Track Approach Research Articles

Adaptive track approach for multiple sources scenarios during radar survey for space surveillance applications

The increasing population of resident space objects is currently fostering many space surveillance initiatives, which rely on the use of on-ground sensors. In particular, survey radars allow to first characterise the target orbit from a single transit, through measurements which are Doppler shift, slant range and angular profile. In this framework, the Music Approach for Track Estimate and Refinement (MATER) algorithm was developed to compute the angular track through the MUltiple SIgnal Classification (MUSIC), by solving possible ambiguities which may arise because of the receiver array geometry.This work presents the MATER extension to the case in which multiple sources are simultaneously detected by the sensor. For each detected source, the signal Direction of Arrival (DOA) is computed through MUSIC, and, if no prediction is exploited, possible ambiguous solutions arise. The computation is repeated for the entire observation, and all the estimations related to a specific target are grouped based on the angular sequence shape and the detection epochs. Finally, the possible ambiguity problem is solved, and the angular profile is obtained through a quadratic regression in time.The algorithm is numerically tested on a survey observation simulation. The detection length depends on the impinging signal intensity, and the angular accuracy is in the order of 1e-03 deg. A sensitivity analysis highlights that a transmitted power decrease shortens the detection length, with no remarkable angular accuracy deterioration. An additional simulation shows that in proximity operation monitoring MATER performance depends on the mutual geometry between target and chaser, as it may bring down the reciprocal angular distance under the resolution level. Nevertheless, it is always possible to identify the presence of both sources through the eigenvalues analysis of the signal correlation matrix. Finally, the simulation of a fragments cloud observation highlights that MATER performance depends both on the size of the observed fragment, as this is strictly linked to the signal detected by the receiver, and on the simultaneous detection of other fragments with a more effective signal.

Artificial Intelligence-Assisted RFID Tag-Integrated Multi-Sensor for Quality Assessment and Sensing.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is well known as an identification, track, and trace approach and is considered to be the key physical layer technology for the industrial internet of things (IIoT). However, IIoT systems have to introduce additional complex sensor networks for pervasive monitoring, and there are still challenges related to item-level sensing and data recording. To overcome the shortage, this work proposes an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted RFID-based multi-sensing technology. Both passive and semi-passive RFID tag-integrated multi-sensors are developed. The main contributions and the novelty of this investigation are as follows. A UHF RFID tag-integrated multi-sensor with a boosted charge pump is proposed; it enables high RF signal sensitivity and a long operational range. The whole hardware design, including the antenna and energy harvester, are studied. Moreover, a demonstration with real-world ham product sensing data is conducted. This work also proposes and successfully demonstrates the integration of machine learning algorithms, specifically the NARX neural network, with RFID sensing data for food product quality assessment and sensing (QAS). This application of machine learning to RFID-generated data for quality assessment is also a novel aspect of the research. The deployment of an autoregressive model with an exogenous input (NARX) neural network model, tailored for nonlinear processes, emerges as the most effective, achieving a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.007 and an R-squared value of 0.99 for ham product QAS. By deploying the technology, low-cost, timely, and flexible product QAS can be achieved in manufacturing industries, which helps product quality improvement and the optimization of the manufacturing line and supply chain.

مقترح نظام اداري لقواعد اختيار اسموب التنفيذ في مشاريع قطاع التشييد في العراق

Among the most important problems which faced the new approach is the wide use of old approach , particularly the traditional approach ( general contractor ) and the bill of quantity contract, and this were commonly used in the course of the application of fast – track approach in spite of unfulfilling the execution requirements for the fast – track , so It became necessary to look for certain contract rules to be used as a substitute suited all conditions and cases after concluding lessons from the local experiments in rebuilding issues . This research aims at analyzing the subject of shortening time factor taking in consideration the effect all the effective factors which leads to increase the cost and time A scientific methodology was followed in both theoretical and practical phases of the study . A detailed statistical analysis of the study was incorporated using questionnaire and interview method to evaluate the effective factors directly or indirectly on fast – track approach.

