Search

During the packaging process, it is essential to detect the steel stamping characters inside the box to identify any missing or repeated characters. Currently, manual detection suffers from low efficiency and a high false detection rate. To address these challenges, a steel stamping character recognition and analysis system based on machine vision has been developed. The enhanced YOLOv7 detection method was employed for character identification, complemented by a statistical analysis approach to achieve automated judgment and detection. To address the issue of size disparity between large and small characters, a small size anchor box and a larger detection head were integrated. Furthermore, modifications were made to the output structure of the YOLOv7 prediction network to enhance multi-scale detection capabilities. The inclusion of the location attention convolution module bolstered global feature extraction, thereby enhancing the detection accuracy of similar characters. Moreover, the utilization of a hash table was used to improve the efficiency of mapping steel stamping character recognition sequences. The experimental results demonstrate that the enhanced model achieves an accuracy of 99.83%, with a processing efficiency of 10.5 ms per single frame. These findings align with the performance criteria for automatic recognition and analysis of steel stamping characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous improvement of communication and computing technology, the technical threshold of the Metaverse (MVS) has been lowered, gradually expanding the scope of technology penetration, and attracting attention to the construction of characters in the MVS environment. In virtual reality (VR), character design and scene realizations are the foundation and guarantee of technology application. VR also provides an effective tool for the transformation of traditional media and the exploration of news communication innovation. On this basis, firstly, the introduction of VR is analyzed in the MVS environment. Secondly, based on the application status of VR, the modeling design and structure optimization of three-dimensional (3D) characters in the MVS environment are studied. Furthermore, by improving the traditional 3D modeling process, an adaptive hierarchical detail model is proposed to realize the scene modeling mechanism of the virtual environment combining image modeling and geometric modeling, so as to quickly complete the construction of the character image model of a news anchor in the scene. Finally, the model of the experimental design is simulated and constructed to test the effect of the model to construct the image of news anchors. The results reveal that the frame rate of news anchor images designed by the model can be kept at about 40 frames per second. The actual value of modeling details is always greater than the ideal value of modeling design. By comparing the actual modeling time of the control group and the experimental group, it can be found that the modeling time of the experimental group is shorter. Therefore, it can be concluded that the VR-based hierarchical detail model in the MVS environment designed in this research can better complete the image construction of news anchors. The research results can provide a reference and theoretical basis for the subsequent modeling work in the MVS environment and the construction of VR characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pull-out load and the cement-sand ratio (CSR) can affect the non-destructive testing (NDT) results of anchor bolts. Therefore, in this article, NDT experiments were conducted on both fully and defectively grouted anchor bolts, and variation patterns of key dynamic testing signal parameters were analyzed. A longitudinal vibration model of defectively grouted anchor bolts considering dynamic and static damping was proposed, and simulated NDT of anchor bolts with varying qualities. The results indicated that grouting defects resulted in an increase in wave velocity, along with a decrease in the fundamental frequency and dynamic stiffness of anchor bolts. When grouting defects and pull-out load acted concurrently, the fundamental frequency, and dynamic stiffness of the defectively grouted anchor bolts were consistently smaller than those of fully grouted ones during the initial loading phase. With pull-out load increasing, wave velocity decreased first, then increased; fundamental frequency increased, followed by a decrease; dynamic stiffness rose. When the CSR of defectively grouted anchor bolts was reduced, wave velocity decreased, fundamental frequency increased slightly, and a substantial increase in dynamic stiffness was observed. Pull-out loads were more sensitive to anchor bolt key dynamic signals than defects and CSR. Simulated validation demonstrated the reliability of the proposed theory. • Non-destructive testing of anchors with different grout qualities under pullout loads. • Proposed a longitudinal vibration model for defectively anchored anchors with dynamic and static damping. • The numerical simulation of anchors with different grout cement-sand ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deciding how many anchors to use in a Bankart repair is challenging because of the desire to enhance stability while avoiding a postage-stamp fracture of the glenoid rim. This controlled laboratory study investigated load to fracture of the anterior glenoid rim after drilling holes of varying number and diameter and