bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Features of providing emergency psychological aid to people experiencing loss in emergency situations
Authors: Shoigu Yulia S. , Timofeeva Lydia N. , Tolubaeva Natalia V. , Varfolomeeva Elena I. , Sokolova Anna A. , Kurilova Evgenia V. , Karmilova Margarita E.
Published: June 2021

Background. In many countries frontline emergency workers of different specialties face the need to inform people of their relatives’ death and to support them during the acute period following the message. The need for psychological training in this area is evident. However, the research in this area is not only complicated in terms of logistics, but also hindered by a number of ethical difficulties. The analysis presented in this paper has significant practical value and draws on the unique professional perspective of the EMERCOM emergency psychologists who provide psychological support to people experiencing loss in an acute period — relatives and loved ones of those who died in emergencies. Objective. To give an outline of approaches to psychological support in cases of loss, of the factors influencing adaptation to a loss, and of the opportunities for early psychological interventions. Design. The theoretical overview presents the analysis of foreign experience and main approaches to announcing the death of a relative. The following section describes and analyses the main approaches and practical experience of the EMERCOM psychologists. The conclusion outlines the possibilities of a systematic approach to providing emergency psychological aid in cases of loss. Results. The study presents a list of characteristics of support providers, recipients and situations that need to be taken into account when choosing a strategy of work with people experiencing a recent loss. Conclusion. The study allows to single out three main thematic blocks, the consideration of which is necessary when choosing a strategy for dealing with loss in an acute period. First, features of the situation; second, characteristics of the person experiencing loss; third, the characteristic of the support provider. The process of psychological support, as described in the paper, includes assessment and consideration of the objective characteristics of the situation, the recipient’s characteristics and response, and the characteristics of the specialist himself. The interpretation of relationship between these factors and their influence on the condition of the person who experiences a loss allows the psychologist to choose the most effective strategy for providing psychological support.
Ecumenical Mysticism: On Conversion in the Eastern Tradition of Ordene de Chevalerie
Authors: Shachar Uri Zvi
Published: June 2021

Historians celebrate the Old French Ordene de Chevalerie as an important landmark in the history of French nobility. The version of Ordene that most scholars have studied showcases Saladin’s interest in Christian chivalry but stops short of his actual dubbing. An often-neglected prose recension of this tale that first appeared in an oriental history of Outremer goes a step further, imagining the sultan to have truly become a knight “in the Christian fashion.” This version of the story, I argue, portrays Christian dubbing not only as a ceremony through which young aristocrats were admitted into a society of warriors, but also as an instrument for spiritual ascent that non-Christians could experience without renouncing their own faith. As such, the story echoes the widespread near-eastern trope of ecumenical mysticism, in which members of various faiths were seen to partake in mystical practices that belonged to neighboring traditions.
Security and Religion: The Discursive Self-legitimation of the Chechen Authorities
Authors: Iliyasov Marat
Published: June 2021

This article analyses the official discourse of the Chechen authorities and posits that it reflects the government’s efforts as self-legitimation. This investigation seeks to identify the mechanisms exploited by the Chechen regime to boost self-legitimacy by examining the ‘News’ programme on the Chechen state television channel ‘Grozny’, which, in the authoritarian setting of Chechnya, became the government’s mouthpiece and a propagator of official discourse. To provide for the context and to boost findings, the study is complemented by a discursive analysis of one more historical-political television programme and a political advertisement that was broadcast by the same channel during the period in which the fieldwork took place. The collected data is processed using Critical Discourse Analysis.
New and interesting palpigrades (Arachnida, Palpigradi) of the genera Koeneniodes Silvestri, 1913 and Prokoenenia Börner, 1901 from Asia
Authors: BU YUN , REZENDE SOUZA MAYSA FERNANDA VILLELA , MAYORAL JAIME
Published: June 2021

Two new species of palpigrades are described: a soil-dwelling species of the genus Koeneniodes Silvestri, 1913 from a broadleaf forest in Tibet and an extraordinary cave-dwelling species from Jinhua cave in China belonging to Prokoenenia Börner, 1901. Koeneniodes tibetanus sp. n. is related to Koeneniodes spiniger from Thailand. The two species share the presence of four thick and spiniform setae on the second lobe of the female genitalia; they differ in the number of thick setae on opisthosomal sternite IV, the number of cheliceral teeth, the coxal setal formula, and the morphology of the spiniform setae. Prokoenenia sarcodactylica sp. n. is based on an immature female from Jinhua Cave, Beijing. The presence of 18 finger-shaped blades in the lateral organs—unique among palpigrades –, the large body size (2150 μm) and the extremely long basitarsus IV (205 μm) indicate that the new species is the first undoubtedly cave–adapted Prokoenenia. This is also the first record of the genus Prokoenenia from China.
Towards a climatology of fog frequency in the Atacama Desert via multi-spectral satellite data and machine learning techniques
Authors: Böhm Christoph , Schween Jan H. , Reyers Mark , Maier Benedikt , Löhnert Ulrich , Crewell Susanne
Published: June 2021

