bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laughing with Leviathan: Hobbesian Laughter in Theory and Practice
Authors: Black Zachariah
Published: September 2020

Thomas Hobbes’s infamously severe accounts of the phenomenon of laughter earned the condemnation of such varied readers as Francis Hutcheson and Friedrich Nietzsche, and he has maintained his reputation as an enemy of humor among contemporary scholars. A difficulty is raised by the fact that Hobbes makes ample use of humor in his writings, displaying his willingness to evoke in his readers what he appears to condemn. This article brings together Hobbes’s statements on laughter and comedic writing with examples of his own humorous rhetoric to show that Hobbes understands laughter as a species of insult, but that there are conditions under which humor can be made to serve the cause of peace. Drawing on evidence from across Hobbes’s works, and in particular from an understudied discussion of “Vespasian’s law” in the Six Lessons, this essay theorizes the conditions under which Hobbes found witty contumely to be conducive to peace. On this reading, Hobbes models the discreet use of humorous rhetoric in defense of peace, a defense that will be ongoing even after the commonwealth has been founded. Hobbes offers insight into how we can remain attuned to laughter’s inegalitarian tendencies without foregoing the equalizing potential to be found in laughing at ourselves and at those who think too highly of themselves.
Shape memory effects of EVM-GMA/PVC blends
Authors: Chen Yanlu , Lin Zhengwei , Zhao Haotian , Ji Xingxing , Shi Xinyan
Published: September 2020

In this paper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) masterbatch, prepared using ethylene-vinyl acetate-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (EVM-GMA) as a polymer plasticizer replacing traditional harmful ester, was blended with EVM-GMA in melt and then cured by peroxide in a compression mold to prepare EVM-GMA/PVC blends. The results showed that with the increase of PVC, physical and mechanical properties have improved significantly. Two phases in blends formed a “sea-island” structure and the interface was blurred. Blends riched in EVM-GMA all had excellent dual shape memory properties. After removing applied force, there was only a slight recovery of the instantaneous elastic deformation and blends still retained the original temporary shape (the shape fixation was more than 99%). The shape recovery efficiency of specimen (EVM-GMA/PVC = 90/10) was the highest, which evidenced that entropy elastic effect of molecular chains and elastic restoring force provided by crosslinked structure achieved a balance at this point.
Scaling Gaius and Diotrephes: Socio-economic Stratification in 1 and 3 John
Authors: Carman Jon-Michael
Published: September 2020

The Johannine epistles offer a glimpse into the real-life struggles of early Jesus followers. And yet, for all the insight these letters provide into the goings-on of such communities, what they may say regarding the issue of socio-economic scaling and/or stratification is seldom pursued. Though scholars do occasionally make mention of the presence of wealthy members in the community on the basis of language in 1 Jn 3.17 and the presence of Gaius and Diotrephes in 3 John, little is said beyond the fact that there might be some ‘wealthy’ church members. Thus, in the present study I propose to take what little can be said about the Johannine epistles regarding their socio-economic setting and bring it into conversation with Longenecker’s work on wealth scaling in order to help put as fine a point as possible on what one might ascertain about social stratification in 1–3 John. Furthermore, the claim that Gaius is a wealthy householder, a position generally assumed rather than argued, is bolstered through an analysis of demographic data and the financial costs associated with hospitality.
The Authentication of the Past: Narrative Representations of History in the Gospel of John
Authors: Luther Susanne
Published: September 2020

Narrative historiography in John’s gospel operates with a number of literary strategies, such as historical referentiality and eyewitness testimony, which serve to authenticate the narrative and to inscribe the (hi)story of Jesus into ancient history. At the same time, these authentication strategies are counteracted or ‘ruptured’ (for example, by strategies of ﬁctional literature), which situate John’s narrative of this-worldly history within a symbolic, metahistorical framework; yet these strategies are not to be perceived as detrimental to the reception of the text as a factual text. This article discusses two narrative strategies through which referentiality and authenticity are created as well as counteracted in the Johannine text; it also describes the forms and functions of these literary strategies that support the christological conception of history in John’s gospel.
Factors associated with errors in the heparin dose response test: recommendations to improve individualized heparin management in cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Lee Min-Ho , Riley William
Published: September 2020

Background:

A critical aspect of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is to achieve full anticoagulation to prevent thrombosis and consumptive coagulation without using excessive amount of heparin. This can be achieved with heparin dose response (HDR) test in vitro to calculate an individualized heparin bolus to reach a target activated clotting time (ACT) and heparin concentration. However, we often observe that the measured ACT (mACT) with the calculated heparin bolus gives significant errors, both positive (mACT is higher than expected) and negative (mACT is lower), from expected ACT (eACT).

Methods:

We performed a retrospective study of 250 patients who underwent cardiac surgery to attain an error distribution of the mACT from eACT with calculated heparin bolus. In addition, it is aimed to identify possible patterns of baseline ACT (bACT), calculated heparin concentration (CHC) and HDR slope that are associated with the significant positive and negative errors.

