bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Simulation of an Energy Integrated Distillation Column in a Bond Graph Approach
Authors: Mendez-B Juancarlos , Gonzalez-Avalos Gilberto , Gallegos Noe Barrera , Ayala-Jaimes Gerardo , Rubio-Maya Carlos
Published: August 2022

The bond graph methodology for modelling an integrated energy distillation column is applied in this paper. The distillation column is built by five trays for a binary mixture. However, due to its modular construction in a bond graph, the number of trays can be increased. In order to link the analysis tools of systems modeled in the bond graph to the mathematical model given to a distillation column, a junction structure of the proposed bond graph is presented. Hence, this junction structure is a way to obtain the state space representation of the modeled column in bond graphs. Likewise, it is well known that distillation columns determine a class of nonlinear systems, so throughout this paper, these systems in a bond graph approach can be analyzed. In order to learn the behavior of the distillation column in the physical domain, simulation results using 20-Sim software are shown. In addition, with the simulation of two case studies consisting of two mixtures with different relative volatilities, the versatility of the column model in a bond graph is presented. In both cases, the increase in the feed flow, the mole fraction of the light component in the feed or the distillate reflux that enriches the concentration of light in the column determine an increase in the mole fraction of light in the distillate and in the bottom reflow. Further, the control design for a distillation column in the physical domain can be extended.
Fast Topology Selection for Analog Amplifier Circuits Using On-The-Fly Cascaded Neural Networks
Authors: Khalil Karim , Yasseen Khaled , Omran Hesham
Published: August 2022

In this paper, a machine learning-based approach for the automation of topology selection of integrated analog amplifier circuits is presented. A dataset of 480,000 circuits for 30 different amplifier topologies is generated for the prediction algorithm based on a precomputed lookup tables (LUTs) approach. A first approach based on neural networks is presented where the required specifications act as inputs to the networks, and the output of the network is the suitable topology for such a set of specifications. A modified cascaded neural network approach is examined to reduce the training time of the network while maintaining the prediction accuracy. Using the cascaded neural network approach, the network is trained in only one minute on a standard computer, and a 90.8% prediction accuracy is achieved. This allows on-the-fly changes in the input specifications, and consequently the neural network, to enable examining different design scenarios.
Laboratorial Implementation of Future Intelligent Transmission Network Substation for Smart Grid
Authors: Xu Luoyun , Huang Haizhou , Zhou Yuhao , Deng Yan , Li Haiyu
Published: August 2022

This paper presents the future intelligent transmission network substation architecture; it identifies the most important design patterns for the purpose of building simplified versions of the communication infrastructure with High-Availability Seamless Redundancy (HSR) and Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) configurations, respectively. The network model used for the laboratory tests is detailed, and details regarding the modelling of current-transformer (CT) saturation are given and discussed. Several intentional communications related to equipment or fibre failures are discussed. The laboratory setup for both HSR and PRP is presented. A real-time digital simulator (RTDS) network model is built and the test processes are presented. Some tests are carried out to test the functionality and interoperability with different fault conditions under the future intelligent transmission network substation architectures’ HSR-only and PRP-only data network configurations. The results are analysed and discussed, and a future intelligent transmission network substation test platform is successfully implemented in the laboratory. The experimental results can provide valuable information for power utilities and manufacturers to optimise substation architecture and their products under different conditions.
A Blockchain Storage Architecture Based on Information-Centric Networking
Authors: Feng Hangwei , Wang Jinlin , Li Yang
Published: August 2022

Blockchain technology is a unique distributed ledger technology that has been widely used in various areas. With the increase in data on the blockchain and the append-only nature of the blockchain, the traditional blockchain’s full replica storage technique leads to blockchain storage scalability problem. Existing methods prioritize minimizing the storage strain on blockchain nodes while ignoring the availability of data, resulting in a lengthy average response time for users to access the blockchain. To address the shortcomings, this paper proposes an Information-Centric Networking-based blockchain storage architecture. The architecture uses the enhanced resolution system for community division to build blockchain node partitions and store blockchain ledgers in the underlying network. It introduces virtual chain for rapid blockchain indexing and adopts a collaborative block replica deletion algorithm across neighboring partitions, including replica number decision based on blockchain access decay characteristics and replica deletion based on resource relationship. Finally, we compare and analyze the proposed blockchain storage architecture with BC-store and KASARASA, and the results demonstrate that this architecture has significantly lower average access time than others. The replica data volume of this method is reduced by 57.2% compared to the full replica policy, but the access time is only 5.2% slower when compared to the full replica policy, which substantially increases the replica storage utilization.
Comparative Analysis of the Failure Rates of Shearer and Plow Systems—A Case Study
Authors: Bołoz Łukasz , Rak Zbigniew , Stasica Jerzy
Published: August 2022

