bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meaning and comfort factors in the paediatric intensive care unit from an adult perspective: a descriptive phenomenological study
Authors: Bosch‐Alcaraz Alejandro , Jordan Iolanda , Rodríguez-Martín Dolors , Falcó‐Pegueroles Anna
Published: October 2019

Aims

To explore the meaning of comfort and know the factors that contribute to it from the point of view of the young adults who received care in a paediatric intensive care unit, the family of the patient and the interdisciplinary team attending the patient.

Findings

A total of 30 people were invited to participate in the focus groups; 24 did so. Thematic analysis yielded the following common categories: meaning of comfort, environmental factors in paediatric intensive care unit, family accompaniment during paediatric intensive care unit stay, management of information in the paediatric intensive care unit and, finally, the intimacy and privacy of the critically ill paediatric patient and their family.

Conclusions

Paediatric intensive care unit professionals need to consider not only the environmental input that may lead to discomfort but also aspects such as continuous family accompaniment, the sharing of complete information with the family and the promoting of privacy.
How do manufacturing exports react to the real exchange rate and foreign demand? The Chilean case
Authors: Fornero Jorge A. , Fuentes D. Miguel A. , Gatty Sangama Andrés
Published: October 2019

How do manufacturing exports react to the real exchange rate and to foreign demand? We investigate this question with a Chilean panel data spanning from 2003Q1 to 2016Q4, using publicly available data. In the long term, we find that exports strongly co‐integrate with external demand, whereas not with the level of the real exchange rate. The short‐run elasticities of manufacturing exports differ in size: (a) the elasticity of foreign demand—approximated by trading partners' activity aggregates—ranges between 0.8 and 1.4; and (b) the elasticity with respect to the bilateral real exchange rate is comprehended in the interval [0.4–0.6]. Core estimated elasticities pass usual robustness checks. The fall in manufacturing exports' growth in 2014–16 is consistent with a persistent slowdown in foreign demand, which has been partially offset by an average depreciation of the bilateral real exchange rate (with respect to destination countries of these exports). The transience of the effect of the real exchange rate is coherent with its exhibited stationarity and also consistent with its role of shock absorber.
Promoting Diversity Via Linguistic and Visual Resources: An Analysis of the Malaysian Tourism Website
Authors: Muhammad Salim Mohammad Arfin , Ibrahim Noor Aireen , Hassan Hanita
Published: October 2019

The advancement of information and communication technology has greatly supported the promotion of tourism destinations. Arguably, the most popular and effective method of promotion is through websites or blogs. Hence, along with the growth of tourism is the development of tourism websites as the main resource for assessing information about the potential destinations. By focusing on the official tourism website of Malaysia, this paper attempts to investigate how the website portrays the diversity of culture, destinations and architecture of the country. Adopting a multimodal discourse approach, analysis was carried out on both language and visual elements. It is revealed that both these resources are strategically utilised to portray the diversity of Malaysia in an attempt to attract potential tourists.
Content Analysis of Incident Reports in the Oil and Gas Industry: A Case Study
Authors: Abdul Rahman Nor Aini , Abdullah Khairi Izwan , Hamzah Masputeriah
Published: October 2019

This on-going study is carried out in order to identify the contents of incident reports obtained from an oil and gas contracting company. This is done through Interdiscursivity approach (Fairclough, 1992) by analyzing fifteen copies of summary of incident reports obtained from the company which was responsible in building turrets its international oil and gas clients. Incident report refers to a report produced when an accident or casualty happens at work. However due to legal constraints, the actual reports were not obtained. Instead, only summary of reports were obtained. Following that, interviews with engineers and supervisors were held in order to investigate further the generic resources (professional cultures and practices, Bhatia 2010) that influenced the production of the reports. However, only seven reports have been analyzed at the time of writing and data from the interview were not analyzed. Therefore, only findings from seven reports will be presented.
Common Strategies Among EFL Students Reading Literature
Authors: Ebrahimi Shirin Shafiei , Zainal Zaidah
Published: October 2019

This study is to introduce the most common strategies that EFL students use while they read a piece of literature in English. To identify these strategies a questionnaire is employed as the instrument of data collection. The interesting result shows a significant tendency of EFL students to creativity and construction of new ideas in meaning making of the literary text just the same way as any other type of texts; however, the detected strategies help the readers to realize that strategies only help in the functionality of each text in a different way. This conclusion can assist the students to have a deeper understanding of literary texts and the teachers to facilitate the process of reading for the students.
Vocabulary Needs of Engineering Students: A Survey
Authors: Husin Noraini , Shamsudin Sarimah , Abd. Manan Amerrudin
Published: October 2019

