bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation-Based Dynamic Traffic Assignment with Continuously Distributed Value of Time for Heterogeneous Users
Authors: Tian Ye , Chiu Yi-Chang
Published: September 2021

The value of time (VOT) attribute is usually utilized to represent the trade-off between time and monetary expenses in transportation problems. A good representation of VOT is essential for evaluation of any road pricing scheme. Conventionally, in dynamic traffic assignment models, VOT is considered as either constant or finite discrete among travelers because of memory and computational limitations, which in turn could introduce bias in the results. This research explicitly models the individual bi-criteria dynamic user equilibrium (IBDUE) problem and presents a distinct simulation-based solution algorithm that enables individual-based traffic assignment within reasonable run time with a successful implementation of variable and continuously distributed VOT in a simulation-based dynamic traffic assignment package. Numerical analysis reveals that the constant and discrete VOT models tend to overestimate toll road usage compared with the continuous VOT model when the toll charge is low, and underestimate it when the toll charge is high, which reflects previous studies. In the meantime, an experiment on a real-world congestion pricing scheme demonstrates the capability of the proposed algorithm on evaluating flow-dependent pricing schemes.
Assessing and Predicting Mobility Improvement of Integrating Bike-Sharing into Multimodal Public Transport Systems
Authors: Kapuku Christian , Kho Seung-Young , Kim Dong-Kyu , Cho Shin-Hyung
Published: September 2021

New shared mobility services have become increasingly common in many cities and shown potential to address urban transportation challenges. This study aims to analyze the mobility performance of integrating bike-sharing into multimodal transport systems and develop a machine learning model to predict the performance of intermodal trips with bike-sharing compared with those without bike-sharing for a given trip using transit smart card data and bike-sharing GPS data from the city of Seoul. The results suggest that using bike-sharing in the intermodal trips where it performs better than buses could enhance the mobility performance by providing up to 34% savings in travel time per trip compared with the scenarios in which bus is used exclusively for the trips and up to 33% savings when bike-sharing trips are used exclusively. The results of the machine learning models suggest that the random forest classifier outperformed three other classifiers with an accuracy of 90% in predicting the performance of bike-sharing and intermodal transit trips. Further analysis and applications of the mobility performance of bike-sharing in Seoul are presented and discussed.
Multiple-Factors Aware Car-Following Model for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Ma Huaqing , Wu Hao , Hu Yucong , Chen Zhiwei , Luo Jialing
Published: September 2021

The emergence of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) is of great significance to the development of transportation systems. This paper proposes a multiple-factors aware car-following (MACF) model for CAVs with the consideration of multiple factors including vehicle co-optimization velocity, velocity difference of multiple PVs, and space headway of multiple PVs. The Next Generation Simulation (NGSIM) dataset and the genetic algorithm are used to calibrate the parameters of the model. The stability of the MACF model is first theoretically proved and then empirically verified via numerical simulation experiments. In addition, the VISSIM software is partially redeveloped based on the MACF model to analyze mixed traffic flows consisting of human-driven vehicles and CAVs. Results show that the integration of CAVs based on the MACF model effectively improves the average velocity and throughput of the system.
Relative Contribution of Process Control Parameters on the Raveling Resistance of Microsurfacing Mix
Authors: Bhargava Nishant , Kumar Siddagangaiah Anjan , Lyngdoh Ryntathiang Teiborlang
Published: September 2021

Raveling is one of the key performance parameters of microsurfacing treatment. During the material handling and mix production, process control parameters including aggregate gradation, emulsion content, and water content vary inevitably and might increase the risk of raveling. The objective of this study was to quantify the relative contribution of these process control parameters on the raveling resistance of the microsurfacing mix. For this purpose, a total of 30 combinations of aggregate gradation, emulsion content, and water content were subjected to raveling using wet track abrasion test. The investigations showed that the raveling increased for coarser gradation and lower emulsion content, whereas the variation in raveling was minimal with water content. Further, the test results were modeled using an artificial neural network (ANN). The ANN model was able to capture the influence of process control parameters on the raveling resistance of the microsurfacing mix. Garson’s algorithm was used to quantify the relative contribution of each process control parameter on raveling. It was found that the relative contributions of aggregate gradation, emulsion content, and water content were 40%, 28%, and 32%, respectively. Because of their substantial contribution, it is critical to ensure proper quality control of process control parameters during material handling and production of microsurfacing mix. In particular, coarser aggregate gradation in conjunction with lower emulsion content should be avoided to minimize the risk of raveling.
Knowledge and Awareness Level of Parents Regarding Preschool Children’s Privacy According to Demographic Characteristics
Authors: Muslu Leyla , Kolutek Rahsan , Alkaya Aylin
Published: September 2021

