bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy Regression Model Based on Geometric Centroid and Incentre Points and Application to Performance Evaluation
Authors: Gong Yanbing , Xiang Lin , Liu Gaofeng
Published: March 2020

Fuzzy regression model is developed to construct the relationship between independent variable and dependent variable in a fuzzy environment. In order to increase the explanatory performance of fuzzy regression model, the least-squares method usually is applied to determine the numeric coefficients based on the concept of distance. In this paper, we consider the fuzzy linear regression model with fuzzy input, fuzzy output and crisp parameters and introduce a new distance based on the geometric centroid and incentre points (GCIP) of triangular fuzzy number, merge least-squares method with the new GCIP distance and propose least-squares GCIP distance method. Finally, an example of employee job performance is given to illustrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the method. Comparisons with existing methods show that total estimation error using the same distance criterion, the explanatory performance of the GCIP method is satisfactory, and the calculation is relatively simple.
Performance Efficiency of Public Health Sector Using Intuitionistic Fuzzy DEA
Authors: Arya Alka , Yadav Shiv Prasad
Published: March 2020

Out of several generalizations of fuzzy set theory for various objectives, the notions of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) is very useful in modeling real life problems. In existing fuzzy data envelopment analysis (FDEA) models, the inputs and outputs are limited to fuzzy input and fuzzy output data. In real life problems, the input data and output data can be considered as linguistic/vague characterized by intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs). So, in the present study, we extend FDEA to intuitionistic FDEA (IFDEA) in which the input and output data are taken as IFNs, in particular triangular IFNs (TIFNs). In this study, we develop models to measure the efficiencies of each DMU in intuitionistic fuzzy environment using α and β-cuts and we get IF interval efficiencies. The ranking of FNs has been studied by many authors and extended to IFNs because of its applicability in real life problems. The ranking of IF interval efficiency plays an important role in DEA where the interval analysis is essential. Further, in this paper a new method for ranking IF interval efficiencies has been proposed and compared with other existing methods. A new general minimax approach is proposed to compare and rank the IF efficiency intervals of DMUs. One numerical example is provided to show the applications of the proposed IFDEA model and the proposed ranking approach. Moreover, we present an application of the proposed approach to the public health sector.
Fuzzy Binary Rough Set
Authors: Syau Yu-Ru , Lin En-Bing , Liau Churn-Jung
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we provide a definition of α-fuzzified lower and upper approximations for fuzzy sets based on the α-cut of fuzzy binary relations. We show that the definition is a proper generalization of the previous one for approximations of crisp sets and compare it with an existing definition in the context of fuzzy tolerance relation.
Mechanisms of Cryptochrome-Mediated Photoresponses in Plants
Authors: Wang Qin , Lin Chentao
Published: March 2020

Cryptochromes are blue-light receptors that mediate photoresponses in plants. The genomes of most land plants encode two clades of cryptochromes, CRY1 and CRY2, which mediate distinct and overlapping photoresponses within the same species and between different plant species. Photoresponsive protein–protein interaction is the primary mode of signal transduction of cryptochromes. Cryptochromes exist as physiologically inactive monomers in the dark; the absorption of photons leads to conformational change and cryptochrome homooligomerization, which alters the affinity of cryptochromes interacting with cryptochrome-interacting proteins to form various cryptochrome complexes. These cryptochrome complexes, collectively referred to as the cryptochrome complexome, regulate transcription or stability of photoresponsive proteins to modulate plant growth and development. The activity of cryptochromes is regulated by photooligomerization; dark monomerization; cryptochrome regulatory proteins; and cryptochrome phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and degradation. Most of the more than 30 presently known cryptochrome-interacting proteins are either regulated by other photoreceptors or physically interactingwith the protein complexes of other photoreceptors. Some cryptochrome-interacting proteins are also hormonal signaling or regulatory proteins. These two mechanisms enable cryptochromes to integrate blue-light signals with other internal and external signals to optimize plant growth and development.
The Myosin Family of Mechanoenzymes: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Approaches
Authors: Trivedi Darshan V. , Nag Suman , Spudich Annamma , Ruppel Kathleen M. , Spudich James A.
Published: March 2020

Myosins are among the most fascinating enzymes in biology. As extremely allosteric chemomechanical molecular machines, myosins are involved in myriad pivotal cellular functions and are frequently sites of mutations leading to disease phenotypes. Human β-cardiac myosin has proved to be an excellent target for small-molecule therapeutics for heart muscle diseases, and, as we describe here, other myosin family members are likely to be potentially unique targets for treating other diseases as well. The first part of this review focuses on how myosins convert the chemical energy of ATP hydrolysis into mechanical movement, followed by a description of existing therapeutic approaches to target human β-cardiac myosin. The next section focuses on the possibility of targeting nonmuscle members of the human myosin family for several diseases. We end the review by describing the roles of myosin in parasites and the therapeutic potential of targeting them to block parasitic invasion of their hosts.
Quorum Sensing Communication: Molecularly Connecting Cells, Their Neighbors, and Even Devices
Authors: Wang Sally , Payne Gregory F. , Bentley William E.
Published: March 2020

