A novel approach for monitoring training load and wellness in women’s college gymnastics
- Leupold, Olivia, Cheng, Jennifer, Wimberly, Audrey, Nguyen, Joseph, Tilley, David, Gabbett, Tim, Casey, Ellen
- Authors: Leupold, Olivia , Cheng, Jennifer , Wimberly, Audrey , Nguyen, Joseph , Tilley, David , Gabbett, Tim , Casey, Ellen
- Date: 2025
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Health Vol. 17, no. 1 (2025), p. 88-103
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Monitoring training load has the potential to improve sport performance and reduce injuries in athletes. This study examined training load and its association with wellness in artistic gymnastics. Hypotheses: Training load and changes in training load (acute:chronic workload ratio [ACWR]) vary throughout 1 season; wellness is inversely correlated with training load and ACWR. Study Design: Prospective case series. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 30 female collegiate gymnasts from 4 Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association teams participated (mean age, 20 ± 2 years). During 4 months, before daily training, wellness surveys assessed sleep, energy, soreness, and mood (1-10; higher = better). After daily training, training load surveys assessed training duration per event (warm-up, vault, bars, beam, floor, strength and conditioning) and session rating of perceived exertion (RPE; 1-10; 10 = hardest) per event. Coaches reported technical complexity of training per event (1-4; 4 = hardest). Training load was calculated as [duration] × [RPE] × [technical complexity]. ACWR represented a ratio between acute [1-week] and chronic [4-week rolling average] training loads. Results: ACWR and weekly training load fluctuated throughout the season (ACWR mean weekly range: 0.68-1.11; training load mean weekly range: 2073-6193 arbitrary units). ACWR and weekly training loads were trichotomized into low, medium, and high groups; positive correlations were observed between each wellness variable and ACWR (P < 0.01) and between each wellness variable and weekly training load (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Our novel training load monitoring framework for women’s college gymnastics enabled us to characterize training load and its relationship with wellness throughout 1 season. This method should be explored in gymnasts across various ages and competitive levels. Clinical Relevance: This study proposes a framework and the initial findings of monitoring training load and wellness in collegiate women’s gymnastics. © 2024 The Author(s).
- Authors: Leupold, Olivia , Cheng, Jennifer , Wimberly, Audrey , Nguyen, Joseph , Tilley, David , Gabbett, Tim , Casey, Ellen
- Date: 2025
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Health Vol. 17, no. 1 (2025), p. 88-103
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Monitoring training load has the potential to improve sport performance and reduce injuries in athletes. This study examined training load and its association with wellness in artistic gymnastics. Hypotheses: Training load and changes in training load (acute:chronic workload ratio [ACWR]) vary throughout 1 season; wellness is inversely correlated with training load and ACWR. Study Design: Prospective case series. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 30 female collegiate gymnasts from 4 Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association teams participated (mean age, 20 ± 2 years). During 4 months, before daily training, wellness surveys assessed sleep, energy, soreness, and mood (1-10; higher = better). After daily training, training load surveys assessed training duration per event (warm-up, vault, bars, beam, floor, strength and conditioning) and session rating of perceived exertion (RPE; 1-10; 10 = hardest) per event. Coaches reported technical complexity of training per event (1-4; 4 = hardest). Training load was calculated as [duration] × [RPE] × [technical complexity]. ACWR represented a ratio between acute [1-week] and chronic [4-week rolling average] training loads. Results: ACWR and weekly training load fluctuated throughout the season (ACWR mean weekly range: 0.68-1.11; training load mean weekly range: 2073-6193 arbitrary units). ACWR and weekly training loads were trichotomized into low, medium, and high groups; positive correlations were observed between each wellness variable and ACWR (P < 0.01) and between each wellness variable and weekly training load (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Our novel training load monitoring framework for women’s college gymnastics enabled us to characterize training load and its relationship with wellness throughout 1 season. This method should be explored in gymnasts across various ages and competitive levels. Clinical Relevance: This study proposes a framework and the initial findings of monitoring training load and wellness in collegiate women’s gymnastics. © 2024 The Author(s).
- Authors: Han, Weifeng
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Multifaceted multilingualism Chapter 7 p. 184-203
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Cross-module interfaces, such as the syntax-semantics interface, are among the most problematic properties to fully acquire in a second language (L2). First language (L1) monodialectal and bidialectal speakers may show different performances at the interfaces in L2. However, little is known if such a different performance is caused by learners' diverse L1 dialectal backgrounds. The study is motivated by the need to link speech-language pathology and word order typological studies in a bidialectal/bilingual context. The aim is to investigate L1 bidialectism in the L2 syntax-semantics interface acquisition outcome and to separate language difference from language disorder. A sentence-picture matching task on the topic-comment structure was administered among 37 Mandarin monodialectal and 39 Mandarin - Wu bidialectal child speakers. Results of a generalized linear model showed that L1 bidialectals exhibited better syntactic-semantic awareness in L2 than their L1 monodialectal counterparts. The results showed that mono- and bidialectal speakers have different performance patterns at the syntax-semantics interface involving noncanonical word orders for L2. However, the L2 performance was under the impact of language difference between L1 and L2, it does not qualify for Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Finally, the study offers both theoretical and clinical implications for the diagnosis and assessment of bilingual DLD. © 2024 John Benjamins Publishing Company.
- Wang, Anni, Guo, Yufang, Cross, Wendy, Lam, Louisa, Plummer, Virginia, Zhang, Wen, Zhang, Jingping
- Authors: Wang, Anni , Guo, Yufang , Cross, Wendy , Lam, Louisa , Plummer, Virginia , Zhang, Wen , Zhang, Jingping
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Psychol Trauma Vol. 16, no. 2 (2024), p. 167-175
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: Parents who lose an only child in China are stressed and traumatized due to social identity threat (SIT). This qualitative study aimed to interpret their experience to inform culturally and socially sensitive intervention strategies. Methods: Using a phenomenological approach, 17 bereaved parents who lost an only child were interviewed. The transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. Results: Three themes were identified, namely, "assuming a new social identity," "triggering social identity threat," and "resisting social identity threat and maintaining resilience." The study showed that SIT initially began with identity reconstruction, where self-identity and social identity occurred 1 after another. Once labeled with such social identity, the bereaved parents suffered social identity threat triggered by inner inferiority and external stigmatization. The bereaved parents undertook a variety of coping strategies to resist the threat and to maintain resilience of these strategies, 4 patterns depicting resilience and threat were interpreted. Conclusion: The findings offer an understanding of the multifaceted bereavement dilemma and lay a foundation for developing intervention strategies. Promoting or maintaining resilience and alleviating SIT are 2 important ways that help parents move on. To help them with identity reconstruction, the development of culturally sensitive resilience-based programs and the linking of social resources to solve practical problems are recommended. Community health professionals should encourage parents to maintain good health management to prevent their predicament from worsening. Raising economic assistance, building an elderly care support system, and promoting social acceptance are strategies that could be considered by policymakers. Clinical Impact StatementThe bereaved parents who have lost an only child in China is facing a multifaceted dilemma, which involves psychological, economic and cultural issues. This study applies the construct of social identity threat to interpretive lived experience of parents in China who have lost their only child. The study contributes to better understanding of their multifaceted bereavement dilemma, and lay the foundation for developing psycho-behavioural intervention strategies, which potentially also benefit other marginalized or traumatized bereaved groups. Results in this study offered several recommendations for psychological counselors, community workers, community health professionals, and government policymakers.
