scholarly journals The Impact of Traffic and Meteorology on Urban Particle Mass and Particle Number Concentrations: Student-Led Studies Using Mobile Measurements before, during, and after the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Otto Klemm ◽  
Antonia Ahrens ◽  
Margarethe Arnswald ◽  
Raika Bethke ◽  
David Frederik Berger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Number ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Particle Mass ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Urban Air ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Day Of The Week ◽  
The Impact

A series of student-led research activities were performed using a cargo bicycle equipped with air chemistry instrumentation to study the dynamics of aerosol particles in urban air before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown periods. The studies examined a high-traffic route and a low-traffic route around the city center of Münster, Germany. A complex picture emerged for how the particle number concentrations (PN) and particle mass concentrations (PM, specifically PM10) were affected by the day of the week, the route selected, the meteorological conditions, and the traffic intensity. Traffic had the most impact on PN through the multitude of exhaust plumes from motorized vehicles. The impact of traffic on PM10 was rather low, which is also mirrored in the general pattern of the low response of PM10 to the pandemic lockdown in Germany. Instead, PM10 responded more to the day of the week. Presumably, PM10 responds either to a specific traffic component, such as commercial low-duty vehicles, or to other business, such as construction activity. Meteorological conditions exert their impact mostly through the relative humidity, which affects particle growth. As such, future research could examine PN and PM10 responses over all seasons of the year. In any case, this student-led study in which high-resolution data were acquired deepened our understanding and broadened our view on particle dynamics in urban air. Well-trained university graduates will contribute to meeting further challenges in studying and combatting air pollution.

Studies of urban aerosol particle number and mass concentrations with a mobile platform: The roles of COVID-19, traffic, and meteorology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otto Klemm ◽  
David F. Berger ◽  
Bettina Breuer ◽  
Sophia Buchholz ◽  
Laura Ehrnsperger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Aerosol Particle ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Urban Aerosol ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Traffic Intensity ◽  
Day Of The Week ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mass Concentrations

<p>Although urban air pollution is on the decline in central Europe, it still causes several hundreds of thousands of premature deaths per year. The EU standards of atmospheric aerosol particle mass concentrations PM10 and PM2.5 (µg m<sup>-3</sup>) have not been exceeded anymore in Germany in 2020, yet there is a rather large uncertainty about the toxicity of particle number concentrations PN (cm<sup>-3</sup>), for which no legal limits are established. High PN concentrations are typically caused by the exhaust of motorized road vehicles. From 2019 through 2021, national lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in reduced human activity. The traffic intensity was heavily reduced, which should have led to an equally strong reaction of the urban aerosol particle concentrations, specifically the PN concentrations. For NO<sub>x</sub> and PM10, it has been shown for sections of central Europe that the decrease of urban concentrations was not as intense as expected by traffic reduction, because lockdowns coincided with periods of low wind speeds and poor atmospheric exchange conditions. We performed meteorological and air chemistry measurements with an instrumented cargo bicycle before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown periods in Münster, Germany. During each ride, two circular routes around the city center were realized, a high-traffic route and a low-traffic route. A complex picture emerged with varying impact of the day of the week, selection of route, meteorological conditions, and traffic intensity driving the PN and PM concentrations. Single-ride high-resolution analysis showed convincingly that the multitude of exhaust plumes from motorized vehicles exerted a strong impact on the PN concentrations. A relative importance analysis was performed on the entire dataset. According to the statistical analysis, PM10 responded most to the day of the week. Although the traffic intensity was also low on weekends, the impact of traffic on PM10 was rather low. Presumably, PM10 responded either to a specific traffic component such as commercial, low-duty vehicles, or to other business with weakly cycles such as construction activity. The meteorological conditions exert impact mostly through the relative humidity, which affects particle growth and reduction of the PN concentration. The role of the lockdowns was quite little overall. For future research, a more complete coverage of the seasons of the year is recommended as well as the inclusion of NO<sub>x</sub> measurements on board of the cargo bicycle. </p>

scholarly journals Unmanned Aerial Systems for Investigating the Polar Atmospheric Boundary Layer—Technical Challenges and Examples of Applications

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Lampert ◽  
Barbara Altstädter ◽  
Konrad Bärfuss ◽  
Lutz Bretschneider ◽  
Jesper Sandgaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Low Temperatures ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Systems ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Aerial Systems ◽  
The Impact

