bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy logic controller-based boost and buck-boost converter for maximum power point tracking in solar system
Authors: Rajavel A , Rathina Prabha N
Published: September 2020

Due to the concern with energy emergencies, the energy obtained from the sunlight is considered as the most capable conventional resources. Hence, the maximum power point tracking approach is necessary for obtaining the enhanced efficiency from the solar panels. In the case of direct current (DC) application, the output obtained from the photo-voltaic (PV) array cannot be directly connected to the electronic devices. For regulating the output from the PV array, the DC-DC converter is provided in between the load and the array. The converter design plays a significant role to track the maximum power point of the solar panel. This paper describes the design of three converters, namely the boost, buck-boost and buck converter, along with the fuzzy logic controller. It varies the time for switching ON and OFF of the converter concerning changes in the solar panel power. The result of converter power and solar panel for different irradiation is compared for various DC-DC converters. The fuzzy logic controller is employed in the generation of optimal control pulse for the DC-DC converter. Moreover, in the solar photovoltaic system, the steady-state operation is performed and the various solar irradiance results are analyzed. The proposed approach is compared with the various DC-DC converters like buck-boost converter, buck converter and boost converter to prove the efficiency. Then, the performance analysis of the current, voltage and power of PV is analyzed.
Memory type control charts with inverse-Gaussian response: An application to yarn manufacturing industry
Authors: Amin Muhammad , Mahmood Tahir , Kinat Summera
Published: September 2020

Control charts are commonly applied for monitoring and controlling the performance of the manufacturing process. Usually, control charts are designed based on the main quality characteristics variable. However, there exist numerous other variables which are highly associated with the main variable. Therefore, generalized linear model (GLM)-based control charts were used, which are capable of maintaining the relationship between variables and of monitoring an abrupt change in the process mean. This study is an effort to develop the Phase II GLM-based memory type control charts using the deviance residuals (DR) and Pearson residuals (PR) of inverse Gaussian (IG) regression model. For evaluation, a simulation study is designed, and the performance of the proposed control charts is compared with the counterpart memory less control charts and data-based control charts (excluding the effect of covariate) in terms of the run length properties. Based on the simulation study, it is concluded that the exponential weighted moving average (EWMA) type control charts have better detection ability as compared with Shewhart and cumulative sum (CUSUM) type control charts under the small or/and moderate shift sizes. Moreover, it is shown that utilizing covariate may lead to useful conclusions. Finally, the proposed monitoring methods is implemented on the dataset related to the yarn manufacturing industry to highlight the importance of the proposed control chart.
Resistance at the Borders of Power: Reflections on the Zapatista and Palestinian Experiences
Authors: Stahler-Sholk Richard
Published: September 2020

Palestinians and Zapatistas exist in the liminal space at the margins of an oppressive state power, which they resist through their very existence as self-defined peoples. Their everyday resistance practices, reflecting prefigurative politics, forge collective identity and social subjectivity through what the Zapatistas call “dignified rage” and Palestinians call sumud (steadfastness). In the tradition of active nonviolence, both movements creatively employ art, ironic humor, and joy in processes of resistance that strengthen the community. Both movements resist the coloniality of power through initiatives that reinforce self-sufficiency while practicing solidarity to offset the hegemonic power that attempts to divide and isolate them and strip them of their identity. Through the exercise of autonomy, de facto rather than negotiated, they refuse to recognize illegitimate authority. Their autonomous actions counterpose what Hardt and Negri call constituent power, built from below, to the state’s offer of a quota of constituted institutional power imposed from above and confined within imposed territorial borders.
EU peacebuilding’s new khaki: Exceptionalist militarism in the trading of good governed for military-capable states
Authors: Iñiguez de Heredia Marta
Published: September 2020

This article explores how European Union (EU) peacebuilding is being reconfigured. Whereas the EU was once a bulwark of liberal peacebuilding, promoting a rule of law–based international order, it is now downplaying the goal of good governance and placing military capacity as central for international peace and security. Several works have analysed these changes but have not theorised militarism, despite war-waging and war-preparation have marked EU peacebuilding’s direction. The article argues that EU peacebuilding continues to expose elements of liberal militarism since its origins but is now changing from what Mabee and Vucetic call a nation-statist to an exceptionalist militarism. This shift implies that peace has ceased to be served by the intervention of sovereignty with a discourse based on the link between order, good governance, and human rights and is now premised on the upholding of sovereignty, even if that means the suspension of rights. The research draws on thematic analysis of EU documents and interviews undertaken with EU and G5 Sahel officials and managers of EU-funded peacebuilding programmes. It also briefly analyses the case of the Sahel as an example of how the build-up of states’ military capacity is strengthening states’ capacity to override human rights and repressing dissent.
Removal of brilliant green (BG) by activated carbon derived from medlar nucleus (ACMN) – Kinetic, isotherms and thermodynamic aspects of adsorption
Authors: Abbas Moussa
Published: September 2020