Mechanised plow and shearer systems are widely applied in underground mines all over the world. Both systems are used in the exploitation of hard coal deposited in the form of seams of various thickness. The selection of the appropriate complex depends on the mining and geological conditions and the thickness of the seam. However, with regard to thin and medium seams, these complexes are competitive solutions. Mines usually use either shearer or plow systems. Both have certain advantages and disadvantages resulting from their design and method of operation, which have been demonstrated and presented in many publications. However, in terms of their failure rate comparison, there are no relevant research and analysis results. Only selective studies of individual machines can be found. The article is concerned with the failure frequency of longwalls equipped with plow and shearer systems in the LW Bogdanka coal mine. The analysis covers a period of 13 months of the mine’s operation, during which 2589 failures were recorded. All failures were taken into account, irrespective of their type or cause. The analysis was conducted for all longwalls exploited in this period, i.e., five plow and five shearer systems working in six different sections. In the analysed period, these longwalls worked for a total of 1484 days. It should be emphasised that all the complexes worked in one mine, thanks to which the data are comparable. The analysis is unique material regarding the failure rate of machines. Both solutions were analysed independently and subjected to a detailed comparison. A comprehensive analysis revealed that the failure rate of longwalls equipped with plow systems is noticeably higher than that of shearer ones. The main purpose of the article was to conduct a comparative analysis of the failure rate of machines in shearer and plow complexes operating in the same conditions. The analysis results contradict the previous opinion on the failure frequency of plow and shearer systems. The final conclusion has been very well-argued and is supported by hard data. The comparison of both techniques in terms of their failure rate is new knowledge and can be treated as an argument when choosing an appropriate longwall complex.
Impacts of Trade Friction and Climate Policy on Global Energy Trade Network
Authors: Shepard Jun U. , van Ruijven Bas J. , Zakeri Behnam
Published: August 2022

The trade impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have raised questions about the role of trade and climate policies in energy security and global emissions. This study updates a widely used integrated assessment model (IAM), MESSAGEix-GLOBIOM, to represent complex trade networks to explicitly draw energy flows from their origins to their destination. It then examines the effects of (1) energy trade tariff policies, such as import tariffs, as a proxy to represent an unfriendly trade environment and (2) a global carbon emissions tax on the global energy trade network. Results indicate that trade tariff policies have marginal effects on the trade network, i.e., the size of trade and importing-exporting regions do not change significantly. While high import tariffs significantly reduce emissions due to reduced fossil fuel imports in the importing region, this effect does not translate to significant emission reductions globally, as trade policies only impact downstream of the energy supply chain. However, a carbon emission tax dramatically alters the trade network, by (1) reducing its size by up to 50% and (2) forming trade linkages that allow for a more complex and diverse network of suppliers. This diversity under the emissions tax scenario improves the energy security of major energy-importing regions. Moreover, under an emission tax scenario, a friendly trade environment reduces the energy system costs globally. However, trade friction, such as sanctions or high import tariffs, will increase the energy supply cost significantly, especially for energy-importing regions such as Europe, East and South Asia.
A Variable Pressure Multi-Pressure Rail System Design for Agricultural Applications
Authors: Guo Xiaofan , Lengacher Jacob , Vacca Andrea
Published: August 2022

This paper presents a solution for reducing energy loss in the hydraulic control system of agricultural tractors and their implements. The solution is referred to as a multi-pressure rail (MPR) and provides power to the hydraulic functions following a pressure control logic, as opposed to the traditional flow control logic typical of hydraulic systems used in off-road vehicles. The proposed hydraulic control system allows for elimination of redundant flow control valves in the state-of-the-art system, which cause excessive throttling losses leading to poor overall energy efficiency. Related work on MPR technology targets construction vehicles, where the MPR solution can allow energy recovery during overrunning loads and better engine management. This paper alternatively addresses the case of agricultural applications where functions mostly operate under resistive load conditions with slow dynamics, which offers an opportunity to target throttle losses. For this purpose, the paper introduces a variable pressure control strategy to handle the instantaneous pressure at each rail. To develop both the controller and the hydraulic system architecture, a stationary test rig is conceived and used to validate a numerical simulation model of the MPR system and its control strategy. Particular focus is given to the dynamic behavior of the system during the switches of a function between different pressure rails, which needs to ensure reduced oscillations of the flow provided to each hydraulic function. Once validated, the simulation model is used to predict the energy savings of the MPR solution in an actual application: a 435 hp hydraulic tractor powering a 16-row planter, for which operating features during typical drive cycles were available to the authors. The results show up to 59% total power reduction at the pump shaft, corresponding to 89.8% system efficiency gain.
Multiphysics Simulation of the NASA SIRIUS-CAL Fuel Experiment in the Transient Test Reactor Using Griffin
Authors: Jing Tian , Schunert Sebastian , Labouré Vincent M. , DeHart Mark D. , Lin Ching-Sheng , Ortensi Javier
Published: August 2022

