bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive Intelligent Online Human Health Monitoring System for Heavy Metal Elements Emissions in Wastewater
Authors: Chen Yingquan , Wei Yuewei , Liu Panliang , Yue Bin
Published: July 2020

Water environmental quality in Hunan Province which is a major water resource province in China plays an important role in maintaining and stabilizing the balance of the Yangtze River ecosystem and ensuring the health of local people. In order to understand the relationship between
the economic development and the health of the local population over the past decade, the emissions of wastewater and heavy metals, GDP and the health expenditure were counted in this research from 2004 to 2016 in Hunan Province. The results showed that wastewater emissions totally presented
an increasing trend between 2004 and 2016 and reached the maximum value 3141.07 megaton in 2015. During this period, the total emissions of five heavy metal pollutants (Pb, Cr(VI), Cd, Hg and As) in sewage reached the maximum in 2004. Emissions of Cd, Pb and As were dominant in the total emissions
of heavy metals. GDP almost increased linearly and was correlated positively with the emission of wastewater (0.936), and had a significant positive correlation with total health expenditure (0.987). Both the discharge of wastewater per unit GDP and the total annual discharge of heavy metals
per unit GDP show an exponential downward trend with time. Although the discharge of all heavy metals in wastewater decreases gradually, the total health expenditure and the health expenditure per capita increased year by year.
Exploring Digital Image Dithering Techniques on a Broken Foot Image
Authors: Li Yuan , Xu Zili , Liu Xiangyang , Sasi G. , Sundar Prakash Balaji M. , Jegadeesan Nirmala , Devasena L. , Balaji V. S. , Elamaran V.
Published: July 2020

The contouring effects appear when an image is quantized rudely irrespective of the uniform or non-uniform quantization. To mitigate the effects of contouring, a small amount of random noise is added (dithered) to the original image before quantization. Techniques such as dithering
and half-toning are widely used strategies in obtaining images and texts in magazines, newspapers, books, printers, computer monitors, and LCDs. This study explores the dithering technique on a broken foot image with more elaborative methods and results. All the experiments involved in this
study, such as quantization, dithering, no dithering, and dithering, quantized, and filtered techniques, are conducted using the Matlab R2016b tool. Overall information and details are retained with the aid of lowpass filtering and highpass filtering, respectively. Simulation results such
as Mean Square Error (MSE) and Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) are obtained in every stage of the dithering procedure to analyze and compare the performance or accuracy.
Analysis of Prognostic Risk Factors in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated with Radiotherapy by Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Qi Jie , Xiao Mang , Vikas Sharma
Published: July 2020

The purpose of the study was to explore the application value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology in the study of the prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy, and to analyze the risk factors leading to imaging residues, so as to provide
reference for the treatment and prognosis of patients with NPC. The clinical data of 691 patients with NPC hospitalized from June 2008 to June 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of magnetic resonance medical imaging, the residual data of patients with NPC after treatment
were analyzed. Combined with t-stage and n-stage parameters, the image residual was divided into t-stage residual and n-stage residual. The radiological residues, residual regression time, survival time, recurrence and metastasis time were recorded. The radiological residual rate of NPC after
radiotherapy was calculated, and the differences among groups were compared by chi-square test. The risk factors of image residual and residual regression time were analyzed by logistic regression model. The 5-year overall survival rate (OS), 5-year recurrence-free survival rate (LRFS), and
5-year distant metastasis-free survival rate (DMF) were calculated. Kaplan.Meier method was used to analyze the influence of various factors on the prognosis of patients, and logarithmic rank test was used to compare the difference of survival rate between the two groups. The results showed
that the residual rate of T and N was 32.9% and 31.0% at the end of radiotherapy for NPC. In summary, magnetic resonance medical imaging technology can effectively evaluate the prognostic risk factors of patients with NPC after radiotherapy. Male, elderly, radioactivity residue, and high stage
are the risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with NPC after radiotherapy. The recurrence and metastasis of NPC patients can be effectively controlled by means of emphasizing radiotherapy combined with adjuvant chemotherapy.
Penetration Testing and Security Assessment of Healthcare Records on Hospital Websites
Authors: Tang Tian , Zhou Mu-Chuan , Quan Yi , Guo Jun-Liang , Balaji V. S. , Gomathi V. , Elamaran V.
Published: July 2020