There is substantial amount of technical vocabulary that new engineering students at the tertiary level are required to read and understand in their field of study. Technical vocabulary refers not to a single word but to a group of terms used to explain scientific processes and relations. This means that in the field of engineering, a scientific field, many technical terms are used. These terms may pose some difficulties to the students when reading engineering textbooks, so here seems to be a need to familiarize them with engineering terms to facilitate reading of those textbooks. In order to develop this specialist list of engineering terms, a group of 7 engineering lecturers were interviewed to find out the students’ vocabulary needs through the seven subject matter expert perspectives. In addition, a survey was carried out on a group of 318 engineering students in a tertiary institution. The survey aims to find out the needs of engineering students for a list of introductory engineering terminology. This paper will therefore present the results of the survey.
Parents’ Perceptions of Selecting Language of Instruction for their Children’s Primary Education in Malaysia
Authors: Phooi-Yan Lee Diana , Ting Su-Hie
Published: October 2019

The study examines the influence of parents’ educational background on the selection of language of instruction for their children’s primary education and their beliefs on the impact of language of instruction on children’s academic capabilities, career prospect and personal characteristics. A survey was conducted on 400 Chinese parents with a child in primary one in Kuching, Sarawak. The results showed that the parents’ educational background influenced their choice of language of instruction for their children’s primary education. The Chinese-educated parents in Kuching are more likely to enrol their children in Chinese-medium schools while English- and Malay-educated parents prefer Malay-medium schools. The Chinese-educated parents choose Chinese-medium school as they believed that their children would have better career prospects, more useful qualifications, academic competencies, particularly in Mandarin, mathematics and science, and greater appreciation of Chinese culture. The Chinese-educated parents also believed that their children would be proficient in English and Bahasa Malaysia, hardworking, open-minded and racially tolerant but the English- and Malay-medium educated parents disagreed on these perceived impacts of Chinese education and believed that their children studying in Malay-medium schools are just as likely to have these characteristics. The findings suggest that parental choice of school language of instruction may be a proxy for choosing the school culture associated with Chinese- and Malay-medium schools.
Pronunciation Research in the Malaysian Context: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hamzah Mohd Hilmi , Mohd Norain Nur ‘Aqilah , Abdullah Abdul Halim
Published: October 2019

This paper presents the current evidence with regard to English pronunciation teaching and learning in the Malaysian context. A systematic literature review (SLR) of empirical studies was conducted with a focus on examining the degree to which pronunciation research is conducted in the context of English as a second language (ESL) in Malaysia. Results showed that teachers’ and learners’ beliefs are critical factors that may improve or impede the pronunciation instruction of the target language. In addition, there are also some criteria that need to be considered in order to ensure the effectiveness of pronunciation teaching for ESL learners. The issue of whether or not Received Pronunciation (RP) can be adopted as the pronunciation model in the Malaysian education system should also be addressed appropriately. These results are significant because they call for a reevaluation of pronunciation instruction in Malaysia. Finally, the findings of this SLR uncovered one of the real challenges in English language teaching, which is to bridge the gap between theory and practice, given the disconnection between research-based models and the actual practices in the ESL classroom
Evaluating Product Writing Approach in the Context of Malaysian Classrooms: A Conceptual Paper
Authors: A/p Palpanadan Sarala @ Thulasi , Ismail Fauziah , Salam Abdul Rahim
Published: October 2019

This paper aims to evaluate the practices of language teachers in teaching writing in the Malaysian classrooms. For this purpose, a detailed investigation into the existing literature was carried out. More specifically, the paper investigated the motivation of teachers for using product writing approach in teaching writing. The paper attempted to answer two questions: first, why teachers in the Malaysian classrooms prefer to use product writing approach dominantly, second, how model essays can be effectively used for developing students’ writing skills. The existing literature revealed that teachers prefer to use product approach for several reasons. Helping students to obtain good grades, covering course requirements on time and preparing students for examination are some of the reasons for adopting this approach. The study also discovered that product approach is not an effective way to teach writing skills because it makes the students passive and become dependent learners. This paper suggests that teachers should use model essays carefully according to students’ needs and capabilities.
Keunggulan Kaedah Eklektik dalam Pengajaran Bahasa Arab kepada Pelajar Melayu
Authors: Hj Abdin Lubis Maimun Aqsha Lubis , Sulaiman Sabariah , Abdul Rahman Asma
Published: October 2019

Kertas kerja ini membincangkan satu kajian yang dijalankan terhadap 300 orang pelajar Pusat Matrikulasi UIAM berhubung keberkesanan tiga kaedah pengajaran Bahasa Arab terhadap pelajar Melayu. Reka bentuk kajian yang digunakan ialah kajian eksperimen kuasi iaitu kajian uji kaji yang mengawal beberapa pemboleh ubah tertentu untuk mengenal pasti kesan ketiga-tiga kaedah pengajaran bahasa Arab sahaja. Temu bual juga dijalankan terhadap 10 orang pensyarah yang mengajar bahasa Arab di Pusat Matrikulasi UIAM untuk mengetahui langkah-langkah bagi dua kaedah pengajaran yang wujud di pusat ini, iaitu kaedah A dan kaedah B. Kaedah C yang dibina berasaskan gabungan kedua-dua kaedah A dan B turut digunakan dalam kajian ini. Tujuan utama kajian ini ialah untuk mengenal pasti kaedah pengajaran bahasa Arab yang paling berkesan antara tiga kaedah pengajaran yang digunakan kepada pelajar Melayu. Penganalisisan data kuantititatif dibuat menggunakan Statistical Package for Social Scienceses (SPSS) dengan menganalisis min pencapaian bagi keempat-empat kemahiran (mendengar, bertutur, membaca dan menulis) mengikut kaedah pengajaran dan peringkat kebolehan pelajar. Penganalisisan dibuat dengan menggunakan analisis varian (ANOVA) dan ujian Tukey. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa kaedah Eklektik Sistematik adalah kaedah yang paling berkesan terhadap keempat-empat kemahiran pada kedua-dua peringkat; permulaan dan pertengahan dalam pengajaran Bahasa Arab terhadap pelajar Melayu di Pusat Matrikulasi UIAM.
e-Practices in Developing Community in Online ESL Learning Environment
Authors: Deris Farhana Diana , Salam Abdul Rahim
Published: October 2019

