bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aerial physical interaction via IDA-PBC
Authors: Yüksel Burak , Secchi Cristian , Bülthoff Heinrich H. , Franchi Antonio
Published: March 2019

This paper proposes the use of a novel control method based on interconnection and damping assignment–passivity-based control (IDA-PBC) in order to address the aerial physical interaction (APhI) problem for a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparent physical properties of the quadrotor are reshaped in order to achieve better APhI performances, while ensuring the stability of the interaction through passivity preservation. The robustness of the IDA-PBC method with respect to sensor noise is also analyzed. The direct measurement of the external wrench, needed to implement the control method, is compared with the use of a nonlinear Lyapunov-based wrench observer and advantages/disadvantages of both methods are discussed. The validity and practicability of the proposed APhI method is evaluated through experiments, where for the first time in the literature, a lightweight all-in-one low-cost force/torque (F/T) sensor is used onboard of a quadrotor. Two main scenarios are shown: a quadrotor responding to external disturbances while hovering (physical human–quadrotor interaction), and the same quadrotor sliding with a rigid tool along an uneven ceiling surface (inspection/painting-like task).
Bipedal walking and push recovery with a stepping strategy based on time-projection control
Authors: Faraji Salman , Razavi Hamed , Ijspeert Auke J.
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we present a simple control framework for online push recovery on biped robots with dynamic stepping properties. Owing to relatively heavy legs in our humanoid robot COMAN, we use a linear model called 3LP, which is composed of three pendulums to take swing and torso dynamics into account. Based on 3LP equations, we formulate discrete linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controllers and use a particular time-projection method to adjust footstep locations during the motion continuously. This process, which is based on pelvis and swing foot tracking errors, naturally considers swing dynamics and leads to leg-retraction properties. Suggested adjustments are added to the Cartesian 3LP gaits and converted into joint-space trajectories through inverse kinematics. Fixed and adaptive foot lift strategies are also used to ensure enough ground clearance in perturbed walking conditions. The proposed control architecture is robust, yet uses very simple state estimation and basic position tracking. We rely on series elastic actuators to absorb impacts while introducing simple laws to compensate for spring compressions. Extensive experiments on COMAN (real) and Atlas (simulated) robots demonstrate the functionality of different control blocks and prove the effectiveness of time-projection in extreme push recovery scenarios. We also show self-produced and emergent walking gaits when the robot is subject to continuous dragging forces. These gaits feature dynamic walking robustness with minimal reliance on the ankles and avoiding any active zero moment point (ZMP) control. The proposed architecture is therefore generic, computationally very fast and yet with no critical parameter to tune.
Hydrolytic degradation and in vivo resorption of poly-l-lactic acid-chitosan biomedical devices in the parietal bones of Wistar rats
Authors: Humberto Valencia Carlos
Published: March 2019

Objectives

This study sought to describe events related to the degradation/resorption of a device composed of polylactic acid (PLA) after implantation into Wistar rats.

Methods

Five-millimeter-diameter PLA rigid scaffolds and flexible analogs were elaborated, bioactivated through culture with osteoblasts, and implanted into the parietal bones of adult Wistar rats after 15 days. After 3 months, the samples were recovered and analyzed via optical microscopy (histochemical techniques) and scanning electron microscopy. This research was approved by the animal ethics review committee of Universidad of Valle in Cali, Colombia, according to the endorsement of the ethics committee CEAS 001-016.

Results

Initially, there was surface erosion and fragmentation of the device, inducing an inflammatory response compatible with the foreign body reaction, in addition to the presence of a pseudocapsule and a mixed inflammatory infiltrate that was responsible for phagocytosis of the material. Regeneration of the defect via the apposition of new bone occurred simultaneously with resorption of the material.

Conclusions

The results illustrated that the degradation/resorption of PLA occurs in a centripetal pattern.
Disenfranchised grief: the emotional impact experienced by foster carers on the cessation of a placement
Authors: Lynes David , Sitoe Angela
Published: March 2019

This study uses a qualitative approach to explore the experiences of 22 UK foster carers when a child is ‘moved on’ from a placement, focusing specifically on their experiences of loss. In most cases participants report loving the child as their own and describe their surprise at the profundity of their feelings of loss and grief when living through the child’s departure. These emotions can be fruitfully perceived as ‘disenfranchised grief’ in that its severity was unexpected and was not recognised as legitimate by the carers’ social group or professionals working with them. As a result, their loss was neither perceived as legitimate nor given a vehicle for expression. In some cases, participants report that the experience changed their approach to caring for children and even resulted in them ceasing to foster. The implications for practice include preparing foster carers to expect a grief response when their children move on, to recognise that this might be disenfranchised and to enhance peer and professional support during that process.
Fostering unaccompanied asylum seeking young people: the views of foster carers on their training and support needs
Authors: Sidery Abigail
Published: March 2019

