bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-objective trajectory planning for spraying robot based on hybrid polynomial interpolation and HMONSGA-II
Authors: Xu Chunjie , Liu Wei , Zhang Qi , Wan Yidong , Liu Ping
Published: November 2024

Trajectories of traditional spraying robots are controlled through offline programming, cumbersome, inefficient, and lack accuracy, especially for complex paths. This paper proposes a multi-objective trajectory planning method for a three-axis spraying robot based on hybrid polynomial interpolation and hybrid multi-objective NSGA-II (HMONSGA-II) to address these issues. First, this paper adopts a “7-5-7” hybrid interpolation algorithm to plan the trajectory of the articulated spatial robotic arm, ensuring a continuous and stable spraying trajectory. Second, a multi-constraint objective function is established according to the time-energy-impact performance index. Then, a hybrid multi-objective NSGA-II (HMONSGA-II) optimization algorithm is proposed to optimize the spraying trajectory. Finally, the simulation model is built in Matlab/Simscape to complete the trajectory simulation, and the experimental platform of a three-axis spraying robot is built for validation analysis. The Simulation result shows that compared with the seventh-order polynomial interpolation algorithm, the quintic B-spline interpolation algorithm, the NSGA-II optimization algorithm, and the MOPSO optimization algorithm, the optimal spraying trajectory obtained by the “7-5-7” hybrid interpolation algorithm and the HMONSGA-II optimization algorithm has shorter time, lower energy consumption and more minor impact. The experimental result shows that the maximum deviation between the experiment and simulation is 8.63%, which verifies the proposed algorithm’s effectiveness and the simulation results’ correctness.
Variable-structure trajectory correction control of small-caliber ammunition based on cascade fuzzy active disturbance rejection
Authors: Wang Chen , Ding Li-bo , Lu Tan
Published: November 2024

In this study, a low-cost two-dimensional (2D) trajectory correction mechanism is proposed to address the large trajectory deviation of small-caliber extended-range ammunitions. By controlling the projectile’s roll, a single-channel 2D trajectory correction function can be realized. Moreover, based on the ideal trajectory, a five-degree-of-freedom approximate rigid-body trajectory equation is proposed. A high-order system is transformed into two low-order cascading subsystems using fuzzy control and the self-disturbance rejection control theory, which reduces the parameter tuning complexity. The entire control process is divided into three stages which realizes the second-order variable structure control of non-affine nonlinear subsystems. A low-altitude atmospheric disturbance model is established, and as an example, numerical calculations are performed on the control process and projectile impact point dispersion of a 35 mm small-caliber rocket. The results verify the performance of the proposed trajectory correction under atmospheric disturbances. This study provides a control approach for coupled underactuated nonlinear systems and provides guidance for the design of a low-cost 2D trajectory correction controller for small-caliber ammunitions.
Study on the effect mechanism of vibration excitation parameters on bolt loosening based on an implicit monitoring method
Authors: Du Jiangong , Qiu Yuanying , Li Jing
Published: November 2024

This study focuses on investigating the mechanism of bolt loosening under harmonic vibration. An implicit monitoring method of bolt loosening based on strain detection is proposed. By conducting simulations on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) structure with fastening bolts base on the implicit method, a three-stage peculiarity for bolt loosening is established under harmonic vibration. Under different tightening torques, distinct effecting trends of the two excitation parameters of excitation amplitudes and frequencies on the strain response are indicated comprehensively. The comprehensive effect mechanism of the excitation amplitudes and frequencies on bolt loosening is investigated, and the results reveal that when the tightening torque is small, the excitation amplitude has a main impact on the strain RMS, while when the tightening torque is larger, the excitation frequency plays a major role. A bolt loosening peculiarity based on strain monitoring is provided for different excitation frequencies, amplitudes accompanied with different tightening torques under harmonic vibration. In practical application, the RMS value of the strain response of the monitored point is calculated and then compared with the three-stage loosening peculiarity to determine whether the bolt is loosen or not. The simulation analysis and test verification on a four-bolt connection structure are conducted based on the implicit method under harmonic vibration, and the good consistency is shown. Valuable insights for the detection and prevention of bolt loosening are provided, which have important engineering reference significance.
Performance optimization of vessel sealing using a hemostatic ultrasonic scalpel
Authors: Hasani Zahra , Abedini Rezvan , Saber Jahromi Mohammad
Published: November 2024

