bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Influence of Swell Propagation Angle on Surface Drag
Authors: Patton Edward G. , Sullivan Peter P. , Kosović Branko , Dudhia Jimy , Mahrt Larry , Žagar Mark , Marić Tomislav
Published: February 2019

A combination of turbulence-resolving large-eddy simulations and observations are used to examine the influence of swell amplitude and swell propagation angle on surface drag. Based on the analysis a new surface roughness parameterization with nonequilibrium wave effects is proposed. The surface roughness accounts for swell amplitude and wavelength and its relative motion with respect to the mean wind direction. The proposed parameterization is tested in uncoupled three-dimensional Weather and Research Forecasting (WRF) simulations at grid sizes near 1 km where we explore potential implications of our modifications for two-way coupled atmosphere–wave models. Wind–wave misalignment likely explains the large scatter in observed nondimensional surface roughness under swell-dominated conditions. Andreas et al.’s relationship between friction velocity and the 10-m wind speed under predicts the increased drag produced by misaligned winds and waves. Incorporating wave-state (speed and direction) influences in parameterizations improves predictive skill. In a broad sense, these results suggest that one needs information on winds and wave state to upscale buoy measurements.
Centennial-Scale Temperature Change in Last Millennium Simulations and Proxy-Based Reconstructions
Authors: Ljungqvist Fredrik Charpentier , Zhang Qiong , Brattström Gudrun , Krusic Paul J. , Seim Andrea , Li Qiang , Zhang Qiang , Moberg Anders
Published: February 2019

Systematic comparisons of proxy-based reconstructions and climate model simulations of past millennium temperature variability offer insights into climate sensitivity and feedback mechanisms, besides allowing model evaluation independently from the period covered by instrumental data. Such simulation–reconstruction comparisons can help to distinguish more skillful models from less skillful ones, which may subsequently help to develop more reliable future projections. This study evaluates the low-frequency simulation–reconstruction agreement within the past millennium through assessing the amplitude of temperature change between the Medieval Climate Anomaly (here, 950–1250 CE) and the Little Ice Age (here, 1450–1850 CE) in PMIP3 model simulations compared to proxy-based local and continental-scale reconstructions. The simulations consistently show a smaller temperature change than the reconstructions for most regions in the Northern Hemisphere, but not in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as a partly different spatial pattern. A cost function analysis assesses how well the various simulations agree with reconstructions. Disregarding spatial correlation, significant differences are seen in the agreement with the local temperature reconstructions between groups of models, but insignificant differences are noted when compared to continental-scale reconstructions. This result points toward a limited possibility to “rank” models by means of their low-frequency temperature variability alone. The systematically lower amplitude of simulated versus reconstructed temperature change indicates either too-small simulated internal variability or that the analyzed models lack some critical forcing or have missing or too-weak feedback mechanisms. We hypothesize that too-cold initial ocean conditions in the models—in combination with too-weak internal variability and slow feedbacks over longer time scales—could account for much of the simulation–reconstruction disagreement.
The Strength of Low-Cloud Feedbacks and Tropical Climate: A CESM Sensitivity Study
Authors: Erfani Ehsan , Burls Natalie J.
Published: February 2019

Variability in the strength of low-cloud feedbacks across climate models is the primary contributor to the spread in their estimates of equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS). This raises the question: What are the regional implications for key features of tropical climate of globally weak versus strong low-cloud feedbacks in response to greenhouse gas–induced warming? To address this question and formalize our understanding of cloud controls on tropical climate, we perform a suite of idealized fully coupled and slab-ocean climate simulations across which we systematically scale the strength of the low-cloud-cover feedback under abrupt 2 × CO2 forcing within a single model, thereby isolating the impact of low-cloud feedback strength. The feedback strength is varied by modifying the stratus cloud fraction so that it is a function of not only local conditions but also global temperature in a series of abrupt 2 × CO2 sensitivity experiments. The unperturbed decrease in low cloud cover (LCC) under 2 × CO2 is greatest in the mid- and high-latitude oceans, and the subtropical eastern Pacific and Atlantic, a pattern that is magnified as the feedback strength is scaled. Consequently, sea surface temperature (SST) increases more in these regions as well as the Pacific cold tongue. As the strength of the low-cloud feedback increases this results in not only increased ECS, but also an enhanced reduction of the large-scale zonal and meridional SST gradients (structural climate sensitivity), with implications for the atmospheric Hadley and Walker circulations, as well as the hydrological cycle. The relevance of our results to simulating past warm climate is also discussed.
Understanding Biases in Simulating the Diurnal Cycle of Convection over the Western Coast of Sumatra: Comparison with Pre-YMC Observation Campaign
Authors: Dipankar Anurag , Webster Stuart , Huang Xiang-Yu , Doan Van Quang
Published: February 2019