Experimental investigations were undertaken to adsorb Brilliant Green (BG) a toxic dye from aqueous medium using activated carbon derived from the medlar nucleus (ACMN). The adsorption was used to remove BG using ACMN as bio-adsorbent to replace activated carbon still expensive. The prepared adsorbent was characterized by the BET surface area measurement, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Various parameters such as the initial dye concentration (110–200 mg/L), adsorbent dose (1–6 mg/L), initial pH (2–9) and temperature (298–318 K) were studied to observe their effects on the BG adsorption. Batch studies were conducted in order to determine the optimal parameters required to reach the adsorption equilibrium. The maximum adsorption capacity of ACMN for the BG adsorption at 298 K was found to be 833.15 mg/g. The adsorption kinetic data were analyzed by using several kinetic models namely the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich equation, intraparticules diffusion model. It was established that the adsorption obeys the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The evaluation of thermodynamics parameters such as the free energy ΔG° (−10.584 to −6.413 kJ/mol), enthalpy ΔH° (36.439 kJ/mol) and the change of entropy (0.1438 kJ/mol K) indicated a spontaneous and endothermic nature of the reaction with a chemisorption process. The present adsorbent may be considered as an alternative for the better performance of the BG removal from aqueous medium.
When all doors close: Implications of COVID-19 for cosmopolitan entrepreneurs
Authors: Nummela Niina , Paavilainen-Mäntymäki Eriikka , Harikkala-Laihinen Riikka , Raitis Johanna
Published: September 2020

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic is an external shock that has disrupted the foundations of everyday life. For cosmopolitan entrepreneurs, the impact is even more decisive as it confronts their core values and jeopardises their identities, ways of working and the lifestyles they cherish. Cosmopolitans are individuals who identify themselves as citizens of the world and voluntarily move from country to country in pursuit of self-fulfilment in both life and work. Cosmopolitan entrepreneurs are future-oriented and open to the world and the opportunities it may provide. Beyond securing, maintaining and improving their professional and/or economic positions, their mobility is an elementary part of the cosmopolitan life itself, something they find attractive, interesting and stimulating. Thus, a cosmopolitan entrepreneur’s business is often non-location-bound to enable continued mobility. With our interview-based research, we shed light on how COVID-19 has changed the lives of Finnish-born cosmopolitan entrepreneurs, discussing what they feel about the changes and how they see their future.
Long-term palliation of lymph node oligometastatic ovarian carcinoma after repeated stereotactic body radiotherapy: case report
Authors: Trippa Fabio , Draghini Lorena , di Marzo Alessandro , Anselmo Paola , Arcidiacono Fabio , Terenzi Sara , Sivolella Silvio , Bassetti Alessandra , Sdrobolini Andrea , Maranzano Ernesto
Published: September 2020

Introduction:

Oligometastatic disease has emerged as an intermediate state between localized and systemic cancer. Improvements in diagnostic modalities such as functional imaging allow a greater frequency of oligometastases diagnosis. Patients with selected oligometastatic epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) may be treated with metastasis-directed stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) rather than chemotherapy.

Case description:

We describe a 58-year-old woman who underwent surgery and chemotherapy for an EOC. The patient underwent 3 chemotherapy lines for recurrence of disease, but had allergic reactions and serious hematologic toxicity. During follow-up, lymph node oligometastases were diagnosed and treated with repeated SBRT because the patient refused further chemotherapy. No side effects were observed after each course of SBRT and the patient obtained complete response of all irradiated sites.

Conclusions:

SBRT is a promising treatment approach for recurrent oligometastatic EOC with a high control rate and irrelevant iatrogenic toxicity. The possibility to repeat SBRT courses when new oligometastases are encountered in other sites resulted in an adequate long-term palliation approach.
Total Cost of Ownership Analysis of the Impact of Vehicle Usage on the Economic Viability of Electric Vehicles in India
Authors: Kumar Parveen , Chakrabarty Subrata
Published: September 2020

The road transport sector in India is on the cusp of a transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from internal combustion engines (ICEs). Government of India (GoI) has announced several policy measures to push the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). However, EVs involve a high capital cost but lower operating costs. Therefore, the economics of EVs vis-à-vis ICE vehicles depends on the extent of their daily use. The daily use, in turn, can vary significantly from context to context. In this paper, a model to compare the total cost of ownership (TCO) of an EV with different fuel variants (petrol, diesel, and compressed natural gas [CNG]) of their ICE counterparts is presented. It is found that, on an average, the TCO per km of electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws) and electric three-wheelers (e-3Ws) is less than their ICE counterparts at the typical average daily usage of the vehicles in Indian cities. In the case of hatchback and sedan cars, the TCO per km of electric cars (e-cars) is higher than their ICE counterparts. The TCO per km of electric bus (e-bus) is higher than diesel and CNG buses because of high initial purchase cost. Policymakers need to explore innovative business models and strategy for high vehicle utilization to improve the economic viability of EVs. Efficient planning of charging infrastructure and fast charging options will further help in accelerating the adoption of EVs in India.
Assessing Minimum Parking Requirements and Parking Capacities of Residential Development in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region
Authors: Chullabodhi Chakaphan , Chalermpong Saksith , Ratanawaraha Apiwat , Kato Hironori
Published: September 2020

