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We examined whether prenatal exposure to two classes of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) was associated with infant epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), a DNA methylation biomarker of aging. Participants included 224 maternal–infant pairs from a Canadian pregnancy cohort study. Two bisphenols and 12 phthalate metabolites were measured in maternal second trimester urines. Buccal epithelial cell cheek swabs were collected from 3 month old infants and DNA methylation was profiled using the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. The Pediatric-Buccal-Epigenetic tool was used to estimate EAA. Sex-stratified robust regressions examined individual chemical associations with EAA, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) examined chemical mixture effects. Adjusted robust models showed that in female infants, prenatal exposure to total bisphenol A (BPA) was positively associated with EAA (B = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.21, 1.24), and multiple phthalate metabolites were inversely associated with EAA (Bs from −0.36 to −0.66, 95% CIs from −1.28 to −0.02). BKMR showed that prenatal BPA was the most important chemical in the mixture and was positively associated with EAA in both sexes. No overall chemical mixture effects or male-specific associations were noted. These findings indicate that prenatal EDC exposures are associated with sex-specific deviations in biological aging, which may have lasting implications for child health and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental evaluation of the performance of a corrugated apron under free flow subcritical and submerged conditions was conducted, with a focus on scour patterns over the apron. Comparative analysis with a smooth rigid apron revealed an increase in scour depth upon the application of the corrugated apron under free and submerged jet flow conditions. The implementation of a corrugated apron resulted in a considerable reduction in scour depth and length compared to a smooth rigid apron. The maximum reduction in scour depth and length amounted to 79% and 83%, respectively, while the minimum reduction observed was 13% in scour depth and 11% in scour length. Additionally, investigations into velocity and turbulence characteristics over both smooth and corrugated aprons were conducted. It was observed that the rate of turbulence intensity increase within the scour hole due to the presence of a smooth apron surpassed that of the corrugated apron. Scour downstream of the corrugated apron exhibited distinct delineations, including regions of jet diffusion, transition, acceleration, and a recirculating zone near the bed of the scour hole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culverts are structures designed to facilitate the transfer of water beneath roadways, effectively connecting two areas within a catchment. Several critical parameters influence the design of a culvert and its surrounding environment. Among these, the flow conditions and the management of water levels at both the inlet and outlet are essential for the culvert's operation, particularly regarding its performance during flood events. This article examines the impact of variations in the longitudinal slope of the culvert and the elevation of the downstream bed—both with and without an apron—on the flow profile entering and exiting the culvert. To investigate this, a series of 80 experiments were conducted in a straight laboratory channel under steady flow conditions. The objective of these tests is to analyze the water level profiles both upstream and downstream of the culvert under various scenarios. The results indicated that increasing the culvert slope led to a rise in water level on the upstream side of the culvert. Specifically, the maximum water level upstream increased by 14 %, 56 %, and 65.1 % when the culvert slope was raised from zero to 2.5 %, 4 %, and 5.5 %, respectively. Additionally, the minimum water level upstream also increased by 19.1 %, 70.6 %, and 83.1 % under the same slope changes. The average maximum and minimum water levels for all scenarios were calculated and compared. The findings of this research will be valuable for analyzing water transfer both upstream and downstream of the culvert structure, as well as for enhancing hydraulic c alculations related to its performance.

Operational safety at airports has long been a subject of active research, with a growing focus on the safety of aircraft stands in recent years. The phase during which an aircraft taxi into its designated stand with engines still running poses safety risks to surrounding vehicles. However, there is currently a lack of effective methods for detecting potential conflicts and hazards during this taxiing phase. To address this issue, this study utilizes apron activity videos as a monitoring data source and introduces an integrated Internet of Things (IoT) conflict detection model. This system combines object detection, engine keypoint detection, coordinate conversion, and conflict warning system to provide timely alerts when vehicles incursion into the engine danger areas. Firstly, the paper streamlines the fourth-level branch and network of HRNet, resulting in the HRNet-3stage network. This network is then compared with Lite-HRNet to determine the optimal choice. Secondly, Recognizing the limitations of traditional video conflict detection based on pixel distance, a fixed monitoring camera coordinate conversion algorithm is designed to convert pixel coordinates into actual coordinates on the aircraft stand, thereby improving the accuracy of conflict detection based on distance measurement. Thirdly, considering the risks associated with engine inlet and exhaust, engine design parameters, static spacing standards, and the dynamic anti-collision process within the aircraft stand, the study proposes a method for classifying four types of aircraft engine danger areas. Corresponding conflict detection models are designed for potential scraping incidents when vehicles incursion into these danger areas. Upon detecting a vehicle entering the aircraft engine danger areas, the IoT system sends warning messages through the airport control tower monitoring system. Finally, we construct an apron sandbox to validate the conflict detection model. This validation results in an impressive F1-score exceeding 90% and a detection delay of less than 100 ms. Our innovative approach, supported by keypoint detection networks and IoT, effectively addresses the detection of critical aircraft components within stands. It comprehensively analyzes incursion issues into engine danger areas, offering a novel perspective for understanding and mitigating potential conflicts arising from aircraft taxiing into stands.

