bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Pathologist in the Era of Image-Guided and EUS-Guided Aspirations: A 10-Year Study at a Single Tertiary Care Oncology Institute in North India
Authors: Gupta Gurudutt , Sharma Anila , Kamboj Meenakshi , Sharma Anurag , Pasricha Sunil , Durga Garima , Mehta Anurag , Rao Avinash
Published: March 2022

Background: With improved and readily accessible imaging techniques, the shift in fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from palpation-guided FNA (PGFNA) to image-guided FNA (IGFNA) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) became evident in last few decades. The present study evaluates the impact of IGFNA and EUS-FNA on the practice of cytopathology at our 300-bedded oncology institute. Study Design: A 10-year audit of three aspiration modalities PGFNA, IGFNA, and EUS-FNA was done. The number of aspirates, inadequacy rates, new patient registration numbers, and tissue biopsy numbers were compared. Results: A total of 29,610 FNAC were evaluated against a total 141,333 new patient registrations over a period of 10 years. The new cancer patient registration over last 10 years showed a 56% increase, with a comparable increase of 60% in diagnostic biopsies; whereas, the number of FNAC increased by only 6%. This reduction in the number of aspirates was mainly due to fall in the number of PGFNA to 18% of all procedures in the year of 2019 from a high of 44% in 2011. Further, PGFNA showed a reduction by 50% over 3 years. The inadequacy rates of PGFNA increased to 9.1% (in 2019) from 1.6% (in 2012). The IGFNA constituted 46%–60% of procedures, with inadequacy varying from 8.5% to 12.1% over years. The EUS-FNAC gradually increased from 3% to 22% from 2013, and the inadequacy rates were variable overtime showing parallelism with the use of rapid on-site adequacy evaluation (ROSE) by the endoscopist. Inadequacy rates ranged from 7.1% (2013) to 2.6% (2016), 7.7% (2017), and 5.4% (2019). Conclusion: The utility of ROSE and diminishing role of pathologist is highlighted in our study. Judicious ROSE improves diagnostic accuracy, decreases the rate of missed diagnosis and the repetition of procedures. The study sheds light on the ever-increasing lacuna in the training of pathologists for blind as well as in image-guided FNAC. Further, it enumerates the factors leading to the underutilization of ROSE, its undisputed advantages, operator variations in procedure, smear preparation, and screening.
Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Presenting as Ulcerative Facial Mass: A Case Report
Authors: Knauss Hanna M. , Glosser Logan D. , Beran Azizullah , Sidwell Alena N. , Abdulsattar Waleed , Skeel Roland T. , Akpunonu Basil E.
Published: March 2022

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that can be aggressive with rapid speed, thus mandating a timely diagnosis to optimize treatment and deter progression. NHL classically presents with lymphadenopathy and constitutional symptoms. However, ALCL can present with nonspecific cutaneous manifestations with minimal or absent constitutional symptoms. The cutaneous involvement may resemble common dermatologic conditions, delaying diagnosis. We present a case of an aggressive cutaneous ALCL lesion mimicking facial cellulitis that rapidly progressed from a small comedone to a large, exophytic mass over the course of 1 month. Prior to presentation at our institution, the patient was previously diagnosed and treated for suspected bacterial infection with no response to therapy. Core needle biopsy of the forehead lesion confirmed the diagnosis of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-negative ALCL. Chemotherapy with brentuximab vedotin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone was planned for a total of 6–8 cycles with curative intent. By cycle 5, positron emission tomography and computed tomography demonstrated response to therapy with no enlarged or metabolically active lymph nodes appreciated. Our case report highlights the importance of developing a broad differential diagnosis for ulcerative facial masses, particularly when unresponsive to antimicrobial therapies. Lymphomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with rapidly growing facial lesions.
Dysarthria-Facial Paresis and Rostral Pontine Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Miyawaki Edison K. , Wilcox Douglas R. , Kraft Andrew W. , Guenette Jeffrey P.
Published: March 2022

We describe an acute, postoperative dysarthria-facial paresis. While the rare stroke syndrome has been described previously, we present an under-described clinical nuance to its presentation with a particularly clear imaging correlation. A 78-year-old, right-handed man with a past medical history of aortic stenosis presented after a transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Immediately postoperatively, no neurological deficits were noted. That evening, he described his speech as “drunken.” He was later noted to have a right lower facial droop in addition to the speech change. His speech exhibited labial, lingual, and (to a lesser degree) guttural dysarthria. At the patient’s request due to claustrophobia, he received 2 mg of oral lorazepam prior to cranial imaging. Afterwards, he was sleepy but arousable, yet was unable to put pen to paper when asked to write. Right lower facial paresis persisted, but he now demonstrated a right pronator drift, which resolved after 14 h without other evolution to his clinical examination. Brainstem lesions above the level of the pontine facial nucleus may present with central facial paresis contralateral to the lesion. An associated dysarthria may have both labial and lingual features in the absence of tongue or pharyngeal weakness. Our review of reported cases of dysarthria in isolation, dysarthria in combination with facial paresis, and facial paresis finds that all presentations may result from cortical, subcortical, or brainstem involvement. Stroke mechanisms are most commonly thromboembolic or small-vessel-ischemic in either the anterior or posterior circulations.
Structure-Function Analysis of MP-3 Microperimetry versus Octopus Perimetry in Central Glaucomatous Visual Field Defects
Authors: Georgiev Stefan , Palkovits Stefan , Hirnschall Nino , Schlatter Andreas , Leisser Christoph , Findl Oliver
Published: March 2022

