Urban Stress and Bicycle Infrastructure in the City of Osnabrück – Analysing Well-Being and Infrastructure Relationships in Streetscapes through a Triangulation Approach

Active mobility is a key factor in the mobility revolution and is thus elementary in combating the climate crisis. At the same time, however, much research is still needed to improve the situation of active mobility, especially regarding inhibiting factors in the choice of active modes of transport. Essential here is road users\u27 positive and negative emotional experiences in different infrastructure settings. Due to high volumes and speeds of motorised traffic, high noise and pollution levels and a lack of greenery urban space, today is often associated with increased stress and an excess of stress-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, depression, or schizophrenia (Adli, 2017). Providing data and objectifying much-discussed issues such as perceived safety in transport infrastructure is essential for decision-making at the community level (Sørensen, 2009). Such data can provide evidence to refine traffic planning guidelines and improve public space for pedestrians and cyclists. It is therefore necessary to get a differentiated picture of social and ecological considerations in the mobility sector. The BMDV project “Emotion Sensing for (E-)Bicycle Safety and Mobility Comfort ESSEM” investigates the subjective perception of cyclists’ safety in urban traffic. With the help of iterative environmental and body-related data collection, stress points in the municipal cycling network are identified and analysed in the two model cities of Ludwigsburg and Osnabrück . The framework given in this study applies a triangulating approach that allows statements on individual “stress” utilising biological markers (skin conductivity, skin temperature) via a sensor wristband and through standardised questionnaires. In this way, vulnerable groups can be identified, which can be better taken into account in project development and planning. This study focuses on three “stress hotspots” in Osnabrück, considering different forms of bicycle infrastructure

Heart rate detection from the supratrochlear vessels using a virtual reality headset integrated PPG sensor

An increasing amount of virtual reality (VR) research is carried out to support the vast number of applications across mental health, exercise and entertainment fields. Often, this research involves the recording of physiological measures such as heart rate recordings with an electrocardiogram (ECG). One challenge is to enable remote, reliable and unobtrusive VR and heart rate data collection which would allow a wider application of VR research and practice in the field in future. To address the challenge, this work assessed the viability of replacing standard ECG devices with a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that is directly integrated into a VR headset over the branches of the supratrochlear vessels. The objective of this study was to investigate the reliability of the PPG sensor for heart-rate detection. A total of 21 participants were recruited. They were asked to wear an ECG belt as ground truth and a VR headset with the embedded PPG sensor. Signals from both sensors were captured in free standing and sitting positions. Results showed that VR headset with an integrated PPG sensor is a viable alternative to an ECG for heart rate measurements in optimal conditions with limited movement. Future research will extend on this finding by testing it in more interactive VR settings

Impact of materials technology on the breeding blanket design – Recent progress and case studies in materials technology

A major part in the EUROfusion materials research program is dedicated to characterize and quantify nuclear fusion specific neutron damage in structural materials. While the majority of irradiation data gives a relatively clear view on the displacement damage, the effect of transmutation – i.e. especially hydrogen and helium production in steels – is not yet explored very well. However, few available results indicate that EUROFER-type steels will reach their operating limit as soon as the formation of helium bubbles reaches a critical amount or size. At that point, the material would fail due to embrittlement at the considered load. This paper presents a strategy for the mitigation of the before-mentioned problem using the following facts: • the neutron dose and related transmutation rate decreases quickly inside the first wall, that is, only a plasma-near area is extremely loaded • nanostructured oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels may have an enormous trapping effect on helium and hydrogen, which would suppress the formation of large helium bubbles • compared to conventional steels, ODS steels show improved irradiation tensile ductility and creep strength In summary, producing the plasma facing, highly neutron and heat loaded part of blankets by an ODS steel, while using EUROFER97 for everything else, would allow a higher heat flux as well as a longer operating period. Consequently, we (1) developed and produced 14 % Cr ferritic ODS steel plates. (2) We fabricated a mockup with 5 cooling channels and a plated first wall of ODS steel, using the same production processes as for a real component. And finally, (3) we performed high heat flux tests in the HELOKA facility (Helium Loop Karlsruhe at KIT) applying short and up to 2 h long pulses, in which the operating temperature limit for EUROFER97 (i.e., 550 °C) was finally exceeded by 100 K. Thereafter, microstructure and defect analyses did not reveal defects or recognizable damage. Only a heat affected zone in the EUROFER/ODS steel interface could be detected. This demonstrates that the use of ODS steel could make a decisive difference in the future design and performance of breeding blankets

Fabrication routes for advanced first wall design alternatives

In future nuclear fusion reactors, plasma facing components have to sustain specific neutron damage. While the majority of irradiation data provides a relatively clear picture of the displacement damage, the effect of helium transmutation is not yet explored in detail. Nevertheless, available results from simulation experiments indicate that 9%-chromium steels will reach their operating limit as soon as the growing helium bubbles extent a critical size. At that point, the material would most probably fail due to grain boundary embrittlement. In this contribution, we present a strategy for the mitigation of the before-mentioned problem using the following facts. (1) The neutron dose and related transmutation rate decreases quickly inside the first wall of the breeding blankets, that is, only a plasma-near area is extremely loaded. (2) Nanostructured oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels may have an enormous trapping effect on helium, which would suppress the formation of large helium bubbles for a much longer period. (3) Compared to conventional steels, ODS steels also provide improved irradiation tensile ductility and creep strength. Therefore, a design, based on the fabrication of the plasma facing and highly neutron and heat loaded parts of blankets by an ODS steel, while using EUROFER97 for everything else, would extend the operating time and enable a higher heat flux. Consequently, we (i) developed and produced 14%Cr ferritic ODS steel plates and (ii) optimized and demonstrated a scalable industrial production route. (iii) We fabricated a mock-up with five cooling channels and a plated first wall of ODS steel, using the same production processes as for a real component. (iv) Finally, we performed high heat flux tests in the Helium Loop Karlsruhe, applying a few hundred short and a few 2 h long pulses, in which the operating temperature limit for EUROFER97 (i.e. 550 ◦C) was finally exceeded by 100 K. (v) Thereafter, microstructure and defect analyses did not reveal critical defects or recognizable damage. Only a heat affected zone in the EUROFER/ODS steel interface could be detected. However, a solution to prohibit the formation of such heat affected zones is given. These research contributions demonstrate that the use of ODS steel is not only feasible and affordable but could make a decisive difference in the future design and performance of breeding blankets

