bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methodological Flexibility in Systems Thinking: Musings from the Standpoint of a Systems Consultant
Authors: Chowdhury Rajneesh
Published: April 2022

Systems thinking is armored with a range of methodologies to aid practitioners work in complex situations. However, systems methodologies are often associated with a niche research group in operations research, management science and systems engineering (OR/MS/SE) thereby making their popularity and acceptance in general management and engineering challenging. In such a situation, methodological flexibility can offer greater liberty to a practitioner to use systems methodologies in a more flexible and creative manner without having to be bound by the rigor of the methodology itself. This paper presents a discussion on methodological flexibility in systems thinking highlighting two consultancy case studies. An orientation to the development of systems thinking in OR/MS/SE is provided leading to the presentation of Holistic Flexibility, a recently developed conceptual lens in systems thinking that calls for a more egalitarian and democratic stance for the discipline. The case-studies presented are analyzed in light of Holistic Flexibility to articulate the benefits and practitioner limitations of methodological flexibility. Recommendations to address the limitations are provided. This paper has two main contributions: First, it presents the proposition that methodological flexibility can also mean that systems methodologies can influence the design and deployment of interventions in management consultancy, without directly deploying such methodologies. Second, the practitioner experience, drawing from the journey of the projects presented in the case-studies, will substantiate recent arguments that call for systems thinking to be a cognitive discipline without having to be methodologically bounded.
The Structure of the Global Heliosphere as Seen by In-Situ Ions from the Voyagers and Remotely Sensed ENAs from Cassini
Authors: Dialynas Konstantinos , Krimigis Stamatios M. , Decker Robert B. , Hill Matthew , Mitchell Donald G. , Hsieh Ke Chiang , Hilchenbach Martin , Czechowski Andrzej
Published: April 2022

The exploration of interplanetary space and our solar bubble, the heliosphere, has made a big leap over the past two decades, due to the path-breaking observations of the two Voyager spacecraft, launched more than 44 years ago. Their in-situ particle and fields measurements were complemented by remote observations of 5.2 to 55 keV Energetic Neutral Atoms (ENA) from the Cassini mission (Ion and Neutral Camera-INCA), revealing a number of previously unanticipated heliospheric structures such as the “Belt”, a region of enhanced particle pressure inside the heliosheath. The Suprathermal Time Of Flight (HSTOF) instrument on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) also provided information of 58–88 keV ENAs from the heliosphere. In this chapter we provide a brief discussion for the contribution of the Voyager 1 and 2 Low Energy Charged Particle (LECP) observations that provided “ground truth” to the ENA images from Cassini/INCA towards addressing fundamental questions for the heliosphere’s interaction with the Very Local Interstellar Medium.
Facial Kinship Verification: A Comprehensive Review and Outlook
Authors: Wu Xiaoting , Feng Xiaoyi , Cao Xiaochun , Xu Xin , Hu Dewen , López Miguel Bordallo , Liu Li
Published: April 2022

The goal of Facial Kinship Verification (FKV) is to automatically determine whether two individuals have a kin relationship or not from their given facial images or videos. It is an emerging and challenging problem that has attracted increasing attention due to its practical applications. Over the past decade, significant progress has been achieved in this new field. Handcrafted features and deep learning techniques have been widely studied in FKV. The goal of this paper is to conduct a comprehensive review of the problem of FKV. We cover different aspects of the research, including problem definition, challenges, applications, benchmark datasets, a taxonomy of existing methods, and state-of-the-art performance. In retrospect of what has been achieved so far, we identify gaps in current research and discuss potential future research directions.
Indigenous research methodologies in water management: learning from Australia and New Zealand for application on Kamilaroi country
Authors: Moggridge Bradley J. , Thompson Ross M. , Radoll Peter
Published: April 2022

Indigenous Research Methodologies (IRMs) for considering cultural values of water are a missing component of water and wetlands management in Australia. On this dry, flat and ancient continent Traditional Knowledge has been passed on from generation to generation for millennia. The profound knowledge of surface and groundwater has been critical to ensuring the survival of Indigenous peoples in the driest inhabited continent, through finding, re-finding and protecting water. Indigenous Research Methodologies can provide a basis for the exploration of this knowledge in a way that that is culturally appropriate, and which generates a culturally safe space for Indigenous researchers and communities. The development of IRMs has been and continues to be limited in Australia in the water context, primarily due to the lack of Indigenous water practitioners, with non-Indigenous researchers dominating the sector. The intention of the paper is to shift and decolonise the research paradigm from studying Indigenous peoples through non-Indigenous research methodologies, to partnering in developing methods appropriate to Indigenous knowledge systems. Indigenous Research Methodologies are rooted in Indigenous epistemologies and ontologies and represent a radical departure from more positivist forms of research (Wilson, Can J Native Educ 25:2, 2001). This allows the Indigenous researcher to derive the terms, questions, and priorities of what is being researched, how the community is engaged, and how the research is delivered. This paper provides an overview of Indigenous engagement in water management in Australia and Aotearoa (New Zealand), with reference to case studies. These more general models are used as the basis for developing an IRM appropriate to the Kamilaroi people in the Gwydir Wetlands of northern NSW, Australia.
Erratum to: Genistein-induced Anticancer Effects on Acute Leukemia Cells Involve the Regulation of Wnt Signaling Pathway Through H4K20me1 Rather Than DNA Demethylation
Authors: Zhou Hua-rong , Shen Jian-zhen , Fu Hai-ying , Zhang Feng
Published: April 2022

