bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tests of Radiation From Luminous Flames
Authors: Trinks W. , Keller J. D.
Published: February 2023

This paper discusses the radiating power of luminous flames produced in the burning of natural gas and the effects which the different conditions of injection and combustion of the gas have upon such radiating power. The authors described the equipment used in making the tests which included a standard-type glass-tank burner and a newly developed burner designated as a “cracking and mixing” burner. The series of tests conducted with these burners were made to determine the effect on flame radiation of the following factors: Excess air or gas; changing the temperature of the preheated air; preheating the gas; changing the velocity of the gas; varying the proportion of gas passed through the high-pressure and low-pressure nozzles of the cracking and mixing burners; addition of gasoline to the gas; changing the angle of the burners; changing the velocity of the preheated air; closing or changing the size of the air hole around the burners; inserting or removing a tongue from the port; and changing the furnace pressure. Curves are presented by the authors showing these various effects.
Reduction of Airplane Noise and Vibration
Authors: Spain C. J. , Loye D. P. , Templin E. W.
Published: February 2023

In keeping with the demands for comfort in airplane transportation, the authors point out that it is not only necessary to provide the passenger with a comfortable cushioned seat in an air-conditioned cabin, but that it is also necessary to reduce noise and vibration. The methods of reducing noise and vibration as applied to airplane construction must of necessity differ from the methods used in automobiles and other ground installations where weight is not an important factor. The methods employed, together with the measurements resorted to in determining the methods which shall be used in reducing the airplane noises and vibration, are discussed.
Welding Alloy Steels
Authors: Kinzel A. B.
Published: February 2023

The welding of alloy steels is treated under three general headings; the low-alloy steels for general structural purposes, the heat-treated steels of the automotive type for machines and general engineering, and the high-alloy steels, such as stainless, for use in the chemical industries and the like. The effect of welding heat on metal adjacent to the weld proper and the intensity of internal stresses to be expected with joints of various design and various welding practices are discussed. It is shown that the butt weld has definite advantages from the engineering standpoint. The welding of heat-treated steels with austenitic welding rod and the welding of stainless steels with columbium-bearing welding rod are recent developments of note.
Rolled Steel in Machine Construction
Authors: Marsh H. G.
Published: February 2023

The author discusses the extent to which welding is used in the design and construction of machine tools, and advances reasons why its application is not more universal.
Applications of Copper-Alloy Welding
Authors: Hook I. T.
Published: February 2023

The author presents a brief survey of the uses of copper alloys as welding materials in industrial applications. In general, the survey includes three distinct fields: (a) Joining of copper alloys by various brazing and welding methods; (b) joining of ferrous and other metals by copper-alloy weld metal; and (c) building up wear- and corrosion-resisting surfaces of copper alloys. The discussion is confined principally to the use of copper-alloy welding. Several of the applications cited are taken from published reports of different investigators, and references are given where details involved in copper-alloy welding may be found.
Superposed-Turbine Regulation Problem
Authors: Schwendner A. F. , Luoma A. A.
Published: February 2023

This paper gives a description of the hydraulic governing system used on Westinghouse superposed turbines. It also attacks from a theoretical standpoint some of the governing problems encountered on superposed turbines. The problems specifically attacked are (1) stable synchronizing, and (2) stable operation on the line with an exhaust-pressure regulator in action.
The Rheolaveur Coal-Cleaning Process
Authors: Griffen John
Published: February 2023

The author discusses the Rheolaveur process of cleaning coal, explains its operating principles, and relates how variations in raw-coal qualities are smoothed out in cleaned-coal product. He submits data showing the variability of raw coal from Illinois and Pittsburgh seams, and the uniformity of the cleaned coal produced in the Rheolaveur plants.
A Study of Lip Clearance on Twist Drills
Authors: Starr Charles J.
Published: February 2023

This paper discusses the form of the warped surface on twist drills called “lip clearance” as produced by five makes of drill-sharpening machines. Theoretically this lip-clearance angle should increase as measured from the circumference toward the center of the drill. So-called correct angles are assumed for various-diameter drills with a given feed, and illustrations show how much the drills actually vary from the correct angles. The contour of the lip-clearance surface is measured by a special measuring machine.

The drills are rotated by 10-deg increments and the dial-indicator pointer on the measuring machine moved a definite distance from center for each measurement. Thus, deviations of the surface from a true cone are measured. The angle is easily computed from these data. Detailed description shows how the lip-clearance surface is developed and a comparison is made of the actual with the assumed correct angle of clearance. Figures show the developed surfaces of ⅜-in. and 1-in. drills as sharpened on these five drill-grinding machines. Some drills have beveled corners and a negative clearance may be noted on these because of lack of care in sharpening the drills. The developed surface of a drill with a thinned web shows how the possibility of rubbing back of the cutting edge in the web may be reduced.

