bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-way coupled aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics simulations of a heavy ground vehicle subjected to crosswind of various frequencies
Authors: Tunay Tural
Published: April 2022

The present study investigates the dynamic characteristics of a heavy ground vehicle subjected to crosswind with various frequencies using two-way coupled simulations between aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics, including the driver’s steering inputs. Four different reduced frequencies of crosswind, which are equal to 4.2, 2.1, 1.3 and 0.9, are used. The results show that the absolute maximum magnitudes of the vehicle’s lateral dynamic and aerodynamic characteristics increase inversely proportional with the reduced frequencies of crosswinds without the driver’s steering input. However, when the driver’s steering input is included in the vehicle’s response to the crosswind disturbances, the vehicle’s lateral dynamic characteristics increase by the largest amount for reduced frequencies of 1.3 and 2.1. Furthermore, for a reduced frequency of 0.9, the driver’s steering inputs attenuate the unfavourable amplifications in the vehicle’s lateral dynamic characteristics. In the present study, the reasons for the increase in the vehicle’s lateral dynamic characteristics in the cases of reduced frequencies equal or greater than 1.3 with the driver’s steering input are explained. Additionally, the results show that the vehicle is not controlled within the 0.5 m lateral margins of the road when the steering starts with a time delay of 1.0 s for reduced frequencies equal to or lower than 2.1.
In vitro study of red blood cell and VWF damage in mechanical circulatory support devices based on blood-shearing platform
Authors: Mei Xu , Lu Bin , Wu Peng , Zhang Liudi
Published: April 2022

Blood damage induced by mechanical circulatory support devices (MCSDs) remains a significant challenge to optimal clinical care. Although researchers have been conducting in vitro studies, the major determinant of blood damage is still unclear. An optimized capillary tube blood-shearing platform with custom designed parts was constructed to investigate the influence of two flow-dependent parameters (shear stress and exposure time) on the shear-induced damage of red blood cells and von Willebrand factor (VWF). Blood samples under different high shear stress and instantaneous exposure time were obtained by changing the flow rate and the length of capillary tube. Plasma free hemoglobin assay and immunoblotting of VWF were then performed on the sheared blood samples. The quantitative correlation between the hemolysis index and the two flow-dependent parameters was found following the power law mathematical model under the flow condition with high shear stress and instantaneous exposure time. The degradation of high molecular weight VWF was not obvious under high shear stress factor. However, the degradation of high molecular weight VWF was found as the result of the accumulation over exposure time under non-physiological shear stress, which was consistent with the different mechanism of VWF damage comparing to red blood cell damage. Compared to peak shear stress, exposure time has a greater effect on both red blood cell and VWF damage. To improve the hemocompatibility of MCSDs, it is more important to avoid regions of slow blood flow with non-physiological shear stress under laminar flow conditions.
Lag screw osteosynthesis of simple olecranon fractures: A biomechanical comparative study
Authors: Wagner Ferdinand C , Hamann Alexander , Maier Dirk , Ophoven Christian , Yilmaz Tayfun , Südkamp Norbert P , Jaeger Martin , Reising Kilian
Published: April 2022

Olecranon fractures are most frequently stabilized by tension band wiring (TBW), which unfortunately leads to relevant implant removal rates due to K-wire migration and soft tissue irritation. As lag screw osteosynthesis (LSO) might be a gentle and effective alternative in simple fracture patterns, the goal of the present study was to biomechanically compare LSO with TBW in simple olecranon fractures at a cadaver model. A simple olecranon fracture (Mayo type IIA) was created in eight pairs of human cadaver elbows, which were pairwise fixed by either TBW or two transcortical 4.0 mm lag screws. Biomechanical testing was conducted as a pulling force, applied to the triceps tendon in a 90° position. First, cyclic loading between 10 and 300 N was performed for 50,000 cycles. Afterward, maximum load was raised by 0.02 N/cycle until construct failure, what was defined as displacement >2 mm. Besides fracture displacement, failure cycle and failure load, the modes of failure were analyzed. Within the first five cycles, there was no significant difference in displacement (median TBW: 0.2 mm; LSO: 0.5 mm; p = 0.091). Both after 2000 (median TBW: 0.2 mm; LSO: 0.6 mm; p = 0.042) and after 20,000 cycles (median TBW: 0.4 mm; LSO: 0.9 mm; p = 0.027), the difference was significant. Failure cycle (median TBW: 72,639 cycles; LSO: 43,429 cycles; p = 0.017) and failure load (median TBW: 702 N; LSO: 303 N; p = 0.025) differed significantly as well. TBW mostly (6/8) failed at the lock of the cerclage wire, whereas most LSO constructs (5/8) failed as a pullout of the proximal fragment. In conclusion, to our biomechanical findings at human cadaver specimens, simple olecranon fractures treated by LSO show higher dislocation rates and lower failure loads compared to conventional TBW and mostly fail by pullout of the proximal fragment.
Simultaneous fault diagnosis for aircraft engine using multi-label learning
Authors: Li Bing , Zhao Yong-Ping
Published: April 2022

