bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of interstitial cells of Cajal density in the outcomes of pyeloplasty in adults: A prospective analysis
Authors: Srougi Victor , Bandeira Rodolfo Anisio Santana de Torres , Reis Sabrina Thalita , dos Santos Gabriel Arantes , Andrade Hiury da Silva , Leite Katia Ramos Moreira , Hamilton-Cho David , Mitre Anuar Ibrahim , Arap Marco Antonio , Srougi Miguel , Duarte Ricardo Jordão
Published: June 2022

Purpose:

To evaluate if the density of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) influences the outcomes of pyeloplasty in adults.

Methods:

Twenty-three patients with the diagnosis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) that underwent laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty were included. ICC density was measured using immunohistochemistry reaction for c-KIT expression in the resected UPJ segment. Pyeloplasty outcome was evaluated by patient self-report pain, urinary outflow using DTPA renogram and hydronephrosis assessment using ultrasound (US) at 12 months of follow-up. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of pyeloplasty outcomes and ICC density.

Results:

Low, moderate, and high ICC density were present in 17.4%, 30.4%, and 52.2% of the patients, respectively. Complete pain resolution was observed in 100%, 85.7%, and 75% of patients with low, moderate and high ICC density, respectively ( p = 0.791). DTPA renogram improved in 75%, 85.7%, and 91.7% of patients with low, moderate and high ICC density, respectively ( p = 0.739). Hydronephrosis improved in 25%, 85.7%, and 91.7% of patients with low, moderate and high ICC density, respectively ( p = 0.032).

Conclusions:

Patients with high ICC density have a significant amelioration of hydronephrosis after pyeloplasty. However, ICC density is not associated with functional outcomes.
Characterizing Elder Abuse in the UK: A Description of Cases Reported to a National Helpline
Authors: Fraga Dominguez Silvia , Storey Jennifer E. , Glorney Emily
Published: June 2022

The abuse of older adults by someone in a position of trust—also known as elder abuse (EA)—has a severe impact on victims and society. However, knowledge about EA in the UK is limited in comparison to other types of interpersonal violence and international knowledge. The present study utilized secondary data from a UK national EA helpline to investigate the characteristics of reported cases. Over a one-year period between 2017 and 2018, 1,623 records met inclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics are provided to describe this sample. Most cases reported to the helpline pertained to female victims, suffering from financial or psychological abuse. Co-occurrence of different abuse types was common. Findings provide updated knowledge about the phenomenology of EA cases in the UK. Recommendations are provided for advancing research in this area, including the need for examining cases across longer periods of time with a view to informing practice and policy.
A mini-review of end-of-life management of wind turbines: Current practices and closing the circular economy gap
Authors: Woo Su Mei , Whale Jonathan
Published: June 2022

Renewable energy generation and increased electrification are pivotal to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Consequently, global deployment of wind turbines has soared, and the trend is expected to continue. Installed turbines have only recently started reaching the end of their design lives, and waste volumes are projected to escalate rapidly. Approximately 94% of a wind turbine (by mass) is recyclable, but the waste polymer composite blades are most commonly landfilled. This mini-review aims to review current end-of-life (EoL) management practices in the large-scale wind industry for countries with established EoL standards as well as those with less mature regulations. Data on current EoL management practices, initiatives and regulations in industry was sourced primarily from literature reviews and publicly available internet information. Additional insights and perspectives were gained from WindEurope’s EoL Issues and Strategies 2020 seminar and through communication with select individuals from various sectors such as wind energy development and operations, government, industry associations, academia and research organizations. The results show that the decision on EoL options is dictated by the remaining useful life (RUL) of the wind turbines, prevailing policies and electricity prices. The contribution of this article is, firstly, identifying a number of key technical, economic and regulatory questions that must be asked before deciding on the most appropriate EoL option. Secondly, the article identifies factors that impede current EoL management efforts to close the circular economy gap and those that can support sustainable technology deployment. Finally, the article considers the way that countries with a young fleet of wind farms may learn from more experienced nations. There are few proven business cases, and barriers to the profitability and effectiveness of EoL strategies include uncertainty about the assets’ RUL, collection logistics, the size of wind farm operation margins, low waste feedstock and limited markets for recycled products. Designing for circularity, stakeholder collaboration, circular business models and technology-specific regulations can improve EoL sustainability. The research found that wind turbine EoL management is dynamic and complex and needs to consider multiple, often conflicting factors. However, it is necessary and has immense environmental, technical and economic potential as the industry matures and business cases are proven.
Kinematic modeling and error parameter identification of automated fiber placement machine based on measured data
Authors: Zhang Li , Cheng Liang , Li Jiangxiong , Ke Yinglin
Published: June 2022

