bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ergonomics study on an assembly line used in the automotive industry
Authors: Anghel Daniel-Constantin , Niţu Eduard-Laurențiu , Rizea Alin-Daniel , Gavriluţă Alin , Gavriluţă Ana , Belu Nadia
Published: August 2019

Today, for the enterprises, the competition is more and more intense and more competitor try to satisfy their customers. In the field of automotive industry, the demands for the product increase and the company need to satisfy the demand. As the demands increases, the company should produce more product than usual. In the same time the comfort and health of the workers should be consider. Some factors such as workstation design should take into consideration in order to increase the productivity and at the same time protect workers from accidents and health problem. Therefore, the workstations need to be redesign by applying the ergonomics principles. This paper presents the combined application of Artificial Neural Networks and the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) Analysis in the process of redesign ergonomic workstations. Artificial Neural Networks excel in gathering difficult non-linear relationships between the inputs and outputs of a system. We used, in this work, a feed forward neural network in order to ranking a workstation. The neural network is simulated with MATLAB. The experiment presented in this paper was realized at University of Piteşti, Faculty of Mechanics and Technology, Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Management, using CATIA V5 software.
Shock Resistance Improvement of Carbon Steel Carabiners Used at PPE
Authors: Burduhos-Nergis Diana-Petronela , Sandu Andrei-Victor , Burduhos-Nergis Dumitru-Doru , Darabont Doru-Costin , Comaneci Radu-Ioachim , Bejinariu Costica
Published: August 2019

In a continuously changing world where the human operator still plays an important role in most industrial activities, health and safety occupies a fundamental place, with the goal of maintaining workers healthy and in safe condition during their job activities. One of the means that make this goal achievable is the use of adequate personal protective equipment. The carabiners are connecting parts that link the components quickly and reversibly of personal protective equipment used against falls. Thus shackles can be divided in multiple elements, such as: the gate, which always opens inward and can be provided with or without the locking system, the second and the biggest element is the body which can have different form according to the BS EN 12275:2013 standard, the gate and the body are connected thru the rivet pin and nose. The personal fall arrest system used in areas such as construction, speleology, petroleum industry, includes metal components that must possess high mechanical properties, especially shock-resistance. In order to improve resilience, a layer of rubber paint will be deposited on the carabiner surface. The aim of this study is to analyse the influence of rubber coating on the carabiners shock resistance.
You have many accidents, you pay little, you have no accidents, you pay the same
Authors: Albulescu Andrei-George , Popescu Ioan , Corăbieru Anișoara , Cazac Alin Marian , Bernevig-Sava Mihai-Adrian
Published: August 2019

Law no. 346/2002, the Law on insurance against accidents at work and occupational diseases, received the final blow. One by one, all the principles on which this law was built were repealed during the period 2002-2018 by various normative acts. The final blow was struck by the Emergency Ordinance no. 103 of December 14, 2017 for the amendment and supplementation of some normative acts in the field of social security and by the amendments made to Law no. 227/2015 on the Fiscal Code by the Emergency Ordinance no. 79 of November 8, 2017.
Highlights of OSH training quality: continuous training of trainers
Authors: Găureanu Alin , Ivascu Larisa , Doufur Corina
Published: August 2019

According to the legal norms in Romania, employer has the obligation to take preventive training of workers in order to avoid accidents at work. The employer uses specialized personnel or specialized occupational health and safety (OSH) services to deal with specific training. In this paper we will present how effective OHS trainings are and what aspects should be addressed to improve them from a qualitative perspective. The quality of these trainings contributes both to the quality of the instructor and the quality of the material, which is directly influenced by the well-trained instructor. This study aims to analyse the statistical results of the use of preventive measures through OSH training before and after an accident at work. In the statistical comparison, we assume that the effectiveness of OSH training can only result from the achievement of their preventive purpose, namely the reduction of work-related accidents and, implicitly, the prevention of major costs of recovering the damage caused by these events. This study as well as the subsequent ones on the effectiveness of OSH training through material quality and quantity aim to integrate OSH training into the complex array of OSH culture, taking into account the principles of knowledge management.
Personality and occupational stress in the field of mine rescue and intervention
Authors: Kovacs Izabella , Găman Artur George , Călămar Angelica , Pupăzan Daniel , Nicolescu Cristian
Published: August 2019

The special conditions created by emergency situations are likely to lead to psychological and emotional strains. For part of intervention and rescue personnel, these are accompanied by mobilization of internal resources, while in others these may lead to disabling phenomena as well as the occurrence of stress symptoms. Some people have a constitutional or psychological vulnerability to the action of traditional stressors, being more prone to psychic stress. The multifactorial complex of non-specific factors that modulate the individual response necessarily includes personality traits, acquired during the individual’s experience and manifested in the context of its interactions with the social network, as well as in actual situations (stressful events). This paper presents the results of a series of psychological personality assessments of intervention and rescue personnel, in the context of analysing the relationship between personality traits and the risk of occupational stress occurrence.
Consequence modelling of a truck explosion
Authors: Pasculescu Vlad Mihai , Ghicioi Emilian , Morar Marius Simion , Suvar Marius Cornel , Vlasin Nicolae Ioan
Published: August 2019

