Transition Systems Research Articles

The effectiveness of RIPAT approach in influencing smallholder farmers’ agroecological transition in Ruangwa District, Tanzania

Agroecology approach is viewed as an alternative paradigm that promotes sustainable production and environmental conservation. Extension services are crucial for diffusing agroecological knowledge, facilitating the adoption of agroecological techniques. The Rural Initiatives for Participatory Agricultural Transformation (RIPAT) is a participatory extension approach developed to bridge the agricultural technology gap by disseminating sustainable agricultural innovations. This study aimed to assess the extent of agroecological transition among smallholder farmers and explore the role of RIPAT approach, alongside other factors, in this transition in Ruangwa District. Data were collected from 252 randomly selected farmers using questionnaire surveys and focus group discussion, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated that all non-RIPAT farmers (100%) were in level 1; non-agroecological. In contrast, nearly half (47.6%) of RIPAT farmers showed progress in the agroecological transition: 37.3% were at level 2 (incipient transition to agroecology), 9.5% at level 3 (system in transition to agroecology), and 0.8% at level 4 (advanced agroecological system). This progress is primarily due to the agroecology-related training they received, which enhanced their knowledge and improved their practices. RIPAT farmers achieved higher average scores (over 50%) in the agroecology elements of Recycling, Efficiency, Co-Creation and Sharing of Knowledge, and Human and Social Values. However, for elements like Synergies, Resilience, and Responsible Governance, farmers were still lagging. The study further indicated that exposure to the RIPAT approach, access to information, and farm size were statistically significant factors influencing farmers’ agroecological transition. Enhancing animal husbandry practices and promoting agroforestry techniques are recommended to foster farm synergy and resilience through integrated farming systems. Additionally, establishing producer associations could strengthen responsible governance by improving farmers' collective bargaining power. The study recommends adoption of participatory extension approaches, such as the RIPAT approach, for transferring agroecological knowledge to promote farmers’ agroecological transition.

Optimization of grid-connected hybrid renewable energy system for the educational institutes in Pakistan

To foster resilient energy transition systems, the deployment of renewable energy sources is potentially helpful in the acceleration towards sustainable, reliable, and diversified solutions. In this feasibility study, aims to pursuit the best optimal solution for renewable energy resources, integrated into the local university's energy mix, to meet the electrical load demand of 8500 kWhr/day and a peak load of 815 kW. A model of a hybrid grid-connected renewable energy (PV/Biomass/Hydel/Diesel generator/Grid) system was implemented in HOMER software, to obtain the most efficient and cost-effective hybrid energy generation. The outcomes of the simulation seem more viable based on sensitivity analysis, as the cost of energy (COE) for an energy system with a hybrid combination is 0.13.$/kWh, meanwhile energy price with the grid system is 0.18 $/kWh. According to the HOMER analysis, a hybrid grid-connected PV/biomass/hydro system demonstrates both technological feasibility and economic viability, meanwhile it will also save 1575 tons of CO2 per year. Therefore, this proposed hybrid energy system, a step towards sustainable development, can be applied at institutional levels, especially in developing countries.

Magnetic relaxation switch biosensor for detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus based on photocleavable hydrogel

