Search Results (1,100)

Objectives: Buccal cortical bone dimensions are crucial in dental radiology, as they impact orthodontic treatment outcomes. Changes in alveolar bone dimensions can result in malocclusion and require interdisciplinary approaches for correction. The accurate quantification of buccal bone dimensions is crucial for appropriate treatment planning and avoiding medico-legal issues. This study aimed to compare buccal bone height measurements between three-dimensional (3D) digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) data and portable document format (PDF) cone beam computer topography reports for mandibular frontal teeth, testing the hypothesis of no difference in values between the two modalities. Methods: Each of the five observers performed a total of 720 height measurements (360 by DICOM and 360 by PDF), yielding a total of 3600 measurements overall. Results: Compared with the DICOM format, using PDF files was associated with a significantly greater rate of inability to carry out the measurements (8.8% vs. 3%, respectively, p < 0.001, chi-square). The average buccal bone height measured in the DICOM was 11.51 mm, which was significantly greater than the 10.35 mm measured in the PDF (p < 0.001). The mean height measured by the DICOM was consistently greater than that measured by the PDF, with highly significant differences in the findings of four of the examiners (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Viewing modality significantly affected the height of the buccal bone in the frontal mandibular area. Compared with the generated PDF reports, the 3D DICOM viewer performed better than the printed PDF and enabled more measurements in the target area. Full article

Global climate change, intensive agriculture, and anthropogenic pollution adversely affect flowering plants and the vitality of bee colonies. In nutritional stress conditions, bees deplete the food reserves of their fat body to sustain colony life. Beekeepers play a critical role by providing supplemental nutrient solutions. This study examines the effects of various sugar syrups on the fat body development of worker bees (Apis mellifera macedonica). The colonies were divided into one control group and five experimental groups: one fed with 1:1 sugar/water syrup, one with 2:1 sugar/water syrup, one with inverted syrup (Apiinvert), one with HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup) (Isosweet), and one with 1:1 honey/water syrup. Fat body development was assessed through meticulous dissection, and the degrees of development were documented using a USB digital microscope (Bresser). The results indicate significant seasonal variations in fat body development, with winter depletion and recovery influenced by supplemental feeding. Apiinvert and honey/water syrup promoted higher fat body stages, while Isosweet led to elevated fifth degrees of development but raised concerns about potential toxicity due to the hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) formation of improperly stored syrups. This study concludes that adequate supplemental feeding with easily digestible sugars is critical for promoting fat body development, enhancing winter survival, and ensuring overall colony health. These findings provide practical guidance for beekeepers to optimize feeding strategies and support resilient bee colonies. Full article

Video location prediction for handwritten digits presents unique challenges in computer vision due to the complex spatiotemporal dependencies and the need to maintain digit legibility across predicted frames, while existing deep learning-based video prediction models have shown promise, they often struggle with preserving local details and typically achieve clear predictions for only a limited number of frames. In this paper, we present a novel video location prediction model based on Convolutional Gated Recurrent Units (ConvGRU) that specifically addresses these challenges in the context of handwritten digit sequences. Our approach introduces three key innovations. Firstly, we introduce a specialized decoupling model using modified Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) that effectively separates background and foreground information, significantly improving prediction accuracy. Secondly, we introduce an enhanced ConvGRU architecture that replaces traditional linear operations with convolutional operations in the gating mechanism, substantially reducing spatiotemporal information loss. Finally, we introduce an optimized parameter-tuning strategy that ensures continuous feature transmission while maintaining computational efficiency. Extensive experiments on both the MNIST dataset and custom mobile datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach. Our model achieves a structural similarity index of 0.913 between predicted and actual sequences, surpassing current state-of-the-art methods by 1.2%. Furthermore, we demonstrate superior performance in long-term prediction stability, with consistent accuracy maintained across extended sequences. Notably, our model reduces training time by 9.5% compared to existing approaches while maintaining higher prediction accuracy. These results establish new benchmarks for handwritten digit video prediction and provide practical solutions for real-world applications in digital education, document processing, and real-time handwriting recognition systems. Full article

Mapping constitutes a critical component of architectural heritage research, providing the groundwork for both conservation and utilization efforts. Three-dimensional (3D) digital documentation represents a prominent form of mapping in the contemporary era, and its value is widely recognized. However, cost and portability constraints often limit its widespread use in routine research and conservation initiatives. This study proposes a cost-effective and portable approach to 3D digital documentation, employing everyday-carry (EDC) equipment, the iPhone 15 Pro and DJI Mini 4 Pro, for data acquisition in architectural heritage. The workflow was subsequently optimized, and the datasets from the iPhone-LiDAR and microdrone were seamlessly integrated, resulting in an integrated 3D digital model of both the indoor and outdoor spaces of the architectural heritage site. The model demonstrated an overall relative error of 4.93%, achieving centimeter-level accuracy, precise spatial alignment between indoor and outdoor sections, clear and smooth texture mapping, high visibility, and suitability for digital display applications. This optimized workflow leverages the strengths of both EDC equipment types while addressing the limitations identified in prior studies. Full article

