Search Results (87)

Given the persistent challenges in promoting pro-environmental behavior and student engagement in higher education, particularly in environmental courses, this study examines the effects of creative teaching strategies—specifically icebreaker games and activities—on cognitive understanding, attitudes, and pro-environmental behaviors among first-year university students in environmental education. Grounded in the Green Competency framework and game-based learning theory, the study addresses an empirical gap concerning the sustained impacts of active learning approaches. A Solomon four-group experimental design was employed with 200 students enrolled in the Environmental Society course at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT). Pre- and post-tests assessed changes across the three learning domains. ANOVA and Scheffé post hoc analyses revealed statistically significant improvements in cognition, attitudes, and behaviors among students exposed to the intervention, particularly those receiving both pre-testing and innovative instruction. Regression analysis indicated that cognitive understanding was the strongest predictor of pro-environmental behavior (β = 0.531, p < 0.001), while demographic variables showed no significant influence. The findings demonstrate that well-designed icebreaker activities can enhance student engagement and foster lasting behavioral change when aligned with course objectives. This study contributes to the sustainability education literature by linking active pedagogy, emotional engagement, and behavioral outcomes and offers practical implications for student-centered curriculum design in higher education. Full article

Introduction: Nursing educators and clinical leaders face persistent challenges in engaging the next generation of nurses, often characterized by short attention spans, frequent phone use, and underdeveloped communication skills. This article describes the design and delivery of a full-day interactive teaching workshop for nursing faculty, senior clinical nurses, and nurse leaders, developed using a design-thinking approach supported by generative AI. Methods: The workshop comprised four thematic sessions: (1) Learning styles across generations, (2) Interactive teaching methods, (3) Application of interactive teaching strategies, and (4) Lesson planning and transfer. Generative AI was used during planning to create icebreakers, discussion prompts, clinical teaching scenarios, and application templates. Design decisions emphasized low-tech, low-prep strategies suitable for spontaneous clinical teaching, thereby reducing barriers to adoption. Activities included emoji-card introductions, quick generational polls, colored-paper reflections, portable whiteboard brainstorming, role plays, fishbowl discussions, gallery walks, and movement-based group exercises. Participants (N = 37) were predominantly female (95%) and represented multiple generations of X, Y, and Z. Mid- and end-of-workshop reflection prompts were embedded within Sessions 2 and 4, with participants recording their responses on colored papers, which were then compiled into a single Word document for thematic analysis. Results: Thematic analysis of 59 mid- and end-workshop reflections revealed six interconnected themes, grouped into three categories: (1) engagement and experiential learning, (2) practical applicability and generational awareness, and (3) facilitation, environment, and motivation. Participants emphasized the workshop’s lively pace and hands-on design. Experiencing strategies firsthand built confidence for application, while generational awareness encouraged reflection on adapting methods for younger learners. The facilitator’s passion, personable approach, and structured use of peer learning created a psychologically safe and motivating climate, leaving participants recharged and inspired to integrate interactive methods. Discussion: The workshop illustrates how AI-assisted, design-thinking-driven professional development can model effective strategies for next-generation learners. When paired with skilled facilitation, AI-supported planning enhances engagement, fosters reflective practice, and promotes immediate transfer of interactive strategies into diverse teaching settings. Full article

As critical assets for polar development and global strategy, nuclear-powered icebreakers necessitate rigorous safety research under extreme meteorological conditions. Evaluating their reliability under tornado loads is essential to ensure sustainable Arctic operations. This study employed numerical methods to solve tornado loads and assess the safety performance of an icebreaker subjected to tornado-induced loads. Tornado loads at varying azimuth angles were solved using a modified Ward-type simulator, while wave loads under tornado conditions were determined by a numerical wave model. The results demonstrated that the tornado applied the maximum wind load on the structure at a 0° azimuth angle. The total wind load was reduced by approximately 39% at a 60° azimuth angle. The tornado-induced moment on the ship exhibited a strongly nonlinear relationship with the azimuth angle. The maximum total moment occurred at a 15° azimuth angle, whereas the minimum total moment was observed at a 90° azimuth angle, where the hull experienced minimal wind loads. Full article