Biases in simulating the diurnal cycle of convection near the western coast of the island of Sumatra have been investigated using the data from the pilot field campaign of the Years of the Maritime Continent (pre-YMC). The campaign was carried out at a sea [Research Vessel (R/V) Mirai] and a land (Bengkulu, Sumatra) site. Simulations are performed using a tropical configuration of the Met Office model at a grid resolution of 1.5 km in a limited-area mode. The focus of this study is to understand how biases in the input conditions from ECMWF high-resolution deterministic forecast affect the diurnal cycle. Modeled precipitation is found to be delayed and weak, with cold SST bias in the model as the key contributing factor affecting convection at both sites. Colder SST causes a delay in the trigger of convection at Bengkulu by delaying the onset of the local land breeze, which in turn delays the local convergence. The cold outflow from precipitation over the adjacent mountain is also found to be delayed in the model, contributing to the total delay. This delay in the evening convection at Bengkulu is shown to directly affect the timing of nighttime convection at Mirai. Weaker convection at Bengkulu is argued to be due to lower-tropospheric dry humidity bias in the model initial condition. Convection at Mirai is shown to be caused by the convergence of the cold outflow from Bengkulu with the prevailing landward wind over the sea. Both thermodynamic and dynamic conditions near the cold outflow front are found to be less favorable for intense convection in the simulation, the reason for which is argued to be a combination of the cold SST bias and a weaker cold outflow.
Effect of Instrument-Based Vision Screening for 3- to 5-Year-Old Children on Referrals to Eye Care Specialists
Authors: Vernacchio Louis , Trudell Emily K. , McLaughlin Sarah R. , Bhambhani Vijeta
Published: February 2019

Recently, several professional groups have recommended a change from chart-based to instrument-based screening for preschool-age children, but the effect of this change on health care utilization is unknown. We performed a secondary analysis of a site-randomized quality improvement project on transitioning from chart-based to instrument-based vision screening for 3- to 5-year-old children in primary care. We analyzed visit rates to ophthalmologists and optometrists and costs of such care before and after implementation of instrument-based vision screening with comparison to nonparticipating practices. The implementation of instrument-based vision screening resulted in a decrease in visits to eye care specialists from 83.1 visits per 1000 children per year to 55.0, a reduction of 33.8%; no comparable reduction was seen in nonparticipating practices. The cost of services by eye care specialists fell from $65 715 per 1000 children per year prior to $55 740, a decline of 15.2%; similar costs among control practices rose 13.4%.
The Climate Duties of Sub-National Political Communities
Authors: Umbers Lachlan Montgomery , Moss Jeremy
Published: February 2019

In recent years, several actors at the sub-national level (e.g. California, British Columbia, New York City) have taken unilateral steps to mitigate climate change by reducing their emissions. These developments have commanded considerable attention in the empirical literature. In this piece, we consider the philosophical dimensions of climate action at the sub-national level. Specifically, we argue that climate action at the sub-national level is an instance of a more general class of cases in which the failure of some collective agent to discharge some duty to which it is subject entails duties for the sub-collectives of which it is comprised to partially discharge that duty. We begin, then, with a discussion of such cases, and a defence of the devolution principle, which sets out conditions under which such duties arise. We then set out the argument with respect to sub-national political communities’ duties to take action on climate change, specifically. The article concludes by considering complications arising out of the inevitable fact of partial compliance, drawing upon recent work in the literature on slack-taking duties.
Modeling and analysis of the carrier arrangement in square rotary braiding
Authors: Chengjie Du , Zhuo Meng , Yujing Zhang , Yize Sun
Published: February 2019

In this paper, the carrier arrangement for manufacturing fabrics with a symmetrical cross-section using multi-layer interlocking braiding technology based on square rotary braiding is studied. To obtain a suitable arrangement, the paper defines a matrix to describe the state of each slot of the horn gears. The possible types of transfer positions are analyzed, and the rules of arrangement are made. A mathematical model is established to determine the possible carrier positions. Using the model, the carrier arrangements for I-section and C-section preforms are obtained. This model is helpful in solving the carrier arrangement for all types of fabrics with symmetrical cross-sections in engineering applications.
Preparation of organic–inorganic hybrid methylene blue polymerized organosilane/sepiolite pigments with superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties
Authors: Wu Shengtao , Huang Jinliang , Cui Haishuai , Ye Tian , Hao Fang , Xiong Wei , Liu Pingle , Luo He'an
Published: February 2019

