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Smart product platforming powered by AI and Generative AI: Personalization for the circular economy
Get PDFThe interlocks between smart product platforming (SPP) powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI, big data analytics, and machine learning are still in their infancy. Modern technology-driven SPP promotes personalized product design and manufacturing suited to support environmentally friendly products for the circular economy. In this study, we develop a framework pertaining to the interlinks between SPP, big data analytics, machine learning, and the circular economy. To test our framework, we apply structure equation modeling based on data collected from more than 200 automotive industry professionals operating in China. Our results demonstrate that SPP and big data analytics are the central determinants for manufacturing environmentally friendly products, ultimately promoting circular economy applications. SPP plays a pivotal role in innovative product design and in facilitating the relevant manufacturing procedures. Big data analytics significantly feed into SPP applications. Machine learning and flexibility in SPP perform moderating roles in strengthening environmentally friendly outcomes. The mediating role played by SPP between big data analytics and environmentally friendly products for the circular economy is partially encouraging. As SPP powered by AI and Generative AI is an emerging phenomenon, our study contributes to this new knowledge dimension. We conclude this paper by discussing the theoretical and practical implications of our study, its limitations, and directions for future research
Direction Estimation of the Attacked Signal in PBCH of 5G NR
Get PDFThis letter investigates the jamming attack in the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) of the fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) that conveys critical information of the cell called master information block (MIB). Since smart attack on PBCH is simply possible using the information of synchronization signal block (SSB) that is unencrypted during the initial access, this channel is one of the most effective choices from a jammer’s point of view. In this study, we propose a hypothesis test to detect the presence of a jamming attack in the PBCH block and, furthermore, we estimate the principal direction of the attacked PBCH demodulation reference signal (PBCH DMRS) that significantly deviates under that attack. These achievements are also presented in the form of semi-definite programming (SDP) relaxation. PBCH DMRS is located at 25% of the PBCH block and is vital for PBCH extraction to initiate a radio connection between user and an appropriate cell. Simulation results evaluate the proposed method in various aspects and prove its superiority over the recent competing methods
The Art of Being an Acoustician Conference
Get PDFUKAN’s Early Career Specialist Interest Group supported the Art of Being an Acoustician event which again showed how
careers in acoustic seem to follow a winding path, but all provide interesting challenges. The second Art of Being an
Acoustician conference followed the 20th Art of Being a consultant conference, so this time, we could eat their cake
Discrimination and social identity processes predict impairment and dysfunction among heavy drinkers
Get PDFBackground: Previous research has linked discrimination to poorer health. Yet health risk behaviours such as heavy alcohol consumption are often targeted with stigmatising public health campaigns. The current study sought to establish the link between experiencing discrimination and health outcomes among heavy drinkers, with a focus on exploring the multiple social identity processes that might underpin this relationship.
Method: A survey was conducted with 282 people who self-reported consuming alcohol above recommended guidelines. We measured discrimination experienced as a drinker, components of social identification as a drinker (centrality, satisfaction, solidarity, homogeneity, and self-stereotyping), and two health outcomes: psychological distress and severity of alcohol use disorder symptomatology.
Results: Discrimination was a moderate-large predictor of psychological distress and alcohol use disorder symptoms. Three social identity constructs were implicated in the link between discrimination and ill-health: identity centrality and homogeneity positively mediated this relationship, while identity satisfaction was a negative mediator. The model explained a large proportion of the variance (39-47%) in health outcomes.
Discussion: Results are interpreted with an emphasis on the need to avoid stigmatising messaging and to prioritise social identity processes to prevent and treat substance use disorders. We further highlight the need for social identity researchers to consider the multidimensional nature of social identities, especially in the context of stigmatised groups
"Translating" the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to Enable the Systemic Green Transformation of the Data Centre Industry
Get PDFThe data centre industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors, driving the growing prominence of the digital economy. A vast digital infrastructure underpins all continuously running digital services worldwide. At the core of the infrastructure are energy and resource-demanding data centres, which house a significant amount of equipment and complex systems. The data centre industry is essential in innovation and sustainable transformation and can significantly contribute to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study investigates data centre industry all-round sustainability impacts and proposes a framework to help industry stakeholders comprehend actions towards SDGs. The study employs a qualitative approach and composes primary source data from stakeholder interviews, co-creation workshops and feedback received. The fundamental findings reveal the need for sustainability and SDGs education. Furthermore, stakeholders believe SDGs are ambiguous and complex to translate for companies' needs and communicate meaningful contributions. As a result, the research project proposes an Action Bank - a simple educational database of SDGs translated to this unique sector. The solution addresses the need for increased sectoral awareness, clarity, and guidance on SDGs and aims to provide a blueprint of action for the industry. Lastly, this study provides the foundation for further research as the subject requires further exploration and more robust data collection from a larger sample covering all industry sub-sectors
Allied health professionals' experiences and views towards improving musculoskeletal services in the UK for patients with musculoskeletal and co-existing mental health conditions: a qualitative study.
