Measures Of Parameters Research Articles

Determination and investigation of shear wave velocity based on one deep/machine learning technique

Rock physics plays an important role in the oil, gas, and water industries by providing essential data for reservoir management. This study focuses on predicting Shear Wave Velocity (Vs), a key geophysical parameter, using the Deep Belief Network (DBN) and Random Forest (RF) algorithms. The dataset is divided for training, validation, and testing, revealing that the DBN model surpasses the RF and empirical models in accuracy. With a low RMSE value of 0.0398 km/s in testing and an R2 of 0.9775, the DBN model demonstrates precision in Vs prediction. The analysis identifies specific parameters—Measure Depth (MD), Caliper (CALL), Gamma Ray (GR), Shallow Electrical Resistivity (RES-S), Medium Electrical Resistivity (RES-M), Deep Electrical Resistivity (RES-D), Compressional Wave Velocity (DCT), Neutron Porosity (NPHI), and Photoelectric Coefficient Index (PEF)—as significantly influencing Vs, while CALI and GR have a relatively lesser effect. The results of the Vs prediction indicated that the DBN algorithm excels in deep feature extraction, unsupervised pretraining, and efficient handling of complex data. Ultimately, the DBN algorithm proves to be a superior and time-saving alternative for Vs prediction and analysis in subsurface reservoirs.

Neurorehabilitation including Virtual-Reality-Based Balance Therapy: Factors Associated with Training Response.

Virtual reality (VR) therapy is increasingly used and has shown encouraging effects. Yet, it is unknown which patients respond best to VR-based balance therapy as part of neurorehabilitation. Data from 30 persons with stroke and 51 persons with multiple sclerosis who performed three to four weeks of VR-based balance therapy during in-patient rehabilitation were analysed. Participants were divided into responders and nonresponders based on achievement of the minimal clinically important difference in functional balance post intervention. Measures of balance, trunk function, mobility, gait, motivation, and exergame parameters were compared between groups. Post intervention, all clinical measurements significantly improved (p < 0.05; effect size: 0.45-0.59). Participants that achieved the minimal clinically important difference in functional balance (n = 49; 60%) had significantly lower preintervention functional and dynamic balance (median(IQR): 39(27-46) versus 45(37-50); p = 0.02 and 11(6-15) versus 16(11-18); p = 0.03). They spent less time on higher difficulty exercises (11(8-17) versus 14.5(10-12); p = 0.03) and demonstrated increased motivation over time compared with nonresponders (1(-1-5) versus -2(-7-3); p = 0.03). Lower baseline balance ability, spending more time on adequately challenging exercises, and increased motivation potentially influence response to therapy. These factors can support the personalisation of VR-based balance therapy.

Clinical Evaluation of a New Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Biometer.

The VEMoS-AXL system is a new optical biometer based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) that has been tested in terms of intrasession repeatability and compared with a swept-source optical coherence tomography biometer (SS-OCT), which is recognized as the gold standard for the performance of an agreement analysis. A biometric analysis was performed three consecutive times in 120 healthy eyes of 120 patients aged between 18 and 40 years with the SD-OCT system, and afterwards, a single measurement was obtained with the SS-OCT system. Within-subject standard deviations were 0.004 mm, 4.394 µm, and 0.017 mm for axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), and anterior chamber depth (ACD) measures obtained with the SD-OCT biometer, respectively. The agreement between devices was good for AL (limits of agreement, LoA: -0.04 to 0.03 mm) and CCT (LoA: -4.36 to 14.38 µm), whereas differences between devices were clinically relevant for ACD (LoA: 0.03 to 0.21 mm). In conclusion, the VEMoS-AXL system provides consistent measures of anatomical parameters, being most of them interchangeable with those provided by the SS-OCT-based gold standard.