Although the concept of privacy is as old as human history, it has attracted attention as a social need in recent years. An important issue regarding child protection is privacy. This research was carried out to determine the awareness and knowledge of children’s parents on awareness of child privacy right. A total of 107 students’ parents, registered in preschool, consisted of the sample of the study. This research was descriptive research. To determine the relationships between categorical variables, chi-square analysis was used as the statistical methods of the research. Total of 29% of parents stated that they always asked permission from their children to enter their room, 80.4% never took off their children’s clothes nearby someone else, 83.2% never preferred clothes older than their children’s age, 69.2% never showed affection for child’s private parts, 54.2% they never loved their children by battering him/her (biting, squeezing, etc.). It was found that parents with boys preferred more clothes older than their age for their children compared to parents with girls, and the rate of waiting in the toilet with their children decreased as the age of their children increased. It was determined that as the education level of the mothers of the children increased, they entered the children’s room with permission. It was observed that as the education level of fathers increased, they preferred clothes older than their age significantly less for their children and working mothers did not wait in the toilet with their children. Parents’ awareness of privacy can contribute to their awareness of abuse. Overall, this study provided evidence that parents’ awareness of privacy may have universal characteristics as well as aspects specific to sociocultural context.
Shedding Light on the Causes and Characteristics of Stroke in Lebanon: A Systematic Review of Literature
Authors: Gifford Abbott , Biffi Alessandro , Gelaye Bizu , Chemali Zeina
Published: September 2021

Background:

The prevalence and severity of stroke in Lebanon has increased over the past decade and stroke is currently the second leading cause of death in the country.

Methods:

We systematically reviewed existing research on stroke prevalence, risk factors, mortality and morbidity of stroke, stroke treatment, and stroke education to assess the epidemiology of stroke in Lebanon. A literature search was conducted on the PubMed database for articles presenting data in any of these 5 categories in Lebanon, as well as articles discussing the Middle East and North Africa region generally.

Results:

A high prevalence of modifiable risk factors (cigarette and waterpipe smoking) and risk factors that could be mitigated by lifestyle changes (obesity and hypertension) were found in Lebanon. Stroke mortality rates and risk factors of mortality were consistent with global trends, though the cost of treatment in Lebanon was significantly higher than in other developing nations.

Conclusion:

Urgent public health initiatives are needed to educate the public about the dangers of modifiable stroke risk factors and to reduce the burden of stroke in Lebanon.
How Maharashtra Invests for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: A Gender Budget Analysis
Authors: Das Shoumeli , Nair Anuradha
Published: September 2021

Despite being one of India’s most economically progressive states, Maharashtra’s human development trajectory has been plagued by severe inequalities with pronounced gendered implications. In order to unpack the role of the state in responding to the needs of women, girls and transgender persons through policies and budgets, this article deep dives into the public investment for gender equality and women’s empowerment in Maharashtra. We map policy priorities from the State Policy for Women 2014 to schemes and budgets as reported in the state’s first Gender Budget Statement 2020–2021. The study finds there is a large gap between policy and implementation, and that the investment on women, girls and transgender persons is abysmally inadequate. The analysis points to the lack of holistic investment across critical sectors, absence of a transformative enabling environment and insufficient interventions for the intersectional gender needs of the most vulnerable.

JEL Classification: H72, H75, I38, J16
Advancing Transnational Higher Education in Ethiopia: Policy Promises and Realities
Authors: Tamrat Wondwosen , Teferra Damtew
Published: September 2021

Ethiopia boasts more than a million students in its burgeoning higher education sector which has witnessed phenomenal growth over the last two decades. In this context, transnational higher education (TNHE) has been widely touted as a viable means of addressing human resource capacity building needs and quality educational provisions. Using documentary analysis, survey questionnaire and structured interviews as principal data sources, this study explored the major rationales, policy directions and gaps in the provision of TNHE in Ethiopia. The findings of the study indicate that despite policy directions informed by the theories of human capital development and social inclusion, which are widely advanced by multilateral agents like the World Bank and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the gains so far have been marginal and fraught with a plethora of challenges. The study proposes mechanisms for addressing these challenges and enhancing the contribution of TNHE in the context of developing countries.
Managing Team Conscientiousness Diversity: The Role of Leader Emotion-Regulation Knowledge
Authors: Homan Astrid C. , van Kleef Gerben A.
Published: September 2021

