Elevator block brake structural optimization design based on an approximate model

An Aquila optimizer-back propagation (AO-BP) neural network was used to establish an approximate model of the relationship between the design variables and the optimization objective to improve elevator block brake capabilities and achieve a lightweight brake design. Subsequently, the constraint conditions and objective functions were determined. Moreover, the multi-objective genetic algorithm optimized the structural block brake design. Finally, the effectiveness of the optimization results was verified using simulation experiments. The results demonstrate that the maximum temperature of the optimized brake wheel during emergency braking was 222.09°C, which is 36.71°C lower than that of 258.8°C before optimization, with a change rate of 14.2%. The maximum equivalent stress after optimization was 246.89 MPa, 28.87 MPa lower than that of 275.66 MPa before optimization, with a change rate of 10.5%. In addition, the brake wheel mass was reduced from 58.85 kg to 52.40 kg, and the thermal fatigue life at the maximum equivalent stress increased from 64 times before optimization to 94 times after optimization.

Evaluating the impact of a short bout of stair-climbing on creative thinking in a between-subjects pretest posttest comparison study

Recent studies have indicated potential links between short bouts of physical activity like stair-climbing and enhanced creative thinking. However, previous research featured limitations, such as using an uncommon 3 flights round-trip design and lacking baseline creative thinking evaluations. To rectify these limitations and build a more comprehensive understanding, the present study adopts a between-subjects pretest posttest comparison design to scrutinize the effects of ascending stair-climbing on both divergent and convergent thinking. 52 subjects underwent a pretest, followed by random assignment to one of four interventions: ascending stair-climbing for 2, 5, or 8 flights, or taking an elevator for 8 flights, before progressing to a posttest. The results revealed a notable improvement in convergent thinking, measured by the increased number of solved matchstick arithmetic problems (d = 1.165), for participants who climbed 2 flights of stairs compared to those who took the elevator. However, climbing 5 or 8 flights showed no such impact on convergent thinking, and stair-climbing, regardless of the number of flights, did not influence divergent thinking. These findings underscore the utility of brief stair-climbing as an accessible means to enhance convergent thinking in everyday settings, providing a nuanced insight into the relationship between physical activity and creative thinking processes.

Watch your step: A pilot study of smartphone use effect on young females' gait performance while walking up and down stairs and escalators

The increasingly ubiquitous use of smartphones has made distracted walking common, not only on flat ground, but also on stairs. Available information regarding changes in gait performance while walking and using a smartphone in different environments is still lacking. We aimed to investigate the differences in gait behavior and subjective walking confidence while walking up and down stairs and escalators, with and without smartphone use. A field experiment involving 32 female adults was conducted at a subway station. Gait parameters collected included step frequency, acceleration root mean square, step variability, step regularity, and step symmetry. The results showed that walking task, walking environment, and walking direction significantly affected gait performance and walking confidence. Overall, playing games or texting while walking down escalators resulted in the lowest walking confidence and the largest gait performance decrement: slower step frequency; reduced root mean square; decreased step regularity and step symmetry; and increased step variability. Step frequency, step variability, and step regularity significantly correlated with walking confidence. Smartphone use while walking on stairs and escalators significantly affects gait behavior and might increase the risk of falls. Interventions and prevention are needed to increase safety education and hazard warnings for the general population.

Bile Is a Selective Elevator for Mucosal Mechanics and Transport

Mucus mechanically protects the intestinal epithelium and impacts the absorption of drugs, with a largely unknown role for bile. We explored the impacts of bile on mucosal biomechanics and drug transport within mucus. Bile diffused with square-root-of-time kinetics and interplayed with mucus, leading to transient stiffening captured in Brillouin images and a concentration-dependent change from subdiffusive to Brownian-like diffusion kinetics within the mucus demonstrated by differential dynamic microscopy. Bile-interacting drugs, Fluphenazine and Perphenazine, diffused faster through mucus in the presence of bile, while Metoprolol, a drug with no bile interaction, displayed consistent diffusion. Our findings were corroborated by rat studies, where co-dosing of a bile acid sequestrant substantially reduced the bioavailability of Perphenazine but not Metoprolol. We clustered over 50 drugs based on their interactions with bile and mucin. Drugs that interacted with bile also interacted with mucin but not vice versa. This study detailed the dynamics of mucus biomechanics under bile exposure and linked the ability of a drug to interact with bile to its abbility to interact with mucus.

The Egyptian Escalator: Gaining access to distal parent vessel in giant and large aneurysms

Flow-diverter stents have become the mainstay of endovascular treatment for giant and large intracranial aneurysms. However, the local aneurysmal hemodynamics, the incorporation of the parent vessel and the frequent wide-neck configuration render gaining stable distal parent artery access difficult. In this technical video, we present three cases in which we employed the so called "Egyptian Escalator technique" for obtaining and maintaining stable distal access: after looping the microwire and microcatheter inside the aneurysmal sac and exiting in the distal parent artery, we deployed a stent-retriever and utilized a gentle traction on the microcatheter in order to straighten the intra-aneurysmal loop. Afterwards, a flow-diverter stent was deployed, with optimal coverage of the aneurysmal neck. The "Egyptian Escalator" technique provides a useful approach for obtaining stable distal access for flow-diverter deployment in giant and large aneurysm (supplementary mmc1 (Video 1)).

