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Electron Intensity Measurements by the Cluster/RAPID/IES Instrument in Earth's Radiation Belts and Ring Current
(2019-04) Smirnov, A. G.; Kronberg, E. A.; Latallerie, F.; Daly, P. W.; Aseev, N.; Shprits, Y. Y.; Kellerman, A.; Kasahara, S.; Turner, D.; Taylor, M. G.G.T.; Department of Engineering
The Cluster mission, launched in 2000, has produced a large database of electron flux intensity measurements in the Earth's magnetosphere by the Research with Adaptive Particle Imaging Detector (RAPID)/Imaging Electron Spectrometer (IES) instrument. However, due to background contamination of the data with high-energy electrons (>400 keV) and inner zone protons (230–630 keV) in the radiation belts and ring current, the data have been rarely used for inner-magnetospheric science. The current paper presents two algorithms for background correction. The first algorithm is based on the empirical contamination percentages by both protons and electrons. The second algorithm uses simultaneous proton observations. The efficiencies of these algorithms are demonstrated by comparison of the corrected Cluster/RAPID/IES data with Van Allen Probes/Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer measurements for 2012–2015. Both techniques improved the IES electron data in the radiation belts and ring current, as the yearly averaged flux intensities of the two missions show the ratio of measurements close to 1. We demonstrate a scientific application of the corrected IES electron data analyzing its evolution during solar cycle. Spin-averaged yearly mean IES electron intensities in the outer belt for energies 40–400 keV at L-shells between 4 and 6 showed high positive correlation with auroral electrojet index and solar wind dynamic pressure during 2001–2016. The relationship between solar wind dynamic pressure and IES electron measurements in the outer radiation belt was derived as a uniform linear-logarithmic equation.
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Global, regional, and national burden of suicide mortality 1990 to 2016 : Systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016
(2019-01-01) Orpana, Heather M.; Marczak, Laurie B.; Arora, Megha; Abbasi, Nooshin; Abdulkader, Rizwan Suliankatchi; Abebe, Zegeye; Abraha, Haftom Niguse; Afarideh, Mohsen; Afshari, Mahdi; Ahmadi, Alireza; Aichour, Amani Nidhal; Aichour, Ibtihel; Aichour, Miloud Taki Eddine; Akseer, Nadia; Al‐raddadi, Rajaa M.; Alahdab, Fares; Alkerwi, Ala'a; Allebeck, Peter; Alvis‐guzman, Nelson; Anber, Nahla Hamed; Anjomshoa, Mina; Antonio, Carl Abelardo T.; Arora, Amit; Aryal, Krishna K.; Asgedom, Solomon Weldegebreal; Awasthi, Ashish; Quintanilla, Beatriz Paulina Ayala; Badali, Hamid; Barker‐collo, Suzanne Lyn; Bärnighausen, Till Winfried; Bazargan‐hejazi, Shahrzad; Benjet, Corina; Bensenor, Isabela M.; Berfeld, Noami; Beuran, Mircea; Bhutta, Zulfiqar A.; Biadgo, Belete; Bililign, Nigus; Borges, Guilherme; Borschmann, Rohan; Brazinova, Alexandra; Breitborde, Nicholas J.K.; Brugha, Traolach; Butt, Zahid A.; Carrero, Juan J.; Carvalho, Félix; Malta, Deborah Carvalho; Castañeda‐orjuela, Carlos A.; Catalá‐lópez, Ferrán; Sigfusdottir, Inga Dora; Department of Psychology
Objectives To use the estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 to describe patterns of suicide mortality globally, regionally, and for 195 countries and territories by age, sex, and Socio-demographic index, and to describe temporal trends between 1990 and 2016. Design Systematic analysis. Main outcome measures Crude and age standardised rates from suicide mortality and years of life lost were compared across regions and countries, and by age, sex, and Socio-demographic index (a composite measure of fertility, income, and education). Results The total number of deaths from suicide increased by 6.7% (95% uncertainty interval 0.4% to 15.6%) globally over the 27 year study period to 817 000 (762 000 to 884 000) deaths in 2016. However, the age standardised mortality rate for suicide decreased by 32.7% (27.2% to 36.6%) worldwide between 1990 and 2016, similar to the decline in the global age standardised mortality rate of 30.6%. Suicide was the leading cause of age standardised years of life lost in the Global Burden of Disease region of high income Asia Pacific and was among the top 10 leading causes in eastern Europe, central Europe, western Europe, central Asia, Australasia, southern Latin America, and high income North America. Rates for men were higher than for women across regions, countries, and age groups, except for the 15 to 19 age group. There was variation in the female to male ratio, with higher ratios at lower levels of Socio-demographic index. Women experienced greater decreases in mortality rates (49.0%, 95% uncertainty interval 42.6% to 54.6%) than men (23.8%, 15.6% to 32.7%). Conclusions Age standardised mortality rates for suicide have greatly reduced since 1990, but suicide remains an important contributor to mortality worldwide. Suicide mortality was variable across locations, between sexes, and between age groups. Suicide prevention strategies can be targeted towards vulnerable populations if they are informed by variations in mortality rates.
