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In this paper, we present the model in steady state conditions of a planetary traction drive continuously variable transmission (CVT). The model provides the efficiency formulation of the CVT as a function of the geometry, and the operative point considering slip and spin losses in the points of contact. The physical behaviour has been studied using the results from the EHL theory. The simulation results of this model show good efficiency performances and a large reduction ratio range.

In recent years, the versatile coordinating nature and facile construction of mixed donor (O, N, S) acyl(aroyl)thiourea ligands has led to the design and synthesis of new photo-active, macrocyclic and heteroleptic complexes. Although a significant portion of the structure, synthesis and application of acylthioureas has been reviewed in the literature, this article sheds light on recent advances related to the use of acylthioureas and its derivatives as versatile ligands in the field of coordination chemistry. In particular, there has been significant progress in the preparation and study of the elusive trans-[M(L-κS,O)2] complexes prepared by photo-irradiation of corresponding cis-[M(L-κS,O)2] complexes (M = Pt(II) and Pd(II)) in solution state. A fundamental insight into the photo-active behaviour of such complexes has immense scope since their structural and physical behaviour is less explored and thus studies on the kinetics and mechanism of trans → cis isomerism is highlighted. In addition, new results obtained from spectroscopic studies of the cis/trans-[Pt(L-κS,O)2] complexes using 195Pt{1H} NMR are presented. Furthermore, the use of bipodal acylthiourea analogues as building blocks in the synthesis and design of new coordination-driven metallacycles and metallacages has seen renewed interest in the last decade. While this article does not elaborate on synthetic details, it summarizes the current collection of known acylthiourea supramolecular compounds and also includes important structural information as well as some notable properties (such as magnetism, vapochromism, bio-applications and guest–host chemistry).

Topographic seismic amplification can have a relevant effect in hilly and mountain areas and it assumes a relevant role in urban planning and seismic slope instability. On the other hand, recent studies on this topic strongly suggest the necessity to assess or predict topographic effect as a frequency depending variable and in an adequate way, in contrast with the simplistic models that use an inadequate uniform spectral scaling factor. Following this suggestion and taking into account the results of the aforesaid studies, a computerized model was developed based on common topographic attributes such as DTM, slope angle and curvature, taking into consideration the uniform rigidity of the relief. The model is defined as grey box model due to the fact that it is constructed on the awaited physical behaviour along the relief and initially trained on topographic amplified data of uniform regular relief, data product by 2D numerical analysis The validation of model was performed on two well-known areas. The results show a high prediction capacity of the model and how it can be driven for the optimization of performance in different real areas.

In the occasion of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the founding of Italy (1861-2011), it was decided to analyse the artwork "The Italian Flag" (La Bandiera Italiana) created by the artist Fernando Melani (Pistoia, 1907-1985), one of the precursors of the Poor Art artistic movement in Italy. This project is a follow-up to a previous study which was mainly focused on the pigments and dyes found in his home-studio. The main goal of this paper is to identify a correct diagnostic plan, based on the use of a combination of non-invasive and micro-invasive methodologies, in order to determine the state of preservation and define the best conservation procedures for a contemporary artwork. Visible, infrared and infrared false colour images as well as the Fibre Optic Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS) technique were applied in situ to analyse The Italian Flag. Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and micro-Raman spectroscopies, Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (Py-GC/MS), High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Arrays Detection (HPLC-DAD) and Mass Spectrometric Detection (HPLC-ESI-Q-ToF) were all applied to three small samples detached from the three painted (green-blue, white and red-yellow, respectively) areas of the flag. The combination of the data obtained with all these techniques made possible a comprehensive understanding of both the chemical composition and physical behaviour of the materials used by the artist and supported curators in defining the preventive conservation of this artwork.

This work presents a phenomenological model for estimating projectile penetration into granular lightweight expanded clay aggregate often known as Lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA). Laboratory scale penetration experiments in the low-velocity regime performed using LECA are presented. A penetration model based on the mass and momentum balances is proposed and the model parameters are derived from the physical behaviour of the penetrated material. It was found that the penetration behaviour predicted by the model agrees reasonably well with the experimental results for three cases studied in detail in terms of projectile deceleration during the penetration and the final penetration depth as well as for the other cases for which only measured penetration depths were available. Although the proposed model results correspond well with the experiments, further validation and more detailed modelling of the dynamic effects of the assumed deformation mechanisms of the penetrated material are needed.

This paper investigates the suitability of clayey materials originating from semi-arid soil and river sediments, used by potters in the Agafay region for the manufacture of ceramic products. The clay samples were subjected to particle-size analysis, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence to investigate their physical, mineralogical and chemical characteristics respectively. The physical behaviour of the intermediate products was studied at the shaping and drying stages of the ceramics manufacturing process through the Atterberg limits and the plot of the Bigot curve respectively. The final product characteristics were determined through porosity tests, flexural and compressive strengths tests. Based on results obtained, the raw materials turn out to be suitable characteristics for the manufacture of earthenware products. The application of the suggested recommendations is worthy for the improvement of the products based on such raw materials.