This paper examines whether minimum parking requirements affect parking provision in condominiums and what factors determine condominiums’ parking capacities. By calculating actual, required, and excess parking capacities, the paper finds that almost 90% of the sample condominiums in Bangkok and the surrounding municipalities in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region provide more parking spaces than required by law. The parking capacities in condominiums outside Bangkok are almost as high as those in Bangkok, despite their required minimums being half those of Bangkok. Only 11% of the sample condominiums provide the required minimums. The figure has decreased to zero in recent years, likely because of soaring land prices. These results suggest that developers’ decisions to provide parking are not determined by parking requirements but by market demand. Results from regression analyses show that parking capacities are determined by total floor area and number of dwelling units in a project, distance to the nearest transit station, and average unit price. Condominiums located in Bangkok are found to provide significantly more parking spaces than those in the suburban municipalities. This result has important policy implications for transit-oriented development, considering that accessibility to public transit is much better in Bangkok than the suburban areas.
Estimation of the Change in Cumulative Flow over Probe Trajectories using Detector Data
Authors: van Erp Paul B. C. , Knoop Victor L. , Smits Erik-Sander , Tampère Chris , Hoogendoorn Serge P.
Published: September 2020

Detector data can be used to construct cumulative flow curves, which in turn can be used to estimate the traffic state. However, this approach is subject to the cumulative error problem. Multiple studies propose to mitigate the cumulative error problem using probe trajectory data. These studies often assume “no overtaking” and thus that the cumulative flow is zero over probe trajectories. However, in multi-lane traffic this assumption is often violated. Therefore, we present an approach to estimate the change in cumulative flow along probe trajectories between detectors based on disaggregated detector data. The approach is tested with empirical data and in microsimulation. This shows that the approach is a clear improvement over assuming “no overtaking” in free-flow conditions. However, the benefits are not clear in varying traffic conditions. The approach can be applied in practice to mitigate the cumulative error problem and estimate the traffic state based on the resulting cumulative flow curves. As the performance of the approach depends on the changes in traffic conditions, it is suggested to use the probe speed observations between detectors to assign an uncertainty to the change in cumulative flow estimates. Furthermore, a potential option for future work is to use more elaborate schemes to estimate the probe relative flow between detectors, which may, for instance, combine probe speeds with estimates of the macroscopic states along the probe trajectory. If these macroscopic estimates are based on the cumulative flow curves at the detector locations, this would result in an iterative approach.
Reliability of Microsurfacing Mix Subjected to Variation in Aggregate Gradation
Authors: Bhargava Nishant , Siddagangaiah Anjan Kumar , Ryntathiang Teiborlang Lyngdoh
Published: September 2020

Reliability analysis describes the probability of the pavement satisfying the performance criteria throughout its design life. Assigning reliability during the design stage is vital for the proper planning of maintenance and rehabilitation activities. In this respect, this study evaluates the reliability of microsurfacing mix subjected to variations in aggregate gradation. A total of 10 different combinations of aggregate gradation were selected where the initial five combinations were based on the specification limits and the other five were randomly generated using Monte Carlo simulation. The performance was assessed in relation to cohesion, abrasion loss, rutting, and bleeding. Results indicated a significant variation in test results even when the aggregate gradation was varied within tolerance limits. The primary factors contributing to the variability were the total surface area of aggregates and the mineral filler content in the mix. Reliability analysis of the test parameters was conducted through the specified limits of each test. It was found that the reliability of each test parameter was more than 90%. However, the overall reliability, including all the test parameters, was 73%. The reliability of the microsurfacing mix meeting all the performance requirements increased to 90% when the aggregate gradation tending to a lower specification limit was excluded. Further, the individual reliability of each test parameter was more than 95%. Thus, to ensure higher reliability, microsurfacing mix with a lower total surface area and a lower mineral filler content should be avoided during the production stage of microsurfacing mix.
Benefits of Technology Adoption for Enhanced Integration of Port–Hinterland Operations
Authors: Calatayud Agustina , Monsreal Mario , Mangan John , Villa Juan
Published: September 2020

