Low Reactance Research Articles

Exploring Intention & Reactance in Social Norm Interventions for Rail Business Travel

Abstract Shifting continental business travel from carbon-intensive modes to rail is crucial for emissions reduction. Behavioral interventions are a way to achieve this, but a gap exists in understanding their efficacy for sustainable business travel behavior. Based on online experiments with frequent business travelers, we scrutinize the impact of descriptive social norm interventions on mode choice intention, considering potentially negative employee reactions. While revealing factors influencing reactance and intention, contrary to expectations derived from the theory of planned behavior, behavioral interventions literature, and psychological reactance theory, our social norm treatments did not significantly impact mode choice intention and resulted in low reactance levels. Despite these unexpected results indicating that our interventions did not yield the desired changes, our study underscores the challenges of influencing sustainable business travel behavior and emphasizes the need for tailored interventions and incentives in practice, suggesting avenues for further research.

Continuous-Control-Set Model Predictive Current Control of Asymmetrical Six- Phase Drives Considering System Nonidealities

Finite-control-set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) of multiphase ( <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">n</i> -phase, <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">n</i> is assumed to be an odd number for simplicity) drives is challenging because of the large number of actual/virtual voltage vectors and the need for current control in ( <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">n</i> -1)/2 sub-spaces (or planes; multi-plane current control). Any sub-optimal design (poor or no current control in some of the ( <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">n</i> -1)/2 planes) may result in high individual plane current ripples, due to the low reactance. This work therefore investigates continuous-control-set (CCS) MPC for constant switching frequency multiphase motor drives as another alternative. The high-bandwidth CCS-MPC is designed to accurately account for system non-idealities, namely digital control and pulse width modulation delays, inverter dead time, and measurement noise. It will be shown that the CCS-MPC has the advantages of full voltage vector space access, regular switching characteristic, and improved cycle-by-cycle tracking control, while maintaining some of the known advantages of the FCS-MPC, e.g., intuitive cost function design, model-based control, and fast dynamics. The proposed control scheme is benchmarked experimentally against the classical, proportional-integral-based, field-oriented control in conjunction with an asymmetrical six-phase induction motor drive.

A Longitudinal Study of Respiratory Mechanics in Pregnant Women with Obesity and Overweight.

Respiratory mechanics and the role of sex hormones in pregnancy are not well elucidated. We examined longitudinal and positional changes in lung mechanics in pregnancy and investigated the role of sex hormones. A longitudinal study enrolled 135 women with obesity in early pregnancy. Fifty-nine percent of women identified as White; median body mass index at enrollment was 34.4kg/m2. Women with respiratory disease were excluded. We obtained measurements of airway resistance and respiratory system reactance in various positions using impedance oscillometry and sex hormones in early and late pregnancy. With pregnancy progression, there was a significant increase in resonant frequency (Fres) (p = 0.012), integrated area of low frequency reactance (AX) (p = 0.0012) and R5-R20Hz (p = 0.038) in the seated position,and a significant increase in R5Hz (p = 0.000), Fres (p = 0.001), AX (p < 0.001 = 0.000), and R5-R20Hz (p = 0.014) in the supine position. Compared to the seated position, the supine position was associated with a significant increase in R5Hz, R20Hz, X5Hz, Fres, and AX in early (p-values < 0.026) and late pregnancy (p-values ≤ 0.001). Changes in progesterone levels between early and late pregnancy predicted the change in R5, Fres, and AX (p-values ≤ 0.043). Resistive and elastic loads increase with pregnancy progression and a change in body position from seated to supine increases resistive and elastic loads in both early and late pregnancies. The increase in airway resistance is primarily related to an increase in peripheral rather than central airways resistance. There was an association between the change in progesterone levels and airway resistance.

The Role of Personality, Self-Disclosure, and Envy in Maladaptive Social Media Engagement.

