bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gait Recognition Method of Underground Coal Mine Personnel Based on Densely Connected Convolution Network and Stacked Convolutional Autoencoder
Authors: Liu Xiaoyang , Liu Jinqiang
Published: June 2020

Biological recognition methods often use biological characteristics such as the human face, iris, fingerprint, and palm print; however, such images often become blurred under the limitation of the complex environment of the underground, which leads to low identification rates of underground coal mine personnel. A gait recognition method via similarity learning named Two-Stream neural network (TS-Net) is proposed based on a densely connected convolution network (DenseNet) and stacked convolutional autoencoder (SCAE). The mainstream network based on DenseNet is mainly used to learn the similarity of dynamic deep features containing spatiotemporal information in the gait pattern. The auxiliary stream network based on SCAE is used to learn the similarity of static invariant features containing physiological information. Moreover, a novel feature fusion method is adopted to achieve the fusion and representation of dynamic and static features. The extracted features are robust to angle, clothing, miner hats, waterproof shoes, and carrying conditions. The method was evaluated on the challenging CASIA-B gait dataset and the collected gait dataset of underground coal mine personnel (UCMP-GAIT). Experimental results show that the method is effective and feasible for the gait recognition of underground coal mine personnel. Besides, compared with other gait recognition methods, the recognition accuracy has been significantly improved.
Assessment of Anchors Constellation Features in RSSI-Based Indoor Positioning Systems for Smart Environments
Authors: Cidronali Alessandro , Collodi Giovanni , Lucarelli Matteo , Maddio Stefano , Passafiume Marco , Pelosi Giuseppe
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we assess the features of a rectangular constellation of four anchors on the position estimation accuracy of a mobile tag, operating under the IEEE 802.15.4 specifications. Each anchor implements a smart antenna with eight switched beams, which is capable to collect Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) data, exploited to estimate the mobile tag position within a room. We also aim at suggesting a deployment criterion, providing the discussion of the best trade-off between system complexity and positioning accuracy. The assessment validation was conducted experimentally by implementing anchor constellations with different mesh sizes in the same room. Mean accuracies spanning from 0.32 m to 0.7 m on a whole 7.5 m × 6 m room were found by varying the mesh area from 1.19 m2 to 17 m2, respectively.
Pain and Its Impact on Functional Health: 7-Year Longitudinal Findings among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Indonesia
Authors: Yiengprugsawan Vasoontara Sbirakos , Piggott John , Witoelar Firman , Blyth Fiona M , Cumming Robert G
Published: June 2020

Pain is a growing public health issue worldwide, but there is limited population-based evidence in low- and middle-income country settings. Using nationwide Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) data in 2007 and 2014, this research sets out to investigate the associations between changes in pain status between two time points and its impact on functional health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults in Indonesia. Analyses focused on 7936 adults aged 50 years and older in 2014 who responded to both waves. Functional health was assessed using a composite score of functional limitations (range 20–100), representing difficulty in performing activities of daily living, and grip strength (kilograms). Multivariate linear regression models were used to analyse associations between pain measured in 2007 and 2014 and functional health in 2014. Severe pain in the latest wave of IFLS was associated with older age, female, lower education, having chronic conditions or depressive symptoms. Notably, those who reported ‘low–medium’ pain in 2007 and ‘severe’ pain in 2014 belonged to the most vulnerable group with worst functional health outcomes (4.96 points higher limitation scores and 1.17 kg weaker average grip strength). Findings have implications for public health policy in monitoring and management of pain including related co-morbidities as an increasingly critical component of population ageing.
Different Ways of Knowing and a Different Ways of Being: On a Path to Reawakening Legacy of the Maya Forest
Authors: Ellis Topsey Cynthia , Ford Anabel , Horn III Sherman
Published: June 2020

Archaeological projects are in a special position to create unique partnerships, with shared goals and intentions, to development Maya anthropological archaeology. This narrative presents an education outreach project in archaeology invigorated with local collaboration. When priorities of active archaeological projects formally include resident community participation, new horizons and accomplishments are achieved. Local and international interests in heritage and cultural traditions create the platform for interactive relationships and identification of common ground. Together, our experience recognizes four educational pillars that revolve around ancient Maya heritage and the fundamental Maya forest garden. Centered on the protected area of the El Pilar Archaeological Reserve for Maya Flora and Fauna, El Pilar and forest gardens are celebrated at the urban Cayo Welcome Center, practiced at the active outfield Chak Ha Col forest garden, and taught at the rural Känan K’aax School Garden. As our experience demonstrates, community partnerships require specific elements of acknowledgment including a valued tangible heritage, a formal information outlet, an education link, and an honored cultural tradition. Together, these provide fertile ground for cultivating collaborations in the Maya region and across the world.
The Relationship between Workplace Ostracism, TMX, Task Interdependence, and Task Performance: A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Chung Yang Woon
Published: June 2020

