bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Regulation Impact the Initial Returns of Initial Public Offerings? Evidence from Indian Capital Market
Authors: Singh Amit Kumar , Goel Tripti
Published: April 2022

Regulations are put in place in the capital markets to protect the interests of investors while promoting companies to actively participate in the capital markets. This multidisciplinary study concentrates on analysing the impact of one such regulation, based on entry norms, on the initial returns of book-built IPOs in the presence of firm-related and issue-related control variables, thereby facilitating decision-making to issuers and investors.

Using various parametric and non-parametric tests on 259 IPOs issued on Indian Stock Exchanges during financial year 2009–2010 to 2019–2020, it can be concluded that Indian IPOs are underpriced on an average, irrespective of the entry norm followed. Further, firms entering through either of the entry routes, that is, profitability route or Qualified Institutional Buyer Route have significant differences in age, listing delay, type of sale, rank of lead managers and industry. Entry norm is established to have a negative yet insignificant role in determining the initial returns, while oversubscription is the only variable with a positive and significant impact on the initial returns of the issue.

JEL Codes: G10, G14, G18, G23, K22
Challenges of Nuclear Deterrence Stability in South Asia
Authors: Sadiq Muhammad , Ali Iftikhar
Published: April 2022

The interplay of several international, regional, and local factors poses daunting challenges for deterrence stability in South Asia. The emerging revolution in the military affairs compounded with prolonged crises vis-à-vis the absence of any conflict resolution mechanism between India and Pakistan; the nuclear deterrence is budding a fragile relationship between the two nuclear-armed pugnacious belligerents of South Asia. The Indian aspirations to accumulate maximum power based on its strategic partnerships with the technologically advanced countries in the world are characterized by the classic Indian strategic thinking to establish its leadership in the region. At the same time, Pakistan’s reliance on China in its quests for acquiring military hardware required for the deterrence equation seemingly remains insatiable within the framework of the stability–instability paradox. Without a holistic analysis of the political and strategic challenges, casus belli of the crises, and nuclear command and control systems dynamics between the two, it would amount to a petitio principii to draw theoretical assumptions. Therefore, this study attempts to comprehensively explain the phenomena by analyzing the challenges of nuclear deterrence stability in South Asia at different levels.
Intra-Urban Distribution of Child Hawking in Southeast Nigeria
Authors: Taiwo Amos Oluwole
Published: April 2022

This article investigated the intra-urban distribution of child hawking in Enugu Municipality, Nigeria. The study first enumerated child hawkers across three residential areas (core, transition and sub-urban) simultaneously on different weekdays and at different locations (activity-nuclei) in Enugu municipality. A questionnaire was then employed to obtain information from 95 incidentally selected child hawkers, comprising 49, 21 and 25, respectively. Information sourced was their socio-economic characteristics and factors influencing their taking to the street to hawk. The data were analysed using percentages, cross tabulation and standard scores. Results showed that 58.9% were males, 53.7% were out-of-school and 47.4% realized ₦501.00–₦1000.00 ($1.4USD–$2.78USD) per day. Factors influencing child hawking, measured through an index tagged ‘Child Hawkers’ Factor Index’ (CHFI) on a 5-point Likert-type scale, showed that poverty was the most prevalent factor in the core, transition and sub-urban areas of the municipality, respectively, with (CHFI = 3.67), (CHFI = 3.64) and (CHFI = 3.37). The study further showed that there was a relationship between child hawking incidence and land use activities. It observed that the core residential area, junction, Motor Park and market land uses were generators of child hawkers. The study suggested effective urban planning and policy measures in addressing the menace of child hawking.
Histopathology-Based Diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Deep Learning
Authors: Yang S.Y. , Li S.H. , Liu J.L. , Sun X.Q. , Cen Y.Y. , Ren R.Y. , Ying S.C. , Chen Y. , Zhao Z.H. , Liao W.
Published: April 2022

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is prevalent around the world and is associated with poor prognosis. OSCC is typically diagnosed from tissue biopsy sections by pathologists who rely on their empirical experience. Deep learning models may improve the accuracy and speed of image classification, thus reducing human error and workload. Here we developed a custom-made deep learning model to assist pathologists in detecting OSCC from histopathology images. We collected and analyzed a total of 2,025 images, among which 1,925 images were included in the training set and 100 images were included in the testing set. Our model was able to automatically evaluate these images and arrive at a diagnosis with a sensitivity of 0.98, specificity of 0.92, positive predictive value of 0.924, negative predictive value of 0.978, and F1 score of 0.951. Using a subset of 100 images, we examined whether our model could improve the diagnostic performance of junior and senior pathologists. We found that junior pathologists were able to delineate OSCC in these images 6.26 min faster when assisted by the model than when working alone. When the clinicians were assisted by the model, their average F1 score improved from 0.9221 to 0.9566 in the case of junior pathologists and from 0.9361 to 0.9463 in the case of senior pathologists. Our findings indicate that deep learning can improve the accuracy and speed of OSCC diagnosis from histopathology images.
Delay of Gratification, Gender Role Attitudes, and Death Reflections Predict Death Anxiety
Authors: Zampella Bryan J. , Benau Erik M.
Published: April 2022