inserting anchors of 2 different types and sizes, with and without perforation of the medial cortex of the glenoid, creating postage-stamp fractures using a metallic humeral head that was compressed against the anterior glenoid rim. A destructive model with a servohydraulic load frame was used to test 46 synthetic scapulae with compressive strength and elastic modulus similar to that of a human glenoid. Load to fracture of the intact glenoid was compared with groups with a varying number of anchor holes of different diameters, with anchors of different sizes and types, and with anchors perforating or not perforating the glenoid medial cortex. The percentage of force to fracture an intact specimen was used to identify relative risk of fracture: low risk >75%, moderate risk 75%-50%, and high risk <50% of intact load. The load to fracture of intact glenoids was 1276 ± 42 N. Loads decreased linearly as the number of holes drilled on the glenoid rim increased. Compared with the 1.6-mm group, the 3.0-mm group had significantly lower glenoid rim strength in specimens with 4, 5, and 7 holes (P =.013,.032, and.045, respectively). All-suture anchors in 1.6-mm holes did not alter the glenoid rim strength, and up to 5 anchors were associated with low risk of fracture. Load to fracture was significantly higher with 3.0-mm rigid core bioabsorbable anchors with 4 anchors (1081 ± 6 N) compared with the 4-hole condition (838 ± 107 N; P =.033). Perforating the glenoid medial cortex with five 1.6-mm anchors significantly weakened the glenoid rim to 58% of intact (P =.012). Perforating the medial cortex weakened the glenoid rim to 52% and 42% (P <.001 for both) of intact in the 3.0-mm 4-anchor and 5-anchor constructions, constituting moderate and high risk of fracture, respectively. Up to five 1.6-mm all-suture anchors and four 3.0-mm bioabsorbable rigid-core anchors were associated with low risk of fracture of the glenoid rim. Smaller diameter all-suture anchors best preserved structural integrity of the glenoid rim, whereas tunnel enlargement and perforation of the glenoid medial cortex were associated with moderate or high risk of a postage-stamp fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated the literature regarding the clinical outcomes after discopexy using suture bone anchors for repositioning disc displacement. A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA statement and applied for the PROSPERO platform. The database searches were performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, and LILACS for full articles published from no restrictions of the initial period time to April 2022. Selection criteria included clinical studies in humans comparing maximal inter-incisal opening (MIO), pain by visual analogue scale (VAS), and protrusive and lateral excursions before and after discopexy. The screening process was performed by two independent reviewers, and if they did not agree with each other, a third reviewer was consulted before proceeding. The meta-analysis was carried out by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 327 patients were diagnosed with disc displacement, and 142 patients were refractory to conservative and minimally surgical therapies. Preauricular and endaural approaches were performed to place suture bone anchors on the posterior area of the condyle. A significant difference was found in MIO, which ranged from 15.5 mm pre-opeatively to 41.6 mm post-operatively (p = 0.001). Pain scores using the VAS ranged from 7.42 to 0.28 indicating improvement post-operatively (p = 0.001). Mandibular excursions were underestimated. The available results have shown that discopexy using suture anchors seemed to decrease pain and improve mouth opening. Clinical studies are required in a larger sample and lower variability of follow-up time to predict actual benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To create an orthodontic anchor screw (OAS)–loosening model and to investigate whether filling the bone hole with beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) can fix the OAS against orthodontic force. Bone holes with different diameters (1.6, 2.1, or 2.5 mm) were drilled in the tibias of 11-week-old male Wistar rats, and an OAS (3.0 mm in length and 1.2 mm in diameter) was inserted. After a healing period of 2 or 4 weeks, orthodontic force was applied, and the diameter of the bone hole appropriate for the loosening model was determined. Subsequently, under the loosening model, the bone hole was filled with β-TCP, orthodontic force was applied, and movement of the OAS and surrounding tissue changes were evaluated by micro–computed tomography images and histological specimen analysis. The bone hole of 1.6 mm in diameter was employed as the OAS-loosening model. When β-TCP was inserted into the bone hole, the linear distance and mesial tipping angle of the OAS movement decreased markedly. Furthermore, the values of bone morphometry significantly increased with β-TCP filling. An OAS-loosening model was established in rats and demonstrated that the loosening OAS was stabilized by β-TCP filling through bone formation. β-TCP may be useful for fixation of a loosening OAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Second Wuhu Yangtze River Bridge is another crucial highway passage crossing the famous Yangtze River in Wuhu city with a total length of 55.512 km. Its main span is a double-pylon cable-stayed bridge arranged 100 + 308 + 806 + 308 + 100 m. A split steel box girder with a width of 53 