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Despite technological advances over the last several decades, ship-based hydrography remains the only method for obtaining high-quality, high spatial and vertical resolution measurements of physical, chemical, and biological parameters over the full water column essential for physical, chemical, and biological oceanography and climate science. The Global Ocean Ship-based Hydrographic Investigations Program (GO-SHIP) coordinates a network of globally sustained hydrographic sections. These data provide a unique data set that spans four decades, comprised of more than 40 cross-ocean transects. The section data are, however, difficult to use owing to inhomogeneous format. The purpose of this new temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen data product is to combine, reformat and grid these data measured by Conductivity-Temperature-Depth-Oxygen (CTDO) profilers in order to facilitate their use by a wider audience. The product is machine readable and readily accessible by many existing visualisation and analysis software packages. The data processing can be repeated with modifications to suit various applications such as analysis of deep ocean, validation of numerical simulation, and calibration of autonomous platforms. Measurement(s) temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen of sea water Technology Type(s) CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth profile) calibrated with bottle sampling [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic condition that causes abnormalities in hemoglobin mechanics. Those affected are at high risk of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), which can induce life-threatening symptoms. The development of measurements related to vaso-occlusion facilitates the diagnosis of the patient's disease state. To complement existing readouts, we design a microfluidic-informatics analytical system with varied confined geometries for the quantification of sickle cell disease occlusion. We detect an increase in physical occlusion events in the most severe hemoglobin SS group. We use bioinformatics and modeling to quantify the in vitro disease severity score (DSS) of individual patients. We also show the potential effect of hydration, clinically recommended for crisis management, on reducing the disease severity of high-risk patients. Overall, we demonstrate the device as an easy-to-use assay for quick occlusion information extraction with a simple setup and minimal additional instruments. We show the device can provide physical readouts distinct from clinical data. We also show the device sensitivity in separate samples from patients with different disease severity. Finally, we demonstrate the system as a potential platform for testing the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies (e.g. hydration) on reducing sickle cell disease severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A method for calculating nuclear medicine ionization chamber (NMIC) calibration settings with a Monte Carlo model is presented and validated against physical measurements. This work provides Monte Carlo–calculated calibration settings for select isotopes with no current manufacturer recommendations and a method by which NMIC manufacturers or standards laboratories can utilize highly detailed specifications to calculate comprehensive lists of calibration settings for general isotopes. Methods: A Monte Carlo model of a Capintec PET series NMIC was developed and used to calculate the chamber response to relevant radioactive decay products over an energy range relevant to nuclear medicine. The photon detection efficiency (PDE) of a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector was modeled and physically validated to facilitate measurements of NMIC calibration settings with HPGe detector spectroscopy. Modeled NMIC response to various isotopes was compared against spectroscopic measurements and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)‐validated calibration settings to validate the Monte Carlo–calculated NMIC calibration settings. Results: HPGe detector PDE was validated against the physical measurements to within 3.3%$3.3\%$ at 95%$95\%$ confidence and used to measure calibration settings, which produced activity readings 0.7%$0.7\%$, 1.6%$1.6\%$, 0.8%$0.8\%$, and 1.0%$1.0\%$ different than those validated by NIST for 11$^{11}$C, 18$^{18}$F, 68$^{68}$Ga, and 64$^{64}$Cu respectively. The Monte Carlo model of the NMIC reproduced measured calibration settings to within 7%$7\%$ at 95%$95\%$ confidence for isotopes with a sufficiently small yield of low energy photons. Conclusions: A method of calculating NMIC calibration settings with Monte Carlo modeling has been developed and validated against HPGe detector spectroscopy. NMIC manufacturers or standards laboratories can use more detailed specifications of the chamber geometries to extend the applicability of this method to a wider range of isotopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomechanical models and simulations of musculoskeletal function rely on accurate muscle parameters, such as muscle masses and lines of action, to estimate force production potential and moment arms. These parameters are often obtained through destructive techniques (i.e., dissection) in living taxa, frequently hindering the measurement of other relevant parameters from a single individual, thus making it necessary to combine multiple specimens and/or sources. Estimating these parameters in extinct taxa is even more challenging as soft tissues are rarely preserved in fossil taxa and the skeletal remains contain relatively little information about the size or exact path of a muscle. Here we describe a new protocol that facilitates the estimation of missing muscle parameters (i.e., muscle volume and path) for extant and extinct taxa. We created three-dimensional volumetric reconstructions for the hindlimb muscles of the extant Nile crocodile and extinct stem-archosaur Euparkeria, and the shoulder muscles of an extant gorilla to demonstrate the broad applicability of this methodology across living and extinct animal clades. Additionally, our method can be combined with surface geometry data digitally captured during dissection, thus facilitating downstream analyses. We evaluated the estimated muscle masses against physical measurements to test their accuracy in estimating missing parameters. Our estimated muscle masses generally compare favourably with segmented iodine-stained muscles and almost all fall within or close to the range of observed muscle masses, thus indicating that our estimates are reliable and the resulting lines of action calculated sufficiently accurately. This method has potential for diverse applications in evolutionary morphology and biomechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the Varian multichannel vaginal cylinder (MCVC) set for high-dose-rate 192Ir brachytherapy was commercially released. This MCVC was distinct from our existing MCVC in its peripheral channel layout and tip design. This investigation sought to assess the dosimetric impact of these changes. The dimensions of the virtual model for each applicator were compared against both physical and radiographic measurements. Volumetric dose distributions were generated in silico using a model-based dose calculation algorithm (MBDCA). To characterize the effects of the new peripheral channel layout on dose to adjacent areas ("dose-spill"), point doses were compared using two sets of applicator-based reference points: at surface or 5 mm radially from surface. To evaluate the dose-shaping capabilities, a dose distribution was generated for the new applicator and assessed against a representative dose distribution for a