Fault detection and isolation system is crucial for the safety and reliability of aircraft engine. Traditional techniques of data-driven fault diagnosis for aircraft engine mainly focus on single fault diagnosis problems by means of the single-label learning strategy. However, the simultaneous fault diagnosis problems cannot be ignored in reality. In this research, two data-driven approaches based on multi-label learning and support vector machine are proposed to address the simultaneous fault diagnosis for an aircraft engine. Given that the simultaneous fault data are more difficult to obtain than single fault data, the proposed approaches have the ability to diagnose both single fault and simultaneous fault for aircraft engine when the fault diagnosis system is trained using single fault data only. The experimental results show that the proposed approaches can diagnose the simultaneous fault for an aircraft engine with high accuracy requiring low computation burden and a small number of single fault training data. In addition, the supplementary experiment confirms that the diagnosis accuracy of the proposed methods can be further improved by adding a small amount of the simultaneous fault data into the training dataset.
Two-degree-of-freedom internal model control of particle swarm optimization for flow temperature control system in phase change material packaging technology
Authors: Zhang Qinglei , Zhang Min , Duan Jianguo , Qin Jiyun
Published: April 2022

In this article, a phase change material packaging process system was designed. In view of the hysteresis of the system flow temperature control, a two-degree-of-freedom internal model PID (PSO-TDF-IMC-PID) controller based on particle swarm optimization was determined based on the flow regulating valve model, so as to control the phase change material outlet temperature to keep constant with establishing the system heat transfer model. Compared with other control algorithms, the PSO-TDF-IMC-PID algorithm is proved to be fast, anti-interference and robust. The traditional integral of time multiplied by the absolute value of error criterion performance index is improved, and the improved integral of time multiplied by the absolute value of error criterion is applied to PSO-TDF-IMC-PID algorithm for simulation comparison. Simulation results show that the improved integral of time multiplied by the absolute value of error criterion can effectively eliminate overshoot. The overshoot is reduced from the original 8% to almost 0. To reduce system energy consumption and improve economy, energy consumption constraint conditions are added into the variable trial-error algorithm to calculate economic flow rate and inlet temperature of heat conduction oil. The results show that the dynamic parameters of the system accord with the constraint condition of energy consumption.
Bernstein polynomials based compensator design for coupled tank system with saturation nonlinearity
Authors: Tacal Buse , Ucun Levent
Published: April 2022

This study deals with the design of Bernstein polynomials based compensator in order to attenuate the degrading effect of saturation nonlinearities in process control applications. The proposed compensator is structured in terms of Bernstein polynomials and a frequency dependent cost function is utilized in order to calculate the optimal coefficients for the proposed compensator. In order to illustrate the efficiency of proposed compensator, a well-known benchmark process control problem, the coupled tank system, is taken into consideration in this study. The success of the proposed compensator is illustrated via frequency based harmonic plots and time domain plots of saturated control signal.
Iron in the Soul: Two-Child Norm in Population Policies Again
Authors: Rao Mohan
Published: April 2022

In July 2021, Uttar Pradesh announced a population policy, Draft Uttar Pradesh Population Control, Stabilisation and Welfare Bill, 2021, that was astoundingly thoughtless, even as it was demographically unnecessary. That Assam and Uttar Pradesh have joined the long list of dismal states that advocate a stringent two-child norm in population policy is only reflective of how unthinking and thoughtless our policy planners are. They perhaps reflect carefully thought-out political strategies to weaponise demography, demonise Muslims, and consummate a Hindu vote bank? These policies ignore the fact that a sustained fertility decline is visible all over the country. Indeed the rate of decline of the fertility among Muslims is greater than among Hindus.
Imbalances in Kazakhstan’s Smart Cities Development
Authors: Mendybayev Birlik
Published: April 2022

In many cities worldwide, the Smart City concept is used to solve problems that ensure the city’s development. The range of technological solutions applications varies depending on the needs and capabilities of a particular city or country in general. The proverbial all-encompassing meaning of the Smart City definition is not critical; however, it allows for reasonably unambiguous identification of implementation areas and even standardization. Differences in the conditions and goals of implementation are determined by the characteristics of a particular (unique) city, public needs, or demand from citizens for more modern services, and the peculiarities of state regulation and management. In Kazakhstan, the implementation of individual Smart City initiatives began more than 10 years ago. Comprehensive goal setting was carried out in 2017 as part of the Digital Kazakhstan state programme, and a comparative rating for the cities is being calculated from 2020. The article describes and defines the challenges and limitations associated with the unbalanced development measures of Kazakhstan’s cities based on a comparative analysis of indicators that characterize the level of penetration of Smart City technologies. The article substantiates the need to adjust the national policy and change priorities for successful Smart City projects.
Biomechanical Cadaveric Evaluation of the Role of Medial Column Instability in Hallux Valgus Deformity
Authors: Wagner Emilio , Wagner Pablo , Pacheco Florencia , López Mario , Palma Felipe , Guzmán-Venegas Rodrigo , Berral-de la Rosa Francisco Jose
Published: April 2022

Background:

Medial column instability is a frequent finding in patients with flatfeet and hallux valgus, within others. The etiology of hallux valgus is multifactorial, and medial ray axial rotation has been mentioned as having an individual role. Our objective was to design a novel cadaveric foot model where we could re-create through progressive medial column ligament damage some components of a hallux valgus deformity.