Nowadays, the transportation of hazardous substances required for various industrial works is a very common activity. In each national economy, safe transport of hazardous materials on land is an important issue. Much of these materials are either moved by trucks or trains. However, hazardous materials transportation is very likely to generate major accidents with irreversible consequences on surrounding population and on the environment along transportation routes. The current paper deals with analysis and simulation of the consequences of an explosion involving a truck transporting flammable gas cylinders materials. Consequence modelling involves the graphic representation or the calculation and estimation of numerical values which best describe the physical results of loss of containment scenarios which involve flammable/explosive/toxic materials with regard to their impact on surrounding assets or people. In the present study, state of the art software has been used for modelling and simulating the accident scenario, namely the initial fire and the subsequent explosion of the gas cylinders.
An exporatory study on workplace accidents and illnesses cost analysis tools
Authors: Popescu-Stelea Mihai , Moraru Roland Iosif , Băbuț Gabriel Bujor , Lupu-Dima Lucian
Published: August 2019

Until the present, addressing the economic dimension of work accidents and occupational diseases in Romania has been sporadic, relatively unsystematic and unenforceable. Any quantitative assessment of the consequences of accidents and occupational diseases involves determining the cost associated with these undesirable events, which can be used as an economic indicator. Embedding the labor safety criterion among the performance criteria of a company makes its profit directly conditional on the fulfillment of legal requirements on working conditions, so that general management must include among its objectives and maximizing the results of preventive activity. In this context, the paper presents the results of a critical comparative analysis conducted on tools developed worldwide to analyze the costs associated with accidents. The main purpose of the study was to establish the feasibility of introducing the most appropriate tools in the practice of romanian companies, in order to optimize the cost-benefit of investments in occupational safety and health.
Determination of threats traceability in the use of explosive materials in different environments
Authors: Vasilescu Gabriel , Laszlo Robert , Kovacs Attila , Jitea Ilie Ciprian , Rus Daniela , Radeanu Cristian , Miron Claudia
Published: August 2019

The paper presents the results of the theoretical and practical research on the detection and examination of the threat traces taken from samples of explosive substances from experimental attempts on explosive materials in various working environments. The use of I-SCAN LSD high-performance specialized equipment that has been purchased within the project, has enabled the detection and examination of small amounts of low volatility organic substances on the basis of ion mobility spectrometry as a result of explosive testing at different locations at the level of the industrial site within the INSEMEX Polygon and quantifying the degree of contamination of contaminated objects.
Education for sustainable development
Authors: Draghici Anca
Published: August 2019

Education for sustainable development in an intense subject and dissemination of good practices are of tremendous need for actors of academia and for those of vocational education, too. Managers and employees must extend their current skills related to sustainability and become leaders in the field. The article presents the last years’ experience on the development of a skills development schema on leadership in sustainability and teaching and educating sustainability. These two training skills and the related training materials have been developed through two international projects and partnerships at the European level: (1) LeadSUS - Leadership in sustainability – Sustainability Manager, (2013-1-RO1-LEO05 – 28771) developed from 2013 to 2016 and having impact on a target group consisting of companies’ employees (most of them managers); (2) TeachSUS - Teaching and educating for Sustainability, (2018-1-R001-KA204-049253) that will be develop from 2018 to 2020 and that will target vocational education and training (VET) actors. After a brief presentation of developed skill cards related to educational programs in sustainable development filed, a critical analysis of the implementation potential will underline the strengths and weakness of the actual educational system of higher education to assimilate and implement the proposals (tested and validated with a significant group of trainees).
Comparative analysis of the military pilots training programs in the Romanian Air Force and the Polish Air Force
Authors: Mihai Eduard Ionut
Published: August 2019

The primary purpose of the military pilots training system is to select objectively and to provide practical and qualitative training, both with regard to their academics and in terms of their specialization as aviation personnel. The current state of the military pilots training system has been marked by difficulties due to its attempt in overcoming a prolonged transition period and adapting to modern armed forces and partner training standards within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Based on the comparative analysis of the training of military aeronautical personnel in Romania and Poland, we will try to observe whether flight training needs to be more or less phased in order for the Air Force to benefit from pilots capable of responding to the current challenges. Accordingly, the aim of the current paper consists of a qualitative analysis meant to prove the necessity of adjusting curricula to the exigencies of the geopolitical reality within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and to identify both strong common and distinctive points of the military pilots training programs in the Romanian Air Force and the Polish Air Force.
Vulnerabilities of the Romanian Air Force pilot training system manifested in the flight training process
Authors: Mihai Eduard Ionut , Balos Ioan Dănut
Published: August 2019

The vulnerability of a flight instruction system is understood as a state of affairs, processes or phenomena in the organization’s internal life that diminishes its ability to react to existing or potential changes. Starting from the results of previous research conducted by the authors, the article aims to highlight the need for new ways to train Air Force pilots and suggests possible solutions. The purpose of this study is thus to identify the areas of vulnerability proper to the organization providing the training by synthesizing survey results based on the subjects’ professional experience. Accordingly, we deemed necessary and at the same time pertinent to consider the opinions of the staff involved in the practical training process. For this reason, the evaluation carried out between June and July 2018 involved the Aviation Training Group at “Aurel Vlaicu” Air Force Base.
Die Rolle transfusionsmedizinischer Einrichtungen bei der Implementierung zugelassener CAR-T-Zell-Therapien
Authors: Humpe Andreas , Körper Sixten , Schäfer Richard , Klump Hannes , Worel Nina
Published: August 2019