In Chaucer’s Clerk’s Tale , Walter’s search for signs of discontent and mental anguish on his wife’s inscrutable countenance invites an analysis of the minds of its characters. Walter’s and Griselda’s mental functioning merits attention from the perspective of contemporary cognitive theories such as Alan Palmer’s concept of the social mind. This perspective reveals Chaucer’s concern with the problemof human minds’being closed off from the observer or else their thinking being transmittable. The prominence of the intermental processes of the Saluzzansin Clerks’ Tale suggests a view of intelligence as shared rather than dualistic. The anti-dualistic stance is reinforced by his protagonists’ eventual failure to bracket their minds off from each other and their people. However intently Walter and Griselda hide their thoughts behind the impenetrability of their faces and physical behaviour, as the narrative progresses their minds become not only readable but also unified.

Objective Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the gold-standard treatment for end-stage knee osteoarthritis, and the primary expectations are reduced pain and improved function. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding functional changes post-TKA. Commonly, functional changes are measured using Oxford Knee Score (OKS). No previous study has investigated physical behaviour (PB) changes in terms of volume and patterns post-TKA. The aims of this study were to explore volume and pattern changes in PB following TKA using an objective tool and to assess the correlation between this and OKS.\ud Design An activPAL measured the PB of individuals on a waiting list for TKA for a period of 7–8 days pre-TKA, and for the same length of time at 12 months post-TKA. OKS was completed at similar follow-up time points.\ud Results Thirty-three individuals completed the study, where stepping time, the number of steps and the time spent on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (>100 steps/minute) improved significantly post-TKA p = 0.0001. Steps at 12 months post-TKA improved by 45.6% (from 4,240 to 6,174) and stepping time increased by 38.8% (from 0.98 to 1.36 hours). MVPA improved by 35 minutes at 12 months (from 6.6 to 41.7 minutes).\ud There were no significant correlations between PB and OKS.\ud Conclusion This is the first study to explore PB volumes and event-based patterns post-TKA. Activity improved in terms of volume and patterns. No correlation was found between OKS and ActivPAL, which emphasises the need to use objective methods in addition to patient reported outcome measures.

SEYDAOGLU, MUAZ/0000-0003-3211-0864; Kocak, Huseyin/0000-0001-9683-6096; Erdogan, Utku/0000-0003-0089-0114 This study focuses on symplectic integrators for numerical evaluation of the asymptotic solutions of the nonlinear Airy-type equations obtained by reducing the nonlinear dispersive equations. Since the nature of Airy-type equations has both highly oscillatory slow decay and exponential fast decay, most of classical integrators are not able to correctly exhibit challenging physical behaviour. We use specially designed symplectic integrators combining splitting methods with Magnus integrators to catch asymptotic behaviour of nonlinear Airy-type equations efficiently, even for large step sizes. Efficiency of the proposed methods for given problems is discussed. Moreover, numerical results obtained by the proposed methods are compared with the existing results in the literature. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In this paper, we study to find the numerical solution of fractional Schistosomiasis disease by using a numerical method. Fractional Schistosomiasis disease model is used to symbolize a parasitic disease caused by trematode flukes of the genus Schistosoma. The physical behaviour of results obtained by using q-homotopy analyses transform method (q-HATM) in terms of plots for different fractional-order is captured. The results obtained by using considered method is more effective and easy to apply in order to examine the nature of multi-dimensional differential equations of fractional order arising in biological disease.

In the modern product development process, 3D printing is emerging as a novel technology for rapid manufacturing of components with complex geometries. Thermoplastic polymers are widely being 3D printed, however due to their poor mechanical properties there is a growing need for polymer composites which possess better performance. The favourable properties offered by nanocomposites have led to shift in focus towards development and characterisation of various nanocomposites. In this paper, studies directed towards nanocomposites processed via fused deposition modelling method have been reviewed. The effect of various reinforcing agents and various process parameters on mechanical properties of these nanocomposites has been presented. The literature suggests that additive manufacturing has tremendous potential in improving the properties of the polymeric composites. Moreover, the 3D printing technology is flexible enough to shorten the product development time. However, the effect of various process parameters on the mechanical properties needs to be studied in detail.