The implementation of the National Transfer Scheme, whereby local authorities across the UK are encouraged to voluntarily receive unaccompanied young asylum seekers, has prompted a necessary focus on the training needs of those caring for this population. As agencies consider how to build their capacity to support unaccompanied young people, this study set out to learn from the experiences and views of foster carers, in order to inform the development of effective carer training and support. Eight semi-structured interviews were undertaken with foster carers who have cared for unaccompanied young people in one county in the South West of England. The findings draw attention not only to the potential benefits of training focused specifically on fostering unaccompanied young people, but also reveal aspects of the impact that limited access to training and support can have upon carers. The findings shed light on the carers’ experiences of encountering ‘unknown’ factors and allow new insight into the networks they had developed over time to enhance their ability to access information and support as new challenges arise. Possible implications for local authorities and fostering agencies are considered.
Evaluation of Crumb Rubber Modification on Specification Compliance of Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Cooper Samuel , Salari Saman , Mata David
Published: March 2019

Since 2008, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) has allowed the use of crumb rubber modification (CRM) as per the specifications. However, the introduction of CRM has presented unique challenges during design and production. LaDOTD districts have reported early cracking for dense-graded mixtures. Adhesion and stability issues have been reported for open-graded friction course (OGFC) and stone matrix asphalt (SMA) mixtures. Currently, LaDOTD specifications allow the contractor to switch asphalt cement supplies without redesigning the mixture. This study evaluated several CRM-modified mixture designs to address design and performance concerns; it also evaluated the volumetric and mechanistic properties of dense, SMA, and OGFC mixtures designed with unmodified asphalt cement, styrene-butadiene-styrene-modified asphalt cement and five crumb rubber sources. SuperPave volumetric parameters were evaluated to ascertain the impact of CRM on the design of these mixtures. Rutting and intermediate temperature cracking susceptibility were determined using the Hamburg Loaded Wheel Tracker (LWT) and semi-circular bend test (SCB), respectively. Solvent extraction and the ignition furnace were used to determine the asphalt content of the modified mixtures. The results showed that CRM improved the laboratory rutting resistance of the mixtures. However, the laboratory cracking resistance was decreased for the CRM-modified mixtures. Based on statistical analysis, additional asphalt content, reduced CRM dosage, and the use of polymer additives may mitigate the reduced laboratory cracking performance of the CRM-modified mixtures. The volumetric parameters were also affected by CRMs. The mixtures should be re-designed if the contractor anticipates using a CRM-modified asphalt cement.
Practical Framework for Benchmarking and Impact Evaluation of Public Transportation Infrastructure: Case of Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Authors: Basu Rounaq , Alves Bianca Bianchi
Published: March 2019

Although accessibility to opportunities is essential for good quality of life, it is strongly dependent on mobility options. This paper provides a practical framework for benchmarking and impact evaluation of public transportation infrastructure, which is demonstrated with a case study of Belo Horizonte in Brazil. It was found that the number of stops per kilometer of bus route is quite low in Belo Horizonte compared with other cities with similar population density, despite the city having a much larger bus network. Three types of opportunities were then considered: employment, education, and potential for social interaction. An isochrone model was used for implementing the cumulative opportunities approach to measure accessibility. GTFS data were used to conduct simulations of transit schedules to obtain two accessibility indicators. The first finding shows that the public transportation system does not provide good connectivity to areas with high population density. While examining sensitivity to travel time thresholds, accessibility was found to increase with increase in travel time but not equally so for populations with different income levels. Lower income cohorts were seen to have lower accessibility than higher income counterparts, irrespective of the type of opportunity. It was found that transport network improvements should aim to reduce the income gap of 60% of BPL population by at least 8%. Finally, recommendations are provided for areas of investment by highlighting critical transit corridors and a critical but isolated underserved suburb. This framework can be easily applied to other case studies around the world.
A Balanced Mix Design Method for Selecting the Optimum Binder Content of Cold In-Place Recycling Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Saidi Ahmed , Ali Ayman , Lein Wade , Mehta Yusuf
Published: March 2019

