bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Bio-Syngas Blends on Combustion Characteristics of Coal: Kinetic Analysis
Authors: He Ailing , Li Zaifeng , Li Jingping , Wang Xin , Zhang Liya , Yang Shuhua , Xin Xiaofei , Sun Tanglei , Lei Tingzhou
Published: July 2021

The coupled combustion of biomass and coal can utilize large amounts of renewable biomass and reduce the emission of pollutants during power generation. In this study, the coal combustion characteristics were analyzed at different heating value-based biomass blending ratios and temperatures
in the coupled combustion of bio-syngas and coal. The kinetic reaction mechanism of coal combustion was investigated by Micro-fluidized Bed Reaction Analyzer (MFBRA). The results indicated that the reaction time decreased with increasing the heating value-based biomass blending ratio and temperature
in the coupled combustion process of bio-syngas and coal. The major conversion process of coal combustion usually took 15 s at 1273 K and the maximum reaction rate was usually below 0.14 at 873 K to 1273 K and decreased with increasing reaction temperature. The nucleation and growth model
offered a most reasonable description of the coal combustion process. The activation energy was about 121.04 kJ/mol and the pre-exponential factor was of the order of 5.01 × 104 s−1 in the combustion of coal. These data are important to the understanding of
the coupled combustion mechanism of bio-syngas and coal, which is beneficial for improving combustion efficiency as well as operating a combustion furnace.
Codon Usage Patterns Analysis of Camellia oleifera Based on Transcriptome Data
Authors: Liu Caixia , He Zhilong , Chen Yongzhong , Tang Wei , Ma Li , Chen Longsheng
Published: July 2021

Camellia oleifera is an essential oil woody plant. The development of the camellia industry can relieve the a China’s pressure of importing edible oil. However, there are few studies on the codon usage bias (CUB) in C. oleifera genes. In this study, the codon usage
patterns were analyzed by 35,178 reconstructed genes from the C. oleifera transcriptome. The mean GC and GC3 content of all transcripts was 51.14% and 55.43% respectively. A total of 18 optimal codons were identified, 15 of them ending with A or U. Which indicated the use of A/U codons
was high frequency. Furthermore, the natural selection and mutational pressure, both influenced CUB in C. oleifera, however the natural selection was the most deciding factor. The nucleotide excretion of C. oleifera genome is rich. C. oleifera prefers A/U ending codons,
and nature selection is one of the most important factors affecting CUB. This study will lay a theoretical foundation for the research of molecular evolution and genetic engineering in C. oleifera.
Acid Stable α-Amylase Supplementation in Sourdough Enhanced Lactic Acid Bacterial Performance and the Quality of Bread
Authors: Lu Kui , Wang Shujun
Published: July 2021

The effects of an acid-stable α-amylase AmyE from Aspergillus niger on the growth and fermentative ability of sourdough-fermenting Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) were studied and the accompanying changes in the dough rheological properties, specific volume of
bread, crumb texture, and the microstructure of dough and bread were analyzed. Addition of acid-stable α-amylase AmyE in the sourdough at a concentration of 15 U/g significantly increased population of LP to 11.61 log CFU/g and accelerated acidification process compared to the
commercial α-amylase supplemented sourdough and the control (non-amylase treated) during 24 h fermentation. Tensile test showed that adding AmyE induced an increase in maximal dough resistance to stretching and a decrease in extended distance. From scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) images, the microstructure of dough displayed an advanced stage of granules swelling and much more deformation with increasing levels of α-amylase. The microstructure of breads prepared with AmyE was more homogeneous with increasing number of gas cells and resulted in improvement
of specific volume and softness of bread crumbs. Given the aforementioned benefits of AmyE for lactic acid bacterial performance and bread quality, this acid-stable α-amylase AmyE has the potential as an improved enzyme additive for sourdough bread production.
Emissions Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds and Health Risk Assessment in Two Fresh Furniture
Authors: Hu Yanjun , Yan Meihong , Shi Pengtu
Published: July 2021

The emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from two common furniture products including a dressing stool and a bedside cabinet were measured in an environmental chamber. The VOCs were collected by Tenax-TA tubes and measured by thermal desorption and gas chromatography (FID).
19 kinds of VOCs were quantitatively analyzed by the external standard method. The results showed that the VOCs concentrations emitted from the two kinds of furniture were quite different, but benzene homologues were the principal pollutant. The concentrations of VOCs released from the furniture
showed decreases exponentially with time and it could be fitted well by a double-exponential decay model. The concentrations of VOCs increased rapidly and reached the maximums at around 1 or 2 h, and then declined with the slowdown of the release rate. Moreover, the potential VOCs release
could be evaluated by the release parameters of this model. In addition, health risk assessment of benzene released from dressing stools and bedside cabinets was performed. The risk of benzene released from two kinds of furniture decreased with time. The R value of benzene released
from the dressing stool at 72 h remained at least two orders of magnitude larger than 1 × 10−6, indicating a high risk of carcinogenesis. The study will provide a reliable reference in assessing VOCs emissions and health risks in fresh furniture.
Protective effects of miR-34b and miR-337 against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats by liposomal nano-delivery system
Authors: Liu Junyan , Xing Jingxian , Li Ya , Liu Juan , Tian Miao , Xu Ze-Sheng
Published: July 2021