Team members may vary in the degree to which they are self-motivating, diligent, and organized, but effects of such conscientiousness diversity are poorly understood. We propose that conscientiousness diversity effects depend on the team leader’s knowledge about managing negative affective responses—that is emotion regulation knowledge. Data of two time-lagged team studies show that for teams with leaders with lower emotion-regulation knowledge, conscientiousness diversity was negatively associated with team satisfaction (Study 1 and 2), team cohesion and information elaboration (Study 2), which in turn influenced team performance (Study 2). These negative relationships reversed in teams with leaders with higher emotion-regulation knowledge.
Responses to COVID-19 in Major Social Work Journals: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies, Comments, and Editorials
Authors: Cheung Johnson Chun-Sing
Published: September 2021

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest studies on COVID-19-related social work issues. Method: This systematic review aimed to collect, review, and synthesize all COVID-19-related papers published in 43 major social work journals, a year after the first known case was reported. Results: The final sample ( n = 256) consisted of 85 research articles and 171 in other formats. All the studies involved a total of 46,195 research participants. The majority of papers (75.4%) could be accessed freely online. Service users including families, students, older adults, caregivers, refugees, patients, health care workers, etc. were either researched or discussed. Discussion: Gerontological social work was one of the fields that received ample attention. Papers published in the Journal of Gerontological Social Work yielded the highest number of citations. Academics and social workers came up with innovative ways of practicing and researching during the pandemic.
Assessing Preference for Activities and Instructional Contexts
Authors: Vargo Kristina K. , Loflin Lindsey J.
Published: September 2021

Many teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are familiar with traditional preference assessment methodologies to identify high-preferred items. Traditional preference assessments are valuable; however, they may not be appropriate when identifying preferences for some educational activities and instructional contexts. The concurrent-chains preference assessment (CCPA) is a preference assessment variation that has been effectively used with students with ASD to identify preferred and nonpreferred activities and contexts. This article introduces teachers to the CCPA and discusses its utility and applications for students with ASD, as well as recommendations for effective implementation.
Intensive Word Problem Solving for Students With Learning Disabilities in Mathematics
Authors: Witzel Bradley , Myers Jonté A. , Xin Yan Ping
Published: September 2021

State exams frequently use word problems to measure mathematics performance, making difficulties with word problem solving a barrier for many students with learning disabilities (LD) in mathematics. Based on meta-analytic data for students with LD, five empirically validated word-problem strategies are presented, with components of model-based problem solving (MBPS) highlighted.
Advocacy for Incarcerated Youth: A Conversation With Peter Leone
Authors: Gagnon Joseph Calvin
Published: September 2021

Dr. Peter Leone is an internationally renowned researcher and advocate for incarcerated youth. Throughout his almost four decades at the University of Maryland, his expertise and research have influenced lawsuits related to the provision of education and special education services in juvenile corrections and paved the way for changes in policy and practice. Dr. Leone shared his reflections on his career, progress that has been made in juvenile justice education, urgent matters, future directions, and recommendations for future juvenile justice educators and researchers.
Strengths-Based Transition Planning: A Positive Approach for Students With Learning Disabilities
Authors: Yeager Kristopher Hawk , Deardorff Malarie E.
Published: September 2021

Students with learning disabilities (LD) benefit from individualized transition services that address their strengths and assets. This article provides three steps to facilitate strengths-based transition planning: (a) independent and guided reflection, (b) assessment, and (c) alignment of strengths to each component of the transition plan. Sample materials provide guidance on identifying a wide range of strengths, (i.e., attributes, relationships, contexts, skills) and writing positive disability impact statements, present levels, goals, and services.
The Comparison of Therapeutic Efficacy Between Dabigatran Versus Warfarin in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Li Hongxia , Zhang Lei , Xia Ming , Zhang Chi , Jiang Tingbo
Published: September 2021

Background

Novel oral anticoagulants and warfarin are widely used for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. The anticoagulation status of patients receiving warfarin or rivaroxaban has been studied. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of dabigatran and warfarin on preventing thrombin generation (TG).

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 237 nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) subjects treated with 110 mg dabigatran etexilate twice daily and 224 NVAF patients received adjusted-dose warfarin (international normalized ratio [INR] of 2 to 3)). Coagulation assays, prothrombin fragment 1  +  2 (F1+2), calibrated automated thrombogram, and thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT) were detected at the steady state.

Results

Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), antithrombin III activity, fibrinogen, and lag time showed no difference between the two groups. Compared to the dabigatran group, prothrombin time and INR values were higher in the warfarin group (all P < .001). Thrombin time, endogenous thrombin potential, peak TG (Cmax), F1+2, and TAT were lower in the warfarin group. The inhibition of TG was still stronger in the warfarin group when the patients were divided into subgroups.

