Aging effect and test-retest reliability of the sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test and velocity step test using nanotorque rotatory chair

Introduction:Rotatory chair testing has been used to evaluate horizontal canal function.Frequently used tests include sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test(SHAT)and velocity step test(VST).Objectives:Assessment of age effect on the SHAT and VST and assessment of test-retest reliability of the parameters of those two tests.Methods:A prospective study was performed on 100 subjects with no ear or vestibular complaints and normal vestibular evaluation.They were divided into two groups;Group A:below 50 years of age and Group B:50 years of age or above.SHAT was presented at frequencies 0.02,0.04,0.08,0.16,0.32,0.64 Hz with a peak velocity of 60°/s.VST was performed using a maximum velocity of 100°/s with acceleration and deceleration of 200°/s2.Thirty subjects were tested twice to assess reliability.Results:Study participants ranged in age from 20 to 67 years.Regarding group A,the mean age was30.92±7.31 and 55.36±4.61 for group B.No significant differences were found in SHAT parameters between the two groups.As well,there was no significant difference in VST per-rotatory time constant,however,post-rotatory time constant was significantly longer for Group B(P value<0.05).Intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)values showed moderate to good reliability(ICC 0.5800.818)for SHAT parameters for the lower frequencies and indicated moderate reliability for VST time constant(ICC 0.5090.652).Conclusions:Age has no significant effect on the parameters of SHAT and VST.Test-retest reliability is generally good for both tests.

Can environmental sustainability be decoupled from economic growth? Empirical evidence from Eastern Europe using the common correlated effect mean group test

The European Union(EU) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD) aim to develop long-term policies for their respective member countries. Having observed increasing dangers to the environment posed by rising economic growth, they are seeking pathways to enable policy action on economic growth and environmental sustainability. Given the facts in theoretical and empirical studies, this study assessed the validity of the decoupling hypothesis by investigating asymmetricity in the relationship between environmental sustainability and economic growth in nine Eastern European countries from 1998 to 2017 using the cross-section augmented Dickey-Fuller(CADF) unit root, panel corrected standard error(PCSE), common correlated effect mean group(CCEMG), and Dumitrescu Hurlin causality approaches. Both population growth and drinking water are used as controlled variables. The outcomes establish strong cointegration among all the variables of interest. According to the results of CCEMG test, economic growth exerts short-term environmental degradation but has long-term environmental benefits in Eastern Europe;and population growth and drinking water exert a positive effect on environmental sustainability in both the short-and long-run. The results of Dumitrescu Hurlin causality test indicate that environmental sustainability is unidirectionally affected by economic growth. Based on these outcomes, we suggest the following policies:(1) the EU and OECD should implement member-targeted policies on economic growth and fossil-fuel use towards regulating industrial pollution, water use, and population control;and(2) the EU and OECD member countries should invest in environmental technologies through green research and development(R&D) to transform their dirty industrial processes and ensure productive energy use.

Speed Measurement Feasibility by Eddy Current Effect in the High-Speed MFL Testing

It is known that eddy current effect has a great influence on magnetic flux leakage testing(MFL).Usually,contacttype encoder wheels are used to measure MFL testing speed to evaluate the effect and further compensate testing signals.This speed measurement method is complicated,and inevitable abrasion and occasional slippage will reduce the measurement accuracy.In order to solve this problem,based on eddy current effect due to the relative movement,a speed measurement method is proposed,which is contactless and simple.In the high-speed MFL testing,eddy current induced in the specimen will cause an obvious modification to the applied field.This modified field,which is measured by Hall sensor,can be utilized to reflect the moving speed.Firstly,the measurement principle is illustrated based on Faraday’s law.Then,dynamic finite element simulations are conducted to investigate the modified magnetic field distribution.Finally,laboratory experiments are performed to validate the feasibility of the proposed method.The results show that Bmz(r1)and Bmx(r2)have a linear relation with moving speed,which could be used as an alternative measurement parameter.

