bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of integrated loose fruit collector machine for oil palm plantations
Authors: Zulfahmi Mohd Yusoff Mohd , Zamri A. , Z. A. Abd Kadir M. , Z. Wan Hassan W. , Azis N.
Published: March 2020

Oil palm loose fruit have always been part of oil palm harvesting operation.  The current manual loose fruit collection by hand picking or raking is contributing to the minimum productivity and large amounts of debris. Effort in future shall be explored for the potential machine or system to collect the loose fruit in the field with the result of clean loose fruit. A new machine for loose fruit collection is being developed and examined which knows as Integrated Oil Palm Loose Fruit Collection Machine for collecting loose fruit from the palm base. Consist of three main integrated stages; the suction stage is used to collect the loose fruit, followed by segregating stage, which used to segregate the loose fruit from debris through double layer rotating drum and unloading stage of loose fruit to the 3-4 metric tons bin by using hydraulic tipping cylinder. Result indicates that at least more than 50% productivity of loose fruit collection were increased. In addition, the clean loose fruit collection resulted with the debris less than 10%. Hence, with this development, better quality loose fruits are collected with minimum debris for further processing in the palm oil mill, which will contribute to better oil extraction rate.
Comparison analysis of chattering in smooth sliding mode controlled DC-DC buck converter using constant plus proportional reaching law and proposed reaching laws
Authors: Siddesh K. B. , Banakara B. , Shivarudraswamy R.
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a comparative analysis of chattering in sliding mode controlled  DC-DC buck converter for chattering suppression using constant plus proportional reaching law and proposed reaching laws. A smooth SMC is used for chattering suppression in buck converter. The different switching functions are used in proposed reaching laws and constant plus proportional reaching law applied to SMC buck converter, the tan hyperbolic reaching law, sigmoid reaching law and constant plus proportional rate reaching law. The proposed method tan hyperbolic gives less switching loss among the reaching laws and stable output voltage. Inturn, performance of the buck converter increases, tanhyperbolic reaching law is more sensitive to matched, mismatched disturbance and parameter uncertainties. Loading conditions are also applied to the buck converter to measure the disturbances and parametric variations. The results are verified by MATLAB/Simulink.
Image processing based eye detection methods a theoretical review
Authors: Vijayalaxmi B. , Anuradha Chavali , Sekaran Kaushik , Meqdad Maytham N. , Kadry Seifedine
Published: March 2020

Lately, many of the road accidents have been attributed to the driver stupor. Statistics revealed that about 32% of the drivers who met with such accidents demonstrated the symptoms of tiredness before the mishap though at varying levels. The purpose of this research paper is to revisit the various interventions that have been devised to provide for assistance to the vehicle users to avert unwarranted contingencies on the roads. The paper tries to make a sincere attempt to encapsulate the body of work that has been initiated so far in this direction. As is evident, there are numerous ways in which one can identify the fatigue of the driver, namely biotic or physiological gauges, vehicle type and more importantly the analysis of the face in terms of its alignment and other attributes.
Implementation of E-education in Africa via space digital video broadcasting system
Authors: Ilcev Dimov Stojce
Published: March 2020

This paper introduces an advanced E-education provision via space systems for Africa or any other regions in remote dispersed communities, such as rural, mining, agriculture, surveying, construction, tourism, military and etc. Based on the specific needs and requirements E-education implies significant broadband applications, interconnectivity, and timely and quality-assured content delivery of service. The E-education solutions of distance learning and training for remote and rural areas, which are beyond range of terrestrial and short distance wireless cellular facilities, cannot provide broadband access without space-enabled communication solutions, such as satellite constellations and Stratospheric Platform Systems (SPS) or High Altitude Platforms (HAP). This paper also discusses the integration challenges that are presented by combining space solutions for implementation E-education and learning in rural and mobile environments. Configuration of in-house development of all segments, installation of the scale-down Digital Video Broadcasting-Return Channel via Satellite (DVB-RCS) Hub (Gateway), Ground Network and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), known as Fixed Interactive Terminals (FIT), for E-education, distance learning and staff training initiative in Africa are described.
IoT-oriented software platform applied to sensors-based farming facility with smartphone farmer app
Authors: Visconti P. , Giannoccaro N. I. , Fazio R. de , Strazzella S. , Cafagna D.
Published: March 2020

This work describes the design of innovative IoT-oriented farm management system that employs low-cost WSN for detecting soil, environmental and crops parameters that properly processed, in combination with weather forecasts, are used to determine future farming activities based on agronomic models implemented in the software platform. Goals of carried out research activity are to guarantee production both qualitatively and quantitatively of cultivated crops, to increase company income and reduce environmental impacts; achieving these objectives is a prerequisite for implementing of sustainable agriculture. Connection between traditional cropping systems and innovative technologies is achieved through the utilization of low-cost wireless electronic modules for acquiring data from connected sensors. The fertigation system operation is supported by solar-powered low-cost WSN capable of constantly monitoring soil and environmental parameters; thanks to sensor nodes properly positioned in cultivated land or greenhouse, interest parameters of both air and soil are detected and transmitted to on-cloud database, to allow monitoring and remote control from enabled users (farmer or agronomist). For this aim, an application specifically realized and tested during the different fertigation system’s functional tests, allows users to visualize and eventually remotely intervene by using a smart-phone or tablet.
ВЛАСТИВОСТІ НЕРВОВИХ ПРОЦЕСІВ У ДІТЕЙ З РІЗНИМИ ПСИХОТИПАМИ
Authors: Vadziuk S. N. , Horishnyi M. I. , Horishnyi I. M.
Published: March 2020

Мета дослідження – встановити взаємозв’язок між психотипом дитини і силою та функціональною рухливістю нервових процесів.

