bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical Treatment and Rediscussion of Day’s Classification of Crescent Pelvic Fracture Combined with the Sacral Fracture
Authors: Fu Qing-Song , Yu Xiao , Yuan Xin-Hua , Wang Wei-Bin , Zheng Yi , Pang Qing-Jiang
Published: April 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to summarize the surgical treatment of crescent pelvic fracture combined with the sacral fracture and rediscuss the Day’s classification in the pelvic crescent fractures. Methods: From May 2012 to May 2019, 24 patients of crescent
pelvic fracture combined with the sacral fracture were included in this study (15 males, 9 females, mean age: 46.8 years). In this study, there were 8 cases, whose posterior bone mass was large, involving less than 1/2 of the sacroiliac joint. The lateral position was used and the arc incision
along the posterior iliac ridge could be taken, the fracture should be first reduced and fixated with lag screw, and then with reconstruction plate. There were another 16 cases, whose posterior bone mass was small, involving more than 1/2 of the sacroiliac joint. For the patients with less
injury of sacroiliac joint posterior ligament, the anterior ring of pelvis was fixated first, then the arc-shaped incision along the posterior iliac ridge on both sides was taken in prone position, the fracture could be reduced and fixated with lag screws and then fixated with tension plate.
For the patients with server sacroiliac joint complex injury, the open reduction of anterior and posterior rings of the pelvis was taken in the floating position and fixation or arthrodesis of the sacroiliac joint could be taken. For the patients without obvious displacement of the sacroiliac
joint, the anterior and posterior approaches could be used at the same time in the supine position to fixate the sacroiliac joint fixation. In addition, the average operation time, the mean blood loss, displacement differences between preoperation and postoperation, fracture union time and
Hannover Scoring System were recorded. Results: The average operation time was 75 mins (range from 40 mins to 160 mins), the mean blood loss was 561.7 ml (range from 300 ml to 1100 ml). Meanwhile, no lumbosacral radiculomyelitis was injured in these cases. The mean follow-up period
was 16.1 months (range from 12 months to 36 months) and the mean radiographic healing time was 3.6 months (range from 3 months to 6 months) respectively. Due to Hannover Scoring System, 18 patients were in excellent condition and 6 patients were in good condition. Conclusion: The crescent
pelvic fracture combined with the sacral fracture was not included in current Day’s classification. We treated 24 cases of crescent pelvic fracture combined with the sacral fracture and obtained good clinical outcome. Therefore, we posed a new type to complement it to the Day’s
classification, which was defined as crescent pelvic fracture combined with sacral fracture. It was helpful for the surgeons to choose suitable approach and implants.
Wound Assessment in Pedobarography Using Image Segmentation Techniques
Authors: Sudarvizhi D. , Akila M.
Published: April 2021

Pedobarography is elementary for kinetic gait analysis along with the analysis and exploration of multiple neurological and musculoskeletal diseases. One person among 11 adults suffer from Diabetes Mellitus. Also, Foot ulcers (FU) is a most harmful as well as associated chronic complications
springing from diabetes mellitus (DM). Recently, there has been an evolving awareness that understanding the biomechanical factors beneath the diabetic ulcer in a better manner could result in improving the control activities over the disease, with considerable socio-economic effects. Diabetic
Foot Ulcers (DFU) is a primary concern of this health issue, and if this is not addressed right can result in amputation. So in this research, the Image segmentation algorithms and Perimeter pixel comparison is carried out for wound classification depending on the simulation algorithm like
Adaptive K-means, Clustering K means, Fuzzy C means, and Region growing approaches and among them, Fuzzy C means is found to achieve greatest accuracy of perimeter pixel values, which are 603, 462 and 356 pixel values in stages one, two and three. The time taken for execution among all the
four simulation algorithms are observed and it can be revealed that Adaptive K means yields the least execution time for carrying out the simulation of foot ulcer. An evaluation on the self-assessment of wounds caused during diabetic foot ulcer employing image segmentation is developed.
It is ultimately found that the objective of the image analysis pertaining to the ulcer in foot is the dynamic evaluation and definition of regions of high pressure in a diabetic patient’s foot depending on the estimations made on the perimeter pixel comparison and execution time.
High-Resolution CT Features of the COVID-19 Infection During Short-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Cui-Yu Jia , Da-Wei Zhao , Ji-Liang Feng , Rui-Li Li
Published: April 2021

