bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organizational Autonomy: A Review and Agenda for Future Research
Authors: Arregle Jean-Luc , Dattée Brice , Hitt Michael A. , Bergh Donald
Published: September 2022

Organizational autonomy is a fundamental organizational design choice that holds a central position in management theories and practice. To date, this construct has suffered from definitional vagueness and conceptual fragmentation in its academic study across different management subfields. Drawing from a review of 87 articles appearing in top academic management journals, we had four objectives. We sought to establish clarity and consensus on the construct of organizational autonomy, to review the fragmented fields of studies on its determinants and outcomes, to identify unresolved or neglected debates, and to provide an organizing template for guiding future research. In a first section, we discuss the development of the organizational autonomy construct and review its diverse definitions, primary determinants, and outcomes. In a second section, we provide a set of recommendations spanning methodological directions and conceptual opportunities on the overlooked dynamics of organizational autonomy. Overall, our review provides a unified framework and direction for enhancing the understanding of one of the management field’s fundamental concepts.
Employer-Sponsored Career Development Practices and Employee Performance and Turnover: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ng Thomas W. H. , Yim Frederick H. K. , Chen Haoyang , Zou Yinuo
Published: September 2022

Organizational programs and policies are important facilitators of employees’ career development. However, organizations face a developmental paradox: Their career-aiding programs and policies might increase the employability of their employees, who might then leave the company. Guided by organizational support theory, we propose a theory-driven reciprocation view that explains why organization-sponsored career development practices might actually strengthen the current employment relationship. We argued that by offering career aids and resources, an organization can promote its employees’ perceptions of organizational support. These perceptions evoke reciprocation, manifested in strengthened organizational attachment that enhances job performance and lowers turnover. In a meta-analysis of over 1,000 articles, we found that employer-sponsored career development practices were related to employees’ job performance and turnover via the mechanisms of perceived organizational support and organizational attachment. Further, this relationship was even stronger when career development practices signaled greater care by being available (vs. used), institutionally embedded (vs. relational), and career focused (vs. job focused).
Eliciting Values for Technology Design with Moral Philosophy: An Empirical Exploration of Effects and Shortcomings
Authors: Bednar Kathrin , Spiekermann Sarah
Published: September 2022

Calls for an ethically aligned technology design have led companies to publish lists of value principles that their engineers should adhere to. However, it is questionable whether such lists can grasp a technology’s wide-ranging ethical implications. The bottom-up elicitation of values from the specific technology context avoids problems that predefined lists of values have but has been criticized for lacking an ethical foundation. In this empirical study, we explore how three grand ethical theories of Western philosophy—utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and deontology—can support the discovery of values. Based on three technologies, our results show that ethical perspectives can support IT professionals in identifying values that are not only context-specific but also cater to higher ethical principles (i.e., intrinsic values) and a broad spectrum of sustainability goals (e.g., economic, technical, individual). Each theory of ethics served a unique role in the identification of ethical issues and value potentials of a technology. However, results also suggest a focus on mainstream values and individual values while environmental issues were neglected. We conclude that theories of ethics encourage different perspectives on a specific technology and thus argue for a pluralist ethical basis for values in technology design.
Taking Care of Elderly Parents or Children: How Are They Related to the Decision to Hire Foreign Domestic Helpers?
Authors: Shibuya Kumiko , Fong Eric
Published: September 2022

Hiring foreign domestic helpers has been seen as a policy to release females from household responsibilities so they can join the labor market. Surprisingly, few studies explore the relative importance of needs to taking care children and elderly. Employing the 2016 Hong Kong census, we found that the number of elderly persons and the number of young children in the household are positively associated with the decision to hire foreign domestic helpers. Our analysis also demonstrates that members are more likely to choose to work and outsource the care of young children to foreign domestic helpers. However, the findings show that households are more likely to take care of elderly without helpers even when household members are employed. Household members may co-ordinate and allocate time to take care of their elderly instead of outsourcing the care to a foreign domestic helper.
Holding light and shadow: A five-step method to reflect on identity and the co-unconscious in multicultural co-facilitation
Authors: Hall-Gelly Kyra , Green Marissa
Published: September 2022

This article explores the emergence, early development and initial implementation of a five-step reflective co-facilitation method. The method is primarily intended for multicultural co-facilitators to consider the interplay of their identities in the co-unconscious, and the impact on their clinical practice. Employing reflective practice and autoethnography, a working example of the method demonstrates how reflecting on the co-unconscious can benefit clinical practice. Areas for development and limitations are also identified.
Changing the blame game: Associations between relationship mindfulness, loneliness, negative partner attributions, and subsequent conflict
Authors: Morris Katherine L , Kimmes Jonathan G , Marroquin Crystal G
Published: September 2022

