bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of optimal slot location on the performance of cascades of blades
Authors: Bakhtiari Nia Bahador , Gharehghani Ayat , Shojae Zadeh Saeed , Egan Vannesa
Published: March 2021

Overloaded blades and lower solidities are two main characteristics of modern gas engines to reach lower specific fuel consumption and weight to thrust ratio. Hence, flow optimization methods are employed to maximize the performance. Slot treatment on blades is considered as a potential method to stand against the boundary layer separation for this issue. In the present study, the different locations of passive flow control with the slot along the compressor blade chord are simulated at four angles of attack (α), ranging from 10.93° to 28.93°. The purpose of this study is to discover the underlying reason in obtaining the best slot location, regarding the blade turning angle and total loss coefficient, in every tested inflow angle. Based on the results, the slot jet shows its utmost performance in eliminating the trailing edge separation when it is located upstream of the separation lines in the mid-span. The best slot location is able to improve the turning angle and the total loss coefficient up to 16.41% and 16.47% at 26.93°, respectively. The synthetic slot jet confines the growth of corner vortices and increases the turning angle near end walls up to 4°. In addition, the slot treatment pushes the backflow region over the suction surface up to 10% of the span toward the side walls. The importance of choosing the slot location decreases with an increase in inflow angle. However, the effect of slot locations on the performance in low angles is still considerable. With the tested blade geometry, the slotted profile in locations between 0.5 and 0.8 of axial chord length indicates a promising blade performance either in low or high angles. The slot treatment weakens the flow upstream of its location which is in contradiction with previous investigations. Two separation bubbles near the leading edge in the baseline profile have a greater size of about 2% of the blade chord for the slotted case.
Study on stability of cable-anchored underwater platform by parametric excitation
Authors: He Kongde , Peng Jinbo , Fang Zifan , Yang Weihua , Liu Shaopeng , Zhou Pengfei
Published: March 2021

Aiming at the stability of the heaving–pitching coupling motion of the cable-anchored underwater platform in the nonlinear flow field, considering the change of its initial equilibrium position under the flow field, a coupled heaving–pitching motion equation is established; the transition curve of stability at frequency ratios of 0, 0.5, and 1 was obtained by using the virtual mass method and deformation parameter method. According to the Floquet theory, the stability characteristics under weak parameter excitation are studied. The stability and instability regions were identified and verified by time history response. The results show that the range of the stability region can be changed by adjusting the damping of the system. With the increase of damping, the range of stability gradually increases. Therefore, it is possible to take measures such as adding the helical damping side plate, changing the cross-sectional shape of the platform floating body, and increasing the cross-sectional diameter to suppress the heaving displacement and pitching range of the cable-anchored underwater platform.
Development of a machine learning algorithm for fault detection in a cantilever beam
Authors: Kumar Gorai Amit , Roy Tarapada , Mishra Sumeet
Published: March 2021

The mechanical properties of a component change with any type of damage such as crack development, generation of holes, bend, excessive wear, and tear. The change in mechanical properties causes the material to behave differently in terms of noise and vibration under different loading conditions. Thus, the present study aims to develop an artificial neural network model using vibration signal data for early fault detection in a cantilever beam. The discrete wavelet transform coefficients of de-noised vibration signals were used for model development. The vibration signal was recorded using the OROS OR35 module for different fault conditions (no fault, notch fault, and hole fault) of a cantilever beam. A feed-forward network was trained using backpropagation to map the input features to output. A total of 603 training datasets (201 datasets for three types of cantilever beam—no fault, notch fault, and hole fault) were used for training, and 201 datasets were used for testing of the model. The testing dataset was recorded for a hole fault cantilever beam specimen. The results indicated that the proposed model predicted the test samples with 78.6% accuracy. To increase the accuracy of prediction, more data need to be used in the model training.
Is Voluntary Disclosure Value Relevant? Evidence from Top Listed Firms in India
Authors: Saha Rupjyoti , Kabra Kailash Chandra
Published: March 2021

