bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whitham approach to certain large fluctuation problems in statistical mechanics
Authors: Bettelheim Eldad
Published: December 2023

We show the relationship between the strongly non-linear limit (also termed the dispersionless or the Whitham limit) of the macroscopic fluctuation theory of certain statistical models and the inverse scattering method. We show that in the strongly non-linear limit the inverse scattering problem can be solved using the steepest descent method of the associated Riemann–Hilbert problem. The importance of establishing this connection, is that the equations in the strongly non-linear limit can often be solved exactly by simple means, the connection then provides a limit in which one can solve the inverse scattering problem, thus aiding potentially the exact solution of a particular large deviation problem.
An image processing approach to reconstruct wind using long-range wind lidars
Authors: Nafisifard M , Jakobsen J B , Snæbjörnsson J T , Ágústsson H , Grønsleth M S , Undheim O
Published: December 2023

Lidar-based wind sensing technology, originally used in the wind energy sector, is now being utilized in wind engineering to monitor wind action for designing fjord-crossing infrastructure like long-span bridges. Accurate estimation of design wind loads is crucial for the design process of such bridges. This paper examines wind data from two pairs of long-range lidars positioned along one side of the Sulafjorden, Norway, in a measurement campaign initiated by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA). Two different scanning modes, the Plan Position Indicator (PPI) mode and the staring mode, with the fixed line-of-sight (LOS) orientation, are used to determine the line-of-sight wind speeds, the wind direction, and the related along wind speed. An image processing approach is used to compute along wind velocity information from all range gates based on the LOS wind speeds from two near-parallel lidar beams. The estimated along wind velocity is validated through wind data calculated at the intersection point of the two lidars, which provides velocity data with two horizontal components. The image-based reconstruction is found to produce reasonable wind speed estimates with a goodness-of-fit coefficient of R2 = 0.903. The mean wind direction estimate is smoothened but still comparable to the actual wind direction. The image processing approach shows promising potential to provide wind speed and direction information for all range gates for the lidar setup used, which can supplement traditional single-point wind velocity characterization by dual lidars.
Numerical study on the lifting operation of a gravity-type fish cage
Authors: Gjerde A , Wen X , Ong M C
Published: December 2023

The dynamic behaviours of the lifting operation of a gravity-type fish cage under calm sea conditions are investigated in this study using an extended position-based dynamics (XPBD) method to obtain the structural deformations of the aquaculture nets. The original XPBD is improved to accurately predict the tensions of the aquaculture nets by applying correction forces. The present XPBD is validated by comparing the experimental results of a flexible horizontal net. The time-step sensitivity is verified for the case of the lifting operation of the fish cage. Results show that the lifting force increases rapidly resulting from the weight of the sinkers at the bottom of the side net. The maximum tension of the net is located at the net ropes connected to the centre point of the bottom net. The structure of the bottom net should be enhanced for safety lifting operations.
Statistical evaluation of tubular joint SCFs from test data and finite element analyses
Authors: Ersdal G , Atteya M , Mikkelsen O
Published: December 2023

Stress concentration factors (SCF) derived from both FEA and measurements from laboratory experiments are associated with uncertainties. To understand these uncertainties, SCF values can be determined from a series of tests or possibly also several SCF-values estimated from converged finite element analysis. The challenge is to determine a recommended value for the SCF based on these tests or analysis, ensuring that the resulting SCF along with the SN-curve meets the code required 2.3% exceedance probability. In this paper, structural reliability analysis (SRA) methods are employed to model the combined uncertainty of the parameters representing the SN-curve and the measured SCFs from experimental test joints. Based on this analysis, the SCF that, when paired with the design SN-curve, provides the minimum fatigue life is established. From this analysis, a method to provide characteristic values of the SCF is suggested. Finally, FEA of the same detail, with and without modelling the weld, using both first and second-order elements are performed. From these analyses the SCF is estimated using linear extrapolation and direct extraction. Based on these findings and their comparison to the characteristic SCF, a suggested method to extract SCFs from FEA is provided.
Availability of fresh water in cold climate regions
Authors: Awong A D , Gudmestad O T
Published: December 2023

Challenges related to the availability of fresh water in cold climate regions are discussed with emphasis on possible degradation of the quality of drinking water. The permafrost in this region has been consistent in making sure there is little drainage in the ground. This is important, as fresh water is mainly supplied through melting water from snow and ice in the many winter months. Climate change and warmer weather plays a role in heating up the permafrost and increasing the rate of the melting snow. This has an impact on both the amount of water and potentially the drinking quality. In certain cold region areas, fresh water sources are located not far from the shore. With increased shorline erosion due to warming climate, the fresh water supply is in danger of being contaminated by salt water during large storm events. Furthermore, human activities such as road transport and sewage contamination do also have a significant impact on the water’s quality. A bowtie diagram will be used to illustrate the different risk factors and suggestions on how to maintain the quality of fresh water supplies in cold climate areas. The primary focus areas will be Isdammen, near Longyearbyen on Svalbard and Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska.
Dealing with abnormalities and deviations to enhance resilience in engineering Assets: A critical review from human factors and decision-making perspectives under complex operational contexts
Authors: Bakhshandeh M , Liyanage J P
Published: December 2023