Given the important associations between couple conflict and various physical and mental health outcomes, it is essential to explore factors that may catalyze or exacerbate the frequency and impact of conflict in romantic relationships. One such factor may be relationship mindfulness, or the tendency to have a nonjudgmental awareness of one’s experiences in romantic relationships. Previous research has demonstrated a link between relationship mindfulness and various relational outcomes, but its association with relationship conflict has not yet been explored. Additionally, the current study sought to explore the mechanisms that link relationship mindfulness and relational outcomes. Based on previous research connecting conflict to negative partner attributions, the study examined how relationship mindfulness may predict conflict through negative partner attributions. Furthermore, the study aimed to incorporate loneliness as a potential mediator between relationship mindfulness and negative partner attributions. A sample of 116 different-sex middle-aged married couples were recruited to complete an online assessment. Using an actor–partner interdependence mediation model, the results indicated several significant associations among relationship mindfulness, negative partner attributions, loneliness, and relationship conflict. For example, a significant indirect effect was found; that is, female relationship mindfulness was associated with decreased relationship conflict via its prior association with both male loneliness and additionally through male loneliness and subsequent male negative partner attributions. The results indicate that by employing interventions that increase relationship mindfulness, it may be possible to both reduce loneliness and encourage more charitable partner attributions which, in turn, may reduce couple conflict.
A Mini-Review of Strategies for Recruiting Older African Americans to Alzheimer’s Disease Research
Authors: Esiaka Darlingtina , Yarborough Christina C. , Fausto Bernadette A. , Gluck Mark A.
Published: September 2022

African Americans experience higher incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Yet, they continue to be underrepresented in AD research, limiting the ability to generalize findings to the increasingly diverse US population. To reduce AD disparities, targeted efforts are needed to increase the representation of African Americans in AD research. This mini review identified evidence-based strategies that increased research participation among older African Americans. Four recruitment strategies emerged from eight published peer-reviewed studies that directly evaluated the effectiveness of strategies aimed at increasing the number of African American participants in Alzheimer’s research. The strategies include community outreach and education, face-to-face discussions, remote access, and referral and partnership with local organizations. Across different locations, these strategies increased the number of African Americans enrolled into AD research, the number of people that signed up to donate their brains for AD research upon death, and the knowledge and perception of AD in the communities. Targeted efforts are effective in increasing AD research participation among older African Americans, especially when combined with approaches that emphasize transparency and mutual trust and involve the community as stakeholders in the research process.
Intra-individual comparison of lumbar spine CT, abdomen-pelvis contrast enhanced CT, and low-dose chest CT for bone density measurement
Authors: Park Jina , Kim Bo Ram , Lee Eugene , Lee Joon Woo
Published: September 2022

Background

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the reference standard for the measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) and subsequent diagnosis of osteoporosis. Since various computed tomography (CT) protocols are scanned for various indications, we can incidentally measure BMD using CT. Previous studies have revealed a correlation between BMD and Hounsfield unit (HU) values obtained with different CT protocols.

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic value of CT protocols (lumbar spine CT [LSCT], abdomen-pelvis contrast-enhanced CT [APCT], and low-dose chest CT [LDCT]) for osteoporosis.

Material and Methods

We retrospectively included 17 patients (6 men, 11 women; mean age=68 years) who had undergone all four imaging studies within six months, during 2011–2021. HU values were manually measured at the center of the L1 vertebra by a radiology resident. Pearson correlation test was performed between HU values and BMD of L1 vertebra. The diagnostic performance of each CT protocol was assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Intra-individual concordance of the four tests to diagnose osteoporosis was analyzed by tabulating.

Results

The mean HU values were 104.4 ± 47.2 HU with LSCT, 149.0 ± 56.9 HU with APCT, and 114.3 ± 60.0 HU with LDCT. HU values from each protocol were positively correlated (r = 0.676-0.735; P < 0.005) with BMD. LDCT had the highest diagnostic performance (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.701) and APCT the lowest (AUC = 0.569). APCT was discordant with the other protocols for diagnosing osteoporosis.

Conclusion

LDCT had the highest diagnostic performance for osteoporosis with predetermined cutoff value. APCT requires the increase of cutoff value for osteoporosis diagnosis.
CT-based radiomics signature to predict CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Chen Yaxi , Xu Ting , Jiang Changsi , You Shuyuan , Cheng Zhiqiang , Gong Jingshan
Published: September 2022

Background

An abundance of CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the center of solid tumors is a reliable predictive biomarker for patients eligible for immunotherapy.

Purpose

To develop a computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics signature for a preoperative prediction of an abundance of CD8+ TILs in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Material and Methods

In this retrospective study, 117 consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed NSCLC were included and randomly divided into training (n = 77) and test sets (n = 40). A total of 107 radiomics features were extracted from the three-dimensional volumes of interest of each patient. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to select the strongest features for abundance of CD8+ TILs in NSCLC, and the radiomics score was constructed through a linear combination of these selected features. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive performance of the radiomics score.

