Independent Criteria Research Articles

Structural and Environmental Performance of Evolving Industrial Symbiosis: A Multidimensional Analysis

Industrial symbiosis (IS) involves networks of organizations collaborating through flow exchanges. Scientific research has shown that such systems are able to provide benefits at the environmental level. Structural organization and stability were also studied, as they are linked to resilience (maintenance of activity over time), especially with ecological network analysis (ENA), which considers several dimensions in the assessment of a network organization. Studies combining ENA and environmental assessment are lacking in the literature; therefore, the links between the two dimensions are not well documented. The intention of this study was to fill this gap by analyzing structural and environmental performance simultaneously using ENA and a life-cycle-analysis-based approach focusing on the structural topology of IS. The results show that the two dimensions do not strictly influence each other. Structural performance was found to vary depending on the network structure topology, whereas environmental performance was influenced by the network complexity. To ensure the continuation of IS benefits, the two dimensions should be considered in the decision-making process in IS planification, even if they are independent evaluation criteria. Tradeoffs should be based on IS development possibilities and territorial needs.

Impact of different factor VIII inhibitor kinetic profiles on the inhibitor titer quantification using the modified Nijmegen–Bethesda assay

BackgroundCoagulation factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitor titer quantification is vital for optimizing care in people with hemophilia A. ObjectivesThis study analyzed the impact of the different kinetic profiles of four FVIII monoclonal antibodies on inhibitor titer quantification using the modified Nijmegen–Bethesda assay. MethodsConcentration‐related and time‐related profiles of FVIII antibodies (4A4, BO2C11, 2‐54, ESH‐8) were evaluated in vitro. FVIII residual activity was measured using a one‐stage clotting assay and chromogenic substrate assay. Profiles of the FVIII antibodies were compared with the theoretical kinetic model: the ideal log (residual activity)‐linear (inhibitor concentration) relationship. Different theoretical kinetic model–dependent and –independent criteria to calculate FVIII inhibitor titer were compared. ResultsFactor VIII monoclonal antibodies had different concentration‐related and time‐related profiles, ideal for comparative analysis using the modified Nijmegen–Bethesda assay. The kinetic profile of 4A4 was similar to the theoretical kinetic model, while BO2C11 showed a steeper curve, and 2‐54 and ESH‐8 a flatter curve, than the model. In the modified Nijmegen–Bethesda assay, conversion of measured FVIII residual activities for different inhibitor dilutions into FVIII inhibitor titer is based on the theoretical kinetic model. Therefore, titer calculations for FVIII inhibitors that deviate from the model are prone to underestimation or overestimation. Calculating a theoretical dilution at 50% FVIII residual activity by sigmoidal regression reflecting different kinetic inhibition profiles can provide a more accurate titer result. ConclusionKinetic profiles of FVIII antibodies can deviate from the theoretical kinetic model in the modified Nijmegen–Bethesda assay, leading to differences in FVIII inhibitor titer quantification.

A Simplistic and Novel Technique for ECG Signal Pre-Processing

Automated recognition of patterns in an ECG signal quintessentially requires removal of noises, such as Baseline wander (BLW), breathing activity, poor quality of electrodes and current flowing in the cables of the acquisition system, during its pre-processing for improving the signal quality to enable the identification of various physiological and pathological phenomena from it. In the literature, it has been well established that statistical domain technique viz. ICA (independent component analysis) surpasses the performance of even higher order filters in removing interferences by calculating independent components with much less computational/mathematical complexity and loss of information. Thus, it will result in higher signal-to-noise-ratios (SNRs) mitigating masking effects of various interferences. On the other hand, LDA (linear discriminant analysis) minimizes the variance and maximizes the distance between any two data-classes while detecting/classifying them resulting in very less false detections. Therefore in this paper, ICA and LDA are proposed to be used combinedly for pre-processing and classification of an ECG signal, respectively. Hence, important latent attributes of the ECG signal are retained with maximally statistically independent criteria using ICA and effective classification/detection is accomplished by cutting down the dimensional costs using LDA. The performance of ICA in ECG signal pre-processing is further compared with that obtained using ANF (adaptive notch filter) to further demonstrate its superiority. The proposed technique is able to achieve sensitivity (Se), detection error rate (DER) and output SNR of 99.92%, 0.122% and 37.77dB, respectively on Massachusetts Institute of Technology- Beth Israel Hospital Arrhythmia database (MB ARR DB).

