bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Am I bilingual? Reporting on the self-reflections of Japanese EFL learners
Authors: Turnbull Blake
Published: May 2021

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions:

Through use of a written questionnaire, this article examines the personal opinions of tertiary-level Japanese intermediate EFL students regarding the definition and process of becoming bilingual.

Design/methodology/approach:

This article takes a critical applied linguistic approach to examining the perspectives of emergent bilingual Japanese EFL learners regarding their own status as bilingual speakers in Japan.

Data and analysis:

This study employed a questionnaire involving both Likert and open perspective questions. The subsequent data analysis involved quantitative analysis of the Likert questions and qualitative analysis of the open-ended questions, according to emerging themes.

Findings/conclusions:

The results suggest that most of the Japanese emergent bilingual participants did not view themselves as being bilingual, and instead considered the notion of bilingualism to be an out-of-reach goal at their current level. This article suggests the need to educate foreign language (FL) learners of their emergent bilingual status so they may dismiss the idea of attaining native-like competence and embrace their status as competent emergent bilinguals.

Originality:

Whereas many studies examine (emergent) bilingualism from the perspective of minorities learning a majority language, this article has expanded upon the current body of bilingualism literature by investigating the perspectives of bilingualism from speakers of a majority language learning a minority language, as is the case in all FL education environments.

Significance/implications:

This article provides an insight into the issue of FL learners’ lack of recognition of their own emergent bilingualism. It brings attention to the need for FL teachers to inform students of their emergent bilingual status to leverage their bilingual languaging strategies so that they can make meaning, express themselves, and learn in their ever-increasing bilingual worlds.
‘Russia isn’t a country of Putins!’: How RT bridged the credibility gap in Russian public diplomacy during the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Authors: Crilley Rhys , Gillespie Marie , Kazakov Vitaly , Willis Alistair
Published: May 2021

In the context of deteriorating relations with ‘Western’ states, Russia’s state-funded international broadcasters are often understood as malign propaganda rather than as agents of soft power. Subsequently, there is a major credibility gap between how Russian state media represents itself to the world and how it is actually perceived by overseas publics. However, based on the study of RT’s coverage of the Russian hosted FIFA 2018 World Cup and the audience reactions this prompted, we find that this credibility gap was partially bridged. By analysing over 700 articles published by RT, alongside social media and focus group research, we find that RT’s World Cup coverage created an unusually positive vision of Russia that appealed to international audiences. Our study demonstrates how state-funded international broadcaster coverage of sports mega-events can generate a soft power effect with audiences, even when the host state – such as Russia – has a poor international reputation.
Statistical analysis of the bonding properties of the fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix for strengthening masonry structures
Authors: Jing Lei , Yin Shiping , Aslani Farhad , Liu Shuang
Published: May 2021

The fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) has been extensively studied and applied for the strengthening of masonry structures. Special attention needs to be given to the bonding properties between the FRCM and masonry substrate for strengthening applications. This paper presents a statistical analysis of the bonding properties based on the available literature. First, the collected test results were discussed in terms of the interfacial failure mode. Second, the factors influencing the ultimate bond load were analysed based on the different failure modes, and a corresponding prediction formula was further determined via regression analysis for interfacial debonding and slippage failures. Then, the characteristic values of the ultimate bond load were determined via a probabilistic method. Finally, the fracture energy for the slippage failure at the fabric-matrix interface was analysed, and a corresponding prediction formula was obtained via regression analysis. Additionally, some of the collected test results present higher dispersion due to the large variability of the FRCM material properties and the differences in the testing procedures used by different institutions. More studies are needed to improve the reliability of the proposed procedure.
Interest, politics and drift in policy implementation: The case of trafficking prevention measures in Brazil
Authors: Hofmann Susanne
Published: May 2021

This article scrutinizes the anti-trafficking efforts that the PT Government in Brazil undertook to implement the National Anti-Trafficking Policy in collaboration with different civil society organizations. Focusing on crime prevention measures, the article analyses the perceptions and understandings of trafficking, and the values and norms implicit in those, as well as the relationships developed between pubic officials and members of the civil society in this context. Examining everyday policy work, the article illustrates that policy implementation cannot be considered a mere technical-rational endeavor, in which replaceable officials deliver consistent and replicable outcomes based on unambiguous rules, assigned roles, and specified tasks and procedures. On the one hand, personality, personal motives and interests played a significant role in forging policy implementation focus and approach. On the other hand, the public officials struggled with the activists’ attempts to shift policy concerns and implementation into a direction that diverged from their own politics.
Numerical study on the effects of intake charge on oxy-fuel combustion in a dual-injection spark ignition engine at economical oxygen-fuel ratios
Authors: Li Xiang , Pei Yiqiang , Peng Zhijun , Ajmal Tahmina , Rana Khaqan-Jim , Aitouche Abdel , Mobasheri Raouf
Published: May 2021

