Indirect Evaluation Methods Research Articles

Innovative Approach for Human Semen Quality Assessment Based on Volatilomics.

The volatilome profile of some biofluids (blood, urine, and human semen) identified by Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) and collected from young men living in two high-pollution areas in Italy, i.e., Land of Fires and Valley of Sacco River, have been coupled to sperm parameters obtained by spermiogram analysis to build general multiple regression models. Panels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been selected to optimize the models and used as predictive variables to estimate the different sperm quality parameters (sperm cell concentration, total and progressive motility/immotile cells, total/head/neck/tail morphology anomalies, semen round cell concentration). The results of the multiple linear regression models based on the different subgroups of data joining VOCs from one/two or three biofluids have been compared. Surprisingly, the models based on blood and urine VOCs have allowed an excellent estimate of spermiogram values, paving the way towards a new method of indirect evaluation of semen quality and preventive screening. The significance of VOCs in terms of toxicity and dangerousness was discussed with the support of chemical databases available online.

Person-action Instance Search in Story Videos: An Experimental Study

Person-Action instance search (P-A INS) aims to retrieve the instances of a specific person doing a specific action, which appears in the 2019–2021 INS tasks of the world-famous TREC Video Retrieval Evaluation (TRECVID). Most of the top-ranking solutions can be summarized with a Division-Fusion-Optimization (DFO) framework, in which person and action recognition scores are obtained separately, then fused, and, optionally, further optimized to generate the final ranking. However, TRECVID only evaluates the final ranking results, ignoring the effects of intermediate steps and their implementation methods. We argue that conducting the fine-grained evaluations of intermediate steps of DFO framework will (1) provide a quantitative analysis of the different methods’ performance in intermediate steps; (2) find out better design choices that contribute to improving retrieval performance; and (3) inspire new ideas for future research from the limitation analysis of current techniques. Particularly, we propose an indirect evaluation method motivated by the leave-one-out strategy, which finds an optimal solution surpassing the champion teams in 2020–2021 INS tasks. Moreover, to validate the generalizability and robustness of the proposed solution under various scenarios, we specifically construct a new large-scale P-A INS dataset and conduct comparative experiments with both the leading NIST TRECVID INS solution and the state-of-the-art P-A INS method. Finally, we discuss the limitations of our evaluation work and suggest future research directions.

Сравнително изпитване устойчивостта на образци фасул към склеротинийно гниене (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) чрез директен и индиректен метод

White mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a key disease of common beans in temperate and subtropical climates. For the climatic conditions of Bulgaria, the infection occurs mainly as a result of mycelogenic development of the sclerotia, which is why the disease is observed mostly in varieties with a prostrate type of the habitus. Due to the wide range of hosts of the pathogen and long-term preservation of sclerotia in the soil, agrotechnical measures have little effect in controlling the fungus. Therefore, breeding resistant varieties are the most effective measure to prevent the disease. The selection of appropriate and verified methods for testing the source and breeding materials is of primary importance for the success of breeding programs to increase resistance to the pathogen. The present study aimed to compare the response of bean accessions to S. sclerotiorum, by applying a direct and indirect evaluation method with a view to their parallel use in the breeding process. The studies were conducted under greenhouse conditions, and 29 bean accessions were included in them. The accessions were grown in pots (45x30x10 cm) with a soil-sand mixture. In the first trifoliate leaf, the stem was cut at 3 cm from the node of the primary leaves (STAW test). A single-sided closed plastic straw containing an agar disc from the periphery of 3-day-old cultures of four isolates cultivated on PDA medium (five plants per isolate), was placed on the cut. The reaction of the accessions was recorded 7 days after inoculation on a 9-point scale. The cut plant parts (stem and trifoliate leaf) were immersed in oxalic acid solution (20 mM brought to pH=4.0 with 1N NaOH), five plants per sample. The cut plant parts immersed in sterile water adjusted to pH=4.0 with 1N HCl were used for the control. The reaction of the accessions was recorded after 19h on a 9-point scale. The data were processed with the SPSS stat. ver. 19 software. Significant differences were observed in the response of the accessions concerning the isolates used. Weak positive or negative correlations were found between the oxalate test and the STRAW test, and the direction was related to the aggressiveness of the isolates. It was established that for accessions A195, ‘GTB Scythia’, ‘Izabel’, ‘Rhodopeia’ and ‘Pirina’ the results of the oxalic test are comparable to those of the STRW-test. The obtained results give us reason to recommend the application of the oxalate test in the initial generations of the breeding materials, after a preliminary comparative analysis of the parental forms by both methods.

