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Objectives: To establish a reliable ultrasound (US) method of evaluating dynamic extrusion of lateral meniscus in healthy population, and to investigate the pattern of dynamic meniscus extrusion (ME) in lateral meniscus under loading conditions. Methods: The lateral ME was examined via US method in unloaded, double‐leg standing, and single‐leg standing positions. Two different US measurement methods were compared to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results to determine the optimal measurement methods. The US results obtained by different researchers were tested for interobserver consistency and the results obtained by the same researcher on two separate days were tested for intraobserver consistency. The patterns of dynamic extrusion were compared between medial and lateral sides. Results: A total of healthy 44 volunteers were included in the study, with 86 knees assessed by US, and 25 knees evaluated by MRI. The US evaluation of dynamic lateral ME demonstrated excellent interobserver and intraobserver reliability. The US measurements using method A were consistent with the MRI results with no significant difference (P =.861, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.868), while method B underestimated the lateral ME compared to MRI (P =.001, ICC = 0.649). Lateral ME decreased slightly from unloaded (1.0 ± 0.8 mm) to single‐leg standing position (0.8 ± 0.8 mm), whereas medial ME increased significantly in both double‐leg and single‐leg standing positions (2.4 ± 0.7 mm, 2.6 ± 0.7 mm). Conclusion: A novel US evaluation method of lateral ME was established with reliable and accurate results compared to the MRI. Lateral ME in healthy populations decreased slightly as the loadings increased, which was different from the pattern of dynamic extrusion in medial meniscus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of the development history and advantages and disadvantages of measurement methods for soft tissue properties of the plantar foot. The measurement of soft tissue properties is essential for understanding the biomechanical characteristics and function of the foot, as well as for designing and evaluating orthotic devices and footwear. Various methods have been developed to measure the properties of plantar soft tissues, including ultrasound imaging, indentation testing, magnetic resonance elastography, and shear wave elastography. Each method has its own strengths and limitations, and choosing the most appropriate method depends on the specific research or clinical objectives. This review aims to assist researchers and clinicians in selecting the most suitable measurement method for their specific needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method for measuring electric field strength is proposed. The method is based on the mean value measurement method, which uses a dual electroinduction spherical sensor. The use of the dual sensor for the method implementation allows to extend the functionality of the method by mean value. The method of measurement by the mean value assumes simultaneous measurement of two values of intensity E1 and E2 in one point of electric field with opposite sign errors. As the theory of construction of the new method has shown, it is possible to determine not only the measurement result as an average of two values of the strengths, but also to estimate the error of the measurement result and tentatively determine the distance to the field source. In order to determine the distance to the field source, a coefficient of the ratio of the two found strengths at each point of the field is introduced, by which the empirical dependence of the relative distance to the field source is found. The relative distance is the ratio between the radius of the spherical sensor and the distance to the field source. By determining the relative distance at each measuring point according to this relationship and substituting it into the known expression for the error, the error of the result at the measuring point is determined. The relative distance is also used to determine the distance to the field source. Thus, the new method of measurement allows to increase the accuracy of measurement of electric field strength, determined by the relative distance to the source of the field.

