Tool For Reduction Research Articles

DeepImageTranslator: A free, user-friendly graphical interface for image translation using deep-learning and its applications in 3D CT image analysis.

The advent of deep-learning has set new standards in an array of image translation applications. At present, the use of these methods often requires computer programming experience. Non-commercial programs with graphical interface usually do not allow users to fully customize their deep-learning pipeline. Therefore, our primary objective is to provide a simple graphical interface that allows researchers with no programming experience to easily create, train, and evaluate custom deep-learning models for image translation. We also aimed to test the applicability of our tool in CT image semantic segmentation and noise reduction. DeepImageTranslator was implemented using the Tkinter library, the standard Python interface to the Tk graphical user interface toolkit; backend computations were implemented using data augmentation packages such as Pillow, Numpy, OpenCV, Augmentor, Tensorflow, and Keras libraries. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were trained using DeepImageTranslator. The effects of data augmentation, deep-supervision, and sample size on model accuracy were also systematically assessed. The DeepImageTranslator a simple tool that allows users to customize all aspects of their deep-learning pipeline, including the CNN, training optimizer, loss function, and the types of training image augmentation scheme. We showed that DeepImageTranslator can be used to achieve state-of-the-art accuracy and generalizability in semantic segmentation and noise reduction. Highly accurate 3D segmentation models for body composition can be obtained using training sample sizes as small as 17 images. In conclusion, an open-source deep-learning tool for accurate image translation with a user-friendly graphical interface was presented and evaluated. This standalone software can be downloaded at: https://sourceforge.net/projects/deepimagetranslator/.

Diversity Management as a Key Factor in the Regional Development Process

Economy operates in a broader social system, composed of households and enterprises but also by all institutions created by people. Law and politics is created and introduced in institutions in parallel to educational, administrative activities as well as any other social activities, including those related to the natural environment we live in. These institutions operate thanks to the social capital i.e. interconnected human resources. The quality of the social capital is dependent on mutual trust and relations in the society. For this reason, social capital is of key importance for sustainable development, both as a controller of the impact of the economy on the environment as well as the basis for the future development. The environment evolves continuously, there are rapidly changing economic processes and, in consequence, their impact on the environment is changing rapidly, tool. This brings some specific challenges to the resource and quality of human knowledge and the competence level of the human capital, as the only tool for a possible reduction of all imperfections.

Comparison of Digit Pain between the Water Hyacinth Finger Trap and Steel Wire Finger Trap in Closed Reduction of Distal End Radius Fractures

Background: Most of distal end radius fractures can be treated conservatively. Standard treatment involves closed reduction with finger trap contraption and traction with weight. Steel wire finger traps are widely used. Problems are observed significant pain and skin abrasions after reduction. Objective: To find out if finger traps made from water hyacinth could reduce digit pain in closed reduction of distal end radius in comparison to conventional steel wire finger trap. Materials and Methods: Prospective randomized control trial was performed on distal end radius fracture patients. Two groups were blinded randomly assigned to either group. VAS scores were recorded at 1 and 10 minutes after application. Results: 40 patients were enrolled. Demographic data showed no significant differences between groups. Water hyacinth finger trap group showed significantly lesser VAS pain score at both 1 minute and 10 minutes after application of weighted traction. The change in VAS pain score was also less observed in water hyacinth group. The satisfactory score was also significantly better in the water hyacinth group. Conclusion: Water hyacinth finger trap is a reliable reduction tool in distal end radius fracture. Pain is significantly reduced with better satisfaction score in comparison to the conventional steel wire finger trap. Keywords: Water hyacinth finger trap; Steel wire finger trap; Distal end radius fracture

A generalized information criterion for high-dimensional PCA rank selection

Principal component analysis (PCA) is a commonly used statistical tool for dimension reduction. An important issue in PCA is to determine the rank, which is the number of dominant eigenvalues of the covariance matrix. Among information-based criteria, the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) are the two most common ones. Both use the number of free parameters for assessing model complexity, which requires the validity of the simple spiked covariance model. As a result, AIC and BIC may suffer from the problem of model misspecification when the tail eigenvalues do not follow the simple spiked model assumption. To alleviate this difficulty, we adopt the idea of the generalized information criterion (GIC) to propose a model complexity measure for PCA rank selection. The proposed model complexity takes into account the sizes of eigenvalues and, hence, is more robust to model misspecification. Asymptotic properties of our GIC are established under the high-dimensional setting, where \(n\rightarrow \infty \) and \(p/n\rightarrow c >0\). Our asymptotic results show that GIC is better than AIC in excluding noise eigenvalues, and is more sensitive than BIC in detecting signal eigenvalues. Numerical studies and a real data example are presented.