In view of ongoing reforms in India with emphasis on improving transparency of corporate, the present study aims to examine the influence of voluntary disclosure on the market value of India’s top-listed firms. To this end, the study uses a sample of top 100 non-financial and non-utility firms listed at Bombay Stock Exchange based on market capitalization over a 5-year period (2014–2018). To control potential endogeneity in the relationship between voluntary disclosure and firms’ market valuation, fixed effect panel data model and two-stage least squares model of estimation have been employed. The result obtained from the analysis suggests that enhanced level of voluntary disclosure significantly improves the market value of sample firms. The study further undertakes additional analysis by categorizing voluntary disclosure into its sub-components wherein the findings reveal that three components of voluntary disclosure such as corporate and strategic disclosure, forward looking disclosure and corporate governance disclosure make positive contribution towards market value of firms, while the remaining components of voluntary disclosure such as human and intellectual capital disclosure and financial and capital market disclosure do not appear to have any significant influence on the same. Overall, the finding suggests that voluntary disclosure made by sample firms is considered relevant by investors. However, value relevance of different components of voluntary disclosure varies with the nature and extent of information disclosed. The study offers some important policy implications.
War for Talent: Career Expectations of Millennial Employees in Sri Lanka
Authors: Kodagoda Thilakshi , Deheragoda Nadeesha
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this research is to examine millennials’ work aspirations and how different factors affect their career expectations in Sri Lanka. This study used mixed method. Ten respondents were selected using purposive sampling for the qualitative study, and another fifty respondents were selected for the quantitative phase. Total sample size was 60. Data collected was from a sample of males and females born between 1982 and 2000. This study found that millennials are willing to go outside of their job description to gain professional growth and career development. They do not consider a long-term relationship with an organization if basic career expectations have not been considered or met. Millennials are serious job hoppers. Therefore, organizations would benefit from using two dimensions, relational and transactional, to design a management development programme to those who are confronted by war for talent and limited resources in meeting millennials’ expectations. This study expands geographical scope of the literature providing new research avenues.
Circumcision Debates in Sexology Magazine (1934–1975)
Authors: Allan Jonathan A.
Published: March 2021

This article explores articles about circumcision that appeared in Sexology: Sex Science Magazine, with particular attention to how the debates shifted and changed over a forty-year period. The articles on circumcision in Sexology begin in November 1934 and end in the May 1973 issue, with every decade of publication includes articles on circumcision, corresponding with growing debates about the medicalization of routine neonatal circumcision. The first article sought to understand “circumcision among savage peoples,” which was quickly followed by an article on “Circumcision among the Jews,” and then “Medical view of circumcision.” In its earliest issues, Sexology advanced arguments in favor of routine circumcision, but in its final article on the topic, Sexology asks, “what’s so good about circumcision?”
Constraint-oriented integrated longitudinal and lateral robust control for connected and automated vehicle platoons
Authors: Yang Zeyu , Huang Jin , Hu Zhanyi , Yang Diange , Zhong Zhihua
Published: March 2021

The coupling, nonlinearity, and uncertainty characteristics of vehicle dynamics make the accurate longitudinal and lateral control of an automated and connected vehicle platoon a tough task. Little research has been conducted to fully address the characteristics. By using the ideology of constraint-following control this article proposes an integrated longitudinal and lateral adaptive robust control methodology for a vehicle platoon with a bidirectional communication topology. The platoon control objectives contain the path tracking stability, the platoon internal stability, and the string stability. First, we establish the nonlinear kinematics path tracking model and the coupled vehicle longitudinal and lateral dynamical model that contains time-varying uncertainties. Second, we design a series of nonlinear equality constraints that directly guarantee the control objectives based on the kinematic relations. On this basis, an adaptive robust constraint-following control is proposed. It is shown that the control guarantees the uniform boundedness and the uniform ultimate boundedness of the constraint-following error and the uncertainty estimation error. Finally, simulation results are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Research on coupled vibrations of driveshaft–rear axle system based on nonlinear hybrid model
Authors: Zou Lin , Lie Yujun , Jia Bing , Qin Ao , Xu Jinli
Published: March 2021

The transmission shaft–rear axle system is consisted of universal joint, hypoid gear pair, tapered roller bearing, and half shaft. In this article, as a combination of system dynamics and structure dynamics, a hybrid dynamic model of the bending–torsional–shaft vibration of the driveshaft main reducer was established to study its noise vibration harshness performance. Through dynamic frequency sweep analysis, it is found that the natural frequency of torsional vibration of the system is 53.96 Hz. Getting the natural frequency of the torsional vibration of the systems being 57 Hz by the bench tests and Adams simulations. The correctness of the nonlinear hybrid model of the driveshaft–rear axle system is proved. This research will be beneficial to the design, monitoring, and fault detection of the automobile transmission system.
Level-wise driving knowledge induction for embedded automatic train driving system
Authors: Xiao Gang , Yang Qinwen , Yang Fan , Liu Tao , Li Tao , Feng Jianghua
Published: March 2021

Automatic driving of trains can significantly reduce the energy cost and enhance the operating efficiency and safety. The automatic train driving system has to be an embedded system that can run onboard with low power, which necessitates an efficient inference model. In this article, a level-wise driving knowledge induction approach is proposed for embedded automatic train driving systems. The coincident driving patterns in the records of drivers with different experience levels suggest the suitability of a driving experience knowledge rule induction approach. We design a two-level learning approach to obtain both the driving experience pattern in fuzzy rule-based knowledge form and the detailed parameters of velocity and gear by regression learning methods. With 8.93% energy consumption reduction compared with average human drivers, the experiments indicate the effectiveness of our approach.
Robust control for fuzzy electric power steering system: A two-layer performance approach
Authors: Fu Duo , Rakheja Subhash , Shangguan Wen-Bin , Yin Hui
Published: March 2021