A wavefront track approach to defect detection in composites by scanning laser Doppler vibrometry

Composite laminates are becoming increasingly popular in a large variety of applications due to their favourable mechanical properties. However, laminates production processes can lead to various defects in the final material. The most common type is related to thickness variations, e.g. delaminations between layers, which can compromise the mechanical strength of the structure. Therefore, there is a great interest in developing non-destructive and non-contact quality control techniques for composite material assessment to minimize process costs. An interesting approach is the use of laser Doppler vibrometry combined with signal analysis based on Lamb waves propagation. In this work, we used an impulsive force given by a piezoelectric disk to the specimen and a laser Doppler vibrometer acquiring the points velocity over time along a scanning grid on the surface. The specimen is a fiberglass reinforced flat panel with seven different orientated layers which presents a delamination of about 22 mm. The maximum thickness-frequency product achieved in this analysis has been 0.2 MHz∙mm. In contrast to state-of-the-art methods for identifying thickness variation based on local estimation of the principal wave number, the proposed algorithm makes use of a tracking filter of the wave front of the propagating A0 mode waves, returning a final image in polar coordinates. The final information given by the algorithm provides the position of the delamination and, hence, can be used as a pass/failure test. State-of-the-art methods are also able to identify the shape of the defect but pay the price of a higher computational cost by using at least 4D matrix processing unlike our method which only uses 3D matrices.

A new surge index with the incorporation of cyclone track approach angle information for the Bay of Bengal

A novel tropical cyclone surge potential index (TCSPI) for estimating tropical cyclone (TC) induced potential peak surge levels near the landfall locations for the entire coast of the Bay of Bengal (BoB) is presented. The proposed TCSPI incorporates parameters that are often readily available in real-time for BoB: maximum sustained wind speed (Vmax), the radius of given wind (R), translation speed (S), approach angle (θ), coastal geometry (a, b), and bathymetry information (L30). The inclusion of approach angle and associated coastal geometry information led to improvements of the TCSPI to other existing surge indices. A retrospective analysis of TCSPI using the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) tropical cyclone (TC) best track data from 1990 to 2021 for BoB suggests that the index captures historical events reasonably well. In particular, it explains up to ∼90% of observed surge variance and up to ∼92% of those peak surge values obtained from physics-based numerical simulation using the Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) model. Further, we utilized renowned regression-based supervised machine learning (ML) models on small data samples. The Linear Regression (LR), Regression Tree (TR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Ensembles of Trees (EnTR), and Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) models are incorporated that can rapidly predict peak surge height across an extensive coastal region of BoB, using the same input parameter information (i.e., Vmax, R, S,L30, and θ) that have been considered in the TCSPI at the landfall time frame. Finally, the observed peak surge values associated with historical TC events in the BoB are compared with those estimated by TCSPI, ADCIRC, and ML models. The errors associated with TCSPI are comparatively less. The consideration of approach angle information in the TCSPI has improved the accuracy of the overall prediction of peak surge height associated with historical TCs by up to 17% and 19% for observed and ADCIRC-simulated peak surges, respectively. The development of such a prediction methodology can reduce the numerical computation requirements to improve the surge hazard maps, and hence, proper implementation based on surge risk is possible.

New draft DEGA guideline103-1 for sound protection classes

The DEGA recommendation 103 (DEGA-Empfehlung–Schallschutz im Wohnungsbau und Schallschutzausweis) has been introduced in the year 2009 and includes a classification scheme for dwellings. Seven classes are defined. The classification is based on different criteria for air borne noise, impact noise and other quantities. In 2018, a revised version has been published. Both version relied on classical quantities such as air born sound insulation R’w and impact sound insulation L’n,w. A new version has recently published as a draft DEGA guideline 103-1 (Entwurf zur DEGA-Richtlinie 103-1 “Schallschutz im Wohnungsbau, Teil 1”). In this new draft, the idea of seven classes hae been taken over. The classification not only is based on traditional values such as R’w and L’n,w but also offers the use of the weighed sound level differences DnT,w and weighed standardizes impact sound pressure level L’nT,w. It is suggested to use the later quantities. This dual track approach allows a better design and will lead to a higher acceptance among acousticians and other users. The new draft is presented and will be discussed in relation to other approaches for sound protection in dwellings.

