bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
10. A Collaborative Approach to Research and Writing
Authors: Garrison Randy
Published: August 2023

This chapter describes an approach to research and writing that can best be described as curiosity driven and intuitive. The strategy described relates to constructing meaning (research) and sharing understanding (writing). Collaboration is a consistent theme, and it is argued that much can be gained by sharing your thoughts and drafts of your work. In terms of writing strategies, the message is that writing is a test of one’s thinking, and that clear thinking leads to good writing. Moreover, the writing advice is to maintaining focus and flow and not be excessively concerned with editing and judging. Research and writing is a journey of curiosity that is best maintained (focus and flow) with persistent effort.
13. Indigenous, Settler, Diasporic, and Post-colonial:
The Identities Woven Through our Academic Writing
Authors: Koole Marguerite , Cottrell Michael , Okoko Janet , Dreaver-Charles Kristine
Published: August 2023

A collaboration by four colleagues at varying stages of their careers, this chapter is both polyvocal and autobiographical. It is organized using the concepts of 1) the autobiographical self in which we describe our background and training as scholars, 2) the discoursal self in which we share our thoughts on identity and voice in our writing, and 3) the authorial self in which we reflect on our writing processes and struggles. Each of these “selves” offers a space for possibilities for selfhood. As we describe these aspects of our writing “selves,” we explore our positionings as Indigenous, settler, diasporic and post-colonial individuals, and how those identities performatively intertwine with the expectations of our academic contexts.
Invisible Inequality: Social Class and Childrearing in Black Families and White Families
Authors: Lareau Annette
Published: August 2023

Although family life has an important impact on children's life chances, the mechanisms through which parents transmit advantages are imperfectly understood. An ethnographic data set of white children and black children approximately 10 years old shows the effects of social class on interactions inside the home. Middle-class parents engage in concerted cultivation by attempting to foster children's talents through organized leisure activities and extensive reasoning. Working-class and poor parents engage in the accomplishment of natural growth, providing the conditions under which children can grow but leaving leisure activities to children themselves. These parents also use directives rather than reasoning. Middle-class children, both white and black, gain an emerging sense of entitlement from their family life. Race had much less impact than social class. Also, differences in a cultural logic of childrearing gave parents and their children differential resources to draw on in their interactions with professionals and other adults outside the home. Middle-class children gained individually insignificant but cumulatively important advantages. Working-class and poor children did not display the same sense of entitlement or advantages. Some areas of family life appeared exempt from the effects of social class, however.
Democratic Contraction? Political Consequences of Felon Disenfranchisement in the United States
Authors: Uggen Christopher , Manza Jeff
Published: August 2023

Universal suffrage is a cornerstone of democratic governance. As levels of criminal punishment have risen in the United States, however, an ever-larger number of citizens have lost the right to vote. The authors ask whether felon disenfranchisement constitutes a meaningful reversal of the extension of voting rights by considering its political impact. Data from legal sources, election studies, and inmate surveys are examined to consider two counterfactual conditions: (1) whether removing disenfranchisement restrictions alters the outcomes of past U.S. Senate and presidential elections, and (2) whether applying contemporary rates of disenfranchisement to prior elections affects their outcomes. Because felons are drawn disproportionately from the ranks of racial minorities and the poor, disenfranchisement laws tend to take more votes from Democratic than from Republican candidates. Analysis shows that felon disenfranchisement played a decisive role in U.S. Senate elections in recent years. Moreover, at least one Republican presidential victory would have been reversed if former felons had been allowed to vote, and at least one Democratic presidential victory would have been jeopardized had contemporary rates of disenfranchisement prevailed during that time.
Determinants of Relative Poverty in Advanced Capitalist Democracies
Authors: Moller Stephanie , Bradley David , Huber Evelyne , Nielsen Francois , Stephens John D.
Published: August 2023

Using relative poverty measures based on micro-level data from the Luxembourg Income Study, in conjunction with pooled time-series data for 14 advanced capitalist democracies between 1970 and 1997, the authors analyze separately the rate of pretax/transfer poverty and the reduction in poverty achieved by systems of taxes and transfers. Socioeconomic factors, including de-industrialization and unemployment, largely explain pre-tax/transfer poverty rates of the working-age population in these advanced capitalist democracies. The extent of redistribution (measured as poverty reduction via taxes and transfers) is explained directly by welfare state generosity and constitutional structure (number of veto points) and the strength of the political left, both in unions and in government.
In the Eye of the Beholder: Procedural Justice in Social Exchange
Authors: Molm Linda D. , Takahashi Nobuyuki , Peterson Gretchen
Published: August 2023

