ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To analyze and compare the outcomes in patients with anorectal malformation with rectoprostatic and rectourethral fistula between laparoscopic-assisted anorectoplasty (LAARP) versus posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP). METHOD: We performed a retrospective review on all males with anorectal malformation (ARM) with recto-prostatic (ARM-RP) or recto-bulbar urethral fistula (ARM-RB) treated in five tertiary paediatric surgical centres in the past 25 years. Defecative function was assessed using the Krickenbeck classification and Kelly's score. Functional outcomes between patients with LAARP and PSARP were compared. RESULTS: There were a total of 136 males with ARM-RP and ARM-RB for analysis, among which 73 (53.7%) had ARM-RP and 63 (46.3%) had ARM-RB. The median age of the patients was 9.4 years (range 0.8-24.7 years) and the median age at operation was 0.4 years (0 day-3.1 years). 57 (41.9%) and 79 patients (58.1%) underwent PSARP and LAARP respectively. 34 patients (25%) had VACTERL association. 111 (81.6%) and 103 patients (75.7%) had sacral and spinal cord anomalies respectively. 19 patients (13.9%) eventually required Malone's Antegrade Continence Enema (MACE). For the comparison between PSARP and LAARP, no difference in Kelly scores (4.58 ± 1.63 versus 4.67 ± 1.36) was identified (p = 0.79). Logistic regression for voluntary bowel movement showed that VACTER association (p = 0.02) and fistula location (p = 0.01) were significant prognostic factors, whereas the operation approach (PSARP or LAARP) was not (p = 0.65). CONCLUSION: VACTERL association and fistula location were significant prognostic factors for voluntary bowel movement, and there appeared to be no significant difference in functional outcome between PSARP and LAARP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) has revolutionised the care of people with diabetes but its uptake and benefits in older adults are not well known. We examined the impact of isCGM (Freestyle Libre, FSL) on glycaemic outcomes in younger (⩽65 years) and older adults (>65 years) with diabetes. Design and methods: In total, 2260 adult patients registered on the Libreview account at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, UK, were included. Inclusion criteria: all patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes aged >18 years, use of isCGM >6 months, scanning at least 6 times/day. Demographics, diabetes history and glycaemic outcomes (time in range (TIR), time above range and time below range (TBR), estimated HbA1c, HbA1c at start and at end of study) were collected by accessing electronic patient records and Libreview. Outcomes were compared between age groups ⩽65 or >65 years old. Results: Most patients were of Caucasian ethnicity (⩽65 years 68%, >65 years 73%) and had type 1 diabetes. Mean duration of diabetes was 19.5 years (range 0-65 years) and 34.5 years (range 0-79 years) for ⩽65 and >65 years, respectively. Only a quarter of those ⩽65 years achieved (219/943; 23.2%) their age specific TIR target compared to 69% (78/113) of those >65 years cohort, while 70.1% (663/946) of ⩽65 years and 40.7% (46/113) of >65 years achieved their age-specific TBR target. When the less strict ⩽65 years TBR target was applied, 75% (85/113) of >65 years cohort achieved this. Conclusion: FSL use was associated with improved glycaemic outcomes across all age groups. Individualised targets may be needed to improve TBR in those aged >65 years.
ABSTRACT
A woman in her 40s presented with exertional dyspnoea with an absence of haemoptysis, cough, fever and weight loss. The patient had a medical history of extensive endometriosis. Investigations revealed a large right-sided pleural effusion. The effusion was aspirated and was exudative in nature.A contrast-enhanced CT thorax was performed to help exclude dual pathology. The only positive finding was bilateral breast nodules, subsequently found to be benign fibroadenomas on histological analysis of biopsy samples.After malignancy was ruled out as a cause, the patient was referred for medical thoracoscopy for a biopsy and other investigations. Histology demonstrated the presence of endometrial tissue in the pleura and thereby confirmed the diagnosis of thoracic endometrial syndrome.Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery repair of diaphragm and talc pleurodesis was carried out in an uncomplicated procedure and the patient was discharged with good recovery.