Quorum sensing (QS) is a molecular signaling modality that mediates molecular-based cell–cell communication. Prevalent in nature, QS networks provide bacteria with a method to gather information from the environment and make decisions based on the intel. With its ability to autonomously facilitate both inter- and intraspecies gene regulation, this process can be rewired to enable autonomously actuated, but molecularly programmed, genetic control. On the one hand, novel QS-based genetic circuits endow cells with smart functions that can be used in many fields of engineering, and on the other, repurposed QS circuitry promotes communication and aids in the development of synthetic microbial consortia. Furthermore, engineered QS systems can probe and intervene in interkingdom signaling between bacteria and their hosts. Lastly, QS is demonstrated to establish conversation with abiotic materials, especially by taking advantage of biological and even electronically induced assembly processes; such QS-incorporated biohybrid devices offer innovative ways to program cell behavior and biological function.
Passive Radar Source Localization Based on Cuckoo Search NVTDOA
Authors: Niu Gang , Gao Jie , Du Tai-hang
Published: March 2020

In order to meet the requirement of passive radar source localization in electronic warfare, the concept of the virtual time differences of arrival (VTDOA) is proposed by taking advantage of the characteristics of the same UAV in different positions at different times and the periodic rotation of radar pulse signal. The VTDOAs are the passive localization information defined as the time differences of the radar pulse transmission from the radar position to different virtual receivers. Firstly, a nonlinear VTDOA (NVTDOA) localization model is constructed. Moreover, sufficient conditions for accurately calculating the periodic integers in the model are analyzed, and the observability conditions of the localization model determined are deduced. Secondly, the convergence solution of the NVTDOA localization equation is obtained by Cuckoo search algorithm; thus, passive radar source localization is realized. Finally, the performance of the proposed method is verified by comparing with the existing methods.
A New Metamorphic Parallel Leg Mechanism with Reconfigurable Moving Platform
Authors: Xu Yong , Liang Zheng , Liu Jiali
Published: March 2020

This paper proposes the concept of full configuration state of metamorphic mechanism. Based on the concept, the configuration synthesis principle of metamorphic parallel mechanism is put forward. Firstly, a metamorphic parallel mechanism in full configuration state is synthesized, and then full configuration state evolves into a specific configuration state by increasing constraints or decreasing degrees of freedom. A reconfigurable moving platform based on the triple symmetric Bricard spatial closed-loop mechanism with a single degree of freedom is proposed. Based on this, a new method for switching motion configuration states of the metamorphic parallel mechanism is constructed. According to the configuration synthesis principle presented above, a novel metamorphic parallel mechanism that can switch between three- and four-degree-of-freedom is synthesized, and then the triple symmetric Bricard spatial closed-loop mechanism is used as the reconfigurable moving platform (that is, the reconfigurable foot of a walking robot) of the metamorphic mechanism, and thus, a novel metamorphic parallel leg mechanism is created. The screw theory is used to verify the degrees of freedom of the new type of metamorphic parallel leg. The proposed metamorphic parallel leg mechanism is expected to improve flexibility and adaptability of walking robots in unstructured environment.
Upregulation of PDGF Mediates Robust Liver Regeneration after Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field Ablation by Promoting the HGF/c‐Met Pathway
Authors: Qian Junjie , Liu Jianpeng , Hong Liangjie , Lu Haohao , Guo Danjing , Liu Zhen , Zhou Lin , Yin Shengyong , Zheng Shusen
Published: March 2020

Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) has emerged as a promising tool for hepatocellular carcinoma ablation recently. However, little is known about how nsPEF affects liver regeneration while being applied to eliminate liver lesions. Besides, the impact of nsPEF ablation on liver function should also be taken into consideration in the process. In this paper, we study the impact of nsPEF ablation on liver function by the measurement of serum levels of AST and ALT as well as liver regeneration and relevant molecular mechanisms in vivo. We found that mouse liver function exhibited a temporary injury without weight loss after ablation. In addition, local hepatic nsPEF ablation promoted significant proliferation of hepatocytes of the whole liver with an increase in HGF level. Moreover, the proliferation of hepatocytes was dramatically inhibited by the inhibitor of c‐Met. Of interest, the periablational area is characterized by high level of PDGF and a large amount of activated hepatic stellate cells. Furthermore, neutralizing PDGF was able to significantly inhibit liver regeneration, the increased HGF level, and the accumulation of activated HSCs. Our findings demonstrated that nsPEF not only was a safe ablation approach but also could stimulate the regeneration of the whole liver through the activation of the HGF/c‐Met pathway by upregulation of PDGF within the periablational zone.
Research on Influencing Factor Selection of Pilot’s Intention
Authors: Wang Haibo , Pan Ting , Si Haiqing , Li Yao , Jiang Naiqi
Published: March 2020