Early life antibiotic exposure may increase obesity risk. We investigated if prenatal, intrapartum, or childhood antibiotic use is associated with child z BMI score at 4 yrs of age. We included data from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study, a prospective cohort study, on maternal and child antibiotic exposure and clinic measures of height and weight at age 4 (n = 408). Prenatal and childhood antibiotic exposure was not associated with z BMI score. Maternal intrapartum antibiotic exposure was associated with a z BMI score increase of 0.12 (95 % CI; 0.04, 0.46) in children at 4 years of age compared to non-exposure intrapartum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Operational safety at airports has long been a subject of active research, with a growing focus on the safety of aircraft stands in recent years. The phase during which an aircraft taxi into its designated stand with engines still running poses safety risks to surrounding vehicles. However, there is currently a lack of effective methods for detecting potential conflicts and hazards during this taxiing phase. To address this issue, this study utilizes apron activity videos as a monitoring data source and introduces an integrated Internet of Things (IoT) conflict detection model. This system combines object detection, engine keypoint detection, coordinate conversion, and conflict warning system to provide timely alerts when vehicles incursion into the engine danger areas. Firstly, the paper streamlines the fourth-level branch and network of HRNet, resulting in the HRNet-3stage network. This network is then compared with Lite-HRNet to determine the optimal choice. Secondly, Recognizing the limitations of traditional video conflict detection based on pixel distance, a fixed monitoring camera coordinate conversion algorithm is designed to convert pixel coordinates into actual coordinates on the aircraft stand, thereby improving the accuracy of conflict detection based on distance measurement. Thirdly, considering the risks associated with engine inlet and exhaust, engine design parameters, static spacing standards, and the dynamic anti-collision process within the aircraft stand, the study proposes a method for classifying four types of aircraft engine danger areas. Corresponding conflict detection models are designed for potential scraping incidents when vehicles incursion into these danger areas. Upon detecting a vehicle entering the aircraft engine danger areas, the IoT system sends warning messages through the airport control tower monitoring system. Finally, we construct an apron sandbox to validate the conflict detection model. This validation results in an impressive F1-score exceeding 90% and a detection delay of less than 100 ms. Our innovative approach, supported by keypoint detection networks and IoT, effectively addresses the detection of critical aircraft components within stands. It comprehensively analyzes incursion issues into engine danger areas, offering a novel perspective for understanding and mitigating potential conflicts arising from aircraft taxiing into stands. • This paper provided an improved network and dataset for in-apron aircraft engine keypoint detection. • This paper designed an efficient coordinate transformation algorithm within the airport apron. • Aircraft engine danger area incursion detection model based on keypoint detection was designed to enable advanced warning and alerting of intruding vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental evaluation of the performance of a corrugated apron under free flow subcritical and submerged conditions was conducted, with a focus on scour patterns over the apron. Comparative analysis with a smooth rigid apron revealed an increase in scour depth upon the application of the corrugated apron under free and submerged jet flow conditions. The implementation of a corrugated apron resulted in a considerable reduction in scour depth and length compared to a smooth rigid apron. The maximum reduction in scour depth and length amounted to 79% and 83%, respectively, while the minimum reduction observed was 13% in scour depth and 11% in scour length. Additionally, investigations into velocity and turbulence characteristics over both smooth and corrugated aprons were conducted. It was observed that the rate of turbulence intensity increase within the scour hole due to the presence of a smooth apron surpassed that of the corrugated apron. Scour downstream of the corrugated apron exhibited distinct delineations, including regions of jet diffusion, transition, acceleration, and a recirculating zone near the bed of the scour hole.

The article offers information on innovations in filament draw texturing machinery to improve energy efficiency, production rates, and flexibility. Topics include the use of individually driven godets instead of aprons for yarn control, energy savings, and high-speed manufacturing. The study compares textured yarns produced by godet and apron systems, finding that the godet system produces higher quality yarns and fabrics with better properties such as bulk, modulus, and breaking elongation.

We examined whether prenatal exposure to two classes of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) was associated with infant epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), a DNA methylation biomarker of aging. Participants included 224 maternal–infant pairs from a Canadian pregnancy cohort study. Two bisphenols and 12 phthalate metabolites were measured in maternal second trimester urines. Buccal epithelial cell cheek swabs were collected from 3 month old infants and DNA methylation was profiled using the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. The Pediatric-Buccal-Epigenetic tool was used to estimate EAA. Sex-stratified robust regressions examined individual chemical associations with EAA, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) examined chemical mixture effects. Adjusted robust models showed that in female infants, prenatal exposure to total bisphenol A (BPA) was positively associated with EAA (B = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.21, 1.24), and multiple phthalate metabolites were inversely associated with EAA (Bs from −0.36 to −0.66, 95% CIs from −1.28 to −0.02). BKMR showed that prenatal BPA was the most important chemical in the mixture and was positively associated with EAA in both sexes. No overall chemical mixture effects or male-specific associations were noted. These findings indicate that prenatal EDC exposures are associated with sex-specific deviations in biological aging, which may have lasting implications for child health and development.

