Multilayer Concept Research Articles

Characterization of a polycrystalline photovoltaic cell using artificial neural networks

This article presents a method to estimate the parameters of a photovoltaic cell model in its equivalent circuit of a single-diode using artificial neural networks; more specifically, the multilayer perceptron concept is used. The data required to estimate the parameters are based solely on the information available in the manufacturer’s data sheet. The neural network has two hidden layers and the selected training method was Bayesian regularization. The training data were produced synthetically to ensure that a large part of the range of possible parameter values is covered. The network performance is validated with a data set not included in the training set, making the comparison with a recognised method from the literature, and even more, with experimental data obtained from a real photovoltaic panel. The main advantage of this method is that, once the network is trained, the parameters returned by the network will always be unique for each input provided, which is not the case with other artificial intelligence methods such as genetic algorithms or differential evolution. In addition, this method can be directly applied to other similar problems, only by modifying the inputs and outputs of the network.

Innovative approach to the assessment of moisture content of forest areas within the framework of the fundamental multi-layered concept

Modern methods of assessing the state of forests are verbal (descriptive). They are usually based on the assessment of environmental factors (air and soil pollution, meteorological data, etc.). The models are deterministic or probabilistic in nature (sometimes the combination of these approaches is observed). Forests are multi-tiered complex systems. The study of such complex systems is poorly designed and fragmentary at the moment. The simulation does not have a serious fundamental concept. The reasons are due to the lack of experimental methods for measuring the main characteristics of the state of forests with controlled accuracy. The fundamental concept of multi-layered representation of forests is justified in the article. The concept enables to develop a formalized model for assessing the relative moisture content in each layer at any time. The current state parameters have a transparent physical meaning. The concept takes into account the impact of the object of such natural factors as rainfall and evaporation rate on the state of the object. The potential difference measured along the radius of the tree trunks with changes in ambient temperature can be an indicator of the moisture content of tree trunks.

A multi-layer zone model including flame spread over linings for simulation of room-corner fire behavior in timber-lined rooms

This study develops a model for simulating room-corner fire behavior in timber-lined rooms on the basis of the multi-layer zone concept and investigates the applicability of the proposed model to fire growth in small and large rooms with combustible and non-combustible ceilings. Pre-flashover fire behavior resulting from a fire in the corner of a room involving combustible linings was formulated by combining the concept of the multi-layer zone model for predicting the vertical profile of gas temperature with the concept of the wall and ceiling flame spread model for a room-corner fire. Full-scale room-corner fire experiments with timber-lined compartments different in floor area and locations of timber linings were simulated. From the calculated results, we conclude that (1) the proposed model explains the observational evidence that the heat release rate of the large timber-lined compartment increases more slowly compared to that of the small timber-lined compartment, and the heat release rate of the compartment with timber linings on the walls increases more slowly compared to that of the compartment with timber linings on the walls and the ceiling, and (2) the proposed model simulates fire growth faster and results in a conservative evaluation from the viewpoint of fire safety design.

Theoretical aspects of tourism attractiveness and its estimation by the example of the Republic of Tatarstan

The article presents the analysis of theoretical approaches to the study of a tourism attractiveness of the region and its elements. Tourism attractiveness of the region is defined as a multi-layered concept reflecting the totality of the subjective and objective characteristics of the region that influence the results of tourist activities and determine the position of the region for the subjects of tourist activities. Presently, the tourism industry is one of the most significant sectors in the development of the region: being aware of it, the state promotes the formation and development of tourism and provides a supportive environment for its development, thereby ensuring the implementation of socially-oriented functions. The management practice of developing the tourism attractiveness of Russian regions should take account of the commercial interests of various business areas, the priorities of state policy and the cultural needs of society. In order to strengthen the tourism appeal, the regions include the development of a set of various actions into the agenda, one of the keys is to form a positive attitude towards the territory and its recognition – regional branding. The Republic of Tatarstan is one of the most promising tourist centers of Russia which actively develops the tourism sector and increases its quantitative indicators and implements large-scale and ambitious projects that improve the tourist attraction.