This paper presents a novel kinematic modeling and error parameter identification method for a six-axis gantry automated fiber placement (AFP) machine. Multi-body system theory is used to model the kinematics of the AFP machine, and then use the homogeneous transformation matrix to represent the transfer relationship of the coordinate system. Based on 54 geometric errors of the AFP machine, a volumetric error transfer model is established. To eliminate the training bias caused by sampling randomness, 10-fold cross-validation combined with the Levenberg–Marquardt method is used to train the kinematic model of the AFP machine. Based on the coordinates of random points in space measured by a laser tracker, all the position-dependent geometric errors and position-independent geometric errors of the linear and rotary axes can be identified simultaneously. After the error parameters are identified, the average error of the random points in the X-direction is reduced from 0.72 to 0.08 mm, a drop of 88.9%. Corresponding experiments are carried out on the body diagonals and the winglet placement path. The experimental results show that the volumetric error transfer model and error parameter identification method proposed in the article can accurately predict the volumetric errors of the AFP machine, and can also meet the requirements of the AFP machine placement accuracy.
Investigation of 3D Transient Flow and Discharge Pressure Pulsation of Helical Roots Air Compressor for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle
Authors: Zhao Bin , Wei Huan , Feng Jianmei , Peng Xueyuan , Zhang Shengtao
Published: June 2022

The Roots air compressor has a great potential for air supply in a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (HFCV) because of its high efficiency, reliable operation, and wide range of flow rates. However, pressure pulsation of the Roots compressor could causes early failure of components of a fuel cell system. In this paper, numerical and experimental investigation on the discharge pressure pulsation of a helical Roots compressor was presented. First, a three-dimensional transient computational fluid dynamics model was built to examine and evaluate the pressure fluctuation amplitude. Then, the influences of angle steps and rotating speed on the fluctuation amplitude of discharge pressure were explored based on the numerical model. Meanwhile, a test rig was carried out to investigate the performance of the air compressor. The maximal discrepancy between experiment and simulation was within 8%. Finally, the effect of the opening angle of the discharge port profile on pressure pulsation was studied. The results showed that the fluctuation amplitude decreased from 6.48% to 1.87% with the opening angle increasing from 77° to 90°. The distribution of velocity showed that the dominating vortexes gradually dissipated with the increase of opening angle, and consequently contributed to the attenuation of the pressure pulsation. It provides new guidance for the structural optimization design of Roots air compressor.
An improved real-time model for divergent and dense lane detection of unmanned vehicles
Authors: Zhang Tao , Huang Xiaoci , Dai Zhiyong , Du Jiahao , Xing Mengyang , Zhang Yan
Published: June 2022

Lane detection is the key technology of an advanced driver assistance system. This study proposed an efficient and novel lane detection method, Lane Kernel Parameter Module ResNet-18 (LKPM-ResNet-18), to improve the detection efficiency of lane with complex topologies (such as divergent lines and dense lines). This method can precisely predict the global structure in a bottom-up manner and directly output the curve parameters of the lane alignment model. In addition, LKPM was used to obtain accurately the local structure information and the slender shape of the lane with complex topology, and then the shape convolution kernel parameters of each instance are dynamically predicted to optimize the results of the subsequent output curves. Finally, the prior information of the global lane is fully integrated through the lane structure constraint loss, and the optimization results are fused into the global geometric curve fitting output, so that the fitted lanes are smoother and more continuous. The method proposed has real-time detection efficiency and requires little postprocessing because of the end-to-end direct approach. The validated results show that the efficiency of this method is obviously better than that of State-Of-The-Art (SOTA) methods, such as PointLaneNet and ENet-SAD. The F1 scores increase by 0.43% and 4.92%, respectively compared with the latest CurveLanes-NAS-L and SCNN on the CULane test dataset. The accuracy of 88.98% can be obtained on the CurveLanes test dataset. Meanwhile, the result from real driving environment detection exceeds the top performances of the other by 2.22% with the accuracy of 86.47%.
A novel comparative model proposal for hospital pneumatic systems
Authors: Takgil Büşra , Kara Resul
Published: June 2022

Hospital pneumatic systems are of great importance in terms of efficient use of resources and early diagnosis of diseases. Each sample is transported at a constant and specific speed/pressure in existing pneumatic systems. This study aims to provide pressure/speed control according to the type of material being transported, prevent deterioration during transportation, and make a positive contribution to system users. We have proposed a new control model for hospital pneumatic systems. This hospital pneumatic system is modeled using fuzzy logic, adaptive neural network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), and artificial neural network (ANN) methods. The parameters affecting the performance of the system are determined by experimental trials carried out. Fuzzy logic, ANFIS, and ANN models are compared using the regression coefficient (R2), Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD), and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) metrics to determine the most suitable modeling method for the system. As a result of this study, carrying the pressure value (velocity) ideal for the sample type will increase the energy efficiency of the system.
Can cities bounce back better from COVID-19? Reflections from emerging post-pandemic recovery plans and trade-offs
Authors: Wahba Sameh N
Published: June 2022

