Modelling of black carbon statistical distribution and return periods of extreme concentrations

Eight datasets of 1-h black carbon (BC) concentrations measured in Warsaw agglomeration (Poland), at urban background and sub-urban sites, and in Racibórz, a small town in Upper Silesia district (regional background site) were analyzed to evaluate BC levels, daily profiles and statistical distributions of concentrations in Central-Eastern European region. The observed mean levels ranged from 1483 ng m⁻³ in suburban site during summer to 3358 ng m⁻³ in regional background site in winter. Observed diurnal patterns were bimodal in the locations dominated by traffic emissions, but unimodal, with elevated evening peak in individually heated residential area. Three theoretical frequency distributions were applied to fit analyzed datasets separately. The lognormal distribution was the most appropriate to represent the middle-range values, while the high concentrations were satisfactorily predicted by the type I two-parameter exponential distribution which was used to estimate the return periods of extreme concentrations for winter months.     

Does placebo effect exist in contact lens discomfort management?

PurposeTo study the effect of daily disposable contact lens (DDCL) refitting in monthly contact lens (CL) wearers suffering from contact lens discomfort (CLD), and to assess if there is a placebo effect associated with this CLD intervention.MethodsSymptomatic CL wearers, according to the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire 8 (CLDEQ-8 ≥ 12 points), were divided into two groups. The study group was provided with DDCLs (delefilcon A) and the control group with a masked pair of their habitual monthly CLs (placebo effect) and were assessed after one month. Then, the control group was provided with the same DDCLs and evaluated one month later. The symptoms were recorded with the CLDEQ-8 and global rating of change scale (GRCS). Non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT), conjunctival hyperaemia, fluorescein staining, and lid wiper epitheliopathy (LWE) were evaluated. Changes between visits, groups, and the effect of each intervention were analysed.ResultsThirty-one participants (mean age: 23.2 ± 5.3 years) were recruited. The study group (n = 14) showed an improvement of -39.6 ± 25.8 % (p < 0.001) in CLDEQ-8 and 31.3 ± 14.6 points in GRCS (p < 0.001) after one month of DDCL use, while no changes in clinical tests were found. In the control group (n = 17), symptoms improved significantly after wearing the masked monthly CL (CLDEQ-8: -26.1 ± 31.0 %, p = 0.03; GRCS: 14.9 ± 17.0, p = 0.002), however a worsening in bulbar (26.5 ± 40.0 %; p = 0.02) and limbal hyperaemia (21.6 ± 34.7 %, p = 0.02) and an improvement of -19.1 ± 37.0 % (p = 0.049) in LWE was found. When the control group was fitted with the DDCL, improvements in GRCS (20.5 ± 25.5, p = 0.02), NITBUT (37.9 ± 42.3 %, p = 0.002), and conjunctival staining (-47.1 ± 59.9 %, p = 0.005) were noted.ConclusionsRefitting symptomatic monthly CL wearers with Delefilcon A DDCL is effective in reducing symptoms related to CLD. However, clinicians and researchers must be aware of the existence of a placebo effect when assessing the effectiveness of any CL refitting.     

Pattern analysis in daily physical activity data for personal health management

Purpose: sedentary lifestyles have resulted in an increasing number of people who are at increased risk of various conditions and diseases, including overweight, obesity, and metabolic syndromes. Our objective was to systematically record the daily life journal on a platform to increase the self-awareness and improve the sedentary lifestyle and to assist clinicians in understanding and facilitating patients’ daily physical activity.Method: we developed a portable activity pattern recognition system designed to automatically recognize the daily activity habits of users, and provide visualized life logs on the wellness self-management platform for patients and clinicians. Based on the participants’ and the clinician’s comments, appropriate modifications were made.Results: persuading people to improve their activities during non-working hours can enhance the general physical activity. Since users’ smartphones automatically monitor their energy expenditure, healthcare professionals can use these data to assist their patients in addressing health problems stemming from the obesity or metabolic syndromes, thus empowering users to avert or delay the progression of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other complications.Discussion and conclusions: the clinical pilot study showed the feasibility of applying this persuasive technology to improve the physical activity of overweight people. The limitation of the study is the need for Wi-Fi and 3G environments and a smartphone.     

小庄矿40309工作面瓦斯涌出规律及影响因素分析

为了及时掌握小庄矿40309综放工作面瓦斯涌出量变化情况,杜绝该工作面回采过程中出现瓦斯隐患,现场连续采集了40309工作面回采过程中瓦斯涌出量数据,分析了绝对瓦斯涌出量和相对瓦斯涌出量随工作面回采的变化规律,研究了涌出量与日产量、日推进度和风排量的关系。研究结果表明:2019年5月25日至2019年8月14日,40309工作面绝对瓦斯涌出量随着工作面回采基本呈下降趋势,绝对瓦斯量维持在21.6～35.4m~3/min;40309工作面相对瓦斯涌出量维持在1.58～4.11m~3/t。工作面瓦斯涌出总量的平均值为26.91 m~3/min,其中,煤壁涌出5.65 m~3/min、落煤涌出2.02 m~3/min、采空区涌出2.83m~3/min,邻近层涌出16.41m~3/min,本煤层涌出量占工作面总涌出量的39.01%,邻近层涌出量占工作面总涌出量的60.99%。40309工作面绝对瓦斯涌出量随日产量增加而增加,随日推进度和风排量的增加呈增加趋势,但变化不太明显。40309工作面相对瓦斯涌出量随日产量增加呈指数衰减,随日推进度和风排量增加而增加。该研究有助于40309工作面瓦斯灾害事故防控,并为类似高瓦斯综放工作面回采设计提供指导。     