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) fill a gap in high-resolution observations of meteorological parameters on small scales in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Especially in the remote polar areas, there is a strong need for such detailed observations with different research foci. In this study, three systems are presented which have been adapted to the particular needs for operating in harsh polar environments: The fixed-wing aircraft M 2 AV with a mass of 6 kg, the quadrocopter ALICE with a mass of 19 kg, and the fixed-wing aircraft ALADINA with a mass of almost 25 kg. For all three systems, their particular modifications for polar operations are documented, in particular the insulation and heating requirements for low temperatures. Each system has completed meteorological observations under challenging conditions, including take-off and landing on the ice surface, low temperatures (down to −28 ∘ C), icing, and, for the quadrocopter, under the impact of the rotor downwash. The influence on the measured parameters is addressed here in the form of numerical simulations and spectral data analysis. Furthermore, results from several case studies are discussed: With the M 2 AV, low-level flights above leads in Antarctic sea ice were performed to study the impact of areas of open water within ice surfaces on the ABL, and a comparison with simulations was performed. ALICE was used to study the small-scale structure and short-term variability of the ABL during a cruise of RV Polarstern to the 79 ∘ N glacier in Greenland. With ALADINA, aerosol measurements of different size classes were performed in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in highly complex terrain. In particular, very small, freshly formed particles are difficult to monitor and require the active control of temperature inside the instruments. The main aim of the article is to demonstrate the potential of UAS for ABL studies in polar environments, and to provide practical advice for future research activities with similar systems.

scholarly journals Doctoral Candidates’ Academic Writing Output and Strategies: Navigating the Challenges of Academic Writing During a Global Health Crisis

10.28945/4755 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 291-317
Author(s):  
Basil Cahusac de Caux
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Doctoral Candidates

Aim/Purpose: To date, few studies have investigated the impact of global health crises on the academic writing of doctoral candidates. This paper seeks to start a conversation about the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on doctoral candidates’ academic writing output and strategies. Background: This paper employs and analyses data elicited from surveys and interviews involving doctoral candidates from around the world. Data were collected during April 2020, at a time when government-mandated lockdowns and restrictions on movement were in full force in many countries around the world. Methodology: Surveys were conducted with 118 doctoral candidates from over 40 institutions based in four continents. Follow-up interviews were carried out with four doctoral candidates enrolled in an Australian institution. A qualitative descriptive design, employing thematic analysis, is used to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on doctoral candidates’ writing output and strategies. The data analysis includes statistical descriptions of the surveys. Contribution: This paper provides insights into the myriad challenges and obstacles facing doctoral candidates during the COVID-19 pandemic. It describes the writing strategies adopted by doctoral candidates during a period of significant societal disruption, and illustrates how thematic analysis can be employed in research involving global health crises. Findings: Despite the adoption of novel approaches to academic writing, which appear in an insignificant minority of respondents, doctoral candidates’ overall commitment to academic writing has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Similarly, delays to academic research activities caused by the pandemic have resulted in a significant decline in commitment (motivation) to academic writing and a substantial impact on doctoral candidates’ ability to write about their research. Recommendations for Practitioners: Supervisors and mentors should strive to provide doctoral candidates with timely feedback during the pandemic. Given the impact of the pandemic on doctoral candidates’ mental health and motivation to write, increased institutional and peer support is required to help doctoral candidates overcome academic issues during the pandemic and future health crises. This researcher recommends consulting regularly with and offering individually tailored solutions to doctoral candidates who are struggling to work on their theses during the pandemic. Similarly, institutions should empower supervisors in ways that allow them to provide greater levels of support to doctoral candidates. Recommendation for Researchers: Further research on the impacts of the pandemic on various academic cohorts, such as early career researchers (doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and assistant professors) and student cohorts (e.g., undergraduate and postgraduate), will clarify the extent to which the pandemic is impacting the academic writing of doctoral candidates. Impact on Society: The pressure placed on doctoral candidates to produce quality academic writing seems to have been heightened by the pandemic. This has a range of adverse effects for the higher education sector, particularly administrators responsible for managing doctoral candidate success and the academe, which recruits many of its faculty from holders of doctorate degrees. Future Research: Additional focus on academic writing of doctoral candidates during the pandemic is needed. Research should include randomised samples and represent a range of academic disciplines.

scholarly journals The Shift to Gamification in Education: A Review on Dominant Issues

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-137
Author(s):  
Kingsley Ofosu-Ampong
Keyword(s):  
Education Research ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Game Elements ◽  
The Impact

This article examines gamification literature on education since 2011. Using highlighted themes from Kirriemuir and McFarlane’s review on games and education as a starting point, the study identified 32 published papers. Furthermore, the study evaluated and identified previous conceptual and methodological approaches for evaluating gamification in education research. Using the identifying themes, the study discusses the development and use of gamification in education (Theme I), the application of gamification in education (Theme II), and the impact of gamification in education (Theme III) and propose that there is increased gamification and game elements research activities bridging the idea of gamified information systems in education and offering interesting opportunities for future research. The study concludes with future research directions for gamification in education.