As cities plan for post-COVID recovery, many questions preoccupy mayors, policymakers, planners and developers. This article examines COVID-19’s impact on cities, drawing on local governments’ developing policies and responses to identify some of the emerging trends and trade-offs. Overall, city recovery will likely involve some transformation to land uses and real estate markets, with increasing demand for urban amenities and nature, and with policies in support of affordable housing, slum upgrading and informal sector employment, to achieve more liveable and inclusive cities. This in turn will depend on the policies, planning, finance, digital infrastructure and governance systems in place. While many city challenges predate COVID-19, they were exacerbated by the pandemic. The extent to which cities, and especially cities in the global South, will overcome such challenges will depend on political will and the implementation of targeted policies and low-cost investments in sustainability, liveability and inclusion.
Farmer Producer Organisations in North India: Potentials and Challenges
Authors: Trivedi Prashant K. , Ali Manjur , Satpal
Published: June 2022

This article seeks to analyse the current business model of FPOs to understand socio-economic consequences for individual members. The study selected 10 farmer producer organisations from Uttar Pradesh, India considering diversity along with geographical location, the field of operation and business model. In total, 10% of the villages covered by each chosen FPO and 5 members from each selected village were randomly selected for data collection. Two separate schedules for FPOs and members were administered for data collection. The study found that FPO members, particularly small and marginal farmers, experienced a positive socio-economic impact on their lives due to exposure to new techniques and enhanced bargaining power due to collectivisation. However, lack of capital due to constraints in accessing finance from banks was found to be a major challenge. The article concludes by underlining what needs to be done to make FPOs sustainable.
A Responsible Approach to Higher Education Curriculum Design
Authors: Kumar Vikas , Rewari Mohit
Published: June 2022

The changing global scenario throws a big responsibility to higher education institutes to prepare future ready students. The curriculum is the most important input, which can play a vital role in the overall development of students. Present work identifies the need for curriculum change in the 21st century and presents a responsible approach to curriculum development at the Bachelor’s level. The dynamics of curriculum design have been discussed from an international perspective with a more integrated and collaborative approach. Different dimensions of the curriculum have been identified and mapped to the needs of various stakeholders from both the academia and industry perspective. An integrated process framework has been presented for the development of the curriculum taking care of the major stakeholders. The proposed framework will support the academic institutions and their stakeholders to identify the gaps and offer a curriculum-based solution towards student development, in a more responsible manner.
An optimal H2 controller based on vibration energy minimization for a horizontal vibration isolator supported by air bearings
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Lei , Lin Yili , Zhang Yi
Published: June 2022

To suppress various interferences in the active vibration control process simultaneously, an optimal H2 control method based on vibration energy minimization is proposed in this paper. The interference sources mainly include floor vibration interference, direct interference, and sensor noise as well as electrical noise and quantization noise of the analog to digital and digital to analog converters. The interferences are modeled by weighting filters and the load vibration is weighted by a scaling filter, both of which are introduced into the design of the system’s H2 controller. Thus, the load vibration energy is equivalent to the H2 norm of the system. This method can minimize the total impact of external interferences and improve the vibration isolation performance of the system. Compared with the traditional proportional integral derivative control method, it significantly reduces the root-mean-square value of the load vibration. Simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
The Experiences of Women and Healthcare Providers in Assessing the History of Gender-Based Violence During Perinatal Care
Authors: Mirlashari Jila , A. Brotto Lori , Lyons Janet , Pederson Ann
Published: June 2022

Despite its prevalence and consequences, perinatal healthcare providers’ identification of gender-based violence (GBV) remains controversial in British Columbia. This study investigated women and healthcare providers’ perspectives regarding their experiences with and views of inquiring about GBV during perinatal care. Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with women with a history of GBV and 16 perinatal healthcare providers. Data were analyzed thematically. Three themes, including “barriers to disclosure,” “healthcare providers hesitate to open Pandora's Box,” and “how to ask in a culturally safe way,” emerged from the data. Study participants support inquiry about GBV during perinatal healthcare.
Using Information-Seeking Argument Mining to Improve Service
Authors: Skiera Bernd , Yan Shunyao , Daxenberger Johannes , Dombois Marcus , Gurevych Iryna
Published: June 2022

