Changes in electric power consumption patterns of a country over a period of time reflect on its socio-economic development and energy utilization processes. In the present study, we characterized ...spatial and temporal changes in electric power consumption patterns over India during 1993 to 2002, using 'night-time lights' data given by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-Operational Line Scan System (DMSP-OLS) over the Indian region. The OLS operates in two bands: visible (0.5-0.9 µm) and thermal (10.5-12.5 µm) and has a unique capability of picking up faint sources of visible-near infrared emissions (lights) at night on the Earth's surface including cities, towns and villages with a DN value ranging from 1 to 63. Night-time light images for cloud-free dates given by the DMSP-OLS from 1993 to 2002 were segregated into respective years and were integrated to generate one 'Stable light image' per year. Changes in light scenarios over the Indian region in the decadal time frame were studied using stable lights datasets from 1993 to 2002. Information on changes in the light scenarios was integrated with demographic data to characterize developments in major cities and states of India. Results of the study suggested an increase in population by 170 million and power consumption from 44962 million kWh to 306355 million kWh over the country during 1993-2002, which was associated with an overall increase in number of night-time lights of up to 26% in all states, indicating development in electric power consumption patterns. Correlation analysis between increase in population to the increase in night-time lights and electric power consumption showed a coefficient of determination, R
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, of 0.59 and 0.56 respectively. Increase in light intensities along the peripheries of major Indian cities was observed, which indicated increased stress on the cities and corresponding development in power consumption patterns during the decadal time frame. Certain states, however, showed a decrease in night-time lights in some areas, which are primarily attributed to the decreased economic growth trend and poverty and accounted to the scatter observed in the correlation analysis. Results are discussed in the paper.
The synthesized 10 wt% cerium oxide-doped vanadium pentoxide nano-particles are deposited in the form of thin films on a glass substrate by e-beam evaporation to study their best appropriate ...thickness and annealing temperature ranges. The structural, morphological, and electrical characteristics of these films are examined for their suitability toward the development of thin film strain gauges. The nano-structured crystallite grain size of 0.1537 Å in an orthorhombic layered cubic structure was recognized through its structural analysis. Uniformly distributed morphology of the deposited films is visible through the SEM images. The small variation in RMS surface roughness between 1.346 and 1.354 nm highlights the stabilized film formation on the surface of the substrate. It was noticed through its electrical properties that, with the increase in thickness of the film from 80 to 250 nm, the resistance was found to decrease from 2.5 MΩ to 27.52 KΩ and up to 25.83 KΩ with the subsequent raise in annealing temperature till 500 °C. There was also an observed lowest dip in resistance of 12.13 KΩ, at the annealing temperature of 300 °C and the thickness range of 220 nm.
Dynamic simulations of movement allow one to study neuromuscular coordination, analyze athletic performance, and estimate internal loading of the musculoskeletal system. Simulations can also be used ...to identify the sources of pathological movement and establish a scientific basis for treatment planning. We have developed a freely available, open-source software system (OpenSim) that lets users develop models of musculoskeletal structures and create dynamic simulations of a wide variety of movements. We are using this system to simulate the dynamics of individuals with pathological gait and to explore the biomechanical effects of treatments. OpenSim provides a platform on which the biomechanics community can build a library of simulations that can be exchanged, tested, analyzed, and improved through a multi-institutional collaboration. Developing software that enables a concerted effort from many investigators poses technical and sociological challenges. Meeting those challenges will accelerate the discovery of principles that govern movement control and improve treatments for individuals with movement pathologies.
Accurate estimates of spatial above ground biomass (AGB) in tropical forests are important in understanding the global carbon cycle. Microwave and optical remote sensing datasets have been used ...extensively for AGB estimation, but their uses are restricted due to saturation in high biomass region. To overcome saturation issues of single sensor based models, the current paper uses a non-parametric Random Forest based approach to spatially estimate biomass over Indian forests using field inventory data in combination with optical (MODIS) and Microwave (L-band ALOS-PALSAR) images along with other bio-climatic parameters (e.g., rainfall, temperature) which significantly influence the biomass accumulation in an ecosystem. Plot level biomass estimates for 6678 sample plots (0.1 ha size), inventoried as part of robustly designed National Forest Inventory (NFI), are computed using volumetric equations, wood density and biomass expansion factors. Spatial above ground biomass estimates were generated using random forest model over two scenarios. Firstly, a single nation-wide model using all the available plot data and secondly, physiographic zone (14 zones over India) wise models with plot data over respective zones. AGB stored in Indian forest is estimated as 7952.3 million tonnes (Carbon equivalent: 3737.58 TgC) with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 31.2% using national level model. Physiographic zone level models estimated the country's biomass as 7597.45 million tonnes (Carbon equivalent: 3570.8 TgC). The above ground biomass estimates from our study indicates that the estimation error in physiographic zone model varies from 25.24% to 54.15% depending upon the sample size and biomass range. We observed that L-band microwave saturated in 140–160 Mg ha−1 range and currently available microwave wavelengths alone is not sufficient to predict entire range of biomass over Indian forests. Inclusion of multisource data using random forest regression model increase the saturation range to 350 Mg ha−1 which is a significant improvement as 94.7% of Indian forests are covered in this range. Model estimation error reduces to 25.6% in AGB range up to 350 Mg ha−1.