Results

The radiomics score was associated with an abundance of CD8+ TILs in NSCLC, which achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83 (95% CI=0.73–0.92) and 0.68 (95% CI=0.54–0.87) in the training and test sets, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant ( P = 0.20). The tumors with high CD8+ TILs tended to have heterogeneous dependences (high value of Dependence Non-Uniformity Normalized) and complicated texture (high value of Informational Measure of Correlation 1).

Conclusion

CT-based radiomics features have the ability to predict CD8+ TILs expression levels of an abundance of CD8+ TILs in NSCLC, which was shown to be a potential imaging biomarker for stratifying patients who may benefit from immunotherapy.
A robust control for a variable wind speed conversion system energy based on a DFIG using Backstepping
Authors: Jenkal Hasnaa , Lamnadi Mouna , Mensou Sara , Bossoufi Badre , Boulezhar Abdelkader
Published: September 2022

This paper presents a modeling and robust control of the DFIG (doubly fed induction generator) used in the wind energy conversion system (WECS). We started by using the MPPT method to extract the maximum power in the WECS, modeling the double-fed inductor generator, and then applying the Backstepping controller to control the reactive power and electromagnetic torque in order to test the performance and the robustness of the system. All is simulated and presented in MATLAB/SIMULINK software.
Active blade pitch control and stabilization of a wind turbine driven PMSG for power output regulation
Authors: Chen Yingxue , Shaheed Mohammad Hasan , Vepa Ranjan
Published: September 2022

A common strategy in controlling a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) driven by a wind turbine is the maximization of output power of the wind turbine itself. A control strategy must be adopted, is to deliver a desired reduced amount of power whenever it is required. In order to realize the direct control of wind turbine output power across a wide range of wind speeds, a linearized parameter varying dynamic model of the nonlinear wind turbine system including wind disturbances is developed and used in this paper. The stability of the wind turbine system is analyzed and a blade pitch controller is designed, based on the linearized, parameter-varying, model-predictive control and is validated. Thus, the wind turbine is regulated in a way that the generator delivers the demanded power output to the load. Moreover, the blade pitch control system also performs the key function of augmenting the stability of the wind turbine, for the right choice of the gains.
Development of a cross-sectional finite element for the analysis of thin-walled composite beams like wind turbine blades
Authors: Forcier Louis-Charles , Joncas Simon
Published: September 2022

A method for structural analysis of thin-walled composite beams like wind turbine blades is presented. This method is based on the Nonhomogeneous Anisotropic Beam Section Analysis (NABSA) which consists in discretizing the beam cross section using finite elements. The proposed implementation uses 3-node line cross-sectional finite elements with nodes having rotational degrees of freedom to describe the cross-sectional warping displacements. Solutions obtained using this approach were verified against the corresponding analytical or numerical solutions. Agreement was very good to excellent for the computation of cross-sectional properties and distribution of stresses, strains and warping displacements for a broad range of possible composite beam behaviors including geometric and material couplings, open sections, multicell sections, and arbitrary laminates. For thin-walled layered structures, the proposed method provides models with fewer degrees of freedom than equivalent models based on a two-dimensional discretization of cross sections using triangular or quadrilateral elements such as conventional NABSA or VABS which suggests that computation time could be reduced.
How to Fashion the Bone Block for Reconstruction of the Glenoid in Anterior and Posterior Instability
Authors: Ernat Justin J. , Jildeh Toufic R. , Peebles Annalise M. , Hanson Jared A. , Mologne Mitchell S. , Golijanin Petar , Provencher Matthew T.
Published: September 2022

Background:

Glenoid restoration techniques to address glenohumeral instability–induced anterior and posterior glenoid bone loss (AGBL and PGBL) often require reconstruction, but best-fit bone block (BFBB) modeling has not been developed.

Purpose:

To provide glenoid bony reconstruction models for anterior and posterior instability of the shoulder using a bone loss instability cohort with high-fidelity 3-dimensional (3D) imaging.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We reviewed consecutive patients indicated for operative stabilization who had posterior glenohumeral instability and suspected GBL who underwent 2-dimensional (2D) computed tomography (CT). Patients were matched by sex, laterality, and age to patients who underwent operative stabilization of anterior glenohumeral instability. Mimics software was used to convert all 2D CT scans into 3D models of the scapula. A BFBB model was designed to digitally reconstruct GBL and was used to predict the amount, anatomic configuration, and fixation configuration of bony reconstruction required in AGBL and PGBL.

