bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated Fuzzy-MSGP Methods for Clothing and Textiles Supplier Evaluation and Selection in the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Kao Hsin
Published: July 2022

Supplier selection is an important issue in supply chain management (SCM) which, as with most dimensions of business, has been strongly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous research on the clothing and textiles (C&T) industry has overlooked efforts to provide a regular reference method for addressing the problem of supplier selection. This study discusses the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on, and the relative importance of, supplier selection implementation. This study applied fuzzy techniques for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and multisegment goal programming (MSGP) method to the problem of supplier selection and combined these two methods to propose a novel multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) method to be used by C&T companies. It proposes a simple method to provide decision-makers (DMs) with guidelines for supplier selection considering existing constraints on business resources. The advantage of this method is the incorporation of both qualitative and quantitative criteria (e.g., both tangible and intangible resources), which allows DMs to set multisegment aspiration levels (MSALs) for supplier selection. A case study of a C&T manufacturer’s application of the model is also presented.
Appearance Design Method of Smart Street Lamp Based on Kansei Engineering
Authors: Ge Junchao , Wang Lipeng
Published: July 2022

In order to improve the scientificity of the appearance design of smart street lamps, this paper studies the appearance design method of smart street lamps combined with Kansei engineering so as to improve the appearance design effect of street lamps. Moreover, this paper optimizes the design of free-form surface optical light distribution, microlens array to improve the light extraction efficiency of high-power smart street lamps, and the heat dissipation structure of lamps. In addition, in view of the shortcoming that the direct design of free-form surface lenses for smart street lamps is not widely applicable, this paper proposes the concept of integration of microlens array packaging for smart street lamps. Finally, this paper verifies that the intelligent street lamp design based on Kansei engineering meets the lighting needs through experimental research. Through the experimental evaluation, it can be seen that the appearance design method of smart street lamps based on Kansei engineering proposed in this paper can effectively improve the structural performance of street lamps.
Improved Support Vector Machine and Image Processing Enabled Methodology for Detection and Classification of Grape Leaf Disease
Authors: Ansari Arshiya S. , Jawarneh Malik , Ritonga Mahyudin , Jamwal Pragti , Mohammadi Mohammad Sajid , Veluri Ravi Kishore , Kumar Virendra , Shah Mohd Asif
Published: July 2022

In recent years, agricultural image processing research has been a key emphasis. Image processing techniques are used by computers to analyze images. New advancements in image capture and data processing have simplified the resolution of a wide range of agricultural concerns. Crop disease classification and identification are crucial for the agricultural industry’s technical and commercial well-being. In agriculture, image processing begins with a digital color picture of a diseased leaf. Plant health and disease detection must be monitored on a regular basis in property agriculture. Plant diseases have had a tremendous impact on civilization and the Earth as a whole. Extensions of detection strategies and classification methods try to identify and categorize each ailment that affects the plant rather than focusing on a single disease among several illnesses and symptoms. This article describes a new support vector machine and image processing-enabled approach for detecting and classifying grape leaf disease. The given architecture includes steps for image capture, denoising, enhancement, segmentation, feature extraction, classification, and detection. Image denoising is conducted using the mean function, image enhancement is performed using the CLAHE method, pictures are segmented using the fuzzy C Means algorithm, features are retrieved using PCA, and images are eventually classed using the PSO SVM, BPNN, and random forest algorithms. The accuracy of PSO SVM is higher in performing classification and detection of grape leaf diseases.
The Complexity of Interaction between Executive Board Gender Diversity and Financial Performance: A Panel Analysis Approach Based on Random Effects
Authors: Bogdan Victoria , Popa Dorina-Nicoleta , Beleneşi M.
Published: July 2022

