bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decentralized active disturbance rejection control design for the gas turbine
Authors: Shi Gengjin , Wu Zhenlong , He Ting , Li Donghai , Ding Yanjun , Liu Shangming
Published: August 2020

As a clean energy engine, the gas turbine is widely used for the generation of the power plant and the propulsion of the warship. Its control is becoming more and more challenging for the reason that internal coupling exists and the load command changes frequently and extensively. However, advanced controllers are difficult to implement on the distributed control system and conventional proportional–integral–derivative controllers are unable to handle with aforementioned challenges. To solve this problem, this article designs a decentralized active disturbance rejection control for the power and exhaust temperature of the gas turbine. Simulation results illustrate that the decentralized active disturbance rejection control is able to obtain satisfactory tracking and disturbance rejection performance with strong robustness. Eventually, a numerical simulation is carried out which shows advantages of active disturbance rejection control in the control of power and exhaust temperature when the gas turbine is under variable working condition. This successful application of decentralized active disturbance rejection control to the gas turbine indicates its promising prospect of field tests in future power industry with increasing demand on integrating more renewable energy into the grid.
Recasting social workers as frontline in a socially accountable COVID-19 response
Authors: Paul Tomlin J , de Bruin Marjan , Taylor Tanielle A
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen the engagement of a wide range of professionals in responding to clinical, social and economic issues. While the clinical expression of the pandemic has generated strong media portrayal of physicians and nurses as frontline workers, social workers – who play a key role in helping individuals and families in crisis – have not been similarly highlighted. The pandemic within a social accountability framework highlights important roles of both public officials and civic society in containment efforts. This article recognizes social workers as important actors in their representative and supportive role for civil society during COVID-19.
Gangbangin on the [Face]Book: Understanding Online Interactions of Chicago Latina/o Gangs
Authors: Leverso John , Hsiao Yuan
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

This study examines gang group processes on the digital street to understand if gang processes in the online environment mimic those on geographic street corners. Specifically, this paper examines what conditions influence whether gangs interact negatively or positively in online spaces and how online interactions relate to geographic proximity of gangs.

Methods:

This study uses digital trace data web scraped from a public Facebook about Chicago Latina/o gangs combined with geographic locations of gang territories. Negative binomial regression models are used to investigate the conditions under which gangs interact with one another.

Results:

This study finds that interactions among gangs are conditional on the type of post displayed and negative gang interactions in online spaces are moderately correlated with geographic proximity.

Conclusions:

The tendency to show identification with the gang group or hostility to rival groups is not always evident. Rather, interactions are contextualized in the situation of the online environment. In addition, in our sample geographic proximity is not a primary condition of gang interactions. The digital street enables gang members to interact with other gangs in faraway locales and individuals in close geographic proximity. We find gang members take the opportunity to interact with both groups.
Mathematics Teachers’ Knowledge, Networks, Practice, and Change in Instructional Visions
Authors: Munter Charles , Wilhelm Anne Garrison
Published: August 2020

An instructional vision is the discourse that teachers or others currently employ to characterize the kind of “ideal classroom practice” to which they aspire but have not yet necessarily mastered. In mathematics education, prior work has demonstrated relations between teachers’ instructional vision and a variety of aspects of their classroom practice and professional pursuits. We examined what might contribute to teachers’ development of mathematics instructional visions through a quantitative analysis of a longitudinal data set collected in four urban school districts. Controlling for instructional vision in the prior year, we found middle school mathematics teachers’ current instructional vision to be related to their prior mathematical knowledge for teaching, their prior instructional practice, and their colleagues’ prior instructional visions—with the strength of the relation depending on the density of teachers’ advice networks. Based on these findings, we discuss implications for both inservice teacher professional development and preservice teacher education.
Cervical lymphadenopathy of Togolese children in a tropical context: clinicopathological study
Authors: Darré Tchin , Doukouré Brahima , Djiwa Toukilnan , Amana Bathokédeou , Bissa Haréfétéguéna , Napo-Koura Gado
Published: August 2020

Our study describes the epidemiology and aetiology of cervical lymphadenopathy in children diagnosed between 2003 and 2017 at the pathology laboratory of Lomé, Togo. A total of 221 cases were collected. The average age of diagnosis of the study population was 9.8 ± 0.3 years and consisted of 118 (53.4%) boys. HIV was confirmed by indirect ELISA test in 69 (31.2%) cases. The cohort consisted of infections (n = 128, 57.9%), tumours (n = 85, 38.5%) and others (n = 8, 1.6%). The main infectious aetiology was tuberculosis (n = 84). Tumour aetiology consisted of 79 primary malignancies and three metastatic cases. Primary tumours consisted predominantly of lymphoma (n = 74), with Burkitt's lymphoma (n = 44) being the most common. Tuberculosis on a background of HIV infection remains the dominant cause of cervical lymphadenopathy in the tropical region of Togo.
The Assessment of Longitudinal Sections of Rat Female Reproductive Tissues for NTP 2-Year Toxicity and Carcinogenicity Studies
Authors: Elmore Susan A. , Blystone Chad , Lubeck Beth A. , Harris Shawn F. , Johnson Crystal L.
Published: August 2020