Is health and safety legislation an effective tool for disaster risk reduction? A case study from New Zealand

Organisations are often overlooked by national disaster risk reduction efforts. By supporting organisations to be more disaster resilient, communities are more resilient. This research investigated whether New Zealand's recent legislation, the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 2015, has co-benefits for increasing seismic risk reduction in organisations. Through interviews and surveys with New Zealand organisations, it was found that the HSWA was a key motivator for organisations to implement seismic risk reduction within the workplace. This was driven by a strong desire to protect staff and customers from earthquake impacts. However, a lack of information and guidance on how to reduce earthquake risks, especially in small and medium enterprises, was found to limit the effectiveness of this legislation as a disaster risk reduction lever. Overall, this research found that even with a safety culture present, for legislation to be successfully leveraged to reduce disaster risks in organisations, guidance is required.

Mechanism research and field test of a novel axial vibratory tool for friction reduction in long horizontal wells

When drilling long horizontal wells, the axial vibration generated by the drilling string at the bottom hole will effectively alleviate the phenomenon of “frictional drag of the drill bit”, which can reduce the friction and enhance the penetration rate. Based on the principle of vibration impact, the axial vibratory tool for friction reduction with a diameter of 127 mm was designed, and the mechanical structure and working principle of this tool were also introduced in detail. First, the planar planetary motion of the throttle valve was described, and a model for calculating the cross-flow area at different moving valve and fixed valve sizes was established. Then, considering the effect of local head loss, the mechanical analysis of the working pressure drop generated by the fluid at each site within the dynamic short connector was carried out, and the relationship curves of the working pressure drop with time and cross-flow area were obtained. After that, the Viscous-Realizable k-ε turbulence model was used to simulate the water hammer pressure of the dynamic short connector, and the variation of water hammer pressure with time, cross-flow area, and cross-sectional flow velocity under 3D/2D conditions was obtained. Based on the undamped vibration differential equation, the axial impact force and axial vibration displacement generated by the vibratory tool were solved. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental test results. The field test of this vibratory tool was conducted in well FNHW4084 of the Mahu oil field in Xinjiang, China. The tool was in the well for 10.68 days. The drilling fluid was circulated for 202 h. The pure drilling time was 125.83 h. The drilling footage of a single tool is 596 m with an average penetration rate of 4.74 m/h. Rate of penetration in the test section was increased by 254% compared with the upper section. Compared with the same kick-off section of the neighboring well FNHW4026, the one-trip drilling footage of the test section was increased by 150% and the penetration rate was increased by 126%. The field test results present that this vibratory tool can significantly increase the drilling footage and penetration rate of horizontal kick-off section.

Influence of kilovoltage-peak and the metal artifact reduction tool in cone-beam computed tomography on the detection of bone defects around titanium-zirconia and zirconia implants.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess the influence of kilovoltage-peak (kVp) and the metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool on the detection of buccal and lingual peri-implant dehiscence in the presence of titanium-zirconia (Ti-Zr) and zirconia (Zr) implants in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.Materials and MethodsTwenty implant sites were created in the posterior region of human mandibles, including control sites (without dehiscence) and experimental sites (with dehiscence). Individually, a Ti-Zr or Zr implant was placed in each implant site. CBCT scans were performed using a Picasso Trio device, with variation in the kVp setting (70 or 90 kVp) and whether the MAR tool was used. Three oral radiologists scored the detection of dehiscence using a 5-point scale. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated and compared by multi-way analysis of variance (α=0.05).ResultsThe kVp, cortical plate involved (buccal or lingual cortices), and MAR did not influence any diagnostic values (P>0.05). The material of the implant did not influence the ROC curve values (P>0.05). In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity were statistically significantly influenced by the implant material (P<0.05) with Zr implants showing higher sensitivity values and lower specificity values than Ti-Zr implants.ConclusionThe detection of peri-implant dehiscence was not influenced by kVp, use of the MAR tool, or the cortical plate. Greater sensitivity and lower specificity were shown for the detection of peri-implant dehiscence in the presence of a Zr implant.

