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The enhanced paper grip test (EGPT) quantitatively assesses lower limb strength. EGPT assesses the hallux grip force by reacting a pulling force derived from a card, being positioned underneath the participant's hallux. This study aimed to investigate the repeatability and clinical applicability of the EPGT for assessing foot muscle strength. EPGT force was measured using a dynamometer. The reliability of the measurement of EPGT force was assessed by having two examiners performing the test on the same group of healthy adults. Clinical applicability was assessed in community-dwelling adults of both genders. EPGT force was recorded for both feet using the same standardised protocol for all participants. Regarding reliability, 20 healthy adults aged 23.04±5.5 years participated in the present study. The EGPT demonstrated good to excellent test-retest (ICC1,2 0.8 to 0.86) and interrater reliability (ICC1,2 0.82 to 0.88). A convenience sample of 15 community-dwelling adults (71.6±7.8 years, 68.5% women) was recruited for clinical applicability testing. All participants performed the test with mean score 15±5.7 N. EPGT is a reliable measurement of the hallux grip force strength and can be used for clinical and research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the establishment of a substantial amount of academic groups on scientific social network has brought new opportunities for the collaboration among researchers. In this situation, conducting paper recommendation to these academic groups is of terrific necessity in that it can further facilitate group activities. However, when producing group recommendation, existing methods fail to make full use of the abundant group information, from which a great deal of valuable information can be inferred to facilitate the recommendation performance. In addition, those methods tend to assign an equal weight to each group member when aggregating their recommendations, which is unreasonable in practice. Although some improvements have been made to remedy this problem by assigning different weights to group members, they fail to take into account the reliabilities of group members. Therefore, a group-oriented paper recommendation method based on probabilistic matrix factorization and evidential reasoning (GPMF_ER) is proposed in this article to tackle these problems. More specifically, the group and paper content information are integrated into the probabilistic matrix factorization model to enhance the accuracy of individual recommendation. Afterward, evidential reasoning rule is introduced in the aggregation step to consider both the weights and reliabilities of group members. Extensive experiments have been conducted on the real world CiteULike dataset and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The attitude of teachers is effective in improving the quality of life and academic achievement of students with stuttering. The Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Stuttering (TATS) inventory is a tool for evaluating teachers’ opinions and attitudes toward stuttering. The purpose of this study is to validate the Persian version of the TATS (TATS-Persian) and a preliminary study of the attitude of elementary teachers towards stuttering. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, which is of validation and instrumentation type, 32 teachers from elementary schools in Tehran were recruited by the available sampling method. To examine the content validity of TATS-Persian, 12 teachers were surveyed, and for the test-retest reliability of it, 12 teachers re-completed the TATS-Persian after one week. The statistical methods included the Cronbach alpha coefficient calculation and the Spearman correlation test. Results: The content validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency of TATS-Persian were 0.92, 0.93, 0.96, respectively. The Mean±SD scores of teacher’s attitudes were 78.09 ±11.9. Also, the teachers’ attitudes score had a significant positive correlation with the number of stuttering students experienced in their teaching history. Conclusion: The Persian version of the TATS inventory is a valid and simple tool for evaluating teachers’ attitudes toward stuttering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Freezing of gait, a common PD motor symptom, could increase the risk of falling. This study aimed to investigate the clinimetric attributes of the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOGQ) for people with Parkinson disease in the "off" state. Methods: A total of 115 patients with Parkinson disease (PD; mean age, 60.25 years) were included. Acceptability, internal consistency (by the Cronbach alpha, and test-retest by Intraclass Correlation [ICC]), and reliability of the Persian-translated version of the FOGQ were examined. Dimensionality was estimated by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Fall efficacy scale-international, unified Parkinson disease rating scale-II, Berg balance scale, functional reach test, and Parkinson disease questionnaire-39 were applied to determine the convergent validity. Diagnostic accuracy for obtaining optimal cutoff point, separating faller and non-faller groups, was analyzed by Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis and Area Under the Curve (AUC). All tests were carried out in an "off" state. Results: The Cronbach alpha was high (a=0.92). The test-retest showed high reliability (ICC=0.89). The FOGQ was unidimensional according to the EFA and had acceptable convergent validity with moderate to high correlation with other clinical scales. The optimal cutoff point to discriminate fallers from non-fallers during the "off" state was 9/10, with an AUC of 0.92. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the FOGQ has appropriate reliability, validity, and discriminative ability for measuring FOG in patients with PD during the "off" state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The service life of a transformer depends on the ageing degree of the internal oil–paper insulation. In order to reliably predict the remaining service life of oil–paper insulation for a single transformer, this study proposes a method based on monitoring the performance degradation data of oil–paper insulation. In this study, the remaining life prediction model of oil–paper insulation is established according to the Wiener stochastic process. The parameters of the model are iteratively updated by using the Bayesian rule and maximum expectation algorithm. The objective of remaining service life prediction of transformer oil–paper insulation is achieved. In the laboratory, multiple groups of oil–paper insulation samples undergo an ageing test at 130°C. Certain amount of performance degradation data is obtained by continuously monitoring the oil–paper insulation. Along with the prediction method of remaining life, the accuracy of the remaining life prediction of transformer oil–impregnated paper is verified when the model parameters are updated. This is a significant guiding factor for predicting the remaining life through the performance degradation data of the continuously operating transformer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing clean, reusable, and repeatable experiments for a research paper does not have to be difficult. We report on our efforts to create an integrated toolchain for running, processing, and including the results of computer experiments in scientific publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the reliability characteristics of a parallel system are investigated. The parallel system under consideration is made up of three active units that run in parallel, with two of them having to be operational in order for the system to work. The main purpose of this study is to quantify/examine the effect of online and offline preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance is carried out on the systems in two ways: online and offline preventive maintenance. After the first unit of each system fails, online preventive maintenance is performed. Following the failure of the second unit of each system, offline preventive maintenance is performed. Partial and complete failures are the two types of failures that may occur. Both systems can undergo exponential failure and repair. Using supplementary variable technique, Laplace transform, and Copula repair approach, the system