Матеріали та методи. Для визначення психотипу проводили анкетування у 86 дітей віком до 18 років за допомогою опитувальників Вайсбанда та Гуленка. Нервові процеси аналізували за комп’ютерною програмою «Діагност 1М». Статистичну обробку даних проводили методом непараметричної статистики, використовуючи U-тест – критерій Манна – Уїтні.

Результати дослідження та їх обговорення. Встановлено залежність кількості оброблених подразників при вивченні сили нервових процесів у режимі зворотного зв’язку від психотипу дитини (p<0,01). Зокрема, відмінність є між провідними функціями логіки, етики та сенсорики. Найвищий показник кількості переробки інформації в сенсориків (621,28), найнижчий – у логіків (552,48). Також встановлено різницю функціональної рухливості нервових процесів у режимі зворотного зв’язку між логіками та етиками (р<0,05). Зокрема, мінімальний час реакції в логіків менший в 1,6 раза. Залежності реакції на рухомий об’єкт від психотипу виявити не вдалося (p>0,05).

Висновки. За допомогою опитувальників визначено психологічні типи за Юнгом у 60 респондентів. На базі комп’ютерної програми «Діагност 1М» виміряно силу та функціональну рухливість нервових процесів у дітей. Встановлено залежність вищенаведених показників від їх психотипу.
Morphology and vocalization support specific status of the Chestnut-headed Chachalaca, Ortalis motmot ruficeps (Wagler, 1830) (Aves; Galliformes; Cracidae)
Authors: Tomotani Barbara Mizumo , Silveira Luís Fábio , Pacheco José Fernando
Published: March 2020

The Little Chachalaca (Ortalis motmot) is a widely distributed species in the Amazon basin, typically found in riverine habitats. There are two disjunct populations: the northern O. m. motmot and the southern O. m. ruficeps (known as Chestnut-headed Chachalaca). Here we performed a vocal, morphological and plumage comparison between these two taxa. Birds present differences in tail coloration but are otherwise undiagnosable in terms of plumage. Ortalis m. ruficeps is, however, markedly smaller and lighter than O. m. motmot, with no overlap in size or weight. We also found vocal differences between O. m. motmot and O. m. ruficeps, no overlap in geographic distributions and no signs of hybridization across its range. Based on the available data, Ortalis m. ruficeps thus must be considered a valid species, endemic to Brazil.
Preprocedural Troponin T Levels Predict the Improvement in the Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter
Authors: Aoyama Daisetsu , Miyazaki Shinsuke , Hasegawa Kanae , Kaseno Kenichi , Ishikawa Eri , Mukai Moe , Nodera Minoru , Miyahara Kosuke , Matsui Akira , Shiomi Yuichiro , Tama Naoto , Ikeda Hiroyuki , Fukuoka Yoshitomo , Morishita Tetsuji , Ishida Kentaro , Uzui Hiroyasu , Tada Hiroshi
Published: March 2020

Background

Left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction is reversible in some patients once the arrhythmia is controlled. However, identifying this arrhythmia‐induced cardiomyopathy among patients with LV systolic dysfunction is challenging. We explored the factors predicting the reversibility of the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and/or atrial flutter in patients with LV systolic dysfunction.

Methods and Results

Forty patients with a reduced LVEF (LVEF <50%; 66.2±10.7 years; 32 men) who underwent atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter ablation were included. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed before and during the early (<4 days) and late phases (>3 months) after the ablation. Responders were defined as having a normalized LVEF (≥50%) during the late phase after the ablation. The LVEF improved from 39.8±8.8 to 50.9±10.9% at 1.2±0.6 days after the procedure, and to 56.2±12.2% at 9.6±8.0 months after the procedure (both for
P
<0.001). Thirty (75.0%) patients were responders. The preprocedural echocardiographic parameters were comparable between the responders and nonresponders. In the multivariate analysis, the preprocedural high‐sensitivity troponin T was the only independent predictor of the recovery of the LV dysfunction during the late phase after ablation (odds ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06–1.33;
P
=0.001), and a level of ≤12 pg/mL predicted recovery of the LV dysfunction with a high accuracy (sensitivity, 90.0%; specificity, 76.7%; positive predictive value, 56.3%; and negative predictive value, 95.8%).