Five-Fraction Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Brain Metastases-A Retrospective Analysis.

To determine the safety and outcome profile of five-fraction stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) for brain metastases (BM), either as a definitive or adjuvant treatment. We assessed clinical data of patients receiving five fractions of 7 Gy each (cumulative physical dose of 35 Gy) to BM or surgical cavities. The primary endpoints were toxicity and radiation necrosis (RN) rates. Secondary endpoints were 1-year cumulative local control rate (LCR) and estimated overall survival (OS). A total of 36 eligible patients receiving FSRT to a total of 49 targets were identified and included. The median follow up was 9 (1.1-56.2) months. The median age was 64.5 (34-92) years, the median ECOG score was 1, and the median Diagnostic-Specific Graded Prognostic Assessment (DS-GPA) score was 2. Treatment was well tolerated and there were no grade 3 adverse events or higher. The overall RN rate was 14.3% and the median time to RN was 12.9 (1.8-23.8) months. RN occurrence was associated with immunotherapy, young age (≤45 years), and large PTV. The cumulative 1-year local control rate was 83.1% and the estimated median local progression free-survival was 18.8 months. The estimated median overall survival was 11 (1.1-56.2) months and significantly superior in those patients presenting with RN. FSRT with 5 × 7 Gy represents a feasible, safe, and efficient fast track approach of intensified FSRT with acceptable LC and comparable RN rates for both the adjuvant and definitive RT settings.

FS3change: A Scalable Method for Change Pattern Mining

Mining change patterns can give unique understanding on the evolution of dynamically changing systems like social relation graphs, weblinks, hardware descriptions and models. A more recent focus is source code change pattern mining that may qualitatively justify expected or uncover unexpected patterns. These patterns then offer a basis, e.g., for program language evolution or auto-completion support. We present a change pattern mining method that greatly expands the limits of input data and pattern complexity, over existing methods. We propose scalability solutions on conceptual and algorithmic level, thereby evolving the state-of-the-art sampling-based frequent subgraph mining method FS <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sup> , resulting in 75% reduction in memory consumption and a speedup of 6500 for a large scale dataset. Patterns can have 100,000s of occurrences for which manual review is impossible and may lead to misinterpretation. We propose the novel content track approach for interactively exploring pattern contents in context, based on marginal distributions. We evaluate our approach by mining 1,000 open source projects contributing a total of 558 million changes and 2 billion contextual connections among them, thereby, demonstrating its scalability. A manual interpretation of 19 patterns shows sensible mined patterns allowing to deduct implications for language design and demonstrating the soundness of the approach.

The Integrated system for Natural Capital Accounting (INCA) in Europe: twelve lessons learned from empirical ecosystem service accounting

The Integrated system for Natural Capital Accounting (INCA) was developed and supported by the European Commission to test and implement the System of integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting – Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA). Through the compilation of nine Ecosystem Services (ES) accounts, INCA can make available to any interested ecosystem accountant a number of lessons learned. Amongst the conceptual lessons learned, we can mention: (i) for accounting purposes, ES should be clustered according to the existence (or not) of a sustainability threshold; (ii) the assessment of ES flow results from the interaction of an ES potential and an ES demand; (iii) the ES demand can be spatially identified, but for an overarching environmental target, this is not possible; ES potential and ES demand could mis-match; (iv) because the demand remains unsatisfied; (v) because the ES is used above its sustainability threshold or (vi) because part of the potential flow is missed; (vii) there can be a cause-and-effect relationship between ecosystem condition and ES flow; (viii) ES accounts can complement the SEEA Central Framework accounts without overlapping or double counting. Amongst the methodological lessons learned, we can mention: (ix) already exiting ES assessments do not directly provide ES accounts, but will likely need some additional processing; (x) ES cannot be defined by default as intermediate; (xi) the ES remaining within ecosystems cannot be reported as final; (xii) the assessment and accounting of ES can be undertaken throughout a fast track approach or more demanding modelling procedures.

