bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond Forensic Evidence: Examining Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exam Mechanisms that Influence Sexual Assault Case Outcomes
Authors: Tiry Emily , Zweig Janine , Walsh Kelly , Farrell Lauren , Yu Lilly
Published: September 2020

Despite the widespread use of sexual assault medical forensic exams (SAMFEs), practitioners and researchers continue to debate the role of SAMFEs and the evidence they provide in the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases. Using data from a review of sexual assault cases reported to police between 2015 and 2017 in two jurisdictions ( n = 534), we use logistic regression examine whether the presence of a SAMFE predicts the likelihood of achieving criminal case processing outcomes and whether the relationship of the SAMFE with criminal case processing outcomes is moderated by other legal and extralegal case characteristics. We did not find evidence that the presence of a SAMFE in a case significantly predicts whether a suspect will be identified, arrested, or convicted overall, but we did find evidence of the SAMFE’s injury documentation value for arrest. Researchers and practitioners should account for the multiple ways SAMFEs can influence decision-making in future research and policymaking.
Variable transmission ratio strategy for improving brake feeling based on driver’s target braking strength
Authors: Shi Shuaipeng , Wang Chunyan , Chen Guoping , Yu Leiyan , Zhao Wanzhong
Published: September 2020

Due to the absence of vacuum sources for electric vehicle, the vacuum booster is replaced by electronic brake boosting (EBB) system. In order to improve the driver’s brake feeling based on EBB, this work fully exploits the flexible and variable power-assisted characteristics, and designs different transmission ratios according to the driver’s target braking strength. To identify the driver’s braking strength, an improved radial basis function (IRBF) neural network, combining self-organization method and supervised learning method, is proposed to establish the relationship between the driver’s braking strength and the characteristic parameters. Based on this, the variable transmission ratio strategy is designed, and its main optimized parameters are optimized by means of multi-objective optimization algorithm to provide the driver with a satisfactory brake feeling. The strategies under fixed and variable transmission ratios are simulated and analyzed in low-speed with gentle-brake and high-speed with emergency-brake. The simulation results show that, compared with the fixed transmission ratio, the proposed variable transmission ratio shows excellent performances in both brake feeling and brake safety.
Investigations on chip formation of turned novel AM alloy
Authors: Dutta Sunil , Narala Suresh Kumar Reddy
Published: September 2020

Manufacturers across varied segments look for materials having appreciable machinability and surface integrities. Machinability of Mg alloys is a vital aspect during their acceptance for different applications. The chip shape generated in the cutting operation is a crucial attribute dominating the surface roughness, besides the dimension’s precision and the tool lifespan. The study discusses the chip-formation through the dry turning of a novel AM alloy (Mg alloy with 7 wt%Al-0.9 wt%Mn) using carbide insert with a 0.4 mm nose radius. During the experiments, three chip dimensions, namely chip-thickness, chip-length, and chip-width were measured. The turning variables, namely cutting speed( v), depth of cut (DOC), and feed ( f) is altered and applied to the workpiece. The chip shape was mostly dependent on the grouping of turning parameters. It was seen that favorable continuous chip formed at high feed and low DOC. The % contribution of each turning parameter on the chip shape was calculated. The experimental results are validated with the help of analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results show that the % contribution of feed, speed, and DOC on chip-thickness is 58.49%, 28.91%, and 12.49%; the contribution on chip-length is 76.89%, 20.81%, and 2.23%; and on chip-width, it is 25.28%, 0.48%, and 74.33%, respectively. Further, the chip shapes were compared with the shapes that were predicted by FEM software. The study offers vital insights for parameter selection to improve chip shape, which, in turn, contributes to higher surface quality.
Do Farmers Value Insurance Against Extreme Droughts and Floods? Evidence from Odisha, India
Authors: Senapati Asis Kumar
Published: September 2020

Crop insurance provides farmers with financial support and coverage in the event of extreme natural disasters. Despite more than two decades of disseminating the knowledge in India, crop insurance adoption rates remain low with evidence of dis-adoption. This article assesses farm households’ willingness to insure their crops as well as ability to pay for an insurance product designed to help rural Indian farmers manage flood- and drought-associated risks. The objective of this study is to assess the determinants of farmers’ participation in market-based agricultural insurance living in coastal and rainfed areas prone to risky weather. It is hypothesized that crop insurance would lead to less risk-averse behaviour and more efficient use of farm resources. Using probit model, the study highlights several determinants of willingness to insure and empirically verify the role of risk aversion in insurance purchase decisions. The lottery-choice experiment has been applied by the author for evaluating risk attitudes of sample household. Empirical results suggest that as regards farmers’ risk preferences, risk aversion actually plays an important role even though not directly but in interactive terms with expected losses which, in turn, significantly influencing farmers’ willingness to purchase the insurance product. The study underlines significant influence of insurance history on future crop insurance choice decision. Farmers’ insurance purchase history can help insurance companies, in order to devise effective crop insurance programmes in the future. Similarly, the study also foregrounds the significant role of insured amount in insurance contracts, influencing farmers’ crop insurance purchase decision in both rainfed and irrigated regions. It can therefore help insurance companies to revise the contract items or reform the existing subsidies. Finally, the study goes on to recommend the importance of the knowledge of informal risk management strategies followed by farmers before offering them the formal insurance product and the necessity of the insurance companies in understanding the farmers’ behaviour while designing the insurance product.
Suggested guidelines for validation of real-time PCR assays in veterinary diagnostic laboratories
Authors: Toohey-Kurth Kathy , Reising Monica M. , Tallmadge Rebecca L. , Goodman Laura B. , Bai Jianfa , Bolin Steven R. , Pedersen Janice C. , Bounpheng Mangkey A. , Pogranichniy Roman M. , Christopher-Hennings Jane , Killian Mary Lea , Mulrooney Donna M. , Maes Roger , Singh Shri , Crossley Beate M.
Published: September 2020