Conclusions

Preprocedural high‐sensitivity troponin T levels might be a simple and useful parameter for predicting the reversibility of the LV systolic dysfunction after atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter ablation in patients with a reduced LVEF.
Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Adult Patients
Authors: Inoue Akihiko , Hifumi Toru , Sakamoto Tetsuya , Kuroda Yasuhiro
Published: March 2020

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) followed by targeted temperature management has been demonstrated to significantly improve the outcomes of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in adult patients. Although recent narrative and systematic reviews on extracorporeal life support in the emergency department are available in the literature, they are focused on the efficacy of ECPR, and no comprehensively summarized review on ECPR for OHCA in adult patients is available. In this review, we aimed to clarify the prevalence, pathophysiology, predictors, management, and details of the complications of ECPR for OHCA, all of which have not been reviewed in previous literature, with the aim of facilitating understanding among acute care physicians. The leading countries in the field of ECPR are those in East Asia followed by those in Europe and the United States. ECPR may reduce the risks of reperfusion injury and deterioration to secondary brain injury. Unlike conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation, however, no clear prognostic markers have been identified for ECPR for OHCA. Bleeding was identified as the most common complication of ECPR in patients with OHCA. Future studies should combine ECPR with intra‐aortic balloon pump, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation flow, target blood pressure, and seizure management in ECPR.
YASADIŞI UYUŞTURUCU TİCARETİNİN TERÖR ÖRGÜTLERİ ÜZERİNDE ETKİLERİ
Authors: ÇAKIR Muhammet Faruk
Published: March 2020

Uyuşturucu
ticaretinden elde edilen gelirler, bazı terör örgütlerinin başlıca finansman
kaynağıdır. Uyuşturucu gelirleri her türlü faaliyetin finansmanında
kullanılabileceği için, terör örgütlerinin amaçlarının gerçekleştirilmesine
katkıda bulunmaktadır. Diğer taraftan uyuşturucu gelirleri örgüt yapısını,
örgüt bütünlüğünü, örgütün sivillerle ilişkilerini ve örgütün dışarı (diğer
yasadışı örgütlenmeler, kendisine karşı mücadele ettiği devlet ve uluslararası
aktörler) ile ilişkilerini olumsuz etkileyebilmektedir. Bu makalede, uyuşturucu
ticaretinin örgütler üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerini azaltma çabaları, açık
kaynaklardan elde edilen bilgiler kullanılarak incelenmektedir. Örnekler, FARC,
PKK ve Taliban örgütlerinden verilmektedir. Bu örgütlerin, uyuşturucu
ticaretinin örgüte zarar verici etkilerini çeşitli yöntemlerle yumuşattıkları;
fakat uyuşturucu gelirleri sayesinde güçlendikleri durumlarda, şiddet
eylemlerinin hedefinde yer alan devletlerle ve uluslararası aktörlerle
ilişkilerinde daha belirgin olumsuzluklar ile karşılaştıkları gözlemlenmiştir.
Nuclear Disarmament without the Nuclear-Weapon States: The Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty
Authors: Müller Harald , Wunderlich Carmen
Published: March 2020

The 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (tpnw) represents a daring act of self-empowerment: nuclear have-nots produced an international disarmament treaty without the involvement of the nuclear-weapon states or their allies. In this essay, we assess how the new treaty relates to the existing nuclear order and its four central norms: constraints on use, political restraint, non-proliferation, and disarmament. We discuss the tpnw's origin in and impact on this contested order. At the heart of contestation are two security concepts: deterrence versus the immediate ban of nuclear arms, which result in fundamentally different ideas on how to pursue the road to “global zero.” Whether or not the tpnw and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons are compatible depends on how the opponents handle their controversies. The key is to overcome the emotionalized polarization and rediscover a common basis in order to prevent damage to the existing nuclear order and bring forward nuclear disarmament in practice.
Impact factor volatility due to a single paper: A comprehensive analysis
Authors: Antonoyiannakis Manolis
Published: March 2020

We study how a single paper affects the impact factor (IF) of a journal by analyzing data from 3,088,511 papers published in 11639 journals in the 2017 Journal Citation Reports of Clarivate Analytics. We find that IFs are highly volatile. For example, the top-cited paper of 381 journals caused their IF to increase by more than 0.5 points, while for 818 journals the relative increase exceeded 25%. One in 10 journals had their IF boosted by more than 50% by their top three cited papers. Because the single-paper effect on the IF is inversely proportional to journal size, small journals are rewarded much more strongly than large journals for a highly cited paper, while they are penalized more for a low-cited paper, especially if their IF is high. This skewed reward mechanism incentivizes high-IF journals to stay small to remain competitive in rankings. We discuss the implications for breakthrough papers appearing in prestigious journals. We question the reliability of IF rankings given the high IF sensitivity to a few papers that affects thousands of journals.
Measuring Muslim Religiosity and Outlining Gender-Age Differences
Authors: Masoom Muhammad Rehan
Published: March 2020

The present study formulates a scale consisting of items that have valid and reliable psychometric properties to measure Muslim religiosity, and to see whether any variations exist by gender and age. In a sample of people aged 10 and older with at least primary education, the study found that four factors (Religious Involvement, Religious Commitment, Religious Beliefs, and General Optimism) can measure Muslim religiosity with a high level of validity and reliability. Muslim females are more religious than males and religiosity increases steadily with age.
Lythrum netofa (Lythraceae) a new species from a temporary flooded plain of Israel