Background: Social interactions among employees are essential for individual performance as they provide various job-related information and feedback as well as social and emotional support. Tasks have become interdependent among organizational members, allowing teamwork to generally become an organizational norm. Consequently, it is pertinent that employees maintain favorable working relationships with other organizational members because workplace ostracism has become an organizational concern. Although recent studies have examined numerous psychological mechanisms that associate ostracism with workplace outcomes, studies have been limited in exploring practical facets that link the relationship. Thus, this study examined the mediating effect of team–member exchange for workplace ostracism and task performance and the moderating effect of task interdependence in influencing the relationship. Methods: Data were collected using a two-wave design and sampled 242 full-time employees in South Korea. The hypotheses were tested with hierarchical regression analyses. Results: Team–member exchange was found to mediate the relationship between workplace ostracism and task performance and task interdependence moderated the mediated relationship. Conclusions: The results suggest that being ostracized negatively influences the quality of the relationship between team-members which then affects individual performance. In addition, the conditional indirect effect for ostracism on task performance was significant when task interdependence was high, while not significant when it was low, thus moderating the mediated relationship.
How Is Work–Life Balance Arrangement Associated with Organisational Performance? A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wong Kapo , Chan Alan H. S. , Teh Pei-Lee
Published: June 2020

The impacts of the work–life balance arrangement on organisational performance is a growing concern amongst researchers and practitioners. This study synthesised 202 records from 58 published papers to evaluate the relationship between the work–life balance arrangement and organisational performance by means of a meta-analysis. The organisational performance was measured based on six perspectives, including career motivation, employee attendance, employee recruitment, employee retention, organisational commitment, and productivity. The results showed a positive relationship between the work–life balance arrangement and organisational performance (OR: 1.181, 95% CI: 1.125–1.240, p < 0.001). Of the six perspectives, only career motivation, employee attendance, employee recruitment, and employee retention were significantly associated with the work–life balance arrangement. The moderators affecting the relationship between the work–life balance arrangement and organisational performance were gender, sector, and employee hierarchy. The results provide theoretical suggestions on the effectiveness of the work–life balance arrangement in terms of the six perspectives related to organisational performance.
Characterization of Thermomechanical Boundary Conditions of a Martensitic Steel for a FAST Forming Process
Authors: Liu Xiaochuan , Yang Xiao , Sun Yuhao , Politis Denis J. , Mori Ken-ichiro , Wang Liliang
Published: June 2020

The present work characterized and modelled the interfacial heat transfer coefficient and friction coefficient of a non-alloy martensitic steel, for a novel Fast light Alloy Stamping Technology (FAST) process. These models were validated through temperature evolution, thickness distribution and springback measurements on experimentally formed demonstrator components, which were conducted on a pilot production line and showed close agreement, with less than 10% variation from experimental results. The developed models and finite element simulations presented in this work demonstrate that non-isothermal processes can be precisely simulated with implementation of the accurate thermomechanical boundary conditions.
Syntactic and Discourse Features in Chinese Heritage Grammars: A Case of Acquiring Features in the Chinese Sentence-Final Particle ba
Authors: Yan Shanshan
Published: June 2020

This study investigates how syntactic and discourse features of Chinese sentence-final particles (the question particle ba and the suggestion particle ba) are reconfigured in Chinese heritage grammars. It has been argued that features of the Chinese particles ba are present in English but are configured differently. An acceptability judgment task, a discourse completion task, and a translation task were adopted in this study. In total, 35 Chinese heritage speakers and 18 Chinese native speakers took part in this study. The results show that none of the heritage speaker groups had any problem in configuring the discourse feature of the suggestion particle ba and the syntactic features of the question particle ba. However, none of them could successfully reconfigure the discourse feature of the question particle ba. It seems that the effects of dominant language transfer, reduced Chinese input, and limited processing resources play roles in the reconfiguration of discourse features in heritage grammars. As compared to previous L2 studies regarding the same phenomenon, heritage speakers with more and early Chinese input seem to have advantages over L2 learners in terms of syntactic features. L2 learners are found to be slightly better than heritage speakers in terms of reconfiguring some discourse properties.
Antimicrobial Activity of Microorganisms Isolated from Ant Nests of Lasius niger
Authors: Efimenko Tatiana A. , Glukhova Alla A. , Demiankova Mariia V. , Boykova Yuliya V. , Malkina Natalia D. , Sumarukova Irina G. , Vasilieva Byazilya F. , Rogozhin Eugene A. , Ivanov Igor A. , Krassilnikov Vladislav A. , Efremenkova Olga V.
Published: June 2020

In this study, the microbial communities of two nests of black garden ants (Lasius niger) in the hollows of stem branches of old apple trees were found to have similar species compositions: each community contained representatives of three species from the Bacillaceae family and one species of actinomycetes from the genus Streptomyces. In total, four types of bacilli and two actinomycetes were isolated. Actinomycetes were identified as Streptomyces antibioticus-like and Streptomyces sp. None of the bacilli had antibiotic activity, whereas both streptomycetes produced antibiotics that inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria in vitro, including isolates from their community. Antibiotic compounds of S. antibioticus-like strain INA 01148 (Institute of New Antibiotics) were identified as actinomycin D and its closest homologue, actinomycin A. Actinomycins presumably change the microbial community of the ant nest substrate as they act against Gram-positive bacteria and against fungi and Gram-negative bacteria. The antibiotic activity of the isolated Streptomyces sp. INA 01156 is of interest, since the substances produced by this strain inhibit the growth of drug-resistant bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus INA 00761 (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant strain Leuconostoc mesenteroides VKPM B-4177 (VR) (VKPM–National Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (Russian acronym)).
Group Invariant Solutions and Conserved Quantities of a (3+1)-Dimensional Generalized Kadomtsev–Petviashvili Equation
Authors: Simbanefayi Innocent , Khalique Chaudry Masood
Published: June 2020