The physiological, psychological, and physical characteristics of the pilot will have an impact on flight safety, mainly in the pilot’s intention. In another word, this means the pilot’s psychological experience of flight status under the influence of various factors and the preference for decision-making or behavioral value that is displayed. The pilot’s intention is to reflect the cognitive state that the pilot showed during the maneuvering of the aircraft. The exploration of intention is very important for the study of automatic pilot and flight control active safety system. Also, it is an important concept often involved in the study of human factors in flight, especially the microbehavior of pilots. Pilot’s intention is taken as the study object in this paper; physiological-psychological-physical parameters are obtained through analyzing their influencing factors from the simulating flight experiments designed. The random forest analysis method is used to rank the main influencing factors affecting the pilot’s intention, and the factor sequence is formed. The results provide a good foundation for further research on the pilot’s intention identification.
Ti(C, N)‐Based Cermets with Two Kinds of Core‐Rim Structures Constructed by β‐Co Microspheres
Authors: Yan Hui , Deng Ying , Su Yong Yao , Jiang Shan , Chen Qiao Wang , Cao Shi Xiu , Liu Bing
Published: March 2020

Ti(C, N)‐based cermet materials represent the best choice of materials for the manufacturing industry and military products. In this study, we use cubic β‐cobalt(β‐Co) as the binder phase to strengthen constructed cermets. At the same time, to optimize the microstructure, (Ti, W, Mo, Ta) (C, N) powders are added to form two kinds of core‐rim morphologies. Here, β‐cobalt powders with face‐centered cubic structures are obtained by the solid‐phase reaction of high‐energy ball milling. A solid‐phase chemical reaction and a carbothermic reduction‐nitridation method are used to prepare the (Ti, W, Mo, Ta) (C, N) powders. In our process, first we mix the cobalt and (Ti, W, Mo, Ta) (C, N) powders; then we press the powder mixtures into rectangular samples and sinter them in a pressure sintering furnace to obtain Ti(C, N)‐based cermets with two kinds of core‐rim structure, that is, black core/white rim and white core/gray rim. The results show that the new cermets demonstrate excellent toughness and performance.
Hypolipidemic and Hepatoprotective Effects of High-Polydextrose Snack Food on Swiss Albino Mice
Authors: Yang Jin Han , Tran Thi Thu Tra , Le Van Viet Man
Published: March 2020

In this study, the hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic effects of high-polydextrose snack food on Swiss albino mice were investigated. The mice were randomly divided into three groups: control diet, high-fat diet, and high-fat and fiber diet groups. Addition of high-polydextrose snack to the high-fat diet resulted in significant reduction in the liver weight, the accumulation of lipid droplets in liver, and the liver damage of hyperlipidemic mice in comparison with the high-fat diet. The high-polydextrose snack also decreased the content of total triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as the alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities in the mice serum. In addition, the high-polydextrose snack significantly increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol content of the hyperlipidemic mice. Consequently, use of high-polydextrose snack generated hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic effects on hyperlipidemic mice.
Residual Stresses Formed by Vibration‐Centrifugal Hardening
Authors: Kyryliv Yaroslav , Kyryliv Volodymyr , Sas Nataliya , Dutka Volodymyr
Published: March 2020

The residual stresses of the first kind, which are formed by vibration‐centrifugal hardening, are calculated. These are shown to increase in the hardened layer with increasing processing time and the weight of the hardening tool. The residual compressive stresses in the hardened layer after vibration‐centrifugal hardening for optimal parameters reach maximum values: circular stresses up to  = 1600 MPa and radial stresses up to σr = 290 MPa. Their correlation with surface microhardness is shown.
Function Synergy of Cross-Linked Cationic PVA Polymer to AMPS-Type Fluid Loss Additive Used for Cement-Based Material
Authors: Wang Hao , Li Ming , Zheng Youzhi , Gu Tao
Published: March 2020

In this research, a kind of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid sodium salt- (AMPS-Na-) type copolymer additive, the fluid loss additive (FLA), named as FLA A additive, was used for research. The performance of FLA A was tested and found to fail in the effective control of free water and to hinder the hydration process for delaying the breaking of the early hydration shell. The reason for it was the absorbed behavior and chelating effect of the AMPS-Na unit to Ca2+ hydrating cement particles. Thus, a cationic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer, modified by glyoxal and boric acid, was discovered due to its excellence in associating with the FLA A additive for controlling the free cement-based material water amount and preventing the chelating effect of FLA A chains on the surface of the cement-based material. Glyoxal/boric acid-modified polyvinyl alcohol, abbreviated as PVAGB or PVA-G-B, was with special molecular properties, i.e., positive ZETA (ζ) potential characteristics and cross-linked molecular structure. Due to competitive absorbed behavior of glyoxal-modified hydroxyl groups and free Ca2+ released by the hydration product, the chelating effect of AMPS-Na units to Ca2+ was weakened and the possibility of FLA A chains being absorbed to the surface of the cement-based material was decreased. Then, the formation of a complete fluid loss system was obtained; i.e., the fluid loss volume decreased to less than 50 mL at 30°C and 108 mL at 80°C with 0.2 percentage by weight of cement (%BWOC) of PVAGB and 0.50%BWOC (percentage by weight of cement) of FLA A. Besides, the hydration process of cement-based material was accelerated due to formation of more C-S-H gels in the early hydration period. As a result, the cement-based material not only showed no worse compressive-strength retrogression but also showed a stable 28-day compressive strength of 28 MPa.
Validated Reversed-Phase Ion-Interaction High-Performance Liquid Chromatography for Quantitation of Nitrate Content ofClausena anisata(Willd.) Hook. f. ex Benth. Leaves
Authors: Monton Chaowalit , Suksaeree Jirapornchai , Luprasong Chitradee
Published: March 2020

