bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wettability of polytetrafluoroethylene surfaces by plasma etching modifications
Authors: Kang Hyomin , Lee Sang Hyuk , Kim Kiwoong
Published: March 2023

Superhydrophobic surfaces (SHS) are attracting attention in many fields owing to their excellent advantages such as anti-freezing, corrosion prevention, and self-cleaning. However, to modify the surface structure, environmental pollution caused by complex processes and chemical treatment must be considered. In this study, the surface of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was plasma-treated using oxygen and argon plasma to change the surface structure without a complicated process. The PTFE surface was treated in two ways: plasma etching (PE) and reactive ion etching (RIE). The contact angle of the conventional PTFE surface was 113.8 ± 1.4°, but the contact angle of the manufactured surface was 152.3 ± 1.7° and 172.5 ± 1.2°. The chemical composition and physical structure of the samples produced were compared. The treated specimens had the same chemical composition as the specimen before treatment and exhibited differences in their surface structures. Therefore, it was determined that the change in the water repellency was due to the surface structure. After PE treatment, the specimen surface had a mountain range-like structure, and the RIE specimen had a more detailed structure than the PE specimen. The contact rate of water droplets decreased due to the difference in the structure of the specimen before and after treatment, and the increase in the surface contact angle was manifested. In order to confirm that the plasma treatment reduces surface energy, the shape of the liquid collision was observed using a high-speed camera, and the contact time was calculated to confirm water repellency. The contact time of the PE and RIE specimen was 24 milli-second (ms) and 18 ms, respectively. The high contact angle and low sliding angle of the RIE specimen made it easy to restore surface cleanliness in a self-cleaning experiment using graphite.
Acceptability and perceived barriers to reactive focal mass drug administration in the context of a malaria elimination program in Magude district, Southern Mozambique: A qualitative study
Authors: Cuinhane Carlos Eduardo , Galatas Beatriz , Lopez Julia Montaña , Djive Helder , Nhantumbo Hoticha , Murato Ilda , Saúte Francisco , Aide Pedro , Munguambe Khátia , Torres Neusa
Published: March 2023

This study analysed acceptability and perceived barriers to reactive focal mass drug administration (rfMDA) among community members exposed to community engagement campaigns and malaria elimination interventions in Magude district, following mass drug administration (MDA) in the same district. The study used a formative qualitative study design, consisting of 56 semi-structured interviews with community members, including community leaders, household heads, women of reproductive age, members of the community and adolescents, 4 semi-structured interviews with community health workers, 9 semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals; and 16 focus group discussions with the general adult population. Data were collected between June and September 2017. A content thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data. The results of this study showed that rfMDA was accepted due to awareness about the intervention, experience of a previous similar programme, the MDA campaign, and due to favourable perceptions built on the believe that rfMDA would help to prevent, treat and eliminate malaria in the community. Perceived barriers to rfMDA include lack of access to accurate information, reluctance to take a pregnancy test, concern on drug adverse reactions, and reluctance to take antimalarial drugs without any symptom. In conclusion, the community found rfMDA acceptable for malaria intervention. But more community engagement is needed to foster community involvement and self-appropriation of the malaria programme elimination.
Unusual enantiomeric D,L-N-acyl homoserine lactones in Pectobacterium atrosepticum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Dhaubhadel Umang , Portillo Abiud E. , Horáček Ondřej , Sung Yu-Sheng , Armstrong Daniel W.
Published: March 2023

Quorum Sensing allows bacteria to sense their population density via diffusibleN-acyl homoserine lactone (N-HL) signaling molecules. Upon reaching a high enough cell density, bacteria will collectively exhibit a phenotype. Until recently, methods used for detection of N-HLs have not considered the chirality of these molecules and it was assumed that only the L-enantiomer was produced by bacteria. The production and effects of D-N-HLs have rarely been studied. In this work, the temporal production of D-N-HLs by the plant pathogenPectobacterium atrosepticumand the human pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosaare reported. Both bacteria produced D-N-HLs in significant amounts and in some cases their concentrations were higher than other low abundance L-N-HLs. Previously unreported D-enantiomers ofN-3-oxoacyl andN-3-hydroxyacyl homoserine lactones were detected inP.atrosepticum. Interestingly, L-N-HLs produced in the lowest concentrations had relatively higher amounts of their corresponding D-enantiomers. Potential sources of D-N-HLs and their significance are considered.
Identification of illness representational patterns and examining differences of self-care behavior in the patterns in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Kajiwara Yuki , Morimoto Michiko
Published: March 2023