In order to decrease Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, Oxy-Fuel Combustion (OFC) technology with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is being developed in Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). In this article, a numerical study about the effects of intake charge on OFC was conducted in a dual-injection. Spark Ignition (SI) engine, with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), Port Fuel Injection (PFI) and P-G (50% PFI and 50% GDI) three injection strategies. The results show that under OFC with fixed Oxygen Mass Fraction (OMF) and intake temperature, the maximum Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP) is each 5.671, 5.649 and 5.646 bar for GDI, P-G and PFI strategy, which leads to a considerable decrease compared to Conventional Air Combustion (CAC). [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of PFI are the lowest among three injection strategies. With intake temperature increases from 298 to 378 K, the reduction of BMEP can be up to 12.68%, 12.92% and 12.75% for GDI, P-G and PFI, respectively. Meantime, there is an increase of about 3% in Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) and Brake Specific Oxygen Consumption (BSOC). Increasing OMF can improve the performance of BMEP and BSFC, and the trend is more apparent under GDI strategy. Besides, an increasing tendency can be observed for cylinder pressure and in-cylinder temperature under all injection strategies with the increase of OMF.
The racialization of American Muslim converts by the presence of religious markers
Authors: Casey Patrick Michael
Published: May 2021

Recent scholarship has employed racialization theory to make sense of the Muslim experience in the West. Research shows that if Muslims don religious markers—such as a hijab—they are racialized as ‘Muslim’ and associated with negative stereotypes concerning Islam. This (ethno)racialization has also been found to extend to white Muslim converts who wear these markers—sometimes subjecting them to anti-Muslim prejudice. The current study picks up this thread, comparing the experiences of converts who are white with those of people of color. In-depth interviews with 39 American converts to Islam reveal that their experiences of anti-Muslim prejudice differ sharply by race and by presentation of self. Findings suggest that white converts are only subjected to prejudice if they wear Muslim religious markers, not simply for having converted. Black converts who wear these markers are met with both positive and negative appraisals. I discuss my findings in light of what they tell us about the power of religious markers to (ethno)racialize their wearers, and the disruption these markers cause to the racial hierarchy—specifically that wearing Muslim religious markers is met with prejudice because it signals a challenge to the normativity of whiteness.
The discourse of deservingness: Racialized framing during rumored ICE raids
Authors: Marquez Beatriz Aldana , Williams Apryl A , Plankey-Videla Nancy , Diaz Selene I
Published: May 2021

On February 12–14th, 2017, there were rumors of an ICE raid in the small East Texas city of Hometown. Reports that ICE was present circulated on social media platforms and radio stations in the area. Consequently, the Latinx community had high anxiety and fear of deportation and looked to the Spanish speaking radio DJs for information and advice. In this paper, we argue that heighten threats of deportation can accentuate divisions among the Latinx community based on fallacies regarding criminality and immigration. The authors utilized a collection of qualitative data to review the racialized framing that occurs during rumored ICE raids. A discourse of deservingness based on the notion of the “good” versus “bad” immigrant was internalized by vulnerable immigrants to alleviate stress about deportation.
Tourism worldmaking and market post-truth: Borat’s new spirit of capitalism
Authors: Tzanelli Rodanthi
Published: May 2021

The article develops a theoretical framework for the critical examination of cinematic tourist design. Considering ‘film-induced tourism’ as part of a bigger system involving the design of mobilities, it interrogates the connection between the aesthetic and ethical principles that end up informing the engineering of national hospitality in media platforms. The design, which is managed by a ‘worldmaking authority’ or network encompassing the host nation state and international tourist and media markets, conforms to the rationalised rules of what Boltanski and Chiapello termed the ‘new spirit of capitalism’, which mobilises romantic ideals of individual freedom to sell landscapes and exotic cultural characters. The phased development of such mobilities conforms to contingency and is indifferent to the welfare of particular social groups. The model is exemplified through the phased design of mobilities out of two films with virulent sexist and antisemitic content centred on the journeys of the fictional Kazakh journalist Borat to the United States.
Belief in an Afterlife Influences Altruistic Helping Intentions in Alignment With Adaptive Tendencies
Authors: Rezvani Nejad Saeed , Borjali Ahmad , Khanjani Mahdi , Kruger Daniel J.
Published: May 2021

