Balance Of Processes Research Articles

Calculation of transportation resistance of different soils in Dredging Engineering

Pipeline transportation is a process of continuous balance between pumping pressure and pipeline resistance. Therefore, accurate calculation of pipeline transportation resistance can optimize the accuracy of the pump model and working parameters. The slurry transported in the dredging project is complicated, and the dredged soil in different regions is quite different resulting in different motion states in the transportation process. Different types of flow patterns are suitable for different resistance calculation models. In this paper, according to the actual dredger filling project, the real transmission resistance of the project is obtained by means of pipeline pressure monitoring data analysis. Three different transmission resistance calculation formulas of Wang Shaozhou formula, Durand formula and DHLLDV model are used to compare the clay, fine sand and medium coarse sand. The calculation results show that the Durand formula is the best for calculating the transmission resistance of medium coarse sand; the DHLLDV model is better for calculating the transport resistance of fine silt; the error between the DHLLDV model of clay transport resistance and Wang Shaozhou formula is small. In this paper, the calculation error analysis of three different kinds of soil is carried out, and the best calculation formula for three types of soil is obtained. The accurate calculation method of theoretical formula in dredging and filling projects is obtained, and the reference table of three kinds of soil for transportation resistance is proposed, which provides a reference for dredging project transportation.

Best Effort Workload Disparity Minimization in Multi-Agent Systems With Capacity Constraints

In this paper we propose a load balancing problem formulation where agents cooperate with the aim of simultaneously minimizing both the workload disparity among the agents and the overall workload transfer, under network capacity constraints. Notably, in our computational setting, the network is not just a device for the distributed solution of an optimization problem; on the contrary, the problem shares the same sparsity pattern as the network, and this aspect allows to solve it without the need for the agents to store large amount of data. In particular, while the load balancing process occurs over directed links, agents' communication is assumed to be bidirectional. For this optimization setting, first, an optimality condition is derived; then, a provably convergent distributed algorithm to compute the optimal solution is developed, and an upper bound on the convergence rate is characterized. Simulation results are provided to corroborate the validity and performance of our theoretical findings.

Barriers and facilitators of adherence to awake prone positioning: a qualitative study using the COM-B model

BackgroundAwake prone positioning (APP) is a recommended therapy for non-intubated ARDS patients, but adherence can be challenging. Understanding the barriers and facilitators of adherence to APP is essential to increase the adherence of therapy and improve patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators of adherence to awake prone ventilation using a qualitative approach and the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model.MethodsSemi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with patients involved in awake prone ventilation. Data were analyzed using an adapted inductive thematical approach and mapped onto the COM-B model to identify barriers and facilitators to adherence of APP.ResultsNineteen patients were interviewed (aged 55–92 years). Fifteen themes were identified and mapped directly on to the six COM-B constructs, with “physical challenges” related to physical capability being the primary barrier. These COM-B sub-items reflected five other barriers, including low self-efficacy(M), treatment environment(O), availability of time(O), misconceptions about the treatment(C), and insufficient knowledge(C). Key facilitators in adhering to APP were ability to identify and overcome obstacles(C), availability and affordability of treatment(O), family influences(O), beliefs and trust in treatment(M), fear about the disease(M), and perceived benefits(M). In addition, three factors played the role of both facilitator and barrier, such as media influences(O), healthcare influences(O), and behavioral habits(M).ConclusionThe COM-B model was proved to be a useful framework for identifying the barriers and facilitators of adherence to awake prone ventilation. The findings suggest that adherence behavior is a dynamic and balanced process and interventions aimed at improving adherence to APP should address the barriers related to capability, opportunity, and motivation. Healthcare providers should focus on providing proper guidance and training, creating a comfortable environment, and offering social support to improve patients’ capability and opportunity. Additionally, promoting patients’ positive beliefs and attitudes towards the treatment and addressing misconceptions and fears can further enhance patients’ motivation to adhere to the treatment plan.