Inspired by the self-cleaning and water-repellent properties of the lotus leaf in the natural world, a kind of organic–inorganic hybrid pigment with superhydrophobic properties was prepared by adsorption of cationic methylene blue (MB) azo dyes onto acid-treated sepiolite (SEP), and then a superhydrophobic functional group of polymerized organosilanes (POSs) obtained from hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) was introduced onto the composite pigments (MB/SEP). The excellent chemical, thermal and optical stability of MB@POS/SEP are due to the shielding effect caused by the chemical inertness of the POS sheet. Furthermore, the superhydrophobic MB@POS/SEP pigments show an extraordinary self-cleaning property, which is similar to the waterproof property of the lotus leaf and spider web. The superhydrophobicity is strongly linked to their chemical composition and morphology, which can be adjusted by varying the concentration of HDTMS and TEOS. This kind of superhydrophobic pigment can be applied in various fields, such as ceramics, building and daily necessities.
Iterative learning radial basis function neural networks control for unknown multi input multi output nonlinear systems with unknown control direction
Authors: Bensidhoum Tarek , Bouakrif Farah , Zasadzinski Michel
Published: February 2019

In this paper, an iterative learning radial basis function neural-networks (RBF NN) control algorithm is developed for a class of unknown multi input multi output (MIMO) nonlinear systems with unknown control directions. The proposed control scheme is very simple in the sense that we use just a P-type iterative learning control (ILC) updating law in which an RBF neural network term is added to approximate the unknown nonlinear function, and an adaptive law for the weights of RBF neural network is proposed. We chose the RBF NN because it has universal approximation capabilities and can approximate any continuous function. In addition, among the advantages of our controller scheme is the fact that it is applicable to deal with a class of nonlinear systems without the need to satisfy the global Lipschitz continuity condition and we assume, only, that the unstructured uncertainty is norm-bounded by an unknown function. Another advantage of the proposed controller and unlike other works on ILC, we do not need any prior knowledge of the control directions for MIMO nonlinear system. Thus, the Nussbaum-type function is used to solve the problem of unknown control directions. In order to prove the asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system, a Lyapunov-like positive definite sequence is used, which is shown to be monotonically decreasing under the control design scheme. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Developmental progression of mental state understandings in infancy
Authors: Siu Tik-Sze Carrey , Cheung Him
Published: February 2019

This study establishes a sequence of developing mental state understandings in infants. We used three violation-of-expectation paradigms to assess fifty-seven 16-month-olds’ ability to (a) infer an actress’s intention from her prior repeated approaches to an object, (b) recognize her emotion by watching her facial-emotional display, and (c) deduce her false belief by noticing her lack of visual access to a change in the experimental setup. Contingencies between passing the three tasks were analyzed. Results showed that the infants made sense of intention first, followed by emotion, and then false belief. This progressive sequence parallels what has been found with preschoolers using verbal theory-of-mind tasks.
Cross-lingual phonological effects in different-script bilingual visual-word recognition
Authors: Peleg Orna , Degani Tamar , Raziq Muna , Taha Nur
Published: February 2019

To isolate cross-lingual phonological effects during visual-word recognition, Arabic–Hebrew bilinguals who are native speakers of Spoken Arabic (SA) and proficient readers of both Literary Arabic (LA) and Hebrew, were asked to perform a visual lexical-decision task (LDT) in either LA (Experiment 1) or Hebrew (Experiments 2 and 3). The critical stimuli were non-words in the target language that either sounded like real words in the non-target language (pseudo-homophones) or did not sound like real words. In Experiment 1, phonological effects were obtained from SA to LA (two forms of the same language), but not from Hebrew to LA (two different languages that do not share the same script). However, cross-lingual phonological effects were obtained when participants performed the LDT in their second language, Hebrew (Experiments 2 and 3). Interestingly, while the within-language effect (from SA to LA) was inhibitory, the between-language effect (from SA to Hebrew) was facilitatory. These findings are explained within the Bilingual Interactive Activation plus (BIA+) model which postulates a fully interconnected identification system that provides output to a task/decision system.
Southall: symbol of resistance
Authors: Nijjar Jasbinder S.
Published: February 2019

23 April 2019 marks forty years since the murder of Blair Peach, who was a teacher and anti-racist activist killed by police in Southall, West London while protesting against the far Right’s attack on the town. In the spirit of what Howard Zinn called ‘radical history’, this article recalls the violent events in Southall four decades ago, with a view to discussing their significance for anti-racist practice today and their roots in colonial occupation.
Will/Heart/Spirit: Discipleship that Forms the Christian Character
Authors: Porter Steven L.
Published: February 2019

This article seeks to provide some clarity on the role of human will in Christian formation through engaging Dallas Willard’s understanding of the human will/heart/spirit. The first part of the article examines the value of coming to have an accurate understanding of the role and formation of the will. Section two investigates the Gospel writers’ portrayal of Jesus’ will in his incarnate life on earth. And the third section draws off Willard’s views in order to further develop our understanding of the role of the human will in spiritual formation as well as the formation of the will itself.
Spatial Planning, Territorial Development, and Territorial Impact Assessment
Authors: Medeiros Eduardo
Published: February 2019