This study examined the influence of the executive board of directors’ gender diversity on the financial performance of listed companies on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, for the period 2011 to 2019. The analysis of the composition and different characteristics of the board and the executive directors proved to be effective tools for corporate governance in countries with an emerging capital market. Therefore, a disclosure index on directors’ characteristics was used to moderate the interaction between gender diversity and financial performance, based on the theoretical framework provided by upper echelon theory. The study contributes to the enrichment of the literature both by using the composite indicator built by applying the multiway PCA method on panel data to express financial performance and by designing the ten EGLS panel models involving five financial indicators and two proxies for gender diversity. The results showed that there is a positive impact of the proportion of women on the executive board of directors on financial performance, measured through the composite index, ROA, ROE, and SOL. A statistically significant impact of gender diversity on financial performance was found only for SOL, in the case of the Blau index. Also, using the random‐effects model to perform the panel data analysis, the results showed that a higher executive board size can be associated with better financial performance measured through the composite index, ROA, ROE, and EPS. Practical implications are significant for the board of executives’ composition, the complexity of the relationship with the board, and reshaping governance practices.
With 3 Types of Respiratory Acquisition: 3.0 T Respiratory Triggered Acquisition Can Obtain Higher Quality DWI Images of the Upper Abdomen
Authors: Shi Zhuo , Jiang Jiuming , Ouyang Han , Xie Lizhi , Zhao Xinming
Published: July 2022

Objective. To compare the effects of 1.5 T and 3.0 T upper abdominal magnetic resonance diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) under three acquisition techniques of breath holding, breath triggering, and free breathing, so as to provide a reference for the usage of upper abdominal DWI scanning. Methods. Twenty‐one healthy subjects were selected from social volunteers and underwent routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DWI on 1.5 T and 3.0 T, respectively. DWI included three acquisition methods: breath triggering, breath holding, and free breathing, and b values were 100 and 800. The DWI image artifacts, image quality, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) obtained through the three acquisition methods were compared. Results. The 1.5 T free‐breathing DWI image quality was the best, while the 3.0 T had the best breath‐triggered DWI image quality. The 3.0 T breath‐triggered DWI image quality was better than the 1.5 T free‐breathing DWI image (P = 0.012), and the SNR of free‐breathing DWI was the highest. Between the two field intensities, the SNR of the liver in the 3.0 T group was much lower than that in the 1.5 T group, and obvious differences were not observed in ADC values of normal liver, gallbladder, kidney, spleen, and pancreas. Conclusion. 3.0 T respiratory‐triggered acquisition can obtain higher quality DWI images. But in the case of only 1.5 T field strength, free‐breathing acquisition of DWI images should be selected.
Research on Multichannel 3D Oil Painting Style Rendering Model Based on 3DS Max
Authors: Liu Zinan
Published: July 2022

People are becoming less comfortable in content as a form of data throughout this period of growing scientific and technological advancements. Oil painting also was challenged in unprecedented ways by modern image processing techniques as person’s primary source of data, and it had a tremendous effect on the domain of artistic creativity. Therefore, we present an upgraded convolutional neural network (U-CNN) for the enhancement of style rendering model addressing the aforementioned challenges. Initially, the datasets are gathered that are denoised and enhanced in the preprocessing stage to eliminate noise and improve the quality of the data. Gabor filter bank (GFB) is employed in the feature extraction stage to extract several features from the normalized data. For the application of style rendering model, the proposed approach is utilized. Moreover, through applying the 3DS MAX model, the three-dimensional (3-D) oil painting is generated. Finally, the performance of the proposed approach is examined and compared with other existing approaches to obtain the proposed approach with the greatest effectiveness. The findings are depicted in chart form by employing the origin tool.
Application of RoboCup 3D and Intelligent Technology in Football Simulation League
Authors: Wei Shenghui , Qin Huibing
Published: July 2022