Results:

The study included 30 patients with posterior instability and 30 patients with anterior instability; the participants’ mean ± SD age was 28.8 ± 8.15 years (range, 16.0-51.0 years). Mean surface area of AGBL was 24.9% ± 7.7% (range, 14.7%-39.1%). Mean BFBB dimensions to reconstruct the anterior glenoid were determined to be a superior-inferior length of 23.9 ± 4.2 mm, anterior-posterior width of 6.4 ± 2.4 mm, and height of 1 cm. Mean angle of AGBL bone block interface relative to glenoid to reconstruct the native concavity was 79.4°± 5.9°. For PGBL, the mean surface area was 9.2% ± 5.6% (range, 3.0%-26.3%). Mean BFBB dimensions to reconstruct the posterior glenoid were a superior-inferior length of 21.9 ± 3.4 mm, width of 4.5 ± 2.3 mm, and height of 1 cm. The mean angle of PGBL bone block interface relative to the glenoid to reconstruct the native concavity was 38.6°± 14.3°. Orientation relative to the vertical glenoid axis was 77.2°± 13.8° in anterior reconstructions versus 105.9°± 10.9° in posterior reconstructions.

Conclusion:

Patients with anterior instability required a more rectangular BFBB with a bone block–glenoid interface angle of 79°, whereas patients with posterior instability required a more trapezoidal, obtusely oriented BFBB with a bone block–glenoid interface angle of 39°. BFBBs for either AGBL or PGBL can be effectively designed, and their size and/or shape can be predicted based on approximate percentage of GBL.
Surgical outcomes of supine PCNL in spinal deformity patients: A tertiary care hospital experience
Authors: Choudhury Sunirmal , Kasim Atar , Pal Dilip Kumar
Published: September 2022

Aims and objective:

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is treatment of choice now a days in patients with spinal deformity with large kidney stones. Objectives of our present study to compare in which position it is better to perform and costs minimum complications after surgery.

Methods:

A total of 14 patients with spinal deformity having nephrolithiasis were selected randomly. No preferences for age, gender, size, location, and laterality of stone or BMI. All the patients were fit according to AUA guideline criteria for management by PCNL. Preoperative and postoperative data were collected in all operated patients. Descriptive statistics were performed as means, standard deviations, and ranges using Microsoft excel. For categorical variables percentage were used.

Results:

A total of 14 patients with spinal deformity having nephrolithiasis underwent PCNL. Seven patients operated in prone position and seven patients operated in modified supine position within approximately 2 years. As compared to prone position in supine position there were reduced operative time, little or no change in Hb concentration, shorter hospital stay, little intraoperative blood loss, and higher significant stone free rate were detected.

Conclusions:

Supine PCNL in spinal deformity patients with nephrolithiasis is an alternative to the standard prone PCNL. It provides an additional benefit of large operative field performing the procedure in a single position, reduces total operating time, less anesthesia related complications, less neuromusculoskeletal injury, and reduce physical strain on operating surgeon.
The Yin and Yang dualistic features of autophagy in thermal burn wound healing
Authors: Ripszky Totan Alexandra , Greabu Maria , Stanescu-Spinu Iulia-Ioana , Imre Marina , Spinu Tudor-Claudiu , Miricescu Daniela , Ilinca Radu , Coculescu Elena Claudia , Badoiu Silviu Constantin , Coculescu Bogdan-Ioan , Albu Crenguta
Published: September 2022

Burn healing should be regarded as a dynamic process consisting of two main, interrelated phases: (a) the inflammatory phase when neutrophils and monocytes infiltrate the injury site, through localized vasodilation and fluid extravasation, and (b) the proliferative-remodeling phase, which represents a key event in wound healing. In the skin, both canonical autophagy (induced by starvation, oxidative stress, and environmental aggressions) and non-canonical or selective autophagy have evolved to play a discrete, but, essential, “housekeeping” role, for homeostasis, immune tolerance, and survival. Experimental data supporting the pro-survival roles of autophagy, highlighting its Yang, luminous and positive feature of this complex but insufficient explored molecular pathway, have been reported. Autophagic cell death describes an “excessive” degradation of important cellular components that are necessary for normal cell function. This deadly molecular mechanism brings to light the darker, concealed, Yin feature of autophagy. Autophagy seems to perform dual, conflicting roles in the angiogenesis context, revealing once again, its Yin–Yang features. Autophagy with its Yin–Yang features remains the shadow player, able to decide quietly whether the cell survives or dies.
Falls across Health Care Settings: Findings from a Geriatric Screening Program
Authors: Lach Helen W. , Berg-Weger Marla , Washington Selena , Malmstrom Theodore K. , Morley John E.
Published: September 2022

Falls are a major public health problem for older adults, resulting in injuries and mortality. Screening is recommended to identify the multifactorial fall risks that can be addressed with interventions to prevent future falls. This study examined the utility of using the Rapid Geriatric Assessment (RGA) tool to identify fall risks across multiple settings. RGA data was collected at primary care sites, hospitals, long-term care settings, and community events (n = 8686, 65% female, mean age 77.6). Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine predictors of falls using the RGA. The FRAIL, SARC-F, Rapid Cognitive Screen and SNAQ measures all significantly predicted history of falls. The RGA provides a brief screening that can be used in any setting by multiple providers to identify fall risk.
Wellness Program Participation and its Association With Reduction in Health Risks and Health Care Costs: One University’s Story
Authors: Jenkins Kristi Rahrig , Bales Susan L.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Evaluate if there is a(n): 1) reduction in health risk behaviors and 2) association between health and wellness initiative participation and claims costs decreases overtime.

