Search

Crop leaf length, perimeter, and area serve as vital phenotypic indicators of crop growth status, the measurement of which is important for crop monitoring and yield estimation. However, processing a leaf point cloud is often challenging due to cluttered, fluctuating, and uncertain points, which culminate in inaccurate measurements of leaf phenotypic parameters. To tackle this issue, the RKM-D point cloud method for measuring leaf phenotypic parameters is proposed, which is based on the fusion of improved Random Sample Consensus with a ground point removal (R) algorithm, the K-means clustering (K) algorithm, the Moving Least Squares (M) method, and the Euclidean distance (D) algorithm. Pepper leaves were obtained from three growth periods on the 14th, 28th, and 42nd days as experimental subjects, and a stereo camera was employed to capture point clouds. The experimental results reveal that the RKM-D point cloud method delivers high precision in measuring leaf phenotypic parameters. (i) For leaf length, the coefficient of determination (R2 ) surpasses 0.81, the mean absolute error (MAE) is less than 3.50 mm, the mean relative error (MRE) is less than 5.93%, and the root mean square error (RMSE) is less than 3.73 mm. (ii) For leaf perimeter, the R2 surpasses 0.82, the MAE is less than 7.30 mm, the MRE is less than 4.50%, and the RMSE is less than 8.37 mm. (iii) For leaf area, the R2 surpasses 0.97, the MAE is less than 64.66 mm2, the MRE is less than 4.96%, and the RMSE is less than 73.06 mm2. The results show that the proposed RKM-D point cloud method offers a robust solution for the precise measurement of crop leaf phenotypic parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Battery specific heat capacity is essential for calculation and simulation in battery thermal runaway and thermal management studies. Currently, there exist several non-destructive techniques for measuring the specific heat capacity of a battery. Approaches incorporate thermal modeling, specific heat capacity computation via an external heat source, and harnessing internal battery-generated heat. Accurately measuring the specific heat capacity of a battery by fast, intuitive, and general experimental methods has significant application value. This paper proposes a simple but precise method (the heating-waiting method) for measuring the specific heat capacity of the battery based on a constant temperature environment. A calibration scheme was designed to obtain the specific heat capacity calculation parameters. Specific experiments were designed to maximize the external heat received by the battery. Homogeneous temperature distribution within the battery facilitates the precise determination of the battery’s specific heat capacity. Results demonstrate that utilizing accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) as a reliable heating source can greatly enhance the precision of the test (from 2.30% to 0.29%). Optimizing the experimental apparatus is advantageous in mitigating the confounding effects of extraneous variables on the experimental outcomes, thereby enhancing the reliability and operability. Hence, it is vital to devise a trial plan based on the battery’s attributes to guarantee the scheme’s universality and practicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To measure the thickness of cartilage on the surface of the talus of normal adults by MRI and to obtain the parameters of the thickness of the cartilage of the talus of normal adults and the relationship with gender, age, weight and height. Methods　100 adults, 50 males and 50 females, aged 18～60, without arthritis and trauma history of ankle joint in the outpatient department were selected for MRI examination. The thickness of articular cartilage of anterior, middle and posterior talus was measured by MRI. The measurement results were measured by SPSS 25. 0 statistical software package for statistical analysis. Results The cartilage thicknesses of the anterior, middle, and posterior talus articular surface in men were (1.00±0.18) mm, (1.40±0.21) mm, and (0.87±0.18) mm respectively; the thicknesses of cartilage in the anterior, middle, and posterior talar articular surfaces of women were (0.96±0.18) mm, 0.19) mm,（1.29 ± 0.20) mm, (0.86 ± 0.15) mm respectively; male and female anterior and posterior articular cartilage thicknesses of the talus were not statistically different (P > 0.05), there was significant difference in the thickness of articular cartilage in talus (P < 0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference in age between men and women (P > 0.05) .Conclusion The average cartilage thickness of the articular surface of the talus in men is greater than that in women and there is no difference in the thickness of cartilage on the front and rear articular surfaces; There is no correlation between the height, weight, and age of men’s and women’s articular cartilage thickness. The amount of cartilage provides the basis, and the corresponding cartilage thickness is added to the design of the talar anatomical prosthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate measurement of sediment concentration in collecting tanks of slope runoff plots is a key to quantitatively monitor slope soil erosion. The researches on measuring accuracy, influencing factors and applicability of field runoff plot observation methods are needed. In this study, four methods of sediment concentration were compared. The test was taken in quaternary red earth. The soil samples were taken from surface of farmland (0-20 cm). Six sediment concentrations (1.05, 5.07, 10.49, 50.72, 101.45 and 439.10 kg/m³) were designed based on the measured sediment concentration range from 2012 to 2016 in slope farmland. Three water depths were set up including 30, 