BACKGROUND: Research on foot and ankle proprioception is crucial for the rehabilitation of chronic ankle instability and geriatric diseases as well as for the improvement of body posture control and motor performance. Previous studies have often studied the sensory evaluation of the foot and ankle joints separately, which has limitations for a comprehensive understanding of their sensory function. OBJECTIVE: The foot and ankle complex is the only part in direct contact with the support surface, and plays an important role in the collective sensory feedback and regulation and balance control. By combing the existing investigation and research of foot and ankle ontology, the measurement and evaluation methods of the sensation of the foot and ankle complex are combed, in order to pave the way and provide the theoretical basis for future related studies. METHODS: Chinese terms “(foot OR foot ankle OR ankle) AND (sensation OR proprioception)” and English terms “(foot OR ankle) AND (feel OR proprioception)” were used as the keywords for retrieving relevant literature in the Web of Science, PubMed, and CNKI. We understood the basic concepts, current status and scope of research on the foot and ankle, summarized and evaluated the proprioceptive evaluation methods of the foot and ankle, and finally included 57 papers for further review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The evaluation of foot and ankle complex sensation was mainly divided into sensory evaluation of the foot and proprioceptive evaluation of the ankle joint. The sensory evaluation of the foot mainly describes the sensation of the skin and the sensory feedback under the intervention conditions. The methods mainly include the pressure sensory threshold test, the two-point discrimination test of the foot (planar and plantar), and the duration test of skin vibration sensation. Ankle joint proprioception evaluation focuses on the description of joint position, motion range, force value and functional performance. The methods are mainly divided into static joint angle reset test, motion minimum threshold test, force perception reproduction test and dynamic balance, speed and walking ability tests. The report of quantitative results is generally expressed by “an error,” which is generally divided into absolute error, relative error, constant error, etc. To conclude, the foot and ankle complex has specific sensory capabilities, including foot sensation and ankle proprioception, which affect the quality of life and athletic performance of humans. Weakness of both foot sensation and ankle proprioception is associated with reduced human balance, and the combined measurements of the two can comprehensively and effectively evaluate foot and ankle function. The combination of foot and ankle sensory measures is selected according to different research needs and various influencing factors such as environment, emotion and reporting style are fully considered, to improve the validity of measurement and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. Retrospective multicenter study. Objective. Our objective was to compare the spline-based measurement of sagittal spinal curvatures to fixed landmarks in a normative population. Summary of Background Data. Recent research has stressed the importance of considering sagittal curvature in its entirety using a spline reconstruction. To date, no data supports the superiority of this method in comparison to classic measurement methods. Patients and Methods. Full-spine biplanar radiographs of subjects over 20 years old who had normal radiographs were analyzed. Thoracic kyphosis (TK) and lumbar lordosis (LL) were measured following two modalities: either using predefined landmarks (TKT1T12, TKT5T12, and LLL1S1) or spline-based measurement (TKSpline and LLspline). Results. A total of 1520 subjects were included (mean 54yo). The mean difference between TKspline and TKT1T12 was 1.4° and between TKspline and TKT5T12 was 11.7° (P<0.001). LLspline was significantly larger than LLL1S1 (55° vs. 54°, P <0.001). LLspline and LLL1S1 were correlated (R=0.950, P<0.001). Pelvic incidence had no influence on the difference between LLspline and LLL1S1 (R= -0.034, P= 0.184). Using LLL1S1 measurements, LL was underestimated in 17% of the cases. The comparison of outlier distributions according to age groups (P=0.175), sex (P= 0.937), or pelvic incidence groups (P= 0.662) found no difference. There were significantly more outliers in Roussouly type 1 compared with other types (56%, P<0.001). Conclusion. Our results suggest that the use of TKT1T12 and LLL1S1 is acceptable to assess spinal sagittal curvatures. However, TKT5T12 is not accurate for the thoracic curve and should be used with caution. LLL1S1 can be used to accurately assess the lumbar curve, except in Roussouly type 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Railway Construction Technology is the property of Railway Construction Technology Editorial Office 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.)

Gloss is associated significantly with material appearance, and observers often focus on gloss unevenness. Gloss unevenness is the intensity distribution of reflected light observed within a highlight area, that is, the variability. However, it cannot be analyzed easily because it exists only within the highlight area and varies in appearance across the reflection angles. In recent years, gloss has been analyzed in terms of the intensity of specular reflection and its angular spread, or the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). In this study, we develop an apparatus to measure gloss unevenness that can alter the angle with an angular resolution of 0.02°. Additionally, we analyze the gloss unevenness and BRDF in terms of specular reflection. Using a high angular resolution, we measure and analyze high-gloss materials, such as mirrors and plastics, and glossy materials, such as photo-like inkjet paper and coated paper. Our results show that the magnitude of gloss unevenness is the largest at angles marginally off the center of the specular reflection angle. We discuss an approach for physically defining gloss unevenness based on the BRDF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residential historic areas are currently the main focus of urban renewal efforts in China, primarily consisting of traditional residential buildings with similar characteristics. Hence, the visual coherence of buildings (VCoB) plays a crucial role in such areas, not only pertaining to the visual quality of the urban landscape but also regarding the preservation of historic features. The accurate measurement of the VCoB is a prerequisite for undertaking optimization efforts. However, discussions of the VCoB in the built environment are limited and seldom address residential historic areas, and methods for measuring the VCoB have yet to be refined. Therefore, taking the Xiaoxihu Historic Area in Nanjing as a case study, this work aimed to develop a more refined method for measuring the VCoB in residential historic areas based on objective physical features. The method is mainly based on the human-level perspective, identifying three key visual elements within this perspective as the objects of measurement. It collected visual data through photography, with deep learning and computer graphics processing tools being utilized to identify and extract the visual elements. Then, the study established a corresponding framework of indicators for different visual elements and optimizes the methods for indicator calculation. Through an assessment involving professionals, we validated the high accuracy of the measurement method proposed in this study. Furthermore, the study discusses factors affecting the VCoB, methods to enhance the VCoB, and the required degree of the VCoB based on the results of the measurement. The method developed in this research will provide support for the visual analysis of the urban built environment and urban renewal practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aviation industry is one of the eight key industries of carbon emission. The carbon emission of aviation industry is mainly affected by the carbon emission of aero-engine. Therefore, it is urgent to carry out the research on the measurement method of aero-engine carbon emission. The life cycle assessment is used as a quantitative method for the carbon footprint of aero-engines. The life cycle carbon emissions of aero-engines are divided into fuel cycle carbon emissions and material cycle carbon emissions, and statistics are carried out separately. The aero-engine system boundary is divided, the data collection that should be carried out in each stage is proposed, and the data is required. A relatively complete set of aero-engine carbon emission measurement method is obtained. The method obtained in this paper can comprehensively evaluate the carbon emissions of aeroengines from the perspective of life cycle, which can provide guidance for the measurement of carbon emissions of aeroengines throughout the life cycle, and provide a theoretical basis for emission reduction from the perspective of fuel and material.

