bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Overview of Current Alternative Models for Use in the Context of Prostate Cancer Research
Authors: Nascimento-Gonçalves Elisabete , Ferreira Rita , Oliveira Paula A. , Colaço Bruno Jorge Antunes
Published: July 2020

Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, particularly in elderly populations. To mitigate the expected increase in prostate cancer-related morbidity and mortality as a result of an expanding aged population, safer and more effective therapeutics are required. To this end, plenty of research is focusing on the mechanisms underlying cancer initiation and development, the metastatic process and on the discovery of new therapies. While animal models are used (mainly rats and mice) for the study of prostate cancer, alternative models and methods are increasingly being considered to replace, or at least reduce, the number of animals used in this particular field of research. In this review, we cover some of the alternative models that are currently available for use in the study of prostate cancer, including: mathematical models; 2-D and 3-D cell cultures; microfluidic devices; the chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane-based model; and zebrafish embryo-based models. The main advantages and limitations, as well as some examples of applications, are given for each type of model. According to our analysis, immortalised cell lines are still the most commonly used models in the field of prostate cancer research. However, the use of alternative models for prostate cancer research will likely become more prevalent in the coming years partly because of the increasing societal pressure to reduce the numbers of laboratory animals. In this context, the development and dissemination of effective non-animal alternative models assumes particular relevance and will be instrumental in leveraging their success. Taking these perspectives into account, we believe that technological advances will lead to more effective cell culture systems, namely 3-D cultures or organ-on-a-chip devices, which can be used to replace animal-based models in prostate cancer research.
Does cycling induced by functional electrical stimulation enhance motor recovery in the subacute phase after stroke? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ambrosini Emilia , Parati Monica , Ferriero Giorgio , Pedrocchi Alessandra , Ferrante Simona
Published: July 2020

Objective:

To investigate the effects of cycling with functional electrical stimulation on walking, muscle power and tone, balance and activities of daily living in subacute stroke survivors.

Data Sources:

Ten electronic databases were searched from inception to February 2020.

Review methods:

Inclusion criteria were: subacute stroke survivors (<6 months since stroke), an experimental group performing any type of cycling training with electrical stimulation, alone or in addition to usual care, and a control group performing usual care alone. Two reviewers assessed eligibility, extracted data and analyzed the risks of bias. Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) or Mean Difference (MD) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated using fixed- or random-effects models to evaluate the training effect.

Results:

Seven randomized controlled trials recruiting a total of 273 stroke survivors were included in the meta-analyses. There was a statistically significant, but not clinically relevant, effect of cycling with electrical stimulation compared to usual care on walking (six studies, SMD [95% CI] = 0.40 [0.13, 0.67]; P = 0.004), capability to maintain a sitting position (three studies, MD [95% CI] = 7.92 [1.01, 14.82]; P = 0.02) and work produced by the paretic leg during pedaling (2 studies, MD [95% CI] = 8.13 [1.03, 15.25]; P = 0.02). No significant between-group differences were found for muscular power, tone, standing balance, and activities of daily living.

Conclusions:

Cycling training with functional electrical stimulation cannot be recommended in terms of being better than usual care in subacute stroke survivors. Further investigations are required to confirm these results, to determine the optimal training parameters and to evaluate long-term effects.
Process evaluation of the Cancer Home-Life Intervention: What can we learn from it for future intervention studies?
Authors: la Cour Karen , Gregersen Oestergaard Lisa , Brandt Åse , Offersen Sara Marie Hebsgaard , Lindahl-Jacobsen Line , Cutchin Malcolm , Pilegaard Marc Sampedro
Published: July 2020

Background:

The Cancer Home-Life Intervention showed no significant effects, and examination of the processes affecting or inhibiting outcomes is relevant.

Aim:

To evaluate the Cancer Home-Life Intervention for its processes of implementation, mechanisms of impact and contextual factors.

Design:

Process evaluation conducted alongside the randomised controlled trial, using quantitative and qualitative methods (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02356627). The Cancer Home-Life Intervention is a tailored, occupational therapy–based programme.

Setting/participants:

This study took place in participants’ homes and at hospital. A total of 113 home-dwelling adults (⩾18 years) with advanced cancer who had received the Cancer Home-Life Intervention were included, together with five intervention-therapists.

Results:

All 113 participants (100%) received a first home visit; 32 participants (26%) received a second visit; and 4 participants (3%) received a third visit. Median number of delivered intervention components were 3 (interquartile range: 2; 4). Identified barriers for effect included unclear decision process for intervention dosage; participants’ low expectations; participants’ lack of energy; and insufficient time to adopt new strategies. The trial design constituted a barrier as the intervention could only be provided within a specific short period of time and not when relevant. Intervention components working to solve practical everyday problems, enhance enjoyment and increase a sense of safety were perceived as useful.