This study investigates the angle tracking control of the electric power steering system, which is underactuated and with (possibly fast) time-varying uncertainties. We design the control based on constraint-following, that is, formulating the tracking goal as servo constraints. To tackle the uncertainty, especially the mismatched uncertainty, a robust control is proposed with two-layer performance: deterministically guaranteed and fuzzily optimized. Particularly, the control design is implemented in three steps. First, without considering uncertainty, a nominal control is designed. Second, an uncertainty decomposition technique is presented to account for uncertainty, which creatively allocates the mismatched uncertainty for the robust control design that also builds on the nominal system control. The robust scheme is deterministic without using any “if–then” rules and guarantees uniform boundedness and uniform ultimate boundedness for the system, that is, the deterministically guaranteed performance. Third, by using fuzzy set theory to describe uncertainty, a fuzzy-based performance index, including system performance and control cost, is introduced. A control parameter optimal design problem is formulated and analytically solved, that is, the fuzzily optimized performance. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is illustrated by rigorous proof and the simulation results on the electric power steering system.
A beam–ring circular truss antenna restrained by means of the negative speed feedback procedure
Authors: EL-Sayed Taha Ashraf T , Bauomy Hany S
Published: March 2021

The present article contemplates the nonlinear powerful exhibitions of affecting dynamic vibration controller over a beam–ring structure for demonstrating the circular truss antenna exposed to mixed excitations. The dynamic controller comprises the included negative speed input added to the framework’s idea. By using the statue, Hamilton, the nonlinear fractional differential administering conditions of movement and the limit conditions have inferred for the shaft ring structure. Through Galerkin’s method, the nonlinear partial differential equations referred to overseeing the movement of the shaft ring structure have diminished to a coupled normal differential equations extending the nonlinearities square terms. Multiple time scales have helped in acquiring (getting) the four-dimensional averaged equations for measuring the primary and 1:2 internal resonances. This article’s controlled assessment is useful for controlling the nonlinear vibrations of the considered framework. Likewise, the controller dispenses with the framework’s oscillations in a brief time frame. The demonstrations of the numerous coefficients and the framework directed at the examined resonance case have been determined. Using MATLAB 7.0 programs has aided in completing the simulation results. At last, the numerical outcomes displayed an admirable concurrence with the methodical ones. A comparison with recently available articles has also indicated good results through using the presented controller.
Friction-induced instability and vibration in a precision motion stage with a friction isolator
Authors: Wang Jiamin , Dong Xin , Barry Oumar R , Okwudire Chinedum
Published: March 2021

Motion stages are widely used for precision positioning in manufacturing and metrology applications. However, they suffer from nonlinear premotion (i.e. “static”) friction, which adversely affects their speed and motion precision. In this article, a friction isolator is used as a simple and robust solution to mitigate the undesirable effects of premotion friction in precision motion stages. For the first time, a theoretical study is carried out to understand the dynamic phenomena associated with using a friction isolator on a motion stage. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation are conducted to examine the dynamical effects of friction isolator on a proportional–integral–derivative-controlled motion stage under LuGre friction dynamics. The influence of friction isolator on the response and stability of the system is examined through theoretical and numerical analyses. Parametric analysis is also carried out to study the effects of friction isolator and friction parameters on the eigenvalue and stability characteristics. The numerical results validate the theoretical findings and demonstrate several other interesting nonlinear phenomena associated with the introduction of friction isolator. This motivates deeper nonlinear dynamical analyses of friction isolator for precision motion control.
Weaving Academic Home: Metaphor, Insurgent Culture, and Transnational Indigeneity
Authors: Kumsa Martha Kuwee
Published: March 2021

I use theories encoded in the metaphors and proverbs of my foremothers’ insurgent siinqee culture to tell the story of my struggles in weaving an academic home for my oxymoron transnational indigeneity. I start by positioning myself and my autoethnography. I then use basket-weaving as a metaphor to story the siinqee epistemology and methodology that guide me in the constitutive processes of making home in academia. I slip in and out of times and spaces to share with you the woven stories of my weeping basket, hurting basket, and healing basket.
Trastuzumab and pertuzumab in hemodialysis: A case report
Authors: Gaertner Kelly M , Poornima Indu G , Hilton Christie
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Trastuzumab and pertuzumab are recombinant humanized monoclonal antibodies targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Currently, six reported cases on the use of trastuzumab in dialysis, and one on the use of pertuzumab, have been identified in the literature. This case is one of the first to describe the use of pertuzumab, and adds to currently available reports on the use of trastuzumab, in hemodialysis.

