bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information Provided to Consumers about Direct-to-Consumer Nutrigenetic Testing
Authors: De Suchetana , Pietilä Anna-Maija , Iso-Touru Terhi , Hopia Anu , Tahvonen Raija , Vähäkangas Kirsi
Published: November 2019

Background: Nutrigenetic tests are often considered to be less serious compared to other health-related genetic tests, although they share similar ethical concerns. Nutrigenetic tests are mainly available through direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTC GT) and increasing in popularity. Objective: To analyze the contents of nutrigenetic DTC GT websites with respect to the adequacy of the information provided to support a well-informed decision of purchasing the tests. Methods: The websites of DTC GT companies selling nutrigenetic tests that could be ordered online without involving any healthcare professional, available in English, marketing tests in Europe, the USA, Australia, or Canada, and accessible from Finland were included in the study (n = 38). Quantitative and qualitative content analyses of the websites were carried out with the help of a codebook. Results: Of the 38 websites, 8 included a clearly identifiable and easy-to-find information section about genetics. The quality and contents of these sections were often insufficient and/or misleading. Fourteen websites had specific sections discussing the risks related to GT, and on 13 signed informed consent was requested for GT. Furthermore, only 2 of the companies offered any kind of pretest consultation and 13 offered mostly separately charged posttest consultation. The complex structure of the websites made it difficult to find all key information, with many important aspects buried in legal documents, which were challenging to comprehend even for a professional. Conclusion: The structure of the websites and the amount and quality of the content therein do not support a well-informed decision.
Wie schreib ich’s meinem Patienten? Datenschutzprobleme bei der digitalen Kommunikation
Authors: Alpers Georg W. , Frey Lisa , Tessmer-Petzendorfer Stephanie , Klingauf Anna , Schad Silvia
Published: November 2019

Digitale Kommunikation ist aus dem Alltag nicht mehr wegzudenken; im privaten Bereich sind insbesondere soziale Messenger-Dienste weit verbreitet. So scheint es für manche Patienten1 nahliegend zu sein, solche Kommunikationsmittel auch für die Kommunikation mit ihren professionellen Behandlern zu verwenden. Aus organisatorischen Gründen scheint dies auch für Psychotherapeuten Vorteile mit sich zu bringen; dies darf jedoch nicht unreflektiert dazu führen, die enormen Probleme solcher Plattformen, insbesondere mit Blick auf den Datenschutz, aus den Augen zu verlieren. Trotz rechtlich verpflichtender Einführung der Telematik-Infrastruktur in der ambulanten vertragspsychotherapeutischen/vertragsärztlichen Versorgung existiert bisher keine unproblematische Kommunikationsplattform für Psychotherapeuten und ihre Patienten. Spezielle Messenger-Dienste, die Metadaten ausdrücklich nicht speichern, scheinen neben der klassischen Telefonverbindung oder einem Brief die wenigsten Nachteile zu haben, sie sind jedoch bisher kaum verbreitet. Dieser Artikel möchte Psychotherapeuten für ihre Verantwortung sensibilisieren, und es sollen darin technische Möglichkeiten dargestellt werden, die individuell sorgfältig abgewogen werden müssen, um gegebenenfalls den Datenschutz der digitalen Kommunikation in der Praxis zu verbessern.
Estimating the Potential Impact of CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 Genetic Testing on Protocol-Based Care for Depression in Canada and the United States
Authors: Fan Mikayla , Bousman Chad A.
Published: November 2019

The Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) algorithm is the most recognized protocol-based care approach for moderate to severe depression. However, its implementation results in one-third of individuals receiving modest to no symptom remission. One possible explanation is the inter-individual differences in antidepressant metabolism due to CYP2C19 and CYP2D6genetic variation. Here, we aimed to determine the potential benefit of pairing CYP2C19 and CYP2D6testing with the five-step STAR*D algorithm. To estimate the proportion of individuals that could benefit from CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 testing, we simulated the STAR*D algorithm using ethnicity-specific phenotype (e.g., metabolizer status) frequencies published by the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium and census data from the Canada and the US. We found that up to one-third of the US and Canadian populations being treated for depression could benefit from the addition of CYP2C19and CYP2D6 genetic testing. The potential benefit varied for each step of the algorithm and for each province, territory, and state. CYP2C19 genotyping had the greatest potential impact within the first two steps of the algorithm, while CYP2D6 genotyping had the most notable impact in Steps 3, 4, and 5. Our findings suggest the implementation of CYP2C19and CYP2D6 genetic testing alongside the STAR*D treatment algorithm may improve depression treatment outcomes in Canada and the US.
Spontaneous Resolution of Asymptomatic Pediatric Suprasellar Arachnoid Cysts: Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Peterson Catherine , Lawless Michael , Sood Sandeep
Published: November 2019

