bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two new species of Anisomeridium (lichenized Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) from China

Authors: ZHANG CHAO , APTROOT ANDRÉ , LIU HUA-JIE , JIANG SHU-HUA
Published: September 2020

The humid tropical and subtropical forests in South China harbour a rich diversity of crustose lichens. As a result of taxonomic studies of Anisomeridium, two species new to science are described. Comparisons and discussions with similar species are given. In addition, a key to the species of Anisomeridium in China is also provided.
The advertisement call of Scinax funereus (Cope, 1874) (Anura: Hylidae) from Ecuadorian Amazon
Authors: READ MORLEY , LOPES ANDRÉ GOMES
Published: September 2020

Scinax Wagler currently harbors 72 treefrog species distributed throughout the Neotropical region, occurring from Mexico to Argentina and Uruguay, and also in some Caribbean islands (Frost et al. 2020). The genus has a high level of cryptic diversity, with its actual number of species currently considered to be underestimated (Fouquet et al. 2007, Ferrão et al. 2016). Scinax funereus (Cope) is a medium-sized species described from Moyobamba, San Martín Department, northern Peru, with occurrences reported from the Peruvian and Ecuadorian Amazon (Duellman & Wiens 1993), southern Colombia (Lynch 2005), and from the Brazilian states of Acre (Bernarde et al. 2011) and Amazonas (Ramalho et al. 2016). Duellman (1978) reported that the advertisement call of S. funereus “consists of a moderately long, rather high-pitched, single note”, but as no call recording was obtained at the time, it was not described. Although Read (2000) published the species’ call in the audio form in a compact disc (CD), it was not formally described. Given this, herein we provide the first formal description of the advertisement call of S. funereus.
The Role of Water in Bone Nanohydroxyapatite Nucleation
Authors: González-Paz Rodolfo J. , Noris-Suárez Karem , Feijoo José L. , Gonzalez Gema
Published: September 2020

In a previous study of the deposition of nanohydroxyapatite on demineralized cortical bone collagen stimulated by deformation-induced piezoelectricity was obtained in our lab. Thus, the aim of the present study was to characterize the interactions between the self-assembled nanostructure
of bone collagen and water in presence and absence of hydroxyapatite (HAP) to elucidate which factors allowed such deposition in just four weeks without the presence of bone cells. It was found that the loss of the mineral phase in bone (HAP) contributes to decrease the thermal stability of
the collagen nanostructures. An important increase on the free, bonded and structural water content was found in the bone matrix, directly related to the degree of demineralization reached by the collagen matrix with time. This demonstrates that the collagen nanostructure is able to restructure
itself while losing the interactions with the mineral phase, establishing new interactions with the water molecule, orienting the dipoles of the collagen molecule. All these increase the piezoelectric character of the bone matrix and allows the collagen matrix to get prepared for a bone re-mineralization
process without bone cells, due to the electrostatic interactions established with the calcium and phosphate ions of the external fluid of the extracellular matrix.
Determination of Phenolic Compounds from Jimma Drinking Water Using 4-Aminoantipyrine
Authors: Belayneh Kassahun Dejene , Siraj Khalid , Tigist Mengesha
Published: September 2020

The quality of drinking water in Ethiopia is an influential environmental factor of health and water can use as a medium for disease transmission in countries on all continents; all are affected from the poorest to the richest. Moreover, in our globe millions of people are unprotected
to unsafe concentration of chemical pollutants in the drinking water. Dichlorohenols are considered as key water pollutants that are destructive to creatures at stumpy concentrations and many of them have been clustered as detrimental pollutants because of their probable to damage human health
even in low concentration. This research aimed to determine phenolic compounds from drinking water of Jimma town which is found south west of Ethiopia, by using 4-Aminoantipyridine (AAP). The sample of drinking water before and after treatment was collected for determination of pollutants
which classified as raw water (RW), treated water (TW) and system distributed water (SDW). The sample of water was preserved by phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid under pH 4 and distillation was carried out in order to remove sulfur containing compounds by addition of CuSO4 solution.
In the analysis of water using 4-Aminoantipyrine the treated water and the system distributed water have been contained 2.73 ppb and 3.64 ppb which had more phenolic compounds as compared to raw water of 1.18 ppb. Therefore, the existence of phenolic compound in both treated and system distributed
water of Jimma town drinking water has more phenolic compounds as compared to the permissible level of both Ethiopian Standard, 2 ppb and EPA Standards, 1 ppb.
Impact of Systematic GCM Errors on Prediction Skill as Estimated by Linear Inverse Modeling
Authors: Richter Ingo , Chang Ping , Liu Xue
Published: September 2020

