bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of polypyrrole/polyester-cotton composites and a study of their dielectric properties and conductivity
Authors: Liu Yuanjun , Wang Yi
Published: October 2020

Polypyrrole/polyester-cotton composites were prepared using pyrrole as the monomer, adopting an in situ polymerization on the plain polyester-cotton fabric. The influence of the pyrrole concentration, type and concentration of doping agents on the dielectric properties and conductivity of polypyrrole/polyester-cotton composites were investigated using the method of control variables. The results show that within the frequency range 0.01–1.0 GHz, and for concentrations of pyrrole monomers of 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 mol/L, the polypyrrole/polyester-cotton composite had the strongest polarization ability, dissipation ability and absorbing-attenuation ability to electromagnetic waves, and the surface resistance was the smallest and conductivity was the best when the pyrrole concentration was 0.9 mol/L. Within the same frequency range, five doping agents were tested, namely sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, p-toluenesulfonic acid, ferric chloride, sodium lignosulfonate and camphor sulfonic acid. The composite with sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate as the doping agent had the strongest polarization ability, dissipation ability and absorbing-attenuation ability to electromagnetic waves, the lowest surface resistance and the strongest conductivity. Finally, within the same frequency range and using doping agent concentrations of 0.1 and 0.2 mol/L, the composite with doping agent concentration of 0.1 mol/L had the strongest polarization ability, dissipation ability and absorbing-attenuation ability.
Rare association of consumptive coagulopathy in visceral leishmaniasis: A case report
Authors: de Santana Ferreira Eric , de Souza Júnior Valter Romão , de Oliveira Jefferson Filipe Silva , Costa Manuela Freire Hazin , da Conceição de Barros Correia Maria , de Sá Alessandra Ferraz
Published: October 2020

Visceral leishmaniasis is a tropical parasitic disease caused by the species of the genus Leishmania infantum. The clinical picture includes fever, splenomegaly, leucopenia, anaemia and hypergammaglobulinaemia. There may also be a drop in plasma fibrinogen levels or an increase in plasma fibrinolytic activity. Furthermore, visceral leishmaniasis may be the trigger for secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. On the other hand, disseminated intravascular coagulation may also result. The International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis has recommended the use of a scoring system for disseminated intravascular coagulation. An association between visceral leishmaniasis and consumption coagulopathy is not frequent. Our systematic literature review from 1967 to 2019 pointed to the report of only 16 cases. Our case demonstrates that it is necessary to be aware of the existence of this association.
Trend of strengthening clearance regulation in Japan and concerns about its worldwide effects on regulations for natural and artificial radionuclides
Authors: Hattori T.
Published: October 2020

The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan invited comments from the public on a revised guide on measurement and evaluation for clearance in 2019, which included a strict decision on how to treat uncertainties in the measurement and the nuclide vector. To resolve the issue on the uncertainty in clearance, a probabilistic approach had been established previously in the Atomic Energy Society of Japan Standard and incorporated into International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safety Report No. 67. NRA’s new decision on the uncertainty in clearance was up to 10 times stricter than the probabilistic approach. This issue has been discussed at an international level in the framework of the ongoing revision of IAEA Safety Guide RS-G-1.7. This discussion on the uncertainty in clearance has raised serious concerns about its effects on other radiological protection regulations worldwide. This is because if we need strict treatment for the uncertainty in clearance, the same or even stricter treatment for conformity assessment may have to be applied to other radiological protection criteria for doses exceeding 10 µSv year−1. Radiological protection experts including regulators, professionals, and operators should be aware of the essential meaning of the radiological protection criteria by considering the background scientific basis on which they were established.
Connectivity in and around Organizations: Waves, tensions and trade-offs
Authors: Kolb Darl G. , Dery Kristine , Huysman Marleen , Metiu Anca
Published: October 2020

Connectivity has become the foundation for organizing as it increasingly underpins and defines the way we live and work. Notwithstanding all the advances in connectivity within organizations, there are even more pervasive changes between and around organizations. In a digital world, more and more of us are working anytime, anyplace, and companies deliver value by better connecting with customers and external partners within digital ecosystems. In this introduction to the Special Issue, we summarize four waves of connectivity – globalization, socialization, personalization and datafication – that combine to create opportunities and challenges for contemporary organizations. We then introduce the papers in the special issue and discuss their contributions to theory and practice. Finally, we draw upon currently emerging challenges to suggest enduring tensions and trade-offs for connectivity research in the future.
Party System Polarization, Citizenship, and Immigrant Party Allegiances in Western Europe
Authors: Just Aida
Published: October 2020