Subject(s)
Pleural Effusion , Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted , Humans , Female , Pleural Effusion/etiology , Pleural Effusion/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Endometriosis/complications , Endometriosis/diagnosis , Syndrome , Pleurodesis/methods , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Diagnosis, DifferentialABSTRACT
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology is one of the de novo approaches in regeneration medicine and has led to new research applications for wound healing in recent years. Fibroblasts have attracted wide attention as the first cell line used for differentiation into iPSCs. Researchers have found that fibroblasts can be induced into different types of cells in variable mediums or microenvironments. This indicates the potential "stem" characteristics of fibroblasts in terms of direct cellular reprogramming compared with the iPSC detour. In this review, we described the morphology and biological function of fibroblasts. The stem cell characteristics and activities of fibroblasts, including transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts, osteogenic cells, chondrogenic cells, neurons, and vascular tissue, are discussed. The biological values of fibroblasts are then briefly reviewed. Finally, we discussed the potential applications of fibroblasts in clinical practice.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated if silver nanoparticles (AgNps) could promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts. METHODS: Mouse embryonic fibroblasts were divided into two groups: Group 1 cells were cultured in DMEM/F12 medium and Group 2 cells were cultured in osteogenic medium. Both groups were then treated with 16, 32, or 100 µM AgNps. Fibroblast proliferation and viability were measured using BrdU and MTT methods at varying time points. Alizarin red staining and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured to observe fibroblast differentiation into osteoblasts. Proteomics (cytokine array) was used to detect 111 different cytokines during differentiation. RESULTS: AgNps stimulated proliferation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts at a concentration of 16 µM. Marked enhancement of calcium mineralization was observed in cells cultured with AgNps compared with cells cultured without AgNps. Group 2 cells displayed nodules around the center where the cell density was high. ALP activity of mouse embryonic fibroblasts cultured in osteogenic medium increased during the whole culture period. Addition of AgNps at concentrations of 32 µM and 100 µM induced higher ALP activity at days 7 and 14. Proteomic array results show that low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK-9) were significantly increased, while osteoprotegerin (OPG) was significantly reduced in medium containing 16 µM AgNPs. CONCLUSION: AgNps could promote differentiation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts into osteoblastic cells. LDL-R and PCSK-9, as well as OPG, may play a critical role in this process.
ABSTRACT
Meta-analyses in the psychological sciences typically examine moderators that may explain heterogeneity in effect sizes. One of the most commonly examined moderators is gender. Overall, tests of gender as a moderator are rarely significant, which may be because effects rarely differ substantially between men and women. While this may be true in some cases, we also suggest that the lack of significant findings may be attributable to the way in which gender is examined as a meta-analytic moderator, such that detecting moderating effects is very unlikely even when such effects are substantial in magnitude. More specifically, we suggest that lack of between-primary study variance in gender composition makes it exceedingly difficult to detect moderation. That is, because primary studies tend to have similar male-to-female ratios, there is very little variance in gender composition between primaries, making it nearly impossible to detect between-study differences in the relationship of interest as a function of gender. In the present article, we report results from two studies: (a) a meta-meta-analysis in which we demonstrate the magnitude of this problem by computing the between-study variance in gender composition across 286 meta-analytic moderation tests from 50 meta-analyses, and (b) a Monte Carlo simulation study in which we show that this lack of variance results in near-zero moderator effects even when male-female differences in correlations are quite large. Our simulations are also used to show the value of single-gender studies for detecting moderating effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
ABSTRACT
Much of the thought content and mind-wandering literature examines self-reported thought content's relationship with performance criteria in limited ways. Furthermore, retrospective reports about thought content may be influenced by the quality of one's performance. We explored these method issues in a cross-sectional study of individuals competing in a trail race and an equestrian event. Our results demonstrated that self-reports of thought content differed based on the performance context: whereas runners' task-related and task-unrelated thoughts were negatively correlated, equestrians' thought content showed no relationship. Moreover, equestrians in general reported fewer task-related and task-unrelated thoughts than runners. Finally, objective performance predicted task-unrelated thought (but not task-related thought) among runners, and an exploratory mediation test suggested the effect was partially mediated by performance awareness. We discuss the applied implications of this research for human performance practitioners.
