Minimal Intervention Principle Research Articles

Experimental and Numerical Study on Reinforcement Method for the Inclined Column of the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

ABSTRACT The Yingxian wooden pagoda, the tallest wooden building worldwide, faces significant challenges due to its increasing inclination caused by material degradation and external loads. In order to prolong the life and prevent the collapse of the wooden pagoda, this study proposes a novel reinforcement method based on the principle of minimal intervention, which involves adding an auxiliary column next to the inclined column to enhance its stiffness and load-bearing capacity. Full-scale models of an inclined column and two reinforcement methods were designed and manufactured, and unidirectional loading experiments were conducted. Numerical simulation analysis was performed on the inclined columns and their reinforcement models. The results show that the proposed method significantly improves the bearing capacity and stiffness of the inclined column by 1.66 times and 1.24 times, respectively. The numerical simulation method can also accurately simulate the mechanism behavior of the inclined columns. This study contributes to the field of heritage conservation by offering an effective and minimally invasive solution to mitigate the inclination of ancient wooden buildings, thereby safeguarding their historical and cultural significance for future generations.

Magnets in Conservation of Easel Paintings: Mechanical Forces between Magnets and a Thin Paint Layer

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the mechanical interactions between a magnet and a thin paint layer situated on a non-magnetic substrate, for example, to correct painting deformations or to fix pictorial layers. Crucial to calculating the attraction force F is knowing the magnetic susceptibility χ in the paint layer center XC and also the gradient dH/dx across the paint (calculated from magnetic fields H on both sides XS and XE of the layer). However, the susceptibility χ depends on the magnetic field H which is a function of the distance from the magnet’s pole: χ = f(H(XC)). It should be noted that as the magnet approaches the paint layer, the value of the field H(x) increases, but the susceptibility of the substance χ(H(x)) decreases. Analytical formulas and practical calculation schemes for mechanical forces in the discussed magnetic systems are presented in detail. As a result of the undertaken work, interactive on-line calculators for calculating magnetic fields and forces were developed and made available online. Reliable estimation of mechanical forces due to magnets, as presented here, allows for more controlled and reproducible conservation results. Therefore, the principle of minimal intervention and reversibility can be attained repeatably with greater ease, laying the groundwork for improved protocols.

Justicia restaurativa y delincuencia juvenil: un enfoque interdisciplinario

Crime in general is a phenomenon of wide significance and concern within the Ecuadorian territory. Proof of this is that the prison population is mostly made up of young people, which generates even more unrest. In the development of this academic work, recent research has been reviewed, as well as statistical data to evaluate the effectiveness of the scope of restorative justice in prevention and thus the reduction of recidivism rates, thus promoting the rehabilitation of young offenders. The methodology used responds to a qualitative approach, framed in legal dogmatics with a descriptive scope and a correlational design, supported by the exegetical method and bibliographic and documentary analysis. As a result, the proposal to apply restorative justice that provides viable alternatives to criminal trial is presented, aligned with the principle of minimal intervention, as one of the characteristics of Ecuadorian justice related to international standards. By specifying issues inherent to the deprivation of liberty, this work is oriented towards the de-judicialization and deinstitutionalization of sanctions, proposing a balance between the purposes, perspectives, scope and strengths through which juvenile restorative justice can face the other areas of criminal justice.

Los inimputables en el sistema penal colombiano:

The objective of this article is to examine the treatment of individuals considered unimpeachable within the Colombian penal system, focusing on determining whether their management aligns with the principle of minimal intervention or constitutes a necessary measure. A normative study was carried out on the treatment of mentally ill people who are immersed in the Colombian penal system, analyzed from a doctrinal, legal and jurisprudential component. In Colombia, the regulations that mandate special treatments for people with mental illnesses have currently not been complied with, which leads to the worsening of the problem and failure to comply with the purposes of security measures. In Colombia, the importance of a differential approach between people who are attributable and those who are not is not recognized. For this reason, the demand for justice is recurrent, expressed in custodial sentences for people who cannot be held responsible, assuming that special measures are inefficient. Thus, this study allows us to understand the need for differential measures, in accordance with the principles of minimum intervention, ultima ratio, and also in accordance with the purposes of security measures.

A virtual rodent predicts the structure of neural activity across behaviours.