Although a few microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI), their exact roles in this process, and the mechanisms involved have not been fully elucidated. This study was carried out to investigate the protective effects of miR-34b
and miR-337 against MI/RI. For this purpose, 56 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups: sham operation group and myocardial MI/RI group, with 28 rats in each group. Then, a rat model of MI/RI was established. Changes in myocardial tissues of the two groups were determined
using hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining. Serum level of myocardial troponin c(TnT) was assayed with ELISA method, while myocardial tissue mRNA expressions of miR in the two groups was determined with qRT-PCR. Results showed that the rat model of MI/RI was successfully established, as was
evident in myocardial cell necrosis, disorganized myocardial fibers, interstitial edema, and neutrophil infiltration. There were significant increases in serum troponin content and mRNA expression levels of miR-337 and miR-34b in tissues. In conclusion, the expression levels of miR-337 and
miR-34b are increased in myocardial tissues of rats with MI/RI. Thus, miR-337 and miR-34b may be involved in the pathogenesis of MI/RI via regulation of NOX4 and Samd7, respectively. Finally, by using liposomal nanocarrier, the therapeutic effect of miR-337 and miR-34b on MI/RI
was investigated.
Construction of high sensitivity electrochemiluminescence sensor and its application in NT-proBNP detection
Authors: Tian Jinjing , Lu Xiufang , Cheng Yixin , Fang Zhongwei , Ren Gengpu , Liu Nuofan
Published: July 2021

Amino terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is an important biomarker for clinical diagnosis, risk stratification, prognosis evaluation, and efficacy monitoring in patients with acute and chronic heart failure. Traditionally, NT-proBNP detection is based on immunochromatography,
which is time-consuming, tedious, requires professional-trained operators, etc. Here we developed a simple, fast, unlabeled, highly sensitive, and low-cost carbon nanotubes (CNTs)@Au NPs-modified electrochemiluminescence NT-proBNP sensor, and evaluated its feasibility in the clinical monitoring
of cardiac function in patients with heart failure. Notably, the sensor has a small batch size difference and good reproducibility and can be used for mass production. The device offers a new opportunity and direction for the clinical monitoring of NT-proBNP.
Effect of enhanced recovery after surgery management combined with nano-antibacterial dressing during perioperative nursing practice on rehabilitation of patients with gynecological tumor
Authors: Wang Hongping , Chen Lili , Chen Peiyang , Huang Wanwan , Wang Jianping
Published: July 2021

The nano-silver antibacterial dressing is processed and formed after being expanded and cut by medical degreased gauze and nano-silver solution. The nano-silver content is 0.4%–1.0% of the dressing mass (the nano-silver content per square meter of the dressing is 0.28–0.7
g). Nano silver plays an auxiliary role in reducing wound infections. This study is the first to report the rehabilitative effect of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) management combined with nano antibacterial dressing in the perioperative period of gynecological cancer. The times until
first exhaust, first defecation, ambulation, and the duration of hospitalization of the ERAS group were shorter than in the regular group. The VAS scores at 6 and 12 h after operation in the ERAS group were lower than those in the regular group. The levels of self-responsibility, self-concept,
self-care skills, and health knowledge in the ERAS group were higher than those in the regular group. The total incidence of complications in the ERAS group was 9.09%, which was lower than that in the regular group (23.64%). The level of satisfaction with nursing care in the ERAS group was
98.18%, which was higher than that in the regular group (83.64%). The findings confirmed that ERAS combined with nano antibacterial dressing can promote the rehabilitation of patients, relieve pain, strengthen the self-care ability of patients, reduce the occurrence of complications, and improve
satisfaction with nursing care.
Enhanced influence of ENSO on winter precipitation over southern China in recent decades
Authors: Zhang Ruhua , Tian Wenshou , He Xin , Qie Kai , Liu Di , Tian Hongying
Published: July 2021

Using observation, reanalysis and model datasets, the impact of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on winter precipitation in southern China is re-examined. The results show that positive correlation between ENSO and winter precipitation in southern China after 1995 is significantly higher than that before 1995. Significant positive correlation is located mainly over the southern coastal areas of China before 1995, whereas the positive correlation extends northward to the Yangtze River basin after 1995. These changes in the relationship between ENSO and winter precipitation are related to the ENSO pattern and Philippine anticyclone changes. An increasing trend is observed in the ENSO amplitude, while the area with cooler SST in the Philippine seas extends westward after 1995 compared with that before 1995, leading to an extension of the anticyclone from the east side to the west side of the Philippines. The westward extension of anticyclone after 1995 could enhance the winter precipitation over southern China through modifying water vapour fluxes and vertical motion. Model results support the observation analyses of the changes in ENSO-precipitation relationship and the corresponding mechanism. The mean SST changes could also modify the ENSO-precipitation relationship.
Laboratory experiments on CO2 gas exchange with wave breaking
Authors: Li Shuo , Babanin Alexander V. , Qiao Fangli , Dai Dejun , Jiang Shumin , Guan Changlong
Published: July 2021