Evolutionary definitions of altruism are only concerned with reproductive consequences and not motives or other psychological mechanisms, making them ideal for generalization to all forms of organisms. Hamilton’s inclusive fitness theory explains altruistic behavior toward genetic relatives and has generated extensive empirical support. Trivers’ theory of reciprocal altruism helps explain patterns of helping among non-kin, and other research has demonstrated that human helping intentions follow fitness consequences from age-based reproductive value on altruism. The current study examines a novel psychological factor, belief in the afterlife, which may influence altruistic helping intentions. Belief in the afterlife was incorporated into a previous study design assessing the effects of a target’s genetic relatedness and age-based reproductive value. The influences of inclusive fitness and target age were reproduced in a non-Western sample of participants ( N = 300) in Iran. Belief in the afterlife predicted the overall confidence of risking one’s life to save another across all targets, and also moderated the effects of genetic relatedness and target age. Rather than promoting altruism equitably or advantaging those favored by adaptive tendencies, higher belief in an afterlife aligned with these tendencies in promoting further favoritism toward close kin and younger targets with higher reproductive value.
Distribution adaptation deep transfer learning method for cross-structure health monitoring using guided waves
Authors: Zhang Bin , Hong Xiaobin , Liu Yuan
Published: May 2021

Deep learning algorithm can effectively obtain damage information using labeled samples, and has become a promising feature extraction tool for ultrasonic guided wave detection. But it is difficult to apply the monitoring expertise of structure A to structure B in most cases due to the differences in the dispersion and receiving modes of different waveguides. For multi-structure monitoring at the system level, how to transfer a trained structural health monitoring model to another different structure remains a major challenge. In this article, a cross-structure ultrasonic guided wave structural health monitoring method based on distribution adaptation deep transfer learning is proposed to solve the feature generalization problem in different monitoring structures. First, the joint distribution adaptation method is employed to adapt both the marginal distribution and conditional distribution of the guided wave signals from different structures. Second, convolutional long short-term memory network is constructed to learn the mapping relationship from adapted training samples in source domain. Batch normalization layer is implemented to balance the input tensors of each sample to the same distribution. Finally, the multi-sensor damage indexes are utilized to visually present the damage by probability imaging. The experimental results show that proposed method can utilize the single-sensor monitoring data in one structure to implement the multi-sensor damage monitoring in another structure and achieve the damage imaging visualization. The imaging performance is significantly superior to the existing principal component analysis, transfer component analysis, and other state-of-art comparison methods.
Mechanochemical devulcanization of waste tire rubber in high pressure water jet pulverization
Authors: Wang Zefeng , Jiang Yutao , Pan Chao
Published: May 2021

The resource reclamation of waste tire rubber (WTR) is regarded as the most suitable strategy for these solid wastes. Water jet pulverization (WJPul) is a sustainable reclamation technique for WTR, since both size reduction and rubber devulcanization can be achieved. Aiming at understanding the mechanisms related with pulverization and devulcanization of WTR, this work detailed the interactions between WTR and high pressure water jet (HPWJ). The results show that WJPul can be defined as a mechanochemical process for WTR. The compressive shear failure of rubber mainly induces rubber devulcanization and results in fine ground tire rubber (GTR) particles, HPWJ erosion mainly intensifies rubber depolymerization and results in coarse GTR particles. Chemical reactions can be detected between the devulcanized GTR from WJPul and asphalts, thus resulting in better modification performances of GTR from WJPul in asphalt. The results can help better understand the WJPul mechanisms and provide guidelines for WJPul application.
When Would a State Crack Down on Fake News? Explaining Variation in the Governance of Fake News in Asia-Pacific
Authors: Neo Ric
Published: May 2021

This article sets out to explain national variation in the governance of fake news; it asks, under what conditions would governments pursue securitization in order to address the threat of fake news? Through a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis of 24 countries in Asia-Pacific, this article explores multicausal explanations behind why some countries have moved to securitize fake news—framing it as an existential threat and justifying the passing of laws that curtail civil liberties—while others do not. The analysis yields two main findings. First, although prevailing political arguments emphasize the threat of fake news to society and national security as justification for the securitization of fake news, this condition is neither necessary nor sufficient in causally accounting for the decision to crackdown on fake news. Conversely, crackdowns on fake news occur more frequently in countries less affected by fake news. Second, the analysis provides a set of two distinct, theoretically and empirically relevant causal pathways explaining the decision to crack down on fake news; the first pathway shows how non-democratic states without media freedom and which are relatively less affected by fake news instrumentalize the issue to restrict freedom of speech further; the second pathway shows how non-democratic states experiencing economic growth and political turbulence with proximate elections attempt to restrict freedom of speech. The findings suggest that implementations of broad legislation may not be an optimal approach, given that they appear to be more motivated by political circumstances than by the objective resolution of the problem.
Exploring the Role of Community Health Workers in Improving the Collection of Family Health History: A Pilot Study
Authors: Allen Caitlin G. , Bethea Brittaney J. , McKinney Lawrence P. , Escoffery Cam , Akintobi Tabia Henry , McCray Gail G. , McBride Colleen M.
Published: May 2021