With the growing scale of industrial demands, complexities, and uncertainties around asset engineering and operations due to advanced technology utilization, digitalization, sustainability, new operating models, etc., the sensitive role of abnormalities and deviations towards human safety, systems security, reliability and resilience of engineering assets and industrial systems are becoming even more significant for modern industrial sectors as well as societies in general. In these contexts, the abilities of operators to capture and sense-make early signals that emerge from engineering assets and systems need more attention since it enables them to enhance critical situation awareness (SA) during complex operations. This calls for proactive solutions that can integrate core data with operator knowledge using suitable logical approaches, particularly in a period where there is growing recognition that asset data can provide strong support for engineering and operational decisions in demanding contexts. Based on an ongoing research project, this paper sheds light on abnormalities and deviations; two specific attributes that should be better understood. The purpose is to explore how to capitalize them at very early sense-making stages to enhance situation awareness and thus resilience of dynamic and complex engineering assets and systems. Through a critical review of the current state of knowledge, together with industrial observations, this paper studies these core concepts in detail with due attention to the critical need of so-called priory contextual knowledge and hybrid contextual decision solutions. This R&D work explores proactive possibilities to mitigate inherent potentials for unwanted events and incidents to enhance resilience in the era of digital twins and cyber-physical systems, where complex technologies and operational demands generate new conditions for asset performance.
Systems dynamic model of wear evolution for sheaves used in oil and gas hoisting operations
Authors: Barua S , El-Thalji I
Published: December 2023

The global offshore drilling contracted fleet consisted of 378 jack-ups, 68 semisubmersibles and 73 drillships, according to Westwood Global Energy Group, as of September 2023. In most regions of the world, rig activity has picked up from increased operator demand and pushed the marketed utilization for jack-ups from 76% to 85%, semis from 60% to 80% and drillships from 82% to 90%. The utilization of a drilling rig depends on various factors, mainly drilling demand, rig capability and specifications, and rig efficiency and reliability. Worn sheave grooves can pull down the efficiency of a drive by 8% accelerate the wearing of ropes reduce rope life, increase maintenance costs, and the need for more frequent rope replacements. Wear depth for sheaves is typically measured as the depth of wear in the groove of the sheave, which indicates the extent to which the sheave has worn down over time. Research on surface wear of wire rope caused by the contact between the wire rope and the sheave has rarely been carried out. Upgrading Archard’s Wear model is needed to provide a better estimation of wear depth for sheaves. Moreover, the wear coefficient shall be determined. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to model the wear evolution caused by the sliding contact between the wire rope and the sheave. To achieve this purpose, case sheaves were purposefully selected, studied and modelled using both the analytical and simulation modelling approaches.
Service and inventory model for maintenance workshop in the short cycle operation region: Agent-based simulation approach
Authors: Shalfawi M , El-Thalji I , Turkyilmaz A
Published: December 2023

Tools used in the North Sea region has a high cycle and come very often to maintenance workshop to be checked, repaired if needed and prepared for the next operations. The availability of spare parts at the workshop plays a significant role to keep the flow time as short as possible and meet such high-cycle operations. Supplying spare parts from the best-cost countries to the North Sea region with about one-year lead time makes the situation more critical and the economic order quantity and reorder point need to be found. However, having inventory at the workshop and ordering a batch of spare parts increases operational expenditures. Moreover, frequent supplies increase the environmental impacts of shipping CO2 and spare scrap rates, whereas repairing the used spare parts and reusing them again can offer a more sustainable solution. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop a simulation model that can quantify the cost and benefits of reusing repaired spares compared to supplying newly built spares from the best-cost countries. To achieve this purpose, a case study has been implemented on a specific maintenance workshop within the North Sea region and the entire tool repair and spare part supply operations are conceptualized and modelled with the help of the simulation modelling approach. Two scenarios have been simulated: (1) the maintenance workshop fully depends on supplying newly built spares from the best-cost countries with no inventory stock or spare reuse, and (2) the Maintenance workshop is primarily dependent on repaired spares with an optimal level of spares stock. The simulation results, from the studied case, support the second scenario where a repair path cycle is introduced to the maintenance workshop, as a 78% reduction in lead times, a 116% improvement in worker utilization, a 73% reduction in crowding levels, a 52% reduction in scrap rate, and a potential profit increase of roughly three million NOK (20%). Therefore, it can be concluded that a local repair service is required to keep maintenance workshops in high-cycle regions at high-performance levels.
Internal clearance behaviour in healthy and faulty bearings
Authors: El-Thalji I , Khattab Y
Published: December 2023