Introduction: Sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts are infrequent nonneoplastic cystic lesions that account for approximately 1% of all arachnoid cysts. While various surgical treatment options have been proposed for symptomatic lesions, treatment guidelines regarding the management of asymptomatic sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts remain to be elucidated. This case series aims to provide a better insight into the management and outcomes of such lesions. Case Presentation: We discuss 2 pediatric patients diagnosed with sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts who remained asymptomatic and demonstrated spontaneous gradual resolution of their arachnoid cysts on subsequent imaging studies. Conclusion: Review of the literature identified only a handful of previously reported cases of spontaneously disappearing suprasellar arachnoid cysts. There might be a role for conservative management of sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts in certain patients who remain asymptomatic.
Symptomatic Post-Radiosurgery Intratumoral Hemorrhage in a Case of Vestibular Schwannoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Thombre Bhushan , Sadashiva Nishanth , Krishnan Jeeva Balu , Prabhuraj Andiperumal Raj , Rao Kannepalli Narasingha , Arima Arivazhagan
Published: November 2019

Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is considered an established treatment for vestibular schwannoma (VS) in selected patients. Spontaneous intratumoral hemorrhage in VS after GKRS is very rare. In this report, we present a 63-year-old gentleman who had right-side severe sensorineural hearing loss on MRI showing a right cerebellopontine angle tumor (volume 4.96 cm3) with an internal acoustic meatus extension. He underwent GKRS with the prescription dose of 12 Gy to the 50% isodose line, covering 4.66 cm3 (i.e., 94%) of the tumor. Ten days later, he experienced a symptomatic intra­lesional hemorrhage with a mass effect over the brainstem. When symptoms did not resolve after an initial conservative approach, he underwent surgical decompression of the lesion. Postoperatively, the patient had facial palsy but was free of disabling vertigo and ataxia. At the 6-month follow-up, he was doing well without any other complaints. Although rare, an intralesional bleed can occur after GKRS in VS and should be suspected when new severe symptoms develop immediately after therapy.
Iridocorneal Angle and Anterior Segment Structure of Eyes in Children with Cataract
Authors: Wang Dandan , Li Zhangliang , Zhang Fan , Zhang Yunjie , Zhao Yuyu , Chang Pingjun , Fu Yana , Zhao Yune
Published: November 2019

Objective: To evaluate the morphology of iridocorneal angle and anterior segment in eyes of children with cataract. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, we included eyes of children with bilateral cataract as well as unilateral cataract and fellow eyes. The iridocorneal angle was evaluated using gonioscopy. We compared the preoperative structures of iridocorneal angle and anterior segment between cataractous eyes and fellow eyes. The grading of iridocorneal angle and anatomical changes were analyzed. Results: We finally recruited 55 eyes of 55 children with bilateral cataract and 41 cataractous eyes and 33 fellow eyes of 41 children with unilateral cataract. The fellow eyes were used as a control group. The iridocorneal angle was open in eyes with pediatric cataract when compared to control eyes. The eyes with cataract exhibited more pigments on the trabecular meshwork than control eyes did (unilateral cataract vs. control, p = 0.013; bilateral cataract vs. control, p = 0.002). The eyes with cataract exhibited a smaller cornea than control eyes (unilateral cataract vs. control, p = 0.031; bilateral cataract vs. control, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The iridocorneal angle is open in the eyes of children with cataract. Eyes with increased pigments on the trabecular meshwork need to be carefully monitored and surgeons should to be on the alert for postoperative glaucoma.
Yugoslav Gastarbeiter and the Ambivalence of Socialism: Framing Out-Migration as a Social Critique
Authors: Brunnbauer Ulf
Published: November 2019

Labour migration was a hallmark of the openness of socialist Yugoslavia towards the West. By the early 1970s, more than one million Yugoslav citizens lived abroad, two thirds of them in the Federal Republic of Germany. This article argues that the so-called Gastarbeiter (guestworkers) migration a headache for the communist regime because the Gastarbeiter embodied structural shortcomings of the economy, especially its inability to provide enough jobs. Left-wing student protesters in 1968, critical film-makers and intellectuals claimed that out-migration was a consequence of inequality and alienation in the country. In this article, I focus on representations of the Gastarbeiter in the press in the 1960s and 1970s, arguing that constant reporting reminded readers of unsolved problems of the country. Out-migration and its criticism highlighted the pitfalls of the country’s integration into the capitalist world economy.
Two new species of dwarf rainbowfishes (Atheriniformes: Melanotaeniidae) from northern Australia and southern New Guinea
Authors: HAMMER MICHAEL P. , ALLEN GERALD R. , MARTIN KEITH C. , ADAMS MARK , UNMACK PETER J.
Published: November 2019