This article debates the possibilities and advantages of using territorial impact assessment (TIA) policy evaluation methodologies to assess the implementation of spatial planning instruments. It builds on existing literature to define key analytical goals, dimensions, and respective components to monitor and evaluate the implementation of spatial plans, at all territorial levels, to be used as a TIA evaluation matrix. It concludes that, despite the inherent complexity associated with the process of evaluating spatial planning processes, there are manifest advantages to using TIA tools to evaluate them, mostly at the ex post phase.
Trauma Recovery Is Cultural: Understanding Shared and Different Healing Themes in Irish and American Survivors of Gender-based Violence
Authors: Sinko Laura , Burns Courtney Julia , O’Halloran Sharon , Saint Arnault Denise
Published: February 2019

Little research has focused on the trauma healing processes of survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) worldwide. Even less research has utilized cross-cultural comparison to understand shared or culturally-distinct healing goals, creating a gap in understanding how to provide adequate, culturally relevant, and trauma-informed care to survivors. The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally compare shared healing influences and themes of the trauma recovery process in samples of Irish and American female survivors of GBV. To gather healing data, an ethnographic narrative interview was used with 19 American and 12 Irish female survivors who self-identified as having experienced GBV. Thematic analysis was used to examine and compare desired healing outcomes, focusing on the definitions, influences, and meanings of healing experiences. Our analysis revealed shared healing objectives of reconnecting to the self, others, and the world. Within reconnecting with the self, shared themes included regaining control and feelings of competency. Within reconnecting to others, shared themes included building and maintaining relationships, living one’s life authentically, and feeling heard and understood. Within reconnecting to the world, shared themes included feelings of serenity, finding fulfillment, and having hope for a brighter future. Although these themes were shared, the way they manifested in each culture was often different. A vital component of the healing dynamic in the Irish sample was survivors’ mothering responsibilities and feelings of unconditional devotion to their children. Conversely, the American sample focused on personal growth and resolving feelings of weakness. This information reveals shared as well as cultural nuances of important healing objectives following GBV. The present study’s results can be used to create culturally sensitive and relevent healing spaces for survivors. These results can also inform intervention and messaging strategies aimed at promoting healing in these populations.
When a Single Man Wants to Be a Father: Revealing the Invisible Subjects in the Law Regulating Fertility Treatment
Authors: Krajewska Atina , Cahill-O’Callaghan Rachel
Published: February 2019

This article takes the example of single men who wish to become single fathers, using surrogacy, as a case study to examine the nature of legal subjectivity and the process by which persons acquire social visibility through legal mechanisms. The article investigates the notion of the absent subjects in law and examines the ways in which single men have been rendered invisible in the area of assisted reproduction. It investigates the emergence of legal subjectivity through the acquisition of rights in the context of fertility treatment. In this respect, it analyses the recent jurisprudence of the English courts and the changes in the human rights law that helped construct single men as subjects of law. The article proposes the concept of (in)visibilization for a number of reasons. It allows us to observe and examine the slow and contingent emergence of legal subjectivity in law. It illuminates ways, in which aspects of the critique of human rights as an inadequate vehicle of social inclusion can be overcome. In both respects, the concept of (in)visibilization provides a diction, in which we can analyse legally relevant experiences, which have not yet crossed the threshold into the formal system of law.
Childhood Overweight and Obesity is Increasing in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Al Yazeedi Basma , Berry Diane C.
Published: February 2019

Introduction: A review was conducted to examine the prevalence and risk factors of developing overweight and obesity in children residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Method: PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases using PRISMA guidelines were searched from January 1, 2007, to January 1, 2017. The inclusion criteria were (a) studies written in English, (b) clinical trials that examined risk factors of childhood overweight or obesity, (c) studies involving children 5 to 10 years of age, and (d) studies conducted in GCC countries. Results: Three main types of childhood obesity risk factors were identified (individual, familial, and lifestyle behavioral factors). The dietary, physical activity, and screen time lifestyle behavior risk factor findings were inconclusive. Discussion: Childhood obesity is increasing in GCC countries. Lifestyle behavior risk factors are still unclear. Researchers need to use instruments that have been psychometric tested and culturally acceptable. A follow-up review should be conducted.
Does Repeated Exposure to Critical Situations in a Screen-Based Simulation Improve the Self-Assessment of Non-Technical Skills in Postpartum Hemorrhage Management?
Authors: Barré Jessy , Michelet Daphné , Job Anais , Truchot Jennifer , Cabon Philippe , Delgoulet Catherine , Tesnière Antoine
Published: February 2019

Background. Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal death in the world. Non-technical skills (e.g. communication) are now recognized as a contributing factor to medical safety. In the field of simulation, screen-based simulations are currently very popular with computer/technological development. This study evaluates a screen-based simulation device, PerinatSims, developed to improve technical and non-technical skills in PPH situation. This experiment hypothesized that exposure and repetition of training with PerinatSims would improve the self-assessment of non-technical skills, and therefore increase the ability to manage PPH.