Intelligent technology has been recently more developed which is due to the advancement in the technology sector. Moreover, every industry is now moving toward adoption of the intelligent technology to provide better services along with informed decisions which are possible only if devices have built-in intelligence. Likewise, in football simulation league, assigning suitable roles to each robot according to the real-time characteristics of complex and changeable field conditions is the key to win the game. In order to solve the problems of low research efficiency and poor simulation effect, this paper aims to deeply explore the application of RoboCup 3D and intelligent technology in football simulation league. Firstly, the movement speed, shooting speed, and direction of the players are measured. Secondly, a highly intelligent goal keeping and defense method and triangle attack strategy are proposed. The defense strategy is mainly that when the other team is in the state of attack, we send players to intercept the other player with the ball, and the triangle attack strategy is to use the three players in the appropriate position to cooperate with each other. The triangular attack team is composed of core attacking players and two auxiliary attacking players. This method is applied to football simulation league. RoboCup 3D simulation experiments show that the proposed method has good simulation effects in terms of ball loss rate and winning streak, which shows that the proposed method can effectively improve the research efficiency and simulation effect and has certain practicability.
BMSC-Derived Exosomes Alleviate Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Modulating AKT/mTOR-Mediated Autophagy of Nucleus Pulposus Cells
Authors: Xiao Quan , Zhao Zhe , Teng Yun , Wu Lungang , Wang Jinlong , Xu Hongjun , Chen Sumei , Zhou Quan
Published: July 2022

The pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is still unclear. It has been shown that the pathological process of IDD is most closely related to inflammation of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), in which inflammatory factors play an important role. Exosomes are the main paracrine mediators and are microvesicles with biological functions similar to those of the cells from which they are derived. Studies have shown that bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can inhibit apoptosis of NPCs by sending exosomes as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, which has been proved to be effective on IDD. However, the specific mechanism of inhibiting apoptosis of NPCs is still unclear. In our study, BMSC-derived exosomes (BMSC-Exo) were isolated from the BMSC culture medium, and their antiapoptotic effects were evaluated in cells and rat models to explore the possible mechanisms. We observed that BMSC-Exo promotes autophagy in NPCs and inhibits the release of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β and TNF-α in LPS-treated NPCs and inhibits apoptosis in NPCs. Further studies showed that BMSC-Exo inhibited the Akt-mTOR pathway. Intramuscular injection of BMSC-Exo alleviates disc degeneration in rat IDD models. In conclusion, our results suggest that BMSC-Exo can reduce NPC apoptosis and alleviate IDD by promoting autophagy by inhibiting the Akt-mTOR pathway. Our study confers a promising therapeutic strategy for IDD.
Ecological Environment and Poverty Governance Based on Deep Learning of Big Data
Authors: Mo Ziran
Published: July 2022

The ecological environment is the basic condition for human survival and development. Maintaining a good rural ecological environment is the basis for ensuring the sustainable development of agriculture and the rural economy, and it is the fundamental guarantee for helping poor rural areas to get rid of poverty and become rich. To solve poverty by developing tourism, the so-called tourism poverty alleviation has been studied for many years in the theoretical circles at home and abroad. Therefore, this article conducts research on China’s rural ecological environment management and poverty management based on big data deep learning, aiming to analyze the problems in China’s rural ecoenvironmental management and the challenges facing rural poverty governance and explore a way to achieve sustainable rural economic development and farmers’ poverty alleviation the best way. In the context of big data, environmental monitoring and governance have also ushered in innovative reforms. With the advantages of powerful information collection and data processing, big data provides comprehensive data and information support for environmental monitoring and governance. This article uses a survey method, data statistics method, literature analysis method, and case analysis method. Firstly, it briefly summarizes the main ecological and environmental problems and poverty management issues facing the rural areas of China. It then lists 5 successful poverty alleviation cases to investigate their poverty alleviation. The experience and methods of getting rich sum up the strategies that China can refer to for poverty alleviation. Finally, through the collection and compilation of online data, we have discovered the results achieved by China’s poverty alleviation work in recent years, i.e., by the end of 2019, our rural poverty population has been reduced to 5.1 million. Compared with 2013, there has been a reduction of approximately 90 million (Fang, 2019), however, at the same time, China’s poverty alleviation work has entered a stage of overcoming difficulties. The remaining poor people make it a long way to go. In short, improving the ecological environment to help rural poverty alleviation is a long-term people’s livelihood project, and it is also a research topic of great social significance. For this reason, the research in this article has a certain reference value.
The New Canadian Law of Refugee Exclusion: An Empirical Analysis of International Criminal Law Deportation Orders, January 2018 to July 2020
Authors: Wallace Simon
Published: July 2022

Perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and senior officials in notorious government regimes, can be deported from Canada. This study reports on the first complete and systematic empirical analysis of all finalized international criminality deportation cases in Canada. The analysis, a review of deportation cases finalized between January 2018 and July 2020, shows that Canada is using deportation law in place of, and instead of, refugee exclusion law. This means that scholars interested in Canadian refugee exclusion should play close attention to deportation law. This study also found that international criminality allegations were usually made against people for their involvement in problematic police, prison, or military institutions. Most international criminality deportation investigations were minimal and revolved almost entirely around a person’s self-disclosures. This article concludes with a discussion about how deportation law and process makes international criminal law unique in the deportation context.
Judges as Party Animals: Retirement Timing by Federal Judges and Party Control of Judicial Appointments
Authors: Stolzenberg Ross M. , Lindgren James
Published: July 2022

Long-standing debate over the Politicized Departure Hypothesis (PDH) asserts that federal judges tend to arrange to retire under presidents of the same political party as the president who first appointed them, thereby giving that party the right to nominate their successor. PDH is important for asserting political party agency by judges, who receive no consequent personal benefit, and for explaining the long-term political party orientation of courts. PDH studies inevitably suffer from absence of data on known and unknown determinants of retirement timing. To avoid these and other problems, we apply 11 sharp regression discontinuity (SRD) analyses to voluntary judicial departures before and after five elections that replace Republican presidents with Democrats, and six that replace Democrats with Republicans, 1920 to 2018. Results of difference tests, difference-in-differences tests, and others are as predicted by PDH, for 10 of 11 analyses, for pre-election and post-inauguration observation periods of 270 days. Although unexpected, we find stronger PDH effects for Republican appointees than for Democratic appointees. We offer a novel explanation of PDH based on normative reciprocity rather than ideology.
What’s Next? Artists’ Music after Grammy Awards
Authors: Negro Giacomo , Kovács Balázs , Carroll Glenn R.
Published: July 2022

Do the cultural works artists produce after receiving major awards change in character? As awards lessen the constraints artists typically face, we argue that award winners receive more opportunities, gain more autonomy, and are more likely to pursue unique creative paths. Empirically, we analyze the consequences of winning a major Grammy award, a high-profile (often status-shifting) honor in the popular music industry. Using a neural learning approach, we examine the subsequent artistic differentiation of albums of award winners from albums of other artists. We analyze whether the music styles and sonic content of post-Grammy albums of winners change, and whether they become more or less similar to the combined corpus of albums of other artists. In panel regression estimates, we find that after winning a Grammy, artists tend to release albums that stand out more stylistically from other artists. Surprisingly, artists who were nominated but did not win a Grammy became more similar to other artists than they were before the nomination. The findings suggest symbolic awards can regularly induce change and affect the heterogeneity of cultural products.
Development and Initial Validation of the Multidimensional Sense of Emptiness Scale
Authors: Ermis-Demirtas Hulya , Smith Robert L. , Watson Joshua C.
Published: July 2022

The present study describes the development and initial validation of the Multidimensional Sense of Emptiness Scale, a measure based on a theoretically and empirically grounded conceptualization of emptiness. In the first sample ( n = 541), an exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors, Sense of Inner Emptiness, Sense of Absence of Relatedness, and Sense of Meaninglessness, explaining 82.8% of the variance with 13 items. In an additional sample ( n = 212), a confirmatory factor analysis supported this three-factorial solution's stability. Furthermore, all subscales were significantly related to a single, second-order factor. In the total sample ( N = 753), subscale and full-scale items offered evidence of satisfactory internal consistency and convergent validity. We discuss study limitations and implications for counseling practice, advocacy, education, training, and research.
Development of a full-scale apparatus to assess thermal protective performance of garments under highly intensive heat flux exposures
Authors: Kang Sungwook , Kwon Minjae , Choi Joung Yoon , Choi Sengkwan
Published: July 2022