'A meaningful difference, but not ultimately the difference I would want’ : a mixed-methods approach to explore and benchmark clinically meaningful changes in aphasia recovery
- Zingelman, Sally, Cadilhac, Dominique, Kim, Joosup, Stone, Marissa, Harvey, Sam, Unsworth, Carolyn, O'Halloran, Robyn, Hersh, Deborah, Mainstone, Kathryn, Wallace, Sarah
- Authors: Zingelman, Sally , Cadilhac, Dominique , Kim, Joosup , Stone, Marissa , Harvey, Sam , Unsworth, Carolyn , O'Halloran, Robyn , Hersh, Deborah , Mainstone, Kathryn , Wallace, Sarah
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Health Expectations Vol. 27, no. 4 (2024), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Introduction: Outcome measurement instruments (OMIs) are used to gauge the effects of treatment. In post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation, benchmarks for meaningful change are needed to support the interpretation of patient outcomes. This study is part of a research programme to establish minimal important change (MIC) values (the smallest change above which patients perceive themselves as importantly changed) for core OMIs. As a first step in this process, the views of people with aphasia and clinicians were explored, and consensus was sought on a threshold for clinically meaningful change. Methods: Sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Participants included people with post-stroke aphasia and speech pathologists. People with aphasia were purposively sampled based on time post-stroke, age and gender, whereas speech pathologists were sampled according to their work setting (hospital or community). Each participant attended a focus group followed by a consensus workshop with a survey component. Within the focus groups, experiences and methods for measuring meaningful change during aphasia recovery were explored. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. In the consensus workshop, participants voted on thresholds for meaningful change in core outcome constructs of language, communication, emotional well-being and quality of life, using a six-point rating scale (much worse, slightly worse, no change, slightly improved, much improved and completely recovered). Consensus was defined a priori as 70% agreement. Voting results were reported using descriptive statistics. Results: Five people with aphasia (n = 4, > 6 months after stroke; n = 5, < 65 years; n = 3, males) and eight speech pathologists (n = 4, hospital setting; n = 4, community setting) participated in one of four focus groups (duration: 92–112 min). Four themes were identified describing meaningful change as follows: (1) different for every single person; (2) small continuous improvements; (3) measured by progress towards personally relevant goals; and (4) influenced by personal factors. ‘Slightly improved’ was agreed as the threshold of MIC on the anchor-rating scale (75%–92%) within 6 months of stroke, whereas after 6 months there was a trend towards supporting ‘much improved’ (36%–66%). Conclusion: Our mixed-methods research with people with aphasia and speech pathologists provides novel evidence to inform the definition of MIC in aphasia rehabilitation. Future research will aim to establish MIC values for core OMIs. Patient or Public Contribution: This work is the result of engagement between people with lived experience of post-stroke aphasia, including people with aphasia, family members, clinicians and researchers. Engagement across the research cycle was sought to ensure that the research tasks were acceptable and easily understood by participants and that the outcomes of the study were relevant to the aphasia community. This engagement included the co-development of a plain English summary of the results. Advisors were remunerated in accordance with Health Consumers Queensland guidelines. Interview guides for clinicians were piloted by speech pathologists working in aphasia rehabilitation. © 2024 The Author(s). Health Expectations published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Authors: Zingelman, Sally , Cadilhac, Dominique , Kim, Joosup , Stone, Marissa , Harvey, Sam , Unsworth, Carolyn , O'Halloran, Robyn , Hersh, Deborah , Mainstone, Kathryn , Wallace, Sarah
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Health Expectations Vol. 27, no. 4 (2024), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Introduction: Outcome measurement instruments (OMIs) are used to gauge the effects of treatment. In post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation, benchmarks for meaningful change are needed to support the interpretation of patient outcomes. This study is part of a research programme to establish minimal important change (MIC) values (the smallest change above which patients perceive themselves as importantly changed) for core OMIs. As a first step in this process, the views of people with aphasia and clinicians were explored, and consensus was sought on a threshold for clinically meaningful change. Methods: Sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Participants included people with post-stroke aphasia and speech pathologists. People with aphasia were purposively sampled based on time post-stroke, age and gender, whereas speech pathologists were sampled according to their work setting (hospital or community). Each participant attended a focus group followed by a consensus workshop with a survey component. Within the focus groups, experiences and methods for measuring meaningful change during aphasia recovery were explored. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. In the consensus workshop, participants voted on thresholds for meaningful change in core outcome constructs of language, communication, emotional well-being and quality of life, using a six-point rating scale (much worse, slightly worse, no change, slightly improved, much improved and completely recovered). Consensus was defined a priori as 70% agreement. Voting results were reported using descriptive statistics. Results: Five people with aphasia (n = 4, > 6 months after stroke; n = 5, < 65 years; n = 3, males) and eight speech pathologists (n = 4, hospital setting; n = 4, community setting) participated in one of four focus groups (duration: 92–112 min). Four themes were identified describing meaningful change as follows: (1) different for every single person; (2) small continuous improvements; (3) measured by progress towards personally relevant goals; and (4) influenced by personal factors. ‘Slightly improved’ was agreed as the threshold of MIC on the anchor-rating scale (75%–92%) within 6 months of stroke, whereas after 6 months there was a trend towards supporting ‘much improved’ (36%–66%). Conclusion: Our mixed-methods research with people with aphasia and speech pathologists provides novel evidence to inform the definition of MIC in aphasia rehabilitation. Future research will aim to establish MIC values for core OMIs. Patient or Public Contribution: This work is the result of engagement between people with lived experience of post-stroke aphasia, including people with aphasia, family members, clinicians and researchers. Engagement across the research cycle was sought to ensure that the research tasks were acceptable and easily understood by participants and that the outcomes of the study were relevant to the aphasia community. This engagement included the co-development of a plain English summary of the results. Advisors were remunerated in accordance with Health Consumers Queensland guidelines. Interview guides for clinicians were piloted by speech pathologists working in aphasia rehabilitation. © 2024 The Author(s). Health Expectations published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
'Relaxed restriction': 'What i eat in a day' videos and the persistence of diet culture
- Authors: Topham, Justine
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Researching Contemporary Wellness Cultures Chapter 8 p. 127-138
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This chapter considers the evolution of diet culture in the digital age, particularly focussing on the proliferation of anti-diet and holistic wellness sentiments, which paradoxically work to conceal the ongoing persistence of diet culture. A discourse analysis approach was conducted on 'What I Eat In A Day' (WIEIAD) YouTube videos to examine the ways in which diet choices are narrated and rationalised to achieve the illusion of the 'disappearance' of diet culture. The author explores how this has produced the pressure to have (or more accurately perform) a 'healthy' relationship with food. This is ambiguously defined and embodied online, but some recurring themes have been observed through my analysis. The author argues that these WIEIAD videos often risk obscuring the persistence of diet culture by positioning it in the past when, as this chapter will attempt to demonstrate, it is very much embedded in the current diet discourse. Weight loss and appearance are downplayed as motivations for engaging in health and wellness. However, they are very much still beneath the surface. While the conversation around dieting might be less overtly problematic than it was in the past, there continues to be a significant amount of vigilance and effort required for women to meet conventional beauty standards. In addition to the material practice of dieting, there is now the pressure to perform the emotional labour of 'talking away' accusations of disordered eating, upholding the premature ideal of a post-diet culture era. © 2024 by Justine Topham. All rights reserved.
