bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symbolic Significance of the Sword in the Hero’s Hand: Beowulf, The Nibelungenlied, El Poema de Mio Cid, Volsunga Saga, and Njál’s Saga
Authors: Classen Albrecht
Published: November 2020

The medieval hero cannot be imagined without a significant sword. Swords often have names and a mysterious identity. Beowulf cannot kill Grendel’s mother with his own sword, but has to resort to some of the ancient weapons lying in her lair. In the Nibelungenlied, Siegfried’s sword gets into the hand of his nemesis, Hagen, after he has murdered him. Siegfried’s widow, Kriemhild, finally takes it from Hagen and decapitates him. This, however, means her own death. In the Old Spanish El Poema de Mio Cid, the protagonist conquers two most valuable swords, and he passes them on to his sons-in-law, although they prove to be unworthy of those gifts. In the final court trial, Rodrigo Diaz demands those two swords back from the villains, and he triumphs over them. Once he has the swords back in his possession, he can proceed and destroy his enemies in this trial. Swords are not simply weapons; they are synecdoches of the hero himself, and they have the power to sing before or during battle, which is often commented on in the Old Norse sagas. This article will examine how heroic poets treated the sword as a pars pro toto of the hero and hence as agents of superpower, exacting justice and providing honor.
Dutch houting, Danish helt ‘Coregonus ssp.’
Authors: Kroonen Guus
Published: November 2020

This short etymological note presents the North Germanic cognates of the ichthyonym houting ‘Coregonus oxyrinchus’, which in the Dutch etymological literature on the word have remained unnoticed. It is argued on the basis of Danish helt and related forms that the Proto-(Northwest-)Germanic reconstruction of this word can be set to *halti-.
Implications of Grammaticalization for Language Change
Authors: Concu Valentina
Published: November 2020

The emergence of the German double present and past perfect (hat vergessen gehabt ‘has forgotten had’; ist gefahren gewesen ‘is gone been’ – hatte vergessen gehabt ‘had forgotten had’; war gefahren gewesen ‘was gone been’) is still widely debated. Some scholars consider the development of these constructions a result of the decline of the Präteritum, whereas others claim that these were formed as a consequence of the loss of the aspectual system and the reconstruction process of the verbal categories. In this article, the author argues that the development of these constructions is the result of the grammaticalization of the Perfekt as a ‘commentary tense’ in the 14th Century. The increased frequency of the present perfect prompted the reanalysis of the past participles of haben (gehabt) and sein (gewesen), which began to appear alongside the present perfect, creating new periphrastic constructions, including the double present and past perfects.
Eine Kantische Begründung individueller Klimapflichten
Authors: Hollnaicher Simon
Published: November 2020

According to a well-known problem in climate ethics, individual actions cannot be wrong due to their impact on climate change since the individual act does not make a difference. By referring to the practical interpretation of the categorical imperative, the author argues that certain actions lead to a contradiction in conception in light of the climate crisis. Universalizing these actions would cause foreseeable climate impacts, making it impossible to pursue the original maxim effectively. According to the practical interpretation, such actions are morally wrong. The wrongness of these actions does not depend on making a difference, rather these actions are wrong because they make it impossible for others to act accordingly. Thus, apart from imperfect duties, for which has been argued convincingly elsewhere (Henning 2016; Alberzart 2019), we also have perfect duties to refrain from certain actions in the face of the climate crisis.
Why Leave the Car at Home, If That Doesn’t Save the Climate?
Authors: Mannino Adriano
Published: November 2020

Why take individual action against collectively caused evils such as climate change? Prima facie, one’s individual contribution may seem to make a negligible difference at best. Consequentialists as well as consequence-sensitive nonconsequentialists should be interested in whether a consequence-based justification for taking individual climate action can be found nonetheless. The author argues that even though individual agents are able to make a non-zero difference in expectation, the altruistic expected value may be so small as to be insufficiently worthwhile, given the agents’ opportunity cost. In this case, altruistic agents may face a Prisoner’s Dilemma (PD), i.e. an altruistic public goods problem. Hence, the consequence-based account of why to leave one’s car at home could be vindicated if the PD can be solved in a consequence-based way. The author offers tentative grounds for optimism about solving the PD in a consequence-based way, and for acting accordingly.
Two Structures in One Object
Authors: Piwowarczyk Marek
Published: November 2020

In this article the author analyzes the problem stated by Ingarden in his ontology: under what conditions can the subject−properties structure and the whole−parts structure coexist in one object? After the presentation of Ingarden’s doctrines concerning both structures, the author argues that for Ingarden a whole is nothing over and above a plurality of objects linked by relations. However, Ingarden was convinced that a compound object is not identical with a whole which is associated with it. Then the author analyzes the difference between the two types of compound objects: higher-order objects and compound, primarily individual objects. The former are founded on parts while the latter are such that their parts are founded on them. Finally, the author considers Ingarden’s theory as an answer to the one–many problem. The author argues that Ingarden’s conception of a higher-order object cannot solve this problem, and he also points to some difficulties concerning primarily individual compound objects.
The covid-19 Pandemic, Geopolitics, and International Law
Authors: Fidler David P
Published: November 2020

