Search Results (27)

Pedestrian safety remains a pressing challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where global predictive models often misrepresent local realities. This study tests the hypothesis that global predictive models, such as the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), overestimate countermeasure effectiveness in LMICs because key contextual factors are omitted. The two-phase research combined a PRISMA-based systematic literature review (SLR) with a quantitative iRAP performance gap analysis of the countermeasures implemented in the candidate studies of the SLR. The review systematically evaluated the effectiveness of pedestrian safety countermeasures, with an emphasis on their application in LMIC contexts. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 14 longitudinal before–after studies were selected from 1911 records and screened with EPPI-Reviewer 4 software. The analysis identified 33 contextual factors shaping countermeasure performance across both high- and low-income settings; of these, 23 were specific to LMICs, and 13 are not accounted for in the iRAP model. The findings show that iRAP systematically overestimates countermeasure effectiveness in LMICs due to weak enforcement, poor maintenance, and informal road use. Transverse rumble strips were the only intervention consistently effective across diverse LMIC settings. A novel performance gap analysis of five LMIC case studies revealed an average discrepancy of 30.9% (SD = 29.7%) between predicted and observed outcomes. A risk of bias assessment showed that most LMIC studies were of moderate to serious risk, reflecting systemic data limitations and a frequent reliance on proxy outcomes. These findings highlight the urgent need for recalibrated, context-sensitive frameworks that incorporate enforcement, maintenance, and socio-economic variables. Policy implications include prioritising affordable and scalable countermeasures, pairing infrastructure with enforcement and education, and strengthening crash data systems to support more realistic, evidence-based road safety planning. Full article

This study examines the safety and cost-effectiveness of implementing shoulder rumble strips (SRS) and road lighting on Saudi Arabian freeways, providing insights into their roles in fostering sustainable transport systems. By leveraging the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) framework, this research develops localized Crash Modification Factors (CMFs) for these interventions, ensuring evidence-based and context-specific evaluations. Data were collected for two periods—pre-pandemic (2017–2019) and post-pandemic (2021–2022). For each period, we obtained traffic crash records from the Saudi Highway Patrol database, traffic volume data from the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services’ automated count stations, and roadway characteristics and pavement-condition metrics from the National Road Safety Center. The findings reveal that SRS reduces fatal and injury run-off-road crashes by 52.7% (CMF = 0.473) with a benefit–cost ratio of 14.12, highlighting their high cost-effectiveness. Road lighting, focused on nighttime crash reduction, decreases such crashes by 24% (CMF = 0.760), with a benefit–cost ratio of 1.25, although the adoption of solar-powered lighting systems offers potential for greater sustainability gains and a higher benefit–cost ratio. These interventions align with global sustainability goals by enhancing road safety, reducing the socio-economic burden of crashes, and promoting the integration of green technologies. This study not only provides actionable insights for achieving KSA Vision 2030’s target of improved road safety but also demonstrates how engineering solutions can be harmonized with sustainability objectives to advance equitable, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation systems. Full article

Despite the climate crisis, a significant barrier to sustainability is limitations to the current accounting and reporting system. These deficiencies, mean the global financial system continues to invest trillions of dollars annually in environmentally sub-optimal projects. To catalyze the economic transition away from fossil-fuel and plastic configurations to more sustainable ones, sustainability accounting and reporting (SAR) is imperative. However, theoretical contention, pragmatic concerns, and costs stoke strong resistance to SAR. The research used ablative thematic analysis to apply hermeneutic phenomenology. First, it scanned the backdrop to the SAR problem and identified a corpus of recent literature from key associated institutions. The initial interpretation of the texts disentangled SAR’s conflicting threads and generated three themes of ‘climate crisis’ and ‘conservative’ or more ‘radical’ SAR reform paradigms. Iteratively harnessing these thematic lenses, the investigation re-examined the SAR literature corpus. The textual ‘dialogue’ generated understanding of the fragmented SAR responses to the climate crisis. Accordingly, the research reformulated its first theme to ‘dystopic climate crisis fragmentation’ and refined the other themes to take account of materiality and the split between Anglo-Saxon (IFRS, SSAB) or global (UN) and continental European accounting institutions (EU, GRI). Conservatives retain a single materiality investor-focus and concede only incremental standard improvements. Radicals seek to implement double materiality with a broader spectrum of stakeholders in mind. Both approaches have theoretical as well as pragmatic advantages and disadvantages, so the SAR contention rumbles on. Whilst the standard-setting landscape is evolving, disagreements remain. Its roots of contention are philosophical and pragmatic. Philosophically, radicals strive to temper libertarian anarcho-capitalist proclivities and broaden firm responsibility. Pragmatically, social, or environmental externalities are problematic to assign or measure. Given vested interests in the destructive status quo, it would be naïve to expect a harmonious SAR Ithaca to emerge anytime soon. Yet the challenges impel an intensification of SAR dialogue and concrete actions. Rather than a scientifically nomothetic contribution, the paper provides a qualitative, artful interpretation of a complex, contentious but crucial field. Full article