This article examines the role of party system polarization in shaping immigrants’ party loyalties in their host country. It suggests that foreign-born individuals are more likely to become partisans when political parties take more distinct policy positions on immigration control. Moreover, this relationship is more pronounced among foreign-born non-citizens than foreign-born citizens. Using individual-level public opinion data from eight rounds of the European Social Survey (ESS), 2002–2017, and measures of party system polarization constructed using party policy positions from the Chapel Hill Expert Survey (CHES) in 17 West European democracies, the analyses confirm these expectations. The findings presented here suggest that party polarization on immigration control enhances, rather than undermines, immigrant political integration in contemporary democracies.
Juvenile Justice Administrator Perspectives: Reframing Reentry Around Positive Youth Outcomes
Authors: Dempsey Michael P. , Davis Wendi M. , Forbes Peter , Penkoff Cathleen Barclay , Gonsoulin Simon , Harris Phil W.
Published: October 2020

This article draws on research, policy, legislation, and practice to provide strategies for addressing the reentry needs of youth in the juvenile justice system and reframing the way successful reentry outcomes are conceptualized. Achieving a systemic paradigm shift of this nature requires that researchers, policymakers, and juvenile justice administrators work together to facilitate change. The Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators is leading the combined effort to facilitate reform in this area. This article briefly discusses the state of the juvenile justice system, progress in the field, and remaining challenges facing administrators of juvenile justice facilities, within the context of a changing framework that focuses on a developmental approach to issues of delinquency and emphasizes positive youth outcomes as a more effective measure of reentry.
Long-term outcomes of rheumatic mitral valve repair: Is it worthwhile to do it?
Authors: Waikittipong Somchai
Published: October 2020

Aim

This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term outcomes of mitral valve repair in rheumatic patients.

Methods

From 2003 to 2019, 151 patients (mean age 26.5 ± 14.9 years; 68.9% female) underwent mitral valve repair. Fifty-three (35.1%) had atrial fibrillation, and 79 (52.3%) were in New York Heart Association class III/IV. Pure mitral regurgitation was present in 109 (72.2%) patients, pure stenosis in 9 (6%), and mixed regurgitation and stenosis in 33.

Results

Three (2%) patients died postoperatively and 4 (2.6%) were lost during follow-up. Mean follow-up was 90.5 ± 55.6 months. There were 22 (14.8%) late deaths. Actuarial survival at 5, 10, and 15 years was 90.7% ± 2.5%, 83.5% ± 3.6%, and 76.5 ± 6.1%, respectively. Twelve (8.5%) patients underwent reoperation. Freedom from reoperation at 5, 10, and 15 years was 96.1% ± 1.7%, 89.8% ± 3.2%, and 82.3% ± 6.1%, respectively. Forty-two (29.2%) patients developed recurrent mitral regurgitation. Freedom from recurrence of mitral regurgitation at 5, 10, and 15 years was 70.9% ± 4.3%, 56% ± 5.9%, and 53.3% ± 6.4%, respectively. Eighty-one (56.6%) patients were and free from all events during follow-up. Freedom from all events at 5, 10, and 15 years was 64.8% ± 4.1%, 48.6% ± 5.3%, and 43.7% ± 5.8%, respectively.

Conclusions

Although rheumatic mitral valve repair is associated with late recurrence of mitral regurgitation, it has benefits in selected patients, especially children and young patients who want to avoid the lifelong risks of anticoagulation. Long-term follow-up is essential in these patients.
The Braille reading skills of German-speaking students and young adults with visual impairments
Authors: Lang Markus , Hofer Ursula , Winter Fabian
Published: October 2020

This study aims to investigate the literacy skills of Braille readers in the areas of reading fluency, reading and listening comprehension, and spelling. A total of 119 German-speaking, Braille readers aged between 11.0 and 22.11 years were tested for this purpose. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire, psychometric tests, and self-constructed assessments. Wherever possible, the results were compared with the standards of sighted peers. Regarding reading fluency, Braille readers performed significantly slower than print readers. In terms of spelling, the Braille users performed within an average range of sighted peers. Furthermore, a positive correlation was obtained between Braille reading fluency and spelling, whereas the use of auditory aids (e.g., speech output) showed a negative correlation with Braille reading fluency and spelling. In addition, a comparison between listening and reading within the study sample revealed that reading Braille proved to be better for comprehension, although listening was significantly faster. In conclusion, the findings provide evidence that Braille reading skills are important for the development of literacy skills in general. Nevertheless, listening skills are important and need to be systematically promoted.
Classic biphasic pulmonary blastoma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Luo Zhuanbo , Cao Chao , Xu Ning , Ying Kejing
Published: October 2020

Pulmonary blastoma (PB) is a very rare malignant lung tumor consisting of classic biphasic PB, well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma, and pleuropulmonary blastoma. We herein present an unusual case involving a patient with classic biphasic PB who underwent right upper lobe resection and subsequent treatment. No standard treatment guidelines are available for PB because of its rarity. Our patient received nedaplatin plus paclitaxel as adjuvant chemotherapy. After disease recurrence, the patient received two cycles of etoposide-cisplatin and six cycles of pemetrexed, bevacizumab, and carboplatin. Because of severe adverse effects of the chemotherapy, the patient was finally administered anlotinib, a new oral multikinase inhibitor. Both the tumor size and the serum tumor marker concentration decreased. In conclusion, surgical excision is the treatment of choice for PB. Chemotherapy in the present case resulted in PB activity that was consistent with the literature. Targeted therapies including antiangiogenic agents should be considered as a new treatment option for this rare disease.
Empirical Method for Estimating Aircraft Fuel Consumption in Ground Operations
Authors: Kim Han-Joong , Baik Hojong
Published: October 2020

