Uniform Test Research Articles

Performance investigation of newly developed novel hemispherical solar dryer for sustainable food preservation: Comparative analysis with traditional methods

To preserve the world’s food resources, drying agricultural products is crucial for prolonging their shelf life. A novel concept of 1.5 m hemispherical solar dryer surmounts the limitations of conventional dryers like long drying time, solar tracking, large space requirement etc. Trials were performed on Thomson grapes to convert into raisins. For the purpose of fair accuracy in comparison, experiments were conducted on hemispherical solar dryer (active and passive mode), traditional cabinet solar dryer as well as open sun drying (OSD) by maintaining the uniform test conditions. An average moisture removal rate of 0.1935096 kg/h was obtained in hemispherical dryer. The hemispherical solar dryer significantly reduced drying time for converging grapes into raisins to 13 days, compared to 18 days in a cabinet solar dryer and 19 days with OSD. The hemispherical dryer, through a gap, creates a greenhouse effect, reaching a 70.1 °C maximum temperature and an average of 60.7 °C at 796 W/m2 average solar energy. The hemispherical dryer attained a drying efficiency of 5.67 %. Six mathematical models were employed for hemispherical and cabinet dryers. Amongst these Two term and Wang & Singh models were found suitable for the experimental data and provided precise prediction of moisture ratio.

Unified Platform for Automated Tests of Inverter-Based Resources with Harware-in-the-loop

Testing of inverter-based resources (IBRs) faces challenges in establishing standardized procedures across all product development stages. Most of the testing approaches use Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) during the early stages independently from the final product testing, which can lead to discrepant results. To solve these issues, this paper proposes a unified platform for automatically testing IBRs. It can be used during all product development stages, from pure simulation to Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop (CHIL) and finally on the complete commercial product, ensuring uniform test procedures with different test setups. A case study describing compliance tests of grid-connection codes of photovoltaic (PV) inverters are presented to demonstrate the proposed approach. Experimental tests were performed in accordance to Brazilian grid-connection codes in an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory. The results obtained with the proposed platform in CHIL and full-hardware showed high similarity with the ones obtained with the accredited laboratory, validating the proposed approach. In addition, the platform can be used to perform tests not specified in standards and to verify the performance of IBRs in operating conditions that are often difficult to be tested in laboratory. Ensuring consistent test procedures, the platform facilitates comparable results along all the testing stages, reducing the product development cycle.

B - 110 Exploring the Relationship between Subjective Cognitive Complaints, Psychiatric Symptom Reporting, and Neurocognitive Test Performance in a Post-SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Sample

Abstract Objective This study evaluated the relationship between subjective cognitive complaints, objective cognitive performance, and psychological outcomes among clinical patients referred for persisting cognitive concerns following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Method The sample consisted of 49 patients (69.4% female; 38.8% Black, 36.7% White, 18.4% Hispanic, 6.0% Other; Mage = 45.27, SD = 12.08; Meducation = 15.49; SD = 3.0) referred for neuropsychological evaluation to assess for long-term post-SARS-CoV-2 cognitive changes. All patients were administered a uniform neuropsychological test battery that included measures of working memory, processing speed, and verbal learning/memory, as well as measures of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. Degree of subjective cognitive concerns was established using the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) cognitive subscale. Linear regression models were conducted between the NSI cognitive subscale and each cognitive and psychological outcome. Results NSI cognitive scale predicted all psychological (depression [F = 31.37, p < 0.001(R2 = 0.41)]; anxiety [F = 6.71, p = 0.01(R2 = 0.13); perceived stress [F = 4.40, p = 0.04(R2 = 0.10)]) variables. The NSI cognitive scale also significantly predicted working memory [F = 4.624, p = 0.04(R2 = 0.09)]; however, no individual scores fell below the low average range upon further analysis. Cognitive complaints did not significantly predict any other cognitive (processing speed [F = 0.002, p = 0.97(R2 = 0.00)], total learning [F = 0.14, p = 0.71(R2 = 0.00)], and delayed recall [F = 1.03, p = 0.32(R2 = 0.02)]) variable. Conclusions Subjective cognitive complaints significantly predicted self-reported psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, and perceived stress, while working memory was the only cognitive performance with a similarly meaningful relationship. These preliminary findings suggest that the psychological effects of persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection, rather than objective cognitive changes, may better explain subjective cognitive concerns reported by this population.

