bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Standing Photo-Crosslinked Hydrogel Construct: in vitro Microphysiological Vascular Model
Authors: Manigandan Amrutha , Amruthavarshini R. Preethy , Sethuraman Swaminathan , Subramanian Anuradha
Published: May 2021

Modeling of the human vascular microphysiological system (MPS) has gained attention due to precise prediction of drug response and toxicity during drug screening process. Developing a physiologically equivalent vascular MPS still remains complex as it demands the recapitulation of dynamic structural and biological microenvironment similar to native vasculature. Hence, an ideal MPS would involve developing perfusable 3D in vitro models with multilayered human vascular cells encapsulated in a matrix to regulate the vascular tone resembling the native. Several attempts to model such anatomically accurate physiological and pathological blood vessels often fail to harmonize the essential vascular microenvironment. For instance, conventional microfluidic-based approaches employed for vascular MPS, though offering creation of perfusable channel, do not replicate the vascular hierarchical cellular arrangement due to planar geometry and confluent monolayered cell seeding. Also, recent advances with 3D biofabrication strategies are still limited by fabrication of small-diameter constructs and scalability besides post-processing techniques that indirectly distort the structural integrity of the hydrogel tubular constructs. These existing limitations toward fabricating a relevant vascular MPS demand a facile and mechanically stable construct. Hence, the present study is aimed toward developing a stable viable self-standing perfusable hydrogel construct by a rapid and scalable strategy toward vascular MPS application. The fabricated tubular constructs were found to be structurally stable with end-to-end perfusability exhibiting their potential as self-standing perfusable structures. Also, the construct exhibited nonhemolytic behavior with perfusion of red blood cells inside the luminal channel. The present study evidences creation of a dual-crosslinked stable, viable self-standing hydrogel construct with multilayered homogenous distribution of viable smooth muscle cells throughout the construct, thereby demonstrating its applicability as a promising 3D in vitro vascular microphysiological system.
ideias linguísticas e pedagógicas da primeira gramática feminina em Portugal (Francisca de Chantal Álvares, 1786)
Authors: Melo Lívia de
Published: May 2021

A proposta deste artigo é apresentar uma das gramáticas mais desconhecidas da língua portuguesa, o Breve Compendio da Gramatica Portugueza, para o uso das Meninas que se educaõ no Mosteiro da Visitação de Lisboa, por huma Religioza do Mesmo Mosteiro, que data de 1786. Sua autoria foi atribuída a Francisca Chantal Álvares, após investigação sobre a história do referido mosteiro. Buscou-se identificar as ideias linguísticas e pedagógicas presentes nessa gramática, através de uma leitura crítica do seu conteúdo. Seguindo os pressupostos teórico-metodológicos da Historiografia Linguística, foi feita uma descrição esquemática da obra, considerando o contexto educacional para o qual se destinou. Produzida para servir de apoio didático na primeira instituição de ensino feminino em Portugal, foi também a primeira gramática portuguesa escrita por uma mulher. Sua metodologia é basicamente normativa. Ressalta a importância do conhecimento da língua materna para o aprendizado de outros idiomas e é encerrada com uma Breve Advertência contendo regras de pronúncia da língua francesa. Embora não apresente referências bibliográficas, há evidências de que uma das suas principais fontes tenha sido a Arte da Grammatica da Lingua Portugueza de Reis Lobato (1770).
Lições sobre a sintaxe histórica do infinitivo português: infinitivo subjetivo, adnominal, preposicional, substantivado
Authors: Santos Marcos Martinho dos
Published: May 2021

Exponho a sintaxe histórica do infinitivo subjetivo, adnominal, preposicional e substantivado do português, partindo da sintaxe histórica do infinitivo latino. O infinitivo subjetivo decorreu de uma interpretação mais lógica que gramatical do infinitivo objetivo em latim. O infinitivo adnominal desenvolveu-se parcialmente em latim graças a um processo analógico, e só se desenvolveu plenamente em português graças ao progresso do infinitivo preposicional. Este, excepcional em latim, desenvolveu-se amplamente em português. A substantivação do infinitivo permitiu que este fosse acompanhado de adjetivo em latim e português, podendo inclusive receber a desinêncianominal ‘-[e]s’ em português para flexionar-se no plural como um substantivo qualquer. Trato, em particular, do modo como essas espécies de infinitivo foram empregadas no latim e no português escrito.
Variantes sociolinguísticas e a posteriorização das fricativas vozeadas em Alagoas
Authors: Oliveira Eliane Vitorino de Moura , Santos Marcleya Thaynara Ribeiro dos
Published: May 2021

Resumo: Este artigo analisa a troca das fricativas vozeadas labiodental [v], alveolar [z] e palatal [ʒ] pela fricativa glotal [ɦ], processo chamado de posteriorização ou lenição, na variedade praticada Alagoas. Tendo como sustentação e metodologia a Sociolinguística Variacionista, mensuramos a influência de fatores linguísticos, basicamente o contexto fonológico posterior, e extralinguísticos, como o sexo, idade, escolaridade, profissão, local de nascimento e de moradia, para a ocorrência da posteriorização, visando traçar um perfil sociolinguístico do falante que pratica essa variedade em Alagoas. O corpus foi composto a partir da transcrição da fala de seis informantes, sendo três homens e três mulheres, obtido a partir de respostas a um questionário e da leitura direcionada realizada pelos seis informantes. As discussões dos resultados, incipientes, mostram que a nasalização influencia na posteriorização, havendo tendência maior desse fenômeno ocorrer em pessoas do sexo masculino, nascidas e criadas na zona rural. Tal estudo, entretanto, por seu caráter pioneiro e devido à limitação de seu corpus, pode servir de ponto inicial para pesquisas mais abrangentes.
Um estudo construcional da microconstrução intensificadora “[[x] pra caramba]” no português brasileiro
Authors: Scaldelai-Salles Ana Ligia , Souza Edson Rosa Francisco de
Published: May 2021

