bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of the Monitoring System for Subway Platform Screen Doors Based on CAN Bus
Authors: Hu Caiqi
Published: September 2021

In this paper, the application layer communication protocol of CAN bus and the monitoring system for subway platform screen doors are proposed. The system framework is built, hardware of every function module for this system is selected, and the monitoring platform of epigynous machine is designed. On the basis of the above work the communication function of the monitoring system is realized, and specific flow
chart is given. This system has been tested at a subway line in Shanghai. And the results prove that the system is in full compliance with industry standards and can completely meet the application requirements. The architecture plan of the system is practically proven to be valid and feasible.
Energy Efficient Clustering for Wireless Sensor Networks using EASSR
Authors: Chalapathi Rao Y. , Santhi Rani Ch.
Published: September 2021

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) consist of a large quantity of small and low cost sensor nodes powered by small non rechargeable batteries and furnish with various sensing devices. The cluster-based technique is one of the good perspectives to reduce energy consumption in WSNs. The lifetime of WSNs is maximized by using the uniform cluster location and balancing the network loading between the clusters. We have reviewed various energy efficient schemes apply in WSNs of which we concerted on clustering approach. So, in this paper we have discussed about few existing energy efficient clustering techniques and proposed an Energy Aware Sleep Scheduling Routing (EASSR) scheme for WSN in which some nodes are usually put to sleep to conserve energy, and this helps to prolong the network lifetime. EASSR selects a node as a cluster head if its residual energy is more than system average energy and have low energy consumption rate in existing round. The efforts of this scheme are, increase of network stability period, and minimize loss of sensed data. Performance analysis and compared statistic results show that EASSR has significant improvement over existing methods in terms of energy consumption, network lifetime and data units gathered at BS.
Quality Enhancement of AC Chopper Using Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Mahendran S. , I Gnanambal , A Maheswari
Published: September 2021

This paper mainly deals with the design of AC chopper using Genetic Algorithm based harmonic elimination technique. Genetic Algorithm is used to calculate optimum switching angles to eliminate lower order harmonics in the output voltage. Total Harmonic Distortion of output voltage is calculated from the obtained switching angles and also adopted in the proposed fitness function. Comparative analysis is made for the switching angles obtained by the Newton Raphson method and the proposed Genetic Algorithm. The analysis reveals that the proposed technique is on par with conventional method. Additionally, the Genetic Algorithm approach offers less computational burden, guaranteed global optima in most cases and faster convergence. The proposed method is simulated in Matlab/Simulink model and the results shows that the proposed method works with high effectiveness, accuracy and rapidity.
Identification of Lung Cancer Using a Back Propagation Neural Network
Authors: Irianto Bambang Guruh , Mak'ruf Mohamad Ridha , Titisari Dyah
Published: September 2021

Reading image of lung cancer screening well-known as X-ray by practitioners are sometimes subjective. This research tried to create software that can detect lung cancer as a comparison of the work of medical practitioners using artificial neural networks (ANN), with X-ray movies taken from the tool diagnostic radiography (DR) stored in the compact disc. The dependent variable observation in this study is the identification of DR X-ray image size of 1024 x 1024 pixels. A total of 10 images X-ray which has been observed by the physician radiology. With 5 images X-ray normal and 5 images lung cancer. In this study, the image processing is done through three stages: neighborhood averaging, median filter and histogram equalization. The result of these features are grouped in normal categories. From test results stating the truth 80%. To facilitate the user in the lung disease pattern recognition. GUI applications design using MATLAB. We use some form of image processing which includes form training andtesting. The best parameters obtained from this research include learning rate=0.3, the number of hidden layer=30 and tolerance error=10-8. From the results obtained by the level of accuracy of the training image of normal lung, lung cancer in a row is 80%. Overall the level of accuracy of the results is 80%.
A Review on Development and Operational Strategy of Fault Current Limiters
Authors: Janani Priyadharshna S.P. , Venkatesan T.
Published: September 2021

Distributed Generation (DG) plays a major role in existing power system. When such distributed generation system is interconnected with micro-grid improves voltage profile, power quality but at the same time results in fault conditions. Among various faults occurring in the power system, short circuit faults are the most predominant case. This results in the increase in flow of the fault current in the line. Also the equipments installed in such a line get damaged internally due to flow of excess fault current. Therefore in order to improve the transient conditions and limit the fault current to a manageable level, a device called Fault Current Limiters (FCLs) are being used in recent trend. This paper reviews about various fault current limiters, their development, characteristics and operating performance in the system. It gives a detailed knowledge about various operations performed by fault current limiters that is compared with other conventional techniques.
Study of Hybrid PV-Wind Energy System to Isolated Micro-grid
Authors: M. Dawoud Samir , Lin Xiangning
Published: September 2021