Arguably, online language teaching and learning entails developing and sustaining community. Online community can serve as a rich source for opportunities for language learning and language use, and ensure persistence of language learners in the online environment. Given that bringing a language class online does not necessarily develop community, this study investigated how a community was developed in an online English as a Second Language (ESL) learning environment. Specifically, the e-practices of one online teacher and 25 ESL learners populating a microsite in MyLinE (Malaysia Online Resources for Learning in English) were explored using interviews, teaching journals, observations, online documents, and surveys. Evidence suggested that the community was developed due to the prevalence of self-disclosure in the online learning environment where the affordances of the online forums were tapped in providing a range of opportunities for self-disclosure to develop shared repository and nurture social connections.
Ambiguities in English Language Teaching: Designing English for Specific Purposes Courses for a Discipline-Specific Context
Authors: Mohamed Mimi Nahariah Azwani
Published: October 2019

The need for English language teaching to address specific language needs for a discipline has instigated growing demands for English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses in higher education institutions in Malaysia. In the context of a university which focuses on engineering programmes, monitored by an engineering professional body, ESP courses designed and developed for higher education are expected to include learning outcomes which reflect integration between English language and engineering fields. In other words, these English language courses need to address the language needs in the engineering field. Thus, English language educators within this context need to have relevant knowledge and skills to enable them to design and develop appropriate ESP courses. Questions arise in relation to how English language courses developed have addressed this expectation. This paper examines the extent to which this expectation is translated into the ESP courses at one technical university in Malaysia. The findings showcase how this expectation is disseminated to the English language educators. This paper provides insight into the complex process of designing English language courses that could address the language needs of the engineering field. In addition, this paper highlights aspects to consider when designing an ESP course for a specific discipline.
Narrative Structure of Storytelling in Kelantanese Dialect
Authors: Azmi Siti Norashikin , Hassan Hanita
Published: October 2019

Human interaction involves a process of sharing experiences, telling stories, and retelling stories in a form of narration. While telling story, the narration is structured in a way to make sense to the audiences.This study examined the narrative structures in Kelantanese dialect used by young female native speakers. The participants were two (2) female Kelantanese students, aged 25 and 27 years old, who have completed their undergraduate studies in local universities. Audio recording and semi-structured interview were two types of instruments used for the data collection. Interview session of 1012 words was analyzed using a combination of the theory of Malay sentence classifications and the theory of narrative structure. The findings of this study reveal that the narration in Kelantanese dialect has a systematic structure which consists of title and elaboration. The title consists of the abstract and orientation, while elaboration includes the four stages of narrative structure which are complication, evaluation, resolution and coda. The findings show that the story is unfolded in a structural manner-which means it has the idea and the elaboration of the idea (the story).
Sociocultural Adaptation Challenges of International Students at a Higher Learning Institution in Malaysia
Authors: GulRaihan Mst. , S. C. Sandaran,
Published: October 2019

Malaysian Higher Learning Institutions currently have more than one hundred thousand international students as a part of its pledge of internationalization of Higher Education. One of the core challenges for its international students is their sociocultural adjustments into the new environment. This study investigates the sociocultural adaptation challenges of international students in the host university. A total of 200 students were surveyed using a modified version of the sociocultural adaptation scale (SCAS). Using a quantitative approach, Exploratory Factor Analysis, ANOVA and T-test were performed to analyze the data. The findings show that the students face challenges in four aspects, namely language proficiency, academic adaptation, environmental adaptation and interpersonal adaptation. The results of the independent sample t-test show that, ‘language adaptation’ and ‘academic adaptation’ have more influence on the sociocultural adjustments of international students, while ‘interpersonal adaptation’ has little influence. In addition, results of the ANOVA show that the university campus and region of origin of the students influence the ‘academic and ‘environmental’ adaptation of the students. Based on the findings, we suggest that Malaysian universities should encourage cross-cultural adaptation through improving their social support linkages with the locals and the people of different culture than their own.
Modeling outbreak data: Analysis of a 2012 Ebola virus disease epidemic in DRC
Authors: Choi Boseung , Busch Sydney , Kazadi Dieudonne , Kebela Benoit , Okitolonda Emile , Dai Yi , Lumpkin Robert M , Khuda Bukhsh Wasiur Rahman , Saucedo Omar , Yotebieng Marcel , Tien Joe , Kenah Eben B , Rempala Grzegorz A
Published: October 2019