This consensus document presents the suggested guidelines developed by the Laboratory Technology Committee (LTC) of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) for development, validation, and modification (methods comparability) of real-time PCR (rtPCR) assays. These suggested guidelines are presented with reference to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines for validation of nucleic acid detection assays used in veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Additionally, our proposed practices are compared to the guidelines from the Foods Program Regulatory Subdivision of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and from the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP). The LTC suggestions are closely aligned with those from the OIE and comply with version 2021-01 of the AAVLD Requirements for an Accredited Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, although some LTC recommendations are more stringent and extend beyond the AAVLD requirements. LTC suggested guidelines are substantially different than the guidelines recently published by the U.S. FDA for validation and modification of regulated tests used for detection of pathogens in pet food and animal-derived products, such as dairy. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories that perform assays from the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Method (BAM) manual must be aware of the different standard.
Cultural Aspects of End-of-Life Advance Care Planning for African Americans: An Ethnonursing Study
Authors: Collins John W. , Zoucha Rick , Lockhart Joan Such , Mixer Sandra J.
Published: September 2020

Introduction:

Advance directive completion rates among the general population are low, with even lower completion rates among African Americans (AAs). This study’s purpose was to identify culturally based meanings, expressions, and traditions of end-of-life (EOL) advance care planning (ACP) and decision making in order to promote culturally congruent nursing care among African Americans.

Methodology:

Leininger’s Culture Care Theory and Ethnonursing Research Method guided the study. A convenience sample of 21 informants were interviewed in community settings. Data analysis was guided using Leininger’s phases of ethnonursing data analysis for qualitative data.

Results:

Three themes emerged that affect EOL decision making: (a) faith in God and belief in life after death, (b) a strong matriarchal family structure, and (c) fear of talking about death and mistrust of the U.S. health care system.

Discussion:

AA culture, beliefs, and traditions influence EOL ACP and practices, and must be considered while providing culturally congruent care.
Palliative Care and Rapid Emergency Screening Tool and the Palliative Performance Scale to Predict Survival of Older Adults Admitted to the Hospital From the Emergency Department
Authors: Paske Jonas R. Te , DeWitt Sarah , Hicks Robin , Semmens Shana , Vaughan Leigh
Published: September 2020

Background:

The Palliative Care and Rapid Emergency Screening (P-CaRES) tool has been validated to identify patients in the emergency department (ED) with unmet palliative care needs, but no prognostic data have been published. The Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) has been validated to predict survival based on performance status and separately has been shown to predict survival among adults admitted to the hospital from the ED.

Objective:

To concurrently validate the 6-month prognostic utility of P-CaRES with a replication of prior studies that demonstrated the prognostic utility of the PPS among adults admitted to the hospital from the ED.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting/Subjects:

Adults >55 years admitted to the hospital from the ED at an urban academic hospital in South Carolina.

Measurement:

Baseline PPS score and P-CaRES status were evaluated within 51 hours of admission. Vital status at 6 months was evaluated by phone or chart review.

Results:

131 of 145 participants completed the study. Six-month survival was 79.2% of those with a PPS of 60-100 (22/106 died) and 48% of those with a PPS of 10-50 (13/25 died) (p = 0.0004). Six-month survival was 85.2% for P-CaRES negative (13/88 died) and 48.8% for P-CaRES positive (22/43 died) (p < 0.0001). The inferred hazard ratio (HR) for PPS 10-50, as compared to PPS 60-100 was 3.003 (95%CI (1.475, 6.112) p = 0.0024) and the HR for P-CaRES positive, as compared to P-CaRES negative was 4.186 (95%CI (2.052, 8.536) p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

The P-CaRES tool and PPS can predict 6-month survival of older adults admitted from the ED.
Educational Attainment of Children Born with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate in the United Kingdom
Authors: Grewal Sukhraj S. , Ponduri Sirisha , Leary Sam D. , Wren Yvonne , Thompson John M. D. , Ireland Anthony J. , Ness Andy R. , Sandy Jonathan R.
Published: September 2020

Objective:

This study evaluated association between functional outcomes in children born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and educational attainment.