Radon and its decay products in an air-conditioned auditorium in correlation with indoor air parameters

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 621-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Polednik ◽  
Krzysztof Kozak ◽  
Jadwiga Mazur ◽  
Marzenna Dudzińska ◽  
Dominik Grządziel
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Air ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Decay Product ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Particle Mass ◽  
Average Particle ◽  
Air Conditioning System ◽  
Decay Products ◽  
The Impact

The measurements of radon and its attached decay product activity concentrations were carried out in an occupied and unoccupied auditorium during three air-conditioning modes i.e. air-conditioning system switched off (air-conditioning off), air-conditioning system switched off during the night and switched on during the day (air-conditioning on/off) and air-conditioning system switched on (air-conditioning on). Higher average concentrations of radon and its decay products were recorded in the auditorium when the air-conditioning system was switched off. The average particle mass and CO2 concentrations and indoor air thermal parameters were elevated during the air-conditioning on/off mode. A statistically significant ( p < 0.001) positive correlation between the decay product concentrations and the particle number and average particle mass concentrations has been observed in the air-conditioning off mode ( r = 0.55 and r = 0.68) and in the air-conditioning on/off mode ( r = 0.54 and r = 0.62, respectively). A significant negative correlation has been observed between the decay product concentrations and the indoor air temperature and CO2 concentrations in the air-conditioning off mode ( r = −0.86 and r = −0.47, respectively). The obtained results confirmed the impact of the air-conditioning system operation on the decrease of health risks related to the presence of radon and its decay products in air conditioned premises.

scholarly journals Scoping review of nursing-related dissemination and implementation research in German-speaking countries: Mapping the field / Scoping Review zum Stand der pflegebezogenen Disseminations- und Implementierungsforschung in deutschsprachigen Ländern: eine Bestandsaufnahme

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Hoben ◽  
Charlotte Berendonk ◽  
Ines Buscher ◽  
Tina Quasdorf ◽  
Christine Riesner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
German Language ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
German Speaking ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation Research ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Implementing evidence-based innovations into care practice is a complex, slow and haphazard process. Dissemination and implementation (DI) research seeks to understand and optimize that process, to close gaps between research and practice and to improve quality of care. While there is a growing body of international DI research, little is known about the number and types of DI research studies and the DI topics studied in German-speaking nursing settings. This scoping review therefore evaluates the state of nursing-related DI research in German-speaking countries, discusses these results in light of the international state of DI research and provides directions for future research. We searched international databases (Web of Knowledge including Medline, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and GeroLit), German library meta-search engines, six German-language key trade journals, and reference lists of included articles. In total, 186 references representing 140 research projects were included in our review. Quality appraisal used five validated checklists. Methodological quality of the included studies was generally low. A total of 92 studies assessed the effects of DI strategies, 67 studied DI barriers and facilitators, 64 evaluated the impact or characteristics of DI processes, and 5 reported on the development or validation of DI research tools. None of the included studies focussed on methodological questions of DI research or on development and testing of DI theories and models. Future nursing-related DI research in German-speaking countries should particularly focus on these latter topics. Taking into account the international state of DI research will be especially crucial for those research activities.

scholarly journals Dementia wellbeing and COVID-19: review and expert consensus on current research and knowledge gaps