At present, computer security is the flourishing field in the IT industry. Nowadays, the usage of computers and the Internet grows drastically, and hence, computers become vehicles for the attackers to spread viruses and worms, to distribute spam and spyware, and to perform denial-of-service
attacks, etc. The IT engineers (even users) should know about network security threats, and at the same time, to some extent, they should know techniques to overcome the issues. The reliability and privacy of healthcare records of the patients are the most critical issue in the healthcare
business industry sector. The security safeguards, such as physical, technical, and administrative safeguards, are crucial in protecting the information in all aspects. This article deals with the forty popular hospital portals in India related to the professional and network security related
issues such as operating system guesses, number of open/closed/filtered ports, the name of the Web server, etc. The Nmap (network mapper) tool is used to analyze the results belong to the security perspective.
Adoption of Ultrasonography in Hemodynamic Diagnosis and Monitoring of Severe Respiratory Diseases
Authors: Shao Xuebo , Tang Weidong , Yu Lianglong , Chen Qi , Zhu Lijun , He Yanyan
Published: July 2020

To enhance the clinical diagnosis rate of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and provide a reliable basis for follow-up treatment, in this research, the hemodynamic indexes of patients with severe respiratory diseases are monitored by ultrasonic imaging. A total of 64 patients
with ARDS in the department of respiratory medicine of XXX hospital from June 2018 to December 2018 are listed as study subjects (including 45 males and 19 females), and are divided into control group (CG) and experimental group (EG) in random. In the CG, central venous pressure is used to
detect the patients, while in the EP, ultrasonic imaging is used to detect the patients, and the ultrasonic image is denoised by wavelet transform. Respiratory parameters (respiratory rate, oxygenation index, and positive end-expiratory pressure ventilation) and hemodynamic parameters (heart
rate, mean arterial pressure, pulmonary static compliance, and airway plateau pressure) are compared on the first and 10th day of admission. The fluid volume of the two groups of patients was managed according to the hemodynamic parameters. After three months, the prognosis (duration of ICU
treatment, duration of mechanical ventilation, incidence of heart failure and mortality) of the patients in both groups were calculated. The results show that wavelet transform can effectively reduce the noise of ultrasonic images, so as to obtain real and reliable data. Compared with the
first day of admission, respiratory parameters and hemodynamics of the patient change significantly after 10 days (P < 0.05). The average daily fluid intake in the EP is significantly lower than that in the CG (P < 0.05). The duration of treatment in ICU and mechanical
ventilation in the EG is significantly lower than that in the CG (P < 0.05), which indicates that ultrasonic imaging can detect and diagnose the hemodynamics of patients, thus providing reliable guidance for patients’ fluid management and avoiding patients’ cardiac failure
induced by fluid overload. This provides an experimental scheme for hemodynamic monitoring of patients with severe respiratory system.
The Effects of Multi-Slice Helical Computed Tomography and Phlebography on Edema Regression Nursing of Lower Limbs Varicosis
Authors: Zu Jinmei , Chen Ruyue , Kang Jia , Han Yaru , Zhang Gaixin
Published: July 2020

Objective: To explore the effects of multi-slice helical computed tomography (MSCT) and phlebography on edema regression nursing of lower limbs varicosis, and to analyze the values of MSCT and phlebography on the diagnosis and treatment of lower limb varicosis. Methods:
A total of 193 patients with lower limb varicosis treated in the Vascular Surgery Department were included as the research objects. According to different examination methods, the included patients were divided into the MSCT group, and the MSCT combined with the phlebography group, Then, patients
in both groups received joint treatment of high ligation and varicectomy. The Gabor filtering-based algorithm and the Mean-Variance Efficient Frontier (MVEF) algorithm were used to smoothen the obtained images. Also, the operation rates and contradiction compositions of patients in both groups
were analyzed. Patients who received surgical treatment were followed up for three months to one year; whether the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurred in them were observed, as well as the edema regression. Results: As for gender, grading, disease history, duration of disease, and onset
age of both groups, no statistical significance was found (P > 0.05). Compared to group A, the positive detection rate of postoperative DVT was lower in group B, so did the operation rate. In group A, 32 cases of edema regressed significantly, and the disease condition was relieved.
In group B, 35 cases of edema were regressed. Conclusion: Compared with MSCT, phlebography had a higher screening rate for indications of lower limb varicosis, which could effectively reduce the probability of DVT after operations and relieve the symptoms of edema in patients. In addition,
although the sensitivity of MSCT was relatively low, it could be used for the primary screening diagnosis of lower limb varicosis.
Expectant Vomiting of Lung Cancer Patients Using Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Image Analysis and Continuous Nursing Theory
Authors: Zhou Chengyi , Wang Junru , Tao Min , Zhou Zhiqin , Yang Wei , Ren Bingxiu
Published: July 2020