Internal clearance is a critical parameter in bearing design and operation because it affects the bearing’s performance. It can be considered as a special type of the looseness fault. Several studies indicate that rolling bearings with large internal clearances showed a short predicted fatigue life. However, the time waveform and spectral features of bearing with internal clearances are partially studied and require further studies. To address this gap, the purpose of this paper is to study the effect of internal clearance on the dynamic response of healthy and faculty rolling bearings in both time waveform and spectral representations. Four experiments are designed and performed: (1) rigid bearing with no defect, (2) rigid bearing with bearing defect, (3) bearing with high internal clearance, (4) bearing with high internal clearance and bearing defect. The results indicate an increase in the overall vibration level with high internal clearance is introduced, however, there is an increase in the overall vibration level when high internal clearance and bearing defect are both presented. The internal clearance negatively affects the impact amplitude of the bearing defect, which also affects the spectral pattern at the natural frequency zone.
Literature review on thin-walled and cellular structure designs for energy absorption
Authors: Dabasa T , Lemu H G , Regassa Y
Published: December 2023

Bio-inspired structure is a topic of immense interest to researchers worldwide. In order to maximize energy absorption through biomimetic structures, this article presents bio-inspired structure particularly, thin walled and cellular structures thorough analysis of the interactions between experimental research and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations. The study compiles the prior research on experimental investigations of thin-walled and cellular biomimetic structures in order to understand the significance of biomimetic structural energy absorption. These inventive works of nature serve as inspiration for these designs, which provide engineering solutions that excel in impact resistance and energy dissipation abilities. The study further highlights the mutual advantages of combining experimental research with FEA models, which enable a deeper understanding of the impact response and energy absorption mechanisms inherent in biomimetic structures, by exploring into recent developments in material science and design methodologies. The article emphasizes how important validations are in bringing experimental results in line with FEA predictions. Furthermore, the practical applications demonstrated in fields like aircraft engineering, automotive safety, and protections can serve as excellent examples of the paradigm-shifting potential of this method for boosting impact protection. This review proposes novel research avenues aimed at fully harnessing the potential of biomimetic architectures to enhance energy absorption, all while acknowledging and addressing the associated challenges.
Utilizing multiple criteria decision-making optimization methods to machine LM25Al/VC material under electro-discharge machining processes
Authors: Tolcha M A , Lemu H G
Published: December 2023

In this work, sparking electro-discharge machining (EDM) process parameters are optimized by using multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. The work piece utilized for the investigation was LM25 aluminum alloy reinforced with Vanadium carbide (VC), processed through a stir casting technique. The EDM process parameters that have been considered in this work are by peak current, pulse-on-time, and pulse-off-time, with the effects of each variable and their combinations on the performance metrics of EDM like material removal rate, electrode wearing rate, and surface roughness. In this study, three MCDM methodologies were applied to evaluate EDM performance. Then, the obtained MCDM scores were compared using two different objective verification mechanisms. In this case, the VIKOR technique delivered the best-desired results relative to TOPSIS method, and factorial analyzing method. Also, the factorial method is simpler than the other methods, though it produced nearly identical results as the sophisticated MDCM method.
Artificial neural network model for predicting CO2 heat pump behaviour in domestic hot water and space heating systems
Authors: Fadnes F S , Banihabib R , Assadi M
Published: December 2023

The natural refrigerant, CO2, possesses thermophysical properties that make it highly suitable for domestic hot water (DHW) production using heat pump technology. In this study, the development and validation of an artificial neural network (ANN) model that enables efficient design and control of a CO2 heat pump is presented. The study employs experimental data from a CO2 heat pump with a nominal heat capacity of 8 kW. The fully instrumented rig includes the heat pump and a pump rig designed to generate system temperatures representative of various space heat and DHW demands. A comprehensive dataset was generated through systematic variation of inlet temperatures and setpoints. The ANN provides predictions for outlet temperatures, heat production, and electricity consumption utilizing inlet flow rates, temperatures, and setpoints as inputs. These predictions are important for condition monitoring or in a smart operation management framework that determines optimal schedules for the machine.
Machine learning for underground gas storage with cushion CO2 using data from reservoir simulation
Authors: Helland J O , Friis H A , Assadi M , Nagy S
Published: December 2023