The optimal sizing of the isolated hybrid microgrid using an optimization technique was proposed. The hybrid system features WT, PV and conversion systems were used to feed the electrical load demand. A HOMER software was used to model system performance during a time of one year, considering Sensitivity variations in both the availability of renewable energy sources and variations in the load demand. The optimal solution was obtained with respect to decrease the cost of energy (COE) and the loss of power supply probability (LPSP) over a project lifetime of 25 years to improve the isolated operation of the microgrid. The aim of this study is to investigate an optimum combination of different energy systems which can supply electricity to a rural area in Egypt. The results show the COE for the optimal model was found 0.139 $/kWh which is less than half of the PV or WT system.
Study of BGP Convergence Time: A Survey
Authors: Devikar Rohit Nilkanth , V. Patil Dipak , Chandraprakash V.
Published: September 2021

Border Gatway Protocol (BGP), a path vector routing protocol, is a widespread exterior gateway protocol (EGP) in the internet. Extensive deployment of the new technologies in internet, protocols need to have continuous improvements in its behavior and operations. New routing technologies conserve a top level of service availability. Hence, due to topological changes, BGP needs to achieve a fast network convergence. Now a days size of the network growing very rapidly. To maintain the high scalability in the network BGP needs to avoid instability. The instability and failures may cause the network into an unstable state, which significantly increases the network convergence time. This paper summarizes the various approaches like BGP policies, instability, and fault detection etc. to improve the convergence time of BGP.
Machine Learning Based Automotive Forensic Analysis for Mobile Applications Using Data Mining
Authors: Hussain Khan MD. , Pradeepini G.
Published: September 2021

Phone is a device which provides communication between the people through voice, text, video etc. Now a day’s people may leave without food but not without using phones. No of operating systems are working with various versions and various security issues are working. Security is very important task in Mobiles and mobile apps. To improve the security status of mobiles, existing methodology is using cloud computing and data mining. Out traditional method is named as MobSafe to identify the mobile apps antagonism or graciousness. In the proposed system, we adopt Android Security Evaluation Framework (ASEF) and Static Android Analysis Framework (SAAF).In this paper, our proposed system works on machine learning to conduct automotive forensic analysis of mobile apps based on the generated multifaceted data in this stage.
Prediction of Poor Inhabitant Number Using Least Square and Moving Average Method
Authors: Ekawati Ningrum
Published: September 2021

Poor population in South Kalimantan recently shows a decreased number for the last three years, compared to few previous years. The number of poor population differs from time to time. This dynamical scaled number has actually been a problem for South Kalimantan local government to take proper policies to solve this matter.  It will then be necessary to predict potential number of poor population in the next year as the basis of subsequent policy making. This research will apply both Least Square and Moving Average methods as measurement to count prediction values. From the result, we can say that prediction analysis using those two methods is valid for predicting acquired number of potential people population based on its previous data due to its closest result to the actual condition. Reviewing the test result of last three years, the applied least square method shows validity of 92, 8%. Meanwhile, the applied moving average method shows validity of 98,8% both are considered valid.
Power Transformer Incipient Faults Diagnosis Based on Dissolved Gas Analysis
Authors: E. Gouda Osama , M. Saleh Saber , Hamdy EL-Hoshy Salah
Published: September 2021

Incipient fault diagnosis of a power transformer is greatly influenced by the condition assessment of its insulation system oil and/or paper insulation. Dissolved gas-in-oil analysis (DGA) is one of the most powerfull techniques for the detection of incipient fault condition within oil-immersed transformers. The transformer data has been analyzed using key gases, Doernenburg, Roger, IEC and Duval triangle techniques. This paper introduce a MATLAB program to help in unification DGA interpretation techniques to investigate the accuracy of these techniques in interpreting the transformer condition and to provide the best suggestion for the type of the fault within the transformer based on fault percentage. It proposes a proper maintenance action based on DGA results which is useful for planning an appropriate maintenance strategy to keep the power transformer in acceptable condition. The evaluation is carried out on DGA data obtained from 352 oil samples has been summarized into 46 samples that have been collected from a 38 different transformers of different rating and different life span.
A Novel Protective Logic for Optimal Coordination of Overcurrent Relays
Authors: Samadinasab Sajad , Namdari Farhad , Shojaei Nader
Published: September 2021

Usually coordination of overcurrent relays is done by taking into account the specific structure of the system which does not show the real state of the system. On the other hand, dynamic changes in network can occur due to short circuit conditions, the malfunctioning relays, development, operation and repairs on any part of the power system. Also the most of the new protective schemes are based on a communication channel, which cannot be guaranteed in practice. Therefore, solving the problem of relay coordination is extremely difficult in case of dynamic changes in the network structure and the absence of communication links between some relays. In this article, a novel protective logic based on phasor measurement units (PMUs) data is proposed for optimal coordination of overcurrent relays. In this method, by using the PMU measurements, phasor information can be obtained continuously at any node where PMUs are installed in the power grid. For this purpose, in the first the Optimal PMU placement is determined for full network observability. Then, the dynamic changes of network will be observe by using wide area measurements based on PMUs data. Finally this information is sent via communication links PMUs for the optimal coordination of overcurrent relays. The use of PMU for the coordination of overcurrent relays improve the decision making capability and performance of protective relays and help them to form a reliable and robust protection system. The proposed method is tested on IEEE 8-bus and 14-bus standard networks.
Biogeography Based Optimization Tuned Fuzzy Logic Controller to Adjust Speed of Electric Vehicle
Authors: Waley Salam , Mao Chengxiong , K. Bachache Nasseer
Published: September 2021