Conclusion

Conventional coagulation assays are suboptimal for assessing the coagulation status of dabigatran. TG could be used as supplementary assays to evaluate the anticoagulation effect of oral anticoagulants. Our results suggest that warfarin may inhibit TG more aggressively than dabigatran in patients regardless of age and kidney function.
Defining cytotoxic drugs – you know it when you see it?
Authors: de Lemos Mário L , Badry Nadine , Conklin James , Koberinski Michelle
Published: September 2021

Safe handling precautions are an important measure used to prevent occupational exposure to hazardous antineoplastic drugs. Historically, the terms ‘antineoplastic’, ‘chemotherapy’ and ‘cytotoxic’ are frequently conflated. However, many current antineoplastic drugs do not have cytotoxic mechanisms of actions, leading to confusion when developing safe handling policies. Based on the mechanistic criteria outlined in this review, we have compiled a list of the most commonly used antineoplastic drugs with their cytotoxic or non-cytotoxic designations. We propose that this list can be used when discussing drug-specific safe handling precaution measures.
Oncologists’ attitudes towards prophylaxis of cancer associated venous thromboembolism: A prospective, descriptive study
Authors: Kandemir Esin Aysel , Bayraktar-Ekincioglu Aygin , Kilickap Saadettin
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism creates a big burden on both patients and healthcare systems. Clinical guidelines have a consensus on the initiation of prophylactic treatment for hospitalised patients, however a debate still exists for ambulatory cancer patients. Therefore, this study aimed to identify attitudes and practices of medical oncologists on cancer-associated venous thromboembolism management.

Methods

An online survey consisting of 22 questions was developed by researchers in the view of previous studies and delivered to 100 medical oncologists registered to the national society of medical oncology by e-mail between September and October 2018. Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23.0 (ICM Corp. Released 2015. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp).

Results

A total of 62 medical oncologists (75.8% male) responded to the survey (response rate of 62%). The most critical three risk factors considered for initiating prophylaxis were prior venous thromboembolism history, immobilisation and tumour/cancer type for inpatients and outpatients (χ2 test, p < 0.001). The first choice of drug for prophylaxis was mostly low molecular weight heparins ( n = 60, 96.8%). In the absence of contraindications, physicians initiate prophylaxis ‘usually’ for inpatients ( n = 25, 40.3%) and outpatients ( n = 5, 8.1%). However routine use of the Khorana score is not incorporated into the risk assessment process of cancer patients.

Conclusion

Attitudes of oncologists towards thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients are consistent with previous studies in the literature. The respondents are aware of the venous thromboembolism risk of cancer patients, however raising awareness on both cancer-associated venous thromboembolism and current guideline recommendations is needed.
Alternate dosage formulations of oral targeted anticancer agents
Authors: Wagner Charlotte , Adams Val , Overley Colleen
Published: September 2021

Objective

Oral anticancer therapies have demonstrated superior outcomes compared to traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy in many disease states. However, certain patients may not be candidates for these agents due to odynphagia or dysphagia. The purpose of this review is to summarize the data for extemporaneous compounding of oral anticancer agents.

Data sources

Food and drug administration approvals of oncology agents were reviewed to identify oral anticancer therapies. In order to find alternative administration options: the package inserts of each of these agents were reviewed, each medication was searched in a tertiary drug information resource, the medical information teams of each drug manufacturer were contacted to inquire about proprietary data, sites with pediatric trials were contacted, a primary literature search was performed, and listservs for national pharmacy and oncology organizations were reviewed.

Data summary

Eighty-five food and drug administration-approved oral anticancer therapies were identified to be included. Of those agents, nine (11%), had information in the package insert related to alternative administration. After further research, 46 (54%) of the agents had some information related to alternate formulations for administration. The recipes and stability of each of these compounds is included.

Conclusions

The majority of agents do not have Phase I or II trials that assess safety or pharmacokinetics of alternative formulations. Clinicians should exercise caution when recommending or administering these agents outside of food and drug administration-approved indicated use and utilize clinical judgment in assessing the risks and benefits of altering anticancer compounds. However, the alternative administration considerations presented can increase access to oncology patients who have difficulty swallowing.
Side effects of immune-checkpoint inhibitors: Can multiple side effects be seen in a patient?
Authors: Özyurt Esra , Özçelik Serhat , Sürmeli Heves , Çelik Mehmet , Ayhan Murat , Özçelik Melike
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Nivolumab is a human immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody that inhibits programmed cell death-1 activity by binding to the programmed cell death-1 receptors. Cancer cells express increased number of programmed cell death-1 ligands and this allows them to escape the cytotoxic effects of the T cells. Therefore, the negative programmed cell death-1 receptor signal regulates T-cell proliferation and activation is disrupted. However, this change in the activity of the T cells can cause them to lose their ability to recognize host cells. The immune response enabled by these agents has led to side effects, commonly known as “immune-related adverse events.”