Conclusion:

Future interventions can benefit from inclusion criteria closely related to the intervention focus and clear procedures for when to continue, follow-up and terminate intervention. Decisions about dose and timing may benefit from learning theory by taking into account the time and practice needed to acquire new skills.
Gendered Justice in China: Victim–Offender Mediation as the “Different Voice” of Female Judges
Authors: Wei Shuai
Published: July 2020

Attempts to uncover the “different voice” of female judges through testing the statistical significance of judges’ gender in decision making have offered inconsistent results. Meanwhile, a proliferation of research suggests that such “voice” might be detected through qualitative analysis. Existing findings indicate that when female judges have discretionary power regarding case management, they will typically foster a process of settlement. Based on this information, I conducted eight months of fieldwork in China and observed 68 victim–offender mediations in four district courts. I found that the criminal division is widely perceived as a masculine setting, and female judges are accustomed to employing mediation as a preferred dispute resolution method to facilitate reconciliation between the two parties and seek civil compensation for victims. Such judicial behavior is a result of propaganda from the Supreme People’s Court and a reflection of female judges’ life and work experience. By contrast, a neglect of mediation among male judges can be identified in the same workplace. The belief that mediation is feminine and time-consuming contributes to this neglect. In addition, rape lawsuits are an exception for mediation. This explorative research not only represents one of the first efforts to reveal a “different voice” in the Chinese criminal justice system but points out a direction of research for studying the judicial behaviors of female judges worldwide.
Fleet Sizing for Pooled (Automated) Vehicle Fleets
Authors: Balac Milos , Hörl Sebastian , Axhausen Kay W.
Published: July 2020

This paper proposes an (automated) on-demand public transport service using different vehicle capacities to serve current car demand in cities. The service relies on space and time aggregation of passengers that have similar origins and destinations. It provides a point-to-point service with predefined pick-up and drop-off locations. In this way, detours to pick-up en-route passengers is avoided. The optimization problem that minimizes the fleet size along with limiting rebalancing distances is defined as a mixed-integer linear programming problem. Solving the problem for Zurich, Switzerland, yields, in the best case, a fleet size equal to 3.7% of the current fleet that could serve current car demand. Vehicle kilometers traveled could also be reduced by nearly 10%. Results also show that the speed of automated vehicles has a substantial effect on the necessary fleet size and free-flow speeds generally produce over-optimistic results.
Investigation of Thermal Sensation in a Railway Vehicle during Cooling Period
Authors: Sevilgen Gökhan , Sayaral Gürcan , Kiliç Muhsin , Bayram Halil
Published: July 2020

The paper presents an investigation of local thermal comfort of passengers in a railway vehicle. The railway vehicle model includes five different parts called modules, and each module had different properties such as passenger capacity and seating arrangement. A virtual manikin model was developed and added to the numerical model which includes convection and radiation heat transfer between the human body and the environment. The numerical simulation was conducted according to the EN 14750-1 standard describing the thermal comfort conditions for different climatic zones. Two different cases were performed for steady-state conditions. Meanwhile, measurements were taken in a railway vehicle cabin to validate the numerical simulation, and the numerical results were in good agreement with the experimental data. It is observed that the local heat transfer characteristics of the human body have significant importance for the design of an effective heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system because each module had different heat transfer and air flow characteristics. It is also shown that the thermal sensation (TSENS) index helps railway vehicle HVAC researchers to determine the reasons for discomfort zones of each occupant. Another important result is that using a single air flow channel did not meet the thermal comfort demands of all passengers in this railway vehicle. Therefore, multiple air flow channel design configurations should be considered and developed for these vehicles. Local thermal comfort models allow HVAC systems to achieve better comfort conditions with energy saving. The numerical model can be used for effective module design, including seating arrangements, to achieve better thermal comfort conditions.
Perfusion promotes endothelialized pore formation in high concentration fibrin gels otherwise unsuitable for tube development
Authors: Zippusch Sarah , Helms Florian , Lau Skadi , Klingenberg Melanie , Schrimpf Claudia , Haverich Axel , Wilhelmi Mathias , Böer Ulrike
Published: July 2020

Vascularization of tissue engineered implants is crucial for their survival and integration in the recipient’s body. Pre-vascularized, fibrin-based implants offer a solution since low concentration fibrin hydrogels (1 mg/mL) have been shown to promote tube formation of endothelial cells in co-culture with adipogenic stem cells. However, higher fibrinogen concentrations (> 20 mg/mL) enabling the fabrication of stable implants are necessary.

We here characterized fibrin gels of 1–30 mg/mL for their rheological properties and whether they support tube formation of endothelial cell–adipogenic stem cell co-cultures for up to 7 days. Moreover, 20 mg/mL gels containing preformed channels and endothelial cell–adipogenic stem cell co-culture were perfused continuously in a customized flow chamber with 3.9 dyn/cm2 for 12 days and analyzed for capillary formation.