A Problem with Distance Variables and Alternatives for Their Use

Researchers commonly use distance variables to: (i) estimate the direct influence of a landmark on an outcome of interest, such as a neighborhood park on home price; or (ii) control for omitted spatial influences that affect predictions of key policy variables. While both uses continue, the use of distance as a control, such as distance to Central Business District (CBD), is now more common. Using distance to a given position such as CBD is added to multivariate analysis as a method to capture all remaining, or omitted spatial effects that influence the dependent variable. We show that there is a latent and inherent identification problem with the distance variable; and we show that this extends to the use of distance as a control. These biases affect more than the distance variable. They generate inconsistent estimates for all other spatially distributed variables in a model. We then introduce an alternative control that captures unmodeled influences that vary across space, and we show that this fully stabilizes all model parameter estimates and measures of model efficiency.

Retinal artery to vein ratio is associated with cerebral microbleeds in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

A third of asymptomatic individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) show signs of cerebrovascular disease in brain MRI. These signs associate with advanced stages of diabetic retinal disease, but not in mild or moderate retinopathy. We aimed to evaluate a wider spectrum of retinal changes by exploring the relationship between quantitative measures of retinal vessel parameters (RVP) and cerebrovascular changes in T1D. We included 146 neurologically asymptomatic individuals with T1D [51% women, median age 40 (33.0-45.1) years] and 24 healthy, sex-matched and age-matched controls. All individuals underwent a clinical and biochemical work-up and brain MRI, which was evaluated for cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), white matter hyperintensities, and lacunar infarcts. RVPs, including central retinal arteriole (CRAE) and central retinal vein (CRVE) equivalents and the ratio of the two variables (arteriovenous ratio, AVR) were assessed quantitatively by a computer-assisted method (IVAN software, version 3.2.6) from fundus images. Among T1D participants, those with CMBs had a lower arteriovenous ratio (AVR) compared with those without CMBs ( P = 0.023). AVR was inversely associated with the amount of CMBs ( r = -0.063, P = 0.035). CMB prevalence was higher in those with AVR below the median (31%) compared with above the median (16%, P < 0.001), and this difference was significant also after individuals with only no-to-mild retinopathy were included (28 vs. 16%, P = 0.005). A correlation between blood pressure and CRAE ( r = -0.19, P = 0.025) appeared among those with T1D. Regardless of the severity of diabetic retinopathy, AVR is associated with the existence of CMBs in T1D.

Parametric and Non-Parametric Measures to Identify Stable and Adaptable Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Genotypes

ABSTRACT The study, comprised seventeen genotypes, was conducted during 2016 to 2019 growing seasons. The design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications to identify adaptable cotton genotypes. Parametric and non-parametric measures, principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation among the ranks of the parameters computed using R software. The environment, genotype and genotype-environment interaction contributed 79.58, 3.2 and 15.46% of the variation, respectively, and were significant (p < 0.001). The highest (1510.7 kg/ha) and lowest (1080.1 kg/ha) seed cotton yield was recorded from G12 and G8 genotypes respectively. Coefficients of determination (R2) and superiority index (Pi) recognized G13, G11, G10 and G11, G12, G7 as the top three stable genotypes correspondingly. G10 was selected three times as superior by stability variance (σ2), wricke’s ecovalence (Wi) and deviation from regression (S2di). Seed cotton yield positively correlated with GAI, Kang’s rank-sum (KRS), Huhn and Nassar S(1), S(6) S(3) while negatively correlated with Thennarasu stability measures NP(2), NP(3) and NP(4 . The first, second and third clusters of the PCA biplot comprised, 4, 4 and 10 parameters respectively. G12, with highest seed cotton yield and good stability, was the best genotype and recommended for variety verification.

When do benefits turn to risks? Impact of a 900 mL whole blood donation on Special Forces performance.

