Efficient Lever Research Articles

Decreasing the carbon footprint of food through public procurement-A case study from the municipality of Härnösand.

Eating habits are among the strongest drivers of negative environmental impact. Public procurement has been suggested as an efficient lever to catalyze changes within the food system. This study examines alternative purchase processes that may decrease the carbon footprint of publicly procured food through a case study of a municipality in the Northern part of Sweden. The GHG emissions associated with the current food service in the case study were 2.2 kg CO2e per kg food and must be reduced by 40.9% by 2030 to comply with the Paris Agreement; 76% of the emissions derive from food of animal origin (44% from unprocessed red meat). Three alternative diet scenarios, "zero red meat," "-50% red meat," and "flexitarian free from red meat," were explored. Only 6% of the total purchased food kilograms were altered, yet the cutback of meat caused GHG emissions reductions turned out to be as high as 44%. The Swedish Law on Public Procurement, deficient infrastructure, unsustainable food culture, and local politicians' reluctance to change were mentioned as the main obstacles to materializing necessary changes in the food procurement system. The respondents also pointed out essential policy changes at the national and municipal levels.

New enantiornithine diversity in the Hell Creek Formation and the functional morphology of the avisaurid tarsometatarsus.

Enantiornithines were the most diverse group of birds during the Cretaceous, comprising over half of all known species from this period. The fossil record and subsequently our knowledge of this clade is heavily skewed by the wealth of material from Lower Cretaceous deposits in China. In contrast, specimens from Upper Cretaceous deposits are rare and typically fragmentary, yet critical for understanding the extinction of this clade across the K-Pg boundary. The most complete North American Late Cretaceous enantiornithine is Mirarce eatoni, a member of the diverse clade Avisauridae. Except for Mirarce, avisaurids are known only from isolated hindlimb elements from North and South America. Here we describe three new enantiornithines from the Maastrichtian Hell Creek Formation, two of which represent new avisaurid taxa. These materials represent a substantial increase in the known diversity of Enantiornithes in the latest Cretaceous. Re-examination of material referred to Avisauridae through phylogenetic analysis provides strong support for a more exclusive Avisauridae consisting of six taxa. Exploration of the functional morphology of the avisaurid tarsometatarsus indicates potential strong constriction and raptorial attributes. The lower aspect ratio of the tarsometatarsus facilitates a more biomechanically efficient lever system which in extant birds of prey equates to lifting proportionally heavier prey items. In addition, the proportional size and distal position of the m. tibialis cranialis tubercle of the tarsometatarsus is similar to the morphology seen in extant birds of prey. Together with the deeply-grooved metatarsal trochlea facilitating robust and likely powerful pedal digits, morphologies of the hindlimb suggest avisaurids as Late Cretaceous birds of prey.

Running intralimb coordination patterns after a foot core exercise program in recreational runners.

This study investigated the effects of a foot core intervention on the coordination of foot joints in recreational runners. This was a secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial conducted with 87 recreational runners allocated to the control group (CG), which followed a placebo lower limb stretching protocol, or the intervention group (IG), which underwent an 8-week (3 times/week) foot core training. The participants ran on a force-instrumented treadmill at a self-selected speed (9.5-10.5 km/h) while the foot segment motion was captured. The vector coding technique was used to assess inter-joint coordination for four selected coupled segment and joint angles. The coordination patterns of the calcaneus and midfoot (CalMid) and midfoot and metatarsus (MidMet) joint pairs were affected. In the frontal plane, IG showed an in-phase with proximal dominancy coordination at heel strike, with a decrease in its frequency after the training (P=0.018), suggesting a longer foot supination. Additionally, IG showed an anti-phase with distal dominancy pattern at early stance compared to CG due to a smaller but earlier inversion of the CalMid-MidMet pair (P=0.020). The intervention also had an effect on the transverse plane of the CalMid-MidMet pair, with IG showing a significantly greater frequency of anti-phase coordination with proximal dominancy during propulsion than CG (P=0.013), probably due to a reduction in the CalMid abduction. Overall, the results suggested that the foot core intervention reduces the occurrence of running-related injuries by increasing the resistance to calcaneus pronation and building a more rigid and efficient lever during push-off.