Objective: To estimate the short-term follow-up chest HRCT manifestation in patients with COVID-19 who have left hospitals. Methods: Retrospective analysis was executed on the chest HRCT manifestation of 49 cases with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia patients diagnosed
in Beijing You’An hospital affiliated to capital medical university between 20 January 2020 to April 10, 2020. The study including 21 males and 28 females, and the median age was 59.5 years age ranged from 21 years to 80 years. The evolution characteristics of chest HRCT in short-term
follow-up after discharge were analyzed. Results: Forty-nine patients were divided into two groups according to Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol of 2019 New Coronavirus Pneumonia (trial version 7) of National Health Commission of China. Severe group included 23 cases (46.9%) and 26
cases of ordinary (53.1%). The HRCT findings of patients in the 2 groups were analyzed on median follow-up time was 30 day (range, 14 to 46 days) after discharge. The follow-up chest HRCT were normal in 19 of 49 (38.8%) patients, abnormal HRCT findings were detected in 30 of 49 (61.2%) patients.
The most frequent abnormality found on follow-up HRCT in COVID-19 patients who recovered from pneumonia was GGO which was seen in 26 of 49 (53.1%) patients, reticular pattern was in 9 of 49 (18.4%), traction bronchiectasis was in 3 of 49 (6.1%), small nodular consolidation was in 6 of 49 (12.2%),
other findings including curved line in the subpleural area and irregular linear opacities were in 15 of 49 (30.6%). In the study, 3 of 49 (6.1%) patients were diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis according to HRCT findings. Three cases were severe patients, aged from 65 to 80 years. Pulmonary
fibrosis occurred within 30–50 days of onset. Conclusion: Pulmonary fibrosis may develop in 6.1% of COVID-19 patients, which was lower than that of SARS and MERS, suggesting that the lung damage caused by SARS-COV-2 in the recovered patients was lower than that of SARS and MERS.
Synthesis of Vanadium Doped Lanthanum Bismuthate Nanorods for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Chen Hongjun , Xue Zeyang , Yu Chunhu , Mao Yajing , Qiu Fanglv , Pei Lizhai
Published: April 2021

Vanadium doped lanthanum bismuthate nanorods with vanadium ratio of 1%, 3%, 5% and 10 wt.% were fabricated through the hydrothermal method using sodium orthovanadate as vanadium source. Vanadium doped lanthanum bismuthate nanorod products were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy,
X-ray diffraction pattern and diffuse reflection spectrum. X-ray diffraction patterns show that vanadium in the vanadium doped lanthanum bismuthate nanorods exists as triclinic Bi23V4O44.5 and monoclinic LaVO4 phases. Scanning electron microscopy
observations show that the size and micro-morphology of the vanadium doped products are closely relative to the vanadium mass ratio. The length of the vanadium doped nanorods decreases and the morphology changes from nanorods to irregular nanoparticles with increasing the vanadium mass ratio.
Solid UV-vis diffuse reflectance measurement shows that the bandgap value of the doped lanthanum bismuthate nanorods is narrowed from 2.37 eV to 2.25 eV after the vanadium doping ratio is increased from 1% to 10%. The doped lanthanum bismuthate nanorods illustrate enhanced photocatalytic performance
for methylene orange (MO) removal with the irradiation of sunlight. The catalytic performance for MO removal depends on the irradiation time, vanadium content and dosage of the nanorods. The doped lanthanum bismuthate nanorods with the vanadium mass ratio of 10% possess the best MO catalytic
degradation performance.
Preparation, Characterization and Evaluations of Carbon-Doped Ag/Fe/TiO2 Mesoporous Nanocomposite Photocatalyst for Degradation of Methylene Blue and Congo Red
Authors: Chauhan Nikhil , Singh Virender , Kumar Suresh , Kumari Monika
Published: April 2021

Carbon doped silver/iron/TiO2 nanocomposite is synthesized via the solvothermal technique. Titanium tetraisopropoxide is used as a TiO2 source. The composite samples are characterized by different physicochemical methods, including nitrogen adsorption–desorption
analysis, transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, UV-vis, Fourier-transform infrared, and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The nanocrystalline structure of the samples with anatase phase having a tetragonal shape is shown by
the XRD and TEM analysis. The photo-absorption boundary of pure TiO2 expands into the visible light region due to composite formation, shown by analysis of UV-vis data. An increase in the degree of electron–hole couple segregation is shown via photoluminescence analysis. N2
adsorption–desorption analysis manifests the higher surface area of samples along with mesoporous nature. The high photodegradation action is shown by the composite samples as compared to pure mesoporous TiO2.
Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery of Sorafenib for Improving Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy
Authors: Ming Yue , Li Bin , Fu Ruoqiu , Xing Haiyan , Liu Yao , Duan Dongyu , Li Ziwei , Li Li , Ni Rui , Xu Jing , Li Chen , Xiang Mingfeng , Song Hongyu , Chen Jianhong
Published: April 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver. The majority of patients with HCC are diagnosed with advanced-stage disease. Sorafenib is a frontline therapy drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for advanced HCC. However, the poor aqueous
solubility of sorafenib limits its applications. The present study aimed to overcome this limitation of sorafenib. Thus, bovine serum albumin (BSA)-based nanoparticles were developed to encapsulate hydrophobic sorafenib. The resultant sorafenib-loaded BSA nanoparticles (Sf-BSA-NPs) were thoroughly
characterized for size distribution, encapsulation efficiency and morphology. Previous studies on HepG2 cells in vitro have demonstrated that Sf-BSA-NPs exhibit remarkable superiority to free sorafenib in cytocompatibility, cytotoxicity and proapoptotic effect. The results of the present
study demonstrated that Sf-BSA-NPs were effective in improving aqueous solubility, and enhanced drug cytotoxicity, suggesting its therapeutic potential for HCC.
Oxidative Stress Induced Cytotoxicity of Colloidal Copper Nanoparticles on RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cell Line
Authors: Sharma Purnima , Goyal Dinesh , Baranwal Manoj , Chudasama Bhupendra
Published: April 2021