Balance-of-power politics have shaped how countries, especially the United States and China, have responded to the covid-19 pandemic. The manner in which geopolitics have influenced responses to this outbreak is unprecedented, and the impact has also been felt in the field of international law. This article surveys how geopolitical calculations appeared in global health from the mid-nineteenth century through the end of the Cold War and why such calculations did not, during this period, fundamentally change international health cooperation or the international law used to address health issues. The astonishing changes in global health and international law on health that unfolded during the post-Cold War era happened in a context not characterized by geopolitical machinations. However, the covid-19 pandemic emerged after the balance of power had returned to international relations, and rival great powers have turned this pandemic into a battleground in their competition for power and influence.
YouTube as a Recruitment Tool? A Reflection on Using Video to Recruit Research Participants
Authors: Culshaw Suzanne
Published: November 2020

This article presents an innovative, video-based approach to the recruitment of research participants. A YouTube video was created and uploaded as part of a doctoral study exploring what it means to be struggling as a teacher. Following a review of the recruitment literature, which highlights a general lack of attention paid to the challenges of recruitment, the author explores the approach she took in planning the video. The video was the main promotional tool for the study and was communicated via Twitter and email. She also presents online survey findings on the perceived impact and influence of the video; the visual format, informal tone and the ability to see the researcher in person were rated very positively. A reflective analysis of the video transcript follows drawing on the literature as well as the survey findings. She concludes that video-based recruitment can be an inexpensive but powerful tool which allows a human connection with the researcher early on in the research process.
Diagrams of Intensity: Visualising the Sensibilities of Transdisciplinary Practice
Authors: Logere Romaine
Published: November 2020

One of the challenges to an increased rationalism within educational discourse has been a rethinking of mind-body relations. While there has been considerable discussion around what is implicated through the engagement of physical and theoretical sites of knowing, methodological difficulties related to how its resultant data might be meaningfully evidenced remain. Based on fieldwork conducted on a post-qualitative approach to transdisciplinary practice the author provides an account of a visual research method developed specifically to illustrate non-verbal experiences of group ideation. Writing from the position of a creative practitioner and intimate insider, the author explores how this positionality supported the role of bodily knowing in her research and the ways in which bodily experience offered utility to this research endeavour. The author concludes with a reflection on visualisation as a method to capture non-cognitive data and areas indicated through felt data for further exploration.
Using Video in Research with Young Children, Teachers and Parents: Entanglements of Possibility, Risk and Ethical Responsibility
Authors: Haggerty Maggie
Published: November 2020

This article draws on research conducted for the author’s PhD study and concepts in semiotic multimodality and relational materialism (Barad, 2007; Haraway, 2008) to explore the dynamics of what partnering with video/visual technologies in educational research with young children can be, do and become. This study was an ethnographic study which examined the curriculum and assessment priorities six focus children in Aotearoa-New Zealand encountered during their last six months in an early childhood (EC) centre and their first six months at school. In the article the author focuses on two video-recorded observations included in the PhD report by way of opening up for critical consideration the entanglements of possibility, risk and ethical responsibility entailed in the use of video in research with young children.
Toward a Professions-Based Understanding of Ethical and Responsible Lobbying
Authors: Barron Andrew , Skountridaki Lila
Published: November 2020

Responding to calls for more substantive studies into ethical and responsible lobbying, we analyze data collected over a 5-year period in Brussels to explore how individual lobbyists understand the ethical dimensions of their work. Mobilizing insights from the sociology of the professions, we expose an emerging lobbying professionalism and unpack practitioners’ understandings of what being a professional lobbyist entails, focusing in particular on their espoused values of transparency and honesty. While expectations to lobby more transparently and honestly stem from political institutions, we find individual lobbyists—acting as conduits—attempt to disseminate these expectations by setting limits that incite their clients to embrace what policymakers consider professional lobbying practice. Our study contributes to corporate political activity (CPA) scholarship by providing a professions-based understanding of ethical and responsible approaches to lobbying. We provide new insights into contextual and individual-level factors behind the emergence of such approaches, and elucidate implications of lobbying professionalism for business and European Union (EU) governance.
Combined Approach to Multi-Informant Data Using Latent Factors and Latent Classes: Trifactor Mixture Model
Authors: Kim Eunsook , von der Embse Nathaniel
Published: November 2020

