19684 research outputs found
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Temperature Characteristics of Axle-Box Bearings Under Wheel Flat Excitation
No full textThe high-amplitude and high-frequency wheel–rail impacts excited by wheel flat result in severe contact friction in axle-box bearing (ABB), and the friction can cause a temperature rise or even structural damage of ABB. To this end, a thermal analysis model considering the vehicle operation environment is proposed to analyze the temperature characteristics of ABB. Various coupling dynamics effects between the vehicle–track system and ABB are synergistically integrated. The heat conduction, convection, and radiation between the various components of ABB are also integrated into the thermal analysis modeling. By the field tests, the accuracy of the ABB thermal model is validated. The results obtained through the model simulation show that the ABB temperature increases with vehicle speed and wheel flat length, and the ABB temperature at the outside row is higher than that at the inside row. Moreover, the temperature of the roller, cage, inner ring, outer ring, and axle box increases following an ascending order. Specifically, the temperature at the small end of the roller is higher than that at the large end. The findings of this study can provide engineering guidelines for the condition monitoring of ABBs.</p
Using the Chopin Mixolab to model the effects of arabinoxylan ingredients on breadmaking. Part 2:Predicting the effects of combinations of different arabinoxylans
No full textThis paper applies the novel approach presented in Part 1 to using the Chopin Mixolab 2 to quantify the effects of arabinoxylans (AX) on the Mixolab torque profile. The approach is illustrated with three contrasting AX products, one extracted from wheat (WhAX), and two extracted from maize, with the original high molecular weight extract, MzAX, further processed into low molecular weight AX (LMzAX). The Arabinoxylan Multiplication Factor (AXMF) of MzAX in relation to water absorption (WAbs) was 2.0, indicating that the MzAX was twice as effective as flour at absorbing water in the dough formulation; the AXMF of WhAX was close to zero, indicating that it had negligible effect on WAbs; and the AXMF of LMzAX was negative, indicating that replacing flour with LMzAX reduced WAbs. AXMF values were quantified in relation to other key measures of the Mixolab profile (Development Time, Stability Time and torque measures related to gluten softening and starch gelatinisation, hydrolysis and retrogradation), illustrating how different AXs influence different elements of bread quality. Baking results using the WhAX and MzAX are also presented, showing the latter giving poorer quality bread. The approach (patent pending, GB2415536.8) allows the combined effects of AX addition and WAbs adjustment on the Mixolab profile to be modelled, and mixtures of AX and other fibre and hydrocolloid ingredients with different properties and functionality to be formulated to precisely target different aspects of bread quality.</p
Heat-driven thermoacoustic refrigeration:A comprehensive review of technologies, applications, trends and challenges
No full textHeat-driven thermoacoustic refrigerators (HDTARs) are not widely utilized in the refrigeration industry despite their high potential to utilize medium- and high-grade heat sources for cooling purposes. However, the current scenario of diminishing energy reservoirs and escalating environmental concerns has highlighted the necessity for pioneering refrigeration and heat pump technologies such as HDTAR that can reduce carbon emissions and energy usage. Thermoacoustic refrigeration is recognized as a promising solution in the quest for environmentally friendly technology due to the absence of detrimental refrigerants in the system. This article examines the extensive body of research dedicated to exploring and improving HDTAR systems. A primary focus is placed on categorizing HDTAR according to their diverse configurations and essential performance factors, enabling a thorough understanding of the technological progress, limitations, and potential real-world applications of these innovative refrigeration systems. By systematically classifying HDTAR configurations, this analysis provides valuable insights into the state-of-the-art in the field, the challenges that need to be addressed, and the various practical uses to which these systems can be applied. Each configuration is meticulously examined to uncover the underlying fundamental principles that govern their operation, the unique characteristics that define their performance, the innovative design strategies employed, the wide-ranging applications they can serve, the current trends shaping their development, the obstacles they encounter, and the promising future prospects that lie ahead. Through this detailed exploration, readers will gain a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the intricate landscape of the HDTAR technology
Do Extended Reality Interventions Benefit Patients Undergoing Elective Cardiac Surgical and Interventional Procedures? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
No full textBackground: Extended reality (XR) interventions have the potential to benefit patients undergoing elective cardiac surgical and interventional procedures. However, there are no systematic reviews with meta-analyses to guide clinical care. Aim: To critically evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of XR interventions on patient anxiety and pain and other associated outcomes. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA 2020 statement. Data Sources: A systematic search of five databases (CENTRAL, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Scopus) from inception to July 2023. Methods: Screening and data extraction was conducted independently by multiple reviewers. Stata (Version 17) was used to conduct meta-analyses for patient anxiety and pain. Secondary patient outcomes were summarised in a synthesis. The Cochrane Risk of Bias (Version 2) tool was applied to trials and the NHLBI Study Quality Assessment tools to all other study designs. Results: Of the 3372 records identified, 22 were included, 10 of which were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analyses. Fifty-seven percent of randomised trials were rated as high risk of bias. Virtual reality (VR) was the only XR technology evaluated. VR significantly reduced pre-procedural anxiety (standardised mean difference: −1.29; 95% confidence interval − 1.96, −0.62, p < 0.001), and peri-procedural anxiety (standardised mean difference: −0.50; 95% confidence interval − 0.83, −0.18, p < 0.003) but did not reduce pain levels, compared with usual care. VR increased pre-procedural knowledge and postsurgical physical and pulmonary function. VR interventions may also improve emotional wellbeing, care delivery and physiological outcomes, but evidence was inconsistent.Conclusions: XR potentially benefits cardiac patients undergoing elective invasive procedures and surgery by reducing pre- and peri-procedural anxiety and increasing procedural knowledge and physical function. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Cardiac nurses' role can be supported by VR interventions to improve the patient experience and several aspects of patient care. Patient or Public Contribution: Not applicable as this is a systematic review.</p