In many hyper-arid ecosystems, such as the Atacama Desert, fog is the most important fresh water source. To study biological and geological processes in such water-limited regions, knowledge about the spatio-temporal distribution and variability of fog presence is necessary. In this study, in-situ measurements provided by a network of climate stations equipped, inter alia, with leaf wetness sensors are utilized to create a reference fog data set which enables the validation of satellite-based fog retrieval methods. Further, a new satellite-based fog detection approach is introduced which uses brightness temperatures measured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) as input for a neural network. Such a machine learning technique can exploit all spectral information of the satellite data and represent potential non-linear relationships. Compared to a second fog detection approach based on MODIS cloud top height retrievals, the neural network reaches a higher detection skill (Heidke skill score of 0.56 compared to 0.49). A suitable representation of temporal variability on subseasonal time scales is provided with correlations mostly greater than 0.7 between fog occurrence time series derived from the neural network and the reference data for individual climate stations, respectively. Furthermore, a suitable spatial representativity of the neural network approach to expand the application to the whole region is indicated. Three-year averages of fog frequencies reveal similar spatial patterns for the austral winter season for both approaches. However, differences are found for the summer and potential reasons are discussed.
Application of S_TIDE in exploration of seasonal variations of internal tidal amplitudes in the northern South China Sea
Authors: LI BINGTIAN , WEI ZEXUN , WANG YONGGANG , GUO XINYU , XU TENGFEI , LV XIANQING
Published: June 2021

An enhanced harmonic analysis (S_TIDE) approach is adopted to examine the seasonal variations of internal tidal amplitudes in the northern South China Sea (SCS). Results of idealized experiments reveal that the seasonality can be captured by S_TIDE. By applying S_TIDE to mooring data, observed seasonality of internal tidal amplitudes in the northern SCS are explored. Not diurnal and semidiurnal internal tides (ITs), but overtides and long-period constituents of ITs exhibit clear seasonal cycles. However, differences between amplitudes of the eastward velocity and the northward counterpart are evident for K1, M2 and MK3, which may be caused by the intensification of background currents. Amplitudes of those ITs are stronger at intersection time between spring and summer in the eastward direction, but weaker in the northward direction. EOF analysis reveals that modes of diurnal ITs are higher than those of seimidiurnal ITs, which induces relatively more complicated seasonal variations. In addition to intensification of background currents, influences of surface tides and stratification will also induce variations of internal tidal amplitudes, introducing tremendous difficulty in predicting variation trends of internal tidal amplitudes, which greatly reduces predictability of ITs.
Numerical Accuracy of Advection Scheme Necessary for Large-Eddy Simulation of Planetary Boundary Layer Turbulence
Authors: Kawai Yuta , Tomita Hirofumi
Published: June 2021

Recently, large-eddy simulation (LES) has been increasingly employed in meteorological simulations because it is a promising method for turbulent parameterization. However, it is still difficult to affirm that the numerical accuracy required for a dynamical core is fully understood. In this study, we derived two theoretical criteria for the order of accuracy of the advection term in a typical situation of the atmospheric boundary layer, and demonstrate their validity by numerical experiments. In the targeted grid-spacing of O (10 m), we determined the required order of accuracy as follows: Based on the criterion of the numerical diffusion error, the upwind scheme must have at least seventh-order accuracy. The fourth-order central scheme is barely acceptable with fourth-order explicit diffusion, provided that its coefficient is one or two orders of magnitude smaller than the implicit diffusion coefficient of the third-order upwind scheme. Based on the criterion of numerical dispersion error, at minimum, the seventh or eighth order is required. The dispersion error was indirect for the energy spectra, although we expect it may affect the local turbulence mechanism. We also investigated the effects of temporal discretization for compressible models, and found that relatively lower-order time schemes are available up to the O(10 m) grid spacing if the time step is sufficiently small due to sound wave limitations. The importance of the derived criteria is that the required order of accuracy increases as the grid spacing decreases. This suggests that considerable care should be taken regarding the numerical error problem for future high-resolution LES.
Improved Perceptions of Education and Wellness Among General Surgery Residents and Faculty After the Implementation of Outpatient Scribes
Authors: Tohmasi Steven , Naaseh Ariana , Thompson Sean , Smith Brian R.
Published: June 2021

Background

Recent studies have revealed a high rate of burnout among general surgery (GS) residents. Efforts to design and implement interventions to mitigate fatigue in surgical trainees are critical. Our aim was to assess the educational and wellness impact of outpatient scribe utilization at an academic GS residency program.

Methods

Electronic surveys were sent to 38 GS residents and 15 faculties who used outpatient scribes for at least 12 months. Questions were scored on a 5-point Likert scale with answers of “Strongly agree” or “Agree” representing affirmative responses.

