Assessing Vehicle Profiling Accuracy of Handheld LiDAR Compared to Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Crash Scene Reconstruction

Forensic crash investigation often requires developing detailed profiles showing the location and extent of vehicle damage to identify impact areas, impact direction, deformation, and estimated vehicle speeds at impact. Traditional damage profiling techniques require extended and comprehensive setups for mapping and measurement that are quite labor- and time-intensive. Due to the time involved, this damage profiling is usually done in a remote holding area after the crash scene is cleared. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanning technology in consumer handheld electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, holds significant potential for conducting this damage profile mapping in just a few minutes, allowing the mapping to be conducted at the scene before the vehicle(s) are moved. However, there is limited research and even scarcer published literature on field procedures and/or accuracy for these emerging smartphones and tablets with LiDAR. This paper proposes a methodology and subsequent measurement accuracy comparisons for survey-grade terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and handheld alternatives. The maximum root mean square error (RMSE) obtained for profile distance between handheld (iPad) and survey-grade TLS LiDAR scans for a damaged vehicle was observed to be 3 cm, a level of accuracy that is likely sufficient and acceptable for most forensic studies.

Lord’s paradox in latent change score modeling: an example involving facilitating longitudinal effects between intelligence and academic achievement

It has been claimed that intelligence causes academic achievement to increase over time, and that also, conversely, academic achievement causes intelligence to increase over time. This bidirectional facilitating longitudinal effect between intelligence and academic achievement rests on observed associations between initial intelligence and the change in academic achievement between an initial and a subsequent measurement, and vice versa. Here, we demonstrate, through simulating empirical data used in previous research, that such longitudinal associations may be due to regression toward the mean rather than a true facilitating effect. Regression toward the mean occurs due to the conditioning of change on the initial value on the outcome variable. Researchers should be aware of this fallacy and are recommended to verify their findings with analyses without adjustment for an initial value on the outcome.

Ion-plasma nitriding of disc saws of the fiber-extracting machine

The technology of deep ion-plasma nitriding has been developed in this article and its practical implementation for disc saws made of U8G steel has been carried out. The technology of deep ion-plasma nitriding was implemented on the STANKIN-APP-1 installation. A circular saw made of U8G steel and witness samples of the same steel were selected as the object of research for subsequent measurement of microhardness and phase analysis. In order to avoid deformation of the saw blade, a tooling was developed, since the thickness of the saw blade is 0.95 mm. The results of resistance tests have shown the feasibility of using this technology for disc saws. The total resistance of the teeth of disc circular saw made of U8G steel increased by 4 times compared to a circular saw without nitriding.

Complex Design Method of Filtration Station Considering Harmonic Components

The paper deals with a new methodology for calculating the filter parameters. The basis is respect for the fact that the real filter current consists of other harmonic components, which filter is tuned. The proposed methodology was used to design filters for traction substation 25 kV/50 Hz. The operation of the locomotives in the AC supply systems of 25 kV/50 Hz leads to a rising of higher order harmonic currents. Due to the 1-phase supply system, these are mainly the 3rd and 5th harmonics. By simulation and subsequent measurement of the proposed traction power station filters the proposed methodology was verified. Thus, the filter design can also be used for filter compensating stations of the standard 3-phase distribution network. The described method presents an optimal filter design without unnecessary oversizing. This fact reduces the size and cost of the filter. It is shown that it is possible to design a filter that meets the requirements for power quality under extreme load and to minimise distortion of line voltage.

Abstract P129: Telemedicine And Relationship Of Depression Score Improvement To Hypertension Improvement Via Video Visits