Self-care behavior is considered important for preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although lifestyle interventions are popular, they have not been sufficiently effective. According to studies on other chronic diseases, illness representation has been found to formulate a pattern, and self-care behavior could differ depending on the pattern, which suggests difference in self-care behavior based on illness representation. This study examined what kind of illness representational patterns exist among CKD patients and whether there is a difference in self-care behavior depending on the pattern. A survey was conducted from the beginning of June to the end of October 2019 on 274 CKD patients who were either outpatients or hospitalized at general hospitals in Western Japan. The Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised was used to assess illness representation and the Japanese Chronic Kidney Disease Self-Care scale was used to assess self-care behavior. Two-stage cluster analysis was used to identify clusters. Cluster features were examined using analysis of variance and Tukey HSD tests. Differences in self-care behavior scores among identified clusters were investigated. Two hundred and forty-four questionnaires were received, and 212 were analyzed. Participants were aged 64.9±12.9, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate was 33.7±15.8. Three clusters were identified: Cluster 1 represented the difficulty of making sense of the changed condition caused by the disease and easily falling into misunderstanding; Cluster 2 represented patients with disease conditions that impacted their daily life and emotional responses; Cluster 3 represented the controllability and understandability of the disease. Total self-care behavior scores indicated a significant difference between Cluster 1 (52.1 ± 9.7) and Cluster 3 (57.7 ± 8.2). In conclusion, we showed that three representational patterns exist among CKD patients. In addition, a difference was found in self-care behavior depending on the illness representational pattern, suggesting the need to focus on illness representation.
Vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization among adolescent and pediatric SARS-CoV-2 cases between May 2021 and January 2022 in Ontario, Canada: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Simmons Alison E. , Amoako Afia , Grima Alicia A. , Murison Kiera R. , Buchan Sarah A. , Fisman David N. , Tuite Ashleigh R.
Published: March 2023

Background

Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been shown to reduce risk of infection as well as severe disease among those with breakthrough infection in adults. The latter effect is particularly important as immune evasion by Omicron variants appears to have made vaccines less effective at preventing infection. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the protection conferred by mRNA vaccination against hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 in adolescent and pediatric populations.

Methods

We retrospectively created a cohort of reported SARS-CoV-2 case records from Ontario’s Public Health Case and Contact Management Solution among those aged 4 to 17 linked to vaccination records from the COVaxON database on January 19, 2022. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the association between vaccination and hospitalization among SARS-CoV-2 cases prior to and during the emergence of Omicron.

Results

We included 62 hospitalized and 27,674 non-hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 cases, with disease onset from May 28, 2021 to December 4, 2021 (Pre-Omicron) and from December 23, 2021 to January 9, 2022 (Omicron). Among adolescents, two mRNA vaccine doses were associated with an 85% (aOR = 0.15; 95% CI: [0.04, 0.53]; p<0.01) lower likelihood of hospitalization among SARS-CoV-2 cases caused by Omicron. Among children, one mRNA vaccine dose was associated with a 79% (aOR = 0.21; 95% CI: [0.03, 0.77]; p<0.05) lower likelihood of hospitalization among SARS-CoV-2 cases caused by Omicron. The calculation of E-values, which quantifies how strong an unmeasured confounder would need to be to nullify our findings, suggest that these effects are unlikely to be explained by unmeasured confounding.

Conclusions

Despite immune evasion by SARS-CoV-2 variants, vaccination continues to be associated with a lower likelihood of hospitalization among adolescent and pediatric Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 cases, even when the vaccines do not prevent infection. Continued efforts are needed to increase vaccine uptake among adolescent and pediatric populations.
Endoscopic biliary ethanol ablation using a novel multi-hole balloon catheter: In vivo feasibility study in a swine model
Authors: Inoue Tadahisa , Kutsumi Hiromu , Ibusuki Mayu , Yoneda Masashi
Published: March 2023

Background

Minimally invasive local treatment could be a good option for the treatment of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA). This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a novel local treatment method, endoscopic biliary ethanol ablation (EA), in vivo using a swine model.

Methods

This study utilized a prototype of the newly developed multi-hole balloon catheter. The swine bile duct was ablated using this balloon via the same approach as the conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiography procedure. The study outcomes included technical success, clinical success, and adverse events associated with endoscopic biliary EA.

Results

Fourteen miniature pigs underwent endoscopic biliary EA. Technical success was achieved for all endoscopic EA procedures without any hindrance. All pigs were reared and followed up for a median 35-day period after the procedure. No change was observed in the bile duct wall in one case, in which sufficient contact was not achieved between the balloon and bile duct wall. Except for this case, stricture formation occurred at the site of ablation, where the epithelium was sloughed and necrosis with denaturation replaced the granulation tissue and fibrotic changes. The median length and depth of the ablation area were 17.05 and 2.21 mm, respectively. No adverse events were observed, except for the formation of bile duct strictures and sequelae associated with strictures.