In this work, we investigate a (3+1)-dimensional generalised Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation, recently introduced in the literature. We determine its group invariant solutions by employing Lie symmetry methods and obtain elliptic, rational and logarithmic solutions. The solutions derived in this paper are the most general since they contain elliptic functions. Finally, we derive the conserved quantities of this equation by employing two approaches—the general multiplier approach and Ibragimov’s theorem. The importance of conservation laws is explained in the introduction. It should be pointed out that the investigation of higher dimensional nonlinear partial differential equations is vital to our perception of the real world since they are more realistic models of natural and man-made phenomena.
Data-Driven Bayesian Network Learning: A Bi-Objective Approach to Address the Bias-Variance Decomposition
Authors: Aguilera-Rueda Vicente-Josué , Cruz-Ramírez Nicandro , Mezura-Montes Efrén
Published: June 2020

We present a novel bi-objective approach to address the data-driven learning problem of Bayesian networks. Both the log-likelihood and the complexity of each candidate Bayesian network are considered as objectives to be optimized by our proposed algorithm named Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm for learning Bayesian networks (NS2BN) which is based on the well-known NSGA-II algorithm. The core idea is to reduce the implicit selection bias-variance decomposition while identifying a set of competitive models using both objectives. Numerical results suggest that, in stark contrast to the single-objective approach, our bi-objective approach is useful to find competitive Bayesian networks especially in the complexity. Furthermore, our approach presents the end user with a set of solutions by showing different Bayesian network and their respective MDL and classification accuracy results.
Antibiotic Resistance Profiles, Molecular Mechanisms and Innovative Treatment Strategies of Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Vrancianu Corneliu Ovidiu , Gheorghe Irina , Czobor Ilda Barbu , Chifiriuc Mariana Carmen
Published: June 2020

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest challenges for the clinical sector and industry, environment and societal development. One of the most important pathogens responsible for severe nosocomial infections is Acinetobacter baumannii, a Gram-negative bacterium from the Moraxellaceae family, due to its various resistance mechanisms, such as the β-lactamases production, efflux pumps, decreased membrane permeability and altered target site of the antibiotic. The enormous adaptive capacity of A. baumannii and the acquisition and transfer of antibiotic resistance determinants contribute to the ineffectiveness of most current therapeutic strategies, including last-line or combined antibiotic therapy. In this review, we will present an update of the antibiotic resistance profiles and underlying mechanisms in A. baumannii and the current progress in developing innovative strategies for combating multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (MDRAB) infections.
Importance of Redox Equilibrium in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis—Impact of Antioxidant-Rich Diet
Authors: Winiarska-Mieczan Anna , Mieczan Tomasz , Wójcik Grzegorz
Published: June 2020

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, hyperproliferative, inflammatory skin disease occurring in most ethnic groups in the world. The disease is hereditary but the process of its inheritance is complex and still not fully understood. At the same time, it has been observed that psoriatic lesions may be triggered by certain prooxidative external factors: using narcotics, smoking, drinking alcohol, physical and mental stress, as well as bacterial infections and injury. Since the main physiological marker of psoriasis relates to disorders in the organism’s antioxidative system, it is necessary to develop a well-balanced combination of pharmaceuticals and dietary antioxidants to facilitate the effective treatment and/or prevention of the disease. The dietary sources of antioxidants must be adequate for chronic use regardless of the patient’s age and be easily available, e.g., as ingredients of regular food or dietary supplements. Diet manipulation is a promising therapeutic approach in the context of modulating the incidence of chronic diseases. Another potentially viable method entails the use of nutrigenomics, which guarantees a multiaspectual approach to the problem, including, in particular, analyses of the genetic profiles of psoriasis patients with the view to more accurately targeting key problems. The present paper pertains to the significance of redox equilibrium in the context of psoriasis. Based on information published in worldwide literature over the last decade, the impact of dietary exogenous antioxidants on the course of this chronic disease was analysed.
Mini Nutritional Assessment May Identify a Dual Pattern of Perturbed Plasma Amino Acids in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Window to Metabolic and Physical Rehabilitation?
Authors: Aquilani Roberto , Costa Alfredo , Maestri Roberto , Cotta Ramusino Matteo , Pierobon Antonia , Dossena Maurizia , Solerte Sebastiano Bruno , Condino Anna Maria , Torlaschi Valeria , Bini Paola , Boselli Mirella , Ceroni Mauro , Buonocore Daniela , Boschi Federica , Bruni Mariella , Verri Manuela
Published: June 2020