Bilateral Achilles Tendon Ruptures in the NFL

Category: Sports Introduction/Purpose: Achilles tendon ruptures (ATR) can have devastating results for athletes in the National Football League (NFL). Although NFL athletes who suffer an ATR are successfully treated with surgery and rehabilitation, this potentially career- ending injury has demonstrated a decrease in return to play, playing time, and performance for athletes. With a mean career length of 3.3 years for NFL athletes, the ATR injury and subsequent 9 to 11 month rehabilitation period could adversely limit the impact athletes make both individually and at the team level. Although previous research has examined the effects of a unilateral ATR in athletes, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of bilateral ATRs on the health, productivity, and career longevity of NFL athletes. Methods: Publicly available online injury data for NFL athletes who sustained bilateral ATRs between the start of the 2007 season and the start of the 2021 season were queried using online news and sports analysis web sources. Inclusion criteria consisted of NFL athletes who sustained two independent, contralateral ATRs and exclusion criteria were NFL athletes who only sustained a single ATR or athletes who subsequently reinjured the same tendon. Specific dates for the first ATR (ATR1), return to play after ATR1, second ATR (ATR2), return to play after ATR2, as well as most recent game played were recorded. NFL preseason, regular season, and postseason (playoff, wild card, Pro Bowl, and Super Bowl) games were used to tabulate the total number of games missed or played. Descriptive and univariate statistics were performed. Results: When analyzing five NFL athletes with bilateral ATRs, mean BMI was 33.4+-4, an average of 5.8+-4 seasons were completed before ATR1, and three athletes currently play. There was a significant decrease in Pro Bowl nominations with each successive ATR (p=0.027). A significant difference was observed for mean age at tendon rupture when comparing ATR1 and ATR2 (27.8+-4 vs 30.4+-4 years, p<0.01). Rehabilitation periods after ATR1 and ATR2 (9.3+-2 vs.10.9+-2 months), as well as number of games missed during rehabilitation periods for ATR1 and ATR2 (9.8+-4 vs.12.8+-6) were not significantly different. The mean time period after returning from ATR2 was 22.0+-16 months, with a mean number of 39.3+-24 games played (Table 1). When analyzing performance metrics of four defensive NFL athletes, forced fumbles was the only defensive metric to demonstrate significant change across ATRs (p=0.02). Conclusion: This case series investigated NFL athletes who sustained bilateral ATRs, demonstrating a significant difference in age at the time of each rupture along with a decreasing trend in the number of Pro Bowl nominations following successive Achilles injuries. Upon analyzing defensive NFL athletes, forced fumbles was the only performance metric that significantly changed across successive Achilles injuries. This case series is the first study to review the effect of bilateral ATRs in NFL athlete performance and further research should be conducted to continue analyzing how these injuries affect the health, productivity, and career longevity of NFL athletes.

Financial distress, audit committee, profit and loss, audit delay: An empirical study

<p><span lang="EN-GB">The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not audit delay is caused by financial stress, the audit committee, or the profit and loss of the company. This study also considered a number of independent criteria, such as the severity of the financial situation, participation in the audit committee, and profit and loss. In addition to this, it incorporates the dependent variable known as audit delay. In this work, quantitative descriptive research is used. Secondary data are collected for the purpose of this investigation, and the documentation process serves as the approach for gathering data. This research focused on forty different property and real estate firms that were traded on the Indonesia Stock Exchange between the years 2016 and 2020. According to the conclusions of the research, businesses that experience a rise in profits will have a shorter audit delay, whereas businesses that experience a rise in losses will have a longer audit delay. In the meantime, financial trouble and having an audit committee don't have much to do with audit delay. </span></p>

A Study on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the Quality of Accounting Information in Libyan Government Sector