The ‘maccullochi species group’ of rainbowfishes are small and distinctly patterned freshwater fishes of streams and swamps, comprising around eight species. The species from which the group bears its name, Melanotaenia maccullochi Ogilby, 1915, has been thought to comprise three forms occurring in distinct geographic areas, and recent mitochondrial genetic data provides matching patterns of likely inter-specific divergence. Here we undertake a detailed investigation of the taxonomic status of M. maccullochi using a combined lines of evidence approach incorporating multiple nuclear genetic markers (55 allozyme loci), mitochondrial DNA sequence data (1141 bp cytochrome b) and morphology (examination of a suite of 38 morphometric and meristic characters). As all three datasets provide support for a three-way split, we accordingly describe two new species and redescribe M. maccullochi sensu stricto. McCulloch’s Rainbowfish M. maccullochi, a species with brown body stripes and red fins occurs in northeast Queensland and is redescribed based on 338 specimens, 13.1–53.0 mm SL. This species was one of the first rainbowfishes to become known in the aquarium hobby. A second form with darker stripes on a contrasting light white-grey body and with distinct sub-marginal black bands in the dorsal and anal fins, distributed across northern and eastern Cape York Peninsula, Torres Strait and southern central New Guinea, is described as Sahul Rainbowfish M. sahulensis sp. nov. based on 267 specimens, 13.4–48.4 mm SL. A diminutive and well geographically isolated form occurring below the escarpment of the Tabletop Range in Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory possessing a more prominent and purplish mid-lateral stripe, is described as the Little Rainbowfish Melanotaenia wilsoni sp. nov. based on 50 specimens, 19.3–33.3 mm SL. A combination of morphological characters is useful for separating the respective taxa with M. wilsoni sp. nov. the most distinctive, typically having fewer vertebrae, lateral scales, cheek scales, procurrent caudal rays and anal rays and proportionally a shorter maxilla and snout than either of the other two species. Useful characters for further separating M. sahulensis sp. nov. from M. maccullochi include slightly higher counts of vertebrae, lateral scales and anal rays and proportionally greater body depth, body width and pre-dorsal distance. Information on the known distribution, habitats and conservation status of the three species is summarised, with the Northern Territory species being a narrow-range endemic with specific environmental requirements.
A Prototype Based on Sensors with Power Factor Correction Rectification for Light Emitting Diode Street Lighting Systems
Authors: Jones J. Stanly , Sutha S.
Published: November 2019

This paper introduced new topology of sensors signal based power factor correction for street lighting systems. This class-E rectifier based on zero-current switching, to increase the bridge diode current and reduced the current harmonics, furthermore the proposed converter reduced
switching losses and its noise are also reduced by this proposed system. And important of the sensor-based this system used LDR sensor and a touch sensor that type of sensors used for street lighting systems. This proposed prototype topology has the minimum requirement of passive components
and power switches, it has high power factor. Finally, Simple prototype hardware tested and verified.
Detection of Toluene Using CdS–TiO2 Thin Film Gas Sensor
Authors: Vishwakarma Ankit Kumar , Yadav Nitish Kumar , Yadava Lallan
Published: November 2019

In recent years, significant interest has been shown in the design and development of sensing devices which can be used to identify toxic, combustible gases and organic vapors. The detection of air pollutants such as hydrocarbons, which often has to face in everyday life, is the necessity
of mankind. In the present study, undoped and the CdS-doped titanium dioxide (CdS–TiO2) thin film has been fabricated on the glass substrate by the thermal evaporation method using High Hind Vacuum coating unit model number 12 A4D. The several samples of different thickness
lie in rang (450 μm to 500 μm) were fabricated. The sensing properties of fabricated CdS-doped TiO2 thin film were examined for toluene gas at room temperature (300 K). The response and recovery time of the sensor were measured varying the concentration of toluene
(0–5000 ppm) in air ambient and it is 22 for undoped TiO2 and 38 for CdS–TiO2 thin film. The response and recovery time of the sensors is the 70 s and 125 s for exposed toluene gas at room temperature. We observed that the fabricated CdS–TiO2
thin film is a suitable detector for detection of toluene gas at room temperature.
Perovskite Structured Nanomaterials: An Advanced Key for Global Development of Nanotechnology
Authors: Kar Banani , Roy Diptarka , Goutam Surya Pratap , Yadav Anil Kumar
Published: November 2019

Starting with a history of the fundamental science, currently, the perovskite structures exemplify the extensive manifestation of crystal chemistry which is associated with the smart synthesis techniques to develop a new type of material. The perovskite structures exhibit the most efficient
single accomplished ceramic host. Perovskite structured nanomaterials had originated from CaTiO3. They are made up by the assembling of distinct materialistic components and follow the general configuration ABX3. Perovskite type metal oxide nanomaterial shows a wide range
of ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and pyroelectric properties along with numerous optoelectrical effects. They get the facility to the various advanced technical applications due to the excellency in their properties. The photocatalytic activity may be one of the plausible and impulsive applications
of that very special type of materials. Most elements in the periodic table are able to take part in designing the perovskite-type materials. Perovskite structured nanoparticles (NPs) are applying rapidly for global development because of their higher responsiveness and degree of function,
large surface area, size-dependent properties etc and unfold the new possibilities in the field of nanotechnology.
Measuring Whiteness: A Systematic Review of Instruments and Call to Action
Authors: Schooley R. C. , Lee Debbiesiu L. , Spanierman Lisa B.
Published: November 2019