If service providers can identify reasons users are in favor of or against a service, they have insightful information that can help them understand user behavior and what they need to do to change such behavior. This article argues that the novel text-mining technique referred to as information-seeking argument mining (IS-AM) can identify these reasons. The empirical study applies IS-AM to news articles and reviews about electric scooter-sharing systems (i.e., a service enabling the short-term rentals of electric motorized scooters). Its results point to IS-AM as a promising technique to improve service; the data enable the authors to identify 40 reasons to use or not use electric scooter-sharing systems, as well as their importance to users. Furthermore, the results show that news articles are better data sources than reviews because they are longer and contain more arguments and, thus, reasons.
A randomized trial predicting response to cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: Is there a window of opportunity?
Authors: Prouskas Stefanos E , Schoonheim Menno M , Huiskamp Marijn , Steenwijk Martijn D , Gehring Karin , Barkhof Frederik , de Jong Brigit A , Sitskoorn Margriet M , Geurts Jeroen JG , Hulst Hanneke E
Published: June 2022

Background:

Cognitive training elicits mild-to-moderate improvements in cognitive functioning in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), although response heterogeneity limits overall effectiveness.

Objective:

To identify patient characteristics associated with response and non-response to cognitive training.

Methods:

Eighty-two PwMS were randomized into a 7-week attention training ( n = 58, age = 48.4 ± 10.2 years) or a waiting-list control group ( n = 24, age = 48.5 ± 9.4 years). Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained at baseline and post-intervention. Twenty-one healthy controls (HCs, age = 50.27 ± 10.15 years) were included at baseline. Responders were defined with a reliable change index of 1.64 on at least 2/6 cognitive domains. General linear models and logistic regression were applied.

Results:

Responders ( n = 36) and non-responders ( n = 22) did not differ on demographics, clinical variables and baseline cognition and structural MRI. However, non-responders exhibited a higher baseline functional connectivity (FC) between the default-mode network (DMN) and the ventral attention network (VAN), compared with responders ( p = 0.018) and HCs ( p = 0.001). Conversely, responders exhibited no significant baseline differences in FC compared with HCs. Response to cognitive training was predicted by lower DMN-VAN FC ( p = 0.004) and DMN-frontoparietal FC ( p = 0.029) (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.25).

Conclusion:

An intact pre-intervention FC is associated with cognitive training responsivity in pwMS, suggesting a window of opportunity for successful cognitive interventions.
The prospects for the legalization of same sex marriages in vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Trinh Thi Hong , Doan Luong Duc
Published: June 2022

This article discusses the various factors in Vietnam that are influencing the possibility of introducing a law on same sex marriage and draws three main conclusions. Firstly, it argues that the greatest concern about the possible success of the campaigns on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues in general, and the recognition of same sex marriages in particular, is indeed a political fear. It recommends keeping the campaigns on LGBT issues separate from the political sphere and to differentiate themselves from the traditional confrontational methods used by political dissidents. Secondly, the enactment of a law on LGBT rights which incorporates the principles and rules of anti-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and identity is proposed. This law will fill the gap left by the current lack of an anti-discrimination law in the specific field of LGBT rights in the first step of a typical process towards the legalization of same sex marriages. Thirdly, the paper highlights the leading role to be played by legislation in Vietnam, and which shall need to be acquired though legal transplanting, in granting marital rights to same sex couples and providing the basis for the courts to give them substantive rights.
Acute mental health service use in adolescents with suicidal thoughts and behaviours: Impact on outpatient care
Authors: Sritharan Praveen , Dyce Lisa , Hughes Deborah , Cometto Jennifer , Debono Tony , Boylan Khrista
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Youth with suicidal thoughts and behaviours often present to acute emergency care settings for assessment. Timely outpatient follow up may reduce return acute care visits. The primary aim of our study was to describe clinical and contextual differences between youth who do and do not use acute care once connected to outpatient services.

Methods

A 24-month retrospective chart review of suicidal youth aged 13–16 ( n = 45) presenting for outpatient mental health treatment. Youth who used acute services during the study period (ASU) or did not (non-ASU) were compared on demographic, risk profile, and mental health service use.

Results

The mean age of participants was 14.6 years (73% female). Suicide risk profile at baseline did not differ between groups, but was significantly higher in ASU youth at 24 months. There were more youth in service at the end of the study period in the ASU group compared to the non-ASU group (11% vs 55%).

Conclusion

Youth who do continue to access acute services may be at higher risk of suicidality even after outpatient treatment. Although it is unclear whether this is linked to outpatient engagement, it raises further questions about this population and how they respond to community based mental healthcare.
Liveability, environment and policy: Reflections on trans student experience of entering UK higher education
Authors: O’Riordan Kate , Jenzen Olu , Nelson S. L.
Published: June 2022

This article examines the intersection of lived experience and equality policy in UK Higher Education (HE), focusing on trans students’ experiences of planning for and applying to University. The research is based on participatory research with an lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer / questioning (LGBTQ+) youth project in Brighton, UK. We frame the relationship between trans identities and equalities in education in terms of liveability. The article contributes to gender and education research by foregrounding the experience of trans students on the cusp of entering HE, illustrating how they navigate challenges around environment, bureaucracy and policy.
Modulating effects of interactional contexts on bilinguals’ cognitive control: Evidence for the Adaptive Control Hypothesis
Authors: Han Xuran , Wei Li , Filippi Roberto
Published: June 2022

Aims and Objects:

The Adaptive Control Hypothesis (ACH) proposed that different interactional contexts place different demands on cognitive processes for bilinguals. However, how cognitive control processes dynamically adapt to comprehending and producing languages in different interactional contexts is still poorly understood. This study investigated how different language interactional contexts (i.e., single-language, dual-language, and dense code-switching) modulate cognitive control in bilingual language comprehension.

