Perspectives on management theory’s application in the internet of things research

Information Systems and e-Business Management - The growing use of the internet of things (IoT) has provided businesses with a new opportunity. This study performed a systematic literature review...     

Structural Aspects of P2-Type Na0.67Mn0.6Ni0.2Li0.2O2 (MNL) Stabilization by Lithium Defects as a Cathode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries

A known strategy for improving the properties of layered oxide electrodes in sodium-ion batteries is the partial substitution of transition metals by Li. Herein, the role of Li as a defect and its impact on sodium storage in P2-Na_0.67Mn_0.6Ni_0.2Li_0.2O₂ is discussed. In tandem with electrochemical studies, the electronic and atomic structure are studied using solid-state NMR, operando XRD, and density functional theory (DFT). For the as-synthesized material, Li is located in comparable amounts within the sodium and the transition metal oxide (TMO) layers. Desodiation leads to a redistribution of Li ions within the crystal lattice. During charging, Li ions from the Na layer first migrate to the TMO layer before reversing their course at low Na contents. There is little change in the lattice parameters during charging/discharging, indicating stabilization of the P2 structure. This leads to a solid-solution type storage mechanism (sloping voltage profile) and hence excellent cycle life with a capacity of 110 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles. In contrast, the Li-free compositions Na_0.67Mn_0.6Ni_0.4O₂ and Na_0.67Mn_0.8Ni_0.2O₂ show phase transitions and a stair-case voltage profile. The capacity is found to originate from mainly Ni³⁺/Ni⁴⁺ and O^2-/O^2-δ redox processes by DFT, although a small contribution from Mn⁴⁺/Mn⁵⁺ to the capacity cannot be excluded.     

Access point selection in the network of Internet of things (IoT) considering the strategic behavior of the things and users

The Journal of Supercomputing - With the expansion in the use of IoT, increasing the efficiency of these networks has become even more significant. Objects need reliable communications at suitable...     

Imaging of the optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer: the effects of age, optic disc area, refractive error, and gender.

We cross-sectionally examined the relationship between age, optic disc area, refraction, and gender and optic disc topography and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements, using optical imaging techniques. One eye from each of 155 Caucasian subjects (age range 23.0-80.8 y) without ocular pathology was included. Measurements were obtained by using the Heidelberg Retina Tomography (HRT), the GDx Nerve Fiber Analyzer, and the Optical Coherence Tomograph (OCT). The effects of age were small (R2 < 17%) and were limited to specific HRT, GDx, and OCT parameters. Disc area was significantly associated with most HRT parameters and isolated GDx and OCT parameters. Refraction and gender were not significantly associated with any optic disc or RNFL parameters. Although effects of age on the optic disc and RNFL are small, they should be considered in monitoring ocular disease. Optic disc area should be considered when cross-sectionally evaluating disc topography and, to a lesser extent, RNFL thickness.     

A mashup based framework for multi level healthcare interoperability

Healthcare delivery is evolving from disease-centered to patient-centered care delivery where patients are active participants in their healthcare delivery. This calls for more communication and collaboration among all healthcare actors. There is also an increasing demand for personalized healthcare systems that provide effective information management, facilitate communication and collaboration, and support applications to meet user requirements. To address these challenges, we need to advance the integration and interoperability of healthcare applications in a controlled manner. Drawing upon a conceptual model from a collaborative care case study, we identified a set of interoperability requirements and developed a Mashup based interoperability framework. Our framework allows patients and other healthcare actors to engage in collaborative processes through online applications facilitated by mashups. We then use proof-of-concept implementations to demonstrate how our framework is able to facilitate different types of interoperability. We believe that collaborative technologies such as mashups can implement process interoperability requirements to support collaborative care delivery, particularly for asynchronous care delivery.     