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of applying International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) on accounting information quality. Recent research has found positive outcomes in IPSAS and accounting information quality (Bakhtah & Ammar, 2019). However, because IPSAS is a new product, there is still a lot to learn and explore about it. In Libya's government sector, the study population included a number of board directors, non-audited members, internal auditors, accountants, and department heads from various departments of government. They were given 400 questionnaires, and their responses were analysed with SPSS and PLS-SEM. The four independent criteria (ensuring good governance, disclosure, board of directors’ responsibilities, and the preservation of shareholder rights) had a significant impact on the quality of accounting information among Libyan bank workers. The authors suggest a future study agenda and highlight contributions to knowledge, namely auditing literature and accounting information quality literature. The findings indicate that the implementation of IPSAS will have an impact on an external audit in Libya. External audit reports are standardised by IPSAS, and external audit notes are influenced by it. Following the deployment of IPSAS, Libyan audit firms will collaborate with global audit firms to gain experience auditing IPSAS-prepared financial statements. This will strengthen the external auditors' judgments and knowledge of global accounting standards. Keywords: Governance, Disclosure, IPSAS, Government, Quality of information, Accounting

Ultrasonography predicts difficult airway management: A prospective double blinded study

PurposeWe evaluate ultrasonographic measurements and clinical criteria of difficult airway management to establish a new predictive score for difficult intubation. MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational double-blinded and monocentric study involving patients proposed for surgery under general anesthesia with orotracheal intubation. After collecting demographic and clinical data of difficult intubation, we evaluated 8 ultrasound measurements of airway assessment using an abdominal probe for the dimensions of the tongue and the hyomental distance. Then using a linear probe, we evaluated the thickness of the anterior neck soft tissues at three levels (hyoid bone, epiglottis, and trachea). After intubation, the sample was separated into 2 groups: easy laryngoscopy (EL) and difficult laryngoscopy (DL).Univariate comparisons between variables were performed using t student test, Mann-Whitney test, and Pearson's Chi-square test. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Logistic regression was then performed to test correlations between sonographic measurements, clinical criteria, and difficult laryngoscopy.These independent predictive criteria were the score parameters defined by values corresponding to their respective odd ratios. Then we established the cutoff value of the score from its ROC curve. ResultsDifficult laryngoscopy and difficult intubation were found in 20.5% and 14.5% of patients respectively. In univariate analysis, the coronal diameter of the tongue and the thickness of anterior neck soft tissues at 3 levels (hyoid bone, epiglottis, and trachea) had areas under the ROC curves 0.70, 0.87, 0.89, and 0.83 respectively with cut-off values of 4.57 cm, 1.54 cm, 2.69 cm, and 1.15 cm. In multivariable analysis, the clinical and sonographic criteria independently associated with DL were Mallampati score >2 (OR = 3), a TANST at the epiglottis >2.69 cm (OR = 23) and a TANST at the trachea> 1.15 cm (OR = 8). We determined a predictive score of difficult laryngoscopy with a sensitivity = 88%, a specificity = 88%, and an AUC = 0,9298. A score strictly superior to 10 multiplied the risk of a difficult laryngoscopy by 53. ConclusionA combination of clinical criteria and ultrasound measurements increases the ability to predict difficult airway management. Clinical trial registration numberThis study was registered in the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR) under the reference (PACTR202109682609409)

P19. Effect of stature and lordosis on vertical falls in the female lumbar spine

P19. Effect of stature and lordosis on vertical falls in the female lumbar spine

Multi-criteria sensor placement determination in prognostics and health management using combined fault diagnosis, fault detection, and risk indexes

In framework of a prognostics and health management (PHM), a stochastic method is proposed for optimal sensor locations determination using three independent criteria indexes, reflecting the efficiency of sensor network: (i) the uncertainty of sensor information, the ability of fault diagnosis of a sensor network, (ii) the reliability of sensors, reflecting the fault detectability in sensor networks, (iii) risk of sensor failure including the consequence of sensor failure scenarios. The dynamic system failure model is developed and analyzed to consider the variation of environmental factors and their related failure threshold characterization along with statistical variance estimation as the information value that each possible sensor placement scenario provides through sensor information. A dynamic failure model is developed to incorporate the interaction of sensors and their corresponding components. It is demonstrated here that considering each criterion independently will not comprehensively determine the optimal placement scenario. An augmented index is formulated through Shannon Entropy theory, ranking all sensor placement scenarios based on proposed combined index. Optimization of sensor placement is demonstrated on a typical steam turbine. As shown in detail, the ranking based on each criterion provides different inconsistent rank for the location of the sensors. The combined index is found practically proper and recommended for rank and selection process.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Diffusion Weighted Imaging-Based Histogram in Predicting Mesenchymal Transition High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

