Repeat Step Research Articles

Form-finding of tensegrity structures based on graph neural networks

Tensegrity structures, characterized by enhanced stiffness, slender struts, and superior buckling resistance, have found wide-ranging applications in fields such as engineering, architecture, art, biology, and robotics, attracting extensive attention from researchers. The form-finding process, a critical step in the design of tensegrity structures, aims to discover the self-equilibrated configuration that satisfies specific design requirements. Traditional form-finding methods based on force density often require repeated steps of eigenvalue decomposition and singular value decomposition, making the process complex. In contrast, this paper introduces a new intelligent form-finding algorithm that uses the force density method and combines the Coati optimization algorithm with Graph Neural Networks. This algorithm avoids the complex steps of eigenvalue and singular value decomposition and integrates the physical knowledge of the structure, making the form-finding process faster and more accurate. In this algorithm, various force densities are initially randomized and input into a trained Graph Neural Networks to predict a fitness function’s value. Through optimizing the constrained fitness function, the algorithm determines the appropriate structural force density and coordinates, thereby completing the form-finding process of the structure. The paper presents seven typical tensegrity structure examples and compares various form-finding methods. The results of numerical examples show that the method proposed in this paper can find solutions that align with the super-stable line more quickly and accurately, demonstrating its potential value in practical applications.

Using Repeated Lysis Steps Fractionates Between Heterotrophic and Cyanobacterial DNA Extracted from Xenic Cyanobacterial Cultures.

Extracting DNA from cyanobacteria can be a challenge because of their diverse morphologies, challenging cellular structure, and the heterotrophic microbiome often present within cyanobacterial cultures. As such, even when our DNA yields are sufficient for sequencing, the percentage of reads coming from the cyanobacterial host can be low, leading to incomplete genomes spread across several scaffolds. In this research, we optimized a DNA isolation protocol using three iterative cell lysis steps to enrich the portion of DNA isolated coming from the cyanobacterial host rather than the heterotrophic microbiome. In order to utilize in-house nanopore sequencing, we faced a challenge in that our lysis protocol led to DNA shearing and a lower molecular weight DNA extract than is suitable for this sequencing technology. As such we used two bead-based size selection steps to remove shorter molecules of DNA before nanopore sequencing. EPI2ME analysis of the processed reads from the iterative lysis steps showed that in the first lysis the heterotrophic microbiome could make up more than half of all reads, but with each lysis the proportion of reads coming from these other species decreased. Using our iterative lysis protocol, we were able to sequence the genomes of two cyanobacteria isolated from fresh water sources around northern Mississippi, namely Leptolyngbya sp. BL-A-14 and Limnothrix sp. BL-A-16. The genomes of these isolates were assembled as closed chromosomes of 7.2 and 4.5 Mb for Leptolyngbya sp. BL-A-14 and Limnothrix sp. BL-A-16, respectively. Because some cyanobacteria have symbioses with their heterotrophic microbiome it is not always possible to prepare axenic cultures of these organisms, we hope our approach will be useful for sequencing xenic cultures of cyanobacteria, but we can also imagine applications in studying this microbiome specifically by focusing sequencing efforts on the first fraction.

Hybrid algorithms with alternative embedded local search schemes for the p-median problem

Progress in the development of location theory and clustering methods is mainly aimed at improving the performance of algorithms. We study the continuous p-median problem with the Euclidean metric. Various algorithmic combinations of the ALA procedure embedded into more sophisticated algorithmic combinations are used. Two repeated steps of the ALA algorithm solve the simplest discrete optimization problem, and then a series of central point search problems (Weber problem) for each cluster. A parallel implementation of the ALA algorithm is used. The paper studies the issue of choosing from two strategies: solve the Weber problem until accuracy ε is achieved at each iteration, or perform only one iteration of the Weiszfeld algorithm at each ALA iteration.

The socioeconomic impact of in-silico models for implantable medical devices: a conceptual framework