Promoting dairy consumption behavior in the school setting: an experiment based on the transtheoretical model

BackgroundNutrition education is a key component of health promotion programs which leads to the improvement of students’ nutritional behaviors. The transtheoretical model (TTM) is one of the models extensively used in changing people’s behaviors. This study aimed to change the dairy consumption behavior based on the TTM in female students.MethodsA controlled trial was conducted with 159 female students (intervention group: 56; control group: 103) in the 10-11th grades from two public schools in Soumesara city located in the west of Gilan Province, Iran. Demographic characteristics, knowledge, TTM constructs and stage of change of dairy consumption were collected using a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire. Data were gathered before and one month after the educational intervention. Chi-square test, t-test and ANCOVA were used to analyze the data and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsFifty-two students from the intervention and 93 from the control group completed the study. Only 15% of the students were in the action or maintenance stages of dairy consumption. After the intervention, mean scores of behavioral processes of change, cognitive processes of change, decisional balance, and self-efficacy improved in the intervention group (P < 0.05 for all). Also, 37% and 16% of the participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively, were in the action or maintenance phase (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study showed that implementing an intervention based on the TTM would positively affect students’ dairy consumption behaviors. Also, it is suggested that the TTM be assessed in terms of other daily nutritional needs in students to promote their nutritional behaviors.Trial RegistrationThe study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) (available online at https://en.irct.ir/trial/50003) on April 11, 2020 with the number IRCT20200718048132N1 and was approved by research ethics committee of Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

Observation and Process Understanding of Typical Cloud Holes Above Lakes Over the Tibetan Plateau

AbstractUnderstanding cloud distribution over lakes is crucial to determine input radiation and precipitation for lake thermal and water balance processes. Based on Himawari‐8 satellite observation and Weather Research and Forecasting model results, this study examines the influences of lakes on daytime cloud cover during warm seasons over the Tibetan Plateau (TP), which is home to thousands of lakes. Observation shows the existence of cloud holes and narrow cloud rings around the lakes, that is, fewer clouds over the lakes and more clouds along the shoreline, which has rarely been reported and is considered typical to TP by comparison with lakes outside of TP. The threshold size of lakes that can produce the shoreline cloud ring is identified to be about 300 km2, as a conservative estimate. We further highlight the importance of atmosphere advection/background wind in the formation of lake‐associated clouds. Lake breeze forms under weak background winds and the downdraft branch inhibits cloud formation over the lakes; while the updraft branch causes convection to form clouds over lakeshores. However, strong background winds do not favor lake breeze formation, changing cloud distribution over the lakes. Fewer clouds are also found in the downwind regions, and this influence is at a distance comparable to the lake scale. Due to fewer clouds over lakes, shortwave radiation is significantly larger (∼100 W/m2) and longwave radiation is smaller (∼a few W/m2) than that of the further land region. Therefore, the above observational facts provide a new perspective to advance the understanding of lake‐air interactions.

An Actualization of Hifdz Al-Nafs Theory In Sentencing: A Philosophical Review Of Prisoner’s Rights To Healthcare At The Class IIb Detention Center In North Sinjai

The fulfillment of convicts’ rights in various aspects, particularly in terms of healthcare services, is still not optimal. This article aimed to identify the actualization of hifdz al-Nafdz's theories in granting prisoner’s rights to healthcare through an approach to the philosophical values of Islamic punishment and national law. Field research is research that raises data and problems in the field (research location). The sources of data obtained were primary and secondary data. This study employed qualitative research using a normative approach. The results of the study showed that textually, the implementation aligned with the hifdz al-Nafdz' mission in Maqashid Sharia. However, empirically, the implementation of hifdz al-Nafdz' in terms of health services has not shown perfect evidence. Islam placed great importance on the benefit aspect. Currently, the detention center accommodates 222 occupants, exceeding its maximum capacity of 100 occupants. Thus, the government should consider expanding the land area of detention centers and establishing polyclinics with additional healthcare personnel. Furthermore, appropriate treatment for detainees is necessary. Regarding law enforcement, the government has implemented regulations to ensure a balanced legal process and prevent any imbalances.&#x0D;

Switched-Resistor Passive Balancing of Li-Ion Battery Pack and Estimation of Power Limits for Battery Management System