Rheology of fibrin gels showed increasing stability proportional to fibrinogen concentration with 20 mg/mL gels having a storage module of 465 Pa. Complex tube networks stable for 7 days were observed at 1–5 mg/mL gels whereas higher concentrations showed initial sprouting only. However, perfusion of 20 mg/mL fibrin gels resulted in endothelialized pore formation in several layers of the gel with endothelial cell–adipogenic stem cell co-culture.

Thus, perfusion supports the formation of capillary-like structures in fibrin gels that are too dense for spontaneous tube formation under static conditions. Future studies are necessary to further increase pore density and to investigate proper nutrition of tissue-specific target cells in the scaffold.
A Single-Center, Prospective Trial Investigating Effects of Combined Infrared, Radiofrequency, Mechanical Massage, and Suction Treatment on Submental and Lateral Neck Tissue Contouring
Authors: Polacco Marc A. , Luu Teresa , Ni Garrett , Attenello Natalie H. , Dicarlo Agatha , Maas Corey S.
Published: July 2020

There are many treatments for neck laxity and fullness, both invasive and noninvasive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of combined infrared, radiofrequency, mechanical massage, and suction therapy in performing contour changes in the submental and lateral neck regions. This was a single-center, prospective cohort study in which 30 patients were treated with a session of combined infrared, radiofrequency, mechanical massage, and suction therapy once a week for 4 weeks. Follow-up was performed at posttreatment months 1, 3, and 6. Both subjects and investigators completed submental fat grading scales and lateral neck and jowl linear analog scales. Exclusion criteria included history of soft tissue augmentation, cosmetic injections, ablative or nonablative skin resurfacing, or surgical procedures in the lower facial region, as well as weight gain or loss exceeding 10 pounds during the study period. There was a significant difference between mean ± SD neck and jowl investigator scores at day 0 and month 6, which were 5.6 ± 0.9 and 4.4 ± 1.0, respectively ( P < .05). Mean investigator submental fat score at day 0 was 1.9 ± 0.7 vs 1.5 ± 0.6 ( P = .04) at month 6. Differences between mean patient neck and jowl and submental fat scores were also statistically significant between day 0 and month 6. At day 0, the mean patient neck and jowl score was 4.7 ± 0.8 vs 3.2 ± 1.1 at month 6 ( P < .05), and at day 0, the mean patient submental fat score was 2.2 ± 0.5 vs 1.8 ± 0.6 at month 6 ( P < .05). Combined infrared, radiofrequency, mechanical massage, and suction therapy provides an effective, noninvasive treatment modality for improving contour of the lateral neck and submentum.
Management of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: Focus on Capsaicin
Authors: Stumpf Janice L. , Williams Lauren D.
Published: July 2020

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a condition characterized by cyclic severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain associated with frequent, long-term marijuana use. The condition resolves with cessation of cannabis but may be temporarily relieved by bathing in hot water. Topical capsaicin cream may also alleviate symptoms, perhaps through antiemetic effects produced by activation of TRPV1 receptors, similar to that of hot water bathing. This review summarizes the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, focusing on treatment with topical capsaicin.
On Kuhn’s case, and Piaget’s: A critical two-sited hauntology (or, On impact without reference)
Authors: Burman Jeremy Trevelyan
Published: July 2020

Picking up on John Forrester’s (1949–2015) disclosure that he felt ‘haunted’ by the suspicion that Thomas Kuhn’s (1922–96) interests had become his own, this essay complexifies our understanding of both of their legacies by presenting two sites for that haunting. The first is located by engaging Forrester’s argument that the connection between Kuhn and psychoanalysis was direct. (This was the supposed source of his historiographical method: ‘climbing into other people’s heads’.) However, recent archival discoveries suggest that that is incorrect. Instead, Kuhn’s influence in this regard was Jean Piaget (1896–1980). And it is Piaget’s thinking that was influenced directly by psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis then haunts Kuhn’s thinking through Piaget, and thus Piaget haunts Forrester through Kuhn. To better understand this second site of the haunting—which is ultimately the more important one, given the intent of this special issue—Piaget’s early psychoanalytic ideas are uncovered through their interaction with his early biology and subsequent turn to philosophy. But several layers of conflicting contemporary misunderstandings are first excavated. The method of hauntology is also developed, taking advantage of its origins as a critical response to the psychoanalytic discourse. As a result of adopting this approach, a larger than usual number of primary sources have been unearthed and presented as evidence (including new translations from French originals). Where those influences have continued to have an impact, but their sources forgotten, they have thus been returned. They can then all be considered together in deriving new perspectives of Forrester’s cases/Kuhn’s exemplars/Piaget’s stages.
Centrifugal turbo chiller using water as refrigerant and lubricant
Authors: Shoyama Tadayoshi , Kawano Bunki , Ogata Takeshi , Matsui Masaru , Furukawa Masato , Dousti Saeid
Published: July 2020