How do cultural factors affect loyalty behaviour in retailing? The central role of social proximity

PurposeRetail store loyalty is essential to the survival and success of a retailer. The intangible benefits provided by the social exchange in-store influence the way consumers consider their relationships with the retailer. However, its relationships with social proximity and cultural factors are not clear. Therefore, this article investigates the effects of specific cultural dimensions on loyalty behaviour, as well as the mediating role of social proximity on the relationship investigated.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on an empirical investigation undertaken in Thailand with a sample of 636 respondents. Two retail chains were investigated (Big C and Tesco). Structural equation modelling was used to test the research model and a series of research hypotheses.FindingsThe results reveal that uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation have positive direct effects on loyalty, while collectivism does not. Furthermore, social proximity significantly mediates the effects of collectivism and long-term orientation on customer loyalty. These findings show that Thailand is a specific emerging market in which retail chains should adapt their loyalty programme accordingly.Practical implicationsThe cultural differences could be used for segmentation strategy for retailers to engage customers in a relationship with the hypermarket. Social proximity is an efficient lever to build loyalty in Thailand. In addition, retailers could utilise certainty and steadiness message as a way to build shopper loyalty.Originality/valueThis research underlines the social, human dimension that consumers seek, which is opposed to the online purchase. Specifically, this study highlights the mediating role of social proximity between the relationship of cultural variables and loyalty in the retail context. Additionally, this research displays the direct and positive effects of culture on retail loyalty. That is, this paper enhances how culture and shopper-retail staff interaction can be managed to achieve store loyalty.

The role of pre-19th century art in conservation biology: An untapped potential for connecting with nature

Research exploring nature connectedness has shown that these relationships influence worldviews, values, attitudes and behaviors towards nature. In this context, natural areas that are difficult to access, such as aquatic ecosystems, lead to questions concerning the need for mediation tools capable of modulating human behavior through indirect exposure. Art has been recognized as an efficient lever in this objective, as it triggers emotional, cognitive and experiential interactions. Despite a growing interest in integrating art into environmental education, prior research has mainly focused on post-19th century art. We believe, however, that pre-19th century European art presents an opportunity to connect with nature while enhancing historical and cultural heritage. We thus propose a research framework dedicated to the quantifiable study of the interrelations between aesthetic experience, behaviors, and nature connectedness (especially relating to aquatic ecosystems) using a case study approach to examine aquatic nature as represented in pre-19th century European paintings.

Why are people still dying of drug-susceptible TB in Paris in the 21st century?

BACKGROUND: Although the burden of TB is lower in France than in low-income countries, patients continue to die from TB in Paris. Our goal was to describe TB-related deaths and to identify associated risk factors.METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in two hospitals in Paris between 2013 and 2018. All patients with drug-susceptible TB were included and followed until end of treatment. The primary outcome was death. We performed univariate and multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard model.RESULTS: Of the 523 patients included, 362 were men (median age 37 years), of whom 24 patients died (4.5%). The final survival model concluded that age (HR 1.1 for each additional year), not living in one´s own accommodation (HR 5.9), being born in France (HR 8.0), being alcoholic (HR 4.2), having a history of cancer (HR 7.1) or meningeal or miliary TB (HR 8.2) were associated with a higher risk of death.CONCLUSION: The rate of TB-associated death is unacceptably high for a curable disease. To note, patients born in France were much more at risk of death than immigrants. We believe raising awareness among healthcare professionals is a potentially easy and efficient lever for improving care.

Beyond Noack Volatility: New Perspective for Engine Lubricant Oil and Particle Emissions

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Reduction of fuel consumption and pollutant emissions are key factors in the current development of powertrains. Engine oil has proven to be an efficient lever for improving fuel economy. The full potential of a low viscosity lubricant could be achieved by a shift towards formulations with low viscosity, high volatility base oils. However, there is a concern that this might increase oil consumption and limit long oil drain intervals.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">This article deals with the engine lubricant contribution to oil and particle emissions. A series of 0W-12 oil prototypes have been evaluated both within laboratory measurements and on a modern turbocharged direct injection gasoline engine. Correlation between oil emission and engine oil properties will be presented.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">The impact of engine oil on particle emissions has also been investigated under different engine operating conditions. A focus on particle size distribution demonstrates the relevance of transient driving conditions to the formation of unregulated emissions. Time-resolved measurement of a dynamic driving cycle provides a valuable insight to achieving additional emission reduction under real drive conditions.</div></div>

Toward blockchain-based renewable energy microgrid design considering default risk and demand uncertainty

Renewable energy is a promising solution for addressing social and environmental issues related to the rapidly rising electric power consumption of manufacturers. Recently, a number of policies have been proposed by governments to stimulate the use of renewable energy by manufacturers. Financial incentives are considered as an efficient lever to increase the penetration of renewable energy. This study solves a blockchain-based renewable energy microgrid design problem, where the bank finances a loan to the power company to establish renewable generation units and the power company also offers a credit period for manufacturers to stimulate demand. Blockchain technology can be applied to mitigate default risk. The objective is to determine the number and location of renewable generation units, energy price in the time-of-use scheme, credit time to manufacturers, and blockchain implementation effort while maximizing the expected network profit. A solution method based on robust type-2 fuzzy programming was developed to solve the described problem. The application of the proposed approach was examined using an empirical case study. The results show that uncertain demand and default risk have a strong effect on the solution, and the total profit of the renewable energy microgrid is improved by approximately 1.73% using the proposed approach.

