User-centred design to promote the effective use of rear-mounted foldable roll-over protective structures (FROPSs): prototype evaluation among novice and expert farmers

Aim of study: We tested the perceived quality in use of a prototype of a handling supporting device, developed through a user-centred design process intended for rear-mounted foldable rollover protective-structures (FROPSs). Area of study: The study was performed in the Province of Cuneo, which has the largest number of farms and the highest share of utilized agricultural area (UAA) in Piedmont Region, NW Italy Material and methods: Three groups of users, novice-novice (NN), novice-expert (NE) and expert-expert (EE) were asked to raise two rear-mounted FROPSs: a traditional one and a second one equipped with a supporting device which consisted of a gas spring and a rod. A questionnaire has been used to record the perceived quality in use of both FROPSs (effort, physical discomfort, temporal demand and ease of use) and perceived usefulness and attitudes toward the adoption of the supporting device. Main results: All groups reported less physical effort, more stable postures, higher ease of use in handling the FROPS equipped with the supporting device; NN users, in particular, declared to be willing to adopt the supporting device in the future on their tractors when commercially available. Research highlights: Previous studies reported discomfort in operating the FROPS as the main cause of its improper use. A solution to improve FROPS reachability was developed and tested with users. Benefits were perceived by both novice users and expert users.

Lower and upper solutions method to the fully elastic cantilever beam equation with support

The aim of this paper is to consider a fully cantilever beam equation with one end fixed and the other connected to a resilient supporting device, that is, $$ \textstyle\begin{cases} u^{(4)}(t)=f(t,u(t),u'(t),u''(t),u'''(t)), \quad t\in [0,1], \\ u(0)=u'(0)=0, \\ u''(1)=0,\qquad u'''(1)=g(u(1)), \end{cases} $$ { u ( 4 ) ( t ) = f ( t , u ( t ) , u ′ ( t ) , u ″ ( t ) , u ‴ ( t ) ) , t ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] , u ( 0 ) = u ′ ( 0 ) = 0 , u ″ ( 1 ) = 0 , u ‴ ( 1 ) = g ( u ( 1 ) ) , where $f:[0,1]\times \mathbb{R}^{4}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ f : [ 0 , 1 ] × R 4 → R , $g: \mathbb{R}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ g : R → R are continuous functions. Under the assumption of monotonicity, two existence results for solutions are acquired with the monotone iterative technique and the auxiliary truncated function method.

A uterine cervix supporting device (Con-CapTM) for reducing canal stenosis after Loop Electrosurgical Excisional Procedure

BACGROUND: Cervical stenoses are one of the main long-term consequences after conization of the uterine cervix. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a uterine cervix supporting device (Con-CapTM) in reducing uterine cervical stenosis after Loop Electrosurgical Excisional Procedure (LEEP). METHODS: We enrolled 112 patients who underwent LEEP between March 2017 to May 2019. Con-CapTM was inserted into the uterine endocervical canal for 4 weeks after LEEP. Laboratory values and clinical symptoms were evaluated. The presence of uterine cervical narrowing was determined at 2 weeks after removal of the Con-CapTM. Data were analyzed using the two-sample t test and χ2 test. RESULTS: A total of 78 women completed the 6-week study period. Thirty-four patients did not complete the study period. The diameter of the uterine cervical canal was significantly greater at postoperative 6 weeks than preoperatively (Hegar dilator No, 2.10 ± 0.56 vs. 3.21 ± 0.71, P< 0.01). The complications were acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: Con-CapTM can be used to reduce uterine cervical stenosis safely and effectively after conization of uterine cervix.

Plugged In: Screen-Based Device Use Among U.S. Public School Speech-Language Pathologists and Associated Clinical Characteristics

School-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are increasingly confronted with opportunities to use screen-based devices. In order to fully investigate how technology impacts therapeutic efficacy, it is imperative to first understand how and why SLPs utilize technology. This study explores: (a) the frequency with which SLPs use eight types of screen-based devices during direct intervention; (b) how student and SLP characteristics impact device use; and (c) the clinical rationales supporting device use. Using a self-administered, online questionnaire, 261 SLPs reported that technology use contributes to perceptions of increased clinical effectiveness. Results indicate tablets are the most frequently used device; however, student age, specific communication disorders, and service delivery model significantly impact the type and frequency of device use. Furthermore, academic materials and traditional activities continue to be the predominant format of intervention activities. Findings provide insight into how SLPs balance the allure of screen-based devices with student needs, professional characteristics, and the educational environment.

Development of technology for repair of shaped elements of pipeline systems in hard-to-reach places

It is proposed that erosion or corrosion worn out bends of pipeline systems in hard-to-reach places be repaired by trenchless methods by pulling a sleeve or a flexible composite pipe with a piston. The possibility of implementing such an idea is confirmed by theoretical and experimental studies. Mathematical modeling of the process of pulling a sleeve by a piston by a pipeline that contains a defective tap is performed. Formulas are derived for determining all resistance forces acting on a mobile system, patterns of pressure changes at the compressor outlet during such work are determined. A technique has been developed for calculating the friction force between the sleeve and the inner wall of the pipeline at the outlet, due to the pressing of the sleeve through a change in the direction of pulling. The dependence of the required pressure for the piston to extend the sleeve only with a defective bend on the bend angle of the bend is determined. An experimental setup has been developed and built to study the dynamics of the sleeve pulling by a piston. As a result of the experimental tests, it was found that it is possible to extend the sleeve through a pipeline with a piston that contains bend. The resistance forces acting on the moving system, the patterns of pressure change at the beginning of the pipeline in time when the sleeve is pulled by the piston, are experimentally determined. The experimental results are compared with the results of theoretical calculations and the reliability of theoretically derived dependencies is confirmed. The technique and technology for repairing defective pipe bends in hard-to-reach places has been developed by pulling a sleeve or a flexible composite pipe with a piston. The piston moves under the pressure of the air supplied to the piston space by the compressor. A drum with a wound sleeve or flexible composite pipe is placed in a cylindrical sealed chamber. A special supporting device has been developed to place a flexible composite pipe wound into a bay in a cylindrical sealed chamber.