Determination of forest priority levels for wild boar by analysis of habitat suitability and landscape connectivity

The reduction and fragmentation of forests due to human activities are two primary factors that have led to forest biodiversity losses. The lack of forest continuation may prevent organisms from escaping areas that are no longer habitable due to altered environmental conditions and the reduction in size of habitat regions. Therefore, protecting and promoting forest connectivity has become one of the important objectives of forest management. The forests were regarded as independent elements, and the connectivity of the forest itself was directly evaluated in previous studies. However, this approach ignores the maintenance of forest connectivity, while requiring the participation of other landscape elements. In this study, we indirectly determine the forest priority by evaluating the landscape priority by integrating analysis with the habitat suitability (HS) model, MSPA and and BCkPC and dPCk index. We studied the wild boar (Sus scrofa) habitats in and around Hupingshan and Houhe National Nature Reserves to illustrate the indirect evaluation method of forest priority. The results showed that forests with high priority, medium priority, low priority, and non-priority comprised 596, 64, 58 and 105 km2, respectively, accounting for the 41.2, 2.7, 3.0, and 11.9% of the total forest area. Our research revealed that evaluating the forest priority by analysing the landscape priority was an effective method for forest priority identification, and this strategy can be used to other regions or species for the goal of identifying the forest priority for biodiversity conservation.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Prevalence of Head Lice Infestation among Children Attending Schools and Kindergartens in Poland.

Pediculosis capitis predominantly affects child populations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, various types of social limitations such as social isolation and limitations on educational facilities' functionalities were introduced worldwide, including in Poland. The impact of these pandemic restrictions on the prevalence of pediculosis capitis has not been extensively investigated so far. Existing data on this topic are limited mainly to indirect evaluation methods, such as online surveys or Internet analysis. In this study, we directly examined a cohort of over five thousand children to assess the influence of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the prevalence of head lice infestation among school and kindergarten attendees in Poland. Our findings demonstrate that the restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in the number of children infested with head lice compared to pre-pandemic data. These results confirm that head lice infestations remain an ongoing epidemiological concern and warrant continued monitoring.

GIS as a tool to apply the universal equation of soil loss in the Sextin river basin

Erosion is a process in which the superficial layer of the soil is lost, which provides the plants with the highest concentration of nutrients and the water they need, thanks to its high organic matter content. According to the United Nations Organization and Goal 2 'Zero Hunger' of the Sustainable Development Goals, soil erosion is a factor that restricts the ability to produce nutritious food. In this sense, it is important to monitor this natural process, an effective method is the implementation of the Universal Soil Loss Equation, which is a quantitative method of indirect evaluation that can be used through Geographic Information Systems in a determined area, in this method variables such as topography, land slope, land use, site geology, and average annual rainfall. The study site of this research is the Sextín River Basin located northwest of the State of Durango, Mexico, with a surface area of 4,906.8 km2. The results obtained indicate that the rate of soil loss reaches a value of 27,201 tons/ha/year, corresponding mainly to areas where the topography presents a high percentage of its slopes.

