Broad Area Research Articles

Reducing Hand Kinematics by Introducing Grasp-Oriented Intra-Finger Dependencies

Loss of hand functions, often manifesting in the form of weakness or spasticity from conditions like stroke or multiple sclerosis, poses challenges in performing activities of daily living (ADLs). The broad area of rehabilitation robotics provides the tools and knowledge necessary for implementing efficient restorative therapies. These therapies aim to improve hand functionality with minimal therapist intervention. However, the human hand evolved for various precision and power gripping tasks, with its intricate anatomy featuring a large number of degrees of freedom—up to 31—which hinder its modeling in many rehabilitation scenarios. In the process of designing prosthetic devices, instrumented gloves, and rehabilitation devices, there is a clear need to obtain simplified rehabilitation-oriented hand models without compromising their representativeness across the population. This is where the concept of kinematic reduction, focusing on specific grasps, becomes essential. Thus, the objective of this study is to uncover the intra-finger dependencies during finger flexion/extension by analyzing a comprehensive database containing recorded trajectories for 23 different functional movements related to ADLs, involving 77 test subjects. The initial phase involves data wrangling, followed by correlation analysis aimed at selecting 116 dependency-movement relationships across all grasps. A regularized generalized linear model is then applied to select uncorrelated predictors, while a linear mixed-effect model, with reductions based on both predictor significance and effect size, is used for modeling the dependencies. As a final step, agglomerative clustering of models is performed to further facilitate flexibility in tradeoffs in hand model accuracy/reduction, allowing the modeling of finger flexion extensions using 5–15 degrees of freedom only.

Critical Sensing Modalities for Hydrogen: Technical Needs and Status of the Field to Support a Changing Energy Landscape.

Decarbonization of the energy system is a key aspect of the energy transition. Energy storage in the form of chemical bonds has long been viewed as an optimal scheme for energy conversion. With advances in systems engineering, hydrogen has the potential to become a low cost, low emission, energy carrier. However, hydrogen is difficult to contain, it exhibits a low flammability limit (>40000 ppm or 4%), low ignition energy (0.02 mJ), and it is a short-lived climate forcer. Beyond commercially available sensors to ensure safety through spot checks in enclosed environments, new sensors are necessary to support the development of low emission infrastructure for production, transmission, storage, and end use. Efficient scalable broad area hydrogen monitoring motivates lowering the detection limit below that (10 ppm) of best in class commercial technologies. In this perspective, we evaluate recent advances in hydrogen gas sensing to highlight technologies that may find broad utility in the hydrogen sector. It is clear in the near term that a sensor technology suite is required to meet the variable constraints (e.g., power, size/weight, connectivity, cost) that characterize the breadth of the application space, ranging from industrial complexes to remote pipelines. This perspective is not intended to be another standard hydrogen sensor review, but rather provide a critical evaluation of technologies with detection limits preferably below 1 ppm and low power requirements. Given projections for rapid market growth, promising techniques will also be amenable to rapid development in technical readiness for commercial deployment. As such, methods that do not meet these requirements will not be considered in depth.

Applications of artificial intelligence algorithms in artificial lift systems: A critical review

