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Sustainable disaster response management related to large technical systems

Daniel Rohacs Anita Boros Sergey Kinzhikeyev József Rohács

Publication Name: Sustainability Switzerland

Publication Date: 2020-12-02

Volume: 12

Issue: 24

Page Range: 1-25

Description:

Numerous investigations assess the technical, technological, and managerial aspects of disaster response related to large technical systems. This paper deals with the possibility of synthesizing these aspects in a disaster response methodology, thus combining the technical, technological methods, tools, and software with the art of management. Its objective is to develop a preliminary methodology that supports the response management decision making processes related to earthquake-damaged large technical systems. The introduced methodology is demonstrated with the example of railway systems. It utilizes a combination of (i) a probabilistic model of railway system damage caused by earthquakes, (ii) a Markov model related to the damage and recovery phases, (iii) a probabilistic model of aftershocks, (iv) a statistical model of secondary effects, (v) impact models of management support actions, and (vi) response process management supported by a Markov Decision Process. The simulation results validate the concept. Based on these research results, the authors recommend that the described preliminary response management approach be further specified and implemented in disaster management procedures.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/su122410290

Practical stability design of general I-section members for combined forces

B. Vaszilievits-Sömjén Donald W. White

Publication Name: Proceedings of the Annual Stability Conference Structural Stability Research Council Ssrc 2025

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: Unknown

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Numerous situations occur in engineering practice where I-section members must be designed for a combination of flexure, shear, torsion, and/or axial loadings. Particularly in metal buildings and horizontally curved I-girder bridges, these member types may have variable web depth and stepped cross-section transitions along their length. Design guidance for handling combined loadings on these member types has been limited. Modern software systems that can accurately calculate combined second-order elastic demands and elastic buckling loads for general I-section members in general framing systems are increasingly available. This paper discusses new AISC 360 Chapter F provisions under consideration in the 2027 Specification development cycle. These provisions provide an improved, streamlined calculation of the flexural resistance of general I-section members. The calculations address recent research findings regarding the influence of moment gradient and corresponding web shear. The discussion of the new AISC 360 procedures is followed by a brief presentation of recommended ways to verify a design where the member is also subjected to axial compression and/or torsion based on experiences from European and American practice. The focus of the paper is on the essential concepts.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: DOI not available

Seismic rehabilitation of steel buildings with semi-rigid connections under fifth generation of ETEF

Ali Majdi Majid Movahedi Rad Muhannad Riyadh Alasiri Saiful Islam Ataallah Sadeghi-Movahhed

Publication Name: Scientific Reports

Publication Date: 2026-12-01

Volume: 16

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

This study assesses the effectiveness of seismic base isolation using triple friction pendulum isolators (TFPIs) as a retrofitting strategy for a five-story steel building. This building is characterized by vulnerable Satchel connections, which suffered extensive brittle failures during the 1990 Manjil and 2003 Bam earthquakes in Iran. Four different experimentally calibrated Satchel connection configurations (S1 to S4) were modeled within a typical five-story building. These configurations varied in parameters such as rotational stiffness (780t.m/rad to 1380t.m/rad), angle lengths (15 cm to 20 cm), and beam sections (IPE180 and IPE220). For each of the four building models, all connections were uniformly assigned one of the four specimen types. The structural and non-structural performance of these models was evaluated using nonlinear endurance time (ET) analysis. The assessment covered seismic hazard levels corresponding to 475-year, 2475-year, and return periods beyond 2475 years. The results showed that implementing a base isolation system avoids the need for extensive strengthening of the existing connections. Moreover, by adding the isolators to the current connections, the structure’s performance can significantly surpass that of a brand-new, code-compliant design.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-47204-3

The effect of transportation vibration on the microbiological status of bottled mineral water

Balázs Ásványi Péter Böröcz Renáta Tihanyi-Kovács

Publication Name: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

Publication Date: 2023-02-01

Volume: 103

Issue: 3

Page Range: 1059-1068

Description:

BACKGROUND: Microbiological status and stability are important in mineral waters because of increased global demand. An increase in distribution and supply chains has led to prolonged periods of transportation, causing microbiological changes. Therefore, this study examines the effect of vibration on mineral water quality. Freshly bottled and previously sterilized mineral waters inoculated with microbes isolated from freshly bottled water were tested. The water samples were exposed to random vibration using ASTM (D4169) truck level I, II and III standard vibration protocol for truck transportation at 4 × 1 h at 22 ± 1 °C. After agitation their microbiological status was determined. RESULTS: Under the influence of low-intensity mechanical impact, the growth rate of autochthonous species in the freshly bottled natural mineral water tripled (μcontrol = 0.036 h−1, μvibrated = 0.093 h−1) and that of allochthonous species doubled (μcontrol = 0.035 h−1, μvibrated = 0.069 h−1). The latter was also observed in the case of high-intensity vibration (μcontrol = 0.102 h−1, μvibrated = 0.200 h−1). The effect of the medium intensity of the standard was manifested in the delay in microbial growth. CONCLUSION: The impact of transportation vibrations on microbiological status changes in mineral water could be observed when subjected to vibration. The native and allochthonous species of mineral water respond differently to changes in intensity. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11787

Measuring the Effectiveness of High-Intensity Virtual Training Programs in Stroke Survivors

Tamás Haidegger József Tollár Bence Csutorás Nándor Prontvai Blanka Törő Szilvia Kóra Petra Kós Barbara Kopácsi Veronika Keresztesy Júlia Kutas Dóra Kozma

Publication Name: Acta Polytechnica Hungarica

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 22

Issue: 10

Page Range: 103-123

Description:

The objective of this paper is to determine and compare the effects of two high-intensity virtual training programs, with different frequencies and standard care after stroke. First-time ischaemic stroke patients in subacute stage were randomized into three groups: 1 session/day high-intensity virtual training (VT1; n=20), 2 sessions/day high-intensity virtual training (VT2, n=20), standard care (CON, n=20). Each group performed a 5-week-long training program (1 hour/session, 5 days/week). Results were measured before and after the interventions. Our primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), which indicates the degree of independence in daily activities and the severity of disability at stroke survivors. Secondary outcomes were the Barthel Index (BI), the EuroQoL Visual Analogue Scale (EQ VAS), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the 6-minute walking test (6mWT), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and posturograpic examination in four different positions (WEO, WEC, NEO, NEC). VT2 and VT1 groups improved significantly all of the results (all p<0,05). The result of the mRS, BI, BBS, 6mWT, BDI improved significantly (all p <0.05) in CON group, but there was no clinically meaningful changes in EQ VAS, WEO, WEC, NEO, and NEC (all p>0.05).Comparing the groups’ measured 10 results: VT2 in 9 cases (mRS, BI, EQ VAS, BBS, 6mWT, BDI, WEC, NEO, NEC), VT1 in 5 cases (mRS, 6mWT, BDI, WEC, NEC) showed greater extent improvement than CON group, furthermore the improvements of mRS and BI were significantly higher at VT2, than at VT1 (all p<0.05). Our results show that the high-intensity virtual training programs could be good opportunities for subacute ischaemic stroke patients to improve their clinical symptoms, mobility, and quality of life. Furthermore, increasing daily frequency of the training, could also increase the beneficial effects. This research is particularly important because the utilized therapies have the potential to yield significant economic benefits, by reducing long-term healthcare costs and improving overall patient outcomes.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.12700/APH.22.10.2025.10.7

Fractal and structural entropy calculations on the epitaxially grown fulleren structures with the help of image processing

Péter Turmezei Ákos Nemcsics Imre Mojzes Szilvia Nagy

Publication Name: Sisy 2009 7th International Symposium on Intelligent Systems and Informatics

Publication Date: 2009-12-01

Volume: Unknown

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 65-67

Description:

Molecular beam epitaxially grown fullerene layers are investigated with the help of image processing. The layered structures are studied in morphological respect. The individual layer morphologies are derived from the atomic force microscopy picture of the surface. The pattern morphology of the certain layers is analysed by box counting method. The surface morphology shows fractal behaviour. The pattern of each layer shows different dimension. The actual dimension depends on the actual distance of the layer from the substrate. The change of the dimension is attributed to the change of the binding behaviour. The topology of the surface is also studied using participation ratio and structural entropy calculations. © 2009 IEEE.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1109/SISY.2009.5291194