Because container shipping is the most important means of transportation for international trade, the integration of port–hinterland operations is critical to improve the performance of global supply chains. Information and communication technology (ICT) can assist port stakeholders in addressing bottlenecks and streamlining processes at the port–hinterland interface. However, ICT adoption is often hindered by uncertainties concerning expected gains. This paper shows that the adoption of well-established technologies for supply chain management—namely barcode and global positioning systems technology—can bring significant performance gains for the port–hinterland interface, as evidenced by increased container cycle time, utilization rates, and total throughput. In addition, results show the presence of diminishing returns when implementing multiple readers in the system. System dynamics and a unique database containing real data from the Hutchinson Terminal at the Port of Veracruz, Mexico—selected because it is one of the most important ports in the Americas—are used to show the benefits that both local (nodes) and global (supply chain) levels can obtain from ICT adoption. The results of this research will help to reduce uncertainty and incentivize ICT adoption by port stakeholders, particularly in developing countries where research is lagging. The model proposed here can be applied to any port to analyze the impact of ICT adoption and provide support for the decision making of port stakeholders.
Rethinking the European Green Deal
Authors: Pianta Mario , Lucchese Matteo
Published: September 2020

The European Green Deal (EGD), launched by the European Commission in December 2019, is a major policy package addressing climate change and aiming at a “just and inclusive” transition. Several shortcomings can be identified in the EGD: it lacks a vision of a just, post-carbon economy for Europe; available resources are inadequate to reach stated objectives; and implementation tools are limited. We argue that making Europe’s production systems carbon neutral would require a broader range of “green” industrial policies that need to jointly address environmental sustainability, structural change, and fairness of economic outcomes in Europe.
Thermal buckling of braided flax woven polylactic acid composites
Authors: Kanakannavar Sateeshkumar , Pitchaimani Jeyaraj
Published: September 2020

This study presents influence of thermal environment on buckling behaviour of natural fibre braided yarn fabric reinforced polylactic acid composite beams. The thermal buckling study is carried out using an in-house built experimental set up for beam like composites exposed to different types of in-plane temperature variations. Influences of temperature variations, direction of loading and volume fraction of fibre are studied in detail. Results indicate that deflection behaviour of natural fibre braided fabric/polylactic acid beam is entirely different from the polylactic acid beam. Enhancement of natural fibre braided fabric reinforcement on thermal deflection is observed only at higher temperature as less deflection is observed for polylactic acid beams at lower temperature range (25°C to 45°C). According to the nature of heating, maximum deflection in the range of 0.503 cm to 1.082 cm corresponding to the temperature range of 63.443°C to 67.917°C is observed for polylactic acid beams. For natural fibre braided fabric/polylactic acid beams, the maximum deflection range is 0.826 cm to 0.105 cm corresponding to the temperature range of 57.031°C to 44.742°C according to the heating condition. Thermal deflection of natural fibre braided fabric beam is sensitive to testing orientation of the beam and maximum deflection for warp loading is 29% to 54% lower than the weft loading.
Serious Inhalation Injuries From Military Operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria
Authors: Coulter Michael J. , Mickelson Roxanne C. , Dye Judy L. , Shannon Kaeley B. , Ambrosio Art A.
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To characterize serious inhalation injuries seen during recent military operations, and assess whether bronchoscopic severity findings were associated with clinical presentation and outcomes.

Methods:

Service members who suffered inhalation injuries while deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, or Syria from 2001-2018 were identified using ICD-9 and 10 codes from the Expeditionary Medical Encounter Database (EMED), which is abstracted from patient records in forward-deployed medical facilities. Further information including demographics, mechanism of injury, mortality, total burn surface area (TBSA), degree of facial burn, total Injury Severity Score (ISS), and first post-injury bronchoscopy notes were collected. Patients were excluded with ISS less than 16 or without sufficient details regarding bronchoscopy. Injuries were grouped based on bronchoscopic Abbreviated Injury Scores (AIS) into low-grade (AIS of 1), moderate-grade (AIS of 2), or high-grade (AIS of 3 or 4).

Results:

91 patients met inclusion criteria, with no significant differences in age, gender, paygrade, or service branch between degrees of injury. There were no statistical correlations between grade of injury and battle versus non-battle injury, blast versus non-blast mechanism, TBSA, or degree of facial burn. High-grade injuries had significantly higher ISS than low or moderate-grade injuries. After adjusting for ISS, the odds ratio of death was 10.4 (95% CI 1.47 to 74.53) for those with high-grade and 3.7 (95% CI 0.45 to 32.30) for those with moderate-grade compared to low-grade injuries.