This work sought to validate the reversed-phase ion-interaction high-performance liquid chromatography for quantifying the nitrate content in the extract and raw material ofClausena anisata(Willd.) Hook. f. ex Benth. leaves. Three extraction methods (i.e., decoction, infusion, and ultrasound-assisted extraction) were investigated and compared. Furthermore, the effect of the solid-to-solvent ratio and defatting was also evaluated. The validation result showed that the high-performance liquid chromatographic method had a linear response (R2 = 0.9999) in the range of 1–50 μg/mL. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation were 0.25 μg/mL and 0.75 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, the method was specific, precise, and accurate. So the validated method was suitable for determination of the nitrate content inC. anisataleaves. Infusion of a nondefatted sample using a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1 : 10 gave the highest nitrate content in the raw material, 0.251 ± 0.003%. In case of a defatted sample, decoction provided the highest nitrate content, 0.309 ± 0.001%. Increasing the solid-to-solvent ratio and defatting had a huge effect on the nitrate content ofC. anisataleaves extracted from decoction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that used the reversed-phase ion-interaction high-performance liquid chromatography for quantifying the nitrate content inC. anisataleaves. Furthermore, the authors suggested that nitrate could be used as a standard marker for quality control ofC. anisataleaves’ extract and raw material.
Study on Theoretical Model and Test Method of Vertical Vibration of Elevator Traction System
Authors: Peng Qifeng , Jiang Aihua , Yuan Hong , Huang Guojian , He Shan , Li Shanqing
Published: March 2020

In order to study the dynamic characteristics of the elevator, the response characteristics of the elevator under normal operation and emergency braking conditions are analyzed. In this paper, the centralized mass discretization model is used to study the vibration characteristics of the elevator traction system under the external excitation. Firstly, the vibration equation of the elevator multi-degrees-of-freedom (abbreviated as DOF) system is established. Then, the vibration characteristics of the three DOF system are analyzed, and the natural frequencies and modes are obtained. The free vibration equation and forced vibration equation are obtained, and the theoretical solutions are obtained. Finally, the test method proposed in this paper is used to test the normal operation and emergency braking of the elevator. The test results show that, under normal operation conditions, the measured speed and distance errors are not more than 4.2%, the up running distance measured by the elevator is larger than the actual value, while the down running distance is smaller than the actual value; under emergency braking condition, because the steel wire rope can only bear the pulling force, the peak acceleration fluctuation in the up emergency braking process is large, while the down emergency braking acceleration fluctuation is small. Therefore, the elevator vibration analysis model and the vibration test method proposed in this paper can be used for the analysis of elevator dynamic performance, which has great reference value for the safety performance research of the elevator traction system.
Influence of Sport Type on Metatarsophalangeal and Ankle Joint Stiffness and Hopping Performance
Authors: Liu Yu , Lam Wing-Kai , Man Hok-Sum , Kam-Lun Leung Aaron
Published: March 2020

While individual ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness is related to training intensity and sport performances, sport athletes may develop specific passive joint stiffness among the spectrum from endurance to powerful types of sports. The objective of this study examined whether marathon runners, basketball players, and other sports athletes would demonstrate distinct passive ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness as well as vertical stiffness. Fifteen marathon runners, nineteen basketball players, and seventeen other sports athletes performed both joint stiffness measurement and single-leg hopping tests. We used a computerized dynamometer to control foot alignment and speed for passive ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness measurements. We calculated vertical stiffness by body deceleration and body mass displacement during hopping on the force platform. One-way ANOVA was performed to identify the group differences. Bivariate correlation test was also performed among ankle, metatarsophalangeal, and vertical stiffness. The basketball group displayed 13% higher ankle passive stiffness than the other sports players group (P=0.03). Metatarsophalangeal joint passive stiffness in sitting and standing positions was 23% higher in the basketball group than the runner and other sports athlete groups (P<0.01). However, there was no significant group differences in metatarsophalangeal joint passive stiffness and vertical stiffness. Significant correlations among all stiffness variables were determined (P<0.05). These findings indicate that ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint passive stiffness, rather than vertical leg stiffness, would be in relation to types of sports participation. Ankle and toe strengthening exercises could improve basketball players’ performance and prevent injury.
Association Between Subsequent Hospitalizations and Recurrent Acute Myocardial Infarction Within 1 Year After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Wang Yun , Leifheit Erica , Normand Sharon‐Lise T. , Krumholz Harlan M.
Published: March 2020

Background

Patients who survive acute myocardial infarction (
AMI
) are at high risk for recurrence. We determined whether rehospitalizations after
AMI
further increased risk of recurrent
AMI
.