This article develops and tests alternative predictions about how the form of social exchange, negotiated or reciprocal, affects perceptions of fairness, independent of the structure and outcomes of exchange. Theories of procedural justice predict that fair exchange procedures should enhance perceptions of the exchange partner's fairness. Negotiated exchange—which incorporates collective decision-making, advance knowledge of terms, mutual assent, and binding agreements—clearly appears more fair than does reciprocal exchange on most procedural dimensions. Thus, these theories imply that perceptions of the other's fairness should be greater in negotiated than in reciprocal exchange. Results from three experiments, however, show the opposite: Actors perceive negotiated exchange partners as less fair, and they are less willing to engage in unequal exchanges with them; these effects are robust across multiple levels of inequality and variations within the two forms of exchange. These findings support the authors’ alternative argument: Rather than increasing perceptions of fairness, features of negotiated exchange instead serve to heighten the salience of conflict between actors, trigger self-serving attributions that lead actors to perceive others’ motives and traits unfavorably, and increase perceptions that the other is unfair. The authors discuss implications for theory and for negotiation and reciprocity in social life.
Effectiveness of Valproic Acid in the Treatment of Sydenham’s Chorea and a Literature Review
Authors: Özgün Nezir , Akdeniz Osman
Published: August 2023

There is still no evidence-based guideline and consensus on the treatment Sydenham’s Chorea (SC). The first-line medication preference of specialists depends on personal experience and is variable. In this study, we evaluate the treatment results of pediatric patients who were treated with valproic acid (VPA). The medical records of 17 patients diagnosed with SC were reviewed retrospectively. The mean time to clinical improvement was found as approximately 5 days, the mean duration of remission as 13.60 ± 3.94 weeks and the mean duration of medication use was found as 17.96 ± 3.81 weeks. No side effects were observed in any of the patients and relapse occurred in 2 patients. A positive correlation was found between the initial C-reactive protein (CRP) level and the duration of medication use. Until evidence-based guidelines are established, VPA can be used as an effective, safe, and inexpensive first-line treatment option, especially in pediatric patients.
Conflict and Coalition: Securing LGBT Rights in the Face of Hostility
Authors: Devereaux Evans Tessa
Published: August 2023

Under what conditions do states protect minority rights in a context of domestic resistance? Recent decades have seen rapid divergence on LGBT rights worldwide, with Africa presented as “norms antipreneur” in the face of international pressure. Yet, in 1996, South Africa was the first country in the world to provide constitutional protection on grounds of sexual orientation. This article develops an original theory on LGBT rights protection using a conflict-to-rights framework. Employing process tracing, elite interviews and archival sources, I show how a situation of insurgency allows LGBT activists to build networks and increase egalitarian attitudes to attain in-group status. Continued violence also works to block public participation in policy-making while dividing opposition forces, allowing a tiny group of activists to effectively lobby for change.
ISMP Adverse Drug Reactions
Authors: Shuster Joel
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this feature is to heighten awareness of specific adverse drug reactions (ADRs), discuss methods of prevention, and promote reporting of ADRs to the FDA's MED WATCH program (800-FDA-1088). If you have reported an interesting preventable ADR to medWatch, please consider sharing the account with our readers. Write to Dr. Shuster at ISMP, 1800 Byberry Road, Suite 810, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 (call 215-947-7797; fax 215-914–1492; E-mail: joel.shuster@temple.edu ). Your report will be published anonymously unless otherwise requested. This feature is provided by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices in cooperation with the FDA's medWatch Program and Temple University School of Pharmacy. ISMP is an FDA medWatch partner.
Off-Label Drug Uses
Authors: Generali Joyce , Cada Dennis J.
Published: August 2023

Off-Label Drug Uses — This Hospital Pharmacy feature is extracted from Off-Label DrugFacts, a quarterly publication available from Wolters Kluwer Health. Off-Label DrugFacts is a practitioner-oriented resource for information about specific FDA-unapproved drug uses. This new guide to the literature will enable the health care professional/clinician to quickly identify published studies on off-label uses and to determine if a specific use is rational in a patient care scenario. The most relevant data are provided in tabular form, so the reader can easily identify the scope of information available. A summary of the data—including background, study design, patient population, dosage information, therapy duration, results, safety, and therapeutic considerations—precedes each table of published studies. References direct the reader to the full literature for more comprehensive information prior to patient care decisions. Direct questions or comments regarding “Off-Label Drug Uses” to hospitalpharmacy@drugfacts.com .
Strategies for Developing Clinical Services—Advanced Practice Programs
Authors: Weber Robert J.
Published: August 2023

The Director's Forum series of articles switches its focus from the core competencies of hospital pharmacy practice to programs that enhance the ability of the pharmacy to provide patient-centered services. In the September 2006 issue, decentralized pharmacy services were reviewed and recommended as an effective patient-centered strategy for a hospital pharmacy. This issue addresses developing advanced practice programs in critical care.
Provocation, Bargaining, and War
Authors: Cho Hyun-Binn , Haynes Kyle , Yoder Brandon K.
Published: August 2023