Using ultrasound technology as one of the therapeutic methods, in which ultrasound waves of different frequencies and intensities are employed, has significantly contributed to enhancing and facilitating the treatment process of various diseases. A Hemostatic Ultrasonic Scalpel can entail considerable advantages by simultaneously performing two operations tissue cutting and coagulation of biological tissues. In the present study, employing experimental design through response surface methodology, the effect of ultrasonic power and the duration of vibration application on the tissue has been investigated. Two parameters, namely the burst pressure of the sealed vessel and the length of the thermal seal zone, were measured by pressure testing and analysis image of the thermal effect region at the sealed vessel area, respectively. The pressure test results demonstrated that an input power of 52 W and the application of vibrations for 8 s under a constant force of 10 N, showed the optimized maximum burst pressure equal to 1100 mmHg. Examination of the sealed vessel images revealed a linear increase in thermal damage with increasing input power.
Conceptual limitations in emotion regulation self-report scales
Authors: Smith Ryan J. , Racine Timothy P.
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we provide a brief survey of the history of the concepts of emotion and emotion regulation and compare two of the leading scales of emotion regulation—the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Our purpose is to determine where there might be room for improved conceptual clarity in the study of emotion regulation research today. We conclude by suggesting that the conceptual difficulties within and between these scales are symptomatic of a deeper problem in psychological research, that of reductionism, and suggest a nonreductive read of the concepts in question.
Covariate-adjusted response-adaptive designs for semiparametric survival models
Authors: Mukherjee Ayon , Jana Sayantee , Coad Stephen
Published: November 2024

Covariate-adjusted response adaptive (CARA) designs are effective in increasing the expected number of patients receiving superior treatment in an ongoing clinical trial, given a patient’s covariate profile. There has recently been extensive research on CARA designs with parametric distributional assumptions on patient responses. However, the range of applications for such designs becomes limited in real clinical trials. Sverdlov et al. have pointed out that irrespective of a specific parametric form of the survival outcomes, their proposed CARA designs based on the exponential model provide valid statistical inference, provided the final analysis is performed using the appropriate accelerated failure time (AFT) model. In real survival trials, however, the planned primary analysis is rarely conducted using an AFT model. The proposed CARA designs are developed obviating any distributional assumptions about the survival responses, relying only on the proportional hazards assumption between the two treatment arms. To meet the multiple experimental objectives of a clinical trial, the proposed designs are developed based on an optimal allocation approach. The covariate-adjusted doubly adaptive biased coin design and the covariate-adjusted efficient-randomized adaptive design are used to randomize the patients to achieve the derived targets on expectation. These expected targets are functions of the Cox regression coefficients that are estimated sequentially with the arrival of every new patient into the trial. The merits of the proposed designs are assessed using extensive simulation studies of their operating characteristics and then have been implemented to re-design a real-life confirmatory clinical trial.
Preliminary Evaluation of a Mobile Application-based Tool to Aid Early Detection of Critical Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Sasikumar Navaneetha , Alawani Sujata , Teli Akkatai , Parameshwarannair Priya , D’souza Sylvia , Kattula Anusha , Sastry Usha Mandikal Kodanda Rama , B Harapriya , Raghavannair Sureshkumar , Kumar Raman Krishna
Published: November 2024

Background

This study reports the preliminary results of a mobile application (APP)-based tool to aid early detection of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). The tool is formulated to assist neonatologists/paediatricians in bedside diagnosis by asking a series of clinical and echocardiography-based questions, leading to a conclusion. The study was done with paediatric cardiologists themselves to ascertain the validity of the algorithms.

Methods

Consecutive patients with CCHD seen by the participating paediatric cardiologists during the period January 2021 to June 2022 formed the subjects for the study. The routine evaluation and management of the patients were carried out as usual. Later, the treating paediatric cardiologists applied the clinical scenario and echo findings to the ‘Echo Integrated Diagnostic Tool’ of the ‘Smiling Heart APP’. The APP tool performance was recorded. Concurrence between diagnoses made by the two approaches was assessed using kappa statistics. Performance of the APP tool across the spectrum of CHDs was assessed using Fisher’s exact test.

Results

Out of 69 patients, correct diagnosis was reached by the APP tool in 62 (89.86%). In the rest, (7/69; 11.6%), which mostly comprised of rare diseases, an urgent paediatric cardiology opinion was suggested. The APP tool-based diagnosis was highly accurate, with a kappa value of 1, P < .001 in duct-dependent systemic and pulmonary circulations. In non duct dependent lesions requiring urgent surgery as well as non-urgent surgery, there was substantial agreement, kappa value of 0.723 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.549-0.897) and 0.740 (95% CI: 0.575-0.905), respectively. Performance of the APP tool did not vary significantly across the four spectrum of CCHDs (Fisher’s exact test, P value .565).