The occurrence of a high temperature change, such as in a fire incident will have an impact on the concrete structure, cracked surface structure, damage/collapse, and discoloration of the concrete. This research is conducted on K300 concrete with a sample of 15 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm cubes. Burning is carried out at temperatures of 250°C, 500°C, 750°C, and 1000°C with a containment time of 2, 4 and 6 hours. The cooling process is carried out by immersion then rested for 24 hours at room temperature. From the results of the research obtained at temperatures of 250°C, 500°C, 750°C, and 1000°C, the decrease in compressive strength are 4.44% -7.41%, 12.59% -22.96%, 56.44% -66.22%, and 76.74% - 100%. At the containment time for 2 hours, 4 hours and 6 hours, the decrease in compressive strength are w = 4.44% - 76.74%, 6.67% -93.70%, and 7.41% - 100%. At temperatures of 250 °C, 500°C, 750°C, and 1000°C, the increase in porosity are 8.09% - 9.57%, 11.79% - 15.50%, 16.98% - 18.46%, and 19.20% - 26.61%. At the containment time for 2 hours, 4 hours, and 6 hours, the increase in porosity are 8.09% - 19.20%, 8.83% - 22.16%, and 9.57% - 26.61%. From this research, it can be seen that the increase in temperature has a greater impact on the decrease in the compressive strength of concrete and the increase in the porosity of concrete compared to the increase in the combustion duration. Through this research, regression equations are generated which can be used to calculate the residual compressive strength at other combustion temperatures.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue affects 80% of persons with multiple sclerosis and is associated with daily physical functioning. Both fatigue and physical behaviour are multidimensional concepts.OBJECTIVE: To study the association between the dimensions of physical behaviour and multiple sclerosis-related fatigue.METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of 212 persons with multiple sclerosis. Participants were severely fatigued, with a Fatigue Severity Scale median (interquartile range): 5.4 (4.8-5.9) and were minimally to moderately neurologically impaired, based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale: 2.5 (2.0-3.5), 73% had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Fatigue was measured by questionnaires (i.e. Checklist Individual Strength, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), and the dimensions subjective, physical, cognitive and psychological fatigue were distinguished. Physical behaviour was measured using an Actigraph GT3X+, and outcomes were categorized into the dimensions of activity amount, activity intensity, day pattern, and distribution of activities.RESULTS: The physical behaviour dimensions were significantly associated with only the physical fatigue dimension (omnibus F-test: 3.96; df1 = 4, df2 = 207; p = 0.004). Additional analysis showed that the amount of activity (unstandardized beta coefficient (β) = -0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.27 to -0.04; p = 0.007), activity intensity (β = -0.18; 95% CI -0.31 to -0.06; p = 0.004) and day pattern of activity (β = -0.17; 95% CI, -0.28 to -0.06; p = 0.002) were the physical behaviour dimensions that were significantly associated with physical fatigue.CONCLUSION: Physical behaviour is weakly associated with physical fatigue and is not associated with other dimensions of fatigue.

This investigation revisits biaxial fatigue experiments carried out with nickel-based superalloy Waspaloy. Recently, yield criteria extended to multiaxial fatigue and stress-based approaches have been analysed, and their performances in correlating biaxial test data have been evaluated. It has been concluded that despite giving reasonable results, the parameters do not properly represent the physical behaviour of the material. An extension of the study is therefore executed using the strain based critical plane approaches proposed by Wang-Brown and Fatemi-Socie, and the energy-based approaches proposed by Smith-Watson-Topper, Liu and Ince-Glinka. Reasonably good fatigue life predictions are obtained with all criteria. However, for low cycle fatigue regime, best correlation is obtained with the Liu parameter.

A case study centred on a fuel supply system for a small aircraft is presented in Hybrid Event-B, an extension of conventional Event-B that allows for the modelling and verification of hybrid and cyberphysical systems exhibiting nontrivial continuous behaviour. In contrast to many such case studies, which concentrate predominantly on timing issues, the focus in the present work is on nontrivial physical behaviour, and on the effect that this has on various refinement and partition strategies. More liberal proof obligations are developed to add flexibility to the decomposition process.

© 2018 Ryan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Background The aim was to determine the reliability and validity of IPAQ measured sedentary behaviour (SB) and moderate–vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in older persons whilst examining any sex differences in reliability and validity results. Method 89 participants (73.7 ± 6.3 years, 54% female) completed the IPAQ. Participants were fitted with a thigh mounted triaxial accelerometer (GeneActiv Original) for seven consecutive days and subsequently completed a second IPAQ. Results IPAQ showed weak reliability qualities for Total SB (hweek -1 ) and 10 minute MVPA (accumulated in bouts 10 continuous minutes, hweek -1 ). IPAQ had poor concurrent validity qualities for Total SB, 10 minute MVPA, but not Sporadic MVPA (accumulated in bouts < 10 continuous minutes, hweek -1 ). IPAQ only categorised participant physical behaviour classification correctly 2% of the time. Sex differences were only present for the correlation slope of IPAQ 10 minute MVPA reliability measures. Conclusion Our data suggests that the IPAQ is not suitable for assessing older adults habitual physical behaviour.

A systematic approach to simulate particle-particle interactions considering agglomerate breakup is developed using large eddy and discrete particle simulations, with the technique applied to solid-liquid flows in a vertical turbulent channel. The results indicate that the fractal dimension and size of the agglomerate are key parameters that control shear-induced breakup dynamics which becomes slower as the fractal dimension increases from df = 2.0 to df = 3.0, and ultimately to no breakup. Breakup processes reduce the number of agglomerates in the system as well as populating the system with particles of smaller size, thereby promoting more collisions and collisions leading to agglomeration. These results are encouraging and are consistent with expected physical behaviour.

Numerical simulations of nanophotonics systems provide insight into their physical behaviour and design that provide a critical complement to experimental investigations. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is the most widely used, with its success due to its relative simplicity coupled with its broad applicability to many complex material systems, arbitrary shape configurations, time-domain visualization and, with increased computing resources, its near linear scalability for parallel computing.

