bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simple Robust Method for Analyzing Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test Data
Authors: Amanul Hasan Md , Mehedi Hasan Md , Kumar Bairgi Biswajit , Tarefder Rafiqul A.
Published: April 2022

Though the Hamburg wheel tracking test (HWTT) is adopted by AASHTO for characterizing both rutting and stripping performance of an asphalt concrete mixture, the final rut depth or rut depth at certain loading cycle is the most common reporting parameter that is used by most of the state agencies. The probable reason for this situation is the human subjectivity associated with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) procedure. Rutting and stripping are characteristically two different types of damage evolved from two different damage mechanisms. The final rut depths of two different mixtures can result from two different combinations of rutting and stripping damages. Thus, the direct comparison of final rut depth between these two mixtures is impractical. Though there are some mathematical models proposed by researchers to overcome this limitation, this study found that these models have reliability and robustness issues. To this end, this study developed a simple, reliable, and robust method to analyze HWTT data by accurately differentiating the rutting and stripping damage contributions from the cumulative rut-depth plot. A total of 48 different mixtures’ HWTT data were used to evaluate the accuracy of the method. The developed method is found to be more accurate and robust than the existing models.
Psychosocial determinants of intention to seek palliative care among the public in lebanon: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Fneich Batoul I. , Adib Salim M.
Published: April 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the psychosocial determinants of intention to seek palliative care for the client themselves, or intention to enroll a family member in palliative care among the public in Lebanon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was initiated in 2020 on a convenience sample of adults permanently living in the Greater Beirut (GB) area; people with no current or previous experience with palliative care either for themselves or for someone dear to them were included. Verbal consent was obtained before data collection, and participants received a questionnaire to be self-completed, statistical analysis was performed using SPSS statistics version 23.0. Results: A total of 875 participants with a mean age of 42 years were interviewed, of whom 24 participants (2.7%) had had a previous experience with PC, either personally or with someone very close to them. The best-fit multivariate predictive model for intention to use PC included older age, positive attitude, and higher perceived control on one’s health. The multivariate model for intention to recommend use was significantly associated with a positive attitude, higher perceived control, and lower perceived barriers. Conclusions: Promotional activities should be conducted to provide the Lebanese public with accurate, detailed, and direct information about the benefits of PC, involving essentially physicians. Future research should explore the decision-making process in “real-time” situations, and within our specific psychosocial, cultural, and organizational context.
The effect of LDHs nanoparticles on the cellular behavior of stem cell-laden 3D-bioprinted scaffold
Authors: İzbudak Burçin , Bal-Öztürk Ayça
Published: April 2022

Three-dimensional (3D)-bioprinting as an emerging approach for tissue engineering possesses the promise to create highly mimicked organs or tissues by using computer-aided design. For biomedical applications in tissue engineering in our previous work, we developed an optimized nanocomposite bioink based on methylacrylated gelatin (GelMA), methylacrylated chitosan (ChitMA), and double-layered hydroxide (LDHs) nanoparticles by using 3D-bioprinting technology. Herein, we used the previous formulation to fabricate human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs)-laden nanocomposite bioinks. The effect of LDHs nanoparticles on the cellular behaviors of the encapsulated-hBMMSCs in the scaffolds was evaluated for the first time. Live/Dead, PrestoBlue, and DAPI/Actin analysis were carried out to assess the cell viability, proliferation rate, and cellular morphology of encapsulated hBMMSCs within the scaffolds. In addition, osteogenic differentiation studies were performed culturing the scaffolds for up to 21 days. Results show that LDHs nanoparticles in the GelMA/ChitMA scaffold formulation increased the viability of hBMMSCs, did not cause any adverse effect on the proliferation rate, cell morphology of the hBMMSCs, and increased the Runx2 protein expression of the encapsulated-hBMMSCs in the scaffolds. This study progresses the LDHs containing nanocomposite bioink for cell printing applications in tissue engineering.
Compensation Consultant Considerations Related to Equity Incentive Compensation Programs
Authors: Reilly Robert F.
Published: April 2022

Compensation consultants often advise private companies to use equity incentives to attract and/or retain employees. This practice has become common during recent periods of labor shortages and low unemployment rates. This discussion summarizes what compensation consultants need to know about taxation and security valuation issues related to private company equity incentive compensation programs.
A Model of Johannine Ethics
Authors: Bennema Cornelis
Published: April 2022

Johannine ethics was a problematic topic for a long time and has only been an acceptable and fruitful area of research since 2012. To stimulate and guide future research, this article proposes a model of Johannine ethics that consists of five aspects: (1) Graeco-Roman virtue ethics is the broad ethical context for Johannine ethics; (2) family is the theological context for Johannine ethics; (3) mimesis is central to Johannine ethics; (4) moral reasoning is the cognitive route to ethics; (5) Spirit and community empower ethical living. The argument is that the Johannine writings present ethics as divine family education that has mimesis at its centre and is facilitated by moral reasoning and the Spirit as the moral force. An Appendix contains a list of publications on Johannine ethics between 2012 and 2022.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of FSW medium thickness 2219 aluminum alloy
Authors: Lu Xiaohong , Meng Xiangyue , Ma Chong , Sun Shixuan , Liang Steven Y
Published: April 2022