Underground natural gas storage (UNGS) is a means to store energy temporarily for later recovery and use. In such storage operations, carbon dioxide (CO2) can be injected as cushion gas to improve the operating efficiency of the working gas and then be permanently stored in the same reservoir. A potential obstacle for widespread use of this technology is that the mixing of the different gases can lead to undesired CO2 production. Herein, we use a two-component flow model to simulate injection and withdrawal periods of methane (CH4) in idealized reservoirs containing CO2. First, we simulate cases with a single well for both CH4 injection and production. From 1200 simulations with systematic variation of reservoir temperature, porosity, permeability, height, and injection time, we find that the reservoir height and permeability have the most significant impact on the production time until the well stream reaches 1% mole fraction of CO2. In another set of simulations, we investigate the impact of well spacing in seasonal gas storage scenarios with separate wells for CH4 injection and production, while CO2 injection occurs from a third well. Based on the simulated data we construct artificial neural networks (ANNs) that describe the relations between the varied input parameters and the production time of CH4, well-block mole fraction and pressure. We conclude that trained and validated ANN models are useful tools to optimize important parameters for UNGS operations, including well positioning, with the aim at maximizing the amounts of delivered gas.
Comparative Analysis of the Mechanical Exploitation Properties of the Steel Sheet Welded Joint of New and Old Materials
Authors: Islamović Fadil , Bajramović Ermin , Islamović Belma , Bajramović Esad
Published: December 2023

The rehabilitation process of the war-damaged vertical cylindrical tank with a volume of 5.000 m3 located at the oil terminal for liquid cargo TTT S-105 Ribić in Bihać, included a preliminary experimental examination of the mechanical exploitation properties of the steel sheet welded joints. A new steel sheet Č.0361 was acquired for this purpose. In addition, a sample of an old sheet of the same quality was taken from the construction of the devastated tank, which had been in use for more than 35 years. The experimental testing should determine the mechanical exploitation properties of the new material, examine the same properties of the old used material, compare the obtained results and confirm their mutual acceptability in the joint construction. The tank in question was damaged as a result of direct or indirect missile hits during the war period. Following the more economically acceptable rehabilitation, compared to demolition and complete reconstruction, the tank should be returned to a safe and usable condition.
A method for maintaining a stable ISM band point-to-point wireless communication link in the presence of interference
Authors: Saletović Enes , Babović Elmir , Hadžić Đulaga , Buzađija Nevzudin
Published: December 2023

This paper presents a new method that enables automatic channel change in case of intense interference on the active channel of a wireless communication point-to-point link. Channel change algorithms on the master and slave side of the communication link are presented, which enable the automatic selection of a new communication channel from a predefined set of available communication channels. By applying this method, it is possible to maintain a stable communication link in case of intense unpredictable interference on the transmitter or receiver side. The method applies to two-way master-slave communication links, regardless of the frequency spectrum and the number of used communication channels.
Interpolation on the unit hypersphere using the n-dimensional generalized Kuramoto model
Authors: Kapić Zinaid , Crnkić Aladin
Published: December 2023

Computer graphics, robotics, and physics are one of the many domains where interpolation on the unit sphere S

n
(often called a unit hypersphere or unit n-sphere) plays a crucial role. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach for achieving smooth and precise interpolation on the unit sphere S

n−1 using the n-dimensional generalized Kuramoto model. The proposed algorithm finds the shortest and most direct path between two points on that non-Euclidean manifold. Our simulation results demonstrate that it achieves performance comparable to that of a Spherical Linear Interpolation algorithm. Also, the paper proposes the application of our algorithm in the interpolation of rotations that are presented in the form of four-dimensional data.
Performance comparison of bilateral teleoperation control of direct control, PID control, and fuzzy logic control for water tank system
Authors: Drakulić Una
Published: December 2023

Bilateral teleoperation has attracted significant research and application interests in a wide range of areas. The first and main use for bilateral teleoperation was to handle the dangerous and remote distance tasks such as space exploration and nuclear materials manipulation. In the past few years, bilateral teleoperation has found its way into other applications as a result of the development of control technologies and the latest breakthrough in artificial intelligence and machine learning. In this paper, the goal is to model bilateral teleoperation for direct control, PID control, and Fuzzy Logic control for the water tank system. The goal is to create a simulation for master-slave communication where the time delay is minimized to the optimal and accepted values. The experimental results obtained from the simulation show a fairly high accuracy in terms of all three ways of control modes, which highlights the effectiveness of the proposed system in the paper.
Using a fuzzy logic controller in photovoltaic power systems for maximizing PV array efficiency
Authors: Drakulić Una , Blanuša Branko
Published: December 2023