Water refrigerant heat pump system with a water vapour turbo compressor is developed. Water (R718) is an ideal refrigerant that is considered perfectly environment friendly. Although water refrigerant heat pump is studied extensively, the development of turbo compressors of high pressure ratio is still a technical challenge, in terms of both aerodynamics of the impellers and high-speed rotordynamics. In this study, the high-speed rotor is supported by journal bearings lubricated with water refrigerant. Additionally, other system components such as sprayed direct intercooler heat exchanger and anti-cavitation flow control valve have to be designed and developed with the new requirements as well. An experimental test rig of closed-loop heat pump is constructed which achieves the cooling capacity of 100 kW on the rated condition with COP = 5. The experimental results and the experienced challenges and their undertaken solutions are discussed in terms of the efficiency and the vibrations of the turbo compressor and the heat pump system.
Affordances supporting mothers’ engagement in information-related activities through Facebook groups
Authors: Mansour Ameera
Published: July 2020

Social networking sites have become indispensable information and communication tools in everyday life. This qualitative study investigated the information-related activities and affordances of a Facebook group for foreign mothers living in Sweden. Four key information activities were identified: posting, monitoring, commenting and searching. These activities show how the group members accessed the information resources embedded within the group in a variety of visible, invisible, active and passive modes. The article concludes with a discussion of how these different modes are facilitated by the affordances of visibility, accessibility, persistence and associations.
Role of Fatherhood Identity and Machismo in Latino Men With Problem Drinking
Authors: Mogro-Wilson Cristina , Cifuentes Alberto
Published: July 2020

Latino men are more likely to binge drink than their non-Latino male counterparts. Moreover, Latino fathers who misuse alcohol may show rigid masculine values (traditional machismo) rather than sensitivity and warmth ( caballerismo). In an online survey of 309 Latino fathers, the researchers explored the relationship between problem drinking and traditional machismo, caballerismo, child–father relationship, father self-efficacy, and fatherhood identity. The study found that problem drinking was associated with higher levels of traditional machismo and child–father conflict and lower levels of fatherhood identity. In addition, fatherhood identity moderated the relationship between traditional machismo and problem drinking. These results underscore the significance of fatherhood identity for Latino men and support a strengths-based approach for substance abuse interventions for Latino fathers.
Is the Emergency Department an Inappropriate Venue for Code Status Discussions?
Authors: Miller Daniel G. , Vakkalanka J. Priyanka , Swanson Morgan B. , Nugent Andrew S. , Hagiwara Yuya
Published: July 2020

Background:

Historically, it has been assumed that the Emergency Department (ED) is a place for maximally aggressive care and that Emergency Medicine Providers (EMPs) are biased towards life-prolonging care. However, emphasis on early recognition of code status preferences is increasingly making the ED a venue for code status discussions (CSDs). In 2018, our hospital implemented a policy requiring EMPs to place a code status order (CSO) for all patients admitted through the ED. We hypothesized that if EMPs enter CSDs with a bias toward life-prolonging care, or if the venue of the ED biases CSDs towards life-prolonging care, then we would observe a decrease in the percentage of patients selecting DNR status following our institution’s aforementioned CSO mandate.

Methods:

We present a retrospective analysis of rates of DNR orders placed for patients admitted through our ED comparing six-month periods before and after the implementation of the above policy.

Results:

Using quality improvement data, we identified patients admitted through the ED during pre (n=7,858) and post (n=8,069) study periods. We observed the following: after implementation DNR preference identified prior to hospital admission from the ED increased from 0.4% to 5.3% (relative risk (RR) 12.5; 95% CI: 5.2-29.9), defining CS in the ED setting at the time of admission increased from 2.4% to 98.6% (p <0.001), and DNR orders placed during inpatient admission was unchanged (RR=0.97 (95% CI = 0.88-1.07)).