Methods:

Ten fresh-frozen lower leg specimens were used, and fluorescent markers were attached in a multisegment foot model. Constant axial load and cyclic tibial rotation (to simulate foot pronation) were applied, including pull on the flexor hallucis longus tendon (FHL). We first damaged the intercuneiform (C1-C2) ligaments, second the naviculocuneiform (NC) ligaments, and third the first tarsometatarsal ligaments, leaving the plantar ligaments unharmed. Bony axial and coronal alignment was measured after each ligament damage. Statistical analysis was performed.

Results:

A significant increase in pronation of multiple segments was observed after sectioning the NC ligaments. Damaging the tarsometatarsal ligament generated small supination and varus changes mainly in the medial ray. No significant change was observed in axial or frontal plane alignment after damaging the C1-C2 ligaments. The FHL pull exerted a small valgus change in segments of the first ray.

Discussion:

In this biomechanical cadaveric model, the naviculocuneiform joint was the most important one responsible for pronation of the medial column. Bone pronation occurs along the whole medial column, not isolated to a certain joint. Flexor hallucis longus pull appears to play some role in frontal plane alignment, but not in bone rotation. This model will be of great help to further study medial column instability as one of the factors influencing medial column pronation and its relevance in pathologies like hallux valgus.

Clinical Relevance:

This cadaveric model suggests a possible influence of medial column instability in first metatarsal pronation. With a thorough understanding of a condition’s origin, better treatment strategies can be developed.
Practising impact assessment: a content analysis of 20 Cultural Impact Assessment reports in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Chua-oon Rinfret Païlin , Connelly Sean , Thompson-Fawcett Michelle
Published: April 2022

There is potential to strengthen impact assessment as a tool for Indigenous community use in environmental management. The present research contributes to this discussion by examining the report product that has resulted from 20 recent Cultural Impact Assessments (CIA) in Aotearoa New Zealand. These reports are reviewed based on Vanstone et al.’s structured approach, which allows for a systematic evaluation of the content of reports. The research demonstrates that Cultural Impact Assessment reports can tend to place greater emphasis on cultural values than on impacts of proposed projects, indicating a difference between CIA practice and other forms of impact assessment. CIAs often appear to be less about impact analysis and more about providing an opportunity for Māori concepts and worldviews to be recognized in decision-making. This finding has implications for how CIA report quality should be evaluated in the future and contributes to our understanding of the unique purpose of CIA.
The role of Indigenous knowledge: practices and values in promoting socio-economic well-being and equity among Endorois community of Kenya
Authors: Sergon Pascalia Jelagat , Akoth Steve Ouma , Dzinekou Jonas Yawovi
Published: April 2022

The role played by Indigenous knowledge (IK) cannot be underestimated. Besides IK firming the individual and community’s distinctiveness, its beliefs and practices are credited for holding strong cultural and social obligation on its members to promote well-being. In the wake of colonialism and subsequent capitalism, Indigenous practices and values have continued to crumble, leading to massive inequalities, poverty and ecological destruction. The study elucidates that there exist situated Indigenous economic knowledge, values that are significant in ensuring community’s well-being. The study was carried out among the Endorois community of Baringo County, using ethnographic approach and qualitative methods. Purposive sampling was done through community’s gatekeepers. Findings demonstrate that displacement of the African Indigenous economic system and adoption of neoliberal economic model could be causes of socio-economic and ecological crises in Africa. It concludes that the negative elements of the neoliberal capitalist model can be re-balanced by the adoption of African Indigenous economic practices.
“It just fills you up”: The culture of monthly community singing events in one American city
Authors: Palkki Joshua
Published: April 2022

This article conveys data collected in an ethnographic case study exploring monthly participatory community singing events in one city in the American Midwest. I analyze these data through the lens of a “traditional” choral conductor who, prior to undertaking this investigation, had little knowledge about participatory singing traditions; I also utilize scholarship about participatory versus presentational music activities as defined by Turino. Themes that arose during data analysis include: the context of folk music culture of Middletown, the inclusivity of community singing events, the role of the song-leader in facilitating these events, and “wounding stories” from participants who were discouraged by music educators. Perhaps in reflecting on the dichotomy between performative and participatory singing events, the choral community may begin to unlearn strictures that make some singers feel unwelcome.
A convivial-agonistic framework to theorise public service media platforms and their governing systems
Authors: Bonini Tiziano , Maria Mazzoli Eleonora
Published: April 2022

