Search Results (1,796)

At performance venues, a well-recognized factor-shaping sound quality is surface scattering. However, how scattering coefficients relate to auditory perception remains underexplored. This study mapped surface scattering coefficients to listening preferences under numerous conditions. Specifically, it used traditional Mongolian instruments in two simulated environments: a theater-type space and a rectangular performance space. Impulse responses were generated under four scattering coefficients (0.1, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9) and convolved with dry recordings to produce experimental audio samples. Forty-eight participants of varying musical expertise completed paired-comparison listening tests to identify preferred coefficients. The results showed that a scattering coefficient of 0.6 consistently yielded the highest preference across spatial, surface, listener, and tempo variations. Side-wall scattering had a stronger perceptual impact than ceiling scattering, and listener expertise significantly influenced preference. Non-professionals favored lower scattering values, while instrumental specialists preferred moderate-to-high diffusion. This study provides empirical evidence and design guidance for optimizing acoustic diffusion in theaters and auditoriums. Full article

The incorporation of digital music into the reform of education has become one of the primary methods to improve educational outcomes, increase creativity, and innovate the practices in the classroom. This combination, together with the close industry–academia cooperation, presents the possibilities to integrate educational strategies in accordance with the technological and creative demands of the contemporary world. Nevertheless, uncertainty, reluctance, symmetry, and subjectivity in expert ratings are significant problems to cope with when considering multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM). To resolve them, this paper suggests a Picture Fuzzy Faire Un Choix Adequat (PF-FUCA) decision support model, where fifteen options will be rated by seven criteria, depending on the contribution of four professional decision-makers. These findings indicate that the PF-FUCA framework is effective and superior to the current PF-MCDM models, as illustrated by sensitivity and comparison analysis. The identified best strategies based on the framework are blockchain-based music copyright education and integrated music–STEM platforms that, when combined, offer a viable policy instrument to policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders. Full article

The development of sustainable smart cities is closely linked to the implementation of artificial intelligence in urban services, which opens up new possibilities for efficient resource management, improving the quality of life and strengthening the participation of citizens. At the same time, the question arises as to how legal and strategic frameworks can support the use of artificial intelligence in a way that contributes to environmental, social and economic sustainability in line with the objectives of the European Union. The aim of this scientific study is to examine the interdisciplinary use of artificial intelligence, data management and sustainability at the European Union level, including support instruments such as regulatory initiatives and funding programs, and to assess their implementation in relation to smart cities. Methodologically, the research is based on a legal analysis of key European and national documents, supplemented by descriptive statistics and visualizations of indicators of digitalization and urban sustainability. In the scientific study, we use the methods of synthesis, comparison and abstraction. The results suggest that the legislative and support framework of the European Union can be a significant impetus for the transformation of individual smart cities, but requires effective coordination and strategic management at the level of local governments. The research highlights the need for an integrated legal-managerial approach that will enable the full use of the potential of artificial intelligence in supporting sustainable urban development of cities. Full article

This study presents a rigorous experimental investigation of in-cabin acoustic comfort across a heterogeneous set of road and special-purpose vehicles. Interior noise measurements were conducted on a total of 35 vehicles, comprising five vehicles from each of seven operational categories, grouped according to RNTR-2 regulations into three distinct vehicle classes: N1, N2, and N2G. The adopted research methodology ensures a unified, phenomenological, and experimental approach to the assessment of interior vehicle acoustics, enabling consistent data acquisition and comparative analysis across vehicle classes. Measurements were performed under both stationary and dynamic operating conditions using Class 1 precision instrumentation. The experimental results reveal systematic differences in acoustic performance between vehicle classes. While N1 and N2 vehicles generally comply with recommended comfort thresholds, N2G special-purpose vehicles exhibit significantly elevated interior noise levels, reaching up to 90 dBA during dynamic operation, together with increased variability at higher engine regimes. These findings highlight the influence of vehicle architecture, operational conditions, and mission-oriented design constraints on vibro-acoustic behavior. Passive noise control solutions based on advanced sound-absorbing and sound-insulating materials were further evaluated, demonstrating interior noise reductions of up to 10 dBA. The scientific contribution of this work lies in the establishment of a unified, reproducible methodology that enables direct cross-category comparison of in-cabin acoustic comfort while explicitly integrating special-purpose vehicles into a comfort-oriented analytical paradigm. By moving beyond regulatory compliance toward a multidimensional interpretation of acoustic comfort, the study provides a robust foundation for vehicle design optimization and supports the future development of dedicated comfort assessment standards. Full article