The rationalist bargaining literature explains how public statements and military mobilizations can signal resolve. But recent political psychology scholarship shows how such actions can “provoke” targets, increasing their resolve by arousing emotions among their leaders and public. While rationalist models have largely omitted provocation, psychological approaches have neglected its strategic consequences. We model provocation in bargaining, assuming that a challenger’s signals endogenously increase the target’s resolve. Our model shows that introducing provocation can make signals of resolve more credible precisely because their provocative effects make them more costly to send. Moreover, against the prevailing intuition that provocation uniformly promotes conflict, the information from these signals can mitigate their provocative effects and elicit more generous offers than not signaling. Thus, in contrast to psychological accounts, we show that taking provocative actions can be rational and necessary for reaching peaceful bargains. We illustrate these findings with the 1911 Agadir Crisis.
The Political Economy of the Tourist Sector in Times of COVID-19: The Uruguayan Case
Authors: Lizbona Alexandra , Delbono Andrea
Published: August 2023

With the outbreak of the pandemic, in the midst of the worst crisis in the tourist sector in Uruguay, and in a context of entrepreneurs’ general concurrence with government measures as opposed to marked worker dissatisfaction, the links of the center-right government headed by Luis Lacalle Pou with businessmen and tourism workers have been characterized by cooperation rather than conflict. This situation can be attributed to the preexistence of a social protection framework and solid labor institutionality, the country’s democratic strength and political culture favoring dialogue, and the instrumental business power compared with the weakness of the tourism workers’ collective action.

En medio de la peor crisis del sector turístico, y en un contexto de conformidad con las medidas gubernamentales por parte de los empresarios y de marcada disconformidad por parte de los trabajadores, el vínculo entre el gobierno de centroderecha de Luis Lacalle Pou y los empresarios y trabajadores del turismo se ha caracterizado por la cooperación más que por el conflicto. Esta situación puede atribuirse a la combinación de factores asociados a la preexistencia de una matriz de protección social y una sólida institucionalidad laboral; a la fortaleza democrática del país; a su cultura política favorecedora del diálogo y al poder instrumental del empresariado frente a la debilidad de la acción colectiva de los trabajadores del turismo.
Research on Yeoh-Revised hyperelastic constitutive model considering the volume almost incompressible premise for rubber materials
Authors: Kuang Yuchun , Fan Peng , Dong Zongzheng , Han Yiwei , Lin Wei
Published: August 2023

For the totally incompressible Yeoh (i.e., classic Yeoh) model predicts the equibiaxial tension ( ET) stress lower, this paper proposes the totally incompressible Yeoh-Revised model to improve the prediction of ET stress. First, the fitting expression of the totally incompressible Yeoh-Revised constitutive model was derived under the presumption that fluororubber ( FPM) and hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber ( HNBR) are isotropic and entirely incompressible. Meanwhile, the goodness-of-fit ( R^2) statistic was used to assess the fitting outcomes of the three tension tests data (e.g., single tension ( ST), ET and planar tension ( PT)). Additionally, in order to fit the rubber materials tensile test data more accurately, we suggest a novel hyperelastic constitutive fitting method that takes into account the volume microscopic compressibility of rubber materials. The findings demonstrate that the totally incompressible Yeoh-Revised model's prediction of ET stress has marginally improved which neglecting the rubber materials’ volume microcompressibility, while the almost incompressible Yeoh-Revised model fits the ET stress significantly and accurately, and also enhances the forecast accuracy of overall R^2. Finally, the fitting formula of the almost incompressible constitutive model may be reduced to that of the totally incompressible model if the volume microcompressibility is disregarded, which is beneficial to more accurately forecast the experiment tests of rubber materials tension.
Protection of Polyurethanes against Ultra-Violet Light
Authors: Bellettini Arturo G. , Harrison J. Rufford
Published: August 2023

Laboratory studies suggest that polyether and polyester urethanes can both be protected from the effects of ultra-violet (UV) light by the addition of suitable UV absorbers and antioxidants. The formulation can therefore be tailored to the dictates of mechanical or chemical properties, without regard to the effects of light. Most environments needing light-stability also need long-term outdoor durability, which can be obtained only if the methane is resistant to hydrolysis. This mandates the use of a polyether soft segment. The best polyether is poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol, which provides the necessary mechanical and chemical properties; it can be formulated to give many years of stability.
The Incorporation of Particulate Silica in a Rigid Polyurethane Foam
Authors: Ong J.C. , Pearson R.G.
Published: August 2023

A commercially available rigid polyurethane foam formulation was modified by addition of increasing quantities of silica fillers of small particle size. The foam products were tested in compression for density and water absorption measurements and were examined by electron scanning microscopy. The reactivity of the fillers to the isocyanate component was examined quantitatively by an infrared technique. The fillers were found to react with the isocyanate component and to cause a collapse of the foam cell structure.
Polyurethane and Fires – The Role of Thermal Decomposition Products on Life Risk
Authors: Jeffs G.M.F. , Sand H.
Published: August 2023

Following public concern on potential life risk of articles made of polyurethane due to toxic gas emission when involved in fires, the issue is looked at both from the findings of laboratory tests and from fire experience.