A 3D numerical model to estimate lightning types for PyroCb thundercloud
- Barman, Surajit, Shah, Rakibuzzaman, Islam, Syed, Kumar, Apurv
- Authors: Barman, Surajit , Shah, Rakibuzzaman , Islam, Syed , Kumar, Apurv
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied Sciences (Switzerland) Vol. 14, no. 12 (2024), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) thunderclouds, produced from extreme bushfires, can initiate frequent cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning strikes containing extended continuing currents. This, in turn, can ignite new spot fires and inflict massive harm on the environment and infrastructures. This study presents a 3D numerical thundercloud model for estimating the lightning of different types and its striking zone for the conceptual tripole thundercloud structure which is theorized to produce the lightning phenomenon in pyroCb storms. More emphasis is given to the lower positive charge layer, and the impacts of strong wind shear are also explored to thoroughly examine various electrical parameters including the longitudinal electric field, electric potential, and surface charge density. The simulation outcomes on pyroCb thunderclouds with a tripole structure confirm the presence of negative longitudinal electric field initiation at the cloud’s lower region. This initiation is accompanied by enhancing the lower positive charge region, resulting in an overall positive electric potential increase. Consequently, negative surface charge density appears underneath the pyroCb thundercloud which has the potential to induce positive (+CG) lightning flashes. With wind shear extension of upper charge layers in pyroCb, the lightning initiation potential becomes negative to reduce the absolute field value and would generate negative (
- Authors: Barman, Surajit , Shah, Rakibuzzaman , Islam, Syed , Kumar, Apurv
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied Sciences (Switzerland) Vol. 14, no. 12 (2024), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) thunderclouds, produced from extreme bushfires, can initiate frequent cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning strikes containing extended continuing currents. This, in turn, can ignite new spot fires and inflict massive harm on the environment and infrastructures. This study presents a 3D numerical thundercloud model for estimating the lightning of different types and its striking zone for the conceptual tripole thundercloud structure which is theorized to produce the lightning phenomenon in pyroCb storms. More emphasis is given to the lower positive charge layer, and the impacts of strong wind shear are also explored to thoroughly examine various electrical parameters including the longitudinal electric field, electric potential, and surface charge density. The simulation outcomes on pyroCb thunderclouds with a tripole structure confirm the presence of negative longitudinal electric field initiation at the cloud’s lower region. This initiation is accompanied by enhancing the lower positive charge region, resulting in an overall positive electric potential increase. Consequently, negative surface charge density appears underneath the pyroCb thundercloud which has the potential to induce positive (+CG) lightning flashes. With wind shear extension of upper charge layers in pyroCb, the lightning initiation potential becomes negative to reduce the absolute field value and would generate negative (
A blockchain-based distributed peer-to-peer ecosystem for energy trading
- Authors: Islam, Mohammad
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Blockchain technologies are revolutionising peer-to-peer (P2P) distributed energy trading. These technologies can leverage microgrid decentralisation and immutable data storage to provide efficient and secure trading to benefit prosumers. A double auction mechanism is best suited for energy trading in a P2P microgrid. This mechanism requires a solvent cryptocurrency reserve for payment settlement. Double auctions give rise to unspent auction reservations (UARs). Existing mechanisms can settle further auctions with UARs but need improvements to do this without affecting trading efficiency. Keeping a cryptocurrency reserve solvent also requires adaptations to existing mechanisms. Auction settlements within a microgrid leave UARs, meaning that other microgrids must join for further auction settlements, and this leads to security vulnerabilities. It is important to develop an ecosystem that can enhance trading efficiency, ensure the solvency of the cryptocurrency reserve and provide security for multi-microgrid energy trading. In distributed energy trading, an auctioneer passes UARs to the next auctioneer as specified by the passing mechanism. Traditional energy trading systems use simple passing mechanisms and basic pricing mechanisms, but this adversely affects trading efficiency and buyers’ economic surplus. Traditional P2P energy trading systems use passing mechanisms that only partially consider the auction capacity of the next auctioneer. We propose a blockchain-based energy trading mechanism using a smart passing mechanism (SPM) that uses an unspent reservation profile (URP) to represent the auctioneers’ capability to pass UARs within a P2P microgrid. We further propose an intelligent passing mechanism (iPass) that incorporates price information into URPs to enhance trading efficiency. We applied three metrics to measure trading efficiency: convergence time, auction settlements and the economic surplus of buyers and sellers. We simulated our mechanisms in Hyperledger Fabric, a permissioned blockchain framework that managed the data storage and smart contracts. Experiments showed that our SPM reduces the convergence time, increases auction settlements and increases the economic surplus of buyers compared with existing mechanisms. Experiments showed that iPass is even more efficient than other passing mechanisms, including SPM, further reducing the convergence time, increasing auction settlements and increasing the economic surplus of buyers and sellers. Settling payments in blockchain-based P2P energy trading requires maintaining the solvency of the cryptocurrency reserve to ensure a stable medium of exchange and reduce price volatility. Stablecoins, as a form of cryptocurrency—the most suitable medium of exchange—are gaining attention from central banks. A consortium of central banks has recommended compliance with capital and liquidity standards for high-quality liquid assets (HQLA). Stablecoins, as a form of HQLA, require the adaptation of these standards for P2P energy trading. We propose a mechanism (NF90) to control the inflow of stablecoins in response to the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) for reserve resilience and to maintain solvency. The Basel III Accord recommends 100% LCR. We measured the effectiveness of NF90 using LCR as a metric simulating the mechanism in Hyperledger Fabric to manage deceni tralisation, data storage and smart contracts. NF90 was the most effective inflow control mechanism. The use of iPass for a P2P microgrid leaves UARs. Traditional trading mechanisms settle further auctions with UARs within a microgrid, which affects the economic surplus of prosumers. Auction settlements with neighbouring microgrids increase prosumers’ economic surplus, but the usual pricing of double auction mechanisms reduces their economic surplus. Other pricing mechanisms are needed in a multi-microgrid paradigm. Settling auctions for microgrids requires common computational resources that are close to microgrids. Edge computing technologies suit this need, and blockchain technology leverages immutable data storage in cloud servers. However, communication with a cloud server through proprietary edge computing devices exposes the ecosystem to security vulnerabilities. It is important to control access by prosumers and forensic users. Immutable data storage and the retrieval of data are essential. Two challenges in information security are incorporating reliable access control for users and devices while granting access to confidential data for relevant users and maintaining data persistence. This research used a blockchain structure for data persistence. We propose a framework of novel protocols to authenticate users (prosumers and auctioneers) by the edge server and of the edge server by the cloud server. Our framework also provides access to forensic users using immutable blockchain-based data storage with endpoint authentication and a role-based user access control system. We simulated the framework using the Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications and showed that it can deal effectively with several security issues.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Islam, Mohammad
