bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-time performance evaluation of BGSLibrary algorithms for intelligent surveillance
Authors: Benraya Imane , Benblidia Nadjia , Amara Yasmine
Published: December 2021

Background subtraction is the first and basic stage in video analysis and smart surveillance to extract moving objects. In fact, the background subtraction library (BGSLibrary) was created by Andrews Sobral in 2012, which currently combines 43 background subtraction algorithms from the most popular and widely used in the field of video analysis. Each algorithm has its own characteristics, strengths and weaknesses in extracting moving objects. The evaluation allows the identification of these characteristics and helps researchers to design the best methods. Unfortunately, the literature lacks a comprehensive evaluation of the algorithms included in the library. Accordingly, the present work will evaluate these algorithms in the BGSLibrary through the segmentation performance, execution time and processor, so as to, achieve a perfect, comprehensive, real-time evaluation of the system. Indeed, a background modeling challenge (BMC) dataset was selected using the synthetic video with the presence of noise. Results are presented in tables, columns and foreground masks.
On the evaluation of the IEEE 802.11ac WLAN performance with QoS deployment
Authors: Farej Ziyad Khalaf , Ali Omer Mohammed
Published: December 2021

The increase in the number of users on wireless local area networks (WLAN) and the development of large size applications have increased the demand for high-speed data rate and low latency. The IEEE 802.11ac was developed to provide very high throughput WLANs. Many enhancements are added to the medium access control (MAC) and physical (PHY) layers to increase data rate and improve network performance, these features enable the IEEE 802.11ac standard to provide quality of service (QoS) for multimedia applications. This paper concentrates on the impact of QoS on the system performance in term of delay and throughput. Four scenarios are proposed to investigate the network performance with different (from 1 up to 8) spatial stream (SS). The objective modular network testbed in C++ (OMNet++ modeler v5.5.1) is used to simulate and model these scenarios. For 8×8 SS, the results of simulation show the best throughput (maximum) and delay (minimum) values of (622, 484, 399.3, 382.96 Mbps) and (0.0211, 0.0589, 0.1037, 0.1202 sec) for 5, 15, 30 and 45 node number scenarios respectively. Although the number of nodes increases, the system performance decreases, however when QoS is deployed the performance is enhanced and its best improvement is obtained at the highest (45) node number scenario with values of 94.4% and 56.1% for throughput and delay respectively.
Application of multilayer perceptron to deep reinforcement learning for stock market trading and analysis
Authors: Sagiraju Hima Keerthi , Mogalla Shashi
Published: December 2021

Trading strategies to maximize profits by tracking and responding to dynamic stock market variations is a complex task. This paper proposes to use a multilayer perceptron method (a part of artificial neural networks (ANNs)), that can be used to deploy deep reinforcement strategies to learn the process of predicting and analyzing the stock market products with the aim to maximize profit making. We trained a deep reinforcement agent using the four algorithms: proximal policy optimization (PPO), deep Q-learning (DQN), deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) method, and advantage actor critic (A2C). The proposed system, comprising these algorithms, is tested using real time stock data of two products: Dow Jones (DJIA-index), and Qualcomm (shares). The performance of the agent linked to the individual algorithms was evaluated, compared and analyzed using Sharpe ratio, Sortino ratio, Skew and Kurtosis, thus leading to the most effective algorithm being chosen. Based on the parameter values, the algorithm that maximizes profit making for the respective financial product was determined. We also extended the same approach to study and ascertain the predictive performance of the algorithms on trading under highly volatile scenario, such as the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Design and simulation of video monitoring structure over TCP/IP system using MATLAB
Authors: Abood Amany Mohammad , Hussein Maysam Sameer , Faisal Zainab G. , Tawfiq Zainab H.
Published: December 2021

Video monitoring systems are undergoing an evolution from conventional analog to digital clarification to provide better rate and security over internet protocols. In addition, analog surveillance becomes insufficient to face enormous demand of security of system contains more than hundreds of camera often deployed in hotels environments far away from room control. This paper presents the design and simulation of a video monitoring scheme in excess of a transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) system using MATLAB. Sophisticated cameras could record directly high-definition digital videos based on digital technology which simply communicate the control room relaying on ordinary internet protocol infrastructure networks. This technology provides a flexible network interface over a wide variety of heterogeneous technology networks. Though, the acceptance of IP designed for video monitoring pretense severe difficulties in terms of power processing, system dependability, required bandwidth, and security of networks. The advantage of IP based video monitoring system has been investigated over conventional analog systems and the challenges of the method are described. The open research issues are still requiring a final solution to permits complete abandon against conventional technology of analog methods. In conclusion, the method to tackle the purpose of video monitoring in actual operation is proposed and verified properly by means of model simulation.
Sensorless nonlinear sliding mode control of the induction machine at very low speed using FM-MRAS observer
Authors: Touam Mokhtar , Chenafa Mohammed , Chekroun Soufyane , Salim Ramzi‎
Published: December 2021