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to compare the prevalence of oral frailty among community-dwelling older people in Nanjing, China with the usage of different measurements, and to investigate the potential risk factors of oral frailty. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting and participants A total of 338 community-dwelling older people in Nanjing, China were recruited. Methods Oral frailty was measured based on the Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8) scale and other measurement methods including the number of natural teeth (TN), repetitive saliva-swallowing test (RSST), and oral diadochokinesis (ODK). The chi-square test and the binary logistic regression analysis were performed to identify potential risk factors for oral frailty. Results There were 310 participants included in the analysis. Prevalence of oral frailty by using the OFI-8, OFI-8 + TN, OFI-8 + ODK, OFI-8 + TN + ODK and RSST measurement methods were 69.0%, 27.4%, 51.9%, 21.0% and 2.9%, respectively. Passive smoking (OR = 2.04; 95%CI 1.03–4.03), being widowed/unmarried (OR1 = 2.53; 95%CI 1.25–5.10; OR2 = 2.94; 95%CI 1.12–7.77), pre-frailty (OR = 1.76; 95%CI 1.03–3.01), frailty (OR = 3.01; 95%CI 1.39–6.54), and aged 80 years and above (OR = 3.99; 95%CI 1.35–11.81) were found to be risk factors of oral frailty by the usage of the four kinds of measurement methods. Conclusions and implications The definition and diagnostic criteria of oral frailty are strongly needed to be unified in future research. Only subjective assessment is not enough for assessing oral frailty. Among objective indicators, RSST is not suitable as a screening method for oral frailty. In addition, objective indicators including TN and ODK should be valued for early screening and preventive interventions. The risk factors of oral frailty include physical frailty, passive smoking, and being widowed.

[Objective] A large number of tunnel diseases usually occur during the operation of urban rail transit, and the main cause of the diseases is the wheel-rail force. Therefore, it is necessary to study the method of measuring the wheel-rail vertical force without affecting the normal train operation. [Method] With the descending section between Chadianzi Station and Yipintianxia Station of Chengdu Metro Line 7 as the research object and based on the moment difference theory, a finite element model of steel rail under static load and dynamic load is established by using ANSYS software, and a numerical simulation analysis is conducted on it. The calibration test on a 2-meter-long, 3-span rail is carried out in the laboratory. [Result & Conclusion] The numerical simulation analysis of the static load shows that the rail measuring points can be chosen on both sides of the upper surface edge of the rail bottom in the middle of the rail span. When the vertical load is applied to the middle of the span, the strain at the measuring points along the rail direction is the largest, and the strain increases linearly with the vertical load. The calibration coefficient measured by calibration test is 0.626 0×106 kN, while that obtained by numerical simulation is 0.644 1×106 kN. The deviation between the two is only 2.8%. Therefore, the calibration coefficient can be determined by static load calibration test. The measurement method of the wheel-rail vertical force can better evaluate the safety of track structure and train operation. The hidden hazards can be timely detected and corresponding measures be taken for repair and improvement.

A new concept of constructing an electric field strength meter is considered. The concept lies in the fact that along with the measurement of the modulus of the electric field strength vector, the error of the measurement result and the distance to the field source are subject to simultaneous instrumental determination. The field meter is based on a new dual sensor and a method for measuring the electric field strength. The ability of the measurement method to determine the error and the distance to the field source is provided by a dual electroinduction spherical sensor. A feature of a dual sensor is the ability to simultaneously output two field strength values measured at one point, obtained with errors of different signs. This feature made it possible to obtain the measurement result as an average value and two measured values, and thereby reduce the measurement error. The presence of two simultaneously measured values of the field strength also made it possible to obtain an empirical formula for determining the relative distance to the source at each measurement point. The obtained values of the relative distances made it possible to determine the error of the measurement result and the distance from the center of the sensor to the field source using known formulas. The possibility of a field meter to simultaneously instrumentally determine the error of the measurement result and the distance to the field source is considered for the first time.

The elastic modulus is a basic parameter reflecting the deformation resistance and energy concentration characteristics of rock. The traditional testing method of the rock elastic modulus needs to core the surrounding rock and testing it in the laboratory, which has difficulty reflecting the rock mechanical properties under the engineering site environment, and uncontrolled broken surrounding rock is difficult to core for testing. Digital drilling technology provides a new idea for in situ testing of the rock’s elastic modulus. The key is to establish a quantitative relationship between the elastic modulus and drilling data. In this paper, the relationship between rock cutting energy density and drilling data is established, and a series of rock digital drilling tests are carried out. The response law of the drilling data and cutting energy density to the rock elastic modulus is clarified. The inversion model of the rock elastic modulus while drilling (DP-E model) is established. The verification test results indicate that the average difference rate of the test results based on the DP-E model is 7.06% compared with the compression test method, which verifies the effectiveness of the model. This study provides a theoretical basis for in situ testing of the rock elastic modulus.