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Blockchain technologies are revolutionising peer-to-peer (P2P) distributed energy trading. These technologies can leverage microgrid decentralisation and immutable data storage to provide efficient and secure trading to benefit prosumers. A double auction mechanism is best suited for energy trading in a P2P microgrid. This mechanism requires a solvent cryptocurrency reserve for payment settlement. Double auctions give rise to unspent auction reservations (UARs). Existing mechanisms can settle further auctions with UARs but need improvements to do this without affecting trading efficiency. Keeping a cryptocurrency reserve solvent also requires adaptations to existing mechanisms. Auction settlements within a microgrid leave UARs, meaning that other microgrids must join for further auction settlements, and this leads to security vulnerabilities. It is important to develop an ecosystem that can enhance trading efficiency, ensure the solvency of the cryptocurrency reserve and provide security for multi-microgrid energy trading. In distributed energy trading, an auctioneer passes UARs to the next auctioneer as specified by the passing mechanism. Traditional energy trading systems use simple passing mechanisms and basic pricing mechanisms, but this adversely affects trading efficiency and buyers’ economic surplus. Traditional P2P energy trading systems use passing mechanisms that only partially consider the auction capacity of the next auctioneer. We propose a blockchain-based energy trading mechanism using a smart passing mechanism (SPM) that uses an unspent reservation profile (URP) to represent the auctioneers’ capability to pass UARs within a P2P microgrid. We further propose an intelligent passing mechanism (iPass) that incorporates price information into URPs to enhance trading efficiency. We applied three metrics to measure trading efficiency: convergence time, auction settlements and the economic surplus of buyers and sellers. We simulated our mechanisms in Hyperledger Fabric, a permissioned blockchain framework that managed the data storage and smart contracts. Experiments showed that our SPM reduces the convergence time, increases auction settlements and increases the economic surplus of buyers compared with existing mechanisms. Experiments showed that iPass is even more efficient than other passing mechanisms, including SPM, further reducing the convergence time, increasing auction settlements and increasing the economic surplus of buyers and sellers. Settling payments in blockchain-based P2P energy trading requires maintaining the solvency of the cryptocurrency reserve to ensure a stable medium of exchange and reduce price volatility. Stablecoins, as a form of cryptocurrency—the most suitable medium of exchange—are gaining attention from central banks. A consortium of central banks has recommended compliance with capital and liquidity standards for high-quality liquid assets (HQLA). Stablecoins, as a form of HQLA, require the adaptation of these standards for P2P energy trading. We propose a mechanism (NF90) to control the inflow of stablecoins in response to the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) for reserve resilience and to maintain solvency. The Basel III Accord recommends 100% LCR. We measured the effectiveness of NF90 using LCR as a metric simulating the mechanism in Hyperledger Fabric to manage deceni tralisation, data storage and smart contracts. NF90 was the most effective inflow control mechanism. The use of iPass for a P2P microgrid leaves UARs. Traditional trading mechanisms settle further auctions with UARs within a microgrid, which affects the economic surplus of prosumers. Auction settlements with neighbouring microgrids increase prosumers’ economic surplus, but the usual pricing of double auction mechanisms reduces their economic surplus. Other pricing mechanisms are needed in a multi-microgrid paradigm. Settling auctions for microgrids requires common computational resources that are close to microgrids. Edge computing technologies suit this need, and blockchain technology leverages immutable data storage in cloud servers. However, communication with a cloud server through proprietary edge computing devices exposes the ecosystem to security vulnerabilities. It is important to control access by prosumers and forensic users. Immutable data storage and the retrieval of data are essential. Two challenges in information security are incorporating reliable access control for users and devices while granting access to confidential data for relevant users and maintaining data persistence. This research used a blockchain structure for data persistence. We propose a framework of novel protocols to authenticate users (prosumers and auctioneers) by the edge server and of the edge server by the cloud server. Our framework also provides access to forensic users using immutable blockchain-based data storage with endpoint authentication and a role-based user access control system. We simulated the framework using the Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications and showed that it can deal effectively with several security issues.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
A case study to evaluate the effectiveness of chronic disease management plan on self-management among patients with diabetes mellitus at general practice settings
- Authors: Ghasemi, Maryam
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The chronic disease management (CDM) plan is designed to support people with chronic medical conditions. This plan provides a targeted, comprehensive approach, allowing individuals to receive the necessary care and support to manage their condition. With this plan, patients can access various health services, including visits to their general practitioner and allied health services. These provide the necessary support and care to manage their condition effectively. However, patients with chronic conditions are often poorly served by the current Australian healthcare system, which fails to coordinate care across different service providers. Aim The primary aim of this study was to examine whether the use of CDM plans can improve self-management among patients with diabetes. Method A mixed method collective case study was undertaken. It focused on identifying patients’ predisposing and biometric factors, exploring patients’ and health professionals’ perceptions of the CDM plan and examining the CDM plan’s clinical documentation. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken among patients with diabetes and healthcare professionals in a general practice setting in Victoria, Australia. Results Three main issues emerged from the study: the rigidity of the funding model, system and organisational constraints and the lack of person-centred care. Conclusion To enhance self-management support through CDM plans, it is crucial to understand interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary interactions between patients and healthcare professionals. Organisational structures can apply a powerful contextual influence on how patients and healthcare professionals interact, but individualised CDM plans with tailored allied health services, regular follow-up and review are essential for the sustainability of health outcomes. Primary care settings and services in Australia need to be reformed to meet the needs of high-cost health users with complex chronic conditions. Moving beyond fee-for-service funding can stimulate innovation in service delivery and configuring person-centred care. Payment and funding reform is needed, particularly for people with ongoing complex needs and comorbidities. The study has highlighted the lack of a clear coordination framework guiding CDM plans, lead to inconsistency and poorer patient outcomes. Keywords: Self-management, diabetes mellitus, diabetes self-management, chronic disease management plan, person-centred care plan, integrated care plan, multidisciplinary care plan approach, Andersen Behavioural Model of Health Service Use
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Ghasemi, Maryam
