Search Results (7)

Recent text to image systems can synthesize Islamic heritage elements with high visual fidelity, but their outputs rarely translate into fabricable geometry or integrate into interiors without substantial redrawing. We present an end-to-end workflow that links historically grounded precedent retrieval, controllable tileable generation, semantic segmentation and vectorization, and geometry-aware mapping into Computer-Aided Design (CAD) environments. Contributions include the following: (i) a license-audited dataset schema and a retrieval classifier for common Islamic motif families and architectural elements; (ii) precedent retrieval via a ResNet 50 and Vision Transformer (ViT) embedding pipeline; (iii) a Low-Rank Adaptation (LoRA) tuned diffusion model that generates tileable motifs with motif/region controls; (iv) a raster-to-vector pipeline that enforces curve closure and minimum feature widths for CNC/laser fabrication; and (v) a rubric and domain metrics (symmetry coherence, seam/tileability error, spline closure and junction valence, UV distortion, feature width compliance) that quantify “depth of integration” beyond surface texture. Quantitative metrics and blinded expert ratings compare the workflow against strong parametric baselines, while scripts translate images to fabrication-ready vectors/solids across walls, ceilings, partitions, floors, and furniture. Cultural safeguards cover calligraphy handling, regional balance audits, and provenance/credit. The workflow advances heritage-aware generative design by carrying imagery across the last mile into buildable detail and by providing practical checklists for adoption in interior architecture and conservation. Full article

The pilot phase of a research study is essential for refining methodological and theoretical aspects before a full-scale launch. Using participatory action research with youth and sector partners, this study tested the design and implementation of a longitudinal research project, focusing on four key areas: recruitment strategies, survey design, incentive strategies, and participant engagement and retention. The study compares two recruitment messages, assessed survey clarity and completion rates, tested financial and non-financial incentives, and evaluated participants’ willingness to share contact information and LinkedIn profiles. Data were collected through surveys (n = 91) and focus groups (n = 11) with young people aged 15–29 from across Canada who completed an RBC Future Launch-funded program. Findings indicated that branding and messaging in recruitment emails influenced response rates. Despite concerns about survey length, 97% of participants completed it, with most finishing within 15 min. Among the incentives offered, a CAD 10 payment resulted in the highest response rate. Additionally, both the CAD 10 incentive and the LinkedIn Learning licenses increased participants’ willingness to share LinkedIn profiles. The pilot study provided valuable insights into optimizing recruitment, survey design, and incentive structures for a longitudinal study. These findings provide insights for improving participant engagement and retention in research studies, as well as a co-creation approach to research design. Full article

Background/Objectives: Digital transformation is reshaping dentistry by improving clinical efficiency, diagnostic accuracy, and patient care. However, the adoption of digital technologies in dental clinics varies widely, influenced by multiple factors, including technology readiness. This study aimed to assess the relationship between technology readiness and digital technology adoption among German dentists, focusing on the impact of clinic characteristics and professional development. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 licensed German dentists. Technology readiness was measured using the validated Technology Readiness Index (TRI 2.0), encompassing four dimensions: optimism, innovativeness, discomfort, and insecurity. Data on the current use of digital technologies were collected, including digital radiography, CAD/CAM systems, AI-supported tools, and patient management solutions. Statistical analyses included correlation and quartile-based comparisons to identify patterns and significant associations. Results: Clinics with higher TRI scores demonstrated significantly greater adoption of digital technologies. Larger clinics (MVZs) showed higher levels of digital integration compared to solo practices. Younger dentists and those engaged in continuous professional development exhibited higher technology readiness and usage of advanced digital tools. No significant gender-based differences were identified in technology readiness or digital adoption. While basic technologies like digital radiography and CAD/CAM systems were widely used, AI-based diagnostics and 3D printing remained underutilized. Key barriers included financial constraints and limited training opportunities. Conclusions: Technology readiness plays a critical role in shaping digital adoption in dental clinics. The findings highlight the need for targeted support, especially for smaller clinics, through professional training and investment in digital infrastructure. This study contributes to a better understanding of digital transformation in dentistry and supports strategies aligned with global health goals to improve access to digital care. Full article

