bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversity in Phenotypic Traits and Mineral Elements of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) Genotypes
Authors: Komolafe Ronke Justina , Ariyo Omolayo Johnson , Alake Christopher Olusanya
Published: March 2021

African indigenous vegetables need to be improved for yield and nutrient enhancement. This can initially be done through germplasm characterization to know the pattern of genetic diversity for germplasm collection, conservation, and plant breeding programme. This research work was carried out to elucidate the diversity present in forty genotypes of okra in Nigeria as regards their qualitative and quantitative traits together with their mineral elements using cluster analysis and principal component analysis so as to help breeders in crop improvement programmes to select appropriate parents to produce new and better varieties. The experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, during the rainy season in 2019. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were employed to study the diversity present in the okra genotypes. There was great diversity among the forty genotypes of okra studied with respect to qualitative traits. There were highly significant differences

P
<
0.01

for all the quantitative characters, which indicated the presence of a great amount of diversity in all the characters studied. Single-linkage cluster analysis shows that, at 100% level of similarity, all the genotypes were distinct from one another. Results of the principal component analysis showed that 76.30% of the total variability among the okra genotypes evaluated in this study was accounted for the first five principal components. This study suggests that there is great diversity among the genotypes studied, which could be used by breeders for okra improvement.
Neural-Network-Based Collaborative Control for Continuous Unknown Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Gao Siyu , Wang Xin
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes an NN-based cooperative control scheme for a type of continuous nonlinear system. The model studied in this paper is designed as an interconnection topology, and the main consideration is the connection mode of the undirected graph. In order to ensure the online sharing of learning knowledge, this paper proposes a novel weight update scheme. In the proposed update scheme, the weights of the neural network are discrete, and these discrete weights can gradually approach the optimal value through cooperative learning, thereby realizing the control of the unknown nonlinear system. Through the trained neural network, it is proved if the interconnection topology is undirected and connected, the state of the unknown nonlinear system can converge to the target trajectory after a finite time, and the error of the system can converge to a small neighbourhood around the origin. It is also guaranteed that all closed-loop signals in the system are bounded. A simulation example is provided to more intuitively prove the effectiveness of the proposed distributed cooperative learning control scheme at the end of the article.
An Overview on Analyzing Deep Learning and Transfer Learning Approaches for Health Monitoring
Authors: Wang Yiting , Nazir Shah , Shafiq Muhammad
Published: March 2021

With the rise and advancement of technology, early detection and involvement in health-associated monitoring through home control are growing with population aging. The expansion of healthy life expectations is progressively significant due to the speedy aging of the world population. The patient requires early and home-based treatment to detect and prevent disease on time and with less effort. Home-based health monitoring has been considered the need of a smart home. The services of health monitoring can facilitate the patient by collecting and analyzing the data of health for tackling diverse complex issues of health at a large scale. Health monitoring is a sustainable progression of clinical trials for ensuring that health is monitored according to the defined protocol and standard operating procedures. Various scenarios can be considered for monitoring health and are performed through experts of the field. Healthcare systems are having large-scale infrastructure of electronic devices, medical information systems, wearable and smart devices, medical records, and handheld devices. The growth in medical infrastructure, combined with the development of computational approaches in healthcare, has empowered practitioners and researchers to devise a novel solution in the innovative spectra. A detailed report of the existing literature in terms of deep learning and transfer learning is the dire need and facilitating of modern healthcare. To overcome these limitations, therefore, the proposed study presents a comprehensive review of the existing approaches, techniques, and methods associated with deep learning and transfer learning for health monitoring. This review will help researchers to formulate new ideas for facilitating healthcare based on the existing evidence.
Research on the Behavior and Mechanism of Three‐Dimensional Crack Growth under Uniaxial Loading
Authors: Zhang Zhibo , Li Shujie , Qin Xuanye
Published: March 2021

Most of the cracks in the rock masses are in a three‐dimensional (3D) state, and it is always a hot topic to reveal the mechanical mechanism of 3D crack growth. In this paper, the research on the growth behavior of 3D crack is performed through laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. Cement samples with different angles of 3D crack are prepared, and the uniaxial compression experiment is carried out. The results indicate that initiation of preexisting crack with an angle of 45° is easier and shear failure characteristics of corresponding samples are obvious. Through theoretical analysis, the preexisting crack starts to grow at the end of the short axis, along the short axis end to the long axis end of the preexisting crack, the shear effect decreases gradually, and the tearing effect increases gradually. Combined with numerical simulation, the experimental and analysis results are verified, and the preexisting crack growth process is presented. The growth direction of the preexisting crack changes from perpendicular to the crack surface to parallel principal stress direction, and the maximum growth length can reach 1.2 times the minor axis radius of the preexisting crack. The research results can provide an important theoretical basis for revealing the evolution process of the cracks in rock masses.
Research on Target Tracking Algorithm Based on Siamese Neural Network
Authors: Pang Haibo , Xuan Qi , Xie Meiqin , Liu Chengming , Li Zhanbo
Published: March 2021