Conclusions

This preliminary study was the first to report endoscopic biliary EA using a novel multi-hole balloon catheter, which demonstrated technical feasibility and potential for the treatment for eCCA.
Assessing document section heterogeneity across multiple electronic health record systems for computational phenotyping: A case study of heart-failure phenotyping algorithm
Authors: Moon Sungrim , Liu Sijia , Kshatriya Bhavani Singh Agnikula , Fu Sunyang , Moser Ethan D. , Bielinski Suzette J. , Fan Jungwei , Liu Hongfang
Published: March 2023

Background

The incorporation of information from clinical narratives is critical for computational phenotyping. The accurate interpretation of clinical terms highly depends on their associated context, especially the corresponding clinical section information. However, the heterogeneity across different Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems poses challenges in utilizing the section information.

Objectives

Leveraging the eMERGE heart failure (HF) phenotyping algorithm, we assessed the heterogeneity quantitatively through the performance comparison of machine learning (ML) classifiers which map clinical sections containing HF-relevant terms across different EHR systems to standard sections in Health Level 7 (HL7) Clinical Document Architecture (CDA).

Methods

We experimented with both random forest models with sentence-embedding features and bidirectional encoder representations from transformers models. We trained MLs using an automated labeled corpus from an EHR system that adopted HL7 CDA standard. We assessed the performance using a blind test set (n = 300) from the same EHR system and a gold standard (n = 900) manually annotated from three other EHR systems.

Results

The F-measure of those ML models varied widely (0.00–0.91%), indicating MLs with one tuning parameter set were insufficient to capture sections across different EHR systems. The error analysis indicates that the section does not always comply with the corresponding standardized sections, leading to low performance.

Conclusions

We presented the potential use of ML techniques to map the sections containing HF-relevant terms in multiple EHR systems to standard sections. However, the findings suggested that the quality and heterogeneity of section structure across different EHRs affect applications due to the poor adoption of documentation standards.
Multiple intrinsic and extrinsic drivers influence the quantity and quality components of seed dispersal effectiveness in the rare shrub Lindera subcoriacea
Authors: Hohmann Matthew G. , Wall Wade A. , Just Michael G. , Huskins Stacy D.
Published: March 2023

Information about seed dispersal effectiveness (SDE) for plant species of conservation concern is rarely available to inform management strategies and actions. For Lindera subcoriacea (bog spicebush, Lauraceae), a rare endemic dioecious shrub of the southeastern United States, we examined the influence of two intrinsic and five extrinsic drivers on the number and proportion of seeds either dispersed, or predated pre- and post-dispersal. The number of seeds dispersed characterizes the quantitative component of SDE, while pre- and post-dispersal seed predation can affect the qualitative component of SDE. Using fruit counts, seed traps, and seed removal depots over multiple years, we estimated that approximately 28% of L. subcoriacea seeds are lost to pre-dispersal predation, 69% of seeds are dispersed, 3% of seeds fail to disperse, and 65% of dispersed seeds are predated post-dispersal. We observed substantial variation in these three processes among individuals. We also found that both intrinsic (plant height, crop size) and extrinsic (understory cover, time since last fire, conspecific fruiting neighborhood, substrate) drivers differentially influenced the three processes. We identified four generalist, seasonally frugivorous, avian visitors at fruiting individuals that likely act as variably effective dispersers, while the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis L.) is a seed predator. Rodent granivores were important pre- and post-dispersal seed predators. The magnitude of our pre-dispersal and post-dispersal seed predation estimates suggest that, given the low fecundity of L. subcoriacea, conservation strategies should emphasize facilitating dispersal and reducing the effects of seed predation.
Synthesis of large scale 3D microscopic images of 3D cell cultures for training and benchmarking
Authors: Bruch Roman , Keller Florian , Böhland Moritz , Vitacolonna Mario , Klinger Lukas , Rudolf Rüdiger , Reischl Markus
Published: March 2023

The analysis of 3D microscopic cell culture images plays a vital role in the development of new therapeutics. While 3D cell cultures offer a greater similarity to the human organism than adherent cell cultures, they introduce new challenges for automatic evaluation, like increased heterogeneity. Deep learning algorithms are able to outperform conventional analysis methods in such conditions but require a large amount of training data. Due to data size and complexity, the manual annotation of 3D images to generate large datasets is a nearly impossible task. We therefore propose a pipeline that combines conventional simulation methods with deep-learning-based optimization to generate large 3D synthetic images of 3D cell cultures where the labels are known by design. The hybrid procedure helps to keep the generated image structures consistent with the underlying labels. A new approach and an additional measure are introduced to model and evaluate the reduced brightness and quality in deeper image regions. Our analyses show that the deep learning optimization step consistently improves the quality of the generated images. We could also demonstrate that a deep learning segmentation model trained with our synthetic data outperforms a classical segmentation method on real image data. The presented synthesis method allows selecting a segmentation model most suitable for the user’s data, providing an ideal basis for further data analysis.
The high health risks of unaffordable water: An in-depth exploration of pathways from water bill burden to health-related impacts in the United States
Authors: Sarango Mariana , Senier Laura , Harlan Sharon L.
Published: March 2023

