Destructive Damage Research Articles

Glacial Lake Inventory and Lake Outburst Flood/Debris Flow Hazard Assessment after the Gorkha Earthquake in the Bhote Koshi Basin

Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) evolve into debris flows by erosion and sediment entrainment while propagating down a valley, which highly increases peak discharge and volume and causes destructive damage downstream. This study focuses on GLOF hazard assessment in the Bhote Koshi Basin (BKB), where was highly developed glacial lakes and was intensely affected by the Gorkha earthquake. A new 2016 glacial lake inventory was established, and six unreported GLOF events were identified with geomorphic outburst evidence from GaoFen-1 satellite images and Google Earth. A new method was proposed to assess GLOF hazard, in which large numbers of landslides triggered by earthquake were considered to enter into outburst floods enlarge the discharge and volume of debris flow in the downstream. Four GLOF hazard classes were derived according to glacial lake outburst potential and a flow magnitude assessment matrix, in which 11 glacial lakes were identified to have very high hazard and 24 to have high hazard. The GLOF hazard in BKB increased after the earthquake due to landslide deposits, which increased by 216.03 × 106 m3, and provides abundant deposits for outburst floods to evolve into debris flows. We suggest that in regional GLOF hazard assessment, small glacial lakes should not be overlooked for landslide deposit entrainment along a flood route that would increase the peak discharge, especially in earthquake-affected areas where large numbers of landslides were triggered.

In the mind of an insider attacker on cyber‐physical systems and how not being fooled

Insider attacks are one of the most serious threats for cyber-physical systems, they have potentials to inflict destructive damages on physical processes while remaining stealthy. This study dissects several insider attacks by examining their modes of data tampering. To set the scene, a general framework of a cyber-physical system is constructed, a pattern characterising insider attacks is introduced in the form of attack goals, resources, constraints, modes, and attack paths. The conditions under which the attackers can maintain stealthy are examined in both temporal and spatial domains. With the inside knowledge, an attacker can use an attack graph to exploit system vulnerabilities and determine the high impact targets. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this analysis, a cyber-physical system is constructed by using networks and a nuclear process control test facility with ports deliberately left open for attackers. Two attack scenarios are staged, and their characteristics and impacts are examined. This case study demonstrates how an insider attacker might mount an attack by using data tampering and how they can maintain stealthy before major damages are done to the physical system. The significance of this study is to uncover the techniques of insider attackers so that vulnerabilities can be mended.

Contributing factors to the empowerment of fishpond farmer of post Tsunami Aceh

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami have significant implication to a destructive damage community fish farming in Aceh. The recovery has done during the rehabilitation and reconstruction process. This study aims to identify the degree of fishpond farmer’s empowerment of post-tsunami and its contributing factors. The study employs quantitative and qualitative approaches through a questionnaire survey and interview with 51 respondents. Data analysis used descriptive analysis to measure empowerment degree and multiple linear regression analysis to identify determinant factors. The study finds that about half of the respondents are at a moderate level of empowerment degree, more than a quarter is at a high level, and the rest is low. Statistically shows that social network, motivation, innovativeness, resources availability, and characteristics of the economy have a positive correlation and significant to empowerment degree of the fishpond farmer. Meanwhile, information tools and extension mechanism are not significant. Therefore, the role of extension and initiatives are necessary to encourage and enhance the quality of empowerment by enabling and improving the capacity of the agent of change.

Incident analysis of various sections of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottling plant

ABSTRACT This paper deals with the hazards associated with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottling plant. Due to the release of LPG, different possible hazards, such as fireball, jet fire and vapour cloud explosion (VCE), may take place in the bottling plant. Each critical stages of bottling plants are briefly discussed and modelled in ALOHA and PHAST, and their simulated consequences of results are compared. In this article, the complete bottling plant has been divided into various risk zones which are expected accidental areas (like tank storage area, small domestic cylinder storage area, and LPG pump and compressor area). The risks during handling and the use of LPG have been analysed and modelled and their results are compared. Among all the accident scenarios, fireball was found to be the most dangerous condition in the bullet and small cylinder storage units. Overall, bullet storage unit was found to be the most hazardous section having the most destructive damage (with an overpressure of 0.41 bar), which causes complete destruction, large number of injuries and fatalities (within a distance of 215 m) in case of VCE and having a thermal intensity of 37.5 kW/m2 which causes deaths due to burn up to the largest distance (324 m) in the case of fireball.