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The chronic disease management (CDM) plan is designed to support people with chronic medical conditions. This plan provides a targeted, comprehensive approach, allowing individuals to receive the necessary care and support to manage their condition. With this plan, patients can access various health services, including visits to their general practitioner and allied health services. These provide the necessary support and care to manage their condition effectively. However, patients with chronic conditions are often poorly served by the current Australian healthcare system, which fails to coordinate care across different service providers. Aim The primary aim of this study was to examine whether the use of CDM plans can improve self-management among patients with diabetes. Method A mixed method collective case study was undertaken. It focused on identifying patients’ predisposing and biometric factors, exploring patients’ and health professionals’ perceptions of the CDM plan and examining the CDM plan’s clinical documentation. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken among patients with diabetes and healthcare professionals in a general practice setting in Victoria, Australia. Results Three main issues emerged from the study: the rigidity of the funding model, system and organisational constraints and the lack of person-centred care. Conclusion To enhance self-management support through CDM plans, it is crucial to understand interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary interactions between patients and healthcare professionals. Organisational structures can apply a powerful contextual influence on how patients and healthcare professionals interact, but individualised CDM plans with tailored allied health services, regular follow-up and review are essential for the sustainability of health outcomes. Primary care settings and services in Australia need to be reformed to meet the needs of high-cost health users with complex chronic conditions. Moving beyond fee-for-service funding can stimulate innovation in service delivery and configuring person-centred care. Payment and funding reform is needed, particularly for people with ongoing complex needs and comorbidities. The study has highlighted the lack of a clear coordination framework guiding CDM plans, lead to inconsistency and poorer patient outcomes. Keywords: Self-management, diabetes mellitus, diabetes self-management, chronic disease management plan, person-centred care plan, integrated care plan, multidisciplinary care plan approach, Andersen Behavioural Model of Health Service Use
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
A community-based modified sport program for rural community-dwelling older adults : a pilot study
- Romein, Jake, Hutchins, Gabrielle, Ottrey, Ella, Talpey, Scott, Bishop, Jaclyn
- Authors: Romein, Jake , Hutchins, Gabrielle , Ottrey, Ella , Talpey, Scott , Bishop, Jaclyn
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 32, no. 3 (2024), p. 488-497
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Introduction: With Australiaʼs ageing population, especially in rural regions, promoting physical activity among older adults is crucial. Objective: To identify factors influencing participation of older adults (60 years or over) from a rural community in a modified sport program and assess satisfaction with a pilot modified sport program informed by these findings. Design: Insights and ideas from two focus groups exploring community perspectives on a modified sport program informed the development of a six-week pilot modified sport program delivered with the local fitness centre. Post-program surveys assessed participant satisfaction, willingness to continue, and likelihood of recommending the program to others. Findings: Nine participants attended the focus groups, highlighting increased social connection, health management, and healthy ageing as key motivators. Joint and health concerns, cost, and time constraints emerged as main barriers. Preferences for the program included weekly sessions, alternating sports, indoor venues, and supporting modifications, but maintaining traditional rules. Thirteen participants participated in the pilot modified sport program. There was strong program attendance (86%). All participants (13/13) rated their satisfaction as very satisfied. They were highly likely to recommend the program to others (8.5/10) and were interested in continuing modified sport after the pilot (7.7/10). Discussion: This study demonstrates for the first time that modified sport is of interest to older people in the rural setting, and that delivering such a program is feasible in a small community. Rural communities implementing modified sport should consider the availability of suitable facilities and equipment, access to an engaging facilitator and participant cost. Conclusion: Through a strong connection between the health service and community fitness centre, a modified sport program was developed and implemented, well-attended and enjoyed by participants in a rural community. © 2024 National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.
- Zhou, Jian, Yang, Peixi, Yong, Weixun, Khandelwal, Manoj, Huang, Shuai
- Authors: Zhou, Jian , Yang, Peixi , Yong, Weixun , Khandelwal, Manoj , Huang, Shuai
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Acta Geophysica Vol. 72, no. 3 (2024), p. 1847-1866
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: With the escalating demand for underground mining and infrastructure construction, the optimization of tunnel construction has emerged as a primary concern for researchers. The geological conditions encountered during the excavation of hard rock tunnels using tunnel boring machines (TBM) significantly impact construction efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The existing lithology testing methods need to be more efficient in aligning with TBM operational efficiency. In recent years, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has paved the way for its integration into numerous domains, including tunnel engineering. To address this issue, this study proposes three innovative hybrid RF-based intelligent models, namely PSO-RF, ALO-RF, and GWO-RF, for the precise prediction of lithology in hard rock tunnels using TBM working parameters. The TBM operating parameters of the Jilin Yinsong Water Supply Project serve as the basis for this investigation. Twelve distinct characteristic parameters relevant to the lithology of the tunnel working face were carefully selected as input parameters for lithology prediction. Comparative analysis of the three hybrid models reveals that GWO-RF demonstrates exceptional lithology prediction performance (ACC = 0.999924; PREA = 0.0.9999976; RECA = 0.999775; F1A = 0.999876; Kappa = 0.999911), whereas PSO-RF and ALO-RF exhibit slightly inferior performance. Nonetheless, all three hybrid models exhibit a significant improvement in prediction accuracy compared to the unoptimized RF model. The research findings presented herein facilitate the swift determination of TBM working surface lithology, enabling timely adjustment of TBM working parameters, reducing equipment wear and tear, and enhancing construction efficiency. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Institute of Geophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences 2024.
A data-driven trajectory approach for dynamic VAr support in renewable rich power grid
- Alshareef, Abdulrhman, Shah, Rakibuzzaman, Mithulananthan, Nadarajah, Akram, Umer, Alzahrani, Saeed
- Authors: Alshareef, Abdulrhman , Shah, Rakibuzzaman , Mithulananthan, Nadarajah , Akram, Umer , Alzahrani, Saeed
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: IEEE Access Vol. 12, no. (2024), p. 77816-77830
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Short-term voltage stability (STVS) of power grids could be jeopardized due to the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of loads such as induction motors (IMs) and the retirement of synchronous generators. Moreover, the appearance of inverter-based generators (IBGs) in the system would make the grids more susceptible to voltage instability. Hence, there is an indispensable need to identify adequate mitigation measures to deal with these enduring challenges. This paper proposes a driven-data trajectory approach to locate the dynamic VAr support (DVS) to maintain STVS in power grids with high penetration of IBGs. The proposed data-driven trajectory approach ranks the best locations for DVS by comparing grid responses of different possible DVS sites with respect to the desired reference response. The developed approach covers the full signature of grid dynamics in generation and load sides. For illustration, this approach is applied to the Reliability and Voltage Stability (RVS) test system designed for STVS analysis. Several scenarios are tested, including various IM penetrations and IBG integration, control and load compositions, to demonstrate the viability and robustness of the proposed approach. Moreover, the STVS performance of the system with the proposed algorithm is verified through the motor stalling scan. The comprehensive assessment shows that the system exhibits the best STVS performance with DVS placement using the proposed method. © 2013 IEEE.