Statistical prediction of tropical sea surface temperatures (SSTs) is performed using linear inverse models (LIMs) that are constructed from both observations and general circulation model (GCM) output of SST. The goals are to establish a baseline for tropical SST predictions, to examine the extent to which the skill of a GCM-derived LIM is indicative of that GCM’s skill in forecast mode, and to examine the linkages between mean state bias and prediction skill. The observation-derived LIM is more skillful than a simple persistence forecasts in most regions. Its skill also compares well with some GCM forecasts except in the equatorial Pacific, where the GCMs are superior. The observation-derived LIM is matched or even outperformed by the GCM-derived LIMs, which may be related to the longer data record available for GCMs. The GCM-derived LIMs provide a fairly good measure for the skill achieved by their parent GCMs in forecast mode. In some cases, the skill of the LIM is actually superior to that of its parent GCM, indicating that the GCM predictions may suffer from initialization problems. A weak-to-moderate relation exists between model mean state error and prediction skill in some regions. An example is the eastern equatorial Atlantic, where an erroneously deep thermocline reduces SST variability, which in turn affects prediction skill. Another example is the equatorial Pacific, where skill appears to be linked to cold SST biases in the western tropical Pacific, which may reduce the strength of air–sea coupling.
Multiplex Network Ties and the Spatial Diffusion of Radical Innovations: Martin Luther’s Leadership in the Early Reformation
Authors: Becker Sascha O. , Hsiao Yuan , Pfaff Steven , Rubin Jared
Published: September 2020

This article analyzes Martin Luther’s role in spreading the early Reformation, one of the most important episodes of radical institutional change in the last millennium. We argue that social relations played a key role in its diffusion because the spread of heterodox ideologies and their eventual institutionalization relied not only on private “infection” through exposure to innovation but also on active conversion and promotion of that new faith through personal ties. We conceive of that process as leader-to-follower directional influence originating with Luther and flowing to local elites through personal ties. Based on novel data on Luther’s correspondence, Luther’s visits, and student enrollments in Luther’s city of Wittenberg, we reconstruct Luther’s influence network to examine whether local connections to him increased the odds of adopting Protestantism. Using regression analyses and simulations based on empirical network data, we find that the combination of personal/relational diffusion via Luther’s multiplex ties and spatial/structural diffusion via trade routes fostered cities’ adoption of the Reformation, making possible Protestantism’s early breakthrough from a regional movement to a general rebellion against the Roman Catholic Church.
The Bigness Complex Redux: Horizontal Ownership Concentration and Efficiency Conundrums
Authors: Majumdar Sumit K.
Published: September 2020

This cliometric study evaluates efficiency outcomes from America’s telecommunications sector acquisitions, based on data for 1988–2001, as the sector’s horizontal acquisition processes have repeated themselves. Sector ownership has been comprehensively reconcentrated. Concepts from the size and structural capital literatures enable defining mechanisms to establish causality between horizontal ownership influence and efficiency. For the measure of size, smaller-sized firms display positive efficiency impacts, while medium-sized firms display lower performance than average and large-sized entities display substantially lower performance. Entities experiencing a lesser level of structural capital influence enjoy better performance, while entities experiencing a medium level of structural capital influence experience lower performance than average and entities experiencing a high level of structural capital influence experience much lower efficiency. The evidence implies that negative motivations associated with size and power acquisition may be spilt over to acquired entities, and increasing negative size impact suggests these motives have strengthened as larger controlling entities have brought more units under their ambit. Restraining concentration is a fundamental policy concern to restore competitive economy fundamentals and prevent ruining America’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Front Desk Duty Multitasking Test After Mild Stroke: Preliminary Reliability and Validity
Authors: Carroll Ginger L. , Radomski Mary , Halsten Jerry , Meyers Amy , Rabusch Stacey , Takimoto Romina , Kreiger Robert
Published: September 2020

Background.

Performance-based multitasking assessments may be more sensitive than cognitive screens to detect executive dysfunction after a mild stroke.

Purpose.

This cross-sectional study examined inter-rater reliability and preliminary convergent and discriminant validity of the Front Desk Duty Test (FDDT).

Method.

Adults with mild stroke ( n = 35) and community controls ( n = 33) were administered the FDDT and other measures of executive functions.

Findings.

Inter-rater reliability of the FDDT subscores were high (ICC 0.971–0.999). There were weak but statistically significant correlations between participants’ scores on some of the executive function tests and some FDDT subscores. Participants with mild stroke and community controls had statistically significant different FDDT scores (performance accuracy p = .006; performance time, p = .033), with rank order FDDT score patterns across community controls, participants with mild stroke who passed the executive function screen, and participants with mild stroke who failed the executive function screen.

Implications.