Objective: The objective is to study the effect of continuous nursing on the vomiting of patients with expectant vomiting of lung cancer, and to establish a three-dimensional segmentation model of PET-CT image, so as to provide an effective nursing intervention for patients with
expectant vomiting of lung cancer. Methods: In this study, the sampling method is adopted. We collected 68 patients (over 18 years old) diagnosed with lung cancer from May 2016 to June 2018 as the study subjects. Patients are divided into experimental group and control group. Before
discharge, the patients in the control group are given general discharge guidance and health knowledge guidance. The patients in the experimental group are treated with continuous nursing until the next admission, except for general discharge guidance and health knowledge guidance. The cycle
is a period of intermittent chemotherapy. According to the general data questionnaire designed by the researchers themselves, the criteria of acute and subacute toxicity of anticancer drugs developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the simple coping style questionnaire, the data
are collected. SPSS 22.0 is used for analysis. The rank sum test is used in the grading of expected nausea and vomiting. The score of self coping ability is compared within the group by paired sample t-test, and P < 0.05 is statistically significant. Results: First, before
continuous nursing, there is no significant difference in the expected nausea and vomiting between the two groups (P = 0.299). After continuous nursing, in the experimental group, nausea and vomiting is significantly improved (P < 0.001). Second, the positive and negative
coping scores of the two groups are 15.98±1.11 and 16.99±1.23, respectively. There is no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). After continuous nursing, the experimental group is compared with the control group. There is a significant difference
between positive coping score (19.21±2.12) and negative coping score (16.27±1.53) (P < 0.01). Thirdly, the pixels with the standard uptake value (SUV) > 1/4 of the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) are selected as the basic tumor range, which can
accurately predict the tumor size and range. Conclusion: PET-CT image analysis and continuous nursing can reduce the degree of nausea and vomiting in patients with lung cancer expectant vomiting, predict the size of lung cancer tumor, improve the patients’ self-response ability
and the cure rate of tumor, which is worth promoting in patients with lung cancer expectant vomiting.
The Relationship Between the Imaging Characteristics of Tumor Angiogenesis and the Expression of Serum Cytokines in Lung Cancer
Authors: Yao Xihu , Zhou Jianying , Zhang Zhicheng , Zhou Qingyun , Brown Bernice
Published: July 2020

Objective: As for the lung cancer patients, their imaging characteristics of CT and DSA are evaluated, so as to analyze the relationship between the degree of angiogenesis and the expression of cytokines. Method: Firstly, the CT and DSA data of 40 lung cancer patients
who are confirmed by pathology and received intravascular interventional therapy are collected. 5 mL venous blood of patients is extracted and serum samples are extracted. The levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) as well as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in 40 patients with
lung cancer are detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile, the contents of MMP-2 and bFGF in serum of 40 healthy people are collected as normal control group. Normal distribution, t-test and F-test are used to verify the correlation between the image features
of lung cancer and the expression levels of MMP-2 and bFGF in serum. Results: Firstly, the levels of MMP-2 and bFGF in lung cancer group are obviously higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. P values were 0.002 and 0, respectively
(P < 0.01). In addition, a positive correlation exists between MMP-2 and bFGF in the group of lung cancer as well as control, and the correlation coefficients are 0.602 as well as 0.712, respectively. Secondly, DSA of lung cancer shows that MMP-2 and bFGF of different types of blood
supply lung cancer are different. The P value of intra group and inter group comparison was 0, and the difference is statistically significant. Thirdly, on the image, the lung cancer has necrotic cavity. The P value of MMP-2 and bFGF are 0.046 and 0.005 respectively. The P
value of MMP-2 and bFGF are 0.001 and 0.001 respectively with the burr sign on the image. The P value of serum MMP-2 and bFGF are 0 and 0.001 with the deep lobulated sign on the image, both of which are statistically significant. There is no correlation between the size and location
of lung cancer focus, whether there is peripheral obstructive pneumonia and the level of MMP-2 and bFGF. Conclusion: The DSA blood supply of lung cancer is related to the expression of MMP-2 as well as bFGF in serum, which can reflect the angiogenic state of tumor and be used as the
basis of anti-angiogenic therapy. Whether the CT image of lung cancer shows necrotic cavity, burr sign and deep lobulated sign has a correlation with the expression of MMP-2 as well as bFGF in the serum. The combination of the two is helpful for the accurate assessment of the disease.
Prediction of the Steady State of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque in Essential Hypertension Under Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Sheng Aizhu , Jin Jing , Fu Jianjiong , Zhang Xian , Dai Qi , Feng Jianju
Published: July 2020