Although collecting data from multiple informants is highly recommended, methods to model the congruence and incongruence between informants are limited. Bauer and colleagues suggested the trifactor model that decomposes the variances into common factor, informant perspective factors, and item-specific factors. This study extends their work to the trifactor mixture model that combines the trifactor model and the mixture model. This combined approach allows researchers to investigate the common and unique perspectives of multiple informants on targets using latent factors and simultaneously take into account potential heterogeneity of targets using latent classes. We demonstrate this model using student self-rated and teacher-rated academic behaviors ( N = 24,094). Model specification and testing procedures are explicated in detail. Methodological and practical issues in conducting the trifactor mixture analysis are discussed.
Luffa fibers as promising reinforcement for polymer composites: Mechanical characterization of NaOH treated and untreated dumbbell test-pieces with Weibull statistics
Authors: Carmona Alejandro Restrepo , Colorado L Henry A
Published: November 2020

Different materials require specific test-piece dimensions and designations for their mechanical characterization, present either in ASTM, ISO, or DIN norms. Natural polymers or bio-fibers are materials that have lignocellulosic fibrils that can be mechanically characterized as single fibers, which tend to be bundles of thinner hollow fibrils. In this work, a new approach has been applied to the unique natural fiber Luffa cylindrica, also called loofah or scourer, as loofah dumbbell test-pieces (LDTs) similar in length to the Type IV ASTM D-638 samples for unreinforced or reinforced plastics. 60 LDTs of 120 mm and 40 mm in length and width respectively were cut by hand, with and without alkali treatment (aqueous 2%NaOH), in transversal and longitudinal directions, to be characterized using testing speeds of 1 mm/min and 50 mm/min, SEM, XRD, statistics, and Weibull analysis. The resultant force vs. elongation/stress vs. strain graphs revealed a high variability of LDTs, and mercerization was found to increase their mechanical resistance. SEM images confirmed a microtubular cellular structure, XRD exposed an increment in crystallinity after alkali treatment, and Weibull indicated the probability of failure in 10 samples per configuration.
Comparative analysis of the mechanical and thermal properties of polyester and epoxy natural fibre-reinforced hybrid composites
Authors: Cavalcanti DKK , Banea MD , Neto JSS , Lima RAA
Published: November 2020

In this work, a comparative analysis of the mechanical and thermal properties of polyester and epoxy single and hybrid natural fibre-reinforced composites was performed. Pure jute, jute + curauá and jute + sisal composites with two distinct thermoset polymer resins (an epoxy and a polyester) were produced. Tensile, flexural and impact tests were carried out, in accordance to ASTM standards, to investigate and compare the mechanical properties of the composites as a function of matrix and hybridization. In addition, a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to complete the comparative analysis of the thermal properties. Finally, a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the fracture surface of the tested specimens. It was found that the hybridization process improved the mechanical properties of the non-hybrid jute fibre based composites for both matrices used. The resin used as matrix plays an important role on the mechanical properties of the composites. The epoxy matrix based composites presented higher tensile strength, while the polyester based composites presented higher tensile and flexural stiffness as well as higher impact energy, when compared to the epoxy-based composite. TGA analysis showed that the thermal stability of epoxy-based composites was higher compared to the polyester-based composites.
Intonational Structure Influences Perception of Contrastive Vowel Length: The Case of Phrase-Final Lengthening in Tokyo Japanese
Authors: Steffman Jeremy , Katsuda Hironori
Published: November 2020

Recent research has proposed that listeners use prosodic information to guide their processing of phonemic contrasts. Given that prosodic organization of the speech signal systematically modulates durational patterns (e.g., accentual lengthening and phrase-final (PF) lengthening), listeners’ perception of durational contrasts has been argued to be influenced by prosodic factors. For example, given that sounds are generally lengthened preceding a prosodic boundary, listeners may adjust their perception of durational cues accordingly, effectively compensating for prosodically-driven temporal patterns. In the present study we present two experiments designed to test the importance of pitch-based cues to prosodic structure for listeners’ perception of contrastive vowel length (CVL) in Tokyo Japanese along these lines. We tested if, when a target sound is cued as being PF, listeners compensatorily adjust categorization of vowel duration, in accordance with PF lengthening. Both experiments were a two-alternative forced choice task in which listeners categorized a vowel duration continuum as a phonemically short or long vowel. We manipulated only pitch surrounding the target sound in a carrier phrase to cue it as intonational phrase final, or accentual phrase medial. In Experiment 1 we tested perception of an accented target word, and in Experiment 2 we tested perception of an unaccented target word. In both experiments, we found that contextual changes in pitch influenced listeners’ perception of CVL, in accordance with their function as signaling intonational structure. Results therefore suggest that listeners use tonal information to compute prosodic structure and bring this to bear on their perception of durational contrasts in speech.
Optimization of the water-based polyurethane with acrylate terminal process in nylon fabrics application using the Taguchi-based gray relational analysis method
Authors: Kuo Chung-Feng Jeffrey , Dong Min-Yan , Yang Chi-Ping
Published: November 2020