Methods and Results

The study included Medicare fee‐for‐service patients aged ≥65 years discharged alive after
AMI
from acute‐care hospitals in fiscal years 2009–2014. The outcome was recurrent
AMI
within 1 year of the index
AMI
. The Clinical Classifications Software (
CCS
) was used to classify rehospitalizations into disease categories. A Cox regression model was fit accounting for
CCS
‐specific hospitalizations as time‐varying variables and patient characteristics at discharge for the index
AMI
, adjusting for the competing risk of death. The rate of 1‐year recurrent
AMI
was 5.3% (95%
CI
, 5.27%–5.41%), and median (interquartile range) time from discharge to recurrent
AMI
was 115 (34–230) days. Eleven disease categories (diabetes mellitus, anemia, hypertension, coronary atherosclerosis, chest pain, heart failure, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, renal failure, complication of implant or graft) were associated with increased risk of recurrent
AMI
. Septicemia was associated with lower recurrence risk. Hazard ratios ranged from 1.6 (95%
CI
, 1.55–1.70, heart failure) to 1.1 (95%
CI
, 1.04–1.25, pneumonia) to 0.6 (95%
CI
, 0.58–0.71, septicemia).

Conclusions

Patient risk of recurrent
AMI
changed based on the occurrence of hospitalizations after the index
AMI
. Improving post–acute care to prevent unplanned rehospitalizations, especially rehospitalizations for chronic diseases, and extending the focus of outcomes measures to condition‐specific rehospitalizations within 30 days and beyond is important for the secondary prevention of
AMI
.
Paternity Rights of Authors under Iraqi and English Law: A Comparative Study in the Field of Copyright and Author Rights
Authors: al-Fatlawi Ali Mohammed Khalaf
Published: March 2020

Historically, Iraqi law has followed the Latin approach in the ambit of civil law, while English law is the creator of the ‘common law approach’. This has had an effect on the Iraqi doctrine for the protection of works in the field of intellectual property law. Therefore, Iraqi author rights have followed French law which grants authors many, in particular moral, rights on their works whilst English law restricts the rights of the author in kind of the moral rights. However, both laws grant authors important ‘paternity rights’ that prevent anyone from using a work without first receiving license from the author. Due to its importance in both laws, this article will try to explain paternity rights and its differences in Iraqi and English laws. This article will examine the scope paternity rights under both systems of law.
Jurisdiction and Applicable Law to International Commercial Agency Agreements from a Jordanian Perspective
Authors: Aldmour Abdullah
Published: March 2020

Doing business abroad within the framework of commercial agency or distribution agreements presents not only several financial and commercial challenges but also legal ones, raising questions about the applicable law, jurisdiction, and particularly the arbitrability of disputes arising out of commercial agency agreements governed by Jordanian law. The purpose of this article is to highlight selected aspects of Jordanian commercial agency law from the perspective of private international law in Jordan. It aims to discuss the applicable law and jurisdiction pertaining to international commercial agency agreements subject to Law No. 28 of 2001 on Commercial Agents and Intermediaries as a mandatory law. The article highlights the recent different methodological approaches adopted by the Jordanian Court of Cassation in dealing with commercial agency agreements, which can be described as heterogeneous, controversial, and traditional; they are tainted with dogmatic traditions and at odds with the Court’s own grundnorms.
Transfer of Ownership in Sale Contracts Involving Carriage of Goods by Sea
Authors: al-Daboubi Derar
Published: March 2020

This article discusses the maritime carrier’s effect on the transfer of ownership between contracting parties to international sales. The discussion initially focuses on the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods 1980 (CISG), and Incoterms 2010 Rules as international instruments. It will also cover the provisions of the Jordanian Civil Code 1976 (JCC) as a domestic statute. The necessity to examine the maritime carrier’s influence on transfer of ownership lies in the impact it can exert on a buyer’s right to acquire ownership that may deprive him of selling the goods in transit. This article will point out the obstacles encountered when determining the timing for transfer of ownership. The study proposes some suggestions through which the role the maritime carrier plays in the transfer of ownership can be recognised and the time when transfer of ownership occurs can be easily determined.
Delay Damages: The Application of Qatari National Law to Article 8(8) of the 2017 Red Book
Authors: Mahasneh Nisreen
Published: March 2020

