Training Capacity Research Articles

Analysis of pediatric ophthalmology surgical activity in metropolitan France in 2016: Its impact on training capacities

AimsTo describe pediatric ophthalmology surgery activity in private or public practice in metropolitan France in 2016 and to anticipate training needs in surgical pediatric ophthalmology. MethodsWe used the French National Health Care System database to identify all pediatric ophthalmology surgical procedures performed in 2016. The study included all children aged ≤14 years who had undergone ophthalmologic surgery. We calculated the incidence of surgeries per 100,000 inhabitants aged ≤14 years, the number of surgeons, the mean age of the practitioners, and the number of surgeons aged >55 years. ResultsIn 2016, the overall incidence of pediatric ophthalmic surgery activity was 150.42/100,000 children aged ≤14 years. Out of 17,657 pediatric surgeries, 31.3 % were done by private surgeons performing at least 20 surgeries per year, 45.9 % in public centers with ≥20 surgeries per year, and 22.8 % by surgeons (public or private centers) doing <20 surgeries per year. This analysis included 204 surgeons, with a mean age of 41.7 ± 11.2 years (60.8 % female) in the public sector and 51.0 ± 9.5 years (37.3 % female) in private practice. More than a third of the surgeries (37.7 %) were performed in children aged 6–11 years, and the most frequent procedure was strabismus surgery (42.1 %). University regions with the fewest surgeons and regions with surgeons aged >55 years were identified. Within 5 years, to maintain pediatric ophthalmic surgical activity, it will be necessary to train 46 surgeons. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated disparities in the geographic distribution of pediatric ophthalmic surgeries in France and identified regions that need increased training capacities and/or incorporate new surgeons to ensure a sufficient activity.

Joint optimization of overbooking and seat allocation for high-speed railways considering stochastic demand.

To mitigate empty seat loss caused by random passenger no-show behavior, this study extends seat allocation to joint optimization of overbooking and seat allocation for high-speed railways (HSR). Assuming that stochastic passenger demand follows a specific distribution and considering various constraints, including train capacity, demand, and denied boarding rate constraints, a nonlinear stochastic programming model for joint optimization of overbooking and seat allocation for HSR is constructed with the aim of maximizing railway expected revenue. To solve this optimization model, a multi-level optimization algorithm is designed. Based on the sampling averaging approximation method, demand scenarios and passenger no-show scenarios are generated and the optimization problem is decomposed, including the joint optimization of overbooking and seat allocation under a single demand scenario, and the ticket adjustment under other demand scenarios. For the former, it is further divided into two sub-problems according to the stochastic nature of passenger no-show behavior, which is optimized iteratively. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm is evaluated through numerical studies. The results demonstrate that the proposed joint optimization method effectively addresses the randomness of passenger demand and no-show behavior, thereby improving HSR expected revenue and making up for the empty seat loss resulting from passenger no-show behavior.

Evolution of support policies for the development of distant-water fishing bases in China: Review, performance, challenges and prospects

Distant-water fishing bases are an important carrier and development platform for the development of distant-water fishing. It is necessary to analyze the evolution of the policies supporting offshore fishing bases in order to promote the standardized and orderly development of distant-water fisheries. Based on 302 policy documents, this paper adopts the content analysis method to analyze the policies since 1993 using ROSTCM6 software. These policies can be divided into three phases: the start-up period (1993–2010), the rapid development period (2011–2015) and the steady development period (2016–2023). The study found that the interrelationship and complementarity between fishing base-focused and related policies have increased, with continuous improvements in the policy framework, a shift toward developing a green and healthy industry chain, and an expanded scope of policy support. However, there are still some limitations in the evolution of support policies for the development of distant-water fishing bases, including an imperfect industrial support system, insufficient talent reserves and inadequate management policies. Finally, the paper emphasizes the need to improve the policy system, promote the development of the whole industry chain of distant-water fisheries, build a talent training system, strengthen scope and capacity of international cooperation in distant-water fisheries, promote the sustainable development of fisheries and enhancing international compliance capacity.