To achieve high-quality friction stir welding (FSW) of the rocket fuel tank, experiments of FSW 18 mm thick 2219 aluminum alloy are carried out, the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints are studied, and the influence law of the tool rotation speed on microstructure, microhardness and tensile strength of the welded joints are explored. The welding speed used in the experiment is 100 mm/min, and the tool rotation speed is 350 r/min, 400 r/min and 450 r/min, respectively. The microstructure of the weldments is analyzed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties are measured by tensile tests and Brinell hardness, and it is found that the mechanical properties of the joint first increased and then decreased with the increase of the tool rotation speed. Due to the uneven temperature distribution along the thickness direction of the weldment, the crystal grains in the nugget zone (NZ) are small equiaxed crystals as a whole, with different local sizes and shapes. The size of the crystal grains seems relatively large in the upper layer and relatively small in the bottom layer. As the tool rotation speed increases, so does the heat generation, and thus, the size and degree of the deformation of the crystal grains increase. The defect appears when the tool rotation speed is 450r/min. As the tool rotation speed increases, the tensile strength and microhardness of the joints increase first and then decrease. The maximum tensile strength of the overall weld is 270 MPa. The microhardness shows a trend of ‘‘U’’ distribution, and the hardness in the NZ is slightly higher than that of thermos-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) and heat-affected zone (HAZ). The fracture location of the joints is the NZ. The fracture mode is ductile fracture. There exist a large number of second phase particles Al2Cu in the dimples.
The effect of phase difference and stiffness ratio on fretting fatigue behavior under variable normal load conditions
Authors: Li Xin , Yang Jianwei , Tian Shuai , Zhang Yuxuan , Liu Leqiang , Yang Guangxue
Published: April 2022

This paper investigated the effect of variable normal load on the fretting fatigue mechanism. A kinetics-based Q- P curve analysis method was proposed to assist testing system design and experiment result analysis. Based on this method, a biaxial fretting fatigue testing system was designed. Experimental and numerical investigation was carried out to discuss the effect of biaxial loading phase difference (the phase difference between bulk load and cyclic normal load) and stiffness ratio (the stiffness ratio between pad fixture and flat specimen) on the fretting fatigue mechanism. Based on the critical plane approach and proposed Q- P curves analysis method, it is found that the fretting status is partial slip regime under small stiffness ratio conditions. The stress/strain which is influenced by phase difference is the main factor of fretting fatigue damage in this condition. Furthermore, the mean stress of the normal load on the critical plane is compressive stress. It directly influences the fatigue damage under partial slip regime. With the increase of stiffness ratio and phase difference (from 0° to 90°), the fretting status changes from partial slip regime to gross slip regime, which means that the influence of wear increases. Wear inhibits the initiation of fatigue cracks, which has a positive influence on fretting fatigue life. As a result, the fretting failure mode gradually changes from fatigue to wear.
Experimental investigation of a two-phase closed thermosyphon with Al2O3/R134a nanorefrigerant
Authors: Anand R.S. , Jawahar C.P. , Brusly Solomon A. , Bellos Evangelos , Ajay Vasanth X.
Published: April 2022

Nanorefrigerants are mixtures of refrigerant and nanoparticles, which enhance the heat transfer in both air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. In the present work, the nanorefrigerant Al2O3/R134a is applied in a two-phase closed thermosyphon in order to investigate its thermal performance. More specifically, the influence of the Al2O3/R134a on the thermal resistance and heat transfer coefficient for various heat inputs in a two-phase closed thermosyphon were investigated experimentally. The two-phase closed thermosyphon was tested by varying the concentration of Al2O3 nanoparticles from 0.5% up to 1.5% by weight basis in the usual refrigerant R134a. The results of the experimental investigations indicate that there is a significant enhancement in heat transfer by 93.2% when the nanoparticle concentration of 1.0% was used in R134a when compared to the thermosyphon tested with pure R134a. The nanorefrigerant in thermosyphon has reduced its thermal resistance significantly by 59%. The heat transfer coefficient obtained for nanorefrigerants in two-phase closed thermosyphon is validated by Cooper correlation. It is inferred from the study that the depositions of nanoparticles in the thermosyphon enhance heat transfer. A new correlation to predict the rate of heat transfer is also proposed for employing the nanorefrigerants in a two-phase closed thermosyphon. The predicted correlation, heat transfer coefficient and thermal resistance are optimized by using Grey Relation analysis by computing the grade between the minimum and maximum values obtained from the experimental results.
Finite element investigation of residual stresses during laser powder deposition process as an innovative technique to repair worn rails
Authors: Mortazavian Ershad , Wang Zhiyong , Teng Hualiang
Published: April 2022

