Point Of Exhaustion Research Articles

The role of divertor pumping combined with full drifts in particle exhaust and divertor plasma

The effect of drifts combined with pumping on particle exhaust is assessed using the SOLPS-ITER code package, considering full drifts. Both drift and pumping speed S can affect particle exhaust. Drifts change the neutral density by influencing plasma flow and the resulting particle recycling. This leads to the accumulation of neutral particles either far away or close to the pump opening location. The particle exhaust is enhanced as S rises. When the pump opening is positioned at the common flux region (CFR) of the outer divertor (referred to as Pump CFR/OD), particle exhaust is suppressed by drifts in forward Bt , while it is enhanced by drifts in reversed Bt , with fixed S. On the other hand, when the pump is situated in the private flux region (PFR) of the OD (referred to as Pump PFR/OD), particle exhaust is enhanced by drifts in both reversed and forward Bt compared to the case without drifts. Moreover, the effective pumping in reversed Bt is stronger than in forward Bt . In the same Bt direction, Pump PFR/OD has a higher effective pumping than Pump CFR/OD. Increased S results in higher particle exhaust in all Bt direction and pump location cases. The plasma detachment is affected by drift, S and pump opening location, respectively. For the specified Bt direction and pump opening location case, higher S suppresses plasma detachment. For identical particle exhaust rates, stronger pumping capacity can promote plasma detachment. Therefore, Pump PFR/OD can more easily achieve OD detachment than Pump CFR/OD in the same Bt direction. Overall, placing the pump at the PFR side of the OD while running in reversed Bt is the best option from the divertor particle exhaust and plasma detachment point of view.

Exploring high-rise preventive ventilation: Experimental investigation of inter-zone air pressurization with tracer gas analysis

Over the past four years, five major variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have circulated globally, causing seven million deaths. Meanwhile, specific preventative ventilation measures were recommended to minimize exposure to the aerosol infection risk, such as opening doors, and disabling ventilation systems. Given more attention to high-rise buildings, where quite a few outbreaks have been reported, there is a notable lack of reported studies assessing preventive ventilation measures. Therefore, this study focused on practicing several ventilation measures in a 16-story high-rise building located in Montreal, Canada. A variety of inter-zonal tracer measurements, including room-to-floor and inter-floor tests, were carried out considering controlled airflow/pressure across zones. An automated data acquisition system was developed for real-time monitoring of tracer/CO2 spatial concentrations. Findings show that enabled ventilation with opened doors reduces CO2 concentrations by up to 82 % in nearby source locations and positively pressurized zones; however, negatively pressurized zones experience a 40 % increase in tracer exposure. With ventilation active, a corridor source leads to a higher risk of tracer exposure (up to 86 %) than the in-room source. Disabled ventilation with closed doors is a recommended ventilation measure, for corridors with infection sources, to minimize tracer transport across zones. Zones with infection sources follow the latter ventilation measure; however, ventilation with open doors offers a conditional ventilation measure if careful airflow is designed particularly at return and exhaust points within the ventilation system. This study has implications for practicing preventative ventilation measures for post-COVID-19 building practices and design considerations.

Assessment of current methane emission quantification techniques for natural gas midstream applications

Abstract. Methane emissions from natural gas systems are increasingly scrutinized, and accurate reporting requires quantification of site- and source-level measurement. We evaluate the performance of 10 available state-of-the-art CH4 emission quantification approaches against a blind controlled-release experiment at an inerted natural gas compressor station in 2021. The experiment consisted of 17 blind 2 h releases at a single exhaust point or multiple simultaneous ones. The controlled releases covered a range of methane flow rates from 0.01 to 50 kg h−1. Measurement platforms included aircraft, drones, trucks, vans, ground-based stations, and handheld systems. Herewith, we compare their respective strengths, weaknesses, and potential complementarity depending on the emission rates and atmospheric conditions. Most systems were able to quantify the releases within an order of magnitude. The level of errors from the different systems was not significantly influenced by release rates larger than 0.1 kg h−1, with much poorer results for the 0.01 kg h−1 release. It was found that handheld optical gas imaging (OGI) cameras underestimated the emissions. In contrast, the “site-level” systems, relying on atmospheric dispersion, tended to overestimate the emission rates. We assess the dependence of emission quantification performance on key parameters such as wind speed, deployment constraints, and measurement duration. At the low wind speeds encountered (below 2 m s−1), the experiments did not reveal a significant dependence on wind speed. The ability to quantify individual sources degraded during multiple-source releases. Compliance with the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership's (OGMP 2.0) highest level of reporting may require a combination of the specific advantages of each measurement technique and will depend on reconciliation approaches. Self-reported uncertainties were either not available or were based on the standard deviation in a series of independent realizations or fixed values from expert judgment or theoretical considerations. For most systems, the overall relative errors estimated in this study are higher than self-reported uncertainties.