BackgroundFoodborne pathogens, particularly Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP) found in seafood, pose significant health risks, including abdominal pain, nausea, and even death. Rapid, accurate, and sensitive detection of these pathogens is crucial for food safety and public health. However, existing detection methods often require complex sample pretreatment, which limits their practical application. This study aims to overcome these limitations by developing a label-free magnetic relaxation switch (MRS) biosensor for the detection of VP, utilizing a photocleavable sol-gel phase transition system for improved efficiency and accuracy. ResultsIn this work, a tag-free magnetic relaxation switch (MRS) biosensor was designed for the detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP), based on a photocleavable sol-gel phase transition system. A large amount of lithium acyl hypophosphite (LAP), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) loaded on the surface of Ti3C2Tx MXene acted as the signal unit LAP-MXene@AuNPs-ssDNA. The pipette tip served as a reaction vessel, and when VP was present, Apt specifically captured VP and released the signal units. The released signal units were then injected into the low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) test solution, a gel formed by crosslinking of disulfide bonds. The gel was cleaved by LAPs on the signal units under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, triggering a gel-sol phase transition, which increased transverse relaxation time (T2), thus enabling the detection of VP. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the linear range and detection limit for VP were 102 ∼ 108 CFU/mL and 10 CFU/mL, respectively. Significance and NoveltyThe simplified biometric identification process in the pipette tip reduces errors from multiple sample transfers, enhancing efficiency. The use of photocleavable hydrogel for signal output eliminates issues associated with magnetic material aggregation, significantly improving detection precision. The assay is of good selectivity, stability reproducibility, and convenience, having a broad application prospect in the rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria in the field.

Systemic Functional Linguistics to stylistics Analysis of Beloved novel by Toni Morrison

This paper examines the stylistic effects of nominalization, a form of ideational grammatical metaphor (IGM), in Toni Morrison's novel Beloved. It employs Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) by Halliday and Matthiessen as the analytical framework. The aims are to identify the types of processes, participant roles, and circumstances used in the story based on the transitivity system, and to connect the author's choice of these elements to her personal experiences and the message she conveys about slavery and racism in America. The methodology involves analyzing the first chapter of Beloved to identify instances of nominalization and their metaphorical nature, comparing metaphorical wording with its possible congruent wording to understand the impact, and calculating the frequency of IGMs while classifying process types according to the transitivity system. The findings reveal numerous examples of nominalization in the first chapter, with Morrison achieving a more abstract, formal, and objective tone through nominalizing processes, particularly verbs turned into nouns. This also leads to the condensation of information, increased focus on concepts rather than actions, a more vivid and expressive style, and a means to comment on historical and ideological messages. The paper demonstrates how Morrison's use of IGM through nominalization contributes significantly to the stylistic effects and thematic concerns of Beloved, strengthening the novel's ability to convey the struggles and experiences of Black Americans in a context of slavery and racism.

Electrochemical Liquid Phase TEM in Aqueous Electrolytes for Energy Applications: the Role of Liquid Flow Configuration.

Electrochemical liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (EC-LPTEM) is an invaluable tool for investigating the structural and morphological properties of functional materials in electrochemical systems for energy transition. Despite its potential, standardized experimental protocols and a consensus on data interpretation are lacking, due to a variety of commercial and customized electrical and microfluidic configurations. Given the small size of a typical electrochemical cell used in these experiments, frequent electrolyte renewal is crucial to minimize local chemical alterations from reactions and radiolysis. This study explores the effects of modifying the flow configuration within the liquid cell under experimental conditions relevant for energy applications in aqueous-based electrolytes, revealing how changes in mass transport dynamics drastically influence the electrochemical response of the cell. Two different cell designs are compared: convection- and diffusion-governed. Ex situ and in situ comparative flow experiments show that the diffusion cell mitigates gas bubbles formation and improves removal of gaseous products. The electrodeposition of Zn nanostructures and the characterization of a Cu-based catalyst are presented as proof-of-concept experiments for energy storage and CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) applications, respectively. The reported findings demonstrate that controlling mass transport in the liquid cell setup is crucial to obtain reliable operando experimental electrochemical conditions.

