bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Peer Influence on Parent Willingness to Transport Children in Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Ayala Allegra , Hickerson Kyle , Lettie Hannah , Lee Yi-Ching
Published: October 2022

When considering autonomous vehicles (AV) as a potential to increase the mobility of children, one must consider parent opinion, as parents make transportation decisions for their families. This decision making may be impacted by several factors including peer influence on technology adoption from other parents. The current paper examines the potential for the social influence of other parents to impact parent willingness to adopt AVs for their own teenagers. Early adopter status was found to be significantly related to willingness, while effects of sex and age were non-significant. These findings add to the literature that the perceived notion of being an early adopter of technology contributes to parent willingness to use AV for their adolescent children. Future research should examine social and technology readiness factors in the willingness and adoption of AV in children’s mobility from a family perspective.
Evaluating the Impact of VR Headset Microclimate Temperature on Perceptions of Thermal Discomfort and Forehead Temperature
Authors: Rupp Michael A.
Published: October 2022

Modern head mounted displays are high performance wearable computers. However, the effect of headset temperature on user thermal discomfort is rarely discussed. Here, user ratings of thermal discomfort during a VR game across three different thermal conditions between 28° – 43° C was measured. Perceived thermal discomfort ratings, administered every 12-minutes, decreased over time and as the HMD microclimate tem-perature (MCT) increased. Additionally, thermal discomfort increased more quickly for MCTs above 38° C. The HIGH temperature condition (MCT > 38° C) was rated uncomfortable after 24-mintues. Post- – pre-VR forehead temperatures in both the MID and HIGH conditions were significantly higher than in the LOW condition. The current findings suggest users perceive MCT temperatures above 38° C as uncomfortable. To maximize thermal comfort for extended use manufacturers of VR headsets should limit MCT to < 38° C.
User Experience and Social Presence in Intelligent Personal Assistants among Older Users
Authors: Thai Phuoc , Montalvo Fernando , Stephens Promise J. , Dabydeen Melissa , Pineda Victoria , McConnell Daniel S. , Smither Janan A.
Published: October 2022

As intelligent personal assistants gain popularity, the technology sees increasing adoption by older users. The device’s use of natural language processing for human-agent interaction purportedly makes it easier for older users to adopt. However, to properly understand how older users perceive and use the devices, continuous user research is needed. To this end, we conducted a user perception, task performance, and social presence study with two standalone IPAs to assess elements of usability and user experience. Additionally, since current research indicates that the devices may help ameliorate loneliness in older populations, the present study assessed perceived social presence and its relationship to loneliness in our sample. Results indicate that older users are mostly satisfied with the device interactions regardless of their actual performance while using the devices. Finally, in our sample, loneliness was not associated with perceived social presence.
A Support Vector Machine Application for the Detection of Pupillary Markers of Cognitive Workload
Authors: Niamba Kouadio M. , Schieber Frank
Published: October 2022

The visual system is a core processing system and an assessment of the cognitive workload generated by vision-related tasks is made possible through pupillometry. Pupillometry, the study of pupil dimensions and their reactivity to mental effort, proposes that the diameter of the pupil expands concomitantly with the amount of mental resources mobilized (Beatty, 1982). However, considering the pupil’s responsiveness to the brightness of the surrounding, an application of pupillometry in the absence of controlled illumination represents a challenge. Overcoming this challenge is the objective of the present study. Using a head-mounted eye-tracking device, the present investigation induces transient levels of brightness in the continuous performance of cognitive tasks. Most importantly, the novel implementation of Support Vector Machine algorithms suited for recognition across intermittent time series enables the discrimination of frequency-specific pupillary markers of cognition from frequency-specific pupillary markers of brightness.
The Impact of Automation Conditions on Reliance Dynamics and Decision-Making
Authors: Orellana Carlos Bustamante , Rodriguez Lucero Rodriguez , Gremillion Gregory M. , Huang Lixiao , Demir Mustafa , Cooke Nancy , Metcalfe Jason S. , Amazeen Polemnia G. , Kang Yun
Published: October 2022

The decision process of engaging or disengaging automation has been termed reliance on automation, and it has been widely analyzed as a summary measure of automation usage rather than a dynamic measure. We provide a framework for defining temporal reliance dynamics and apply it to a data-set from a previous study. Our findings show that (1) the higher the reliability of an automated system, the larger the reliance over time; and (2) more workload created by the automation type does not significantly affect the operators’ reliance dynamics in high-reliability systems, but it does produce greater reliance in low-reliability systems. Furthermore, on average, operators with low performance make fewer decision changes and prefer to stick to their decision of using automation even if it is not performing well. Operators with high performance, on average, have a higher frequency of decision change, and therefore, their automation usage periods are shorter.
Using Signal-to-Noise Ratio to Explore The Cognitive Cost of The Detection Response Task
Authors: Pillai Prarthana , Balasingam Balakumar , Biondi Francesco N.
Published: October 2022