Target tracking is a significant topic in the field of computer vision. In this paper, the target tracking algorithm based on deep Siamese network is studied. Aiming at the situation that the tracking process is not robust, such as drift or miss the target, the tracking accuracy and robustness of the algorithm are improved by improving the feature extraction part and online update part. This paper adds SE-block and temporal attention mechanism (TAM) to the framework of Siamese neural network. SE-block can refine and extract features; different channels are given different weights according to their importance which can improve the discrimination of the network and the recognition ability of the tracker. Temporal attention mechanism can update the target state by adjusting the weights of samples at current frame and historical frame to solve the model drift caused by the existence of similar background. We use cross-entropy loss to distinguish the targets in different sequences so that their distance in the feature domains is longer and the features are easier to identify. We train and test the network on three benchmarks and compare with several state-of-the-art tracking methods. The experimental results demonstrate that the algorithm proposed is superior to other methods in tracking effect diagram and evaluation criteria. The proposed algorithm can solve the occlusion problem effectively while ensuring the real-time performance in the process of tracking.
Document Plagiarism Detection Using a New Concept Similarity in Formal Concept Analysis
Authors: Muangprathub Jirapond , Kajornkasirat Siriwan , Wanichsombat Apirat
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes an algorithm for document plagiarism detection using the provided incremental knowledge construction with formal concept analysis (FCA). The incremental knowledge construction is presented to support document matching between the source document in storage and the suspect document. Thus, a new concept similarity measure is also proposed for retrieving formal concepts in the knowledge construction. The presented concept similarity employs appearance frequencies in the obtained knowledge construction. Our approach can be applied to retrieve relevant information because the obtained structure uses FCA in concept form that is definable by a conjunction of properties. This measure is mathematically proven to be a formal similarity metric. The performance of the proposed similarity measure is demonstrated in document plagiarism detection. Moreover, this paper provides an algorithm to build the information structure for document plagiarism detection. Thai text test collections are used for performance evaluation of the implemented web application.
Debris Extrusion Using Reciproc Blue and XP Endo Shaper Systems in Root Canal Retreatment
Authors: AlOmari Taher , Mustafa Ruba , Al-Fodeh Rami , El-Farraj Hamza , Khaled Waheeb , Jamleh Ahmed
Published: March 2021

This study aimed at assessing the performance of Reciproc Blue (RB) and XP Endo Shaper (XPS), used for canal retreatment on extracted teeth, in terms of debris extrusion and obturating materials removal. Thirty mandibular premolars were prepared to ProTaper X2 file, obturated using warm vertical compaction, and then incubated for 28 days at 100% humidity at 37°C. Teeth were randomly assigned into two groups, according to the system used for retreatment (RB and XPS). During retreatment, debris extruded beyond the apex was collected in preweighed Eppendorf tubes, and the retreatment time was measured. Afterward, the teeth were longitudinally sectioned to assess the remaining obturating materials. Data were statistically analyzed using the Mann–Whitney test and chi-square test at a 95% confidence level. All the samples had extruded debris at varying weights ranging from 0.125 mg to 3.680 mg. XPS extruded less debris than RB, but no difference was detected (Mann–Whitney test;

P
>
0.05

). RB and XPS required 54.9 ± 17.9 and 22.3 ± 9.3 seconds to perform retreatment procedures, respectively (Mann–Whitney test;

P
<
0.05

). The sealer was found in all the samples. Compared to the RB group, fewer samples with remaining gutta-percha were found in the XPS group (Chi-square test;

P
<
0.05

). None of the files fractured during the retreatment procedure. The tested files appear to extrude debris beyond the apex. Although XPS was able to remove the gutta-percha completely from the majority of the canals, it was unable to remove the sealer.
Mutated SPOP E3 Ligase Promotes 17βHSD4 Protein Degradation to Drive Androgenesis and Prostate Cancer Progression
Authors: Shi Lei , Yan Yuqian , He Yundong , Yan Binyuan , Pan Yunqian , Orme Jacob J. , Zhang Jun , Xu Wanhai , Pang Jun , Huang Haojie
Published: March 2021

Molecular mechanisms underlying intratumoral androgenesis and aberrant androgen receptor (AR) activation in prostate cancer remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that ectopic expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor speckle-type poxvirus and zinc finger domain protein (SPOP) stabilizes 17βHSD4. SPOP bound a functional substrate-binding consensus (SBC) motif 315RATST319 in 17βHSD4 and promoted nondegradable K27- and K29-linked polyubiquitination of 17βHSD4. The effect of SPOP was antagonized by serum- and glucocorticoid kinase-3 (SGK3)-mediated phosphorylation of serine 318 (S318) in the SBC and S318 phosphorylation-dependent binding of SKP2 E3 ligase and subsequent K48-linked polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of 17βHSD4. Prostate cancer–associated SPOP mutations impaired the SPOP-17βHSD4 interaction, caused 17βHSD4 protein destruction in prostate cancer cells in culture and patient specimens, and increased testosterone production and prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and in mouse models. Thus, we have identified SPOP and SKP2 as two essential E3 ubiquitin ligases that exert opposite effects on 17βHSD4 protein degradation and intratumoral androgenesis in prostate cancer cells. We further demonstrate that SPOP mutations or SKP2 overexpression contribute to prostate cancer progression by decreasing 17βHSD4 expression and increasing intratumoral androgen synthesis.