60 and 90 cm. Four methods included Artificial Method (AM), Mechanical Method (MM), Dept Profile Method (PM) and MM+PM. The measurement accuracy was evaluated by relative error. Each treatment was replicated three times. The results show that compared with the true value, the measurement accuracy of different method for determining sediment concentration was low. The averages of absolute relative error for the AM, MM, PM and MM+PM were 37%, 24%, 38% and14%, respectively. The measurement accuracy of different methods was 14% or above. Among them, the accuracy of MM+PM was the highest. In general, the relative error of each method was large under the condition of high sediment concentration. The depth of water had different influence on different sampling methods. Comparatively, the measurement error of AM was most significantly affected by water depth. Under low sediment concentration, when the water depth increased to 60 cm, the measurement error significantly increased, but when the water depth continued to increase, the measurement error did not increase. When the sediment concentration was 101.45 kg/m³, the relative error of MM only increased significantly after the water depth increased to 90 cm. When the sediment concentration was 59.72 kg/m³, no obvious relationship was found between the measurement accuracy of the PM method and the water depth. When the sediment concentration was more than 5.07 kg/m³, the measurement accuracy of the MM+PM method was almost not affected by water depth. The linear equation was used to modify the sediment concentration measurement results of the four methods. All R² were greater than 0.99 (P<0.01), and the root-mean-square error was 4.53-11.37 kg/m³, which indicated the reliability of the linear regression equation and the equation could be used to calibrate the measured values of each method. The relative error of the measured values of each method was significantly reduced and the measurement accuracy was significantly improved. The practical range of these equations was 1.05-439.10 kg/m³ and the water depth was 60 cm. The results of this study could support the selection of sampling methods under different conditions. The results of this study could be used to revise the sediment concentration in collecting tanks of slope runoff plots in red soil area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean has shown a slight increase in recent years, setting off alarm bells, as its eradication has become a social aspiration that is far from being achieved. The research uses the Progress Out of Poverty Index to quantify the levels and risk of poverty in Colombia's 23 main departments as well as Bogotá DC between 2012 and 2019. The results suggest that the risk of poverty has increased by 1.76%. Vulnerability in the country is latent, with 57.5% of households in Bogotá being susceptible to poverty, while in departments such as Chocó and La Guajira this rate exceeds 79%. The method provides a more accurate identification of poverty and highlights the importance of considering vulnerable households when proposing public policies for its reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the requests of authorisation to the use of health claims pursuant to Regulation EC 1924/2006 related to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract have received a negative opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), mainly because of an insufficient substantiation of the claimed effect (CE). The present manuscript refers to the collection, collation and critical analysis of outcome variables (OVs) and methods of measurement (MMs) related to the GI tract compliant with Regulation 1924/2006. The critical evaluation of OVs and MMs was based on the literature review, with the final aim of defining their appropriateness in the context of a specific CE. The results obtained are relevant for the choice of the best OVs and MMs to be used in randomised controlled trials aimed to substantiate the claims on the GI tract. Moreover, the results can be used by EFSA for updating the guidance for the scientific requirements of such health claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method of determining the thermal conductivity of a sample at the initial stage of its warming up is presented. The approach is based on the solution of the problem of heating a plane-parallel infinite plate by a constant heat flux. The description of the theoretical base, solution of the problem, and derivation of the working computational formula are given. The main difference of the developed method from the traditional stationary method of determining thermal conductivity is the use of the initial region of the thermogram of sample warming up. This substantially reduces the time of experiments to several minutes. To realize the method, an automated installation has been devised, and the description of its scheme, algorithm, and of the software composition is given. The automation was made on the base of the computer-aided measuring system "Aksamit 6.25" and a PC. The advantages of the developed method and of the automated installation consist of the substantial reduction of the experiment duration with preservation of the needed uncertainty and error of measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All the requests for authorisation to bear health claims under Articles 13(5) and 14 in the context of appetite ratings and weight management have received a negative opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), mainly because of the insufficient substantiation of the claimed effects (CEs). This manuscript results from an investigation aimed to collect, collate and critically analyse the information related to outcome variables (OVs) and methods of measurement (MMs) in the context of appetite ratings and weight management compliant with Regulation 1924/2006. Based on the literature review, the appropriateness of OVs and MMs was evaluated for specific CEs. This work might help EFSA in the development of updated guidance addressed to stakeholders interested in bearing health claims in the area of weight management. Moreover, it could drive the applicants during the design of randomised controlled trials aimed to substantiate such claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method has been developed for the activity measurement of large-area beta reference sources. It makes use of two emission rate measurements and is based on the weak dependence between the source activity and the activity distribution for a given value of transmission coefficient. The method was checked experimentally by measuring the activity of two ( 60 Co and 137 Cs) large-area reference sources constructed from anodized aluminum foils. Measurement results were compared with the activity values measured by gamma spectrometry. For each source, they agree within one standard uncertainty and also agree within the same limits with the certified values of the source activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important branch of biomechanics, bone biomechanics, which applies the engineering principle especially the mechanical principle to clinical medicine, aims at solving orthopedic problems about musculoskeletal system by utilizing biomechanics)] methods. In order to evaluate the mechanical property of the sample comprehensively, the bone biomechanical research mainly tests and measures the mechanical property of musculoskeletal system, including the bone, the skeletal muscle, the tendon, the ligament, the joint, and the spine. The methodology of the bone biomechanics consists of the mechanical test, the contacting measurement, and the non-contacting measurement. The mechanical test includes compression test, tensile test, bending test, torsion test, pure shear test, fatigue test, pull-out test, torque test, and micromechanical test, etc. The contacting measurement includes resistance strain gauge technique and hardness test. The non-contact measurement includes optical method, acoustic method, and magnetic method. In addition, other methods such as computerized three-dimensional reconstruction and finite element analysis, molecular biological method, and three-dimensional capture and gait analysis are also included. The methods mentioned above have their own range of application, advantages, and limitations in the bone biomechanical research. This article provides the guidelines of methodology in the field of bone biomechanics by introducing principles, ranges of application, advantages, and limitations, which may benefit for researchers to select suitable methods in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A simple method has been developed for determining the activity of large-area beta reference sources in anodized aluminum foils. It is based on the modeling of the transmission of beta rays through thin foils in planar geometry using Monte Carlo simulation. The method was checked experimentally and measurement results show that the activity of large-area beta reference sources in anodized aluminum foils can be measured with standard uncertainties smaller than the limit of 10% required by ISO 8769. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper presents a new approach in the integral gamma scanning of rotating waste drums based on solving a first-kind Fredholm integral equation using a small number of measurements. Both numerical experiments and experimental results show that the nuclide inventory of waste drums can be determined accurately using the new approach especially when the waste drums contain multi-gamma emitters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Barrier polymer films are characterized by very low sorption levels which can nevertheless vary by several orders of magnitude depending on the absorbed solvent. Quantitatively determining their sorption properties is a true challenge with key related applications in packaging or automotive industry. This paper describes a new automated desorption apparatus developed for analyzing multi-component sorption in barrier polymer materials. The main characteristics of this automated apparatus, coupling a desorption mini-oven with on-line chromatography, are discussed with respect to the strong technical limitations imposed by these particular polymer/solvents systems. A sensitivity of 1μg was easily obtained for the desorbate sample. Associated with a progressive rise in temperature of the polymer films, this very high sensitivity enabled to assess the sorption properties of two barrier materials (HDPE – high density polyethylene and EVOH – ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer) for fuel model mixtures (ethanol/i-octane/toluene) over a wide range of compositions typical for their use in multi-layer fuel tanks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aims: To develop a faster segment length measurement method than the classical one proposed by the ISAK without modifying the nature and accuracy of the measurements. Methods: Nine segment lengths were chosen and evaluated in 12 subjects with the ISAK method as the “gold standard”. The method proposed herein included the marking of anatomical landmarks on the skin and the scanning of these landmarks with a digitizing arm used in computer aided design of mechanical parts. In order to obtain acceptable data, the subject had to stand in a stabilizing device conceived exclusively for this purpose. Results: Paired T-tests between data collected from both methods indicates that a significant difference exists only for the