The figures show that too much clearance is ground near the circumference of the drill in most of the cases studied. A few, however, approach quite near to the so-called correct angles.

The drills are tested on drill presses equipped with dynamometers in annealed cast iron at approximately 60 fpm surface speed. Torque and thrust curves are plotted to show the power required to operate these drills. Considerable variation will be noticed in the torque and thrust. The advantage of thinning the web is brought out quite positively in these curves. The paper suggests a future study to endeavor to ascertain if one machine sharpens drills that are better adapted for drilling one material than another, also that endurance tests should be run to test the life of drills between grinds. There is no intention to criticize the design of the various sharpening machines, but rather their operation.
Temperature and Combustion Rates in Fuel Beds
Authors: Mayers Martin A.
Published: February 2023

Since the classical investigations of Kreisinger, Augustine, and Ovitz (1) on the reactions and temperatures in a fuel bed, there has been increasing interest in this subject, and measurements similar to those reported in their paper have been repeated by several others (2, 3, 4, 5) with different types of fuels. In addition, Nicholls (6) and Nicholls and Eilers (7) have developed recently an experimental method for determining the characteristics of fuels in underfeed combustion. In spite of the interest shown in this subject, there have been no theoretical investigations of the problem, with the result that the experimental results remain, to a large extent, uncoordinated. It is the purpose of this paper to supply a first step toward meeting this deficiency.
Maintenance of High-Speed Diesel Engines on the Canadian National Railways
Authors: Sylvester I. I.
Published: February 2023

This paper sketches the application of Diesel-electric equipment to rail traction on the Canadian National Railways, and deals particularly with experiences in the maintenance of high-speed Diesel engines since 1925. The circumstances surrounding the early application of this type of motive power are briefly explained. Problems of repair by steam-locomotive maintenance organizations are outlined. The important records pertaining to performance and measurements of wear occurring on various parts of Diesel engines are described. Typical examples of records developed in handling pistons, cylinders, and crankshafts, which were employed in arriving at a systematic handling of these parts, are illustrated. This is followed by an explanation of curves covering the average rate of wear found on different groups of engines taken from records extending over many years. Brief reference is made to maintenance methods developed in steam-locomotive service and advantageously extended to Diesel repairs. These include illustrations on electric and acetylene welding, together with some experiences with hard chromium plating, employed to extend the life of active engine parts. The paper is concluded with an explanation of the trends of various factors which make up the cost per car-mile of Diesel-engine operation, and relate particularly to engines which have seen considerable service.
Mechanics of Synthetic-Fiber Weaving
Authors: Palmer Albert
Published: February 2023

This paper describes the machinery that was used in the early attempts to weave rayon fabrics. It traces the course of machine development, correlating this, as far as possible, with the development of the fabrics and synthetic fibers themselves.

Changes that were made in existing looms to enable rayon to be woven are described. Comparisons between the modern rayon loom and the old types that were used for weaving rayon are given. A description of the latest appliances for weaving rayon is included, as well as a discussion of the problems that are occupying the attention of the rayon-weaving industry and textile-machinery manufacturers at present.
Operation of Emergency Shutoff Valves in Pipe Lines
Authors: Knapp F.
Published: February 2023

At the principal control points of waterworks distribution systems, as well as in turbine penstocks, automatic valves are installed to shut off the flow of water in case of a pipe rupture. It is usual practice to assume the time and closure law of the valve and then to check the maximum surge caused by the valve closure.

It is the purpose of this paper to determine the characteristics and the hydraulic design of self-acting shutoff valves in such a manner that the water hammer, even in the worst emergency condition, remains within permissible limits. To reduce the discharge of water after a break, the law of closure is chosen in such a manner that this discharge becomes a minimum. The necessary computations are made by the graphical method of pressure-rise determination as well as by simultaneous or conjugated equations. The author assumes that the reader is familiar with these methods.
Income Versus Production
Authors: Rautenstrauch Walter
Published: February 2023

This study is an inquiry into certain trends in the origins and distribution of the national income and their effects on the capabilities of certain groups of the population to purchase the consumption goods produced. The study is divided into three parts:

1 The relative incomes of the producing groups and the overhead groups from 1919 to 1935 considering the nation as a whole. It is an inquiry into the overhead on the total national plant.

2 The relative incomes of capital and labor from 1919 to 1934 in specific group activities, or the relative claims of capital and labor to the goods produced.