Authors: GAZAIX ANTOINE , MAZAR SHMUEL , VERED SHIR
Published: March 2020

Species of the genus Lythrum Linnaeus (1753: 446) (Lythraceae) occur in temporary pools and wetlands (Morris, 2007) with about 35 species around the world (Graham, 2007). In the Mediterranean area, there are more than 10 species that mostly occur in temporary pools (Castroviejo Bolibar et al., 1997; Tison et al. 2014). Most of the species are also present in East and Central Asia (Webb, 1968). However, some species are limited to Europe, mostly Western Europe, e.g. L. flexuosum Lagasca (1816: 16) and L. baeticum González-Albo (1936: 141) (Castroviejo Bolibar et al., 1997), some are limited to West Asia, e.g. L. silenoides Boissier & Noë (in Boissier 1856: 55) (Ghazanfar, 2016), while Lythrum salicaria Linnaeus (1753: 446), the loosestrife, is widely distributed in Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and introduced in North America.
Stokesosauridae clade nov., a new family name for a branch of basal tyrannosauroids
Authors: YUN CHAN-GYU , CARR THOMAS D.
Published: March 2020

The majority of tyrannosauroid phylogenies published in the last 10 years have recovered a clade of basal tyrannosauroids that include Stokesosaurus clevelandi Madsen, 1974, Eotyrannus lengi Hutt et al., 2001 and Juratyrant langhami (Benson, 2008), which is positioned between Dilong Xu et al., 2004 and more derived tyrannosauroids such as Xiongguanlong Li et al., 2010 (e.g., Brusatte et al., 2010, 2011; Brusatte and Benson, 2013; Lü et al., 2014; Brusatte and Carr, 2016; Yun, 2016; Carr et al., 2017; Delcourt and Grillo, 2018; Nesbitt et al., 2019; Zanno et al., 2019; Wu et al., 2020). Carr et al. (2017) first called this clade as “Stokesosauridae”, but did not define or diagnose this clade; but later the name was adopted and  used as valid by Wu et al. (2020).
The Stalinist Sociogenesis of Youth Culture in the Polish People’s Republic: An Attempt at a New Approach
Authors: Stańczyk Xawery
Published: March 2020

The Polish sociological and anthropological literature on youth culture in the Polish People’s Republic is based on the assumption about a strong impact of the political decisions of the state and of the ruling party on the styles, behavior, and attitudes of the youth during the socialist period. This reductionist assumption overlooks the fact of the spontaneous, bottom-up participation of thousands of young people in socialist organizations, events, and campaigns under the Stalinist rule. The aim of the article is to outline a new approach to the youth as a subject of the Stalinist cultural revolution and to the later youth culture as a phenomenon specific to the socialist society even as this culture appropriated forms and images from the capitalist West.
Optimization of Pectin Extraction from Ramie by Orthogonal Methodology and Its Partial Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Cheng Lifeng , Duan Shengwen , Feng Xiangyuan , Zheng Ke , Yang Qi , Liu Zhiyuan , Peng Yuande
Published: March 2020

Pectin was extracted from Ramie [Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud] through ammonium oxalate extraction method. The influences of single factors (ammonium oxalate concentration, extraction time, solid–liquid ratio, and reaction temperature) on the yield of ramie pectin were studied.
Orthogonal experiment was then performed to optimize the combination of the given conditions using pectin yield as the measuring indicator. Finally, the partial physicochemical properties of ramie pectin extracted in the optimal conditions were analyzed. Results showed that the optimal conditions
for single-element experiment were 3.5 h (extraction time), 1:25 (solid–liquid ratio), 0.85% (concentration of ammonium oxalate) and 95 °C (extraction temperature), and that the optimal combination conditions for orthogonal experiment was 4 h, 1:30, 0.95% and 90 °C. The ramie
pectin yield extracted in optimal conditions reached 15.81%, and its protein content, galacturonic acid content, and esterification degree were 0.659 mg/g, 49.92%, and 53.11%, respectively. Therefore, the proposed method was successfully applied to obtain ramie pectin and may provide scientific
basis for improving the multi-utilization value of ramie.
Facile Comparison of Nonspecific Adsorptions of Proteins on Magnetic Submicron Particles with Alkaline Phosphatases as the Probes
Authors: Xie Yanling , Chong Huimin , Li Yaping , Feng Yiran , Hu Xiaolei , Long Gaobo , Xie Wanjun , Yang Xiaolan , Liao Fei
Published: March 2020