The goal of this work is to design a high-efficiency photovoltaic system (PV) with a fuzzy logic controller. This PV system consists of a PV panel, DC/DC Buck-Boost converter with a 24V DC load, and a fuzzy logic controller. Because the efficiency of normal solar PV modules is very low, we implemented the fuzzy logic controller. In this paper, we have proposed a system that is designed and simulated in MATLAB Simulink. In the fourth section of the paper are shown obtained results which show that using the fuzzy logic controller for photovoltaic systems has better performance. This controller can facilitate the PV array to reach the MPPT faster and provide more stable output power.
Control of a Smart Security Object using an Arduino Platform and a GSM Controller
Authors: Kapić Azra , Toroman Amel
Published: December 2023

A smart home is a term often used to define a residence that employs electronic control systems or simply “controllers” to integrate and activate various spatial detectors and functional subsystems embedded within the smart home, particularly as integrated parts of home automation. In this paper, the focus is on studying security and enhancing the technical protection system, rather than on the functions and capabilities of controllers for smart functionalities within a specific facility. The paper describes intelligent control of a security object, enabled using specific components. The advantage of the designed system lies in its practical application, offering increased security, facility monitoring, streamlined communication, and user-friendliness through the utilization of ICT technology and smart components.
Raspberry Pi based Web Monitoring Smart Security System
Authors: Toroman Amel , Drakulić Una , Džanić Amel , Kapić Azra
Published: December 2023

The surveillance system has been utilized over the years on public property in order to provide security and prevent unauthorized entrance. Lately, more private homeowners are choosing to implement security systems. There are many problems with the video surveillance system. These disadvantages are the indistinctiveness of the pictures/video and the need for a lot of storage space to save surveillance information. This paper describes the design and implementation of a low-cost Web Monitoring System based on Raspberry Pi. Also, a web application is designed for the purposes of controlling the camera and for live streaming. The live stream from a web camera can be viewed from any web browser, even mobile, in real-time. Controlling the camera is possible with the web application using four commands (up/down, left/right). Also, the camera moves depending on the detection of an object located in the visible area of the PIR Motion sensor, thereby issuing a warning message about object detection.
Evaluation of reality and standards for fire evacuation routes in buildings – case study
Authors: Balić Lamija , El Sayed Ahmed , Džidić Sanin , Novalić Adnan
Published: December 2023

Any building, at any time could experience a fire. Because of that, occupants need a fire evacuation path that is designed according to the design standards as they are unable to be entirely prepared for fire emergency scenarios. However, the majority of these standards were developed using empirical judgments. The aim of the paper is to determine whether the fire escape exit route design takes into account the demands and behaviour of building occupants or if it only considers the recommendations and regulations already in place. One university building has been chosen for qualitative research, and as a result, students and teachers are the primary target population. The following factors are taken into consideration throughout the research: the number of students and professors, the movement speed of building occupants and persons with special needs, the plan, the number of floors, the width and length of corridors, the location and type of stairways, as well as type, position and geometry of doors. The findings of this case study indicated that younger occupants can safely exit the building, however older occupants and students with disabilities, as well as teaching personnel need more time for evacuation across the same evacuation paths in fire situation. In this regard, the findings of this research paper offer conclusions that might be useful in design and organization of such and similar buildings and environments.
First-principles study of stability and electronic structural properties of Ag/Au/M (Cu, Ni) interface
Authors: Hu Jie-Qiong , Ma Chao , Xie Ming , Fang Ji-Heng , Chen Yong-Tai , Yang You-Cai , Zhang Qiao , Bi Ya-Nan
Published: December 2023

This study investigated the interface energy, work of adhesion, and electronic structural properties at the Ag/Au/M(Cu,Ni) interface, employing the first-principles method based on density functional theory. First, the structures of various binary and ternary interfaces were optimized. Subsequently, the total density of states (TDOS), partial density of states (PDOS), charge distribution, and bonding characteristics of these interfaces were investigated. Additionally, the interface energy and work of adhesion of these interfaces were calculated. The results indicated that the Ag/Au/Ni interface exhibited higher stability and bonding strength compared to the Ag/Au/Cu interface. The contribution of the PDOS of atoms at the Ag/Au/M(Cu,Ni) interface to the TDOS can be primarily attributed to d-orbital electrons, while s- and p-orbit electrons had minimal influence on PDOS.Notably, d-d orbital hybridization emerged between the d-orbit electrons in Cu and Ni atoms and those in Ag and Au atoms, enhancing structural stability. Two distinct peaks in the TDOS of Ag/Ni, Au/Ni, and Ag/Au/Ni interfaces appeared near the Fermi level, corresponding to d-d orbital hybridization involving Ni, Ag, and Au atoms. At the Ag/Au/Cu and Ag/Au/Ni interfaces, resonance peaks corresponding to the s and p orbits of Ag and the s and p orbits of Au, as well as the d orbits of Ag and Au, indicated the presence of a relatively strong metallic bond between Ag and Au atoms. Furthermore, the Ag/Ni and Au/Ni systems exhibited greater average electron transfer compared to the Ag/Cu and Au/Cu systems. Moreover, atomic bond lengths at the Ag/Au/Ni interface were significantly less than those at the Ag/Au/Cu interface, indicating higher stability of the Ag/Au/Ni interface compared to the Ag/Au/Cu interface.
The Hinge of History Hypothesis: Reply to MacAskill
Authors: Mogensen Andreas L
Published: December 2023