forearm measurement (P =0.009). The new method is therefore adequate for all segment lengths except at the forearm, where prosupination must be standardized. Conclusion: The time saved with this new method, which is its main advantage, was estimated at 42% in these settings and increases with the number of length measurements on each subject. The proposed method is thus well suited for large measurement volumes or if the time spent with the subjects implies significant costs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This work is a contribution to the characterization of the papermaking potential of wood pulps. Prevision of this potential developed during the drying process is the scope of this study. The VARIDIM© apparatus allows to measure shrinkage for different loads applied on the paper strip samples with constant air-drying conditions. The dried papers are then tested in an extensometer to determine mechanical properties. The main originality of this study lies in the possibility of classifying pulps by the maximum specific energy they are able to develop during drying shrinkage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Determining membrane sorption selectivity by conventional methods is usually fairly time-consuming and can even become a rather difficult task for membrane materials with low sorption levels. In this case, the amount of the species absorbed by the membrane is indeed so low that large amounts of membrane materials are usually required to determine the composition of the sorbed mixture by a common desorption method with several associated drawbacks (e.g. experimental uncertainty, long sorption and desorption times). The paper describes how performing desorption experiments directly in a 1H NMR tube can overcome all the former limitations. The sorption selectivity of new poly(urethane-imide) membranes containing increasing contents in tertiary amine groups was determined for the azeotropic mixture ethanol (20wt%)/ethyl-tert-butyl ether ETBE. Membrane selectivity values given by this method were very close to those obtained by the most common former method, with the advantages of being both very simple and much quicker to implement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The method of critical current measurement in a magnetic field using a DC transport current has been developed for bulk superconductors. The measurement of the critical current, I c, up to 50A at a temperature of 77K became possible by reducing thermal and mechanical stresses caused in the sample due to rapid cooling from the room temperature to 77K and a electromagnetic force (Lorentz force), etc. The critical current of 50A is reduced into 14,000A/cm2 of critical current density, J c, with a cross section of 0.0035cm2. The magnetic field dependence of J c was investigated from 1T to 10T for (Nd0.33Eu0.38Gd0.28)Ba2Cu3O y bulk superconductors. The magnetization measurement was performed for the sample cut out from the same part of the same crystal as that used for the transport measurement of I c, from which the critical current density was also estimated. In low magnetic fields, the magnitude of critical current density obtained by the transport method, , was larger than that estimated from the magnetization, . This result reflects the difference of criterion to determine the value of and . In higher magnetic fields, however, it was observed that was smaller than and the irreversibility field estimated from –B curve is slightly lower than that given by the magnetic hysteresis. When the external magnetic field was applied, anomalous voltage peaks in the I–V curve were observed below , which may be caused by the sample slightly moving by the Lorentz force. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A sampling and measuring device was set up to measure continuously the pH and the redox potential (Eh) of ruminal content in absence of any gaseous contamination (method 1). It was compared with a conventional suction device in which no precaution was taken to prevent air from coming into contact with the surface of collected samples (method 2). Two fistulated dry cows were used and fed a total mixed ration. Redox potential and pH measurements were performed repeatedly on collected samples using these 2 methods during a 9-h period; each period started 1 h before feeding. The partial pressure of oxygen (log fO2) was calculated from Nernst's equation using pH and Eh values. Results indicated that pH, Eh, and log f(O2) were affected by sampling method. In method 1, pH values ranged from 6.7 to 6.37 and Eh from -173.5 to -216.8 mV. In method 2, pH and Eh values varied, respectively, from 6.93 to 6.49 and from -111.3 to -139.5 mV. The partial pressure of oxygen was 106 times lower in samples that were continuously collected than in hand-samples. As a result, method 1 could make accurate measurements of pH and Eh of ruminal content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even with the development of modern technological equipment, the Emery­Method is still a widely used and straight-forward tool for measuring beach profiles, especially in tropical developing countries, where often lack of infrastructure and unfavourable climatic conditions, among others, restrict the application of sophisticated electronic devices. This article focuses on its performance in a coastal environment adjacent to mangroves and proposes some modifications to the original method. Examples of applications during a long-term study and findings of error measurements are presented. Inaccuracies result from the properties of different sediment surfaces End systematic errors. For a given error margin, the minimum beach slope should not fall below a certain value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]