The induction motor is complex because its dynamic is nonlinear, multivariable and highly coupled. In addition, the induction motor (IM) controller design can be degraded due to wide ranges operating speed specially in low and near-zero speeds and also to variation of interval parameters such as the stator resistance change because of stator heating during operation. Our contribution is the use of a nonlinear sliding mode control using a fuzzy mutual reference adaptive system observer based on two fuzzy adaptation mechanisms to estimate both rotor speed and stator resistance. The proposed work was verified and compared by simulation and tested in various ranges of speed with motor and regenerating regions of operation. The results show that the proposed approach has proved good effectiveness in tracking and observation.
Multi-carrier switching strategy for high-bandwidth potential balancing control of multilevel inverters
Authors: Tahir Zuraidi Md , Jidin Auzani , Jamil Mohd Luqman Mohd
Published: December 2021

This paper confers on investigation of a direct torque control (DTC) of induction motor drive by 3 level neutral point clamp (NPC) multilevel inverter. The imbalance problem may deteriorate the electric drive performances which might cause a short circuit condition. Various balancing control strategies were proposed, however, most of them employed complex space vector modulation (SVM) and hysteresis-based controller that generates variable switching frequencies. The proposed method will offer a reliable balancing control strategy with a constant switching frequency, and moreover, it will provide excellent electric drive performances. This research proposed a new multi carrier switching modulation strategy that establish a high-band-width control for neutral point potential in the NPC inverter. Potency of the proposed high-bandwidth potential balancing strategy is validated through the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment.
Improved sliding mode power control of doubly-fed-induction generator under wind speed variation
Authors: Abdesselam Bouiri , Cherif Benoudjafer , Othmane Boughazi , Abden Abdallah , Hamid Chojaa
Published: December 2021

Due to drawbacks of classical linear controller like proportional-integral (PI), many studies have been used non-linear controller specially when it comes to robustness, but this is less efficient in sliding mode controller (SM) due to the sign function, this function is known as a problem chattering phenomenon, this main disadvantage it can be compensated by Lyapunov backstepping condition, This paper presents nonlinear power control strategy of the doubly-fed-induction generator (DFIG) for wind application system (WAS) using sliding mode combining with backstepping controller (SM-BS) to control produced statoric powers to mitigate unnecessary chattering effects inherent in traditional SMC, to check the effectiveness of the controller, we compare performance of sliding mode controller and sliding mode controller combining with backstepping (SM-BS) in terms of required reference tracking, robustness under parametric variations of the generator, sensitivity to perturbations and reaction to speed variations under investigating further of the chattering phenomenon.
Improved GA based power and cost management system in a grid-associated PV-wind system
Authors: Andal C. Kothai , R. Jayapal
Published: December 2021

Renewable hybrids play an essential part in assisting India with quickening the decarbonisation of power production and lowering power production expense in the medium term. PV and wind energy are complementary to each other, making the system to generate electricity almost throughout the year. In this paper, a grid-associated PV-wind energy system tied with a battery is analysed. PV, wind, grid and battery are the sources to be effectively scheduled for uninterrupted power and cost minimisation. Energy management controllers use optimisation strategies for effective utilisation of sources and cost minimisation. The methodologies are detailed as optimisation problems. Limiting the household energy cost is considered as objective, and the delivery ratio of power offered to the grid and utilised locally is treated as the optimisation variable. In this paper, an improved genetic algorithm is proposed to solve the formulated nonlinear optimisation problems. The time-of-use tariff is becoming popular in India; therefore, this article analyses the improved genetic algorithm based intelligent power and cost management system under time-of-use tariff. Using MATLAB, the proposed approach's performance is presented with the comparative analysis of conventional self-made for self-consumed and rest for sale mode and genetic algorithm-based energy management controller.
Optimal sizing and sitting of electric vehicle charging station by using archimedes optimization algorithm technique
Authors: Zaki Mohamed Abdelhamed , Mahmoud Tarek , Atia Mohamed , El Aziz Osman EL Said Abd
Published: December 2021

Increasing penetration of EV load into the electricity sector will result in generation imbalance, an increase in real power loss, a low voltage profile and consequently a decrease in the margin of stability of voltage. It is necessary for the coordination of charging stations (CSs) for EV at the relevant locations to minimize the effect of increased EV load penetration in radial systems. In this paper, a new optimization method named Archimedes optimization algorithm (AOA) is proposed; it determined the optimal location and size for EV-CS for reducing power losses and improved voltage profile. In this work we used the photo voltaic (PV) renewable source as a main feeder for the CSs. Many of Artificial Intelligence technique are applied to determine the optimal sizing and sitting of EV-CSs considering the objective of minimization of real power loss. IEEE 33-bus testing network conducts simulation tests. The results highlighted the need to refine the EV-CS allocation to improve the performance. The ability to solve complex, non-linear objective optimization issues using AOA and to compare the results with other algorithms, namely particle swarm optimization (PSO), Cuckoo search algorithm (CSA), shows its effectiveness in minimizing the power loss as required.
Optimized generated power of a solar PV system using an intelligent tracking technique
Authors: Balal Afshin , Abedi Mostafa , Shahabi Farzad
Published: December 2021

