Intensity Projection Research Articles

Uncertainties Inherent from Large-Scale Climate Projections in the Statistical Downscaling Projection of North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Activity

Abstract North Atlantic tropical cyclone (TC) activity under a high-emission scenario is projected using a statistical synthetic storm model coupled with nine phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) climate models. The ensemble projection shows that the annual frequency of TCs generated in the basin will decrease from 15.91 (1979–2014) to 12.16 (2075–2100), and TC activity will shift poleward and coastward. The mean of lifetime maximum intensity will increase from 66.50 to 75.04 kt (1 kt ≈ 0.51 m s−1). Large discrepancies in TC frequency and intensity projections are found among the nine CMIP6 climate models. The uncertainty in the projection of wind shear is the leading cause of the discrepancies in the TC climatology projection, dominating the uncertainties in the projection of thermodynamic parameters such as potential intensity and saturation deficit. The uncertainty in the projection of wind shear may be related to the different projections of horizontal gradient of vertically integrated temperature in the climate models, which can be induced by different parameterizations of physical processes including surface process, sea ice, and cloud feedback. Informed by the uncertainty analysis, a surrogate model is developed to provide the first-order estimation of TC activity in climate models based on large-scale environmental features.

3D Radiation Mapping Using Gaussian Process Regression with Intensity Projection

This article presents a novel approach for generating a three‐dimensional radiation map using data collected by mobile robots, aimed at monitoring radiation distribution in environments such as nuclear power plants. The proposed approach leverages Gaussian process regression with a novel adaptation of the inverse square law as a kernel function, which accurately reflects the physical characteristics of radiation, enabling precise mapping from uncertain data. Additionally, a method is proposed for constructing a comprehensive radiation map in 3D environments by estimating the radiation source and project the radiation data from sparse data. The effectiveness of the methodology is validated through simulations and experiments. Utilizing Octomap, a 3D spatial mapping tool, the study not only successfully visualizes radiation distribution in complex settings with multiple sources but also quantitatively demonstrates the enhanced accuracy of our approach compared to other existing methods. This research offers contributions in managing radiation risks, providing essential insights into the field.

189 IMPROVING DEMENTIA CARE THROUGH SELF-EXPERIENCE; CO-DESIGNING A SIMULATION-BASED DEMENTIA EDUCATION TOOLKIT

Abstract Background Although specialised dementia education programmes have begun to appear in recent years, they lack consistency. Knowledge gaps persist, which results in a professional workforce who can struggle to anticipate the care needs of people with dementia. Self-experience or simulation practices (e.g., roleplays, virtual reality, sensory tools) are established teaching methods that can provide learning opportunities to experience aspects of illness. These innovative learning approaches can positively impact empathy, understanding, and quality of care; however, they are rarely implemented in specialised care for people with dementia. The Improving demeNtia care Through Self-Experience (INTENSE) project has co-designed a dementia simulation toolkit to educate, equip, and train professionals to better support people with dementia. Methods As part of the Erasmus+ INTenSE project, a series of three participatory, online workshops were conducted with people with dementia, informal caregivers, and dementia-care professionals in Ireland, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. The first explored the co-design of training scenarios using simulation tools to demonstrate the lived experience of dementia. The second involved the co-design of an online training platform. The third examined the sustainable implementation of INTenSE into practice. All workshops were inductively coded and analysed thematically. Results Recommended training scenarios demonstrate daily activities and environments that impact people with dementia using a combination of existing and newly developed simulation tools. Four themes arose from workshop discussions: 1) representation of dementia, 2) daily challenges that impact people with dementia, 3) applying a person-centred approach, and 4) implementing self-experience training. Together these were used to develop facilitation guides to support the implementation of the INTenSE simulation toolkit into practice. Conclusion These findings demonstrate the potential of simulating self-experience across a range of everyday scenarios as a means to increase professionals' empathy and understanding of the lived experience of dementia. Recommendations have been developed that support the use of self-experience tools in practice.

