In engineering measurements, metal foil strain gauges suffer from a limited range and low sensitivity, necessitating the development of flexible sensors to fill the gap. This paper presents a flexible, high-performance piezoresistive sensor using a composite consisting of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The proposed sensor demonstrated a significantly wider range (97%) and higher gauge factor (GF) (6.3), effectively addressing the shortcomings of traditional strain gauges. The microstructure of the GNPs/PDMS composite was observed using a scanning electron microscope, and the distribution of the conductive network was analyzed. The mechanical behavior of the sensor encapsulation was analyzed, leading to the determination of the mechanisms influencing encapsulation. Experiments based on a standard equal-strength beam were conducted to investigate the influence of the base and coating dimensions of the sensor. The results indicated that reducing the base thickness and increasing the coating length both contributed to the enhancement of the sensor’s performance. These findings provide valuable guidance for future development and design of flexible sensors. Full article

This work presents a private consortium blockchain-based automotive data monetization architecture implementation using the Substrate blockchain framework. Architecture is decentralized where crowd-sourced data from vehicles are collectively auctioned ensuring data privacy and security. Smart Contracts and OffChain worker interactions built along with the blockchain make it interoperable with external systems to send or receive data. The work is deployed in a Kubernetes cloud platform and evaluated on different parameters like throughput, hybrid consensus algorithms AuRa and BABE, along with GRANDPA performance in terms of forks and scalability for increasing node participants. The hybrid consensus algorithms are studied in depth to understand the difference and performance in the separation of block creation by AuRa and BABE followed by chain finalization through the GRANDPA protocol. Full article

Sacral historical monuments are primarily places of prayer, but also objects performing numerous other functions. These are public goods, including cultural goods that build national identity. Their preservation in the right condition is important not only for the owner, but also for the public authorities, whose duty is to preserve them for future generations. The study concerns the financing of sacral monuments in Poland. Its aim is to indicate the legitimacy of financing the revalorization of sacral monuments from public funds, the solutions applied in this area in Poland, and the sources and amount of support provided to the owners of these objects in the years 2017–2022. In it, the authors: (1) refer to such concepts as: public good, cultural good and cultural heritage, (2) define—based on Polish regulations—the concept of a sacral monument and indicate the multiplicity of functions that these objects perform, (3) present the number and types of sacral monuments in Poland, taking into account their location, (4) identify available sources of public funds for the revalorization of sacral monuments in Poland. The analyses carried out show that in Poland, every year, public funds play an important role in the revalorization of sacral historical monuments. In real terms, its volume remained at a similar level over the period considered. The methods used in the development are as follows: critical analysis of the literature and legal acts and selected methods of descriptive statistics. Full article

The pre-tender cost estimation serves as the foundation for determining the project cost in the early stages and is crucial for all parties involved in the tendering process. It is expected to be highly accurate. However, industry surveys have advocated that in the Iranian construction industry, the pre-tender estimated costs of construction projects are not sufficiently accurate during the bidding stage. Building information modelling (BIM) technology is a modern digital tool deployed in the construction industry that has seen substantial growth of application. It employs useful tools in different sectors and has extended its involvement in various stages of the project lifecycle, including feasibility studies, planning, design, construction, and operation and maintenance. This study examines and assesses the status of BIM development in Iran for its applicability in the pre-tender cost estimating process in construction projects. The findings of this study indicate that while there is a limited number of Iranian building projects’ BIM models that possess the required quality and capabilities for BIM-based cost estimation, the results obtained are more precise when compared to existing manual methods. Additionally, utilising BIM-based cost estimation significantly reduces the time required for this process by enhancing the speed of cost estimation operations. An innovative evaluation framework for assessing the quality and functionalities of BIM models is presented, which improves the accuracy of cost estimation before the bidding process in Iran’s construction industry. The research findings demonstrate the enhanced accuracy and effectiveness of BIM as compared to conventional approaches. It also suggests the incorporation of AI technology for model evaluation, which has the potential to become an established global industry standard. Full article

It is difficult to learn meaningful representations of time-series data since they are sparsely labeled and unpredictable. Hence, we propose bootstrap inter–intra modality at once (BIMO), an unsupervised representation learning method based on time series. Unlike previous works, the proposed BIMO method learns both inter-sample and intra-temporal modality representations simultaneously without negative pairs. BIMO comprises a main network and two auxiliary networks, namely inter-auxiliary and intra-auxiliary networks. The main network is trained to learn inter–intra modality representations sequentially by regulating the use of each auxiliary network dynamically. Thus, BIMO thoroughly learns inter–intra modality representations simultaneously. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed BIMO method outperforms the state-of-the-art unsupervised methods and achieves comparable performance to existing supervised methods. Full article

