had performance problems show the validity of the method in an industrial setting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We review our recent studies of the passivation of the GaAs and InGaAs surface using a combination of in situ and ex situ surface analysis and capacitor measurements. We find that the control of Ga-oxides in particular appears to play an important role in understanding the characteristics of III–V MOS devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have developed flexible top emission organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) using copy paper substrates. Poly-2-chloro-p-xylylene and SiO2 buffer layers were coated on the copy paper for protecting the water absorption and improving the barrier and morphological characteristics. Sputtered Ni and thermally evaporated Ca/Ag films were used as anode and semitransparent cathode, respectively. The electrical conduction, luminance, and efficiency characteristics of the copy paper-based flexible OLEDs were investigated. The SiO2 buffer layer was critically important in obtaining the high performance devices. The device exhibited a high luminance of 2200 cd/m2 at a driving voltage of 13 V. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This comment on the paper “A comprehensive modeling and vibration analysis of AFM microcantilevers subjected to nonlinear tip-sample interaction forces” by Sohrab Eslami and Jalili (2012) [1] aims to: (1) discuss and elucidate the concept of “virtual resonance” and thus (2) avert a misinterpretation of the experimental results and findings reported in the Tetard et al. Physical Review Letters 106, 180801 (2011) [2]. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Structured light systems (SLSs) are commonly used for precision dimensional measurements. These are active systems in that the projected structured light pattern is used to establish correspondence between the projector and the camera(s) to provide more accurate 3D reconstruction as opposed to passive camera-based systems that rely on the user or features in images to identify corresponding points between the cameras. Errors in the calibration of the model parameters of an SLS can lead to systematic errors in dimensional measurements. In this paper, we explore the topic of performance testing of an SLS, specifically, the sensitivity of the length tests described in the VDI/VDE 2634-2 guideline and the ISO 10360-13 standard to the model parameters (such as intrinsic parameters of the camera and the projector, and camera-projector geometry parameters) of an SLS. The results are based on a hybrid approach of simulations performed using data obtained experimentally from an SLS mounted on a Cartesian coordinate measuring machine (CMM) which is used primarily to position the target at different points within the measurement volume. The results show that the length tests described in the ISO 10360-13 standard provide better sensitivity to the model parameters than the VDI/VDE 2634-2 guideline. However, even the ISO 10360-13 length tests do not detect all parameters with high sensitivity. A model-based approach in identifying length tests (i.e., the position and orientation of reference lengths) such as described in this paper provides better sensitivity to model parameters and therefore is more likely to detect systematic errors in SLSs. • Built a structured light system on a CMM and determined the length errors between points in a rectangular grid. • Assessed the sensitivity of lines defined in the VDI/VDE 2634-2 and ISO 10360-13 documents to systematic errors in SLSs. • Identified position/orientation of lines in the measurement volume that provides maximum sensitivity to systematic errors. • Demonstrated the superiority of our sensitivity analysis-based approach in detecting SLS systematic errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of deep learning, computer vision, and advanced algorithms has ushered in a transformative era in the prediction of human driving behavior, consequently revolutionizing road safety. This paper focuses on an innovative convergence of technology that addresses critical issues like driver fatigue and distracted driving by automatically identifying and categorizing diverse driving behaviors. Neural network architectures, such as VGG16, AlexNet, and ResNet are described in this paper that have propelled accuracy in behavior classification to remarkable levels. However, the quest for safer roads remains ongoing, with promising avenues lying ahead. First and foremost, the creation of extensive, diverse, and meticulously annotated datasets is paramount. These datasets serve as the bedrock upon which future models can be trained, enhancing their robustness and generalizability across a spectrum of driving scenarios. Real-time models represent another pivotal frontier. These models hold the potential to provide timely interventions and support systems for drivers, thus preventing accidents proactively. The exploration of hybrid techniques that amalgamate the strengths of various neural network architectures presents an exciting avenue, promising to further push the boundaries of prediction accuracy. Furthermore, this paper also discusses the fusion of multi-modal data, encompassing sensor data from IoT and smartphone devices, that holds immense promise. This holistic approach promises a more comprehensive understanding of driver behavior by integrating diverse data sources, ultimately contributing to the creation of safer road environments.In this research paper, we also explore these cutting-edge developments in deep learning and