Rise in intraocular pressure with elevator travel in post-vitrectomy patients

To evaluate the impact of elevator travel on intraocular pressure after vitreoretinal surgery with gas tamponade. Patients undergoing pars plana vitreoretinal surgery with and without gas insertion were recruited on post-operative day 1. All intraocular pressures were measured three times by Tono-Pen AVIA (Reichert, USA) on the fourth floor and, after rapid ascent in an elevator, on the 12th floor of the hospital. All patients were observed and asked for any symptoms of pain or nausea for at least 15 min. In this study, 54 patients were recruited. Twenty-seven patients underwent vitreoretinal procedures with gas insertion, while 27 patients without gas insertion acted as controls. The mean age of patients was 60.9 years. The mean changes in intraocular pressure of the patients with gas insertion (+ 1.39 mmHg) were greater than those without gas insertion (- 0.43 mmHg) and statistically significantly different (95% CI 1.17-2.48, P < 0.0001). Patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery with gas insertion had statistically significant intraocular pressure rise even with 8-floor ascent in the immediate post-operative period. Further studies are needed to evaluate the change in intraocular pressure with a larger range of altitudes and different gases.

Earth-vertical motion perception assessment using an elevator: a feasibility study

A feasible, inexpensive, rapid, and easy-to-use method to measure vestibular vertical movement perception is needed to assess the sacculus-mediated low-frequency otolith function of dizzy patients. To evaluate the feasibility of reaction time assessment in response to vertical motion induced by an elevator in healthy young individuals. We recorded linear acceleration/deceleration reaction times (LA-RT/LD-RT) of 20 healthy (13 female) subjects (mean age: 22 years ± 1 SD) as a measure of vertical vestibular motion perception. LA-RT/LD-RT were defined as the time elapsed from the start of elevator acceleration or deceleration to the time at which subjects in a sitting position indicated perceiving a change in velocity by pushing a button with their thumb. The light reaction time was measured as a reference. All 20 subjects tolerated the assessment with repeated elevator rides and reported no adverse events. Over all experiments, one upward and four downward rides had to be excluded for technical reasons (2.5%). The fraction of premature button presses varied among the four conditions, possibly related to elevator vibration (upward rides: LA-RT-up 66%, LD-RT-up 0%; downward rides: LA-RT-down 12%, LD-RT-down 4%). Thus LD-RT-up yielded the most robust results. The reaction time to earth-vertical deceleration elicited by an elevator provides a consistent indicator of linear vestibular motion perception in healthy humans. The testing procedure is inexpensive and easy to use. Deceleration on upward rides yielded the most robust measurements.

Is Climate Change Slowing the Urban Escalator Out of Poverty? Evidence from Chile, Colombia, and Indonesia

While urbanization has great potential to facilitate poverty reduction, climate shocks represent a looming threat to such upward mobility. This paper empirically analyzes the effects of climatic risks on the function of urban agglomerations to support poor households' escape from poverty. Combining household surveys with climatic datasets, our analyses of Chile, Colombia, and Indonesia find that households in large metropolitan areas are more likely to escape from poverty, indicating better access to economic opportunities in those areas. However, climate shocks such as extreme rainfalls and high flood risks significantly reduce upward mobility, thus offsetting such benefits of urban agglomerations. The findings underscore the need to enhance resilience among the urban poor to allow them to fully utilize the benefits of urban agglomerations.

Effect of Disposable Elevator Cap Duodenoscopes on Persistent Microbial Contamination and Technical Performance of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: The ICECAP Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Infection transmission following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can occur due to persistent contamination of duodenoscopes despite high-level disinfection to completely eliminate microorganisms on the instrument.

Objective

To determine (1) contamination rates after high-level disinfection and (2) technical performance of duodenoscopes with disposable elevator caps compared with those with standard designs.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this parallel-arm multicenter randomized clinical trial at 2 tertiary ERCP centers in Canada, all patients 18 years and older and undergoing ERCP for any indication were eligible.

Intervention

The intervention was use of duodenoscopes with disposable elevator caps compared with duodenoscopes with a standard design.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Coprimary outcomes were persistent microbial contamination of the duodenoscope elevator or channel, defined as growth of at least 10 colony-forming units of any organism or any growth of gram-negative bacteria following high-level disinfection (superiority outcome), and technical success of ERCP according to a priori criteria (noninferiority outcome with an a priori noninferiority margin of 7%), assessed by blinded reviewers.

Results

From December 2019 to February 2022, 518 patients were enrolled (259 disposable elevator cap duodenoscopes, 259 standard duodenoscopes). Patients had a mean (SD) age of 60.7 (17.0) years and 258 (49.8%) were female. No significant differences were observed between study groups, including in ERCP difficulty. Persistent microbial contamination was detected in 11.2% (24 of 214) of standard duodenoscopes and 3.8% (8 of 208) of disposable elevator cap duodenoscopes (P = .004), corresponding to a relative risk of 0.34 (95% CI, 0.16-0.75) and number needed to treat of 13.6 (95% CI, 8.1-42.7) to avoid persistent contamination. Technical success using the disposable cap scope was noninferior to that of the standard scope (94.6% vs 90.7%, P = .13). There were no differences between study groups in adverse events and other secondary outcomes.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this randomized clinical trial, disposable elevator cap duodenoscopes exhibited reduced contamination following high-level disinfection compared with standard scope designs, without affecting the technical performance and safety of ERCP.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04040504.

Investigation of Microwave Electromagnetic Fields in Open and Shielded Areas and Their Possible Effects on Biological Structure

The article's subject is the investigation of electromagnetic fields (EMF) of the microwave frequency band in a typical human living environment, especially in shielded areas. The point of view of electromagnetic field presence in the environment with the rapid increase in the level of the electromagnetic background is currently an essential point concerning population protection against the potential adverse effects of such EMFs. The authors focus on actual measurements, especially in shielded spaces frequently used in everyday life, such as elevator cabins and cars. The goal is a quantitative evaluation of the distribution of specific vector quantities of the EM field and a comparison with the currently valid hygiene standards. Measured values in shielded spaces show elevated levels in contrast to the open space. However, the values do not exceed limits set by considering the thermal effect on living tissues.