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) now uses an extended longitudinal sectioning protocol for the uterus to better evaluate female rodent reproductive tract toxicity for all developmental and reproductive toxicology and 2-year toxicity and carcinogenicity bioassays. The previous protocol for toxicity/carcinogenicity studies involved 1 cross section midway through each uterine horn and collection of uterine cervix and vagina only if gross lesions were present. Here we compare the histological findings of the original cross sections with the additional longitudinal sections of residual uterine tissues of 7 chronic NTP rat bioassays. The goal of this study was to determine whether there might be any advantages to examining additional uterine tissue. The longitudinal protocol allowed for 10 to 20 times more uterine tissue for evaluation. Results indicate that the potential advantages of a more complete evaluation of female reproductive tract tissue include increased detection of reproductive targets, increased detection of neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions, improved detection of tissue origin of neoplasms, less reliance on gross identification of lesions, improved accuracy in the application of severity grades, and increased detection of preneoplastic or subtle lesions.
Segregation and the Sea: Toward a Critical Understanding of Race and Coastal Blue Space in Greater Miami
Authors: Phoenix Cassandra , Bell Sarah L. , Hollenbeck Julie
Published: August 2020

There is a growing body of research signaling the health and wellbeing benefits of being in blue space. Here, we advance this intellectual agenda by critically examining perceptions and experiences of coastal blue space among residents of a disadvantaged, predominantly African American community who report limited engagement with their local coastal blue space, despite beachgoing being considered mainstream by a previous generation. Drawing on focus group data and sensitized to a range of theoretical perspectives aligned with race, space, and social class, we advance theoretical and empirical knowledge pertaining to blue space engagement. In doing so, we demonstrate the need for more critically informed, theoretically appropriate research in this area, which connects individual stories of the sea to the wider historical, social, and political settings in which relationships with blue space are framed and (re)produced.
Visibility and image quality of peripheral pulmonary arteries in pulmonary embolism patients using free-breathing combined with a high-threshold bolus-triggering technique in CT pulmonary angiography
Authors: Liu Daliang , Cai Xiansheng , Che Xiaoshuang , Ma Yong , Fu Yucun , Li Lin
Published: August 2020

Objective

To investigate the visibility of peripheral pulmonary arteries by computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and image quality using a free-breathing combined with a high-threshold bolus triggering technique and to explore the feasibility of this technique in pulmonary embolism (PE) patients who cannot hold their breath.

Methods

Patients with suspected PE who underwent CTPA (n=240) were randomly assigned to two groups: free-breathing (n=120) or breath-holding (n=120).

Results

The mean scanning time or visible pulmonary artery distal branches were not different between the groups. Mean CT main pulmonary artery (MPA) values, apical segment (S1), and posterior basal segment (S10) in the free-breathing group were higher compared with the breath-holding group. The subjective image quality score in the free-breathing group was higher compared with the breath-holding group. In the free-breathing group, no respiratory artifact was observed. In the breath-holding group, obvious respiratory artifacts were caused by severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dyspnea, or other diseases that preclude patients from holding their breath.

Conclusion

The free-breathing mode CTPA combined with a high-threshold bolus triggering technique can provide high quality images with a lower incidence of respiratory and cardiac motion artifacts, which is especially valuable for patients who cannot hold their breath.
Bone and joint tuberculosis in patients undergoing dialysis: clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes in 17 patients
Authors: Wu Xuehua , Liu Jing , Wang Guorong , Wu Fengfeng
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study was performed to investigate the clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes of bone and joint tuberculosis in patients undergoing dialysis.

Methods

We systematically reviewed the medical records of 17 patients with bone and joint tuberculosis undergoing dialysis who were admitted to our hospital from January 2009 to January 2019.

Results

Seventeen patients with bone and joint tuberculosis undergoing dialysis were identified in this retrospective study, and 13 patients were undergoing hemodialysis. The mean age of the 17 patients was 61.3 years (range, 32–82 years), and 10 (58.9%) patients were male. Most of the patients had a low CD4+ cell count and low hemoglobin and albumin levels. Surgery was performed in 6 patients (35.3%), and 13 of the 17 patients (76.4%) were cured. Three patients had bone or spine sequelae, mainly because of a delayed diagnosis, and one patient died of heart failure.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that older age, a low CD4+ cell count, and low hemoglobin and albumin levels are possible risk factors for bone and spine tuberculosis in patients undergoing dialysis. If diagnosed early, most patients should have a good outcome after anti-tubercular therapy with or without surgery.
Clearing heat and resolving phlegm for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with the syndrome of phlegm-heat obstruction of the lung
Authors: Yang Jia , Yang Junchao
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of clearing heat and resolving phlegm for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with the syndrome of phlegm-heat obstruction of the lung.