Cim Monolithic Chromatography as a Useful Tool for Endotoxin Reduction and Purification of Bacteriophage Particles Supported with Pat Analytics

Cim Monolithic Chromatography as a Useful Tool for Endotoxin Reduction and Purification of Bacteriophage Particles Supported with Pat Analytics

Participatory approach and tools for stress reduction in Japan

Participatory approach and tools for stress reduction in Japan

Porphyrins and phthalocyanines as biomimetic tools for photocatalytic H2 production and CO2 reduction.

The increasing energy demand and environmental issues caused by the over-exploitation of fossil fuels render the need for renewable, clean, and environmentally benign energy sources unquestionably urgent. The zero-emission energy carrier, H2 is an ideal alternative to carbon-based fuels especially when it is generated photocatalytically from water. Additionally, the photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into chemical fuels can reduce the CO2 emissions and have a positive environmental and economic impact. Inspired by natural photosynthesis, plenty of artificial photocatalytic schemes based on porphyrinoids have been investigated. This review covers the recent advances in photocatalytic H2 production and CO2 reduction systems containing porphyrin or phthalocyanine derivatives. The unique properties of porphyrinoids enable their utilization both as chromophores and as catalysts. The homogeneous photocatalytic systems are initially described, presenting the various approaches for the improvement of photosensitizing activity and the enhancement of catalytic performance at the molecular level. On the other hand, for the development of the heterogeneous systems, numerous methods were employed such as self-assembled supramolecular porphyrinoid nanostructures, construction of organic frameworks, combination with 2D materials and adsorption onto semiconductors. The dye sensitization on semiconductors opened the way for molecular-based dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DSPECs) devices based on porphyrins and phthalocyanines. The research in photocatalytic systems as discussed herein remains challenging since there are still many limitations making them unfeasible to be used at a large scale application before finding a large-scale application.

Adjusting systematic bias in high dimensional principal component scores

Principal component analysis continues to be a powerful tool in dimension reduction of high dimensional data. We assume a variance-diverging model and use the high-dimension, low-sample-size asymptotics to show that even though the principal component directions are not consistent, the sample and prediction principal component scores can be useful in revealing the population structure. We further show that these scores are biased, and the bias is asymptotically decomposed into rotation and scaling parts. We propose methods of bias-adjustment that are shown to be consistent and work well in the high dimensional situations with small sample sizes. The potential advantage of bias-adjustment is demonstrated in a classification setting.

Regional Cooperation for Improving Agriculture Production Efficiency: A Strategic Tool for Emission Reduction

Regional Cooperation for Improving Agriculture Production Efficiency: A Strategic Tool for Emission Reduction

Empirical Model and PSO-Based Algorithm for Efficient Measurement of Gas Permeation Through High Barrier

Efficient measurement of gas permeation through high-barrier materials requires effective theoretical and numerical tools for data reduction and parameter extraction, to reduce the measurement period within error tolerance. An empirical permeation model was developed in this regard, by comprehensively considering gas–surface interactions as well as time and concentration-dependent diffusivity of the permeant particle. An algorithm was developed based on particle swarm optimization (PSO), to numerically fit the experimental data to the permeation model and to extract the characteristic permeation parameters. Compared with the traditional models, the comprehensive model is more accurate to predict the actual permeation phenomena, allowing 75% reduction of the measurement period within 10% tolerance on the extracted steady-state permeability. In addition, the PSO algorithm demonstrates extended applications in other non-steady-state transport problems such as convective–diffusive heat transfer.