After approximately 50 years, NASA is restarting efforts to develop nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) for interplanetary missions. Building upon nuclear engine tests performed from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, the present research and testing focuses on advanced materials and fabrication methods. A number of transient tests have been performed to evaluate materials performance under high-temperature, high-flux conditions, with several more experiments in the pipeline for future testing. The measured data obtained from those tests are being used to validate the Griffin reactor multiphysics code for this particular type of application. Griffin was developed at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) using the MOOSE framework. This article describes the simulation results of the SIRIUS-CAL calibration experiment in the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT). SIRIUS-CAL was the first transient test conducted on NASA fuels, and although the test was performed with a relatively low core peak power, the test specimen survived a temperature exceeding 900 K. Griffin simulations of the experiment successfully matched the reactor’s power transient after calibrating the initial control rod position to match the initial reactor period. The thermal-hydraulics model largely matches the time-dependent response of a thermocouple located within the experiment specimen to within the uncertainty estimate. However, the uncertainty range is significant and must be reduced in the future.
Optimal Operation of Microgrids Comprising Large Building Prosumers and Plug-in Electric Vehicles Integrated into Active Distribution Networks
Authors: Kyriakou Dimitra G. , Kanellos Fotios D.
Published: August 2022

Active distribution networks and microgrids will be powerful tools for future power systems in their endeavor to integrate more renewable energy sources, increase distributed generation and optimize their operation. In this paper, a method for the coordinated optimal operation scheduling of active distribution networks that are hosting complex microgrids comprising large building prosumers and plug-in electric vehicle aggregators is proposed. The electrical and thermal power systems of the microgrid are modelled in detail while the examined active distribution network is assumed to be able to optimally shift part of its loads in time and comprises renewable energy sources as part of its local generation. Moreover, the microgrid is assumed to be able to shift part of its load in order to assist the active distribution network in order to satisfy all of the network constraints when this is required. The proposed method was developed in such a way that allows both the microgrid and the active distribution network to optimize their operations without exchanging the internal information comprising their technical characteristics and parameters. To this end, the method is organized into five levels wherein only the absolutely necessary information is exchanged, i.e., the power that is exchanged by the microgrid and the active distribution network and the time periods in which the network constraints are violated.
Complete but Fragmented: Research on Energy in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Oravcová Veronika , Yakovenko Kateryna , Mišík Matúš
Published: August 2022

This paper examines 16 years (2004–2019) of research on energy in eleven Central and Eastern European countries. The findings are based on an analysis of 3534 academic articles indexed in the Web of Knowledge database. The paper presents a systematic overview of the authorship, journal of publication, countries covered, and article content. The main conclusion is that the discussion is fragmented, because most of the journals (800 were identified) published only one paper on energy in the region. About one-fourth of the research was published in a handful of major journals. Male researchers dominated our dataset and there has been a visible increase in the average number of authors per article. The country most often covered by the research was Poland and energy efficiency was the most-discussed issue and renewables the most-frequently researched energy source. Surprisingly, nuclear energy and energy security, considered to be the dominant features of the CEE region energy picture, were studied only minimally.
Research on Rock Damage Evolution Based on Fractal Theory-Improved Dynamic Tensile-Compression Damage Model
Authors: Su Hengyu , Wang Ziyi , Ma Shu
Published: August 2022

According to the characteristics that the dynamic tension of rock material is elastic brittle and the dynamic compression is elastic plastic, based on previous studies, the influence of initial damage is considered in the established compression damage model, and the calculation formula of the damage threshold used to evaluate whether the surrounding rock is affected by blasting is given. According to the classic rock impact dynamic damage model and statistical damage mechanics theory, a rock compressive and tensile statistical damage constitutive model and impact damage model under blasting load is proposed. Based on the proposed damage model and the classic dynamic tensile damage model, the numerical simulation of blasting damage was carried out, and the numerical calculation results were compared with the field measurement results. Based on the established damage model, to further clarify the damage evolution characteristics of rock under blasting load, fractal dimension theory was introduced to analyze the rock damage under blasting loads with different blasting hole network parameters. The results show that compared with the axial direction of the blast hole, the direction of blast hole diameter is the main direction of blasting fracture extension. Tensile fracture mainly occurs along the hole diameter direction, and compression fracture mainly occurs below the hole bottom. Compared with the numerical calculation results based on the classical dynamic tensile damage model, the blasting fracture range obtained according to the damage model, especially the fracture depth below the bottom of the hole, was not much different from the measured value and was closest to the measured value. The crack density of 1 us, 90 aperture, and 130 aperture was larger than that of the other working conditions. Among them, the crack density of 130 aperture was the largest, followed by 90 aperture. At 2~3 us after initiation, cracks between two blast holes, radial cracks and circumferential cracks around two blast holes, and obvious cracks were formed around blastholes; at 4~5 us after initiation, the shock wave front decreased rapidly and propagated outward in the form of the compression wave. The crack propagation velocity was much smaller than that at 1~3 us after initiation. In summary, the proposed damage model is reasonable and has certain engineering practicability.
Characterization of CBL-Interacting Protein Kinases’ Gene Family and Expression Pattern Reveal Their Important Roles in Response to Salt Stress in Poplar
Authors: Bai Xiangdong , Ji Jiabao , Wang Wei , Gu Chenrui , Yu Qibin , Jiang Jing , Yang Chuanping , Liu Guifeng
Published: August 2022