Understanding Acceptability, Barriers, and Facilitators to Clinical Implementation of the on Track Developmental Monitoring System for Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Qualitative Study

Aims On Track Developmental Monitoring System (DMS) is a novel series of tools to assist in shared-decision making, guide rehabilitation intervention based on functional ability levels, and promote episodic care service models. Further understanding of the acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of On Track DMS in clinical settings is critical. The purpose of this study was to understand clinician perspectives of the acceptability of On Track DMS and to identify potential implementation barriers and facilitators within pediatric physical therapist practice. Methods Three, day-long training workshops were conducted with 32 pediatric physical therapists across the US. Focus groups with 21 workshop participants were conducted following training. Results were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded into themes. Results Three themes emerged from the data: (1) Valuing the On Track Approach to Intervention; (2) Setting-Specific Needs and Challenges to Implementation; and (3) Training Material/Tool Strengths and Limitations. Conclusions On Track DMS appears to have initial value and acceptability for pediatric physical therapists across practice settings. Perceived benefits include facilitation of data-driven practice and therapist/family collaboration to improve health outcomes for children with CP. Using this data to understand and assess barriers and facilitators to knowledge use are first steps in successfully implementing On Track DMS.

A Twin Track Approach for Informal Settlements Development: Combining Upgrading and Housing— A Case Study of District 13 Kabul City

Objectives: Urban upgrading is a widely used method in developing informal settlements. The method has shown a high satisfaction rate among the residents of informal settlements in Kabul city. However, after years the upgraded area still lacks urban facilities. And, only implementation of urban renewal destroyed the existing community. This paper studies a twin-track approach to upgrading and resettlement housing. Resettlement is done using the Urban Renewal method. Urban renewal implementation is compared in three development typologies of the master plan to relocate affected landowners inside the project area. We also carve out urban facilities from empty plots. Methods: The methodology of this research contains five stages; Literature review, data collection, data import, and manipulation, data analysis, and finally, proposing a model for upgrading informal settlements in Kabul city. A case study site of 28 hectares in District 13 of Kabul city is selected to study urban upgrading applicability. Findings: We found through a questionnaire that most residents are willing to accept urban redevelopment projects in the area. However, they prefer to be relocated to the same neighborhood or district. The informal settlements have vast vacant plots; hence we can carve out public facilities. Resettlement housing projects are preferred to be implemented in the mixed-use area typologies of the master plan. As a result of the twin-track approach, public land increases from 15% to 35%. Novelty: Affected landowners are relocated inside the project area by exchanging land for the apartment floor area. The method does not destroy the existing community and avoids gentrification in informal settlements. Hence, this research can help the Afghanistan government and international NGOs upgrade the informal settlement in Kabul city. Keywords: Informal settlements; Urban Upgrading; Urban Renewal; Twin track approach; District 13; Kabul City

Shortening the time to diagnosis in metastatic spine disease due to cancer of unknown primaries by a novel multidisciplinary fast track approach

Shortening the time to diagnosis in metastatic spine disease due to cancer of unknown primaries by a novel multidisciplinary fast track approach

An Automatic on Top Analysis of Single Scan Tracks to Evaluate the Laser Powder Bed Fusion Building Parameters.

The production of dense samples produced by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is mainly determined by the choice of the best combination of construction parameters. Parameter optimization is the first step in the definition of an LPBF process for new alloys or systems. With this goal, much research uses the single scan track (SST) approach for a preliminary parameter screening. This study investigates the definition of a computer-aided method by using an automatic on top analysis for the characterization of SSTs, with the aim of finding ranges of laser power and scan speed values for massive production. An innovative algorithm was implemented to discard non-continuous scans and to measure the SSTs quality using three regularity indexes. Only open source software were used to fine tune this approach. The obtained results on Al4Cu and AlSi10Mg realized with two different commercial systems suggest that it is possible to use this method to easily narrow the process parameter window that allows the production of dense samples.

194 Poster - Endofascial axillary dissection – a novel method to reduce seroma formation

Background: The pathogenesis of seroma formation following axillary dissection is poorly understood. The greater the surgical disruption of the axilla, the higher the incidence of seroma and lymphedema. In view of the disease burden of breast cancer and also to refine the fast track approach to treatment; we looked at a method of dissection of the axilla which might reduce the seroma incidence and quantity thereby allowing early drain removal and reduced morbidity.