To investigate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings in predicting mesenchymal transition (MT) high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Patients with HGSOC were enrolled from May 2017 to December 2020, who underwent pelvic MRI including DWI (b=0,1000 s/mm2) before surgery, and were assigned to the MT HGSOC or non-MT HGSOC group according to histopathology results. Clinical characteristics and MRI features including DWI-based histogram metrics were assessed and compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the significant variables associated with MT HGSOC - these variables were then incorporated into a predictive nomogram, and ROC curve analysis was subsequently carried out to evaluate diagnostic performance. A total of 81 consecutive patients were recruited for pelvic MRI before surgery, including 37 (45.7%) MT patients and 44 (54.3%) non-MT patients. At univariate analysis, the features significantly related to MT HGSOC were identified as absence of discrete primary ovarian mass, pouch of Douglas implants, ovarian mass size, tumor volume, mean, SD, median, and 95th percentile apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values (all p < 0.05). At multivariate analysis, the absence of discrete primary ovarian mass {odds ratio (OR): 46.477; p=0.025}, mean ADC value ≤ 1.105 (OR: 1.023; p=0.009), and median ADC value ≤ 1.038 (OR: 0.982; p=0.034) were found to be independent risk factors associated with MT HGSOC. The combination of all independent criteria yielded the largest AUC of 0.82 with a sensitivity of 83.87% and specificity of 66.67%, superior to any of the single predictor alone (p ≤ 0.012). The predictive C-index nomogram performance of the combination was 0.82. The combination of absence of discrete primary ovarian mass, lower mean ADC value, and median ADC value may be helpful for preoperatively predicting MT HGSOC.

Breakthrough technologies in solving problems of geological exploration for oil and gas

The article describes the main factors for increasing the efficiency of exploration by introducing breakthrough technologies in production. It is shown that standard technologies cannot provide a solution to non-standard problems, because in this area they are extremely ineffective. The absolute orientation of the production process to standard technologies is determined. The main barriers to breakthrough technologies are analyzed. It is concluded that for the digital transformation of exploration, it is necessary to understand the applied value of breakthrough technologies, understand the need for their implementation, as well as adapt the existing production process in such a way that attracting, developing and introducing innovative approaches becomes its integral part. The key factor, in this case, is the solution to the problem of formalizing independent criteria and an understandable quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of the use of certain technologies. Keywords: breakthrough technologies; exploration; production; barriers; processes; transformation; modernization.

Weight loss affects outcome in KrasG12C non-small cell lung cancer first line treated patients.

e21054 Background: Cachexia is a syndrome characterized by weight loss (WL), reduction of muscle mass, systemic inflammation and is an independent criteria of worse clinical outcomes in cancer. Patients with KRASmut non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) experience a higher rate of WL than KRASwt patients. However no data about the prognostic value of each Kras mutation subtype for WL and/or BMI status are available. Methods: We reviewed the clinicopathological data of 110 NSCLC patients harboring KRAS G12 mutation who were treated at Clinical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital in Florence, from March 2016 to March 2020. Patients received either chemotherapy or anti-PD1 pembrolizumab or a combination of chemo-immunotherapy as first-line treatment. The prognostic value of basal BMI and WL (&lt; and &gt; 5%) was analyzed according to each mutation subtype. Results: In the study population, 49.1% of patients harbor the KRAS G12C mutation, 20.9% G12V, 18.2% G12D and 11.2% of patients have other subtypes of KRAS mutations. Overall, our data confirm the better prognostic value of G12C mutation. At a median follow-up of 18 months, median OS for G12C patients was 17.5 months, longer compared to any other mutation subtype ( p = 0.113), whereas G12V mutation was associated with significantly worse outcomes than in the whole population (mOS 9.5 months IC 95% 6.0-17.0, p = 0.018). WL within 6 months of first-line therapy was observed in 29.7% and 35.3% of G12C and G12V-mutated patients, respectively. WL statistically decreased survival outcomes both in G12C (mPFS 4.0 months vs NR, p &lt; 0.001; mOS 12.0 months vs NR, p = 0.009) and in G12V patients (mPFS 3.0 months vs NR, p = 0.073; mOS 8.0 vs 12.0 months, p = 0.994), compared to patients who do not lose weight during treatment. Conclusions: WL significantly worsens clinical outcomes in G12C patients, with a similar trend in G12V. Further analyses in a larger population including a representative sample of less frequent mutations are needed.