Este artigo busca analisar, com base nos pressupostos teóricos da abordagem construcional (Traugott e Trousdale, 2013; Bybee, 2010, etc), a microconstrução intensificadora [[X] pra caramba], instanciada pelo subsesquema construcional [[X] Prep+N], no português brasileiro, tendo em vista as propriedades da esquematicidade, composicionalidade e produtividade. A função desse tipo de microconstrução é expressar uma ideia de encarecimento acerca de algo, alguém ou evento, que ultrapassa os limites do que é tido como relativamente normal pelo falante. Assim, considerando como universo de investigação o Corpus do Português (Davies e Ferreira, 2006), nosso intento é apresentar uma breve descrição e análise da construção [[X] pra caramba] no que se refere à sua importância, à sua aplicabilidade e à sua produtividade na língua portuguesa, como forma de diferenciá-la de outras construções intensificadoras, do tipo “muito”, “bastante” e “demais”, definidas como simples. Em resumo, vimos que essa microconstrução emerge na língua no século XX, tornando-se bastante produtiva, e, portanto, mais esquemática, a ponto de atrair outras microconstruções intensificadoras menos prototípicas.
Ocorrências de anáforas encapsuladoras em redações do Enem
Authors: Bertucci Roberlei Alves , Malheiros Andréa Jacqueline , Lopes Wanderlei de Souza
Published: May 2021

Este trabalho pretende verificar como as anáforas encapsuladoras – também conhecidas como encapsulamentos – são utilizadas como rótulos avaliativos no gênero “redação do Enem”. Primeiramente, destacamos a importância da referenciação pelas anáforas, por serem um meio relevante para a coesão textual. Depois, ressaltamos o papel dos encapsulamentos em sumarizar e rotular porções textuais, construindo objetos de discurso essenciais para a coesão e, no caso dos textos argumentativos, para o posicionamento do autor (Koch, 2004; Cavalcante, 2005; Bertucci, 2006). Nosso corpus é constituído de 31 redações nota 1000 no Enem de 2018. Após a seleção, quantificamos a ocorrência das anáforas encapsuladoras, distinguindo-as entre descritivas e opinativas. Verificamos que: i) apenas 2 redações não apresentavam os encapsulamentos sob análise; ii) houve uma ocorrência maior do tipo descritivo (79%); e iii) em apenas dois textos o tipo opinativo se sobressaiu. Do ponto de vista qualitativo, decidimos analisar dois casos. Em ambos, a análise corrobora a ideia de que essas anáforas são essenciais para a coesão do texto e, no caso do gênero redação do Enem, são essenciais também para o direcionamento argumentativo do texto. Não à toa, foram avaliados com a nota máxima no Exame.
O caderno Harmonielehre | III | Skizzen e a primeira campanha de escrita de Os Degraus do Parnaso, de M. S. Lourenço
Authors: Dionísio João Miguel Quaresma Mendes
Published: May 2021

No âmbito de um entendimento global da crítica textual prescritiva e descritiva, reflecte-se sobre o processo de escrita e de revisão a partir da abordagem conjugada da empaginação e dos instrumentos escriptórios. O testemunho em análise como objecto da codicologia moderna é um caderno que conserva as primeiras redacções de nove ensaios integrados em Degraus do Parnaso, a obra mais conhecida do escritor e filósofo português M. S. Lourenço (1936-2009). Este caderno é relacionado com outros suportes de escrita que existem no espólio do autor. É dada atenção especial aos instrumentos de escrita usados (canetas de várias cores) de maneira a tentar apurar hábitos de redacção e as funções que lhes podem ser atribuídas.
caminhos para a história social da língua: interações entre o social e o linguístico
Authors: Oliveira Marilza de , Pereira Helcius Batista
Published: May 2021

No presente trabalho pretendemos discutir os caminhos para a pesquisa no campo da História Social da Língua. Para tanto, assumimos a perspectiva da terceira onda da Sociolinguística, presente em Eckert (2000, 2005) e Eckert e McConnell-Ginet (2010), que entendem a descrição da língua à luz do conceito de ‘comunidade de prática’. Interessa discutir, nessa perspectiva, como os indivíduos se engajam socialmente através da linguagem, para participar e construir suas identidades. Após apresentação dessa proposta e de seus contornos teórico-metodológicos, evidenciamos a sua aplicação em dois estudos que realizamos com cartas produzidas por três indivíduos da família Mesquita no início do século XX, membros da elite paulista e proprietários de O Estado de S. Paulo. Como fenômeno linguístico, focalizamos o uso dos pronomes demonstrativos e a colocação pronominal. Nossa proposta aqui é que os estudos de História Social da Língua trabalhem no cruzamento interdisciplinar, observando nos corpora não somente dados linguísticos, mas também elementos que delineiem o engajamento dos indivíduos nas ‘comunidades de prática’ a que se filiam
Origem e desenvolvimento dos prefixos de- e des-
Authors: Santos Alice Pereira
Published: May 2021