The soluble form of Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase (ECAP), commercialized calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (CIAP) and biotinylated CIAP (Biotin-AP) were tested as probes for nonspecific adsorptions of proteins on micro/nano materials represented by magnetic submicron
particles (MSP). The nonspecific adsorptions of three candidate probes were evaluated by directly measuring the activities of the adsorbed probes with 4-nitrophenylphosphate. The activities of those three candidate probes exhibited reasonable resistance to detergents, but the presences of
> 0.1% glycerol in the adsorption systems greatly reduced their nonspecific adsorptions on MSPs. The nonspecific adsorptions of ECAP and Biotin-AP on some MSPs were significant and saturable but became negligible after such MSPs were coated with small zwitterions, bovine serum albumin and/or
streptavidin. Only MSPs applicable to chemiluminescence immunoassays showed negligible nonspecific adsorptions of Biotin-AP and ECAP, but all of the tested MSPs exhibited negligible nonspecific adsorptions of CIAP. Therefore, Biotin-AP and ECAP were suitable probes for nonspecific adsorptions
of proteins on micro/nano materials.
Use of Nasal Valve Stent with Anterior Rhinomanometry to Quantitate Nasal Valve Obstruction
Authors: Guillette Barbara J. , Perry Curtis J.
Published: March 2020

Some patients have increased resistance in the nasal valve area that is static and does not collapse. Anterior rhinomanometry is unable to document nasal valve disorders in these instances. A simple stent was devised to open the nasal valve area during anterior mask rhinomanometry. Three groups of subjects were studied with and without the stent. These groups were 1) patients with anatomic findings of nasal valve obstruction, 2) normal control subjects, and 3) normal control subjects with artificially created midseptal nasal obstructions. At peak inspiration the median decrease in resistance with the stent in place when compared to nonstented values was 0.91 Pa·cm-3·s-1 for group 1, 0.27 Pa·cm-3·s-1 for group 2, and 0.25 Pa·cm-3·s-1 for group 3. Comparisons using the nonparametric Wilcoxon test had a significance level of p < .001. An easily fashioned, well-tolerated nasal valve stent can be readily incorporated in anterior mask rhinomanometry technique. With use of the stent, nasal valve obstruction can be accurately diagnosed and quantitated.
Increased Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Immunoreactivity in Astrocytes within the Lateral Vestibular Nucleus of the Cat following Labyrinthectomy and Vestibular Neurectomy
Authors: Cass Stephen P. , Goshgarian Harry G.
Published: March 2020

Unilateral vestibular injury evokes a characteristic pattern of acute disorganization of posture, locomotion, and eye movements. Following this acute stage, functional recovery occurs. In the present study, unilateral labyrinthectomy and vestibular neurectomy were performed in cats. The lateral vestibular nucleus (LVN) and vestibular nerve root entry zone on both sides of the brain stem were examined 24 hours 3 days and 8 weeks after operation by use of an immunochemical astrocyte marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The results demonstrate extensive GFAP immunoreactivity within the ipsilateral nerve root following neurectomy, but not after labyrinthectomy Prominent GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytic processes were detected in the LVN both ipsilateral and contralateral to neurectomy and labyrinthectomy Within the ipsilateral LVN, the intensity of GFAP immunoreactivity was greater following neurectomy than after labyrinthectomy but the pattern of GFAP reactivity remained similar. In the contralateral LVN, GFAP reactivity was noted exclusively in the dorsal-rostral region corresponding to the zone of cerebellar afferents to the LVN. The results of the present study suggest that reactive astroglia may play an important role in the mechanism that leads to vestibular compensation.
Fatigue Resistance of Canine Vocal Fold Muscle
Authors: Cooper Donald S. , Rice Dale H.
Published: March 2020

The objective of the experiment was to provide data from dogs, the best nonprimate model for the contractile properties of laryngeal muscles, on the fatigue characteristics of vocal fold muscle. Isometric muscle force was recorded from a transducer attached to the section of the thyroid cartilage on which the muscle inserted. Twitch contractions were recorded during supramaximal indirect electrical stimulation by DC pulses for at least 30 minutes. At 5 pulses per second (p/s), potentiation was observed in all records, peaking at an average of 7.5 minutes after stimulation onset. At 10 p/s, the peak of the potentiated average trace was earlier. One third of these records did not show potentiation. Where moderate or large potentiation was observed, the peak twitch tension declined and reached an asymptote above the initial tension, while when potentiation was small or absent, the final force was smaller than initially. Canine vocal fold muscle was observed to be fatigue-resistant, but in phonation other factors may produce fatigue.
Physical and Cognitive Load Effects Due to a Powered Lower-Body Exoskeleton
Authors: Bequette Blake , Norton Adam , Jones Eric , Stirling Leia
Published: March 2020

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of a powered exoskeleton on measures of physical and cognitive performance.

Background

US warfighters carry heavy equipment into battle, and exoskeletons may reduce that burden. While exoskeletons are currently evaluated for their effects on physical performance, their cognitive effects are not currently considered.

Method

Twelve military members participated in a simulated patrol task under three conditions: wearing a powered exoskeleton (PWR), an unpowered exoskeleton (UNP), and without wearing an exoskeleton (OFF). While following a confederate over obstacles at a constant pace, participants performed additional audio and visual tasks. Dependent measures included visual misses, visual reaction time, audio misses, audio reaction time, incremental lag time, and NASA-TLX scores.

Results

The variability in the follow-task lag time was lowest with OFF and highest with UNP, highlighting reduced ability to maintain pace with the exoskeleton. Visual reaction time was significantly slower with PWR compared to OFF for 5 of 12 subjects. The NASA-TLX overall workload scores were lower for OFF compared to PWR and UNP.

