Analytical Path Research Articles

Semiotic Boundary Spaces: An Exercise in Decolonial Aesthesis

Abstract The main purpose of this essay is the analysis of the discourses expressed between Jaider Esbell’s Brazilian artistic sculptures and the monuments of the urban space. Based on J. Lotman’s notion of semiotic boundary space of culture, the analysis focuses on the controversial discursive relationships, such as intelligibility and unintelligibility; translation and untranslatability, and so on, observed from the historical tensioning of cultural languages. This analytical path leads us to intercultural relationships in which artistic languages in semiotic boundary spaces manifest the Aesthesis condition that has given the theoretical foundations for the Decolonial studies and the arising of a new episteme in the understanding of intercultural relationships. Thus, the semiotic concept of boundary space allows us to analyse various discursive relationships in historical-political contexts in the contemporary debate.

Efficient Bang-Bang Model Predictive Control for Quadcopters

Time-optimal model predictive control is important for achieving fast racing drones but is computationally intensive and thereby rarely used onboard small quadcopters with limited computational resources. In this work, we simplify the optimal control problem (OCP) of the position loop for several maneuvers by exploiting the fact that the solution resembles a so-called ‘bang-bang’ in the critical direction, where only the switching time needs to be found. The noncritical direction uses a ‘minimum effort’ approach. The control parameters are obtained through bisection search schemes on an analytical path prediction model. The approach is compared with a classical PID controller and theoretical time-optimal trajectories in simulations. We explain the effects of the OCP simplifications and introduce a method of mitigating one of these effects. Finally, we have implemented the ‘bang-bang’ controller as a model predictive controller (MPC) onboard a Parrot Bebop and performed indoor flights to compare the controller’s performance to a PID controller. We show that the light novel controller outperforms the PID controller in waypoint-to-waypoint flight while requiring only minimal knowledge of the quadcopter’s dynamics.

STUDY REGARDING THE DIRECTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OINA GAME

Abstract. Oina is a sports game with a limited spread, found especially in rural areas and especially around centers with a tradition spread throughout the country. The most recent articles and studies try to crystallize their own methodology, oriented towards the modern, global path, but without denying the opportunity to use the analytical path in certain situations, moments or stages of the training process. The study of the literature shows the idea that the oina game is based on a small number of own research and the learning methodology is based on studies and research done in other sports games. The opinion of the oina people, unanimously accepted, is that at present, the specialized literature in the field is incomplete and in fact clearly ahead from the practical side of the problem. At the level of the school oina for the physical education classes as well as during the classes within the sports circles, we do not find many published studies, although in the schools where oina is practiced there is an intense practical training activity. The purpose of this study is represented by the opinion of physical education and sports teachers regarding the development directions, identifying the difficulties faced by oina game. The survey was attended by 24 teachers from Romania who train representative oina teams at the level of the gymnasium cycle and not only. The surveyed teachers identified several directions of development, specifying the difficulties encountered in the development of the oina game. As a research method, we used the sociological survey to find out the opinions of the specialists involved in the sheep game. We used the survey to study the opinions of specialists, where the questionnaire contains questions regarding the development directions, the way the teams are trained

Nonholonomic Reorientation of Free-Flying Space Robots Using Parallelogram Actuation in Joint Space

A robot with large-degree-of-freedom joints is a promising future space robot capable of adapting to various environments and can perform dexterous tasks with multiple manipulators. The attitude dynamics of a free-flying robot shows nonholonomy, which enables the robot to reorient its attitude by moving its body. However, previous studies were not generally able to handle the nonholonomy, especially for robots with large degrees of freedom of joints. In the present study, we analytically investigate a maneuver in which joints are actuated along a parallelogram trajectory in joint angle space and propose an analytical path modification method in joint angle space in order to achieve the target attitude. Parallelogram actuation guarantees that the body configuration is returned to the initial state after one set of maneuvers, and thus the attitude of the robot is independently reoriented to the target maintaining the body configuration. The analytical solution is provided by applying Magnus expansion to the kinematics equation of rotational matrices, and its Lie group structure contributes to concise mathematical expressions. In addition, the analytical solution does not cause numerical difficulties, such as combinatorial explosion, and so can fully make use of the reorientation ability of a robot with large degrees of freedom.