In recent years, a great deal of effort has been made to use laser powder deposition (LPD) as a novel way of repairing damaged metal components. Minimizing the residual stress in the LPD process to prevent premature failure and delamination is very important, so the proper deposition material and technique must be used. This paper studies the use of the LPD process to repair a standard U.S. light rail by building up multiple deposition layers onto the worn railhead. The investigation of the rail repair process was performed through the systematic finite element modeling of the multi-layer LPD process using the element birth-and-kill technique. In this technique, the effects of the type of deposition material and the preheating temperature on the magnitude and distribution of the residual stresses were studied. The candidate deposition steels included 304L stainless steel, 410L stainless steel, Stellite 6, and Stellite 21, each one of which was explored separately. To analyze the effect of preheating, various temperatures, that is, 25°C, 400°C, 600°C, 800°C, and 900°C, were set as the initial temperatures of the railhead. Ultimately, it was shown that preheating has a significant effect in minimizing the residual stresses. It was found that each increase in the preheating temperature resulted in an overall decrease of the residual stresses by 25%–30%. In addition, Stellite 21 was identified as the most promising deposition steel in terms of giving the least risk of failure and delamination.
Unbiased and robust analysis of co-localization in super-resolution images
Authors: Liu Xueyan , Guy Clifford S. , Boada-Romero Emilio , Green Douglas R. , Flanagan Margaret E. , Cheng Cheng , Zhang Hui
Published: April 2022

Spatial data from high-resolution images abound in many scientific disciplines. For example, single-molecule localization microscopy, such as stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, provides super-resolution images to help scientists investigate co-localization of proteins and hence their interactions inside cells, which are key events in living cells. However, there are few accurate methods for analyzing co-localization in super-resolution images. The current methods and software are prone to produce false-positive errors and are restricted to only 2-dimensional images. In this paper, we develop a novel statistical method to effectively address the problems of unbiased and robust quantification and comparison of protein co-localization for multiple 2- and 3-dimensional image datasets. This method significantly improves the analysis of protein co-localization using super-resolution image data, as shown by its excellent performance in simulation studies and an analysis of co-localization of protein light chain 3 and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 in cell autophagy. Moreover, this method is directly applicable to co-localization analyses in other disciplines, such as diagnostic imaging, epidemiology, environmental science, and ecology.
Policing Commercial Sex in 1970s France: Regulating the Racialized Sexual Order
Authors: Franco Rébecca
Published: April 2022

Based on multi-sited archival research, this article examines the racialized regulation of commercial sex in 1970s France, and whether and how this was intertwined with the protection of a racialized, gendered, and class-based sexual order. In doing so, this article contributes to a contextualized and historicized analysis of the construction of race and colour-blindness in French legislation and law enforcement. During and after the Algerian War, colonial anxieties about sexual threats posed by North African male labour migrants in the French metropole played a role in the discussion on commercial sex and motivated politicians, policymakers and journalists to argue for its selective tolerance. The author argues that the indirect legislation on commercial sex granted discretionary power to the police to protect the sexual order through colourblind justifications. This enabled law enforcement to implement and enforce universalist legislation ‘from below’ in a racially particularistic way.
Addressing legal needs of young people in Out-of-Home Care: Practitioners call for radical change
Authors: McMillan Stacey , Lawson Holly , McFarlane Kath
Published: April 2022

Young Australians exiting Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) face some of the most challenging access to justice issues due to experiences of trauma, increased interactions with the justice system, distrust of government services, high rates of socioeconomic disadvantage and a lack of accessible support services. This article outlines the experience of the Mid North Coast Legal Centre (MNCLC) which, through the LevelUP Project, aimed to bridge this access to justice gap with a shake-up of the traditional legal services model. Through this experience, MNCLC offers some suggestions for legal centres seeking to improve access to justice for this disadvantaged group.
Concomitant Ethics: Institutional Review Boards and Technical and Professional Communication's Social Justice Turn
Authors: Phelps Johanna L.
Published: April 2022

This article historicizes the impact of the Common Rule, which mandates the existence of Institutional Review Boards, on technical and professional communication (TPC) research with a focus on the principle of justice. Justice is discussed as a complex principle that must be internally and coherently balanced along several axes in the design, implementation, and promulgation of research in technical communication. The author proposes that with shared language, which in this article begins with one principle—justice—TPC researchers can more plainly articulate their positions in the development and dissemination of scholarship, thereby adding coherence to ethical work in the 21st century.
What if Special Education Could Be Seen as a Site for Justice?
Authors: Milner H. Richard , Fittz Laura , Best Bryant , Cunningham Heather B.
Published: April 2022