The Detection Response Task (DRT) is a standardized measure of cognitive load requiring manual responses to intermittent stimuli. Given its simplicity, it is hypothesized that its completion will not interfere with the primary task. However, recent studies challenge this assumption showing a definite cost of DRT performance. In this study we adopt signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a measure commonly used in communication engineering: 1) to explore the cognitive cost of DRT 2) to compare the sensitivity of DRT performance and pupil size in measuring cognitive load. SNR was calculated using the data from a study wherein DRT performance and pupil size were recorded while participants completed increasingly difficult mental tasks. We conclude that DRT completion interfered with the overall cognitive task demand and showed pupil size’s greater sensitivity to changes in cognitive load. Though exploratory, our study advances using SNR as a powerful tool for data integration in HF/E research.
Effect of Explanations in AI-Assisted Anomaly Treatment for Human Spaceﬂight Missions
Authors: Dutta Prachi , Josan Poonampreet Kaur , Wong Raymond K. W. , Dunbar Bonnie J. , Diaz-Artiles Ana , Selva Daniel
Published: October 2022

Artiﬁcial Intelligence (AI) agents have the potential to play a critical role in human spaceﬂight by being the ﬁrst point of contact for astronauts during emergencies in a long duration spaceﬂight mission, when communication delays with the Mission Control Crew (MCC) become longer and more frequent. Sharing some of tasks done by the MCC with an on-board AI agent that can provide assistance with treating in-ﬂight anomalies gives the crew more autonomy and allows them to respond faster and more safely to emergencies, or focus on other critical aspects of their mission. For this technology to succeed in this role, providing accurate diagnoses for the anomalies encountered is obviously important. However, providing explanations for those recommendations may also be a critical factor to help establish trust and increase the likelihood of the crew actually following the agent’s recommendations. This paper evaluates the effects of explanations on crew performance, trust in automation, mental workload, and situational awareness in the context of anomaly resolution tasks. We conduct a study where subjects subjects work with the AI agent on various simulated anomaly scenarios. They are provided by the agent with a diagnosis and recommendation with no explanations in one session and with explanations for its diagnosis in the other session. We measure the effects of the explanations on Trust in Automation, Situational Awareness, Performance, and Workload. We discuss our ﬁndings and provide design recommendations for AI agents in the context of anomaly treatment in Long Duration Exploration Missions (LDEM).
The Resource Pool is Dry: A Model for Surfing the Waves of Energy
Authors: Mouloua Salim A. , McConnell Daniel S. , Hancock P. A.
Published: October 2022

Exhaustion impedes all humans from achieving their goals, be they during experiments or in daily life. The notion of mental resources has provided substantive discourse on attentional failures and operational mishaps. However, without empirical validation, we cannot assess whether the “resource” is an emergent or contrived phenomenon. We must refute the notion that it is an unspoken Law of Resources. In this paper we celebrate the contributions of the resource and issue a long-needed challenge – grounding it in psychophysiological reality. We outline the initial developments of a dynamic neural energetics model towards that goal. The fundamental question we pose is this – can we expand the capacity of resource theory? Emerging methods are discussed to measure energy waves, a more intuitive and testable metaphor. Our theory merges thermodynamic, information-theoretic, neuroscientific, and dynamical systems approaches into a single framework that argues “limitations” stand in paradox with energization methods.
Regulatory Considerations for the Potential Use of a Multi-Stage Validation Testing Approach to Support Human Factors Engineering Technical Reviews for Proposed Nuclear Power Plant Control Room Design Modifications
Authors: Vazquez Justin A. , Green Brian D. , Desaulniers David R.
Published: October 2022

Traditionally, integrated system validation (ISV) testing for proposed nuclear power plant control room design changes has been completed prior to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approving the proposed change. This, however, can pose scheduling challenges for proposed changes to operating facilities. The NRC is therefore considering possible alternatives for licensees to provide the human factors engineering validation information necessary to demonstrate reasonable assurance of safety for proposed design changes. One such alternative could be the use of early-stage testing results from a multi-stage validation (MSV) program. If early-stage results, along with other design considerations, can provide sufficient supporting information, the NRC may be able to make a safety determination for a proposed design change prior to the completion of ISV testing. Licensees proposing such an approach should consider available industry standards discussing MSV, in conjunction with existing NRC guidance where applicable, when developing their validation program and establishing success criteria. The NRC intends to engage in future discussions with stakeholders regarding the potential development of additional NRC-endorsed guidance on the use of MSV to support proposed changes to existing facilities, as well as designs for new reactor control facilities.
The Effectiveness of Active Shooter Responses for Civilians and Law Enforcement
Authors: Stone Richard , Kim Joseph , Mgaedeh Fatima , Backous Gary , Fales Colten
Published: October 2022

The number of active shooter incidents has been increasing over the past two decades. Furthermore, these events have become increasingly more fatal as the average number of casualties per incident has simultaneously been rising. As a result, finding more efficient ways to respond to these threats is essential. The literature evaluating current methodologies, specifically the “Run, Hide, Fight” technique, revealed that not much research has been done on its effectiveness, especially with respect to law enforcement’s responses. Additionally, the training medium for active shooter training for law enforcement and civilians has not been evaluated. A survey of twelve people (six law enforcement officers, six teachers) revealed a discrepancy between the civilians’ response and what law enforcement thought was safe and effective (three stated that current techniques were effective, three stated that current techniques were not). Future training must coordinate both law enforcement and civilian responses so that their responses complement one another.
Assessing Human Use of Partially-Automated Motor Vehicles: A Subjective Method for Use by Human Factors Experts
Authors: Nakisher Emily , Green Paul
Published: October 2022