DETERMINAN NILAI PERUSAHAAN PADA PERUSAHAAN SEKTOR INDUSTRI BARANG DAN KONSUMSI YANG TERDAFTAR DI BEI

This research aims to determine and analyze the factors that influence the firm value either directly or indirectly through the capital structure of the consumer goods industry sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The secondary data used in this research are from annual report of the consumer goods industry sector companies within 2016 – 2020 period. The analytical method use Path Analysis. The population in this reseacrh consisted consumer goods industry sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Sampling was done by purposive sampling technique and obtained as many as 19 companies according to the criteria. The test results show that profitability and dividend policy have a significant effect on the capital structure and firm value, firm size has no significant effect on the capital structure and firm value. Capital Structure can mediating the effect of profitability on firm value, but can not mediating the effect of firm size and dividend policy on firm value.

Definition and Determination of Fin Substitution Factors Accelerating Thermal Simulations

The effort of numerical heat transfer calculations increases with the complexity and size of the domains and surfaces under consideration. When calculating heat transfers on finned arrays, one way to reduce this effort is to substitute the fins. Therefore, this work defines the fin substitution factor by considering that a smooth surface behaves thermally sufficiently similar to a specific finned array. A process for determining the case-specific most accurate analytical computation path for fin substitution factors is also defined. The performance of the process and the resulting solution is demonstrated using the example of vertical rectangular finned arrays under natural convective heat transfer with a constant fin base temperature and air as the surrounding fluid. The heat flows determined in solid-state simulations of flat plates considering fin substitution factors deviated by an average of 6.2% from the heat flows resulting from detailed CFD simulations of the corresponding finned arrays.

Single-collision-induced path loss model of reflection-assisted non-line-of-sight ultraviolet communications.

By considering both scattering and reflection events as collision-induced events (CIEs), an analytical path loss model of reflection-assisted non-line-of-sight (NLOS) ultraviolet communications (UVC) is proposed with single CIE incorporated, which refers to the single-collision-induced (SCI) path loss model. More specifically, the analytical expressions of the received optical energy resulting from single-scatter and single-reflection events in reflection-assisted NLOS UVC are respectively derived. Then, in terms of those two expressions, the expression of the proposed SCI path loss model is obtained. Finally, Monte-Carlo (MC) simulations and experimental results are given to verify the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed SCI path loss model. The results manifest that the proposed SCI path loss model can work well in both coplanar and noncoplanar geometry of the reflection-assisted NLOS UVC.

Diasporas as Actors in Urban Diplomacy

Summary Cities are becoming critical in governing global challenges, and urban policies are not seen as purely local realities. From critical diplomatic studies, this essay states that the notion of urban diplomacy has the possibility to distinguish itself by avoiding being a mere imitation of state/traditional diplomacy, and it allows an analytical path to identify a more inclusive perspective to involve resident foreigners in the design and implementation of a city’s foreign policy. This essay discusses the role of global human mobility in urban diplomacy and the foreign policy of cities from a deterritorialised perspective. The essay argues that diaspora organisations are relevant actors in designing and implementing cities’ foreign policy as part of inclusive urban diplomacy through their trans-local dynamics. Following a qualitative approach, the essay’s empirical bases are four socio-political experiences that show how Mexico City’s diaspora feeds trans-locally the everyday relationship between Mexico City and Chicago.

State and society: reconstructing the model of state-society relations in a power&ability perspective

The traditional perspective of analyzing the state-society relationship based on the strength and weakness of power is lagging behind the real political needs in the era of technological transformation, so it is urgent to find a new analytical path to rediscover and construct a new model of state-society relationship in order to improve the level of state governance and realize the smooth operation of social order. From the perspective of the dichotomy of power and ability between the state and society, this paper analyzes the differences in the power and ability of the state and society in different political systems and constructs a model of service absorption administration with strong empowerment as a characteristic, which provides a new analytical framework for understanding the relationship between the state and society in modern state governance.

The Managerial and Organizational Impact of Therapeutic Adherence in the National Health System: A Regional Social Welfare Comparison in the Perspective of Planning PNRR Funding and Social Welfare Regulation

This article analyses therapeutic adherence to the national health system from a multidimensional perspective, through a comparative analysis of regulation and planning at different levels of European, national, regional and corporate governance. This analytical path is oriented to identify the critical issues and possible strategies aimed not only to overcome them, but also to implement the current management through organizational tools and alternative management models. In this evolution, an important role is played by the funding deriving from the PNRR intended to implement both territorial medicine and digital innovation, as main axes of the path to improving therapeutic adhesion. The conclusions concern the application of organizational models ( one health, change management, value based health) able to channel these resources towards this area of therapeutic adherence. In the current phase of planning and financing from PNRR mission 6, italian institutions such as AGENAS and the Ministry of Health have initiated the reform of the D.M. n. 70/2015 through outline the lines of development of social protection to support social assistance adherence therapeutic. This programming path is accompanied by the regulation of local health care characterized by a greater continuity of care between hospital and home and multidisciplinary coordination for a wider take-up.