Case report

A female receiving hemodialysis three times per week was diagnosed with a clinical T2N1M0, hormone receptor-negative, HER2-positive, invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. She received six cycles of neoadjuvant docetaxel, carboplatin, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab, with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) remaining stable throughout. Following surgery, she continued dual HER2 blockade with trastuzumab and pertuzumab, after six cycles of which she was found on routine echocardiogram to have an asymptomatic decline in LVEF. Management & outcome: Following the decline in LVEF, trastuzumab and pertuzumab were held, and cardio-oncology was consulted. LVEF recovered within one month, after which she continued on single-agent trastuzumab to complete one year of HER2-directed therapy.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this is one of the first published cases describing the use of pertuzumab in a patient receiving hemodialysis. Though our patient did experience a reversible decline in LVEF following twelve cycles of combination trastuzumab and pertuzumab, this case demonstrates the relatively safe and effective use of pertuzumab in a patient with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis, and lends additional support to the use of trastuzumab in this particular patient population.
Publication rates of hematology/oncology abstracts presented at major pharmacy association meetings
Authors: Wooten Kiley M , Arnall Justin R , Bowser Kiarra M , J Pennell Laurie , Wade-Davis Jazmin N , Olin Jacqueline L , Taylor Margaret , Moore Donald C
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Professional conferences are where research findings are initially presented. Studies suggest many research ideas presented at conferences are never published. Previous studies have demonstrated that the full publication rate of abstracts presented at pharmacy meetings is approximately 20%. The objective of this study was to determine the full publication rate of hematology/oncology abstracts presented at major pharmacy organization annual meetings.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar was performed. Publication status was evaluated for hematology/oncology abstracts presented at annual meetings for the following organizations: American College of Clinical Pharmacy Annual Meeting, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting, Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association Annual Meeting, and International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners Annual Meeting. Data collected included the meeting of abstract presentation, number of authors, abstract study type, country of origin, journal of publication, and type of publication. Abstracts presented as trainee research were excluded.

Results

Of 451 oncology abstracts evaluated, the most common topic categories included pharmacotherapy (n = 244; 54.1%), clinical pharmacy practice (n = 84; 18.6%), and operational/compounding (n = 69; 15.3%). The overall publication rate was 17.5% (n = 79). Abstracts were published as full manuscripts over a spread of 48 different journals. Factors associated with full publication included abstracts with more than 5 authors (OR 3.86, 95% CI 2.32-6.43; p < 0.0001) and abstracts presented at oncology-focused pharmacy meetings (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.49-5.72; p = 0.0018).

Conclusion

This study showed an overall publication rate of 17.5% for abstracts presented at pharmacy meetings, consistent with prior studies.
The Interplay Between Context and Concept: Theorizing in Hospitality and Tourism Research
Authors: Miao Li
Published: March 2021

Our field needs research simultaneously driven by theory and context that is both rigorous and relevant. This commentary has sought to propose a viable road map to explore the interplay between context and concept toward theory building in an applied area of research such as ours. This commentary discusses a three-step approach of conceptualizing the context, contextualizing the concept, and cross-fertilizing the context and concept to systematically explore the interaction between context and concept in the interest of theory building. Specific steps at each stage of the process are also discussed.
An Unusual Case of Multiple Left Ventricular Aneurysms Masquerading as Diverticula in the Setting of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Alzayer Hussain , Alshatti Ahmad , Alali Akeel
Published: March 2021

The distinction between cardiac aneurysms and diverticula can be very difficult by angiography. Left ventricular (LV) aneurysms usually occur following transmural myocardial infarction. On the other hand, cardiac diverticula are most commonly congenital. They are commonly detected by cardiac CT with a prevalence of 2.2%. Here we present a case of a 60-year-old male with the incidental finding of multiple LV aneurysms masquerading as diverticula in the setting of myocardial infarction with near normal coronary arteries. Moreover, this case highlights the limitation of coronary angiography in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction with no obstructive atherosclerosis (MINOCA).
Therapeutic Potential of Peptides Derived from Animal Venoms: Current Views and Emerging Drugs for Diabetes
Authors: Coulter-Parkhill Aimee , McClean Stephen , Gault Victor A , Irwin Nigel
Published: March 2021