Special Forces (SF) teams operate in remote environments with limited medical support. As a result, they may need to rely on buddy transfusions to treat bleeding teammates. Considering that 450 mL has no direct impact on their combat performances, it might be tempting to take more blood from a compatible donor to save a hemorrhaging teammate. This study investigates the effect of a 900 mL blood donation on SF operator performance and recovery time following this donation. Participants underwent a multifactorial assessment including measures of physiological parameters, vigilance, and physical performance. Results from the day of blood donation were compared with baseline values obtained 1 week earlier (i.e., immediate effect), as well as repeated testing at 7, 14, and approximately 30 days after blood donation (i.e., recovery period). Hemoglobin levels and heart rate were affected by giving blood. The participants also experienced a significant decrease in physical performance of more than 50% immediately after blood donation. Recovery was slow over the following weeks, remaining significantly different from baseline until full recovery around day 30. However, participants were still able to respond to a simple stimulus and adjust their response, if necessary, even immediately after donating blood. A 900 mL blood donation greatly affects the physical fitness of SF operators. A donation may be worthwhile if it is the only life-saving procedure available and does not endanger the donor's life. The donor would then become a patient and unable to complete the mission.

Multi-modal assessment of a cardiac stem cell therapy reveals distinct modulation of regional scar properties

BackgroundThe initial idea of functional tissue replacement has shifted to the concept that injected cells positively modulate myocardial healing by a non-specific immune response of the transplanted cells within the target tissue. This alleged local modification of the scar requires assessment of regional properties of the left ventricular wall in addition to commonly applied measures of global morphological and functional parameters. Hence, we aimed at investigating the effect of cardiac cell therapy with cardiovascular progenitor cells, so-called cardiac induced cells, on both global and regional properties of the left ventricle by a multimodal imaging approach in a mouse model.MethodsMyocardial infarction was induced in mice by ligation of the left anterior descending artery, the therapy group received an intramyocardial injection of 1 × 106 cardiac induced cells suspended in matrigel, the control group received matrigel only. [18F]FDG positron emission tomography imaging was performed after 17 days, to assess regional glucose metabolism. Three weeks after myocardial infarction, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed for morphological and functional assessment of the left ventricle. Following these measurements, hearts were excised for histological examinations.ResultsCell therapy had no significant effect on global morphological parameters. Similarly, there was no difference in scar size and capillary density between therapy and control group. However, there was a significant improvement in contractile function of the left ventricle – left ventricular ejection fraction, stroke volume and cardiac output. Regional analysis of the left ventricle identified changes of wall properties in the scar area as the putative mechanism. Cell therapy reduced the thinning of the scar and significantly improved its radial contractility. Furthermore, the metabolic defect, assessed by [18F]FDG, was significantly reduced by the cell therapy.ConclusionOur data support the relevance of extending the assessment of global left ventricular parameters by a structured regional wall analysis for the evaluation of therapies targeting at modulation of healing myocardium. This approach will enable a deeper understanding of mechanisms underlying the effect of experimental regenerative therapies, thus paving the way for a successful translation into clinical application.

Reliability between the two-colour chewing gum and the gummy-jelly tests used for the assessment of masticatory performance.

This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of two methods used to assess masticatory performance and attempt to correlate them to achieve interchangeability between the methods. Twelve healthy dentate volunteers (men = 6, women = 6; mean age = 28.3 ± 4.1) with no known dental or medical pathologies were requested to participate in this study. Each participant completed three masticatory performance assessments, including two two-colour mixing-ability tests using chewing-gums(CG: gum#1 and gum#2) and the gummy-jelly (GJ) test. For each method, participants created five samples each (total = 15 measurements per participant, gum#1 = 5, gum#2 = 5, GJ = 5). For the gum#1 and gum#2 methods, the predetermined chewing cycles were fixed at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 cycles, and for the GJ method, the time duration was fixed at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 s. The parameter measures were submitted to Z-score transformation, and Bland-Altman plots were generated to graphically compare the differences between two techniques against their means. Additionally, mountain plot was used to assess the cumulative distribution of measurement error between the methods. A total of 180 measurements were recorded. There were significant correlations between the number of chewing cycles/chewing time and masticatory performance using the gum#1 (r = -.753; p < .001), gum#2 (r = -.838; p < .001) and GJ (r = .730). When all tests were considered together for each method, significant correlations were found (p < .001). A descriptive range of mean values aiming to produce reference value ranges for predictive purposes was achieved considering the interchangeably among the methods [CG = GJ (VoH-mg = dL): 10 cycle = 10 s: 0.329 = 110; 15 cycles = 15 s: 0.177 = 164; 20 cycles = 20 s: 0.130 = 205; 25 cycles = 25 s: 0.086 = 200; 30 cycles = 30 s: 0.077 = 267]. The strong correlations and high consistency between the two masticatory performance methods found in this study conclude that the two assessment methods are reliable and interchangeable. Further evaluations are warranted to arrive at a conversion formula for translation of the results between the two methods.