Comprehensive investigation of the corrosion state of the heat exchanger tubes of steam generators

Krisztián Radó Gábor Patek Bernadett Baja N. A. Szabó Varga Kálmán Zoltán Németh Schunk János Z. Homonnay E. Kuzmann

Publication Name: European Corrosion Congress 2009 Eurocorr 2009

Publication Date: 2009-12-01

Volume: 2

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 1212-1220

Description:

Evaluating the water chemistry in the primary circuit and the effect of chemical decontamination of the heat exchanger tubes performed by the AP-CITROX procedure at Paks NPP (Hungary), a project dealing with the comprehensive investigation of the general corrosion state of the steam generators (SGs) has been initiated. Owing to the fact that there is no investigation method available for the in-situ monitoring of the inner surfaces of heat exchanger tubes, a research program based on sampling as well as on ex-situ electrochemical and surface analytical measurements were developed and elaborated. In the time period of 2000-2008 - within the frame of the above project - 45 stainless steel specimens, cut out from various locations of the steam generators of the Paks NPP were investigated. Besides to the corrosion characteristics (corrosion rate, thickness and chemical composition of the protective oxide-layer) surface properties (morphology, chemical and phase compositions) of the passive layer formed on the inner surface of above heat exchanger tubes were studied, too. The passivity of the inside surface of the stainless steel specimens was measured by voltammetry, the morphology, chemical and phase compositions of the oxide layer formed on the surface were analyzed by SEM-EDX, XRD and CEMS methods. The great number of experimental results allowed us to develop an electronic database which involves the results of the above corrosion experiments, and also some special characteristics of the tubes (e.g. location in the SGs, surface pretreatment by decontamination, if any, etc). Evaluating the main relations among these parameters may contribute to the identification of important processes affecting the corrosion state of steam generators, and highly decisive concerning a life time prolongation project of VVER-type nuclear reactors. In the present work we provide a brief overview on these experiments, some characteristic results, the database developed, as well as some novel findings.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: DOI not available

Modeling enablers for blockchain adoption in the circular economy

Horst Treiblmaier Suhaiza Zailani John G. Keogh Abderahman Rejeb Karim Rejeb

Publication Name: Sustainable Futures

Publication Date: 2022-01-01

Volume: 4

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Blockchain technology can play a crucial role to facilitate the transition from a linear to a circular economy. This article evaluates those enablers that influence technology adoption in the circular economy. A comprehensive literature review and feedback from experts revealed nineteen critical enablers. The Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology was used to determine the cause-and-effect relationships between them. The findings identified five critical causal enablers: transparency, security, smart contracts, traceability, and enhanced collaboration. Effect enablers were identified as immutability, decentralization, privacy, automation, information sharing, and enhanced regulation.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.sftr.2022.100095

A new domain decomposition for B-spline neural networks

Cristiano L. Cabrita António E. Ruano Laszlo T. Koczy

Publication Name: Proceedings of the International Joint Conference on Neural Networks

Publication Date: 2010-01-01

Volume: Unknown

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

B-spline Neural Networks (BSNNs) belong to the class of networks termed grid or lattice-based associative memories networks (AMN). The grid is a key feature since it allows these networks to exhibit relevant properties which make them efficient in solving problems namely, functional approximation, non-linear system identification, and on-line control. The main problem associated with BSNNs is that the model complexity grows exponentially with the number of input variables. To tackle this drawback, different authors developed heuristics for functional decomposition, such as the ASMOD algorithm or evolutionary approaches [2]. In this paper, we present a complementary approach, by allowing the properties of B-spline models to be achieved by non-full grids. This approach can be applied either to a single model or to an ASMOD decomposition. Simulation results show that comparable results, in terms of approximations can be obtained with less complex models. © 2010 IEEE.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1109/IJCNN.2010.5596648