The objective of this paper is to present a procedure for designing cold in-place recycling (CIR) mixtures through balancing rutting and cracking for these mixtures. Four CIR mixtures were prepared using two recycling agents (foamed and emulsified asphalts), and compacted at two gyration levels (30 and 70 gyrations). The CIR mixtures were prepared at a constant water content of 3% and a constant cement content of 1% while curing of the compacted samples was conducted by placing them in an oven for three days at 140°F (dry curing). The CoreLok device was used for measuring air voids in compacted samples. The rutting susceptibility of these mixtures was then evaluated using the asphalt pavement analyzer (APA) and dynamic complex modulus (|E*|) while resistance to cracking was assessed using the indirect tensile strength (ITS) test and fracture energy as determined using the semi-circular bend (SCB-FE) test. A demonstration of how these tests were utilized to select a performance balanced optimum binder content for each of the four CIR mixes was also presented. The developed balanced mix design approach was used successfully for designing four CIR mixtures and selecting the optimum binder content for each mix. The results also showed that using a higher compaction level leads to increasing both foamed and emulsified asphalt CIR mixtures’ ability to resist rutting. In terms of cracking, SCB-FE results showed that foamed asphalt mixtures were better at resisting cracking than emulsified asphalt CIR mixtures.
Induced Travel Demand Modeling for High-Speed Intercity Transportation
Authors: Zhang Dapeng , Luchian Sara , Raycroft Joshua , Ulama Darryle
Published: March 2019

Research shows that induced demand—ridership generated by improved level-of-service—can vary broadly, from near zero to 80% of the total ridership across high-speed rail projects. Such a wide range can yield very different economic figures which consequently have impacts on investment decisions. Because of data collection challenges and limited modeling techniques, however, this important aspect of intercity passenger transportation is not sufficiently understood. For example, many feasibility studies estimate induced demand by simply applying a fixed multiplier on top of demand diverted from other modes. This rough estimate is unreliable when the new service significantly improves the level-of-service. The most common alternative to the fixed-multiplier approach is to conduct a full travel demand model, which integrates data from multiple regions with multiple surveys. This approach is costly and time consuming, however, and as such is generally only practicable in the final stages of project evaluation. This paper aims to bridge the gap between these approaches to modeling induced demand by proposing a modeling framework which analyzes intercity induced demand effectively and efficiently, capturing most influential factors without requiring integration of incompatible regional datasets. The proposed framework consists of one single online survey which targets all residents in the study area and a behaviorally-consistent econometric model to derive induced intercity passenger demand. Derived induced demand results from the case study can enrich the literature on an innovative transportation mode which features ultra-speed.
Performance and Return to Sport After Ulnar Nerve Decompression/Transposition Among Professional Baseball Players
Authors: Erickson Brandon J. , Chalmers Peter N. , D’Angelo John , Ma Kevin , Romeo Anthony A.
Published: March 2019

Background:

Isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition is an uncommon surgical procedure among professional baseball players.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

To determine performance and rate of return to sport (RTS) among professional baseball players after isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition, including those who required decompression/transposition after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR), and to compare outcomes between cases and matched controls. The authors hypothesized a high rate of RTS among professional baseball players undergoing isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition with no difference in RTS rate or performance between cases and controls as related to earned run average, WHIP ([walks + hits]/innings pitched), wins above replacement, and on base + slugging percentage.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Utilizing the injury database of Major League Baseball, we identified all professional baseball players who underwent isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition between 2010 and 2016. De-identified demographic and performance data (before and after surgery) for each player were recorded from Major League Baseball records. Performance metrics were then compared between cases and matched controls.

Results:

The study included 52 players; 83% were pitchers; and 14 underwent prior UCLR. Most surgical procedures (92%) were anterior subcutaneous transpositions. Overall, 62% of players were able to successfully RTS, and 56% returned to the same or higher level. There was no significant difference between cases and controls in the majority of pre- and postoperative performance metrics—specifically, earned run average, WHIP, wins above replacement, and on base + slugging percentage. When players who had UCLR before ulnar nerve decompression/transposition were compared with controls with a history of UCLR but no subsequent ulnar nerve decompression/transposition, the only performance difference of all the recorded metrics was that cases allowed more walks per 9 innings (4.4 vs 2.8, P = .011).

Conclusion:

Anterior subcutaneous transposition is the most common surgical procedure among professional baseball players to address ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Players have a 62% rate of RTS, which is lower than expected for this nonreconstruction or repair procedure. For players who successfully RTS, performance metrics versus matched controls remained the same except for allowing significantly more walks per 9 innings. Postoperatively, pitchers with UCLR before ulnar nerve decompression/transposition who had a successful RTS performed the same as matched controls with prior UCLR without subsequent ulnar nerve decompression/transposition.
Prospective Evaluation of the Patient Acceptable Symptom State to Identify Clinically Successful Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Vega José F. , Jacobs Cale A. , Strnad Gregory J. , Farrow Lutul , Jones Morgan H. , Miniaci Anthony , Parker Richard D. , Rosneck James , Saluan Paul , Williams James S. , Spindler Kurt P.
Published: March 2019

Background:

The length of most patient-reported outcome measures creates significant response burden, which hampers follow-up rates. The Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) is a single-item, patient-reported outcome measure that asks patients to consider all aspects of life to determine whether the state of their joint is satisfactory; this measure may be viable for tracking outcomes on a large scale.

