bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relating teenagers’ science interest network characteristics to later science course enrolment: An analysis of Australian PISA 2006 and Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth data
Authors: Sachisthal Maien S.M. , Jansen Brenda R.J. , Dalege Jonas , Raijmakers Maartje E.J.
Published: September 2020

Recently, students’ interest in science has been conceptualized as a network model: the science interest network model (SINM) in which affective, behavioural and cognitive components interact together; building on science interest being a dynamic relational construct. In the current study, we combine the Australian Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2006 and Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth 2008 data (N = 4758) to investigate relationships between the network characteristics of Year 10 students with their decision to enrol in a science course in Year 12. Specifically, we identified indicators central to the SINM and tested whether they predicted chemistry, physics and biology course enrolment. Students’ intentions to pursue a science-related study or career (future intentions in science) and their enjoyment of science (science enjoyment) were the most central indicators for all three science courses. Centrality was strongly related to course enrolment ( r =  .36–.74), lending support to the validity of network theory in the context of science interest, as central indicators may play an influential role within the network.
Recycling printed polypropylene labels and polyolefins caps as chemical foaming agent to produce foam products
Authors: Guillén-Mallette J , González-Chi PI , Cruz-Estrada RH , Miranda-Flores y RN , Rivero-Ayala MA
Published: September 2020

Recycling printed polypropylene (PP) labels and printed polyolefins (PO) caps as a chemical foaming agent to produce foam products is studied. An experimental Taguchi L16 design with seven experimental variables involved is used: talc content and screw angular velocity, at four experimental levels; extrusion temperature profile and extruded formulations, at three levels; and, type of label washing process, the use of metal mesh and the type of label drying process, at two levels. As control variables, the morphology of the cells and the density of the foamed products are utilized. The labels/caps mixture was composed of 21% printed PP labels and 79% printed polyolefin caps. Part of the pigments from the ink labels and some polar groups of low-molecular-weight materials present in the molten polymer were partially decomposed at the PP processing temperatures, which contributes to the cell formation and growth of the extruded foams. The labels/caps mixture generated large ellipsoidal and elongated cells (740 µm) oriented in the extrusion direction because of the presence of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and EVA in the recycled PP caps and labels. The experimental factors that influenced the foam density were the screw angular velocity and temperature, and the cell morphology depended on the matrix crystallinity and melt strength.
The cyclic response of circular reinforced concrete column to foundation connections strengthened with shape memory alloy bars
Authors: Miralami Mahdieh , Esfahani M Reza , Tavakkolizadeh Mohammadreza , Khorramabadi Reza , Rezaeepazhand Jalil
Published: September 2020

This study presents a new method for strengthening the circular reinforced concrete (RC) column to foundation connections with shape memory alloy (SMA) bars and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. In the experimental part of the study, three specimens of RC column-foundation connections were cast and tested. One specimen was used as the reference specimen without strengthening. Two other specimens were strengthened with longitudinal SMA bars and CFRP sheets. These specimens were under a constant axial compressive load and cyclic lateral displacements, simultaneously. Next, initial stiffness, energy dissipation capacity, lateral load capacity, ductility, and residual displacement of the specimens were investigated. Due to the superelastic behavior of SMA bars, the residual displacement of column-foundation connections was considerably less than that of the reference specimen. Compared to the reference specimen, the SMA-strengthened and SMA-CFRP-strengthened connections recovered 71.59% and 76.57% of the residual displacement. Therefore, SMA bars were able to recover residual displacements under cyclic loading. Also, the combination of the SMA bars with CFRP sheet was a promising solution for enhancing the amount of the energy dissipation, lateral load capacity, initial stiffness, and ductility parameters. Compared to the reference specimen, the energy dissipation, lateral load capacity, initial stiffness, and ductility ratio parameters of SMA-CFRP-strengthened connection increased about 43.45%, 76.20%, 81.69%, and 242.45%, respectively. In the numerical part of the study, a subroutine was applied for modeling the SMA materials. For the analysis, this subroutine was linked with ABAQUS software. The numerical results showed a close correlation with the experimental results.
Developing Our Policy Know-How: Why Policy Should Be Part of Music Educator Identity
Authors: Schmidt Patrick
Published: September 2020

Policy is a critical practice that can be a valuable companion to music educators—alongside their pedagogical and content knowledge. This outlook challenges the position that teachers are subject to policy, reclaiming the necessity and value for teachers to see themselves as policy partners or policymakers in practice. The article explores three premises: (1) Today more than ever, policy matters; (2) there are important distinctions between policy and advocacy, and we should understand them and be engaged in both; and (3) expanding music teachers’ policy know-how can positively impact the role they play in school communities. The article offers pathways for policy thinking and action—policy know-how—as a significant element in the education and the professional life of music educators.
The Everyday Practice of Policy
Authors: Aguilar Carla , Richerme Lauren Kapalka
Published: September 2020