Conclusions

The APP tool is promising as a bedside aid in diagnosis of common CCHDs and has the potential to bridge the gap in early detection.
PKP2 Gene Mutation Causing Left Ventricular Non-compaction with Atrial Septal Defect in a Neonate: A Case Report
Authors: Pachauri Ankit , Kumar Mala , Tripathi Shalini , Singh Prachi
Published: November 2024

Arrhythmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy (AVC) is an inherited cardiomyopathy that predisposes to ventricular arrhythmias (VA), leading to sudden cardiac death in young patients. Familial arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia-9 (ARVD9) is caused by heterozygous mutations in the PKP2 gene (602861), which encodes plakophilin-2, an essential armadillo repeats protein of the cardiac desmosome, on chromosome 12p11. We are reporting a 15-day-old neonate (after obtaining proper written consent from the parents) with a history of two sibling deaths in early childhood who presented with VA with left ventricular non-compaction with atrial septal defect later diagnosed as AVC on the genetic study, the first of its kind, who survived on conservative management and did well on follow-up.
Spatial Sound Design for Cinematic Virtual Reality—A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Chaurasia Hitesh Kumar , Majhi Manoj
Published: November 2024

Virtual reality (VR) has widespread application across multiple fields, including education, entertainment, medical, training of soldiers and pilots using virtual simulation. Entertainment is one of the fastest-growing fields, including games, theme parks, virtual tours, live events and films. In entertainment, cinematic virtual reality (cine-VR) is fast emerging as an effective way of immersive storytelling. Spatial sound design is considered pivotal in enhancing the immersive experience of cine-VR, redefining how audiences engage with narratives. Since 2012, there has been a steady increase in interest in cine-VR; however, the scholarship on sound design for cine-VR still needs to be expanded with focused studies. This bibliometric analysis delves into the scholarly landscape to gain insights into spatial sound design research trends in cine-VR. A systematic search of the Web of Science Core Collection database revealed 910 English documents published between 2012 and 2024 (June). Information retrieved through 269 shortlisted articles was analysed using the Web of Science analysis tools, VOSviewer and RStudio. The bibliometric analysis identifies, quantifies, visualises and analyses publication trends, influential authors, key journals, prevalent keywords, co-occurrences of keywords, collaborative networks and global distribution patterns. The United States of America is the most influential country with the most publications, followed by Germany and France. Eight hundred and fifty-two authors affiliated with 352 institutions from 39 countries contributed to 269 shortlisted publications. Stefania Serafin is the most influential author in the field and has the most publications. Aalborg University leads with most publications. The articles from Columbia University received the maximum number of citations. The most used keywords are VR, spatial sound and localisation. Cine-VR is an emerging field, and the study’s findings will be relevant to academia and industry to understand better current research trends and themes in spatial sound design in cine-VR. The findings will guide further explorations in the field.
Red Rice DE 40 Alleviates High-fat Diet-induced Hyperlipemia by Lowering Lipid Profiles in Rats
Authors: Kalona Patrick A. , Sundaresan Uma , Muthiah Chellappandian , Ganesan Ariharasivakumar
Published: November 2024

Background

Hyperlipidaemia is characterised by an abnormal increase in one or more lipids in plasma, and is a major contributor to obesity, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke if they are not treated promptly.

Objectives

In this study, we intended to discover the therapeutic actions of Red Rice DE 40 (RR DE 40) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced rats.

Materials and Methods

The experimental rats were fed with HFD for 90 days to initiate the hyperlipidaemia and subsequently treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg of RR DE 40 from 60th to 90 days. The body weight of the rats was measured regularly. After the scarification, the blood, liver, and adipose tissue specimens were collected for biochemical assays. The liver and adipose tissues were weighed properly. The levels of haematological indices were counted using a haemocytometer. The levels of biochemical markers and liver marker enzymes were assessed using standard methods. The levels of lipid profiles were determined by standard methods. The excised liver and adipose tissues were analysed microscopically by histopathological analysis.

Results

RR DE 40 treatment effectively decreased the body weight gain in the HFD-induced rats. The liver and adipose tissue weight was also reduced by the RR DE 40 treatment. The changes in the haematological parameters such as RBC, WBC, Hb, monocytes, lymphocytes, and polymorphs were modulated by the RR DE 40 treatment on EG-induced rats. The levels of total protein, albumin, glucose, and urea and activities of SGOT and SGPT were substantially decreased by the RR DE 40 treatment. The RR DE 40 treatment also diminished the status of TC, TG, LDL, and VLDL in the HFD-treated rats. The findings of histopathological analysis also witnessed the therapeutic effects of RR DE 40.

Conclusion

The findings of this work highlighted that RR DE 40 is effective in HFD-induced hyperlipidaemia, probably due to its lipid-lowering potential. Hence, it may be used for the treatment of hyperlipidaemia-associated diseases.
Changing Pattern of Substance Abuse in Patients Attending a Regional Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center at Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ibrahim Yasir A. , Hussain Shalam Mohamed , Syeda Ayesha Farhana , Farghly Ahmed Mohamed , Nasr Muhammed Hassan , Alsaadi Rana Salem , Alharbi Khalid Abdullah A.
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives

The aim of this study was to record the prevalence and the characteristics of substance abusers from the year 2007 to 2017 and also to find the most prevalent form of substance abuse and association, if any, between the abusers and their demographic characteristics.