Previous work has established that gender, age, and self-control can predict Death Anxiety (DA), the distress that centers around thoughts of one’s mortality. However, it has not been determined if DA is associated with Delay of Gratification (DG; a tendency to forgo immediate rewards to receive a more favorable outcome in the future), attitudes toward gender roles (as compared to gender identity itself), and Death Reflections (DR; positive goals that occur when contemplating death). To examine these relations, 131 adults (45% women; aged 23–67 years) completed questionnaires that assess these constructs. We found that greater DG, egalitarian gender role attitudes, and engagement with DR were all associated with reduced DA. Gender identity was not associated with any variable, including DA. Age correlated independently with DA, but not when included in the regression models. These results demonstrate that elements of self-regulation and prosocial attitudes may predict baseline DA.
Grieving During the COVID-19 Pandemic: In-Person and Virtual “Goodbye”
Authors: Chen Cliff Yung-Chi
Published: April 2022

This study examined the relationship between having an opportunity to say goodbye to a dying family member or friend in person or virtually, as well as attending their funeral services in person or virtually, and the bereaved individuals’ psychological distress and complicated grief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five hundred and nineteen US adults who had lost a family member or a friend between January 2020 and June 2021 completed an online survey for this study. Only a small proportion of participants were able to say goodbye to their dying family member or friend in person, and saying goodbye virtually was associated with higher levels of complicated grief and psychological distress. Those who physically attended a formal, in-person funeral or memorial service reported lower levels of psychological distress. The findings suggest a complicated process of saying goodbye in different formats during the pandemic.
Design of a multi-sensor information acquisition system for mannequin reconstruction and human body size measurement under clothes
Authors: Li Xihang , Li Guiqin , Li Tiancai , Lv Jianpin , Mitrouchev Peter
Published: April 2022

Although the measurement of human sizes and the reconstruction of mannequins have been extensively studied, there has been little research on systems applicable for measurement and reconstruction under clothes. This work presents a method for three-dimensional (3D) mannequin reconstruction and human body size measurement based on information fusion of multiple sensors. For this purpose, a multi-sensor information acquisition system (MIAS) is developed allowing one to acquire 11 key size data of the human body under clothes. The MIAS is based on the proposed parametric mannequin method and the Laplace mesh deformation technique, thus allowing one to reconstruct the mannequin conforming to the MIAS measurements. All mannequins reconstructed by this method have the same topology, which will greatly facilitate subsequent processing, such as garment design, customization and virtual fitting. The results of the reconstruction experiments show that our system can reconstruct a mannequin that matches the size of the feature parts very well. In addition, performed comparison experiments with manual and laser measurements shows that the measurement results of our system are close to those of manual and laser measurements. This provides a viable method for measuring key body sizes under clothes and reconstructing the corresponding 3D mannequin.
Ethical Standards of Black Psychologists: Revised 2021
Authors:   The Association of Black Psychologists
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this document is to detail an updated version of the Ethical Standards of Black Psyc hologists.
The digitalization of learning and teaching practices in higher education institutions during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Jakoet-Salie Amina , Ramalobe Kutu
Published: April 2022

In the year 2021, the world was exposed to and is still facing a health pandemic, the Covid-19 pandemic. The modes of learning and teaching had to adapt to the unexpected challenges and multiple demands on education because of the turbulent waters of Covid-19. The situation remains fluid as there is an international and national escalation of the infection rates and as lockdown restrictions are lifted, institutions of higher education are having to re-shape and adapt the rigid learning and teaching approaches to be more flexible and provide solutions to these challenges. This article reports on the transformation of learning and teaching practices in higher education institutions in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic. The purpose of this article is to reflect on how the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the modes of learning and teaching, despite several challenges that are still prevalent in these spaces. The article employs a qualitative research methodology approach and uses desktop research as a data collection tool. The findings revealed that the learning and teaching spaces are evolving to adapt to the circumstances, irrespective of the challenges, as it is an ongoing transformative environment that should ensure that these challenges are not exacerbated.
Comparison of Surgical Outcomes Between Ossicle-Cartilage Composite Graft and Synthetic Ossicular Prosthesis for Ossicular Reconstruction
Authors: Kim Kyung min , Kang Jun Myung , Song Jee-Nam , Kim Hyun bum , Seo Jae-Hyun
Published: April 2022

Objective

To propose a modified technique of ossiculoplasty using an ossicle-cartilage composite graft (OCCG) and compare its hearing outcome and protrusion rate with those of a synthetic prosthesis.