patient previously treated with existing equipment. Based on both physical and radiographic measurements, virtual models were representative of each applicator within ±1 mm. Commissioning of the MBDCA was benchmarked based on AAPM Working Group on Dose Calculation Algorithms in Brachytherapy. The layout of the new applicator reduced dose-spill to other reference points significantly, as much as a factor of 16.3, compared with the existing equipment. The rounded tip shape and curve of the peripheral channels in the new applicator produced more conformity to its HR-CTV than existing equipment. Compared with our existing equipment, the design changes in the new Varian MCVC set offered improved control of dose spill and better conformality to HR-CTV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of lung diseases at the early stage is a major need in medical field to overcome the patients' severity. Thus, in the proposed work, Support Vector Machine (SVM) based classification method is adopted for precise classification of lung cancer, solid or aerosol Deposition, liquid and semi-liquid Deposition. Initially, the gathered data are pre-processed for image transformation. Image binning is performed to divide the images into several sub-regions, and threshold setting is done for effective segmentation. To evaluate the cell size and infected areas, Region of Interest (ROI) extraction has performed. The physical characteristics encompassing reflection coefficient, mass density and impedance are estimated to achieve effective performance. The prediction and classification of four lung diseases are effectively classified using SVM classifier. The simulation tool used for evaluating the performance is MATLAB. The performance of different physical characteristics shows that the proposed method performs better in classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the analysis of the behaviour of structures represents an important area of engineering, where we are mainly interested in the response of the structure to certain influences. The article and research are based on the theoretical foundations of structural monitoring using contactless methods and discuss the practical analysis and simulation of synchronization of structural response to various artificially induced load cases. The responses of the structure were recorded through various parameters, such as displacement, speed and acceleration, with the help of geodetic (Robotic Total Station - RTS and Global Navigation Satellite System - GNSS) and physical equipment (triaxial geophone). When using geodetic equipment, in addition to the possibility of final synchronization of results, we were also interested in the actual influence of the frequency of data acquisition on the accuracy of measured values. Special attention was paid to spectral analysis, to which we added practical value through data processing using Fourier transform algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we compare somatic parameters of preschool-age children. The research was carried out in preschool facilities in the Sabinov district, Slovakia, in four age categories from 3 to 6 years. Anthropometric measurement involves the evaluation of 16 anthropometric parameters. We performed the following anthropometric measurements: Sitting height (M23), Arm span (M17), Upper limb length (M54), Lower limb length (M53), Biacromial breadth (M35), Transverse chest diameter (M36:), Bispinal breadth (M41), Maximum head length (M1b), Maximum head breadth (M3), Breadth of the face (M6), Morphological height of the face (M18), Hand length (M49), Hand width (M52), Forearm length (M48), Foot length (M58) and Foot width (M59). The results confirmed changes in parameters depending on age and gender. In the results, higher average values were recorded in boys than in girls in almost all measured parameters, and even younger boys demonstrated higher values than older girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was extensively used to evaluate the indoor hot environment in a naturally ventilated building, but it does not consider the effect of air movement caused by the hot surface. A potential evaluation index, which is a difference between the mean radiant temperature and the air temperature (Δtr–a), was introduced to be integrated with the indoor WBGT to evaluate the indoor hot environment with hot surface. Subjective evaluation of the occupant's thermal perceptions and objective measurement of indoor physical parameters were carried out in a typical naturally ventilated room with hot surface ranged from 50°C to 250°C. The results show that the indoor air temperature, mean radiant temperature and WBGT were increased by 8.6°C–12.9°C, 11.2°C–29.7°C and 4.7°C–7.5°C, respectively, with participant's light activity, and by 9.9°C–13.5°C, 14.9°C–29.4°C and 5.7°C–8.0°C, respectively, with participant's heavy activity. Indoor air temperature was increased linearly with the indoor WBGT, whereas the mean radiant temperature was increased non-linearly with the indoor WBGT. Besides, the non-linear relationship between the occupant's thermal perceptions and Δtr−a coincided very well with those between occupant's thermal perceptions and indoor WBGT. This suggests that the Δtr–a may be a potential index to be integrated with the indoor WBGT for evaluating the indoor hot environment in naturally ventilated building with hot surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there are problems regarding decreasing production rates and low recovery factors in the field test during depletion development of staged fractured horizontal wells in tight reservoirs. However, the production decline mechanism during the depletion development process is not clear at present; so, it is necessary to further explore the pressure distribution law and production decline mechanism in order to guide subsequent tight reservoir exploitation and to improve the recovery factor. In this study, a multi-point pressure measurement physical simulation experiment system, a pressure distribution mathematic model, and a mathematic productivity model were developed. After fitting the model with the experimental data, the production decline mechanism during depletion development of tight oil reservoirs was analyzed from four aspects. The results show that in lower permeability tight reservoir facies, the pressure propagation distance is shorter. The pressure gradient of tight oil reservoirs during depletion development is four times higher than that of low permeability reservoirs. As the permeability decreases, the seepage resistance coefficient increases exponentially. The seepage resistance in tight oil reservoirs is nearly six times higher than that in low permeability reservoirs. Compared with traditional enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, inter-fracture flooding has obvious mechanism advantages in the EOR of tight reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective method capable of measuring the topological charges of optical vortex beams by using a generalized ring Pearcey (GRP) phase is proposed theoretically and demonstrated experimentally in this paper. The number and orientation of fringes in the diffraction patterns respectively reveal the modulus and sign of topological charges. One can also tell the sign by observing the rotation of fringes during propagation. Moreover, the measurement of high‐order topological charges is shown to be significantly affected by the elliptical parameter in the GRP phase. Finally, the physical principle of these measurements is unveiled by applying the stationary phase approach. This work offers an alternative way of evaluating the photonic topological charges in vortex beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because point