of first-order differential equations associated with system effectiveness, which are crucial to this research, is established and resolved. Tables and graphs are used to illustrate the important findings based on assumed numerical values. System designers, programmers, and maintenance supervisors will be able to create and maintain more crucial systems with the assistance of this research paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coeliac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated disorder, with dietary exclusion of gluten the only current treatment. A good knowledge of CD and gluten-free diet (GFD) is essential for those with CD to support effective self-management. Knowledge assessment with a validated tool helps evaluate understanding and knowledge gaps to better tailor educational resources. This study's aim was to perform a systematic review to identify validated CD knowledge assessment tools. Methods: PRISMA guidelines were followed, and searches were carried out in five literature databases. Papers were reviewed for tool development and testing process and assessed against pre-defined criteria for feasibility, validity, and reliability. Results: Twenty-five papers were included in the final analysis. Studies were from 16 countries, with a range of target populations, study designs, and development processes. Eleven reported pilot testing, and five assessed readability. Content validity was assessed in ten papers and formal content validity testing in one. Many tools contained items affecting generalisability outside the region developed. Conclusions: For a CD knowledge assessment tool to be suitable for use, it needs to be well designed, tested, and generalisable. No papers identified satisfied all requirements, thus highlighting a need to develop an appropriate tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a need for valid and reliable measures of determinants of sustainability of public health interventions in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric and pragmatic properties of such a measure – the Integrated Measure of PRogram Element SuStainability in Childcare Settings (IMPRESS-C). Methods: We undertook a two-phase process guided by the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments checklist (COSMIN) and Psychometric and Pragmatic Evidence Rating Scale (PAPERS). Phase 1 involved measure development; i.e., determining items and scales through an iterative process and assessment of face and content validity. Phase 2 involved the evaluation of psychometric and pragmatic properties. The 29-item measure completed by service executives (directors and nominated supervisors) was embedded in a larger survey from a national sample of Australian ECEC services assessing their implementation of nutrition and physical activity programs. Structural validity, concurrent validity, known groups validity, internal consistency, floor and ceiling effects, norms, and pragmatic qualities of the measure were assessed according to the PAPERS criteria. Results: The final measure contained 26 items, with respondents reporting how strongly they agreed or disagreed on a five-point Likert scale. Phase 1 assessments confirmed the relevance, and face and content validity of the scale. In Phase 2, we obtained 482 completed surveys, of which 84% (n = 405) completed the entire measure across 405 ECEC settings (one executive per service). Three of the four fit indices for the confirmatory factor analysis met the pre-specified criteria (SRMR = 0.056, CFI = 0.993, RMSEA = 0.067) indicating 'good' structural validity. The IMPRESS-C illustrated: 'good' internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha values from 0.53 to 0.92; 'emerging' concurrent validity; 'poor' known groups validity; 'good' norms; and 'good' overall pragmatic qualities (cost, readability, length, and assessor burden). Conclusions: The IMPRESS-C possesses strong psychometric and pragmatic qualities for assessing service executive-level perceptions of determinants influencing sustainment of public health interventions within ECEC settings. To achieve a full range of perspectives in this setting, future work should be directed to also develop and test measures of sustainability determinants at the implementer level (e.g., among individual educators and staff). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Marker-based 3D motion capture systems (MBS) are considered the gold standard in gait analysis. However, they have limitations for which markerless camera-based 3D motion capture systems (MCBS) could provide a solution. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the accuracy, validity, and reliability of MCBS and MBS. (2) Methods: A total of 2047 papers were systematically searched according to PRISMA guidelines on 7 February 2024, in two different databases: Pubmed (1339) and WoS (708). The COSMIN-tool and EBRO guidelines were used to assess risk of bias and level of evidence. (3) Results: After full text screening, 22 papers were included. Spatiotemporal parameters showed overall good to excellent accuracy, validity, and reliability. For kinematic variables, hip and knee showed moderate to excellent agreement between the systems, while for the ankle joint, poor concurrent validity and reliability were measured. The accuracy and concurrent validity of walking speed were considered excellent in all cases, with only a small bias. The meta-analysis of the inter-rater reliability and concurrent validity of walking speed, step time, and step length resulted in a good-to-excellent intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (0.81; 0.98). (4) Discussion and conclusions: MCBS are comparable in terms of accuracy, concurrent validity, and reliability to MBS in spatiotemporal parameters. Additionally, kinematic parameters for hip and knee in the sagittal plane are considered most valid and reliable but lack valid and accurate measurement outcomes in transverse and frontal planes. Customization and standardization of methodological procedures are necessary for future research to adequately compare protocols in clinical settings, with more attention to patient populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the analysis of the state of knowledge about the impact of the human factor on selected aspects of reliability of technical systems based on selected papers delivered at the ESREL 2018 conference, which took place on June 17-22, 2018 in Trondheim, Norway. In the first part, statistical analysis was carried out in the area of thematic and methodological conference papers. Next, the impact of the human factor on the correct functioning of selected technical systems was discussed, using conference papers on the role of man in ensuring an appropriate level of cyber security, the role of expert knowledge in risk assessment, and innovative risk management methods. In summary, challenges for scientists were identified and further research directions in the analysed area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Phonological Working Memory (PWM) plays an essential role in many cognitive functions, such as language acquisition. Impaired PWM can result in learning disability. Therefore, the existence of a standard test for the assessment of this ability, especially in children, is vital. Evidence suggests that the Non-Word Repetition (NWR) task is a good representative of PWM competence. This study aimed to normalize the NWR test for Farsispeaking children. Also, we aimed at assessing the external reliability of this test. Materials and Methods: The NWR test, including main and parallel tests, was performed on 455 typically-developed children in five age groups ranging from four to nine years old. We attempted to have an almost equal number of participants in different socio-economic status groups and sexes. Results: We found a remarkable relationship between the main and parallel test results (P≤0.001). There was a direct relationship between age and NWR performance in the main (P≤0.001) and the parallel (P≤0.001) tests. Also, boys obtained better total scores in the main (P=0.002) and the parallel (P≤0.001) tests. Conclusion: The test has high external reliability. The results showed non-word repetition ability increased with age. The reported standard scores and normative data can be used for screening and assessing PWM among children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms serve as a dynamic platform for diverse missions, including communication relays, search and rescue operations, and environmental monitoring. The success of these operations crucially depends on the resilience of their electrical support systems, especially in terms of battery management. This paper examines the reliability of electrical support for UAV swarms engaged in missions that require prioritization into high and low categories. The paper proposes a dynamic resource allocation strategy that permits the flexible reassignment of drones across different-priority tasks, ensuring continuous operation while optimizing resource use. By leveraging the Markov chain theory, an analytical model for the evaluation of the resilience of the battery management system under different operational scenarios was developed. The paper quantitatively assesses the impact of different operational strategies and battery management approaches on the overall system resilience and mission efficacy. This approach aims to ensure uninterrupted service delivery for critical tasks while optimizing the overall utilization of available electrical resources. Through modeling and analytical evaluations, the paper quantifies the impact of various parameters and operating strategies on overall system resilience and mission availability, considering the utilization strategies of batteries and their reliability and maintenance metrics. The developed models and strategies can inform the development of robust battery management protocols, resource allocation algorithms, and mission planning frameworks, ultimately enhancing the operational availability and effectiveness of UAV swarms in critical special missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objectives of the study were to develop web-based Spanish and Catalan versions of the EQ-5D-Y, and to compare scores and psychometric properties with the paper version. Methods: Web-based and paper versions of EQ-5D-Y were included in a cross-sectional study in Palafolls (Barcelona), Spain and administered to students (n = 923) aged 8 to 18 years from 2 primary and 1 secondary school and their parents. All students completed both the web-based and paper versions during school time with an interval of at least 2 h between administrations. The order of administration was randomized. Participants completed EQ-5D-Y, a measure of mental health status (the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), and sociodemographic variables using a self-administered questionnaire. Parents questionnaire included parental level of education and presence of chronic conditions in children. Missing values, and floor and ceiling effects were compared between versions. Mean score differences were computed for the visual analogue scale (VAS). Percentage of agreement, kappa index (k) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were computed to analyze the level of agreement between web-based and paper versions on EQ-5D-Y dimensions and VAS. Known groups validity was analyzed and compared between the two formats. Results: Participation rate was 77 % (n = 715). Both formats of EQ-5D-Y showed low percentages of missing values (n = 2, and 4 to 9 for web and paper versions respectively), and a high ceiling effect by dimension (range from 79 % to 96 %). Percent agreement for EQ-5D-Y dimensions on the web and paper versions was acceptable (range 89 % to 97 %), and k ranged from 0.55 (0.48-0.61, usual activities dimension) to 0.75 (0.68-0.82, mobility dimension). Mean score difference on the VAS was 0.07, and the ICC for VAS scores on the two formats was 0.84 (0.82-0.86). Both formats showed acceptable ability to discriminate according to self-perceived health, reporting chronic conditions, and mental health status. Conclusions: The digital EQ-5D-Y showed almost identical VAS scores and acceptable levels of agreement on dimensions. Both formats demonstrated acceptable levels of construct validity. Availability of the Spanish and Catalan web-version will facilitate its use in HRQOL assessment and in economic evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequency domain spectroscopy (FDS) is widely used to diagnose the condition of transformer oil–paper insulation. However, FDS measurements are highly temperature dependent. The master curve technique is the most common method to remove the temperature effect on FDS, but the reliability of this method is largely dependent on the value of the activation energy, which can be affected by moisture content and thermal degradation degree. To understand the effects of these two factors on the activation energy, FDS measurements at different temperatures were performed on oil‐impregnated pressboards with different thermal degradation degrees and moisture contents. The activation energies of the pressboards were calculated using the Arrhenius equation. Results show that they vary between 0.88 and 1.06 eV along with thermal degradation degree and moisture. The two‐way ANOVA indicates that the effects of these two factors on activation energy are not significant at 95% confidence level when the degree of polymerisation (DP) changes from 415 to 1300 and when the moisture does not exceed 4%. The average activation energy (0.95 eV) can be utilised to generalise the Arrhenius equation to better eliminate the temperature effects. Finally, FDS measurements on a model transformer are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyses the state of the issue related to the reliability of power supply for selected electronic security systems employed in buildings and over vast areas constituting so-called state critical infrastructure. The authors conducted operational tests covering power supply systems, developed power supply system models, executed a functional safety reliability analysis for such technical facilities, and worked out graphs, as well as drew conclusions arising from the conducted computer simulation. The article also contains element (fuse) redundancy tests, which are the fundamental components of each security system power supply device. In addition, the operation process analysis covering power supply devices functioning within a given environment was conducted for selected representative electronic security systems operated in buildings. Analysis results enabled determining basic operation process indices for selected power supply systems, i.e., failure rate λ and recovery rate μ. Then, reliability models for devices powering electronic security systems were developed, and a computer simulation to work out reliability parameters was conducted for the determined operation process indices (λ, μ). Basic reliability indices for electronic security systems responsible for the life, health and property accumulated within the buildings and vast areas in question were determined for power supply models developed this way. Data for reliability computer simulations were developed on the basis of proprietary system tests. The authors also tested selected activation times of redundant components protecting power supplies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method of equipment demonstration AoA method considering RMS factors. It puts forward the equipment demonstration AoA framework, and elaborates equipment demonstration AoA measure system. It analyses the RMS and cost factors, and establishes their quantitative models. An AoA model based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and an application example are given to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an estimation of the multicomponent stress-strength reliability is introduced subject to the exponentiated generalized inverse Rayleigh distribution. Different methods of estimation are introduced to estimate the multicomponent stress-strength reliability. Simulation method is introduced to illustrate the steps of finding the estimates of the multicomponent stress-strength reliability. Asymptotic and bootstrap confidence intervals are proposed in order to find interval estimations for the multicomponent stress-strength reliability. A Bayesian estimation method is introduced for the multicomponent stress-strength reliability. A simulation study is introduced to obtain the estimates of the multicomponent stress-strength reliability for the different methods of estimation. A real data application is introduced to show how the exponentiated generalized inverse Rayleigh distribution is used