This study synthesized the water-permeable and hydrophobic property of water-based polyurethane (WPU) and applied it to nylon fiber-based functional textiles. Specifically, poly-stearyl acrylate (PSA) homopolymers with different molecular weights were used as end-capping agents in the WPU to form water-based polyurethane with acrylate terminal (WPUA). In the WPUA process, dimethylacetamide was adopted as a neutralizing agent to form a stable WPUA emulsion. The effects of the design parameters, such as the hydrophilic ionic group dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA), the PSA molecular weight and content, were set as the control factors and are analyzed by the Taguchi method and gray relational analysis (GRA). The water-repellent characteristic, water vapor permeability (WVP) and fabric flexural rigidity were considered as performance parameters as multi-qualities. The Taguchi method was based on the analysis of variance and implemented orthogonal arrays for experimental design. Each performance parameter was optimized independently. Then, the performance parameters were optimized together with GRA. According to the experimental results, the most important factor for the water-repellent characteristic, WVP and fabric flexural rigidity is the DMPA content, followed by the PSA molecular weight and content. The corresponding results showed that in the optimal parameter combination, the content of DMPA was 30.8 phm (parts per hundred monomer by weight), the PSA molecular weight was 3000 g/mol and the PSA content was 4 phm. After WPUA padding, the water contact angle of the water-repellent nylon was 135.3°, the WVP was 2271.7 g/m2/day and the flexural rigidity was 2.7 cm.
How Equal is Access to Public Services? The Impact of Sociodemographic Background on Public Service Delivery in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ramesh R.
Published: November 2020

Existing evidence strongly supports the thesis that sociodemographic variables, such as ethnicity, various forms of identity affiliation (religion, caste, and language), social norms, and level of education, tend to influence citizens’ ability to gain access to public services in developing societies. This article explores the extent to which ethnicity, social identities, and level of education influence access to public services in the Sri Lankan context, taking the plantation community as a case in point. The article finds that though there are constitutional mandates ensuring citizenry rights and entitlements to public services, sociodemographic factors considerably limit those rights for deprived communities. Based on the evidence, it is argued that improving the quality of governance and access to education for marginalized communities tends to reduce the discrimination suffered by these communities and to hold public institutions accountable. Thus, this study seeks to contribute to the existing literature on good governance and the delivery of public services to marginalized communities through focusing on the importance of sociodemographic conditions.
Deep Relaxation Experience with Complementary Urban Zen Integrative Therapy: Qualitative Thematic Analysis
Authors: Von Visger Tania T. , Thrane Susan E. , Klatt Maryanna D. , Chang Yu-Ping , Happ MaryBeth
Published: November 2020

Complementary Health Approaches (CHAs) are used as adjunctive therapy for managing symptoms associated with chronic conditions. Little evidence exists about how patients with pulmonary hypertension use or experience CHA. We explored patients’ relaxation experience during Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) and present qualitative thematic analysis results of 32 focused-debriefing-interviews. Thirteen community-dwelling adults received six individual weekly sessions that included essential oil, gentle-body movement, restorative pose, body-awareness meditation, and Reiki. Two themes, “Relaxation” and “In-between state,” were subjected to dimensional analysis and detailed description. We identified conditions or phenomena contributing to these themes across the following contextual sub-categories: time/temporal, associated elements, what the experience felt like, and asleep state. Deep relaxation experience was achieved when participants lost the sense of time, primarily during body-awareness meditation, and while they were “drifting” into an asleep state. These elements provide clarity for the future development of therapeutic endpoints of patients’ experience of CHA.

ClinicalTrial.gov # NCT03194438
Correlation between climatic and biochemical parameters in etiopathogenesis of unprovoked deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs
Authors: Damnjanović Zoran , Jovanović Milan , Šarac Momir , Stepanović Nemanja , Lazarević Milan , Milić Dragan
Published: November 2020

Aim

Beside the intention of early detection and optimal treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of chronobiological rhythms on the etiopathogenesis of unprovoked deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs with monitoring of seasonal variations in biochemical parameters.