This study proposes a novel procedure for estimating aircraft fuel burn during ground operations using aircraft trajectory data acquired from an airport surface surveillance system. A fundamental assumption employed throughout the study is that aircraft fuel burn on the ground depends on taxi phases and corresponding thrust settings. The computational process is split into three steps: (1) define a taxi phase for each data point by analyzing the trajectory data; (2) find the fuel flow index appropriate for each taxi phase of each engine type from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Engine Emissions Databank which contains fuel flow indices for four flight status of every commercial engine; and (3) estimate the total fuel burn on the ground for each flight by multiplying the time duration at each taxi phase by the corresponding fuel flow rate.

Using 24-hour surface trajectory data collected from the Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE) system at Seoul/Incheon International Airport, all flights operated on the day were analyzed applying this procedure. The results indicate that suggested taxi fuel burn rates are estimated to be about 17% lower than the ICAO values. The proposed procedure is expected to be used as an alternative method for ground fuel burn estimation.
Impact of occupational dust exposure on dermatologic symptoms among Korean workers
Authors: Lee Seunghyun , Lee Sang Ha , Lee Wanhyung
Published: October 2020

Occupation-related dust exposure is common, especially with increased industrialization. While occupational dust-related health issues caused by inhalation or ingestion have been well studied, only a few studies have examined the dermatologic effects of occupational dust exposure. This study aimed to investigate the association between occupational dust exposure and dermatologic symptoms in Korean workers. Among the large-scale representative data from the fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey, 45,700 workers were selected for study. Occupational dust exposure level was categorized as none, moderate, and severe, and dermatologic symptoms were assessed using a questionnaire on health problems. We analyzed the association between occupational dust exposure and dermatologic symptoms using multivariate logistic regression. Risks of skin problems and work-related skin problems were significantly associated with the level of occupational dust exposure in a dose-dependent manner (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): moderate, 1.51 (1.14–2.01); severe, 2.39 (1.74–3.29) in general skin problems; moderate, 1.72 (1.22–2.42); severe, 3.06 (2.11–4.44) in work-related skin problems). We, thus, demonstrate an association between occupational dust exposure and skin problems. As skin absorption of dust is a major route of dust exposure at the workplace, it is necessary to determine the efficacy of continuous management of occupational dust exposure.
Crimes Against Women in India: A District-Level Analysis (1991–2011)
Authors: Lolayekar Aparna P. , Desouza Shaila , Mukhopadhyay Pranab
Published: October 2020

Crimes against women (CAW) in India have been rising despite faster economic growth, higher education attainment, and increasing numbers of women in the economic sphere. This article explores the reasons for the incidence of reported CAW in India. We study five CAW (rape, kidnapping, cruelty, dowry deaths, and molestation), across 35 states and union territories, 594 districts, over three decades (1991–2011). We use panel fixed-effects regression models to explain crime. Our results confirm the importance of female literacy rates, female paid workforce participation, and female–male ratio in understanding crime. We find that these commonly-used socioeconomic variables have nonlinear effects on CAW. Our findings improve upon earlier results that have not explored either spatial distribution or nonlinearity in India. These findings could have significant implications for the policies aiming to reduce CAW.
Fighting the Freshman Fifteen: Sleep, Exercise, and BMI in College Students
Authors: Pilcher June J. , Erikson Dylan N. , Yochum Carolyn A.
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

To examine how sleep and physical activity predict body mass index (BMI) in college students.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

Medium-sized public university in the Southeastern United States.

Subjects:

386 undergraduate students (245 females; 18-25 years).

Measures:

Surveys included the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Concise Physical Activity Questionnaire (CPAQ). PSQI provided 5 sleep scores: PSQI Global Score, Sleep Quality Factor Score, Sleep Efficiency Factor Score, Sleep Duration, and Habitual Sleep Efficiency. Height and weight measurements were taken to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI).

Analysis:

Correlational analyses were completed first. Linear and moderation regression models using CPAQ as the moderator were used to predict BMI. The Johnson-Neyman technique determined regions of significance where sleep significantly predicted BMI dependent on CPAQ score.

Results:

Sleep Duration significantly predicted BMI ( β = -.385, p = .043) while significant interaction terms predicting BMI were found for Global PSQI Score × CPAQ ( β = -.103, p = .015) and Sleep Quality Factor Score × CPAQ ( β = -.233, p = .013). Johnson-Neyman analyses demonstrated that better sleep quality (measured by Global PSQI and Sleep Quality Factor Scores) predict lower BMI when exercise levels are low and higher BMI when exercise levels are high.