There are many power electronic converters and motor drives connected together to form the electrical system of an Electric Vehicle. In this paper, we have presented a modeling tool that has the advantages of utilizing capabilities of the PMSM software in detailed simulations of converters, motor drives, and electric machines. In addition, equivalent electrical models of Electric Vehicle drive system. This paper also gives a brief idea of PMSM validity as an Electric Vehicle simulation tool. PMSM drive system is described and analyzed due to its importance in many applications especially in Electric Vehicle applications. Applications due to their high efficiency, low inertia and high torque to volume ratio. In this paper we embody the simulation of Fuzzy Logic Controller. The controller govern the speed control of Electrical Vehicle EV using permanent magnet synchronous motor PMSM. This work characterizes to obtain the optimal parameters of FLC. Biogeography Based Optimization (BBO) is a new intelligent technique for optimization; it can be used to tune the parameters in different fields. The main contribution of this work efforts the ability of BBO to design the parameters of FLC by determining the shapes of triangle memberships of the inputs and output. The results of optimal controller (BBO-FLC) compared with the other controllers designed by Genetic Algorithm GA which it is a powerful method has been found to solve the optimization problem. The implementation of BBO algorithm has been done by M-file/Matlab, this program linked with SIMULINK to calculate the finesses function which has the complete mathematical system model has implemented using. The results show the excellent performance of BBO-FLC compared with GA-FLC and PI controller, also the proposed method was very fast and need a few number of iterations. These results also confirmed that the transient torque and current never exceed the maximum permissible value.
Analysis of Amplify-and-Forward Cooperative Networks with Nakagami-m fading Channels For MRC Diversity Combining
Authors: Mohammed Ali Abdulwahhab , Yu Li , Al-Kali Manar , Wang Desheng
Published: September 2021

In this paper we study the effect of diversity combining for Nakagami -m fading Channels in the amplify-and-forward cooperative networks.We derive the cumulative density function (CDF), probability density function (PDF) and moment generating function (MGF) for the multiple relay amplify-and-forward network with single half duplex channel maximal ratio combiner (MRC). In this network we investigate the cases of MRC at the destination, as well derive the exact Symbol Error Rate (SER) of M-ary phase-shift keying (M-PSK), and quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM) in Nakagami -m fading environment. We present a comparison between M-PSK and M-QAM modulation schemes in some representative scenarios where an arbitrary number of cooperative relays is considered.
An Interactive Mobile Augmented Reality for Tourism Objects at Purbalingga District
Authors: Tahyudin Imam , Surya Saputra Dhanar Intan , Haviluddin Haviluddin
Published: September 2021

This paper presents the development of an interactive mobile Augmented Reality (AR) for tourism promotion with eXtreme programming (XP) at Purbalingga district, Central Java that has many places of tourist attractions such as Owabong, Purbasari Pancuran Mas, Sanggaluri Park and Buper Munjuluhur. By applying the AR concept it is expected the tourism objects could be enhanced by augmenting the virtual brochures which could be viewed over a mobile device. In this study, mobile device Android platform is used to display interactive brochures of tourism promotion containing 3D models, animations, and sounds. The brochure will provide information in of real attractions of the tourism objects in the Purbalingga district.
Nodes Deployment Scheme of Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Network Based on Organic Small Molecule Model
Authors: Zhang Juwei , Wang Yu , Liu Yachuang , Li Qiangyi
Published: September 2021

For nodes deployment of heterogeneous sensor network, based on different probability sensing models of heterogeneous nodes, refer to organic small molecule model, ‘class molecule’ sensing model of heterogeneous nodes is proposed. Combined with DSmT data fusion model, the changes of network coverage ratio after using the new sensing model and data fusion algorithm is studied. According to the research results, the node-deployment strategy of heterogeneous sensor networks based on organic small molecule model (NHOS) is proposed. Sensor network simulation model is established using MATLAB software, the results show the effectiveness of the algorithm, the coverage of network and detection efficiency of nodes are improved, the lifetime of network is prolonged, energy consumption and the number of deployment nodes is reduced, and the scope of perceiving is expanded. As a result, NHOS can improve the detection performance of the network.
O pior exemplo: uma análise fílmica de Drácula 3000
Authors: Lachowski Victor Finkler , Buzinhani Filho Osmar Serafim , Matsumura Lucas
Published: September 2021