We describe two approaches to modeling data from a small to moderate-sized epidemic outbreak. The first approach isВ based on a branching process approximation and direct analysis of the transmission network, whereas the second one is based on a survival model derived from the classical SIR equations with no explicit transmission information. We compare these approaches using data from a 2012 outbreak of Ebola virus disease caused byВ Bundibugyo ebolavirusВ in city of Isiro, Demo- cratic Republic of the Congo. The branching process model allows for a direct comparison of disease transmission across different environments, such as the general community or the Ebola treatment unit. However, the survival model appears to yield parameter estimates with more accuracy and better precision in some circumstances.
Stability Analysis of Rotating Systems Supported by Textured Journal Bearings
Authors: Jhon Ramos Douglas , Ito Ramos Leandro , Bregion Daniel Gregory
Published: October 2019

Fluid-induced instability in rotating systems due to the presence of hydrodynamic journal bearings consists of an undesirable phenomenon with a considerable destructive potential. Surface texturing of journal bearings is currently investigated as a possible approach to improve the stability characteristics of rotating systems. Thereby, this work aims to evaluate the influence of textured journal bearings in the stability threshold and unstable vibration mode of rotating systems. The classical Reynolds equation is used to model the pressure distribution inside the bearing, being solved by the finite volume method (FVM). The rotating system evaluated in this work is a steam turbine that is modeled using the finite element method (FEM). Numerical results show that textured geometric parameters, i.e., shape, area density, and maximum depth, are capable of changing the stability threshold (for worse or better) as well as the corresponding unstable vibration mode. Moreover, the present study also indicates that a full texturing of journal bearings is desirable to achieve a better improvement in the stability threshold when compared with partial texturing. Based on the results obtained in this work, the textured journal bearings represent a promising and feasible tool to improve the stability conditions of rotating systems in industrial applications.
Simulation, Test, and Mitigation of ½× Forward Whirl Following Rotor Drop Onto Auxiliary Bearings
Authors: Kang Xiao , Palazzolo Alan
Published: October 2019

1/2× forward whirl repeatedly occurred after a test rotor spinning at 5800 rpm was dropped onto ball bearing type auxiliary bearings (AB), utilized as a backup for magnetic bearings (MB). The measured contact forces that occurred between the rotor and the AB during the ½× subsynchronous vibration were about thirteen times larger than the static reaction force. The vibration frequency coincided with the rotor-support system natural frequency with the rotor at rest on the AB, an occurred at ½ of the rotor spin speed when dropped. The test rig provided measurements of rotor-bearing contact force, rotor orbit (vibrations), and rotational speed during rotor drop events. A simulation model was also developed and demonstrated that parametric excitation in the form of a Mathieu Hill model replicated the measured ½× forward whirl vibrations. The simulation model included a nonlinear, elastic-thermal coupled, ball bearing type AB model. The transient model successfully predicted the ½× vibration when the rotor was passing 5800 RPM as well, and the simulation results quantitatively agreed well with the test results in the frequency domain. Several approaches for mitigating the 1/2× forward whirl were presented such as adding an elastomer O-ring or waviness spring in the AB support system. Measurements confirmed that adding AB dampers effectively mitigated the ½ subsynchronous forward whirl and significantly reduced the contact forces.
Modeling of Thermal Propagation Based on Two Cylindrical Lithium-Ion Cells
Authors: Jia Yikai , Xu Jun
Published: October 2019

In recent years, safety-related accidents caused by lithium-ion battery (LIB) failures have often been reported and highlighted in the news. Thermal runaway (TR), as one of the most critical failure modes, and subsequent propagation can lead to catastrophic consequences for the battery pack or LIB module. In this study, TR propagation behavior between two batteries was studied. During the experiments, the TR of the first battery was triggered by mechanical abusive loading. The 3D thermal runaway model is combined with the electrical and thermal conduction model to construct a battery model for the TR model. Two typical TR propagation modes were observed and summarized from the simulation results according to different battery spacings. The mechanisms of these patterns are further discussed through the combination of computational models. High overall temperatures and localized overheating are the two main modes of TR propagation. The state of charge (SOC) is also a key factor that determines the probability and the speed of propagation. In addition, a simplified mathematical model is provided to improve the computational efficiency. Our results provide theoretical insights into the basic understanding of the TR propagation within battery packs. Results lay a strong foundation to develop an effective and efficient computing framework for the safe design of battery modules.
Effective Utilization of Solar Integrated Urban Distribution Network Infrastructure Using Diurnal Load Factor for Smart Cities
Authors: Muruganantham B. , Gnanadass R.
Published: October 2019