Über viele Dekaden hinweg war für die Behandlung hämatologischer Erkrankungen die einzige akzeptierte zelluläre Therapie die Transplantation von hämatopoetischen Stamm- und Progenitorzellpräparationen, autolog oder allogen, nach vorheriger Konditionierung als individualisierte Therapieform etabliert. Dabei impliziert diese Art der Therapie aus rechtlicher Sicht nur minimale Manipulationen der Transplantate (Zentrifugation, Konzentrierung, Verdünnung, immunmagnetische Anreicherung oder Depletionen, Kryokonservierung), sodass die Gewinnung, Verarbeitung, Qualitätskontrolle und Abgabe der Stammzell-/Immuntherapeutika zumeist komplett in der Hand transfusionsmedizinischer Institutionen liegen. Nach der Zulassung durch die Europäische Arzneimittelbehörde (EMA) im August 2018 sind erstmals kommerziell erhältliche, autologe chimäre Antigen-Rezeptor-T-Zellen (chimeric antigen receptor T cells, CAR-T cells) in Deutschland sowie einer Vielzahl anderer europäischer Länder für die individualisierte Therapie von Patienten mit ausgewählten malignen Neoplasien der B-Zell-Reihe verfügbar. Im Rahmen einer gemeinsamen Sitzung der Sektion „Stammzelltransplantation und Zelltherapie“ und der Sektion „Präparative und therapeutische Apherese“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Transfusionsmedizin und Immunhämatologie (DGTI) am 19.10.2018 in Frankfurt wurden mehrere Impulsvorträge zum Thema „Zugelassene CAR-T-Zell-Therapie ante portas: Rolle der Transfusionsmedizin“ gehalten. Dabei wurden die Themen Finanzierung und Kostenerstattung, regulatorische und rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen sowie verschiedene Aspekte der notwendigen Verantwortungsabgrenzung zwischen dem Hersteller des Ausgangsmaterials, dem pharmazeutischen Unternehmen und dem klinischen Anwender ausführlich diskutiert.
Akute hämolytische Transfusionsreaktion durch ein Anti-s infolge verzögerter immunhämatologischer Diagnostik bis zum Eintritt eines hämorrhagischen Schocks
Authors: Zimmermann Robert , Strasser Erwin , Hackstein Holger
Published: August 2019

Im vergangenen Jahrzehnt kam es in den meisten Industrieländern, auch in Deutschland, zu tiefgreifenden Veränderungen in der klinischen Praxis der Hämotherapie. Die Indikationsstellung zur Erythrozytentransfusion erfolgt immer zurückhaltender. Der Verbrauch von Erythrozytenkonzentraten ist stark rückläufig. Gleichzeitig steigt auch die Zahl der Patienten, bei denen trotz geplanter Operation oder Intervention die präoperative bzw. präinterventionelle Bereitstellung von gekreuzten Blutkonserven unterbleibt. Wir berichten über einen 71-jährigen multimorbiden Patienten mit dilatativer Kardiomyopathie, stark reduzierter kardialer Reserve, Z. n. wenige Wochen zurückliegender Trikuspidalklappenersatz-Operation, laufender Antikoagulation mit Heparin und diagnostizierter Anämie mit Hämoglobinwerten zwischen 7 und 8 g/dl. Bei diesem Patienten kam es nach einer bereits mehrtägigen stationären Behandlung unerwartet zu einem hämorrhagischen Schock infolge einer Forrest-IIb-Blutung aus einem Ulcus duodeni. Im Rahmen der Notfallversorgung stellte sich heraus, dass jede transfusionsvorbereitende Diagnostik versäumt worden war. Die notfallmäßig bereitgestellten, ungekreuzten Erythrozytenkonzentrate der Blutgruppe 0 Rhesus-negativ lösten bei diesem Patienten eine akute hämolytische Transfusionsreaktion aus. Grund war ein zum Transfusionszeitpunkt nicht identifizierter irregulärer Antikörper gegen das Blutgruppenmerkmal s aus dem MNSs-Blutgruppensystem. Akute hämolytische Transfusionsreaktionen außerhalb des AB0-Systems sind eine seltene, dennoch grundsätzlich immer drohende Komplikation der Transfusion ungekreuzter Erythrozytenkonzentrate im lebensbedrohlichen Blutungsnotfall. Der Fall zeigt, dass der Wunsch, eine restriktive Transfusionspraxis zu befolgen, nicht dazu führen darf, im Einzelfall Konstellationen zu übersehen, die selbstverständlich die rechtzeitige Vornahme einer prätransfusionellen Diagnostik mit Blutgruppenbestimmung, Antikörpersuche und Antikörperidentifizierung erfordern. Nach unserer Meinung nimmt die Frequenz vergleichbarer Ereignisse in einem Ausmaß zu, das es nahelegt, solche Fehler im klinischen Behandlungsgeschehen nicht nur in CIRS-Systemen zu bearbeiten, sondern sie auch in den Hämovigilanzsystemen zu erfassen.
Bewertung verschiedener Methoden des Schmerzmanagements
während der Behandlung von Klauenlederhaut-Läsionen bei weiblichen
Merinofleischschafen
Authors: Fieseler Helena , Weck Romy , Kaiser Matthias , Müller Hendrik , Spilke Joachim , Mielenz Norbert , Möbius Gerd , Starke Alexander
Published: August 2019