Copper is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in various physiological processes of human body and also possesses excellent antimicrobial properties, however its high dose results in the formation of free-radicals, which can induce cytotoxicity through chromosomal
and DNA damage. Therefore, cytotoxicity of colloidal copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) was studied to understand the correlation between the cytotoxicity and the nanoparticle yield. Three identical sets of CuNPs with similar physical properties having
hydrodynamic particle size of 11–14 nm were prepared by chemical reduction method with target yield of 0.2 g, 0.3 g and 0.4 g. CuNPs exhibited dose-dependent (0.001–100 μg/mL) cytotoxicity due to the mitochondrial damage as indicated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide)
assay. Oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RAW 246.7 macrophage cell lines exposed to CuNPs was the primary cause of observed cytotoxicity in all CuNPs test samples. Morphological changes in cells also indicated strong dose-dependent oxidative damage by CuNPs. IC50
(half maximal inhibitory concentration) values of CuNPs were independent of nanoparticle yield. This suggests that per batch variation in CuNPs yield from 0.2 g to 0.4 g had no negative correlation with their toxicity that makes CuNPs a potential candidate for further development of nanotherapeutics
and anticancer drugs.
Anticorrosion Protection of TiO2 Nanofilm on the Surface of Carbon Steel
Authors: Zhang Yu , Song Ruijian , Zhang Xiang
Published: April 2021

Carbon steel (CS) is the preferred base material for construction in various industries due to its low cost; however, industrial equipment failure caused by carbon steel corrosion can lead to several environmental risks and safety hazards, thus limiting its application scenarios. Enhancing
the corrosion resistance of carbon steel and reducing the maintenance cost of carbon steel substrate have become a hot topic of current research. Therefore, in this study, a zinc oxide/polyaniline-titanium dioxide composite film (ZnO/PAni-TiO2) with long-lasting photogenerated cathodic
protection was constructed based on the photoelectric conversion properties of TiO2. This new TiO2 composite film, which can avoid photogenerated electron–hole complexation, significantly enhanced the photoelectric conversion efficiency of TiO2, thereby
decreasing the anodic corrosion current density of low carbon steel and enhancing the cathodic protection of carbon steel. Hence, it is expected to provide a new direction for the preparation of corrosion-resistant TiO2-laminated carbon steel nanofilms.
Effect of Particle Inertia on the Alignment of Small Ice Crystals in Turbulent Clouds
Authors: Gustavsson K. , Sheikh M. Z. , Naso A. , Pumir A. , Mehlig B.
Published: April 2021

Small nonspherical particles settling in a quiescent fluid tend to orient so that their broad side faces down because this is a stable fixed point of their angular dynamics at small particle Reynolds number. Turbulence randomizes the orientations to some extent, and this affects the reflection patterns of polarized light from turbulent clouds containing ice crystals. An overdamped theory predicts that turbulence-induced fluctuations of the orientation are very small when the settling number Sv (a dimensionless measure of the settling speed) is large. At small Sv, by contrast, the overdamped theory predicts that turbulence randomizes the orientations. This overdamped theory neglects the effect of particle inertia. Therefore, we consider here how particle inertia affects the orientation of small crystals settling in turbulent air. We find that it can significantly increase the orientation variance, even when the Stokes number St (a dimensionless measure of particle inertia) is quite small. We identify different asymptotic parameter regimes where the tilt-angle variance is proportional to different inverse powers of Sv. We estimate parameter values for ice crystals in turbulent clouds and show that they cover several of the identified regimes. The theory predicts how the degree of alignment depends on particle size, shape, and turbulence intensity, and that the strong horizontal alignment of small crystals is only possible when the turbulent energy dissipation is weak, on the order of 1 cm2 s−3 or less.
Subseasonal-to-Seasonal Predictability of Onset Dates of South China Sea Summer Monsoon: A Perspective of Meridional Temperature Gradient
Authors: Liu Boqi , Zhu Congwen
Published: April 2021