- Authors: Alshareef, Abdulrhman , Shah, Rakibuzzaman , Mithulananthan, Nadarajah , Akram, Umer , Alzahrani, Saeed
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: IEEE Access Vol. 12, no. (2024), p. 77816-77830
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Short-term voltage stability (STVS) of power grids could be jeopardized due to the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of loads such as induction motors (IMs) and the retirement of synchronous generators. Moreover, the appearance of inverter-based generators (IBGs) in the system would make the grids more susceptible to voltage instability. Hence, there is an indispensable need to identify adequate mitigation measures to deal with these enduring challenges. This paper proposes a driven-data trajectory approach to locate the dynamic VAr support (DVS) to maintain STVS in power grids with high penetration of IBGs. The proposed data-driven trajectory approach ranks the best locations for DVS by comparing grid responses of different possible DVS sites with respect to the desired reference response. The developed approach covers the full signature of grid dynamics in generation and load sides. For illustration, this approach is applied to the Reliability and Voltage Stability (RVS) test system designed for STVS analysis. Several scenarios are tested, including various IM penetrations and IBG integration, control and load compositions, to demonstrate the viability and robustness of the proposed approach. Moreover, the STVS performance of the system with the proposed algorithm is verified through the motor stalling scan. The comprehensive assessment shows that the system exhibits the best STVS performance with DVS placement using the proposed method. © 2013 IEEE.
A distributed VPP-integrated co-optimization framework for energy scheduling, frequency regulation, and voltage support using data-driven distributionally robust optimization with Wasserstein metric
- Esfahani, Moein, Alizadeh, Ali, Amjady, Nima, Kamwa, Innocent
- Authors: Esfahani, Moein , Alizadeh, Ali , Amjady, Nima , Kamwa, Innocent
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied Energy Vol. 361, no. (2024), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: With deepening decarbonization and increased Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) integration, the power system's inertia has declined, affecting the network's ability to balance power at the distribution level. Concurrently, the proliferation of prosumers presents a regulatory opportunity for Distribution System Operators (DSOs), despite the complexity introduced by their high number and varied behaviors. This paper introduces a new co-scheduling model optimizing prosumers' capacities through Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) in local networks, enhancing DSO oversight and facilitating prosumer participation in regulation markets. The proposed model concurrently schedules energy provision alongside voltage and frequency regulation capacities. Recognizing prosumers' behavioral uncertainties, Data-Driven Distributionally Robust Optimization (DDRO) is employed to ensure adequate capacity for VPP engagement. Importantly, the paper outlines a mechanism allowing DSOs to partner with multiple privately-owned VPPs, ensuring privacy through an adaptive Alternative Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) method. This method avoids the exchange of sensitive information, ensuring confidentiality and scalability. Consequently, VPPs can proficiently manage scheduling and communicate their regulation capacities. The operator then dispatches control signals based on regulation needs and network flow. Results from the IEEE 33 bus test system confirm the model's efficacy in enhancing voltage support and frequency regulation, and generating revenue for both VPPs and prosumers. © 2023
- Authors: Esfahani, Moein , Alizadeh, Ali , Amjady, Nima , Kamwa, Innocent
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied Energy Vol. 361, no. (2024), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: With deepening decarbonization and increased Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) integration, the power system's inertia has declined, affecting the network's ability to balance power at the distribution level. Concurrently, the proliferation of prosumers presents a regulatory opportunity for Distribution System Operators (DSOs), despite the complexity introduced by their high number and varied behaviors. This paper introduces a new co-scheduling model optimizing prosumers' capacities through Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) in local networks, enhancing DSO oversight and facilitating prosumer participation in regulation markets. The proposed model concurrently schedules energy provision alongside voltage and frequency regulation capacities. Recognizing prosumers' behavioral uncertainties, Data-Driven Distributionally Robust Optimization (DDRO) is employed to ensure adequate capacity for VPP engagement. Importantly, the paper outlines a mechanism allowing DSOs to partner with multiple privately-owned VPPs, ensuring privacy through an adaptive Alternative Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) method. This method avoids the exchange of sensitive information, ensuring confidentiality and scalability. Consequently, VPPs can proficiently manage scheduling and communicate their regulation capacities. The operator then dispatches control signals based on regulation needs and network flow. Results from the IEEE 33 bus test system confirm the model's efficacy in enhancing voltage support and frequency regulation, and generating revenue for both VPPs and prosumers. © 2023
- Li, Xiaofei, Yu, Fengying, Madawala, Udaya, Wang, Heshou, Feng, Hui, Dai, Xin, Hu, Jiefeng
- Authors: Li, Xiaofei , Yu, Fengying , Madawala, Udaya , Wang, Heshou , Feng, Hui , Dai, Xin , Hu, Jiefeng
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics Vol. 39, no. 6 (2024), p. 6624-6629
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This article presents a wireless power transfer system for substation inspection robots. Employing a dual-coupled double inductor-capacitor-capacitor (LCC-LCC) compensation topology, the system aims to address the prevalent challenge of misalignment tolerance improvements. It reveals that the system's output is predominantly influenced by the denominator parameter (i.e.,
- Bansal, Kamakhya, Tripathi, Ashish, Menon, Varun, Balasubramanian, Venki
- Authors: Bansal, Kamakhya , Tripathi, Ashish , Menon, Varun , Balasubramanian, Venki
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics Vol. 70, no. 3 (2024), p. 6208-6215
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Federated learning-based GAN architectures are widely used to reduce resource intensiveness and ensure the privacy and security of individuals' data while generating synthetic images. Recently, several federated GAN architectures utilizing different aggregation mechanisms including FedAvg, FedSGD, MMD, etc., and heterogeneous model architectures were proposed to increase the generated images' quality. However, the presence of limited consumer electronics data and wide data acquisition diversity leads to model over-fitting resulting in compromised structural similarity and diversity of the generated images. Additionally, the iid distribution and differential learning on account of varied image diversity were not considered by previous works resulting in faulty aggregated weights which makes the architecture incapable of capturing diversity features in an edge device. To remedy the above concerns, this work proposes a federated GAN architecture with weighted aggregation mechanism based on a combination of SSIM and PSNR scores to ensure enhanced diversity in the generated dataset while increasing the structural similarity and overall image quality. The performance of the developed architecture is validated against three other existing state-of-the-art federated architectures in terms of SSIM and PSNR score. The experimental finding illustrates that the proposed architecture generates images with high quality, enhanced diversity, and better structural similarity. © 2024 IEEE.