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the structure-function relationship with microperimetry and Octopus perimetry in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients with central visual field (VF) defects. Methods: Forty eyes of 24 patients with POAG were enrolled. Circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) analysis measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of the superotemporal, temporal, and inferotemporal optic-nerve head sectors were related to corresponding microperimetric and Octopus VF clusters using the G2 grid-pattern with dynamic strategy, respectively. The structure-function relationships of both devices were assessed via a segmented regression, as well as linear regression across overall SD-OCT cpRNFL values and outside normative (<1%) SD-OCT cpRNFL values. Results: Linear and segmented regression fits were similar with both devices. Across overall cpRNFL sectorial values, structure-function relations for the superotemporal, temporal, and inferotemporal sectors were R2 = 0.176 (p = <0.001), R2 = 0.008 (p = 0.069), and R2 = 0.294 (p = <0.001) for microperimetry and R2 = 0.189 (p = <0.001), R2 = 0.020 (p = 0.002), and R2 = 0.326 (p = <0.001) for Octopus perimetry. For corresponding values outside normative limits (<1%), the relationships were R2 = 0.113 (p = <0.001), R2 = 0.001 (p = 0.836), and R2 = 0.420 (p = <0.001) for microperimetry and R2 = 0.192 (p = <0.001), R2 = 0.002, (p = 0.336), and R2 = 0.366 (p = <0.001) for Octopus perimetry. Discussion/Conclusion: Structure-function analysis was similar for both devices. Fundus-tracking should be further evaluated in a longitudinal setting in patients affected by glaucoma.
Cost-Effectiveness of Antihypertensive Deprescribing in Primary Care: a Markov Modelling Study Using Data From the OPTiMISE Trial
Authors: Jowett Sue , Kodabuckus Shahela , Ford Gary A. , Hobbs F.D. Richard , Lown Mark , Mant Jonathan , Payne Rupert , McManus Richard J. , Sheppard James P. ,   for the OPTiMISE investigators
Published: March 2022

Background:

Deprescribing of antihypertensive medications for older patients with normal blood pressure is recommended by some clinical guidelines, where the potential harms of treatment may outweigh the benefits. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of this approach.

Methods:

A Markov patient-level simulation was undertaken to model the effect of withdrawing one antihypertensive compared with usual care, over a life-time horizon. Model population characteristics were estimated using data from the OPTiMISE antihypertensive deprescribing trial, and the effects of blood pressure changes on outcomes were derived from the literature. Health-related quality of life was modeled in Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) and presented as costs per QALY gained.

Results:

In the base-case analysis, medication reduction resulted in lower costs than usual care (mean difference £185), but also lower QALYs (mean difference 0.062) per patient over a life-time horizon. Usual care was cost-effective at £2975 per QALY gained (more costly, but more effective). Medication reduction resulted more heart failure and stroke/TIA events but fewer adverse events. Medication reduction may be the preferred strategy at a willingness-to-pay of £20 000/QALY, where the baseline absolute risk of serious drug-related adverse events was ≥7.7% a year (compared with 1.7% in the base-case).

Conclusions:

Although there was uncertainty around many of the assumptions underpinning this model, these findings suggest that antihypertensive medication reduction should not be attempted in many older patients with controlled systolic blood pressure. For populations at high risk of adverse effects, deprescribing may be beneficial, but a targeted approach would be required in routine practice.
Digital Financial Inclusion for Women in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Authors: Ojo Tinuade Adekunbi
Published: March 2022

Sustainable Development Goal 5 is seen as critical in achieving gender equality. Women and girls are still marginalised and disadvantaged in Africa, and proportionally few are financially and socially independent. Hence, there is a concern about the gender gap in digital financial inclusion on the continent. The paper draws on existing literature to examine the extent to which digital financial inclusion facilitates women’s economic empowerment in four African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Namibia and Lesotho. It further discusses the challenges women face in taking part in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Despite all the policies implemented by African states and the growing participation of these nations in 4IR, women still lag behind in digital financial inclusion. The paper concludes that enforcing gender equity in the digital environment is necessary to pave the way for the future. Technology is human-invented and follows the instructions that we dictate. Hence, we could use it to improve gender equality in the 4IR environment and move closer to achieving sustainable development.
A Future of Justice Inclusion: Examining Access to Justice in South Africa through the ‘Ethic of Care’ and ‘Complexity’
Authors: Nagtegaal Jackie , Jooste Yvonne
Published: March 2022

