Size Estimation Techniques Research Articles

In situ and layer-by-layer grain size estimation in additively manufactured metal components using femtosecond laser ultrasonics

Directed energy deposition (DED) is an additive manufacturing technique wherein a focused thermal energy source and a coaxial powder delivery system are combined for the fabrication of metallic parts. Although rapid progress has been made in DED, the amount of research performed for in situ quality monitoring during fabrication is limited. Grain size monitoring during DED is particularly important because the grain size is directly related to the mechanical strength and stiffness of the final products. In this study, a layer-by-layer grain size estimation technique using femtosecond laser ultrasonics is developed for in situ monitoring during DED. The proposed technique employs fully noncontact and nondestructive testing for grain size estimation and uses the relationship between the laser-induced ultrasonic waves and the grain size. In addition to the in situ operation of the technique, spatial resolution in the micrometer range was achieved. The developed technique was validated using Ti-6Al-4V specimens fabricated by DED. The results of the quantitative grain sizes measured by the developed method were consistent with those measured through independent metallography conducted after the completion of DED.

Deep learning method for rapidly estimating pig body size

Context During pig breeding, a change in a pig’s body size is an important indicator that reflects its health. However, it is difficult to extract the necessary features from images to estimate pig body size without contact. Aims It is crucial to develop a fast and accurate body size estimation algorithm to meet the practical needs of farms, i.e., numerous body size detections. Methods This report presents a rapid pig body size estimation technique based on deep learning. The YOLOv5 model is enhanced by integrating MobilenetV3, and a lightweight object detection network is introduced as the feature extraction network. An attention mechanism is also added to this system. Following these improvements, the proposed YOLOv5_Mobilenet_SE model is more suitable for the small-target detection of key parts of live pigs. A depth camera was used at a fixed height to capture the pig’s back information, which enables calculations of the critical height, i.e., the body height, of live pigs. Other key measuring points on the pig are generated according to the detection frame of the key parts located by the model. A gradient boosting regression algorithm is used to establish the body size prediction model based on the Euclidean distance between the key measuring points and the actual body size data. Key results The upgraded YOLOv5_Mobilenet_SE model achieves a mean average precision of 3.9%, which is higher than that obtained using the original YOLOv5 model. The model size is reduced from 91.2 to 10.2 M, and the average detection time for each image is 4.4 ms. The mean absolute percent errors in terms of body size, body width, and body height are 2.02%, 1.95%, and 1.84%, respectively, relative to manual measurements. Conclusions This method greatly reduces the model size and detection time while ensuring accuracy, and therefore, this method can cut costs for farms performing pig body size measurements. Implications The results of this study can provide technical support for automated and digital monitoring in the pig breeding industry.

Modern Metrics (MM): Software size estimation using function points for artificial intelligence and data analytics applications and finding the effort modifiers of the functional units using indian software industry

SPM, Software Project Management is an engineering process for scheduling, developing, testing, and maintaining a software system. The size of a software is one of the important attributes in determining all the activities of SPM. Price, time, and effort are the basic factors for developing software in a successful and profitable manner. The fast explosions in technological development of software systems attracted all the fields that existed in the universe. The modern software system uses many programming languages, domains, operating systems, technologies, development cycles, topologies, etc. So, the industry is expecting a new, versatile, and highly updated sizing technique for modern software. Modern Metrics (MM) is a new anticipated size estimation technique for present software systems with updated functional values and metrics using Function Point (FP). This article analyzed the functional unit metric values (effort modifiers) of the MM with real world applications. MM is a novel method for determining the solution to the SPM challenges.

Comparative Study on the Crystallite Size and Bandgap of Perovskite by Diverse Methods

This research demonstrates the fast synthesis of CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite powder via antisolvent addition and further thin-film synthesis by one-step spin coating. The structural and optical properties are investigated via X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Crystallite sizes are compared by three different size estimation techniques, which range between 95.8 nm and 105 nm. The perovskite showed a higher absorption coefficient over 104 cm−1 and a refractive index from 3.4 to 2.3 in the visible spectrum. The bandgap was estimated via three district methods, which revealed a very slightly varied bandgap in the range of 2.29 eV–2.32 eV.