Outcomes of knee arthrodesis in proximal femoral focal deficiency.

Treatment options for patients with severe forms of proximal femoral focal deficiency include limb salvage procedures or foot ablation and use of a prosthesis. In patients with amputation, an ipsilateral knee arthrodesis can provide an efficient lever arm that is easy to contain in a prosthetic socket. We performed a retrospective review of proximal femoral focal deficiency patients treated at a single institution with knee arthrodesis. From 1986 to 2018, 26 patients (18 males, eight females) met study inclusion criteria (mean follow-up 13.2 years). Aitken C or D deformities were present in 65% of extremities. Ten patients had concomitant knee fusion with foot ablation (mean age 4.3 years). Fifteen patients had staged procedures with initial foot ablation (mean age 1.3 years) followed by a knee arthrodesis (mean age 4.7 years). One patient was managed with knee arthrodesis and retention of a three-ray foot. Subsequent realignment osteotomies were required in six patients to correct progressive malalignment with growth, often due to retained physis or incomplete physeal resection during the arthrodesis. In severe forms of proximal femoral focal deficiency, a straight residual limb can be achieved with foot ablation and knee arthrodesis to improve weight-bearing alignment in an above knee prosthesis. Progressive deformity, which may interfere with prosthetic fitting and require repeat osteotomy, may occur if complete excision of the physis is not achieved.

How to Evaluate and Improve Foot Strength in Athletes: An Update.

The foot is a complex system with multiple degrees of freedom that play an essential role in running or sprinting. The intrinsic foot muscles (IFM) are the main local stabilizers of the foot and are part of the active and neural subsystems that constitute the foot core. These muscles lengthen eccentrically during the stance phase of running before shortening at the propulsion phase, as the arch recoils in parallel to the plantar fascia. They play a key role in supporting the medial longitudinal arch, providing flexibility, stability and shock absorption to the foot, whilst partially controlling pronation. Much of the foot rigidity in late stance has been attributed to the windlass mechanism – the dorsiflexion of the toes building tension up in the plantar aponeurosis and stiffening the foot. In addition, recent studies have shown that the IFM provide a necessary active contribution in late stance, in order to develop sufficient impedance in the metatarsal-phalangeal joints. This in turn facilitates the propulsive forces at push-off. These factors support the critical role of the foot in providing rigidity and an efficient lever at push-off. During running or sprinting, athletes need to generate and maintain the highest (linear) running velocity during a single effort in a sprinting lane. Acceleration and sprinting performance requires forces to be transmitted efficiently to the ground. It may be of particular interest to strengthen foot muscles to maintain and improve an optimal capacity to generate and absorb these forces. The current evidence supports multiple exercises to achieve higher strength in the foot, such as the “short foot exercise,” doming, toes curl, towing exercises or the more dynamic hopping exercises, or even barefoot running. Their real impact on foot muscle strength remains unclear and data related to its assessment remains scarce, despite a recognized need for this, especially before and after a strengthening intervention. It would be optimal to be able to assess it. In this article, we aim to provide the track and field community with an updated review on the current modalities available for foot strength assessment and training. We present recommendations for the incorporation of foot muscles training for performance and injury prevention in track and field.

Attosecond screening dynamics mediated by electron localization in transition metals

Transition metals, with their densely confined and strongly coupled valence electrons, are key constituents of many materials with unconventional properties1, such as high-temperature superconductors, Mott insulators and transition metal dichalcogenides2. Strong interaction offers a fast and efficient lever to manipulate electron properties with light, creating promising potential for next-generation electronics3–6. However, the underlying dynamics is a hard-to-understand, fast and intricate interplay of polarization and screening effects, which are hidden below the femtosecond timescale of electronic thermalization that follows photoexcitation7. Here, we investigate the many-body electron dynamics in transition metals before thermalization sets in. We combine the sensitivity of intra-shell transitions to screening effects8 with attosecond time resolution to uncover the interplay of photo-absorption and screening. First-principles time-dependent calculations allow us to assign our experimental observations to ultrafast electronic localization on d orbitals. The latter modifies the electronic structure as well as the collective dynamic response of the system on a timescale much faster than the light-field cycle. Our results demonstrate a possibility for steering the electronic properties of solids before electron thermalization. We anticipate that our study may facilitate further investigations of electronic phase transitions, laser–metal interactions and photo-absorption in correlated-electron systems on their natural timescales. Experiments with attosecond time resolution reveal many-body electron dynamics in transition metals before thermalization sets in. Ultrafast electronic localization on d orbitals is found to dominate the collective dynamic response of the system.