Telemedicine and Relationship of Depression Score Improvement to Hypertension Improvement via Video Visits Introduction: Our group has elsewhere demonstrated effectiveness of telemedicine video visits nationwide for effective hypertension control. Here we explore associated depression scores, grouping patients into cohorts with improvement in systolic BP and patients with no improvement, over 12 months. Hypothesis: PHQ-9 depression scores may reveal barriers to achieving BP control via video visits. Methods: Quantitative analysis was performed of home video visits coded with Essential Hypertension diagnosis March 2020 through February 2021, the first 12 months of the pandemic. 569 patients with 1785 hypertension visits were in our national telemedicine practice database in the period. Serial PHQ-9 scores were available on 78 patients with multiple hypertension visits. Average percent change in PHQ-9 score was calculated as average change in score / average initial score. Results: Patients with reduction in BP had an average of 3.2 visits. The average number of BP measurements in the multiple visits group was 6.37. Average age of patients was 44. There were 56 patients with PHQ-9 scores with improvement in systolic BPs in the study period. Mean initial PHQ-9 score for this group was 11.79 (SEM = +/- 0.92, SD = +/- 6.87), and mean PHQ-9 score at a subsequent measurement was 7.18 (SEM = +/- 0.72, SD = +/- 5.42) . The average change in score was 4.61 (SEM = +/- 0.92, SD = +/- 6.91). These patients improved their PHQ-9 scores by an average of 39.10% (4.61 of 11.79, SEM = +/- 7.84%, SD = +/- 58.64%). There were 22 patients with PHQ-9 scores with no improvement in systolic BPs in the study period. Mean initial PHQ-9 score for this group was 13.09 (SEM = +/- 1.54, SD = +/- 7.22), and mean PHQ-9 score at a subsequent measurement was 9.5 (SEM = +/- 7.74). The average change in score was 3.59 (SEM = +/- 1.50, SD = +/- 7.01). These patients improved their PHQ-9 scores by an average of 27.40% (3.59 of 13.09, SEM = +/- 11.42%, , SD = +/- 53.58%). Conclusions: These results are hypothesis-generating about possible relationships between depression diagnosis, improvement in management of depression, and hypertension control. Further study of more PHQ-9 data with a larger study sample would be of interest.

Generalized probability rules from a timeless formulation of Wigner's friend scenarios

The quantum measurement problem can be regarded as the tension between the two alternative dynamics prescribed by quantum mechanics: the unitary evolution of the wave function and the state-update rule (or "collapse") at the instant a measurement takes place. The notorious Wigner's friend gedankenexperiment constitutes the paradoxical scenario in which different observers (one of whom is observed by the other) describe one and the same interaction differently, one –the Friend– via state-update and the other –Wigner– unitarily. This can lead to Wigner and his friend assigning different probabilities to the outcome of the same subsequent measurement. In this paper, we apply the Page-Wootters mechanism (PWM) as a timeless description of Wigner's friend-like scenarios. We show that the standard rules to assign two-time conditional probabilities within the PWM need to be modified to deal with the Wigner's friend gedankenexperiment. We identify three main definitions of such modified rules to assign two-time conditional probabilities, all of which reduce to standard quantum theory for non-Wigner's friend scenarios. However, when applied to the Wigner's friend setup each rule assigns different conditional probabilities, potentially resolving the probability-assignment paradox in a different manner. Moreover, one rule imposes strict limits on when a joint probability distribution for the measurement outcomes of Wigner and his Friend is well-defined, which single out those cases where Wigner's measurement does not disturb the Friend's memory and such a probability has an operational meaning in terms of collectible statistics. Interestingly, the same limits guarantee that said measurement outcomes fulfill the consistency condition of the consistent histories framework.

Full-scale Models for the Study of Repair Techniques on Brick Masonry Surfaces

A systematic approach to the study of durability of wall surface treatments has been set up by the authors since some years. The study, previously based on accelerated aging tests and subsequent measurement of surface deterioration of treated and untreated specimens, has now been extended to full-scale facades. Three small constructions designed by the authors with modular facades made of sandstone and/or soft-mud facing bricks have been built in open field. A continuous content of water in the subsoil can be provided so that the capillary rise of water into the masonry is assured; soluble salts can also be provided from the soil. Some of the facades have been treated with protective materials, some others will be treated after deterioration. Besides collection of data concerning the environment and the moisture and salt movements in the walls, the deterioration of the external surfaces, the influence of mortar joints on moisture distribution and of the position and exposure of the material on the deterioration are being taken into account. Comparison between the in-situ and laboratory results are being carried out in order to adjust the aging tests to the natural environment.

Revaluation as a Model of Subsequent Measurement of Property, Plant, and Equipment – Case of Croatia

Accounting standards allow the application of two models for subsequent measurement of property, plant, and equipment, and those are the cost model and the revaluation model. The application of a certain model depends on the manager’s choice of accounting policy. The main goal of this paper is to investigate the application of the revaluation model for subsequent measurement of property, plant, and equipment in Croatian companies. Further goals are to examine how the fair value for revalued assets is determined, and what the level is of disclosed information about the determined fair value and the revaluation. The theoretical part of the paper analyzes different models for measurement of property, plant, and equipment, the issue of determining fair value, and disclosure requirements according to national and international accounting standards. The empirical part of the paper is conducted on 500 large and medium-sized Croatian companies from the service (utilities), production, and tourism sectors. Particular attention is placed on the notes to the financial statements of these companies. The research covers the period from 2014 to 2018. Collected data are analyzed by using descriptive statistics methods, point-biserial correlation, and Pearson correlation coefficient.