Solar PV Integration in the distribution network has become necessary to overcome the growing demand and to reduce emissions. The large percentage penetration of solar PV in the distribution network has more limitations to maintain the stability of the network. This paper emphasizes the strategy of location and the impact of solar PV integration in an urban distribution feeder. The urban distribution feeder has more service sector loads, having a majority of the demand during the daytime. To locate the solar PV, the diurnal load factor is proposed to maximize the utilization. With the proper location of solar PV in the appropriate nodes with more day demand, solar energy can be used locally without storage. This facilitates the effective utilization of urban distribution infrastructure, creating more network space for further load growth. The power flow and loading impact of solar PV generation are demonstrated on the 15-node Indian urban distribution feeder. Load profiles of various loads in different seasons of the year are normalized and grouped for the accurate analysis. Time series load flow analysis is performed with a variable load pattern to analyze the dynamic performance of the network.
Comprehensive modeling of the lithographic errors in laser direct write
Authors: Xie Ningzhi , Jones David , Lopez Gerald
Published: October 2019

Patterns written by laser direct write have a critical dimension (CD) bias dependence on the dose similar to other direct write methods, such as electron beam lithography, which can be explained by the exposure intensity distribution (EID) of the laser beam. In this study, a comprehensive model based on the EID is proposed to understand the pattern CD bias dependence on the dose, which is known as the exposure latitude. This model was supported by the results of the exposure tests on MicroChem S1800 resist on an Si wafer using the Heidelberg DWL66+ laser writer. The exposure latitudes of the patterns at both micrometer and submicrometer scale were measured. At the micrometer scale, the exposure latitudes were found to have no measurable dependence on the pattern size and the local pattern density. This conclusion does not hold at the submicrometer scale where the length scale is comparable to the width of the laser beam. This study proposes a way to convert the experimental exposure latitude data into the EID functions and fit these functions by assuming a Gaussian laser beam intensity distribution. All empirical observations are found to agree with the predictions made by the EID model. The authors also show that this model can help achieve dimensional accuracy, especially when there is a change in the exposure process. Moreover, it can be used to analyze and minimize the CD inconsistency between different runs found in the experiments. To reduce such inconsistency, overexposing combined with a negative bias applied to the pattern is suggested.
Development of temporal auditory processing in childhood: Changes in efficiency rather than temporal-modulation selectivity
Authors: Cabrera Laurianne , Varnet Léo , Buss Emily , Rosen Stuart , Lorenzi Christian
Published: October 2019

The ability to detect amplitude modulation (AM) is essential to distinguish the spectro-temporal features of speech from those of a competing masker. Previous work shows that AM sensitivity improves until 10 years of age. This may relate to the development of sensory factors (tuning of AM filters, susceptibility to AM masking) or to changes in processing efficiency (reduction in internal noise, optimization of decision strategies). To disentangle these hypotheses, three groups of children (5–11 years) and one of young adults completed psychophysical tasks measuring thresholds for detecting sinusoidal AM (with a rate of 4, 8, or 32 Hz) applied to carriers whose inherent modulations exerted different amounts of AM masking. Results showed that between 5 and 11 years, AM detection thresholds improved and that susceptibility to AM masking slightly increased. However, the effects of AM rate and carrier were not associated with age, suggesting that sensory factors are mature by 5 years. Subsequent modelling indicated that reducing internal noise by a factor 10 accounted for the observed developmental trends. Finally, children's consonant identification thresholds in noise related to some extent to AM sensitivity. Increased efficiency in AM detection may support better use of temporal information in speech during childhood.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging using pulse inversion spectral deconvolution
Authors: Khairalseed Mawia , Oezdemir Ipek , Hoyt Kenneth
Published: October 2019

A contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging approach, termed pulse inversion spectral deconvolution (PISD), is introduced. The approach uses two Gaussian-weighted Hermite polynomials to form two inverted pulse sequences. The two inversed pulses are then used to filter ultrasound (US) backscattered data and discrimination of the linear and nonlinear signal components. A research US scanner equipped with a linear array transducer was used for data acquisition. The receive data from all channels are shaped using plane wave imaging beamforming with angular compounding (from one to nine angles). In vitro data was collected with a tissue mimicking flow phantom perfused with an US contrast agent using PISD and traditional nonlinear (NLI) US imaging as comparison. The role of imaging frequency (between 4.5 and 6.25 MHz) and mechanical index (from 0.1 to 0.3) were evaluated. Preliminary in vivo data was collected in the hindlimb of three healthy mice. Preliminary experimental findings indicate that the PISD contrast-to-tissue ratio was improved nearly ten times compared to the NLI US imaging approach. Also, the spatial resolution was improved due to the effect of deconvolution and spatial angular compounding. Overall, PISD is a promising postprocessing technique for real-time CEUS imaging.
Determining the Optimum Bar Velocity in the Barbell Hip Thrust Exercise
Authors: Loturco Irineu , Suchomel Timothy , Bishop Chris , Kobal Ronaldo , Pereira Lucas A. , McGuigan Michael R.
Published: October 2019