3 A suggested outline of the process by which consumption goods become available to both the producers and the overhead groups. The general problem is income vs. production.
Some Data on Diesel-Electric Switching Locomotives
Authors: Anderson John W.
Published: February 2023

The author gives the number of Diesel-electric switching locomotives placed in service annually since 1925, and discusses their availability, repair costs, and operating costs, fuel-oil specifications, and lubricating-oil practices. He also gives comparative operating and repair costs for an 0-8-0 coal-burning switcher and two Diesel-electric switchers, rated at 600 hp and 900 hp, respectively.
Sulphate-Resisting Cement
Authors: Rordam Svend
Published: February 2023

This paper discusses the ingredients of Portland cement and their effect upon its properties, especially with respect to its resistance to the destructive action of salt solutions, particularly those, such as sea water, that contain sulphates. Tabulated data show the effects of corrosive solutions on specimens of various compositions, and the conclusion is reached that a cement having less than three per cent tricalcium aluminate is practically immune to the attacks of sulphate solutions.

It is also shown that higher temperatures definitely reduce the destructive effect from this cause, and that therefore a sulphate-resisting cement is not as necessary in high-temperature oil wells as in those of low temperature.

The author recommends, however, that only truly sulphate-resisting cements be used for cementing oil wells.
Tests of a 7 by 10½-In. Bearing at 3600 Rpm
Authors: Tichvinsky L. M.
Published: February 2023

This paper deals with the first stage of the test of a 7 × 10½-in. bearing at 3600 rpm of the journal.

It is shown that in gradually bringing such a bearing to full loading its performance as a guide bearing at zero and small loads changes to the performance of a power bearing at high loads. At small loads the losses are produced in the nearly uniform circumferential clearance, while at high loading the predominant part of losses is produced in the carrying oil film. The relative distribution of losses in the carrying oil film, reliefs, and upper clearance is represented graphically as a function of load and pressure on the basis of theoretical calculations.

Further investigation will be continued in which the speed of the journal will vary over a wide range.
Methods Employed to Remedy Water-Hammer Shock in Pumping Systems
Authors: Ball E. Bruce
Published: February 2023

This paper gives certain typical problems which have been encountered in English practice in pumping-plant installations, where surge conditions have been encountered, and the changes made to remedy them. The severity of the conditions and the effectiveness of the remedies are shown by pressure-recorder charts showing the line surges caused by the operation of automatic control apparatus.

The paper is the contribution of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers of Great Britain to the Second Symposium on Water Hammer.
Condenser-Tube Life as Affected by Design and Mechanical Features of Operation
Authors: German A. J.
Published: February 2023

Condenser-tube corrosion is found to occur as a result of many factors which, generally, are of a chemical, electrochemical, and mechanical nature. It is beyond the scope of this paper to cover the field completely; therefore, the paper is limited to those problems associated with mechanical factors affecting condenser-tube life in land and marine condensers operating on the seaboard. In such units, mechanical features of design and operation have proved to be of great importance with associated problems commonly requiring the attention of mechanical engineers rather than chemical or metallurgical engineers before a final solution is achieved.

The details of this discussion indicate a general method of approach to a solution of the problem of inlet-end tube failures, by which local occurrence the type of trouble can usually be recognized.

It should not be overlooked that many tube troubles can be minimized, if not eliminated, by a change in tube alloy (frequently without greater expense) when the mechanical alterations required are too costly or impractical. The author dismisses the choice of material, tube quality, method of production, and details of installation, all of which are of major importance in many cases, and confines his remarks to a consideration of the effect on tubes of turbulence in the circulating water resulting from design or deterioration. He gives also a brief discussion of the possible effects of high temperature on tubes while the unit is off the line.
The Interpretation of a Failure of an Ordnance Structure
Authors: Jenks G. F.
Published: February 2023

For the analysis of a failure of a war model of a 240-mm howitzer at half pressure, a fragment was furnished the laboratory. The problem was divided into three phases: First, the origin of failure; second, the mechanism by which the failure developed in the structure; third, the conditions responsible for the failure. Emphasis is placed on determining the spot at which the failure started.

A method of reading the rupture flow lines found on the surface of the fragments is described. The arrow points found in torn metal surfaces are shown as pointing to the origin of rupture. These arrow points and other surface characteristics furnish the time scale by which priority as to time may be established for tears or for ruptures which appear to be independent. Once the beginning of a failure is found, however, the laboratory investigation then becomes simple as it may be confined to a small area.