Overall, the toxic hazard of polyurethanes in fire is comparable to that of organic materials in everyday use.

Toxic gas emission is generally proportional to the degree of involvement in fires.

Hazard can be reduced by appropriate applications as well as by protection of escape routes and provision for smoke exhaust.
Recent Developments in Tertiary Aliphatic Isocyanates
Authors: Saxon Robert , Dexter Robin W. , Hewitt Geoffrey C.
Published: August 2023

The potential of three development isocyanates (meta- and para-tetra-methylxylene diisocyanate (TMXDI) and m -isopropenyl-α-α-dimethyl-benzylisocyanate (meta-TMI)) is illustrated in applications where aliphatic isocyanates are required. Data are given on formulations for reaction injection moulding, surface coatings, radiation-curable coatings, cast elastomers and potting compounds which resist degradation or discoloration by light and weather. In the case of cast polyurethane elastomers and microcellular elastomers — where light stability is not commercially significant – the use of these tertiary aliphatic diisocyanates gives valuable combinations of physical properties as well as processing benefits.

Generally direct replacement of an existing diisocyanate is not satisfactory, but good results are readily obtained by reformulation to adjust for the chain mobility and reactivity of the particular TMXDI isomer.
Fire Performance of Building Elements Incorporating Cellular Polymers
Authors: Rogowski B.F.W.
Published: August 2023

This paper discusses the use of cellular plastics in buildings, reviews their fire performance and suggests how test procedures can be developed to assist design. Reference is made to a particular series of tests involving the assessment of a range of non-loadbearing partitions or infill panels, based on an extruded polystyrene core.
A Techno-Economic Study of the Disposal of Polyurethane Foam Waste by Incineration and Heat Recovery
Authors: Hilyard N.C. , Kinder A.I. , Axelby G.L.
Published: August 2023

The paper reports on an investigation into procedures for the disposal of waste from a firm manufacturing polyurethane thermal insulation products. The procedures analysed are disposal by tipping, in-house incineration and incineration with waste heat recovery. The factors considered included the nature and amounts of scrap arisings, the combustion characteristics of PUR foams, environmental legislation and incineration technology. A detailed investment appraisal was made and it was concluded that for the specific manufacturing situation investigated incineration is technologically feasible and would be of economic benefit to the firm. Little economic advantage would result, however, from implementing a waste heat recovery system.
Fundamentals of the Fire Behaviour of Cellular Polymers
Authors: Drysdale D. D.
Published: August 2023

When compared with solid polymers, many cellular polymers are deemed to have unacceptable fire properties. This is due not to their chemical composition, but to their physical form. Such low density materials, with low thermal inertias, can achieve a high rate of burning very rapidly, ft is this ability to develop steady burning in a comparatively short period of time that is the principal hazard associated with such materials. Measured properties such as heat of combustion and ‘smoke potential’ are effectively of secondary importance.
A Novel Method for Determining the Temperature Dependence of Shear Properties of Structural Foams
Authors: Challis K. E. , Hall D. J. , Paul D. B.
Published: August 2023

A glass reinforced plastic( GRP) /foam sandwich has been chosen for the construction of the new Royal Australian Navy minehunter. Previous work has determined that elevated temperatures possible in Australian tropical conditions can have a deleterious effect on the foam core of such composites with subsequent reductions in composite structural strength. Full scale tests and underwater shock trials have shown that shear stress in the core is a prime cause of composite failure and hence reductions in core shear properties under the influence of temperature may affect the service performance of the vessel.

Core shear properties in the temperature range 20–90°C have been monitored using a new torsional shear instrument which for thick foam materials offers substantial advantages in comparison with standard plate shear methods. Results for a number of commercial closed cell modified PVC foams are presented and indicate that at 90° C the decline in shear strength and shear modulus is 30–50%. Comparisons between torsional and plate shear procedures were also undertaken and a rationalisation for observed differences is proposed
Thermal Stability of Structural PVC Foams
Authors: Challis K. E. , Hall D. J. , Hilton P. R. , Paul D. B.
Published: August 2023

The Royal Australian Navy is to replace its existing minehunters with a new class of vessel entirely constructed from a glass reinforced plastic/foam sandwich composite. Previous studies have shown that structural properties of the hull composite are largely dependent on the physical properties of the foam core material and therefore thermally induced foam degradation could seriously impair the structural integrity of the vessel.