A global review on arid zone restoration : approaches and challenges
- Stapleton, Joseph, Bates, Sarah, Lewis, Megan, Turner, Shane, Warne, David, Florentine, Singarayer
- Authors: Stapleton, Joseph , Bates, Sarah , Lewis, Megan , Turner, Shane , Warne, David , Florentine, Singarayer
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Restoration Ecology Vol. 32, no. 6 (2024), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Arid environments have become degraded in recent times through human activity highlighting the need for restoration works to reverse this trend. One of the most common forms of restoration works is revegetation. However, revegetation is difficult in the arid zone due to a combination of environmental factors such as low moisture and extreme temperatures, as well as financial and administrative factors. In this review, we investigated the literature describing various methods available for arid revegetation, and assess their utility for revegetation activities. Each of the methods investigated were found to have potential advantages and disadvantages, though some general trends were observed. Two main planting methods were identified, “out-planting” and “direct seeding.” Which of these methods to use depends on the conditions of the project being undertaken. Out-planting appeared to be the most suited approach to smaller scale projects with higher budget availability, whereas direct seeding was more suited to large scale, lower budget projects. Weed control prior to planting was identified as being critical for success in most works, whereas soil ripping was beneficial for direct seeding projects. Among the soil amendments investigated, water-holding gels were most likely to be beneficial, whereas fertilizers were riskier due to their potential to reduce drought tolerance and increase weed invasion. Microbial inoculation with mycorrhiza showed high potential to improve plant performance but may be held back by the lack of suitable commercial sources. Newer seed technologies, such as synthetic seed coats and pellets, show promise, but this issue still requires further research and development. © 2023 The Authors. Restoration Ecology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Ecological Restoration.
- Authors: Stapleton, Joseph , Bates, Sarah , Lewis, Megan , Turner, Shane , Warne, David , Florentine, Singarayer
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Restoration Ecology Vol. 32, no. 6 (2024), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Arid environments have become degraded in recent times through human activity highlighting the need for restoration works to reverse this trend. One of the most common forms of restoration works is revegetation. However, revegetation is difficult in the arid zone due to a combination of environmental factors such as low moisture and extreme temperatures, as well as financial and administrative factors. In this review, we investigated the literature describing various methods available for arid revegetation, and assess their utility for revegetation activities. Each of the methods investigated were found to have potential advantages and disadvantages, though some general trends were observed. Two main planting methods were identified, “out-planting” and “direct seeding.” Which of these methods to use depends on the conditions of the project being undertaken. Out-planting appeared to be the most suited approach to smaller scale projects with higher budget availability, whereas direct seeding was more suited to large scale, lower budget projects. Weed control prior to planting was identified as being critical for success in most works, whereas soil ripping was beneficial for direct seeding projects. Among the soil amendments investigated, water-holding gels were most likely to be beneficial, whereas fertilizers were riskier due to their potential to reduce drought tolerance and increase weed invasion. Microbial inoculation with mycorrhiza showed high potential to improve plant performance but may be held back by the lack of suitable commercial sources. Newer seed technologies, such as synthetic seed coats and pellets, show promise, but this issue still requires further research and development. © 2023 The Authors. Restoration Ecology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Ecological Restoration.
A hybrid PWM technique for SMES integrated solar pv based grid-tied transformerless inverters
- Mondal, Sudipto, Biswas, Shuvra, Islam, Md Sabbir, Islam, Md Rabiul, Shah, Rakibbuzaman
- Authors: Mondal, Sudipto , Biswas, Shuvra , Islam, Md Sabbir , Islam, Md Rabiul , Shah, Rakibbuzaman
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity Vol. 34, no. 8 (2024), p.
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper introduces a hybrid pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of a grid-feeding superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES)-based transformerless H6 inverter system. The system is designed to interface solar photovoltaic (PV) power with a low to medium-voltage grid. The presented hybrid PWM technique aims to suppress the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the output voltage of the H6 transformerless inverter. A new carrier signal and a new modulating signal based on fundamental sinusoidal and triangle waves are utilized to model the hybrid PWM technique. The proposed hybrid PWM technique is more efficient and has lower leakage current during energy conversion than traditional bipolar PWM, unipolar PWM, and numerous other well-known PWM techniques. The total system is simulated in the MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS environments to verify the feasibility of the proposed PWM strategy. A 1 kW laboratory-scale prototype based on an H6 transformerless inverter was also built and tested with the proposed PWM technique to prove the effectiveness of the whole system. © 2002-2011 IEEE.
A literature review of the design, modeling, optimization, and control of electro-mechanical inlet valves for gas expanders
- Hossain, Md Shazzad, Sultan, Ibrahim, Phung, Truong, Kumar, Apurv
- Authors: Hossain, Md Shazzad , Sultan, Ibrahim , Phung, Truong , Kumar, Apurv
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Energies Vol. 17, no. 18 (2024), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The ever-growing concerns about global warming and the rapid depletion of fossil fuels have triggered a rising interest in the research for cleaner, more efficient, and cost-effective energy generation. Organic Rankine cycle systems have immense potential to become a strong alternative to conventional methods of energy generation. However, such systems’ efficiency is limited by the performance of the incorporated gas expanders or prime movers. Conventional gas expanders often utilize ports or cam-operated valves. Ported expanders offer limited efficiency and controllability and produce high emissions, causing a large amount of heated and compressed gas to be wasted. Cam-operated valves, in contrast, increase expansion performance compared to ported expanders; however, they have no variability and adaptability to changes in system parameters such as gas pressure, temperature, dryness fraction, and load variation, to name a few. On a positive note, this issue can be addressed by adopting a variable timing and fast-operating, control valve with an accurate and adaptive control mechanism at the expander inlet. A properly designed and controlled valve can greatly improve the system performance of gas expanders and pave the way for an efficient low-cost alternative energy generation. This manuscript provides a comparative review of recent progress on the design, modeling, optimization, and control aspects of valves for gas expanders. A clear pathway on the scope of further development is also drawn based on the present state of the art. © 2024 by the authors.
- Authors: Hossain, Md Shazzad , Sultan, Ibrahim , Phung, Truong , Kumar, Apurv
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Energies Vol. 17, no. 18 (2024), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The ever-growing concerns about global warming and the rapid depletion of fossil fuels have triggered a rising interest in the research for cleaner, more efficient, and cost-effective energy generation. Organic Rankine cycle systems have immense potential to become a strong alternative to conventional methods of energy generation. However, such systems’ efficiency is limited by the performance of the incorporated gas expanders or prime movers. Conventional gas expanders often utilize ports or cam-operated valves. Ported expanders offer limited efficiency and controllability and produce high emissions, causing a large amount of heated and compressed gas to be wasted. Cam-operated valves, in contrast, increase expansion performance compared to ported expanders; however, they have no variability and adaptability to changes in system parameters such as gas pressure, temperature, dryness fraction, and load variation, to name a few. On a positive note, this issue can be addressed by adopting a variable timing and fast-operating, control valve with an accurate and adaptive control mechanism at the expander inlet. A properly designed and controlled valve can greatly improve the system performance of gas expanders and pave the way for an efficient low-cost alternative energy generation. This manuscript provides a comparative review of recent progress on the design, modeling, optimization, and control aspects of valves for gas expanders. A clear pathway on the scope of further development is also drawn based on the present state of the art. © 2024 by the authors.
