Risk factors associated to musculoskeletal disorder perception in college students,Bogota, 2016

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have a high impact on the health of dual role workers (student and work). The aim of this study was to analyse risk factor (active pauses and job position) associated with MSD in postgraduate students, Bogotá 2016. This Cross-sectional study was conducted in a random sample of 304 college graduate students and statistical analysis in SPSS version 24. We found that significant differences between non-performing active pauses and neck symptoms (P = 0.007), not stretching vs neck symptoms [OR = 2.4048 (1.0133–5.707)]; laptop use vs eyes [OR = 2.7132 (1.457–5.0526)], shoulders [OR = 10.6364 (4.9905–22.6697)], elbows (P = 0.04); non-mouse usage vs elbows (P = 0.028), hand-wrist (P = 0.043); non-forearm support vs lower back (P = 0.009). Results suggest association between non-performing active pauses, stretching and neck; use of laptop and eyes, shoulders and left elbow, non-mouse usage and on elbow and hand/right wrist, no forearm support on table and lower back. Symptom changes in the upper and lower limbs were identified.     

Data-driven placemaking: Public space canopy design through multi-objective optimisation considering shading,structural and social performance

In the context of ongoing densification of cities and aging urban populations, public spaces are a crucial infrastructure to support the physical and mental wellbeing of urban residents. The design of public space furniture elements is often standardised, and not considered in relation to environmental conditions and mechanisms of social interaction. This article presents a digital workflow to generate site-specific designs for shaded public seating, considering the relationships of local public places to their surroundings. A strategy for customised and site-specific design is developed through the use of multiple software tools, employing evolutionary algorithms and multi-objective optimisation. The method is applied to a small public space canopy prototype installed within a public housing estate in Hong Kong, incorporating additional criteria to achieve a low-cost and light-weight structure. Through multiple stages of refinement and optimisation, a material, structural and social performance-driven outcome was achieved that creates a shaded space for public seating, people watching and social interaction. As part of a larger research agenda exploring architectural form-finding and environmental psychology, the project represents potential new applications in the emerging field of socially driven computational design.     

Effects of temperature,relative humidity,and protective netting on Tyrophagus putrescentiae (schrank) (sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) infestation,fungal growth,and product quality of cave-aged Cheddar cheese

Research was conducted to evaluate the effects of using food-grade ingredients on cave aged Cheddar cheese as either a surface coating or in nets to prevent infestation by Tyrophagus putrescentiae growth at different environmental conditions. Food grade coating formulations with 1) xanthan gum and propylene glycol (XG+PG) and 2) carrageenan, propylene glycol alginate, and PG (CG+PGA+PG) were made and infused into nets. Jars with cave aged Cheddar cheese cubes that were inoculated with 20 mites were stored in an environmental chamber for 14 d at temperature and relative humidity (RH) combinations of 10, 15, and 20 °C and 75 ± 2 and 85 ± 2% RH. When averaged over RH, mite counts were fewer on control cheese cubes at 10 °C when compared to 15 °C and 20 °C, regardless of whether nets were used or not. However, mites were able to reproduce on untreated cheese cubes at all temperatures. The CG+PGA+PG and XG+PG coatings and nets controlled mite reproduction, as evidenced by harboring less than the initial inoculation level of 20 mites. Sensory results indicated that CG+PGA+PG and XG+PG coated Cheddar cheese at 10 °C and 75% RH and netted Cheddar cheese at 10 or 15 °C and 75% RH did not differ (P > 0.05) from the control with respect to sensory attributes. The treatments at 15 °C and 85% RH and 20 °C caused the cheese to be softer and more bitter than control cheese. In conclusion, the CG+PGA+ 40% PG and XG+40% PG treatments of both coatings and nets inhibited the growth of mites, and the use of nets lessened the impact of food grade coatings on the sensory properties of the Cheddar cheese.     

A comparison of manual handling risks in different domestic waste collection systems using three separate evaluation methods

Arising out of the challenge for Local Authorities (LAs) to operate sustainable systems of work, is to avoid the creation of ill-health including the most significant causes of physical absence, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).The study's aim was to compare the reliability of the manual handling element of the Health and Safety Executives (HSEs) risk comparator tool for different domestic waste collection methods with self-reported pain via body-mapping and MSD ill health absence rates. Participatory body-mapping exercises were carried out in five LAs with one LA resurveyed, six months after the move from 35 and 50 L containers to a wheeled bin recycling service.The lowest levels of self-reported pain were for services designed with 240l wheeled bins excluding glass; the highest levels were for services that included 100l of garden waste sacks and recycling boxes. Industry data supports previous laboratory studies showing wheeled bins to be associated with less MSD outcomes than boxes, baskets and sacks.Triangulation of data established a statistically significant correlation of 0.85 (Pearson) between average pain-count (APC) and the mean MSD absence rates, with a strong correlation of 0.77 (Spearman) between APC and risk rating. The correlation is moderate, 0.49 (Spearman) between MSD absence and risk rating, reflecting possible intervening variables and a low participation rate by LAs.The contribution of this study is to improve the design of sustainable waste collection strategies to minimise MSD associated absence. In the absence of reliable absence data, body mapping should be used as a proxy method of assessing MSD risk.     

