Protection Actions Research Articles

The Family Lifestyles, Actions and Risk Education (FLARE) study: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a sun protection intervention for children of melanoma survivors

BackgroundChildren of parents who had melanoma are more likely to develop skin cancer themselves owing to shared familial risks. The prevention of sunburns and promotion of sun-protective behaviors are essential to control cancer among these children. The Family Lifestyles, Actions and Risk Education (FLARE) intervention will be delivered as part of a randomized controlled trial to support parent-child collaboration to improve sun safety outcomes among children of melanoma survivors. MethodsFLARE is a two-arm randomized controlled trial design that will recruit dyads comprised of a parent who is a melanoma survivor and their child (aged 8–17 years). Dyads will be randomized to receive FLARE or standard skin cancer prevention education, which both entail 3 telehealth sessions with an interventionist. FLARE is guided by Social-Cognitive and Protection Motivation theories to target child sun protection behaviors through parent and child perceived risk for melanoma, problem-solving skills, and development of a family skin protection action plan to promote positive modeling of sun protection behaviors. At multiple assessments through one-year post-baseline, parents and children complete surveys to assess frequency of reported child sunburns, child sun protection behaviors and melanin-induced surface skin color change, and potential mediators of intervention effects (e.g., parent-child modeling). ConclusionThe FLARE trial addresses the need for melanoma preventive interventions for children with familial risk for the disease. If efficacious, FLARE could help to mitigate familial risk for melanoma among these children by teaching practices which, if enacted, decrease sunburn occurrence and improve children's use of well-established sun protection strategies.

Accuracy Improvement of Braking Force via Deceleration Feedback Functions Applied to Braking Systems.

Currently, braking control systems used in regional railways are open-loop systems, such as metro and tramways. Given that the performance of braking can be influenced by issues such as wheel sliding or the properties of the friction components present in brake systems, our study puts forward a novel closed-loop mechanism to autonomously stabilize braking performance. It is able to keep train deceleration close to the target values required by the braking control unit (BCU), especially in terms of the electrical-pneumatic braking transform process. This method fully considers the friction efficiency characteristics of brake pads and encompasses running tests using rolling stock. The test results show that the technique is able to stabilize the actual deceleration at a closer rate to the target deceleration than before and avoid wheel sliding protection (WSP) action, especially during low-speed periods.

The Role of Italy's Ministero della Cultura in the Process of Improving Accessibility to Cultural Heritage: National Lines of Action and Prospects for Protection in the Territory of the Soprintendenza di Cremona, Lodi e Mantova.

Improving the accessibility of Italy's cultural heritage is one of the essential conditions for ensuring its qualitative fruition and, therefore, one of the main tasks of the Ministero della Cultura. Recent renewed interest in this issue has led to the launch of a series of important ministerial initiatives, both at the central and peripheral levels, with the main objective of seeking that delicate balance between the demands for conservation and protection and the improvement of the level and quality of accessibility.

Public Exposure to Natural Radiation and the Associated Increased Risk of Lung Cancer in the Betare-Oya Gold Mining Areas, Eastern Cameroon