Phenyl Sulfones: A Route to a Diverse Family of Trisubstituted Cyclohexenes from Three Independent Nucleophilic Additions.

A novel process is described for the synthesis of di- and trisubstituted cyclohexenes from an arene. These compounds are prepared from three independent nucleophilic addition reactions to a phenyl sulfone (PhSO2R; R = Me, Ph, and NC4H8) dihapto-coordinated to the tungsten complex {WTp(NO)(PMe3)}(Tp = trispyrazolylborate). Such a coordination renders the dearomatized aryl ring susceptible to protonation at a carbon ortho to the sulfone group. The resulting arenium species readily reacts with the first nucleophile to form a dihapto-coordinated sulfonylated diene complex. This complex can again be protonated, and the subsequent nucleophilic addition forms a trisubstituted cyclohexene species bearing a sulfonyl group at an allylic position. Loss of the sulfinate anion forms a π-allyl species, to which a third nucleophile can be added. The trisubstituted cyclohexene can then be oxidatively decomplexed, either before or after substitution of the sulfonyl group. Nucleophiles employed include masked enolates, cyanide, amines, amides, and hydride, with all three additions occurring to the same face of the ring, anti to the metal. Of the 12 novel functionalized cyclohexenes prepared as examples of this methodology, nine compounds meet five independent criteria for evaluating drug likeliness. Structural assignments are supported with nine crystal structures, density functional theory studies, and full 2D NMR analysis.

Healthcare Performance Evaluation using preventable mortality criteria

Introduction. There is an urgent need to develop independent objective criteria for evaluating the Moscow healthcare system in accordance with the priorities of increasing life expectancy. Objectives. The study is aimed at assessing the methodology of preventable mortality by Moscow healthcare specialists, identifying the scale and dynamics of preventable mortality in Moscow on the basis of this methodology and assessing the impact of healthcare on life expectancy of Moscow population according to the set of criteria. Methods and materials. In 2019, an electronic survey was conducted among the experts from 14 medical specialties (937 respondents) working in inpatient and/or outpatient organizations. Upon the received results, trends and causes of preventable mortality in Moscow are presented. Results. There are three criteria that indicate the effectiveness of Moscow healthcare system over the past two decades (2000-2018): rapid-decreasing mortality from preventable causes against the background of the dynamics of total mortality in patients up to 75 years; higher rates of mortality reduction from causes dependent on behavioral risk factors; reduction in preventable mortality share in the life expectancy loss. At the same time, the rates of preventable mortality in Moscow remain quite significant, indicating that there is more potential for reducing premature mortality in Moscow. Of the 6.8 years for males and 3.7 years for females reduced by the maximum possible life expectancy before the age of 75 due to premature mortality, preventable deaths account for 5.0 and 2.3 years, respectively. By reducing mortality from preventable causes classified in group 1 and depending on the quality of medical care, life expectancy at the age of 75 years can be increased according to 2018 data by 2.3 years for men and 1.4 years for women. Due to causes classified in group 2 and dependent on effective primary prevention and public health efforts, the increase could be 2.8 and 0.8 years, respectively. The results of our study reveal potential for reducing mortality from nosological and age perspectives, and can be used to update health policy measures.