Preliminary validation results suggest that the FDDT warrants further study.
Rigid-body attitude control guaranteeing finite-time convergence
Authors: Li Shenhao , Zhang Taotao
Published: September 2020

This study proposes an effective solution to the problem of attitude control for a rigid body satisfying angular velocity constraint as well as providing fault-tolerant capability. More specifically, a finite-time sliding surface containing attitude quaternion and angular velocity is first defined. Then, a novel tan-type prescribed performance control (PPC) with simple structure is presented to confine the sliding surface within a predefined performance boundary. Not only the attitude quaternion and angular velocity are indirectly constrained, but also it is thoroughly proved that the rotation velocity constraint is met even when severe actuators faults occur. The closed-loop attitude system is confirmed to be finite-time stable in the sense of Lyapunov stability. Numerical simulations clearly illustrate the effectiveness and usefulness of the suggested finite-time PPC despite actuator faults and environmental disturbances.
Augmented reality application in engineering education: N-Type MOSFET
Authors: Yüzüak Yener , Yiğit Halil
Published: September 2020

In a period of rapid adaptation to technology in today’s world, limiting education to traditional methods leads to a rapid decline in the perception and interest of the learner. Augmented Reality (AR), which is among the most interesting technological innovation of the last years, are manifested in many sectors. It is used more widely in the field of education thanks to its superior advantages such as being portable, adapting to different devices/equipment, offering interactive digital content and arousing interest. In this study, AR application has been realized for the modeling of N-type MOSFET element, which is one of the basic courses of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and is widely used in analog and digital circuits. The contribution of the application to students’ perception of theoretical concepts was also examined. It concluded that AR made an important contribution to the concretization of abstract concepts and the developed educational material increased the motivation of the students.
Revisiting the Precedential Status of Crown Court Decisions
Authors: Lau Kwan Ho
Published: September 2020

The binding authority of substantive decisions made by the Crown Court in the exercise of its criminal jurisdiction is often assumed to be negligible. In 2013, the Court of Appeal appeared to confirm the correctness of that assumption. Yet there was little in the way of explanation or case law that was cited in support by the court. This article suggests that a re-evaluation of the place and treatment of such decisions within the doctrine of precedent is overdue, and considers that they should be recognised to have some binding effect if there is able to be established a reasonably satisfactory process to facilitate their systematic and public dissemination, whether electronic or otherwise.
A Survey of Secondary Instrumental Teachers’ Immediacy, Ensemble Setup, and Use of Classroom Space in Colorado and Indiana
Authors: Roseth Nicholas E.
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to survey secondary band and orchestra teachers ( N = 436) in Colorado and Indiana regarding their self-reported immediacy behaviors, ensemble setups, and use of classroom space when teaching. Immediacy “refers to nonverbal teacher behaviors which increase nonverbal interaction with students and which communicate closeness.” Female teachers and teachers of young ensembles reported higher levels of overall immediacy. Among component immediacy behaviors, teachers reported using proximity-related behaviors the least; females reported using proximity behaviors at higher rates than males. The majority of teachers reported using “closed” ensemble setups (i.e., setups that limit teacher movement among students) and remained in these setups for the majority of the school year. Teachers of young ensembles reported greater use of “opened” setups (i.e., setups that help facilitate teacher movement among students). Although teachers reported spending the majority of rehearsal time on the podium, female teachers, teachers of young ensembles, and teachers who used opened setups reported less time on the podium and more time moving among students. Implications for immediacy, ensemble setup, and teacher use of space in music education are discussed.
Smartphone Use Among High Level Swimmers Is Associated With Mental Fatigue and Slower 100- and 200- but Not 50-Meter Freestyle Racing
Authors: Fortes Leonardo S. , Lima-Júnior Dalton de , Gantois Petrus , Nasicmento-Júnior José R. A. , Fonseca Fabiano S.
Published: September 2020

Discovering any performance degradation effect of racing swimmers’ use of social media smartphone apps might lead to new training and race preparation protocols, including pre-meet smartphone avoidance. This study’s objective was to analyze the performance effects of using smartphone social media apps on the 50, 100, and 200-m freestyle among 25 high-level swimmers. Each participant performed the three race distances in two conditions: with smartphone app exposure (50-MF, 100-MF, and 200-MF) and without (50-CON, 100-CON, and 200-CON). We randomized the order of these two conditions across participants. While smartphone app use was not associated with statistically significant performance differences on the shortest race (50CON versus 50MF), a repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant condition × time interaction for the swimmers’100-m freestyle performance ( p = 0.01), with a significantly slower performance following smartphone app use evident in the last half of this race ( p = 0.02) but not in the first half ( p = 0.41). We also found a condition × time interaction in the same direction (slower for swimmers who used the smartphone app) for the 200-m freestyle performance ( p = 0.01), with the slower performance occurring in the second ( p = 0.01) but not the first ( p = 0.91), third ( p = 0.07) or fourth ( p = 0.06 ) quarters of this race. Thus, prolonged smartphone social media app use was associated with reduced performance from elite swimmers on the 100- and 200- but not the 50-m freestyle.
Introducing Curricular and Pedagogical Resuscitation (CPR): A Black Approach to Reviving the Self and Collective through Social Studies
Authors: Johnson Marcus W. , Nicol Maureen W.
Published: September 2020