Abstract The use of in-silico technologies for implantable medical devices has gained importance in the last decade. From a medical perspective, the term ‘in-silico’ mainly refers to computer simulations of clinical trials based on virtual cohorts. So far, there is a lack of a concept how the impact of in-silico models on socioeconomic factors can be evaluated. As part of the EU-funded project SIMCOR, one objective was to conceptualize the impact of in-silico on implantable medical devices. We applied an iterative process described in Jabareen (2009) to build a conceptual framework based on concepts from a comprehensive literature review and expert interviews from academia, companies, and regulatory bodies. Repeated steps of literature work, exploratory interviews and discussion sessions among the research team led to the final framework that was validated by feedback from experts at the end. The conceptual framework describes the impact from in-silico technologies along the product development cycle of implantable medical devices through impact channels up to socio-economic endpoints referring to firm, market, health system and society. Since the whole conceptual framework has multiple complex impact channels that create a kind of network, each impact channel is explained with its ramifications. One channel reveals that underrepresented patient groups in clinical trials might benefit from in-silico models by enabling to model rarer anatomical configurations and leading to medical device development for a broader range of population. The conceptual framework provides the basis for the quantification of the impacts of in-silico models that is expected to increase the acceptance of these models among different stakeholders. The potential benefits as well as disadvantages can be better estimated and classified from different perspectives. The use of in-silico models is expected to enable access to implantable devices faster and to a larger population group. Key messages • The framework reveals opportunities of in-silico models for different stakeholders, e.g., entrepreneurs, regulators, that might lead to an increased development, use and acceptance of such models. • The framework indicates that in-silico models are expected to accelerate implantable medical device development, increase patient safety, and gain faster access for larger population groups.

Framework for sustainable building design and construction using off-cut wood

Irregularly shaped wood created as waste from construction is considered challenging to reuse because of its complicated geometry and a lack of well-defined design methods. Here, we propose a sustainable building design and construction framework as a systematic methodology for upcycling irregular off-cut wood into new components. This framework consists of repeatable steps, as follows: a. material reclamation system: 3D scanning is employed as the main technical method to record a material’s 3D information and material-specific parameters and create a database; b. structural generation and assessment system: material screening, voxel-based filling, and structure generation based on finite element analysis to employed to assess the generated results prior to construction to optimize the final structure. Using furniture, building components, and installations/buildings, we verify the use of this framework for material recycling and generative design and construction.

Experimental Study: The Effect of Pore Shape, Geometrical Heterogeneity, and Flow Rate on the Repetitive Two-Phase Fluid Transport in Microfluidic Porous Media.

Geologic subsurface energy storage, such as porous-media compressed-air energy storage (PM-CAES) and underground hydrogen storage (UHS), involves the multi-phase fluid transport in structurally disordered or heterogeneous porous media (e.g., soils and rocks). Furthermore, such multi-phase fluid transport is likely to repeatedly occur due to successive fluid injections and extractions, thus, resulting in cyclic drainage-imbibition processes. To complement our preceding study, we conducted a follow-up study with microfluidic pore-network devices with a square solid shape (Type II) to further advance our understanding on the effect of the pore shape (aspect ratio, Type I: 5-6 > Type II: ~1), pore-space heterogeneity (coefficient of variation, COV = 0, 0.25, and 0.5), and flow rates (Q = 0.01 and 0.1 mL/min) on the repetitive two-phase fluid flow in general porous media. The influence of pore shape and pore-space heterogeneity were observed to be more prominent when the flow rate was low (e.g., Q = 0.01 mL/min in this study) on the examined outcomes, including the drainage and imbibition patterns, the similarity of those patterns between repeated steps, the sweep efficiency and residual saturation of the nonwetting fluid, and fluid pressure. On the other hand, a higher flow rate (e.g., Q = 0.1 mL/min in this study) appeared to outweigh those factors for the Type II structure, owing to the low aspect ratio (~1). It was also suggested that the flow morphology, sweep efficiency, residual saturation, and required pressure gradient may not severely fluctuate during the repeated drainage--imbibition processes; instead, becoming stabilized after 4-5 cycles, regardless of the aspect ratio, COV, and Q. Implications of the study results for PM-CAES and UHS are discussed as a complementary analysis at the end of this manuscript.

Instantaneous center of rotation in the canine femorotibial joint: Ex vivo assessment of a tool to evaluate joint stabilization surgeries

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is a common cause of femorotibial joint instability in the dog. Numerous techniques including several tibial osteotomies have been described for stabilization, but there is no current consensus on the best method. The instantaneous center of rotation (ICR) can aid investigations of pathological joint movement, but its use is problematic in the femorotibial joint due to combined rotation and translation during flexion and extension. Using fluoroscopic images from an earlier cadaveric study of canine joint stability, an interpolation method was used to create repeatable rotational steps across joint situations, followed by least squares approximation of the ICR. The ICR in intact joints was located mid-condyle but displaced significantly (P < 0.001) proximally following cranial cruciate ligament transection and medial meniscal release. Individual joints appear to respond differently to destabilization. Triple tibial osteotomy partially restored ICR location during early movement from flexion to extension. Joint instability significantly altered the proportions of rolling and gliding movement at the joint surface (P < 0.02), which triple tibial osteotomy partially improved. While triple tibial osteotomy restores joint stability ex vivo and clinically, normal biomechanics of the joint are not restored. The methods described here may prove useful for comparison of osteotomy techniques for stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament deficient femorotibial joint in dogs.