Conclusion:

At low levels of exercise, better sleep quality significantly predicts lower BMI, suggesting that interventions designed to increase sleep quality could promote healthy weight maintenance in college students.
The impact of generative school leadership on student performance: The case of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alghulayqah Abdullah
Published: October 2020

The primary aim of this study is to facilitate interactions among the generative school leadership of high school principals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to take responsibility for student performance. Existing research suggests that generative leadership is based on the principles of inclusiveness, employee creativity, knowledge transfer and delegation. The sample is based from nine principals from large high schools. To investigate this issue, this qualitative study assesses and analyses interviews and comments from participants. The findings show the high degree of centralisation and traditionalism of the Saudi Arabian educational sector, affecting creativity and inclusiveness, have a strong impact on student performance. The author recommends implementing teacher practitioner training to implement open-ended tasks teaching practices.
Peritoneal dialysis access outcomes reported in randomized controlled trials: A systematic review
Authors: Elbokl Mohamed , Momciu Bogdan , Kishibe Teruko , Oliver Matthew J , Perl Jeffrey
Published: October 2020

Background:

Functional peritoneal dialysis (PD) access is critical to the success of PD therapy. The aim of this review is to describe the spectrum of definitions and methods employed in the measurement of unique outcomes across PD access trials particularly focusing on the outcomes of PD access flow restriction and operative-related outcomes.

Methods:

Using Cochrane CENTRAL registry, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, we searched for studies restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving interventions related to PD access without restrictions on age, language, or publication year. Studies were screened and data abstracted by two independent reviewers. Definitions, outcome measures, and time points of measurements were captured and documented separately. Unique combinations of these variables resulted in reporting the different ways of measurements.

Results:

Of the 1768 screened studies, 47 RCTs were included among which 817 PD access outcomes were grouped into 7 broad categories. Interventions evaluated in the RCTs were catheter type/configuration ( n = 17), insertion technique ( n = 15), multiple interventions ( n = 3), and other (6 interventions, n = 12). PD access flow restriction (a subcategory of mechanical outcomes) and operative-related outcomes were reported in 91% and 58% of the included trials, respectively. Tip migration was the most frequently reported flow restriction outcome (59% of RCTs) followed by catheter dysfunction (23% of RCTs). Of the components utilized in definition of flow restriction, description of the impaired flow was reported in 37% of RCTs, need for intervention in 42% of RCTs, and presumed etiology of flow restriction in 60% of RCTs.

Conclusion:

Variability exists in the definitions, reporting methods, choice of outcomes, and analysis of the PD access outcomes across RCTs. Operative-related outcomes remain underreported across RCTs. Outcomes relating to PD access flow restriction were the most common complications reported in the included RCTs but were reported heterogeneously with variability in reporting of the three key components of its definition including description and severity of the flow restriction, the need for intervention and etiology of flow restriction. In the future, defining PD access flow restriction should include all of these components to better evaluate the comparative effect of various PD access interventions.
Microstructure, mechanical properties and heat-resistance properties of bismaleimide composites modified synergistically by alumina and two kinds of thermoplastic resins
Authors: Chen Yufei , Dong Lei , Zhao Hui , Liu Zhenda , Zhu Li , Shang Yuyang
Published: October 2020

Al2O3-PES-SPEEK/MBAE composites has been prepared, polymer matrix (MBAE) was obtained with 4,4’-diamino diphenyl methane bismaleimide (BMI) as reaction monomer, 3,3’-diallyl bisphenol A (BBA) and bisphenol A diallyl ether (BBE) as the reactive diluent, and two kinds of thermal plastic resins (polyether sulfone PES and sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) SPEEK) as the reinforcements, nano-alumina (Al2O3) prepared by Sol–Gel method as the filler. The microstructure of SPEEK, Al2O3 and the composites were characterized, the mechanical properties and heat resistance of the composites were also studied and analyzed. The results reveal that there are sulfonic acid groups in SPEEK structure and the microstructure is more loose, and the degree of sulfonation is about 41.3%. Al2O3 is a nano-sized short-fibrous crystal with hydroxyl groups on its surface. The micromorphology of Al2O3-PES-SPEEK/MBAE composites show that the proper amount of PES, SPEEK and Al2O3 are uniformly dispersed in the matrix resin, which improves the fracture surface morphology of the composite, the shape of the section is fish scale and the fracture cracks are irregular and divergent, and the composites are ductile fracture. The mechanical properties indicate that the flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength of the composite is the maximum value 172.9 MPa, 4.7 GPa and 21.4 kJ/m2, which is 73.1%, 74.1% and 125.3%, higher than the matrix resin, respectively, when the PES content is 3 wt%, 2 wt% SPEEK and 3 wt% Al2O3 in the composite. At this time, the thermal decomposition temperature of the composite material is 453.5°C, which is 15.4°C higher than that of the matrix resin, and the mechanical properties and heat-resistance properties of the Al2O3-PES-SPEEK/MBAE composite are significantly improved.
Effect of isothermal heat treatment on crystallinity, tensile strength and failure mode of CF/PPS laminate
Authors: Liu Yankuan , Zhou Xuelin , Wang Zhiping
Published: October 2020