Methods. The primary endpoint was a self-assessment of non-technical skills during simulation session of PPH on a digital simulator. Twenty French midwives performed three of nine 25 minutes sessions of PPH screen-based simulation. Four self-assessment questionnaires were administered at the end of each simulation session: a leadership/team working questionnaire (BAT), a negative feelings/emotional questionnaire (DASS-21), a Flow questionnaire and a mental load questionnaire (NASA-TLX). Results between sessions were compared using a repeated measures ANOVA followed by a Bonferroni post hoc test.

Results. The study showed a positive evolution during the three screen-based simulation sessions: an increase of leadership and team working self-assessment, an increase of Flow sense, and a decrease of negative emotions (anxiety and depression in the DASS-21 score). Significant decrease of stress was found only between the second and the third sessions, and significant differences in the NASA-TLX were observed only in two dimensions, Performance and Frustration.

Conclusion. A repeated exposure to PPH situations with a screen-based simulation tool improved the midwives’ self-assessment, especially for leadership, team working, emotion management and Flow sense. Furthermore, midwives had a very positive feedback on the device. They highlighted the desire to use PerinatSims more often to be trained to PPH management, for technical as well as non-technical skills.
Training for Workers and Safety Representatives on Manufactured Nanomaterials
Authors: Castillo Aida Ponce Del
Published: February 2019

Although nanotechnologies are increasingly present in numerous sectors of the economy, training resources available to workers exposed to them are still rare. In the European Union (EU), some initiatives exist that inform workers about exposure and risks, but they lack two key dimensions: the involvement of workers themselves in designing and implementing training materials and the key role played by safety representatives in improving occupational health and safety in EU member states. Making workers actors of their own training, rather than recipients of it, and empowering them, so that they can collectively question unsafe situations and ask for changes in their working conditions, is how training can positively impact their health and safety. This article describes a training package (materials, infographics, interactive web applet) designed specifically to achieve this objective. Developed under the NanoDiode project, it focuses on six key themes: types of nanomaterials, uses at work, risks, presence in the workplace, exposure, and experience sharing.
Essential Elements for Effective Safety and Health Education in Postsecondary Construction Career Technical Education
Authors: Bush Diane , Chang Charlotte , Rauscher Kimberly , Myers Doug
Published: February 2019

Because Career Technical Education (CTE) programs at the community/technical college level are among the few places new construction workers receive training or preparation, they are an important vehicle for educating new and young workers about occupational health and safety (OSH). We developed recommendations for (1) OSH “core competencies” that all postsecondary construction students should achieve and (2) “essential elements” for OSH education in construction training programs. Based on a review of the literature, subject matter expert focus groups, and iterative engagement with an expert advisory group, we identified fourteen core competencies and a list of essential supporting elements at the school, program, and instructor levels. Knowledge and recognition of the importance of effective safety and health management systems served as the foundation for elements and competencies. Findings provide an important starting point for systematically improving the preparation of construction CTE students that can help keep them safe on the job.
Clinical Interventions to Reduce Suicidal Behaviors in Hispanic Adolescents: A Scoping Review
Authors: Villarreal-Otálora Tatiana , Jennings Porter , Mowbray Orion
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

A significant portion of adolescents who engage in suicidal behaviors are of Hispanic origin, yet little is known regarding interventions to reduce suicidal behaviors among Hispanic adolescents. Through a culturally responsive framework, this study describes and systematically maps the existing research on interventions to treat suicidality among Hispanic adolescents.

Method:

Using Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review methodology, nine publications were selected for review from available peer-reviewed literature published between 2013 and 2017.

Results:

Eight interventions were identified. All were published in nonsocial work journals. Interventions were implemented in either mental health or after-school community settings and included a family focus.

Discussion:

The analysis revealed three themes: (1) There is scant research on this topic, (2) there is a void of social work scholarly literature regarding this issue, and (3) identified interventions generally include culturally responsive factors. Implications for social work research and practice are discussed.
Delving Into the Unknown: An Experience of Doing Research With d/Deaf Prisoners
Authors: Kelly-Corless Laura
Published: February 2019

This article acts as a reflexive account of my experience of doing qualitative research with d/Deaf people in a prison setting. This research was the first in England and Wales (excluding small-scale unpublished undergraduate dissertations) to include semi-structured interviews with multiple d/Deaf prisoners, and thus the journey documented is both innovative and unique. Because I was entering unmarked territory methodologically, my experience was laden with obstacles, as is discussed throughout. Key issues explored relate first to the process of gaining access to d/Deaf prisoners, second to researcher–participant language barriers, and third to issues of ethics and authenticity generated by the Deaf participants’ preference for a visual language (British Sign Language) in a setting like prison. Guidance is given throughout about how to overcome complex methodological issues, and concluding remarks include a set of recommendations for prospective researchers.
Late-onset Stevens–Johnson syndrome due to nivolumab use for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Dasanu Constantin A
Published: February 2019