to fit the real data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphics processing units (GPUs) are the reference architecture to accelerate high-performance computing applications and the training/interference of convolutional neural networks. For both these domains, performance and reliability are two of the main constraints. It is believed that the only way to increase reliability is to sacrifice performance, e.g., using redundancies. We show in this paper that this is not always the case. As a very promising result, we found that most GPUs performance improvements also bring the benefit of increasing the number of executions correctly completed before experiencing a silent data corruption (SDC). We consider four different common GPUs' performance optimizations: architectural solutions, software implementations, compiler optimizations, and threads degree of parallelism. We compare different implementations of a variety of parallel codes and, through beam experiments and applications profiling, we show that the performance improvement typically (but not necessarily) increases the GPU SDC rate. Nevertheless, for the vast majority of the configurations the performance gain is much higher than the SDC rate increase, allowing to process a higher amount of correct data. As we show, the programmer choices can increase up to 25 × the number of correctly completed executions without redesigning the algorithm nor including specific hardening solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at estimating the life of extruded HVDC cable insulation subjected to fast and slow voltage polarity reversals (VPRs). An ad hoc MATLAB code is used for the transient electric field simulation in the cable insulation thickness by solving numerically Gauss, ohm, and current continuity equations beside a macroscopic conductivity equation. A transient temperature is also considered during slow VPR transients. The results show a significant localized reduction in the life of the inner insulation, making the life distribution non-monotonous inside the insulation thickness. The results show that fast VPRs are the most stressing transients in this study. The longer the duration of the zero-voltage period in slow VPR, the less stressed the insulation, hence, the longer the local life in the inner insulation of the cable. The latter is justified by the charge relaxation during slow VPRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of life distributions has increased over the past decade, receiving particular attention in recent years, both from a practical and theoretical point of view. Life distributions can be used in a number of applied fields, such as medicine, biology, public health, epidemiology, engineering, economics, and demography. This paper presents and investigates a new life distribution. The proposed model shows favorable characteristics in terms of reliability theory, which makes it competitive against other commonly used life distributions, such as the exponential, gamma, and Weibull distributions. The methods of maximum likelihood and moments are used to estimate the parameters of the proposed model. Additionally, real-life data drawn from different fields are used to illustrate the usefulness of the new distribution. Further, the R programming language is used to perform all computations and produce all graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spare transformers (STs) are required at every distribution substation to guarantee reliability in those substations. In the absence of an ST in a substation, an error in a working transformer may disrupt the load connected to it. On the other hand, the presence of an ST at every substation is costly. Hence, the present paper will address the location of STs. Three methods are used for this purpose: the Euclidean distance, the square of the Euclidean distance, and the orthogonal distance. The objective is to find a location to minimize the determined total cost function. Furthermore, the storage locations of spare and mobile transformers are assumed to be the same but can also be considered different. In determining the optimal location of STs, factors such as transformer aging level, preventive repairs, random errors, and aging-induced errors will be deemed to enable modeling and managing the uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates In 0. 7 Ga 0. 3 As/Ga 0. 5 As 0. 5 Sb-based Heterojunction Tunnel Field Effect Transistor with ferroelectric dielectric as stack layer, namely Ferroelectric Dual Material Stacked Double Gate Heterojunction TFET (FDMSDG-HJTFET) for the first time for performance and reliability. Ferroelectric gate dielectric has been inculcated in the device design in addition to the doping of Ga 0. 5 As 0. 5 Sb in the source region and In 0. 7 Ga 0. 3 As in the drain region, respectively. The performance of the proposed device is quantified in terms of DC electrical parameters and short channel parameters. The reliability analysis of the proposed device has been carried out in terms of influence of variations of interface trap charges, gate-source overlap length and temperature on the device transfer characteristics. From the simulation results, it can be manifested that the proposed device presents superior DC electrical characteristic and reduced short channel effects as compared to the GaSb/Si Dual Material Stacked Double Gate Heterojunction TFET (GaSb/Si DMSDG-HJTFET), under the influence of group III–V materials and ferroelectric gate dielectric. In addition to this, the proposed device depicts elevated immunity to presence of interface trap charges at the interface, variations in gate-source overlap length and temperature variations as well. The implication of TiO2 as dielectric stack over SiO2 provides exceptional capacitive coupling at the interface and thus assists in the improvement of electrical characteristics of the device by enhancing the electric field. The outcome of the simulation results presents that Ga 0. 5 As 0. 5 Sb/In 0. 7 Ga 0. 3 As-based Ferroelectric Dual Material Stacked Double Gate Heterojunction TFET (FDMSDG-HJTFET) can prove to be a competitive alternative for high performance applications with improved reliability. The design and simulation of the proposed device structure has been executed using technology computer-aided design (TCAD) tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degradation of the cutting tool and its optimal replacement is a major problem in machining given the variability in this degradation even under constant cutting conditions. Therefore, monitoring the degradation of cutting tools is an important part of the process in order to replace the tool at the optimal time and thus reduce operating costs. In this paper, a cutting tool degradation monitoring technique is proposed using bootstrap-based artificial neural networks. Different indicators from the turning operation are used as input to the approach: the RMS value of the cutting force and torque, the machining duration, and the total machined length. They are used by the approach to estimate the size of the flank wear (VB). Different neural networks are tested but the best results are achieved with an architecture containing two hidden layers: the first one containing six neurons with a Tanh activation function and the second one containing six neurons with an ReLu activation function. The novelty of the approach makes it possible, by using the bootstrap approach, to determine a confidence interval around the prediction. The results show that the networks are able to accurately track the degradation and detect the end of life of the cutting tools in a timely manner, but also that the confidence interval allows an estimate of the possible variation of the prediction to be made, thus helping in the decision for optimal tool replacement policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reliability and availability of a Jet Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (JUAV) for balloon downing are evaluated in this third part of the paper. The paper delves into the challenges faced by traditional air defence systems in countering high-altitude balloons, leading to the proposal of substituting missiles with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), specifically the Jet Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (JUAV). The best solution found in the previous section is a derivation of the 1:6 