Discussion:

Our results suggest that the ED can be an appropriate venue for CSDs.
The Presence of Jesus Christ in the Office of the Ministry: Rethinking Luther from His Pulpit Out
Authors: Mumme Jonathan
Published: July 2020

The sermons of the mature Luther offer an illuminating ministeriology, in whose center stands the conviction that Christ is present in the office of the ministry. Various aspects of this central motif of Christ’s presence in the ministry can be observed. Drawing on this motif and its various aspects, weighty conclusions about the place of the office of the ministry in Luther’s ecclesiology and in the larger whole of his theology are drawn. In an English summary of his German dissertation, the author shows that Luther’s homiletically communicated understanding of the ministry offers new perspectives on the disputed topic of Luther’s understanding of the ministry, which hold no small promise for ecumenical theology and dialogue.
Construct Validity of the German Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fifth Edition: Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses of the 15 Primary and Secondary Subtests
Authors: Canivez Gary L. , Grieder Silvia , Buenger Anette
Published: July 2020

The latent factor structure of the German Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fifth edition (German WISC-V) was examined using complementary hierarchical exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) with Schmid and Leiman transformation and confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) for all reported models from the German WISC-V Technical Manual and rival bifactor models using the standardization sample ( N = 1,087) correlation matrix of the 15 primary and secondary subtests. EFA results did not support a fifth factor (Fluid Reasoning). A four-factor model with the dominant general intelligence ( g) factor resembling the WISC-IV was supported by EFA. CFA results indicated the best representation was a bifactor model with four group factors, complementing EFA results. Present EFA and CFA results replicated other independent assessments of standardization and clinical samples of the United States and international versions of the WISC-V and indicated primary, if not exclusive, interpretation of the Full Scale IQ as an estimate of g.
Periorbital lipogranuloma after facial injection of autologous fat: A retrospective study of 18 cases
Authors: Yu Xiuting , Yan Huan , Xiao Lihua , Hei Yan
Published: July 2020

Objective:

To investigate the clinical features of patients who develop periorbital lipogranuloma after injection of autologous fat.

Methods:

This retrospective case series included 18 patients who developed a periorbital mass or swelling after undergoing injection of autologous fat for facial augmentation. The patients’ medical records were reviewed for clinical history, radiologic findings, and treatment outcomes.

Results:

All patients were women aged 24 to 50 years (mean, 31.6 years). Five patients (27.8%) involved both orbits. Presenting eye symptoms were a palpable mass (61.1%), eyelid swelling (44.4%), and ptosis (16.7%). The interval between the final injection and onset of eye symptoms ranged from 1 to 36 months (mean, 11.5 months). Thirteen patients underwent radiologic imaging. Fifteen patients received only one injection of autologous fat and three received two injections with the cryopreserved fat used in the second injection. Surgical excision was performed in 12 patients to remove the mass and identify the pathologic abnormalities. No recurrence was found during 1 year of follow-up. Two of the six patients who had refused treatment showed spontaneous resolution at the 6-month visit.

Conclusion:

Periorbital lipogranuloma after facial injection of autologous fat should be considered as a specific orbital disease entity for which MRI is an effective examination method. Surgery is warranted for this condition when conservative treatment is ineffective.
Optical coherence tomography angiography findings of fellow eye of proliferative macular telangiectasia type 2: Long term study
Authors: Singh Sumit Randhir , Fraser-Bell Samantha , Dogra Avantika , Sahoo Niroj Kumar , Gabrielle Pierre-Henry , Lupidi Marco , Al-Sheikh Mayss , Borrelli Enrico , Sacconi Riccardo , Querques Giuseppe , Chhablani Jay
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

To report the characteristics of non-proliferative fellow eyes in patients with unilateral proliferative macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel).

Methods:

This was a multicenter, retrospective study and included fellow eyes of eyes with subretinal neovascular membrane (SRNVM). Multimodal imaging including fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA) was performed. OCT and OCTA measurements included central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area and qualitative parameters such as distortion or enlargement of FAZ, increased inter-vascular spacing, dilated, tortuous vessel at margin of FAZ, crowding of vessel, and loss of choriocapillaris (CC).

Results:

Thirteen fellow eyes of 13 patients with mean age of 63.6 ± 12.0 years were included. Fellow eyes had various stages of the diseases – stage 2 (four eyes), 3 (six eyes), and 4 (three eyes). OCTA showed increased intervascular spacing (8; 61.5%), dilated (11; 84.6%), and elongated vessels (8; 61.5%) at the margin of the FAZ, crowding of vessels (6; 46.2%), capillary non-perfusion areas outside the FAZ (4; 30.8%), and areas of CC loss (4; 30.8%). Mean follow-up was 9.1 ± 12.9 months. Out of six eyes with follow-up of ⩾12 months, two developed SRNVM at 18 and 33 months with OCTA showing crowding and entanglement of dilated retinal vessels in deep capillary plexus at baseline which corresponded to the area affected by SRNVM.