This article addresses the need to find alternative ways to envision, develop and govern public service media’s (PSM) online services and data-driven systems. By critically discussing both opportunities and shortcomings of how European PSM organisations developed their online services and personalisation systems, we argue that in their own platformisation processes, PSM have partially lost their distinctiveness and have not been able to provide viable alternatives to the dominant audiovisual media platforms. Thus, building on Mouffe’s agonistic theory and Illich’s conviviality theory, this article proposes a theoretical framework to radically rethink the guiding principles and rationales driving public service platforms, in order to develop viable alternatives to the currently dominant models. By doing so, we envision the development of such services as convivial tools that are based on three principles, namely, symmetry of power (intended as hackability, openness and algorithmic conviviality), independence and environmental sustainability.
In times of crisis: Public perceptions toward COVID-19 contact tracing apps in China, Germany, and the United States
Authors: Kostka Genia , Habich-Sobiegalla Sabrina
Published: April 2022

The adoption of COVID-19 contact tracing apps (CTAs) has been proposed as an important measure to contain the spread of COVID-19. Based on a cross-national dataset, this article analyzes public perceptions toward CTAs and the factors that drive CTA acceptance in China, Germany, and the United States. We find that public acceptance of CTAs is significantly higher in China as compared with Germany and the United States. Despite very different sociopolitical contexts, there are striking similarities in the factors that drive CTA acceptance in all three countries. Citizens are willing to accept digital contact tracing despite concerns about privacy infringement and government surveillance, as long as the apps are perceived as effective in lowering infection rates and providing health information. This creates a chicken-and-egg problem for CTAs in Germany and the United States where CTAs are voluntary: a high citizen adoption rate is necessary for CTAs to be effective, but CTAs are only effective if adoption rates are high.
Influence of tumble and TKE on combustion, fuel economy, and emissions of a single cylinder motorcycle engine
Authors: Lee Cho-Yu , Tu Lih-Fu
Published: April 2022

The impact of gasoline engines on improving fuel consumption and reducing emissions has received increasing attention around the world, and emissions regulations have become stricter. However, complex techniques in engine improvement increase costs. The purpose of this study is to develop or improve the design of the intake geometry without additional cost to improve the engine thermal efficiency, thereby improving fuel economy and emissions. In this study, emissions and fuel consumption of a 125 c.c. commercially available motorcycle was investigated. In addition to modifying the intake and valve angles and maintaining the intake air volume, a software for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used for steady-state and transient analysis of the in-cylinder flow field, tumble ratio and turbulence kinetic energy (TKE), and the results were compared with the data of the experimental platform. The burn duration of the engine, indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP), indicated specific total hydrocarbons (ISHC), nitrogen oxide (ISNOx) and carbon monoxide (ISCO) were measured on the bench. The transient predicted results show that the tumble ratio is a maximum increase of 27.82% at 656 crank angle (CA) degrees near the top dead center (TDC) on the compression stroke. In the ignition area within 5°–20° before top dead center (BTDC), average of the turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) was 120.37 m2/s2, distributed hot area was wide and close to the ignition position. In the steady-state measurement, it was verified that the tumble ratio was significantly improved by modifying inlet, the same trend as the analysis result. In the bench test for full load measurement, the average of IMEP increased by 10.92%, indicated specific fuel consumption (ISFC) improved by 11.7%, burn duration increased by 25.27%, ISCO improved by 43.41%, and ISHC improved by 64.33%. For portion load measurement, the average of ISFC improved by 2.16%, burn duration increased by 24.84%, ISCO improved by 43.44%, ISHC improved by 17.7% and ISNO improved by 12.89%. Based on the results, the tumble and TKE were improved by optimizing the angle between the intake valve and the intake port. The ISFC of model B was significantly improved under the two states. The ignition delay time was longer, and the overall burn duration was much improved. When it came to emissions, the ISCO and ISHC were significantly improved, and the ISNO was much higher at full load but lower at partial load due to the engine temperature and engine loads. At partial loads, the high tumble did benefit the combustion, fuel economy and emissions of a single-cylinder motorcycle engine.
Development of a medium-duty stoichiometric diesel micro-pilot natural gas engine
Authors: Bonfochi Vinhaes Vinicius , Yang Xuebin , McTaggart-Cowan Gordon , Munshi Sandeep , Shahbakhti Mahdi , Naber Jeffrey D
Published: April 2022