Maltodextrin from Sweet Cassava: A Promising Endurance Enhancer.

The effects of maltodextrin and crude extract from sweet cassava on exercise endurance were examined in the male Wistar rat. The rats were randomly assigned to either an exercise training group or a non-exercise training group. Both groups were further divided into subgroups that received either a control, crude extract (250 or 500 mg/kg), or maltodextrin (250 or 500 mg/kg) orally once daily for 16 days. The time to the point of exhaustion after weight-loaded forced swimming was measured on day 16. Body weight gain, relative organ weight, biochemical parameters, and liver and gastrocnemius muscle glycogen content were also determined. Maltodextrin at a dose of 500 mg/kg significantly increased the time to the point of exhaustion compared to all other groups. Maltodextrin and crude extract with both doses significantly increased liver and gastrocnemius muscle glycogen content compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in glucose, BUN, triglyceride, or insulin levels between the groups. Crude extract at a dose of 250 mg/kg significantly increased AST and ALT levels, and LDH levels significantly increased in the exercise training group. Creatinine levels were significantly higher in the exercise training group compared to the non-exercise training group. Exercise boosted antioxidant enzymes, glycogen, and reduced damaging free radicals in the rats. Maltodextrin and crude extract further amplified this effect by activating AMPK and PGC-1α, suggesting that they combat fatigue through an antioxidant pathway linked to AMPK. These findings suggest that maltodextrin and crude extract from sweet cassava may have the potential to enhance exercise endurance. They may increase glycogen storage in the liver and gastrocnemius muscle, potentially through improved glycogen reserves and glycogen sparing effects. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these effects.

Strategie przeciwdziałania wypaleniu zawodowemu na poziomie organizacyjnym i indywidualnym oraz etyka zawodowa jako istotne czynniki w pracy administracji publicznej

Aim: The main objective of the paper was to show important factors in the work of public administration officials, namely the strategy of counteracting professional burnout at the organizational and individual level and professional ethics. Methods: Research methods such as observation and analysis were used in the presented paper. Results: The analysis presented in the text shows that, firstly, it is necessary to take care of strategies for counteracting professional burnout at the organizational and individual level. This requires a high level of awareness of the organization itself, as well as the attentiveness of the officials themselves and continuous work and improvement. Secondly, taking care of the lack of professional burnout will have a positive impact on maintaining professional ethics among public administration staff. Next, it should also be remembered that the phenomenon of burnout can be cyclical, so it can occur many times throughout the entire working life. On the other hand, the culmination of the entire process of professional burnout may be a sense of complete inadequacy and a belief in the lack of self-worth, affecting not only the feeling of individual ineffectiveness, but also affecting the effectiveness of the entire organization, including professional ethics. Conclusion: Burnout syndrome is, according to experts on the subject, one of the most important contemporary threats for all professionally active people. It also applies to public administration employees. And although the phenomenon itself in this professional group has not been comprehensively studied, there is no doubt that it is present among employees of today's public administration. Despite the many, as it turns out, factors contributing to the burnout of civil servants in public administration, it is not an inevitable process that cannot be stopped in any way. There are a number of actions presented in the paper which, if taken early enough and implemented in a consistent and systemic manner, can effectively counteract the professional burnout of civil servants. Without a doubt, this effort is worth the price, as it guarantees long-term employee satisfaction, also determining the effectiveness and efficiency of the entire organization. Unfortunately, there is no effective remedy that protects against the occurrence of the syndrome, nor is there one that is able to effectively immunize against it. Strategies for counteracting professional burnout should be introduced already at the organizational level in order to minimize the causes of professional burnout, which may lead to a gradual spiral of discouragement among officials, growing in them a feeling of fatigue with work to the point of complete exhaustion, negatively affecting not only professional relations, but also the entire sphere of private contacts. Originality: What should be emphasized, which deserves special attention, is that it is also extremely important, recommended by many experts on the subject, mindfulness, listening to oneself and the signals sent by one's own body, as well as constant work on oneself. These actions should be treated as prevention, which will prevent the first symptoms of burnout or, if they do appear, will allow you to successfully emerge from the initial phase of burnout while maintaining professional ethics. Key word: professional ethics, organization, strategy, burnout, public administration, official, responsibility