Design:

Cleft Care UK (CCUK) was a United Kingdom (UK) wide cross-sectional study.

Setting:

UK Cleft Teams (data collected from all UK sites providing centralized cleft services).

Patients, Participants:

Five-year olds born with nonsyndromic UCLP (n = 268).

Main Outcome Measure(s):

National tests for educational attainment Key Stage 1 (KS1) undertaken by children at age 7 were linked to CCUK data to describe differences in educational attainment. Associations between functional outcomes and KS1 results were evaluated using regression analysis. We adjusted for birth month, gender, and an area-based measure of socioeconomic status.

Results:

Data were available for 205 children with UCLP. These children scored lower than national average (NA) scores across all subject areas, with a 0.62 lower score observed in the Average Point Score (APS; P = .01). There was association between being in a lower category for a cleft related outcomes and poorer KS1 results, with a trend for poorer attainment with higher numbers of poor functional outcomes. Those with 3 or more poor outcomes had a −2.26 (−3.55 to −0.97) lower APS compared to those with 0 to 1 poor outcomes.

Conclusions:

Children born with UCLP have poorer educational attainment at age 7 across all subject areas though differences were modest. Children with poor functional outcomes at age 5 had worse educational outcomes age 7. Improvements in functional outcomes could enhance educational outcomes.
Middle School Teachers’ Perceptions and Use of Classroom Management Strategies and Associations With Student Behavior
Authors: Zoromski Allison , Evans Steven W. , Owens Julie Sarno , Holdaway Alex , Royo Romero Angela S.
Published: September 2020

Disruptive student behavior in middle school is associated with negative outcomes, including poor grades, low achievement scores, dropout, lost teaching time, teacher burnout, and societal expenditures. Classroom Behavior Management (CBM) strategies are effective at reducing disruptive behavior, decreasing teacher stress, and increasing achievement with elementary students, but less is known regarding these strategies for middle school students. The purpose of the current study was to assess (a) the rates of disruptive and on-task student behaviors in middle school classrooms, overall and by academic context that included individual seatwork, group/partner work, small-group instruction, and whole-group instruction; (b) the rates of observed (appropriate and inappropriate commands, labeled and unlabeled praise, opportunities to respond; appropriate response to rule violations) and self-reported (appropriate commands, reprimands for inappropriate behavior, strategic ignoring, if/then contingencies, and send to principal’s office) CBM strategies; and (c) relationships between observed teacher strategy use and rates of disruptive and on-task behaviors. The results indicated that there was wide variability in teachers’ use of CBM strategies, their perceptions of the effectiveness of CBM strategies, and the frequency of disruptive student behavior. In addition, overall, teachers demonstrated low rates of appropriate responses to disruptive behavior. Notably, appropriate responses to disruptive behavior had the strongest association with total rates of disruptive and on-task behaviors. The implications of these findings for teacher training are discussed.
A Meta-Analysis of the Antecedents of Career Commitment
Authors: Zhu Dan , Kim Peter Beomcheol , Milne Simon , Park In-Jo
Published: September 2020

Career commitment refers to one’s emotional attachment to one’s career rather than to one’s current working organization. While career commitment has been studied for decades as an important construct in applied psychology research, robust conclusions about its antecedents have not been drawn by empirical research. To address this issue, this research presents the results of a meta-analytic review of the antecedents of career commitment based on data from 156 individual studies (N = 58,651) conducted between 1980 and 2019. A total of 52 latent antecedents were captured and categorized into five different groups, and the strength, direction and heterogeneity of the relations between career commitment and its antecedents were meta-analytically investigated. Our findings revealed that while individual attributes (e.g. age) alone were weak predictors of career commitment, psychological (e.g. job satisfaction) and organizational factors (e.g. organizational career growth) exhibited medium effect sizes. In addition, among job-related factors, autonomy demonstrated a relatively strong influence on career commitment. The implications are elucidated for researchers and practitioners in the light of these key findings.
Relationship Between the Incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis During Hospitalization and the Energy of Injury in Tibial Plateau Fractures
Authors: Jiahao Li , Kun Zhang , Binfei Zhang , Yan Zhuang , Hanzhong Xue , Shuangwei Qu , Chen Fei , Na Yang , Ding Tian , Pengfei Wang
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during hospitalization and the energy of injury in tibial plateau fractures (TPFs). One hundred and forty patients were enrolled between September 1, 2014, and October 1, 2017. According to Schatzker’s classification, they were classified into the low-energy (type I-III) and high-energy (type IV-VI) groups. For DVT evaluation, duplex ultrasonography was performed in the lower extremities preoperatively and postoperatively. The location and changes of DVT were recorded. All patients underwent mechanical and chemical thromboprophylaxis. The incidence of DVT in TPFs was 36.43% and 46.43% preoperatively and postoperatively, respectively. The DVT incidence was 31.75% (20/63) in the low-energy group and 40.26% (31/77) in the high-energy group preoperatively, and 44.44% (28/63) in the low-energy group and 48.05% (37/77) in the high-energy group postoperatively. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups preoperatively ( P = .298) and postoperatively ( P = .785). The days between operation and discharge ( P = .016), blood loss during surgery ( P = .016), and preoperative d-dimer level ( P = .02) showed differences between the 2 groups. Additionally, 29 new thrombi (14 [48.28%] in the high-energy group and 15 [51.72%] in the low-energy group) appeared and 16 preoperative thrombi disappeared postoperatively. Despite mechanical and chemical thromboprophylaxis, the DVT risk in patients with TPFs remains high. Although the DVT incidence is not significantly different between high-energy and low-energy injuries, the occurrence of DVT should be carefully monitored.
Central diabetes insipidus induced by temozolomide: A report of two cases
Authors: Mahiat Cédric , Capes Antoine , Duprez Thierry , Whenham Nicolas , Duck Lionel , Labriola Laura
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Central diabetes insipidus is a heterogeneous condition characterized by decreased release of antidiuretic hormone by the neurohypophysis resulting in a urine concentration deficit with variable degrees of polyuria. The most common causes include idiopathic diabetes insipidus, tumors or infiltrative diseases, neurosurgery and trauma. Temozolomide is an oral DNA-alkylating agent capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and used as chemotherapy primarily to treat glioblastoma and other brain cancers.