In South Africa, a number of obstructions exist to realising the right to access to justice as enshrined by section 34 of the South African constitution. Globally, many countries grapple with access to justice due to a number of multi-layered and complex causes. This article explores traces, connections, definitions and perceptions related to access to justice so as to allow for a deeper understanding of persisting justice problems. It employs a multi-disciplinary approach that examines worldviews on access to justice in South Africa through the lens of what Sohail Inayatullah terms ‘other ways of knowing’. These worldviews are also considered through the framework of the ‘ethic of care’ as formulated by Carol Gilligan and connected to the notion of ‘complexity’ as understood by Yvonne Malan and Paul Cilliers. The worldviews explored represent ‘different voices’ that discloses a possibility for a future of justice inclusion. The article calls for a people-centred approach to access of justice, underpinned by notions of humility, complexity, concreteness, and particularity.
The East African Court of Justice: Towards Effective Protection of Human Rights in the East African Community
Authors: Possi Ally
Published: March 2022

Human rights in Africa are under the microscope of regional and subregional mechanisms. The regional mechanism is under the auspices of the African Union (AU), in which human rights come under the scrutiny of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Sub-regional organizations, established as Regional Economic Communities (RECs), have recently developed their own jurisprudence in promoting and protecting human rights in Africa through their legally constituted institutions. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have emerged as front runners in realizing human rights in Africa. The principles governing the operations of the EAC in meeting its objectives include the promotion and protection of human rights. The EAC has established the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), tasked with interpreting and ensuring the application of the EAC Treaty. This article pinpoints key challenges that the EACJ is currently encountering and tries to find possible solutions which can improve the functioning of the EACJ to effectively protect human rights in the Community.
The Status of Ābirū in Contemporary Iranian Shīʿī Narratives
Authors: Rodziewicz (مجدلينا رودزييفيتش) Magdalena
Published: March 2022

The current study elaborates on the place, status and functions of the concept of ābirū in Shīʿī religious discourse in contemporary Iran. Its main source material has been selected from a variety of rulings (fatwās) and other type of statements delivered by Iranian marājiʿ taqlīd (sources of emulation). By emphasizing the significance of the concept of ābirū in the Iranian tradition and its reception within the Shīʿī tradition, this study outlines the main functions attributed to the idea of ‘good reputation’ and ‘positive social image’ in contemporary Iranian religious jurisprudence. The analysis of the rulings issued by Iranian clergy allows one to distinguish how the idea of ābirū influences verdicts in different aspects of the life of a believer – personal, ethical, legal and political. The study reveals the flexible way in which this moral concept is being incorporated into judgements which, in turn, may result in a novel and nuanced understanding of many Islamic principles, especially in socio-political perspectives.
Exploring the Watch-to-Warning Space: Experimental Outlook Performance during the 2019 Spring Forecasting Experiment in NOAA’s Hazardous Weather Testbed
Authors: Gallo Burkely T. , Wilson Katie A. , Choate Jessica , Knopfmeier Kent , Skinner Patrick , Roberts Brett , Heinselman Pamela , Jirak Israel , Clark Adam J.
Published: March 2022

During the 2019 Spring Forecasting Experiment in NOAA’s Hazardous Weather Testbed, two NWS forecasters issued experimental probabilistic forecasts of hail, tornadoes, and severe convective wind using NSSL’s Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS). The aim was to explore forecast skill in the time frame between severe convective watches and severe convective warnings during the peak of the spring convective season. Hourly forecasts issued during 2100–0000 UTC, valid from 0100 to 0200 UTC demonstrate how forecasts change with decreasing lead time. Across all 13 cases in this study, the descriptive outlook statistics (e.g., mean outlook area, number of contours) change slightly and the measures of outlook skill (e.g., fractions skill score, reliability) improve incrementally with decreasing lead time. WoFS updraft helicity (UH) probabilities also improve slightly and less consistently with decreasing lead time, though both the WoFS and the forecasters generated skillful forecasts throughout. Larger skill differences with lead time emerge on a case-by-case basis, illustrating cases where forecasters consistently improved upon WoFS guidance, cases where the guidance and the forecasters recognized small-scale features as lead time decreased, and cases where the forecasters issued small areas of high probabilities using guidance and observations. While forecasts generally “honed in” on the reports with slightly smaller contours and higher probabilities, increased confidence could include higher certainty that severe weather would not occur (e.g., lower probabilities). Long-range (1–5 h) WoFS UH probabilities were skillful, and where the guidance erred, forecasters could adjust for those errors and increase their forecasts’ skill as lead time decreased.