Animals have exquisite control of their bodies, allowing them to perform a diverse range of behaviours. How such control is implemented by the brain, however, remains unclear. Advancing our understanding requires models that can relate principles of control to the structure of neural activity in behaving animals. Here, to facilitate this, we built a 'virtual rodent', in which an artificial neural network actuates a biomechanically realistic model of the rat1 in a physics simulator2. We used deep reinforcement learning3-5 to train the virtual agent to imitate the behaviour of freely moving rats, thus allowing us to compare neural activity recorded in real rats to the network activity of a virtual rodent mimicking their behaviour. We found that neural activity in the sensorimotor striatum and motor cortex was better predicted by the virtual rodent's network activity than by any features of the real rat's movements, consistent with both regions implementing inverse dynamics6. Furthermore, the network's latent variability predicted the structure of neural variability across behaviours and afforded robustness in a way consistent with the minimal intervention principle of optimal feedback control7. These results demonstrate how physical simulation of biomechanically realistic virtual animals can help interpret the structure of neural activity across behaviour and relate it to theoretical principles of motor control.

An Adaptive Reuse Development Through Highest and Best Use Assessment: Case Study the Ex-Warenhuis, Medan, Indonesia

The ex-Warenhuis, built in 1919, is one of the remained heritage buildings in the city center of Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. It has been abandoned for years and experiencing deterioration; therefore, Medan Municipality Government is conducting an investigation and planning to adapt and reuse the building. The study aims to find opportunities and new functions which able to enhance the economic value of the building by carrying out a field survey to collect the data. Noteworthy that it considers creating new functions while advancing social development and environmental sustainability. In addition, the adaptation of this building continues to prioritize the aspects of authenticity and the principle of minimal intervention. This study performs the highest and best use assessment which consists of five stages, namely 1) Location Analysis, 2) Market Analysis, 3) Combination of stages 1 and 2, 4) Financial Eligibility, and 5) Best Alternative Recommendation to obtain new alternative functions that are following market trends and locations. The result of the highest and best uses analysis highlights the highest and best use as an adaptation of the ex-Warenhuis function as a commercial building consisting of multi purposes such as hall, retail, working space, restaurant, café, gallery.

Ensuring the Authenticity of the Conservation and Reuse of Modern Industrial Heritage Architecture: A Case Study of the Large Machine Factory, China

The Large Machine Factory (LMF) was built in the complex historical context of the late Qing Dynasty (1840–1912). Its space and construction faithfully record the architectural and cultural fusion between Chinese and western traditions and mark the beginning of modern architectural techniques in China. Through historical data and empirical studies, the historical background and architectural characteristics of the LMF were analyzed, and interventions aimed at ensuring authenticity were established. The cultural significance and results of construction were considered two crucial elements in terms of outstanding characteristics. Comprehensive inspection and assessment strategies were discussed, with minimal intervention and interpretation principles. Preventive reinforcement of the foundation, complementary reinforcement of the main structures, restoration of the historic façade and environment, and adaptive spatial interventions were found to be effective ways to ensure authenticity. The principles of minimal intervention and interpretability, which include prevention, recognizability, invisibility, subsidiarity, and intertextuality, were proposed through a comparison with the literature and practical experience. This study provides an appropriate technical reference for ensuring authenticity in the conservation and reuse of modern historic buildings with complex contexts. We propose a new understanding of intervention principles and suggest a guiding intervention path that avoids the complexities arising from the generalized interpretations of authenticity.

Transparent hybrid glass-steel bracing to improve the seismic capacity of historic buildings with colonnades

Any seismic retrofitting plan on historical monuments has to follow the principles of minimal intervention, recognizability and reversibility. A feasibility study is here proposed for a new type of glass-based bracing, particularly suitable to strengthen soft storeys, typically represented by the presence of colonnades. This has the advantages of being stiff, slender and, most of all, transparent, recognizable and completely reversible. The bracing is a large laminated glass pane contoured by a thin steel lamina (frame), which confines the glass and provides a restraint against the pane rotation under horizontal actions. Since glass is a brittle material, we propose a system of gaskets and aluminum inserts, specifically designed to avoid contact stress concentration, especially at the corners of the glass pane. A paradigmatic case study, corresponding to a colonnade extrapolated from a representative historic building, has been analyzed in detail. Discrete element modeling has been used to simulate the dynamic response of the ancient masonry composed of stone blocks under horizontal seismic-like ground motion. Since the glass-based bracing represents a source of concentrated stiffness, we evaluate its correct placement inside the colonnade in order to avoid hammering effects, otherwise the bracing could even worsen the seismic capacity of the original structure. Another crucial issue is the connection of the bracing to the old masonry and foundations, for which possible technical details are provided. We show that a correct design and positioning of the bracing can improve the seismic capacity of the system with minimal visual impact.