Design

Health risk behavior change consisted of the analysis of pre (2009) – post (2019) measures of health questionnaire participants. The medical and pharmaceutical claims costs evaluation consisted of a time-series (2016-2019) design with a comparison group.

Setting

A large mid-western university with a health system.

Sample

The health risk behavior sample ranged from 5215-5399, depending on the variable of interest. The medical and pharmaceutical costs sample used a cohort of participants (participating all 4 years, n=11114) and non-participants (not participating all 4 years, n=4776).

Intervention

Comprehensive employee health and well-being initiative.

Measures/analysis

McNemar’s tests were used to identify bivariate associations between 2009 and 2019 health risks. The claims cost analysis used propensity score matching based on select demographics and linear mixed-effects regression modeling.

Results

Results show statistically significant (P > .001) improvements (ranging from −2.1% to −12.5%) in 7 of 8 health risk behaviors. 2016 and 2019 claims costs have a lower statistically significant (P > .001) percent increase for participants (32.6%) compared to non-participants (47.5%).

Conclusion

Employers, may consider implementing a comprehensive health and wellness program as part of their strategy to assist in health behavior risk reduction and health care cost containment.
Significant Publications on Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy in 2021
Authors: Nguyen Nhi , Chua Hubert C. , Drake Ty , Jo Jinhee , Stramel Stefanie Anne , Vuong Nancy N. , Gonzales-Luna Anne J. , Olson Kelsey , on behalf of the Houston Infectious Diseases Network
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To summarize the most noteworthy infectious diseases (ID) pharmacotherapy articles published in peer-reviewed literature in 2021. Summary: Members of the Houston Infectious Diseases Network (HIDN) nominated articles that were deemed to have significant contributions to ID pharmacotherapy in 2021. These nominations included articles pertaining to both general ID, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pharmacotherapy. A total of 35 articles were nominated by HIDN: 30 articles pertaining to general ID pharmacotherapy and 5 articles with HIV/AIDS focus. To select the most influential articles of 2021, a survey was created and distributed to members of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP). Of the 239 SIDP members who responded to the survey, there were 192 recorded votes for the top 10 general ID pharmacotherapy articles and 47 recorded votes for the top HIV/AIDS article, respectively. The top publications are summarized. Conclusion: Antimicrobial stewardship and the optimal management of infectious disease states continues to be a priority in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. In light of the sheer volume of ID-related articles published in the past year, this review aims to aid clinicians in remaining up-to-date on key practice-changing ID pharmacotherapy publications from 2021.
Rates of Opioid Misuse Amongst Patients Receiving Pain Management for Sickle Cell Disease in An Urban Setting
Authors: Ahmed Nadia , Okany Nkemjika , Singh Divita , Rungkitwattanakul Dhakrit , Weaver Salome B.
Published: September 2022

Background and Objective: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is known to cause acute severe pain episodes known as vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) mainly treated with opioid analgesics. Since the opioid epidemic there is an interest in determining the opioid misuse potential in these patients. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to determine the rates of opioid misuse among patients with SCD by assessing the rate of unexpected drug screening results in a sickle cell disease clinic. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review study conducted at the outpatient sickle cell disease clinic. The primary independent variables were the prescribed opioid medications while the primary dependent variable was the collected opioid metabolite. Descriptive statistics, linear regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted using SPSS version 24. Results: A total of 100 participants were recruited from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2020 with 71 included in the analysis. The total mean of morphine milligram equivalents (MME) for all participants was 71.1±104.9 with 71% of participants having a daily calculated MME of <90MME. The odds of misusing an opioid were 6.72 times higher (P<.02) if a participant used marijuana compared to a participant who didn’t. In addition, the odds of misusing an opioid were 2.47 times higher (P<.04) if the patient was prescribed an opioid daily dose greater than 90 MME as opposed to a daily dose less than 90 MME. Conclusion: Participants who consumed greater than 90 MME’s per day and utilized marijuana were more likely to misuse opioids.
Mindfulness as a Symptom Management Strategy for Fibromyalgia: An Integrative Review
Authors: Gordon Sarah , Brown Roy , Hogan Michaela , Menzies Victoria
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Mindfulness Meditation is a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modality growing in popularity. Currently, mindfulness is under-studied regarding efficacy; however, it offers a potentially accessible way to contribute to symptom management in chronic pain conditions. The purpose of this integrative review was to examine the literature for the use of mindfulness as symptom management strategy for persons diagnosed with the chronic pain condition, fibromyalgia. Methods: Six scientific databases were searched, using various keywords. Inclusion criteria were: (a) fibromyalgia, (b) English language, (c) experimental research designs; (d) adults age ≥ 18 years, and (e) mindfulness. Results: Seven studies were reviewed. Most interventions were completed over several months in the form of multiple group sessions lasting several hours each. Evaluations of effectiveness varied by study, but variables most commonly demonstrating improvement from mindfulness were anxiety, depression, sleep-related symptoms, coping and perceived stress. Mechanisms by which these outcomes may have been mediated included increases in self-compassion and psychological flexibility. Discussion: There is insufficient evidence to recommend mindfulness as an effective way to manage all fibromyalgia symptoms; however, promise lies in its usefulness addressing mood- and sleep-related symptoms. We suggest that further, more rigorous, research is warranted.
Against well-being: A critique of positive psychology
Authors: Sewaybricker Luciano E. , Massola Gustavo M.
Published: September 2022