Methods

This was a real-world retrospective cohort study of inpatients at our institution from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they received oral traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for clearing heat and resolving phlegm or routine treatment (controls). Efficacy and safety indicators were analyzed. Propensity score matching was used to control for confounding factors.

Results

Among 488 patients, 164 (82 pairs) were successfully matched. The changes in neutrophils (%) and C-reactive protein levels were more significant in the TCM group than in the control group. The duration of fever was significantly shorter in the TCM group than in the control group.

Conclusions

The therapy of clearing heat and resolving phlegm might effectively control the inflammatory reaction of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients with the syndrome of phlegm-heat obstruction of the lung, especially for those with fever. Nevertheless, large-scale and prospective studies are required to provide a higher quality of evidence.
Role of biomarkers of cardiac remodeling, myofibrosis, and inflammation in assessment of disease severity in euvolemic patients with chronic stable heart failure
Authors: Andreasová Táňa , Vránová Jana , Vondráková Dagmar , Sedláčková Lenka , Zákostelská Zuzana Jirásková , Neužil Petr , Málek Filip
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study aimed to determine the importance of biomarkers of chronic heart failure (CHF) for assessing disease severity in euvolemic stable patients.

Patients and methods

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15, galectin-3, cystatin-C, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), tissue type inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and ceruloplasmin levels were measured in euvolemic patients with stable CHF. Severity of CHF was defined by echocardiographic and biochemical parameters.

Results

In 160 patients (123 men and 37 women, mean age: 65.8±12.2 years), we found strong associations between NT-proBNP and bilirubin levels ( r = 0.434) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate ( r = −0.321). GDF-15 and cystatin-C levels were significantly correlated with parameters of kidney function. In multivariable regression analysis, NT-proBNP levels were associated with the left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular end-systolic volume (coefficient of determination R2 = 0.777). Additionally, GDF-15 levels were correlated with urea levels (R2 = 0.742), and cystatin C levels were correlated with urea and bilirubin levels (R2 = 0.732).

Conclusion

Besides NT-proBNP, GDF-15 and cystatin C are promising biomarkers for establishing the severity of disease in euvolemic patients with stable CHF.
Derecruitment volume assessment derived from pressure–impedance curves with electrical impedance tomography in experimental acute lung injury
Authors: Sun Xiu-Mei , Chen Guang-Qiang , Wang Yu-Mei , Zhou Yi-Min , Chen Jing-Ran , Cheng Kun-Ming , Yang Yan-Lin , Zhang Lin-lin , Li Hong-Liang , Zhou Jian-Xin
Published: August 2020

Objective

To investigate the accuracy of derecruitment volume (VDER) assessed by pressure–impedance (P-I) curves derived from electrical impedance tomography (EIT).

Methods

Six pigs with acute lung injury received decremental positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) from 15 to 0 in steps of 5 cmH2O. At the end of each PEEP level, the pressure–volume (P-V) curves were plotted using the low constant flow method and release maneuvers to calculate the VDER between the PEEP of setting levels and 0 cmH2O (VDER-PV). The VDER derived from P-I curves that were recorded simultaneously using EIT was the difference in impedance at the same pressure multiplied by the ratio of tidal volume and corresponding tidal impedance (VDER-PI). The regional P-I curves obtained by EIT were used to estimate VDER in the dependent and nondependent lung.

Results

The global lung VDER-PV and VDER-PI showed close correlations (r = 0.948, P<0.001); the mean difference was 48 mL with limits of agreement of −133 to 229 mL. Lung derecruitment extended into the whole process of decremental PEEP levels but was unevenly distributed in different lung regions.

Conclusions

P-I curves derived from EIT can assess VDER and provide a promising method to estimate regional lung derecruitment at the bedside.
Antiplatelet therapy may be safe in ischemic stroke patients with cerebral microbleed
Authors: Meng Ningqin , Zhang Wei , Su Ying , Ye Ziming , Qin Chao
Published: August 2020

Objective

We examined whether antiplatelet therapy is safe for ischemic stroke patients with cerebral microbleed.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed ischemic stroke patients admitted to our hospital from 2015 to 2018. Baseline information was extracted from the computerized database. Adverse events, including symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage, recurrent cerebral infarction, and death, were collected by phone.