This study discusses the development process of a full-scale test facility composed of a high-performance radiant heating system, a life-sized instrumented thermal manikin system with sensing assemblies, associated equipment and in-house software controlling the entire system. This test system was aimed to be used to examine the behaviour of emergency-responder garments and subsequently to find weaknesses of turnout gears at critical thermal conditions greater than a standard 84-kW/m2-intensity, thereby contributing to improving the survival chance of firefighters who could be requested to execute an emergency evacuation from an unexpected growth of modern fires. To impose a target 126-kW/m2-irradiance throughout the garment-dressed manikin’s exposed surface for a limited period of time (12 s) as uniformly, consistently, stably and safely as possible, several technical aspects were considered: the amounts of heat-source power and electric power-supply; areas of heating and receiving and their geometrical relationship; a practical percentage of the maximum heater-capability; efficiencies of electric power-supply and water-cooling; movable equipment; and safety equipment. Two analytical models were encoded using a finite difference method in the LabVIEW platform to determine a burn injury distribution throughout the manikin-shell in association with the measurement data from the test system. The heating system and software were validated in respect of the heating consistency, vertical intensity variation, intensity-rise rate and discrepancies between the existing and present models. It was proved that the heating system is capable of increasing its heat emission up to 126 kW/m2 within 1.5 s, maintaining the intensity-level with less than 9-kW/m2-change for 12 s, and distributing the intensity-level with less than 11-kW/m2-variation along the vertical direction, from 45-cm- to 155-cm-height. The development process can contribute to the ability to develop a large-scale test facility to test specimens under a critical thermal exposure condition for research purposes.
With Breath and Bludgeon: Violence, Weaponry, and the Limits of Resistance in Isaiah
Authors: Lemos T. M.
Published: July 2022

This article explores how the passages in Isaiah that resist violence are undone by the many passages in the book that promote it. More specifically, the article contends that Isaiah features an ambivalent relationship toward “domination personhood,” a type of personhood reliant on dehumanizing violence. The pervasiveness of images of violence and weaponry in Isaiah relates to the book’s problematic relationship with domination personhood. Nonetheless, if employed as part of a larger strategy of justice-seeking, passages in Isaiah can be used as tools of resistance. This article is also available in Portuguese in the electronic issue on the SAGE website.
The Work We Can’t Ignore: Preaching and Gun Violence
Authors: Wagner Kimberly
Published: July 2022

Gun violence is on the rise and a constant reality in the United States. Due to its breadth, volume, and complexity, the trauma of gun violence is a challenge for preachers to address from the pulpit. However, preachers cannot afford to ignore this traumatic reality due to our theological mandate to care for the (wounded) body of Christ and address the lingering effects of trauma. This article considers the traumatic impact of gun violence in the U.S. and offers guidance and encouragement for both trauma-responsive and trauma-aware preaching.
Com fôlego e látego: violência, armas e os limites da resistência no livro de Isaías
Authors: Lemos T. M.
Published: July 2022

Resumo

Este artigo explora a maneira como as passagens de Isaías que resistem à violência são neutralizadas pelas inúmeras passagens do livro que a promovem. Mais especificamente, o artigo sustenta que o livro apresenta uma relação ambivalente em relação à pessoalidade de dominação, um tipo de pessoalidade que é dependente da violência desumanizadora. A disseminação de imagens de violência e armas em Isaías está ligada à relação problemática do livro com a pessoalidade de dominação. No entanto, se empregadas como parte de uma estratégia maior de busca de justiça, as passagens de Isaías podem ser usadas como instrumentos de resistência.

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A non-linear material model for progressive damage analysis of woven composites using a conformal meshing framework
Authors: Mazumder Agniprobho , Liu Qibang , Wang Youqi , Yen Chian-Fong
Published: July 2022