Effect of balneotherapy in sulfurous water on an in vivo murine model of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease that results in progressive cartilage destruction and subsequently joint dysfunction. Growing evidence indicates beneficial impact of balneological interventions in OA; however, their mechanisms of action are still unclear. Here, we evaluate the effect of balneotherapy in sulfurous water in an OA experimental model. Experimental OA was induced in Wistar rats by transection of the medial collateral ligament and removal of the medial meniscus of the left knee. Animals were randomized into three groups: non-treated (control) and balneotherapy using sulfurous water (SW) or tap water (TW). Macroscopic evaluation was performed, as well as evaluation of pain levels and analysis of motor function by rotarod test. Histopathological changes in articular cartilage and synovium were also evaluated. The presence of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and oxidative damage markers was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Joint destabilization induced joint thickening, loss of joint flexion, and increased levels of pain. At day 40, animals from SW group presented lower pain levels than those from control group. Experimental OA also affected motor function. Balneotherapy in sulfur-rich water significantly improved joint mobility in relation to that in tap water. Besides, we observed that cartilage deterioration was lower in SW group than in the other two groups. Likewise, SW group showed reduced levels of MMP-13 in the cartilage. Conversely, we failed to observe any modulation on synovial inflammation. Finally, balneotherapy in sulfurous water diminished the presence of oxidative damage markers. Our results suggest the beneficial effect of balneotherapy in sulfur-rich water on an experimental model of OA, showing a reduced cartilage destruction and oxidative damage. Thus, these findings support the use of balneotherapy as a non-pharmacological treatment in OA.

Control Technology of Surface Movement Scope with Directional Hydraulic Fracturing Technology in Longwall Mining: A Case Study

Mining-induced surface subsidence causes a series of environmental hazards and social problems, including farmland destruction, waterlogging and building damage in the subsidence area. To reduce mining damages, an innovative method of controlling the surface movement scope via artificial weak planes generated by hydraulic fracturing technology was proposed in this paper. Numerical models were built to analyze the influence of weak planes with different heights and dips on the overlying strata movement. The numerical simulation results showed that the weak planes structure cut off the development of the overlying strata displacement to the surface and affected the surface movement scope. When the weak planes’ dips were bigger than the angle of critical deformation, with the increase of the weak planes’ heights (0–120 m) the advance angle of influence changed from 53.61° to 59.15°, and the advance distance of influence changed from 173.31 m to 140.27 m which decreased by 30.04 m. In applications at Sihe coal mine in China, directional hydraulic fracturing technology was used in panel 5304 to form artificial weak planes in overlying strata. The measured surface subsidence and deformation value met the numerical simulation results and the mining-induced surface movement scope reduced. Moreover, no damage occurred to the surface buildings which were predicted to be in the affected area after extraction. This technology provided a new method to protect the surface structures from damages and had great benefits for the sustainable development of coal mines.

Three-dimensional seismic slope stability assessment with the application of Scoops3D and GIS: a case study in Atsuma, Hokkaido

BackgroundThe 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake (Mj 6.7, Mw 6.6), occurred on the 6th of September 2018 and triggered thousands of landslides in pyroclastic fall deposits. The triggered landslides caused destructive damages to the structures and resulted in serious causalities. Hundreds of earthquakes persisted after the mainshock and the Iburi region is of high possibility to suffer major earthquakes in the future. An effective method to assess the seismic slope stability is of great importance for the disaster prevention and mitigation in the Iburi region.ResultsBased on the isopachs of different pyroclastic fall deposits mantled in the study area, GIS was employed to process the input soil layers and construct the 3D domain. By applying different horizontal pseudo-acceleration coefficients in the Scoops3D program, the factor-of-safety maps of eight cases were obtained. After validating by the coseismic landslide inventory, the performance of the computed results was evaluated.ConclusionsA horizontal pseudo-acceleration coefficient between 1/2 and 2/3 of PHGA is suitable for seismic slope stability assessment in pyroclastic fall deposits. The catastrophic Tomisato landslide and Yoshinoya landslide were correctly predicted. Scoops3D proves to be an effective and efficient method for guiding disaster mitigation and management.

Effects of laser glazing on CMAS corrosion behavior of Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 thermal barrier coatings

Calcium-magnesium-alumina-silicate (CMAS) is a serious threat to thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). The goal of this study is to tailor YSZ coating microstructures by laser for alleviating CMAS attack. A smooth laser glazed layer with a columnar microstructure and some open channels is produced on the coating surface. Under molten CMAS conditions, the glazed layer remains phase stability and has little evidence of dissolution. Exposed to thermal shock tests with CMAS deposits, the glazed layer keeps structural integrity. However, the open channels also act as the paths for CMAS penetration, which brings destructive damages to the coating beneath the glazed layer.