Conclusion:

In this cohort of deployed military members with inhalation injuries, initial bronchoscopic severity findings are strongly associated with mortality even after adjusting for ISS. The AIS may be an important prognostic tool in all of those with serious inhalation injuries.
A Rationale for Use of High Flow Nasal Cannula for Select Patients With Suspected or Confirmed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Infection
Authors: Suffredini Dante A. , Allison Michael G.
Published: September 2020

Infection with the novel 2019 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with the development of a viral pneumonia with severe hypoxemia and respiratory failure. In many cases these patients will require mechanical ventilation; but in others the severity of disease is significantly less and may not need invasive support. High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a widely used modality of delivering high concentrations of oxygen and airflow to patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure, but its use in patients with SARS-CoV-2 is poorly described. Concerns with use of HFNC have arisen including aerosolization of viral particles to healthcare workers (HCW) to delaying intubation and potentially worsening of outcomes. However, use of HFNC in other coronavirus pandemics and previous experimental evidence suggest HFNC is low risk and may be effective in select patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. With the significant increase in resource utilization in care of patients with SARS-CoV-2, identification of those that may benefit from HFNC allowing allocation of ventilators to those more critically ill is of significant importance. In this manuscript, we review pertinent literature regarding the use of HFNC in the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and address many concerns regarding its use.
Equity Analysis and New Mobility Technologies: Toward Meaningful Interventions
Authors: Palm Matthew , Farber Steven , Shalaby Amer , Young Mischa
Published: September 2020

Transit agencies in multiple countries have started piloting the integration of new mobility technologies (NMTs) into their transit services. This article reviews the emerging evidence from NMT-based transit pilots to identify the social equity impacts of NMT–transit integration. We focus on ride-hailing, on-demand transit, microtransit, and active travel NMTs like dockless bike share. We find evidence that three of these technologies have the potential to improve the social equity of transit systems, but we note that most agency pilots do not explicitly measure equity impacts. We offer recommendations on how future pilots should frame equity measurement to yield policy-relevant insights.
Intergenerational Care in the Context of Migration: A Feminist Intersectional Life-Course Exploration of Racialized Young Adult Women’s Narratives of Care
Authors: Brotman Shari , Silverman Marjorie , Boska Hayden , Molgat Marc
Published: September 2020

This article, reporting on a Canadian-based research project, tells the stories of three first- and second-generation, racialized, young women from immigrant families in order to illuminate their unique realities of intergenerational care and to better understand the role of gender, racialization, and migration in shaping their lived experiences of care. Using a feminist-informed adaption to the intersectional life-course approach, we explore the life-course challenges experienced by these women and their perspectives on agency, resilience, and resistance in light of personal, relational, and structural barriers faced by both themselves and their parents and grandparents for whom they provide care. Findings related to meanings attributed to care and family, developmental and relational disruptions and their impact, hybridized subjectivity, and responses to discrimination and social isolation are explored through the telling of women’s caring stories across time. The article concludes with recommendations for social work intervention and service provision in order to better recognize and support racialized young first- and second-generation adult women carers across sectors.
Between Europeanisation and Corporatisation: Poland’s Nation Branding and Soft Power for Public Consumption
Authors: Surowiec Paweł
Published: September 2020

Focusing on the “state” rather than the “nation,” this article explores the interplay between nation branding and Poland’s soft power statecraft. Contextualised by Poland’s European orientation in foreign affairs, this Bourdieusian study focuses on the field of diplomacy and statecraft, particularly its communicative practices for the articulation of soft power. Aided by policy documents and campaign artefacts, this analysis of interviews (n=45) with state actors and newcomers to the field, nation branders, traces their actions, and unfolds the effects of their practices on soft power statecraft. The central argument emerging from the analysis of findings rests on the cultural conditions and ideological effects of nation branding on the field. On the one hand, I find, these effects advance the process of “corporatisation” of Poland’s soft power statecraft. On the other hand, the embeddedness of nation branding in Poland marks a cultural shift in soft power statecraft towards technocratic and transactional promotional culture.
Different techniques for peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Zang Zhiyun , Qiu Xiao , Yang Lichuan , Wang Xin , Li Zi
Published: September 2020

The current consensus recommended the peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) techniques based on the patients’ anesthesia situation and previous abdominal surgery. However, the research comparing of all the existing PDC techniques is lacking. The objective was to compare the efficacy and safety of PDC techniques by network meta-analysis (NMA). A systematic review of databases was conducted to identify eligible studies. NMA was used to estimate the ranking for endpoints. Our NMA included 41 studies (9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 32 observational trials) and enrolled 3902 patients, comparing three techniques: the laparoscopic catheterization (LC), open surgery catheterization (OSC), and percutaneous catheterization (PC). NMA in RCTs showed OSC had the highest incidence of catheter mechanical dysfunction, PC and LC were very similar, but this result had no statistical difference. NMA in observational studies showed that LC had the highest 1-year catheter survival but without statistical difference (LC vs. OSC: odds ratio (OR) 1.75, 95% credible intervals (CrIs) 0.90–3.40; PC vs. OSC: OR 1.55, 95% CrIs 0.80–2.97; PC vs. LC: OR 0.88, 95% CrIs 0.54–1.44). OSC had the lowest incidence for bleeding. The complications of leakage, peritonitis, and exit/tunnel infection were inconclusive due to the inconsistent results between RCTs and observational studies. Our NMA revealed LC may have the best 1-year catheter survival. PC and LC might be efficacious in lowering the mechanical dysfunction. OSC had the lowest incidence for bleeding. More RCTs with larger scale and higher quality are needed in order to obtain more credible evidence.
Sex-seeking mobile application use and risk behavior among men who have sex with men in Brazil
Authors: Martinez Edson Zangiacomi , Morigi Thais Zanin , Galdino Guilherme , McFarland Willi , Zucoloto Miriane Lucindo
Published: September 2020