Special education researchers have a huge responsibility and opportunity to develop research designs that help practitioners in schools—particularly school teachers, leaders, counselors, social workers, and interventionists—develop research-based policies and practices that address and meet the increasingly complex needs of young people. In this article, we synthesize insights from the articles published in the issue with careful attention placed on understanding implications to bolster and cultivate special education research, theory, policy and practice that may advance justice and equity.
Customer Engagement in International Markets
Authors: Steinhoff Lena , Liu Juanyi (Sunny) , Li Xiaoling , Palmatier Robert W.
Published: April 2022

Relationship marketing managers around the world actively try to stimulate customer engagement because of its performance-enhancing effects. Research insights into how to engage customers, such that they voluntarily contribute their resources to support companies’ marketing efforts, almost exclusively pertain to individual, domestic markets. However, the prerequisites of customer engagement strategies naturally differ across country-specific market environments. Therefore, the authors develop a conceptual, comprehensive battery of cultural, institutional, societal, and economic country-level contingency factors (CISE indicators) as well as between-country psychic distances on those indicators. A set of 11 high-level research propositions aims to enhance marketing researchers’ and managers’ understanding of the contingencies of international customer engagement strategy effectiveness and customer engagement's performance ramifications. The analysis reflects the richness and complexity of potential contingency effects across the four CISE categories and encourages empirical research on their separate and joint effects.
Evaluating the Reliability and Validity of the Famous Faces Doppelgangers Test, a Novel Measure of Familiar Face Recognition
Authors: Pozo Emilia , T. Germine Laura , Scheuer Luke , Strong Roger W.
Published: April 2022

Face recognition assessments that use images of celebrities require not only face recognition ability but also pop-culture knowledge and successful recall of identifying information. Here, we introduce a task designed to measure face recognition more specifically: the Famous Faces Doppelgangers Test (FFDT). Participants ( N = 57,407) identified 40 celebrities paired with lookalike doppelgangers, allowing face recognition ability to be assessed without requiring information recall. In addition, participants reported whether they were familiar with each celebrity, allowing poor face recognition ability to be differentiated from low pop-culture knowledge. FFDT performance was reliable ( rxx = .80), similar across participants of different racial and ethnic groups, and more highly correlated with memory for faces ( r = .50) and self-reported face recognition ability ( r = .48) than processing speed ability ( r = .10). Thus, the FFDT is a reliable, valid, and specific measure of the ability to identify familiar faces, making it a promising new tool for assessing face recognition ability.
Hidden Brain Anatomy in Peter Paul Rubens’s Copy of “The Battle of Anghiari” by Leonardo da Vinci: “The Battle of Anghiari” and Brain Anatomy
Authors: Keshelava Grigol
Published: April 2022

The object of this article is a drawing by Peter Paul Rubens, a copy of “The Battle of Anghiari” by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503–1506. This work, created in 1603, was based on an engraving of 1553 by Lorenzo Zacchia, which was taken from a cartoon by Leonardo da Vinci. The original fresco itself is lost. The analysis of the drawing shows that the Peter Paul Rubens’s copy of “The Battle of Anghiari” by Leonardo da Vinci, which was created six centuries ago, includes double content. The drawing depicting the battle secretly describes the three-dimensional image of the brain.
Perhaps I am Still Waiting for Godot?
Authors: Badley Graham Francis
Published: April 2022

In this narrative, I use notions from Beckett’s Waiting for Godot to help me reflect on concerns about uncertainty, identity, the advantages and disadvantages of waiting, as well as the strange invention of Godot himself (or her-self).
Inactivation kinetics of pathogenic bacteria in persimmon using the combination of thermosonication and formic acid
Authors: Jafarpour Dornoush , Hashemi Seyed Mohammad Bagher , Mousavifard Maryam
Published: April 2022

Four models (Baranyi, modified Gompertz, log-logistic and Weibull models) were applied to examine the performance of thermosonication (TS) and formic acid (FA), individually and in combination, at three temperatures (40, 50, and 60 °C) for the inactivation of pathogens inoculated on persimmon. Results indicated that all nonlinear kinetic models provided a good fit to data; however, the Baranyi showed the best performance in fitting data. The combined treatment of FA and TS had a higher negative impact on the microbial population compared to each treatment alone. The highest lethal impact was observed at 60 °C and in TS-3%FA treatment, which reduced the initial population of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica subsp . enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes (8.1 log CFU/mL) to 2.2, 1.6, and 1.3 log CFU/mL, respectively. Hence, the obtained models can be used to predict the inactivation of pathogens in a food model subjected to the combined treatment of thermosonication and FA.
Choroidal granulomas due to Bartonella henselae infection: A case series
Authors: Gattoussi Sarra , Romdhane Bouchra B. , Seneclauze Arnaud , Rougier MB , Korobelnik JF
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To report a case series of 3 patients with choroidal granulomas due to Bartonella henselae infection in order to raise awareness about this etiology in the differential diagnosis of choroidal granulomas.

Methods, patients

A retrospective case series of patients with choroidal granulomas due to Bartonella henselae infection who consulted between 2018 and 2020. Data were collected from the medical records (demographics, visual acuity (VA), laboratory tests, treatment, imaging).