This paper describes a pilot test conducted of a quick assessment method in which experts evaluated the safety and usability of partially autonomous vehicles. Two PhD human factors experts drove 3 2018-model-year, partially-automated vehicles (Tesla Model X, Subaru Legacy, and Mazda CX5) and identified safety and usability problems related to the driver interface. From multiple drives of each vehicle over a well-defined course, comments were obtained, and they were classified into 5 safety/usability categories (e.g., not sure what the vehicle did, not sure why it did what it did) with 5 severity levels (cosmetic to catastrophic) in each category. The method was feasible. Planning the route and instrumenting the vehicles proceeded without difficulty, as did the coding of the data. Improvements such as using text-to-speech software (instead of time-consuming manual transcription) to support transcript generation, alternative problem categories, and revised problem severity scoring are described.
The impact of computer mice weight on muscle activity, performance, and user preferences while gaming
Authors: Yan Yishu , Joshi Ketki , Barr Alan , Harris Adamson Carisa
Published: October 2022

Extended computer mouse usage may lead to health problems including chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders. The weight of the computer mouse is an important feature of mouse design. However, the impact of mouse weight on gaming has not been explored. This study assessed the influence of mouse weight on muscle activity, performance, and user preference. Twelve participants participated in this study. Participants used six computer mice (40g-140g) to perform a Fitts' test and gaming tasks. Wireless surface electromyography was used to record muscle activity. Fitts’ test was used to measure the performance. User preference assessed discomfort and overall preference. The results showed that muscle activity was slightly lower when using the heaviest mouse (140g); differences were not statistically significant. The lightest mouse (40g) had the highest error rate. The 60g mouse received the highest overall preference score, likely because it optimized performance while minimizing discomfort.
Effects of Binaural Beats on Mood and Cognition
Authors: Omeroglu Faith , Li Yueqing
Published: October 2022

Our brain constantly processes various acoustic stimulus, these stimuli consciously and subconsciously affecting us in everyday life. One of the most common acoustic stimuli that has been consciously used in many settings is music and its effect has been demonstrated and explained over the years with various sci entific research. In recent years, new acoustic stimuli, binaural beats started gaining a place in our lives. People started using these auditory signals to relax, sleep and even meditate. This study took a closer look at the effects of binaural beats on human mood states, emotions and cognition. Changes in the brain wave activity under theta, alpha and beta binaural beats were investigated using electroencephalogram (EEG). Experiment is conducted as fully between design where volunteers only listened to one of the three binaural beat conditions: Theta binaural beats (7 Hz), alpha binaural beats (10 Hz), and beta binaural beats (16 Hz). EEG and Mood questionnaire(PANAS-S) data is collected, and EEG data is analyzed in the frequency domain. Changes in relative power spectral density (PSD) of theta, alpha, and beta bands are calculated to draw meaningful conclusions.
Telemedicine Solution for Multidisciplinary Care Delivery: A User Requirements Analysis
Authors: Elsiss Farah , Chun Nathan , Keyser Colette , Park GeeBeum , Winn Mckensie , Ammar Dania , Bao Shan
Published: October 2022

The main goal of this paper is to apply a user-centered approach to develop a telemedicine solution, Medlly, to support multidisciplinary care delivery. For this purpose, three key tasks for the proper conduction of the remote visit between the various medical specialists and the patient were considered: (1) the scheduling procedure, (2) the online communication meeting, and (3) the conglomerate after-visit summary. The goal was achieved through the application of user requirements analysis methods including task analysis, prototyping, and usability testing which was conducted with actual healthcare providers. Results showed that the developed multidisciplinary telemedicine prototype ensures efficient interaction between the interface and its users.
Packaging Accessibility: Developing a Comparison Tool for Structural Designs
Authors: Conn Paula , Abisla Richard , Batra Sanjay
Published: October 2022

In this work, we synthesize 27 emerging research studies and standards to develop a resource that highlights accessibility risks of new design concepts. Prior studies have identified key factors that influence packaging accessibility: we summarize major themes and validate our findings through a Human Factors usability study. Results suggest that the design comparison tool can contribute to more accessible packaging, yielding a statistically significant difference in participants’ preference rankings. While existing methodologies evaluate a package’s accessibility at the final stages of the development process, this work suggests that usability problems can be surfaced as early as design conceptualization.
Joint Activity Testing: Towards a Multi-Dimensional, High-Resolution Evaluation Method for Human-Machine Teaming
Authors: Morey Dane A. , Della Vella Dante , Rayo Michael F. , Zelik Daniel J. , Murphy Taylor B.
Published: October 2022