Methodology:

Inhibitory control in 36 Chinese -English bilinguals was examined through flanker tasks. Participants’ language and cognitive control statuses in the three interactional contexts were manipulated through three different types of dialogue-listening. After they listened to each type of dialogue, they were instructed to complete the flanker task and answer 10 comprehension questions related to the dialogue.

Data and analysis:

Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) compared participants’ reaction times and response accuracy in flanker tasks across the three interactional contexts. Similarly, their language comprehension performances across different interactional contexts were also compared.

Findings/conclusions:

Both the dual-language and Chinese single-language contexts showed significant facilitatory effects on participants’ inhibitory control efficiency. Furthermore, participants performed more accurately on answering comprehension questions in the Chinese single-language context, indicating the dominant language effects on modulating bilinguals’ language comprehension performance. Such effects were not found in the dense code-switching and dual-language contexts.

Originality:

This study provided empirical evidence for the facilitatory effects of dual-language contexts on cognitive control in bilingual language comprehension process, which further extends the ACH to bilingual’s cognitive process associated with language comprehension.

Significance/implications:

In general, it is an attempt to explore the associations between interactional contexts and cognitive control through bilingual language and cognitive processing manipulations.
Ascriptions of migration: Racism, migratism and Brexit
Authors: Tudor Alyosxa
Published: June 2022

This article offers an analysis of scholarly attempts to make sense of the nexus of race and migration in Brexit-era UK discourse. To illustrate my arguments that intend to challenge and extend existing scholarship, I discuss exemplary snapshots from news articles, blog posts and social media sources. Building on critical race and postcolonial studies as theoretical background, I trace the phenomenon of naming the discrimination against East Europeans – which is undeniably one of the driving forces of the Brexit discussion – ‘racism’. Sometimes, and this shows the pattern of the overgeneralization of the term, ‘racism’ gets extended to name the post-Brexit exclusion of any EU nationals. This use of ‘racism’, however, is based on methodological nationalism and conceptual whiteness as my analyses show. To make sense of the overlapping racist, anti-immigration and anti-EU rhetoric that marks the pre- and post-Brexit moment in the United Kingdom, this article introduces the concept of ‘migratism’ – a name for the power relation that ascribes migration to certain people, constructing them as migrants and discriminating against them. The terms ‘migratism’ and ‘migratization’ function grammatically in an analogue way to ‘racism’ and ‘racialization’. If racism is the power relation that racializes (=ascribes race to) people, migratism if the power relation that migratizes (=ascribes migration to) people. The terms are not symmetrical but have a complicated interdependent relationship. Racism and migratism are bound to each other and play a crucial role in organizing the Western nation state. The suggested concepts foreground a postcolonial understanding of race and racism and make it possible to analyse both migration-based discrimination and discrimination based on perceived migration in violence and hate crimes connected to the Brexit referendum.
Performing normality in working life among heavy substance users
Authors: Gunnarsson Malin , Törrönen Jukka
Published: June 2022

Aim: Work is an important part of most people's everyday lives and well-being. Substance use by employees is associated with several negative consequences, such as absence from work and poor work performance. The study examines the strategies through which people who have problems with substance use produce a “normal” self and avoid becoming stigmatised in the workplace. Methods: The study uses data from in-depth unstructured life story interviews, which were conducted over phone with 13 people. The participants had developed various problematic heavy substance use habits. The interviews were analysed by applying interactional analysis and by using Goffman's concepts of “normality”, “embarrassment”, “face-work”, “stigma” and “performance”. Results: The analysis identified multiple strategies the participants used to produce normality and to avoid embarrassment and stigmatisation at work. These include skilful use of drugs in order not to show withdrawal symptoms, various ways of hiding their heavy substance use, frequent change of jobs, the maintenance of a clean and professional look, and attributing the absence from work to mental or physical illness. Moreover, the participants strategically avoided social contacts in which embarrassing situations could arise. When this was not possible, they manipulated their corporeal looks by hiding such kinds of bodily marks that would connote abnormality. Conclusion: The analysis points out that maintaining normality at work does not only refer to the efforts of trying to hide the effects of the drugs on behaviours and the body. It also reveals that the participants used substances to be able to perform energetically their work tasks, and in this way present themselves as normal workers. This ambivalence in performing normality makes the work life of people who use substances challenging.
Effect of pre-chamber scavenging strategy on EGR tolerance and thermal efficiency of pre-chamber turbulent jet ignition systems
Authors: Atis Cyrus Ashok Arupratan , Ayele Yidnekachew , Stuecken Thomas , Schock Harold
Published: June 2022