B - 111 Community Resource Access and Neuropsychological Outcomes in a Post-SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Sample

Abstract Objective Lower access to resources, income, education, and housing quality has been linked with poorer neuropsychological outcomes. This study evaluated the relationship between community resource access and several cognitive and psychological outcomes among clinical patients with persisting cognitive concerns following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Method The sample consisted of 49 patients (30.6% male; 35.3% White; Mage = 45.3, SD = 12.1; Meducation = 15.5, SD = 3.0) referred for neuropsychological evaluation to assess for long-term cognitive changes following SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients were administered a uniform neuropsychological test battery that included measures of working memory, processing speed, and verbal learning/memory, as well as measures of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. Area deprivation index (ADI) was determined using the national decile of the 2021 Neighborhood Atlas. Linear regression models were conducted between ADI and each cognitive and psychological outcome. Results No significant associations were identified between ADI and cognitive (working memory [F = 3.16, p = 0.08]; processing speed [F = 0.89, p = 0.32]; total learning [F = 0.41, p = 0.52]; delayed recall [F = 0.08, p = 0.78]) nor psychological (depressive symptoms [F = 0.09, p = 0.77]; anxiety symptoms [F = 0.05, p = 0.82]; perceived stress [F = 0.49, p = 0.49]) variables. Conclusions In this preliminary study, community access to resources did not significantly predict long-term cognitive or psychological symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection. This unexpected result suggests that neighborhood deprivation may be one particular social determinant of health that is less impactful for post-SARS-CoV-2 neuropsychological outcomes in similar populations. Generalizability is limited by sample characteristics (highly educated; uncomplicated disease course) and small sample size. Thus, replication in a larger database and further research involving other social determinants is indicated.

A survey of the prevalence and patterns of neuropsychological assessment practices across epilepsy surgery centers in India: Toward establishing a national guideline.

Neuropsychology plays an important role in optimizing epilepsy management, but there are no practice guidelines for low- and middle-income countries with emerging services. The National Epilepsy Surgery Support Activity Network (NESSAN), a national working group that supports and optimizes epilepsy surgery programs in India, explored the present status of pre- and post epilepsy surgery neuropsychological assessment practices across India as an initial step in developing national evidence-based test guidelines. An online survey was conducted using two questionnaires, one for neurologists and the second for neuropsychologists and speech-language pathologists working in epilepsy surgery centers. The questions to neurologists covered the setting, description, and nature of the neuropsychology services provided for adults and children as part of the epilepsy surgery program, and their perceptions about the importance and indications for neuropsychological assessment in epilepsy surgery. The questions to neuropsychologists inquired about their qualifications and training, pre- and postsurgical assessment procedures, and domain-specific cognitive tests and scales for mood, quality of life, and language evaluations. Forty-three centers responded, and neuropsychology services were available at three fourth of the centers, but a dedicated full-time neuropsychologist was available in only 16% of centers. Ninety percent of the neurologists considered neuropsychological evaluation an indispensable part of presurgical evaluation. However, only a few of them believed that the results influenced their decision about the extent of resection and ruling against surgery. The survey found considerable heterogeneity in terms of qualifications and training of neuropsychologists, evaluation procedures, test protocols, and normative data that will need to be harmonized to ensure uniform practice across the country. We believe that the results from this survey provide a road map for implementing measures to minimize existing inadequacies and harmonize neuropsychology services in India and as well as in other countries with emerging neuropsychology services. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Neuropsychological assessment is an integral part of the pre- and post epilepsy surgery evaluations. In India, the National Epilepsy Surgery Support Activity Network (NESSAN), a body of multidisciplinary professionals, conducted a survey to examine existing neuropsychology practices. The responses from 43 centers across the country revealed considerable heterogeneity in tests and few trained and qualified neuropsychologists. In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) with emerging neuropsychology services, there is a need to have uniform test protocols, specialized training, and guidelines for optimizing neuropsychology services across all the epilepsy surgery centers.