Purchase intention for hydrogen automobile among Chinese citizens: The influence of environmental concern and perceived social value

Although hydrogen automobile has attracted increasing attention in recent years, previous studies did not extensively investigate customers' purchase intention for hydrogen automobile, as well as the factors that might affect their purchase intention. The present study therefore investigated whether customers' environmental concern and perceived social value of green buying would affect their purchase intention for hydrogen automobile. Customers' green buying behavior was included as a mediator, and their monthly income and gender were included as moderators. Data from 300 adults in China were collected. Results from structural equation modeling showed that customers’ green buying behavior fully mediated the positive association between perceived social value and purchase intention for hydrogen automobile. Further multi-group analysis found that monthly income and gender had moderating effects on the associations between some of the study variables. Based on these findings, possible explanation and practical implications were discussed.     

基于XGBoost算法的垃圾短信分层分级治理体系

为有效整治垃圾短信,不断提升不良信息治理的精准性,文章基于XGBoost算法构建了一套科学的分层分级垃圾短信治理体系。通过对用户入网、消费、通信行为等特征进行建模与运算,识别出用户发送垃圾短信的风险系数,并定义了六级用户。分级名单生成后,依托于垃圾短信拦截系统的分级策略管理功能,分别设置相匹配的拦截策略。在加大对中高危用户的识别和拦截力度的同时,有效降低了高价值用户因不良信息治理导致被误拦截的风险。该治理体系应用于辽宁移动管理实际以来,垃圾短信平均投诉量降幅34.82%。误关停投诉率稳定在0.1%以内。一至三级高价值客户群关停投诉量降幅27.43%。     

High-temperature water-vapor reaction mechanism of barium strontium aluminosilicate (BSAS)

Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) are used in commercial turbine engine applications as protection for ceramic matrix composites, yet the high-temperature water vapor reaction mechanism for EBC materials is not fully understood. Here, the water vapor reaction mechanism for barium strontium alumino-silicate (BSAS), an early generation EBC candidate, was determined from the time and temperature dependences of material loss. BSAS water vapor exposures were performed at 1200 °C, 1300 °C, and 1400 °C for 24, 48, and 72 h, at maximum gas velocities of ~ 240 m/s. FactSage thermodynamic calculations were shown to support the experimental findings, where the steam reaction mechanism consisted of volatilization of all BSAS oxide constituents as gaseous metal hydroxide species, i.e. Ba(OH)₂, Sr(OH)₂, Al(OH)₃, and Si(OH)₄ (g).     

A novel methodology for the rapid identification of the water diffusion coefficients of composite materials

The paper presents a novel methodology for the rapid identification of the water diffusion coefficients of composite materials. The methodology consists in employing a numerical parametric Proper Generalized Decomposition (PGD) method allowing incorporating the diffusion coefficients among the number of degrees of freedom. Compared to classical identification schemes, often based on Finite Element Method (FEM) iterations, the proposed method allows achieving consistent CPU time gain. The method is general and can be applied when diffusion anomalies take place or when diffusion–reaction coupling must be taken into account, moreover can deal with anisotropic materials. However, for the scope of illustration, in the present case, it is applied to the simple case of “classical diffusion” (Fick’s model with constant boundary conditions) and concerns isotropic materials.     

Discordance in risk perception between children,parents, and teachers in terms of consumption of cheap and poorly nutritious food sold around schools

Little is known about the eating behavior of Asian children when faced with a range of poorly nutritious foods sold around schools, and whether they appreciate the risks involved in consuming such foods. To provide adequate education regarding proper food consumption, it is essential to understand how children perceive the potential risks and to examine their actual eating behaviors. The perceptions of adults and children should also be compared. This study selected children from the most populous primary schools (n = 166) in 36 of the national capital regions of the Republic of Korea. A total of 443 children were randomly selected from each school and they, their parents (n = 425), and nutrition teachers (n = 166) were asked to complete a questionnaire (total 11 questions) designed to examine how children and adults perceived the risks associated with the consumption of cheap and poorly nutritious foods sold around schools. Most children (>70%) consumed these foods more than once per week, even though they were aware that they may be potential hazardous. Children were significantly less concerned about the risks associated with their eating behaviors than their parents and teachers (p < 0.05), particularly regarding snacks prepared and cooked under unhygienic conditions. Although parents and teachers were very concerned about children’s food consumption, they misunderstood the level of children’s awareness, their preferences, and their actual eating behaviors. This study generated a database of information about children’s actual eating behavior around schools, and the perception (by children, parents, and teachers) of the risks. This database may contribute to the design of suitable educational programs for children, parents, and teachers.