Patients and methodology

The prospective clinical trial included all consecutive hospitalized patients and outpatients diagnosed with DVT at the Vascular Surgery Clinic of the Clinical Center in Niš, starting from January 2013 to December 2014.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in correlation between the distribution of the incidence of DVT of the lower limbs (p = 0.582), sex (p = 0.350), age (p = 0.385) and localization (p = 0.886) and the seasons. Creatinine levels were significantly higher in patients who developed DVT in spring than in those who developed DVT in winter (p < 0.05), while LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in patients diagnosed with DVT in winter than in those diagnosed with DVT in autumn (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that in the territory of South Serbia, the seasons are not significantly related to the incidence, sex, age and localization of unprovoked DVT of the lower limbs. Creatinine levels were significantly higher in patients who developed DVT in spring than in those who developed DVT in winter, while LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in patients during winter than during autumn.
Clinical profile and management of external jugular vein aneurysms
Authors: Thakur Uttam Kumar , Savlania Ajay , Naik Anil L , Singh Charan , Chatterjee Debajyoti , Gorsi Ujjwal
Published: November 2020

Objective

External jugular vein (EJV) aneurysm is an extremely uncommon clinical condition. We have studied the clinical profile and need for surgery in this present seven case series of primary external jugular vein aneurysms.

Method

Over the past three years, we have diagnosed and managed aneurysms of external jugular vein in seven patients, who presented with swelling in the posterior triangle of the neck. Venous duplex was obtained in all the patients, followed by computed tomography (CT) in three patients and one patient reported with magnetic resonance (MR) venography from another hospital. Three patients had symptoms ranging from mild intermittent discomfort to moderate pain underwent excision of aneurysm after ligation of both ends of EJV. Four patients had swelling on the lateral side of the neck due to EJV aneurysm, with no other associated symptoms. They were kept on six monthly follow-ups.

Result

We operated three patients, as they were symptomatic, of which only two had thrombus in the aneurysmal sac. All three symptomatic patients had aneurysm of size >5 cm. Post-surgery and on subsequent follow-ups they were asymptomatic. The four asymptomatic patients kept on conservative management did not develop any thrombosis of aneurysm sac in follow up.

Conclusion

Surgical excision is indicated for symptomatic patients with EJV aneurysm, preferably for size > 5 cm because of their higher association with thrombosis or symptoms. Asymptomatic patients can be managed non-operatively with regular surveillance by clinical examination and venous duplex or can be treated if patients insist due to cosmetic reasons.
A novel food-based foam as oral contrast agent with negative Hounsfield units for demarcation of small bowel loops on abdominal CT: tolerability and bowel distension in 25 volunteers
Authors: Leander Peter , Adnerhill Ingvar , Böök Olof , Casal-Dujat Lucia , Stathis Georgios , Fork Thomas
Published: November 2020

Background

Diseases of the bowel are not always displayed on conventional abdominal computed tomography (CT). The studied oral contrast agent aims to improve this.

Purpose

To investigate whether the use of a novel oral contrast for abdominal CT enables the same diagnostic advantages as seen in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Material and Methods

Twenty-five consented volunteers drank up to 1400 mL of a stable, drinkable foam. Comments on acceptance and side effects were noted immediately and 24 h later. Foam palatability was documented through interviews, and distribution in the small bowel by Hounsfield units from the CT software. The CT results were compared with age- and sex-matched controls, pretreated according to routine. A non-enhanced abdominal CT protocol of lowest possible radiation dose was used. External referees evaluated all data obtained.

Results

Foam was considered odd to swallow, and fullness was reported by all volunteers after 950 mL. Five had difficulties in drinking the last 320 mL and two abstained from it. All adverse symptoms were mild. The distribution in the small bowel was on par with standard agents. Foam density revealed stability with intraluminal values of around –550 HU from stomach to terminal ileum, satisfying the requirement of a great bowel lumen-to-wall contrast. External reviewers re-evaluated all our data, and one predicted the foam to offer a potential for improved diagnostics.

Conclusion

A CT true-negative bowel filling agent was formulated, with high acceptance, few side effects, and a potential to mimic T1-weighted MRI images.
Acute and subacute prostate MRI findings after MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation of prostate cancer
Authors: Mäkelä Pietari , Anttinen Mikael , Suomi Visa , Steiner Aida , Saunavaara Jani , Sainio Teija , Horte Antero , Taimen Pekka , Boström Peter , Blanco Sequeiros Roberto
Published: November 2020

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA) is an emerging method for treatment of localized prostate cancer (PCa). TULSA-related subacute MRI findings have not been previously characterized.

Purpose

To evaluate acute and subacute MRI findings after TULSA treatment in a treat-and-resect setting.

Material and Methods

Six men with newly diagnosed MRI-visible and biopsy-concordant clinically significant PCa were enrolled and completed the study. Eight lesions classified as PI-RADS 3–5 were focally ablated using TULSA. One- and three-week follow-up MRI scans were performed between TULSA and robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Results

TULSA-related hemorrhage was detected as a subtle T1 hyperintensity and more apparent T2 hypointensity in the MRI. Both prostate volume and non-perfused volume (NPV) markedly increased after TULSA at one week and three weeks after treatment, respectively. Lesion apparent diffusion coefficient values increased one week after treatment and decreased nearing the baseline values at the three-week MRI follow-up.

