Support Conditions Research Articles

Optimization and analysis of distributed generation units in distributed system for minimizing losses

The proposed study presents a novel methodology aimed at mitigating losses in distributed generation (DG) systems within distributed networks. This methodology involves the integration and implementation of DG units that utilize non-conventional, sustainable resources, potentially enhancing traditional DG systems. When DG units are located near the point of consumption, they create favorable conditions for voltage support, reduction in energy losses, and lower emissions. The strategic placement of DG units, in terms of both size and location within an existing generation network, is critical for the construction, execution, and operational planning of real-time distribution networks. This optimal positioning is key to maximizing voltage stability and minimizing power loss. The study proposes an innovative strategy to decrease real power losses and improve voltage profiles, which includes optimizing substation capacity by introducing DG units.

Making the ‘short game’ a ‘long game’: Promoting clothing longevity in the use phase

As the most significant portion of a garment’s ecological footprint stems from its use, clothing users play a pivotal role in extending the clothing lifespan by way of their wear, care and repair habits. Despite the fashion industry’s slow progress towards sustainability, clothing users have autonomy to shape their practice, which holds promise for reducing environmental impacts. There is a need to explore more critically various practices such as wear, care and repair habits that contribute to longevity within the consumer’s sphere of influence. Likewise, there is a need to transform educational perspectives in the field of sustainable consumption, as increased knowledge alone has been found insufficient to drive behavioural change. This study investigates the impact of short-term behavioural modification challenges (the ‘short game’) on users’ long-term consumption behaviour (the ‘long game’). Through a case study involving young female university students, this study characterizes the implementation of a lifestyle change towards sustainable clothing use practice and highlights its effects on long-term behaviour. This case illustrates an educational intervention that employed cognitive (head), affective (heart) and practical (hands) learning activities to advance specific competencies associated with sustainable consumption in the context of clothing use behaviours. The study provides a window into the logistical challenges, emotional longings and social pressures that young consumers must invariably reconcile to remain motivated and persist in the ‘long game’ of clothing longevity. By focusing learners’ attention on clothing use behaviours and providing some supportive conditions, young consumers can make meaningful and lasting changes to their practice.

Autonomy-Supportive, External-Focus Instructions Optimize Children’s Motor Learning in Physical Education

An external focus of attention and autonomy support are identified as key factors to optimize motor learning; however, research in children is limited. Moreover, research has failed to examine these factors in ecologically valid motor learning settings, like physical education. Therefore, the present study examined the effects of external focus of attention when delivered using autonomy-supportive or controlling instructional language on children’s motor learning. Thirty-three novice participants (10.30 ± 0.52 years) practiced a land-based curling task under supportive (external-focus instructions delivered with supportive language), controlling (external-focus instructions delivered with controlling language), or neutral (external instructions embedded in the task aim) conditions before completing a retention and transfer test. The supportive group produced higher positive affect after practice and greater accuracy in the retention test compared with the other groups. The findings provide support for the OPTIMAL (optimizing performance through intrinsic motivation and attention for learning) theory of motor learning that combining an external focus and autonomy support conditions improves motor learning.

Bağlanma Kuramı Çerçevesinde Çocuklarda Yas

Loss and the grieving process are a natural part of life for everyone, but they can become pathological without supportive conditions. Loss is painful and causes the person to experience deep grief. Individuals who cannot complete the mourning process healthily are forced to live with a loss they cannot resolve. The loss and mourning process, especially in childhood, significantly affects the person's life from childhood to adulthood. Different theories explain the grief process in the literature on the subject. Among these theories, the attachment theory developed by John Bowlby provides information about the grief process experienced, especially in childhood. In this study, the grief process in children is evaluated within the framework of the attachment theory developed by John Bowlby. The main issues addressed in the study are the significance of losses experienced during childhood, the stages of the grieving process, and the approach to the grieving child.