State of the health workforce in the WHO African Region: decade review of progress and opportunities for policy reforms and investments

IntroductionAn adequate health workforce is one of the cornerstones of a healthy nation. Over the last two decades, Africa has gained momentum in mitigating critical health workforce gaps, but urgent...

The effect of variability knee tuck jump training and box jump training on the explosive capabilities of legs muscles

The problem in this research is the low jumping ability of male volleyball athletes which effect on the decreased performance. The aim of this research is to know the effect of knee tuck training and box jump training on the explosive capability of the legs muscles of volleyball athletes. The type of the research is quasi-experiment with the research population is all male volleyball athletes at SMK 1 Solok Selatan which totally 24 athletes aged 17 years. The technique of sampling which is used is total sampling with a sample is 24 athlete. The instrument in this research is to use Vertical Jump to measure the explosive power of leg muscles. Before giving a treatment, an initial test (pte-test) is carried out to see the explosive power of leg muscles. The testees used as a samples are drawn into two groups. The group 1 is given the Knee Tuck Jump training treatment and the group 2 is given Box Jump Training treatment. This treatment is given 16 times (8 weeks), then the final test will be given. The data analysis technique which is used to test the hypothesis is t analysis at the significance level of 5%. Based on the data analysis in this study, 1) the Knee Tuck Jump get an average increase of (7.703) and was marked by getting t count (10.631)&gt; t table(1.796). It means that the application of Knee Tuck Jump can increase the explosive power capability of leg muscles, 2) the Box Jump training get an average increase (2.456) and was marked by getting t count (9.240)&gt; t table (1.769), it means that the application of the Box Jump training can increase the explosive power of leg muscles, 3) there was an influence training. Where in Knee Tuck Jump is getting the average increase is (7.703) while the box jump training is (2.456) and is indicated by getting t count (2.05)&gt;t table (1.796). It means that the application of Knee Tuck Jump training and Box jump training could increase the explosive power capability of the leg muscles, where the Knee Tuck Jump training shows better results in increasing the explosive power of the leg muscles. Coaches apply knee tuck jump training at the right age level to achieve maximum results according to the athlete's training capacity.

Fifteen years of training courses and implementation of child and adolescent psychiatry in Jimma, South-West Ethiopia: a single site case study

In Ethiopia, as in many other low-and middle-income countries, health professionals, particularly mental health workers, are scarce. The purpose of this case study is to describe the process of establishing training child psychiatry and capacity building to implement clinical care for child and adolescent mental health. We present a case study on training of child and adolescent psychiatry embedded within the master’s degree program in integrated clinical and community mental health at the department of psychiatry in Jimma University, Ethiopia. This program is jointly developed in collaboration between Jimma University and Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Germany. The core elements of the training were to train mental state description, making decisions on possible disorders, perform occupational activities, and design psychosocial interventions. The WHOmhGAP guide is considered as appropriate knowledgebase for our teaching program. Each course was evaluated bidirectional with multiple methods. From 2010 to 2024, twelve trainings were organized. We structured the program in three phases. The initial phase (2010–2014) was to establish collaboration with guest lecturers and to develop, implement, and evaluate the training. The second phase (2015–2019) changed to mentorship and transition from guest lecturers to local trainers and included a refresher course. Phase three (2020–2024) was independent work. An outpatient clinical service for children was implemented by the lead author and now is running at Jimma University. The implementation of the training took place in small steps. A long-term commitment of local and guest lecturers enabled to develop culturally appropriate solutions for the local context. A similar approach can be applied to effectively start and expand child and adolescent mental health care in other resource limited settings.

Improve the Capacity of Regular Pedagogical Professional Training for Students of Preschool Education According to the Competency-Based Approach at Vinh University

Pedagogical training is the process of forming and training core pedagogical competencies for students, contributing to the formation of qualities and abilities for future teachers. Consistently enhancing the pedagogical skills of preschool education students can foster their professional capacity and equip them for successful careers. This approach also provides lecturers with more teaching experience and opportunities for professional growth. The connection and cooperation between the school and other units can lead to significant improvements in the quality of our educational programs.