Conclusion

The optimal timing of MRI follow-up seems to be at the earliest at three weeks after treatment, when the post-procedural edema has decreased and the NPV has matured. Diffusion-weighted imaging has little or no added diagnostic value in the subacute setting.
Assessing the Delivery of the Thinking for a Change Program in Modified Formats: An Experimental Approach
Authors: LaPlant Eric G. , Bellair Paul E. , Kowalski Brian R. , Addison Dionne , Starr Stephanie
Published: November 2020

This paper evaluates whether participation in the Thinking for a Change cognitive behavioral program produces improvement in social problemsolving skills in a prison context. Data are derived from a randomized experiment, with a focus on whether improvement in social problemsolving skills varies across modified delivery formats, and whether improvements are attributable to program completion or program dosage. We find that there are significant improvements in social problem solving between the pre- and post-test, and that delivery of the curriculum using video conferencing technology or inmate co-facilitated formats produces equivalent outcomes relative to traditional classroom administration. On average, significant improvements accrue to participants who receive greater program dosage. However, program completion, commonly viewed as a primary marker of satisfactory program performance, is not associated with improvement in social problem solving. Implications of the findings for rehabilitation programming are discussed, including considerations in a pandemic context.
Performance evaluation of wind turbines based on SCADA data
Authors: Wen Xiaoqiang , Xie Meng
Published: November 2020

This paper proposed a new hybrid performance evaluation model of wind turbine (WT) based on Morlet wavelet neural network (MWNN), self-organizing map (SOM) neural network and Markov chain. All the data are collected from supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Firstly, the WT power prediction model is presented based on Morlet neural network and the number of input variables, learning rates, and hidden layer nodes are discussed to obtain the optimal one. The prediction deviations under the optimal model are calculated accordingly. Then, the wind power deviations are clustered by SOM neural network, and classified by Markov chain. Two wind turbine anomaly indices (AI), which are represented by AI1 and AI2, are proposed to analyze the WTs’ performance. The results show that the proposed indices could accurately evaluate the operation state of the WTs and have important reference value for improving the operation and maintenance efficiency of the wind farm concerned.
Update on headache and brain tumors
Authors: Palmieri Antonio , Valentinis Luca , Zanchin Giorgio
Published: November 2020

Headache is one of the leading symptoms often associated with brain tumours. Secondary headaches attributed to intracranial neoplasias have been included in subchapter 7.4 of the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). According to ICHD-3, the headache may be attributed to a brain tumour if it has developed in close temporal relation with the development of the neoplasia, has significantly worsened in parallel with the worsening of the tumour, and/or has significantly improved following the successful treatment of the neoplasia. Brain tumour headache was traditionally thought to display some specific clinical characteristics, including worsening in the morning and/or when lying down, being aggravated by Valsalva-like manoeuvres and accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting; however, the studies performed after the advent of modern neurodiagnostic techniques have pointed out that the “classic” brain tumour headache is uncommon, particularly at the time of clinical presentation. Therefore, it becomes critical to seek some specific factors associated with the presence of an intracranial mass (the so-called “red flags”) that can guide the physician to establish an accurate diagnosis.
Witnessing Parental Violence and Cyber IPV Perpetration in Hispanic Emerging Adults: The Mediating Role of Attitudes Toward IPV
Authors: Cano-Gonzalez Ines , Charak Ruby , Gilbar Ohad , Viñas-Racionero Rosa , Strait Megan K.
Published: November 2020

Recent studies indicate that the perpetration of intimate partner violence via cyberspaces (cyber IPV), namely, psychological aggression, sexual aggression, and cyberstalking is high among emerging adults. However, little is known of the risk factors that lead to cyber IPV and far lesser within Hispanic adults. Based on the intergenerational transmission of violence hypothesis, the present study examined the indirect effect of witnessing parental violence during childhood on the three types of cyber IPV through attitudes condoning IPV in Hispanic men and women, separately. Participants were 1,136 Hispanic emerging adults in the age range of 18–29 years ( M = 20.53 years, SD = 2.42; 72.5% women, 88% Mexican descent). Over half of the participants (54.2%) witnessed at least one instance of parental violence during childhood. In contrast to women, men were more likely to hold attitudes accepting of IPV and perpetrate cyber sexual IPV, whereas women were more likely to report cyberstalking perpetration. Men and women with exposure to mother-to-father violence held attitudes justifying IPV that was associated with perpetrating the three cyber IPV types in adulthood (women: Brange = .016–.036; men: Brange = .016–.024). No significant gender differences were found in the associations of mother-to-father WPV and father-to-mother WPV on the three types of cyber IPV perpetration. These findings are discussed in the context of Hispanic culture, which has specific implications for cyber IPV intervention strategies.
Stalking Recidivism: A Comparison of Operational Definitions
Authors: Bendlin Martyna , Sheridan Lorraine , Johnson Andrew
Published: November 2020