clouds have reality measurements of physical objects, they are often used to reconstruct the as-built three-dimensional (3D) model of building construction sites through a modeling process called Scan-to-building information models (BIM). However, the reality measurements in point cloud data, such as actual color and deformed shapes of the original objects, could disappear during the solid modeling process. In addition, the conventional Scan-to-BIM pipeline still requires significant time and manual effort for object classification and shape representation. To address these problems, this study proposes a novel information modeling framework for point clouds, called point cloud information modeling (PCIM). PCIM can automatically recognize construction objects and their properties with deep learning approaches. Furthermore, it can store information in the original point cloud data with a hierarchical structure, rather than converting it to a solid or rigid model. To validate the overall PCIM concept, this research conducted a case study with an actual building construction project. The test results demonstrate that PCIM can be an effective tool for the as-is information modeling of structures and facilities during construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technique of Body Condition Score (BCS) is a means of subjectively assessing the degree of fatness or condition of the live animal. It is a simple, non-invasive, time saving and effective management tool to rank goats according to their body reserves by touch and sight. To assess the relationships among body condition score (BCS), body weight and measurements of goats under field conditions, a study was conducted during the year 2019 on local goat flocks of farmers in Gundlasamudram and Marripudi villages of Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 100 does (2 to 4 years old) were assigned the BCS and the mean BCS of the test flock was 2.88±0.05. A total of 37 does were in the age group of 2 years with a mean BCS of 2.82±0.77, 52 does were in the age group of 3 years with a mean BCS of 2.96±0.75 and 11 does were in the age group of 4 years with a mean BCS of 2.75±0.16. Pin-shoulder length, height at withers, chest girth, abdominal girth, thigh circumference and body weight were significantly (p<0.01) positively correlated with each other. BCS was significantly (p<0.01) and positively correlated with all physical measurements studied. The mean BCS was significantly (p<0.01) higher for the does of age group of 3 years compared to does of age group of 2 and 4 years. The live weight of does increased by 2.66-2.80 kg for each unit increase in BCS. The present study suggested that BCS can be an effective indicator of degree of fitness of does. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I applied the methodology known as maximum likelihood conjoint measurement (MLCM) to diagnose how numerical magnitude affects the perception of physical size of numerals in the size congruity effect (SCE). Traditional theories of the SCE argue for automatic activation of numerical magnitude, and therefore the obligatory interaction in perception between number and size. Participants in the current study were presented with pairs of numerals varying on physical size and numerical magnitude. They judged which member of the pair was physically larger, while ignoring numerical magnitude. Three nested observer models (i.e. independent, additive, and saturated) of the contribution of physical size and numerical magnitude to perceived size were fit to the data using maximum likelihood. The independent observer model exhibited the best fit for the majority of observers. These results cast doubts on the view that numerical magnitude is activated automatically in judgments of physical size of numerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal comfort depends on four environmental parameters such as air temperature, mean radiant temperature, air velocity and relative humidity and two personal parameters, including clothing insulation and metabolic rate. Environmental parameters can be measured via objective sensors. However, personal parameters can be merely estimated in most of the studies. Metabolic rate is one of the problematic personal parameters that affect the accuracy of thermal comfort models. International thermal comfort standards still use a conventional metabolic rate table which is tabulated according to different activity tasks. On the other hand, ISO 8996 underestimates metabolic rates, especially when the time of activity level is short and rest time is long. To this aim, this paper aims to determine metabolic rates from physical measurements of heart rate, mean skin temperature and carbon dioxide variation by means of nineteen sample activities. 21 male and 17 female subjects with different body mass indices, sex and age are used in the study. The occupants are subjected to different activity tasks while heart rate, skin temperature and carbon dioxide variation are measured via objective sensors. The results show that the metabolic rate can be estimated with a multivariable non-linear regression equation with high accuracy of 0.97. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of feed restriction and sex on the physical, chemical and histochemical parameters of meat quality in chickens, rabbits and nutrias. Feed restriction was applied at a rate of 70% ad libitum from 14 to 21 days of age in chickens, 70% ad libitum from 42 to 49 days of age in rabbits, and 70% ad libitum from 12 to 15 weeks of age in nutrias. Animals were fed ad libitum prior to and following restriction. The results showed stronger effects of feed restriction, sex, and their interaction on the meat quality of broiler chickens than in rabbits and nutrias. The effect of feed restriction, sex and their interaction were mainly observed in the nutritional value of meat, while physical measurements of meat were negligibly affected. The interaction between feed restriction and sex affected the cross-sectional area of muscle fibre only in rabbits and nutrias. The data indicated the relationships between compensatory growth, muscle fibre distribution, and nutritional value of meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to daylight has much to offer and should be optimised to maximise its potential. In order to harvest its benefits, any visual discomfort from daylight should be anticipated and minimised. Hence, there is the need to predict discomfort from daylight glare. While more than 20 models for predicting discomfort from daylight glare have been developed, none accurately predict it. The inclusion of additional factors in the models may improve the predictions. One such factor is the socio-environmental context of the observer. This study compares the evaluations of discomfort glare from daylight for office buildings in four socio-environmental contexts: Chile, Belgium, Japan and Switzerland. The evaluations of discomfort glare, each consisting of subjective assessments and physical measurements of a view condition, were collected at the office desks of 401 participants, although only 211 responses were used in the analyses due to exclusion rules. The results do not suggest evidence of an influence of socio-environmental context on discomfort from daylight glare. In other words, the participants in this study perceived discomfort glare similarly, regardless of their socio-environmental context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analysis of two large rock toppling/sliding events which occurred in January 2014 and February 2019 at the Cliets unstable slope (Savoie, French Alps). To understand the mechanism involved and its control by external forcings, a multi-technique analysis approach is used combining geological