SIMULATION TRAINING: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN UKRAINE

The article presents information on the relevance of simulation training in modern medical education. Leading specialists emphasize the need to learn practical and communication skills, be able to work more intensively in a team; they also note that simulation training can significantly contribute to the achievement of these educational goals under present-day conditions. Simulation training, beginning at the undergraduate or graduate level, can help overcome a number of challenges, such as patient safety issues, ethical issues related to the acquisition and development of skills in interacting with real patients, the need to standardize learning experiences, competency assessments, and medical certification, the need for rapid staff adaptation (staff turnover), promotion of high standards of medical care, increasing the scope of the doctor's responsibility. In addition, simulation training makes it possible to practice more or less typical clinical situations with severe consequences, to promote the acquisition of relevant knowledge and skills, to improve technical skills, to practice the provision of medical care by an interdisciplinary team and individually. The experience of the simulation training development in some countries and a brief history of the foundation of the first simulation training centers in Ukraine are presented. The advantages of simulation training, which allow them to be widely used in educational activities are emphasized. The development of a training program is important in the work of the simulation center and is based on the capacity of simulation training and involves practicing technical and non-technical skills in managing certain situations in accordance with the guidelines. Debriefing (discussion) is necessary so that participants can evaluate their actions during training. Thus, simulation training is an effective method for practicing relevant skills and team interaction in doctor training. Team building experiences are offered using the simulation training, the individual characteristics of students that did not appear in traditional classes are revealed, the ability to conduct a discussion, dialogue and draw conclusions is acquired. A compulsory stage in stimulation training should be the assessment process, therefore it is necessary to notice the reaction of the participants, their satisfaction with the process, and the evaluation of the achievement of the tasks set. This will allow to improve the quality of the learning process and learning materials, to make changes in the training program. A questionnaire can be used for this purpose. The participants assess the relevance of the topic, individual levels of the simulation training and offer possible topics to advance the training program, express their wishes regarding the feasibility, frequency and points of further simulation training and the development of new frameworks. Communication skills are particularly important for doctors and can be actively developed in working conditions of our stimulation center. To conduct doctor training, it is optimal to establish simulation centers with experienced staff and a program developed to meet the needs of the rapidly changing medical landscape.

PENEGAKAN HUKUM PIDANA PENYALAHGUNAAN NARKOTIKA SEBAGAI PELAKU PENGEDAR

Enforcement of criminal law against drug abuse by traffickers is a crucial issue that continues to receive attention from the government and society. This research aims to analyze the monitoring mechanisms applied to drug abuse cases, especially if they involve drug dealers. The methodology used in this research includes a normative legal approach with analysis of applicable laws and regulations, as well as case studies of related court decisions. The survey results show that although various law enforcement efforts have been carried out, there are still several challenges that hinder their effectiveness, such as limited law enforcement resources and lack of coordination between related institutions. This study recommends increasing training and law enforcement capacity, as well as increasing cooperation between agencies to strengthen efforts to eradicate drug trafficking. It is hoped that this research can contribute to improving the criminal law enforcement system in Indonesia, especially in handling drug addiction cases.

Initial diagnosis and treatment of shock

Structured procedures have been established internationally for the initial clinical care of patients with traumatic injuries. Comparable concepts have not yet been applied to the initial clinical care of life-threatening nontraumatic emergencies. In 2022, aworking group of the German Society for Acute and Emergency Medicine (DGINA) presented the Advanced Critical Illness Life Support (ACiLS) concept for the care of nontraumatic emergencies and offers corresponding training courses. To present systematic clinical first aid for patients with the leading symptom of shock according to the ACiLS concept. The (PR_E-)AUD2IT basic algorithm used in the ACiLS concept divides the initial care of acritically ill patient into the elements of preparation, resources, initial care, medical history, examination, differential diagnosis, diagnostics, interpretation and to do, interrupted by three team time-out elements for structured communication. The use of this concept is demonstrated here using the example of shock. The ACiLS concept has the potential to improve the quality of initial care of nontraumatic emergencies in emergency department shock rooms and intensive care units. Further evaluations in practice and training capacities are essential.

