Autonomous System for Lake Ice Monitoring

Continuous monitoring of ice cover belongs to the key tasks of modern climate research, providing up-to-date information on climate change in cold regions. While a strong advance in ice monitoring worldwide has been provided by the recent development of remote sensing methods, quantification of seasonal ice cover is impossible without on-site autonomous measurements of the mass and heat budget. In the present study, we propose an autonomous monitoring system for continuous in situ measuring of vertical temperature distribution in the near-ice air, the ice strata and the under-ice water layer for several months with simultaneous records of solar radiation incoming at the lake surface and passing through the snow and ice covers as well as snow and ice thicknesses. The use of modern miniature analog and digital sensors made it possible to make a compact, energy efficient measurement system with high precision and spatial resolution and characterized by easy deployment and transportation. In particular, the high resolution of the ice thickness probe of 0.05 mm allows to resolve the fine-scale processes occurring in low-flow environments, such as freshwater lakes. Several systems were tested in numerous studies in Lake Baikal and demonstrated a high reliability in deriving the ice heat balance components during ice-covered periods.

ESTABLISHMENT OF NOx MEASUREMENT AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR SMALL SHIPS

Measurement of NOx emissions from small ship diesel engines is technically quite complex and at most times it is very difficult or impossible to perform on board. Hence, there is need to build and model an applicable measurement and certification system compliant with NOx measurement rules of NOx Technical Code. The system needs to perform efficiently, economically and also need to have adequate elasticity for ships that cannot meet NOx criteria in order to fulfil the requirements of the Code. The aim of this study is the formation of a technical and legislative infrastructure about safe and efficient measurement and certification of NOx emissions of main and auxiliary engine in the Merchant ships, in accordance with Regulation 13 and NOx Technical Code related to the control of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and which takes place in Annex VI appendix about prevention of air pollution caused by ships in MARPOL 73/78 Convention.

Conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence area decreases with age and sunglasses use

BackgroundConjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence (CUVAF) is a method of detecting conjunctival damage related to ultraviolet radiation exposure. In cross-sectional studies, CUVAF area is positively associated with self-reported time spent outdoors and pterygium and negatively associated with myopia; however, longitudinal studies are scarce.AimsTo use a novel deep learning-based tool to assess 8-year change in CUVAF area in young adults, investigate factors associated with this change and identify the number of new onset pterygia.MethodsA deep learning-based CUVAF tool was developed to measure CUVAF area. CUVAF area and pterygium status were assessed at three study visits: baseline (participants were approximately 20 years old) and at 7-year and 8-year follow-ups. Participants self-reported sun protection behaviours and ocular history.ResultsCUVAF data were available for 1497 participants from at least one study visit; 633 (43%) participants had complete CUVAF data. Mean CUVAF areas at baseline and the 7-year and 8-year follow-ups were 48.4, 39.3 and 37.7 mm2, respectively. There was a decrease in mean CUVAF area over time (change in total CUVAF area=−0.96 mm2 per year (95% CI: −1.07 to –0.86)). For participants who wore sunglasses ≥1/2 of the time, CUVAF area decreased by an additional −0.42 mm2 per year (95% CI: −0.72 to –0.12) on average. Fourteen (1.5%) participants developed a pterygium.ConclusionsIn this young adult cohort, CUVAF area declined over an 8-year period. Wearing sunglasses was associated with a faster reduction in CUVAF area. Deep learning-based models can assist in accurate and efficient measurement of CUVAF area.

Modelling the Enablers for Branded Content as a Strategic Marketing Tool in the COVID-19 Era

This study aims towards identifying and modelling the significant factors which act as enablers for the branded content to be used strategically by marketers as a marketing tool in the COVID-19 era. A qualitative approach was adopted for this study, and significant factors associated with branded content were identified from the literature review and primary survey. The factors were then verified by the experts in the area of branding and digital marketing. Total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) and Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) techniques were used to model the factors as per their contextual relationships. As per the model outcomes from TISM and DEMATEL approaches, branded content is an efficient marketing tool that promises value delivery to stakeholders. This, in turn, depends on the authenticity and transparency in content development and distribution. The most significant driving enablers for the system suggest efficient measurement and evaluation strategies and the customer as co-creator for the branded content.

Evidence for the Brief Mysticism Scale: Psychometric Properties, and Moderation and Mediation Effects in Predicting Spiritual Self-identification

How are mystical experiences related to self-rated spirituality? Is the recently developed short 8-item version of Hood’s (1975) Mysticism Scale an efficient measurement? The current study expands evidence for both questions using N = 1,582 American and N = 1,492 German samples measured in three waves, average 4 to 5 years apart. Results show that the 8-item brief M-Scale has good psychometric property evidenced by 1) measurement invariance across time, and 2) good test-retest reliability. Results further demonstrate that the 8-item brief M-Scale 3) moderates the effect of self-rated religiosity on self-rated spirituality, and 4) mediates the prediction of self-rated religiosity on self-rated spirituality over time. We conclude that the M-Scale can be used as a measure for self-attributed spirituality and that the 8-item brief version of the M-Scale can be used, when questionnaire length is an issue.