The criminal offense of stalking is somewhat different to other offenses due to the repetitive, innocuous, and often multifaceted nature of the crime. Given that stalking constitutes a number of different behaviors, such as violence and threats, research on stalking recidivism becomes difficult as recidivism can be defined in a number of ways. This study utilized a dataset of Western Australia Police Force incident reports, comprising a sample of 404 stalking offenders. Survival curves and a binomial logistic regression were used to determine time to recidivism and predictors of recidivism, using four different definitions of recidivism. Predictor variables included age of the offender, prior history of criminal charges, and offender ethnicity. The four definitions ranged from narrow (a new stalking charge) to broad (any new criminal charge). The results of the study show that stalkers reoffend quickly, however our understanding of how fast and which offender characteristics predict recidivism, is dependent on how we define recidivism. This highlights the importance of considering how stalking recidivism is defined in future works and may explain current differences in stalking recidivism findings.
Risk Factors for Sexual Assault of Heterosexual and Sexual Minority College Women
Authors: McGraw Lora K. , Tyler Kimberly A. , Simons Leslie Gordon
Published: November 2020

Though college women report high rates of sexual assault, less is known about how protective and risk factors are uniquely associated with assault among heterosexual and sexual minority women. As such, the current study examined protective factors (i.e., maternal relationship quality and religiosity) and risk factors (i.e., child sexual abuse, parent substance misuse, and risky behaviors) for coercive sexual assault and total sexual assault and whether they vary by sexual orientation among college women. Data were gathered in the 2013–2014 academic year at two large public universities in the United States, one in the Midwest and one in the Southeast. Data for the current study included 755 college women, 72 (9.5%) of whom identified as sexual minority. Bivariate results showed that heterosexual women reported greater maternal relationship quality and greater religiosity compared to sexual minority women, while sexual minority women reported more risky sexual behaviors and having experienced more coercive sexual assault than heterosexual women. Multivariate results revealed that child sexual abuse, parent drinking problems, maternal relationship quality, heavy drinking, hooking up, and risky sexual behaviors were significantly associated with total sexual assault. Significant correlates of coercive sexual assault included child sexual abuse, maternal relationship quality, hooking up, and risky sexual behaviors. The relationship between maternal relationship quality and total sexual assault varied by sexual orientation as did the relationship between hooking up and coercive sexual assault. These findings have implications for targeted interventions to improve prevention of sexual assault among heterosexual and sexual minority college women.
A 2000-year documentary record of levee breaches on the lower Yellow River and their relationship with climate changes and human activities
Authors: Li Wen-Jia , Yu Shi-Yong , Pan Jianrong , Cao Xianyong , Chen Yingying , Wang Yi
Published: November 2020

The Yellow River floodplain represents a fertile landmass that contributes significantly to human welfare and thus has been colloquially known as the birthplace of Chinese civilization. The sediment-laden nature of the Yellow River gave rise to a super-elevated channel belt, which is prone to failure particularly in the summer months when excessive precipitation occurs, resulting in cataclysmic floods traditionally regarded as “China’s Sorrow.” Therefore, a deeper understanding of levee breach frequency in this area is especially important for the assessment of socio-economic risk of levee breaches associated with future climate changes. To better understand the nature, evolution, and driving mechanisms of levee breaches on the lower Yellow River, it is necessary to place the instrumental data within a longer time framework. Here, we retrieve past information about levee breaches on the lower Yellow River since AD 11 from various documentary sources such as official histories of China. We evaluated each line of descriptions and narratives about the location, timing, and nature of each event in these documents, ending up with a detailed timeline of levee breaches on the lower Yellow River during the last 2000 years on an annual time scale. Our results reveal remarkable variations in the frequency of levee breaches superimposed on a long-term increasing trend. In addition to climate changes, the iterative embankment-siltation-breaching process caused a feedback: more breaches result in much more channel siltation, which in turn leads to even more breaches. The enhanced farming in the Loess Plateau played a pivotal role in the formation and operation of this positive feedback. Our findings may not only help improve the assessment of socio-economic risk of levee breaches associated with future climate changes, but also provide consulting information for hydraulic engineering and infrastructural designs in the lower Yellow river area.
The Price of Poverty: Policy Implications of the Unequal Effects of Monetary Sanctions on the Poor
Authors: Slavinski Ilya , Spencer-Suarez Kimberly
Published: November 2020

