Machine Learning Applications in Baseball: A Systematic Literature Review

Statistical analysis of baseball has long been popular, albeit only in limited capacity until relatively recently. In particular, analysts can now apply machine learning algorithms to large baseball data sets to derive meaningful insights into player and team performance. In the interest of stimulating new research and serving as a go-to resource for academic and industrial analysts, we perform a systematic literature review of machine learning applications in baseball analytics. The approaches employed in literature fall mainly under three problem class umbrellas: Regression, Binary Classification, and Multiclass Classification. We categorize these approaches, provide our insights on possible future applications, and conclude with a summary of our findings. We find two algorithms dominate the literature: (1) Support Vector Machines for classification problems and (2) k-nearest neighbors for both classification and Regression problems. We postulate that recent proliferation of neural networks in general machine learning research will soon carry over into baseball analytics.     

Key distribution scheme for peer-to-peer communication in mobile underwater wireless sensor networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) consist of small battery-limited devices called sensor nodes. The communication between sensor nodes is a type of peer-to-peer communication, since each node has the same capability and role. One of the recent application areas of these nodes is underwater sensing. Communication in Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSN) is challenging since radio frequencies cannot be used. Instead acoustic waves, which cause extra challenges, are used in UWSN. Since UWSNs are deployed in hostile environment, nodes can be captured by an adversary. In order to secure UWSNs, key distribution problem must be addressed. Moreover, UWSNs are inherently mobile since the nodes may be drifted in the sea. In this paper, we propose a key distribution model which is applied for two group mobility models, namely nomadic mobility model and meandering mobility model. In both schemes hierarchical structure is used and communication is handled via well-known Blom’s key distribution scheme. Our simulation results show that mobility causes some temporary decreases in the connectivity, but our schemes help to heal the connectivity performance in time. Moreover, our schemes show good resiliency performance such that capture of some nodes by an adversary only causes very small amount of links between uncaptured nodes to be compromised.     

Microencapsulation of hazelnut oil through spray drying

This study was performed to investigate the influence of air inlet temperature (AIT) on the microencapsulation of hazelnut oil by spray drying. Encapsulated powders were analyzed for moisture content, powder yield, surface oil, encapsulation efficiency (EE), bulk density, and particle morphology. The obtained results demonstrated that moisture content, surface oil, and bulk density decreased by 37.8, 27.5, and 33%, respectively as AIT increased from 140 to 220°C. However, powder yield and encapsulation efficiency increased considerably with the rise in AIT. Higher EEs of about 75–80% were observed in this study.     

时光机器：对话卡斯·卡恩教授

"致密化"是现代城市发展不可回避的趋势。城市新插件与历史环境交融并置将是下一个时代浪潮的重要特征,这将进一步引发关于历史价值与当代性的讨论和思辨。荷兰作为高密度国家典型代表,近十年在建成环境的适应性转型中表现突出。文章通过与荷兰卡恩建筑事务所主持建筑师卡斯·卡恩教授的访谈,深度辨析荷兰建筑师面向复杂历史环境的立场与方法。对话重点聚焦于改造策略、遗产价值与实践经验,以期获得设计介入保护与更新议题的可描摹的研究线索。     

Strength and Frictional Properties of Popcorn Kernel as Affected by Moisture Content

Strength properties and dynamic coefficient of friction of popcorn kernels were evaluated as a function of moisture content in the range of 7.78–16.72 g/100 g dry solids. In order to determine strength properties of the kernels that are in terms of deformation at rupture point, rupture force, energy absorbed, hardness, and toughness of the popcorn kernels were quasi-statically loaded between two parallel plates. To determine frictional properties, friction tests were performed on aluminum, steel, and fiberglass surfaces. The values related to the strength properties, in general, decreased as the moisture content increased. On the other hand, the dynamic coefficient of friction of the popcorn kernels increased with increasing moisture content.     