Introduction: The purpose of this research was to develop protocols for evaluating the bifurcation parameters of retinal arteriole and establish a reference range of normal values. Methods: In this retrospective study, we measured a total of 1314 retinal arteriolar bifurcations from 100 fundus photographs. We selected 200 from these bifurcations for testing inter-measurer and inter-method agreement. Additionally, we calculated the normal reference range for retinal arteriolar bifurcation parameters and analyzed the effects of gender, age, and anatomical features on retinal arteriolar bifurcation. Results: The measurement method proposed in this study has demonstrated nearly perfect consistency among different measurers, with interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for all bifurcation parameters of retinal arteriole exceeding 0.95. Among healthy individuals, the retinal arteriolar caliber was narrowest in young adults and increased in children, teenagers, and the elderly; retinal arteriolar caliber was greater in females than in males; and the diameter of the inferior temporal branch exceeded that of the superior temporal branch. The angle between the two branches of retinal arteriolar bifurcation was also greater in females than in males. When using the center of the optic disc as a reference point, the angle between the two branches of the retinal arteriole at the proximal or distal ends increased. In contrast, the estimated optimum theoretical values of retinal arteriolar bifurcation were not affected by these factors. Conclusions: The method for the measurement of retinal arteriolar bifurcation in this study was highly accurate and reproducible. The diameter and branching angle of the retinal arteriolar bifurcation were more susceptible to the influence of gender, age, and anatomical features. In comparison, the estimated optimum theoretical values of retinal arteriolar bifurcation were relatively stable. Video available for this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of oral frailty among community-dwelling older people in Nanjing, China with the usage of different measurements, and to investigate the potential risk factors of oral frailty. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting and participants: A total of 338 community-dwelling older people in Nanjing, China were recruited. Methods: Oral frailty was measured based on the Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8) scale and other measurement methods including the number of natural teeth (TN), repetitive saliva-swallowing test (RSST), and oral diadochokinesis (ODK). The chi-square test and the binary logistic regression analysis were performed to identify potential risk factors for oral frailty. Results: There were 310 participants included in the analysis. Prevalence of oral frailty by using the OFI-8, OFI-8 + TN, OFI-8 + ODK, OFI-8 + TN + ODK and RSST measurement methods were 69.0%, 27.4%, 51.9%, 21.0% and 2.9%, respectively. Passive smoking (OR = 2.04; 95%CI 1.03–4.03), being widowed/unmarried (OR1 = 2.53; 95%CI 1.25–5.10; OR2 = 2.94; 95%CI 1.12–7.77), pre-frailty (OR = 1.76; 95%CI 1.03–3.01), frailty (OR = 3.01; 95%CI 1.39–6.54), and aged 80 years and above (OR = 3.99; 95%CI 1.35–11.81) were found to be risk factors of oral frailty by the usage of the four kinds of measurement methods. Conclusions and implications: The definition and diagnostic criteria of oral frailty are strongly needed to be unified in future research. Only subjective assessment is not enough for assessing oral frailty. Among objective indicators, RSST is not suitable as a screening method for oral frailty. In addition, objective indicators including TN and ODK should be valued for early screening and preventive interventions. The risk factors of oral frailty include physical frailty, passive smoking, and being widowed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Quality of life and survival time are important contents of palliative care services for patients with advanced cancer. Therefore, investigating the measurement method of quality 一 adjusted life years for patients with advanced cancer could provide a basis for the evaluation of palliative care services for this population. Methods The relative importance of each index in the Quality - of - Life Scale of Cancer Patients was compared by expert consultation method and hierarchical analysis was used to obtain the weight of each index. Results In the Quality - of - Life Scale of Cancer Patients, the weights of primary indicators from high to low included physical symptoms, mental psychology, and social relations. The weights of physical symptoms from high to low included pain, side effects of treatment, sleep, daily life, appetite, fatigue, and facial expression. The weights of mental psychology from high to low included their cognition of disease, attitude, and spirit to treatment. The weights of social relations included the care and understanding of family and the understanding and cooperation of colleagues. Conclusion The weights of each quality of life scale indicator are obtained by hierarchical analysis. Then the different quality - of - life survival time is converted into quality 一 adjusted life years, which can provide a basis for the influence of palliative care services on the quality 一 adjusted life years of patients with advanced cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Urban Mass Transit is the property of Urban Mass Transit Editorial Office 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.)