The onset of the South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM) has traditionally been ascribed to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on an interannual timescale, but the two do not correspond in some years. The present study applies harmonic analysis on the meridional temperature gradient (MTG) in mid–upper troposphere over South China Sea (SCS) and decomposes the onset process to be a slow-varying seasonal cycle and transient subseasonal component. The ENSO-related air temperature anomaly in the southern SCS provides seasonal predictability of SCSSM onset by a stable and robust relationship between ENSO and MTG seasonal cycle. However, in the northern SCS, the MTG is regulated by an intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) of extratropical air temperature with a significant 10–30-day period. This ISO originates over the western TP, then propagates eastward and gets enhanced by anomalous diabatic heating due to spring rainfall anomaly over South China, as a result of subseasonal thermal forcing of TP. When the ISO arrives to the north of the SCS, it directly changes the tropospheric temperature to modulate the MTG. Meanwhile, the upper-level circulation associated with the ISO alters the meridional potential vorticity advection and pumping effect, followed by the anomalous low-level westerly wind and monsoon convection over the SCS. The SCSSM onset is evidently disrupted from its seasonal cycle when this ISO is more active. Since the independence of its intensity from ENSO, this extratropical ISO over TP and South China provides additional subseasonal predictability of the onset dates of the SCSSM.
Lobectomy Demonstrates Superior Survival Than Segmentectomy for High-Grade Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The National Cancer Database Analysis
Authors: Baig Mirza Zain , Razi Syed S. , Muslim Zaid , Weber Joanna F. , Connery Cliff P. , Bhora Faiz Y.
Published: April 2021

Background

Current recommendations for segmentectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) include size ≤2 cm, margins ≥ 2 cm, and no nodal involvement. This study further stratifies the selection criteria for segmentectomy using the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

Methods

The NCDB was queried for patients with high-grade (poorly/undifferentiated) T1a/b peripheral NSCLC (tumor size ≤2 cm), who underwent either lobectomy or segmentectomy. Patients with pathologic node-positive disease or who received neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatments were excluded. Propensity score analysis was used to adjust for differences in pretreatment characteristics.

Results

11 091 patients were included with 10 413 patients (93.9%) treated with lobectomy and 678 patients (6.1%) underwent segmentectomy. In a propensity matched pair analysis of 1282 patients, lobectomy showed significantly improved median survival of 88.48 months vs 68.30 months for segmentectomy, P = .004. On multivariate Cox regression, lobectomy was associated with significantly improved survival (hazard ratio (HR): .81, 95% CI .72-.92, P = .001). Subgroup analysis of propensity score matched patients with a Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score (CDCC) of 0 also demonstrated a trend of improved survival with lobectomy.

Discussion

Lobectomy may confer significant survival advantage over segmentectomy for high-grade NSCLC (≤2 cm). More work is needed to further stratify various NSCLC histologies with their respective grades allowing more comprehensive selection criteria for segmentectomy.
Using Arterial Pressure Index to Predict Arterial Injuries in Penetrating Trauma to the Upper Extremities
Authors: Tung Lily , Seamon Mark J. , Dauer Elizabeth , Alabi Olamide , Benarroch‐Gampel Jaime , Passman Jesse , Fitzgerald Caitlin , Lobichusky Brone , Mazzei Michael , Rodriguez Wendy , Smith Randi N.
Published: April 2021

Background

Upper extremity (UE) vascular injuries account for 18.4% of all traumatic vascular injuries. Arterial pressure index (API) use in lower extremity injuries to determine the need for further investigations is well established. However, due to collateral circulation in UEs, it is unclear if the same algorithm can be applied. The purpose of this study was to determine if APIs can be used to determine the need for computed tomography angiogram (CTA) in penetrating UE trauma.

Methods

All adult trauma patients with penetrating UE trauma and APIs from 2006 to 2016 were identified at 3 urban US level 1 trauma centers. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of APIs <.9 in detecting UE arterial injuries were calculated.

Results

During the 11-year study period, 218 patients met our inclusion criteria. Gunshot wounds comprised 76.6% and stab wounds 17.9%. Median injury severity score and API were 9 and 1, respectively. Seventy-two of our patients underwent evaluation with CTA. Of the injuries, the most common were thrombus or occlusion (46.7%), transection (23.1%), and dissection (15.4%), radiographically. Ultimately, 32 patients underwent surgical.
Disposable Coverslip for Rapid Throughput Screening of Malaria Using Attenuated Total Reflection Spectroscopy
Authors: Veettil Thulya Chakkumpulakkal Puthan , Kochan Kamila , Edler Karen J. , De Bank Paul , Heraud Philip , Wood Bayden R.
Published: April 2021

Malaria is considered to be one of the most catastrophic health issues in the whole world. Vibrational spectroscopy is a rapid, robust, label-free, inexpensive, highly sensitive, nonperturbative, and nondestructive technique with high diagnostic potential for the early detection of disease agents. In particular, the fingerprinting capability of attenuated total reflection spectroscopy is promising as a point-of-care diagnostic tool in resource-limited areas. However, improvements are required to expedite the measurements of biofluids, including the drying procedure and subsequent cleaning of the internal reflection element to enable high throughput successive measurements. As an alternative, we propose using an inexpensive coverslip to reduce the sample preparation time by enabling multiple samples to be collectively dried together under the same temperature and conditions. In conjunction with partial least squares regression, attenuated total reflection spectroscopy was able to detect and quantify the parasitemia with root mean square error of cross-validation and R2 values of 0.177 and 0.985, respectively. Here, we characterize an inexpensive, disposable coverslip for the high throughput screening of malaria parasitic infections and thus demonstrate an alternative approach to direct deposition of the sample onto the internal reflection element.
Feasibility of Using Boltzmann Plots to Evaluate the Stark Broadening Parameters of Cu(I) Lines
Authors: Fikry Mohamed , Alhijry Ibraheem A. , Aboulfotouh Abdelnasser M. , El Sherbini Ashraf M.
Published: April 2021

