Evaluation Of Damage Research Articles

A Cost-Effective Earthquake Disaster Assessment Model for Power Systems Based on Nighttime Light Information

The power system is one of the most important urban lifeline engineering systems. Identifying the damage to the power system is an important task in earthquake disaster assessments. Considering the importance of timeliness and accessibility, a hyperparameter optimization model is proposed to address the assessment of disaster losses in power systems on earthquakes. The power system vulnerability on earthquakes, PSVE, is assessed by the hyperparameter optimization model based on nighttime light information. Through the utilization of the computational resources provided by Google Earth Engine, the accuracy of the baseline model has been significantly improved to 87.9%; meanwhile, the cost-effectiveness in the evaluation process is maintained. The PSVE-based damage evaluation has the potential to aid in assessing earthquake damage to cities’ energy supply, power infrastructure, and lighting. Furthermore, the PSVE-based damage evaluation can provide valuable guidance for prioritizing and efficiently allocating resources for rapid repair and reconstruction efforts.

A Three-Dimensional Seismic Damage Assessment Method for RC Structures Based on Multi-Mode Damage Model

To rationally evaluate the seismic damage of RC structures comprehensively and multi-dimensionally, a damage index calculation method is proposed. This is a macroscopic global seismic damage model that considers torsional damage, damage in two perpendicular horizontal directions, as well as the overall damage, based on the modal characteristics of the three-dimensional structure and the multi-mode damage model. Formulas are derived, and the steps for damage evaluation are summarized. To better illustrate the results of the proposed method, an example of an asymmetric 6-story frame-shear wall structure is built using the OpenSees program. Thirteen ground motions are selected for incremental dynamic analysis. The structure’s damage indexes are evaluated according to the proposed method and compared with the corresponding structural responses, He et al.’s index, and the Final Softening index. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can fully reflect the macroscopic damage state of the structure from different perspectives. Additionally, the results show that, despite the ground motion only acting in the y-direction, the structure exhibits responses and damage in both the x-direction and the torsional direction. The overall damage to the structure is primarily controlled by the torsional damage, attributed to the asymmetric arrangement of shear walls. The torsional effect is the key factor leading to the failure of asymmetric structures during earthquakes. Therefore, ensuring the torsional strength of the structure is crucial during the structural design process.

Diffusion tensor imaging within the healthy cervical spinal cord: Within- participants reliability and measurement error

BackgroundDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a promising technique for the visualization of the cervical spinal cord (CSC) in vivo. It provides information about the tissue structure of axonal white matter, and it is thought to be more sensitive than other MR imaging techniques for the evaluation of damage to tracts in the spinal cord. AimThe purpose of this study was to determine the within-participants reliability and error magnitude of measurements of DTI metrics in healthy human CSC. MethodsA total of twenty healthy controls (10 male, mean age: 33.9 ± 3.5 years, 10 females, mean age: 47.5 ± 14.4 years), with no family history of any neurological disorders or a contraindication to MRI scanning were recruited over a period of two months. Each participant was scanned twice with an MRI 3 T scanner using standard DTI sequences. Spinal Cord Toolbox (SCT) software was used for image post-processing. Data were first corrected for motion artefact, then segmented, registered to a template, and then the DTI metrics were computed. The within-participants coefficients of variation (CV%), the single and average within-participants intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots for WM, VC, DC and LC fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were determined for the cervical spinal cord (between the 2nd and 5th cervical vertebrae). ResultsDTI metrics showed poor to excellent within-participants reliability for both single and average ICC and moderate to high reproducibility for CV%, all variation dependent on the location of the ROI. The BA plots showed good within-participants agreement between the scan-rescan values. ConclusionResults from this reliability study demonstrate that clinical trials using the DTI technique are feasible and that DTI, in particular regions of the cord is suitable for use for the monitoring of degenerative WM changes.

Mean platelet volume (MPV) as new marker of diabetic macrovascular complications in patients with different glucose homeostasis

BackgroundPlatelets play an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Mean platelet volume (MPV) is considered as biological marker of platelets activity and function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate MPV values and its possible correlation with arterial stiffness and subclinical myocardial damage, in normal glucose tolerance patients (NGT), in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients and in individuals with pre-diabetes.MethodsWe enrolled 400 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. All patients underwent an Oral Glucose Tolerance test (OGTT). Arterial stiffness (AS) was evaluated with the measurement of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation pressure (AP) and augmentation index (AI). Echocardiographic recordings were performed using an E-95 Pro ultrasound system.ResultsAmong groups there was an increase in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (p < 0.0001), fasting plasma insulin (FPI) (p < 0.0001), high sensitivity c reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels (p < 0.0001) and a decrease in renal function as demonstrated by e-GFR values (p < 0.0001). From the NGT group to the T2DM group there was a rise in MPV value (p < 0.0001). Moreover, in the evaluation of arterial stiffness and subclinical myocardial damage, MPV showed a positive correlation with these parameters.ConclusionsIn the present study we highlighted that MPV is significantly increased, not only in newly diagnosed T2DM patients, but also in early stage of diabetes, indicating that subjects with pre-diabetes present increased platelets reactivity. Moreover, our results suggest that MPV is associated with increased arterial stiffness and subclinical myocardial damage, indicating MPV as new marker of CV risk.