Access to clean and safe water is essential for human health and well-being, but recent and substantial increases in the cost of water for residential customers in the United States endanger the health of those who cannot afford to pay. This study identifies pathways through which unaffordable water bills may influence the behaviors and health of vulnerable people. We interviewed a sample of low-income residential water customers who were experiencing water bill hardship in Boston and Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S. between October 2018 and December 2019. We conducted a thematic content analysis of interview transcripts. Results showed that some participants improvised ways to pay their water bills, and some confronted obstacles that made it simply impossible to pay at times. Behavioral responses to coping with high water bills were influenced by household earning potential, self-reported health status, caretaking responsibilities, and accessibility of utility assistance programs. Consequences of unaffordable household bills included reduced access to other necessities, debt accumulation, risk of water shutoff, housing insecurity, and public humiliation. Reported health-related impacts of water bill hardship were food insecurity, underutilization of healthcare and medications, and decline in mental health. Comprehensive reforms at all levels of government are needed to make water affordable for all low-income households. Federal investments in water infrastructure, state oversight of affordability and human rights, as well as municipal tiered water pricing and comprehensive assistance policies for low-income households are needed to address the growing water affordability crisis and to mitigate harm to the well-being of vulnerable residents and communities in the United States.
Risk Factors of Postoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak After Craniovertebral Junction Anomalies Surgery: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Xiao Yu , Wang Bing , Chen Yulian , Chen Lingqiang , Lou Zhenkai , Gong Zhiqiang
Published: March 2023

Objective: To identify potential risk factors for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage after craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomaly surgery and to provide a reference for clinical practice.Methods: Sixty-six patients who underwent elective CVJ anomaly surgery during a 6-year period (April 2013 to September 2019) were retrospectively included. Research data were collected from the patients’ medical records and imaging systems. Patients were divided into CSF leak and no CSF leak groups. Univariate tests were performed to identify potential risk factors. For statistically significant variables in the univariate tests, a logistic regression test was used to identify independent risk factors for CSF leakage.Results: The overall prevalence of CSF leakage was 13.64%. Univariate tests showed that a basion-dental interval (BDI) > 10 mm and occipitalized atlas had significant intergroup differences (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that a BDI > 10 mm was an independent risk factor for CSF leakage, and patients with CVJ anomalies with a BDI > 10 mm were more likely to have postoperative CSF leaks (odds ratio, 14.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.48–30.88; p = 0.004).Conclusion: It is necessary to maintain vigilance during CVJ anomaly surgery in patients with a preoperative BDI > 10 mm to avoid postoperative CSF leaks.
Concepts and Techniques to Prevent Cervical Spine Deformity After Spine Surgery: A Narrative Review
Authors: Merrill Robert K. , Clohisy John C. , Albert Todd J. , Qureshi Sheeraz A.
Published: March 2023

Adult cervical spine deformity is associated with decreased health-related quality of life, disability, and myelopathy. A number of radiographic parameters help to characterize cervical deformity and aid in the diagnosis and treatment. There are several etiologies for cervical spine deformity, the most common being iatrogenic. Additionally, spine surgery can accelerate adjacent segment degeneration which may lead to deformity. It is therefore important for all spine surgeons to be aware of the potential to cause iatrogenic cervical deformity. The aim of this review is to highlight concepts and techniques to prevent cervical deformity after spine surgery.
Pelvic Incidence–Lumbar Lordosis Mismatch Is Predisposed to Adjacent Segment Degeneration After Single-Level Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Retrospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Yoon Sun Geon , Lee Hyung Chang , Lee Sang-Min
Published: March 2023

Objective: Spinopelvic parameters play important roles in clinical outcomes and disability after short-segment fusion surgery for degenerative spine disease. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between preoperative or postoperative spinopelvic parameters and symptomatic adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after single-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgery at the L4–5 segments.Methods: All patients who underwent single-level ALIF at the L4–5 level from January 2010 to December 2013 and were followed up for 5 years were analyzed. We collected the degree of degeneration at adjacent segments and preoperative and postoperative spinopelvic parameters. We compared the preoperative and postoperative parameters between patients with and without symptomatic ASD.Results: Sixty-one patients were included in our study, and 30 patients had symptomatic ASD. Degeneration at adjacent segments and preoperative spinopelvic parameters did not affect the occurrence of symptomatic ASD. Patients with symptomatic ASD had higher postoperative pelvic tilt (PT) and a mismatch between lumbar lordosis (LL) and pelvic incidence (PI) compared to those without. Postoperative PT > 15° and PI–LL mismatch > 10° were significant risk factors for symptomatic ASD.Conclusion: High PT and PI–LL mismatch were significant risk factors for symptomatic ASD after single-level ALIF surgery. Spine surgeons should consider achieving proper LL to insert the cage at the appropriate angle and prevent a PI–LL mismatch value > 10° after single-level fusion surgery.
Biportal Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using Double Cages: Surgical Techniques and Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Pao Jwo-Luen
Published: March 2023