The CBL-interacting protein kinases’ (CIPKs) gene family plays an important role in plants under salt stress. In this study, a total of 31 PtrCIPK genes were identified in poplar. CIPKs’ gene family was divided into two categories, few intron classes and multi-intron classes. They all have the core components of the kinase domain and regulatory domain unique to the CIPK gene family and share most of the same motifs. PtrCIPKs have 17 fragment repeat events and have high homology with Arabidopsis thaliana and Betula platyphylla, and partial homology with Zea mays. Prediction of cis-acting elements found that the PtrCIPK gene family has the most elements in terms of stress. Under NaCl stress, all members of poplar CIPKs’ gene family were significantly expressed. There were fourteen up-regulated genes and four down-regulated genes. Candidate gene expression was significantly higher in the phloem than in other tissues. In this study, characterization of CBL-interacting protein kinases’ gene family and expression pattern reveal their important roles in response to salt stress in poplar.
An Automated Hemispherical Scanner for Monitoring the Leaf Area Index of Forest Canopies
Authors: Wen Yibo , Zhuang Linlan , Wang Hezhi , Hu Tongxin , Fan Wenyi
Published: August 2022

The leaf area index (LAI) is an important structural parameter of plant canopies used in terrestrial biosphere models. Optical methods are commonly used for measuring LAI due to their non-destructive nature, convenience, and rapidity. In the present study, a novel instrument, named the Automated Hemispherical Scanner (AHS), was developed to measure plant area index (PAI) for monitoring daily changes in LAI in forest ecosystems. In the AHS, an optical sensor driven by a pair of servomotors is used to observe hemispherical light transmission continuously at adjustable intervals, and a blue filter is used to reduce the multiple scattering effect of light on the measured transmission. A set of algorithms was developed to screen the direct radiation transmitted through the canopy and to compute the transmissions from the diffuse radiation at seven zenith (0–60) and seven azimuth (0–150) angles for calculating PAI. Field experiments were conducted to verify the reliability of the AHS in three forests of Northeast China against an existing instrument named the LAI-2200 Plant Canopy Analyzer. The PAI values obtained using the AHS agreed well (R2 = 0.927, root mean square error = 0.41) with those from the LAI-2200. Since both instruments use the same gap fraction theory for calculating the PAI from diffuse radiation transmissions obtained from multiple angles, the agreement of these two instruments means that the AHS can reliably measure the transmittance of diffuse radiation and the theory has been implemented correctly. Compared with LAI-2200, the AHS has the advantage of automated and continuous measurements, and therefore it is suitable for monitoring variations in PAI over extended periods, such as the whole growing season. Compared with widely used digital photographic techniques, the AHS also avoids the requirement of determining a suitable photographic exposure, which is often problematic in the field with variable sky conditions. With these advantages, the AHS could be deployed in forest growth monitoring networks.
Translating Speech to Indian Sign Language Using Natural Language Processing
Authors: Sharma Purushottam , Tulsian Devesh , Verma Chaman , Sharma Pratibha , Nancy Nancy
Published: August 2022

Language plays a vital role in the communication of ideas, thoughts, and information to others. Hearing-impaired people also understand our thoughts using a language known as sign language. Every country has a different sign language which is based on their native language. In our research paper, our major focus is on Indian Sign Language, which is mostly used by hearing- and speaking-impaired communities in India. While communicating our thoughts and views with others, one of the most essential factors is listening. What if the other party is not able to hear or grasp what you are talking about? This situation is faced by nearly every hearing-impaired person in our society. This led to the idea of introducing an audio to Indian Sign Language translation system which can erase this gap in communication between hearing-impaired people and society. The system accepts audio and text as input and matches it with the videos present in the database created by the authors. If matched, it shows corresponding sign movements based on the grammar rules of Indian Sign Language as output; if not, it then goes through the processes of tokenization and lemmatization. The heart of the system is natural language processing which equips the system with tokenization, parsing, lemmatization, and part-of-speech tagging.
Copyright Enforcement in Content-Sharing Platforms
Authors: Shankar Kameshwari
Published: August 2022

This paper analyzes the choice between quality improvements and copyright litigation by a proprietary seller who faces a competitive threat from a content-sharing platform. The platform operates like a “public good” with contributors who share content and free-riders who only consume content while adding to congestion on the platform. When the proprietor can identify contributors in the platform with sufficient accuracy, a litigation strategy that targets contributors exacerbates free-riding behavior in the sharing platform and drives down platform quality. In contrast, investing in quality improvements for the copyrighted good does not affect contribution decisions on the platform, leading to a uniform decrease in the relative payoff for all users on the platform. The model presented in the paper shows that the proprietor finds litigation more profitable than quality improvements if she can target contributors accurately. Welfare analysis of the model shows that the proprietor has too high an incentive to invest in litigation and inefficiently low incentives for quality improvements of the copyrighted good.
Characterizing the Mechanisms of Metalaxyl, Bronopol and Copper Sulfate against Saprolegnia parasitica Using Modern Transcriptomics
Authors: Wang Yali , Wu Haotian , Fei Siying , Zhang Junzhe , Hu Kun
Published: August 2022