The article “Genistein-induced Anticancer Effects on Acute Leukemia Cells Involve the Regulation of Wnt Signaling Pathway Through H4K20me1 Rather Than DNA Demethylation”, written by Hua-rong ZHOU, Jian-zhen SHEN, Hai-ying FU, Feng ZHANG was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal on October 2021 without open access. With the author(s)’ decision to opt for Open Choice, the copyright of the article is changed to © The Author(s) 2021 and the article is forthwith distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

The original article has been corrected.
Experimental Evaluation of MHD Modeling of EMS During Continuous Casting
Authors: Zhang Haijie , Wu Menghuai , Zhang Zhao , Ludwig Andreas , Kharicha Abdellah , Rónaföldi Arnold , Roósz András , Veres Zsolt , Svéda Mária
Published: April 2022

Electromagnetic stirring (EMS) has been recognized as a mature technique in steel industry to control the as-cast structure of steel continuous casting (CC), and computational magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) methods have been applied to study the EMS efficiency. Most MHD methods de-coupled the calculations of electromagnetic and flow fields or simplifications were made for the flow–electromagnetic interactions. However, the experimental validations of the MHD modeling have been rarely reported or very limited. In this study, we present a benchmark, i.e., a series of laboratory experiments, to evaluate the MHD methods, which have been typically applied for steel CC process. Specifically, a rotating magnetic field (RMF) with variable intensity and frequency is considered. First experiment is performed to measure the distribution of magnetic field without any loaded sample (casting); the second experiment is conducted to measure the RMF-induced torque on a cylindrical sample (different metals/alloys in solid state); the third experiment is (based on a special device) to measure the RMF-induced rotational velocity of the liquid metal (Ga75In25), which is enclosed in a cylindrical crucible. The MHD calculation is performed by coupling ANSYS Maxwell and ANSYS Fluent. The Lorentz force, as calculated by analytical equations, ANSYS Fluent addon MHD module, and external electromagnetic solver, is added as the source term in Navier–Stokes equation. By comparing the simulation results with the benchmark experiments, the calculation accuracy with different coupling methods and modification strategies is evaluated. Based on this, a necessary simplification strategy of the MHD method for CC is established, and application of the simplified MHD method to a CC process is demonstrated.
Evaluation of the Structural Integrity of a Boiling Water Reactor Core Shroud with an Irregular Distribution of Circumferential Cracks: Elasto-plastic and Plastic Analysis
Authors: Ruiz-López P. , Hernández-Gómez L. H. , López-Grijalba Y. , Soto-Mendoza G. , Beltrán-Fernández J. A. , Urriolagoitia-Calderón G.
Published: April 2022

Three asymmetric cracks were postulated at the circumferential horizontal weld H7 of a boiling water reactor type 5 core shroud after 25 years of operation. They were arranged in an irregular distribution with different depths. Unstable crack propagation can be induced when an earthquake and a loss of coolant accident take place. In this paper, a ductile failure analysis has been reported. It has been done following an elastoplastic analysis and a plastic limit load analysis. The crack conditions after 30 and 60 years of operation were evaluated. The results show that the core shroud will keep its structural integrity during sixty years under normal conditions of operation. On the other hand, its operational life is reduced five years under failure conditions. In general terms, the methodology, which has been developed, can be applied for any number of circumferential cracks located in the same cross section. Fast and reliable outputs can be obtained. It can be applied in any moment of the life of the plant, to support the decision on “Use as is”, “Mandatory Repair”, or “Estimation of the remaining life.”
Site index for Chinese fir plantations varies with climatic and soil factors in southern China
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Duan Aiguo , Zhang Jianguo
Published: April 2022