Impact of Plastic-Wrap Properties and Cleaning Intervals on the Disinfection of Elevator Buttons

Fomite transmission is a possible route by which different pathogens spread within facilities. In hospital settings, elevator buttons are widely observed to be covered with various types of plastic wraps; however, limited information is available concerning the impact of different plastic materials on cleaning. Our study aimed to identify which plastic material is suitable for the coverage of elevator buttons and the optimal intervals for their cleaning. We tested six plastic covers, including polyethylene (PE), polymethylpentene (PMP), polyvinyl chloride (PVD), and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) plastic wraps; a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) keyboard cover; and a polyethylene terephthalate-ethylene vinyl acetate (PET-EVA) laminating film, which are plastic films. The bioburden on the elevator buttons at different time intervals was measured using an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay. Our results show that wraps made of PVDC had superior durability compared with those of PMP, PVC, and PVDC, in addition to the lowest detectable ATP levels among the six tested materials. Regarding different button locations, the highest ATP values were found in door-close buttons followed by door-open, and first-floor buttons after one- and three-hour intervals (p = 0.024 and p < 0.001, respectively). After routine disinfection, the ATP levels of buttons rapidly increased after touching and became more prominent after three hours (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that PVDC plastic wraps have adequate durability and the lowest residual bioburden when applied as covers for elevator buttons. Door-close and -open buttons were the most frequently touched sites, requiring more accurate and precise disinfection; therefore, cleaning intervals of no longer than three hours may be warranted.

Come together: A unified description of the escalator capacity

We investigate a variety of aspects related to the simulation of passenger dynamics on escalators, mainly focusing on the discrepancy between the 'theoretical' and the 'practical' capacity that is observed for these facilities. The structure of the paper is twofold. In the first part, we introduce a space-continuous model to describe the transition of agents from walking on the plain to standing on the escalator. In the second part, we use numerical findings from simulations to study important measures like minimum distances between the standing agents and average occupancies of the escalator steps. One of the most important results obtained in this paper is a generalized analytical formula that describes the escalator capacity. We show that, apart from the conveyor speed, the capacity essentially depends on the time gap between entering passengers which we interpret as human reaction time. Comparing simulation results with corresponding empirical data from field studies and experiments, we deduce a minimum human reaction time in the range of 0.15s-0.30s which is in perfect agreement with results from social psychology. With these findings, it is now possible to determine accurately the relationship between the capacity and the speed of an escalator, allowing a science-based performance evaluation of buildings with escalators.

Research on State Recognition Technology of Elevator Traction Machine Based on Modulation Feature Extraction

Vibration signal analysis of the traction machine is an important part of the current rotating machinery state recognition technology, and its feature extraction is the most critical step. In this study, the time-frequency characteristics of the vibration of the traction machine under different elevator running directions, running speeds and load weights are analyzed. The novel demodulation method based on time-frequency analysis and principal component analysis (DPCA) is used to extract the periodic modulated wave signal. In order to compare different influence of background noise and unknown frequency influence, the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) methods are used to extract the characteristics of the traction machine vibration signal, respectively. Under different load conditions, it is difficult to observe the obvious differences and similarities of the vibration signals of the traction machine by time-frequency method. However, the DPCA demodulation method provides a guarantee for the reliability and accuracy of the state identification of the traction machine.

Numerical model for cough-generated droplet dispersion on moving escalator with multiple passengers

To investigate the motion of virus-laden droplets between moving passengers in line, we performed numerical simulations of the distribution of airborne droplets within a geometrically detailed model similar to an actual escalator. The left and right sides and the ceiling of the escalator model were surrounded by walls, assuming a subway used by many people every day with concern to virus-laden droplets. Steps and handrails were incorporated in the model to faithfully compute the escalator-specific flow field. The ascending and descending movements of the escalator were performed with 10 or 5 passengers standing at different boarding intervals. To resolve the unsteady airflow that is excited by a moving boundary consisting of passengers, steps, and handrails, the moving computational domain method based on the moving-grid finite-volume method was applied. On the basis of the consideration that the droplets were small enough, droplet dispersion was computed by solving the equation of virus-laden droplet motion using a pre-computed velocity field, in which the flow rate of a cough, diameter distribution, and evaporation of droplets are incorporated. The simulation resolved the detailed motion of droplets in flow, and therefore, we were able to evaluate the risk of viral adhesion to following passengers. As a result, we found that the ascending escalator had a higher risk of being exposed to virus-laden droplets than the descending escalator. We also reported that the chance of viral droplet adhesion decreases as the distance from the infected person increases, emphasizing the importance of social distancing.

Virus transport and infection evaluation in a passenger elevator with a COVID-19 patient

Contaminant transport and flow distribution are very important during an elevator ride, as the reduced social distancing may increase the infection rate of airborne diseases such as COVID-19. Studying the airflow and contaminant concentration in an elevator is not straightforward because the flow pattern inside an elevator changes dramatically with passenger movement and frequent door opening. Since very little experimental data were available for elevators, this investigation validated the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based on the RNG k- ∈ $$ \in $$ turbulence model to predict airflow and contaminant transport in a scaled, empty airliner cabin with a moving passenger. The movement of the passenger in the cabin created a dynamic airflow and transient contaminant dispersion that were similar to those in an elevator. The computed results agreed reasonably well with the experimental data for the cabin. The validated CFD program was then used to calculate the distributions of air velocity, air temperature, and particle concentration during an elevator ride with an index patient. The CFD results showed that the airflow pattern in the elevator was very complex due to the downward air supply from the ceiling and upward thermal plumes generated by passengers. This investigation studied different respiratory activities of the index patient, that is, breathing only, breathing, and coughing with and without a mask, and talking. The results indicated that the risk of infection was generally low because of the short duration of the elevator ride. If the index patient talked in the elevator, two passengers in the closest proximity to distance would be infected.