Results

Thirty residents and 14 faculty completed the survey, resulting in an 83% overall response rate. Twenty-eight (93%) residents and 12 (86%) faculty believed that scribes decrease the daily workload of trainees. Twenty-seven (90%) residents felt that scribes allow them more time to focus on patient care and improve the quality of their surgical education. Ninety-three percent of residents (n = 28) and faculty (n = 13) believed that scribes enhance resident well-being. Twenty-four (80%) residents reported that scribes help improve adherence to duty hour restrictions. Twenty-five (83%) residents believed that utilizing scribes is an effective fatigue mitigation strategy for surgical training programs.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that the implementation of an outpatient scribe program at an academic GS residency program may enhance resident education and wellness.
Tympanic Membrane Pneumatocele from Auto-insufflation
Authors: Macielak Robert J. , Goates Andrew J. , Lane John I. , Carlson Matthew L.
Published: June 2021

Objective:

The differential of an external auditory canal mass is broad. One rare potential cause is a pneumatocele of the tympanic membrane, which has only been described 1 other time in the literature. This report serves to describe the second case of this pathology, including its unique presentation, and benign clinical course.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

A case is discussed in which a pneumatocele of the tympanic membrane was incidentally identified during evaluation of contralateral otologic pathology. The etiology was suspected to be habitual auto-insufflation. After cessation of this practice, the pneumatocele was noted to resolve without further intervention.

Conclusion:

A tympanic membrane pneumatocele represents a rare cause of an external auditory canal mass. The diagnosis can be made clinically via history, palpation, and otoscopy during auto-insufflation, potentially avoiding further diagnostic testing. Depending on the etiology, resolution can occur after lifestyle modification; however, further interventions may definitively treat the condition if so required.
Head and Neck Injury Patterns among American Football Players
Authors: Mehta Neil K. , Siegel Justin , Cowan Brandon , Johnson Jared , Hojjat Houmehr , Chung Michael T. , Carron Michael A.
Published: June 2021

Importance:

American football is a popular high-impact sport, leading to 2.7 million injuries in the United States annually. Recent evidence in football-related neurological damage has spurred national interest in player-safety. Football players injure their head and neck in up to 26% of total injuries. Variation in injury patterns between age groups and correlated hospitalizations for football-related head and neck injury has yet to be characterized.

Objective:

Our aim is to evaluate injury patterns among American-football related head and neck trauma.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study of patients with football-related head and neck injury in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS).

Results:

Nearly 100 000 ED visits for football-related head and neck injuries occur annually. Males comprised 95% of patients, with a median age of 13. The head comprised 70% of injuries followed by the face (13%). The most common diagnoses were concussions (39%), internal organ injury (26%), and lacerations (11%). Pediatric patients were more likely to sustain concussions while adults experienced more lacerations ( P < .05%). Fractures and nerve damage were rare injuries but caused a disproportionate share of hospitalizations.

Conclusion:

Pediatric males are most likely to present for emergency care from football-related injury to the head and neck. Evaluating physicians can anticipate concussions, internal organ injury, and lacerations among presenting patients. Concussions, facial fractures, and nerve damage are injuries most likely to lead to hospitalization.
Educator Perceptions Following Changes in Gifted Education Policy: Implications for Serving Gifted Students
Authors: Hodges Jaret , Mun Rachel U. , Jones Roberson Javetta , Flemister Charles “Tedd”
Published: June 2021

Policy changes are an ever-present part of education. In 2019, legislators upended over two decades of gifted education policy in Texas with the removal of direct funding for gifted education. In its wake, the removal of funding shook educator morale and created uncertainty as to the future of gifted education in the state. In this article, we report on a survey administered to gifted education educators in Texas. A descriptive framework in conjunction with Bayesian analysis and multiple imputations is used to analyze the survey results. Our findings provide evidence that though educator sentiment is largely negative toward the changes to gifted education in Texas, educator outlooks on the future of gifted education in the state are relatively high.
Reciprocity in Instant Messaging Conversations
Authors: Guydish Andrew J. , Fox Tree Jean E.
Published: June 2021

We tested how the introduction and removal of well-defined roles influenced contribution behaviors in instant messaging conversations. Pairs of participants worked on a referential communication task where one participant (the director) had more information than the other (the matcher). Next, these roles were removed and the participants were allowed to communicate freely. Participants then switched director/matcher roles and the procedure was repeated. On average participants in the director role wrote more than participants in the matcher role during the task. But instead of a balanced conversation during unstructured chat, which might have happened without a task preceding it, during off-task conversation former-matchers, on average, contributed more than former-directors. Results support the hypothesis that speech complementarity leads to efforts to redress imbalance, a process we call reciprocity.
Research on track fastener positioning method based on local unidirectional template matching
Authors: Li Liang , Lv Zhaomin , Chen Xingjie , Qiu Yijin , Li Liming , Ma Anqi , Zheng Shubin , Chai Xiaodong
Published: June 2021