Methods

Autologous tragal or homologous septal cartilage was combined with an ossicle to create an umbrella shape OCCG. A total of 302 ossiculoplasty surgeries performed in a single university hospital between 1997 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed based on the prosthesis type—OCCG or polymaleinate ionomeric prosthesis (IONOS®). Data includes demographic profiles, audiometric outcomes, intraoperative findings, and post-operative complications and was categorized by the follow-up periods.

Results

Ossicle-cartilage composite graft was used for 175 patients and IONOS® for 127 patients. The mean post-operative air-bone gap (ABG) of the OCCG group was 22.36 dB, which was better than the IONOS® group of 25.08 dB ( P = .015). The successful ABG closure rate of less than 20 dB was also higher in the OCCG group compared to the IONOS® group (38.3% vs 26.8%, P = .036). The ABG between the pre- and post-operative conditions exhibited a significant difference between the 2 groups ( P = .006). In the data divided into 3 groups according to the follow-up period, the OCCG group showed a better outcome in the long-term follow-up with 0 cases of protrusion during the follow-up period in the OCCG group compared to 8 cases of the IONOS® group ( P = .018).

Conclusion

Ossiculoplasty with OCCG exhibited satisfactory audiometric outcomes and low complication rates. Ossicle-cartilage composite graft can be a good option with sufficient informed consent and preliminary screening of transmitted diseases.
State Department and Provider Agency Utilization of Evidence-Based Program Registries in Behavioral Healthcare and Child Welfare
Authors: Magura Stephen , Lee Miranda J. , Abu-Obaid Ruqayyah N. , Landsverk John , DeCamp Whitney , Rolls-Reutz Jennifer , Green Brandn , Ingoglia Charles , Hollen Vera , Flagg Anne
Published: April 2022

Evidence-based program registries (EBPRs) are web-based compilations of behavioral healthcare programs/interventions that rely on research-based criteria to rate program efficacy or effectiveness for support of programmatic decision-making. The objective was to determine the extent to which behavioral health decision-makers access EBPRs and to understand whether and exactly how they use the information obtained from EPBRs. Single State Authorities (SSAs) and service provider agencies in the areas of behavioral health and child welfare were recruited nationally. Senior staff (n = 375) responsible for the selection and implementation of programs and/or policies were interviewed by telephone concerning their visits (if any) to 28 relevant EBPRs, the types of information they were seeking, whether they found it, and how they may have used that information to effect changes in their organizations. At least one EBPR was visited by 80% of the respondents, with a median of three different registers being visited. Most visitors (55%) found all the information they were seeking; those who did not desired more guidance or tools for individual program implementation or were unable to locate the program or practice that they were seeking. Most visitors (65%) related using the information obtained to make changes in their organizations, in particular to select, start or change a program, or to support the adoption or improvement of evidence-based clinical practices. EBPRs were shown to be important resources for dissemination of research-based program effectiveness data, leading to increased use of evidence-based practices in the field, but the study also identified needs for greater awareness of EBPRs generally and for more attention to implementation of specific recommended programs and practices.
Parent–child cohesion, loneliness, and prosocial behavior: Longitudinal relations in children
Authors: Chen Weixia , Li Xiaoyu , Huebner E. Scott , Tian Lili
Published: April 2022

This study examined the longitudinal relations among parent–child cohesion (i.e., father–child and mother–child cohesion), loneliness, and prosocial behavior (PB) in children, using a four-wave longitudinal design with 6-month intervals. A total of 678 elementary school students from Grades 4–5 in China ( Mage = 10.11 years, 45.6% girls) completed a multi-measure questionnaire, including parent–child cohesion, loneliness, and PB. The results revealed (a) both father–child cohesion and mother–child cohesion predicted children’s PB, and vice versa; (b) both father–child cohesion and mother–child cohesion predicted children’s loneliness and vice versa; (c) loneliness predicted children’s PB and vice versa; and (d) father–child cohesion and mother–child cohesion indirectly predicted children’s PB via children’s loneliness and vice versa. Thus, parent–child cohesion, loneliness, and PB form a complex, dynamic system, suggesting the need for family-based interventions to promote PB in children.
The interplay between digital and social inclusion in multiethnic Russian society: An empirical investigation
Authors: Gladkova Anna , Argylov Nikita , Shkurnikov Maxim
Published: April 2022

The paper discusses the digital inclusion of major and minor ethnic groups in Russia by comparing three broad categories of digital resources, identified in this study as components of the index of inclusion: information and communications technology (ICT) access, skills, and extent of engagement with technologies. Based on these components/subindices, we constructed an index of digital inclusion for the Russian context and tested it on a representative national sample of 765 Internet users (596 Russians, 196 Yakuts). Our study showed that Russians use more platforms for online access (mobile phones, laptops, consoles, smart TV, etc.) than Yakuts and access the Internet through a bigger number of locations, not being limited to home and/or office only. They also have higher level of social, technical, and creative ICT skills, and demonstrate higher levels of digital engagement and overall digital inclusion. We argue that the explanation here lies first of all in the geographical domain, that is traditional location of ethnic minority (Yakuts) in a region that is less digitally advantaged in terms of Internet access, cost, speed, and other factors (Far Eastern federal district), and is not related to ethnicity itself. We think therefore that this study is a good illustration of how the first and the second levels of the digital divide interrelate and influence each other, leading to a situation when people with lower access to the Internet and ICTs have lower skills and competences to use them, therefore risking to become digitally and also socially excluded.
The effect of aerobic training on motor function and muscle architecture in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Bulut Numan , Karaduman Ayşe , Alemdaroğlu-Gürbüz İpek , Yılmaz Öznur , Topaloğlu Haluk , Özçakar Levent
Published: April 2022

Objective

To explore the effects of aerobic training adding to home-based exercise program on motor function and muscle architectural properties in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Design

This is a prospective randomized controlled study.