Chinese fir [Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.] has a large native distribution range in southern China. Here, we tested differences in productivity of Chinese fir plantations in different climatic regions and screened the main environmental factors affecting site productivity in each region. Relationships of a Chinese fir site index with climatic factors and the soil physiochemical properties of five soil layers were examined in a long-term positioning observation trial comprising a total of 45 permanent plots in Fujian (eastern region in the middle subtropics), Guangxi (south subtropics) and Sichuan (central region in the middle subtropics) in southern China. Linear mixed effects models were developed to predict the site index for Chinese fir, which was found to vary significantly among different climatic regions. Available P, total N, bulk density and total K were dominant predictors of site index in three climatic regions. The regional linear mixed models built using these predictors in the three climatic regions fit well (R2 = 0.86–0.97). For the whole study area, the available P in the 0–20-cm soil layer and total N in the 80–100-cm soil layer were the most indicative soil factors. MAP was the most important climatic variable influencing the site index. The model evaluation results showed that the fitting performance and prediction accuracy of the global site index model using the climatic region as the dummy variable and random parameters and the most important soil factors of the three climatic regions as predictors was higher than that of global site index model using the climatic variable and the most indicative soil variables of the whole study area. Our results will help with further evaluation of site quality of Chinese fir plantations and the selection of its appropriate sites in southern China as the climatic changes.
Biomechanical analysis of the upper body during overhead industrial tasks using electromyography and motion capture integrated with digital human models
Authors: Panariello Dario , Grazioso Stanislao , Caporaso Teodorico , Palomba Angela , Di Gironimo Giuseppe , Lanzotti Antonio
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we present a biomechanical analysis of the upper body, which includes upper-limb, neck and trunk, during the execution of overhead industrial tasks. The analysis is based on multiple performance metrics obtained from a biomechanical analysis of the worker during the execution of a specific task, i.e. an overhead drilling task, performed at different working heights. The analysis enables a full description of human movement and internal load state during the execution of the task, thought the evaluation of joint angles, joint torques and muscle activations. A digital human model is used to simulate and replicate the worker’s task in a virtual environment. The experiments were conduced in laboratory setting, where four subjects, with different anthropometric characteristics, have performed 48 drilling tasks in two different working heights defined as low configuration and middle configuration. The results of analysis have impact on providing the best configuration of the worker within the industrial workplace and/or providing guidelines for developing assistance devices which can reduce the physical overloading acting on the worker’s body.
A Survey of Practices and Beliefs of Italian Psychologists Regarding Malingering and Symptom Validity Assessment
Authors: Giromini Luciano , Pasqualini Sara , Corgiat Loia Andrea , Pignolo Claudia , Di Girolamo Marzia , Zennaro Alessandro
Published: April 2022

A few years ago, an article describing the current status of Symptom Validity Assessment (SVA) practices and beliefs in European countries reported that there was little research activity in Italy (Merten et al., 2013). The same article also highlighted that Italian practitioners were less inclined to use Symptom Validity Tests (SVTs) and Performance Validity Tests (PVTs) in their assessments, compared with their colleagues from other major European countries. Considering that several articles on malingering and SVA have been published by Italian authors in recent years, we concluded that an update of the practices and beliefs of Italian professionals regarding malingering and SVA would be beneficial. Accordingly, from a larger survey that examined general psychological assessment practices and beliefs of Italian professionals, we extracted a subset of items specifically related to malingering and SVA and analyzed the responses of a sample of Italian psychologists who have some experience with malingering-related assessments. Taken together, the results of our analyses indicated that even though our respondents tend to use SVTs and PVTs relatively often in their evaluations, at this time, they likely trust more their own personal observations, impressions, and overall clinical judgment, in their SVA practice. Additionally, our results also indicated that Italian practitioners with some familiarity with malingering-related evaluations consider malingering to occur in about one-third of psychological assessments in which the evaluee might have an interest in overreporting.
Subtalar dislocation: a narrative review
Authors: Lugani G. , Rigoni M. , Puddu L. , Santandrea A. , Perusi F. , Mercurio D. , Cont F. , Magnan B. , Cortese F.
Published: April 2022

Background

Subtalar joint dislocation (1% of all dislocations) is the permanent loss of articular relationships in the talonavicular and talocalcaneal joints, without other involvement of the foot. Dislocation can occur medially (85%), laterally (15%), posteriorly (2.5%) and anteriorly (1%). Reduction can be performed by closed or open technique; lateral dislocations often require open reduction because of inclusion of soft tissues or bone fragments. Lateral dislocations are frequently complicated by bone exposure, risk of infection and associated soft tissues injuries.

Aim of the study

The aim of this study is to explain main characteristics and to clarify the most important pitfalls of subtalar dislocations.

Materials and methods

We examined 47 articles published in the last thirty years (389 cases). For each dislocation we reviewed its main characteristics: direction, bone exposure, need for open reduction and for surgical stabilisation, associated injuries and method used for diagnosis.

Results

Medial dislocations (68.1%) has greater incidence compared to lateral ones (27.7%). Bone exposure (44.5%), associated lesions (44.5%) and need for surgical reduction (48.2%) are much more represented in lateral dislocation than in the others.