Music educators engage with policies and take policy actions on a daily basis. Better understanding their everyday policy contexts can empower music educators to interact with policies in ways that benefit students and local communities. In this article, we outline three main topics: (1) different types of policies and their associated consequences, or lack thereof; (2) the three typical levels of policy texts with which music teachers interact, including the ways that music teachers can learn about and access these policy texts; and (3) specific policy actions that music educators might take, including questions they might ask when critically considering policy texts. These three processes—understanding one’s policy context, keeping updated about policy information, and taking action—are key to ongoing policy understanding and responsiveness.
Training police for procedural justice: An evaluation of officer attitudes, citizen attitudes, and police-citizen interactions
Authors: Dai Mengyan
Published: September 2020

This paper reports the findings of an evaluation of a police training program on procedural justice. The evaluation focused on the short- and long-term effects of the training on officers’ attitudes toward four principles of procedural justice (i.e., trustworthiness, neutrality, voice, and respect). The evaluation also assessed officers’ behaviors on the street and citizens’ interactions such as citizen demeanor and compliance with police requests. Finally, it assessed how the interacting citizens perceived the police. Taken together, the comprehensive data suggested that the procedural justice training was effective both immediately and in the long run. Policy implications are discussed.
Where Are the African American Males? Enrollment Criteria and the Placement of African American Males in Advanced Placement Courses
Authors: Lackey Danny , Lowery Kendra
Published: September 2020

This qualitative study was a critical race analysis of Advanced Placement criteria and under-enrollment of African American males in two midwestern urban high schools. Analysis of faculty interviews and documents generated four themes. AP criteria and enrollment were implemented through formal and informal practices, and key roles of individual faculty and collaboration with faculty and families supported AP structures. However, assumptions about African American males, and color and gender-blind dialogue contributed to disproportionate African American male enrollment in AP courses.
“I Still Love My Hood”: Passive and Strategic Aspects of Role Residual Among Former Gang Members
Authors: Bubolz Bryan F. , Lee Sou
Published: September 2020

One important aspect of gang disengagement that has been largely overlooked is the role of identity in the time following membership. Research has shown that former gang members often retain social and emotional ties with their former gang peers and may experience role ambiguity as a result. Despite this, there has been virtually no examination of role residual—the lingering aspects of one’s former identity—that may exist among these individuals. Using life history interviews, the current study addresses this gap by examining role residual among a sample of 30 former gang members. A total of 25 participants (83%) identified three types of role residual—symbolic, demeanor, and worldview. In contrast to previous scholarship, role residual appeared to manifest as passive and strategic occurrences.
Rethinking the Course Syllabus: Considerations for Promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Authors: Fuentes Milton A. , Zelaya David G. , Madsen Joshua W.
Published: September 2020

Introduction:

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are receiving considerable attention in higher education. Within psychology, the American Psychological Association has highlighted the importance of cultural diversity in both undergraduate and graduate curricula and charged educators with facilitating the development of cultural competence among learners.

Statement of the Problem:

Many resources have been developed to help promote EDI within higher education. The resources developed have mainly focused on the curricula and pedagogical approaches, yet the syllabus remains overlooked with few guidelines available to educators.

Literature Review:

We offer several considerations informed by theoretical frameworks and best practices in the discipline and suggestions for the successful implementation of EDI in the syllabus.

Teaching Implications:

This article provides a comprehensive and useful guide for developing a syllabus that assists with the integration of EDI, as the syllabus is the first opportunity for faculty to communicate their philosophy, expectations, requirements, and other course information.

Conclusion:

Infusing EDI in the syllabus is essential for promoting an inclusive learning environment and is conducive to establishing goals related to cultural competence.
The Aging Physician and Surgeon
Authors: Sataloff Robert T. , Hawkshaw Mary , Kutinsky Joshua , Maitz Edward A.
Published: September 2020

Background:

As the population of aging physicians increases, methods of assessing physicians’ cognitive function and predicting clinically significant changes in clinical performance become increasingly important. Although several approaches have been suggested, no evaluation system is accepted or utilized widely.

Study Design:

Literature was reviewed using Medline, PubMed and other sources. Articles discussing the problems of geriatric physicians were summarized, stressing publications that proposed methods of evaluation. Selected literature on evaluating aging pilots also was reviewed, and potential applications for physician evaluation were proposed. Neuropsychological cognitive test protocols were reviewed, and a reduced evaluation protocol was proposed for interdisciplinary longitudinal research.

Results:

Although there are several articles evaluating cognitive function in aging physicians and aging pilots, and although a few institutions have instituted cognitive evaluation, there are no longitudinal data assessing cognitive function in physicians over time, and correlating them with performance.