The present work concentrates on the crystallinity, tensile strength and failure mode of CF/PPS laminate subjected to isothermal heat treatment of different temperatures and time periods. Results show that in the range of 100–210°C and 1–3 hours, with the increase of heat treatment temperature and time, both crystallinity and tensile strength of CF/PPS laminate increase firstly then decrease. Under the condition of 150°C-2 hours treatment, the CF/PPS has the optimal crystallinity level of 65.3% and the optimal tensile strength with a value of 718.2 MPa. Compared with the as-received specimen without heat treatment, the crystallinity and tensile strength have been increased by 46.4% and 15.3%, respectively. A laser confocal microscope has been used to observe and analyze the fracture morphologies of the specimens, results show that the failure modes of the specimens under conditions of 100°C and 150°C isothermal heat treatment are fiber extraction and fiber breakage, respectively, and both are AGM, while that of 210°C is debonding and delamination, which is DGM.
Non-probabilistic interval process method for analyzing two-stage straight bevel gear system with uncertain time-varying parameters
Authors: Lafi Wassim , Djemal Fathi , Tounsi Dhouha , Akrout Ali , Walha Lassaad , Haddar Mohamed
Published: October 2020

A two-stage straight bevel gear system is a gear system that can be used in various applications. The straight bevel gear is known for its complex tooth geometry. Due to the variation of the number of pairs of teeth in contact, the mesh stiffness function can be considered as a time-varying function. However, the mesh stiffness for the straight bevel gear is sensitive to measurement and modeling errors. Thus, at each time step, its value can not assigned to deterministic one. Generally, the uncertain parameters are assumed to be time-independent. In this paper, the interval process method has been used to represent the time-varying uncertain parameters, whose bounds are determined through the potential energy method. The lumped parameter model of two-stage straight bevel gear has been proposed. We have considered that the masses of the straight bevel gear system components and bearing stiffnesses along with time-varying mesh stiffnesses are uncertain parameters which can be represented by the interval process model. The Chebyshev polynomial expansion has been used to approximate the response of the two-stage straight bevel gear system with respect to the interval variables. The lower and higher bounds of the eigenvalues of the system have been determined. The bounds of dynamic displacements of the straight bevel gear system have been computed and compared with those computed by the Monte Carlo method.
Multibody modelling of the human body for vibration induced direct and cross-axis seat to head transmissibility
Authors: Desai Raj , Guha Anirban , Seshu P
Published: October 2020

During vertical or fore-and-aft vibrations of a seated human body, the motion of the head is influenced by backrest forces transmitted to the lumbar region of the spine. Thus, it is essential to consider backrest support while developing a human body model to capture direct and cross-axis seat to head transmissibility. For this purpose, twelve degrees of freedom seated human body model of the appropriate level of complexity with inclined backrest support has been developed in this work. The interconnection of masses is modelled using rotational and translational springs-dampers and the contact with an inclined backrest gives a better simulation of forces transmitted to the lower torso in the x-z direction. The model parameters were identified and optimized using a multi-objective genetic algorithm by minimizing the least square difference between experimental head motion and analytical results. Subsequently, a sensitivity study was carried out to find the effect of model parameters on the peak transmissibility modulus and resonant frequency. This will help in refining the design of the seat and backrest for improving comfort. Modal analysis was carried out for an improved understanding of the relative motion of different sections. Power absorbed at different locations of the human body was studied to identify regions susceptible to long term damage. Internal forces in the neck region were also determined and these can be used to characterize the neck pain due to prolonged exposure to such vibrations. The research work reported in this work offers an in-depth understanding of biodynamic responses of backrest supported human body subjected to vertical/horizontal vibrations. We expect it to offer vehicle designers some insights to control human body parameters (acceleration/forces /moments/power absorbed/modal displacements/lower back pain) and design appropriate restraints-supports for improved comfort.
Efficiency evaluation of energy harvesting from discrete gust response for plate wing
Authors: Cheng Yun , Li Daochun , Xiang Jinwu
Published: October 2020