Conclusions

Subtalar dislocations, especially the lateral one, represent a challenge for surgeons. Lateral subtalar dislocation occurs following high-energy trauma often involving associated injuries. Closed reduction could be unsuccessful and patients must undergo surgical reduction. After reduction CT scan is recommended. Our narrative review confirms these findings.
Data-driven forwarding: a typology of digital platforms for road freight transport management
Authors: Heinbach Christoph , Beinke Jan , Kammler Friedemann , Thomas Oliver
Published: April 2022

The omnipresence of digital platforms (DPs) across industries yields platform-based business concepts that disrupt the road freight market, enabling the digitalization of road freight transport management (RFTM). However, the data-driven service capabilities of DPs in supporting RFTM are manifold, and platform research provides opportunities to explore the emerging digital business concepts following the core process of transport management systems (TMSs). This, in particular, results from the side of road freight operators engaged in the transport management process that are increasingly forced to provide customer-centric RFTM via DPs to remain profitable and competitive within a fragmented business environment. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to explore DPs in the road freight transport domain to gain insights into digital freight services and support logistics companies involved in the transportation process with a novel navigation for the identification of required platform-based services. Following the grounded theory methodology, we present a morphological box encompassing 14 dimensions and eight DP types aligned to RFTM. We reveal digital services of DP visibility, optimization, and analytics. With the insights obtained by our research, we contribute to developing a comprehensive understanding of DPs for the enhanced decision-making of transport stakeholders in the area of digital transport management. Our findings provide an established theoretical research ground that guides platforms as markets for practitioners and proposes further research avenues for scholars toward data-driven and digitalized transport logistics.
The ratio of CD8 + lymphocytes to tumor-infiltrating suppressive FOXP3 + effector regulatory T cells is associated with treatment response in invasive breast cancer
Authors: Goda Noriko , Sasada Shinsuke , Shigematsu Hideo , Masumoto Norio , Arihiro Koji , Nishikawa Hiroyoshi , Sakaguchi Shimon , Okada Morihito , Kadoya Takayuki
Published: April 2022

Purpose

FOXP3 + and CD8 + are recognized markers of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for breast cancer. FOXP3 + TILs are composed of effector Tregs (eTregs) and other subpopulations that are classified by their differences in suppressive function. In this prospective study, we evaluated Treg subpopulations and CD8 + TILs in breast cancer.

Methods

84 patients with breast cancer were enrolled. Fresh TILs were extracted andTregs were classified into eTregs (CD4+FOXP3highCD45RA−), other FOXP3+Treg subsets (naïve and non-Tregs), and total CD8+CD4−TILs using flow cytometry. The suppression strength of each Treg subpopulation was analyzed. The association between TIL subpopulations, clinicopathological characteristics, and response to chemotherapy was evaluated.

Results

The mean CD8/eTreg ratio value was 7.86 (interquartile range: 4.08–12.80). The proliferation function of eTregs was significantly suppressed compared with that of the other subpopulations (proliferation rates: control: 89.3%, + naiiveTreg: 64.2%, + non-Treg: 78.2% vs eTreg 1.93%; all P < 0.05). The patients with high with a high CD8 + /eTreg ratio achieved excellent pathological complete response (pCR) rate of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (90.2%) and the CD8/eTreg ratio were independent predictive factors for pCR (odds ratio:18.7(confidence interval 1.25–279) P < 0.05). A detailed assessment of the CD8/eTreg ratio for each patient who underwent NAC revealed that high CD8/eTreg ratio showed a significantly higher pCR rate compared to patients with a low CD8/FOXP3 ratio (39.6% vs 13.3, P < 0.05) in triple negative subtype patients with stromal TILs < 50%.

Conclusions

A high CD8/eTreg ratio enhances pCR rate in patients with invasive breast cancer.
Sexual Double Standard: a Cross-Cultural Comparison of Young Adults Spanish, Peruvian, and Ecuadorian People
Authors: Álvarez-Muelas Ana , Gómez-Berrocal Carmen , Osorio Denisse , Noe-Grijalva Hugo M. , Sierra Juan Carlos
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The sexual double standard (SDS) implies men and women are being evaluated differently as regards sexuality. To date, no cross-cultural comparisons have been made regarding the prevalence of the various forms that adherence to SDS takes. This research work describes differences among Spain, Peru, and Ecuador in the prevalence of three different types of adherence to the SDS (egalitarian, man-favorable, and woman-favorable), which refer to sexual freedom and sexual shyness in 18–25-year-old youths.

Method

A sample of 2229 heterosexual adults (34.2% Spanish, 33.7% Peruvian, and 32.1% Ecuadorian) answered the Sexual Double Standard Scale. Participants were collected between September 2019 and March 2021.

Results

The results showed differences between countries, both in the total sample and in the sample of men and women separately, and in conducts related to sexual freedom and sexual shyness. The most prevalent typologies were as follows: the egalitarian typology in Spain, the man-favorable typology in Peru and Ecuador, and the woman-favorable typology in Ecuador.