„Bei uns in Chaironeia …“

Abstract This paper analyses the conception of the speaker figures in Plutarch’s Quaestiones Graecae and Quaestiones Romanae and their relationship to each other and to the historical author. The analysis is based on the questions as to what extent it is actually possible to identify a conceived speaker figure in these seemingly note-like writings and if such speaker figure can be assumed to be a completely freely conceived character or is at least in some way related to the person of the historical author. The analysis of the Quaestiones Graecae reveals that the speaker in this treatise is conceived as a competent explainer of the Greek world. He is imbued with Greek culture, but shows no particular proximity to the author’s special interests and competencies. Only a reader who is deeply familiar with the author can discern his presence in some passages, which gives them access to a second level of understanding. The speaker of the Quaestiones Romanae, in contrast, is conceived as a conscientious researcher, who is interwoven with Greek culture and exercises restraint in addressing Roman issues. However, where Greek subjects are concerned, he can take a more pronounced position, thus exhibiting some proximity to the speaker of the Quaestiones Graecae. The analysis of such a passage makes evident that the speaker figures of the two treatises are identical and that their approach is essentially dependent on the subject contemplated. They can be considered as conceptions based on the historical author, whose presence, however, shines through in only some passages. This multi-layered speaker conception shows that both treatises are more thoroughly elaborated from a literary point of view and are more closely interconnected than often assumed by researchers.

Reflexive positioning in identity work: When the shoe does not fit…

The interplay between work and identity has frequently been explored in work and organisational research. Therein, identity has become a multi-layered concept that is used to investigate a wide variety of phenomena in work and organisational studies. Previous studies have illustrated how work and working life is a particularly appropriate context for studying identity and identity construction. This article contributes to the field by analysing a detailed case study of a system developer, using data based on qualitative work diary in conjunction with in-depth interview. This paper explores reflexive positioning in identity work by examining the strategies undertaken when available social identities are perceived as being neither attractive nor relevant. It also explores the actions taken to expand the repertoire of available social identities in the context studied. The analysis of this case suggests that it is possible to expand the social identities that are available in discourse, but that this expansion is difficult to maintain. The worker is walking a fine line to keep alternative social identities available to him. This article contributes to the research field not only by exploring the constitutive processes in identity work but also by examining the reciprocal processes between one particular individual and the context in which he is engaged.

Numerical Analysis of Coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical (THM) Behavior at Korean Reference Disposal System (KRS) Using TOUGH2-MP/FLAC3D Simulator

For design and performance assessment of a high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal system, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) behavior. However, in previous studies for the Korean Reference HLW Disposal System (KRS), thermal analysis was performed to determine the spacing of disposal tunnels and interval of disposition holes without consideration of the coupled THM behavior. Therefore, in this study, TOUGH2-MP/FLAC3D is used to conduct THM modeling for performance assessment of the Korean Reference HLW Disposal System (KRS). The peak temperature remains below the temperature limit of 100℃ for the whole period. A rapid rise of temperature caused by decay heat occurs in the early years, and then temperature begins to decrease as decay heat from the waste decreases. The peak temperature at the bentonite buffer is around 96.2℃ after about 3 years, and peak temperature at the rockmass is 68.2℃ after about 17 years. Saturation of the bentonite block near the canister decreases in the early stage, because water evaporation occurs owing to temperature increase. Then, saturation of the bentonite buffer and backfill increases because of water intake from the rockmass, and bentonite buffer and backfill are fully saturated after about 266 years. The stress is calculated to investigate the effect of thermal stress and swelling pressure on the mechanical behavior of the rockmass. The calculated stress is compared to a spalling criterion and the Mohr-Coulumb criterion for investigation of potential failure. The stress at the rockmass remains below the spalling strength and Mohr-Coulumb criterion for the whole period. The methodology of using the TOUGH2-MP/FLAC3D simulator can be applied to predict the long-term behavior of the KRS under various conditions; these methods will be useful for the design and performance assessment of alternative concepts such as multi-layer and multi-canister concepts for geological spent fuel repositories.

Multimodal engagement strategy focusing on a multi-layered voice concept: theory of persuasion in Japanese insurance TV commercials

Multimodal literacy, or the capability to critically produce, interpret and interact with the various forms of semiotic resources, has become one of the essential skills in contemporary discourse p...

