bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the 5G Communications: Fractal‐Shaped Antennas for PPDR Applications
Authors: Nichita Mihai-Virgil , Paun Maria-Alexandra , Paun Vladimir-Alexandru , Paun Viorel-Puiu
Published: June 2021

In this study, one method of using antennas based on fractals to cover few kinds of public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) communications was presented. Dedicated antenna forms, necessary for antenna design by 5G implementation, were enhanced to suit the requirements of specific applications. Employing fractal‐shaped antennas have allowed us to accomplish all these actions, which request compact, conformal, and broadband high performance devices. Antennas derived from Koch’s curve fractals are studied. In order to implement PPDR communications in 5G technology, frequency bandwidths of importance have been carefully selected and properly included in the antenna developments under MATLAB environment. Important information necessary for antenna designers, such as 360 degrees directivity at various frequencies, the impedance (resistance and reactance) along the bandwidth of interest, as well as voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) along the bandwidth of interest for dipole, one‐iteration, and two‐iteration Koch’s curves, respectively, have been obtained. The characteristic of directivity at selected frequencies is also highlighted. In order to maximize antenna parameters, this study has successfully proposed using fractal antennas, objects that use self‐similarity property of fractals for optimum operation in several frequency ranges. For the studied antennas, we have obtained the following results regarding the maximum gains in dBi (which is the unit of the ratio between the gains of the antenna compared to the gain of an isotropic antenna). For the dipole antennas, the gains are 2.73 dBi and 4.76 dBi at 460 MHz and 770 MHz, respectively. The gains for one‐iteration fractal Koch antenna are 6.91 dBi and 4.51 dBi at 460 MHz and 770 MHz, respectively, and finally, for two‐iteration fractal Koch antenna, the gains are 4.91 dBi and 3.28 dBi at 460 MHz and 770 MHz, respectively. Moreover, the impedance along the bandwidth is approximately 360 Ohms for two‐iteration fractal Koch antenna, 180 Ohms for one‐iteration fractal Koch antenna, and 140 Ohms for dipole antenna, respectively.
Vitamin D and Vitamin D Analogs as Adjuncts to Field Therapy Treatments for Actinic Keratoses: Current Research and Future Approaches
Authors: Sattouf Zafer , Repas Steven J. , Travers Jeffrey B. , Rohan Craig A.
Published: June 2021

Actinic keratoses (AK), also known as solar keratoses, are precancerous hyperkeratotic papules caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Management of AK prior to progression to cutaneous malignancy represents an important window of intervention. This is important on a population level, given the high incidence, morbidity, financial costs, and the low but measurable risk of mortality from cutaneous neoplasia. Treatments for AK have been refined for many years with significant progress over the past decade. Those recent advancements lead to questions about current treatment paradigms and the role of harnessing the immune system in field therapies. Recent studies suggest a key interplay between vitamin D and cancer immunity; in particular, the systemic and/or topical vitamin D analogs can augment field therapies used for severe actinic damage. In this review, we will examine the literature supporting the use of vitamin D-directed therapies to improve field therapy approaches. An enhanced understanding of these recent concepts with a focus on mechanisms is important in the optimized management of AK. These mechanisms will be critical in guiding whether selected populations, including those with immunosuppression, heritable cancer syndromes, and other risk factors for skin cancer, can benefit from these new concepts with vitamin D analogs and whether the approaches will be as effective in these populations as in immunocompetent patients.
Analysis of Failure Mechanism of Roadway Surrounding Rock under Thick Coal Seam Strong Mining Disturbance
Authors: Qi Fuzhou , Yang Dangwei , Zhang Yuguo , Hao Yuxi
Published: June 2021

Severe dynamic disturbance in extrathick coal seam mining has become one of the main factors threatening the stability of roadway surrounding rock. In this article, the #6 thick coal seam of Buliangou mine in Inner Mongolia, China, is taken as the engineering background. A mechanical model of the roadway roof structure is established to obtain an analytic formula of the key block subsidence. A three‐dimensional discrete element model is established and used to verify the field measurement results. The fracture characteristics of the main roof above the F6104 transport roadway and the deformation and damage evolution law of the surrounding rock during thick coal seam mining are analyzed. The results show that because of the long‐term breaking and falling of the roof rocks during extrathick coal seam mining, the F6104 transport roadway will undergo two severe mining disturbances at the locations of 10∼30 m and 50∼70 m ahead of the F6103 working face. During the two disturbance periods, the roadway roof displacement settles to 300∼350 mm and 750∼800 mm, and the deformation of the solid coal wall reaches 650∼700 mm and 1350∼1450 mm, respectively. The energy change curve of the total length of the fractured key roof is obtained, and when mining at 50 m, the basic roof is close to its tensile strength, and the strain energy can reach the peak value of 5.2 × 104 kJ, which easily leads to rock burst. The plastic damage zones on both sides of the roadway develop to the roof central area and eventually coalesce, and the deformation of the surrounding rock is obvious. When mining at 50∼70 m, the basic roof breaks and unloads, and elastic strain energy of 3.57 × 104 kJ is instantaneously released. These two dynamic disturbances are the main reasons for the instability of the roadway surrounding rock. The results clarify that the failure mechanism investigation of roadways in thick coal seam mining conditions can be effectively applied to control the stability of the roadway surrounding rock under strong mining disturbance.
Acanthomatous Ameloblastoma: An Early Stage Case Report with Difficult Management
Authors: Pippi Roberto , Santoro Marcello , Pietrantoni Alessandra , Pernazza Angelina
Published: June 2021

