bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Mixed Methods Research to Better Understand Pediatric Feeding Disorder
Authors: Thompson Kelsey L. , Zhang Wanqing
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Mixed methods research is a relatively new, but growing, research methodology with particular relevance to speech-language pathologists because of its utility in translating research into practice. Mixed methods research involves collection of both qualitative and quantitative data, which is integrated to gain a deeper understanding of a research question, particular population or intervention, or to develop a tool. In particular, pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) research stands to benefit from this methodology to comprehensively and holistically report on this population.

Conclusions

This article focuses on introducing researchers new to mixed methods, as well as clinicians, to the four basic mixed methods study designs and considerations. To establish a foundational understanding, examples of published work specific to PFD are incorporated and a framework for understanding mixed method study design is proposed. Then, the four designs are examined from the lens of critical appraisal, so that clinicians and researchers are well prepared to critically evaluate mixed methods studies. Finally, applications of mixed methods to PFD are explored, with a commentary on how published examples could be extended using mixed methods designs. This article provides researchers and clinicians with a basic understanding of mixed methods as well as a clear avenue for its application to PFD. Mixed methods has the potential to advance our understanding of the heterogenous population PFD impacts, improve our use of interdisciplinary teams, examine holistic interventions, and develop tools for clinical and research use.
A Comparative Phonological Analysis of Guyanese Creole and Standard American English: A Guide for Speech-Language Pathologists
Authors: Telford Rose Sulare L. , Payne Kay T. , De Lisser Tamirand N. , Harris Ovetta L. , Elie Martine
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are responsible for differentially diagnosing a speech or language difference versus disorder. However, in the absence of data on particular cultural or linguistic groups, misdiagnosis increases. This study seeks to bridge the gap in available resources for SLPs focusing on the phonological features of Guyanese Creole (GC), a Caribbean English–lexified Creole. This study addresses the following question: What are the differences between the phonological features of GC and Standard American English (SAE), which may potentially cause SLPs to misdiagnose Guyanese speakers?

Method

A contrastive phonological analysis was conducted to identify the phonological differences of GC from SAE.

Results

The study results indicate differences in vowels, dental fricatives, voiced alveolar liquids, voiceless glottal fricatives, voiced palatal glides, consonant clusters, final consonants, and unstressed syllables.

Conclusions

The findings of this study support the literature that GC is distinct from SAE in its phonology. The results provide SLPs with data to make informed clinical and educational decisions when assessing the linguistic competencies of children from Caribbean backgrounds, specifically GC speakers.
Downlink ergodic sum capacity maximisation for massive distributed antenna systems with SWIPT protocol
Authors: Sun Wenfeng , Liu Chen , Qian Mujun , Xu Shu , Chen Yan
Published: December 2020

The paper investigates simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) in massive distributed antenna systems, where the remote radio heads (RRH) equipped with a large number of antennas are arbitrarily distributed over the coverage area and each terminal operates via a power‐splitting (PS) device. Utilising the harvested energy, each terminal transmits its pilot signals for channel estimation. A closed‐form lower bound expression on the downlink ergodic capacity is derived for each terminal and then downlink ergodic sum capacity maximisation problem with respect to RRH‐terminal association, channel estimation duration, PS ratios and power allocation (PA) is designed. The designed problem is proved to be a mixed‐inter nonlinear programming with combinatorial variables, which is generally hard to solve due to its NP‐hardness. To this end, a hierarchical iterative algorithm is developed by utilising decomposition technique. Moreover, the convergence and computational complexity of this algorithm are analysed as well. Numerical results manifest the feasibility and effectiveness of this algorithm, and also show that it can achieve the maximum downlink ergodic sum capacity for massive distributed antenna systems with SWIPT protocol.
A robust non‐linear MPC framework for control of underwater vehicle manipulator systems under high‐level tasks
Authors: Nikou Alexandros , Verginis Christos K. , Heshmati‐alamdari Shahab , Dimarogonas Dimos V.
Published: December 2020

Over the last years, the development and control of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles with attached robotic manipulators, also called Underwater Vehicle Manipulator System (UVMS), has gained significant research attention. In such applications, feedback controllers which guarantee that the end‐effector of the UVMS is fulfilling desired complex tasks should be designed in a way that state and input constraints are taken into consideration. Furthermore, due to their complicated structure, unmodeled dynamics as well as external disturbances may arise. Complex tasks can be conveniently given in the so‐called Linear Temporal Logic (LTL). Motivated by this, the authors develop a combined abstraction and control synthesis framework in which, given the uncertain kinematics/dynamics of the UVMS, a workspace divided into Regions of Interest and a desired LTL task, a sequence of feedback control laws that probably guarantee the LTL formula is provided. The proposed controller falls within the tube‐based non‐linear model predictive control methodology and can handle the rich expressivity of LTL in both safety and reachability specifications. Numerical simulations verify the validity of the proposed framework.
Diode rectifier configurations with a multiphase synchronous generator
Authors: Zhang Xiaotao , Apsley Judith
Published: December 2020

