Synchronous Tools Research Articles

Combined speed and distance control for optimized vehicle platooning

This paper presents a novel approach to vehicle platooning using combined formation-regulation control, aiming to enhance the operation of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs). By integrating advanced control algorithms with precise positioning and synchronization tools, our methodology enables CAVs to autonomously navigate while maintaining minimal inter-vehicle distances, thus optimizing convoy synchronization. The proposed system consists of two main controllers: a speed consensus controller to synchronize vehicle speeds and a following distance controller to ensure safety. Our combined control approach combines these controllers dynamically based on real-time vehicle spacing, employing exponential functions to smooth the transition between control modes, thereby preventing abrupt changes in vehicle behavior. This method not only increases energy efficiency and traffic throughput but also significantly reduces the likelihood of accidents caused by sudden braking, contributing to decreased fuel consumption and enhanced road safety. Our work not only advances the technology of vehicle platooning but also promises broader implications for the overall transportation ecosystem.

Exploring Kainic Acid-Induced Alterations in Circular Tripartite Networks with Advanced Analysis Tools.

Brain activity implies the orchestrated functioning of interconnected brain regions. Typical in vitro models aim to mimic the brain using single human pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal networks. However, the field is constantly evolving to model brain functions more accurately through the use of new paradigms, e.g., brain-on-a-chip models with compartmentalized structures and integrated sensors. These methods create novel data requiring more complex analysis approaches. The previously introduced circular tripartite network concept models the connectivity between spatially diverse neuronal structures. The model consists of a microfluidic device allowing axonal connectivity between separated neuronal networks with an embedded microelectrode array to record both local and global electrophysiological activity patterns in the closed circuitry. The existing tools are suboptimal for the analysis of the data produced with this model. Here, we introduce advanced tools for synchronization and functional connectivity assessment. We used our custom-designed analysis to assess the interrelations between the kainic acid (KA)-exposed proximal compartment and its nonexposed distal neighbors before and after KA. Novel multilevel circuitry bursting patterns were detected and analyzed in parallel with the inter- and intracompartmental functional connectivity. The effect of KA on the proximal compartment was captured, and the spread of this effect to the nonexposed distal compartments was revealed. KA induced divergent changes in bursting behaviors, which may be explained by distinct baseline activity and varied intra- and intercompartmental connectivity strengths. The circular tripartite network concept combined with our developed analysis advances importantly both face and construct validity in modeling human epilepsy in vitro.

Synchronizing the Western Gotland Basin (Baltic Sea) and Lake Kälksjön (central Sweden) sediment records using common cosmogenic radionuclide production variations

Multi-archive studies of climate events and archive-specific response times require synchronous time scales. Aligning common variations in the cosmogenic radionuclide production rate via curve fitting methods provides a tool for the continuous synchronization of natural environmental archives down to decadal precision. Based on this approach, we synchronize 10Be records from Western Gotland Basin (WGB, Baltic Sea) and Lake Kälksjön (KKJ, central Sweden) sediments to the 14C production time series from the IntCal20 calibration curve during the Mid-Holocene period ~6400 to 5200 a BP. Before the synchronization, we assess and reduce non-production variability in the 10Be records by using 10Be/9Be ratios and removing common variability with the TOC record from KKJ sediments based on regression analysis. The synchronizations to the IntCal20 14C production time scale suggest decadal to multi-decadal refinements of the WGB and KKJ chronologies. These refinements reduce the previously centennial chronological uncertainties of both archives to about ± 20 (WGB) and ±40 (KKJ) years. Combining proxy time series from the synchronized archives enables us to interpret a period of ventilation in the deep central Baltic Sea basins from ~6250 to 6000 a BP as possibly caused by inter-annual cooling reducing vertical water temperature gradients allowing deep water formation during exceptionally cold winters.

The Efficiency of Online Assignments as an Asynchronous e-Learning Tool

The online learning experience that accompanied the Covid-19 pandemic has been diverse. Both teachers and students have had to discover new online learning methods and tools in order to cope with the new phase. Some teachers relied on virtual meetings and synchronous instruction, whereas others either solely relied on asynchronous instruction through e-assignments or combined the latter to other methods like synchronous e-meetings. While the integration of synchronous tools in distance instruction seems to be more relevant, asynchronous assignments may have an important potential in e-learning given that not all students can access the course at the same time. Indeed, one of the advantages of asynchronous e-assignments is learning anytime, anywhere. For this, the in-hand paper seeks to focus on online assignments and their efficiency to university EFL students. Our purpose is to discover how students view these assignments, and whether they are efficient in learning according to them. We also wish to investigate whether students prefer synchronous online meetings or asynchronous learning tools like e-assignments. In this regard, the sample is made up of fifth-year EFL students at ENSB. By and large, the main findings of this study demonstrate that the majority of EFL students consider asynchronous e-assignments as an efficient e-learning tool.