Significance Statement

Forecasts are often assumed to improve as an event approaches and uncertainties resolve. This work examines the evolution of experimental forecasts valid over one hour with decreasing lead time issued using the Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS). Because of its rapidly updating ensemble data assimilation, WoFS can help forecasters understand how thunderstorm hazards may evolve in the next 0–6 h. We found slight improvements in forecast and WoFS performance as a function of lead time over the full experiment; the first forecasts issued and the initial WoFS guidance performed well at long lead times, and good performance continued as the event approached. However, individual cases varied and forecasters frequently combined raw model output with observed mesoscale features to provide skillful small-scale forecasts.
Postmortem Diagnostic Overshadowing: Reporting Cerebral Palsy on Death Certificates
Authors: Landes Scott D. , Stevens J. Dalton , Turk Margaret A.
Published: March 2022

Postmortem diagnostic overshadowing—defined as inaccurately reporting a disability as the underlying cause of death—occurs for over half of adults with cerebral palsy. This practice obscures cause of death trends, reducing the effectiveness of efforts to reduce premature mortality among this marginalized health population. Using data from the National Vital Statistics System 2005 to 2017 U.S. Multiple Cause of Death files (N = 29,996), we identify factors (sociodemographic characteristics, aspects of the context and processing of death, and comorbidities) associated with the inaccurate reporting of cerebral palsy as the underlying cause of death. Results suggest that inaccurate reporting is associated with heightened contexts of clinical uncertainty, the false equivalence of disability and health, and potential racial-ethnic bias. Ending postmortem diagnostic overshadowing will require training on disability and health for those certifying death certificates and efforts to redress ableist death certification policies.
Animal experiments in biomedical research: Knowledge, self-evaluation and attitudes of biology and medical students
Authors: Kanzler Stephanie , Krabbe Julia , Forkmann Thomas , Tolba René H , Steitz Julia
Published: March 2022

Animal experiments in biomedical research are debated in public, within the scientific community and among students. Despite increased efforts to reduce, refine and replace animal experiments, they remain integral components of the job of a biomedical scientist. In Germany, persons must have a university degree and adequate education and training to perform and direct animal experiments. Therefore, training courses such as FELASA (Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations) courses are provided. However, in our experience, students become aware of this very late in their studies when decisions about their future careers have already been made. We initiated this study to have a better understanding of when and how animal experiments should be discussed during university education. We evaluated the knowledge, self-evaluation and attitudes of biology and medical students of different semesters regarding animal experiments at the RWTH Aachen University, Germany. An online survey was conducted to assess demographic information, knowledge about animal experiments, self-evaluation and attitudes towards animal experiments. Students of both fields showed limited knowledge of animal experiments. Biology students showed significantly better knowledge and self-evaluated their knowledge higher than medical students. The field of the study correlated with their knowledge and self-evaluation but did not predict participants’ attitudes towards animal experiments. In conclusion, the current study showed that there is still room for improvement to raise awareness about laboratory animal science in the biomedical research field.
Medicaid Coverage for Podiatric Care: A National Survey
Authors: Brewer Thomas W. , Bonnah Godslove K. , Cairns James S. , Lanese Bethany G. , Waimberg Joshua
Published: March 2022

Objectives:

Medicaid provides health insurance for low-income people meeting specific eligibility requirements. It is funded and administered by both the federal and state governments; this decentralization leads to vastly different programs across the country. The objective of this legal surveillance project was to describe state-by-state differences in podiatric care coverage for nonelderly adults across Medicaid programs.

Methods:

We used policy surveillance, a form of advanced legal mapping. It is the systematic collection and analysis of written policies across jurisdictions. Policy surveillance captures the important features of law through a rigorous scientific process to turn these policies into structured, quantitative legal data that are suitable for further evaluation or modeling. Data for the 51 jurisdictions were current as of September 1, 2020.

Results:

The vast majority of jurisdictions (82%) covered podiatric services for all classes of Medicaid beneficiaries, but the rules, restrictions, and limitations around coverage differed. Twenty-five jurisdictions had no limits on the number of podiatric visits during a specified period; 26 jurisdictions indicated a cap. Ten jurisdictions had no explicit limitations on coverage of routine foot care, whereas 33 jurisdictions covered routine foot care only when medically necessary or with a triggering condition. Eight jurisdictions did not cover routine foot care at all, and 28 jurisdictions required prior authorizations.