observations, meteorological data analysis, topographic measurements and simple physical modeling. The pre-failure stage of the events is more particularly analyzed. No direct relationships are found between triggering factors and surface motion though a kinematics analysis highlights the transition toppling-sliding. It showed that, at first order, this transition occurred 4 years before the first failure of 2014, while it happened 2 months before the second failure of 2019. From this date, the environment is considered like a block sliding on an inclined plane. By applying a frictional model (Helmstetter et al. in Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 109(B2), 2004), we illustrated that the two events belong to an unstable velocity-weakening sliding regime. The time to failure (Voight in Science 243(4888):200–203, 1989) is forecasted with the model, and the results are consistent with the observations. They confirm that the gravitational factor is predominant over the triggering factors for the two events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines to what extent nationalist and sexist sentiment and international politics shaped attempts to universalize measurement practices in physical anthropology. On the one hand, racial scientists were interested in creating an international community with a universalized methodology and developing a global taxonomy of human races. On the other hand, they chauvinistically guarded their localized practices from outside influences. By following the standardization efforts of British biometrician Miriam Tildesley, a female racial scientist adamant on unifying a research field largely dominated by men from different countries, this article argues that intersecting forces of nationalism, internationalism, and sexism shaped anthropological practices in the early twentieth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman spectral bandwidths and bandshapes can provide detailed information on the physics and chemistry of a sample. The Raman band reported by a spectrometer (observed Raman band [ORB]) is a result of contributions from the true, intrinsic Raman band (IRB) and the spectrometer slit function. To obtain the IRB spectral width and shape, the effects of the spectrometer slit function must be removed from the ORB by measuring the spectrometer slit function and modeling the ORB as a convolution of the IRB and slit function. Though this model has proven to be useful, it is not based on physical parameters of the measurement and is limited. Thus, new ways to model Raman bandshape and bandwidth are needed. I previously developed a new method of modeling Raman bands using spectrometer geometric optics to examine the dependence of Raman band intensity on slit width. The model calculates the intensity of the ORB from the contributions of a continuum of dispersed slit functions. Here, I extend the use of this model for examining ORB spectral widths and shapes. I show that the model produces the same result as the convolution model when using Lorentzian Raman and Gaussian slit functions, confirming the validity of the model. However, in contrast to the convolution model, the new model is based on spectrometer geometric optics allowing one to account for various optical effects when modeling Raman spectra. This is demonstrated by modeling the effects of slit width on the Raman spectrum. I use the model to provide a detailed, physical understanding of the effects of slit width and IRB width on Raman bandshapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coding metasurfaces have been introduced as efficient tools allowing meticulous control over the electromagnetic (EM) scattering. One of their relevant application areas is radar cross section (RCS) reduction, which principally relies on the diffusion of impinging EM waves. Despite its significance, careful control of the scattering properties poses a serious challenge at the level of practical realization. This article is concerned with (global) design optimization of coding metasurfaces featuring broadband RCS reduction. We adopt a two-stage optimization procedure involving data-driven supervised-learning, sequential-search strategy, and direct EM-based design closure of the entire metasurface oriented toward maximizing the RCS reduction bandwidth. Our framework is then used to develop a two-bit coding metasurface. To handle the combinatorial explosion at the concurrent meta-atom optimization stage, a sequential-search strategy has been developed that enables global search capability at low computational cost. Finally, EM-based optimization is executed to maximize RCS reduction bandwidth at the level of entire metasurface. The properties of the coding metasurface are demonstrated using monostatic and bistatic RCS performance. The 10-dB RCS reduction can be obtained in the frequency range of 14.8–37.2 GHz, in a monostatic configuration. Also, 15-dB RCS reduction can be maintained in the frequency range of 16.7–37 GHz. Simulations are validated using physical measurements of the fabricated prototypes. Finally, the performance of the structure is benchmarked against recently reported designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current trend to replace shaped refractories for monolithics is related to various technical aspects, i.e., lack of joints, easier installation and free format. However, the main drawback of these non-shaped products is their longer first heat-up demand, otherwise mechanical failures or even explosive spalling may take place due to steam pressurization within the well packed consolidated structure. As a consequence, over-conservative drying schedules are commonly used in industrial equipment lined with such ceramics, which increase the energy consumption and the production down-time. Based on this scenario and considering the recent advances in numerical simulations, this article discusses the implications of applying different heating rates during the drying of a refractory castable lining of a steel ladle. Additionally, a novel methodology based on the correlation of the maximum vapor pressure and the mechanical strength of the ceramic material was also proposed. Using some of the castable properties measured as a function of temperature, simulation results pointed out that higher vapor pressures and a displacement of the maximum pressure peak are attained by applying high heating rates and thicker linings. This behavior is associated with the water migration to the inner regions of the refractory structure. It was observed that these conditions displace the maximum resistance ratio position towards the hot face, where most common spallings are observed. The work also emphasizes the importance of carrying out accurate measurements of physical properties as a function of the temperature, otherwise the outcome can be far from the reality of the working conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of evidence‐based practice requires practice‐based evidence, which can be acquired through analysis of real‐world data from electronic health records (EHRs). The EHR contains volumes of information about patients—physical measurements, diagnoses, exposures, and markers of health behavior—that can be used to create algorithms for risk stratification or to gain insight into associations between exposures, interventions, and outcomes. But to transform real‐world data into reliable real‐world evidence, one must not only choose the correct analytical methods but also have an understanding of the quality, detail, provenance, and organization of the underlying source data and address the differences in these characteristics across sites when conducting analyses that span institutions. This manuscript explores the idiosyncrasies inherent in the capture, formatting, and standardization of EHR data and discusses the clinical domain and informatics competencies required to transform the raw clinical, real‐world data into high‐quality, fit‐for‐purpose analytical data sets used to generate real‐world evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Overweight and obesity are risk factors for diet-related non-communicable diseases. These diseases are the fifth leading risks for global deaths. Virtually, all age groups are affected bythe consequences of overweight and obesity. Aims and Objectives: This study was undertakento evaluate risk factors of overweight and obesity among higher secondary school adolescents. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 492 school adolescents of the government sector six higher secondary schools in Muzaffarpur. This study measured height, weight and plotted Body mass Index on CDC (Child Development Centre) charts. Factors affecting obesity like physical and sedentary activities (using Bharathy et al. questionnaire) and school-based risk factors were also studied. Results: Based of measurements taken risk factors for overweight and obesity in 492 higher secondary school students, the estimated provincial prevalence of overweight was found to be 9.7%, obesity 3%, and malnutrition 18% respectively. Students involved in household chores for 4 hours or more a week were associated with a decreased risk of overweight (OR 3.97, 95% CI 1.41-11.03) and those with less activity were at increased risk for obesity (OR 6.59, 95% CI 1.83-21.19). Conclusion: The problems of overweight and obesity are taking place while students are still at the risk of underweight. Several factors were correlated with overweight and obesity. Therefore, interventions targeting gender, frequency of eating food out of home, vigorous activities, and frequency of doing the vigorous physical activity are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on theoretical considerations on embodied affectivity in social life, the feeling of being close is argued to be pivotal for experiencing one-sided interactions with movie characters. Currently, a feasible methodology to be used in order to measure this variable is still missing. A subsample (n = 14) from existing data is used to evaluate three operationalisations of closeness to the main character in two central scenes of the movie Sehnsucht by Valeska Grisebach: (1) Closeness as grades of familiarity is operationalised using a pictorial measure with the participant indicating which of two more or less overlapping circles (one representing the self, one representing the screen character) describes the relationship best. (2) Physical closeness is assessed with recordings of the eye movements which provide a fine-grained measurement of distance to the screen. (3) Closeness as synchronicity could be observed by analysing the facial expressions and movements of the participant in front of the screen simultaneously with the expressions and movements of the movie characters. The results of the study point to limitations of an operationalisation of closeness as familiarity by using a single-item measurement. Furthermore, with synchronicity being rarely observed, this way of being close appears to be a phenomenon of minor relevance for movie reception. The measurement of physical closeness, however, indicates a promising approach due to behavioural patterns being detectable and easily interpretable in accordance with the movie's content. Ideas for further methodological development of an operationalisation of physical closeness are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Karbala Magazine of Physical Edu. Seiences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

Copyright of Journal of Sport Sciences / Magallat ulum Al-Riyadat is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

Introduction: There is no objective measurement of physical activity and sedentary behaviour for high school students, especially student-athletes who registered in sport specific class in Indonesia. The purpose of the study was to investigate physical activity and sedentary behaviour using objective measures with ActivPal. Methods: A total of 36 high school students (17 Male; 19 Females) participated in the study. Participants wore an ActivPAL™ on the right tight for seven days to determine light and moderate to vigorous physical activity stepping and the total sedentary time (lying and sitting). Results:: The high school students who took a sports specific class spend the average time for moderate to vigorous physical activity 2,08 hours, sitting time 9,33 hours, primary lying 8,5 hours, and secondary lying 1,24 hours every day. There is no difference in the time used for physical activity and secondary lying between males and females (p > 0.05). Meanwhile, male, and female students' sitting, and primary lying times were significantly different (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Male students spend more sitting time, and females spend more primary lying time. Almost half of the day, high school students in special sports classes are paid for sedentary activities, and their daily physical activities still do not meet WHO recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The risk of inducing cancer to patients undergoing CT examinations has motivated efforts for CT dose estimation, monitoring, and reduction, especially among pediatric population. The method investigated in this study is Acuros CTD (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA), a deterministic linear Boltzmann transport equation (LBTE) solver aimed at generating rapid and reliable dose maps of CT exams. By applying organ contours, organ doses can also be obtained, thus patient‐specific organ dose estimates can be provided. This study experimentally validated Acuros against measurements performed on a clinical CT system using a range of physical pediatric anthropomorphic phantoms and acquisition protocols. Methods: The study consisted of (1) the acquisition of dose measurements on a clinical CT scanner through thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), and (2) the modeling in the Acuros platform of the measurement set up, which includes the modeling of the CT scanner and of the anthropomorphic phantoms. For the measurements, 1‐year‐old, 5‐year‐old, and 10‐year‐old anthropomorphic phantoms of the CIRS ATOM family were used. TLDs were placed in selected organ locations such as stomach, liver, lungs, and heart. The pediatric phantoms were scanned helically with the GE Discovery 750 HD clinical scanner for several examination protocols. For the simulations in Acuros, scanner‐specific input, such as bowtie filters, overrange collimation, and tube current modulation schemes, were modeled. These scanner complexities were implemented by defining discretized X‐ray beams whose spectral distribution, defined in Acuros by only six energy bins, varied across fan angle, cone angle, and slice position. The images generated during the CT acquisitions were used to create the geometrical models, by applying thresholding algorithms and assigning materials to the HU values. The TLDs were contoured in the phantom models as sensitive cylindrical volumes at the locations selected for dosimeters placement, to provide dose estimates, in terms of dose per unit photon. To compare measured doses with dose estimates, a calibration factor was derived from the CTDIvol displayed by the scanner, to account for the number of photons emitted by the X‐ray tube during the procedure. Results: The differences of the measured and estimated doses, in terms of absolute % errors, were within 13% for 153 TLD locations, with an error of 17% at the stomach for one study with the 10‐year‐old phantom. Root‐mean‐squared‐errors (RMSE) across all TLD locations for all configurations were in the range of 3%–8%, with Acuros providing dose estimates in a time range of a few seconds up to 2 min. Conclusions: An overall good agreement between measurements and simulations was achieved, with average RMSE of 6% across all cases. The results demonstrate that Acuros can model a specific clinical scanner despite the required discretization in spatial and energy domains. The proposed deterministic tool has the potential to be part of a near real‐time individualized dosimetry monitoring system for CT applications, providing patient‐specific organ dose estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Considering the importance of adolescent obesity on adulthood health, this cross-sectional study aimed 408 students aged 13-18 years from different socioeconomic districts through convenience sampling to investigate nutritional status and physical activity (PA) level focusing on sex and socioeconomic differences. Methods: Weight and height were measured to investigate prevalence of obesity and underweight based on percentile of body mass index (BMI) for age. Information on dietary intake were collected via 3-day food recalls. PA level was investigated using a valid and reliable questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity were 4.9%, 15.9% and 23%, respectively. Weight and height were higher in boys than girls significantly (P-value < 0.001). Calorie intake in prosperous districts was higher than semi-prosperous districts (P = 0.01). Intake of zinc and calcium in prosperous districts was higher than semi-prosperous and disadvantaged districts (P-value < 0.001 and 0.02, respectively). Intake of calcium and zinc in both sexes and iron in girls, was lower than recommended dietary allowances (RDA) in all districts (P-value < 0.001). Conclusions: High prevalence of obesity and low micronutrients intake, especially in disadvantaged districts, suggest an urgent need to plan many efficient programs to prevent serious problems in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes a physics‐based model to simulate the polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) manufacturing process for ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). Models have been developed to characterize volumetric distribution of constituents and track porosity inside the composite at different PIP stages utilizing test data from TGA and DSC characterization of a commercial preceramic polymer. Laboratory experiments were done using C/SiC CMC specimens manufactured with a variable number of PIP cycles in order to obtain inputs for the models, and the analytical results have been shown to agree with porosity determined from physical measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to supplement manufacturers' information, this department will welcome the submission by our readers of brief communications reporting measurements on the physical properties of materials that supersede earlier data or suggest new research applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine nutritional screening methods for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Method: A scoping review was performed using established methodologies. In June 2020 we searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Complete, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify articles on tools/methods for nutritional screening of our target groups. Results: Thirty studies were included, containing various tools/methods used to identify under‐ and/or overnutrition by weight/height, circumferences, skinfolds, questionnaires, and/or technically advanced or invasive methods. Questionnaires, weight/height, circumferences, and skinfolds were considered feasible based on clinical utility, whereas bioelectrical impedance analysis and blood samples were not. Interpretation: We identified two screening tools for undernutrition that include no physical measurements, but did not find any screening tools for overweight and obesity. Most of the studies recommended one or more methods, indicating that determining nutritional status most likely includes a combination of methods, not all of which may be feasible in clinical practice. What this paper addsNo nutritional screening tool using anthropometry or body composition was discovered.Heterogenous methods to identify under‐ and/or overnutrition are recommended.Preferable methods for nutritional screening include assessment of body composition.A validated nutritional screening tool for identification of overweight is warranted. What this paper adds: No nutritional screening tool using anthropometry or body composition was discovered.Heterogenous methods to identify under‐ and/or overnutrition are recommended.Preferable methods for nutritional screening include assessment of body composition.A validated nutritional screening tool for identification of overweight is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An evaluation of five petrophysical models for hydraulic permeability predication was completed for a site-specific set of alluvial sediments. The models considered were the Kozeny-Carmen (1927-1937), Börner (1996), Revil-Cathles (1999), and two Revil-Florsch (2010) models. The river deposited sediments represent a relatively narrow grain-size distribution, and were acquired adjacent to the Kansas River, in Olathe, Kansas. Using measured physical, electrical, and hydraulic data from Slater and Glaser (2003), a comparison of the performance of these five petrophysical models for hydraulic permeability estimation of soils was completed. For models where the key parameter is effective grainsize, three model variations were considered using d10, d50, and d90, resulting in an evaluation of a total of eleven individual models. Parameters included in the models can be classified as three different types: a) physical parameters only, b) electrical parameters only, and c) physical and electrical parameters together. The performance of each model was rated in terms of linear regression R squared, slope, and y-intercept values when plotted against the measured hydraulic conductivities. The top three models were the Kozeny-Carmen, a modified Revil-Cathles, and the Börner model. The Kozeny-Carmen model performed with the highest rating, followed by the modified Revil-Cathles model, and the Börner model rounding out the top three. There was a significant disparity between the rating associated with the top three and the fourth best performing model suggested by Revil and Florsch. However, it should be noted that the Börner model and Revil-Florsch model are based entirely on electrical measurements. The Revil-Cathles model was greatly improved when d10 was substituted for d50 for this limited sediment grain-size range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study assessed and compared the risk factors for falls among older adults in rural and urban communities. Design: A comparative cross-sectional approach was used. Setting: The study was conducted among community-living older adults in the rural and urban communities of the most populated Local Government Area (Ado-Ekiti LGA) in Ekiti State. Participants: The study population consisted of 624 persons aged 65 years and above recruited into rural and urban groups using multi-stage random sampling. Main outcome measures: Data collected using validated tools and physical measurements were subjected to binary logistic regression to determine the odds of falls with relevant predictor variables among older adults in both groups. Results: A significantly higher proportion of participants in the urban than the rural group had experienced a fall, and the associated risks include low visual acuity, increasing age, arthritis, hearing