Stability of a Deep Foundation Pit with Hard Surrounding Rocks under Different in-Time Transverse Supporting Conditions

This paper focuses on investigating the stability of a deep foundation pit with hard surrounding rocks at different excavation stages with different supporting schemes by means of numerical calculations. The supporting schemes in question were combinations of one fixed vertical support and four varied transverse supports. Drilled grouting piles were used as vertical supports, and the commonly used steel bracings and prestressed anchorages served as transverse supports. The parameters used to evaluate the stability of the foundation pit at different excavation stages included the lateral displacements of the surrounding rocks, the settlement of the surrounding ground, the axial forces of steel bracings, and displacements at the tops of the drilled grouting piles. Simulation results showed that when a transverse supporting scheme consisting of one-layer steel bracings and prestressed anchorages set at 9 m and 22.5 m underground, respectively, was adopted, the lateral displacements of the surrounding rocks and settlement of the surrounding ground at different excavation stages were the largest compared to those under the other three transverse supporting schemes, while the corresponding values were lower compared to those allowed in Chinese standard GB50007-2011, demonstrating that this kind of supporting scheme is effective in terms of ensuring the safety of the foundation pit at different excavation stages. Moreover, the setting techniques for this kind of supporting scheme were relatively simple, and the corresponding influences of supporting element arrangements on excavation techniques were the lowest. Therefore, one-layer steel bracings and one-layer prestressed anchorages constituted the most suitable transverse supporting scheme for excavating a deep foundation pit with hard surrounding rocks.

Drivers of flight altitude during nocturnal bird migration over the North Sea and implications for offshore wind energy

AbstractEach year, millions of birds migrate nocturnally over the North Sea basin, an area designated for significant offshore wind energy development. Wind turbines can harm aerial wildlife through collisions and barrier effects, especially when birds fly at low altitudes below the wind turbine rotor tip. We aim to quantify seasonal and nightly differences in flight altitudes of nocturnal bird migration over the North Sea and identify how weather influences low‐altitude flight to inform wind turbine curtailment procedures for reducing bird fatalities. We used bird tracking radars at Borssele and Luchterduinen offshore wind parks, 22 and 23 km from the western Dutch coast, to monitor altitude distributions during migration. We show that median flight altitude was higher in spring compared to autumn at Borssele (spring: 285.5 m, autumn: 169.2 m; p < .001, effect size [ES] = 0.0001) and Luchterduinen (spring: 133.8 m, autumn: 126.0 m; p < .001, ES = 0.002) and below wind turbine rotor tip in both seasons. On most nights in both seasons, the majority of migrants flew predominantly at low altitudes, except for intense migration nights in spring in Borssele where, on 87% of these nights, migration mainly occurred at high altitudes. The most important predictors of low‐altitude migration in both seasons were day of year and wind assistance. Birds chose altitudes with the most favorable wind conditions for migration in both seasons. The relationship between day of year and low‐altitude migration fraction suggests that different species migrate at different altitudes. In spring, birds were flying lower at the beginning and the end of the night, reflecting departures and arrivals of birds, while radar location in autumn was a good predictor of low‐altitude flights, indicating that different local migratory axes have distinct altitude distributions. Our findings suggest that mitigation measures offshore may be more effective during autumn than spring, especially on nights with more supportive wind conditions at altitudes below 300 m.

Antecedents and Outcomes of Intimate Partner Violence Against Married Afghan Women Living in Iran