Conclusions:

Podiatric care coverage, which is often preventive, varies greatly by state. This variability in coverage, which has not been previously tracked at the level of detail provided in our study, has implications for cost and health outcomes. The value of podiatric care is especially apparent in Medicaid populations. The compilation of these data can serve as a valuable resource for clinicians, researchers, and policy makers.
“This School is Killing my Soul”: Threat Rigidity Responses to High-Stakes Accountability Policies
Authors: Brezicha Kristina F. , Kavanagh Kara M. , Martin Anne E. , Fisher-Ari Teresa R.
Published: March 2022

Accountability-era reforms have promulgated a discourse of crisis and a looming threat for public schools. While these threats negatively affect all, this paper focuses on how schools’ responses to these threats shape novice Teach for America Corp Members’ (CM) socialization. By analyzing nearly 6,000 daily reflections from 38 CMs about their experiences during a high-stakes cheating scandal, we argue that schools’ responses indicated a threat rigidity response that allowed what we call the mesosystem of transgressions to occur. Our implications present ways to (a) mitigate threats inflicted on schools through unjust policies and practices and (b) enact equitable public schools.
Life Cycle Cost Analysis of High Friction Surface Treatment Applications
Authors: Deef-Allah Eslam , Broaddus Korrenn , Abdelrahman Magdy
Published: March 2022

Life cycle cost analyses for high friction surface treatment (HFST) applications were executed relying on a Microsoft Excel program developed by the researchers. Calcined bauxite (CB), five CB alternatives, and epoxy binder were utilized in the HFST applications. The aggregates’ performances were evaluated through the aggregate image measurement system (AIMS) before and after Micro-Deval polishing. The performance of the HFST applications was evaluated by the dynamic friction tester (DFT) and British pendulum (BP). The major purpose of this program was to present a rational method for converting different input data (project and material specifics) to comparable output data (net present value [NPV]) that facilitated comparison between different alternatives. The project specifics included traffic data, highway classification, and geometric design data. The material specifics data were AIMS results, DFT results, BP results, and materials and shipping costs. Three prediction models were selected to relate the performance test results to skid number (SN). The rehabilitation matrix, proposed by the researchers, was used to make the decision to maintain the HFST. This was conducted by comparing the predicted terminal SN and the recommended terminal SN (controlled by the user). The program output showed that Meramec River Aggregate and Flint HFST applications had the lowest NPVs, followed by Steel Slag HFST application, and then Earthworks HFST application. Nevertheless, Rhyolite HFST application showed the highest NPVs followed by the CB HFST application. The cost of the resin was dominant over the total cost of the HFST application.
Tele-Assessments in Rural and Remote Schools – Perspectives of Support Teachers
Authors: Hodge Marie Antoinette , Chan Esther , Sutherland Rebecca , Ong Natalie , Bale Gillian , Cramsie Jane , Drevensek Suzi , Silove Natalie
Published: March 2022

Tele-assessments may enable specialist evaluation of students in schools and their progress following intervention. The aim of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of using videoconferencing technology to assess students with reading difficulties in the school setting and obtain the perspectives of teachers supporting the students during the assessment. Teachers ( n = 57) of 71 primary school age students participated in the study. Teachers provided feedback on the tele-assessment by completing questionnaires about students’ behaviours and the quality of the technology and assessment process. Randomly selected teachers ( n = 24) were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview to provide qualitative feedback. Tele-assessments were completed in 93.4% of the sample. Support teachers reported satisfaction with the audio and visual quality as well as the assessment process. The majority of students completed the tele-assessment with good compliance, engagement and attention. Feedback from support teachers also reflected the strengths of tele-assessments, such as better access to service, cost saving and convenience. Barriers to tele-assessments included technical difficulties, assessment limitations and equipment issues at schools. Tele-assessment is a feasible method of objectively measuring outcomes of students following an intervention. Tele-assessment at school is largely accepted by teachers who supported students in this study. Feedback obtained from this research may be used to offer guidance on undertaking tele-assessments with students in the school setting.
Gendered Housework: Spousal Relative Income, Parenthood and Traditional Gender Identity Norms
Authors: Syrda Joanna
Published: March 2022

Despite women’s increased market employment and earnings, the gender housework gap persists. Drawing on US data from 1999 to 2017 waves of Panel Study of Income Dynamics (6643 dual-earner heterosexual couples, 19,602 couple-year observations) and using couples fixed effects, this study examines the impact of having children on the relationship between partners’ housework time and spousal relative income. While parenthood could theoretically incentivize a more efficient division of labour, I find it has a traditionalizing effect and parents’ housework exhibits significant gender deviance neutralization, while housework division of childless couples is independent of relative income. In fact, these effects are so sizeable, that parents’ gender gap in the division of domestic labour increases in the higher range of women’s relative income. As the gender earnings gap closes and women’s relative income increases, the gender housework gap opens. Additionally, the traditionalizing parenthood effect is identified only among married and not cohabiting parents.
Renewable energy taxes and environmental impacts: A critical reflection from the wind tax in Spain
Authors: Regueiro-Ferreira Rosa Mª , Cadaval Sampedro María
Published: March 2022

