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Generative AI-Driven Virtual Worlds: Toward the Next Generation of Immersive Interactive Environments
No full textLayer-by-Layer Toolpath Simulation for Error Detection and Correction during Live 3D Printing
No full textThis paper presents a methodology for simulating 3D printing pro-cesses from G-code, generating accurate layer-by-layer visualiza-tions, and aligning virtual camera views with physical setups forreal-time monitoring, error detection, and in-process correction.By parsing G-code, extracting extrusion commands, and simulat-ing toolpath trajectories, a detailed 3D representation of the printprocess is created. To enhance realism, real image data—such asnoise, brightness variations, and contrast adjustments—is incor-porated, improving alignment between simulated and capturedimages. Additionally, camera field-of-view alignment is achievedusing rotation matrices and translation vectors, bridging the gapbetween simulation and real-world observations. The proposedmethods enable real-time error detection and correction, stream-lining simulation and visualization workflows to enhance additivemanufacturing processes
Frame-by-Frame Multi-object Tracking-Guided Video Captioning
Get PDFVideo captioning through deep learning presents a multifaceted challenge that encompasses the extraction of complex spatio-temporal visual features and the synthesis of meaningful natural language descriptions. Most of the existing deep learning models can be broadly grouped as either convolution-based or transformer-based encoder-decoder networks, with video captions generated from features encoded at the pixel level for the former, and from features encoded at grid, frame, or video levels depending on encoder complexity for the latter. This paper advocates frame-level features as a more balanced and compact representation for fast caption generation, and introduces the Tracking-guided Information Augmentation for Captioning (Track4Cap) model, which integrates tracking-guided information augmentation to enhance frame-level features without relying on complex architectures or additional data modalities. Specifically, Track4Cap employs the Frame-by-Frame Multi-object Tracking module (FMoT) to identify the most relevant objects in the input video and the Object Relation Encoder (ORE) to model inter-object relationships as supplementary high-level cues for caption generation. By avoiding time-consuming end-to-end training and leveraging compact representations, Track4Cap achieves computational efficiency while improving captioning performance. Extensive experiments on two commonly used benchmark datasets demonstrate that Track4Cap not only achieves faster inference times but also outperforms state-of-the-art convolution-based and transformer-based video captioning models. The implementation of our method is publicly available at https://github.com/ccc000-png/Tracker4Cap
Peel Bond Strength of Soft Liner Using Dental CAD/CAM and Conventional Acrylic Denture Base Materials Treated by Sandblast Technique
Get PDFBackground: One of the most serious problems with silicone soft liners is that they cannot cling to the acrylic denture foundation. The peel test is an appropriate method for assessing the binding strength of soft liners to denture base resin because the forces that the lining material is clinically exposed to are closely linked to the peel and tear test.
Objective of study: Analyzing the impact of sandblasting on the soft liners' ability to adhere to denture base resins' peel bonds.
Materials and Methods: Forty samples 64 x 10x 3 mm (length, width, and thickness), respectively of heat-cured acrylic soft denture liner materials. According to the types of material used, 20 specimens for CAD/ CAM and other 20 for traditional acrylic denture base material were constructed. The specimens were subdivided into two main groups (control group and sandblasting group). CAD/CAM specimens were created by cutting Pre-polymerized PMMA blocks with an In Lab MC X5-miller for PMMA plastic burs.
Results: The results showed that the sandblast treatment produced a higher mean value of Peel strength for conventional acrylic specimens in comparison to control. An Independent t-test reveals no significant difference (P>0.05) between groups. For the CAD/CAM approach, the sandblast group produced the lowest mean value of peel bond strength. Additionally, significant differences (P<0.05) for the CAD /CAM were found between control groups.