In order to improve the detection rate of carotid atherosclerotic plaque in patients with essential hypertension and provide a reliable basis for the follow-up treatment of patients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to predict the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque
in patients with essential hypertension. A total of 77 patients with essential hypertension in XXX hospital from June 2015 to December 2015 were included in the study (including 49 males and 28 females). The patients were divided into stable plaque group and unstable plaque group according
to their pathological plaque status. First, MRI was performed and imaging data were recorded, including intraplaque bleeding, fibrous cap status, carotid artery remodeling index, thickest layer of plaque, and the degree of luminal stenosis in both groups. Second, patients in both groups were
followed up for three years, during which time MRI was reperformed every six months, and the time required for changes in the carotid artery indicators in the two groups was compared with the Log Rank test. Third, multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the correlation between
plaque stability and gender, family history of cardiovascular disease, body mass index, and basic characteristics of hypertension course. The results showed that the number of IPH and fibrous cap rupture in the unstable plaque group was significantly higher than that in the stable plaque group
(P < 0.05). The Log Rank test showed that the time required for the change of carotid artery plaque morphology in the stable plaque group was significantly lower than that in the unstable plaque group (P < 0.05). Besides, plaque stability was significantly positively correlated
with gender and hypertension course (P < 0.05), but was not significantly correlated with family history of cardiovascular disease and body mass index (P > 0.05). Therefore, the plaque data of patients can be obtained based on MRI, so as to evaluate the stable status of
patients’ plaque and predict the long-term status of patients, which provides an experimental scheme for the future clinical prediction of the plaque status of essential hypertension carotid atherosclerosis.
Predictive Diagnosis of Neurological Function in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cerebral Arterial Stenosis by Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound Imaging Information Technology
Authors: Wang Mei , You Shihao , Mao Lina , He Xianghui
Published: July 2020

Objective: The purpose of this experiment is to observe the clinical effect of transcranial ultrasound thrombolytic adjuvant therapy, and to provide clinical results for transcranial ultrasound thrombolytic therapy for atherosclerotic cerebral arterial stenosis. in accordance
with. Methods: Collected in the Department of Neurology, Brain Hospital of our hospital within 24 hours after the onset from October 2012 to April 2014, DSA and/or MRA, CTA examination confirmed the existence of middle cerebral artery stenosis and evidence of cerebral atherosclerosis,
100 patients with narrow middle cerebral artery as the diagnostic criteria for cerebral infarction. Results: The positive rates of microemboli in the ultrasound thrombolysis group at 7 days and 14 days were 17.00% and 6.00% significantly lower than those in the drug treatment group
at 67.00% and 8.30% (P < 0.05); the 7 days and 14 days of ultrasound thrombolysis treatment group Serum high-sensitivity (P < 0.05), and serum C-reactive protein levels in the ultrasound thrombolytic treatment group were significantly lower than those in the drug treatment
group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Transcranial ultrasound thrombolytic adjuvant drug treatment can significantly promote the recovery of neurological function.
An Interactive Online Course in Climate and Climate Change: Advancing Climate Literacy for Non–Atmospheric Science Majors
Authors: Dzambo Andrew M. , Mooney Margaret , Handlos Zachary J. , Lindstrom Scott , Hang Yun , Ackerman Steve A.
Published: July 2020

Since 2013, the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has offered an online course titled “Climate and Climate Change.” Students enrolled in this course learn the physical principles governing Earth’s climate and climate change within the broader context of societal impacts and global political considerations. Students interact weekly with each other about these topics, and frequent instructor interaction stimulates further learning related to the course goals. The course was delivered through a balanced mix of forum discussions, weekly worksheets, quizzes, and a final project. For this study, student climate literacy was assessed through voluntary pre- and post-course surveys containing student self-assessment questions and a variety of questions directly based on course content. Post-course survey results indicate 99% of students taking this course feel “fairly well informed” or “very well informed” about their physical understanding of Earth’s climate and the numerous processes governing climate change. The 2019 cohort observed a statistically significant increase in the percentage of students adopting the viewpoint that climate change is caused primarily by human activities. We present a template for implementation in other Earth science or atmospheric science curricula, which includes discussion forum, quiz, and worksheet examples from this course.
Incorporating Uncertainty Into Parallel Analysis for Choosing the Number of Factors via Bayesian Methods
Authors: Levy Roy , Xia Yan , Green Samuel B.
Published: July 2020

A number of psychometricians have suggested that parallel analysis (PA) tends to yield more accurate results in determining the number of factors in comparison with other statistical methods. Nevertheless, all too often PA can suggest an incorrect number of factors, particularly in statistically unfavorable conditions (e.g., small sample sizes and low factor loadings). Because of this, researchers have recommended using multiple methods to make judgments about the number of factors to extract. Implicit in this recommendation is that, when the number of factors is chosen based on PA, uncertainty nevertheless exists. We propose a Bayesian parallel analysis (B-PA) method to incorporate the uncertainty with decisions about the number of factors. B-PA yields a probability distribution for the various possible numbers of factors. We implement and compare B-PA with a frequentist approach, revised parallel analysis (R-PA), in the contexts of real and simulated data. Results show that B-PA provides relevant information regarding the uncertainty in determining the number of factors, particularly under conditions with small sample sizes, low factor loadings, and less distinguishable factors. Even if the indicated number of factors with the highest probability is incorrect, B-PA can show a sizable probability of retaining the correct number of factors. Interestingly, when the mode of the distribution of the probabilities associated with different numbers of factors was treated as the number of factors to retain, B-PA was somewhat more accurate than R-PA in a majority of the conditions.
The health and well-being of LGBTQ people in mainland China: The role of social work
Authors: Li Yuekang , Fabbre Vanessa D
Published: July 2020