Subject(s)
Attention , Cognition , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Self ReportABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Community factors may affect nurses' job behavior and decision making. There is a gap in the literature regarding the impact of community satisfaction, family ties, and community preferences on acute care nurses' turnover intention and job satisfaction. Furthermore, no studies have examined the differences in community satisfaction, community preferences, and family ties among nurses working in rural and urban settings. PURPOSE: To identify the impact of family ties, community satisfaction, and community preferences on turnover intention and job satisfaction among acute care nurses working in Ontario's urban and rural areas. METHODS: Descriptive correlational survey design was used in this study. A targeted stratified sampling technique was used to recruit acute care nurses working in Ontario's urban and rural areas (N = 349) between May 2019 and July 2019. Dillman's approach was used to guide data collection. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used for data analysis. RESULTS: A significant association was found between working settings and community preferences. A statistically significant positive relationship between community satisfaction and nurses' job satisfaction was identified. Furthermore, community satisfaction had a negative impact on turnover intention. Neither community preference nor family ties were significantly associated with turnover intention or job satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that community satisfaction can influence important nurse work-related outcomes. Future studies should replicate and validate these results in different contexts and cultures. Retaining nurses may be difficult if they are not satisfied with their communities.
Subject(s)
Job Satisfaction , Nursing Staff, Hospital , Personnel Turnover , Rural Population , Urban Population , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Family Relations/psychology , Intention , Nursing Staff, Hospital/psychology , Nursing Staff, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Ontario , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Personal SatisfactionABSTRACT
AIM(S): The study aimed to test a model that examined the relationships between authentic leadership, psychological safety, work engagement and team effectiveness and subsequent effects of team effectiveness on job turnover intentions and nurse satisfaction with quality of care. BACKGROUND: Nurse leaders who exhibit authentic leadership have been shown to contribute to the development of healthy work environments. In workplaces with demonstrated authentic leadership, nurses are more engaged and have lower job turnover intentions. METHOD(S): A non-experimental, cross-sectional design was used to test the hypothesized model via structural equation modelling. A total of 456 nurses were included. RESULTS: Structural equation modelling analysis indicated a good fit for the hypothesized model. Authentic leadership had a positive, significant and direct relationship with team effectiveness, nurses' work engagement and psychological safety. Team effectiveness was found to be negatively related to job turnover intentions but positively related to nurse satisfaction with quality of care. CONCLUSION(S): Results of this study may help nursing leaders have a better understanding of the essential role of leadership style in increasing healthy work environments. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Applying authentic leadership style in nursing practice could help to reduce the shortage of nurses stemming from the high turnover intentions of nurses.
Subject(s)
Leadership , Nurses , Humans , Saudi Arabia , Intention , Latent Class Analysis , Cross-Sectional Studies , Job Satisfaction , Nurses/psychology , Personnel Turnover , Personal Satisfaction , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the structural and construct validity, and internal consistency of the Quality of Life Scale among Canadian women with histories of intimate partner violence. METHODS: Consistent with COSMIN Guidelines, a secondary analysis was conducted using data from a community sample of 250 adult (over 18 years) Canadian women with histories of partner violence and who participated in Wave 5 of the longitudinal Women's Health Effects Study. Data were collected 4 years after baseline using structured interviews that included the Quality of Life Scale and two mental symptom scales (Center for Epidemiological Depression Scale and Davidson Trauma Scale) used to assess construct validity of the Quality of Life Scale. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis in MPLUS 8 with maximum likelihood estimation supported the hypothesized unidimensional structure of the 9-item Quality of Life Scale based on acceptable fit indices. Internal consistency, estimated using Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability, were .91 and .92, respectively, with item-total correlations ranging from .46 to .84. Inter-item correlation coefficients (range = .30-.79), suggesting that all items contribute to the total score. As hypothesized, the quality of life total score was negatively related to the total scores on both the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (r = -.739) and Davidson Trauma Scale (r = -.537), providing evidence of construct validity of the Quality of Life Scale. CONCLUSION: The Quality of Life Scale is a brief, reliable, valid, unidimensional self-report measure appropriate for use with women who have experienced partner violence. By addressing an important measurement gap, results of this study have potential to advance research on women's quality of life in the context of partner violence, including improving the evaluation of a growing body of advocacy and health interventions designed to support women's healing and well-being.