Conclusion: Particularly in terms of their mechanical properties, CAD/CAM polymers outperform conventional resins. It should be noted that variations in the features may be caused by differences in the resins' composition as well as the production processes. Also, the results of this study show that sandblasting increased the Peel bond strength of resilient lining materials to denture base resins and that the Peel bond strength was considerably higher in the surface-treated groups than in the control groups
Structural Inequity and Identity Politics within International Football: The impacts of exclusion from the international arena on the KTFF Süper Lig
Get PDFThe lack of recognition by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) creates significant knowledge, financial, and political challenges for the Cyprus Turkish Football Association (CTFA). CTFA players live and continue to play football in difficult circumstances, facing many problems, such as inequity, discrimination, and epistemic injustice.
A Thematic Analysis approach was used to evaluate responses from semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 15 players from Yenicami Ağdelen S.K. (Study 1), corroborated by responses to a survey of a wider comparative group of football professionals, consisting of n=78 CTFA referees and n=201 Süper Lig football players (Study 2). This thesis investigates the systemic challenges in Northern Cyprus football, focusing on structural inequity, loss of identity, isolation, and political and economic oppression.
Study 1 explored the challenges faced by CTFA Süper Lig players, exposing the themes of identity loss, isolation, and systemic inequality. Interviews highlighted the impact of exclusion on careers and mental well-being. Survey data from 201 players and 78 referees were examined in Study 2, which identified systemic inequalities, discrimination, lack of resources, and isolation. Participants required systemic reform and international recognition.
The study concludes that exclusion from global governing bodies for sport has had a destroying impact on sport in Northern Cyprus, particularly football. The loss of sporting identity has significant psycho-social impact on athletes and professional football players. Football has always been a vehicle for national identity, global isolation, and exclusion from the ‘football family’ of FIFA and UEFA.
There is a need for international capacity building partnerships to future proof the game. Football’s global governing bodies said they are committed to inclusion, equality, and human rights. There is structural inequity within international football, where professional players are denied the advantages of affiliation to the global governing bodies solely because of where they live
Knee mechanics, strength and flexibility: Assessing injury risk in female adolescent soccer players
Get PDFBackground/Objectives: This study examined the link between the Q angle, knee hyperextension, flexibility, strength profiles and injury occurrence in female adolescent soccer players. Methods: Thirty adolescent female soccer players (age range: 15–17 years; age: 15.47 ± 0.73 years; weight: 55.91 ± 7.44 kg; height: 160.01 ± 5.58 cm) were recruited for the study. The tests were conducted before the pre-season preparation period, and the players were monitored from the beginning to the end of the season. This study included players who sustained non-contact injuries throughout the season as well as those who did not sustain any injuries for comparison purposes. Players underwent an anthropometric assessment (height, weight, body fat, Q angle, knee hyperextension) and completed a sit-and-reach test and an isokinetic assessment at 60°/s. Results: The results showed that 36.67% of players sustained a non-contact injury during the season. Based on the isokinetic assessment at 60°/s, significant differences were observed between the two groups in the torque production of the right and left knee extensors [t(28) = 2.32, p = 0.03, d = 0.81 (large effect)] and the right and left knee flexors [t(28) = 2.04, p = 0.05, d = 0.71 (medium effect)], with the injured group demonstrating significantly greater interlimb asymmetries in torque between the right and left knee extensors, as well as the right and left knee flexors. Also, the injured group demonstrated significantly higher knee hyperextension values for both the right [t(28) = 6.12, p < 0.05, d = 2.22 (large effect)] and left legs [t(28) = 5.72, p < 0.05, d = 2.15 (large effect)]. Conclusions: interlimb asymmetries and knee hyperextension may contribute to the occurrence of lower body non-contact injuries in adolescent female soccer players
Supporting Integration of Multiple Source Perspectives Through Dialogic Argumentation
Get PDFWe report a study examining, for the first time, the effectiveness of engagement in dialogic argumentation in relation to its ability to promote integration of multiple source perspectives in an argumentive writing task after reading controversial multiple texts. Sixty-four primary school students engaged in a dialog-based intervention aiming to support them to learn to argue. Participants’ argument skills have been improved and transferred to a writing task completed after reading novel multiple texts on new, non-intervention, topics. In particular, the experimental group participants showed gains in their ability to integrate multiple source perspectives in an argumentive writing task after reading controversial multiple texts, compared with a control group which engaged in business-as-usual school curriculum. Microgenetic data revealed a progressive development of experimental participants’ integration skill throughout their engagement in the argumentive discourse activity. The findings have important educational implications. They show that learning to argue by engaging in dialogic argumentation is a promising pathway for supporting the ability to integrate multiple source perspectives after reading controversial multiple texts
Establishing a research partnership for delivering palliative and end-of-life care for older people in rural and remote areas: a formative mixed-methods study
Get PDFBackground
Many older people live in rural and remote areas. As the ageing population grows, conditions such as cancer, dementia and stroke will become more prevalent, causing a huge demand for palliative and end-of-life care. However, evidence regarding models of care and interventions in rural and remote areas is limited.
