In this paper, Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) is utilized in the pitch control of a vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to address the problem of ...height fluctuation during the transition from hover to level flight. Considering the difficulty of parameter tuning of ADRC as well as the requirement of accuracy and rapidity of the controller, a Multi-Strategy Pigeon-Inspired Optimization (MSPIO) algorithm is employed. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Genetic Algorithm (GA), the basic Pigeon-Inspired Optimization (PIO), and an improved PIO algorithm CMPIO are compared. In addition, the optimized ADRC control system is compared with the pure Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control system and the non-optimized ADRC control system. The effectiveness of the designed control strategy for forward transition is verified and the faster convergence speed and better exploitation ability of the proposed MSPIO algorithm are confirmed by simulation results.
We link data on regional Organized Screening Programs (OSPs) throughout Europe with survey data and population-based cancer registries to estimate effects of OSPs on breast cancer screening ...(mammography), incidence, and mortality. Identification is from regional variation in the existence and timing of OSPs, and in their age-eligibility criteria. We estimate that OSPs, on average, increase mammography by 25 percentage points, increase breast cancer incidence by 16% five years after the OSPs implementation, and reduce breast cancer mortality by about 10% ten years after.
For highly automated vehicles, effective take-over performance measures are essential for establishing quantitative take-over models and exploring approaches to improve take-over performance. ...However, there is a lack of comprehensive take-over performance measures that suitably combine multiple objective metrics based on an average evaluation from human drivers. In this study, we proposed a human-centered comprehensive measure of take-over performance (HCMTP). There are four main building blocks for the HCMTP. First, we adopted sparse principal component analysis to identify the main aspects of take-over performance based on multiple original objective take-over performance metrics. Second, we developed a scale of take-over performance assessment to obtain drivers' original subjective self-assessments of take-over performance. Third, we established nonlinear individual mapping functions to acquire different drivers' evaluation criteria for take-over performance. Fourth, we proposed a relabeling algorithm to obtain drivers' average evaluation of take-over performance. To verify the effectiveness of the HCMTP, we conducted a verification experiment involving 68 participants. The results indicate that the HCMTP is effective and able to reduce the interference of individual differences, stochasticity, and data imbalance. This study contributes to identifying the main aspects of take-over performance, systematically understanding how human drivers subjectively evaluate take-over performance, and evaluating drivers' take-over performance comprehensively.
With the progress in wave energy research, large-scale development has become a trend. In real sea states, the energy extraction characteristic of each unit is significant to the array's composition. ...Only focusing on the mean absorbed power for optimization cannot provide guidance for realizing the internal mechanism of the energy capture behavior. Therefore, by extending the concept of Wave Height Take-off (WHTO) to random waves, this paper proposed and defined the Wave Energy Capture Spectrum (WECS), which derives from the change of wave height to describe the energy extraction characteristics of wave energy converters in real sea states. Simulations were conducted in a validated 2D numerical wave flume with a cuboid heaving buoy under different sea states. Linear Power Take-off (PTO) damping coefficient was taken as an example for a parametric study of the WECS. The results verified the concept and showed that the optimization method of WECS can reveal the capture characteristics of the device from both the perspective of frequency and energy. The comparison of capture efficiency between WECS and the conventional PTO method indicated that the difference is not significant, which also examined the method. This manuscript aims to validate the concept and promote the method.
•A new concept of wave energy capture spectrum (WECS) that based on WHTO is proposed.•Simulations with cuboid buoy were conducted in random waves to validate the concept.•Capture efficiency obtained by WECS and the conventional PTO method were compared.
Opioids are a common treatment for older adults living with pain. Given high rates of polypharmacy and chronic comorbidities, older adults are at risk of opioid overdose. Evidence is now available ...that take-home naloxone (THN) supports reduction of opioid-related harms. It is unknown what THN initiatives are available for older adults, especially those living with chronic pain.
To summarize the literature regarding THN, with a focus on older adults using opioids for pain, including facilitators of and barriers to THN access, knowledge gaps, and pharmacist-led initiatives.
A scoping review, guided by an established framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, was performed. Methods involved searching 6 bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, and PubMed), reference harvesting, and citation tracking. Searches were conducted up to March 2023, with no date limits applied; only English publications were included.
Study eligibility was determined according to preset criteria, including age; discrepancies were resolved by discussion and consensus. Data were extracted and categorized through thematic analysis.
Four studies met the eligibility criteria. All 4 studies detailed THN programs in primary care settings involving older adults taking opioids for pain management. Two of the studies highlighted patient-specific risk factors for opioid overdose, including concomitant use of benzodiazepines and/or gabapentinoids, mean morphine milligram equivalents per day of at least 50, and previous opioid overdose. Two of the studies assessed patient knowledge of opioid overdose management and attitudes toward THN. Educational programs increased patients' interest in THN.
The literature about THN for older adults living with pain is limited, and no literature was found on pharmacist-led initiatives in this area. Future research on THN provision for older adults, including pharmacist-led initiatives, could help to optimize care for older adults living with pain.