Response of skin temperature, blood ammonia and lactate during incremental exercise until exhaustion in elite athletes

The study aimed to evaluate the lower limb skin temperature (Tsk) and blood concentrations of lactate (LA) and ammonia (NH3) during exercise and recovery. Eleven elite sprint athletes (25 ± 3.4 yrs) and 11 elite endurance athletes (24.45 ± 5.4 yrs) performed an incremental running test until exhaustion. Body composition was estimated using the DXA method. Thermograms of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lower limbs were recorded at rest, before each test stage (every 3 min, starting from 10 km h−1 and increasing by 2 km h−1), and in the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, and 30th minute of recovery. Endurance athletes had a higher maximum oxygen uptake than sprint athletes (5.0 ± 0.7 vs 4.3 ± 0.4 l·kg−1, p = 0.018), lower percentage of lean content (79 ± 2 vs 83 ± 2%, p < 0.001), and a higher percentage of fat content in the lower limbs (17 ± 2 vs 12 ± 2%, p < 0.001). In both groups, a significant decrease in Tsk was observed compared to resting value (endurance athletes—31.5 ± 0.6 °C; sprint athletes—32.3 ± 0.6 °C), during exercise (p < 0.001) and rewarming during recovery (p < 0.001). However, endurance athletes had a lower Tsk than sprint athletes at the exhaustion point (30.0 ± 1.1 vs 31.6 ± 0.8 °C, p < 0.05) and the pattern of change in Tsk differed between groups (p < 0.001). Tsk in the endurance athletes group decreased throughout the exercise protocol and returned more rapidly to initial values during recovery, while Tsk in the sprint group stabilised between moderate intensity and exhaustion, recovering more slowly after exercise. Both LA (endurance athletes—max 10.2 ± 1.5; sprint athletes—max 10.1 ± 1.4 mmol⋅L−1, p < 0.001) and NH3 (endurance athletes—max 75.6 ± 11.5; sprint athletes—max 76.7 ± 9.0 mmol⋅L−1, p < 0.001) increased during exercise and decreased during recovery (p < 0.001). During exercise, lower levels and slower increases in LA were observed during exercise in the endurance athletes’ group (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was revealed between Tsk and fat percentage (r = −0.43 to −0.71, p < 0.05). Tsk was positively correlated with LA during recovery (r = 0.43 to 0.48, p < 0.05), and negatively during recovery (r = −0.45 to −0.54, p < 0.05). Differences between groups in maximum aerobic capacity, the pattern of change in Tsk, and the correlation between Tsk and LA suggest that individuals who decrease less Tsk during exercise and higher Tsk during recovery are those with better aerobic capacity. In addition, athletes with less body fat dissipate heat from their tissues more efficiently.

ASPAD dynamic simulation and artificial neural network for atenolol adsorption in GGSWAC packed bed column.