Background: This study aims to reevaluate natural radiation exposure, following up on our previous study conducted in 2019, and to assess the associated risk of lung cancer to the public residing in the gold mining areas of Betare-Oya, east Cameroon, and its vicinity.Materials and Methods: Gamma-ray spectra collected using a 7.62 cm×7.62 cm in NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer during a car-borne survey, <i>in situ</i> measurements and laboratory measurements performed in previous studies were used to determine the outdoor absorbed dose rate in air to evaluate the annual external dose inhaled by the public. For determining internal exposure, radon gas concentrations were measured and used to estimate the inhalation dose while considering the inhalation of radon and its decay products.Results and Discussion: The mean value of the laboratory-measured outdoor gamma dose rate was 47 nGy/hr, which agrees with our previous results (44 nGy/hr) recorded through direct measurements (in situ and car-borne survey). The resulting annual external dose (0.29±0.09 mSv/yr) obtained is similar to that of the previous study (0.33±0.03 mSv/yr). The total inhalation dose resulting from radon isotopes and their decay products ranged between 1.96 and 9.63 mSv/yr with an arithmetic mean of 3.95±1.65 mSv/yr. The resulting excess lung cancer risk was estimated; it ranged from 62 to 216 excess deaths per million persons per year (MPY), 81 to 243 excess deaths per MPY, or 135 excess deaths per MPY, based on whether risk factors reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, United Nations Scientific Committee on the effects of Atomic Radiation, or International Commission on Radiological Protection were used, respectively. These values are more than double the world average values reported by the same agencies.Conclusion: There is an elevated level of risk of lung cancer from indoor radon in locations close to the Betare-Oya gold mining region in east Cameroon. Therefore, educating the public on the harmful effects of radon exposure and considering some remedial actions for protection against radon and its progenies is necessary.

Protecting and restoring habitats to benefit freshwater biodiversity

Freshwater biodiversity is under great threat across the globe as evidenced by more severe declines relative to other types of ecosystems. Some of the main stressors responsible for these concerning trends is habitat fragmentation, degradation, and loss stemming from anthropogenic activities, including energy production, urbanization, agriculture, and resource extraction. Habitat protection and restoration both play an integral role in efforts to save freshwater biodiversity and associated ecosystem services from further decline. In this paper, we summarize the sources of threats associated with habitat fragmentation, degradation, and loss and then outline response options to protect and restore freshwater habitats. Specific response options are to legislate the protection of healthy and productive freshwater ecosystems, prioritize habitats for protection and restoration, enact durable protections, conserve habitat in a coordinated and integrated manner, engage in evidence-based restoration using an adaptive management approach, ensure that potential freshwater habitat alterations are mitigated or off-set, and future-proof protection and restoration actions. Such work should be done through a lens that engages and involves local community members. We identify three broad categories of obstacles that could arise during the implementation of the response options outlined: (a) scientific (e.g., inaccessible data or uncertainties), (b) institutional and management (e.g., capacity issues or differing goals across agencies), and (c) social and political (e.g., prioritizing economic development over conservation initiatives). The protection and restoration of habitats is key to Bend the Curve for freshwater biodiversity, with a comprehensive, connected, and coordinated effort of response options needed to protect intact habitats and restore fragmented, degraded, and lost habitats and the biodiversity and ecosystem services that they support.

Oxidative Stability of Avocado Snacks Formulated with Olive Extract as an Active Ingredient for Novel Food Production.

Analysis of the oxidative stability of novel avocado chips with added natural extracts was carried out with the aim of reducing the chemical additive content in their formulation. Two different natural extracts were initially evaluated and characterized: one obtained from olive pomace (OE) and other from pomegranate seed waste. OE was selected due to its better antioxidant potential according to FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH assays as well as its higher total phenolic content. The formulations used were 0, 1.5 wt.%, and 3 wt.% of OE. A gradual disappearance of the band found around 3009 cm-1 and related to unsaturated fatty acids was observed in the control sample in contrast to formulations with added OE. The band observed near 3299 cm-1 widened and intensified with time due to the oxidation degree of samples, with this effect being higher in the control chips. The observed changes in fatty acid and hexanal content with storage time underlined the higher extent of oxidation in the control samples. This fact could suggest an antioxidant protectant action of OE in avocado chips during thermal treatment, which was attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds. The obtained chips incorporating OE represent a viable option for the development of a natural, healthy, and clean-label avocado snack at competitive cost and with low environmental impacts.