Community health workers (CHWs) have been successful partners in addressing public health and health care challenges but have yet to be engaged in efforts to promote family health history (FHH) collection. FHH information is a key factor in determining disease risk and supporting screening and prevention across multiple diseases. The collection of FHH information could be facilitated by the existing cadre of CHWs already working alongside clients and families. In this qualitative study, we interviewed 30 CHWs from Georgia to better understand the current level of knowledge about FHH, perceptions of how FHH collection aligns with their role, and barriers and facilitators in order to support more active involvement of CHWs in FHH collection. Interviews were completed, transcribed, and double coded by three study team members. More than half of CHWs reported knowing their own FHH information. CHWs showed a strong interest and support for collecting FHH in their job, despite limited current engagement in this role. CHWs acknowledged the collection of FHH as being an opportunity to empower clients to have conversations with their providers. To better support this work, CHWs requested training in using and integrating FHH tools into their workflow and support in communicating about FHH with their clients. Our findings suggest that with support and training, CHWs are uniquely positioned to improve FHH collection among their client base. Ultimately, improving FHH collection skills among the population could allow for better integration of risk-stratified approaches that are informed by FHH information for the prevention, management, and treatment of disease.
Olaparib attenuates sepsis-induced acute multiple organ injury via ERK-mediated CD14 expression
Authors: Chen Zhixia , Chen Yihui , Jin Xianwei , Liu Ying , Shao Zhenzhen , Li Quan
Published: May 2021

Sepsis is characterized by persistent systemic inflammation, which can cause multi-organ dysfunction. The poly polymerase-1 inhibitor olaparib possesses anti-inﬂammatory properties. This study aimed to assess the effects of olaparib (pre- and post-treatments) on sepsis, and to investigate whether it could suppress CD14 expression via the ERK pathway in polymicrobial sepsis and peritoneal macrophages models. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture in C57BL/6 male mice. Fifty mice were randomly divided into five groups: The sham group was treated with vehicle or olaparib, the cecal ligation and puncture group with vehicle or with olaparib (5 mg/kg i.p.) 1 h before or 2 h after surgery. Olaparib pretreatment significantly improved the survival of septic mice ( P <  0.001). Pre- and post-treatment of mice with olaparib partly alleviated cecal ligation and puncture-induced organ injury by decreasing the amounts of the pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α and IL-6 as well as bacterial burden in the serum, peritoneal lavage fluid, and organs ( P <  0.05). The protective effect of olaparib was associated with CD14 suppression via inhibition of ERK activation. Olaparib facilitated negative regulation of ERK-mediated CD14 expression, which may contribute to multi-organ injury in sepsis.
Improved osteogenesis in rat femur segmental defects treated with human allograft and zinc adjuvants
Authors: Kanjilal Deboleena , Grieg Christopher , Culbertson Maya Deza , Lin Sheldon S , Vives Michael , Benevenia Joseph , O’Connor J Patrick
Published: May 2021

Bone allograft is widely used to treat large bone defects or complex fractures. However, processing methods can significantly compromise allograft osteogenic activity. Adjuvants that can restore the osteogenic activity of processed allograft should improve clinical outcomes. In this study, zinc was tested as an adjuvant to increase the osteogenic activity of human allograft in a Rag2 null rat femoral defect model. Femoral defects were treated with human demineralized bone matrix (DBM) mixed with carboxy methyl cellulose containing ZnCl2 (0, 75, 150, 300 µg) or Zn stearate (347 µg). Rat femur defects treated with DBM-ZnCl2 (75 µg) and DBM-Zn stearate (347 µg) showed increased calcified tissue in the defect site compared to DBM alone. Radiograph scoring and µCT (microcomputed tomography) analysis showed an increased amount of bone formation at the defects treated with DBM-Zn stearate. Use of zinc as an adjuvant was also tested using human cancellous bone chips. The bone chips were soaked in ZnCl2 solutions before being added to defect sites. Zn adsorbed onto the chips in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Rat femur defects treated with Zn-bound bone chips had more new bone in the defects based on µCT and histomorphometric analyses. The results indicate that zinc supplementation of human bone allograft improves allograft osteogenic activity in the rat femur defect model.
Influencers and 21st Century Consumption
Authors: Matheson Eleanor , Sedgwick Donna
Published: May 2021

Over 16 million viewers tune in to listen to beauty influencer James Charles regularly. How did James Charles capture the attention of millions and turn his makeup hobby into a lucrative livelihood? In this article, the authors explore these questions and how influencers like Charles affect modern day consumerism through the lens of well-established sociological concepts such as conspicuous consumption, impression management, and reference groups.
What Lies Beneath
Authors: Reznik David L. , Albers Benjamin D.
Published: May 2021