Risk of failure of repaired versus replaced defective direct restorations in permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to systematically review the literature to compare the risk of failure of repaired and replaced defective direct resin composite and amalgam restorations performed in permanent teeth. The PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Lilacs, BBO, Web of Science, SciELO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases, and gray literature were searched to identify longitudinal clinical studies related to the research question. No publication year or language restriction was considered. Two authors independently selected the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the risk of bias andcertainty of evidence. A meta-analysis was performed using a fixed effects model at a 5% significance level. From 1224 potentially eligible studies, thirteen were selected for full-text analysis, and three were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. There was no difference in the risk of failure of repaired and replaced defective direct restorations (RR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.51-2.83), either for resin composite (p = 0.97) or amalgam (p = 0.51) restorations. The risk of bias was high and the certainty of evidence was very low. Based on the very low certainty of evidence, the repair of direct restorations does not present a significant difference in the risk of failure when compared to replacements in permanent teeth. Restoration repair is a procedure that is included in the minimal intervention principle for improvement of tooth longevity in that the risk of failure of repaired partially defective restorations in permanent teeth seems similar to that of replacement. Further studies are required before definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Prologue to the Forum: Speech and Language Tele-Intervention: The Future Is Now

This prologue introduces the LSHSS Forum: Speech and Language Tele-Intervention: The Future Is Now. The aims of the forum are (a) to report on the process of moving established in-person interventions to virtual delivery and (b) to provide speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with empirically based guidance on designing and implementing tele-interventions, in order to support academic success for school-age children with speech and language needs. The included articles explore the process, benefits, and challenges of providing intervention in speech, language, and literacy domains in a virtual environment with children. Although there are some logistical challenges, established treatments such as those targeting morphosyntax as well as communication partner training can be adapted for successful delivery online. In addition, the forum supports the delivery of an app-based articulation-focused intervention. SLPs report a number of challenges in relation to adapting and delivering interventions through telepractice, and parents express concerns in relation to SLPs' online evaluation of complex speech sound difficulties for children born with cleft lip and palate. Finally, using the principles of Minimal Intervention Needed for Change, a systematic approach to the adaptation of evidence-based interventions for online delivery, is outlined.

Implications of Optimal Feedback Control Theory for Sport Coaching and Motor Learning: A Systematic Review.

Best practice in skill acquisition has been informed by motor control theories. The main aim of this study is to screen existing literature on a relatively novel theory, Optimal Feedback Control Theory (OFCT), and to assess how OFCT concepts can be applied in sports and motor learning research. Based on 51 included studies with on average a high methodological quality, we found that different types of training seem to appeal to different control processes within OFCT. The minimum intervention principle (founded in OFCT) was used in many of the reviewed studies, and further investigation might lead to further improvements in sport skill acquisition. However, considering the homogenous nature of the tasks included in the reviewed studies, these ideas and their generalizability should be tested in future studies.

Load mitigation method for wind turbines during emergency shutdowns

Wind turbines experience countless shutdowns during their lifetimes. A shutdown is a transient process characterised by a pitch-to-feather manoeuvre of three blades. Such a pitch manoeuvre is often collective, open-loop, and can substantially slow the rotor speed within several seconds. However, undesirable structural responses may arise because of the imbalanced aerodynamic loads acting on the rotor. To address this issue, this paper proposes a method that actively adjusts the individual pitch rate of each blade during an emergency shutdown. This method is founded on a minimal intervention principle and uses the blade-root bending moment measurements as the only inputs. The control objective is to minimise the differences in the blade-root flapwise bending moment among the three blades during the shutdown. Using a high-fidelity aeroelastic model, we demonstrate the controller performance under representative steady wind conditions with vertical wind shear. Compared with the baseline shutdown strategy, the proposed method effectively reduces the maximum nontorque bending moment at the main shaft and the tower bottom bending moment; the reductions vary between 10% and 40% under the investigated conditions. The present work can be further extended to reduce structural fatigue damages or to handle complex loading scenarios of offshore wind turbines during shutdowns.