Hypothesis:

The PASS question would identify clinically successful anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) at 1-year follow-up with high sensitivity and moderate specificity. We defined “clinically successful” ACLR as changes in preoperative to postoperative scores on the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) pain subscale and the KOOS knee-related quality of life subscale in excess of minimal clinically important difference or final KOOS pain or knee-related quality of life subscale scores in excess of previously defined PASS thresholds.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

Patients enrolled in a prospective longitudinal cohort completed patient-reported outcome measures immediately before primary ACLR. At 1-year follow-up, patients completed the same patient-reported outcome measures and answered the PASS question: “Taking into account all the activity you have during your daily life, your level of pain, and also your activity limitations and participation restrictions, do you consider the current state of your knee satisfactory?”

Results:

A total of 555 patients enrolled in our cohort; 464 were eligible for this study. Of these, 300 patients (64.7%) completed 1-year follow-up, of whom 83.3% reported satisfaction with their knee after surgery. The PASS question demonstrated high sensitivity to identify clinically successful ACLR (92.6%; 95% CI, 88.4%-95.6%). The specificity of the question was 47.1% (95% CI, 35.1%-59.5%). The overall agreement between the PASS and our KOOS-based criteria for clinically successful intervention was 81.9%, and the kappa value indicated moderate agreement between the two methods (κ = 0.44).

Conclusion:

The PASS question identifies individuals who have experienced clinically successful ACLR with high sensitivity. The limitation of the PASS is its low specificity, which we calculated to be 47.1%. Answering “no” to the PASS question meant that a patient neither improved after surgery nor achieved an acceptable final state of knee health. The brevity, interpretability, and correlation of the PASS question with significant improvements on various KOOS subscales make it a viable option in tracking ACLR outcomes on a national or global scale.
Epidemiology of Shoulder Surgery Among Professional Baseball Players
Authors: Chalmers Peter N. , Erickson Brandon J. , D’Angelo John , Ma Kevin , Romeo Anthony A.
Published: March 2019

Background:

Injuries remain a significant problem for professional baseball players. There is little information regarding the incidence and outcomes of shoulder surgical procedures among these athletes.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

To report the incidence, pathology, procedure type, demographics, and return-to-sport (RTS) rate of shoulder surgery among Major League Baseball (MLB) players. Most shoulder procedures would be performed on pitchers with a history of injury; the labrum would be the most commonly involved; and that the RTS rate would be >50%.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

All MLB players who underwent surgery between 2012 and 2016 were identified from a database prospectively maintained by MLB. Demographic information and details regarding the procedure were recorded and RTS rates determined. Only those players with a minimum 2-year follow-up were included.

Results:

There were 581 shoulder procedures performed (542 players; pitchers, 60%; incidence, 1.48%). Overall, 19% of surgical procedures were performed on major league players and 81% on minor league players. Most players were between 20 and 25 years old. The majority of procedures were performed on the posterior and anterior labrum. Of these, 67% involved labral repair. Within rotator cuff surgery, 84% involved debridement; most tears were articular sided (87%); and 75% involved the supraspinatus. Overall, 11% of players had prior shoulder surgery, and 76% spent time on the disabled list before surgery. The overall rate of RTS was 63%. Of those who returned, 86% returned to at least the same level of play or higher as before surgery. Of those who returned to their prior level of play, 73% later ascended to a higher level of play or could not ascend to a higher level because they were already in the majors.

Conclusion:

Shoulder surgery is uncommon among professional baseball players. Of those players who require surgery, the majority are pitchers and minor league players. Most procedures involve the labrum. Rotator cuff tears are mostly articular-sided supraspinatus tears. The overall RTS rate is 63%. Of those who return, 86% are able to return to the same or higher level of play as before surgery.
The discreet charm of civility
Authors: Krygier Martin
Published: March 2019

Maria Márkus took special interest in the concept of civil society that was revived by East European dissidents and incorporated it into her account of the fundamental ideals of modernity. Modern societies were civil to the extent that they possessed a ‘public sphere’ that incorporated structures and mechanisms of action and communication able to form, articulate and press the interests and needs of the society on public agencies; and to defend them, if the state ignores or seeks to override them. This article discusses the relationships in her thought between civility, civil society and decency. She sees the first as a condition for the second, but not a part of it, while decency is both an accomplishment and attribute of a civil society in good shape. For her, a decent society is the ideal to strive for, a civil society the way to get there, civility a necessary step toward civil society, and therefore too for a decent one, but not a huge step. This article suggests that civility deserves more than the lukewarm approval Maria bestowed upon it. In particular, the piece tries in some measure to bridge the gap she saw between civility, on the one hand, which she appreciated in a kind of ‘two cheers’ way, and civil and decent societies, on the other, which received her full (and fully warranted) three-cheers.
Global Construction of Literacy Policies for “Least Developed Countries”: Focus on Ethiopia, Nepal, and Sierra Leone
Authors: Regmi Kapil Dev
Published: March 2019