Significance:

This study reveals a novel mechanism of aberrant AR activation in SPOP-mutated prostate cancer and uncovers putative biomarkers for effective treatment by AR-targeted therapies.
The Pro-Differentiation Effect of Doxycycline on Human SZ95 Sebocytes
Authors: Zouboulis Christos C. , Ní Raghallaigh Síona , Schmitz Gerd , Powell Frank C.
Published: March 2021

Background: Despite their widespread clinical use in both acne vulgaris and rosacea, the effects of tetracyclines on sebocytes have not been investigated until now. Sebaceous glands are central to the pathogenesis of acne and may be important in the development of rosacea. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of doxycycline on the immortalized SZ95 sebaceous gland cell line as a model for understanding possible effectiveness on the sebaceous glands in vivo. Methods: The effects of doxycycline on SZ95 sebocyte numbers, viability, and lipid content as well as its effects on the mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and γ, in comparison to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonist troglitazone, were investigated. Results: Doxycycline reduced the cell number and increased the lipid content of SZ95 sebocytes in vitro after 2 days of treatment. These doxycycline effects may be explained by an upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ mRNA levels at 12 and 24 h, whereas troglitazone already upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ levels after 6 h. Both compounds did not influence peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α mRNA levels. Conclusion: These new findings illustrate a previously unknown effect of doxycycline on sebocytes, which may be relevant to their modulation of disorders of the pilosebaceous unit, such as acne vulgaris and rosacea.
Mathematical Problem-Solving Ability in Differential Equation
Authors: Suningsih Ari , Nopitasari Dewi
Published: March 2021

This study aims to describe the student's ability to solve math problems in the Differential Equation course in Polya's steps. This research is a descrip-tive study. The research subjects were the 6th-semester students of STKIP MPL for the 2018-2019 academic year. Data analysis used processed and pre-pared data, read the entire data, analyzed the detail, implemented the coding process, described themes, interpreted the data. The study found that the easy variable differential equation problems could be separated, 2 students understood the problem, 5 students initiated the solution, 4 students com-pleted through the plan, 2 students checked again, 2 students completed through the plan, no students checked again.
Automatic Liquid Filling Machine using Flow Sensor and Arduino Pro Mini
Authors: Hidayat Rahmad , Winahyu Handayani Saptaji
Published: March 2021

The Small Industries Enterprise (SME), which is especially involved in the liquid filling industry (such as mineral water, tea, liquid milk, juice, etc.), needs some device that has the ability to measure liquid automatically and accurately into some container. Based on the 'Water Fall' method, this study carries out a procedure for making compact and efficient tools ('requirements definition' stage), using a keypad start button, flow sensor, temperature sensor, fan, buzzer, LCD 1602, relay driver ('system & software design' stage), implement a schematic drawing of the circuit and install all hardware inside the casing ('implementation and unit testing' stage), install accessories, set parameters and volume target ('integration and system testing ' stage) and re-calibrate the device ('operation and maintenance' stage). After the measurement experiment, we got that Fillco (the name of the device) has a bigger error for measurement below 1000 ml (0.6-15%) and better accuracy measurement for targeted volume upper than 1000 ml (0.04-0.20%). Fillco also able to memorize and reset liquid volume.
Pequeno histórico do ‘matriarcado’ como hipótese para a interpretação da pré-história
Authors: Guerra Lolita Guimarães
Published: March 2021

Neste artigo apresentamos um panorama do desenvolvimento da ideia de matriarcado pré-histórico desde sua formulação pelo classicista Johann Bachofen no século XIX até sua transformação, no século XX, por uma nova ênfase na proposição de uma ‘Grande Deusa’ pré-histórica. Refletimos sobre as ideias de História nela envolvidas, em especial quanto ao contraste entre uma Pré-História dinâmica, complexa e ao longo de sua própria temporalidade eivada de conflitos e transformações, como em Bachofen, e formulações em sentido oposto, encontradas em autoras como Jane Harrison, Jacquetta Hawkes e Marija Gimbutas. Além disso, consideramos as críticas acadêmicas e políticas conduzidas contra a hipótese.
Materialidade e identidade: os shabtis das Esposas Divinas de Amon
Authors: Kawaminami André Shinity
Published: March 2021

As sacerdotisas conhecidas como esposas divinas de Amon foram muito importantes durante alguns períodos da história egípcia. Elas possuíram diversos shabtis, estatuetas que as substituíam nos trabalhos agrícolas do pós-morte. Alguns deles, pertencentes a períodos de dominação estrangeira do Egito, possuíam características do arcaísmo – entendido como uma forma de legitimação dos reis estrangeiros. Levando em consideração os conceitos de materialidade e identidade, este artigo analisará quatro shabtis de esposas divinas das 22ª e 25ª dinastias para compreender como eles se desprendem de um simples processo de legitimação e como eles são centrais para a compreensão do status dessas mulheres.
As águas do Rio Grande e a prevenção de riscos: o SIG na análise de cenários prospectivos de uso do solo urbano em Bom Jardim, RJ
Authors: Erthal Ludmila Pacheco , Pereira Denise de Alcantara
Published: March 2021