CONSERVATIVE ESTHETIC APPROACH WITH ALL CERAMIC CROWN AND PINK PORCELAIN- A CASE REPORT

Dental traumatic injuries are uncertain and consequences following unesthetic appearance of teeth is of major concern. Esthetics, a subjective factor is necessary to formulate a treatment plan according to the patient’s needs. The condition requires minor modification of clinical protocols and achieve optimal esthetics and adhering to principles of minimal intervention. Here in this case report, we will discuss the esthetic management of a malpositioned tooth with gingival recession post trauma with an esthetic all ceramic crown with gingival porcelain. KEYWORDS: Esthetics, cosmetic recontouring, ceramic crown, pink porcelain

Predictive model of the modulus of elasticity in static bending (MOE) of larch wood based on gray relation analysis (GRA) and gene expression programming (GEP)

To accurately evaluate the modulus of elasticity in static bending (MOE) of wooden components in ancient timberwork buildings under the “minimum intervention principle,” the nondestructive testing of physical and mechanical properties were conducted on larch. Using moisture content (MC), density (ρ), the stress wave propagation velocity ( ), the modulus of elasticity in dynamic bending (Ed), the rotational resistance value of the drilling needle (fdrill), and the resistance value of the feeding needle (ffeed) as the main parameters, the correlation between several parameters and MOE was firstly calculated using the Gray Relation Analysis (GRA) and ranked according to the strength of the correlation. Six combinations were selected according to the ranking, and the Gene Expression Programming algorithm (GEP) was used to build models for predicting MOE. The results showed that the correlation between several parameters and MOE was good (between 0.5 and 0.8), and the prediction model established with combination 6 was the best, which indicated that the prediction model established based on GRA-GEP algorithm had a certain feasibility and effectiveness, and the combined effect of the six parameters to evaluate the MOE of wooden components of ancient buildings was better in the field inspection.

Clinical considerations for reposition of a dislocated hip: A qualitative study.

A well-known complication of having hip alloplasty surgery is dislocation of the prothesis. This affects 2%-4% of the patients, and 75% of the dislocations occur within the first year after surgery. The aim of our study was to gain knowledge about the clinical considerations underlying the choice of anaesthesia for, and treatment of, patients with dislocated hips by specialists in anaesthesiology and orthopaedic surgery. We used semi-structured group interviews of specialists in anaesthesiology and orthopaedic surgery. An interview guide was developed and pilot tested before the group interviews. In total, 25 specialists participated, recruited from two university hospitals in Denmark. Data saturation was reached after seven group interviews. Inductive content analysis was used in the data analysis. We identified four overall themes, describing essential considerations made by the specialists: "Adhering to the principle of minimal intervention", "Ensuring patient safety through optimal working conditions", "Organisational considerations" and "Pain induced gastric retention". Our study illustrates different clinical considerations made by specialists in anaesthesiology and orthopaedic surgery in relation to the treatment of patients with dislocated hips. Our results hope to promote mutual understanding in joint clinical decision-making in relation to patients with dislocated hips as well as to inspire less-experienced anaesthesiologists and orthopaedic surgeons. Additionally, our results suggest a set of "rules of thumb" for how jointly to decide on the repositioning site of the patient during the procedure.

Polarization reduction by minimum‐cardinality edge additions: Complexity and integer programming approaches

AbstractReal‐world networks are often extremely polarized because the communication between different groups of vertices can be weak and, most of the time, only vertices within the same group or sharing the same beliefs communicate to each other. In this work, we introduce the minimum‐cardinality edge addition problem (MinCEAP) as a strategy for reducing polarization in real‐world networks based on a principle of minimum external interventions. We present the problem formulation and discuss its complexity, showing that its decision version is NP‐complete. We also propose three integer programming formulations for the problem and discuss computational results on artificially generated and real‐life instances. Randomly generated instances with up to 1000 vertices are solved to optimality. On the real‐life instances, we show that polarization can be reduced to the desired threshold with the addition of a few edges. The minimum intervention principle and the methods developed in this work are shown to constitute an effective strategy for tackling polarization issues in practice in social, interaction, and communication networks, which is a relevant problem in a world characterized by extreme political and ideological polarization.