Knowledge about the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in mainland China is limited, but what is known raises concerns about their welfare. Social work, as an emerging profession in the country, is poised to play a critical role in supporting LGBTQ Chinese people.
Rethinking the transformative role of the social work profession in Albania: Some lessons learned from the response to COVID-19
Authors: Dauti Marsela , Dhëmbo Elona , Bejko Erika , Allmuça Marsela
Published: July 2020

We provide an overview of the social work response to COVID-19 in Albania. After introducing the country situation, we discuss social workers’ engagement in governmental and non-governmental agencies and provide suggestions for advancing the social work profession. We call for greater engagement of social workers in political spaces.
Unwed single mothers in South Korea: Increased vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Choi Shinwoo , Byoun Soo-Jung , Kim Eun Hee
Published: July 2020

Unwed single mothers in South Korea are a highly vulnerable population in terms of socioeconomic status, lack of social support, and the high level of discrimination that they have to live through due to existing stigma attached to this population. As a result, they are more likely to be living in poverty, and to be socially isolated and less likely to utilize health- and mental health care. The short essay presents the unwed single mothers’ increased vulnerabilities during COVID-19 pandemic in terms of childcare, financial crisis, and mental health.
Statutory neglect and care in a pandemic
Authors: Jolly Andrew
Published: July 2020

Much has been written about the prevalence of COVID-19 infections in care homes in Europe and North America, with claims that the high mortality rate has been worsened by the policy decisions taken by governments. This essay argues that the concept of statutory neglect is a useful framework for understanding situations where neglect results from law or policy rather than the lack of action by an individual caregiver.
Damping and cushioning characteristics of Polyjet 3D printed photopolymer with Kelvin model
Authors: Ge Changfeng , Cormier Denis , Rice Brian
Published: July 2020

This study extends previous research on the measurement of a 3D printed photopolymer’s quasi-static cushion properties, to include cushion and damping properties due to impact loading. In order to develop analytical packaging models of 3D printed materials, it is essential to know how energy induced by shipping and handling is dissipated through damping. Compared to the cushion curve, investigating how damping influences packaging design is relatively unfamiliar to the packaging practitioner. This study uses experimentally derived hysteresis loops, from platen impact and quasi-static compression tests, to estimate specific damping capacities for 3D printed photopolymer. This study found that the “sticky” rubber like 3D printed photopolymers, based on a repeating pattern of Kelvin cells, were able to dissipate close to 100% of the input energy in platen impact tests and still return to their original dimensions after impact. In addition, this study shows that the specific damping capacity of the 3D printed structure increases significantly with strain rate.
Bayesian Synthetic Control Methods
Authors: Kim Sungjin , Lee Clarence , Gupta Sachin
Published: July 2020

The authors propose a new Bayesian synthetic control framework to overcome limitations of extant synthetic control methods (SCMs). The proposed Bayesian synthetic control methods (BSCMs) do not impose any restrictive constraints on the parameter space a priori. Moreover, they provide statistical inference in a straightforward manner as well as a natural mechanism to deal with the “large p, small n” and sparsity problems through Markov chain Monte Carlo procedures. Using simulations, the authors find that for a variety of data-generating processes, the proposed BSCMs almost always provide better predictive accuracy and parameter precision than extant SCMs. They demonstrate an application of the proposed BSCMs to a real-world context of a tax imposed on soda sales in Washington state in 2010. As in the simulations, the proposed models outperform extant models, as measured by predictive accuracy in the posttreatment periods. The authors find that the tax led to an increase of 5.7% in retail price and a decrease of 5.5%∼5.8% in sales. They also find that retailers in Washington overshifted the tax to consumers, leading to a pass-through rate of approximately 121%.
Innovation in Later Life: A Study of Grandmothers and Facebook
Authors: Yachin Mor , Nimrod Galit
Published: July 2020

Relying on the Innovation theory of successful aging, this study aims at exploring how grandmothers around the world perceive and use Facebook. Twenty-seven focus groups were set up in seven countries: Canada, Colombia, Israel, Italy, Peru, Romania, and Spain. Participants consisted of 184 grandmothers aged 65 and over who use information and communication technology to some extent. Data were analyzed according to hybrid thematic analysis principles and findings pointed to substantial ambivalence regarding Facebook. Grandmothers who used it reported rather restrained use that was typically triggered externally and characterized by reactive use patterns. Nevertheless, Facebook appeared to promote users’ well-being by supporting preservation of their relationships, roots, and sense of relevance. These findings suggest a new theoretical tenet to innovation theory according to which even “restrained innovation” in later life may be beneficial.
Impact of large photovoltaic power penetration on the voltage regulation and dynamic performance of the Tunisian power system
Authors: Saidi Abdelaziz Salah
Published: July 2020