A case of a mandibular acanthomatous ameloblastoma, with an admixed little component of follicular type, is reported. The epidemiological features of the present case agree with those reported in the international literature. Clinico-radiographic differential diagnostic difficulties existed with several other noncystic osteolytic lesions of the mandible. Recurrence was diagnosed early 1 year after the initial excisional biopsy, and a definitive rim resection was therefore performed. No further recurrence occurred in the following 4-year follow-up.
Acupuncture Attenuates Blood Pressure via Inducing the Expression of nNOS
Authors: Wang Lu , Yang Na-Na , Shi Guang-Xia , Wang Li-Qiong , Li Qian-Qian , Yang Jing-Wen , Liu Cun-Zhi
Published: June 2021

Background. Sympathetic activation leads to elevated blood pressure. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibits sympathetic nervous system activity, thereby decreasing blood pressure (BP). nNOS is highly expressed in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), which play essential roles in the regulation of the cardiovascular and sympathetic nervous systems. Objective. This study was designed to verify the hypothesis that acupuncture exerts an antihypertensive effect via increasing the expression of nNOS in ARC and vlPAG of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. Methods. Rats without anesthesia were subject to daily acupuncture for 2 weeks. BP was monitored by the tail-cuff method. nNOS expressions in the ARC and vlPAG were detected by western blot and immunofluorescence. BP was measured after 7-Nitroindazole (7-NI), a specific nNOS inhibitor, was microinjected into ARC or vlPAG in SHR rats treated with acupuncture. Results. Acupuncture for 14 days significantly attenuated BP, and the Taichong (LR3) acupoint was superior to Zusanli (ST36) and Fengchi (GB20) in lowering BP. In addition, acupuncture at Taichong (LR3) induced an increase of nNOS expression in ARC and vlPAG, whereas microinjection of 7-NI into ARC or vlPAG reversed the antihypertensive effect of acupuncture. Conclusions. This study indicates that acupuncture at Taichong (LR3) induces a better antihypertensive effect than at Zusanli (ST36) or at Fengchi (GB20) in SHR rats, and enhancement of nNOS in ARC and vlPAG probably contributes to the antihypertensive effect of acupuncture.
Estimating Children Engagement Interacting with Robots in Special Education Using Machine Learning
Authors: Papakostas George A. , Sidiropoulos George K. , Lytridis Chris , Bazinas Christos , Kaburlasos Vassilis G. , Kourampa Efi , Karageorgiou Elpida , Kechayas Petros , Papadopoulou Maria T.
Published: June 2021

The task of child engagement estimation when interacting with a social robot during a special educational procedure is studied. A multimodal machine learning-based methodology for estimating the engagement of the children with learning difficulties, participating in appropriate designed educational scenarios, is proposed. For this purpose, visual and audio data are gathered during the child-robot interaction and processed towards deciding an engaged state of the child or not. Six single and three ensemble machine learning models are examined for their accuracy in providing confident decisions on in-house developed data. The conducted experiments revealed that, using multimodal data and the AdaBoost Decision Tree ensemble model, the children’s engagement can be estimated with 93.33% accuracy. Moreover, an important outcome of this study is the need for explicitly defining the different engagement meanings for each scenario. The results are very promising and put ahead of the research for closed-loop human centric special education activities using social robots.
Jiangzhi Ligan Decoction Inhibits GSDMD-Mediated Canonical/Noncanonical Pyroptosis Pathways and Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Yin Kangkang , Zhou Xiao , Jiang Wei , Wang Linlin , Dai Ziwei , Tang Biao
Published: June 2021

Increasing evidence suggests that gasdermin D (GSDMD) mediated pyroptosis signaling pathways play a vital role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Jiangzhi Ligan Decoction (JZLGD) has been verified to prevent NAFLD, but its specific mechanism has not been determined. In this study, an NAFLD model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats by a high-fat diet (HFD). After 12 weeks, JZLGD was orally administered once a day for 6 additional weeks. We investigated the effects of JZLGD on NAFLD rats and determined the GSDMD pathway-associated proteins to explore whether such effects were associated with pyroptosis. Our data show that JZLGD significantly reduced the liver index; improved serum lipid levels, liver function parameters, and lipid droplet content; and relieved NAFLD. We further found that the serum levels of the proinflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 were obviously decreased in the JZLGD group. HFD rats treated with GSDMD exhibited NLRP3, caspase-1, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and caspase-11 activation; however, these effects were blunted by JZLGD treatment. Taken together, JZLGD may exert hepatoprotective effects against NAFLD in a rat HFD model by regulating GSDMD-mediated canonical/noncanonical pyroptosis pathways.
Exploring the Use of Brain‐Computer Interfaces in Stroke Neurorehabilitation
Authors: Yang Siyu , Li Ruobing , Li Hongtao , Xu Ke , Shi Yuqing , Wang Qingyong , Yang Tiansong , Sun Xiaowei
Published: June 2021