The past 15 years of extensive experience teaching VR system development has taught us that haptic feedback must be more sophisticatedly integrated into VR systems, alongside the already realistic high-fidelity visual and audio feedback. The third generation of students is enhancing VR interactive experiences by incorporating haptic feedback through traditional, proven, commercially available gamepad controllers. Insights and discoveries gained through this process contributed to the development of versatile Unity custom editor tool, which is the focus of this article. The developed tool supports a wide range of use cases, enabling the visual, parametric, and descriptive creation of reusable haptic effects. To enhance productivity in commercial development, it supports the creation of haptic and haptic/audio stimulus libraries, which can be further expanded and combined based on object-oriented principles. Additionally, the tool allows for the definition of specific areas within the virtual space where these stimuli can be experienced, depending on the virtual object the avatar holds and the activities they perform. This intuitive platform allows the design of reusable haptic effects through graphical editor, audio conversion, programmatic scripting, and AI-powered guidance. The sophistication and usability of the tool have been demonstrated through several student VR projects across various application areas. Full article

Background: Advances in diagnosis and treatment have significantly increased survival rates for childhood cancer, leading to a growing population of long-term survivors. However, these survivors face substantial physical and psychological sequelae that affect both the child and their family. We developed the RECOVER model of care to support childhood cancer survivors as they transition from the end of their planned treatment to survivorship, addressing the broader health and wellness needs beyond medical surveillance. The primary objectives are to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the RECOVER model of care in routine paediatric oncology practice. Secondary objectives include evaluating preliminary efficacy outcomes and identifying factors that influence the successful adoption and integration of the model. Methods: The study comprises a Type 2 Hybrid Implementation/Effectiveness non-randomised controlled trial to compare historical and prospective data. Quantitative data will assess feasibility, reach, effectiveness, adoption, maintenance, and implementation. The qualitative component will assess end-user acceptability and appropriateness through focus groups, surveys, and interviews. Quantitative and qualitative results will be integrated during the interpretation phase to provide complementary insights into the interconnected contextual factors that facilitate the model uptake. Discussion: The RECOVER model of care aims to offer a robust approach to survivorship care, facilitating the continuous monitoring and management of long-term and late effects in childhood cancer survivors. This model has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life and health outcomes for this vulnerable population by addressing their comprehensive needs in a timely and systematic manner. Full article

Elephant sound identification is crucial in wildlife conservation and ecological research. The identification of elephant vocalizations provides insights into the behavior, social dynamics, and emotional expressions, leading to elephant conservation. This study addresses elephant sound classification utilizing raw audio processing. Our focus lies on exploring lightweight models suitable for deployment on resource-costrained edge devices, including MobileNet, YAMNET, and RawNet, alongside introducing a novel model termed ElephantCallerNet. Notably, our investigation reveals that the proposed ElephantCallerNet achieves an impressive accuracy of 89% in classifying raw audio directly without converting it to spectrograms. Leveraging Bayesian optimization techniques, we fine-tuned crucial parameters such as learning rate, dropout, and kernel size, thereby enhancing the model’s performance. Moreover, we scrutinized the efficacy of spectrogram-based training, a prevalent approach in animal sound classification. Through comparative analysis, the raw audio processing outperforms spectrogram-based methods. In contrast to other models in the literature that primarily focus on a single caller type or binary classification that identifies whether a sound is an elephant voice or not, our solution is designed to classify three distinct caller-types namely roar, rumble, and trumpet. Full article

The safety of construction and maintenance work zones has been highlighted as a crucial aspect of construction management that requires special attention due to the increasing number of fatal and non-fatal injuries in recent years. Temporary traffic control (TTC) is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to improve overall safety performance during road construction and maintenance projects. The fact that speeding and distracted drivers may overlook TTC warning signs and directions has been reported as one of the leading causes of work zone incidents. This study aimed to examine both the impact of temporary portable rumble strips (TPRSs) on traffic speeds and the response of different vehicle types in road work zones, including trucks and cars. Accordingly, field experiments were conducted in collaboration with the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) in Michigan. The findings indicate that TPRSs have a statistically significant impact on the driving speed of light vehicle drivers but not on medium and heavy vehicles, such as trucks. This study contributes to the existing literature by quantifying the safety benefits of TPRS use, providing valuable data for policymakers and construction professionals. By demonstrating the effectiveness of TPRSs in reducing the speed of light vehicles, this research supports the implementation of these systems as a practical measure for enhancing safety within road construction work zones. Additionally, this study highlights the need for tailored approaches to address the limited impact on larger vehicles, underscoring the importance of developing complementary strategies to ensure comprehensive safety improvements across all vehicle types. Full article