The universities website has become an established tool, serving as an interface between an organization and its audience. For university websites, they act as portals for information and communication with students, facilitating educational and research objectives while promoting the institution’s image. Based on this perspective, the authors conducted a strategic monitoring/documentation process, employing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to analyze the vast textual content from the websites of 101 universities in Romania. Data collection occurred from January 2021 to March 2022. These websites were monitored and analyzed comparatively for quality based on Minerva EU principles, which serve as the analytical standard, utilizing predefined categories: identification, relevance, maintenance, accessibility, user orientation, responsiveness, multilingualism, and interoperability. Additionally, the study assesses whether the websites provide useful information for students’ specific activities, including accessible informational and documentary resources within the university library’s digital environment. The results indicate that state universities (54 in total, both civilian and military) are the most relevant. They continually enhance their websites to serve as a vital access point for specific informational resources, including administrative, educational, documentary, and cultural resources. Full article

Parents’ involvement in early childhood education is of great importance. In Greece, many educators still hesitate to involve parents in their school’s daily program. They also do not use pedagogical documentation in the educational process as it is not included in the official curriculum. Our main goal was to bring parents closer to the early childhood curriculum, in an active and participatory way, through the documentation process. The main research question referred to the way in which the systematic use of pedagogical documentation can help parents understand the kindergarten’s daily curriculum and participate in it in a new way, in a country where pedagogical documentation is not mandatory. We used collaborative action research between ten kindergarten educators from five schools and two researchers from the same university department. The methodological tools were a researchers’ diary, two digital questionnaires for the educators (pre-/post-implementation) and a post-implementation digital questionnaire for the parents. The results showed that the documentation helped the educators to bring the parents closer to the kindergarten’s daily program and made them feel as if they could participate in it creatively. Also, the documentation derived from the children, educators and parents constructed a community of relations, participation, shared values and learning among them. Full article

Visible Light Communication (VLC) is a cutting-edge transmission technique where data is sent by modulating light intensity. Manchester On–Off Keying (OOK) is among the most used modulation techniques in VLC and is normed by IEEE 802.15.7 standard for wireless networks. Various Manchester decoder schemes are documented in the literature, often leveraging minimal two-level analog-to-digital converters followed by straightforward digital logic. These methods often compromise performance for simplicity. However, the VLC applications in fields like automotive and/or aerospace require the maximum performance in terms of bit error rate (BER) with respect to Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), together with a real-time low-latency implementation. In this work, we introduce a high-performance Manchester decoder and detail its implementation in a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The decoder operates by acquiring a fully resolved signal (12-bit resolution) and by calculating the phase of the transmitted bit. Additionally, the proposed decoder achieves and maintains synchronization with the incoming signal, tolerating frequency shifts and jitter up to 1%. The Manchester decoder was tested in a VLC system with automotive-certified headlamps, realizing an IEEE 802.15.7-compliant link at 100 kb/s. The proposed decoder ensures a BER below 10⁻² for SNR > −12 dB and, compared to a standard decoder, achieves the same BER when the input signal has an SNR of 10 dB lower. Full article

Background: Screening for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its associated risk factors in childhood facilitates early detection and timely preventive interventions. However, limited data are available regarding screening tools and their diagnostic yield when applied in unselected pediatric populations. Aims: To evaluate the performance of a CVD screening program, based on history, 12-lead ECG and phonocardiography, applied in primary school children. Methods: The methods used were prospective study, with voluntary participation of third-grade primary school children in the region of Crete/Greece, over 6 years (2018–2024). Personal and family history were collected by using a standardized questionnaire and physical evaluation (including weight, height, blood pressure measurement), and cardiac auscultation (digital phonocardiography (PCG)) and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded at local health stations (Phase I). Following expert verification of responses and obtained data, assisted by designated electronic health record with incorporated decision support algorithms (phase II), pediatric cardiology evaluation at the tertiary referral center followed (phase III). Results: A total of 944 children participated (boys 49.6%). A total of 790 (83.7%) had Phase I referral indication, confirmed in 311(32.9%) during Phase II evaluation. Adiposity (10.8%) and hypertension (3.2%) as risk factors for CVD were documented in 10.8% and 3.2% of the total population, respectively. During Phase III evaluations (n = 201), the majority (n = 132, 14% of total) of children were considered as having a further indication for evaluation by other pediatric subspecialties for their reported symptoms. Abnormal CVD findings were present in 69 (7.3%) of the study population, including minor/trivial structural heart disease in 23 (2.4%) and 17 (1.8%), respectively, referred due to abnormal cardiac auscultation, and ECG abnormalities in 29 (3%), of which 6 (0.6%) were considered potentially significant (including 1 case of genetically confirmed channelopathy-LQT syndrome). Conclusions: CVD screening programs in school children can be very helpful for the early detection of CVD risk factors and of their general health as well. Expert cardiac auscultation and 12-lead ECG allow for the detection of structural and arrhythmogenic heard disease, respectively. Further study is needed regarding performance of individual components, accuracy of interpretation (including computer assisted diagnosis) and cost-effectiveness, before large-scale application of CVD screening in unselected pediatric populations. Full article