Cases

Two men (aged 38 and 54 years) suddenly developed polyuria and polydispsia approximately four weeks after the initiation of temozolomide for a glioblastoma. Plasma and urine parameters demonstrated the presence of a urinary concentration defect.

Management

The clinical and laboratory abnormalities completely resolved with intranasal desmopressin therapy, allowing the continuation of temozolomide. The disorder did not relapse after cessation of temozolomide and desmopressin and relapsed in one patient after rechallenge with temozolomide.

Discussion

Our report highlights the importance of a quick recognition of this exceptional complication, in order to initiate promptly treatment with desmopressin and to maintain therapy with temozolomide.
Development Trajectories and Complex Systems–Informed Theories of Change
Authors: Zazueta Aaron Eduardo , Le Thuy Thu , Bahramalian Nima
Published: September 2020

This article presents an approach to use complex adaptive systems thinking to construct a theory of change to plan and evaluate transformational interventions. The article draws on the concepts of domains, scales, agents, and emergence to build a model of the system targeted by the intervention, to identify the chains of causality driving the system, and to identify the most influential enabling conditions affecting the system's development trajectory. Using the case study of the Indonesia SMART-Fish project, the article illustrates how to use such a theory of change to understand how a program interacts with the phenomena and how to assess the extent to which a program contributes to a development trajectory consistent with the intended long term transformational objectives. The article also illustrates how to use network analysis tools and simple data visualization techniques in ways that engage stakeholders in evaluation design, data collection and analysis.
Ventricular Arrhythmias in Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Review of Current Literature
Authors: Khanna Shaun , Lo Phillip , Cho Kenneth , Subbiah Rajesh
Published: September 2020

Cardiac Amyloidosis is an infiltrative cardiomyopathy which occurs secondary to deposition of mis-folded protein in the myocardium, with the two most common subtypes being AL amyloidosis and TTR amyloidosis. The pathogenesis of the disease is multifaceted and involves a variety of mechanisms including an inflammatory response cascade, oxidative stress and subsequent separation of myocyte fibrils. Cardiac Amyloidosis frequently results in congestive cardiac failure and arrhythmias, from a disruption in cardiac substrate with subsequent electro-mechanical remodelling. Disease progression is usually demonstrated by development of progressive pump failure, which may be seen with a high arrhythmic burden, usually portending a poor prognosis. There is a paucity of literature on the clinical implications of ventricular arrhythmias in the context of cardiac amyloidosis. The important diagnostic investigations for these patients include transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and an electrophysiology study. Whilst there are no robust management guidelines, studies have indicated benefits from contemporary pharmacological therapy and case-by-case catheter ablation. There are novel directed therapies available for TTR amyloidosis that have shown to improve overall survival. The role of ICD therapy in cardiac amyloidosis is controversial, with benefits seen predominantly in early phases of the disease process. The only definitive surgical therapy includes heart transplantation, but is largely indicated for progressive decompensated heart failure (Figure 1). Further large-scale studies are required to better outline management paradigms for treating ventricular arrhythmias in cardiac amyloidosis.
Toward Understanding of Environmental Risk Factors in Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Ouchene Lydia , Muntyanu Anastasiya , Lavoué Jérôme , Baron Murray , Litvinov Ivan V. , Netchiporouk Elena
Published: September 2020

Importance

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe, chronic, and incurable autoimmune fibrotic skin disease with significant extracutaneous involvement. Low concordance rate in twin studies and unequal geographic distribution of SSc argues for importance of environment in disease initiation and progression.

Objective

In this manuscript we provide a summary of all investigated potential external risk factors for SSc.