With the continuous development of artificial intelligence technology, “brain‐computer interfaces” are gradually entering the field of medical rehabilitation. As a result, brain‐computer interfaces (BCIs) have been included in many countries’ strategic plans for innovating this field, and subsequently, major funding and talent have been invested in this technology. In neurological rehabilitation for stroke patients, the use of BCIs opens up a new chapter in “top‐down” rehabilitation. In our study, we first reviewed the latest BCI technologies, then presented recent research advances and landmark findings in BCI‐based neurorehabilitation for stroke patients. Neurorehabilitation was focused on the areas of motor, sensory, speech, cognitive, and environmental interactions. Finally, we summarized the shortcomings of BCI use in the field of stroke neurorehabilitation and the prospects for BCI technology development for rehabilitation.
Characteristics of Typhoon “Fung‐Wong” Near Earth Pulsation
Authors: Li Xiujun , Li Yongguang , Zhou Jianting , Wang Qian , Wang Xu
Published: June 2021

To study the wind field characteristics near the ground pulsation in typhoon conditions, wind field conditions in the area affected by Typhoon “Fung‐Wong” were monitored using wind field instruments installed in the construction building of Wenzhou University, China. Real‐time wind field data were collected during typhoons. Wind characteristic parameters such as mean wind speed, wind direction angle, turbulence intensity, gust factor, peak factor, coherence function, and autocorrelation were analyzed, and the wind field characteristics during the typhoon were summarized. The results indicated that the longitudinal and lateral turbulence intensities decreased with an increase in the mean wind speed, and there was an obvious linear relationship between them. The vertical and horizontal gust factor and peak factor decreased with an increase in mean wind speed, and the trend was more obvious in the horizontal direction. There was a significant correlation between the gust factor and the peak factor. The turbulence intensity and gust factor decreased with time, and the turbulence intensity attenuation speed increased with time. The empirical curve presented by Davenport (1961) can simulate the correlation characteristics of the fluctuating wind speed components of Typhoon Fung‐Wong at some measuring points. With an increase in the time difference, the dependence of the instantaneous values at the two time points gradually decreased.
An Extended Prospect Theory for Robot Evaluation and Selection considering Risk Preferences and Interactive Criteria
Authors: Zhang Guobao , Cheng Shuping
Published: June 2021

The evaluation and selection process can be regarded as a complex multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) problem which involves various interaction relationships among criteria under high uncertain environment. In addition, the decision-makers are always bounded rational in the risk decision-making process. However, the current robot evaluation and selection approach seldom considers the decision-maker’s risk preference and interactive criteria under high uncertain environment. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to develop a hybrid MCDA approach for solving the robot evaluation and selection problem. In the proposed framework, the interval type-2 fuzzy set is used to express the uncertain evaluation information provided by decision-makers. Next, the distance measure of interval type-2 fuzzy numbers is developed to determine the fuzzy measure of each criterion. Then, the extended prospect theory based on developed Choquet integral is proposed to evaluate and prioritize the robot by considering the decision-maker’s risk preference and interactive criteria. Finally, a case study of robot evaluation and selection in the auto industry is selected to exemplify the application of the proposed framework. After that, comparison and sensitivity studies are conducted to further demonstrate the robustness, effectiveness, and reasonableness of the developed approach.
Mechanism of Nucleic Acid Sensing in Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE): RIG-I Mediates Type I Interferon Response in Human RPE
Authors: Schustak Joshua , Twarog Michael , Wu Xiaoqiu , Wu Henry Y. , Huang Qian , Bao Yi
Published: June 2021

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a degenerative disease of the outer retina, is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly. A hallmark of geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced type of nonneovascular AMD (dry AMD), is photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell death. Currently, there are no FDA-approved therapies for GA due to a lack of understanding of the disease-causing mechanisms. Increasing evidence suggests that chronic inflammation plays a predominant role in the pathogenesis of dry AMD. Dead or stressed cells release danger signals and inflammatory factors, which causes further damage to neighboring cells. It has been reported that type I interferon (IFN) response is activated in RPE cells in patients with AMD. However, how RPE cells sense stress to initiate IFN response and cause further damage to the retina are still unknown. Although it has been reported that RPE can respond to extracellularly added dsRNA, it is unknown whether and how RPE detects and senses internally generated or internalized nucleic acids. Here, we elucidated the molecular mechanism by which RPE cells sense intracellular nucleic acids. Our data demonstrate that RPE cells can respond to intracellular RNA and induce type I IFN responses via the RIG-I (DExD/H-box helicase 58, DDX58) RNA helicase. In contrast, we showed that RPE cells were unable to directly sense and respond to DNA through the cGAS-STING pathway. We demonstrated that this was due to the absence of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) DNA sensor in these cells. The activation of IFN response via RIG-I induced expression of cell death effectors and caused barrier function loss in RPE cells. These data suggested that RPE-intrinsic pathways of nucleic acid sensing are biased toward RNA sensing.
Investigating the Complex Relationship between Financial Performance and Company’s Green Behavior: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Zhang Wenyao , Xu Ruzhi , Wang Lu
Published: June 2021