Three components strain-gauge type aircraft surface friction resistance sensor: Design, manufacturing, and calibration

Surface friction resistance acting on hypersonic vehicles with speeds greater than Mach 5 caused by air viscosity accounts for more than half of the total resistance. Accurate prediction of the surface resistance of a vehicle is the basis of resistance reduction, and prediction methods are mainly categorized into direct measurement and indirect evaluation methods. In this study, a novel three-component strain-type surface-friction-resistance measurement sensor is developed. A double-layer assembly-type orthogonal-sensitive element structure is adopted, and its friction-sensing block is replaceable based on test demands. Finite element calculation results show that the interference between the measured components of the friction-resistance sensor structure is considerably small, and the maximum theoretical interference is 0.53%. After calibration test compensation, the sensor exhibited high repeatability and accuracy, with three-measurement component precisions of 0.21%, 0.16%, and 0.09%, and the corresponding accuracies were 0.32%, 0.27%, and 0.19%, respectively.

An Indirect Evaluation Method of Mold Coating Thickness in AlSi Alloy Permanent Mold Casting Production

Permanent mold casting produces the second most aluminum cast parts among all casting processes. In this process, mold coating changes the heat transferred from the molten metal to the mold by acting as an insulating layer. Moreover, the coating thickness is a significant variable regarding the coating’s thermal resistance, which strongly influences the microstructure of cast parts and the thermal shock on expensive molds. However, in casting production, coating peeling-off and repeated recoating result in an inhomogeneous coating thickness distribution. Due to the high working temperatures of the molds, no efficient online coating thickness measurements exist. We propose an indirect evaluation method based on the as-cast surface corresponding to the coating area. Our experiments analyzed as-cast and coating surfaces at nine different coating thicknesses. The results show a close correlation between the as-cast surface roughness parameter of arithmetical mean height Sa and the coating thickness. Based on this correlation, we can derive the coating thickness from the corresponding as-cast surface analysis. Furthermore, the coating peel-off area and other casting surface defects are easily recognized in these surfaces. In our next work plan, an affordable optical camera and proper light conditions will be tested by taking photos of as-cast surfaces, and an algorithm for the real-time automatic evaluation will be developed.

Evaluation of Pozzolanic Activity of Mineral Additives for Hydraulic Concrete

High the quality and reliability of hydraulic engineering construction is the basis of civil engineering technology. The use of mineral additives in hydraulic concrete decreases heat dissipation, contribute to a reduced adiabatic rise in the temperature of concrete, improve its performance characteristics and increase durability. Application of such materials will reduce binder consumption without the decrease of concrete properties and mostly even impoving the properties of mortar and concrete. An indirect method of pozzolanic activity evaluation of low-calcium fly ash, volcanic slag, volcanic tuff and waste basalt powder was applied in the study. The investigation shows that volcanic slag is additive with the least volume increase at age of 30 days and it has high pozzolanic properties. The results show that it can be used as base pozzolanic additive for economically and technologically effective hydraulic concrete, superior to non-additive concrete. Use of pozzolanic additives will positively affect the environment due to Portland cement use decrease and the utilization of waste dumps, decrease cost of concrete and a more rational use of natural resources and sustainable development.

Can Indirect Evaluation Methods and Their Fusion Products Reduce Uncertainty in Actual Evapotranspiration Estimates?

AbstractAccurately estimating actual evapotranspiration (ET) across global land surface is one of the key challenges in terrestrial hydrological cycles and energy flux balance studies. Gridded ET products have the potential for application in ungauged basins, but their uncertainties are possibly large and it remains unclear which one is best for a given basin. The water balance (WB) method provides a direct estimate of basin scale ET, but it cannot be used in ungauged basins where streamflow data are unavailable. Here, we first assess the performance of ET from 10 global ET products against WB ET estimates in 43 large river basins. The paper then uses three indirect evaluation methods [Three Cornered Hat (TCH), Arithmetic Average (AA), and Bayesian Three Cornered Hat] to identify the optimal ET products without the need of prior information, and to generate fusion products combining the ET from multiple products. Using the evaluation results derived from the WB method as the reference, the results show that the three methods have great success in identifying poorer products, suggesting that they are useful in filtering poor ET products in applications. However, the ability of such methods in identifying better ET products degrades slightly. The AA fusion product, which combines ET outputs from multiple products, is marginally better than the best single ET product in many of the 43 basins. Because of its simplicity, it could be used to reduce the uncertainty in ET estimates from multiple products for ungauged basins and regions.