Ziel Das Schmerzmanagement beim Tier spielt aus der rechtlichen und
ethischen Verpflichtung des Menschen heraus eine wichtige Rolle für das
Tierwohl. Für Eingriffe an der distalen Gliedmaße beim Schaf ist die retrograde
intravenöse Stauungsanästhesie (RIVA) eine beschriebene Methode zur Betäubung
der Zehe. Bisher hat sie beim Schaf keine breite Anwendung in der Praxis
gefunden. Ziel der Studie war, Durchführbarkeit, Sicherheit und Wirksamkeit der
RIVA zu überprüfen. Weiterhin sollte ermittelt werden, ob das Schmerzmanagement
durch die Kombination aus RIVA und Sedation verbessert werden kann und ob sich
diese Methode positiv auf das postoperative Wohlergehen der Tiere auswirkt.

Methoden Bei 36 Merinofleischschafen mit Dermatitis interdigitalis
contagiosa und 12 gesunden Kontrolltieren wurde das Verhalten während der
Behandlung der Läsionen unter verschiedenen Methoden des Schmerzmanagements bzw.
während der Klauenpflege und postoperativ in der Herde erfasst. Die Merkmale
wurden mit Scores bewertet und die Ausprägung bei den Tieren in den 4
Studiengruppen (RIVA, Sedation mit Xylazinhydrochlorid + RIVA, Plazebo,
Kontrolle) verglichen.

Ergebnisse Die RIVA konnte erfolgreich durchgeführt werden. Lokale
Veränderungen im Bereich der Applikationsstelle und des Stauschlauchs bei 2
Schafen heilten vollständig ab. Eine deutliche Reduktion der Abwehrbewegungen
während des schmerzhaften Eingriffs belegt die Wirksamkeit der RIVA. Es ist
davon auszugehen, dass die RIVA-Tiere aufgrund des Handlings in Rückenlage
vergleichbar viel Stress empfanden haben wie die Plazebo-Tiere, denn
stressassoziierte Merkmale (Kopfschlagen, Leerkauen) traten in den Gruppen
ähnlich häufig auf. Die Sedation führte zusätzlich zur reduzierten Ausprägung
schmerz- und stressassoziierter Merkmale (Abwehrbewegungen, Entlastungshaltung,
Lautäußerungen, u. a.). Die Xylazinhydrochlorid-RIVA-Tiere entlasteten die
betroffene Gliedmaße postoperativ seltener und zeigten häufiger Futteraufnahme
sowie Wiederkauen als die Tiere der anderen Behandlungsgruppen.

Schlussfolgerung Die RIVA ist eine einfach durchführbare und sichere
Methode zur lokalen Schmerzausschaltung. Eine zusätzliche Sedation reduziert die
Stress- und Schmerzantwort. Dieses Schmerz- und Stressmanagement hat zudem einen
positiven Effekt auf das postoperative Wohlergehen der Tiere.
Prostata-Erkrankungen durch volumetrische Größenmessung
mittels CT erkennen?
Authors: Berthe Michelle
Published: August 2019

Prostata-Erkrankungen (Prostatitis, benigne Prostatahyperplasie,
Prostatazyste/-abszess etc.) kommen beim Hund, insbesondere alten
unkastrierten Rüden, häufig vor. Meistens zeigt sich eine Volumenzunahme der
akzessorischen Geschlechtsdrüse, was maßgeblich Beschwerden mit sich bringt,
aber auch das Ausmaß der Erkrankung mitbestimmt. Deshalb gewinnt die
Ermittlung der Prostatagröße zur Prüfung des Gesundheitsstatus des Organs
zunehmend an Bedeutung. Die Computertomografie bietet in diesem Bereich
viele Vorteile. Ziel dieser Studie war zu klären, ob das Alter und der
Kastrationsstatus von Rüden oder andere morphologische Abweichungen der
Prostata das im CT ermittelte Volumen beeinflussen.
Blutungsrisiko nach ultraschallgeführter Leberbiopsie bei
der Katze
Authors: Betz Daniela Simon
Published: August 2019

Die Leberbiopsie ist ein wichtiges diagnostisches Instrument bei der
Charakterisierung von Lebererkrankungen der Katze. Das Risiko für Blutungen
und assoziierte Komplikationen nach ultraschallgeführter Leberbiopsie ist
bisher nicht ausreichend untersucht. In dieser Studie wurden die Häufigkeit
und das Ausmaß von Blutungen bei Katzen nach perkutaner ultraschallgeführter
Leberbiopsie untersucht und Risikofaktoren hierfür evaluiert.
Ruthenium-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Bis-Homo-Diels–Alder Cycloadditions of 1,5-Cyclooctadiene with Alkynyl Phosphonates
Authors: Petko Dina , Pounder Austin , Tam William
Published: August 2019

The ruthenium-catalyzed [2+2+2] bis-homo-Diels–Alder cycloaddition between 1,5-cyclooctadiene and alkynyl phosphonates was investigated. Various alkynyl phosphonate moieties were found to be compatible with the cycloaddition to give the tricyclo[4.2.2.02,5]dec-7-ene tricyclic compounds in yields of 46–97%.
Novel Visualization of Clostridium difficile Infections in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Yu Sean C. , Lai Albert M. , Smyer Justin , Flaherty Jennifer , Mangino Julie E. , McAlearney Ann Scheck , Yen Po-Yin , Moffatt-Bruce Susan , Hebert Courtney L.
Published: August 2019

Background Accurate and timely surveillance and diagnosis of health care facility onset Clostridium difficile infection (HO-CDI) is vital to controlling infections within the hospital, but there are limited tools to assist with timely outbreak investigations.