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy Liu ◽  
Rob Howard ◽  
Sube Banerjee ◽  
Adelina Comas-Herrera ◽  
Joanne Goddard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Expert Group ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Living Well ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Remote Healthcare ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: In response to an NHS England enquiry, a UK-based working group, comprising dementia researchers from a range of fields and disciplines, aimed to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dementia wellbeing and identify priorities for future research. Methods: We supplemented a rapid literature search (including unpublished, non-peer reviewed and ongoing studies/reports) on dementia wellbeing in the context of COVID-19 with expert group members’ consensus about future research needs. From this we generated potential research questions the expert group judged to be relevant that were not covered by the existing literature. Results: Themes emerged from 141 studies within the six domains of the NHS England COVID-19 Dementia Wellbeing Pathway: Preventing Well, Diagnosing Well, Treating Well, Supporting Well, Living Well and Dying Well. We describe current research findings and knowledge gaps relating to the impact on people affected by dementia (individuals with a diagnosis, their carers and social contacts, health and social care practitioners and volunteers), services, research activities and organisations. Broad themes included the potential benefits and risks of new models of working including remote healthcare, the need for population-representative longitudinal studies to monitor longer-term impacts, and the importance of reporting dementia-related findings within broader healthcare studies. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionately negative impact on people affected by dementia. Researchers and funding organisations have responded rapidly to try to understand the impacts. Future research should highlight and resolve outstanding issues to develop evidence-based measures to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia.

Potential Impact of Climate Change on Tanker Design

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elzbieta M. Bitner-Gregersen ◽  
Torfinn Ho̸rte ◽  
Rolf Skjong
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Extreme Weather ◽  
Structure Design ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
The Impact

Global warming and extreme weather events reported in the last years have attracted a lot of attention in academia, industry and media. The ongoing debate around the observed climate change has focused on three important questions: will occurrence of extreme weather events increase in the future, which geographical locations will be most affected, and to what degree will climate change have impact on future ship traffic and design of ships and offshore structures? The present study shortly reviews the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report, AR4, [1] and other relevant publications regarding projections of meteorological and oceanographic conditions in the 21st century and beyond with design needs in focus. Emphasis is on wave climate and its potential implications on safe design and operations of ship structures. A risk based approach for marine structure design accounting for climate change is proposed. The impact of expected wave climate change on ship design is demonstrated for five oil tankers, ranging from Product tanker to VLCC. Consequences of climate change for the hull girder failure probability and hence the steel weight of the deck in the midship region is shown. Recommendations for future research activities allowing adaptation to climate change are given.

Baltimore Ceasefire 365: Estimated Impact of a Recurring Community-Led Ceasefire on Gun Violence

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 554-559
Author(s):  
Peter Phalen ◽  
Erricka Bridgeford ◽  
Letrice Gant ◽  
Aaron Kivisto ◽  
Brad Ray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Trends ◽  
Incidence Rate Ratio ◽  
Credible Interval ◽  
Gun Violence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Detailed Data ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Day Of The Week ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Objectives. To estimate the impact of recurring community-led, weekend-long ceasefires on gun violence in the City of Baltimore, Maryland. Methods. The City of Baltimore releases detailed data on all crimes occurring in the city. We compiled daily counts of fatal and nonfatal shootings occurring between January 2012 and July 2019 and fit a Bayesian model to estimate the impact of the ceasefires on gun violence during designated weekends after accounting for yearly seasonality, day of the week, calendar days, and overall time trends. We also looked at the 3-day periods following each 3-day ceasefire weekend to test for a possible postponement effect. Results. There was an estimated 52% (95% credible interval [CI] = 33%, 67%) reduction in gun violence during ceasefire days and no evidence of a postponement effect on either the next 3 days or the next 3-day weekend following each ceasefire weekend (incidence rate ratio = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.72, 1.06). Conclusions. The Baltimore Ceasefire weekends may be an effective short-term intervention for reducing gun violence. Future research should aim to understand the key components and transferability of the intervention.

Self-Compassion and Quality of Life in Adults Who Stutter

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 2097-2108
Author(s):  
Robyn L. Croft ◽  
Courtney T. Byrd
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Adults Who Stutter ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify levels of self-compassion in adults who do and do not stutter and to determine whether self-compassion predicts the impact of stuttering on quality of life in adults who stutter. Method Participants included 140 adults who do and do not stutter matched for age and gender. All participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale. Adults who stutter also completed the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering. Data were analyzed for self-compassion differences between and within adults who do and do not stutter and to predict self-compassion on quality of life in adults who stutter. Results Adults who do and do not stutter exhibited no significant differences in total self-compassion, regardless of participant gender. A simple linear regression of the total self-compassion score and total Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering score showed a significant, negative linear relationship of self-compassion predicting the impact of stuttering on quality of life. Conclusions Data suggest that higher levels of self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connectedness (i.e., self-compassion) are related to reduced negative reactions to stuttering, an increased participation in daily communication situations, and an improved overall quality of life. Future research should replicate current findings and identify moderators of the self-compassion–quality of life relationship.

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