Through online social networks (OSNs), individuals establish and maintain social connections to satisfy their need to belong. Recent research suggests that taken too far, one's need to belong can increase envy and lead to maladaptive social media behavior aligned with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This study examines the role of two personality traits, one's intrinsic need to belong and trait reactance, on feelings of envy and the self-disclosure processes that lead to OCD on social networks. A sample of 354 U.S. adult users of Facebook completed a survey measuring individuals' need to belong, trait reactance, envy, self-disclosure, and OSN-OCD. Regression analyses reveal that need to belong and trait reactance both independently and interactively relate to envy, and that self-disclosure mediates the relationship between envy and OCD on social networks. Those with low trait reactance appear at the lowest risk of OSN-OCD no matter their need to belong. The highest risk profile for online OCD is found in those with both high trait reactance and high need to belong. Overall, our findings support further exploration of one's intrinsic need to belong and trait reactance as personality indicators of risk for OSN-OCD.

Harmonic Current Control of OW-PMSM for Low-Voltage Traction by Nonlinear Disturbance Rejection With Improved Modulation Scheme

The open-winding permanent magnet synchronous motor (OW-PMSM) has been developed, mostly potential for low-voltage traction in electric vehicles. Yet, both the disturbance from vehicle system under driving and the motor with low-reactance (LR) feature expose the limits of traditional controllers that are prone to great current harmonics. Therefore, the current control for LR OW-PMSM becomes challenging. The main objective of this research is to provide a current harmonic control strategy for LR OW-PMSM by the nonlinear lumped disturbance observer (NLDO) combined with improved space vector modulation (SVM) scheme. The existence of nonlinear, unknown, unmodeled factors has been confirmed by current measurement and harmonic analysis in full operation range, and thus is considered in proposed controllers. The NLDO is designed for all the three axes under the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">dq</i> 0 frame. The SVM algorithm is adjusted to two switching patterns in order to get widened linear voltage modulation range. In addition, in the 3-D voltage space is the possible modulation area investigated. Ultimately, the target LR OW-PMSM has been designed, prototyped, and tested. The proposed NLDO, juxtaposed with ordinary PI and deadbeat controllers, reduces current harmonics on both the motor and inverter sides, possesses high robustness, and is practical for LR motors, according to experimental results.

Peripheral Airway Dysfunction in Obesity and Obese Asthma

The purpose of this study was to investigate physiological phenotypes of asthma in obesity. Do physiological responses during bronchoconstriction distinguish different groups of asthma in people with obesity, and also differentiate from responses simply related to obesity? Cross-sectional study of people with obesity (31 with asthma and 22 without lung disease). Participants underwent methacholine challenge testing with measurement of spirometry and respiratory system impedance by oscillometry. Participants had class III obesity (BMI, 46.7 ± 6.6kg/m2 in control subjects and 47.2 ± 8.2kg/m2 in people with asthma). Most participants had significant changes in peripheral airway impedance in response to methacholine: in control subjects, resistance at 5Hz measured by oscillometry increased by 45%± 27%and area under the reactance curve (AX) by 268%± 236%in response to 16mg/mL methacholine; in people with asthma, resistance at 5Hz measured by oscillometry increased by 52%± 38%and AX by 361%± 295%in response to provocation concentration producing a 20% fall in FEV1 dose of methacholine. These responses suggest that obesity predisposes to peripheral airway reactivity. Two distinct groups of asthma emerged based on respiratory system impedance: one with lower reactance (baseline AX, 11.8; interquartile range, 9.9-23.4cm H2O/L) and more concordant bronchoconstriction in central and peripheral airways; the other with high reactance (baseline AX, 46.7; interquartile range, 23.2-53.7cm H2O/L) and discordant bronchoconstriction responses in central and peripheral airways. The high reactance asthma group included only women, and reported significantly more gastroesophageal reflux disease, worse chest tightness, more wheeze, and more asthma exacerbations than the low reactance group. Peripheral airway reactivity detected by oscillometry is common in obese control subjects and obese people with asthma. There is a subgroup of obese asthma characterized by significant peripheral airway dysfunction by oscillometry out of proportion to spirometric airway dysfunction. This peripheral dysfunction represents clinically significant respiratory disease not readily assessed by spirometry.