The authors of this article are both sociologists working just 10 miles from Harrisonburg, Virginia—the scene of the Ivan Teleguz case—which involved a host of topical issues, from fears of organized Russian criminal activity in the United States to American xenophobia about migrant-perpetrated violence. The authors dove into a qualitative analysis of all relevant trial transcripts and court filings, certain that they would find Teleguz cast as the villain of this courtroom drama. What they did not anticipate, however, was who emerged from the trial narrative as its hero: the hired killer.
Anti-Semitism on Campus is Alive And Well
Authors: Singer Kevin , Staples Ashley , Mayhew Matthew J. , Rockenbach Alyssa N.
Published: May 2021

Hate crimes against Jews in America are on the rise, including on college campuses. In this article, the authors share details about their recent study, The Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS), which surveyed thousands of students at over 120 schools. The findings show that Jewish students are the least likely among their peers to view their campus environments as welcoming to people of diverse faiths.
Does Cohabitation Compensate for Marriage Decline?
Authors: Manning Wendy D. , Brown Susan L. , Payne Krista K.
Published: May 2021

In this article, the authors explore if the rise in cohabitation coupled with the decline in marriage during young adulthood means young adults are still forming coresidential relationships.
When Whites Feel Threatened
Authors: Doane Woody
Published: May 2021

The author examines The Politics of Losing: Trump, The Klan, and the Mainstreaming of Resentment by Rory McVeigh and Kevin Estepwere in investigating the changing terrain of White “identity politics.”
The Impact of Public Charge on Immigrants
Authors: Lowrey Kendal , Van Hook Jennifer Lynne
Published: May 2021

Over one million individuals obtain lawful permanent resident (LPR) status each year (DHS 2020). Beginning February of 2020, LPR applicants became subject to new public charge rules that seek to bar admission to anyone who “is likely at any time to become a public charge.” Motivated by the misconception that immigrants overuse U.S. welfare benefits, the rules seek to employ unnecessary vetting criteria that are both unfair and unsafe.
The New Line
Authors: Garrido Marco
Published: May 2021

This essay highlights democracy in the Philippines and how the Trump administration may have accelerated disenchantment with American democracy for Filipinos.
Aerobic Exercise Combined With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over the Prefrontal Cortex in Parkinson Disease: Effects on Cortical Activity, Gait, and Cognition
Authors: Conceição Núbia Ribeiro , Gobbi Lilian Teresa Bucken , Nóbrega-Sousa Priscila , Orcioli-Silva Diego , Beretta Victor Spiandor , Lirani-Silva Ellen , Okano Alexandre Hideki , Vitório Rodrigo
Published: May 2021

Background

Since people with Parkinson disease (PD) rely on limited prefrontal executive resources for the control of gait, interventions targeting the prefrontal cortex (PFC) may help in managing PD-related gait impairments. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can be used to modulate PFC excitability and improve prefrontal cognitive functions and gait.

Objective

We investigated the effects of adding anodal tDCS applied over the PFC to a session of aerobic exercise on gait, cognition, and PFC activity while walking in people with PD.

Methods

A total of 20 people with PD participated in this randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled crossover study. Participants attended two 30-minute sessions of aerobic exercise (cycling at moderate intensity) combined with different tDCS conditions (active- or sham-tDCS), 1 week apart. The order of sessions was counterbalanced across the sample. Anodal tDCS (2 mA for 20 minutes [active-tDCS] or 10 s [sham-tDCS]) targeted the PFC in the most affected hemisphere. Spatiotemporal gait parameters, cognitive functions, and PFC activity while walking were assessed before and immediately after each session.

Results

Compared with the pre-assessment, participants decreased step time variability (effect size: −0.4), shortened simple and choice reaction times (effect sizes: −0.73 and −0.57, respectively), and increased PFC activity in the stimulated hemisphere while walking (effect size: 0.54) only after aerobic exercise + active-tDCS.

Conclusion

The addition of anodal tDCS over the PFC to a session of aerobic exercise led to immediate positive effects on gait variability, processing speed, and executive control of walking in people with PD.
Research on error compensation in the process of geomagnetic sensor measurement
Authors: Pingan Zhang , Wei Wang , Ming Gao , Yi Wang
Published: May 2021

The geomagnetic sensor is a kind of highly sensitive sensor, which is easy to be interfered with by the outside in the process of measurement. To solve this problem, the author uses the least square method to estimate the gain value and sensitivity product value of the amplification circuit of the geomagnetic sensor and explores the solution of the bias voltage of the geomagnetic sensor by using the ellipsoid fitting model. By analyzing the error sources of the geomagnetic sensors in the measurement process, the error compensation model covering various error factors is constructed. All parameters of the error compensation model are obtained by fitting the experimental data of the turntable. After several experiments with different attitude angles, the validity of the compensation model is verified, and the measurement accuracy of the roll angle is improved, which meets the requirements of roll angle measurement.
Towards a Research Agenda for Promoting Responsible Research Practices
Authors: Tijdink Joeri K. , Horbach Serge P.J.M. , Nuijten Michèle B. , O’Neill Gareth
Published: May 2021