Background: Fatigue affects 80% of persons with multiple sclerosis and is associated with daily physical functioning. Both fatigue and physical behaviour are multidimensional concepts. Objective: To study the association between the dimensions of physical behaviour and multiple sclerosis- related fatigue. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 212 persons with multiple sclerosis. Participants were severely fatigued, with a Fatigue Severity Scale median (interquartile range): 5.4 (4.8-5.9) and were minimally to moderately neurologically impaired, based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale: 2.5 (2.0-3.5), 73% had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Fatigue was measured by questionnaires (i.e. Checklist Individual Strength, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), and the dimensions subjective, physical, cognitive and psychological fatigue were distinguished. Physical behaviour was measured using an Actigraph GT3X+, and outcomes were categorized into the dimensions of activity amount, activity intensity, day pattern, and distribution of activities. Results: The physical behaviour dimensions were significantly associated with only the physical fatigue dimension (omnibus F-test: 3.96; df1 = 4, df2 = 207; p = 0.004). Additional analysis showed that the amount of activity (unstandardized beta coefficient (β) = -0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.27 to -0.04; p = 0.007), activity intensity (β = -0.18; 95% CI -0.31 to -0.06; p = 0.004) and day pattern of activity (β = -0.17; 95% CI, -0.28 to -0.06; p = 0.002) were the physical behaviour dimensions that were significantly associated with physical fatigue. Conclusion: Physical behaviour is weakly associated with physical fatigue and is not associated with other dimensions of fatigue.

The physical properties of gases are characterised by their loose molecular structure. Thus, gas is more susceptible to external factors compared to liquids or solid materials. Gas has higher entropy than solids. This makes gases more vulnerable to pressure and temperature changes. The entropy of gases changes with temperature and pressure. These characteristics have been known for centuries and described by physicists.

There are two ways to turn a categorical model for pure quantum theory into one for mixed quantum theory, both resulting in a category of completely positive maps. One has quantum systems as objects, whereas the other also allows classical systems on an equal footing. The former has been axiomatized using environment structures. We extend this axiomatization to the latter by introducing decoherence structures., Comment: In Proceedings QPL 2015, arXiv:1511.01181

This study deals with the inclusion of micro encapsulated phase change materials (PCM), up to 29% in volume, in concretes and mortars. Thermal and mechanical characteristics of hardened mixes are measured and compared with classical civil engineering models. PCM microcapsules behave as voids on a mechanical point of view, and as properly dispersed spheres on a thermal point of view. It is shown that PCM included in a mineral matrix to make building blocks could have a beneficial effect on walls thermal behaviour, keeping a consistent mechanical strength.

Hip fractures in older persons are associated with both low levels of daily physical activity and loss of outdoor mobility. The aim was to investigate if accelerometer-based measures of physical behaviour can be used to determine if people undertake outdoor walking and to provide reference values for physical behaviour outcomes related to outdoor mobility. Older persons (n=245), ≥70 years, one year after hip fracture, participated. Six objective measures of physical behaviour collected by an activity monitor were compared with self-reported outdoor mobility assessed with the Nottingham Extended ADL scale. All measures of time and length in upright periods were significantly lower in participants who reported not walking outdoors (p<0.001). A set of cut-off points for the different physical behaviour variables was generated. Maximum length of upright events discriminated best between groups, with 31 minutes as a threshold to determine if a person is more likely to report that they walk outdoors (sensitivity: 0.805, specificity: 0.704, and AUC: 0.871) or 41 minutes or more to determine if a person is more likely to report outdoor walking on their own (AUC: 0.891). Physical behaviour variables from activity monitoring can provide information about patterns of physical behaviour related to outdoor activity performance.

Corrosion of steel reinforcement is a common cause of deterioration in reinforced concrete bridges and many existing bridges are damaged to varying degrees. The rate of deterioration of the bridge stock has been shown to increase due to climate change. Unsympathetically, the demand for load-carrying capacity is however often increased with time. Therefore there is an increasing need for reliable methods to assess the load-carrying capacity and remaining service-life of existing infrastructure. A simple model for the assessment of Anchorage in corroded Reinforced Concrete structures (ARC) has previously been developed. It was originally based on fib Model Code 1990 and has been verified with experiments and three-dimensional nonlinear finite element (3D NLFE) analyses for both accelerated and natural corrosion as well as for different degrees of corrosion. The model was applied when assessing two road bridges in Sweden. The investigation demonstrated great cost savings but also areas for improvement, in particular regarding (a) applicability to practical cases and (b) incorporation of uncertainties in the assessment. The primary focal point of this paper is to present an overview of the development of the ARC model together with recent verifications against a large bond test database as well as foreseen future developments. It was found that the ARC model represents the physical behaviour reasonably well, and gives conservative values of bond strength compared to the bond tests database. In future works, among others, uncertainties of the input variables will be incorporated by means of probabilistic modelling, making way for implementation of the ARC model into semi-probabilistic safety concepts by extraction of modification factors. Overall, with more accurate and reliable assessment methods for corroded RC structures, environmental and economic savings are imminent as more of the potential of existing structures can be realized.

