The impact of physiographic factors upon the probability of slides occurrence: a case study from the Kaoping River Basin,Taiwan

This study has investigated the influence of physiographic factors upon the probability of slide occurrence in the Kaoping River Basin. According to previous literature, statistical tests, and physical mechanisms, three physiographic factors (slope steepness, the dip slope ratio, and the time-dependent landslide ratio) were significantly related to slide occurrence. These were combined with hydrological factors (cumulative rainfall) to establish an assessment model for estimating the probability of slide occurrence using logistic regression. The model’s overall accuracy in the training and validation stages was about 81%. Overall, 20 randomly selected historical rainfall events were employed for verification, including 10 events each with and without slide occurrence. The results showed that the model accuracy was approximately 80%, if the probability threshold P_sh is set to be 0.5.

This assessment model can assist in prediction of slide occurrence and the proposed subsequent engineering measures or vegetation restoration is often able to reduce the landslide ratio and the probability of slide occurrence. After landform changes, the model’s physiographic factors can be updated to adjust the rainfall threshold for slide occurrence. Given an appropriate cumulative rainfall and an acceptable risk of slide occurrence, the model can identify priority regions for slide prevention.     

Fabrication and characterization of Sm0.2Ce0.8O2−δ-Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3−δ composite cathode for anode supported solid oxide fuel cell

The Sm_0.5Sr_0.5CoO_3−δ (SSC) with perovskite structure is synthesized by the glycine nitrate process (GNP). The phase evolution of SSC powder with different calcination temperatures is investigated by X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. The XRD results show that the single perovskite phase of the SSC is completely formed above 1100 °C. The anode-supported single cell is constructed with a porous Ni-yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) anode substrate, an airtight YSZ electrolyte, a Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_2−δ (SDC) barrier layer, and a screen-printed SSC-SDC composite cathode. The SEM results show that the dense YSZ electrolyte layer exhibits the good interfacial contact with both the Ni-YSZ and the SDC barrier layer. The porous SSC-SDC cathode shows an excellent adhesion with the SDC barrier layer. For the performance test, the maximum power densities are 464, 351 and 243 mW cm⁻² at 800, 750 and 700 °C, respectively. According to the results of the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the charge-transfer resistances of the electrodes are 0.49 and 1.24 Ω cm², and the non charge-transfer resistances are 0.48 and 0.51 Ω cm² at 800 and 700 °C, respectively. The cathode material of SSC is compatible with the YSZ electrolyte via a delicate scheme employed in the fabrication process of unit cell.     

Fabrication and evaluation of the electrochemical performance of the anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell with the composite cathode of La0.8Sr0.2MnO3−δ-Gadolinia-doped ceria oxide/La0.8Sr0.2MnO3−δ

The anode-supported single cell was constructed with porous Ni-Yittria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the anode substrate, an airtight YSZ as the electrolyte, and a screen-printed La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO_3−δ (LSM)-Gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC)/LSM double-layer cathode. The SEM results show that the YSZ thin film is highly integrated, fully dense with a thickness of 13 μm, and exhibits excellent compatibility between cathode and electrolyte layers. The effects of feed rates of the reactants, temperature, and contact pressure between the current collector and the unit cell were systematically investigated. The results are based on the assumption that the anode contribution to the polarization resistance is negligible. Our analysis showed that the electrochemical reaction is limited by mass transfer control when the airflow rate is decreased to 500 ml min⁻¹. The maximum power density is 204.6 mW cm⁻² at 800 °C with H₂ and air at flow rates of 800 and 2000 ml min⁻¹, respectively. According to the AC-impedance data, the resistances of charge transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface are 3.79 and 1.90 Ω cm². The resistances of oxygen-reduction processes are 3.63 and 1.01 Ω cm² at 700 and 800 °C, respectively. The results from the sensitivity analysis of the variation of contact pressure between current collectors and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) show that the influence is enhanced at the regions of the high current density.     

Effects of support misalignments in deep-hole drill shafts on hole straightness

This work investigates the effect of drill shaft support misalignment on hole straightness in relation to the various control factors. Misalignments occur in machine spindles, intermediate supports and pilot bushings. Equations for axial hole straightness deviation are derived herein using the Euler column theory, and experiments are performed using Gundrill and BTA deep-hole drilling systems. Simulation results, Sakuma's method and experimental examinations are also presented. Taguchi methods and statistical techniques are used to formulate the experimental layout, analyze the effect of each control factor on the results, and optimize the setting for each control factor. Further experiments then verify these estimates. Six control factors were used in a modified L8 orthogonal array design. The confirmatory experiments revealed an average straightness deviation within the 95% confidence interval.     

Design and Implementation of an Internet of Healthcare Things System for Respiratory Diseases

Wireless Personal Communications - Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm broadens to several research fields. Thus, Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) has been adopted as a standard to create an IoT...     

Early morning awakening and nonrestorative sleep are associated with increased minor non-fatal accidents during work and leisure time

Background

The relationship between a composite measure of insomnia and occupational or fatal accidents has been investigated previously; however, little is known regarding the effect of various insomnia symptoms on minor non-fatal accidents during work and leisure time.

Objective

We investigated the predicting role of insomnia symptoms on minor non-fatal accidents during work and leisure time.

Methods

Data from the 2005 Taiwan Social Development Trend Survey of 36,473 Taiwanese aged ≥18 years were analyzed in 2013. Insomnia symptoms, including difficulty in initiating sleep (DIS), difficulty in maintaining sleep (DMS), early morning awakening (EMA), and nonrestorative sleep (NRS) were investigated. A minor non-fatal accident was defined as any mishap such as forgetting to turn off the gas or faucets, accidental falls, and abrasions or cuts occurring during work and leisure time in the past month that do not require immediate medical attention. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the odds ratios (ORs) and associated 95% confidence interval (CI) of minor non-fatal accidents (as a binary variable) for each insomnia symptom compared with those of people presenting no symptoms, while controlling for possible confounders.

Results

EMA and NRS increased the odds of minor non-fatal accidents occurring during work and leisure time (adjusted OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.08–1.32 and adjusted OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.17–1.37, respectively).

Conclusion

EMA and NRS are two symptoms that are significantly associated with an increased likelihood of minor non-fatal accidents during work and leisure time after adjusting for of a range of covariates.