Este trabalho objetiva resgatar a trajetória de um dos afixos mais produtivos no português atual – o prefixo “des-”. Para tanto, a análise do prefixo “de-” também é requerida, visto que os percursos desses prefixos se entrecruzam em diversos momentos na história da língua. Além de apresentarem semelhanças formais e semânticas, acredita-se que o afixo “de-” esteja na esteira do desenvolvimento do prefixo neolatino “des-”. A fim de levar a cabo esses objetivos, utilizou-se, inicialmente, a base de dados do Dicionário Houaiss (2001). Vale destacar que outros dicionários foram utilizados para aferir e complementar essas informações. O artigo discutirá inicialmente o desenvolvimento do prefixo “de-”; em seguida, apresentar-se-ão as propostas etimológicas a respeito do formante “des-”, indicando sua interseção com alguns elementos formativos de origem latina (de-, dis- e ex), por meio da comparação de construções vocabulares derivadas com esses prefixos. Posteriormente, serão apresentadas as informações dialetológicas, extraídas dos estudos de Leite de Vasconcellos, dispostos nos volumes de Revista Lusitana (1887-1943), com o objetivo de investigar as alternâncias no uso dos prefixos supracitados. Essas etapas são indispensáveis para arquitetar uma proposta etimológica para o prefixo “des-”.
Entre a Filologia e a Lexicografia Histórica: notas sobre a elaboração de uma edição das cantigas satíricas do Cancioneiro da Biblioteca Nacional para o estudo do léxico
Authors: Sampaio Lisana Rodrigues Trindade
Published: May 2021

O presente estudo concentra-se na apresentação do processo de elaboração de uma edição diplomática das cantigas satíricas do Cancioneiro da Biblioteca Nacional (ou Colocci-Brancuti) para composição de um vocabulário das formas verbais, finitas e infinitivas, patentes nessas cantigas, produzido a partir dos preceitos da Lexicografia Histórica, com vistas a contribuir com o trabalho de reconstrução da trajetória da língua portuguesa no período arcaico. Ressalta-se aqui a importância do acesso à documentação remanescente a partir dos acervos digitais disponibilizados por algumas bibliotecas, o que tem permitido a observação da riqueza dos dados linguísticos desses códices, a fim de preservar todos os aspectos que possam dar pistas para a investigação e registro da língua patente nesses fragmentos do tempo.
Association of Heart Failure With Outcomes Among Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: Insights From EUCLID
Authors: Samsky Marc D. , Hellkamp Anne , Hiatt William R. , Fowkes F. Gerry R. , Baumgartner Iris , Berger Jeffrey S. , Katona Brian G. , Mahaffey Kenneth W. , Norgren Lars , Blomster Juuso I. , Rockhold Frank W. , DeVore Adam D. , Patel Manesh R. , Jones W. Schuyler
Published: May 2021

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) and heart failure (HF) are each independently associated with poor outcomes. Risk factors associated with new‐onset HF in patients with primary PAD are unknown. Furthermore, how the presence of HF is associated with outcomes in patients with PAD is unknown.

Methods and Results

This analysis examined risk relationships of HF on outcomes in patients with symptomatic PAD randomized to ticagrelor or clopidogrel as part of the EUCLID (Examining Use of Ticagrelor in Peripheral Arterial Disease) trial. Patients were stratified based on presence of HF at enrollment. Cox models were used to determine the association of HF with outcomes. A separate Cox model was used to identify risk factors associated with development of HF during follow‐up. Patients with PAD and HF had over twice the rate of concomitant coronary artery disease as those without HF. Patients with PAD and HF had significantly increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio [HR], 1.31; 95% CI, 1.13–1.51) and all‐cause mortality (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.19–1.63). In patients with PAD, the presence of HF was associated with significantly less bleeding (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45–0.96). Characteristics associated with HF development included age ≥66 (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.18–1.40 per 5 years), diabetes mellitus (HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.41–2.43), and weight (bidirectionally associated, ≥76 kg, HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.64–0.93; <76 kg, HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.07–1.16).

Conclusions

Patients with PAD and HF have a high rate of coronary artery disease with a high risk for major adverse cardiovascular events and death. These data support the possible need for aggressive treatment of (recurrent) atherosclerotic disease in PAD, especially patients with HF.
Novelties from the Serra Nova State Park (Minas Gerais, Brazil): two new endemic species of Eriocaulaceae
Authors: ECHTERNACHT LIVIA , WATANABE MAURÍCIO TAKASHI COUTINHO , ANDRINO CAROLINE OLIVEIRA
Published: May 2021

Two new micro-endemic species of Eriocaulaceae are described from the Campos Rupestres of Serra Nova State Park, a conservation unit located in the Espinhaço Range in northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Herein we provide descriptions, illustrations, photographs and maps, together with notes on morphology, distribution, phenology, taxonomy, and conservation. Paepalanthus ferrugineus is distinguished mainly by the reddish-brown involucral bracts, surpassing the floral disc, with the apex attenuate and tufted adaxially, tufted sepals and hairy petals. Syngonanthus polyaxis is easily differentiated by the inflorescence architecture with three morphologically distinct axial parts. Both species are considered Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List criteria.
Amphibambusa hongheensis sp. nov., a novel bambusicolous ascomycete from Yunnan, China