More than two decades after his seminal paper ‘Subjective Well-Being’, Ed Diener wrote that he substituted happiness with well-being to obtain scientific credibility. Are the arguments echoed in positive psychology rigorous enough to justify this substitution? This article focuses on the historical examination of the word happiness, covering the lexical universes of ancient Greek, Latin, and English, seeking to identify the connections between them. We found that arguments for such substitution are sustained by a fragile appreciation of the semantic depth of happiness. Although it favors quantification, the current understanding of well-being obliterates the plurality of the debate about happiness and the recognition of other ideals of life. Thus, we conclude that well-being and happiness are semantically close, but conceptually, metaphysically, and empirically distinct, demanding, as objects, particular investigations.
Comparative analysis of the aerodynamic behavior on Ahmed body mounted with different wheel configurations
Authors: Zhou Haichao , Qin Runzhi , Wang Guolin , Xin Li , Wang Qingyang , Zheng Zhou
Published: September 2022

Wheel configuration is the great significance for vehicle aerodynamics, and understanding the influences of wheel configuration on the aerodynamic behaviors of vehicle is a good choice to effectively decrease aerodynamic drag and optimize aerodynamic efficiency. In this study, the aerodynamic characteristics of Ahmed body mounted with different wheels configurations were evaluated by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using the lattice Boltzmann method. The simulation results were compared with published research data to study resolutions independence and verify the accuracy of the numerical method. The four opening areas of the rim were used to form different wheel configurations. The result showed that the drag of the front and rear wheels increases linearly with the increase of the rim opening area, while the drag of the bodywork decreases linearly. Downstream the body region, the structures of vortex shedding and surface pressure presented differences for each wheel configuration, which further resulted in different fluctuation intensities in wake vortices. The order of the width of the wake vortices in wheel region was as follows: W4 > W3 > W2 > W1. The front wheel had a mainly affect on the time-averaged slipstream peak around the outside of vehicle body.
Effect of high-speed trains passing each other on wheel wear under different track excitations
Authors: Ma Chaochao , Zhu Aihua , Zhang Fan , Yang Jianwei , Sun Peiwen
Published: September 2022

Considering the aerodynamic loads arising during the process of two high-speed trains passing each other (hereinafter referred to as TPEO) as well as different track excitations on different railway lines, this study examined the combined effect of TPEO and different track excitations on wheel wear. A vehicle system dynamics model was built using the actual parameters of a high-speed train. The wheel/rail contact problems were analyzed using a combination of semi-Hertzian contact theory and Kalker’s simplified theory. Elkins wear index was used as a criteria for evaluation of wheel wear. The additional excitation arising from the pressure wave during TPEO at a constant speed of 300 km/h was applied to the model. Then the effect of the aerodynamic excitation due to TPEO on wheel wear under four track excitation conditions was investigated for the whole train, different cars, and different axles. The results show that under different track excitations, the train’s wheel wear increased in the case where one TPEO event occurred compared to that in the case of no TPEO event. Under the four track conditions (no track excitation, the track excitations on the Wuhan–Guangzhou high-speed railway, German track excitation spectra, and track excitation on the Beijing–Tianjin intercity railway), the total wheel wear increased by 17.36%, 0.69%, 0.82%, and 1% respectively over the entire trip, and increased by 1600%, 65.77%, 78.62%, and 79.73% at the moment of TPEO. A comparison between different cars shows that under different track excitation conditions, the tail car’s wheel wear was the most affected by TPEO, while the head car’s wheel wear was the least affected. A similar pattern is observed in the variation in transverse displacement of wheels under TPEO between different cars. For each bogie, TPEO under different track excitations had a greater effect on the front-axle wheel wear than on the rear-axle wheel wear.
Boron-incorporated biocomposite coatings on 316L and NiTi alloys: Enhanced structural, antibacterial activity, and cell viability performances
Authors: Aslan N , Aksakal B , Aksoy ME
Published: September 2022

