The Improvements and Advantages of Hybrid UAS Systems in the Detection of Metals and Other Anthropogenic Objects

The Northwestern Tier of New York is plagued by the past industrialization of the fracking industry. Anywhere west of Broome county, you are likely to find abandoned oil and fracking wells. Abandoned fracking wells are point sources for methane emissions with some estimations saying the unplugged wells, in a day, emit as much as the entire city of Buffalo\u27s cars emit in a year. Because all wells in New York State are considered abandoned, there is legislation preventing the new installation of wells. This means that across the Western Tier, there are countless wells which lay unmanned and unplugged – constantly polluting into the environment around them. Our research project is the development of a method for the efficient location and classification of orphaned wells in the hard-to-navigate terrain of the Northeast. In creating a uniform method for locating and classifying, the orphaned well dilemma can be better managed.https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2023/1065/thumbnail.jp

An examination of the inter-dependence of heat exchange pathways and morphology in humans

In any object, including humans, the rate of heat exchange is surface area-dependent, whilst one\u27s body mass and composition will determine heat-storage capacity. Therefore, among individuals with similar composition, heat exchange and storage are tightly linked to morphological variations in the ratio between body surface area and mass (specific surface area). That ratio is known to be a key determinant of body temperature change during exercise in the heat, and may assist in explaining inter-individual and gender-related differences in vasomotor and sudomotor function, and perhaps the extent of thermoeffector adaptation. However, systematic research on the possible association between morphological configuration and thermoeffector function is surprisingly sparse, and often incomplete. Accordingly, three experimental studies were conducted, following a series of preliminary investigations (Chapter 2), to evaluate whether or not thermoeffector activity displays a morphological dependency in both men (Chapters 3) and women (Chapter 4), and also following heat acclimation (Chapter 5)

The utility of cardiorespiratory variables as surrogate measures for approximating energy expenditure

Due to environmental and scenario constraints, a direct evaluation of the metabolic demand associated with work tasks can be difficult and sometimes impossible. Fortunately, many cardiorespiratory variables respond in a predictable fashion with increments in work rate and can serve as a surrogate means of approximating energy expenditure (Åstrand and Ryhming, 1954; Durnin and Edwards, 1955). However, few authors have attempted to gain an understanding of how these variables interact under less than ideal conditions (Dauncey and James, 1978; Ceesay et al., 1989), when exposed various extraneous factors (e.g. hot environments). Thus, the aim of this project was to investigate the predictive utility of these variables during various exercise modes (whole-, lower- and upper-body exercise), with and without the influences of thermal strain (heat stress) and external loading. During each exercise mode, under both thermoneutral and hot conditions, predictions of oxygen consumption based on heart rate were significantly inferior to the most precise index, minute ventilation (P0.05). Furthermore, predictive equations derived from either lower- or whole-body exercise could be used interchangeably to predict oxygen consumption with significant precision during lower- or whole-body exercise, whereas during upper-body exercise, regression equations must be mode specific. This was also the case during external load carriage, where predictive equations derived from either loaded or unloaded conditions could be used interchangeably to predict oxygen consumption. However, based on heart rate, predictions of metabolic demand during load-carriage exercise were significantly inferior to minute ventilation predictions (

Myths and Methodologies: Considerations for evaluating the time course of thermoregulatory adaptation during heat acclimation

Abstract Since the early 1900s, repeated heat exposure has been used as a method to induce physiological adaptations that enhance our ability to tolerate heat stress during athletic and occupational pursuits. Much of this work has been dedicated to quantifying the time course of adaptation and identifying the minimum duration of acclimation required to optimise performance or enhance safety. To achieve this, investigators have typically applied classical (constant load) heat acclimation, whereby 60–90 min exercise is performed at the same absolute or relative intensity in a hot environment for 3–24 days, with adaptations evaluated using an identical forcing function test before and after. This approach has provided a foundation from which to develop our understanding of changes in thermoregulatory function, but it has several, frequently overlooked shortcomings, which have resulted in misconceptions concerning the time course of adaptation. It is frequently suggested that most of the thermoregulatory adaptations during heat acclimation occur within a week, but this is an oversimplification and a predictable artefact of the experimental designs used. Consequently, the time course of complete human adaptation to heat remains poorly understood and appears to vary considerably due to numerous individual factors. The purpose of this communication is to highlight the key methodological considerations required when interpreting the existing literature documenting adaptation over time. We also propose potential means by which to improve the way we induce and quantify the magnitude of adaptation to expedite discovery

Individual differences in thermoeffector function in the heat: morphological variations help determine effector activation

Meeting abstrac

Can variations in body morphology explain gender-related differences in heat loss?

Abstract of a presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Australian Physiological Society, Hobart, 29 Nov-2 Dec, 2015

Cardiac autonomic modulation in individuals with controlled and uncomplicated hypertension during exercise-heat stress

Data and supplemental information for related publicatio

The effect of a tiered body armour system on soldier physical mobility

Current military operations involve complex omnipresent threats, resulting in the need for all soldiers, regardless of occupational speciality, to wear body armour during operational deployment. Body armour is typically comprised of both hard and soft armour and is designed to provide ballistic, fragmentation and stab protection. The weight load and bulk of body armour, which is influenced by the materials used and extent of hard and soft armour coverage of the body, has the potential to affect a soldiers physical mobility on the battlefield. Intuitively it would appear logical that as the external load a soldier carries increases there is an associated decrease in their ability to move on the battlefield. Indeed studies have shown that external load can affect performance of key military tasks and thus compromise mobility when compared to an unloaded state. For example, Holewijn (1992) demonstrated that for every 1kg increase in external load, there was an average performance loss of 1% during tasks including jumping, sprinting, hand grenade throwing and obstacle course completion. The levels of protection proposed as part of the Tiered Body Armour System (Tiered BAS) have not been systematically evaluated and it is therefore unknown whether the weight increments of each level have a significant impact on soldier mobility. This study has quantified performance effects of the Tiered BAS and therefore examined the trade-off between passive protection (body armour coverage and ballistic rating) and active protection (soldier mobility). The results of this study can be reliably employed in conjunction with other important factors (e.g. thermal load) to inform Tiered BAS procurement decisions for the Australian Army. Secondly, results may be used to develop a commander\u27s guide to BAS selection (used in conjunction with threat profile information) on operations. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of different levels of body armour protection (Tiered BAS) on soldiers\u27 mobility. Specifically; Quantify baseline soldier mobility in a military clean skin (MCS) condition. Assess, measure and compare mobility under an Individual Combat Load Carriage Equipment (ICLCE) chest webbing system (control condition) and four levels of Tiered BAS. Underpin findings by correlative investigation with basic physiological and or anthropometric characteristics. Provide summary recommendations of the effects of weight load on soldiers\u27 mobility