Purpose: to solve the problem of conservation and reproduction of fish stocks of valuable commercial fish species in natural reservoirs, on the example of performing one of the tasks of developing a facility for regulating water regime of the ilmen part of the Volga delta. Using the well-known formulas of hydraulics, scientific developments of scientists in the field of hydraulic engineering and a priori information, it is necessary to determine the main parameters of a control structure located on a fishery reservoir in Astrakhan region. Materials and methods: a stage-by-stage hydraulic calculation of a tubular control structure that performs the functions of a water outlet was performed: the carrying capacity of the facility during operation in a pressure mode was determined; the main loads influencing the structure underground contour were determined by filtration calculation; a strength calculation of the floor for shear was performed. Results. A facility to regulate the water regime of the ilmen area of the Volga delta, ilmen, which are places of natural spawning grounds for commercial fish in Astrakhan region has been developed. The task of hydraulic calculation is to determine the conditions for the advancement of the filtration flow under the structure determining the pressure at characteristic points and to define the minimum dimensions of the floor that perceive stably the loads created by this flow. Conclusions. The calculation determined the main dimensions of the floor (length, width of the structure – 46.0; 4.65 m; length, thickness of the apron – 4.54; 0.3 m; length, thickness of the water apron – 4.8; 0.9 m; depth, water apron teeth width – 1.19; 0.40 m; length, thickness of the rear apron – 20.36; 0.6 m; length of the tubular part of the regulator – 16.3 m) taking into account the placement of gates, service and road bridges. The shear stability of the floor and the structure as a whole was determined.

Over the past 20 years, in filament draw texturing, very few developments and innovations have been introduced into production machineries. The growing demand for energy efficiency, faster production rates and greater production flexibility have prompted our investigation into non-traditional approaches to improve yarn control during the texturing. Instead of aprons, small individually driven godets are a solution for high-speed manufacturing, yarn control and energy saving. The drawing godets, where the yarn can be considered an elastic coupling element between two consecutive godets, pose a new challenge for consistency in velocity control. Though some machinery manufacturers have introduced the godet system, the yarn quality produced by the godet system is not systematically evaluated and compared vis-à-vis the apron system. The current study prepared textured yarns in both apron and godet systems while maintaining the same texturing parameters. Differences in the yarn’s bulk, modulus, breaking elongation, tenacity and boiling water shrinkage were assessed and compared. Woven and knitted fabrics were prepared from textured yarns, and a comparative analysis of fabric properties was performed with respect to their tearing strength, air permeability, drape and dyeability. Better quality of yarn and fabrics can be prepared in the godet system, which is energy saving, of higher speed and requires low maintenance technology in comparison to the apron system.

This study examined the associations between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG) and children's neuropsychological outcomes at 3 to 5 years of age. A total of 379 women and their children from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study participated. Covariate-adjusted robust regressions examined associations between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, GWG class, interaction terms, and child outcomes. Each unit increase in maternal BMI was linked to a 0.48-point decrement (95% CI: −0.75 to −0.21) in children's Full Scale IQ. Higher pre-pregnancy BMI was related to poorer performance on the other intelligence indexes (B = −0.35 to −0.47, 95% CIs: −0.75, −0.02) and lower performance on measures of language (B = −0.08 to −0.09, 95% CIs: −0.16, −0.02), motor skills (B = −0.08 to −0.11, 95% CIs: −0.18, −0.01), and executive function (B = −0.09 to −0.16, 95% CIs: −0.26, −0.01). GWG below the recommended range was associated with a 4.04-point decrement (95% CI: 7.89, −0.11) in Full Scale IQ, but better performance on a spatial working memory test (B = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.52). GWG above the recommended range was associated with lower language (B = −0.79, 95% CI: −1.52, −0.06) and memory scores (B = −0.93, 95% CI: −1.64, −0.22). Interactions were found between pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG on measures of intelligence and executive function. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG are related to children's performance in various neuropsychological domains and may interact to predict outcomes. Optimizing maternal health and weight prior to conception and during pregnancy may enhance children's neuropsychological outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining the level of rivers bed, especially in a reach where their’s slope increased due to many reasons specifically sand and gravel mining is an essential issue to the conservation of rivers. Grade control structures are eco-friendly structures that are common to stabilize river’s beds and banks. Control and reduction of scour hole at the downstream basin is an important issue in the prevention of undercut and failure. In the current research, the effect of installation level of the apron on the variation of scour depth at downstream of the block ramp with slopes of 1:3 and 1:5 was considered experimentally under a range of flow discharges, the block ramp's surface roughness size and configuration. The comparison of the results indicated that there is a direct relationship between the level of the apron level and the scour depth so that by reducing the level of the apron to 1/10 and 1/6 of the block ramp height, the maximum scour depth increases in an average 36 and 41 for slope of 1:3 and 32 and 35 for slope of 1:5, respectively. By increasing the size of surface roughness such that the overpass flow regime changes to nappe flow, the reduction of installation of the level of block ramp does not noticeable effect on the increase of the scour depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Apron safety is critical to aviation operations and aprons are prone to wingtip scraping accidents. However, few studies have been conducted on wingtip conflicts. In this paper, a class of aircraft conflict detection models based on wingtip keypoint detection is devised to solve the problem of wingtip scraping that may occur during the aircraft taxi‐in process on the apron. Firstly, a concise camera calibration technique is designed for the conversion between the pixel coordinate and the airport actual coordinate, which allows for the acquisition of high accuracy activity posture within the apron. Secondly, the static and dynamic safety protection zone delineation methods for wingtip conflict detection are given, taking the apron standard operating procedures and aircraft kinematic model into consideration. Then, the corresponding conflict detection models and algorithms are designed for the possible scraping between the vehicle and aircraft wingtips and between the aircraft and aircraft wingtips during the aircraft taxi‐in process on the apron. Finally, HRNet is selected to detect the keypoint of the wingtip by comparison, and the corresponding models and algorithm validation are carried out based on the apron physical sandbox. The verification results indicate that the models have strong accuracy and real‐time performance.