ASC speck serum concentrations, a component of sterile cellular inflammation, are associated with individual cardiopulmonary capacity.

Exercise-induced cellular stress and sterile inflammation are of increasing interest. ASC specks are a component of the intracellular NLRP3-inflammasome and can be released into the blood. For example, serum ASC specks are increased after marathon running. We therefore tested whether ASC specks are potentially associated with the individual response to physical training and cardiopulmonary capacity. We performed a prospective study in 45 healthy athletes. Blood samples were taken before and after cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). ASC speck concentrations were quantitated using flow cytometry. Baseline ASC speck levels correlated with clinical parameters of body composition (height, weight, BMI) and parameters of cardiopulmonary performance (peak VO2, peak oxygen pulse, heart rate after exercise). Athletes with lowest baseline ASC speck concentrations have a significantly lower BMI (22.0 ± 1.8 vs. 24.9 ± 1.6kg/m2), higher heart rate at rest (72 ± 10 vs. 58 ± 10 beats/min), lower peak VO2 (2692 ± 629 vs. 3404 ± 747mL/min) and lower peak oxygen pulse (15.6 ± 3.4 vs. 20.7 ± 3.5mL/heart rate). Overall, ASC speck concentrations showed no significant change after CPET (7.0 ± 4.5 vs. 8.0 ± 5.4 ASC specks/µL, p = 0.3). However, subgroup analysis revealed a significant increase in circulating ASC specks in athletes with the lowest baseline values (2.37 ± 0.84 vs. 8.43 ± 7.52 ASC specks/µL, p < 0.05). Athletes with an increase in ASC speck concentrations in response to CPET had a lower peak oxygen pulse compared to those with a decrease (17.1 ± 4.2 vs. 19.8 ± 4.1, p < 0.05). Low ASC speck baseline values as well as an increase in response to exercise are associated with lower peak oxygen pulse in healthy athletes.

The African Initiative for Bioinformatics Online Training in Neurodegenerative Diseases (AI‐BOND): Investing in the next generation of African neuroscientists

AbstractNeurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and AD‐related dementias (AD/ADRD), pose significant challenges to health care systems globally, particularly in Africa. With the advances in medical technology and research capabilities, especially in next‐generation sequencing and imaging, vast amounts of data have been generated from AD/ADRD research. Given that the greatest increase in AD/ADRD prevalence is expected to occur in Africa, it is critical to establish comprehensive bioinformatics training programs to help African scientists leverage existing data and collect additional information to untangle AD/ADRD heterogeneity in African populations. The South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, with efforts from the National Institutes of Health and the Global Brain Health Institute, has partnered with the Brain Research Africa Initiative to develop the African Initiative on Bioinformatics Online Training in Neurodegenerative Disease (AI‐BOND). AI‐BOND is a comprehensive and accessible training program, the aim of which is to advance biostatistics and bioinformatics expertise in Africa in studying neurodegenerative diseases. This expertise is essential to enable African scientists to utilize the extensive AD/ADRD data and enhance the continent's ability to contribute to global research efforts in this field. The training addresses the gap in analyzing neurodegenerative disease data by providing skills and knowledge in genetic epidemiology, biostatistics, and bioinformatics to African students and researchers. This innovative online training program will last 6 months and provide training in skill sets R, SAS, and Python programing, genome‐wide association studies, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiome analysis, and advanced statistical methods. Additional training will include study design and manuscript and grant writing. The first cohort of the AI‐BOND program will graduate in June 2024. The AI‐BOND program is expected to build research computational capacities in Africa that will improve the ability of graduates to conduct and utilize large‐scale studies, with the goal of curbing the growing incidence of neurodegenerative diseases in Africa.Highlights Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD‐related dementias (ADRD) pose significant health challenges globally, particularly in Africa. The most significant AD/ADRD prevalence increase is predicted to occur in Africa. It is crucial to establish a bioinformatics training capacity in Africa to leverage the vast number of multi‐omics and imaging biomarkers of AD/ADRD data being generated. The African Initiative on Bioinformatics Online Training in Neurodegenerative Disease (AI‐BOND) training addresses the gaps in study design, biostatistics, genetic epidemiology, and bioinformatics related to neurodegenerative diseases in Africa. The success of AI‐BOND is anticipated to help build computational research capacities in Africa.