This investigation revisits biaxial fatigue experiments carried out with the nickel-based superalloy termed Waspaloy. Recently, yield criteria extended to multiaxial fatigue and stress based approaches were analysed and their performance to correlate the biaxial test data was evaluated. It was concluded that despite their reliable results, the parameters did not properly represent the physical behaviour of the material. In this context, an extension of this study was executed considering the strain based critical plane approaches proposed by Fatemi-Socie (FS) and Smith- Watson-Topper (SWT). The first parameter presented overly conservative predictions with large scatter of results. In contrast, more accurate predictions were obtained with the SWT parameter.

Background There is some evidence to suggest that dog ownership may improve physical activity (PA) among older adults, but to date, studies examining this, have either depended on self-report or incomplete datasets due to the type of activity monitor used to record physical activity. Additionally, the effect of dog ownership on sedentary behaviour (SB) has not been explored. The aim of the current study was to address these issues by using activPAL monitors to evaluate the influence of dog ownership on health enhancing PA and SB in a longitudinal study of independently-mobile, community-dwelling older adults. Methods Study participants (43 pairs of dog owners and non-dog owners, matched on a range of demographic variables) wore an activPAL monitor continuously for three, one-week data collection periods over the course of a year. Participants also reported information about their own and their dog demographics, caring responsibilities, and completed a diary of wake times. Diary data was used to isolate waking times, and outcome measures of time spent walking, time spent walking at a moderate cadence (>100 steps/min), time spent standing, time spent sitting, number of sitting events (continuous periods of sitting), and the number of and of time spent sitting in prolonged events (>30 min). For each measure, a linear mixed effects model with dog ownership as a fixed effect, and a random effects structure of measurement point nested in participant nested in pair was used to assess the effect of dog ownership. Results Owning a dog indicated a large, potentially health improving, average effect of 22 min additional time spent walking, 95%CI (12, 34), and 2760 additional steps per day, 95%CI (1667, 3991), with this additional walking undertaken at a moderate intensity cadence. Dog owners had significantly fewer sitting events. However, there were no significant differences between the groups for either the total time spent sitting, or the number or duration of prolonged sedentary events. Conclusions The scale of the influence of dog ownership on PA found in this study, indicates that future research regarding PA in older adults should assess and report dog ownership and/or dog walking status. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4422-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

OBJECTIVE: Active commuting (AC) is an important factor in increasing the total daily physical activity (PA) in children, which is significant for their health and positive physical behaviour in adulthood. The objective of the study was to describe trends in active commuting to school among Czech girls and boys aged 11-15 years from 2006 to 2014, using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study.METHODS: To investigate trends in AC among Czech children of school age data obtained from the HBSC surveys carried out in 2006, 2010, and 2014 was used. The study sample comprised 12,273 respondents, out of whom 5,992 (48.8%) were boys and 6,281 (51.2%) girls. The overall trends in AC were evaluated using logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: Compared with 2006, there was an overall decrease in AC among the 13-year-old boys and 13-year-old girls (boys - 1.8% in 2006 to 50.1% in 2014, girls - 69.3% in 2006 to 46.3% in 2014). The proportion of children AC (walking and cycling) to school significantly decreased from 74.3% in 2006 to 53.4% in 2014.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that AC to school decreased sharply among Czech children of school age from 2006 to 2014. However, walking was the most frequently used mode of travel. The boys were significantly more likely to cycle to school compared to the girls. PA interventions for youth should encourage participation in AC to school in the Czech Republic.

Exposure to nature provides a wide range of health benefits. A significant proportion of these are delivered close to home, because this offers an immediate and easily accessible opportunity for people to experience nature. However, there is limited information to guide recommendations on its management and appropriate use. We apply a nature dose-response framework to quantify the simultaneous association between exposure to nearby nature and multiple health benefits. We surveyed ca. 1000 respondents in Southern England, UK, to determine relationships between (a) nature dose type, that is the frequency and duration (time spent in private green space) and intensity (quantity of neighbourhood vegetation cover) of nature exposure and (b) health outcomes, including mental, physical and social health, physical behaviour and nature orientation. We then modelled dose-response relationships between dose type and self-reported depression. We demonstrate positive relationships between nature dose and mental and social health, increased physical activity and nature orientation. Dose-response analysis showed that lower levels of depression were associated with minimum thresholds of weekly nature dose. Nearby nature is associated with quantifiable health benefits, with potential for lowering the human and financial costs of ill health. Dose-response analysis has the potential to guide minimum and optimum recommendations on the management and use of nearby nature for preventative healthcare.

Exposure to nature provides a wide range of health benefits. A significant proportion of these are delivered close to home, because this offers an immediate and easily accessible opportunity for people to experience nature. However, there is limited information to guide recommendations on its management and appropriate use. We apply a nature dose-response framework to quantify the simultaneous association between exposure to nearby nature and multiple health benefits. We surveyed ca. 1000 respondents in Southern England, UK, to determine relationships between (a) nature dose type, that is the frequency and duration (time spent in private green space) and intensity (quantity of neighbourhood vegetation cover) of nature exposure and (b) health outcomes, including mental, physical and social health, physical behaviour and nature orientation. We then modelled dose-response relationships between dose type and self-reported depression. We demonstrate positive relationships between nature dose and mental and social health, increased physical activity and nature orientation. Dose-response analysis showed that lower levels of depression were associated with minimum thresholds of weekly nature dose. Nearby nature is associated with quantifiable health benefits, with potential for lowering the human and financial costs of ill health. Dose-response analysis has the potential to guide minimum and optimum recommendations on the management and use of nearby nature for preventative healthcare.

