Average Rise Research Articles

THERMAL REGIME OF THE TERRITORY OF THE COURTYARD OF A SECTIONAL RESIDENTIAL BUILDING DEPENDING ON ITS ORIENTATION

As average annual temperatures rise, residents of urban areas face the problem of significant heating of urban surfaces exposed to direct solar radiation. This process has a direct impact on the microclimate of both the entire urban area and individual adjacent territories. Shading of surfaces plays an important role in the thermoregulation of the living environment, which is confirmed by numerous studies on this topic. The introduction of natural methods to reduce the temperature regime is becoming relevant in terms of reducing heat stress and overall energy savings. In this paper, using the example of a sectional residential building of a U-shaped configuration with nine floors, we study the dependence of the percentage of shading and the amount of direct solar radiation entering the courtyard on its orientation to the cardinal points. The calculation was performed for a clear day on July 21, when the average monthly temperature was 24.6 °C according to the Boris Sreznevsky Central Geophysical Observatory. The calculation excluded the influence of surrounding buildings and green spaces. The amount of direct solar radiation per square meter of surface was calculated using the specialized Townscope program. Based on the results obtained, graphs of the total amount of direct solar radiation on the surface during the calculated period from 6:00 to 18:00 for different orientations of the courtyard space were built. The percentage of shading of the total area of the design surfaces was also calculated. Summary data tables were created for each design surface. The final results are of a recommendatory nature for design organizations in determining the optimal planning solution at the pre-design stage. Such an environmentally friendly approach, which is the basis of design work, can improve living conditions in urban settlements, reduce the negative impact on the environment, and make cities more resilient to climate change.

Building high-resolution projections of temperature potential changes using statistical downscaling for the future period 2026-2100 in the Highland region of Yemen – A supportive approach for empowering environmental planning and decision-making

Environmental resources and ecological systems are significantly affected by the steady rise of the global temperature. However, the degree of temperature change at the regional and local levels is uncertain. The uncertainty arises from various factors, but mostly due to the short length of ground data and dependency of local studies on the large-scale and spatially coarse output of Global Climate Models (GCMs). Therefore, the output of GCM cannot be directly used in impact assessment studies at a regional and local level. In this study, the Statistical Down-Scaling Model (SDSM) is employed to investigate the magnitude of temperature changes (Minimum and Maximum Temperature) for the future period 2026-2100. The SDSM builds relationships between large-scale predictors and local climate variables, allowing for finer-resolution projections at a regional level. The study utilized the Climate Hazard Infra-Red Temperature with Station (CHIRTS-daily) to complete daily missing records in more than 90 ground stations. Additionally, predictors of the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) for the historical period (1961-2010) and the Canadian Earth System Model (CanESM2) for the future period (2026-2100) are employed to calibrate SDSM and to build finer-resolution scenarios under two representative concentration pathways; RCP2.6 and RCP8.5. The methodology additionally involved validating the SDSM performance using observed historical data before applying it to future projections. The findings indicate that both minimum and maximum temperatures (T-min and T-max) will increase, with a more pronounced rise in minimum temperature (T-min). Over the future period (2026-2100), the projected average temperature rise is 1.10°C (T-max) and 1.43°C (T-min) under RCP2.6. For RCP8.5, the projected average increases are 1.56°C and 2.3°C for T-max and T-min, respectively. Overall, the most significant increase is projected to occur in the 2090s (2076-2100) under RCP8.5, particularly in the lowlands and wadis of Al Mahwit and Raymah governorate. In these areas, the minimum temperature (T-min) exhibited an increased absolute value of up to 3.2°C. This high rise in temperatures is expected to result in increased evapotranspiration, prolonged droughts, and possibly breakouts of some plant diseases and pests. This would require effective adaptation measures such as harvesting rainwater and growing short-time and heat-resistance crops. Engaging in field visits and social discussions added depth to the study by introducing various traditional methods and indigenous practices. Valuable resources for future efforts to mitigate the potential impacts of climate change are offered by these insights.

Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Danish Coastal Wetlands - a GIS-based Analysis.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios run by an ensemble of models developed by the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) projects an average sea level rise (SLRs) of 0.6 to 1.2 m for the low and high emission scenarios (SSP1-1.9, SSP5-8.5), during the next century (IPCC 2021). The coastal zone will experience an increase in the flooding of terrestrial habitats and the depth of marine productive areas, with potential negative consequences for these ecosystems. The coast in Denmark is highly modified due to anthropogenic uses. Dikes, dams, and other coastal infrastructure are widespread, causing a coastal squeeze that prevents natural coastal development and inland migration of coastlines. We performed a national-scale analysis on the impacts of mean sea level rise (MSLR) in 2070 and 2120, and a 1 in 10-year storm surge water level (10SS) in 2120 MSLR for the Danish coast. Our study shows extensive permanent flooding of coastal habitats (~14%), whereas only 1.6% of urban areas will be flooded. Finally, very large agricultural areas (~191,000 ha) will be frequently flooded by 10SS if no extra protective measures are planned. With the present coastal protection structures, key habitats will be affected by permanent flooding or coastal squeeze while even larger extents will be subjected to intermittent marine flooding. About 45% (199 km2) of all Danish coastal wetlands will be permanently flooded by 2120, while areas occupied by forest, lakes and freshwater wetlands will be more frequently flooded by marine water. This study highlights the importance of including coastal habitats as dynamic elements in climate adaptation plans. Conservation and restoration of key habitats such as coastal wetlands should be prioritized in management plans. If Denmark does not change its current priorities, it may face the complete loss of coastal wetlands habitat in the 22nd century.

Fire Resilience of Load-Bearing Wall Made of Hollow Timber Elements

During a fire load, a charred layer forms on the timber elements, which is a natural protection against fire, so that a certain level of fire resistance could be achieved by using elements with a larger cross-section. However, this modus of fire protection is not always suitable. One of the most commonly used fire protection systems are fire protection boards. In this work, a large-scale fire test was carried out on a protected load-bearing wall made of hollow elements under the effect of sustained mechanical loads and fire exposure. Different stages of charring were observed. The test was aborted at the 91st minute due to a decrease in the load-bearing capacity and integrity criteria. The allowable average temperature rise on the non-exposed side of the specimen (140 K) was not exceeded until the 91st minute of the test, and the allowable maximum temperature rise on the non-exposed side of the specimen (180 K) was not exceeded until the 90th minute of the test. The loss of specimen integrity occurred at the 90th minute of the test. For surfaces protected by fire-resistant panels, it should be considered that the onset of charring is delayed until a certain time. According to EN 1995-1-2, charring can start before the fire protection is removed, but at a lower charring rate than the rates up to the time of failure of the fire protection. The expression proposed in EN 1995-1-2 shows relatively accurate results for certain systems and thicknesses of fire protection linings. However, it does not consider the presence of more than one lining layer or the full range of lining thicknesses themselves. For the wall described in this paper, the predicted failure time of the fire boards would therefore be 41.5 min, which is not consistent with the results of the experiment (51 min). The results of the calculation model according to EN 1995-1-2 did not fully agree with the results of the fire test on the protected load-bearing wall.

The Relationship Between Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Clinical Outcomes in Pediatric Patients After Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic utility of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the perioperative change in NLR [Neutrophil Change Index (NCI)] in pediatric patients undergoing surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and to assess their correlations with clinical outcomes. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted with 416 patients from Children’s Medical Center in Tehran, Iran, spanning November 2021 to November 2022. Perioperative neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were collected, along with data on the presence or absence of complications. The prognostic value of NLR and NCI was evaluated concerning the length of ICU stay and mechanical ventilation among three groups: A no-complications survival group, a complications survival group, and a mortality group. Results: All patients showed an average rise in NLR postoperatively. The postoperative NLR magnitude did not significantly differ among the groups (P = 0.237) and was only correlated with mechanical ventilation duration (P = 0.0497), not with ICU stay length. However, the NCI was significantly lower in the mortality group compared to both the no-complication and surviving-complication groups (P < 0.001 and P = 0.032). Neutrophil Change Index also showed a statistically significant correlation with ICU stay and mechanical ventilation duration (P = 0.004 and P = 0.002). ROC analysis indicated that NCI had some ability to discriminate mortality cases, with an AUC of 0.734. Conclusions: While NLR showed perioperative changes, its magnitude alone was not correlated with clinical outcomes. In contrast, the NCI demonstrated a significant relationship with outcomes, with surviving-complication patients having a higher perioperative NCI than those in the mortality group. A higher NCI was associated with shorter ICU stays, reduced mechanical ventilation time, and lower mortality risk in pediatric patients undergoing CPB surgery. Overall, NCI proved to be a more effective tool than NLR in predicting adverse outcomes in this patient population.