Introduction: In developed countries, heart disease is the primary cause of maternal mortality during pregnancy. Arterial stiffness, an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular complications, can be assessed using the augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). In this prospective study, we aimed to evaluate diverse hemodynamic parameters and arterial stiffness in pregnant women before and after participating in a structured, personalized exercise training program. Materials and methods: Forty healthy pregnant women, non-smokers, who agreed to participate daily for 12 weeks in a physical exercise training program under the supervision of a team made up of an obstetrician, a cardiologist, and a physiotherapist were included. Anthropometric characteristics, arterial function, and physical activity data were collected from the participants at two different time points: at the beginning of the exercise training program (T0) and at the end, after 12 weeks (T1). Results: Upon conducting a statistical analysis, it was discovered that there were noteworthy disparities (p = 0.05) in body mass index, brachial AIx, systolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure values between the two time points. The regression analysis for the AIx brachial values and the PWVao values from Trim II (T0) and Trim III (T1) showed major differences between these two time points; the association between the AIx brachial values in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy revealed a strong direct significant correlation (p < 0.001), and the correlation between the PWVao values in the second (T0) and third trimester (T1) of pregnancy was weak and insignificant (p = 0.12). Conclusions: The findings of our study indicate that a personalized exercise training program positively impacts the physical and psychological well-being of pregnant women, leading to a reduction in PWV. Full article

Although several studies have found disparities in health outcomes between heterosexual and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB)-identifying individuals, few studies have focused on subjective well-being and protective factors for health and well-being. The purpose of this work is twofold: (1) to examine the relevance of sexual orientation to health and well-being in women and men; (2) to identify protective and risk factors for psychological distress, self-rated health, and well-being for gay men, lesbian women, bisexual women and men, and heterosexual women and men. The sample consisted of 908 women and 586 men from the general Spanish population aged 16–64, half of whom identified themselves as LGB and half as heterosexual. All were assessed using eight questionnaires and inventories. The results showed that differences varied depending on the health indicator considered. In general, bisexuals had the poorest health, with lower self-rated health and lower self-esteem. In all groups, self-esteem was a protective factor against psychological distress and was associated with better health and well-being. To a lesser extent, social support served as a protective factor against psychological distress and was associated with greater well-being in all groups. It is concluded that although sexual orientation is relevant to the health and well-being of individuals, there are differences among sexual minorities, with bisexuals having lower self-esteem than homosexuals. Full article

Introduction: Acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) mortality remains high despite revascularization and the use of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). Advanced mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, such as catheter-based ventricular assist devices (cVAD), may impact mortality. We aim to identify predictors of mortality in AMI-CS implanted with IABP and the proportion eligible for advanced MCS in an Asian population. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCAI) stage C and above AMI-CS patients with IABP implanted from 2017–2019. We excluded patients who had IABP implanted for indications other than AMI-CS. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Binary logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for patient characteristics. Results: Over the 3-year period, 242 patients (mean age 64.1 ± 12.4 years, 88% males) with AMI-CS had IABP implanted. 30-day mortality was 55%. On univariate analysis, cardiac arrest (p < 0.001), inotrope/vasopressor use prior to IABP (p = 0.004) was more common in non-survivors. Non-survivors were less likely to be smokers (p = 0.001), had lower ejection fraction, higher creatinine/ lactate and lower pH (all p < 0.001). On multi-variate analysis, predictors of mortality were cardiac arrest prior to IABP (aOR 4.00, CI 2.28–7.03), inotrope/vasopressor prior to IABP (aOR 2.41, CI 1.18–4.96), lower arterial pH (aOR 0.02, CI 0.00–0.31), higher lactate (aOR 2.42, CI 1.00–1.19), and lower hemoglobin (aOR 0.83, CI 0.71–0.98). Using institutional MCS criteria, 106 patients (44%) would have qualified for advanced MCS. Conclusions: Early mortality in AMI-CS remains high despite IABP. Many patients would have qualified for higher degrees of MCS. Full article