Results:

We found that individualized heparin bolus by HDR test is consistently underestimated while it gave a significant number of positive and negative errors. Further analysis indicates that significant negative errors correlate with high bACT and slope and low CHC while significant positive errors with low bACT and slope and high CHC.

Conclusion:

The mACT can be substantially different from eACT. The accuracy of the HDR test appears to be dependent upon bACT, slope, and CHC. Based on our analysis, we provide several recommendations and a flow chart to improve the quality of individualized heparin management on CPB.
Changes of biventricular function after CABG surgery: does cardioplegia type matter?
Authors: Ordienė Rasa , Unikas Ramūnas , Abramavičiūtė Agnė , Lenkutis Tadas , Širvinskas Edmundas , Jakuška Povilas , Benetis Rimantas , Ereminienė Eglė
Published: September 2020

Aim:

we choose to evaluate, whether type of cardioplegia is an important predictor to determine biventricular function changes after CABG.

Methods:

81 patients who underwent CABG surgery and matched inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. The exclusion criteria were acute MI within 30 days, impaired systolic left ventricle function (LVEF ⩽35%), atrial fibrillation.TTE was performed for all patients and echocardiographic parameters of biventricular geometry and function were assessed before CABG surgery, first postoperative day and 6 months after surgery. Cardioplegia type was randomly chosen. First group consisted of 49 patients (60.5%) when CC was performed and the others 32 patients (39.5%) formed the second - BC group.

Results:

Patients’ demographic characteristics were similar in both groups, except the lower rates of AH and BSA in BC group ( p = 0.015, p = 0.001 respectively). Longer duration of XCT and CBP time was observed in BC group (p = 0.019 and p = 0.028). BC group patients showed more efficient right heart chambers size reduction ( p = 0.001 for RV diameter; p = 0.015 for RA diameter) and better improvement of longitudinal RV function ( p = 0.02 for TAPSE; p = 0.001 for RV S’) 6 months after surgery when compared with CC group patients. RV global systolic function diminished in both groups postoperatively, but the reduction was higher in CC group, although the difference was significant in comparing early postoperative measurements with the late after CABG surgery ( p = 0.03). Changes of LV systolic function as well as diameter of LA did not differ between groups ( p = 0.165 and p = 0.279, respectively), while diastolic function improved significantly in BC group patients at the late follow-up period: E/e’ decreased (p < 0.001) and e’ velocity of interventricular septum augmented significantly ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

BC is associated with better RV reverse remodelling and improvement of longitudinal RV function, as well as LV diastolic function improvement after CABG surgery.
Efficacy of Plasma free Hemoglobin for detecting centrifugal pump thrombosis
Authors: Kuroda Taiyo , Mutsuga Masato , Yamada Masao , Yamakawa Masato , Yuhara Satoshi , Hasegawa Hiroki , Yokote Jun , Yokoyama Yukifusa , Yamada Tetsuya , Koyama Tomio , Usui Akihiko
Published: September 2020

Introduction:

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is widely used as an indicator of pump thrombosis in a centrifugal pump. However, due to the low specificity of LDH, pump thrombosis is difficult to detect in the clinical environment. We measured plasma free hemoglobin (pfHb) with the portable device in ICU. The goal of this investigation is to evaluate its diagnostic ability for pump thrombosis.

Methods:

We enrolled 31 consecutive patients who needed Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) therapy and pfHb was determined with HemoCue® plasma/Low Hb photometer. Pump thrombosis was analyzed macroscopically at the timing of pump explantation or exchange. Also, we divided the pump thrombosis into a grading scale by the place of thrombosis.

Results:

The median of peak pfHb was significantly lower in the none thrombus group (0.03 g/dL) than that of in the thrombus group (0.05g/dL) ( p = 0.01). In our grading criteria, pfHb was significantly higher when the thrombus is existing near the shaft ( p = 0.015). Contrary, no significant difference was found for LDH. The ROC analysis of pfHb revealed an AUC of 0.77 for detecting pump thrombosis with the best statistical cutoff value at 0.05 g/dL (specificity, 78%; sensitivity, 77%). Also, ROC analysis of LDH was performed (AUC, 0.44; cutoff value, 1200 IU/L; specificity, 59%; sensitivity, 54%) and compared with pfHb. AUC was significantly higher in pfHb ( p = 0.04).

Conclusion:

Our results showed the efficacy of pfHb for detecting centrifugal pump thrombosis.
A mobile health application to support self-management in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wang LianHong , Guo YunMei , Wang Meili , Zhao Yan
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To investigate the effects of a mobile health smartphone application to support self-management programmes on quality of life, self-management behaviour and exercise and smoking cessation behaviour in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Design:

A randomised controlled, single-blind trial, was carried out from November 2017 to February 2019, which included 78 participants admitted with COPD to the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University in Guizhou. The study participants were randomised into intervention ( n = 39) and control groups ( n = 39).

