Delineating adaptive esports involvement from maladaptive gaming: a self-regulation perspective.

The last decade has witnessed the rise of electronic sports (esports), yet little is known about how involvement in intensive esports relates to self-regulatory processes, such as executive functioning (EF). In this paper, we review the evidence on EF in problematic and non-problematic video-game use. We also consider research on EF in traditional sports athletes, as well as in 'exercise addiction'. The focus of the review is on two core components of EF, namely response inhibition and cognitive flexibility. The available evidence suggests that EF is a reliable marker for indexing specific types of sport and video-gaming expertise, but does not appear to consistently delineate maladaptive from adaptive video-game involvement. Future research avenues on EF that characterize esport players are suggested to advance this area

Photovoltaic module and array performance characterization methods for all system operating conditions

This paper provides new test methods and analytical procedures for characterizing the electrical performance of photovoltaic modules and arrays. The methods use outdoor measurements to provide performance parameters both at standard reporting conditions and for all operating conditions encountered by typical photovoltaic systems. Improvements over previously used test methods are identified, and examples of the successful application of the methodology are provided for crystalline- and amorphous-silicon modules and arrays. This work provides an improved understanding of module and array performance characteristics, and perhaps most importantly, a straight- forward yet rigorous model for predicting array performance at all operating conditions. For the first time, the influences of solar irradiance, operating temperature, solar spectrum, solar angle-of- incidence, and temperature coefficients are all addressed in a practical way that will benefit both designers and users of photovoltaics

Problematic online gaming and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stay-at-home mandates and quarantines related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have led to greatly increased participation in online gaming. Initiatives such as #PlayApartTogether that promote gaming for socializing and stress reduction may achieve positive outcomes. Although gaming can be a healthy coping strategy for the majority, it can also pose risks to some vulnerable individuals. Protracted periods of social isolation and technology-based activity pose the danger of solidifying unhealthy lifestyle patterns, leading to difficulties to readaptation when the COVID-19 crisis has passed. Balanced and effective approaches to gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic are needed to support physical and psychological wellbeing

An exploratory study of public opinions on the use of hydrogen energy in Wales

The introduction of hydrogen into the energy market is being pursued by governments around the world in an effort to abate climate change, provide security of supply and reduce air pollution. While technological aspects are well researched, the social aspects of the transition are not. The public's attitude and perception of hydrogen energy will be of great importance as we move closer to the implementation of the technologies. Using two focus groups this exploratory study aims to identify Welsh public opinions on the production and end use of hydrogen energy. Gender differences were apparent, as women were generally more accepting of hydrogen technology. The main concerns were safety (both of use and in production) and cost. Cost remained paramount, even in the light of environmental considerations. The groups' attitude to the development of hydrogen technology was supportive but with the caveat that price and safety should not be compromised

Potential runoff and erosion comparison of four center pivot sprinklers

The operational characteristics of center pivot sprinklers are well documented but few studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects that operating characteristics of a particular sprinkler have on infiltration, runoff, and erosion of specific soil types. The objective of this study was to evaluate potential runoff and erosion from common commercial center pivot sprinklers on three widely distributed, south central Idaho soils. A modified commercial irrigation boom system was used to emulate center pivot irrigation on experimental runoff plots. Sprinklers used in the study were: 1) Nelson R3000 with brown plate, 2) Nelson R3000 with red plate, 3) Nelson S3000 with purple plate, and 4) Senninger I-Wob with standard 9-groove plate. There were significant differences in measured runoff percentages and measured erosion rates between center pivot sprinkler types for the soils tested and experimental conditions. The magnitude of the differences among sprinklers was equal to or greater than the differences between the soils tested. The I-Wob and S3000 sprinklers exhibited the greatest measured runoff percentages and measured erosion rates and the R3000 sprinklers exhibited the least runoff and erosion for the three soils tested. In general, sprinkler types that visually appear to more evenly distribute sprinkler droplets over the wetted area with respect to time exhibited the greatest measured runoff and measured erosion rates. The relative ranking of the sprinklers in terms of measured runoff percentages and measured erosion rates was consistent when four and six irrigation events were used to apply 75 mm of water. The relative differences in runoff between the sprinklers tested were not directly proportional to sprinkler droplet kinetic energy per unit water volume applied. This outcome is in conflict with conventional theory on soil surface sealing from droplet impact. Possible explanations include incorrect representation of sprinkler droplet kinetic energy, conventional soil surface sealing theory does not apply to the soils used in this study, or some unknown factor is dominating the infiltration and runoff process for the study conditions

Infiltration characteristics of bare soil under sequential water application events

The marked reduction in infiltration rate caused by formation of a soil surface seal is a well known phenomenon but often ignored in infiltration models. The effect sequential water application events have on infiltration rate and soil surface seal formation has rarely been investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect sequential water application events have on the infiltration rate of a Portneuf silt loam soil with and without water droplet impact. The Portneuf silt loam soil developed a soil surface seal that reduced infiltration rate both with and without droplet impact on the bare soil surface. When the soil surface was protected during the first rainfall event, drying the soil did not increase infiltration rate for subsequent rainfall events when the soil surface was protected, but drying did increase infiltration when the soil was unprotected in the first rainfall event. Final infiltration rate was inversely related to specific power of the simulated rainfall. Either with or without water droplet impact, final infiltration rate for the Portneuf silt loam soil decreased to less than 20 mm hr-1 within three rainfall events. Given that the Portneuf silt loam soil is extremely vulnerable to surface seal development with little difference in final infiltration rate, irrigation time must be maximized and peak application rate minimized in order to maximize infiltration depth. These requirements combined with the operating characteristics of center pivot irrigation systems means that sprinklers with maximum wetted diameter need to be selected in order to maximize infiltrated depth