computer vision, emphasizing technical novelty and innovation. Through an interdisciplinary approach, we envision a future where the synergy of technology, data, and human behavior leads to a substantial reduction in road accidents and improved road safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large deep learning models are impressive, but they struggle when real-time data is not available. Few-shot class-incremental learning (FSCIL) poses a significant challenge for deep neural networks to learn new tasks from just a few labeled samples without forgetting the previously learned ones. This setup can easily leads to catastrophic forgetting and overfitting problems, severely affecting model performance. Studying FSCIL helps overcome deep learning model limitations on data volume and acquisition time, while improving practicality and adaptability of machine learning models. This paper provides a comprehensive survey on FSCIL. Unlike previous surveys, we aim to synthesize few-shot learning and incremental learning, focusing on introducing FSCIL from two perspectives, while reviewing over 30 theoretical research studies and more than 20 applied research studies. From the theoretical perspective, we provide a novel categorization approach that divides the field into five subcategories, including traditional machine learning methods, meta learning-based methods, feature and feature space-based methods, replay-based methods, and dynamic network structure-based methods. We also evaluate the performance of recent theoretical research on benchmark datasets of FSCIL. From the application perspective, FSCIL has achieved impressive achievements in various fields of computer vision such as image classification, object detection, and image segmentation, as well as in natural language processing and graph. We summarize the important applications. Finally, we point out potential future research directions, including applications, problem setups, and theory development. Overall, this paper offers a comprehensive analysis of the latest advances in FSCIL from a methodological, performance, and application perspective. • In-depth survey on FSCIL methods, applications, performance. • Categorizing FSCIL into five subcategories for clear analysis. • Evaluating FSCIL research on benchmarks for strengths, weaknesses. • FSCIL applications in computer vision, NLP, and graph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study discusses the relationship between performance and carbon fiber diameter (400 nm–1 μm) in fuel cells employing carbon fiber paper produced from PAN fiber felt, and also examines the effect of carbon fiber paper thickness, air permeability, porosity, and surface resistivity on performance. The researchers fabricate gas diffusion layers (GDLs) with a small carbon fiber diameter from PAN fiber employing the two processes of stabilization and carbonization, and investigate the relationship between fiber diameter and air permeability in the gas diffusion layer material. Carbon fiber paper made in this study is left as is or impregnated with 10 wt% phenolic resin or FEP. When the tested area is 25 cm2, the test temperature 40 °C, and the carbon fiber paper impregnated with 10 wt% phenolic resin, the paper has a fiber diameter of 1 μm and an air permeability is 29 cm3 cm−2 s−1, and a test fuel cell yields 997 mA cm−2 at a load of 0.5 V. Carbon fiber paper impregnated with 10 wt% FEP has a smaller carbon fiber diameter of 400 nm and an air permeability of only 1 cm3 cm−2 s−1; a test fuel cell made with this material yields 683 mA cm−2 at a load of 0.5 V. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction of an enzyme and a colour-forming reagent into paper enables the development of an authenticity indicator. The purpose of this work was to study the performance of Trametes versicolor laccase, TvL, and ABTS, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt, in various printing substrates when printed with inkjet. The printing substrates included pre-coated mechanical paper additionally coated with PVA, silica and latex. The focus was on the bioanalytical performance and ink penetration. The setting of the printed TvL and ABTS ink was studied visually, with optical and confocal microscopy and with a so-called tape laminating technique. Technical properties of the printing substrates and effect of the surface chemistry were discussed and related to the bioanalytical properties. TvL activity persisted well during the printing. The best colour response was attained using the PVA-coated base paper. The film-forming ability of the PVA was found to be the main contributor to the colour reaction. The uniform, dense and non-porous PVA layer retains the ABTS and TVL molecules on top of the printing substrate. The high local ink concentration on the PVA coating layer combined with the absorptive paper substrate suggests that the PVA film acts as a filtering layer which retains TvL and ABTS molecules in the coating layer but allows most of the ink solvents to penetrate into the paper structure. TvL and ABTS molecules are also trapped in the PVA polymer network due to swelling effect of water. Electrostatic attractions between the PVA and ABTS and TvL molecules do not contribute to the colour reaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Performance evaluation plays a vital role in the field of cryptography. It is essential to assess the security, efficiency, and suitability of different algorithms in various applications. By evaluating the performance of cryptography algorithms, we can identify vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and