Authors: JIANG HONG-BO , ZHANG SHI-JIE , PHOOKAMSAK RUNGTIWA , PROMPUTTHA ITTHAYAKORN , KAKUMYAN PATTANA , XU JIAN-CHU
Published: May 2021

Amphibambusa hongheensis sp. nov. was collected from dead bamboo culms in Honghe County of Yunnan Province, China. The novel species is introduced based on the morpho-molecular approach. Morphologically, A. hongheensis fits well with Amphibambusa and is characterized by immersed, globose to subglobose ascomata, with protruding carbonaceous papilla, unitunicate, cylindrical to elongate fusiform, subsessile to short pedicellate asci with a J+, subapical ring, and fusiform, hyaline to pale brown, 1-septate ascospores, longitudinally striated, and surrounded by a thick mucilaginous sheath. Phylogenetic analyses of a concatenated ITS-LSU sequence dataset based on maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference criteria revealed the phylogenetic affinity of A. hongheensis within Cainiaceae (Xylariales, Sordariomycetes). Amphibambusa hongheensis formed an independent subclade sister to A. bambusicola with moderate support (81% ML, 0.96 PP) and clustered with the genus Arecophila in Cainiaceae. Amphibambusa hongheensis is the second species accommodated in Amphibambusa and is reported from Yunnan, China, for the first time. Detailed description, illustration and updated phylogeny are provided.
Yushania doupengshanensis (Poaceae, Bambusoideae), a new bamboo species from south Guizhou, China

Authors: ZHANG YOU-YUAN , XIA NIAN-HE
Published: May 2021

Yushania doupengshanensis Y.Y. Zhang et N.H. Xia, a new species of the temperate woody bamboo tribe Arundinarieae (Poaceae: Bambusoideae), is described and illustrated from south Guizhou, China. Yushania doupengshanensis is characterised by long-necked rhizomes, usually a single branch at each branching node, densely white puberulous and thin white powdery internodes, tardily deciduous culm sheaths, densely ciliate culm-sheath margins, 6‒12 leaves per ultimate branch, densely puberulous and 8‒9 mm long pseudopetioles. Based on the morphological features, this new species is assigned to section Yushania.
A new species of terrestrial planarian of the genus Microplana (Platyhelminthes: Turbellaria; Tricladida: Continenticola) from Yorkshire, United Kingdom; with a discussion of Microplana humicola Vejdovsky 1890
Authors: JONES HUGH D. , MCDONALD JILLIAN C.
Published: May 2021

Two mostly white terrestrial planarians, about 7 mm long, found in a garden in Yorkshire, UK, are described. They have a single pair of eyes and both specimens are fully mature, with a single pair of ovaries, several testes, a conical penis papilla and a genito-intestinal duct, characters of the genus Microplana, but differ in color and size from other species of the genus and are described as Microplana edwardsi sp. nov.
Revision of the genus Prometopidia Hampson, 1902, with description of the new species P. joshimathensis sp. nov. from West-Himalaya and its subspecies P. j. yazakii ssp. nov. from Nepal (Lepidoptera: Geometridae, Ennominae)
Authors: DEY PRITHA , UNIYAL VIRENDRA PRASAD , HAUSMANN AXEL , STÜNING DIETER
Published: May 2021

The genus Prometopidia Hampson, 1902 and its type-species P. conisaria Hampson, 1902 are redescribed and newly discovered morphological characters are explained. The female holotype of Prometopidia arenosa Wiltshire, 1961, was studied and the species redescribed, its correct position in Prometopidia is verified. The new species P. joshimathensis sp. nov. is described from Joshimath area in India, Uttarakhand province. Sympatric with P. conisaria at Joshimath, P. joshimathensis also occurs at Shimla, Punjab province, and in central and eastern Nepal. Morphological and genetic differences found in the specimens of Nepal are considered subspecific, justifying the new taxon P. joshimathensis yazakii ssp. nov. Types and specimens of Prometopidia across its whole range of distribution from Afghanistan to Nepal, habitats, genitalia, remarkable morphological characters and DNA barcoding-results are figured.
India’s Doctrinal Modifications: Counterforce Temptations in South Asia
Authors: Ali Iftikhar , Sidhu Jatswan S
Published: May 2021

This paper assists in understanding contesting technological capabilities and doctrinal modification between India and Pakistan that are drifting South Asia towards instability, leaving the nuclear deterrence in a dark abyss. Hawks on both sides of the nuclear armed rivals are unprecedentedly chanting threats of nuclear war. More bothersome is the indications of shifting the Indian policy of No First Use (NFU), calls for doctrinal modifications and counterforce temptations. An Indian quest for escalation dominance and Pakistani quest for stability against India is in fact a mutual struggle beyond ‘minimum credible’ to ‘assured second strike’ capabilities.
Efficiency and Resource Implications of Food Losses and Waste in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Aragie Emerta
Published: May 2021

Reducing the huge level of food losses and waste is arguably one of the sustainable ways of closing the food requirement gap in developing countries. Examining selected sub-Saharan Africa countries and utilizing the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ Food Balance Sheet data, this study suggests that these countries lose over 29% (58.8 million tons) of the primary equivalent component of food. Exploiting the rich data on water and land footprints of food commodities, this study also identified considerable losses in resources – 21% of total water use and 15% of cropland use – associated with the food supply chain losses, with noticeable implications for agricultural sustainability.
The influence of motherhood in the construction of female identity: A subversive approach to motherhood in Erendiz Atasü’s novels
Authors: Aksehir Mahinur , Şaşman-Kaylı Derya
Published: May 2021