Social studies has been lagging in the race to gain classroom instructional time due to the impact of high-stakes testing in urban schools. Furthermore, social studies can be particularly uninteresting to Black students whose diverse sociocultural histories and perspectives remain diminished or absent. Therefore, this paper advances curricular and pedagogical resuscitation (CPR) as a renewed and continuing quest to properly address and privilege Black students and their lived experiences. Employing BlackCrit, we forward CPR as a more accurate, timely, and holistic social studies approach—addressing the body, spirit, and mind of our students.
Berlin Not for Sale: The Film Lens as a Tool of Urban Exploration in 1960s West Berlin
Authors: Bowie Laura
Published: September 2020

West Berlin, a city emblematic of a fractured post-war society, provided the basis for the volatile student protests of 1968 where the youth sought to reclaim the city from its prescribed path. This article identifies the film camera as a probing tool of urban exploration during the 1960s through the films of Irena Vrkljan (1930−). As an “outsider” in the city, Vrkljan built on the work of many intellectuals in Berlin compelled by their urban experience to explore the connection between city and dweller. In contrast to the image of the 1960s as a period of upheaval, Vrkljan’s films offer a historically conscious and lyrical approach to the city that discovers alternative pasts and potential futures. Armed with a 16-mm camera and the writings of Kracauer and Simmel, an alternative West Berlin is uncovered where, in the words of Vrkljan, “it is possible to penetrate the fabric of the city.”
Tracheotomy in a High‐Volume Center During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Evaluating the Surgeon’s Risk
Authors: Thal Arielle G , Schiff Bradley A. , Ahmed Yasmina , Cao Angela , Mo Allen , Mehta Vikas , Smith Richard V. , Cohen Hillel W. , Ow Thomas J.
Published: September 2020

Objective

Performing tracheotomy in patients with COVID‐19 carries a risk of transmission to the surgical team due to potential viral particle aerosolization. Few studies have reported transmission rates to tracheotomy surgeons. We describe our safety practices and the transmission rate to our surgical team after performing tracheotomy on patients with COVID‐19 during the peak of the pandemic at a US epicenter.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary academic hospital.

Methods

Tracheotomy procedures for patients with COVID‐19 that were performed April 15 to May 28, 2020, were reviewed, with a focus on the surgical providers involved. Methods of provider protection were recorded. Provider health status was the main outcome measure.

Results

Thirty‐six open tracheotomies were performed, amounting to 65 surgical provider exposures, and 30 (83.3%) procedures were performed at bedside. The mean time to tracheotomy from hospital admission for SARS‐CoV‐2 symptoms was 31 days, and the mean time to intubation was 24 days. Standard personal protective equipment, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was worn for each case. Powered air‐purifying respirators were not used. None of the surgical providers involved in tracheotomy for patients with COVID‐19 demonstrated positive antibody seroconversion or developed SARS‐CoV‐2–related symptoms to date.

Conclusion

Tracheotomy for patients with COVID‐19 can be done with minimal risk to the surgical providers when standard personal protective equipment is used (surgical gown, gloves, eye protection, hair cap, and N95 mask). Whether timing of tracheotomy following onset of symptoms affects the risk of transmission needs further study.
Being Consistent Matters: Experimental Evidence on the Effect of Rule Consistency on Citizen Red Tape
Authors: Kaufmann Wesley , Ingrams Alex , Jacobs Daan
Published: September 2020

A growing stream of research in public administration is concerned with how red tape and administrative burden affects citizens. Drawing on the procedural fairness literature, we argue that the consistent application of rules reduces perceived red tape. We also hypothesize that red tape perceptions are affected by outcome favorability and that an interaction effect exists between consistency and outcome favorability. Our reasoning is tested with a survey experiment in the context of a federal jury duty summons procedure, and administered to a sample of U.S. citizens through TurkPrime. The statistical results support our hypotheses; perceived red tape is lower if rules are applied consistently and if citizens receive a favorable outcome. We also find that consistently applying a procedure reduces perceived red tape further when citizens receive a favorable outcome. The implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.
Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery for FIGO stage I–II cervical cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Shu-Li , Chen Ling , He Yue , Zhao Hui , Wu Yu-Mei
Published: September 2020

Objective

In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the oncological outcomes of preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery compared with radical surgery alone for treatment of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I–II cervical cancer.