Data sources

A literature search in PubMed and EMBASE database was performed for studies published until January 1, 2020 by 2 reviewers (EN and LO) independently.

Findings

Occupational and/or environmental exposures to silica and organic solvents are associated with increased incidence and severity of SSc. Exposure to epoxy resins, asbestos, and particulate air pollution favors increased risk of SSc, but data are based on limited number of observational studies. There is insufficient evidence to conclude an association between SSc development and other occupational (eg, welding fumes) or personal exposures (eg, smoking, vitamin D deficiency). Association of SSc with silicone breast implants has been disproven. Infectious pathogens (eg, Helicobacter pylori and angiotropic viruses) and dysbiosis seem to play a role in SSc development and severity, but their role remains to be clarified.

Conclusions and relevance

It may be prudent to counsel our patients with SSc (or those at risk of SSc) to avoid occupations with exposure to silica, organic solvents, asbestos and epoxy resins; restraint from smoking, using cocaine or drugs with pro-fibrotic potential. While the association between low vitamin D and SSc remains to be confirmed, we believe that SSc patients should be encouraged to maintain healthy vitamin D levels as benefits outweigh the risks.
Putting Arendt, Bakhtin and atmosphere to work: Exploring different paths concerning the language development of multilingual children
Authors: Giæver Katrine , Jones Liz
Published: September 2020

The aim of this article is to illustrate the potential of ‘atmosphere’ in order to consider more inventive ways of developing the language of young Norwegian ethnic minority children. The article draws on ethnographic data that emerged from doctoral studies. The analysis of the data draws on aspects of Arendt’s philosophical work and Bakhtin’s theorizations concerning language. It is these theoretical frames, together with theorizations concerning atmosphere, that allow one to ask different questions in relation to language development. It is by attempting to address these questions that different pedagogical paths begin to emerge. However, the article argues that in order to take such paths, there is a need to suspend certain universal principles, including privileging the mind over the body and the logical over the non-logical.
Examining the Effectiveness of Provider Incentives to Increase CRC Screening Uptake in Neighborhood Healthcare: A California Federally Qualified Health Center
Authors: Barajas Melissa , Tangka Florence K. L. , Schultz James , Tantod Kulin , Kempster Ying Marilyn , Omelu Ndukaku , Hoover Sonja , Thomas Melonie , Richmond-Reese Valerie , Subramanian Sujha
Published: September 2020

As an awardee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program, the California Department of Public Health partnered with Neighborhood Healthcare to implement evidence-based interventions and provider incentives (incentives offered to support staff, e.g., medical assistants, phlebotomists, front office staff, lab technicians) to improve colorectal cancer screening uptake. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and cost of the provider incentive intervention implemented by Neighborhood Healthcare to increase colorectal cancer screening uptake. We collected and analyzed process and cost data to assess fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit return rates to the health centers and the number of completed FIT kits. We estimated the costs of the preexisting interventions and the new interventions. Analyses were conducted for two time periods: preimplementation and implementation. Most Neighborhood Healthcare health centers experienced an increase in the percentage of FIT kit returns (average of 3.6 percentage points) and individuals screened (an average increase of 111 FIT kits per month) from the baseline period through the implementation period. The cost of the incentive intervention for each additional screen was $66.79. In conclusion, the results indicate that incentive programs can have an overall positive impact on both the percentage of FIT kits returned and the number of individuals screened.
Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Admissions: Implications to Diversify the Workforce
Authors: Guiberson Mark , Vigil Debra
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this survey study was to describe screening and admission processes and considerations for graduate speech-language pathology (SLP) programs, with an eye for how programs consider cultural and linguistic diversity (CLD) in these processes. Responses were obtained from 110 graduate SLP programs. In addition to admission processes and decisions, the survey also asked specific questions about how bilingualism was considered, holistic admission processes and outcomes, and barriers to recruiting students from CLD backgrounds into programs. Based on results obtained as well as knowledge from admission considerations for other professional degree programs and trends in the field, the authors present promising undergraduate supports and holistic admission processes to recruit diverse students to graduate programs.
An experimental study on the interaction between braiding structural parameters and their effects on ropes mechanical properties
Authors: Hamouda Tamer , Aly Nermin M , Elshakankery MH
Published: September 2020

Braided rope configuration and properties are the main key factors to consider on choosing it for various industrial applications. Rope's structure is characterized by high axial tensile strength combined with flexibility. The mechanical properties of ropes are greatly influenced by braiding process settings which have crucial effects on their functional performance. In this study, 27 types of braided polyester ropes were produced and divided into three groups according to their structural parameters and braiding settings, which include take-up and tension rates, yarn count, braid pattern, number of spindles and carriers' settings. The effects of changing these parameters on braid angle, repeat length, linear density, and mechanical properties such as tensile stress, strain and tensile modulus were investigated. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate the results using multiple regression analysis, F-test, surface and contour plots to illustrate the relation and the interaction between variables that have significant effects on the ropes' properties and to assess their performance. The results indicated that increasing the take-up rate leads to increase the ropes' braid angle. Whereas, increasing the tension leads to obtain ropes of low linear density with high stress and modulus. Ropes of lower strain were attained by increasing the take-up and decreasing the tension rates. Furthermore, the rope sample produced with pattern 2/2 using the high take-up and medium tension rate achieved the highest mechanical properties of high stress, modulus with low strain among all rope samples in the three groups.
Pros and Cons of the Exoscope for Otologic Surgery
Authors: Kanzaki Sho , Takahashi Satoshi , Toda Masahiro , Yoshida Kazanari , Ogawa Kaoru
Published: September 2020

