The Structure of Municipal Voting in Vancouver

We offer a new interpretation of the structure of municipal electoral competition in Vancouver, focusing on the city’s high-profile municipal election in 2018. Using novel “cast vote records” – a dataset containing each of the 176,450 ballots cast in the city’s municipal election – we use a Bayesian multidimensional scaling procedure to estimate the location of every 2018 candidate and voter in Vancouver in a shared two-dimensional political space. We then match observed votes from the cast vote records to survey responses in the Canadian Municipal Election Study (CMES), a large election survey undertaken in Vancouver in 2018, using 96 CMES variables to interpret our two measured dimensions of electoral competition. We find evidence of a single primary dimension of competition, structured by left-right ideology, along with a secondary dimension dividing establishment from upstart parties of the right. Our paper supplies a new interpretation of Vancouver’s electoral landscape, clarifies our understanding of the role of left-right ideology in municipal electoral competition, and demonstrates the promise of cast vote records for research on municipal elections and voting.

Properties of a Transport Instrument for Measuring Psychological Impacts of Delay on Commuters, Mokken Scale Analysis

This study assessed the validity of instrument including various negative psychological and physical behaviors of commuters due to the public transport delay. Instruments have been mostly evaluated by parametric method of item response theory (IRT). However, the IRT has been characterized by some restrictive assumptions about the data, focusing on detailed model fit evaluation. The Mokken scale analysis (MSA), as a scaling procedure is a non-parametric method, which does not require adherence to any distribution. The results of the study show that in most regards, our instrument meets the minimum requirements highlighted by the MSA. However, the instrument did not adhere to the minimum requirements of the “scalability” for two variables including “stomach pain” and “increased heart rate”. So, modifications were proposed to address the violations. Although MSA technique has been used frequently in other fields, this is one of the earliest studies to implement the technique in the context of transport psychology.

Development and validation of vehicle wheel load scaling method for formation of durability testing loading cycle

For a vehicle durability study, performed with simulation or laboratory testing, impact on the object should be described as set of time-domain load signals, which reflects accelerated service modes of a vehicle operation. For a newly developed vehicle these load signals can be based on previously prepared loading cycle of a similar vehicle with use of the load scaling theory. Importance and certainty of the load scaling theory is approved by active use among foreign car makers and engineering centers. However, mathematical description of the theory and scaling procedure are strictly classified, despite of being based on fundamentals of vehicle dynamics. In this paper the method of scaling of time-domain wheel and driveline loads is suggested; the method is based on proportions of size and mass properties of the original and the new vehicles. Assumed that previously recorded loading cycle corresponds to the service life of a vehicle. It is worth noting that level of loading and damage accumulation, shown with scaled loading cycle and after first prototypes testing on a proving ground, will be different because of impact of chassis stiffness and damping properties. Suggested scaling theory is being studied in FSUE “NAMI” and is on the validation and verification stage. First completed experiments showed that a multiaxial test rig could perform the vehicle suspension loading cycle, obtained with the theory, with a satisfactory accuracy. This makes utilization of the theory limited to early stages of vehicle development.

A scaling procedure for straightforward computation of sorptivity

Sorptivity is a parameter of primary importance in the study of unsaturated flow in soils. This hydraulic parameter is required to model water infiltration into vertical soil profiles. Sorptivity can be directly estimated from the soil hydraulic functions (water retention and hydraulic conductivity curves), using the integral formulation of Parlange (1975). However, calculating sorptivity in this manner requires the prior determination of the soil hydraulic diffusivity and its numerical integration between initial and final saturation degrees, which may be difficult in some situations (e.g., coarse soil with diffusivity functions that are quasi-infinite close to saturation). In this paper, we present a procedure to compute sorptivity using a scaling parameter, cp, that corresponds to the sorptivity of a unit soil (i.e., unit values for all parameters and zero residual water content) that is utterly dry at the initial state and saturated at the final state. The cp parameter was computed numerically and analytically for five hydraulic models: delta (i.e., Green and Ampt), Brooks and Corey, van Genuchten–Mualem, van Genuchten–Burdine, and Kosugi. Based on the results, we proposed brand new analytical expressions for some of the models and validated previous formulations for the other models. We also tabulated the output values so that they can easily be used to determine the actual sorptivity value for any case. At the same time, our numerical results showed that the relation between cp and the hydraulic shape parameters strongly depends on the chosen model. These results highlight the need for careful selection of the proper model for the description of the water retention and hydraulic conductivity functions when estimating sorptivity.

Efficacy of extraoral suction devices in aerosol and splatter reduction during ultrasonic scaling: A laboratory investigation

Background. Ultrasonic scaling generates aerosols and splatters contaminated with microorganisms, increasing the risk of disease transmission in the dental office. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of extraoral suction (EOS) units in aerosol and splatter reduction during ultrasonic scaling. Methods. Ultrasonic scaling was conducted on a dental manikin headset to simulate a scaling procedure. Water containing Lactobacillus acidophilus at a concentration of 107 colony-forming units per milliliter and 1% fluorescein solution was used as the water supply of the scaler. The scaling procedure was conducted with a high-volume evacuator (HVE) or the combination of HVE and an EOS unit. de Man–Rogosa–Sharpe agar plates were placed at different distances surrounding the dental chair. Filter papers were placed at various positions surrounding the oral cavity and on areas of the body. Results. Bioaerosols were detected at every sampling site and could travel as far as 150 cm from the oral cavity. The combination of HVE and EOS significantly reduced the total number of bacterial colonies in the air (P<0.001). Dissemination of the stain was in the range of 20 cm from the oral cavity. The maximum contaminated surface area was at the 4 o’clock position from the oral cavity. The combination of EOS and HVE significantly reduced the contaminated area (P<0.05). The stain was also found on the wrists, chest, abdomen, and lap of the operator and assistant. The lap was the most contaminated area of the body. Conclusion. EOS was effective in reducing the bioaerosols and splatters generated during ultrasonic scaling.