Abstract
Push–pull strategy is a well-known and widely used technique for integrated pest management, leading to the reduction of insecticides. This strategy involves the use of mostly visual and ...chemical stimuli to repel pests from a valuable crop (push) and attract them to an appealing target, e.g., a trap, (pull). Based on former results, this study explored the effect of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as repelling factors of whiteflies (push). Wavelengths of blue and ultraviolet (UV) were investigated in different light intensities and exposure times in no-choice experiments, under controlled conditions. Whiteflies were exposed directly to LEDs on the underside of tomato leaves and number of repelled insects was counted. The results showed that light intensity and insect repellency were positively related. Insect repellency increased up to tenfold with longer light exposure period. Wavelength of blue and combination of blue + UV repelled more than 87% of whiteflies in light conditions. In darkness, results were only slightly different. The results reveal the property of blue light to repel whiteflies from its host and that addition of UV to blue enhances this effect. They further demonstrate that whitefly vision is dependent on wavelength, light intensity and exposure period. The contribution of the results on understanding the visual behavior of whiteflies and their possible implementation on pest control strategies is discussed.
Colorectal cancer, developing from malignant transformation of the distal gut epithelium, is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. We present a gentleman in his 60s who was ...diagnosed with colorectal cancer during a routine screening colonoscopy with no evidence of distant metastasis on subsequent staging with positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT). The outside rectal MR (magnetic resonance) imaging report localized a mass to the upper rectum. Review of the MRI at an institutional, Multidisciplinary Tumor Board designated the tumor as “rectosigmoid,” straddling the rectosigmoid junction at the level of the “sigmoid take-off” (STO) or alternatively at the level of the last sigmoid artery take-off (SAT) at the origin of the superior rectal artery. The anatomic differentiation between upper rectal and lower sigmoid colon cancers carries clinical importance which is highlighted in this case report and brief literature review. Optimal anatomic localization of colorectal cancers helps direct the clinical team to tailor an individualized patient care plan.
The perceptions and knowledge of fishers are very important for fisheries management, especially in data-poor regions such as the Amazon coast of Brazil. Here, the perceptions of fishers were used to ...analyze the main conflicts faced by small-scale fisheries and to identify the status of fishery resources in the state of Amapá (Brazil). Data from interviews with 359 fishers were analyzed. Conflicts involve diverse actors with different and potentially competing interests and accountabilities, including small-scale and large-scale fishers, intermediaries, and government agents. The main conflict was related to access to fishery resources, including issues with the prohibition of fishing in No-Take Zones and competition with fishing fleets from other regions (outsiders). The lack of control over the access of users has culminated in increasing fishing effort. The invasion of traditional fishing territories was a central argument against the outsiders; however, these conflicts are also strongly related to the exhaustion of fishery resources, with about 75% of respondents perceiving a decrease in fish abundance. This scenario reveals a governance crisis and the weak performance and inability of the government to carry out effective enforcement, monitoring, and surveillance. The presence of people heavily reliant on natural resources in a region with very few alternative sources for livelihoods indicates that sustainable fisheries management requires wider cooperation between the government and all stakeholders, with co-management being required.
•In the Brazilian Amazon coast, fishers are dependent on natural resources for livelihood.•Most respondents (75%) perceive a decline in fish abundance.•The main conflicts involves No-Take Zones and fishers from other regions.•The lack of control over the access of users culminated in increasing fishing effort.•Results indicates the inability of the government to carry out effective management.
The aim of the current study is to investigate predictors and consequences of driver-initiated take-overs during automated evasion maneuvers. Literature on control transitions in automated driving ...has mainly focused on system-initiated take-overs. However, drivers may also initiate take-overs without take-over requests. To date, such driver-initiated take-overs have rarely been investigated. Our study addresses this research gap. In a driving simulator study with 61 participants, we investigated whether the criticality of highly dynamic evasion maneuvers and trust in automation affect the probability of driver-initiated take-overs. Criticality was manipulated via time headway (THW) and traction usage (TU). Trust was varied by manipulating automation reliability before the experimental trials. Consequences of driver-initiated take-overs in terms of collisions and lane departures were assessed. The results indicate that THW, TU, and trust affect the probability of driver-initiated take-overs. Moreover, the time it takes the automation to respond to an obstacle ahead by starting an evasion maneuver may be another relevant factor in predicting take-overs. After a take-over, drivers produced a number of unnecessary lane departures and collisions. These were independent of THW and TU. The study demonstrates that drivers are more likely to take over vehicle control during automated evasion maneuvers without take-over requests when criticality increases and trust in automation decreases. Such take-overs may be hazardous for traffic safety. Our findings help to design automated vehicles that avoid unnecessary take-overs in critical driving situations or de-escalate their consequences effectively, thus increasing traffic safety.
During an aircraft taxiing on a water-contaminated runway, the worn tires with shallower grooves will significantly deteriorate the safety of take-off and landing. The hydrodynamics generated by the ...tire-water-pavement interaction is numerically studied using the coupling method of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics and Finite Element Method. By comparing a completely worn tire with a new tire, the effects of tire wear on water spray and water displacement drag are analyzed. With the increasing tire speed and water film depth, the water spray composed of bow wave and side plume increases, and the water displacement drag decomposed of wave- and film-generated components also increases. The effects of tire wear depend on the relative height of tire grooves to the water film depth. For the shallow water film with a depth smaller than the grooves height, the water spray and water displacement drag of new tire is much smaller than those of worn tire, because the groove drainage effect can work very well. While for the deep water film that completely floods the grooves, the water spray and water displacement drag of new tire are similar with those of worn tires, because the groove drainage effect cannot be fully utilized.
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