In the context of educational globalization and increasing dominance of supranational organizations in educational governance, least developed countries (LDCs) have faced a new level of tension about whether their educational policies should follow the global educational models or seek solutions of their multifarious problems by promoting local indigenous literacy practices. This article critically analyzed key educational policy documents produced by major supranational organizations and selected LDCs and argues that the deficit perspective in education started in the colonial period and institutionalized during the structural adjustment period has shaped literacy policies and practices even after the 1990s. The article concludes with an appeal for developing contextually relevant literacy policies and programs through an asset perspective; and provides directions for further research for exploring LDCs’ literacy policies.
Clopidogrel eluting electrospun polyurethane/polyethylene glycol thromboresistant, hemocompatible nanofibrous scaffolds
Authors: Shitole Ajinkya A , Giram Prabhanjan S , Raut Piyush W , Rade Priyanka P , Khandwekar Anand P , Sharma Neeti , Garnaik Baijayantimala
Published: March 2019

Biomaterials used as blood-contacting material must be hemocompatible and exhibit lower thrombotic potential while maintaining hemostasis and angiogenesis. With the aim of developing thromboresistant, hemocompatible nanofibrous scaffolds, polyurethane/polyethylene glycol scaffolds incorporated with 1, 5, and 10 wt% Clopidogrel were fabricated and evaluated for their physiochemical properties, biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, and antithrombotic potential. The results of physicochemical characterization revealed the fabrication of nanometer-sized scaffolds with smooth surfaces. The incorporation of both polyethylene glycol and Clopidogrel to polyurethane enhanced the hydrophilicity and water uptake potential of polyurethane/polyethylene glycol/Clopidogrel scaffolds. The dynamic mechanical analysis revealed the enhancement in mechanical strength of the polyurethane/polyethylene glycol scaffolds on incorporation of Clopidogrel. The polyurethane/polyethylene glycol/Clopidogrel scaffolds showed a tri-phasic drug release pattern. The results of hemocompatibility assessment demonstrated the excellent blood compatibility of the polyurethane/polyethylene glycol/Clopidogrel scaffolds, with the developed scaffolds exhibiting lower hemolysis, increased albumin and plasma protein adsorption while reduction in fibrinogen adsorption. Further, the platelet adhesion was highly suppressed and significant increase in coagulation period was observed for Clopidogrel incorporated scaffolds. The results of cell adhesion and cell viability substantiate the biocompatibility of the developed nanofibrous scaffolds with the HUVEC cell viability on polyurethane/polyethylene glycol, polyurethane/polyethylene glycol/Clopidogrel-1, 5, and 10% at day 7 found to be 12.35, 13.36, 14.85, and 4.18% higher as compared to polyurethane scaffolds, and the NIH/3T3 cell viability found to be 35.27, 70.82, 36.60, and 7.95% higher as compared to polyurethane scaffolds, respectively. Altogether the results of the study advocate the incorporation of Clopidogrel to the polyurethane/polyethylene glycol blend in order to fabricate scaffolds with appropriate antithrombotic property, hemocompatibility, and cell proliferation capacity and thus, might be successfully used as antithrombotic material for biomedical application.
Machine Learning Enhances the Efficiency of Cognitive Screenings for Primary Care
Authors: Levy Boaz , Hess Courtney , Hogan Jacqueline , Hogan Matthew , Ellison James M. , Greenspan Sarah , Elber Allison , Falcon Kathryn , Driscoll Daniel F. , Hashmi Ardeshir Z.
Published: March 2019

Background:

Incorporation of cognitive screening into the busy primary care will require the development of highly efficient screening tools. We report the convergence validity of a very brief, self-administered, computerized assessment protocol against one of the most extensively used, clinician-administered instruments—the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

Method:

Two hundred six participants (mean age = 67.44, standard deviation [SD] = 11.63) completed the MoCA and the computerized test. Three machine learning algorithms (ie, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting Trees) were trained to classify participants according to the clinical cutoff score of the MoCA (ie, < 26) from participant performance on 25 features of the computerized test. Analysis employed Synthetic Minority Oversampling TEchnic to correct the sample for class imbalance.

Results:

Gradient Boosting Trees achieved the highest performance (accuracy = 0.81, specificity = 0.88, sensitivity = 0.74, F1 score = 0.79, and area under the curve = 0.81). A subsequent K-means clustering of the prediction features yielded 3 categories that corresponded to the unimpaired (mean = 26.98, SD = 2.35), mildly impaired (mean = 23.58, SD = 3.19), and moderately impaired (mean = 17.24, SD = 4.23) ranges of MoCA score ( F = 222.36, P < .00). In addition, compared to the MoCA, the computerized test correlated more strongly with age in unimpaired participants (ie, MoCA ≥26, n = 165), suggesting greater sensitivity to age-related changes in cognitive functioning.