This study aimed to assess the dynamic simulation models provided by Aspen adsorption (ASPAD) and artificial neural network (ANN) in understanding the adsorption behavior of atenolol (ATN) on gasified Glyricidia sepium woodchips activated carbon (GGSWAC) within fixed bed columns for wastewater treatment. The findings demonstrated that increasing the bed height from 1 to 3 cm extended breakthrough and exhaustion times while enhancing adsorption capacity. Conversely, higher initial ATN concentrations resulted in shorter breakthrough and exhaustion times but increased adsorption capacity. Elevated influent flow rates reduced breakthrough and exhaustion times while maintaining constant adsorption capacity. The ASPAD software demonstrated competence in accurately modeling the crucial exhaustion points. However, there is room for enhancement in forecasting breakthrough times, as it exhibited deviations ranging from 6.52 to 239.53% when compared to the actual experimental data. ANN models in both MATLAB and Python demonstrated precise predictive abilities, with the Python model (R2 = 0.985) outperforming the MATLAB model (R2 = 0.9691). The Python ANN also exhibited superior fitting performance with lower MSE and MAE. The most influential factor was the initial ATN concentration (28.96%), followed by bed height (26.39%), influent flow rate (22.43%), and total effluent time (22.22%). The findings of this study offer an extensive comprehension of breakthrough patterns and enable accurate forecasts of column performance.

The Effect of Massage on the Exhausted Aerobic Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage Indicators in Healthy Young Men

Background: Muscle damage and soreness caused by intense exercise are problems experienced by sedentary people whose suitable solution is an essential topic in research. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of massage on the response of recovery creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) following exhausted aerobic exercise. Methods: A total of 20 sedentary university male students (26.9 ± 2.7 y, BMI: 23.1 ± 1.6) participated voluntarily in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of exercise with massage group (mas, n = 10) and a control group (con, n = 10). Subjects run on a treadmill to the point of exhaustion. After that, the group had effleurage and petrissage massage for 20 min. Then, serum CK and LDH were measured, and the results were extracted using analysis of variance with repeated measures and post hoc Bonferroni test at the P &lt; 0.05 level. Results: Both groups significantly increased CK and LDH levels after the exercise session. There was no significant difference between the two groups immediately after the massage intervention (P &gt; 0.05). In addition, there was a significant difference between the two groups 24 and 48 hours after massage in the control (P &gt; 0.05), while there was no significant change in the massage group (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results, massage intervention prevented the increase of CK and LDH levels at 24 and 48 hours after the exhaustive exercise session, which indicates the beneficial effect of massage.

Mucor cells passively immobilized on rose waste phyto-biomass: An eco-friendly hybrid material for the biotreatment of reactive dye contamination

The immobilization of microbial cells on eco-friendly supports is a promising technique to obtain effectively immobilized biomaterials for the biotreatment of aquatic pollution. For the biosorption of reactive dye-contaminated water, a new immobilized biosorbent, rose waste/Mucor plumbeus cells (RWMPC) composite was designed by immobilizing the fungal cells on a process waste of the rose oil industry. Batch and continuous mode biosorption features of RWMPC under different pH, initial dye concentration, contact time, biomaterial dose, and effluent flow rate conditions were examined. Zeta potential measurements, FT-IR, and SEM analysis were used to determine the morphological features of the biomaterial and possible Reactive Blue 49 (RB49)-biomaterial interactions. Kinetic investigations revealed that Ho's pseudo-second-order kinetic model could offer the best data fitting for biosorption, while the Freudlich model best matched the equilibrium data. Immobilized biomaterial displayed a high biosorption capacity of 120.88mg g−1. With an appropriate flow rate and amount of RWMPC packed into the column, dynamic treatment tests demonstrated >90% biosorption efficiency. The breakthrough curve of the RWMPC column adequately fits Chu's simplistic model. Regeneration tests revealed that after ten consecutive cycles, the biosorption yield and recovery efficacy of RWMPC were >65 and 85%, respectively. Zeta potential tests, SEM micrographs, and FT-IR studies also verified the dye uptake. Using synthetic wastewater in a continuous system, RWMPC could remove >90% of RB49. Breakthrough and exhaustion points were identified, and the maximum exhaustion capacity value was computed as 127.6 mg g−1. The results might inspire a fresh approach to the problem of reactive dye contamination in waters.