Ensemble Learning Model for Damage Detection Using Deep Convolutional Networks

Damages to crops happen due to natural calamities, irregular fertilization, improper treatment, etc. To perform this estimation of this damage with high accuracy, both satellite &amp; near-field images are needed. Satellite images assists in evaluation of damages due to natural calamities, while near-field images assist in evaluation of damage due to plant diseases. Separate models are designed for processing these images, which limits their correlative analysis; and thereby reduces overall accuracy of damage detection. To remove this drawback, this text proposes a deep convolutional network (DCN) design that integrates both near-field and far-field images in order to perform effective correlation. The model is trained for detection of areas which are infected by natural calamities, thereby assisting farm experts to undertake corrective measures based on specific area. Results of proposed model are compared with some of the recently developed state-of-the-art methods, and it is observed that the former model achieves 10% better accuracy, performance.

Wind Turbine Blade Damage Evaluation under Multiple Operating Conditions and Based on 10-Min SCADA Data

Wind Turbine Blade Damage Evaluation under Multiple Operating Conditions and Based on 10-Min SCADA Data

Data Compression and Damage Evaluation of Underground Pipeline With Musicalized Sonar GMM

The underground cement pipeline network is critical in urban infrastructure, such as sewage drainage, fluid transportation, etc. Pipelines are deeply buried, so the damage is difficult to be detected. It is of great significant to monitor the crack of pipeline in real time. In this research, a data compression and damage evaluation method of underground pipeline using musicalized sonar GMM (Gaussian Mixed Model) was proposed. First, the sonar echo signal was sampled and discretized into four musicalized indicators by musicalized model. Then, the distribution of multi parameters were analyzed by GMM. The Frechet similarity was constructed to compare the difference between each working condition and baseline condition, so that the damage state could be identified. The engineering experiment shown that this method could greatly compress the monitoring data and evaluate four crack levels.

Evaluation of mechanical damages to chickpeas due to free fall during handling under electrical conductivity and accelerated aging tests

Evaluation of mechanical damages to chickpeas due to free fall during handling under electrical conductivity and accelerated aging tests

Evaluation of Paraoxonase, Arylesterase, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV, Oxidative Stress, and Oxidative DNA Damage in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Evaluation of Paraoxonase, Arylesterase, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV, Oxidative Stress, and Oxidative DNA Damage in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Applying Data Fusion Procedures to Evaluation of Impact Damage in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic by Using Optical Infrared Thermography and Laser Vibrometry Techniques

Applying Data Fusion Procedures to Evaluation of Impact Damage in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic by Using Optical Infrared Thermography and Laser Vibrometry Techniques

Subsea jumper damage detection based on fractal analysis and modal characteristics

Subsea jumpers play a critical role in subsea oil and gas production. Structural damage such as cracks is inevitable in subsea jumpers due to the harsh marine environment (internal fluid flow corrosion, high temperature and pressure, etc.). However, the current research on damage detection and evaluation of subsea jumpers is limited, particularly in cases of slight damage. This study thus proposes a method to identify cracks in subsea jumpers based on the modal characteristics and fractal theory. The accuracy of the method is verified by comparing the finite element simulation method via APDL and the analytical method via MATLAB. In addition, the sensitivity of the method to noise is investigated. The results indicate that the method accurately identifies cracks (single and multiple) with a minimum depth of 0.2 mm in various locations on subsea jumpers. This study may hold significant reference value for improving the safety and reliability of subsea jumpers.

Experimental Investigation of a Rapid Calculation and Damage Diagnosis of the Quasistatic Influence Line of a Self-Anchored Suspension Bridge Based On Deflection Theory

Abstract Based on deflection theory (DT), the basic differential equations and deformation compatibility equations of self-anchored suspension bridges (SASBs) are established. The calculation formula for the stiffening girder (SG) deflection of a three-span SASB is derived, and the validity of the formula is confirmed through an example. In addition, a fast calculation method for the theoretical deflection influence line (TDIL) is proposed by using the deflection calculation formula, and a calculation method for the actual deflection influence line (ADIL) is founded on the concept of time and space coordinate transformation. By loading the bridge with a load car and using real-time monitoring of the displacement response of the bridge test section, combined with the proposed intelligent damage evaluation program, the abnormal situation of the damage of the three-span SASB can be quickly and accurately identified. The research results of this paper can provide flexible, economical and effective guidance for detecting the capacity of real bridges.