This opinion piece aims to inform future research funding programs on responsible research practices (RRP) based on three specific objectives: (1) to give a sketch of the current international discussion on responsible research practices (RRPs); (2) to give an overview of current initiatives and already obtained results regarding RRP; and (3) to give an overview of potential future needs for research on RRP. In this opinion piece, we have used seven iterative methodological steps (including literature review, ranking, and sorting exercises) to create the proposed research agenda. We identified six main themes that we believe need attention in future research: (1) responsible evaluation of research and researchers, (2) the influence of open science and transparency on RRP, (3) research on responsible mentoring, supervision, and role modeling, (4) the effect of education and training on RRP, (5) checking for reproducibility, and (6) responsible and fair peer review. These themes have in common that they address aspects of research that are mostly on the level of the scientific system, more than on the level of the individual researcher. Some current initiatives are already gathering substantial empirical evidence to start filling these gaps. We believe that with sufficient support from all relevant stakeholders, more progress can be made.
Heat transfer attributes of MoS2/Al2O3 hybrid nanomaterial flow through converging/diverging channels with shape factor effect
Authors: Hafeez Muhammad , Sajjad Rai , Hashim
Published: May 2021

The energy transport for hybrid nanofluids flow through non-parallel surfaces with converging/diverging nature is becoming important engineering topics because of its occurrence in biomedicine, cavity flow model and flow through canals, etc. Therefore, this work attempted to study the momentum and heat transport for MHD Jeffery-Hamel flow of hybrid nanofluids through converging/diverging surfaces. This analysis further evaluates the heat transport features subject to thermal radiation and nanoparticles shape factor impacts. A mathematical formulation under single phase nanofluid model with modified thermophysical properties has been carried out. The leading equations are transmuted into dimensionless form with the implementation of appropriate scaling parameters. The collocated numerical procedure coded in MATLAB is employed to acquire the numerical solutions for governing coupled non-linear differential problem. Multiple branches (first and second) are simulated for flow and temperature fields with varying values of involved physical parameters in case of convergent channel. The studies revealed that there is a significant rise in fluid velocity for higher magnetic parameter in case of divergent channel. The findings reveal that the skin-friction coefficient (drag) significantly reduces with higher Reynolds number. In addition, the heat transfer rate enhances with channel angle as well as nanoparticles volume fraction in upper branches.
Recent trends in batteries and lubricants for electric vehicles
Authors: Shah Raj , Gashi Blerim , González-Poggini Sergio , Colet-Lagrille Melanie , Rosenkranz Andreas
Published: May 2021

Future progress in hybrid and battery vehicles heavily relies on the optimization of involved battery components and lubricants. Attention must specifically be given to the material composition and surface coatings of the electrodes as well as the electrolyte used to maximize energy output, while also ensuring safety. Additionally, prioritizing the effective utilization of specific lubricants for electric motors and various tribological contacts, such as wheel bearings and the steering system, is the prospective goal of lubrication research. The energy output of the most promising battery, the Li-ion battery (LIB), must result in driving ranges, which can compete with the 600 km driving range of combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Consequently, ongoing research activities in cell chemistry, electrode surface engineering, electrolyte engineering, and engine lubrication offer the greatest opportunity in achieving these goals.
Design and evaluation of a surface electromyography-controlled lightweight upper arm exoskeleton rehabilitation robot
Authors: Liu Yang , Li Xiaoling , Zhu Aibin , Zheng Ziming , Zhu Huijin
Published: May 2021

Nowadays, the rehabilitation robot has been developed for rehabilitation therapy. However, there are few studies on upper arm exoskeletons for rehabilitation training of muscle strength. This article aims to design a surface electromyography-controlled lightweight exoskeleton rehabilitation robot for home-based progressive resistance training. The exoskeleton’s lightweight structure is designed based on the kinematic model of the elbow joint and ergonomics sizes of the arm. At the same time, the overall weight of the exoskeleton is controlled at only 3.03 kg. According to the rehabilitation training task, we use torque limit mode to ensure stable torque output at variable velocity. We also propose a surface electromyography-based control method, which uses k- Nearest Neighbor algorithm to classify surface electromyographic signals under progressive training loads, and utilizes principal component analysis to improve the recognition accuracy to control the exoskeleton to provide muscle strength compensation. The assessment experiment of the exoskeleton rehabilitation robot shows that the dynamic recognition accuracy of this control method is 80.21%. Muscle activity of biceps brachii and triceps brachii under each training load decreases significantly when subjects with the exoskeleton robot. The results indicate that the exoskeleton rehabilitation robot can output the corresponding torque to assist in progressive resistance training. This study provides a solution to potential problems in the family-oriented application of exoskeleton rehabilitation robots.
Optimized cuckoo search algorithm using tournament selection function for robot path planning
Authors: Sharma Kaushlendra , Singh Shikha , Doriya Rajesh
Published: May 2021