Within masculine ideology the concept of motherhood remains essential to female identity. That is why it is important to focus on the representations of motherhood in literature, where the most controversial discussions of feminism can be found. The issue of motherhood remains an unresolved issue today, with opposing arguments even within the feminist movement. This paper aims to analyse the issue of motherhood in the novels of Erendiz Atasü, who has acquired an undisputed place as a feminist writer in Turkish literature. She undermines the traditional concept of motherhood and uses it as a tool for deciphering and transforming masculine ideology.
Evaluating Reddit as a Crowdsourcing Platform for Psychology Research Projects
Authors: Luong Raymond , Lomanowska Anna M.
Published: May 2021

Background:

Online crowdsourcing platforms, such as Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), have become popular alternatives to the ubiquitous student samples used in psychology research. r/SampleSize, an alternative pool on the website Reddit, allows for online participant recruitment without compulsory or immediate payment, making it potentially useful for students, research trainees, and course instructors.

Objective:

The current study sought to assess the viability of using r/SampleSize as a participant pool by comparing its data characteristics to MTurk and existing lab samples.

Method:

Two hundred and fifty-six MTurk workers and 277 r/SampleSize participants completed identical questionnaires on demographics, participation motivations, and standard psychology scales.

Results:

Participants recruited through r/SampleSize reported diverse ages, education levels, income, and employment, although White ethnic background and US residence were predominant. r/SampleSize participants were more internally motivated than MTurk to participate in research and had greater need for cognition but did not differ significantly in altruism or motivation to gain self-knowledge. r/SampleSize data reliability and quality were comparable to MTurk and lab samples across most analyses.

Teaching Implications:

r/SampleSize can be used to recruit relatively large and diverse samples for undergraduate research projects with minimal setup, labor, and cost.

Conclusion:

The findings suggest that r/SampleSize is a diverse and viable participant pool.
Enlarging the region of stability in robust model predictive controller based on dual-mode control
Authors: Khani Fatemeh , Haeri Mohammad
Published: May 2021

Industrial processes are inherently nonlinear with input, state, and output constraints. A proper control system should handle these challenging control problems over a large operating region. The robust model predictive controller (RMPC) could be an linear matrix inequality (LMI)-based method that estimates stability region of the closed-loop system as an ellipsoid. This presentation, however, restricts confident application of the controller on systems with large operating regions. In this paper, a dual-mode control strategy is employed to enlarge the stability region in first place and then, trajectory reversing method (TRM) is employed to approximate the stability region more accurately. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme is illustrated on a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) process.
Fuzzy logic-based direct torque control for improvement of the fault-tolerant drive of a five-phase induction motor
Authors: Mahanta Umakanta , Mohanta Bhabesh Chandra , Panda Anup Kumar , Panigrahi Bibhu Prasad
Published: May 2021

Torque ripple reduction is one of the major challenges in switching table-based direct torque control (DTC) while operating for open phase faults of an induction motor, as the switching vectors are unevenly distributed. This can be minimized by increasing the level of the inverter and with the use of multi-phase motors. Fuzzy logic-based DTC is another solution to the above problem. In this paper, a comparative analysis is done between switching table-based DTC (ST-DTC) and fuzzy logic-based DTC for increasing the performance during open phase faults of a five-phase induction motor. The result shows that in fuzzy logic-based DTC with a two-level inverter, the torque ripple is reduced by 5.164% as compared with ST-DTC with a three-level inverter. The fuzzy logic-based DTC with the three-level inverter also gives better performance as compared with fuzzy logic-based DTC with the two-level inverter. The current ripple also reduced by 9.605% with respect to ST-DTC. Thus, fuzzy logic-based DTC is more suitable and cost effective for open phase fault-tolerant drives.
How Long Has It Been? Self-Construal and Subjective Time Perception
Authors: Chan Eugene Y. , Saqib Najam U.
Published: May 2021

Do people with independent and interdependent self-construals perceive the amount of time that has passed differently? Results from four experiments (one preregistered) and three supplementary ones reveal that an independent (vs. interdependent) self-construal elongates time perception by making individuals feel that more time has passed than in reality. We find evidence that this is likely because an independent self-construal increases arousal that affects one’s “internal clock,” which determines the subjective passage of time. We find this effect with externally valid and practical measures, such as by measuring how long an online video feels, how long loading a webpage feels, and how long waiting in a line feels. Our research adds to an understanding of the consequences of self-construal for one of human beings’ most important judgments—time. We discuss the theoretical and practical considerations of our results as well as research limitations in closing.
Litigation-Disclosure Modifications in the 10-K: Large-Sample Evidence
Authors: Li Heather
Published: May 2021