In recent decades, wind energy has undergone significant progress, with the contribution of countries such as China, the United States, Germany and Spain standing out, although there is no single comprehensive model for promoting renewable energy worldwide. In Spain, the regions of Galicia, Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia have led this process, with significant changes in their contribution depending on the economic situation and the varied legislative framework in force at any given time. Although wind energy is less harmful to the environment, it is not harmless, and environmental impact and its penalisation is one of the key elements in the applicable regulations. In the case of Spain, the three regions mentioned above, out of a total of seventeen, apply their own taxes to tax the environmental impact of wind energy. The aim of this paper is to describe and compare the wind tax applied in the aforementioned regions from 1995 to 2020; to characterise wind taxation socio-economically, and to assess the suitability of this type of taxation to tax the environmental impacts associated with wind energy activity in Spain. The differences in tax treatment are notable and it is observed that the concept of environmental impact has been anchored in the past and, today, older wind farms with less powerful wind turbines are those that bear a greater tax burden, while more modern, more powerful and larger wind farms (with a significant environmental, acoustic and visual impact) may even be exempt from taxation.
Steady-state dynamic analysis of a nonlinear fluidic soft actuator
Authors: Janizadeh Haji Behzad , Bamdad Mahdi
Published: March 2022

The internal channel networks embedded within a soft structure can be a fruitful mechanism to create and activate actuators in the research fields of soft robotics. The deformation of the supporting elastic structure from the pressurized viscous fluid into the channels needs an accurate investigation. In this paper, accurate modeling and dynamic analysis of this nonlinear soft actuator is our goal. In this modeling, the soft actuator is considered the Euler–Bernoulli beam with large deflection and nonlinear strain. After implementing Hamilton’s principle, the assumed mode method is used to achieve the mathematical model in terms of the multi-mode system that is more similar to the flexible nature of the actuation system. Steady-state dynamics is investigated by a combination of the complex averaging method with arc-length continuation. The accuracy of the proposed modeling is validated by comparing simulation results to those obtained with a nonlinear finite element method and numerical method. It shows that only one-third of the degree-of-freedoms used for the finite element method are sufficient to obtain equivalent converged solutions with the proposed model. The effect of nonlinear strain and multi-mode consideration in the analysis of the proposed modeling is investigated. It is advantageous to analyze the system performance by looking into the geometrical parameters and fluid properties.
Comparing forward and reverse transfer from Dutch to German
Authors: Barking Marie , Mos Maria , Backus Ad
Published: March 2022

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions:

This study compares transfer from Dutch to German by native Dutch speakers who learned German as a second language (forward transfer: L1 to L2) and by native German speakers who are living in the Netherlands (reverse transfer: L2 to L1). The aim of this comparison is to see whether both groups experience the same kind of transfer (i.e., transferring the Dutch preference for prepositional phrases in the postfield position to German) and whether the extent of transfer depends on their language use.

Design/methodology/approach:

We compiled a corpus (2,908,154 words) consisting of German e-mails written by native Dutch speakers ( n = 21) and native German speakers living in the Netherlands ( n = 9). In addition, speakers filled in the BLP (bilingual language profile) test.

Data and analysis:

The corpus was analyzed for the speakers’ placement of prepositional phrases, and we linked their answers on the BLP test to their language use in the corpus data.

Findings/conclusions:

Our data show that the native Dutch speakers use the postfield position more frequently in their German than the native German speakers do. Besides, for both groups, the postfield use was related to the speakers’ use of Dutch as well as German varieties that are influenced by Dutch.

Originality:

This study directly compares forward and reverse transfer using a large corpus of written German texts, and it links both types of transfer to the speakers’ language use. In doing so, the study shows that the mechanism of entrenchment is likely to underlie transfer in both cases.

Significance/implications:

The results of this study are in line with a usage-based approach: there is extensive individual variation between speakers regarding their extent of transfer, which partly can be attributed to the speakers’ language use, both in the case of forward and reverse transfer.
Interactive visualization literacy: The state-of-the-art
Authors: Firat Elif E , Joshi Alark , Laramee Robert S
Published: March 2022

With the advent of novel visualization techniques to convey complex information, data visualization literacy is growing in importance. Two facets of literacy are user understanding and the discovery of visual patterns with the help of graphical representations. The research literature on visualization literacy provides useful guidance and important opportunities for further studies in this field. This survey examines and classifies prior research on visualization literacy that analyzes how well users understand novel data representations. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive survey paper with a focus on interactive visualization literacy. We categorize existing relevant research into unique subject groups that facilitate and inform comparisons of related literature and provide an overview of the same. Additionally, the survey/classification also provides an overview of the various evaluation techniques used in this field of research due to their challenging nature. Our novel classification enables researchers to find both mature and unexplored directions that may lead to future work. This survey serves as a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced researchers interested in the topic of visualization literacy.
Study on vibration energy harvesting of offshore platform by energy harvester based on nonlinear energy sink
Authors: Chang Zongyu , Ge Maokun , Yao Zhipeng , Zheng Zhongqiang
Published: March 2022