Materials and Methods

Descriptive and retrospective medical record review included patients of substance abuse attending a rehabilitation center in Buraidah from January 2007 to December 2017. A majority of 5,639 patients (63.6%) belonged to the age group of 31–50 years. Twenty-five and thirty-nine percent patients had secondary and higher education, respectively. Notably, more than half of them were unemployed. The commonly abused single drugs were amphetamine (40%), cannabis (11%), and alcohol (7%). High school goers’ cases have continuously spiked over the years. Substance abuse over the years from 2007 to 2017 was above 11% in 2007 and 2015. From 2009 to 2014, it was between 8 and 10%. However, the number of cases reported dropped to below 9% from 2016 onward. Amphetamine saw a downfall except peaking in 2010 and 2015. On the other hand, there was no substantial jump in the abuse of alcohol and cannabis over the years, but an increasing use from 2015 onward was visible. There was also a gradual rise over the years in the abuse of polysubstance (more than three drugs).

Conclusion

There is a growing trend in the use of polysubstance and the combination of two substances. There is a high incidence of drug abuse in high schoolers and also in patients in the age groups of 10–30 years.
Utilization of a Perioperative Care Pathway for Pediatric Alveolar Bone Grafting: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Authors: Cawthorn Thomas R. , Baykan Altay , Hartley Rebecca L. , Smith Miller , Robertson Kevin , Hardcastle Nina , Spencer Adam O. , Fraulin Frankie O.G. , Harrop A. Robertson
Published: November 2024

Objective

To develop, implement, and evaluate a standardized perioperative care pathway for pediatric patients undergoing alveolar bone grafting from the anterior iliac crest.

Design

A historical control group of 40 patients was reviewed retrospectively and compared to a prospectively collected treatment group of 40 patients who were treated with the new pathway.

Setting

Tertiary-level academic pediatric hospital between 2018 and 2021.

Patients

Pediatric patients with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate undergoing alveolar bone grafting.

Intervention

A perioperative clinical care pathway was specifically designed for patients undergoing alveolar bone grafting from the anterior iliac crest. The pathway involved standardization of perioperative care, ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia for both surgical sites, and scheduled postoperative analgesia.

Main outcome measures

(1) Length of hospital stay; (2) opioid consumption postoperatively; and (3) volume of oral intake in the first 24 h postoperatively. Data was analyzed via comparison of means (Student's t-test for continuous data and Chi-square test for categorical data) and control chart analysis.

Results

Compared to the control group, patients in the treatment group had lower mean length of stay (26.8 vs 37.8 h, p < .001), lower mean morphine consumption postoperatively (8 vs 34 mcg/kg, p = .008), and a higher proportion of patients not requiring any postoperative opioid use (80% vs 50%, p = .005).

Conclusions

Implementation of a standardized clinical care pathway for pediatric patients undergoing alveolar bone grafting from the anterior iliac crest is feasible and was associated with significant reductions in postoperative length of stay and postoperative opioid requirements.
An essay on deformation measures in isotropic thin shell theories: Bending versus curvature
Authors: Ghiba Ionel-Dumitrel , Lewintan Peter , Sky Adam , Neff Patrizio
Published: November 2024

It has become commonplace for the stored energy function of any realistic shell model to align “within first order” with the classical Koiter membrane-bending (flexural) shell model. In this paper, we assess whether certain extended Cosserat shell models are consistent with the classical linear Koiter model. In doing this, we observe that there are numerous reasons why a modified version of the classical Koiter model should be considered, a consensus reached not only by Koiter himself but also by Sanders and Budiansky, who independently developed the same theory during the same period. To provide a comprehensive overview of the strain measures employed in our Cosserat shell models, this paper presents them in a unified manner and compares them with the strain measures previously utilized in the literature. We show that all our new strain tensors either generalize (in the case of nonlinear constrained or unconstrained models) or coincide (in the case of the linear constrained model) with the strain tensors recognized as the “best" or those possessing a well-defined geometric interpretation connected to bending or curvature.
Transforming Hotel Lobbies via Community-Centered Design: Crafting a Vibrant Social Hub for Guests
Authors: Park Soona , Lee Jianan Z. , Lehto Xinran Y.
Published: November 2024