Results

Patients were a 48-year old man, a 14-year old girl and a 31-year old man. They all had a choroidal granuloma seen on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and angiography. The laboratory work-up revealed a positive serology for Bartonella henselae in all patients.

Conclusion

On multimodal imaging choroidal granulomas in B Henselae appeared as single or multiple, uni or bilateral round yellowish lesions. Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography of the granuloma showed respectively a late staining and a hypofluorescence. On EDI-OCT choroidal granuloma appeared as a round hyporeflective lesion in the choroid with a retinal elevation. The exclusion of other diagnosis, the natural course and the serology must lead the ophthalmologist to evoke the diagnosis.
Large bilateral medial rectus recession versus three-to-four horizontal muscle surgery for large-angle esodeviations
Authors: Torrefranca Aramis B. , Santiago, Alvina Pauline D.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The best surgical approach to correcting large angle esodeviations is still debated. Options for correcting large esodeviations include recessing both medial rectus (BMR) muscles more than 5.5 mm or performing surgery on three or four horizontal rectus muscles. There remains no consensus on which surgery has better survival outcomes. In this research, we are interested in determining the survival rates and long-term outcomes of both surgeries locally in the Philippines.

Results

A total of 74 medical records were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age at onset of deviation was 2  ±  2.9 years old, and the mean age at surgery was 14  ±  12.5 years, with a mean of 12  ±  12.1 years from onset to surgery. The mean follow-up period was 9.9 months (range 6–24) . The mean preoperative deviation at near was 59.3  ±  13.6 PD (range: 35–95) while at distance was 58.5  ±  13.6 PD (range 10–95). The most common type of esotropia (ET) was infantile ET (45%), followed by basic ET. Majority of the esodeviations did not have associated vertical strabismus (67.6%, n  =  50). Overall success rate was 48.1% for BMR recessions and 54.5% for 3–4 muscles surgery. Survival analysis revealed the decreasing trends of survival but plateauing of outcomes after 6 months.

Conclusion

We reported the outcomes for both surgeries. Neither had shown superiority over the other. After a mean follow up of 9.9 months, the overall success was relatively good: 50% were successful, 39.2% overall recurrence and 13.8% overcorrections. Survival plots showed a plateauing of results after 6 months.
On time and meaningful partisanship: Stability, strength, and sway of attachment to new parties
Authors: Pannico Roberto , Anduiza Eva
Published: April 2022

New parties pose a challenge to the claim that time is an essential element in the construction of partisanship. By definition, new parties have not been around for much time, so the opportunities for the construction of meaningful attachments could be considered limited. In this paper, we test this expectation, unpacking the dynamics and implications of the attachment to new parties. Using panel data collected in Spain during a period of profound party system change, we estimate the extent to which partisanship with new parties is stable and strong, works as a heuristic for preference formation, and predicts vote choice. Our data suggest that attachments to new parties can be as meaningful as those that citizens have with old parties. These findings seem particularly relevant in a context where new parties are on the rise.
Capturing the multidimensionality of motivation in physical education: A self-organizing maps approach to profiling students
Authors: Peiró-Velert Carmen , García-Massó Xavier , Pérez-Gimeno Esther , Lizandra Jorge , Valencia-Peris Alexandra , Devís-Devís José
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to capture the multidimensionality of adolescents’ motivation in the physical education (PE) setting, within self-determination theory, by employing self-organizing maps (SOM) analysis. Particularly, it examined the topological relationships among students’ basic psychological needs satisfaction, their perception of more or less self-determined motivation and the affective and behavioural consequences in PE lessons across several sociodemographic variables. A nationally representative sample of 3029 Spanish students (51% girls), aged 12 to 18 years, was surveyed. SOM mapped well-defined students’ profiles that embraced interrelatedly a considerable number of students’ motivational characteristics. Four target profiles, out of 10, were explored. The first two profiles, highly motivated to be active girls and boys, mainly experienced senses of self-determination, but also controlled reasons for participating in PE lessons, high perceived competence, relatedness and autonomy fulfilment, perceived exerted effort and satisfaction. However, the reluctance to be physically active presented two gendered motivational profiles. Barely motivated to be active girls showed the lowest levels of self-determined motivation, including introjected regulation, low perceptions of competence, autonomy, relatedness, and dissatisfaction in PE. Vaguely motivated to be active boys revealed that despite their perceptions of competence the neglect of the other two psychological needs was more likely to determine a controlled motivation and, consequently, maladaptive outcomes. SOM proved to be a more robust and accurate clustering technique than the k-means algorithm and helped to portray and visualize the complexity behind the decision to become an active person considering the motivational processes in PE. Implications are provided for practitioners.
The predicted effect of climate change on indoor overheating of heritage apartments in two different Chinese climate zones
Authors: Lei Muxi , van Hooff Twan , Blocken Bert , Pereira Roders Ana
Published: April 2022