Under the new normal of economy, the relationship between economic benefits and company’s environmental behavior (green behavior) has long been the focus of scholars’ research, but less attention has been paid to the effect of financial performance on company’s green behavior in China as a developing country. Thus, by adopting a mixed methodology, we conduct a quantitative study by selecting 228 companies as samples with good and poor green behavior for comparative analysis, followed by a qualitative study of 20 specific cases, to analyse the complex relationship mechanism of how financial performance in terms of business solvency, profitability, and development ability affect company’s green behavior. The results indicate that business solvency, profitability, and development ability are strongly associated with company’s green behavior, respectively. This study contributes to the green behavior literature.
Ocular Signs and Ocular Comorbidities in Monoclonal Gammopathy: Analysis of 80 Subjects
Authors: Kormányos Kitti , Kovács Klaudia , Németh Orsolya , Tóth Gábor , Sándor Gábor László , Csorba Anita , Czakó Cecília Nóra , Langenbucher Achim , Nagy Zoltán Zsolt , Varga Gergely , Gopcsa László , Mikala Gábor , Szentmáry Nóra
Published: June 2021

Purpose. To examine the ocular signs of monoclonal gammopathy and to evaluate ocular comorbidities in subjects with monoclonal gammopathy. Patients and Methods. We analyzed patients from two large referral hematology centers in Budapest, diagnosed and/or treated with monoclonal gammopathy between 1997 and 2020. As a control group, randomly selected individuals of the same age group, without hematological disease, have been included. There were 160 eyes of 80 patients (38.75% males; age 67.61 ± 10.48 (range: 38–85) years) with monoclonal gammopathy and 86 eyes of 43 control subjects (32.56% males; age 62.44 ± 11.89 (range 37–86) years). The hematological diagnosis was MGUS in 9 (11.25%), multiple myeloma in 61 (76.25%), smoldering myeloma in 6 (7.50%), and amyloidosis or Waldenström macroglobulinemia in 2 cases (2.50%–2.50%). Before detailed ophthalmic examination with fundoscopy, 42 subjects with gammopathy (52.50%) and all controls filled the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Results. The OSDI score and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were significantly worse in subjects with monoclonal gammopathy than in controls (

p
=
0.02

;

p
=
0.0005

). Among gammopathy subjects, we observed potential corneal immunoglobulin deposition in 6 eyes of 4 (3.75%) patients. Ocular surface disease (

p
=
0.0001

), posterior cortical cataract (

p
=
0.01

), and cataract (

p
=
0.0001

) were significantly more common among gammopathy subjects than in controls (χ2 test). Conclusions. Ocular surface disease and cataract are more common, and BCVA is worse in patients with monoclonal gammopathy than in age-matched controls. Therefore, and due to the potential ocular signs and comorbidities of monoclonal gammopathy, we suggest a regular, yearly ophthalmic checkup of these patients to improve their quality of life.
Communal Incarnation: The Corporate, Collective Jesus of Paul’s Letters
Authors: Zeddies Michael T.
Published: June 2021

In his authentic letters, Paul describes a historical, human Jesus, but is strangely silent about the events of Jesus’ life. At the same time, Paul describes the figure of Christ using participatory language, and provides no reason to think that this collective embodiment of Christ does not also apply to Jesus’ historical body. I propose that Paul’s historical Jesus was therefore a corporate figure, embodied by the Jewish, pre-Christian community to which Jesus the Nazarene belonged. I present the literary background for this proposal, and explain how the evidence in Paul for a historical Jesus should be interpreted in a corporate or collective sense. I also provide a typological derivation of the name ‘Jesus’ in Paul.
What Is a Composite Hypostasis? Leontius of Jerusalem, Maximus the Confessor and the Nestorian Challenge
Authors: Krausmüller Dirk
Published: June 2021

At the Fifth Ecumenical Council the concept of a ‘composite hypostasis’ was enshrined in dogma. This implied that after the incarnation the divine and human natures had the status of parts that constituted a single whole. In order to make this concept intelligible a comparison was drawn with the human compound where two different natures, the soul and the body, formed one being. In the seventh century Maximus, the foremost Chalcedonian theologian of the time, came to the conclusion that the differences between the incarnated Word and a human individual were too great for a strict comparison to be useful. Yet he continued to defend the notion of composition. Indeed, his views on this point have been lauded as an important step in the development of doctrine. This article seeks to show that composition itself had become problematic, and that it was relentless Nestorian polemic that induced Maximus, and his contemporary Leontius of Jerusalem, to change their understanding of the concept.
First record and diagnosis of a male Haliplus (Liaphlus) madagascariensis Vondel & Bergsten and additional faunistic records of African Haliplidae (Coleoptera: Adephaga)
Authors: van Vondel Bernhard J. , Matsumoto Keita
Published: June 2021