Purpose: To identify the bar velocities that optimize power output in the barbell hip thrust exercise. Methods: A total of 40 athletes from 2 sports disciplines (30 track-and-field sprinters and jumpers and 10 rugby union players) participated in this study. Maximum bar-power outputs and their respective bar velocities were assessed in the barbell hip thrust exercise. Athletes were divided, using a median split analysis, into 2 groups according to their bar-power outputs in the barbell hip thrust exercise (“higher” and “lower” power groups). The magnitude-based inferences method was used to analyze the differences between groups in the power and velocity outcomes. To assess the precision of the bar velocities for determining the maximum power values, the coefficient of variation (CV%) was also calculated. Results: Athletes achieved the maximum power outputs at a mean velocity, mean propulsive velocity, and peak velocity of 0.92 (0.04) m·s−1 (CV: 4.1%), 1.02 (0.05) m·s−1 (CV: 4.4%), and 1.72 (0.14) m·s−1 (CV: 8.4%), respectively. No meaningful differences were observed in the optimum bar velocities between higher and lower power groups. Conclusions: Independent of the athletes’ power output and bar-velocity variable, the optimum power loads frequently occur at very close bar velocities.
Genomic Prediction of Tendinopathy Risk in Elite Team Sports
Authors: Rodas Gil , Osaba Lourdes , Arteta David , Pruna Ricard , Fernández Dolors , Lucia Alejandro
Published: October 2019

Purpose: The authors investigated the association between risk of tendinopathies and genetic markers in professional team sports. Methods: The authors studied 363 (mean [SD]; 25 [6] y, 89% male) elite players (soccer, futsal, basketball, handball, and roller hockey) from a top-level European team (FC Barcelona, Spain). Of 363, 55% (cases) had experienced 1+ episodes of tendinopathy during 2008–2018 and 45% (controls) remained injury free. The authors first examined the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and tendinopathy risk in a hypothesis-free case-control genome-wide association study (495,837 SNPs) with additional target analysis of 58 SNPs that are potential candidates to influence tendinopathy risk based on the literature. Thereafter, the authors augmented the SNP set by performing synthetic variant imputation (1,419,369 SNPs) and then used machine learning-based multivariate modeling (support vector machine and random forest) to build a reliable predictive model. Results: Suggestive association (P < 10−5) was found for rs11154027 (gap junction alpha 1), rs4362400 (vesicle amine transport 1-like), and rs10263021 (contactin-associated protein-like 2). Carriage of 1+ variant alleles for rs11154027 (odds ratio = 2.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–4.19, P = 1.01 × 10−6) or rs4362400 (odds ratio = 1.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–3.73, P = 9.6 × 10−6) was associated with a higher risk of tendinopathy, whereas an opposite effect was found for rs10263021 (odds ratio = 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.20–0.91], P = 4.5 × 10−6). In the modeling approach, one of the most robust SNPs was rs10477683 in the fibrillin 2 gene encoding fibrillin 2, a component of connective tissue microfibrils involved in elastic fiber assembly. Conclusions: The authors have identified previously undescribed genetic predictors of tendinopathy in elite team sports athletes, notably rs11154027, rs4362400, and rs10263021.
Cellular oxygen sensor system earns Nobel for trio
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: October 2019

Discoveries led to candidate drugs for anemia and cancer.
Confronting climate change
On Fire
Naomi Klein
Simon and Schuster, 2019. 320 pp.
The Green New Deal
Jeremy Rifkin
St. Martin's Press, 2019. 292 pp.
Authors: Aczel Miriam
Published: October 2019

Two authors present the urgent case for a Green New Deal
Linking the need to sleep with synaptic function
Authors: Cirelli Chiara , Tononi Giulio
Published: October 2019

Day and night, the amounts of many synaptic proteins vary according to sleep pressure
The new cartography
Authors: Williams Erin R.
Published: October 2019

Quantitative proteomics maps previously unappreciated interactions stimulated by T cell activation.
Self-Disinfecting Copper Beds Sustain Terminal Cleaning and Disinfection Effects throughout Patient Care
Authors: Schmidt Michael G. , Attaway Hubert H. , Fairey Sarah E. , Howard Jayna , Mohr Denise , Craig Stephanie
Published: October 2019

Despite cleaning efforts of environmental service teams and substantial compliance with hand hygiene best practices, the microbial burden in patient care settings often exceeds concentrations at which transfer to patients represents a substantial acquisition risk for health care-associated infections (HAIs). Approaches to limit HAI risk have relied on designing health care equipment and furnishings that are easier to clean and/or the use of no-touch disinfection interventions such as germicidal UV irradiation or vapor deposition of hydrogen peroxide. In a clinical trial evaluating the largest fomite in the patient care setting, the bed, a bed was encapsulated with continuously disinfecting antimicrobial copper surfaces, which reduced the bacteria on surfaces by 94% and sustained the microbial burden below the terminal cleaning and disinfection risk threshold throughout the patient’s stay. Such an intervention, which continuously limits microbes on high-touch surfaces, should be studied in a broader range of health care settings to determine its potential long-range efficacy for reducing HAI.
Combination Immunotherapy with Passive Antibody and Sulfasalazine Accelerates Fungal Clearance and Promotes the Resolution ofPneumocystis-Associated Immunopathogenesis
Authors: Hoy Zachary , Wright Terry W. , Elliott Michael , Malone Jane , Bhagwat Samir , Wang Jing , Gigliotti Francis
Published: October 2019