This study is the first to examine the litigation-disclosure modifications of legal proceedings (i.e., Item 103) and contingency-note disclosures (i.e., Accounting Standards Codification [ASC] 450) in the 10-K. Litigation-disclosure modifications are defined as the amount of litigation content disclosed in year t but not in year t– 1. I first confirm the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) concern that firms are providing less litigation-disclosure modifications. I then find firms with higher proprietary cost, higher litigation risk, and non-Big 4 auditors to be associated with more litigation-disclosure modifications. I also find that although firms are providing less litigation-disclosure modifications in the two litigation sections, such disclosures do predict future occurrence of litigation cases and are complementary in providing litigation information to investors. Results indirectly support the FASB’s 2012 decision to not precede with disclosure policy changes in contingency-note disclosures.
Loneliness in Malta: Findings from the first National Prevalence Study
Authors: Clark Marilyn , Bonnici Jamie , Azzopardi Andrew
Published: May 2021

Loneliness has been examined by an increasing number of scholars, being implicated in numerous detrimental outcomes for mental and physical health. However, most loneliness prevalence studies have focused on particular age groups, thus overlooking how loneliness differs across the lifespan. This study assessed loneliness prevalence in a nationally representative sample ( n = 1,009) of the Maltese population aged 11 years and above using the 11-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, while also identifying associations between loneliness and sociodemographic factors. Results demonstrate that 43.5% of the Maltese population experiences some form of loneliness. The association between loneliness and age demonstrates a nonlinear relationship, with elevated loneliness rates among adolescents, which decrease slightly in early adulthood, before slowly increasing from age 35 onward. Loneliness is also significantly associated with education level, employment status, household composition, mortgage payment status, perception of income, presence of a disability, active citizenship, as well as self-rated physical health, coping ability, and subjective wellbeing. These findings indicate that loneliness is experienced in significant rates across the lifespan, and intervention efforts should be targeted toward individuals of all ages.
Dual-task walking and automaticity after Stroke: Insights from a secondary analysis and imaging sub-study of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Collett Johnny , Fleming Melanie K , Meester Daan , Al-Yahya Emad , Wade Derick T , Dennis Andrea , Salvan Piergiorgio , Meaney Andrew , Cockburn Janet , Dawes Joanna , Johansen-Berg Heidi , Dawes Helen
Published: May 2021

Objective:

To test the extent to which initial walking speed influences dual-task performance after walking intervention, hypothesising that slow walking speed affects automatic gait control, limiting executive resource availability.

Design:

A secondary analysis of a trial of dual-task (DT) and single-task (ST) walking interventions comparing those with good (walking speed ⩾0.8 m s−1, n = 21) and limited (walking speed <0.79 m s−1, n = 24) capacity at baseline.

Setting:

Community.

Subjects:

Adults six-months post stroke with walking impairment.

Interventions:

Twenty sessions of 30 minutes treadmill walking over 10 weeks with (DT) or without (ST) cognitive distraction. Good and limited groups were formed regardless of intervention received.

Main measures:

A two-minute walk with (DT) and without (ST) a cognitive distraction assessed walking. fNIRS measured prefrontal cortex activation during treadmill walking with (DT) and without (ST) Stroop and planning tasks and an fMRI sub-study used ankle-dorsiflexion to simulate walking.

Results:

ST walking improved in both groups (∆baseline: Good = 8.9 ± 13.4 m, limited = 5.3±8.9 m, Group × time =  P < 0.151) but only the good walkers improved DT walking (∆baseline: Good = 10.4 ± 13.9 m, limited = 1.3 ± 7.7 m, Group × time =  P < 0.025). fNIRS indicated increased ispilesional prefrontal cortex activation during DT walking following intervention ( P = 0.021). fMRI revealed greater DT cost activation for limited walkers, and increased resting state connectivity of contralesional M1 with cortical areas associated with conscious gait control at baseline. After the intervention, resting state connectivity between ipsilesional M1 and bilateral superior parietal lobe, involved in integrating sensory and motor signals, increased in the good walkers compared with limited walkers.

Conclusion:

In individual who walk slowly it may be difficult to improve dual-task walking ability. Registration: ISRCTN50586966
A robust variable screening procedure for ultra-high dimensional data
Authors: Ghosh Abhik , Thoresen Magne
Published: May 2021

Variable selection in ultra-high dimensional regression problems has become an important issue. In such situations, penalized regression models may face computational problems and some pre-screening of the variables may be necessary. A number of procedures for such pre-screening has been developed; among them the Sure Independence Screening (SIS) enjoys some popularity. However, SIS is vulnerable to outliers in the data, and in particular in small samples this may lead to faulty inference. In this paper, we develop a new robust screening procedure. We build on the density power divergence (DPD) estimation approach and introduce DPD-SIS and its extension iterative DPD-SIS. We illustrate the behavior of the methods through extensive simulation studies and show that they are superior to both the original SIS and other robust methods when there are outliers in the data. Finally, we illustrate its use in a study on regulation of lipid metabolism.
BRIC Bilateral Direct Foreign Investment Relations with South Africa: A Critical Review
Authors: Mazenda Adrino , Masiya Tyanai
Published: May 2021

This article explores the Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) countries’ bilateral foreign investment relations with South Africa. It analyses investment patterns through the lens of the South African Foreign Investment Policy, and provides recommendations for the country to increase foreign investment from the BRIC. The article utilises a qualitative desktop approach, drawing from extensive literature review on BRICS’ foreign investment relations. The findings show that, despite the numerous foreign investment treaties signed within BRIC in South Africa’s favour, investments from BRIC are lagging. To increase direct investment flows, South Africa should relax entry and offer special incentives in critical sectors; such as energy, health, food production and mining; create a more stable and transparent legal environment; establish special and industrial economic zones as well as a clear foreign investment policy.
“Only intelligent attendants need apply”: the history of Western Australia’s first asylum at Fremantle (1865–1909)
Authors: Maude Phil
Published: May 2021

Objective:

To examine the history of Fremantle, Western Australia’s first purpose-built asylum.