Editorial

Editorial

Creativity within boundaries: Social identity and the development of new ideas in franchise systems

The aim of this paper is to analyse one paradox of creativity that involves balancing novelty and conformity. Using a social identity perspective, we differentiate between organizational and expertise identities to understand how different types of identities impact the creative process in terms of novelty generation as well as conformity in the context of franchising. Franchise systems are a specific organizational context in which tensions between different identities may arise and ideas are selected by multiple audiences. Furthermore, because franchising is based on standardization, franchisors need to find a balance between maintaining the uniformity of the system through conformity and enhancing new idea deployment in the network for the purpose of adaptation. We conduct a comparative case study analysis of 17 franchise systems based on 20 narrations. The findings from our qualitative empirical study show that identification plays a major role in the creative process. Social control, which may be exerted by manipulating the group identity, is an efficient lever to increase both the diffusion of an idea and its variation from existing standards, which leads to important managerial implications. Networks of individuals can promote both idea generation and a uniform diffusion of those ideas by enhancing organizational identity with a strong entrepreneurship orientation or expertise identity based on occupation‐specific knowledge acquired through experience.

Dual Ground Plane EDMOS in 28 nm FDSOI for 5 V power management applications

A promising high-voltage MOSFET (HVMOS) is experimentally demonstrated in 28nm Ultra-Thin Body and Buried oxide Fully Depleted SOI technology (UTBB–FDSOI). The Dual Ground Plane Extended-Drain MOSFET (DGP EDMOS) architecture uses the back-gate biasing as an efficient lever to optimize high-voltage performances. The idea is to implement two different ground planes under the device to control separately the electrostatic properties of the channel and the drift regions. We show that the separate biasing of the two ground planes enables the independent tuning of the threshold voltage (VTH) as well as the improvement of drain–source breakdown voltage (BV) and specific on-resistance (RON.S). In this work, we explore the electrical characteristics, such as RON.S and BV, as a function of the back-gate voltage and geometry. We report and discuss encouraging results for 5V switched mode applications and power management in ultra-thin SOI technology.

Adapting cities to climate change: A systemic modelling approach

Societies have to both reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and undertake adaptation measures to limit the negative impacts of global warming on the population, the economy and the environment. Examining how best to adapt cities is especially challenging as urban areas will evolve as the climate changes. Thus, examining adaptation strategies for cities requires a strong interdisciplinary approach involving urban planners, architects, meteorologists, building engineers, economists, and social scientists. Here we introduce a systemic modelling approach to the problem.Our four-step methodology consists of: first, defining interdisciplinary scenarios; second, simulating the long-term evolution of cities on the basis of socio-economic and land-use models; third, calculating impacts with physical models (such as TEB), and; finally, calculating the indicators that quantify the effect of different adaptation policies. In the examples presented here, urban planning strategies are shown to have unexpected influence on city expansion in the long term. Moreover, the Urban Heat Island should be taken into account in operational estimations of building energy demands. Citizens’ practices seem to be an efficient lever for reducing energy consumption in buildings.Interdisciplinary systemic modelling appears well suited to the evaluation of several adaptation strategies for a very broad range of topics.

Brief communication: A midtarsal (midfoot) break in the human foot

The absence of a midtarsal break has long been regarded as a derived feature of the human foot. Humans possess a rigid midfoot that acts as an efficient lever during the propulsive phase of bipedal gait. Non-human primates, in contrast, have a more mobile midfoot that is adaptive for tree climbing. Here, we report plantar pressure and video evidence that a small percentage of modern humans (n = 32/398) possess both elevated lateral midfoot pressures and even exhibit midfoot dorsiflexion characteristic of a midtarsal break. Those humans with a midtarsal break had on average a significantly flatter foot than those without. Midtarsal breakers also had significantly more medial weight transfer (pronation) during the stance phase of gait than those without this midfoot mobility. These data are in accordance with Elftman (Clin Orthop 16 (1960) 41-45) who suggested that pronation aligns the axes of the transverse tarsal joint, permitting elevated midfoot mobility.