The therapeutic potential of venom-derived drugs is evident today. Currently, several significant drugs are FDA approved for human use that descend directly from animal venom products, with others having undergone, or progressing through, clinical trials. In addition, there is growing awareness of the important cosmeceutical application of venom-derived products. The success of venom-derived compounds is linked to their increased bioactivity, specificity and stability when compared to synthetically engineered compounds. This review highlights advancements in venom-derived compounds for the treatment of diabetes and related disorders. Exendin-4, originating from the saliva of Gila monster lizard, represents proof-of-concept for this drug discovery pathway in diabetes. More recent evidence emphasises the potential of venom-derived compounds from bees, cone snails, sea anemones, scorpions, snakes and spiders to effectively manage glycaemic control. Such compounds could represent exciting exploitable scaffolds for future drug discovery in diabetes, as well as providing tools to allow for a better understanding of cell signalling pathways linked to insulin secretion and metabolism.
Gender, love and recognition in I Love Dick and The Other Woman
Authors: Schwartz Camilla , Felski Rita
Published: March 2021

How might the idea of recognition offer a fresh slant on contemporary women’s writing? In this essay, we bring theories of recognition into dialogue with two literary works: Chris Kraus’s widely reviewed memoir I Love Dick and The Other Woman by the well-regarded Swedish novelist Therese Bohman. Our analysis focuses on recognition within the texts as well as its relevance to relations between texts and readers. We seek to clarify how attitudes to heterosexual love, feminism and same-sex identification are entangled and the broader implications of such entanglements. We are interested in how the protagonists engage the world as readers and the role of literature in shaping their identifications and attachments. Yet, a comparative analysis can also bring to light how a feminist habitus is predicated on class and education, suggesting that these two texts may invite rather different experiences of recognition.
Perceived discrimination and psychological distress among immigrants to Canada: The mediating role of bicultural identity orientations
Authors: Firat Mustafa , Noels Kimberly A.
Published: March 2021

Bicultural identity orientations have rarely been examined in relation to both perceived discrimination and psychological distress. Furthermore, these constructs have usually been studied in isolation, but their intersection is essential for understanding intercultural relations in multicultural societies. Using cross-sectional data from 1,143 Canadian undergraduate students from immigrant families, this study explored the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological distress, and how bicultural identity orientations might mediate this relationship. The structural equation modeling results indicated that perceived discrimination was associated with higher levels of psychological distress and hybrid, monocultural, alternating, and conflicted orientations, but lower levels of complementary orientation. Alternating and conflicted orientations were related to higher psychological distress, whereas the other orientations were not. Alternating and conflicted orientations mediated the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological distress, whereas the other orientations did not. The findings are discussed in light of theories on identity integration, rejection–identification, and acculturation.
Conceptual design of a new type of single-tower cable-stayed arch bridge and study of its mechanical properties
Authors: Xie Xiao-Li , Huang Yang , Qin Xia
Published: March 2021

In order to overcome the apparent characteristics as a flexible structure of a long-span single-tower cable-stayed bridge and the excessive axial force of the main girder, and to exert the advantages of cable-stayed arch cooperative system bridges, this paper proposes a new type of single-tower cable-stayed arch cooperative system bridge. On the premise of the same amount of steel, the new cooperative system bridge can have a greater stiffness than the existing cable-stayed arch cooperative system bridge with the same span. The new system bridge uses the main girder as the rigid tie bar to balance the arches’ thrusts, which enables the main girder to have a smaller axial force and makes the cable-stayed arch cooperative system bridge a thrustless structure. The proposed bridge is assembled by the following method: (a) constructing a cable-stayed bridge with a steel box girder to bear part of the dead load and to act as a construction platform firstly; (b) then installing arch structures and fixing they with the girder to bear the remaining dead load; and, (c) adding web members between the arch ribs and the girder to form a variable-height truss structure with the arch ribs as the upper chords and the girder as a lower chord to bear most of the live load at last. The underlying mechanical principles were explained, and the mechanical properties of the cooperative system bridges were calculated with the finite element method in this paper. The stiffness and axial forces in the girders are analyzed by the finite element method and compared with those of the conventional bridges. The FEA results show that the new cooperative system bridge has the truss structure’s characteristics, which shows apparent advantages of stiffness and much smaller axial force in the main girder.
Design and analysis of concrete-filled tubular flange girders under combined loading
Authors: Al-Dujele Rana , Cashell Katherine Ann
Published: March 2021