Methods:

Participants in the intervention group undertook a mobile medical application-based programme in addition to routine care, and participants in the control group received only routine care. The outcome measures were health-related quality of life evaluated by the COPD Assessment-Test, self-management behaviour using the COPD Self-Management Scale and physical activity and smoking behaviour were measured using a self-designed questionnaire. Data collection was conducted at baseline, third month, sixth month and 12th months.

Results:

Thirty-five participants in the intervention group and 33 in the control group completed the study. Compared to the control group, participants in the intervention group showed statistically significant improvement in the COPD -Assessment -Test scores ( P < 0.01) and in all domains of the COPD Self-Management Scale scores ( P < 0.01) at 12th 12 months. Improvements in the COPD -Assessment -Test scores by 4.3 and 0.3 units, and in the total scores of the COPD Self-Management Scale total score by 23.01 and 2.28 units, respectively, were observed in the intervention and control groups, respectively over the 12-month study period. Meanwhile, the mobile health application programme also improved participants’ exercise and smoking cessation behaviour.

Conclusions:

The mobile health smartphone application to support self-management programmes was effective in improving health-related quality of life and self-management behaviour in patients with COPD.

Trial registration:

This study was registered in Chinese clinicaltrials.gov
Aquatic high intensity interval training to improve aerobic capacity is feasible in adolescents with cerebral palsy: pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Depiazzi Julie , Smith Nadine , Gibson Noula , Wilson Andrew , Langdon Katherine , Hill Kylie
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To investigate feasibility of aquatic high intensity interval training for adolescents with cerebral palsy, who can ambulate independently but may choose a mobility aid in some circumstances.

Design:

Pilot randomised controlled trial.

Method:

Following baseline assessments, participants were randomised to usual care or ten weeks of twice weekly aquatic high intensity interval training. Each class comprised 10 one-minute exercise intervals separated by one-minute rest. High intensity exercise was defined as the attainment of ⩾80% of peak heart rate measured by telemetry.

Setting:

Tertiary paediatric hospital.

Main Measures:

Primary outcomes related to the feasibility of the protocol to progress to a definitive trial. Consumer feedback was obtained.

Results:

Of 119 potential participants, 46 appeared eligible and 17 consented, resulting in a recruitment fraction of 37% (95% CI 23–52). Twelve completed baseline assessments and were randomised (5 males; 14 years 7 months SD 2 years 0 months). In the intervention group, of the 1190 exercise stations (across all participants and sessions), heart rate data were available for 1180 stations and high intensity exercise was achieved during 1111 stations (93%, 95% CI 92–95). All randomised participants completed the study and reported that the intervention was fun and provided friendship opportunities. There were no major adverse events or exacerbation of pain.

Conclusions:

Aquatic high intensity interval training in ambulant adolescents with cerebral palsy is feasible, while maintaining adherence and fidelity. Uncertainty remains on the efficacy of the intervention, highlighting the need for a large definitive trial.
The Development of Internalizing Behaviors in Early Adolescence: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Van Zalk Nejra
Published: September 2020

This special issue highlights a number of important processes that help explain the emergence and continuation of internalizing psychopathology (i.e., problem behaviors characterized by inner distress) during early adolescence. The five articles making up the special issue are introduced, each of which represents exciting new work regarding how, why, and for whom internalizing problems develop and are maintained. The introduction to the special issue further elaborates on transdiagnostic and person-oriented approaches, internalizing interpretations and functional effects of internalizing as relatively underused methodological and theoretical perspectives that might help move the field forward and further our understanding regarding the development of internalizing psychopathology early on in life.
Public Values and Public Participation: A Case of Collaborative Governance of a Planning Process
Authors: Clark Jill K.
Published: September 2020

Research on public participation in community planning processes often focuses on the design of participation activities and the tensions therein. Past research, however, gives little attention to the question of who makes these design decisions, what public values they hold, and how those values affect decisions about design. Addressing this gap, this study empirically illustrates the connection between public value frames, design choices, and public participation in a collaborative policymaking process. The case analyzed is a local public planning process designed collaboratively by public and private organizations. The analysis uses participant observation, documents, and interviews. Results demonstrate how effective collaborative governance of the design process and interorganizational power-sharing forced partners to reveal, recognize, and interrogate their own public values while navigating others’ values. The collaborative governance of the planning process allowed the organizations to capitalize on, rather than suffer from, differences in values frames by changing tensions in planning to opportunities and increasing equity in public participation. Findings suggest that research attention should be aimed not just at which stakeholders are invited to participate (and how), but at who designs the participation agenda in the first place. Furthermore, findings suggest that public values frame reflection and collaborative governance of participation design can be key practices improving planning and policy outputs.
Transacting with Strangers in a Digital World
Authors: Shen Jie (Doreen) , Malter Alan J. , Rindfleisch Aric
Published: September 2020