Body size from unconventional specimens: A 3D geometric morphometrics approach to fishes from Ancestral Pueblo Contexts

Animal body size estimation from zooarchaeological specimens often relies on specific, one-dimensional (i.e., conventional) measures from skeletal elements. Here, we introduce an animal body size estimation technique for archaeological fishes that relies on 3D reference scans and the calculation of centroid size, a standard 3D geometric morphometric proxy measure for organism size. Centroid size-based estimations on whole caudal vertebrae are strongly correlated with a widely accepted measure (i.e., centrum width), but the scalability and flexibility of the centroid size-based approach allows for use on a wide variety of fragmented remains. We use zooarchaeological fish remains (subfamily Ictiobinae) from late pre-Hispanic period large village sites located in the Middle Rio Grande region of New Mexico. Informal reports suggest that fishes were large during this time, and we demonstrate that ictiobines were significantly large compared to modern specimens. The centroid size-based body size estimation technique indicates that Ancestral Pueblo fishing strategies were associated with energy maximizing foraging behavior.

Using Google Trends to Inform the Population Size Estimation and Spatial Distribution of Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: Proof-of-concept Study

BackgroundWe must triangulate data sources to understand best the spatial distribution and population size of marginalized populations to empower public health leaders to address population-specific needs. Existing population size estimation techniques are difficult and limited.ObjectiveWe sought to identify a passive surveillance strategy that utilizes internet and social media to enhance, validate, and triangulate population size estimates of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM).MethodsWe explored the Google Trends platform to approximate an estimate of the spatial heterogeneity of the population distribution of gbMSM. This was done by comparing the prevalence of the search term “gay porn” with that of the search term “porn.”ResultsOur results suggested that most cities have a gbMSM population size between 2% and 4% of their total population, with large urban centers having higher estimates relative to rural or suburban areas. This represents nearly a double up of population size estimates compared to that found by other methods, which typically find that between 1% and 2% of the total population are gbMSM. We noted that our method was limited by unequal coverage in internet usage across Canada and differences in the frequency of porn use by gender and sexual orientation.ConclusionsWe argue that Google Trends estimates may provide, for many public health planning purposes, adequate city-level estimates of gbMSM population size in regions with a high prevalence of internet access and for purposes in which a precise or narrow estimate of the population size is not required. Furthermore, the Google Trends platform does so in less than a minute at no cost, making it extremely timely and cost-effective relative to more precise (and complex) estimates. We also discuss future steps for further validation of this approach.

Advances in emergency care for burn disorders: Treatment strategies and outcomes

Background: Effective management of burn injuries is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes, yet challenges remain in prehospital care and accurate assessment. This article reviews the advancements in emergency burn care, focusing on the prehospital management by Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in Switzerland and the implications for North American practices. Aim: To explore and compare burn care strategies, particularly in prehospital and initial hospital settings, and to evaluate updates in fluid resuscitation protocols and burn size estimation techniques. Methods: The study incorporates a decade-long review of HEMS data from Switzerland and examines North American practices, including referral criteria and transport strategies. Analysis of recent studies on air transport overtriage and updated fluid resuscitation formulas, such as the Parkland and Modified Brooke formulas, is also included. Results: Findings indicate a high degree of consistency in burn size assessment in Switzerland, contrasting with varying results in North America where overtriage and inaccuracies in burn size estimation are prevalent. Fluid resuscitation protocols have been refined to address these issues, with updated ABLS guidelines reflecting advancements in technology and evidence-based practices. Conclusion: Enhanced prehospital care and accurate burn size estimation are critical for effective burn management.

OOFFMM: A Size Estimation Model for Real Time Application

A lot of Size Estimation technique has been previously proposed for estimation of the effort of object oriented software projects. After reviewing several object oriented metrics we found that FFP is most excellent right metrics for real occasion application. We took FFP metric for estimating the size. There control functions will helps to calculate those complex, scientific or real time process that were not easily estimated by FP or any other metrics. This research job mostly focus on formative the functional_size of Real-time application at early stage. We define the rules to identify logical files from UML diagrams on different models of OMT. This proposed model is completely base on OOD Methodology owing to the version of the Function_Point Analysis to Object_Point Analysis .We also presented the result obtained by applying the model in a Case study. The result has proven that discovered OOFFA metric and Effort estimation model (OOFFMM) is the best model and metric suite for object oriented MIS applications as well as real time applications.