Saprolegniasis, which is caused by Saprolegnia parasitica, leads to considerable economic losses. Recently, we showed that metalaxyl, bronopol and copper sulfate are good antimicrobial agents for aquaculture. In the current study, the efficacies of metalaxyl, bronopol and copper sulfate are evaluated by in vitro antimicrobial experiments, and the mechanism of action of these three antimicrobials on S. parasitica is explored using transcriptome technology. Finally, the potential target genes of antimicrobials on S. parasitica are identified by protein–protein interaction network analysis. Copper sulfate had the best inhibitory effect on S. parasitica, followed by bronopol. A total of 1771, 723 and 2118 DEGs upregulated and 1416, 319 and 2161 DEGs downregulated S. parasitica after three drug treatments (metalaxyl, bronopol and copper sulfate), separately. Additionally, KEGG pathway analysis also determined that there were 17, 19 and 13 significantly enriched metabolic pathways. PPI network analysis screened out three important proteins, and their corresponding genes were SPRG_08456, SPRG_03679 and SPRG_10775. Our results indicate that three antimicrobials inhibit S. parasitica growth by affecting multiple biological functions, including protein synthesis, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism and energy metabolism. Additionally, the screened key genes can be used as potential target genes of chemical antimicrobial drugs for S. parasitica.
A Transcriptomic Analysis of Phenotypic Plasticity in Crassostrea virginica Larvae under Experimental Acidification
Authors: Barbosa Michelle , Schwaner Caroline , Pales Espinosa Emmanuelle , Allam Bassem
Published: August 2022

Ocean acidification (OA) is a major threat to marine calcifiers, and little is known regarding acclimation to OA in bivalves. This study combined physiological assays with next-generation sequencing to assess the potential for recovery from and acclimation to OA in the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) and identify molecular mechanisms associated with resilience. In a reciprocal transplant experiment, larvae transplanted from elevated pCO2 (~1400 ppm) to ambient pCO2 (~350 ppm) demonstrated significantly lower mortality and larger size post-transplant than oysters remaining under elevated pCO2 and had similar mortality compared to those remaining in ambient conditions. The recovery after transplantation to ambient conditions demonstrates the ability for larvae to rebound and suggests phenotypic plasticity and acclimation. Transcriptomic analysis supported this hypothesis as genes were differentially regulated under OA stress. Transcriptomic profiles of transplanted and non-transplanted larvae terminating in the same final pCO2 converged, further supporting the idea that acclimation underlies resilience. The functions of differentially expressed genes included cell differentiation, development, biomineralization, ion exchange, and immunity. Results suggest acclimation as a mode of resilience to OA. In addition, the identification of genes associated with resilience can serve as a valuable resource for the aquaculture industry, as these could enable marker-assisted selection of OA-resilient stocks.
A Comprehensive Characterization of Small RNA Profiles by Massively Parallel Sequencing in Six Forensic Body Fluids/Tissue
Authors: Liu Zhiyong , Wang Qiangwei , Wang Nana , Zang Yu , Wu Riga , Sun Hongyu
Published: August 2022

Body fluids/tissue identification (BFID) is an essential procedure in forensic practice, and RNA profiling has become one of the most important methods. Small non-coding RNAs, being expressed in high copy numbers and resistant to degradation, have great potential in BFID but have not been comprehensively characterized in common forensic stains. In this study, the miRNA, piRNA, snoRNA, and snRNA were sequenced in 30 forensic relevant samples (menstrual blood, saliva, semen, skin, venous blood, and vaginal secretion) using the BGI platform. Based on small RNA profiles, relative specific markers (RSM) and absolute specific markers (ASM) were defined, which can be used to identify a specific body fluid/tissue out of two or six, respectively. A total of 5204 small RNAs were discovered including 1394 miRNAs (including 236 novel miRNA), 3157 piRNAs, 636 snoRNAs, and 17 snRNAs. RSMs for 15 pairwise body fluid/tissue groups were discovered by differential RNA analysis. In addition, 90 ASMs that were specifically expressed in a certain type of body fluid/tissue were screened, among them, snoRNAs were reported first in forensic genetics. In brief, our study deepened the understanding of small RNA profiles in forensic stains and offered potential BFID markers that can be applied in different forensic scenarios.
Echo Sounding for Remote Estimation of Seabed Temperatures on the Arctic Shelf
Authors: Yusupov Vladimir , Salomatin Aleksandr , Shakhova Natalia , Chernykh Denis , Domaniuk Anna , Semiletov Igor
Published: August 2022