Comparing Direct and Indirect Methods of Audio Quality Evaluation in Virtual Reality Scenes of Varying Complexity.

Many quality evaluation methods are used to assess uni-modal audio or video content without considering perceptual, cognitive, and interactive aspects present in virtual reality (VR) settings. Consequently, little is known regarding the repercussions of the employed evaluation method, content, and subject behavior on the quality ratings in VR. This mixed between- and within-subjects study uses four subjective audio quality evaluation methods (viz. multiple-stimulus with and without reference for direct scaling, and rank-order elimination and pairwise comparison for indirect scaling) to investigate the contributing factors present in multi-modal 6-DoF VR on quality ratings of real-time audio rendering. For each between-subjects employed method, two sets of conditions in five VR scenes were evaluated within-subjects. The conditions targeted relevant attributes for binaural audio reproduction using scenes with various amounts of user interactivity. Our results show all referenceless methods produce similar results using both condition sets. However, rank-order elimination proved to be the fastest method, required the least amount of repetitive motion, and yielded the highest discrimination between spatial conditions. Scene complexity was found to be a main effect within results, with behavioral and task load index results implying more complex scenes and interactive aspects of 6-DoF VR can impede quality judgments.

ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN CAPITAL LEVEL USING THE UPGRADED HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX

This article discusses the measurement of human capital using an indirect method of evaluation – the Human Development Index (HDI). Each year, UNDP experts present the HDI in Human development reports. The problem of improving the human development index is presented and solved by introducing new components in its structure – the unemployment index and the wage index. The aim of the study is to test the results of the modernized human development index on the example of the subjects of the Russian Federation. The key research methods are synthesis and comparative analysis, with the help of which the structure of the index is analyzed in detail; the method of selecting and processing a statistical database is applied; the graphical method is used to construct illustrative material, as well as the empirical method of research. The article presents the rating of Russian regions, compiled on the basis of the improved human development index. A comparative analysis of two methods of calculating the index is carried out – the UNDP method and the author's method. Two methods of calculating the human development index are also analyzed in detail, their method is analyzed. It is clearly shown what changes occurred in the formulas for calculating the main indicators included in the structure of the human development index.

Methodologies in Identification, Analysis, and Measurement of Visual Pollution: The Case Study of Intramuros

The problem of visual pollution in the Philippines has been increasingly evident, and people are becoming aware of it. But to create effective solutions, a deep understanding of the problem should first be established. This paper was aimed to identify, analyze, and measure the visual pollution present in Intramuros, a heritage city in the Philippines that encapsulates the Philippine colonial architecture in the 1890s. The site is known for its preservation of its city image but also modern landscape changes. To achieve the goal, the application of the Indirect and Direct Method of Landscape Evaluation was executed. These methods led to two results: (1) the identification of components— which are landscape attributes and indicators, that make up a visual landscape; and (2) the understanding of how it is perceived by the observer through a survey and interviews, which are quantified by ratings. To further understand the relationship of indicators and ratings with each other, a series of correlational studies was done. This resulted to the establishment of Disturbance, Stewardship, and Image Rating as the primary descriptors of visual pollution. A weighted average formula was then established, which quantified the visual pollution of Intramuros through indicator values and response ratings. It was concluded that visual pollution in Intramuros, through research-based methodology, can be identified, analyzed, and measured. Specific viewpoints in the district were identified as unacceptably visually-polluted. Magallanes St. cor. Victoria St. in Intramuros had the highest VP Score at -4.886. Elements that contributed to visual pollution were also identified.

Elements of Pathway for Quick and Reliable Health Monitoring of Concrete Behavior in Cable Post-Tensioned Concrete Girders.