Get PDFInterplay between physical and mental health (MH) is widely recognised amongst patients with Musculoskeletal and co-existing MH conditions. Evidence suggests that psychological interventions improve outcomes and satisfaction in patients with physical conditions, however current healthcare models continue to separate physical and mental health care, as health services are fragmented. If the delivery of MH support could be facilitated by Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists (OTs), this could be an effective, low-cost way to achieve routine integration. This study aimed to explore the experiences of UK physiotherapists and OTs working with patients with MSK and co-existing MH conditions and to understand views on improving MSK services. This was an exploratory-descriptive qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Participants were recruited via social media and professional organisations using convenience sampling. Participants included registered UK physiotherapists or OTs within MSK settings who managed patients with MH conditions. Inductive thematic analysis was used, where single and double-level coding, single counting and inclusion of divergent cases were conducted to enhance methodological rigour. Three overarching themes were identified. Overarching theme one referred to openness to provide MH support, with scope of practice and lack of confidence as themes. Overarching theme two described challenges, incorporating mental health stigma, the clinical environment, and limited experience. The overarching theme referring to training, identified the need for further training and strategies to implement as themes. Many challenges to achieving optimal integration of physical and mental health care exist within MSK services. These challenges go beyond the need for additional training and knowledge acquisition and include departmental readiness such as funding, diary management, and supervision by senior colleagues/or psychologists. These need consideration in parallel to match the evolving needs of the MSK population. [Abstract copyright: © 2023. The Author(s).
WingSegment: A Computer Vision‐Based Hybrid Approach for Insect Wing Image Segmentation and 3D Printing
Get PDFThis article introduces WingSegment, a MATLAB app‐designed tool employing a hybrid approach of computer vision and graph theory for precise insect wing image segmentation. WingSegment detects cells, junctions, Pterostigma, and venation patterns, measuring geometric features and generating Voronoi patterns. The tool utilizes region‐growing, thinning, and Dijkstra's algorithms for boundary detection, junction identification, and vein path extraction. It provides histograms and box plots of geometric features, facilitating comprehensive wing analysis. WingSegment's efficiency is validated through comparisons with established tools and manual measurements, demonstrating accurate results. The tool further enables exporting detected boundaries as FreeCAD macro files for 3D modeling and printing, supporting finite element analysis. Beyond advancing insect wing morphology understanding, WingSegment holds broader implications for diverse planar structures, including leaves and geocells. This tool not only enhances automated geometric analysis and 3D model generation in insect wing studies but also contributes to the broader advancement of analysis, 3D printing, and modeling technologies across various planar structures
Digital Technologies for Quality Assurance in the Construction Industry: Current Trend and Future Research Directions towards Industry 4.0
Get PDFDespite the growing rich and fragmented literature focusing on quality assurance (QA) and Industry 4.0, the implementation of associated individual digital technologies has not been fully evaluated and synthesised to achieve adequate QA in the construction industry; hence, it has received limited focus. This study, thus, aimed to organise, evaluate, and synthesise the current literature on individual digital technology applications in QA in the construction industry and propose future research directions. A literature review approach was adopted for this study along with Deming’s cycle framework to address four research questions: (1) What is the status of the state-of-the-art in the literature? (2) What digital technologies have been applied for QA in the construction industry? (3) Which areas in QA processes have experienced digital technology applications, and what are the applications? (4) What are the limitations of the existing studies and future research directions of digital technologies for QA in the construction industry? The findings showed an increasing trend of research on digital technology for QA in construction since 2017. This cuts across 23 countries with six different research methods published across 18 different publication sources. Four categories of digital technologies were revealed to have been adopted for QA in construction based on the functionality of the technologies: data collection technologies, decision-oriented technologies, collaborative technologies, and transparency and security-related technologies. Evaluation with Deming’s cycle framework revealed that digital technologies have a high level of application at the “do” phase, improving the quality management process during construction towards achieving pre-stated quality requirements. This includes mostly collaborative technologies, consisting of BIM technologies. Limitations of the existing studies were further identified, and this led to five research directions: interoperability of technology development, integrated digital technologies for QA of prefabricated and modular construction, integrated digital technologies for QA of cross-border construction logistics and supply chain, digital innovation for sustainable QA, and moving beyond the technical solution. The study showed a significant contribution to both academia and the industry in the built environment
