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Enhancing failure analysis with augmented reality:Insights from a rolling stock case study
No full textThe role of the maintenance operator is evolving with Industry 4.0, leveraging advanced technologies to enhance physical, sensory, and cognitive capabilities. Efficient troubleshooting support is critical to reducing operators’ physical and mental stress in high-demand maintenance environments. Augmented reality (AR) presents a powerful solution by integrating real-time data visualisation, contextualised fault diagnostics, and interactive guidance into the troubleshooting workflow. However, existing research lacks structured approaches for AR-assisted troubleshooting that enable operators to rapidly detect, analyse, and resolve system failures. This research investigates the essential artificial intelligence (AI) and AR functionalities needed for effective troubleshooting. It examines how AR can enhance troubleshooting by seamlessly integrating real-time data, adaptive user interfaces (UI), and operator-driven insights. Findings from a railway case study indicate that AR-assisted troubleshooting improves decision-making, reduces task errors, facilitates knowledge capture, and supports both novice and experienced operators in structuring and contextualising system data. Iterative prototype development highlighted the importance of clear visualisation, guided autonomy, contextual information, and operator feedback. Future research will explore adaptive interfaces, real-time feedback loops, and broader deployment to further optimise AR-supported maintenance workflows
LVAD Physiology
No full textWidespread heart failure has led to increased dependence on left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). However, it is crucial to understand the interaction between the LVAD and the patient’s circulatory system for optimal care and improved outcomes. This chapter on LVAD physiology describes the interdependence of the LVAD and the circulation from the context of LVAD working principles, LVAD speed and pressure-flow relationships. We further describe the physiological underpinnings of hemodynamic optimization including afterload, preload, ventricular contractility, flow pulsatility, LVAD speed, and achieving regular aortic valve opening. Within the same narrative, we provide an in-depth discussion regarding LVAD operation in extreme conditions such as suction events and managing and optimizing LVAD therapy for achieving exercise capacities. We discuss how these factors influence the chronotropic, ionotropic, and vascular responses towards understanding the physiology of LVAD therapy.</p
Vector-Valued Reproducing Kernel Banach Spaces for Neural Networks and Operators
No full textRecently, there has been growing interest in characterizing the function spaces underlying neural networks. While shallow and deep scalar-valued neural networks have been linked to scalar-valued reproducing kernel Banach spaces (RKBS), -valued neural networks and neural operator models remain less understood in the RKBS setting. To address this gap, we develop a general definition of vector-valued RKBS (vv-RKBS), which inherently includes the associated reproducing kernel. Our construction extends existing definitions by avoiding restrictive assumptions such as symmetric kernel domains, finite-dimensional output spaces, reflexivity, or separability, while still recovering familiar properties of vector-valued reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces (vv-RKHS). We then show that shallow -valued neural networks are elements of a specific vv-RKBS, namely an instance of the integral and neural vv-RKBS. To also explore the functional structure of neural operators, we analyze the DeepONet and Hypernetwork architectures and demonstrate that they too belong to an integral and neural vv-RKBS. In all cases, we establish a Representer Theorem, showing that optimization over these function spaces recovers the corresponding neural architectures
Upcycling and characterization of flash-pyrolytic carbon black recovered from end-of-life tires
No full textThis study presents the development of a flash pyrolysis process for recovering carbon black from end-of-life tires, emphasizing the efficient removal of surface-bound organic impurities. The influence of solid residence time on the physicochemical properties of the recovered carbon black (rCB) was investigated at pyrolysis temperatures of 500 °C, 600 °C, and 700 °C. Experiments were conducted in an entrained flow reactor using two feedstock types: granulated passenger car and truck tires. The resulting rCBs were extensively characterized and benchmarked against commercial-grade carbon blacks to evaluate their physical and chemical properties. For the tested tire granulates (particle size 0–800 µm), pyrolysis at 600–700 °C with residence times of approximately 6–12 s achieved the removal of more than 98 wt% of organic impurities. While inorganic constituents remain in the rCB, these can be addressed through post-treatment where necessary. The developed flash pyrolysis process provides a rapid and effective route for producing high-quality rCB with low organic impurity content, contributing to a viable pathway for sustainable material recovery from end-of-life tires
Participatory Generative Design Education:On cultivating collective intelligence in design and planning
No full textThis chapter presents a pedagogical approach to generative design education for promoting participatory and transparent decision-making in design and planning processes. Generative design processes range from completely automated methods for the mathematical derivation and optimisation of designs to completely exploratory design grammars for the mass-customisation of designs. In the middle of this spectrum lie interactive gamified design processes that enable participatory mechanisms and the formal representation of design rules and provide for the emergence of collective intelligence through gamification. This chapter articulates a position on digital design education from a participatory design and digital-skills development perspective; provides a pedagogical vision rooted in curriculum development and teaching experiences from two courses on generative design; and explains how discretisation, topological modelling, and modularity facilitate participatory generative design education.<br/
Preferences regarding technology to unobtrusively monitor symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis:A qualitative study using focus group discussions
No full textDigital tools can be used for both self-tracking and telemonitoring of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. However, longterm monitoring can be a significant burden on patients, hindering implementation. The objective of this study is tounderstand patient preferences and barriers regarding long-term symptom monitoring. Five focus groups with 20 people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 14 healthcare professionals were organised. Topics included motivations to monitor, motivators and barriers, willingness to put effort into monitoring, data collection, and privacy concerns. People with RA are interested in self-tracking to support self-management, and in optimizing hospital visits through telemonitoring. Monitoring has to be personalized, with a wearable and affordable device, to monitor a variety of symptoms. People are willing to invest up to 3 months to personalize settings. After that, long-term monitoring should be unobtrusive, not requiring active participation. Data should be processed and presented with clear feedback. Data should also be shared with healthcare professionals to improve disease management and to optimize hospital visits. Medical professionals see benefits as patients become better informed. Telemonitoring is perceived especially relevant if information on disease activity and medication side-effects can be obtained. People with RA see benefits for long-term monitoring, both with regard to selftracking and telemonitoring. Even though they are willing to invest initial effort, for the long-term monitoring they prefer more unobtrusive types of monitoring. Similarly, medical professionals see benefits in only seeing patients when needed, however; they fear an overload on information which could raise the workload even further