Analytical modeling of stress concentration in composite box girders

In several structures/structural forms, including box beams, T-beams, U-beams, box girders, and tubular buildings, the stress concentration caused by the shear lag effect reduces their load-resisting capacity. The energy method has been proven to be more effective in analyzing the shear lag effect in these structures. Utilizing the minimum potential energy principle, this study illustrates a simplified approach to assessing stress concentration in composite box girders. Based on boundary conditions and shear loading conditions, closed form solutions are obtained for normal stresses and deflection. The present research results are verified with finite element analysis results and literature, demonstrating the robustness of the methodology. A composite box girder can be analyzed using the present approach under any support and loading conditions, taking material properties into account. To increase composite box girders’ load carrying capacity, additional layers of material are generally added to the flange. When retrofitting a box girder in this way, cross-sectional flexural rigidity is trivially improved. The additional layer of material on the flange of the box girder may reduce stress concentrations caused by the shear lag effect when it improves the shear flow capacity (SFC) of the flange. Shear flow parameter (Γ) measures flange shear flow capacity. The flange SFC increases significantly for a core/layer with a ratio of elastic modulus to shear modulus (E c /G c ) up to 1.26. When E c /G c rises even further, the flange SFC decreases. A composite box beam may have enhanced flange stiffness, with cores/layers having E c /G c ratios up to 2.86 and stress concentrations similar to that of a box beam without a core/layer. In composite box beams with a low aspect ratio, considering only flexural deformation in the core/layer augments the stress concentrations significantly. Deflection and negative shear lag are reduced significantly when the composite box beam flange has a high SFC.

Direct Determination of Photonic Stopband Topological Character: A Framework Based on Dispersion Measurements

Ascertainment of photonic stopband absolute topological character requires information regarding the Bloch eigenfunction spatial distribution. Consequently, the experimental investigations predominantly restrict themselves to the bulk‐boundary correspondence principle and the ensuing emergence of topological surface state. Although capable of establishing the equivalence/inequivalence of bandgaps, the determination of their absolute topological identity remains out of its purview. The alternate method of reflection phase‐based identification also provides only contentious improvements owing to the measurement complexities pertaining to the interferometric setups. To circumvent these limitations, the Kramers–Kronig amplitude‐phase causality considerations are resorted to and an experimentally conducive method is proposed for bandgap topological character determination directly from the parametric reflectance measurements. Particularly, it is demonstrated that in case of 1D photonic crystals, polarization‐resolved dispersion measurements suffice in qualitatively determining bandgaps’ absolute topological identities. By invoking the translational invariance of the investigated samples, a parameter “differential effective mass” is also defined, that encapsulates bandgaps’ topological identities and engenders an experimentally discernible bandgap classifier.

Rough Surface Aerodynamic Computation in Rarefied Gas Flow Applying the Solution of Inverse Problem

Most effective method to find the roughness parameters in rarefied gas flow is to calculate them from aerodynamic measurements, solving the inverse problem. The value of the main roughness parameter obtained from the solution of inverse problem is substantially higher (at least 1,25–1,5 times) than similar value of the same parameter measured from the profile diagrams. Thus, the effect of surface roughness in aerodynamic values of rough surface in rarefied gas flow is always significantly underestimated. First main reason of it is the low precision of roughness parameter measurements from the profile diagrams, and the second is based on usual lack of taking into account aerodynamic shadowing effect.