Partial shading condition (PSC) is common and complicated in all types of PV power plant. Therefore, the power production of solar system would be affected by the mismatch phenomena produced by PSC. Furthermore, when the array is partially shaded, the P–V characteristics become more complex which causes multiple peaks of the P-V curve. So, the simple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods such as perturb and observe (P&O) will fail. To address the above issue, this paper proposes a combination of two different approaches, implementing distributed MPPT (DMPPT) and optimized fuzzy/bee algorithm (OFBA). DMPPT can be utilized to maximize solar energy by allowing each module, or group of modules, be managed independently. Also, due to the output power oscillations around the operating point in the P&O method, an OFBA is employed which allowing for the decrease of output power oscillations without the usage of temperature and light sensors. The result shows that utilizing of DMPPT control approach in conjunction with the OFBA boosts the output generated power.
Formation shape transition of multiple mobile robots in leader-follower method
Authors: Fujimori Atsushi , Oh-kiri Kotaro , Oh-hara Shinsuke
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a formation shape transition technique of multiple mobile robots in the leader-follower method as a new function that gives flexibility to the formation control of mobile robots with multiple sonars. First, we propose basic shape transition methods for the case of two mobile robots under formation control by the leader-follower method, and then extend the methods to the shape transition of three mobile robots. Since the multiple sonars attached to the mobile robot are located forward, including the left and right sides, there is a constraint on the formation shape feasible by the leader - follower method. In the case of two mobile robots, the follower must be positioned behind the leader. Therefore, there are three shapes of the follower relative to the leader: line, right-back, left-back. In the case of three mobile robots, t hree types of line, zigzag, triangle shapes are considered. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is demonstrated by experiments using real mobile robots.
Toxic Metals and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Carotid, Femoral, and Coronary Vascular Territories: The Aragon Workers Health Study
Authors: Grau-Perez Maria , Caballero-Mateos Maria J. , Domingo-Relloso Arce , Navas-Acien Ana , Gomez-Ariza Jose L. , Garcia-Barrera Tamara , Leon-Latre Montse , Soriano-Gil Zoraida , Jarauta Estibaliz , Cenarro Ana , Moreno-Franco Belen , Laclaustra Martin , Civeira Fernando , Casasnovas Jose A. , Guallar Eliseo , Tellez-Plaza Maria
Published: December 2021

Objective:

Studies evaluating the association of metals with subclinical atherosclerosis are mostly limited to carotid arteries. We assessed individual and joint associations of nonessential metals exposure with subclinical atherosclerosis in 3 vascular territories.

Approach and Results:

One thousand eight hundred seventy-three Aragon Workers Health Study participants had urinary determinations of inorganic arsenic species, barium, cadmium, chromium, antimony, titanium, uranium, vanadium, and tungsten. Plaque presence in carotid and femoral arteries was determined by ultrasound. Coronary Agatston calcium score ≥1 was determined by computed tomography scan. Median arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, antimony, titanium, uranium, vanadium, and tungsten levels were 1.83, 1.98, 0.27, 1.18, 0.05, 9.8, 0.03, 0.66, and 0.23 μg/g creatinine, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for subclinical atherosclerosis presence in at least one territory was 1.25 (1.03–1.51) for arsenic, 1.67 (1.22–2.29) for cadmium, and 1.26 (1.04–1.52) for titanium. These associations were driven by arsenic and cadmium in carotid, cadmium and titanium in femoral, and titanium in coronary territories and mostly remained after additional adjustment for the other relevant metals. Titanium, cadmium, and antimony also showed positive associations with alternative definitions of increased coronary calcium. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression analysis simultaneously evaluating metal associations suggested an interaction between arsenic and the joint cadmium-titanium exposure.

Conclusions:

Our results support arsenic and cadmium and identify titanium and potentially antimony as atherosclerosis risk factors. Exposure reduction and mitigation interventions of these metals may decrease cardiovascular risk in individuals without clinical disease.
Karel Nel and COSMOS: A Far-Reaching Artist-in-Residence Collaboration
Authors: King Barbara Amelia , Martinez Peter
Published: December 2021

The phenomena of the universe form a common focus for the interrelationship between art that has space as its central concern and the astronomical sciences, as both disciplines strive to observe and express the mysteries of the cosmos. An unwavering mutual interest in space and mutual respect for each discipline form the nexus between the two. Some scientific projects have artist-in-residence programs that promote innovative art/science dialogues. Although most residencies are designed for the short term, one has certainly stood the test of time. The authors analyze one 15-year collaboration between visual artist Karel Nel and Caltech’s Cosmic Evolution Survey, COSMOS.
Continual Learning for Grounded Instruction Generation by Observing Human Following Behavior
Authors: Kojima Noriyuki , Suhr Alane , Artzi Yoav
Published: December 2021