Results

A total of 184 ischemic stroke patients were examined, including 106 with and 78 without cerebral microbleed. No patient experienced symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage after discharge. Patients with cerebral microbleed had a higher prevalence of hypertension (92% vs 74%) and suffered from more serious leukoaraiosis (3.0 ± 1.7 vs 1.3 ± 1.4 points on the Fazekas scale). Leukoaraiosis scores were correlated with the number of cerebral microbleeds (r = 0.42).

Conclusions

Antiplatelet therapy may be safe for ischemic stroke patients with cerebral microbleed. The risk-benefit ratio should be carefully evaluated before withholding antiplatelet therapy.
Present-Day Problems of Wage Remuneration in Russia
Authors: Sobolev Eduard , Campbell Al
Published: August 2020

After the end of the Cold War, the number of books and articles written about Russia dropped greatly, with writing on its economy falling particularly sharply. How Russian workers perceive their wages relative to countries they compare themselves with is one important component of their contentment and perception of well-being, which play such important roles in determining a country’s political economy and economic development. This article draws on Russian statistical sources to add to the meager English-language empirical literature on Russian wages. Statically, it presents their level and inequality relative to the natural comparison countries. Dynamically, it presents their growth, and changes in inequality. The conclusion summarizes the seriously problematic situation of wages in Russia, and presents two political economic conclusions these empirical results suggest.
Capitalism in Australia: New histories for a reimagined future
Authors: Huf Ben , Rees Yves , Beggs Michael , Brown Nicholas , Flanagan Frances , Palmer Shannyn , Ville Simon
Published: August 2020

Capitalism is back. Three decades ago, when all alternatives to liberal democracy and free markets appeared discredited, talk of capitalism seemed passé. Now, after a decade of political and economic turmoil, capitalism and its temporal critique of progress and decline again seems an indispensable category to understanding a world in flux. Among the social sciences, historians have led both the embrace and critique of this ‘re-emergent’ concept. This roundtable discussion between leading and emerging Australian scholars working across histories of economy, work, policy, geography and political economy, extends this agenda. Representing the outcome of a workshop convened at La Trobe University in November 2018 and responding to questions posed by conveners Huf and Rees, five participants debate the nature, utility and future of the new constellation of ‘economic’ historical scholarship. While conducted well before the outbreak of COVID-19, the ensuring discussion nevertheless speaks saliently to the crises of our times.
Unmasking the Social Ghost in the Machine: How the Need to Belong and Family Business Potency Affect Family Firm Performance
Authors: Simarasl Nastaran , Jiang David S. , Kellermanns Franz W. , Debicki Bart J.
Published: August 2020

Research often assumes that a controlling family’s social bonds contributes to superior firm performance. However, there is little theory to address these relationships and findings are often mixed. Here, we integrate resource-based and need-to-belong theories to address these issues, introducing family business potency as a key mediating variable between family cohesion, participative strategy processes, and firm performance in 109 family firms. Altogether, our study answers ongoing theoretical calls for more need-based psychological research in family firms, introduces family business potency to the literature, and contributes to research on family firm heterogeneity. Implications for future research and practice are also discussed.
Universal Design for Learning: When Policy Changes Before Evidence
Authors: Hollingshead Aleksandra , Lowrey K. Alisa , Howery Kathy
Published: August 2020

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a scientifically validated framework that has been included in policy like the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 and the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. However, studies have pointed out the variability in definitions and implementation surrounding UDL. In order to clarify this conversation, researchers collected and analyzed the narratives of experts in the origination and research of UDL. Nineteen experts participated in semi-structured interviews that examined definitions of UDL, its critical components, and identified priorities within the framework. Findings resulted in five themes. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are offered.
Expanding Pharmacy Services With an Intern Program at an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Li Hanlin , Powell Vickie , Tsapepas Demetra
Published: August 2020

Background:

Organizations that implement pharmacy services to provide patient education have reduced hospital readmissions and improved the patient experience. The term “pharmacy extender” has been used to describe pharmacy technicians and pharmacy students who alleviate the workload of a pharmacist, enhance pharmacy visibility throughout an organization, and foster professional development for the individual.

Objective:

The objective of this pharmacy intern-driven program is to increase pharmacy reach for medication teaching.

Methods:

This is a single-center, IRB-approved retrospective cohort analysis. Pharmacist-led medication teaching is currently available to select high-risk populations including solid organ transplant and bone marrow transplant recipients at our organization. Clinicians working in the pharmacy satellites have structured operational and distributional workflow responsibilities, which precludes them from directly engaging with patients. Pharmacy interns can serve as extenders that can participate in medication teaching. An internally created digital medication teaching tool will be employed to expand the pharmacy reach for medication education.

Results:

During the period of study, the pharmacy interns screened 3,993 patients and educated 2,868 patients. Two-thirds of the pharmacy interns that participated in the program pursued post-graduate residency or fellowship training, while the rest assumed hospital pharmacist positions.