Ice load is a crucial factor when designing structures for polar vessels. Due to the unpredictable nature of sea ice mechanics and the complexity of ship structures, obtaining ice load characteristics through full-scale measurements is considered more effective and reliable. However, conducting full-scale tests in the Arctic for China can be time-consuming and expensive. Using the natural ice fields in the Bohai Sea for full-scale tests can provide valuable insights into the study of ice load. To study ice load characteristics, full-scale measurements were carried out during icebreaker navigation trials in the ice zone of Bohai Sea. Distributed shear strain sensors were installed to measure the ice-induced structural strain on the starboard of the bow, and the local ice loads were determined based on the influence coefficient matrix method. Additionally, video cameras were utilized to record ice conditions, including ice type and thickness. By analyzing the data, the Rayleigh separation method was used to extract the process of ice load action. Statistical analysis was performed on the peak ice load values, with a particular emphasis on the various types of sea ice, ice thickness, and ship speed. The results show that the action period, peak value, mean value, and waveform of ice loads obtained in the full-scale measurement are consistent with the full-scale data of other icebreakers. The conclusion supports the effectiveness and feasibility of conducting ship ice load characteristic testing in the Bohai Sea. Full article

Drop hammer impact tests were conducted to study crack features and the ductile–brittle transition in sea ice under low-speed impact. Crack images were analyzed using Hessian filtering and Hough transform methods, and a finite element model was created. Material parameters were validated using the crack tip strength factor. Energy dissipation, focusing on kinetic energy, was analyzed to understand energy conversion and crack propagation in sea ice during low-speed impact. The results indicate that the angular distribution of the crack mode exhibits central symmetry, with the peak frequency at each angle approximately 5°. As the initial impact kinetic energy increases, the dynamic response of the sea ice plate transitions from toughness to brittleness; the kinetic energy dissipation increases linearly, while its utilization efficiency declines. The variation in the kinetic energy conversion rate (η) is associated with the mode of ice plate failure. The crack propagation rate follows a normal distribution in relation to changes in time and kinetic energy. The stress wave effect predominates in the fracture formation mode, further elucidating the ductile–brittle transition behavior of sea ice. This research holds significant implications for ice-breaking operations. Full article

Labeling ice cracks in Antarctic near-shore sea ice aerial orthophotos is critical for sea ice cargo route development; rapid, accurate identification and labeling of cracks in UAV imagery aids safe goods transfer between icebreakers and expedition stations, and studying ice crack distribution provides a key basis for assessing sea ice route reliability. Ice cracks have complex morphologies that traditional recognition methods struggle to handle, so this study proposes the ICI-YOLOv8 algorithm to improve sea ice crack detection near Antarctica’s Zhongshan Station, using crack density and fractal dimension to characterize spatial distribution and a Monte Carlo-based numerical model to quantify distribution probability. The algorithm achieves 0.628 accuracy and 0.662 mAP@0.5 (outperforming comparable methods in speed and accuracy) and reaches 0.933 accuracy and 0.657 mAP@0.5 with better generalization than similar models when tested on general remote sensing water datasets; a positive correlation exists between fractal dimension and ice crack density, and Monte Carlo simulation and probability distribution models verify their distribution properties. The proposed algorithm is suitable for rapid summer Antarctic near-shore sea ice crack identification, the numerical model effectively quantifies crack distribution to aid route development, and this study is important for understanding polar ice stability and sea ice route development. Full article

During polar navigation, icebreakers frequently encounter ice ridges, which can significantly reduce navigation efficiency and even pose threats to structural safety. Therefore, studying the ramming of ice ridges by the icebreaker is of great importance. In this study, the ice ridge is decoupled into the consolidated layer and the keel for modeling. The consolidated layer is simplified as layered ice, and an innovative hybrid empirical–numerical method is used to determine the icebreaking loads. For the keel, a failure model is developed using the Mohr–Coulomb criterion in combination with the effective stress principle, accounting for shear failure in porous media and incorporating both cohesion and internal friction angle. The ship is restricted to surge motion only. A comparative analysis with the model test results was conducted to assess the accuracy of the method, with the predicted ice resistance showing deviation of 9.85% in the consolidated ice area and 10.48% in the keel area. Ablation studies were conducted to investigate the effects of different ice ridge shapes, varying retreat distances, and different ship drafts on the performance of ramming the ice ridge. The proposed method can quickly and accurately calculate ice ridge loads and predict their motion responses, providing a suitable tool for on-site rapid navigability assessment and for the design of icebreakers. Full article