Case report

We report a case of a 66-year-old male patient who was treated with nivolumab for recurrent renal cell carcinoma presented with hepatitis and adrenalitis. Three weeks after starting nivolumab, the patient had abdominal pain and weakness, and then aspartate and alanine transaminase levels were found to be elevated.

Management and outcome

Hepatitis was predicted to be due to nivolumab, because other causes were excluded. He started using oral methylprednisolone and then, hepatitis improved. However, while receiving methylprednisolone treatment, fludrocortisone was started with the pre-diagnosis of adrenalitis due to the persistence of fatigue, weakness, and hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. With both treatments, the patient's symptoms and sodium and potassium level returned to normal.

Discussion

This case emphasizes the need for patient's education and awareness of immune-related adverse events, and the importance of understanding the management of life-threatening complications of the checkpoint inhibitors, because these side effects require prompt recognition and treatment.
Chemotherapy roadmaps in pediatric oncology: A digital electronic medical record integrated solution
Authors: Field Mary T , Lamble Adam J , Holtzclaw Susan L , Tucker Sarah A , Ketterl Tyler G
Published: September 2021

Background

Delivery of antineoplastic regimens in the pediatric setting is facilitated by a paper roadmap. Paper roadmaps are the key safety tool required for safe ordering. Electronic medical record systems offer technological solutions for ordering antineoplastic regimens, however, do not offer a solution that integrates paper roadmaps digitally.

Methods

A multidisciplinary project team implemented real-time clinician scanning of paper roadmaps into the electronic medical record.

Results

The rate of missing roadmaps decreased from an average of 1.6 to 0.8 per week. Pharmacists gained 3 h of productivity daily. Providers spend an average of 35–45 s and a total of seven clicks each time a roadmap is scanned. Overall, the clinical systems analyst spent less than 1 h of total build time.

Conclusion

Implementing roadmap scanning decreased the rate of missing roadmaps, increased pharmacist productivity, and required a nominal amount of analyst and provider time. In addition, this solution allows for concurrent viewing of the roadmap files from any connected computer, facilitating an easier co-signature process for providers, pharmacists, and nurses.

Practice Implications

These results suggest that implementing real-time scanning of roadmaps can improve oncology care efficiency while maintaining the same safety rigor that paper roadmaps offer.
Analysis and control of an electro-elastic contact problem
Authors: Chen Tao , Hu Rong , Sofonea Mircea
Published: September 2021

We consider a mathematical model that describes the frictional contact of an electro-elastic body with a semi-insulator foundation. The process is static; the contact is bilateral and associated to Tresca’s friction law. We list the assumptions on the data and derive a variational formulation of the model, in the form of a system that couples two inclusions in which the unknowns are the strain field and the electric field. Then we prove the unique solvability of the system, as well as the continuous dependence of its solution with respect to the data. We use these results in the study of an associated optimal control problem, for which we prove an existence result. The proofs are based on arguments of monotonicity, compactness, convex analysis, and lower semicontinuity.
Six Weeks Effects of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Training in Obese Postpartum Women With Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ghavipanje Vajihe , Rahimi Nasser Mohammad , Akhlaghi Farideh
Published: September 2021

Background:

The worldwide prevalence of obesity and low back pain (LBP) has recently dramatically increased and is mainly indicated among postpartum women, leading to a range of adverse health consequences.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization training (DNS) in obese postpartum women with LBP.

Method:

This was a pretest-posttest study design. The study was conducted with 40 obese postpartum women with LBP randomized to receive DNS ( n = 20) or General Exercise (GE, n = 20) 6 times a week for 6 weeks. The data were gathered before and after the 6-week intervention.

Results:

Forty participants completed the study (mean ± SD, age 29.30 ± 3.77 years; weight 88.10 ± 6.09 kg; height 165.40 ± 6.31 cm; and BMI, 32.19 ± 1.07 kg/m2). The overall group-by-time interaction was significant for Numeric Pain-Rating Scale, Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, Inspiration and Expiration Breath Hold Time, and Respiratory Rate outcomes. The global rating of change was significantly different between groups ( p < .05). The rate of improvement was higher in the DNS group compared to the GE group in all 6 tests.