A linear Boltzmann plot was constructed using Cu(I) lines of well-known atomic parameters. Aligning other spectral lines to the plot was adopted as a viable way to estimate the most probable values of Stark broadening parameters of Cu(I) lines at 330.79, 359.91, and 360.2 nm. Plasma was generated by focusing neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser radiation at wavelength 532 nm on a pure copper target in open air. Plasma emission was recorded at delay times of 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10 μs. The in situ optically thin Hα line was used to determine the plasma reference electron density over the entire experiment. Following this method, the missing values of the Stark broadening parameters of the three Cu(I) lines turn out to be about 0.15 ± 0.05 Å (for 330.79 nm transition) and 0.17 ± 0.05 Å (for 359.91 360.20 nm transition) at reference electron density of (1 ± 0.09) × 1017 cm–3 and temperature of 10 800 ± 630 K. The apparent variation in plasma parameters at different delay times was found to scale with electron density and temperature as ∼ne.Te0.166.
Design Considerations for Discrete Frequency Infrared Microscopy Systems
Authors: Phal Yamuna , Yeh Kevin , Bhargava Rohit
Published: April 2021

Discrete frequency infrared chemical imaging is transforming the practice of microspectroscopy by enabling a diversity of instrumentation and new measurement capabilities. While a variety of hardware implementations have been realized, design considerations that are unique to infrared (IR) microscopes have not yet been compiled in literature. Here, we describe the evolution of IR microscopes, provide rationales for design choices, and catalog some major considerations for each of the optical components in an imaging system. We analyze design choices that use these components to optimize performance, under their particular constraints, while providing illustrative examples. We then summarize a framework to assess the factors that determine an instrument’s performance mathematically. Finally, we provide a validation approach by enumerating performance metrics that can be used to evaluate the capabilities of imaging systems or suitability for specific intended applications. Together, the presented concepts and examples should aid in understanding available instrument configurations, while guiding innovations in design of the next generation of IR chemical imaging spectrometers.
Attenuated Total Reflection–Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Calculations of the Electronic Structure of the Top Surface and Bulk of Polyethylenes with Different Crystallinities
Authors: Morisawa Yusuke , Tanimura Erika , Ehara Masahiro , Sato Harumi
Published: April 2021

In this study, we explored the electronic structure of the surfaces of polyethylene samples having different crystallinities using attenuated total reflection (ATR) far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. Specifically, the ATR-FUV spectra of five types of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), six types of linear low-density PE (LLDPE), and seven types of low-density PE (LDPE) were obtained. All the spectra contained an intense band near 156 nm and a broad band between 180 and 190 nm. Transmission spectra were obtained for the thin-film (30 µm) PE samples between 165 and 250 nm. In this region, the HDPE films show very low-intensity bands. In contrast, the transmission spectra of the LLDPE and LDPE samples yielded weak-to-medium and medium-intensity bands around 180–190 nm, respectively. In addition, to understand the differences in the absorption spectra among the PEs observed, we simulated the spectra of n-pentane as a PE crystal model using time-dependent density functional theory and found that the common intense band at 156 nm is due to the σ (C(2p)–H)→Rydberg 3s, 3p transition. The absorption bands near 180–190 nm may correspond to aggregates of numerous molecular chains in the amorphous parts of the LLDPE and LDPE samples.
Health economic evaluations of medical tests: Translating laboratory information into value – A case study example
Authors: Jülicher Paul , O’Kane Maurice , Price Christopher P , Christenson Robert , John Andrew St
Published: April 2021

Health-care providers and funders are focused on identifying value in all their services and that includes laboratories. This means that in order to gain a share of scarce resources, laboratory professionals must also understand and assess the value of tests and that includes their economic impact. This can be assessed using health economic modelling tools which, when used in conjunction with a detailed value proposition for the test, can translate laboratory information into value. While a variety of health economic assessment tools are available, this review will focus on the use of decision analytic models which essentially compare the outcomes from pathways with and without the new test, the value of which is being assessed. A step-by-step framework is provided to guide laboratory professionals through the essential steps of conducting the evaluation. Initial steps include mapping the clinical pathway, understanding the goal of the evaluation, identifying the key stakeholders and their needs and determining a suitable analytical model. Following collection of the actual data, the validity of the model must be checked, and the robustness of the outcomes tested through sensitivity analysis. The last step is to translate the findings into measures of value which can then inform appropriate decisions by the stakeholders. This review of basic health economic modelling should enable laboratory professionals to have an understanding of how modelling can be applied to tests in their own environment and help deliver their potential value.
Sample Size Requirements for Simple and Complex Mediation Models
Authors: Sim Mikyung , Kim Su-Young , Suh Youngsuk
Published: April 2021