Consideration of the Australian climate, and in particular that of the tropical North, led to evaluations of the temperature dependence of core properties. Results of tests on a number of commercially available modified PVC foams are presented.
Morphological and Kinetic Study of Expandable Polystyrene Pre-expansion and Effects on Foam Properties
Authors: Cigna G. , Merlotti M. , Castellani L.
Published: August 2023

Optimized physico-mechanical properties and good pre-expansion and moulding performance ( short cycle time) are required for expandable polystyrene ( EPS).

These characteristics are greatly dependent on expanded bead density, fusion and cell structure. On the other hand the morphological parameters of pre-expanded beads are determined by the intrinsic molecular and morphological properties of the expandable particles.

The pre-expansion mechanism and its complex morphological and kinetic aspects have been studied; in particular, bead density, cell homogeneity, cell dimensions and number, cell wall thickness, amount of broken cell walls and pentane concentration during different pre-expansion steps have been evaluated.

Determinations of bead surface integrity, pentane diffusivity at different densities and critical surface tension of compact and prefoamed EPS have also been made.

The results of this investigation give some indications of the moulding behaviour and of the physical properties of the foamed samples. It has been found that very short moulding times (with negative effects on fusion and block shrinkage) are related to an appreciable amount of broken cell walls, probably due to too small a cell diameter.
Shock Mitigating Foams. 2. Static/Dynamic Characteristics
Authors: Richardson M.O.W. , Al-Hassani A.H.M.
Published: August 2023

Using a selection of both commercially available and laboratory synthesised products, the shock mitigating characteristics of semi-rigid foams are systematically evaluated using both compression tests (static) and swinging pendulum tests (dynamic). It is demonstrated how parameters derived from relatively simple static compression tests may be used to predict the maximum deceleration of an impacting object when striking the foams directly.

Following a review of the chemical and physical factors likely to influence energy absorption qualities of foams it is tentatively discussed how such factors may be correlated with the material parameters calculated from the static compression tests.

In conclusion, the paper points the way forward to how simple static tests may be used to aid the development of foams with specific shock mitigating properties.
New Methods for the Determination of Airborne Isocyanates
Authors: Brown R.H. , Ellwood P.A. , Groves J.A. , Robertson S.M.
Published: August 2023

Two new methods for the measurement of atmospheric isocyanates are under development to complement the HPLC-electrochemical method currently used by the Health and Safety Executive (Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances, MDHS 25).

The first is a general method for total isocyanate groups, in which sampled isocyanates are converted into urethanes by reaction with propanol in a bubbler. After removal of the excess propanol by evaporation, the urethanes are hydrolysed and propanol is released in an amount proportional to the original NCO groups present. The released propanol is determined by head-space gas chromatography. The method has significant advantages, in addition to its simplicity. Interfering co-pollutants, such as amines or polyols will not react with propanol. Volatile interferents will be removed in the evaporation stage and non-volatile interferents will not partition into the head-space. However, isocyanates react only slowly with propanol relative to amines; for this reason, undiluted propanol in very large excess is used as the reagent, but the presence of large amounts of amine may partly suppress urethane formation.

The second is a specific method for toluene diisocyanate (TDI) vapour, and is based on combining paper tape technology with diffusive sampling. Diffusive sampling offers considerable advantages in simplicity and convenience and enables eight-hour monitoring to be accomplished with tapes designed for short-term pumped sampling. The method uses the commercial 3M OVM badge; the supplied charcoal cloth (for organic vapours) is replaced by pieces of reactive paper tape as used in the SKC isocyanates paper tape monitor. After exposure, the tape can be examined densitometrically or compared with a stain chart.
Fluoxetine rescues the depressive-like behaviour induced by reserpine and the altered emotional behaviour induced by nicotine withdrawal in zebrafish: Involvement of tyrosine hydroxylase
Authors: Braida Daniela , Ponzoni Luisa , Dellarole Ilaria , Morara Stefano , Sala Mariaelvina
Published: August 2023

Background:

Nicotine cessation leads to anxiety and depression.

Aims:

The suitability of the zebrafish model of anhedonia using reserpine and fluoxetine was evaluated. Fluoxetine was also used to reduce nicotine withdrawal-induced anhedonic state.

Methods:

Zebrafish were exposed to reserpine (40 mg/l) and then to fluoxetine (0.1 mg/l) for 1 week. Anhedonia was evaluated in the Novel Tank Diving and Compartment Preference tests. Another group was exposed to nicotine (1 mg/l/2 weeks) and then exposed to fluoxetine. Anxiety and anhedonia were evaluated 2–60 days after. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity and microglial morphology (labelled by 4C4 monoclonal antibody) in the parvocellular pretectal nucleus (PPN), dorsal part, and of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the hypothalamus were also analysed.

Results:

Less time in the top and increased latency to the top in reserpine compared to a drug-free group was found. Fluoxetine rescued reserpine-induced the reduced time in the top. Seven and 30 days after nicotine withdrawal more time in the bottom and similar time in the Compartment Preference test, rescued by fluoxetine, were shown. In the PPN, 30-day withdrawal induced an increase in TH immunoreactivity, but fluoxetine induced a further significant increase. No changes in PPN microglia morphology and hypothalamic CGRP were detected.