Sustainability Issues in Accounting

This Presentation describes sustainability accounting, the emergence of sustainability accounting, develops a framework of sustainability accounting, describes critical theory perspective, and managerial path of sustainability accounting development. It also gives an overview of Inside out approach, outside-in approach, and Twin track approach. This presentation also discusses whether sustainability accounting a fad or trend, Motivation of sustainable accounting, is accounting for sustainability actually accounting for sustainability and how would we know? What does accounting for sustainability look like? Criticism of Sustainability Accounting, Is there a risk that companies are using sustainability reports to green-wash? What are companies are getting wrong with their sustainability reports?

Characteristics of Procurement Methods in Malaysia – Comparing Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build and Construction Management

Design-Bid-Build (DBB) or commonly known as Traditional method is the earliest and most prevalent procurement method used in Malaysian construction industry. Design-Build (DB) and Construction Management (CM) procurement methods were later introduced in Malaysia as an endeavour to satisfy and accommodate the increase in project complexity and the need for avoiding drawbacks of the Traditional methods. Each procurement method has different nature and possesses certain characteristics. Therefore, this study was carried out to ascertain and compare the characteristics of these three procurement methods that are implemented in building construction projects in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey was conducted among architects, consultants, contractors and owners or developers to elicit their feedback on the characteristics which were categorised into time, cost, quality, complexity and flexibility, degree of involvement and responsibility allocation and technical expertise. The findings indicated that only DB method almost fulfils all the characteristics under the six categories, whereas, DBB methods garnered agreement only for certain characteristics under time, cost, complexity and flexibility and technical expertise categories. Meanwhile, the only CM method’s characteristics that satisfy agreement from the respondents are the often used of fast track approach and lack of certainty in price. This study concludes that when a procurement method is adopted for a construction project, not all the features or characteristics will turn out as expected. There are many factors that contribute and are influential on the success in procurement methods that are worth for further investigation.

SAT0256 THE ROLE OF FAST-TRACK ULTRASOUND IN PREVENTING EARLY COMPLICATIONS AND RELAPSES IN GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

Background:Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of primary systemic vasculitis, mainly affecting adults over 50 years old. Permanent visual loss (PVL) is one of the most feared complications, occurring in about 20% of cases, typically prior to initiation of high-dose glucocorticoid (GC) therapy. Color-duplex sonography (CDS) of temporal arteries (TAs) and large vessels (LVs) is recognized as a first-line diagnostic tool for patients with suspected GCA. A fast track approach (FTA), incorporating CDS has been associated to a significant reduction of PVL in two retrospective studies1,2.Objectives:To assess the impact of FTA on PVL and risk of relapses during follow-up compared to conventional care prior to the introduction of the FTA in our rheumatology clinic.Methods:Patients with new-onset GCA evaluated in our department from January 1998 to September 2019 were included in the study. The FTA approach for GCA was implemented since October 2016. The diagnosis of GCA was based on positive TAs and/or LVs CDS and/or a positive TA biopsy and clinical signs and symptoms of GCA. All patients were clinically examined by the same rheumatologist who performed the CDS. PVL was defined as total visual impairment in one or both eyes. Data on baseline clinical features and later outcomes were collected.Results:153 patients were included: 115 females (75.2%), mean age at diagnosis 71.6±8.2 years. Of these, 112 patients (73%) were evaluated conventionally and 41 (27%) with FTA. Patients in the FTA group were older (P=0.0002), presented more frequently with polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms, weight loss, jaw or tongue claudication and scalp tenderness (P&lt;0.05 for all comparisons). The median duration of follow-up in the FTA group was shorter compared with the conventional group (1.5 vs 5.8 years). PVL occurred in 22 (19.6%) patients in the conventional group compared to 5 patient (12.2%) in the FTA, leading to a reduction of 37.9% in the relative risk of PVL with the FTA approach. Cumulative incidence of relapses and time to first relapse did not change after FTA introduction (P&gt;0.05) (Fig. 1).Conclusion:The application of a FTA in GCA resulted in a significant reduction of PVL. However, the relapse rate did not seem to be influenced by the FTA, highlighting the need to implement further management strategies, besides earlier diagnosis and prompt initiation of GC, that would impact the course of the disease during long-term follow-up