Method:

A range of primary sources were consulted.

Results:

Fremantle was opened in 1865 to house inmates away from the populace and for the most part under the care of Dr HC Barnett. Attendants as well as inmates were occupied with work roles that kept the asylum functioning cost effectively.

Conclusion:

Within 15 years, the structure was neglected and overcrowded. Changes to the Penal Servitude Act limiting convict transportation, petty crime and a need to manage its proliferation resulted in large numbers of people being incarcerated at Fremantle.
The Journey of the Purple Butterfly: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Authors: O’Brien Gufarotti Jessica , Krakowski Anna
Published: May 2021

Introduction:

Dying in the hospital is not always a good experience for patients and their families. To be more in line with evidence-based practices for healthcare workers to effectively support high quality end of life care, the project team implemented a standardized communication tool to alert interdisciplinary team members of patients on comfort care measures.

Methods:

Purple Butterfly was a quality improvement project that was implemented at a diverse community hospital in the urban setting. Clinical and non-clinical interdisciplinary team members participated in a pre- and post- implementation survey to assess the need for a standardized communication tool that would alert them of patients who transitioned to comfort care.

Results:

Pre-implementation, 37% of survey respondents (n = 60) reported they were always aware of the presence of a patient on comfort care measures prior to entering the room. After implementation of a standardized communication tool, 100% (n = 43) of respondents at 9 months, reported that they were always aware of the presence of a patient on comfort care measures prior to entering the room. Additionally, 9 months post-intervention 100% of respondents reported that knowing this contextual information supported them in performing their job duties in a compassionate, patient-centered fashion.

Conclusion:

Implementation of a standardized communication tool increased awareness for team members, about the presence of patients on comfort care measures prior to entering the room and supported team members to perform their job duties in a compassionate, patient-centered fashion supportive of this patient population.
Assisting People With Their Living, Not Their Dying: Health Professionals’ Perspectives of Palliative Care and Opioids in ILD
Authors: Russo Lauren , Willis Karen , Smallwood Natasha
Published: May 2021

Objectives:

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a debilitating and life-limiting condition, requiring multi-disciplinary care. While guidelines recommend early specialist palliative care referral to improve symptoms and quality of life, few patients access such care towards the end-of-life. This study aimed to explore clinicians’ perspectives regarding specialist palliative care and opioids to understand barriers to optimal care and guide clinical practice improvement initiatives.

Methods:

A cross-sectional, exploratory, qualitative study was undertaken with Australian respiratory clinicians caring for people with ILD (n = 17). In-depth, semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded. Thematic analysis was undertaken to extrapolate recurring ideas from the data.

Results:

Four themes were identified: 1) understanding how to improve patient care and support, 2) the need to dispel stigmatized beliefs and misconceptions, 3) the importance of trusted relationships and good communication and 4) the challenges of navigating the health-care system. Participants discussed the need to implement early specialist palliative care and symptom palliation to alleviate symptoms, provide emotional support and augment quality of life. Participants described challenges accessing palliative care and opioids due to stigmatized beliefs amongst patients and clinicians and difficulties navigating the health-care system. Trusted therapeutic relationships with patients and strong inter-disciplinary partnerships with collaborative education and communication were perceived to improve patients’ access to symptom palliation.

Conclusion:

Specialist palliative care and opioids were believed to improve patients’ quality of life, however, many barriers can make accessing such care challenging. To address these issues, multi-disciplinary collaboration, high-quality communication and trusted therapeutic relationships are crucial throughout the ILD illness journey.
Dynamics and stability analysis of a flexible liquid-filled rotor in a constant thermal environment
Authors: Wang Guangding , Yang Wenjun , Yuan Huiqun
Published: May 2021

In this study, the dynamics and stability of a flexible rotor containing liquid in a constant thermal environment are investigated. According to thermoelastic theory, the thermal axial force exerted on the rotor is calculated by using the analytical method. A spinning Rayleigh beam is used as a simplified model of the rotor. Applying the Hamilton principle, the governing equation of motion for the flexible liquid-filled rotor system is derived. Using the obtained model, the stability prediction model and the critical spinning speed for the rotor system are formulated. To demonstrate the validity of the developed model, the present analysis is compared with the results reported in the previous study, and good agreement is observed from the comparison results. Finally, numerical results based on the obtained model are performed for a better understanding of the parameters including filling parameters, mode number, rotatory inertia and thermal effect on the stability, and critical spinning speed of the rotor system.
Identification of Relevant Sociocognitive Determinants Explaining Multiple Parental Sun Protection Behaviors
Authors: Thoonen Karlijn , van Osch Liesbeth , Crutzen Rik , de Vries Hein , Schneider Francine
Published: May 2021

Background

Adequate sun safety during childhood is crucial for decreasing skin cancer risk in later life. Although parents are an essential target group in applying sun protection measures for their children, insight into the determinants associated with their sun protection behaviors is limited.

Aims

This study aims to identify the most relevant determinants in predicting multiple parental sun protection intentions and behaviors in different sun exposure situations.