In the oil and gas industry, the implementation of an artificial lift system is utilized to enhance the extraction of hydrocarbons from a reservoir that has depleted its natural energy. This can be achieved by employing pumps such as positive-displacement or centrifugal downhole pumps, or by injecting gas into the well tubing to reduce liquid hydrostatic pressure and improve fluid flow towards the surface. Recently, artificial intelligence-based algorithms have emerged as the leading approach for modelling various artificial lift parameters and problems. Consequently, there has been a renewed interest in understanding the role and effectiveness of different computational algorithms used in the artificial lift system domain. While there is an extensive body of literature on this subject, no prior research has effectively consolidated the findings from various artificial lift system domains, underscoring the need for an all-encompassing review. The purpose of this review is to create a guide that serves as a framework that helps scholars identify knowledge gaps and suggest novel ideas that would enhance the workings of artificial lift systems in the oil and gas industry. This article presents the first comprehensive analysis of artificial intelligence applications in five key areas of artificial lift systems in the oil and gas industry namely: prediction of oil and gas flow rates in artificial lift wells, prediction of artificial lift system failures, selection of artificial lift systems, parameter optimization, and the application of soft sensing technologies in artificial lift systems. The research studies pertaining to each of these areas were systematically identified from the existing literature, and their main features were highlighted. To ensure the uniqueness and novelty of this work, a critical evaluation of the artificial lift articles in each broad area was conducted. The review outcomes were then presented in clear tables that highlighted the main features of each study. Findings from the study indicate that artificial intelligence models are prevalent in almost every aspect of artificial lift systems, and the number of articles on this topic continues to grow. Some of these models have even been field tested and proven effective in improving artificial lift system operations and reducing costs. However, there is need to enhance the explicitness and interpretability of some of the predictive models by including vital details, to enhance seamless implementation and easy deployment in the field. This work will be valuable for industry operators, researchers, and students who seek a guide or reference material on artificial intelligence-based models for artificial lift systems.

Phylogeographic Substructuring in the Southernmost Refugium of the European Common Frog Rana temporaria.

Rana temporaria is one of the most widespread Palearctic brown frogs. We aimed to clarify distribution pattern of two main genetic clades in the understudied Balkan peninsula by using 16SrRNA and MT-CYTB sequences, already widely applied in analyses of populations from other parts of Europe, while focusing on the broad area along the Morava river (central Balkans) as a known gap in the species distribution. Additionally, we were interested in revealing the extent of haplotype diversity within the main genetic clades in the Balkans, particularly around the supposed suture zone. The results revealed a suture zone between the Western and Eastern Clades in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. This indicated the existence of a historical barrier between the Balkan Mountain Belt and geographically close mountains surrounding the Vlasina Plateau (Rhodope/Serbian-Macedonian Massif). The overall observed haplotype diversity in populations of R. temporaria from the Balkan Peninsula seems high. Harboring both main genetic clades of R. temporaria qualifies the Balkan Peninsula as another important center of species' genetic diversity, as well as rich in unique haplotypes. This points out the necessity of applying conservation measures focused on the common European frog populations and habitats in this part of the species' distribution area.

Smart Multifunctional Nanoparticles in Cancer Theranostics: Progress and Prospect.

Worldwide, cancer is the second most common cause of death. Chemotherapy and other traditional cancer treatments have toxicities that affect normal cells in addition to their intended targets, necessitating the development of novel approaches to enhance cell-specific targeting. The present work summarizes the scientific information on nanoparticles in cancer theranostics to provide a comprehensive insight into the preventive and therapeutic potential of nanoparticles in cancer. Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases are searched to collect all the recent (2015-2023) scientific information on smart multifunctional nanoparticles using the terms nanotechnology, cancer theranostics, and polymer. The use of nanomaterials as chemical biology tools in cancer theranostics has been thoroughly investigated. They demonstrate expanded uses in terms of stability, biocompatibility, and enhanced cell permeability, enabling precision targeting and ameliorating the drawbacks of conventional cancer treatments. The nano platform presents a fascinating chance to acquire multifunctionality and targeting techniques. The production of smart nanomaterials, specifically with regard to the advent of nanotechnology, has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The capability of nanoparticles to functionalize with a variety of biosubstrates, including aptamers, antibodies, DNA, and RNA, and their broad surface area allow them to encapsulate a huge number of molecules, contributing to their theranostic effect. Comparatively speaking, economical, easily produced, and less toxic nanomaterials formed from biological sources are thought to have benefits over those made using conventional processes. The present study highlights the uses of several nanoparticles (NPs), and describes numerous cancer theranostics methodologies. The benefits and difficulties preventing their adoption in cancer treatment and diagnostic applications are also critically reviewed. The use of smart nanomaterials, according to this review's findings, can considerably advance cancer theranostics and open up new avenues for tumor detection and treatment.

Video-based interventions promoting social behavioural skills for autistic children and young people: An evidence and gap map.