Conclusion:

Valid, reliable testing of cognitive function of physicians is needed. In order to understand its predictive value, physicians should be tested over time starting when they are young, and results should be correlated with physician performance. Early testing is needed to determine whether cognitive deficits are age-related or longstanding. A multi-institutional study over many years is proposed. Additional assessments of other factors, such as manual dexterity (perhaps using simulators) and physician frailty are recommended, but detailed discussion of these issues is beyond the scope of this article.
Inconceivable Middle-Class Black Space: The Architecture and Consequences of Space-Focused Stereotype Content at the Race–Class Nexus
Authors: Yantis Caitlyn , Bonam Courtney M.
Published: September 2020

White Americans tend to stereotype a Black neighborhood as lower class and less desirable than a similar White neighborhood. A strong mental image of Black areas, in general, as lower class and undesirable contributes to this perceptual race-gap. The present studies show that a weak mental image of middle-class Black space as middle class and desirable may also contribute. First, stereotype content analyses reveal how Whites’ diffuse mental image of middle-class Black space— rundown, suburban, clean, crime-ridden—overlaps with both Black and middle-class space stereotypes. Second, the more difficulty Whites experience imagining middle-class Black space as invariably middle class and desirable, the more likely they are to stereotype a Black (vs. White) neighborhood as low quality, feel less connected to it, and devalue a house there. Whites’ diffuse mental image of middle-class Black space may thus contribute to ongoing racial injustices (e.g., wealth disparities, residential segregation).
Introduction: Journal of Developing Societies’ Special Issue on Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Hira Anil
Published: September 2020

In the introduction to this special issue, we point to the large-scale failure of existing corporate social responsibility systems to address ongoing global environmental and labor standards issues. Competing codes, absent harmonization, conflicted and limited auditing and transparency, and an almost complete lack of enforcement mean that the considerable efforts by corporations and their partner international organizations, consultants, and NGOs have not led to any objectively measurable improvements in outcomes. If anything, ongoing labor and environmental disasters and conflicts threaten to undermine the positive intentions and resources dedicated to improving conditions for workers in the South as reflected in anti-immigrant and anti-globalization populist outbreaks in the North. This volume offers a series of ideas about how to begin to reform the system to move towards sustainability and decency in environmental and labor conditions.
Populism, the media, and the mainstreaming of the far right: The Guardian’s coverage of populism as a case study
Authors: Brown Katy , Mondon Aurelien
Published: September 2020

Populism seems to define our current political age. The term is splashed across the headlines, brandished in political speeches and commentaries, and applied extensively in numerous academic publications and conferences. This pervasive usage, or populist hype, has serious implications for our understanding of the meaning of populism itself and for our interpretation of the phenomena to which it is applied. In particular, we argue that its common conflation with far-right politics, as well as its breadth of application to other phenomena, has contributed to the mainstreaming of the far right in three main ways: (1) agenda-setting power and deflection, (2) euphemisation and trivialisation, and (3) amplification. Through a mixed-methods approach to discourse analysis, this article uses The Guardian newspaper as a case study to explore the development of the populist hype and the detrimental effects of the logics that it has pushed in public discourse.
Quality of life and clinical results after endovascular sclerotherapy: A comparison between intra- and extramuscular low-flow venous malformations
Authors: Weitz-Tuoretmaa Annamaria , Keski-Nisula Leo , Rautio Riitta , Laranne Jussi
Published: September 2020

Background

Based on clinical observations we hypothesized that patients with intramuscular venous malformations (VMs) did worse or needed more sclerotherapy sessions than patients with extramuscular VMs.

Purpose

To evaluate the difference in treatment and quality of life (QOL) results after Polidocanol sclerotherapy of intra- and extramuscular low-flow VMs.

Material and methods

Forty-one patients with a VM were treated with Polidocanol in two university hospitals. The results were retrospectively analyzed. Pre- and post-treatment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were compared. All patients completed a self-evaluating form on symptoms as well as a QOL questionnaire. The results were compared between two groups: intra- and extramuscular VM’s.

Results

No statistically significant differences between intra- and extramuscular groups concerning QOL and specific dimensions pain, functional problems or cosmetic appearance were found. Radiological changes in MRI examinations did not correlate with any of the subjective symptoms. 56% of the patients benefitted from the treatment according to patient self-evaluation.