This paper is concerned with the behaviour of concrete-filled tubular flange girders (CFTFGs) under the combination of bending and tensile axial force. CFTFG is a relatively new structural solution comprising a steel beam in which the compression flange plate is replaced with a concrete-filled hollow section to create an efficient and effective load-carrying solution. These members have very high torsional stiffness and lateral torsional buckling strength in comparison with conventional steel I-girders of similar depth, width and steel weight and are there-fore capable of carrying very heavy loads over long spans. Current design codes do not explicitly include guidance for the design of these members, which are asymmetric in nature under the combined effects of tension and bending. The current paper presents a numerical study into the behaviour of CFTFGs under the combined effects of positive bending and axial tension. The study includes different loading combinations and the associated failure modes are identified and discussed. To facilitate this study, a finite element (FE) model is developed using the ABAQUS software which is capable of capturing both the geometric and material nonlinearities of the behaviour. Based on the results of finite element analysis, the moment–axial force interaction relationship is presented and a simplified equation is proposed for the design of CFTFGs under combined bending and tensile axial force.
The dynamic amplification factors for continuous beam bridges along high-speed railways
Authors: Ma Lin , Zhang Wei , Cai Steve C.S. , Li Shaofan
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the dynamic amplification factors (DAFs) of high-speed railway continuous girder bridges are studied. The vehicle-bridge interactions (VBIs) of 13 concrete continuous girder bridges with spans ranging from 48 to 130 m are analyzed, the influences of the train speed, the train marshalling and the bridge fundamental frequency on the DAF are investigated, and the DAF design standard for high-speed railway bridges is discussed. The results indicate that for the continuous beam bridge whose fundamental frequency is less than 3.0 Hz, the maximum DAF is no more than 1.15; while for the bridge examples with a fundamental frequency larger than 3.0 Hz, the maximum DAF reaches 1.25 because the resonance occurs at high train speed. The empirical formulas of the DAFs in the Japan Railway Technical Research Institute (JRTRI) code could provide a conservative estimation of the DAFs of high-speed railway continuous bridges.
Research on the resistance of modified bolted connection under progressive collapse scenario
Authors: Rong Xian , Xu Xiuchen , Du Yansheng
Published: March 2021

Beam-to-column connection configurations, such as welded, bolted, and mixed welded-bolted connections, play an important role in structural resistance and ductility under middle column-removal scenarios. This paper illustrates full-scale laboratory tests of two steel frame assemblies with different connection details under the progressive collapse scenario. One specimen adopts the modified conventional technique which has reinforced welded flange-bolted web connection (SC-WR), and the other specimen uses a slotted-hole connection based on the former (SC-WB). The failure modes, load transfer mechanism, and vertical resistance are analyzed in the test. Both connection configurations exhibit satisfactory load resistance and ductility supply. Specimen SC-WB shows the higher ultimate vertical capacity and greater chord rotation at later catenary stage due to a sufficient redistribution of the stress with the modified bolted shear tab. Moreover, finite element models (FEM) are developed and validated against the test data. FEM can accurately simulate the mechanical behaviors and the failure of specimens, which can provide an effective reference for the beam-to-column connection configurations in similar working conditions. Finally, a simplified mechanical model is exhibited in accordance with the experimental and numerical results to reveal the effect of the catenary mechanism. This result suggests that the duration of the catenary mechanism, rather than the magnitude of the axial force, plays an essential role in the resistance of vertical load.
Thermoelastic free vibration of rotating pretwisted sandwich conical shell panels with functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite face sheets using higher-order shear deformation theory
Authors: Deb Singha Tripuresh , Bandyopadhyay Tanmoy , Karmakar Amit
Published: March 2021

This article presents a numerical investigation on the free vibration characteristics of rotating pretwisted sandwich conical shell panels with two functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) face sheets and a homogeneous core in uniform thermal environments. The carbon nanotubes are considered to be aligned with the span length and distributed either uniformly or functionally graded along the thickness of the sandwich conical shell panel. The material properties of FG-CNTRC face sheets and homogenous core are assumed to be temperature-dependent and computed employing micromechanics models. The shallow conical shell is modeled using finite element method within a framework of the higher-order shear deformation theory. Lagrange’s equation of motion is employed to derive the dynamic equilibrium equations of sandwich conical shell panels rotating at moderate rotational speeds wherein Coriolis effect is neglected. Computer codes are developed on the basis of present mathematical formulation to determine the natural frequencies of the sandwich conical panels. Convergence and comparison studies are performed to examine the consistency and accurateness of the present formulation. The numerical results are presented to analyze the effects of various parameters on the natural frequencies of the pretwisted FG-CNTRC sandwich conical shell panels under different thermal conditions.
Plasma levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus associate with early diabetic neuropathy and nephropathy
Authors: Papadopoulou-Marketou Nektaria , Whiss Per A , Eriksson Andreas C , Hyllienmark Lars , Papassotiriou Ioannis , Wahlberg Jeanette
Published: March 2021

Background:

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) has been suggested as a marker for abnormal regulation of tissue remodelling in type 1 diabetes. Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been associated with matrix turnover, and Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a marker of tubular injury in diabetic nephropathy. The aim was to analyse these biomarkers to unmask early diabetic complications.