Method

We searched for studies comparing the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus surgery versus surgery alone in treatment outcomes of locally advanced cervical cancer. Meta-analysis was used to calculate the pooled odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Sixteen studies were included in our analysis. Pooled analysis of overall survival rate [odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.83–1.43] and progression-free survival rate (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.77–1.57) showed that preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not have a benefit compared with surgery alone in terms of survival rates. The pooled results for postoperative parameters indicated that preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery was associated with a high rate of vascular space involvement (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.17–0.35) and parametrial infiltration (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.45–0.79).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis indicated that surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for FIGO stage I–II cervical cancer and surgery alone had similar oncological outcomes.
Refractory short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing responsive to anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies: A case report
Authors: Bsteh Gabriel , Bsteh Christian , Broessner Gregor
Published: September 2020

Background

Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) is a rare but severely disabling variant within the spectrum of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia lacking evidence-based treatment.

Case

We report a case of chronic SUNCT in a 67-year-old man refractory to various guideline-conforming treatment attempts responding excellently to galcanezumab.

Conclusions

This case report indicates that monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide, specifically galcanezumab, might be a treatment option for SUNCT warranting further investigation.
Upskilling, Deskilling or Polarisation? Evidence on Change in Skills in Europe
Authors: Martinaitis Žilvinas , Christenko Aleksandr , Antanavičius Jonas
Published: September 2020

What are the directions of change in the complexity of work and the required skill levels of the labour force in Europe? Three prominent strands of literature suggest conflicting expectations – upskilling, deskilling and polarisation. This question is answered by employing a novel work complexity indicator that measures how tasks are performed at work according to three dimensions: routinisation of tasks, autonomy at work and continuous skill-building. The measurements rely on the European Working Conditions Surveys carried out in 2005, 2010 and 2015. The results show that the European labour markets witness upskilling with some polarisation, although there are significant cross-national differences. They also show that, individually, neither shifts in work complexity within occupations (deskilling hypothesis), nor changes in employment structure (the focus of the upskilling and polarisation hypotheses) can provide an adequate view of trends in the European labour markets. Instead, both vectors of change should be analysed collectively.
An energy-time optimal autonomous motion control framework for overhead cranes in the presence of obstacles
Authors: Wang Xinwei , Liu Jie , Dong Xianzhou , Peng Haijun , Li Chongwei
Published: September 2020

This paper focuses on the autonomous motion control of 3-D underactuated overhead cranes in the presence of obstacles, and an “offline motion planning + online trajectory tracking” framework is developed. In the motion planner, to meet the balance between transfer time and energy consumption, the transfer mission is formulated as an energy-time hybrid optimal control problem. And a simple and conservative collision-avoidance condition is derived. To achieve fast and robust calculations, an iterative procedure that determines optimal terminal time based on the secant method is developed. Finally, to realize the high-precision trajectory tracking and fast residual sway suppression, a model predictive controller with a piecewise weighted matrix is designed. Numerical simulation demonstrates that the discussed framework is effective.
Shanghai Library as a human capital developer for a knowledge-driven socio-economic environment
Authors: Lo Patrick , Stark Andrew J.
Published: September 2020

As an integral part of society, public libraries have been functioning as community centres that help enhance personal and professional skills development as part of an individual’s lifelong learning process. To that end, public libraries are sometimes regarded as the ‘people’s university’. Using a Shanghainese context, this study seeks to understand the effects of Shanghai Library in creating human capital for the local community. Through a quantitative questionnaire survey, this study focused on examining the perceptions and usage patterns of three different financially independent user groups – white-collar workers, executives/professionals and educators/cultural administrators – and, in particular, how Shanghai Library contributed to the lifelong learning of these three user groups. A total of 429 responses were collected for the study. The findings reveal that a majority of the respondents from all three user groups used Shanghai Library mainly for learning and studying, as well as enhancing job-related skills. In fact, the majority of the respondents regarded Shanghai Library as an ‘indispensable place’ for lifelong learning. This study offers a glimpse of how public libraries in China might build human capital for their local communities.
Association between Health Insurance and Incidence of Death in Stateless Children in Tak Province, Thailand
Authors: Barua Proloy , Narattharaksa Kanida
Published: September 2020

This study assesses the association between health insurance and incidence of death in stateless children compared with uninsured children in Tak Province in Thailand. The study used electronic medical records of children aged between 0 and 15 who registered with selected health facilities between 01 January 2013 and 31 December 2017. The required data was obtained from ‘43-files database’ through the Provincial Public Health Office. The death case was used as a binary outcome variable while the exposure was three types of insurance: uninsured, stateless and the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS). The age, sex and domicile of the children were used as covariates in the multivariate logistic regression. Of 164,435 registered children, 824 death cases were found during the study period. The study results suggest that insurance is associated with the reduced risk of deaths in stateless children. The odds of death is 86 per cent lower in the stateless insurees than in the uninsured children (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.242, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.136,0.403]; p < 0.001). The death is 69 per cent lower in the UCS beneficiaries than in the uninsured children (AOR = 0.385,95 per cent CI = [0.308,0.489]; p < 0.001). Age, sex and domicile of the children were independently associated with a varying risk of death.
Conscious Abstinence from Smokeless Tobacco Evokes Higher Withdrawal Response and Impairs Cognitive Performance Independent of Sympathetic Response
Authors: Barhwal Kalpana Kumari , Boppana Sujwal , Vashishtha Vivek , Mahapatra Sushil Chandra
Published: September 2020