Conclusion

Efforts to understand individual variability are warranted such that exoskeleton designs can be used for a wider set of the population. While not all subjects had measurable differences in the selected performance tasks, the perception of increased workload was present across subjects. It remains to be determined what difference in reaction time would be operationally relevant for task-specific settings.

Application

Findings draw attention to the need to consider “cognitive fit” and subject differences in the design and implementation of exoskeletons.
Biko: Exploring Black Identity in Brazil Through a U.S. Lens
Authors: Means Sheryl Felecia
Published: March 2020

This article analyzes how Black Consciousness and Citizenship (CCN), a curriculum produced at the Steve Biko Cultural Institute (Biko) in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, is influential to the production of a Black identity. In addition, I assess “the relationship between Black identity and education” at Biko through the lens of Zirkel and Johnson’s strengths-based narratives as a counternarrative to anti-Blackness and Afrophobia in Brazilian society. CCN is elevated in analysis as a culturally representative model of education for Afro-Brazilian youth in Salvador and the city’s periphery. Culturally representative education here refers to a racially, culturally, and socially inclusive educational mode. Zirkel and Johnson’s recommended approaches are parallel to those employed through CCN to produce a positive identification with Black racial identity which counters anti-Black and Afrophobic sentiment.
Effects of Sulfonylureas on Periodontopathic Bacteria-Induced Inflammation
Authors: Kawahara Y. , Kaneko T. , Yoshinaga Y. , Arita Y. , Nakamura K. , Koga C. , Yoshimura A. , Sakagami R.
Published: March 2020

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is an inflammatory cytokine produced by monocytes/macrophages and is closely associated with periodontal diseases. The NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in IL-1β activation through pro–IL-1β processing and pyroptotic cell death in bacterial infection. Recently, glyburide, a hypoglycemic sulfonylurea, has been reported to reduce IL-1β activation by suppressing activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Therefore, we evaluated the possibility of targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway by glyburide to suppress periodontal pathogen-induced inflammation. THP-1 cells (a human monocyte cell line) were differentiated to macrophage-like cells by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and stimulated by periodontopathic bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, or Fusobacterium nucleatum, in the presence of glyburide. IL-1β and caspase-1 expression in the cells and culture supernatants were analyzed by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and cell death was analyzed by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Stimulation of THP-1 macrophage-like cells with every periodontopathic bacteria induced IL-1β secretion without cell death, which was suppressed by the NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950, and caspase-1 inhibitor, z-YVAD-FMK. Glyburide treatment suppressed IL-1β expression in culture supernatants and enhanced intracellular IL-1β expression, suggesting that glyburide may have inhibited IL-1β secretion. Subsequently, a periodontitis rat model was generated by injecting periodontal bacteria into the gingiva, which was analyzed histologically. Oral administration of glyburide significantly suppressed the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the number of osteoclasts in the alveolar bone compared with the control. In addition to glyburide, glimepiride was shown to suppress the release of IL-1β from THP-1 macrophage-like cells, whereas other sulfonylureas (tolbutamide and gliclazide) or other hypoglycemic drugs belonging to the biguanide family, such as metformin, failed to suppress IL-1β release. Our results suggest that pharmacological targeting of the NLRP3 pathway may be a strategy for suppressing periodontal diseases.
Achievement-Related Motives and Work-Related Attitudes of Japanese and Chinese Students
Authors: Yamauchi Hirotsugu , Li Yan
Published: March 2020

This study was designed to provide data for comparisons of achievement-related motives and work-related attitudes for Japanese and Chinese students. First, the mean scores on achievement-related motives and work-related attitudes of Japanese students (124 men and 174 women) were compared with those of Chinese students (222 men and 130 women). Chinese students displayed stronger motives and attitudes toward successful achievement. Second, the factorial structures of achievement-related motives for each sample were compared. There were some similarities between samples except one factor based on the motive to avoid failure showed an opposite feature. Third, the relationship between achievement-related motives and work-related attitudes was examined for each sample. A canonical correlation analysis provided two variates, instrumental activity arises from achievement motivation in a work-related situation and hope of success in their competitive lives includes economic success.
Differences in use of Learning Strategies and Relation to Grades among Undergraduate Students
Authors: Jakoubek Jane , Swenson Robyn R.
Published: March 2020

Differences in learning strategies within a cross-sectional sample of 929 undergraduate students were assessed on the Inventory of Learning Processes. Higher scores were found for students with more years of college on three scales, Deep Processing, Elaborative Processing, and Methodical Study. Differences were found between the freshman and sophomore groups for Deep Processing scores and Methodical Study scores and between the freshman and senior groups for Elaborative Processing scores. No differences were found between groups on the Fact Retention scale. Correlations between inventory scales and grades were low ( r = .02 to .24), replicating previous research.
Psychophysiological Activation, Reactivity, and Recovery in type A and Type B Scorers when in a Stressful Laboratory Situation1,2
Authors: Palmero Francesc , Codina Victòria , Rosel Jesús
Published: March 2020