Objective: To describe the surgical techniques and the treatment outcomes of biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BETLIF) using double cages.Methods: This study included 89 patients with 114 fusion segments between July 2019 and May 2021. One pure polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage and 1 composite titanium-PEEK cage were used for interbody fusion. Clinical outcomes measures included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for lower back pain and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores. Computed tomography (CT) of the lumbar spine 1 year postoperatively was used to evaluate the Bridwell interbody fusion grades.Results: There were significant improvement in VAS for lower back pain from 5.2 ± 3.1 to 1.7 ± 2.1, VAS for leg pain from 6.3 ± 2.5 to 1.7 ± 2.0, ODI from 46.7 ± 17.0 to 12.7 ± 16.1, and JOA score from 15.6 ± 6.3 to 26.4 ± 3.2. The p-values were all < 0.001. The average hospital stay was 5.7 ± 1.1 days. The CT studies available for 60 fusion segments showed successful fusion (Bridwell grade I or grade II) in 56 segments (93.3%). Significant cage subsidence of more than 2 mm was only noted in 3 segments (5.0%). Complications included 1 dural tear, 2 pedicle screws malposition, and 2 epidural hematomas, in which 2 patients required reoperations.Conclusion: BETLIF with double cages provided good neural decompression and a sound environment for interbody fusion with a big cage footprint, a large amount of bone graft, endplate preservation, and segmental stability.
Spinal Canal Remodeling and Indirect Decompression of Contralateral Foraminal Stenosis After Endoscopic Posterolateral Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Wu Pang Hung , Lau Eugene Tze-Chun , Kim Hyeun-Sung , Grasso Giovanni , Jang Il-Tae
Published: March 2023

Objective: There is a lack of literature on indirect decompression in uniportal endoscopic posterolateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (EPTLIF). Our aim is to evaluate the dimensions of the spinal canal and contralateral foramen before and after EPTLIF.Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent EPTLIF in a tertiary spine centre over a 2-year period. The cross-sectional area of the spinal canal and the contralateral foramen at the level of fusion were measured on magnetic resonance imaging scan at 1-day postoperation and at the final follow-up. Patients were grouped according to the decompression performed as per the clinician’s judgement.Results: One hundred fifty-two levels of fusion were performed in 120 patients. There was a statistically significant clinical improvement in visual analogue scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores postoperation. The measurements of the spinal canal area were 106.0 mm2, 138.8 mm2, and 195.5 mm2; while contralateral foraminal area were 73.2 mm2, 104.4 mm2, and 120.7 mm2 at preoperation, 1-day postoperation, and at the final follow-up, respectively (p < 0.001). For the subgroup analyses, spinal canal area measurements for the bilateral decompression cohort (n = 35) were 57.0 mm2, 123.9 mm2, and 191.8 mm2; for the ipsilateral decompression cohort (n = 42) were 89.3 mm2, 128.9 mm2, 183.3 mm2; and for the cohort without any decompression and only cage inserted (n = 75) were 138.3 mm2, 151.2 mm2, and 204.1 mm2 (p < 0.001). Contralateral foraminal area measurements were 73.3 mm2, 106.4 mm2 and 120.4 mm2 in the bilateral decompression cohort; 69.5 mm2, 99.0 mm2, 116.9 mm2 in the ipsilateral decompression cohort; and 75.1 mm2, 106.5 mm2, 122.9 mm2 in the cohort without any decompression (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Indirect decompression of both the spinal canal and the contralateral foramen can be achieved via EPTLIF. Decompression on an asymptomatic contralateral side is not necessary.
Implementing Tactile Learning to Aid Students Understanding of the Bohr Model
Authors:   Landmark College, Monroe Christin , Stein Andrew ,   Landmark College, Tolman Cindy ,   Landmark College
Published: March 2023

It is essential for introductory level chemistry students to understand atomic models and how atoms interact to form chemical bonds. The tactile model in this article utilizes marbles to represent subatomic particles, a cup to represent the nucleus and wooden rings to simulate the electron orbitals. These inexpensive items can be combined to construct models in which students can build foundational knowledge of atomic structure and how subatomic particles interact. Students were asked to provide feedback comparing the use of this tactile model to atomic computer simulations, videos and their textbook regarding the method they felt was most useful to learn atomic structure.
Perceptions of Earth Science using assistive and supportive technologies by students who are blind or visually impaired
Authors:   East Carolina University, Miles Rhea , Zambone Alana ,   East Carolina University, Manda Alex ,   East Carolina University
Published: March 2023