Quantitative evaluations of human-machine teams (HMTs) are desperately needed to ensure technological implementations are helpful rather than harmful to overall system performance; however, as machines increasingly behave like active cognitive teammates, traditional evaluation strategies risk overestimating HMT capabilities. Areliable HMT evaluation method should include multiple high-resolution, continuous measures for both system performance and system challenges that can be implemented unobtrusively in real-time operations. In our prior work, we proposed joint activity testing (JAT) as acandidate evaluation framework to satisfy these requirements. Preliminary efforts with asingle dimension of performance and challenge have indicated that the method can identify the additive benefits of joint activity with aspecific technology. In this paper, we explore the operationalization of multi-dimensional JAT by synthesizing our work in two intelligence and two healthcare domains. The patterns observed between domains will guide future JAT, reveal paths towards real-time implementation, and spark future research evaluating resilience.
Mind Games: A Web-Based Multiplayer Brain-Computer Interface Game
Authors: Louis Jean D. , Alikhademi Kiana , Joseph Ricardo , Gilbert Juan E.
Published: October 2022

The advancement of consumer-grade Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) devices has led to the use of brain wave data in disciplines beyond neuroscience. While BCI devices are studied holistically in some domains, the potential remains unexplored in other applicable domains, such as gaming. The majority of BCI games are single-player, only work on a single platform, or require expensive hardware that is difficult to use. To address these challenges, we propose Mind Games: a competitive multiplayer tug-of-war game played entirely with brain wave data in a web browser with a low-cost consumer-grade BCI device. Unlike other BCI games, Mind Games is platform-independent, has a quick setup time, and uses the latest web-based technologies: web-Bluetooth and JavaScript frameworks for networking and signal processing. This new cross-platform BCI pipeline enables physiological computing applications to be more accessible, leading the future of online multiplayer BCI games.
On the Premise of a Swarm Guidance Ontology for Human-Swarm Teaming
Authors: Baxter Daniel P. , Hepworth Adam J. , Joiner Keith F. , Abbass Hussein
Published: October 2022

Effective Human-Swarm Teaming (HST) relies on bi-directional information flow between the human and the swarm. Systems with human control or oversight rely on information flow from the swarm to the humans to inform decisions, while information that flows back from humans is only that necessary for actuation, which remains primarily physical. To unlock the full potential of HSTs, the augmentation must extend into the overall logic of teaming, including both the human’s and machine’s cognitive domains, whereby an AI-equipped robot teammate is capable of complex cognitive functions. The effectiveness of HST will need a sufficient level of transparency in the interaction space formed by the bi-directional information flow between the human and the swarm. This transparency must continuously and constructively interpret the information exchanged between the human and the swarm to afford both cognitive agents with the capacity to form shared understanding and situation awareness, and thus, facilitating effective teaming through trust. An ontology is one formal representational construct that enables bi-directional interpretation, thus, transparency. In this paper, we conceptualise and present a meta-ontology for transparent HST interactions.
Measurements of Mental Stress and Safety Awareness during Human Robot Collaboration -Review
Authors: Lu Lu , Xie Ziyang , Wang Hanwen , Li Li , Fitts Edward P. , Xu Xu
Published: October 2022

Human-robot collaboration is an emerging research area that has gained tremendous attention in both academia and industry. Yet, the feature that human and robot sharing the workplace has led to safety concerns. In particular, the psychological states of human teammates during human-robot collaboration remains unclear but is also of great importance to workplace safety. This manuscript briefly reviewed possible direct and indirect measures that can be used to evaluate workers’ mental stress and safety awareness during human robot collaboration. It was concluded that each measure reviewed in this paper has its validity and rationality, and a combination of different methods may provide a more comprehensive and accurate assessment.
Interface Design for Evaluation of Clinical Decision Support for Quality Improvement
Authors: Kandaswamy Swaminathan , Karavite Dean , Muthu Naveen , Agoff Aly , Grundmeier Robert , Tobias Marc , Zeidlhack Mike , Orenstein Evan
Published: October 2022

Clinical decision support (CDS) is a process for enhancing health-related decisions and actions with pertinent, organized clinical knowledge and patient information that can significantly improve health outcomesand healthcare delivery. However, their impact on clinical outcomes has been inconsistent. Rigorous and continuous evaluation of CDS is necessary for improving CDS. An interface prototype designed based on User and Task analysis wasevaluated to measure its usability and effectiveness in evaluating CDSeffectiveness for improving quality outcomes based on the analysis. The results show that task of evaluating CDS effectiveness is relatively hard, and moreworkmay be needed to guide usersreach correct conclusions.
Predicting Audience Verification Intention: The Impact of Partisanship, Source, Importance, and Information Familiarity on Willingness to Verify Headlines
Authors: Mourão Rachel R. , Thorson Esther , Kryston Kevin , Tunney Carin
Published: October 2022