Effect of slake durability on time dependent swelling behavior of red-bed siltstone in Sichuan Basin

The swelling behavior of red-bed rocks is a significant factor in the abnormal uplift of subgrades for high-speed railways constructed on the red stratum in the Sichuan Basin,China.The prime objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of mineralogical composition,moisture content,and overburden load on the time-dependent unconfined and oedometric swelling behavior of red-bed siltstone in the context of differences in the slake durability.Twenty samples were prepared for the swelling test,with eleven used for the unconfined swelling and slake index tests and nine for the oedometric swelling test.The temporal dependency of swelling is characterized by the viscosity coefficient of water absorption in a proposed swelling model.Results indicate that the swelling deformation of red-bed rocks is due to a combination of hydration swelling within the rock matrix and crack expansion caused by air breakage.In the unconfined swelling test,the final axial swelling strain of red-bed rocks decreases linearly with increasing slake index,while the viscosity coefficient increases exponentially with the slake index.In the oedometric swelling test,red-bed rocks with lower slake durability show greater sensitivity to lateral constraint and overburden load compared to those with higher slake durability.

Optimality of Group Testing with Differential Misclassification

Group testing is a method that can be used to estimate the prevalence of rare infectious diseases,which can effectively save time and reduce costs compared to the method of random sampling.However,previous literature only demonstrated the optimality of group testing strategy while estimating prevalence under some strong assumptions.This article weakens the assumption of misclassification rate in the previous literature,considers the misclassification rate of the infected samples as a differentiable function of the pool size,and explores some optimal properties of group testing for estimating prevalence in the presence of differential misclassification conforming to this assumption.This article theoretically demonstrates that the group testing strategy performs better than the sample by sample procedure in estimating disease prevalence when the total number of sample pools is given or the size of the test population is determined.Numerical simulation experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of group tests in estimating prevalence in the presence of dilution effect.

Resistance of full-scale beams against close-in explosions.Numerical modeling and field tests

This paper explores the performances of a finite element simulation including four concrete models applied to a full-scale reinforced concrete beam subjected to blast loading. Field test data has been used to compare model results for each case. The numerical modelling has been, carried out using the suitable code LS-DYNA. This code integrates blast load routine(CONWEP) for the explosive description and four different material models for the concrete including: Karagozian & Case Concrete, Winfrith, Continuous Surface Cap Model and Riedel-Hiermaier-Thoma models, with concrete meshing based on 10, 15, and 20 mm. Six full-scale beams were tested: four of them used for the initial calibration of the numerical model and two more tests at lower scaled distances. For calibration, field data obtained employing pressure and accelerometers transducers were compared with the results derived from the numerical simulation. Damage surfaces and the shape of rupture in the beams have been used as references for comparison. Influence of the meshing on accelerations has been put in evidence and for some models the shape and size of the damage in the beams produced maximum differences around 15%. In all cases, the variations between material and mesh models are shown and discussed.

Experimental study on the size effect on the equation of state of concretes under shock loading

Adopting the classical theory of hydrocodes,the constitutive relations of concretes are separated into an equation of state(EoS)which describes the volumetric behavior of concrete material and a strength model which depicts the shear properties of concrete.The experiments on the EoS of concrete is always challenging due to the technical difficulties and equipment limitations,especially for the specimen size effect on the EoS.Although some researchers investigate the shock properties of concretes by fly-plate impact tests,the specimens used in their tests are usually in one size.In this paper,the fly-plate impact tests on concrete specimens with different sizes are performed to investigate the size effect on the shock properties of concrete materials.The mechanical background of the size effect on the shock properties are revealed,which is related to the lateral rarefaction effect and the deviatoric stress produced in the specimen.According to the tests results,the modified EoS considering the size effect on the shock properties of concrete are proposed,which the bulk modulus of concrete is unpredicted by up to 20% if size effects are not accounted for.