By the year 2023, the Tunisian power transmission grid has been projected to include photovoltaic pool of power of 937 MW, scattered throughout the whole landscape of the nation. This paper investigates high photovoltaic energy penetration impacts voltage regulation and dynamic performance of the grid. Load flow analysis is implemented to investigate the power system capability for the case of incorporating the desired photovoltaic power. Computer-based simulations have been used for evaluating the upgradation of the grid. Moreover, the study is based on bifurcation diagrams taking the photovoltaic generation as a bifurcation parameter and time response simulations to grid disturbances. Professional PSAT simulation toolbox has been used for the power flow simulation studies. Network- related faults like outage of photovoltaic farm event, three-phase short-circuit at a conventional bus, and voltage dip at the largest photovoltaic station have been considered. It is hoped that the results of the presented study would benefit Tunisian’s utility’s policies on integration of PV systems. Moreover, this comprehensive analysis and study will be a valuable guide for assessing and improving the performance of national grid systems of any other countries also, that gives the huge potential and need for solar energy penetration into the grid systems.
Division of Childcare Leave among Parents of Children with a Serious Illness
Authors: Hjelmstedt Sofia , Montgomery Scott , Nybergh Lotta , Hed Myrberg Ida , Lindahl Norberg Annika , Hovén Emma
Published: July 2020

Balancing work and family may be particularly challenging for parents of seriously ill children. This Swedish registry-based study, including 2,788 parents of children with cancer and a matched reference cohort of 27,110 parents, used regression models to analyze the division of childcare, measured as use of temporary parental leave (TPL), and how it relates to income division within couples and change in income over time. The results show that the number of days on TPL increased significantly following a child’s cancer diagnosis, particularly among mothers. Fathers’ share of the couple’s total income was not found to be a strong predictor of the division of TPL, and no association was found between TPL and income development. The study highlights the considerable time needed to care for a seriously ill child, unevenly distributed between mothers and fathers, and suggests that factors other than economic resources may influence the division of childcare responsibility.
Tri-parenting or Try Parenting? Online Posts About a Potentially Stigmatized Family Structure
Authors: Yancura Loriena , Walsh Bridget A. , Barnett Melissa A. , Hoover Michelle
Published: July 2020

This exploratory study investigates existing views on the practice of tri-parenting and perceived reasons for potential stigma towards families in tri-parenting relationships. Two themes emerged from 448 posts on five online copies of an article about tri-parenting: domains of comparison and attitudes toward family. Findings from a generic qualitative approach reveal that the majority of anonymous comments posted in response to these articles about tri-parenting were negative, thus potentially associated with stigma. Four categories of potential attitudes underlying statements toward these families also emerged from the data: tradition/slippery slope, complicated, deviance, and welfare. Further analysis suggests that in the case of tri-parenting, family unusualness is related to family stigma and that stigmatizing comparisons are made based on concerns in social and legal domains. Results are discussed in terms of future research and implications for minimizing family stigma.
Gelotophobia in romantic life: Replicating associations with attachment styles and their mediating role for relationship status
Authors: Brauer Kay , Proyer René T.
Published: July 2020

The fear of being laughed at (gelotophobia) plays a detrimental role in courtship (e.g., predicting a lower likelihood of entering a relationship) and romantic relationships (e.g., low relationship satisfaction). Gelotophobia correlates positively with anxious and avoidant romantic attachment. This study aims to replicate (a) the associations between gelotophobia and romantic attachment and (b) the mediating role of attachment in the association between gelotophobia and relationship experience using a sample of N = 531 participants ( M = 32.1 years; 63.7% singles). Previous findings replicated well, as gelotophobia positively relates to avoidant and anxious attachment and lower likelihood of entering a romantic relationship. Contrary to earlier research, only anxiety mediated the association between gelotophobia and relationship status. We discuss the findings regarding the attachment framework of long-term singlehood.
Effect of Sample Size on TDA Shear Strength Parameters in Direct Shear Tests
Authors: Zahran Khaled , Naggar Hany El
Published: July 2020

