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Found 6674 publications
On the aggregation functions used in fuzzy signatures based medical image analysis
Publication Name: IEEE 23rd International Symposium on Computational Intelligence and Informatics Cinti 2023 Proceedings
Publication Date: 2023-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 409-414
Description:
The paper proposes the use of fuzzy signatures for modeling and analysis of pre-processed medical images, as an example, CT images of the liver are analyzed. Fuzzy signatures are used for the case of distinguishing larger and smaller malignant lesions from each other and from other (benign) nodular diseases in liver computed tomography images. As computed tomography phases are sometimes missing, the treatment of missing data is also briefly addressed. As the size of the malignant lesion influences its manifestation on the images, separate sub-signatures are developed for large and small lesions with the size being a separate layer of the signature. From the medical experts' point of view besides the tree structure of the signature it is crutial to determine the aggregations themselves, which model the ways experts fuse and combine the available information. For the subtrees for small and large lesions in the sub-roots algebraic multiplication seems to be the best fitting t-norm, while in the subtree weighted means.
Open Access: Yes
Does supplier management matter for supply chain performance? Evidence from the textile industry
Publication Name: Industria Textila
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: 75
Issue: 6
Page Range: 676-684
Description:
This study examines the impact of long-term relationships and vendor-managed inventory on supply chain performance and the mediating role of information sharing in Pakistan’s textile industry. For testing the proposed hypotheses of the present study, the primary data was gathered with the help of a questionnaire from past studies via a convenience sampling strategy. Three hundred fifty questionnaires were distributed among the textile industry through the HR department of the concerned firm. However, only 330 cases were considered for data analysis after data clearing in SPSS version 25. Hence, the response rate is 94%. The data were analysed using SEM in Smart-PLS version 3. The results of hypothesis testing indicated the direct effect of long-term relationships and vendor-managed inventory, which was found to have a positive and significant impact on information sharing and supply chain performance in Pakistan’s textile industry. Furthermore, the mediating effect of information technology between long-term relationships and vendor-managed inventory revealed a partial mediation effect on supply chain performance. The policymakers and top management of concerned firms should consider these variables for future strategies to get better supply chain performance.
Open Access: Yes
Exploring the challenges and barriers to implementing public auditor recommendations in Ghana’s public sector
Publication Name: Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: 8
Issue: 12
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This study investigates the multifaceted challenges and barriers to implementing public auditor recommendations in Ghana’s public sector over an eighteen months period, aiming to enhance governance and accountability. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, the study involved semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including officials from the Ghana Audit Service, government ministries, and civil society organizations. The findings reveal a complex interplay of organizational, political, and attitudinal factors that impede effective implementation. Key challenges identified include the lack of clear implementation plans, insufficient resources, weak political commitment, and a pervasive culture of mistrust towards audit recommendations. The research underscores the necessity for a comprehensive and holistic approach to address these barriers, advocating for strengthened political leadership, enhanced accountability mechanisms, and improved stakeholder coordination. Additionally, fostering a sense of ownership and buy-in among implementation stakeholders is crucial for successful reform. The study contributes valuable insights into the systemic issues affecting public sector governance in Ghana and offers practical recommendations for overcoming the identified challenges, ultimately aiming to empower citizens and enhance governmental accountability. By addressing these barriers, the research highlights the potential for transformative change in the governance landscape of Ghana’s public sector.
Open Access: Yes
The role of forestry sciences in combating climate change and advancing sustainable development goals
Publication Name: Frontiers in Forests and Global Change
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: 7
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Introduction: As ecological disasters loom, forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aims to systematically examine the contribution of forestry science research to the SDGs through a multidisciplinary perspective, highlighting its role in advancing global sustainability efforts. Methods: Utilizing the PRISMA protocol, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 39,841 publications since 2015, focusing on the intersection of forestry sciences with the SDGs. Network and keyword co-occurrence analyses were performed to identify thematic clusters and interdisciplinary linkages among SDGs. Results: Our findings indicate a significant focus on SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), emphasizing the forestry sector’s contributions to biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem services. The analyses revealed thematic clusters centered around ecological sustainability, sustainable energy, and social development, demonstrating the diverse ways in which forestry research supports the SDGs. Discussion: This study highlights the interdisciplinary nature of forestry sciences and identifies key areas of contribution while pointing to potential research gaps. Future research should explore advanced technologies such as AI-driven analytics and remote sensing, socioeconomic impacts of forest-based livelihoods, and innovative reforestation techniques. Strengthening urban forestry, enhancing interdisciplinary cooperation, and improving governance are recommended to ensure continued contributions of forestry sciences to global sustainability and the SDGs.
Open Access: Yes
Rethinking running biomechanics: a critical review of ground reaction forces, tibial bone loading, and the role of wearable sensors
Publication Name: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: 12
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This study presents a comprehensive review of the correlation between tibial acceleration (TA), ground reaction forces (GRF), and tibial bone loading, emphasizing the critical role of wearable sensor technology in accurately measuring these biomechanical forces in the context of running. This systematic review and meta-analysis searched various electronic databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and ScienceDirect) to identify relevant studies. It critically evaluates existing research on GRF and tibial acceleration (TA) as indicators of running-related injuries, revealing mixed findings. Intriguingly, recent empirical data indicate only a marginal link between GRF, TA, and tibial bone stress, thus challenging the conventional understanding in this field. The study also highlights the limitations of current biomechanical models and methodologies, proposing a paradigm shift towards more holistic and integrated approaches. The study underscores wearable sensors’ potential, enhanced by machine learning, in transforming the monitoring, prevention, and rehabilitation of running-related injuries.