Conclusion:

Deploying pharmacy interns as extenders for distribution of an internally created digital tool that provides general medication teaching has shown positive outcomes including greater pharmacy presence and visibility, better patient experience, and higher patient satisfaction. Continuous data collection and monitoring are warranted to demonstrate the benefits of the program once sustained and potentially justify more resources for further expansion.
Research on discharge characteristics of working mediums of electric discharge machining
Authors: Li Min , Cai Lanrong , Zhao Junling
Published: August 2020

Successful surface modification can be obtained by Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM). In this work the discharge characteristics in misted deionized water and near-dry powder-mixed medium was studied systematically, as well as the microstructure and properties of electrical discharge strengthened layers on TC4 alloy. It indicates that the breakdown voltage of EDM in misted deionized water medium has been reduced to about 1/3 than in air medium. In near-dry powder-mixed medium, it is reduced to about 1/9, because the discharge gap is much larger than that of other mediums. In other words, a stable discharge can be obtained by larger discharge gaps and lower pulse energy than traditional EDM surface strengthening method, which leads to more stable discharge process. Experimental researches show that dense and sound combination with matrix like, multiphase hybrid intensification and chrysanthemum petal-like microstructure of strengthened layers can be observed in the near-dry powder-mixed medium. Meanwhile, it is found that the microhardness of the strengthened layer is up to about 1200 HV, which is four times higher than the base material.
Are the intensity of energy use, land agglomeration, CO2 emissions, and economic progress dynamically interlinked across development levels?
Authors: Ahmad Munir , Li Heng , Anser Muhammad Khalid , Rehman Abdul , Fareed Zeeshan , Yan Qingyou , Jabeen Gul
Published: August 2020

Although urban agglomerations have introduced substantial contributions to the economies around the globe, it has also led to the serious environmental challenges. However, this situation may vary across the development levels. The existing knowledge offers a gap in terms of both theoretical and empirical grounds. The Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology (STIRPAT) is previously not known to incorporate land agglomeration and the intensity of energy use. Besides, the investigation of linkages among the variables of interest across the development levels within a country is not known to be considered by the existing knowledge. This study systematically investigates the heterogeneous dynamic causality among the intensity of energy use, land agglomeration, carbon dioxide emissions (CO2), and economic progress across the development levels in the Chinese economy, considering 29 provinces for the period 2000 to 2018. To this end, a long-term co-integration association is tested and found existent among the variables of interest. A dynamic common correlated effects mean group approach is applied for impact analysis. The key findings include: The impacts of economic progress and land agglomeration on CO2 are found positive and significant in the country panel and western zone of China (WZC). It turned to be neutral in the case of the central zone of China (CZC) and significantly negative in the eastern zone of China (EZC). To this end, economic progress presented a ‘development ladder-based CO2 mitigation effect,’ while the land agglomeration exposed the ‘land agglomeration ladder-based CO2 mitigation effect’. Further, the causalities extracted are: first, economic progress is found in positive bilateral linkages with the intensity of energy use and land agglomeration for all the panels. Second, a positive and unilateral causal bridge is found operating from land agglomeration to the intensity of energy use and from the intensity of energy use to CO2. Third, a unilateral linkage of mixed nature is exposed to exist from land agglomeration to CO2, with positive causal links for country panel and WZC, negative causal links for EZC, while a neutral linkage is found for CZC. Fourth, a bidirectional link with mixed causalities appeared in the country panel and WZC. Economic progress increased CO2 in WZC. Next, a negative bilateral link is observed between the two variables in EZC. Additionally, this link remained neutral in CZC. Based on empirics, it is revealed that the development level matters in determining the links among the variables of interest.
Effectiveness of dry needling for upper extremity spasticity, quality of life and function in subacute phase stroke patients
Authors: Cuenca Zaldívar Juan Nicolás , Calvo Sandra , Bravo-Esteban Elisabeth , Oliva Ruiz Petronila , Santi-Cano Maria José , Herrero Pablo
Published: August 2020

Background:

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in Europe, represents one of the most common causes of disability in adult patients, and involves considerable short- and long-term social and healthcare costs. The effectiveness of deep dry needling (DDN) on affected arm functionality was assessed throughout 8 weeks of treatment in patients with stroke in the subacute phase.

Methods:

Eighty patients were included in this two-group non-randomised study after a propensity score analysis was carried out. Both groups received standard physiotherapy treatment on the affected arm. The needling group also received six sessions of DDN during the 8-week period. Patients were evaluated before and after each session using the Fugl-Meyer upper extremity (FM UE) scale, the modified modified Ashworth scale (MMAS), the resistance to passive movement scale (REPAS) and a 10-point numeric pain rating scale (NPRS 10). The Brunnstrom recovery stage was recorded at the beginning and at the end of the study, and the EuroQoL quality of life survey was completed at the beginning of the study, after the first month of treatment and at the end of the study.