Conclusions:

Our findings validate the suitability of the zebrafish model of anhedonia using the reserpine-induced depression-like behaviour and the predictivity using fluoxetine. Fluoxetine rescued nicotine withdrawal-induced anhedonic state, opening the possibility to screen new drugs to alleviate anxiety and depression in smokers during abstinence.
What Is a Workplace? Principles for Bounding Case Studies of Genres, Processes, Objects, and Organizations
Authors: Spinuzzi Clay
Published: August 2023

Many of our ideas about workplaces have been inherited from 20th-century corporations, in which the elements of the workplace have been packaged in a highly typified configuration: work is done by people belonging to an organization, for some clear reason, at a specific place and time, using specific processes. This configuration is increasingly at odds with work practice, and thus workplace writing researchers must reconsider what is meant by the “workplace.” This article argues for treating the workplace as a conceptual decision: a bounded case that researchers construct to enable systematic comparisons. After reviewing how cases are bounded in methodology and practice, the article ends with concrete principles and guidance for bounding such case studies.
Antioxidants and mitochondrial/lysosomal protective agents reverse toxicity induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles on human lymphocytes
Authors: Assadian Evelyn , Jamali Zhaleh , Salimi Ahmad , Pourahmad Jalal
Published: August 2023

Most of the literature has focused on titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) toxicity, showing the importance of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death in TiO2-induced toxicity. For this purpose, in the current study, we investigated the protective role of antioxidant and mitochondrial/lysosomal protective agents to minimize TiO2 NPs-induced toxicity in human lymphocytes. Human lymphocytes were obtained from heathy individuals and treated with different concentrations (80, 160, and 320 µg/mL) of TiO2 NPs, and then human lymphocytes preincubated with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), cyclosporin A (CsA), and chloroquine separately were exposed to TiO2 NPs for 6 h. In all the above-mentioned treated groups, adverse parameters such as cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), lysosomal membrane destabilization, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) were measured. The results showed that TiO2 nanoparticles induced cytotoxicity through ROS formation, MMP collapse, lysosomal damages, depletion of GSH, and lipid peroxidation. However, BHT as an antioxidant, CsA as a mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore sealing agent, and chloroquine as a lysosomotropic agent, significantly inhibited all the TiO2 NPs-induced cellular and organelle toxicities. Thus, it seems that antioxidant and mitochondrial/lysosomal protective agents are promising preventive strategies against TiO2 NPs-induced toxicity.
Effect of milling parameters on machinability of SA508-3 steel in high-speed milling with uncoated and coated carbide tools
Authors: Wang Qinqiang , Zhao Yong , Zhu Xu , Zhang Jinlong , Wei Zhaocheng , Jin Zhuji , Xu Bin , Guo Jiang
Published: August 2023

SA508-3 steel is popularly used to produce core unit of nuclear power reactors due to its outstanding ability of anti-neutron irradiation and good fracture toughness. Additive forging is a new technology for manufacturing SA508-3 steel forgings. However, the production efficiency and interface bonding quality of heavy forgings are respectively limited by the processing efficiency and surface quality of substrates in the additive forging process. High-speed milling technology is an effective method for improving machining efficiency and quality. Unfortunately, only a few studies on the milling of SA508-3 steel have been reported. In this study, we studied high-speed milling of SA508-3 steel and compared the cutting performances of uncoated, titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN)-coated, and Al2O3-coated carbide tools. The tool life and cutting force were evaluated using various milling parameters under dry milling conditions. The wear modes and mechanisms were also investigated. The results show that adhesive wear occurs more frequently in the uncoated carbide tool, whereas coating flaking is predominant in the Al2O3- and TiAlN-coated carbide tools. Furthermore, the Al2O3-coated carbide tool showed better cutting performance than the TiAlN-coated and uncoated carbide tools considering the tool life and surface quality. The tool life of the Al2O3-coated carbide tool reached 200 min and the removed workpiece material was 182 × 103 mm3 under the blunt tool criteria. The study of tool life and wear behavior based on the practical cutting experiments contribute to the improvement of the milling quality and provides a theoretical basis for tool material selection and process optimization in milling SA508-3 steel.
Design principles and traction performance of a novel zero-spin rolling conical traction continuously variable transmission
Authors: Li Chao , Liu Hongmei , Gao Hao , Zhao Yuanfa , Xiang Teng , Li Qingtao
Published: August 2023