The pulmonary immune response protects healthy individuals againstPneumocystispneumonia (PcP). However, the immune response also drives immunopathogenesis in patients who develop severe PcP, and it is generally accepted that optimal treatment requires combination strategies that promote fungal killing and also provide effective immunomodulation. The anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine programs macrophages for enhancedPneumocystisphagocytosis and also suppresses PcP-related immunopathogenesis.
The origin of large gypsum crystals in the Geode of Pulpí (Almería, Spain)
Authors: Canals A. , Van Driessche A.E.S. , Palero F. , García-Ruiz J.M.
Published: October 2019

The Geode of Pulpí (Almería, Spain) is an ∼11 m3 ovoid cavity, the walls of which are covered with meter-sized idiomorphic and highly transparent gypsum (CaSO4●2H2O) crystals. We performed a thorough study based on field work, and petrographic and geochemical data collection, which aimed to reconstruct the geological history leading to the formation of this geode. The geode is hosted in mineralized Triassic carbonate rocks with a discontinuous mineral sequence from iron-carbonates and barite to celestine and finally gypsum (microcrystalline and selenite). Data from fluid inclusions show that barite precipitated above 100 °C, celestine at ∼70 °C, and gypsum below 25 °C. All δ34S sulfate phases fall between Triassic and Tertiary evaporite values. Barite and gypsum, either microcrystalline or large selenite crystals, show variable δ34S and δ18O compositions, whereas celestine and centimetric selenite gypsum have homogeneous values. We propose that the growth of the large selenite crystals in the Geode of Pulpí was the result of a self-feeding mechanism consisting of isovolumetric anhydrite replacement by gypsum at a temperature of 20 ± 5 °C, episodically contributed by a ripening process enhanced by temperature oscillations due to climatic change.
Detrital garnet geochronology: Application in tributaries of the French Broad River, Southern Appalachian Mountains, USA
Authors: Maneiro Kathryn A. , Baxter Ethan F. , Samson Scott D. , Marschall Horst R. , Hietpas Jack
Published: October 2019

Nineteen single-grain detrital garnet ages from a tributary to the French Broad River (North Carolina, USA) establish a novel approach to Sm-Nd detrital garnet geochronology wherein the equilibrium bulk-rock composition lost during weathering and transport is replaced with the composition of inclusions leached from within each garnet grain. Detrital garnet ages were compared to published detrital zircon and monazite ages from the same river tributary system. Results show that 87% of the zircons have inherited Proterozoic ages; only zircon rims give Paleozoic ages. Monazites are exclusively Ordovician (weighted average: 460.9 ± 3.0 Ma). Our new detrital garnet ages (and the detrital zircon rims) record younger ages spanning the Late Ordovician to Early Devonian, likely reflecting prolonged metamorphic heating. The weighted average age of the detrital garnet population is Silurian (430.1 ± 7.2 Ma). Statistical tests confirm that the garnet population is younger than the monazite. The new detrital garnet ages illuminate a previously uninterpreted Silurian tectonometamorphic signal in this region.
Not in education, employment, or training (NEET) and risk of alcohol use disorder: a nationwide register-linkage study with 485 839 Swedish youths
Authors: Manhica Helio , Lundin Andreas , Danielsson Anna-Karin
Published: October 2019

Objective

To investigate to what extent being outside education, employment or training after completed secondary education in Sweden might affect the risk of subsequent alcohol use disorders (AUDs), with sociodemographic indicators, such as sex, domicile and origin, taken into account.

Design

Population register-based cohort study with 485 839 Swedish youths.

Setting

Sweden.

Participants

All youths who were born between 1982 and 1991 and were aged between 19 and 24 years when they completed secondary education in Sweden, between 2005 and 2009.

Primary outcome measure

Cox regression models were used to estimate the HR of first record of entry into alcohol-related medical care with a diagnosis of an AUD, by level of labour market attachment, from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2016.

Results

About 4% of the youth population were outside education, employment or training and 25% were in insecure workforce after they completed secondary education. The risk of AUD was higher among youths in insecure workforce, HR 1.40 (95% CI 1.30 to 1.50), and among those outside education, employment or training, HR 1.30 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.51), compared with youths within the core workforce, also after adjusting for age, domicile, sex and origin. Being in education was associated with lower HR of AUD, HR=0.84 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.90).