The largest survey to date of behavioral management practices among facilities breeding and housing nonhuman primates (NHPs) for research was conducted from 2019 to 2020. Its primary objective was to analyze and compare practices across the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (US), identify regional differences, and highlight opportunities for refinement. Detailed information was captured on the management of NHPs at 49 facilities in these regions. Most respondents reported the number of NHPs at their institutions, which totaled 50,842. The findings suggest large variation in NHP behavioral management practices between world regions. Facilities in the UK and EU are at the forefront of best practice in many components of behavioral management. These involve the proportion of NHP populations housed socially, the age at which infants are removed from dams, the provision of pen enclosures, caging exceeding the regulatory/accreditation minimum floor space, and destructible enrichment (including floor substrates). Comparisons with the results of previous surveys conducted in the US in 2003 and 2014 show positive changes and progress over time, including a greater proportion of facilities providing access to exercise enclosures with more frequent implementation. Some previously reported impediments to social housing involving clinical and staffing constraints as well as scientific instrumentation eased over time. While there were increases in the use of social housing for some species, there was no increase across all species over the six-year interval since 2014. The proportion of US facilities providing destructible enrichment for caged NHPs remained the same. Importantly, overall, the data demonstrate that, with knowledge transfer and sufficient resources, perceived constraints on key elements of behavioral management can be overcome to improve NHP welfare and facilitate good science. The findings have been used to identify and discuss recommendations for best practice to improve animal welfare. Full article

Background: Low-cost particulate matter sensors have enabled new opportunities for exposure monitoring but require evaluation before application in epidemiological studies. This study assessed the performance of the SPS30 sensor integrated into the ARMIE portable monitoring sensor-node under controlled laboratory conditions. Methods: Sensors were co-located with two comparison instruments—the optical DustTrak photometer and the combined Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS)—across multiple aerosol sources, including candle burning, cooking, cigarette smoke, and clean air, under both regular and high-humidity conditions. Calibration performance was evaluated using leave-one-sensor-out and leave-one-source-out approaches. Results: The ARMIE node demonstrated strong agreement with the DustTrak (r = 0.93–0.98) and maintained linear response characteristics across emission types. Calibration reduced mean errors and narrowed the limits of agreement. Agreement with the SMPS + APS was moderate (r = 0.74–0.94) and characterized by systematic underestimation at higher concentrations. Conclusions: Overall, the ARMIE node achieved high correlation with the DustTrak, demonstrating that low-cost optical sensors can reliably capture temporal variability in particle concentrations relative to mid-cost photometers. Full article

This article examines the configuration of carceral Islam in Algeria as an instrument of moral governance and civic re-education. Drawing on a multi-year qualitative investigation conducted within several research projects and framed by a comparative Maghrebi perspective, the study analyses how imam and Murshidat contribute to the construction of an “administered religion,” in which spiritual authority is translated into institutional competence and a tool of moral regulation. Through the examination of institutional sources, interviews, and field observations, the research shows how faith becomes a language of discipline, how Tawba (moral and spiritual repentance) is converted into a form of moral capital, and how spirituality functions as a technology of civic conformity. The Algerian prison thus emerges as a laboratory of religious governmentality, where the spiritual dimension is incorporated into logics of security and social control. The comparison with Tunisia—and, to a lesser extent, Morocco—highlights both convergences and divergences among Maghrebi models of religious management, opening new avenues for research on the public function of religion and on the contemporary forms through which states moralize the sacred in Muslim societies. Full article

Accelerographs are essential instruments for quantifying strong ground motion, serving as the foundation of modern earthquake engineering. In Peru, the first accelerographic station was installed in Lima in 1944; since then, various institutions have promoted the expansion of the national network. However, this network’s spatial coverage and instrumentation remain insufficient to properly characterize strong motion and support seismic risk reduction policies. In this context, the KUYUY accelerograph is presented as a low-cost, low-noise device equipped with real-time telemetry and high-performance MEMS sensors. Its interoperability with the Intelligent Automatic Processing System (SIPA) enables real-time monitoring and automated signal analysis for seismic microzonation studies and rapid damage assessment, contributing to seismic risk reduction in Peru. The validation process included static gravity calibration, field comparison with a reference accelerograph, and an initial deployment in Lima and Yurimaguas. The results demonstrate the proposed accelerograph’s linear response, temporal stability, and amplitude consistency with respect to high-end instruments, with differences below 5–10%. Full article