Conclusion:

The present study confirms that DNS is applicable in obese postpartum women with LBP and effectively improved NPRS, MODQ, FABQ, BHT, and RR. It is clinically suggested that DNS is imperative based on ideal ontogenetic patterns to attain optimal results for obese postpartum women with LBP.
Ten years after: Is the party-centered theory of campaign professionalization still valid?
Authors: Mykkänen Juri , Nord Lars , Moring Tom
Published: September 2021

This study tests the explanatory strength of the party-centered theory of electoral campaign professionalism. The theory was previously subject to testing in various types of elections during the first decade of the new millennium, covering Germany, Austria, Sweden, and Finland. Nevertheless, empirical research in this field has been on hold for almost a decade, obstructing the development of the theory during a time when politics and political campaigns have taken new paths. In this article, the theory is revisited, presenting results from a unique time series study covering 48 party campaigns between 2009 and 2019 in three consecutive European parliamentary elections in two multiparty democracies, Sweden and Finland. Our results provide weak support for the party-centered theory of campaign professionalism in the form it was originally operationalized. Only a centralized party organization and a large support base with a catch-all strategy were found to be statistically significant predictors of campaign professionalism.
Intranasal sufentanil compared with a classic protocol for acute pain management in an emergency department: A prospective sequential study
Authors: Kreps Bernard , Malinverni Stefano , Carles Emma , Bartiaux Magali , Youatou Towo Pierre
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Pain is a frequent complaint in the emergency department and should be measured and treated according to the existing protocols. The intranasal route offers several advantages over the oral or intravenous routes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intranasal sufentanil as the primary opioid for acute pain in the emergency department.

Materials and methods

This was a prospective open-label sequential study in patients who presented to the emergency department with severe non-visceral pain. The control group was treated according to the current standard of care including oral or intravenous opioids whereas the intervention group was treated according to a modified protocol, including intranasal sufentanil as the only opioid. Pain intensity was measured at different time points. The occurrence of side effects, the placement of intravenous lines and the need for additional analgesia were also recorded.

Results

Pain intensity in the two groups was not comparable at baseline (8.5; IQR 8–10 in the intervention group vs 7.9; IQR 7–9.4 in the control group; p = .026). However, the median reduction of the pain score was significantly larger in the intervention group compared to the control group after 15 minutes (2.5; IQR 1.2 – 4 vs 1.6; IQR 1–2.4; p = .005) and after 30 min (4; IQR 3–5.7 vs 3.1; IQR 2–4.4; p = .02). No significant difference in pain scores between the two groups was observed after 60 min from baseline.

Conclusions

Patients receiving intranasal sufentanil for severe pain achieved better pain relief at 15 min and 30 min compared to those receiving standard care. Vertigo, nausea, vomiting and diaphoresis were side effects more frequently observed in the sufentanil group. No differences in pain relief were observed after 30 and 60 min from baseline.
Sliding behavior of high speed ball bearings based on improved nonlinear dynamic model
Authors: Qian Dongsheng , Xu Xiaotian , Deng Song , Jiang Shaofeng , Hua Lin
Published: September 2021

To accurately predict the dynamic behaviors of high speed ball bearings, an investigation on the sliding behavior of balls at high and low speeds, and light and heavy loads is necessary. However, existing nonlinear dynamic models fail to consider comprehensively key factors such as asperity and hydrodynamic tractions, time-varying friction coefficient and time-varying lubricant mode. In this work, these influencing factors are integrated into the nonlinear dynamic model to make it suitable for the working conditions of high and low speeds and light and heavy loads. The dynamic analysis provides the relation of angular speeds of balls with spin and sliding at light and heavy loads, also it reveals the number of pure rolling point under the combined effect of differential sliding and spin sliding. Research results provide a reliable mathematical model and theoretical bases for further studying the dynamic behaviors of high speed ball bearings.
Experimental evaluation and comparison of silica/biocarbon particulate-epoxy composites for high-strength applications
Authors: Ojha Shakuntala , Pranay V. , Raghavendra Gujjala , Gara Dheeraj
Published: September 2021

Biowaste utilization and management are of primary concern in the current scenario for a sustainable environment. One way to enable this is to replace commercial fillers with composite materials. In the present study, the fillers, that is, silica and biocarbon are extracted from rice husk and processed further as biofillers for processing composites. With inherent processing challenges involved in biofiller-based composites, this study investigated and compared the influence of dispersed silica and biocarbon particles independently on the mechanical and tribological properties of epoxy composites. The composites were fabricated by a hand lay-up process. The composites were fabricated with three different filler loadings each of silica and biocarbon separately (2, 4 and 6 wt%). The mechanical characterization results illustrate that tensile, flexural, compression, and erosion wear showed superior properties compared to neat epoxy. It is also evident that there was an enhancement of 19% in compressive strength in composites compared to neat epoxy at 2 wt% silica and biocarbon filler composites. The tensile strength increased by 2.6 times when compared to neat epoxy at 2 wt% silica filler addition. Alongside, erosion results confirm that the properties of pure epoxy change from semi-brittle to ductile due to the addition of silica and biocarbon fillers. This semi-brittle to ductile nature is important for marine applications as propellers are subject to extreme cold and warm temperatures with very little transition time, leading to ductile to brittle failure. Finally, it can be inferred that silica extracted from rice husk has versatile applications when compared to the carbon extract.
Free vibration analysis of porous beams with gradually varying mechanical properties
Authors: Zghal Souhir , Ataoui Dhia , Dammak Fakhreddine
Published: September 2021