Introduction: High consumption of smokeless tobacco in adult Indian population increases the risk of developing oral cancers leading to high morbidity and mortality. Though the influence of abstinence from smoking on cognitive performance has been widely studied, the effect of smokeless tobacco on cognitive performance and its association with withdrawal symptoms is less understood. This study comparatively investigates the effect of short-term conscious abstinence and distraction during abstinence from smokeless tobacco consumption on the craving, withdrawal symptoms, sympathetic response, and cognitive performance in tobacco addicts.

Methods: Age, sex, education and socioeconomic status matched control ( N = 15) and smokeless tobacco addicts ( N = 60) were recruited from residential areas in Bhubaneswar for the study. Following randomization of the addicts, conscious abstinence ( N = 30) was induced by informed abstinence from tobacco consumption for 8 hours, while distracted cessation ( N = 30) was induced by involving the participants in a cognitively engaging task for 8 hours during uninformed tobacco abstinence.

Results: The results of the study show higher withdrawal symptoms and reduced cognitive performance in volunteers with conscious abstinence which was positively correlated. The decreased cognitive performance in conscious cessation was independent of tobacco-induced increase in the LF:HF ratio and cotinine concentration in saliva.

Conclusion: While conscious abstinence results in higher withdrawal symptoms, distraction during abstinence lowers these symptoms. Inclusion of distraction sessions during cessation can, therefore, be a new element in tobacco control strategies.
Capital Budgeting: Maledia Broadcasting Ltd
Authors: Purani Keyoor , Jeesha Krishnan
Published: September 2020

In 2011, Samjad, deputy CEO of Maledia Broadcasting Limited (MBL)—a new venture of the media group Maledia, based in Cochin, India—prepared to make financial projections to justify the feasibility of the new Malayalam news channel. He was faced with challenges of making estimates that made the project attractive yet practical and credible for the group that was conservative in their advertising sales approach.

Set in an interesting industry like broadcasting, the case simulates a real-life situation that also provides a internal corporate context. With the help of the rich market data such as advertising spends, commercial time, competitive scenario in the region, students are expected to forecast revenue for the project. Students are also challenged to use benchmark data of competitors to estimate hurdle rate, capex and operating costs. Estimation of initial investments is also required to be made. Using the processed financial data and projections, students are required to prepare discounted cash flows (DCF) statements with net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) for the broadcast channel project. They learn to build alternate scenarios to deal with decisions under uncertainty.

The case provides several opportunities to discuss narratives and numbers, helping students of finance realize the value of analysing the company policies and values, business situation, market environment and competitive financial information in capital budgeting, and project finance beyond number crunching.
Human rights and the post-pandemic return to classroom education in Australia
Authors: Maguire Amy , McNamara Donna
Published: September 2020

This article identifies tensions between the human rights central to a return to classroom-based education during the COVID-19 pandemic. It notes the complexity of balancing rights to health, education and work for students, teachers and school staff, including for the most vulnerable in those groups. The authors argue that Australia would be well served by a comprehensive human rights framework to support difficult processes of balancing rights in tension.
Histoecology: Applying Ecological Principles and Approaches to Describe and Predict Tumor Ecosystem Dynamics Across Space and Time
Authors: Gatenbee Chandler D. , Minor Emily S. , Slebos Robbert J. C. , Chung Christine H. , Anderson Alexander R. A.
Published: September 2020

Cancer cells exist within a complex spatially structured ecosystem composed of resources and different cell types. As the selective pressures imposed by this environment determine the fate of cancer cells, an improved understanding of how this ecosystem evolves will better elucidate how tumors grow and respond to therapy. State of the art imaging methods can now provide highly resolved descriptions of the microenvironment, yielding the data required for a thorough study of its role in tumor growth and treatment resistance. The field of landscape ecology has been studying such species-environment relationship for decades, and offers many tools and perspectives that cancer researchers could greatly benefit from. Here, we discuss one such tool, species distribution modeling (SDM), that has the potential to, among other things, identify critical environmental factors that drive tumor evolution and predict response to therapy. SDMs only scratch the surface of how ecological theory and methods can be applied to cancer, and we believe further integration will take cancer research in exciting new and productive directions. Significance: Here we describe how species distribution modeling can be used to quantitatively describe the complex relationship between tumor cells and their microenvironment. Such a description facilitates a deeper understanding of cancers eco-evolutionary dynamics, which in turn sheds light on the factors that drive tumor growth and response to treatment.
Observer-based robust model predictive control of switched nonlinear systems with time delay and parametric uncertainties
Authors: Taghieh Amin , Shafiei Mohammad Hossein
Published: September 2020