The windigo is a generally malicious figure in several Indigenous cultures of the land currently administered by the governments of the USA and Canada. In traditional narratives, the windigo is generally associated with hunger, greed, winter, and cannibalism. In this paper, I discuss how both Indigenous and non-Indigenous writers have used the figure of the windigo to critique and challenge environmental injustice. While some windigo stories present the being as a terrifying monster of the “wilderness”, others use the figure as an embodiment of environmental destruction and the injustice that comes with it. Windigo stories also highlight three further aspects of colonial violence: military violence, sexual violence, and religious violence. Although some stories depict windigos being defeated through violence, many stress the importance of care and healing to overcome the windigo affliction. In fact, storytelling itself may be part of the healing process. Windigo stories, I argue, can be a useful way to interrogate the injustices created by colonialism and environmental destruction, and the stories can also offer hope for healing and for an environmentally just future. Full article

Computerized assessments and digital games have become more prevalent in childhood, necessitating a systematic investigation of the effects of gamified executive function assessments on performance and engagement. This study examined the feasibility of incorporating gamification and a machine learning algorithm that adapts task difficulty to individual children’s performance into a traditional executive function task (i.e., Flanker Task) with children ages 3–5. The results demonstrated that performance on a gamified version of the Flanker Task was associated with performance on the traditional version of the task and standardized academic achievement outcomes. Furthermore, gamification grounded in learning science and developmental psychology theories applied to a traditional executive function measure increased children’s task enjoyment while preserving psychometric properties of the Flanker Task. Overall, this feasibility study indicates that gamification and adaptive machine learning algorithms can be successfully incorporated into executive function assessments with young children to increase enjoyment and reduce data loss with developmentally appropriate and intentional practices. Full article

Healthy dietary patterns rich in flavonoids may benefit cognitive performance over time. Among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, the association between flavonoid intake and measures of cognition is unclear. This study sought to identify associations between flavonoid intake and cognitive performance among Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study participants (n = 1947) across three study visits. Flavonoid intakes were assessed via two 24-h dietary recalls. Cognitive performance was assessed via the Trail Making Test (TMT)-A and TMT-B, which provide measures of attention and executive function, respectively. Mixed effects linear regression was used to model TMT scores over three study visits against visit 1 (v1) flavonoid intake, time (years from v1), and the interaction between v1 flavonoid intake and time, capturing both the cross-sectional association between flavonoid intake and time at v1 as well as the longitudinal association between v1 flavonoid intake and the change in TMT scores over time. Prior to adjustment, inverse cross-sectional associations at v1 were observed between (1) anthocyanidin intake and TMT-A scores for the overall sample and (2) total flavonoid, anthocyanidin, flavan-3-ol, flavone, and flavonol intake and TMT-B scores for the overall sample and among White adults. Only the association between anthocyanidin intake and TMT-B at v1 among White adults persisted after adjustment (for demographic characteristics such as age). One possible explanation for the few significant associations is universally low flavonoid intakes resulting from the consumption of an unhealthy dietary pattern. Full article

The article examines the main characteristics of white brine cheeses from different manufacturers and changes in their quality indicators. These characteristics include the active acidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, oxidation–reduction potential, and organoleptic assessment. In this context, the connection to biomimetics lies in the approach of integrating multiple sensory modalities, similar to how biological systems often use multiple senses to perceive and understand their environment. For this purpose, spectral, ultrasonic, and gas characteristics were used, from which informative indices were extracted, united at a later stage in a vector of features. Based on the classification, it was found that the optical characteristics of cheeses from different manufacturers overlap, thus making it possible to predict the main indicators for each type of cheese. The results show that the use of a multimodal approach combining features from different sensors contributes to a better understanding of the variations in cheese properties, while improving the predictive abilities of the created models. The obtained results give a clear idea of the quality of the cheese, thus enabling adequate decisions to be made during the production process. Full article

The concept of nature positive has recently emerged from the widespread recognition of the global scale at which nature is being lost and the threat this poses to the collective survival of the human race. Much of the interest in nature positive reflects the initial commitment to it by conservation organisations and by a number of international political initiatives. However, the pursuit of nature positive approaches by businesses has received little attention in the business and management literature. Building upon an analysis of secondary sources, this entry paper first examines how three international organisations suggest a nature positive strategy could be pursued. This paper then focuses on two multinational companies and how they plan to pursue a nature positive approach to their business activities. This article identifies a number of critical factors in developing a nature positive strategy: incorporating suppliers in this strategy, assessing corporate dependencies and impacts on nature, and reporting on nature positive initiatives and outcomes. At the same time, this article raises concerns that nature positive approaches could be driven more by business imperatives rather than fundamental corporate concerns about biodiversity and that many business commitments to nature positive could be seen as mainly aspirational. Full article