impairment, hyperglycaemia and high BMI. Physical activity was a protective factor. Conclusion: This study revealed a high risk of falls among older adults in the urban community. Early diagnosis and management of chronic conditions that increase fall risk and promote physical activity, especially among urban-dwelling older adults, are vital measures to be considered in fall prevention programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question of what should be meant by a measurement is tackled from a mathematical perspective whose physical interpretation is that a measurement is a fundamental process via which a finite amount of classical information is produced. This translates into an algebraic and topological definition of measurement space that caters for the distinction between quantum and classical measurements and allows a notion of observer to be derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of active gauges with open‐data policy for discharge monitoring along rivers has decreased over the last decades. Therefore, spaceborne measurements are investigated as alternatives. Among different techniques for estimating river discharge from space, developing a rating curve between the ground‐based discharge and spaceborne river water level or width is the most straightforward one. However, this does not always lead to successful results, since the river section morphology often cannot simply be modeled by a limited number of parameters. Moreover, such methods do not deliver a proper estimation of the discharge's uncertainty as a result of the mismodeling and also the coarse assumptions made for the uncertainty of inputs. Here, we propose a nonparametric model for estimating river discharge and its uncertainty from spaceborne river width measurements. The model employs a stochastic quantile mapping scheme by, iteratively: (a) generating realizations of river discharge and width time series using Monte Carlo simulation, (b) obtaining a collection of quantile mapping functions by matching all possible permutations of simulated river discharge and width quantile functions, and (c) adjusting the measurement uncertainties according to the point cloud scatter. We validate our method over 14 different river reaches along the Niger, Congo, Po Rivers, and several river reaches in the Mississippi river basin. Our results show that the proposed algorithm can mitigate the effect of measurement noise and also possible mismodeling. Moreover, the proposed algorithm delivers a meaningful uncertainty for the estimated discharge and allows us to calibrate the error bars of in situ discharge measurements. Plain Language Summary: Water scarcity affects the life of more than 2 billion people around the world. The situation will likely worsen as populations and the demand for freshwater grows. Since the demand for freshwater is increasing year by year, the importance of detecting and monitoring the Earth's freshwater is addressed in actions about ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water. However, due to a decline in the number of active gauges, the dynamic of surface water storage has been hardly quantified. The recent breakthroughs in spaceborne geodetic techniques enable us to overcome the lack of comprehensive measurements of freshwater resources, which is a major impediment for a realistic understanding of the hydrological water cycle. Several approaches have been developed for estimating river discharge from space. Among them, developing an empirical rating curve function between ground‐based discharge observations and spaceborne measurements of a physical quantity of the corresponding river reach like water level or river width is the most straightforward one. To release from the bottleneck of characterizing the river section geometry through a limited number of model parameters, we have introduced a nonparametric approach to estimate river discharge from spaceborne river width measurements. Key Points: The relation between river width and discharge is modeled by a stochastic quantile mapping functionBeing nonparametric, our discharge estimation mapping function does not require the selection of a model for discharge estimationThe method allows to calibrate uncertainties of in situ discharge [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background Limited studies have compared the association between various physical measurements and the risk of cancer or cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aim to explore the best‐individualized indicators of cancer and CVD risk assessment. Methods From May 2004 to December 2017, a community‐based cohort in China involving 100 280 participants were enrolled. BMI, height, body surface area (BSA), and body fat percentage (BFP) were compared in parallel about cancer and CVD risk with the multivariable‐adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results Within the follow‐up period, 3107 (3.10%) were diagnosed with cancer and 3721 (3.71%) had CVD. Per‐level increased (in tertile: T1, T2, and T3 level) BSA, height, and BFP was positively associated with the risk of overall cancer [HR (95% CI): 1.10 (1.05‐1.15), 1.12 (1.07‐1.18), and 1.10 (1.03‐1.16), respectively], whereas BMI was insignificant. Compared with the reference group (T2), the highest BSA level (T3) was positively associated with overall cancer incidence for both male [HR (95% CI): 1.28 (1.13‐1.45)] and female [HR (95% CI): 1.13 (1.00‐1.28)]. The BSA, height, and BFP also significantly associated with some site‐specific cancers including thyroid, stomach, breast, urinary system, and skin cancer. Meanwhile, BFP presented a strong positive association with overall CVD [HR (95% CI): 1.22 (1.15‐1.30) in trend] in both gender and associated with nearly all CVD subtypes especially the myocardial infarction and heart failure. Conclusion BSA, height, and BFP have more sensitivity in assessing cancer risk and BFP shows the largest hazard ratios for CVD incident. We provided valuable evidence for the application of height, BSA, and BFP in routine healthcare practice. These encouraging findings should be tested in more well‐defined studies for risk prediction.

This narrative review examines the interplay among body image perceptions, social media influence, physical measurements, and their impact on psychological well-being, focusing on the roles of cultural and gender differences and the need to understand the research methodologies employed in this field. In the age of digital proliferation, platforms like Instagram and Facebook have reshaped body image concerns, often leading to increased dissatisfaction and psychological distress due to constant exposure to idealized images and a culture of social comparison. Physical attributes such as weight, height, and BMI are scrutinized under societal standards of health and attractiveness, contributing to a spectrum of mental health issues including low self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders. This examination reveals how cultural norms and gender expectations further complicate body image perceptions, affecting individuals differently based on societal and personal ideals. It synthesizes current research and types of methods to illuminate how these factors together influence mental health and self-esteem, advocating for comprehensive interventions and policy measures aimed at mitigating body dissatisfaction and promoting a healthier, more inclusive understanding of body image. By delving into the complexities of body image satisfaction and its psychological implications, this review highlights the necessity of addressing these concerns within public health and social policy frameworks, underscoring the importance of a multifaceted approach to enhance individual and societal well-being.