Conclusion

In this material intramuscular VM’s responded to the treatment comparably to extramuscular malformations. Post-treatment MRI findings do not correlate with subjective symptoms or QOL results and thus, a routine post-treatment examination seems to be unwarranted. Subjective symptoms and QOL results are the most important parameters in evaluating the effectiveness of sclerotherapy.
Possible Relationship Between Sense of Coherence and Adolescents’ School Adaptation Through Empathy and Parenting: A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Jin Dou , Bi Yanling , Yan Miao
Published: September 2020

Recent research has shown that internal factors are important predictors of adaptation, but little research has studied the relationship between a sense of coherence and school adaptation. The present study examined the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship. A total of 1,072 middle students completed self-report questionnaires assessing their sense of coherence, fathers’ and mothers’ parenting, empathy, and school adaptation. The results indicated that a sense of coherence was positively associated with school adaptation. A mediation analysis indicated that empathy mediated the relationship between a sense of coherence and school adaptation. Furthermore, both the effect of a sense of coherence on school adaptation and the effect of a sense of coherence on empathy were moderated by positive parenting. The present study contributes to a better understanding of how and when a sense of coherence promotes adolescents’ school adaptation.
Public Health Interventions with Harms and Benefits: A Graphical Framework for Evaluating Tradeoffs
Authors: Pitt Allison L. , Goldhaber-Fiebert Jeremy D. , Brandeau Margaret L.
Published: September 2020

Background

Evaluations of public health interventions typically report benefits and harms aggregated over the population. However, benefits and harms are not always evenly distributed. Examining disaggregated outcomes enables decision makers to consider health benefits and harms accruing to both intended intervention recipients and others in the population.

Methods

We provide a graphical framework for categorizing and comparing public health interventions that examines the distribution of benefit and harm between and within population subgroups for a single intervention and compares distributions of harm and benefit for multiple interventions. We demonstrate the framework through a case study of a hypothetical increase in the price of meat (5%, 10%, 25%, or 50%) that, via elasticity of demand, reduces consumption and consequently reduces body mass index. We examine how inequalities in benefits and harms (measured by quality-adjusted life-years) are distributed across a population of white and black males and females.

Results

A 50% meat price increase would yield the greatest net benefit to the population. However, because of reduced consumption among low-weight individuals, black males would bear disproportionate harm relative to the benefit they receive. With increasing meat price, the distribution of harm relative to benefit becomes less “internal” to those receiving benefit and more “distributed” to those not receiving commensurate benefit. When we segment the population by sex only, this result does not hold.

Conclusions

Disaggregating harms and benefits to understand their differential impact on subgroups can strongly affect which decision alternative is deemed optimal, as can the approach to segmenting the population. Our framework provides a useful tool for illuminating key tradeoffs relevant to harm-averse decision makers and those concerned with both equity and efficiency.
Influence of muscle depth and thickness on ultrasound echo intensity of the vastus lateralis
Authors: Varanoske Alyssa N , Coker Nicholas A , Johnson Bri-Ana DI , Belity Tal , Wells Adam J
Published: September 2020

Background

Ultrasonography is used to evaluate muscle quality (i.e. echo intensity [EI]), but an attenuation of ultrasound waves occurs in deeper tissues, potentially affecting these measures.

Purpose

To determine whether muscle thickness (MT) affects EI and if EI varies between the superficial and deep portions of the muscle.

Materials and Methods

MT, EI, subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (SAT), tissue depth (DISDEEP), and EI of the overall (EIFULL) as well as deep (EIDEEP) and superficial (EISUPF) portions of the vastus lateralis (VL) were assessed in 33 resistance-trained males using ultrasonography. The difference (EIDIFF) between EISUPF and EIDEEP was calculated. Mean differences between EIFULL, EISUPF, and EIDEEP were analyzed using a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Relationships between measures of muscle depth/ thickness and EI were examined using Pearson’s r.

Results

EISUPF was greater than EIDEEP ( P < 0.001) and EIFULL ( P < 0.001). MT was negatively correlated with EIFULL ( P < 0.001) and positively correlated with EIDIFF ( P < 0.001). SAT was not correlated with any EI measure, but DISDEEP was positively correlated with EIDIFF ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion

EI of the VL is heterogeneous, as the deeper portion produces lower values than the superficial portion. Thicker muscles present lower EI but have greater discrepancies in EI between the superficial and deep portions. Although SAT was not correlated with EI, DISDEEP was related to EIDIFF, demonstrating that the combination of MT and SAT should be considered when evaluating muscle quality. Future research is necessary to determine if changes in EI following resistance training are driven by increases in MT.
Composition of “gold juice” using an ancient method based on intestinal microecology
Authors: Li Qiuwei , Guo Liying , Wang Li , Miao Jing , Cui Huantian , Li Li , Geng Kan , Zhao Licong , Sun Xiaoxue , Jia Jianwei , Bian Yuhong
Published: September 2020

Objective

To identify potentially effective bacterial components of gold juice, a traditional Chinese medicine treatment used for fecal microbiota transplantation.