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have demonstrated remarkable performance in many areas but require significant computation and storage resources. Quantization is an effective method to reduce CNN complexity and implementation. The main research objective is to develop a scalable quantization algorithm for CNN hardware design and model the performance metrics for the purpose of CNN implementation in resource-constrained devices (RCDs) and optimizing layers in deep neural networks (DNNs). The algorithm novelty is based on blending two quantization techniques to perform full model quantization with optimum accuracy, and without additional neurons. The algorithm is applied to a selected CNN model and implemented on an FPGA. Implementing CNN using broad data is not possible due to capacity issues. With the proposed quantization algorithm, we succeeded in implementing the model on the FPGA using 16-, 12-, and 8-bit quantization. Compared to the 16-bit design, the 8-bit design offers a 44% decrease in resource utilization, and achieves power and energy reductions of 41% and 42%, respectively. Models show that trading off one quantization bit yields savings of approximately 5.4K LUTs, 4% logic utilization, 46.9 mW power, and 147 $\mathsf{\mu }$J energy. The models were also used to estimate performance metrics for a sample DNN design. Full article

Magnesium sulfate has been widely detected on the surface of Mars. The occurrence of magnesium sulfate and mixed cationic sulfates preserves clues regarding the sedimentary environment, hydrological processes, and climate history of ancient Mars. In this study, seven magnesium sulfate double salts were synthesized in the laboratory using a high-temperature solid phase reaction or slow evaporation of aqueous solutions. The samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction to confirm their phase and homogeneity. Subsequently, the Raman, mid-infrared spectra, and visible near-infrared spectra of these samples were collected and analyzed. Our results showed that the spectra of the analyzed magnesium sulfate double salts exhibited distinctive spectral features. These laboratory results may provide new insights for the identification of various magnesium sulfate double salts on Mars during the interpretation of in situ data collected by Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC), SuperCam, and the ExoMars Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS). In addition, the MIR and VNIR spectra features obtained in this study provide an improved reference and spectra library for decipherment of data sourced from the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES), Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), and Mars Mineralogical Spectrometer (MMS). Full article

Hybrid bonded–bolted composite material interference connections significantly enhance the collaborative load-bearing capabilities of the adhesive layer and bolts, thus improving structural load-carrying capacity and fatigue life. So, these connections offer significant developmental potential and application prospects in aircraft structural assembly. However, interference causes damage to the adhesive layer and composite laminate around the holes, leading to issues with interface damage. In this study, we employed experimental and finite element methods. Initially, different interference-fit sizes were selected for bolt insertion to analyze the damage mechanism of the adhesive layer during interference-fit bolt installation. Subsequently, a finite element tensile model considering damage to the adhesive layer and composite laminate around the holes post-insertion was established. This study aimed to investigate damage in composite bonded–bolted hybrid joints, explore load-carrying rules and failure modes, and reveal the mechanisms of interference effects on structural damage and failure. The research results indicate that the finite element prediction model considering initial damage around the holes is more effective. As the interference-fit size increases, damage to the adhesive layer transitions from surface debonding to local cracking, while damage to the composite matrix shifts from slight compression failure to severe delamination and fiber-bending fracturing. The structural strength shows a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing, with the maximum strength observed at an interference-fit size of 1.1%. Full article

As they possess the qualities of high specific strength, high specific modulus, high specific energy absorption, and excellent designability, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber-reinforced composites have gradually replaced traditional materials such as ceramics and steel plates as the main ballistic protection materials. Using an improved test method, the uniaxial tensile tests of UHMWPE fiber-reinforced composites at two strain rates of 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ and 10⁻² s⁻¹ and a temperature range from −20 °C to 80 °C are carried out to study the effects of strain rate and temperature on the tensile behavior of UHMWPE fiber-reinforced composites. The experimental results indicate that the tensile responses exhibit nonlinear characteristics and the sensitivity of strain rate and temperature. The yield strength and modulus decrease with increasing temperature and increase with the increase in strain rate. A phenomenological viscoelastic constitutive model composed of a nonlinear spring and a nonlinear Maxwell element is proposed to characterize the temperature and strain rate dependent deformation behavior of UHMWPE fiber-reinforced composites before yielding. The results show that the model can accurately predict the tensile nonlinear viscoelastic responses of UHMWPE fiber-reinforced composites before yielding over a wide temperature range under quasi-static loading. Full article

