20 research outputs found
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The geomagnetic mass spectrometer— mass and energy dispersions of ionospheric ion flows into the magnetosphere
NASA's Dynamics Explorer (DE) mission was designed to study the coupling between the Earth's magnetosphere, ionosphere and neutral thermosphere1. One area of major interest is the outflow of ionospheric plasma into the magnetosphere, the scale and significance of which is only now becoming apparent with the advent of mass-resolving, low-energy ion detectors. Here we compare observations of ion flows in the polar magnetosphere, made by the retarding ion mass spectrometer (RIMS)2 on DE1, with those made simultaneously in the topside ionosphere by the ion drift meter (IDM)3 on the lower-altitude DE2 spacecraft. The results show the dayside auroral ionosphere to be a significant and highly persistent source of plasma for the magnetosphere. The upwelling ionospheric ions are spatially dispersed, according to both their energy and mass, by the combined actions of the geomagnetic field and the dawn-to-dusk convection electric field, in an effect analogous to the operation of an ion mass spectrometer
Establishing user needs for a stability assessment tool to guide wheelchair prescription
Purpose: The WheelSense project aims to develop a system for assessing the stability and performance of wheelchairs through a user-centred design process. This study sought to capture user needs and define the specification for the system. Method: A mixed methods approach was adopted. An online survey was completed by 98 participants working in wheelchair provision. The results were built upon through 10 semi-structured interviews and one focus group (n = 5) with professionals working in wheelchair provision in three NHS Trusts in the UK. Results: The results provided a picture of the current UK practice in stability testing. Issues with the reliability and usefulness of the existing methods used to assess the stability and performance of wheelchairs were highlighted. Requirements for a new system were ascertained. These included improved accuracy of tipping angles, features to support record keeping, improved client/carer education support and ability to model or predict client-wheelchair system performance in different configurations. Conclusions: The paper concludes that there is a need for improved tools to determine the stability of the client-wheelchair system and support the prescription process, to ensure client safety and optimum equipment performance. A list of requirements has been produced to guide the future development of WheelSense.
Implications for Rehabilitation
The results of this survey and interview-based study present a picture of wheelchair stability testing practices in the UK, and highlight the need for new, more informative methods for guiding wheelchair prescription.
The requirements for the design of a new system, or further development of existing tools to support the stability testing and prescription of wheelchairs have been established