Video-based interventions (VBIs) are an approach that can be used to promote social behavioural skills for autistic children and young people. Despite an abundance of literature in this area, previous evidence syntheses are limited by their exclusive search strategies and eligibility criteria. Therefore, there is a lack of comprehensive evidence syntheses to provide insight on whether these interventions work, for whom, and in what circumstances. Evidence and Gap Maps (EGMs) are used to collate vast literature on a broad topic area such as this, highlighting areas for synthesis, and identifying gaps for future research. To identify, map and synthesise existing primary research on VBIs promoting social behavioural skills for autistic children and young people, creating a live, searchable and publicly available EGM. Searches were conducted in electronic databases (n = 8), web search engines, and other repositories including published papers and grey literature. The search strategy was developed around two concepts including (1) terms related to autism, and (2) terms related to VBIs. Searches were conducted in May 2021. All primary studies evaluating the effectiveness of VBIs in promoting social behaviours for autistic children and young people aged 3-18 were included in the EGM. Search results were imported into Eppi-Reviewer where duplicates of identical studies were removed. Titles and abstracts were then screened by two independent reviewers. Potentially eligible full texts were located and also screened by two reviewers. Data were then extracted on study design, participant characteristics, type of intervention, type of outcome, and country of study, by one of three reviewers. EPPI-Mapper was used to create the interactive EGM. The current EGM contains 438 studies reporting on 394 single subject research designs, 25 randomised controlled trials, 15 non-randomised group designs, and 8 pretest-posttest designs. Included studies evaluated VBIs in all male (n = 238), mixed gender (n = 172) or all female (n = 17) samples. VBIs employed included video modelling (n = 273), video self-modelling (n = 82), point-of-view modelling (n = 61), video prompting (n = 57), video feedback (n = 12) and computer-based video instruction (n = 4). The most frequently used models were adults (n = 191) and peers (n = 135). In relation to social outcomes, almost half evaluated social engagement (n = 199) with limited studies looking at safety (n = 9) and community (n = 7) skills. This EGM provides a valuable resource for policy-makers, practitioners, researchers, funders and members of the public to access evidence on VBIs promoting social behavioural skills in autistic children and young people. The map has identified areas of sufficient research where evidence can undergo synthesis. In addition, important gaps in the evidence were highlighted and suggest further research is warranted in all female samples and less frequently evaluated types of VBIs and social outcomes. Evidence included in this EGM will be further explored via systematic review and meta-analysis on control group designs.

Review of Evidence Supporting the Arista™ Absorbable Powder Hemostat.

Uncontrolled and diffuse bleeding is a dreaded event during open and laparoscopic surgery that may lead to postoperative complications, obstruction of the surgical field that reduces visualization, and prolonged operating times. Powder hemostats can be used to control bleeding and are easy to use, have a safe profile, and can achieve broad coverage area at a low cost. A strategic literature search of peer-reviewed, English language studies was conducted to capture evidence on the clinical efficacy and safety of a Microporous Polysaccharide Hemosphere (MPH) based Hemostat (Arista™ Absorbable Hemostat (Arista™ AH)). Six preclinical studies were found which supported the use of MPH in various animal models of laparoscopic and open surgery, all of which demonstrated its safety and efficacy. Five single-arm and 11 comparative clinical studies similarly supported the efficacy and safety of MPH in various surgery types, including cardiac, renal, and dermatologic surgery. Published evidence supports the safe and effective use of MPH across a variety of surgical settings.

Thermal Modeling of CryoFILL liquefaction tests

Proposed NASA missions to Moon and Mars involve producing cryogenic propellant in-situ to reduce launch mass and requirements. One technique for liquefaction of the gases produced through electrochemical processes is to circulate cold gaseous neon or helium through broad area cooling tubes attached to the outside of the propellant tanks. To determine the performance of this liquefaction process tests were conducted at NASA Glenn Research Center in a 2.1 cubic meter tank with a broad area cooling network (CryoFILL). A thermal/fluid model of the tank and its cooling loop is developed in Thermal Desktop. Details of the model and the model predictions and comparison to some of the experimental data from the CryoFILL liquefaction tests are presented here.