The effect of teacher data use professional development interventions on student achievement:A meta-analysis and qualitative comparative analysis
No full textThis meta-analysis combined with a qualitative analysis focused on effective data use professional development interventions and intervention design characteristics for teachers. The 27 included studies had a total of 86 effect sizes and used student achievement as outcome measure. Intervention design characteristics and study design characteristics were included as moderator variables. A random-effects multilevel meta-analysis showed a medium-sized positive effect on student achievement (g =.41) with significant heterogeneity. Moderator analysis showed that when study design was controlled for, intervention design characteristics did not significantly affect student achievement. A moderate to strong correlation was found between intervention design and study design (i.e., studies with a theoretically more effective intervention design tended to have a higher possibility of methodological bias). However, the qualitative analysis showed that data use-specific intervention and school (implementation) characteristics were associated with higher effect sizes
Rare Case of Hemoglobin Lepore Trait in a Bangladeshi Patient with Polyarthritis and Fever:Case Description and Brief Literature Review
No full textIntroduction: In hemoglobinopathies, the amount of globin synthesis in hemoglobin (Hb) or its structure is altered. Clinical features are related to the rate and kind of structural aberrations. The heterozygous form of the Lepore syndrome resembles minor thalassemia both clinically and hematologically. On electrophoresis, abnormal Hb Lepore fractions are found at a rate of 5–15%, with a mildly higher percentage of HbF and lower HbA. In general, Hb Lepore heterozygotes are asymptomatic. Case presentation: A 32-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with complaints of pain and swelling in multiple large joints and high-grade fever for 11 days. His past history was unremarkable; one of his sisters had the β-thalassemia trait. On physical examination, he was moderately anemic, with mild hepatomegaly and normal spleen; both knees and ankles were tender and swollen. Laboratory showed mild microcytic hypochromic anemia with variables similar to the thalassemia trait and signs of inflammation with very high CRP, serum ferritin, and leukocytosis. Blood sugars were increased. Hb electrophoresis showed an abnormal pattern with mild elevation in HbS, normal Hb F, mild reduction in HbA, and high HbA2, compatible with heterozygosity for the Hb Lepore beta chain variant. He was initially diagnosed with diabetes (treated with insulin) and sepsis from unknown origin, but fever and joint pains did not respond to NSAIDs or antibiotics. He had very good response on high-dose methylprednisolone. Undifferentiated arthritis was diagnosed in the patient with Hb Lepore, and he was treated with oral prednisolone and sulfasalazine (SSZ). At follow up, the patient was doing well. He refused further investigations and did not allow testing on his family members. In summary: Hb Lepore is a rare hemoglobinopathy linked to thalassemia, which may manifest with musculoskeletal problems. Our patient with the Hb Lepore trait presented with undifferentiated polyarthritis and fever, but in our case, a causal relationship remains unclear. This is one of the first adult cases of Hb Lepore in Bangladesh and the first with arthritis of unknown origin. The prevalence of Hb Lepore in Bangladesh is unknown
Mapping and monitoring spatiotemporal desertification patterns in the arid transition zone of Algeria over the period 2002–2022
No full textDesertification represents a critical threat to ecosystems, agriculture, and livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the spatio-temporal evolution of desertification across Algeria’s steppic and northern Sahara regions from 2002 to 2022. Using Earth observation data and cloud-based processing platforms, we developed an analytical workflow1 that combines multitemporal vegetation sparsity mapping and desertification trend analysis. Our approach employed a derived composite index, the Vegetation Sparsity Index (VSI), along with intensity analysis, gravity center change, and regionalization-based clustering. The results showed that desertification dynamics in the study area are not uniform, but characterized by distinct phases of degradation and revegetation. Specifically, desertified areas expanded northward in the western and central regions from 2010, with the central western region, which is vital for agriculture and pastoralism, degraded beyond what rainfall trends alone would predict. In contrast, the eastern regions showed significant greening. These results underscore the heterogeneous nature of desertification in the region and provide critical insights for targeted mitigation efforts
Multidimensional determinants to adoption, use and effectiveness of digital technologies for healthy ageing in migrant populations: a scoping review protocol
No full textIntroduction Digital technology can be effective in providing personalised healthcare in contexts of ageing societies and increasing international migration trends. However, the literature is scarce and unsystematic, considering healthy ageing in migrant populations. This knowledge gap delays the development of interventions, policies and technology that are inclusive of the healthcare needs and limitations in older migrants. We aim to map the scientific literature addressing structural, psychological, technical and ethical determinants to adoption, use and effectiveness of digital technology for healthy ageing in migrants. We aim to uncover major challenges, highlight solutions and derive an agenda for future research. Methods and analysis We plan a scoping review of peer-reviewed articles published in English, German and Spanish after 2010 without a geographical limitation. We will perform the review across specialised and interdisciplinary databases (EBSCO, IEEE Xplore, IET Digital Library, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) and manage articles at Covidence.org. Our review will adhere to the Cochrane and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Scoping Review guidelines for conducting and reporting reviews. Ethics and dissemination No primary data will be collected, and therefore, ethical approval is not required. The results of this scoping review will be published in a peer-reviewed outlet and presented at conferences. A shiny web application will accompany the publication.</p