This article addresses a common conundrum when a government is a party to a Red Book contract, that is governed by Qatari national law: the inter-relationship between national law and the voluntarily agreed-upon contractual terms. This article sets forth a proposal that is to amend two Qatari laws as applicable to delay damages under contracts based upon the FIDIC Red Book where a governmental entity is a party to that contract and the parties have elected Qatar law as governing the contract. The two laws are the Qatari Civil Code (QCC 2004) and the Tendering and Procurement Law (T&P 2015). QCC 2004 applies when the Employer and Contractor are private law persons. T&P 2015 applies when the Employer is the government. Each law contains provisions that conflict with and supersede the delay damages provisions of the Red Book, in each case depriving the contractual parties of their intended result.
Contested Slurs
Authors: Bolinger Renée Jorgensen
Published: March 2020

Sometimes speakers within a linguistic community use a term that they do not conceptualize as a slur, but which other members of that community do. Sometimes these speakers are ignorant or naïve, but not always. This article explores a puzzle raised when some speakers stubbornly maintain that a contested term t is not derogatory. Because the semantic content of a term depends on the language, to say that their use of t is semantically derogatory despite their claims and intentions, we must individuate languages in a way that counts them as speaking our language L, assigns t a determinately derogatory content in L, and still accommodates the other features of slurs’ linguistic profile. Given the difficulty of doing this, there is some reason to give a non-semantic analysis of the derogatory aspect of slurs. The author suggests that rather than dismissing the stubborn as semantically incompetent, we would do better to appeal to expected uptake as moral reasons for the stubborn to adjust their linguistic practices.
A Persona-based Semantics for Slurs
Authors: Burnett Heather
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a new style of semantic analysis for (some) slurs: linguistic expressions used to denigrate individuals based on some aspects of their identity. As an illustration, the author will focus on one slur in particular: dyke, which is generally considered to be a derogatory term for lesbians. The author argues that not enough attention in the literature has been paid to the use of dyke by members of the target group, who can often use it in a non-insulting manner; secondly, the author argues not enough attention has been paid to the use of the “neutral” form, lesbian, which is generally treated as having a simple, clear meaning, such as “engage[s] in same-sex sex” (Jeshion, 2013a, 312). Following McConnell-Ginet (2002), the author argues that taking into account all the uses of both dyke and lesbian requires a new semantics and pragmatics for both terms. More specifically, the author proposes that dyke and lesbian are associated with different sets of personae: abstract identities or stereotypes. Dyke is associated with an anti-mainstream persona, which the vast majority of speakers views negatively; whereas, lesbian is associated with a mainstream persona, which many speakers view favourably. The author proposes that the semantic puzzles associated with dyke and lesbian can be resolved through the combination of a theory of these personae and a theory of how listeners’ beliefs about their interlocutors’ ideologies affect utterance interpretation.
Really Expressive Presuppositions and How to Block Them
Authors: Marques Teresa , García-Carpintero Manuel
Published: March 2020

Kaplan (1999) argued that a different dimension of expressive meaning (“use-conditional”, as opposed to truth-conditional) is required to characterize the meaning of pejoratives, including slurs and racial epithets. Elaborating on this, writers have argued that the expressive meaning of pejoratives and slurs is either a conventional implicature (Potts 2007) or a presupposition (Macià 2002 and 2014, Schlenker 2007, Cepollaro and Stojanovic 2016). Here the authors argue that an expressive presuppositional theory accounts well for the data, but that expressive presuppositions are not just propositions to be added to a common ground. They hold that expressives, including pejoratives and slurs, make requirements on a contextual record governed by sui generis norms specific to affective attitudes and their expressions.
Slurs and Toxicity
Authors: Rappaport Jesse
Published: March 2020

Slurs are special. They can be so powerful and harmful that even mentioning them can be offensive. What explains this “toxicity” that many slurs display? Most discussions in the literature on slurs attempt to analyze the derogatory meaning of slurs, differing in where they locate this meaning – in the semantics, pragmatics, etc. In this article, the author argues that these content theories, despite their merits, are unable to account for toxicity. For a content-based approach to toxicity implies that two meaning-equivalent phrases should have the same toxicity. The author argues that this is not the case for the analyses proffered by current content theorists. Instead, he argues that we can only explain toxicity by understanding the special neurolinguistic properties of slurs. The author then draws out the consequences of this view for the issue of non-derogatory uses of slurs.
On the Internationalisation and Harmonisation of Archival Law
Authors: Andresen Herbjørn
Published: March 2020

Archival laws exist in most countries, with some similarities due to a common professional basis. Over several decades, regional and global laws have evolved in different fields imposing requirements, or expectations, for reliable and accessible archives. Merely a few attempts have been made to harmonise archival law in the sense of pursuing a goal of rule similarity. Still, there seems to be an increase of areas where international law or regional harmonisation of laws presupposes archival law with a capacity to safeguard creation and preservation of reliable archives, documenting government activities. Even without manifest goals of harmonising archival law into uniform rules, the broad range of emerging requirements on reliable archives may lead to some form of approximation of archival law. Following a broad account of developments in this field, Sections 2 through 4, there is a discussion of advantages and disadvantages of stronger or weaker modes of harmonisation. Strong harmonisation could perhaps more convincingly safeguard the reliability of archives, at the cost of a possible lock-in of the scope of archival law. Weaker forms of harmonisation yield more differentiated archival laws. On the other hand, weak harmonisation may be more adaptive to developments in adjacent fields.
An Appraisal of the Influence of Legal Transplant on National Legal Systems
Authors: Lawrence Mantinkang Formbasso
Published: March 2020