Bandwidth and SNR of Small Receiving Antennas: To Match or Not to Match

In this article, the merits of impedance matching a small antenna to the receiver’s impedance are investigated. The goal is to demonstrate that a small antenna with low radiation resistance and high input reactance, when directly connected to a high-impedance (high-impd) receiver, can provide significantly better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) than when it is matched to a standard 50 <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Omega $ </tex-math></inline-formula> input-impedance receiver. Theoretical analysis is first carried out to compare the noise performance of the two receivers by deriving analytical expressions for the SNRs of the receivers. It is shown that the SNR of a high-impd receiver is superior to that of an impedance-matched receiver. Subsequently, two test receivers are constructed and characterized to verify the theoretical calculations. The measured SNR of the high-impd receiver is 11.4 dB higher than that of the matched receiver, even though the first-stage amplifier used in the high-impd receiver has a much worse noise performance compared to that used in the matched receiver. This study demonstrates that matching a receiving antenna to the load impedance is not always the optimal solution as far as the SNR is concerned. Furthermore, unlike a small antenna with a narrow-band matching circuit, a small antenna connected to a high-impd receiver without any matching network provides a very wide bandwidth and overcomes the gain-bandwidth limitation of small antennas. This discovery breaks new ground in the realization of compact wideband systems for low-frequency communications.

A Real-Time Maximum Efficiency Tracking for Wireless Power Transfer Systems Based on Harmonic-Informatization

With the increased requirements of dynamic wireless charging scenarios, the industry puts forward higher technical specifications for system efficiency. However, the traditional millisecond level response time cannot meet the requirements of dynamic maximum efficiency tracking (MET) system for real-time control. Therefore, this article proposes a wireless power transfer system based on harmonic-informatization, which simplifies the circuit through the harmonic and bandstop filter, so that the mutual inductance can be extracted by harmonic, and then MET can be implemented in real time. Compared with the traditional fundamental system, the harmonic-informatization system has the advantages of no iteration, no communication, and simple calculation. Because the operation of MET under harmonic is simple, the experimental system in this article successfully achieves the microsecond level response time. At the same time, the experiment shows that the system efficiency and power change little after adding the filter, which is due to the low equivalent reactance of the filter under the fundamental.

Interpersonal Emotion Regulation: Consequences for Brands in Customer Service Interactions.

This research demonstrates that interpersonal emotion regulation—attempts to manage others’ feelings—influences consumer perceptions during sales and service interactions impacting brand trust and loyalty. Building on previous research linking interpersonal emotion regulation to improved outcomes between people, across five experiments, we demonstrate that antecedent-focused interpersonal emotion regulation strategies result in enhanced brand loyalty and brand trust compared to response-focused interpersonal emotion regulation strategies. Analysis of mediation models reveals this effect is explained by changes in the consumer’s emotions, which in turn influence evaluations of the service interaction and subsequently impacts brand outcomes. We identify reactance as a moderator of this effect, such that customers with low (high) reactance to interpersonal regulation attempts exhibit more (less) favorable brand trust and loyalty evaluations. Further, we demonstrate that the visibility of interpersonal emotion regulation represents an important boundary condition. These findings support the process model of interpersonal emotion regulation and generate important insights for both theory and practice.

Forced Vital Capacity and Low Frequency Reactance Area Measurements Are Associated with Asthma Control and Exacerbations

IntroductionForced vital capacity (FVC) is often preserved in severe asthma unless there is evidence of either airway remodelling or air trapping. Area under the reactance curve (AX) can be used to assess small airways dysfunction related lung stiffness and is related to disease control in severe asthma.MethodsWe explore if there may be a potential synergistic interaction between FVC and AX in terms of impaired asthma control as ACQ and exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids (OCS). We pragmatically defined < 100% and ≥ 1.0 kPa/L/s as impaired FVC or AX, respectively. ResultsPatients with combined impairment of FVC and AX had significantly worse asthma control as higher ACQ, more severe exacerbations requiring OCS and worse spirometry (FEV1 and FEF25–75) than those with impaired FVC but preserved AX.ConclusionThis in turn supports using both spirometry and oscillometry to characterise airway physiology more comprehensively in patients with more severe asthma.