We study continual learning for natural language instruction generation, by observing human users’ instruction execution. We focus on a collaborative scenario, where the system both acts and delegates tasks to human users using natural language. We compare user execution of generated instructions to the original system intent as an indication to the system’s success communicating its intent. We show how to use this signal to improve the system’s ability to generate instructions via contextual bandit learning. In interaction with real users, our system demonstrates dramatic improvements in its ability to generate language over time.
Between Fact and Opinion: The Sui Generis Approach to Expert Witness Testimony in International Criminal Trials
Authors: Richmond Karen McGregor , Piccolo Sebastiano Antonio
Published: December 2021

It is a fundamental tenet of the law of evidence, spanning all jurisdictions, that witness testimony should ideally be delivered in open court by the individual who observed the event in question, or by the expert whose technical knowledge is relied upon. A notable exception to this principle has emerged in the field of international criminal justice, where courts and tribunals may allow ‘summarising witnesses’ to present a summation of witness testimony. In the case of Ayyash et al., the Special Tribunal for Lebanon extended the principle, allowing voluminous expert opinion evidence to be presented in factual summation. This article analyses such approaches, utilising doctrinal methods alongside empirical Wigmorean analysis, to assess the probity of these sui generis practices. The results are placed in legal and theoretical perspective, demonstrating that international courts and tribunals are departing from an overarching obligation to integrate international and domestic standards in respect of expert testimony.
The Guru as Śiva
Authors: Stainton Hamsa
Published: December 2021

This article introduces and analyzes the Gurustutiratnāvalī, a sophisticated eighteenth-century Sanskrit hymn composed by Govinda Kaula of Kashmir in praise of his teacher’s teacher, the prolific author Sāhib Kaula. It evaluates the evidence for Govinda Kaula’s dating, lineage, and literary activity and presents the first published edition and translation of select verses of his Gurustutiratnāvalī based on four manuscripts. The analysis of the hymn focuses on the ways the author equates a specific guru in his lineage—Sāhib Kaula—with the supreme deity Śiva. Using this hymn as a starting point, the article considers the history of guru-praise (gurustuti) and guru-devotion (gurubhakti) in Kashmir as well as in South Asia more broadly. Lastly, it suggests that further work on this lineage and the religious dynamics of the eighteenth and nineteenth century will prove crucial for helping us understand the emergence of what came to be popularly known as “Kashmir Śaivism.”
Aspidistra sonlaensis (Asparagaceae, Nolinoideae), a new species from northern Vietnam
Authors: TRINH NGOC BON , PHAM VAN THE , NGUYEN THANH SON , DO THI THANH HA , NGUYEN KHANG SINH , ANH LE TUAN , NURALIEV MAXIM S. , VISLOBOKOV NIKOLAY A.
Published: December 2021

A new species of Aspidistra, A. sonlaensis, is described and illustrated from Son La Province in northern Vietnam. The new species is morphologically close to A. micrantha, but differs in number of perigone lobes, anther position and pistil shape. The new species is accessed as Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN categories and criteria.
Odontonia kerangcaris sp. nov., a new bivalve-associated shrimp (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from East Kalimantan, revealing intrageneric host switching
Authors: FRANSEN CHARLES H.J.M. , GROENHOF MIKE , DE GIER WERNER
Published: December 2021

A new species of bivalve mollusk dwelling palaemonid shrimp of the genus Odontonia is described from the Berau Islands, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. This is the only Odontonia species recorded as a symbiont of a bivalve mollusk, all other congeners are known to associate with solitary ascidians. The new species belongs to the group wherein the dactylus of the ambulatory pereiopods has an accessory tooth. It differs from these species in the absence of a forward directed proximal tooth on the flexor margin of the corpus of the ambulatory dactyli. It also lacks the small denticles posterior to the distoventral accessory tooth on the dactylar corpus.
Continental Patterns of Bird Migration Linked to Climate Variability
Authors: Dezfuli Amin , Horton Kyle G. , Zuckerberg Benjamin , Schubert Siegfried D. , Bosilovich Michael G.
Published: December 2021