Floor mats are commonly used to improve the impact sound performance of existing homes, but actual impact sound reductions do not consistently appear, as they depend on the test-bed conditions used to determine impact sound performance. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of the environmental conditions of the test bed on the impact sound reduction performances of different floor mats. The Korean industrial standard KS F 2865 specifies the measurement method in the test room and sets the thickness range of the available target floor structure to bare slabs with thicknesses ranging from 120 mm to 210 mm. The evaluation method is ∆L, which is the difference in standardized impact sound levels before and after the installation of the floor finishing material. In this study, a total of eight types of floor mats were tested in four different test beds according to KS F 2865. The impact sources used were tapping, bang machines, and a rubber ball, and we used these sources to consider both light-weight and heavy-weight impact sounds. The results were derived as the impact sound reduction performance for each frequency band and a single-number quantity. The results showed that light impact sound had a similar minimum reduction characteristic of at least 38 dB, regardless of the floor structure on which the mat was installed. However, the heavy-weight impact sound showed different tendencies depending on the floor mat and the characteristics of the floor structure of the test bed when a bang machine and a rubber ball were used. In particular, the reduction achieved by the bang machine showed less than half the tendency of the reduction by the rubber ball, and the tendency of the heavy-weight impact sound was shown to be reducible depending on how the floor mat was maintained, but the reductions differed depending on the test bed. The reductions were larger in the box-type test room than in the real-life-type test room, and among the box-type test rooms, the one with a thicker bare slab showed a relatively larger reduction. In addition, the reliability of the measurement results was evaluated through a correlation analysis between the single-number quantities depending on the thicknesses of the bare slabs of the test beds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

This article presents the latest progress in research on tire–pavement contact behavior. Firstly, the tire–pavement contact characteristics and their influencing factors are summarized. Then, the measurement methods and theoretical research on tire–pavement contact behavior are reviewed, and the advantages and shortcomings of different methods are compared and analyzed. Finally, analysis in the field of pavement engineering is summarized based on contact behavior. This article suggests a few key research directions: Tire–pavement contact behavior is influenced by multiple factors; therefore, multi-physical field-coupling analyses need to be carried out. Tire–pavement contact tests are mostly static and non-standardized, and it is a future trend to develop high-precision, low-cost, and standardized instruments that can measure dynamic contact. Theoretical research models rarely involve environmental factors; a contact model of the tire, pavement, and environment needs to be constructed that can truly describe the contact process. There is a relationship between contact characteristics and pavement performance; pavement performance evaluation indexes need to be established based on tire–pavement contact characteristics in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Runway friction coefficient is a crucial parameter that reflects the airworthiness of airport runway and measuring the runway friction coefficient is a prerequisite for ensuring flight safety. Many studies have been conducted on the measurement methods for runway friction coefficient, but most of them are still at the theoretical research level. Although new methods and ideas are constantly being proposed, they are still in the conceptual design and exploration stage. A method based on numerical simulation for runway friction coefficient measurement is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the numerical analysis method is used to explore the interaction mechanism between tire and runway. Based on finite element analysis (FEA), multi-physics field coupling analysis is carried out to reveal the influence of different working conditions on friction coefficient, and to obtain the variation law. Secondly, a friction coefficient measurement method is proposed based on the analysis results, and the friction coefficient estimation models are constructed to achieve a new measurement method that only relies on the tread frictional stress to estimate the friction coefficient with specific working condition. Finally, a friction coefficient measurement system is constructed and used to validate the method. The experimental results indicate that the error between the estimated and actual measurements is from 2.47% to 4.13%. The experiments have verified the effectiveness and accuracy of the estimation model based on numerical analysis method, providing ideas for researching runway friction coefficient measurement methods.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this research was to develop protocols for evaluating the bifurcation parameters of retinal arteriole and establish a reference range of normal values. Methods In this retrospective study, we measured a total of 1314 retinal arteriolar bifurcations from 100 fundus photographs. We selected 200 from these bifurcations for testing inter-measurer and inter-method agreement. Additionally, we calculated the normal reference range for retinal arteriolar bifurcation parameters and analyzed the effects of gender, age, and anatomical features on retinal arteriolar bifurcation. Results The measurement method proposed in this study has demonstrated nearly perfect consistency among different measurers, with interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for all bifurcation parameters of retinal arteriole exceeding 0.95. Among healthy individuals, the retinal arteriolar caliber was narrowest in young adults and increased in children, teenagers, and the elderly; retinal arteriolar caliber was greater in females than in males; and the diameter of the inferior temporal branch exceeded that of the superior temporal branch. The angle between the two branches of retinal arteriolar bifurcation was also greater in females than in males. When using the center of the optic disc as a reference point, the angle between the two branches of the retinal arteriole at the proximal or distal ends increased. In contrast, the estimated optimum theoretical values of retinal arteriolar bifurcation were not affected by these factors. Conclusions The method for the measurement of retinal arteriolar bifurcation in this study was highly accurate and reproducible. The diameter and branching angle of the retinal arteriolar bifurcation were more susceptible to the influence of gender, age, and anatomical features. In comparison, the estimated optimum theoretical values of retinal arteriolar bifurcation were relatively stable. Video available for this article.

The technology of drilling tests makes it possible to obtain the strength parameter of rock accurately in situ. In this paper, a new rock cutting analysis model that considers the influence of the rock crushing zone (RCZ) is built. The formula for an ultimate cutting force is established based on the limit equilibrium principle. The relationship between digital drilling parameters (DDP) and the c-φ parameter (DDP-cφ formula, where c refers to the cohesion and φ refers to the internal friction angle) is derived, and the response of drilling parameters and cutting ratio to the strength parameters is analyzed. The drilling-based measuring method for the c-φ parameter of rock is constructed. The laboratory verification test is then completed, and the difference in results between the drilling test and the compression test is less than 6%. On this basis, in-situ rock drilling tests in a traffic tunnel and a coal mine roadway are carried out, and the strength parameters of the surrounding rock are effectively tested. The average difference ratio of the results is less than 11%, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed method for obtaining the strength parameters based on digital drilling. This study provides methodological support for field testing of rock strength parameters.