As offshore wind farms move into deeper waters and the capacity of offshore wind turbines (OWTs) increases, a new type of OWT foundation needs to be developed. In this study, a new type of five-bucket jacket foundation (FBJF) was proposed based on the broad application of a multi-bucket jacket foundation (MBJF) in offshore wind farms. The soil around the OWT foundation is subject to scour due to the complex marine environment. To investigate the effects of scouring on the FBJF, a series of local-scour simplified finite-element models of the FBJF were established using ABAQUS, and the effects of scouring depth and the extent on the bearing capacity of the FBJF with the monotonic load were analyzed. Then, the failure envelopes of the FBJF under combined loading were obtained using the fixed-displacement ratio method, and the effects of various scour conditions on the failure envelopes were compared. The results indicate that the failure envelope profile contracts inward, and the bearing capacity decreases with the increasing scouring depth and extent. Furthermore, the failure envelopes of the FBJF under different vertical loads were calculated, and the F_V-F_H-F_M failure envelopes of the FBJF were obtained through interpolation. Finally, the effects of different scour conditions on the F_V-F_H-F_M failure envelopes of the FBJF were analyzed. The results show that the F_V-F_H-F_M failure envelopes of the FBJF have similar profiles and follow the same trend under different scour conditions. Full article

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) inhabit bays, sounds, and estuaries (BSEs) throughout the southeast region of the U.S.A. and are sentinel species for human and ecosystem-level health. Dolphins are vulnerable to the bioaccumulation of contaminants through the coastal food chain because they are high-level predators. Currently, there is limited information on the spatial dynamics of mercury accumulation in these dolphins. Total mercury (THg) was measured in dolphin skin from multiple populations across the U.S. Southeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, and the influence of geographic origin, sex, and age class was investigated. Mercury varied significantly among sampling sites and was greatest in dolphins in St. Joseph Bay, Florida Everglades, and Choctawhatchee Bay (14,193 ng/g ± 2196 ng/g, 10,916 ng/g ± 1532 ng/g, and 7333 ng/g ± 1405 ng/g wet mass (wm), respectively) and lowest in dolphins in Charleston and Skidaway River Estuary (509 ng/g ± 32.1 ng/g and 530 ng/g ± 58.4 ng/g wm, respectively). Spatial mercury patterns were consistent regardless of sex or age class. Bottlenose dolphin mercury exposure can effectively represent regional trends and reflect large-scale atmospheric mercury input and local biogeochemical processes. As a sentinel species, the bottlenose dolphin data presented here can direct future studies to evaluate mercury exposure to human residents in St. Joseph Bay, Choctawhatchee Bay, and Florida Coastal Everglades, as well as additional sites with similar geographical, oceanographic, or anthropogenic parameters. These data may also inform state and federal authorities that establish fish consumption advisories to determine if residents in these locales are at heightened risk for mercury toxicity. Full article

Energy transition and the creation of sustainable jobs are major concerns towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 13, particularly in emerging petroleum-producing economies such as Ghana. Our study examines Ghana’s sectorial employment vulnerability to the dynamics of energy transition. Employing a dynamic ARDL simulation model, we use quarterly data from 2011 to 2021 from Ghana’s Energy Commission, the Bank of Ghana, and the Public Interest and Accounting Committee. We find that transition scenarios increase industrial sector employment. Also, industrial sector employment changes more favorably under the 5% scenario than under the 1% scenario. Agriculture industry employment is positively impacted by the 1% energy transition scenarios but negatively impacted by the 5% scenarios. Up to the sixth year, both transition scenarios increase employment in the services sector; however, employment opportunities are more affected by the 1% scenario than by the 5% scenario. Therefore, developing a policy architecture that aids Ghana’s transition to renewable energy is essential. Full article

In the face of geopolitical threats in Artsakh, the preservation of Armenia’s epigraphic heritage has become a mission of both historical and cultural urgency. This project delves deep into Armenian inscriptions, employing advanced digital tools and strategies like the Oxygen text editor and EpiDoc guidelines to efficiently catalogue, analyze, and present these historical treasures. Amidst the adversities posed by Azerbaijan’s stance towards Armenian heritage in Artsakh, the digital documentation and preservation of these inscriptions have become a beacon of cultural resilience. The XML-based database ensures consistent data, promoting scholarly research and broadening accessibility. Integrating the Grabar Armenian dictionary addressed linguistic challenges, enhancing data accuracy. This initiative goes beyond merely preserving stone and text; it is a testament to the stories, hopes, and enduring spirit of the Armenian people in the face of external threats. Through a harmonious blend of technology and traditional knowledge, the project stands as a vanguard in the fight to ensure that Armenia’s rich epigraphic legacy, and the narratives they enshrine remain undiminished for future generations. Full article