In this work we present a convolutional neural network-based (CNN) model that predicts future movements of a ball given a series of images depicting the ball and its environment. For training and evaluation, we use artificially generated images sequences. Two scenarios are analyzed: Prediction in a simple table tennis environment and a more challenging squash environment. Classical 2D convolution layers are compared with 3D convolution layers that extract the motion information of the ball from contiguous frames. Moreover, we investigate whether networks with stereo visual input perform better than those with monocular vision only. Our experiments suggest that CNNs can indeed predict physical behaviour with small error rates on unseen data but the performance drops for very complex underlying movements.

This paper investigates the effect of the anorectal angle on continence using a physical model of the anatomical system. A method to fabricate, measure and control a physical model for the simulation of human faecal continence is presented. A model rectum and associated soft tissues, based on geometry from an anonymised CT dataset, was fabricated from silicone and showed behavioural realism to ex vivo tissue. Simulated stool matter with similar rheological properties to human faeces was developed. Instrumentation and control hardware are used to regulate injection of simulated stool into the system, define the anorectal angle and monitor stool flow rate, intra-rectal pressure and puborectalis force. A study was then conducted in which simulated stool was introduced to the system for anorectal angles between 80° and 100°. Results obtained from the study give insight into the effect of the anorectal angle on continence. Stool leakage was reduced as the angle became more acute. Conversely, intra-rectal pressure increased. These data demonstrate that the anorectal angle is fundamental in maintaining continence. This work is valuable in helping improve our understanding of the physical behaviour of the faecal system. It has particular relevance facilitating improved technologies to treat or manage severe faecal incontinence.

Aim: To determine the criterion validity of the Activ8a and VitaMoveb activity monitors (AM) in measuring body postures and movements (P&M) in adults with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) with different gross motor functional abilities in a simulated free-living environment. Methods: In this observational validation study participants were included between March and June 2016. Participants were divided into two groups: ambulatory and non-ambulatory adults (wheelchair users). For ambulatory adults, three Activ8 monitors (attached to the frontal thigh, lateral thigh, and in the pant pocket) and three synchronized VitaMove monitors (attached to the chest and each leg) were worn while participants were video recorded when performing a standardized activity protocol. For non-ambulatory adults, two synchronized Activ8 monitors (attached to the dominant wrist and wheelchair wheel) and three VitaMove monitors (attached to the chest and each wrist) were worn while participants were video recorded when performing a standardized wheelchair protocol. A native Dutch student provided standardized instructions while the author video recorded participants. Activities were performed in a movement laboratory and simulated free-living environment. Output data of the Activ8 and the VitaMove monitors were compared with video observation as a criterion measure. Absolute and relative time differences were calculated for each detected body P&M and for total measurement time for each participant. The following body P&M categories were detected: sitting, standing, walking, running, cycling, wheelchair driving, active upper body (stable wheelchair), and assisted driving. Agreement between the Activ8 and VitaMove during activity measurement was determined for each activity using Spearman Rho correlation coefficients, which were then compared with Meng’s test. Adapted Bland-Altman plots were completed to determine agreement at an individual level and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests were calculated to evaluate differences between detected P&M time across measures. Relative time differences of

The neutron multiplication factor keff is a key quantity to characterize subcritical neutron multiplying devices and for understanting their physical behaviour, being related to the fundamental eigenvalue of Boltzmann transport equation. Both the maximum available power - and all quantities related to it, like, e.g. the effectiveness in burning nuclear wastes - as well as reactor kinetics and dynamics depend on keff . Nevertheless, keff is not directly measurable and its determination results from the solution of an inverse problem: minimizing model dependence of the solution for keff then becomes a critical issue, relevant both for practical and theoretical reasons.

We investigate the behaviour of hard-core bosons in one- and two-dimensional flat band systems, the chequerboard and the kagom\'e lattice and one-dimensional analogues thereof. The one dimensional systems have an exact local reflection symmetry which allows for exact results. We show that above the critical density an additional particle forms a pair with one of the other bosons and that the pair is localised. In the two-dimensional systems exact results are not available but variational results indicate a similar physical behaviour.

In the effort to develop critical cyberphysical systems, existing computing formalisms are extended to include continuous behaviour. This may happen in a way that neglects elements necessary for correct continuous properties and correct physical properties. A simple language is taken to illustrate this. Issues and risks latent in this kind of approach are identified and discussed under the umbrella of ‘healthiness conditions’. Modifications to the language in the light of the conditions discussed are described. An example air conditioning system is used to illustrate the concepts presented, and is developed both in the original language and in the modified version.