Abstract Leakage is one of the most serious challenges for the safe production of high‐pressure gas wells for its high risks, including abnormal annular pressure, natural gas accumulation, and environment pollution, but available methods can hardly accurately measure the leakage type and depth, which are the key parameters for the rigless leakage repair and risk assessment. Therefore, this paper proposes a method to measure the leakage based on the characteristics, which combines qualitative and quantitative measurement together. Qualitative measurement considers the annular pressure, tubing pressure, liquid level, cement quality, and workover history. Quantitative measurement is determined by noise logging, electromagnetic logging, pressure logging, and temperature logging. The logging should be optimized according to the qualitative measurement. The method was successfully applied in high‐pressure gas well belonging to Tarim Oilfield. Two potential leakage types are provided based on the annular pressure, liquid level, cement quality, and workover history, including tubing leakage and linger hanger leakage. Based on the potential leakage types, the pressure difference, logging devices string, stopping length, and time are optimized to make the engineering logging reliable. Through measurement, two leakage points are found in tubing string. One is tubing body crack at the depth of 2724 m and the other is tubing thread leakage at the depth of 5211.7 m, which well matches the production data.

Drilling-cutting method is a commonly used coal bump risk detection method in coal seams. The efficient and accurate acquisition of the quality of drilling-cuttings is a technical difficulty in engineering site, which could directly affect the risk detection efficiency and results. Based on the discharging characteristics of drilling-cuttings and the principle of fluid quality weighing, an automatic measuring device for drilling-cuttings suitable for different diameter boreholes is developed. This device consists of cuttings collecting unit, weighing unit, data processing system and fixing unit. It can measure the quality of the drilling-cuttings according to the flow-quality of drilling-cuttings discharged from the borehole and the calibration function. The measurement accuracy of this method is verified by laboratory test and field test. Research shows that the drilling process and drilling pipe installation process can be easily identified based on the drilling cuttings’ flow quality – time curve. The accumulated flow-quality of drilling-cuttings per meter has positive linear correlation with its actual quality, and the calibration function is related to the device measurement parameters, such as the dip angel of the weighing slideway and the sampling frequency. Compared with the conventional weighing method, when measuring the drilling-cuttings by using the automatic measurement device, the maximum measurement error of the laboratory test is less than 6.5%, and the average error of the field test is 5.13%, while the data with error less than 10% account for 86.91%. The device measure parameters and the engineering factors, such as drilling-cuttings flow velocity and particle size, have little effect on the measurement accuracy. In the construction of conventional-diameter drilling-cutting borehole, the drilling pipe installation process time is reduced by 25.16%, and the construction efficiency is increased by 11.84%. The distribution law of drilling-cuttings in the shallow part of the large-diameter destressing borehole is consistent with that of the conventional-diameter drilling-cutting borehole, and the distribution of drilling-cuttings in deeper roadway side can be obtained. The proposed automatic measurement method of drilling-cuttings can improve the construction operability of large-diameter drilling-cutting method, and can realize the synchronous operation of pressure relief and drilling-cuttings measurement.