Assessing the impact of forest management and climate on a peatland under Scots pine monoculture using a multidisciplinary approach

Abstract. Assessing the scale, rate and consequences of climate change, manifested primarily by rising average air temperatures and altered precipitation regimes, is a critical challenge in contemporary scientific research. These changes are accompanied by various anomalies and extreme events that negatively impact ecosystems worldwide. Monoculture forests, including Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) monocultures, are particularly vulnerable to these changes due to their homogeneous structure and simplified ecosystem linkages compared to mixed forests, making them more sensitive to extreme events such as insect outbreaks, droughts, fires and strong winds. In the context of global warming, forest fires are becoming extremely dangerous, and the risk of their occurrence increases as average temperatures rise. The situation becomes even more dramatic when fire enters areas of peatlands, as these ecosystems effectively withdraw carbon from the rapid carbon cycle and store it for up to thousands of years. Consequently, peatlands become emitters of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In this study, we aim to trace the last 300 years of historical development of a peatland situated in a Scots pine monoculture. Our focus is on the Okoniny (Jezierzba) peatland located within Tuchola Forest in northern Poland, one of the country's largest forest complexes. We delved into the phase when the peatland's surroundings transitioned from a mixed forest to a pine monoculture and investigated the impact of changes in forest management on the peatland vegetation and hydrology. Our reconstructions are based on a multi-proxy approach using pollen, plant macrofossils, micro- and macro-charcoal, and testate amoebae. We combine the peatland palaeoecological record with the dendrochronology of Pinus sylvestris to compare the response of these two archives. Our results show that a change in forest management and progressive climate warming affected the development of the peatland. We note an increase in acidity over the analysed period and a decrease in the water table over the last few decades that led to the lake–peatland transition. These changes progressed along with the strongest agricultural activity in the area in the 19th century. However, the 20th century was a period of continuous decline in agriculture and an increase in the dominance of Scots pine in the landscape as the result of afforestation. Dendroclimatic data indicate a negative effect of temperature on Scots pine and pressure from summer rainfall deficiency. Additional remote sensing analysis, using hyperspectral, lidar and thermal airborne data, provided information about the current condition of the peatland vegetation. With the application of spectral indices and the analysis of land surface temperature, spatial variations in peatland drying have been identified. Considering the context of forest management and the protection of valuable ecosystems in monocultural forests, the conclusions are relevant for peatland and forest ecology, palaeoecology, and forestry.

‘Ice sheet conservation’ and international discord: governing (potential) glacial geoengineering in Antarctica

Abstract Should current unmitigated emissions continue, there is a growing chance of collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, one of the planetary climate tipping points at greatest risk of being crossed. Such a collapse would subject the world to an increase of several metres in average global sea-level rise over just a few centuries. In this context, there is an academic debate about the potential of supporting glacial stability through artificial infrastructures such as an undersea ‘curtain’. However, this ‘ice sheet conservation’ would come with significant yet unforeseeable technical and environmental risks. Moreover, in this debate governance risks have been either neglected or understated. We argue that the proposed infrastructures could negatively implicate the ‘peaceful purposes only’ obligation enshrined in the Antarctic Treaty. By affecting contentious areas of Antarctic geopolitics, such as authority, sovereignty and security, there is a significant risk that the project would make the Antarctic ‘the scene or object of international discord’. Even if the ice curtain idea were to be technically feasible and environmentally harmless, it would still create significant political and legal challenges for the current governance arrangements in the Antarctic.

In vivo evaluation of an adaptive resuscitation controller using whole blood and crystalloid infusates for hemorrhagic shock.