34785 Epidermal reconstruction during ex vivo confocal microscopy for detection of superficial basal cell carcinoma with 3D-mosaicking and intensity projection

Background: Ex vivo confocal microscopy (EVCM) rapidly images fresh tissues to create digitally colorized H&E-images. It has a high sensitivity (79.8%-100%) and specificity (78%-100%) for the detection of residual basal cell carcinoma (BCC) during Mohs surgery. However, with current tissue mounting techniques, tissue flattening affects the visualization of the entire epidermis, impacting detection of superficial BCC (sBCC).

Field assessment of organic amendments and spring barley to phytomanage a Cu/PAH-contaminated soil.

The INTENSE project, supported by the EU Era-Net Facce Surplus, aimed at increasing crop production on marginal land, including those with contaminated soils. A field trial was set up at a former wood preservation site to phytomanage a Cu/PAH-contaminated sandy soil. The novelty was to assess the influence of five organic amendments differing in their composition and production process, i.e. solid fractions before and after biodigestion of pig manure, compost and compost pellets (produced from spent mushroom substrate, biogas digestate and straw), and greenwaste compost, on Cu availability, soil properties, nutrient supply, and plant growth. Organic amendments were incorporated into the soil at 2.3% and 5% soil w/w. Total soil Cu varied from 179 to 1520mgkg-1, and 1M NH4NO3-extractable soil Cu ranged from 4.7 to 104mgkg-1 across the 25 plots. Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Ella) was cultivated in plots. Changes in physico-chemical soil properties, shoot DW yield, shoot ionome, and shoot Cu uptake depending on extractable soil Cu and the soil treatments are reported. Shoot Cu concentration varied from 45 ± 24 to 140 ± 193mgkgDW-1 and generally increased with extractable soil Cu. Shoot DW yield, shoot Cu concentration, and shoot Cu uptake of barley plants did not significantly differ across the soil treatments in year 1. Based on soil and plant parameters, the effects of the compost and pig manure treatments were globally discriminated from those of the untreated, greenwaste compost and digested pig manure treatments. Compost and its pellets at the 5% addition rate promoted soil functions related to primary production, water purification, and soil fertility, and the soil quality index.

Learning-based occupational x-ray scatter estimation

Objective. During x-ray-guided interventional procedures, the medical staff is exposed to scattered ionizing radiation caused by the patient. To increase the staff’s awareness of the invisible radiation and monitor dose online, computational scatter estimation methods are convenient. However, such methods are usually based on Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, which are inherently computationally expensive. Yet, in the interventional environment, immediate feedback to the personnel is desirable. Approach. In this work, we propose deep neural networks to mitigate the computational effort of MC simulations. Our learning-based models consider detailed models of the (outer) patient shape and (inner) anatomy, additional objects in the room, and the x-ray tube spectrum to cover imaging settings encountered in real interventional settings. We investigate two cases of scatter prediction. First, we employ network architectures to estimate the full three-dimensional (3D) scatter distribution. Second, we investigate the prediction of two-dimensional (2D) intensity projections that facilitate the intra-procedural visualization. Main results. Depending on the dimensionality of the estimated scatter distribution and the network architecture, the mean relative error of each network is in the range of 12% and 14% compared to MC simulations. However, 3D scatter distributions can be estimated within 60 ms and 2D distributions within 15 ms. Significance. Overall, our method is suitable to support the online assessment of scattered ionizing radiation in the interventional environment and can help to lower the occupational radiation risk.

Regulatory Support for Biosequestration Projects in Australia: A Useful Model for Transition to Net-Zero Emissions?