This work develops an Updated Lagrangian Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (ULSPH) framework to simulate high-speed icebreaking by a hemispherically capped cylinder (HCC). Using a self-programmed C++ code with Drucker–Prager damage criteria, this work systematically analyzes how impact velocity (100–200 m/s), ice thickness (10–40 cm), and impact angle (60–90°) govern structural loads and ice failure modes. The head of the HCC is always the stress concentration area, and the peak value of the impact force increases non-linearly with increasing the initial velocity from 100 m/s to 200 m/s. The increase in ice layer thickness from 10 cm to 40 cm raises the peak value of the impact force by 18.1%. The ice layer deformation shows three-stage characteristics: collision depression, penetration perforation, and through-spray. When the impact angle α is non-vertical, the strain of the ice layer is asymmetrically distributed, and the component of the peak impact force along the y direction increases significantly with the decrease in the impact angle, reaching 129.3 kN at α = 60°. Results reveal velocity-driven nonlinear force amplification, asymmetric strain distribution at oblique angles, and critical stress concentration at the HCC head, providing design insights for polar equipment. Full article

(1) Background: Dog-assisted therapy (DAT) integrates dogs into therapeutic sessions to enhance participants’ physical, emotional, and social well-being. Despite its growing popularity, little is known about the interaction dynamics between the dog, participant, and therapist during sessions. (2) Methods: This study examined these dynamics, focusing on active participation, focus direction, joint focus, and physical contact. Video data from sessions 1, 5, and 9 of 10 individual therapy sessions with five participants were analysed using behavioural observations and an ethogram. (3) Results: Results indicated that therapists’ active participation increased over time while participants’ activity levels remained stable. Dogs were most active during the initial and final sessions. Participants’ focus on therapists remained consistent, but their focus on the dog stabilised after an initial decline. Dogs are primarily focused on their surroundings. The joint focus between participants and therapists increased, and physical contact with dogs varied significantly among participants and dogs. (4) Conclusions: The findings partially support the “icebreaker” theory, whereby dogs help establish initial rapport. However, the trend was not consistent across all participants. Therapist–dog interactions remained low and stable. Differences in dog characteristics (e.g., breed and fur type) and participant needs may explain variation in physical contact. These findings underline the complexity of DAT and highlight the need for further research into interaction patterns relate to participants and dog characteristics. Full article

The maneuvering performance of ships in marginal ice zones is critical for navigational safety, yet most existing studies focus on icebreaking vessels. This study develops a coupled numerical framework that integrates the Non-Smooth Discrete Element Method (NDEM) for simulating ship–ice interactions with the three-degree-of-freedom MMG model for ship dynamics. The framework was applied to an S175 container ship, and numerical simulations were conducted for turning circle and Zig-Zag maneuvers under varying ice concentrations (0–60%), floe sizes, and rudder angles. NDEM efficiently handles complex, high-frequency multi-body collisions with larger time steps compared to conventional DEM or CFD–DEM approaches, enabling large-scale simulations of realistic ice conditions. Results indicate that increasing ice concentration from 0% to 60% reduces the turning diameter from 4.11L to 3.21L and decreases steady turning speed by approximately 53%. Larger floes form stable force chains that restrict lateral motion, while higher rudder angles improve responsiveness but may induce dynamic instability. These findings improve understanding of non-icebreaking ship maneuverability in ice and provide practical guidance for safe and efficient Arctic navigation. Full article

Structural safety is of utmost importance for polar icebreakers under both navigation and icebreaking conditions. In this research, the Palmgren–Miner linear cumulative damage theory is employed to evaluate the structural fatigue lifespan of polar icebreakers. A spectral analysis, incorporating the time distribution coefficients for three load conditions, is executed to assess the fatigue damage at typical hot spots during navigation. For icebreaking activities, the ship–ice interaction loads with time history are simulated using the discrete ice element method, taking into account five sub-operating conditions. This simulation is coupled with rainflow counting to evaluate the fatigue damage. The results show that the cumulative fatigue damage during navigation is much less than that during icebreaking. Additionally, shoulder areas suffer more serious fatigue damage during icebreaking as a result of the direct impact of broken ice. Consequently, both navigation and icebreaking conditions should be considered in the design of hull structures and the assessment of fatigue strength for polar icebreakers. Full article