This paper presents several machine learning methods and highlights the most effective one for detecting elephant rumbles in infrasonic seismic signals. The design and implementation of electronic circuitry to amplify, filter, and digitize the seismic signals captured through geophones are presented. The process converts seismic rumbles to a spectrogram and the existing methods of spectrogram feature extraction and appropriate machine learning algorithms are compared on their merit for automatic seismic rumble identification. A novel method of denoising the spectrum that leads to enhanced accuracy in identifying seismic rumbles is presented. It is experimentally found that the combination of the Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) feature extraction method and the ridge classifier machine learning algorithm give the highest accuracy of 97% in detecting infrasonic elephant rumbles hidden in seismic signals. The trained machine learning algorithm can run quite efficiently on general-purpose embedded hardware such as a Raspberry Pi, hence the method provides a cost-effective and scalable platform to develop a tool to remotely localize elephants, which would help mitigate the human–elephant conflict. Full article

Collisions of over-height vehicles with low clearance bridges is commonly encountered worldwide. They have caused damage to bridge structures, interruption to traffic, injuries or even fatalities to road users. To mitigate such risks, passive systems that involve warning gantries, flashing lights and illuminated signage are commonly installed. Semi-active systems using laser- or infrared-based detection systems in conjunction with visual warnings have been implemented. Nevertheless, some drivers ignore these visual warnings and collisions continue to occur. This paper presents a novel concept for a collision prevention system, which makes use of a series of sensor-activated, motorized rumble strips. These rumble strips span across a certain distance ahead of a low clearance bridge. When an over-height vehicle is detected, a mechanism is triggered which elevates the rumble strips. The noise and vibrations produce a vigorous alert to the offending driver. They also increase effective friction of the road surface, thus assisting to slow down the vehicle and shorten the stopping distance. The strips will be lowered after a certain time has elapsed, thus minimizing their effects on other vehicles. This article presents a conceptual framework and quantifies the vibration and noise caused by rumble strips in road tests. Road tests indicated that the vibration level typically exceeded 1 g and noise level reached approximately 90 dB in the cabin of a 3.5-ton truck. Fabrication of a proof-of-concept mechanized rumble strip model was presented and verified in an outdoor environment. The circuitry and mechanical design, and requirements in actual implementation, are discussed. The proposed event-triggered rumble strip system could significantly mitigate over-height vehicle collisions that cause major disruptions and injuries worldwide. Further works, including a comprehensive road test involving various types of vehicles, are envisaged. Full article

Luigi Russolo’s Intonarumori together with his manifesto L’arte dei rumori (1913) marked a break with the art of clear signification. From here on, noise and dispersed sounds replaced the concept of music reverberating the harmony of the spheres by propelling the quandaries of immanence contingent on palpable resonance performing the differential relational manner of heterogeneous existence. This somatic turn is central to Jean-Luc Nancy’s Listening, where he proposes listening as a tangible fundamental resonance rumbling the corpse sonore. This paper elaborates on the move from the art of music to the plurality of rhythmic worlds. Nancy’s proposition of sonorous existence demonstrates two movements, one that retreats from hearing the Pythagorean musical-arithmetical cosmos exhibited in Robert Fludd’s Monochord, the other plays the singular plural pulsations of dispersed creation performed by Michael Snow’s Tap. Full article

Treatment of functional digestive disorders is not always effective. Therefore, a search for new application points for potential drugs is perspective. Our aim is to evaluate the effect of rebamipide on symptom severity, intestinal barrier status, and intestinal microbiota composition and function in patients with diarrheal variant of irritable bowel syndrome overlapping with functional dyspepsia (D-IBSoFD). Sixty patients were randomized to receive trimebutine (TRI group), trimebutine + rebamipide (T + R group), or rebamipide (REB group) for 2 months. At the beginning and end of the study, patients were assessed for general health (SF-36), severity of digestive symptoms (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating and 7 × 7 scales), state of the intestinal barrier, and composition (16S rRNA gene sequencing) and function (short-chain fatty acid fecal content) of the gut microbiota. The severity of most digestive symptoms was reduced in the REB and T + R groups to levels similar to that observed in the TRI group. The duodenal and sigmoidal lymphocytic and sigmoidal eosinophilic infiltration was decreased only in the REB and T + R groups, not in the TRI group. Serum zonulin levels were significantly decreased only in the REB group. A decrease in intraepithelial lymphocytic infiltration in the duodenum correlated with a decrease in the severity of rumbling and flatulence, while a decrease in infiltration within the sigmoid colon correlated with improved stool consistency and decreased severity of the sensation of incomplete bowel emptying. In conclusion, rebamipide improves the intestinal barrier condition and symptoms in D-IBSoFD. The rebamipide effects are not inferior to those of trimebutine. Full article