Electroencephalography spectral coherence analysis during cycle ergometry in low- and high-tolerant individuals.

The main objective of this study was to further understanding of the patterns of spectral connectivity during exercise in low- and high-tolerant individuals. Thirty-nine healthy individuals (i.e., 17 low- and 22 high-tolerant participants) took part in the present study. A state-of-the-art portable electroencephalography system was used to measure the brain's electrical activity during an incremental exercise test performed until the point of volitional exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. Spectral coherence was used to explore the patterns of connectivity in the frontal, central, and parietal regions of the brain. Physiological, perceptual, and affective responses were assessed throughout the exercise bout. The spontaneous eyeblink rate was also calculated prior to commencement and upon completion of the exercise trial as an indirect assessment of the dopaminergic system. The present findings indicate that high-tolerant individuals reported lower levels of perceived activation, especially during the preliminary stages of the exercise test. Participants in the high-tolerance group also reported greater levels of remembered pleasure upon completion of the exercise test. The data also revealed that high-tolerant individuals exhibited increased connectivity of theta waves between frontal, central, and parietal electrode sites and increased connectivity of beta waves, primarily within the parietal cortex. Correlational analysis indicated the possibility that low- and high-tolerant individuals make use of different neural networks to process and regulate their psychophysiological state during exercise-related situations. This strategy could potentially represent a conscious decision to downregulate affective arousal and facilitate the neural control of working muscles during situations of physical stress.

TiO2 NPs-immobilized silica granules: New insight for nano catalyst fixation for hydrogen generation and sustained wastewater treatment.

In heterogeneous catalytic processes, immobilization of the functional material over a proper support is a vital solution for reusing and/or avoiding a secondary pollution problem. The study introduces a novel approach for immobilizing R25 NPs on the surface of silica granules using hydrothermal treatment followed by calcination process. Due to the privileged characteristics of the subcritical water, during the hydrothermal treatment process, the utilized R25 NPs were partially dissolved and precipitated on the surface of the silica granules. Calcination at high temperature (700°C) resulted in improving the attachment forces. The structure of the newly proposed composite was approved by 2D and 3D optical microscope images, XRD and EDX analyses. The functionalized silica granules were used in the form of a packed bed for continuous removal of methylene blue dye. The results indicated that the TiO2:sand ratio has a considerable effect on the shape of the dye removal breakthrough curve as the exhaustion point, corresponding to ~ 95% removal, was 12.3, 17.4 and 21.3 min for 1:20, 1:10 and 1:5 metal oxides ratio, respectively. Furthermore, the modified silica granules could be exploited as a photocatalyst for hydrogen generation from sewage wastewaters under direct sunlight with a good rate; 75×10-3 mmol/s. Interestingly, after the ease separation of the used granules, the performance was not affected. Based on the obtained results, the 170°C is the optimum hydrothermal treatment temperature. Overall, the study opens a new avenue for immobilization of functional semiconductors on the surface of sand granules.

The Paleoarchean Buffalo River komatiites: Progressive melting of a single large mantle plume beneath the growing Kaapvaal craton