Maximizing Branch Power Flows as a Descriptive Structural Metric for Electrical Networks

This article describes an optimization-based procedure that identifies the maximum power flow that each branch in an electrical network could be exposed to. The procedure uses a linear optimal power flow formulation that determines the flow-maximizing generator dispatch and loading conditions for each branch in turn. This theoretical upper bound on the power flow that a branch could be exposed to is termed its loadability. This article proposes this loadability as a descriptive structural metric that helps reveal the fundamental origin of congestion in power system. For instance, it is insightful to compare a branch’s loadability with its as-built thermal capacity, to identify those branches that are most congestion-prone, or alternatively, those lines that can never exploit their full available capacity. In the six test systems studied, it is found that there is wide variation in the loadability of the various branches, where some would be loaded well beyond their thermal limits by particular generating schedules, whereas other branches can never operate beyond even a fraction of their thermal capabilities. Low branch reactance is found to be a key driver of high loadability in power systems, and this suggests new approaches to alleviating transmission system congestion.

Correlation of respiratory oscillometry with CT image analysis in a prospective cohort of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BackgroundMarkers of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) severity are based on measurements of forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusing capacity (DLCO) and CT. The pulmonary vessel volume (PVV) is a novel quantitative...

Participant Engagement and Reactance to a Short, Animated Video About Added Sugars: Web-based Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundShort, animated story-based (SAS) videos are a novel and promising strategy for promoting health behaviors. To gain traction as an effective health communication tool, SAS videos must demonstrate their potential to engage a diverse and global audience. In this study, we evaluate engagement with a SAS video about the consumption of added sugars, which is narrated by a child (a nonthreatening character), a mother (a neutral layperson), or a physician (a medical expert).ObjectiveThis study aims to (1) assess whether engagement with the sugar intervention video differs by narrator type (child, mother, physician) and trait proneness to reactance and (2) assess whether the demographic characteristics of the participants (age, gender, education status) are associated with different engagement profiles with the sugar intervention video.MethodsIn December 2020, after 4013 participants from the United Kingdom completed our randomized controlled trial, we offered participants assigned to the placebo arms (n=1591, 39.65%) the choice to watch the sugar intervention video (without additional compensation) as posttrial access to treatment. We measured engagement as the time that participants chose to watch the 3.42-minute video and collected data on age, gender, education status, and trait reactance proneness. Using ordinary least squares regression, we quantified the association of the demographic characteristics and trait reactance proneness with the sugar video view time.ResultsOverall, 66.43% (n=1047) of the 1576 participants in the 2 placebo arms voluntarily watched the sugar intervention video. The mean view time was 116.35 (52.4%) of 222 seconds. Results show that view times did not differ by narrator (child, mother, physician) and that older participants (aged 25-59 years, mean = 125.2 seconds) watched the sugar video longer than younger adults (aged 18-25 years, mean = 83.4 seconds). View time remained consistent across education levels. Participants with low trait reactance (mean = 119.3 seconds) watched the intervention video longer than high-trait-reactance participants (mean = 95.3 seconds), although this association did not differ by narrator type.ConclusionsThe majority of participants in our study voluntarily watched more than half of the sugar intervention video, which is a promising finding. Our results suggest that SAS videos may need to be shorter than 2 minutes to engage people who are young or have high trait proneness to reactance. We also found that the choice of narrator (child, mother, or physician) for our video did not significantly affect participant engagement. Future videos, aimed at reaching diverse audiences, could be customized for different age groups, where appropriate.Trial RegistrationGerman Clinical Trials Register DRKS00022340; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00022340International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.2196/25343

Acoustic characteristics of microperforated plate with variable cross-sectional holes.