Conflicting results about alterations of plasma amino acid (AA) levels are reported in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The current study aimed to provide more homogeneous AA profiles and correlations between AAs and cognitive tests. Venous plasma AAs were measured in 54 fasting patients with AD (37 males, 17 females; 74.63 ± 8.03 yrs; 3.2 ± 1.9 yrs from symptom onset). Seventeen matched subjects without neurodegenerative symptoms (NNDS) served as a control group (C-NNDS). Patients were tested for short-term verbal memory and attention capacity and stratified for nutritional state (Mini Nutritional Assessment, MNA). Compared to C-NNDS, patients exhibited lower plasma levels of aspartic acid and taurine (p < 0.0001) and higher 3-methylhistidine (p < 0.0001), which were independent of patients’ MNA. In comparison to normonourished AD, the patients at risk of and with malnutrition showed a tendency towards lower ratios of Essential AAs/Total AAs, Branched-chain AAs/Total AAs, and Branched-chain AAs/Essential AAs. Serine and histidine were positively correlated with verbal memory and attention capacity deficits, respectively. Total AAs negatively correlated with attention capacity deficits. Stratifying patients with AD for MNA may identify a dual pattern of altered AAs, one due to AD per se and the other linked to nutritional state. Significant correlations were observed between several AAs and cognitive tests.
Histopathological and Molecular Study of Pacific Oyster Tissues Provides Insights into V. aestuarianus Infection Related to Oyster Mortality
Authors: Mandas Daniela , Salati Fulvio , Polinas Marta , Sanna Marina Antonella , Zobba Rosanna , Burrai Giovanni Pietro , Alberti Alberto , Antuofermo Elisabetta
Published: June 2020

Consumer preference for healthy and sustainable food products has been steadily increasing in recent years. Bivalve mollusks satisfy these characteristics and have captured ever-increasing market shares. However, the expansion of molluscan culture in worldwide and global trade have favored the spread of pathogens around the world. Combined with environmental changes and intensive production systems this has contributed to the occurrence of mass mortality episodes, thus posing a threat to the production of different species, including the Pacific oyster Crassotrea gigas. In the San Teodoro lagoon, one of the most devoted lagoons to extensive Pacific oyster aquaculture in Sardinia, a mortality outbreak was observed with an estimated 80% final loss of animal production. A study combining cultural, biomolecular and histopathological methods was conducted: (1) to investigate the presence of different Vibrio species and OsHV-1 in selected oyster tissues (digestive gland, gills, and mantle); (2) to quantify Vibrio aestuarianus and to evaluate the severity of hemocyte infiltration in infected tissues; (3) to produce post-amplification data and evaluating ToxR gene as a target for phylogenetic analyses. Results provide new insights into V. aestuarianus infection related to oyster mortality outbreaks and pave the way to the development of tools for oyster management.
Basis and Prospects of Combining Electroadsorption Modeling Approaches for Capacitive Deionization
Authors: Nordstrand Johan , Dutta Joydeep
Published: June 2020

Electrically driven adsorption, electroadsorption, is at the core of technologies for water desalination, energy production, and energy storage using electrolytic capacitors. Modeling can be crucial for understanding and optimizing these devices, and hence different approaches have been taken to develop multiple models, which have been applied to explain capacitive deionization (CDI) device performances for water desalination. Herein, we first discuss the underlying physics of electroadsorption and explain the fundamental similarities between the suggested models. Three CDI models, namely, the more widely used modified Donnan (mD) model, the Randles circuit model, and the recently proposed dynamic Langmuir (DL) model, are compared in terms of modeling approaches. Crucially, the common physical foundation of the models allows them to be improved by incorporating elements and simulation tools from the other models. As a proof of concept, the performance of the Randles circuit is significantly improved by incorporating a modeling element from the mD model and an implementation tool from the DL model (charge-dependent capacitance and system identification, respectively). These principles are accurately validated using data from reports in the literature showing significant prospects in combining modeling elements and tools to properly describe the results obtained in these experiments.
Self-Body Recognition through a Mirror: Easing Spatial-Consistency Requirements for Rubber Hand Illusion
Authors: Hasegawa Hikaru , Okamoto Shogo , Itoh Ken , Hara Masayuki , Kanayama Noriaki , Yamada Yoji
Published: June 2020

Considering that humans recognize mirror images as copies of the real world despite misinterpreting optical reflections, spatial disagreement may be accepted in rubber hand illusion (RHI) settings when a mirror is used to show a fake hand. The present study performed two experiments to reveal how self-body recognition of a fake hand via a mirror affects RHI. First, we tested whether illusory ownership of a fake hand seen in a mirror could be induced in our experimental environment (screening experiment). Subjective evaluations using an RHI questionnaire demonstrated that embodiment of the rubber hand was evoked in the presence or absence of a mirror. We then examined whether using a mirror image for RHI allows disagreement in orientation (45 ∘ ) between the rubber and actual hands (main experiment). The participants experienced RHI even when the actual and rubber hands were incongruent in terms of orientation. These findings suggest that using a mirror masks subtle spatial incongruency or degrades the contribution of visual cues for spatial recognition and facilitates multisensory integration for bodily illusions.
Meaning Agnosticism and Pragmatism
Authors: Pihlström Sami
Published: June 2020