This work is aimed to present analysis on free vibration behavior of porous beams with gradually varying mechanical properties based on a robust finite beam element. The governing equations are developed using a mixed variational formulation considering high-order displacement distribution. A new parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains is introduced and the zero condition of the shear stresses at the upper and bottom surfaces of the beam is satisfied. The porosity can be spread into the beam with evenly and unevenly distributions. According to a modified power function, the material properties are varying along the thickness direction of the FGM porous beam. The presented results show the effect of gradient index, porosity coefficient and forms, boundary conditions, and geometrical parameters on the vibration of FGM beams. It is found that porous beams can be useful as a passive method for control of vibration for structural components.
European legislators’ attitudes toward childhood sexuality from the perspective of age of consent legislation
Authors: Zhu Guangxing
Published: September 2021

Childhood sexuality is a culturally constructed notion, which has constantly been subjected to change. Various constructions of childhood sexuality represent different attitudes toward children's engagement in sex. As a substantial factor in regulating children's sexuality, a country's age of consent legislation is an important indicator of the national legislators' attitudes toward childhood sexuality. This study summarizes four main discourses around child sexuality, ranging from traditional constructions that solely focus on protecting the child's “innocence” to modern notions that provide more leeway for children to explore their sexuality. By juxtaposing these discourses against the current age of consent laws in 57 European jurisdictions, it appears that national law makers in Europe are still mainly influenced by the traditional construction of childhood sexuality, which results in various negative consequences. To avoid the disconnect between academic discussions about childhood sexuality and legislators' rationales for their actions, it is recommended that legislators take the latest findings in academia into account and reflect on the rationales behind their legislation.
Association between moral intelligence, burnout and quality of nursing care
Authors: Heidari Tahereh , Azimilolaty Hamideh , Khorram Majid , Rezaei Soraya , Mousavinasab Seyed-Nouraddin , Nikbakht Roya
Published: September 2021

Background

Providing quality care is of the fundamental elements of holistic nursing practice, and burnout and moral intelligence of nurses be mentioned as the important factors influencing the quality of nursing care. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between moral intelligence, burnout, and the quality of nursing care.

Methods

This descriptive-correlative study was conducted on 125 nurses working in Sari-based Educational hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, between June and August 2020. The sample was selected via random sampling. The data were collected by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Lennick and Kiel Moral Intelligence Scale, and Quality of Patient Care Scale. The data were analyzed by SPSS-21 and Amos-24.

Results

A direct and significant relationship was found between the quality of nursing care and moral intelligence ( r = 0.285, p = 0.001). Quality of care had an inverse relationship with subscales of frequency of burnout including emotional exhaustion ( r = −0.369, p < 0.001) and depersonalization ( r = −0.471, p < 0.001) and also, a direct relationship with personal accomplishment ( r = 0.226, p = 0.011). The findings also showed an inverse relationship between quality of care and subscales of the intensity of burnout. Amos software yielded results that demonstrated moral intelligence as a robust mediator between burnout and the quality of care.

Conclusion

The findings implied the necessity for more attention to moral intelligence as a mediator in order to come up with properly managing the personality traits influencing the nurses’ burnout reduction, which can ultimately lead to improved quality of nursing care.
Public parts, resocialized autonomous communal life
Authors: Rodrigues Silva Dória David , Ramaswami Keshav , Claypool Mollie , Retsin Gilles
Published: September 2021

Commoning embodies the product of social contracts and behaviors between groups of individuals. In the case of social housing and the establishment of physical domains for life, commoning is an intersection of these contracts and the restrictions and policies that prohibit and allow them to occur within municipalities. Via a platform-based project entitled Public Parts (2020), this article will also present positions on the reification of the common through a set of design methodologies and implementations of automation. This platform seeks to subvert typical platform models to decrease ownership, increase access, and produce a new form of communal autonomous life amongst individuals that constitute the rapidly expanding freelance, work from home, and gig economies. Furthermore, this text investigates the consequences of merging domestic space with artificial intelligence by implementing machine learning to reconfigure spaces and program. The problems that arise from the deployment of machine learning algorithms involve issues of collection, usage, and ownership of data. Through the physical design of space, and a central AI which manages the platform and the automated management of space, the core objective of Public Parts is to reify the common through architecture and collectively owned data.
Television and the “Honest” Woman: Mediating the Labor of Believability
Authors: Banet-Weiser Sarah , Higgins Kathryn Claire
Published: September 2021