This paper considers the effectiveness of Australian regulatory measures to support storing atmospheric carbon in plants and organic matter in soils (biosequestration), a central element of the Australian greenhouse gas (GHG) emission policy through the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). Eligible methodologies under the ERF are broader than those in other jurisdictions. Hence Australian experience may have international application. The functionality of Australian regulation to achieve GHG emissions reduction is considered, focusing on provisions relating to additionality, permanence, monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions bio-sequestration. This analysis is conducted by reviewing key publications by research organisations, academics, government departments, industry organisations, environmental organisations and private sector consultancies. While the integrity of Australian biosequestration offsets is generally well regarded, persistent issues have been identified with regard to the additionality of avoided deforestation methane capture in intensive agriculture and landfill gas projects. The proportion of Australian emissions represented by existing biosequestration offset projects is deficient. These issues must be addressed in order to scale up biosequestration projects as an effective element of Australia's net-zero emissions strategy. It can best be achieved by tightening Safeguard Mechanism baselines to drive demand for carbon credits and funding the Clean Energy Regulator to implement effective, independent MRV. Ongoing regulatory reform will be necessary to address such issues as they arise in the course of the implementation of specific methodologies. Nonetheless, ongoing emissions risks relating to biosequestration and other offset projects can only be adequately addressed by complementary policy to reduce emissions at the source.

Empowering computing students with proficiency in robotics via situated learning

With the increasing employment of robots in multiple areas such as smart manufacturing and intelligent transportation, both undergraduate and graduate students from computing related majors (e.g., computer science and information technology) demonstrated strong interests in learning robotics technology to broaden their career opportunities. However, instilling computing students with robotics knowledge remains a challenge since most of them have limited pre-training in engineering subjects such as electronics and mechatronics. Therefore, robotics education for computing students demands an immersive real-world learning environment by considering both theories and intensive hands-on projects. Different from traditional textbook-directed robotics learning, in this study, a situated learning-based robotics education pedagogy is proposed for computing students to equip them with robotics expertise and foster their problem-solving skills in real-world human–robot interaction contexts. To create a realistic human–robot collaboration situation, a multi-modal collaborative robot is employed in the classroom-based learning community for the whole semester. Mini-project-based homework and team projects are designed for students to practice their critical thinking and hands-on experiences. The bidirectional-evaluation approach is utilized by the instructor and students to assess the quality of the proposed pedagogy. Practice results and student evaluations suggested that the proposed situated learning-based pedagogy and robotics curriculum provided computing students to learn robotics in an effective way, which was well recognized and accepted by students even most of them were beginners. Future work of this study is also discussed.

Analysis of Sub-Daily Precipitation for the PannEx Region

The PannEx is a GEWEX-initiated, community driven research network in the Pannonian Basin. One of the main scientific issues to address in PannEx is the investigation of precipitation extremes. Meteorological Services in the PannEx area collected the hourly precipitation data and commonly used a computer program, which was developed in the INTENSE project, to produce a set of global hydro-climatic indices. Calculations are carried out on data aggregated 1-, 3- and 6-h intervals. Selected indices are analyzed in this paper to assess the general climatology of the short-term precipitation in the Pannonian basin. The following indices are illustrated on maps and graphs: the annual mean and maxima of 1-h, 3-h and 6-h sums, the count of 3-hr periods greater than 20 mm thresholds, the maximum length of wet hours, the timing of wettest hour and the 1-h precipitation intensity. The seasonal trends of the 1-h precipitation intensity were tested from 1998 to 2019. Analysis of sub-daily precipitation has been limited by the availability of data on a global or a regional scale. The international effort made in this work through collaboration in the PannEx initiative contributes to enlarging the data availability for regional and global analysis of sub-daily precipitation extremes.

Modern Approaches to Administration of Long-Term Science- Intensive and High Technology Projects

Modern Approaches to Administration of Long-Term Science- Intensive and High Technology Projects

X-ray Computed Tomography as a Tool for Screening Sediment Cores: An Application to the Lagoons of the Po River Delta (Italy)