Recent trends in hotel design shift lobbies from their traditional check-in and check-out functions towards a vision of lobbies as vibrant social hubs. This study explores guests’ preferred hotel lobby designs using choice-based conjoint analysis, focusing on elements that integrate local community characteristics through visual, functional, and activity design. Our findings demonstrate how these preferred design elements contribute to a sense of place and community among both local and non-local guests. Furthermore, the study reveals that combining various design elements creates synergistic effects, enhancing their impact on guests’ sense of place and community. These insights highlight the importance of community-centered integration in hotel design, offering a theoretical framework that bridges the gap between design attributes and guest well-being. This study also provides practical guidelines for creating sustainable and inclusive hotel environments.
Chronicles of Film Tourism: An Integrative Review and Future Research Directions
Authors: Kim Sangkyun , Klarin Anton , Reijnders Stijn , Xiao Qijie , van Es Nicky
Published: November 2024

This study triangulates historiographical and scientometric reviews to provide a systems perspective on film tourism. The three phases of historiographical analysis (exploration, growth, and maturity) correspond to the three clusters of scientometric analysis: (i) initial research exploring film tourism development and management, (ii) growing the field through studies on film tourists’ perceptions and practices, and (iii) reaching maturity through extending research into different cultural contexts and meaning-making processes. Based on the analysis, we offer a set of directions for future research, including the need to integrate sustainability research and film tourism studies in developing country contexts, as well as intertextuality and its impact on film tourism. We further recommend research on developments in media consumption and its impact on film tourism, investigation of the relationship between digitalization and film tourism, and the need for interdisciplinary research. Finally, we suggest combining product life cycle analysis to complement historiographical analysis for robustness.
Rural Homestay Experiencescape: Scale Development and Its Emotional and Cognitive Paths to Guest Engagement Behavior
Authors: Shen Huawen , Hu Yilin , Fan Daisy X.F. , Buhalis Dimitrios
Published: November 2024

This study uses a mixed research approach based on the stimulus–organism–response framework to explore the experiencescape of rural homestays and its emotional and cognitive pathways to guest engagement behavior (GEB), while investigating the mediating roles of guest feelings, guest judgments, and place attachment. Six dimensions of the rural homestay experiencescape were identified: sensory, functional, social, natural, cultural, and hospitality culture components, which predicted guest feelings, judgments, and place attachment. Guest feelings and judgments positively impacted place attachment, and all three factors positively influenced GEB. Additionally, guest feelings and place attachment mediated the relationship between the rural homestay experiencescape and GEB. This study carries both theoretical and practical implications.
Impact of Rising Summer Temperatures on Government Sector Tertiary Care Emergency Centers: Addressing Heatstroke and Associated Death Rates in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Saleem Muddassir Syed , Fatima Syeda Zehra , Kamran Hamza , Nouman Ayesha , Bibi Khadija
Published: November 2024

Rising summer temperatures pose significant challenges to healthcare systems, particularly in low-resource settings. This article examines the impact of heatwaves on government sector tertiary care emergency centers in Karachi, Pakistan and addresses the alarming increases in heatstroke cases and associated mortality during extreme heat events. The study signifies the urgent need for adaptive measures to enhance emergency preparedness, public awareness, and heat mitigation strategies. Addressing heat-related illnesses requires collaborative efforts from healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders. Effective interventions can mitigate the impact of rising temperatures on vulnerable populations and reduce heat-associated mortality.
Sex differences in treatment strategies for pulmonary embolism in older adults: The SERIOUS-PE study of RIETE participants and US Medicare beneficiaries
Authors: Bikdeli Behnood , Leyva Hannah , Muriel Alfonso , Lin Zhenqiu , Piazza Gregory , Khairani Candrika D , Rosovsky Rachel P , Mehdipour Ghazaleh , O’Donoghue Michelle L , Madridano Olga , Lopez-Saez Juan Bosco , Mellado Meritxell , Diaz Brasero Ana Maria , Grandone Elvira , Spagnolo Primavera A , Lu Yuan , Bertoletti Laurent , López-Jiménez Luciano , Jesús Núñez Manuel , Blanco-Molina Ángeles , Gerhard-Herman Marie , Goldhaber Samuel Z , Bates Shannon M , Jimenez David , Krumholz Harlan M , Monreal Manuel
Published: November 2024

Introduction:

Sex differences exist in risk factors and comorbidities of older adults (aged ⩾ 65 years) with pulmonary embolism (PE). Clinically relevant sex-based treatment disparities for PE have not been adequately addressed. The few existing show conflicting results due to small sample size (type II error) and suboptimal methods (overreliance on p-value, which may detect differences of small clinical relevance).

Methods:

We assessed sex differences in anticoagulation and advanced therapies for PE in older adults, utilizing data from Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbolica (RIETE), a large PE registry with predominant participation from Europe, and data from US Medicare beneficiaries. We prespecified a standardized difference (SRD) > 10% as clinically relevant. RIETE included 33,462 (57.7% female) and Medicare included 102,391 (55.0% female) older adults with PE.