Mechanical Properties and Durability of Steel Slag-mineral Powder-coal Gangue Mixture by Uniform Design for Pavement Base

To realize the utilization of industrial solid waste resources and solve the shortage problem of pavement materials, this paper uses steel slag, mineral powder, and coal gangue to prepare a mixture. A uniform test with 2 factors and 6 levels was designed. Through regression analysis, response surfaces were established to study the mechanical properties of the coal gangue mixture. The hydrated products at different ages were microscopically analyzed by XRD and SEM. The durability including freeze-thaw cycles, dry and wet cycles, and immersion expansion rate were researched. The results show that the 7d unconfined compressive strength of the mixture reaches 2.14 – 6.46 MPa, with a 180d resilience modulus of 954 – 1098 MPa, and a 180d splitting tensile strength of 0.66 – 0.83 MPa. With the increase of steel slag content, the 7d unconfined compressive strength of the mixture first decreases and then increases. The content of mineral powder is positively correlated with the 7d unconfined compressive strength. The 180d compressive resilience modulus decreases first and then increases with the increase of steel slag and mineral powder content. The 180d splitting tensile strength is positively correlated with the content of steel slag and mineral powder. The mixture is less affected by freeze-thaw cycles, with mass loss rates of only 1.77 % – 2.13 %. The mass loss rate of the admixture is 0.87 % – 0.99 % after 10 dry and wet cycles, and the strength is slightly improved. The maximum expansion rate of the mixtures immersed in water for 10d is only 0.28 %. The hydrated reaction between steel slag, mineral powder and coal gangue promotes the formation of more hydration products such as AFt, C-S-H, CaAl2(SiO4), and Ca(OH)2. The C-S-H and CaAl2(SiO4) are intertwined into a dense network to wrap Ca(OH)2, which improves the compactness of the mixture and effectively resists the freeze-thaw expansion stress. The steel slag-mineral powder-coal gangue mixture meets the requirements of relevant norms and can be well used in pavement bases.

Registration of high‐yielding, high‐protein soybean germplasm USDA‐N7007 derived from wild soybean PI 366122

AbstractUSDA‐N7007 is a non‐GM, maturity group (MG) VII soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (Reg. no. GP‐529, PI 705147) germplasm released by the USDA Agricultural Research Service in conjunction with the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service in December of 2023. USDA‐N7007 is a high‐yielding, high‐protein germplasm derived from wild soybean (Glycine soja Siebold & Zucc; PI 366122) and small‐seeded MG VII USDA cultivar N7103. Over 47 combined testing environments of the USDA Southern Uniform and USB Protein Diversity Tests (2018–2021), USDA‐N7007 yielded 98% of the check mean and 102% of the test mean. The average protein content of USDA‐N7007 was significantly higher (432 g kg−1) than the average check means of 402 g kg−1 and 413 g kg−1 in the USDA Southern Uniform and USB Protein Diversity Tests, respectively. Across both tests (2019–2021), the release was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in protein (+7 g kg−1), with 9% higher seed yield (+242 kg ha−1) than the recurrent parent N7103. USDA‐N7007 is resistant to lodging, southern root‐knot nematode, and stem canker. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first US release clearly demonstrating that the wild soybean genome can be incorporated into an elite cultivar to increase seed protein without a negative effect on seed yield. This release is a truly novel and valuable resource for development of future US soybean cultivars because it will be useful to improve both genetic diversity and seed protein simultaneously without a negative effect on seed yield.

Costs of diagnosing early Alzheimer's disease in three European memory clinic settings: Results from the precision medicine in Alzheimer's disease project.