Setting

Pediatric neuromuscular clinic in a tertiary care center.

Subjects

Children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Interventions

Children were randomly divided into two groups whereby 12-weeks aerobic training was additionally given in treatment group in contrast to the control group which received only home-based exercise program.

Main Measures

Motor Function Measure and Six Minute Walk Test were used for clinical evaluation, and muscle architectural properties (thickness, pennation angle and fascicle length) were measured by ultrasound imaging. Both groups were assessed at baseline and after 12-weeks of training.

Results

Median age of children was 7.9 years in the treatment group and 8.6 years in the control group ( p > 0.05). Significant improvements were obtained for Motor Function Measure and Six Minute Walk Test from baseline to 12-weeks in the treatment group; Motor Function Measure total score changed from 83.2 (6.1) to 86.9 (4.0) vs. 82.3 (10.2) to 80.4 (9.4) points in the control group ( p  =  0.006 ); 6 Minute Walk Test distance changed from 395.3 (46.6) to 413.0 (52.3) vs. 421.7 (64.4) to 393.8 (68.2) meters in the control group ( p < 0.001). However, muscle architectural parameters did not change during study period ( p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Aerobic training may be of additional value in improving motor function and performance with no remarkable effect on muscle architectural properties.
MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Lina , Han Yanan , Wang Hua , Liu Huanyu , Liu Shan , Yang Hongbin , Ren Xiaoxia , Fang Ying
Published: April 2022

Objective

The clinical importance of aberrantly expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been well established, so was investigated in this systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

Articles in online databases from inception to March 17, 2021 were retrieved. Random effects meta-analysis was used to obtain sensitivity, specificity, positive (PLRs) and negative likelihood ratios (NLRs), diagnostic odds ratios (DORs), and areas under the curve (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for IBD diagnosis.

Results

Of 117 studies reporting altered miRNA expression in IBD included in the systematic review, 15 involving 937 patients with IBD and 707 controls, 22 miRNAs, and two miRNA panels were eligible for meta-analysis. Pooled analyses showed a moderate diagnostic accuracy for miRNAs in the IBD diagnosis, with a sensitivity of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.79–0.82), specificity of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.82–0.86), DOR of 21.19 (95% CI: 13.90–32.31), and AUC of 0.89. Subgroup analyses revealed a better performance in patients with ulcerative colitis (AUC, 0.93) than Crohn’s disease (AUC, 0.84). Consistent upregulation of miR-21, miR-16, and miR-192 in blood with a high-moderate diagnostic accuracy was found in at least two studies.

Conclusions

These findings suggest miRNAs are credible diagnostic biomarkers in IBD.
Successful reconstruction of natural femoral anteversion using a short femoral stem in total hip arthroplasty surgery
Authors: Hakim Raja , Weinstein Aryeh , Dabby Dan , Rozen Nimrod , Shabshin Nogah , Rubin Guy
Published: April 2022

Objective

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) involves postoperative risks, such as thigh pain, periprosthetic fractures, and stress yielding. Short, anatomical, metaphyseal-fitting, cementless femoral stems were developed to reduce these postoperative risks. This study aimed to examine the “MiniMAX” prosthesis, which is a new generation, short, anatomical femoral stem made by Medacta.

Methods

Patients underwent a low-dose computed tomography scan. Femoral anteversion was measured. We assessed the position and anteversion of the femoral component and compared them with the unoperated side. We also assessed the patients’ satisfaction and functional levels at 6 months postsurgery using the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the Oxford Hip Score (OHS).

Results

Nineteen individuals were recruited in this study. We found no significant difference in femoral anteversion between the operated hip and the native hip. Using the HHS and OHS questionnaires, we found clinical improvement in the 6-month postoperative scores compared with the preoperative scores.