Some believe that the current era is uniquely important with respect to how well the rest of human history goes. Following Parfit, call this the Hinge of History Hypothesis. Recently, MacAskill has argued that our era is actually very unlikely to be especially influential in the way asserted by the Hinge of History Hypothesis. I respond to MacAskill, pointing to important unresolved ambiguities in his proposed definition of what it means for a time to be influential and criticizing the two arguments used to cast doubt on the claim that the current era is a uniquely important moment in human history.
Hypopigmented white patches in a newborn
Authors: Palmeiro Ana Gusmão , Pimentel Bernardo , Castro Cristina Gonçalves , Claro Cristina , Viana Isabel
Published: December 2023

A newborn developed multiple hyperkeratotic erythematous papules, some with central erosions, mainly located on her scalp and trunk. Histopathology revealed a dense infiltrate of monotonous mononuclear cells with pale pink cytoplasm and reniform nuclei, positive for CD1a, S100 protein and langerin.
A Sketch Framework for Fast, Accurate and Fine-Grained Analysis of Application Traffic
Authors: Hou Changsheng , Jia Chunbo , Hou Bingnan , Zhou Tongqing , Chen Yingwen , Cai Zhiping
Published: December 2023

Nowadays, with the continuous increase in internet traffic, the demand for real-time and high-speed traffic analysis has grown significantly. However, existing traffic analysis technologies are either limited by specific applications or data, unable to expand for widespread implementation, or in offline mode are unable to keep up with dynamic adjustments required in certain network management scenarios. A promising approach is to utilize sketch technology to enhance real-time traffic analysis. Unfortunately, existing technologies suffer from defects, such as overly coarse-grained statistics that cannot perform precise application-level traffic analysis, and irreversibility, which cannot support real-time queries in a friendly way. To achieve real-time fine-grained application traffic analysis in general scenarios, we propose AppSketch, a real-time network traffic measurement tool. AppSketch adopts a one-pass approach to classify and label the application information of each packet in the network flows. It then hashes the flow, identified with the application tag, into a carefully designed multiple-key sketch, for gathering application-specific statistics. We conducted extensive experiments using a real-world network traffic dataset collected on a university campus. The results showed that AppSketch achieved high accuracy while requiring less update time than other alternatives. Moreover, AppSketch occupies limited memory ($ {\leq }$64KB), making it suitable for online network devices.
Gender representation among speaking and leader roles at European cardio-thoracic surgical annual meetings
Authors: Galeone Antonella , Bernabei Annalisa , Cleuziou Julie , Menezes Vanessa , Park Samina , Kluin Jolanda , Pompili Cecilia
Published: December 2023

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to evaluate gender representation among session leaders and abstract presenters at European cardio-thoracic surgical annual meetings.

METHODS

We did a descriptive study of the gender distribution among session leaders and abstract presenters at 2 European cardio-thoracic international meetings from 2017 to 2022. Data from publicly available programmes were used to generate a list of session leaders and abstract presenters. The primary outcome was to evaluate the proportion of female sessions leaders at the annual meetings. Descriptive analyses were performed including the Cochran-Armitage trend test for linear trend of proportions.

RESULTS

A total of 1025 sessions of 11 annual meetings of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons were examined. A total of 397 (13.2%) out of 3007 total session leaders and 955 (15.2%) out of 6251 abstract presenters were female. From 2017 to 2022, the proportions of both female session leaders and abstract presenters trended significantly [10.4% to 21.9% (P < 0.001) and 13.7% to 18.3% (P < 0.001), respectively]. The EACTS female members and female meeting attendees significantly increased from 2017 to 2022 [11.1% to 15.9% (P < 0.001) and 23.7% to 26.9% (P < 0.001)], respectively. Most of the women attendees at the EACTS and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons meetings who were session leaders and speakers came from Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States.