Gust response of aircraft can become a potential energy source thanks to energy harvesting (EH) methods, one of which can transform mechanical energy to electrical energy, applying piezoelectric ceramic transducers (PZTs). Harvested electrical energy needs to be evaluated for reuse, but current beam-model-based evaluation methods of EH performance for a plate model are insufficient because the plate is two-dimensional. This paper proposes two types of EH evaluation methods to analyze the gust exciting low-aspect-ratio plate wing model. One method focuses on the ratio of electrical energy to kinetic energy, and the other reflects energy output density per unit weight. These two methods can reveal the higher energy harvesting efficiency positions when utilizing PZTs on the flight EH system. Plate model, three-dimensional doublet lattice unsteady aeroelastic method and piezoelectric equation are used to build piezoaeroelastic wing model, and 1-cosine discrete gust load is the base excitation. A time-domain aero-electro-elastic state-space equation of the low-aspect-ratio piezoaeroelastic plate wing model is established, and the time-history analysis is used to solve the EH output. Results show that EH outputs are influenced by various parameters including load resistance, PZT thickness, gust intensity and wavelength, and PZT location variation. The optimal values of the proposed EH efficiency evaluation methods are found and explained.
On the far-field boundary condition treatment in the framework of aeromechanical computations using ANSYS CFX
Authors: Mueller Tobias R , Vogt Damian M , Fischer Magnus , Phillipsen Bent A
Published: October 2020

This numerical study aims at predicting the reflective behavior of different conventional inlet and outlet far-field boundary conditions as well as available non-reflecting boundary conditions (NRBC) implemented in the commercial CFD solver ANSYS CFX. An isolated rotor model of an axial turbine stage with prescribed blade displacement is applied as test case to consider a representative application case, while at the same time provoke an unsteady flow field featuring pronounced flow perturbations in the far-field. Since the reflective behavior of the implemented boundary conditions was found inadequate in the given application case, a zonal treatment of the inlet and outlet far-field, based on a modification of the governing Navier-Stokes equations, is investigated. The applied approach has proven its capability to suppress spurious reflections reliably, while at the same time ensures a preservation of the reference flow conditions within the required domain extensions. The results of a case study considering calculation domains of different spatial extent and different treatments of their respective far-fields suggest variations in the steady flow aerodynamics to be of moderate influence on the predicted aerodynamic damping, while spurious reflections were found to falsify the unsteady aerodynamics considerably.
Influence of fluid-structure interaction modelling on the stress and fatigue life evaluation of a gas turbine blade
Authors: Ubulom Iroizan
Published: October 2020

A computational method of fluid-structure coupling is implemented to predict the fatigue response of a high-pressure turbine blade. Two coupling levels, herein referred to as a “fully coupled” and “decoupled” methods are implemented to investigate the influence of multi-physics interaction on the 3 D stress state and fatigue response of a turbine blade. In the fully-coupled approach, the solutions of the fluid-flow and the solid-domain finite element problem are obtained concurrently, while in the decoupled approach, the independently computed aerodynamic forces are unilaterally transferred as boundary conditions in the subsequent finite element solution. In both cases, a three-dimensional unsteady stator-rotor aerodynamic configuration is modelled to depict a forced-vibration loading of high-cycle failure mode. Also analyzed is the low-cycle phenomenon which arises due to the mean stresses of the rotational load of the rotating turbine wheel. The coupling between the fluid and solid domains (fully-coupled approach) provides a form of damping which reduces the amplitude of fluctuation of the stress history, as opposed to the decoupled case with a resultant higher amplitude stress fluctuation. While the stress amplitude is higher in the decoupled case, the fatigue life-limiting condition is found to be significantly influenced by the higher mean stresses in the fully-coupled method. The differences between the two approaches are further explained considering three key fatigue parameters; mean stress, multiaxiality stress state and the stress ratio factors. The study shows that the influence of the coupling between the fluid and structures domain is an important factor in estimating the fatigue stress history.
Optimization of process variables for tensile properties of bagasse fiber-reinforced composites using response surface methodology
Authors: Siddique Sheraz Hussain , Faisal Saira , Ali Muhammad , Gong Rong Hugh
Published: October 2020

The present study relates to manufacturing, characterization and optimization of bagasse fiber reinforced composites. For this purpose, response surface methodology was applied to simultaneously optimize the tensile strength, tensile modulus and tensile strain of bagasse fiber reinforced composites. Three levels of process variables, including concentration of sodium hydroxide for bagasse fiber treatment (4, 6, and 8%), content of bagasse fiber (10, 20, and 30 wt%), and length of bagasse fiber (1, 2, and 3 inch) were used to design the experiments according to the Box–Behnken design. Experimental results were analyzed by analysis of variance and fitted to second order polynomial models by using multiple regression analysis. The Derringer’s desirability function revealed that the values of process variables leading to optimized tensile strength, tensile modulus and tensile strain are 4%, 14.2 wt% and 1 inch for concentration of NaOH for bagasse fiber treatment, content of bagasse fiber and length of bagasse fiber, respectively. Validation experiments were carried out and high degree of correlation was found between the actual values and the predicted values of tensile properties of bagasse fiber reinforced composites.
Nursing care in mental health: Human rights and ethical issues
Authors: Ventura Carla Aparecida Arena , Austin Wendy , Carrara Bruna Sordi , de Brito Emanuele Seicenti
Published: October 2020