This is a cross-sectional study based on an open web survey with the primary objective to assess associations between the use of apps for seeking sex partners and vulnerabilities related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Brazil. Participants were recruited to the study through ads posted in social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Consenting respondents completed a questionnaire on demographics, history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and risk behaviors and perceptions, including calculation of the Risk Behavior Score for HIV infection proposed by Rocha et al. Among the 859 participants, 714 (83.1%) reported they used apps for seeking sex partners. Use of apps for seeking sex partners was associated with high-risk behavior for HIV infection, self-reported syphilis, self-perception of HIV risk, and use of marijuana. The use of apps for seeking sex partners has rapidly become the norm for MSM in Brazil. The associations with STIs and risk behaviors should be seen as an opening to improve public health, presenting opportunities to promote knowledge, safer sex practices, and referral to HIV/STI screening and prevention interventions.
People Reject Algorithms in Uncertain Decision Domains Because They Have Diminishing Sensitivity to Forecasting Error
Authors: Dietvorst Berkeley J. , Bharti Soaham
Published: September 2020

Will people use self-driving cars, virtual doctors, and other algorithmic decision-makers if they outperform humans? The answer depends on the uncertainty inherent in the decision domain. We propose that people have diminishing sensitivity to forecasting error and that this preference results in people favoring riskier (and often worse-performing) decision-making methods, such as human judgment, in inherently uncertain domains. In nine studies ( N = 4,820), we found that (a) people have diminishing sensitivity to each marginal unit of error that a forecast produces, (b) people are less likely to use the best possible algorithm in decision domains that are more unpredictable, (c) people choose between decision-making methods on the basis of the perceived likelihood of those methods producing a near-perfect answer, and (d) people prefer methods that exhibit higher variance in performance (all else being equal). To the extent that investing, medical decision-making, and other domains are inherently uncertain, people may be unwilling to use even the best possible algorithm in those domains.
An Epidemiology of Premarital Sexual Behaviour in India: Exploring Gender Differences
Authors: Singh Shri Kant , Vishwakarma Deepanjali , Sharma Santosh Kumar
Published: September 2020

This article analyzes the social context of increasing premarital sex in India in a gender perspective, which affects the overall contexts, patterns and the characteristics of premarital sexual behaviour. The study has been conducted on data collected from 169,814 unmarried women and 40,003 unmarried men, a part of the Indian Demographic Health Survey (DHS), 2015–2016. Gender differences in premarital sex were pronounced, where unmarried men were five times more likely to have premarital sex (16%) as compared to unmarried women (3%). Cox regression portrays that both men and women at younger ages were significantly more likely to initiate premarital sex. Muslim men were significantly more likely (HR = 1.16 times) to have premarital sex at younger ages. Regional variations in the prevalence of premarital sex are pronounced. Findings reveal that unmarried women with higher education, residing in urban areas and who belong to richest wealth quintile and exposed to regular mass media were more likely to have multiple sexual partners in premarital sex. There is a striking regional variation in the low prevalence of condom use in the premarital sex reported by unmarried men as well as women. In fact, unmarried men were more likely to use condom in their first as well as last premarital sexual encounter than their women counterparts. Findings suggest strengthening the empowerment of youth, especially women, through enhancing their reproductive and sexual rights education and promoting safe sexual behaviour in premarital sexual encounters.
Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) for Prognostication of Adult Oncology Patients With Palliative Intent in a Regional Victorian Hospital, Australia
Authors: Lojanapiwat Nuttaradee , Islam Md Rafiqul , Ridout Martin , Subramaniam Sivakumar
Published: September 2020

Background:

Accurate prognostication is essential in caring for palliative patients. Various prognostication tools have been validated in many settings in the past few years. Biomarkers of inflammation (albumin and C-reactive protein) are combined to calculate the modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), which has been found to be a simple prognostic tool in this population.

Objective:

This retrospective cohort study was to evaluate mGPS as a prognostication tool for cancer patients admitted to an acute hospital in regional Australia.