Results:

Patients treated with DDN showed a reduction in spasticity measured using the REPAS (p < 0.001) and the MMAS (p < 0.05). There was also an improvement in the Brunnstrom recovery stages (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

The addition of a specific DDN treatment to a standard physiotherapy treatment appeared to lead to a higher reduction in spasticity in the affected arm; however, it did not provide additional changes in functionality, pain and quality of life. Further studies with a randomised controlled trial design are required to confirm our findings.
Parametric study of a triboelectric transducer in total knee replacement application
Authors: Ibrahim Alwathiqbellah , Yamomo Geofrey , Willing Ryan , Towfighian Shahrzad
Published: August 2020

Triboelectric energy harvesting is a relatively new technology showing promise for biomedical applications. This study investigates a triboelectric energy transducer for potential applications in total knee replacement both as an energy harvester and a sensor. The sensor can be used to monitor loads at the knee joint. The proposed transducer generates an electrical signal that is directly related to the periodic mechanical load from walking. The proportionality between the generated electrical signal and the load transferred to the knee enables triboelectric transducers to be used as self-powered active load sensors. We analyzed the performance of a triboelectric transducer when subjected to simulated gait loading on a joint motion simulator. Two different designs were evaluated: one made of Titanium on Aluminum (Ti-PDMS-Al) and the other made of Titanium on Titanium (Ti-PDMS-Ti). The Ti-PDMS-Ti design generates more power than Ti-PDMS-Al and was used to optimize the structural parameters. Our analysis found these optimal parameters for the Ti-PDMS-Ti design: external resistance of 304 MΩ, a gap of 550 µm, and a thickness of the triboelectric layer of 50 µm. Those parameters were optimized by varying resistance, gap, and the thickness while measuring the power outputs. Using the optimized parameters, the transducer was tested under different axial loads to check the viability of the harvester to act as a self-powered load sensor to estimate the knee loads. The forces transmitted across the knee joint during activities of daily living can be directly measured and used for self-powering, which can lead to improving the total knee implant functions.
Operation Outbreak: A Periop 101 Exam Review Escape Room
Authors: Frederick Ashley N. , Reed Jessica A.
Published: August 2020

Background:

Perioperative nursing is expected to see a 20% reduction in the workforce due to retirement within five (5) years. To recruit and retain nurses within this specialty, the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) Periop 101: Core Curriculum™ OR was added to an existing nurse residency program. Periop 101 is an online learning program providing evidence-based guidelines for practice and requires the learner to pass a final exam with a score of 80% or higher. Following a didactic final exam review session, most nurse residents at a midwestern community hospital failed to pass the final exam on their first attempt.

Aim:

To address this knowledge gap, the clinical educators decided to create a more interactive review session by creating an escape room. Current literature supports the use of escape rooms to increase knowledge and learner engagement.

Method:

Nurse residents participate in Operation Outbreak during the exam review session. A convenience sample of twenty-two (22) registered nurses were included in the quality improvement project. Group one consisted of 18 participants who received only the didactic review session. Group two had four participants who participated in the didactic review session as well as the Operation Outbreak escape room.

Results/Conclusion:

Overall, there was improvement in the average final exam scores and average percentage of residents to pass the exam on the first attempt after the addition of the escape room. Statistical analysis was not performed due to sample limitations.
Field experimental investigation on filling the soda residue soil with liquid soda residue and liquid fly ash
Authors: Bai Xiaoyu , Ma Jiaxiao , Liu Junwei , Zhang Mingyi , Yan Nan , Wang Yonghong
Published: August 2020

In order to reuse waste soda residue, the feasibility of utilizing liquid soda residue and liquid fly ash to prepare soda residue soil was investigated. The mechanical properties of the soda residue soil were studied and analyzed through laboratory tests and field tests. The raw materials preparation process and liquid-liquid mixing method in the field were determined, and the optimal mixing proportion of the soda residue soil was investigated by compaction test and micro penetration test. And the filling quality of the liquid-liquid mixing and solid-liquid soda residue soil was measured by micro penetration test, light dynamic penetration test, and variable energy dynamic penetration test. The test results showed that the optimal mass ratio of soda residue to fly ash is 7:3. The optimal water content and maximum dry density of the soda residue soil with the optimal mix ratio are 63.5% and 0.88 g/cm3, respectively. After 5 months of natural drying, the soda residue soil filled by liquid soda residue and liquid fly ash has higher strength and better uniformity of hardness. The water content of the soda residue soil is between 160% to 180%, and drainage consolidation is the effective method to reduce the water content and improve the strength of the soda residue soil. Compared with the method of preparing the soda residue soil by solid mixing, the method used in this experiment is simple, efficient and feasible.
Students’ Perspectives on the Master’s Degree in Music Education
Authors: Springer D. Gregory
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate currently enrolled students’ perceptions of the master’s degree in music education (MME). A national sample of 136 MME students completed a web-based questionnaire. The most common motivations for enrolling in MME programs were to become a better teacher, to get a higher salary, to gain academic stimulation through graduate-level coursework, and to create a possible pathway to doctoral study in the future. However, motivational differences were evident based on respondents’ degree format (academic year, online, summer, or hybrid). Respondents indicated that they learned about research primarily through reading and discussing research articles, and learned about pedagogy primarily through reading articles on pedagogy/teaching strategies and watching and reflecting on personal teaching videos. I explore implications for music teacher education given these findings as well as respondents’ reports of MME program strengths and areas needing improvement.
Value-Centered Design Process for User Experience Enhancement: A Case Study in the Development of a Notebook PC
Authors: Doi Toshihisa
Published: August 2020