TheCO2gas transfer velocity () at air-sea interface is usually parameterized with the wind speed, but to a great extent is defined by waves and wave breaking. To investigate the direct relationship betweenand waves, laboratory experiments are conducted in a wind-wave flume. Three types of waves are forced in the flume: modulational wave trains generated by a wave maker, wind waves with 10-meter wind speed ranging from 4.5 m/s to 15.5 m/s, and (mechanically-generated) modulational wave trains coupled with superimposed wind force. The wave height and wave orbital velocity are found to be well correlated withwhile wind speed alone can not adequately describe. To reconcile the measurements, non-dimensional equations are established in which gas transfer velocity is expressed as a main function of wave parameters and an additional secondary factor to account for influence of the wind.
The CHA2DS2-VASc Risk Score Predicts Total Occlusion in Infarct-Related Arteries in Patients With Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Yaşar Erdoğan , Bayramoğlu Adil , Karakuş Yasin , Çakmak Tolga
Published: July 2021

Early detection of total coronary artery occlusion (TO) in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients may be beneficial since invasive treatments are initiated more rapidly in appropriate patients. Previous studies have shown that the CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke, vascular disease, age between 65 and 74 years, female gender) score is associated with thrombus burden in acute coronary syndromes. We investigated the association between the CHA2DS2-VASc risk score and TO in patients with NSTEMI who underwent coronary angiography. TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) flow 0 was defined as TO and TIMI flow 1-3 was defined as non-total occlusion (non-TO). The NSTEMI patients (n = 400) included were separated into two groups: those with (n = 138) and without (n = 262) TO. We observed that the CHA2DS2-VASc score was higher in the TO group (3.86 ± 2.32 vs 2.15 ± 1.79, P <.001). The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score ( P = .002) and the CHA2DS2-VASc score ( P < .001) were also found to be significant independent predictors for total occlusion in multiple regression analysis. A CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥3 had 68.1% sensitivity and 64.0% specificity (area under the curve (AUC): 0.657, 95% CI: 0.585-0.725, P < .001) for predicting TO. The CHA2DS2-VASc score was an effective tool that predicted TO in patients with NSTEMI.
Airway Management of the Deformed Trachea Using T-Tube Stents in Patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA
Authors: Lee Yi-Hao , Hsieh Li-Chun , Su Chin-Hui , Lin Hsiang-Yu , Lin Shuan-Pei , Lee Kuo-Sheng
Published: July 2021

Introduction:

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type IVA usually results in airway obstruction due to thoracic cage deformity and crowding of intrathoracic structures, causing tracheal compression by the tortuous innominate artery.

Objectives:

To offer an alternative and effective method in dealing with the challenged deformity of the airway in patients with MPS type IVA.

Methods:

We present 3 patients with MPS type IVA who underwent airway stenting using Montgomery® T-tube stents. Three-dimensional reconstructed computed tomography was essential to design the T-tube and evaluate the anatomical relationship between the innominate artery and the trachea. The Y-shaped Montgomery® Pediatric Safe-T-Tube™ is more suitable for MPS type IVA. Regular follow-ups using fiberoptic bronchoscopy are necessary to evaluate the complications.

Results:

All 3 patients had good outcomes during the follow-ups until present, despite the complication of granulation formation, which was resolved by revising the limbs of the T-tube.

Conclusions:

T-tube stents placed below the vocal cord may restore airway patency and preserve laryngeal function, including respiration, phonation, and swallowing, in patients with MPS type IVA.
The effect of expert recommendations on intergovernmental decision-making: North Korea, Iran, and non-proliferation sanctions in the Security Council
Authors: Dörfler Thomas
Published: July 2021

The article explores whether and to what extent expert recommendations affect decision-making within the Security Council and its North Korea and Iran sanctions regimes. The article first develops a rationalist theoretical argument to show why making many second-stage decisions, such as determining lists of items under export restrictions, subjects Security Council members to repeating coordination situations. Expert recommendations may provide focal point solutions to coordination problems, even when interests diverge and preferences remain stable. Empirically, the article first explores whether expert recommendations affected decision-making on commodity sanctions imposed on North Korea. Council members heavily relied on recommended export trigger lists as focal points, solving a divisive conflict among great powers. Second, the article explores whether expert recommendations affected the designation of sanctions violators in the Iran sanctions regime. Council members designated individuals and entities following expert recommendations as focal points, despite conflicting interests among great powers. The article concludes that expert recommendations are an additional means of influence in Security Council decision-making and seem relevant for second-stage decision-making among great powers in other international organisations.
An online identification approach for a nonlinear ship motion model based on a receding horizon
Authors: Zheng Jian , Yan Ming , Li Yun , Huang Changhai , Ma Yiping , Meng Fei
Published: July 2021