Lagoon sediments have heterogeneous structure and texture, contain shells and plants and are often highly bioturbated and disturbed by human activities. In such sediments, the selection of representative cores and the choice of a subsampling strategy are important but difficult. In this study, we examine the usefulness of X-ray computed tomography (CT) for inferring sediment features that will help in making optimal decisions prior to core opening (24 cores from seven lagoons). Various algorithms (intensity projections, slice thickness, axial and sagittal images, CT number profiles and volumetric region of interest) are tested to visualise low- and high-density volumes or objects and to quantify the relations between the average volumetric CT number and the bulk density of the sediment matrix. The CT number is related mainly to water content and indirectly to total nitrogen and <16-μm grain-size fraction (model R2 = 0.94). The outliers are attributed to a weak correspondence between the fraction of sediment sampled for water content determination and the volume of sediment matrix used for CT number measurements in highly heterogeneous sediment slices. In conclusion, CT is a powerful tool for the initial screening of cores recovered from heterogeneous lagoon sediments. The adequate use of available algorithms may provide quantitative information on various sediment features, allowing the purposeful selection of cores and subsamples for further investigation.

An integrated approach to identify suitable areas for built-up development using GIS-based multi-criteria analysis and AHP in Siliguri planning area, India

Unplanned and haphazard built-up growth due to immense pressure of population is a common problem for maximum cities of developing countries which paves to create urban sprawl by capturing spacious areas of natural environment. For this, selection of suitable places for built-up development by maintaining ecological balance has become inevitable part for proper urban planning. Siliguri planning area, which has witnessed a tremendous growth in built-up features after the 1990, has been chosen for this work to find out best places for future built-up development with minimum effects on different natural features and also calculates the amount of different types of suitability which will be transferred from different land use and land cover categories in near future which is a novelty of this work. The work has been executed through GIS-based multi-criteria analysis, and a total of nine criteria have been taken to locate best places for built-up development. Analytic hierarchy process or AHP has been used to calculate weights of each criterion by using pair wise comparison matrix. Final site suitability map has been prepared with four different classes: high suitable, moderate suitable, less suitable and restricted area and the percentage of land is high in moderate suitable category that is 52.33% which covers the intermediary portion, mainly wastelands and agricultural land of the study area with higher facility of accessibility. Results from this work would be helpful for the planners, stakeholders, policy makers by identifying best locations for the intensive developmental projects in near future.

Abstract P818: Increased Eligibility for Endovascular Therapy Following Intensive Door-To-Transfer Improvement Project

Background and Purpose: Early EVT for large vessel acute ischemic stroke is associated with reduced disability and mortality. Longer transfer times from the sending facility contribute to poorer EVT outcomes, and in some circumstances, patient ineligibility for EVT due to a completed stroke on arrival to the endovascular site. Reducing avoidable delays will result in overall improved EVT outcomes and reduce the frequency of completed stroke upon arrival. Methods: A multidisciplinary group utilized the Lean A3 process and PDCA improvement cycle to reduce transfer times. Avoidable delays and resources to expedite the transfers were identified. A standardized plan with defined roles and responsibilities, communication pathways, early transport team activation, and robust staff education were implemented. The PI team met weekly for 3 months to review each individual transfer, determine what went well and what did not, and to identify additional improvement opportunities. A weekly summary with feedback was provided to front line staff and managers. Staff involved in patient transfers that had a DIDO of 90 min or less were recognized with a “Brain Pin” and staff recognition certificate. Results: Since its implementation, 23 patients were transferred for potential EVT. Compared with 12 months prior to implementation, the DIDO median time was reduced from 119 minutes to 80.5 minutes, transfers were achieved in 90 min or less 61% (n=15) of the time vs. 27.2%, and percentage of EVT eligible patients increased from 58.3 to 78.3%. Conclusion: In conclusion, rapid reduction of DIDO times and increased patient eligibility for thrombectomy is attainable through an intensive multidisciplinary process improvement project. Implementing a standardized workflow that includes rapid identification of potential EVT transfers, early activation of the transport team, development of clear pathways of communication, defined roles and responsibilities within the team, and regular staff feedback are essential.

A Lightweight Internet Sharing Scheme for Sectional Medical Images according to Existing Hospital Network Facilities and Basic Information Security Rules.