Dual Mode, Turbulent Jet Ignition (DM-TJI) is an engine combustion technology that incorporates an auxiliary air supply apart from the auxiliary fuel injection inside the pre-chamber of a divided chamber ignition concept. Compared to other active (auxiliary fueled) and passive pre-chamber ignition technologies, the DM-TJI system has the distinct capability to operate with very high level (up to ∼50%) of recirculated exhaust gas (EGR). Thus, unlike typical lean (excess air dilution) operated pre-chamber ignition technologies, the DM-TJI system enables the use of widely utilized low cost three-way-catalyst (TWC) while still running at high level of dilution (with EGR). The supplementary air supply to the pre-chamber enables effective purging and ignitable mixture formation inside the pre-chamber even with very high external EGR rate. The current work presents the results of experimental investigation conducted on a Prototype III Dual Mode, Turbulent Jet Ignition (DM-TJI) (or Jetfire ignition) single cylinder metal engine. Different pre-chamber scavenging/fueling strategies (active vs passive) were investigated in order to compare the EGR dilution tolerances between different scavenging configurations under identical pre-chamber design parameters (pre-chamber volume and nozzle configuration). Tests were conducted at two regularly encountered operating conditions (6 and 10 bar IMEPg at 1500 rpm) in typical drive cycles. Results are also compared with the conventional SI (spark ignition) configuration on the same engine. The results indicate that to maintain very high EGR diluted (up to ∼50%) operation the auxiliary air supply to the pre-chamber is of paramount importance. The analysis found that DM-TJI/Jetfire ignition system is more effective in terms of thermal efficiency at high load knock limited situation due to its considerably higher external EGR dilution tolerance. Higher EGR rate offered better combustion phasing and improved thermal efficiency considerably. It was found that with the elevated 13.3:1 compression ratio and 10 bar load, SI could not maintain knock free stable operation and DM-TJI/Jetfire delivered 7%–9% improvement in thermal efficiency compared to TJI mode of operation with no air delivery to the pre-chamber.
Use of interactive storytelling trailers to engage students in an online learning environment
Authors: Hisey Forrest , Zhu Tingting , He Yuhong
Published: June 2022

Lack of student engagement in online learning is reported as the major challenge contributing to poor academic performance and completion rates. When transforming an in-person undergraduate remote sensing course to online, this study implemented interactive storytelling lecture trailers (ISLTs) as a tool to effect changes in the realms of behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and student-instructor engagement. We collected survey data to examine students’ own perception of how ISLTs impacted their online learning, and analyzed students’ course participation and performance on tests. Results indicated that ISLTs enhanced some aspects of students’ behavioral engagement such as page views, effectively engaged students’ emotions when viewing ISLTs, and improved student-instructor engagement. Regarding cognitive engagement, ISLTs were able to improve short-term learning skills like remembering and applying levels of thinking. A majority of students recognized that ISLTs enhanced their learning experience and made learning more accessible, while a few considered them burdensome and overwhelming. However, there was no clear evidence indicating that ISLTs enhanced participation or promoted students’ emotional engagement in the follow-up lectures. Further, the improvement of student-instructor engagement we observed through quantitative data analysis lacked representative qualitative support. In summary, this study demonstrates the utility of ISLTs as an online learning engagement tool for stimulating students’ interest and improving their performance in lower levels of cognitive thinking. Further work is required to explore ways to further enhance students’ participation and emotional engagement throughout the semester and confirm the usefulness of ISLTs for student-instructor engagement.
Rethinking visual criminalization: news images and the mediated spacetime of crime events
Authors: Higgins Kathryn Claire
Published: June 2022

This article explores the mediated spacetime of crime events to reconsider how criminalization works through visual journalism. Drawing on close analysis of 45 images from Australian newspaper reports about so-called ‘African gang crime’ events in the city of Melbourne, it develops a typology of five distinct ‘ways of looking’ at crime that news images can open for their viewers. Each extends unique imaginative demands and so conditions perceptual relationships of spatial, historical and political significance between crime events and those who watch them unfold through the news in distinct ways. Together, these ways of looking constitute an intertextual representational mechanism that the author calls kaleidoscopic visuality, holding fixed the ‘who’ and ‘what’ of crime events while endlessly shifting and destabilizing the ‘where’ and ‘when’. The concept of kaleidoscopic visuality helps clarify how and why hypermediated crime events and phenomena resist discrete and/or desecuritized interpretations of their political significance, and thus broadens existing accounts of how news images criminalize.
The trouble with merit
Authors: Sardoč Mitja
Published: June 2022