In this investigation the heat-affected zone of a weld was disclosed by acid etching. The design called for no welding at this point. Microscopic investigation showed that weld metal of an inferior quality was present, and that cracks existed in the heat-affected zone of the weld. A strip of metal of high Brinell hardness was found just outside the weld metal. The failure progressed from old cracks in this region of high hardness on the exterior surface of the gun. The tension and impact properties and the macroetch characteristics of the metal were determined and their influence upon the failure estimated. Finally, manufacturing records were checked and showed that a machine error on the surface in question had been repaired by welding.
Twenty Years of Machine Activity in the Woolen-and-Worsted Industry
Authors: Benoit A. W.
Published: February 2023

The paper is a discussion of data, compiled from various sources and presented in the form of graphs and tables, tracing conditions in the woolen-and-worsted industry with a view to determining what may be expected in the future. Past performance is analyzed with respect to basic equipment, its active working time, the amount of raw materials used, and working hours.

The conclusions are reached that the liquidation of mills as a whole is nearly finished, that present spindle equipments are not excessive, but that there is still considerable excess loom capacity.
The Effect of Size and Shape of Cut Upon the Performance of Cutting Fluids When Turning S.A.E. 3140 Steel
Authors: Boston O. W. , Gilbert W. W. , Colwell L. V.
Published: February 2023

This paper gives the results of detailed experiments to determine the influence of each of several classes of cutting fluids on tool life when turning a steel with different sizes of cut. The tests were divided into three series: In the first, two cuts were used having the same area, in one case the depth was equal to eight times the feed, and in the other the depth was equal to twice the feed.

In the second series of tests the feed was kept constant while the depth was varied over a considerable range to give cuts of different area. All cutting fluids were tested for each combination of depth and feed.

In the third series of tests the depth was kept constant while the feed was varied to give a series of cuts of different area.

Lastly, all data are correlated to show the influence of each type of cutting fluid as a function of the size and shape of cut, as a function of the cutting speed for a given tool life, and in terms of the volume of metal removed per tool grind.
Pitot Tubes in Large Pipes
Authors: Cole Edward S. , Cole E. Shaw
Published: February 2023

Comparative calibrations with two different types of pitometer, which reacted differently to angular flows, indicated the absence of angularity effects in large pipes. To check this the authors made actual measurements in two large pipes and found the angularity to be less than 3 deg.

Comparisons with other methods of flow measurement in two large pipes are presented together with velocity traverses in these and other conduits. The velocity traverses show the smooth flow pattern found in large pipes at good gaging points. The authors also discuss the value of pipe factor, i.e., the ratio of mean to center velocity, for determining the suitability of a gaging point as well as for making short tests quickly and accurately, or for making continuous-flow measurements.
Pulverized Coal-Tar Pitch as a Fuel
Authors: Clarke E. W.
Published: February 2023

This paper describes the method of adapting pulverizing equipment to burn fuel pitch, which is the hard residue remaining after the distillation of oils from coal tar when the maximum quantity of creosote has been removed. Early attempts to use this hard product as a fuel were beset with difficulties. However, a practical system was developed by the author in 1922 for pulverizing this fuel in a unit pulverizer and blowing it directly into the combustion space of a boiler through a nozzle designed specifically for its use. Since that time hard pitch has attained wide use as an economical and efficient fuel. The methods of firing fuel pitch are described by the author and specific examples of the results obtained are cited.
Experiences in System Speed Regulation
Authors: Holden Otto
Published: February 2023

This paper describes operating conditions on four widely varying power systems. In one case, the means, adopted to reduce the wide variation in frequency of a small system serving two mines only, is discussed. The problems encountered in larger systems serving mines, paper mills, grain elevators, and municipal requirements are dealt with, concluding with the largest of the four, a system developing 1,400,000 hp at peak load, fed from nine generating stations. One plant of the system is assigned to regulate speed, the others conforming under instructions from a load supervisor. Automatic frequency-regulating devices are applied to some units at one plant, manual control being necessary at all others.
Steam-Boiler Performance and a Method of Comparison
Authors: Bailey E. G.
Published: February 2023

This paper presents data from two methods of determining rates of heat absorption in different sections of steam-boiler units. One by direct measurement of evaporation, first published in France in 1874, describing French locomotive-boiler tests, is compared with recent data on modern furnaces using the gas-temperature-weight method. A method of comparing data from all types, kinds, and sizes of boiler units at diverse rates of output is presented. It consists briefly of plotting “heat absorbed” in per cent of total heat available against “equivalent surface area,” which results in all points, having the same Btu available per sq ft per hr, being on the same ordinate. Representative data from modern stationary and marine boilers are compared, together with the data from the French locomotive-boiler tests of 65 years’ standing. Data on volumes of furnaces and entire boiler units are given together with draft losses and efficiencies.
The Locomotive Boiler
Authors: Brandt C. A.
Published: February 2023