Industrial robots are usually not suitable for high-precision applications due to their limited absolute accuracy. This issue can be solved by calibrating the robot using an adequate model of its kinematic chain and physical behaviour. However, this presupposes a deep understanding of the effects that influence the absolute accuracy and repeatability of the robot. This paper outlines a set of experiments to gain this knowledge by analysing the effects that limit the precision and furthermore presents a way for the proper visualisation of the consequent errors. The investigation includes a range of robots with different characteristics to gather valid and preferably universal information for off-the-shelf industrial robots.

Human hair is a biological material constantly exposed to different external factors,such as humidity, sunrays, temperature, chemical treatments, etc. All these treatments influence and modify its physical behaviour. Studying the biophysical properties of human hair is very important in both dermatology to provide useful markers for the diagnosis of hair disorders and in cosmetics to develop better hair-care products. Water is one of the external factors whose action on the mechanical behaviour of hair is the most visible. To understand the role of water in the biophysical behaviour of hair, it is essential to study its influence on alpha-keratin, which composes the major part of the structure of hair. The influence of water on the biomechanical behaviour of hair has been studied using relaxation tests. The generalised Maxwell model was used to analyse rheological results. The results indicate a modification of the rheological behaviour of hair before and after immersion in water and during ambient air-drying. Finally, a correlation between the rheological results and the chemical bond structure of hair is discussed.

An outstanding problem in biogeochemical modelling of the ocean is that many of the key processes occur intermittently at small scales, such as the sub-mesoscale, that are not well represented in global ocean models. This is partly due to their failure to resolve sub-mesoscale phenomena, which play a significant role in vertical nutrient supply. Simply increasing the resolution of the models may be an inefficient computational solution to this problem. An approach based on recent advances in adaptive mesh computational techniques may offer an alternative. Here the first steps in such an approach are described, using the example of a simple vertical column (quasi-1-D) ocean biogeochemical model. We present a novel method of simulating ocean biogeochemical behaviour on a vertically adaptive computational mesh, where the mesh changes in response to the biogeochemical and physical state of the system throughout the simulation. We show that the model reproduces the general physical and biological behaviour at three ocean stations (India, Papa and Bermuda) as compared to a high-resolution fixed mesh simulation and to observations. The use of an adaptive mesh does not increase the computational error, but reduces the number of mesh elements by a factor of 2–3. Unlike previous work the adaptivity metric used is flexible and we show that capturing the physical behaviour of the model is paramount to achieving a reasonable solution. Adding biological quantities to the adaptivity metric further refines the solution. We then show the potential of this method in two case studies where we change the adaptivity metric used to determine the varying mesh sizes in order to capture the dynamics of chlorophyll at Bermuda and sinking detritus at Papa. We therefore demonstrate that adaptive meshes may provide a suitable numerical technique for simulating seasonal or transient biogeochemical behaviour at high vertical resolution whilst minimising the number of elements in the mesh. More work is required to move this to fully 3-D simulations.

Starch accumulates in plants as granules in chloroplasts of source organs such as leaves (transitory starch) or in amyloplasts of sink organs such as seeds, tubers and roots (storage starch). Starch is composed of two types of glucose polymers: the essentially linear polymer amylose and highly branched amylopectin. The amylose content of wheat and rice seeds is an important quality trait, affecting the nutritional and sensory quality of two of the world's most important crops. In this review, we focus on the relationship between amylose biosynthesis and the structure, physical behaviour and functionality of wheat and rice grains. We briefly describe the structure and composition of starch and then in more detail describe what is known about the mechanism of amylose synthesis and how the amount of amylose in starch might be controlled. This more specifically includes analysis of GBSS alleles, the relationship between waxy allelic forms and amylose, and related quantitative trait loci. Finally, different methods for increasing or lowering amylose content are evaluated.

The purpose of the study was to develop a qualitative measurement for pain by measuring salivary alpha amylase (sAA). In this study, sAA levels were measured in order to investigate the relativity between fluctuation of sAA and pain on Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice by injection needle as a physical stimulus. Mice were chosen as an object of experiment since mice and human have similarities in both physical behaviour and biological behaviour. Here, ICR mice were divided into two groups; injected by Nanopass 33 (TERUMO Corporation, 100 μm and 200 μm in inner and outer diameter) and a control (without any injection). Whole saliva was collected from the oral cavity by micropipette for both groups. As a result, there was a significant difference in sAA levels between the two groups as the p value (probability value) was below than 0.01 (p < 0.01). Therefore, this is the first study showing the non-invasive method of qualitative pain measurement for minor damage caused by physical stimulus. The results demonstrate the potential of sAA as an indirect marker for pain and suggest that the present experimental situation is a suitable experimental model for measuring pain.

In order to explore the nature of photons, no doubts can be allowed to exist concerning the “physics of photons”. While static gravitation plays no role in the physics of photons, this paper will show that the previously unknown nonbaryonic dynamic gravitation of photons determines not only the external physical behaviour of photons but also, in particular, the hitherto unknown physical events occurring within the photons themselves. For this reason, the paper places particular emphasis on dynamic gravitation as a new hitherto unknown physical quantity. Moreover the new type of gravitation postulated here also provides a plausible explanation of the mysterious nonbaryonic dark matter. As no generally accepted scientific explanation of the creation and essence of dark matter exists to date, it is to be anticipated that the nonbaryonic dynamic gravitation of photons is of general interest to physicists as well as cosmologists and may serve to initiate a general debate among them. Furthermore, this paper will also show that there exists a close mutual relationship between electrodynamics dynamic gravitation static gravitation electrostatics electrodynamics (refer to paragraph 4). Due to the fact that the insights into the relationship between photons and their dynamic gravitation have not been described by any other author to date, there exists only a few references that I can cite in support of my paper.