Proteome analysis of cucumber responses to Pseudoperonospora cubensis infection

Downy mildew is one of the most prevalent diseases that cause destructive damages to the production of cucumber worldwide. To understand the regulation mechanism underlying the responses of cucumber leaves to P. cubensis infection, a proteomic approach was used to profile protein variations in cucumber leaves during a incubation period of up to 72 h. Differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) at different time points after inoculation were investigated. A total of 90 DAP spots were identified using an integrated approach involving two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometer. Functional classification showed that most DAPs were putatively involved in metabolic reaction, transportation, protein folding, proteolysis, cell proliferation, photosynthesis, glucose metabolism, translation elongation, damage response, and other closely related biological processes. Several antioxidants, such as Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase and 2-cysteine peroxiredoxins, were significantly up-regulated under P. cubensis infection. These antioxidants may play roles in regulating potentially harmful reactive oxygen species under pathogen infections. Furthermore, changes in the photosynthetical system-related proteins and heat shock proteins were observed under P. cubensis infection. Our data provides fundamental resources for identifying candidate proteins and metabolic pathways involved in the responses of cucumber plants to P. cubensis infection.

Soluble CD83 Triggers Resolution of Arthritis and Sustained Inflammation Control in IDO Dependent Manner.

Interference with autoimmune-mediated cytokine production is a key yet poorly developed approach to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Herein, we show that soluble CD83 (sCD83) enhances the resolution of autoimmune antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) by strongly reducing the expression levels of cytokines such as IL-17A, IFNγ, IL-6, and TNFα within the joints. Noteworthy, also the expression of RANKL, osteoclast differentiation, and joint destruction was significantly inhibited by sCD83. In addition, osteoclasts which were cultured in the presence of synovial T cells, derived from sCD83 treated AIA mice, showed a strongly reduced number of multinuclear large osteoclasts compared to mock controls. Enhanced resolution of arthritis by sCD83 was mechanistically based on IDO, since inhibition of IDO by 1-methyltryptophan completely abrogated sCD83 effects on AIA. Blocking experiments, using anti-TGF-β antibodies further revealed that also TGF-β is mechanistically involved in the sCD83 induced reduction of bone destruction and cartilage damage as well as enhanced resolution of inflammation. Resolution of arthritis was associated with increased numbers of regulatory T cells, which are induced in a sCD83-IDO-TGF-β dependent manner. Taken together, sCD83 represents an interesting approach for downregulating cytokine production, inducing regulatory T cells and inducing resolution of autoimmune arthritis.

Combination of Probabilistic Linguistic Term Sets and PROMETHEE to Evaluate Meteorological Disaster Risk: Case Study of Southeastern China

The meteorological disasters have brought destructive damages all around the world in the past decades. These disasters have posed great threats to sustainable development. It is necessary to evaluate meteorological disaster risk to make corresponding emergency measures. The process is uncertain and fuzzy regarding the experts’ preferences. To deal with the problem, a novel evaluation approach based on PROMETHEE method and probabilistic linguistic term set (PLTS) is firstly proposed. First of all, PLTS is adopted to express preferences’ of experts. Then, the weights of criteria are obtained by the differential evolution (DE) algorithm, and steps of the method are proposed. Finally, the proposed method is used to evaluate the whole meteorological disaster risk in the southeast coastal areas of China and results have verified the effectiveness of the method. By comparing with some similar methods, results have demonstrated the advantages of the approach.

Політико-економічні параметри оптимізації галузі фітнесу як соціоприродної системи

Galina Putiatina Purpose : justification of the research methodology of the politico-economic parameters of the optimization of the fitness industry as self-organized and socio-natural systems. Material & M ethods: in the course of the study, the following methods were used: theoretical analysis and synthesis of data from scientific and methodological sources was used to determine the problematic field of functioning of the fitness industry and the state of its scientific and methodological processing. To create a theoretical basis for the concept of optimizing the industry of fitness, the methods of induction, deduction, analysis (structural-functional analysis), synthesis, synthesis, comparison, abstraction, analogy are applied. The expediency of using the method of mathematical modeling in the process of forecasting the development of the fitness industry has been substantiated. R esults : use of the basic principles of the theory of functioning and development of self-organizing systems make it possible to determine the parameters of the fitness field as a socio-natural system with the aim of its optimization, effective management, forecasting. Conclusion : t he necessary requirements for optimizing management in the field of fitness in a holistic state management system are the following parameters: continuous synchronization in each other's relationship with the needs and the need to satisfy them; compliance with the required level of monitoring the development of the industry; sufficient controllability of the industry; ensuring sustainability and reliability of its operation. The actual lack of state regulation of the performance and development of the industry leads to inconsistency in the interaction of its elements as an integrated system. This process can lead to oversaturation of production and the growth of crisis, destruction and economic damage.