In the existing traction continuously variable transmission (CVT), half toroidal CVT (HT-CVT) is considered to have a better traction performance. However, the HT-CVT has the spin losses due to its structural limitations, which significantly influences the traction efficiency. In this paper, the kinematic qualities and contact models of a novel zero-spin rolling conical CVT (RC-CVT) are studied, and then the rollers and conical disks are compactly designed through the proposed design principles. Subsequently, the transmission efficiency is investigated by using a detailed numerical model and compared with HT-CVT. Based on these computational models and parameters, the practical spin ratio, spin momentum and traction efficiency of RC-CVT are calculated and compared with HT-CVT. The results show that the practical spin ratio and spin momentum of RC-CVT are much smaller than that of HT-CVT, and the efficiency on fixed transmission ratio is consequently higher than that of HT-CVT.
Local continual reassessment methods for dose finding and optimization in drug-combination trials
Authors: Zhang Jingyi , Yan Fangrong , Wages Nolan A , Lin Ruitao
Published: August 2023

Due to the limited sample size and large dose exploration space, obtaining a desirable dose combination is a challenging task in the early development of combination treatments for cancer patients. Most existing designs for optimizing the dose combination are model-based, requiring significant efforts to elicit parameters or prior distributions. Model-based designs also rely on intensive model calibration and may yield unstable performance in the case of model misspecification or sparse data. We propose to employ local, underparameterized models for dose exploration to reduce the hurdle of model calibration and enhance the design robustness. Building upon the framework of the partial ordering continual reassessment method, we develop local data-based continual reassessment method designs for identifying the maximum tolerated dose combination, using toxicity only, and the optimal biological dose combination, using both toxicity and efficacy, respectively. The local data-based continual reassessment method designs only model the local data from neighboring dose combinations. Therefore, they are flexible in estimating the local space and circumventing unstable characterization of the entire dose-exploration surface. Our simulation studies show that our approach has competitive performance compared to widely used methods for finding maximum tolerated dose combination, and it has advantages over existing model-based methods for optimizing optimal biological dose combination.
The Context Matters to the Exclusive Talent Management: How to Measure and Pay in South Korea
Authors: Park Hyun Mi
Published: August 2023

Talent Management (TM) has been derived from Western, mainly the US and there are gaps between westernized TM format and contexts of non-Western countries when they practice Western-format TM. Therefore, this article aims to explore South Korean-style local TM practices through a view of Resource-Based View. The local practices are also compared to foreign firms in South Korea in four areas: talent identification via performance evaluation system, South Korean style payment structure to include performance-related pay dispersion, non-monetary rewarding and training and development. This article conducted 55 semi-structured interviews from employees who are working for local and foreign companies in South Korea. TM practices in large local firms were more discriminative, and monetary focused rewards than foreign firms. Talent development programmes (e.g., a job rotation) were not practiced in local firms but in foreign firms. The TM practices are influenced by the local context and the traditional human resource management philosophies.
Recent Progress in the Development of New Antiepileptic Drugs with Novel Targets
Authors: Belete Tafere Mulaw
Published: August 2023

Background

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects approximately 50–70 million people worldwide. Epilepsy has a significant economic and social burden on patients as well as on the country. The recurrent, spontaneous seizure activity caused by abnormal neuronal firing in the brain is a hallmark of epilepsy. The current antiepileptic drugs provide symptomatic relief by restoring the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. Besides, about 30% of epileptic patients do not achieve seizure control. The prevalence of adverse drug reactions, including aggression, agitation, irritability, and associated comorbidities, is also prevalent. Therefore, researchers should focus on developing more effective, safe, and disease-modifying agents based on new molecular targets and signaling cascades.

This review overviews several clinical trials that help identify promising new targets like lactate dehydrogenase inhibitors, c-jun n-terminal kinases, high mobility group box-1 antibodies, astrocyte reactivity inhibitors, cholesterol 24-hydroxylase inhibitors, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta inhibitors, and glycolytic inhibitors to develop a new antiepileptic drug.

Key messages

Approximately 30% of epileptic patients do not achieve seizure control. The current anti-seizure drugs are not disease modifying, cure or prevent epilepsy. Lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor, cholesterol 24-hydroxylase inhibitor, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta inhibitors, and mTOR inhibitors have a promising antiepileptogenic effect.
Nonlinear coupling vibration analyses of large-scale wind turbine system
Authors: Chen Junling , Wan Zhaocong , Zhao Bangzhou , Qiu Xu
Published: August 2023