Hemorrhage remains the leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield. The most effective means to increase survivability is early hemorrhage control and fluid resuscitation. Unfortunately, fluid resuscitation requires constant adjustments to ensure casualty is properly managed, which is often not feasible in the pre-hospital setting. In this study, we showed how an adaptive closed-loop controller for hemorrhage resuscitation can be used to automate hemodynamic management using a swine hemorrhagic shock injury model. The adaptive resuscitation controller (ARC) was previously developed to track pressure-volume responsiveness in real time and adjust its infusion rate to reach the target mean arterial pressure (MAP). Swine while maintained under a surgical plane of anesthesia and analgesia underwent a splenectomy, followed by two hemorrhage and resuscitation events. For the first resuscitation event, hemorrhage was induced to reduce the MAP to 35mmHg until arterial lactate reached 4mmol/L. The ARC system then infused whole blood (WB) to reach the target MAP and maintained the subject using crystalloids for 120min. For the second resuscitation event, the subjects were hemorrhaged again but resuscitated using only crystalloid infusion to reach the target MAP and 120-min maintenance. The ARC was effective at WB resuscitation, reaching the target MAP in 2.0 ± 1.0min. The median performance error was 1.1% ± 4.6%, and target overshoot was 14.4% ± 7.0% of the target MAP. The ARC maintained all animals throughout the 120min maintenance period. For the second crystalloid-based resuscitation, ARC required a longer time to reach the target MAP, at an average rise time of 4.3 ± 4.0min. However, target overshoot was reduced to 8.4% ± 7.3% of the target MAP. Much higher flow rates were required to maintain the target MAP during the second resuscitation event than during the first resuscitation event. The ARC was able to rapidly reach and maintain the target MAP effectively. However, this sometimes required large volumes of fluid as the ARC's only goal was to reach the target MAP. Further clinical insight is needed regarding the preferred aggression level to achieve the target MAP. In conclusion, the ARC was successful in its programmed objective of reaching and maintaining the target MAP for extended periods of time in vivo, a critical next step toward improving hemorrhage treatment in the pre-hospital environment.

Significance of the local largest bipolar voltage for the optimized ablation strategy using very high-power short duration mode.

Very high-power short-duration (vHPSD) ablation creates shallower lesions, potentially reducing efficacy. This study aims to identify factors leading to insufficient lesions during pulmonary vein antral isolation (PVAI) with vHPSD-ablation and to develop an optimized PVAI strategy using this technology. PVAI was performed on 41 atrial fibrillation patients using vHPSD-ablation (90 W/4 s). Lesion parameters were recorded and analyzed to identify predictors of insufficient lesions. An optimized PVAI strategy, based on these predictors, was tested in subsequent 42 patients. In total, 3099 RF-applications, including 103(3.3%) insufficient lesions, were analyzed. First-pass PVAI was achieved in 19/40(47.5%) right PVs and 24/41(58.5%) left PVs. Multivariate analysis identified significant predictors of insufficient lesions: local largest bipolar voltage (Bi-V), average contact force, baseline impedance, impedance drop, temperature rise, inter-lesion distance (ILD), and anatomical location (carina or not). An ILD:4-6 mm increased the risk of insufficient lesions 2.2-fold, and lesions at the carina increased it 3.6-fold for both ILD < 4 mm and ILD:4-6 mm. Local largest Bi-V was the strongest predictor for insufficient lesions. The optimized PVAI approach, utilizing vHPSD-ablation with an ILD < 4 mm in non-carinal areas with Bi-V < 4 mV, and high-power ablation-index guided ablation (HPAI, 50 W, ablation-index:450-550) in remaining areas, achieved first-pass PVAI in 92.7% of right PVs and 88.1% of left PVs, using vHPSD-ablation in approximately 65% of total RF-applications. The optimized PVAI achieved significantly higher first-pass PVI rate (p < .0001) with shorter ablation time (p = .04). Appropriate use of vHPSD and HPAI, based on local largest Bi-V and anatomical information, may achieve high first-pass PVAI rates in shorter ablation time with minimal energy delivery.