Nivolumab is a fully human immunoglobulin G4 immune checkpoint inhibitor antibody approved for use in the treatment of several malignancies. Severe side effects such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) have only extremely rarely been reported with this drug. We present herein a patient who developed SJS after 16 weeks of therapy with nivolumab. A week prior to this event, he developed a pruriginous papulo-erythematous rash. Prompt recognition of this phenomenon, immune checkpoint inhibitor discontinuation and steroid therapy are necessary steps in order to avoid dismal outcomes.
In situ L-RTM manufacturing of sandwich panels with PET foam core reinforced by polymeric pins
Authors: Delucis Rafael de Avila , Tonatto Maikson Luiz Passaia , Trindade Rafael Sheer , Amico Sandro Campos
Published: February 2019

The objective of this study is to investigate a novel methodology for the in situ light resin transfer molding manufacturing of sandwich panels in which the poly(ethylene terephthalate) foam core is reinforced by transverse polymeric pins used to improve both flatwise compressive and flexural strength of the foam. The foam cores were pre-drilled, and these holes were later filled with resin during the light resin transfer molding production of the panels. Five types of samples were evaluated: control (core without pins) and reinforced cores with variable pin diameters and distances. Both experimental and numerical results are presented, and good agreement between them was achieved. Pin diameters below 3 mm lead to failure by local buckling, whereas diameters larger than 4 mm showed manufacturing issues related to the incomplete formation of pins.
Large-scale opacification of a hydrophilic/hydrophobic intraocular lens
Authors: Costa José F , Bompastor-Ramos Paula , Marques Marco , Henriques Jorge , Póvoa João , Lobo Conceição , Alió Jorge L , Werner Liliana , Murta Joaquim
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

To determine the prevalence and risk factors related to the opacification of the LS-502-1 intraocular lens.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study including patients submitted to cataract surgery between January 2010 and March 2012, with implantation of the LS-502-1 intraocular lens. Past medical history was registered and a complete ophthalmologic evaluation, that included best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp examination and fundoscopy, was performed. Anterior segment photographs were taken whenever intraocular lens opacification was present.

Results:

One hundred and sixty-nine eyes of 154 patients were included, mean age 78.5 ± 7.9 years. The average follow-up after intraocular lens implantation was 65.6 ± 10.0 months. Intraocular lens opacification was seen in 53.3% (n = 90) and presented as one of four different patterns: peripheral (15.6%, n = 14), central (4.4%, n = 4), diffuse (71.1%, n = 64) and superficial white deposits (8.9%, n = 8). There was no statistically significant association with systemic or ophthalmic conditions. In patients with bilateral implantation, intraocular lens opacification in one eye was significantly related to intraocular lens opacification in the fellow eye. A significant variability in opacification was found across intraocular lens serial numbers: the odds ratio for opacification in intraocular lens with serial number beginning with 200003 was 6.0 when comparing with the remaining lenses.

Conclusion:

The opacification prevalence of the LS-502-1 intraocular lens was 53.3%, which is the highest ever described for any intraocular lens model. Our results suggest that this occurrence is secondary to an interaction between unknown patient variables and problems related to intraocular lens manufacturing and storage procedures.
Breast Cancer in Very Young Patients in a Spanish Cohort: Age as an Independent Bad Prognostic Indicator
Authors: Martínez María Teresa , Oltra Sara S , Peña-Chilet María , Alonso Elisa , Hernando Cristina , Burgues Octavio , Chirivella Isabel , Bermejo Begoña , Lluch Ana , Ribas Gloria
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

Breast cancer (BC) in very young women (BCVY) is more aggressive than in older women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relevance of a range of clinico-pathological factors in the prognosis of BCVY patients.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed 258 patients diagnosed with BCVY at our hospital from 1998 to 2014; the control group comprised 101 older patients with BC. We correlated clinicopathological factors, treatments, relapse and exitus with age and with previously published miRNA expression data.

Results:

We identified some significant differences in risk factors between BCVY and older patients. The age at menarche, number of pregnancies, and age at first pregnancy were lower in the BCVY group and had a greater probability of recurrence and death in all cases. Lymph node-positive patients in the BCVY group are associated with a worse prognosis ( P  = .02), an immunohistochemical HER2+ subtype, and disease relapse ( P  = .03). Moreover, there was a shorter time between diagnosis and first relapse in BCVY patients compared with controls, and they were more likely to die from the disease ( P  = .002). Finally, from our panel of miRNAs deregulated in BC, reduced miR-30c expression was associated with more aggressive BC in very young patients, lower overall survival, and with axillary lymph node metastases.