Seismic effectiveness evaluation and optimized design of tie up method for securing museum collections

To quantify the seismic effectiveness of the most commonly used fishing line tie up method for securing museum collections and optimize fixed strategies for exhibitions,shaking table tests of the seismic systems used for typical museum collection replicas have been carried out.The influence of body shape and fixed measure parameters on the seismic responses of replicas and the interaction behavior between replicas and fixed measures have been explored.Based on the results,seismic effectiveness evaluation indexes of the tie up method are proposed.Reasonable suggestions for fixed strategies are given,which provide a basis for the exhibition of delicate museum collections considering the principle of minimizing seismic responses and intervention.The analysis results show that a larger ratio of height of mass center to bottom diameter led to more intense rocking responses.Increasing the initial pretension of fishing lines was conducive to reducing the seismic responses and stress variation of the lines.Through comprehensive consideration of the interaction forces and effective securement,it is recommended to apply 20%of breaking stress as the initial pretension.For specific museum collections that cannot be effectively protected by the independent tie up method,an optimized strategy of a combination of fishing lines and fasteners is recommended.

Unraveling the Stray Current-Induced Interfacial Transition Zone(ITZ)Effect on Sulfate Corrosion in Concrete

The rail transit in sulfate-rich areas faces the combined effects of stray current and salt corrosion;however,the sulfate ion transport and concrete degradation mechanisms under such conditions are still unclear.To address this issue,novel sulfate transport and mesoscale splitting tests were designed,with a focus on considering the differences between the interfacial transition zone(ITZ)and cement matrix.Under the influence of stray current,the ITZ played a pivotal role in regulating the transport and mechanical failure processes of sulfate attack,while the tortuous and blocking effects of aggregates almost disappeared.This phenomenon was termed the“stray current-induced ITZ effect.”The experimental data revealed that the difference in sulfate ion transport attributed to the ITZ ranged from 1.90 to 2.31 times,while the difference in splitting strength ranged from 1.56 to 1.64 times.Through the real-time synchronization of splitting experiments and microsecond-responsive particle image velocimetry(PIV)technology,the mechanical properties were exposed to the consequences of the stray currentinduced ITZ effect.The number of splitting cracks in the concrete increased,rather than along the central axis,which was significantly different from the conditions without stray current and the ideal Brazilian disk test.Furthermore,a sulfate ion mass transfer model that incorporates reactivity and electrodiffusion was meticulously constructed.The embedded finite element calculation exhibited excellent agreement with the experimental results,indicating its reliability and accuracy.Additionally,the stress field was determined utilizing analytical methods,and the mechanism underlying crack propagation was successfully obtained.Compared to the cement matrix,a stray current led to more sulfates,more microstructure degradation,and greater increases in thickness and porosity in the ITZ,which was considered to be the essence of the stray current-induced ITZ effect.

Research on the Linkage Effect and Coordinated Development Between Public Libraries Construction and Innovation Efficiency:Theoretical and Empirical Evidence from China

Based on the panel data of 29 provincial administrative regions in China from 2011 to 2022,this study uses the entropy weighting method and the global super-efficiency SBM model to evaluate and measure the public libraries construction level and innovation efficiency in China,uses the vector autoregression model,theαconvergence model and theβconvergence model to evaluate and test whether there is a positive linkage effect between public libraries construction and innovation efficiency,and uses the coupling coordination model to calculate and analyze the coupling coordination degree between public libraries construction and innovation efficiency.The results show that China’s public libraries construction and innovation efficiency are generally in a good development trend,but there is still a large gap from reaching a high level.There is a positive linkage effect between China’s public libraries construction and innovation efficiency,which can not only promote each other’s development,but also drive each other to achieve regional balanced development.The coupling coordination degree between China’s public libraries construction and innovation efficiency is showing a steady upward trend,but it is still on the verge of imbalance as a whole,and the eastern region is significantly better than the central region and western region.The results reveal the positive linkage effect between public libraries construction and innovation efficiency,which has enlightenment significance for building a strong country in culture and innovation.Based on this,this study puts forward suggestions on increasing investment in public libraries construction,optimizing the configuration structure of innovation factors,and strengthening the deep integration of public libraries construction and innovation activities,so as to give full play to the positive linkage effect between public libraries construction and innovation efficiency.