Several Archean granitoid-greenstone terranes are exposed on the southeastern Kaapvaal craton in South Africa, but they received little scientific attention compared to the archetypal greenstone belt successions of the Barberton Mountain Land at the eastern craton margin. This study reports on a detailed field and geochemical survey of the Buffalo River Greenstone Belt at the southern Kaapvaal craton margin in KwaZulu-Natal, with focus on hitherto unstudied komatiites and basaltic rocks from this volcanic succession. Cross-cutting relationships and new U-Pb zircon age determinations for several granitoid units establish a minimum age of 3.26 Ga for komatiitic volcanism, possibly as old as ca. 3.5 Ga if a 3.47 Ga granodiorite sheet is interpreted as ‘intrusive’ into the greenstone succession.Geochemical data reveal three types of Paleoarchean komatiites at Buffalo River. Spinifex textured lava flows represent Al-depleted komatiites, with subchondritic Al2O3/TiO2 ratios and enrichment of LREE over HREE. The second type comprises Al-undepleted komatiites that have chondritic Al2O3/TiO2 and flat REE patterns. The third type identified comprises Al-enriched komatiites that display suprachondritic Al2O3/TiO2 ratios, with significant LREE depletion. The Al-depleted and Al-undepleted komatiites from Buffalo River are geochemically similar to komatiites from the 3.48 Ga Komati and 3.26 Ga Weltevreden formations of the Barberton Supergroup respectively, whereas the Al-enriched komatiites resemble the 3.33 Ga Commondale komatiites on the southeastern Kaapvaal craton.To explain the co-occurrence of three discrete komatiite types within a single volcanic succession at Buffalo River, we suggest that each major komatiite magmatic pulse originated from the same upwelling mantle source, from which melt was extracted at different pressure but similarly hot temperature conditions. 187Os/188Os data for the Al-depleted komatiites suggest an ultimate magma origin from a primitive mantle reservoir. The contrasting γOs values for Kaapvaal craton komatiites (zero to positive) and peridotitic mantle xenoliths (zero to negative) support a complementary nature of these lithologies as high-degree melts and depleted residues linked by vigorous mantle plume activity at around 3.5 Ga. Such a relationship can explain the contrasting Re/Os systematics of komatiites and lithospheric mantle peridotites, which creates the contrasting γOs over time.The highly siderophile element patterns of the Al-depleted komatiites from Buffalo River are similar to those of Barberton-type komatiites, for which an origin from the deepest upper mantle with high melt retention in an upwelling plume source was suggested. We confirm that this ca. 3.5 Ga mantle source had only 60–80 % of the platinum-group element budget of the modern ambient mantle, which points indirectly to a location at great depth in the aftermath of the meteoritic late accretion. Progressive melting of such an upwelling mantle source, to the point of majoritic garnet exhaustion, may explain the Al-undepleted and Al-enriched komatiites at Buffalo River. The presence of all three major komatiite types within a single volcanic succession may be linked to deep critical melting of a large mantle plume associated with growth of the Kaapvaal ‘continent’ at 3.5 Ga.

Antioxidant Activity of Noni Juice in Vitro and in Human Volunteers

Morinda citrifolia (noni) fruit juice has been found to provide a wide range of potential health benefits. Among these are the reduction of free radicals and protection against lipid peroxide DNA damage in heavy cigarette smokers and athletes who had exercised to the point of exhaustion. These benefits have been observed after drinking a beverage containing a blend of noni juice from French Polynesia, Tahitian Noni&amp;reg; Juice (TNJ). To determine if TNJ exerts more immediate antioxidant effects, and under less extreme conditions, in vitro tests and a trial involving healthy young adult men were conducted. In the human study, volunteers drank 200 mL TNJ, orange juice or water following an overnight fast. Blood samples were collected before and 1 hour following ingestion of the beverages. Plasma and red cell lysate (erythrocyte) samples were measured for antioxidant activity potentiometrically. TNJ exhibited high in vitro antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, reducing power and lipid hydroperoxide scavenging assays. TNJ also significantly increased mean antioxidant activity in plasma and erythrocytes of healthy volunteers. The effect of TNJ in erythrocytes was approximately 4.6 times greater than that of orange juice. There were no increases observed in the water group. The results of this study reveal that TNJ can provide antioxidant benefits shortly after ingestion and under more everyday conditions, not only in extreme circumstances or when consumed repeatedly.

Differentiated ratings of perceived exertion in upper body exercise.