Elevator Car Vibration Signal Denoising Method Based on CEEMD and Bilateral Filtering

Elevator car vibration signals are important information to monitor and diagnose the operating status of elevators, but during the process of vibration signals acquisition, vibration signals are always inevitably disturbed by noise, which affects further research. Therefore, aiming at the vibration signal with noise, we propose a new vibration signal denoising method on the basis of complementary ensemble empirical mode decomposition (CEEMD) and bilateral filtering. Firstly, the collected original vibration signals are decomposed by the CEEMD into several inherent mode functions. Then, the false components are removed by determining the correlation coefficients of mode components, and then the noise-dominate components are denoised by bilateral filtering. Finally, the processed inherent mode functions are reconstructed to require the denoised signal. We test the method through simulation and practical application. The results indicate that the proposed method can efficaciously reduce the noise in the vibration signal of an elevator car.

Art and Poetry in an NHS Hospital's Elevator Bank

Our Storeys is a "social wallpaper" installation combining poetry and visual art on 4 walls covering a 4-story elevator lobby in a hospital entrance. This article considers how the artists sought to create a work that connected with community members so that they, in turn, connected with their hospital. The installation is informed by "These Are the Hands," Michael Rosen's poem celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the National Health Service, in which each line relates to all hospital workers.

Adoption of Major Housing Adaptation Policy Innovation for Older Adults by Provincial Governments in China: The Case of Existing Multifamily Dwelling Elevator Retrofit Projects

(1) Background: The housing environment is crucial to the health of older Chinese people and is becoming an urgent policy initiative. This study explores factors that facilitate or impede the adoption of policy innovation on major housing adaptation (HA) by Chinese provincial governments using the framework of policy innovation and diffusion theory. (2) Methods: This study constructs an event history dataset on HA policy related to elevator retrofitting in existing multifamily dwellings in China; the lack of elevators constitutes an insurmountable barrier in older adults’ daily lives in China. The hypotheses were tested by using a traditional event history analysis (EHA) model and a piecewise constant exponential (PCE) model, which is a modified EHA model. The dataset was summarized as “province-year” event history data on 30 Chinese provinces from 2008 to 2019. (3) Results: In addition to internal determinants (e.g., population aging level and financial dependency), diffusion mechanisms can significantly facilitate or impede the adoption of major HA policy innovation by provincial governments. Policy adoption by neighboring governments helps facilitate policy adoption by nonadopters, but policy adoption by subordinate city governments impedes provincial governments’ adoption of major HA policy innovation. (4) Conclusions: This study concludes that provincial governments’ adoption of major HA policy innovation should be given a higher policy priority. The central government can promote provincial governments’ adoption of major HA that primarily benefits older adults by using fiscal transfer payments and enhancing the legitimacy of such policy.

Intelligent escalator passenger safety management

This article addresses an approach to intelligent safety control of passengers on escalators. The aim is to improve the accuracy of detecting threatening situations on escalators in the subway to make decisions to prevent threats and eliminate the consequences. The novelty of the approach lies in the complex processing of information from three types of sources (video, audio, sensors) using machine learning methods and recurrent neural networks with controlled elements. The conditions and indicators of safety assurance efficiency are clarified. New methods and algorithms for managing the safety of passengers on escalators are proposed. The architecture of a promising safety software system is developed, and implementation of its components for cloud and fog computing environments is provided. Modeling results confirm the capabilities and advantages of the proposed technological solutions for enhancing the safety of escalator passengers, efficiency of control decision making, and system usability. Due to the proposed solutions, it has become possible to increase the speed of identifying situations 3.5 times and increase the accuracy of their determination by 26%. The efficiency of decision making has increased by almost 30%.

Becoming "Escalator-Legged" in Interwar London: Mechanization, Habit, and the Mobile Body

This article provides the first critical history of escalators on the London Underground railway and the ways their introduction reconfigured passengers' bodies. As the Underground became a coordinated and unitary technological system, its central Tube stations-particularly their elevators-created friction and exerted systemic drag. The Underground's executives initiated a major modernization program, replacing elevators with automatic escalators. Yet for the new technology to succeed, passengers had to learn certain actions, develop competencies, and acquire new corporeal habits. This article examines the dynamic regimes of instruction and surveillance that the Underground deployed to achieve these aims and assesses the outcome. Despite the assurance that the escalator would mechanize movement and overcome physiological variation, certain users found it discriminatory. While contemporary critics depicted the machine as an agent of dehumanization, beyond rush hour and at less busy stations, "escalator-legged" Londoners found more expressive and autonomous ways of moving.

Influence of COVID-19 Building Restrictions on Physical Activity Promotion Through Increased Stair Use and Limited Elevator Access: A Quasi-Experimental Study-Sport and Physical Activity Group Active Campus Project

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of UK government COVID-19 safe offices policy to increase stair use in a higher education setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Automated counts at 3 ground floor staircases and the elevator entrances were used to estimate stair to elevator use ratio for ascent and descent from/to the ground floor of a university building at baseline (January to March 2020), first and second intervention months (October 2020, November 2020, respectively). Stair promoting signage and a 1-way system was implemented, in line with government policy.

RESULTS

At baseline, stair to elevator use ratio for ascent from and descent to the ground floor was 1.36 (0.02) and 1.88 (0.02) people, respectively. The ratio significantly increased in the first intervention month to 2.64 (0.09) and 3.96 (0.22) people for ascent and descent, respectively. However, the ratio decreased between the first and second intervention months to 1.63 (0.06) and 3.05 (0.52) people for ascent and descent, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The UK government COVID-19 policy was effective at increasing stair use in a higher education setting.