Commonly used fastener positioning methods include pixel statistics (PS) method and template matching (TM) method. For the PS method, it is difficult to judge the image segmentation threshold due to the complex background of the track. For the TM method, the search in both directions of the global is easily affected by complex background, as a result, the locating accuracy of fasteners is low. To solve the above problems, this paper combines the PS method with the TM method and proposes a new fastener positioning method called local unidirectional template matching (LUTM). First, the rail positioning is achieved by the PS method based on the gray-scale vertical projection. Then, based on the prior knowledge, the image of the rail and the surrounding area of the rail is obtained which is referred to as the 1-shaped rail image; then, the 1-shaped rail image and the produced offline symmetrical fastener template is pre-processed. Finally, the symmetrical fastener template image is searched from top to bottom along the rail and the correlation is calculated to realize the fastener positioning. Experiments have proved that the method in this paper can effectively realize the accurate locating of the fastener for ballastless track and ballasted track at the same time.
Dynamic compensation control strategy of DC bus voltage based on residual generator
Authors: Hu Changbin , Lu Heng , Wang Haipeng , Zhou Jinghua , Luo Shanna , Ma Rui , Meng Liang
Published: June 2021

Aiming at the problem of bus voltage control in DC microgrid, a dynamic compensation control strategy based on a residual generator is designed to complete the voltage compensation of DC-DC converter. Firstly, based on the DC microgrid system architecture, the bus voltage fluctuations are analyzed theoretically, and then the DC-DC converter state-space mathematical models of the DC microgrid system are established to obtain the input-output relationship of the control system. Based on the theory of double coprime decomposition and Youla parameterization stable controller, the proposed control architecture based on the residual generator is obtained, and the output value generated by the current disturbance is compensated in reverse by applying model matching theory. The voltage loop compensation controller Q( s) is obtained by the linear matrix inequality method (LMI), and the current loop compensation controller H( s) is designed according to the dynamic structure diagram of the DC-DC converter. Hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS) results show that the architecture can improve the dynamic performance of the DC-DC converter without changing the original system structure parameters, and suppress the DC bus voltage fluctuations caused by load switching, power fluctuations, and AC-side load imbalances, and enhance the robustness of the system.
The Complexity of Assessing Ministry-Specific Satisfaction and Stress
Authors: Malcolm Wanda M. , Fisher Elizabeth A. , Prusaczyk Elvira
Published: June 2021

Christian ministry work can be gratifying, but it also carries a risk of burnout. Despite research documenting clergy stress and wellness, few questionnaires measure ministry life aspects that contribute to clergy burnout or wellness. To fill this gap, we developed the positive aspects (PAI) and negative aspects (NAI) inventories. These questionnaires measure the intensity and frequency of positive and negative aspects of ministry life. The present research further tests the viability of the PAI and NAI. Confirmatory factor analyses suggest that the PAI is best represented by 17 factors, whereas 12 factors best characterize the NAI. Importantly, correlation patterns between PAI and NAI scores and indices of burnout suggest distinct patterns of burnout. Furthermore, exploratory tests of PAI and NAI scores by gender, ordination status, and years in ministry demonstrated crucial differences. This research advances the understanding of clergy wellness and has implications for assessment and intervention.
Responsiveness processes and daily experiences of shared reality among romantic couples
Authors: Bar-Shachar Yael , Bar-Kalifa Eran
Published: June 2021

Shared reality (SR) is the experience of having an inner state believed to be shared by others. Dyadic responsiveness has been suggested to be a critical process in SR construction. The present study tested the extent to which SR varies in the daily lives of romantic partners and whether this variability is related to responsiveness processes. We predicted that disclosure of personal events to one’s partner as well as perceived partner enacted responsiveness would be associated with daily levels of SR. We further predicted that these associations would be more pronounced when one has low epistemic certainty with respect to the disclosed event. To test these hypotheses, daily diaries were collected from 76 cohabiting romantic couples for a period of 4 weeks. Participants reported the occurrence of daily personal positive and negative events, indicated whether they had disclosed these events to their partner, and described how their partner had responded. As predicted, the disclosure of positive and negative events, as well as the perceptions of partners’ constructive responses to these disclosures, were positively associated with daily SR. A significant interaction was found between epistemic uncertainty (i.e., low perceived social consensus) and responsiveness processes in the context of negative (but not positive) events; specifically, when participants experienced low certainty, the disclosure of the event and the perceived partner’s constructive response were more strongly associated with SR.
Real-time ultrasound-guided epidural anesthesia for cesarean section in a parturient with achondroplasia
Authors: Cao Xueqin , Yang Wenchao , Mei Wei
Published: June 2021