Introduction. There are a few discussions regarding usefulness of an exoscope in otologic surgery compared to a traditional microscope. Objective. The pros and cons of using a newly developed exoscope (ORBEYE™) during microotologic surgery were evaluated. Methods. The usefulness of the ORBEYE™ exoscope was retrospectively assessed in 6 otologic surgeries by 8 surgeons postoperatively. A questionnaire comprising 20 questions was designed and used for evaluation. Results. All the otologic surgeons agreed that the exoscope is useful as an educational tool; the exoscope had the highest score in the questionnaire (average: 4.75). The question “Will the ORBEYETM exoscope replace the conventional tympanoplasty or stapes surgery?” had the lowest score (average: 3.13). Conclusions. The quality of the images and movies in the exoscope was considered to be high and improved; therefore, the exoscope was considered as a useful educational tool in otologic surgery. Similar to otologic endoscopic surgery, all the members such as the operator and assistants could head up and share 1 image.
Intramedullary Compression Screw Fixation of Proximal Phalangeal Fractures: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Sivakumar Brahman S. , An Vincent V. G. , Graham David J. , Ledgard James , Lawson Richard D. , Furniss Dominic
Published: September 2020

Proximal phalangeal fractures have traditionally been fixed via either Kirschner wires or dorsal plating. Concerns regarding lack of compression and potential for infection with wire fixation, and adhesion formation and stiffness with plating, have lead to alternative fixation methods, such as intramedullary screw fixation. However, the literature regarding this modality is limited. Methods: A systematic review was performed to review the literature regarding intramedullary screw fixation for proximal phalangeal fractures. English language studies that reported original data and commented on at least one postoperative measure of function were eligible for inclusion. 4 studies were eligible for inclusion, with a further 3 studies assessing proximal and middle phalanges analysed separately. Total active motion was greater than 240° in all proximal phalangeal studies; mean post-operative DASH was 3.62. 6% of patients sustained a major complication. Intramedullary screw fixation of proximal phalangeal fractures is safe, providing stable fixation to allow early motion.
Challenges of acute phase neuroimaging in VA-ECMO, pitfalls and alternative imaging options
Authors: Aboul Nour Hassan , Poyiadji Neo , Mohamed Ghada , Alsrouji Owais K , Ramadan Ahmad-Riad , Griffith Brent , Marin Horia , Chebl Alex Bou
Published: September 2020

Large vessel occlusion in patients on ECMO is challenging to appreciate clinically secondary to sedation or induced paralysis, thus placing more emphasis on neurovascular imaging. However, emergent CTA and CTP are both inaccurate and unreliable in ECMO patients due to altered circuitry and interference with normal physiologic hemodynamics. In this review, the utility of DSA is discussed in evaluating the altered hemodynamics of VA-ECMO circuits and patency of major vasculature. In addition, the potential use of TCD in ECMO patients is discussed.
Human motion recognition based on limit learning machine
Authors: Chen Hong , Zhao Hongdong , Qi Baoqiang , Wang Shi , Shen Nan , Li Yuxiang
Published: September 2020

With the development of technology, human motion capture data have been widely used in the fields of human–computer interaction, interactive entertainment, education, and medical treatment. As a problem in the field of computer vision, human motion recognition has become a key technology in somatosensory games, security protection, and multimedia information retrieval. Therefore, it is important to improve the recognition rate of human motion. Based on the above background, the purpose of this article is human motion recognition based on extreme learning machine. Based on the existing action feature descriptors, this article makes improvements to features and classifiers and performs experiments on the Microsoft model specific register (MSR)-Action3D data set and the Bonn University high density metal (HDM05) motion capture data set. Based on displacement covariance descriptor and direction histogram descriptor, this article described both combine to produce a new combination; the description can statically reflect the joint position relevant information and at the same time, the change information dynamically reflects the joint position, uses the extreme learning machine for classification, and gets better recognition result. The experimental results show that the combined descriptor and extreme learning machine recognition rate on these two data sets is significantly improved by about 3% compared with the existing methods.
Multi-robot path planning using an improved self-adaptive particle swarm optimization
Authors: Tang Biwei , Xiang Kui , Pang Muye , Zhanxia Zhu
Published: September 2020