Over the last several decades, with the rise of mass incarceration in the United States and its steep costs, governments at the federal, state, and local levels have dramatically ramped up monetary punishment. Monetary sanctions are now the most common type of criminal penalty in the United States. The growth of fines, fees, and other legal financial obligations (LFOs), and the ensuing legal debt, reflect a shifting of the system’s costs onto its primarily low-income and indigent subjects. This study provides an exploration of previously underexamined ways in which monetary sanctions impose distinct burdens on the poor. Interviews with 121 defendants in Texas and New York, along with courtroom observations, demonstrate that criminal legal debt is particularly challenging for people with low incomes in three meaningful ways. First, systems set up to handle indigency claims do not adequately address the needs or complex individual circumstances of those who simply do not have the ability to pay. Oftentimes, alternatives are unavailable or statutorily prohibited. Second, the lack of alternatives to payment lead to compromising situations, which then compel indigent defendants to make difficult choices about how to allocate scant resources. Finally, being encumbered with fines and fees and participating in alternatives like community service comes with taxing time requirements that can prove uniquely challenging for those who are poor. These three findings lead us to propose a series of policy recommendations revolving around three key themes: (a) enhancement of indigency procedures, (b) equity in monetary sanctions, and (c) alleviating burdens by improving accessibility.
Enhanced performance of piezoelectric energy harvester through three serial vibrators
Authors: Shan Xiaobiao , Tian Haigang , Xie Tao
Published: November 2020

This paper presents a piezoelectric harvester array with three identical energy harvesting vibrators (EHVs) arranged in series along the water flow direction. Each EHV consists of a piezoelectric beam and an interference cylinder. Three serial EHVs are placed upright in the water channel. Prototypes of three EHVs are fabricated and experiments are conducted to explore the vibration response and harvesting performance. The experimental results demonstrated that three EHVs in the array show the obvious difference in excitation vibration and harvesting performance over single EHV. The lock-in frequency of three EHVs can be enhanced by the EHV array, and the speed bandwidth can be greatly broadened by accounting for 66.9%. The harvesting performance of upstream EHV (EHV-1) and downstream EHV (EHV-3) is significantly improved by the EHV array over single EHV. While, midstream EHV (EHV-2) shows an inhibitory effect to some extent. The overall harvesting performance in the EHV array can be increased by up to 36.23% compared with single EHV in certain spacing distances. The proposed EHV array shows the better harvesting ability over the previous harvesters. This work provides a comprehensive experimental guideline for further designing efficient harvester array used in low-speed water environment.
Countering the “Harmless E-Cigarette” Myth: The Interplay of Message Format, Message Sidedness, and Prior Experience With E-Cigarette Use in Misinformation Correction
Authors: Wang Weirui , Huang Yan
Published: November 2020

A 2 ( message format: story vs. nonstory) × 2 ( message sidedness: one sided vs. two sided) between-subjects experiment tested the effectiveness of narrative communication as a potential tool for correcting misinformation about e-cigarettes. Results revealed that stories were more emotionally involving and engaging than nonstories but did not reduce counterarguing when used as correctives. The study found that prior experience of e-cigarette use moderated the interaction between message format and message sidedness. For participants who had never used e-cigarettes, the one-sided story was favored. However, for participants who had smoked e-cigarettes before, the advantages of the one-sided story disappeared.
Functional and morphological outcomes after surgery in lamellar macular holes versus epiretinal membrane foveoschisis
Authors: Caretti Luigi , La Gloria Valerio Alvise , Verzola Giacomo , Badin Gloria , Monterosso Cristina , Daniele Anna Rita
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

To compare the clinical findings and outcomes of vitrectomy for lamellar macular holes (LMH) versus epiretinal membrane foveoschisis (ERMF).

Materials and methods:

This retrospective study enrolled 36 eyes of 35 patients with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) parameters and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results:

The 19 (52.8%) ERMF and 17 (47.2%) LMH were included. Preoperatively, eyes with LMH were characterized by a lower central foveal thickness (CFT) (102.18 ± 31.44 µm vs 159.37 ± 25.25 µm, p < 0.001) and a greater incidence of outer retinal disruption ( p < 0.001). Primary anatomical success was achieved in 34/36 eyes (94.4%). Preoperative BCVA was better in ERMF (0.16 – IQR 0.09 – logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (LogMAR) – 20/28 Snellen) than LMH (0.40 – IQR 0.30 – LogMAR, 20/50 Snellen) ( p = 0.008). At 6 months after surgery, BCVA significantly improved in the ERMF group ( p < 0.001), but showed insignificant change in LMH ( p = 0.125). Two cases, both in the LMH group, developed full thickness macular hole after surgery.

Conclusion:

Eyes with LMH showed visual stabilization after surgery, whereas the eyes in the ERMF group were susceptible to functional improvement. These differences in BCVA outcomes may be the consequence of a higher damage in the outer retina in the LMH group; an accurate SD-OCT examination is a fundamental step when deciding to proceed or not to the surgery.