Este artigo apresenta resultados de pesquisa sobre os riscos da ocupação urbana ao longo da bacia do Rio Grande, em Bom Jardim, RJ. São analisados aspectos relacionados às áreas atingidas por inundações, alagamentos e escorregamento de encostas de modo recorrente e às formas de uso e ocupação do solo em suas margens, em abordagem multiescalar e tipo-morfológica, desde a escala macro – da bacia hidrográfica – até o recorte espacial em foco, adotando como referencial teórico noções de sistemas de espaços livres, unidades morfoterritoriais, morfologia urbana e desenvolvimento sustentável. Metodologicamente, aplicam-se, como diferencial inovativo, ferramentas geocomputacionais para análise e construção de cenários prospectivos sobre o uso e ocupação do solo sob a premissa do ordenamento urbano social e ambientalmente equilibrdo. O estudo busca colaborar com a governança local na elaboração de políticas públicas de ordenamento territorial, fornecendo subsídios à elaboração de Plano de Estruturação Urbana para Bom Jardim.
Transplantation of Apoptosis‐Resistant Endothelial Progenitor Cells Improves Renal Function in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Kundu Nabanita , Nandula Seshagiri R. , Asico Laureano D. , Fakhri Mona , Banerjee Jaideep , Jose Pedro A. , Sen Sabyasachi
Published: March 2021

Background

Diabetic kidney disease is associated with glomerulosclerosis and poor renal perfusion. Increased capillary formation and improved perfusion may help to halt or reverse the injury. Transplanting apoptosis‐resistant p53‐silenced endothelial progenitor cells (p53sh‐EPCs) may help improve vascularization and renal perfusion and could be more beneficial than another stem cell such as the mouse mesenchymal stromal cell (mMSC).

Methods and Results

Hyperglycemia and proteinuria were confirmed at 8 to 10 weeks in streptozotocin‐induced type1 diabetic C57Bl/6 mice, followed by transplantation of 0.3 million p53sh‐EPCs, Null‐EPCs (control), or mMSC under each kidney capsule. Urine was collected weekly for creatinine and protein levels. Blood pressure was measured by direct arterial cannulation and renal perfusion was measured by renal ultrasound. The kidneys were harvested for histology and mRNA expression. Reduction of protein/creatinine (AUC) was observed in p53sh‐EPC‐transplanted mice more than null‐EPC (1.8‐fold,
P
=0.03) or null‐mMSC (1.6‐fold,
P
=0.04, n=4) transplanted mice. Markers for angiogenesis, such as endothelial nitric oxide synthase (1.7‐fold,
P
=0.06), were upregulated post p53sh‐EPC transplantation compared with null EPC. However, vascular endothelial growth factor‐A expression was reduced (7‐fold,
P
=0.0004) in mMSC‐transplanted mice, compared with p53sh‐EPC‐transplanted mice. Isolectin‐B4 staining of kidney section showed improvement of glomerular sclerosis when p53sh‐EPC was transplanted, compared with null‐EPC or mMSC. In addition, mean and peak renal blood velocity (1.3‐fold,
P
=0.01, 1.4‐fold,
P
=0.001, respectively) were increased in p53sh‐EPC‐transplanted mice, relative to null‐EPC transplanted mice.

Conclusions

Apoptosis‐resistant p53sh EPC transplantation could be beneficial in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease by decreasing proteinuria, and improving renal perfusion and glomerular architecture.
The Instability of the Naira and Social Payment Among the Yoruba
Authors: Lawuyi Tunde , Falola Toyin
Published: March 2021

The paper examines the impact of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) on the culture of leisure among the Y oruba. It argues that the program has necessitated price shifts which force individuals and groups to adjust in order to ensure survival or progress. The new adjustments involve the creation of new social clubs, reductions in the scale of ceremonies, and creative reorganization of the system of gift-giving. The involvement of individuals in social outlet serves to sustain the sense of reality and of good conduct. Judged against historical antecedents, the ruptures to society by the introduction of SAP have merely changed the scale of leisure but not the criteria by which the leisure is evaluated.
The Decline of Islamic Fundamentalism
Authors: Ahady Anwar-Ul-Haq
Published: March 2021

Islamic fundamentalism has either declined or stagnated since the mid-1980s. This is evident in the declining electoral strength of many fundamentalist political parties; in the ability of the authoritarian nationalist regimes to suppress the fundamentalist challengers; in the declining popularity of the Islamic regime in Iran; in the continuing rise of modernity in the Islamic world; and, in the attitude surveys of Muslim students. The decline of Islamic fundamentalism is related to three factors: first, fundamentalism offers a peculiar conception of Islam which is not shared by most Muslims; second, fundamentalism's rejection of certain elements of modernity is quite unpopular; and, third, as a socio-political alternative, fundamentalism is both incomplete and incoherent.
Beyond ‘the Stepford Wives Syndrome’
Authors: Burney Saleema Farah
Published: March 2021