In a brief but ambitious Journal of Macromarketing commentary, Lusch (2017) offered a set of observations about the “evolution of economic exchange systems.” His first observation states that over the past 40,000 years, humans have routinely engaged in “exchange with strangers.” Our research complements Lusch’s retrospective commentary by taking a prospective look at how the digital revolution alters the degree to which humans transact with strangers. We specifically focus on the recent emergence of the sharing economy by theoretically and empirically examining how closely this new form of economic exchange conforms with Lusch’s observation. We conclude that, despite its promise of bridging divides between friends and strangers, our new digital world is still replete with transactions with strangers, and may be more similar to our old world than commonly recognized. Thus, transacting with strangers appears to be endemic to not just our past but also our future. We discuss the implications of transacting with strangers in a digital world for the future of macromarketing thought.
Prognostic value of pretreatment MRI texture features in breast cancer brain metastasis treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery
Authors: Zheng Yingyan , Geng Daoying , Yu Tonggang , Xia Wei , She Dejun , Liu Li , Yin Bo
Published: September 2020

Background

Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS) was recommended for treating patients with breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM), but predictions of the existing prognostic models for therapeutic responsiveness vary substantially.

Purpose

To investigate the prognostic value of pretreatment clinical, MRI radiologic, and texture features in patients with BCBM undergoing GKS.

Material and Methods

The data of 81 BCBMs in 44 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Progressive disease was defined as an increase of at least 20% in the longest diameter of the target lesion or the presence of new intracranial lesions on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CE-T1W) imaging. Radiomic features were extracted from pretreatment CE-T1W images, T2-weighted (T2W) images, and ADC maps. Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to identify independent predictors associated with BCBM-specific progression-free survival (PFS). A nomogram was constructed and its calibration ability was assessed.

Results

The cumulative BCBM-specific PFS was 52.27% at six months and 11.36% at one year, respectively. Age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.06; P = 0.004) and CE-T1W-based kurtosis (HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.57–0.92; P = 0.008) were the independent predictors. The combination of CE-T1W-based kurtosis and age displayed a higher C-index (C-index 0.70; 95% CI 0.63–0.77) than did CE-T1W-based kurtosis (C-index 0.65; 95% CI 0.57–0.73) or age (C-index 0.63; 95% CI 0.56–0.70) alone. The nomogram based on the combinative model provided a better performance over age ( P < 0.05). The calibration curves elucidated good agreement between prediction and observation for the probability of 7- and 12-month BCBM-specific PFS.

Conclusion

Pretreatment CE-T1W-based kurtosis combined with age could improve prognostic ability in patients with BCBM undergoing GKS.
Fully automated measurements of volumetric breast density adapted for BIRADS 5th edition: a comparison with visual assessment
Authors: Youk Ji Hyun , Gweon Hye Mi , Son Eun Ju , Eun Na Lae , Kim Jeong-Ah
Published: September 2020

Background

Since the 5th edition of BI-RADS was released, prior studies have compared BI-RADS and quantitative fully automated volumetric assessment, but with software packages that were not recalibrated according to the 5th edition.

Purpose

To investigate mammographic density assessment of automated volumetric measurements recalibrated according to the BI-RADS 5th edition compared with visual assessment.

Material and Methods

A total of 4000 full-field digital mammographic examinations were reviewed by three radiologists for the BI-RADS 5th edition density category by consensus after individual assessments. Volumetric density data obtained using Quantra and Volpara software were collected. The comparison of visual and volumetric density assessments was performed in total and according to the presence of cancer.

Results

Among 4000 examinations, 129 were mammograms of breast cancer. Compared to visual assessment, volumetric measurements showed higher category B (40.6% vs. 19.8%) in Quantra, and higher category D (40.4% vs. 14.7%) and lower category A (0.2% vs. 5.0%) in Volpara ( P < 0.0001). All volumetric data showed a difference according to visually assessed categories and were correlated between the two volumetric measurements ( P < 0.0001). The group with cancer showed a lower proportion of fatty breast than that without cancer: 17.8% vs. 46.9% for Quantra ( P < 0.0001) and 9.3% vs. 21.5% for Volpara ( P = 0.003). Both measurements showed significantly higher mean density data in the group with cancer than without cancer ( P < 0.005 for all).

Conclusion

Automated volumetric measurements adapted for the BI-RADS 5th edition showed different but correlated results with visual assessment and each other. Recalibration of volumetric measurement has not completely reflected the visual assessment.
Effect of video-assisted education on informed consent and patient education for peripherally inserted central catheters: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Jia , Huang Xue-fang , Luo Jie-lin , Zhang Jiang-yun , Liang Xiao-lin , Huang Chun-li , Qin Hui-ying
Published: September 2020

Objective

To evaluate the effects of a video-assisted education intervention on informed consent and patient education for peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs).

Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing the effects on informed consent of video-assisted patient education and traditional face-to-face discussion in a catheter outpatient ward of a cancer centre in Guangzhou, China, in 2018. Participants were 140 patients randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to two groups: video-assisted or traditional intervention. General information, patient retention of PICC-related information, working time spent by nurses on the procedure, and patient and nurse satisfaction with the procedure were assessed.

Results

The time used for informed consent was significantly shorter in the experimental group (1.02 ± 0.24 minutes) than in the control group (6.87 ± 1.10 minutes). The time used for PICC-related education was significantly shorter in the experimental group (1.03 ± 0.28 minutes) than in the control group (5.11 ± 0.57 minutes). Nurses’ degree of satisfaction with the procedure was significantly higher in the experimental group (4.10 ± 0.57) than in the control group (2.60 ± 0.70).

Conclusion

The use of video-assisted informed consent and patient education in this cancer centre decreased nurses’ working time and improved nurses’ satisfaction. Clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR1800015664
Interleukin-37 contributes to the pathogenesis of gout by affecting PDZ domain-containing 1 protein through the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway
Authors: Wan Wei , Shi Yeqing , Ji Lianmei , Li Xiaofang , Xu Xia , Zhao Dongbao
Published: September 2020

Objective

Our objective was to explore the molecular pathogenesis of the onset of gout and the mechanism underlying the effect of interleukin (IL)-37 on PDZ domain-containing 1 (PDZK1) protein through the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.

Methods

Real-time PCR and western blotting were used to detect expression of PDZK1 mRNA and protein, respectively, in the HK-2 cell line. The inhibitors pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and wortmannin were added to HK-2 cells stimulated by IL-37, and changes in PDZK1 protein were detected by western blotting.

Results

Based on our previous research, we used 10 µmol/L PDTC. We detected no significant change in PDZK1 at the mRNA level among the IL-37, PDTC+IL-37, and wortmannin+IL-37 groups. With increasing IL-37 concentration, the protein level of PDZK1 increased. After adding wortmannin, the protein level of PDZK1 increased with increasing concentration of IL-37, albeit not significantly, and the level of PDZK1 remained lower than that with IL-37 alone. After adding PDTC, the protein level of PDZK1 showed a trend to decrease with increasing concentrations of IL-37 up to 40 ng/mL. The immunofluorescence results supported the western blot results.

Conclusions

IL-37 can affect protein expression of PDZK1, but not at the translational level, in the pathogenesis of gout.
High expression of the long noncoding RNA SH3PXD2A-AS1 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Luo Qiuli , Wang Shanshan , Han Haibo , Xie Fei , Chen Jinfeng
Published: September 2020

Objective

Our objective was to explore the prognostic role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) SH3PXD2A-AS1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

An SH3PXD2A-AS1 expression dataset was retrieved and analyzed from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and SH3PXD2A-AS1 expression was determined in our cohort of 134 ESCC patients by using quantitative PCR. The clinical significance of SH3PXD2A-AS1 expression was investigated by the Chi square test and its prognostic value was determined by Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis and Cox proportional hazards analysis. RNA interference and in vitro functional experiments, including cell viability, migration, and invasion, were used to investigate effects of SH3PXD2A-AS1 on cell malignant phenotype.

Results

SH3PXD2A-AS1 expression was increased in ESCC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. A high level of SH3PXD2A-AS1 expression was associated with poor tumor differentiation and advanced T, N, and TNM stages, indicating its oncogenic role in ESCC. Moreover, its high expression predicted poor overall survival in patients with ESCC. Inhibition of SH3PXD2A-AS1 expression significantly suppressed cell viability, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells.

Conclusion

High SH3PXD2A-AS1 expression is a poor prognostic factor for patients with ESCC. SH3PXD2A-AS1 might function as an oncogene that can promote malignant biological characteristics of ESCC cells.
Effect of vitamin E on stroke-associated pneumonia
Authors: Shen Hongwei , Zhan Bingyan
Published: September 2020

Objective

To study the role of vitamin E in stroke-associated pneumonia.

Methods

We selected 183 patients with stroke-related pneumonia who were divided into different nutrition groups according to the Mini Nutritional Assessment score. Patients were then administered different doses of vitamin E.

Results

CD55 and CD47 levels in patients taking vitamin E across different nutrition score groups were better than those in patients who did not use vitamin E. The levels of CD55 and CD47 and the duration of hospitalization were better in the high-dose vitamin E group than in the low-dose vitamin E group.