Curved Tails in Polymerization-Based Bacterial Motility

The curved actin ``comet-tail'' of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is a visually striking signature of actin polymerization-based motility. Similar actin tails are associated with Shigella flexneri, spotted-fever Rickettsiae, the Vaccinia virus, and vesicles and microspheres in related in vitro systems. We show that the torque required to produce the curvature in the tail can arise from randomly placed actin filaments pushing the bacterium or particle. We find that the curvature magnitude determines the number of actively pushing filaments, independent of viscosity and of the molecular details of force generation. The variation of the curvature with time can be used to infer the dynamics of actin filaments at the bacterial surface.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, Latex2

Emotionswahrnehmung für Fahrradsicherheit und Mobilitätskomfort Analyse von humansensorischen Messungen und Korrelation mit Umgebungsparametern = Emotion Sensing for Bicycle Safety and Mobility Comfort Analysis of Human Sensor Measurements and Correlations with Contextual Parameters

Wie sicher sich Menschen beim Radfahren fühlen, hat einen Einfluss darauf, ob sie sich dafür entscheiden, das Fahrrad zu nutzen. Dabei existieren eine Reihe von Faktoren, die das Sicherheitsempfinden beeinflussen. Neben externen Einflüssen sind es fehlende oder schlechte Radverkehrsanlagen, die entweder zu wenig Platz oder Schutz bieten. Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes ESSEM, gefördert vom Ministerium für Digitalisierung und Verkehr, wird ein innovativer Forschungsansatz realisiert, bei dem mithilfe zu erhebender Daten das Stresslevel von Fahrradfahrer:innen quantifiziert wird. Die Datengrundlage bietet weitreichende Potenziale, um Implikationen für die Radinfrastrukturoptimierung, aber auch Produktentwicklung und -evaluation zu ermitteln

Developing a Citizen Social Science approach to understand urban stress and promote wellbeing in urban communities

This paper sets out the future potential and challenges for developing an interdisciplinary, mixed-method Citizen Social Science approach to researching urban emotions. It focuses on urban stress, which is increasingly noted as a global mental health challenge facing both urbanised and rapidly urbanising societies. The paper reviews the existing use of mobile psychophysiological or biosensing within urban environments—as means of ‘capturing’ the urban geographies of emotions. Methodological reflections are included on primary research using biosensing in a study of workplace and commuter stress for university employees in Birmingham (UK) and Salzburg (Austria) for illustrative purposes. In comparing perspectives on the conceptualisation and measurement of urban stress from psychology, neuroscience and urban planning, the difficulties of defining scientific constructs within Citizen Science are discussed to set out the groundwork for fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. The novel methods, geo-located sensor technologies and data-driven approaches to researching urban stress now available to researchers pose a number of ethical, political and conceptual challenges around defining and measuring emotions, stress, human behaviour and urban space. They also raise issues of rigour, participation and social scientific interpretation. Introducing methods informed by more critical Citizen Social Science perspectives can temper overly individualised forms of data collection to establish more effective ways of addressing urban stress and promoting wellbeing in urban communities

Prevalence and risk factors of malaria among children in southern highland Rwanda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Increased control has produced remarkable reductions of malaria in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa, including Rwanda. In the southern highlands, near the district capital of Butare (altitude, 1,768 m), a combined community-and facility-based survey on <it>Plasmodium </it>infection was conducted early in 2010.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 749 children below five years of age were examined including 545 randomly selected from 24 villages, 103 attending the health centre in charge, and 101 at the referral district hospital. Clinical, parasitological, haematological, and socio-economic data were collected.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>infection (mean multiplicity, 2.08) was identified by microscopy and PCR in 11.7% and 16.7%, respectively; 5.5% of the children had malaria. PCR-based <it>P. falciparum </it>prevalence ranged between 0 and 38.5% in the villages, and was 21.4% in the health centre, and 14.9% in the hospital. Independent predictors of infection included increasing age, low mid-upper arm circumference, absence of several household assets, reported recent intake of artemether-lumefantrine, and chloroquine in plasma, measured by ELISA. Self-reported bed net use (58%) reduced infection only in univariate analysis. In the communities, most infections were seemingly asymptomatic but anaemia was observed in 82% and 28% of children with and without parasitaemia, respectively, the effect increasing with parasite density, and significant also for submicroscopic infections.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>infection in the highlands surrounding Butare, Rwanda, is seen in one out of six children under five years of age. The abundance of seemingly asymptomatic infections in the community forms a reservoir for transmission in this epidemic-prone area. Risk factors suggestive of low socio-economic status and insufficient effectiveness of self-reported bed net use refer to areas of improvable intervention.</p