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Folate and choline are methyl donor nutrients that may play a role in fetal brain development. Animal studies have reported that prenatal folate and choline supplementation are associated with better cognitive outcomes in offspring and that these nutrients may interact and affect brain development. Human studies that have investigated associations between maternal prenatal folate or choline levels and neurodevelopmental outcomes have reported contradictory findings and no human studies have examined the potential interactive effect of folate and choline on children's neurodevelopment. During the second trimester of pregnancy, maternal red blood cell folate was measured from blood samples and choline intake was estimated using a 24-h dietary recall in 309 women in the APrON cohort. At 3–5 years of age, their children's neurodevelopment was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence – Fourth EditionCND, NEPSY-II language and memory subtests, four behavioral executive function tasks, and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children – Second Edition. Adjusted regressions revealed no associations between maternal folate and choline levels during pregnancy and most of the child outcomes. On the Dimensional Change Card Sort, an executive function task, there was an interaction effect; at high levels of choline intake (i.e., 1 SD above the mean; 223.03 mg/day), higher maternal folate status was associated with decreased odds of receiving a passing score (β = −0.44; 95%CI −0.81, −0.06). In conclusion, maternal folate status and choline intake during the second trimester of pregnancy were not associated with children's intelligence, language, memory, or motor outcomes at 3–4 years of age; however, their interaction may have an influence children's executive functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apron safety is critical to aviation operations and aprons are prone to wingtip scraping accidents. However, few studies have been conducted on wingtip conflicts. In this paper, a class of aircraft conflict detection models based on wingtip keypoint detection is devised to solve the problem of wingtip scraping that may occur during the aircraft taxi‐in process on the apron. Firstly, a concise camera calibration technique is designed for the conversion between the pixel coordinate and the airport actual coordinate, which allows for the acquisition of high accuracy activity posture within the apron. Secondly, the static and dynamic safety protection zone delineation methods for wingtip conflict detection are given, taking the apron standard operating procedures and aircraft kinematic model into consideration. Then, the corresponding conflict detection models and algorithms are designed for the possible scraping between the vehicle and aircraft wingtips and between the aircraft and aircraft wingtips during the aircraft taxi‐in process on the apron. Finally, HRNet is selected to detect the keypoint of the wingtip by comparison, and the corresponding models and algorithm validation are carried out based on the apron physical sandbox. The verification results indicate that the models have strong accuracy and real‐time performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenatal depressive symptoms are linked to negative child behavioral and cognitive outcomes and predict later psychopathology in adolescent children. Prior work links prenatal depressive symptoms to child brain structure in regions like the amygdala; however, the relationship between symptoms and the development of brain structure over time remains unclear. We measured maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy and acquired longitudinal T1‐weighted and diffusion imaging data in children (n = 111; 60 females) between 2.6 and 8 years of age. Controlling for postnatal symptoms, we used linear mixed effects models to test relationships between prenatal depressive symptoms and age‐related changes in (i) amygdala and hippocampal volume and (ii) structural properties of the limbic and default‐mode networks using graph theory. Higher prenatal depressive symptoms in the second trimester were associated with more curvilinear trajectories of left amygdala volume changes. Higher prenatal depressive symptoms in the third trimester were associated with slower age‐related changes in limbic global efficiency and average node degree across childhood. Our work provides evidence that moderate symptoms of prenatal depression in a low sociodemographic risk sample are associated with structural brain development in regions and networks implicated in emotion processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) within the broader class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are present in human serum as isomer mixtures, but epidemiological studies have yet to address isomer-specific associations with child development and behavior. Objectives: To examine associations between prenatal exposure to 25 PFAAs, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) isomers, and child neurodevelopment among 490 mother–child pairs in a prospective Canadian birth cohort, the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study. To consider the influence of a classic neurotoxicant, total mercury (THg), based on its likelihood of co-exposure with PFAAs from common dietary sources. Methods: Maternal blood samples were collected in the second trimester and child neurodevelopment was assessed at 2 years of age using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd Edition (Bayley-III). Linear or curvilinear multiple regression models were used to examine associations between exposures and neurodevelopment outcomes. Results: Select PFAAs were associated with lower Cognitive composite scores, including perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA) (β = −0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): −1.7, −0.06) and perfluorododecanoate (PFDoA) (β = −2.0, 95% CI: −3.9, −0.01). Non-linear relationships revealed associations of total PFOS (β = −4.4, 95% CI: −8.3, −0.43), and linear-PFOS (β = −4.0, 95% CI: −7.5, −0.57) and 1m-PFOS (β = −1.8, 95% CI: −3.3, −0.24) isomers with lower Language composite scores. Although there was no effect modification, including THg interaction terms in PFAA models revealed negative associations between perfluorononanoate (PFNA) and Motor (β = −3.3, 95% CI: −6.2, −0.33) and Social-Emotional (β = −3.0, 95% CI: −5.6, −0.40) composite scores. Discussion: These findings reinforce previous reports of adverse effects of maternal PFAA exposure during pregnancy on child neurodevelopment. The unique hazards posed from isomers of PFOS justify isomer-specific analysis in future studies. To control for possible confounding, mercury co-exposure may be considered in studies of PFAAs.