Mediation models have been widely used in many disciplines to better understand the underlying processes between independent and dependent variables. Despite their popularity and importance, the appropriate sample sizes for estimating those models are not well known. Although several approaches (such as Monte Carlo methods) exist, applied researchers tend to use insufficient sample sizes to estimate their models of interest, which might result in unstable and inaccurate estimation of the model parameters including mediation effects. In the present study, sample size requirements were investigated for four frequently used mediation models: one simple mediation model and three complex mediation models. For each model, path and structural equation modeling approaches were examined, and partial and complete mediation conditions were considered. Both the percentile bootstrap method and the multivariate delta method were compared for testing mediation effects. A series of Monte Carlo simulations was conducted under various simulation conditions, including those concerning the level of effect sizes, the number of indicators, the magnitude of factor loadings, and the proportion of missing data. The results not only present practical and general guidelines for substantive researchers to determine minimum required sample sizes but also improve understanding of which factors are related to sample size requirements in mediation models.
Detecting Careless Responding in Survey Data Using Stochastic Gradient Boosting
Authors: Schroeders Ulrich , Schmidt Christoph , Gnambs Timo
Published: April 2021

Careless responding is a bias in survey responses that disregards the actual item content, constituting a threat to the factor structure, reliability, and validity of psychological measurements. Different approaches have been proposed to detect aberrant responses such as probing questions that directly assess test-taking behavior (e.g., bogus items), auxiliary or paradata (e.g., response times), or data-driven statistical techniques (e.g., Mahalanobis distance). In the present study, gradient boosted trees, a state-of-the-art machine learning technique, are introduced to identify careless respondents. The performance of the approach was compared with established techniques previously described in the literature (e.g., statistical outlier methods, consistency analyses, and response pattern functions) using simulated data and empirical data from a web-based study, in which diligent versus careless response behavior was experimentally induced. In the simulation study, gradient boosting machines outperformed traditional detection mechanisms in flagging aberrant responses. However, this advantage did not transfer to the empirical study. In terms of precision, the results of both traditional and the novel detection mechanisms were unsatisfactory, although the latter incorporated response times as additional information. The comparison between the results of the simulation and the online study showed that responses in real-world settings seem to be much more erratic than can be expected from the simulation studies. We critically discuss the generalizability of currently available detection methods and provide an outlook on future research on the detection of aberrant response patterns in survey research.
Settler allies are made, not self-proclaimed: Unsettling conversations for non-Indigenous researchers and educators involved in Indigenous health
Authors: McGuire-Adams Tricia
Published: April 2021

Background:

While many settler allies are eager to help towards the goal of disrupting racism, a clearer understanding of how best to harness this eagerness is required within the field of Indigenous health, a field currently comprised mainly non-Indigenous scholars, researchers and educators.

Purpose:

Responding to this challenge, this article aims to identify ways of working towards disrupting settler colonialism and addressing racism in all of its manifestations by building settler allyship and adopting an anti-racist lens within the field of Indigenous health. The article describes how to approach building settler allyship by implementing anti-racist acts.

Method:

By using anti-racist scholarship and showcasing recent public examples of anti-Indigenous racism, the author describes how settler allies can approach developing unsettled, critical and anti-racist conversations with one another and in respectful ways with Indigenous peoples. As many Indigenous peoples continue to identify ongoing racism, there is a need for informed, unsettled, anti-racist allies willing to challenge their own complicity to then take action when anti-Indigenous racism occurs. Actions include critical self-reflection, confronting white supremacy and implementing demonstrably anti-racist acts.

Conclusion:

Findings provide the basis for amplifying unsettling conversations between engaged settler allies to develop anti-racist ways of fostering and extending relationships with Indigenous people and scholars.
Task-Oriented and Imitation-Oriented Movements in Virtual Reality Exercise Performance and Design
Authors: Chen Ken , Chen Karen B.
Published: April 2021

Objective

This study investigated the influence of game features and practice type on human kinematic and muscular performance in a virtual reality exercise (VRE). Participants demonstrated changes in shoulder flexion angle and muscle activation under different virtual scenarios.

Background

Conventional VRE studies often compared the outcomes between an experimental group that underwent exercise in VR and a real-world exercise control group, whereas comparisons between VRE programs are lacking. Besides, the attributes of VREs received little attention.

Method

Thirteen able-bodied participants performed upper extremity exercise movements in immersive VR using a head-mounted display. Participants performed task-oriented and imitation-oriented movements with different game features. Shoulder muscle activity (the deltoid, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus) and shoulder motion were collected.

Results

Practice type (task-oriented, imitation-oriented) significantly influenced the flexion angle of the shoulder complex ( F(1,11) = 9.53, p = .01), and the muscle activity of the supraspinatus ( F(1,9) = 12.61, p = .006) and the infraspinatus ( F(1,9) = 12.71, p = .006). Game features did not have a statistically significant effect on shoulder flexion angle or shoulder muscles’ activations.