Microarray Data Preprocessing: From Experimental Design to Differential Analysis.

DNA microarray data preprocessing is of utmost importance in the analytical path starting from the experimental design and leading to a reliable biological interpretation. In fact, when all relevant aspects regarding the experimental plan have been considered, the following steps from data quality check to differential analysis will lead to robust, trustworthy results. In this chapter, all the relevant aspects and considerations about microarray preprocessing will be discussed. Preprocessing steps are organized in an orderly manner, from experimental design to quality check and batch effect removal, including the most common visualization methods. Furthermore, we will discuss data representation and differential testing methods with a focus on the most common microarray technologies, such as gene expression and DNA methylation.

What Determines Pig Farmers' Epidemic Coping Behaviors: A Qualitative Analysis of Endemically Infected Areas in Relation to African Swine Fever.

An animal epidemic is a big threat for economic development that may seriously disturb the breeding industry and people’s normal life. The most effective approach so far for epidemic control is biosecurity, zoning, culling animals exposed, and other relevant measures, which highly demands the cooperation of farmers in epidemic areas. However, an uncooperative phenomenon among individual farmers facing an epidemic has been recorded for a long time and includes unwilling to report the epidemic and selling infected pork. It is important to unravel the determinants of farmers’ coping behaviors during an animal epidemic outbreak and use corresponding strategies to reduce farmers’ inappropriate behaviors. Taking African Swine Fever (ASF) crisis as an example, this study aimed to reveal the determinants and underlying mechanism of pig farmers’ coping behaviors. We adopted qualitative interviews with 45 pig farmers across four endemically infected areas in Hunan provinces, and the data collected were subjected to a grounded theory analysis. Our results showed that emergency response, information sources, and information channels jointly affected pig farmers’ epidemic risk perception and their perception of coping behaviors. Meanwhile, both the characteristics of the government and pig farmers moderated this affect. Consequently, by processing information through either a heuristic or an analytical path, pig farmers’ behavioral intention was transformed into actual coping behaviors. Our study emphasizes the value of sufficient risk communication, proper compensation policies, and strong public trust in the government for improving the farmers’ participation in the epidemic response. Theoretical and practical implications to animal epidemic prevention and control are provided.

O GOVERNO DE SI, DOS OUTROS E DAS ALMAS: UM BREVE ESTUDO SOBRE TÉCNICAS DISCIPLINARES

The present article proposes an analysis of the foucauldians studies concerning the disciplinary techniques and its relation with the government of individuals and collectives conducts. To this end, this article focus in demonstrated, throughout the works “Discipline and Punish: The birth of the prison (2008)”, “The order of discourse (2010)”and “Micro-physics of Power (2013)”, how the discipline, understood as a technology of power, operates in the conduct of the subject practices (government of conducts).Thus, we will follow an analytical path of differentiation of the both uses of the term discipline found in the theorizations of Michel Foucault: one in the way of the knowledge, thenceforth the control of the discourses formation (hierarchy and pedagogy of the knowledge’s) which configures the acting of a power that exercises itself as a discursive restrictor in order to maintain the regulation and control of what can be said and though in certain time. The other use, constituted in the scope of the power, in which the disciplinary power acts specifically in the bodies as a group of techniques engendered in the subjects’ fabrication. Therefore, the main objective outlines in present the discipline as a technology of the power the works as an machinery of the government of conducts, highlighting its forms of operation in the fields undertaken by Foucault, of the know and the power, following his genealogic triad of investigation. The article still intends to explore the foucauldian understanding that the discipline and the disciplinary techniques are configured as an ingenious machine that come together in the fabrication of the human, being required to understand them not only through the repression categories, oppression and alienation, like much has been done and continues to be made. Accordingly, the French philosopher will provide us an understanding of this technology of power as a machinery that productive says yes, much more than it says, no (2013, p. 350)

Survival probability of nonlinear oscillators endowed with fractional derivative element and subjected to evolutionary excitation: A stochastic averaging treatment with path integral concepts