Tire-derived aggregate (TDA), a relatively new construction material, has been gaining acceptance as a backfill material for embankments, trenches, and earth-retaining structures because of its lightweight and excellent geotechnical properties. Type A TDA has a basic geometric shape, with particles approximately 12 to 100 mm in size. As a result of the simplicity and accuracy of the direct shear test, most laboratories choose this test in preference to more complex tests. However, TDA requires large-scale direct shear apparatus because of the consistently large size of its particles, and few facilities own this type of apparatus. Depending on the shear box dimensions, the aspect ratio of the particle size to the box dimensions may lead to variations in the shear strength results of the sample being evaluated. This research focuses on studying the effect of TDA sample size on the shear strength results of direct shear tests by using five different shear box sizes. The findings show that the angle of internal friction increases slightly as the dimensions of the shear box decrease. It was found that the maximum variation in the angle of internal friction and the cohesion results of the different shear boxes was only 1.9° and 2.4 kPa, respectively. These differences should be taken into consideration when TDA shear test results are used in the geotechnical design. It is recommended that a shear box with an aspect ratio (W/Dmax) greater than or equal to 4 should be used when evaluating the shear strength parameters of TDA.
Safety Performance of One-Way Arterials
Authors: Geedipally Srinivas R. , Lord Dominique , Pratt Michael P. , Fitzpatrick Kay , Park Eun Sug
Published: July 2020

Safety analysts are generally interested in understanding the differences in the safety performance when a two-way street is converted to a one-way operation or vice-versa. Literature exists to understand and predict the safety of two-way streets. However, safety prediction procedures are currently not available for assessing the safety performance of one-way arterials. This research was undertaken to develop safety prediction models for one-way arterials. To accomplish this objective, data collected in California, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, and Texas were assembled that included a wide range of geometric design features, traffic control features, traffic characteristics, and crash records. The data were used to calibrate predictive models, each of which included a safety performance function (SPF) and several crash modification factors (CMFs). Separate SPFs were developed for fatal and injury crashes (i.e., fatal, incapacitating injury, non-incapacitating injury, and possible injury crash) and property-damage-only crashes. The SPFs were estimated using the negative binomial modeling structure. Severity distribution functions (SDFs) were also calibrated using the fatal and injury data. These functions can be used with the predictive models to estimate the expected crash frequency for each of four injury severity levels.
Two-Stage Model for Optimized Mitigation and Recovery of Bridge Network with Final Goal of Resilience
Authors: Zhang Ning , Alipour Alice
Published: July 2020

Ensuring resilience of critical infrastructure systems when facing disruptions is of great importance to engineers, stakeholders, and decision makers. Providing an optimal strategy for strengthening infrastructure system performance before disruption and rapidly recovering systems after disruption are two visible approaches to enhance system resilience efficiently. However, because of the complexity of the interrelationship among system infrastructures and the budgetary limitation, there is an imperative requirement for a rigorous decision-making process to track the costs induced by any enhancement to the system. To address this issue, in this paper, a multiobjective and two-stage stochastic programming model was developed for minimizing network-level cost and mean risk by considering both pre- and post-event maintenance actions. To account for the effects of different improvement strategies on network resilience, this model was tested under various disruption scenarios that highlighted the hazard uncertainty by combining a variety of occurrence probabilities. In this model, pre-event activities represent bridge retrofit that could contribute to increasing robustness and redundancy of the network system, whereas post-event activities are bridge repair and recovery on the basis of the resilience-enhancing effects advanced by the pre-event actions. The consequential optimization is the optimal social-economic outcome that considers different construction and disruption scenarios, and indirect costs associated with the system.
Social Communication Symptoms in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Predicting Comorbid Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Cleinmark Patricia D. , Freeman Ashley N. M. , McKenney Elizabeth L. W. , Kehl LeAnna , Hupp Stephen D. A. , Jewell Jeremy D.
Published: July 2020

Relatively few measures have been examined for their psychometric properties when assessing anxiety among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the relationship between ASD and anxiety symptoms remains poorly understood. This study examined the relationship between ASD symptoms on the Social Responsiveness Scale ( SRS) and comorbid clinical anxiety. In a sample of 2,435 participants, parents of children with ASD and comorbid anxiety endorsed more frequent or severe ASD symptoms than parents of children without comorbid anxiety. Severity of ASD symptoms was a significant predictor of anxiety status and approached clinical significance. Implications for measurement of anxiety among children with ASD are discussed, including that areas of symptom presentation should be carefully evaluated, and that the onset or worsening of anxiety may affect ASD symptom presentation.
An Examination of the Convergent Validity of the ICAR16 and WAIS-IV
Authors: Young Stephanie R. , Keith Timothy Z.
Published: July 2020

The construct validity of the International Cognitive Ability Resource (ICAR) has yet to be investigated using a gold-standard individually administered intelligence battery. The present study used a convenience sample of 97 students to examine the respective relations between the ICAR16 and overall intelligence ( g) and the Cattell–Horn–Carroll broad abilities measured by the WAIS-IV. Large correlations were observed between the observed overall scores (rICAR16, full-scale IQ = .81, p < .001) and the CFA-estimated general factors ( r = .94, p < .001). Evidence from confirmatory factor models suggests that the ICAR letter–number Series task measures fluid reasoning, while the matrix reasoning, verbal reasoning, and three-dimensional reasoning tasks measure visual–spatial reasoning (Gv). Findings support the ICAR16 as a valid brief measure of nonverbal intelligence; however, replications in larger samples are needed.
Novel Approaches for Assessing Circadian Rhythmicity in Humans: A Review
Authors: Dijk Derk-Jan , Duffy Jeanne F.
Published: July 2020

