Mapping Connectedness of Global Cities: α, β and γ tiers

An elaboration of data from a database in the form of an atlas. The atlas shows the categorization of world cities into α, β and γ tiers, based upon their international connectedness. From this visualization it emerges where each city is virtually oriented to other cities of the same level of inter-connectivity. The world map is configured as an archipelago, where each city appears utterly separated from its geographical surrounding and closer to other cities of the same level. The leading parameters for the new configuration are based on mutual connections, primarily in the global economic system. The atlas shows the world cities according to the GaWC categorization of 201

On non-monotonic Choquet integrals as aggregation functions

This paper deals with non-monotonic Choquet integral, a generalization of the regular Choquet integral. The discrete non-monotonic Choquet integral is considered under the viewpoint of aggregation. In particular we give an axiomatic characterization of the class of non-monotonic Choquet integrals.We show how the Shapley index, in contrast with the monotonic case, can assume positive values if the criterion is in average a benefit, depending on its effect in all the possible coalition coalitions, and negative values in the opposite case of a cost criterion.

Bayesian statistical analysis of ground-clutter for the relative calibration of dual polarization weather radars

A new data processing methodology, based on the statistical analysis of ground-clutter echoes and aimed at investigating the stability of the weather radar relative calibration, is presented. A Bayesian classification scheme has been used to identify meteorological and/or ground-clutter echoes. The outcome is evaluated on a training dataset using statistical score indexes through the comparison with a deterministic clutter map. After discriminating the ground clutter areas, we have focused on the spatial analysis of robust and stable returns by using an automated region-merging algorithm. The temporal series of the ground-clutter statistical parameters, extracted from the spatial analysis and expressed in terms of percentile and mean values, have been used to estimate the relative clutter calibration and its uncertainty for both co-polar and differential reflectivity. The proposed methodology has been applied to a dataset collected by a C-band weather radar in southern Italy

Axiomatizations of signed discrete Choquet integrals

We study the so-called signed discrete Choquet integral (also called non-monotonic discrete Choquet integral) regarded as the Lov\'asz extension of a pseudo-Boolean function which vanishes at the origin. We present axiomatizations of this generalized Choquet integral, given in terms of certain functional equations, as well as by necessary and sufficient conditions which reveal desirable properties in aggregation theory

A fuzzy-based scoring rule for author ranking

The measurement of the quality of research has reached nowadays an increasing interest not only for scientific reasons but also for the critical problem of researchers' ranking, due to the lack of grant assignments. The most commonly used approach is based on the so-called $h$-index, even if the current literature debated a lot about its pros and cons. This paper, after a brief review of the $h$-index and of alternative models, focuses on the characterization and the implementation of a modified scoring rule approach by means of a fuzzy inference system a là Sugeno.Research evaluation, bibliometrics, author ranking, $h$-index, scoring rules, fuzzy inference system.

Forward scatter radar for air surveillance: Characterizing the target-receiver transition from far-field to near-field regions

A generalized electromagnetic model is presented in order to predict the response of forward scatter radar (FSR) systems for air-target surveillance applications in both far-field and near-field conditions. The relevant scattering problem is tackled by developing the Helmholtz-Kirchhoff formula and Babinet's principle to express the scattered and the total fields in typical FSR configurations. To fix the distinctive features of this class of problems, our approach is applied here to metallic targets with canonical rectangular shapes illuminated by a plane wave, but the model can straightforwardly be used to account for more general scenarios. By exploiting suitable approximations, a simple analytical formulation is derived allowing us to efficiently describe the characteristics of the FSR response for a target transitioning with respect to the receiver from far-field to near-field regions. The effects of different target electrical sizes and detection distances on the received signal, as well as the impact of the trajectory of the moving object, are evaluated and discussed. All of the results are shown in terms of quantities normalized to the wavelength and can be generalized to different configurations once the carrier frequency of the FSR system is set. The range of validity of the proposed closed-form approach has been checked by means of numerical analyses, involving comparisons also with a customized implementation of a full-wave commercial CAD tool. The outcomes of this study can pave the way for significant extensions on the applicability of the FSR technique

Dietary supplement usage during pregnancy and lactation: role of online social capital and health information-seeking behaviour

none3siPurpose – The main objective of this study is to assess the applicability and robustness of the information motivation behavioural skills (IMB) model in determining dietary supplement usage of pregnant and breastfeeding women. More specifically, we examine the indirect effects of online social capital and internet use for health information on dietary supplement usage through self-efficacy and the moderating role of educational attainment. Design/methodology/approach – Data was collected from 415 pregnant and breastfeeding Italian women using a self-administered questionnaire. Hypotheses were tested using Hayes’s (2013) PROCESS macro for SPSS. Findings – Internet use for health information is directly associated with dietary supplement usage. Online social capital and internet use for health information positively influence dietary supplement usage through self-efficacy. However, the results from moderated mediation analyses show that the mediation effects are moderated by educational attainment so that indirect relationships were stronger among women with a lower level of education than among those with a higher level of education. Practical implications – Dietary supplement marketers and public health agencies can develop and implement dietary supplement promotional materials and interventions by disseminating information through the internet and social media and by strengthening social ties on online networking sites. Originality/value – The originality of this study lies in the use of the IMB model as a theoretical framework to examine the mediating role of self-efficacy and the moderating role of education in explaining the mechanism of how online social capital and internet use for health information influence dietary supplement usage. Keywords Online social capital, Internet use for health information, Self-efficacy, Dietary supplement usage, PregnancyopenYam Limbu; Marta Giovannetti; Silvio CardinaliLimbu, Yam; Giovannetti, Marta; Cardinali, Silvi

the journal of functional morphology and kinesiology journal club series highlights on recent papers in gait and posture

We are glad to introduce the third Journal Club. The third edition is focused on several relevant studies published in the last years in the field of Gait and Posture, chosen by our Editorial Board members. We hope to stimulate your curiosity in this field and to share with you a passion for sport seen also from the scientific point of view. The Editorial Board members wish you an inspiring lecture

Una aplicación didáctica del modelo ES21: Simulación de la Economía Española con Dinámica de Sistemas

Este trabajo proporciona una herramienta para la representación de la realidad socioeconómica española con fines didácticos, así cómo para el análisis de los impactos asociados tanto a las modificaciones en las políticas públicas – fundamentalmente presupuestarias – como a los cambios producidos en el entorno exterior. El trabajo es una versión simplificada del modelo ES21 (Di Nola y Martínez Valderrama, 2017) que utiliza la metodología de Dinámica de Sistemas.Gobierno Vasco, Grupos de Investigación del Sistema Universitario Vasco IT-799-1

Halophytes as components of lawns under different soil salinity and human impact in the health resort “Ciechocinek”

The comparison was performed on the flora of lawns located in the vicinity of three brine concentration towers in the Spa Park in the town of Ciechocinek. It was found that a different level of saline water inflow into the soil and a different use of these lawns are the main causes of the observed differences in the number and the species composition of halophytes and glycophytes. The possibility of determining the differences in the intensity of human impact on the studied systems was discussed, as well as the value of the Environmental Sustainability Index was determined through emergy analysis. Energy flow diagrams were prepared for two basic greenery management methods and salt production, which best differentiates the flora of the studied lawns