Fueling a compression-ignition engine with premixed natural gas offers the potential to combine a clean-burning, low-carbon fuel with a high compression ratio, high-efficiency engine. This work describes the development of a multi-cylinder 6.7 L diesel engine converted to run stoichiometric diesel micro-pilot/ natural gas premix combustion with a maximum diesel contribution target of 5% of the total fuel energy and a three-way catalyst aftertreatment system. Results are given by comparing the stoichiometric combustion to the diesel baseline operation, showing combustion characteristics differences, including the rapid two stage heat release. A high load output of 23 bar brake mean effective pressure was obtained with diesel-like brake thermal efficiency of 41%. This operating condition enabled a brake specific CO2 emissions reduction of up to 25% when compared to diesel. It was observed that the low load output is limited by combustion stability when operated at stoichiometric condition. The three-way catalyst is observed to run at peak efficiency with an equivalence ratio of 1.01. Injector fouling was observed through the inspection of the nozzle and its internal parts, indicating carbon build-up similar to that seen in injector coking mechanisms. A comparison of the developed engine to other engine technologies is given, showing that the diesel micro-pilot natural gas engine performance is in good standing among other diesel and gas engines in the market.
Numerical simulation of vortex-induced vibration of a smooth circular cylinder at the subcritical regime
Authors: Abbaspour Madjid , Kourabbasloo Navid Nemati , Mohtat Pouya , Tanha Araz
Published: April 2022

The present paper focuses on the simulation of vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of a rigid, smooth circular cylinder with elastic supports subject to a cross-flow at the subcritical regime of Reynolds number, 30,000< Re<80,000. The circular cylinder is allowed to move in one degree-of-freedom (DOF), heave. Unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations are solved with Menter’s k — [Formula: see text] based Shear Stress Transport based Scale-Adaptive Simulation, SAS-SST, turbulence model, and two-equation transition transport γ — θ model. The transport equations are discretized using the Finite Volume Method (FVM). The numerical amplitude and frequency ratio is compared against the experiments conducted in the Marine Renewable Energy Laboratory (MRELab) at the University of Michigan. The angle in which the computed lift leads the displacement in VIV is compared against experimental results reported by Cornell-ONR Water Channel as well. The existence of the initial, upper, and lower VIV response branches is demonstrated. Wake vortex pattern mode has been studied in the different branches of VIV. The time records of the added mass force coefficient and the vortex force coefficient are obtained. Then, the time-averaged phase angle of the vortex and added mass force coefficients are compared against the experimental results. Lastly, the time records of the phase angle in different branches of VIV are shown and analyzed.
Democratic Consolidation and Electoral System Change in Croatia: What Is Wrong with the Proportional Representation?
Authors: Nikić Čakar Dario , Čular Goran
Published: April 2022

This article focuses on the politics of electoral system change and its effects on the process of democratic consolidation in Croatia. After the first decade of democratisation when electoral rules were strategically engaged in order to secure one-party domination, the consensual introduction of proportional representation in 1999 marked the start of the full-scale consolidation of democracy. However, after only a decade, when faced with strong pressure caused by a deep economic recession and omnipresent political corruption, democracy in Croatia started to deteriorate, followed by significantly lower levels of trust in representative institutions and widespread citizen disaffection with the functioning of democracy. The proportional representation system was identified as the main cause of the crisis of Croatian democracy, raising strong critical voices asking for its reform or even replacement. The Croatian case thus shows that the interplay between electoral institutions and democratic (de)consolidation is far from being straightforward.
Remaking Resilience: A Material Approach to the Production of Disaster Space
Authors: Shtob Daniel A.
Published: April 2022

Resilience remains central to disaster preparedness and planning regimes in our changing world. It has been condemned as a meaningless buzzword, yet also recognized as a tool of neoliberalism with meaningful consequences. To address this central contradiction in this approach to environmental risk reduction—and to better understand inequality formation—I propose an alternative conceptualization of resilience that synthesizes materialist approaches in the sociologies of urbanity, disaster, and the environment. Among other benefits, it illustrates how resilience manifests through the production of space, emphasizing that resilience projects are meaningful political economic artifacts that should be judged by their consequences, and highlights the formative effect of resilience initiatives across stages of the disaster cycle. Foregrounding the relationships between resilience, political influence, and outcomes facilitates an analytical turn toward traceable effects on housing and other needs before an intervening disaster, supporting integration of critical approaches with public policy as more communities initiate resilience planning.
Motor torque estimation and security control for electric vehicles based on parameters feature extraction
Authors: Peng Zhiyuan , Du Changhong , Zhou Anjian , Liu Li , Chen Yang , Chen Jian , Peng Qianlei
Published: April 2022

Motor as well as its controller plays an important role in driving electric vehicle. As sole power device, it is closely related with actual torque accuracy to make sure security during EV driving. Due to complex controlling system for motor, there are some random failures of hardware and software which can bring a series of unexpected risks for EV acceleration or deceleration. A novel method based on motor parameters feature is proposed to estimate motor torque based on parameters feature extraction for three-phase of volts and currents. Additionally, Quality Factor ([Formula: see text]) and confidence coefficient are also adopted to judge whether motor estimation torque is reasonable or not and motor failure torque is limited to be output by setting fault flag in controller software. Finally, test bench is built to analyze torque accuracy compared with actual test value and verify security control strategy at failure modes, test results show that estimation torque accuracy is within ±5 Nm which is compared with actual test torque and motor system can effectively come into security state from failure state by security control strategy which is proposed in this paper.
Regimes of representation in Canadian police museums: Othering, police subjectivities, and gunscapes
Authors: Pauls Haley , Walby Kevin , Piché Justin
Published: April 2022