Exploring the dynamics of socio-technical transitions: Advancing grid-connected wind and solar energy adoption in Nigeria

Globally, countries are transitioning their national electricity grid system to meet the obligations of the Paris Agreement. National grid-connected renewable electricity provides an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, in a developing country like Nigeria, renewable energies such as solar and wind power can play a critical role not only in transitioning away from fossil-fuel based electricity systems but also to address prevalent energy security challenges, electricity supply deficit and gaps in energy access. Policies, plans, and strategies to ensure grid-connected renewable energy have been put in place, but these measures have proved ineffective. Likewise, there are limited studies that investigate these transition problems, including drivers and enablers from a developing country perspective. This research fills that gap in knowledge by investigating these transition dynamics through a qualitative approach applying the multi-level perspective framework. Thirty-one (31) key energy and non-energy actors were interviewed, and the transcripts thematically analysed. Findings indicate that there is prospect for Nigeria to transform its electricity system. However, there are major deterrents including institutional, infrastructural, incumbent electricity system instability and economic barriers. The paper highlights that there is a level of regime stability/instability that will enable renewable energy development. In addition, practical and policy insights are offered to overcome identified challenges towards accelerating electricity system transformation. Future studies should also explore the degree of instability, stability and change in developing country settings necessary for energy transition to occur. Finally, this paper advances debates in energy transition and socio-technical system studies.

Navigating transition shock: The role of system thinking in enhancing nursing process competency among early career nurses.

Building nursing process competency among beginner nurses is a pivotal need in contemporary, complex, fast-paced nursing practice. However, transitioning from the educational phase to practicing as a nurse can be a significant adjustment. New practitioners often experience a period of shock, which may present challenges in developing nurse competency. Fostering system thinking among those nurses could buffer the negative signs of transition shock and cultivate nursing process competencies at earlier times. This study explores the relationship between transition shock and nursing process competency among early career nurses and investigates the moderating effect of system thinking on this relationship. This cross-sectional correlational exploratory study was conducted at four large hospitals in Egypt. Data were collected from 393 nurses from the first of February 2024 to the end of April 2024 using the transition shock scale, the competency of nursing process questionnaire, and the system thinking scale. Correlational and hierarchical regression analyses were used to test the study variables. A statistically significant negative correlation exists between transition shock, nursing process competency, and system thinking among early-career nurses. System thinking is positively associated with nursing process competency. System thinking positively moderates the relationship between transition shock and nursing process competency among early-career nurses. Transition shock and system thinking account for 23.9% of the variance in nursing process competency among early-career nurses. Transition shock is an inevitable phenomenon among early-career nurses, negatively affecting their competency in the nursing process. System thinking buffers this adverse effect and significantly augments nursing process competency among this set of nurses. Predicting and mitigating transition shock among early-career nurses is pivotal in building nursing process competency. Nurse educators must develop curricula that cultivate system thinking skills among nursing students, which enables them to buffer transition shock after graduation.

Characterization of Synanthropic Habitats on Shallow Seabeds Using Map Clustering Techniques: A Case Study in Taranto, Apulia, Italy

The Mar Piccolo is a transitional water system located in Taranto city (Southern Italy); it is a semi-enclosed basin affected by severe pollution issues due to the presence of various industrial, agricultural and other anthropic activities that require careful monitoring and management. The pollution levels reached over time have harmed marine biodiversity and human health, repeatedly requiring timely actions for its mitigation. Characterization methodologies and techniques today play a fundamental role in supporting the decision-making phase, processing large quantities of data and identifying complex patterns and correlations. An approach focused on gaining detailed knowledge of complex environmental contexts through clustering map techniques enables highly precise results, capturing even the smallest variations in the features of the study object and strongly correlating them with possible sources of pollution. The use of these techniques improves the precision of the analyses and can significantly contribute to improving the understanding of the environmental state in the Mar Piccolo area. This study addresses the issue of pollution in Mar Piccolo due to marine litter, which has led to the formation of synanthropic habitats on the seabed. It also highlights the value of clustering maps and other characterization techniques for achieving detailed insights at various levels of analysis. Data processing through the proposed methodology can generate very detailed mapping useful for planning precision reclamation interventions that also include species conservation actions, as well as a better understanding of how synanthropic habitats are distributed and evolve. In summary, this study demonstrates how it is possible to improve the precision of data processing, providing crucial details for the management and conservation of highly threatened marine ecosystems.

