An integrated damage modeling and assessment framework for overhead power distribution systems considering tree-failure risks

The overhead power distribution system (OPDS) is vulnerable to strong winds, such as hurricanes. Due to the challenges of including tree damage risks to the OPDS, tree failures are usually ignored in the risk assessment of the OPDS against strong winds. In the present study, an integrated damage modeling and assessment framework for the OPDS is proposed considering tree failure risks. The geographical information of trees surrounding the OPDS is extracted from satellite images using computer vision techniques, including CNN-based (convolutional neural network) image classifier and sliding window approach. The tree failure risk models are developed using tree geographical information in conjunction with tree height data, tree allometry and finite element analysis. With further integration of the conditional probability failure of poles under fallen tree impacts, the pole’s failure probability considering the combined wind and fallen trees is obtained using series system reliability analysis. The failure probability of the pole is obtained using physics-based modeling facilitated by Bayesian regularisation neural network (BRNN) algorithm. The poles and wires are connected for system reliability assessment using connectivity-based theory. When the wind direction is 300° counterclockwise from the east and the wind speed is 57 m/s, tree-failure can introduce 68.6% differences in OPDS’ failure probabilities compared with that without consideration of fallen trees.</p

Rapid Measurement of Microbial Extracellular Respiration Ability Using a High-Throughput Colorimetric Assay

Microbial extracellular respiration (MER) involves the transfer of electrons to extracellular substrates and has significant environmental implications. Conventional methods for MER ability determination are reagent- and time-consuming, have a low throughput, or require noncommercial instruments. In this study, a plate-based colorimetric assay is proposed to measure MER ability. This method utilizes the peroxidase activity of the key components (multi-heme <i>c</i>-type cytochromes) of the extracellular electron-transfer network. The bacterial intrinsic peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of chromogen (e.g., tetramethylbenzidine) resulted in a measurable color change correlated with the MER ability of the tested microorganisms. The results of the proposed colorimetric assay correspond well with those of traditional methods, such as the dissimilatory Fe­(III) reduction method (Spearman’s ρ of 0.946; <i>P</i> < 0.01) and the electricity generation method (Spearman’s ρ of 0.893; <i>P</i> < 0.01). The proposed method allows researchers to identify extracellular respiring bacteria within several minutes and to measure their MER ability quantitatively by a plate-based assay

Datasheet1_Association between cardiovascular risk factors and atrial fibrillation.pdf

BackgroundThe most prevalent sustained arrhythmia in medical practice, atrial fibrillation (AF) is closely associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, the risk of AF associated with cardiovascular risk factors has not been well elucidated. We pooled all published studies to provide a better depiction of the relationship among cardiovascular risk factors with AF.MethodsStudies were searched in the MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases since initiation until January 15, 2022. Prospective cohort studies assessing the relationship a minimum of single cardiovascular risk factors to AF incidence were included if they contained adequate data for obtaining relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Random-effects models were utilized to perform independent meta-analyses on each cardiovascular risk factor. PROSPERO registry number: CRD42022310882.ResultsA total of 17,098,955 individuals and 738,843 incident cases were reported for data from 101 studies included in the analysis. In all, the risk of AF was 1.39 (95% CI, 1.30–1.49) for obesity, 1.27 (95% CI, 1.22–1.32) per 5 kg/m2 for increase in body mass index, 1.19 (95% CI, 1.10–1.28) for former smokers, 1.23 (95% CI, 1.09–1.38) for current smokers, 1.31 (95% CI, 1.23–1.39) for diabetes mellitus, 1.68 (95% CI, 1.51–1.87) for hypertension, and 1.12 (95% CI, 0.95–1.32) for dyslipidemia.InterpretationAdverse cardiovascular risk factors correlate with an increased risk of AF, yet dyslipidemia does not increase the risk of AF in the general population, potentially providing new insights for AF screening strategies among patients with these risk factors.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, PROSPERO identifier (CRD42022310882).</p

Remating patterns of females in treatment Novel (a), Paired (b) and Multiple (c) treatments in <i>S. litura</i>.

<p>Remating patterns of females in treatment Novel (a), Paired (b) and Multiple (c) treatments in <i>S. litura</i>.</p

Heavy metal concentrations in plant received in different pot treatments with adding SS, SSB (0% stabilizer) and SSB with FA or CS incorporated at 2% or 4% (CK is no SS or SSB applied).

<p>Heavy metal concentrations in plant received in different pot treatments with adding SS, SSB (0% stabilizer) and SSB with FA or CS incorporated at 2% or 4% (CK is no SS or SSB applied).</p

Effect of multiple mating on female reproductive output and longevity in <i>S. litura</i>^*.

<p>*There were no significant differences between treatments for any of these parameters.</p><p>Effect of multiple mating on female reproductive output and longevity in <i>S. litura</i>^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0109564#nt101" target="_blank">*</a>}.</p

Plants biomass yields in different pot treatments with adding SS, SSB (0% stabilizer) and SSB with FA or CS incorporated at 2% or 4% (CK is no SS or SSB applied).

<p>Plants biomass yields in different pot treatments with adding SS, SSB (0% stabilizer) and SSB with FA or CS incorporated at 2% or 4% (CK is no SS or SSB applied).</p

Total heavy metal concentrations in raw SSB (0% stabilizer) and SSB with FA or CS incorporated at 1%, 2% or 4%.

<p>Total heavy metal concentrations in raw SSB (0% stabilizer) and SSB with FA or CS incorporated at 1%, 2% or 4%.</p

Inhibition of the bioavailability of heavy metals in sewage sludge biochar by adding two stabilizers - Fig 7

<p>HR-XPS patterns of the samples: raw SSB (a), (d), (g), (j); SSBFA4 (b), (e), (h), (k); SSBCS4 (c), (f), (j), (l). (SSBFA4 and SSBCS4 are SSB incorporated with 4% FA and 4% CS, respectively).</p

Available heavy metal concentrations (DTPA-CaCl₂-TEA-available) in raw SSB (0% stabilizer) and SSB with FA or CS incorporated at 1%, 2% or 4%.

<p>Available heavy metal concentrations (DTPA-CaCl₂-TEA-available) in raw SSB (0% stabilizer) and SSB with FA or CS incorporated at 1%, 2% or 4%.</p