Development of Test Instruments to Test Students' Understanding of Macroscopic, Sub-Microscopic and Symbolic Levels in Acid-Base Titration Material Using the Rasch Model

This study created a test instrument that can test students' understanding of the macroscopic, sub-microscopic and symbolic levels in acid-base titration material that has been tested for validity, reliability, difficulty index and differential power of the questions . This development research uses the Rasch model. The subjects of this study were four lecturers, two high school chemistry teachers and 35 students of SMA N 2 Padang. The object is the quality of the test instrument that meets the criteria of validity, reliability, difficulty index and discriminatory power . Data analysis used the MiniFac and Ministep programs. This study has 10 stages, namely: (1) Defining the construct, (2) Identifying the construct, (3) Designing the items, (4) Testing the product, (5) Analyzing the data, (6) Reviewing the results of the analysis, (7) Reviewing the map wright, (8) Repeat steps 4-7, (9) Claim product quality, (10) Develop documentation. The results showed that the suitability of validation by experts using the MiniFac program was the exact agreement and expected agreement values were very close, namely 95.8% and 95.4%, this indicated that the results of this analysis fit the model and its estimation. Likewise testing of students using the Ministep program. Each item can be said to be valid because it meets the criteria of the MNSQ, ZSTD and PtMean Corr. The instrument is also claimed to be reliable because it has a value of 0.92 . The difficulty index and discriminating power of the items also varied from the easiest to the most difficult.

Japanese Pharmacists’ Perceptions of Self-Development Skills and Continuing Professional Development

The role of healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, is changing. Lifelong learning and continuing professional development (CPD) are more critical than ever for both current and future pharmacists in the face of global health challenges and new technologies, services and therapies that are continually and rapidly introduced into their daily practice. Currently, Japanese pharmacists' licences are not renewable, although most developed countries have a renewal system. Therefore, understanding Japanese pharmacists' perceptions of CPD is the first step in reviewing undergraduate and postgraduate education. The target population was Japanese pharmacists, i.e., community pharmacy pharmacists and hospital pharmacists. The participants were administered a questionnaire with 18 items related to continuing professional development. Our study found that regarding item "Q16 Do you think you need further education in your undergraduate education to continue your professional development?", (a) the ability to identify one's own problems and issues, (b) the ability to make plans to solve problems and issues, (c) the ability to carry out plans to solve problems and issues and (d) the ability to repeat steps of self-development, approximately 60% of pharmacists answered that these aspects were "necessary" or "quite necessary". As part of universities' responsibility for the lifelong education of pharmacists, it is necessary to systematically conduct teaching seminars or undergraduate education or postgraduate education on self-development while training pharmacists to meet the needs of citizens.

Characterizing the changes to the material properties of a bottle‐grade poly(ethylene terephthalate) subject to repeated melt extrusion

AbstractAccording to 2018 data from the National Association of PET Container Resources, it is estimated that the recycling rate of the poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottle in the US is 29%. Trailing this figure is the amount of recycled PET bottles that are utilized for future applications, which is estimated at 20%. Over the previous decade, both values have remained relatively unchanged due to the dynamics of various factors. Ironically, one contributing factor is the mechanical recycling process itself, particularly if the material has been previously exposed. Repeated exposure to mechanical recycling can degrade the properties of the PET, limiting future utilization and in severe cases, destining the material for the landfill. Given the importance of the material properties to the proper functioning of the PET in a bottle application, it is imperative to understand how the properties of the material change when subject to repeated mechanical recycling. The aim for this research was to investigate how the properties of a virgin, bottle grade PET change when subject to a repeated step of the mechanical recycling process, melt extrusion. After each successive extrusion, changes in the thermal, rheological and mechanical properties were measured and compared to the virgin values.

Head Lice: What You Need to Know

Head Lice: What You Need to Know

An Open Inquiry Lab Experiment Preparing Bis(N,N-diethylethylenediamine) Nickel(II) Complexes

Starting with a double replacement reaction in alcohol between Ni(H2O)6(NO3)2 and NaX, students exploit solubility differences to produce a solution of NiX2 and a NaNO3 precipitate. They then synthesize a bis(N,N-diethylethylenediamine) Ni(II) complex with chloride, bromide, iodide, thiocyanate, acetate, nitrate, or perchlorate. Infrared spectroscopy provides very useful characterization information, especially when comparing different complexes between students. The solid complexes have different colors. Some of the complexes are high spin, and some are low spin. Students combine class data to correlate the color of the compound, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and expectations from ligand-field theory for d8 tetragonally distorted octahedral and square planar complexes. This is an open inquiry laboratory experience because students are only provided with generic instructions, students are responsible for planning what to work on next, and students modify or repeat steps as needed based on their infrared spectroscopy measurements.