For ∼100 years, the continental patterns of avian migration in North America have been described in the context of three or four primary flyways. This spatial compartmentalization often fails to adequately reflect a critical characterization of migration—phenology. This shortcoming has been partly due to the lack of reliable continental-scale data, a gap filled by our current study. Here, we leveraged unique radar-based data quantifying migration phenology and used an objective regionalization approach to introduce a new spatial framework that reflects interannual variability. Therefore, the resulting spatial classification is intrinsically different from the “flyway concept.” We identified two regions with distinct interannual variability of spring migration across the contiguous United States. This data-driven framework enabled us to explore the climatic cues affecting the interannual variability of migration phenology, “specific to each region” across North America. For example, our “two-region” approach allowed us to identify an east–west dipole pattern in migratory behavior linked to atmospheric Rossby waves. Also, we revealed that migration movements over the western United States were inversely related to interannual and low-frequency variability of regional temperature. A similar link, but weaker and only for interannual variability, was evident for the eastern region. However, this region was more strongly tied to climate teleconnections, particularly to the east Pacific–North Pacific (EP–NP) pattern. The results suggest that oceanic forcing in the tropical Pacific—through a chain of processes including Rossby wave trains—controls the climatic conditions, associated with bird migration over the eastern United States. Our spatial platform would facilitate better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for broadscale migration phenology and its potential future changes.
Mental state of demoralisation across diverse clinical settings: A systematic review, meta-analysis and proposal for its use as a ‘specifier’ in mental illness
Authors: Gan Lucy L , Gong Susanna , Kissane David W
Published: December 2021

Objective:

Demoralisation is a state of poor coping characterised by low morale, hopelessness, subjective incompetence, and loss of meaning and purpose in life. While studied extensively in oncology and palliative care, there has been recent exploration in broader medical and mental health settings. The aim was to investigate the prevalence of demoralisation and associated sociodemographic and psychological factors across these clinical settings.

Method:

Six electronic databases were used to locate articles from January 2014 to March 2020. A pre-publication update of non-oncology populations was completed in September 2021. The review has been reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Pooled prevalence of demoralisation was determined through % prevalence and mean demoralisation score; this was synthesised through meta-analysis of single means to determine pooled mean prevalence of Demoralisation Scale scores using the ‘R’ statistical software.

Results:

Demoralisation has been examined in 52 studies ( n = 11,670) and found to be prevalent in 24–35% of oncology and non-oncology, including mental health, populations. The mean score on the Demoralisation Scale was 24.3 (95% confidence interval, CI = [21.3, 27.3]). There was evidence of divergent validity in addition to significant comorbidity between depression, demoralisation and suicidal ideation. Burdensome physical symptoms, and psychological and demographic factors are strongly correlated with demoralisation.

Conclusion:

There remains a need to recognise demoralisation in various clinical and cultural settings and to strongly consider its inclusion as a ‘specifier’ within formal nosological systems for adjustment and depressive disorders. This is important to initiate targeted interventions and prevent significant morbidity.
Psychiatric disorders and offending in an Australian birth cohort: Overrepresentation in the health and criminal justice systems for Indigenous Australians
Authors: Ogilvie James M , Allard Troy , Thompson Carleen , Dennison Susan , Little Simon B , Lockwood Krystal , Kisely Steve , Putland Ellie , Stewart Anna
Published: December 2021

Objective:

Most studies that examine psychiatric illness in people who offend have focused on incarcerated samples, with little known about the larger population of individuals with criminal justice system contact. We examine the overlap between proven offences and psychiatric diagnoses with an emphasis on experiences for Indigenous Australians.

Methods:

In a population-based birth cohort of 45,141 individuals born in Queensland, Australia, in 1990 (6.3% Indigenous), psychiatric diagnoses were identified from hospital admissions between ages 4/5 and 23/24 years and proven offences were identified from court records (spanning ages 10–24 years). Prevalence rates for offending, psychiatric diagnoses and their overlap were examined for Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals. Associations between specific psychiatric diagnoses and types of offending were examined using logistic regressions.

Results:

There were 11,134 (24.7%) individuals with a finalised court appearance, 2937 (6.5%) with a diagnosed psychiatric disorder and 1556 (3.4%) with a proven offence and diagnosed psychiatric disorder, with Indigenous Australians significantly overrepresented across all outcomes. Compared with non-Indigenous Australians, Indigenous Australians were younger at their first court finalisation (Cohen’s d = −0.62, 95% confidence interval = [−0.67, −0.57]), experienced a higher number of finalisations ( d = 0.94, 95% confidence interval = [0.89, 1.00]) and offences ( d = 0.64, 95% confidence interval = [0.59, 0.69]) and were more likely to receive custodial ( d = 0.41, 95% confidence interval = [0.36, 0.46]) or supervised ( d = 0.55, 95% confidence interval = [0.50, 0.60]) sentences. The overlap between offending and psychiatric illness was more pronounced for Indigenous Australians compared with non-Indigenous Australians (14.8% vs 2.7%). Substance use disorders were the most prevalent psychiatric diagnosis among individuals with a court finalisation (9.2%).