Method

A longitudinal survey study with two measurements was conducted among Dutch parents ( N = 670) of children (4–12 years old). Twenty-seven sociocognitive determinants were examined in terms of relevance regarding four parental sun protection behaviors in different sun exposure situations. The Confidence Interval-Based Estimation of Relevance approach was used to visualize room for improvement (sample means) on all determinants and their association strengths (correlations) with sun protection intentions and behaviors.

Results

Behavior-specific rather than generic determinants were most relevant in explaining all sun protection behaviors. Of these determinants, attitude, self-efficacy and action planning, and especially parental feelings of difficulty in performing sun protection behaviors, were most relevant. Altogether, the explained variance of all sociocognitive determinants was highest for shade-seeking behavior ( R2 = .41 and .43) and lowest for supportive behavior ( R2 = .19 and .29) in both planned and incidental sun exposure situations, respectively.

Discussion

This study provides detailed insight into relevant sociocognitive determinants of parental sun protection behaviors in various sun exposure situations and directions for composing parental skin cancer prevention interventions.

Conclusions

Future composition of sun safety interventions should emphasize on enhancing parental feelings of self-efficacy, especially for shade-seeking and clothing behaviors.
Medulloepithelioma in newborn: Advanced clinical status
Authors: Barchitta Matteo , De Francesco Sonia , Menicacci Cristina , Girolamo Matteo Maria , Salvoldi Federica , Hadjistilianou Doris
Published: May 2021

We report three cases of congenital medulloepithelioma, which is an extremely rare clinical pattern of a tumor rare by definition. The aim of this study is to underline the clinical features of advanced medulloepithelioma in newborns.
Outcomes after surgical removal of anterior epi-capsular plaque associated with persistent pupillary membranes in children
Authors: Serafino Massimiliano , Trivedi Rupal H , Wilson Marion Edward , Ramappa Muralidhar , Achanta Divya Sree Ramya , Nucci Paolo
Published: May 2021

Introduction:

Anteriorepi-capsular plaque (ACP) is usually eccentric and is associated with persistent iris strands arising from the collarette. Outcomes of lens preserving ACP peeling along with removal of persistent pupillary membrane (PPM) strands have seldom been reported with only a few cases within some case series appearing in the literature. Herein we aim to report outcome after surgical removal of ACP associated with PPM in children.

Methods:

Research was done in three different Institutes. Charts were reviewed for all children who had undergone ACP removal surgery from 2010. Age at surgery, gender, preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), preoperative refraction, morphologic details of ACP, intraoperative complications, ophthalmic viscosurgical device use, age at last follow-up, postoperative complications, and postoperative BCVA were reviewed.

Results:

A total of 16 patients, 10 male and 6 female, were included in study. Age at surgery ranged from 2 to 86 months old. Age at last follow up visit ranged from 2 to 14 years old. Postoperative complications were not observed in any of the 16 patients. Specifically, in all patients the crystalline lens remained clear at the last follow up visit.

Conclusions:

Congenital ACP of the lens associated with PPM and clear lens can be safely surgically removed with a very low risk of iatrogenic cataract in the early period after surgery.
Ocular findings in two Chinese children with Loeys-Dietz syndrome
Authors: Wang Wenting , Man Hui , Zhang Jie , Yu Penglin , Li Shuchan , Xu Xinyan , Li Nan
Published: May 2021

Background:

Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a type of connective tissue disease with systemic symptoms similar to Marfan syndrome. Ocular findings are rarely reported especially fundus and extraocular muscles.

Case presentation:

A 6-month old boy with systemic skeletal development delay was found peripheral non-perfusion and neovascularization in the both eyes, and gaven intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and laser. Fundus examination revealed a mild straightening of the temporal vessel in the both eyes. A 22-month old girl with confirmed connective tissue disorder presented to our hospital for strabismus and showed congenital hypoplasia of extraocular muscles. She also had arteriovenous anastomosis in the retinal. The diagnosis of LDS was supported by the genetic DNA examination.

Conclusion:

His is the first report of LDS with congenital hypoplasia of extraocular muscles, meanwhile, ocular examination especially fundus should be paid attention to.
Thermodynamics and Kinetic Studies for the Adsorption Process of Methyl Orange by Magnetic Activated Carbons
Authors: Cordova Estrada Ana Karen , Cordova Lozano Felipe , Lara Díaz René Alejandro
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the adsorption behavior of methyl orange (MO) by magnetic activated carbons (MACs) with different ratios of AC: Magnetite from aqueous solution. Batch experiments for MO adsorption were carried out for evaluating the thermodynamics and kinetics parameters onto the MAC adsorbents. Variables such as pH, initial concentration of the dye, contact time, and temperature have been analyzed. The physicochemical characteristics of MACs were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area analyzer (BET), and X-ray power diffraction. The results of SEM and BET analysis showed that MAC adsorbents present a porous structure and large surface area, suitable conditions for the adsorption process. The X-ray diffraction patterns of MACs revealed that the adsorbents possess magnetite as magnetic material. Adsorption kinetic studies carried out onto MACs showed that the pseudo-second-order model provides a good description of the kinetic process. The adsorption equilibrium results were well adjusted to the Langmuir isotherm, showing that the maximum adsorption capacity was for MACs with a ratio 3:1 and 2:1 AC/magnetite. Thermodynamic analysis declares that the adsorption process was established as spontaneous, endothermic, and physical adsorption in nature. The results of the this study indicated that MAC adsorbents can be used successfully for eliminating MO from aqueous solution.