Conclusions:

Patient age and axillary lymph node status post-surgery are independent and significant predictors of distant disease-free survival, local recurrence-free survival, and overall survival. The HER2+ subtype and lower miR-30c expression are related to poor prognosis in lymph node-positive young BC patients.
Effectiveness of telemonitoring-enhanced support over structured telephone support in reducing heart failure-related healthcare utilization in a multi-ethnic Asian setting
Authors: Leng Chow Wai , Aung Chaw Yu K , Tong Shao Chuen , Goh Geraldine SL , Lee Sheldon , MacDonald Michael R , Ng Angela NK , Cao Yan , Ahmad Atikah E , Yap Mei Foon , Leong Gerard , Bruege Armin , Tesanovic Aleksandra , Riistama Jarno , Pang Sze Yunn , Erazo Fernando
Published: February 2019

Aims

Our study aimed to compare the effectiveness of telemonitoring over structured telephone support in reducing heart failure-related healthcare utilization.

Methods

This was a non-randomised controlled study comparing 150 recently discharged heart failure patients enrolled into telemonitoring and 55 patients who only received structured telephone support after rejecting telemonitoring. Patient activation, knowledge and self-management levels were measured at baseline and the one year upon programme completion using the Patient Activation Measure, the Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge Scale and the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index respectively. Differences in heart failure-related and all-cause hospitalization rates, total bed days and mortality rates at 180 days and at one year, knowledge and self-management scores and total cost of care between groups at one year were analysed.

Results

Average age of telemonitoring was 57.9 years and 63.9 years for structured telephone support. Significant difference in adjusted 180-day all-cause bed days (telemonitoring: five days versus structured telephone support: 9.8 days), heart failure-related bed days (telemonitoring: 1.2 days versus structured telephone support: six days) and adjusted one-year heart failure-related bed days (telemonitoring: 2.2 days versus structured telephone support: 6.6 days) were observed. Telemonitoring was associated with reduced all-cause one-year mortality (hazard ratio 0.32, p = 0.02). Estimated mean maintenance and confidence scores were significantly higher in the telemonitoring group at one year. No differences in all-cause and HF-related readmission rates and knowledge levels were observed. The one-year total cost of care was predicted to be Singapore dollars (SG$) 2774.4 lower ( p = 0.07) in telemonitoring.

Conclusion

In conclusion, telemonitoring was associated with lower all-cause and heart failure-related total bed days at 180 days, lower heart failure-related total bed days and total cost of care at one year as compared with structured telephone support.
The politics of evidence in online illness narratives: An analysis of crowdfunding for purported stem cell treatments
Authors: Tanner Claire , Munsie Megan , Sipp Doug , Turner Leigh , Wheatland Chloe
Published: February 2019

This article addresses the growing trend of crowdfunding for unproven stem cell-based treatments. Our analysis uses quantitative and qualitative data collected from two popular fundraising sites to examine how these sites are used to fund purported stem cell ‘treatments’ or ‘therapies’. In addition to mapping the use and success of these online campaigns by people with different health conditions in different locations, we consider the breakthrough restitution story as a key narrative that campaign organisers use to solicit donations. We argue that crowdfunding is a rapidly growing digital space where ‘truths’ about experimental treatments are constituted and a politics of evidence is unfolding. These developments are to the potential financial benefit of crowdfunding platforms and businesses offering unproven stem cell-based interventions, and to the potential detriment of patients and their supporters.
Miller cycle combined with exhaust gas recirculation and post–fuel injection for emissions and exhaust gas temperature control of a heavy-duty diesel engine
Authors: Guan Wei , Pedrozo Vinícius B , Zhao Hua , Ban Zhibo , Lin Tiejian
Published: February 2019

Miller cycle has been shown as a promising engine strategy to reduce in-cylinder nitrogen oxide (NOx) formation during the combustion process and facilitate its removal in the aftertreatment systems by increasing the exhaust gas temperature. However, the level of NOx reduction and the increase in exhaust gas temperature achieved by Miller cycle alone is limited. Therefore, research was carried out to investigate the combined use of Miller cycle with other advanced combustion control strategies in order to minimise the NOx emissions and the total cost of ownership. In this article, the effects of Miller cycle, exhaust gas recirculation, and post-injection were studied and analysed on the performance and exhaust emissions of a single cylinder heavy-duty diesel engine. A cost–benefit analysis was carried out using the corrected total fluid efficiency, which includes the estimated urea solution consumption in the NOx aftertreatment system as well as the fuel consumption. The experiments were performed at a low load of 6 bar net indicated mean effective pressure. The results showed that the application of a Miller cycle–only strategy with a retarded intake valve closing at −95 crank angle degree after top dead centre decreased NOx emissions by 21% to 6.0 g/kW h and increased exhaust gas temperature by 30% to 633 K when compared to the baseline engine operation. This was attributed to a reduction in compressed gas temperature by the lower effective compression ratio and the in-cylinder mass trapped due to the retarded intake valve closing. These improvements, however, were accompanied by a fuel-efficiency penalty of 1%. A further reduction in the level of NOx from 6.0 to 3.0 g/kW h was achieved through the addition of exhaust gas recirculation, but soot emissions were more than doubled to 0.022 g/kW h. The introduction of a post-injection was found to counteract this effect, resulting in simultaneous low NOx and soot emissions of 2.5 and 0.012 g/kW h, respectively. When taking into account the urea consumption, the combined use of Miller cycle, exhaust gas recirculation, and post-injection combustion control strategies were found to have relatively higher corrected total fluid efficiency than the baseline case. Thus, the combined ‘Miller cycle + exhaust gas recirculation + post-injection’ strategy was the most effective means of achieving simultaneous low exhaust emissions, high exhaust gas temperature, and increased corrected total fluid efficiency.
Participatory training in disability and migration: mobilizing community capacities for advocacy
Authors: Spagnuolo Natalie , El-Lahib Yahya , Kusari Kaltrina
Published: February 2019