Este artigo realiza uma análise fílmica da obra Drácula 3000 (ROODT, 2004). Para isso, discute-se a presença de mitos e seu realocamento da cultura pop para outra temporalidade sob uma lógica capitalista, as narrativas de ficção científica e a relação entre os mitos e os arquétipos presentes nos personagens da trama. Como resultado, foi observado que a criação da obra parte de uma lógica mercadológica capitalista, que reconta mitos por meio de personagens baseados em arquétipos, visando ao lucro com uma produção cultural. Assim, os mitos continuam vivos dentro da cultura e do conhecimento popular. Também foi concluído que o conteúdo do filme pertence principalmente ao gênero da ficção científica, porém utiliza diversos elementos da fantasia como suporte para justificar sua trama, além de diálogos com o terror e a ação para auxiliar a direção e as decisões de roteiro.
A precarização do trabalho no contexto da pandemia de Covid-19: uma leitura do filme Estou me guardando para quando o Carnaval chegar (2019)
Authors: Costa Matheus Guimarães
Published: September 2021

Diante da urgência em discutir relações de trabalho e suas implicações nas subjetividades dos sujeitos, conforme compreendemos que a estrutura social brasileira está apoiada sobre a exploração laboral de certos grupos sociais, ainda mais quando o COVID-19 e a situação de desequilbrio do sistema público de saúde, tem escancarado as desigualdades sociais. Partindo do filme "Estou me guardando para quando o carnaval chegar" (2019), de Marcelo Gomes, esse texto percorre pelas questões que tangem o mundo do trabalho e a informalidade do mesmo, característica da produção do jeans em Toritama, Pernambuco, servindo como ponto de discussão para a realidade atual de muitos trabalhadores no país.
Database of amphibian vouchers and records available at the Kerala Agricultural University Natural History Museum in Thrissur and an updated checklist of amphibians of Kerala, India
Authors: Nameer P.O. , M.S. Syamili  , A.F. Katakath  , U.S. Amal  , M.S. Abhin  , A. Devarajan  , S. Sajitha  , T. Arun  , J. Jobin
Published: September 2021

The amphibian database of the Centre for Wildlife Studies of Kerala Agricultural University has the data that are either available as voucher specimens with the Kerala Agricultural University Natural History Museum (KAUNHM) or as photo vouchers and other opportunistic records from Kerala part of the southern Western Ghats between 2008 and 2020. This repository holds information on 91 species of amphibians belonging to 10 families, of which 87% are endemic to the Western Ghats and 34% are classified under the IUCN Red List threatened categories.  This study highlights the significance of such digital databases that can serve as an immense source of regional biodiversity data, and therefore, biodiversity monitoring and conservation.
Continued use of retracted papers: Temporal trends in citations and (lack of) awareness of retractions shown in citation contexts in biomedicine
Authors: Hsiao Tzu-Kun , Schneider Jodi
Published: September 2021

We present the first database-wide study on the citation contexts of retracted papers, which covers 7,813 retracted papers indexed in PubMed, 169,434 citations collected from iCite, and 48,134 citation contexts identified from the XML version of the PubMed Central Open Access Subset. Compared with previous citation studies that focused on comparing citation counts using two time frames (i.e., preretraction and postretraction), our analyses show the longitudinal trends of citations to retracted papers in the past 60 years (1960–2020). Our temporal analyses show that retracted papers continued to be cited, but that old retracted papers stopped being cited as time progressed. Analysis of the text progression of pre- and postretraction citation contexts shows that retraction did not change the way the retracted papers were cited. Furthermore, among the 13,252 postretraction citation contexts, only 722 (5.4%) citation contexts acknowledged the retraction. In these 722 citation contexts, the retracted papers were most commonly cited as related work or as an example of problematic science. Our findings deepen the understanding of why retraction does not stop citation and demonstrate that the vast majority of postretraction citations in biomedicine do not document the retraction.
How Ibn Saud Became a Romanticized Legend in the U.S., British and French Press (1920–1953)
Authors: Briand Sylvie A.
Published: September 2021

Despite the vast research on Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there has been little attention given to the impact of his representation by the British, French and U.S. press in the first half of the twentieth century. The man who built the kingdom in line with his Islamic sect’s doctrine has been portrayed as a puritan reformer and a modernist, in sharp contrast with the negative representation of other Arabs who happened to be fighting against French and British domination of the region at the time. This research is important for our understanding of how media representation was both a catalyst that contributed to building a reputation and a destiny for Ibn Saud and Saudi Arabia, and also a tool in the hands of the great powers of the time. This study is based on a critical examination of news articles and features published by French, British and American journalists from 1920 until Ibn Saud’s death in 1953.
Serial Readers United
Authors: Kaposi Ildiko , Al-Shammari Shahd
Published: September 2021