Energy harvesting through arterial wall deformation: design considerations for a magneto-hydrodynamic generator

As the complexity of active medical implants increases, the task of embedding a life-long power supply at the time of implantation becomes more challenging. A periodic renewal of the energy source is often required. Human energy harvesting is, therefore, seen as a possible remedy. In this paper, we present a novel idea to harvest energy from the pressure-driven deformation of an artery by the principle of magneto-hydrodynamics. The generator relies on a highly electrically conductive fluid accelerated perpendicularly to a magnetic field by means of an efficient lever arm mechanism. An artery with 10 mm inner diameter is chosen as a potential implantation site and its ability to drive the generator is established. Three analytical models are proposed to investigate the relevant design parameters and to determine the existence of an optimal configuration. The predicted output power reaches 65 μW according to the first two models and 135 μW according to the third model. It is found that the generator, designed as a circular structure encompassing the artery, should not exceed a total volume of 3 cm³.

Anteroposterior positioning of the tibial component and its effect on the mechanics of patellofemoral contact

The biomechanics of the patellofemoral joint can become disturbed during total knee replacement by alterations induced by the position and shape of the different prosthetic components. The role of the patella and femoral trochlea has been well studied. We have examined the effect of anterior or posterior positioning of the tibial component on the mechanisms of patellofemoral contact in total knee replacement. The hypothesis was that placing the tibial component more posteriorly would reduce patellofemoral contact stress while providing a more efficient lever arm during extension of the knee. We studied five different positions of the tibial component using a six degrees of freedom dynamic knee simulator system based on the Oxford rig, while simulating an active knee squat under physiological loading conditions. The patellofemoral contact force decreased at a mean of 2.2% for every millimetre of posterior translation of the tibial component. Anterior positions of the tibial component were associated with elevation of the patellofemoral joint pressure, which was particularly marked in flexion > 90°. From our results we believe that more posterior positioning of the tibial component in total knee replacement would be beneficial to the patellofemoral joint.

Optimal Referral Bonuses with Asymmetric Information: Firm-Offered and Interpersonal Incentives

Referral bonuses, in which an existing customer gets an in-kind or cash reward for referring a new customer, are a popular way to stimulate word of mouth. In this paper, we examine key firm decisions about such bonuses. Others have studied referral bonus programs; a key difference is that we study the role of recommendations not just in spreading awareness (as they do) but also in providing assessments. We start with the idea that people have a variety of reasons for making product recommendations, including placing a value on a friend's outcome with a product they recommend. We apply that idea in a context of asymmetric information: A customer combines his knowledge about the product and his familiarity with friends' tastes, making him more informed than the friends. Thus, the recommendation is a signal about the value of the product to the friend. In this setting, we consistently find that the greater the concern for others' outcomes, the higher the referral bonus should be, as long as the firm cannot more efficiently motivate recommendations with a lower price. Moreover, if price is the more efficient lever, the optimal bonus is zero, and the optimal price is low. We also show that greater concern tends to reduce firm profit and, in some cases, actually reduces consumer welfare as well.

Dopamine in the prefrontal cortex regulates rats behavioral flexibility to changing reward value

Prefrontocortical dopamine (DA) plays an essential role in the representation of reward value and is implicated in behavioral flexibility. We here tested the effect of systemic and local blockade of DA D1- and D2-receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) by using an operant paradigm, where rats have to adjust their behavior to changing reward value. Rats were trained in a Skinner box, where different numbers of lever-presses for pellet-rewards were assigned to and switched between two levers. After rats commit to the efficient lever the lever-occupancy reversed and rats had to switch to the now efficient one. Rats were either intraperitoneally injected with the DA D1-receptor antagonist SCH23390 (40 μg/kg), the DA D2-receptor antagonist sulpiride (10 mg/kg), or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Two other groups received bilateral local mPFC- or OFC-infusions of SCH23390, sulpiride (both 3 μg/0.5 μl), or PBS (0.5 μl) through previously implanted cannulae. After initial detection of reverse of lever-occupancy, systemic and local blockade of D1-receptors increased the number of switches back to the previously efficient lever, thus reducing the total number of reverses completed. D2-receptor blockade deteriorated this measure after local mPFC-infusion. Notably, initial detection of reverse of lever-occupancy was not affected. Blockade of DA receptors within the prefrontal cortex do not deteriorate the detection of changes in reward value, whereas maintenance of behavioral adaptation is disturbed. Interestingly, blockade of DA receptors in the mPFC and OFC had similar effects, i.e., these regions apparently act in a cooperative manner.