Conclusion:

Fellow eyes of proliferative MacTel showed established disease stages on OCTA with progressive capillary crowding and entanglement of vessels likely corresponding to the future site of SRNVM.
Delayed pericardial tamponade following central venous recanalization
Authors: Li Nan , Huang Yong-Hui
Published: July 2020

A patient with central venous occlusion at the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium underwent endovascular revascularization. The leakage of contrast agents was detected during sharp recanalization that was then managed with covered stent deployment. The initial symptom of facial swelling disappeared and the vital signs were stable after treatment. Regrettably, the patient suffered from the clinical features of cardiac tamponade on the third day post-treatment, which was confirmed by computed tomography. Finally, a pericardial effusion was drained, leading to dramatic improvement in the cardiovascular status of the patient.
Pre-service teachers’ beliefs about second language pronunciation teaching, their experience, and speech assessments
Authors: Tsunemoto Aki , Trofimovich Pavel , Kennedy Sara
Published: July 2020

Teacher cognition has attracted increased attention among second language (L2) researchers and practitioners, likely because of its potential consequences for classroom practices, such as teaching and assessment. Prior research has revealed links between teacher beliefs about pronunciation teaching and teachers’ own experience (e.g. amount of teacher training and teaching experience). However, no research has to date focused on how teachers’ experience and their beliefs are intertwined, possibly affecting teacher assessments of L2 speakers’ pronunciation. For this study, 77 Japanese pre-service teachers of English completed an online questionnaire examining their beliefs about the teaching of English pronunciation and eliciting details about their L2 teaching and learning experience. Additionally, pre-service teachers assessed 40 Japanese secondary school students performing an extemporaneous speech task, rating these speakers for comprehensibility, accentedness, and fluency. Results showed that pre-service teachers could be categorized into two distinct profiles, defined by joint contributions of pre-service teachers’ experience (a mixture of language learning/teaching experience and pronunciation-related instruction) and their beliefs (teachability of L2 pronunciation and approaches to its teaching). Pre-service teachers with more experience appeared to be more skeptical about how (easily) L2 pronunciation can be learned and taught and also provided harsher accentedness ratings, compared to pre-service teachers with less experience, revealing links between experience, beliefs, and speech assessments. Taken together, the findings reveal how pre-service teachers’ experience might shape their beliefs and assessments, implying that teacher educators must encourage future teachers to hold positive views about the teachability of L2 pronunciation by shifting their attention toward communicatively oriented dimensions of L2 speech and by providing teachers with pedagogical skills to target these dimensions.
What factors are truly associated with risk for radicalisation? A secondary data analysis within a UK sample
Authors: Ahearn Elizabeth-Rose , Bhui Kamaldeep , Jones Edgar
Published: July 2020

Radicalisation and extremist violence are of increasing concern internationally. The unconventional, decentralised, and transnational nature of modern terrorism involves an active process of radicalisation requiring national security responses to reflect findings from recent empirical research. This study aims to identify factors that relate to extremist attitudes and potential vulnerability to radicalisation in order to inform preventative action. A cross-sectional survey was conducted of a representative population sample of men and women aged 18–45 of Muslim heritage recruited by quota sampling in two English cities. Logistic regressions were performed on a seven-item dichotomised measure based on our previously developed scale of ‘sympathy for terrorist acts’. Scores representing ‘non-condemnation of these acts’ were deemed to represent risk for radicalisation. Thirteen respondents had a positive score on the sympathy for terrorism measure (2.4%), 39 scored zero (6.41%) and the remainder (91.4%) had a negative score representing condemnation of terrorist acts. There was a significant association between sympathy for terrorism and belonging to the local or global Muslim community, anxiety, and support for the use of defensive violence. Gender, religious identity, country of birth, belief in Sharia law, the importance of religion in life, and mosque attendance were all not associated with sympathy for terrorism. The results contribute to an understanding of the radicalisation process and have potential value in developing preventative public health interventions.
Input limitations in a diffuse linguistic setting: Observations from a West African contact zone
Authors: Beyer Klaus
Published: July 2020

The sociolinguistic background of multilingual rural societies in West Africa and the prevailing conditions of language transmission are quite different from those found in most immigrant situations in the Global North. In the case focused upon here, the target language itself is under constant pressure from other, more dominant contact languages, and the usual repertoire of a fully competent speaker already involves a larger number of language sources and internal variations. This article explores the verbal behaviour of three speakers of the endangered language Pana (Gur/Niger-Congo; Mali/Burkina Faso) who experienced varying degrees of interrupted language transmission in earlier life times. They were all brought up in situations where only one of the parents spoke Pana as a first language and where it was not part of their general linguistic environment. The speakers find themselves now in a setting where local people prefer Pana and consider it the most appropriate code for village dwellers in community-internal communication. Accordingly, the speakers under scrutiny struggle with the communicative obligations and try to cope with their usually fully competent conversation partners’ expectations. The presented analysis of discourse data shows the manifold and complex linguistic and social implications of such a situation. It will be argued that it is correspondingly difficult to disentangle general language contact phenomena from variation introduced through incomplete second-language acquisition. Furthermore, the data strongly suggests that the background of a diffuse linguistic system and a relatively unfocused society entails a greater liberty for the scrutinized speakers’ communicative possibilities. Regarding norm adherence, the partners in discourse seem to stretch the acceptance of linguistic variation to the very limits of the already diffuse linguistic system as long as social conduct and behavioural norms of communication are respected.
Applying for development consent during lockdown: The Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station
Authors: Caine Catherine Ann
Published: July 2020