Direct current (DC) power networks are widely used in transport applications, often derived from a synchronous generator and diode rectifier. The use of more than three phases to reduce the DC voltage ripple eliminates the DC filter capacitance and incorporating multiple phases into the generator avoids the need for bulky phase‐shifting transformers. Recent trends have moved away from high phase‐number machines to multiple winding sets, in order to enhance fault tolerance. This study shows how the number and arrangement of these phase sets and rectifier circuits should be selected to improve steady‐state performance, by suppressing unwanted harmonics. Complex harmonic analysis expressions are developed for the wound field, salient, synchronous generator incorporating both saliency and saturation, allowing general design principles for avoiding circulating harmonic currents and high peak diode currents to be identified. The model is validated on a 15‐phase, 19kVA laboratory machine, reconfigurable as five 3‐phase sets and three 5‐phase sets. The results show that for this example, multiple 3‐phase, winding sets can give better performance than the high phase‐number system, with lower stator copper loss and higher power factor.
Reliability analysis of cyber‐physical microgrids: Study of grid‐connected microgrids with communication‐based control systems
Authors: Barani Mostafa , Vadlamudi Vijay V. , Heegaard Poul E.
Published: December 2020

Due to the greater penetration of renewable energy resources and the increasing complexity of the distribution system, moving towards a smart distribution system is essential and achievable via advanced information and communication technologies. These technologies come with side effects: not only do they change the structure and functionality of the system, their availability and efficiency alter the operation of the system as a whole. The aim of this paper is to examine the reliability of a cyber‐physical microgrid as a part of a smart distribution grid to evaluate the impact of the integration of information and communication technologies into the system and the impact of non‐dispatchable renewable energy resources, that is, photovoltaic and wind farms. This paper proposes a framework for developing reliability assessment tools for a grid‐connected microgrid with a hierarchical three‐level and communication‐based control system. Emphasis is laid on incorporating the interdependencies between the cyber system and the microgrid and on detailed models of renewable energy resources.
The measurement method of tower grounding resistance with shorter measuring wire based on green's theorem
Authors: Zhang Zhanlong , Li Yiqiao , Gao Chengfeng , Dan Yihua , Ye Huarui , Deng Jun
Published: December 2020

The Tower grounding grids are important power facilities for transmission line grounding protection. The accurate measurement of grounding resistance provides data support for the safe operation of the grounding grids. The existing measurement methods for grounding resistance are mainly based on the 0.618 method, which has two disadvantages: (1) The distance between the voltage electrode and the measuring point should not be less than 2.5× the length of the scattered grounding electrode; (2) the long measuring wires ensure the measurement accuracy of the 0.618 method, but the long‐distance between the electrodes and measuring point makes it difficult to carry out in the complex environment. To accurately solve the problems, this paper proposes a novel measurement method of grounding resistance with shorter measuring wire based on Green's theorem. Combined with the physical model of the actual tower grounding grid, this paper establishes the potential equations in local space around the grounding grid and analyses the distribution of the equipotential surface. The results show that the proposed novel method of measuring tower grounding resistance can conveniently measure the grounding resistance, which greatly shortens the length of the measuring wire and has better adaptability for towers in a complex environment.
Advances in Viticulture, Enology and Vitivinicultural Economy: Ciência e Técnica Vitivinícola 2020
Authors: Canas Sara , Cunha Jorge , Eiras-Dias José Eduardo
Published: December 2020

Research insights arising from the sciences of Viticulture, Enology and Vitivinicultural Economy are crucial for responding to an everincreasing set of challenges - such as climate change, environmental issues and a global and more competitive market - faced by the players in the vitivinicultural sector. In this context, the scientific journals play a key role in spreading the knowledge acquired worldwide and contributing to the generation of new ideas and new research lines. The Ciência e Técnica Vitivinícola is one of the oldest and few scientific journals specifically devoted to these three branches of science. In 2020, twelve articles from several international research teams were published, covering a wide range of current topics, including: sustainability of viticulture and winemaking; modelling of climate impact on wine production; control of pests and diseases; management and adaptability of grapevine varieties; quality and differentiation of wine based on minority grapevine varieties, native yeasts from grapevine and winemaking technologies; wine authenticity and traceability; botrytized wines; human resource management in small wine companies.
Modernization of Todini Global Gradient Algorithm for hydraulic analysis of networks with choked flow
Authors: Korelstein Leonid
Published: December 2020

The modification of well-known Global Gradient Algorithm for hydraulic network flow distribution problem is proposed. This modification is based on problem equations rewritten in “upstream” form and on modified form of linearization, and can be effectively used for piping networks with gas and multiphase gas-liquid flow with multiple choked flow.
Mathematical models and methods for analyzing flow properties in hydraulic circuits with closed circulation circuits
Authors: Novitsky Nikolay N.
Published: December 2020