Students with blindness or visual impairments (BVI) need to participate in scientific laboratory experiences at the K12 level to be successful in college-level science courses. These K12 level students need instruction to actively conduct science experiments and not only allow sighted students to conduct them. While it may be a challenge, with appropriate assistive and supportive technologies, students with BVI can be successful in conducting scientific investigations to address Next Generation Science Standards. The Discoveries in Earth Science (DES) program provides engaging accommodations adaptive to the needs of elementary, middle, and high school grade students with BVI to successfully prepare for careers in STEM.
Using Markup Languages for Accessible Scientific, Technical, and Scholarly Document Creation
Authors:   Educational Testing Service, White Jason
Published: March 2023

In using software to write a scientific, technical, or other scholarly document, authors have essentially two options. They can either write it in a ‘what you see is what you get’ (WYSIWYG) editor such as a word processor, or write it in a text editor using a markup language such as HTML, LaTeX, Markdown, or AsciiDoc. This paper gives an overview of the latter approach, focusing on both the non-visual accessibility of the writing process, and that of the documents produced. Currently popular markup languages and established tools associated with them are introduced. Support for mathematical notation is considered. In addition, domain-specific programming languages for constructing various types of diagrams can be well integrated into the document production process. These languages offer interesting potential to facilitate the non-visual creation of graphical content, while raising insufficiently explored research questions. The flexibility with which documents written in current markup languages can be converted to different output formats is emphasized. These formats include HTML, EPUB, and PDF, as well as file formats used by contemporary word processors. Such conversion facilities can serve as means of enhancing the accessibility of a document both for the author (during the editing and proofreading process) and for those among the document’s recipients who use assistive technologies, such as screen readers and screen magnifiers. Current developments associated with markup languages and the accessibility of scientific or technical documents are described. The paper concludes with general commentary, together with a summary of opportunities for further research and software development.
STEM and High School Students with Disabilities: A Qualitative Review of the Research Literature
Authors:   University of Oregon, Yamamoto Scott , Alverson Charlotte ,   University of Oregon, McCoid-Goudy Laura ,   University of Oregon, Castle Hannah ,   University of Oregon, Burr Jacquelyn ,   University of Oregon
Published: March 2023

We conducted a qualitative review of the research literature on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) related to high school students with disabilities (SWD). We selected and analyzed 53 articles to answer two questions: (1) How are high-school SWD prepared for careers in STEM? (2) How are educators prepared to support high-school SWD for opportunities in STEM? In answering the first question, four qualitative themes emerged: (a) barriers to STEM, (b) increasing STEM opportunities, (c) STEM readiness in college and career, and (d) STEM identity. In answering the second question, three qualitative themes emerged: (a) individualizing learning and supports for SWD, (b) using technology and collaboration among educators, and (c) professional development for educators. Limitations of this review related to search terms and inclusion criteria. Implications of this review related to the need for more research on STEM enrichment programs, STEM identity, and long-term outcomes.
One-Week Inquiry about Gravity Force with a Student Who is Blind
Authors:   Kafkas University, Şahin Bülbül Mustafa
Published: March 2023

This study was conducted with a student who is visually impaired and questioned the force of gravity. The different stages encountered in the process were specified as steps in the study and it was shared what kind of inquiry form was needed at each step. There are different activities such as waiting for a week and thought experiment in the inquiry activity. The basis of the activity is that three balls of different mass left on a sponge leave different traces on the sponge.
Adjusting/Modifying Assignments to Support Students with Learning Disabilities while Engaging in NGSS Science and Engineering Practices and Inquiry-Based Learning
Authors:   Humboldt County Office of Education, Morago Shannon
Published: March 2023

Effective science instruction involves opportunities for all students to do science, including engaging in the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices through inquiry-based learning. Many students with learning disabilities have the accommodation of shortened or reduced assignments in their Individualized Educational Programs to allow them equal access to science learning. Science teachers struggle to provide this accommodation. This practice brief provides examples of supports and strategies for implementing this accommodation during an inquiry-based investigation. A vignette is used to follow a science teacher and her students through an investigation; it details how she provides equal access to the learning objectives as well as her evaluation techniques.
Alternative Techniques for Blind Low Vision Students Enrolled in Coding Courses
Authors:   Independence Science, Jaquiss Robert
Published: March 2023

BLV (blind low vision) students face difficulties when taking coding classes. Individual Development Environments (IDE) can be inaccessible which make it difficult if not impossible for BLV students to complete coursework. Alternative techniques are described which will allow a BLV student to successfully complete coursework. The author has found the Command Line Interface (CLI) is often a recommended alternative to a Windows based IDE interface. Many blind computer programmers use the Windows and Linux command interfaces which are described as part of this discussion.
PRE-FABRICATED CONNECTORS USED IN BAMBOO FRAMES FOR TIMELY-EFFICIENT CONSTRUCTION
Authors: Rittironk Supreedee
Published: March 2023