Background: Neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI) affects approximately 60% of individuals with SCI. Effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments remain elusive. We recently demonstrated that our immersive virtual reality walking intervention (VRWalk) may be effective for SCI NP. Additionally, we found that SCI NP may result from a decrease in thalamic γ-aminobutyric-acid (GABA), which disturbs central sensorimotor processing. Objective: While we identified GABAergic changes associated with SCI NP, a critical outstanding question is whether a decrease in SCI NP generated by our VRWalk intervention causes GABA content to rise. Method: A subset of participants (n = 7) of our VRWalk trial underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy pre- and post-VRWalk intervention to determine if the decrease in SCI NP is associated with an increase in thalamic GABA. Results: The findings revealed a significant increase in thalamic GABA content from pre- to post-VRWalk treatment. Conclusion: While the current findings are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution, pre- to post-VRWalk reductions in SCI NP may be mediated by pre- to post-treatment increases in thalamic GABA by targeting and normalizing maladaptive sensorimotor cortex reorganization. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of pain recovery can serve to validate the efficacy of home-based VR walking treatment as a means of managing pain following SCI. Neuromodulatory interventions aimed at increasing thalamic inhibitory function may provide more effective pain relief than currently available treatments. Full article

We present an extended prototype of a wearable force-feedback mechanism coupled with a Meta Quest 2 head-mounted display to enhance immersion in virtual environments. Our study focuses on the development of devices and virtual experiences that place significant emphasis on personal sensing capabilities, such as precise inside-out optical hand, head, and controller tracking, as well as lifelike haptic feedback utilizing servos and vibration rumble motors, among others. The new prototype addresses various limitations and deficiencies identified in previous stages of development, resulting in significant user performance improvements. Key enhancements include weight reduction, wireless connectivity, optimized power delivery, refined haptic feedback intensity, improved stylus alignment, and smooth transitions between stylus use and hand-tracking. Furthermore, the integration of a mixed reality pass-through feature enables users to experience a comprehensive and immersive environment that blends physical and virtual worlds. These advancements pave the way for future exploration of mixed reality applications, opening up new possibilities for immersive and interactive experiences that combine useful aspects of real and virtual environments. Full article

Sound production mechanisms set the parameter space available for transmitting biologically relevant information in vocal signals. Low–frequency rumbles play a crucial role in coordinating social interactions in elephants’ complex fission–fusion societies. By emitting rumbles through either the oral or the three-times longer nasal vocal tract, African elephants alter their spectral shape significantly. In this study, we used an acoustic camera to visualize the sound emission of rumbles in Asian elephants, which have received far less research attention than African elephants. We recorded nine adult captive females and analyzed the spectral parameters of 203 calls, including vocal tract resonances (formants). We found that the majority of rumbles (64%) were nasally emitted, 21% orally, and 13% simultaneously through the mouth and trunk, demonstrating velopharyngeal coupling. Some of the rumbles were combined with orally emitted roars. The nasal rumbles concentrated most spectral energy in lower frequencies exhibiting two formants, whereas the oral and mixed rumbles contained higher formants, higher spectral energy concentrations and were louder. The roars were the loudest, highest and broadest in frequency. This study is the first to demonstrate velopharyngeal coupling in a non-human animal. Our findings provide a foundation for future research into the adaptive functions of the elephant acoustic variability for information coding, localizability or sound transmission, as well as vocal flexibility across species. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has shown altered immune responses in the periphery. We studied P2X7 (a proinflammatory receptor and a scavenger receptor) and two integrins, CD11b and CD11c, on the surface of circulating leukocytes and analysed their associations with Aβ-PET, brain atrophy, neuropsychological assessments, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. Total 287 age-matched, sex-balanced participants were recruited in a discovery cohort and two validation cohorts through the AIBL study and studied using tri-colour flow cytometry. Our results demonstrated reduced expressions of P2X7, CD11b, and CD11c on leukocytes, particularly monocytes, in Aβ +ve cases compared with Aβ −ve controls. P2X7 and integrin downregulation was observed at pre-clinical stage of AD and stayed low throughout disease course. We further constructed a polygenic risk score (PRS) model based on 12 P2RX7 risk alleles to assess the genetic impact on P2X7 function in AIBL and ADNI cohorts. No significant association was identified between the P2RX7 gene and AD, indicating that P2X7 downregulation in AD is likely caused by environmental changes rather than genetic factors. In conclusion, the downregulation of P2X7 and integrins at pre-clinical stage of AD indicates altered pro-inflammatory responses, phagocytic functions, and migrating capabilities of circulating monocytes in early AD pathogenesis. Our study not only improves our understanding of peripheral immune involvement in early stage of AD but also provides more insights into novel biomarker development, diagnosis, and prognosis of AD. Full article