A new solution is proposed for construction of a device for measurement of electric field strength with determination of the measurement error. The device is based on a dual-type sensor, which makes it possible to reduce the error, expand the spatial range of measurement, and instrumentally determine the measurement error from two simultaneous single-point measurements of the field strength obtained with errors of different signs. The ability of the device to instrumentally determine the measurement error is considered for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leakage is one of the most serious challenges for the safe production of high‐pressure gas wells for its high risks, including abnormal annular pressure, natural gas accumulation, and environment pollution, but available methods can hardly accurately measure the leakage type and depth, which are the key parameters for the rigless leakage repair and risk assessment. Therefore, this paper proposes a method to measure the leakage based on the characteristics, which combines qualitative and quantitative measurement together. Qualitative measurement considers the annular pressure, tubing pressure, liquid level, cement quality, and workover history. Quantitative measurement is determined by noise logging, electromagnetic logging, pressure logging, and temperature logging. The logging should be optimized according to the qualitative measurement. The method was successfully applied in high‐pressure gas well belonging to Tarim Oilfield. Two potential leakage types are provided based on the annular pressure, liquid level, cement quality, and workover history, including tubing leakage and linger hanger leakage. Based on the potential leakage types, the pressure difference, logging devices string, stopping length, and time are optimized to make the engineering logging reliable. Through measurement, two leakage points are found in tubing string. One is tubing body crack at the depth of 2724 m and the other is tubing thread leakage at the depth of 5211.7 m, which well matches the production data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a simple method of measuring the luminous flux value dedicated to LED light sources. This method uses information about a spatial radiation pattern of the lighting source under test and the results of illuminance measurements at the axis of this source. The method is described and the results of the measurements obtained using this method and the classical method are compared and discussed. Tests have been carried out for LED modules of different geometries. The measurement error of the considered method is analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Precise hip joint morphometry measurement from CT images is crucial for successful preoperative arthroplasty planning and biomechanical simulations. Although deep learning approaches have been applied to clinical bone surgery planning, there is still a lack of relevant research on quantifying hip joint morphometric parameters from CT images. Approach. This paper proposes a deep learning workflow for CT-based hip morphometry measurement. For the first step, a coarse-to-fine deep learning model is designed for accurate reconstruction of the hip geometry (3D bone models and key landmark points). Based on the geometric models, a robust measurement method is developed to calculate a full set of morphometric parameters, including the acetabular anteversion and inclination, the femoral neck shaft angle and the inclination, etc. Our methods were validated on two datasets with different imaging protocol parameters and further compared with the conventional 2D x-ray-based measurement method. Main results. The proposed method yields high bone segmentation accuracies (Dice coefficients of 98.18% and 97.85%, respectively) and low landmark prediction errors (1.55 mm and 1.65 mm) on both datasets. The automated measurements agree well with the radiologists' manual measurements (Pearson correlation coefficients between 0.47 and 0.99 and intraclass correlation coefficients between 0.46 and 0.98). This method provides more accurate measurements than the conventional 2D x-ray-based measurement method, reducing the error of acetabular cup size from over 2 mm to less than 1 mm. Moreover, our morphometry measurement method is robust against the error of the previous bone segmentation step. As we tested different deep learning methods for the prerequisite bone segmentation, our method produced consistent final measurement results, with only a 0.37 mm maximum inter-method difference in the cup size. Significance. This study proposes a deep learning approach with improved robustness and accuracy for pelvis arthroplasty planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background Surface electromyography (sEMG) is primarily used to analyze individual and neighboring muscle activity. However, using a broader approach can enable simultaneous measurement of multiple muscles, which is essential for understanding muscular coordination. Using the “bull’s-eye electrode,” which allows bipolar derivation without directional dependence, enables wide-area multipoint sEMG measurements. This study aims to establish a multipoint measurement system and demonstrate its effectiveness and evaluates forearm fatigue and created topographic maps during a grasping task. Methods Nine healthy adults with no recent arm injuries or illnesses participated in this study. They performed grasping tasks using their dominant hand, while bull’s-eye electrodes recorded their muscle activity. To validate the effectiveness of the system, we calculated the root mean squares of muscle activity and entropy, an indicator of muscle activity distribution, and compared them over time. Results The entropy analysis demonstrated a significant time-course effect with increased entropy over time, suggesting increased forearm muscle uniformity, which is possibly indicative of fatigue. Topographic maps visually displayed muscle activity, revealing notable intersubject variations. Discussion Bull’s-eye electrodes facilitated the capture of nine homogeneous muscle activity points, enabling the creation of topographic images. The entropy increased progressively, suggesting an adaptive muscle coordination response to fatigue. Despite some limitations, such as inadequate measurement of the forearm muscles’ belly, the system is an unconventional measurement method. Conclusion This study established a robust system for wide-area multipoint sEMG measurements using a bull’s-eye electrode setup. This system effectively evaluates muscle fatigue and provides a comprehensive topographic view of muscle activity. These results mark a significant step towards developing a future multichannel sEMG system with enhanced measurement points and improved wearability. Trial registration This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Chiba University Graduate School of Engineering (acceptance number: R4-12, Acceptance date: November 04, 2022).

Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition experienced by adults of all ages. Epidemiological studies indicate that 50–80% of individuals experience LBP at least once during their lifetime (1). Non-specific LBP (NLBP), the most prevalent form of LBP, does not have a specific identifiable pathological cause (2). The consequences of NLBP go beyond pain and limited movement. NLBP can also affect the proprioception of the lumbar spine, and the degeneration of proprioception can aggravate the symptoms of the patients (3). The main inducing factors of NLBP are decreased lumbar stability and muscle strength, and poor spinal stability and posture control is an important pathological mechanism of recurrent symptoms in patients with NLBP (4, 5). Patients with NLBP have reduced lumbosacral tactile and proprioceptive acuity, and sensory and motor deficits further affect the postural cognitive interaction in patients with NLBP, resulting in postural control defects (6).

Gloss is associated significantly with material appearance, and observers often focus on gloss unevenness. Gloss unevenness is the intensity distribution of reflected light observed within a highlight area, that is, the variability. However, it cannot be analyzed easily because it exists only within the highlight area and varies in appearance across the reflection angles. In recent years, gloss has been analyzed in terms of the intensity of specular reflection and its angular spread, or the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). In this study, we develop an apparatus to measure gloss unevenness that can alter the angle with an angular resolution of 0.02°. Additionally, we analyze the gloss unevenness and BRDF in terms of specular reflection. Using a high angular resolution, we measure and analyze high-gloss materials, such as mirrors and plastics, and glossy materials, such as photo-like inkjet paper and coated paper. Our results show that the magnitude of gloss unevenness is the largest at angles marginally off the center of the specular reflection angle. We discuss an approach for physically defining gloss unevenness based on the BRDF.