The Impact of Cost Sharing on Green Technology Investment in Competing Supply Chains

The investment in green technology in the process of product design and production is viewed as a powerful tool for sustainable development and carbon emission reduction. However, the substantial cost and pressure of competition weaken incentives for manufacturers to engage in green technology. In this paper, we consider two competitive manufacturer-retailer supply chains, where each manufacturer sells partially substitutable products through the exclusive retailer, study green technology investment selection by manufacturers, and examine the efficacy of retailer cost sharing scheme. Our analysis shows that a dominant equilibrium strategy for both manufacturers is to invest in green technologies, whether cost sharing is in place or not. Retailer sharing the cost of manufacturer green technology investment can avoid firms’ preference confliction over the green technology investment and improve social welfare simultaneously when both the cost-sharing rate and the degree of product/channel competition are relatively low. We also find that green technology investment by manufacturers does not necessarily curb total carbon emission, and the cost sharing can either strengthen or weaken the carbon emission reduction of green technology investment.

Status and awareness of farm women about drudgery reducing technologies in Rajgarh district, Madhya Pradesh

The present study was an attempt to find out the present status and awareness of 120 farm women about drudgery reduction technologies in Rajgarh district, Madhya Pradesh. Findings revealed that majority of the farm women were of middle age and illiterate. Trend of nuclear type of families existed which were of medium size. Most of the farm women belonged to OBC category having annual family income of less than Rs 1,00,000 as majority were marginal farmers with small size of herds. Very few of them (10.00%) were having completely Pucca houses. They had low level of mass media exposure and low contact with extension personnel as well as extension institutions. Maximum participation of farm women was found in animal dung collection and its disposal (90.50%) followed by picking of vegetables (88.50%), storage (85.00%), manual harvesting (82.00%), weeding (80.00%) and drying and cleaning of grains (80.00%). Among all the activities, manual harvesting was considered as drudgery-prone operation/ difficult to perform activity by 66 per cent respondents followed by weeding (63.00%), threshing (60.00%), picking of vegetables (44.00%) and thinning (43.00%). Majority (82.50%) of farm women had low level of awareness about drudgery reducing tools and implements. The variables like educational qualification, annual income, mass media exposure level, contact with extension personnel/agents were positively and had high significant correlation with their awareness index regarding drudgery reduction tools whereas the variables like age and family size were observed negatively correlated.

Comparative study of effects of self-help groups on women empowerment:

Self-help groups (SHGs) were originally formed to provide savings and loans, but their function has evolved to include strengthening governance, and tackling social concerns such as gender and caste discrimination. Low cost credit to the poor through SHGs has been hailed as a significant poverty reduction tool in developing nations, although there is no evidence of its effectiveness. This paper, using primary survey data, compares the changes in different socio-economic factors of SHG women and non-SHG women. Three main dimensions have been assessed in this paper i.e. loan size, savings pattern, and women empowerment. We found that SHG women have higher scores in the average women empowerment index than women with no exposure to SHGs. SHG women on average use more loans for business purposes than non-SHG women.

Intramedullary Nail Supplemented with Poller Screws for Proximal and Distal 1/3rd Shaft Tibial Fracture: A Prospective Interventional Study from North India

Introduction: The shaft of the tibia is the most common long bone fracture. The treatment goal for shaft tibial fracture is to achieve union with correction of both axial and rotational alignment and, maintain initial fracture length. Higher malunion rates are seen in fractures of the proximal and distal 1/3rd of the shaft of the tibia. However, Intramedullary (IM) nailing is the preferred choice of operative management of diaphyseal fractures of the lower limb. Aim: To evaluate the functional and radiological outcomes of IM nail supplemented with poller screws for proximal and distal 1/3rd shaft tibial fractures. Materials and Methods: A prospective, interventional study was conducted in the Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab, India from May 2020 to November 2021. A total of 30 fracture patients in the age group of 18 to 60 years were included in the study. All the subjects were treated with IM nail supplemented with poller screws for proximal and distal 1/3rd shaft tibial fractures. Twenty cases were closed fractures and 10 were open (grade I or II according to Gustilo Anderson’s classification of compound tibia fracture). Patients were followed-up at 3 weeks, then 6 weekly till union. Patients were evaluated by KarlströmOlerud’s functional evaluation criteria.The data was statistically analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 23.0. Results: The mean time of fracture union was 17.33±2.59 weeks with a maximum (n=19) patients in ≤15 weeks, followed by 15- 20 weeks (n=10) and only one patient had delayed union (&gt;20 weeks). According to Karlström-Olerud’s functional evaluation scale 18 (60%) patients had excellent outcome followed by good outcome in 8 (26.7%) patients, while 2 (6.7%) patients had satisfactory and 2 (6.7%) patients moderate outcomes. The total mean varus/valgus deformity preoperatively was 10.17±4.15° while postoperatively it was 1.63±2.3°. The total mean antecurvatum /recurvatum deformity preoperatively was 6.47±5.97° while postoperatively it was 0.20±0.61°. Postoperative complications were observed such as shortening of the leg (n=2), movement loss in the ankle (n=4), movement loss in the knees (n=3), muscle wasting (n=6) and subtalar movement loss (n=6). One patient had a superficial skin infection (oozing of purulent discharge from distal locking skin suture site), which was treated with prolonged antibiotics. Conclusion: Poller screws were found to be effective in achieving fracture alignment and hence, serve as a effective fracture reduction tool. Also helps to maintain the fracture aligned until it healed, preventing the loss of the initial reduction.