A branching algorithm to reduce computational time of batch models: Application for blast analyses

Numerical analysis is increasingly used for batch modelling runs, with each individual model possessing a unique combination of input parameters sampled from a range of potential values. Whilst such an approach can help to develop a comprehensive understanding of the inherent unpredictability and variability of explosive events, or populate training/validation data sets for machine learning approaches, the associated computational expense is relatively high. Furthermore, any given model may share a number of common solution steps with other models in the batch, and simulating all models from birth to termination may result in large amounts of repetition. This paper presents a new branching algorithm that ensures calculation steps are only computed once by identifying when the parameter fields of each model in the batch becomes unique. This enables informed data mapping to take place, leading to a reduction in the required computation time. The branching algorithm is explained using a conceptual walk-through for a batch of 9 models, featuring a blast load acting on a structural panel in 2D. By eliminating repeat steps, approximately 50% of the run time can be saved. This is followed by the development and use of the algorithm in 3D for a practical application involving 20 complex containment structure models. In this instance, a ∼20% reduction in computational costs is achieved.

Exploration on the Reform Strategy of Teaching Quality Evaluation System in Chinese Vocational Colleges

The teaching quality evaluation of vocational education is not only an important way to meet the national identification of technical talents, but also an objective reflection of the comprehensive management level and college running quality of vocational colleges. However, the teaching evaluation of vocational education in China has not formed a unified and standardized management system framework. Therefore, in the new era of Xi Jinping, China's research on the evaluation of teaching quality of occupation technology education is more important. PDCA cycle is Deming Cycle, which is a model of continuous quality improvement, including four repeated steps: Plan, Do, Check and Act. This is exactly the same as the process of teaching quality evaluation in vocational colleges. Based on the concept of PDCA cycle theory, this paper attempts to use PDCA method to increase the innovative potential of teaching quality evaluation, and construct a set of closed-loop evaluation management scheme of teaching quality in the whole process and all-round spiral dynamic cycle mode-a five in one pluralistic structural teaching quality evaluation and management system of vocational colleges, families, enterprises, third-party institutions and society. This paper also discusses how PDCA method will affect the design and reform of teaching quality evaluation of vocational education in China, and deeply analyzes the problems and countermeasures that vocational colleges may face after trying to implement the pluralistic structural teaching quality evaluation and management system.

WRITING A NEW POETRY WITH TANDUR STEPS: LEARNING USING QUANTUM LEARNING METHOD ASSISTED IN ICT

Learning based on the background of student ability to write new poetry is low. Based on the evaluation results, writing poetry does not reach the indicators of success in writing poetry. The research aims to determine the scenario and implementation, teacher and student responses, as well as to determine the difficulties experienced by grade X Vocational High School students in completing tasks of writing new poetry using the Quantum Learning method assisted by ICT media. This study uses a qualitative description method. The results of the study: (1) The learning scenario consisted of five meetings, namely four treatments using the Quantum Learning method with TANDUR (Grow, Experience, Name, Demonstrate, Repeat, and Celebrate) steps assisted by ICT media (powtoon and kahoot) and one test, the results of the implementation of learning get the percentage of teacher and student observations of 97.5% and 97.8% and can improve the ability to write new poetry by getting an average score of 82.

Simultaneous Screening and Detection of RFI From Massive SAR Images: A Case Study on European Sentinel-1

Currently, the spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system transmits a great deal of data to the ground processing station and generates massive images daily, only a tiny fraction of which contains radio frequency interference (RFI). However, most of the existing RFI detection methods are based on the prior conditions in which the known image contains interference. In fact, it is difficult to learn whether SAR images contain RFIs without prescreening, so it is of great significance to the rapid and real-time screening and detection of RFI in SAR images. This paper proposes a method to screen and detect RFI from massive SAR images simultaneously. 1) We construct an approximate RFI-free background image by using the preprocessed time-series SAR images acquired in the past. 2) We generate difference images based on the image change detection method and analyze them by using an adaptive threshold, then calculate the entropy of all difference images to complete the preliminary screening of the RFI-containing images. 3) According to the preliminary results, we remove the RFI-containing parts; after reconstructing the background, we repeat step 2 with the images to be detected and obtain the final screening and detection results. Massive experimental results based on Sentinel-1 images validate the performance of the proposed method.

Erratum: The (Spatial) Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition.