Bamboo has become the choice of materials in sustainable architecture, due to its renewability and great mechanical properties. Bamboo architecture has very unique character of its craftsmanship. The challenge of bamboo construction is the connectivity, or to put structural members together. This can be done beautifully, but time-consuming. This research introduces the pre-fabrication as an innovative process to do connectivity more efficiently, especially construction time. The research is the design experiment to design steel connectors, prototype frames that are utilized by connectors, and architectural assembles that are composed by those frames and with many different designs. The outcome productions will be steel connectors, typical frames, and series of building formations. One selected frame is selected to perform real construction to document construction time. Two methods are delivered to provide the comparison, pre-fabrication and conventional systems. Construction time to assemble architecture will be simulated and compared between two systems. The result shows that pre-fabrication using steel connectors can reduce overall construction by 62% because it offers working tasks in parallels. Moreover, workers can become familiar with repetitive tasks to build architecture, so construction time becomes less. While conventional system still has to deal with crafting bamboo and concrete pouring and curing, so construction time is more extensive. The research confirms that prefabricated connectors can reduce construction time in bamboo architecture, moreover they can create interesting and flexible designs and offer easy maintenance. The more uses of bamboo as an architectural material, they can greatly support the creation of future sustainable architecture.
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: THE KEY IMPEDIMENTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Authors: John Beauty , Adekunle Samuel Adeniyi , Aigbavboa Clinton
Published: March 2023

Globally, the construction industry has a tradition of late technology adoption. This has been a significant challenge in optimal performance and productivity. The fourth industrial revolution has changed many sectors in recent times through the adoption of various emerging technologies. The construction industry is also tagging along in technological adoption in a bid to be more productive and smart. However, little attention has been paid to the construction industry in developing countries. This study adopted a quantitative approach to articulating the key challenges to the implementation of the emerging technologies in the construction industry in developing countries. The study area adopted is Nigeria. Fifty-six structured questionnaires were administered to industry professionals through random sampling. The data collected was analysed. The study findings revealed that the most critical impediments are classified under workforce, management and legislation. The study concluded with recommendations for overcoming the identified challenges and achieving construction industry 4.0.
COMPARATIVE COST ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT THERMAL POWER PLANT PROJECTS
Authors: Islam Muhammad Saiful , HADIDI LAITH  A
Published: March 2023

Realistic budgeting for complex power plant projects is important for informed investment decisions and avoiding frequent cost overruns. Comparative cost analysis thus provides significant insights for future projects’ investment decisions. This study analyzed the project costs using a regression analysis and Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) guided by the error analysis for Combined Cycle Power Plants (CCPP) and Natural Gas (NG)-based power plants. The regression analysis shows the cost trend lines with the prediction equation and its R2 value against production capacity in Mega-Watts (MW) of power plant projects in Bangladesh. The MCS presents the cumulative probability function (CDF) and probability density function (PDF) of unit cost in Million U.S. Dollars (MUSD)/MW of both types of projects. The results show that the NG project costs are higher than CCPP power plant projects, where the most frequent project development cost is in a range of 1.01-1.25 MUSD/MW, comparing 0.95-1.15 MUSD/MW of CCPP projects. Among the models, the MCS performs better than the regression model predicting project costs. Finally, MCS is demonstrated in predicting the cost of both types of power plant projects. The study outcomes will assist decision-makers and policy planners in further investment decisions in the power plant and similar infrastructure projects in Bangladesh and economically similar countries.
RISK ANALYSIS OF FALLING FROM HEIGHTS IN THE GROWING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: Lopez Jema Rica , Vimonsatit Sorn , Tumbaga Joshua
Published: March 2023