CONCLUSIONS

Women are under-represented compared to men in leadership and speaking roles at European cardio-thoracic surgical annual meetings. In the past few years, an encouraging positive trend over time for female leadership roles has been noted; as a result, the proportion of female society members is represented at the annual meetings. However, a substantial gender gap still exists in leading roles of meeting attendees
DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERGENERATIONAL AND AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY: APPLICATION OF THE SOCIAL CAPITAL FRAMEWORK
Authors: Lee Youjung , McGinley Jacqueline
Published: December 2023

In intergenerational programs, people from multiple generations share their talents, build healthy social relationships, and experience improved well-being and social presence and identity (Lee et al., 2021). As a part of age-friendly community initiative in a small city in the Northeast, an intergenerational engagement community project, named “Senior to Senior”, involved a multi-year partnership among community agencies, including the local Office for Aging, a university, a high school, a senior center, and a church. As part of this partnership, a community dance was held in May of 2022, where local high school students and older adults participated in a variety of intergenerational activities. This study explored how the principles of social capital are incorporated into the development of intergenerational and age-friendly communities. Using focus groups with community partners (n=6) and surveys with older adult participants (n=29), the research team sought to describe how community agencies collaborate on the development of intergenerational and age-friendly communities. Carpiano’s framework of social capital (2008) guided the data analysis and the development of following themes: (a) importance of social capital identification; (b) development of social cohesion among multiple generations; (c) assessment of social antecedent for the development of intergenerational and age-friendly community; and, (d) outcomes of the community events on diverse stakeholders. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the contextual factors of each community and the agencies within, while also elucidating the necessity of stakeholder buy-in for the sustainable development of intergenerational and age-friendly communities.
SELF CARE TRAININGS FOR NCD MANAGEMENT IN OLD AGE IN INDIA
Authors: Tyagi Prakash
Published: December 2023

With over 100 million older people, India has the second largest elderly population in the world. Older people in many parts of India, especially in the rural settings live in vulnerable conditions with limited facilities and with an overall poor health status. GRAVIS has been working actively in the Thar Desert of India to address older people’s health. It has multi-layered health intervention combining medical services, public health activities and research component. Self-care training is integral part of our work with older people. With help of locally designed contents, GRAVIS team trains older people on healthy ageing. The curriculum includes 10 modules focusing on basics of human body and biology of ageing, Common diseases in old age, prevention of common diseases, management of common diseases and useful information on Government health programmes. Older people in groups of 12-15 attend trainings once in 15 days. To provide service to older people and to take self care education further, GRAVIS also works with a cadre of Village based Health Workers (VHWs). The impact of our self-care training interventions has been quite positive. The trainings are well received within the community. Over 1,500 older people have been trained and over 85% report a significant increase in their knowledge levels. GRAVIS has been able to draw the attention of local health authorities and hopes that the trainings could be scaled up further. Self care and improved health knowledge are critically important for older people to stay healthy, particularly in remote and resource scarce settings.
ACCESS TO PREFERRED POSTACUTE CARE PATHWAYS FOR PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS
Authors: Bucy Taylor , McHugh John , Cross Dori
Published: December 2023

Hospital-to-skilled nursing facility (SNF) transitions are fraught with coordination challenges, motivating selective investments by hospitals to improve transitional care practices with “preferred” (e.g. high-volume) SNF partners. Because these partners have some agency in which patients they admit, it is unclear whether Medicare beneficiaries with social or clinical complexities, such as individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) have equitable access to these preferred SNFs. To answer this question, we use a linear probability choice model to test the differential effect of a SNF’s “preferredness” on patient placement for ADRD vs non-ADRD beneficiaries. We use a 1:1 matched sample of ADRD and non-ADRD fee-for-service beneficiaries (N=76,762) to account for other primary factors affecting placement (i.e. discharging hospital, beneficiaries’ home address). After controlling for SNF characteristics, the estimated effect of a SNF being “preferred” on likelihood of placement was 12.7% lower for patients with ADRD (0.092 vs 0.103 for non-ADRD; p< 0.001). Simulation results suggest that, as a preferred SNF is assumed to have an increasing percentage of a hospital’s discharges, the likelihood of a patient being discharged there grows much faster for non-ADRD patients compared to those with ADRD. Our findings show that ADRD patients may have unequal access to SNFs that are receiving the most investments from hospitals in the form of transitional care improvements. Policymakers should consider systemic investments that benefit all SNF partners, not just the most preferred based on shared discharges, while also weighing the costs of dispersing these investments too broadly.
RECRUITING THE MINORITIZED: AFRICAN AMERICAN BEREAVED DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS
Authors: Frazier Robbin , Millenbah Ashley , Fairbanks Sheryl , Wolfe Warren , Baker Zachary
Published: December 2023