Collaborative train timetabling and passenger flow control in oversaturated metro lines considering state-dependence

Congestion downgrades the moving speed of passengers in trains and platforms. This in turn affects congestion. That is, the moving speed of passengers interacts with congestion. It is state-dependent and obeys the fundamental diagram. This interaction makes the system unstable and can result in substantial passenger delays and heightened security risks in oversaturated metro lines. This study aims to rectify this by developing a more realistic collaborative optimization approach. Firstly, we formulate a deterministic fluid queuing network model to accurately capture the dynamic propagation of congestion in oversaturated metro lines. This model incorporates the fundamental diagram, thereby effectively considering the interaction between passenger movement speeds and congestion. A recursive algorithm is devised to solve the fluid queuing network model. The complexity of the algorithm is independent of the capacities of the stations and trains. This provides the possibility of analyzing large-scale metro networks. Based on the queuing network model, a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model aimed at minimizing the total passenger waiting time is built. To solve the model effectively, we employ an alternating direction method of multipliers framework to decompose the model into nonlinear programming and integer nonlinear programming problems, which are respectively solved by improved simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation and adaptive large neighborhood search algorithms. Finally, a small-scale case and a real-world case with data from Chengdu metro lines are implemented to demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of the proposed approach. The experimental results provide some interesting insights. (1) Without consideration of state-dependence, the queuing model underestimates the passenger waiting time and overestimates the service levels. (2) As demand increases, excluding extreme oversaturation scenarios, the optimized results of the state-independent model progressively deteriorate compared to our state-dependent model, with the largest percentage decline being 50.23%. This is especially noticeable when the train capacity is limited. (3) The contribution ratio of passenger flow control in mitigating congestion gradually surpasses that of train timetabling with increasing demand. In the small-scale case, the former contribution ratio to optimization rises from negligible to 98.19%.

A systematic review of arab community perceptions and awareness of family medicine.

Family medicine, often known as general practice, is the foundation of sustainable and universal healthcare worldwide. As a new specialty in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), it must recruit doctors and gain public acceptability, which has traditionally favored specialists. This research examined studies on Arab populations' attitudes toward family medicine and the specialty to discover barriers to creating and embracing this vital specialty. This review was based on the PRISMA guidelines and encompassed peer-reviewed articles from reputable sources such as PsychNet, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and grey literature. A comprehensive search was conducted across databases for peer-reviewed studies that explored Arabs' awareness, perceptions, and attitudes toward family medicine and physicians. After a rigorous selection process, nineteen studies were deemed suitable for analysis. These studies encompassed diverse participants, including medical students, physicians, patients, and the general public. The overall perception of family medicine was positive, but it was noted that few had direct exposure to family physicians during their medical education or in the clinical setting. Our review suggests five significant efforts: 1) an education campaign for the general public about the role of Family Medicine; 2) increasing training capacity for family physicians; 3) early exposure to family physicians during medical school; 4) developing a process for continually improving the education and quality of family physician, 5) Further research on the challenges to FM practice in Arab countries are required to understand the situation better and work toward its improvement.