Understanding the effects of climate change on building indoor thermal conditions is of importance for providing a comfortable thermal environment for occupants. Some multi-family dwellings have already been listed as heritage in China (hereinafter referred to as heritage apartments), limiting modifications to the building envelope. However, the effect of climate change on thermal comfort in heritage apartments with a compact interior (i.e. without a living room) built before the 1980s in different Chinese climate zones has seldom been studied. This study focuses on the current and future thermal comfort in two-bedroom heritage apartments in China. The study was conducted for two different Chinese climate zones, that is, a cold climate zone (Beijing), and a hot summer and cold winter climate zone (Shanghai) and both current climate scenarios (typical meteorological years) and future climate scenarios (2050) were used. The results indicate, among other things, increases of 58%–60% and 41%–44% in the predicted average number of overheating hours in 2050 compared to the current climate for the studied bedrooms on the first floor in dwellings in Beijing and Shanghai, respectively.
Evaluation of a clinical decision support tool for matching cancer patients to clinical trials using simulation-based research
Authors: Gardner Clarissa , Halligan Jack , Fontana Gianluca , Fernandez Crespo Roberto , Prime Matthew , Guo Chaohui , Ekinci Okan , Ghafur Saira , Darzi Ara
Published: April 2022

There is a growing need for alternative methodologies to evaluate digital health solutions in a short timeframe and at relatively low cost. Simulation-based research (SBR) methods have been proposed as an alternative methodology for evaluating digital health solutions; however, few studies have described the applicability of SBR methods to evaluate such solutions. This study used SBR to evaluate the feasibility and user experience of a clinical decision support (CDS) tool used for matching cancer patients to clinical trials. Twenty-five clinicians and research staff were recruited to match 10 synthetic patient cases to clinical trials using both the CDS tool and publicly available online trial databases. Participants were significantly more likely to report having sufficient time ( p = 0.020) and to require less mental effort ( p = 0.001) to complete trial matching with the CDS tool. Participants required less time for trial matching using the CDS tool, but the difference was not significant ( p = 0.093). Most participants reported that they had sufficient guidance to participate in the simulations (96%). This study demonstrates the use of SBR methods is a feasible approach to evaluate digital health solutions and to collect valuable user feedback without the need for implementation in clinical practice. Further research is required to demonstrate the feasibility of using SBR to conduct remote evaluations of digital health solutions.
Support motion of a finite bar with an external spring
Authors: Chen Jeng-Tzong , Kao Hao-Chen , Lee Ying-Te , Lee Jia-Wei
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we gave the vibration analysis of a finite bar with an external spring on one side and the support motion on the other side. Two analytical methods, the mode superposition method in conjunction with the quasi-static decomposition method and the method of characteristics using the diamond rule, were employed to solve this problem. Both advantages and disadvantages of two methods were discussed. It is interesting to find that the mode superposition method can capture the silent area in terms of sum of an infinite series while the method of characteristics using the diamond rule can exactly derive the dead zone. Besides, it is found that discontinuities always occur at the location on the characteristic lines. Discussions of direct and inverse problems are also addressed.
The right to shine: Poverty, consumption and (de) politicization in neoliberal Brazil
Authors: Pinheiro-Machado Rosana , Scalco Lucia Mury
Published: April 2022

This article discusses the political impacts on the poor’s subjectivity provoked by neoliberal policies such as inclusion through consumption in 21st century Brazil. From 2009 to 2014, we carried out ethnographic research with new consumers in a low-income neighbourhood – Morro da Cruz – in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. We argue that consumption does not necessarily depoliticize human experience, as it is broadly assumed to have done in the scholarly literature on neoliberalism. In a society in which the poor has obtained goods through hierarchical and servile relationships, the possibility of buying things provides a micro sphere for recognition, though not in terms of classic collective action or even hidden subversion. Coupled with the momentum towards a national ‘economic emergence’, status goods became vehicles of an emergent subjectivity, which we conceptualize as ‘the right to shine’. The right to shine are subtle forms of class and racial self-worth, and individual and interpersonal empowerment that revealed interclass defiance.
A fast 3D-MUSIC method for near-field sound source localization based on the bat algorithm
Authors: Yang C , Sun LL , Guo H , Wang YS , Shao Y
Published: April 2022

To improve the computation and real-time performances of the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm in 3D space, a fast sound source localization method based on the bat algorithm (BA) and the 3D-MUSIC, called BA-based 3D-MUSIC algorithm (3D-BMUSIC), is presented in this paper. 3D-BMUSIC greatly reduces the computation load by replacing the regular grid search with the BA. First, the near-field spherical wave model is established to obtain the spectral function of the 3D-MUSIC. Then, the spectral function is defined as the fitness function, which calculates the fitness value corresponding to each bat position. Finally, the global optimal bat position with the largest fitness value, as sound source localization, is obtained by successive iteration and sorting. The simulation and experiment show that 3D-BMUSIC accurately estimates the DOA and distance of near-field sources, and the root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 3D-BMUSIC is less than that of 3D-MUSIC. In addition, 3D-BMUSIC effectively reduces the computation time by approximately 96–98%. With shorter computation time and higher efficiency, 3D-BMUSIC promotes hardware implementation and is more suitable for high-precision localization of near-field sound sources.
Fabrication of cost-effective double layers composite for efficient sound-absorbing based on sustainable and flame-retardant jute fabrics
Authors: El-Basheer Tarek M , El Ebissy Amal A , Attia Nour F
Published: April 2022