Finite Element Method Simulations to Study Factors Affecting Buried Pipeline Subjected to Debris Flow

As the debris flow caused by sustained rainfall would cause destructive damage to buried pipeline, the safety of buried pipeline under impact of debris flow draws increasing attention. This paper focuses on the mechanical and deformed behavior of buried pipeline subjected to the debris flow. The effects of relevant parameters are investigated, including the velocity and impact angle of debris flow, massive stone, diameter to thickness ratio of pipeline (D/T), and parameters of corrosion pit (i.e., the depth, length, and width of corrosion pit). A finite model of soil and buried pipeline under the impact of debris flow is established. Multiple regression analysis is implemented to evaluate these influence parameters. The results show that: (1) the velocity and the impact angle of debris flow have a great influence on the pipeline; (2) the massive stone in the debris flow has little effect on the buried pipeline; (3) the internal pressure of the pipeline has an inhibitory effect on the deformation of the pipeline, which can enhance the ultimate bearing velocity of pipeline; (4) D/T determines the ultimate bearing velocity of pipeline. Moreover, the effects of the parameters of corrosion pit on the maximum von Mises stress are analyzed by multiple regression and ranked as follows: corrosion depth (A) > corrosion length (L) > corrosion width (B). The result may provide effective guidance for the prevention of pipeline against debris flow in mountain area.

Synergistic enhancement and hepatoprotective effect of combination of total phenolic extracts of Citrus aurantium L. and methotrexate for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterized by joint destruction and bone damage. Methotrexate (MTX) is recommended as the first-line disease-modifying agent for the treatment of RA. However, the clinical efficacy of MTX is limited due to its low response and side effects, especially hepatotoxicity. Total phenolic extracts of Citrus aurantium L. (TPE-CA) are rich in dietary bioactive flavonoids, which show beneficial effects on liver health and are regarded as therapeutic tools against inflammatory diseases. In this study, the efficacy of MTX, alone or in combination with TPE-CA, for the treatment of collagen-induced arthritis and protection against hepatic injury in rats was investigated. TPE-CA and MTX combination effectively reduced the inflammatory symptoms and joint damage by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. Moreover, TPE-CA significantly ameliorated MTX-induced chronic hepatic injury by enhancing antioxidant enzymes activities, suppressing hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 expression, and modulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 pathway. This combination regimen not only provided synergistic enhancement but also exhibited hepatoprotective effect against chemically induced chronic hepatotoxicity. This could be an alternative strategy to improve the low response of MTX in RA treatment.

Analysis and Identification of the Mechanism of Damage and Fracture of High-Filled Wood Fiber/Recycled High-Density Polyethylene Composites.

The damage and fracture of fiber reinforced polymer composites are vital constraints in their applications. To understand the mechanism of damage of wood fiber (WF) reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites, we used waste WF and recycled HDPE (Re-HDPE) as the raw materials and prepared high-filled WF/Re-HDPE composites via extrusion. The damage and fracture mode and failure mechanism of the composites with different WF contents (50%, 60%, and 70%) was studied under a three-point bending test by combining the acoustic emission (AE) technique and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The results show that AE technology can better assist in understanding the progress of damage and fracture process of WF/Re-HDPE composites, and determine the damage degree, damage accumulation, and damage mode. The damage and fracture process of the composites presents three main stages: the appearance of initial damage, damage accumulation, and destructive damage to fracture. The matrix deformation, fiber breakage, interface delamination, fiber-matrix debonding, fiber pull-out, and matrix cracking were the dominant modes for the damage of high-filled WF/Re-HDPE composites under bending load, and the AE signal changed in different damage stages and damage modes. In addition, the WF content and repeated loading had a significant influence on the composite’s damage and fracture. The 50% and 60% WF/Re-HDPE composites produced irreversible damage when repeated load exceeded 75% of the maximum load, while 25% of the maximum load could cause irreversible damage for 70% WF/Re-HDPE composites. The damage was accumulated owing to repeated loading and the mechanical properties of the composites were seriously affected.