Technical note: Nikon–TRACK&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Flow&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;, a new versatile microscope system for fission track analysis

Abstract. We present Nikon–TRACKFlow, a new system with dedicated modules for automated microscope control and imaging for the fission track laboratory. It serves as a Nikon alternative for the Zeiss-based TrackWorks package from Autoscan Systems. Nikon–TRACKFlow is based on the Nikon Eclipse Ni-E motorised upright microscope and is embedded within Nikon NIS-Elements software. The system decouples image acquisition from analysis to decrease schedule stress of the microscope based on a number of automated user-friendly designs and protocols: (1) the well plate design that allows sequential scanning of multiple samples without the need of replacing the slide on the stage; (2) two protocols that are designed for the external detector method and the LA–ICP–MS fission track approach with tools for repositioning and calibration of the external detector; and (3) two other tools that are designed for automated point selection and scanning of large crystals, such as the Durango age standard and U-doped glass external detectors. In future versions, Nikon–TRACKFlow aims to step away from the dedicated system for fission track imaging towards a general high-throughput imaging system for Earth Sciences and other material-oriented sciences.

Water-Loss Management under Data Scarcity: Case Study in a Small Municipality in a Developing Country

Urban areas are facing challenges for the provision of public services, with water scarcity arising as one of the main problems. A twin track approach of supply and demand management is essential, and water-loss management contributes to reducing water demand. However, small municipalities from developing countries have technical, information, and financial limitations to locate and monitor water losses. This paper presents the estimation of real and apparent losses in a small municipality from a developing country in a data-scarce situation. For this, several tools were used, allowing data integration that resulted in a water balance, from which water losses were estimated at 46%, and four alternatives for water-loss reduction were developed. A cost-benefit analysis and financial indicators were estimated for the proposed alternatives, resulting in a water savings of 19%, a payback period of 3 years and an internal rate of return of 39%. The proposed strategies have potential to improve water quantity and quality, the technical stability of the system, utility performance, and water security.

Primary Health Care and Community Pharmacy in Ireland: a lot of visions but little progress.

Ireland is small country with a population of 4.8M which spent 6.9% of its gross domestic product on healthcare in 2018. Health services are provided through a twin track approach – all public services are largely free to those eligible (32.44% in 2019) and private patients pay for most services. Most of the expenditure on medicines is paid by the government while visits to General Practitioners (GPs) are an out-of-pocket expense for private patients under 70 years of age, and private health insurance provides cover for most hospital services. Healthcare professionals in the primary care sector contract to provide public services with the Health Services Executive (HSE) which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the service. Primary care teams began to be formed in 2001 to try to link and integrate the provision of care but since these are led by GPs neither community pharmacists nor dentists joined these teams. The focus of policy remained the primary care team until a proposal to create a public health service to provide universal health coverage called Sláintecare was agreed in 2017. However, implementation of Sláintecare has been slow and piecemeal. The government regularly devises policies to control prescribing and the HSE, together with other regulators has implemented generic substitution and preferred drugs and limited access to expensive drugs through schemes for particular patient groups. A programme called Healthy Ireland has taken on the health promotion policies but pharmacists have been excluded from most programmes although some campaigns have included them. Community pharmacy organisations have tried to develop pharmacy services and while a few which are targeted at specified patient groups, such as opioid substitution, emergency administration of certain drugs, emergency hormonal contraception and seasonal influenza vaccination have been remunerated for public patients by the HSE, other services have not. GP organisations defend their members’ scope of practice and seek to influence policy makers to channel schemes and services through general practice. There is no professional body to represent pharmacists that is independent of any trade union responsibilities and this has weakened the profession’s advocacy. Pharmacists are one of the most trusted group of professionals in Ireland and have maintained their practices throughout periods of recession and declining income from government. Whether pharmacists can argue that the optimisation of a patient’s medicines depends upon their contribution and will benefit the health service remains an open question.