Conclusions

Compared to imitation-oriented practice, task-oriented practice elicited more intensive shoulder movements and muscular efforts but also induced greater movement variations. Substantial differences across game features levels should be further investigated to have significant effects.

Applications

This research may help guide the design of future VREs. For strength training or rehabilitation where intensive practice is required, task-oriented practice should be considered; for movement learning where movement consistency is required, imitation oriented practice should be adopted.
‘Hindu Communism’: Satyabhakta, apocalypses and utopian Ram Rajya
Authors: Gupta Charu
Published: April 2021

In the north India of 1920s–30s, many first-generation anticolonial communists and Left intellectuals did not see any contradiction in reliance upon religion, ethical traditions and morality in a search for vocabularies of dignity, equality, just polity and social liberation. Through select writings in Hindi of Satyabhakta (1897–85), an almost forgotten figure in histories of communism in India, this article focuses on the entanglement between religion and communism as a way of thinking about the Left in India, and the problems and possibilities of such imaginings. Steeped in a north Indian Hindi literary print public sphere, such figures illuminated a distinctly Hindu and Indian path towards communism, making it more relatable to a Hindi–Hindu audience. The article draws attention to Satyabhakta’s layered engagements with utopian political desires, which, in envisaging an egalitarian future, wove Hindu faith-based ethical morality, apocalyptic predictions and notions of a romantic Ram Rajya, with decolonisation, anti-capitalism and aesthetic communist visions of equality. Even while precarious and problematic, such imaginations underline hidden plural histories of communism and, at the same time, trouble atheist, secular communists as well as the proponents of Hindutva.
Urban–Rural Dichotomy in Planning: Review of Legal Framework in Four States of India
Authors: Basu Anurima Mukherjee , Sharma Rutool
Published: April 2021

Current urbanisation trends in India show a quantum jump in number of ‘census towns’, which are not statutorily declared as urban areas, but have acquired all characteristics of urban settlements. Sizeable number of such census towns are not located near any Class 1 city. Lack of proper and timely planning has led to unplanned growth of these settlements. This article is based on a review of planning legislations, institutional framework and planning process of four states in India. The present article analyses the scope and limitations of the planning process adopted in the rapidly urbanising rural areas of these states. The findings reveal that states are still following a conventional approach to planning that treats ‘urban’ and ‘rural’ as separate categories and highlights the need for adopting an integrated territorial approach to planning of settlements.
Task failure prediction for wafer-handling robotic arms by using various machine learning algorithms
Authors: Huang Ping Wun , Chung Kuan-Jung
Published: April 2021

Industries are increasingly adopting automatic and intelligent manufacturing in production lines, such as those of semiconductor wafers, optoelectronic devices, and light-emitting diodes. For example, automatic robot arms have been used for pick-and-place workpiece applications. However, repairing automatic robot arms is time-consuming and increases the downtime of equipment and the cycle time of manufacturing. In this study, various machine learning (ML) models, such as the general linear model (GLM), random forest, extreme gradient boosting, gradient boosting machine, and stacked ensemble, were used to predict the maximum Cartesian positioning shift (i.e. the maximum eccentric distance) in the next handling time period (e.g. 1 min). A charge-coupled-device-based fault diagnostic system was developed to measure the critical positions of the robotic arm when transferring wafers. A novel data augmentation method was used to determine the correlation parameters in the dataset for the ML models. The prediction error for each algorithm was determined using the root mean square error (RMSE). The results revealed that the GLM exhibited the lowest prediction errors. The RMSEs of the GLM were 0.024, 0.032, and 0.046 mm for 3421 pickups, the last 1000 pickups, and 100 pickups, respectively, for the prediction target. Thus, the GLM is a promising model for predicting the task failure of wafer-handling robotic arms.
Merging Hofstede, Schwartz, and Inglehart into a Single System
Authors: Kaasa Anneli
Published: April 2021

There are various sets of cultural dimensions in the literature. Can they be merged into a single system? While previous studies have mainly compared different dimensions empirically, this article takes a conceptual approach and explains how Hofstede’s, Schwartz’s, and Inglehart’s models can be merged into one system. Instead of looking at dimensions from different sets one by one, this study uses a novel approach: each set of dimensions is viewed as one unit covering a certain space of values, norms, beliefs, attitudes, etc. The results make it possible to arrange three sets of dimensions into one visualized system and confirm several conclusions in the existing literature. Knowing how different models are related to each other allows easier comparisons of the results of studies using different sets of cultural dimensions as explanations of extraneous variables.
Managing traffic complexity. Canadian transport planning software package Emme, 1970s–2010s
Authors: Chatzis Konstantinos
Published: April 2021

