The article highlights the limitations of speed as a framework for discussing and tackling the environmental challenges of growing clothing volumes or quantities. This argument builds on a series of wardrobe studies mapping the number of clothing items owned, purchased, and disposed of by 25 people during six months, and the reasons behind purchase and disposal. The results indicate that clothing consumption is rarely driven by replacement and that opportunity plays a main role. These characteristics of clothing consumption explain why it takes more than producing long-lasting garments to reduce clothing demand. Rather than delaying the disposal of garments, a more straight-forward focus on reducing production is needed, that is the contribution of a volume-centric approach.
Reductions in eating rate have been recommended as potential behavioral strategies to prevent and treat overweight. Unfortunately, eating rate is difficult to modify, due to its highly automatic nature. Training people to eat more slowly in everyday eating contexts, therefore, requires creative and engaging solutions. The present study examines the efficacy of a smart fork that helps people to eat more slowly. This adapted fork records eating speed and delivers vibrotactile feedback if users eat too quickly. In two studies, we tested the acceptability and user experience of the fork (Study 1), and its effect on eating rate and satiety levels in a controlled lab-setting (Study 2).
MULTIFILE
Purpose: To examine the test–retest reliability and validity of ten activity trackers for step counting at three different walking speeds. Methods:Thirty-one healthy participants walked twice on a treadmill for 30 min while wearing 10 activity trackers (Polar Loop, GarminVivosmart, Fitbit Charge HR, Apple Watch Sport, Pebble Smartwatch, Samsung Gear S, Misfit Flash, Jawbone Up Move, Flyfit, andMoves). Participants walked three walking speeds for 10 min each; slow (3.2 kmIhj1), average (4.8 kmIhj1), and vigorous (6.4 kmIhj1).To measure test–retest reliability, intraclass correlations (ICC) were determined between the first and second treadmill test. Validity wasdetermined by comparing the trackers with the gold standard (hand counting), using mean differences, mean absolute percentage errors,and ICC. Statistical differences were calculated by paired-sample t tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and by constructing Bland–Altmanplots. Results: Test–retest reliability varied with ICC ranging from j0.02 to 0.97. Validity varied between trackers and different walkingspeeds with mean differences between the gold standard and activity trackers ranging from 0.0 to 26.4%. Most trackers showed relativelylow ICC and broad limits of agreement of the Bland–Altman plots at the different speeds. For the slow walking speed, the GarminVivosmart and Fitbit Charge HR showed the most accurate results. The Garmin Vivosmart and Apple Watch Sport demonstrated the bestaccuracy at an average walking speed. For vigorous walking, the Apple Watch Sport, Pebble Smartwatch, and Samsung Gear S exhibitedthe most accurate results. Conclusion: Test–retest reliability and validity of activity trackers depends on walking speed. In general,consumer activity trackers perform better at an average and vigorous walking speed than at a slower walking speed.
In the context of global efforts to increase sustainability and reduce CO2 emissions in the chemical industry, bio-based materials are receiving increasing attention as renewable alternatives to petroleum-based polymers. In this regard, Visolis has developed a bio-based platform centered around the efficient conversion of plant-derived sugars to mevalonolactone (MVL) via microbial fermentation. Subsequently, MVL is thermochemically converted to bio-monomers such as isoprene and 3-methyl-1,5-pentane diol, which are ultimately used in the production of polymer materials. Currently, the Visolis process has been optimized to use high-purity, industrial dextrose (glucose) as feedstock for their fermentation process. Dutch Sustainable Development (DSD) has developed a direct processing technology in which sugar beets are used for fermentation without first having to go through sugar extraction and refinery. The main exponent of this technology is their patented Betaprocess, in which the sugar beet is essentially exposed to heat and a mild vacuum explosion, opening the cell walls and releasing the sugar content. This Betaprocess has the potential to speed up current fermentation processes and lower feedstock-related costs. The aim of this project is to combine aforementioned technologies to enable the production of mevalonolactone using sucrose, present in crude sugar beet bray after Betaprocessing. To this end, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences (Zuyd) intends to collaborate with Visolis and DSD. Zuyd will utilize its experience in both (bio)chemical engineering and fermentation to optimize the process from sugar beet (pre)treatment to product recovery. Visolis and DSD will contribute their expertise in microbial engineering and low-cost sugar production. During this collaboration, students and professionals will work together at the Chemelot Innovation and Learning Labs (CHILL) on the Brightlands campus in Geleen. This collaboration will not only stimulate innovation and sustainable chemistry, but also provides starting professionals with valuable experience in this expanding field.