Boron doped (5 %, 10%, and 15 wt.%) Hydroxyapatite (B-HA) biocomposites were syntesized and coated on 316L SS and NiTi (Ni-45Ti) metallic substrates by using the electrophoretic deposition process (EPD). The morphological and structural characterization of the coatings was executed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction devices (XRD). Antibacterial tests were conducted using Escherichia coli ( E. coli, JM103) and Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus, ATCC29293) microorganisms. The mitochondrial activity assay (MTT)-[3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] was used to examine cell viability and cytotoxicity in Saos-2 osteoblast cells. HA and boron peaks, as well as B-TCP and metallic components, were detected in XRD examinations. Porous morphologies were generated on the surface with boron doped B-HA coatings, as revealed by SEM views. Antibacterial activity studies revealed that both metallic coating groups, notably with boron doping, demonstrated antibacterial activity against gram-negative E. coli and gram-positive S. aureus. The antibacterial activity of the 316L group was shown to be better than that of the NiTi group in comparisonal testing. The syntesized boron-doped biocomposite coatings did not have any detrimental effects on living cells, according to cell viability studies. The cell viability rate was found to be greater in NiTi coatings than in 316 SS coatings, and the impact was amplified by the addition of boron.
Nitinol: From historical milestones to functional properties and biomedical applications
Authors: Alipour Saeid , Taromian Farzaneh , Ghomi Erfan Rezvani , Zare Mina , Singh Sunpreet , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: September 2022

Isoatomic NiTi alloy (Nitinol) has become an important biomaterial due to its unique characteristics, including shape memory effect, superelasticity, and high damping. Nitinol has been widely used in the biomedical field, including orthopedics, vascular stents, orthodontics, and other medical devices. However, there have been convicting views about the biocompatibility of Nitinol. Some studies have shown that Nitinol has extremely low cytotoxicity, indicating Nitinol has good biocompatibility. However, some studies have shown that the in-vivo corrosion resistance of Nitinol significantly decreases. This comprehensive paper discusses the historical developments of Nitinol, its biomedical applications, and its specific functional property. These render the suitability of Nitinol for such biomedical applications and provide insights into its in vivo and in vitro biocompatibility in the physiological environment and the antimicrobial strategies that can be applied to enhance its biocompatibility. Although 3D metal printing is still immature and Nitinol medical materials are difficult to be processed, Nitinol biomaterials have excellent potential and commercial value for 3D printing. However, there are still significant problems in the processing of Nitinol and improving its biocompatibility. With the deepening of research and continuous progress in surface modification and coating technology, a series of medical devices made from Nitinol are expected to be released soon.
An AI based digital-twin for prioritising pneumonia patient treatment
Authors: Chakshu Neeraj Kavan , Nithiarasu Perumal
Published: September 2022

A digital-twin based three-tiered system is proposed to prioritise patients for urgent intensive care and ventilator support. The deep learning methods are used to build patient-specific digital-twins to identify and prioritise critical cases amongst severe pneumonia patients. The three-tiered strategy is proposed to generate severity indices to: (1) identify urgent cases, (2) assign critical care and mechanical ventilation, and (3) discontinue mechanical ventilation and critical care at the optimal time. The severity indices calculated in the present study are the probability of death and the probability of requiring mechanical ventilation. These enable the generation of patient prioritisation lists and facilitates the smooth flow of patients in and out of Intensive Therapy Units (ITUs). The proposed digital-twin is built on pre-trained deep learning models using data from more than 1895 pneumonia patients. The severity indices calculated in the present study are assessed using the standard benchmark of Area Under Receiving Operating Characteristic Curve (AUROC). The results indicate that the ITU and mechanical ventilation can be prioritised correctly to an AUROC value as high as 0.89. This model may be employed in its current form to COVID-19 patients, but transfer learning with COVID-19 patient data will improve the predictions. The digital-twin model developed and tested is available via accompanying Supplemental material.
Experimental analysis of energy conversion and noise suppression mechanism using polyvinylidene difluoride piezoelectric element
Authors: Patil Avadhut Tukaram , Mandale Maruti Bhagwan
Published: September 2022

Energy conversion and conservation techniques are well known for different natural sources but one of the common sources of energy that stays unutilized in the environment is sound energy. The noise around us is a form of unutilized energy. The acoustic energy can be utilized to produce electrical energy. In this article, the testing of the acoustic energy conversion technique is performed. Here the acoustic low amplitude pressure waves generated by the buzzer ringer have impinged over the surface of PVDF (Polyvinylidene Difluoride) Piezoelectric element which has the capability to vibrate after sound impingement. Here the experimental results are taken in the frequency range of 400 Hz to 1300 Hz, in which the highest response occurred at a frequency of 1000 Hz and 91.9 dB, which is +/−50 mV and the maximum Vrms (Voltage; root mean square) is 35.35 mV by the single piezoelectric unit. The performance of an array of resonating tube chambers as an enclosure to the noise source has been observed to accomplish noise reduction. Then the array pattern arrangement of this entire system has been discussed with the predictions of the output voltage.
Bounded-width confidence interval following optimal sequential analysis of adverse events with binary data
Authors: Silva Ivair R , Zhuang Yan
Published: September 2022