Subject(s)
Intimate Partner Violence , Quality of Life , Adult , Canada , Female , Humans , Reproducibility of Results , Self ReportABSTRACT
The concept of quality of nursing care can vary across healthcare organizations, and many different factors may affect the quality of nursing care as perceived by nurses. Measuring satisfaction with quality of nursing care from the nurse's perspective is important as a valid and reliable indicator of care quality. The purpose of this study was to measure the psychometric properties of a researcher-developed instrument measuring nurse satisfaction with quality of care. A sample of 200 nurses was randomly selected from three different cities in Saudi Arabia and surveyed with the Nurse Satisfaction with Quality of Care Scale, which is a self-administrated five-item scale. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and internal consistency analysis were conducted to assess aspects of the validity and reliability of the instrument. The results of exploratory factor analysis supported a one-factor structure that consisted of the five items. Confirmatory factor analysis results confirmed that the five items were integral to nurse satisfaction with quality of care. The Cronbach internal consistency of the scale was acceptable. The scale appeared to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing nurse perceptions of their satisfaction with the quality of care provided. Additional studies to further test psychometric properties of this scale in different contexts are warranted.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Meconium peritonitis (MP) is a sterile, chemical peritonitis resulting from in-utero fetal bowel perforation. Severe cases may lead to serious morbidities and mortalities. OBJECTIVE: To review the common antenatal ultrasound abnormalities associated with MP, and identify radiological and clinical prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all neonates with MP from January 1997 to December 2019 treated in our hospital was performed. Antenatal ultrasound findings, clinical presentations and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-five neonates (17 males, 18 females) were included in the study. Thirty-two (91.4%) attended antenatal screening, and 27 (84.4%) of them had abnormalities identified on antenatal ultrasound. The most common abnormality was polyhydramnios (43.8%). Nineteen (54.3%) patients were inborn. Twenty (57.1%) patients were born prematurely. Laparotomy was required in 85.7% of patients. The median time to laparotomy was shorter in the inborn group [1 day (0-9 days) vs 4 days (2-34 days), p = 0.001], but the duration of post-operative hospital stay was comparable [71 days (16-423 days) vs 73.5 days (23-231 days)]. However, such duration was found to be significantly longer in the pre-term group when compared to full-term [58.5 days (16-89 days) vs 85 (21-423 days), p = 0.01]. The most common pathology was small bowel atresia and there were two mortalities. CONCLUSION: Due to the advancement in prenatal detection, pediatric anesthesia, intensive care and surgical techniques, the morbidity and mortality of MP has much decreased. Effective multi-disciplinary antenatal counseling facilitated the perinatal management of MP and resulted in comparable prognosis and outcome in inborn and outborn neonates.
Subject(s)
Infant, Newborn, Diseases , Intestinal Atresia , Intestinal Perforation , Peritonitis , Child , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Intestinal Atresia/complications , Intestinal Perforation/complications , Intestinal Perforation/surgery , Male , Meconium , Peritonitis/diagnosis , Peritonitis/etiology , Peritonitis/surgery , Pregnancy , Tertiary Care Centers , Ultrasonography, PrenatalABSTRACT
AIMS: The aims of this integrative review were to describe leadership styles from the nursing literature in Saudi Arabia and to identify the current state of evidence about relationships between leadership styles and nurse, patient and organization outcomes in Saudi Arabia. DESIGN: Integrative review was used as a design for this study. METHODS: The following search terms were used with databases: 'Saudi Arabia', 'leadership theory*', 'leadership style*', 'leadership model*', 'management style' and 'nurse*'. Methodological quality was assessed using two different quality rating tools for quantitative and qualitative studies. Databases used for this review included Nursing & Allied Health Database, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. RESULTS: Nine manuscripts representing eight studies were included in this review. The papers reviewed included quantitative (n = 6), qualitative (n = 2) and mixed methods studies (n = 1). Results were grouped into different themes, identified as nursing leadership styles in Saudi Arabia, leadership styles and nurses' outcomes, and demographics and leadership styles.