Acceptability of mobile robots in various applications has led to an increase in mobile robots’ research areas. Path planning is one of the core areas which needs to be improvised at a higher level. Optimization is playing a more prominent role these days. The nature-inspired algorithm is contributing to a greater extent in achieving optimization. This article presents the modified cuckoo search algorithm using tournament selection function for robot path planning. Path length and Path time are the algorithm’s parameters to validate the effectiveness and acceptability of the output. The cuckoo search algorithm’s fundamental working principle is taken as the baseline, and the tournament selection function is adapted to calculate the optimum path for robots while navigating from its initial position to final position. The tournament selection function is replacing the concept of random selection done by the cuckoo search algorithm. The use of tournament selection overcomes local minima for robots while traversing in the configuration space and increases the probability of giving more optimum results. The conventional cuckoo search algorithm whose random selection mechanism may lead to premature convergence may fall into the local minima. The use of tournament selection function increases the probability of giving better results as it allows all the possible solution to take part in the tournament. The results are analysed and compared with other relevant work like cuckoo search algorithm and particle swarm optimization technique and presented in the article. The proposed method produced a better output in terms of path length and path time.
Body swapping with a Black person boosts empathy: Using virtual reality to embody another
Authors: Thériault Rémi , Olson Jay A , Krol Sonia A , Raz Amir
Published: May 2021

Perspective-taking, whether through imagination or virtual-reality interventions, seems to improve intergroup relations; however, which intervention leads to better outcomes remains unclear. This preregistered study collected measures of empathy and race bias from 90 participants, split into one of three perspective-taking groups: embodied perspective-taking, mental perspective-taking, and a control group. We drew on virtual-reality technology alongside a Black confederate across all conditions. Only in the first group, participants got to exchange real-time viewpoints with the confederate and literally “see through the eyes of another.” In the two other conditions, participants either imagined a day in the life of the Black confederate or in their own life, respectively. Our findings show that, compared with the control group, the embodied perspective-taking group scored higher on empathy sub-components. On the contrary, both perspective-taking interventions differentially affected neither explicit nor implicit race bias. Our study suggests that embodiment of an outgroup can enhance empathy.
Protocol of a randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of Recovery-focused Community support to Avoid readmissions and improve Participation after Stroke (ReCAPS)
Authors: Cadilhac Dominique A , Cameron Jan , Kilkenny Monique F , Andrew Nadine E , Harris Dawn , Ellery Fiona , Thrift Amanda G. , Purvis Tara , Kneebone Ian , Dewey Helen , Drummond Avril , Hackett Maree , Grimley Rohan , Middleton Sandy , Thijs Vincent , Cloud Geoffrey , Carey Mariko , Butler Ernest , Ma Henry , Churilov Leonid , Hankey Graeme J , English Coralie , Lannin Natasha A
Published: May 2021

Rationale

To address unmet needs, electronic messages to support person-centered goal attainment and secondary prevention may avoid hospital presentations/readmissions after stroke, but evidence is limited.

Hypothesis

Compared to control participants, there will be a 10% lower proportion of intervention participants who represent to hospital (emergency/admission) within 90 days of randomization.

Methods and design

Multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial with intention-to-treat analysis. The intervention group receives 12 weeks of personalized, goal-centered, and administrative electronic messages, while the control group only receive administrative messages. The trial includes a process evaluation, assessment of treatment fidelity, and an economic evaluation. Participants: Confirmed stroke (modified Rankin Score: 0-4), aged ≥18 years with internet/mobile phone access, discharged directly home from hospital. Randomization: 1:1 computer-generated, stratified by age and baseline disability. Outcomes assessments: Collected at 90 days and 12 months following randomization.

Outcomes

Primary outcomes include hospital emergency presentations/admissions within 90 days of randomization. Secondary outcomes include goal attainment, self-efficacy, mood, unmet needs, disability, quality-of-life, recurrent stroke/cardiovascular events/deaths at 90 days and 12 months, and death and cost-effectiveness at 12 months. Sample size: To test our primary hypothesis, we estimated a sample size of 890 participants (445 per group) with 80% power and two-tailed significance threshold of α = 0.05. Given uncertainty for the effect size of this novel intervention, the sample size will be adaptively re-estimated when outcomes for n = 668 are obtained, with maximum sample capped at 1100.