Objectives The objective of this study was to integrate spatiotemporal factors with HO-CDI cases and to develop a map-based dashboard to support infection preventionists (IPs) in performing surveillance and outbreak investigations for HO-CDI.

Methods Clinical laboratory results and Admit-Transfer-Discharge data for admitted patients over 2 years were extracted from the information warehouse of a large academic medical center (AMC) and processed according to the Center for Disease Control National Healthcare Safety Network definitions to classify CDI cases by onset date. Results were validated against the internal infection surveillance database maintained by IPs in Clinical Epidemiology of this AMC. Hospital floor plans were combined with HO-CDI case data, to create a dashboard of intensive care units. Usability testing was performed with a think-aloud session and a survey.

Results The simple classification algorithm identified all 265 HO-CDI cases from January 1, 2015 to November 30, 2015 with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 96.3%. When applied to data from 2014, the PPV was 94.6%. All users “strongly agreed” that the dashboard would be a positive addition to Clinical Epidemiology and would enable them to present hospital-acquired infection information to others more efficiently.

Conclusion The CDI dashboard demonstrates the feasibility of mapping clinical data to hospital patient care units for more efficient surveillance and potential outbreak investigations.
Challenges for plasma-facing components in nuclear fusion
Authors: Linke Jochen , Du Juan , Loewenhoff Thorsten , Pintsuk Gerald , Spilker Benjamin , Steudel Isabel , Wirtz Marius
Published: August 2019

The interaction processes between the burning plasma and the first wall in a fusion reactor are diverse: the first wall will be exposed to extreme thermal loads of up to several tens of megawatts per square meter during quasistationary operation, combined with repeated intense thermal shocks (with energy densities of up to several megajoules per square meter and pulse durations on a millisecond time scale). In addition to these thermal loads, the wall will be subjected to bombardment by plasma ions and neutral particles (D, T, and He) and by energetic neutrons with energies up to 14 MeV. Hopefully, ITER will not only demonstrate that thermonuclear fusion of deuterium and tritium is feasible in magnetic confinement regimes; it will also act as a first test device for plasma-facing materials (PFMs) and plasma-facing components (PFCs) under realistic synergistic loading scenarios that cover all the above-mentioned load types. In the absence of an integrated test device, material tests are being performed primarily in specialized facilities that concentrate only on the most essential material properties. New multipurpose test facilities are now available that can also focus on more complex loading scenarios and thus help to minimize the risk of an unexpected material or component failure. Thermonuclear fusion—both with magnetic and with inertial confinement—is making great progress, and the goal of scientific break-even will be reached soon. However, to achieve that end, significant technical problems, particularly in the field of high-temperature and radiation-resistant materials, must be solved. With ITER, the first nuclear reactor that burns a deuterium–tritium plasma with a fusion power gain Q ≥ 10 will start operation in the next decade. To guarantee safe operation of this rather sophisticated fusion device, new PFMs and PFCs that are qualified to withstand the harsh environments in such a tokamak reactor have been developed and are now entering the manufacturing stage.
Observation in quantum physics: challenges for upper secondary physics students in discussing electrons as waves
Authors: Huseby Anders , Bungum Berit
Published: August 2019

Quantum physics is challenging for young students, but also a source of fascination. Observation is a key concept in order to understand how principles and experimental results in quantum physics differ from what we are used to in classical physics and everyday experiences. In this study we investigate how pre-university physics students understand the concept of observation in the case of the famous double-slit experiment with electrons and interpretations of its results. We found that a conception of observation as looking, meaning a passive registration, is prevalent among students. This causes serious problems in understanding quantum physics and leads to very unproductive speculations that links to mysticism. Some students considered observation as measurement involving some sort of apparatus, but very few expressed the key idea of measurement as interaction. We discuss how a more explicit discussion of what observation means in quantum physics can benefit students’ understanding of principles in quantum physics and their philosophical consequences.
Strain and electric field tuning of 2D hexagonal boron arsenide
Authors: Brems Mathias Rosdahl , Willatzen Morten
Published: August 2019

Group theory and density functional theory (DFT) methods are combined to obtain compact and accurate k · p Hamiltonians that describe the bandstructures around the K and

Γ

points for the 2D material hexagonal boron arsenide predicted to be an important low-bandgap material for electric, thermoelectric, and piezoelectric properties that supplements the well-studied 2D material hexagonal boron nitride. Hexagonal boron arsenide is a direct bandgap material with band extrema at the K point. The bandgap becomes indirect with a conduction band minimum at the