Broadband sound absorption performance and high mechanical strength are major concerns for designing a microperforated plate (MPP) absorber, which is generally difficult to achieve for a single-layer MPP with straight holes. A MPP was proposed with variable cross-sectional holes, including large dents on one side, grooves on the other side, and intermediate micro-slits. The beneficial effects of the special geometrical features are thoroughly discussed and experimentally validated. Models to calculate the acoustic impedance are established, and acoustic behaviors within holes are simulated. It was found that the micro-slits could provide necessary acoustic resistance for impedance matching and very low reactance to expand sound absorption bandwidth. The large dents or grooves could provide the necessary thickness with negligible acoustic impedance to enhance plate mechanical strength. This research helps to implement a single-layer MPP design with good acoustical and mechanical performance.

An effective network reconfiguration approach of radial distribution system for loss minimization and voltage profile improvement

Distribution system represents a crucial portion of power system as it is the connection between the bulk power transmission network and the customers connected at load point. Distribution networks are increasing in size and are spread too far. Low reactance to resistance ratio and large size of network leads to higher power losses in lines and low node voltage at customer end. High power losses reduce the efficiency and affect the economy. Therefore, in this paper an algorithm for reconfiguration of distribution system for loss reduction and voltage profile enhancement is proposed. The proposed reconfiguration approach has been applied to 16 bus radial distribution system (RDS).

Bioelectric, tissue, and molecular characteristics of the gastric mucosa at different times of ischemia.

Gastrointestinal ischemia may be presented as a complication associated with late shock detection in patients in critical condition. Prolonged ischemia can cause mucosal integrity to lose its barrier function, triggering alterations that can induce organ dysfunction and lead to death. Electrical impedance spectroscopy has been proposed to identify early alteration in ischemia-induced gastric mucosa in this type of patients. This work analyzed changes in impedance parameters, and tissue and molecular alterations that allow us to identify the time of ischemia in which the gastric mucosa still maintains its barrier function. The animals were randomly distributed in four groups: Control, Ischemia 60, 90, and 120 min. Impedance parameters were measured and predictive values were determined to categorize the degree of injury using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Markers of inflammatory process and apoptosis (iNOS, TNFα, COX-2, and Caspase-3) were analyzed. The largest increase in impedance parameters occurred in the ischemia 90 and 120 min groups, with resistance at low frequencies (RL) and reactance at high frequencies (XH) being the most related to damage, allowing prediction of the occurrence of reversible and irreversible tissue damage. Histological analysis and apoptosis assay showed progressive mucosal deterioration with irreversible damage (p < 0.001) starting from 90 min of ischemia. Furthermore, a significant increase in the expression of iNOS, TNFα, and COX-2 was identified in addition to apoptosis in the gastric mucosa starting from 90 min of ischemia. Tissue damage generated by an ischemia time greater than 60 min induces loss of barrier function in the gastric mucosa.

Slotless-PM Machine Design for an Integrated Generator-Rectifier Architecture for Off-Shore Wind Turbines

Integrated generator-rectifier architecture has been shown to substantially improve power density, efficiency, and reliability of the electric drivetrains in wind turbines. From a power-electronic perspective, the architecture processes a majority share of the incoming power through passive diodes operating at the generator’s fundamental frequency. This article presents a design methodology of a 10-MW generator, which involves a specific low-reactance generator to minimize the commutation voltage drop at the passive rectifiers as well as prevent power imbalance between different generator ports. Appropriate phase shifts between the multiple passive ports to eliminate the need for a dc-link capacitor improve the drivetrain reliability. The proposed design adopts a slotless permanent magnet (PM) generator, where the reactance is greatly constrained by eliminating the stator slots. In addition, a Halbach PM-array structure reduces the reactance by removing the rotor back iron. The design methodology uses these features along with a multiobjective optimization framework to maximize power density and efficiency while retaining a low reactance. Co-simulation of the generator and integrated power electronics shows that the proposed architecture is suitable for off-shore wind generators. Finally, a subscale generator is tested to verify the low-reactance design of the proposed generator.