Based on statistical analyses applied to official data from the Digital Atlas of Disasters in Brazil over the last 25 years, we evidenced a consistent intensification in the annual occurrence of natural disasters in the state of Pará, located in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. The quantitative comparison between the averages of the most intense period of disasters (2017 to 2023) and the earlier years (1999 to 2016) revealed a remarkable percentage increase of 473%. Approximately 81% of the state’s municipalities were affected, as indicated by disaster mapping. A clear seasonal pattern was observed, with Hydrological disasters (Inundations, Flash floods, and Heavy rainfall) peaking between February and May, while Climatological disasters (Droughts and Forest fires) were most frequent from August to October. The catastrophic impacts on people and the economy were documented, showing a significant rise in the number of homeless individuals and those directly affected, alongside considerable material damage and economic losses for both the public and private sectors. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive composite analysis on the tropical ocean–atmosphere dynamic structure that elucidated the various triggering mechanisms of disasters arising from Inundations, Droughts, and Forest fires (on seasonal scale), and Flash floods and Heavy rainfall (on sub-monthly scale) in Pará. The detailed characterization of disasters on a municipal scale is relevant in terms of the scientific contribution applied to the strategic decision-making, planning, and implementation of public policies aimed at early risk management (rather than post-disaster response), which is critical for safeguarding human well-being and strengthening the resilience of Amazonian communities vulnerable to climate change. Full article

The long-standing practice of document-based engineering has resulted in the accumulation of a large number of engineering documents across various industries. Engineering documents, such as 2D drawings, continue to play a significant role in exchanging information and sharing knowledge across multiple engineering processes. However, these documents are often stored in non-digitized formats, such as paper and portable document format (PDF) files, making automation difficult. As digital engineering transforms processes in many industries, digitizing engineering documents presents a crucial challenge that requires advanced methods. This research addresses the problem of automatically extracting textual content from non-digitized legacy engineering documents. We introduced an optical character recognition (OCR) system for text detection and recognition that leverages transformer-based generative deep learning models and transfer learning approaches to enhance text recognition accuracy in engineering documents. The proposed system was evaluated on a dataset collected from ships’ engineering drawings provided by a U.S. agency. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed transformer-based OCR model significantly outperformed pretrained off-the-shelf OCR models. Full article

Background: This study aimed to document the angulation, inclination, and facial anatomical characteristics of teeth in a select South African population to determine if there are any population norms. Digital intra-oral scans were used, to analyze the morphology of teeth and measure the facial clinical crown. Methods: A quantitative observational research design with 60 3D intra-oral scans of a select South African population group was used. Morphometric analysis of 3D intra-oral scans was performed for a select South African population group, measuring the clinical crown height, width, angulation, and inclination of each tooth. Results: Significant differences in crown widths between male and female subjects were observed for several teeth in the maxillary and mandibular arches: males exhibited larger mean widths and larger crown dimensions than females. The South African Black group showed more sexual dimorphism compared to the South African Indian group. Clinical crown length and tooth angulation differed significantly between South African Indian and South African Black populations, while crown width and inclination remained consistent across these population groups and crown inclination between sex groups. Conclusions: Certain teeth exhibited notable variations between South African Indian and South African Black population groups; specifically, crown length and angulation had significant differences, whereas crown inclination and width remained consistent across these population groups. Full article