m as well as a split-limb concrete pylon with a height of 259.48 m is designed. To address the cracking risk of concrete in the cable-pylon anchoring region, an innovative U-shape anchoring system is proposed, which transfers the cable force to the concrete pylon in the form of radial pressure. The durability and anti-sliding performance of the system are proved through a series of tests in fatigue, fretting, and friction. The installation of the U-shaped anchoring system is guaranteed by the integral hoisting technology. Besides, inclined dampers are designed to connect the pylon and the main girder, which show good cooperative performance and can dissipate energy in both longitudinal and transverse directions. Based on reasonable design and construction technologies, the bridge fits well with the requirements of aesthetics, bearing capacity, and durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopically-assisted suture anchor repair and transosseous sutures for repair of foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex tears in patients with distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability. Sixty patients with triangular fibrocartilage complex foveal detachment associated with DRUJ instability were prospectively recruited and randomized into 2 equal groups—the anchor repair group and the transosseous repair group. The primary outcome was DRUJ function after 2 years, which was assessed by the DRUJ evaluating system. The secondary outcomes were grip strength, visual analog scale for pain, Mayo Modified Wrist ScorePatient-Rated Wrist Evaluation score, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score. There were no significant differences between the groups for any of the outcome measures. Good-to-excellent outcomes (according to the DRUJ evaluation system) were achieved in 27 (90%) patients in the anchor repair group and 26 (86.7%) patients in the transosseous repair group. Fewer complications were observed in the anchor repair group. Both techniques yielded good and comparable outcomes with a lesser incidence of early complications in the anchor repair group. Therapeutic II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the optimal tension in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). This study aimed to identify preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors that correlate with the tension in ARCR and to determine the optimal intraoperative tension using Grasper Tensioning Attachment, a tension meter attached to the common arthroscopic surgical grasper. This study included 63 patients with a mean age at surgery of 65.3 years (range, 45-83 years) who underwent ARCR. The mean follow-up period was 24.1 months (range, 24-28 months). We investigated the patients' demographic data, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, DeOrio and Cofield classification, and Goutallier stage of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. We also evaluated cuff integrity based on the Sugaya classification via magnetic resonance imaging. The free edge of the torn retracted tendon was grasped, and the passive tension to the footprint was then measured with Grasper Tensioning Attachment with the arm at the side. The anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) diameters were also measured. The preoperative Goutallier stage of the supraspinatus muscle was stage 0 in 7 cases, stage 1 in 34, stage 2 in 20, and stage 3 in 2. The mean intraoperative rotator repair tension was 10.0 ± 2.5 N (range, 7.5-17 N). The mean AP diameter of the rotator cuff tear was 22 ± 10 mm (range, 8-50 mm), and the mean ML diameter was 24 ± 10 mm (range, 10-50 mm). Age, DeOrio and Cofield classification, Goutallier stage, AP diameter, and ML diameter correlated with rotator repair tension. The rotator repair tension in Sugaya classification type III or IV cases (n = 12, 11.4 ± 2.4 N) was significantly larger than that in type I or II cases (n = 51, 9.7 ± 2.4 N; P =.03). Tension ≥ 10 N as a cutoff value from receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was a risk factor for poor cuff integrity (95% confidence interval, 0.53-0.88). Rotator repair tension ≥ 10 N was a risk factor for poor cuff integrity. Thus, care should be taken when performing intraoperative procedures and administering postoperative regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Estudios Demográficos y Urbanos is the property of El Colegio de Mexico AC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cheon-Sa Bridge (Section I), completed and opened traffic in 2019, is a FCM (free cantilever method)-anchored hybrid two-pylon cable-stayed bridge with a main span of 510 m. A distinct feature of the bridge is its high (195 m) and low (135 m) pylons with three bundles of cables anchored to the pier-tables of side spans. This exceptional structural scheme gives drastic improvement of structural safety during construction stage as well as enhancement of bridge aesthetics. The link is directly exposed to the Yellow Sea and the site is characterized by strong winds during typhoon events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Estudos da Linguagem is the property of Revista de Estudos da Linguagem and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the stability of orthodontic anchor screws (OASs) in the mid-palatal area according to pre-drilling diameter.Methods: The success rate of 161 OASs (83 patients, φ2.0 mm, 6.0 mm in length) placed in a corresponding area to the mesial and distal