Methods:

Thirty-three type 1 diabetes patients, aged 20–35 years, and disease duration 20 ± 5.3 years were included. Along with clinical examination, neurophysiological measurements, routine biochemistry, plasma concentrations of TIMP-1, MMP-9 and NGAL were determined with immunoenzymatic techniques.

Results:

TIMP-1 correlated with abnormal unilateral and bilateral vibratory sense foot perception ( r = −0.49 and r = −0.51, respectively), foot neuropathy impairment assessment score (NIA; r = −0.55), neuropathy symptom assessment score ( r = 0.42), microalbuminuria ( r = 0.50) and eGFR ( r = −0.45). MMP-9 correlated with impaired foot NIA ( r = 0.51). Multiple regression analysis showed an association for TIMP-1 ( p = 0.004) with impaired neurophysiological examinations and renal dysfunction along with NGAL ( p = 0.016 and p = 0.015 respectively).

Conclusions:

This study suggests that plasma levels of TIMP-1, MMP-9 and NGAL may serve as useful biomarkers in unravelling subclinical neuropathy and nephropathy in type 1 diabetes.
Developing Culturally Tailored mHealth Tools to Address Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes Among Black and Latina Women: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chandler Rasheeta , Guillaume Dominique , Parker Andrea , Wells Jessica , Hernandez Natalie D.
Published: March 2021

Background

In addressing the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) disparities for Black and Latina women, there is a need for the development of innovative programs, framed using theoretical underpinnings that are culturally and contextually tailored so that they align with lived experiences. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions offer considerable potential as a means of providing effective SRH education and services. However, there has been a lack of research assessing culturally and contextually tailored mHealth SRH interventions for Black and Latina women.

Method

A comprehensive literature search was undertaken using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Literature was reviewed to evaluate whether a culturally and contextually tailored approach was utilized in the development and implementation of mHealth interventions for Black and Latina women.

Results

A total of 12 articles were included in our synthesis, which encompassed mobile phone–, telephone-, and computer-based mHealth interventions for Black and Latina women. Cultural and/or gender-specific tailoring was included in 10 studies. Reduction of risky sexual behaviors and increased contraception usage were reported in 92% ( n = 11) of the studies. Interventions that incorporated tailored content and fostered interaction reported high rates of follow-up.

Conclusions

Tailored mHealth interventions can be effective in promoting behavior change and improving SRH outcomes for Black and Latina women. However, there is a need for more research assessing user engagement and retention for Black and Latina women, and whether improvements in SRH outcomes are sustainable over the long term.
Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Nursing Workforce: A Focus on Maternity Care
Authors: Kozhimannil Katy B. , Almanza Jennifer , Hardeman Rachel , Karbeah J’Mag
Published: March 2021

Racial and ethnic inequities in health are a national crisis requiring engagement across a range of factors, including the health care workforce. Racial inequities in maternal and infant health are an increasing focus of attention in the wake of rising rates of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States. Efforts to achieve racial equity in childbirth should include attention to the nurses who provide care before and during pregnancy, at childbirth, and postpartum.
A transversely hyperelastic constitutive model of flexible film composite
Authors: Qu Zhipeng , Xiao Houdi , Lv Mingyun
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a transversely hyperelastic constitutive model for predicting mechanical properties of flexible composites under unidirectional tension. A strain energy function which reflects the behavior of anisotropic elastic material is decomposed into three parts: matrix, fiber and fiber-matrix interaction. The fiber-matrix interaction was decomposed into in-plane shear stresses and out-of-plane shear stress, the in-plane shear stresses were related to the fiber elongation invariants, and the out-of-plane shear stress was related to the fiber elongation invariants and the matrix invariants. The fiber-matrix interaction considering shear factor was established. Based on fiber reinforced continuum mechanics, a transverse hyperelastic constitutive model including fiber, matrix and their interaction is developed. The transversely hyperelastic constitutive model is verified by the uniaxial tension tests. The constitutive model can be used to design the flexible structure of stratospheric airship.
The Buffering Effect of Intrinsic Value Orientation on the Relationship between Everyday Discrimination and Mental Health Symptoms among Hispanic/Latinx Undergraduates
Authors: Serpas Dylan G.
Published: March 2021

Discrimination, as a psychosocial stressor functions as one pathway in reduced mental health among Hispanic/Latinx undergraduates. Intrinsic value orientation is associated with adaptive functioning and may protect from mental health symptoms. From a strengths-based perspective, this study examined intrinsic value orientation as a buffer against adverse effects of discrimination on mental health among Hispanic/Latinx undergraduates enrolled in a Hispanic Serving Institution. Intrinsic value orientation buffered only against depressive symptoms. Hispanic/Latinx mental health implications are discussed.
25-Gauge Catheter as a Surrogate to Anterior Chamber Maintainer in Trabeculectomy
Authors: Kusabara Alessandra A. , Kasahara Niro
Published: March 2021