The male of Haliplus (Liaphlus) madagascariensis Vondel & Bergsten, 2012 is illustrated, and additional faunistic records are noted. Additional description is given of the variation in the elytral maculation of H. (L.) alluaudi Régimbart, 1903. Records for specimens of African Haliplidae not yet recorded by Vondel (2010) and Vondel & Bergsten (2012) are presented. Some new country records are established and distribution maps are presented.
Comparative Political Thought: What Are We Looking At?
Authors: Freeden Michael
Published: June 2021

Comparative political thought should focus on exploring and interpreting a flexible, pliant and mutating redistribution and re-assembly of political discourses of ideational and cultural significance across the planet. While exploring their local variants, its role is not simply that of decentring or ‘provincializing’ an era or an historical epoch, but of identifying the major political thought-practices in which all societies engage.
Feminism in Radical Democracy and Japanese Political Theory: Mouffe, Pateman, Young, and “Essentialism”
Authors: Yamada Ryūsaku
Published: June 2021

This paper examines feminist arguments in radical democracy and Japanese responses to them. Although feminist insights are significant intellectual sources of radical democracy, recent political theorists have tended to exclusively consider radical democracy as agonistic pluralism. The radical democratic thinker Chantal Mouffe, who is very popular among Japanese political theorists and philosophers, criticizes the “essentialist” tendency of two feminist political theorists, namely Carole Pateman and Iris Marion Young. First this paper examines Mouffe’s critique of the two theorists. Second, it evaluates the relevance of Mouffe’s criticism of Pateman and Young by reconsidering their ideas on democracy and citizenship. Third, it engages the works of a few Japanese political theorists who respond to the issue of essentialism and points out the problems involved in the introduction of radical democracy in Japan and in Japanese feminist political theory. Finally, this paper concludes that we are still in the early stages of introducing and absorbing foreign feminist political theories into Japan as opposed to developing original Japanese feminist political theory to share with the world.
The Safavid Machiavelli: Shāh ʿAbbās I and the “Great Man” Theory Revisited
Authors: Syros Vasileios
Published: June 2021

Political discourse in various countries around the world has been characterized by disillusionment with governments’ failure to address pressing concerns of today’s societies. It is also possible to discern a kind of nostalgia about strong, charismatic political leaders, which has lent poignancy to the question of whether great rulers are born or are the product of a specific historical milieu and the confluence of social or cultural factors. The focus of this article will be the accession to power of Shāh ʿAbbās I (1571–1629; r. 1588–1629) and the policies the emperor implemented to redesign and reorganize the Safavid state, as depicted by the court historian Iskandar Beg Munshī (ca. 1560–ca. 1632). I argue that Iskandar Beg’s World-Adorning History of ʿAbbās speaks to modern leadership trait theories about the existence of certain qualities that define a good leader and set him/her apart from other people. At the same time, Iskandar Beg formulates in embryonic form the notion that possessing the fundamental traits and properties associated with an optimal leadership style is never a panacea or absolute guarantee for political success nor does it suffice to yield desirable results. The methods and techniques required for a long reign are the second salient aspect of Iskandar Beg’s portrayal of Shāh ʿAbbās. Iskandar Beg engages with some of the key themes that inform the political theory of Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) as well. Iskandar Beg’s narrative invites comparison with The Prince, published more than one century before the completion of the History. Iskandar Beg was unlikely to have had access or have been exposed to the Florentine author’s ideas. But his description of Shāh ʿAbbās’ leadership practices bears uncanny resemblance to Machiavelli’s works, particularly the portions in The Prince that discuss the cases of rulers who acquired power thanks to their own virtue or fortune.
Sam C. Nolutshungu: Race, Reform, Resistance and the Black Consciousness Movement
Authors: Omar Ayesha
Published: June 2021

This paper excavates and historically contextualizes the political theory of a largely neglected thinker within South African black intellectual history, Sam C. Nolutshungu. It seeks to rectify the current imbalance in South African intellectual history which largely neglects or effaces the contribution of black thinkers in the colonial or Apartheid period notwithstanding significant black contributions in theorizing racial submission, domination, reform and popular resistance in the context of state oppression. In this paper I argue that two such areas of inquiry are present in Nolutshungu’s overall position on political reform. The first is with regards to his intervention in the race- class debates which dominated political and intellectual discussions during the late Apartheid period. Here, Nolutshungu, argues that political domination could not be reformed with simple concessions as a result of its racially exclusionary nature. Thus Nolutshungu argued that race rather than class was the fundamental source of domination. The second is the theoretical evaluation of the social and political significance of the Black Consciousness Movement as an important symbol of resistance and racial solidarity. The link between these two aspects of his thought, I argue are not insignificant and should be carefully considered. Nolutshungu’s valuable analysis on the route to political reform is strengthened by his evaluation of the role of the Black Consciousness Movement, which for Nolutshungu was an instance of how resistance was mobilized along racial rather than class lines. Moreover, the Black Consciousness Movement not only prioritized the question of race as a primary factor in its mode of resistance but served to illustrate how and why meaningful change in South Africa was contingent on the abolition of racial oppression and the overturning of the institutions of Apartheid. Finally, I argue that there is a contextual urgency in undertaking projects that seek to establish the importance of black intellectual ideas and reclaiming these ideas in order to give content and meaning to contested contemporary debates on justice, legitimacy, liberty, equality and land rights in South Africa. While the discourse of the negotiated settlement and reconciliation sparks intense debate often resulting in greater forms of racial polarisation, historical rumination and reflection offers a powerful and enduring opportunity for collective inquiry.
Confucianism’s Prospects, Perfectionism and Liberalism
Authors: O’Dwyer Shaun
Published: June 2021

