The Risk Index is a useful tool which allows quick conclusions regarding the possibility of something going wrong with a specific device or situation. In this work, the devices are high power transformers belonging to a specific company. This company is EDP Renováveis (EDPR) which develops, manages and maintains wind farms with a total installed capacity of 9,036 MW (at the end of 2014), in ten countries located in Europe, North America and Brazil. Each of these wind farms has a substation with, at least, one high power transformer. High power transformers are expensive devices and are crucial to the proper operation of the wind farm. As so, they present great importance to EDPR. In order to maintain them and make sure, as far as possible, that a break-down does not happen, the company performs several tests a year on these pieces of equipment, taking note of any symptom that might cause alarm. These tests use different methods, and are performed by various entities with diverse time schedules. The amount of information to be taken into account for the Risk Index calculation is vast. From the location to the features of the transformer, going through the above mentioned tests, a sizable amount of data must be collected and processed. The Risk Index allows the ranking of the various conditions according to their real seriousness. For instance, if two transformers are in bad state, it should be able to determine which of them brings more negative consequences. The Risk Index is obtained by predicting the possible scenarios resulting from the symptoms that the transformer is displaying. The consequences resulting from each symptom have to be determined with the information that was gathered in solid previous research work, and using the knowledge available from experts in the area. The consequences have also to be estimated, using formulas based on real cases that have occurred, and taking into account all the influencing parameters of that specific equipment. Testing the algorithms in several transformers with different problems and environments (location, rated power, manufacturer, etc.) and comparing the results among them is the ultimate method to improve the reliability of these formulas. In order to complement the idea of the Risk Index, a Fail Index is also developed in this work. It simply pretends to illustrate the likelihood of failure of a given transformer. This index does not allow comparisons among different information, but it might be useful for a more down-to-earth analysis. It basically splits the transformer in its components. The state of each component is then decomposed in percentages, which are attributed to the results of the tests that contribute to evaluate the given component. Coming up with a risk index is not useful just for itself: it must be followed by a structured program that can efficiently process a great deal of information, and display the results in an intuitive way for its users.

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Impairments in balance with related decline in functional abilities, an increased incidence of falls, and fear of falling are problems that concern elderly populations as well as health care providers. There does not appear to be consensus on which method of balance testing or balance training best addresses the components of balance to effectively test and train balance as it relates to the specific task and environment in which it is occurring. It is also unclear what effect balance training may have on confidence in balance or reducing the fear of falling in elderly populations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of balance training on q nondisabled elderly population. A six group pre-test - post-test experimental design was used with 59 elderly males and females living in a retirement community. All subjects completed low-tech and high-tech balance testing and filled out 2 balance confidence questionnaires. Experimental groups participated in low-tech or high-tech balance training protocols that were established expressly for this study, and completed follow-up testing which was not required of the control groups.

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京都大学 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(工学) / 乙第13492号 / 論工博第4201号 / 新制||工||1785(附属図書館) / (主査)教授 米田 稔, 教授 高野 裕久, 教授 松井 康人 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

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Single-use plastic packaging waste is overflowing the Earth’s surface, releasing mi- croplastics that contaminate our food. This poses serious threats and concerns to food safety and security. The project aims to raise public awareness about the issue of microplastic con- tamination in the food system. It will use friendly visual language to help people understand how plastic waste from local recycling stations can end up back on their plates and in their bodies. The outcome of the project is a dining workshop that explores the journey of microplastics into the food system. Visual elements and dishes are used as tools to connect partic- ipants with this complex issue. This enables the audience to learn, think critically and reflect on their daily plastic consumption habits. It inspires them to take responsibility and makea change towards reducing plastic waste. Currently, there is no clear scientific literature on whether there is a potential risk to humans associated with exposure to microplastics in food.

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BACKGROUND: Weight misperception has been documented among children although the impact on health risk behaviors is less understood, particularly among middle school students. The goals of this study were to describe sociodemographic differences in actual and perceived weight, correspondence between actual and perceived weight, and weight-related health risk behaviors, as well as to examine weight misperception and interactions with sociodemographic variables in explaining weight-related health risk behaviors. METHODS: Participants were recruited at 11 public school districts participating in the Tennessee Coordinated School Health (CSH) pilot program. A total of 10,273 middle school students completed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Survey administered by teachers in the school setting. RESULTS: Findings revealed sociodemographic differences in actual and perceived weight as well as weight misperception. Although overestimating one's weight was significantly related to greater likelihood of weight-related health risk behaviors, significant interactions showed this relationship to be especially pronounced in females. Additional distinctions based on sociodemographic variables are indicated. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the importance of screening for health risk behaviors including weight misperception among middle school students. The CSH program offers an opportunity to understand health risk behaviors among students while also informing and evaluating methods for intervention. © 2014, American School Health Association.

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