Moving away from politicised and institutional agendas, research on Muslims has now begun to document the voices and concerns of individual Muslim women. Based on two years of doctoral fieldwork in and around London, this paper raises methodological dilemmas in the study of Muslim communities. It then presents data showcasing how Muslim women are successfully creating hybrid identities, and navigating new sites and opportunities for mutual exchange with non-Muslims. It argues that their public interactions as religious women living in a liberal secular society provide hope for a plural Britain, built on a convivial and interactive model of integration.
Study of Si–Ge Interdiffusion in Laser Recrystallization of Ge Epitaxial Film on Si Substrate
Authors: Zhang Chao , Song Jianjun , Zhang Jie
Published: March 2021

Direct epitaxial growth of germanium (Ge) film on silicon (Si) substrate (GOSS) holds great potential in micro-electronics and optoelectronics. However, due to the 4.2% lattice mismatch between Si and Ge, it is difficult to directly obtain high quality Ge by epitaxy on Si substrate.
Laser recrystallization technology provides a simple, efficient and low-cost way to improve the crystal quality of epitaxial Ge film grown on Si substrate. This technology is essentially a process of thermally induced phase transformation. By controlling the laser process parameters, epitaxial
film of a certain thickness is melted, so that lattice rearrangement and recrystallization are achieved, and high-quality thin Ge/Si can be prepared. Laser recrystallization is a high temperature thermal process, and Si–Ge interdiffusion may detrimentally occur. In this paper, the mechanism
of Si–Ge interdiffusion is discussed. Based on Fick's law of diffusion, a numerical model for Si–Ge interdiffusion of GOSS is established. On this basis, the process simulation of thermal annealing and laser recrystallization Si–Ge interdiffusion is carried out by Sentaurus
Process simulation. The results show that compared with the traditional thermal annealing, the Si–Ge interdiffusion of Ge on Si almost does not occur in the process of laser recrystallization. By reasonably controlling the process parameters of laser recrystallization, the thin Ge film
near the Si–Ge interface does not melt, which can not only improve the crystal quality of Ge epitaxial layer, but also effectively avoid the Si–Ge interdiffusion in the process of laser recrystallization. Through this research, we have aimed at predicting and control the Si–Ge
interdiffusion, providing an important technical reference for the preparation of high quality GOSS by laser recrystallization technology.
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Verification of Disc Cutter Rings in Die Forging Process
Authors: Hao Luhan , Wang Tao , Fu Kangping , Zhao Zhengyang , Chen Yun , Sun Mingyue , Dong Binbin , Guo Zhanhu
Published: March 2021

In order to study the forming law of the disc cutter ring in the independently researched die, the finite element model (FEM) of disc cutter ring for die forging has been established and the die forging process has been simulated by the plastic forming software. The metal flow field,
temperature field, stress and strain field of the filling process were obtained by simulation. The exerted force of the die was also simulated and analyzed; thus, the die forging process was optimized. Based on the designed process parameters and simulation results, the experimental study
on die forging forming of cutter ring was carried out. The comparison shows that the numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results, which proves that the die forging model of disc cutter ring in this paper is feasible.
Characterizations of Hollow Polyvinylidene Fluoride-Co-Trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)) Nano-Bundles Produced by Template-Assisted Method
Authors: Alhummiany Haya , Supangat Azzuliani
Published: March 2021

The present study describs the fabrication of hollow polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)) nano-bundles by the template-assisted method. The P(VDF-TrFE) solution was spin-coated onto porous templates at four different rotation speeds, e.g., 1000 rpm, 2000 rpm, 3000
rpm, and 4000 rpm. The characteristics of the prepared nanostructures were evaluated to examine their morphological, structural, and hysteresis behaviors. All the P(VDF-TrFE) nanostructures were characterized as bundles rather than individual structures due to their agglomeration properties.
The P(VDF-TrFE) nanostructures, which were synthesized at 4000 rpm, ensured a shorter length in comparison to the others fabricated at lower spin rates. Despite their different diameters and lengths, no clear difference was observed in the crystallinities of these nanostructures.
Microstructure and Properties of 304 Stainless Steel Specimen Manufactured by Cold Metal Transfer + Pulse Composite Arc Additive
Authors: Wang Yanjie , Hou Xuru , Zhao Lin , Peng Yun , Ma Chengyong , Li Hongbo
Published: March 2021

304 stainless steel test block was fabricated by continuous melting wire with CMT and pulse mixed mode, and the path of additive manufacturing is layered slice S-shaped. The relationship between microstructure and properties of the specimen was investigated by microscope, SEM, EBSD,
XRD, tensile, impact and electrochemical experiments. The results show that molding between weld and weld is very good, and the microstructure is mainly Austenite, Ferrite and a little of σ, and there are three kinds of Ferrite morphology: cellular, wormlike and lath. σ phase precipitates
easily in regions with high ferrite content and is distributed at the boundary between austenite and ferrite. The specimen has good low temperature toughness. The microscopic fracture surface is mainly dimple, and the precipitates in the fracture surface are mainly fine carbide particles.
The tensile strength of the additive manufacturing 304 specimen is higher than the forged specimen, and the type of fracture is ductile fracture. The electrochemical analysis of 304 stainless steel specimens and forgings shows that CMT and pulse arc additive manufacturing specimen has excellent
corrosion resistance and its corrosion current is slightly lower than the forging.
Simulations of ENSO Phase-Locking in CMIP5 and CMIP6
Authors: Chen Han-Ching , Jin Fei-Fei
Published: March 2021