This study examined whether differentiated ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) (local; RPEL and central; RPEC) and overall RPE (RPEO) were different between exercise modes (upper- versus lower body) and/or changed after upper body training, providing relevant input for upper body exercise prescription/regulation. Eight rowers completed an incremental cycling test (CY), and incremental handcycle (HC) tests before (HCpre) and after three weeks of handcycle training (HCpost). RPEc was higher during CY (17.4±2.4) compared to HCpost (15.9±1.9). However, RPEo was higher during HCpost (9.1±0.6) compared to CY (8.3±1.1). During the HC tests, RPEL was consistently higher than RPEO at the same PO. Training resulted in higher RPEc (HCpre: 14.6±2.6; HCpost: 15.9±1.9) and RPEo (HCpre: 7.9±0.9; HCpost: 9.1±0.6). No differences were found for RPEL between CY and HCpost (8.7±1.1; 9.3±0.4) and after HC training (HCpre: 9.1±1.0; HCpost: 9.3±0.4). At the point of exhaustion, RPEc was higher in CY than during HCpre and HCpost, suggesting RPEC is not causing exercise termination in HC. Furthermore, RPEL is perceived higher than RPEO during all stages of the incremental HC tests compared to CY. This suggests that in contrast to cycling, local factors during arm work are perceived more strongly than central or overall cues of exertion.

The demise of sovereign wealth funds

Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) embody the state’s growing insertion in the global financial system. While the bulk of the SWF literature has centred around the dynamics behind their establishment and geopolitical utility, there is very little research on the factors behind SWF exhaustion. Drawing from conventional political and economic explanations, this article finds that SWFs are almost always depleted in highly unstable political environments, while economic crises rarely impact SWFs to the point of exhaustion. The article presents a theoretical foundation for SWF exhaustions by examining political instability in different regime types. In weakly institutionalized regimes, SWFs are more prone to exhaustion as incumbents govern in recurrently uncertain environments and prioritize short-term goals, which are typically incompatible with funds’ objectives. Conversely, highly institutionalized regimes enjoy greater stability and certainty, which sustain the long-term nature of SWFs. The argument is substantiated through a comparative analysis contrasting the effects of (in)stability in Venezuela’s exhausted FIEM and FONDEN and Azerbaijan’s resilient SOFAZ.

Overworked health workers are "past the point of exhaustion".

Health care workers logged more overtime in the second year of the pandemic than any time in the past decade. More than one in five health care workers logged overtime in 2021, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). On average, workers clocked 8.2 hours of paid overtime

Metabolic and physiological responses to graded exercise testing in individuals with type 1 diabetes using insulin pump therapy.

To profile acute glycaemic dynamics during graded exercise testing (GXT) and explore the influence of glycaemic indicators on the physiological responses to GXT in adults with type 1 diabetes using insulin pump therapy. This was a retrospective analysis of pooled data from four clinical trials with identical GXT protocols. Data were obtained from 45 adults with type 1 diabetes using insulin pumps [(30 females); haemoglobin A1c 59.5 ± 0.5 mmol/mol (7.6 ± 1.0%); age 49.7 ± 13.0 years; diabetes duration 31.2 ± 13.5 years; V̇O2peak 29.5 ± 8.0ml/min/kg]. Integrated cardiopulmonary variables were collected continuously via spiroergometry. Plasma glucose was obtained every 3 min during GXT as well as the point of volitional exhaustion. Data were assessed via general linear modelling techniques with age and gender adjustment. Significance was accepted at p ≤ .05. Despite increasing duration and intensity, plasma glucose concentrations remained similar to rest values (8.8 ± 2.3 mmol/L) throughout exercise (p= .419) with an overall change of +0.3± 1.1 mmol/L. Starting glycaemia bore no influence on subsequent GXT responses. Per 1% increment in haemoglobin A1c there was an associated decrease in V̇O2peak of 3.8ml/min/kg (p< .001) and powerpeak of 0.33 W/kg (p< .001) concomitant with attenuations in indices of peripheral oxygen extraction [(O2 pulse) -1.2ml/beat, p= .023]. In adults with long-standing type 1 diabetes using insulin pump therapy, circulating glucose remains stable during a graded incremental cycle test to volitional exhaustion. Glycaemic indicators are inversely associated with aerobic rate, oxygen economy and mechanical output across the exercise intensity spectrum. An appreciation of these nexuses may help guide appropriate decision making for optimal exercise management strategies.

Adsorption modelling and fixed-bed column study on milk processing industry wastewater treatment using chitosan zinc-oxide nano-adsorbent-coated sandfilter bed.