There are dozens of public police museums located across Canada that memorialize the country’s history of law enforcement and criminalization. Drawing from fieldwork at these sites, we explore the representational devices used to curate police museum displays. Invoking Stuart Hall’s work on representation and Othering, we examine how gun displays at Canadian police museums are organized to minimize the harm that police interventions with guns cause. Arguing these displays are made intelligible through a regime of representation that naturalizes the distinction between police officers and the “criminal” Other, we examine how these museums position weaponry including the gun as an esthetic object and a force of social good when in the hands of police. Analyzing curatorial strategies such as the arrangement of weapons, mannequin placement, dress, and level of humanization, as well as the rhetoric and narratives espoused on accompanying placards, we show how the curatorial approach in these spaces ratify an ideological framework that normalizes police violence and criminalization. We then assess what our analysis contributes to literatures on police museums and policing myths.
Using LSTM neural network to predict remaining useful life of electrolytic capacitors in dynamic operating conditions
Authors: Forouzandeh Shahraki Ameneh , Al-Dahidi Sameer , Rahim Taleqani Ali , Yadav Om Prakash
Published: April 2022

A critical aspect for prognostics and health management is the prediction of the remaining useful life (RUL). The existing RUL prediction techniques for aluminum electrolytic capacitors mostly assume the operating conditions remain constant for the entire prediction timeline. In practice, the electrolytic capacitors experience large variations in operating conditions during their lifetime that influence their degradation process and RUL. This paper proposes a RUL prediction method based on deep learning. The proposed framework uses the original condition monitoring and operating condition data without the necessity of assuming any particular type of degradation process and, therefore, avoiding the requirement of establishing link between model parameters and operating conditions. The proposed framework first identifies the degrading point and then develops the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model to predict the RUL of capacitors. The LSTM-based method can reduce the computational time and complexity while ensuring high prediction performance. Its effectiveness is demonstrated by utilizing the simulated degradation process and temperature condition time-series of aluminum electrolytic capacitors used in electric vehicle powertrain.
The reach and benefits of a digital intervention to improve physical activity in people with a musculoskeletal condition delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK
Authors: Webb J , Horlock R , Ahlquist A , Hall A , Brisby K , Hills S , Stewart D
Published: April 2022

Aim:

To evaluate a digital intervention to improve physical activity in people in the UK with a musculoskeletal condition delivered during movement restrictions brought about because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method:

Service evaluation data collected from 26,041 participants over 5 months was assessed against national datasets to understand the reach and representativeness of the digital physical activity intervention. Measures to restrict the movement and interaction of people were in place during these 5 months. Cross-sectional data from 2752 participants across different stages of the 12-week programme assessed levels of physical activity and the components of behaviour as defined by the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation = Behaviour). Regression analysis investigated the relationship between programme stage and physical activity and the components of behaviour.

Results:

In comparison to the UK population of people with a musculoskeletal condition, the intervention participants were over-represented by females, White, and inactive people. A cross-sectional analysis suggested that the number of participants regularly active increased by programme stage. Scores for the behavioural components of automatic and reflective motivation, physical and psychological capability, and physical opportunity were also improved by programme stage.

Conclusion:

The service evaluation suggests that the digital intervention, designed to improve physical activity in people with a musculoskeletal condition, could be beneficial during measures to restrict movement to slow the spread of infectious disease in those who are already motivated to become or stay active.
Book review: Gaurav J. Pathania, The University as a Site of Resistance: Identity and Student Politics
Authors: Kalyani Kalyani
Published: April 2022

Gaurav J. Pathania, The University as a Site of Resistance: Identity and Student Politics. Oxford University Press, 2018, 1–236 pp. ₹895 (Hardback). ISBN: 0-19-948841-X.
Book review: The Intersectional Ties of Caste, Class and Language in the Making of the Goanese
Authors: Aleaz Bonita
Published: April 2022

Jason Keith Fernandes, Citizenship in a Caste Polity: Religion, Language and Belonging in Goa. New Delhi: Orient BlackSwan, 2020, 361 + xvi pp., ₹900 (hardback). ISBN-10: 9352879945; ISBN-13: 978-9352879946.
Applying Social Norms Theory for Improved Nutrition Outcomes: A Case Study of JEEViKA Self Help Groups.
Authors: Lakshmi N. Vijaya , Sinha Irina
Published: April 2022

This paper demonstrates that malnutrition among children under the age of 5 years can be addressed by disseminating information and social and behaviour change communication. This paper discusses a social and behavioural change program implemented through a women’s self-help group under JEEViKA run by the Government of Bihar.
Telemedicine in a primary care clinic in Fairbanks, Alaska: Not a magic bullet for providing treatment during COVID-19
Authors: Hartzell Sarah YT
Published: April 2022

Stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic have increased patients’ reliance on virtual physician visits, via telemedicine. Telemedicine has benefits of use during the pandemic and has benefits outside of the pandemic. It is underutilized in certain types of medical organizations, providers, and among specific populations in the United States. It is important to understand the barriers to incorporating telemedicine effectively in the areas that it is underutilized, especially in rural locations. The researcher discussed the telemedicine expansion for two family practice doctors in Fairbanks, Alaska (AK). The family practice doctors experienced barriers that partially echo what has been stated in research. Research suggests that changes to Medicare and Medicaid telemedicine policies may not be enough to address these barriers. Other supports to expand telemedicine where it is needed includes providing more incentives to providers, waivers from insurance companies for patients to purchase equipment, and more education to patients about when, how, and where to receive telemedicine. More supports need to be provided to those underserved by telemedicine, especially for clients who are on Medicaid, living in low-income areas, and/or living in rural locations.
Genome-wide survey of the GATA gene family in camptothecin-producing plant Ophiorrhiza pumila
Authors: Shi Min , Huang Qikai , Wang Yao , Wang Can , Zhu Ruiyan , Zhang Siwei , Kai Guoyin
Published: April 2022

Background

Ophiorrhiza pumila (Rubiaceae) is capable of producing camptothecin (CPT), one monoterpene indole alkaloid extensively employed in the treatment of multiple cancers. Transcription factors (TFs) GATA are a group of transcription regulators involved in plant development and metabolism, and show the feature of binding to the GATA motif within the promoters of target genes. However, GATA TFs have not been characterized in O. pumila.

Result

In this study, a total of 18 GATA genes classified into four subfamilies were identified, which randomly distributed on 11 chromosomes of O. pumila. Synteny analysis of GATA genes between O. pumila and other plant species such as Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Glycine max, Solanum lycopersicum, Vitis vinifera, and Catharanthus roseus genomes were analyzed. Tissue expression pattern revealed that OpGATA1 and OpGATA18 were found to be correlated with ASA, MK, CPR and GPPS, which were highly expressed in leaves. OpGATA7, showed high expression in roots as most of the CPT biosynthetic pathway genes did, suggesting that these OpGATAs may be potential candidates regulating CPT biosynthesis in O. pumila.

Conclusions

In this study, we systematically analyzed the OpGATA TFs, and provided insights into the involvement of OpGATA TFs from O. pumila in CPT biosynthesis.
The impact of moderator by confounder interactions in the assessment of treatment effect modification: a simulation study
Authors: Marsden Antonia Mary , Dixon William G. , Dunn Graham , Emsley Richard
Published: April 2022

Background

When performed in an observational setting, treatment effect modification analyses should account for all confounding, where possible. Often, such studies only consider confounding between the exposure and outcome. However, there is scope for misspecification of the confounding adjustment when estimating moderation as the effects of the confounders may themselves be influenced by the moderator. The aim of this study was to investigate bias in estimates of treatment effect modification resulting from failure to account for an interaction between a binary moderator and a confounder on either treatment receipt or the outcome, and to assess the performance of different approaches to account for such interactions.

Methods

The theory behind the reason for bias and factors that impact the magnitude of bias is explained. Monte Carlo simulations were used to assess the performance of different propensity scores adjustment methods and regression adjustment where the adjustment 1) did not account for any moderator-confounder interactions, 2) included moderator-confounder interactions, and 3) was estimated separately in each moderator subgroup. A real-world observational dataset was used to demonstrate this issue.

Results

Regression adjustment and propensity score covariate adjustment were sensitive to the presence of moderator-confounder interactions on outcome, whilst propensity score weighting and matching were more sensitive to the presence of moderator-confounder interactions on treatment receipt. Including the relevant moderator-confounder interactions in the propensity score (for methods using this) or the outcome model (for regression adjustment) rectified this for all methods except propensity score covariate adjustment. For the latter, subgroup-specific propensity scores were required. Analysis of the real-world dataset showed that accounting for a moderator-confounder interaction can change the estimate of effect modification.

Conclusions

When estimating treatment effect modification whilst adjusting for confounders, moderator-confounder interactions on outcome or treatment receipt should be accounted for.
Methodology and experiences of rapid advice guideline development for children with COVID-19: responding to the COVID-19 outbreak quickly and efficiently
Authors: Zhou Qi , Li Qinyuan , Estill Janne , Wang Qi , Wang Zijun , Shi Qianling , Zhang Jingyi , Zhang Xiaobo , Mathew Joseph L. , Smyth Rosalind L. , Nurdiati Detty , Fu Zhou , Xu Hongmei , Zheng Xianlan , Zhao Xiaodong , Lu Quan , Liu Hui , Xun Yangqin , Li Weiguo , Yang Shu , Feng Xixi , Wang Mengshu , Lei Junqiang , Luo Xiaoping , Wu Liqun , Lu Xiaoxia , Lee Myeong Soo , Zhao Shunying , Chan Edwin Shih-Yen , Qian Yuan , Tu Wenwei , Dong Xiaoyan , Li Guobao , Zhao Ruiqiu , He Zhihui , Zhao Siya , Liu Xiao , Li Qiu , Yang Kehu , Luo Zhengxiu , Liu Enmei , Chen Yaolong
Published: April 2022

Background

Rapid Advice Guidelines (RAG) provide decision makers with guidance to respond to public health emergencies by developing evidence-based recommendations in a short period of time with a scientific and standardized approach. However, the experience from the development process of a RAG has so far not been systematically summarized. Therefore, our working group will take the experience of the development of the RAG for children with COVID-19 as an example to systematically explore the methodology, advantages, and challenges in the development of the RAG. We shall propose suggestions and reflections for future research, in order to provide a more detailed reference for future development of RAGs.