Achondroplasia is a type of disproportionate dwarfism with short limbs and a normal-sized torso. This condition results in a potential spinal abnormality and a difficult airway may increase the anesthetic risk, not only in neuraxial anesthesia, but also in general anesthesia. We report a 25-year-old primigravida with achondroplasia who underwent cesarean section under epidural anesthesia with the assistance of real-time ultrasound guidance. A total dose of 17 mL 2% lidocaine with 7.5 μg sufentanil was administered via epidural catheter intermittently. The level of anesthesia reached T4. No other anesthetic was administered during the operation and the procedure was uneventful. The mother and her newborn were routinely discharged without any adverse events. During the follow-up at 10 months postoperatively, the patient did not have any discomfort. We suggest that titrated epidural anesthesia at the time of real-time ultrasound-guidance is a safe and effective epidural anesthesia for patients with achondroplasia.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly? A Triarchic Perspective on Psychopathy at Work
Authors: Kranefeld Iris , Blickle Gerhard
Published: June 2021

Does psychopathy have an upside in vocational contexts? Applying the triarchic model of psychopathy, we propose that the dimensions of boldness, disinhibition, and meanness have different relations to workplace outcomes. Focusing on boldness and in line with socioanalytic personality theory, we propose that political skill moderates the relation between boldness and job performance. Using a sample of 477 target-coworker pairings, we found interaction effects of boldness and political skill on contextual and task performance, and the buffering of counterproductive work behavior. Furthermore, political skill moderated the relation between boldness and adaptive performance. Disinhibition and meanness were positively correlated with counterproductive work behaviors, thereby reflecting the dark core of psychopathy. In sum, boldness is a trait linked to career success in the absence of the other traits that make up psychopathy as a whole. Furthermore, we encourage the use of the triarchic model as an overarching framework in vocational contexts.
Co-pyrolysis of rice straw with industrial wastes: Waste disposal and environmental remediation
Authors: Seo Yong-Deuk , Seo Tae-Cheol , Oh Seok-Young
Published: June 2021

To reduce waste volumes and recover valuable products, char was synthesized via co-pyrolysis of rice straw (RS) with spent tires, sulfur wastes, and CO2. The inclusion of wastes and CO2 in pyrolysis of RS was hypothesized to enhance the sorption ability of char for various contaminants, including 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), lead, barium, chromate (CrO42−), and selenate (SeO42−). Using a lab-scale electrical furnace, the co-pyrolysis was conducted, and the soprtion capacity of char was evaluated via a series of batch sorption experiments. The maximum sorption capacity of spent tire–RS char for DNT was 16.8 ± 0.2 mg g−1, much higher than that of RS biochar (10.1 ± 0.3 mg g−1) due to increasing carbon content from the spent tires. The sorption of DCP to the spent tire–RS char was also enhanced via hydrophobic sorption to carbon residues, although not to the same degree of DNT due to deprotonation of the DCP. Compared with RS biochar, co-pyrolysis with raw sulfur wastes and CO2 enhanced sorption of lead, barium, and chromate, which can be attributed to increased cation and anion exchange capacities resulting from developments of oxygen or sulfur-containing functional groups. Sorption of selenate was strongly affected by pH. The results suggest that co-pyrolysis of agricultural and industrial wastes and CO2 is a promising option for the final waste disposal and the production of valuable char, which can be selectively customized for various types of contaminants as sorbents.
Development and Testing of a Spiritual Resourcefulness Scale: Holistic Expansion in Operationalizing the Resourcefulness Construct
Authors: Zauszniewski Jaclene A. , Burant Christopher J. , Lekhak Nirmala , Herbell Kayla , Badr Hanan A. , Martin Richard J.
Published: June 2021

Purpose: Research supports holistic expansion of the construct of resourcefulness by adding spiritual practices to the existing personal and social dimensions. This study describes the development and testing of items to measure spiritual resourcefulness. Methods/Design: Study phases were: (1) focus group development of item stems and responses; (2) expert testing; (3) scale construction; (4) field testing in 234 family caregivers; and (5) psychometric analysis to identify items for inclusion in a final scale. Findings: A focus group developed 40 item stems with potential responses reflecting three conceptual components of spiritual practices (rational, ritualistic, and relational). Content experts selected the best response for each item. A six-point Likert scale consistent with the Resourcefulness Scale© was constructed. Data from field testing were factor analyzed. The best solution revealed two factors containing 12 items. Ritualistic and relational items loaded together (44.7% variance explained). Rational items loaded separately (19.5% variance explained). Higher-order factor analysis indicated the two subscales reflected a single construct (71.93% variance explained; r = .44, p < .001). Conclusion: Availability of a psychometrically sound measure of spiritual resourcefulness is critical to expand resourcefulness training interventions to be more holistic. Clinical interventions can be enriched by including strategies to enhance personal, social, and spiritual resourcefulness skills.
Synthesis and properties of responsive self-healing polyurethane containing dynamic disulfide bonds
Authors: Qu Qiqi , Wang Hua , He Jing , Da Yunsheng , Zhu Menghan , Liu Yanyan , Tian Xingyou
Published: June 2021