Γ

point subject to a strong electric field or biaxial strain. At even higher electric field strengths (approximately 0.75 V Å−1) or a large strain (14%) 2D hexagonal boron arsenide becomes metallic. Our k · p models include to leading orders the influence of strain, electric, and magnetic fields. Excellent qualitative and quantitative agreement between DFT and k · p predictions are demonstrated for different types of strain and electric fields.
Everything Is Not Neoliberalism
Authors: Robbins Bruce
Published: August 2019

Has the market really taken over every aspect of human life, as neoliberalism purports to desire and as the rest of us sometimes fear? Have culture and politics and sexuality been subdued to its inexorable and inhuman logic? In some ways it is convenient to think so. But the argument falls apart when put to the test. Neoliberalism is best understood, and resisted, if considered a more partial and vulnerable movement in a class war.
The impact of cancer information online on cancer fatalism: education and eHealth literacy as moderators
Authors: Chung Jae Eun , Lee Chul-Joo
Published: August 2019

One critical yet understudied concept associated with cancer information is cancer fatalism, i.e. deterministic thoughts about the cause of cancer, the inability to prevent it and the unavoidability of death upon diagnosis. The aim of this study is to understand how information seeking about cancer online influences cancer fatalism and whether and to what extent education and eHealth literacy moderate the relationship between them. Findings from an online survey of a nationally representative sample in the United States (N = 578) showed differential impacts of using the internet to search for information about cancer among the more and the less educated. For the less educated, more exposure to information about cancer via medical and health websites led to an increased level of cancer fatalism, whereas among the more educated, greater exposure lowered cancer fatalism. These differences were explained by the fact that the more educated were equipped with a higher level of eHealth literacy skills than the less educated. Findings show that only when one has necessary skills to apply digital resources can those resources help mitigate cancer fatalism. We suggest the need to enhance eHealth literacy skills among the less educated to reduce cancer fatalism.
Jones Representations of Thompson’s GroupFArising from Temperley–Lieb–Jones Algebras
Authors: Aiello Valeriano , Brothier Arnaud , Conti Roberto
Published: August 2019

Following a procedure due to Jones, using suitably normalized elements in a Temperley–Lieb–Jones (planar) algebra, we introduce a 3-parametric family of unitary representations of the Thompson’s group $F$ equipped with canonical (vacuum) vectors and study some of their properties. In particular, we discuss the behavior at infinity of their matrix coefficients, thus showing that these representations do not contain any finite-type component. We then focus on a particular representation known to be quasi-regular and irreducible and show that it is inequivalent to itself once composed with a classical automorphism of $F$. This allows us to distinguish three equivalence classes in our family. Finally, we investigate a family of stabilizer subgroups of $F$ indexed by subfactor Jones indices that are described in terms of the chromatic polynomial. In contrast to the 1st non-trivial index value for which the corresponding subgroup is isomorphic to the Brown–Thompson’s group $F_3$, we show that when the index is large enough, this subgroup is always trivial.
Bedroom Coding Punk Rock and the Diy Spirit
Authors: Hind Richard
Published: August 2019

Richard Hind MBCS, Tutor of Digital Technologies at York College (not pictured above), takes us on a journey from his bedroom coding years through to a career that has helped him inspire the next generation
The Rise and Fall of Commodore
Authors: Cooper Martin
Published: August 2019

David John Pleasance, former Commodore MD, tells Martin Cooper MBCS about life inside one of computing’s most loved fi rms. He also explains why retro computing could be the key to getting a new generation of young people interested in technology
Retro Computers Rule at School Road Show
Authors: Hamilton Johanna
Published: August 2019

G ary McNab of travelling education hub, The Code Show, tells Johanna Hamilton AMBCS the history behind his project and how using retro technologies is inspiring the programmers of the future.
The Enigma of the Polish Bomba
Authors: McCarthy Jeremy
Published: August 2019

Jeremy McCarthy, a volunteer at the National Museum of Computing and a guest speaker at a recent CCS meeting, shares his fascination with code breaking and how it led to him spend a year of his life recreating an example of a Polish Bomba
Mind the Diversity Gap
Authors: Fish Ian
Published: August 2019

Ian Fish FBCS and Chair of the Information Security Specialist Group, shares his experience of two major BCS events and why diversity in IT is so important.
Is Software Development Still Fun?
Authors: Williamson Steve
Published: August 2019

Steve Williamson FBCS, Head in Internal IT Audit for GlaxoSmithKline, explores the opportunities and challenges of modern software development and the need for enhanced skillsets to address a range of cyber-threats.
Transformation Within the NHS and Diversity
Authors: Hamilton Johanna
Published: August 2019

Nicki Rayment is Head of Digital Services at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, a Community and Mental Health Trust covering Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. She tells Johanna Hamilton AMBCS, about digital transformation within the NHS
Master Protocol Trial Design for Efficient and Rational Evaluation of Novel Therapeutic Oncology Devices
Authors: Bitterman Danielle S , Cagney Daniel N , Singer Lisa , Nguyen Paul L , Catalano Paul J , Mak Raymond H
Published: August 2019