The ship motion system is a nonlinear control object, and its system parameters exhibit time-varying characteristics with the ship motion state, which increases the difficulty of control. Therefore, parameter identification has an important significance for the stability of ship motion control. Aiming at the real-time identification problem of the nonlinear and time-varying ship motion system during movement, this paper reconstructs the ship motion system with the propeller speed and rudder angle as control variables and designs an online identification algorithm with the sliding time window method based on the extended Kalman filter algorithm. In addition, to solve the problem of noise in ship motion data collected in real-time, a real-time wavelet filter is developed to perform online preprocessing of the input data of the identification algorithm. The applicability of the method is further demonstrated via a model-scale Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering container ship free-running experiments in a basin.
Visual Impairment in the Virtual Workplace: Exploration, Experience, and Interpretation
Authors: Makkawy Amin , Long Shawn
Published: July 2021

Introduction: This study utilizes interpretive phenomenology to understand the experiences of people with visual impairments in the virtual workplace. As virtual work is becoming increasingly common, this investigation is timely for employment research that is especially relevant to people who are visually impaired. Methods: Using an interpretive phenomenological approach, individuals who have experienced working in the virtual workplace filled out an in-depth online questionnaire. The resulting qualitative data were analyzed and interpreted via Applied Thematic Data Analysis (ATDA). ATDA was used to transform the raw qualitative data into themes regarding the essence of the experience of being a visually impaired employee in the virtual workplace. Results: Based on the phenomenological data, three primary themes emerged: defined by blindness, technology as the catalyst of inequality, and ingenuity as efficacy.Discussion: Using co-cultural theory, in-depth interpretations of the data were conducted. Key to these interpretations were the technological and communicative structures that mute the voice of the virtual worker with visual impairment and the experiential factors, with special attention to inaccessible technology, that shape the unique standpoint of the virtual worker who has visual impairment. Implications for practitioners: Both theoretical and applied implications are presented. This study takes note of the social factors that surround the navigation of the workplace with a focus on how communicating about access, advocating for accessibility, and requesting assistive technology are embedded in a larger conversation of culture and societal norms of employment. Accessibility is discussed as both a technical and social challenge. This consideration of accessibility is crucial in current and future workplaces where even the simplest task is to be completed via a technological tool.
Bilateral Orbital Apex Syndrome Related to Sphenoid Fungal Sinusitis
Authors: Kim Dong Hyun , Jeong Jin Uk , Kim Seul , Kim Seon Tae , Han Gyu Cheol
Published: July 2021

Orbital apex syndrome (OAS) is a rare condition that usually occurs due to damage to surrounding inner and surrounding bone tissue. Orbital apex syndrome may result from a variety of conditions that cause damage to the superior orbital fissure and to the optic canal leading to optic nerve (II) dysfunction. We recently experienced a rare case of sphenoidal Aspergillosis, which damaged the adjacent cavernous sinus structures and led to the definite symptom of bilateral OAS in a 77-year-old male. We present this rare case with a brief review of these disease’s entities.
‘It’s a total no-no’: The strategic silence about gender in the European Parliament’s economic governance policies
Authors: Elomäki Anna
Published: July 2021

The European Union’s (EU) economic governance is pivotal for gender equality in the EU, yet gender equality concerns have been sidelined in governance processes. This article analyzes the struggles involved in integrating a gender perspective into the EU’s economic governance in the European Parliament (EP). It explores how the EP, often perceived as a champion of gender equality, constructs gender in relation to economic governance and how conflicts between the EP’s political groups and committees influence the EP’s ability to challenge gendered inequalities related to the governance regime. This article reveals that the EP’s positions have been characterized by strategic silence about gender and understandings of gender equality as a productive factor that legitimized gendered policies. Party-political conflicts and compromises that have sidelined critical views, and a boundary between social and economic issues and actors, were key barriers for the integration of critical gender perspectives.
Effects of focus of attention instructions on listeners’ evaluations of solo instrumental performance
Authors: Springer D. Gregory , Silvey Brian A.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of focus of attention instructions (i.e. focus on the solo, accompaniment, or collaboration) on listeners’ performance evaluations. Participants ( N = 159) were inservice band directors who listened to and evaluated the accuracy and expressivity of four excerpts of Haydn’s Concerto for Trumpet in E-Flat Major, which we created by synchronizing recordings of good and bad performances of a trumpet soloist with good and bad performances of a piano accompaniment. Results indicated a significant main effect for focus-of-attention instructions group, indicating that listeners’ ratings were affected by the focus-of-attention instructions they received. However, we also found a significant three-way interaction among solo, accompaniment, and group, which signified that the effects of focus-of-attention instructions varied according to both solo and accompaniment conditions. Asking adjudicators to focus their evaluations on the collaborative performance of a soloist and pianist may result in different performance ratings than when asked to rate the soloist or pianist only. Implications for music educators and solo and ensemble event organizers are discussed.
The conservatory debated from a critical pedagogy perspective
Authors: López-Peláez María Paz
Published: July 2021