A systems theoretic process analysis (STPA) approach for analyzing the governance structure of fecal sludge management in Japan

Fecal sludge management (FSM) stakeholders have hitherto been unable to benefit from analytical approaches based on systems thinking principles, as studies utilizing theoretical frameworks to analyze governance structures remain in a nascent stage. One such prominent framework is the Systems Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA), which has no FSM-related applications in the literature. Relying on official documents such as ministerial ordinances, this study conducts a multistage STPA for a well-established and sustainable FSM system, that is, the Johkasou system in Japan. The analysis maps the key stakeholders and their interactions to comprehensively identify potential risks and corresponding novel indicators to help manage risks within the Johkasou system. The features of governance structure thus obtained also highlight the steps necessary to address governance issues for Japan and other countries attempting to establish sustainable FSM. The study extends the STPA literature by providing a substantial validity of STPA’s capability for analyzing the FSM governance structure against robust and independent criteria that define the objectives of a “good” governance structure, that is, efficiency, accountability, and legitimacy. The STPA results identify novel leading indicators to guide Japanese policymakers to improve FSM management. The results from STPA also effectively provide valuable insights for other countries by highlighting the various features contributing to an effective governance structure of the Johkasou, such as centralized decision-making in a combination of a hierarchy of goals to establish a clear division of responsibility across various actors. The study also notes potential challenges for field implementation of STPA and discusses directions that future work could explore.

The XXL Survey. XLII. The LX − σv relation of galaxy groups and clusters detected in the XXL and GAMA surveys

ABSTRACT The XXL Survey is the largest homogeneous survey carried out with XMM-Newton. Covering an area of 50 deg2, the survey contains several hundred galaxy clusters out to a redshift of ≈2, above an X-ray flux limit of ∼6 × 10−15 er g cm−2 s−1. The GAMA spectroscopic survey of ∼300 000 galaxies covers ≈286 deg2, down to an r-band magnitude of r &amp;lt; 19.8 mag. The region of overlap of these two surveys (covering 14.6 deg2) represents an ideal opportunity to study clusters selected via two independent selection criteria. Generating two independently selected samples of clusters, one drawn from XXL (spanning a redshift range 0.05 ≤ z ≤ 0.3) and another from GAMA (0.05 ≤ z ≤ 0.2), both spanning 0.2 ≲ M500 ≲ 5 × 1014 M⊙, we investigate the relationship between X-ray luminosity and velocity dispersion (LX − σv relation). Comparing the LX − σv relation between the X-ray selected and optically selected samples, when not accounting for the X-ray selection, we find that the scatter of the X-ray selected sample is 2.7 times higher than the optically selected sample (at the 3.7σ level). Accounting for the X-ray selection to model the LX − σv relation, we find that the difference in the scatter increases (with the X-ray selected sample having a scatter 3.4 times larger than the optically selected sample). Although the scatter of the optically selected sample is lower, we find 13 optically selected GAMA groups undetected in X-rays. Inspection of the difference in magnitude between the first and second brightest galaxies in the cluster, and a stacked X-ray image of these 13 groups, suggests that these are young systems still in the process of forming.

Methods of Future Science Teachers Training to Use Smart-Technologies in the Professional Activity

The article deals with one of the possible ways of modernization of pedagogical education in Ukraine in order to train teachers of the new generation and to provide conditions for the formation and development of modern alternative models of teachers’ professional and personal growth on the principles of SMART-education concept. The problem of future science teachers training to use SMART-technologies in the professional activity as the condition for realization of the SMART-concept in education is actualized. The advantages of SMART-technologies use in the study of objects and phenomena of wildlife have been substantiated. They allow the formation of holistic thinking of both students and schoolchildren by combining figurative and logical thinking and strengthen the emotional and value perception of wildlife objects. Methods of formation of future science teachers’ readiness to use SMART-technologies in the educational process, which involves the realization of a dual goal: the formation of the ability to use the resource SMART-concept in education to implement their own lifelong education and providing quality professional activities during teaching natural sciences school course have been highlighted. The foundation of the proposed methodology constitutes module “Methods of using SMART-technologies”, which is a component of the discipline “Methods of Biology teaching”. The content and means of its studying by students, tasks for the organization of independent work, tests, criteria and indicators of the level of students’ abilities and skills formation to use the SMART-complex (motivational-value, cognitive, activity-constructive, reflexive and evaluative) have been developed. The effectiveness of the proposed methods on the basis of determined criteria has been proved experimentally.