The article is devoted to the problems of calculating the distribution of flow quality parameters over the elements of the hydraulic system. The main attention is paid to the problem of such a calculation in the presence of closed circulation circuits in the system, when traditional methods and algorithms become ineffective. Mathematical models of the distribution of quality parameters are given, the results of the analysis of their properties in the presence of closed circulation circuits are presented. Against the background of the analysis of the applicability of general mathematical methods for solving the problem, two new methods are proposed based on the special properties of this problem - the “iterative topological” algorithm and the “algebraic-topological” method. Both methods are universal and provide a solution in the presence of closed circulation loops, and in their absence they coincide with the traditional “topological” algorithm.
Comprehensive optimization of district systems water supply and sewerage taking into account different ways of transporting water and effluents
Authors: Chupin Viktor R. , Moroz Mariya V.
Published: December 2020

The issues of the choice of routes, the composition of structures, and especially the methods of transporting water and wastewater, the justification of the locations of water intakes, treatment facilities are relevant and require special attention and technical and economic analysis and justification of design solutions. The paper investigates the areas of application of various types of transport of water and wastewater, depending on the volume, range, cost of electricity and fuel, vehicle designs and pipelines. Taking into account the obtained ranges of application of various types of transport, models and methods for optimizing the structure and parameters of water supply and sewerage systems have been improved.
A methodological approach to the development of a technological platform for intelligent integrated energy system modelling
Authors: Barakhtenko Evgeny , Sokolov Dmitry
Published: December 2020

Modeling of intelligent integrated energy systems, which has a complex structure, is performed using specialized software, which is caused by the computational complexity of the models, methods and algorithms used. The paper lists the requirements for software for modeling intelligent integrated energy systems and concludes that it is necessary to develop a technological platform. A methodological approach to the development of a technological platform for modeling integrated energy systems is presented. The methodological approach includes the following components: principles of building a technological platform, architecture of a technological platform, and the structure of an ontology system, a method of automated integration of software components into a software system.
Effect of an 8-week Exercise Training on Gut Microbiota in Physically Inactive Older Women
Authors: Zhong Fei , Wen Xu , Yang Min , Lai Hsin-Yi , Momma Haruki , Cheng Lei , Sun Xiaomin , Nagatomi Ryoichi , Huang Cong
Published: December 2020

Exercise can alter the composition of gut microbiota. However, studies examining the effects of exercise on gut microbiota in the elderly are lacking. This study aims to investigate whether an 8-week exercise training affect gut microbiota in physically inactive elderly women. Fourteen women were randomly assigned to either exercise group or control group. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to reveal changes in gut microbiota. Alpha diversity did not change significantly. A tendency to form 2 clusters was observed for operational taxonomic units (OTU) after intervention. At phylum, class, and order levels, a significant difference was observed between two groups for Fusobacteria (F=5.257, P=0.045), Betaproteobacteria (F=5.149, P=0.047), and Bifidobacteriales (F=7.624, P=0.020). A significant interaction was observed between two groups for Actinobacteria (F=8.434, P=0.016). At family and genus levels, a signiﬁcant main effect of groups was observed in Bifidobacteriaceae (F=7.624, P=0.020), Bifidobacterium (F=7.404, P=0.022), and Gemmiger (F=5.881, P=0.036). These findings indicate that an 8-week exercise training may induce partial changes in relative abundance and OTU clustering of gut microbiota in physically inactive elderly women. Also, exercise may increase the abundance of bacteria associated with anti-inflammation such as Verrucomicrobia, reduce the abundance of bacteria associated with pro-inflammation such as Proteobacteria
Endoscopic Transoral Approach for Resection of Basal Cell Adenoma Arising in Parapharyngeal Space
Authors: Li Lifeng , London Nyall R. , Li Shuling , Chen Xiaohong , Carrau Ricardo L.
Published: December 2020

Objectives The clinical and radiological characteristics of the basal cell adenoma (BCA) and its association with the internal carotid artery (ICA) in the parapharyngeal space (PPS), have not been sufficiently explored. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of patients with BCA arising in the PPS and to evaluate the feasibility of a total resection via an endoscopic transoral corridor.

Design and Main Outcome Measures The clinical, radiological, and histopathological characteristics of four patients with BCA arising in the PPS were retrospectively analyzed. The endoscopic transoral approach was performed for resection of BCA. Its technical nuances, perioperative comorbidities, and outcomes are introduced.

Results The clinical presentation, symptoms, and signs of patients with BCA are variable. The tumor was lateral to the ICA in two patients and anterior to the ICA in the remaining two. All four BCA were successfully removed en bloc (n = 3) or by piecemeal (n = 1) via an endoscopic transoral approach. The ICA was not injured, and no additional nerve damage, venous bleeding, postoperative infection, or salivary gland fistula were encountered in any of the four patients. Cystic degeneration is the predominant appearance of BCA on MRI; however, they are difficult to differentiate from other lesions arising in the PPS. No recurrence was detected at the time of the study analysis.