Open Access: Yes
DES and IIoT fusion approach towards real-time synchronization of physical and digital components in manufacturing processes
Publication Name: Reports in Mechanical Engineering
Publication Date: 2023-12-01
Volume: 4
Issue: 1
Page Range: 161-174
Description:
Today's manufacturing systems offer more products to meet specific needs. Complex production systems in rapidly changing environments result from product variation, shorter product life cycles, and supply chain expansion. A cyber-physical production system (CPPS) can use manufacturing and logistics data to plan, monitor, and control production. Discrete event simulation (DES) and digital twin (DT) technology can model and evaluate manufacturing and logistics processes using high-level decision support and process monitoring. The cost of collecting input data from different enterprise data sources and mapping it into models and the lack of qualified experts prevent the widespread use of these methods in industry, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises and larger multinational companies. This research aims to create a modular digital twin framework for manufacturing process optimization and real-time monitoring in an industrial environment with few components. The system can identify and track the product through the manufacturing cycle while updating the DT in real-time and can be used independently to collect input parameters for discrete event-driven simulations and even for automatic simulation building in the future. The framework's operation will be shown through an example. With the proposed IIoT (industrial internet of things) system integration, it can detect faults and warn of deviations from normal operation, and DT can drastically reduce data collection and model building and support model reusability, increasing sustainability.
Open Access: Yes
Review Paper on the Field Measurement of Parcel Packaging Drop for Testing Purposes
Publication Name: Packaging Technology and Science
Publication Date: 2025-05-01
Volume: 38
Issue: 5
Page Range: 345-357
Description:
The parcel delivery shipping industry has developed rapidly all over the world in the last 10–15 years. These parcel packages are generally small and have a high risk of damage due to the numerous handling events during delivery services. Inefficient packaging solutions can lead to significant costs and increase the occurrence of product damage. This problem is widely known, and packaging engineers have tried to simulate field physical events in the laboratory to optimize the protective packaging system. Drop events during parcel delivery are one of the primary causes of damage for small individual shipments and need to be precisely simulated to achieve optimized product protection. Over the past 50 years, drop tests have become common practice as a pre-shipment test for parcel packages, and many devices have been developed to measure and observe these physical events during package transit. Due to the nature of packages and their variations, different field measurements and observations have been presented across continents and countries and have been implemented in general practices. A review of drop event observations is required to summarize and critically evaluate recent results. This review begins with an overview of the drop observation methods [real drop height (RDH) and effective drop height (EDH)], then discusses methods proposed by standards organizations, followed by a focus on the setup and materials of measuring systems used by researchers to record the events. Finally, a summary of previous results is presented, which can serve as a guide for further research on the topic.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1002/pts.2875
Systematic literature review of user acceptance factors of advanced driver assistance systems across different social groups
Publication Name: Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Publication Date: 2025-05-01
Volume: 31
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This study presents a systematic review of empirical research on the acceptance of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The review focusses on the varying attitudes of user groups, the theoretical models underpinning acceptance, and the key sociocognitive factors involved. Using the PRISMA methodology, 35 relevant studies were identified. The analysis revealed several critical acceptance factors, including trust, technological awareness, perceived usefulness, and the importance of education. Most of the reviewed studies applied the TPB, TAM, or UTAUT models. The investigations concentrated on five major user groups: (1) general drivers, (2) professional drivers, (3) older adults, (4) young technology-orientated users, and (5) non-driving transport users such as pedestrians and cyclists. The findings indicate that acceptance is not a homogeneous process. It is shaped by the characteristics of each group of users, previous knowledge of the system, the degree of trust, and the specific context of system use. A considerable proportion of users do not receive sufficient training or information regarding ADAS features. This lack of knowledge limits both proper usage and the safety benefits of the technology. The study provides targeted recommendations for expanding user education, enhancing regulatory frameworks, and applying communication strategies tailored to specific user groups. The interdisciplinary approach contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of public acceptance of automated vehicle technologies. It also supports the broader adoption of equitable and sustainable mobility solutions through trust-building and educational interventions.
Open Access: Yes
The Effect of Drying of Glycerol-Plasticized Starch upon Its Dielectric Relaxation Dynamics and Charge Transport
Publication Name: Journal of Polymers and the Environment
Publication Date: 2023-12-01
Volume: 31
Issue: 12
Page Range: 5389-5400
Description:
Carbohydrate polymers are promising materials for an eco-friendly future due to their biodegradability and abundance in nature. However, due to their molecular characteristics and hydrophilicity, are often complicated to be investigated via spectroscopic methods. Thermoplastic starch plasticized by glycerol was prepared through melt processing conditions using twin screw extruder. Here we show how the presence of water molecules affects the dielectric response and charge transport dynamics over broad frequency (10−1 to 107 Hz) and temperature (− 140 to 150 oC) ranges. Overall, 7 dielectric processes were observed and differentiation between electronic and ionic conductivities was achieved. Two segmental relaxation processes were observed for each sample, ascribed to the starch-rich and glycerol-rich phases. Although the timescales of the two segmental relaxations were found different, both arise from the same temperature, giving thus an alternative explanation on what is reported in the literature. The origin of the σ-relaxation was attributed to hydrogen ions and was found to be proportional to the ionic conductivity according to the Barton, Nakajima and Namikawa relation. The presence of water molecules was found to enhance the ionic conductivity, indicating that water contributes charge carriers when compared to the dried sample. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]
Open Access: Yes