The East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) is a key area of CH4 venting in the Arctic Ocean. The ESAS region stores more than 80% of the world’s predicted subsea permafrost and associated permafrost-related gas hydrates. Gas emissions from subsea permafrost are controlled by its current thermal state, which, in turn, depends on environmental factors. The aim of the manuscript is to show that the thermal state of subsea permafrost and phase transitions of its pore moisture can be estimated remotely by echo soundings, which can resolve the structure of shallow bottom sediments. It has been found that the duration of the seabed acoustic response (echo duration, Δ) at frequencies of 50 and 200 kHz correlates with sediment temperatures and generally increases with cooling below 0.5 °C. This correlation, explained by assuming a layered structure of the bottom sediments, establishes the basis for high-frequency acoustic thermometry. The technique is an advantageous tool for many applications: fast contouring of low-temperature zones, remote measurements of seabed surface temperature, and estimation of the thickness of frozen sediments near the bottom. The latter estimates have implications for the distribution of subsea permafrost and the stability of gas hydrates on the Arctic shelf.
Assessment of the Seismic Vulnerability of Bridge Abutments with 3D Numerical Simulations
Authors: Forcellini Davide
Published: August 2022

The role of abutments on the seismic vulnerability of bridges has been relatively little studied in geotechnical literature. To cover this gap, 3D numerical simulations were herein performed, by studying the seismic performance of three single-span bridge configurations. The numerical models used OpenSees to account the effects due to soil structure interaction between the deck and the abutments. In particular, advanced materials were implemented to model the non-linear hysteresis and plasticity that are responsible for soil deformations and, thus, structural damage. A probabilistic-based approach was considered and analytical fragility curves were developed to account modeling uncertainties. The role of bridge deformability was investigated by considering several limit states based on the calculation of the longitudinal displacements of the deck.
Six HIT Sessions Improve Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Metabolic Flexibility in Insulin Resistant and Insulin Sensitive Adolescents with Obesity
Authors: Aparecido Juliana Monique Lino , Marquezi Marcelo Luis , Couto Hellyelson Lopes de Omena , Santos Thais Miriã da Silva , Cruz Alison Fabiano Cunha , Lopes Nayara Barbosa , Cascapera Marcelo Santin , Xavier Vivian Bertoni , Kochi Cristiane , Alves Vera Lúcia dos Santos , Lancha Antonio Herbert
Published: August 2022

To evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIT) on the cardiorespiratory performance and substrate oxidation pattern in insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive obese adolescents. Methods: We recruited 25 obese adolescents in three schools, and trained them in six HIT sessions, comprising of six series at 100% and recovery at 50% peak velocity (Vpeak). For the evaluation, the participants were divided into two groups: insulin-resistant (IR, n = 12; HOMA index ≥3.16) and insulin-sensitive (IS, n = 13). All participants underwent cardiopulmonary and indirect calorimetry testing. We compared the effects of HIT before and after the intervention among the two groups. The data were analyzed using Student’s t and Mann–Whitney (intergroup comparisons) and Student’s t and Wilcoxon (pre- and post-training comparisons) tests; and Cohen’s d (influence of HIT). Results: There was a significant post-training increase in Vpeak, oxygen consumption (VO2), velocity (V), and heart rate (HR) at the exertion intensity at the first ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT1) in both groups (p < 0.05; d < 0.02). The exercise promoted changes in substrate oxidation rates of the groups, with an increase in carbohydrate oxidation (CHOox) for both IR (p = 0.064) and IS (p = 0.034). Conclusion: Six HIT sessions improved cardiorespiratory performance in both groups and increased CHOox in insulin-sensitive obese adolescents, suggesting its utility for increasing physical fitness and controlling glycemia in these population groups.
Dose–Response Analysis of the Tubular and Glomerular Effects of Chronic Exposure to Environmental Cadmium
Authors: Satarug Soisungwan , Vesey David A. , Gobe Glenda C.
Published: August 2022

We retrospectively analyzed data on the excretion of cadmium (ECd), β2-microglobulin (Eβ2M) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (ENAG), which were recorded for 734 participants in a study conducted in low- and high-exposure areas of Thailand. Increased Eβ2M and ENAG were used to assess tubular integrity, while a reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was a criterion for glomerular dysfunction. ECd, Eβ2M and ENAG were normalized to creatinine clearance (Ccr) as ECd/Ccr, Eβ2M/Ccr and ENAG/Ccr to correct for interindividual variation in the number of surviving nephrons and to eliminate the variation in the excretion of creatinine (Ecr). For a comparison, these parameters were also normalized to Ecr as ECd/Ecr, Eβ2M/Ecr and ENAG/Ecr. According to the covariance analysis, a Cd-dose-dependent reduction in eGFR was statistically significant only when Ecd was normalized to Ccr as ECd/Ccr (F = 11.2, p < 0.001). There was a 23-fold increase in the risk of eGFR ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in those with the highest ECd/Ccr range (p = 0.002). In addition, doubling of ECd/Ccr was associated with lower eGFR (β = −0.300, p < 0.001), and higher ENAG/Ccr (β = 0.455, p < 0.001) and Eβ2M/Ccr (β = 0.540, p < 0.001). In contrast, a covariance analysis showed a non-statistically significant relationship between ECd/Ecr and eGFR (F = 1.08, p = 0.165), while the risk of low eGFR was increased by 6.9-fold only among those with the highest ECd/Ecr range. Doubling of ECd/Ecr was associated with lower eGFR and higher ENAG/Ecr and Eβ2M/Ecr, with the β coefficients being smaller than in the Ccr-normalized dataset. Thus, normalization of Cd excretion to Ccr unravels the adverse effect of Cd on GFR and provides a more accurate evaluation of the severity of the tubulo-glomerular effect of Cd.
Depression and Associated Factors among Community-Dwelling Thai Older Adults in Northern Thailand: The Relationship between History of Fall and Geriatric Depression
Authors: Aung Thin Nyein Nyein , Moolphate Saiyud , Koyanagi Yuka , Angkurawaranon Chaisiri , Supakankunti Siripen , Yuasa Motoyuki , Aung Myo Nyein
Published: August 2022