Conclusion BCA of the PPS could have variable relationships with the ICA. An endoscopic transoral approach can provide an adequate corridor for total resection of BCA in PPS with seemingly low morbidity.
Efficacy of Homoeopathy in Managing Respiratory Infections beyond Doubt!—A Narrative Review
Authors: Dixit Ashish Kumar , Singh Shishir , Singh Subhas
Published: December 2020

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is accountable for significant mortality worldwide. This virus is primarily infecting the respiratory tract and resulting in SARS. There is no precise treatment available till today. Thus, it is important to find out the alternative approach which can reduce the burden of disease.

Objective The aim of this review is to summarise and appraise the findings of various studies on respiratory infections in homoeopathy.

Methods A comprehensive search of the articles published during the period from 1 January 2000 to 15 June 2020 on homoeopathy and respiratory infections was carried out. Major electronic medical databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CORE-Hom and CAM-QUEST were used for the literature search.

Result From the literature search 46 studies congregated out of which 9 were systematic reviews, 18 randomised contolled trials, 1 controlled clinical trial, 13 comparative cohorts, 3 single-arm cohort observational studies, 1 case series and 1 case report. The results of this review are encouraging. Homeopathic medications have a positive effect in reducing the number of attacks of respiratory infections, less antibiotic usage, tolerability and good compliance as compared to conventional treatment. Complex homeopathic medicine showed a promising role in combating respiratory infections. Homeopathy has shown an important role as adjuvant therapy.

Conclusion The findings of this review seem to suggest a definite role of homeopathy beyond placebo in the treatment of various conditions of respiratory infections. Applying homeopathy as an adjunctive treatment in COVID-19 cases can be cost-effective, feasible and safe. Owing to the heterogeneity in trials, independent replications and further appraisal with rigorous designs are warranted.
Sirolimus: A Rescue Drug to Control Complications of Extensive Venous Malformation
Authors: Abdelbaky Mohamed Aly , Ragab Iman Ahmed , AbouZeid Amr AbdelHamid , Mohammad Shaimaa Abdelsattar , Dahab Mohamed Moussa , Elsherbeny Mohammed , Safaan Hatem Abdelkader
Published: December 2020

Venous malformations represent a major sector of vascular anomalies. Most cases are asymptomatic or subclinical; however, large extensive lesions can cause severe disability and sometimes mortality. In this report, we present a successful case of sirolimus treatment in managing an extensive venous malformation in the pelvis of a 21-month-old boy who presented with life-threatening complications. With a history dating since the day 2 of life, the patient suffered from chronic bleeding due to scrotal skin ulcerations, in addition to recurrent attacks of severe bleeding per rectum necessitating hospital admission and blood transfusion (three attacks since the age of 7 months). Pelvic magnetic resonance image showed the typical findings of extensive venous malformation involving the pelvis, perineum, scrotum, and extending to the gluteal region. The lesion was seen totally encasing the anorectum with marked thickening of their walls almost occluding their lumen.

Oral sirolimus (2 mg/m2) was started with a target blood trough level of 5 to 10 ng/mL. Over a follow-up period of 5 months, there was obvious clinical improvement that included healing of skin lesions (scrotal ulcer) with complete re-epithelialization, absence of bleeding per rectum with improvement of constipation, and rise of hemoglobin level from 7.5 to 11.5 g/dL.
Differential Roles for Diploid and Polyploid Hepatocytes in Acute and Chronic Liver Injury
Authors: Wilkinson Patrick D. , Duncan Andrew W.
Published: December 2020

Hepatocytes are the primary functional cells of the liver that perform essential roles in homeostasis, regeneration, and injury. Most mammalian somatic cells are diploid and contain pairs of each chromosome, but there are also polyploid cells containing additional sets of chromosomes. Hepatocytes are among the best described polyploid cells, with polyploids comprising more than 25 and 90% of the hepatocyte population in humans and mice, respectively. Cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate hepatic polyploidy have been uncovered, and in recent years, diploid and polyploid hepatocytes have been shown to perform specialized functions. Diploid hepatocytes accelerate liver regeneration induced by resection and may accelerate compensatory regeneration after acute injury. Polyploid hepatocytes protect the liver from tumor initiation in hepatocellular carcinoma and promote adaptation to tyrosinemia-induced chronic injury. This review describes how ploidy variations influence cellular activity and presents a model for context-specific functions for diploid and polyploid hepatocytes.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 Coexistence in the Daily Practice
Authors: Tallarico Marco , Cicciù Marco , Lumbau Aurea Immacolata , Meloni Silvio Mario
Published: December 2020