Going Up!: Exploring the Phenomenon of the Glass Escalator in Nursing

The "glass escalator" refers to the structural advantage that males possess in female-dominated occupations that tend to enhance their careers. Males are less likely to enter female-dominated occupations, but when they do, they tend to rise faster and quicker to upper levels of leadership. There is limited research on the glass escalator and its effect on nursing. However, the concept has far-reaching effects for both nurse leaders and the nursing profession. Thus, a critical examination of this phenomenon is crucial. Although males represent 10% of the nursing workforce, they hold close to half of top leadership positions in nursing. While the impact of the glass escalator is clear for White males, it does not appear to apply to minority males or persons of color equally or equitably. In light of each of these factors, it is crucial that nurse leaders understand the glass escalator phenomenon, prior and current research, its implications, and have clear suggestions for addressing it in the workplace moving forward.

Influence of the combination of big data technology on the Spark platform with deep learning on elevator safety monitoring efficiency

To effectively minimize elevator safety accidents, big data technology is combined with deep learning technology based on the Spark platform. This study first introduces the relevant theories of elevator safety monitoring technology, namely big data technology and deep learning technology. Then, the fault types that occur in the running state of the elevator are identified, and a finite state machine model is established. An elevator fault monitoring method based on the Spark platform is proposed, namely finite state machine (FSM), and the results of elevator safety fault monitoring are evaluated. Based on deep learning, an elevator fault warning model is constructed and its early warning performance is evaluated. The results show that the study can realize real-time and effective monitoring in the operation state of the elevator, and can determine the fault type of the elevator by binding the abnormal operation state with the corresponding fault. The feasibility of the elevator safety monitoring efficiency is evaluated based on three indexes: mutual information, accuracy, and false positives. Compared with other algorithms, the proposed FSM algorithm has the largest mutual information (0.1337), the highest accuracy (0.9899), the lowest false positive rate (0.0624), and the lowest false negative rate (0.1126); compared with other models, the elevator fault warning model proposed in this study has the lowest root mean-square error (RMSE) value (0.0201), the highest accuracy (0.9834), the lowest Loss value (0.0012), and the shortest convergence time (88.2608s), indicating that the elevator safety monitoring system and elevator fault warning model are feasible. This study establishes a good direction for elevator safety monitoring efficiency in China.

Factors Influencing Escalator-Related Incidents in China: A Systematic Analysis Using ISM-DEMATEL Method

Escalator-related incidents (EIs) have recently resulted in serious injuries and even deaths. Given the frequency and severity of EIs, a systematic exploration of factors influencing EIs is critical in order to identify preventive measures. Twenty-two factors influencing EIs were identified by analyzing 213 EI cases in China and related literatures. A combination of the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methods were utilized to establish a hierarchical structure of the influencing factors and to distinguish cause factors and effect factors. The results show: (i) behavior, emergency plan, safety rules, safety supervision, information exchange, safety culture, and safety education are the most important factors influencing EIs; (ii) safety education is the cause factor imposing the greatest influence on other factors while behavior is the effect factor that is the most influenced; and (iii) the structure of influencing factors has five hierarchies, and factors in the root cause layer are settings and components, safety rules, safety supervision, safety culture, and safety education. Management priority should be given according to the hierarchy level, and the interaction of factors should be considered when taking preventive measures. The corresponding five-layer countermeasures are proposed to reduce escalator-related injuries.

A new model for an old friend

JGP study suggests the anion exchanger AE1 operates via an elevator-like mechanism.

How available to European children and young people with cerebral palsy are features of their environment that they need?

BACKGROUND

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires accessibility to the physical and social environments. However, individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) have many difficulties in accessing the environment they need for functional independence and social inclusion.

AIMS

To examine the availability of environmental features which children with CP need for optimal participation, and whether availability changed for them between ages 8-12 and 13-17 years.

METHODS

The sample is the 594 children with CP, born 31/07/1991-01/04/1997, who took part in the SPARCLE study at age 8-12 (SPARCLE 1) and again at 13-17 years (SPARCLE 2). Participants were randomly sampled from population registers of children with CP in eight European regions; one further region recruited from multiple sources. Data about environment were captured with the European Child Environment Questionnaire (60 items). Differences in availability of environmental features between childhood and adolescence were assessed using McNemar's test; differences between regions were assessed by ranking regions. Differences in availability between regions were assessed by ranking regions.

RESULTS

For seven environmental features significantly (p<0.01) fewer individuals needed the feature in SPARCLE 2 than in SPARCLE 1, whilst for two features more individuals needed the feature. Nine features in SPARCLE 1 and six features in SPARCLE 2 were available to less than half the participants who needed them. Eight features showed significantly (p<0.01) higher availability in SPARCLE 2 than in SPARCLE 1 (enlarged rooms, adapted toilet, modified kitchen and hoists at home, adapted toilets and lifts at school, an adequate vehicle, grants for home modifications) while none showed significantly lower availability. The relative rankings of the better and less good regions persisted from the age 8-12year age group to the 13-17year age group.

CONCLUSIONS

Needed environmental features are unavailable to many children at ages 8-12 and 13-17 years. This lack of availability is more pronounced in some regions than others, which probably results from their policy, legislative and statutory frameworks.

Smartphone-Based Escalator Recognition for the Visually Impaired

It is difficult for visually impaired individuals to recognize escalators in everyday environments. If the individuals ride on escalators in the wrong direction, they will stumble on the steps. This paper proposes a novel method to assist visually impaired individuals in finding available escalators by the use of smartphone cameras. Escalators are recognized by analyzing optical flows in video frames captured by the cameras, and auditory feedback is provided to the individuals. The proposed method was implemented on an Android smartphone and applied to actual escalator scenes. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is promising for helping visually impaired individuals use escalators.

