Improving the visibility of bicycle infrastructure

The visual characteristics of road infrastructure play a major role in a substantial number of single-bicycle crashes. The focus of this research was on finding the most common situations that result in a poorly visible bicycle infrastructure, and investigating how to improve these conditions for vulnerable cyclist populations, specifically the visually impaired and the older cyclist. Three studies were performed, a questionnaire study amongst visually impaired cyclists, focus group discussions with older cyclists, and an experiment on a closed track where participants’ vision, in particular their contrast sensitivity, was impaired. The results from the questionnaire study and the focus group discussions revealed that bollards, kerbs, and cycle path markings/shoulders are the most critical visual elements in the road infrastructure. In addition, cycling performance and cyclists’ feelings of safety worsened in conditions where the visibility of obstacles and the road’s course were the poorest. Visibility can be enhanced by placing red-white bollards, painting kerbs white, by enhancing clearness of the road’s shoulder, or by applying high contrast road markings on the side of the cycle path/road

Aerodynamic analysis of Ampyx’s airborne wind energy system

Besides classical horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines, alternative ways to harvest wind energy are currently being explored. One promising concept is represented by airborne wind energy systems. Different airborne wind energy concepts have been ideated and investigated over the past few decades. The work reported here focuses on the concept being developed by Ampyx Power that basically generates power using a tethered airplane which drives a generator on the ground. The aim of the work reported here is to develop and compare design calculations for such a power plane. In this study a comparison was made between steady and unsteady RANS CFD calculations from SU2 and OpenFOAM. Subsequently, using the data from the CFD calculation two different power prediction models were developed and compared, one using 2D CFD data with the free vortex code AWSM and the other using the same data with a nonlinear lifting line approach to model the power plane in its figure eight flying trajectory. Overall, comparisons show that for all practical angles of attack, as well as a range of flap angles, that 2D CFD results agree extremely well between both solvers. The 3D CFD results show <20% differences on the computed total forces, despite achieving good agreement on the relative force contributions across the power plane. A very good agreement has also been established between the power prediction models

Efficacy and Safety of Low‐Dose Intravenous Versus Intramuscular Vitamin K in Parenteral Nutrition Patients

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141612/1/jpen0174.pd

Dysphagia limit in children with cerebral palsy aged 4 to 12 years

AIM: To assess the dysphagia limit in children with cerebral palsy (CP) according to Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) level, sex, and age compared to typically developing children. METHOD: Seventy‐seven children with CP (54 males, 23 females; mean age 7y 6mo, SD 2y 2mo, age range 4–12y) were assessed with the Maximum Volume Water Swallow Test. Median dysphagia limit in the CP group was compared with data of typically developing children. RESULTS: The dysphagia limit of children with CP differed significantly (p<0.001) from typically developing children. The latter showed a threefold higher median dysphagia limit (22mL) compared to children with CP in EDACS level I (7mL). The higher the EDACS level, the lower the dysphagia limit in children with CP. EDACS level explained 55% of the variance in the dysphagia limit of the CP group. INTERPRETATION: Where children with CP in EDACS levels IV and V showed that their capacity met the level of their performance, children in EDACS level I had the ability to perform a maximum capacity task, but still had a threefold lower median dysphagia limit than typically developing children. Establishment of the dysphagia limit should be part of general swallowing assessment in children with CP

The impact of corporate philanthropy on reputation for corporate social performance

This study seeks to examine the mechanisms by which a corporation’s use of philanthropy affects its reputation for corporate social performance (CSP), which the authors conceive of as consisting of two dimensions: CSP awareness and CSP perception. Using signal detection theory (SDT), the authors model signal amplitude (the amount contributed), dispersion (number of areas supported), and consistency (presence of a corporate foundation) on CSP awareness and perception. Overall, this study finds that characteristics of firms' portfolio of philanthropic activities are a greater predictor of CSP awareness than of CSP perception. Awareness increases with signal amplitude, dispersion, and consistency. CSP perception is driven by awareness and corporate reputation. The authors’ contention that corporate philanthropy is a complex variable is upheld, as we find that CSP signal characteristics influence CSP awareness and perception independently and asymmetrically. The authors conclude by proposing avenues for future research