With the development of wind energy, the unit capacity of wind turbine is becoming larger and the height of the support tower is getting higher. Limited by the transport conditions, the diameter of the tubular steel tower cannot further increase with the increase of the tower height, which results in the lower natural frequencies of the tower. The higher and more slender wind turbine towers are more sensitive to the external excitation and many tower collapses have occurred in recent years because of the interplay with the longer rotor blades. A 2 MW wind turbine system with a 120 m full steel tubular tower is taken as an example in this study to research the nonlinear coupling vibration mechanism under the normal operation case and the emergency shut-down case. An integrated model of large-scale wind turbine system including the tower, blades, hub, and nacelle is established by the open-source software FAST to study its nonlinear interaction vibration mechanism. Under the normal operation load case, the acceleration response of the steel wind turbine tower is greatly affected by the rotational frequency of the rotor. The maximum accelerations in the fore-aft and side-side directions both appear around the middle-upper height of the tower. Under the emergency shut-down load case, the maximum fore-aft acceleration response appears at the top of the tower, but the maximum side-side response still appears around the middle-upper height of the tower. The first-order vibration mode plays a dominant role in the top fore-aft acceleration and the second-order vibration mode has great contribution to the side-side acceleration under the emergency shut-down load case. The numerical results of this study can provide insight into the vibration control mechanism of the full steel tower.
Health tracking media and the production of operational space: a critical analysis of Qantas Wellbeing App
Authors: Wang Wilfred Yang , Fu Pengfei
Published: August 2023

This article examines the production of operational space amidst the rise of self- and data-tracking media, through the case study of the Qantas Wellbeing App. We draw on the operational paradigm in media studies to envisage how the Qantas Wellbeing App is embedded in the social-material relations between its users and the app, and the broader data-platform economy. By conceptualising the Qantas Wellbeing App as an operational media, the inquiry focuses on its designs and techniques that prompt users to fulfil prescribed tasks and follow instructions. We follow Lefebvre's conceptualisation of the production of space to evaluate three sets of social relations reconfigured by the Qantas Wellbeing App: human-to-human, human-to-machine, and data-to-data. By relying on qualitative evidence collected from an auto-ethnographic approach, our analyses focus on (1) spatial practices and (2) social relations constructed around the Qantas Wellbeing App between the authors to argue that social space is becoming a programmed reality that adheres to the logic of technological automation. Our analysis here affirms the app's capacity and objective to modify human behaviours and to evaluate how the app has recalibrated the authors’ respective and shared social spaces to create the needed condition of behaviour changes among the users. As social space is centred around human relations and activities, human agency and lives become secondary in an operational regime, which relies on data synchronisation to prosecute for the operational space and life.
Looking fear in the eye: Gamified virtual reality exposure towards spiders for children using attention based feedback
Authors: Wechsler Theresa F , Kocur Martin , Schumacher Sandra , Rubenbauer Mirjam , Ruider Andreas , Brockelmann Martin , Lankes Michael , Wolff Christian , Mühlberger Andreas
Published: August 2023

Many children around the globe suffer from spider phobia. Virtual reality exposure therapy is an effective phobia treatment, but so far predominantly tailored for adults. A gamified approach utilizing gaze interaction would allow for a more child-friendly and engaging experience, and provide the possibility to foster working mechanisms of exposure therapy. We developed an application in which children make spiders change in positively connoted ways (e.g., make them dance or shrink) if sufficient visual attention towards them is captured via eye tracking. Thereby, motivation for and positive affects during exposure towards spiders are aspired. In this pilot study on 21 children without ( n = 11) and with fear of spiders ( n = 10), we examined positive and negative affect during exposure to a virtual spider and to different gaze-related transformations of the spider within a quasi-experimental design. Within a one-group design, we additionally examined fear of spiders in spider fearful children before and one week after the intervention. We found that significantly more positive than negative affect was induced by the spiders’ transformations in children without and with fear of spiders. Fear of spiders was furthermore significantly reduced in spider-fearful children, showing large effect sizes ( d > .80). Findings indicate eligibility for future clinical use and evaluation in children with spider phobia.
Experimental and theoretical studies on postfire behavior of functionally graded ultra-high performance concrete
Authors: Du Linpu , Ji Xuping , Lu Kaiwei , Wang Jingquan
Published: August 2023

In order to improve structural fire-resistant behaviors, this paper designed a two-layer functionally graded ultra-high performance concrete (FGUHPC) structure composed of a UHPC layer and a lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) layer. UHPC layers are adopted to provide structural bearing capacity and protected by LWAC layers from elevated temperature. Splitting tensile tests and three-point flexural tests were conducted under ambient and elevated temperatures to evaluate interfacial bond performance and flexural bearing capacity, where two interfacial treatments were adopted and compared. The experimental results revealed that FGUHPC members exhibited good integrity during heating, no explosive spalling occurred and the maximal temperature at interfacial regions was 266°C. The interfaces showed desirable bond performance under ambient temperature while the splitting tensile strength was decreased by around 85% in the case of high temperature. Flexural test results indicated that the structural stiffness would be reduced by around 42% under elevated temperature, as a result, the maximal deflection was increased from 2.5 mm to 3.7 mm. SWM could significantly improve interfacial bond performance and prevent debonding failure of specimens at the postfire state, leading to higher structural bearing capacities. The bearing capacities of specimens with and without interfacial treatments were 42.7 kN and 38.4 kN respectively under ambient temperature, which remained about 88% after elevated temperature.