Developing Point-of-Decision Prompts to Encourage Airport Walking: The Walk to Fly Study

BACKGROUND

Point-of-decision prompts may be appropriate to promote walking, instead of using a mechanized mode of transport, such as a train, in airports. To our knowledge, no current studies describe the development of messages for prompts in this setting.

METHODS

In-person interviews were conducted with 150 randomly selected airport travelers who rode the train to their departure gate. Travelers reported various reasons for riding the train to their gate. They were asked about messages that would encourage them to walk. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted for reasons for riding the train. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for messages to encourage walking to the departure gate.

RESULTS

Travelers reported not knowing walking was an option (23.8%), seeing others riding the train (14.4%), and being afraid of getting lost (9.2%) as reasons for riding the train. Many indicated that directional signs and prompts promoting walking as exercise would encourage them to walk instead of riding the train.

CONCLUSIONS

Some reasons for riding the train in an airport may be modifiable by installing point-of-decision prompts. Providing directional signs to travelers may prompt them to walk to their gate instead of riding the train. Similar prompts may also be considered in other community settings.

Intrahospital Transfer of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: Increase in Intracranial Pressure

AIM

To assess the dynamic of intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and dynamic pressure reactivity index (PRx) during intrahospital transport.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

There were 33 comatose patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The mean age was 36.3 ± 4.8 years (range 19-45 years), and there were 17 men and 16 women. The median Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission was 6.2 ± 0.7. Computed tomography (CT) included native CT, perfusion CT, and CT angiography.

RESULTS

The mean CPPs before and after the CT scans were 95.9 ± 10.7 and 81.5 ± 12.5 mmHg respectively. The mean ICP before transport was 19.98 ± 5.3 mmHg (minimum 11.7; maximum 51.7). It was statistically significantly lower (p < 0.001) than during the transfer (26.1 ± 13.5 mmHg). During the period described all patients had increased ICP, especially during vertical movement in an elevator. During horizontal movement on the floor ICP remained higher (p < 0.05). The mean dynamic PRx before and after intrahospital transport was 0.23 ± 0.14 and 0.52 ± 0.04, respectively (p < 0.001). Average duration of the transfer and CT study was 15.3 ± 3.4 min.

CONCLUSION

Intrahospital transport of patients with TBI may lead to a significant increase in ICP, dynamic PRx, and decreased CPP. The results suppose that the decision to perform brain CT in comatose patients with TBI should be carefully considered by clinicians.

Evaluation and improvement of air quality in school public elevator

Public elevators are an essential requirement in modern high-rise buildings. However, the confined, crowded interior of an elevator provides an ideal breeding ground for all manners of biological aerosols. Consequently, when using an elevator at a university in Taiwan as the research target, this study performs an experimental investigation into the effectiveness of hand-sprayed gaseous chlorine dioxide as a disinfection agent. The air quality before and after disinfection is evaluated by measuring the bioaerosol concentrations of bacteria and fungi, respectively. The average background levels of bacteria and fungi before disinfection are found to be 635.7 ± 469.6 and 1296.8 ± 966.6 colony-forming unit (CFU)/m(3), respectively. Following disinfection, the bacteria and fungi concentrations reduced by an average of 35 and 25 %, respectively. The multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) results showed that the residual bacteria and fungi concentration levels were determined primarily by the number of individuals within the elevator and the elapsed time following disinfection. In general, the present results show that given a maximum of five individuals within the elevator, a disinfection schedule of once every 40 min is sufficient to reduce the bioaerosol concentrations of bacteria and fungi to the levels specified by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Stair descending exercise using a novel automatic escalator: effects on muscle performance and health-related parameters

A novel automatic escalator was designed, constructed and used in the present investigation. The aim of the present investigation was to compare the effect of two repeated sessions of stair descending versus stair ascending exercise on muscle performance and health-related parameters in young healthy men. Twenty males participated and were randomly divided into two equal-sized groups: a stair descending group (muscle-damaging group) and a stair ascending group (non-muscle-damaging group). Each group performed two sessions of stair descending or stair ascending exercise on the automatic escalator while a three week period was elapsed between the two exercise sessions. Indices of muscle function, insulin sensitivity, blood lipid profile and redox status were assessed before and immediately after, as well as at day 2 and day 4 after both exercise sessions. It was found that the first bout of stair descending exercise caused muscle damage, induced insulin resistance and oxidative stress as well as affected positively blood lipid profile. However, after the second bout of stair descending exercise the alterations in all parameters were diminished or abolished. On the other hand, the stair ascending exercise induced only minor effects on muscle function and health-related parameters after both exercise bouts. The results of the present investigation indicate that stair descending exercise seems to be a promising way of exercise that can provoke positive effects on blood lipid profile and antioxidant status.

The use of point-of-decision prompts to increase stair climbing in Singapore

Physical inactivity is a significant contributor to worldwide mortality and morbidity associated with non-communicable diseases. An excellent avenue to incorporate lifestyle physical activity into regular routine is to encourage the use of stairs during daily commutes. We evaluated the effectiveness of point-of-decision prompts (PODPs) in promoting the use of stairs instead of the escalators in a Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station. We measured the number of stair climbers before the PODPs were put up, during the 4 weeks that they were in use, and 2 weeks after they were removed. Measurements at a no intervention control site were additionally taken. The use of stair-riser banners was associated with an increase in the number of people using the stairs by a factor of 1.49 (95% CI 1.34–1.64). After the banners were removed, the number of stair climbers at the experimental station dropped to slightly below baseline levels. The Singapore MRT serves a diverse multi-ethnic population with an average daily ridership of over 2 million and 88 stations island-wide. An increase of physical activity among these MRT commuters would have a large impact at the population level. Our findings can be translated into part of the national strategy to encourage an active lifestyle in Singaporeans.