Spanish Conservatories of Music are educational institutions where, for the most part, the culture of Modernity is upheld and an aesthetic musical paradigm is enshrined. In this paper, therefore, it was important to reflect, firstly, on the teaching practices they implement and which have remained faithful to Positivist assertions, in the face of the different educational laws that have been passed. To this end, we carried out an analysis of the opinions of 20 students on a university Master’s course which is centred on contemporary artistic practices and where theories sourced from Critical Pedagogy occupy an important space. With the data drawn from these students – all of them Conservatory graduates and a significant number now teachers – we used interpretative phenomenological analysis techniques and the results show this group’s openness towards methodologies and practices hitherto unknown to them. They highlight, moreover, the importance of offering opportunities to awaken a critical approach in students, whereby they can choose what type of teacher they wish to be, and which methodologies they wish to adopt, rather than merely reproducing in an uncritical fashion the teaching style in which they themselves were taught.
Isoginkgetin treatment attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced monoamine neurotransmitter deficiency and depression-like behaviors through downregulating p38/NF-κB signaling pathway and suppressing microglia-induced apoptosis
Authors: Li Peng , Zhang Fucheng , Li Yajuan , Zhang Cai , Yang Zhiyou , Zhang Yongping , Song Cai
Published: July 2021

Background:

Microglia activation-induced neuroinflammation may contribute to the etiology of depression. Podocarpus nagi containing high concentration of isoginkgetin could effectively treat mental diseases in ancient times. However, the therapeutic role, peculiarly in the brain–immune modulation in depression is still unclear. This study aimed to determine effects of isoginkgetin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression-like changes. Furthermore, its modulation on the p38/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in LPS-activated microglia was evaluated.

Methods:

Adult Kunming mice were intraperitoneally injected vehicle or isoginkgetin (4 mg/kg) daily for 14 days before saline or LPS (0.83 mg/kg) administration. Depression-like behavior, neurotransmitter levels, and markers of neuroinflammation were determined. Isoginkgetin effect on LPS-induced microglial activation was then assessed in BV2 cells. Finally, conditioned medium (CM) derived from isoginkgetin-treated BV2 cells was co-cultured with SH-SY5Y cells for 24 h. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated.

Results:

LPS significantly induced helplessness and anxiety, which were associated with decreased 5-HT, noradrenaline, and dopamine concentrations. Meanwhile, LPS increased microglia M1 hallmark Iba1 expression and serum interleukin (IL)-1β concentration. These changes were attenuated by isoginkgetin treatment. In vitro, isoginkgetin markedly suppressed the production of IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide, and reactive oxygen species, which are released from LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. More interestingly, CM from isoginkgetin-treated BV2 cells significantly alleviated SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis and restored cell viability compared to LPS-treated group through the inhibition of p38/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Conclusion:

These data demonstrate that isoginkgetin is an effective therapeutic agent for depression-like behaviors and neuropathological changes via potent anti-inflammatory property.
The association between sensory traits and daily parenting challenges of typical mothers and their children
Authors: Gafni-Lachter Liat , Kailkian Joanna , Korngold-Dvir Vered , Dahan Gil , Ben-Sasson Ayelet
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Sensory modulation impacts daily family life; however, parents’ sensory traits are rarely considered and analysed together with their child’s. This study aimed to: (1) determine the association between healthy child and mother sensory modulation traits and (2) examine how these traits interact in predicting daily parenting challenges.

Method

Seventy-three healthy mothers of typically developing 3–6-year-old children completed the Short Sensory Profile, Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile and Parenting Daily Hassles questionnaires. Mother and child sensory over-responsivity (SOR), under-responsivity (SUR) and seeking traits were entered as predictors of frequency of daily hassles.

Results

Mother and child’s SOR and SUR traits were significantly associated ( r = .33 and .25, respectively). The frequency of parenting challenges was significantly associated with both mother and child’s sensory seeking ( r = .25 and .26, respectively). A mediation model demonstrated a significant indirect effect of mother SOR on the frequency of daily hassles ( β = .26, p < .05), with the child’s SOR ( β = .33, p < .01), and seeking behaviours ( β = .48, p < .001) mediating this effect.