Self-regulating profile control strategy for CO2 flooding by the phase-transition acid

To solve the problem of low sweep efficiency caused by gas channeling in CO2 flooding, the CO2 stimulated response liquid–solid transition system (TA-D230) was designed by the tetradecanedioic acid (TA) and poly(propylene glycol) bis(2-aminopropylether) (D230). TA, which has high melting point and is insoluble in water, achieves the transition from solid phase to liquid phase by the self-assembly method with D230. After CO2 injection, the TA was precipitated from TA-D230 solution as the solid. The transformation mechanism from TA-D230 to TA was confirmed by 1H NMR and FTIR due to the reduction of COO− group to COOH group. The TA exhibited a high melting point of 128 °C by the DSC, which can be applied in high temperature reservoirs. In addition, by recording the changes in conductivity and pH during the injection of CO2, 0.1 mol/L TA-D230 achieved rapid precipitation within 5 min and in a 5000 ppm NaCl solution. The core flooding experiment further assessed that TA-D230 has excellent ability to enhance oil recovery with a value of 15.3 %. This method provides a new perspective and solution for profile control in oil and gas development.

Efficient algorithms for computing bisimulations for nondeterministic fuzzy transition systems

Nondeterministic fuzzy transition systems (NFTSs) offer a robust framework for modeling and analyzing systems with inherent uncertainties and imprecision, which are prevalent in real-world scenarios. Wu et al. (2018) provided an algorithm for computing the crisp bisimilarity (the greatest crisp bisimulation) of a finite NFTS S=〈S,A,δ〉, with a time complexity of order O(|S|4⋅|δ|2) under the assumption that |δ|≥|S|. Qiao et al. (2023) provided an algorithm for computing the fuzzy bisimilarity (the greatest fuzzy bisimulation) of a finite NFTS S under the Gödel semantics, with a time complexity of order O(|S|4⋅|δ|2⋅l) under the assumption that |δ|≥|S|, where l is the number of fuzzy values used in S plus 1. In this work, we provide efficient algorithms for computing the partition corresponding to the crisp bisimilarity of a finite NFTS S, as well as the compact fuzzy partition corresponding to the fuzzy bisimilarity of S under the Gödel semantics. Their time complexities are of the order O((size(δ)log⁡l+|S|)log⁡(|S|+|δ|)), where l is the number of fuzzy values used in S plus 2. When |δ|≥|S|, this order is within O(|S|⋅|δ|⋅log2⁡|δ|). The reduction of time complexity from O(|S|4⋅|δ|2) and O(|S|4⋅|δ|2⋅l) to O(|S|⋅|δ|⋅log2⁡|δ|) is a significant contribution of this work.

Millisecond pulsars phenomenology under the light of graph theory

We compute and apply the minimum spanning tree (MST) of the binary millisecond pulsar population, and discuss aspects of the known phenomenology of these systems in this context. We find that the MST effectively separates different classes of spider pulsars ---eclipsing radio pulsars in tight binary systems with a companion of either sim 0.1–0.8 M$_ (redbacks) or $ M$_ in mass (black widows)--- into distinct branches. The MST also separates black widows (BWs) in globular clusters from those found in the field and groups other pulsar classes of interest, including transitional millisecond pulsars (tMSPs). Using the MST and a defined ranking for similarity, we identify possible candidates likely to belong to these pulsar classes. In particular, based on this approach, we propose the BW classification of J1300+1240, J1630+3550, J1317-0157, J1221-0633, J1627+3219, J1737-0314A, and J1701-3006F, discuss that of J1908+2105, and analyze J1723-2837, J1431-4715, and J1902-5105 as possible transitional systems. We introduce an algorithm that quickly locates where new pulsars fall within the MST and use this to examine the positions of the tMSP IGR J18245-2452 (PSR J1824-2452I), the tMSP candidate 3FGL J1544.6-1125, and the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar SAX J1808.4-3658. Assessing the positions of these sources in the MST ---assuming a range for their unknown variables (e.g., the spin period derivative of PSR J1824-2452I)---, we can effectively narrow down the parameter space necessary for searching for and determining key pulsar parameters through targeted observations.