Medical protective clothing should be flexible to ensure free movement of healthcare personnel. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a polymer's physical properties on the particle composition of a shielding material, constituent component miscibility, and shielding performance. To ensure flexibility by reducing the thickness of the shielding garment, polymer-based composite materials are mainly used as shielding materials. The shielding performance varies depending on whether the polymer used is in an emulsion or powder state. In this study, we found that a shielding film manufactured through an injection process after mixing a polymer in a powder form with tungsten powder exhibited 0.95%–2.5% higher shielding performance than that manufactured using the calendaring process with an emulsion polymer. The shell structure formed when using the powder polymer maintains the spacing between the particles owing to the double coating of the tungsten particles and improves their dispersion. Additionally, the primary issue when combining an emulsion polymer and shielding material, that is the aggregation between the shielding material particles and between the polymer particles, could be alleviated, resulting in improved shielding performance. We concluded that the polymer-powder mixing method contributes to the reproducibility of the process technology when manufacturing shielding films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-reading language skills develop rapidly in early childhood and are related to brain structure and functional architecture in young children prior to formal education. However, the early neurobiological development that supports these skills is not well understood. Here we acquired anatomical, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) from 35 children at 3.5 years of age. Children were assessed for prereading abilities using the NEPSY-II subtests 1 year later (4.5 years). We applied a data-driven linked independent component analysis (ICA) to explore the shared co-variation of gray and white matter measures. Two sources of structural variation at 3.5 years of age demonstrated relationships with Speeded Naming scores at 4.5 years of age. The first imaging component involved volumetric variability in reading-related cortical regions alongside microstructural features of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF). The second component was dominated by cortical volumetric variations within the cerebellum and visual association area. In a subset of children with rsfMRI data, we evaluated the inter-network functional connectivity of the left-lateralized fronto-parietal language network (FPL) and its relationship with pre-reading measures. Higher functional connectivity between the FPL and the default mode and visual networks at 3.5 years significantly predicted better Phonological Processing scores at 4.5 years. Together, these results suggest that the integration of functional networks, as well as the co-development of white and gray matter brain structures in early childhood, support the emergence of pre-reading measures in preschool children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presented in this paper is an experimental study on scour downstream of rough and smooth stiff aprons under the influence of wall jets. The effect of various parameters on asymptotic scour depth is studied. The analysis of data reveals that maximum scour depth reduces with increasing sediment size, sluice opening, and apron length. It is directly proportional to densimetric Froude number. Maximum equilibrium scour depth initially decreases with increasing tailwater level (up to a minimum), but thereafter an increase is observed. The effect of roughness of stiff apron on scour is studied and quantification of decline in maximum scour depth due to roughness is carried out. Scour profiles and their temporal variation are also studied. A regression-based equation to predict equilibrium scour depth under smooth and rough apron is proposed, which conforms to experimental data. Based on the conclusions of this study, it is recommended to use roughness over the surface of stiff apron to confine scour under-wall jets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modern roundabout is an intersection with a circulatory roadway at which the vehicle speed is low, and the traffic is continuous and circulating in one direction around the central island towards the exits at the approach legs. Modern roundabout design is an iterative process that is composed of the following steps: (1) the identification of the roundabout as the optimal traffic solution; (2) the definition of the number of lanes at the intersection based on the required capacity and the level of service; (3) the initial design of the roundabout geometry; (4) design vehicle swept path, the fastest path analysis, and visibility performance checks; and (5) detailed roundabout design if the results of the performance checks are in line with the design recommendations. Initial roundabout geometry design elements are not independent of each other; therefore, care must be taken to provide compatibility between them. An overview and a comparative analysis of the initial geometric design elements for suburban single-lane roundabouts defined in roundabout design guidelines and norms used in Croatia, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, and Switzerland is given in this entry.

Background: Color plays an important role in a child's life and can elicit emotions such as anxiety and fear. Clothes worn by a dental surgeon may increase anxiety and fear in children because of the children's previous experiences. Furthermore, a dental clinic environment can significantly contribute to dental anxiety and fear. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to evaluate children's preferences for dentist attire and the color of the pediatric dental clinic environment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 132 female schoolchildren aged 6–10 years. Using a questionnaire with a pictorial demonstration, each child was interviewed to gather information regarding their preferences for the dentist attire and the color of the dental clinic. First, the children were asked to prioritize five photographs of a single anonymous dentist wearing five different aprons (white coat, casual attire, pediatric scrub, surgical scrub, jeans, and T-shirt). Then, a set of five pictures of a dental clinic painted in blue, yellow, green, and black and one clinic with cartoon images were shown to the children. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Results: The majority of the children preferred that pediatric dentists wear traditional white coats (n = 62), while the most preferred interior for the dental clinic was the one with cartoon images (n = 88). Statistical analysis indicated that preference for the white coat and preference for the clinic with cartoon images were significant when compared with others (P < 0.0224). Conclusion: The study concludes that children likes to see dentists in white coat and also prefer pictures of cartoon characters in the dental clinic settings.