The battery pack performance and expected lifespan are crucial in electric vehicle applications. Balancing the charge on a battery pack connected in series and parallel is crucial due to manufacturing discrepancies and distinct performance of each cell in a standard battery pack. In this paper, a switched-resistor passive balancing-based method is proposed for balancing cells in a battery management system (BMS). The value of the available voltage at the battery cell terminals is balanced using resistors in an electrical circuit, and the excess voltage is eliminated. The cell balancing outcome demonstrates that the electrical circuit can maintain an even voltage across each cell. The procedure of balancing involves individually adjusting each cell’s level of charge. Passive balancing releases energy as heat by draining charge from cells that have too much charge. A passive cell balancer is a cost-effective solution and easy to install, but due to thermal loss from a resistor, it has a low energy efficiency for cell balancing and necessitates a lengthy balancing process. This passive cell balancer is an effective and reliable method for low-power devices and portable applications such as electrical vehicles. The power limits during charging and discharging are estimated using the bisection method.

Experimental Development of the Horizontal Drain Water Heat Recovery Unit

The increase in energy demand, the scarcity of resources, as well as the adverse environmental impact of burning fossil fuels make it necessary to diversify the energy sources used. This also applies to the residential sector, which accounts for a significant proportion of global energy consumption. Particular attention should be paid to water heating, as the importance of this process in the energy balance of buildings is steadily increasing. One of the methods used to decrease energy consumption for heating water is to recover heat from greywater. However, commercially available horizontal drain water heat recovery (DWHR) units are characterized by low effectiveness, which creates a need for further research to improve it. The aim of the paper was to evaluate the possibility of improving the effectiveness of a circular horizontal DWHR unit through the use of baffles. Six different baffle models for installation in the greywater section of the heat exchanger were analyzed. The tests were conducted under the assumption of the installation of the DWHR unit on the horizontal shower waste pipe. They showed that the effectiveness of the unit equipped with baffles was higher by several to as much as 40% compared to the DWHR unit without baffles. This is tantamount to an increase in annual financial savings resulting from greywater heat recovery, as well as a reduction in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. However, it was not possible to clearly identify the optimum baffle model. In any case, the selection should consider the hydraulic conditions in the heat exchanger before installing the baffles. The results can provide guidance for companies interested in bringing new equipment and technologies to the market.

Acute decrease in mothers' cortisol following nursing and milk expression

The glucocorticoid hormone cortisol is an integral component of signaling pathways related to stress reactivity, energy balance, immune function, and other processes. In animal models, lactation is robustly associated with alterations in glucocorticoid signaling, and limited data suggest that similar changes may occur across human lactation. We asked whether milk letdown/secretion in breastfeeding mothers was associated with changes in cortisol, and whether such effects required presence of an infant. We measured changes in maternal salivary cortisol concentrations before and after nursing, the expression of breastmilk with an electric pump, or control activities. Participants conducted pre-session and post-session sampling (at 30 min) for all conditions, and provided a sample of pumped milk from one session. Both nursing and mechanical expression of breastmilk but not control were associated with equivalent declines in maternal cortisol concentration from pre-session values, indicating an effect of milk letdown on circulating cortisol independent of infant contact. Pre-session maternal salivary cortisol concentration was strongly and positively correlated with cortisol concentration in pumped milk samples, indicating that cortisol ingested by offspring provides a signal of maternal cortisol levels. Self-reported maternal stress was associated with higher pre-session cortisol concentrations, as well as with a larger drop in cortisol following nursing or pumping. These findings demonstrate that milk release—in the presence or absence of a suckling infant—regulates cortisol in mothers, and supports the potential for maternal signaling through breastmilk.

Hindering and enabling factors for young employees with common mental disorder to remain at or return to work affected by the Covid-19 pandemic - a qualitative interview study with young employees and managers.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in working life occurred, even in Sweden, where there was no general lockdown. The aim of this study was to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic was perceived as affecting the hindering and enabling factors among young employees with CMD to remain at or return to work, here as investigated from the perspective of young employees and managers. A qualitative design was applied with semistructured interviews with 23 managers and 25 young employees (20-29 years old). The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and the parts of the interviews related to the aim of this article were analysed using conventional content analysis. The hindering factors were changed working conditions, decreased well-being when spending more time at home, and uncertainty. The enabling factors were decreased demands, increased balance, and well-functioning work processes. For managers it is important to be aware of warning signals indicating blurred boundaries between work and private life, to create and maintain well-functioning communication, and leave room for recovery. The hindering and enabling factors can be described as two sides of the same coin. Changes in the working conditions during the pandemic led to difficulties for both young employees and managers when the margins of maneuver were insufficient.