An analytical method for determining stochastic response and survival probability of nonlinear oscillators endowed with fractional element and subjected to evolutionary excitation is developed in this paper. This is achieved by the variational formulation of the recently developed analytical Wiener path integral (WPI) technique. Specifically, the stochastic average/linearization treatment of the fractional-order non-linear equation of motion yields an equivalent linear time-varying substitute with integer-order derivative. Next, relying on the path integral technique, a closed-form analytical approximation of the response joint transition probability density function (PDF) for small intervals is obtained. Further, a combination of the derived joint transition PDF and the discrete version of Chapman–Kolmogorov (C–K) equation, leads to analytical solution of the non-stationary response and survival probability of non-linear oscillator under the evolutionary excitation. Finally, pertinent numerical examples, including a hardening Duffing and a bi-linear hysteretic oscillator, are considered to demonstrate the reliability of the proposed technique.

Semi-numerical analysis of a two-stage series composite planetary transmission considering incremental harmonic balance and multi-scale perturbation methods

Abstract. This study conducts an analytical investigation of the dynamic response characteristics of a two-stage series composite system (TsSCS) with a planetary transmission consisting of dual-power branches. An improved incremental harmonic balance (IHB) method, which solves the closed solution of incremental parameters passing through the singularity point of the analytical path, based on the arc length extension technique, is proposed. The results are compared with those of the numerical integration method to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the improved method. Following that, the multi-scale perturbation (MsP) method is applied to the TsSCS proposed in this subject to analyze the parameter excitation and gap nonlinear equations and then to obtain the analytical frequency response functions including the fundamental, subharmonic, and superharmonic resonance responses. The frequency response equations of the primary resonance, subharmonic resonance, and superharmonic resonance are solved to generate the frequency response characteristic curves of the planetary gear system (PGS) in this method. A comparison between the results obtained by the MsP method and the numerical integration method proves that the former is ideal and credible in most regions. Considering the parameters of TsSCS excitation frequency and damping, the nonlinear response characteristics of steady-state motion are mutually converted. The effects of the time-varying parameters and the nonlinear deenthing caused by the gear teeth clearance on the amplitude–frequency characteristics of TsSCS components are studied in this special topic.

A deep convolutional neural network for COVID-19 detection using chest X-rays

PurposeWe present image classifiers based on Dense Convolutional Networks and transfer learning to classify chest X-ray images according to three labels: COVID-19, pneumonia, and normal.MethodsWe fine-tuned neural networks pretrained on ImageNet and applied a twice transfer learning approach, using NIH ChestX-ray14 dataset as an intermediate step. We also suggested a novelty called output neuron keeping, which changes the twice transfer learning technique. In order to clarify the modus operandi of the models, we used Layer-wise Relevance Propagation (LRP) to generate heatmaps.ResultsWe were able to reach test accuracy of 100% on our test dataset. Twice transfer learning and output neuron keeping showed promising results improving performances, mainly in the beginning of the training process. Although LRP revealed that words on the X-rays can influence the networks’ predictions, we discovered this had only a very small effect on accuracy.ConclusionAlthough clinical studies and larger datasets are still needed to further ensure good generalization, the state-of-the-art performances we achieved show that, with the help of artificial intelligence, chest X-rays can become a cheap and accurate auxiliary method for COVID-19 diagnosis. Heatmaps generated by LRP improve the interpretability of the deep neural networks and indicate an analytical path for future research on diagnosis. Twice transfer learning with output neuron keeping improved DNN performance.

Fuzzy set approach to measuring urban poverty: a case of Lagos State slums

Purpose This paper aims to measure multi-dimensional poverty in Lagos State slums. This study is relevant because slums are becoming a present-day reality for urban cities and it is now paramount to understand the dynamics of deprivations suffered under various dimensions in the slums. Design/methodology/approach A multi-stage sampling technique is used to sample 400 respondents from five slums (Makoko, Iwaya, Ilaje, IjoraBadia and Amukoko) in Lagos State and information have gotten using a structured questionnaire. The fuzzy set approach to measuring multi-dimensional poverty index (MPI) is used in estimating the MPI for the slums. Findings The findings from the study show that although all the slums have varying MPI; however, the average MPI for the slums is 0.49. Further findings show that majority of the households are largely deprived in the education dimension, proceeded by the living standards dimension and finally, health dimension. Research limitations/implications The current study focused on a few selected slums in Lagos State and findings show that it may be erroneous to absolutely adopt policy implications derived for other major slums in cities around the world. Originality/value This study advances the frontier of slum studies in Nigeria by following an analytical path in understanding the degree of poverty in the slums.