Trans-10 18:1 in ruminant meats: A review

Trans (t) fatty acids (TFA) from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (i.e., industrial trans) have been phased out of foods in many countries due to their promotion of cardiovascular disease. This leaves ruminant-derived foods as the main source of TFA. Unlike industrial TFA where catalytic hydrogenation yields a broad distribution of isomers, ruminant TFA are enzymatically derived and can result in enrichment of specific isomers. Comparisons between industrial and ruminant TFA have often exonerated ruminant TFA due to their lack or at times positive effects on health. At extremes, however, ruminant-sourced foods can have either high levels of t10- or t11-18:1, and when considering enriched sources, t10-18:1 has properties similar to industrial TFA, whereas t11-18:1 can be converted to an isomer of conjugated linoleic acid (cis(c)9,t11-conjugated linoleic acid), both of which have potential positive health effects. Increased t10-18:1 in meat-producing ruminants has not been associated with negative effects on live animal production or meat quality. As such, reducing t10-18:1 has not been of immediate concern to ruminant meat producers, as there have been no economic consequences for its enrichment; nevertheless at high levels, it can compromise the nutritional quality of beef and lamb. In anticipation that regulations regarding TFA may focus more on t10-18:1 in beef and lamb, the present review will cover its production, analysis, biological effects, strategies for manipulation, and regulatory policy.     

Engineering Transition Metal Layers for Long Lasting Anionic Redox in Layered Sodium Manganese Oxide

Oxygen-redox-based-layered cathode materials are of great importance in realizing high-energy-density sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) that can satisfy the demands of next-generation energy storage technologies. However, Mn-based-layered materials (P2-type Na-poor Na_y[A_xMn_1−x]O₂, where A = alkali ions) still suffer from poor reversibility during oxygen-redox reactions and low conductivity. In this work, the dual Li and Co replacement is investigated in P2-type-layered Na_xMnO₂. Experimentally and theoretically, it is demonstrated that the efficacy of the dual Li and Co replacement in Na_0.6[Li_0.15Co_0.15Mn_0.7]O₂ is that it improves the structural and cycling stability despite the reversible Li migration from the transition metal layer during de-/sodiation. Operando X-ray diffraction and ex situ neutron diffraction analysis prove that the material maintains a P2-type structure during the entire range of Na⁺ extraction and insertion with a small volume change of ≈4.3%. In Na_0.6[Li_0.15Co_0.15Mn_0.7]O₂, the reversible electrochemical activity of Co³⁺/Co⁴⁺, Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺, and O^2-/(O₂)^n- redox is identified as a reliable mechanism for the remarkable stable electrochemical performance. From a broader perspective, this study highlights a possible design roadmap for developing cathode materials with optimized cationic and anionic activities and excellent structural stabilities for SIBs.     

Energy use efficiency and economical analysis of almond production: a case study in Chaharmahal-Va-Bakhtiari province,Iran

The aim of this study was to analyse input–output energy and economical assessment of almond production in three age groups of orchards (group I 6–10, group II 11–15 and group III 16–20 years old) in Chahrmahal-Va-Bakhtiari province, Iran. Data for almond production were collected by administering questionnaire in face-to-face interviews from the orchards selected based on random sampling method during a 3-year period. The results showed that 57,027.13, 60,341.14 and 61,640.43 MJ ha^?1 energy was consumed by group I, group II and group III, respectively. The most energy input was consumed by electricity, followed by chemical fertilizer. Energy indices were calculated, and the results revealed that energy efficiency was 0.62, 1.12 and 0.81 in the triple groups of orchards, respectively. Economical assessment showed that total production cost of almond in group I, II and III was $4547.54, $5799.26 and $5687.05 ha^?1, respectively. In all orchard groups, the shares of variable and fixed production costs found to be same nearly. Net return for almond production was $14,516.22, $30,735.19 and $21,395.57ha^?1, respectively. According to the research results, it was concluded that although almond production in the study region was not an efficient process in terms of energy consumption, it was a profitable agricultural operation.     

A penalized batch-Bayesian approach to informative path planning for decentralized swarm robotic search

Autonomous Robots - Swarm-robotic approaches to search and target localization, where target sources emit a spatially varying signal, promise unparalleled time efficiency and robustness. With most...