Subject(s)
Job Satisfaction , Leadership , Humans , Saudi Arabia , Systematic Reviews as TopicABSTRACT
Gastrostomy creation is a common procedure in paediatric surgery. It provides enteral nutrition to patients who cannot achieve adequate nutrition by mouth. Common indications of gastrostomy placement in children include syndromic or neurodevelopmental diseases, severe malformations of the aerodigestive tract, craniofacial abnormalities, and intractable gastroesophageal reflux disease with recurrent aspiration. It is also indicated in patients who suffer from failure to thrive and require extra caloric intake. In contrast to adults, paediatric patients have a weaker ability to complain about problems with their gastrostomy tubes when they occur, in particular when some of these neurological patients are non-communicable. Complications may arise when migration of the catheter goes unnoticed, causing obstruction. Due to the smaller stomach size, thinner gastric wall and narrower gastric outlet in paediatric patients, obstruction from the gastrostomy balloon may result in serious sequelae. Here we present two unusual but serious complications of gastrostomy tubes causing suspected duodenal obstruction and subsequent gastric perforation in paediatric patients, requiring emergency operations. Furthermore, we would like to emphasize the importance of proper gastrostomy tube care and alert the caretakers of the potential sinister complications that can arise. We would also like to take this opportunity to suggest measures to prevent their occurrence.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Factors affecting nurses' job satisfaction in the acute care setting may differ from nurses working in other settings. The aim of this study was to develop a new tool that measure the job satisfaction of acute care nurses who provide direct patient care. METHODS: Content validity then exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used for validation of the new tool using a random sample of 349 acute care nurses. RESULTS: The EFA resulted in 31 items suggesting 6 factors were present in the instrument. The identified factors were: achievement/job interest/responsibility, hospital policy, quality of supervision, peer support/work condition, growth/advancement, and benefits/job security. CONCLUSION: A new tool for measuring acute care nurses' job satisfaction was developed based on a robust theoretical foundation and demonstrated sound psychometric properties.
Subject(s)
Critical Care/psychology , Job Satisfaction , Nursing Staff, Hospital/psychology , Psychometrics/standards , Surveys and Questionnaires/standards , Adult , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was twofold: examine the relationships among new graduate nurses' (NGNs) structural empowerment, experience of workplace bullying, and their job turnover intention and assess the relationships between sex, workplace bullying, and job turnover intention. BACKGROUND: Nursing research has highlighted the issue of workplace bullying and its negative impacts. Despite increased awareness, male nurses and their responses to bullying have not been a significant focus of study. DESIGN: A secondary analysis of data collected from a random sample of 1008 Canadian NGNs from the following: Starting Out: A time-lagged Study of New Graduate Nurses' Transition to Practice. METHODS: All data were analysed using SPSS, and the study model was tested using the SPSS PROCESS macro, specifically Model 4 (for simple mediation). This paper is compliant with the STROBE reporting guideline for cross-sectional studies. RESULTS: Structural empowerment significantly predicted workplace bullying and job turnover intention. Workplace bullying significantly predicted job turnover intention. Structural empowerment mediated job turnover intention through workplace bullying. Male new graduate nurses reported significantly higher workplace bullying than female NGNs yet lower job turnover intention. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate the positive effects of structural empowerment on both decreasing workplace bullying and job turnover intention. Furthermore, findings showed the influence of sex on workplace bullying and job turnover intention. The findings contribute to literature on male NGNs and suggest that they experience significantly higher rates of workplace bullying than their female counterparts. The findings suggest differences exist in the workplace experience for male and female NGNs that future research may help reveal. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings suggest structural empowerment may be used to reduce bullying prevalence and reduce job turnover intention consequently. The findings also suggest that some measures are needed to address the higher frequency of bullying experienced by male NGNs.