The polymers with pH responsiveness and temperature sensitivity exhibit important applications in many fields. To endow the responsive polymers with self-healing is meaningful work, which contributes to increase their service life and reduce waste of resources significantly. In this research, a series of pH-responsive polyurethanes containing dynamic disulfide bonds and carboxylic acid functional groups were prepared by mixing polycaprolactone diol (PCL), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), 2,2-dimethylolbutyric acid, and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) disulfide. The structure of the polymer was confirmed by some characterization methods such as infrared absorption spectroscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. Many performances of the polymer such as the contact angle, thermal stability, mechanics, and self-healing properties can be adjusted by changing the functional units of polyurethanes. The dynamic disulfide bonds in the main chain were observed no harm to the pH response performance, instead which were beneficial to the promotion of heat resistance, tensile properties, and self-healing performance of polyurethane. The elongation at break and the tensile strength are increased by 85.3% and 54.9%, respectively. All the polyurethane exhibited considerable self-healing effects at 110°C, with the highest healing efficiency reaching 93.7%, as a result of the dissociation of hydrogen bonds and the exchange reaction of disulfide bonds.
Design and remote collaboration control of asymmetric rigid-flexible hybrid-driven lower limb rehabilitation robot
Authors: Wang Ke-yi , Wang Yan-lin , Yin Peng-cheng
Published: June 2021

A double-end lower limb rehabilitation robot is introduced in the paper, which can realize the rehabilitation training of the abduction and abduction, internal rotation and external rotation of human lower limb. The kinematics and dynamics of the robot are analyzed. Based on the motion trajectory planning of the lower limb rehabilitation robot, the motion state and dynamic state of the cable are analyzed. In order to realize the good remote cooperative control between the rehabilitation physician terminal and the patient rehabilitation terminal, the bilateral PD control method and the patient terminal force feedback control method based on the absolute stability theory are analyzed by using the dual-port network model. The simulation results show that the performance of the patient terminal force feedback control method is excellent when the force on the moving platform and the external interference force are changed suddenly. The mapping model of double-ended mechanism is established in the SimMechanics. The simulation results show that the mapping model of double-ended mechanism has a good position tracking ability and their workspaces can meet the requirements of trajectory mapping. The remote collaborative rehabilitation training experiment was done on the established experimental platform. The experimental result shows that the experiment system has a good tracking performance under the guidance of the patient terminal force feedback control method. The feasibility and operability of the remote rehabilitation cooperation technology are verified.
Pulsating flow of electrically conducting couple stress nanofluid in a channel with ohmic dissipation and thermal radiation – Dynamics of blood
Authors: Somasundaram Rajamani , Subramanyam Reddy Anala
Published: June 2021

The present work discloses the magnetohydrodynamic pulsating flow of blood-carrying [Formula: see text] nanoparticles in a channel with the viscous dissipation and Joule heating effects. Couple stress fluid is treated as blood which is the base fluid. The Maxwell Garnett model for thermal conductivity of nanofluid is considered. The thermal radiation and heat source/sink impacts are taken into account. Analytical expressions for dimensionless flow variables are obtained by employing the perturbation method. The impact of active parameters on flow variables is graphically presented. The obtained results show that the velocity of nanofluid increases with an increment in frequency parameter, whereas it decreases for a rise in Hartmann number, nanoparticles volume fraction and couple stress parameter. There is an enhancement in temperature of nanofluid with increasing viscous dissipation, whereas there is a decrease in temperature with an increase in the applied magnetic field. The Nusselt number rises with an enhancement in volume fraction of nanoparticles and Hartmann number at both the walls. Further, the validity of present results is assured by the comparison of analytical and numerical outcomes with an excellent harmony.
Systemic lupus erythematosus patients have a distinct structural and functional skin microbiota compared with controls
Authors: Zhou Hao-Yue , Cao Nv-Wei , Guo Biao , Chen Wen-Jun , Tao Jin-Hui , Chu Xiu-Jie , Meng Xiang , Zhang Tian-Xiang , Li Bao-Zhu
Published: June 2021

Objective

The skin is the second most affected organ after articular involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Cutaneous involvement occurs in approximately 80% of patients during the course of SLE. Interaction between the host and skin microorganism is a complex process. There are few studies on the diversity of skin microbes in SLE patients. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between skin microorganisms and SLE.

Methods

A total of 20 SLE patients, 20 controls with rosacea and 20 healthy controls were selected as study subjects. Both the skin microbiota of rash region and non-rash region for each SLE patient were collected.16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to detected skin microbiota from 80 specimens. α-Diversity and β-diversity of skin microbiota were analyzed based on operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and minimal entropy decomposition (MED). Using Wilcoxon test and Linear Discriminate Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe), skin microbial diversity and composition were analyzed. Functional capabilities of microbiota were estimated through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database.