Industrial customers’ organizational readiness for new advanced services

PurposeManufacturing firms delivering complex products and systems are increasingly offering advanced data-based services. Customers, however, are not always willing to adopt manufacturers’ advanced services, so manufacturers need knowledge of how to promote customers’ service readiness. The purpose of this paper is to further develop the concept of service readiness by proposing a framework for industrial customers’ organizational dimension of service readiness and by increasing the understanding of the conditions underpinning that service readiness.Design/methodology/approachThis case study explores service readiness among customers of a manufacturer delivering complex systems and related services. Interviews were conducted within the company and among key customers as the potential users of those services.FindingsCustomers use versatile processes, engage multiple people and use different evaluation criteria when considering adoption of data-based services. The organizational component of service readiness involves requirements in the service context, supplier relations and organizational habits and culture. Actions are proposed for manufacturers to promote customers’ readiness for new services.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited through its qualitative design and case selection. Mapping of the organizational dimension of service readiness further develops the concept of service readiness and offers a framework for further research. This research offers novel understanding of organization-level service adoption to complement individual-centric technology adoption.Practical implicationsNew knowledge is offered to manufacturing firms about customers’ challenges and requirements in adopting advanced services. This knowledge will help manufacturers to support customers and develop the activities of their own salespeople when introducing advanced services.Originality/valueThe findings expose the contents of the organizational dimension of customers’ service readiness. The study provides a more complete picture of service readiness and shows it to be a multilayered concept with interdependencies between its levels, between individuals in customer organizations and even between the manufacturer and the customer organization.

Integrating a multi-layer deformation model in FRAPTRAN for accident Tolerant fuel analysis

Fuel performance analysis capability is needed to assess proposed Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) designs. In this work, a deformation model was implemented in FRAPTRAN 2.0 to model a multi-layer ATF concept during both reactivity-initiated accident (RIA) and loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). The modified FRAPTRAN (M−FRAPTRAN) performance was assessed against limited UO2-Zircaloy validation database and the performance was found to be comparable to FRAPTRAN 2.0 and experimental data. Finally, in order to demonstrate the added capabilities in M−FRAPTRAN, two-layer SiC clad design consisting of SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite (CMC) and monolithic SiC (mSiC) was modeled. During RIA, the onset of pellet clad mechanical interaction can significantly raise the mSiC principal stresses. During LOCA, the SiC potential annealing behavior (recovery of swelling strain) has a significant influence on cladding stress distribution and outer region of mSiC cladding may undergo tensile stress, which can threaten the leak tightness of the cladding during LOCA.

Conception of Manor in the Lithuanian Worldview

Linguistic studies focusing on manors are rather scarce. The conception of manor mainly appears in historical and literary discourses. Research articles by historians most frequently focus on history, cultural significance and heritage of individual manors rather than on analysis of the history of manors in general. After WWI, when aristocracy lost its privileges, new manor estates ceased being established. The old ones started to deteriorate and this process particularly accelerated during the Soviet occupation. The restoration of Lithuanian independence significantly increased the public interest in manors. The buildings in question underwent restoration and started serving as venues for cultural events. Currently, manors attract high numbers of tourists.The semantic field of the manor is broadly revealed in Lithuanian literature. Works by Lithuanian authors and writers of Lithuanian origins, like “Metai” (The Seasons) by Kristijonas Donelaitis, “Sename dvare” (In the Old Manor) by Šatrijos Ragana, “Altorių šešėly” (In the Shadow of Altars) by Vincas Mykolaitis-Putinas, “Isos slėnis” (The Issa Valley) by Czesław Miłosz, “Skirgaila” (Skirgaila) by Vincas Krėvė, or “Ponas Tadas” (Sir Thaddeus) by Adam Mickiewicz present a multi-layered conception of manor. Some literary works depict manors as places of peasant exploitation, while manor masters engaged in their customs and traditions appear as forming a separate world. Other works tell stories about peasants, who experience no neglect in the manor estates and even receive help or sympathy from the representatives of the nobility. Manors also stand out as cultural centers.The image of manor is far from homogenous in the Lithuanian worldview. One could safely say that the old conception of manor has survived until nowadays; however, it is now supplemented with perception adopted from literary works and functions of the extant manors. Firstly, manors are undoubtedly related to certain specific historical and cultural period. The manor symbolizes the past, which attempts speaking again but is suppressed by external factors and the current pace of life. The manor embodies history not only as a building with its surroundings, but reminds the present-day Lithuanians of the social roles in old times through its functions performed in the past. Contemporary Lithuanians perceive the historical aspect of manor and its role in the social, cultural and property-based social layers, although their understanding of manor as an economic entity has significantly deteriorated. However, new semes related to politics, enterprise, tourism, or functioning of manors as museums or a mystical places are also evident. The latter stems from literature, fairy tales, and proverbs.