The last few years have witnessed a resurgence of interest among both scholars and public intellectuals over issues associated with distributive justice and its gravitational orbit of concepts, including the idea of merit and the adjacent vision of a meritocratic society. Nevertheless, despite its centrality for conceptions of equality of opportunity, a merit-based allocation of advantaged social positions has been confronted by a range of objections. Michael Sandel’s book The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good? provides a nuanced examination of ‘the age of meritocracy’ and meritocratic rationality as its key characteristic. It dovetails an elaborated analysis of the troubled legacy of meritocracy with an in-depth elucidation of the various flaws and shortcomings it came to be associated with. This article aims to examine some of the distinguishing features of merit-based allocation of advantaged social positions and the main shortcomings this distributive mechanism has been associated with. The introductory section identifies the most distinctive characteristics of the merit-based allocation of advantaged social positions. The central section reconstructs some of the arguments advanced by Michael Sandel in his book The Tyranny of Merit (2020). The concluding section presents the motivational impulse for the book symposium on The Tyranny of Merit and the main issues arising out of the discussion between the commentators and Prof. Sandel.
Mean platelet volume and glycaemic control in patients with new-onset Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Gulia Manisha , Gupta Monica , Singh Lehl Sarabmeet , Singla Mandeep , Tahlan Anita , Kaur Jasbinder
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder associated with vascular complications that are attributable to dysregulated platelet reactivity as measured by mean platelet volume (MPV). This study aimed at determining a relationship between MPV and glycaemic control in new-onset T2DM.

Methods:

This was a prospective study conducted on 236 new-onset T2DM patients divided in two groups as group A, glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c < 7.9%; n = 70) and group B, HbA1c ⩾ 8% ( n = 107) who were followed up for 6 months for change in platelet and glycaemic parameters.

Results:

At 6-month follow-up, there was a significant decrease in HbA1c and MPV (group A (HbA1c: 7.40 ± 0.40 vs 7.03 ± 0.23%, p < 0.03; MPV: 9.65 fl ± 0.74 vs 9.46 fl ± 0.71, p < 0.001) and group B (HbA1c: 10.59 ± 1.89% vs 9.29 ± 1.50%, p < 0.001; MPV: 10.89 fL ± 1.29 vs. 10.23 fL ± 1.40, p< 0.001)). The percentage decline in HbA1c was more in group B (11.81 ± 5.87 vs 4.76 ± 4.58, p < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between ΔMPV and ΔHbA1c in group B; however, we did not observe significant correlation for group A.

Conclusion:

We interpret that in people with diabetes with baseline HbA1c ⩾ 8%, with improvement in glycaemic control, there is a significant decrease in MPV. We propose that a routine MPV testing can be used as a potential marker for glycaemic control in T2DM.
Midterm Results of Intravascular Lithotripsy for Severely Calcified Common Femoral Artery Occlusive Disease: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Colacchio Elda Chiara , Salcuni Matteo , Gasparre Angelo , Giorgio Donato , Barile Domenico , Bussetti Francesco , Antonello Michele , Colacchio Giovanni
Published: June 2022

Purpose:

Common femoral artery (CFA)-occlusive disease has traditionally been treated with open surgery, yet nowadays the frailty of patients has induced to find new techniques of revascularisation by endovascular means. So far, intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has shown promising results in several lower limbs arterial districts. The purpose of this article is to report our experience with IVL for severely calcified peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the CFA.

Methods:

From November 2018 and October 2020, 10 consecutive patients (12 limbs) treated with IVL were prospectively enrolled in a dedicated database. Inclusion criteria were CFA localization of PAD, with a severe degree of calcification, a lesion length ≥10 mm, and a degree of stenosis ≥70% (severe). The only admitted adjunctive treatment was drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty. Primary outcomes were technical and procedural success, clinical success, and target lesion revascularisation (TLR). Secondary outcomes were target extremity revascularisation (TER) and major adverse events (MAEs).

Results:

All patients underwent IVL with associated DCB angioplasty. The median percentage of achieved stenosis reduction was 55.5% (interquartile range [IQR] 50-60.75), with a technical and procedural success of 100%. Over the study period, TLR only occurred in one limb (8.3%), with a mean upgrade in Rutherford class of 2.7 ± 0.77. No target vessel and access site complications were reported, as well as no distal embolization. One death and one major amputation occurred over the follow-up period, both in the same patient.