A novel intraocular pressure predicting method based on hyperelastic mechanical model of cornea

Measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) is crucial and remains challenging in diagnosing glaucoma, as it is associated with cornea deformation during inflation. In this study, a three-dimensional analytical model based on hyperelastic constitutive relationship to predict correlation between cornea vertex displacement and the IOP is proposed. The analytical model is validated by rigorous experiments. Rabbit corneas were selected for this study and their mechanical properties were obtained using uniaxial tensile tests. To mimic the environment in which the cornea exists, an artificial anterior chamber equipped with water-injection pipelines was constructed to study the relationship between the corneal vertex displacement with IOP value in practical situation. The experimental results of rabbits corneas prove that the IOP can be deduced based on the measured corneal vertex displacement by the analytical model. Furthermore, subtle difference occurs when comparing the calculated human IOPs with those measured by medical equipment, demonstrating that the proposed method is suitable for monitoring the IOP of human. This novel IOP predicting method provides new inspiration for the design of eyepieces, as well as the preoperative preparation for laser surgery and evaluation of corneal damage.

Damage evaluation of carbon fiber reinforced composites under corrosion condition of sour gas well

AbstractThe paper focuses on the excellent chemical inertness characteristics of nonmetallic materials and evaluates the performance of three types of new carbon fiber‐reinforced resin‐based composites under various simulated corrosion conditions in wellbores. Through comprehensive analysis of macro and micromorphology, moisture absorption performance, strength performance, and molecular structure, the damage characteristics and applicability of carbon fiber composites in oil and gas wellbore conditions were clarified. T700/epoxy and T300/epoxy composites experienced damage dominated by physical effects such as moisture absorption and wet thermal stress, manifested as swelling, deformation, and cracking at the macro level, and pore formation and delamination cracking at the micro level. After continuous corrosion tests, the tensile strength of T700/bismaleimide composite (913 MPa) was higher than that of T700/epoxy composite (814 MPa) and T300/epoxy composite (636 MPa), with reductions of 12.4%, 14.3%, and 19.5% respectively. The research results showed T700 carbon fiber/bismaleimide resin composites had the best mechanical and chemical stability.

Ex-Ante Flooding Damages’ Monetary Valuation Model for Productive and Environmental Resources

The floods caused by river flooding are increasingly at the center of public attention and government agencies. This is due to climate change, a higher risk consciousness of settled populations, as well as the deteriorating state of water basins caused by the persistent absence of appropriate controls on the use of mountain and hilly territories. In Italy, the risk of flooding is particularly high, posing a significant social problem due to the number of victims and the damage inflicted on properties, industries, and infrastructure. This paper aims to examine the principles and methods of evaluating the damage caused to the territory by river flooding. Two evaluation models are developed for the formal definition of the variation law of damage caused by flooding, considering the return period of the flood event. The first model allows the evaluation of damage to the productive part of the territory affected by floods, while the second considers damage related to the environmental aspects.

Pressure-dependent thermal conductivity transient measurement of graphene

The thermal properties of graphene determine the thermal damage evaluation of graphene diaphragm and the lifetime of graphene-based devices. The conventional transient measurement method tends to result in the low-precision thermal conductivity (κ) for suspended monolayer graphene and complex interferometry setup. Hence, in order to improve κ measurement of graphene, a simple, miniaturized and portable Fabry-Perot (F–P) resonator with 10-layer graphene is proposed to perform the actuation and vibration detection of the suspended graphene. Then, the κ value can be calculated by means of laser-heated graphene's thermomechanical response, along with the established model for thermal time constant (τ) of a uniformly heated circular film. A quadratic fit is applied to the measured κ at different air pressures and an average fitting curve is obtained, thus determining that the measured κ relatively decreases by 13.32% with the increasing air pressure outside the F–P cavity from ∼22 kPa to ∼101 kPa. Subsequently, the COMSOL heat transfer simulation confirms that convective heat transfer is the primary reason for the external air pressure affecting transient measurements of κ of graphene. Hence, after taking the intercept of the average fitting curve, the predicted κ at 0 Pa of 10-layer suspended graphene is calculated to be 194.48 W/(m·K), which is close to the fitting curve calculated from previously reported κ of graphene with different layers. This study contributes to accurate transient measurement of κ in graphene, and is also instructive for investigating transient thermal process in other two-dimensional materials.