Conclusion

Vitamin E may have an auxiliary therapeutic effect in patients with stroke-associated pneumonia.
Science, technology, security: Towards critical collaboration
Authors: Evans Sam Weiss , Leese Matthias , Rychnovská Dagmar
Published: September 2020

Science and technology play a central role in the contemporary governance of security, both as tools for the production of security and as objects of security concern. Scholars are increasingly seeking to not only critically reflect on the interplays between science, technology and security, but also engage with the practices of security communities that shape and are shaped by science and technology. To further help this growth of interest in security topics within science and technology studies (STS), we explore possible modes of socio-technical collaboration with security communities of practice. Bringing together literatures from STS and critical security studies, we identify several key challenges to critical social engagement of STS scholars in security-related issues. We then demonstrate how these challenges played out over the course of three case studies from our own experience in engaging security communities of practice. We use these vignettes to show that there is a rich vein of developments in both theory and practice that STS scholars can pursue by attending to the interplay of science, technology and security.
Determination of stress–strain curves of materials at high strain rates using dynamic indentation technique
Authors: Pourolajal Samaneh , Majzoobi Gholam Hossein
Published: September 2020

Determination of dynamic behaviour of materials is a serious challenge in mechanics of materials. In this investigation, a new approach is proposed to obtain stress–strain curves of metals from dynamic indentation test. This approach is based on a combined experiment, simulation, and optimization techniques. In the experiment side, a conical penetrator is shot against the material as the target. The load–indentation depth curve is obtained from the dynamic indentation test. The indentation test is simulated using Ls-dyna and the numerical load–indentation depth is obtained from the simulation. The stress–strain curves are defined by Johnson–Cook material model. From optimization of the difference between the experimental and numerical load–indentation depth curves, the constants of the material model are identified. The material model is validated also by stress–strain curves obtained from quasi-static test conducted using Instron and dynamic tests conducted using Split Hopkinson Bar. The results show a close agreement between the model prediction and the experimental stress–strain curves for different strain rates.
Channels used to deliver agricultural information and knowledge to smallholder farmers
Authors: Ndimbwa Tumpe , Mwantimwa Kelefa , Ndumbaro Faraja
Published: September 2020

This study examined the effectiveness of the channels used to deliver agricultural information and knowledge to smallholder farmers in Tanzania. A descriptive cross-sectional design alongside quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed to collect data from 341 respondents. While the data collected through the questionnaire was analysed by using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 21, the data collected through the interview was analysed by using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that delivery of and access to timely and relevant agricultural information and knowledge, appropriately packaged, is one of the critical problems undermining smallholder farmers’ efforts to increase their production. As a result, most smallholder farmers mainly depend on informal channels. Besides informal channels, farmer groups and demonstration plots are becoming popular channels to deliver and access agricultural information and knowledge. To make a difference in agricultural production, deliberate efforts should be made to enhance the delivery of agricultural information and knowledge.
Multi-Objective Trajectory Optimization for Freight Trains Based on Quadratic Programming
Authors: Bai Baoxue , Xiao Zhuang , Wang Qingyuan , Sun Pengfei , Feng Xiaoyun
Published: September 2020

The overspeed protection, smooth driving, punctuality, and energy efficiency of freight trains largely depend on their trajectory optimization. This paper proposes a multi-objective optimization model, which maximizes the weighted sum of energy efficiency, punctuality, and driving smoothness. Model constraints systematically cover many practical conditions, including varying line resistance, overspeed protection, discrete neutral zones, and nonlinear traction and electric braking characteristics. Electric braking and pneumatic braking are distinguished in the freight train model, and the utilization of feedback braking energy is also considered. By nonlinear approximation, the proposed multi-objective optimization model is solved by the quadratic programming (QP) algorithm, and optimized trajectories are obtained. Numerical simulation demonstrates the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed method. Comparisons with two actual trials show that the energy efficiency and driving smoothness of the proposed method are better than that of the drivers’ operation with the same journey time. In addition, the algorithm has a short computation time, which has the potential to be integrated for on-board devices such as the driver advisory system (DAS).
Internal and External Costs of Motor Vehicle Pollution
Authors: Cui Mengying , Levinson David
Published: September 2020

On-road emissions, a dominant source of urban air pollution, damage human health. Emissions increase air pollution intake (and damage health) of travelers (internal costs), and of non-travelers (external costs). This research constructs a framework modeling the microscopic production of emission cost from the vehicle and link level and applies it to a metropolitan road network. It uses project-level Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) simulations to model link-specific on-road emissions, and then employs the RLINE dispersion model to estimate on- and off-road concentrations of pollutants from vehicles. The internal and external emission costs are measured accordingly by counting the health damage costs of travelers and general population because of exposure. The framework is applied to the Minneapolis-St. Paul (Twin Cities) Metropolitan Area as a proof-of-concept. The estimates show that highways have higher emission concentrations because of higher traffic flow, but that the internal and external emission costs per vehicle kilometer traveled are lower. The emission costs that commuters impose on others greatly exceeds that which they bear. This modeling process is replicable for planners and practitioners assessing emission costs in other regions.
Assessing the Efficiency of Household Residential Location Choices
Authors: Morency Catherine , Verreault Hubert
Published: September 2020