Residential historic areas are currently the main focus of urban renewal efforts in China, primarily consisting of traditional residential buildings with similar characteristics. Hence, the visual coherence of buildings (VCoB) plays a crucial role in such areas, not only pertaining to the visual quality of the urban landscape but also regarding the preservation of historic features. The accurate measurement of the VCoB is a prerequisite for undertaking optimization efforts. However, discussions of the VCoB in the built environment are limited and seldom address residential historic areas, and methods for measuring the VCoB have yet to be refined. Therefore, taking the Xiaoxihu Historic Area in Nanjing as a case study, this work aimed to develop a more refined method for measuring the VCoB in residential historic areas based on objective physical features. The method is mainly based on the human-level perspective, identifying three key visual elements within this perspective as the objects of measurement. It collected visual data through photography, with deep learning and computer graphics processing tools being utilized to identify and extract the visual elements. Then, the study established a corresponding framework of indicators for different visual elements and optimizes the methods for indicator calculation. Through an assessment involving professionals, we validated the high accuracy of the measurement method proposed in this study. Furthermore, the study discusses factors affecting the VCoB, methods to enhance the VCoB, and the required degree of the VCoB based on the results of the measurement. The method developed in this research will provide support for the visual analysis of the urban built environment and urban renewal practices.

In this study, a simple and inexpensive T-h property measurement method was proposed for measuring the temperature and specific enthalpy of a flat plate phase change material (PCM) by cooling and heating it under adiabatic conditions on one side and constant heat flux from the opposite side. Experiments were conducted by choosing the temperature on the adiabatic side, which is less affected by the heat transfer surface, as the representative temperature of the PCM and reducing the thickness of the sample installed in the equipment with low heat flux. The experimental results demonstrated that the T-h properties can be measured under quasi-steady conditions of cooling and heating. In addition, the PCM, which was measured as the hysteresis occurring between cooling and heating using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurements, was measured using this system. The results showed that the T-h characteristics of cooling and heating were almost identical, except for the supercooling phenomenon, and that it is possible to measure supercooling and its cancellation phenomenon, which is difficult to measure in the DSC results. Furthermore, it was confirmed that this equipment had sufficient measurement accuracy; accordingly, it was possible to measure the thermal properties of the PCM relatively accurately.

SUMMARY: The measurement of beak lengths in poultry can be used to study the effects of beak trimming and to evaluate different abrasive methods for beak treatment. Various methods are used in research, and different measurements on the beaks are performed. The present study compared different methods for measuring beak values using a flexible measuring tape, digital caliper, and image analysis. The measurements were performed on 100 severed heads of laying hens. Different beak lengths, heights, and widths were recorded, and the agreement between methods was calculated. The most consistent measurements were obtained using image analysis and calipers when measuring the length from the rictus to the tip of the upper beak. These methods showed 67% agreement. Since there was very low agreement between the methods, it is generally not advisable to use 2 different methods in 1 study. In addition, several measurements should be carried out, and overall, measurement processes should be described in detail in order to make the results comparable.

Background: Surface electromyography (sEMG) is primarily used to analyze individual and neighboring muscle activity. However, using a broader approach can enable simultaneous measurement of multiple muscles, which is essential for understanding muscular coordination. Using the "bull's-eye electrode," which allows bipolar derivation without directional dependence, enables wide-area multipoint sEMG measurements. This study aims to establish a multipoint measurement system and demonstrate its effectiveness and evaluates forearm fatigue and created topographic maps during a grasping task. Methods: Nine healthy adults with no recent arm injuries or illnesses participated in this study. They performed grasping tasks using their dominant hand, while bull's-eye electrodes recorded their muscle activity. To validate the effectiveness of the system, we calculated the root mean squares of muscle activity and entropy, an indicator of muscle activity distribution, and compared them over time. Results: The entropy analysis demonstrated a significant time-course effect with increased entropy over time, suggesting increased forearm muscle uniformity, which is possibly indicative of fatigue. Topographic maps visually displayed muscle activity, revealing notable intersubject variations. Discussion: Bull's-eye electrodes facilitated the capture of nine homogeneous muscle activity points, enabling the creation of topographic images. The entropy increased progressively, suggesting an adaptive muscle coordination response to fatigue. Despite some limitations, such as inadequate measurement of the forearm muscles' belly, the system is an unconventional measurement method. Conclusion: This study established a robust system for wide-area multipoint sEMG measurements using a bull's-eye electrode setup. This system effectively evaluates muscle fatigue and provides a comprehensive topographic view of muscle activity. These results mark a significant step towards developing a future multichannel sEMG system with enhanced measurement points and improved wearability. Trial registration: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Chiba University Graduate School of Engineering (acceptance number: R4-12, Acceptance date: November 04, 2022). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]