Attosecond-precision balanced timing detector with a single photodiode.

We experimentally demonstrate a novel and practical timing detector based on a double-pass acousto-optic frequency shifter. With time and frequency multiplexing, for the first time to our knowledge, a balanced detection is realized using only a single photodiode, which greatly decreases the excess electronic noise during photodetection. With a total input optical power of 1.4 mW (0.35 mW per pulse train), an almost shot-noise-limited detection floor of 28.3 zs/√Hz is achieved, and the timing jitter integrated from 1 kHz to 1 MHz is reduced from 99.0 as (without eliminating the photodetector electronic noise) to only 30.4 as. Even with an input power of 50 µW per pulse train, 221.4 zs/√Hz detection floor and 268.0 as integrated timing jitter at [1 kHz and 1 MHz] are still maintained. This timing detector provides a powerful tool for high-precision metrology, ultra-long-distance ranging, and large-scale timing synchronization.

실시간 하이브리드 교육을 위한 대학 교수자 역량 모델 탐색

Objectives This study was to explore a competency model for instructors to optimally operate synchronous hybrid
 learning in higher education. Also, it was to analyze the educational needs recognized by instructors for competencies.
 Methods In order to achieve the purpose, a tentative competency model was derived through literature review.
 For elaboration including revision or supplementation and consensus, two Delphi technique were carried out. The
 educational needs were identified through Borich's needs and The Locus for Focus model analysis.
 Results The competency model of synchonous hybrid learning in college consists of five competency clusters including
 thirty specific competencies as follows : ‘confiming technology and designing environment’, ‘composing
 group and promoting participation’, ‘designing and implementing hybrid class activity’, ‘teaching-learning support
 and management’, and ‘learning and activity assessment’. As results of analyzing educational needs for specific
 competencies, checking the technical proficiency of learners, designing activities to promote interaction between
 instructors and learners using synchronous tools, developing collaboration problems and designing learners’ inter-
 connection activities, and designing assessment strategies considering learning goals need to be considered
 as priority.
 Conclusions This study is meaningful in that it comprehensively constructs the competence of what kind of
 knowledge, skills, and attitudes instructors should have for synchronous hybrid learning that has the potential to
 be actively applied in higher education context. It was confirmed that synchronous hybrid learning has an affordance
 for the complexity of utilizing technology and simultaneous integration between online and offline environments
 based on technology/tool. Also, not only learning activities and technical considerations, but also the learning
 environment design should be taken into account in important aspect.

A bibliometric analysis of the trends, topics, and findings of research publications on asynchronous and synchronous online language learning over three decades

Since the first study on computer-mediated communication tools in support of language learning was published in 1992, asynchronous and synchronous tools have been widely adopted; however, few reviews have been conducted to explore the research status in this field. As COVID-19 has increased the use of online tools in education, the need to understand how asynchronous and synchronous tools are being used in language education has grown. In this bibliometric analysis, we reviewed asynchronous and synchronous online language learning (ASOLL) by analyzing the trends, topics, and findings of 319 articles on ASOLL. The results indicate that interest in ASOLL has increased over the past three decades with ASOLL for oral proficiency development and collaborative ASOLL being the two main research issues. Interest in three topics – collaborative ASOLL, emotions, and corrective feedback – was especially apparent. The review contributes to the understanding of ASOLL while providing practical implications for using information communication technologies to enhance language learning.