This study employed a 2 × 3 × 2 experiment in the United States to understand how headlines trigger willingness to verify information, manipulating partisan leaning, source credibility, and factuality. Based on evolutionary psychology, we also explored how perceived importance and information familiarity influence willingness to verify information for accuracy or confirmation of preexisting beliefs. Findings show no differences between accuracy (truth-seeking) and confirmation motivations, both driven mainly by importance. Conservatives report less intent to verify for both motivations and rely more strongly on authority cues (source credibility), while liberals rely on prior familiarity with content. Implications for news literacy efforts are discussed.
Obstacles and Pathways on the Journey to Access Home and Community Care by Older Adults Living With HIV/AIDS in British Columbia, Canada: Thrive, a Community-Based Research Study
Authors: Vorobyova Anna , Van Tuyl Rana , Cardinal Claudette , Marante Antonio , Magagula Patience , Lyndon Sharyle , Parashar Surita
Published: October 2022

Older adults living with HIV (OALHIV) (i.e., age ≥50) now constitute over 50% of all people accessing HIV treatment in British Columbia (BC), Canada. As OALHIV age, the need for supportive care in non-acute settings, including home and community care (HCC), is increasing. The Thrive research project was co-created alongside OALHIV in BC to support people to thrive with a good quality of life (as contrasted with just surviving). Phase 1 of the project linked treatment and demographic records for 5603 OALHIV accessing care in BC. Phase 2 took a community-based research approach with semi-structured interviews to understand obstacles and pathways experienced by 27 OALHIV in accessing HCC. This article summarizes previously published Phase 1 findings and explores Phase 2 findings in-depth. On the HCC journey traveled by OALHIV in BC, there are four main junctures at which obstacles and pathways appear: (1) before referral, (2) during the referral process, (3) at the assessment, and (4) while receiving services. Obstacles are largely related to fluctuating HCC priorities and funding cuts tied to election cycles, requiring systemic and policy changes to enable positive outcomes and impacts in the provision of HCC services. These obstacles can be transformed into pathways through public policy and client-centered, culturally safe care.
Indigenising the screen: Te Tangata Whai Rawa o Wēniti—The Māori Merchant of Venice (2002)
Authors: Moewaka Barnes Angela Marie
Published: October 2022

This article examines Te Tangata Whai Rawa o Wēniti—The Māori Merchant of Venice (2002), the first dramatic feature film, performed entirely in te reo Māori (the Māori language). This adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice was based on Pei Te Hurinui Jones’ 1946 te reo Māori translation. Alongside close readings of the film, I drew on an interview with director, Don Selwyn, whānau (family) input and the literature. I applied Kia Manawanui: Kaupapa Māori Film Theoretical Framework, an analytical tool, to provide thematic structure. Don Selwyn’s interpretation disrupts hierarchies of language, validating not only the Māori language but Indigenous languages globally as eminently capable of cinematic expression. He draws out the dynamics of oppression and colonisation, providing transformative and disruptive images of Māori, Māori culture and tikanga (protocols). By expressing these features Don Selwyn successfully indigenizes the screen. I argue that the film is a taonga (treasure).
A Lichens-Mediated Mechanism for Environmental Biodeterioration
Authors: Thakur Monika , Shrikhandia SP Pourush , Kumar Vinod
Published: October 2022

As mediators in soil formation, lichens play an essential role in the physical and biological formation of the natural environment. A recent study showed that they are capable of biodegrading stone substrates in a little amount of time, despite being excluded in a geological setting. Many species, mainly those able to produce an oxalate at the thallus-substratum interface, can alter the surface, affecting it chemically. The oxalate remains a noticeable increase even after the lichen has faded, and it makes a major contribution to the structure and composition of the thallus itself. These severe oxalate deposits on historical sites have been alternatively attributed to the earlier as the consequence of air pollutants, prior mechanical/chemical renovation treatments, as well as environmental deterioration. Lichen growth on building materials and biodegradation are frequently based on environmental variables. The biogeophysical and biogeochemical weathering of the substrate by the lichens is the mechanism underlying biodegradation. For stone surfaces, lichens can endeavor bio protection by acting as a barrier against weathering, holding humidity, improving permeability, reducing heat stress and erosion, and absorbing contaminants. Lichen’s significance as a biodeteriorant, its colonization and impact on monuments, as well as bioprotection, are all discussed in the current review.
Occurrence of Pseudomonas lactis and Pseudomonas paralactis Amongst Non-Lactose-Fermenting Bacterial Isolates in Chickens and Their Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns
Authors: Olofinsae Samson A , Adeleke Olufemi E , Ibeh Bartholomew O
Published: October 2022