In this article, I recapitulate the main arguments of my book “Confucianism’s Prospects: a Reassessment” in response to commentators on the book. I elaborate on its capabilities approach normative perspective, its evaluation of Confucian cultural attributions to contemporary East Asian societies, its criticisms of communitarian and political perfectionist arguments for Confucian democracy, and its alternative, modest vision for Confucianism as one of many comprehensive doctrines that can find a safe home within the civil societies of East Asia’s representative democracies.
The Place of Confucianism in Pluralist East Asia
Authors: Jiang Dongxian
Published: June 2021

In this commentary on Shaun O’Dwyer’s Confucianism’s Prospects, I raise three challenges to the arguments presented in the book. First, against his empirical claim that East Asian societies have already become pluralistic, I show that there are important empirical studies supporting the “Confucian heritage” thesis that O’Dwyer rejects. Second, against his anti-perfectionist position, I argue that there are some significant perfectionist connotations in his use of the capabilities approach which are in tension with his critique of Confucian and liberal perfectionisms. Third, against his argument that contemporary Confucians have good reasons to embrace a liberal democracy and pluralistic public culture, I argue that the reasons he offers are not solid enough to convince his Confucian rivals.
Ethical Individualism and the Prospect of Confucian Political Theory
Authors: Kim Sungmoon
Published: June 2021

In his recent book, Shaun O’Dwyer defends liberal democracy as the only legitimate mode of political system in the East Asian context by critiquing various proposals of Confucian democracy and meritocracy. Underlying O’Dwyer’s critique of Confucian political theory is the seamless connection between ethical individualism (à la Kant), pragmatic democracy (à la Dewey), and political liberalism (à la Rawls), which in his view cannot be adequately accommodated by any version of Confucian political theory, unless it abandons its Confucian essence. This paper argues that the relation between these three philosophical components are far more complex than is rendered by O’Dwyer and that Confucian democracy can be justified on ethical, pragmatic, and progressive grounds.
Unnecessarily Modest: A Feminist Response to O’Dwyer’s Confucianism’s Prospects: A Reassessment
Authors: Mattice Sarah
Published: June 2021

Shaun O’Dwyer’s Confucianism’s Prospects: A Reassessment is a major contribution to the fields of both Confucian philosophy and political philosophy. In this review essay, I highlight O’Dwyer’s commitment to feminist concerns while raising questions about his skepticism about the intersection of Confucian and feminist philosophies.
The clinical utility of the ICD-11 classification of personality disorders and related traits: A preliminary scoping review
Authors: Tracy Mikaela , Tiliopoulos Nikolaos , Sharpe Louise , Bach Bo
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

A diagnostic system that fails to deliver clinically useful information will not be utilized and consequently will be unable to provide valuable data for health policy and clinical decision making. Therefore, it is imperative to obtain an accurate depiction of the clinical utility of the eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) Personality Disorder (PD) model. The current mixed-methods systematic review aimed to determine the clinical utility of the ICD-11 PD classification system.

Method:

An electronic screening of six databases was conducted and resulting studies were subjected to specific exclusion criteria, which elicited eight studies of interest. Study characteristics were tabulated and methodological quality was appraised.

Results:

Four studies offered strong support for the model’s clinical utility, three offered some support accompanied by notable limitations and one study could only offer criticisms.

Conclusion:

Future investigation of the ICD-11 PD classification system’s (a) communicative value between clinicians and their patients, and between clinicians and their patient’s families; (b) ease of use; and (c) feasibility in terms of practical application is required to achieve a complete understanding of its clinical utility and ultimately bring clarity to the current ambiguous findings.
Antipsychotic-induced supersensitivity – A reappraisal
Authors: Lugg William
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

Tardive dyskinesia, psychotic relapse and treatment-refractory psychosis have long been associated. A common underlying mechanism involving antipsychotic-induced ‘supersensitivity’, albeit in different brain pathways, was proposed as early as 1978. This piece seeks to reappraise the concept and potential implications of antipsychotic-induced supersensitivity.