Providing Education to the 1st Year Students at the Medical University in the Conditions of Martial State in Ukraine

Learning is a complex creative process based on the use of modern technologies and taking into account the psycho-physiological properties of an individual. The martial law introduced significant changes in the operation mode of higher education institutions in Ukraine. Therefore, the problem of organization and implementation training in higher education institutions is very relevant in current conditions. The purpose is the study and application of those modern forms and methods of education that would provide a sufficient level of knowledge in martial law, as well as the study of the peculiarities of student’s motivation in martial law. Methodology. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of sources about various teaching methods and generalization own experience of teaching Medical Biology in online format at Zaporizhzhia State Medical University. Results. It was implemented the interaction concept of higher education students with the teaching staff and educational activity was monitored, Zaporizhzhia State Medical University introduced a remote form of education using MS Teams and the edX platform. Based on Teams, the work was carried out to create and fill in online platforms with an educational material, a content visualization with a large amount of illustrative materials, video materials, packages of test tasks in MS Forms, along with educational methods adaptation, including interactive ones, to a distance form. Interactive distance learning means are very diverse. They include synchronous tools such as video conferencing and virtual classroom discussions, as well as asynchronous tools such as online forums and chats. Interactive distance learning means are crucial for several reasons: increasing contact, improving communication and collaboration, and contributing to a more dynamic and collaborative learning environment. While our teachers in real-time use synchronous interactive methods, asynchronous methods provide great flexibility for students regarding when and where they can participate in classes, that is especially important for students in complex real-world settings of martial law. Conclusions: Distance learning in modern higher education has become a forced alternative to traditional forms despite the difficulties ensuring the educational process under challenging conditions. Interactive means are becoming increasingly important in distance learning, as they help boost student’s communication and interaction, improve collaboration, and provide greater flexibility and convenience in the distance learning process for students and teachers. Modern technologies and means will be appropriate if we take into account the students’ psycho-physiological state and the degree of their motivation.

Synchronization of spatiotemporal chaos and reservoir computing via scalar signals

Reservoir computing turns out to be a powerful data-driven tool for model-free prediction and synchronization of chaotic systems. However, recent studies of synchronization using reservoir computing mainly focus on low-dimensional chaotic systems, the relevant research on spatiotemporally chaotic systems that are more common in nature is still missing. Here, we investigate synchronization of spatiotemporally chaotic systems via reservoir computing instead of dynamical equations. By transmitting scalar driving signals at a finite number of spatial points, we realize three types of synchronization, including the one between the trained reservoir computer and its learned spatiotemporally chaotic system, the one between the trained reservoir computers, and the cascading one among the learned system and the trained reservoir computers. Our method can not only be used to confirm whether the trained reservoir computer has captured the features of the spatiotemporally chaotic system but also is of great significance for application in complex networks and secure communication. The results are illustrated numerically with two benchmark dynamical systems.

A Systematic Review of Research on Online Learner Collaboration from 2012–21: Collaboration Technologies, Design, Facilitation, and Outcomes

Online Learner Collaboration (OLC) supports the development of knowledge and skills through social construction. In this systematic review of research spanning a decade, authors examined 63 articles for publication patterns, participant and context trends, and research methodology trends using an online learner collaboration framework consisting of the following elements: collaborative technologies, design, facilitation, and outcomes. The higher education context and education discipline had the most research conducted on OLC among the studies reviewed. All three research methods (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods) were used equally in the articles. The most commonly used technologies for OLC were learning management systems (LMS), discussion boards, writing tools, and synchronous tools. The most commonly used collaborative methods were group projects and discussions. The most common grouping size was small groups, and groups were commonly formed through random assignment, based on criteria, or student-formed. Instructors mostly assumed roles as designers, facilitators, supporters, and evaluators during OLC. Increased learning, communication and collaboration skills, and relationship building were the top three opportunities that OLC offered. Time, technical issues, and anxiety/fear/stress were challenges that appeared most frequently. Most of the research on OLC focused on cognitive and affective outcomes. The review has implications for online instructors and instructional designers who design and facilitate collaborative online courses.

E-Learning Methodology

E-learning is the most important explosion propelled by the internet transformation. It is the use of technology which enables people to learn anytime and anywhere. While teaching can be based in or out of the classrooms, the use of computers and Internet forms the major component of E-learning. It can be termed as a network enabled transfer of skills and knowledge, and the delivery of education is made to a large number of recipients at the same time. E-learning can offer effective instructional methods, such as practising with associated feedback, combining collaboration activities with self-paced study and personalizing learning paths based on learners’ needs. The focus of E-learning is on both asynchronous and synchronous methodology. It investigates three major E-learning tools which are (i) curriculum tools (ii) digital library tools and (iii) knowledge representation tools. This paper reports on the extent to which the effectiveness and students’ attitudes towards E-learning impacts on their learning styles. The paper also reviews literature and gives a scholarly background to the study by reviewing some contributions made by various researchers and institutions on the concept of E-learning. Finally, the paper suggests that synchronous tools should be integrated into asynchronous environments to allow for any-time learning model and gave remark that E-learning needs to improve from various barriers.