The psychological study of Whiteness provides one avenue for researchers to help combat racial injustice in the United States. This article is a call to action for counseling psychologists to engage in much needed scholarship and critical examinations of Whiteness. In this systematic review and content analysis, we provide an overview of 18 quantitative measures focusing on various aspects of Whiteness published between 1967 and 2017. We summarize the constructs and psychometric properties of these measures. Our content analysis indicated that constructs assessed by Whiteness measures have shifted in focus over time across four themes: (a) Attitudes Toward Black People/Integration, (b) Modern Racism, (c) White Racial Identity, and (d) White Privilege and Antiracism. We conclude with suggestions on how advancement, development, and use of Whiteness measures could further our knowledge through research examining present-day racial justice issues. The issues highlighted include police brutality, xenophobia, immigration, White supremacy, activism, and training in the field.
Context Matters: Exploring the Influence of Norms, Values, and Context on a Māori Male Manager
Authors: Vine Bernadette
Published: November 2019

Adopting an Interactional Sociolinguistic approach, this article focuses on one Māori male manager working in an ethnicised Māori workplace and examines the way he adapts his interaction patterns in meetings where he takes on different roles. The role of chair requires being much more active than when simply attending as a member of the team, while the additional responsibility of “acting CEO” adds extra interactional obligations and expectations. Team norms are important, these being constrained by the cultural context, and the analysis demonstrates how the focus participant’s adaptation of his interaction patterns reflects Māori norms and the values underlying these.
Predicting Attrition Among Hospice Volunteers
Authors: Hayslip Bert , Sethi Andrew , Pinson Melissa Ward , Carpenter Casey
Published: November 2019

To explore those factors predicting continued involvement among hospice volunteers, this study collected data from questionnaires distributed among 53 individuals who were hospice volunteers, to include personal demographics and measures of locus of control, burnout, hospice self-efficacy, spirituality, and death anxiety. Participants were then contacted between 6 and 8 months later to assess whether they were still actively volunteering for hospice. Those who remained in hospice reported less burnout when adjusting for previous volunteer experience, age, education, and duration of volunteering and a combination of burnout, spirituality, and hospice self-efficacy accurately predicted group membership (completers vs. dropouts) in 82% of the cases. The implications of these exploratory findings for the retention of hospice volunteers are discussed in the context to carefully screening persons before they enter the hospice volunteer role and providing hospice volunteer training for them.
Analysing the Needs of EFL/ESL Learners in Developing Academic Presentation Competence
Authors: Mak Sabina Ho-yan
Published: November 2019

The literature on how to develop competence in giving academic presentations (AP) (e.g. Zappa-Hollman, 2007) shows that apart from basic communication skills (i.e. the ability to speak accurately, fluently and appropriately), university students are expected to perform specific roles and develop advanced skills for intellectual exchange and the construction of new knowledge (e.g. skill in expressing their personal voice through evaluation). However, these advanced speaking skills are often neglected by English as a Second Language (ESL)/English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in Asian contexts, such as Hong Kong, as generally observed by English for Academic Purposes’ (EAP) instructors (e.g. Bankowski, 2010). Although there has been some discussion on factors that potentially inhibit the development of ESL/EFL learners (e.g. Confucian education values and an exam-dominated culture), more research is needed on the design of EAP courses to cater for learners’ needs. To fill this gap, this article reports the results of a needs analysis of a group of undergraduates (N=81) in Hong Kong. The study was based on a triangulation of data which included sources, and included questionnaires administered to both students and the course instructors of their major subject disciplines to identify the perceived importance of specific AP skills/features and learning needs, semi-structured follow-up interviews, and a diagnosis of students’ AP competence using a research-based assessment rubric. The findings reveal gaps in students’ understanding of their required roles and performance in both EAP and content courses, gaps in expectations between the students and their content course instructors, and gaps in their AP competence (e.g. ability to use linguistic and discourse features to structure interpretations and facilitate the audience’s understanding of the information they present). An EAP instruction course design framework is then proposed to develop ESL/EFL learner competence in AP, based on the teaching and speaking cycle of Goh and Burns (2012).
The effects of the structural parameters of three-dimensional warp interlock woven fabrics with silver-based hybrid yarns on electromagnetic shielding behavior
Authors: Javadi Toghchi Marzieh , Loghin Carmen , Cristian Irina , Campagne Christine , Bruniaux Pascal , Cayla Aurélie , Lucano Nicolae , Chen Yan
Published: November 2019