A serious concern of public-health proportion is rising from the carriage of antibiotic resistance determinant in Non-Lactose-Fermenting Bacteria and acquisition of virulence particularly in strains that are not routinely isolated or screened from common food animals. This study investigated the resistance profile and pathogenicity potential of selected Non-Lactose-Fermenting Bacteria isolated from 18 poultry farms. In total, we investigated the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of 25 Pseudomonas lactis and 71 Pseudomonas paralactis isolated from chicken faeces by testing them against 12 antibiotics. Resistance genes borne by the selected isolates were screened by sequencing the genetic location of resistance determinants was determined by plasmid curing. The virulence potential of the studied strains was determined phenotypically. Pseudomonas lactis isolates were mostly resistant to azetronam (93%), followed by trimethoprim (90%), cefotaxime (86%) and then amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (57%), while Pseudomonas paralactis. isolates were most resistant to azetronam (94%), trimethoprim (90%), cefepime (80%), piperacillin (75%) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (70%). The Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index of Pseudomonas lactis and Pseudomonas paralactis isolates respectively ranged from 0.0 to 0.8 and 0.0 to 0.9. Polymerase Chain Reaction revealed the presence of antibiotic resistance factors such as blaCTX-M, qnrS, aac (6′)-lb-cr and blaSHV while plasmid curing revealed carriages of resistance determinants on Resistance Plasmid. Moreover, virulence enzymes such as alkaline protease and phospholipase C were found in 3% and 12% of Pseudomonas paralactis and Pseudomonas lactis, respectively. This study reports the first occurrence of Pseudomonas lactis and Pseudomonas paralactis strains from chicken faeces, and their antimicrobial resistance and relative virulence suggest the encroachment of food animals by the under-studied non-lactose-fermenting bacteria that should alert public health concerns.
‘A Missed Therapeutic Opportunity? SGLT-2 Inhibitor Use in General Medicine Patients With Heart Failure: A Retrospective Audit of Admissions to a Tertiary Health Service’
Authors: Perera Padeepa , O’Donnabhain Ronan , Fazio Timothy , Johnson Douglas , Lange Peter
Published: October 2022

Objective:

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-I’s) are novel oral hypoglycaemic agents, with proven decreased MACE and re-hospitalisation risk in type 2 diabetic patients with concomitant heart failure. This study aimed to assess the current practice in the use of SGLT2-I’s in general medical units at a large metropolitan health service.

Methods/Results:

A retrospective audit was conducted of patients admitted to general medicine over a 12 month period (between April 2018 and 2019). Inclusion criteria included decompensated heart failure of any aetiology and ejection fraction, and type 2 diabetes mellitus with an HbA1c ⩾ 7 within 6 months of the admission period. A total of 150 admissions fulfilled criteria. Baseline demographics and comorbidities identified an older, more comorbid population than reference trials. These included age (75% over 75 years), smoking history (46%), hypertension (83%), chronic kidney disease grade IV or V (26%), previous myocardial infarction (57%), stroke (18%), atrial fibrillation (55%) and known left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% (38%). Co-prescribed medications included ACE-I/ARB (53%), beta-blocker (67%), loop diuretic (87%), thiazide (7%), MRA (31%), insulin (57%), metformin (47%), sulphonylurea (31%), DPP-4 Inhibitor (21%), GLP-1 analogue (6%) and 15% of patients had an HbA1c > 10. There was a significant difference between patients in our study eligible for and prescribed metformin (66/111) compared to SGLT-2 inhibitors (4/25) ( P = .013). A total of 26 patients had readmissions within 28 days, of which one had been discharged on an SGLT2-I.

Conclusion:

The results of this study identified significant under prescribing of SGLT2-I’s in eligible type 2 diabetic patients with heart failure admitted under general medicine.
Comparative assessment of di-ethyl ether/diesel blends on the performance, and emission characteristics in acetylene dual fuel engine
Authors: Raman Roshan , Kumar Naveen
Published: October 2022

Many engine specialists have utilized various oxygenated blends such as methyl and ethyl esters, alcoholic fuels, and ether to boost the efficiency of dual fuel engine (DFE). However, there hasn’t been much study done to examine the effects of di-ethyl ether (DEE) in a gaseous fueled engine. Hence, in the present study, the author has examined the impact of the DEE/diesel mixture on the combustion, performance, and exhaust emissions in the acetylene-fueled customized engine. The acetylene is injected at 4 l/min (LPM) through the intake manifold while neat diesel, BD05, BD10, BD15, and BD20 blends are used as ignition sources at various engine loads. It is found that when the engine is operated with an ABD10 fuel combination the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) inclines by 1.7% as compared to standard diesel. The BTE is escalated due to an increased DEE proportion of up to 10% using BD10 pilot fuel at 80% load. However, further increasing the proportion of DEE results is a bit inferior in comparison to conventional diesel mode. Moreover, HC, CO, NOx, and smoke reduce considerably by 27%, 45%, 22%, and 43% respectively in comparison to neat diesel at 80% load while utilizing ABD10 fuel. This may be attributed to the superior physico-chemical properties of the pilot fuel blends permitting legitimate burning of the acetylene-air mixture. Additionally, it is also observed that consumption of neat diesel is decreased by 40% under high load using BD10 mixture as pilot fuel. Consequently, it is recommended to use DEE up to 10% with standard diesel in an acetylene-fueled engine for increasing BTE as well as to mitigate exhaust pollutants.
Women With Epilepsy: Causes for Concern
Authors: Terman Samuel W.
Published: October 2022

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Perceptions of Risk for Dating Violence Among Rural Adolescent Males: An Interpretive Analysis
Authors: Emezue Chuka Nestor , Dougherty Debbie S. , Enriquez Maithe , Bullock Linda , Bloom Tina L.
Published: October 2022