In sequential testing with binary data, sample size and time to detect a signal are the key performance measures to optimize. While the former should be optimized in Phase III clinical trials, minimizing the latter is of major importance in post-market drug and vaccine safety surveillance of adverse events. The precision of the relative risk estimator on termination of the analysis is a meaningful design criterion as well. This paper presents a linear programming framework to find the optimal alpha spending that minimizes expected time to signal, or expected sample size as needed. The solution enables (a) to bound the width of the confidence interval following the end of the analysis, (b) designs with outer signaling thresholds and inner non-signaling thresholds, and (c) sequential designs with variable Bernoulli probabilities. To illustrate, we use real data on the monitoring of adverse events following the H1N1 vaccination. The numerical results are obtained using the R Sequential package.
A natural history and copula-based joint model for regional and distant breast cancer metastasis
Authors: Gasparini Alessandro , Humphreys Keith
Published: September 2022

The few existing statistical models of breast cancer recurrence and progression to distant metastasis are predominantly based on multi-state modelling. While useful for summarising the risk of recurrence, these provide limited insight into the underlying biological mechanisms and have limited use for understanding the implications of population-level interventions. We develop an alternative, novel, and parsimonious approach for modelling latent tumour growth and spread to local and distant metastasis, based on a natural history model with biologically inspired components. We include marginal sub-models for local and distant breast cancer metastasis, jointly modelled using a copula function. Different formulations (and correlation shapes) are allowed, thus we can incorporate and directly model the correlation between local and distant metastasis flexibly and efficiently. Submodels for the latent cancer growth, the detection process, and screening sensitivity, together with random effects to account for between-patients heterogeneity, are included. Although relying on several parametric assumptions, the joint copula model can be useful for understanding – potentially latent – disease dynamics, obtaining patient-specific, model-based predictions, and studying interventions at a population level, for example, using microsimulation. We illustrate this approach using data from a Swedish population-based case-control study of postmenopausal breast cancer, including examples of useful model-based predictions.
Modeling Human Organ Development and Diseases With Fetal Tissue–Derived Organoids
Authors: Liang Jianqing , Li Xinyang , Dong Yateng , Zhao Bing
Published: September 2022

Recent advances in human organoid technology have greatly facilitated the study of organ development and pathology. In most cases, these organoids are derived from either pluripotent stem cells or adult stem cells for the modeling of developmental events and tissue homeostasis. However, due to the lack of human fetal tissue references and research model, it is still challenging to capture early developmental changes and underlying mechanisms in human embryonic development. The establishment of fetal tissue–derived organoids in rigorous time points is necessary. Here we provide an overview of the strategies and applications of fetal tissue–derived organoids, mainly focusing on fetal organ development research, developmental defect disease modeling, and organ–organ interaction study. Discussion of the importance of fetal tissue research also highlights the prospects and challenges in this field.
Assessment of Social Accountability through SDGs of Corporate Sector during COVID-19 in India
Authors: Goyal Resham , Dangwal Ramesh Chandra
Published: September 2022

The major focus in the field of sustainability assessment for the past few years is on analysing the sustainability practices of corporates on an annual basis. Less attention has been devoted to estimating the sustainability practices on an event basis. The current study was carried out to analyse the sustainability practices adopted by companies during the period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). A sustainability performance measurement (SPM) framework was constructed using content analysis, to measure the performance of Sensex companies towards sustainability efforts. Sensex constitutes 30 well-established and financially sound companies listed in the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The primary elements of the SPM framework were derived from Sustainable Development Goals, which are considered to be a blueprint for a sustainable future. The initiatives taken by companies during the period of ‘covidization’ were classified under different parameters of SPM and then quantified with the help of mathematical tools. The results signify that there lies a scope of 63.08% improvement in sustainability practices of overall industries. Further, there is a huge gap of 76.92% between the best-performing and least-performing companies. The performance of all the sectors studied for the sustainability practices was statistically at par with each other. However, the difference between the best-performing (fast-moving consumer goods—FMCG) and least performing (finance) sectors was found to be 42.74%. The result of analysis of variance (ANOVA) for performance across various sustainability parameters taken up by different sectors was significantly different from each other. A gap of 86.67% was uncovered in our analysis between the best-performing and least-performing sustainability parameters taken up by the companies under various sectors. Considering the fact that COVID-19 is a medical emergency, the performance of ‘good health and well-being’ as the best-performing sustainability parameter is justified. But at the same time, importance of other sustainability parameters cannot be ignored. It has also been observed that even in times of dire necessity, the prevailing undersized image of sustainability efforts of selected sample companies was not satisfactory. It is suggested that the corporate sector and the government should be more cautious in pursuing the objective of sustainability.