The implementation of disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) will require cost-effective diagnostic processes. As part of The Precision Medicine In AD consortium (PMI-AD) project, the aim is to analyze the baseline costs of diagnosing early AD at memory clinics in Norway, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. The costs of cognitive testing and a clinical examination, apolipoprotein E, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), positron emission tomography and blood-based biomarkers (BBM), which are used in different combinations in the three countries, were analyzed. Standardized unit costs, adjusted for GDP per capita and based on Swedish conditions were applied. The costs were expressed in euros (€) as of 2019. A diagnostic set comprising clinical examination, cognitive testing, MRI and CSF was defined as the gold standard, with MRI mainly used as an exclusion filter. Cost data were available for 994 persons in Norway, 169 in Slovenia and 1015 in the Netherlands. The mean diagnostic costs were 1478 (95% confidence interval 1433-1523) € in Norway, 851 (731-970) € in Slovenia and 1184 (1135-1232) € in the Netherlands. Norway had the highest unit costs but also the greatest use of tests. With a uniform diagnostic test set applied, the diagnostic costs were 1264 (1238-1291) €, in Norway, 843 (771-914) € in Slovenia and 1184 (1156-1213) € in the Netherlands. There were no major cost differences between the final set of diagnoses. The total costs for setting a diagnosis of AD varied somewhat in the three countries, depending on unit costs and use of tests. These costs are relatively low in comparison to the societal costs of AD.

A method to test the uniform convergence of function series

The series refer to performing infinite addition operations on infinite numbers or functions in a certain order. It is hard to find out whether the positive function series converges uniformly in many cases. In this article, a new method that replacing the sum of function terms series with improper integral will be introduced, which is designed to solve problems that cannot be solved by classical Weierstrass M-test. The Cauchy uniform convergence test will serve as the basis for the entire proof process because it can lead the focus point from the whole sum to the partial sum of the function series, where its value can be easier substituting by the value of the improper integral. After using basic knowledge of the improper integral, the uniform convergence can finally be known. By using this method, testing the uniform convergence of the irregular function series even estimating its value can be possible accomplished.

Computational boundary improvement and performance optimization of the flue gas waste heat cascade utilization system of the ultra-supercritical 1000 MW generator set

Abstract There is no uniform performance test rule and standard calculation method for efficiency improvement of a system that utilizes waste heat from flue gas and it is mainly carried out through turbine parameters, without considering boiler system performance. Given the above problem, in this paper, the steam turbine, boiler and waste heat from the flue gas step-up utilization system are calculated by establishing a thermal model of ultra-supercritical secondary reheating 1000 MW unit. At the same time, unit design data and field performance test results are used for verification. Analysis comparing simulation outcomes with experimental data revealed that the discrepancies in the heat consumption rate per unit, the efficiency of the boiler, and the rate of coal consumption for power generation peaked at a marginal variance of 0.2%. The optimum operating parameters of the system for low-grade flue gas recovery in a cascading manner are obtained through variable operating condition calculations. The optimum value of high-pressure bypass feed-water flow rate is 52 kg/s at 970 MW operating condition. At the same time, the difference between high-pressure bypass effluent and high plus effluent temperatures should be controlled to be close to 0°C, and the optimal value of low-pressure bypass condensate flow rate is 53 kg/s. As the flow of flue gas in the bypass increases, the efficiency of heat exchange in the bypass economizer also increases, resulting in greater absorption of heat in the utilization apparatus for flue gas waste heat, leading to a more effective energy-saving outcome. However, it is necessary to regulate the temperature of both the primary and secondary air to levels that exceed the minimum requirements for the safe functioning of the coal mill.