Noise pollution is rapidly increasing, posing a health risk, particularly in the low frequency range. Therefore, the development of cost-effective, environmentally friendly and efficient audible sound absorbing materials is a necessary and crucial process. To this end, smart multilayer sound absorber has been developed based on micro-perforated panels and Jute fabrics as renewable and eco-friendly sound-absorbing material. Different perforation shapes have been fabricated and used for micro-perforated panels and optimized. The sound absorption properties for the new developed sound-absorbing system were evaluated inside a two-microphone impedance tube achieving outstanding results. The developed sound-absorbing system achieved higher sound absorption properties recording more 70% at low frequencies range (<500 Hz), also achieved excellent sound absorption coefficient with broad bandwidth. Furthermore, the flammability properties of the used Jute fabrics were evaluated achieving flame retardancy property of 44 mm/min rate of burning and 20% LOI value. Additionally, the Jute fabrics mechanical and surface morphology properties were investigated. Hence, this study presents a smart, cost-effective, flame retardant and efficient absorption system suitable for noise control for a wide applications range.
Reconceptualizing Multilevel Leader-Follower Shared Outcomes
Authors: Beenen Gerard , Todorova Gergana , Pichler Shaun , Riggio Ronald E.
Published: April 2022

While research on leadership has acknowledged the joint efforts of leaders and followers, advancements in conceptualizing the outcomes of such joint efforts have stagnated. Integrating leadership theory and research with multilevel theories on emergent states, we develop and propose a new framework of shared leader-follower outcomes (SLFOs). We reconceptualize SLFOs as four emergent states (presence, synergy, professionalism and chemistry) that are proximal outcomes in teams. Each SLFO is an early indicator of corresponding key traditional outcomes (absenteeism, productivity, quality and satisfaction) that focus on the leader, followers, or the team as a whole. We also discuss the dynamics of emergence of SLFOs from the dyadic leader-follower level to the team level through composition (i.e. convergent) and compilation (i.e., divergent) processes. Our framework extends leadership theories by accounting for emergent states as shared leader-follower outcomes that temporally unfold over multiple levels of analysis. We develop propositions to guide future empirical research on leader-follower proximal outcomes of presence, synergy, professionalism, and chemistry.
Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Effects on the Electrophysiological Parameters in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Arıkan Mehmet K , İlhan Reyhan , Esmeray Taha , Laçin Çetin Hamide , Aytar Ece Karabağır , Aktas¸ Hazal , Günver Mehmet Güven , Tendler Aron
Published: April 2022

Backgrounds. Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) is a non-invasive treatment cleared by FDA as a safe and efficient intervention for the treatment of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Objectives. In this retrospective single-center study, the effects of dTMS on the electrophysiological parameters and the clinical outcomes of patients with OCD were tested. Methods. Thirty sessions of dTMS were administered to 29 OCD patients (15 female and 14 male). Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) recordings and Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) were measured at baseline and endpoint. Paired sample t-test was used to measure the change in Y-BOCS scores and QEEG activity after dTMS practice. Results. All 29 patients responded to the dTMS intervention by indicating at least 35% reduction in Y-BOCS scores. QEEG recordings revealed a significant decrease in theta, alpha and the beta rhythms. The decrease in the severity of OCD symptoms correlated with the decrease in beta activity at left central region. Conclusions. Historically, excess fast oscillations in OCD are correlated with the unresponsiveness to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment. We hypothesize that the decrease in the power of beta bands by deep TMS is related to the mechanism of the therapeutic response.
Perioperative and long-term complications following therapeutic internal carotid artery occlusion
Authors: Akimoto Taisuke , Ito Yoshiro , Akutagawa Kazuki , Sato Masayuki , Hayakawa Mikito , Marushima Aiki , Takigawa Tomoji , Tsuruta Wataro , Kato Noriyuki , Suzuki Kensuke , Uemura Kazuya , Yamamoto Tetsuya , Matsumaru Yuji
Published: April 2022

Background

Parent artery occlusion (PAO) is an effective treatment for hemorrhagic diseases associated with the internal carotid artery. There are several reports of long-term cerebral infarction or the formation of de novo cerebral aneurysms following PAO.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed these complications in 38 patients who underwent PAO for therapeutic treatment. We investigated perioperative cerebral infarctions, long-term cerebral infarctions, and de novo aneurysms.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 64.0 years, and 25 patients (65.8%) were female. The causative diseases were unruptured (n = 19; 50.0%) and ruptured (n = 8; 21.1%) aneurysms. PAO was performed after ischemic tolerance was assessed with balloon test occlusion (BTO), and BTO was performed in 34 patients, of whom 25 (73.5%) had ischemic tolerance. Twenty-six patients (68.4%) were treated with PAO alone, eight (23.5%) with low-flow bypass, and six (17.6%) with high-flow bypass. Perioperative complications occurred in five patients (13.2%): two of the 26 patients (7.7%) who underwent scheduled treatment and three of the 12 patients (25.0%) who underwent emergency treatment. One patient (2.6%) had long-term de novo aneurysm, and none developed cerebral infarction.