Assessment of the condylar response of two differently anchored fixed functional appliances in class II malocclusion in young adult orthodontic patients: A randomized clinical trial.

Measuring the condylar volume changes after treatment with skeletally anchored type IV Herbst appliance vs. Twin Force Bite Corrector (TFBC) in class II malocclusion in young adult patients. Twenty class II malocclusion participants were randomly involved in our randomized clinical study. They are divided equally into two groups: group I (10 patients with an age range of 16 to 18 years and a mean age of (17.15 ± 0.62) (five males and five females) with a mean Angle formed between (A) point and (Nasion) point and (B) point, to determine anteroposterior relation between maxilla and mandible (ANB) of 6.20 (1.03) and a mean mandibular length of 106.1 (1.7), who were treated by a skeletally anchored type IV Herbst appliance, supported at the mandible by two mini-plates fixed bilaterally at the mandibular symphysis; group II (10 patients with an age range of 15 to 18 years and a mean age of (16.85 ± 0.33) (six males and four females) with a mean ANB of 6.80 (0.89) and a mean mandibular length of 107.3 (2.36), who were treated by a TFBC that was installed just mesial to the tube of the maxillary first permanent molar and distal to the bracket of the lower canine for 4 months. According to the Index of Orthognathic Functional Treatment Need (IOFTN) index, the participants in both groups have grade 4 (great need for treatment) as they have excessive overjet (6-9 mm). Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was taken just before installing fixed functional appliances and after the removal. The condylar volume was measured using Dolphin software. Parametric measurements were performed by the independent t-test, while non-parametric variables (percent change) were compared by the Mann-Whitney U-test. On the right side, the Herbst group recorded a percent increase (median = 1.23%), while TFBC recorded a median percent decrease (-7.85%). This change is statistically significant (P = 0.008). The difference in the condylar volume was significantly higher with the mini-plate anchored Herbst appliance than with the dentally anchored TFBC group.

Odontoid incidence: a constant cervical anatomical feature evident in standing plain radiographs and supine magnetic resonance images

ObjectiveTo assess whether there is a difference between measurements of odontoid incidence (OI) and other cervical sagittal parameters by X-ray radiography and those by supine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsStanding X-ray and supine MRI images of 42 healthy subjects were retrospectively analyzed. Surgimap software was employed to measure cervical sagittal parameters including OI, odontoid tilt (OT), C2 slope (C2S), C0-2 angle, C2-7 angle, T1 slope (T1S) and T1S-cervical lordosis (CL). Paired samples t-test was applied to determine the difference between parameters measured by standing X-ray and those by supine MRI. In addition, the statistical correlation between the parameters were compared. The prediction of CL was performed and validated using the formula CL = 0.36 × OI − 0.67 × OT − 0.69 × T1S.ResultsSignificant correlations and differences were found between cervical sagittal parameters determined by X-ray and those by MRI. OI was verified to be a constant anatomic parameter and the formula CL = 0.36 × OI − 0.67 × OT − 0.69 × T1S can be used to predict CL in cervical sagittal parameters.ConclusionsOI is verified as a constant anatomic parameter, demonstrating the necessity of a combined assessment of cervical sagittal balance by using standing X-ray and supine MRI. The formula CL = 0.36 × OI − 0.67 × OT − 0.69 × T1S can be applied to predict CL in cervical sagittal parameters.