A model to predict initiation and propagation of micro-pitting on tooth flanks of spur gears

Micro-pitting is an early-stage failure mode commonly found in gears. It leads to macro-pitting, spalling, and even tooth fracture failure, which cause destructive damage to gearboxes. A simulation model to predict the initiation and propagation of micro-pitting on tooth flanks of spur gears is presented. The model simulates the actual gear meshing process, considering the time-varying tooth profile. The contact pressure distribution, sliding velocities, rolling velocities, film thicknesses, and shear stresses along the contact line are accurately calculated. A new crack criterion is proposed to predict the initial crack position. A novel wear rate model was developed by considering the influence of crack density to predict the propagation of micro-pitting and the removal of material from the tooth flank. The results of experiments carried out for gear pairs with different tooth tip reliefs and surface roughness showed good agreement with the simulation results. This verified the model validity.

Assessing socio-economic drought evolution characteristics and their possible meteorological driving force

Droughts are among the most damaging environmental disasters that may have destructive damages on societal properties and lives. Generally, socio-economic drought occurs when water resources systems could not fulfil the water demand. Additionally, it is not to be overlooked the role of local reservoirs in modifying uneven distribution of water and coping with climatic extremes. This study examined the evolution characteristics of the socio-economic droughts via applying a Multivariate Standardized Reliability and Resilience Index (MSRRI). Furthermore, the influences of anomalous atmospheric circulation on the socio-economic droughts were explored through adopting the cross wavelet analysis to investigate the meteorological driving force behind the socio-economic droughts. Results mainly indicated that (1) the MSRRI has proven to be effective in evaluating socio-economic droughts for its integration of inflow-demand reliability and water storage resilience indexes; (2) the MSRRI series in Datong River Basin (DRB) has a non-significant increasing trend at annual scale with apparent periods (17 and 22 years) and (3) the comprehensive effects of ENSO, EASM and PNA contribute to the socio-economic drought variations, and the ENSO has strongest impacts than others. The findings in this study benefit local socioeconomic drought mitigation and water resources planning and management.

Effect of fatigue crack propagation on natural frequencies of system in AISI 4140 Steel

In this study, we investigated the effect of fatigue crack propagation of the beams which have a vital importance in engineering applications, on the natural frequency of the system. Beams which have a wide range of applications, are used as fundamental structural elements in engineering structures. Therefore, early detection of any damages in these structures is of vital importance for the prevention of possible destructive damages. One of the widely used methods of early detection of damages is the vibration analysis of the structure. Hence, it is of vital importance to detect and monitor any changes in the natural frequencies of the structure. From this standpoint, in this study we experimentally investigated the effect of fatigue crack propagation on beams produced from 4140 steel, of the natural frequency of the beam. A crack was opened on the 8

Corneomandibular reflex in a patient with pontine hemorrhage without impaired consciousness.

A 40-year-old man was admitted because of sudden loss of consciousness. CT scan showed a bilateral pontine hemorrhage, predominantly right (figure). Neurologic examination 19 days after onset showed ophthalmoplegia, anarthria, and tetraparesis. A prominent unilateral left corneomandibular reflex was observed and the patient was conscious and responsive to the examiner (video 1). This reflex consists of contralateral jaw deviation produced by corneal stimulation and has mostly been described in patients in coma.1 It helps to distinguish structural from metabolic processes in comatose patients. We emphasize that this sign can also be elicited in alert patients with destructive brainstem damage.

The Microstructural Investigation of Vermiculite-Infiltrated Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition Thermal Barrier Coatings

Abstract Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are widely used in aerospace and aviation industries for materials required to withstand severe environments such as oxidation, hot-corrosion failure and CMAS (calcia–magnesia–alumina–silica) attack or vermiculite corrosion. This is particularly apparent in vermiculite, which can penetrate sand, volcanic ash and is the most destructive damage mechanism in the TBC system. Impurities from the desert environment such as calcia–magnesia–alumina–silica (CMAS) cause degradation of TBCs. In this research, CoNiCrAlY metallic bond coatings were deposited on Inconel 718 nickel based superalloy substrates with a thickness of around 100 μm using a Cold Gas Dynamic Spray (CGDS) technique. Production of TBCs were carried out with deposition of YSZ ceramic top coating material using Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition (EB-PVD), with a thickness of around 200 μm. The effect of CMAS with spreading naturally-occurring mineral (vermiculite) on TBC samples were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructure evolution of YSZ and failure mechanism of TBC were evaluated.