strengths, which are crucial for ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data. Moreover, performance evaluation allows for benchmarking, algorithm selection, and continuous improvement in the field, driving advancements in cryptography techniques and enhancing the overall security of systems that rely on cryptography. This paper implements a test algorithm that can evaluate the performance of different parameters for a range of cryptography algorithms. The performance of input is evaluated using parameters such as the Avalanche effect, Correlation coefficient, Bit independence test, Frequency test, Encryption and decryption execution time, Throughput, Brute Force attack, and Information entropy. By comparing results obtained from the performance tests, we can gain valuable insights into the relative strengths and weaknesses of the algorithms. This aids in making informed decisions regarding algorithm selection and improvement, ultimately contributing to the advancement of secure communication and data protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the fast growth of online content and social media platforms, the amount of user- generated data available in the form of product evaluations, social media postings, and online debates has rapidly expanded. It has become essential for organizations to comprehend client attitudes, make wise decisions, and improve their goods and services by analysing the sentiment indicated in this data. This paper aims to develop a sentiment analysis system for product reviews using URLs of particular item as data sources. It utilizes web scraping techniques to collect textual information from web pages. Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques are applied for data pre-processing, including tokenization and stop word removal. Machine learning models like Support Vector Classifier (SVC), Random Forest, KNN, Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes and Deep learning models like LSTM and GRU are used for sentiment analysis. Performance measures such as recall, accuracy, and precision are employed to evaluate the models. High scores were consistently achieved by the LSTM and GRU models across all measures, demonstrating their potency in successfully capturing sequential relationships. With strong F-1 ratings of 91% and 90%, respectively, Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Units (GRU) regularly beat other models, demonstrating their outstanding precision-recall balance. Conversely, K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) presents a significant trade-off, offering a blazing-fast training time of 0.01 seconds but demanding an extensive 102.34 seconds for prediction, resulting in a lower F-1 score of 47%. Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Logistic Regression achieve competitive F-1 scores of 85% and 84%, respectively, with relatively slow training and prediction times, striking a balance between performance and efficiency. Naive Bayes and Random Forest, while respectable in accuracy, fall slightly behind with F-1 scores of 71% and 80%, respectively, highlighting the significance of taking into account both performance and computing efficiency when choosing the best approach. Through this research, valuable insights are gained into the effectiveness and accuracy of different algorithms in sentiment analysis. The findings contribute to the understanding of sentiment analysis techniques and offer guidance for selecting the most suitable algorithm for URL-based sentiment analysis applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key development towards enhancing computer-human interaction is emotion recognition. This publication describes a technique called EmoCNN, which uses deep learning techniques to precisely identify and classify human emotions, emphasizing improving model performance using different optimizers. Our research intends to contribute to the creation of more effective systems that improve computer-human interaction by solving the problems associated with emotion recognition. By bridging the gap between humans and robots, accurate emotion detection enables systems to perceive emotions for customized and responsive interactions. AI-powered assistants, chatbots, and social robots all benefit from emotion recognition by providing more responsive, empathic and interesting user experiences. Emotion-aware technologies can also enhance user feedback analysis, human-centered design, and monitoring of mental health. Using a human emotion detection dataset, we carried out comprehensive experiments focusing on the happy, sad, and neutral emotion classes. Constructing a customized EmoCNN model with convolutional layers, a hidden layer, ReLU activation, and max-pooling was the focus of our computational work. We investigated various optimizers and evaluated how they affected accuracy, convergence speed and loss minimization. The results demonstrated that the EmoCNN model, which had been trained using the Adam optimizer, gave the best accuracy in distinguishing between emotions. Our paper provides a comparative analysis, highlighting the superiority of EmoCNN over existing models, showcasing its ability to achieve higher validation accuracy (89%) and more efficient emotion recognition when compared to previous approaches with minimal loss. Our research advances the field of emotional computing by demonstrating how well EmoCNN can identify and categorizes various human emotions. This discovery has significant ramifications for the creation of emotion-aware computers, which can better understand and react to human