Based on a variety of primary sources, ranging from academic publications to grey literature to interviews, this article tells the story of Emme, a traffic forecasting software package. Designed as a prototype within the University of Montreal in the late 1970s/early 1980s and regularly enhanced by the Canadian firm INRO since then, Emme has been massively used as a commercial product for urban transport planning throughout the world. Bringing to the fore a much neglected, albeit crucial, theme in transport and mobility studies, i.e., the various mathematical tools (models) – and the actors involved in their production – conceived and utilized for designing transport infrastructures and mobility programs and policies, this article may also be of interest to scholars working in fields other than transport and interested in a series of topics ranging from the increasing commercialization of academic knowledge to the organization of knowledge intensive firms.
Observation of non-glandular gastritis associated with Doxil chemotherapy treatment in NSG™ mice
Authors: Cheong Alison , Rasmussen Lorna , Robinson Tina , Maliki Ruqaya , Cutts Suzanne M
Published: April 2021

NSG™ mice are highly immunocompromised thus demonstrate high efficiency engraftment of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) for pre-clinical oncology research. It has previously been reported that NSG™ mice are hyper-sensitive to doxorubicin due to the impairment of DNA damage repair mechanisms. As such, doxorubicin causes a wide spectrum of toxicities including cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and intestinal toxicity in NSG™ mice. Doxil is an alternative clinical formulation of doxorubicin, where doxorubicin is encapsulated within pegylated liposomes and displays improved toxicity profiles compared to conventional doxorubicin. Doxil was substituted for doxorubicin in our study to determine its toxicity profile in female NSG™ mice. The mice that were treated with Doxil developed dose-dependent histopathological alterations associated with non-glandular gastritis, with non- Helicobacter spp. bacterial infiltrates, as well as oesophagitis. Of note, a study using a dose of 2 mg/kg Doxil was terminated early due to significant weight loss while the use of Doxil at 1 mg/kg allowed for repeated treatment of twice a week for a duration of three weeks. A dose optimised treatment regimen has now been established and can be applied to assess Doxil-related anti-tumour efficacy in a range of PDX-bearing NSG™ mice.
Influence of incident energy on the properties of arc rated para-aramid fabric
Authors: Li Xia , Sun Qilong , Wang Shuo , Tang Hong
Published: April 2021

To study the protection mechanism of para-aramid fabrics under an electric arc, the structural composition, surface morphology, and thermal properties of an untreated para-aramid fabric and that treated with different incident energy arcs were compared. The intensity of the N-H peak of the para-aramid cellulose amide decreased with increasing exposed arc energy. Moreover, intensities of the C=O peak of the amide bond type I carbonyl and the C-H deformation vibration absorption peak originating from the benzene ring gradually weakened. In contrast, the carbon content of the fabric increased. In the arc deflagration process, the fiber broke and then carbonized and embrittled. With an arc energy of 30.9 cal/cm2, the carbonization degree of the front surface of the fabric increased and was highest at the float line. The initial combustion temperature remained unchanged, and the mass residual quantity gradually increased with increasing arc energy exposed to the fabric. The above results suggest that para-aramid fabric can protect the end user in an arc by carbonization, offering effective assistance in the research and development of personal protective equipment for arc flashes.
An investigation of the effects of weave types on surface roughness of woven fabric
Authors: Beyene Kura A , Kumelachew Degu M
Published: April 2021

The fabrics intended for clothing have more emphasis on their appearance and handling characteristics such as luster, smoothness or roughness, stiffness or limpness, and draping qualities. Nowadays, evaluating fabric touch can be of great interest in the industry to match the quality needs of the consumer and the parameters for the manufacturing process. Throughout this study, the effect of weave types on the surface roughness of cotton woven fabric was investigated and analyzed. Three different weave types namely, plain 1/1, twill 1/3, and sateen 8/3 were investigated. The fabric parameters were 27*20Ne (warp/weft) count of yarn, 38*18 (EPC [Ends per Centimeters]/PPC [Picks per Centimeters]) thread density, and 710 CN/TEX (Cent-newton per Tex) with warp tension was produced by air-jet loom. The findings of this study revealed that the surface roughness values of all the fabrics increased regularly on moving from plain 1/1 weave to sateen 8/3 weave. But, the surface roughness of fabric in the weft direction is higher than in the warp direction. The weave type is statistically significant at a confidence interval of 95% and can effectively be used to describe the surface roughness for both warp and weft direction of woven fabrics. The pairwise comparison reveals that it is statistically significant for weave types in the warp and weft direction of the fabrics. This investigation and analysis of weave types on surface roughness of cotton woven fabrics help textile technologies and manufacturers to consider the weave types during the production of fabrics for different end applications.
Somos Escritoras/We Are Writers: Latina Mothers and Daughters Writing and Sharing “En Convivencia”
Authors: Flores Tracey T.
Published: April 2021

This paper shares the stories of Latina mothers and daughters as they participarted in Somos Escritoras, a creative space, that invites them to write and perform stories from their lived experiences. At workshops, girls and their mothers crafted writing and created artwork that examines and critiques the many ways to express and define themselves. Findings highlight the ways that mothers and daughters engaged in “literacies of convivencia,” [communalism], through the crafting and sharing of intergenerational stories, knowledges, and histories to cultivate a community of writers authoring their lives as mujeres/chicas on their own terms,