Results

Compared to rash region of SLE, diversity and richness were increased in healthy controls, and decreased in non-rash region of SLE and rash region of controls with rosacea. Additionally, changes of skin microbial composition were found at different taxonomic levels between four groups. For example, genus Halomonas was increased and genera Pelagibacterium, Novosphingobium, and Curvibacter were decreased in rash region compared to non-rash region of SLE based on OTUs and MED. Based on OTUs, metabolic pathways were also found differences in SLE patients, such as Xenobiotics Biodegradation and Metabolism.

Conclusion

Compositions and diversity of skin microbiota in SLE patients are changed. This pilot study provides some suggestive evidence for further exploration of skin microbiota in SLE patients with cutaneous involvement.
Applications of simple and accessible methods for meta-analysis involving rare events: A simulation study
Authors: Hodkinson Alexander , Kontopantelis Evangelos
Published: June 2021

Meta-analysis of clinical trials targeting rare events face particular challenges when the data lack adequate number of events and are susceptible to high levels of heterogeneity. The standard meta-analysis methods (DerSimonian Laird (DL) and Mantel–Haenszel (MH)) often lead to serious distortions because of such data sparsity. Applications of the methods suited to specific incidence and heterogeneity characteristics are lacking, thus we compared nine available methods in a simulation study. We generated 360 meta-analysis scenarios where each considered different incidences, sample sizes, between-study variance (heterogeneity) and treatment allocation. We include globally recommended methods such as inverse-variance fixed/random-effect (IV-FE/RE), classical-MH, MH-FE, MH-DL, Peto, Peto-DL and the two extensions for MH bootstrapped-DL (bDL) and Peto-bDL. Performance was assessed on mean bias, mean error, coverage and power. In the absence of heterogeneity, the coverage and power when combined revealed small differences in meta-analysis involving rare and very rare events. The Peto-bDL method performed best, but only in smaller sample sizes involving rare events. For medium-to-larger sample sizes, MH-bDL was preferred. For meta-analysis involving very rare events, Peto-bDL was the best performing method which was sustained across all sample sizes. However, in meta-analysis with 20% or more heterogeneity, the coverage and power were insufficient. Performance based on mean bias and mean error was almost identical across methods. To conclude, in meta-analysis of rare binary outcomes, our results suggest that Peto-bDL is better in both rare and very rare event settings in meta-analysis with limited sample sizes. However, when heterogeneity is large, the coverage and power to detect rare events are insufficient. Whilst this study shows that some of the less studied methods appear to have good properties under sparse data scenarios, further work is needed to assess them against the more complex distributional-based methods to understand their overall performances.
Evidence and Implications From a Natural Experiment of Prenatal Androgen Effects on Gendered Behavior
Authors: Berenbaum Sheri A. , Beltz Adriene M.
Published: June 2021

Sex and gender are key to people’s lives, and are the focus of scientific and popular interest and controversy. Sex-related psychological characteristics reflect more than socialization; they are influenced by sex hormones present during sensitive periods of development, particularly androgens that are present prenatally. Studies of females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) show how prenatal androgens affect behavior across the life span; these hormones have large effects on interest and engagement in gendered activities, moderate effects on spatial abilities, and relatively small (or no) effects on gender identity, gender cognitions, and gendered peer involvement. In addition to showing the complexity of androgens’ effects on gendered behavior, studies of females with CAH provide an opportunity to test theories of gender development, gain insight into how nature and nurture work together, and examine mechanisms of development. The implications of this work have often been misunderstood, so we consider what it means—and does not mean—for biology to influence gender-related behavior.
Does Aid Fragmentation Affects Sustainability and Growth: The Case of Nepal
Authors: Sharma Kishor , Bhattarai Badri
Published: June 2021

Nepal’s strategic position and open border with India and China have attracted unusually high attention, particularly during the Cold War era, not only from these two large neighbours but also from European countries, the USA and the former Soviet Union. However, despite decades of aid inflows, Nepal remains one of the poorest countries. While debate over aid–growth nexus remains unsettled, our empirical results do suggest that aid fragmentation is detrimental to growth, perhaps due to increased administrative burden to manage a large number of small projects and meet reporting requirements of the donor community. While we find that aid is good for growth, attracting uncoordinated and fragmented aid without the need for assessment can, in fact, do more harm than good. These findings point to the importance of coordinated aid approach not only at the country level but also among the donor community.
Is the Indian Dietary Pattern Associated WithType 2 Diabetes? A Pan-India Randomized Cluster Sample Study
Authors: Nagarathna Raghuram , Anand Akshay , Nanda Sapna , Patil Suchitra S. , Singh Amit , Rajesh S. K. , Nagendra H. R.
Published: June 2021

Background:

Diabetes is associated strongly with many neurodegenerative diseases and is also a lifestyle disorder. A good glycemic status depends on diet management and physical activity. There are several studies available on the relationship between diet habits and impact on diabetes.