Conclusions

These results showed that the assessment of ischemic tolerance by performing BTO and appropriate revascularization in scheduled treatments are important to reduce perioperative and long-term cerebral infarctions. PAO must be performed with greater caution in emergency treatment.
Comparative analysis of the CNTs nano fluid flow between the two gyrating disks
Authors: Khan Saad A , Khan Imran , Gul Taza , Ullah Imran , Rehman Mujeeb ur , Ullah Asif , Shah Said Anwar
Published: April 2022

Nanofluids play a prominent role in the development of various electronic structures and technological devices. Herein, we devise new and efficient techniques for overcoming the problems faced by the base fluids. This article describes water-based carbon nanotubes, including two major types of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). A mathematical model is considered for unsteady three-dimensional CNTs nanofluids flow with a uniform magnetic field between two revolving disks. The basic equations of the modeled flow problem are solved by the BVPh 2.0 package which is implemented using the Optimal Homotopy Analysis Method (OHAM). It has been observed that by stretching the top disk while keeping the lower disk stationary, the rotation aspect is reduced, whilst radial velocity near the top disk significantly increases. Moreover, The higher the values of unsteadiness parameter, the more accurate the temperature profile.
Kidney transplantation reduces the risk of chronic limb threatening ischemia and amputation among patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis
Authors: Galarza Tapia Andres , Velescu Alina , Collado Nieto Silvia , Cao Baduell Higinio , Ruiz-Carmona Carlos , Mateos Torres Eduardo , Redondo Pachon Maria Dolores , Clara Velasco Albert
Published: April 2022

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the risk of chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) or amputation among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) entering a hemodialysis (HD) program and to evaluate the protective effect associated with kidney transplantation (KT).

Design, Material and Methods

Retrospective cohort of all consecutive ESRD patients entering into a HD program at our institution between 2000 and 2010. Collected variables included baseline characteristics (pre-entry in hemodialysis), time on HD program, KT and the composite outcome of chronic limb threatening ischemia or need for any amputation (CLTI/AMP). Patients with previous symptomatic peripheral arterial disease or amputation were excluded.

Results

The study group included 336 patients (mean age 63 years, 66% male). The mean follow up was 6.7 years with an average time on HD of 4.2 years. Ninety two patients (27.4 %) underwent transplantation. CLTI free survival rates were 90.3 % and 82.6 % at 5 and 10 years, respectively. The episodes of CLT involved 28 revascularization procedures (17 endovascular and 11 open surgeries), 18 minor amputations and 20 major amputations. KT was associated with a protective effect over the development of CLTI (HR: 0.065; CI 95% 0.02–0.21) after adjustment for confounding factors. The long-term survival of non-transplanted patients was 45 % and 15 % at 5 and 10 years, respectively and the long-term survival in transplanted patients was 89% and 80% at 5 and 10 years, respectively; but decreased to 47 % at 1 year and 18.2 % at 5 years once CLTI occurred.

Conclusion

Patients on HD program show a notorious risk of chronic limb threatening ischemia or amputation over time. Once this complication occurs, patient’s survival is markedly reduced. Transplantation confers an independent protective effect over the development of chronic limb threatening ischemia or amputation.
Accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in diagnosing extracranial carotid occlusion: A meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Meihan , Wu Dong , Wang Yanting
Published: April 2022

Aim

This study aimed to assess the accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in detecting extracranial carotid artery occlusion.

Materials and methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in the Cochrane, PubMed, and EMBASE databases. Prospective or retrospective studies that reported sensitivity and specificity of CEUS for the diagnosis of carotid artery occlusion were selected. Eight studies (354 arteries) were included in the meta-analysis. A bivariate random-effect model was used to estimate overall sensitivity and specificity. The results were also summarized by developing a summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve.

Results

The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative likelihood ratios were 0.99 (95% CI: 0.83–1.00), 0.97 (95% CI: 0.90–0.99), 30.0 (95% CI: 9.8–91.4), and 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00–0.21), respectively; the odds ratio for diagnosis was 4,796 (95% CI: 119–192,584).

Conclusion

The diagnostic test accuracy suggests that CEUS is a reliable tool for diagnosis of extracranial carotid artery occlusion.