The paper discusses the problems connected with long-term exploitation of reinforced concrete post-tensioned girders. The scale of problems in the world related to the number of cable post-tensioned concrete girders built in the 1950s and still in operation is very large and possibly has very serious consequences. The paper presents an analysis and evaluation of the results of measurements of the deflection and strength and homogeneity of concrete in cable–concrete roof girders of selected industrial halls located in Poland, exploited for over 50 years. On the basis of the results of displacement monitoring in the years 2009–2020, the maximum increments of deflection of the analyzed girders were determined. Non-destructive, destructive, and indirect evaluation methods were used to determine the compressive strength of concrete. Within the framework of the indirect method recommended in standard PN-EN 13791, a procedure was proposed by the authors to modify the so-called base curve for determining compressive strength. Due to the age of the analyzed structural elements, a correction factor for the age of concrete was taken into account in the strength assessment. The typical value of the characteristic compressive strength is within the range 20.3–28.4 MPa. As a result of the conducted tests, the concrete class assumed in the design was not confirmed, and its classification depended on the applied test method. The analyzed girders, in spite of their long-term exploitation, can be still used for years on the condition that regular periodical inspections of their technical condition are carried out. The authors emphasize the necessity for a permanent and cyclic diagnostic process and monitoring of the geometry of girders, as they are expected to operate much longer than was assumed by their designers.

Planning pipeline pigging operations with predictive maintenance

Deposition of waxes, asphaltenes, scales or hydrates is one of the most challenging operational problems in the oil and gas industry, both during production and transportation. Direct inspection procedures, such as employing a closed-circuit television system, allow visual assessment of the blockage, yet discretely in time and, consequently, of low value for the purpose of ensuring production over time. Therefore, an indirect predictive maintenance method for systematic evaluation of the internal pipe section is herein developed, adding a much needed solution to the current body of knowledge. Using continuous field measurements, it is now possible to predict when pigging should be performed to avoid significant blockages. Moreover, evaluating the maintenance plan risk is another major achievement. Finally, the proposed methodology and model were applied to a real case-study yielding good results compared to the current scheduled maintenance approaches.

An indirect method for particle packing gradation evaluation of coal water slurry by wet preparation

In this study, based on the idea of cutting particle packing from three to two dimensions, an indirect evaluation method for calculating packing voids and probabilities is proposed. Actual coal particles with average particle sizes of 244, 104, 45 and 17 μm were used to build 20 stable three-particle packing and 35 unstable four-particle packing models. Three algorithms, the Law of Cosines, Heron Formula, Bretschneider's Formula were used to calculate irregular particle packing voids. Four indexes of cumulative void areas, ƩPVT, ƩPST, ƩPVQ and ƩPSQ (P is the probability, VT, ST, VQ, SQ are void areas both in three-particle and four-particle packing) were created. The accuracy of the method was testified by poly-nominal fit analysis. The correctness of this method was confirmed by two case studies of 96 factory CWS samples and 18 laboratory CWS samples. The method also provides a feasible way to evaluate particle packing in other industrial fields.

Evaluation of the Usability of the Immunization Information System in Brazil: A Mixed-Method Study.

Introduction: Usability is a quality attribute that can evaluate the ease of use of user interfaces, based on standards called usability heuristics. Objective: To evaluate the usability components of the Brazilian Immunization Information System (IIS), focusing on the users and their interaction and agility with the interfaces. Materials and Methods: It was a concomitant and convergent mixed-method study that used a cross-sectional design for the quantitative approach and the indirect method of heuristic evaluation for the qualitative approach. Participants were 137 nursing professionals working in vaccination rooms, who completed a structured questionnaire on standards of usability quality, and 4 specialists in information technology, who used a semistructured form to carry out a software inspection. Descriptive and inferential statistics and the heuristic inspection were used for the analyses. Results: The evaluation resulted in 10 violated heuristics and identified 14 usability problems on the 68 screens of the IIS. The system presented simple usability problems (grade 2 severity), which can be repaired, with a low correction priority. The heuristics best evaluated were error prevention (3.03 ± 0.54) and help and documentation (3.00 ± 0.68); and the worst evaluated was visibility of system status, with a mean of 2.62 ± 0.55. Professionals with a technical education level presented a higher score on the scales for the recognition rather than recall heuristic when compared with the nurses (2.77 ± 0.49 vs. 3.67 ± 0.66, p = 0.003). Conclusion: The system provides easy access for users, however, has weaknesses in its ability to allow the users to easily achieve their goals of interaction with the interface.