Experimentation and Application of Differential Inductive System for Machine and Human Body Parametric Measurement

In this article, the prototype circuit is constructed and tested to confirm the results obtained through simulation of a differential inductive circuitry. However, some number of errors found are reported in section 7. Analysis is done between the experimentally found results and those obtained from simulation. Test is done on all sections and certain test parameters are set to determine the actual performance of the system. The test parameters are the frequency response of the differential inductive circuit, the oscillatory effect of the movement of the core in and out of the coil, the inductance change, the force/pressure providing motion, wind pressure, the speed of the inward movement of the core and that of the outward movement, the number of turns used, the length of coils, the area of the coil topology, the diameter of the coil and that of the core, the mass of the convulsion bar, the mass of the target, the ambient temperature of the surrounding, density of the magnetic material used, the applied voltage to the timer, the resonant frequency reached, the amount of current voltage and frequency generated, the percentage of the duty cycle found on the resulting signal, the frequency hysteresis found, the range of oscillation bar, the height of coil arrangement, the seesaw concept, the output waveform of the signal, amongst others. The summary of the major contribution of this work includes a novel design of a differential inductive position sensory system along with its model in the form of the sensed parameter equations as a function of the displacement along the length of the coil. The analytical model for linearization compensation and improved transducer response is another component the author of this work claims it as contribution

Cardiometabolic Effects of Denosumab in Premenopausal Women With Breast Cancer Receiving Estradiol Suppression: RCT.

Menopause is associated with changes in musculoskeletal, body composition, and metabolic parameters that may be amplified in premenopausal women receiving estradiol suppression for breast cancer. Denosumab offsets deleterious skeletal effects of estradiol suppression and has been reported to have effects on body composition and metabolic parameters in preclinical and observational studies, but evidence from double-blind randomized controlled trials is limited. To assess the effect of denosumab on body composition and metabolic parameters. In a prespecified secondary analysis of a 12-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 68 premenopausal women with breast cancer initiating ovarian function suppression and aromatase inhibition were randomized to denosumab 60-mg or placebo administered at baseline and 6 months. Outcome measures were total and regional fat and lean mass (DXA), body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, and lipid profile. Using a mixed model, between-group mean adjusted differences over time are reported. Over 12 months, relative to placebo, android and gynoid fat mass decreased in the denosumab group (-266 g [95% CI -453 to -79], P = .02, and -452 g [-783 to -122], P = .03, respectively). Total fat mass and waist circumference were lower in the denosumab group but not significantly (-1792 g [-3346 to -240], P = .08 and (- 3.77 cm [-6.76 to -0.79], P = .06, respectively). No significant treatment effects were detected in lean mass, BMI, hip circumference, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, or lipid profile. In premenopausal women receiving estradiol suppression, denosumab decreases some measures of fat mass with no detectable effects on other measures of body composition or metabolic parameters.

A review of microbial fuel cell and its diversification in the development of green energy technology

The advancement of microbial fuel cell technology is rapidly growing, with extensive research and well-established methodologies for enhancing structural performance. This terminology attracts researchers to compare the MFC devices on a technological basis. The architectural and scientific successes of MFCs are only possible with the knowledge of engineering and technical fields. This involves the structure of MFCs, using substrates and architectural backbones regarding electrode advancement, separators and system parameter measures. Knowing about the MFCs facilitates the systematic knowledge of engineering and scientific principles. The current situation of rapid urbanization and industrial growth is demanding the augmented engineering goods and production which results in unsolicited burden on traditional wastewater treatment plants. Consequently, posing health hazards and disturbing aquatic veracity due to partial and untreated wastewater. Therefore, it's sensible to evaluate the performance of MFCs as an unconventional treatment method over conventional one to treat the wastewater. However, MFCs some benefits like power generation, stumpy carbon emission and wastewater treatment are the main reasons behind the implementation. Nonetheless, few challenges like low power generation, scaling up are still the major areas needs to be focused so as to make MFCs sustainable one. We have focused on few archetypes which majorities have been laboratory scale in operations. To ensure the efficiency MFCs are needed to integrate and compatible with conventional wastewater treatment schemes. This review intended to explore the diversification in architecture of MFCs, exploration of MFCs ingredients and to provide the foreseen platform for the researchers in one source, so as to establish the channel for scaling up the technology. Further, the present review show that the MFC with different polymer membranes and cathode and anode modification presents significant role for potential commercial applications after change the system form prototype to pilot scale.