People with mental illness are subjected to stigma and discrimination and constantly face restrictions in the exercise of their political, civil and social rights. Considering this scenario, mental health, ethics and human rights are key approaches to advance the well-being of persons with mental illnesses. The study was conducted to review the scope of the empirical literature available to answer the research question: What evidence is available regarding human rights and ethical issues regarding nursing care to persons with mental illnesses? A scoping review methodology guided by Arksey and O’Malley was used. Studies were identified by conducting electronic searches on CINAHL, PubMed, SCOPUS and Hein databases. Of 312 citations, 26 articles matched the inclusion criteria. The central theme which emerged from the literature was “Ethics and Human Rights Boundaries to Mental Health Nursing practice”. Mental health nurses play a key and valuable role in ensuring that their interventions are based on ethical and human rights principles. Mental health nurses seem to have difficulty engaging with the ethical issues in mental health, and generally are dealing with acts of paternalism and with the common justification for those acts. It is important to open a debate regarding possible solutions for this ethical dilemma, with the purpose to enable nurses to function in a way that is morally acceptable to the profession, patients and members of the public. This review may serve as an instrument for healthcare professionals, especially nurses, to reflect about how to fulfil their ethical responsibilities towards persons with mental illnesses, protecting them from discrimination and safeguarding their human rights, respecting their autonomy, and as a value, keeping the individual at the centre of ethical discourse.
Dignity of older home-dwelling women nearing end-of-life: Informal caregivers’ perception
Authors: Staats Katrine , Grov Ellen Karine , Husebø Bettina S. , Tranvåg Oscar
Published: October 2020

Background:

Most older people wish to live in the familiar surroundings of their own home until they die. Knowledge concerning dignity and dignity loss of home-dwelling older women living with incurable cancer should be a foundation for quality of care within municipal healthcare services. The informal caregivers of these women can help increase the understanding of sources related to dignity and dignity loss

Aim:

The aim of this study was to explore informal caregivers’ perceptions of sources related to dignity and dignity loss in end-of-life of older home-dwelling women with incurable cancer.

Research design and method:

The study was founded upon Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics. In-depth interviews with 13 informal caregivers were carried out, and four participant observations were performed during home meetings.

Ethical consideration:

The study was based on voluntary participation, informed consent, confidentiality and the opportunity to withdraw at any time. The Norwegian Social Science Data Services approved the study.

Results:

Three main sources important in preserving the older women’s dignity were identified: maintaining one’s self-concept, remaining hopeful and sustaining freedom of choice. We also identified three main sources that lead to dignity loss: Sensing loss of human value, experiencing absence of gentleness and feelings of being treated as an object.

Discussion and final considerations:

On the individual level, the opportunity to maintain one’s self-concept and control in life, preserved dignity, while feelings of existential loneliness led to dignity loss. On the relational level, being confirmed as worthy human beings promoted the women’s dignity, whereas dignity loss was related to uncaring behaviours from healthcare professionals. On the societal level, individual decisions concerning travel situations and the place to stay when nearing end-of-life were of crucial importance. Constituting these women’s living space, these perspectives should be emphasized in healthcare professionals’ educational training and in the municipal end-of-life care of these patients.
Who Is Citing Your Work? Journals With Impact Factor and h-Index in Social Work and Related Fields
Authors: Cheung Monit , Leung Patrick
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

With journal publishing being an important task for academicians, this article aims to help faculty and researchers increase their productivity by identifying journals with influential impacts on producing scientific knowledge.

Method:

Since 2004, the authors compiled and updated a journal list annually for social work faculty to use. This list aims to help faculty and researchers, including doctoral students, identify journals with significant scholarly impacts in social work and related fields for national and international recognition.

Results:

A total of 221 journals are included in the study, covering 44 social work journals with two indexes reported in the Journal Citation Reports® with Journal Impact Factor® and the h-index.

Discussion:

This list aims to help scholars find appropriate journals for article submissions. The criteria for the authors to select journals to be included in the publication list are also discussed.
End-of-Life Experiences (ELEs) of Spiritual Nature Are Reported Directly by Patients Receiving Palliative Care in a Highly Secular Country: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Nyblom Stina , Arnby Maria , Molander Ulla , Benkel Inger
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Patients with life-threatening diseases have reportedly end-of-life experiences that are perceived positively. Loved ones and healthcare personnel may mistakenly interpret the phenomena as confusion and patients can be reluctant to talk about it due to fear of ridicule. Studies addressing patients directly are scarce and there is a lack of studies from highly secular countries. The aim was to establish whether end-of-life experiences are present among patients, oriented in time, place and person and receiving palliative end-of-life care in one of the world's most secular countries. If present, examine the content and patients’ subjective experiences.

Design:

Qualitative design with semi-structured, in-depth interviews. 25 participants, receiving end-of-life palliative care at home or in a hospice inpatient unit.