borders of the first molar (mesial zone and distal zone) was assessed according to placement location and pre-drilling diameter (1.2 and 1.5 mm). Placement torque values from 73 OASs with a pre-drilling diameter of 1.2 mm were compared between success and failure groups.Results: The success rates of OASs pre-drilled with φ1.2 and 1.5 mm were 94.5% and 83.0%, respectively (P < 0.05); corresponding rates in the mesial zone were 100.0% and 77.3% (P < 0.005), and those in the distal zone were 89.2% and 88.6%, respectively. Placement torques of OASs predrilled with φ1.2 mm in the success and failure groups were 25.9 and 19.2 N·cm, respectively (P < 0.05).Conclusion: A smaller pre-drilling diameter was associated with a higher success rate of OASs in the mid-palatal area, especially in the mesial zone. When pre-drilling diameter of 1.2 mm was used for φ2.0 mm OAS, greater placement torque was indicative of greater OAS stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synergistic amalgamation of device-to-device (D2D) communication between mobile terminals (MT) and ultra-dense networks in 5G systems enables cooperative positioning. In this paper, we propose a joint tensor completion, anchor selection, and coordinate transformation (JTCASCT) for high precision cooperative positioning in D2D systems. The positioning is achieved by mitigating the challenging issue of recovering the missing values from the corrupted distance between nodes and determining the global positions of unknown stationary nodes. Initially, a hankelized distance tensor structure called Euclidean distance tensor (EDT) is constructed from incomplete EDM. The missing values are recovered as tensor completion by exploiting its latent low rank structure. The optimization problem is solved using simple low rank tensor completion (SiLRTC) and high accuracy low rank tensor completion (HaLRTC) algorithms. The relative position of nodes is determined after applying multidimensionality scaling (MDS). To reduce the data dimension for coordinate transformation and to select the optimal combination of anchor nodes, we propose a low complex Kruskal–Wallis (KW) test. Finally, the global position of unknown nodes is computed using Helmert transformation (HT). Numerical evaluations demonstrate that the cooperative positioning accuracy is significantly improved with the proposed JTCASCT approach compared to the state-of-the-art techniques. [Display omitted] • Using low-rank EDT, we propose efficient D2D cooperative positioning. • Propose an efficient Kruskal–Wallis test for selection of optimal D2D anchor nodes. • For global position of D2D nodes, we propose a Helmert transformation approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of DYNA - Ingeniería e Industria is the property of Publicaciones Dyna SL and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents an experimental program investigating the behavior of single adhesive anchors embedded in precast concrete sandwich wall panel systems under tension loading. Variables included concrete thickness, concrete compressive strength, anchor diameter, and adhesive manufacturer. Anchors were embedded in the full thickness of the concrete member, and the effects of back-face blowout due to drilling were considered. The results showed that the concrete capacity design model with an effective embedment depth equal to the concrete layer thickness can be used to calculate the tensile capacity of adhesive anchors with full-thickness installation in thin concrete members. The average experimental-to-calculated ratio for the test program was 1.1 with a coefficient of variation of 0.2. Based on the experimental results, behavioral and design models are proposed. The proposed model results in levels of accuracy and variability that are consistent with other types of anchorage and the associated models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Environmental Education is the property of Canadian Journal of Environmental Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to examine performance fatigability and neuromuscular responses following sustained, bilateral, isometric, leg extensions anchored to RPEs and forces. Fifteen men completed three sustained leg extensions anchored to RPEs and three anchored to forces corresponding to the RPE values. The subjects completed pretest and posttest MVICs to quantify performance fatigability and changes in muscle excitation (electromyographic amplitude [EMG AMP]) and muscle fiber action potential conduction velocity (CV; EMG mean power frequency [MPF]). Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to assess the mean differences in performance fatigability, neuromuscular responses, initial EMG AMP, and time to task failure (TTF). Collapsed across Anchor, Intensity, and Condition, performance fatigability was 13.1 ± 10.3%. There was no significant (P=0.902) change in EMG AMP, but EMG MPF decreased significantly (P=0.003) from pretest (88.9 ± 21.1 Hz) to posttest (81.8 ± 18.4 Hz). The initial EMG AMP values suggested an intensity-related increase (P<0.001) in engaged muscle; whereas, TTF decreased (P<0.001) with increased intensity. These findings suggested performance fatigability was not influenced by anchor scheme, the amount of engaged muscle, intensity, or TTF, and may be related to a sensory tolerance limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a development study for mobile based Augmented Reality (AR) application prototype for simple remote collaboration scenario. The