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Measuring progress from 1990 to 2017 and projecting attainment to 2030 of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals for 195 countries and territories : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
(2018-11-10) GBD 2017 SDG Collaborators; Department of Psychology
Background: Efforts to establish the 2015 baseline and monitor early implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight both great potential for and threats to improving health by 2030. To fully deliver on the SDG aim of “leaving no one behind”, it is increasingly important to examine the health-related SDGs beyond national-level estimates. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017), we measured progress on 41 of 52 health-related SDG indicators and estimated the health-related SDG index for 195 countries and territories for the period 1990–2017, projected indicators to 2030, and analysed global attainment. Methods: We measured progress on 41 health-related SDG indicators from 1990 to 2017, an increase of four indicators since GBD 2016 (new indicators were health worker density, sexual violence by non-intimate partners, population census status, and prevalence of physical and sexual violence [reported separately]). We also improved the measurement of several previously reported indicators. We constructed national-level estimates and, for a subset of health-related SDGs, examined indicator-level differences by sex and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile. We also did subnational assessments of performance for selected countries. To construct the health-related SDG index, we transformed the value for each indicator on a scale of 0–100, with 0 as the 2·5th percentile and 100 as the 97·5th percentile of 1000 draws calculated from 1990 to 2030, and took the geometric mean of the scaled indicators by target. To generate projections through 2030, we used a forecasting framework that drew estimates from the broader GBD study and used weighted averages of indicator-specific and country-specific annualised rates of change from 1990 to 2017 to inform future estimates. We assessed attainment of indicators with defined targets in two ways: first, using mean values projected for 2030, and then using the probability of attainment in 2030 calculated from 1000 draws. We also did a global attainment analysis of the feasibility of attaining SDG targets on the basis of past trends. Using 2015 global averages of indicators with defined SDG targets, we calculated the global annualised rates of change required from 2015 to 2030 to meet these targets, and then identified in what percentiles the required global annualised rates of change fell in the distribution of country-level rates of change from 1990 to 2015. We took the mean of these global percentile values across indicators and applied the past rate of change at this mean global percentile to all health-related SDG indicators, irrespective of target definition, to estimate the equivalent 2030 global average value and percentage change from 2015 to 2030 for each indicator. Findings: The global median health-related SDG index in 2017 was 59·4 (IQR 35·4–67·3), ranging from a low of 11·6 (95% uncertainty interval 9·6–14·0) to a high of 84·9 (83·1–86·7). SDG index values in countries assessed at the subnational level varied substantially, particularly in China and India, although scores in Japan and the UK were more homogeneous. Indicators also varied by SDI quintile and sex, with males having worse outcomes than females for non-communicable disease (NCD) mortality, alcohol use, and smoking, among others. Most countries were projected to have a higher health-related SDG index in 2030 than in 2017, while country-level probabilities of attainment by 2030 varied widely by indicator. Under-5 mortality, neonatal mortality, maternal mortality ratio, and malaria indicators had the most countries with at least 95% probability of target attainment. Other indicators, including NCD mortality and suicide mortality, had no countries projected to meet corresponding SDG targets on the basis of projected mean values for 2030 but showed some probability of attainment by 2030. For some indicators, including child malnutrition, several infectious diseases, and most violence measures, the annualised rates of change required to meet SDG targets far exceeded the pace of progress achieved by any country in the recent past. We found that applying the mean global annualised rate of change to indicators without defined targets would equate to about 19% and 22% reductions in global smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively; a 47% decline in adolescent birth rates; and a more than 85% increase in health worker density per 1000 population by 2030. Interpretation: The GBD study offers a unique, robust platform for monitoring the health-related SDGs across demographic and geographic dimensions. Our findings underscore the importance of increased collection and analysis of disaggregated data and highlight where more deliberate design or targeting of interventions could accelerate progress in attaining the SDGs. Current projections show that many health-related SDG indicators, NCDs, NCD-related risks, and violence-related indicators will require a concerted shift away from what might have driven past gains—curative interventions in the case of NCDs—towards multisectoral, prevention-oriented policy action and investments to achieve SDG aims. Notably, several targets, if they are to be met by 2030, demand a pace of progress that no country has achieved in the recent past. The future is fundamentally uncertain, and no model can fully predict what breakthroughs or events might alter the course of the SDGs. What is clear is that our actions—or inaction—today will ultimately dictate how close the world, collectively, can get to leaving no one behind by 2030. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Verk
Perceptions of psychological momentum of elite soccer players
(2018-11-02) Redwood-Brown, Athalie J.; Sunderland, Caroline A.; Minniti, Antoinette M.; O’Donoghue, Peter G.; Department of Sport Science
The purpose of this research was to investigate elite soccer players’ perceptions and experiences of psychological momentum (PM) using a mixed methodological approach. Specifically, by comparing responses, the study aimed to provide coaches with a more appropriate method for collecting PM data. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 10 English Academy, elite male soccer players. In addition, 75 professional male soccer players completed a 49-item measure about their experiences of PM. Interviews and focus groups were manually analysed using a combination of inductive and deductive approaches with Chi-square tests used to assess differences between responses to the PM measure. The majority of questionnaire responses were supported by themes highlighted by players interviewed. Scoring and conceding goals were the most frequently reported match variables associated with positive and negative PM, respectively. In addition, “feeling confident”, “having a positive attitude” and “being cohesive as a team” were important aspects of positive PM. A “perceived lack of ability” and “feeling anxious” were the most frequently reported experiences of negative PM. The similarity of results from both methods support the measure as a useful tool for coaches to collect data pertaining to players’ experiences and perceptions of PM. Overall, findings suggest that PM is a complex (dynamic) process whereby triggers, characteristics, and consequences can hardly be separated. By understanding players’ experiences and perceptions of PM, coaches may incorporate specific training methods to help players maximise positive PM, reduce negative PM as well as develop strategies to optimise PM.
Verk
Axiomatic Design of Equipment for Analysis of SMA Spring Degradation during Electronic Actuation
(2017) Pétursson, Einar; Karlsson, Ingi Níels; Gararsson, Olaf Garar; Pálsson, Páll; Genutis, Saulius; Omelianov, Vladimir; Foley, Joseph Timothy; Department of Engineering
The Shape Memory Alloy, Nickel-Titanium i.e. Nitinol is greatly lacking in published research about its properties. Both degradation through electronic actuation and degradation through heat actuation are lacking, as well comparison of them. This means that both inventors and manufacturers are missing important information, limiting their ability to reliably apply the material in the soft robotic field, automotive design, consumer electronics, or aerospace. Accurate and reliable testing equipment is essential to gather needed data about the material for further development. This paper presents a static test bench for SMA springs that is designed according to Axiomatic Design Theory. The tester is designed to actuate and measure six springs at a time to increase the rate at which testing data is gathered. The measurements collected are the force, current, and temperature of each spring along with the ambient temperature. The test bench was successfully designed and built. An initial test run lasted for two days for approximately 6700 cycles; no springs experienced a complete failure.

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