An Ecological Discourse Analysis of Network News in Xinhuanet from the Perspective of Transitivity System

An Ecological Discourse Analysis of Network News in Xinhuanet from the Perspective of Transitivity System

The Territory as a Victim: Geological Assessment to Analyzing the Impact of Colombia’s Armed Conflict on Geo-Bio Megadiversity at the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

This study delves into the intricate relationship between Colombia’s status as one of the world’s 17 Megadiverse countries and the socio-environmental challenges the country faces, with focus on the geological diversity of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM); the world’s highest coastal massif laying in the Caribbean Region of Colombia. Despite its natural splendors and magnificence, SNSM’s ecosystems have been significantly shaped by the enduring Colombian armed conflict (1964- latent today), leading to alarming environmental degradation that affects both geological and biological diversity, and hence the local communities inhabiting the territory. Employing modern geological methodologies such as Remote Sensing and Landscape Metrics, this research explores and quantifies the extent of degradation within the SNSM. The findings, spanning the pivotal years from 2000 to 2020, offer an innovative analysis of the Geo-Bio-Megadiverse ecosystems of the Sierra. This comprehensive examination reveals crucial insights to advancing informed environmental management, while supplying a groundwork for potential geoconservation strategies in this embattled territory; unequivocally acknowledged as a victim of a multifaceted and long-lasting socio-environmental conflict. The definition “territory as a victim” originated by local indigenous communities and is now incorporated in transitional justice systems such as the Jurisdicción Especial para la Paz (JEP, Colombia), condenses the profound violence experienced by the land, one that muted the spiritual guardians inhabiting its waters, trees, plants, soils, and stones. By spotlighting the intricate interplay between social struggles and environmental degradation as a central element of the ecosphere-techonosphere conflict in the Anthropocene, this study heightens awareness of the urgent issues confronting the SNSM, while advocating for targeted conservation initiatives to preserve its distinctive and invaluable natural heritage.

The Agroecological Transition of Farms in the Ecuadorian Andes Through the Lens of the Main Agroecological Structure

ABSTRACTMany sectors of society have urged a transition from modern conventional agriculture to more sustainable alternatives. One of the most frequently mentioned is agroecology, due to its potential to improve soil health, promote agrobiodiversity, food sovereignty, and regenerate ecosystem functions. However, complex systems such as farms demand the transformation of a broad set of characteristics and practices for its transition. These factors are, in turn, conditioned by social, educational, economic, and political factors. Therefore, a clear understanding of the main drivers behind the management of farms is vital for supporting an effective transition. This research applied the main agroecological structure (MAS) methodology, which employs 10 indicators (5 biological, 5 cultural) to evaluate the degree of connectivity of a farm with the landscape, the agrobiodiversity present in living fences and crops, and the practices employed by farmers to support and preserve it. Finally, the MAS methodology gives farms a score from 0 to 100, understood as the degree of development of its agroecological structure, or as the “resilience” of a system in agroecological transition. Measurements were performed in 20 farms with different degrees of agroecological transition, in five locations of the northern‐central Andean region of Ecuador. The farms had a moderately developed structure on average (71.05 over 100), and MAS variation was not correlated to the size of the farm, nor with its degree of connectivity with the surrounding landscape. It was rather significantly related to the geographic location of the study site. One of the main differences between study sites was a more extended prevalence of cooperation and development programs, suggesting a strong connection between the development of agroecological practices and capacity building processes. For this reason, the author proposes that MAS measurements should be complemented with deeper analyses of the capacity‐building background of each site. This study aims to establish a baseline of the MAS in Ecuador, and to provide new tools for monitoring and supporting agroecological transition.