Non-unit Protection for Asymmetrical DC Line Faults in Bipolar LCC-HVDC Transmission Systems

The faults in high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines cause a sudden rise in DC, resulting in over-stressing of converter valves and transformer windings. DC line faults of longer duration, or permanent nature, will lead to a severe disturbance in the associated AC network as well. Thus, the HVDC line faults must be detected immediately to interrupt the fault current by initiating proper actions of control and protection. This paper implements a new method to detect the asymmetrical (pole-to-ground) faults in the conventional bipolar LCC-HVDC transmission system. The proposed method defines a Fault Indicating Parameter (FIP) based on the transient voltage and current elements of each pole. The transient elements are obtained based on single-end measurements. Single-end or non-unit measurements lead to the development of simple, cost-effective and fast protection criteria. Also, the method is applicable to faults close to the line boundary and of high resistivity. A two-terminal bipolar LCC-HVDC transmission system, based on ±500 kV, 1000 MW and 900 km length, is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed technique in offline mode, using MATLAB/Simulink software. Also, the results are validated using an OPAL-RT real-time simulator under divergent fault conditions. The simulation results prove the robustness, selectiveness and accuracy of the proposed scheme.

Building awareness of environmental protection among university students in Vietnam

Introduction. For environmental protection activities in Vietnam to be effective, a prerequisite is that the participants, including students, must have a high awareness of environmental protection. The article analyzes the current situation and proposes ample fundamental solutions to build awareness of environmental protection for students in Vietnamese universities. The object of this study is to build the awareness of protecting the natural environment among university students in Vietnam. Research methods. This study uses the method of dialectical materialism and historical materialism of Marxism – Leninism as the most general methodology. In addition, other specific methods are also used such as: Method of abstraction, generalization; Methods of document analysis; Methods of sociological investigation; Methods of investigation and interview. Data were processed using SPSS statistical software. Results. Knowledge of environmental science and environmental protection has a great and necessary role, is an indispensable factor, and is the key for each individual to step into the future life. Firstly, students have learned scientific knowledge about the environment, environmental protection, and laws on environmental protection through the following channels such as educational activities at school account for 71.9%; television channels account for 9.92. Secondly, in regard of fostering and developing students’ feelings, beliefs, spirits, aspirations, and desires for environmental protection that 71.9% of students answered that they love the poetic and majestic beauty of nature, love the homeland, love the country and Vietnamese people. Thirdly, regarding the formation of students’ attitudes toward environmental protection, that 87.64% of students responded with great interest and 4.44% of students were concerned with the depletion of natural resources, pollution, environmental crisis, climate change, drought, and saltwater intrusion of the country and the locality. Finally, concerning students’ actions in environmental protection, that 87.08% of students confirmed that they will participate in planting trees and will voluntarily comply with regulations on hygiene and environmental protection. They should act together “for the green of the homeland”. Practical significance. This study provided a scientific evidence for the Education and Training sector in planning environmental education awareness programs for students – the future owners of the country. The topic can be used as a reliable reference in research, teaching, learning and practical direction around the education of environmental protection consciousness for university students in Vietnam today.

Identifying Inrush Current for Large-Scale Wind Parks Transformers Based on Difference Function of Differential Current

Traditional second harmonic restraint method used in large-scale wind parks (WPs) transformers of may lead to incorrect action of relay protection. Regarding the above issues, a method for identifying inrush current of WP transformer based on difference function of differential current is proposed. First, currents on both sides of transformer are collected and differential current is used to construct a first-order difference function and a second-order difference function. In order to eliminate influence of attenuated direct current component, a criterion is formed by taking the second-order difference function as abscissa and the first-order difference function as ordinate. The principle is that on the plane composed of differential current signal and its difference function, the distance between any two adjacent points does not change much when inrush current does not occur, but changes significantly when inrush current occurs. According to the feature, identification criteria of inrush current is constructed. A system model is established by electromagnetic transient tool and results show that the proposed method can accurately and sensitively identify internal faults and inrush current, regardless of fault locations and fault types.