As part of strategic plans, we often see car dependency reduction vision along with strategies to reduce car use and vehicle-kilometers traveled while promoting alternatives such as transit and active modes. It is less common to see strategies to generate more structural changes, even if such change can have much more important and sustainable impacts. Whereas it is well known that home location is one of the key drivers of travel behaviors, it is much less frequent to have planners put forward strategies to encourage people to move and choose their locations more wisely with respect to their needs. This research aims to assess the potential collective gain of an optimal allocation of households to available dwellings. It aims to estimate how inefficient the current distribution is of households among the dwellings with respect to where all household members need to travel. Results show that the household relocations reduce the distances for work and study by 37.9%. This reduction saves an average of 13.8 km per household per day or 4.9 km per work or study trip. If the mode choice remains constant despite the new trip conditions following the household relocations, the total mileage for work and study trips would decrease by 42.8% for car drivers, by 35.2% for car passenger, by 13.3% for school bus, and 34.2% for public transport. As a result of the household relocations, walking and cycling latent trips increased, respectively, from 2.6% to 15.5% and 26.1% to 39.9% of motorized trips.
Performance of Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Pavement in Reduction of Motor Vehicles’ Exhaust Gas
Authors: Jiang Zhuoying , Yu Xiong (Bill)
Published: September 2020

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a widely used photocatalyst that can oxidize motor vehicle exhaust, for example, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons, and sulfur dioxide, under the irradiation of sunlight. It has been reported that nano-scale TiO2 particles can be effectively used to modify the concrete-asphalt pavement, and make it as a photocatalytic pavement. However, the pure TiO2 additive limits its absorption spectrum to the ultraviolet region, which only occupies a small portion of sunlight irradiance. To increase the utilization of the full spectrum of sunlight, it has been demonstrated that doping TiO2 with substances such as Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), or metal can reduce the band-gap and extend the threshold of the absorption spectrum to the visible light region. Therefore, doped-TiO2 has a better photocatalytic performance under sunlight irradiation. This paper conducted computational simulation of the kinetics of photocatalytic pavement to quantify the efficiency of doped-TiO2 embedded pavement in reducing exhaust gas from motor vehicles. A three-dimensional model is developed on a section of local road with doped-TiO2 embedded pavement. The effects of doped-TiO2 concentration, daylight conditions, and traffic flow conditions on the removal of NOx and CO were studied. The results indicate that the pavement with doped-TiO2 coating is effective to remove CO and NOx under different traffic density and daylight intensity conditions. Compared with UV activated TiO2, visible-light-activated doped-TiO2 features significantly higher removal efficiency of poisonous exhaustive gas including NOx and CO.
Anchor-Based Femoral Fixation for Physeal-Sparing Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction: A Time-Zero Biomechanical Comparison With Tenodesis Screw Fixation
Authors: Johnston Tyler Robert , Liles Jordan , Riboh Jonathan
Published: September 2020

Background:

Open physes and trochlear/notch geometries in pediatric patients limit the safe corridor for femoral interference screw graft fixation during medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. Accordingly, interest is increasing in anchor-based fixation, but biomechanical validation is deficient.

Purpose:

To compare anchor-based and tenodesis screw femoral fixation of MPFL grafts in a time-zero biomechanical model.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Twenty-seven fresh-frozen porcine distal femurs were potted for testing in an electromechanical load frame, while bovine tendons were used for MPFL grafts. Reconstructions were performed with 1 of 3 femoral fixation strategies: 4.5-mm biocomposite double-loaded threaded anchor (DLA group), 3.9-mm biocomposite knotless threaded anchor (KA group), or traditional 7 × 23–mm biocomposite tenodesis screw (TS group). For testing, femoral specimens were oriented and secured in the mechanical testing apparatus such that actuator tensile pull re-created the normal MPFL trajectory. Specimens underwent 10 cycles of 5- to 15-N loading at 1-Hz preconditioning, followed by 1000 cycles of 10- to 50 N-loading at 1 Hz. After cyclic loading, all specimens were loaded to failure at 305 mm/min. The average cyclic construct stiffness, displacement, and load-to-failure data between the 3 groups were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the significance level set at P < .05.

Results:

Average cyclic construct stiffnesses were comparable across groups per repeated-measures ANOVA analysis: 68.3 ± 6.3, 71.4 ± 6.4, and 74.3 ± 7.9 N/mm for TS, DLA, and KA groups, respectively (at cycle 1000). Average construct displacements at cycles 100 and 1000 were significantly less in the anchor versus tenodesis screw groups per ANOVA and Tukey post hoc analysis: 7.7 ± 4.2 mm for the TS group versus 3.7 ± 0.4 and 4.3 ± 0.6 mm for the DLA and KA groups, respectively (at cycle 1000). There was no significant difference in ultimate failure loads between the anchor and tenodesis screw groups, but 3 of 9 TS constructs failed at loads below the average failure load of the native MPFL.