Methods

Fecal samples were collected from five healthy children (two boys and three girls; mean age, 7.52 ± 2.31 years). The children had no history of antibiotic use or intestinal microecological preparation in the preceding 3 months. Fresh fecal samples were collected from children to prepare gold juice in mid-to-late November, in accordance with traditional Chinese medicine methods, then used within 7 days. Finally, 16S rDNA sequence analysis was used to identify potentially effective bacterial components of gold juice. QIIME software was used for comparisons of microbial species among gold juice, diluent, filtrate, and loess samples.

Results

Microflora of gold juice exhibited considerable changes following “ancient method” processing. Microbial components significantly differed between gold juice and filtrate samples. The gold juice analyzed in our study consisted of microbes that synthesize carbohydrates and amino acids by degrading substances, whereas the filtrate contained probiotic flora, Bacteroides, and Prevotella 9.

Conclusions

This study of microbial components in gold juice and filtrate provided evidence regarding effective bacterial components in gold juice, which may aid in clinical decisions concerning fecal microbiota transplantation.
The rostral to caudal gradient of clinical and electrophysiological features in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with bulbar-onset
Authors: Liao Song-Jie , Huang Zi , Lai Chong-Yuan , Chen Jing-Yan , Xiao Pei-Yao , Cai Qiong , Yu Jian
Published: September 2020

Objective

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with bulbar-onset (BO-ALS) tends to propagate to the adjacent anatomical regions symptomatically. However, the spreading pattern of clinical and electrophysiological features is not well documented.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients with sporadic BO-ALS. The clinical progression and electrophysiological data by electromyography examination were retrospectively analysed based on information from the medical records.

Results

The study enrolled 57 patients: 43 presented with contiguous (37 of 57) or non-contiguous (6 of 57) progression clinically; and 14 patients did not present with symptomatic propagation to other spinal segments. Lower motor neuron dysfunction was more frequently involved in the bulbar and cervical segments and less in the thoracic and lumbosacral segments. As a result, a small proportion of patients had intact thoracic paraspinal or leg muscles or both by electromyography examination. Furthermore, the patients with diagnostic latency ≤6 months showed a significantly lower incidence of neurogenic changes in the lumbosacral spinal cord compared with those with diagnostic latency > 6 months.

Conclusion

This current study demonstrated a relative rostral–caudal descending gradient of lower motor neuron dysfunction in patients with BO-ALS. These results suggest that follow-up EMG might be necessary for a proportion of patients.
Risk factors of infectious complications after retrograde intrarenal surgery: a retrospective clinical analysis
Authors: Zhang Hua , Jiang Tao , Gao Rui , Chen Qin , Chen Weiwen , Liu Changyi , Mao Houping
Published: September 2020

Objective

Stone disease is one of the most common afflictions in modern society. Complications following retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) vary considerably, and small-diameter ureteral access sheaths are reportedly significantly associated with rates of infectious complications following RIRS. This study aimed to explore additional risk factors for infectious complications after RIRS.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed 602 patients who underwent RIRS between December 2016 and October 2019 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. All flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy processes were conducted with patients under general anesthesia in the low lithotomy position. Postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was diagnosed; statistical analyses comprised two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and one-way multivariate ANOVA.

Results

The incidence of infectious complications after RIRS was 7.14%. Operative time was an independent risk factor that increased the risk of infection. Stone size >2 cm was observed in 153 (27.37%) patients in the SIRS group and 29 patients (67.44%) in the non-SIRS group.

Conclusions

Findings in the literature suggest that early antibiotic treatment and active fluid therapy might lower the rate of infectious complications after RIRS. Our results indicate that extended operative time and increased stone size may be risk factors for infectious complications after RIRS.
Super early cranial repair improves the prognosis of patients with craniocerebral injury
Authors: Jiang Hong-sheng , Wang Yan-zhou
Published: September 2020

Objective

Craniocerebral injury has high disability and mortality rates. The timing of cranioplasty has an important impact on patients’ prognosis. This study was performed to compare the functional prognosis between super early repair and conventional repair.

Methods

This observational study included 60 patients who underwent cranioplasty after surgical treatment of severe craniocerebral trauma. The patients were divided into two groups according to the time of cranial repair after the surgical treatment of craniocerebral injury: the super early group and the conventional repair group. Sex, age, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score, Zubrod performance status (ZPS) score, psychological function score, quality of life score, and complications were recorded.

Results

The KPS score, ZPS score, psychological function score, and quality of life score were significantly related to the intervention period. Each of these scores had a clear correlation with the performance of super early treatment.