A flat anterior chamber (AC) is a distinctive feature in status post vitrectomy eyes during trabeculectomy. The use of AC maintainers is useful to help prevent this peroperative situation. We herein describe the surgical technique using a 25-gauge intravenous catheter as a surrogate to conventional AC maintainers. A potential advantage of this approach is the low cost in the current economic environment with limited health restraints.
The COVID Pandemic and Surgical Innovation in the United States
Authors: Gordon Toby
Published: March 2021

The SARS-COVID-2019 pandemic of 2020 severely weakened the surgical innovation pipeline and ecosystem, primarily due to factors that include lack of a coordinated federal response, weakened health insurance coverage, a politicized approach to public health and safety, and disruption of the US economy. A successful bench to bedside innovation requires trust in the scientific research, open research and clinical facilities, and participation of patients in clinical studies. In addition, stay-at-home orders and the shutdown of elective medical and surgical care and research laboratories diminished opportunities for the informal interactions that are part of the new product development process. The pandemic and how it was managed prolonged the length of time for creation, adoption, and diffusion of new products and services into the market. Furthermore, the loss of hospital revenues from canceled elective care translates into a much smaller market for new technologies. Looking forward, critical success factors for innovation include federal policy that supports science and offers access and insurance coverage for health care, including addressing social determinants of health. Any further shutdowns of research and clinical care will hinder necessary collaborations between scientists, clinicians, and patients. Economic recovery is required to ensure federal and corporate funding for research and development. Trust in science must be restored to ensure support of necessary regulatory review processes and sufficient participation in clinical trials. Surgical discoveries have brought about lifesaving and life-extending cures, and the pipeline of these discoveries must continue without interruption.
Postmodern Medusa: The Monstrous-Feminine in StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm
Authors: Blomquist Gregory
Published: March 2021

This article explores the representation of monstrous-feminine agency through the character of Kerrigan in the StarCraft series with emphasis on StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. Kerrigan’s subjectivity as a player-character complicates her in ways that require a different application of the monstrous-feminine from those characters from literature, film, and video games that position them as enemies to overcome. The article begins examining Kerrigan through the lens of the monstrous-feminine and the abject before discussing how her hypersexualization ostensibly contradicts her monstrosity as an empowering force. The author then explores the obstacles Kerrigan must overcome and how this struggle reifies her disruption of and resistance against the symbolic order. The discussion concludes that Kerrigan’s connection between the player and monstrous-feminine character is a significant paradigm shift for the female monster and how agency and empathy allow players to understand the monstrous-feminine in a new perspective.
Uncovering the Meaning: Exploring Semantic Differences in US Perceptions of “Gamer” and Game Players
Authors: Stone Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2021

Gaming is an increasingly acceptable outlet for recreation, social engagement, and professional practice. Despite this acceptance, perceptions of “gamers” have been slower to evolve. The traditional stereotype associated with the “gamer” label has persisted in popular culture and acts to perpetuate and reinforce the negative elements associated with gaming. The stereotype’s persistence begs the question of whether current gamers see themselves as having stereotypical traits and whether non-gamers would attribute these traits to game players. This study uses an established model of social perception to explore differences in perceptions of the gamer stereotype and game players among both self-identified gamers and non-gamers in the United States. The results show differences in perceptions between the stereotype and game players, reflecting persistence of the stereotype and recognition that it is not universally applicable to players themselves. Self-identified gamers also perceived themselves as exhibiting more positive and less stereotypical traits than “gamer” implies.
Nutrition for Pregnant and Lactating Women: The Latest Recommendations From the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 and Practice Implications
Authors: Esquivel Monica Kazlausky
Published: March 2021

The influence of maternal nutrition and dietary intake is intergenerational. In recognizing that diet-related chronic conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, especially during conception and pregnancy, are associated with childhood obesity and diabetes risk, the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 includes an emphasis on lifespan nutrition. Research supports the need to achieve a healthy weight preconception, as women with a high body mass index before pregnancy are at risk for excessive gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, hypertension, caesarian section delivery, and excessive postpartum weight retention, which sets the stage for subsequent risk in future pregnancies. The Dietary Guidelines committee emphasized that key components to healthy dietary patterns include higher consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains, lean meat and seafood, dairy, and unsaturated vegetable oils and lower consumption of processed meat, foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and foods and drinks with added sugar. The guidelines offer health care providers, individuals, and other stakeholders with a framework of strategies that can help individuals achieve optimal health. This framework can be utilized to develop individualized approaches for implementing culturally relevant interventions.