Based on the data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of injuries and fatalities caused by falls from height (FFH) accidents at construction sites is one of the highest making the construction industry relatively unsafe compared to other industries. This study has been made to find out the causes, consequences, and probabilities of construction fall incidents in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The Bowtie (BT) diagram will be used to illustrate various accident situations in order to evaluate the risk of FFH in NSW, as it has not been used in previous studies. The BT diagram, which is made up of a fault tree (FT) and an event tree, represents the logical interconnections between the causes and consequences of the accidents (ET). FTs are used to calculate the odds of different accident situations. The ET analysis is then used to assess the various outcomes of these accidents, as well as their probabilities. Following that, the schematic modeling will be entered into GeNIe software for results validation, and sensitivity analysis will be used to find the main contributor of FFH incidents. The outcome will aid in the prevention of particular incidents and increase the overall level of safety on construction sites. Based on the data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of injuries and fatalities caused by falls from height (FFH) accidents at construction sites is one of the highest, making the construction industry relatively unsafe compared to other industries. This study has been made to find out the most common causes, probabilities, and appropriate mitigation measures in construction fall incidents in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The findings obtained from NSW Construction Blitz in 2019 was used to analyze the probability of the common potential causes of falling from ladders, voids and edges, scaffolds, formworks and, mobile scaffolds and fall restraints. Five fault tree (FT) diagrams were used to illustrate various accident causes in order to determine the probability of risk of FFH in NSW. Following that, a schematic modeling was entered into Genie software for results validation and to determine the main contributor of FFH incidents. From this study, falling from voids and edges has the highest likelihood of falls in NSW with a probability of 27.15%. This is followed by falling from mobile scaffolds and fall restraints with 7.92%, which is closely followed by falling from scaffolds with 7.68%. While falling from ladders and falling from formworks were not too far behind, with 2.17% and 1.05% respectively. Preventative measures were then discussed for FFH accident scenarios. These findings will aid in the prevention of particular incidents and increase the overall level of safety on construction sites in NSW.
ASSESSING INTERDISCIPLINARITY IN A COLLABORATIVE UNDERGRADUATE STEM PROGRAM IN RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE
Authors: Guillemard Luisa , Lopez del Puerto Carla , Cavallin Humberto , Soto Maryliz
Published: March 2023

The academic preparation of scholars on infrastructure-related disciplines often takes place within isolated professional domains, rarely embracing an interdisciplinary approach for problem solving. The current work describes the implementation and outcomes from an undergraduate program designed to increase students’ awareness and knowledge of infrastructure vulnerabilities to students pursuing engineering and architecture degrees. The program, titled “Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainability Education-Undergraduate Program” utilizes the devastation from Hurricanes Irma and María for implementing an interdisciplinary case study methodology to understand and generate solutions to a variety of complex infrastructure challenges in a real-life setting. Project Based Learning (PBL) constitutes the theoretical model that frames this study. The sample included 23 undergraduate students, from architecture and engineering, and from three different campuses. All students completed a course sequence of 15 credits in design and construction of resilient and sustainable infrastructure. The results indicate that the program outcomes were achieved: development of interdisciplinary research skills and project design, hands-on solutions for real problems, awareness of human factors on project design, understanding of the importance and contribution of different disciplines and perspectives, and most important, developing the interest of putting into practice learned knowledge and skills in future projects. Students internalized the value of sustainability and resilience, in their coursework and future professionals, but also personally, applying these principles in their daily life. Students reported that their initial expectations about the program were either achieved or exceeded what they had foreseen. They considered a strength having three campuses and several disciplines working collaboratively.
LITERATURE-DRIVEN ANALYSIS OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DISRUPTIONS CATEGORIZED BY REGION
Authors: Mierzejek Marta
Published: March 2023

Project disruptions are a worldwide phenomenon in many different economic sectors, especially in the construction industry. Multiple countries from different continents have analyzed disruptions to construction projects on a local basis. However, the increasing number of cross-country and intercontinental projects requires general analysis that indicates characteristics of the regions to help the project managers to understand as well as predict project disruptions and related risks. Therefore, based on literature analysis, this study highlights characteristics of the regions as well as the similarities and differences between them. The results of the study indicate that despite similarities in project disruptions all over the world, each region has its own characteristics that do not apply to the other regions. Project managers may use the results of the analysis to understand the characteristics of the regions, thereby managing cross-country or intercontinental construction projects without significant difficulties that affect both the design and construction phases.
COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN CUSTOMER AND DEVELOPER ACCEPTANCE OF MODULAR CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM
Authors: Tochaiwat Dr.Kongkoon , Naksuksakul Sittichai , Theeraphattrathamrong Worawat
Published: March 2023

There are several advantages of a modular construction system that both developers and customers of housing estates can benefit from. However, such a system has not yet been as well adopted as it should be to suit Thailand’s housing industry. This research surveyed and analyzed opinions regarding the acceptance of a modular construction system from a questionnaire survey of 100 potential customers. The acquired data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-squared analysis. The results from the questionnaire survey were then compared with the real estate developers’ opinions from a former research study, and conclusions could be drawn. The results showed that the customers give precedence to three key factors, e.g., construction duration, on-time delivery and price of residence. In addition, customers who pay higher prices for their houses are more concerned about the developers having a good reputation. However, if the developers cannot control the construction cost and it becomes too high, such a situation will lead to a higher selling price compared to conventionally constructed houses. The process of modular construction is also faster than the required house delivery rate. These troubles seem to prevent developers from adopting a modular construction system into their projects. This research’s findings highlight the obstacles and limitations to developers, as well as providing information needed for seizing the advantages of such a system in countries with labor-intensive construction industries, like Thailand.