The main objective of the present study was to investigate the increase in the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) of a set of five variants of three-dimensional (3D) warp interlock woven fabrics containing silver multifilament yarns arranged in a 3D orthogonal grid. The EMSE enlargement as a factor of increasing the quantity of the conductive material per unit area was investigated. The quantity of the conductive material per unit area in a 3D woven fabric can be enlarged by increasing either the yarn undulation or the number of conductive yarn systems, while the yarn density and yarn fineness are fixed. Thus, the binding depth of the conductive warp was gradually increased for the first four variants in order to increase the yarn undulation. Alternatively, the conductive weft system was doubled for the last variant with the aim of increasing the quantity of the conductive component. It should be noted that changing the weave structure requires less effort and energy while keeping the same threading of warps in the reed compared to altering the warp density. The EMSE was measured in an anechoic chamber and the shielding was satisfactory for all the variants in the frequency range of 1–6 GHz (19–44 dB). The results revealed that increasing only 7% of the waviness degree of the conductive warps led to 17% EMSE improvement due to increasing of the conductive yarns through the thickness of the variants. Moreover, no upward EMSE was detected for the last variant, despite the fact that the conductive weft system was doubled.
Influence of silica materials on synthesis of elastomer nanocomposites: A review
Authors: Najam Mohsin , Hussain Murid , Ali Zulfiqar , Maafa Ibrahim M , Akhter Parveen , Majeed Khaliq , Ahmed Ashfaq , Shehzad Nasir
Published: November 2019

At the end of 19th century, the modification of silica has brought revolution in the field of nanocomposites and gained the attention of researchers again by the development of the mesoporous silica class. Silica when used with elastomers provides distinctive characteristics merging the superior properties of inorganic fillers, such as hardness, increased thermal strength, and mechanical stability along with the processability, elasticity, and plasticity of the organic polymers. When carbon black is treated with elastomers instead of silica, it provides greater level of reinforcement because the surface of silica is polar and hydrophilic, but it has greater tendency to adsorb moisture, which affects the ionization of silanol groups. The reason behind switching to silica is adverse effects of carbon black on environment. When silica is added in greater amount, it increases the viscosity of rubbers significantly. The high viscosity causes the processing extra difficult by generating excessive wear and tear over the processing equipment. The increase in viscosity is associated with the strong interaction among the silica particles. It has also been reviewed that the use of silica as filler in elastomers was hindered as far as bifunctional organosilanes were discovered. These are referred to as surface-modifying materials and are initiators for treating silica surfaces to make the filler compatible and friendly to elastomers.
Pointless or Powerful: The Case for Oaths of Office
Authors: Bowman James S. , West Jonathan P.
Published: November 2019

The practice of making oaths comes from ancient times, a tradition common to virtually all peoples and cultures. Recent calls for ethics reform have included questions about how or whether these declarations are honored. In the fraught politics of today’s secularized, pluralistic society, skepticism about oaths may be tempting, but it is insufficient as the topic deserves critical reflection. This study assesses the efficacy of oaths of office by examining them using intellectual, aesthetic, moral, and spiritual transcendental values that define excellence. The analysis offers recommendations to reinforce the significance of this once-venerable bond between the populace and public servants.
Filial Considerations in Mate Selection: Urban and Rural Guangdong in the Post-Mao Era
Authors: Lui Lake
Published: November 2019

This article examines the transformation of filial piety by probing disagreements between parents and children over marriage decisions. Based on field observations and in-depth interviews in Guangdong, this research shows that children’s responses to disagreements vary by gender, generation, and rural or urban background. Collective family economies and intergenerational moral imperatives create a strong patriarchal basis for filial obedience for older respondents and rural non-migrants. Rural migrants’ responses are the most diverse given the option to live separately from their parents, although they feel obligated to please their parents, who are morally and culturally constrained by their rural community. The resurgence of parental power is conflated with strong reciprocal emotional bonding in young urbanites, contributing to painful and prolonged negotiations with parents. Sons are more constrained by parental authority than daughters, given the continued importance of patrilineality. This study therefore illustrates the resilience and the multifaceted transformation of filial piety in China.
Online monitoring of tool chatter in turning based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition and Teager Filter
Authors: Shrivastava Yogesh , Singh Bhagat
Published: November 2019

Online monitoring of acquired vibration signals of the cutting tool can help in predicting the severity of chatter. In the past, researchers have reported that the signals recorded using various types of sensors are usually contaminated with background noise and other disturbances. Processing these contaminated signals results in inappropriate feature extraction. Hence, for predicting the exact nature of chatter it is required to identify: (1) Best suitable sensor for recording the chatter signal, (2) nature of the recorded signals, (3) appropriate technique to filter out the contamination, (4) applying suitable technique to identify chatter frequency and safe cutting zone. In the present work, a theoretical analysis has been done to extract the frequency pertaining to chatter. Moreover, experiments have been performed and a suitable signal pre and post-processing techniques have been adopted to identify the chatter frequency. It has been found that the variation between the theoretical and experimental values is nominal. Furthermore, the safe cutting zone has been identified theoretically as well as experimentally for a given range of input cutting parameters.
Syntactic complexity and verbal working memory in bilingual children with and without Developmental Language Disorder
Authors: Zebib Racha , Tuller Laurice , Hamann Cornelia , Abed Ibrahim Lina , Prévost Philippe
Published: November 2019