In this study, an observer-based robust model predictive control scheme is proposed to control a class of switched nonlinear systems in the presence of time delay and parametric uncertainties under arbitrary switching. Constructing an appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional in conjunction with an infinite horizon cost function, sufficient conditions are obtained to guarantee the asymptotic stability of the closed-loop switched system in terms of linear matrix inequalities depending on the time delay, the upper bounds of uncertain parameters, and the Lipschitz constant of subsystems. To model the uncertainty of the system, the parametric uncertainty is used to reduce the computational burden and the conservatism of the method. In the proposed method, a predictive state observer and an observer-based controller are synthesized via an online optimization problem to minimize the upper bound of the cost function, while handling the constraints. Finally, the obtained results are validated using practical and numerical simulations.
New results on observer-based robust preview tracking control for Lipschitz nonlinear systems
Authors: Yu Xiao , Liao Fucheng , Li Li
Published: September 2020

In this article, the observer-based robust preview tracking control problem is revisited for discrete-time Lipschitz nonlinear systems. The proposed observer-based preview control scheme is composed of the integral control action, the observer-based state feedback control action, and the preview feedforward action of the reference signal. Sufficient design condition of controller and observer gains, which are able to ensure the simultaneously convergence of both the estimation error and the tracking error toward zero, is established in terms of linear matrix inequality by applying the Lyapunov function approach and several mathematical techniques. Compared with the existing result, the system model is more general, which could describe a larger range of practical processes. The observer-based preview controller design is simplified by computing the gain matrices of both observer and tracking controller simultaneously by only one-step linear matrix inequality procedure. Robustness against external disturbance is analyzed via the H∞ performance criterion to attenuate its effect on the performance signal. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the suggested controller.
Effects of gearbox housing flexibility on dynamic characteristics of gear transmission system
Authors: Kong Xiannian , Tang Jinyuan , Siyu Chen , Hu Zehua
Published: September 2020

The lightweight design of the gear system is the current tendency. The gearbox housing is modeled as a rigid body and is neglected in the gear dynamic analysis. It is of great significance to introduce the gearbox housing flexibility into the dynamic analysis and analyze the influence of the gearbox housing flexibility on the dynamic behaviors of the gear transmission system, as this can provide important instructions for the lightweight structure design of the housing. The gear–rotor–bearing model and the gear–rotor–bearing–housing model are established by the finite element node method. A Timoshenko beam element is used to represent the shafts. To illustrate the housing effect, two kinds of housing model are established: one tends to be rigid and the other to be flexible and lighter. The housings are simplified as a super element obtained by the dynamic substructure method. Natural frequencies and dynamic responses are illustrated to indicate the effects of housing flexibility. Comparisons of numerical results show that the rigid housing can be neglected for its little effect on the dynamic analysis. The flexibility of the housing slightly reduces the natural frequencies of the gear transmission system, and the maximum reduction is 6.05%. Meanwhile, the amplitudes of the first two resonance peaks of the dynamic transmission error decrease by 9.5% and 5.05%. Besides, more response peaks emerge at higher speeds when the flexibility of housing increases. The complete phenomena of dynamic behaviors of the gear transmission system can be obtained by considering the housing flexibility.
Can a Poem Be a Shield? A Weapon? A Light?
Authors: Georges Danielle Legros
Published: September 2020

I think what unites the given poems is a desire to interrogate oppressive language used as an attempt to regulate the power/humanity of or to control women, particularly Black and Brown women, myself included. This speech comes in many forms: whether in a reckless and racist tweet we see coming from the current U.S. President, a catcall on the street, a little ole micro-aggressive comment in the workplace, or in the instances taken up by the poems.
A Space to Speak: Therapeutic Theater to Address Gender-Based Violence
Authors: Arias Gabrielle , Dennis Christina , Loo Stephenie , Lazier Amy Larson , Moye Kathleen D. , Moye Kathleen , O’Connor Chelsey , Rich Anna , Weinberg Molly , Butler Jason D.
Published: September 2020

This article examines the experience of eight graduate students in the drama therapy program at Lesley University when creating and performing a theater piece centered around gender-based violence. The performance piece, A Space to Speak, used the performers’ real-life stories to highlight their vastly different, yet strikingly similar, experiences and invited the audience to examine their own relationship to those stories. A description of the process used to create and perform the piece is followed by a discussion of the impact the process had on the performers and audience members.
A model for a solid undergoing rate-independent dissipative mechanical processes
Authors: Saravanan Umakanthan , Rajagopal Kumbakonam R , Tom Roshan M , Bharadwaj Keshav
Published: September 2020