Discussion

The new-generation, short, anatomical femoral stem made by Medacta is successful in reproducing natural femoral anteversion, while also improving patients’ functioning and lifestyle. Future large-scale, prospective comparison trials are required to further investigate this topic.
Distracted Driving Crashes: A Review on Data Collection, Analysis, and Crash Prevention Methods
Authors: Sajid Hasan Ahmed , Jalayer Mohammad , Heitmann Eric , Weiss Joseph
Published: April 2022

Distracted driving is one of the top three reasons for traffic fatalities. Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in motor vehicle crashes resulting from distracted driving and recent technological advancements have increased the sources and frequency of distractions. This study provides a comprehensive literature review and a summary of findings for identifying best practices to collect and analyze data on distracted driving and countermeasures to mitigate distracted driving. It identifies literature published since 2006 that focuses exclusively on distracted driving. The results found that the severity of crashes involving distracted driving depends primarily on driver behavior and the geometric design of roadway and temporal variables. It was also found that several techniques exist to collect driver behavior data using dashcam cameras integrated into the dashboard of vehicles. For the detection of distracted driving, deep learning techniques are most often used by researchers. It is also found that the integration of the three Es approach in countermeasures is needed to mitigate distracted driving. These findings will help decision-makers comprehend the significant contributing factors associated with crashes involving distracted driving and implement the necessary data collection, data analysis, and practical treatments to reduce the crash severity. Based on the literature review findings, future research recommendations to address distracted driving are proposed.
Driving Simulator Trajectory-Level Analysis of Truck Drivers’ Behavioral Alteration in Connected Vehicles Environment Under Fog with Complex Roadway Geometry
Authors: Khoda Bakhshi Arash , Ahmed Mohamed M.
Published: April 2022

Foggy weather increases crash likelihood when coinciding with roadway geometry changes inconsistent with drivers’ expectations. The situation might be exacerbated for heavy trucks having to evade critical safety events because of the vehicles’ maneuverability limitations, imposing prime safety challenges on major freight corridors like Interstate-80 (I-80) in the U.S. Aligned with the connected vehicle (CV) pilot program on I-80 in Wyoming, this study intends to unveil how CV technology alleviates safety concerns in this regard. To this aim, a with/without analysis approach was performed utilizing a high-fidelity truck driving simulator. Twenty-three professional truck drivers were recruited to drive the simulator in CV scenario with traveler information messages, including foggy weather ahead and an advisory speed of 45 mph, and in a non-CV counterpart without notifications. Longitudinal and lateral drivers’ behaviors were quantified by kinematic-based surrogate measures of safety (K-SMoS) characterized on vehicles’ trajectory, including longitudinal speed, lateral speed, steering, their corresponding spatial standard deviations, and the coefficient of variation of longitudinal speed. The central tendency and dispersion of K-SMoS distributions were compared between CVs and non-CVs throughout the simulated roadway. Results showed immediate truck drivers’ compliance to CV notifications, which was more apparent in their longitudinal driving behaviors. On a horizontal curve with poor visibility, statistically significant reductions in central tendency and dispersion of K-SMoS distributions up to 67% in CVs were observed, minimizing the crash risk in CV environments. Besides, findings revealed that exposure to the CV notifications minimized drivers’ behavior uncertainty, manifesting in their improved situational awareness and enhancing the safety performance of the traffic stream.
Review of the HCM6 Capacity Estimation Methodology for Freeways
Authors: Geistefeldt Justin , Shojaat Siavash
Published: April 2022

Chapter 26 of the Highway Capacity Manual sixth edition (HCM6) suggests a procedure for the empirical estimation of freeway capacity, which is based on the direct estimation of breakdown probabilities for bins of traffic volumes. This paper expounds that this methodology is unsuitable for obtaining reliable capacity estimations. The theoretical analysis of the deficiencies of the methodology is supported by empirical capacity estimations for 12 freeway sections in California. Based on the empirical results, alternatives to the HCM6 capacity estimation methodology including statistical models for censored data as well as the distribution of prebreakdown volumes are proposed and validated.
Evaluation of Factors Influencing Roundabout Performance in Atlanta
Authors: Gbologah Franklin Ekoue , Wei Anqi , Rodgers Michael
Published: April 2022

This paper evaluates the potential impacts of various geometric and operational parameters on gap-acceptance behavior for approaches to roundabouts in the metropolitan area of Atlanta, Georgia. Twelve roundabouts were selected to provide a range of different conditions such as number of legs, number of circulating lanes, conflicting volumes, presence of pedestrian crossings, and so forth. Observational data were collected at these roundabouts using a remotely operated drone equipped with a stabilized high-resolution (4K) video camera operating at a sufficient altitude (just less than 400 ft/120 m) to encompass the complete facility within a single frame. The resulting videos were processed using commercial machine vision analysis supplemented by additional computer-assisted analysis to determine vehicle trajectories, spacings, and potential conflicts on a frame-by-frame (0.033 s) basis. These data, in turn, were used to establish gap-acceptance behavior of each roundabout approach and, through the use of logistic regression on the data, to establish observed critical headways (defined as the logistic inflection point [ t50]). The variability of observed headways was compared against known parameters of both the roundabout and of the specific approach to develop a descriptive/predictive model as to how critical headways and gap-acceptance behavior were affected by variations in these parameters. Several factors were observed to have significant impacts on critical headways, including geometric (size category of the roundabout, number of legs, and visual angle to the upstream approach), environmental (presence of a state route on the upstream approach, presence of additional conflicting lanes, presence of a pedestrian crosswalk on the approach), and operational (approach speeds) factors.
Causes, Implications, and Strategies for Project Closeout Delays in Highway Construction
Authors: Tummalapudi Manideep , M. Harper Christofer , Taylor Timothy R.B. , Waddle Steve , Catchings Rachel
Published: April 2022