An Ergonomic Study of The Effect of Scaling Procedure on The Musculoskeletals Problems, Workloads, and Eye Strain Among Dental Students

Dental treatments generally need length of time period. The dental care consist of several steps and these steps should be performed in the cramped space which is patient’s mouth (oral cavity). Thus, dentists have potential on suffering for musculoskeletal injuries which may affect their quality of work. This is a descriptive study (observation and interviews) with cross-sectional approach. This study conducted observation on several ergonomic aspects include task, organizational, and environment; following with interviews on how were dental students performing scaling procedures The mean time of dental students in performing scaling was 28,38 ± 1,03 minutes, this period of time also cover all the time needed for several adjusting working positions taken by dental students on purpose to cover scaling on all of the teeth surfaces and regions. Dentists have risk for potential injuries resulted from non-ergonomic working attitude and static position. This indicated from increasing of Nordic Body Map scores after performing scaling with mean scores 13,87 ± 1,56, increasing eyes train scores up to 2,2 ± 0,27, and increasing work load which was calculated from hearth rate 23,45 ± 2,70 beats/menit. This study also assesses organizational and working environment which may affect dental students on performing scaling. The total ergonomic approach may be employed to solve the identified problems from ergonomic assessment on the scaling procedures performed by dental students at Dentistry Udayana University. Thus, it is expected that the approach can be solve the problems complained by dental students while performing scaling procedure, as well as assistant operators, patients, and others related parties without creating unnecessary side effects causing by the purposed adjustment. Index Terms— scaling, ergonomic study, dentist

An experimental approach to analyze aerosol and splatter formation in a dental practice

The flow velocity, trajectories, and size distribution of droplets produced during a dental scaling procedure using a Cavitron ultrasonic scalar (CUS) has been investigated by optical flow tracking velocimetry and shadowgraphy measurements. The droplet sizes are found to vary from 5 -500 µm; these correspond to droplet nuclei that could carry viruses. The droplet velocities also vary between 0.7 m/s and 1.3 m/s. These observations confirm the critical role of aerosols in the transmission of disease during dental procedures, providing invaluable knowledge for developing protocols and procedures to ensure the safety of both dentists and patients especially during COVID-19 pandemic.

Function Follows Form: Using the Aesthetic Association Principle to Enhance Haptic Interface Design

Novel tangible user interface technologies facilitate current trends toward seamless user interfaces. They enable the design of yet unseen interfaces and thus the creation of a new kind of haptic language. In order to use the benefits of a touch-and-feel design for a positive user experience, carefully designed haptic feedback plays an important role by providing aesthetically pleasing and sustainable product features. Haptic feedback may exceed mere acquiring of buttons and input-confirmation but enable orientation and even identification of functionality governed by the haptic impression. We employed the aesthetic association principle as a deeply grounded psychological mechanism that assists effective linkage between haptic form factors and associated functional attributes. In order to illustrate this powerful principle, we analyzed the specific associations between certain main haptic surface qualities and associated functional aspects. In a series of three subsequent studies (Pre-Study 1: perception, Pre-Study 2: similarity, and Main Study: association), we explored paradigmatic associations of that kind to develop guidelines which forms are distinct to be used in interfaces. We show how forms are implicitly categorized into functional qualities (on/off, more-less, selection), using a multidimensional scaling procedure and explore explicit form-functionality associations, using a think-aloud method in the context of an automotive interface. For a series of forms, we revealed clear associative relations to specific functions. We will discuss the general value and opportunities of an association-based approach to user experience in order to create intuitive user interfaces. We will also develop ideas for specific areas of applications.

METHOD OF OPTIMIZATION OF TYPE-SET IN STYLE “FAMILY LOOK” BY MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION OF HARMONY

The relevance of the distribution of clothing, designed in the style of Family look, is the result of the social demand for expressing family values by the consumers. Updating this style requires the introduction of new types of combinations of the system of artistic images and the development of an assortment concept of creating a capsule wardrobe. The problem of style modernization eliminates such classification features as gender, age, range. The image level of motivation in choosing the range of Family look style is based on the principle of “unisex”, which is due to the condition of the ensemble of the standard items set. The capsule approach to novelty of a family wardrobe provides stylistic balance of subject combinations due to the optimization of qualitative characteristics of a typical set in the Family look style. On the basis of normative definitions of components of family wardrobe the nomenclature of principles of identification of imagery of Family look models is formed. The application of the principle of ensemble of a capsule of a standard set in social function of clothes of Family look on the bases of hierarchy of structure of designing levels is considered: object, gender and age signs, social group, application of subjects. A typological series of options for combining assortment units in the gender and age groups of family members has been developed. The mirror image of the “unisex” principle has been studied by the method of uneven scaling of the areas of standard kits in the grid of product dimensions by the coefficient of proportionality in gender and age groups. A verification database for determining the harmony of the standard set has been developed, which differentiates the information for the scaling procedure: the appearance of the model, assortment units (top, bottom), models’ area, the coefficient of proportionality. The identification methods of the harmony of the typographic set have been offered: rhythm metrics, dimensional copying of the mirror image, stylistic harmony of subject combinations. Quantitative parameters of proportional ratios of areas of assortment units do not contradict the proportions of control measurements of design dimensions. The proposed technique can be recommended as a basic one in the development of a capsule wardrobe and in determining the items harmony.