This paper proposes to reconsider agnosticism by taking a step onto a meta-level, investigating agnosticism not as an epistemic stance regarding the choice between theism and atheism, but as a stance toward the question concerning the cognitive meaningfulness and/or truth-aptness of religious discourse. It is argued that this “meta-level” meaning agnosticism may actually be an attractive articulation of a certain kind of religious attitude. While pragmatists like William James have claimed that (epistemic) agnosticism practically collapses into atheism, meaning agnosticism at the meta-level can in fact be a pragmatist position focusing on our human condition and its limits. Additional issues, such as the relations between agnosticism and the theodicism vs. antitheodicism debate regarding the problem of evil and suffering, are also briefly examined.
The Creation of the Devil and the End of the White Man’s Rule: The Theological Influence of the Nation of Islam on Early Black Theology
Authors: Corbman Marjorie
Published: June 2020

This article examines the emergence of the Black Theology movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the context of the religiously diverse milieu of Black political movements during the same period. In particular, the theology of the Nation of Islam was widely understood by contemporary commentators as a major source of the confrontational rhetoric and tactics of the Black Power movement. Drawing upon the writings of the radical Black nationalist minister Albert B. Cleage, Jr., this article examines the importance of what Cleage termed the Nation of Islam’s “Black cultural mythology” in providing the possibility of a break in identification with white Christianity. In particular, it traces the influence of the Nation of Islam’s proclamation of God’s imminent apocalyptic destruction of white America on the theology of James H. Cone and Cleage. In doing so, this article argues for the importance of examining questions of racial and religious difference in American history alongside one another. It was precisely through creative appropriation of a non-Christian framework of biblical interpretation, rooted in faith in God’s complete identification with Black humanity and the consequent imminent judgment of white America, that early (Christian) Black Theologians were able to retain their Christian identity and sever its entanglement with white supremacy.
Combining Energy Management Indicators and Life Cycle Assessment Indicators to Promote Sustainability in a Paper Production Plant
Authors: Espinel Blanco Edwin , Valencia Ochoa Guillermo , Duarte Forero Jorge
Published: June 2020

This paper presents the application of an energy characterization method based on the ISO 50001 standard in a dry paper production plant. This plant operates using electricity, gas, and coal as energy sources. The last two energy sources are used to produce the steam and hot air used in the paper drying process. Through energy characterization, indicators such as energy baseline and consumption indicators were calculated for the plant, with which improvement opportunities were identified. These improvement opportunities were used as case studies for each energy source used and were based on the actual state of the plant. 2011 Midpoint+ ILCD method data was selected from the Ecoinvent database, using OpenLCA 1.7.0 for the energy assessment. The impact categories analyzed in this study were ecotoxicity, eutrophication of rivers and seas, climate change, and human toxicity. As a result of this work, it was found that energy-saving was possible by adjusting the production rate to a load factor of 77%, which implies a gas consumption of 1.6 kWh/kg and a value in the climate change category of 88.5 kg of CO2 equivalent. In addition, some technological improvement opportunities were economical and environmentally evaluated as a result of the sustainable improvement strategy implemented with energy management and life cycle assessment. The study of these technological opportunities showed that in order to achieve a sustainable industrial process, it is important to take into account energy, economic, and environmental criteria in the continuous improvement of the paper production process. In addition, it is of vital importance to analyze alternatives for technological change, which have a greater impact than operational alternatives according to energy, environmental and economic criteria.
Role of Passengers in Single-Vehicle Drunk-Driving Crashes: An Injury-Severity Analysis
Authors: Lidbe Abhay , Adanu Emmanuel Kofi , Tedla Elsa , Jones Steven
Published: June 2020

Background: Drunk-driving is a major crash risk factor, and crashes resulting from this risky behavior tend to be serious and have significant economic and societal impacts. The presence of passengers and their demographics and activities can influence risky driving behaviors such as drunk-driving. However, passengers could either be an “enabling” factor to take more risks or could be an “inhibiting” factor by ensuring safe driving by a drunk-driver. Objective: This study examines whether the presence of passengers affects the contributing factors of single-vehicle (SV) drunk-driving crashes, by presenting a severity analysis of single- and multi-occupant SV drunk-driving crashes, to identify risk factors that contribute to crash severity outcomes, for the effective implementation of relevant countermeasures. Method: A total of 7407 observations for 2012–2016 from the crash database of the State of Alabama was used for this study. The variables were divided into six classes: temporal, locational, driver, vehicle, roadway, and crash characteristics and injury severities into three: severe, minor, and no injury. Two latent class multinomial logit models—one each for single- and multi-occupant crashes—were developed, to analyze the effects of significant factors on injury severity outcomes using marginal effects. Results: The estimated results show that collision with a ditch, run-off road, intersection, winter season, wet roadway, and interstate decreased the probability of severe injuries in both single- and multi-occupant crashes, whereas rural area, road with downward grade, dark and unlit roadway, unemployed driver, and driver with invalid license increased the likelihood of severe injuries for both single- and multi-occupant crashes. Female drivers were more likely to be severely injured in single-occupant crashes, but less likely in multi-occupant crashes. A significant association was found between severe injuries and weekends, residential areas, and crash location close (<25 mi ≈40.23 km) to the residence of the at-fault driver in multi-occupant crashes. Sport utility vehicles were found to be safer when driving with passengers. Conclusions: The model findings show that, although many correlates are consistent between the single- and multi-occupant SV crashes that are associated with locational, roadway, vehicle, temporal, and driver characteristics, their effect can vary across the single- and multi-occupant driving population. The findings from this study can help in targeting interventions, developing countermeasures, and educating passengers to reduce drunk-driving crashes and consequent injuries. Such integrated efforts combined with engineering and emergency response may contribute in developing a true safe systems approach.
Aquatic Competencies and Drowning Prevention in Children 2–4 Years: A Systematic Review
Authors: Taylor Danielle H. , Franklin Richard C. , Peden Amy E.
Published: June 2020