A thermodynamic framework is proposed to capture the dissipative response of metals. In contrast to the conventional practice, a stressed reference configuration is assumed instead of a stress-free configuration. The second law of thermodynamics is converted into equality by prescribing a non-negative rate of dissipation function. Stress in the reference configuration evolves with time to satisfy the second law of thermodynamics. Appropriate constitutive prescriptions are made to model the experimentally observed cyclic response of metals such as mild steel, aluminum alloy, and titanium, to uniaxial loading. An appropriate choice of material parameters captures well the experimentally observed response for different loading protocols.
Ofloxacin-Containing Multidrug Therapy in Ambulatory Leprosy Patients: A Case Series
Authors: Faust Lena , Klowak Michael , MacRae Cara , Kopalakrishnan Swana , Showler Adrienne J. , Boggild Andrea K.
Published: September 2020

Background

Standard dapsone and clofazimine-containing multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy is limited by drug tolerability, which poses treatment adherence barriers. Although ofloxacin-based regimens are promising alternatives, current efficacy and safety data are limited, particularly outside of endemic areas. We evaluated treatment outcomes in patients with leprosy receiving ofloxacin-containing MDT (OMDT) at our center.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients treated for leprosy at our center over an 8-year period (2011-2019). Primary outcomes evaluated were clinical cure rate, occurrence of leprosy reactions, antibiotic-related adverse events, and treatment adherence. Analyses were descriptive; however, data were stratified by age, sex, spectrum of disease, region of origin, and treatment regimen, and odds ratios were reported to assess associations with adverse outcomes.

Results

Over the enrolment period, 26 patients were treated with OMDT ( n = 19 multibacillary, n = 7 paucibacillary), and none were treated with clofazimine-based standard MDT. At the time of analysis, 23 patients (88%) had completed their course of treatment, and all were clinically cured, while 3 (12%) were still on treatment. Eighteen patients (69%) experienced either ENL ( n = 7, 27%), type 1 reactions ( n = 7, 27%), or both ( n = 4, 15%). No patients stopped ofloxacin due to adverse drug effects, and there were no cases of allergic hypersensitivity, tendinopathy or rupture, or C. difficile colitis.

Conclusions

We demonstrate a high cure rate and tolerability of OMDT in this small case series over an 8-year period, suggesting its viability as an alternative to standard clofazimine-containing MDT.
Exploring a wine farm micro-cluster: A novel business model of diversified ownership
Authors: Back Robin M , Lowry Linda L , Higgins Lindsey M
Published: September 2020

The winery tourism literature has traditionally focused on how to increase tasting room sales or to understand visitors as wine buyers to better promote product sales. It has been found, however, that wine tourists desire more from the wine tourism experience than just the tasting and purchase of wine, resulting in wineries offering additional attractions and experiences to their visitors. This paper uses a case example located in South Africa to examine how one privately owned business has created a highly successful ‘micro-cluster’ of authentic, experiential, and holistically synergistic attractions spread across two of its adjacent wine farms. Using a novel business model combining wholly-owned businesses, partnerships, and tenants paying a percentage of gross revenue, this agritourism venture has become a major tourist destination, attracting more than 400,000 visitors annually. This study demonstrates how ‘micro-clustering’ on wine farms, previously unexplored in the literature, can become a major revenue stream for wineries and their related on-site businesses, while at the same time providing an excellent marketing opportunity for their products. The model may also be applicable to other businesses in rural areas where the creation of micro-clustered attractions can contribute to the economic development and prosperity of a community as a whole.
Survey of US pediatric nurses’ role in health care transition planning: Focus on assessment of self-management abilities of youth and young adults with long-term conditions
Authors: Betz Cecily L , Mannino Jennifer E , Disabato Jennifer A
Published: September 2020

The survival rates of youth and young adults (YYAs) diagnosed with long-term conditions have improved considerably as 90% now enter adulthood; health care transition planning (HCTP) has emerged as a nursing practice priority. The aim of this national online survey was to investigate the extent to which nurses, recruited from two major United States pediatric nursing organizations are involved with HCTP including assessing YYA self-management abilities (SMA). Findings of a 9-item assessment of self-management abilities subscale of the nurses’ role in HTCP tool are reported. The nurse respondents ( n = 1269), identified the most frequently assessed SMA was the YYAs’ ability to understand and speak about their condition and its treatment ( M = 2.3, SD = .89). The least frequently assessed was the YYAs’ ability to identify community advocates to help them become more independent ( M =1.5, SD = .90). Regression analysis identified significant predictors of the frequency nurses assess YYA for SMA included nurses’ level of knowledge, perceived level of importance, HCTP and skills identified in job description, and caring for YYA. Findings indicate HCTP care advancements will necessitate HCTP training and development of nurse-led service efforts to facilitate optimal outcomes for YYA.