Under the impacts of waves and other marine environment, the jacket offshore platform has an obvious vibration and generates lots of energy. Meanwhile, the platform may suffer fatigue damage. The vibration energy harvesting of a jacket offshore platform under random waves with a nonlinear energy sink (NES) was investigated, and a NES-Energy harvester (NES-EH) was then designed by combining an electromagnetic linear generator with the NES. Moreover, the dynamic model of the NES-EH-offshore platform was built, and the electromagnetic damping and stiffness of the energy harvester were optimized by analyzing the energy capture efficiency and root mean square reduction of the platform displacement. The effects of NES nonlinear stiffness and damping, peak period and effective wave height of irregular waves on the capture power and width of the NES-EH were also analyzed. The results show that nonlinear stiffness and damping of the NES impact the energy capturing efficiency of the NES-EH; the smaller the damping and nonlinear stiffness, the higher the power captured by electromagnetic damping in the NES-EH. Compared with NES, the NES-EH system has a better effect on the vibration control of the platform and can better capture considerable vibration energy.
Preliminary study of a novel capsule robot with spring-connected legs
Authors: Sun Zhen-Jun , Gu Wenjin , Xin Yesheng , Lin Jian
Published: March 2022

This paper proposes a novel capsule robot (CR) with spring-connected legs for potential usage in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The proposed CR has a set of six legs and is actuated by a micromotor through internal mechanisms. Every two adjacent legs are connected by a spring. The leg opening-folding movement, together with the spring stretching-contraction motion, may be employed to distend the GI tract, carry out drug delivery or perform biopsy. The relationship between the driving force required by the spring set and the spring length was carefully calculated and simulated. This relationship was also measured by an NI data acquisition system. The calculated and measured data showed good accordance with each other. In addition, the driving force from the micromotor was calculated. Both the calculations and the CR experiments demonstrated that the internal motor could provide sufficient force on the springs.
Reliability analysis of city gas pipelines subjected to surface loads based on the Kriging model
Authors: Peng Xingyu , Xu Ling , Gao Jian , Liu Chang , Zhou Jiao
Published: March 2022

Surface loads imposed on pipelines by illegal buildings in urban areas are common. A surface load can cause ground subsidence and pipeline deformation, as well as accidents such as leakages of oil and gas media and even explosions. In this paper, a pipeline reliability model based on stress–strength interference is established; based on structural reliability theory, the authors analyze the maximum equivalent stress of a pipeline’s dangerous section and pipe yield stress. Through the combination of the Kriging model and the method proposed by the Joint Committee of Structural Safety (JC method), the established limit state equation is approximated as a surrogate model, and the non-normal random variables are normalized using the JC method. The reliability indexes of the pipeline in the frame and brick–concrete structures were solved using MATLAB, and the results were verified and compared using the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method. Through calculations, the reliability of the pipeline under the surface load of a frame-structure building was 0.9852, while the reliability of the pipeline under a brick-concrete structure was 0.9998, and the relative error with the MCS method was less than 1%. The method used in this paper has good applicability in analyzing the reliability of pressure-occupied pipeline and has certain reference and guiding significance for practical engineering.
The optimal percutaneous coronary intervention strategy for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease: a pairwise and network meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Meng-Jin , Tan Jiang-Shan , Jiang Wen-Yang , Gao Xiao-Jin , Yang Yue-Jin
Published: March 2022

Objective:

To investigate the optimal percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) strategy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel coronary artery disease.

Methods:

Trials that randomized patients with STEMI and multivessel coronary artery disease to immediate multivessel PCI, staged multivessel PCI, or culprit-only PCI and prospective observational studies that investigated all-cause death were included. Random effect risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

Results:

A total of 13 randomized trials with 7627 patients and 21 prospective observational studies with 60311 patients were included. In the pairwise and network meta-analysis based on randomized trials, immediate or staged multivessel PCI was associated with a lower risk of long-term major adverse cardiac events (MACE; RR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.74) than culprit-only PCI, which was mainly due to lower risks of myocardial infarction (RR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.88) and revascularization (RR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.51), without any significant difference in all-cause death (RR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.69 to 1.04; I2 = 0.0%). However, short-term outcomes were deficient in randomized trials. The results from real-world prospective observational studies suggested that staged multivessel PCI reduced long-term all-cause death (RR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.71; I2 = 15.6%), whereas immediate multivessel PCI increased short-term all-cause death (RR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.22 to 2.05; I2 = 43.8%) relative to culprit-only PCI.