Classification, Structure and Construction of Functional Orthopaedic Compression Knits for Medical Application: A Review

Analysis of functional products for medical textiles indicates that there are plenty of different classifications of this group. Requirements for compression generated by compression garments differ depending on the application area, and even more, sometimes are contradictory and can be fulfilled in very different ways. The effectiveness of such products depends on mechanical and physical properties as well as psychological barriers. Currently, there is no uniform classification of compression classes, furthermore, there is no uniform standard, test method or technic for evaluation of the product’ compression. Knitted compression fabrics are made by knitting together at least two types of yarns: a ground yarn which ensures stiffness and thickness and an elastomeric yarn which generates compression. Knitted compression products can be produced on both flat and circular knitting machines, though parameters and usage of production are different. Additional elements used in the structure of the compression product can significantly change the generated compression. Purposes and number of additional details depend on the application and functionality of the compression support, nevertheless, all rigid elements must be taken into account at the designing stage. Additional functionality like antimicrobial activity or thermal therapy can also be provided for compression knits. It is highly important to ensure the longevity of all functional properties.

Clinical validity of the Italian adaptation of the Uniform Data Set Neuropsychological Test Battery (I-UDSNB) in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease

BackgroundThe identification and staging of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) represent a challenge, especially in the prodromal stage of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), when cognitive changes can be subtle. Worldwide efforts were dedicated to select and harmonize available neuropsychological instruments. In Italy, the Italian Network of Neuroscience and Neuro-Rehabilitation has promoted the adaptation of the Uniform Data Set Neuropsychological Test Battery (I-UDSNB), collecting normative data from 433 healthy controls (HC).Here, we aimed to explore the ability of I-UDSNB to differentiate between a) MCI and HC, b) AD and HC, c) MCI and AD.MethodsOne hundred thirty-seven patients (65 MCI, 72 AD) diagnosed after clinical-neuropsychological assessment, and 137 HC were included. We compared the I-UDSNB scores between a) MCI and HC, b) AD and HC, c) MCI and AD, with t-tests. To identify the test(s) most capable of differentiating between groups, significant scores were entered in binary logistic and in stepwise regressions, and then in Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analyses.ResultsTwo episodic memory tests (Craft Story and Five Words test) differentiated MCI from HC subjects; Five Words test, Semantic Fluency (vegetables), and TMT-part B differentiated AD from, respectively, HC and MCI.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that the I-UDSNB is a suitable tool for the harmonized and concise assessment of patients with cognitive decline, showing high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of MCI and AD.

Digital counting of tissue cells for molecular analysis: the QuANTUM pipeline.

The estimation of tumor cellular fraction (TCF) is a crucial step in predictive molecular pathology, representing an entry adequacy criterion also in the next-generation sequencing (NGS) era. However, heterogeneity of quantification practices and inter-pathologist variability hamper the robustness of its evaluation, stressing the need for more reliable results. Here, 121 routine histological samples from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases with complete NGS profiling were used to evaluate TCF interobserver variability among three different pathologists (pTCF), developing a computational tool (cTCF) and assessing its reliability vs ground truth (GT) tumor cellularity and potential impact on the final molecular results. Inter-pathologist reproducibility was fair to good, with overall Wk ranging between 0.46 and 0.83 (avg. 0.59). The obtained cTCF was comparable to the GT (p = 0.129, 0.502, and 0.130 for surgical, biopsies, and cell block, respectively) and demonstrated good reliability if elaborated by different pathologists (Wk = 0.9). Overall cTCF was lower as compared to pTCF (30 ± 10 vs 52 ± 19, p < 0.001), with more cases < 20% (17, 14%, p = 0.690), but none containing < 100 cells for the algorithm. Similarities were noted between tumor area estimation and pTCF (36 ± 29, p < 0.001), partly explaining variability in the human assessment of tumor cellularity. Finally, the cTCF allowed a reduction of the copy number variations (CNVs) called (27 vs 29, - 6.9%) with an increase of effective CNVs detection (13 vs 7, + 85.7%), some with potential clinical impact previously undetected with pTCF. An automated computational pipeline (Qupath Analysis of Nuclei from Tumor to Uniform Molecular tests, QuANTUM) has been created and is freely available as a QuPath extension. The computational method used in this study has the potential to improve efficacy and reliability of TCF estimation in NSCLC, with demonstrated impact on the final molecular results.