Conclusion:

Compared with the tenodesis group, anchor-based fixation produced constructs with equivalent cyclic stiffnesses, improved load-displacement characteristics, and had less failure load variability in the porcine cadaveric model.

Clinical Relevance:

Femoral fixation of the MPFL graft with a single anchor (4.5 or 3.9 mm threaded) is a viable alternative to traditional tenodesis screw fixation.
Predicting post-LVAD outcome: Is there a role for cognition?
Authors: Pavol Marykay A , Boehme Amelia K , Willey Joshua Z , Festa Joanne R , Lazar Ronald M , Nakagawa Shunichi , Casida Jesus , Yuzefpolskaya Melana , Colombo Paolo C
Published: September 2020

Background:

Cognition has been found to influence risk of stroke and death for a variety of patient groups but this association has not been examined in heart failure (HF) patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant. We aimed to study the relationship between cognition, stroke, and death in a cohort of patients who received LVAD therapy. It was hypothesized that cognitive test results obtained prior to LVAD placement would predict stroke and death after surgery.

Methods:

We retrospectively identified 59 HF patients who had cognitive assessment prior to LVAD placement. Cognitive assessment included measures of attention, memory, language, and visualmotor speed and were averaged to produce one z-score variable per patient. Survival analyses, censored for transplant, evaluated predictors for stroke and death within a follow-up period of 900 days.

Results:

For patients with stroke or death during the follow up period, the average cognitive z-score predicted post-LVAD stroke (HR = 0.513, 95% CI = 0.31–0.86, p = 0.012) and death (HR = 0.166, 95% CI = 0.06–0.47, p = 0.001). Cognitive performances were worse in the patients who suffered stroke or died. No other variable predicted stroke and death within the follow up period when the cognitive variable was in the model.

Conclusion:

Cognitive performance was predictive of post-LVAD risk of stroke and death. Results are consistent with findings from other studies in non-LVAD samples and may reflect early signs of neurologic vulnerability. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between cognition and LVAD outcomes in order to optimize patient selection, management, and advanced care planning.
‘It Was All a Big Theatre’: Velvet revolutions, ethnic conflicts, and conspiracy theories in Eastern Europe
Authors: Haluzík Radan
Published: September 2020

In 1989 mass democratic – and later nationalist – movements rose up against governments in Eastern Europe and all communist regimes fell like overripe pears. The very speed and ease of this collapse gave rise to speculations and conspiracy theories in the general public, as well as among those who had taken part in the movements themselves. Why did this all happen at once – so suddenly, why did it all go so smoothly, and who organized it all…?!

The “staging” of the democratic revolutions (Central Europe) and their subsequent national ethnic conflicts (Yugoslavia, post-Soviet Caucasus), was blamed on diverse causes: the dark political forces of USA, Russia, EU, Germany, international capital, power-hungry politicians, the secret police, and so forth…

In this article I wish to record my own experience, as a student activist during the Czechoslovak Velvet Revolution, and as a social anthropologist and war journalist working for several years during the ethnic wars in Yugoslavia and in the Post-Soviet Caucasus.

I address the main reasons that prevented understanding the post-communist mass movements and open a space to popular myths and conspiracy theories: 1. tendencies to political theatre, 2. spontaneity and self-organization of mass movements, 3. “mass intoxication” and the internal transformation of the ecstatic actor – activist. Exploring question marks and speculations about these key moments of these mass movements contributes to their understanding.
From an intrapsychic to an interpersonal symptom: Relations Training in Action
Authors: Assaf Bitan Racheli
Published: September 2020

This article proposes a conceptualization of symptoms from an interpersonal perspective and advocates group analysis as an appropriate medium for treatment. Psychoanalytic theory has traditionally conceptualized symptoms using the language of intrapsychic conflicts in the individual’s mind. In this article, drawing on ideas from group analysis and contemporary psychoanalytic theories, I propose an interpersonal conceptualization of symptomatic phenomenology. In addition, I introduce a concept that describes a treatment process based on this perspective: Relations Training in Action1. I will argue that a symptom occurring in one person symbolizes an inadequate interpersonal relations pattern, and that recognition of the pathological relations pattern in therapy enables a process which paddles the creation of healthier communication. Furthermore, I suggest group therapy as a space which offers a rich set of opportunities for the repetition and reparation of relations disorder (Friedman, 2007), and that the transition from the language of intrapsychic symptoms to the language of relationships plays a significant role in broadening the areas of interpersonal communication (Foulkes, 1964). Therapy based on an interpersonal perspective regarding symptoms will facilitate participation in a meaningful and significant relationship with the other, improve the mental health of patients and decrease their need to cling to the symptom.