Methods:

Adult cancer patients admitted to an acute Australian regional hospital during 2017 who had albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) tested were included. The mGPS was calculated based on their admission values and discharge values. Based on their score (0-2), groups were compared using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis for prognostication. Kaplan-Meier survival plots and median survival time from admission and discharge were constructed.

Results:

A total of 170 patient records were reviewed of which 95 had admission and discharge mGPS scores available for analysis. Of those, 86 had died at the time of data analysis. The median survival for admission mGPS 0, 1, 2 was 168,156 and 74 days. For discharge mGPS 0, 1, 2 medians were 168,119 and 70 days. On multi variate analysis admission mGPS 2 showed Hazard ratio of 2.29 (95% CI 1.16-4.56, p -0.02) and discharge mGPS 2 of 2.07 (95% CI 0.95-4.50, p value 0.07).

Conclusions:

In this study, mGPS was able to differentiate cancer patients into various prognostic groups. Further studies in regional acute hospitals could validate this prospectively with a multi-center larger sample size.
Lean Data Visualization: Considering Actionable Metrics for Technical Communication
Authors: Verhulsdonck Gustav , Shah Vishal
Published: September 2020

Analyzing data gathered around COVID-19 can increase our understanding of its spread and the social and economic impacts. Data visualizations can help various stakeholders understand the outbreak. To this end, this article seeks to understand how COVID-19 data dashboards utilized actionable metrics to inform various stakeholders. Used in lean methodology, actionable metrics specifically tie data visualization to actions to improve a specific situation. The authors discuss how actionable metrics were used in COVID-19 data dashboards to inspire actions of various stakeholders by modeling different outcomes through future projections. In turn, the authors explore how actionable metrics in data dashboards can inform new business and technical communication practices for data visualization.
Valuing Expertise During the Pandemic
Authors: Baniya Sweta , Potts Liza
Published: September 2020

This article addresses how social media platforms can better highlight expert voices through design choices. Misinformation, after all, has exploded during the Covid-19 pandemic, and platforms have struggled to address the issue. The authors examine this critical gap in validation mechanisms in the current social media platforms and suggest possible solutions for this urgent problem with third-party partnerships.
Sustainable Cleft Care: A Comprehensive Model Based on the Global Smile Foundation Experience
Authors: Chahine Elsa M. , Kantar Rami S. , Kassam Serena N. , Vyas Raj M. , Ghotmi Lilian H. , Haddad Anthony G. , Hamdan Usama S.
Published: September 2020

Introduction:

Clefts of the lip and palate are leading congenital facial anomalies. Underserved patients with these facial differences lack access to medical care, surgical expertise, prenatal care, or psychological support. Moreover, the disease results in significant economic strains on patients and their families. While surgical outreach programs have attempted to fill this void, significant challenges facing international comprehensive cleft care persist.

Objective:

Propose a path toward international sustainable cleft care based on the Global Smile Foundation experience.

Results:

International sustainable comprehensive cleft care can be achieved by regulating surgical outreach programs. Regulation of these missions would ensure standardized care and encourage stakeholders to cooperate and adequately allocate funding and resources. Capacity building can be achieved through “diagonal” cleft care delivery models, multidisciplinary workshops, fellowship programs, research and quality assurance, as well as leveraging emerging technologies such as Augmented Reality.

Conclusion:

International comprehensive cleft care requires continuous collaborative efforts between visiting and local teams as well as international and national organizations. Standardizing and regulating current practices as well as promoting capacity building initiatives can contribute to sustainable cleft care.
Evaluation of the Accuracy of a Pharmacokinetic Dosing Program in Predicting Serum Vancomycin Concentrations in Critically III Patients
Authors: Aubron Cecile , Corallo Carmela E , Nunn Maya O , Dooley Michael J , Cheng Allen C
Published: September 2020

Background

Optimization of the timing of appropriate antibiotics is crucial to improve the management of patients in severe sepsis and septic shock. Vancomycin is commonly used empirically in cases of nosocomial infections in critically ill patients. Therefore, early optimization of vancomycin pharmacokinetics is likely to improve outcomes.

Objective

TO evaluate a pharmacokinetic program to predict serum vancomycin concentrations in accordance with administered dose, weight, height, and creatinine clearance in a critically ill population.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational single-center study in a 45-bed intensive care unit (ICU). All patients hospitalized in the ICU requiring intravenous treatment with vancomycin for a suspected Infection were enrolled. The modalities of vancomycin therapy and the monitoring of serum concentrations were left to the discretion of the treating clinician. We compared the measured serum vancomycin concentrations with those predicted by the MM-USCPACK program and analyzed the factors influencing the prediction.