Urinary exosomal miRNA-451a can be used as a potential noninvasive biomarker for diagnosis, reflecting tubulointerstitial damage and therapeutic response in IgA nephropathy

To investigate the potential clinical value of urinary exosomal (uE) miR-451a as a biomarker for IgAN, urinary exosomes were isolated from 40 patients with IgAN, 30 patients with primary renal diseases without IgA as disease controls (non-IgAN group) and 21 healthy controls (HCs). The expression of miR-451a within exosomes was examined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). uE miR-451a was significantly upregulated in patients with IgAN compared to non-IgAN and HCs. The uE miR-451a level was positively correlated with the change in eGFR and negatively correlated with serum creatinine, urinary macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α). A dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that MIF was a direct target of miR-451a. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the expression of uE miR-451a showed potential diagnostic value for IgAN. Additionally, the uE miR-451a level could distinguish patients with IgAN with mild tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis from those with severe tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis. After a mean follow-up of 14.2 months, the levels of eGFR loss (ml/min/1.73 m2/year) were negatively correlated with baseline miR-451a. The levels of baseline miR-451a in the complete remission group were significantly higher than those in the non-complete remission group. uE miR-451a expression was significantly elevated in patients with IgA nephropathy and may serve as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of IgAN and evaluation of tubulointerstitial damage, while the baseline levels of uE miR-451a may be predictors of therapeutic efficacy and disease progression.

Measurement of nonlinear three-wave interaction using shear-vertical-wave point-focusing electromagnetic acoustic transducers

Abstract We developed a method of nonlinear three-wave interaction using shear-vertical-wave point-focusing electromagnetic acoustic transducers (SV-wave PF-EMATs). EMATs can excite and detect ultrasonic waves without couplants through interaction between electromagnetic fields and solid mechanics and are generally unsuitable for the nonlinear ultrasound measurement due to their low signal conversion efficiency. However, our originally developed PF-EMAT can focus SV waves at a focal point in phase, achieving a large local displacement. Here, two PF-EMATs with different driving frequencies are placed facing each other so as to match their focal points, where the focused SV waves intersect to induce the third waves with the frequencies of the sum and difference of the incident frequencies through the nonlinear three-wave interaction. We demonstrate that the local nonlinearity can be measured by this method with EMATs and demonstrate its applicability to evaluation of fatigue damage in a fatigue crack initiation phase with aluminum alloy specimens.

Reliability Exercise of Ultrasound Salivary Glands in Sjögren's Disease: An International Web Training Initiative.

Major salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) demonstrated its good metric properties as an outcome measure for diagnosing primary Sjögren's disease (SD). The objective was to assess SGUS reliability among sonographers with different levels of experience, using web training. Sonographers from expert centers participated in the reliability exercise. Before exercises, training was done by videoconferencing. Reliability of the two most experienced sonographers (MES) was assessed and then compared to other sonographers. Intra-reader and inter-reader reliability of SGUS items were assessed by computing Cohen's κ coefficients. All sets were read twice by all 14 sonographers within a 4-month interval. Intra-reader reliability of MES was almost perfect for homogeneity, substantial for Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) scoring system (OMERACTss). Among LES (less experienced sonographers), reliability was moderate to almost perfect for homogeneity, fair to moderate for OMERACTss, and fair to almost perfect for binary OMERACTss. Inter-reader reliability between MES was almost perfect for homogeneity, substantial for diagnosis, moderate for OMERACTss, and substantial for binary OMERACTss. Compared to MES, reliabilities of LES were moderate to almost perfect for both homogeneity and diagnosis, only fair to moderate for OMERACTss, but increased in binary OMERACTss. Videoconferencing training sessions in an international reliability exercise could be an excellent tool to train experienced and less-experienced sonographers. SGUS homogeneity items is useful to distinguish normal from abnormal salivary glands parenchyma independently of diagnosis. Structural damage evaluations by OMERACT scoring system is a new comprehensive score to diagnose patients with SD and could be easily used by sonographers in a binary method.

TDFPI: A Three-Dimensional and Full Parameter Inversion Model and Its Application for Building Damage Assessment in Guotun Coal Mining Areas, Shandong, China

Subsidence prediction is essential for preventing and controlling geohazards in coal mining areas. However, the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technique is limited in deriving the goaf displacements with a large gradient and fast deformation rates, hindering its application for potential risk evaluation over the mining areas. In this study, we proposed a three-dimensional and full parameter inversion (TDFPI) model to derive the large-gradient subsidence and then investigate its application for building damage assessment over coal mining areas. By taking the Guotun coal mine as the case study, the TDFPI model was demonstrated to have effectively predicted the large-gradient deformation of the mining areas and successfully evaluated the house damage in Chelou village, which agrees well with our field investigations. Specifically, the predicted subsidence results were validated with high fitting accuracy against field measurements, with RMSE of 0.083 m and 0.102 m, respectively, on observation line A and line F. In addition, the classified damage levels are highly consistent with in situ field surveys for the house cracks in Chelou village, presenting its practicality and effectiveness for building damage evaluation, and thus can provide a useful tool for potential risk assessment and prevention over the mining areas.