The temporal organization of molecular and physiological processes is driven by environmental and behavioral cycles as well as by self-sustained molecular circadian oscillators. Quantification of phase, amplitude, period, and disruption of circadian oscillators is essential for understanding their contribution to sleep-wake disorders, social jet lag, interindividual differences in entrainment, and the development of chrono-therapeutics. Traditionally, assessment of the human circadian system, and the output of the SCN in particular, has required collection of long time series of univariate markers such as melatonin or core body temperature. Data were collected in specialized laboratory protocols designed to control for environmental and behavioral influences on rhythmicity. These protocols are time-consuming, expensive, and not practical for assessing circadian status in patients or in participants in epidemiologic studies. Novel approaches for assessment of circadian parameters of the SCN or peripheral oscillators have been developed. They are based on machine learning or mathematical model-informed analyses of features extracted from 1 or a few samples of high-dimensional data, such as transcriptomes, metabolomes, long-term simultaneous recording of activity, light exposure, skin temperature, and heart rate or in vitro approaches. Here, we review whether these approaches successfully quantify parameters of central and peripheral circadian oscillators as indexed by gold standard markers. Although several approaches perform well under entrained conditions when sleep occurs at night, the methods either perform worse in other conditions such as shift work or they have not been assessed under any conditions other than entrainment and thus we do not yet know how robust they are. Novel approaches for the assessment of circadian parameters hold promise for circadian medicine, chrono-therapeutics, and chrono-epidemiology. There remains a need to validate these approaches against gold standard markers, in individuals of all sexes and ages, in patient populations, and, in particular, under conditions in which behavioral cycles are displaced.
Effectiveness of a 12-Month Emergency Radiology Curriculum for Improving Self-Confidence and Competence of Postgraduate Year 1 Radiology Residents—A Canadian Study
Authors: Strong Hilary , Bissell Mary Beth , Collins Jennifer , Hartery Angus
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

Limited radiology curriculum during postgraduate year 1 of radiology residency combined with increasing workloads during emergency radiology call have contributed to heightened anxiety and responsibilities for junior residents. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-month emergency radiology curriculum on self-rated confidence and general competence of Canadian postgraduate year 1 radiology residents.

Methods:

A cohort of Canadian postgraduate year 1 Diagnostic Radiology residents voluntarily enrolled in a 12-month self-directed online emergency radiology curriculum (9 modules). Participants completed pretest and posttest surveys and examinations to gauge their self-rated competence on module material and knowledge acquisition, respectively. Average pretest and posttest scores were compared using Student 2-tailed unpaired t test, and Likert data from self-reported confidence were compared using a Mann Whitney U test. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05.

Results:

Sixty-six trainees completed at least 1 module, and 15 trainees completed all 9 modules. Both self-rated confidence and posttest scores were statistically higher after module completion ( P < .001) for all 9 learning modules. The greatest improvement in test scores was seen in the female genitourinary module (28.12 ± 3.018; difference between pretest and posttest means ± SEM).

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrates learning benefits for junior radiology trainees who participated in a self-directed online emergency radiology curriculum during postgraduate year 1. In the face of ever-increasing demands for imaging in on-call settings across Canada, inclusion of a self-directed online curriculum may become more important for upcoming competency-based medical education as it encourages a learner-driven and non-time-based method of education.
Digital Migrating and Storyworlding with Women We Love: A Feminist Ethnography
Authors: Dennis Barbara , Carspecken Lucinda , Zhao Pengfei , Silberstein Samantha , Saxena Pooja , Bose Suparna , Palmer Dajanae , Washington Sylvia , Elfreich Alycia
Published: July 2020

This contemporary feminist ethnography draws on in-depth ethnographically-anchored lifestory interviews with loved ones and uses digital media (such as ArcGIS) to expand the ethnographic collection around the globe. Members of the FRC conceived of the WomenWeLove Project as an opportunity for the lesser-told stories of six ordinary women from different places to take center stage. By digitizing the stories, researchers and participants are able to join in the use of public digitalizations (like the #MeToo movement) to connect through empowering ethnographic efforts. Their stories are contextualized within and across one another as a complex study of women’s lives in geopolitical heterosexism and patriarchy. The name of the project, WomenWeLove, both honors those we are writing about and acknowledges love as methodologically salient. It is unusual to conduct studies of any kind within the context of such close researcher/participant relationships. At the intersection of ethnography and love, emerges the methodological innovation of migratory storyworlding. The paper contributes to our contemporary ethnographic theories and practices by committing to love as a methodologically interesting orientation toward one’s research, examining the migratory and digitized possibilities for ethnography, and by introducing a migratory storyworlding methodology.