Conclusion:

For patients in randomized trials, multivessel PCI in an immediate or staged procedure was preferred due to improvements in long-term outcomes. As a supplement, the results in real-world patients derived from prospective observational studies suggested that staged multivessel PCI was superior to immediate multivessel PCI. Therefore, staged multivessel PCI may be the optimal PCI strategy for patients with STEMI and multivessel coronary artery disease.
Are caregivers ready for digital? Caregiver preferences for health technology tools to monitor medication adherence among patients with serious mental illness
Authors: Forma Felicia , Chiu Kevin , Shafrin Jason , Boskovic Dusica Hadzi , Veeranki S Phani
Published: March 2022

Background

Adherence to antipsychotic medication is critical for bipolar disorder (BPD), major depression (MDD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) patients. Digital tools have emerged to monitor medication adherence along with tracking general health. Evidence on physician or patient preferences for such tools exists but is limited among caregivers. The study objective was to assess preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for medication adherence monitoring tools among caregivers of SMI patients.

Methods

A web-based survey was administered to caregivers of adult SMI patients. Twelve discrete choice questions comparing adherence monitoring tools that varied across two attribute bundles: (1) tool attributes including source of medication adherence information, frequency of information updates, access to adherence information, and physical activity, mood, and rest tracking, and (2) caregiver monthly out-of-pocket cost attribute were administered to caregiver respondents. Attributes were parameterized for both digital and non-digital tools. Random utility models were used to estimate caregivers’ preferences and WTP.

Results

Among 184 study-eligible caregivers, 57, 61 and 66 participants cared for BPD, MDD, and SCZ patients, respectively. Caregivers highly preferred (odds ratio (OR): 7.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.00–10.79) a tool that tracked medication ingestion using a pill embedded with an ingestible event market (IEM) sensor and tracked patients’ physical activity, mood, and rest than a non-digital pill organizer. Additionally, caregivers were willing to pay $255 per month (95% CI: $123–$387) more for this tool compared to a pill organizer.

Conclusion

Caregivers of SMI patients highly preferred and were willing to pay more for digital tools that not only measures medication ingestion but also tracks general health.
The Role of Athlete Competitiveness in High School Sport Specialization in the United States
Authors: Warmath Dee , Bell David R. , Winterstein Andrew P.
Published: March 2022

Background:

Sport specialization has been associated with increased injury and negative psychosocial effects on young athletes. With the continuing trend toward specialization, studies have begun to examine what motivates this decision (eg, building a skill, getting a scholarship). No study has directly assessed the personal characteristics underlying these stated reasons.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

This study examined the role of athlete competitiveness (enjoyment of competition and competitive contentiousness) as a characteristic associated with propensity to specialize in the United States. We hypothesized that, at the high school level, athletes would be more likely to engage in sport specialization owing to enjoyment of competition versus competitive contentiousness.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We conducted an online survey of 975 high school athletes in the United States who were recruited via the Dynata research panel. Measures included a previously published sport specialization categorization (low, medium, high) and the 2 dimensions of the Revised Competitiveness Index (enjoyment of competition and competitive contentiousness). Also collected were athlete characteristics, sports played by the athletes, level of competition, and whether they planned to play sports in college. Analytical methods employed included cross-tabulations, multinomial logit, and ordinary least squares regression.

Results:

Overall, 22.4% of the athletes reported a high, 34.8% reported a medium, and 42.9% reported a small level of specialization. No differences in the distribution of sport specialization by sex or age were observed; however, athletes who definitely planned to play in college were significantly more likely to have a high level of specialization ( P < .001). Enjoyment of competition was associated with greater specialization (beta = .196; P < .001), whereas competitive contentiousness was associated with lower levels of specialization (beta = −.299; P < .001). These findings were robust to all 3 different analytical methods we employed.

Conclusion:

Study findings indicated that, while athlete competitiveness is associated with sport specialization, the nature of that competitiveness determined the association. Being an argumentative contrarian may predispose athletes to lower levels of sport specialization, whereas enjoying competition may encourage higher levels of specialization.
Prospect Theory, Mental Accounting, Nudges: Applications to Economics, Finance, Marketing, Public Policy, and to COVID-19 Pandemic Management
Authors: Kalyanaram Gurumurthy
Published: March 2022

In this article, we present three important behavioral/cognitive theories: Prospect theory, mental accounting, and nudge theory. We also briefly present applications of these theories to consumer, financial, and product markets, and to public policy decisions. Finally, we discuss the application of these three theories to management of the current pandemic (COVID-19) situation, including strategizing and communicating productively. Specifically, we examine the framing of the non-pharmacological mandates, the applicable models for closing and re-opening decisions, and methods to increase the odds of diffusion of accurate information. There are three useful insights. One, we find that framing matters in increasing the effectiveness of the mandates: exposure to gain frames yielded more support. Two, instead of closing, opening, and closing again, it is better to keep the economy (and schools/colleges) closed for a longer time period so that it does not have to be closed again. Three, an accuracy nudge increases the flow of accurate information and attenuates the false information.