Sentence repetition (SR) tasks have been shown to be excellent indicators of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). However, there is still no consensus about which core ability they measure: language vs. Verbal Short-Term Memory (VSTM) and Verbal Working Memory (WM). Moreover, very few studies have investigated whether variables predicting SR performance differ in children with DLD compared to typically developing (TD) children, especially concerning bilingual children. This article reports on an SR study of 76 5- to 8-year-old bilingual children with ( n = 23) and without ( n = 53) DLD. The Bi-DLD group displayed significantly lower scores than the Bi-TD group on SR and on VSTM and WM measures. Regression analyses showed that SR was mainly linked to WM in the Bi-DLD group, but not in the TD group, where SR was mainly linked to (independent) language measures. This suggests that children with DLD, who have deficient linguistic knowledge, may rely more on their general processing ability (i.e. WM) in contrast to Bi-TD children, whose language skills are normal, and thus can be solicited for SR. Moreover, individual results suggested that performance on SR does not depend on minimal VSTM or WM spans.
Spectral analysis and structural response of periodic and quasi-periodic beams
Authors: Timorian S , Petrone G , De Rosa S , Franco F , Ouisse M , Bouhaddi N
Published: November 2019

Periodic structures have found a big interest in engineering applications because they introduce frequency band effects, due to the impedance mismatch generated by periodic discontinuities in the geometry, material, or boundary conditions, which can improve the vibroacoustic performances. However, the presence of defects or irregularity in the structure leads to a partial lost of regular periodicity (called quasi-periodic structure) that can have a noticeable impact on the vibrational and/or acoustic behavior of the elastic structure. The irregularity can be tailored to have impact on dynamical behavior. In the present paper, numerical studies on the vibrational analysis of one-dimensional finite, periodic, and quasi-periodic structures are presented. The contents deal with the finite element models of beams focused on the spectral analysis and the damped forced responses. The quasi-periodicity is defined by invoking the Fibonacci sequence for building the assigned variations (geometry and material) along the span of finite element model. Similarly, the same span is used as a super unit cell with Floquet–Bloch conditions waves for analyzing the infinite periodic systems. Considering both longitudinal and flexural elastic waves, the frequency ranges corresponding to band gaps are investigated. The wave characteristics in quasi-periodic beams, present some elements of novelty and could be considered for designing structural filters and controlling the properties of elastic waves.
Analysing the influence of raster angle, layer thickness and infill rate on the compressive behaviour of EVA through CNC-assisted fused layer modelling process
Authors: Kumar Narendra , Kumar Jain Prashant
Published: November 2019

The current study analyses the compressive behaviour of ethylene vinyl acetate specimens processed through extrusion-based additive manufacturing. The compression specimens have been fabricated using an in-house developed fused layer modelling process. Response surface methodology technique has been adopted to generate the experimental runs by selecting raster angle, layer thickness and infill percentage as input process parameters. Further, analysis of variance has been used to analyze the obtained compression data. The infill percentage is found to be the most significant parameter for compressive strength; however, raster angle has shown an insignificant effect. The empirical relation has been established between the selected input process parameters and compressive strength. The predicated and experimental results have also been compared to validate the derived empirical model. Results showed good conformity.
Task space-based orientability analysis and optimization of a wire-driven continuum robot
Authors: Wang Cong , Geng Shineng , Branson David T , Yang Chenghao , Dai Jian S , Kang Rongjie
Published: November 2019

Compared to traditional rigid robots, continuum robots have intrinsic compliance and therefore behave dexterously when performing tasks in restricted environments. Although there have been many researches on the design and application of continuum robots, a theoretical investigation of their dexterity is still lacking. In this paper, a two-joint wire-driven continuum robot is utilized to demonstrate dexterity by introducing the concept of orientability taking into account two indices, the accessible ratio and angle of the robot, when its tip reaches a certain task space inside the workspace. Based on the kinematic model, the accessible ratio and angle of the continuum robot are calculated using the Monte-Carlo method. From this, the influence of individual joint lengths on the proposed orientability indices and the optimal joint length are then investigated via an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm. Finally, the presented methods were validated through experiments showing that the use of optimal joint length can increase the accessible ratio and reduce the minimum accessible angle by more than 10° in the task space.
Performance comparison of a structured bed reactor with and without a chimney tray on the gas-flow maldistribution: A computational fluid dynamics study
Authors: Troudi Hajer , Ghiss Moncef , Ellejmi Mohamed , Tourki Zoubeir
Published: November 2019