Ability and knowledge: from epistemic transition systems to labelled stit models

It is possible to know that one can guarantee a certain result and yet not know how to guarantee it. In such cases one has the ability to guarantee something in a causal sense, but not in an epistemic sense. In this paper we focus on two formalisms used to model both conceptions of ability: one formalism based on epistemic transition systems and the other on labelled stit models. We show a strong correspondence between the two formalisms by providing mappings from the former to the latter for both the languages and the structures. Moreover, we demonstrate that our extension of labelled stit logic is more expressive than the logic of epistemic transition systems.

Unifying Model Execution and Deductive Verification with Interaction Trees in Isabelle/HOL

Model execution allows us to prototype and analyse software engineering models by stepping through their possible behaviours, using techniques like animation and simulation. On the other hand, deductive verification allows us to construct formal proofs demonstrating satisfaction of certain critical properties in support of high-assurance software engineering. To ensure coherent results between execution and proof, we need unifying semantics and automation. In this paper, we mechanise Interaction Trees (ITrees) in Isabelle/HOL to produce an execution and verification framework. ITrees are coinductive structures that allow us to encode infinite labelled transition systems, yet they are inherently executable. We use ITrees to create verification tools for stateful imperative programs, concurrent programs with message passing in the form of the CSP and Circus languages, and abstract system models in the style of the Z and B methods. We demonstrate how ITrees can account for diverse semantic presentations, such as structural operational semantics, a relational program model, and CSP's failures-divergences trace model. Finally, we demonstrate how ITrees can be executed using the Isabelle code generator to support the animation of models.

Invariant Checking for SMT-Based Systems with Quantifiers

This article addresses the problem of checking invariant properties for a large class of symbolic transition systems defined by a combination of SMT theories and quantifiers. State variables can be functions from an uninterpreted sort (finite but unbounded) to an interpreted sort, such as the integers under the theory of linear arithmetic. This formalism is very expressive and can be used for modeling parameterized systems, array-manipulating programs, and more. We propose two algorithms for finding universal inductive invariants for such systems. The first algorithm combines an IC3-style loop with a form of implicit predicate abstraction to construct an invariant in an incremental manner. The second algorithm constructs an under-approximation of the original problem and searches for a formula which is an inductive invariant for this case; then, the invariant is generalized to the original case and checked with a portfolio of techniques. We have implemented the two algorithms and conducted an extensive experimental evaluation, considering various benchmarks and different tools from the literature. As far as we know, our method is the first capable of handling in a large class of systems in a uniform way. The experiment shows that both algorithms are competitive with the state of the art.

1.X.2. Reducing inequalities in access to care in Europe: achieving universal health coverage and more