Wireless Communication: Applications Security and Reliability—Present and Future

Information security is of great importance nowadays. This is related to the widespread use of new technologies in the development of long-distance communications and the use of increasingly “faster” signals. Information security can be considered in many areas of information processing, including wireless systems and wired systems that are based on electronic devices. Each of such devices is a source of electromagnetic disturbances but may also be sensitive to such disturbances. This Special Issue titled “Wireless Communication: Applications, Security, and Reliability” covers a broad spectrum of information security related to cybersecurity, cryptography, and electromagnetic protection. In each case, the information protection solutions used must keep up with the development of technologies used in information processing. The broad thematic area of this Special Issue was intended to encourage scientists and researchers to present their research results and the goals that this research was intended to serve. At the same time, it could allow for the exchange of knowledge and experience gained during the work on information security.

From the Journal Editor

Haere mai! Welcome to volume 1, edition 1 of the New Zealand Journal of Health and Safety Practice! The Journal is open access and online and subscriptions are free. Although published in New Zealand we hope it will be read by workers everywhere who work in the field of health, safety and wellbeing. This edition is published at the time of International Workers' Memorial Day and the 29th anniversary of the New Zealand Cave Creek tragedy. I hope the Journal will grow to share practical, research-based knowledge that will help every worker (and visitors to workplaces) to go home physically and mentally unharmed. Much work went into the development of the Journal and I thank: the authors who spent time writing and revising the articles our anonymous reviewers who spent their time reading the submissions and making comments: you have helped set the standard for the Journal. Nik Crombie and Max Sullivan in the Victoria University of Wellington Library who helped with the backroom work and technology making the Journal free to publish. The editorial team also thanks HASANZ, Engineering New Zealand, Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia & New Zealand, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand, Institute of Organisational Psychology, New Zealand Institute of Safety Management, New Zealand Occupational Health Nurses Association, New Zealand Occupational Hygiene Society, New Zealand Safety Council, AVID Plus Limited and Risk Management Ltd for financial and other support to help establish the Journal. Terje Aven, a Norwegian academic, wrote that “safety science is multidisciplinary. Its contributors and its audience range from psychologists to chemical engineers”; that safety science “covers the physics and engineering of safety; its social, policy and organisational aspects; the management of risks; the effectiveness of control techniques for safety; standardization, legislation, inspection, insurance, costing aspects, human behaviour and safety and the like.” The founding organisations of NZJHSP are similarly drawn from those disciplines. A call for papers for the July 2024 edition will go out shortly. I look forward to submissions for future editions of this Journal those focused on the practice of workplace health and safety through implementing the broad subject area of safety science to help protect workers and others and achieve good work conditions. References Aven, T. (2014). What is safety science? Safety Science, 67, 15-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2013.07.026

An Analysis of Cash Management with Reference to Deccan Industries

Cash management refers to a broad area of finance involving the collection, handling, and usage of cash. It involves assessing market liquidity, cash flow, and investments. In banking, cash management, or treasury management, is a marketing term for certain services related to cash flow offered primarily to larger business customers. It may be used to describe all bank accounts (such as checking accounts) provided to businesses of a certain size, but it is more often used to describe specific services such as cash concentration, zero balance accounting, and automated clearing house facilities. Sometimes, private banking customers are given cash management services. Financial instruments involved in cash management include money market funds, treasury bills, and certificates. Cash management essentially means dealing with an organization's cash so its use provides the most value to the business. This can mean planning to keep the right amount of cash on hand as well as making plans for the cash the company does not need to have available for business operations. Cash managers plan for, protect, and invest cash assets. Basic parts of planning for efficient cash management include knowing how much cash should be on hand, efficiently handling cash transactions, and investing any surplus cash in securities that will grow the value of the company's money.