Study and characterization of global solar radiation and incident UV in the city of Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico

Controlled sun exposure can greatly benefit vitamin D synthesis, however, irresponsible sun exposure can cause considerable biological damage. Among the extraterrestrial solar radiation that reaches the earth's surface, UV rays are characterized by having the shortest wavelengths (less than 400 nm) and the highest frequencies, which is why they concentrate a large amount of energy. In particular, radiation with wavelengths less than 300 nm can alter DNA molecules and cause biological damage such as skin changes, cataracts, possible mutations, immunosuppression, photoaging and many other conditions. Therefore, this research estimates the global solar radiation and the incident daily UV radiation, as well as the UV index in order to identify the possible dose of absorbed radiation and consequently identify the relevant protection actions for the local population.

Recent Advancements and Novel Approaches Contributing to the Present Arsenal of Prophylaxis and Treatment Strategies Against Category A Bacterial Biothreat Agents.

Bacterial pathogens have always been a part of the ecosystem in which we thrive. Some pathogens have caused deadly outbreaks in the past and have been exploited as an agent of threat. Natural hotspots for these biological pathogens are widely distributed throughout the world and hence they remain clinically important. Technological advancement and change in general lifestyle has driven the evolution of these pathogens into more virulent and resistant variants. There has been a growing concern over the development of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains that could be used as bioweapons. This rapid change in pathogens also propels the field of science to develop and innovate new strategies and methodologies which are superior and safer to the existing ones. Some bacterial agents like-Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis and toxins produced by strains of Clostridium botulinum, have been segregated as Category A substances as they pose imminent threat to public health with a history of life threatening and catastrophic disease. This review highlights some encouraging developments and value additions in the current plan of action for protection against these select biothreat bacterial pathogens.

A protection scheme for MMC–HVDC grid based on blocking time of converter station

This paper proposes a local protection scheme for the high voltage direct current grid based on the modular multilevel converter (MMC-HVDC), which determines the protection action time by blocking time of converter station and cuts the fault line by the coordination of action time. In view of the problem that the first protection action will accelerate the blocking of other converter stations, the protection action time margin is set in order to make the protection act in advance to remove the fault before any converter is blocked. By defining the virtual blocking time of the inverter station, the protection criterion of all the converter stations is unified and the selectivity of protection is guaranteed. The proposed scheme fully considers the coordination between the protection action and the blocking of converter station, and can selectively cut off fault lines according to the severity of overcurrent of the bridge arm of the converter. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed protection scheme.

“A cold, hard asset”: Conservation resource spectacle in Chilean Patagonia

Chile’s public conservation estate has expanded by unprecedented margins in recent years, following the creation of several mega projects. One such project is the Route of Parks of Chilean Patagonia, a public–private partnership to protect nearly 30 million acres of land across 18 national parks at the bottom of the South American continent. The partnership, over two decades in the making, was proposed by the U.S-based philanthropic foundation Tompkins Conservation but rejected by previous presidential administrations before finally being accepted in 2017. This article traces the role of two complementary forces behind the project – big philanthropy and big conservation – showing how both shaped the state’s eventual decision to take historic action for environmental protection. I argue that resource spectacle is key to understanding the ‘how’ and ‘why now’ of this mega project. Whereas traditional resource spectacles are conjured to court buy-in from private actors for extractive projects, a conservation resource spectacle is conjured in this case to court buy-in from the state for a large-scale national parks project. Big philanthropy emphasizes the spectacular investability of national parks by selling them as “a cold, hard asset,” akin to Chile’s other natural resources. It does this by rendering the value of protected nature legible and consumable through the same resource-making techniques that define extractivism. Yet, these resource-making techniques when applied to environmental protection not only establish perverse incentives for action, they also help fuel the convergence of conservation and extraction.