Background: The number of Australian patients undergoing ventral hernia repair has seen a significant increase in the last twenty years. With the obesity epidemic, the general surgeon is frequently seeing patients with hernias and significant abdominal aprons and is being asked to address this at the time of the hernia repair. This can be performed utilising a general surgery and plastic surgery team, but there may be some advantages to general surgeon being able incorporate this into their practice. We present our approach to patients undergoing ventral hernia repair and simultaneous panniculectomy (VHR + PAN) by a single general surgeon. Methods: Data were analysed from a single surgeon's experience performing VHR + PAN at the same operation. Data were collected prospectively from 2009 to 2020. 146 cases of patients undergoing VHR + PAN were identified and included in this study. Results: The mean age of patients undergoing VHR + PAN was 58 years. The mean BMI was 35, with 59% of patients losing weight loss prior to surgery. 66% of patients had a hernia repair with biosynthetic mesh and 91% of patients had retro-rectus or pre-peritoneal mesh approach to the repair. 42% of patients had a post-operative complication with 80.6% of these being related to surgical-site occurrences. Other complications included gastrointestinal (14%), respiratory (13%) and venous thromboembolism, such as a deep vein thrombus or pulmonary embolism (6%). There were 2 deaths in the series (1.3%). The hernia recurrence rate was 6%. Conclusion: Simultaneous PAN is possible in patients with an abdominal apron who are undergoing VHR, with an acceptable risk of SSOs and other complications. This technique provides excellent exposure and with appropriate training is well within the remit of the general surgeon. This may save further operative management in the future and can offer patients improved self-esteem, mobility, and independence. Patient optimisation is key, paying careful attention to pre-operative weight loss, diabetic control, smoking cessation and respiratory function. VHR + PAN is an important technique that should be in the repertoire of all abdominal wall reconstruction units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piano Key Weirs (PKWs) are often preferred over other spillways for the dam rehabilitation due to high discharging capacity. The present study investigates scour downstream of three cycles of PKWs with and without solid apron under both free and submerged flow conditions. The scour formations downstream of the inlet and outlet keys were investigated by varying discharges and tail water depths. Three different types of aprons were used under varied discharges and tail water depths. Falling and impinging jets emanating from inlet and outlet keys were noted as being responsible for the formation of ridge and dip, respectively. The maximum depth of scour was 40%–80% of the total weir height under different discharges. For high submergence, negligible scour development was reported. The average reduction in the scour depth with a solid apron lies in the 60%–80% range. Empirical equations were developed using a least square technique for the computation of maximum scour depth for both the conditions, that is, with and without a solid apron. Statistical and graphical analysis indicates better conformity of the proposed equation with the previous investigation. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the ratio of tailwater depth to the median size of a sediment particle (yt/d50) and the ratio of the crest length to the width of the weir (L/W) are the most sensible parameters affecting maximum scour with and without a solid apron, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on ethnological analysis, the author of this article presents a new hypothesis concerning the currently obscure origin of the tradition of decorating roadside crosses with aprons and ribbons in the area of the Southern Highlands in Lithuania. Due to an identical and prevalent tradition among the Belarusians, the phenomenon is ascribed to cultural innovations of non- Baltic origin. This enables the identification of the genesis of the custom, for up to the present time the most archaic reminiscenses of proto-Semitic religious-mythological models were interpreted as authentic factographic relics of the Baltic proto-culture: the transformation of mythological images, reflection of necroculture, fertility rites, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problem of data congestion due to the limitation of node buffer space in the apron-aware opportunity network, a control strategy of apron opportunity network cache under cellular evolution rule (ACER) was proposed. A routing communication model was established based on node congestion degree. The node congestion was judged, and the data routing communication based on probability was carried out in the nodes with low congestion degree. For the nodes with high congestion degree, the message discarding strategy of cellular automata was used to effectively alleviate the network issues of low delivery rate caused by data congestion, so that the data transmission of node load was balanced. Based on the opportunity network environment (ONE) simulation platform, the map of Tianjin Binhai International Airport was used to conduct experiments to analyze the performance of the algorithm under different numbers of nodes and different cache spaces. The results show that in the apron network simulation environment, with different numbers of nodes and different cache capacities, compared to DY and DL cache management strategies, the ACER delivery rate is increased by 97% at most with the network overhead reduced by 70% at most, and the transmission delay has a certain degree of improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Significant progress in the field of interventional cardiology has led to a rise in percutaneous procedures and an increase in the risk of radiation exposure at the workplace. Staff health has been put at risk due to the limitations of conventional radiation protective techniques. Innovative methods, such as RAMPART, have promising prospects for enhancing radiation safety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate RAMPART's effectiveness and practicality in comparison to conventional protective techniques with a lead apron and shield (LAS) during cardiac interventional procedures. Method One hundred elective cardiac procedures were enrolled in this prospective single-center research study. Two groups were formed from the participants: standard protection (group A) and RAMPAT system (group B). Real-time dosimeters were used to track the radiation dosage, dosage reduction factor, dosage reduction percentage, and likelihood of exceeding the limit, which were included in the data. Proceduralists were urged to use different strategies to reduce exposure. The study was approved by an ethical committee and ran from June 2023 to August 2023. Results When comparing the RAMPART group to the conventional protection group, neck-level radiation exposure was considerably lower for all workers. There were no notable variations in the exposure of the waist. The RAMPART group was shown to be superior in minimizing radiation exposure, as evidenced by dose reduction metrics. The groups had comparable procedural characteristics. Conclusion Compared to conventional LAS, the RAMPART system dramatically reduces radiation exposure to the entire body., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Research Ethical Committee (Institutional Review Board) of the Mohammed Bin Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa Specialist Cardiac Center issued approval CTD-RES-2023-006. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Noor et al.)