Results:

In RIETE, there were no overall sex differences in the use of anticoagulation (median: 181 vs 180 days, SRD < 1%), fibrinolysis (SRD < 3%), thrombectomy (SRD < 2%), or inferior vena cava (IVC) filters (SRD: 4.4%). However, fibrinolytic therapy (systemic or catheter-based) was less often used in female than male patients with intermediate-risk PE (8.0% vs 12.1%, SRD: 13.6%). No sex differences were noted with advanced PE therapies in Medicare beneficiaries. In unadjusted analyses, fibrinolysis and IVC filter placement were more frequent in Medicare than RIETE participants regardless of sex ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

In a predominantly European PE registry and a US study of older adults, there were no overall sex differences in anticoagulation patterns or advanced therapy utilization. Future studies should determine if sex disparities in fibrinolytic therapy for intermediate-risk PE and greater use of advanced therapies in US older adults correlate with clinical outcomes.
Parental expectations and perceptions of augmentative and alternative communication: A Sri Lankan perspective
Authors: Hettiarachchi Shyamani , Nizar Shamra , Kitnasamy Gopi , Gopi Dilani
Published: November 2024

From a critical disability rights lens, everyone has a right to communicate using any means available, which includes augmentative and alternative communication. The uptake of augmentative and alternative communication beyond the therapy room may be influenced by awareness, perceptions and acceptance of augmentative and alternative communication by caregivers, family members and the wider society. This study aimed to uncover parental perceptions of augmentative and alternative communication in a Global South context. Ten mothers and six fathers (16 participants) of children with complex communication needs were invited to be part of the study. A focus-group discussion and semi-structured interviews were undertaken using an interview guide. The participant data were analysed using Framework Analysis and through the lens of gender and critical disability theory. The key theme expressed was fear of augmentative and alternative communication deterring speech development. In addition, there was also concern that siblings might adopt the alternative communication method and stop talking. The participants questioned whether the visibility of a communication device could highlight their child’s disability, thereby fearing societal stigma and negativity. Overall, parents’ attitudes towards perspectives of and openness to use augmentative and alternative communication impact its uptake. The results suggest the need to consider the preparedness of parents prior to introducing augmentative and alternative communication and the need to offer on-going parental training.

Lay abstract

Everybody has a right to communicate in any way they can, which includes augmentative and alternative communication. The uptake of augmentative and alternative communication in everyday life may be influenced by awareness, perceptions and acceptance of augmentative and alternative communication by caregivers, family members and the wider society. This study aimed to uncover what parents thought about augmentative and alternative communication in a Global South context. Eleven mothers and five fathers (16 participants) of children with complex communication needs were included. Data were collected using an interview guide from a focus-group discussion and semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed using Framework Analysis and from a gender and critical disability theory viewpoint. The key theme found was fear of augmentative and alternative communication stopping the child from learning to speak. The parents wondered if siblings might also use the alternative communication method and stop talking. They worried whether the communication device will negatively highlight their child in society. As parents’ views on augmentative and alternative communication influence whether they use it with their child, informing and preparing parents before introducing augmentative and alternative communication to a child and on-going parent training should be considered.
The development of sexual selfhood in Mead’s play and game
Authors: Wahl David W
Published: November 2024

Mead (1934) claims that early selfhood is developed through a reflexive process of self-consciousness positioning self as both subject and object to itself, which is accomplished through social engagement with generalised others. In a reflexive process, the self is intrinsically interconnected to society and the social influences that act upon the self, which includes role-taking activities. For Mead, selfhood is not an accomplished structure, but rather developed through processual means (Blumer, 1969). “Play and Game” are early developmental stages in the processual occurrence. In play, children imitate adults, temporarily taking on roles, through which they begin to develop an organisation and structure in selfhood by conducting dialogues and behaviors made up of the reproduction of adult activities in their social sphere. In game, selfhood continues to be developed through role-taking, creating relationships with generalised others, and an understanding of norms and expectations. Sexual selfhood, in accordance with socio-sexual scripts, is developed through this process. Sexual histories obtained from research participants illustrate, through personal narrative, sexual self-development consistent with Mead’s notion of play and game. This project examines participants’ narratives from their first noted exposure to sexuality, through sexual role-taking activities, to consideration of how those moments of early development aided in the production of their current sexuality.
What goes up must come down? 25 years of public trust in the police
Authors: Bradford Ben
Published: November 2024

Public trust in the police is an almost ever-present feature of United Kingdom policy, political and indeed cultural debates, and this has been true right across the past quarter century. Concentrating on the population-level picture, and on England and Wales, in this article I outline what we know about changes in ‘trust and confidence’ over the past two decades or so, and make comparison with changes in other, closely associated, indicators. Why it might be that over this period trust in police first increased significantly, and then declined? Answers to this question implicate what might be termed the political economy of trust. Change in public trust may be due to a whole set of factors operating across multiple levels of policing and the society in which it takes place.
The road back to performance: Promise and precarity of tourism development for the lives of Siem Reap dancers
Authors: Tuchman-Rosta Celia
Published: November 2024