Results

Fifty-four intravenous vancomycin courses were administered in 48 critically ill patients over the 3-month study. The precision was considered acceptable, based on a relative precision equal to 8.9% (interquartile range 3.5–18.9%) and the relative bias for all predictions was equal to -1.3%. Overall, 77.3% of predictions were within 20% of observed concentrations; factors correlating with a poorer prediction were a change in renal function, obesity, and the magnitude of organ dysfunction on initiation of vancomycin (expressed by a Systemic Organ Failure Assessment score >11).

Conclusions

The MM-USCPACK program is a useful and reliable tool for prediction of serum vancomycin concentrations in patients hospitalized in ICU and likely reflects the close monitoring of renal function in this setting. For some patients (more severely ill, obese, or significant change in renal function during vancomycin therapy), predictions were less precise.
Processing forced vibration test records of structural systems using the analytic signal
Authors: Celik Ozan Cem , Gülkan Hakkı Polat
Published: September 2020

This article presents the use of the analytic signal procedure for processing the large volume of structural vibration data recorded in forced vibration tests. The analytic signal facilitates the computationally laborious task of extracting the steady-state amplitude for each response measure of interest from the recorded accelerations throughout the building at each operated frequency of the forced vibration source. The implementation of the signal processing procedure introduced here is illustrated in deriving the acceleration–frequency response curves from the forced vibration test of the first permanently instrumented building in Turkey. This reinforced concrete building, subsequently strengthened with cast-in-place reinforced concrete infill shear walls, is located in close proximity to the North Anatolian Fault. Later, system identification of the building yields the in situ structural system dynamic properties for the first translational and torsional vibration modes, which are compared with those identified from the ambient vibrations of the building recorded following its forced vibration test. The analytic signal procedure is a convenient tool for the rapid and correct derivation for mode shapes and associated frequencies and damping ratios from forced vibration testing of structural systems.
Knowledge and Attitudes of Home Care Nurses in Cyprus in the Management of Cancer Pain
Authors: Hadjisavva Ifigeneia Christou , Papastavrou Evridiki , Kouta Christiana
Published: September 2020

Pain is a common symptom for cancer patients. It is a problem for themselves and their relatives. Nurses are confronted with the treatment of cancer pain in their everyday clinical practice. Efficient management requires accurate and appropriate knowledge, positive attitudes, and competent evaluation skills. The aim is to explore the knowledge and attitudes of Cypriot home care nurses in pain management of cancer patients. Regarding methodology, a quantitative descriptive design was used and the data were collected with the Greek version of the McCaffery and Ferrell Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain questionnaire along with a demographic questionnaire. The sample of the study consisted of home care nurses working in non-profit organizations in Cyprus ( n = 31). For the analysis of data, the SPSSv.21. was used and the statistical significance was set to the p = .05. Results revealed of the total of 35 questions only 13 were answered correctly by the 80% of the participants. Limited knowledge was reported mainly on the duration of action, the effect and dosage of Pethidine, the risk of addiction and the use of non-medication interventions. Significant differences were found to the level of knowledge as regards the age and the experience of nurses. In the case study exercise, it was found that false assessment of pain was related to wrong decisions. Nurses’ attitudes seemed to be positive. In conclusion, the study revealed the knowledge deficits and need for continuous education of home care nurses on the assessment and management of pain for patients with cancer. Empowering nurses with better skills to deal with pain, a most distressing symptom of cancer, will result in a better quality of life for patients. However, the integration of pain management within the national cancer strategies is also very important.
After “The China Virus” Went Viral: Racially Charged Coronavirus Coverage and Trends in Bias Against Asian Americans
Authors: Darling-Hammond Sean , Michaels Eli K. , Allen Amani M. , Chae David H. , Thomas Marilyn D. , Nguyen Thu T. , Mujahid Mahasin M. , Johnson Rucker C.
Published: September 2020

On March 8, 2020, there was a 650% increase in Twitter retweets using the term “Chinese virus” and related terms. On March 9, there was an 800% increase in the use of these terms in conservative news media articles. Using data from non-Asian respondents of the Project Implicit “Asian Implicit Association Test” from 2007–2020 ( n = 339,063), we sought to ascertain if this change in media tone increased bias against Asian Americans. Local polynomial regression and interrupted time-series analyses revealed that Implicit Americanness Bias—or the subconscious belief that European American individuals are more “American” than Asian American individuals—declined steadily from 2007 through early 2020 but reversed trend and began to increase on March 8, following the increase in stigmatizing language in conservative media outlets. The trend reversal in bias was more pronounced among conservative individuals. This research provides evidence that the use of stigmatizing language increased subconscious beliefs that Asian Americans are “perpetual foreigners.” Given research that perpetual foreigner bias can beget discriminatory behavior and that experiencing discrimination is associated with adverse mental and physical health outcomes, this research sounds an alarm about the effects of stigmatizing media on the health and welfare of Asian Americans.