Central to this project was recruiting and learning from African American people, who are underrepresented in Bereaved Dementia Caregiver research. Initially this project was conceptualized with the intent of recruiting a wide range of people of African or Caribbean descent, given the geographic presence of large contingents of African Immigrants in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. In talking to our community partners prior to launch, we elected to restrict participation to those who identified as, or identified as serving, African Americans specifically. Our recruitment strategies were largely informed by deep community engagement built through academic, personal, and non-profit partnerships over several years. We also sought to synergize recruitment efforts for this project with another effort targeting augmentations of dementia friendliness in local African American churches. In discussing recruitment strategies we also sought to hear from those who may not be those traditionally heard from. For instance, to include younger individuals, we recruited contacts through our local Alzheimer’s Association chapter’s Young Champions group. Likewise, because churches are often a major source of African American participant recruitment, we contacted individuals at the Volunteers of America to recruit. Finally, we intentionally broke our recruitment plan into stages (recruiting a handful of individuals at a time) to ensure that participants could nominate those they thought might be most important to hear from within their own communities. This intellectual humility was essential to doing this work properly and maximizing the potential of our results to help African American Bereaved Dementia Caregivers.
STATE VARIATION IN CANNABIS REGULATIONS CONCERNING OLDER AMERICANS
Authors: Martinos Fadi
Published: December 2023

As of 2022, 21 states have fully legalized cannabis, 23 legalize for medical use only, and 6 states prohibit cannabis use entirely. While previous research has associated discrete aspects of state cannabis regulation with individual outcomes, little is known about the administrative rules most relevant to older persons. We previously have observed how the progressive approach to legalization across the United States, which includes flexible regulation on legal access, medical program eligibility and qualifying conditions, potency limits, care giver autonomy and others has corresponded with increased accessibility and use of cannabis among Americans over 65 years old. In this study, we source data on seven distinct state regulations pertaining to older persons and measured each on a scale reflecting permissiveness relevant to access and use. We used individual item measures to construct aggregated scores of state policies and charted changes within and among these seven state policies from 2016 to 2022. This research advances scientific understanding by capturing finite distinctions among state regulatory approaches most likely to impact older persons and offering reliable time-varying measures to be included in multi-level model formulations.
ADVANCE CARE PLANNING IN PRIMARY CARE: ENGAGING ACCOMPANIED OLDER ADULTS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
Authors: Wolff Jennifer , Echavarria Diane , Gitlin Laura
Published: December 2023

Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) are among the most profoundly disabling and costly of all health conditions, and persons living with dementia are at heightened risk for high utilization of burdensome and costly end-of-life care. Family caregivers are at the forefront of managing ADRD, however, they are not routinely engaged in primary care discussions about prognosis and the healthcare preferences of the people for whom they care. Advance care planning (ACP) is a longitudinal communication process that supports adults at any age or stage of health in understanding and sharing their personal values, life goals, and preferences regarding future medical care. Early initiation of ACP, communication with the primary care team, and the inclusion of associated caregivers is imperative in ADRD care due to progressive and devastating effects on decision-making capacity connected with the disease. SHARE, a multicomponent communication intervention, engaged 273 patient-family caregiver dyads in a randomized-controlled trial collecting baseline and six-month survey data related to experiences in the primary care setting. 145 patient-caregiver dyads assigned to the intervention received an offer for a facilitated advance care planning conversation. This symposium will highlight 6-month outcomes from caregiver-reported surveys. Attendees will gain a perspective on ACP considerations in a cognitively impaired population including ethical considerations and the factors influencing preparedness for medical decision making for involved family caregivers. Additional attention concerning the quality and content of ACP conversations with patient-caregiver dyads and the development of a fidelity tool for usage with audio-recorded ACP conversations will be presented.
THE INFLUENCE OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC FACTORS ON LONGITUDINAL PATTERNS OF CAREGIVER NETWORK
Authors: Lee Jeong Eun , Svec Joseph , Cone Nicholas
Published: December 2023

Care networks are defined as the collection of individuals who provide support for older adults with health challenges. Although many older adults receive care from multiple caregivers, with varying intensities of caregiving, little is known about the structure of their care networks and whether or to what extent it changes over time. This study aims to examine the stability of care networks and the predictive effects of static and dynamic factors on patterns of caregiving networks. Using data from the National Health Aging Trends (NHAT) and National Study of Caregiving (NSOC), we examine the static and dynamic intrapersonal structures of care arrangements with regard to systematic continuity across 7 years. We utilize both Latent Profile Analysis and Latent Transition Analysis to identify different types of caregiving arrangements and patterns of transitions over time. Moreover, we use logistic regressions to examine how individual and time-varying factors affect those arrangements and transitions. The results show three groups of caregiving arrangements: 1) intense care with one caregiver, 2) moderate-level care with multiple caregivers, and 3) low-level care with multiple caregivers. Among the groups, moderate-level care with multiple caregivers is the most stable group. Moreover, static factors, such as gender and race, and dynamic factors, such as psychological resilience of care recipients, significantly impacts the probability of transitioning from low-level care to intense care over time. The findings highlight the utility of Latent Transition Analysis in caregiving networks, suggesting that patterns of caregiving outcomes should be understood as process as well as a condition.