Comparative Study of Different Project Size Estimation Technique for the Development of Software

In SDLC (Software development life cycle model) there are various phase we use to develop the software in that the one is planning phase in this phase we use some estimation technique for estimate the Size, Cost, Effort etc for the software. The main objective of software engineering discipline is to develop the software in systematic and discipline manner as per user requirement. And also, the software should deliver in time and in budget. To acquiring this feature is called planning of the software i.e. how much it takes time and cost to complete and effort required form development is depend on nature of the software. The objective of this paper is to find out advantages and shortcoming of different Size estimation technique. In this paper we compared all traditional approach for size estimation technique.

A reassessment of the genome size-invasiveness relationship in reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea).

Genome size is hypothesized to affect invasiveness in plants. Key evidence comes from a previous study of invasive eastern North American populations of the grass Phalaris arundinacea: invasive genotypes with smaller genomes had higher growth rates, and genome sizes were smaller in the invasive vs. native range. This study aimed to re-investigate those patterns by examining a broader range of North American populations and by employing the modern best-practice protocol for plant genome size estimation in addition to the previously used protocol. Genome sizes were measured using both internal and pseudo-internal standardization protocols for 20 invasive and nine native range accessions of P. arundinacea. After a round of vegetative propagation to reduce maternal environmental effects, growth (stem elongation) rates of these accessions were measured in the greenhouse. Using the best-practice protocol, there was no evidence of a correlation between genome size and growth rates (P = 0.704), and no evidence for differences in genome sizes of invasive and native range accessions (P > 0.353). However, using the older genome size estimation protocol, both relationships were significant (reproducing the results of the previous study). Genome size reduction has not driven increased invasiveness in a broad sample of North American P. arundinacea. Further, inappropriate genome size estimation techniques can create spurious correlations between genome size and plant traits such as growth rate. Valid estimation is vital to progress in understanding the potentially widespread effects of genome size on biological processes and patterns.

Comparative Analysis Of Functional Size Measurement Methods On Software Development Projects

¬This paper presents the role and significance of the estimation of programming sizes when estimating the execution of programming exercises and in assessing exertion for new programming undertakings. ¬is paper shows the comparative analysis of four standard programming estimating techniques (the Albrecht/IFPUG, MkII FPA, NESMA, and COSMIC method) that have professed to be practical size estimation techniques and look at the genuine idea of their size scales. ¬is paper identifies find that sizes delivered by the Albrecht/IFPUG and MkII FPA and NESMA techniques are entirely a size of standard (improvement) exertion. Only the COSMIC method gives a genuine proportion of practical size and therefore the most appropriate method for execution examinations crosswise over undertakings utilizing diverse advancements.

Comparative Study of Different Project Size Estimation Technique for the Development of Software

In SDLC (Software development life cycle model) there are various phase we use to develop the software in that the one is planning phase in this phase we use some estimation technique for estimate the Size, Cost, Effort etc for the software. The main objective of software engineering discipline is to develop the software in systematic and discipline manner as per user requirement. And also the software should deliver in time and in budget. To acquiring this feature is called planning of the software i.e. how much it take time and cost to complete and effort required form development is depend on nature of the software. The objective of this paper is to find out advantages and shortcoming of different Size estimation technique. In this paper we compared all traditional approach for size estimation technique.