Through an exploration of Kuwait’s independent bookstores, the article challenges the reputation of Gulf Arab monarchies as generally lacking a reading culture. It treats independent bookstores as urban spaces designed to enable participation in the practices and rituals of reading books and as indicators of reading microcultures in the country. Run by readers and writers, independent bookstores fill a gap in the cultural landscape in order to cultivate highbrow readership. They nurture emerging communities of readers, creating intimate spaces that blur the boundaries of public and private. They balance art and commerce to assume roles as arbiters of taste, community centers, and literary-cultural societies. Aided by social media, their activities spill over into the wider community and expand beyond the borders of Kuwait, attesting to the resilience of historical patterns of the Arab world of letters and the emergence of the Gulf as a new center in the circuit.
Assessing the role of air-sea coupling in predicting Madden-Julian Oscillation with an atmosphere-ocean coupled model
Authors: Wu Jiye , Li Yue , Luo Jing-Jia , Jiang Xianan
Published: September 2021

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) provides an important source of sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) predictability. Improved MJO prediction can be beneficial to S2S prediction of global climate and associated weather extremes. In this study, hindcasts based on an atmosphere-ocean coupled general circulation model (CGCM) are compared to those based on atmosphere general circulation models (AGCMs) to investigate influences of air-sea interactions on MJO prediction. Our results suggest that MJO prediction skill can be extended about one week longer in the CGCM hindcasts than AGCM-only experiments, particularly for boreal winter predictions.

Further analysis suggests that improved MJO prediction in the CGCM is closely associated with improved representation of moistening processes. Compared to the AGCM experiments, the CGCM better predicts the boundary-layer moisture preconditioning to the east of MJO convection, which is generally considered crucial for triggering MJO deep convection. Meanwhile, the widely extended east-west asymmetric structure in free-tropospheric moisture tendency anomalies relative to the MJO convection center as seen in the observations is also well predicted in the CGCM. Improved prediction of MJO moisture processes in CGCM is closely associated with better representation of the zonal scale of MJO circulation and stronger Kelvin waves to the east of MJO convection, both of which have been recently suggested conductive for MJO eastward propagation. The above improvements by including air-sea coupling could be largely attributed to the realistic MJO-induced SST fluctuations through the convection-SST feedback. This study confirms a critical role of atmosphere-ocean coupling for the improvement of MJO prediction.
Receptivity to different types of migrants in Taiwan: Civic behavior and support for same-sex marriage as novel correlates
Authors: Chang Hsin-Chieh
Published: September 2021

In an era of rising global intra-regional migration, in-depth explorations of attitudes toward immigrants and immigration (ATII) in emerging migrant-receiving societies in Asia are scarce. Using Taiwan as a case of an emerging non-Western, democratic migrant-receiving context with a racially homogeneous population, aging social structure, and vibrant civic culture, this is the first study to examine receptivity to three major migrant types. The study contributes to the ATII literature and sociological research through discovering something old (perceived group threat of foreign professionals and labor migrants at the individual level), something new (link between positive attitudes toward same-sex marriage and higher receptivity to blue-collar migrants), something borrowed (civic behavior), and something context-specific (effect of the high visibility of marriage immigrants in certain places on receptivity). This study highlights the importance of uncovering patterns and mechanisms of nativity-, ethnicity-, and class-based foreigner exclusionism in emerging non-Western migrant destinations. The findings on receptivity toward intra-Asia migrants in a 21st-century Asian society illuminate possibilities for reinventing theories on the social organization of difference and the socio-cognitive construction of ethnicity, with broader relevance to inter-minority relations among Asians in traditional Western immigrant societies.
Risk Factors for Antibiotic Resistant Urinary Pathogens in Patients Discharged From the Emergency Department
Authors: Barré Stephanie L. , Weeda Erin R. , Matuskowitz Andrew J. , Hall Gregory A. , Weant Kyle A.
Published: September 2021