Conclusion

Mothers with elevated sensory traits of children with elevated sensory traits are likely to experience higher frequencies of daily parenting burden, even within the typical population. Therapists who wish to practice a developmental and family-centred approach should assess how the mother–child sensory traits interact and how this interaction can influence the family’s well-being.
Physical and emotional development of adolescents with low motor competence: Mothers’ perspectives
Authors: Timler Amanda , Bulsara Caroline , Hands Beth
Published: July 2021

Background

Parent support influences adolescent’s social-emotional well-being. One factor that may influence parent’s perception of support is their child’s level of motor competence.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to explore mothers’ experience of providing support for the health of adolescents with low motor competence physical and emotional development.

Methods

A phenomenological approach was used to guide this study. After initial screening, five one-on-one interviews with mothers of adolescents aged 12–16 years were conducted.

Results

Analysis of the interviews identified five themes of ‘supportive building blocks’, ‘building achievement and commitment,’ ‘building mechanisms for future support’ ‘building stability in relationships’ and ‘building confidence and a sense of autonomy’. Mother’s awareness of their child’s motor difficulties resulted in their active provision of alternative strategies for their child by building self-confidence and seeking support from health professionals.

Conclusion

Mothers were aware of their child’s inadequacies and actively sought support to help with their development. Support services that recognise low motor competence could better help mothers support their adolescent’s development. One implication arising from this study is the importance of using multi-disciplinarian teams such as occupational therapist, exercise physiologist and parents to help children with low motor competence.
Relationship between Programmed Heavy Vehicle Inspections and Traffic Safety
Authors: Assemi Behrang , Hickman Mark , Paz Alexander
Published: July 2021

Heavy vehicle crashes incur significant economic and social costs. Although most crashes are considered to be related to driver error, the effects of vehicle defects are major in many crashes. Therefore, various vehicle inspections including Queensland’s Certificate of Inspection (COI) scheme have been implemented to improve the safety of heavy vehicles. This study analyzes the trends of heavy vehicle crashes and their relationships with COI results. Longitudinal data provided by Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads for the period of June 2009 through December 2013 were used to perform the analyses. The data include 474,640 programmed inspections and 2,274 crashes in which heavy vehicles were involved. The results show significant relationships between the monthly average inspection failure rate as well as the monthly average failure severity level, and the total number of heavy vehicle crashes. The results also reveal significant relationships between the monthly average inspection failure rate, average vehicle age, as well as monthly average mean maximum temperature, and the number of defect-related crashes. The implications of these results are discussed with respect to heavy vehicle safety policies.
How Do Shared Dockless E-Scooter Services Affect Mobility Practices in Paris? A Survey-Based Estimation of Modal Shift
Authors: Krier Camille , Chrétien Julie , Lagadic Marion , Louvet Nicolas
Published: July 2021

Shared dockless e-scooters were first launched in Paris in the summer of 2018. These services were met with mixed reception: although some praised them for offering a new mobility solution to urban dwellers, others soon questioned their environmental impact. An emerging body of literature using lifecycle analysis shows that shared e-scooters are more pollutant than walking, cycling, and public transportation, but remain preferable to cars. To better grasp the impacts of dockless e-scooters, it is therefore necessary to identify which modes of transportation they replace. As mobility highly depends on local context, city-specific data are needed. Although modal change data from cities in North America and New Zealand are available, there is no similar information from dense European cities. Using quantitative survey data collected from shared e-scooter users in Paris, the present research offers novel data on modal shift toward dockless e-scooters in the French capital. Results show that for their last trip riding a shared e-scooter, most users would have walked or used public transportation had e-scooters not been an option, and only a limited share of them would have used a car. However, the overall impact of e-scooters on walking and public transportation use remains limited and they display a significant complementarity with public transportation. Such city-specific data on e-scooter use and impacts provide valuable inputs for local public authorities to implement efficient and tailored regulatory measures, so as to include these services in sustainable mobility policies.
Smart Airport: Evaluation of Performance Standards and Technologies for a Smart Logistics Zone
Authors: Göçmen Elifcan
Published: July 2021

Owing to the current context of Industry 4.0, the importance of smart technologies in airport systems have increased substantially. State-of-art applications for transportation planning incorporating baggage services, routing, security, and safety are an evolving domain for both practitioners and researchers dealing with aviation applications. In this context, this paper seeks to answer these questions: Which standards are aimed at a smart airport to make the transportation planning sound? Which propositions are made based on the obtained prioritized standards? This study deals with standards including Environmental Effects, Docking & Navigation, Object Detection & Protection, Communications & Integration, and Terminology using a practical decision support system based on an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy inference system (FIS). Computational results reveal that the Object Detection & Protection standard has an effect on a safe and smart system. To give an overview of this standard for a smart logistics zone (SLZ), an architecture of autonomous robot units and a baggage handling system is proposed in this study. The suggested approach analyzes the obstacle photos obtained by cameras and allows the end-user to control the calculations visually. This research could provide advice to airport planners about smart policies and improving operations.
Emergence of 4-D System Fundamental Diagram in Urban Air Mobility Traffic Flow
Authors: Cummings Christopher , Mahmassani Hani
Published: July 2021