In highway construction, completing projects on time is critical. However, when projects are not completed on time, one of the aspects that is often neglected by the state departments of transportation (DOTs), which causes delays in highway construction, is project closeout. The project closeout phase, if delayed, not only has consequences for transportation agencies and contractors, but also leads to substantial social costs to the public. Despite the potential magnitude of the impact, there is limited knowledge about the factors that cause project closeout delays or about strategies for timely highway construction project closeouts. This study identified the causes that delay highway project closeouts, raises awareness of the implications of delays, and provides recommendations for efficient highway project closeout practices. The research methodology included an extensive literature review, a survey questionnaire (40 state DOTs participating), and case studies of eight state DOTs. The results showed that difficulties in attaining the required documentation, claims and litigations, managing multiple funding sources, a lack of urgency from local utilities/entities, and the lack of sufficient DOT project staff are major factors that delay project closeout. When a highway construction project is not closed out in a timely manner, the DOT can be subject to additional costs, obsolete funding sources, loss of project documentation, loss of staff with project knowledge (through retirement/attrition), and potential adverse impacts on internal and external relationships. The authors provide recommendations for state DOTs to mitigate closeout delays and help ensure timely finalization of highway construction projects.
Melt-blown fiber mat interleaving enhances the performance of single-polypropylene composites
Authors: Kara Yahya , Molnár Kolos
Published: April 2022

In this study, we demonstrate that integrating melt-blown fiber mat interleaves into single-polypropylene composites enhances several mechanical properties and influences the morphology positively. Polypropylene veils were generated by melt blowing. We then created single-polypropylene composites by film-stacking in which we applied a film as a matrix, a woven fabric as primary reinforcement, and the melt-blown fiber mats as interleaves. The tensile modulus was improved in the range of 20%–46%, and the interlaminar shear strength and the perforation energy at impact were increased by 17% and 14%, respectively, due to interleaving. Master curves were constructed from dynamic mechanical analysis frequency sweep tests based on the time–temperature superposition principle. The storage modulus significantly increased while the tanδ decreased. The interleaving considerably reduced the delamination by creating a net-like structure leading to superior interfacial adhesion. The interleaving demonstrated in this study can promote single-polymer composites’ utilization in various engineering applications where high toughness and impact resistance are required.
Understanding the cellular response of human tenon fibroblast on polycaprolactone-Aloe vera blend fiber
Authors: Gopal Divya , Ramani Madhura , George Ronnie , Janakiraman Narayanan
Published: April 2022

The signalling response is determined by the cell's reaction to different biochemical and biophysical inputs such as stiffness, topological, and structural alignment. The surface patterns at the nano-scale can be an influential factor in cell signalling behaviour. It is important to understand the cellular response to the biophysical cues for biomedical applications. Biomaterials have an important role in regenerative tissue engineering. In this study, we have fabricated electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) and PCL- Aloe vera (PCL-AV) nanofibrous matrix and studied its effect on the human tenon fibroblast (HTF) cellular and morphological changes. The electrospun fibers were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Brunaur, Emette and Teller (BET) analysis for their morphology, composition, topography, surface area and porosity. The results revealed fiber size, roughness and porosity has been altered by addition of AV. The HTF cell viability, proliferation and expression of focal adhesion proteins, such as FAK, Ezrin, Vasp and Cofilin on the PCL-AV fiber matrix were examined. The results showed a change in cellular morphology and a significant change in the cofilin phosphorylation on PCL-AV nanofiber. The influence of Aloe vera composition on the nano-dimension of the PCL has made a significant impact on the cellular morphology at both gene and protein levels. This observation suggests that AV composition in the nanofiber can significantly influence the HTF cellular adhesions.
Apathy as a Predictor for Conversion From Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies
Authors: Fresnais David , Humble Mats B. , Bejerot Susanne , Meehan Adrian D. , Fure Brynjar
Published: April 2022

Background

Apathy is one of the most prevalent neurobehavioral manifestations in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and is included among the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Studies suggest that the presence of apathy could be associated with increased dementia risk. The role of apathy in conversion from MCI to dementia, and whether apathy could be a relevant predictor for dementia progression, are still matters of investigation.

Aim

To study the relationship between apathy and progression to dementia in individuals with MCI.

Methods

A systematic literature search in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, PsychINFO, and CINAHL was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search included longitudinal studies reporting on the association between apathy and dementia.

Results

The main outcome was pooled unadjusted hazard ratios (HR) of apathy in dementia conversion and included 11 studies with 9504 individuals. There was a significant association between apathy and dementia conversion, HR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.29, 1.84. Subgroup analysis showed a significant association between apathy and progression to AD.