Prediction of the space-frequency correlation function for basestation diversity reception

A model is proposed to estimate the signal statistics for urban-area base stations with highly elevated antennas. Based on the model, the envelope correlation of the received signal is estimated in the case of hybrid space-frequency diversity reception at the base. It is shown that the spatial correlation or the complex signals is determined of the mean angle of arrival and the width of the incoming beam. Useful closed-form approximations for inline and broadside antenna orientations are obtained. Comparisons between the theoretical model and available experimental data provide adequate justification for the model. It is shown that the lowest spatial correlations among all the possible angular orientations an obtained when the mean direction of the incoming signals is perpendicular to the axis of the base antennas. For this case, an antenna separation of 26λ is required to achieve an envelope correlation of 0.7 when the width of the incoming beam is 0.7°, and this separation reduces to 9λ for a width of 3°. The results indicate that the required spacings can be further reduced by using frequency diversity in conjunction with space diversity. Generalization of the model to incorporate local scattering effects is also proposed     

Fast in situ copolymerization of PET/PEN blends by ultrasonically-aided extrusion

An ultrasonically-aided extrusion process was developed for fast in situ compatibilization of immiscible polymer blends. PET, PEN, and their 50/50 blend were ultrasonically extruded at various amplitudes. PET underwent homopolymerization and degradation, respectively, at ultrasonic amplitudes of 7.5 and 10 μm, while PEN underwent degradation at amplitudes of 5, 7.5, and 10 μm. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry revealed greater amounts of hydroxyl and carboxyl terminated oligomers in ultrasonically treated PET and PEN, indicating their greater reactivity. Ultrasonic treatment at short residence time led to the enhancement of transesterification reaction in the PEN/PET blend, as shown by ¹H NMR and MALDI-TOF, indicating greater randomization with ultrasonic treatment. The latter was also observed through a shift in T_g that closely follows Gibbs-DiMarzio relation and an increase in viscosity of blend with treatment at an amplitude of 10 μm. No crystallinity was observed in the blend due to the already high level of transesterification introduced by extrusion without treatment. Accordingly, crystallinity, mechanical properties, oxygen permeability, and optical clarity of the blend were not influenced by ultrasonic treatment.     

Photovoltaics in an architectural context

In well‐populated areas, such as western Europe, PV is often integrated into the building envelope. Despite the fact that there are many examples showing that PV can be an aesthetically neutral or visually attractive element in architecture, many BIPV systems display few architectural qualities. But if well applied, PV can increase a building's character and value. Within Task 7 of the IEA PVPS programme a team of experts with an architectural background studied which key requirements needed to be complied with (design criteria for good‐quality PV projects) in order to produce successful PV integration. These criteria are discussed in the article. PV is not automatically considered an indispensable material in architectural terms. This is why, no matter how well it is integrated, PV remains an ‘added’ element. Architects can take this as their starting point and can use one of the design approaches that are presented in the article. These criteria for incorporating PV in the building design and the design criteria for good‐quality PV projects are important to architects and architectural critics in determining why a BIPV project, be it their own design or that of a colleague, is or is not aesthetically pleasing. This offers learning opportunities and reasons for follow‐up or improvement options. Architects who apply PV in a well‐thought‐out way can make their clients very happy, and thereby contribute to a greater acceptance of PV technology. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimization of synthesis parameters for catalytic performance of Ni–B catalysts using response surface methodology

Hydrogen production through hydrolysis of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) by using metal catalysts is promising for fuel cell applications. Nickel (Ni) and its alloys are favorable due to their high catalytic activity, relatively low cost and availability. In present study, the effects of temperature, pH, reduction rate and reducing agent concentration, which significantly affect the catalyst performance, were investigated using the response surface methodology (RSM). A mathematical model was derived according to results which were obtained from four-level orthogonal Taguchi L16 (4⁴) experimental design used for the optimization of multiple parameters in the process. From the RSM analyses, that compatible with the predicted experimental results, maximum hydrogen generation rate (HGR) 49.81 L min^?1 g_cat^?1 was obtained temperature of 278.12 K, pH of 5.52, reducing agent concentration of 85.96 NaBH₄.water^?1 and reduction rate of 6.82 mL min^?1. Analysis of variance reveals that both pH and rate of reduction have significant effect than the temperature on the HGR.