Conclusions:

Indigenous Australians were significantly overrepresented in court finalisations and psychiatric diagnoses. Indigenous Australians with a psychiatric diagnosis were at highest risk of experiencing a court appearance, emphasising the importance of culturally appropriate mental health responses being embedded into the criminal justice system.
A Thematic Analysis of the Reported Effect Anxiety Has on University Students
Authors: Ladejo Jacquelyne
Published: December 2021

The number of university students experiencing mental health issues in the UK is increasing and a high number of students are dropping out of university as a result. Literature highlights a lack of knowledge regarding this topic and the significance in educating society. The aim of this qualitative study was to provide further insights as to why students are experiencing anxiety and into help-seeking behavior amongst university students. A thematic analysis was used to analyze a total of 118 blog entries of students discussing the impact of university on mental health. Findings highlighted three main themes: Balancing priorities, Fear of failure, and Critical incidents. These themes are discussed in terms of possible risk factors contributing to students experiencing anxiety while at university. Findings together with recommendations listed in this study offer higher education staff and institutions the opportunity to explore areas of focus and improve university students’ mental health.
Risking Lives to Save Others During COVID-19: A Focus on Public Health Care Workers in Bangladesh and Egypt
Authors: Bhuiyan Shahjahan
Published: December 2021

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been spreading around the world, causing a major public health crisis that has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Street-level bureaucrats­—health workers, teachers, street cleaners, police officers­, and so forth—are at the forefront in fighting against the pandemic. Of these, public health care workers, due to the nature of their involvement, should know and understand why they are risking their lives to save others during this pandemic. Based on the preliminary data gleaned from interviews with public health care workers in Bangladesh and Egypt, this ongoing research suggests they are risking their lives for reasons such as altruistic behavior, service to profession, adherence to bureaucratic accountability, and a desire to help mankind. The findings contribute to the existing literature about street-level bureaucratic behavior in atypical times such as these of the pandemic. This study is unique in that it comprehends that public health care workers of two culturally and geographically distinct countries are risking their lives for the same public-spirited cause.
Community, Nation and Region: Shrimoni Akali Dal (SAD) and the Politics of Community Formation
Authors: Fazal Tanweer
Published: December 2021

This article relies on a historical sociology approach to trace the shifting trajectory of community formation and the forging of boundaries through three discrete though corresponding imaginaries— panth (community) , qaum (nation) and punjabiyat (regional identity)—in the Sikh political narrative. The emergence of each of these grand ideas of Sikh solidity has a history putatively inter-laced with the social make up and political economy of its time. The central object of enquiry for this article is the Shrimoni Akali Dal (SAD) and the attempt is to examine the shifting terrain of its religio-political goals and objectives. Since its inception in 1920, the SAD as a political organisation and Shrimoni Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee as the chief ecclesiastical authority, have been the principle bearers of the Sikh religio-political consciousness. The three constitutive imageries of community formation that SAD in particular and Sikh politics in general has fostered, do not betray a linear trajectory. Instead, there is a discernible simultaneity where each of these ideas co-exist, but subject to contextual operationalisation.
A Profile-Based Approach to Understanding Social Exchange: Authentic Tour-Guiding in the Sharing Economy
Authors: Kromidha Endrit , Gannon Martin , Taheri Babak
Published: December 2021

Authenticity in travel and tourism research is often explored at the tangible-existential nexus. However, the collaborative forces embedded within digital sharing economy platforms draw attention to how the promise of social exchange can stimulate authentic consumption. The role of tour guides has evolved accordingly, from professional designation to self-acquired identity enacted ad-hoc. This study therefore applies a deductive-inductive approach—investigating over 100,000 tour guide profiles on the digital sharing economy platform showaround.com —to frame authenticity as the diverse manifestation of promised social exchanges. Combining automated qualitative analysis for large datasets with manual inductive reasoning, the findings identify four types of authenticity demonstrated within sharing economy tour guide profiles: situational, natural, personal, and positional. Doing so extends established understanding of tangible-existential and sincere-trustworthy tourism industry authenticity by capturing social exchanges in dynamic contexts; acknowledging the diverse nature of the promise of authentic tourism service delivery and consumption therein.
Addiction Treatment as Prison Governance: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Methadone Delivery in Kyrgyz Prisons
Authors: Azbel Lyu , Bromberg Daniel J. , Dvoryak Sergii , Altice Frederick L.
Published: December 2021