Conclusion

Super early cranial repair does not increase the incidence of surgical complications, and it can improve the postoperative KPS, ZPS, and quality of life scores.
Flutter prediction of cylindrical sandwich panels with saturated porous core under supersonic yawed flow
Authors: Akbari Hamzeh , Azadi Mohammad , Fahham Hamidreza
Published: September 2020

Supersonic flutter characteristics of cylindrical sandwich panels made of a saturated functionally graded porous (FGP) core and two homogeneous face sheets are studied in this paper based on the Biot’s poroelasticity theory. The third-order shear deformation theory (TSDT) is used to model the panel and the piston theory is hired to estimate the aerodynamic pressure create by the supersonic fluid flow. First, the set of the governing equations are solved numerically via generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) and natural frequencies are calculated for various boundary conditions. Then, convergence of the solution is confirmed and its accuracy is demonstrated by comparing the results with those reported by other authors. Finally, the effects of geometrical parameters of the panel, thickness of the porous core, porosity distribution pattern, porosity parameter (size of pores), compressibility of pore fluid and yaw angle (fluid flow direction) on the flutter boundaries of FGP sandwich panels are investigated.
A novel path planning method of mobile robots based on an improved bat algorithm
Authors: Wang Zhongbin , Wu Ziqing , Si Lei , Tong Kuangwei , Tan Chao
Published: September 2020

In order to solve the global path planning problem of mobile robots, an improved bat algorithm based on inertial weight and Levy flight is proposed in this paper. The linear inertial weights are used to prevent the algorithm from converging prematurely and the Levy flight is introduced in the global search stage to change the flight direction of the bat individuals. Furthermore, in the local search stage, the random exploration mechanism in Cauchy Distribution is utilized to enhance the local mining ability of the algorithm and search for the local optimal values. Then, some simulations are provided to verify the superiority of the improved bat algorithm to other optimization algorithms. Finally, the improved bat algorithm is applied in the global path planning, and the environment model and fitness function construction are reasonably established. The results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed algorithm in solving path planning problems.
Design of a virtual test cell based on GMDH-type neural network for a heavy-duty diesel engine
Authors: Ghanaati Ali , Sjöblom Jonas , Faghani Ethan
Published: September 2020

The engine development process faces big challenges from new strict emission regulations in addition to the need for fuel efficiency improvements. The Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) environments decreases the required time during engine development, calibration, verification, and validation of the product. An accurate and easy to build dyno-engine model with real-time operational ability is required for this purpose. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) have shown ability to model dynamic and complex systems like internal combustion engines. In this paper, the Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) algorithm was utilized to build an ANN model of a heavy-duty diesel engine. One objective is to reduce the amount of manual labor on the results during the ANN model development process. The GMDH algorithm is a self-organizing process that will find the system laws and optimize the model structure automatically in one iteration. The GMDH model results were compared with a model developed by Levenberg-Marquardt Backpropagation (LM-BP) algorithm. The ANN models used actuator signals from an Engine Management System (EMS) to simulate the engine operation parameters. As revealed by the simulation results, the ANN models successfully predicted engine torque, fuel flow, and NOx concentration. The GMDH model as a self-organized model reduced lead time, had slightly higher transient cycle accuracy, had fewer inconsistent predictions, and demonstrated better extrapolation capability. The prediction accuracy for transient operation was improved by shifting the predicted value by calculating time delay and a decrease of 76.66% for fuel flow and 66.51% for NOX concentration in model accuracy were achieved. The GMDH dyno-engine model can be effectively applied as a virtual test cell instrument for testing, calibration, and optimization purposes.
Kicking the habit – how can we improve the routine care for patients who are well controlled living with HIV?
Authors: Dresser M , Hussey J , Premchand N
Published: September 2020

The objective is to improve and standardise HIV care for people with well-controlled HIV across the region by comparing monitoring within services to UK audit standards. This was a retrospective case note review from 01.01.2018 to 31.12.2018. The standards were sourced from the British HIV Association (BHIVA), the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH). Six services took part with 228 patient records being audited. Two of the 5 national standards were met (blood pressure and medication review). From the 8 areas previously audited in 2014, 6 showed improvements (offer of STI screen, medication review, urinalysis, mental health screen and influenza vaccination documentation). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and transmission risk had poorer documented outcomes. In addition, nearly one-third of patients were over-tested regarding their CD4 count. We recommend that letters should include a standard message about U = U (undetectable = untransmittable) and vaccinations; CVD risk and FRAX should be calculated once a year in place of a routine letter; an annual summary letter should be written in place of a letter after each clinic visit; and consistent use of a proforma, with BHIVA/BASHH/FSRH recommendations on monitoring included.
Homo sapiens and Criminality
Authors: Singh Shanta Balgobind , Pluskota Marion
Published: September 2020