Veterinarians between the Frontlines?! The Concept of One Health and Three Frames of Health in Veterinary Medicine

The “One Health” initiative promises to combine different health-related issues concerning humans and animals in an overarching concept and in related practices to the benefit of both humans and animals. Far from dismissing One Health, this paper nevertheless argues that different veterinary interventions are determined by social practices and connected expectations and are, thus, hardly compliant with only one single conceptualization of health, as the One Health concept suggests. One Health relies on a naturalistic understanding of health focusing on similar bodies that show a similar etiology. However, logics, normativity, and practices exhibit differences when it comes to combatting infectious diseases, maintaining productivity of livestock animals or preventing companion animals from suffering. Therefore, drawing from Charles Rosenberg’s groundbreaking texts on framing disease, we suggest to conceive of health as dispersed in different frames. Thus, this paper proposes to interpret health as complex and multi-layered concept. We distinguish and introduce an objectivist, a functional, and a sentientistic frame of health. Instead of reducing the differential veterinary practices to one paradigmatic understanding, health is seen as a model case of Wittgenstein’s concept of family resemblance. Different and distinct perspectives on veterinary medicine show sufficient overlapping that allows for a common conceptualization, but there is not one single underlying logic suitable to understand and ethically reflect all veterinary interventions. This differentiability promises to reduce moral stress in veterinary professionals since it allows the interpretation of various, seemingly contradicting practices as dependent on multi-layered and socially determined scopes of responsibility.

New Ways of Teaching: Using Technology and Mobile Apps to Educate on Societal Grand Challenges

We use this editorial essay as a call for a more effective use of new technologies, such as mobile apps and Web 2.0 tools, to educate students and other relevant stakeholders on business ethics, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability topics. We identify three overarching reasons that justify the need for new ways of teaching that further incorporate technology to foster the innovative thinking needed to tackle imminent societal grand challenges such as climate change and increasing inequality. First, we are facing a new generation of millennials and Generation Z students who are digital natives and more likely to search for educational content on their electronic devices. Second, new technologies offer opportunities to reach students globally, helping to democratize education. Third, we posit that the intrinsic characteristics of societal grand challenges, which are complex, uncertain, and evaluative, can benefit from technology as an effective translator of multilayered concepts into more digestible action items. Our essay ends with a brief summary of the four essays included in the thematic symposium: “There is an App for that! The Use of New Technologies and Apps in Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Education.”

Effects of Excavation Damaged Zone on Thermal Analysis of Multi-layer Geological Repository

As the present single-layer repository concept requires too large an area for the site of the repository, a multi-layer repository concept has been suggested to improve the disposal density. The effects of the excavation damaged zone around the multi-layer repository constructed in the deep host rock on the temperature distribution in the repository were analyzed. For the thermal analysis of the multi-layer repository, the hydrothermal model was used to consider the resaturation process occurring in the buffer, backfill and rock. The existence of an excavation damaged zone has a significant effect on the temperature distribution in the repository, and the maximum peak temperatures of double-layer and triple-layer repositories can rise to 7℃ and 12℃, respectively depending on the size of the excavation damaged zone and the degree of decrease of the thermal conductivity. The dominant factor affecting the peak temperature in the multi-layer repository is the decrease of thermal conductivity in the excavation damaged zone, and the excavation damaged zone formed around the deposition hole has more significant effects on the peak temperature than does the excavation damaged zone formed around the disposal tunnel.

Does the use of educational technology in personalized learning environments correlate with self-reported digital skills and beliefs of secondary-school students?

In order to develop 21st-century skills, especially with respect to digital technologies, students are supposed to know how to use digital technologies for learning and problem solving. In recent years, approaches to personalized learning have been considered to be particularly promising in this regard. A clearly defined concept of personalized learning is still lacking, however. Rather, it serves an umbrella term for educational approaches that try to do justice to the individual abilities, knowledge and learning needs of each student. Our study deals with theoretical dimensions of this multilayered concept and investigates the in-school use of digital technologies for personalized learning as reported by students in connection with their self-assessed digital skills and beliefs about the usefulness of ICT in learning. For this purpose, we have analyzed data from a survey of N = 860 students (8th grade) from 31 Swiss schools that have introduced personalized learning concepts. A structural equation model shows that increased reported use of digital technologies in learning environments that are characterized by open teaching methods is an important aspect of personalized learning because it has a positive effect on both self-reported digital skills and self-perceived ICT-related beliefs in learning. At the same time, the experienced freedom of choice in learning activities that include digital technologies, which is often considered a crucial dimension of personalized learning, has no significant effect.