This study aims to develop a chitosan-zinc oxide nano-adsorbent-coated sand (CZOCS) filter bed for getting rid of milk processing industry wastewater (MPIW) in a safe way. Chitosan zinc oxide nano-adsorbent (CZnO) of 88.35 ± 2.89 d.nm size was used to coat naturally available sand through a calcination process at 200°C for a heating rate of 5°C/min. The characteristics of the diffraction peaks and functional groups are attributed to the nature of CZnO loading on the sand surface. The increase in breakthrough and exhaustion times is caused by the biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of influent having more time to interact with the adsorbent as bed height increases, resulting in higher reduction efficiencies. Lower bed heights (10cm) which saturate faster than higher bed heights (40cm) result in a shorter mass transfer time. Adsorption capacity at the 95% column exhaustion point increased from 611.04 to 1089.63mg/g for BOD and from 4512.29 to 5600.81mg/g for COD. Different kinds of kinetic models have been used to forecast breakthrough curves employing experimental data. Statistical and error function parameters were used to choose the best-fit model. Among the modelsinvestigated, the Thomas model was shown to be the best-fit with the highest R-square values of 0.9942 and 0.9939. The CZOCS has high reusability and could be used for up to six cycles of organic pollutant adsorption. Aside from that, novel CZOCS could be used to clean real MPIW, andmaking it one of the most promising adsorbents.

Comparison of different models of Wʹ balance in high-level road cycling races

ABSTRACT This study aimed to compare different models of Wʹ balance (Wʹbal) during road cycling races. These models allow tracking of the depletion and reconstitution of energy reserves during intermittent exercises. Fifteen high-level cyclists shared a year of data, including the power output and GPS records. They then selected a race during which they were in very good condition, and where they reached a maximum level of exhaustion in the final phase. Based on their seasonal data, their critical power and Wʹ were calculated and incorporated into the integral and differential models of Skiba and Bartram model. Wʹbal was calculated throughout the races and normalised to Wʹ. The integral, differential, and Bartram models predicted a mean Wʹbal of 41 ± 27%, 67 ± 17%, and 82 ± 9%, a minimum Wʹbal of −21 ± 28%, −3 ± 22%, and 22 ± 24%, and a Wʹbal at the identified point of exhaustion of 0 ± 30%, 21 ± 28%, and 42 ± 23% (all significantly different, p < 0.01). Given the large differences between the models and the high inter-individual variability of Wʹbal at the participant-identified point of exhaustion, this study shows that the models are not interchangeable and that the values of Wʹbal should be considered with caution when analysing races.

Comparison of erector spinae fatigability between female patients with Parkinson’s disease and healthy individuals: a cross sectional pilot study

BackgroundPostural abnormality is one of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The erector spinae muscles play an important role in maintaining an upright posture, but the fatigability of the erector spinae in patients with PD is unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the trunk extension maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and the fatigability of the erector spinae between female patients with PD and healthy volunteers.MethodsTh participants of this cross-sectional pilot study comprised 19 patients with PD and nine healthy volunteers matched for sex, age, and physical characteristics as a control group. The MVC of all participants was measured, and after sufficient rest, the Sørensen back endurance test was conducted to the point of exhaustion. The muscle activity of the erector spinae during the Sørensen back endurance test was measured using surface electromyography. The median frequency (MF) slope, which is an index of fatigability, was calculated from the recorded surface muscle activity by means of power spectrum analysis using a Fast Fourier transformation.ResultsNine of the 19 patients with PD were unable to perform the Sørensen back endurance test, and a lower proportion of the PD group were able to perform it compared with the control group. The MVC of those patients with PD who were able to perform the Sørensen back endurance test was lower than that of the control group, and the time for which the pose could be maintained was shorter. There was no significant difference between the MF slope on the left and right side in the PD group, and it was higher on both sides than in the control group.ConclusionThis is the first study to demonstrate a reduction of maximum muscle strength and great fatigability of the erector spinae in patients with PD. This discovery strongly underlines the need for paraspinal muscle training from an early stage with the aim of preventing the progression of postural abnormality in patients with PD.