AR technology is implemented by using ARCore with cloud anchor into two different mobile devices as the host and client. A host is a user device that able to create and share a session of a camera viewpoint that could be connected with another client device remotely through the internet. For testing purposes of remote collaboration scenario in this application prototype, both users are able to add and manipulate location of virtual objects that overlay on each screen from their own device. Based on the functionality test, before placing the virtual object on the screen, a calibration of cloud anchor is required with minimum success performance in 250 to 1200 lumens of lights. The result for cloud anchor is being hosted with average delay up to 700+ milliseconds. In this paper, the result of the experiment shows an early stage of the utilization of AR technology in simple remote collaboration scenario. However, it shows the potential of mobile based AR technology for future remote collaboration scenario development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to compare the performance of different small sample equating methods in the presence and absence of differential item functioning (DIF) in common items. In this research, Tucker linear equating, Levine linear equating, unsmoothed and presmoothed (C=4) chained equipercentile equating, and simplified circle arc equating methods were considered. The data used in this study is 8th-grade mathematics test item responses which obtained from Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2015 Turkey sample. Item responses from Booklet-1 (N=199) and Booklet-14 (N=224) are chosen for this study. Data analyses were completed in four steps. In the first step, assumptions for DIF detection and test equating methods were checked. In the second step, DIF analyses were conducted with Mantel Haenszel and logistic regression methods. In the third step, Booklet 1 was chosen as base form and Booklet 14 chosen as a new form, then test equating was conducted under common item nonequivalent groups design. Test equating was done in two phases: the presence and absence of DIF items in the common items. Equating results were evaluated based on standard error of equating (se), bias and RMSE indexes. DIF analyses showed that there were two sizeable DIF items in anchor test. Equating results showed that performances of equating methods are similar in presence and absence of DIF items from anchor test and there is no notable change in se, bias and RMSE values. While the circle arc equating method outperformed other equating methods based on se, 4-moment presmoothed chained equipercentile equating method outperformed other methods based on bias and RMSE evaluation criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of DYNA - Ingeniería e Industria is the property of Publicaciones Dyna SL and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study investigated the effectiveness of several types of adhesives used in post-installed rebar connections as a bonding agent between steel reinforcement bars and old concrete under pull-out test. The cylindrical samples (96 + 24 Nos) of 15 dia. × 30 cm with anchors rebar of varying diameter (8, 10, 12 mm) with different embedded length (10, 15 and 20 × rebar diameter). The control (24 Nos) was the cast in-place rebar concrete specimens while other samples (96 Nos) were post rebar-installed concrete specimen of varied bonding agents-chemical adhesives (Sikadure-31CF and EPICHOR 1786) or cement-based binders (mortar, ultra-high performance self-compacting concrete (UHPSCC). The findings showed that the use of the adhesives and UHPCC pull-out load values were in close proximity while they all outperformed mortar bonded specimens. The pull-out load (bond strength) increases with the embedded length and the diameter of the rebar. Failure mode of post installed rebar concrete is governed by the embedded length and the area of contact with the adhesives or binder. Larger diameter of rebar favours splitting or failure of concrete due to higher strength in binder-rebar interface compare to binder-concrete interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent media reporting and research suggest that regional comprehensive universities (RCUs) and other postsecondary institutions may play an integral role in the welfare of rural regions, yet empirical research on the regional service of rural postsecondary institutions is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine how a single RCU serves its rural, Appalachian region. Guided by case study methods, this study used a theoretical framework consisting of community capitals theory and the anchor institution framework. After analysis of interview, documentary, governmental, and observational data, the case study resulted in a rich description of the RCU's regional service. Our fi ndings demonstrate the RCU's role as an anchor institution as it expended resources to grow, invest in, and leverage rural community capitals. The university's most significant focus as an anchor institution was on leveraging and increasing human capital through investing in education, workforce development, and public health. These fi ndings point to several implications and policy recommendations to better support the anchor institution role RCUs play in rural regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rigging is a dangerous arboricultural practice that involves working at height with sharp tools; it also induces