Path planning is of great significance in motion planning and cooperative navigation of multiple robots. Nevertheless, because of its high complexity and nondeterministic polynomial time hard nature, efficiently tackling with the issue of multi-robot path planning remains greatly challenging. To this end, enhancing a coevolution mechanism and an improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, this article presents a coevolution-based particle swarm optimization method to cope with the multi-robot path planning issue. Attempting to well adjust the global and local search abilities and address the stagnation issue of particle swarm optimization, the proposed particle swarm optimization enhances a widely used standard particle swarm optimization algorithm with the evolutionary game theory, in which a novel self-adaptive strategy is proposed to update the three main control parameters of particles. Since the convergence of particle swarm optimization significantly influences its optimization efficiency, the convergence of the proposed particle swarm optimization is analytically investigated and a parameter selection rule, sufficiently guaranteeing the convergence of this particle swarm optimization, is provided in this article. The performance of the proposed planning method is verified through different scenarios both in single-robot and in multi-robot path planning problems. The numerical simulation results reveal that, compared to its contenders, the proposed method is highly promising with respect to the path optimality. Also, the computation time of the proposed method is comparable with those of its peers.
Leadership and change in a Norwegian school context: Tensions as productive driving forces
Authors: Vennebo Kirsten Foshaug , Aas Marit
Published: September 2020

This article examines the leadership of school principals who, based on the narrative case of the Blueberry School, discuss how they as principals would have responded to a similar problematic situation regarding a school change process. The study is grounded in the context of the Norwegian National School Leadership Programme. Theoretically, the study is informed by cultural–historical activity theory. The findings exemplify how the principals’ responses encompass various viewpoints and arguments through which tensions inherent in the context of the change process are provoked and displayed. This study has three implications for school leadership and change. First, when principals experience problematic change processes at their school, they should take time to identify the tensions, discuss how to understand them and think through their implications for leadership. Second, leading these types of tension-laden change processes in schools requires analytic and reflective skills and training; thus, steps to strengthen these skills should be included in leadership programmes. Finally, there is a need for research focussing on how to conduct informed analysis to reveal tensions when problematic situations occur in school change processes. This is because informed analysis may lay the groundwork for how school leaders can utilise tensions as productive driving forces in change processes.
Still the same in human causal reasoning: Evidence for a uniform similarity parameter in generalisation and summation
Authors: Whitlow JW , Brandon Susan E , Otero Kory , Christensen Jerilyn
Published: September 2020

Wagner’s replaced elements model (REM) theory implies that generalisation and summation tests depend on a common similarity parameter, but few studies have assessed generalisation and summation within the same experimental paradigm. Three experiments adapted a methodology used in non-human animal studies to investigate this question in the case of human causal reasoning. The studies combined different amounts of training on simple discriminations (A+ vs. C−), compound discriminations (AB+ vs. CD−), and irrelevant novel cue discriminations (A n+ vs. C n−) with testing on single cues, compound cues, and compounds of cues with novel cues. The results were compared with predictions of Pearce’s configural model and Wagner’s REM elemental model. They also were examined to determine whether generalisation and summation could be accounted for using a single value for the similarity between stimulus compounds and the separable constituent cues of which the compounds were composed. The findings indicated that each theory needed to include common cues to account for the data.
A situation-modulated minimal change account for causal inferences about causal networks
Authors: Wang Moyun , Sun Jinrui
Published: September 2020

Although causal Bayes networks are applicable to examining causal inferences about different static objects and about a changing object with different states, previous studies investigated the former, but not the latter. We propose a situation-modulated minimal change account for causal inferences. It predicts that dynamic situations are more likely to elicit minimal revisions on causal networks and adherence to the Markov assumption than static situations. Two experiments were conducted to investigate qualitative causal inferences about causal networks with binary and numerical variables, respectively. It was found that qualitative causal inferences were more likely to adhere to the Markov assumption in dynamic situations than in static situations. This finding supports the situation-modulated minimal change account rather than the other alternative accounts. We conclude that dynamic situations are more likely to elicit minimal revisions on causal networks and adherence to the Markov assumption than static situations. This conclusion is beyond the previous predominant view that causal inferences are apt to violate the Markov assumption.
In-game behaviour analysis of football players using machine learning techniques based on player statistics
Authors: García-Aliaga Abraham , Marquina Moisés , Coterón Javier , Rodríguez-González Asier , Luengo-Sánchez Sergio
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this research was to determine the on-field playing positions of a group of football players based on their technical-tactical behaviour using machine learning algorithms. Each player was characterized according to a set of 52 non-spatiotemporal descriptors including offensive, defensive and build-up variables that were computed from OPTA’s on-ball event records of the matches for 18 national leagues between the 2012 and 2019 seasons. To test whether positions could be identified from the statistical performance of the players, the dimensionality reduction techniques were used. To better understand the differences between the player positions, the most discriminatory variables for each group were obtained as a set of rules discovered by RIPPER, a machine learning algorithm. From the combination of both techniques, we obtained useful conclusions to enhance the performance of players and to identify positions on the field. The study demonstrates the suitability and potential of artificial intelligence to characterize players' positions according to their technical-tactical behaviour, providing valuable information to the professionals of this sport.
Three-and-a-half to 18 year outcome data for costal osteochondral grafts for salvage of the proximal pole of the scaphoid
Authors: Bain Charles , Tham Stephen , Powell Chris , Berger Anthony , Withers Aaron , McCombe David
Published: September 2020