Building sustainable local training capacity for maternal and newborn health within the public health system: A training intervention in Palghar District, India

Continuing professional development for the health workforce is of paramount importance and can be implemented using locally available, competent trainers. However, guidelines for the selection, development, and mentorship of such trainers are lacking. Training intervention research conducted in Western Maharashtra, India, aimed to address these gaps by focusing on skills for maternal and newborn health (MNH). In this study, selected trainers from a pilot project in the Pune district received advanced training to become core trainers (CTs) for a scale-up project in Palghar district (2019 &amp;ndash; 2022). The CTs trained master trainers (MTs) in Palghar (n = 32) with support from the United Kingdom-based technical partners, following a six-step approach: selection of trainers, training of trainers (ToT) (including knowledge and skills assessment), staggered induction as trainers, continuous support, regular quality assessment, and virtual refresher training. The process and outcomes of this six-step approach were evaluated using mixed-methods research. The skills of local trainers were augmented through hands-on training and further supported by long-term mentorship to develop training excellence. The CTs&amp;rsquo; competency as mentors improved due to appreciative feedback. Regular assessments conducted by the expert team also contributed to maintaining quality control. Online learning has emerged as an effective method for refresher training. There was considerable improvement in the clinical knowledge and skills of the health providers from Palghar (n = 505), which attests to the quality of the training delivered by the Palghar MTs. This intervention enhanced both clinical competency and confidence. The approach demonstrated the importance of recruiting suitable participants who could consciously shift their teaching style to become more adult-learner-centric facilitators. However, there is a need for a systematic, long-term evaluation of this model, its application to MNH care, and its institutionalization within the public health system.

Government Support and Investors Participation in Rwanda Stock Exchange

This study was primarily motivated to investigate the investors participation as it has been observed to be low. The empirical examination was achieved through the variables of capacity building and enabling environment by government as independent variable and investors participation as dependent variable on the Rwanda Stock Exchange. The study included an explanatory and survey design. A total of 188 responses were received from a pool of 219respondents from RSE investors. This study's respondents were identified via purposive sampling, and responses were elicited using a 5-point Likert survey questionnaire. Data were collected through a number of ways, including a structured questionnaire for investors, semi-directed interviews with brokers, and a documentary review. According to the findings, investors' participation in the Rwanda Stock Exchange is primarily determined by their numeracy skills. On the whole, the combinations of these two determinants’ accounts for investor involvement on the stock exchange. The study discovered that both capacity building and enabling environment positively and significantly influenced investor participation in the Rwanda stock exchange. This study helps to make policy by demonstrating that financial education and literacy training (capacity building) should be provided to investors and prospective investors on the Stock Exchange. The government should continue to fine tune its legislation to encourage both local and international investors. The current article contributes to Rwanda stock exchange policy advisory as it has shown the benefit of capacity building and provision of enabling environment by government. The study can be a good library for researcher too.

A Queue-SEIAR model: Revealing the transmission mechanism of epidemics in a metro line from a meso level

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected communities worldwide. The metro, an essential means of public transportation in many cities, is particularly vulnerable to the spread of the virus due to its limited space and complex passenger flow structure. As the basis of quick and effective management decision-making, it is very important but intractable to accurately and quickly capture the transmission mechanism of epidemics in the metro line. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a meso-level Queue-SEIAR model. The Queue-SEIAR model integrates a feedback queuing network model, which captures the nonlinear stochastic effect of the congestion propagation on passenger mobility dynamics in the metro line, with an extended SEIAR (Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, Asymptomatic, and Recovered) epidemic model in multiple-subgroups situations. The risk of infection within a metro line is measured using the Total Number of Newly Exposed Travelers (TNNET). The Euler’s method is used to solve the Queue-SEIAR model, with time complexity that is independent of passenger volumes and station and train capacities, making it suitable for the analysis and decision-making of large-scale metro lines. The Queue-SEIAR model is validated versus the micro-level agent-based simulation. Numerical experiments reveal some interesting findings: (1) The gap between the Queue-SEIAR model and the benchmark Macro-level Epidemic Model (MEM) in terms of TNNET will become larger with congestion; (2) From the Queue-SEIAR model, low-demand and low-risk stations may become high-risk because of the congestion propagation, while MEM does not reveal such a pattern; (3) There exists a moderate allowed entering proportion, train dwell time, and social distance to minimize the TNNET; (4) The optimal social distance increases as the train headway or travel demand increases; and (5) The epidemic prevention effectiveness of side platforms surpasses that of island platforms.