Results:

Patients were interviewed on 1-3 consecutive occasions. 16/25 patients reported end-of-life experiences of which the majority were perceived to be positive. Four themes were identified: vivid dreams while asleep, experiences while awake, references to medical circumstances and communication about end-of-life experiences. Prevalent content was deceased and living loved ones and journeys. Some patients distinguished between hallucinations/nightmares and end-of-life experiences.

Conclusions:

End-of-life experiences are present among oriented patients in a highly secular country and can have a profound positive impact, which warrants clinical attention. Education for healthcare personnel about end-of-life experiences is needed in order to support patients and loved ones and not mistakenly medicalize. Further directions for research could be to study the experiences of the phenomenon among health care personnel in the same context, which could strengthen the present findings.
Palliative Care Consults in an Inpatient Setting for Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Mehta Ambereen K. , Jackson Nicholas J. , Wiedau-Pazos Martina
Published: October 2020

Background:

Limited data about the frequency and outcomes of palliative care (PC) specialty consultations for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are available.

Methods:

This study was a retrospective chart review. Patients with ALS admitted to 2 academic hospitals from 2013-2018 were included. We compared patients who were seen by an inpatient specialty PC service (PC group) with those who were not (NonPC group).

Results:

Twenty-four patients met inclusion criteria (9 PC group, 15 NonPC group). Patients in both groups were similar in age and had been diagnosed for a similar amount of time before admission. In the PC group, 6 patients were seen by more than 1 PC multidisciplinary team member (physician, social worker, spiritual care provider, clinical nurse specialist). PC consultations were requested for goals of care (GOC) (n = 7), pain (n = 4), hospice information/referral (n = 2), dyspnea (n = 1), and excessive oral secretions (n = 1). GOC topics addressed for both groups were code status, treatment preferences (tracheostomy placement, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement, change to comfort care), prognostication, and hospice information/referral. Patients in the PC group were significantly more likely to be discharged with GOC (89%, p = 0.02) and completed advance care planning (ACP) documents (89%, p = 0.04) than patients in the NonPC group (32%; 47%). Despite reason for consultation, at least 1 symptom was addressed for every patient seen by PC specialists.

Conclusions:

Inpatient specialty PC consultation for patients with ALS leads to greater documentation of GOC and ACP by discharge. PC consultants participate in symptom management in patients with ALS during hospitalization.
Studio Practices in Management Education: Creative Adventures in Aesthetic Formativeness
Authors: Mack Kathy S.
Published: October 2020

As collaborative artistic inquiries, studios challenge logical–analytical approaches to knowledge. Studio activities entail materializing artifacts to explore a range of management and organization issues. Theoretical references are currently needed to keep pace with the growing interest in studio-informed pedagogy. Inspired by organizational aesthetics, my article engages with Luigi Pareyson’s hermeneutic–aesthetic philosophy of production and theory of formativity for new understandings on the art of “learning-by-making” studio practices. Based in sensory knowing, formativity—conceptualized as aesthetic formativeness—denotes how artistic “making/doing” unfolds through trial and error, socio-material processes involving simultaneous invention and production. Building on previously established analytical distinctions for studying formativeness dynamics in practice, studio experimentations with two distinct MBA cohorts are explored. Excerpts from these studio accounts guide the reader through students’ creative formative adventures. Extensions to the initial conceptual framework are put forward with the aim of contributing more nuanced aesthetic insights on studio-based education. Practical implications and future directions are considered.
Safe Zones, Dangerous Leadership: Decolonial Leadership in Settler-Colonial School Contexts
Authors: (Jason D. Cummins, Apsáalooke) Awaachia’ookaate’ , Chang Ethan
Published: October 2020

Recent studies of Indigenous educational leadership have contributed instructive conceptual insights to decolonize public schools. Building on these theoretical insights, we investigate the organizational and policy constraints leaders face when attempting to enact decolonial strategies. Combining “safety zone theory” and Critical Policy Analysis, we examine how one Apsáalooke educational leader, Cummins negotiated and challenged institutionalized practices delimiting “safe Indian-ness.” These include: (a) transactional, policy inscribed relations between schools and Native communities; and (b) tepid district implementation of pro-Native legislation, such as policies expressing a commitment to preserving Native American cultures. We convey how Cummins made, unmade, and remade new policy meanings through local leadership practices, such as creating more humanizing Apsáalooke-defined spaces for community-school engagements and orchestrating local pressure to move district leadership to fulfill policy commitments to serve Native students. Data includes 18 interviews with Apsáalooke tribal members, education policy texts, and collaborative auto-ethnographic memos. Based on these findings, we develop the notion of dangerous leadership: a decolonial leadership praxis that challenges settler–colonial conceptions of safety and negotiates material, communal, and personal threats that such acts of subversion tend to provoke. We conclude by discussing implications for dangerous leadership amid nonideal and constantly shifting settler-colonial school contexts.