Study on the shear and deformation characteristics of geogrid-reinforced gravelly soils based on large-scale triaxial tests

Geogrid reinforcement has a limiting effect on the lateral deformation and thus improves the shear strength of the soil, the overall strength of the soil and the overall stability of the corresponding geotechnical structure. In this study, large-scale triaxial tests without and with geogrid reinforcement were conducted on three typical gravelly soils in Xinjiang using a large-scale triaxial apparatus. The shear strength and deformation characteristics of gravelly soils with different particle shapes and the stress-strain relations, strength characteristics, damage patterns, and reinforcement effects of gravelly soils with and without reinforcement were investigated. Geogrid reinforcement effectively enhances the strength of the soil; the internal friction angle remained relatively constant with and without reinforcement, whereas the cohesive force increased significantly. The reinforcement effects interpreted from the results obtained from the triaxial tests were discovered when a certain deformation or relative displacement with the reinforcement materials of the soil occurred. Under uniform test conditions, the volumetric strain of the samples of gravelly soil with reinforcement significantly decreased with increasing confining pressure, and the difference in volumetric strains with and without reinforcement was greater when the confining pressure was higher. The highlight of this study is its significance in explaining the reinforcement mechanism in gravelly soils and in selecting engineering design parameters.

Research on the results of secondary school physics education of Generation Z in the Czech Republic

There are no uniform exit tests in physics at the end of secondary school studies in the Czech Republic to give a picture of what students take away from their physics studies. Therefore, we decided to take advantage of the fact that in 1995 the Czech Republic participated in the TIMSS international survey of learning outcomes in mathematics and science, in which for the first and also the last time secondary school students were tested, including those who had taken more demanding mathematics and physics courses. The specialised physics 90-minute test was then taken by students in the final year of four-year gymnasiums in the Czech Republic. This particular physics test was administered to current gymnasium students. Gymnasium students represent the population of secondary school students who have physics instruction listed as a compulsory part of their education in the Framework Educational Programmes. Therefore, these respondents can provide very valuable information about what students take away from studying physics in primary and secondary school. The paper describes ongoing research, its methodology and how the data were collected.

Proficiency of independent directors: an Indian corporate governance perspective

Purpose Independent directors (IDs) in India are required to qualify for the online proficiency self-assessment test to acquire or retain their position on the corporate boards. The purpose of this paper was to examine the perceived positive and negative aspects of the new mandate for the overall quality of corporate boards in India. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative methodology and applied the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. Data was collected from board members using semi-structured interviews. Findings This study revealed the positive and negative perceived aspects of the mandatory policy prescription of proficiency test for IDs. It was found that the participants emphasized training and mentoring programs for the IDs. Practical implications Drawing upon the actual board experiences of the participants, this study has the potential to assist policymakers in making regulations that are more effective in enhancing the quality of corporate boards. The example of action taken as well as the criticism or positive aspects pointed out can generate interest in other legislators. Originality/value The concept of proficiency test for IDs is unique to India. A review of literature did not reveal the existence of any regulatory provisions for a mandatory uniform test for examining the proficiency of IDs, in any corporate law jurisdiction apart from India.

Moral Damages in International Investment Law

This article discusses the notion of moral damages in international investment arbitration. Although there are currently more than 2500 bilateral investment agreements (hereinafter — BIT) in force, none of them regulates moral damages. The analysis focuses on the historical background of moral damages, which shows that international law has not been overly concerned with their assessment within the last hundred years. As such, despite their almost universal acceptance by international courts and tribunals, there is still no guidance for tribunals on how to approach moral damages, making their assessment a topical issue of modern international law. The article highlights the reasons tribunals give for either completely disregarding such claims, or granting merely symbolic sums, such as non-tangible nature of moral damages, lack of any concrete evidence, or an extremely high threshold. The author concludes that international law still lacks a strict and uniform test, when it comes to moral damages, which are bound to face rather broad and subjective decisions rendered by the tribunals. The author further discusses the problem of assessing moral damages, which also lacks established methodology, and often refers to national law of domestic legal systems instead of a unified standard. In some cases, tribunals do not provide any reasoning or legal basis for their assessment. The author concludes that in the absence of a strict test, investment tribunals may turn to human rights instruments to make the assessment of moral damages clearer and more consistent.