An Integrated Framework for Cloud Service Selection Based on BOM and燭OPSIS

Many businesses have experienced difficulties in selecting a cloud service provider (CSP) due to the rapid advancement of cloud computing services and the proliferation of CSPs. Many independent criteria should be considered when evaluating the services provided by different CSPs. It is a case of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM). This paper presents an integrated MCDM cloud service selection framework for determining the most appropriate service provider based on the best only method (BOM) and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). To obtain the weights of criteria and the relative importance of CSPs based on each criterion, BOM performs pairwise comparisons of criteria and also for alternatives on each criterion, and TOPSIS uses these weights to rank cloud alternatives. An evaluation and validation of the proposed framework have been carried out through a use-case model to prove its efficiency and accuracy. Moreover, the developed framework was compared with the analytical hierarchical process (AHP), a popular MCDM approach, based on two perspectives: efficiency and consistency. According to the research results, the proposed framework only requires 25% of the comparisons needed for the AHP approach. Furthermore, the proposed framework has a CR of 0%, whereas AHP has 38%. Thus, the proposed framework performs better than AHP when it comes to computation complexity and consistency, implying that it is more efficient and trustworthy.

Assessment of the depth of the upper boundary of the hydrogen sulphide zone of the black sea with the buoys' data of 2015-2022

Biocenoses of the Black Sea are ones of the most vulnerable natural systems of the Earth. About 87 % of the Black Sea water volume is occupied by the hydrogen sulfide zone. Ecosystems of the thin layer of the upper oxygen zone are extremely sensitive to both anthropogenic impact and the influence of natural factors, the intensification of which has been observed recently due to rapid global climate change. The aim of the work is to assess the depth appearance, spatial distribution and change of the upper boundaries of the hydrogen sulfide zone of the Black Sea with the buoys ARGO data. In the article it was used hydrophysical and hydrochemical information obtained from the oceanographic database of the ARGO project in the Black Sea for the period from March 2015 to March 2022, such as: temperature, salinity, dissolve oxygen and hydrogen sulfide. A total of 591 arrays were analysed. A critical analysis of the quality of the selected information was carried out. The profile data has been adjusted. When processing the material, the method of optimal interpolation, graphic and statistical analysis were used. The original programs of UkrSCES were used. It was concluded according to the results of the work that the upper boundary of the anaerobic zone of the Black Sea in areas of buoy drift was located at depths of 100-180 meters. The difference in the indications for determining the boundaries according to two independent criteria: the depth of the water bodies with a hydrogen sulfide concentration of 3 μmol/kg, and the depth of the iso-surface of the conditional density of 16.18, which on average fluctuated within ±7 meters. In some areas, significant fluctuations in the upper limit of the anaerobic zone, caused by the influence of local hydrodynamic vortices, or removal of intrusive water from the Bosphorus Strait, were noted. The spatiotemporal variability of the sub-oxygen zone in the areas of buoy-profilometer drift, as well as the areas where this layer has minimum and maximum power.

Data-Driven Self-Learning Controller for Power-Aware Mobile Monitoring IoT Devices

Nowadays, there is a significant need for maintenance free modern Internet of things (IoT) devices which can monitor an environment. IoT devices such as these are mobile embedded devices which provide data to the internet via Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN). LPWAN is a promising communications technology which allows machine to machine (M2M) communication and is suitable for small mobile embedded devices. The paper presents a novel data-driven self-learning (DDSL) controller algorithm which is dedicated to controlling small mobile maintenance-free embedded IoT devices. The DDSL algorithm is based on a modified Q-learning algorithm which allows energy efficient data-driven behavior of mobile embedded IoT devices. The aim of the DDSL algorithm is to dynamically set operation duty cycles according to the estimation of future collected data values, leading to effective operation of power-aware systems. The presented novel solution was tested on a historical data set and compared with a fixed duty cycle reference algorithm. The root mean square error (RMSE) and measurements parameters considered for the DDSL algorithm were compared to a reference algorithm and two independent criteria (the performance score parameter and normalized geometric distance) were used for overall evaluation and comparison. The experiments showed that the novel DDSL method reaches significantly lower RMSE while the number of transmitted data count is less than or equal to the fixed duty cycle algorithm. The overall criteria performance score is 40% higher than the reference algorithm base on static confirmation settings.