Gallery forest species and water quality of the Okpara River in northern Benin

This study aims to understandf the relationships between water quality, vegetation and human activity in the forest gallery of the Okpara River in northern Benin. Within this framework, floristic surveys and measurements of physicochemical parameters were carried out on 48 sites along the watercourse, located in 8 villages bordering the river. Sociodemographic surveys were also carried out among neighboring populations. The densities of Khaya senegalensis, Mitragyna inermis, Vitellaria paradoxa, Cola laurifolia and Isoberlinia doka of the wooded stratum and the recoveries of Andropogon gayanus, Cassia mimosoïdes, Panicum maximum, Andropogon tectorum, Hyptechis suaveolens and Aptechis suaveolens increased from upstream to downstream. The water can be considered as water of average quality according to the parameters measured. It emerged that the density of Berlinia grandiflora, Isoberlinia doka and Combretum glutinosum on one hand, and the recovery of Andropogon gayanus, Cassia mimosoïdes, Detarium microcarpa and Gynandropsis gynandra on other hand were particularly linked to the physicochemical parameters of water. There was a relative strong relationship between the two groups of parameters with the first canonical coefficient estimated at 0.75. The species richness of shrubs and herbaceous plants, water temperature, Biochemical Oxygen Demand for 5 days and, to a lesser extent, dissolved oxygen contributed to the relationship between the two groups of variables. The importance of human activities from upstream to downstream was also a factor that had a detrimental effect on water quality and on the composition of riparian flora. This information is important for a good sustainable management of these resources.

Machine-learning-driven automatic application of the stochastic subspace identification method

Vibration-based operational modal analysis (OMA) methods have been proven effective in identifying dynamic properties of existing structures and infrastructures under operational conditions. Nevertheless, the provision and installation of continuous monitoring systems for long-term structural health monitoring (SHM) purposes potentially applicable to the entire infrastructure networks or to the regional scale of existing vulnerable building heritage require significant economic planning efforts. Nowadays research trends are oriented toward developing effective automatic OMA (AOMA) methods for setting up novel and efficient long-term SHM solutions. The current study illustrates a new recent paradigm for the automatic output-only modal identification of linear structures under ambient vibrations called intelligent automatic operational modal analysis (i-AOMA). The proposed approach relies on the covariance-based stochastic subspace identification (SSI-cov) algorithm and effectively integrates a machine learning intelligent core, i.e. a random forest (RF) classifier, in a conceptually two steps procedure, i.e. an explorative phase and an intelligently-driven phase. The i-AOMA procedure provided a new framework that requires a minimum intervention to the user and is potentially able to deliver uncertainty measures of the modal parameters’ estimates based on the explored SSI-cov control parameters. An application on a shear-type RC frame building typical of existing heritage in Italy is herein discussed and reported.

E-Bayesian Estimation Using Spacing Function for Inverse Lindley Adaptive Type-I Progressively Censored Samples: Comparative Study with Applications.

For the first time, this paper offers the Bayesian and E-Bayesian estimation methods using the spacing function (SF) instead of the classical likelihood function. The inverse Lindley distribution, including its parameter and reliability measures, is discussed in this study through the mentioned methods, along with some other classical approaches. Six-point and six-interval estimations based on an adaptive Type-I progressively censored sample are considered. The likelihood and product of spacing methods are used in classical inferential setups. The approximate confidence intervals are discussed using both classical approaches. For various parameters, the Bayesian methodology is studied by taking both likelihood and SFs as observed data sources to derive the posterior distributions. Moreover, the E-Bayesian estimation method is considered by using the same data sources in the usual Bayesian approach. The Bayes and E-Bayes credible intervals using both likelihood and SFs are also taken into consideration. Several Monte Carlo experiments are carried out to assess the performance of the acquired estimators, depending on different accuracy criteria and experimental scenarios. Finally, two data sets from the engineering and physics sectors are analyzed to demonstrate the superiority and practicality of the suggested approaches.