Subject(s)
Bullying , Education, Nursing, Graduate , Nurses , Canada , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Intention , Job Satisfaction , Male , Personnel Turnover , Surveys and Questionnaires , WorkplaceABSTRACT
Various motivational theories emphasize that desired emotional outcomes guide behavioral choices. Although motivational theory and research has emphasized that behavior is affected by desired emotional outcomes, little research has focused on the impact of anticipated feelings about engaging in behavior. The current research seeks to partly fill that void. Specifically, we borrow from affective forecasting research in suggesting that forecasts about engaging in performance-relevant behaviors can be more or less accurate. Furthermore, we suggest that the degree of accuracy has implications for self-reported task performance. To examine these ideas, we conducted two studies in which individuals made affective predictions about engaging in tasks and then later reported how they actually felt during task engagement. We also assessed their self-reported task performance. In Study 1, 214 workers provided affective forecasts about upcoming work tasks, and in Study 2, 185 students made forecasts about studying for an exam. Results based on polynomial regression were largely consistent across the studies. The accuracy of the forecasts did not conform to the pattern of affective forecasting accuracy typically found outside the performance domain. Furthermore, anticipated and experienced affect jointly predicted self-reported task performance in a consistent manner. Collectively, these findings suggest that taking into account anticipated affect, and its relationship with later experienced affect, provides a more comprehensive account of affect's role in task performance.
Subject(s)
Affect/physiology , Emotions/physiology , Motivation/physiology , Self Report , Students/psychology , Task Performance and Analysis , Adult , Female , Forecasting , Humans , Male , Social BehaviorABSTRACT
AIMS: To: (a) identify the differences and similarities in the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that influence job satisfaction among nurses in urban and rural Ontario; and (b) determine the impact of job satisfaction on nurses' turnover intention among nurses working in rural and urban settings in Ontario. DESIGN: Cross-sectional correlational design was used for this study. METHODS: Data were collected between May 2019-July 2019 in southern Ontario. Participants (N=349) completed the Acute Care Nurses' Job Satisfaction Scale and The Anticipated Turnover Scale. A stratified sampling technique was used for recruiting the sample population and participants were given the option to respond either online or by mailed survey. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between rural and urban nurses in either overall job satisfaction level or turnover intention. Peer support/work conditions, quality of supervision, and achievement/job interest/responsibility were significant predictors of job satisfaction. There was a significant difference between rural and urban nurses in terms of satisfaction from benefits and job security and the nurses' job satisfaction levels correlated negatively with their turnover intention. CONCLUSION: Several extrinsic and intrinsic factors are associated with nurses' job satisfaction in rural and urban settings. Developing strategies that improve satisfaction by modulating these specific factors may improve nurses' job satisfaction and reduce turnover. IMPACT: This study discussed how working in a rural or urban hospital may affect nurses' job satisfaction and turnover intention. The findings can help in improving nurses' job satisfaction and inform workforce planning to increase nurses' retention.
Subject(s)
Nurses , Nursing Staff, Hospital , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Job Satisfaction , Ontario , Personnel Turnover , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
This study offers emission factors for earlier and late technology medium duty diesel particulate filter (DPF) -equipped trucks, operating on real-world conditions. The analysis includes levels of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions as well as the impacts of DPF regenerations on emission levels. The real-driving gaseous and particulate emissions, as well as fuel consumption of 14 Euro IV, Euro V, and Euro VI medium duty diesel trucks were analysed and the efficiency of different emission control technologies were assessed. Measurements were conducted using portable emission measurement systems (PEMS) over a wide range of driving and operating conditions. Distance-based integration of emission rates over 500 m sections was considered for statistical analysis, providing a large dataset of emission factors to be used for network link-based traffic and emissions modelling. In terms of emissions performance, nitrogen oxides (NOx) levels were in general above the corresponding Euro standard limits, while carbon monoxide (CO), total hydrocarbons (THC) and particulate matter (PM) levels were within limits. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) -equipped Euro V vehicles were seen to emit more than their non-SCR-equipped counterparts. NOx and fuel consumption were positively correlated with road gradient over the -6% to 6% gradient range. The emission levels of ammonia (NH3) were measured significantly lower than the respective Euro VI provisions for heavy duty engines, while the N2O levels were found to contribute approximately 1% to the respective total greenhouse gases levels. DPF regeneration events in real world seem to have a measurable impact mostly on THC and PM emissions, increasing baseline levels by 8.1% and 29%, respectively, for Euro VI vehicles.