Twelve patients who had undergone costal osteochondral graft reconstruction of the proximal pole of scaphoid were evaluated with clinical examination, patient-reported outcome scores and radiographs with an average follow-up of 10 years (range 3.5–18). The range of wrist motion was not significantly changed compared with the preoperative range of motion and functional outcomes scores were acceptable. The patients reported low pain scores despite the universal presence of radiographic changes of reduced carpal height and arthritis of the midcarpal and radiocarpal joints. Costal osteochondral graft reconstruction of the proximal pole of scaphoid offers good long-term pain relief and function.

Level of evidence: IV
The management of clenched fist injuries with local anaesthesia and field sterility
Authors: Kay Harrison F. , Kang Hyunwoo P. , Fisch Robert , Stevanovic Milan , Ghiassi Alidad , Nicholson Luke T.
Published: September 2020

Clenched fist injury is associated with a high risk of infectious complications and is commonly managed with formal irrigation and debridement in the operating theatre. The purpose of this study was to determine outcomes associated with irrigation and debridement of clenched fist injuries under local anaesthesia using field sterility outside the operative theatre. In this single centre study, 232 patients were identified with clenched fist injury and 210 were treated with a standard protocol beginning with administration of intravenous antibiotics and then irrigation and debridement at the bedside. Primary outcome measures were the need for repeat debridement and complications. Secondary outcome measures included factors associated with the need for repeat debridement. Fifteen of the 210 patients (7%) required repeat debridement. Patients with cultures positive for gram-negative organisms had a significantly increased risk of repeat debridement. Irrigation and debridement under local anaesthesia using field sterility results in an acceptably low risk of complications or need for repeat debridement.

Level of evidence: IV
Challenging the dogma: a straight wrist should be the goal in radial dysplasia
Authors: Ezaki Marybeth
Published: September 2020

For centuries, various techniques have been described to stabilize the carpus on the ulna in radial dysplasia to achieve a straight wrist, in the belief that it is better for function and cosmesis. Apart from ulnocarpal fusion, none had succeeded in preventing recurrence of radial deviation. Ulnocarpal fusion, however, carries the risk of shortening an already shortened forearm by damaging the epiphysis. Fingers are often stiff in radial dysplasia, and therefore a straight wrist may actually limit function. Formal assessment of the appearance in operated versus unoperated wrists remain inconclusive. This article challenges the dogma that a straight wrist should be the ideal goal in radial dysplasia. The optimum management of this condition remains debatable.
Detection of neuromechanical acute fatigue-related responses during a duathlon simulation: Is tensiomyography sensitive enough?
Authors: Rojas-Valverde Daniel , Sánchez-Ureña Braulio , Gómez-Carmona Carlos D , Ugalde-Ramírez Alexis , Trejos-Montoya Andrés , Pino-Ortega José , Gutiérrez-Vargas Randall
Published: September 2020

New technological advances are constantly being developed to assess fatigue and muscle damage in sports. Tensiomyography (TMG) has been used as an alternative method to indirectly assess these physiological responses. The aim of this study was to explore the potential use of TMG parameters (muscle radial deformation [Dm], time of contraction [Tc], delay time [Td], deformation rate until 10% [V10] and 90% [V90]) to detect neuromuscular acute fatigue-related responses during a duathlon compared to well-known biochemical (blood lactate [BLa]), perceptual (rate of perceived exertion [RPE]), and functional (jump performance [CMJ]) variables. Twenty-three well-trained athletes (age 33.6 ± 7.2 years, weight 64.4± 9.2 kg, height 1.7 ± 0.2 m, VO2max 56.7± 6.9 mL/kg/min, body fat 16.6 ± 8.4%, lean mass 53.2 ± 11.6 kg) performed a 5k-25k-5k duathlon under controlled indoor conditions at 23°C. TMG muscle properties (left and right gastrocnemius lateralis), BLa, RPE, and CMJ were measured pre-duathlon, during transition 1 (T1), during transition 2 (T2), and post-duathlon. After one-way analyses of variance, there were large differences in BLa ( p< 0.01), RPE ( p< 0.01) and CMJ ( p< 0.01). Large differences ( p< 0.01) were also found in Tc, Dm, Td, V10, and V90 as TMG muscle mechanical markers. Compared to well-known fatigue variables (CMJ, RPE, and BLa), Tc and Dm as TMG parameters measured in gastrocnemius lateralis seem to be sensitive enough to detect acute fatigue-related changes during duathlon. Differences reported in Td, V10, and V90 could be the result of muscle post-activation potentiation (PAP) after T1, and more evidence is needed for understanding this PAP phenomenon using TMG.