Is it possible to synthesize bulk salt compounds?

AbstractThe existence and stability of bulk salt compounds are theoretically investigated in this study. This undertaking is carried out to address the following challenge: synthesizing a bulk salt compound containing a noble gas lighter than Kr. The reliability of theoretical calculations on systems is assessed by benchmark calculations of the well‐known salt. In the benchmark calculations, a two‐pronged evaluation strategy, including direct and indirect evaluation methods, is used to theoretically investigate the spectroscopic constants of cation and the existence and stability of the salt. The validity of the theoretical calculation methods in the benchmark calculations of salt allows us to adopt a similar methodology to effectively predict the existence and stability of salt compounds. Calculations based on the Born‐Haber cycle using estimated lattice energies and some necessary ancillary thermochemical data show that salt compounds can be synthesized, and their upper‐limit stable temperatures are estimated to be −237.589, −197.76, and −80.539°C. The salt compound is the most promising candidate. Calculations also show that the salt compounds cannot be stabilized.

Comparison Between Radiological Versus Endoscopic Assessment of Adenoid Tissue in Patients of Chronic Adenoiditis.

The adenoids are a common cause for morbidity in pre-school and school going children. Adenoid hypertrophy is common cause of nasal obstruction in pediatric population. The assessment of the size of palatine tonsil hypertrophy is quiet easy to perform, however, measuring the size of nasopharyngeal tonsil and establishing its connection with the given symptoms is more difficult. This is basically due to the location of a tonsil in the nasopharyngeal cavity. Since the cavity is inaccessible directly and cannot be examined visually, many direct and indirect methods of adenoid size evaluation have been developed. The objective of this study is to compare the diagnostic efficacy of both X-ray soft tissue nasopharynx lateral view and nasoendoscopy in evaluation of adenoid size in patients having chronic adenoiditis. Our study included 50 children in age group of 3-14years who had signs and symptoms of adenoiditis clinically. After comparing X-ray and endoscopic findings we found that there was good agreement between X-ray and endoscopic method. Sensitivity of X-ray was 79.41% and specificity of 75% whereas sensitivity of nasoendoscopy was 87.10% and specificity was 63.16%. Nasal endoscopy is good screening method and more accurate method to assess the size of adenoids in patients of chronic adenoiditis.

Freezing-thawing resistance evaluations of concrete pavements with deicing salts based on various surfaces and air void parameters

The interaction of deicing chemicals and freezing-thawing cycles produces serious scaling damage of airport concrete pavement. The indoor test of freezing-thawing resistance with deicing salts of concrete is still open to the question, and the indirect evaluation method has inherent disadvantages. In this study, the damage process of different surfaces of concrete when immersed into deicing salt solution was compared and analyzed. Roughness growth ratio (RGR) was proposed to quantify the degree of pockmark caused by salt freeze damage. Industrial computer tomography (CT) technology was used to scan the hardened cement concrete specimens to obtain the bubble structure distribution information. The void-to-void distance as a factor was proposed to evaluate the freezing-thawing resistance with deicing salts performance of the cement concrete, and compared with the Power’s spacing factor of the salt resistance performance of the hardened cement concrete in the existing specification. The results revealed that the molded surface showed the worst resistance to the salt frost action, followed by the molded side, and the sawed side was the best. It was found that there was a good correspondence between the air content of concrete test surface and the mass loss during freezing-thawing cycles. Powers’ spacing factor was found to underestimate the resistance potential to frost damage when compared to the void-to-void distance factor d-, which had a good correlation with scaling mass at 28 freezing-thawing cycles. Thus, the freezing-thawing resistance with deicing salts of the cement concrete could lead to introduce the void-to-void distance factor d- for characterization of hardened concrete.