A progressive damage model is presented to investigate the damage and failure behaviors of woven composites. The conformal finite element mesh for the woven composites, used for this analysis, is generated using fabric micro-geometry from DFCA (Digital Element Approach (DEA) Fabric and Composite Analyzer, Kansas State University). The mesh generation strategy is discussed briefly – it does not make any idealized assumptions about yarn geometry and thus can be used for any woven composite micro-geometry. The woven composite domain consists of homogeneous and transversely isotropic yarns, and the surrounding homogeneous isotropic matrix. A recursive stiffness reduction method that allows for combined failure modes is employed to model progressive damage behavior. Two different fabric micro-geometries are studied: a 2D plain-weave laminate and a 3D orthogonal-weave unit cell. To support the validity of the proposed model, numerical results for the mechanical behavior of the two cases are discussed and compared with numerical predictions in literature and available experimental data.
Agassi’s Contribution to the History of Science
Authors: Segre Michael
Published: July 2022

Agassi has undertaken the challenge of performing a microanalysis of the works of several scientists, pointing out areas of complexity, raising questions, and criticizing current histories of science. Among the topics he has tackled are Bacon’s philosophy of science, Boyle’s ideology, the rationale of Galileo’s work, Newton’s declared methodology—influential, but misleading—, Faraday’s emancipatory enterprise; and the roots of the quantum revolution. He attempts to reconstruct what scientists did in the immediate context, rather than what they said they did, and highlights difficulties and points of scepticism. Agassi considers many neglected factors that influenced science, taking in the metaphysical, social, anthropological, and even psychological spheres.
Finite frequency fault estimation and fault-tolerant control for dynamics of high-speed train based on descriptor systems
Authors: Liang Tiantian , Liu Xin , Zheng Xiang , Wang Mao
Published: July 2022

In this paper, novel fault estimation and fault-tolerant control methods are proposed for dynamics of high-speed train based on descriptor systems with uncertainties in finite frequency domain. Dynamics of high-speed train is established based on multi-particle model considering that basic resistance is seen as the coefficient of state variables, and additive resistance and the operating noise are seen as multi-source disturbance. Concurrent actuator, sensor faults, and wind gust are considered simultaneously; wind gust is modeled as a disturbance generated by the exogenous system, and an uncertain descriptor system with actuator fault and the exogenous disturbance is established by seeing the sensor fault of high-speed train as the state variables. A robust disturbance-observer-based fault estimation method is proposed to decouple the non-linearity of the descriptor system, so that the combining estimation of the fault and wind gust is implemented. This observer has an unknown input structure, and its gain matrices are formulated as linear matrix inequalities. The observer not only guarantees the augmented state estimation error is asymptotic stable but also the actuator fault estimation and wind gust estimation errors are robust to the multi-source disturbance and the uncertainties. Based on the estimation results, the fault-tolerant controller associated with the state estimation, faults estimation, and wind gust estimation results is proposed to implement a stable close-loop fault-tolerant control for dynamics of high-speed train. Simulation examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of this method.
Intentional Self-Regulation and Executive Functions: Overlap and Uniqueness in Predicting Positive Development Among Youth in Iceland
Authors: Gestsdottir Steinunn , Geldhof G. John , Birgisdóttir Freyja , Andrésdóttir Jóhanna C.
Published: July 2022

This study examined relations between intentional self-regulation (ISR) and executive functions (EFs) among 84 Icelandic youth in Grade 6 (mean age 11.7 years; 51% girls) and their contributions to healthy and problematic outcomes a year later. ISR was indicated by the Selection, Optimization and Compensation model (SOC) and Self-Regulated Learning (SRL). EF was indicated by attention shifting, inhibition, and working memory (WM). Only WM was related to ISR. Furthermore, ISR tended to uniquely predict Grade 6 outcomes, but the inverse was less true. In Grade 7, EF but not ISR uniquely predicted national test scores, and symptoms of depression and anxiety, whereas ISR remained a stronger predictor of Positive Youth Development (PYD) and risk behavior. These findings suggest a limited relation between ISR and EF, and that ISR is important to the general well-being of youth, whereas EFs may play a role in the development of problems and academic achievement.
The Before, During, and After of Multi-robot Deadlock
Authors: Grover Jaskaran , Liu Changliu , Sycara Katia
Published: July 2022