Conclusion

Youths who are in insecure workforce and outside education, employment or training are at higher risk of AUD. Targeted policy actions are needed to support a successful school-work transition to secure equal opportunities for young people.
Italian consensus statement (2020) on return to play after lower limb muscle injury in football (soccer)
Authors: Bisciotti Gian Nicola , Volpi Piero , Alberti Giampietro , Aprato Alessandro , Artina Matteo , Auci Alessio , Bait Corrado , Belli Andrea , Bellistri Giuseppe , Bettinsoli Pierfrancesco , Bisciotti Alessandro , Bisciotti Andrea , Bona Stefano , Bresciani Marco , Bruzzone Andrea , Buda Roberto , Buffoli Michele , Callini Matteo , Canata Gianluigi , Cardinali Davide , Cassaghi Gabriella , Castagnetti Lara , Clerici Sebastiano , Corradini Barbara , Corsini Alessandro , D"Agostino Cristina , Dellasette Enrico , Di Pietto Francesco , Enrica Drapchind , Eirale Cristiano , Foglia Andrea , Franceschi Francesco , Frizziero Antonio , Galbiati Alberto , Giammatei Carlo , Landreau Philippe , Mazzola Claudio , Moretti Biagio , Muratore Marcello , Nanni Gianni , Niccolai Roberto , Orizio Claudio , Pantalone Andrea , Parra Federica , Pasta Giulio , Patroni Paolo , Pelella Davide , Pulici Luca , Quaglia Alessandro , Respizzi Stefano , Ricciotti Luca , Rispoli Arianna , Rosa Francesco , Rossato Alberto , Sannicandro Italo , Sprenger Claudio , Tarantola Chiara , Tenconi Fabio Gianpaolo , Tognini Giuseppe , Tosi Fabio , Trinchese Giovanni Felice , Vago Paola , Zappia Marcello , Vuckovich Zarko , Zini Raul , Trainini Michele , Chamari Karim
Published: October 2019

Return to play (RTP) decisions in football are currently based on expert opinion. No consensus guideline has been published to demonstrate an evidence-based decision-making process in football (soccer). Our aim was to provide a framework for evidence-based decision-making in RTP following lower limb muscle injuries sustained in football. A 1-day consensus meeting was held in Milan, on 31 August 2018, involving 66 national and international experts from various academic backgrounds. A narrative review of the current evidence for RTP decision-making in football was provided to delegates. Assembled experts came to a consensus on the best practice for managing RTP following lower limb muscle injuries via the Delphi process. Consensus was reached on (1) the definitions of ‘return to training’ and ‘return to play’ in football. We agreed on ‘return to training’ and RTP in football, the appropriate use of clinical and imaging assessments, and laboratory and field tests for return to training following lower limb muscle injury, and identified objective criteria for RTP based on global positioning system technology. Level of evidence IV, grade of recommendation D.
Solvability of the Caldeira–Leggett model
Authors: Bougouffa Smail , Bougoffa Lazhar
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we illustrate the use of the method of the characteristics in various dissipative models of a single harmonic oscillator. The master equation governing the process can be transformed to a partial differential equation on the Wigner distribution, which in turn can be split to a system of coupled differential equations. We present a useful technique that can be used to separate the system without increasing the order and then the solutions can be obtained. The obtained solutions are used to calculate the average of energy observable of the system. This procedure can be extended to solve some other complex similar problems.
Investigation of the quasi-free domain in deuteron-deuteron break-up using spin observables
Authors: Ramazani-Sharifabadi R. , Bayat M. T. , Ciepał I. , Kalantar-Nayestanaki N. , Kistryn St. , Kozela A. , Mahjour-Shafiei M. , Messchendorp J. G. , Mohammadi-Dadkan M. , Ramazani-Moghaddam-Arani A. , Stephan E. , Tavakoli-Zaniani H.
Published: October 2019

Precision measurements of vector and tensor analyzing powers of the 2H( d, dp)n break-up process for configurations in the vicinity of the quasi-free scattering regime with the neutron as spectator are presented. These measurements are performed with a polarized deuteron-beam with an energy of 65MeV/nucleon impinging on a liquid-deuterium target. The experiment was conducted at the AGOR facility at KVI using the BINA 4$ \pi$π-detection system. Events for which the final-state deuteron and proton are coplanar have been analyzed and the data have been sorted for various momenta of the missing neutron. In the limit of vanishing neutron momentum and at large deuteron-proton momentum transfer, the data agree well with the measured and theoretically predicted spin observables of the elastic deuteron-proton scattering process. The agreement deteriorates rapidly with increasing neutron momentum and/or decreasing momentum transfer from the deuteron beam to the outgoing proton. This study reveals the presence of a significant contribution of final-state interactions even at very small neutron momenta.
SHAPE PRESERVING RATIONAL QUARTIC FRACTAL FUNCTIONS
Authors: KATIYAR S. K. , CHAND A. K. B.
Published: October 2019

The appearance of fractal interpolation function represents a revival of experimental mathematics, raised by computers and intensified by powerful evidence of its applications. This paper is devoted to establish a method to construct [Formula: see text]-fractal rational quartic spline, which eventually provides a unified approach for the generalization of various traditional nonrecursive rational splines involving shape parameters. We deduce the uniform error bound for the [Formula: see text]-fractal rational quartic spline when the original function is in [Formula: see text]. By solving a system of linear equations, appropriate values of the derivative parameters are determined so as to enhance the continuity of the [Formula: see text]-fractal rational quartic spline to [Formula: see text]. The elements of the iterated function system are identified befittingly so that the class of [Formula: see text]-fractal function [Formula: see text] incorporates the geometric features such as positivity, monotonicity and convexity in addition to the regularity inherent in the germ [Formula: see text]. This general theory in conjunction with shape preserving aspects of the traditional splines provides algorithms for the construction of shape preserving fractal interpolation functions.