Umweltwissen und Umweltbewusstsein von Studierenden der Generation Z: eine Online-Umfrage an der Universität Ulm

BackgroundThe issues of climate change, environmental pollution and species extinction play an increasingly central role in the public debate. At the same time, however, there is a significant gap between environmental knowledge and sustainable action (so-called value-action gap). The education system, especially at the university level, is an important institution for imparting well-founded knowledge on this topic and, as a consequence, for deriving targeted options for action. The present study surveyed the current environmental knowledge and environmental awareness, including the everyday behavior of Generation Z students of medical study programs in comparison to science-oriented study programs. MethodsIn October/November 2021, an anonymous and voluntary online survey was conducted at the University of Ulm to evaluate the environmental knowledge and awareness of students in all semesters of the study programs Human Medicine, Dentistry, Molecular Medicine, Biology and Teaching. A total of 317 students fully completed the questionnaire. ResultsThe results confirm the current state of studies on the environmental awareness of the German population. The value-action gap is also detectable among students. Students perceive the urgency of environmental protection measures and action on climate change and also link these with emotional feelings, but in terms of behavior personal interests (still) tend to largely take precedence over environmental protection. In addition, according to our findings, the image of stereotypes and prejudices of the various courses of study is also partially confirmed in the surveyed environmental awareness. ConclusionThe significant differences in environmental awareness between the compared degree programs and the gap between knowledge and action call for an individual but consistent implementation of the topics of climate change and environmental protection in the curriculum in all investigated degree courses. With the knowledge and awareness gained in this way, academics as distinguished members of society can convey climate awareness and fulfill the function as a role model.

Optimizing the distribution pattern of species under climate change: the protection and management of Phellodendron amurense in China

ObjectivePhellodendron amurense, a special species in Northeast Asia, is the source of the wild medicinal Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex, the second-level key protection in China. Because of its dual value of medicine and timber, it has been cut in large quantities, resulting in a sharp decline in wild resources. It has been listed as a national first-class rare tree species. Here, we aim to plan protection area and wild tending area for Chinese P. amurense in the context of climate change.MethodIn this study, based on the Biomod2 model, the main environmental factors affecting the distribution and the potentially suitable areas of the current and future were investigated. Furthermore, the correlation between the main environmental factors and the chemical components was determined by full subset regression. Habitat quality and landscape pattern change were determined by InVEST and Fragstats software based on the land use data in 1980, 2000, and 2020. Then, Zonation software was used to plan the priority protection and wild tending areas.ResultsThe results showed that in the future, the potential habitat of P. amurense will gradually move to the high latitude and high altitude areas in the northwest direction, and the high suitability area will decrease sharply. Since 1980, the habitat quality of P. amurense habitat has gradually deteriorated, and the fragmentation has gradually intensified. In the future, the central part of the Greater Khingan Mountains and the forest area of the Lesser Khingan Mountains will be the long-term stable sanctuary. Fengcheng City and Tonghua County are the most suitable for the wild tending areas.ConclusionThe existing nature reserve only contains 6.01% of the priority protection area, so we propose to expand the area to cover a larger proportion of the sanctuary and implement management and restoration plans to increase the suitability and connectivity. These results can support the protection action and provide a reference and scientific basis for further research, rational development, and utilization of P. amurense.

Projected landscape-scale repercussions of global action for climate and biodiversity protection

Land conservation and increased carbon uptake on land are fundamental to achieving the ambitious targets of the climate and biodiversity conventions. Yet, it remains largely unknown how such ambitions, along with an increasing demand for agricultural products, could drive landscape-scale changes and affect other key regulating nature’s contributions to people (NCP) that sustain land productivity outside conservation priority areas. By using an integrated, globally consistent modelling approach, we show that ambitious carbon-focused land restoration action and the enlargement of protected areas alone may be insufficient to reverse negative trends in landscape heterogeneity, pollination supply, and soil loss. However, we also find that these actions could be combined with dedicated interventions that support critical NCP and biodiversity conservation outside of protected areas. In particular, our models indicate that conserving at least 20% semi-natural habitat within farmed landscapes could primarily be achieved by spatially relocating cropland outside conservation priority areas, without additional carbon losses from land-use change, primary land conversion or reductions in agricultural productivity.