Aquatic competencies have been proposed as a prevention strategy for children aged 2–4 years who are over-represented in drowning statistics. For this recommendation to be made, exploration of the connection between aquatic competencies and drowning is required. This review critically analyzed studies exploring aquatic competencies and their effect on drowning and/or injury severity in children 2–4 years. English language peer-reviewed literature up to 31 July 2019 was searched and the PRISMA process utilized. Data were extracted from twelve studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Findings from this study included that aquatic competencies were not found to increase risk of drowning and demonstrated children aged 2–4 years are capable of developing age-appropriate aquatic competencies. Age-appropriate aquatic competencies extracted were propulsion/locomotion, flotation/buoyancy, water familiarization, submersion and water exits. The acquisition of these competencies holds benefit for the prevention of drowning. No evidence was found relating to injury severity. There was limited exploration of the relationship between aquatic competencies attainment and age-related developmental readiness. The review highlights the need for consistent measures of exposure, clarity around skills acquisition, better age-specific data (2 years vs. 3 years vs. 4 years), studies with larger sample sizes, further exploration of the dose–response relationship and consistent skill level testing across age groups. Further investigation is required to establish the efficacy of aquatic competencies as a drowning prevention intervention, as well as exploring the relationship between aquatic competencies and age-related developmental readiness. In conclusion, early evidence suggests aquatic competencies can help to reduce drowning.
Drug Use: Impact, Rules, Regulations and Mitigation Practices in the Construction Industry in the U.S
Authors: Deria Anisha , Lee Yong-Cheol
Published: June 2020

Abusing intoxicating substances such as alcohol and drugs in the construction industry poses a serious threat to the safety of workers. It is a pervasive problem that often results in fatal accidents and other relevant risks. This paper aimed to investigate the impacts of substance abuse at job sites, the perception of industry professionals about the issue, and the current practices of the industry. The objective was to compare the perception of the industry to the findings of the background study conducted in this area. To achieve this goal, the authors conducted a survey to analyze (1) the difference in perception between onsite and administrative teams regarding the issue of onsite substance abuse, (2) comparing possibilities of occurrence of diverse impacts of substance abuse as per the industry perspective, and (3) effectiveness of the available mitigation practices according to industry professionals. The results show that (1) there is a significant difference in perception regarding the existence and the seriousness of the problem of substance abuse in the construction companies between the onsite and the administrative teams, (2) though fatal accidents are the worst possible impact, loss in productivity is considered as the most common impact, and (3) drug-testing is not considered as the best mitigation practice by construction professionals. It was concluded that there is a need for education on the seriousness of drug abuse as well as extensive research for developing more efficient mitigation systems.
Parasites, Zoonoses and War: A Themed Issue in Honor of Emeritus Professor John M. Goldsmid
Authors: Bradbury Richard S.
Published: June 2020

This Special Issue of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease is dedicated to the life and work of Emeritus Professor John Marsden Goldsmid [...]
Multi-Domain Design Structure Matrix Approach Applied to Urban System Modeling
Authors: Hoffmann Peter , Nomaguchi Yutaka , Hara Keishiro , Sawai Kana , Gasser Ingenuin , Albrecht Myriam , Bechtel Benjamin , Fischereit Jana , Fujita Kikuo , Gaffron Philine , Krefis Anne Caroline , Quante Markus , Scheffran Jürgen , Schlünzen Katharina Heinke , von Szombathely Malte
Published: June 2020

Modeling the urban system for urban health and well-being with the aim of finding ways to optimize the well-being of urban dwellers is a complex task. Different modeling approaches that consider specific parts of the urban system, e.g., environmental stressors, urban society, and urban morphology, need to be integrated. The conceptual model of health-related urban well-being (UrbWellth) has been constructed to provide a structure for an integrated modeling framework. However, interfaces between the different modeling approaches were not sufficiently identified until now. The challenge to specify and operationalize these interfaces is met by using the Design Structure Matrix (DSM) concept, which is widely used in design engineering. It is used here to identify necessary interfaces within the urban system by determining the relevant interface variables and processes. The conceptual model for UrbWellth is used to construct a DSM. The results of a clustering of this UrbWellth-based DSM reveal that the structure of the conceptual model is indeed suitable to serve as a basis for an integrated model. Further, a Multi-Domain DSM (MDDSM), which is an extension of the DSM based on expert knowledge from individual modelers, identified the interface variables for the integrated model components as well as the processes for which different modeling approaches need to be coordinated. Moreover, the approach based on MDDSM identified processes that are not yet covered by the available modeling approaches.
İslam Düşünürlerinin Bilgi Anlayışı Üzerine Eğitimsel Bir Analiz
Authors: İPEK Fatih
Published: June 2020