Estimating the size of E-Learning System using Learning Object Points Method

Background/Objectives: Software size estimation is the key factor to determine the planning activities of software development process. Size is the base factor to determine effort, duration, schedule, cost and others that affect the development process. E-Learning system is also a software system support for Computer and internet based teaching and learning process. Development of E-Learning system is under crises because of improper estimates that lead incompleteness, loss and delay, it affects customer satisfaction. To overcome the problem, a research made on the sizing techniques used in industry and the inabilities are identified. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Based on the analysis of all industry oriented size estimation techniques, this research introduces a new sizing technique called Learning Object Point method (LOP). Learning Object Points method is quantifying the size and complexity of an E-Learning system in terms of learning objects and functionalities. Sizing is independent of computer languages, development methodology and technology behind the development. LOP can be estimated early stage of software development process. It is prepared based on the user perspective so users of the E-Learning system have a better understanding of what LOP are measuring. Findings: The performance analysis of Learning Object Point’s method was conducted over Function point Analysis by using different projects developed in the industry. Size and duration calculated using FPA produced wrong results. So the project management activities like planning, scheduling and costing produced imprecise outcomes but LOP produced more close to actual results so it supports project management activities effectively. Applications/Improvements: LOP can be used to size E-Learning applications accurately. Sizing is important component in determining productivity. It is easily understood by the non-technical user. This helps communicate sizing information to a user or customer. Conversion to LOC is similar to FP to LOC conversion. It also supports to estimate any kind software application other than E-Learning system also. Estimate development effort and Cost benefit analysis using LOP. To Derive Business Decisions.

Generalizing the Network Scale-Up Method: A New Estimator for the Size of Hidden Populations.

The network scale-up method enables researchers to estimate the size of hidden populations, such as drug injectors and sex workers, using sampled social network data. The basic scale-up estimator offers advantages over other size estimation techniques, but it depends on problematic modeling assumptions. We propose a new generalized scale-up estimator that can be used in settings with non-random social mixing and imperfect awareness about membership in the hidden population. Further, the new estimator can be used when data are collected via complex sample designs and from incomplete sampling frames. However, the generalized scale-up estimator also requires data from two samples: one from the frame population and one from the hidden population. In some situations these data from the hidden population can be collected by adding a small number of questions to already planned studies. For other situations, we develop interpretable adjustment factors that can be applied to the basic scale-up estimator. We conclude with practical recommendations for the design and analysis of future studies.

Cross Cultural Adaptation & Psychometric Validation of Instruments: Step-wise Description

Psychometrics has immense role in measuring health outcomes across the globe. To use the scales in different culture, there is need to adapt the instrument appropriately. It was aimed to describe the psychometric validation of instruments step by step as well as comprehensively. Cultural adaptation needs to follow standard adaptation procedure and assessment of reliability and validity after ensuring the standard sample size. Reliability is assessed mostly in the forms of internal consistency; test-retest reliability; and inter rater reliability. Validity is assessed in forms of face validity; content validity; criterion validity; construct validity; concurrent validity; convergent validity and divergent validity. Study design; sample size estimation and sampling technique vary depending on the situation and demands thorough scientific discussions. This step wise comprehensive description will make a comfortable path for the beginners.

Note: Development of leg size sensors for fluid accumulation monitoring.

A number of diseases can lead to fluid accumulation and swelling in the lower leg. Early detection of leg swelling can be used to effectively predict potential health risks and allows for early intervention from medical providers. Hence this note develops a novel leg size sensor based on the use of magnetic field measurement. An electromagnet is combined with two magnetic field transducers to provide a drift-free leg size estimation technique immune to environmental disturbances. The sensor can measure changes as small as 1 mm in diameter reliably during in vitro tests. Its performance is compared with that of other size measurement techniques.

Risks Associated to Size Estimation of E-Commerce System using Function Point based Estimation Techniq

Background/Objectives: To identify the risks associated to the size estimation of E-commerce systems with the help of existing and new metrics and values using function point based estimation techniques. Methods/Statistical Analysis : An innovative combined approach is required for finding the risks associated to the size estimation of E-Commerce system. Here we are using Function points, Risk analysis techniques and the basic size estimation techniques like Line of Codes, DELPHI etc. Findings: E-Commerce system is a versatile software having function points with variable behavior. Ranking the function points is very difficult with E-Commerce system. The existing metrics for calculating Complexity Adjustment Factor is not sufficient. It also faces the empirical risks like financial risks, environmental and ecological risks and security risks. Applications/Improvements: At last, it will give the risks associated to the size estimation using function points.