The characteristics of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phase-locking in observations and CMIP5 and CMIP6 models are examined in this study. Two metrics based on the peaking month histogram for all El Niño and La Niña events are adopted to delineate the basic features of ENSO phase-locking in terms of the preferred calendar month and strength of this preference. It turns out that most models are poor at simulating the ENSO phase-locking, either showing little peak strength or peaking at the wrong seasons. By deriving ENSO’s linear dynamics based on the conceptual recharge oscillator (RO) framework through the seasonal linear inverse model (sLIM) approach, various simulated phase-locking behaviors of CMIP models are systematically investigated in comparison with observations. In observations, phase-locking is mainly attributed to the seasonal modulation of ENSO’s SST growth rate. In contrast, in a significant portion of CMIP models, phase-locking is codetermined by the seasonal modulations of both SST growth and phase transition rates. Further study of the joint effects of SST growth and phase transition rates suggests that for simulating realistic winter peak ENSO phase-locking with the right dynamics, climate models need to have four key factors in the right combination: 1) correct phase of SST growth rate modulation peaking at the fall, 2) large-enough amplitude for the annual cycle in growth rate, 3) small amplitude of semiannual cycle in growth rate, and 4) small amplitude of seasonal modulation in SST phase transition rate.
The Fine Line: Rural Justice, Public Health and Safety, and the Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Sherman Jennifer , Schwartz Jennifer
Published: March 2021

In this article, we provide an early glimpse into how the issues of public health and safety played out in the rural United States during the coronavirus pandemic, focusing on Washington State. We utilize a combination of news articles and press releases, sheriff’s department Facebook posts, publicly available jail data, courtroom observations, in-depth interviews with those who have been held in rural jails, and interviews with rural law enforcement staff to explore this theme. As elected officials, rural sheriffs are beholden to populations that include many who are suspicious of science, liberal agendas, and anything that might threaten what they see as individual freedom. At the same time, they expect local law enforcement to employ punitive measures to control perceived criminal activity in their communities. These communities are often tightly knit, cohesive, and isolated, with high levels of social support both for community members and local leaders, including sheriffs and law enforcement. This complex social context often puts rural sheriffs and law enforcement officers in difficult positions. Given the multiple cross-pressures that rural justice systems faced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we explore the circumstances in which they attempted to protect and advocate for the health and safety of both their incarcerated and their nonincarcerated populations. We find that certain characteristics of rural communities both help and hinder local law enforcement in efforts to combat the virus, but these characteristics typically favor informal norms of social control to govern community health. Thus, rural sheriff’s departments repeatedly chose strategies that limited their abilities to protect populations from the disease, in favor of appearing tough on crime and supportive of personal liberty.
Foster Care, Permanency, and Risk of Prison Entry
Authors: Font Sarah , Berger Lawrence M. , Slepicka Jessie , Cancian Maria
Published: March 2021

Objective:

(1) Examine associations of foster care exit type (e.g., reunification with birth family, adoption, guardianship/permanent relative placement, or emancipation from care) with risk of entry into state prison; (2) Examine racial disparities in those associations.

Method:

With data on over 10,000 Wisconsin youth who entered foster care in mid- to late-childhood, we present imprisonment rates in young adulthood by race, sex, and foster care exit type. Proportional hazards models with a robust set of covariates compared prison entry rates among the most common exit types—reunification, aging out, and guardianship/permanent relative placement.

Results:

Nearly 13 percent of the sample experienced imprisonment in young adulthood. Compared with emancipated youth, hazard of imprisonment was 1.58–1.96 times higher among reunified youth. Differences were largely unexplained by observed individual, family, or foster care characteristics. Imprisonment rates were similar for emancipated youth and youth exiting to guardianship/permanent relative placement. Hazard of imprisonment for reunified Black youth was twice that of reunified white youth, but racial differences in prison entry were statistically non-significant among emancipated youth.

Conclusion:

Efforts to reduce incarceration risk for all youth in foster care are needed. Reunified youth may benefit from services and supports currently provided primarily to emancipated youth.
Populist Attitudes: Bringing Together Ideational and Communicative Approaches
Authors: Kefford Glenn , Moffitt Benjamin , Werner Annika
Published: March 2021

The study of populist attitudes has thus far drawn heavily on ideational definitions of populism, focussing almost exclusively on attitudes related to dimensions such as people-centredness and anti-elitism. However, these accounts have largely ignored other approaches to populism, especially the discursive-performative school which see populism as something that is communicated and done by political actors. We argue that when studying populist attitudes, these approaches are not mutually exclusive. In this article, we develop a novel measure of attitudes towards populist communication and consider how these interact with populist ideational attitudes. Testing our measures on the Australian case, we demonstrate that attitudes towards populist communication exist independently of populist ideational attitudes, and that they have a significant effect on voting behaviour and on attitudes related to the ideational approach. Therefore, we argue that studies of populist attitudes need to take attitudes towards populist communication into account in future work.
The Manifestation of New Public Service Principles in Small-town Government: A Case Study of Grand Island, New York
Authors: Rivera Jason D. , Uttaro Andrew
Published: March 2021