Since 2000, in the planning and development of products and services, providing users with a better experience when using products and services has become essential, resulting in a growing need for value-centered design that focuses on providing users with more attractive experience values. In this article, we introduce the value-centered product development process that has been used in the planning and development of notebook PCs, focusing on the experience value provided to the user.
Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumor and Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia With Co-occurring KRAS Mutation and Complex Cytogenetics
Authors: Amra Nasir , Zarate Luis Velasquez , Punia Jyotinder N , Mahajan Priya , Stevens Alexandra M , Roy Angshumoy , Curry Choladda V , Cortes-Santiago Nahir , Fisher Kevin E
Published: August 2020

Young males have a unique but rare predilection to develop mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs) and concomitant acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL). Common cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities such as isochromosome 12p and somatic Tumor Protein P53(TP53) and Phosphatase And Tensin Homolog (PTEN) mutations have been reported in the presumed mutual neoplastic clones of origin. We report the case of a 17-year-old male who presented with a mediastinal NSGCT with high-grade sarcomatous transformation and a diagnosis of AMKL approximately 4 months later. Next-generation sequencing revealed identical KRAS Proto-Oncogene, GTPase (KRAS) p.Ala146Thr, TP53 p.Leu257Pro, and PTEN p.Leu181Pro missense mutations at similar variant allele frequencies in both the NSGCT and AMKL samples. Cytogenetic and microarray analyses detected shared copy gains in all chromosomes except chromosomes 9, 13, and Y. Multiple additional clonal chromosomal alterations were detected in the AMKL sample when compared with the NSGCT. This case emphasizes the shared clonal origins of these malignancies and identifies KRAS and other copy number alterations as potential molecular drivers in a subset of these combined diseases.
Intervening with near-future possible L2 selves: EFL students as peer-to-peer motivating agents during Exploratory Practice
Authors: Machin Elizabeth
Published: August 2020

The present study offers insights on understanding motivation to learn a second language (L2) through implementation of the Exploratory Practice principles within the context of English as a foreign language at a university in Spain, and on discovering opportunities to enhance this. The account sits within the domain of the possible selves and the theoretical framework of the L2 Motivational Self System. Student-led visualisation – a twist on teacher-led visualisation – is the key ‘Potentially Exploitable Pedagogic Activity’ (PEPA), explored as a device for inviting a near-future L2 self-guide into the here-and-now. This PEPA evolved out of stages of understanding, including student dismissal as ‘fantasies’ their possible professional L2 selves in a remoter future. Through classroom observation, template analysis of imagery scripts, and student oral and written feedback, the present study finds that the students demonstrated motivated L2 behaviour in group writing about the near-future ideal L2 self and in introducing this self-guide to their peers, who were moved by and found plausible the stories they heard.
Implementing explicit pronunciation instruction: The case of a nonnative English-speaking teacher
Authors: Gordon Joshua
Published: August 2020

Studies in second language teacher cognition (SLTC) of pronunciation teachers have increased in the last 10 years, due mainly to the fact that the decisions teachers make about explicit instruction are critical for the development of second language (L2) pronunciation in learners. Although recent research has indicated that nonnative-speaking teachers (NNSTs) can be as effective as native-speaking teachers (NSTs) in pronunciation instruction, and that their training needs resemble those of NSTs, the way NNSTs implement L2 pronunciation instruction has not been studied extensively. This is important to understand given the number of NNSTs of English worldwide at present, and because of the potential benefits of nonnative-speaking pronunciation teaching models in general. In this study, I analysed the way an experienced NNST implemented explicit pronunciation instruction in a context of English as a foreign language (EFL) to understand both his actual teaching practices and the rationale behind such practices. Using a framework of knowledge base of language teaching, this study demonstrates how factors such as previous teaching and learning experiences, teaching context, and L2 learner characteristics shaped and guided the techniques the teacher implemented in class. These results are discussed in terms of implications for pronunciation teaching and teacher training purposes.
Unravelling multi-level governance systems
Authors: Zürn Michael
Published: August 2020