Conclusions:

Evidence increasingly suggests that chronic antipsychotic exposure induces neuroadaptive physiological changes in dopaminergic, and other, neurotransmitter systems that may render some individuals more vulnerable to psychotic relapse - including those receiving continuous antipsychotic treatment. It is possible that in treating every episode of psychosis with prolonged or indefinite antipsychotic therapy, we paradoxically increase the risk of psychotic relapse in a significant proportion of people. A greater appreciation of supersensitivity may allow us to optimise any potential benefits of antipsychotics while minimising the risk of inadvertent iatrogenic harms. More research is needed to improve our understanding of the underlying neurophysiology of supersensitivity and to better identify which individuals are most vulnerable to its development. It is time we paid more attention to the concept, emerging evidence and potential implications of antipsychotic-induced supersensitivity and, where appropriate, adjusted our practice accordingly.
Hybrid Threshold-Based Sequential Procedures for Detecting Compromised Items in a Computerized Adaptive Testing Licensure Exam
Authors: Lee Chansoon , Qian Hong
Published: June 2021

Using classical test theory and item response theory, this study applied sequential procedures to a real operational item pool in a variable-length computerized adaptive testing (CAT) to detect items whose security may be compromised. Moreover, this study proposed a hybrid threshold approach to improve the detection power of the sequential procedure while controlling the Type I error rate. The hybrid threshold approach uses a local threshold for each item in an early stage of the CAT administration, and then it uses the global threshold in the decision-making stage. Applying various simulation factors, a series of simulation studies examined which factors contribute significantly to the power rate and lag time of the procedure. In addition to the simulation study, a case study investigated whether the procedures are applicable to the real item pool administered in CAT and can identify potentially compromised items in the pool. This research found that the increment of probability of a correct answer ( p-increment) was the simulation factor most important to the sequential procedures’ ability to detect compromised items. This study also found that the local threshold approach improved power rates and shortened lag times when the p-increment was small. The findings of this study could help practitioners implement the sequential procedures using the hybrid threshold approach in real-time CAT administration.
COVID-19 Pandemic, Lockdown and the Indian Labour Market: Evidence from Periodic Labour Force Survey 2018–2019
Authors: Bhatt Vasavi , Bahl Shweta , Sharma Ajay
Published: June 2021

Using the PLFS 2018-19, this study intends to analyse current labour market from the perspective of COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent lockdown and the expected slowdown in the Indian economy. We explore the questions such as: What share of workers will be able to work from home? Which are the vulnerable groups of workers in the labour market, that are likely to be the most affected? We show that 18-19% of non-farm workers are engaged in work from home (WFH) occupations, with women and urban areas having larger share of these workers. We find that 32 (10) % of non-farm workers in rural (urban) areas are vulnerable and face higher risk of job loss during a lockdown.

JEL Codes: J10, J21, J63, J80, D69
A new reconstruction algorithm based on temporal neural network and its application in power quality disturbance data
Authors: Liu Yan , Tang Wei , Luan Yiduo
Published: June 2021

The traditional reconstruction algorithms based on p-norm, limited by their reconstruction model and data processing mode, are prone to reconstruction failure or long reconstruction time. In order to break through the limitations, this paper proposes a reconstruction algorithm based on the temporal neural network (TCN). A new reconstruction model based on TCN is first established, which does not need sparse representation and has large-scale parallel processing. Next, a TCN with a fully connected layer and symmetrical zero-padding operation is designed to meet the reconstruction requirements, including non-causality and length-inconsistency. Moreover, the proposed algorithm is constructed and applied to power quality disturbance (PQD) data. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can implement the reconstruction task, demonstrating better reconstruction accuracy and less reconstruction time than OMP, ROMP, CoSaMP, and SP. Therefore, the proposed algorithm is more attractive when dictionary design is complicated, or real-time reconstruction is required.
Psychological wellbeing and mental health amongst medical undergraduates: A descriptive study assessing more than 1,000 medical students in Sri Lanka
Authors: Dahanayake Dulangi , Rajapakse Harshini , Wickramasinghe Anuprabha , Chandradasa Miyuru , Rohanachandra Yasodha , Perera Sayuri , Nillo Anne-Marie , Molodynski Andrew
Published: June 2021

Background:

Studies from around the world have shown higher rates of anxiety, depression, alcohol and other drug use, and burnout in medical students.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to identify the socio-demographic factors and severity of difficulties Sri Lankan medical students face regarding psychological wellbeing and burnout.

Method:

This one-off survey used a cross-sectional design, assessing substance use, psychological wellbeing, and burnout using the CAGE, GHQ-12, and OLBI. The survey was open to all medical students in six universities in Sri Lanka. Chi-square analysis was used to assess the statistical significance related to categorical dependent variables and one-way ANOVA for continuous dependent variables.

Results:

A higher prevalence of diagnosed mental health conditions was found following admission to the medical course in comparison prior to admission. Sixty-two percent of students had a score of more than 2 on the GHQ-12 indicating caseness. The OLBI identified exhaustion in 79% of students. The CAGE questionnaire was positive in 4.8% of students.