A multi-dimensional reality: Carol Lally Shields.

A multi-dimensional reality: Carol Lally Shields.

Estimation of Standard Minute Value of blazer Production Process by work study for well-balanced assembly line

This article presents a study on the estimation of the Standard Minute Value (SMV) of the blazer production process through work study for a well-balanced assembly line. The objective of the study was to optimize the production process by identifying inefficiencies, reducing the SMV, and optimizing the required manpower. Data were collected through time and motion studies and process analysis in a garment factory. The initial SMV for blazer production was determined to be 76.30 minutes. Through the implementation of work study and line balancing techniques, the SMV was successfully reduced to 73.15 minutes. Additionally, the manpower required for the assembly line was reduced from 139 workers to 136, leading to improved productivity and cost savings. The results show how work study and line balancing may be used to optimize the blazer manufacturing process. The study underlines the need of putting lean manufacturing ideas into practice to reduce waste and boost productivity. Employee engagement and motivation were increased by involving them in the line balancing process, which was essential for obtaining good results. This research contributes on work study and line balancing in the garment industry. The findings provide practical insights for garment manufacturers seeking to optimize their production processes. By implementing the recommended approaches, companies can reduce SMV, optimize manpower requirements, and improve competitiveness. This research enhances our comprehension of work study and line balancing within the apparel industry. The results provide garment manufacturers with valuable insights to streamline their production processes. Through the adoption of recommended strategies, companies can lower Standard Minute Values (SMV), fine-tune workforce requirements, and improve their competitive edge

Hybrid Blended Learning Solution for Teacher Education Innovation

The study reports data from the implementation of hybrid blended learning solutions (HBLS) in initial teacher training programmes for pre-school and primary school teachers. The design of the relevant university courses were revised in a transformative way, using innovative and digitally integrated approaches (DM 289/2021). Twenty teacher educators and 364 students were involved through the administration of semi-structured questionnaires whose dimensions investigated organizational flexibility to facilitate work-life balance processes, methodological quality and the role of teachers in HBLS.

Heat Budget Analysis for the Extended Development of the 2014–2015 Warming Event

In order to figure out the associated underlying dynamical processes of the 2014–2015 warming event, we used the ECCO (Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean) reanalysis from 1993 to 2016 and two combined scatterometers, QuikSCAT and ASCAT, to analysis hydrodynamic condition and ocean heat budget balance process in the equatorial tropical pacific. The spatiotemporal characteristics of that warming event were revealed by comparing the results with a composite El Niño. The results showed that the significant differences between the 2014 and 2015 warming periods were the magnitudes and positions of the equatorial easterly wind anomalies during the summer months. The abruptly easterly wind anomalies of 2014 that spread across the entire equatorial Pacific triggered the upwelling of the equatorial Kelvin waves and pushed the eastern edge of the warm pool back westward. These combined effects caused abrupt decreases in the sea surface temperatures (SST) and upper ocean heat content (OHC) and damped the 2014 warming process into an El Niño. In addition, the ocean budget of the upper 300 m of the El Niño 3.4 region showed that different dynamical processes were responsible for different warming phases. For example, at the beginning of 2014 and 2015, the U advection and subsurface processes played dominant roles in the positive ocean heat content tendency. During the easterly wind anomalies period of 2014, the U advection process mainly caused a negative tendency and halted the development of the warming phase. In regard to the easterly wind anomalies of 2015, the U advection and subsurface processes were weaker negatively when compared with that in 2014. However, the V advection processes were consistently positive, taking a leading role in the positive trends observed in the middle of 2015.

AVOIDANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL RISKS OF WORKERS AND MAN-MADE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS DURING CLEANING OF METALLURGICAL EMISSIONS

The article highlights the problem of increasing the level of flue gas filtration at industrial enterprises using the example of the metallurgical industry with the determination of technologically possible ways to increase the level of sulfur removal from gaseous emissions into the atmosphere. This can prevent occupational risks for employees of enterprises due to the reduction of the harmful effects of the components of industrial emissions on occupational health. Increasing the level of understanding of the impact of technological parameters on the target result opens up opportunities for organizing a more balanced and stable flue gas cleaning process. This, in turn, increases the ability of factories to comply with sanitary standards and prevent emergencies of a man-made nature when the maximum permissible concentrations of harmful components in gaseous emissions are exceeded. Solving this problem is possible when using mathematical modeling based on determining the relationship between the level of sulfur removal and the technological indicators of the desulfurization process. Regression analysis was used as a method for building a mathematical model. At the same time, the construction of a multifactorial mathematical model was carried out, based on the industrial parameters of the production of the metallurgical enterprise. The visualization of the obtained results is carried out by presenting the constructed mathematical model as three-dimensional graphs in the form of surfaces with the involvement of some of the technological indicators. The obtained results make it possible to optimize the production indicators to increase the efficiency of the desulfurization of gaseous emissions of the industrial enterprise. At the same time, additional aspects of the relationship between filtration indicators and the degree of purification from harmful components in flue gases are revealed, which allows to establish the most favorable process conditions and can be used not only in the metallurgical industry, but also in the thermal power industry. Keywords: industrial gases, desulfurization, labor hygiene, risks, occupational diseases, environmental safety.

The Work-Life Balance Machine

Remote work or hybridized work has come to stay post COVID-19 pandemic, though not without both benefits and drawbacks. Work-life balance represents an essential need of remote workers, which could either be hindered or promoted during remote work. The continuous adoption of remote work warrants that the crucial challenge of work-life balance facing remote workers be addressed. Therefore, this study offers insights regarding the work-life balance processes of remote workers by following a research approach that involves synthesizing literature about remote work and work-life balance in an integrative way. This article upholds that the work-life balance processes of remote workers involve a work-life cognitive system that is responsible for maintaining equilibrium in the work-life system. The work-life system of remote workers includes elements, resources, forces, useful work, and output. Achieving balance between work and non-work domains is a function of the relative processes among the elements, resources, and forces within the work-life system. This article refers to the work-life balance cognitive system as &amp;lsquo;the work-life balance machine&amp;rsquo;. The work-life balance machine provides knowledge about how and what remote workers need to learn, adapt to, and change in the environment in order to develop an optimally balanced work and life. Thus, based on the blending of theories and concepts with the synthesized evidence from literature, this article offers a model; the work-life balance machine and a definition of work-life balance. In addition, this paper highlights actionable insights critical for human resource management in developing, supporting, and maintaining remote workers&amp;rsquo; work-life balance.

Hybrid Genetic and Spotted Hyena Optimizer for Flow Shop Scheduling Problem

This paper presents a new hybrid algorithm that combines genetic algorithms (GAs) and the optimizing spotted hyena algorithm (SHOA) to solve the production shop scheduling problem. The proposed GA-SHOA algorithm incorporates genetic operators, such as uniform crossover and mutation, into the SHOA algorithm to improve its performance. We evaluated the algorithm on a set of OR library instances and compared it to other state-of-the-art optimization algorithms, including SSO, SCE-OBL, CLS-BFO and ACGA. The experimental results show that the GA-SHOA algorithm consistently finds optimal or near-optimal solutions for all tested instances, outperforming the other algorithms. Our paper contributes to the field in several ways. First, we propose a hybrid algorithm that effectively combines the exploration and exploitation capabilities of SHO and GA, resulting in a balanced and efficient search process for finding near-optimal solutions for the FSSP. Second, we tailor the SHO and GA methods to the specific requirements of the FSSP, including encoding schemes, objective function evaluation and constraint handling, which ensures that the hybrid algorithm is well suited to address the challenges posed by the FSSP. Third, we perform a comprehensive performance evaluation of the proposed hybrid algorithm, demonstrating its effectiveness in terms of solution quality and computational efficiency. Finally, we provide an in-depth analysis of the behavior of the hybrid algorithm, discussing the roles of the SHO and GA components and their interactions during the search process, which can help understand the factors contributing to the success of the algorithm and provide insight into potential improvements or adaptations to other combinatorial optimization problems.