Comprehensive investigation of the effects on fuel, performance and emission properties of modify fuel blends addition of graphene nanoplatelets to ternary fuel blends (diesel, waste cooking biodiesel, and butanol) in a diesel engine

Development of alternative fuels from organic waste for the applications in CI diesel engines is an important research area for a sustainable energy future. In CI diesel engines, binary and ternary fuel blends can be prepared by blending fossil diesel fuel with biodiesel and alcohols. In recent years, various fuel blends have been improved with different metal or non-metal nanoparticles. In this work, non-metallic Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) were added to ternary fuel blends, followed by the characterization of the prepared samples. Subsequently, an investigation was conducted to examine their effects in engine performance and exhaust emissions. In this study, ternary blends were prepared by adding biodiesel obtained from the recycling of waste cooking oils and 10%, 15%, and 20% butanol to diesel fuel. Subsequently, 50 ppm of GNPs were added to these blends. Initially, the chemical properties of all fuel blends, such as cetane index, calorific value, density, and kinematic viscosity, were analyzed. Additionally, TG, DSC, FTIR, UV-VIS, and GS-FID characterizations were conducted for all fuel samples. Afterwards, engine performance, combustion characteristics, and exhaust emissions were performed. A total of 7 distinct fuel samples were employed in the engine testing procedure, wherein the engine was operated at 2 different speeds and 5 engine loads. The experiment results indicated that the lowest BSFC values occurred in diesel fuel under all conditions. With the addition of GNPs to the ternary fuels, the BSFC value decreased by an average of 1.11% at 1500rpm and 1.89% at 2000 rpm for all loads. Upon analysis of BTE values, it was revealed that diesel fuel had the greatest BTE value. The incorporation of GNPs into the ternary blends resulted in an average enhancement in BTE values of 1.40% at 1500rpm and 2.60% at 2000 rpm at all loads. The examination of the in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate indicated that the incorporation of GNPs led to a little decrease in the duration of the ignition delay. In the examination of NOx emissions, the inclusion of GNPs resulted in an average increase in emissions of 9.89% at 1500rpm and 5.37% at 2000 rpm at all loads. Furthermore, when analyzing CO2 emissions, with the exception of non-load conditions, the incorporation of GNPs resulted in an average rise of 3.10% in CO2 emissions at 1500rpm and 3.55% at 2000 rpm at all load conditions. The study revealed that fuel samples exhibited qualities close to those of diesel fuel standards.

Impact of rigorous muscle strength and power training on mobility among individuals with hip fractures: A randomized controlled trial

Patient’s mobility is not restored to pre-fracture levels until two years following a fractured hip. A persistent weakness in the muscles on the fractured leg may contribute to mobility limitations. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on individuals with hip fractures aged 60-85 to examine the effect of strength and power training twice a week on mobility. A random assignment was made between a 46-person intervention group and a 40 person control group. Over a period of twelve weeks, strength training was conducted twice per week under supervision. All measurements were conducted by a blinded measurer. We assessed mobility by timing the time it takes to climb stairs, get up from a chair, and walk. To analyze the data, we used intention-to-treat analysis. A study of efficacy was conducted for subjects who adhered to training more than 50% of the time (n = 40). 4 of the controls did not show a statistically significant improvement in mobility (p &lt;0.001). Training had no significant effect on walking time or TUG. During the efficacy analysis, the average chair rise time for the exercise group improved by 5.4% (p &lt; 0.005). The results of intense muscle strength and power training were observed in self-reported improvements in mobility. Participants with higher training compliance had an improved chair rise rate.

Responses of Soil Water Potential and Plant Physiological Status to Pulsed Rainfall Events in Arid Northwestern China: Implications for Disclosing the Water‐Use Strategies of Desert Plants