History has shown that primitive societies, with their well-developed value and norm systems, were self-governing. Needs of the people led to the development of mechanisms for survival. As primitive societies became more complex, a need arose for knowledge of the nature and structure of the communities in which they lived. Moral laws and rules, which governed primitive communities, were organized around the family and tribal environment. Even in the 21st century, forms of human behavior management center on tribal authority systems in different parts of the world. Crime is a social construction that has been widely theorized by historians, sociologists, anthropologists, and, of course, criminologists. Researchers have long tried to answer the questions as to why crime exists, how it is defined, how it can be controlled, and what makes it more prevalent in certain communities than in others. This special issue addresses many of these questions and reflects on contemporary research in the criminological field. The authors are at the forefront of the research on crime and shed new light on our societies’ ability to identify, reduce, or cope with criminality.
Private practice metropolitan telepsychiatry in larger Australian states during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of the first 2 months of new MBS telehealth item psychiatrist services
Authors: Looi Jeffrey CL , Allison Stephen , Bastiampillai Tarun , Pring William
Published: September 2020

Objective:

Private practice psychiatry in Australia was largely office-based until the Commonwealth Government introduced new psychiatrist Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) telehealth items in response to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigate the uptake of (1) video and telephone telehealth consultations in April–May 2020, and (2) the overall changing rates of consultation, i.e. total telehealth and in-person consultations across the larger states of Australia.

Method:

MBS item service data were extracted for COVID-19 psychiatrist video- and telephone-telehealth item numbers and compared with a baseline of the 2018−2019-financial-year monthly average of in-person consultations for New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia.

Results:

Total psychiatry consultations (telehealth and in-person) rose during the first wave of the pandemic by 10%−20% compared to the previous year. The majority of private practice was conducted by telehealth in April but was lower in May as new COVID-19 case rates fell. Most telehealth provision was by telephone for short consultations of ⩽15−30 min. Video consultations increased from April into May.

Conclusions:

For large states, there has been a rapid adoption of the MBS telehealth psychiatrist items, followed by a trend back to face-to-face as COVID-19 new case rates reduced. There was an overall increased consultation rate (in-person plus telehealth) for April−May 2020.
Study on triaxial creep behavior and the damage constitutive model of red sandstone containing a single ice-filled flaw
Authors: Bai Yao , Shan Renliang , Han Tianyu , Dou Haoyu , Liu Zhe
Published: September 2020

The freezing method is widely used in the construction of vertical shafts in water-rich strata. The formed frozen rock wall is often involved in the creep process, and in particular, the creep behavior of frozen fissured rock mass poses a great threat to construction safety. To better understand the creep instability law of ice-filled, fractured red sandstone under freezing and triaxial stress conditions, a series of triaxial creep tests on frozen red sandstone specimens containing a single, pre-existing flaw at −10°C and under a confining pressure of 4 MPa were carried out with a self-developed DRTS-500 subzero rock triaxial testing system. The multistage loading creep curves were obtained, and the evolution laws of deformation and damage for the frozen specimens in the primary (instantaneous), secondary (steady-state) and tertiary (accelerating) phases were analyzed. The nonlinear visco-elastoplastic constitutive model of red sandstone with a single ice-filled flaw was established according to the fractional calculus theory and the Kachanov damage theory. The results show that the initial creep property, unstable creep property and creep failure mode of frozen single-flaw red sandstone are significantly affected by the flaw dip angle. The proposed creep damage model can accurately describe the complete creep curves of frozen red sandstone with a single ice-filled flaw, especially in the unstable creep stage. The influences of the stress level and flaw dip angle on the creep parameters were analyzed, and sensitivity analyses of the characteristic creep parameters were carried out to verify the reliability and rationality of our creep model. This research can be applied to the assessment of collapse, cracking and other long-term failures and hence can be used as a theoretical basis of design in the freezing engineering of coal mine shafts.
Identification of the Dynamic Capabilities Ecosystem—A Systems Thinking Perspective
Authors: Sunder M Vijaya , Ganesh L S
Published: September 2020

An in-depth look at the extant literature of dynamic capabilities (DCs) shows that the focus has been on the development, justification, and validation of individual DCs through both conceptual and empirical methods. We argue that studying DCs in isolation may not offer a complete practical meaning. Organizations being complex systems, multiple combinations of capabilities and their interrelationships (as a DC system) lead to a sustained competitive advantage, and this effect cannot be attributed to a single DC in isolation. Through this article, we present a system theoretic view of DCs and subsequently propose the concept of a DC ecosystem using a systems thinking perspective. We use the logical reasoning approach of justificationism to present the associated propositions. We conclude with a discussion of managerial implications and suggestions for future research.
Novel Therapies in Acute Migraine Management: Small-Molecule Calcitonin Gene-Receptor Antagonists and Serotonin 1F Receptor Agonist
Authors: Joyner Kayla Rena , Morgan Kelsey Woods
Published: September 2020

Objective

To review the efficacy, safety, and cost of 3 newly approved agents—ubrogepant, lasmiditan, and rimegepant—representing 2 therapeutic classes, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist and serotonin 1F (5-HT1F) agonists, for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura.