Visitors at an evening event in Cambodia’s Angkor National Park gasp as red light reveals dancers framed by the windows of an ancient temple. Apsaras come to life, hyperextended fingers moving through a sequence of offering. While they embody celestial beings of the past for cultural tourism productions, these Siem Reap performers are in a position of precarity in Cambodia where tourism development plans simultaneously create performance opportunities and relocate the homes of artists living in the Angkor Protected Zones. The COVID pandemic left the province economically adrift. To bring hope back, massive development projects were completed that project to serve up to 18 million visitors (up from 6 million pre-Pandemic). These are just the beginnings of the Siem Reap Tourism Development Master Plan 2021–2035 which aims to increase the quality of tourism through a stronger infrastructure, new tourism products including performance activities, and a focus on sustainability. While the return of tourism and the re-emergence of touristic performance productions is a sign of hope for Siem Reap’s dancers, the focus of sustainability has been a source of precarity, particularly for those living in the Angkor National Park area where thousands of residents have been “voluntarily relocated.” This article uses poetry and prose to examine the relationships that tourism performers have with the land and with development in Siem Reap amidst the glimmers of tourism resurgence post-pandemic bringing attention to the tensions between a global interest in sustainability and the impacts of tourism development policies on locals.
The role of community service-learning in international schools: a marginalized approach?
Authors: Schulte Matthew
Published: November 2024

International schools have historically grappled with the fundamental dilemma of providing a high-quality curriculum and qualification supporting international mobility, while promoting a culture of peace and understanding. The internationalist (ideological)–globalist (pragmatic) spectrum of approaches can be applied to understand this dilemma. Historically being balanced towards the globalist (pragmatic) end of this spectrum, rapid growth of international education markets can be seen to further marginalize the internationalist (ideological) perspective. Community Service-Learning is a core pedagogical approach of many international schools, grounded in the ideological perspective and supporting the development of international mindedness and global citizenship. This same spectrum is applied in this paper to the Community Service-Learning literature in order to examine how instrumentalist and market forces of globalization are influencing the practice. It is concluded that Community Service-Learning programs in international schools similarly face a reconciliation of a dilemma between ideological and instrumentalist outcomes, with the scale tipped towards the latter.
A convolutional multisensor fusion fault diagnosis framework based on multidimensional distance matrix for rotating machinery
Authors: Yu Tianzhuang , Jiang Zeyu , Ren Zhaohui , Zhang Zilin , Zhang Yongchao , Zhou Shihua , Zhou Xin
Published: November 2024

Intelligent fault diagnosis based on multisensor data fusion techniques and two-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN) has been widely developed and achieved numerous excellent results. Existing studies usually develop multi-input models to facilitate data fusion, lacking schemes for realizing the fusion in the process of data-to-image. Traditional methods that convert signals to grayscale maps and concatenate them into RGB images lose temporal correlation and are susceptible to interference. Besides, few studies integrated the favorable features at different stages in the CNN for diagnosis, which limits the diagnostic performance. To this end, this article proposes a multisource signal-to-image method called multidimensional distance matrix (MDM) and a multi-scale adaptive feature fusion convolutional neural network (MAFFCNN). First, MDM images emphasize the interrelationships between points of different moments in time series data and preserve temporal correlation. Then, the conv block of MAFFCNN can extract features at different scales in the image, and its attention branch can better aggregate the location information. Also, the MAFFCNN introduces efficient attention and cross-spatial learning to generate learnable weights based on the importance of features at different stages to achieve adaptive feature fusion. Finally, the above method is validated using the established gear fault dataset and the public bearing dataset. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods and their excellent robustness in complex environments.
Damage quantification of composite laminate via variational auto-encoder Lamb wave data expansion and spatio-temporal fusion transfer model
Authors: Shao Weihan , Qing Xinlin
Published: November 2024