Historically, the gold standard for evaluation of cancer therapeutics, including medical devices, has been the randomized clinical trial. Although high-quality clinical data are essential for safe and judicious use of therapeutic oncology devices, class II devices require only preclinical data for US Food and Drug Administration approval and are often not rigorously evaluated prior to widespread uptake. Herein, we review master protocol design in medical oncology and its application to therapeutic oncology devices, using examples from radiation oncology. Unique challenges of clinical testing of radiation oncology devices (RODs) include patient and treatment heterogeneity, lack of funding for trials by industry and health-care payers, and operator dependence. To address these challenges, we propose the use of master protocols to optimize regulatory, financial, administrative, quality assurance, and statistical efficiency of trials evaluating RODs. These device-specific master protocols can be extrapolated to other devices and encompass multiple substudies with the same design, statistical considerations, logistics, and infrastructure. As a practical example, we outline our phase I and II master protocol trial of stereotactic magnetic resonance imaging–guided adaptive radiotherapy, which to the best of our knowledge is the first master protocol trial to test a ROD. Development of more efficient clinical trials is needed to promote thorough evaluation of therapeutic oncology devices, including RODs, in a resource-limited environment, allowing more practical and rapid identification of the most valuable advances in our field.
Effect of vitamins C and E on recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury: systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies
Authors: Hosseini Mostafa , Sarveazad Arash , Babahajian Asrin , Baikpour Masoud , Vaccaro Alexander R , Chapman Jens R , Yousefifard Mahmoud , Rahimi-Movaghar Vafa
Published: August 2019

Context

Many animal studies have evaluated the role of vitamins in the recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury, but their results have been contradictory and no consensus has been reached.

Objective

This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin C and vitamin E on recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury in animal models.

Data Sources

Two authors independently collected the records of relevant articles published in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science through November 2018.

Study Selection

All studies conducted in animal models to evaluate the therapeutic effects of vitamin C or vitamin E or both on recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury were included. Studies that lacked a control group or a standard treatment, lacked an assessment of motor function, included genetically modified/engineered animals, included animals pretreated with vitamin C or vitamin E, or combined vitamin treatment with other methods, such as cell therapies, were excluded.

Data Extraction

Data from 10 articles met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Daily supplementation with vitamin C (P < 0.0001) and vitamin E (P < 0.0001) significantly improved the recovery of motor function in animals affected by spinal cord injury. Vitamin C supplementation is effective only when administered intraperitoneally (P < 0.0001). Concurrent supplementation with both vitamins does not show better efficacy than treatment with either one alone.

Conclusion

Administration of vitamin C and vitamin E in animal models of spinal cord injury significantly improves the recovery of motor function.
A Cohort Comparison Analysis of Fixed Pressure Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Valves With Programmable Valves for Hydrocephalus Following Nontraumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Orrego-González Eduardo , Enriquez-Marulanda Alejandro , Ascanio Luis C , Jordan Noah , Hanafy Khalid A , Moore Justin M , Ogilvy Christopher S , Thomas Ajith J
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

Hydrocephalus after nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common sequela that may require the placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS). Adjustable-pressure valves (APVs) are being widely used in this situation though more expensive than differential-pressure valves (DPVs).

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes between APV and DPV in SAH-induced hydrocephalus.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with nontraumatic SAH who underwent VPS placement for the treatment of hydrocephalus after SAH, between July 2007 and December 2016. Patients were classified according to the type of valve (APV vs DPV). We evaluated factors that could predict the type of valve used, outcomes in VPS revision/replacement rate, and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 66 patients underwent VPS placement who were equally distributed into the 2 groups of valves. VPS failure with the need for revision/replacement occurred in 13 (19.7%) cases. Ten (30.3%) patients with DPV had a VPS failure, while 3 (9.1%) patients with an APV had a similar failure with the need for revision/replacement (P = .03). VPS placement before discharge during the initial hospitalization (P = .02) was statistically significant associated with the use of a DPV, while the reason of external ventricular drain (EVD) failure (P = .03) was associated with the use of an APV.

CONCLUSION

APVs had a lower rate of surgical revisions compared to DPVs. Early placement of VPS was associated with the use of a DPV. The need for EVD replacement due to EVD infection or malfunction was associated with higher rates of APV use.
Yance Ford on Strong Island
Authors: MacDonald Scott
Published: August 2019

After Yance Ford’s brother William was murdered in 1992, when Yance Ford was a college student, she imagined making a film about his death. Finally, in 2017, having worked for many years with television’s POV, seeing independent documentaries into the public arena (and having transitioned to male), Ford completed Strong Island, a feature-length, personal documentary that investigates William’s death within a context of the former and subsequent lives of his parents and siblings. As a crime story, Strong Island is both suspenseful and beautiful to look at. And it is personally performative for Ford. The unusually intimate close-ups of his face, his dramatization of William’s falling to his death in front of the gas station where he was murdered, and his conversations with family and friends dramatize the way in which this family tragedy and cultural injustice continues to inform the lives of those who knew William.
Betzy Bromberg
Authors: MacDonald Scott
Published: August 2019

Following a transformative experience while filming in the catacombs in Paris, Betzy Bromberg radically changed her approach to filmmaking, and in recent years has produced feature-length, 16mm films with accompanying music, by exploring minute spaces within the gardens around her home in Tujunga, California. The most recent of the films, Voluptuous Sleep (2012) and Glide of Transparency (2017), are simultaneously landmarks of cine-abstraction and intimate portraits of familiar spaces—a kind of visual music, accompanied by sound and music by Robert Allaire, Dane Davis, and others, including Bromberg.
James Benning Goes Digital
Authors: MacDonald Scott
Published: August 2019