In Industry 4.0., robots are regarded as one of the key components. In recent years, collaborative robots (cobots) have risen in relevance and have been included in the industry to perform tasks alongside humans. Robots have been used in many applications in manufacturing processes; for the scope of this paper, the emphasis on these applications is centered on welding and gluing. These applications need to be performed with specific speed, efficiency, and accuracy to attain optimal welding or bonding to the pieces. An operator cannot maintain such conditions consistently, with minimum variations, for an extended period; hence, robots are a more suitable option to perform those tasks. The robots used for these applications need to be instructed to follow a trajectory to either weld or apply the glue. This path must be programmed on the robot by an operator, and depending on the complexity of the trajectory, it can take up to extended periods of time to set all the required waypoints. There are specialized software environments that contribute to the automation of these tasks; however, the overall cost of the licenses is not affordable if the scale of the project only requires developing and programming trajectories a few times. This paper contains a proposal for an open-source Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software to automatically generate the trajectories needed for the aforementioned welding and gluing applications. The procedure to develop the software starts by selecting the surface that will be welded or to which glue will be applied. The surface determines the model of the trajectory to be followed. Next, a processing system is fed with the individual points that make up the trajectory provided by their selection over the Computer Aided Drawing (CAD) model. This system then creates a program based on URScript^® that can be directly uploaded to and executed on the robot. A set of tests is presented to validate the applications and to demonstrate the versatility of the developed trajectory generation system. Full article

Campylobacteriosis, a foodborne illness, is one of the world′s leading causes of gastrointestinal illness. This study investigates the link between human campylobacteriosis and the consumption of potentially contaminated food with Campylobacter jejuni. Three hundred sixty samples were collected from humans, chicken cloaca, raw chicken meat, unpasteurized milk, and vegetables. The chickens were obtained from licensed and non-licensed slaughterhouses, and only the necks and wings were studied. Samples were enriched under microaerobic conditions then cultured on the modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar. Bacteria was identified by staining, biochemical testing, and molecular identification by the polymerase chain reaction for the virulence genes; hipO, asp, dnaJ, cadF, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC. The genomic homogeneity of C. jejuni between human and chicken isolates was assessed by the serological Penner test and the pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Campylobacter was not detected in the vegetables and pasteurized milk, though, only twenty isolates from chickens and clinical samples were presumed to be Campylobacter based on their morphology. The biochemical tests confirmed that five isolates were C. coli, and fifteen isolates were C. jejuni including two isolates from humans, and the remaining were from chickens. The colonization of C. jejuni in chickens was significantly lower in necks (6.66%) obtained from licensed slaughterhouses compared to those obtained from non-licensed slaughterhouses (33.3%). The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that all identified C. jejuni isolates were resistant to antibiotics, and the majority of isolates (53.5%) showed resistance against six antibiotics, though, all isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and aztreonam. The Penner test showed P:21 as the dominant serotype in isolates from humans, necks, and cloaca. The serohomology of C. jejuni from human isolates and chicken necks, wings, and cloaca was 71%, 36%, 78%, respectively. The PFGE analysis of the pattern for DNA fragmentation by the restriction enzyme Smal showed a complete genotypic homology of C. jejuni human isolates and chicken necks compared to partial homology with cloacal isolates. The study brings attention to the need for effective interventions to ensure best practices for safe poultry production for commercial food chain supply to limit infection with foodborne pathogens, including Campylobacter. Full article

Most universities have included computer-aided design (CAD) pattern making systems education and training in their clothing technology courses in recent years, so as to respond to the actual needs of the fashion world for high-skilled fashion designers and clothing engineers. With the rapid rise in the use of open source software (OSS) in all types of applications, it is important to know if the existing OSS CAD software for garment prototyping development can successfully support the learning process. The present study compares two commercial licensed CAD systems for pattern design (Polypattern and Create) to an open source software, Seamly2D, and to Wild Ginger’s Caveo V6 programme, which runs within an OSS. In total, two licensed and two OSS systems have been evaluated in their weights in accomplishing the garment development of ten different pattern designs. The results obtained for the evaluation of a set of OS and licensed CAD systems are presented and critically discussed. Full article

Microgrids (MGs) may represent a solution in the near future to many problems in the energy and electric world scenarios; such as pollution, high reliability, efficiency and so on. In particular, MGs’ capability to work in an islanded configuration represents one of their most interesting features in terms of the improvement of the reliability of the system, the integration of renewable energy sources and the exploitation of the quick response and flexibility of power electronic devices in a stand-alone system. In order to study and validate innovative solutions and control strategies for islanded operation, there is a need to develop models for MG structures that can be reliable and sufficiently simple to be used for the purpose of the design and validation of innovative control systems. This paper proposes a simplified, first harmonic model for a generic structure of MG characterized by its use of only electronic power converter interfaced generation. The main advantages of the proposed method lie in the model’s simplicity and its reduced solving time, thanks to the limited number of necessary parameters to describe the system. Moreover, the developed formulation allows the avoidance of specific (and often licensed) software to simulate the system. The performances of the proposed model have been validated by means of a comparative analysis of the results obtained against a more accurate representation of the system performed in the power system CAD—electromagnetic transient and DC (PSCAD—EMTDC) environment, which allows for the representation of each component with a very high level of detail. Such comparison has been performed using the University of Genoa Savona Campus Smart Polygeneration Microgrid testbed facility, due to the availability of all the necessary numerical values. Full article