Assessing the discrete and systemic response of the Built Environment to an earthquake

• Discrete and Systemic Built Environment Vulnerability Index. • Systemic dependencies between the elements of Vulnerability. • Analysis at Mid-scale level of Urban area. • Identification of possible isolated street networks. • Rapid Visual Screening of Buildings. The built environment is an outcome of the land development process that expresses the community's relation to its surroundings. In the context of earthquakes, the built environment directly relates to a disaster's outcome in terms of loss of life and property. Hence it becomes imperative to assess the built environment and minimize the seismic impact comprehensively. The currently available literature focuses on the individual elements of the built environment operating as independent domains of research. However, this article emphasizes the need to understand the built environment from an ecosystem perspective where each element interacts to produce a comprehensive disaster effect. Utilizing urban planning as a seismic risk reduction tool, this paper identifies the elemental composition of the urban environment and proposes a framework to assess the Built Environment Vulnerability (BEV). The study functions at the mid-scale resolution and introduces two new concepts, Discrete and Systemic Vulnerabilities. A total of 1107 buildings and 134 kilometers of road have been surveyed, and object-oriented analysis is carried out in six neighborhoods of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, India. The results are the differential BEV pre and post-earthquake across the six neighborhoods corresponding to their different built characteristics.

E-Cigarettes-a review of the evidence-harm versus harm reduction.

The World Health Organization estimates there are 1.1 billion cigarette smokers across the globe and that tobacco related deaths number 7 million per year. Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are available to contribute options for smoking cessation and include e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, vape pens, mods, and vaping. The growing use of ENDS, or e-cigarettes, in the US and globally across populations is dramatic. Although users may think that e-cigarettes are less harmful than combustible tobacco products, the evidence shows that there are known risks and harms for users. E-cigarettes have varying amounts of toxicants, nicotine, and carcinogens and put the user at risk for lung diseases and COVID-19 similar to smokers. Currently, most governing bodies have not approved e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool but do state if a person has failed conventional smoking cessation treatments that e-cigarettes used alone for the short term may help those to quit combustible tobacco and nicotine. A shared decision-making approach should be used when discussing e-cigarettes as a harm reduction tool. More studies and long-term data are needed to assess potential benefits and harms. What is known is that prevention efforts and policy are needed to avoid adolescents and other vulnerable populations from initiating tobacco or e-cigarette use.

Modeling and analysis of torsional vibrations in borehole drill strings

Bore hole drilling is a growing activity driven by the need to access important resources like ground water and fossil fuels. In the process, however, undesired vibrations and shocks on the drill strings are invariably experienced, and this has a detrimental impact on the equipment. To get a full understanding of the origins and characteristics of this dysfunction, a generalized lumped-parameter model of the drill string system is studied to provide a deeper understanding of the drillstring dynamics and bit mechanics. The torsional stick-slip vibration phenomenon focuses on analyzing the source of vibration excitation, which is primarily the nonlinear bit-rock fictional interaction. The impact of various parameters such as the weight on the bit, rotational speed, and damping on the severity of vibration, in particular stick-slip vibration, is further analyzed. The simulation results highlight the significance of the key factors for stick-slip onset and severity. These controllable factors can be used to eliminate stick-slip while avoiding other undesirable effects, achieving optimum performance. Further research will be done on multi-stability analysis to define the optimum operation zones and design of vibration reduction tools and control strategies.