The icebreaking process of water-exiting vehicles involves complex nonlinear interactions as well as multi-physical field coupling effects among ice, solids, and fluids, which poses enormous challenges for numerical calculations. Addressing the low solution accuracy of traditional grid methods in simulating large deformation and destruction of ice layers, a numerical model was established based on the FEM-SPH-SALE coupling algorithm to study the dynamic characteristics of the water-exiting vehicle on the icebreaking process. The FEM-SPH adaptive algorithm was used to simulate the damage performance of ice, and its feasibility was verified through the four-point bending test and vehicle breaking ice experiment. The S-ALE algorithm was used to simulate the process of fluid/structure interaction, and its accuracy was verified through the wedge-body water-entry test and simulation. On this basis, numerical simulations were performed for different ice thicknesses and initial velocities of vehicles. The results show that the motion characteristics of the vehicle undergoes a sudden change during the ice-breaking. The head and middle section of the vehicle are subject to greater stress, which is related to the transmission of stress waves and inertial effect. The velocity loss rate of the vehicle and the maximum stress increase with the thickness of ice. The higher the initial velocity of the vehicle, the larger the acceleration and maximum stress in the process of the vehicle breaking ice. The acceleration peak is sensitive to the variation in the vehicle’s initial velocity but insensitive to the thickness of the ice. Full article

Underwater explosion ice-breaking technology is critical for Arctic development and ice disaster prevention due to its high efficiency, yet it faces challenges in understanding the coupled dynamics of shock waves, pulsating bubbles, and heterogeneous ice fracture. This review synthesizes theoretical models, experimental studies, and numerical simulations investigating damage mechanisms. Key findings establish that shock waves initiate brittle fracture via stress superposition while bubble pulsation drives crack propagation through pressure oscillation; optimal ice fragmentation depends critically on charge weight, standoff distance, and ice thickness. However, significant limitations persist in modeling sea ice heterogeneity, experimental replication of polar conditions, and computational efficiency. Future advancements require multiscale fluid–structure interaction models integrating brine migration effects, enhanced experimental diagnostics for transient processes, and optimized numerical algorithms to enable reliable predictions for engineering applications. Full article

With the natural evolution of the Arctic route and advancements in related technologies, the development of new green ice-class ships is becoming a key technological breakthrough for the global shipbuilding industry. As a special vessel form that must perform icebreaking operations and undertake long-distance ocean voyages, an ice-class ship requires sufficient icebreaking capacity to navigate ice-covered water areas. However, since such ships operate for most of their time under open water conditions, it is also crucial to consider their resistance characteristics in these environments. Firstly, this paper employs linear interpolation to extract wind, wave, and sea ice data along the route and calculates the proportion of ice-covered and open water area in the overall voyage. This provides data support for hull form optimization based on real sea state conditions. Then, a resistance optimization platform for ice-class ships is established by integrating hull surface mixed deformation control within a scenario analysis framework. Based on the optimization results, comparative analysis is conducted between the parent hull and the optimized hull under various environmental resistance scenarios. Finally, the optimization results are evaluated in terms of energy consumption using a fuel consumption model of the ship’s main engine. The optimized hull achieves a 16.921% reduction in total resistance, with calm water resistance and wave-added resistance reduced by 5.92% and 27.6%, respectively. Additionally, the optimized hull shows significant resistance reductions under multiple wave and floating ice conditions. At the design speed, calm water power and hourly fuel consumption are reduced by 7.1% and 7.02%, respectively. The experimental results show that the hull form optimization process in this paper can take into account both ice-region navigation and ice-free navigation. The design ideas and solution methods can provide a reference for the design of ice-class ships. Full article

Antarctic navigation encounters substantial challenges due to the dynamic and perilous characteristics of sea ice, which pose threats to vessel safety and operational efficiency. Existing risk assessment methodologies frequently lack real-time adaptability, while strategies for icebreaker convoys remain insufficiently quantified. To address these deficiencies, this study introduces an integrated framework that combines satellite-based sea ice monitoring, operational risk prediction, and icebreaker escort optimization. First, polar research routes and hydrographic conditions are systematically analyzed to enhance navigation planning. Second, a risk assessment system is developed by leveraging satellite-derived sea ice density and thickness data, facilitating a near-real-time hazard assessment (subject to satellite data latency) evaluation with 96.3% accuracy in ice type classification and a 15% improvement in risk prediction precision compared to conventional methods. Finally, kinematic safety criteria for icebreaker-escorted convoys are established, specifying speed-dependent distance thresholds to minimize collision risks, achieving optimal speeds of 1.4–2.3 knots for PC3-class vessels and 10–20% speed improvements for escorted vessels in cleared channels. The findings offer actionable insights into polar route optimization, risk mitigation, and safe ice navigation protocols, thereby directly supporting operational decision making in Antarctic waters. Full article