emotions, enhancing computer-human interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Polymer desiccant wheel with high water uptake and low regeneration temperature is studied. • Polymer's adsorption capacity of 1.15 g kg−1 at 90 %RH is five times that of silica gel. • Polymer's desorption rate coefficient is 1.32–1.64 times that of silica gel at 40–70 °C heat sources. • The maximum ∆ Y and DCOP of the polymer desiccant wheel are 4.0 g kg−1 and 0.66, respectively. • Polymer desiccant wheel offers a promising measure for ultra-low dew point humidity control. Desiccant wheels have been widely used in humidity control, particularly under conditions with ultra-low dew point temperatures. However, traditional desiccants such as silica gel and zeolites are subject to relatively low adsorption capacity and high regeneration temperature. To address these challenges, a type of polymer material with high water uptake and low regeneration temperature is investigated in this paper. Firstly, the adsorption/desorption capacity of this polymer is thoroughly tested. Results reveal that its remarkable equilibrium adsorption capacity and desorption rate coefficients k LDF,de are 350% and 32–64% higher than that of silica gel, respectively. Moreover, its required regeneration temperature is just about 40–70 °C. The performance of the desiccant wheel using this polymer is simulated by a model validated by experiments tests. Parameter analysis demonstrates that the desiccant wheel is suitable for cool and humid conditions, reaching the maximum moisture removal (∆ Y) and dehumidification coefficient of performance (DCOP) of 4.0 g kg−1 and 0.66, respectively. Furthermore, the corresponding relationship between other parameters and the optimal rotation speed is discussed in detail. The ω opt is around 18 rph, enabling the attainment of the highest ∆ Y. Finally, the performance comparison with a traditional silica gel desiccant wheel is carried out. The results indicate that the polymer one performs 17–53.9% higher in terms of both ∆ Y and DCOP than the silica gel counterpart. And the most significant improvement is observed in low relative humidity conditions (45%RH), where ∆ Y and DCOP are 1.25–1.53 times that of the silica gel's, highlighting the advantageous utilization of the polymer material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an experimental study of a magnetic refrigerator was carried out to identify static and dynamic models, which can be used for proposing and tuning control strategies. For the experimental evaluation, a 40 liter thermally insulated compartment was coupled to a magnetic refrigeration system equipped with an active magnetic regenerator. The influence of fluid flow rate, blow fraction, and magnetic cycle frequency on the temperature behavior inside the refrigerated compartment and on the power consumption of the system was evaluated. The results of the characterizations show that it is possible to reach equivalent cabinet temperatures by changing the flow rate of the thermal fluid or the cycle frequency. However, the former has a greater influence on the temperature of the cabinet, and the latter has a greater impact on the energy consumption and is associated with slower transients. Additionally, the temperature of the cabinet at steady state showed a parabolic behavior with respect to the fluid flow rate, demonstrating that there is an optimal flow rate for a given operating condition. • A magnetic refrigerator is experimentally evaluated at different operating conditions. • A thermally insulated compartment and real heat exchangers are employed. • Control-oriented dynamic and static models based on experimental data are provided. • Fluid flow rate, blow fraction, and magnetic cycle frequency are manipulated. • Temperature of the cabinet and energy consumption are measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to the BeiDou regional navigation satellite system (BDS-2) backward compatible B1I and B3I signals, the BeiDou global navigation satellite system (BDS-3) also broadcast the B1C and B2a signals for compatibility with other Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and providing satellite-based augmentation service for the International Civil Aviation Organization. Considering that the majority of the existing researches on the BDS-3 precise orbit determination (POD) and precise point positioning (PPP) are based on the B1I/B3I signals, the special attention that systematically comparing the data quality, POD accuracy and PPP performance through B1I/B3I and B1C/B2a signals is aroused in this paper. Signal characteristics of different receivers and antennas for the aforesaid four various signals were analyzed in terms of the carrier-to-noise density ratio (C/N0), pseudorange multipath and observation noise. The B1C signal exhibits the minimum C/N0 values, and the B3I and B2a signals have the smaller pseudorange multipath errors. The smallest pseudorange noise can be observed form the B2a signal, while the root mean squares (RMSs) for carrier phase noise show tiny differences among the four signals. The BDS-3 POD results indicate that the orbit overlapping arc error in three-dimensional (3D) direction is 0.069 and 0.076 m for the B1C/B2a and B1I/B3I, and the standard deviation of the satellite laser ranging validation is 0.041 m for both the two schemes. The clock offset products were evaluated with respect to the precise clock products from Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ), and the standard deviations (STDs) are 0.166 and 0.176 ns for the B1C/B2a and B1I/B3I. Finally, there is no apparent