The article discusses the newly formed partnership between two key players of the field of physical behavior, the Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting, and Sleep consortium (ProPASS) and the International Society for the Measurement of Physical Behavior (ISMPB). This Partnerships offer an ideal vehicle for long-term collaboration to build research capacity, develop new scientific endeavors, and nurture talent.

In view of the difficulty in the treatment of facial paralysis and the poor effect of traditional methods, this paper proposes a strategy based on acupuncture and repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation. The three groups of patients were tested for efficacy using the H-B scale and the symptom characteristics and physical signs measurement scale. Acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve the clinical efficacy of facial paralysis. And it is significantly better than traditional paralysis and repetitive translational magnetic stimulation in the degree of healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coverage in mobile communications systems requires an acceptable link gain over a maximum service area, with areas of low link gain being problematic. A standard approach to maximize link gain is to deploy multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) antennas that adapt to the changing multipath. There is also recent interest in using active surfaces for adaptive reflections within the multipath environments, and this calls for new ideas at the system and component levels. A critical mechanism in urban propagation is corner diffraction, which illuminates shadow areas but with low link gain. We present a simple add-on system for corners, comprising a simple scattering dipole or scattering array, which can significantly improve link gain in the shadow region over a wide bandwidth. The concept is demonstrated through analysis, simulation, and physical measurement. Only shadowed areas are boosted, and the line-of-sight coverage is not significantly affected. Our demonstration is for a passive, fixed configuration, which is suitable for retrofitting to existing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The number of clinical trials for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has increased substantially lately, therefore appropriate clinical instruments are needed to measure disease progression and drug efficacy. Jumping mechanography is a medical diagnostic method for motion analysis, which allows to quantify physical parameters. In this study, we compared mechanography with timed function tests (TFTs). Methods 41 ambulatory DMD patients performed a total of 95 chair rising tests (CRT) and a total of 76 single two-legged jumps (S2LJ) on a mechanography ground reaction force platform. The results were correlated with a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the time required to run 10 meters, stand up from a supine position, and climb four stairs, all performed in the same setting. Results Our measurements show a high correlation between mechanography and the TFTs: S2LJ/10-m run, r = 0.62; CRT/10-m run, r = 0.61; S2LJ/standing up from supine, r = 0.48; CRT/standing up from supine, r = 0.58; S2LJ/climb four stairs, r = 0.55; CRT/climb four stairs, r = 0.51. The correlation between mechanography and the 6MWT was only moderate with r = 0.38 for S2LJ/6MWT and r = 0.39 for CRT/6MWT. Interpretation Jumping mechanography is a reliable additional method, which can be used for physical endpoint measurements in clinical trials. We confirmed our assumption, that the method provides additional information concerning performance at movement with higher power output. We suggest using the S2LJ as a first-choice tandem tool combined with the 6MWT. In patients with higher disability, the CRT is an alternative measuring method, because with the progression of the disease this is longer feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A customized Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS)-style eye plaque may provide superior dosimetric coverage compared with standard models for certain intraocular tumor locations and shapes. This work provides a recipe for developing and validating such customized plaques. The concept-into-clinical treatment process for a customized COMS-style eye plaque begins with a CAD model design that meets the specifications of the radiation oncologist and surgeon based on magnetic resonance, ultrasound, and clinical measurements, as well as a TG-43 hybrid heterogeneity-corrected dose prediction to model the dose distribution. Next, a 3D printed plastic prototype is created and reviewed. After design approval, a Modulay plaque is commercially fabricated. Quality assurance (QA) is subsequently performed to verify the physical measurements of the Modulay and Silastic and also includes dosimetric measurement of the calibration, depth dose, and dose profiles. Sterilization instructions are provided by the commercial fabricator. This customization procedure and QA methodology is demonstrated with a narrow-slotted plaque that was recently constructed for the treatment of a circumpapillary (e.g., surrounding the optic disk) ocular tumor. The production of a customized COMS-style eye plaque is a multistep process. Dosimetric modeling is recommended to ensure that the design will meet the patient's needs, and QA is essential to confirm that the plaque has the proper dimensions and dose distribution. The customized narrow-slotted plaque presented herein was successfully implemented in the clinic, and provided superior dose coverage of juxtapapillary and circumpapillary tumors compared with standard or notched COMS-style plaques. Plaque development required approximately 30 h of physicist time and a fabrication cost of $1500. Customized eye plaques may be used to treat intraocular tumors that cannot be adequately managed with standard models. The procedure by which a customized COMS-style plaque may be designed, fabricated, and validated was presented along with a clinical example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Evaluate if automatic segmentation of mandibular three-dimensional (3D) models is reliable and accurate. Materials and methods: Eight dry mandibles with eight silica markers were scanned in the i-CAT Classic device (Imaging Sciences International). Automatic segmentation was performed using nine standard preset thresholds in the Dolphin software (Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions). Three observers individually made twice eight linear measurements on the mandibular 3D models. Another observer made physical measurements, twice as well, on the dry mandibles. Reliability and accuracy were evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Dahlberg's formula, Bland-Altman analyses, and changing bias with regression analyses. Results: Inter-observer and intra-observer ICCs and Dahlberg's error were ≥ 0.75 and ≤ 1.0 mm, respectively, for all measurements. Inter-observer agreement between mandibular 3D models and physical measurements ranged from −0.37 to 0.91 mm. Conclusions: Linear measurements made on mandibular 3D models obtained using standard preset thresholds are reliable and accurate. However, additional studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis for clinical applications. Clinical relevance: Since the 3D models are useful for diagnostics and surgical planning, it is necessary to determinate whether the linear measurements made on 3D models obtained by automatic segmentation are sufficiently reliable and accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]