Dependency of beam diameter on the resistance time of laser guards

Laser manufacturers and users of material processing machines must implement technical protective measures. The assessment of the protective effect of laser guards for use in laser machines with respect to the accessible laser parameters (e.g. beam diameter and irradiance) is currently problematic, as extensive individual resistance time tests are often required. The aim and focus of the project is to determine mathematically representable relationships between beam diameter, irradiance and resistance time for commercially available laser safety shield materials. The functional relationships found should enable the manufacturers and users of lasers to determine the appropriate shielding for the respective application solely on the basis of existing standard tests and without further time-consuming, case-specific tests. A standardized test setup (test box) is being developed to ensure globally uniform laser resistance time tests of shielding materials.

Fracture of beam-column connections with cope holes under large cyclic deformations

A relationship between cord rotation (θp) and the number of deformation cycles to fracture initiation (N) is developed for steel moment frame welded beam-column connections with different cope hole sizes. The selected ductile fracture model is calibrated using material monotonic test results. It is then verified using small coupons considering different test regimes. The model with 45 mm cope hole radius was then calibrated for a welded connection tested under a uniform test regime. Then, further analyses of the configuration were conducted with cope hole radii ranging from 15 mm to 55 mm subjected to different test regimes. The number of cycles before fracture varied by up to 2.44 times for the range of cope hole sizes considered for the largest end displacement. Fracture initiated at the inside edge of the cope hole. The strength decreased with an increasing cope hole size, and equations to describe this were developed as a function of the remaining section plastic modulus.

Subclinical Vascular Risk Composites Predict Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, and Dementia: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

AbstractBackgroundSubclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) measures may reflect biological pathways that contribute to increased risk for CVD events and dementia beyond conventional risk scores. Therefore, we examined whether subclinical CVD biomarkers: 1) dissociate into composites representing distinct pathologic pathways that 2) predict future risk of clinical CVD, stroke, and dementia‐related outcomes in a diverse longitudinal cohort.MethodMESA followed 6,814 participants (45‐84 years of age) from baseline in 2000‐2002 to 2018 over 6 clinical examinations and annual follow‐up interviews. Baseline subclinical CVD biomarkers were transformed into z‐scores before factor analysis to derive composite factor scores. Time to clinical CVD events (coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke) and dementia were modeled using Cox proportional hazards models reported as area under the curve (AUC) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI). Global cognitive decline was measured by change in the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument from 2010‐12 to 2019‐2021, modeled by linear mixed models, and reported as beta estimates and standard error (SE). Cognitive status was adjudicated in 2019‐2021 as cognitively normal, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia from Uniform Data Set v3 tests and informant interview and modeled with multinomial logistic regression reported as odds ratios (OR). All models included all factor scores together and adjustment for conventional risk scores: Framingham risk scores for CVD or stroke or Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) for dementia.ResultSubclinical CVD measures aggregated into four distinct factors representing: blood pressure, arterial stiffness, atherosclerosis, and cardiac remodeling (Table 1). Each factor significantly predicted CVD events and dementia independent of each other and conventional risk scores (Figure). Atherosclerosis best predicted time to clinical events of CHD [AUC(95%CI) = 0.73(0.71‐0.75)], stroke [AUC(95%CI) = 0.75(0.70‐0.78)], and dementia [AUC(95%CI) = 0.74(0.71‐0.77)]. Arterial stiffness was the only the factor significantly associated with both cognitive decline (b = ‐0.95, SE = 0.11, p&lt;0.0001), a higher odds of MCI [OR(95%CI) = 1.10(1.01‐1.21)] and dementia [OR(95%CI) = 1.79(1.37‐2.35)] (Table 2). These results were consistent across sex and racial/ethnic groups.ConclusionSubclinical vascular factor composites of arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis shown to independently predict both CVD events and dementia may be useful biomarkers to inform the vascular pathways contributing to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia etiologies.