Discharge coefficient in ogee spillways is essential factor for producing discharge–head relationship. Discharge coefficient is relevant to the downstream water level submergence and downstream apron elevation. In this study, both submergence and apron effect are investigated using experimental data. To mathematical expression for discharge coefficient, the gene expression programming (GEP) and multiple regression technique were applied using dimensionless parameters. Results showed that GEP is superior to the regression analysis in predicting of discharge coefficient (Cs). Performance criteria of GEP are R2 = 0.967, RMSE = 0.041 and MAE = 0.035. For facility, some design examples are presented that show application of the proposed GEP equation and eliminates linear interpolation using existing graphs. The threshold value for submergence (S = hd/h) is 0.8 in this study. That is for S < 0.8, the discharge coefficient is approximately independent from the tail water elevation. But for S > 0.8, the discharge coefficient is dependent to tail water elevation and reduces rapidly with increasing of submergence. With increasing of submergence from 0.32 to 1, relative discharge coefficient (Cs/C0) decreases from 1 to 0.47. Moreover, Cs is dependent on Pd (vertical distance between spillway crest and downstream apron invert) and P (ogee spillway height). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Associations between breastfeeding and brain development, in the context of child, perinatal, and sociodemographic variables, remain unclear. This study investigated whether exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and total duration of breastfeeding were associated with brain white matter microstructure in young children. Methods: This study included 85 typically developing children (42 males) born to 83 mothers that were predominantly white, highly educated, and in high income households. Children underwent their first diffusion tensor imaging scan between ages 2.34 and 6.97 years; some children returned multiple times, providing a total of 331 datasets. Feeding information was collected from mothers at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum and at their child's scan to calculate breastfeeding status at 6 months (exclusive or not) as well as total duration of any breastfeeding. Linear regression was used to investigate associations between breastfeeding exclusivity/duration and fractional anisotropy (FA) for the whole brain and 10 individual white matter tracts. Results: Breastfeeding exclusivity and duration were associated with global and regional white matter microstructure, even after controlling for perinatal and sociodemographic factors. Greater exclusivity was associated with higher FA in females and lower FA in males. Conclusions: These findings suggest white matter differences associated with breastfeeding that differ by sex. These may stem from different trajectories in white matter development between males and females in early childhood and suggest possible long-term white matter differences associated with breastfeeding.

Definition: A modern roundabout is an intersection with a circulatory roadway at which the vehicle speed is low, and the traffic is continuous and circulating in one direction around the central island towards the exits at the approach legs. Modern roundabout design is an iterative process that is composed of the following steps: (1) the identification of the roundabout as the optimal traffic solution; (2) the definition of the number of lanes at the intersection based on the required capacity and the level of service; (3) the initial design of the roundabout geometry; (4) design vehicle swept path, the fastest path analysis, and visibility performance checks; and (5) detailed roundabout design if the results of the performance checks are in line with the design recommendations. Initial roundabout geometry design elements are not independent of each other; therefore, care must be taken to provide compatibility between them. An overview and a comparative analysis of the initial geometric design elements for suburban single-lane roundabouts defined in roundabout design guidelines and norms used in Croatia, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, and Switzerland is given in this entry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disasters have psychological effects on breastfeeding mothers due to the high potential to reduce the production of breast milk, which may affect the ability of breastfeeding mothers to provide nutritious food to their babies. The stress from natural disasters and post-disaster conditions can affect lactation by lowering the oxytocin hormone in nursing mothers. Since supplies of baby food and formula may be limited during a disaster, the most practical and affordable way for a mother to feed her baby is to continue providing breast milk. This research was conducted to identify the effectiveness of the Breastfeeding Education Program (BEP) using apron and Disaster Evacuation Baby Carrier (DEBC) in increasing breastfeeding-mothers' self efficacy in disaster-affected areas. This research employed a quantitative method involving 74 women. The samples were collected using a cluster randomized controlled trial sampling at four sub-districts in Southeast Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test to determine mean differences between the intervention group and the control group. The results showed differences in mean score of Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy between the control and intervention groups (p value = 0.001). Apron and DEBC in the BEP increased the self-efficacy scores of mothers who exclusively breastfeed in disaster-affected zones. Healthcare workers who implement the BEP in disaster-affected zones are encouraged to include breastfeeding success strategies such as apron and DEBC to strengthen mothers' capacity to cope with disaster-related conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation exposure in medical institutions is mainly due to low doses. Low-dose radiation mainly means scattered radiation, and such scattered radiation can be shielded with a lightweight shielding suit. In this study, the shielding performance of shielding fabrics woven by winding polyethylene (PE) yarn around a 30 μm tungsten wire was evaluated. To improve the shielding performance, an air pressure dispersion process of coating tungsten nanopowder on the fiber was developed. The radiation shielding effectiveness of the shielding fibers with and without dispersed tungsten nanopowder were compared by measuring the spatial dose inside the diagnostic X-ray imaging room of a medical institution. The results of the experiment confirmed that the fabric coated with tungsten nanopowder improved the shielding performance of the general tungsten fiber by approximately 15% and provided relatively effective low-dose radiation shielding at approximately 1.2 m of the X-ray imaging equipment. This study shows that tungsten fiber can be helpful in manufacturing lightweight shielding clothing for protection from scattered radiation in medical institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whole process management methods of rubber-covered roll and apron were summarized. Whole process management methods of rubber-covered roll and apron in actual spinning production were introduced, including purchasing management, model selection management, machine management, cycle management, operation management, echelon management and innovation management. Problems that easily occured in the actual use of rubber-covered roll and apron were analyzed, specific solutions were summarized. It was pointed out that the appropriate rubber-covered roll and apron should be selected according to raw material property and spinning variety, the whole process management should be strengthened. It is considered that the whole process management of rubber - covered roll and apron is beneficial to play full role in spinning and improve spinning quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pour guider les actions de gestion et de conservation d’une espèce menacée, il est indispensable d’acquérir des connaissances sur son écologie, et en particulier sur son régime et son comportement alimentaires. Dans le cadre du Plan national d’actions en faveur de l’apron du Rhône, des scientifiques d’Irstea et d'Aix-Marseille Université ont identifié certains paramètres clefs pour améliorer ou restaurer la capacité d’accueil du milieu sur le plan de la disponibilité des ressources trophiques. Ils ont pour cela mobilisé une approche très innovante qui associe d’une part le métabarcoding pour déterminer et quantifier le régime alimentaire de l’apron, et d’autre part un échantillonnage intensif des macroinvertébrés aquatiques benthiques de quatre rivières.