One of the most important features of the multi-level governance research programme is the parallel conceptualisation of the vertical and the horizontal relationships within multi-level governance systems. Different systems of multi-level governance are characterised by the relationships between political institutions on the same level (Are there many task-specific organisations?) and by the relationship between different levels (On which level do we see political communities?). By conceptualising scale and community in a substitutive way as Hooghe and Marks in tendency do, some of the potentials are lost. I put forward the suggestion that treating the two dimensions as independent would allow for an even fuller picture of the dynamics of politics in multi-level governance systems.
Multilevel governance or multilevel government?
Authors: Börzel Tanja A
Published: August 2020

The commentary returns to the beginning of the career of multilevel governance as a distinct perspective on the European Union and European integration. At the time, multilevel governance allowed a generation of students to overcome the stylised debates between Liberal Intergovernmentalism and Neofunctionalism on how to best capture the ‘nature of the beast’. At the same time, multilevel governance still privileged the role of public authorities over economic and societal actors. While subsequent studies broadened the focus to include the social partners or public interest groups, Hooghe and Marks have retained their public authority bias. The commentary argues that the focus on multilevel government rather than multilevel governance has increased the scope or applicability of Hooghe and Marks’ approach, both within the European Union and beyond. At the same time, the government bias has prevented the multilevel governance approach from unlocking its full explanatory potential.
Experimental investigation of energy harvesting eel in the wake of bluff body under ocean waves
Authors: Latif Usman , Ali Ehtisham , Uddin Emad , Ali Zaib , Sajid Muhammad , Shah Samiur Rehman , Younis Muhammad Yamin
Published: August 2020

Investigation of the energy harvesting from deep water waves by using flexible piezoelectric eel in a controlled environment is studied. Energy harvesting potential is examined as a function of streamwise distance from the fixed cylinder and spanwise gap along with the cylinder at different wave conditions. Output voltage and eel flapping behavior are dependent on cylinder vortices caused by local wavelength and wave amplitude. Maximum energy is harvested when the eel is placed near to the surface caused by high flapping amplitude and frequency. Similarly, at greater depth low flapping amplitude is observed resulting in small output voltage. Maximum output voltages are found at the shorter wavelength and at a streamwise distance of gx = 1.25 (where gx is the ratio of spacing “S” between cylinder and eel to the diameter of cylinder “D”) for all spanwise gaps along with the cylinder and minimum voltages are calculated at a longer wavelength and streamwise distance gx = 0.75. An increase of 65% in energy harvesting is observed by switching longer wavelengths (λ) to a shorter one and changing the piezo-eel spanwise gap from deep to the shallow depth. Whereas, an increase of 31.5% was found by keeping wavelength constant and changing the spanwise gap of eel. Furthermore, it is observed that energy harvesting from the wake of a bluff body in the wavy motion of water is sensitive to the wavelength and wave height.
Identification of modal strains in concrete beams at sub-microstrain amplitude excitation using fibre Bragg grating sensors mounted on a strain-amplifying transducer
Authors: Nawrot Urszula , De Pauw Ben , Anastasopoulos Dimitrios , Reynders Edwin , De Roeck Guido , Berghmans Francis , Geernaert Thomas
Published: August 2020

Vibration-based damage identification is a non-destructive method that enables the health monitoring of civil infrastructures. It aims to detect the presence and location of damage by measuring changes in the vibration characteristics of these structures. Unfortunately, the most popular vibrational parameters – natural frequencies and modal displacements – have a low sensitivity to certain types of local damage. Modal strains and curvatures, on the other hand, can be sufficiently sensitive to local damage, but monitoring modal strains is challenging. Indeed, the strain amplitudes can be in the sub-microstrain range (<1 με) when considering ambient excitation which is too small for most conventional techniques. Here we show that such measurements can be successfully carried out in a quasi-distributed manner with fibre Bragg grating–based sensors that have been mounted on a dedicated strain-amplifying transducer. First, we report on lab-scale dynamic tests on a 5-m-long concrete beam, equipped with such transducers having a strain amplification of 62. Our results show that we can identify the first three bending modes while the average strain level on the beam was only 0.06 με. Second, we present the first field test for these transducers conducted on a high-speed railway viaduct. We have succeeded to obtain six strain modes of the viaduct from the data collected with fibre Bragg gratings on the transducers at an average strain level of 0.067 με. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that strain mode identification in operational conditions using strain-amplifying transducers was successful. This demonstration can be a starting point for the implementation of vibration-based damage identification in civil structures allowing the fulfilment of its long-standing promise.