For many years increased traffic and the demand for high operating economy of the railroads resulted in the development of locomotives of high tractive effort capable of starting trains close to the limit of length for practical handling through yards and terminals. The ever-present demand for still higher transportation capacity of the railroads and competition have compelled the further development of locomotives to handle these long and heavy trains at high speeds. This has meant proportionately larger and more efficient boilers. The author discusses in this paper some of the problems of boiler designs and proportions that affect the efficiency and capacity of the conventional locomotive.
Successful Mechanical Atomization of Fuel Oil Heavier Than Bunker C
Authors: Martinson G. G.
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this paper is to report the difficulties encountered and their successful solution when burning a heavy-petroleum cracking-still residue as a fuel in combination pulverized-coal and fuel-oil burners for the boilers of the American Viscose Company powerhouse at its Marcus Hook plant. Though the problems involved were comparatively simple, the development of a burner arrangement to achieve a solution and the results obtained may be of value to the designers and operators of boilers who are in search of both flexible and efficient combination firing equipment for pulverized coal and fuel oil in boiler plants.
Experimental Drying
Authors: Cooper D. L. , Wood A. L.
Published: February 2023

This paper deals with an investigation of moisture-regain values for salt-fish muscle which show a particularly rapid change in the range between 60 and 75 per cent relative humidity. The determination of experimental drying-rate curves in this range requires study, for much of the commercial drying as now carried out is done within this range. The author describes the system customarily used for this purpose. Dry- and wet-bulb regulators, employing thermionic relays capable of giving control of experimental air conditions in the order of 0.01 F dry and wet bulb, were used in the investigation. Drying-rate curves over a limited range using this method of control are presented.
The Viscosity of Superheated Steam
Authors: Hawkins G. A. , Solberg H. L. , Potter A. A.
Published: February 2023

After discussing the disagreement existing in viscosity data for superheated steam as reported by recent investigators, the authors report the results of a new determination of viscosity. A nickel capillary 103.2 ft long was used in this investigation. The differential head across the capillary was determined by radiographing the mercury levels in a steel-tube manometer. Data are reported for 60 calibration tests and for 61 tests on steam at pressures up to 1810 lb per sq in. abs and 1000 F. All of the tests were run under steady-flow conditions for a minimum period of 1 hr. Plank’s equation has been modified to express the results over the entire range of pressures and temperatures covered by this investigation.

As a result of additional calibration tests made to determine the effect of curvature on the capillary constant, the results given in this paper supersede those presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society.
Determination of the Purity of Steam by Gravimetric and Spectrographic Methods
Authors: Schwartz M. C. , Gurney W. B. , Crossan T. E.
Published: February 2023

This is the first paper in a series of three covering investigations on the determination of purity of steam. In it the authors discuss the mechanism of steam contamination and methods of measuring steam purity classified according to impurities present. Principally, however, the subject matter is devoted to the apparatus and procedure followed in making gravimetric determinations of the residue from evaporated samples of condensed steam with the results obtained. As a check on these analyses, estimates are made for solids in steam from turbine-blade deposits. The results of spectrographic analyses are also given.
Determination of Ammonia in Condensed Steam
Authors: Schwartz M. C. , Gurney W. B. , Crossan T. E.
Published: February 2023

Of the impurities which may affect the electrolytic conductivity and pH of water, the gases carbon dioxide and ammonia are most resistant to removal. Carbon dioxide has previously been given consideration almost to the exclusion of the ammonia-removal problem. This second paper in a series of three on the subject of purity of steam by the authors deals with the preparation of ammonia-free water by various methods, of which phosphorus-pentoxide batch distillation apparently gives the most satisfactory results. The Nessler method of ammonia determination is also thoroughly discussed, as well as the volumetric determination of ammonia with sodium hypobromite and naphthyl red. The authors have used such determinations of ammonia in condensed steam to assist in evaluating a suitable correction factor to compensate for its presence.
Iterative double-differential direct-sequence spread spectrum reception in underwater acoustic channel with time-varying Doppler shifts
Authors: Sun Dajun , Wu Jie , Hong Xiaoping , Liu Changxin , Cui Hongyu , Si Boyu
Published: February 2023