The purpose of the present narrative review was to evaluate and discuss the actual available information regarding coronavirus disease 2019 and dental practice, and to share recommendations with the intent to help dentists in providing a safe and healthful workplace during pandemic. A step-by-step workflow is presented including prevention and measures to reduce risk for cross infections before, during, and after the dental treatments. Individualization of different risk-level zones and the establishment of a team-based chain control is also presented. The present manuscript may offer deeper knowledge and discussion regarding recommended procedures aimed to reduce risk for dental health care workers contamination and cross infections. Within these, infection prevention in dental settings, respect of general rules, containment measures, proper use of the personal protective equipments (PPE), and well-organized chain control of all the staff, with definition of risk zones and specific responsibility could be an adjunctive but important step to control the spread of the disease.
The Effect of Irradiance on the Degree of Conversion and Volumetric Polymerization Shrinkage of Different Bulk-Fill Resin-Based Composites: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Bin Nooh Abrar N. , Nahedh Hend Al , AlRefeai Mohammad , Alkhudhairy Fahad
Published: December 2020

Objective The influence of different light-emitting diode (LED) curing light intensities on the degree of conversion (DC) and volumetric polymerization shrinkage (VPS) of bulk-fill resin-based composite (RBC) restorative materials was evaluated.

Materials and Methods Twenty-four specimens of each RBC material (Filtek one bulk-fill posterior, Reveal HD Bulk, Tetric N-Ceram, and Filtek Z350) were prepared. The RBCs were shaped in molds and cured using an LED curing light unit at high-intensity (1,200 mW/cm2) for 20 seconds and low-intensity (650 mW/cm2) for 40 seconds Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to determine the DC and microcomputed tomography was used to evaluate VPS. Data were analyzed using one- and two-way ANOVA, independent t-test, and Tukey’s and Scheffe’s post hoc multiple comparison tests.

Results With high-intensity curing light, Reveal HD showed the highest DC (85.689 ± 6.811%) and Tetric N-Ceram the lowest (52.60 ± 9.38%). There was no statistical difference in VPS when using high- or low-intensity curing light. The highest VPS was observed for Reveal HD (2.834–3.193%); there was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) among the other RBCs.

Conclusion Curing light intensities do not significantly influence the VPS of RBC materials. Reveal HD bulk cured with high-intensity light had the highest DC.
Comparative Remineralization Efficacy of Topical NovaMin and Fluoride on Incipient Enamel Lesions in Primary Teeth: Scanning Electron Microscope and Vickers Microhardness Evaluation
Authors: Shihabi Safaa , AlNesser Salma , Comisi John C.
Published: December 2020

Objective Evaluating the potential remineralization effect of NovaMin prophylaxis paste on artificial enamel lesions in primary teeth using Vickers microhardness and scanning electron microscope.

Materials and Methods Forty sound buccal and lingual surfaces of human primary canine teeth were randomly divided into two groups after creating artificially demineralized lesions (G1: NovaMin and G2: fluoride; 20 per group) and then treated with the respective remineralization agents. The remineralization cycle repeated twice daily for 10 days. The groups were evaluated with Vickers microhardness and scanning electron microscope before and after de/remineralization.

Results Statistically significant difference of microhardness was observed between demineralized enamel and remineralized enamel with group 1 and group 2 (p = 0.000 and p = 0.000, respectively). No statistically significant difference of microhardness was observed between two remineralized agents (p = 0.368).

Conclusion Within the limitation of this in vitro study, NovaMin enhances the remineralization process equally to fluoride.
Pediatric Circumcision in the 21st Century National Health Service: A Snapshot of Practice in a United Kingdom Center
Authors: Jones Patrick , Rooney Helen , Hawary Amr
Published: December 2020

Introduction Pediatric circumcision is a commonly performed operation, yet outcomes related to procedures performed for medical indications remain underreported.

Aim The aim of this study was to report outcomes of therapeutic circumcision from our center.

Methods Prospective registry of elective circumcisions was maintained and analyzed at a single institution in the United Kingdom. Data collected included information on complications (early and late), emergency presentations, and referrals back from primary care services.

Results Between August 2015 and June 2019, 300 patients (mean age: 9 years; range: 3–16 years) underwent therapeutic circumcision. The average length of follow-up data available was 2.1 years (range: 6 months to 4 years). The overall complication rate was 4.7% (n = 16). There were no unplanned admissions and no cases returned to the operating room as emergency. Only 1% (n = 3) of patients presented with an early complication (minor bleeding, pain, urinary retention), and 3.7% (n = 11) suffered a late complication (meatal stenosis [2.7%]). All cases of meatal stenosis had lichen sclerosus confirmed on histology. Cosmetic satisfaction was 99%.

Conclusion Therapeutic circumcision is an effective procedure in the pediatric population, which carries a low risk of early and late complications. Our study found that meatal stenosis only occurred in those patients with confirmed lichen sclerosus histology.
Is Postpartum Patient Navigation Uniquely Beneficial for Women with Antenatal Depressive Symptoms?
Authors: Martinez Noelle G. , Yee Lynn M. , Miller Emily S.
Published: December 2020

Objective Women with depression benefit substantively from the comprehensive postpartum visit yet are less likely to attend such visits. Postpartum patient navigation has been associated with improved postpartum visit attendance. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine whether patient navigation was associated with differential postpartum visit attendance for low-income, largely racial/ethnic minority women with antenatal depressive symptoms.