Conclusion

These findings conclude that the socio-structural conditions of how resources are distributed between men and women could be related to the prevalence of different gender-related sexual norms. In those contexts in which the gender-egalitarian sexual norm prevailed, resources were more equally distributed between men and women.

Policy Implications

It highlights the role of the socio-structural conditions in the distribution of resources between men and women and the differences between men and women, to understand the cross-cultural differences in the prevalence of SDS adherence types.
Revealing the nano-structures of low-dimensional germanium on Ag(1 1 0) using XPS and XPD
Authors: Kesper Lukas , Schmitz Marie , Schulte Malte G. H. , Berges Ulf , Westphal Carsten
Published: April 2022

In this work, we present a structural investigation of sub-monolayer films of germanium on Ag(1 1 0) by means of photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and diffraction (XPD), as well as low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). Since the rising progress in the synthesis of various kinds of nanoribbons, also germanium nanoribbons (Ge-NR) have been synthesized on Ag(1 1 0), recently. Here, we focus on their structural evolution and found the formation of two different phases of germanium at coverages of $${0.5}\, \hbox {ML}$$

0.5

ML

and $${0.7}\,\hbox {ML}$$

0.7

ML

, differing fundamentally from predicted nanoribbon structures. By means of LEED measurements, we obtained evidence for germanium superstructures which are not aligned along the $$[{\overline{1}}\;1\;0]$$

[

1
¯

1

0
]

-direction, as expected for nanoribbon growth. Using synchrotron-based high-resolution XPS and XPD experiments of the Ge 3d and Ag 3d core-levels, we resolved the local chemical and atomic order of the germanium films. Thus, the strong internal bonding of the buckled germanium film and a weak Van-der-Waals interaction between silver and germanium were discovered. Moreover, XPD-simulations delivered a detailed model of the structural arrangement of the preliminary nanoribbon phase, which also provided an approach to identify the origin of the two chemically shifted components in the Ge 3d signal by applying a component-wise decomposition of the XPD data.
Decoding Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self-Renewal
Authors: Fares Iman , Calvanese Vincenzo , Mikkola Hanna K. A.
Published: April 2022

Purpose of Review

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain blood and immune cell homeostasis by balancing quiescence, self-renewal, and differentiation. HSCs can be used in lifesaving transplantation treatments to create a healthy hematopoietic system in patients suffering from malignant or inherited blood diseases. However, lack of matching bone marrow donors, and the low quantity of HSCs in a single cord blood graft, are limitations for successful transplantation. The enormous regenerative potential of HSCs has raised the hope that HSC self-renewal could be recapitulated in culture to achieve robust expansion of HSCs for therapeutic use. Yet, when HSCs are cultured ex vivo their function becomes compromised, limiting successful expansion.

Recent Findings

After decades of efforts to expand human HSCs ex vivo that resulted in minimal increase in transplantable units, recent studies have helped define culture conditions that can increase functional HSCs. These studies have provided new insights into how HSC stemness can be controlled from the nucleus by transcriptional, posttranscriptional and epigenetic regulators, or by improving the HSC microenvironment using 3D scaffolds, niche cells, or signaling molecules that mimic specific aspects of human HSC niche. Recent studies have also highlighted the importance of mitigating culture induced cellular stress and balancing mitochondrial, endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomal functions. These discoveries have provided better markers for functional human HSCs and new insights into how HSC self-renewal and engraftment ability may be controlled ex vivo.

Uncovering the mechanisms that control the human HSC self-renewal process may help improve the ex vivo expansion of HSCs for clinical purposes.
Hierarchical Optimization-Based Model Predictive Control for a Class of Discrete Fuzzy Large-Scale Systems Considering Time-Varying Delays and Disturbances
Authors: Sarbaz Mohammad , Zamani Iman , Manthouri Mohammad , Ibeas Asier
Published: April 2022

In this manuscript, model predictive control for class of discrete fuzzy large-scale systems subjected to bounded time-varying delay and disturbances is studied. The considered method is Razumikhin for time-varying delay large-scale systems, in which it includes a Lyapunov function associated with the original non-augmented state space of system dynamics in comparison with the Krasovskii method. As a rule, the Razumikhin method has a perfect potential to avoid the inherent complexity of the Krasovskii method especially in the presence of large delays and disturbances. The considered large-scale system in this manuscript is decomposed into several subsystems, each of which is represented by a fuzzy Takagi–Sugeno (T-S) model and the interconnection between any two subsystems is considered. Because the main section of the model predictive control is optimization, the hierarchical scheme is performed for the optimization problem. Furthermore, persistent disturbances are considered that robust positive invariance and input-to-state stability under such circumstances are studied. The linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) method is performed for our computations. So the closed-loop large-scale system is asymptotically stable. Ultimately, by two examples, the effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated, and a comparison with other papers is made by remarks.
A responsible AI framework: pipeline contextualisation
Authors: Vyhmeister Eduardo , Castane Gabriel , Östberg P.-O. , Thevenin Simon
Published: April 2022