Conclusions:

Based on our experience, IVL for selected cases of severely calcified CFA disease, associated with DCB angioplasty, may be considered a safe and effective technique. Of course, a long-term follow-up and a larger series of patients are needed to validate our results.
Comparative Analysis of Advanced Practice Nursing: Contextual and Historical Influences in North American and German-Speaking European Countries
Authors: Beil-Hildebrand Margitta B. , Smith Hannah B.
Published: June 2022

This article compares the professionalization and educational standards of Advanced Practice Nursing in the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with specific attention to geographical, political, and professional factors – both current and historical – influencing the evolution of these nurse leaders. A review of the literature, scientific articles, governmental regulatory texts, and legislative codes from each country, was performed. Patterns related to the geographical, political and professional context of nursing in each country were identified with comparative insights on the evolution of the discipline. Advancement of the nursing discipline is apparent in each country over the last century, although at differing rates. The disparity in development and level of autonomous practice for Advanced Practice Nurses in each country can be better understood in the context of historical, geographical, political and professional development. This review of the literature was combined with a comparative analysis and offers insights to inform nurses in education, leadership, practice, and advocacy interested in advancing the professionalization of advanced practice nursing internationally.
The Effects of Smoking on the Diagnostic Characteristics of Metabolic Syndrome: A Review
Authors: Behl Taylor A. , Stamford Bryant A. , Moffatt Robert J.
Published: June 2022

Metabolic syndrome is a growing epidemic that increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and mortality. It is diagnosed by the presence of three or more of the following risk factors: 1) obesity, with an emphasis on central adiposity, 2) high blood pressure, 3) hyperglycemia, 4) dyslipidemia, with regard to reduced high-density lipoprotein concentrations, and 5) dyslipidemia, with regard to elevated triglycerides. Smoking is one lifestyle factor that can increase the risk for metabolic syndrome as it has been shown to exert negative effects on abdominal obesity, blood pressure, blood glucose concentrations, and blood lipid profiles. Smoking may also negatively affect other factors that influence glucose and lipid metabolism including lipoprotein lipase, adiponectin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Some of these smoking-related outcomes may be reversed with smoking cessation, thus reducing the risk for metabolic disease; however, metabolic syndrome risk may initially increase post cessation, possibly due to weight gain. Therefore, these findings warrant the need for more research on the development and efficacy of smoking prevention and cessation programs.
The “Effort Elephant” in the Room: What Is Effort, Anyway?
Authors: Thomson Keela S. , Oppenheimer Daniel M.
Published: June 2022

Despite decades of research in the fields of judgment and decision-making, social psychology, cognitive psychology, human-machine interaction, behavioral economics, and neuroscience, we still do not know what “cognitive effort” is. The definitions in use are often imprecise and sometimes diametrically opposed. Researchers with different assumptions talk past each other, and many aspects of effort conservation remain untested and difficult to measure. In this article, we explain why effort is so difficult to pin down and why it is important that researchers develop consensus on precise definitions. Next, we describe major “hidden” sources of miscommunication: areas in which researchers disagree in their underlying assumptions about the nature of effort without realizing it. We briefly review a number of methods used to both measure and manipulate the effortfulness of thinking and highlight why they often produce contradictory findings. We conclude by reviewing existing perspectives on cognitive effort and integrating them to suggest a common framework for communicating about effort as a limited cognitive resource.
Induction of Human Oral Squamous Carcinoma Apoptosis by Derris scandens Benth and Elephantopus scaber Linn Extracts
Authors: Leenutaphong Petchpailin , Tancharoen Salunya , Nararatwanchai Thamthiwat , Phruksaniyom Chareerut , Sarikaphuti Ariya , Palungwachira Pakhawadee , Chaichalotornkul Sirintip
Published: June 2022

D scandens ( Derris scandens Benth.) and E scaber ( Elephantopus scaber Linn.) contain flavonoids and phenolic acids, which have antitumor activity in various cancer cell lines. Oral cancer is among the most common cancers in Southeast Asia, and the survival rate remains low. Thus, this study screened 2 ethanolic plant extracts for cytotoxicity on the oral human squamous carcinoma cell line (HSC-2), and compared the mechanisms of action. Extracts of D scandens and E scaber showed cytotoxicity against HSC-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Observation of nuclear morphology by Hoechst 33342 staining revealed chromatin condensation. Apoptosis was confirmed by Annexin V-FITC staining and cell sorting (fluorescence-activated cell sorting) analysis. We demonstrated that cancer apoptosis was accompanied by changes in the expression of procaspase 3 and that D scandens-mediated apoptosis in HSC-2 cells was potentiated by protein kinase B (Akt) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), while E scaber apoptosis was mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, involving stress-activated protein kinases/jun amino-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) and p38-MAPK. Further investigation into targets for apoptosis induction by these plant extracts may have potential in oral cancer therapy.