21 university students participated in a study to assess intergroup differences in psychophysiological activation, reactivity, and recovery. Findings support the hypothesis that 12 Type A scorers showed a greater activation and reactivity than the 9 Type B scorers. Type A scorers needed more time to recover normal psychophysiological levels than Type B scorers. We propose that the “fast activation-slow recovery” profile is characteristic of Type A scorers. The “fast activation-fast recovery” profile is characteristic of Type B-scoring college students.
Effects of Pretrial Publicity on Male and Female Jurors and Judges in a Mock Rape Trial
Authors: Riedel Robert G.
Published: March 2020

A study explored influence of pretrial publicity and gender identity on verdicts and severity of sentence in a mock rape trial. Mock jurors and judges were exposed to four pretrial publicity conditions before watching a simulated rape trial. After viewing the trial, jurors rendered a verdict (guilty or not guilty) and judges prescribed a sentence. The Bern Sex-role Inventory was used to analyze gender identity and its relation to verdict and sentencing. Verdicts were not influenced by pretrial publicity, but sentencing was more severe following exposure of mock judges to pretrial publicity about a mistaken acquittal and less severe following exposure of these judges to pretrial publicity about a mistaken conviction. Subjects classified by the Bern inventory as feminine or androgynous rendered a verdict of “guilty” more often than subjects classified as masculine or undifferentiated. Men who rendered verdicts of “guilty” had less confidence in their judgments than men who found the defendant “not guilty.” Conversely, women who found the defendant “not guilty” expressed less confidence than women who found the defendant “guilty.” The findings are compared and contrasted with similar studies and discussed in regards to gender identity, subjects’ characteristics, and mode of presentation.
Personal vs Social Motivations of Undergraduates for using Alcohol
Authors: Montgomery Robert L. , Benedicto Juanita A. , Haemmerlie Frances M.
Published: March 2020

The personal vs social motivations for using alcohol were assessed for 109 undergraduates attending a midwestern technical university. Analysis indicated that alcohol was consumed more for social than for personal reasons and that men used alcohol more than women for the social reasons of meeting new people and meeting members of the opposite sex and for the personal reason of feeling better about themselves. Use was also associated with being a member of a fraternity or sorority and the total number of campus organizations in which students were involved. These results suggest that alcohol education programs should take into account the motivations on a particular campus for alcohol use.
Relationship between Dominance and Achievement among Self-Report Measures
Authors: Mudrack Peter E.
Published: March 2020

The need for dominance has something in common with the need for achievement in that both have clear relevance to the study of behavior in organizations. Yet in the literature a belief has persisted that the similarities end here, i.e., that dominance and achievement are essentially orthogonal. While this conclusion may be valid among nonself-report measures of these variables, it cannot be extrapolated to self-report measures because these two general measurement techniques tap into fundamentally different patterns of motives and are not mere substitutes for each other. Based on the results of surveys administered to three samples of adults (total N = 703) and using scales derived from both the Manifest Needs Questionnaire and the Personality Research Form, present analyses point to a strong relationship between self-reported dominance and achievement.
Psychology and History: Gardner Murphy's Biosocial Concept of Situationism
Authors: Goldwert Marvin
Published: March 2020

This article stresses the potential utility of Gardner Murphy's biosocial concept of situationism to both historians and psychologists. This concept may be viewed as a bridge between Freudian (biological) and neo-psychoanalytical emphasis on culture.
Structural and Social-Psychological Factors associated with Job Functioning by Women Managers,2
Authors: Greenglass Esther R.
Published: March 2020

This study examined the relationship among psychological variables and organizational functioning in a sample of managers, 65 women and 65 men. Analysis of responses to a mail questionnaire showed women, compared to men, were higher on Type A behaviour, speed and impatience, and job involvement scale scores. Women were less likely to have families than men, and men appeared to benefit more from marriage. Men also reported higher salaries with greater family support. These results support the need for research to take into account the social context within which organizational and work behaviour takes place.
The Modified Interpersonal Relationship Scale: Reliability and Validity,
Authors: Garthoeffner Jane L. , Henry Carolyn S. , Robinson Linda C.
Published: March 2020

This study was designed to evaluate a modification of the Interpersonal Relationship Scale and to establish subscales representing dimensions of intimacy (N = 356). The initial self-report scale was tested for internal consistency reliability. Next, subscales were identified using principal components factoring with varimax rotation. Internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity of the modified over-all scale and subscales were examined. The modified scale and subscales provided reliable and valid measures of the quality of interpersonal relationships in young adults.
Attitudes of Xhosa Children towards Biology1
Authors: Cherian Lily
Published: March 2020

To investigate the attitudes of 316 Standard 8 pupils ( M age 16.8 yr.) towards biology in Transkei, a questionnaire was administered. Analysis indicates the attitudes of students towards biology were positive.
Political Humility and Forgiveness of a Political Hurt or Offense
Authors: Hodge Adam S. , Mosher David K. , Davis Cameron W. , Captari Laura E. , Hook Joshua N. , Davis Don E. , Van Tongeren Daryl R.
Published: March 2020