This article offers methodological and theoretical reflections on a recent community-research partnership and participatory training program that was designed with the goal of improving the settlement experiences of migrants with disabilities living in Canada. Anchored in critical theoretical and anticolonial studies and offering intersectional perspectives on forms of oppression experienced by migrants with disabilities, our training program represents a collaborative form of knowledge production with transformative potential for front-line workers and organizers. In this article, we begin the reflective process by unpacking our approach to participatory training, explicating our theoretical assumptions, and linking our values and theories to praxis.
Prioritarianism: A response to critics
Authors: Adler Matthew D , Holtug Nils
Published: February 2019

Prioritarianism is a moral view that ranks outcomes according to the sum of a strictly increasing and strictly concave transformation of individual well-being. Prioritarianism is ‘welfarist’ (namely, it satisfies axioms of Pareto Indifference, Strong Pareto, and Anonymity) as well as satisfying three further axioms: Pigou–Dalton (formalizing the property of giving greater weight to those who are worse off), Separability, and Continuity. Philosophical discussion of prioritarianism was galvanized by Derek Parfit’s 1991 Lindley Lecture. Since then, and notwithstanding Parfit’s support, a variety of criticisms of prioritarianism have been advanced: by utilitarians (such as John Broome and Hilary Greaves), egalitarians (such as Lara Buchak; Michael Otsuka and Alex Voorhoeve; Ingmar Persson; and Larry Temkin), and sufficientists (Roger Crisp).

In previous work, we have each endorsed prioritarianism. This article sets forth a renewed defense, in the light of the accumulated criticisms. We clarify the concept of a prioritarian moral view (here addressing work by David McCarthy), discuss the application of prioritarianism under uncertainty (herein of ‘ex post’ and ‘ex ante’ prioritarianism), distinguish between person-affecting and impersonal justifications, and provide a person-affecting case for prioritarianism. We then describe the various challenges mounted against prioritarianism – utilitarian, egalitarian, and sufficientist – and seek to counter each of them.
Your Country Needs You? Advertising, Public Relations and the Promotion of Military Service in Peacetime Britain
Authors: Maartens Brendan
Published: February 2019

Historians have long taken an interest in military recruitment advertising and public relations. Much of their attention, however, has been directed towards promotion in wartime, with a lot less known about how governments used media to attract civilians in peacetime or during the many so-called ‘limited wars’ of the post-war era. This article addresses this shortcoming by exploring three separate recruitment campaigns waged in Britain at different moments in the 20th century. Giving a sense of the scale of official recruiting work, it highlights the central role played by commercial advertising and public relations professionals in the planning and development of campaigns and investigates whether recruiters were actually successful in convincing civilians to join up. The evidence presented here suggests that they had a negligible effect on enrolment rates. Yet, it also indicates that different types of appeal were used to attract civilians in peacetime, with material rewards typically taking precedence over notions of patriotic duty. Suggesting that such appeals effectively commodified military service, this article concludes by reflecting on their broader legacy to studies of media, war and conflict.
Emotions and the everyday: Ambivalence, power and resistance
Authors: Schick Kate
Published: February 2019

This special issue on emotions and the everyday represents a provocative intervention in the literature on emotions in International Relations. A strong theme that emerges is the ambivalence of emotions in global politics, which I explore in two parts. First, I explore emotions’ ‘ambivalent potentiality’ in international politics, highlighting two dimensions: the ways emotions are generated and captured by relations of power and the state to create ‘willing geopolitical subjects’, and the ways emotions resist power by creating and sustaining ‘sites of contestation’ that challenge hegemonic emotional regimes. Second, I trace the contributors’ claims regarding the promise and danger of empathy in global politics, maintaining that the special issue highlights the deep ambivalence that attends empathy as well as emotions more generally. I then trouble the notion of empathy as resistance and argue that a more radical and reflexive empathetic engagement could be captured by a greater emphasis on listening and vulnerable interrogation of the self as well as the other.