About one in eight U.S. high school students in Grades 9 to 12 report experiencing teen dating violence (TDV) in the form of physical, sexual, or psychological dating violence in the past year in person, on school grounds, and online. Compared with their urban counterparts, rural teens face nearly double the rate of physical dating abuse and an elevated risk of experiencing multiple forms of violence. Rural young males are exposed to regional masculinities and gender norms that may simultaneously promote female subordination (a prelude to dating violence) while impeding help-seeking intentions. We used an interpretive and dialectical approach grounded in Relational Dialectics Theory to explore how rural young males perceive and describe their own risk of experiencing and perpetrating dating violence and the factors contributing to their help-seeking intentions and behaviors. Data from three focus groups and individual interviews with 27 rural young males (ages 15–24) were collated. We identified two central dialectical themes described as (a) Social Tension Dialectics (subthemes include: Abusive vs. Unhealthy Relationships: A Dialectic of Language; #MeToo vs. #WeToo: A Dialectic of Victimhood; “It’s All Country Boys”: A Dialectic of Masculinity) and (b) Help-Seeking Dialectics demonstrating the dual roles Religion, School Guidance Counselors, Peer Mentors, and Social Cohesion play in promoting or preventing dating violence. Overall, we found dialectic tensions in rural youth risk perceptions about dating violence. These findings bear implications for advocates and practitioners working with rural youth in planning developmentally and culturally appropriate TDV prevention programs, offering policy and research-relevant insight.
Differentially Expressed mRNAs and Potential Mechanisms of Radiation-Induced TUT4−/− Esophageal Cell Injury
Authors: Sun Zhiqiang , Zhang Jiaqi , Zeng Fanye , Zhang Shuyu , Chai Zhifang , Luo Judong , Cao Jianping
Published: October 2022

Radiation-induced esophageal injury remains a limitation for the process of radiotherapy for lung and esophageal cancer patients. Esophageal epithelial cells are extremely sensitive to irradiation, nevertheless, factors involved in the radiosensitivity of esophageal epithelial cells are still unknown. Terminal uridyl transferase 4 (TUT4) could modify the sequence of miRNAs, which affect their regulation on miRNA targets and function. In this study, we used transcriptome sequencing technology to identify mRNAs that were differentially expressed before and after radiotherapy in esophageal epithelial cells. We further explored the mRNA expression profiles between wild-type and TUT4 knockout esophageal epithelial cells. Volcano and heatmap plots unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis were performed to classify the samples. Enrichment analysis on Gene Ontology functional annotations and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways was performed. We annotated differential genes from metabolism, genetic information processing, environmental information processing, cellular processes, and organismal systems human diseases. The aberrantly expressed genes are significantly enriched in irradiation-related biological processes, such as DNA replication, ferroptosis, and cell cycle. Moreover, we explored the distribution of transcription factor family and its target genes in differential genes. These mRNAs might serve as therapeutic targets in TUT4-related radiation-induced esophageal injury.
The Florida Violent Death Reporting System 2019 Data Findings Including a Qualitative Focus on Suicide Deaths of Young Black Males
Authors: Liller Karen D. , Thomas Nicholas , Ramirez Jennifer , Amoros Elizabeth , Diblanda Alexis , Salinas Abraham , Agrawal Kelli , Trejos Rolando
Published: October 2022

The Florida Violent Death Reporting System (FLVDRS) includes violent death data abstracted from death certificates (DC), medical examiner (ME) reports, and law enforcement (LE) records. Abstractors also produce narratives from the ME and LE information. This manuscript focuses on the findings from the 2019 FLVDRS. Quantitative data were reviewed using SPSS and STATA and MAXQDA was used for the qualitative analysis. Results showed that most deaths were suicides (69.0%). Males comprised most of all the violent deaths (77.4%). Qualitative analysis focused on available narratives of Black males regardless of ethnicity, ages 10–24 years, who died of suicide (n = 19). The most prominent codes from the qualitative analysis included scene location, suicide method, engagement with LE, known history of psychiatric conditions, known history of self-injurious behavior, and recent life events. Subcodes related to the parent codes are also provided for further explanation of the findings. Future research will allow confirmation of findings and development of targeted intervention programs.
A 2-DOF-IMC method for suppressing transmission chain vibration of wind power generation system with a clearance
Authors: Zhou Chen-Yang , Shen Yan-Xia
Published: October 2022

To address the vibration problem caused by gear clearance in the wind drivetrain, a two-degree-of-freedom internal model control (2-DOF-IMC) method was proposed to suppress the clearance’s nonlinear vibration. The two-mass wind drivetrain with clearance is the object of this paper’s research. First, we discuss the nonlinear characteristics of gear clearance and the mechanism by which vibration occurs. The nonlinear clearance unit is then decomposed into a linear unit and a nonlinear bounded disturbance unit. A suppression disturbance method based on 2-DOF-IMC was proposed to address nonlinear bounded disturbances. The 2-DOF-IMC overcomes the shortcoming of the PID control and the common internal model control (1-DOF-IMC) by allowing for independent adjustment of the anti-disturbance performance, effectively suppressing the nonlinear disturbance caused by gear clearance. A 2-DOF-IMC scheme and an IMC controller are designed, and the method’s effectiveness is validated through simulation.
Comparative clinical study of short-term outcomes between table fenestrated and chimney endovascular aneurysm repair for hostile neck aneurysms
Authors: Chen Yonghui , Wang Xuguang , Bi Jiaxue , Liu Zongwei , Niu Fang , Zhang Xiaoxing , Dai Xiangchen
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Hostile neck abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is challenging for standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). We sought to compare fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (fEVAR) and chimney endovascular aneurysm repair (chEVAR) for hostile neck AAA.