Incorporating ethics and values within the life cycle of an AI asset means securing its development, deployment, use, and decommission under these perspectives. These approaches depend on the market domain where AI is operational – considering the interaction and the impact on humans if any process does not perform as expected – and the legal compliance, both required to ensure adequate fulfilment of ethics and values. Specifically, in the manufacturing sector, standards were developed since the 1990’s to guarantee, among others, the correct use of mechanical machinery, systems robustness, low product variability, workers safety, system security, and adequate implementation of system constraints. However, it is challenging to blend the existing practices with the needs associated with deployments of AI in a trustworthy manner. This document provides an extended framework for AI Management within the Manufacturing sector. The framework is based on different perspectives related to responsible AI that handle trustworthy issues as risk. The approach is based on the idea that ethical considerations can and should be handled as hazards. If these requirements or constraints are not adequately fulfilled and managed, it is expected severe negative impact on different sustainable pillars. We are proposing a well-structured approach based on risk management that would allow implementing ethical concerns in any life cycle stages of AI components in the manufacturing sector. The framework follows a pipeline structure, with the possibility of being extended and connected with other industrial Risk Management Processes, facilitating its implementation in the manufacturing domain. Furthermore, given the dynamic condition of the regulatory state of AI, the framework allows extension and considerations that could be developed in the future.
Death and Persistence
Authors: Rice Rebekah L. H.
Published: April 2022

The idea that physical death may not mark the end of an individual's existence has long been a source of fascination. It is perhaps unsurprising that we are apt to wonder what it is that happens to us when we die. Is death the end of me and all the experiences that count as mine? Or might I exist, and indeed have experiences, beyond the time of my death? And yet, deep metaphysical puzzles arise at the very suggestion that persons might continue to exist following physical death. Indeed, whether, and how, one can exist post-mortem will depend in no small part on what sorts of things we are and on what it takes for things like us to persist across temporal durations and other changes. These topics and their application to the growing collection of materialist accounts of resurrection are the focus of this Element.
Mixed methods study to understand the experiences of adults with acquired brain injury and their family members who receive specialised rehabilitation
Authors: O’Shannessy Elizabeth , Reeder Sandra , Vishwanath Swarna , Hill Sophie , Perta Andrew , Jolliffe Laura , Morarty Jacqui , Hunter Peter , Lannin Natasha A.
Published: April 2022

Background and Aim:

Rehabilitation therapy is a key part of the recovery pathway for people with severe acquired brain injury (ABI). The aim of this study was to explore inpatients’ and their family members’ experiences of a specialist ABI rehabilitation service.

Methods:

A cross sectional, prospective mixed method study was undertaken at a metropolitan specialist ABI rehabilitation unit in Victoria, Australia. All inpatients and their family members of the service were invited to complete a satisfaction survey. Employing purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews were conducted with inpatients and/or their family members.

Results:

In total, 111 people completed the satisfaction survey and 13 were interviewed. High levels of satisfaction with the specialist service were reported; the majority of inpatients (74%) and family members (81%) rated the overall quality of care received in the service as ‘high’ or ‘very high’. Interviews revealed four main themes: (i) satisfaction with rehabilitation services, (ii) inconsistent communication, (iii) variable nursing care, and (iv) strengths and weakness of the rehabilitation environment. Overall, important components of a positive experience were being involved in decision making and discharge planning, effective communication and information processes, and being able to form therapeutic relationships with staff. Key sources of dissatisfaction for inpatients and family members related to inconsistency in care, accessing information about treatments in a format easily understood, and communication.

Conclusion:

Specialised rehabilitation is valued by inpatients and their family members alike. The findings highlight the importance of exploring inpatient experiences to optimise service delivery in a tailored, specialised rehabilitation programme.
357 Inflammatory Cytokines and Neurocognitive Functioning in Bipolar Patients across Mood Episodes
Authors: Ralat Sandra I. , Martinez Karen , Rodriguez Rosa J. , Gerena Yamil ,   the Inflamed Mood Project Team
Published: April 2022