Multi-temporal assessment of land surface temperatures as an indicator of land use/cover changes and climate variability in the Develi Basin, Turkey.

Land surface temperature (LST) is an important parameter that reflects land surface processes of water and energy balance and has been used in assessment of land use/cover changes. However, the use of LST in monitoring changes in non-urban areas such as agricultural areas and wetlands is still limited. In this study, we aim to determine the spatial and temporal changes in LST in a semi-arid agricultural basin in Turkey (Develi Basin), where land use/cover and climatic conditions showed considerable variability since 1980s. Irrigated agriculture have expanded in the basin since 1987, after the construction of a large irrigation project. The basin hosts an internationally important wetland, called the Sultan Marshes, affected negatively by irrigation expansion. The study covers a 39-year period from 1984 to 2022. Four Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images acquired in 1984, 1987, 2003, and 2007 and two Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS images acquired in 2014 and 2022 were used in the analyses. The land use/cover changes were evaluated based on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). LST was estimated through top-of-atmosphere brightness temperature from thermal bands of Landsat images. Climate variability from 2014 to 2022 was analyzed with statistical methods. The results indicated that Develi Basin faced both spatial and temporal land use/cover changes. The area covered with natural steppe vegetation and water bodies decreased in the basin. In contrast, the sparsely and densely vegetated soil covers, which mostly denote agricultural areas, increased. Changes in LST values were observed from 1984 to 2022 as a result of climatic factors and land use/cover changes. LST changes were variable across different land use/cover types; LST decreased in irrigated areas and increased in lakes that went dry over years. LST changes proved useful for evaluating land use/cover changes and climatic variations in agricultural basins.

Mountain Glacier Flow Velocity Retrieval from Ascending and Descending Sentinel-1 Data Using the Offset Tracking and MSBAS Technique: A Case Study of the Siachen Glacier in Karakoram from 2017 to 2021

Synthetic Aperture Radar images have recently been utilized in glacier surface flow velocity research due to their continuously improving imaging technology, which increases the resolution and scope of research. In this study, we employed the offset tracking and multidimensional small baseline subset (MSBAS) technique to extract the surface flow velocity of the Siachen Glacier from 253 Sentinel-1 images. From 2017 to 2021, the Siachen Glacier had an average flow velocity of 38.25 m a−1, with the highest flow velocity of 353.35 m a−1 located in the upper part of a tributary due to the steep slope and narrow valley. The inter-annual flow velocity fluctuations show visible seasonal patterns, with the highest flow velocity observed between May and July and the lowest between December and January. Mass balance calculated by the geodetic method based on AST14DEM indicates that the Siachen Glacier experienced a positive mass change (0.07 ± 0.23 m w.e. a−1) between 2008 and 2021. However, there was significant spatial heterogeneity revealed in the distribution, with surface elevation changes showing a decrease in the glacier tongue while thickness increased in two other western tributaries of the Siachen Glacier. The non-surface parallel flow component is correlated with the strain rate and mass balance process, and correlation analysis indicates a positive agreement between these two variables. Therefore, using glacier flow velocities obtained from the SAR approach, we can evaluate the health of the glacier and obtain crucial factors for the glacier’s dynamic model. Two western tributaries of the Siachen Glacier experienced mass gain in the past two decades, necessitating close monitoring of flow velocity changes in the future to detect potential glacier surges.

The Problem of Bitter Peptides Formed in the Process of Cheese Ripening

Bitter peptides are formed by the breakdown of proteins and high-molecular peptides during proteolysis. Their formation in cheeses is related to the proteolytic activity of rennet in balance with the peptidase activity of microbial enzymes of lactic acid bacteria. The bitter taste then arises when there is a disproportion between the formation and degradation of bitter peptides by increasing their concentration above the perception threshold. The extent to which bitter peptides affect the overall taste of cheese depends on the balance between their formation and breakdown to non-bitter lower peptides and amino acids. Only a perfectly balanced proteolysis process enables the creation of quality matured cheese with a characteristic taste and aroma. Therefore, a complete clarification of the mechanism is desirable, and thus also the possibility of control and regulation of this process.