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the most frequent forms of violence observed by one member of the family, particularly the dominant member, to control the other member of the relationship. This study aimed to investigate the antecedents and consequences of IPV in couples’ relationships from the perspective of married Afghan immigrant women living in Iran. The participants included 253 married Afghan women living in Iran between 18 and 57 years old who participated in the study via an online survey and answered questions about the four forms of IPV experienced measured by Conflict Tactic Scales-Revised (CTS-2), Symptoms of Depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder Scale, Relationship Assessment Scale, and the Social Support Scale. According to the findings, Afghan immigrant women experienced psychological, physical, sexual, and controlling behaviors and any kind of IPV of 54%, 41%, 23%, 61%, and 71% prevalence, respectively, in the last 12 months. Age, self-education and partner education, economic status, type of marriage (love or traditional), and the number of children also have a significant association with IPV (p< .01). The results showed that women who experienced IPV significantly reported lower levels of social support and marital satisfaction and higher symptoms of depression and PTSD than women who did not experience IPV (p< .01). Considering the prevalence of violent behavior in Afghan immigrant women who have less access to the support network in the country of origin, empowering them and creating supportive conditions for them can control the negative consequences of violence and provide a basis for psychological interventions by specialists.

On the Hm-Regularity for Second Order Elliptic Equations

Our primary objective in this paper is to discuss the Hm-Regularity for second order elliptic equations over Sobolev Spaces. We here consider the cases m = 1 and m≥ 2 separately. We revisit some elementary concepts in Functional Analysis and Abstract Harmonic Analysis before providing a proper definiton to the notion of weak solution of a Dirichlet Problem. While towards the later stages, we shall classify different types of regularity conditions, the main focus lies upon deducing appropriate ellipticity conditions in support of commenting about the existence and uniqueness of the weak solutions to a given problem. Appropriate references are provided in the bibliography section to facilitate further reading for ardent readers and researchers in this field

On the Hm-Regularity for Second Order Elliptic Equations

Our primary objective in this paper is to discuss the Hm-Regularity for second order elliptic equations over Sobolev Spaces. We here consider the cases m = 1 and m≥ 2 separately. We revisit some elementary concepts in Functional Analysis and Abstract Harmonic Analysis before providing a proper definiton to the notion of weak solution of a Dirichlet Problem. While towards the later stages, we shall classify different types of regularity conditions, the main focus lies upon deducing appropriate ellipticity conditions in support of commenting about the existence and uniqueness of the weak solutions to a given problem. Appropriate references are provided in the bibliography section to facilitate further reading for ardent readers and researchers in this field

Organizational Engagement With Poverty: A Review and Reorientation

Recognizing the potential contributions businesses can make to address the grand challenge of global poverty, management scholars have increasingly turned research attention to poverty. We conducted an integrative review of poverty studies in the organizational literature spanning from 1985 to 2022. Based on the review, we clarify poverty as a significant lack of market-oriented resources, opportunities, and capabilities. Further, we develop a framework that captures the ways in which organizational practices offer the poor, or deprive them of, resources, opportunities, and capabilities, and thereby contribute to poverty alleviation or aggravation respectively. Moreover, our framework identifies the necessary support conditions for an organization to effectively combat poverty. We conclude by proposing a research agenda aimed at advancing management scholarship on poverty.

Peran Guru dalam Meningkatkan Minat Belajar Siswa pada Pembelajaran IPS di Sekolah Dasar

Education is closely related to learning activities. In the entire educational process at school, learning activities are the most basic activities, which means that the success or failure of achieving educational goals depends on the learning process experienced by students as students in each school. In social studies learning, teachers are not only required to provide knowledge to students in mastering concepts related to social life and the environment. More than that, social studies teachers are expected to be able to equip students to make efforts to increase their knowledge. Therefore, thr role of teacher in improve social studies learning in elementary schools are very important to build an advanced generation in the future. he aim of this research is to increase students' interest in learning social studies in elementary schools. This research methodology uses a qualitative approach with the type of research being library research. The results of this research show that the teacher's role in increasing students' interest in learning in social studies subjects includes the use of media, organizing the class and stimulating to create an attitude of student participation in social studies subjects from all the teacher's roles above, that what they do is in accordance with the model participatory learning. There are several factors that support teachers when learning, including: the best possible and effective use of technology, good emotional condition of students, supportive environmental conditions, good quality teachers. And some of the inhibiting factors include a distance learning system that is less effective, technological constraints, namely slow internet network, poor emotional condition