Agricultural/horticultural products account for 9% of Dutch gross domestic product. Yearly expansion of production involves major challenges concerning labour costs and plant health control. For growers, one of the most urgent problems is pest detection, as pests cause up to 10% harvest loss, while the use of chemicals is increasingly prohibited. For consumers, food safety is increasingly important. A potential solution for both challenges is frequent and automated pest monitoring. Although technological developments such as propeller-based drones and robotic arms are in full swing, these are not suitable for vertical horticulture (e.g. tomatoes, cucumbers). A better solution for less labour intensive pest detection in vertical crop horticulture, is a bio-inspired FW-MAV: Flapping Wings Micro Aerial Vehicle. Within this project we will develop tiny FW-MAVs inspired by insect agility, with high manoeuvrability for close plant inspection, even through leaves without damage. This project focusses on technical design, testing and prototyping of FW-MAV and on autonomous flight through vertically growing crops in greenhouses. The three biggest technical challenges for FW-MAV development are: 1) size, lower flight speed and hovering; 2) Flight time; and 3) Energy efficiency. The greenhouse environment and pest detection functionality pose additional challenges such as autonomous flight, high manoeuvrability, vertical take-off/landing, payload of sensors and other equipment. All of this is a multidisciplinary challenge requiring cross-domain collaboration between several partners, such as growers, biologists, entomologists and engineers with expertise in robotics, mechanics, aerodynamics, electronics, etc. In this project a co-creation based collaboration is established with all stakeholders involved, integrating technical and biological aspects.
Uit de ongevallenstatistieken blijkt dat ouderen verhoudingsgewijs vaker betrokken zijn bij verkeersongevallen en vaker de veroorzaker van een ongeval zijn. Ze worden daarom als risicogroep in het verkeer aangeduid. Diverse eerder uitgevoerde onderzoeken verwachten dat rijhulpsystemen, de zogenoemde ‘Advanced Driver Assistance Systems’ (ADAS) het verhoogde ongevalsrisico van de oudere autobestuurder kan verlagen. Toch blijkt uit voorgaand onderzoek dat deze ADAS, die generiek ontwikkeld worden voor een universele gebruiker, juist bij oudere automobilist nog niet goed aanslaan en de potentie van een doelgroepgerichte ADAS voor ouderen niet optimaal benut wordt. De technische mogelijkheden om ouderen te ondersteunen bestaan al, maar het ontbreekt op dit moment nog aan praktische toepassingen. In BRAVO staat een doelgroepgerichte ADAS voor ouderen centraal en zullen de marktmogelijkheden samen met de mkb-partners onderzocht worden. Dit onderzoek vraagt om een multidisciplinaire benadering van zowel de problematiek, de huidige markt als de behoeften van de consument/doelgroep. BRAVO zal resulteren in een businesscase die scenario’s bevat waarin een doelgroepgerichte ADAS voor ouderen kan worden toegepast. Daarnaast zal dit verkennende onderzoek nieuwe inzichten geven die zullen leiden tot nieuwe (en grotere) onderzoeken naar het effect en de impact van een doelgroepgerichte ADAS voor ouderen. Met BRAVO wordt een eerste stap gezet naar de ontwikkeling van een doelgroepgerichte ADAS die kan bijdragen aan de verkeersveiligheid en het zelfstandige mobiliteitsbelang van de oudere bestuurder.