Purpose: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common indications for antimicrobial use in the emergency department (ED). Appropriate empiric selection is crucial to ensure optimal care while limiting broad-spectrum antibiotic use. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between patient-specific risk factors and drug resistant urinary pathogens in patients discharged from the ED and followed by Emergency Medicine Pharmacists (EMPs). Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective chart review of adult (≥18 years old) patients with positive urine cultures discharged from the ED. The association between risk factors and pathogen resistance to ≥1 classes of antibiotics was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression. Risk factors included the following: hospitalization within the previous 30 days, intravenous antibiotic use within 90 days, diabetes, clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, psychiatric disorder, dementia, current antibiotic use for any indication, previous lifetime history of UTIs, indwelling or intermittent catheterization, hemodialysis, previous lifetime history of a urologic procedure, urinary tract abnormality, immunosuppressive disease or medications, current residence in a nursing or rehabilitation facility, and history of a multidrug resistant organism (MDRO). Results: A total of 1018 patients were included. There was an increase in the odds of antibiotic resistance in patients with cystitis and ≥2 risk factors (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.24-2.32). In those with pyelonephritis, there was a non-significant increase in the odds of resistance for those with ≥2 risk factors (OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 0.98-3.42). Patients with pyelonephritis discharged on inappropriate antibiotics were more likely to return to the ED within 30 days ( P = .03). Conclusions: For patients with cystitis discharged from the ED, those with ≥2 patient-specific risk factors had significantly increased odds of antibiotic resistance. Patients with pyelonephritis, but not cystitis, who were discharged on inappropriate antibiotics were more likely to return to the ED within 30 days. In conjunction with an EMP culture follow-up program, the identification of risk factors for antimicrobial resistance can be used to design more patient-specific empiric antibiotic selections.
Cefepime Induced Neurotoxicity Following A Regimen Dose-Adjusted for Renal Function: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Behal Michael L. , Thomas Jenni K. , Thompson Bastin Melissa L. , Mefford Breanne M.
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Cefepime induced neurotoxicity (CIN) is commonly associated with renal dysfunction, however CIN can occur in patients with normal renal function or renally dose-adjusted regimens. Few reports of this kind have obtained cefepime concentrations to assist in diagnosis. Patient Case: A 42-year old female with a complex past medical history was transferred to our facility with chief complaint of worsening shock and respiratory failure, and the patient was also noted to be hypernatremic, experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and acute kidney injury (AKI). Her DKA resolved and hypernatremia and AKI began to improve. As a result, cefepime was dose-adjusted for renal function estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) equation. Her hospital course was complicated by persistent altered mental status (AMS), preventing extubation. Cefepime was discontinued due to concern for CIN, and a concentration was obtained 13-hours after the last dose which was elevated at 49 µg/mL. Two days following cefepime discontinuation, the patient’s mental status improved allowing for successful extubation. The patient remained stable and was discharged to an acute care floor and then ultimately back to home. Conclusion: CIN should be part of a wider differential diagnosis for patients experiencing encephalopathy, and inaccurate renal function estimation may be a risk factor for developing CIN. Furthermore, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may serve as an important clinical tool in diagnosing and managing CIN.
Anisotropic Resilient Modulus Model of Granular Materials Based on Particle Characteristics
Authors: Tao Zefeng , Wang Zengyi , Ling Jianming , Tian Yu , Cai Juewei , Shi Rong
Published: September 2021

Granular materials are widely used for bases or subbases in pavement structures. They typically exhibit strong anisotropic properties which relate to stress states and particle characteristics. The conventional design procedure for flexible pavements underestimates the anisotropy of resilient moduli. This study established an anisotropic resilient modulus model for granular materials that considered gradation and particle shape characteristics. Vertical and horizontal resilient moduli of certain granular materials were measured in self-developed triaxial tests to obtain corresponding model parameters and anisotropic coefficients. Gradation and particle shape models were established to quantify the granular material characteristics, and the parameters were regressed. Particle shapes were obtained via image processing, and the ratio ( η) of particle sphericity to roundness was chosen as a shape parameter. Results show that η increases with the decrease in particle size, and the average values of η for graded gravel and natural laterite are 0.54 and 0.63, respectively. The η distribution curves indicate that the proportion of relatively anisotropic particles, rather than extremely anisotropic particles, results in the differences in particle shape characteristics. The regression relationship between the anisotropic calculation parameters and the model parameters of vertical resilient modulus, gradation, and particle shape was established. Thus, the horizontal resilient modulus and the anisotropic coefficient can be predicted via conventional resilient modulus tests and gradation, and particle shape analysis. This study shows that the anisotropy of granular materials decreases with the increase in coarse particles and the uniformization of the particle size distribution, and it increases with the increase in anisotropic particles and the polarization of the η distribution.
COVID-19 concerns, health services utilisation and social support among Western Australians with diabetes during the pandemic
Authors: Olson Jenny L , Mergelsberg Enrique , Jensen Jessica , Schofield Deborah , Watson Natasha
Published: September 2021

People with diabetes face increased risk of serious COVID-19 complications, making self-care for optimal metabolic management crucial. However, the pandemic has reduced access to routine care among people with diabetes. The pandemic can also elicit distress, which can impact diabetes self-management and health. To understand the impact of COVID-19 on Western Australians with diabetes, we conducted an evaluation involving an online survey of consumers of diabetes health services and an analysis of routine program data (i.e. service utilisation/program attendance). Survey respondents were concerned about contracting COVID-19, many intended to change the way they utilised health services and many indicated they would continue to socially isolate. Utilisation of digital/telephone services peaked between April and June 2020. Despite the concerns indicated, a participation resurgence was observed upon resumption of face-to-face programs. Continued access to diabetes programs via multiple modes of delivery is critical to support optimal self-care and mitigate COVID-19 risks, distress and social isolation. This timely and pragmatic assessment of consumer beliefs synthesised with routinely collected evaluation data represents an agile approach to evaluation through an emerging public health crisis. The findings helped to ensure optimal service delivery to meet the needs of this priority population throughout the pandemic.
Repositional Subtalar Arthrodesis Combined With Supramalleolar Osteotomy for Late-Stage Varus Ankle Arthritis With Hindfoot Valgus
Authors: Park Chul Hyun , Kim Jaeyoung , Kim Ji Beom , Lee Woo-Chun
Published: September 2021