Analisis Faktor Motivasi Membaca Teks Arab Bagi Mahasiswa Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Arab

Motivation has a very strong influence on the cognitive and affective aspects of reading. Motivation affects a person's thinking style. When a person is interested in the text he reads, his understanding will increase more than when reading a text he is not interested in. This study describes the factors influencing the motivation for Arabic Language Education at STAI Syaichona Moh. Cholil Bangkalan will read Arabic texts in the Qira'ah lesson. Data collection techniques are carried out through interviews, observation, and documentation using descriptive qualitative methods. The collected data was analyzed and validated by the triangulation method. The results showed that six factors influence students' motivation to read Arabic text: (1) Reading ability. (2) Individual interest or desire. (3) Reading needs. (4) Social support. (5) Technology and learning resources. and (6) Supportive conditions and facilities.

Investigating Vibration Characteristics of Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Made from Fast-Grown Plantation Eucalyptus nitens under Different Support Conditions

The mechanical properties of fibre-managed Eucalyptus nitens (E. nitens) cross-laminated timber (CLT) have previously been extensively studied, proving the material to be structurally safe and reliable. However, the vibration performance of CLT manufactured from this relative new construction species is not yet fully understood, especially under different support conditions. In this study, three types of support conditions, including roller–roller, bearer–bearer and clamp–bearer support conditions, were examined under vibration impulse-response testing performed using a simple but effective and repeatable excitation method consisting of a basketball dropped from a known height and an accelerometer. Six three-ply E. nitens CLT panels considered to have different moduli of elasticity in different layers and one strength-class C24 spruce CLT as a controlled reference were included in this study. The results suggest that the fundamental frequency values can effectively reflect the inherent characteristics of CLT panels (bending stiffness and density); however, no obvious relationship was observed between damping ratios and these inherent properties. The values of frequency constant λ1 were determined to analyse the effect of different support conditions on the values of fundamental frequency. The average values of λ1 for the roller–roller (9.6) and bearer–bearer (10.1) supports align with the theoretical values (9.87) for simply support (S-S) conditions. However, when clamping loads were applied at one edge of the bearer support, the average values of λ1 increased up to 10.8 but remained far below the theoretical values for clamped–pinned (C-S) support (15.4).

Factors affecting the social acceptance of agricultural and solar energy systems: The case of new cities in Egypt

Can the building sector become productive and, in parallel, help create livable spaces? Agricultural and solar energy systems can contribute to the building sector’s transformation; however, research on these systems has mostly focused on technological development and achieved gains, while overlooking a key driver of success, which is social acceptance. Only recently has the discussion on social acceptance of the systems gained momentum revealing that their adoption, especially in residential sectors, is bound to end users. Therefore, using a quantitative, survey-based, case study approach, we investigated what influences the social acceptance of end users, i.e., the residents of residential buildings in Egyptian new cities. Based on UTAUT – a Technology Acceptance theory – seven underlying factors were tackled using a statistical contingency analysis (SPSS, n = 274) to test their association with (a) social acceptance of agricultural and solar energy systems and (b) the sociocultural background of the residents. Results revealed that social acceptance of the systems was associated with factors like the expected effort for implementation, concerns and anxieties about the systems, external supporting conditions, and social influences – while surprisingly, it was not associated with the expected performance of the systems, their perceived costs, and the need for financial support. Most studied factors showed associations with the sociocultural aspects, except for the expected effort and perceived cost of solar systems and financial facilitations of both systems, which proved to be completely independent of the sociocultural background of the residents. The conducted analysis and concluded insights about the underlying factors behind social acceptance have not been previously covered in detail for the two systems in comparison, especially for the case of new Egyptian residences. The study findings can support relevant stakeholders such as policymakers, suppliers, engineers, etc. in triggering the social acceptance of the systems in Egypt and contexts of similar settings.

Supportive error feedback fosters students' adaptive reactions towards errors: Evidence from a targeted online intervention with Italian middle school students.