How to Measure Public Awareness of Environmental Protection

Human actions intensified processes in the environment, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution, escalating the role of environmental awareness. Along with the formal environmental education performed in pre-schools, schools and universities, vocational education is taking a special role due to the flexibility of educational formats as well as the diversity and deepness of topics to be covered. While there are a lot of public awareness campaigns on climate change, environmental and nature protection issues, there is still a lack of methods on how to measure the effectiveness of these. Within the present paper, the methodology for measuring the effectiveness of outdoor events focused on awareness raising of local society on nature protection actions. The methodological framework is based on the ecosystems services travel cost method – estimation of the value of nature provided benefits generated by ecosystems. As a case study object to adapt the methodology, a project named Nature Concert Hall is selected. Nature Concert Hall is a symbiosis of science, music, poetry and visual art organising annual summer festivals (1–2 per year) in previously unrecognized natural settings, such as meadow, forest, seacoast or riverside but dedicated to a specific nature protection topic. The effectiveness of the event is measured for the period of 7 years.

Novel method for setting up the relay protection of power systems containing renewable energy sources and hydrogen energy storage systems

Integration of renewable energy sources (RES) together with energy storage systems (ESS) changes processes in electric power systems (EPS) significantly. Specifically, rate of change and the lowest values of operating conditions during the emergencies are got influenced. Such changes can cause incorrect actions of relay protection (RP) as it was designed and adjusted with no regard for influence of RES and ESS. Detailed research on processes during the different normal and abnormal modes in both EPS and primary transducers and also in RP devices should be done to take preventive actions. To do this research mathematical modeling based on detailed and authentic models of all elements including RP should be used. HRTSim (which was developed by authors) software for simulating EPS provides the opportunity to create such models of EPS of any size without simplifications and limits. Using of this instrument together with detailed mathematical models of RP which were developed before provided the opportunity to investigate them rigorously in RES-integrated EPS. Settings providing adequate action of RP in certain conditions were performed as a result of this investigation. Fragments of these investigations are performed in this paper. Results of these investigations would be useful for designing new methods and tools of RP adjustment.

Analysis of characteristics of rail transit stray current and saturation mechanism of current transformer

Abstract The DC bias may affect the transient transfer characteristics of the current transformer (CT), threatening the correct action of the relay protection and the safe operation of the power system. Compared with the high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission in the unipolar-earth loop operation mode and geomagnetically induced current (GIC), the amplitude of the stray current is smaller, and the randomness and fluctuation are larger and accompanied by sudden changes. Combining the characteristics of stray current and the CT equivalent model considering the eddy current loss of the iron core, the mechanism of local transient saturation under the influence of bias magnetization is explained, and the CT saturation phenomenon caused by stray current and its effect on line distance protection are simulated and analyzed. The research shows that the influence of low amplitude and high duration of stray current will make the magnetic flux of CT grow and affect the transmission of steady-state and transient-state so that the measurement impedance appears amplitude-phase shift, which leads to under-range rejection of distance protection.

A novel pilot protection method for UHVDC transmission lines based on U-I characteristics

As one of the principal protections of UHVDC transmission lines, pilot protection requires strict synchronization and small data flow by exchanging the current on both terminals under the limitation of DC protection action rapidity. To solve this problem, this paper finds that the DC voltage and current on both terminals of the line have different plane distribution characteristics when faults occur internally and externally in the system area, and then advances a novel pilot protection method for UHVDC transmission lines based on U-I characteristics. By setting up the U-I plane with DC voltage and current as variables, analyzing the dynamic trajectory of the real-time captured U-I plane, constructing protection criteria based on the U-I plane on the rectifier side and inverter side separately, and finally converting the judgment results into state information. Both terminals of the line identify the fault location by exchanging the longitudinal comparison of state information. This protection project only utilizes the instant tracks of voltage and current in the rectifier side and inverter side at the time of fault to judge. The principle is simple and can quickly locate faults. The state messages of the two terminals are not modified by the data asynchrony on both terminals. This protection method is convenient for setting, has high sensitivity, and can quickly identify interior and exterior faults. The results are testified by theoretical analysis and simulation verification.