Acute Toxicity of Jinchuan Formula Plum Wine Extract and Its Protective Effect on Mice with Liver Injury

[Objectives]To investigate the acute toxicity and hepatoprotective effect of Jinchuan formula plum wine extract on mice,determine its safety range,and evaluate its hepatoprotective effect.[Methods]The median lethal dose(LD_(50))was determined by acute toxicity test with the toxic reaction and mortality of mice as indexes.Sixty Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups:normal control group,model group(ConA-induced liver injury model),Jinchuan formula plum wine high,medium and low dose groups(1.0,0.5,0.25 g/kg)and silybin group(0.1 g/kg).The levels of ALT,AST,LDH in serum and TG,VLDL in liver were measured.After HE staining,the pathological changes of liver tissue in mice were observed,and the liver protective effect of Jinchuan formula plum wine extract was analyzed and evaluated.[Results]LD_(50)was 11.18 g/kg,and the 95%confidence limit of LD_(50)was 10.31-12.05 g/kg.The high-dose group of Jinchuan formula plum wine extract could significantly reduce the serum ALT and AST activities of ConA-induced liver injury mice(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Jinchuan formula plum wine extract is relatively safe,and also has a protective effect on liver injury.

test252 kV三相机械联动GIS用断路器的T100s合并试验

交流高压断路器标准GB/T 1984—2014中规定了中性点有效和非有效接地系统的合并试验,但是不涉及60Hz的工况,对应STL导则中针对IEC 62271-100有50/60Hz合并试验的描述,但是国内厂家50/60Hz通常是分开试验的。文章通过介绍252kV断路器T100s的多参数的合并试验,提供了一种可以多参数试验的试验方法,指出了多参数合并试验的利弊,对后续其他类似多参数合并试验提供了有效参考。

Experimental analysis of the slip sinkage effect based on real vehicle test

To improve the semi-empirical model, the slip sinkage effect is analyzed based on the real vehicle test. A dynamic testing system is used to gain the dynamic responses of wheel-soil interactions, The Gauss-Newton algorithm is adopted to estimate the undetermined parameters involved in the slip sinkage models. Wong＇s original model is compared with three typical slip sinkage models on the prediction performance of a drawbar pull. The maximum error rate, root mean squared error and correlation coefficient are utilized to evaluate the performance. The results indicate that the slip sinkage models outperform Wong＇s model and greatly improve the prediction accuracy. Lyasko＇s model is confirmed as an outstanding one for its comprehensive performance. Hence, the existence of the slip sinkage effect is validated. Lyasko＇s model is selected as an optimal one for the practical evaluation of military vehicle trafficability.

A Study on Washback Effect of CET-6 Translation Test Towards College English Teaching and Learning

CET-6 is a nationwide and standardized test to evaluate college students' English levels. Now more than 10 million college students take part in the exam every year. On August 14, 2013, the CET-4 and CET-6 examination committee reformed the structure of the CET-6 papers. After that the sentence translation was changed into paragraph translation,the scores of translation section also increased to 15 points which is more difficult and more important than before. There is no doubt that CET-6will exert a great impact on the teaching and learning of College English in China. This thesis focuses on the washback effect of CET-6 translation test towards college English teaching and learning.First of all, this paper introduces the CET-6 translation test requirements, and the score requirements of translation part. The author also illustrates some significant language testing research of both domestic and foreign scholars, and explains the concept of reliability and validity. Secondly, through the survey method of interviews and questionnaire the author study the characteristics of teaching in college classroom, the effect of translation teaching, and how do students to study translation. The author makes a further research on the interaction between the translation test and the teaching and learning based on the relevant theories. At last, the author finds that the negative washback effect of the CET-6 translation test is greater than the positive one. The author reflects on the current translation teaching and learning in China, and hopes to minimize the negative effects of CET-6 translation test.