Urban air mobility (UAM) is an emerging mode that promises to provide relief to congested urban streets. UAM relies on airspace, however, which is an exhaustible resource considering minimum aircraft separation requirements. In light of these requirements and UAM vehicle attributes, a simulation is developed to explore UAM traffic flows and congestion development. A decentralized conflict resolution scheme is employed in the form of a non-linear program (NLP) to offer improved flexibility in detours relative to past aircraft simulations. An expansion of Edie’s definitions of density and flow rate are used in conjunction with average speed to explore the relationships between traffic flow characteristics. The results find that UAM traffic flows emulate those of other modes, by following the familiar traffic patterns of build-up and breakdown captured in the macroscopic fundamental diagram. These findings also suggest the presence of a capacity of airspace that should be carefully managed by operators to achieve optimal system performance. The relationships established in this study highlight issues that UAM operators and aviation planners may face and could be used to improve the vehicle traffic modeling of other UAM models.
Land-Use Regression of Long-Term Transportation Data on Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in Low-Income Communities
Authors: Aguilera Juan , Jeon Soyoung , Chavez Mayra , Ibarra-Mejia Gabriel , Ferreira-Pinto Joao , Whigham Leah D. , Li Wen-Whai
Published: July 2021

Traffic-related air pollution has been associated with adverse cardiovascular health effects in near-road residents. Transportation parameters are important surrogate variables to determine spatial variation of air pollution and consequential health outcomes. We used land-use regression models to explore associations between cardiovascular (metabolic syndrome [MetS]) health outcomes collected from a sample of low-income participants ( N = 4,959) and transportation parameters within a defined impact zone of a participant’s residence. We hypothesize cardiovascular risk factors are associated with spatially distributed transportation parameters and land-use data. MetS risk factors (waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and glucose) were obtained from 4,945 participants between 2014 and 2020 across the city of El Paso, Texas. Traffic-related and land-use variables were acquired from the El Paso MPO and the U.S. Census Bureau within two impact zones of 500 m and 1,000 m radius, centered at each participant resident’s home latitude and longitude coordinates using GIS. The increase in street length within 500 m radius was found to associate with increases in BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, and glucose ( p < 0.05). Glucose showed positive relationships with inverse distance to the nearest international ports of entry ( p = 0.02). Also, as the total length of the street increases, the likelihood of a high waist ( p < 0.01), high triglycerides ( p = 0.03), and low HDL-cholesterol ( p < 0.01) also increased. Based on a multivariable regression model, a probability surface map was prepared to show the spatial distribution of likelihood for acquiring MetS in El Paso, TX.
Examining Customers’ Critical Acceptance Factors toward Ridepooling Services
Authors: Werth Oliver , Sonneberg Marc-Oliver , Leyerer Max , Breitner Michael H.
Published: July 2021

Ridepooling is a new mobility service mainly for people in cities and urban areas. By matching the routes of customers with similar start and end points while driving in an optimally pooled manner, meaningful reductions in road traffic and related emissions can be achieved. Such services must meet customers’ demands appropriately to achieve sustainable customer acceptance. Service providers face diverse customer expectations and prejudices that differ from those toward existing transportation modes. Today, most ridepooling trips are conducted with only one customer, confirming impressions of non-optimal operation. Using a survey-based approach, possible relevant constructs for the acceptance of and intention to use ridepooling services are analyzed. Testing constructs from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 and environmental awareness, partial least squares analysis was performed with the software SmartPLS to investigate a dataset of 224 respondents. Results suggest that attitude toward use, perceived usefulness, and performance expectancy have an influence on the behavioral intention to use ridepooling services. In contrast, environmental awareness, price value, and effort expectancy do not have such an influence. The study expands the literature about customer acceptance of ridepooling service as well as new mobility services in general. Further, the paper provides research implications and recommendations for the development and implementation of the ridepooling concept for service providers.
A New Path to Address Multimorbidity? Longitudinal Analyses of Retirement Sequences and Chronic Diseases in Old Age
Authors: Calvo Esteban , Azar Ariel , Shura Robin , Staudinger Ursula M.
Published: July 2021

Chronic disease and multimorbidity are growing health challenges for aging populations, often coinciding with retirement. We examine late-life predictors of multimorbidity, focusing on the association between retirement sequences and number of chronic diseases. We modeled the number of chronic diseases as a function of six types of previously identified 10-year retirement sequences using Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data for 7,880 Americans observed between ages 60 to 61 and 70 to 71. Our results show that at baseline, the adjusted prevalence of multimorbidity was lowest in sequences characterized by late retirement from full-time work and highest in sequences characterized by early labor-force disengagement. Age increases in multimorbidity varied across retirement sequences, though overall differences in prevalence persisted at age 70 to 71. Earlier life disadvantages did not moderate these associations. Findings suggest further investigation of policies that target health limitations affecting work, promote continued beneficial employment opportunities, and ultimately leverage retirement sequences as a novel path to influence multimorbidity in old age.
(De)constructing Refugee Vulnerability: Overcoming Institutional Barriers to Ethnographic Research With Refugee Communities
Authors: Bragg Bronwyn
Published: July 2021