Aim
A new United Kingdom rural palliative care partnership was funded for 12 months. It aimed to understand the models of palliative and end-of-life care for older people with cancer, dementia and stroke in rural/remote areas across all four nations of the United Kingdom. It also aimed to identify the core priorities for research into rurality and palliative care for older people.
Methods
The project consisted of three integrated components, including: (1) a scoping review of relevant literature on rural palliative care for older people with cancer, dementia and stroke; (2) stakeholder engagement workshops using a modified Nominal Groups Technique and (3) qualitative interviews with family carers who supported rural-/remote-dwelling older adults towards the end of life.
Results
Our scoping review was undertaken in 2022. The search identified 1128 unique citations, of which five papers were included. There were no United Kingdom studies on models of palliative and end-of-life care delivered to older people with cancer, dementia or stroke within rural/remote locations. However, international models of care were identified. Models included technological interventions to reach those in remote locations, the role of palliative care nurses and the use of volunteers. Articles highlighted the importance of not replacing face-to-face care with technology for ease of reaching more people and emphasised the importance of effective interdisciplinary working in rural and remote palliative care.
Additionally, three online workshops to develop research capacity, identify models of care, understand issues of rurality and determine research priorities were attended by 15–20 stakeholders. Qualitative interviews were also undertaken with 20 family carers who had supported rural-/remote-dwelling older adults at their end of life. Data identified that rural/remote communities face challenges in accessing palliative and end-of-life care due to issues such as transport to and distance from services, poor broadband coverage and problems with workforce recruitment and retention.
Synthesising the data from these methods helped to identify some interventions and models of care for palliative and end-of-life care for older people in rural and remote areas. It also helped us to jointly shape and develop research priorities, which included workforce planning and service composition, facilitating preferred place of death and the role of technology. However, there are gaps in our understanding about how to improve the family carer support as well as digital literacy among older people to help them benefit from technological interventions.
Conclusions
Overall, there is a lack of research on palliative and end-of-life care models and interventions provided to older adults with cancer, dementia and stroke in rural and remote settings, especially in the United Kingdom. There is an urgent need to co-design community-based models of palliative and end-of-life care in rural and remote locations, considering the unique challenges of living in these areas.
Funding
This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme as award number NIHR135350.
A plain language summary of this research article is available on the NIHR Journals Library Website https://doi.org/10.3310/RWSG7439
Anti-resonant hollow-core optical fiber as a Fabry-Pérot interferometric high-performance cavity-enhanced photoacoustic sensing
No full textThis paper reports for the first time a highly sensitive cavity-enhanced photoacoustic sensor constructed based on anti-resonant hollow-core fibre (AR-HCF) with acousto-optic transducer thin film, which shows great potential in photoacoustic sensing applications. In this design, the structure improves the reflectivity of the resonance cavity by introducing a resonance cavity enhancement mechanism that extends the time to capture light with a cavity fineness of 55, increasing the acoustic pressure sensitivity of the optical resonance cavity by more than an order of magnitude. The unique features of this all-fibre optic sensing architecture are its high sensitivity, low-loss characteristics, excellent stability, and the significant advantages of the sensor in terms of size and cost. This opens up new avenues for the development of photoacoustic sensing technology