Although New Public Service (NPS) principles are well known, their practice in local government settings has only been limitedly explored. As a means of better understanding governance practices that adhere to NPS principles in local contexts, this study engaged in a case study of Grand Island, New York. Through the analysis of interviews with elected officials and civic servant department heads, it is observed that public servants practice various public engagement strategies for gauging public sentiment and interests in public policy. However, these same public servants point out the challenges of public hearings and social media to understanding their citizens. Information on public servants’ notions of accountability is observed, which relates to how they view the public’s involvement in policy processes. Recommendations for future research are provided as a means of enhancing our understanding and development of more inclusive governance practices.
Friction-free authenticity: mobile social networks and transactional affordances
Authors: Manzerolle Vincent , Daubs Michael
Published: March 2021

This paper contextualizes and critically examines the incorporation of transactional features into two popular mobile social media apps: Instagram and Snapchat. It examines how mobile social media acts as an interface between culture and commerce. We situate this interface within a larger political economic context in which tech companies are embracing ‘fintech’ to drive growth. We argue that mobile social media platforms play a unique role in monetising personal data and context awareness through their development of ‘transactional affordance’ – a term we develop to understand new features allowing users to connect content to forms of payment. We argue that the success of these affordances is tied to labour associated with the ‘performative authenticity’ of social-media influencers. Our first case study examines the recent development of ‘shopping’ and ‘checkout’ features on Instagram, and the significance of this feature for the economic growth of parent company Facebook. We then look at how the specific development of augmented reality features on Snapchat serve as the basis for new transactional affordances in everyday contexts. We conclude the paper by arguing that the contextual commerce these phenomena entail signals a shift to a transactional culture in which everyday interactions become opportunities for consumption.
Social Disparities in Adopting Non-pharmaceutical Interventions During COVID-19 in Norway
Authors: Mamelund Svenn-Erik , Dimka Jessica , Bakkeli Nan Zou
Published: March 2021

In the absence of vaccines to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 governments had to respond by rely on non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). Socioeconomic inequalities likely influenced the uptake of NPIs. Using Norwegian survey data, we study whether income was associated with increased handwashing, keeping 1 m distance, using facemasks increased use of home office, and less use of public transportation. Except for using facemasks and less public transportation in a non-work context, all analyzed NPIs showed an independent positive association with income. Social disparities in NPI uptake may be important drivers of higher risks of disease outcomes for people of lower socioeconomic status.
Consumer Behavior at Supermarkets during Grocery Shopping in Saudi Arabia: A National Observational Study
Authors: Almutairi Lulu A , Althumiri Nora A , Aljadani Rawabi H , Alkhamis Dalal , Almarshad Abdulrahman , Abanmy Abdulaziz , Alhazmi Maram , Aldhewalia Maryam , Almubark Rasha , Alqahtani Amani S , BinDhim Nasser F
Published: March 2021

Background:

Use of nutrition facts labels can be associated with healthier eating behaviors; however, consumers currently face difficulty understanding these labels or do not use them often. Thus, improving healthy grocery shopping behaviors among consumers might increase the overall health of the community.

Aim:

The study aims to explore consumers’ behavior during grocery shopping and measure their basic knowledge regarding food product labels.

Method:

A national observational study (cross-sectional) was carried out on a convenience sample of Saudi Arabian residents aged 18 years and above. The data were obtained from all 13 administrative regions in Saudi Arabia at three different major supermarkets in each region. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, and binary logistic regression was used to investigate behavior variables.

Results:

A total of 12,675 participants were observed; of those, 52.2% did not interact with the product before putting it in their shopping cart. The study found that the production date (66.6%) and expiry date (51%) were the most frequently checked aspects of food labels; they were checked more frequently than nutrition facts (29%). Furthermore, there was a low level of dietary knowledge among consumers and a moderate level of believing food packages and media claims.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that the Saudi community's understanding of food product information is limited and greater awareness and community education campaigns are required to improve the use of nutritional labels and increase nutritional knowledge.
Pulmonary embolism secondary to deep venous thrombosis: A retrospective and observational study for clinical characteristics and risk stratification
Authors: Chen Xiaoying , Liu Xian , Liu Jinglun , Zhang Dan
Published: March 2021

Objective

To investigate the risk factors, predilection sites in pulmonary embolism (PE) patients caused by deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and explore the value of scoring systems in assessing the risk of PE in DVT patients.

Methods

A total of 692 DVT patients were enrolled, and divided into no pulmonary embolism (NPE, 226, 32.66%), silent pulmonary embolism (SPE, 330, 47.67%) and featuring pulmonary embolism (FPE, 136, 19.65%) groups. For each group, the differences of clinical data and PE locations were compared, and the risk factors of PE secondary to DVT were analyzed. The predictive value of the scoring system for the diagnosis of PE and FPE was evaluated.