Conclusion:

Future studies should examine ways to improve the sensitivity of the computerized test by expanding the cognitive domains it measures without compromising its efficiency.
Synthesis and characterization of β-TCP/HA nanocomposite: Morphology and microstructure
Authors: Mirjalili Fatemeh , Bagheshahi Saeid , Aghaee Mojdeh
Published: March 2019

β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP)/hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocomposite have been synthesized by the precipitation method. Then, the effect of change in weight percentage, temperature, stirring time, pH, and surfactant on β-TCP/ HA nanocomposite powders were studied. The samples were characterized by different techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The results showed that using a chemical deposition method, β-TCP/HA nanocomposite with uniform size and particle size distribution could be obtained. SPAN 20 had better results as a surfactant compared to Aliquat. In general, samples were optimized in a pH of 10, with 24-h stirring time, temperature of 1100°C, and concentration of 0.3 molar calcium salt and 0.19 molar salt phosphate.
Revisiting Authoritarianism
Authors: Aho James
Published: March 2019

This article traces the roots of the Authoritarian Personality (AP) project in the neo-Freudian/phenomenological tradition of the Frankfurt School (FS). It focuses on three of its major proponents (Erich Fromm, Theodor Adorno and Herbert Marcuse) and examines the construction of the F-scale. It outlines how, according to FS-influenced scholars, the AP arose from the disciplinary measures inflicted on late 19th and early 20th century German middle-class youth, and details the sado-masochistic political style of the prototypical AP. It covers the critical reception of this characterization and explanation of authoritarianism by Bob Altemeyer and Anglo-American positivism. It concludes by arguing that in overlooking the inner life of the AP, positivism blinds us to compelling truths, about authoritarianism, and also about ourselves.
Migrants and Low-Paid Employment in British Workplaces
Authors: Bryson Alex , White Michael
Published: March 2019

Using nationally representative workplace data for Britain, we identify where migrants work and examine the partial correlation between workplace wages and whether migrants are employed at a workplace. Three-in-ten workplaces with five or more employees employ migrant workers, with the probability rising substantially with workplace size. We find the bottom quartile of the log earnings distribution is 4–5% lower in workplaces employing migrants, ceteris paribus. However, the effect is confined to workplaces set up before the introduction of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) in the late 1990s, consistent with the proposition that minimum wage regulation limits employers’ propensity to pay low wages in the presence of migrant workers.
Active Enactment and Virtuous Circles of Employment Relations: How Danish Unions Organised the Transnationalised Copenhagen Metro Construction Project
Authors: Arnholtz Jens , Refslund Bjarke
Published: March 2019

Transnational workers on large-scale construction projects are often poorly included in national industrial relations systems, which results in employment relations becoming trapped in vicious circles of weak enforcement and precarious work. This article shows how Danish unions have, nonetheless, been successful in enacting existing institutions and organising the construction of the Copenhagen Metro City Ring, despite initially encountering a highly fragmented, transnational workforce and several subcontracting firms that actively sought to circumvent Danish labour-market regulation. This is explained by the union changing their organising and enforcement strategies, thereby utilising various power resources to create inclusive strategies towards transnational workers. This includes efforts to create shared objectives and identity across divergent groups of workers and actively seeking changes in the public owners’ attitude towards employment relations.
On Appeals to an Imperfect past in a Present Future: Remembering the Israelite Wilderness Generation in the Late Second Temple Period
Authors: Smith Daniel L.
Published: March 2019

The Damascus Document explicitly remembers the Israelite wilderness period as a time of disobedience and rebellion, with dire consequences that endured for generations. At the same time, the same text calls for a communal organization that mimics that of the Israelites during their wilderness period (Exod. 18.25; Deut. 1.15). This appeal to an imperfect past in a document that faces an imminent or even present eschaton finds close parallels among other texts from the latter half of the Second Temple period. This article argues that these similar strategies of remembering and re-deploying the past shed light on possible motivations for the Damascus Document's seemingly incoherent approach to Israel's past.
Surface modification of GO by PDA for dielectric material with well-suppressed dielectric loss
Authors: Kou Yujia , Zhou Wenying , Xu Li , Cai Huiwu , Wang Guangheng , Liu Xiangrong , Chen Qingguo , Dang Zhi-Min
Published: March 2019