İslam medeniyetinde düşünsel canlılığın zirvede olduğu dönemdeki İslam düşünürlerinin bilgi anlayışından örnekler göstermek ve bu görüşlerin eğitimsel değerlerini açıklamaya çalışmak bu çalışmanın konusudur. Bu çalışmada, literatür taraması ile tespit edilen örneklerle, İslam düşünürlerinin bilginin doğası ve bilgiyi arama davranışı ile ilgili görüşleri incelenmeye çalışılmıştır. Bu amacı gerçekleştirmek için aynı zamanda eğitimci olan İslam düşünürlerinin bilgi ve bilgiye ulaşma konusundaki anlayışını yansıtan örnekler eğitimsel açıdan değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırmanın sonunda, eğitimcilerin / düşünürlerin, “nass”larda apaçık ifade edilen bilgileri, mantıksal çıkarımlara dayanan önsel bilgileri ve aksi ispatlanmadıkça duyu bilgilerini dışarda tutmak kaydıyla, katı mutlakçı doğrucu bilgi anlayışına sahip olmadıkları görülmüştür. Bulgulara göre; İslam düşünürleri bilginin doğası ve bilgiye ulaşma konusunda bugünkü terminolojinin tam karşılamadığı kendine özgü bir anlayışa sahiptir. Katı bir biçimde kesin doğrucu bilgi anlayışının karşısında olmalarına rağmen onlar, bugünün tabirleri ile septik, agnostik, plüralistik ya da rölativistik olarak tanımlanamazlar. Onlar, öğrenme sürecinde karmaşaya yol açarak öğrenmeyi zorlaştıran çoğulcu bilgi anlayıştan daha farklı bir çoğulcu anlayışa sahiptir. Ayrıca onların, toplumsal ilerlemeye ve bireyin fıtri yeteneklerinin ortaya çıkmasına yardımcı olacak çoğulcu bir bilgi anlayışının gelişmesi için bazı tavsiyelerde bulunduğu tespit edilmiştir. Kuşkusuz, İslam düşünürlerinin farklı bir doğrunun varlığına ihtimal vermeyen katı-kör mutlakçı doğruculuk anlayışının neden meydana çıktığına dair tespitleri ve bireyi bu anlayıştan uzaklaştıracak tavsiyeleri eğitimsel açıdan önemli faydalar içermektedir.
Processos de construção do espaço e do corpo brincante: recepção, contaminação e aprendizagem na festa do coco
Authors: Moraes Petícia Carvalho de
Published: June 2020

Processos de construção do espaço e do corpo brincante: recepção, contaminação e aprendizagem na festa do coco
Análise antropométrica, somatotípica e dermatoglífica na categoria wellness
Authors: Sousa Thiago Batista Campos de
Published: June 2020

Tendo o desígnio primário de intervir numa das principais categorias do fisiculturismo, a intervenção manipulou variáveis antropométricas e somatotípicas, evidenciando as características corporais exigidas na competição, bem como, por meio da dermatoglifia, o tipo de fibra muscular de cada participante. Metodologia: Tratando-se de um estudo de caso, contou com a participação de três competidoras da categoria wellness, em um dos eventos chancelados pela Federação Paraibana de Culturismo Musculação e Fitness – FPCM-F. Resultados: A mulher campeã da noite, quando comparada à segunda e à quarta colocada, apresentou adiposidade relativa numericamente menor e a musculatura relativa, bem como o Índice de Brugsch e o Índice de Adiposidade Corporal, numericamente maiores, levando a crer que existe um padrão entre as primeiras e ultimas colocações. Contudo, entre as avaliadas, unanimemente a massa adiposa foi classificada como muito baixa e a massa muscular como muito alta quando comparada com pessoas não atletas, sendo nas análises das áreas gordas segmentares que se destacou o menor ou o maior condicionamento. O somatotipo de todas as avaliadas apresentou o componente de endomorfia e ectomorfia abaixo da média, enquanto a maior amplitude mesomórfica foi alcançada pela quarta colocada. A análise dermatoglífica evidenciou que, para a categoria wellness da referida competição, as mulheres com melhores colocações foram favorecidas geneticamente, tendo indicativos para ótimas respostas a treinamentos que visam hipertrofia e/ou força muscular. Conclusão: O presente trabalho foi pioneiro a investigar as melhores colocações na categoria wellness, propiciando, pela pormenorizada manipulação de variáveis antropométricas, que intervenções posteriores melhor explorem a matematização do quadro.
Magnetic Micromanipulation for
In Vivo
Measurement of Stiffness Heterogeneity and Anisotropy in the Mouse Mandibular Arch
Authors: Zhu Min , Zhang Kaiwen , Tao Hirotaka , Hopyan Sevan , Sun Yu
Published: June 2020