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Accumulating evidence supports the involvement of immune and inflammatory pathways in Bipolar Disorder (BD) pathophysiology. This pilot study aims to determine if altered peripheral IL-2, TNF-a, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-y, IL-17A levels are associated with BD across mood episodes (euthymic, manic, depressive), and worsen neurocognitive function. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Twenty-eight participants (17 cases and 11 controls) were recruited. We assessed the clinical features and cytokine plasma levels of participants. Cytokines were measured using Flow Cytometry. All subjects were interviewed by a trained psychiatrist. Each participant was fasting before the blood sample was taken. Neuropsychological tests were used to measure verbal fluency, speed processing, working memory/attention, visuospatial skills, verbal learning, executive functions, and motor skills. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the demographic characteristics of the sample. An independent-sample Kruskal-Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney Test were carried out using SPSS version 21. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Serum biomarker concentration showed a decrease in levels of IL-4 (anti-inflammatory) in BD patients vs healthy controls (p < .05). There was a major concentration of IL-6 (pro-inflammatory) on bipolar patients vs controls (p = .003). When we analyze the results with the mood episodes, we found that patients with bipolar depression showed decreased levels of IL-4 (p = .046) and increase levels of IL-6 (p = .020) in comparison to the manic or euthymic episodes. In the neurocognitive tests, we found that the control participants had better performance in the working memory domain (p = .038) and also in the general performance (p = .036) in comparison to bipolar patients. We found also a positive significant correlation between IL-4 and verbal learning in the control sample (.829, p = .003). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The findings evidence a significant immune activation in bipolar patients, in particular during the depressive episode. Participants with BD have a decrease in the protective levels of IL-4 combined with high levels of IL-6 when compared to healthy controls. Worse neurocognitive functioning was found in bipolar patients.
War, Identity Politics, and Attitudes toward a Linguistic Minority: Prejudice against Russian-Speaking Ukrainians in Ukraine between 1995 and 2018
Authors: Eras Laura
Published: April 2022

The war in Donbas led some observers to speculate that this event might threaten intergroup relations in Ukraine. While studies in the 1990s indicated relatively positive attitudes between the different ethnic and linguistic groups, it has not been analyzed systematically how these attitudes have developed over time. Such an analysis contributes to our general understanding as to how war and nation-building politics affect attitudes toward minorities. Analyzing survey data from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology from 1995 to 2018 using multivariate statistical methods, I show that the prejudice toward Russian-speaking Ukrainians – measured using the social distance scale – has increased since 2014, when both the war and Poroshenko’s presidency began, although the rise is rather small. A likely explanation to this phenomenon is the perceived link between Russian speakers and Russia as the aggressor in the war. The fact that Yushchenko’s presidency (2006–2009) did not result in a similar increase of negative sentiments, despite similarities between Yushchenko’s and Poroshenko’s identity politics, allows me to suggest that the higher level of prejudice under Poroshenko cannot be solely explained by the political rhetoric promoting an ethnic Ukrainian identity. However, the interplay of political rhetoric and war might have been relevant.
Late Holocene development of Bubiyan Island, Kuwait
Authors: Reinink-Smith Linda M. , Carter Robert
Published: April 2022

Bubiyan Island, presently a vast sabkha and salt flat in the westernmost part of the Shatt Al-Arab delta, originated ca. 4000 cal yr BP as prodelta deposits from a paleochannel of the Euphrates River that flowed into a shallow sea. Southeastern Bubiyan Island first surfaced when spits and barrier islands formed on a 1–2 m forebulge caused by heavy sediment load to the northwest; the spits and barriers delineated an incipient shoreline and sheltered a shallow lagoon. Progradation of southeastern Bubiyan Island began when the spits and barriers were gradually stranded as beach ridges during minor sea-level fluctuations and continued marginal uplift. AMS dating of the beach ridges, which are ~1–5 km from the present shoreline, implies that Late Holocene relative sea level fell in three phases: ca. 3700–3400 cal yr BP, ca. 2600–1000 cal yr BP, and ca. 600–500 cal yr BP. Prior to each phase, relative sea level apparently stabilized to near stillstands, allowing spits and barriers to accrete. Torpedo-jar pottery sherds scattered on some of the most prominent beach ridges indicate Sasanian (AD ca. 300–650; 1650–1300 cal yr BP) to early Islamic (AD ca. 650–800; 1300–1150 cal yr BP) periods of human presence, concurrent with the Second phase of beach-ridge formation.
Homotopy commutativity in Hermitian symmetric spaces
Authors: Kishimoto Daisuke , Takeda Masahiro , Tong Yichen
Published: April 2022

Ganea proved that the loop space of
$\mathbb{C} P^n$
is homotopy commutative if and only if
$n=3$
. We generalize this result to that the loop spaces of all irreducible Hermitian symmetric spaces but
$\mathbb{C} P^3$
are not homotopy commutative. The computation also applies to determining the homotopy nilpotency class of the loop spaces of generalized flag manifolds
$G/T$
for a maximal torus T of a compact, connected Lie group G.
Negotiating trade-offs between the environment, sustainability and mass tourism amongst guides on Svalbard
Authors: Andersen Trine C. B.
Published: April 2022