scale RC model of the Lockheed F104C. This is designed for balloon downing, and the essay meticulously analyses its reliability, failure probabilities, and maintenance strategies for various subsystems. The engine is replaced with a more powerful micro-jet, and an 84 mm recoilless cannon is added at the base of the tail. The scaled-down model can use most data derived from the full-scale airplane flight manual, corrected for larger thrust-to-weight and lower wing-loading. Several adjustments and additions are made on sensors, autopilot, On-Line Diagnostic System, communication system, and firing system to increase the reliability of the system. Due to the relatively short design life of the RC model, the Time Between Overhaul (TBO) of the UAV is reduced to 25 h. Consequently, the study emphasizes the importance of simplicity, operational reliability, and adaptability in the development and assessment of modern missile defence systems. The reliability of the JUAVI is presented as 98.14% for 50 consecutive fully automatic missions, highlighting its potential significance in bolstering national security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The suspension system of the maglev train will inevitably be disturbed by random factors such as track irregularities, which will cause random vibration of the train and even affect the safety of the train. Therefore, the research on the response and reliability of suspension system under random disturbance is crucial to its safe operation. In this paper, the response and the reliability of a suspension system are investigated using the theory and methods of stochastic dynamics. First, the magnetic gap and vertical velocity of the suspension system are random due to the random disturbance. Thus, the stochastic response is investigated through the probability density function (PDF), which is governed by the Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov (FPK) equation corresponding to suspension system. And the response statistics of the suspension system under different system parameters and disturbance intensities are analyzed by solving the corresponding FPK equation using the finite difference (FD) method. Second, random disturbance may lead to the vibration amplitude of the suspension system exceeding the safety domain and causing safety incident, which is a reliability problem in stochastic dynamical systems. The probability that response is still in the safety domain at a given time is the reliability function of the suspension system, which is governed by the backward Kolmogorov equation. The time that the response first passes through the safety domain is the first-passage time, and its n-order moment satisfies the generalized Pontryagin equation. Reliability of the suspension system is analyzed by solving these governing equations using the FD method. In addition, the results of the FD method in this paper are verified with those of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, which shows the correctness of FD method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main tenets of Gricean pragmatics is the distinction between what is said and what is implicated; that is, between truth-conditional and non-truth-conditional meaning. The main contribution of post-Gricean pragmatics was a new definition of what is said as a pragmatic and truth-conditional meaning (Carston, 2002; Recanati, 2010; Moeschler, 2018a). However, implicated meaning (mainly conversational implicature) is still defined as non-truth-conditional because it is cancellable without contradiction. The main consequence is that a speaker can deny having intended her implicature, which results in the hearer having no guarantee of the truthfulness of his inference. This paper explores the relationship between truth and pragmatic implicated meaning and posits that the assessment of a truth value of an inference is a crucial step in the comprehension process. To demonstrate this hypothesis, the paper develops a relevance-based approach to inference, which is coupled with Kahneman's dual cognitive system. I argue that the triggering of an inference is an intuitive and automatic process controlled by System 1, whereas its assessment as a true or false assumption is controlled by System 2. In other words, System 2 is responsible for what is defined in relevance theory as epistemic vigilance. • Explaining the dissociation of the inferential process from the assignment of a truth value to the inferred conclusion. • Assigning the inferential task to Kahneman's System 1, and the task of determining truth value to his System 2. • Fake news is assigned the truth value 'true' because it is compatible with the common ground. • The detection of fake news requires the intervention of System 2, which compares the proposition with the common ground. • Debunking fake news is only possible if an alternative common ground is accessible to the audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of space charge is a serious threat to the reliability of insulation material under voltage polarity reversal. The results of space charge evolution in oil-paper insulation during external voltage polarity inverse at room temperature were presented in this paper. A mirror image effect charge was observed in the steady state, but the formation of it was affected by the first polarizing, which could cause a change of electrical property. The results showed that the mirror image effect was independent of the involved nature, type and dynamics of charge. Experiments of different reversal polarities and periods indicated that the slow decay of heterocharge retained from previous homocharge injection was the cause of electric field enhancement. And the reversal period therefore had an effect on voltage polarity reversal, namely the shorter the reverse period, the higher the stress enhancement. The reliability of oil-paper insulation could be influenced by the polarity reversal because charge injection and distribution were unpredictable, and space charge modified and in return was affected by the field as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reliability of multiprocessor systems is now a crucial concern in parallel computing, which can be characterized as connectivity and diagnosability. The s-extra connectivity (s-EC) κ s (G) of a network G is the minimum number of nodes whose deletion disconnects the network G, and every remaining component has no less than s + 1 nodes. The s-extra diagnosability (s-ED) t s (G) of a network G is the maximum cardinality of faulty nodes that can be identified, given that each remaining component has at least s + 1 nodes. This paper investigates the s-EC and s-ED of the complete cubic network CCN(n). Specifically, we initially demonstrate that the s-EC of CCN(n) is κ s (C C N (n)) = (s + 1) (n + 1) - s (s + 3) 2 for n ≥ 3 and 0 ≤ s ≤ n - 2 . Subsequently, we demonstrate that the s-ED under the PMC model is t s (C C N (n)) = (s + 1) (n + 1) - s (s + 3) 2 + s for n ≥ 3 and 1 ≤ s ≤ n - 2 . Similarly, under the MM* model, the s-ED is t s (C C N (n)) = (s + 1) (n + 1) - s (s + 3) 2 + s for n ≥ 6 and 1 ≤ s ≤ n - 2 4 . Finally, we conduct simulation experiments, and the results indicate that the s-EC consistently surpasses other known connectivities, including classical connectivity and s-component connectivity. Additionally, the s-ED consistently outperforms classical diagnosability and s-component diagnosability of CCN(n). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Little is known about the reliability of different methods of survey administration in low back pain trials. This analysis was designed to determine the reliability of responses to self-administered paper surveys compared to computer assisted telephone interviews (CATI) for the primary outcomes of pain intensity and back-related function, and secondary outcomes of patient satisfaction, SF-36, and global improvement among participants enrolled in a study of yoga for chronic low back pain. Results Pain intensity, back-related function, and both physical and mental health components of the SF-36 showed excellent reliability at all three time points; ICC scores ranged from 0.82 to 0.98. Pain medication use showed good reliability; kappa statistics ranged from 0.68 to 0.78. Patient satisfaction had moderate to excellent reliability; ICC scores ranged from 0.40 to 0.86. Global improvement showed poor reliability at 6 weeks (ICC = 0.24) and 12 weeks (ICC = 0.10). Conclusion CATI shows excellent reliability for primary outcomes and at least some secondary outcomes when compared to self-administered paper surveys in a low back pain yoga trial. Having two reliable options for data collection may be helpful to increase response rates for core outcomes in back pain trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of multiprocessor systems, the evaluation of interconnection network reliability holds utmost significance, both in terms of design and maintenance. The intricate nature of these systems calls for a systematic assessment of reliability metrics, among which, two metrics emerge as vital: connectivity and diagnosability. The R g -conditional connectivity is the minimum number of processors whose deletion will disconnect the multiprocessor system and every processor has at least g fault-free neighbors. The R g -conditional diagnosability is a novel generalized conditional diagnosability, which is the maximum number of faulty processors that can be identified under the condition that every processor has no less than g fault-free neighbors. In this paper, we first investigate the R g -conditional connectivity of generalized exchanged X-cubes G E X (s , t) and present the lower (upper) bounds of the R g -conditional diagnosability of G E X (s , t) under the PMC model. Applying our results, the R g -conditional connectivity and the lower (upper) bounds of R g -conditional diagnosability of generalized exchanged hypercubes, generalized exchanged crossed cubes, and locally generalized exchanged twisted cubes under the PMC model are determined. Our comparative analysis highlights the superiority of R g -conditional diagnosability, showcasing its effectiveness in guiding reliability studies across a diverse set of networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of reliability and stress–strength parameters is important in the manufacturing industry. In this paper, we develop shrinkage-type estimators for the reliability and stress–strength parameters based on progressively censored data from a rich class of distributions. These new estimators improve the performance of the commonly used Maximum Likelihood Estimators (MLEs) by reducing their mean squared errors. We provide analytical asymptotic and bootstrap confidence intervals for the targeted parameters. Through a detailed simulation study, we demonstrate that the new estimators have better performance than the MLEs. Finally, we illustrate the application of the new methods to two industrial data sets, showcasing their practical relevance and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A companion robot is capable of performing a variety of activities and thus supporting the elderly and people with disabilities. It should be able to overcome obstacles on its own, respond to what is happening around it in real time, and communicate with its surroundings. It is particularly important to pay attention to these issues, as a companion robot is likely to become a participant in traffic. The research aims to develop a mathematical model that considers the use of two navigation solutions in the companion robot. Thanks to this, it will be possible to use the obtained mathematical relationships to compare various types of navigation and make a rational choice, enabling the implementation of the assumed activities in a specific external environment. What is new in this paper is the analysis of several navigation methods and the presentation of research conducted in real time using an actual robot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK-GNSS) is currently the premier technique for achieving centimeter-level accuracy quickly and easily. However, the robustness of RTK-GNSS diminishes in challenging environments due to severe multipath effects and a limited number of available GNSS signals. This is a pressing issue, especially for GNSS users in the navigation industry. This paper proposes and evaluates several methodologies designed to overcome these issues by enhancing the availability and reliability of RTK-GNSS solutions in urban environments. Our novel approach involves the integration of conventional methods with a new technique that leverages surplus satellites—those not initially used for positioning—to more reliably detect incorrect fix solutions. We conducted three tests in densely built-up areas within the Tokyo region. The results demonstrate that our approach not only surpasses the fix rate of the latest commercial receivers and a popular open-source RTK-GNSS program but also improves positional reliability to levels comparable to or exceeding those of the aforementioned commercial technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity is becoming the most important resource for environmental development. Hence, Global warming has led to the acceptance of electric vehicles as the most efficient alter- native to internal combustion engines. The growing number of electric vehicles on the road cannot be charged by conventional fossil fuel power grids because they are neither economical nor efficient. Hybrid power systems for charging stations are the main source of charge for electric vehicles. Here hybrid involves two energy sources, namely wind and solar. Therefore, this paper aims to optimize the cost and reliability of the Hybrid Wind-Solar Power Charging Station for Electric Vehicles (HWSCSEV). Solar energy is converted into electric power by solar panels, and wind energy is converted into electric power by wind turbines with optimum reliability and minimum cost. A few recent metaheuristics techniques, such as the Osprey Optimization Algorithm (OOA), Pelican Optimization Algorithm (POA), Skill Optimization Algorithm (SOA), Velocity Pausing Particle Swarm Optimization (VPPSO) are successfully used for the cost and reliability calculation of the proposed model. Furthermore, the obtained results of these techniques are contrasted with each other outcomes for the best reliability and cost of the HWSCSEV. Finally, algorithms are effectively analyzed based on convergence rate, computational time, Friedman ranking test, and statistical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a special issue of the journal Nonlinear Studies, featuring interdisciplinary perspectives in applied mathematics. It includes articles on consumer behavior, diffusion of innovation, numerical methods, game theory, and optimization, covering domains such as engineering, management, and physics. The papers have undergone peer review and offer original and high-quality research. The document compiles research contributions on reliability analysis, mathematical modeling, differential equations, and optimization problems, with references for further exploration. The authors express gratitude to the contributors and reviewers for their valuable contributions. [Extracted from the article]

The elasticity of the distribution network indicates the ability of the system to restore its original state after interference, and the frequent occurrence of natural disasters requires that the distribution network can not only operate reliably under normal conditions, and but also maintain the necessary capabilities for extreme disasters. Accordingly, a reliability evaluation method of elastic distribution network based on fault incidence matrix(FIM)was proposed in this paper. With FIM, the explicit analytical calculation of the reliability, elasticity and power supply capacity of the distribution system can be achieved by using simplified matrix algebra and Boolean operation, which saves the repetitive search work of fault enumeration in the evaluation process, and the calculation time, and can be applied to the complex structure of the distribution network and easy to expand. The final results show that the calculation time of the proposed method is only about 0.055s, which is reduced by 87% and 75% respectively compared with that of the fault diffusion algorithm and the block algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large number of post-tensioned concrete bridges were built in the second half of the last century. They have often been insufficiently maintained during their lifetime (usually around 50 years). Nowadays, these structures exhibit significant deterioration, mainly due to leakages and also due to various other deficiencies such as a small concrete cover. Their load-bearing capacity