To suppress the high dielectric loss of graphene oxide (GO)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) while maintaining high dielectric constant (high- k) near the percolation threshold, in this study, GO nanosheets coated with polydopamine (PDA) were integrated into PVDF to investigate the effects of the PDA shell and its concentrations on the dielectric properties of the nanocomposites. The results indicate that the dissipation factor and conductivity of the GO@PDA/PVDF are significantly suppressed to very low values compared with the pristine GO/PVDF composites, attributable to the PDA interlayer between the GO nanosheets which prevents them from direct contact with each other and remarkably reduces the leakage loss. Furthermore, activation energies of the GO/PVDF and GO@PDA/PVDF composites were calculated as 1.247 and 0.884 eV, respectively, indicating that the presence of PDA interlayer reduces the relaxation activation energy and makes the relaxation occur at low temperature for the GO@PDA/PVDF. The prepared GO@PDA/PVDF nanocomposites with high- k but low loss have potential applications in microelectronic engineering.
Coating effect on the fatigue strength of a free cutting steel
Authors: Croccolo Dario , De Agostinis Massimiliano , Fini Stefano , Olmi Giorgio , Robusto Francesco
Published: March 2019

This paper deals with the effect of electrodeposited zinc and nickel coatings on the fatigue strength of a free cutting steel. This class of materials is frequently used in the mass production, due to their good machinability, in order to reduce the production costs. Moreover, free cutting steels often operate under high wear conditions, for instance in sliding components. Therefore, suitable coatings are usually applied to improve their tribological response. In addition, in many industrial applications, free cutting steels must withstand significantly high fatigue loads, even in corrosive environment. In order to assess the fatigue response, S–N curves and endurance limits at run-out of specimen sets with different features were determined. The tests involved samples with different coatings and plain geometry for comparison purposes. The experimental results, properly set up by tools of Design of Experiment, were statistically processed and compared. The outcome was that no significant difference in terms of fatigue strength between the three specimens set was encountered. It implies that coatings can be suitable to enhance wear resistance without detrimental effects on fatigue.
Heatguard: An ultra-low-cost three-dimensional-printed sensor for skin temperature alert and reporting system
Authors: Li Rui , Smith Aaron , Tadinada Harshitha , Hovet Sierra , Tse Zion Tsz Ho
Published: March 2019

A heatstroke is one of the most serious forms of heat injury and is classified as a medical emergency. It is characterized by an elevated core body temperature along with the failed body cooling mechanism in response to the sudden heat-up. People vulnerable to a heatstroke are children, elders and sports professionals. Previous efforts have emphasized exercise adjustments and post-treatments, such as environmental-based activity modification and cold-water immersion. However, the general public, especially elders, will have difficulty to conduct such adjustments by themselves. Moreover, few studies have been conducted on the early preventive measurement stage. A wearable three-dimensional-printed thermochromic device proposed here can warn the people of a sudden rise in skin temperature and can advise them to take quick action. Combined with the smartphone applications, for both the android and iPhone platform, the device is able to monitor real-time skin temperature and alerts the people who are vulnerable to a heatstroke. The three-dimensional printable resin developed can change color at a specific activation temperature. The device has undergone a series of performance tests in order to optimize the color transition rate and stability of color change. The accuracy of our device is compared to the conventional thermometer; the regression analysis shows the R2 value is 0.7599 and the average error is 1.3 °C. Future work will be to mitigate the surrounding lighting effects on the smartphone camera and further improve our device accuracy.
From the therapeutic to the post-therapeutic: The resilient subject, its social imaginary, and its practices in the shadow of 9/11
Authors: Brunner José , Plotkin Amrami Galia
Published: March 2019

In the aftermath of 9/11, the concept of psychological resilience, which refers to the ability to “bounce back” after adversity, became prominent across the American mental health community. Resilience thinking made its way quickly into the U.S. military, where it sparked the most expensive psychological intervention program in history. This article interweaves four strands of explanation—political, scientific, technological, and cultural—to account for the success of resilience thinking in the U.S. military and beyond. It shows that theories and practices of psychological resilience are not as novel as their proponents make them out to be. However, it also details how the ideal of a post-therapeutic, resilient subject became the cornerstone of a new, post-9/11 social imaginary. This article concludes that the contemporary ascendancy of psychological resilience indicates that rather than allying itself with the therapeutic as it had done previously, post-9/11 neoliberalism has moved toward the post-therapeutic.
Evaluating Profitability and Marketability Efficiency: A Case of Indian Commercial Banks
Authors: Rakshit Bijoy
Published: March 2019

The main objective of this article is to evaluate the performance efficiency of the top 36 commercial banks in India. To evaluate the performance efficiency, we employ a two-stage production process. Applying the data envelopment analysis technique, this article evaluates profitability efficiency in the first stage and marketability efficiency in the second stage, respectively. Empirical findings reveal that in India where large banks perform well on profitability, small banks have done well on marketability efficiency. However, close to 80 per cent of Indian commercial banks are inefficient on both the fronts of profitability and marketability. Finally, an input congestion method has been used to examine the effect of outputs as a result of reduction in inputs. To the best of our knowledge, this article is the first of its kind that examines both profitability and marketability efficiencies in Indian context.
Decoding User Interaction Dynamics on Facebook Fan Page: A Sentiment Mining Approach
Authors: Chandrasekaran Shabana , Kumar De Supriya
Published: March 2019