In the present paper, two configurations of structured reactors (with and without) chimney tray placed below the packed bed have been investigated to study their effect on maldistribution factor and pressure drop characteristics. A simulation result based on a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics was involved using ANSYS Fluent. First, maldistribution factors without chimney tray were calculated and compared to the results taken from the literature. The results were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data of Yuan et al. Second, the reactor with a chimney tray was modeled in Fluent, and steady-state simulations were performed. The uniformity due to the turbulence of the fluid was carried out using different turbulence models, and the velocity profiles along the axial direction inside the reactor were obtained. As a result, the comparison shows that the presence of a chimney tray yields lower maldistribution factor enhancement by 23% compared to the conventional structured reactor under the same operating condition. The effect of the plate orientation is also determined, and it is found that the maximum pressure drop is achieved through the rows with an orientation angle of α = 45° up to 2.3% higher than of α = 0° and α = 90°.
Development of a parametric model for the prediction of concrete railway crosstie service bending moments
Authors: Edwards J Riley , Liang Yubing , C Bastos Josué , Dersch Marcus S
Published: November 2019

Concrete crosstie usage in North America continues to increase for rail transit and heavy axle load freight railroad applications. As such, it is important to design optimized crossties to save both capital and maintenance funds. Recently, a method for quantifying concrete crosstie bending moments using concrete surface strain gauges has been developed, deployed, and validated. Data from this method are used in this paper for (1) building a model to quantify sources of variability for field bending moments and the relative influence of each source, (2) generating an accurate model to predict bending moments at the two field locations surveyed, and (3) comparing the relative effects of predictor variables on rail transit and heavy axle load freight rail modes to determine their influence on service bending moments. Results show that it is possible to develop a reliable model to predict bending moments, and that several factors have a strong influence on these predictions, namely vertical load, temperature gradient, and axle location within a railcar truck. The most significant factor is the crosstie support condition, especially with respect to center moments. While the aforementioned model’s primary utility is for the two sites and railroad systems surveyed, the model provides a valuable tool for determining which variables are the most critical for inclusion in the future mechanistic design of concrete crossties.
Herpetiform aphthous genital ulcers misdiagnosed as herpes genitalis in a young male and their effective response to colchicine therapy
Authors: Saxena Snigdha , Tandon Sidharth , Sardana Kabir , Bajaj Sonali
Published: November 2019

Genital ulceration can be a source of tremendous stress to the patient, as well as to the family members, and poses a difficult and sensitive diagnostic conundrum for the clinician. Cultural taboos and social stigmas related with the disease often result in the clinician not believing the patient’s version of history and basing the diagnosis entirely upon the clinical picture, aided by diagnostic tests. The clinicians should keep in mind that sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which can cause genital ulceration are very common, but there is a long list of non-sexually acquired causes of genital ulceration, which can lead to a diagnostic dilemma, and these should be considered before labelling the patient as suffering from a STI. We present a rare case of herpetiform genital aphthous ulcers mimicking herpes genitalis and chancroid, which was misdiagnosed repeatedly, and their effective response to treatment with colchicine on subsequent identification of the correct diagnosis.
Secularism in science: The role of religious affiliation in assessments of scientists’ trustworthiness
Authors: Beauchamp Alexandra L. , Rios Kimberly
Published: November 2019

With controversies surrounding numerous science topics, including vaccinations and climate change, science skepticism in the United States is of growing concern. Some skepticism of science may stem from the perceived association between science and atheism, as well as stereotypes of religious individuals as prosocial. Three studies examine how scientists’ religious affiliation (or lack thereof) influences perceptions of their warmth and trustworthiness among Christian participants. (Study 1 also includes atheist participants for comparison purposes.) Whereas atheist participants evaluate atheist scientists as more trustworthy than scientists from various religious groups (e.g. Christian, Jewish, and Muslim), Christian participants consistently evaluate atheist scientists as less trustworthy and less warm than religious scientists, and not exclusively Christian scientists. These effects are explained, in part, by Christian participants’ perceptions that atheist scientists are less motivated by prosociality compared to religiously affiliated scientists and, as Study 3 demonstrates, have a negative association with trust in scientists in general.
Public engagement by researchers of different disciplines in Singapore: A qualitative comparison of macro- and meso-level concerns
Authors: Ho Shirley S. , Looi Jiemin , Leung Yan Wah , Goh Tong Jee
Published: November 2019

Guided by neo-institutional theory, this study compares how researchers from science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines differ from researchers from the arts, humanities, and social sciences fields in terms of how macro- and meso-level concerns shaped their willingness to conduct public engagement. Focus group discussions conducted among researchers based in Singapore revealed that science, technology, engineering, and math and arts, humanities, and social sciences researchers held different macro-level concerns. Particularly, science, technology, engineering, and math researchers raised more concerns about media misrepresentation, while arts, humanities, and social sciences researchers were more concerned about receiving political repercussions and public backlash. With regard to meso-level considerations, researchers from all disciplines cited similar institutional constraints for public engagement; however they possessed varying public engagement competencies and held differing perceptions of their social duty to engage the public. Hence, researchers of different disciplines desired different kinds of media training. Policy and managerial implications as well as directions for future research were provided.
India–Bhutan Treaties of 1949 and 2007: A Retrospect
Authors: Nga Le Thi Hang , Hiep Tran Xuan , Thuy Dang Thu , Huyen Ha Le
Published: November 2019