Force-Based Seismic Evaluation of Retrofitting Interventions of Historic Masonry Castles by 3D Rigid Block Limit Analysis

This paper deals with the force-based assessment of collapse mechanisms and strengthening interventions of the historic masonry castle “Bussi sul Tirino” (Abruzzi, Italy) using rigid block limit analysis (RBLA). The structure, which is a fortified palace dating back to the 11th century, has experienced severe earthquakes over the centuries and was hit once again in 2009 by the L’Aquila earthquake. Based on the historical analysis and the results of in situ investigations, a spatial rigid block model of an entire structural unit was generated using the in-house software LiABlock_3D. The software is a MATLAB® based tool for three-dimensional RBLA, which provides as outputs collapse failure modes and collapse load multipliers. In addition, a specific routine was developed for the purpose of the study to compute the participating mass ratio and the spectral acceleration that activated the failure mechanisms. The results of the numerical analysis were used to address three different retrofitting interventions, based on the use of connection elements and ties that, according to the minimum intervention principle, progressively enhanced the seismic capacity. Comparisons in terms of seismic safety indices are finally provided in order to give a quantitative measure of the effectiveness of the adopted retrofitting strategies.

Study on Disintegration Characteristics of Improved Ancient Site Soil by Sticky Rice Solution

Some ancient sites in northwest China are exposed outdoors and damaged by rainwater erosion. To reduce the damage rate of the earthen sites, based on the principle of minimal intervention, the disintegration characteristics of compacted loess samples were improved by sticky rice solution. To analyze the effect of different concentrations of sticky rice solution on the disintegration characteristics of compacted samples, a series of disintegration experiments were carried out. The experiments results showed that the disintegration phenomenon had a significant inhibition in improved loess samples. The disintegration volume of unimproved samples was more lager than improved samples under the same time. The initial disintegration rate of improved samples was greatly reduced because of hydrophobic film formed by sticky rice solution in the surface. This paper showed that it was feasible to improve the disintegration characteristics of ancient site soil with sticky rice solution, which provided a theoretical basis for the application of sticky rice solution in the protection of earthen sites.

Should the Minimal Intervention Principle Be Considered When Investigating Dual-Tasking Effects on Postural Control?

Dual-tasking charges the sensorimotor system with performing two tasks simultaneously. Center of pressure (COP) analysis reveals the postural control that is altered during dual-tasking, but may not reveal the underlying neural mechanisms. In the current study, we hypothesized that the minimal intervention principle (MIP) provides a concept by which dual-tasking effects on the organization and prioritization of postural control can be predicted. Postural movements of 23 adolescents (age 12.7 ± 1.3; 8 females) and 15 adults (26.9 ± 2.3) were measured in a bipedal stance with eyes open, eyes closed and eyes open while performing a dual-task using a force plate and 39 reflective markers. COP data was analyzed by calculating the mean velocity, standard deviation and amplitude of displacement. Kinematic data was examined by performing a principal component analysis (PCA) and extracting postural movement components. Two variables were determined to investigate changes in amplitude (aVark) and in control (Nk) of the principal movement components. Results in aVark and in Nk agreed well with the predicted dual-tasking effects. Thus, the current study corroborates the notion that the MIP should be considered when investigating postural control under dual-tasking conditions.

The Effect of Cognitive Resource Competition Due to Dual-Tasking on the Irregularity and Control of Postural Movement Components.

Postural control research suggests a non-linear, n-shaped relationship between dual-tasking and postural stability. Nevertheless, the extent of this relationship remains unclear. Since kinematic principal component analysis has offered novel approaches to study the control of movement components (PM) and n-shapes have been found in measures of sway irregularity, we hypothesized (H1) that the irregularity of PMs and their respective control, and the control tightness will display the n-shape. Furthermore, according to the minimal intervention principle (H2) different PMs should be affected differently. Finally, (H3) we expected stronger dual-tasking effects in the older population, due to limited cognitive resources. We measured the kinematics of forty-one healthy volunteers (23 aged 26 ± 3; 18 aged 59 ± 4) performing 80 s tandem stances in five conditions (single-task and auditory n-back task; n = 1–4), and computed sample entropies on PM time-series and two novel measures of control tightness. In the PM most critical for stability, the control tightness decreased steadily, and in contrast to H3, decreased further for the younger group. Nevertheless, we found n-shapes in most variables with differing magnitudes, supporting H1 and H2. These results suggest that the control tightness might deteriorate steadily with increased cognitive load in critical movements despite the otherwise eminent n-shaped relationship.