ABSTRACTSoil water potential (SWP) strongly influences plant productivity and ecosystem functioning, particularly in arid regions characterized by sporadic and pulsed rainfall. This work aims to improve understanding of the response of SWP to varied rainfall pulses, and of the water‐use strategies of a widespread C4 shrub (Haloxylon ammodendron, HA) in arid northwestern China. Rainfall manipulation experiments and field measurements on HA were undertaken to explore the response features of SWP and plant physiological status to pulsed rainfall events of varied magnitudes and durations. The physiological state of HA was evaluated by quantifying critical metrics indicative of plant water‐use strategies, including leaf water potential, photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate. The response value of SWP increased with rainfall magnitude and was most affected by three vital factors (antecedent SWP, total rainfall and rainfall intensity). Low antecedent SWP amplifies SWP's sensitivity to subsequent events, accelerating its response to smaller rainfalls (&lt;5 mm) compared with larger ones (&gt;15 mm). Small rainfall can increase SWP by 0.5–2 MPa in the 20‐cm layer, sustaining plant physiological activities under high antecedent SWP conditions (&gt;−3.5 MPa), with a maximum average rise in photosynthetic rate of 9.20 ± 0.45 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1, enhancing HA's water use efficiency to 1.79 ± 0.22 μmol CO2 mmol−1 H2O. Therefore, small events play a vital role in maintaining SWP and promoting water use of desert plants. Given the nature of plants' utilization of small rainfall events, re‐examining ecologically valid SWP thresholds of HA and other similar desert plants is critical.

Exploring the efficiency of employing Fe3O4-MWCNT Nanofluids in a heat sink equipped with circular micro pin-fins

This work investigates the effects of adding different turbulence-inducing elements and varying the concentration of Fe3O4-MWCNT hybrid nanofluid to evaluate the efficiency of a micro pin-fin heat sink. To achieve this objective, a multiphase Lagrangian-Eulerian method that includes gravity, thermophoresis, drag force, Saffman lift, virtual mass, and pressure gradient-induced force to model will employ hybrid nanofluids. The evaluation of heat sink efficiency includes the analysis of quantitative variables like surface Nusselt number, average Nusselt number, and the logarithmic mean temperature difference. Furthermore, a qualitative representation of flow and thermal distributions is illustrated by visualizing flow streamlines, vortex contours, and thermal contours. This topic is addressed in the current work by using the finite volume approach with Ansys Fluent 18.1. Using the multiphase Lagrangian-Eulerian approach, the hydrothermal performance of the Fe3O4-MWCNT hybrid nanofluid in a pin-fin heat sink is investigated. This article's novelty lies in its utilization of four distinct turbulator models, each with unique geometries and widths. These models are positioned within a heat sink with micro fins and are tested in the presence of Fe3O4-MWCNT nanofluids. According to the findings, using the hybrid nanofluid at a concentration of 5 % rather than 1 % causes an average Nusselt number rise of 7.3 %, 9.4 %, and 12.5 % in various heat sink segments. This study's most significant thermal enhancement is associated with case D, which demonstrated a 7 % improvement over the baseline scenario by employing Fe3O4-MWCNT at a concentration of 5 % and a Reynolds number of 2400. It has been demonstrated that hybrid nanofluids have thermal efficiency between 600 and 2400 Reynolds numbers. The thermal efficiency criteria represent the base model, denoted by η = 1. A higher thermal efficiency denotes a more cost-effective design that offers superior heat transmission at a reduced pressure drop. It has been discovered that raising the concentration of hybrid nanofluids improves the micro pin fin heat sink's thermal performance by increasing the heat transfer coefficient.

An Updated Analysis of Long-Term Sea Level Change in China Seas and Their Adjacent Ocean with T/P: Jason-1/2/3 from 1993 to 2022

This study analyzes sea level changes (SLCs) in China seas and their adjacent ocean (CSO) using data from the TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-1/2/3 satellite altimetry missions from 1993 to 2022. A 30-year time series of sea level anomalies (SLAs) is established, with trends, spatial distribution, and periodicities analyzed through least squares linear fitting, Kriging interpolation, and wavelet analysis. The average yearly sea level rise in the CSO is 3.87 mm, with specific rates of 4.15 mm/yr in the Bohai Sea, 3.96 mm/yr in the Yellow Sea, 3.54 mm/yr in the East China Sea, and 4.09 mm/yr in the South China Sea. This study examines the spatiotemporal variations in SLAs and identifies an annual primary cycle, along with a new periodicity of 11 years. Utilizing 30 years of satellite observation data, particularly the newer Jason-3 satellite data, this reanalysis reveals new findings related to cycles. Overall, the research updates previous studies and provides valuable insights for further investigations into China’s marine environment.

