Two large-scale diesel pool fire engulfment testswere carried out on LPG tanksprotected with intumescing materials to test the effectiveness of thermal coatings in the prevention of hot BLEVE accidental scenarios in the road and rail transport of LPG. A specific test protocol was defined to enhance reproducibility of experimental tests. The geometrical characteristics of the test tanks were selected in order to obtain shell stresses similar to those present in full-size road tankers complying to ADR standards. In order to better understand the stress distribution on the vessel and to identify underlying complicating phenomena, a finite element model was also developed to better analyze the experimental data. A non-homogeneous and time-dependent effectiveness of the fire protection given by the intumescing coating was evidenced both by finite element simulations and by the analysis of the coating after the tests. The results of the fire tests pointed out that the coating assured an effective protection of the tanks, consistently increasing the expected time to failure. The data obtained suggest that the introduction of fire protection coatings may be a viable route to improve the safety of the LPG distribution chain.
Many attempts have been made to build an artificial brain. This paper aims to contribute to the conceptualization of an artificial learning system that functionally resembles an organic brain in a number of important neuropsychological aspects. Probably the techniques (algorithms) required are already available in various fields of artificial intelligence. However, the question is how to combine those techniques. The combination of truly autonomous learning, in which "accidental" findings (serendipity) can be used without supervision, with supervised learning from both the surrounding and previous knowledge, is still very challenging. In the event of changed circumstances, network models that can not utilize previously acquired knowledge must be completely reset, while in representation-driven networks, new formation will remain outside the scope, as we will argue. In this paper considerations to make artificial learning functionally similar to organic learning, and the type of algorithm that is necessary in the different hierarchical layers of the brain are discussed. To this end, algorithms are divided into two types: conditional algorithms (CA) and completely unsupervised learning. It is argued that in a conceptualisation of an artificial device that is functional similar to an organic learning system, both conditional learning (by applying CA’s), and non-conditional (supervised) learning must be applied.
Background: Increasing life expectancy in high-income countries has been linked to a rise in fall mortality. In the Netherlands, mortality rates from falls have increased gradually from the 1950s, with some indication of stabilisation in the 1990s. For population health and clinical practice, it is important to foresee the future fall mortality trajectories. Methods: A graphical approach was used to explore trends in mortality by age, calendar period and cohorts born in the periods of 1915–1945. Population data and the numbers of people with accidental fall fatality as underlying cause of death from 1990 to 2021 were derived from Statistics Netherlands. Age-standardised mortality rates of unintentional falls per 100 000 population were calculated by year and sex. A log-linear model was used to examine the separate effects of age, period and cohort on the trend in mortality and to produce estimates of future numbers of fall deaths until 2045. Results: While the total population increased by 17% between 1990 and 2021, absolute numbers of fall-related deaths rose by 230% (from 1584 to 5234), which was 251% (an increase of 576 deaths in 1990 to 2021 deaths in 2020) for men and 219% (from 1008 to 3213) for women. Age-standardised figures were higher for women than men and increased more over time. In 2020, 79% of those with death due to falls were over the age of 80, and 35% were 90 years or older. From 2020 to 2045, the observed and projected numbers of fall deaths were 2021 and 7073 for men (250% increase) and 3213 and 12 575 for women (291% increase). Conclusion: Mortality due to falls has increased in the past decades and will continue to rise sharply, mainly caused by growing numbers of older adults, especially those in their 80s and 90s. Contributing risk factors are well known, implementation of preventive measures is a much needed next step. An effective approach to managing elderly people after falls is warranted to reduce crowding in the emergency care and reduce unnecessary long hospital stays.