James Benning’s turn from 16mm filmmaking to digital filmmaking after his RR (2007) released the already prolific Benning from his struggles with 16mm film projection and print damage and unleashed a new wave of digital productivity. This interview explores Benning’s many digital films, including the several films that are part of his Two Cabins project (focusing on the cabins, lives, and writings of Henry David Thoreau and Ted Kaczynski), his Warhol-inspired portrait films—After Warhol (2011), Twenty Cigarettes (2011)—his three-hour-plus “single-shot” film, BNSF (2012), his cine-exploration of Vienna’s Naturhistorischesmuseum, and his personal epic, 52 Films (2015), an adventure into modifying a broad range of online postings from the internet—originally designed to be presented on fifty-two computers, but so far, shown mostly as interactive screenings with Benning present.
How Christianity Animates a Teacher’s Background Beliefs
Authors: Glanzer Perry L. , Alleman Nathan F. , Marsden George
Published: August 2019

This chapter and the next two explore the following question: What difference does being a Christian make for a person’s teaching? Chapter 2 begins by reviewing the authors’ findings concerning the background role that teachers’ Christian identity and related convictions play in their teaching practices. Although various scholars explore this question by drawing from theory or their personal experience, most discussions about the difference Christianity might make for teaching have not relied on empirical findings. In light of this gap in the literature, this chapter describes the sample (2,300 Christian teachers at 49 Christian colleges and universities) and focuses on the background role that teachers’ Christian identity and related convictions play in their teaching. Overall, the study found that participating teachers’ Christian identity influences three factors: (1) their motivation to teach, (2) the ways they think about teaching, and (3) their understanding of their students.
How Christian Teachers Transform Course Aims and Curricula
Authors: Glanzer Perry L. , Alleman Nathan F. , Marsden George
Published: August 2019

This chapter explores what Christian identity means for pedagogical practice. By examining the connections that teachers make between their Christian identity and their actions in the classroom, this chapter investigates how teachers believe their Christianity influences the why, what, and how of teaching. Overall, teachers in the survey differentiated between two major perspectives on how Christianity changed the ends, content, and methods of their courses, identified as spiritual addition and Christian transformation. Spiritual addition professors understood their Christian identity as inspiring the addition of certain objectives, content, and methods to their classroom. Christian transformation professors drew upon the Christian tradition to reconceptualize major parts of their objectives, content, and methods in more radical ways than the former category of teachers. This chapter illustrates these differences and classifies the specific ends and content that the professors in the study claimed were influenced by their Christian identity.
Identity-Informed Teaching in the Pluralistic University
Authors: Glanzer Perry L. , Alleman Nathan F. , Marsden George
Published: August 2019

This chapter presents the thesis that the most effective approach to managing the tournament of identities and narratives in the classroom requires the civic virtues that Plato and Aristotle taught (e.g., courage, honesty, self-control, justice). Since faculty members have multiple identities, the most important question is whether they can recognize which identities are important for giving life to a pedagogical practice. This ordering has deep effects on teachers’ pedagogical practices, course construction, ethics, and grading. Professors need to connect their personal identities and narratives to a vision of moral and intellectual virtue that applies to their classrooms in pluralistic educational institutions. While it is arrived at through one’s particular identities and narratives, we contend that this moral vision is one that most educators will likely share, which must be brought into regular conversation in any college or university setting.
In Praise of Diverse Teaching Contexts
Authors: Glanzer Perry L. , Alleman Nathan F. , Marsden George
Published: August 2019

This chapter explores the importance of a just educational system for nurturing different kinds of identity-informed teaching within specific types of university environments, including ecclesial universities, interdenominational Christian universities, online universities, and pluralistic universities. It makes the case for constrained disagreement by demonstrating why a pluralistic system of education is necessary to respect the various facets of identity-informed teaching. The argument focuses primarily on the strengths and benefits for teachers engaged in expansive forms of identity-informed teaching. The chapter begins by reviewing what academic freedom provides for this conversation, then explores the strengths and limitations of each type of university environment. Overall, the chapter maintains that in the same way that teachers must figure out how to prioritize their own identities, or as Augustine described, learn how to order one’s loves, academia must allow this same identity tournament to take place.
When Christian Teaching Is Really Outrageous
Authors: Glanzer Perry L. , Alleman Nathan F. , Marsden George
Published: August 2019

This conclusion returns to answer the question: Is Christian teaching really that outrageous? As the range of examples cited in this book illustrate, Christian teaching is multifaceted and complex. After all, Christian teaching is not simply a vital form of self-expression or something that can and should be easily privatized. The calling to love and teach students requires that Christians respect the dignity of the student and the agreed upon purposes of the academic context in which one teaches. At this point, Christian teaching must become outrageous not only for individuals and for groups opposed to Christianity, but also to the powers in authority. While those teaching in the pluralistic academy must respect its customs, this chapter summarizes a Christian response to oppression that provides a way to resist oppression that will help them to model a markedly different kind of pedagogy for their students.