Drawn from 18-months of ethnographic research with resettled refugees living in a mini-enclave in one Canadian city, this article explores what ethnography offers research with resettled refugees. By interrogating the process of securing ethics approval from the Research Ethics Board (REB), I examine the figure of the refugee at the heart of liberal projects aimed at “saving” refugees. I demonstrate that the REB’s reluctance to approve this project stemmed not only from conventional bureaucratic overreach related to ethnographic research but also from an unexamined and problematic idea of what it means to be a refugee. I discuss the gaps between institutionally perceived forms of vulnerability and the actual vulnerabilities that shape life for refugee women. I argue that vulnerability and risk must be understood as contextual and contingent, rather than inherent. Second, I explore the implications of positioning refugees as always already vulnerable on research practice and the value that ethnography offers for overcoming these blind spots.
Effect of TiC nanoparticles on microstructural and tribological properties of Cu-TiC nano-composites
Authors: Somani Nalin , Gupta Nitin Kumar
Published: July 2021

The present study has investigated the role of the addition of TiC nanoparticles on the microstructural, mechanical, physical, and metallurgical properties of the Cu-TiC nanocomposites. A Powder metallurgy route was used to fabricate the samples. Cold compaction of powders was done at 480 MPa which was followed by sintering at 950°C. Wt.% of TiC was varied from 0% to 20%. A Pin-On-Disc tribometer was used to carry out the wear and friction tests. SEM and EDS techniques were used to explicate the morphology and microstructures of worn surfaces and to comprehend the underlying wear mechanism. The fabricated samples were investigated against the applied normal load (10, 20, and 30 N), sliding speed (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m/s), and sliding distance (900, 1800, and 2700 m). The results revealed that the Hardness and tensile strength were improved by 88.76% and 37.26% respectively due to the addition of TiC and were maximum for Cu-20%TiC while the relative density shows the reverse trend. Further, it was found that wear resistance and coefficient of friction were improved by 87.18% and 51.85% respectively as a function of nano-TiC content. The presence of oxide layers and mechanically mixed layers are detected from worn surface analysis which modulates the tribological behavior of the contact.
Mutual Information and Categorical Perception
Authors: Feldman Jacob
Published: July 2021

Categorical perception refers to the enhancement of perceptual sensitivity near category boundaries, generally along dimensions that are informative about category membership. However, it remains unclear exactly which dimensions are treated as informative and why. This article reports a series of experiments in which subjects were asked to learn statistically defined categories in a novel, unfamiliar 2D perceptual space of shapes. Perceptual discrimination was tested before and after category learning of various features in the space, each defined by its position and orientation relative to the maximally informative dimension. The results support a remarkably simple generalization: The magnitude of improvement in perceptual discrimination of each feature is proportional to the mutual information between the feature and the category variable. This finding suggests a rational basis for categorical perception in which the precision of perceptual discrimination is tuned to the statistical structure of the environment.
Flow characteristics of a low-solidity cantilevered stator embedded in a 4-stage low-speed research compressor
Authors: Ju Zhenzhou , Teng Jinfang , Zhu Mingmin , Ma Yuchen , Qiang Xiaoqing
Published: July 2021

This research presents the influence of the low-solidity design on the loss and stability of the cantilevered stator and the evolution of the hub leakage vortex. The highly loaded 4-stage low-speed research compressor (LSRC) with an embedded cantilevered stator (CS) of Stator 3 (S3) was experimentally measured at the blade row outlet and in the S3 passage, respectively, and the URANS simulation method was calibrated accordingly. Then, the prototype CS blade number was reduced, namely low-solidity cantilevered stator (LSCS), to increase the blade loading. The diffusion factor ( DF) of LSCS at the midspan at the design working condition is 5.2% higher than that of CS. The URANS results show that LSCS provides higher efficiency for the 1.5 stage compressor with a consistent stall margin. For S3, the total pressure loss of LSCS is lower than CS at the design point (DP) working condition, but it is the opposite at the near stall (NS) working condition. For LSCS at the NS point, the blockage region becomes large and occupies the lower half of the fore blade passage because the low-solidity stator could not provide the enough flow turning ability, and the core of the hub leakage vortex (HLV) moves forward and the intensity is strengthened. The high loss region of LSCS at the near stall condition is consistent with the size of two hub leakage vortices. The first HLV breakdown is caused by unsteady mixing flow, and then it twists downstream and contacts with the trailing edge of the adjacent blade pressure surface. The study of the hub leakage flow characteristics of the low-solidity cantilevered stator can help designers to control flow better.