Remote mental health care interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic: An umbrella review

Mitigating the COVID-19 related disruptions in mental health care services is crucial in a time of increased mental health disorders. Numerous reviews have been conducted on the process of implementing technology-based mental health care during the pandemic. The research question of this umbrella review was to examine what the impact of COVID-19 was on access and delivery of mental health services and how mental health services have changed during the pandemic. A systematic search for systematic reviews and meta-analyses was conducted up to August 12, 2022, and 38 systematic reviews were identified. Main disruptions during COVID-19 were reduced access to outpatient mental health care and reduced admissions and earlier discharge from inpatient care. In response, synchronous telemental health tools such as videoconferencing were used to provide remote care similar to pre-COVID care, and to a lesser extent asynchronous virtual mental health tools such as apps. Implementation of synchronous tools were facilitated by time-efficiency and flexibility during the pandemic but there was a lack of accessibility for specific vulnerable populations. Main barriers among practitioners and patients to use digital mental health tools were poor technological literacy, particularly when preexisting inequalities existed, and beliefs about reduced therapeutic alliance particularly in case of severe mental disorders. Absence of organizational support for technological implementation of digital mental health interventions due to inadequate IT infrastructure, lack of funding, as well as lack of privacy and safety, challenged implementation during COVID-19. Reviews were of low to moderate quality, covered heterogeneously designed primary studies and lacked findings of implementation in low- and middle-income countries. These gaps in the evidence were particularly prevalent in studies conducted early in the pandemic. This umbrella review shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic, practitioners and mental health care institutions mainly used synchronous telemental health tools, and to a lesser degree asynchronous tools to enable continued access to mental health care for patients. Numerous barriers to these tools were identified, and call for further improvements. In addition, more high quality research into comparative effectiveness and working mechanisms may improve scalability of mental health care in general and in future infectious disease outbreaks.

E-CityFarm: sustainable small-scale food production integrated fish and crop cultivation

E-CityFarm is an electronic system that can control the parameters needed to grow fish and plants integratedly. It can control temperature, water acidity, and utilizing the neural network method able to count the number and length of fishes also their weight. The weight will be directly proportional to the need for feed. In E-CityFarm, various variables are processed by multitasking, therefore real time operating system (RTOS) is used. RTOS has several advantages in terms of: concurrency, pre-emption, capacity, flash size, synchronization tools, third party software, and convenience. RTOS is real time where in the execution process it will work in parallel for all existing processes according to the time specified. E-CityFarm implements RTOS to improve and maintain the quality of system measurement accuracy, which is expected to help users maintain product quality. In several experiments, the measurement results still have deviations compared to conventional measurements, deviations in measurements for: temperature 0.46%, light intensity 1.935%, 4.93% (3 levels) and weight control 1.995% (98.005% accuracy). Within 14 months the growth of fish and plants seemed to be very controlled, fish and plants grew well, thus E-CityFarm is a feasible system to be developed in areas that have limited land and water.

Applications to Control the Estrus Cycle in Bovines via Estrus Synchronization: A Review

Estrus Synchronization is the main application of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), it helps in the control of the estrus cycle with the basic help of Hormones and adds controlled Artificial Insemination, reduction in Calving interval which saves time, labor cost and effective dairy farm management. Moreover, old reproductive management is too expensive and it becomes the root of the loss of milk and meat production, it is also costly in case of labor, feed, estrus detection, long inter calving interval, postpartum estrus detection and other disease problems. To get rid of these expensive traditional practices ART has developed many methods to control estrus cycle physiology and endocrinology. Estrus synchronization tools developed in recent breeding management of dairy herds in dairy industries have become an essential part of reproduction. Many of them rely on protocols that allow timed artificial insemination (TAI) to overcome the practical anomalies during estrus detection. Currently developed programs consist of protocols that are used for re-synchronization following first or consequent inseminations. Many programs include scheduled injections of Prostaglandin (PgF2α) and Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Meanwhile, progesterone and estradiol based supplements are also required in many techniques. The main program used for synchronization is "Ovsynch" protocol. Moreover, this review is based on the introduction, history, principles, factors and methods of estrus synchronization that are mostly used for profitable dairy farming, it will assist in the understanding of the basic mechanism that is involved in the control of estrus cycle.