Study on a smart knee sleeve based on piezoresistive strain sensing for stride estimation

PurposeDevices for step estimation are body-worn devices used to compute steps taken and/or distance covered by the user. Even though textiles or clothing are foremost to come to mind in terms of articles meant to be worn, their prominence among devices and systems meant for cadence is overshadowed by electronic products such as accelerometers, wristbands and smart phones. Athletes and sports enthusiasts using knee sleeves should be able to track their performances and monitor workout progress without the need to carry other devices with no direct sport utility, such as wristbands and wearable accelerometers. The purpose of this study thus is to contribute to the broad area of wearable devices for cadence application by developing a cheap but effective and efficient stride measurement system based on a knee sleeve.Design/methodology/approachA textile strain sensor is designed by weft knitting silver-plated nylon yarn together with nylon DTY and covered elastic yarn using a 1 × 1 rib structure. The area occupied by the silver-plated yarn within the structure served as the strain sensor. It worked such that, upon being subjected to stress, the electrical resistance of the sensor increases and in turn, is restored when the stress is removed. The strip with the sensor is knitted separately and subsequently sewn to the knee sleeve. The knee sleeve is then connected to a custom-made signal acquisition and processing system. A volunteer was employed for a wearer trial.FindingsExperimental results establish that the number of strides taken by the wearer can easily be correlated to the knee flexion and extension cycles of the wearer. The number of peaks computed by the signal acquisition and processing system is therefore counted to represent stride per minute. Therefore, the sensor is able to effectively count the number of strides taken by the user per minute. The coefficient of variation of over-ground test results yielded 0.03%, and stair climbing also obtained 0.14%, an indication of very high sensor repeatability.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted using limited number of volunteers for the wearer trials.Practical implicationsBy embedding textile piezoresistive sensors in some specific garments and or accessories, physical activity such as gait and its related data can be effectively measured.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first application of piezoresistive sensing in the knee sleeve for stride estimation. Also, this study establishes that it is possible to attach (sew) already-knit textile strain sensors to apparel to effectuate smart functionality.

The Emerging Stellar Complex in Mon R2: Membership and Optical Variability Classification

Monoceros R2 (Mon R2) is one of the closest large active star-forming regions. This extremely young and partially embedded region provides an excellent laboratory for studying star formation and the early evolution of young stellar objects (YSOs). In this paper, we conduct an optical study of the greater Mon R2 region. Beginning with 1690 previously identified candidate YSOs, we used 496 sources with good proper motions and parallaxes from Gaia Data Release (DR) 3 to determine the astrometric properties for likely members of Mon R2. We then used both astrometric and photometric (isochronal and variability) criteria to determine that 308 of these stars are highly probable members. Using the same criteria, we considered a broad area search around Mon R2 in Gaia DR3 and separated candidate members from field stars. In total, we selected 651 likely new cluster members that had been missed in the previous X-ray and infrared excess selection techniques used in the past to establish cluster membership. Revised astrometric properties of the cluster were found using the combined sample of ∼959 highly probable member stars. For the literature plus the new candidate member list, optical light curves were compiled from the Zwicky Transient Facility. For 470 identified variable sources, we attempted classification based on the flux asymmetry (M) and quasiperiodicity (Q) metrics. We find that Mon R2 is dominated by quasiperiodic symmetric variables, with aperiodic sources also a significant population. A few tens of large-amplitude variables are identified that may be of interest for further study.

Work-life Balance of Nepalese Commercial Banking Employees in Pokhara

Work-life Balance is the balance between family life and job life of an individual. The work-life balance is an individual. The work-life balance is an important dimension which can support to increase job satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to examine the work-life balance among commercial banking employees in Pokhara. Non-managerial level commercial banking employees were the respondents of the study. Convenience sampling technique was used to determine the number of respondents. Data were collected from 209 (102 male and 107 female) respondents through self structured questionnaires. This study was conducted to fulfill the gap and to cover a broad area of WLB. Work Family conflict (WFC) and Family work Conflict FWC were studied to know WLB. Statistical tools, mean, standard deviation, Independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA. The findings of the study indicated that both WFC and FWC of WLB dimension influence on the work-life balance of commercial banking employees. The commercial banking employees Human resource management team should maintain work-life balance among employees for better and sustainable performance. The future researchers need to research study with covering work life balance on other nature banking institution employees and if commercial banking employees then on managerial employees.