Purpose:

The objective of this study was to check the association of different dietary factors with glucose levels and lipid values in type 2 diabetes from a part of a large nationwide trial.

Methods:

This was the data fromapan-India multicentered cluster randomized controlled study covering 60 states and 4 union territories; 17,285 individuals were surveyed for dietary factors. Amongst them, data of 12,500 individuals were analyzed.Males were 54% and 60% individuals were from urban areas.

Results:

The analysis of the results showed that consumption (usual/often) of milk(odds ratio, OR = 7.180), meat (OR = 6.81), less fiber (OR = 17.77), and less fruits (OR = 14.71) was strongly and positively associated with fasting blood glucose ( P<.001). The postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) in diabetes individuals also had a strong positive association ( P<.001) with consumption (usual/often) of meat (OR = 22.82) and milk (OR = 17.19). In prediabetes individuals, milk was significantly ( P<.001) associated with fasting blood glucose (OR = 2.74). In nondiabetes individuals also, milk was significantly associated with postprandial blood glucose (OR = 2.56). Consumption of meat was associated with high cholesterol (OR = 1.465). Consumption of junk food was associated significantly ( P <.001)with the status of known diabetes (OR = 1.345) and known hypertension (OR = 1.247).

Conclusion:

Consumption of milk, meat, less vegetables, less fruits, and junk food has a significant effect on the glycemic status and cholesterol levels, and also on the status of known diabetes and hypertension.
Ethics and the Simulation Facilitator: Taking your Professional Role Seriously
Authors: de Wijse-van Heeswijk Marieke
Published: June 2021

Background:

When selecting, managing, and debriefing simulations, facilitators wishing to maintain appropriate standards, face demanding ethical challenges especially in learning contexts.

Aim:

This article considers why facilitators need to attend to ethical issues in facilitating simulation games. Issues examined include the influence of complexity in socio-technical system simulation games, perceptions of both facilitator and participants’ behaviors by including belief systems.

Intervention:

A multidisciplinary integrative view of ethical facilitation from a reflective perspective has been used in this article.

Method:

Literature, interviews and case descriptions were employed to examine what might constitute ethical facilitation.

Results:

A three layered framework of perspectives on ethical facilitation is proposed and two case study examples are used to describe its application. Further research is being conducted on facilitator tools for dealing with ethical issues.

Conclusions:

While ethical facilitation is undoubtedly complex, tangible perspectives with scientific foundations can be established and applied on the continuum of open and closed simulation games.
Becoming the Unseen Helmsman - Game facilitator competencies for novice, experienced, and non-game facilitators
Authors: Kortmann Rens , Peters Vincent
Published: June 2021

Background. To facilitate game sessions for purposes beyond mere entertainment a facilitator needs to act like an ‘Unseen Helmsman’: steering their ship clear from rocks and storms without the players in the ship realizing. Previous work laid down a competency model for game facilitation. It reviewed several competency models for facilitators of generic (non-game) group sessions. Since no such model comprehensively provided guidelines to facilitate game sessions in particular, a new competency model was proposed using a bottom-up approach with the participation of game facilitation experts. The question remains what lessons may be drawn from this model.

Methods. This contribution elaborates on the competency model for game facilitation and draws lessons from it. Thus it aims to empower both novice and experienced game facilitators to become an Unseen Helmsman. Also, it presents learnings for people who are experienced in facilitating groups in general, but who are new to facilitating game sessions.

Conclusions. First, lessons for novice game facilitators include familiarising themselves with the core notions of the competency model: the characteristics of a complex systems game (session), and the attitudes, knowledge, and skills for successful game facilitation. Second, experienced game facilitators may learn from existing competency models for generic (non-game) group facilitation. Third, facilitators of generic (non-game) group sessions are encouraged to study the characteristics of game sessions in addition to the specific competencies contained in the competency model for game facilitators.
Impact of Meeting Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Benchmarks on Spoken Language
Authors: Grey Brittany , Deutchki Elizabeth K. , Lund Emily A. , Werfel Krystal L.
Published: June 2021

This study compared preschool spoken language outcomes for children with hearing loss who met the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines to those who did not, as well as compared outcomes for those who met the current EHDI guidelines to those who met the earlier benchmarks. Finally, the predictive role of meeting each component of the guidelines was evaluated relative to language outcomes. Children who met the EHDI guidelines had higher language scores than those who did not; however, there was no difference between children who met the current guidelines and those who met the earlier benchmarks. Entering early intervention by 6 months of age was the only unique predictor of spoken language outcomes. The findings suggest that EHDI programs should target increasing the number of children with hearing loss who meet the current 1-3-6 benchmarks with a particular focus on enrollment in early intervention by 6 months.