Use multilevel modelling (MLM) for analyses: An erratum was issued for:The (Spatial) Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition. The Protocolwas updated. Section 4 of the Protocol was updated from: 4. Analysis Language version (section 3.1) Calculate percentages of demonstrative use for each combination of variables. Analyze data with a mixed ANOVA, using within (e.g., distance, ownership, familiarity, visibility, language at instruction, position of a conspecific) and between (e.g., gender) variables1 , 13. Memory version (section 3.2): Calculate the absolute value of the difference between the actual location and the recalled location (in mm, negative values indicate the object was recalled to be closer) for all trials, then average this difference over each cell of the design. Analyze data in a mixed ANOVA, using within (e.g., distance, ownership, familiarity, visibility, language at instruction, position of a conspecific) and between (e.g., gender) variables13 , 14. to: 4. Analysis using Multilevel Modelling (MLM) Identify potential zero-values in individual cells of the design, as these may lead to statistical separation6 , 7 Use the Satterthwaite approximation8 , 9 to calculate effective degrees of freedom in the MLM. Use a backwards stepwise procedure for interaction terms to eliminate non-significant, highest order interactions: Retain all lower-order interactions if a related higher-order interaction is significant. Double check the changes in the model via the classification table, coefficients, and main effects with each iteration. Use the AIC to determine the efficiency of the model relative to the previous iteration10. Repeat Step 3 until reaching a model including all main effects, all significant (higher order) interactions (if any), and related lower order interactions (whether significant or not). Update: Please find more information of this updated analysis replacing Section 4 of this publication atdoi: https://osf.io/wnj2v/.

MEDICAL PROMOTION EFFECT OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE

ABSTRACT Introduction: Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease in middle-aged and older people. Some studies have shown that sports can reduce its impact on physical functions. Objective: Based on the abovementioned research background, this paper explores the effect of moderate physical exercise on muscle tone and body posture of patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: The article selected 72 Parkinson patients admitted to our hospital's Parkinson's Medical Center from 2019 to 2020. These were divided into a basic drug treatment group and a sports intervention group. The Ashworth score, walking speed, walking cycle, and walking distance of the two groups were recorded. At the same time, we performed statistical data analysis on the two sets of data obtained. Results: Compared with the basic treatment group, the modified Ashworth score of the sports intervention group decreased after treatment (P&lt;0.01). The walking speed of the sports intervention group increased, the walking cycle was shortened, and the distance of repeated steps increased (P&lt;0.01). Conclusion: Appropriate physical exercise can reduce muscle tone in patients with Parkinson's disease. It helps them increase their pace and improve small gait symptoms. Sports can help Parkinson patients adjust their body posture and promote their clinical treatment. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

When network bridges foster consensus. Bounded confidence models in networked societies

In this work we present novel results to the problem of the Hegselmann-Krause dynamics in networks obtained by an extensive study of the behavior of the standard order parameter sensitive to the onset of consensus: the normalized size of the giant cluster. This order parameter reveals the non trivial effect of the network topology on the steady states of the dynamics, overlooked by previous works, which concentrated on the onset of unanimity, and allows to detect regions of polarization between the fragmented and the consensus phases. While the previous results on unanimity are confirmed, the consensus threshold shifts in the opposite direction compared to the threshold for unanimity. A detailed finite size scaling analysis shows that, in general, consensus is easier to obtain in networks than in mixed populations. At a difference with previous studies, we show that the network topology is relevant beyond the finitness of the average degree with increasing system size. In particular, in pure random networks (either uniform random graphs or scale free networks), the consensus threshold seems to vanish in the thermodynamic limit. A detailed analysis of the time evolution of the dynamics reveals the role of bridges in the network, which allow for the interaction between agents belonging to clusters of very different opinions, after several repeated interaction steps. These bridges are at the origin of the shift of the confidence threshold to lower values in networks as compared to lattices or the mixed population.

Mismatches Filtering of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Images Based on Motion Vector Consistency

Fast and efficient mismatches filtering is significant for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) image matching. The traditional geometric model-based filtering is time-consuming and may deteriorate when nonrigid transform exists. To extract more reliable correspondences with less running time, filtering mismatches under the guidance of a subset of initial seed matches derived from putative matches is proposed. The method includes three steps: 1) obtain a subset of initial seed matches based on information entropy and range searching; 2) construct a seed kd-tree with initial seed matches to determine the remaining matches according to the consistency of k-nearest neighbors, and then add the true matching point to the seed kd-tree; and 3) repeat step 2 until all remaining putative matches are confirmed. Extensive experiments prove that the proposed method is competitive compared with state-of-the-art methods.