Background: Globally, population aging is happening more quickly than in the past, and Thailand ranks the world’s number three among the rapidly aging countries. Age-related decline in physical and mental health would impact depression among older adults. We aimed to determine the depression among the community-dwelling Thai older adults in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Methods: The baseline data, collected by door-to-door household visits of an intervention arm from a cluster randomized controlled trial (Community-Integrated Intermediary Care (CIIC): TCTR20190412004), were included in this cross-sectional study. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression were applied. Results: The mean age was 69.31 ± 7.10 years and 23.8% of study participants were older than 75 years. The Thai geriatric depression scale showed 6.5% had depression. Adjusted risk factors for depression were older age, being single, drinking alcohol daily, having diabetes, having experience of a fall last year, self-rated health as neutral, poor/very poor, and moderate/severe dependency by ADL scoring. Conclusion: Our findings highlighted the potentially modifiable risk factors in addition to the common predictors affecting depression among community-dwelling older adults. Fall prevention programs and public health interventions to prevent diabetes are recommended. Furthermore, self-rated health and Barthel’s ADL scoring would be simple tools to predict risk factors for geriatric depression.
Travelling from Perspective of Persons with Disability: Results of an International Survey
Authors: Załuska Urszula , Kwiatkowska-Ciotucha Dorota , Grześkowiak Alicja
Published: August 2022

Full inclusion of people with disabilities means their full participation in community life and the same opportunities to work and spend their free time that other members of the community have. This also applies to travel and tourism. Offers available to people with various types of disabilities are seldom adapted to their needs. They face numerous barriers and obstacles when travelling or at their destination. The article presents selected results from an international comparative study concerning travel of people with sensory disabilities. The study was carried out in the first quarter of 2022 using the PAPI method on a group of 131 respondents from Poland, Greece, Cyprus and Portugal. To analyse the results, we relied on statistical inference using an independent two-sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Tests of the equality of two means were preceded by Levene’s test for homogeneity of variances. According to the study, people with sensory disabilities can see many barriers to travel that pose a significant constraint on their activity. These barriers vary depending on the type of disability, gender or the country of origin of the respondent, but the list of indications often includes the need to train service staff in the specific needs of people with different types of disabilities. Taking into account development opportunities that people with disabilities create for the tourism industry, including people with sensory disabilities who are frequently overlooked, it is worth considering measures aimed at improving knowledge and skills in this area in the future.
Is the Combination of Aerobic Exercise with Mat Pilates Better than Mat Pilates Training Alone on Autonomic Modulation Related to Functional Outcomes in Hypertensive Women? Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Almeida Isabella da Silva , Andrade Letícia de Souza , Sousa Alessandra Martins Melo de , Junior Gerson Cipriano , Catai Aparecida Maria , Mota Yomara Lima , Durigan João Luiz Quagliotti
Published: August 2022

Background: Although mat Pilates (MP) has become popular, the effects of MP in hypertensive women (HW) are not entirely clear. Here, we investigated the effects of 16 weeks of MP training contrasted with MP supplemented with aerobic exercise (MP+AE) and compared with a non-intervention group on autonomic modulation, cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, flexibility, performance of functional tasks, QOL, anthropometric variables, clinical BP, and heart rate. Methods: This is a three-arm, secondary analysis of an RCT. Sixty HW, aged 30 to 59 years, were allocated into: MP only (MP), MP+AE on a treadmill (MP+AE), and Control Group, without exercises. Assessments were performed before and after 16 weeks of training. Results: The ANOVA shows differences in between-group comparisons in the SDNN, rMSSD, and SD1 in the heart rate variability analysis, with increases in rMSSD, SDNN, and SD1 only in the MP, and this result was not found in the MP+AE group (p < 0.05). Differences were observed in the between-group comparisons in time in the cardiorespiratory exercise test (CPX), flexibility, and the waist-to-hip ratio, with changes in the MP+AE, differences in QOL, and increments in the MP and MP+AE (p < 0.05). Conclusions: MP increased the indices that reflect vagal and global cardiac autonomic modulation. MP+AE improved the CPX performance, flexibility, QOL, and anthropometric variables. These results suggest that MP supplemented or not with AE has promising effects in HW.
Social and Behavioral Pathways between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Poor Adult Physical Health: Mediation by Early Adulthood Experiences in a Low-Income Population
Authors: Devine Claire , Cohen-Cline Hannah
Published: August 2022