Effects of “3414” Fertilization Effect Test on the Yield and Economic Benefit of Sagittaria sagittifolia

[Objective] To screen the optimal fertilizer formula, and to lay foundation for the research on special fertilizer for Sagittaria sagittifolia production. [Method] Based on the ＂3414＂ fertilization design, the yield of S. sagittifolia in each treatment was determined, and the effects of N, P and K treatments on the yield and eco- nomic benefit of S. sagittifolia were investigated, obtaining the optimal fertilizer appli- cation ratio. [Result] N, P and K had relatively good effects on the yield of S. sagittifolia. Treatment of N2P2K3 showed the optimal fertilizer application ratio, with the yield of 18 397.80 kg/hm2, yield increasing rate of 104.77%, and net income in- crease of 80 317.35 Yuan/hm2. N fertilizer had the greatest impacts on the yield of S. sagittifolia, followed with K fertilizer; while P fertilizer showed the poorest impacts. [Conclusion] To achieve the highest yield of S. sagittifolia, the fertilizer application was as follows： N of 446.70 kg/hm2, P20 of 568.10 kg/hm2, K2O of 534.90 kg/hm2, when the highest yield was 18 612.75 kg/hm2. Fertilizer application for the optimal economic benefit was N of 420.60 kg/hm2, P2O5 of 70.50 kg/hm2, K2O of 492.15 kg/hm2, when the optimal yield was 18 579.00 kg/hm2.

Behaviour of layered sandstone under Brazilian test conditions:Layer orientation and shape effects

The experimental study in this paper focuses on the effects of the layer orientation and sample shape on failure strength and fracture pattern of samples tested under Brazilian test conditions(i.e.diametrical loading of cylindrical discs)for one particular layered sandstone which is from Modave in the south of Belgium.The variations of the strength in combination with the failure patterns are examined as a function of the inclination angle between the layer plane and the loading direction.The experimental,results clearly show that the induced fracture patterns are a combination of tensile and/or shear fractures.In shape effect experiments the layer thickness and the number of layer boundaries are investigated.Different blocks of Modave sandstone are used to prepare samples.The layer thickness is different among the various blocks,but the layer thickness in each studied rock block can be considered to be constant;hence,the number of layer boundaries changes according to the sample diameter for samples of the same block.The experimental study shows that the layer thickness plays a more important role than the number of layer boundaries per sample.

Study of Low-intensity 2450-MHz Microwave Exposure Enhancing the Genotoxic Effects of Mitomycin C Using Micronucleus Test and Comet Assay in vitro

Objective To determine the interaction between 2450-MHz microwaves (MW) radiation and mitomycin C (MMC). Methods The synergistic genotoxic effects of low-intensity 2450-MHz microwave and MMC on human lymphocytes were studied using single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay (comet assay) and cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) test in vitro. The whole blood cells from a male donor and a female donor were either only exposed to 2450-MHz microwaves (5.0 mW/cm2) for 2 h or only exposed to MMC (0.0125 μ/mL, 0.025 μg/mL, 0.05μg/mL and 0.1 μg/mL) for 24 h; and the samples were exposed to MMC for 24 h after exposure to MW for 2 h. Results In the comet assay, the comet lengths ( 29.1 μm and 25.9 μm) of MW were not significantly longer than those (26.3 μrn and 24.1 μm) of controls (P>0.05). The comet lengths (57.4 μm, 68.9 μm, 91.4 μm, 150.6μm and 50.6 μm, 71.7μm, 100.1 μm, 145.1 μm) of 4 MMC groups were significantly longer than those of controls (P<0.01). The comet lengths (59.1 μm, 92.3 μm, 124.5 μm, 182.7 μm and 57.4 μm, 85.5 μm, 137.5 μm, 178.3 μm) of 4 MW plus MMC groups were significantly longer than those of controls too (P<0.01). The comet lengths of MW plus MMC groups were significantly longer than those of the corresponding MMC doses (P<0.05 or P<0.01) when the doses of MMC were ≥50.025 μg/mL. In the CBMN, the micronucleated cell (MNC) rates of MW were 5% and 6%, which showed no difference compared with those (4‰ and 4‰) of controls (P>0.05). The MNC rates of 4 MMC groups were 8‰, 9‰, 14‰, 23‰ and 8‰, 8‰, 16‰, 30‰ respectively. When the doses of MMC were 3≥0.05 μg/mL, MNC rates of MMC were higher than those of controls (P<0.05). MNC rates of 4 MW plus MMC groups were 12‰, 13‰, 20‰, 32‰ and 8‰, 9‰, 23‰, 40‰. When the doses of MMC were 5≥0.05 μg/mL, MNC rates of MW plus MMC groups were much higher than those of controls (P<0.01). MNC rates of 4 MW plus MMC groups were not significantly higher than those of the corresponding MMC doses. Conclusion The low-intensity 2450-MHz microwave radiation can not induce DNA and chromosome damage, but can increase DNA damage effect induced by MMC in comet assay.