Composite materials are widely used in aerospace industry, and its structural health monitoring (SHM) is one of the key research directions in this field. With the development of artificial intelligence, it has turned into a widely discussed research subject to analyze and process Lamb wave response signals by using deep learning method to determine the structural integrity. This study presents a method for quantifying damage in composite laminate via variational auto-encoder (VAE) and spatio-temporal fusion transfer model is proposed. First, VAE model is established to realize the reconstruction and expansion of Lamb wave obtained through experiment, which solves the problem of scarce data in SHM methods based on Lamb wave and machine learning. Second, 1DCNN and multibranch ConvBiLSTM (MB-ConvBiLSTM) spatio-temporal fusion networks are designed to quantify the size and location of damage, respectively. Finally, the monitoring area is divided into four quadrants. The trained model in the first quadrant is transferred to other quadrants, respectively, and compared the learning ability of the models with insufficient samples. The results demonstrate that the model after transfer learning (TL) can obtain damage information faster and can realize high-precision damage quantification on 32 small-scale samples, which prove the validity and reliability of TL theory in SHM.
Ethical considerations for sharing aggregate results from pragmatic clinical trials
Authors: Morain Stephanie R , Brickler Abigail , Ali Joseph , O’Rourke Patricia Pearl , Spector-Bagdady Kayte , Wilfond Benjamin , Rahimzadeh Vasiliki , Propes Caleigh , Mehl Kayla , Wendler David
Published: November 2024

A growing literature has explored the ethical obligations and current practices related to sharing aggregate results with research participants. However, no prior work has examined these issues in the context of pragmatic clinical trials. Several characteristics of pragmatic clinical trials may complicate both the ethics and the logistics of sharing aggregate results. Among these characteristics include that pragmatic clinical trials may affect the rights, welfare, and interests of not only patient-subjects but also clinicians, meaning that results may be owed to a broader range of groups than typically considered in other research contexts. In addition, some pragmatic clinical trials are conducted under a waiver of informed consent, meaning sharing results may alert participants that they were enrolled without their consent. This article explores the ethical dimensions that can inform decision-making about sharing aggregate results from pragmatic clinical trials, and provides recommendations for that sharing. A central insight is that healthcare institutions—as key partners for the conduct of pragmatic clinical trials—must also be key partners in decision-making about sharing aggregate pragmatic clinical trial results. We conclude with insights for future research.
Influence of omitting the vapor barrier in light timber frame walls with bio-based insulation on the risk of mold growth and indoor climate: A literature review
Authors: Claes Lotte AP , Kompatscher Karin , Luijten Christianne N , Vette Joost F , Niederwestberg Jan
Published: November 2024

This paper aligns with the rising interest in improving indoor comfort and health of occupants by moisture buffering with hygroscopic materials and the use of bio-based materials with low embodied emissions. The study focuses on literature on light timber frame walls (LTFW) with bio-based insulation and hempcrete walls, both without a vapor barrier. The aim is to highlight the consequences of omitting the vapor barriers in such wall assemblies and to ensure their durability. This review examines two main questions. Firstly, is there a risk of mold growth in LTFW with bio-based insulation and no vapor barrier? Secondly, are there possible links between these building envelopes and the indoor climate and its potential effects on occupants? The findings show that the risk of mold growth in vapor-open walls depends on the external climate, user behavior and applied materials. It is influenced by several factors such as vapor pressure difference, water vapor resistance ratio, exterior finishing, presence of a ventilated cavity, and the hygroscopic properties of insulation materials. Vapor-open walls exhibit a higher risk of mold growth between insulation and exterior lining compared to walls with vapor barriers. Additionally, there is a lack of field studies that visually examine mold growth in vapor-open buildings. While simulations suggest that vapor-open buildings with hygroscopic insulation can buffer interior relative humidity fluctuations, supporting field studies are limited. Further research and field studies are needed to improve the understanding of vapor-open or permeable building and its implications on mold growth as well as on the indoor climate and effects on occupants.
Case report: Ulcerative colitis-related spondyloarthritis treated with golimumab until 27 weeks of gestation
Authors: Okazaki Ryuichi , Hirata Ikkou , Ikegami Hinako , Rokutanda Ryou , Funakoshi Ryohkan
Published: November 2024

Although tumor necrosis factor inhibitors are recommended for preventing flare-ups in pregnant women with ulcerative colitis (UC), studies on golimumab use during pregnancy are scant. Herein, we present a 39-year-old woman with UC and spondyloarthritis. The patient preferred treatment with a long dosing interval that minimally affects the working life of the patient. Golimumab, considering its long dosing interval, was prescribed after discussion with the patient, physician and pharmacists. Clinical remission was achieved during pregnancy, and the patient delivered a healthy baby. The vaccines were administered according to the vaccine schedule: during the first year after birth, there were neither infections caused by live vaccines nor diseases that the administered vaccines are meant to prevent. Overall, this case suggests that golimumab treatment during pregnancy may be compatible; however, further evaluations, including drug-level analysis, are needed.
Pink illusions and white shifts
Authors: Anstis Stuart , Kaneko Sae , Cavanagh Patrick
Published: November 2024

A rotating stimulus of alternating red and white sectors generates a faint pink fill throughout the image. The trailing cyan after images of the red sectors quickly become the brightest regions in the image, providing an index of the overall illumination that triggers a shift of the white point. Actual white areas then shift in the opposite direction and appear pink.