difference in the RMSs for B1C/B2a and B1I/B3I static PPP, while the convergence time that shortened by 31.4 % can be achieved for B1C/B2a. For kinematic PPP, the 3D RMS is 0.043 m and the convergence time is 31.1 min for the B1C/B2a, which is reduced by 14.0 % and 35.2 %, respectively, compared to B1I/B3I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern cities encounter challenges related to parking scarcity arising from limited land space and congested traffic. Compact automated parking systems (CAPS) have gained increasing popularity in addressing this issue. These systems store cars in a multi-tier configuration and use a crane with a shuttle at the centre of the system to transport cars. The system throughput primarily relies on the configuration design and the control mechanisms of the crane and shuttle, which are established during the design phase and daily operations, respectively. Our study focuses on the dwell point, where the shuttle remains after completing a transaction, and the input/output (I/O) point. In contrast to existing studies, this paper considers two I/O points and the point-of-service-completion (POSC) dwell point policy. In this configuration, we develop both single-command (SC) and dual-command (DC) travel time models for CAPS with single and dual shuttles, respectively. Simulation is carried out to verify the accuracy of these models. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed policies and optimise the shape of CAPS. In addition, we numerically compare the retrieval time of single and dual shuttle systems, considering SC and DC. Our results show a critical ratio of shuttle travelling speed to the crane rotating speed exists. Beyond this ratio, the performance of single shuttle CAPS is better than that of dual shuttle CAPS, and the DC outperforming the SC in single shuttle CAPS. The results also indicate that DC always performs better in dual shuttle CAPS. Moreover, we compare our operating policies with those from previous studies and investigate the cost performance of our system. The results show the superiority of our policies and suggest their suitability for addressing diverse customer demands. Finally, we calculate the investment cost of single shuttle CAPS, and our system has a lower investment cost than traditional CAPS. • This paper examines two I/O points and the POSC dwell point policy in CAPS. • Construct SC and DC travel time models for systems with single and dual shuttles. • We theoretically derive optimal system sizes. • We validate the superiority of all proposed policies over existing policies. • We propose a framework to trade-off between system cost and throughput. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The train routing selection problem (TRSP) addresses the optimized selection of alternative routes as a preliminary step for real-time railway traffic management problem (rtRTMP). In the TRSP, route selection relies on estimating potential delays resulting from scheduling decisions. The selected routes are then exclusively applied in the rtRTMP. While prior research established the mathematical model and solution algorithms for the TRSP, its practical application in real-time rail traffic management remains limited. The existing TRSP model focuses on a single objective function for the rtRTMP. However, in practice, various stakeholders may prioritize different objectives, leading to diverse objective functions employed in the rtRTMP. This paper extends the TRSP model by considering a range of suitable objectives for the rtRTMP. We formulate the TRSP for each objective function and enhance the cost estimation model to evaluate the correspondence between the TRSP and rtRTMP objective functions. We then assess the overall effectiveness of the TRSP for the rtRTMP through an evaluation that takes into account several configurations of the model and the rtRTMP solution approach used. Our purpose is to enlarge the applicability of the TRSP and enhance the efficiency of the rtRTMP for real-world systems. The paper includes an in-depth computational analysis of two French case studies to investigate the performance of the TRSP across different rtRTMP configurations. • We assess the benefit of selecting effective routes as a preprocessing for the rtRTMP. • Different rtRTMP solvers, objective functions and rail networks are analyzed. • We propose objective functions in the TRSP closely approximating those in the rtRTMP. • Experiments show that optimized routing selection significantly helps the rtRTMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new precision reclaim design process using micro-electroetching (MECE) as a removal process for indium-tin-oxide (In2O3SnO2) nanostructure removal from the surface of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) digital paper is presented. The design features of the removal process for In2O3SnO2 and the tool design of the sphere-form cathode are of major interest. A cathode with a large diameter and a small gap-width between the cathode and the PET-film are advantageous in achieving a fast feed rate. A small end radius of the sphere-form cathode, a pulsed direct current, a higher electrolyte concentration or temperature, or a higher cathode rotational speed can be used to achieve a higher etching rate for In2O3SnO2. Through the ultra-precise etching of the nanostructure, the optoelectronic semiconductor industry can effectively reclaim defective products, thereby reducing production costs. A validity evaluation of the In2O3SnO2 removal in MECE is constructed in the current study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]