Strain visualization using large-angle convergent-beam electron diffraction

In this study, we report a strain visualization method using large-angle convergent-beam electron diffraction (LACBED).11large-angle convergent-beam electron diffraction (LACBED); scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM); nanobeam electron diffraction (NBD); personal computer (PC); diffraction pattern (DP); transmission electron microscopy (TEM); convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED); four-dimensional (4D); gigabytes (GB); region of interest (ROI); Gatan Microscopy Suite (GMS); selected area (SA); focused ion beam (FIB); embedded SiGe (eSiGe); complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS); full width at half maximum (FWHM); cross-correlation (CC); shallow trench isolations (STIs). We compare the proposed method with the strain maps acquired via STEM-NBD, a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and nanobeam electron diffraction (NBD). Although STEM-NBD can precisely measure the lattice parameters, it requires a large amount of data and personal computer (PC) resources to obtain a two-dimensional strain map. Deficiency lines in the transmitted disk of LACBED reflect the crystalline structure information and move, curve, or disappear in the deformed area. Properly setting the optical conditions makes it possible to acquire real-space images over a broad area in conjunction with deficiency lines on the transmitted disk. The proposed method acquires images by changing the relative position between the specimen and the deficiency line and can grasp the strain information with a small number of images. In addition, the proposed method does not require high-resolution images. It can reduce the required PC memory or storage consumption in comparison with that of STEM-NBD, which requires a high-resolution diffraction pattern (DP) from each point of the region of interest. Compared with the two-dimensional maps of LACBED and NBD, NBD could detect large distortions in the area where the deficiency line curved, moved, or disappeared. The curving or moving direction of the deficiency line is qualitatively consistent with the NBD results. If quantitative strain values are not essential, strain visualization using LACBED can be considered an effective technique. We believe that the strain information of a sample can be obtained effectively using both methods.

High-efficiency and high-brightness broad area laser diodes with buried implantation current blocking

Buried-regrown-implant-structure (BRIS) technology combines two-step epitaxial regrowth with an intermediate ion implantation step in order to realise a buried current aperture close to the active region of a laser diode. In this paper we carry out a systematic performance comparison demonstrating the benefit of BRIS technology in single emitter broad-area lasers (BALs). We investigate stripe width W = 100 μ m and resonator length L = 4 mm single emitter lasers emitting at wavelength λ = 915 nm, comparing the performance of BRIS devices with different implantation depths with reference devices with only contact layer implantation. We show that using BRIS technology we achieve a continuous wave output power of 20 W at 57% efficiency, with a peak efficiency of 68%, and maintain a lateral brightness of 3.4 mm · mrad up to 19 W, improved over the reference devices due to reduced lateral current spreading in the BRIS devices. Further, we show results of ongoing aging experiments, which has shown no device degradation up to 5000 hours from BRIS devices.

Electrochemical approach for nonenzymatic glucose sensing with noble metal-free 2D graphene-based ternary nanocomposite

The present work demonstrates a new nanocomposite of ZnO, SnO2, and Graphene, which is more effective and inexpensive for glucose detection than existing materials. Further, ZnO and SnO2 is a desirable selection for glucose sensing application because of its advantageous characteristics, which include high adsorption capacity, broad surface area, good catalytic activity, promotes effective electron transport, and biocompatibility. These materials were synthesized through a self-assembly method. The synthesized ZnO-G-SnO2 nanocomposite was then assessed through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), Photocurrent testing, and Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The ZnO-G-SnO2 nanocomposite was used in the fabrication of an enzyme-free biosensor, which displayed good sensitivity and selectivity in glucose solution through cyclic voltammetry. These results indicate that ZnO-G-SnO2 is useful for glucose detection with efficient electrocatalytic activity in the direction of organically significant concentrations with low current density (0.0010 Ma/cm2) and 0.5 mmol/L at the potential from ‐1.0 to 1.0 v. Altogether, this nanocomposite biosensor can detect glucose accurately and with good sensitivity.