large forces and dynamic motion of both the rigged piece and the tree itself. Manufacturers have recently developed alternatives to conventional arborist rigging blocks (with a rotating sheave) with the intention of increasing friction in the block to reduce the likelihood of anchor failure in the tree. We measured tension in the fall and lead of rigging ropes run through a variety of blocks (with and without rotating a sheave) in three test methods—dropping, raising, and lowering a mass. The ratio of tension in the lead to tension in the fall of the rope differed among test methods, blocks, ropes, and their interaction. Some of the differences were expected from the underlying physics, but it was not true that blocks without a rotating sheave consistently provided more friction. Considering the inconsistent findings, rigging a less massive piece seems to be a better way to reduce the likelihood of anchor failure than managing friction in the block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors describe how Anchor Charts can be used to support the implementation of Number Talks with early elementary students. The authors note that Number Talks encourage students of all ability levels to engage in critical thinking about numbers and counting. Recommendations on the use of Anchor Charts as a supplement to Number Talks are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Very limited information exists about factors affecting direct clinical costs of rotator cuff repair surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the direct cost of outpatient arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery using a unique value-driven outcomes tool and to identify patient- and treatment-related variables affecting cost. Methods Cost data were derived for arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs performed by 3 surgeons from March 2014 to June 2015 using the value-driven outcomes tool. Costs included overall total direct cost, which included facility utilization costs, medication costs, supply costs, and other ancillary costs. Univariate and multivariate regressions were performed to determine the effect of various patient-related and surgical-related factors on costs. Results There were 170 arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs performed during the study period. Multivariate analysis showed significant correlations between higher total direct cost and the presence of a subscapularis repair being performed ( P  = .015) and total number of anchors used ( P  < .0001). Higher body mass index, severe systemic illness, 1 of the 3 surgeons, biceps tenodesis using an anchor, and total sum of anchors were correlated with higher facility utilization costs ( P  < .04). Severe systemic illness, addition of a subscapularis repair, 1 of the 3 surgeons, and additional subacromial decompression were correlated with higher pharmacy costs ( P  < .006). The addition of a subscapularis repair, total sum of anchors, and severe muscle changes to the supraspinatus were correlated with higher supply costs ( P  < .015). Conclusions From a direct cost perspective, implementation of strategies to reduce overall costs should focus on reducing overall anchor quantity or price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying lower bound finite element limit analysis in combination with second-order conic programming, the vertical uplift resistance of strip anchors buried in a clayey sloping ground has been determined under undrained condition. The effect of slope angle, height of slope, normalised unit weight of soil, depth of embedment of anchor and the edge distance of the anchor from the toe as well as crest of the slope on the uplift resistance has been examined. The results are expressed in terms of a non-dimensional uplift factor defined asFcγ. For a given embedment ratio, the magnitude ofFcγincreases linearly with an increase in the normalised unit weight of soil up to a certain limit, thereafter with further increase in the normalised unit weight of soil, the value ofFcγeither remains constant or the numerical solution becomes infeasible. This constant magnitude ofFcγis attributed to the change of shallow anchor to deep anchor behaviour, and the infeasibility in solutions may be due to overall slope failure. Empirical equations have also been proposed to obtain the uplift capacity of strip anchors buried in a sloped clayey ground. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Compared with submerged floating tunnels with other supporting systems, anchor cable type submerged floating tunnel is characterized by flexible structure arrangement, wide applicability and economical advantage. However, the mechanical features are obviously different under different anchor cable arrangement modes. By numerical calculation, structural displacement, bending moment and strength and distribution characteristics of axial force of anchor cable under the action of static load, wave load and water flow load are comparatively analyzed and applicable scopes of different anchor cable arrangement modes are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