This paper explores the application of Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) technology in the investigation of the medieval Norman site of Castel Fenuculus, in the lower Calore Valley, Southern Italy. This research aims to assess the actual potential of the ALS dataset provided by the Italian Ministry of the Environment (MATTM) for the detection and visibility of archaeological features in a difficult environment characterised by dense vegetation and morphologically complex terrain. The study focuses on improving the detection and interpretation of archaeological features through a systematic approach that includes the acquisition of ALS point clouds, the implementation of classification algorithms, and the removal of vegetation layers to reveal the underlying terrain and ruined structures. Furthermore, the aim was to test different classification and filtering techniques to identify the best one to use in complex contexts, with the intention of providing a comprehensive and replicable methodological framework. Finally, the Digital Elevation Model (DTM), and various LiDAR-derived models (LDMs), were generated to visualise and highlight topographical features potentially related to archaeological remains. The results obtained demonstrate the significant potential of LiDAR in identifying and documenting archaeological features in densely vegetated and wooded landscapes. Full article

Background: This study aims to perform a review by selecting, analyzing, and evaluating articles that discuss the accuracy of intraoral scanners (IOSs) in recording post space compared to conventional impression-making techniques. Methods: The review question framed using the PITR framework (participant, index test, targeted condition, and reference standard) is as follows: What is the dimensional accuracy (T) of impressions made using intraoral scanners (I) for post space (P) compared to impressions made using conventional techniques and digitalized using extraoral scanners (R)? Four electronic databases were searched using pre-set keywords. The guidelines and strategies recommended by PRISMA formed the basis for planning, executing, and documenting this systematic review. QUADAS-2 was used to critically analyze the quality of all the selected articles. Results: After excluding ineligible articles, the end synthesis has nine studies (n = 9) for qualitative analysis. All nine evaluated studies were found to be at risk of bias, with high or unclear risk in one or more domains. Three out of nine evaluated studies had unclear concerns regarding the applicability, and the remaining six had low concerns. In all the included studies, the IOSs were reported to have deviations in accuracy compared to the conventional techniques for making digital impressions of post space. Conclusions: The accuracy of IOSs was found to be inversely proportional to the length of post space and directly proportional to the diameter of post space. IOSs, when used adequately in short post spaces, can be an alternative to conventional impression-making for making custom posts and cores. Full article

In architectural heritage research, rituals and human activities are often overlooked but are crucial for maintaining authenticity and reflecting various cultural values. In the Tibetan-Yi Corridor, one of China’s most renowned heritage routes, rituals and behaviours around the central pillar or fire pit reflect the shared culture and history of Di-Qiang ethnic groups, serving as critical indicators in studying their origins. A scientific method linking physical spaces with intangible cultural information is essential to preserve these rituals or activities and understand their interactions with architectural spaces. This study introduces a method utilising HBIM technology to document and analyse the 3D structures of Di-Qiang ethnic architecture and the rituals. It deconstructs rituals into bodily movements represented within the BIM space to simulate the behaviours of various roles. This method visualises ritual types and critical information by encoding different rituals and movements through geometric shapes, sizes, and colours, effectively linking architectural spaces with intangible cultural elements. The study’s two main contributions are (i) the HBIM archival method for Di-Qiang ethnic architecture, standardising geometric modelling and semantic information recording to digitise Di-Qiang architectural heritage, and forming a foundational 3D model library and semantic database; and (ii) the 3D representation method for ritual movements, which offers a way to manage intangible cultural information and spatially assess cultural behaviours, and evaluates the authenticity and quality of architectural heritage by analysing bodily rituals in space. This approach introduces a novel method for documenting and researching intangible heritage in cultural studies. Additionally, the digital technology-based research method offers a convenient platform for integrating and connecting digital heritage with digital humanities in the future. Full article

Progress and development in the overall industrial sector have been revolutionized by the advent of advanced digital tools and technologies, transitioning towards Industry 5.0 (I5.0), and the term Construction 5.0 (C5.0) is derived from the emergence of I5.0 in Europe. Given its currency, C5.0 remains a nascent and under-explored research area. This review article presents a bibliometric analysis of studies on C5.0, identifying and analyzing challenges and opportunities in its adoption and exploring the strategies to overcome such challenges and ways to maximize productivity from potential opportunities. Fifty-seven relevant documents were studied to accomplish the aim of this study, which were identified from the Scopus database, evaluated, and included based on the PRISMA framework. The findings showed a relatively small but growing body of literature on C5.0 research, which is disseminated globally and grouped into four specific objective categories. This pattern suggests a growing recognition of C5.0’s potential in the construction field, reflecting its expanding influence in the scientific community. Furthermore, the study examined seven critical challenges, including insufficient technological maturity, the absence of standardization, privacy concerns, ethical considerations, and more. It also explores four potential opportunities associated with the adoption of the C5.0 vision, emphasizing its alignment with societal objectives, sustainability initiatives, personalization, and profitability. Full article