This article is an attempt to relook at the treaties of 1949 and 2007 between India and Bhutan and argues that the 2007 Treaty is the outcome of the evolution and maturity of Bhutan as an independent and sovereign state, that it is imperative for India to make constant adjustments in its foreign policy towards Bhutan to secure its influence in the tiny but important country and maintain the strength of India–Bhutan bilateral relations. From the side of Bhutan, it is also important to have an ‘alliance shelter’, and India is best suited to meeting Bhutan’s needs for political, economic, societal and strategic shelter. 1 By using a historical approach, this article shows why it was necessary for the two countries to renew the 1949 Treaty in the first decade of the twenty-first century. The article uses historical methodology, in combination with interdisciplinary methods such as comparative analysis, generalisation, and expert interviews. Major sources for the paper include the texts of the Treaties, speeches by political leaders and published articles and books by international writers, including writers from India, Bhutan and Vietnam.
Older Adults’ Perceived Benefits of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Implications for Social Work
Authors: Lee Kathy , Dabelko-Schoeny Holly , Jedlicka Holly , Burns Teresa
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to explore participants’ perceived benefits of equine-assisted psychotherapy and to understand if older adults with functional or cognitive impairment found meaning and purpose in their interactions with horses. This study employed a mixed methods study design with a concurrent triangulation approach. The findings from our study suggest that those impacted with functional or cognitive impairment can meaningfully engage in EAGALA model of equine-assisted psychotherapy and demonstrate the ability to find purpose from their experience. Their perceived benefits were not limited to their interactions with horses but instead wide-ranging, including positive influences from their peers, the outdoor environment associated with equine-assisted activities, and the increased level of social interactions through reminiscence. Social workers can serve a vital role in the use of equine-assisted psychotherapy among older adults, and equine-assisted psychotherapy may hold less stigma than traditional talk therapy to the older adult population.
High-temperature hot-corrosion effects on the creep–fatigue behavior of a directionally solidified nickel-based superalloy: Mechanism and lifetime prediction
Authors: Li Shaolin , Yang Xiaoguang , Qi Hongyu
Published: November 2019

Creep–fatigue experiments were performed at 850℃ on bare and salt-coated directionally solidified Ni-based superalloy DZ125. Experimental test results showed that the salt-coated sample exhibited lower lifetime than that of the bare sample under all stress conditions. This reduction is found to correlate directly with the higher probability of crack initiation, due to surface micro-structural degradation and higher actual stress as a result of the decrease in effective bearing area. A modified damage accumulation model considering the creep, fatigue, and hot-corrosion interaction effect was proposed to predict the corrosion–creep–fatigue lifetime. In this model, a critical high-temperature hot-corrosion exposure time was proposed and was introduced using the Miller linear damage accumulation model. The predicted lifetimes correspond remarkably well with the experimental results.
Personality (at Intrapsychic and Interpersonal Level) Associated With Quality of Life in Patients With Cancer (Lung and Colon)
Authors: Giulietti Maria Velia , Vespa Anna , Ottaviani Marica , Berardi Rossana , Balercia Giancarlo , Arnaldi Giorgio , Gattafoni Pisana , Fabbietti Paolo , Rosa Mirko Di , Spatuzzi Roberta
Published: November 2019

The objective of this study was to determine the association of quality of life (QoL) and intrapsychic and interpersonal behaviors (Structural Analysis of Social Behavior [SASB]) of patients with cancer (lung: n = 88; age 62.8 ± 10.1; colon: n = 56; age 60.1 ± 11.4). Personality described by SASB clusters (Cls): SASB-Questionnaire; QoL tests: FACT_G and QLQ-C30. Patients with lung cancer (n = 88; age 62.8 ± 10.1) and colon cancer (n = 56; age 60.1 ± 11.4; all stages of severity). Multiple regression analyses. Multiple linear regression: dependent variable: FACT_G; covariates: physical functioning, cognitive functioning, SASB-Cl3-50°, SASB-Cl6-50°. Analysis of variance and t test confirm validity of the model ( P < .001). SASB-Cl3 with FACT_G ( P = .034); SASB-Cl6 with FACT_G ( P = .002); age with FACT_G ( P = .018); physical functioning with FACT_G ( P < .001); cognitive functioning with FACT_G ( P < .001). Personality traits such as self-critical and oppressive behaviors, low capacity for self-esteem, physical and cognitive functioning, and age (a higher age determines a better QoL) strongly determine QoL in patients with lung and colon cancer. This may suggest areas of therapeutic intervention.