considered an integrating part of the new modular support, the anchored support for the consolidation of rocks, associated with the basic sliding metallic shield support, implies the drilling of holes and installation of anchors in the massif rock according to diagrams and designing principles appointed considering the geo-mechanical conditions of the rocks met while carrying out the underground excavations. The researches carried out up to the present in the field of anchor installation have highlighted that the technical and economic performance criteria for the execution and durability of underground works, namely mine opening works and works carried out for the preparation of the mineral oar, are judiciously carried out if the drilling of holes for the insertion of anchoring rods is given its rightful importance in order to correspondingly chose the equipment required for the execution as well as for a competitive use of anchors.In order to ensure the competitive characteristic of the reinforcement procedure of rocks using anchors for the execution of underground mine excavations, the paper deals with some of the most performant drilling solutions which suppose the use of installations capable of contributing to the full mechanisation of the drilling process and the installation of rigid or flexible metallic rods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulgaria is a country with a relief of various elevations. This is a precondition for appearance of landslides of different types. The present study deals with stabilizing approaches for a landslide on the road between two towns in Bulgaria. The landslide covers 63 m of the main road connecting the Bulgarian Black Sea capital of Burgas and the border between Bulgaria and Turkey. This road, I-9, is a first-class road which coincides with European Road E87 and passes through Bulgarian territory from north to south. In the spring of the year 2010 two parallel cracks appeared in the road near the km 282+000 mark and the road sank 2,5 m. The terrain of the landslide is steep with an inclination of 36° - 42°. The geological survey shows back filling, slope washed gravels and weathered bedrock to a depth of 12 m. Bed rock of marls is found below this depth. The sliding surface is a polygonal line. Stability calculations are made and an uncompensated landslide load is determined. Different approaches are used for stabilizing of the landslide – piles, anchors, drainage ribs and retaining walls, geo grids as well as their combinations. The typical anchors construction was not possible to be used because of the steep terrain and joint work of two rows of piles was designed instead. The road has been restored and under exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submersed rock-berm structures are frequently used for protection of underwater lifelines such as pipelines and power cables. During the service life, the rock-berm structure can experience several accidental loads such as anchor collision. The consequences can be severe with a certain level of frequency; hence, the structural responses should be carefully understood for implementing a proper structural health monitoring method. However, no study has been made to quantify the structural responses because it is hard to deal with the individual behavior of each rock. Therefore, this study presents a collision analysis of the submersed rock-berm structure using a finite element software package by facilitating the smoothed-particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. The analysis results were compared with those obtained from the Lagrange method. Moreover, two types of anchors (stock anchor and stockless anchor), three collision points and two different drop velocities (terminal velocity of each anchor and 5 m/s) were selected to investigate the changes in the responses. Finally, the effect of these parameters (analysis method, anchor type, collision point and drop velocity) on the analysis results was studied. Accordingly, the effectiveness of the SPH method is verified, a safe rock-benn height (over 1 m) is proposed, and a gauge point (0.5 m above the seabed) is suggested for a structural health monitoring implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coral reefs and seagrass habitats in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) are vulnerable to physical disturbances, including the anchoring of vessels. Both the anchor being deployed and retrieved, as well as the movement of the attaching rode, can cause damage to corals and seagrasses. Understanding the contributing processes that influence the deployment of anchors can assist with managing anchor damage in the GBRWHA, particularly in the context of climate change. Providing a spatial description of the vulnerability, rather than just a list of factors, requires the incorporation of social, geophysical and ecological factors. An integrated GIS-Bayesian Belief Network was utilised to combine 19 spatial datasets, 6 spatial models and expert opinion. The base scale was set to match the 250 m lattice interval of the Great Barrier Reef digital elevation model. With approximately 5 million data points the model was able to spatially describe the likelihood of damage from anchor deployment across the GBRWHA. While only 19% of the GBRWHA is considered susceptible to anchor damage, the assessment indicates that coral reefs and seagrass meadows adjacent to population centres and in particular close to islands are highly vulnerable. Comparisons with coral reef health surveys (Eye on the Reef Program) and detailed anchorage records from a scientific research vessel indicate the model is robust despite extensive use of disparate spatial data and expert opinion. The effect of each node in the Bayesian Belief Network on the anchor vulnerability beliefs was measured by standard variance reduction and this