A low-cost deep-learning-based system for grading cashew nuts
- Pham, Van-Nam, Do Ba, Quang-Huy, Tran Le, Duc-Anh, Nguyen, Quang-Minh, Do Van, Dinh, Nguyen, Linh
- Authors: Pham, Van-Nam , Do Ba, Quang-Huy , Tran Le, Duc-Anh , Nguyen, Quang-Minh , Do Van, Dinh , Nguyen, Linh
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Computers Vol. 13, no. 3 (2024), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Most of the cashew nuts in the world are produced in the developing countries. Hence, there is a need to have a low-cost system to automatically grade cashew nuts, especially in small-scale farms, to improve mechanization and automation in agriculture, helping reduce the price of the products. To address this issue, in this work we first propose a low-cost grading system for cashew nuts by using the off-the-shelf equipment. The most important but complicated part of the system is its “eye”, which is required to detect and classify the nuts into different grades. To this end, we propose to exploit advantages of both the YOLOv8 and Transformer models and combine them in one single model. More specifically, we develop a module called SC3T that can be employed to integrate into the backbone of the YOLOv8 architecture. In the SC3T module, a Transformer block is dexterously integrated into along with the C3TR module. More importantly, the classifier is not only efficient but also compact, which can be implemented in an embedded device of our developed cashew nut grading system. The proposed classifier, called the YOLOv8–Transformer model, can enable our developed grading system, through a low-cost camera, to correctly detect and accurately classify the cashew nuts into four quality grades. In our grading system, we also developed an actuation mechanism to efficiently sort the nuts according to the classification results, getting the products ready for packaging. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed classifier, we collected a dataset from our sorting system, and trained and tested the model. The obtained results demonstrate that our proposed approach outperforms all the baseline methods given the collected image data. © 2024 by the authors.
- Authors: Pham, Van-Nam , Do Ba, Quang-Huy , Tran Le, Duc-Anh , Nguyen, Quang-Minh , Do Van, Dinh , Nguyen, Linh
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Computers Vol. 13, no. 3 (2024), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Most of the cashew nuts in the world are produced in the developing countries. Hence, there is a need to have a low-cost system to automatically grade cashew nuts, especially in small-scale farms, to improve mechanization and automation in agriculture, helping reduce the price of the products. To address this issue, in this work we first propose a low-cost grading system for cashew nuts by using the off-the-shelf equipment. The most important but complicated part of the system is its “eye”, which is required to detect and classify the nuts into different grades. To this end, we propose to exploit advantages of both the YOLOv8 and Transformer models and combine them in one single model. More specifically, we develop a module called SC3T that can be employed to integrate into the backbone of the YOLOv8 architecture. In the SC3T module, a Transformer block is dexterously integrated into along with the C3TR module. More importantly, the classifier is not only efficient but also compact, which can be implemented in an embedded device of our developed cashew nut grading system. The proposed classifier, called the YOLOv8–Transformer model, can enable our developed grading system, through a low-cost camera, to correctly detect and accurately classify the cashew nuts into four quality grades. In our grading system, we also developed an actuation mechanism to efficiently sort the nuts according to the classification results, getting the products ready for packaging. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed classifier, we collected a dataset from our sorting system, and trained and tested the model. The obtained results demonstrate that our proposed approach outperforms all the baseline methods given the collected image data. © 2024 by the authors.
A mixed-method evaluation of peer-led education about attitudes towards consumers' recovery among Mental Health Nurses working in acute inpatient psychiatric units
- Sreeram, Anju, Cross, Wendy, Townsin, Louise
- Authors: Sreeram, Anju , Cross, Wendy , Townsin, Louise
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Mental Health Nursing Vol. 33, no. 4 (2024), p. 1082-1099
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Despite integrating the recovery model of care in mental health, mental health professionals still have pessimistic attitudes towards the recovery of people with mental illness. Positive attitudes towards recovery are essential components to integrate recovery-oriented practices in all areas of mental health. Evidence shows that education and training are effective while emphasising the importance of consumer-based interventions to enhance recovery attitudes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of peer-led education about recovery attitudes towards people with mental illness among Mental Health Nurses working in acute inpatient settings. The methodology used was a sequential explanatory mixed method with pre- and post-test design involving three phases. Phase 1: survey (n = 103), phase 2: post-test survey immediate (n = 17) and follow-up (n = 11) and phase 3: in-depth interviews (n = 12). The results show that Mental Health Nurses have positive recovery attitudes with some room for improvement. Most participants agreed with all items of the Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire. However, the participants had various views on the relationship between faith and recovery. The peer-led education significantly improved RAQ items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 statistically. Furthermore, peer-led education effectively enhanced recovery attitudes immediately after the intervention and helped to maintain sustainable attitudes 3 months later. A qualitative exploration of recovery attitudes revealed three main themes: participants' reflections, recovery hurdles and interpersonal relationships. © 2024 The Authors. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
- Authors: Sreeram, Anju , Cross, Wendy , Townsin, Louise
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Mental Health Nursing Vol. 33, no. 4 (2024), p. 1082-1099
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Despite integrating the recovery model of care in mental health, mental health professionals still have pessimistic attitudes towards the recovery of people with mental illness. Positive attitudes towards recovery are essential components to integrate recovery-oriented practices in all areas of mental health. Evidence shows that education and training are effective while emphasising the importance of consumer-based interventions to enhance recovery attitudes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of peer-led education about recovery attitudes towards people with mental illness among Mental Health Nurses working in acute inpatient settings. The methodology used was a sequential explanatory mixed method with pre- and post-test design involving three phases. Phase 1: survey (n = 103), phase 2: post-test survey immediate (n = 17) and follow-up (n = 11) and phase 3: in-depth interviews (n = 12). The results show that Mental Health Nurses have positive recovery attitudes with some room for improvement. Most participants agreed with all items of the Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire. However, the participants had various views on the relationship between faith and recovery. The peer-led education significantly improved RAQ items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 statistically. Furthermore, peer-led education effectively enhanced recovery attitudes immediately after the intervention and helped to maintain sustainable attitudes 3 months later. A qualitative exploration of recovery attitudes revealed three main themes: participants' reflections, recovery hurdles and interpersonal relationships. © 2024 The Authors. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
A new closed-loop solar power forecasting method with sample selection
- Kharazi, Somaieh, Amjady, Nima, Nejati, Maryam, Zareipour, Hamidreza
- Authors: Kharazi, Somaieh , Amjady, Nima , Nejati, Maryam , Zareipour, Hamidreza
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy Vol. 15, no. 1 (2024), p. 687-698
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: In this article, a new short-term solar power forecasting method is proposed which has a closed-loop structure composed of point-estimating and range-classifying parts. If the forecasts generated by these parts for solar power are inconsistent, the feedback loop sends appropriate signals to them to correct their predictions. The feedback loop iterates until consistent forecasts are generated for the solar power by the point-estimating and range-classifying parts. This enables the proposed closed-loop forecasting method to enhance its solar power prediction accuracy and reliability. Furthermore, a novel sample selection approach, different from feature selection methods, is devised to mine the historical data for finding the most informative training samples for training the proposed forecasting engine. The effectiveness of the proposed solar power forecasting method is illustrated by testing it on some real-world solar farms and comparing its results with the results of several state-of-the-art solar power prediction methods. © 2010-2012 IEEE.