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the risk of poor health and wellbeing in adulthood. In this study, we tested whether experiences in early adulthood—intimate partner violence (IPV), substance use, social isolation, and work instability—mediate the relationship between ACEs and poor physical health in later adulthood. Using data from a large-scale survey of Medicaid enrollees in the Portland metropolitan area, four separate mediation models were constructed to assess the indirect effects of each early adulthood experience and the proportion of the total effect on physical health accounted for by the pathway. Experiencing four or more ACEs increased the risk of poor adult physical health by 50% (RR 1.50). Considered in separate models, mediation by IPV accounted for 14.4% of the total effect; substance use mediated a similar proportion (14.0%). Social isolation was a less substantial mediator (7.6%). Work instability did not mediate the relationship between ACEs and adult physical health in our population. These findings provide evidence that IPV, substance use, and social isolation in early adulthood are part of the pathway between high ACEs and poor adult physical health. Intervening to prevent negative early adult experiences may mitigate some of the long-term effects of childhood trauma on health.
Effects of Resistance Training Intensity on Heart Rate Variability at Rest and in Response to Orthostasis in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Authors: Lin Linda Li-Chuan , Chen Yi-Ju , Lin Tai-You , Weng Ting-Chun
Published: August 2022

Objective: Aging and deficits related to decreased physical activity can lead to higher risks of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 24 weeks of resistance training (RT) at various intensities on hemodynamics as well as heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and in response to orthostatic tests in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: Forty adults were randomized into three groups: high-intensity (HEX) (80% 1-RM) (11 female, 4 male; 60 ± 4 years); low–moderate-intensity (LEX) (50% 1-RM) (nine female, four male; 61 ± 5 years); and a control group (CON) (eight female, four male; 60 ± 4 years). The RT program consisted of nine exercises, with two sets performed of each exercise two times per week for 24 weeks. Data collected included 1-RM, heart rate, and blood pressure and HRV at rest and in response to orthostasis. Results: Both the HEX (42–94%) and LEX (31.3–51.7%) groups showed increases in 1-RM (p < 0.01). The HEX group showed decreases in resting heart rate (−4.0%), diastolic blood pressure (−3.2 mmHg (−4.2%)), and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) (Ln ratio) (p < 0.05). Post-study, the HEX group had higher HF (Ln ms2) than the CON, adjusted for pre-study value and age (p < 0.05). Post-study, the supine–standing ratio (SSR) of LFn (normalized unit) in the HEX group was greater than that in the LEX and CON groups, while the SSR of LF/HF in the HEX group was greater than the CON (p < 0.05). In conclusion, high-intensity RT can improve resting heart rate and HRV by enhancing cardiac vagal control. High-intensity RT might also improve the orthostatic response in terms of HRV. High intensity RT might assist ANS modification and could perhaps decrease the risks of cardiovascular disease and orthostatic intolerance.
Solar UV Measured under Built-Shade in Public Parks: Findings from a Randomized Trial in Denver and Melbourne
Authors: Dobbinson Suzanne Jane , Buller David Bard , Chamberlain James Andrew , Simmons Jody , Buller Mary Klein
Published: August 2022

Reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) is crucial for preventing UV-induced diseases of the skin and eyes. Shade may offer significant protection from UV. More empirical research to quantify the UV protection offered from built shade is needed to guide disease prevention practices and confidence in investment in shade. This study quantified UV levels under built-shade relative to unshaded passive recreation areas (PRAs) over summer months in parks in two cities. In a randomized controlled trial, n = 1144 UV measurements were conducted at the center and periphery of PRAs in a total sample of 144 public parks as part of pretest and posttest measures of use of the PRAs by park visitors for three recruitment waves per city during 2010 to 2014. Following pretest, 36 PRAs received built-shade and 108 did not. Regression analyses modelled pre-post change in UV (Standard Erythemal Dose (SED) per 30 min) at PRAs; and environmental predictors. Mean UV at the center of built-shade PRAs decreased from pretest to posttest (x¯ = 3.39, x¯ = 0.93 SED), a change of x¯ = −3.47 SED relative to control PRAs (p < 0.001) adjusting for the covariates of ambient SED, (cosine) solar elevation and cloud cover. Clouds decreased and solar elevation increased UV levels under shade. No significant differences in UV by shade design occurred. A substantial reduction in exposure to UV can be achieved using built-shade with shade cloth designs, offering considerable protection for shade users. Supplementary sun protection is recommended for extended periods of shade use during clear sky days.