Result

The development of the RAG by a group of 67 researchers from 11 countries took 50 days from the official commencement of the work (January 28, 2020) to submission (March 17, 2020). A total of 21 meetings were held with a total duration of 48 h (average 2.3 h per meeting) and an average of 16.5 participants attending. Only two of the ten recommendations were fully supported by direct evidence for COVID-19, three recommendations were supported by indirect evidence only, and the proportion of COVID-19 studies among the body of evidence in the remaining five recommendations ranged between 10 and 83%. Six of the ten recommendations used COVID-19 preprints as evidence support, and up to 50% of the studies with direct evidence on COVID-19 were preprints.

Conclusions

In order to respond to public health emergencies, the development of RAG also requires a clear and transparent formulation process, usually using a large amount of indirect and non-peer-reviewed evidence to support the formation of recommendations. Strict following of the WHO RAG handbook does not only enhance the transparency and clarity of the guideline, but also can speed up the guideline development process, thereby saving time and labor costs.
KMSubtraction: reconstruction of unreported subgroup survival data utilizing published Kaplan-Meier survival curves
Authors: Zhao Joseph J. , Syn Nicholas L. , Tan Benjamin Kye Jyn , Yap Dominic Wei Ting , Teo Chong Boon , Chan Yiong Huak , Sundar Raghav
Published: April 2022

Background

Data from certain subgroups of clinical interest may not be presented in primary manuscripts or conference abstract presentations. In an effort to enable secondary data analyses, we propose a workflow to retrieve unreported subgroup survival data from published Kaplan-Meier (KM) plots.

Methods

We developed KMSubtraction, an R-package that retrieves patients from unreported subgroups by matching participants on KM plots of the overall cohort to participants on KM plots of a known subgroup with follow-up time. By excluding matched patients, the opposing unreported subgroup may be retrieved. Reproducibility and limits of error of the KMSubtraction workflow were assessed by comparing unmatched patients against the original survival data of subgroups from published datasets and simulations. Monte Carlo simulations were utilized to evaluate the limits of error of KMSubtraction.

Results

The validation exercise found no material systematic error and demonstrates the robustness of KMSubtraction in deriving unreported subgroup survival data. Limits of error were small and negligible on marginal Cox proportional hazard models comparing reconstructed and original survival data of unreported subgroups. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that datasets with high reported subgroup proportion (r = 0.467, p < 0.001), small dataset size (r = − 0.374, p < 0.001) and high proportion of missing data in the unreported subgroup (r = 0.553, p < 0.001) were associated with uncertainty are likely to yield high limits of error with KMSubtraction.

Conclusion

KMSubtraction demonstrates robustness in deriving survival data from unreported subgroups. The limits of error of KMSubtraction derived from converged Monte Carlo simulations may guide the interpretation of reconstructed survival data of unreported subgroups.
Moving towards a single-frame cell phone design in random digit dialing surveys: considerations from a French general population health survey
Authors: Soullier Noémie , Legleye Stéphane , Richard Jean-Baptiste
Published: April 2022

Background

Over the last two decades, telephone surveys based on random digit dialing have developed considerably. At the same time, however, the proportion of the population with a cell phone has increased, whereas landline frame coverage has declined, thus raising the possibility of discontinuing landline phone surveys. This paper aims to assess the impact of using a single-frame (SF) cell phone design instead of a dual-frame (DF) design with landlines and cell phones in the context of repeated health surveillance surveys in the general population. We analyze data from a random digit dialing health survey of the French population and assess differences between the DF and the counterfactual SF design that excludes the landline phone sample from the DF design. We evaluate the quality of the two survey designs in terms of survey productivity, response rates, representativeness, balancing of external covariates, and prevalence estimates of key health behavior indicators.

Results

Our results show that a SF cell phone survey has several advantages over a combined DF landline and cell phone survey. Cell numbers require fewer call attempts to complete an interview, leading to a substantial reduction in the mean data collection duration and weight dispersion. The global representativeness of the SF design was slightly better than its DF counterpart, although the elderly were underrepresented. After calibration, differences in health behavior estimates were small for the seven health indicators analyzed.

Conclusions

Switching from a DF random telephone survey to a SF cell phone design has a number of practical advantages and would have a minimal impact on general population health surveys for monitoring health behavior at the population level. However, the different aspects of the survey quality had to be studied to make a decision. Further studies are needed to explore the scope of possibilities.