Increased presence of firms on social media like Facebook has enabled users to interact directly with the firms. As this platform is used for brand promotions, it is important for firms to understand the dynamics of user interaction that happens on the brand’s fan page. This study investigates the influence of marketer-generated content (MGC) and the recursive effect of sentiments on user interaction with the help of sentiment mining approach and negative binomial regression. The analysis is done over 2,121 marketers’ content and 22 million user content across the top five Facebook brand pages in India. The results show that an increase in positive comment sentiment triggers increased liking and sharing behaviour by the users on the marketers’ content. Moreover, users are more inclined to like and share on marketers’ contents that are informative posts. Posts containing images garner higher likes and comments, but videos have higher shares. The results are useful for the brands to understand user behaviour on a brand’s social media fan page.
The physical health of Indigenous people with a mental illness in the Kimberley: is ongoing monitoring effective?
Authors: Stanley Susanne H , Laugharne Jonathan DE , Chapman Murray , Balaratnasingam Sivasankaran
Published: March 2019

Objective:

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing physical health monitoring for Indigenous Australians with mental health issues in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Method:

This longitudinal, within-groups investigation assessed physical health parameters such as blood pressure and blood glucose levels at baseline and at 18 months for the same cohort. No standardised intervention was in place, but action was taken if results were found to be abnormal.

Results:

Most measures of physical health remained stable, with mean lipid and fasting glucose levels remaining abnormal over the entire assessment period. Systolic blood pressure showed a significant improvement.

Conclusions:

More needs to be done to improve the physical health of Indigenous mental health patients – culturally appropriate and secure interventions incorporating holistic models of care are needed.
The price of religiosity: Enticing young Haredi men into secular academic studies
Authors: Perelman Yossi , Yaish Meir , Bental Benjamin
Published: March 2019

Standard economic theory cannot explain why so few Haredi (ultra-orthodox) men attain college degrees in Israel, despite the significant economic returns to such degrees. In addition to economic variables, this article introduces a combination of social and behavioral characteristics, such as religious identity, into the individual choice process. This, in turn, enables us to evaluate a possible trade-off between economic benefits associated with a college degree and the corresponding loss of religious identity in the decision of young ultra-orthodox Israeli men to attain a college degree. In the language of standard economics, we simply ask: What is the economic price Haredi men are willing to pay for their religious beliefs? Utilizing case-control sampling and analysis techniques, we collected retrospective data on Haredi men who study in academic higher education institutes ( N = 410) and matched them to Haredi men who do not attend college ( N = 310). Our logit econometric model indicates that Haredi men, even those with extreme orthodox beliefs, respond to economic incentives. However, our model indicates that the size of the incentives required to entice academic studies increases with the intensity of religious beliefs.
What Has Place Got to Do With It? Hot Spots Policing to Address Physical and Mental Health
Authors: Jensen Rachel H.
Published: March 2019

In the last few decades of criminological research, the contextual concept of place has become a widely discussed and studied topic. Currently, one of the most studied and discussed place-based strategies is hot spots policing, the study of crime patterns at micro-geographic places. Since the 1980s, hot spots policing has become an important and empirically validated law enforcement intervention. One of the most novel questions about hot spots policing is whether it can be used to address other issues such as the intersection of crime, place, and health. Do concentrated patterns of physical and mental health issues mirror the patterns of crime at places? If so, can hot spots policing guide police interventions? This article reviews the current state of public health and place-based crime patterns to synthesize the concept of place-based interventions for health and crime. The article concludes with implications for the scholars and practitioners.
Mental Health Crisis Location and Police Transportation Decisions: The Impact of Crisis Intervention Team Training on Crisis Center Utilization
Authors: Comartin Erin B. , Swanson Leonard , Kubiak Sheryl
Published: March 2019

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) research has shown increases in officer transports of individuals with serious mental illness to emergency departments (ED) which, while more appropriate than incarceration, can be expensive and lack linkage to long-term mental health services. Mental health crisis centers offer a promising alternative, but impact may be limited by proximal distance and lack of officer awareness. To address this concern, this study asked, “Does CIT training affect officer transport decisions to a crisis center over a nearby ED?” Researchers analyzed crisis call reports in a Midwestern county and found increased use of the crisis center and decreased use of EDs by officers after CIT was implemented. The crisis location affected officer transport decisions, yet CIT officers were more likely than non-CIT officers to travel farther for appropriate linkage. Findings suggest CIT changes officer behavior, which could potentially lead to long-term, low-cost treatment for individuals with serious mental illnesses when there is a mental health crisis center.