Center pivot simulator for evaluating system design and management effects on infiltration and erosion

A 4-wheeled commercial irrigation boom was modified for use in investigating center pivot design and management effects on infiltration, runoff and erosion of specific soil types. The center pivot simulator used a hydraulic winch attached to the front of a tractor for mobilization and controlled travel speed. A 3 inch diameter 300 ft drag hose is used to supply water to the center pivot simulator. The center pivot simulator was used to conduct two studies to investigate infiltration, runoff and erosion differences of common commercially available center pivot sprinkler types on a Portneuf silt loam soil. Sprinklers used in the first study were: 1) Nelson R3000 with brown plate, 2) Nelson R3000 with red plate, 3) Nelson S3000 with purple plate, and 4) Senninger I-Wob with standard 9-groove plate. Measured runoff was highly variable despite the controlled experimental conditions. Runoff from all sprinkler types increased with number of irrigations indicating that soil surface sealing continued to increase without reaching a maximum after five irrigations. Measured runoff tended to be the highest for the S3000 and I-Wob sprinklers. Sediment loss tended to be highest for these sprinklers as well. The second study investigated differences in runoff and erosion related to kinetic energy of sprinkler droplets from commercial center pivot sprinklers. The sprinklers used in the study were: 1) Senninger I-Wob with standard 9-groove plate, 2) Nelson R3000 with brown plate, 3)Nelson D3000 spray with flat plate and 4) sprinkler 3 with the runoff plot covered with 20-mesh nylon window screen suspended about 1 inch above the soil surface to eliminate sprinkler droplet impact on the bare soil surface. Covering the plot with screen to eliminate sprinkler droplet impact resulted in significantly (p?0.05) less runoff and sediment loss for all four irrigation events. The D3000 and I-Wob sprinklers tended to have the greatest runoff and sediment losses. Sprinkler type and configuration had a significant (p?0.05) effect on runoff and erosion of a Portneuf silt loam soil

Droplet Kinetic Energy from Center-Pivot Sprinklers

The kinetic energy of discrete water drops impacting a bare soil surface is generally observed to lead to a drastic reduction in water infiltration rate due to soil surface seal formation. Under center-pivot sprinkler irrigation, kinetic energy transferred to the soil prior to crop canopy development can have a substantial effect on seasonal runoff and soil erosion. In the design of center-pivot irrigation systems, selection of sprinklers with minimum applied kinetic energy could potentially minimize the seasonal runoff and erosion hazard. The size and velocity of drops from common rotating spray-plate sprinklers center-pivot sprinklers with flow rates of approximately 40 and 20 L/ min were measured using a laser in the laboratory. The data were used to evaluate two approaches to characterize the kinetic energy transferred to the soil by rotating spray-plate sprinklers on a center-pivot irrigation system lateral with 3 m spacing between sprinklers. Specific power represents the rate at which kinetic energy per unit area is transferred to the soil as a function of distance from a sprinkler and is analogous to a sprinkler radial water application rate distribution. Specific power was used to estimate actual kinetic energy transferred to the soil by overlapping specific power profiles of sprinklers equally spaced along a center-pivot lateral. Kinetic energy of irrigation sprinklers has traditionally been characterized using area-weighted kinetic energy per unit drop volume. This method heavily favors the largest drops, which travel the farthest from the sprinkler and have the largest kinetic energy and does not account for the volume of water applied by each drop size. Sprinkler kinetic energy per unit volume of sprinkler discharge was not well correlated to actual kinetic energy transferred to the soil by the sprinklers

Transient Soil Surface Sealing and Infiltration Model for Bare Soil Under Droplet Impact.

The marked reduction in infiltration rate caused by formation of a soil surface seal due to water droplet impact on bare soil is a well known phenomenon but is rarely considered in infiltration models, especially under center pivot irrigation. Water application rates under center pivot irrigation commonly exceed infiltration rate, especially near the end of the system lateral. This can lead to off-site runoff and erosion, but more importantly results in field-scale non-uniform water infiltration that can substantially reduce water use efficiency of these irrigation systems. The objective of this study was to develop a sealing soil infiltration model that considers transient soil seal formation on a 30 min or less time scale and can potentially be applied to center pivot sprinkler irrigation systems. A sealing soil infiltration model was developed using an explicit finite difference solution scheme with a transient soil seal formation model, which is unique from other studies in that it explicitly uses droplet specific power as the driving factor for formation of a soil surface seal. The form of the transient seal formation model is also unique in that it is expressed as a rational function of specific power rather than an exponential decay function of droplet kinetic energy. The model was applied to published runoff data from two rainfall simulation studies with varying droplet kinetic energies and application rates on three soils. The sealing soil infiltration model represented measured infiltration rates very well for all rainfall simulator tests

The concept of "harm" in Internet gaming disorder

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a proposed condition that refers to persistent gaming leading to clinically significant impairment. However, there have been few attempts to study the different types and degrees of harm caused by IGD. This commentary describes some of the negative intrapersonal and interpersonal effects of an extreme time investment in gaming activities in the context of IGD. Future research should examine the way in which IGD harms may occur at different levels and degrees. This may enhance the screening of individuals whose behavior is suspected to meet the definition of the proposed IGD criteria.Daniel L. King, Paul H. Delfabbr