Methadone treatment is prescribed by evidence-based medicine as the most effective tool for the treatment of opioid addiction. Its implementation into high-need prison settings worldwide has been met with challenges, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia where the opioid epidemic continues to expand. To address these impasses to intervention translation, we turn to post-structural approaches to policy analysis. These approaches open space for (re)thinking the ways that translated interventions emerge locally, by treating policy texts as social practices that make interventions in specific, sometimes unexpected, ways. We leverage Carol Bacchi’s post-structuralist analytic framework to interrogate how the object of methadone is constituted in Kyrgyz prisons through an analysis of the national legislative document, the “Government Program,” which provides the legislative basis for opioid addiction treatment administration in the Kyrgyz Republic. Rather than the medicalized methadone for the treatment of opioid use disorder, contained in the distinct objectivization of methadone emerging from this policy text, is the previously unexamined assumption that methadone is a particular type of governance. We describe a methadone object tied up with the shifting social structures that govern Kyrgyz prisons, divided between formal (state-run) and informal (prisoner-run) governance. In Kyrgyz prisons, where opioid policy discourse produces a divide between formal and informal governance, methadone emerges as a tool of the formal prison administration to regain control of the prisons from the practices of prisoner subculture. Although this study takes the Kyrgyz case as an example, the enactment of methadone as formal governance is likely to resonate throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where there is a strong legacy of self-governing prisons. We conclude with a call for global health policymakers to consider how opioid addiction treatment is constituted within local governing relations, in ways that may depart sharply from the evidence base.
Local Communities and Separate Space: The Zionist Stance on Jewish Settlement in Arab Cities—The Case of Acre
Authors: Kidron Anat
Published: December 2021

This article looks at the impact of harsh environmental conditions on the development of the Zionist narrative and the pursuit of Jewish urban settlement in Arab cities, specifically Acre. While overcoming adversity was part of the Zionist farming ethos, settling in areas that were environmentally challenging was one of the factors that kept the Zionist establishment from acknowledging or supporting urban Jewish settlement in Arab towns. In fact, the openly professed ideology of settling in such locations and creating mixed cities was implemented only in the few cases where an economic or political incentive existed. These incentives aside, environmental issues like swampy land and seasonal flooding were major inhibiting factors, not only affecting the scope of Jewish settlement but also the way they were addressed in the Zionist narrative.
Surgical results and factors affecting outcome in patients with fat-graft myringoplasty
Authors: Kim Hong Chan , Park Kyeong Suk , Yang Hyung Chae , Jang Chul Ho
Published: December 2021

Objectives: We evaluated the closure rate after fat-graft myringoplasty (FGM) of perforations differing in size and location. We explored whether patient’s factors and the FGM surgical technique influenced surgical outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively studied patients with tympanic membrane perforations who underwent FGM from March 2015 to March 2019. All procedures were performed by a single senior surgeon at our tertiary hospital. The patients who followed-up for at least 6 months after surgery were enrolled. We recorded hypertension and diabetes status, age, any prior ear surgery, any calcific plaques adjacent to the perforation, and perforation size and location. Results: A total of 150 patients were enrolled. Our success rate of FGM was 90%. Hypertension, diabetes, prior ear surgery history, and eardrum calcific plaques did not affect the surgical outcomes. There was no statistical difference in the surgical success rate according to the size (< 50%) or location of perforation. The closure rate was 97.2% in patients aged 1660 and 87.5% in patients aged > 60, respectively. However, FGM was successful in only two of six children (33.3%) aged ≤ 15 years, thus significantly less than in the other groups. Conclusion: FGM is a fast, safe, and efficient method for repairing tympanic membrane perforation. The surgical outcome is not significantly affected by underlying disease, perforation size or location, or by the condition of the tympanic membrane or older age. However, it may be poor in children with dysfunctional Eustachian tube.
Maximising Abilities, Negotiating and Generating Exercise options (MANAGE) in people with multiple sclerosis: A feasibility randomised controlled trial
Authors: Louie Julie , Baquie Katherine , Offerman Justin , Granger Catherine L. , Khan Fary , Bower Kelly J.
Published: December 2021

Objective

To investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a group self-management exercise and education program in people with multiple sclerosis.

Design

Feasibility randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Outpatient rehabilitation facility.

Subjects

Twenty-three adults (age 48.6 (11.7) years) recruited from a Multiple Sclerosis Clinic register.

Interventions

The intervention group undertook a 12-week group program incorporating behaviour change education, exercise and community integration. This was compared with a waitlist control group.

Main measures

Feasibility was measured by recruitment, adherence and safety. Efficacy outcomes included measures of physical function (6-metre and 6-min walk, Functional Reach) and self-report questionnaires (fatigue, quality of life, exercise benefits and barriers) at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 weeks.

Results

Of 74 individuals identified through the register, 48 (65%) were contacted and deemed eligible, and 23 (48%) agreed to participate. There was high adherence for attendance at education (57 of 72, 79%) and exercise (135 of 174, 78%) sessions. No adverse safety events occurred within the intervention sessions. Missed attendances at assessment sessions was high (5 to 8 participants missed at each time point) predominately due to health issues. The intervention group demonstrated positive changes in walking endurance, Functional Reach and fatigue, whereas the control had some reductions in walking speed and more perceived exercise barriers.