Background With the outbreak of COVID-19, large-scale telemedicine applications can play an important role in the epidemic areas or less developed areas. However, the transmission of hundreds of megabytes of Sectional Medical Images (SMIs) from hospital's Intranet to the Internet has the problems of efficiency, cost, and security. This article proposes a novel lightweight sharing scheme for permitting Internet users to quickly and safely access the SMIs from a hospital using an Internet computer anywhere but without relying on a virtual private network or another complex deployment. Methods A four-level endpoint network penetration scheme based on the existing hospital network facilities and information security rules was proposed to realize the secure and lightweight sharing of SMIs over the Internet. A “Master-Slave” interaction to the interactive characteristics of multiplanar reconstruction and maximum/minimum/average intensity projection was designed to enhance the user experience. Finally, a prototype system was established. Results When accessing SMIs with a data size ranging from 251.6 to 307.04 MB with 200 kBps client bandwidth (extreme test), the network response time to each interactive request remained at approximately 1 s, the original SMIs were kept in the hospital, and the deployment did not require a complex process; the imaging quality and interactive experience were recognized by radiologists. Conclusions This solution could serve Internet medicine at a low cost and may promote the diversified development of mobile medical technology. Under the current COVID-19 epidemic situation, we expect that it could play a low-cost and high-efficiency role in remote emergency support.

Cost Control Innovation Strategy in the Economic Management of Marine Construction

Fan, J., 2020. Cost control innovation strategy in the economic management of marine construction. In: Qiu, Y.; Zhu, H., and Fang, X. (eds.), Current Advancements in Marine and Coastal Research for Technological and Sociological Applications. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 107, pp. 117-120. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.With the introduction of one belt, one road strategy, the coastal economy of China has developed rapidly. This has also caused the increasing number of marine engineering projects, especially marine architecture. Obviously, the ocean engineering project has become an important factor affecting the national economic development, which is a technology and capital intensive and complex project. For marine construction engineering, we must do a good job in cost control, which will directly affect the quality management and budget management of the project. Under the new market environment, marine construction engineering must take project development as the main profit model, which requires us to control the cost of the whole process of the project. Through Early value management, residual value estimation method and other methods, we can control the cost well, which can also better control the progress and budget. Firstly, this paper analyzes the main characteristics and calculation methods of cost control. Then, according to the actual distance of Dingcheng project in Yantai. Finally, some suggestions are put forward.

Complete visualization of epidermal margin during ex vivo confocal microscopy of excised tissue with 3-dimensional mosaicking and intensity projection

Ex vivo confocal microscopy allows evaluation of margins of freshly excised tissue for residual basal cell carcinoma (BCC) during staged excision. This approach helps assess margins in the initial stages of excision, while histopathology provides final-stage confirmation for clearance. 1 Jain M. Rajadhyaksha M. Nehal K. Implementation of fluorescence confocal mosaicking microscopy by “early adopter” Mohs surgeons and dermatologists: recent progress. J Biomed Opt. 2017; 22: 24002-24078 Crossref PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar However, with the existing tissue mounting devices 1 Jain M. Rajadhyaksha M. Nehal K. Implementation of fluorescence confocal mosaicking microscopy by “early adopter” Mohs surgeons and dermatologists: recent progress. J Biomed Opt. 2017; 22: 24002-24078 Crossref PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar ,2 Pérez-Anker J. Puig S. Malvehy J. A fast and effective option for tissue flattening: optimizing time and efficacy in ex vivo confocal microscopy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020; 82: e157-e158 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (13) Google Scholar flattening the peripheral edges of excised tissue on the cover glass window of the microscope, and imaging of the complete epidermis, which is crucial for the detection of underlying superficial BCCs (sBCC), remains challenging.