BACKGROUND: It has been advocated that older adults should concomitantly spend less time in sedentary behaviour (SB), and engage in sufficient physical activity (PA), to reduce their risk of cardio-metabolic diseases. However, it is not clear what intensity of PA must be done to offset SB engagement. AIM: Model how cardio-metabolic profiles could change if older adults replaced an hour per day (hr·day-1) of a physical behaviour intensity with 1 hr·day-1 of another physical behaviour of a different intensity. METHODS: Older adults (n = 93, 60-89 years old, 55% female) wore a thigh-mounted triaxial accelerometer for seven consecutive free-living days to estimate mean daily hourly engagement in SB, Standing, Light Intensity PA (LIPA), sporadic moderate to vigorous physical activity (sMVPA, bouts

PTDC/EPH-PAT/4684/2014. SFRH/BPD/111183/2015. Sem PDF conforme despacho. Brita lavada: (washed gravel, in direct translation) is a decorative coating technology with a mortar based on cement, local Madeira basalt gravel and black pigment, currently used for masonry rendering on 20th-21st century Madeiran built heritage simulating stone masonry or cladding. Comparison of Brita Lavada and other cement based coating mortars was made regarding physical behaviour. The Brita Lavada shows high mechanical strength, acceptable water absorption and good water vapour permeability, what can justify its good durability on site and continuous application. The previous justify the interest on preserving the technology and is an example of optimised used of a local material, in the case a very hard basalt, with no possibility to be used for stonework, as a specific resource for a traditional, durable, eco-efficient decorative coating. authorsversion published

This article presents the strength, diameter, elongation and tenacity variations of banana pseudo-stem fibres extracted from five common Sri Lankan cultivars. The banana plants that were selected represent the dry and wet climatic zones of Sri Lanka. Mixtures of all layers of stem from the selected cultivars were subjected to three different extraction methods. Decortication technique was used for mechanical extraction, sodium hydroxide was used for chemical extraction and pectinase enzyme was used for biological extraction. The mechanical extraction method resulted in coarser fibres, chemical extraction resulted in a 30% reduction in the fibre diameter, while the biologically extracted fibre presented a 40% increase in fibre strength compared with the mechanically extracted fibres. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the presence of damaged fibrils in mechanical extraction and removal of binder material in the chemical and biological extraction methods. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis proved the removal of lignin in chemical and biological extraction. Different cultivars presented different behaviours in extensibility, which is common in natural fibres.

The absorption and emission spectra of fluorescent thiophene dye, namely, 2,5-di-(5-tert-butyl-2-benzoxazolyl) thiophene, have been recorded at room temperature in solvents of different polarities. The excited state dipole moments ( e) were estimated from Lippert’s, Bakhshiev’s, and Kawski–Chamma–Viallet’s equations using the variation of Stoke’s shift with the solvent dielectric constant and refractive index. The optimized geometry of themolecule and gwere calculated theoretically by Gaussian 03 software using B3LYP/6-31g* level of theory. The g and ewere calculated bymeans of solvatochromic shift method and ewas determined in combination with g. It was observed that ewere higher than those of the g, indicating a substantial redistribution of the -electron densities in a more polar excited state for the selected thiophene dye. Further, the change in the dipole moment ( ) was calculated both from solvatochromic shift method and on the basis of microscopic empirical solvent polarity parameter ET N and values are compared. PACS Nos.: 33.50.−j, 87.64.i, 31.70.Hq, 87.15.kg. Resume : Nous avons enregistre, a la temperature de la piece et dans des solvants de differentes polarites, les spectres d’absorption et d’emission du colorant thiophene fluorescent 2,5-di-(5-tertbutyl-benzoxazolyl). Nous estimons le moment dipolaire ( e) des etats excites a partir des equations de Bakhshiev et Kawski–Chamma–Viallet en utilisant la variation du deplacement de Stokes, avec la constante dielectrique du solvant et l’indice de refraction. La geometrie de lamolecule est completement optimisee et nous calculons g a l’aide du logiciel Gaussian 03 utilisant le modele theorique B3LYP/6-31g*. Les parametres g et e sont calcules par lamethode du deplacement solvatochromique et e est determine en combinaison avec g. Nous observons que les valeurs de e sont plus elevees que celles de g, ce qui indique une redistribution substantielle des densites d’electrons dans un etat excite plus polaire pour le colorant thiophene choisi. De plus, nous evaluons les changements dumoment dipolaire ( ) a partir de deux methodes, celle du deplacement solvatochromique et sur la base d’un parametre de polarite empirique microscopique ET N et nous comparons ensuite les resultats. [Traduit par la Redaction]