Conclusions

The MANAGE program appears feasible and safe for people with mild-to-moderate multiple sclerosis, with high adherence to exercise and education sessions. Future trials should consider strategies such as flexible scheduling or alternative methods of data collection to improve follow-up assessment attendance.
Review From Multiple Perspectives for the State of the Practice on the Use of Recycled Asphalt Materials and Recycling Agents in Asphalt Concrete Surface Mixtures
Authors: Habbouche Jhony , Boz Ilker , Underwood Benjamin Shane , Castorena Cassie , Gulzar Saqib , Fried Andrew , Preciado Jaime
Published: December 2021

The objective of this paper is to provide information from multiple perspectives on the current state of the practice with regard to using recycled materials and recycling agents (RAs) in asphalt concrete mixtures. This information was collected through a survey of U.S. transportation agencies and RA suppliers combined with a search of RA-related specifications and pilot projects previously constructed. Moreover, a case study describing the Virginia Department of Transportation’s experience with RAs provides a tangible example of how at least one agency is approaching the potential implementation of these technologies. This practice review was achieved by documenting the experience, lessons learned, and best practices of multiple asphalt experienced contractors and asphalt binder suppliers in the Virginia area. This paper follows a similar survey conducted in 2014 as part of NCHRP 09-58 and provides a second look at the use of RAs across North America. Not all state departments of transportation have experience with using RAs. Factors preventing the use of RAs included specification limitations, lack of expertise in processing recycled materials, supporting data, and negative prior experiences. Developing a performance-based testing framework is mandatory for the successful use of RAs. In general, good and frequent communication with the RA supplier is critical and necessary during the planning stages, the production of mixtures, and the continuous quality control by the supplier to resolve issues when they arise. Finally, a strong quality control and quality assurance-testing program should be implemented to ensure that materials meet the properties needed to produce a good-performing mixture.
Why social scientists still need phenomenology
Authors: Houston Christopher
Published: December 2021

Pierre Bourdieu famously dismissed phenomenology as offering anything useful to a critical science of society – even as he drew heavily upon its themes in his own work. This paper makes a case for why Bourdieu’s judgement should not be the last word on phenomenology. To do so it first reanimates phenomenology’s evocative language and concepts to illustrate their continuing centrality to social scientists’ ambitions to apprehend human engagement with the world. Part II shows how two crucial insights of phenomenology, its discovery of both the natural attitude and of the phenomenological epoche, allow an account of perception properly responsive to its intertwined personal and collective aspects. Contra Bourdieu, the paper’s third section asserts that phenomenology’s substantive socio-cultural analysis simultaneously entails methodological consequences for the social scientist, reversing their suspension of disbelief vis-à-vis the life-worlds of interlocutors and inaugurating the suspension of belief vis-à-vis their own natural attitudes.
Characteristics of industrial hazardous waste generation in South Korea from 2008 to 2018 based on decoupling and decomposition analysis
Authors: Lee Daye , Kim Junbeum , Park Hung-Suck
Published: December 2021

The industrial hazardous waste (IHW) generation to meet consumption is steadily increasing, resulting in environmental, health, and social problems around the world. To address IHW at the source, it is critical to understand the generation characteristics and key drivers on industrial hazardous waste generation (IHWG). This study analysed the generation characteristics of IHW of South Korea from 2008 to 2018 by decoupling and index decomposition analysis using Log Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) model. South Korea presented unstable decoupling of IHWG from economic growth, so more effective waste management regulations are needed to support a stable decoupling. One most critical finding was that the factors of industrial output and industrial characteristic of IHWG-to-energy were major driving factors influencing the increase of IHWG, whereas those of industrial structure and energy efficiency affect to the decrease of IHWG in most industries. In addition, the result clearly confirmed that the contribution of driving factors affecting the IHWG differs by industry. These results provide significant policy insights that the South Korean government needs institutional improvement and refinement of customised IHW management according to the characteristics of IHWG.
Adolescence Outside the Restricted Zone: A Narrative Study of Nuclear Disaster Response Trajectories intertwining with Life (TiL)
Authors: Taube Dayan Shira
Published: December 2021

Responses to trauma can involve complex meaning-making processes and the perception of ambiguous threats. This study sought to explore response trajectories to a nuclear disaster and their intertwining courses with ecological factors (Trajectories intertwining with Life—TiL) from adolescence onward among a non-evacuated population. Four women and four men (mean age 20) who were adolescents during the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima (mean age 14), and who grew up outside the restricted zone participated in the study. Semi-structured life story interviews were conducted in the form of in-depth qualitative inquiries. A holistic analysis was employed to identify the TiL patterns following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in the overall context of the stories and to reveal important themes throughout adolescence. Four TiL patterns were found: three trajectories corresponding with those identified in prior research and one newly identified trajectory. The perceived, distal, and continuous threat of radiation played a central role in all patterns and exerted secondary impacts throughout the lives of non-evacuated adolescents. The study’s implications shed light on rarely studied response trajectories to ambiguous Potentially Traumatic Events (PTEs) throughout adolescence and point out the benefits of using a life story approach to this end for the first time.