This paper investigates how guides on Svalbard make sense of their relations to the environment whilst working with mass tourism. The Arctic is heating up more rapidly than any other part of the world, and over the last 30 years the effect of climate change has had a large impact on the environment in the Arctic. The guides as such find themselves living a paradox where their work destroys the nature that they care about and depend on. This paper analyses empirical data collected during four months of fieldwork amongst guides in Svalbard. Throughout the paper, two dimensions are explored: the guides’ relation to and understanding of the environment as well as their ways of caring for it. Building on illustrations of the guides’ preconceptions of the environment, it is shown how the guides in their everyday life are engaged in pro-environmental practices. These practices are embedded in the guides’ reciprocal relationship with the environment, where they negotiate between different trade-offs. The guides thus find a way to navigate the complexity of caring for the environment and working in tourism through their intimate relation to the environment.
Slam Bam, Thank you, Ma’am: The Challenges of Advance Care Planning Engagement in Long-Term Care
Authors: Sussman Tamara , Mintzberg Susan , Sinai-Glazer Hagit , Venturato Lorraine , Strachan Patricia H. , Kaasalainen Sharon
Published: April 2022

This interpretative, qualitative study explored residents’ and families’ perspectives on advance care planning (ACP) in long-term care (LTC). Perspectives on when, how, and with whom ACP discussions should be introduced and barriers and solutions to improving ACP engagement were examined. Fifty-one residents and families participated in seven focus groups. The findings revealed that residents and families prioritized caring connections over professional rank when reflecting on staff involvement in ACP. The findings further revealed that the caring and compassionate environment considered to be a critical pre-condition for ACP engagement was more typically enacted at end of life when ACP was no longer an option. Our findings suggest that work practices and organizational structures within LTC play an important role in inhibiting ACP engagement.
Horse-related title taking and animal cruelty in colonial eastern Nigeria: re-examining the economic rationale behind the introduction of humane killers
Authors: Okonkwo Uche Uwaezuoke , Ejikeme Joy N. U. , Ukaogo Victor Okoro
Published: April 2022

Horse trading was an important aspect of the Igbo economy and horse-related title taking was a unique feature among various Nigerian groups, especially in eastern Nigeria. The demand for the introduction of humane horse killers in eastern Nigeria was heightened by the economic drive of the colonial political economy, and was not necessarily a consideration for the harmful treatment of animals. Horse-related title taking was accompanied by the increasing rate of intergroup relations between northern Nigeria and various Nigerian groups such as Igala and the Igbo. Ordinarily, men and women sought horse-related titles as signs of prestige and honour. The culture and traditional humane living of the people saw Ogbuinya horse-related title taking as a way of achieving certain degree of social status, but it also regrettably promoted animal cruelty. Sources for writing this article were derived from archival documents, books, journals, and other written materials. A descriptive method of analysis has been adopted in writing this article.
Comparison of Jaw-Thrust Maneuver and Standard Method for Airway Management with Laryngeal Mask Airway by Paramedics during Chest Compression: A Randomized, Crossover, Manikin Study
Authors: Ozbek Asim E. , Sanci Emre
Published: April 2022

Introduction:

The first priority of the primary survey of trauma care is airway management. For patients who have a known or suspected cervical spine injury, using the jaw-thrust maneuver is critical. It was hypothesized that the jaw-thrust maneuver would ease the insertion of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) by moving the tongue forward from the palate and posterior pharyngeal wall.

Study Objectives:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of jaw-thrust maneuver on LMA insertion times of the paramedics with or without chest compression and with or without cervical stabilization in a manikin.

Methods:

Eleven experienced paramedics inserted LMA in jaw-thrust position and standard position in chest compression without cervical stabilization scenario, chest compression with cervical stabilization scenario, cervical stabilization without chest compression scenario, and the scenario where neither cervical stabilization nor chest compression were performed. The primary outcome of the study was the comparison of LMA insertion times for each method. The secondary outcome measures were first-pass success rates and the comparison of the difficulty level of each method.

Results:

During the LMA placement, performing the jaw-thrust maneuver instead of the standard method did not shorten the LMA insertion times. Adding chest compression and/or cervical stabilization did not complicate the LMA insertion. All of the LMA insertion attempts during the jaw-thrust maneuver and standard method were successful.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study suggest that LMA insertion might be attempted both during the jaw-thrust maneuver and standard position in patients with or without chest compression and with or without cervical stabilization.
Provision of firm-sponsored training to temporary workers and labor market performance
Authors: Masui Makoto
Published: April 2022

This paper addresses an employer’s decision to invest in firm-specific training for temporary workers within a search-matching framework with two-tier employment contracts. Based on the fact that opportunities to receive firm-provided training are significantly limited in temporary jobs, we examine whether policies aimed at inducing employers to provide training for temporary workers improve labor market performance. Our quantitative analysis produces the following results: first, reducing the cost of training temporary workers, which aims to directly increase their participation in firm-provided training, improves social efficiency but increases the unemployment rate, and decreases the share of permanent workers. Second, relaxing firing regulations on permanent jobs decreases the unemployment rate and increases the proportion of temporary workers who receive training and social welfare. Thus, a spillover effect of reforming employment protection legislation associated with permanent jobs is observed on training provision in temporary jobs.