Individual-Level Determinants of the Public Acceptance of Policy Measures to Improve Urban Air Quality: The Case of the Barcelona Low Emission Zone

A variety of policy instruments that impose restrictions on traffic are being put in place across European cities to improve urban air quality. These measures include various schemes such as congestion charges, low emission zones (LEZs) and other traffic calming measures. In this paper, we are interested in the public acceptance of LEZs. Recent studies show high levels of public support for LEZs across Europe. However, specific research on public attitudes towards LEZs is limited. We conducted a self-administered survey (online) among residents in Barcelona, Spain. Based on a previous analytical model, bivariate and path analysis modelling was used to examine the association between key independent variables and acceptance. The results showed that most surveyed residents had a positive attitude towards implementing the LEZ, perceiving this policy instrument as a fair and effective measure to reduce air pollution. Perceived process legitimacy, perceived global impacts and affect had a significant direct effect on acceptance. Prior attitudes and personal orientations and, to a lesser extent, personal characteristics, were indirectly associated with levels of acceptance.

Distinguishing Between Inferior and Non-Inferior Officers Under the Appointments Clause: A Question of 'Significance'

An important part of the constitutional design of the federal government is the separation of powers. A key aspect of that design is the Appointments Clause, which governs how officers of the United States are installed in their positions. The clause presumptively requires that all such officers must be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. But it authorizes Congress to bypass that procedure and vest the appointment of “inferior Officers” exclusively in the President, the Courts of Law, or the Heads of Department. How to distinguish between inferior and non-inferior officers, and thus how to determine who among federal officialdom must be appointed by the President with the Senate’s approval, is a task that has bedeviled the Supreme Court for decades. In its 1997 decision, Edmond v. United States, the Court held that the distinction turns on the degree to which an officer is “directed and supervised” by other, non-inferior officers. The Court articulated three factors to guide that assessment, including whether the officer is protected from removal and whether the officer has the power unilaterally to make a final decision. In its ruling this past Term in United States v. Arthrex, the high court signaled a departure from Edmond and embarked on a different analytical path. Effectively eschewing the Edmond direction-and-supervision standard along with its multi-factor analysis, the Court appears to have adopted a straight-forward “significance” standard, such that an officer is non-inferior if the officer wields significant power. The Court’s shift in Arthrex is, however, more implicit than explicit, given the precedential constraints of Edmond and other cases that have employed “significance” as the standard to distinguish officers from non-officers, rather than inferior from non-inferior officers. Consequently, the Court’s analysis in Arthrex is set forth using the terms of Edmond. But Arthrex’s essentially exclusive reliance on the Edmond “final decision” factor, coupled with its emphasis on the importance of maintaining accountability for official action that, like the patent dispute at issue in Arthrex, can have tremendous impact on the property rights and other liberties of private parties, suggests that the Court’s allegiance to Edmond is superficial and strategic. If, then, the Court is moving towards a plain significance standard—and our review of the Court’s ruling concludes that it is—then this shift should be applauded. It makes the Court’s Appointments Clause case law better cohere with that clause’s original meaning, which does not use significance to distinguish officers from non-officers, but likely does so to distinguish inferior from non-inferior officers. It also better furthers the policy of democratic accountability—a policy that the Court’s recent cases concerning the Appointments Clause (including Arthrex),—as well as those concerning the coordinate issue of the President’s power to remove officers, have stressed, and which animates the Constitution’s rules and checks governing the selection and control of the Executive officer corps.

Next-Generation Indoor Wireless Systems: Compatibility and Migration Case Study

The indoor connected environment has witnessed significant research and development attention from industries and academia due to the growing number of smaller smart indoor devices around us. Developing an effective and efficient wireless access standard is one of the challenging tasks to enable the next generation indoor connected environment. The technical characteristics of existing wireless access standards, including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11n, and 802.11ac, are considerably limited for realizing indoor connected environments, particularly with a growing number of smaller intelligent devices. Moreover, their backward compatibility and migration strategies are significant for developing the next-generation wireless access standard for the indoor Internet of Things environment. In this context, this paper presents an indoor environmental experimental study focusing on the backward compatibility and migration-centric performance analysis of existing wireless access standards. Three wireless access standards that operate in the 5 GHz frequency spectrum are evaluated considering the metrics, including throughput, range, efficiency, and backward compatibility in an indoor environment. The experimental results are also compared with the analytical path loss model to observe the attributes for next-generation wireless access between the observed and analytical models. The evaluation can attest to the suitable migration strategy for stable next-generation wireless access development and deployment for an indoor smart Internet of Things environment.