Conclusion

Apathy was associated with an increased risk of conversion to AD and all-cause dementia in patients with MCI. The role of apathy as a marker for incident dementia needs to be investigated in large, high-quality studies.
A Glimpse Into an Uncommon Mind: A Review of My Life with a Theory
Authors: Spokane Arnold R.
Published: April 2022

Rayman & Gottfredson’s (2020) My Life with a theory is reviewed with comments on the insights provided by the volume.
Structural assessment of pre-flexion in silicone implants for arthroplasty of the first metatarsophalangeal joint
Authors: Campos Natali Mancera , Vidal-Lesso Agustín , Bayod-Lopez Javier , Bengoa-Vallejo Ricardo Becerro de
Published: April 2022

The development of numerical models to analyze pathologies and implants related to the first metatarsophalangeal joint of the foot remains an issue for attention. The structural effects of implants pre-flexion have been discarded in several finite elements analyses due to complexities to achieve these positions. This work aims to evaluate if the pre-flexion stress state should be included or could be discarded when only flexion is applied in two different silicone commercial implants, Swanson and Tornier, during a gait cycle. Finite element models were created for silicone implants. Both models were discretized using high-order finite elements. The hyperelasticity constitutive material model of Arruda-Boyce was used, based on experimental data; its behavior was compared with linear elastic models reported and used frequently assuming small and large deformations and applying to the Swanson and Tornier implants a flexion angle of 64°, which corresponds to in vivo measurements reported after implantation. Comparison between models, regarding hyperelastic model, showed mean variations of up to 32.5% for stresses and 14.01% for bending moment in Swanson implant, while for Tornier implant mean variations of 29.73% and 632.55% was obtained for stress and bending moment respectively. The maximum stress value obtained for the hyperelastic model in the Swanson implant reached a value of 22.82% of the tensile strength of the implant material while in the Tornier implant reached a value of 25.92%, the above values were evaluated at a flexion angle of 64°. The results suggest considering in finite element analyses not only the stress state generated to achieve critical flexion position in pleflexed implants models but also the hyperelastic material behavior of silicone for implants to avoid dismissing the non-linear structural behavior of hyperelastic materials.
Intermittent event-triggered control for finite-time bipartite consensus of second-order multi-agent systems
Authors: Zhou Yunchou , Yang Yongqing , Chang Qi , Xu Xianyun
Published: April 2022

This article discusses how second-order nonlinear multi-agent systems achieve bipartite consensus in finite-time using intermittent event-triggered control strategies. Due to the problem arising from antagonistic links between neighboring nodes of second-order multi-agents, the finite-time bipartite consensus analysis is investigated, which is more challenging than that with only cooperative communication links. Accounting for limitations of communication bandwidths, an intermittent framework is proposed first. By utilizing algebraic graph theories and gauge transformations, sufficient conditions are given to achieve finite-time consensus in signed second-order multi-agent systems. Second, a hybrid control mechanism combining intermittent control with event-triggered control is developed. Therefore, some finite-time synchronization conditions of second-order multi-agents on signed graphs are further studied. The proposed protocol reduces the updating frequency of the controller, which saves communication resources a lot. Finally, the Zeno behavior is excluded and some numerical examples are performed to show the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.
Combined hygrothermal aging and mechanical loading effect on unidirectional glass/epoxy composites
Authors: Angrizani Clarissa C , de Oliveira Branca F , Lorandi Natalia P , Ornaghi Heitor L , Amico Sandro C
Published: April 2022

Composites are subjected to different use conditions. Hence, the mechanical properties under different aging conditions are crucial in the composite field. This study aims to investigate the aging effect of a glass/epoxy unidirectional composite in three distinct conditions: mechanical, hygrothermal (hot water), and combined (mechanical and hygrothermal) aging. The composites in the longitudinal [0°] and transversal [90°] directions were molded by RTM with a 37% volume fraction. The aging effects on tensile, compressive, shear, short-beam properties, and dynamic-mechanical characteristics, in 0° and 90° fiber direction, were studied. The aging conditions are affected differently, depending on the property analyzed. Comparing aged and non-aged composites, the tensile (from 380 GPa to 140 GPa and from 80 GPa to 40 GPa for non-aged and combined aging in 0° and 90° directions, respectively) and compressive strength (from 250 MPa to 50 MPa and from 100 MPa to 25 MPa for non-aged and combined aging in 0° and 90° directions, respectively) showed greater relative drop than the elastic modulus (a decrease of 3–4 GPa for all aging analyzed compared to the no-aged composites) due to a deleterious effect on the interface and the chemical aging present in the polymeric matrix attenuates the deleterious effect on it. Besides, the properties measured in the 0° direction were more affected than in the 90° direction with the combined aging the most affected property.
Is Profit Motive Infecting Indian Private Health Care Sector? An Analysis of Unincorporated Healthcare Providers
Authors: Datta Pritam , Chaudhuri Chetana
Published: April 2022