Purpose: Data stability is a critical factor in Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) single-cell analysis. However, various factors, such as sample processing, instrument condition, and data acquisition, can introduce uncertainties into ToF-SIMS data. Correcting this data is vital, yet current methods mainly focus on total ion intensity normalization or using consistent substrates. No specific correction method exists for ToF-SIMS single-cell metabolomics. Methods: This study utilizes the Normalized Support Vector Regression (Norm-SVR), commonly used methods for correcting large-scale metabolomics data, for the correction of ToF-SIMS single-cell metabolomic analysis and assesses its performance in comparison to traditional total ion intensity normalization. Results and Conclusions: The results suggest that Norm-SVR effectively diminishes batch effects and reduces variability, thereby underscoring the method’s efficacy and practicality. This approach is expected to improve data quality assurance in extensive ToF-SIMS analytical datasets. Full article

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a rapid, non-destructive analytical tool widely used in the food and agricultural sectors. In this study, two NIR instruments were compared for classifying the addition of microplastics (MPs) to high-moisture-content samples such as vegetables and fruit. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and a mix of polymers (PE + PP) MP were added to mixtures of spinach and banana and scanned using benchtop (Bruker Tango) and portable (MicroNIR) instruments. Both principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) were used to analyze and interpret the spectra of the samples. Quantitative models were developed to predict the addition of Mix, PP, or PE to spinach and banana samples using PLS regression. The R² _CV and the SECV obtained were 0.88 and 0.44 for the benchtop samples, and 0.54 and 0.67 for the portable instruments, respectively. Two wavenumber regions were also evaluated: 11,520–7500 cm⁻¹ (short to medium wavelengths), and 7500–4200 cm⁻¹ (long wavelengths). The R² _CV and the SECV obtained were 0.88 and 0.46, 0.86 and 0.49, respectively, for the prediction of addition in samples analyzed on the benchtop instrument using short and long wavenumbers, respectively. This study provides new insights into the comparison of two instruments for detecting the addition of MPs in high-moisture samples. The results of this study will ensure that NIR can be utilized not only to measure the quality of these samples but also to monitor MPs. Full article

The article is devoted to analyzing the synthesis of mathematical models of metalworking processes by cutting for digital counterparts of metal-cutting machines. Despite the development of modern measuring instruments, data acquisition, and transmission systems, as well as the growth of computing power of modern computers, the problem with a high-quality mathematical description of the cutting process is urgent. Methods: When developing mathematical models of elastic–thermodynamic interaction, the authors relied on analytical methods of model construction, as well as on the analysis of experimental data obtained as a result of the conducted research. The STD.201-1 stand was used as measuring equipment; data processing was carried out using the MATLAB 2018 mathematical software package. Results: A comparison of the results of the mathematical modeling of the synthesized model and the results of measuring cutting processes on a metal-cutting machine show a high degree of convergence. The modeled and experimental graphs of the cutting force decomposed along the deformation axes and the graphs of the cutting temperature differ only in the area of the transient process (tool embedding). Conclusions: The models obtained during synthesis can become the basis for building a digital twin system. Full article

Firstly, based on one-dimensional Terzaghi consolidation theory, we derived and established the analytical solution of excess pore water pressure and average consolidation degree of double-layered foundation, which can reflect the effect of fiber reinforcement. Meanwhile, the one-dimensional consolidation test of a double-layered foundation was carried out by means of a modified WG-type (product series code) consolidation instrument. The accuracy of the theoretical solution was verified by designing different consolidation parameters of the basalt fiber-reinforced solidified lightweight soil (BF-SLS) layer. Secondly, our findings suggest that the settlement rate of the double-layered foundation decreased with the increase in thickness, compression modulus and fiber mixing ratio of the BF-SLS layer. Nevertheless, the average pore pressure dissipation rate changed in the opposite trend. Both increased with increasing permeability coefficient of the BF-SLS layer. Within the thickness ratio range of 0 to 1/2 between the upper and lower layers, the thickness of the BF-SLS layer significantly influenced the consolidation process of the double-layer foundation. At equivalent T_v levels, the difference in consolidation degree exceeded 60%. Finally, a comparison of various simplified methods for calculating the average consolidation degree of double-layer foundations reveals that neither the weighted consolidation coefficient method nor the average index method yields results that are in good agreement with theoretical solutions. The difference between U_s (defined by sedimentation) and U_p (defined by pore pressure) cannot be distinguished. This research can further refine the consolidation theory of “upper hard and lower soft” double-layer foundations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ageism is a pervasive form of prejudice that undermines health, social participation, and intergenerational solidarity, yet validated research tools for measuring ageism are lacking in many countries. The Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA) is one of the widely used instruments, but its psychometric properties have not previously been examined in the Czech context. This study aimed to translate the 29-item FSA, evaluate its reliability and validity, and describe ageism across generations. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey based on face-to-face interviews was conducted in March 2024 among the Czech population aged 15–74 years (n = 1096). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, internal consistency indices (Cronbach’s α, McDonald’s ω, Composite Reliability, Average Variance Extracted), exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on a random half-sample, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the second half. Construct validity was also examined. Results: The Czech FSA showed very good distributional characteristics with no floor or ceiling effects and excellent internal consistency (α = 0.949; subscales α = 0.848–0.898). EFA replicated the original three-factor structure (Antilocution, Avoidance, and Discrimination) explaining 57.6% of variance. CFA supported this structure with good-to-excellent model fit. FSA scores increased systematically from Baby Boomers to Generation Z, indicating higher ageism among younger cohorts. Higher fear of old age, lower education, an earlier subjective boundary of old age, and absence of an older co-resident were associated with higher ageism scores. Conclusions: The Czech version of the FSA is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing ageist attitudes in the Czech population. Its robust psychometric properties and sensitivity to theoretically relevant correlates support its use for monitoring ageism, evaluating interventions, and enabling cross-national comparisons in aging research and policy. Full article