The political climate in the United States is turbulent. The current study examined how (a) one’s own political humility and (b) one’s perceptions of the political humility of another person affect one’s willingness to forgive another person for a political hurt or offense. Participants ( N = 494) reported a recent political conflict and reported their forgiveness of the transgressor of this political hurt. Both the participant’s political humility and perceptions of the offender’s political humility were positively associated with forgiveness, whereas political commitment was negatively associated with forgiveness. Moreover, political humility buffered the negative relationship between political commitment and forgiveness. We conclude by discussing limitations, suggestions for future research, and practical applications.
From Feminist Anarchy to Decolonisation: Understanding Abortion Health Activism Before and After the Repeal of the 8th Amendment
Authors: Duffy Deirdre Niamh
Published: March 2020

This article analyses abortion health activism (AHA) in the Irish context. AHA is a form of activism focused on enabling abortion access where it is restricted. Historically, AHA has involved facilitating the movement of abortion seekers along ‘abortion trails’ (Rossiter, 2009). Organisations operate transnationally, enabling access to abortion care across borders. Such AHA is a form of feminist anarchism, resisting prohibitions on abortion through direct action. However, AHA work has changed over time. Existing scholarship relates this to advancements in medical technology, particularly the emergence of telemedicine and the increased use of early medical abortion. This article goes beyond those explanations to explore how else AHA has changed by comparing the work of AHA before and after the Republic of Ireland’s referendum on abortion in May 2018. Based on this, I argue that there is a visible shift in the politics of AHA. Drawing on qualitative data from research on AHA organisations along the Liverpool–Ireland Abortion Corridor, specifically those based outside Ireland, the article argues that in the aftermath of the referendum, Irish AHA has increasingly moved towards decolonising feminist activism, thus drawing attention to the relationship between abortion health activists (AHAs) and broader political discourses entangled with abortion law reform.
The Use of Signals in New-Venture Financing: A Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Colombo Oskar
Published: March 2020

The use of signals to overcome information asymmetries and reduce the uncertainty inherent in resource acquisition has become a prominent theme in new-venture financing literature. In particular, the assessment of a wide range of different information signals, with the aim of conveying a venture’s quality and legitimacy to prospective investors, is receiving increased scholarly attention. With contributions from a broad spectrum of diverse research foci investigating interactions with distinct types of investors, the literature on entrepreneurial signaling in new-venture financing has become fragmented, and this is harming further development of the field. This study systematically reviews the different literature streams on entrepreneurial signaling to provide a more integrative framework, which can contribute to the cumulative and evidence-based body of knowledge about the role of entrepreneurial signaling in new-venture financing. Furthermore, the authors identify critical sender-, signal-, receiver-, and environment-related boundary conditions that influence the signaling effectiveness. In this way, the authors identify gaps in the existing literature and map directions for future research.
Unusual Incidence and Location of Renaut Bodies in Beagle Dogs in a Nonclinical Study
Authors: Nelissen Sophie , Lensen Joost , Barale-Thomas Erio
Published: March 2020

We identified the presence of Renaut bodies in an unusual location in Beagle dogs on a 3-month nonclinical toxicity study. These peculiar structures are commonly reported as a background finding in the sciatic nerve of dogs. In our study, however, they were also observed in autonomic nerves surrounding the adrenal gland, a location in which they have not been reported before. The incidence in both locations were 8 of 32 Beagle dogs in the sciatic nerve and 6 of 40 Beagle dogs around the adrenal gland in the dosing and/or recovery phases of the study.
The Trach Safe Initiative: A Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Mortality among Pediatric Tracheostomy Patients
Authors: Ong Thida , Liu C. Carrie , Elder Leslie , Hill Leslee , Abts Matthew , Dahl John P. , Evans Kelly N. , Parikh Sanjay R. , Soares Jennifer J. , Striegl Amanda M. , Whitlock Kathryn B. , Johnson Kaalan E.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To describe the Trach Safe Initiative and assess its impact on unanticipated tracheostomy‐related mortality in outpatient tracheostomy‐dependent children (TDC).

Methods

An interdisciplinary team including parents and providers designed the initiative with quality improvement methods. Three practice changes were prioritized: (1) surveillance airway endoscopy prior to hospital discharge from tracheostomy placement, (2) education for community‐based nurses on TDC‐focused emergency airway management, and (3) routine assessment of airway events for TDC in clinic. The primary outcome was annual unanticipated mortality after hospital discharge from tracheostomy placement before and after the initiative.

Results

In the 5 years before and after the initiative, 131 children and 155 children underwent tracheostomy placement, respectively. At the end of the study period, the institution sustained Trach Safe practices: (1) surveillance bronchoscopies increased from 104 to 429 bronchoscopies, (2) the course trained 209 community‐based nurses, and (3) the survey was used in 488 home ventilator clinic visits to identify near‐miss airway events. Prior to the initiative, 9 deaths were unanticipated. After Trach Safe implementation, 1 death was unanticipated. Control chart analysis demonstrates significant special‐cause variation in reduced unanticipated mortality.

Discussion

We describe a system shift in reduced unanticipated mortality for TDC through 3 major practice changes of the Trach Safe Initiative.

Implication for Practice

Death in a child with a tracheostomy tube at home may represent modifiable tracheostomy‐related airway events. Using Trach Safe practices, we address multiple facets to improve safety of TDC out of the hospital.