Lake temperature and morphometry shape the thermal composition of recreational fishing catch

AbstractObjectiveManaging freshwater fisheries in warming lakes is challenging because climate change impacts anglers, fish, and their interactions.MethodsWe integrated recent models of current and future lake temperatures with recreational fisheries catch data from 587 lakes in three north‐central U.S. states (Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) to evaluate how the thermal composition of recreational fisheries catch varied as a function of temperature, ice coverage, and lake morphometry.ResultWe found that warmwater catch share (WCS), defined as the proportion of fish in recreational angling catch that belonged to the warmwater thermal guild (final temperature preferendum [FTP] &gt; 25°C), increased with average annual lake surface temperature and decreased with survey ice coverage. However, we also found that WCS decreased with increased lake area and depth. Using mid‐century (2040–2060) water temperature and ice projections while holding all other variables constant, we predicted that WCS will likely increase as the climate warms but that significant thermal heterogeneity will persist.ConclusionLakes that are large (&gt;100 ha) and deep (&gt;10 m) and those with cooler (&lt;3700 annual growing degree‐days) predicted future temperatures will likely hold thermal refugia for coolwater (FTP = 19–25°C) and coldwater (FTP &lt; 19°C) fish even as average lake temperatures rise, creating the potential for management actions to resist the shift from coolwater to warmwater fisheries. Managers of smaller and more rapidly warming lakes may want to consider strategies that accept or direct emerging warmwater fishing opportunities. We suggest that the most viable path to climate adaptation in landscapes of diverse lakes may be to resist warmwater shifts where possible and to accept or direct the rise of warmwater fishing opportunities where necessary.

Novel Image-Guided Simulator for Transcervical Intralaryngeal Injection Training.

To assess the impact of a novel 3D-printed simulation model with Brainlab Image Guidance on enhancing otolaryngology residents' skills and confidence in performing transcervical intralaryngeal injection (TII) compared with conventional training methods. Utilizing a 3D-printed larynx model derived from computed tomography (CT) scans, this study involved 16 otolaryngology residents divided into two groups for TII training: one with Brainlab Image Guidance (LMIG) and the other without (LM). Pre- and post-training evaluations measured participants' confidence while the Brainlab system measured the accuracy of their needle placements. After training, participants exhibited a significant increase in confidence with an average rise from 1.56 to 2.75 on a 5-point scale. The LMIG group outperformed the LM group in accuracy achieving statistically significant reductions in target distances after training (3.5 mm right, 3.6 mm left). The LMIG also demonstrated a significantly greater increase in procedural confidence over the LM group after training. The TII laryngeal model with Brainlab Image Guidance significantly improves procedural confidence and accuracy among otolaryngology residents, signifying potential advantage over a more conventional training approach. The model's realistic tactile and live instrument positioning feedback augments the process of surgical skill refinement in a controlled, risk-free, simulation environment. NA Laryngoscope, 2024.

Experimental study on the effects of integrating phase change material with a solar updraft tower

AbstractThe solar updraft tower power plant presents a promising renewable energy solution but faces limitations in thermal efficiency and energy production during nonsunny hours. This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by investigating the integration of latent heat storage systems utilizing paraffin wax as phase change materials (PCMs) to enhance solar updraft tower (SUT) performance. Two identical small‐scale SUTs were constructed, both using the same tank configuration; however, the PCM device was filled with paraffin wax as a PCM, while the non‐PCM device contained only atmospheric air. Three scenarios were explored, featuring varying PCM tank heights of 2, 4, and 6 cm (the full capacity of the PCM tank). Results indicated that, from 3 p.m. until sunset, the PCM‐integrated SUT in Case 3 (with 6 cm of PCM) achieved the best performance, with an average absorber temperature rise of 25°C, compared with 12°C for the non‐PCM device. During the same period, the average air velocity at the tower neck, where a wind turbine could be installed, was 1.21 m/s for the PCM device, versus 0.82 m/s for the non‐PCM device. Notably, the nocturnal operating time extended significantly with PCM use, rising from 90 min for the 2 cm case to 125 min for the 6 cm case. In contrast, the non‐PCM device exhibited no operational time after sunset. This research not only demonstrates the effectiveness of PCM in improving the thermal performance and operational longevity of SUTs but also introduces a novel tank configuration that allows for flexible PCM integration, representing a significant advancement in the development of more efficient SUT systems.