States may use foreign law for different reasons. Courts can do so when faced with a controversial new issue for which no apparent solution is found under national law. Often countries refer to laws or legal practices of other countries within the same legal family. This is done by Cameroonian courts, especially in the English speaking regions where the common law legal system applies. This paper analyses the impact and legitimacy of the use of foreign law paying particular attention to Cameroon. The analysis will be based on the following sequence: comparative law and national legislatures; comparative law and national courts; voluntary recourse to foreign law in domestic disputes; legitimacy of comparative law influence and reasoning; motives and strategies in valuing foreign law; and the extent to which legal systems are opened to foreign influence. The paper concludes that the Cameroon legal systems (common law and civil law) are highly influenced by legal transplant.
Difference, Migration, and Cultural Exchange in Vico
Authors: Carbone Raffaele
Published: March 2020

In his historical and legal works, Giambattista Vico points out several times that there are significant differences between human societies. From The Universal Law onwards, the Neapolitan philosopher proposes the restoration of the history of nations and recognizes that travel, migration and cultural exchanges play a significant role in the vicissitudes of peoples. At the same time, he also searches for constants (economic and social, political and cultural) that are common to all nations and that may be compatible with the natural and historical differences remaining between them. This project grows and matures over the three editions of the New Science. In this regard, this article aims to dissect the course of Vico’s intent and show that he does not appear to neglect cultural differences or the importance of cultural exchanges in the history of humankind to the exclusive benefit of the invariants occurring in all human communities.
A Prophet of Divine Wisdom?—Giambattista Vico and the Construction of the Pythagorean Myth
Authors: Lenz Markus Alexander
Published: March 2020

In the nineteenth century, the reception of Giambattista Vico’s writings came along with nationalist interpretations of his Scienza Nuova as an ‘Italian Science’. This tendency was based upon an increased examination of the role that the philosopher Pythagoras and his Italian school of Croton played in Vico’s hierarchical conception of the ancient Greek and Italian civilizations. Writers, archaeologists and historians used the New Science as a metonymic reference work for their own nationalist concepts by updating the Pythagorean myth in accordance with relevant narratives of exclusive genealogies concerning an ancient Italian wisdom. These narratives follow tendencies in Vico’s own writings that were quoted strategically and mixed with further interpretations of the Scienza Nuova as reliable testimonial for a glorious Italian history. A theological poet characterized by deeper insight into the secrets of nature and some parts of the divine providence, Pythagoras gains his special position in Vico’s general conception of knowledge.
Better a Friend Nearby Than a Brother Far Away? The Health Implications of Foreign Domestic Workers’ Family and Friendship Networks
Authors: Ye Jing , Chen Feinian
Published: March 2020

Migrant domestic workers provide essential services to the families they live with, but they are not considered a part of the family. As a group, they are not well-integrated into the society and often suffer from social isolation. In this article, we explore the potential health buffering effects of their personal network, in terms of family and friendship ties in both the local community and their home country. Existing literature provides inconsistent evidence on who and what matters more, with regard to the nature, strength, and geographic locations of individual personal networks. Using data from the Survey of Migrant domestic Workers in Hong Kong (2017), we find that family ties are extremely important. The presence of family members in Hong Kong as well as daily contact with family, regardless of location, are associated with better self-reported health. Only daily contact with friends in Hong Kong, not with friends in other countries, promotes better health. We also find evidence that the protective effects of family and friends networks depend on each other. Those foreign domestic workers with families in Hong Kong but also maintain daily contact with friends have the best self-reported health among all.
Data Collection for Migrant Live-In Domestic Workers: A Three-Stage Cluster Sampling Method
Authors: Chung Roger Yat-Nork , Liao Tim F. , Fong Eric
Published: March 2020

This article discusses an innovative method of collecting survey data on a special population, migrant live-in domestic workers, for which it is difficult to define an appropriate sampling framework. These migrant workers, however, have regular gatherings in public spaces within a certain period of time during the weekends. In this article, we present the method of collecting data on this group of domestic workers and the procedures for implementing the method. We also discuss its limitations, the difficulties encountered, as well as possible directions for improving the method in the future.
Filipino and Indonesian Migrant Domestic Workers in Hong Kong: Their Life Courses in Migration
Authors: Liao Tim F. , Gan Rebecca Yiqing
Published: March 2020