Stable isotopes reveal sex- and context-dependent amino acid routing in green anole lizards (Anolis carolinensis).

Allocation of acquired resources to phenotypic traits is affected by resource availability and current selective context. While differential investment in traits is well documented, the mechanisms driving investment at lower levels of biological organization, which are not directly related to fitness, remain poorly understood. We supplemented adult male and female Anolis carolinensis lizards with an isotopically labelled essential amino acid (13C-leucine) to track routing in four tissues (muscle, liver, gonads, and spleen) under different combinations of resource availability (high and low-calorie diets) and exercise training (sprint training and endurance capacity). We predicted sprint training should drive routing to muscle, and endurance training to liver and spleen, and that investment in gonads should be of lower priority in each of the cases of energetic stress. We found complex interactions between training regime, diet, and tissue type in females, and between tissue type and training and tissue type and diet in males, suggesting that males and females adjust their 13C-leucine routing strategies differently in response to similar environmental challenges. Importantly, our data show evidence of increased 13C-leucine routing in training contexts not to muscle as we expected, but to the spleen, which turns over blood cells, and to the liver, which supports metabolism under differing energetic scenarios. Our results reveal the context-specific nature of long-term tradeoffs associated with increased chronic activity. They also illustrate the importance of considering the costs of locomotion in studies of life history strategies.

Post-earthquake damage probability assessment of high-speed railway simply supported bridge based on traffic capacity

Railway transportation is an important channel for emergency rescue and disaster relief. Traditionally, the method of evaluating the damage degree of bridges under different seismic intensities from the perspective of structural damage cannot be directly used to judge the traffic capacity of trains on bridges after earthquakes. It is impossible to guarantee the running safety and affect the transportation of materials after the earthquake. Because the damage state of track structure directly affects the running safety of trains, this study combines the relationship between the damage of track structure and the deformation of bridge structure after earthquake, and puts forward the transverse relative displacement of girder end (TRDGE) as the damage index of train running function of railway bridge after earthquake. Then, the OpenSees-TRBF (Train-Railway-Bridge-Foundation Coupled System Dynamic Analysis Platform) co-simulation method is used to carry out the train-track-bridge coupling dynamic calculation under different seismic damage states, and the running safety analysis database under different TRDGEs is established. Then, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is used to classify the bridge damage index of traffic capacity through different target safety speeds. Based on the probabilistic seismic demand model, the exceedance probability curve of traffic capacity damage under different seismic intensities is established. Finally, based on the curve, the running safety risk domain of trains on the bridge under different seismic intensities is obtained with a confidence level of 95 %. This study proposes a post-earthquake damage assessment method for railway bridges based on the assurance of running safety probabilities, evaluating the damage degree of the bridge with the residual traffic capacity of the bridge after the earthquake. This study can be applied to assess earthquake damage on existing railway bridges and provide references for the safe speed of trains on the bridge after an earthquake.

Train Service Design for Rail Transit Cross-Line Operation Applying Virtual Coupling

The cross-line operation (CO) of trains in urban rail transit is an effective method to efficiently satisfy transfer passenger travel demand as well as relieve the pressure of transfer stations. The primary problem of CO is designing train services to satisfy travel demand with an uneven spatial distribution of passengers. This study constructs a nonlinear integer programming model with a novel train operation scheme, i.e., virtual coupling (VC) technology, which allows the coupling/decoupling of trains on different lines at both ends of each operation zone. This scheme makes the train capacity equitably distributed in each operation zone, thereby balancing train capacity utilization over the whole CO system. Regarding the nonlinear characteristics of the proposed model, an adaptive simulated annealing genetic algorithm (ASA-GA) was designed to quickly generate high-quality solutions. Based on real-world data from the Beijing Changping Line and Line 13, the effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm were verified. The computation results show that in comparison to a single grouping train composition scheme without CO, a VC scheme with CO would reduce operation costs by 46.8%, with 80.6% savings of train capacity equity. Furthermore, the average passenger residence time would be reduced by 25.9%.