Conventional double differential phase-shift keying modulation amplifies the phase noise and performs poorly under the time-varying direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) communication system. Therefore, the authors propose an iterative reception for DSSS communication in time-varying underwater acoustic channels. First, bit-interleaved coded modulation with iterative decoding integrated with multi-symbol differential detection is used. Second, this paper uses cross correlation method to estimate and track the Doppler shift of each symbol. Based on Doppler estimates, a dynamic linear prediction model is proposed to estimate and track the channel phase variation. Third, an algorithm for adaptive selection of reference signals is utilized to recover the magnitude attenuation of correlation peaks. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the proposed reception achieves around 9 dB gain compared to conventional differential decision reception under constant acceleration of 0.14 m/s2. During the acoustic communication experiment in Songhua Lake, the proposed reception was tested by using a moving source at a speed of 1–6 knots at 2-m depth and the farthest distance between the transceivers is 2.8 km. The proposed reception achieves only one frame error from a total of 205 frames collected in the lake experiment, and it also achieves error-free communications over 96 frames during a 10 km depth deep-sea experiment.
Use of immersive virtual reality to reduce anxiety during complex paediatric dressing changes
Authors: Breed Hetty Jane , Jones Elizabeth , Cubitt Jonathan
Published: February 2023

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the practical applications of virtual reality (VR) in healthcare. One discussed application of this technology is to reduce anxiety during procedures for paediatric patients. Following skin loss in paediatric patients, careful management of the wound with appropriate dressings and frequent dressing changes is a key part of the treatment process. In children, continued dressing changes are often a source of anxiety, which complicates procedures causing distress to the child, their parents and staff members. VR systems have the potential to not only reduce anxiety but also pain in children requiring frequent dressing changes. Although our knowledge of this technology is improving, further research is needed to evaluate its full potential in this population and to establish guidelines to take advantage of the full potential of VR technology.
Design, development and randomised controlled trial protocol of a smartphone-delivered version of ‘SOLAR’ for emergency service workers to manage stress and trauma
Authors: Metcalf Olivia , Gibson Kari , Fredrickson Julia , Finlayson-Short Laura , Varker Tracey , O'Donnell Meaghan
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Emergency service workers are routinely exposed to stress and trauma, and there is a need to address mental health symptoms early to prevent chronic impairment and/or psychiatric disorder. Digital health innovations mean that face-to-face psychosocial interventions can now be delivered remotely, which is particularly appealing to populations who have strong preferences for digital delivery, such as emergency service workers. This two phase study aims to first adapt the Skills fOr Life Adjustment and Resilience (SOLAR) programme into a smartphone application (‘app’), and then evaluate the effectiveness of this new app.

Methods and analyses

First, focus groups and codesign activities with mental health professionals and emergency service workers will be conducted to develop and test the prototype smartphone version of SOLAR (ie, SOLAR-m). Second, a multicentre randomised controlled trial will investigate the effectiveness of the new app, compared with an active control app, in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression (primary outcome), as well as other indicators of mental health and work performance. Firefighters from one of the largest urban fire and rescue services in Australia who are currently experiencing distress will be invited to participate. After screening and baseline assessment, 240 will be randomised to receive either SOLAR-m or the control app for 5 weeks, with measurements pre, post and 3-month follow-up. Analyses will be conducted within an intention-to-treat framework using mixed modelling.

Ethics and dissemination

The current trial has received ethics approval from the University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee (2021-20632-18826-5). Study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conferences, with a focus on how to expand the new app to other trauma-affected populations if proven effective.

Trial registration number

ANZCTRN12621001141831.
Getting ready to act: theorising a stepwise transition into crisis response at points of entry based on interviews with COVID-19 responders and a military preparedness framework
Authors: de Rooij Doret , Janse Jacobine , Raab Jörg , Timen Aura
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Points of entry (POE) have an important role in timely national response to infectious diseases threats. However, a guiding framework is lacking for the transition from generic preparedness into optimally specified response for an imminent infectious disease threat, a step called ‘operational readiness’.

Objective

We aim to contribute to the conceptual closure of this preparedness–response gap for infectious disease control at POE by providing content to the operational readiness concept.

Design

We first explored the NATO Combat Readiness (NCR) concept for its applicability on infectious disease control at POE, as the military discipline faces the same need of being flexible in preparing for unknown threats. Concepts of the NCR that support the transition into response to a specific threat were integrated into the operational readiness concept. To explore the added value of the concept in practice, we conducted and analysed semistructured interviews of professionals at European POE (n=24) responsible for the early COVID-19 response.

Results

Based on the NCR, operational readiness builds on the fact that activating the response capabilities and capacities to a specific threat requires time. For professionals at POE, the transition from generic preparedness into the COVID-19 response led to challenges in specifying response plans, dealing with an overload of information, while experiencing shortages of public health staff. These challenges could be covered within operational readiness by defining the time and the specific staging needed to upgrade response capabilities and capacities.