This article presents a portrayal of Filipino and Indonesian female domestic workers’ life courses in migration, using the life history calendar data from the 2017 survey of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong. Applying sequence analysis, we first analyzed migration trajectory features such as individual migration trajectories, duration spent in each state, and longitudinal diversity of state distributions. We found that Indonesian domestic workers, compared with their Filipino counterparts, are more diverse in their migration histories, indicating involvements in serial migration. We also conducted a cluster analysis of the domestic workers’ migratory trajectories. The analysis yielded three meaningful clusters/types of migrant workers—those moved late in life, those who participated in serial migration, and those migrated directly from their home country to Hong Kong. Finally, we investigated the effect of a complex migration history on job satisfaction and the characteristics of membership in the three ideal-typical migration types among the domestic workers older than 39 years.
Formal and Informal Social Support Systems for Migrant Domestic Workers
Authors: Baig Raees Begum , Chang Ching-Wen
Published: March 2020

Informal social support from family and friends has often been highlighted as the key form of support for migrants under different forms of transnational movement, particularly for female migrants. Drawing on the findings from qualitative and quantitative studies on Filipino and Indonesian migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, this article applies the intersectionality framework to explore how migrant domestic workers approach different forms of support systems based on their multiple identities of gender, ethnicity, and religion. A clear distinction on help-seeking behavior is drawn between approaching formal and informal support systems with migrant domestic workers directly approaching formal support when the problem is employment related but turning to informal support when having emotional needs. Such distinction is found to be related to migrant domestic workers’ perceptions toward gender role and religious practices under transnational movements.
Using teacher collective efficacy as a conceptual framework for teacher professional learning – A case study
Authors: Loughland Tony , Nguyen Hoa TM
Published: March 2020

There has been an evolution in the teacher professional learning literature on what constitutes effective process. This evolution has seen a shift from a focus on the design elements to the theory of action that integrates and drives these disparate elements to create effective professional learning. This study argues that a focus on a theory of action can be enhanced when the construct of teacher collective efficacy is considered in relation to teacher professional learning. This study examined how participation in a collaborative professional learning model for primary science impacted on the teachers’ sense of their collective efficacy in a specific context in Australia. Data from interviews, professional learning sessions, written reflections and classroom observations of a group of 12 primary teachers were analysed using the construct of teacher collective efficacy. The evidence from this case study suggests that teacher collective efficacy employed as a conceptual framework may be a useful design heuristic that might enhance the quality of a teacher’s professional learning experience.
Experimental influence of twist angle and cryogenic gas on quality of drilled hole in carbon fiber reinforced plastic composites
Authors: Tran Quang-Phuoc , Tsai Ming-Chang , Hsiao Te-Ching , Huang Shyh-Chour
Published: March 2020

The considerable body of literature on the effect of moisture on the mechanical properties of composites has shown that there is a disinclination to use coolant fluids within the composite industry. Tool geometry and cryogenic liquid cooling also have a significant impact on carbon fiber–reinforced plastic machining capabilities. In this paper, the two issues mentioned are improving the drilled hole quality and reducing the amount of CO2 released into the air to protect the environment. The experimental characteristics using a carbide drill with three levels of twist angle of flute and a gas mixture of CO2–N2 were investigated. To verify hole quality, the diameter, the delamination, the uncut fiber area, and the surface roughness were analyzed. With the goal of reducing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere, a list of experiments was proceeded in the dry, the air, gas CO2, and a gas mixture of CO2–N2. The thrust force and the temperature were observed. Based on the experiment results, the high helix tool was more advantageous than the triple tool and low helix tool. The difference in the effect of CO2 and CO2–N2 was not significant with the triple tool and the low helix tool; however, the performance of the CO2–N2 gas mixture showed a positive effect on the high helix tool.
Role of traditional healers in the pathway to care of patients with schizophrenia in Egypt
Authors: Ibrahim Awaad Mona , Mohsen Ibrahim Nesreen , Naguib Rehab Mohamed , Khalil Sherien Ahmed , Elhabiby Mahmoud , Khaled Mohamed Zainab
Published: March 2020

Background:

Traditional healers are considered one of the important stages in the pathway to care of schizophrenia patients because of the confidence in the system, affordability and accessibility of the service, exposing patients to hazardous management, delay in seeking psychiatric help and bad prognosis.

Aim:

To assess the pathway to care of schizophrenia patients and role of traditional healers into it, the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of those patients.

Methods:

We assessed 232 patients with schizophrenia after confirmation of diagnosis with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorder (SCID-I) research version using a questionnaire designed by authors to assess help seeking behavior in schizophrenia patients and its sociodemographic and clinical correlates. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale to identify the presence and severity of symptoms.

Results:

A total of 41.8% sought traditional healers first, 58.1% sought a psychiatric consultation first, main symptoms related to traditional healers seeking were hallucinations in 51.5%, delusions 29.9%, 9.28% bizarre behavior and 9.28% formal though disorder. Main causes of traditional healers’ preference were society acceptance 30.39%, affordability 24.74% and accessibility 16.49%.

Conclusion:

This study shows that a significant percentage of the patients suffering from schizophrenia prefer to approach faith healers first due to their own beliefs, society acceptance, affordability and easy accessibility.