Data Sources

The Institute of Health US National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials, PubMed, and Cochrane databases were queried. Abstracts, journal articles, and other relevant sources published or present were reviewed. Search terms included the following: ubrogepant, MK-1602, Ubrelvy®, rimegepant, Nurtec®, BHV-3000, BMS-927711, lasmiditan, Reyvow®, LY573144.

Study Selection and Data Extraction

Relevant English-language articles from June 30, 2010, to August 31, 2020, were evaluated and included in the narrative.

Data Synthesis

CGRP receptor antagonists, ubrogepant and rimegepant, achieved 2-hour pain freedom and freedom from the most bothersome migraine symptom (MBS) at 2 hours. Both agents were well tolerated, with adverse effects similar to placebo. Lasmiditan, a 5-HT1F receptor antagonist, also improved 2-hour pain freedom and freedom from the MBS at 2 hours. Lasmiditan is associated with dizziness, paresthesia, somnolence, nausea, fatigue, and lethargy.

Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice

Ubrogepant, rimegepant, and lasmiditan represent a new and exciting chapter in acute migraine therapy. To date, no head-to-head studies have compared these agents with the triptans. Ubrogepant and lasmiditan are effective in triptan nonresponders. None of the 3 agents is contraindicated in cardiovascular disease, unlike the triptans.

Conclusions

Based on available data, ubrogepant, rimegepant, and lasmiditan should be reserved as second-line therapy and may be safe in patients with cardiovascular risk. Lasmiditan’s adverse effect profile may limit its use.
User Experience Evaluation Methodology in the Onboarding Process: Snapchat Case Study
Authors: Kapusy Kata , Lógó Emma
Published: September 2020

User experience (UX) has been a hot topic and should be an integral part of the design process – from the early concept to the final product. This article introduces a UX evaluation methodology that helps collect the pragmatic and hedonic attributes of an application in the onboarding process. Moreover, the presented method helps not just to understand the UX (including customers’ unconscious need, desire, and pain points) but also to make the development points clear and straightforward to everyone in the product management team. We focus on a social media platform – Snapchat.
Defending Instrumental Rationality against Critical Theorists
Authors: Blau Adrian
Published: September 2020

Central to much critical theory is the critique of instrumental rationality (roughly, the ability to pick good means to ends). This critique is overstated, I suggest. Critical theorists often depict instrumental rationality too narrowly, and many criticize the wrong target, for example, attacking capitalist instrumental rationality when the fundamental problem is capitalism, not instrumental rationality. Nonetheless, critical theorists’ critique requires certain changes to orthodox accounts of instrumental rationality. I offer a more palatable definition, highlight instrumental rationality’s essential contestability, and show that it can actually help us pick ends. Everyone needs instrumental rationality, especially Habermasian critical theorists. And far from instrumental rationality being amoral, I argue that because instrumental rationality almost always involves multiple ends, one end may prohibit immoral means, acting as a side-constraint. Ultimately, the substance of critical theorists’ critiques remains highly important but should not be framed in opposition to instrumental rationality.
Comparative Studies on the Anticoagulant Profile of Branded Enoxaparin and a New Biosimilar Version
Authors: Qneibi Dalia , Ramacciotti Eduardo , Macedo Ariane Scarlatelli , Caffaro Roberto Augusto , Agati Leandro Barile , Siddiqui Fakiha , Kouta Ahmed , Hoppensteadt Debra , Fareed Jawed , Carter Charles A.
Published: September 2020

Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) represent depolymerized heparin prepared by various methods that exhibit differential, biochemical and pharmacological profiles. Enoxaparin is prepared by benzylation followed by alkaline depolymerization of porcine heparin. Upon the expiration of its patent, several biosimilar versions of enoxaparin have become available. Heparinox (Sodic enoxaparine; Cristália Produtos Químicos Farmacêuticos LTDA, Sao Paulo, Brazil) is a new biosimilar form of enoxaparin. We assessed the molecular weight and the biochemical profile of Heparinox and compared its properties to the original branded enoxaparin (Lovenox; Sanofi, Paris, France). Clotting profiles compared included activated clotting time, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and thrombin time (TT). Anti-protease assays included anti-factor Xa and anti-factor IIa activities. Thrombin generation was measured using a calibrated automated thrombogram and thrombokinetic profile included peak thrombin, lag time and area under the curve. USP potency was determined using commercially available assay kits. Molecular weight profiling was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. We determined that Heparinox and Lovenox were comparable in their molecular weight profile. Th anticoagulant profile of the branded and biosimilar version were also similar in the clot based aPTT and TT. Similarly, the anti-Xa and anti-IIa activities were comparable in the products. No differences were noted in the thrombin generation inhibitory profile of the branded and biosimilar versions of enoxaparin. Our studies suggest that Heparinox is bioequivalent to the original branded enoxaparin based upon in vitro tests however will require further in vivo studies in animal models and humans to determine their clinical bioequivalence.