Background:

Late-stage varus ankle arthritis is thought to be associated with varus of the tibial plafond and hindfoot. However, some late-stage varus arthritis show hindfoot valgus, which can be explained by subtalar subluxation with opposite directional motion between the talus and calcaneus. We hypothesized that late-stage varus ankle arthritis with hindfoot valgus could improve with repositional subtalar arthrodesis and supramalleolar osteotomy (SMO). The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic results of the repositional subtalar arthrodesis combined with SMO for late-stage varus ankle arthritis with hindfoot valgus.

Methods:

This study includes 16 consecutive patients (16 ankles) with late-stage varus ankle arthritis of Takakura stage 3-b and hindfoot valgus who were treated using repositional subtalar arthrodesis combined with SMO and followed for a minimum of 2 years. Clinical results were assessed with the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Foot Function Index (FFI). Radiographic results were assessed with standard parameters measured on weightbearing foot and ankle radiographs. Clinical and radiographic results were evaluated preoperatively and at the last follow-up.

Results:

VAS and FFI significantly improved after surgery. Mean talar tilt angle improved from 12.8 ± 2.8 degrees to 3.9 ± 3.1 degrees ( P < .001). Talus center migration and Meary angle significantly improved after surgery. Medial distal tibial angle, lateral talocalcaneal angle, hindfoot moment arm, and talonavicular coverage angle significantly changed after surgery. Radiographic stage improved in 15 ankles (93.8%) after surgery.

Conclusion:

In this series with minimum 2-year follow-up, we found that late-stage (Takakura stage 3-b) varus ankle arthritis with hindfoot valgus clinically and radiographically improved with repositional subtalar arthrodesis combined with SMO.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, prognostic.
Preventing Gender-Based Homelessness in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: The Need to Account for Violence Against Women
Authors: Yakubovich Alexa R. , Maki Krys
Published: September 2021

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to increases in intimate partner violence (IPV), a leading cause of women's homelessness. Although the Canadian Government provided emergency funding to the violence against women and housing and homelessness sectors in response to COVID-19, Canada lacks a national legislative and funding framework to support coordinated prevention efforts. We review the context of IPV and homelessness among women and international policy exemplars. We then propose several starting points for developing a Canadian strategic framework, including adopting inclusive definitions of IPV and homelessness as well as evaluating a broad continuum of IPV-housing options and intersectoral partnership models.
Access to justice for Nigerian women: A veritable tool to achieving sustainable development
Authors: Olusegun Olaitan O , Oyelade Olatunji S
Published: September 2021

Access to justice promotes the achievement of sustainable development as it promotes the participation of citizens of a country, reduces poverty, increases the productivity of persons and strengthens the peace and development of nations. In Nigeria, however, most women are deprived of justice in several ways. Using the doctrinal method of study, this article examines the concept of access to justice and its importance to the achievement of sustainable development in Nigeria. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) five and 16 are discussed as well as the various ways in which women are deprived of justice and barriers to such access. The study discovers that women have limited access to justice as a result of challenges plaguing Nigeria’s justice system. The study concludes that urgent steps must be taken to solve these challenges so that the SDGs will stand a better chance of being achieved by 2030.
Prestressed concrete wall system with friction devices: Seismic performance and direct displacement–based seismic design
Authors: Xu Gang , Guo Tong , Li Aiqun
Published: September 2021

It is convenient to use the inelastic displacement ratio spectra and residual displacement ratio spectra to predict the maximum inelastic displacement and residual displacement of building structures based on linear elastic analysis directly. The prestressed concrete wall system with friction devices (PCW-FD system) can be simulated by single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model with self-centering behavior. To investigate the seismic performance of PCW-FD system, the SDOF models with fully and non-fully self-centering behavior are analyzed firstly, and it is concluded that the hysteresis parameters (strength reduction coefficient, post-yield stiffness coefficient, energy dissipation coefficient, and period) have significant influence on the seismic responses (such as constant relative strength inelastic displacement ratio, constant relative strength residual displacement ratio, maximum absolute acceleration, the hysteretic energy, and site classifications) during short period, and the trends of the seismic responses are similar at different site classifications. Then a large amount of the result data is summarized, and the constant relative strength inelastic displacement ratio spectra and the constant relative strength residual displacement ratio spectra with enough precision (the correlation coefficients are 0.957 and 0.947, respectively) are established by conducting regression analysis. Finally, the direct displacement–based seismic design method is improved and verified to be suitable for PCW-FD system.
Give Me Your Least Educated: Immigration, Education and Support for Populist Radical Right Parties in Europe
Authors: Cordero Guillermo , Zagórski Piotr , Rama José
Published: September 2021