Mountaintop towers are highly exposed to self-initiated upward lightning flashes. Accurate estimation of their effective height—the equivalent flat-ground height yielding the same lightning exposure—is essential for reliable exposure assessment, for interpreting and calibrating measurement data at instrumented mountaintop towers, and for comparison with established protection guidelines. This study applies a two-step numerical framework that couples finite-element electrostatic simulations with a leader-inception and propagation model for representative tower–terrain configurations reflecting reference instrumented mountaintop sites in lightning research. For each configuration, the stabilization field, the minimum background electric field enabling continuous upward leader propagation to the cloud base, is determined, from which effective heights are obtained. The simulated results agree with the analytical formulation of Zhou et al. (within ~10%), while simplified or empirical approaches by Shindo, Eriksson, and Pierce exhibit larger deviations, especially for broader mountains. A normalized analysis demonstrates that the tower-to-mountain slenderness ratio (h/a) governs the scaling of effective height, following a power-law dependence with exponent −0.17 (R² = 0.94). This compact relation enables direct estimation of effective height from geometric parameters alone, complementing detailed leader-inception modeling. The findings validate the proposed physics-based framework, quantify the geometric dependence of effective height for mountaintop towers, and provide a foundation for improving lightning-exposure assessments, measurement calibration and design standards for elevated structures. Full article

Introduction: Functionality, anthropometric measurements (BMI, arm circumference), and handgrip strength (HGS) are crucial for assessing the health of older adults, as HGS is a strong predictor of frailty and independence, correlating with muscle mass loss (sarcopenia) and the risk of falls. Background/Objectives: To analyze the relationship between functional capacity, anthropometric measurements, and handgrip strength in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted with 225 older adults monitored at two Family Health Units, using the Barthel Scale, Lawton and Brody Scale, anthropometric measurements (body mass index, waist, calf, and brachial circumferences), and dynamometry as instruments. Spearman’s test was used for correlations, with interpretation by shared variance and comparison of magnitudes by Steiger r-to-z method. A higher frequency of females (65.8%) was observed, in the age range between 60 and 68 years (51.1%), independent in Basic Activities of Daily Living (76.9%) and dependent in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (99.1%). The analysis revealed that waist circumference showed a significant correlation with waist-to-hip ratio (ρ-value 0.604; p-value < 0.01) and body mass index (ρ-value = 0.696; p-value < 0.01). These associations showed shared variances of 36.5% (waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio) and 48.4% (waist circumference and body mass index). Waist-to-hip ratio showed a significant positive correlation with waist-to-hip ratio (ρ-value = 0.256; p-value < 0.01) and body mass index (ρ-value = 0.198; p-value < 0.01). However, these relationships showed lower shared variances at 6.5% with waist-to-hip ratio and 3.9% with BMI. The Lawton scale showed a statistically significant negative correlation with hand grip strength (ρ-value = −0.176; p-value < 0.01). Conclusions: There is a significant relationship between functional capacity, anthropometric measurements, and hand grip strength in community-dwelling older adults, reflecting the interaction between physical performance, body composition, and autonomy. Full article