Study Design This is a secondary analysis of a prospective postpartum patient navigation program for adult, low-income, largely racial/ethnic minority women receiving prenatal care at a single university clinic (n = 474). Patient navigators assumed supportive and logistical responsibilities for patients between delivery and postpartum visit completion (“navigation cohort”); women in the navigation cohort were compared with women who would have been eligible for patient navigation but received care the year before program implementation (“pre-navigation cohort”). Women were considered to have antenatal depressive symptoms if they had a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score above 9 prior to delivery. The primary outcome was attendance at the comprehensive postpartum visit by 12 weeks. Factors associated with this outcome were assessed in a prenavigation cohort of women and were subsequently evaluated in the total cohort (prenavigation and navigation groups) using multivariable models. An interaction term between antenatal depressive symptoms and navigation status was generated to evaluate for effect modification.

Results In the prenavigation cohort, antenatal depressive symptoms were more frequent among women who did not attend the postpartum visit (25.0 vs. 10.2%, p = 0.002) and remained a risk factor for postpartum visit nonattendance on multivariable analysis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18–0.83). In the navigation cohort (n = 218), the presence of antenatal depressive symptoms was not associated with attendance (p = 0.117). In multivariable analyses of the total cohort, the interaction term between antenatal depressive symptoms and navigation was statistically significant (aOR: 11.06, 95% CI: 1.21–101.08).

Conclusion Postpartum patient navigation appears particularly beneficial among women with antenatal depressive symptoms for increasing postpartum appointment attendance.

Key Points
Changing oil: self-driving vehicles and the Norwegian state
Authors: Haugland Bård Torvetjønn
Published: December 2020

Expectations regarding the imminent arrival of self-driving vehicles has prompted nations to embed such vehicles in policy and explore their potential through pilot projects. The article analyses interviews and document to explore the politics of self-driving vehicles in Norway. Using sociotechnical imaginaries as a theoretical starting point, the article finds that Norwegian policy and legislation frame self-driving vehicles in rather general terms, primarily citing expected economic gains and prospects of improving the transport sector. When these policies were operationalized in the transport innovation project Borealis, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration grafted the policies onto distinctively Norwegian use-cases: self-driving vehicles and associated infrastructures were envisioned to benefit the Norwegian fishing industry, have ramifications for standardization work within the European Union, and possibly foster a Norwegian high-tech industry. The prospect of a high-tech industry links self-driving vehicles to the green shift, a collectively imagined future in which the Norwegian petroleum industry has been phased out and replaced by ‘greener’ industries. In sum, self-driving vehicles are mobilized both as a desirable transport innovation and as part of a national narrative: through innovation relating to such vehicles, Norway might be able to phase out a petroleum-reliant economy while remaining an affluent nation with high levels of social welfare.
Mechanisms of proton inhibition and sensitization of the cation channel TRPV3
Authors: Wang Haiyuan , Yang Pu , Lu Yungang , Wang Jin , Jeon Jaepyo , Wang Qiaochu , Tian Jin-Bin , Zang Bin , Yu Ye , Zhu Michael X.
Published: December 2020

TRPV3 is a temperature-sensitive, nonselective cation channel expressed prominently in skin keratinocytes. TRPV3 plays important roles in hair morphogenesis and maintenance of epidermal barrier function. Gain-of-function mutations of TRPV3 have been found in both humans and rodents and are associated with hair loss, pruritus, and dermatitis. Here, we study the mechanisms of acid regulation of TRPV3 by using site-directed mutagenesis, fluorescent intracellular calcium measurement, and whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques. We show that, whereas extracellular acid inhibits agonist-induced TRPV3 activation through an aspartate residue (D641) in the selectivity filter, intracellular protons sensitize the channel through cytoplasmic C-terminal glutamate and aspartate residues (E682, E689, and D727). Neutralization of the three C-terminal residues presensitizes the channel to agonist stimulation. Molecular dynamic simulations revealed that charge neutralization of the three C-terminal residues stabilized the sensitized channel conformation and enhanced the probability of α-helix formation in the linker between the S6 transmembrane segment and TRP domain. We conclude that acid inhibits TRPV3 function from the extracellular side but facilitates it from the intracellular side. These novel mechanisms of TRPV3 proton sensing can offer new insights into the role of TRPV3 in the regulation of epidermal barrier permeability and skin disorders under conditions of tissue acidosis.
A sparse representation of transients based on a parametric multiple-impulse dictionary for extracting impact features from an automatic tool-changing system
Authors: Li Guofa , Huo Yongchao , He Jialong , Wang Yanbo , Yang Zhaojun , Wei Jingfeng
Published: December 2020