•L-band ALOS PALSAR backscatter saturates in biomass range140–160 Mg ha−1.•Inclusion of multi source data improved the saturation point to ~350 Mg ha−1.•94.7% of Indian forest cover is covered in AGB range below 350 Mg ha−1.•Biomass stored in Indian forest estimated as 7952.3 Mt. (carbon equivalent: 3737.58 TgC).
Abstract Impaired control of mediolateral body motion during walking is an important health concern. Developing treatments to improve mediolateral control is challenging, partly because the ...mechanisms by which muscles modulate mediolateral ground reaction force (and thereby modulate mediolateral acceleration of the body mass center) during unimpaired walking are poorly understood. To investigate this, we examined mediolateral ground reaction forces in eight unimpaired subjects walking at four speeds and determined the contributions of muscles, gravity, and velocity-related forces to the mediolateral ground reaction force by analyzing muscle-driven simulations of these subjects. During early stance (0–6% gait cycle), peak ground reaction force on the leading foot was directed laterally and increased significantly ( p <0.05) with walking speed. During early single support (14–30% gait cycle), peak ground reaction force on the stance foot was directed medially and increased significantly ( p <0.01) with speed. Muscles accounted for more than 92% of the mediolateral ground reaction force over all walking speeds, whereas gravity and velocity-related forces made relatively small contributions. Muscles coordinate mediolateral acceleration via an interplay between the medial ground reaction force contributed by the abductors and the lateral ground reaction forces contributed by the knee extensors, plantarflexors, and adductors. Our findings show how muscles that contribute to forward progression and body-weight support also modulate mediolateral acceleration of the body mass center while weight is transferred from one leg to another during double support.
The objective of this study is to determine the ideal thickness and annealing temperature ranges for the derived 15 weight percent iron (Fe)-doped vanadium pentoxide (V
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) nanoparticles by ...depositing them as thin films on a glass substrate using e-beam evaporation. The appropriateness of these films' structural, morphological, and electrical properties for the development of thin-film strain gauges is investigated. Through structural research, the nano-structured crystallite grain size of 0.1494 Å in an orthorhombic layered cubic structure was identified. The SEM images show the uniformly dispersed morphology of the deposited films. The greater adatom mobility seen as a result of surface diffusion kinetics and atomic shadowing is highlighted by the significant change in RMS surface roughness between 0.502 and 1.785 nm. Through examination of its electrical characteristics, it was discovered that when the film's thickness increased from 80 to 250 nm, the resistance decreased from 2.4 MΩ to 26.74 KΩ and ultimately to 24.38 KΩ. This decrease was further observed when the annealing temperature was raised to 500 °C. At the thickness range of 220 nm and the annealing temperature of 300 °C, the resistance also showed the lowest recorded dip of 11.75 KΩ. Therefore, it was concluded that these optimized process parameters of 220 nm and 300 °C would be appropriate for its utilization in the development of sensors, when addressing samples that contained 15 weight percent Fe: V
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Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an epidemic among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people. However, intimate partner homicide (IPH) among TGD people is under researched. Thus, thematic content ...analysis was used to describe and examine antecedents of severe assault and IPH among TGD adults who have experienced IPV (N = 13), via community listening sessions. While some themes resembled known severe assault and IPH risks among cisgender women, several themes were unique to TGD people and should be considered when safety planning with TGD individuals or adapting IPV screening tools for this population.
A fundamental question in movement science is how humans perform stable movements in the presence of disturbances such as contact with objects. It remains unclear how the nervous system, with delayed ...responses to disturbances, maintains the stability of complex movements. We hypothesised that intrinsic muscle properties (i.e. the force-length-velocity properties of muscle fibres and tendon elasticity) may help stabilise human walking by responding instantaneously to a disturbance and providing forces that help maintain the movement trajectory. To investigate this issue, we generated a 3D muscle-driven simulation of walking and analysed the changes in the simulation's motion when a disturbance was applied to models with and without intrinsic muscle properties. Removing the intrinsic properties reduced the stability; this was true when the disturbing force was applied at a variety of times and in different directions. Thus, intrinsic muscle properties play a unique role in stabilising walking, complementing the delayed response of the central nervous system.
Biomass burning from forest regions and agriculture crop residues can emit substantial amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants into the atmosphere. An inventory of forest, grassland and ...agricultural burning is important for studies related to global change. This study provides an account of the agriculture crop residue burning in Punjab during wheat and rice crop growing periods. Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS-P6) Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWiFS) data during May and October 2005 have been analysed for estimating the extent of burnt areas and thereby greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from crop residue burning. Emission factors available in the literature were integrated with satellite remote sensing data for estimating the emissions. Results suggested that emissions from wheat crop residues in Punjab are relatively low compared to those from paddy fields. It is inferred that incorporation of agricultural residues into the soil in rice–wheat systems is highly sustainable and eco-friendly, rather than burning the crop residues. The potential of satellite remote sensing datasets for burnt area estimation and GHG emissions, is also demonstrated in the study.
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