Dès le premier projet de sauvegarde de l’apron en 1998, le cloisonnement des cours d’eau a été identifié comme l’une des principales causes du déclin de l’espèce. Les opérations de restauration de la continuité écologique menées en synergie avec d’autres actions améliorant la qualité écologique des cours d’eau se sont traduites par une augmentation importante de l’aire de répartition de l’apron avec plus de cent kilomètres de linéaire de cours d’eau reconquis en quinze ans. Aujourd’hui, les freins à lever, le plus souvent d’ordre social ou socioéconomique, sont encore nombreux pour assurer le maintien durable de l’espèce, notamment face à l’évolution climatique.

Construction de barrages et de retenues artificielles, développement d’un tourisme de type «bord de mer»…, la rivière du Verdon subit depuis le siècle dernier des pressions anthropiques croissantes qui impactent profondément le fonctionnement de l’écosystème aquatique. C’est dans ce contexte que le Parc naturel régional du Verdon a initié en 2010 un plan de gestion de la rivière du moyen Verdon associant les nombreux usagers et les acteurs de l’eau. La mise en place d’outils et d’opérations de sensibilisation destinés à protéger la population d’aprons fait partie intégrante de ce plan de gestion.

Grâce aux travaux réalisés par le Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Besançon sur la reproduction et l’élevage de l’apron en conditions artificielles contrôlées, plus de trente mille six cents juvéniles ont été relâchés dans la rivière Drôme entre 2008 et 2018 ! Le suivi génétique régulier de cette population réintroduite a montré qu’elle se reproduisait dans le milieu naturel. Les aprons nés en captivité ont permis d’améliorer les connaissances scientifiques sur la biologie de l’espèce et de sensibiliser un public nombreux lors d’expositions menées en France et en Suisse.

Depuis 2004, le Conservatoire d’espaces naturels Rhône-Alpes est impliqué au premier plan dans la sauvegarde de l’apron du Rhône, tout d’abord en tant que pilote du second projet Life Apron, puis comme coordinateur du plan national d’action (PNA) en faveur de l’espèce. Dans cet article introductif, Marianne Georget, animatrice du PNA, retrace les étapes marquantes de la reconquête des rivières par l’apron rendue possible grâce à des opérations et des travaux qui ont mobilisé plus de trente partenaires scientifiques, techniques et financiers.

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As the scope of radiation use in medical and industrial fields has expanded, interest in radiation shielding is increasing. Most existing radiation shields use Pb-based products, primarily in the form of a laminated sheet, which requires attention as fine cracks may occur depending on the usage and storage conditions. The weight of the sheets limits users' activities, and they pose a risk of heavy metal contamination. To address these problems, this study proposed a shielding fiber with improved flexibility and workability, and thus, produce a shielding garment. Masterbatches of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber were manufactured using the eco-friendly materials, BaSO4 and Bi2O3. Yarns were fabricated by the melt spinning process, and fabrics were woven. With 5 wt% of shielding material, the yarns' shield against radiation and was sufficiently strong for fabric weaving. The fibers' radiation shielding averaged 9–13%, with the Bi2O3 fiber displaying better shielding performance than the BaSO4. It is believed that the findings of this study on improving the yarn manufacturing process could be applied for protection against low-dose and scattered rays in medical applications and for aerospace radiation protection. In addition, the proposed shielding fibers' flexibility makes them suitable for future use in the production of various radiation shields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The special features of project design for spillway structures of the Krasnogorskaya small HPP-1 and HPP-2 are studied, as was the selection of a variant of the layout of hydromechanical equipment and the criteria for selection of the basic technical decisions. The results of volumetric modeling of the hydraulic processes and the principles of gate maneuvering are presented. Information regarding the priority of construction is specified, by taking into calculation the sequence of raising a spillway and mounting the basic segment gates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]