Methods

Patients were identified retrospectively. Hostile neck anatomy was defined as a proximal neck length of <15 mm or angulation >60°. The choice of fEVAR or chEVAR was based on neck anatomy and physician preference. Type I endoleak (T1EL) was the primary outcome. Other outcomes included type III endoleak (T3EL), visceral stent occlusion, renal insufficiency, reintervention, and mortality.

Results

A total of 84 patients were included from April 2012 to December 2021. fEVAR and chEVAR patients were 48 and 36 cases, respectively. Both groups showed similar rate of T1EL, T3EL, visceral stent occlusion, renal insufficiency, reintervention, and mortality. However, chEVAR patients had a more tortuous neck (61.1% vs. 16.7%, p < 0.001), while fEVAR patients had a greater neck size (29.5 ± 6.3 mm vs. 24.5 ± 4.8 mm, p < 0.001) and more reconstructing target arteries (2.2 ± 1.1 vs 1.3 ± 0.6, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

fEVAR and chEVAR show similar safe and effective outcomes in well-selected hostile neck. fEVAR might be able to reconstruct multiple visceral arteries, and chEVAR seems justified in patients with poor anatomical suitability for fEVAR.
The effect of previous strokes on the relationship between ankle-brachial index determinations and incident strokes: A population-based, longitudinal prospective study in older adults
Authors: Del Brutto Oscar H , Mera Robertino M , Rumbea Denisse A , Recalde Bettsy Y , Sedler Mark J
Published: October 2022

Objective

Abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI) determinations may be associated with an increased risk of incident strokes. However, the impact of previous strokes in this relationship is unknown. We estimated the role of previous strokes on the association between abnormal ABI determinations and incident stroke risk in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

Atahualpa residents aged ≥60 years received ABI determinations, cardiovascular risk factors assessment, and brain MRIs. ABIs were classified as abnormal if ≤0.9 or ≥1.4. Incident strokes were diagnosed by a certified neurologist with the aid of a post-event MRI. Poisson regression models were fitted to estimate stroke incidence rate ratio (IRR) according to categories of ABI.

Results

Analysis included 389 participants (mean age: 68.2 ± 8.1 years). Eighty-six persons (22%) had abnormal ABI determinations. Incident strokes occurred in 38 (9.8%) individuals after a mean follow-up of 6.1 ± 1.9 years. Abnormal ABIs were associated with incident strokes in unadjusted analyses ( p = 0.002) as well as in a Poisson regression model adjusted for demographics and clinical covariates (IRR: 2.57; 95% C.I.: 1.29–5.13), but not when the model was adjusted for neuroimaging covariates (IRR: 1.46; 95% C.I.: 0.67–3.20). Interaction models showed that having both abnormal ABI and non-lacunar strokes at baseline made the individual 9.7 times more likely to have an incident stroke (95% C.I.: 3.87–24.4). The risk was reduced to 2.2 (95% C.I.: 0.96–5.13) for those who only had an abnormal ABI.

Conclusions

An abnormal ABI is associated with a doubling the risk of incident strokes, but its importance is superseded by history of non-lacunar strokes.
Make believe: Police accountability, lying and anti-blackness in the inquest of Sean Rigg
Authors: Arthur Carson Cole
Published: October 2022

In 2008, Sean Rigg, a 40-year-old Black British man died in England and Wales police custody. It was not until 4 years later at the inquest that it transpired one of the police officers involved, the custody sergeant, PS Paul White gave false information. White had claimed he saw Rigg in the van upon his arrival however CCTV footage demonstrated this did not happen. Following a deconstructive approach this paper examined the inquest transcripts to explore how belief and the possibility of being mistaken was integral to the account White provided. It is the ambiguity of truth/fiction that is significant in legal investigations for it comes to produce the justifications for the deaths of Black people in England and Wales.
Grammatical encoding of double-object alternations in Zhuang: Evidence for the one-stage model
Authors: Xiang Keshu , Wu Fuyun
Published: October 2022

Production research has yielded mixed findings regarding whether grammatical encoding specifies grammatical functions and linear word order simultaneously or separately, supporting either one-stage or two-stage models. Here, we focused on the double object (DO) and shifted double object (SDO) constructions in Zhuang, an ethnic minority language in China because they differ only in linear ordering of the two nouns whose grammatical functions are direct object and indirect object, assuming the roles of Theme and Recipient, respectively. Using two structural priming experiments, we found that both DO and SDO constructions induced within-structure priming effects, but they did not prime each other. Such structural priming effects persisted, regardless of whether semantic features (i.e., animacy of the Theme) were repeated across primes and targets. Taken together, these priming patterns support the one-stage model of grammatical encoding, where a conceptual representation is converted into a structure specifying both grammatical functions and linear word order.