Conclusions:

Only a small proportion of students are recognizing their mental health difficulties and seeking help. Further understanding is required as to why this is, as well as re-evaluation of the demands of the curriculum. Effective ways of regularly identifying and providing practical and evidence-based support for mental health problems in medical and other undergraduates need to be identified and introduced.
The Effect of Instruction Differentiation in Preventive Classroom Management Strategies on Early Childhood and Elementary Preservice Teachers’ Selected Behaviors in a Music Integration Course
Authors: Potter Jennifer L.
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of instruction differentiation in preventive classroom management strategies on preservice teachers’ selected behaviors. Results indicated no significant main effect for treatment condition, and significant main effects for lesson type and microteaching session. Findings indicated that preservice teachers benefited from extended practice in preventive classroom management strategies; however, longer microteaching sessions might be needed to provide more occasions to implement such strategies. With opportunities to practically apply classroom management skills within a university course, preservice teachers might enter their careers with more of a focus on proactive behavior management.
Knowledge About Family and School Contribution in Academic Achievement: The Context of Schooling and Social Representations in India
Authors: Sinha Chetan
Published: June 2021

The present paper critically examined the available research on role of family and school contribution in academic achievement and explored their social representations. People adaptation with the prevalent notions and thinking beyond the boundary of common sense is required to explain multidimensional picture of any attribute. Previous research applied social representation theory to understand educability, intelligence, academic achievement and failure, and teachership. This article showed a polysemic understanding of family and school contribution where roles and identity matters.
Character and Moral Judgment: Neo-Kohlbergian and Neo-Aristotelian Virtue Ethics Perspectives
Authors: Walker David Ian
Published: June 2021

This article identifies theoretical and practical resources for practitioners and researchers working toward cultivating character and moral judgment in youth. In doing this, the article draws on a 3-year study on character education in U.K. schools completed by the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham and research measures provided by the Center for the Study of Ethical Development at the University of Alabama.
Using Multiple Regression Analyses to Uncover Patterns of Correlates of Grief Problems, Depression and Suicidal Ideation Among Suicide Bereaved Individuals
Authors: Feigelman William , Cerel Julie , Sheehan Lindsay , Oexle Nathalie
Published: June 2021

This analysis of a convenience sample survey of 195 suicide bereaved adults focuses on predictors of three important highly interrelated experiences among the suicide bereaved: grief problems, depression and suicidal thinking. Although each of these three experiences can be explained by a unique set of predictors, they share many commonalities. Several predictors stood out especially in either aggravating or alleviating these experiences: personal (or post-traumatic) growth, perceived social support, feelings of blameworthiness, perceived suicide stigma, years since loss and a respondent’s mental health difficulties experienced prior to their suicide loss. We also review the clinical implications of these results.
Investigation of the Effect of COVID-19 Perceived Risk on Death Anxiety, Satisfaction With Life, and Psychological Well-Being
Authors: Özer Özlem , Özkan Okan , Özmen Sümeyye , Erçoban Nida
Published: June 2021

This study aims to examine the effect of COVID-19 perceived risk on death anxiety, satisfaction with life, and psychological well-being. The application part of the research was conducted on staff working in a public hospital. A convenience sample of staff working in a public hospital was used and data were obtained from 573 individuals. The result of the analysis determined that the COVID-19 perceived risk explains 13.5% of the total variance on death anxiety. The regression models identified that the increase in COVID-19 risk perceptions of the participants statistically increased their death anxiety and decreased their satisfaction with life and psychological well-being.
Globalization and Austerity: Flipping Partisan Effects on Fiscal Policy During (Recent) International Crises
Authors: Raess Damian
Published: June 2021

This article investigates the effect of government partisanship on fiscal policy outputs during the three international economic crises of 1981–1984, 1990–1994 and 2008–2013. Encompassing 19–23 advanced democracies, the statistical analysis suggests that partisan effects have increased over time and are characterized, in the two last crises, by a “new asymmetry” whereby left governments pursued more contractionary fiscal policies than non-left governments over the course of the business cycle. Furthermore, it attributes left governments’ endorsement of austere fiscal policies to the constraining effects of financial markets in the context of high/surging debt. This is supported by qualitative analysis of select government responses to the Global Financial Crisis, shedding new light on the new austerity that started in the early 2010s. The ideological mix with political partisanship during hard times surely is confusing to ordinary citizens. The article cautiously points to a neglected yet important international economic origin of our political discontents.
Exploring Depressive Symptoms Among Healthcare Professionals and the General Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil
Authors: França Alex Bacadini , Trzesniak Clarissa , Schelini Patrícia Waltz , Junior Gerson Hiroshi Yoshinari , Vitorino Luciano Magalhães
Published: June 2021

Our study aimed to examine the symptoms that might play a role in the co-occurrence of 9 DSM-5 symptom criteria of major depression among Brazil's adult population and healthcare professionals after three months of detecting the new coronavirus in Brazil. We estimated regularized Gaussian graphical models for both samples and compared the network structures. Depressed mood was the most central symptom in the general population network compared to the healthcare professional network. The findings revealed some individual symptoms showed a differential association between the general population and healthcare professionals. Those symptoms may be valuable targets for future research and treatment.