Examining sociocultural factors in assessing vocabulary knowledge of children from low socio-economic background

ABSTRACT The purpose of this evaluation study was twofold: to evaluate the overall impact of an intensive early childhood literacy project on children’s vocabulary knowledge and to examine the sociocultural context of the vocabulary assessment for the early literacy project. Children’s language development and vocabulary knowledge was measured with PPVT-IV and TOPEL at two time points. Significant gains were found in children’s print knowledge, but no significant difference was found with the definitional vocabulary and phonological awareness. Deductive content analysis was conducted to examine the sociocultural context of the standardized vocabulary test showing discrepancy between children’s responses and standard answers. Results from the current study provide helpful information for researchers to pay closer attention to the cultural and social context beyond the validity and reliability of a standardized assessment.

The Hinterland of Nikaia/Nicaea/Iznik. Analyzing the Hellenistic, Roman, and Late Antique Bithynian Landscape through Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

With this paper, we present the first exemplary results of the Topoi A-6-6 Project The economic landscape of the Hellenistic, Roman and Late Antique Bithynia. Iznik intensive survey project (2013–2 016), focusing on the hinterland of Nikaia/Nicaea/Iznik during the Hellenistic, Roman and Late Antique periods. For this study we used a body of integrated landscape archaeological methods including remote sensing techniques, archaeomorphological analysis, and extensive and intensive fieldwork in test areas, as well as GIS-based mapping and spatial analysis.

An evaluation of the risk factors for orchidism and the efficacy of intensive corticosteroids therapy for the complicating testicular adrenal rest tumors in the patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency during the childhood and pubescent stages

Objective To explore the risk factors for orchidism and the curative efficacy of intensive corticosteroids therapy for the testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART) in the patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) during childhood and pubescent periods. Methods A total 12 cases (27 case-times) with TART were adopted in intensive corticosteroids therapy, 7 cases (7case-times) as control group without intensive therapy. Retrospective analysis following parameters: (1) The testicular volume and the echogenic characteristics of TART by B-mode ultrasound. (2) Serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstendion, and inhibin-B were measured. (3) Orchidism was defined by one of following events: serum level of inhibin-B≤3rd % for normal, and(or) serum level of testosterone<1.42 ng/ml for the individual which is already in Tanner Ⅳ stage. (4) The relationship between regression of TART and intensive therapy project. Results The prevalence of TART in 21-OHD was 28.18% during 2-18 years old, and the youngest age with TART was 2.48 year of old. The regression rate of TART by intensive therapy was higher than that of the control significantly, 20/30 and 1/11(tumor-times) respectively(P=0.004). When the dose of dexamethasone ≥30% of total doses of corticosteroids, the regression rate of TART was higher than those less than 30% ones, or adopted hydrocortisone alone, were both respectively 16/20 and 4/10(P=0.045). The risk factors for orchidism related to early diagnosis: The TARTs stages in diagnosis (≥stages III; P=0.003), the tumor in size, hyperechogenicity in B ultrasound of the tumors(P=0.003). Inhibin-B is the earliest displayed biochemical warker for orchidism. Conclusions The TART could regress when got early diagnosis and adopted intensive corticosteroids therapy on time. Delayed diagnosis was the main risk factor for orchidism. For early diagnosis of TART, we suggest to conduct the scrotal ultrasound regularly started from 2 years of age. Key words: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia; 21-hydroxylase deficiency; Childhood and pubescent; Testicular adrenal rest tumors; Intensive corticosteroids therapy; Orchidism

Robert Morris (1931–2018)

This text, a series of reflections on the life and work of Robert Morris, draws from Jeffrey Weiss's long working relationship with the artist, which includes their collaboration on an intensive study project at the Guggenheim Museum. He gives chief consideration to two bodies of work: the Minimalist objects, conceived during the 1960s and refabricated throughout his life; and the Blind Time drawings, produced between 1973 and 2015. Weiss's account is based on a close consideration of material and technical concerns, which motivate speculations about the medium of time. Temporality is expressed in three ways: through strategic replication, which characterized the on-going production of “early” works; through the process of making, which is foregrounded in the drawings; and through the role of memory, a recurring thematic device in the practice overall.