Discussion

We conclude that a guiding framework for operational readiness seems appropriate in relation to the many activities and challenges POE have had to face during the COVID-19 response. Operational readiness is mainly defined by the time dimension required to deploy the response to a specific threat. However, integrating this conceptual framework into practice requires structural and sustainable investments in outbreak preparedness.
Developing a machine learning algorithm to predict probability of retear and functional outcomes in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair surgery: protocol for a retrospective, multicentre study
Authors: Allaart Laurens J H , Spanning Sanne van , Lafosse Laurent , Lafosse Thibault , Ladermann Alexandre , Athwal George S , Hendrickx Laurent A M , Doornberg Job N , van den Bekerom Michel P J , Buijze Geert Alexander
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The effectiveness of rotator cuff tear repair surgery is influenced by multiple patient-related, pathology-centred and technical factors, which is thought to contribute to the reported retear rates between 17% and 94%. Adequate patient selection is thought to be essential in reaching satisfactory results. However, no clear consensus has been reached on which factors are most predictive of successful surgery. A clinical decision tool that encompassed all aspects is still to be made. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms use complex self-learning models that can be used to make patient-specific decision-making tools. The aim of this study is to develop and train an algorithm that can be used as an online available clinical prediction tool, to predict the risk of retear in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair.

Methods and analysis

This is a retrospective, multicentre, cohort study using pooled individual patient data from multiple studies of patients who have undergone rotator cuff repair and were evaluated by advanced imaging for healing at a minimum of 6 months after surgery. This study consists of two parts. Part one: collecting all potential factors that might influence retear risks from retrospective multicentre data, aiming to include more than 1000 patients worldwide. Part two: combining all influencing factors into a model that can clinically be used as a prediction tool using machine learning.

Ethics and dissemination

For safe multicentre data exchange and analysis, our Machine Learning Consortium adheres to the WHO regulation ‘Policy on Use and Sharing of Data Collected by WHO in Member States Outside the Context of Public Health Emergencies’. The study results will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Institutional Review Board approval does not apply to the current study protocol.
What is the level of information technology maturity in Ontario’s long-term care homes? A cross-sectional survey study protocol
Authors: Hakimjavadi Ramtin , Karunananthan Sathya , Alexander Gregory , Fung Celeste , Gazarin Mohamed , Houghton Deanne , Hsu Amy T , LaPlante James , Levi Cheryl , Tanuseputro Peter , Liddy Clare
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The number of Canadians 75 years and older is expected to double over the next 20 years, putting continuing care systems such as long-term care (LTC) homes under increasing pressure. Health information technology (IT) has been found to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care in numerous clinical settings and could help optimise LTC for residents. However, the level of health IT adoption in Ontario’s LTC homes is unknown and, as a result, requires an accurate assessment to provide a baseline understanding for future planning.

Methods and analysis

We will use a cross-sectional design to investigate the level of IT maturity in Ontario’s LTC homes. IT maturity will be assessed with the LTC IT Maturity Instrument, a validated survey examining IT capabilities, the extent of IT use and degree of internal/external IT integration across the domains of resident care, clinical support and administrative activities. All LTC homes in Ontario will be invited to participate. The Director of Care for each home will be directly contacted for recruitment. The survey will be distributed online (or by paper, if preferred) to LTC homes and completed by a staff member designated by the LTC to be knowledgeable about its IT systems. Analyses will consist of descriptive statistics characterising IT maturity across LTC homes and inferential statistics to examine the association between key facility-level characteristics (size, ownership, rurality) and IT maturity.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was reviewed by the Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board and was exempt from full ethics review. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and presentations to the scientific community and stakeholders. Dissemination of our findings will not only inform provincial planning for harnessing the potential of technology in LTC but may also enable quality improvement initiatives in individual LTC homes.
Associations of remote mental healthcare with clinical outcomes: a natural language processing enriched electronic health record data study protocol
Authors: Ahmed Muhammad Shamim , Kornblum Daisy , Oliver Dominic , Fusar-Poli Paolo , Patel Rashmi
Published: February 2023

Introduction

People often experience significant difficulties in receiving mental healthcare due to insufficient resources, stigma and lack of access to care. Remote care technology has the potential to overcome these barriers by reducing travel time and increasing frequency of contact with patients. However, the safe delivery of remote mental healthcare requires evidence on which aspects of care are suitable for remote delivery and which are better served by in-person care. We aim to investigate clinical and demographic associations with remote mental healthcare in a large electronic health record (EHR) dataset and the degree to which remote care is associated with differences in clinical outcomes using natural language processing (NLP) derived EHR data.