Between 2019 and 2020, three streaming series premiered on Netflix, Apple+, and BBC One/HBO: Unbelievable, The Morning Show, and I May Destroy You. All three narratively centered sexual violence against women, foregrounding the experiences of the women characters, and were produced within the context of the global movement #MeToo. We offer a conjunctural analysis of these programs within what we call the economy of believability, arguing that these shows should be read as fictionalized real-world phenomena, distilled for television but nonetheless reflective of deeply sedimented assumptions about women, sexual violence, and believability. We argue that the programs examine the struggle for belief as it manifests in three key forms of labor: (1) the affective performance of believability; (2) payment of the costs of believability; (3) entrepreneurially attaching value to believability. Our analysis positions the discourses and narratives of these shows—and of the real-world contexts they speak to—within the broader frame of a mediated, intersectional economy of believability, where contestations about how and when women may be believed play out in and through struggles over visibility, authenticity, and recognition.
Outcomes of stent-graft repair for anastomotic femoral pseudoaneurysm. A case series
Authors: Franchin Marco , Fontana Federico , Luzzani Luca , Lanza Michela , Piffaretti Gabriele , Bellosta Raffaello
Published: September 2021

Objective

This study aims to report a case series of anastomotic femoral pseudoaneurysms (PSA) treated with stent-grafting (SG) in patients at high-risk for the open surgical approach.

Methods

It is a retrospective, observational cohort study. Between 1 January 2002 and 1 April 2020, post-hoc analysis of the database including patients who received repair for femoral PSA identified those treated with SG. All but one patient were approached through a contralateral percutaneous transfemoral access, and the SG was always deployed from the common femoral artery to the profunda femoris artery. For this study, primary outcomes of interest were early (≤ 30 days) survival and patency rate.

Results

We identified 10/823 cases of the entire PSA cohort (1.2%). There were 9 men and 1 woman: the mean age was 76 years ± 9 (range: 64–92). Urgent intervention was performed in 4 patients. The median operative time was 30 min (IQR: 25–36). Access-related complication was never observed. In-hospital mortality occurred in 1 patient due to novel coronavirus-19–related pneumonia. Median follow-up was 24 months (IQR: 12–37); 5 patients died. At the last radiologic follow-up available, all SGs were patent without necessity of reintervention.

Conclusion

Stent-graft repair for anastomotic femoral PSA may be considered a reasonable alternative for patients at high-risk for open surgical repair.
Modeling the relationship between principal leadership and teacher professional learning in Kuwait: The mediating effects of Trust and Teacher Agency
Authors: Alazmi Ayeshah A , Hammad Waheed
Published: September 2021

Research has revealed that appropriate school leadership practices can positively support and promote teacher learning. This study examines the influences of Learning-Centered Leadership upon Teacher Agency, Trust and professional learning in a Kuwaiti context. Following results from recent empirical research, this study tested a model of principal leadership effects upon teacher learning via the mediators of Teacher Trust and Agency. The researchers collected data from 1060 teachers working at 64 Kuwaiti public schools and analyzed this data using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Results validated this model, showing that Learning-Centered Leadership affects teacher professional development via Teacher Trust and Agency. This improves our understanding of the relationship between school leadership and teacher professional learning both in Kuwait and internationally; relevant recommendations are listed.
Leadership styles and teacher job satisfaction in Ethiopian schools
Authors: Yohannes Menber E , Wasonga Teresa A
Published: September 2021

This quantitative study investigated the relationship between leadership styles and teacher job satisfaction in Ethiopia, based on teacher perceptions. The multifactor leadership theory also known as full range leadership theory and work adjustment theory provided the theoretical framework to explore the relationship. Analysis of data yielded three major findings: (1) while the practice of transformational leadership was significantly lower, the practice of laissez-faire was significantly higher than international benchmarks; (2) teacher job satisfaction was low and significantly lower among males; and (3) there were low to moderate correlations between leadership styles and teacher job satisfaction with aspects of transformational and transactional leadership predicting job satisfaction, a trend similar to studies in other African countries. This study suggests that practicing principals, leadership preparation programs, and reform initiatives for school success in Ethiopia, consider providing professional development that includes predictors of teacher job satisfaction—inspirational motivation and contingency reward among other things.