An automatic tool-changing system (ATCS) is one of the key sub-systems for realizing automatic tool changing in machining centers. Each step in a tool-changing cycle tends to result in impacts, and thus generates transients in the vibration signal. The impact features often reflect important operational information related to the ATCS dynamics, and a crucial problem for impact-feature extraction is how to effectively represent the transients. A novel method for extracting impact features from an ATCS is proposed, based on sparse representation theory. A parametric multiple-impulse dictionary is constructed by the unit impulse-response function of a damped multiple-degree-of-freedom system, whose modal order, amplitudes, natural frequencies, relative damping ratios and initial phases are directly identified from the vibration signal by an improved state-space method. This leads to high similarity between atoms and impact-induced transients. To improve the calculation speed, a split augmented Lagrangian shrinkage method is used to obtain optimal sparse coefficients. With the proposed method, both the moments of impact occurrence and the time intervals between transients can be effectively identified, and thus the impact features can be extracted. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by simulated signals as well as practical ATCS vibration signals. A comparison study shows that the proposed method is superior to empirical-mode decomposition, ensemble-empirical-mode decomposition and variational-mode decomposition when used for impact-feature extraction.
Transparent HfO
x
-based memristor with robust flexibility and synapse characteristics by interfacial control of oxygen vacancies movement
Authors: Liang Ange , Zhang Jingwei , Wang Fang , Jiang Yutong , Hu Kai , Shan Xin , Liu Qi , Song Zhitang , Zhang Kailiang
Published: December 2020

Hafnium oxides (HfO
x
) based flexible memristors were fabricated on polyethylene naphtholate (PEN) substrates to simulate a variety of bio-synapse functions. By optimizing the manufacturing conditions of electrode and active films, it is proved that the TiN/HfO
x
/W/ITO/PEN bilayer device has robust flexibility and can still be modulated after 2000 times of bending. The memristor device exhibits better symmetrical and linear characteristics with excellent uniformity at lower programming power consumption (∼38 μW). In addition, the essential synaptic behaviors have further been achieved in the devices, including the transition from short-term plasticity to long-term plasticity and spike time-dependent plasticity. Through the analysis of I–V curves and XPS data, a switching mechanism based on HfO
x
/W interface boundary drift is constructed. It is revealed that the redox reaction caused by W intercalation can effectively regulate the content of oxygen vacancy in HfO
x
. At the same time, bias-induced interfacial reactions will regulate the movement of oxygen vacancies, which emulates bio-synapse functions and improves the electrical properties of the device.
Simulating propagation of the resultant electric field vector using 3D vector representations for circular, elliptical and plane-polarised waves
Authors: Singh I , Khun K Khun , Kaur B , Kaur H , Singh T
Published: December 2020

This paper describes a way to simulate and visualise 3D representations of the resultant electric field vector propagation for plane, circular and elliptically polarised waves. These polarisation states are obtained by the superposition of two coherent linearly polarised waves oscillating in two mutually perpendicular directions. The required data to obtain the simulations for these representations is generated by programming an Excel spreadsheet for polarisation equations and varying the process parameters such as phase difference and amplitude of the superimposing waves. The obtained data are then linked with Origin Pro 8.5 software to draw 3D vector plots which provide a visual aid to understanding the propagation of the electric field vector with space and time. The method can be used as an easy and effective way to understand the concept of polarisation.
Vertical bounce of a plastic egg
Authors: Cross Rod
Published: December 2020

The vertical bounce of a plastic egg was investigated by dropping the egg on a horizontal surface and filming the result with a video camera. If the egg is dropped on one end then it bounces just like a spherical ball. If the top end of the egg is pointing forwards or backwards when it lands on the surface, or if the egg is spinning when it lands, then the bounce is very different. The egg can bounce forwards or backwards and it can bounce to a large height or only a very small height. The experiment would be suitable for a student project. It involves both translational and rotational motion of an object subject to an impact force and a torque.
Model for the dependence of cathode voltage in a Hall thruster on facility pressure
Authors: Jorns B A , Byrne M P
Published: December 2020

An analytical model for the dependence of the cathode coupling voltage in a Hall thruster on facility pressure is derived and investigated. The expression for the coupling voltage is determined by performing a line integral of the generalized Ohm’s law from the cathode emitter to the thruster’s main plume. The effects of pressure as well as non-classical resistance due to ion acoustic turbulence are included. The resulting model is applied to datasets from 12 different Hall thruster configurations and is shown in all cases to match the trends in the data within experimental uncertainty. The model in turn is used to extrapolate the experimental datasets to on-orbit conditions, and the confidence in these predictions is quantified through the lens of Bayesian parameter estimation. The derived model is discussed in the context of the underlying assumptions as well as previous models that have been proposed for this facility effect.
Exchange-free computation on an unknown qubit at a distance
Authors: Salih Hatim , Hance Jonte R , McCutcheon Will , Rudolph Terry , Rarity John
Published: December 2020