Eye care professionals’ perceptions of the benefits of daily disposable silicone hydrogel contact lenses

PurposeTo gain a better understanding of eye care professionals’ (ECPs) perceptions regarding the benefits of silicone hydrogel (SiH) daily disposable contact lenses (DDCL), particularly with respect to health, comfort and patient satisfaction.MethodsA survey was conducted with 300 ECPs in the United States, United Kingdom and Japan during November 2017. The survey comprised 34 statements relating to SiH DDCLs, to which the ECPs provided their level of agreement using a 6 point Likert scale. A minimum of 70% agreement was set to define majority agreement. Categories of statements included Health, Comfort, Patient Experience, and Standard of Care.ResultsECPs rated the highest levels of agreement to perceptions within the Patient Experiences and Health categories. The six statements receiving the highest ratings were “Silicone hydrogel 1 day lenses satisfy today’s patients’ demanding lifestyles” (93% agreement); “Silicone hydrogel 1 day lenses are the best choice to safeguard my patients’ eye health related to contact lens wear” (92%); “Silicone hydrogel 1 day lenses provide the best benefits to my patients” (92%); “Silicone hydrogel 1 day lenses provide better long term eye health for my patients than hydrogel 1 day lenses” (91%); “Silicone hydrogel is the healthiest lens material for my daily disposable patients” (90%); and “Silicone hydrogel 1 day lenses provide a better wearing experience for my patients than hydrogel 1 day lenses” (90%).ConclusionECPs perceive that SiH DDCLs offer long-term eye health and comfort for the patient and although the ECPs surveyed would not necessarily prescribe SiH DDCLs to all their patients, they would prescribe them to most of their patients. The results support the premise that while ECPs consider SiH 1 day contact lenses as the current “standard of care”; the principal barrier continues to be the perceived higher cost of these lenses.     

On a universal model for the prediction of the daily global solar radiation

A model to predict the mean expected daily global solar radiation, H(n) on a day n, at a site with latitude φ is proposed. The model is based on two cosine functions. A regression analysis taking into account the mean measured values H_m.meas(n) obtained from SoDa database for 42 sites in the Northern Hemisphere resulted in a set of mathematical expressions of split form to predict H(n). The parameters of the two cosine model for 0°<φ < 23° are obtained by regression analysis using a sum of 3–8 Gaussian functions, while for 23°<φ < 71° the two cosine model parameters are expressed by a sum of exponential functions or the product of an exponential and a cosine function. The main equation of the model and the set of parametric expressions provide H(n) for any φ on Earth. Validation results of this model are provided along with the statistical estimators NMBE, NRMSE and t-statistic in comparison to the corresponding values from three databases of NASA, SoDa and the measured values from ground stations provided in Meteonorm.     

Camille Silvy and the English Press

This article examines some of the announcements and advertisements that Camille Silvy placed in the English press during the nine years he spent as one of London's foremost commercial portraitists. The article also looks at some other occurrences of Silvy's name in a variety of newspapers and journals and discusses the new light that these sources shed on Silvy's business practices and on the history of his studio.     

基于办公软件运用的事业单位日常管理

随着信息技术以及互联网的不断提升，信息化的办公软件也随之出现。办公软件的管理功能非常强大，那么，事业单位怎样对办公软件进行有效运用是一个值得人们所关注和研究的问题。本文主要对办公软件在事业单位日常管理中的作用做了探讨，并提出了新时期办公软件的发展方向与加强措施。     

Technical Note: Method for objective assessment of physical work load at the workplace

This paper presents a method for objective assessment of physical work load at the workplace. The method is based on the DynaPort ADL Monitor. Using accelerometry, this monitor enables the assessment of gross motor activity as it occurs during the activities of daily living (ADL). A case study is conducted to explore the usefulness of the monitor in support of occupational research. The focus is on the cause and reduction of mechanical low back pain (LBP). A patient suffering from mechanical LBP participated in the study. He worked as messenger in contrast with his usual occupation. The patient was examined in both occupations using the monitor. The ADL profiles indicated that the messenger job was more likely to cause LBP than the other occupation of a mechanic.     

从“启蒙”回归日常 新一代前沿建筑师的建筑实践运作

文章以2008年后中国大陆建筑设计执业环境的变化为线索,探究新一代前沿建筑师的建筑实践运作正在发生的变化。作者认为其核心在于＂启蒙＂的姿态减弱,而日常操作受到更多的重视。文章还通过一些实例具体论述了这种变化对前沿建筑师及其作品特征的影响。