Experimental research on the heat balance of independent heat extraction-release double helix energy pile

The use of spiral buried pipe of ground source heat pump in civil defense engineering shows great potential, exploring its complex heat transfer features and thermal balance through experimental approaches is essential. This paper utilizes an independent heat extraction-release double helix energy pile to manage condensation heat discharge in underground projects. An experimental platform was established to compare three scenarios: pure heat release, centralized heat extraction, and uniform heat extraction. The pure heat release mode resulted in substantial soil heat accumulation, whereas the centralized heat extraction and uniform heat extraction demonstrated significant reductions in average temperature rise, with decreases of 24.7 % and 31.3 % near the buried pipes, and 27.3 % and 46.3 % in the central regions. The heat-extracting pipe under centralized heat extraction and uniform heat extraction conditions remove 18.7 MJ and 20.3 MJ of accumulated heat, amounting to 10.3 % and 11.2 % of the total heat dissipation, respectively, effectively mitigating the thermal accumulation in the soil during operation. Besides, the outlet temperature of the heat-extracting pipe is predominantly influenced by the highest temperature in the heat exchange zone, lowering the inlet temperature effectively increases the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet, enhancing the amount of heat removed. The accumulation of underground heat can enhance the heat extraction performance of the pipes, and increasing the water flow rate of the heat-releasing pipe positively impacts the heat extraction capacity. After soil temperatures rise, running the heat-extracting pipe with cooler inlet water and a moderately higher flow rate is advised for extracting the accumulated heat.

Acoustic emission monitoring of a large-scale 50-year-old prestressed concrete bridge girder during an eccentric three-point bending test

Deterioration of reinforced and prestressed concrete structures is one of the main challenges in structural engineering. As the majority of our infrastructure is built around 1960-1980, most structures have reached or will soon reach their design lifetime, giving rise to more structural problems and costs in the coming decades. It is therefore important to develop efficient assessment schemes allowing to assure the safety and reliability of these existing structures and to estimate their residual lifetime. Within the framework of the Bridge|50 research project, a 50-year-old prestressed concrete bridge showing signs of corrosion damage was decommissioned. The bridge girders were recovered and have been subjected to large-scale load tests with varying loading patterns. This paper presents the results acquired during acoustic emission (AE) monitoring of one of the I-shaped girders during a monotonic three-point bending test with an eccentric point load. The results show that the failure mode and location could be detected based on AE activity and zonal AE localization. The onset of concrete cracking was observed by a decrease in peak frequency of the AE signals. Average frequency (AF) and rise angle (RA) value analysis was used to characterize the crack mode, which shifted from tensile to shear mode during bending.

Design of an FPGA-based short-circuit fault diagnosis algorithm for DC current-limiting fuses

Abstract In recent years, DC current-limiting fuses have played a crucial role in the comprehensive power systems of ships, rail transport, and new energy sectors, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of DC power systems. However, with the increase in the capacity of DC power systems, short-circuit faults can lead to a rise in short-circuit current at rates of up to 40 A/μs, with peak short-circuit currents reaching up to 105KA. This poses higher demands on the accuracy and speed of fuse diagnostics to interrupt short-circuit currents. To address this issue, this paper introduces a fault diagnostic algorithm based on FPGA that can calculate the rise rate of short-circuit currents in real-time: employing FPGA with its high integration, abundant logic resources, and parallel data processing capabilities as the core of the measurement and control system to enhance the speed of short-circuit fault diagnosis from a hardware perspective; replacing the common large current trip protection and DDL protection algorithms with the Newton interpolation algorithm. This improvement calculates the rise rate of each current data point instead of the average rise rate over a period, thus enhancing the speed and accuracy of short-circuit fault diagnosis from a software perspective. The paper also discusses the design of the system’s hardware and software and the construction of the experimental platform. Simulation and experimental results show that the fault diagnosis time of the algorithm has been reduced from 98μs to 36μs, with the numerical error in the short-circuit current rise rate within 2%, and a significant reduction in the peak value of short-circuit current, meeting performance requirements and effectively ensuring the safe and reliable operation of DC power systems.