Optimization of a neuro-human thermal model using a genetic algorithm

A neuro-human thermal model was optimized to increase the prediction accuracy of the physiological variables of a group of 15 healthy male students exposed to transient environmental conditions. The effect of both the passive and active systems parameters was studied using a sensitivity analysis, and the parameters that had the most influence on the neuro-human thermal model outputs were established. A genetic algorithm was then used to optimize the model in order to determine the parameters that corresponded to the studied population. The results showed that the optimization increased the precision of the neuro-human thermal model. The mean absolute error and the maximum error between the experimental data and the numerical results for mean skin temperature were 0.13°C and 0.56°C, respectively, and we obtained 0.03°C and 0.11°C, respectively, for rectal temperature. These results show that the neuro-human thermal model can be accurately adjusted for the rectal, mean and local skin temperatures of a targeted population by using a genetic algorithm to determine the values of the parameters that correspond to this population.

Entropy Generation Analysis of Human Thermal Stress Responses

The present study involves application of an open system entropy generation formulation to analyze human thermal stress responses. The time-series human thermal stress response data are obtained by conducting a simulation using a validated finite-element human thermal model (FEHTM). These simulated human thermal response data are used as an input to the entropy generation expression to obtain human entropy generation (HEG) values. The effects of variables such as air temperature, relative humidity, physical activity, and clothing on entropy generation are examined. A design of experiment (DOE) approach is utilized to study the interaction effects of air temperature and relative humidity on entropy generation. The study establishes the importance and utility of entropy generation as a holistic measure of human thermal physiological reaction to external and internal changes. This novel study has great potential for use in military medicine, rehabilitation, sports, and related applications.