Methods and analysis

Deidentified EHR data, derived from the South London and Maudsley (SLaM) National Health Service Foundation Trust Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Case Register, will be extracted using the Clinical Record Interactive Search tool for all patients receiving mental healthcare between 1 January 2019 and 31 March 2022. First, data on a retrospective, longitudinal cohort of around 80 000 patients will be analysed using descriptive statistics to investigate clinical and demographic associations with remote mental healthcare and multivariable Cox regression to compare clinical outcomes of remote versus in-person assessments. Second, NLP models that have been previously developed to extract mental health symptom data will be applied to around 5 million documents to analyse the variation in content of remote versus in-person assessments.

Ethics and dissemination

The SLaM BRC Case Register and Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) tool have received ethical approval as a deidentified dataset (including NLP-derived data from unstructured free text documents) for secondary mental health research from Oxfordshire REC C (Ref: 18/SC/0372). The study has received approval from the SLaM CRIS Oversight Committee. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed, open access journal articles and service user and carer advisory groups.
Novelty and cultural evolution in modern popular music
Authors: O’Toole Katherine , Horvát Emőke-Ágnes
Published: February 2023

The ubiquity of digital music consumption has made it possible to extract information about modern music that allows us to perform large scale analysis of stylistic change over time. In order to uncover underlying patterns in cultural evolution, we examine the relationship between the established characteristics of different genres and styles, and the introduction of novel ideas that fuel this ongoing creative evolution. To understand how this dynamic plays out and shapes the cultural ecosystem, we compare musical artifacts to their contemporaries to identify novel artifacts, study the relationship between novelty and commercial success, and connect this to the changes in musical content that we can observe over time. Using Music Information Retrieval (MIR) data and lyrics from Billboard Hot 100 songs between 1974-2013, we calculate a novelty score for each song’s aural attributes and lyrics. Comparing both scores to the popularity of the song following its release, we uncover key patterns in the relationship between novelty and audience reception. Additionally, we look at the link between novelty and the likelihood that a song was influential given where its MIR and lyrical features fit within the larger trends we observed.
Research on traffic speed prediction based on wavelet transform and ARIMA-GRU hybrid model
Authors: Wang Ke , Ma Changxi , Huang Xiaoting
Published: February 2023

Traffic speed is an essential indicator for measuring traffic conditions. Real-time and accurate traffic speed prediction is an essential part of building intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Currently, speed prediction methods are characterized by insufficient short-term prediction accuracy and stability, nonlinear, nonstationary, strong fluctuation and relatively small sample size. To better explore the traffic characteristics of the road networks, a hybrid prediction model based on wavelet transform (WT) of the autoregressive moving average model (ARIMA) and gate recurrent unit (GRU) was constructed. First, this model decomposes the original traffic speed data into low-frequency data, and high-frequency data by WT. Second, the ARIMA and GRU models are used to model data predictions in two frequency bands, respectively. Finally, the prediction result of the predicted value is fused. In addition, in this paper, traffic speed data of four sections in Guangzhou from 1 August to 31 September 2016 are taken as examples to test the validity, applicability, and practicability of the model. The results show that compared with ARIMA, LSTM, GRU, RNN, and other single models and hybrid models, the prediction method proposed in this paper has higher prediction accuracy and can provide a more scientific decision-making basis for urban traffic management.
Privacy-preserving identification of the influential nodes in networks
Authors: Wang Jia-Wei , Zhang Hai-Feng , Ma Xiao-Jing , Wang Jing , Ma Chuang , Zhu Pei-Can
Published: February 2023

Identifying influential nodes in social networks has drawn significant attention in the field of network science. However, most of the existing works request to know the complete structural information about networks, indeed, this information is usually sensitive, private and hard to obtain. Therefore, how to identify the influential nodes in networks without disclosing privacy is especially important. In this paper, we propose a privacy-preserving (named as HE-ranking) framework to identify influential nodes in networks based on homomorphic encryption (HE) protocol. The HE-ranking method collaboratively computes the nodes’ importance and protects the sensitive information of each private network by using the HE protocol. Extensive experimental results indicate that the method can effectively identify the influential nodes in the original networks than the baseline methods which only use each private network to identify influential nodes. More importantly, the HE-ranking method can protect the privacy of each private network in different parts.
Multimetric Finsler geometry
Authors: Carvalho Patrícia , Landri Cristian , Mistry Ravi , Pinzul Aleksandr
Published: February 2023

Motivated in part by the bi-gravity approach to massive gravity, we introduce and study the multimetric Finsler geometry. For the case of an arbitrary number of dimensions, we study some general properties of the geometry in terms of its Riemannian ingredients, while in the two-dimensional case, we derive all the Cartan equations as well as explicitly find the Holmes–Thompson measure.