Unusual head and neck injury in elevator: autopsy study

Industrial injuries related to auto-load-carrying vehicles were not frequently reported in the literature. Presented case was, 31-year-old male furniture worker. Deceased was found in awkward position in furniture workshop. Victim was observed on his knees in front of the elevator, head and neck lodged within openings of the elevator, and head and neck structures compressed-guillotined by the lower platform of the elevator were detected. We presented rare case of head and neck compression by elevator. Key words: head - neck - accidents - elevator - autopsy.

Labor Saved, Calories Lost: The Energetic Impact of Domestic Labor-saving Devices

OBJECTIVE

As the prevalence of obesity has increased, so has sedentariness. Progressive sedentariness has been attributed to greater use of labor saving devices, such as washing machines, and less nonexercise walking (e.g., walking to work). However, there is a paucity of data to support this conclusion. In this study, we address the hypothesis that domestic mechanization of daily tasks has resulted in less energy expenditure compared with performing the same tasks manually.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Energy expenditure was measured in four groups of subjects (122 healthy adult men and women total) from Rochester, Minnesota. Energy expenditure was measured using indirect calorimetry while subjects performed structured tasks such as cleaning dishes and clothes, stair climbing, and work-associated transportation, and these values were compared with the respective mechanized activity.

RESULTS

Energy expenditure was significantly greater and numerically substantial when daily domestic tasks were performed without the aid of machines or equipment (clothes washing: 45 +/- 14 vs. 27 +/- 9 kcal/d; dish washing: 80 +/- 28 vs. 54 +/- 19 kcal/d; transportation to work: 83 +/- 17 vs. 25 +/- 3 kcal/d; stair climbing: 11 +/- 7 vs. 3 +/- 1 kcal/d; p < 0.05). The combined impact of domestic mechanization was substantial and equaled 111 kcal/d.

DISCUSSION

The magnitude of the energetic impact of the mechanized tasks we studied was sufficiently great to contribute to the positive energy balance associated with weight gain. Efforts focused on reversing sedentariness have the potential to impact obesity.

Accelerative forces associated with routine inhouse transportation of rodent cages

Transportation of rodents has repeatedly been demonstrated to potentially affect research outcomes. In addition, rapid acceleration and deceleration have marked physiologic effects. The current study determined the accelerative forces associated with common types of animal transportation within the institution and means of reducing these effects. A rodent-sized (24 g) accelerometer was placed in a standard polycarbonate mouse cage, which then was hand-carried or loaded onto a plastic, small metal, or large metal cart. The cage then moved along a set path that included several flooring types and obstacles. Accelerative forces within the mouse cage varied by as much as 35 m/s(2) in as little as 1 s, primarily along the vertical axis (Z-axis). Measured acceleration was greatest with the plastic cart and lowest during hand-carrying. The placement of a towel under the cage dampened in-cage acceleration due to cart use by more than 50%, whereas a similarly located underpad had no significant effect. These data document that small rodents typically are exposed to considerable motion during transportation. The resulting physical and physiologic effects could affect study outcomes.

Respiratory health of two cohorts of terminal grain elevator workers studied 30 years apart

INTRODUCTION

We evaluated the respiratory health of two cohorts of grain terminal elevator workers who participated in one of either respiratory health surveys undertaken in 1978 and 2008.

METHODS

Questionnaire and spirometry data from 584 workers from the 1978 survey and 215 workers from the 2008 survey were compared using logistic regression and general linear modeling.

RESULTS

The geometric means of area samples of grain dust averaged 8.28 mg/m(3) in 1978 and 2.06 mg/m(3) in 2008. Workers in the 1978 survey had a significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms (with the largest adjusted odds ratio of 3.78, 95% CI 2.07-7.25, for shortness of breath), a lower prevalence of atopic conditions and lower mean lung function.

CONCLUSION

Current grain workers had a lower risk of respiratory health consequences and a greater prevalence of atopic conditions than workers surveyed 30 years prior, most likely associated with reduced exposure to grain dust in the terminal elevator environment.

[Evaluation on the effect of Point of Decision Prompt to increase the use of stairs]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether Point of Decision Prompt (PDP) could effectively increase the use of stairs in the Chinese university dormitory buildings.

METHODS

Number and certain features of students who used stairs and lifts were respectively recorded through observation in both buildings A (intervened) and building B (not intervened) simultaneously one week before the intervention (stage I), the first week after the intervention (stage II) and the fourth week after the intervention (stage III). Self-questionnaires were also used to evaluate the effect of the intervention program in building A.

RESULTS

According to the observation, the overall stair-use in building A increased from 34.3% in stage I to 37.5% (P < 0.05, compared with stage I) in stage II and dropped to 35.4% (P < 0.05, compared with stage I) in stage III. In contrast, the change in the overall stair-use in building B between these three stages was not statistically significant. The change of the stair-use varied with different sexes, different directions (up or down) and different days (weekday or weekend). Data from the questionnaires showed that 97.3% of the students being surveyed reported that they had noticed the PDPs and 26.4% of whom reported that they had increased the frequency of stair-use. Results from the logistic analysis of the questionnaire showed that girls (OR = 8.78, 95%CI: 3.23 - 23.87, deff = 1.24) and those who lived under the fifth floor (OR = 2.78, 95%CI: 1.28 - 6.06, deff = 1.38) were more inclined to increase the stair-use.

