• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.663-679
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• 2009

The use of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometers in geotechnical instrumentation is relatively new but on the rise. This paper describes a new MEMS-based system for in situ deformation and vibration monitoring. The system has been developed in an effort to combine recent advances in the miniaturization of sensors and electronics with an established wireless infrastructure for on-line geotechnical monitoring. The concept is based on triaxial MEMS accelerometer measurements of static acceleration (angles relative to gravity) and dynamic accelerations. The dynamic acceleration sensitivity range provides signals proportional to vibration during earthquakes or construction activities. This MEMS-based in-place inclinometer system utilizes the measurements to obtain three-dimensional (3D) ground acceleration and permanent deformation profiles up to a depth of one hundred meters. Each sensor array or group of arrays can be connected to a wireless earth station to enable real-time monitoring as well as remote sensor configuration. This paper provides a technical assessment of MEMS-based in-place inclinometer systems for geotechnical instrumentation applications by reviewing the sensor characteristics and providing small- and full-scale laboratory calibration tests. A description and validation of recorded field data from an instrumented unstable slope in California is also presented.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.36-46
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• 2019

Purpose: This study evaluated amounts of physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns in older adults using an accelerometer and physical activity diary. Methods: Forty-nine older adults (male 26, female 23) participated in this study. They wore a triaxial accelerometer (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) for one week and wrote a physical activity diary concurrently for three days. Amounts of physical activity, sedentary behavior patterns, and percentage of meeting the World health organization (WHO) physical activity guidelines were analyzed using an accelerometer. In addition, the contents recorded in the physical activity diary were reclassified to 18 levels and the average daily times spent on each level and physical activity level (PAL) were calculated. Results: The subjects were sitting more than half of the day except for bedtime and shower time (59.2%). The numbers of prolonged ${\geq}30$, 40 minutes sedentary bouts were significantly higher in males ($3.10{\pm}1.34$, $1.78{\pm}1.09$, respectively) than in females ($2.34{\pm}1.22$, $1.32{\pm}1.07$, respectively) and the number of breaks per sedentary hour was significantly less in males ($5.74{\pm}0.89$) than in females ($6.44{\pm}0.71$). Among the activities corresponding to sedentary behavior surveyed by the physical activity diary, only the amount of time spent 'resting, speaking and watching TV' showed a significant correlation with the sedentary behavior pattern measured by the accelerometer. The persistence of sedentary behavior was interrupted primarily when low intensity activity was performed. Only 22.4% of the subjects met WHO physical activity guidelines. Conclusion: Based on these results, the physical activity guidelines for older adults should be developed that reflects the appropriate strength, including low activity level and maintenance time of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.155-164
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• 2014

PURPOSES : The purpose of this article is to compare and evaluate the riding comfort of a passenger in tunnels depending on different surface textures of concrete pavement. METHODS : Evaluation of riding comfort is conducted at 17 sections, which have different surface texture such as transverse tinned(TT), longitudinal tinned(LT) and diamond grinded(DG). A triaxial accelerometer was set up on the passenger seat surface of the test vehicle to measure vibrations of an occupant, then the effects of vibration on comfort and health were evaluated by ISO 2631. And microphones were installed at passenger's ears height to measure sound pressure level(SPL) in the test vehicle. Additionally, a surface microphone was installed on the inside of wheel arch to evaluate noise between tire and pavement by NCPX method. All tests were conducted cruising at 100km/h. RESULTS : The results of all tests are as follows. First, both vibration magnitudes for comfort and for health in LT and DG sections are almost same and they represent lower than those in TT sections. Second, the average SPL of DG shows the lowest decibels among them. And third, it is founded that interior noise is significantly affected by noise between tire and pavement. CONCLUSIONS : It may be concluded that DG can provide more excellent riding comfort to passenger than LT or TT. Therefore, it is necessary to consider applying DG to existing pavement surface to improve surface condition when the driving environment especially requires riding comfort like a long tunnel.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.810-817
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• 2023

Objective: The aim was to compare the behavioral response to full separation of cows and calves maintained together for 100 days or 24 h. Methods: Twelve Holstein-Friesian cow-calf pairs were enrolled into either treatment or industry groups (n = 6 cow-calf pairs/group). The treatment cows and calves were maintained on pasture together for 106±8.6 d and temporarily separated twice a day for milking. The Industry cows and their calves, were separated within 24 h postpartum. Triaxial accelerometer neck-mounted sensors were fitted to cows 3 weeks before separation to measure hourly rumination and activity. Before separation, cow and calf behavior was observed by scan sampling for 15 min. During the separation process, frequency of vocalizations and turn arounds were recorded. At separation, cows were moved to an observation pen where behavior was recorded for 3 d. A CCTV camera was used to record video footage of cows within the observation pens and behavior was documented from the videos in 15 min intervals across the 3 d. Results: Before separation, industry calves were more likely to be near their mother than Treatment calves. During the separation process, vocalization and turn around behavior was similar between groups. After full separation, treatment cows vocalized three times more than industry cows. However, the frequency of time spent close to barrier, standing, lying, walking, and eating were similar between industry and treatment cows. Treatment cows had greater rumination duration, and were more active, than industry cows. Conclusion: These findings suggest a similar behavioral response to full calf separation and greater occurrence of vocalizations, from cows maintained in a long-term, pasture-based, cow-calf rearing system when ompared to cows separated within 24 h. However, further work is required to assess the impact of full separation on calf behavior.