The UK is currently facing unprecedented times as Covid-19 has forced the country into lockdown. However, the recent development consent application from EDF Energy for the Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station provides an opportunity for the planning sector to begin to return to normal. This opinion considers whether it is possible to achieve full public consultation on the Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station application, given the current circumstances that the UK faces due to Covid-19. It is argued that the Planning Inspectorate has not currently taken sufficient action to ensure that members of the public who do not have internet access and those who require library access to make representations are not left out of the process. It is also argued that businesses and non-governmental organisations may also struggle to make representations at a time when they are suffering from limited resources. In conclusion, it is essential that the Planning Inspectorate takes immediate action to ensure that the public consultation process is preserved for applications of this kind while Covid-19 restrictions are in place.
Computational optimization of reactivity controlled compression ignition combustion to achieve high efficiency and clean combustion
Authors: Jain Avilash , Krishnasamy Anand , V Pradeep
Published: July 2020

One of the major limitations of reactivity controlled compression ignition is higher unburned hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions and lower thermal efficiency at part load operating conditions. In the present study, a combined numerical approach using a commercial three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics code CONVERGE along with artificial neural network and genetic algorithm is presented to address the above limitation. A production light-duty diesel engine is modified to run in reactivity controlled compression ignition by replacing an existing mechanical fuel injection system with a flexible electronic port fuel injection and common rail direct injection systems. The injection schedules of port fuel injection and direct injection injectors are controlled using National Instruments port and direct injection driver modules. Upon validation of combustion and emission parameters, parametric investigations are carried out to establish the effects of direct-injected diesel fuel timing start of injection (SOI), premixed fuel ratio and intake charge temperature on the engine performance and emissions in reactivity controlled compression ignition. The results obtained show that the start of injection timing and intake charge temperature significantly influence combustion phasing, while the premixed fuel ratio controls mixture reactivity and combustion quality. By utilizing the data generated with the validated computational fluid dynamics models, the artificial neural network models are trained to predict the engine exhaust emissions and efficiency. The artificial neural network models for gross indicated efficiency and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are then coupled with genetic algorithm to maximize gross indicated efficiency while keeping the NOx and soot emissions within Euro VI emission limits. By optimizing the start of injection timing, premixed fuel ratio and intake charge temperature simultaneously using the artificial neural network models coupled with genetic algorithm, 19% improvement in gross indicated efficiency, 60% and 64% reduction in hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions, respectively, are obtained in reactivity controlled compression ignition compared to the baseline case.
Numerical study of the effect of split direct injection on the lean-burn combustion characteristics in a poppet-valve two-stroke gasoline engine at high loads
Authors: Li Xiao , He Bang-Quan , Zhao Hua
Published: July 2020

Poppet-valve two-stroke gasoline engines can increase specific power of four-stroke gasoline engines with the same displacement. But knocking combustion may also occur at high loads in two-stroke engines. The application of stratified lean-burn on poppet-valve two-stroke gasoline engines can avoid knocking and increase combustion stability. To investigate the effect of the mixture stratification on lean-burn events at high loads, simulation was conducted in different split direct injection conditions with constant fuel mass when equivalence ratio is 0.625. Results show that most fuel distributes near the center of the cylinder at any second direct injection ratio ( rSOI2). At different rSOI2s, auto-ignition occurs during flame propagation, causing shortened combustion duration. Auto-ignition causes the second peak of the heat release rate. The second peak of the heat release rate first decreases and then increases with increased rSOI2. Indicated mean effective pressure and indicated thermal efficiency increase with increased maximum pressure rise rate. The maximum indicated thermal efficiency of 42% can be reached without knocking combustion at 1500 rpm. The proportion of fuel mass through auto-ignition in the cylinder is an important factor to change the indicated thermal efficiency of a lean-burn engine at high loads.
Complexity and flexibility: interviews with three-generation families in their homes
Authors: Freeman Claire , Buttery Yvette , van Heezik Yolanda
Published: July 2020