Although it is well established that students' adaptive reactions towards errors promote learning outcomes, little is still known about the role of error feedback in promoting these reactions. Through a targeted intervention based on an online teaching unit, this study aimed at testing whether supportive error feedback promotes more adaptive students' reactions towards errors and higher learning outcomes. A total of 250 (Mage = 12.18, SD = .89; 46.4% girls) Italian middle school students took part in the intervention. Students were randomly assigned to either a discouraging error feedback condition (n = 124) or a supportive error feedback condition (n = 126). The intervention consisted of an online teaching unit, which students filled in at home, that was divided into pre-test, intervention and post-test phases. During the intervention, students replied to training questions and every time they made an error, informative feedback appeared: supportive smileys and sentences in the supportive feedback condition, and disappointed smileys and sentences in the discouraging feedback condition. Before the intervention, students filled in the pre-test and after the intervention, students reported their reactions towards errors and filled in the post-test. Receiving supportive feedback resulted in more adaptive affective-motivational reactions towards errors, which in turn were related to more adaptive action reactions towards errors. Differently from our expectations, action reactions towards errors were not related to the post-test scores. Our findings can inform the development of online teaching units that promote an error-oriented approach.

Assessment of purlins with paired torsion bracing in sloped roof systems: Direct strength method approach

A Direct Strength Method based methodology has been developed by the authors for the prediction of local buckling and distortional buckling strength of purlins with paired torsion bracing. In a previous study, the methodology was presented and discussed for zero slope roof systems in by the authors. In this paper, the authors reformulated the developed methodology to include the effect of slope in the structural behavior of the roof systems. Equations have been developed for the strength prediction of sloped roof systems for simple span and multi-span interior conditions (fixed support conditions at both ends). As downslope forces are introduced to the sloped roof systems, the lateral displacement of the diaphragm is affected, and the stress distributions are impacted along the purlin cross sections. Typically, with the increase in the roof slope, the lateral diaphragm deflection decreases during which the stress distributions approach the constrained bending distribution increasing the strength. When the roof slope is increased further and the lateral deflection of the purlins moves downslope, there is a considerable decrease in the predicted strength. Therefore, for steep roof slopes, a considerable inelastic reserve capacity is observed which when accounted for will improve the predicted strength. The component stiffness method is utilized in the process, considering displacement compatibility for the calculation of the anchorage forces within the purlin system. Partial restraint of the diaphragm that is provided by the sheathing is considered in the procedure. The developed methodology herein this paper incorporates the effects of first-order and approximate second-order torsion for the prediction of the actual stress distributions along purlin cross sections. This stress distribution may significantly differ from the conventionally assumed constrained bending distributions which may result in substantial differences in the predicted local buckling and distortional buckling strengths for purlin systems.

Unreinforced masonry walls under two-way out-of-plane bending: Comparison of FE model predictions with analytical models

Four existing design guidelines based on the virtual work method have been compared to predict the out-of-plane (OOP) bending capacities of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls to one-way and two-way actions. The two-way OOP bending design equation as per the Australian masonry standard (AS 3700) and the three subsequent models developed by other researchers are based on specific wall geometries, support conditions, dimensions and strengths of masonry units and mortar. Due to limited experimental data available on URM walls under two-way bending, it is difficult to carry out a detailed investigation of the performance of these two-way design models against all the design parameters. This paper applies the finite element (FE) modelling technique to generate data and extensively investigate the influence of support conditions, pre-compression and aspect ratio on the two-way OOP bending capacity of URM walls. An explicit FE model previously developed by the authors where masonry is macroscopically modelled as an anisotropic composite material, is used for this purpose. Performances of three key parameters (i.e., moment capacity under horizontal bending and diagonal bending and torsional shear strength of masonry) that differentiate the four design models are investigated against varying levels of vertical pre-compression and flexural tensile strength of masonry. The OOP bending capacity predicted by the FE model is compared with the predictions of the design models. Results show that three out of four design models generally overpredict the two-way OOP bending capacities of square and taller walls. Further refinement to the AS 3700 design equation has been proposed in a modified model. The outcomes of this research will help to improve the design of masonry walls under OOP bending.