Discussion

We will provide new evidence on the potential effectiveness, implementation, and cost-effectiveness of a tailored eHealth intervention for survivors of stroke.
“Are you really proud of me?” Influence of stereotype threats on college athletes’ career thoughts
Authors: Hsu Yawen , Li Yinru
Published: May 2021

Removing the vulnerability of a stereotype threat can weaken the stereotype’s negative influence. However, stereotype threats can be produced simply by reminding individuals of their stigmatized social identity. In this study, a typical explicit stereotype threat was compared with two types of reports on positive role models to determine whether the influence of stereotypes varied according to the type of report. In total, 178 college athletes were recruited and randomly assigned to the explicit threat group (EX group, n = 46), report on a special case group (RS group, n = 42), report on a general topic group (RG group, n = 46), or neutral report group (control, n = 44). The participants first read a short text with manipulated context. They then completed scales assessing career adaptability and optimism and were asked to choose whether to complete a scholastic test with high or low difficulty or not take the test at all. The career adaptability and optimism scores of the control group were higher than those of the RS and EX group. The career optimism scores of the RG group were higher than those of the EX group. Fewer participants opted for the difficult version of the scholastic text in the EX and RS groups; the majority of participants in these groups chose to not take any test. The results indicated the influence of negative stereotype threats and indicated that reading the news report on the special case did not have a positive and encouraging effect on the participants.
Application of the behaviour change technique taxonomy (BCTTv1) to an inclusive physical literacy-based sport program for children and youth
Authors: Weissman Shannon E , Perinpanayagam Ryanne , Wright F. Virginia , Arbour-Nicitopoulos Kelly P
Published: May 2021

Coaches play a critical role in shaping the sporting experiences of children and youth. In introductory-level grassroots sport programs, the coaching strategies used can greatly influence children’s and youths’ physical literacy development. This study identified behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used by coaches in an inclusive physical literacy-based grassroots sport program for children and youth. Specifically, the study aimed to assess the type and frequency of BCTs reported by coaches in their weekly one-on-one coaching session logs. This study focused on a community-based program (Igniting Fitness Possibilities) that supports children and youth with varied abilities in becoming engaged in local physical activity opportunities. 162 weekly coaching logs from 13 coaches (n = 8 females) were coded using Michie and colleagues’ (2013) BCT Taxonomy (BCTTv1) consisting of 93 different BCTs. A codebook was developed in accordance with the BCTTv1 to assist in identifying BCTs used within the Igniting Fitness Possibilities context. Thirty-six BCTs were identified across the coaching logs, with an average of 3.62 (SD = 2.43) different BCTs coded per log. The most commonly coded BCTs were ‘demonstration of the behaviour’ (146 codings), ‘instruction on how to perform the behaviour’ (145 codings), and ‘behavioural practice/rehearsal’ (137 codings). The findings support the applicability of the BCTTv1 to a paediatric inclusive grassroots context and provide insight into BCTs that might be most relevant to target for physical literacy development in this setting. BCT identification can also promote reflective coaching practices, help identify gaps in training, and provide a foundation for evaluating the effectiveness of coaching strategies.
The sense of being-in-common and international relations
Authors: Birol Ali Fuat
Published: May 2021

International relations have always been related to a particular sense of living together, both as a concept and as an academic field shaped by some practices of being-together. The question of how international relations perceive a way of living together (as being-together in a common space) has been addressed from the early forms of post-structuralist quests by trying to deal with the issues such as inside/outside, identity/difference, but has not been intensely focused on the issue of common and its alternative perceptions by approaching the fundamental relationship between the ontological status of being-in and being-together. In this article, with focusing on how a particular way of being-in-a-common is related to a certain ontology of international relations, I will utilize French philosopher Jean Luc Nancy’s re-writing of Heideggerian notion of Mitsein (being-with) in order to problematize the phenomenon of the international as an intermediate category that defines our meanings of living-together and our relationship with this world.
From critique to reaction: The new right, critical theory and international relations
Authors: Drolet Jean-Francois , Williams Michael C
Published: May 2021

Across the globe, radical conservative political forces and ideas are influencing and even transforming the landscape of international politics. Yet IR is remarkably ill-equipped to understand and engage these new challenges. Unlike political theory or domestic political analyses, conservatism has no distinctive place in the fields’ defining alternatives of realism, liberalism, Marxism, and constructivism. This paper seeks to provide a point of entry for such engagement by bringing together what may seem the most unlikely of partners: critical theory and the New Right. Important parts of today’s New Right represent self-conscious appropriations of Critical themes and thinkers—turning them to self-declared “reactionary” ends. Developing outside the confines of the academy, these forms of thought have woven insights from across Critical theory into new and mobilizing forms of conservative ideology, seeking to link that ideology to social forces that play increasingly active roles in global politics. Our intention here is not to somehow blame Critical perspectives for the ideas of the New Right, either directly or by association. Rather, we seek to show how an engagement with Critical theory helps us understand the New Right, while also demonstrating some of the direct challenges the New Right poses for critical perspectives.