In a study on urban greenspace use, we conducted one-on-one interviews with children, parents and grandparents living in multi-generational families; there were 15 families and 57 interviewees aged between 6 and 80 years. Although we set out to interview individuals, in practice, it became a fluid zooming in and out between different family members in a dynamic family environment. When preparing for this research, we could find no guidance related to the complex scenario of multiple-generation interviewing in family homes. Our research provides new insights into interviewing, quality of data expectations, fluid interview situations, the benefits and pitfalls of engaging in dynamic multifaceted family scenarios and ethical practices around consent, confidentiality, disruptions and disclosure associated with multi-generational family engagement. Flexibility and substantial interviewing experience are critical to success; this type of research we discovered is not for the faint of heart. Multi-generation living is growing, highlighting the need for further research into and guidance on multi-generational research that allows the voices of all the generations to be heard equitably and effectively. Such research will be vital for housing, planning, design and social policy-related professions which need to understand better the different values and needs present at different stages of life.
A theatrical conception of power
Authors: Mazzone Leonard
Published: July 2020

In this article I will combine Erving Goffman’s sociology with some of the main aspects of Actor-Network Theory in order to outline a theatrical conception of social power. My first aim is to try to summarize the sociological perspective introduced by Kenneth Burke and then improved on by Erving Goffman to understand the face-to-face interactions of everyday life. Secondly, I will try to use the theatrical metaphor underlying this theoretical framework to describe power-over relations in everyday life. Thanks to the combination of the dramaturgical theory proposed by Erving Goffman and the ‘object turn’ given to social theory by Actor-Network Theory, a theatrical conception of power allows the episodic, dispositional and systemic dimensions of power relations to be mapped respectively depending on the actors’ performances, their roles of power and the institutionalized scripts. Moreover, this theatrical representation of power-over relations is a defaced understanding of the phenomenon that enables us to investigate not only its different directional forms (power-to, -over and -with), but also their possible variants (empowerment, resistance, domination and solidarity).
Deep wavelet sequence-based gated recurrent units for the prognosis of rotating machinery
Authors: Ma Meng , Mao Zhu
Published: July 2020

Prognostics and health management (PHM) is an emerging technique which aims to improve the reliability and safety of machinery systems. Remaining useful life (RUL) prediction is the key part of PHM which provides operators how long the machine keeps working without breakdowns. In this study, a novel prognostic model is proposed for RUL prediction using deep wavelet sequence-based gated recurrent units (GRU). This proposed wavelet sequence-based gated recurrent unit (WSGRU) specifically adopts a wavelet layer and generates wavelet sequences at different scales. Since vibration signals exhibit non-stationary characteristics, wavelet analysis is thereby needed to capture both the time and frequency domain information to fully identify the degradation of the rotating components. In the proposed WSGRU, the vibration signals are decomposed into different frequency sub-bands via wavelet transformation, and then a deep GRU architecture is designed to predict the RUL taking advantage of the temporal dependencies that naturally exist in the waveforms. Experimental studies have been performed for RUL prediction of bearings with collection of vibration signals during the run-to-failure tests. The prediction results show that deep WSGRU outperforms traditional models due to the multi-level feature extraction on the transformed multiscale wavelet sequences.
Blending the Focused Ethnographic Method and Case Study Research: Implications Regarding Case Selection and Generalization of Results
Authors: Verd Joan Miquel , Barranco Oriol , Lozares Carlos
Published: July 2020

In this article, we present the benefits of blending the methodological characteristics of the focused ethnographic method (FEM) and case study research (CSR) for a study on auxiliary work processes in a hospital in Barcelona, Spain. We argue that incorporating CSR logic and principles in the FEM produces a better form of inquiry, as this combination improves the quality of data and the ability to make comparisons in addition to enhancing the transferability of findings. These better outcomes are achieved because the characteristics of the case study methodological design reinforce many of the strengths of the FEM, such as its thematic concreteness and its targeted data collection. The role played by the theoretical framework of the study thus makes it easier to focus on the key variables of the initial theoretical model and to introduce a logic of multiple case comparison.
Addressing the Large Standard Error of Traditional CBM-R: Estimating the Conditional Standard Error of a Model-Based Estimate of CBM-R
Authors: Nese Joseph F. T. , Kamata Akihito
Published: July 2020

Curriculum-based measurement of oral reading fluency (CBM-R) is widely used across the country as a quick measure of reading proficiency that also serves as a good predictor of comprehension and overall reading achievement, but it has several practical and technical inadequacies, including a large standard error of measurement (SEM). Reducing the SEM of CBM-R scores has positive implications for educators using these measures to screen or monitor student growth. The purpose of this study was to compare the SEM of traditional CBM-R words correct per minute (WCPM) fluency scores and the conditional SEM (CSEM) of model-based WCPM estimates, particularly for students with or at risk of poor reading outcomes. We found (a) the average CSEM for the model-based WCPM estimates was substantially smaller than the reported SEMs of traditional CBM-R systems, especially for scores at/below the 25th percentile, and (b) a large proportion (84%) of sample scores, and an even larger proportion of scores at/below the 25th percentile (about 99%) had a smaller CSEM than the reported SEMs of traditional CBM-R systems.