Abstract Accessibility is multi-dimensional. Universal Health Coverage emphasises the role of population coverage, the scope of services covered, and the depth of financial protection. However, there are other major barriers for patients that can inhibit universal access to health services: geographical inequalities, organisational barriers, and care denial. Health systems can provide extensive cover in some dimensions such as financial coverage or the range of services covered, but gaps in other dimensions can still act as a major barrier to care. Some groups are excluded from population coverage, other patients must navigate waiting times, medical deserts or cultural barriers in order to access care. In this session we will use an innovative filter framework outline common obstacles that patients in the European Union must overcome before they can access the care they need. We will then highlight policy responses to meet the dual goals of reducing inequalities in access to care and ensuring Universal Health Coverage. This workshop will provide a platform for sharing knowledge on reducing inequalities in access to care in EU countries. The objectives of the workshop are to i) highlight cross-cutting themes and approaches, and ii) establish opportunities for cross-country research and learning. The workshop will consist of four short presentations, followed by a broad discussion with audience interventions to bring in the experience of other Member States. Each panel member will make a short presentation in Pecha Kucha format: firstly outlining the filter framework for understanding access to health services then moving to descriptions of a policy journey to strengthening UHC in Cyprus, Estonia and Spain respectively. Bold reforms in Cyprus have expanded coverage under a new universal system; changes in Estonia have improved access to medicines; and policy-makers in Spain have sought to expand coverage of dental care. The moderated discussion will emphasise the potential for cross-country learning - identifying those policy choices of relevance for the rest of Europe. Presentations about specific policy initiatives draw on the latest Health Systems Reviews for Cyprus, Estonia and Spain. Health System Reviews underpin the Health Systems in Transition (HiT) series, a core part of country monitoring undertaken by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. These Reviews are routinely updated and provide a systematic description of the functioning of health systems in countries as well as reform and policy initiatives in progress or under development. As these are in-depth descriptions which detail the intricacies of health systems and an assessment of their performance, they provide the ideal basis for understanding the true multidimensionality of accessibility. Key messages • Even health systems in high-income countries need to address inequalities in access to care to ensure universal health coverage. • The workshop will identify themes and approaches to improving access to care from a cross-country perspective through a multidimensional understanding of accessibility. Speakers/Panelists Erica Richardson European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, London, UK Cristina Hernandez Quevedo European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, London, UK Yulia Litvinova European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Berlin Hub, Berlin, Germany Gemma Williams European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, London, UK

Velocity-Based Training With Weightlifting Derivatives: Barbell and System Velocity Comparisons.

Suchomel, TJ, Kissick, CR, Techmanski, BS, Mann, JB, and Comfort, P. Velocity-based training with weightlifting derivatives: Barbell and system velocity comparisons. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-The aim of this study was to examine the differences in barbell and system (i.e., subject + load) velocity during weightlifting derivatives performed across a spectrum of relative loads. 14 resistance-trained men participated in 6 testing sessions, which included 1 repetition maximum hang power clean (HPC) testing and individual jump shrug (JS), hang high pull (HHP), HPC, hang clean pull (HCP), and countermovement shrug (CMS) sessions. The order of the exercise testing sessions was randomized and required the subjects to perform either JS, HHP, HPC, HCP, or CMS repetitions while standing on a force platform with a linear position transducer attached to the barbell. The JS and HHP were performed with 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of their 1 repetition maximum HPC, HPC with 20, 40, 60, and 80% 1RM, and the HCP and CMS performed with 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140% 1RM. Mean and peak barbell and system velocities were determined across all exercises and loads using either 2 × 5, 2 × 4, or 2 × 7 repeated measures ANOVA depending on the number of loads performed. Significantly ( p < 0.001) and meaningfully ( g ≥ 1.49) greater mean and peak barbell velocities existed at every exercise and load combination compared with the mean and peak system velocities produced. Barbell and system velocity are distinct characteristics that should not be substituted for one another. Owing to the characteristics of the transition phase, mean barbell and system velocity may not provide strength and conditioning practitioners with meaningful information related to load prescription.

Detecting phase transitions based on siamese neural network

Machine learning has been widely applied in physics research. Although unsupervised learning can extract the critical points of phase transitions, the percolation model remains a challenge. Unsupervised learning using the raw configurations of the percolation model fails to capture the critical points. To capture the configuration characteristics of the percolation model, this paper proposes using the maximum cluster as input to the neural network. It is well understood that the order parameter of the percolation model is not simply the particle density, but rather the probability that a given site or bond belongs to the percolating cluster. Additionally, we introduce the use of a Siamese Neural Network (SNN) to detect percolation phase transitions. Unlike unsupervised dimensionality reduction methods or supervised binary classification outputs, the SNN produces a scalar output referred to as similarity. By combining the maximum cluster and the SNN, we not only successfully extract the critical value of the percolation model, but also calculate the correlation exponent via data collapse. We believe that the SNN has great potential in handling phase transition classification problems and can serve as a reference for studying other phase transition systems.