Cultural revolution

Cultural revolution

Enhanced service modelling for flexible demand‐driven implementation of human–robot interaction in manufacturing

Even by providing benefits addressing the main megatrend in today's manufacturing industries human-robot interaction (HRI) still lacks reasonably applied use cases, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Most SMEs worry about complicated standards they have to consider when letting their employees work with a robot. Furthermore, they simply do not know where to start due to multiple promised benefits not precisely matching their requirements. Since they have individual starting points regarding their needs, available process data and documentation, it is expensive to obtain a customised evaluation of provided benefits. Thereby, the main challenge is to offer a consistent approach dealing with multiple requirements. The multi-layer concept of service modelling provides a possibility to resolve this contradiction. It aims for an overall goal by achieving predefined subgoals with individually matching methods. Thus, each manufacturing company can choose the most suitable methodology to analyse its production line. Regarding HRI it is possible to select workstations with the best fitting solution according to individual requirements. The selection will be quantified based on analyses about provided values of HRI in manufacturing. This study presents the service modelling approach for the evaluation of workstations that are best suited for the implementation of HRI in SME.

Personalization of politics on Facebook: examining the content and effects of professional, emotional and private self-personalization

ABSTRACT With the integration of social media in political communication repertoires, politicians now permanently campaign for support online. By promoting their personal agenda, politicians increasingly profile themselves independent from their associated parties on the web (i.e., self-personalization). By focusing on self-personalization as a multi-layered concept (i.e., professional, emotional, private self-personalization), this study investigates both the use and consequences of self-personalization on Facebook. A manual content analysis of politicians’ Facebook posts (N = 435) reveals that self-personalization is indeed often used as a communication style on Facebook and is most often present in visual communication. Moreover, the study shows that the use of a more emotional and private style provides a beneficial tool for politicians’ impression management. Publishing emotional and private content yields positive effects on audience engagement, suggesting audiences’ demand for more intimate and emotional impressions of public figures on the web.

Context as a Dynamic Construct and the Problem of Context Sensitivity

AbstractThis paper is concerned with different aspects of the concept of context, predominantly from the perspective of contemporary pragmatically‐oriented linguistics. As it is frequently claimed that the precise meaning of an utterance may be determined correctly only in context, but, at the same time, no agreement has been reached on how context should be adequately defined, one aim of this study is to focus on different characteristics of this phenomenon and to explain how context may be best understood within a pragmatic approach. This is connected with context sensitivity. Some expressions in natural language are prototypical examples of it, while others are rather controversial. The other aim of this study is to examine context sensitivity from the point of view of several semantic theories and to propose within which systematic linguistic theory it could be best integrated. It turns out that the concept of context should best be treated as a dynamic construct inherently connected with communication. Since it is, at the same time, a multilayered concept, it is almost impossible to produce a widely acceptable theory of context. Regarding a systematic theory within which context sensitivity could be integrated, semantic minimalism seems to be the most appropriate.

“Bhakti” or “love” in the school of Ramanuja and Mawlana

Na cosmovisão mística, a palavra "amor" denota um conceito amplo e de múltiplas camadas. Muitos místicos de diferentes nações consideram o amor como um dos princípios e lição básicos do mundo do misticismo. Muitos deles prometeram condições subjacentes no caminho da conduta e realização para a posição de conhecimento e certeza da majestade de Deus para o elixir do amor. Na escola de Mowlana, o amor tem um status elevado e a perfeição humana é possível pelo reconhecimento do Imam ou líder em combinação com o amor. Por outro lado, a maioria das escolas indianas era influenciada pela “Bhakti Marga”, que era mais proeminentemente exibida na Escola de Ramanuja, à medida que crescia nas obras do sul da Índia e Tamil, e conforme o movimento da “Nova Era” continuava. Portanto, neste artigo, vamos examinar a abordagem comparativa deste conceito com base nos poemas de Rumi e nos ensinamentos de Ramanuja. De fato, nosso objetivo é analisar as visões mútuas e diferentes de ambos os místicos sobre o amor e sua natureza.