CONCLUSION

PDP could effectively increase the frequency of stair-use in the Chinese university dormitory buildings.

Wheelchair accessibility of public buildings in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the accessibility to public buildings for wheelchair users in Al Ain, the fourth largest city of the United Arab Emirates.

METHOD

Data were collected at 17 buildings, randomly chosen using the local telephone book as source. The instrument used was a survey form covering eight accessibility areas: parking, ramps, entrances, accessible routes, toilets, elevators, public telephones and water fountains. The survey comprized 79 items based on the Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines (ADAAG).

RESULTS

The highest overall compliance scored was 73%, and the lowest was 13%. The highest compliant accessibility area was accessible route with a mean of 76%, and the lowest was parking with a mean of 19%. None of the buildings recorded 100% compliance with the items in the survey form.

CONCLUSIONS

A wheelchair user would have encountered many and difficult architectural barriers if he had visited any of the public sites surveyed in the city of Al Ain. the results of this study show that much has actually been accomplished in the field of wheelchair accessibility of public buildings in the UAE city of Al Ain, despite the absence of legislation. This study could be seen as an example of what happens when the modern urban environment evolves in a non regulated context, lacking legislation protecting and ensuring the accessibility for the wheelchair bound member of society.

MEASURING THE EMS PATIENT ACCESS TIME INTERVAL andTHE IMPACT OF RESPONDING TO HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS

OBJECTIVES

To measure the patient access time interval and characterize its contribution to the total emergency medical services (EMS) response time interval; to compare the patient access time intervals for patients located three or more floors above ground with those less than three floors above or below ground, and specifically in the apartment subgroup; and to identify barriers that significantly impede EMS access to patients in high-rise apartments.

METHODS

An observational study of all patients treated by an emergency medical technician paramedics (EMT-P) crew was conducted using a trained independent observer to collect time intervals and identify potential barriers to access.

RESULTS

Of 118 observed calls, 25 (21%) originated from patients three or more floors above ground. The overall median and 90th percentile (95% confidence interval) patient access time intervals were 1.61 (1.27, 1.91) and 3.47 (3.08, 4.05) minutes, respectively. The median interval was 2.73 (2.22, 3.03) minutes among calls from patients located three or more stories above ground compared with 1.25 (1.07, 1.55) minutes among those at lower levels. The patient access time interval represented 23.5% of the total EMS response time interval among calls originating less than three floors above or below ground and 32.2% of those located three or more stories above ground. The most frequently encountered barriers to access included security code entry requirements, lack of directional signs, and inability to fit the stretcher into the elevator.

CONCLUSIONS

The patient access time interval is significantly long and represents a substantial component of the total EMS response time interval, especially among ambulance calls originating three or more floors above ground. A number of barriers appear to contribute to delayed paramedic access.

Odd sensation induced by moving-phantom which triggers subconscious motor program

Our motor actions are sometimes not properly performed despite our having complete understanding of the environmental situation with a suitable action intention. In most cases, insufficient skill for motor control can explain the improper performance. A notable exception is the action of stepping onto a stopped escalator, which causes clumsy movements accompanied by an odd sensation. Previous studies have examined short-term sensorimotor adaptations to treadmills and moving sleds, but the relationship between the odd sensation and behavioral properties in a real stopped-escalator situation has never been examined. Understanding this unique action-perception linkage would help us to assess the brain function connecting automatic motor controls and the conscious awareness of action.

Here we directly pose a question: Does the odd sensation emerge because of the unfamiliar motor behavior itself toward the irregular step-height of a stopped escalator or as a consequence of an automatic habitual motor program cued by the escalator itself. We compared the properties of motor behavior toward a stopped escalator (SE) with those toward moving escalator and toward a wooden stairs (WS) that mimicked the stopped escalator, and analyzed the subjective feeling of the odd sensation in the SE and WS conditions. The results show that moving escalator-specific motor actions emerged after participants had stepped onto the stopped escalator despite their full awareness that it was stopped, as if the motor behavior was guided by a “phantom” of a moving escalator. Additionally, statistical analysis reveals that postural forward sway that occurred after the stepping action is directly linked with the odd sensation.

The results suggest a dissociation between conscious awareness and subconscious motor control: the former makes us perfectly aware of the current environmental situation, but the latter automatically emerges as a result of highly habituated visual input no matter how unsuitable the motor control is. This dissociation appears to yield an attribution conflict, resulting in the odd sensation.

Promoting stair climbing: stair-riser banners are better than posters... sometimes

OBJECTIVE

Stair-riser banners are twice as effective as posters in encouraging stair climbing in shopping centres. This study tested the effectiveness of stair-riser banners in an English train station in 2006-2007.

METHOD

The train station had a 39-step staircase and an adjacent escalator. Baseline observations (3.5 weeks) were followed by 10.5 weeks of a banner intervention supplemented with 3 weeks of a poster intervention. Both poster and banner featured the message 'Stair climbing burns more calories per minute than jogging. Take the stairs'. Ascending escalator and stair users (N=36,239) were coded for gender.

RESULTS

Analyses, controlling for effects of gender and pedestrian traffic volume, revealed no significant change in stair climbing between baseline (40.6%) and the banner intervention (40.9%; p=0.98). Addition of the poster increased stair climbing (44.3%; OR=1.36, 95% CIs 1.16-1.60, p<0.001), with the effect reduced at higher pedestrian traffic volumes.

CONCLUSION

While stair-riser banners had no effect, the poster intervention increased stair climbing. The high pedestrian volumes as the wave of disembarking passengers seek to leave the station would have obscured the visibility of the banner for many commuters. Thus stair-riser banners appear unsuitable point-of-choice prompts in stations where pedestrian traffic volume is high.