This article deepens the analysis of the effects of immigration on the vote for Populist Radical Right Parties in Europe, focusing on education levels of both natives and immigrants. By analysing the immigrant population in 101 regions from 11 European countries, we show that in contexts with a large immigrant presence, the low-educated voters tend to support Populist Radical Right Parties to a greater degree than those who are more educated. However, when the ratio of skilled immigrants is high, also the more educated population tends to support these parties. Hence, our analysis adds insight into the relationship between immigration, education and Populist Radical Right Parties voting, highlighting the need of focusing at lower levels of aggregation and combining the characteristics of both foreign-born and host populations.
Identification of Ent-Kaurane Diterpenoid Compounds as Potential Inhibitors of the PI3K Pathway in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Through Molecular Docking Simulations
Authors: Hong Minh Pham T. , Hoai Van Tran T. , Toan Tran Q. , Bui Le M. , Thuan Anh Nguyen H. , Quan Pham M.
Published: September 2021

Annual mortality of 8.2 million could be attributable to cancer globally, posing a serious health issue; particularly, the high number of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) diagnosed cases in recent years highlight the need for development in anticancer agents. In NSCLC, a number of specific inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), Protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin are currently under development; however, the early evidence has yielded disappointing results. Ent-kaurane diterpenoid compounds from Cronton tonkinensis have been investigated for several bioactivities such as antibacterial, cytotoxic activity, and so on;; however, lung cancer is not yet studied. In this study, we conducted a molecular docking study of 7 ent-kaurane diterpenoids from C tonkinensis against PI3K targeted anticancer therapies; furthermore, their cytotoxicity effects against A549 lung cancer cells were also evaluated. Obtained results indicated that compounds 7, 6, 2, and 1 exhibited significant inhibitory results in comparison to the reference drug oxaliplatin which suggests further in vitro assay for drug development.
New Nitric Oxide Inhibitory Spirostane Glycosides from Polygonatum kingianum Collett & Hemsl
Authors: Ha Tran Thi Thu , Van Kiem Phan
Published: September 2021

Two new spirostane glycosides, (25 R)-12 β-hydroxyspirost-5-en-3 β-yl O- β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)- β-D-galactopyranoside (1) and (25 S)-spirost-5-en-7-one-3 β-yl O- β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)- β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)- β-D-galactopyranoside (2), and a known spirostane glycoside, funkioside C (3), were isolated from the roots of Polygonatum kingianum Collett & Hemsl. (Asparagaceae). Their structures were determined by extensive analysis of mass spectrometry high resolution electron spray ionization mass spectrum and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data, as well as by comparison of the spectral data with those reported in the literature. Compound 2 showed inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production in the lipopolysaccharide stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with an IC50 value of 8.78 ± 0.05 µM compared to a value of 7.12 ± 0.08 µM for the positive control compound, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine.
The Case of the Chelsea Grand: Card-Check Neutrality, Management Contracts, and The Duties of Owners and Operators
Authors: Boone Christopher , Fanelli Cecelia L. , Sherwyn David , Wagner Paul
Published: September 2021

This article examines the dispute between a hotel owner, operator, and union, and the subsequent litigation. The dispute centered on whether the hotel owner was bound by agreements made between its operator and the union, and whether the operator had a fiduciary duty to the owner. Courts found that the operator was a joint employer of the owner’s employees, and as a result, the owner was bound to agreements that the operator had made with the union. The owner, who did not want to be bound to the union agreement, subsequently sued its operator for alleged breach of fiduciary responsibility. The courts ruled that the hotel management agreement between the owner and operator created no agency relationship and thus no fiduciary duty on the part of the operator. We discuss the potential implications of these findings for union-management relations as well as owner-operator relations, with a specific focus on the implications for hotel owners in the labor context.
The Effect of a Men’s Initiation Weekend on Authenticity, Assertiveness, and Forgiveness: A Pilot Study
Authors: Poling J. Ryan , Hook Joshua N. , Poling Judson
Published: September 2021

American men experience worse outcomes on a wide range of health and well-being variables compared to women, including disease, educational problems, violence, addiction, suicide, unemployment, and life expectancy. Because of this, organizations have created programs that focus on helping men both psychologically and spiritually; however, it is important to assess the effectiveness of these programs. The Crucible Project, founded in 2002, attempts to facilitate the development of integrity, courage, and grace in men using a weekend retreat format. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the effect of the weekend retreat on participants’ authenticity, assertiveness, and willingness to forgive (i.e. empirical constructs analogous to integrity, courage, and grace, respectively). Participants ( N = 22) completed measures before the weekend retreat (Time 1), immediately after the weekend retreat (Time 2), and at a 1-month follow-up (Time 3). Results indicate that weekend retreat participants demonstrated a significant increase in scores on measures of authenticity and willingness to forgive and a trend toward increased scores on the measure of assertiveness over time. We conclude by discussing limitations of the study, areas for future research, and implications for spiritual and character development.