Heritage and Hate: Old South Rhetoric at Southern Universities

Heritage and Hate: Old South Rhetoric at Southern Universities

Flink-based Heterogeneous Database Synchronization Adapter Design

The existing data synchronization scheme can satisfy the data synchronization between homogeneous table databases. Still, it restricts the table structures that can be synchronized and cannot solve the table heterogeneous database synchronization problem. In this paper, based on the existing data synchronization tools, we analyze the key problems in data synchronization, such as data type differences, data storage differences, data expression differences, etc. To design a synchronization model for these problems, this paper investigates the implementation of Flink CDC and the design idea of the Binlog model and designs a highly available and easily scalable heterogeneous database synchronization model by combining the actual data synchronization scenarios and traditional synchronization ideas.

Online Teaching of Chinese as a Second Language in an Emergency Situation: Methods and Findings

The purpose of this study was to identify problems teaching Chinese as a second language during the unexpected sudden lockdown in 2020 and then to propose strategies for similar future situations and better ways of planning remote teaching programs. The Covid-19 lockdown caused courses at Italian universities that are normally carried out face-to-face to be moved online. This affected language courses particularly severely. This article is focused on the experiences of staff and students involved in three Chinese language courses at two state universities in northern Italy. Background literature about online teaching is analyzed first, then the online teaching methods and tools that were used in the emergency are described and student survey results are assessed. The results are used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the emergency online teaching provision. The possibility of using self-learning material and watching video-lessons was appreciated, but one of the main drawbacks was the lack of oral and written interaction. Actions for future development are proposed here. These include using asynchronous and synchronous tools to promote active language learning and interaction. An innovative proposal for a long-term teaching program is the flipped classroom, which would allow students to undertake self-learning at home but with a focus on interactions and practical activities during face-to-face classes.

An Analysis of Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Undergraduate Learning During the COVID Pandemic

In response to the COVID pandemic, university classes across the world were forced online. In this research, we explored students’ experiences in emergency online learning in two undergraduate business classes. Where the literature on online learning has traditionally focused on those students who chose online learning, in light of recent shifts in education, online learning continues to increase its prevalent in the education of all students, even those who would not have traditionally chosen this medium. In this research, through the use of learning platform metadata and students survey responses, we examined the impact of the various pedagogical techniques used in the online classroom and their ability to maintain high student motivation. Ultimately, we concluded that providing multiple opportunities for engagement through the use of both synchronous and asynchronous tools in is crucial to promoting student motivation, learning and course success. Implications for classroom instruction and further research will be discussed.

Distance Matters to Weak Ties

Workers tend to make inferences about one another's commitment and dedication to work depending on what cues are available to them, affecting worker relationships and collaboration outcomes. In this work, we investigate how remote work affects workers' perceptions of their colleagues with different levels of social connectivity, commonly referred to as strong ties and weak ties. When working remotely, workers' perceptions of weak ties may suffer due to the lack of in-person interaction. On the other hand, workers' inferences about their strong ties may also be impacted by losing richer communication cues, even though they had more connections with their strong ties than weak ties. This study explores how remote workers make inferences about engagement levels of and willingness to collaborate with weak ties compared to strong ties. We used a mixed-methods approach involving survey data, experience sampling, and in-depth interviews with 20 workers from different companies in Taiwan. Results showed that workers depended on one-on-one synchronous tools to infer the engagement level of strong ties but used group-based communication tools to infer the engagement level of weak ties. Interestingly, the absence of cues in remote workplaces exacerbated prior impressions formed in the physical office. Furthermore, remote work led workers to develop polarized perceptions of their respective ties. We discuss how characteristics of computer-mediated communication tools and interaction types interplay to affect workers' perceptions of remote colleagues and identify design opportunities for helping remote workers maintain awareness of weak ties.

SET-MRTS: An empirical experiment tool for real-time scheduling and synchronization

In the real-time scheduling theory, schedulability and synchronization analyses are used to evaluate scheduling algorithms and real-time locking protocols, respectively, and the empirical synthesis experiment is one of the major methods to compare the performance of such analyses. However, since many sophisticated techniques have been adopted to improve the analytical accuracy, the implementation of such analyses and experiments is often time-consuming. This paper proposes a schedulability experiment toolkit for multiprocessor real-time systems (SET-MRTS), which provides a framework with infrastructures to implement the schedulability and synchronization analyses and the deployment of empirical synthesis experiments. Besides, with well-designed peripheral components for the input and output, experiments can be conducted easily and flexibly on SET-MRTS. This demonstration further proves the effectiveness of SET-MRTS in both functionality and availability.