Exploring patterns in psychiatric outpatients\u2019 preferences for involvement in decision-making: a latent class analysis approach

BackgroundShared decision-making (SDM), a collaborative approach that includes and respects patients’ preferences for involvement in decision-making about their treatment, is increasingly advocated. However, in the practice of clinical psychiatry, implementing SDM seems difficult to accomplish. Although the number of studies related to psychiatric patients’ preferences for involvement is increasing, studies have largely focused on understanding patients in public mental healthcare settings. Thus, investigating patient preferences for involvement in both public and private settings is of particular importance in psychiatric research. The objectives of this study were to identify different latent class typologies of patient preferences for involvement in the decision-making process, and to investigate how patient characteristics predict these typologies in mental healthcare settings.MethodsWe conducted latent class analysis (LCA) to identify groups of psychiatric outpatients with similar preferences for involvement in decision-making to estimate the probability that each patient belonged to a certain class based on sociodemographic, clinical and health belief variables.ResultsThe LCA included 224 consecutive psychiatric outpatients’ preferences for involvement in treatment decisions in public and private psychiatric settings. The LCA identified three distinct preference typologies, two collaborative and one passive, accounting for 78% of the variance. Class 1 (26%) included collaborative men aged 34–44 years with an average level of education who were treated by public services for a depressive disorder, had high psychological reactance, believed they controlled their disease and had a pharmacophobic attitude. Class 2 (29%) included collaborative women younger than 33 years with an average level of education, who were treated by public services for an anxiety disorder, had low psychological reactance or health control belief and had an unconcerned attitude toward medication. Class 3 (45%) included passive women older than 55 years with lower education levels who had a depressive disorder, had low psychological reactance, attributed the control of their disease to their psychiatrists and had a pharmacophilic attitude.ConclusionsOur findings highlight how psychiatric patients vary in pattern of preferences for treatment involvement regarding demographic variables and health status, providing insight into understanding the pattern of preferences and comprising a significant advance in mental healthcare research.

Placing products in humorous scenes: its impact on brand perceptions

PurposeThis study aims to extend the literature on marketing communications by exploring the effect of placing products in humorous scenes. It aims to ascertain the prevalence of placement scenes associated with humor in television programs and the effect of humor on brand persuasiveness.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a two-phase research process. A content analysis of prime-time television programing was conducted to map the relative prevalence of brands placed in humorous contexts and for the selection of research stimuli. This was followed by a large-scale experimental study of 1,100 television viewers in Hong Kong with real stimuli that had been digitally manipulated.FindingsThe study found that a humorous context did enhance recall of placed brands but its effect on brand attitudes was mediated by audience involvement in the viewing and moderated by psychological trait reactance. Interestingly, and in contrast to conventional advertising, placing brands in a humorous context led to lower involvement in the viewing, which, in turn, resulted in lower brand attitudes. Individuals with low trait reactance were more positive toward brands placed in a non-humorous context than individuals with high trait reactance while individuals with high trait reactance were more positive toward brands placed in a humorous context, though the difference was less prominent.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings help to illustrate when and how a humorous context contributes to the recall of and attitudes toward placed brands.Practical implicationsThe results also facilitate marketers and program producers to choose the best placement context and design more effective placement strategies.Originality/valueThis research is the first to empirically examine the effect of a humorous context on the unaided recall of and attitudes toward brands placed in television programs.

Waterpipe Tobacco Warnings Need to Inform Users of Harm.

Health warning messages could be an effective means of communicating the health risks associated with waterpipe (WP) smoking. The objective of this study was to select a message that conveyed the risks associated with WP smoking. A mixed-methods approach was used to explore the effectiveness of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) mandated message, and others, among young adults using focus groups and surveys. Two focus group studies and one convenience survey were conducted to examine the FDA's mandated message and 11 other WP warning messages. The final study, conducted with a random sample of first-year university students, examined the effectiveness and reactance of the chosen message using previously validated items (scored on a 1-5 scale). The FDA's mandated message did not resonate well with focus group participants. In the random sample of students, the top message (WARNING: Hookah smoke contains poisons that cause lung and oral cancers) had high effectiveness (M = 4.49) and a low reactance (M = 2.12). Our studies suggest that other messages are more effective for communicating the risks associated with WP smoking than the FDA's message for WP tobacco.