We present a way of directly manipulating an arbitrary qubit, without the exchange of any particles. This includes as an application the exchange-free preparation of an arbitrary quantum state at Alice by a remote classical Bob. As a result, we are able to propose a protocol that allows one party to directly enact, by means of a suitable program, any computation exchange-free on a remote second party's unknown qubit. Further, we show how to use this for the exchange-free control of a universal two-qubit gate, thus opening the possibility of directly enacting any desired algorithm remotely on a programmable quantum circuit.
Transport fluctuation relations in interacting quantum pumps
Authors: Riwar Roman-Pascal , Splettstoesser Janine
Published: December 2020

The understanding of out-of-equilibrium fluctuation relations in small open quantum systems has been a focal point of research in recent years. In particular, for systems with adiabatic time-dependent driving, it was shown that the fluctuation relations known from stationary systems do no longer apply due the geometric nature of the pumping current response. However, the precise physical interpretation of the corrected pumping fluctuation relations as well as the role of many-body interactions remained unexplored. Here, we study quantum systems with many-body interactions subject to slow time-dependent driving, and show that fluctuation relations of the charge current can in general not be formulated without taking into account the total energy current put into the system through the pumping process. Moreover, we show that this correction due to the input energy is nonzero only when Coulomb-interactions are present. Thus, fluctuation response relations offer an until now unrevealed opportunity to probe many-body correlations in quantum systems. We demonstrate our general findings at the concrete example of a single-level quantum dot model, and propose a scheme to measure the interaction-induced discrepancies from the stationary case.
A DFT study of structural, electronic and optical properties of pristine and intrinsic vacancy defects containing barium zarconate (BaZrO3) using mBJ potential
Authors: Erum Nazia , Iqbal Muhammad Azhar , Bashir Imran
Published: December 2020

First principles calculations, using Full Potential Linearized Augmented Plane Wave (FP-LAPW) method within the framework of density functional theory (DFT), are used to study structural, electronic and optical properties of barium zirconate (BaZrO3) in its pristine and intrinsic vacancy defects using the supercell approach. The calculated structural parameters with four semi-local exchange-correlation functionals Local Density Approximation (LDA), Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA), Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof for solids (PBEsol) GGA, Wu and Cohen (WC) GGA includes, lattice parameter ao, ground state volume Vo, bulk modulus Bo, total energies Eo, and bond lengths of Ba, Zr and O atoms. Furthermore, to avoid the underestimation of the band profile by other DFT schemes we highlight the LDA plus modified Becke–Johnson (mBJ) potential in lieu of attaining opto-electronic aspects close to the anticipated experimental findings. The computed electronic band gap shows that band profile remains indirect with small difference in detail. The optical properties of Ba, Zr and O vacancy containing 2 × 2 × 2 supercells of BaZrO3 are calculated using real and imaginary part of dielectric function. The real part of the dielectric function using mBJ_s modification reveals that static dielectric constant of BaZrO3 is 3.8 that is, in excellent agreement with the experimental value of 4.0. The structural, electronic and optical properties of pristine BaZrO3 along with its non-stoichiometric intrinsic vacancy containing forms are studied to provide experimentalist with a better understanding of its physical properties which are vital for its functional utilization.
Extended black hole solutions in self-interacting Brans-Dicke theory
Authors: Sharif M , Majid Amal
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we formulate black hole solutions through extended gravitational decoupling scheme in the framework of self-interacting Brans-Dicke theory. The addition of a new source in the matter distribution increases the degrees of freedom in the system of field equations. Transformations in radial as well as temporal metric functions split the system into two arrays. Each array includes the effects of only one source (either seed or additional). The seed source is assumed to be a vacuum and the corresponding system is specified through the Schwarzschild metric. In order to construct a suitable solution of the second system, constraints are applied on the metric potentials and energy-momentum tensor of the additional source. We obtain three solutions corresponding to different values of the decoupling parameter in the presence of a massive scalar field. The extra source is classified as normal or exotic through energy conditions. It is found that two solutions agree with the energy bounds and thus have normal matter as their source.
Mathematical modeling of MHD Jeffrey nanofluid in a microchannel incorporated with lubrication effects: a Graetz problem
Authors: Ramesh Katta , Kumar Deepak , Nazeer Mubbashar , Waqfi Dunya , Hussain Farooq
Published: December 2020

The current study deals to develop mathematical modeling of nanofluid under the influence of electro-magnetohydrodynamics (EHD) and thermal radiation. Jeffrey fluid model is used to for the Graetz problem through micro-channel with lubrication effects. Electro-osmotic nanofluid flow is modeled with the help of Poisson–Boltzmann and Navier–Stokes equations in the presence of heat sink source. To explore the Brownian motion of nano species and heat transport due to thermophoresis, Buongiorno fluid model is taken into account. The influence of gravitational force is also considered, besides the main contributions of electric and magnetic fields which generate the nanofluid flow. A closed-form solution is obtained for coupled differential equations. The investigation reveals that more heat is added to the system due to Brownian motion, thermophoresis, and heat generation parameters.