The influence of the geometric characteristics on the behavior of braces with restrained buckling - case study of perforated steel core.

Buckling restrained braces are elements that equip the building with additional capacity for resistance and stability when subjected to earthquakes. As an answer to the problem of the possible loss of stability of the buckling-preventing component, the “perforated-core buckling restrained braces” (PCBRB) is a concept that involves the introduction of gaps, in the core of the bracing, to control the plasticizing mechanism of the dissipative element. The research addresses the behavior of PCBRB groups where all the elements belonging to the same group have the same area and length of the section considered active dissipative. A numerical analysis environment was developed that simulates the support conditions and material behavior. Based on the results of the numerical analyses, the influence of the geometry (b/t ratio) of the section of the dissipative zone on the behavior and the mechanism of stress strain distribution in the bracing core. It can be noticed the development of over-resistance to the compressive stress and non-uniform distribution of stresses on the surface of the elements whose b/t ratio exceeds the value of 5.5; for the elements whose b/t ratio has a value lower than 1.75 local instability problems in the dissipative zone occurred.

The Quality of Life of Older Adults in Rural Eastern India and Its Influencing Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aims This study aimed to assess the quality of life (QoL) of older adults in rural Odisha, India, exploring its multidimensional nature across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. The impact of depression and various sociodemographic factors on QoL was also investigated. Methods The research was conducted in the Tangi block of Khordha district, Odisha, encompassing 468 older adults. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and sociodemographic questionnaire were used in data collection. Sampling employed a multistage approach, with statistical analysis utilizing Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY), including t-tests for normally distributed data and the Mann-Whitney U test for non-normally distributed data. Results The QoL of older adults in rural Odisha showed variability, with physical and social domains exhibiting relatively positive scores compared to psychological and environmental domains. Depression significantly impacted all QoL dimensions, with the most profound effect observed in global QoL and global health. Sociodemographic factors such as employment, substance use, elder abuse, adverse life events, and poverty were identified as significant determinants of global QoL. Additionally, recreational activity, elder abuse, education, and employment significantly affected all QoL domains. Conclusions This study reveals the complex landscape of QoL of older adults in rural Odisha. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive interventions targeting mental health, social support, and environmental conditions to enhance the overall well-being of this population. Policymakers and healthcare professionals should consider these multidimensional factors to develop effective strategies for improving the QoL of older adults in similar contexts.

Experimental study on fundamental frequency and human‐induced vibration characteristics of light steel foam concrete composite floor

SummaryIn order to study the dynamic characteristics and human‐induced vibration response of light steel foamed concrete composite floor (LCSF), the vibration characteristics of 4.2 m × 5 m LCSF model were tested under the condition of opposite side support, and the natural vibration frequency of LCSF was obtained. The orthogonal anisotropic elastic plate and the simulated beam element were used, respectively, to compute the natural vibration frequency of the LCSF, and the estimated findings were compared with those obtained from measurements. The discrepancy between the calculated results and the measured results of the approximate beam element using the natural vibration frequency calculation technique is around 13%, but the error for the plate element using the calculated results and the tested results is about 23%. To examine the floor's vibration response under the factors of step frequency, walking path, pedestrian density, and load distribution, the LCSF underwent a human‐induced vibration test. The test results show that the fundamental frequency of the LCSF specimen is about 11 Hz, which can meet the requirements of the specification. However, the vibration response of the LCSF specimen under different conditions of pedestrian load is significantly different. With the acceleration of step frequency and the increase and concentration of load, the floor's vibration response becomes more visible. In the route test, it is established that LCSF has the attribute of a unidirectional plate. The natural vibration frequency of similar floor slab can be calculated by the method of simulating the natural vibration frequency of beam element. The findings can serve as a guide for LCSF research and implementation.