Indian healthcare system is dominated by private sector; its importance is growing with implementation of ‘Ayushman Bharat’, flagship programme of Indian government. Though 62% and 75% of inpatient and outpatient cases in India are treated in private sector, the information about the economy of private healthcare providers is very limited. To the author’s best knowledge, this is the first attempt to address the issue with empirical evidence for the private healthcare providers from a nationally representative survey data for India. Private healthcare sector is estimated to provide employment to 2.34 million persons annually and generate gross value added (GVA) of ₹473.3 billion. Treatment cost on an average is much high in private sector as compared to the public sector. But supply-side data show that average annual receipt per annum is six times higher than average operating cost per annum for unincorporated private healthcare providers in India, indicating underlying profit motive. Analysis of factor payments shows that 55% of GVA of unincorporated private hospitals is gross operating surplus (or profit), followed by emoluments paid to employees and workers (42%). These factors potentially cause over-charging in private sector. Context-specific and appropriate regulatory mechanisms are very much needed to ensure quality of services and control medical inflation.
Transforming the Rights-Based Encounter: Disability Rights, Disability Justice, and the Ethics of Access
Authors: Bennett Kristin C. , Hannah Mark A.
Published: April 2022

Technical and professional communication (TPC) has recently turned to social justice to interrogate seemingly neutral documents’ impacts on marginalized populations, including disabled individuals. In workplace contexts, such efforts are often impeded by rights-based discourse that maintains ableist institutional spaces and impedes efforts toward broader institutional change. Recognizing that TPC practitioners likely will encounter rights-based discourse, this article offers an ethical decision-making framework that couples the field's previous disability studies work with disability justice. We offer guidelines and a critical vocabulary for bridging legal rights and social justice concerns to inspire ethical articulations of disability access needed for transformative change.
Epidemiology, Management, and Long-Term Survival Outcomes of Intracranial Typical Site Germinomas: An Analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results (SEER) Database
Authors: Che Wenqiang , Wang Yujiao , Zhou Yanmin , Wang Xiangyu , Lyu Jun
Published: April 2022

Background

The correlations of epidemiological characteristics and clinical outcomes with different tumor sites in patients with intracranial typical site germinomas (ICTSGs) have not yet been well established. We analyzed ICTSGs using a multicenter database, focusing on its demographic, management patterns, and long-term survival outcomes.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with ICTSGs were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results (SEER) database. Demographic information and management patterns of ICTSGs were extracted for data analysis stratified by different tumor sites. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to evaluate the survival outcome stratified by treatment, tumor site and tumor size.

Results

Among the 327 patients enrolled in the study, 16.21% had tumors located in the suprasellar region and 83.79% in the pineal region. The proportion of males was significantly higher among pineal germinomas (94.16 vs 66.04%; P < .001). Smaller tumors (<24 mm) were more common in the suprasellar region (37.74 vs 18.87%; P < .001). A higher percentage of patients with suprasellar germinomas underwent surgery. Radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT) was, respectively, administered to 82.97 and 60.61% of patients during the treatment period, with no significant difference between suprasellar and pineal germinomas. CT plus RT was the most common treatment modality for both pituitary (30.19%) and pineal (33.94%) germinomas. Both RT and CT were associated with improved long-term survival. No survival difference was observed between suprasellar and pineal germinomas.

Conclusions

Despite significant differences in epidemiology and management, pineal and suprasellar germinomas had a similar long-term clinical outcome.
“Listen to the People of Starkville”: Dynamics of (Extra-)Local Political Opposition to Short-Term Rental Regulation in a Small Southern City
Authors: Shelton Taylor
Published: April 2022

Though housing inequality is manifest in a variety of ways around the world, one of the most noteworthy has been the rise of short-term rentals. And while a growing body of literature has demonstrated the negative impacts of this new housing typology on cities and neighborhoods, as well as the need for such cities to regulate this phenomenon, scholars have had less to say about how the fights for and against these regulations have actually played out. Through a case study of proposed short-term rental regulations in the small southern college town of Starkville, Mississippi, this paper documents some of the key ways that fights over short-term rental regulation actually play out on the ground, and how these dynamics can lead to more effective approaches to regulating short-term rentals in the future.
Between Return and Resistance: Rap as a Means of Access to Engagement and Empowerment Among French Hmong Youth
Authors: Shi Tian
Published: April 2022

This article aims to discuss how diasporic Hmong youth express nostalgia and resistance through rap music, transmit collective memory, encourage young people to question social and political structures, and engage in public life. Based on fieldwork in France, this article explores how French Hmong rap artists convert their nostalgia, experience and in-betweenness into the sound space. This article also demonstrates how French Hmong rap artists construct an alternative discourse in which young people are able to show solidarity. As a result, this article provides some insights into navigating the popular culture of an underrepresented community and its belonging, nostalgia and resistance.