Results

PE presented more in the bilateral pulmonary arteries (PAs) (249, 53.43%) and has no significant difference in PESI scores in different locations. Gender, DVT locations, and previous surgery were the independent risk factors of PE. DVT locations, previous history of COPD, and previous surgical interventions were the independent risk factors of FPE. The results for areas under the ROC curves were: AUC(Wells) = 0.675, AUC (Revised Geneva) = 0.601, AUC(D-dimer) = 0.595 in the PE group; AUC(Wells) = 0.722, AUC (Revised Geneva) = 0.643, AUC(D-dimer) = 0.557 in the FPE group.

Conclusions

PE secondary to DVT mostly occurs in the bilateral PAs. Male gender, DVT locations, and previous surgery increased the risk of PE. The Wells scoring system was more advantageous for evaluating the diagnosis of PE in patients with DVT.
Food Skills Education and Low-Income Adults’ Healthy Food Choices
Authors: Pooler Jennifer A. , Srinivasan Mithuna , Wong Karen , Blitstein Jonathan L.
Published: March 2021

Background

The Cooking Matters food skills education program equips low-income families with the skills and knowledge to shop for and cook healthy meals within budget and time constraints.

Aims

To explore whether participation in Cooking Matters is associated with healthier food choices using a 6-item scale, comprised of a variety of food categories.

Methods

Cooking Matters participants (n = 332) and a comparison group (n = 336) completed surveys at baseline, 3-, and 6-month follow-up.

Results

Cooking Matters participants experienced greater improvements in healthy choices overall (p < 0.0001) and for each of the six underlying items at 3 month follow-up. Improvements were sustained at 6-month follow-up overall and for all categories, except low-fat milk (p = 0.1168).

Discussion

Participation in Cooking Matters was associated with improvements in overall healthy food choices across a variety of food groups and maintained at 6-month follow-up. Enabling healthy food choices is an important step toward improved diet quality.
Guidance and/or Decision Coaching with Patient Decision Aids: Scoping Reviews to Inform the International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS)
Authors: Rahn Anne Christin , Jull Janet , Boland Laura , Finderup Jeanette , Loiselle Marie-Chantal , Smith Maureen , Köpke Sascha , Stacey Dawn
Published: March 2021

Introduction

In 2005, the International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS) collaboration identified guidance and decision coaching as important dimensions of patient decision aids (PtDAs) and developed a set of quality criteria. We sought to update definitions, theoretical rationale, and evidence for guidance and/or decision coaching used within or alongside PtDAs for the IPDAS update 2.0.

Methods

We conducted 2 scoping reviews on guidance and decision coaching, including systematic searches and a hand search of the Cochrane Review on PtDAs. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on guidance or decision coaching used with/alongside PtDAs. Data, including conceptual models, were summarized narratively and with meta-analyses when appropriate.

Results

Of 1022 citations, we found no RCTs that evaluated guidance in PtDAs. The 2013 definition for guidance was endorsed, and we made minimal changes to the description of guidance. Of 3039 citations, we identified 21 RCTs on decision coaching informed by 5 conceptual models stating that people exposed to decision coaching are more likely to progress in making informed decisions consistent with their values. Compared to usual care, decision coaching with PtDAs led to improved knowledge mean difference [MD], 19.5/100; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.0–29.0; 5 RCTs). Compared to decision coaching alone, PtDAs led to a small improvement in knowledge (MD, 3.6/100; 95% CI, 1.0–6.3; 3 RCTs). There were variable effects on other outcomes. We simplified the decision coaching definition slightly and defined minimal decision coaching elements.

Conclusion

We found no evidence on which to propose changes in guidance in IPDAS. Decision coaching is continuing to be used alongside PtDAs, but there is inadequate evidence on the added effectiveness compared to PtDAs alone. The decision coaching definition was updated with minimal elements.
Wind power smoothing in partial load region with advanced fuzzy-logic based pitch-angle controller
Authors: Naik Kanasottu Anil , Gupta Chandra Prakash , Fernandez Eugene
Published: March 2021

The wind energy system (WES) has an undesirable characteristic in which its power output varies with wind speed, resulting in fluctuations in the grid frequency and voltage. Especially, in partial load region where the wind speed is below rated, there is a concern in regards to WES output power. This part of the work initially employed exponential moving average (EMA) concept to generate reference power. Later on, an interval type-2 fuzzy logic (advanced fuzzy logic) based pitch-angle controller is implemented and designed for good reference tracking and therefore, it can smoothen out the WES output power more effectively. Real time simulations are also developed to show the applicability of the proposed controller using the OPAL-RT digital simulator. Below rated wind speed pattern has considered for real time simulations and results are obtained with different control techniques. The results show that the proposed interval type-2 fuzzy logic (advanced fuzzy logic) based pitch-angle controller offers better performance in tracking reference power and hence, it offers good smoothing of output power fluctuations than conventional proportional-integral (PI) and traditional fuzzy logic (Type-1) controllers. The performance of the proposed controller is also estimated using power smoothing and energy loss functions in terms of performance indices.