The mechanical properties of tissues are pivotal for morphogenesis and disease progression. Recent approaches have enabled measurements of the spatial distributions of viscoelastic properties among embryonic and pathological model systems and facilitated the generation of important hypotheses such as durotaxis and tissue-scale phase transition. There likely are many unexpected aspects of embryo biomechanics we have yet to discover which will change our views of mechanisms that govern development and disease. One area in the blind spot of even the most recent approaches to measuring tissue stiffness is the potentially anisotropic nature of that parameter. Here, we report a magnetic micromanipulation device that generates a uniform magnetic field gradient within a large workspace and permits measurement of the variation of tissue stiffness along three orthogonal axes. By applying the device to the organ-stage mouse embryo, we identify spatially heterogenous and directionally anisotropic stiffness within the mandibular arch. Those properties correspond to the domain of expression and the angular distribution of fibronectin and have potential implications for mechanisms that orient collective cell movements and shape tissues during development. Assessment of anisotropic properties extends the repertoire of current methods and will enable the generation and testing of hypotheses.
The use of E-Cigarettes among Adolescents in the United States
Authors: O’lawrence Dr. Henry , Martinez Dr. Linda , Garcia Andre , Ramos Patricia , Pequillo Dejay , Marquez Carina
Published: June 2020

Latest research has indicated that e-cigarettes are not safe for all ages, from kids to young adults, and it has been estimated that 99% of the e-cigarettes sold in the U.S. contained nicotine. This study further investigated why the underage smoking of e-cigarettes is increasing, especially among youth in California. Additionally, the study investigated secondary data from California’s Health Interview Survey (CHIS, 2017) was used to determine if the health effects caused by e-cigarette smoking, as well as future directions and implications. The research question was to determine whether smoking has increased in teens in the United States due to vaping and e-cigarette devices and whether there is a positive correlation to e-cigarette advertisement and the insufficiency of government regulations The researchers came up with a single hypothesis determine if the lack of information about the negative health effects, regulation, and parental guidance are contributing factors to the increase of adolescent smoking in the United States.
Hui-neng’s Wisdom of Spiritual Liberation
Authors: Bing-Quan Li , Hai-Xin Du
Published: June 2020

Hui-neng developed the Buddhist thought of liberation and constructed the theory of spiritual liberation with Chinese characteristics. Hui-neng’s theory of spiritual liberation is a kind of life wisdom, which aims to make people free from various afflictions and realize the freedom of the spir it. In order to achieve this goal, he explored the causes of afflictions, found the ways to liberate people from afflictions. According to his view, all afflictions (psychological problems) originate from evils and deviations, especially greed(贪：Tan), hatred(嗔：Chen), delusio n(痴：Chi) that are the three poison of consciousness called by Buddhism. Because the roots of evils and deviations are giving r ise to thoughts(动念：Dong-nian) and arising in one’s own mind(起心：Qi-xin), the best way to free from any afflictions is no-thought(无念：Wu-nian), no-dwelling(无住：Wu-zhu), no-mark(无相：Wu-xiang), which are able to make people’s mind have no impediment so that the spirit will be at easy or lightheartedness.
Water Crisis in Pakistan: A Historical Analysis of Kalabagh Dam
Authors: Ayaz Muahammad , Farooq Dr. Sadaf
Published: June 2020

Water is the requirement of life and a backing force of socio-economic development. Due to some human interference in natural activities, the global environment is changing rapidly. Resultantly, water resources are on the verge of diminution. The case of Pakistan is much alarming as it is an agricultural country depending on canal water. Any shortage of water will near ly defunctionalize the canal system of Pakistan. Some experts claim that Pakistan may become dry by 2025 if she did not build any big water storage. From the economic point of view, the agriculture portion in Pakistan’s total economy is 21% to Domestic Gross Product (GDP) and above 45% to the labor force. K alabagh Dam can be fruitful in these circumstances because it will generate 3600 Mega Watt (MW) electricity and will store 6.1 Million Acre Feet (MAF) water. After discussing the water crisis in Pakistan, this paper is analyzing the role of KBD as a remedy to water scarcity, electricity shortfall as well as the politics of water.
Results of the Olfactory Cognition Test Performed on 45 Female University Students
Authors: Katayama Naomi , Kondo Shoko , Aoki Chika , Kagazume Ai , Tashita Mari , Yano Kasumi
Published: June 2020

The sense of smell is related to the quality of life and not only can protect oneself from dangers such as food poisoning, gas leakage, and fire. But also various pleasures such as enjoying a delicious meal and the scent of flowers. This time, we report that we conducted an olfactory cognitive test using open essence on healthy 45 female university students. The Open Essence (made by FUJIFILM) has the smell as same as the odor Stick Identification Test (OSIT-J). The aromas used in the open essence includes curry, perfume, Japanese cypress, India ink, menthol, rose, wood, stinky socks/sweat, roasted garlic, condensed milk, gas for cooking, and Japanese mandarin aromas. This 12 different odorants perception is not necessarily culture-free; the Japanese version employed. Depending on the type of odor, some of them were difficult to understand, and some that were easy to understand. The most will-recognized odor was the smell of stinky socks/sweat, and the most hard to understand odor was mandarin orange. In the future, it is necessary to individually examine not only the number recognized in the olfactory recognition test but also the odor that was understand.