Performance comparison of underwater network size estimation techniques

Nowadays, size number of nodes estimation has received much attention in the field of wireless sensor networks. Due to the harshness of underwater environment, size estimation is difficult in underwater wireless sensor network using existing methods of terrestrial networks. For this purpose, cross-correlation CC-based size estimation techniques using two and three sensors have been proposed by the authors in their previous works. In this paper, estimation performances of these CC-based techniques are compared with other underwater network size estimation approaches. It is observed from the comparison that, three sensor case of CC-based method shows better performance in terms of accuracy and estimation time than those of the other methods.

Evaluation of sampling strategies to estimate crown biomass

Abstract Background Depending on tree and site characteristics crown biomass accounts for a significant portion of the total aboveground biomass in the tree. Crown biomass estimation is useful for different purposes including evaluating the economic feasibility of crown utilization for energy production or forest products, fuel load assessments and fire management strategies, and wildfire modeling. However, crown biomass is difficult to predict because of the variability within and among species and sites. Thus the allometric equations used for predicting crown biomass should be based on data collected with precise and unbiased sampling strategies. In this study, we evaluate the performance different sampling strategies to estimate crown biomass and to evaluate the effect of sample size in estimating crown biomass. Methods Using data collected from 20 destructively sampled trees, we evaluated 11 different sampling strategies using six evaluation statistics: bias, relative bias, root mean square error (RMSE), relative RMSE, amount of biomass sampled, and relative biomass sampled. We also evaluated the performance of the selected sampling strategies when different numbers of branches (3, 6, 9, and 12) are selected from each tree. Tree specific log linear model with branch diameter and branch length as covariates was used to obtain individual branch biomass. Results Compared to all other methods stratified sampling with probability proportional to size estimation technique produced better results when three or six branches per tree were sampled. However, the systematic sampling with ratio estimation technique was the best when at least nine branches per tree were sampled. Under the stratified sampling strategy, selecting unequal number of branches per stratum produced approximately similar results to simple random sampling, but it further decreased RMSE when information on branch diameter is used in the design and estimation phases. Conclusions Use of auxiliary information in design or estimation phase reduces the RMSE produced by a sampling strategy. However, this is attained by having to sample larger amount of biomass. Based on our finding we would recommend sampling nine branches per tree to be reasonably efficient and limit the amount of fieldwork.

Varying stiffness and load distributions in defective ball bearings: Analytical formulation and application to defect size estimation

This paper presents an analytical formulation of the load distribution and varying effective stiffness of a ball bearing assembly with a raceway defect of varying size, subjected to static loading in the radial, axial and rotational degrees of freedom. The analytical formulation is used to study the effect of the size of the defect on the load distribution and varying stiffness of the bearing assembly. The study considers a square-shaped outer raceway defect centered in the load zone and the bearing is loaded in the radial and axial directions while the moment loads are zero. Analysis of the load distributions shows that as the defect size increases, defect-free raceway sections are subjected to increased static loading when one or more balls completely or partly destress when positioned in the defect zone. The stiffness variations that occur when balls pass through the defect zone are significantly larger and change more rapidly at the defect entrance and exit than the stiffness variations that occur for the defect-free bearing case. These larger, more rapid stiffness variations generate parametric excitations which produce the low frequency defect entrance and exit events typically observed in the vibration response of a bearing with a square-shaped raceway defect. Analysis of the stiffness variations further shows that as the defect size increases, the mean radial stiffness decreases in the loaded radial and axial directions and increases in the unloaded radial direction. The effects of such stiffness changes on the low frequency entrance and exit events in the vibration response are simulated with a multi-body nonlinear dynamic model. Previous work used the time difference between the low frequency entrance event and the high frequency exit event to estimate the size of the defect. However, these previous defect size estimation techniques cannot distinguish between defects that differ in size by an integer number of the ball angular spacing, and a third feature of the vibration response is therefore required to distinguish between such defects. It is hypothesized and validated through simulations that when the static load remains constant, the third distinguishing feature is the characteristic frequencies of the low frequency event.