The commodity association traders/trainers extension approach: Smallholder productivity, input and market linkages in Nigeria

The Commodity Association Traders/Trainers (CATs) extension approach was an initiative of the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) to address the challenges of the low margin of agricultural extension agents and farm family ratio in Nigeria. This study, therefore, provides an assessment of the initiative in supporting agricultural extension service delivery in Nigeria. The study was carried out in Kano, Jigawa, Nasarawa and Gombe states, Nigeria being the four major states where the CATs extension approach was tested. The study used a causal research design involving before and after intervention assessment of 396 beneficiary farmers. Data collected using semi-structured questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics and linear regression at α0.05. Majority of the farmers were male (71.5%), middle-aged (42.59±10.91 years) and had small to moderate household sizes (63.4%). Maize (77.6%) and Rice (57.3%) were the foremost crops grown. The farmers received extension service support from CATs in a broad area, including innovation dissemination, training on Good Agricultural Practices, linkage to agro-input dealers, market and credit. About 63.0-86.0% were positive about most aspects of engagement with the CATs except for payment of fees for services received and connecting farmers to credit. The number of farmers that practiced market-oriented agriculture doubled. The number of agribusiness enterprises established and the number of farmers successfully linked to off-takers for their produce also rose from an average of 3 to 8 persons; and 4 to 14 persons per group, respectively. The volume of maize crop marketed through cooperative efforts increased from 7.64±5.15 Kg to 15.66±6.94 Kg per person in each group. Farmers' size of land cultivated, their total produce harvested and productivity for maize and paddy increased after being members of the CATs group. Being male, young, educated, having ease of access to CATs master trainers and farmers' motivation enhanced the performance of the CATs extension approach. The commodity association trainers/traders have enhanced extension services in the project states. The initiative is recommended for up-scaling to cover other regions of Nigeria. Key words: Agricultural extension, Farmers’ group, Sasakawa Nigeria, Market-oriented agriculture

Mechanical Ventilation, Retinal Avascularity and Rate of Vascularisation: A Triad of Predictors for Retinopathy of Prematurity Treatment.

The temporal avascular area of the retina and the duration of mechanical ventilation (DMV) may predict the need to treat retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This study considers whether the rate of retinal vascularisation and related risk factors should be included in a predictive model of the need for ROP treatment. This single-centre, observational retrospective case-control study was conducted on 276 preterm infants included in an ROP screening programme. All had undergone at least three examinations of the fundus. The main outcome measures considered were DMV (in days of treatment), the temporal avascular area (in disc diameters, DD) and the rate of temporal retinal vascularisation (DD/week). The multivariate logistic model that best explains ROP treatment (R2 = 63.1%) has three significant risk factors: each additional day of mechanical ventilation (OR, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.02-1.09]; p = 0.001); each additional DD of temporal avascular area (OR, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.7-2.9]; p < 0.001) and a vascularisation rate <0.5 DD/week (OR, 19.0 [95% CI, 6.5-55.5]; p < 0.001). Two tables are presented for calculating the expected need for ROP treatment according to these three risk factors. A greater DMV, a broad avascular area of the temporal retina at the first binocular screening and slow retinal vascularisation strongly predict the need for ROP treatment. The predictive model we describe must be validated externally in other centres.

From Bricks to Bytes: Navigating Data Management in Construction Technology

With the advent of technological tools, systems, and mechanisms, the operating system in the construction industry has changed enormously. While technological advancements cover a broad area of software and hardware, those involved in data flow have significant roles in data sustainability. The data flow presupposes various requirements, interactions, consequences, and resource utilization and therefore plays a crucial role in construction organizations’ success. The importance of the data flow subject and the scarcity of pertinent studies provoked the current research, which aimed at the exploration of the data flow in construction companies and the effects of technological advancements on different stages of this flow. The overarching research question was, “what factors or processes generate data that do not add value to the construction organization.” In this context, the added value was considered a tradeoff between all consumed resources, including cost, human resources, hardware and software, and associated challenges on one side and the advantages of data generated on the other side. An extensive literature review was performed to examine the main milestones in the data-generative events in the construction industry, with a special emphasis on recent technological advancements such as BIM, VR, AR, and drones. In addition, a group of construction professionals who were in charge of processes was surveyed to produce empirical data for supplementary analysis. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a clear analysis of the data flow in construction companies which helps decision-makers to design and implement consistent and coherent data generative systems.