found that anchor site familiarity and accessibility were the dominant influences aside from the presence of sensitive habitat. Visualisation of the model outputs, including the intermediate stages, provided additional qualitative evaluation. Enhancing the vulnerability assessment to describe every location in the GBRWHA will contribute to the development of policy and governance mechanisms whilst supporting focused monitoring of sites vulnerable to anchor damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose an anchor-free object detector that combines a weighted bi-directional Feature Pyramid Network (BiFPN) and Soft Anchor Point Detector to address the object detection problem in a pixel-wise paradigm. The current mainstream object detection methods are anchor-based, which require to set hyper parameters such as scale and aspect ratio. This requires strong prior knowledge and can be difficult to design. Therefore, we propose an anchor-free detector that completely avoids the complex calculations and all the hyper parameters related to the anchor box by eliminating the predefined set of anchor boxes in an anchor-free way. Anchor-free detectors are essentially dense prediction methods. Although the huge solution space can yield high recall, simple anchor-free methods tend to return too many false positives, which leads to the problem of semantic ambiguity caused by the high overlap of object centers. Therefore, we propose BiFPN to alleviate the impact of high overlap which also effectively addresses the problems related to multi-scale features. Moreover, in order to utilize the power of feature pyramid better, we tackle the issues with a novel training strategy that involves two soften optimization techniques, i.e., soft-weighted anchor points and soft-selected pyramid levels. This training strategy further re-weights the quality of the detection results to make our detection results more stable. • Solve object detection by a pixel-wise paradigm. • Anchor-free detector can completely avoid all the hyper parameters related to the anchor box. • BiFPN effectively solved the problems related to multi-scale features. • Soft-Weighted re-weights the quality of detection results to make detector more stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suture anchors have a large field of application in orthopedic trauma surgery like the refixation of patellar, quadriceps and Achilles tendon or the treatment of rotator cuff tears. The fixation of suture anchors in osteoporotic bone is difficult, a problem that becomes increasingly relevant in the elderly. Two types of suture anchors: 1.) Titanium CorkScrew Fast Track II with a knotted eyelet and 2.) polyether ether ketone (PEEK) SwiveLock C with a knotless eyelet were chosen for evaluation in open cell bone blocks with densities of 5–20 pcf supplied by Sawbones AB. A pilot hole of 7 mm diameter and 20 mm depth was drilled in the bone blocks and filled with an experimental drillable magnesium phosphate cement (powder: 92.5 wt% Mg 3 (PO 4) 2 , 7.5 wt% MgO, liquid: 25 wt% phytic acid (C 6 H 18 O 24 P 6)). Anchors were then inserted into the cement and allowed to cure for 24 h (37 °C, 100% humidity) before pullout testing was conducted with a material testing machine. Suture anchors inserted in the blocks after predrilling and tapping served as control. Through augmentation with magnesium phosphate cement pullout strength and stiffness of the suture anchors could be significantly increased in all bone blocks up to 22-fold. CorkScrew anchors failed by rupture of the eyelet with higher pullout strengths, whereas no failure of SwiveLock C anchors could be observed when reinforced with additional FibreWire at the tip. We present a simple technique, whereby pullout strength of suture anchors can be significantly increased in bone with compromised density. The experimental resorbable and drillable magnesium phosphate cement proved to be effective in resisting tensile load, dispersing in the adjacent bone, and thus increasing the bone-anchor contact surface. Therefore, the experimental magnesium phosphate cement is a promising candidate for clinical application in the numerous scenarios mentioned. [Display omitted] • Suture anchor pullout strength is increased up to 22-fold by cement augmentation. • Experimental magnesium phosphate cement is effective in resisting tensile load. • Cement augmentation can be done by slightly overdrilling pilot holes. • Osteoporotic bone benefits the most of cement augmentation. • For a maximum of fixation additional strands or titanium eyelets are the choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, collisions between anchors and submarine power cables have attracted increasing research interest because of the rapid growth of offshore wind farms. Since the drag coefficients have not been calculated, conservative values have been assumed and used to simulate collisions. This conservative estimation is likely to result in unnecessarily heavy designs for the protective structures. Therefore, reliable calculations of the drag coefficients are required to reduce the design, manufacture, and installation costs of the protective structures. Here, we describe calculations of the drag coefficients of 2,000-kg stock and stockless anchors using numerical flow analyses. We show that the drag coefficients of the anchors converge to 1.0 and 0.8, respectively, regardless of the initial velocity and the Reynolds number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]