Reimagining Radical Democracy in the Global South:Emerging Paradigms from Colombia and Türkiye
No full textRadical democracy informs contemporary social movements both as critique of existing liberal democratic social orders and as inspiration for collective action to challenge power structures. However, existing approaches on the relationship between radical democracy and social movements often truncate complex socio-political issues, constraining political imagination and stifling 'truly radical' alternatives. This Element offers an analysis of contemporary social movements in Colombia and Turkey to show the limits and potential of radical democracy to reimagine new expressions of citizenship and non-capitalist alternatives. It argues that there is a mismatch between the radical democratic paradigm as it is formulated within Eurocentric purview, and the ways it has been articulated and practised by anti-austerity and pro-democracy movements of the twenty-first century. We propose that radical democracy should be rethought in light of novel forms of political activism and visions emerging from these social movements as a response to the failures of liberal democracy
“We just make do”:the use, comfort and functionality of personal protective equipment in the UK mounted police
No full textPolice officers wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce their risk of injury while on duty. Despite the unique policing activity of riding a horse, little is known about the PPE used by mounted officers. The aim of this research was to assess the use, comfort, and functionality of mounted police PPE. Twenty officers from three UK Mounted Sections were recruited. Semi-structured interviews and range of movement assessments were conducted. Interview data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three main themes were generated: Functional requirements, Issues, and Areas for improvement. Much of the PPE worn by mounted officers is not designed for the risks associated with horse riding. There was a sense that officers “make do” with their current PPE provision, but increased protection from falls and mounted specific public order protection were identified as particular areas for improvement
What is the knowledge, perceptions, and experiences of nurses regarding antimicrobial stewardship? A systematic review
No full textAims Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) describes a preventative approach to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Evidence suggests that nursing knowledge and perceptions of their role in AMS inhibits their involvement in antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs). This systematic review aimed to determine the knowledge and perceptions of nurses regarding AMS.Methods A systematic search of publications using MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases was conducted and a narrative synthesis undertaken. The study protocol was registered prospectively in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): CRD42024524162.Results This review included seven studies. Limited levels of nurses’ knowledge about AMS were significant in all studies, contributing to a lack of nurse engagement and involvement in AMS interventions. An inability to implement AMS protocols in clinical practice was often the result of inadequate knowledge of policies and procedures. Barriers to nurse involvement in AMS included training and education, competing priorities and organisational boundaries.Conclusion Nurses have a vital role in ASPs and empowering them to challenge inappropriate prescribing practices or antibiotic therapy can contribute towards their success. Future studies should focus on developing targeted educational interventions, enhancing interprofessional collaboration, and exploring the impact of cultural and institutional differences to optimize the role of nurse in ASPs
Victim’s Individual Risk Factors and Vulnerabilities to Sexual Online Grooming
No full textGrooming involves a set of actions, ranging from flattery to intimidation, by an individual in order to gain access to another individual. Research has identified a number of riskfactors that make an individual more vulnerable to this process. These include: age, gender, disability, socioeconomic status, personality and personal traits, risky and sexual behaviour, offline vulnerability, time spent online. These risk factors are explored in detail in the chapter below with particular emphasis on sexual online grooming
Automated Planning for Urban Traffic Control with LLM-Generated Configurations
No full textAutomated planning approaches have proven effective in performing traffic signal optimisation, and their deployability has been demonstrated by their ability to incorporate constraints and features of the real-world infrastructure on which they will operate. A major constraint is the need to know in advance, for each junction of the controlled urban region, the set of configurations (i.e., the length of all stages) that can be considered for the optimisation process. Configurations therefore play a pivotal role as they effectively allow control of the traffic flows; their quality is of crucial importance. In the literature, configurations have been generated synthetically or by leveraging historical data. In this paper, we explore the use of off-the-shelf Large Language Models (LLMs) to generate good-quality traffic signal configurations to address a range of traffic signal optimisation problems. LLMs hold the promise of generating unusual yet effective configurations with minimal human effort
The grip of crime:Analyzing strangulation and asphyxiation typologies in homicide cases
No full textStrangulation-related homicides represent a complex and under-researched form of violent crime, characterized by distinct behavioral and situational elements. The aim of the research was to identify perpetrator typologies in strangulation homicides and to analyze their relationships with victim characteristics and crime scene factors. A retrospective analysis of 200 systematically sampled cases from the Radford/Florida Gulf Coast University Serial Killer Database employed Smallest Space Analysis (SSA) to examine 42 behavioral variables. The analysis revealed four primary typologies: Excessive (characterized by severe violence beyond lethality, including mutilation and torture), intended (marked by premeditation and organizational elements), personal (distinguished by intimate engagement and direct manual methods), and sexual (defined by sexual assault and sadistic behaviors). Statistical analysis demonstrated significant correlations between offender–victim relationships, crime scene characteristics, and degrees of violence within each typological category, with 97% of cases fitting distinctly into one category and 3% showing hybrid characteristics. The findings provide empirically based frameworks for forensic profiling and inform specific investigative strategies aligned with each typological pattern. These results equip law enforcement with targeted investigation and risk assessment approaches, potentially leading to more accurate offender identification and prevention efforts. The research advances the understanding of psychological and situational factors in strangulation-related homicides, contributing to both forensic literature and practical applications in criminal investigations.</p
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