Brazilian disc test study on tensile strength-weakening effect of high pre-loaded red sandstone under dynamic disturbance

Tensile failure(spalling or slabbing)often occurs on the sidewall of deep tunnel,which is closely related to the coupled stress state of deep rock mass under high pre-static load and dynamic disturbance.To reveal the mechanism of rock tensile failure caused by this coupled stress mode,the Brazilian disc tests were carried on red sandstone under high pre-static load induced by dynamic disturbance.Based on the pure static tensile fracture load of red sandstone specimen,two static load levels(80%and 90%of the pure static tensile fracture load)were selected as the initial high pre-static loading state,and then the dynamic disturbance load was applied until the rock specimen was destroyed.The dynamic disturbance loading mode adopted a sinusoidal wave(sine-wave)load,and the loading wave amplitude was 20%and 10%of the pure static tensile fracture load,respectively.The dynamic disturbance frequencies were set to 1,10,20,30,40,and 50 Hz.The results show that the tensile failure strength and peak displacement of red sandstone specimens under coupled load actions are lower than those under pure static tensile load,and both parameters decrease significantly with the increase of dynamic disturbance frequency.With the increase of dynamic disturbance frequency,the decrease range of tensile strength of red sandstone increased from 3.3%to 9.4%when the pre-static load level is 80%.While when the pre-static load level is 90%,the decrease range will increase from 7.4%to 11.6%.This weakening effect of tensile strength shows that the deep surrounding rock is more likely to fail under the coupled load actions of pre-static load and dynamic disturbance.In this tensile failure mechanism of the deep surrounding rock,the stress environment of deep sidewall rock determines that the failure mode of rock is a tensile failure,the pre-static load level dominates the tensile failure strength of surrounding rock,and dynamic disturbance promotes the strength-weakening effect and affects the weakening range.

EMPIRICAL BAYES TEST PROBLEMS OF VARIANCE COMPONENTS IN RANDOM EFFECTS MODEL

Bayes decision rule of variance components for one-way random effects model is derived and empirical Bayes (EB) decision rules are constructed by kernel estimation method. Under suitable conditions, it is shown that the proposed EB decision rules are asymptotically optimal with convergence rates near O(n-1/2). Finally, an example concerning the main result is given.

Effects of reservoirs on seasonal discharge of Irtysh River measured by Lepage test

The Irtysh River is an intemational river partially joining the territories of China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Cascade reservoirs have been constructed in the upper reaches of the river and their effects on the seasonal discharge of the middle and lower reaches were analyzed considering the mean and dispersion of the seasonal discharge. The Lepage test, which is a nonparametric, two-sample test for detecting location and dispersion, was used to measure the significance of difference between the pre-dam and post-dam seasonal discharge. The results show that the reservoirs＇ effects on the seasonal discharge varied with the season. In the middle reaches of the river, the summer and autumn discharge decreased significantly and their inter-annual variabilities also decreased significantly. The summer and autumn precipitation over the Irtysh River Basin changed little before and after the operation of the reservoir, which indicates that the discharge changes mainly due to water storage of the reservoirs. The reservoirs store water in summer and autumn and store more water in a wet year, which leads to the reduction of the mean and dispersion of the summer and autumn discharge. The winter discharge increased significantly because the reservoirs released water for power generation. The spring discharge changed slightly. In the lower reaches, only the winter discharge increased significantly, and the other seasonal discharge changed slightly. The reservoirs＇ effects on the seasonal discharge are more significant in the middle reaches than in the lower reaches.