needs to be verified. This paper focuses on estimating the load-bearing capacity calculation of existing post-tensioned concrete bridges. In the engineering practice, this is carried out using the partial factor method according to the currently valid standards (Czech standards ČSN and the Eurocodes), which often impose more stringent requirements than the original standards. The partial factor method then often leads to low load-bearing capacities. This study deals with the bridge for which a very low load-bearing capacity has been determined. For this reason, a comparative probabilistic analysis was performed, allowing for a better description of the uncertainties in the resistance and load effect variables. The probabilistic approach appears to be less conservative and yields a higher load-bearing capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Railway infrastructure is generally classified as either fixed or movable infrastructure assets. Failure in any of the assets could lead to the complete shutdown and disruption of the entire system, economic loss, inconvenience to passengers and the train operating company(s), and can sometimes result in death or injury in the event of the derailment of the rolling stock. Considering the importance of the railway infrastructure assets, it is only necessary to continuously explore their behavior, reliability, and safety. In this paper, a proactive multi-criteria decision-making model that is based on an interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy set and some reliability quantitative parameters has been proposed for the evaluation of the reliability of the infrastructure assets. Results from the evaluation show that the failure mode 'Broken and defective rails' has the most risk and reliability concerns. Hence, priority should be given to the failure mode to avoid a total system collapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) is a research hotspot in medium-voltage and high-voltage applications. The measurement offset error would cause an increase in the monitoring error of the submodule (SM) capacitance of the MMC, affecting the estimation accuracy of the SM capacitance monitoring. This paper proposes a capacitor monitoring strategy based on the offset error compensation, where two reasonable capacitor monitoring periods are selected in one fundamental period under the proposed voltage-balancing control (VBC) based on the virtual capacitor voltage (VCV) to compensate for the offset error impact on the capacitance monitoring. The proposed strategy can effectively eliminate the offset error impact on the capacitance monitoring, which ensures the accuracy of the SM capacitance monitoring in the MMCs. The effectiveness of the proposed monitoring strategy is confirmed by the simulations and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of teaching can be an essential driver for curriculum development. Instruments for teaching evaluation are not only used for the purpose of quality assurance but also in the context of medical education research. Therefore, they must meet the common requirements for reliability and validity. This position paper from the GMA Teaching Evaluation Committee discusses strategic and methodological aspects of evaluation in the context of undergraduate medical education and related courses; and formulates recommendations for the further development of evaluation. First, a four-step approach to the design and implementation of evaluations is presented, then methodological and practical aspects are discussed in more detail. The focus here is on target and confounding variables, survey instruments as well as aspects of implementation and data protection. Finally, possible consequences from evaluation data for the four dimensions of teaching quality (structural and procedural aspects, teachers and outcomes) are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testing and reliability assessment are crucial aspects when considering the thermal domain's influence on the overall system. Thermal interactions occur between all subsystems, and their separation can disrupt internal thermal interactions, altering temperature profiles. Evaluating functional system reliability requires accounting for the thermal domain's impact on temperature-dependent performance and thermal damage limits. However, testing faces challenges due to the lack of a suitable thermal coupling system capable of transferring thermal interactions by heat conduction between spatially separated subsystems. To address this issue, this paper introduces a thermal coupling system that focuses on the control system and its validation through experimental studies. Two scenarios were investigated: (I) the original assembly situation with direct heat transfer between two subsystems, and (II) a spatially separated scenario utilizing the thermal coupling system to establish heat transfer between the subsystems. The evaluation variables are the temperature curves and the deviations between the two scenarios. Two different tests with a different amount of heat flows are carried out. The thermal coupling system utilizes thermal actuators, specifically Peltier devices, to ensure a zero temperature difference between the original contact points. The control system employs both closed-loop and open-loop control to regulate the heat flow and achieve energy conservation between the spatially separated subsystems. The results demonstrate that the described thermal coupling system yields only slight deviations in temperature curves, indicating its applicability for early evaluation of functional system reliability. This research contributes to a better understanding of thermal interactions in complex systems and provides a valuable tool for enhancing overall system reliability through thermal testing and validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Encapsulation is a well-known impact factor on the durability of Photovoltaics (PV) modules. Currently there is a lack of understanding on the relationship between lamination process and module durability. In this paper, the effects of different lamination parameters on the encapsulant stability due to stress testing have been investigated from both on-site production quality and long-term stability viewpoints. Rather than focusing on single stability factors, this paper evaluates lamination stability using a number of indicators including EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) curing level, voids generation, chemical stability, optical stability, and adhesion strength. The influences of EVA curing level on the stability of other properties are also discussed. It is shown that laminates stability increases with increasing curing level to an upper limit, beyond which leading to the formation of voids, reduced transmittance stability, discoloration, and unstable interfaces. A minimum gel content is identified but an upper limit should not be surpassed. The best range of gel content for the materials tested here is 84–90%. Samples with gel content below 70% show low chemical and optical stability, weak adhesion strength, and EVA flowing. Laminates with gel content over 92% are more likely to become yellow and are less stable in adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the measurement equivalence of the original paper-based vertical format of the EQ-5D visual analog scale (EQ VAS) with a touch-screen computer-based horizontal format. A total of 314 subjects were administered two modes of the EQ VAS in a randomized crossover design. One mode was the original paper-based 20 cm vertical EQ VAS; the other mode was touch-screen-based. Measurement equivalence was assessed by testing the 95% confidence interval of the mean differences from an equivalence threshold of −3 to +3 points on the VAS and evaluating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The adjusted mean (SE) EQ VAS score was 80.96 (0.87) on the paper and 79.59 (0.85) on the touch-screen. The mean (CI) difference between scores on the two formats was 1.37 with a confidence interval of 0.175–2.559, wholly contained within the equivalence interval. The ICC was 0.75, indicating acceptable agreement between the two modes. Almost a third (30.1%) of the respondents reported identical scores on both formats. These results provide evidence for the measurement equivalence of this EQ VAS touch-screen administration mode with the original paper mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Availability analysis has been an important issue in the design field of any Industrial system as the system structure has become more complicated. Also, the system availability is affected by many factors such as design, manufacturing, installation, etc., and so it may be extremely difficult to model, analyze and predict the failure behavior of the system. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new approach for computing various performance measures, namely reliability, availability, MTBF (mean time between failures), ENOF (expected number of failures), failure rate and repair time, for any industrial system. In the proposed approach, the failure rates and repair times of all constituent components are obtained using genetic algorithms and then various performance measures are computed using fuzzy lambda–tau methodology. Washing system, the major part of paper industry is the subject of study. The interactions among the working components are modeled using Petri nets. Failure and repair rates are represented using triangular fuzzy numbers as they allow expert opinion, linguistic variables, operating conditions, uncertainty and imprecision in reliability information to be incorporated into system model. Based on calculated reliability parameters, a structured framework has been developed that may help the maintenance engineers to analyze and predict the system behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of this study was to test whether the web version is an alternative to the paper version of the short version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment (WHOQOL-BREF). Two studies were conducted. Study 1 used crossover self-controlled trials with 80 participants to compare the web and paper versions and to determine the test–retest reliability of the web version. Study 2 used data from 1,016 web participants to analyze the internal consistency and concurrent and construct validity of the web version. The correlations of domain scores between the web and paper versions ranged from 0.71 to 0.85. Dependent t tests showed no significant differences in domain scores between these two versions. The intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) for test–retest reliability of web version ranged from 0.79 to 0.91. The Cronbach’s α for internal consistency reliability ranged from 0.60 to 0.83. Multiple regression models indicated that the web version has good concurrent validity. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for the second-order hierarchical factor model also supported the construct validity of the web version. The web version of the WHOQOL-BREF can be the alternative to the paper version for health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we evaluated indicators of the feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Child Health Questionnaire-Child Form (CHQ-CF). We compared the results in a subgroup of adolescents who completed the standard paper version of the CHQ-CF with the results in another subgroup of adolescents who completed an internet version, i.e., an online, web-based CHQ-CF questionnaire. Under supervision at school, 1,071 adolescents were randomized to complete the CHQ-CF and items on chronic conditions by a paper questionnaire or by an internet administered questionnaire. The participation rate was 87%; age range 13–17 years. The internet administration resulted in fewer missing answers. All but one multi-item scale showed internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α > 0.70). All scales clearly discriminated between adolescents with no, a few, or many self-reported chronic conditions. The paper administration resulted in statistically significant, higher scores on 4 of 10 CHQ-CF scales compared with the internet administration ( P < 0.05), but Cohen’s effect sizes d were ≤ 0.21. Mode of administration interacted significantly with age ( P < 0.05) on four CHQ-CF scales, but Cohen’s effect sizes for these differences were also ≤ 0.21. This study supports the feasibility, internal consistency reliability of the scales, and construct validity of the CHQ-CF administered by either a paper questionnaire or online questionnaire. Given Cohen’s suggested guidelines for the interpretation of effect sizes, i.e., 0.20–0.50 indicates a small effect, differences in CHQ-CF scale scores between paper and internet administration can be considered as negligible or small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the phenomenon that conditions the durability and reliability of a type of dental bur based on the wear of the active part and with effect on its quality. For the experimental study, a conical-cylindrical dental bur and a sample dental material in cobalt–chromium alloy, cylindrical shape, tested on a specially made experimental installation were used. In this paper, the most significant parameter was considered (loss of mass, mw, through the wear of the active part of a tested dental bur), which highlights the studied wear phenomenon. This is useful for the establishment of the durability and reliability of the dental bur by the extension of the lifetime or even optimization of its operation. The wear phenomenon of the active part of dental bur is studied based on the results and experimental data obtained in the work process that was validated by interpolation and led to polynomial functions which approximate very well the dependent parameter, mw, considered in the experimental program. The results of the interpolation showed that in the first 11 h of work, the dental bur works with high efficiency (allow optimizing operation or offering new ideas for constructive solutions), after which it can be easily decommissioned; i.e., it should be replaced with a new one (establishing some possible criteria for replacing the used dental bur). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A few instruments are accessible for clinical estimation of the thoracic and lumbar curvatures. This methodical survey aims to identify the validity and reliability of noninvasive thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis measurements. Materials and Methods: This research is a literature review. The process was performed on articles in credible databases, such as Medline, Embase, AMED, CINAHL, PubMed, and Biomedical Reference Collection, Expanded, Sport Discus, Science Direct, Web of Science, searching for the terms thoracic kyphosis, lordosis, spinal curvature, lordosis and reliability, lordosis and validity, kyphosis and reliability, kyphosis and validity, test, measure, flexi curve, radiograph, spinal mouse, inclinometer, kyphometer, image processing, Cobb, during 1960 to 2020. Results: The result of the systematic search revealed that ten methods among all related papers have inclusion criteria, 3D ultrasound, Arco meter, DE Brunner's kyphometer, digital inclinometer, electro goniometer, goniometer, flexi curve angle, image processing, pantograph, and spinal mouse. Conclusion: The validity and reliability of non-invasive methods for estimating kyphosis and lordosis curvatures were indicated in 26 papers. Based on the current little evidence, noninvasive procedures have high to very high reliability and moderate to high validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/purpose Reliability and availability are important especially for military, medical, and other professional equipment. Reliability and availability management and/or prognostic reliability calculations have always been data driven. This article focuses on the analysis of the data impact on reliability and availability. Methods: This research is based mostly on the articles published by the author of this work as well as on some other papers. Results: This paper results in a discussion on the definition of the datadriven concept, preceded by brief definitions of reliability and availability, and followed by the analysis of the main impacts of uncertain data on prognostic reliability calculations as well as by reliability and availability of data used in reliability calculations. Conclusions: Reliability and availability are still very important. Reliability and availability have always been data driven while valid and relevant data have always been the main problem. Without good data, prognostic reliability is useless in spite of a good reliability model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]