Collision avoidance for multi-robot systems is a well-studied problem. Recently, control barrier functions (CBFs) have been proposed for synthesizing controllers that guarantee collision avoidance and goal stabilization for multiple robots. However, it has been noted that reactive control synthesis methods (such as CBFs) are prone to deadlock, an equilibrium of system dynamics that causes the robots to stall before reaching their goals. In this paper, we analyze the closed-loop dynamics of robots using CBFs, to characterize controller parameters, initial conditions, and goal locations that invariably lead the system to deadlock. Using tools from duality theory, we derive geometric properties of robot configurations of an N robot system once it is in deadlock and we justify them using the mechanics interpretation of KKT conditions. Our key deductions are that (1) system deadlock is characterized by a force equilibrium on robots and (2) deadlock occurs to ensure safety when safety is at the brink of being violated. These deductions allow us to interpret deadlock as a subset of the state space, and we show that this set is non-empty and located on the boundary of the safe set. By exploiting these properties, we analyze the number of admissible robot configurations in deadlock and develop a provably correct decentralized algorithm for deadlock resolution to safely deliver the robots to their goals. This algorithm is validated in simulations as well as experimentally on Khepera-IV robots For an interactive version of this paper, please visit https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.01781 .
mRNA expression and epigenetic-based role of chromodomain helicase DNA-binding 5 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Heidari Zahra , Asemi-Rad Azam , Moudi Bita , Mahmoudzadeh-Sagheb Hamidreza
Published: July 2022

Objective

Chromodomain helicase DNA-binding 5 ( CHD5) acts as a tumor suppressor gene in some cancers. CHD5 expression levels may affect an individual’s susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate the methylation pattern of the CHD5 promoter region and the gene’s corresponding mRNA expression in HCC patients compared with healthy individuals.

Methods

In this case–control study, CHD5 mRNA gene expression levels and DNA methylation patterns were analyzed in 81 HCC patients and 90 healthy individuals by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

Results

The CHD5 gene was hypermethylated in 61.8% of the HCC patients and 54.4% of the controls, and this difference was statistically significant. The CHD5 mRNA expression levels were significantly lower in the HCC patient group.

Conclusions

Hypermethylation of the CHD5 promoter region may significantly lower the expression of this gene, affecting the incidence and severity of HCC. The methylation status of CHD5 can also be further studied as a prognostic factor in HCC.
Pattern of facial nerve palsy during parotidectomy: a single-center experience
Authors: Salih Abdulwahid M. , Baba Hiwa O. , Saeed Yadgar A. , Muhialdeen Aso S. , Kakamad Fahmi H. , Mohammed Shvan H. , Hammood Zuhair D. , Salih Karzan M. , Salih Rawezh Q. , Hussein Dahat A. , Hassan Hunar A.
Published: July 2022

Objective

This study was performed to report and analyze the prevalence of permanent facial nerve paralysis following parotidectomy for various benign and malignant lesions in a single center.

Methods

This single-center retrospective study included all patients who underwent parotidectomy (total and superficial) for benign and malignant tumors and chronic inflammatory diseases during a 6-year period. Patients who had previously undergone an operation of the parotid gland and those with preoperative facial weakness were excluded.

Results

The study included 127 patients ranging in age from 14 to 83 years (median, 45.89 years). Most patients were female (n = 83, 65.4%). The most prevalent procedure was superficial parotidectomy (n = 117, 92.1%), followed by total parotidectomy (n = 6, 4.7%). The average operative duration was 138 minutes (range, 80–400 minutes). Histopathology revealed that 109 (85.8%) patients had benign tumors, 14 (11.0%) had malignant tumors, and 4 (3.1%) had chronic sialadenitis. Only two patients sustained an injury to the cervical branch of the facial nerve.

Conclusion

In this single-center experience of parotid surgery, the rates of transient and permanent facial paralysis were acceptably low at 9.0% and 1.6%, respectively, for all pathologies.
Prenatal diagnosis and molecular cytogenetic characterization of an inherited microdeletion of chromosome 16p11.2
Authors: Li Meihua , Liu Linlin , Wu Yijun , Guan Jian
Published: July 2022

Copy number variations (CNVs) in chromosome 16p11.2 (deletions and duplications) are not rare. 16p11.2 microdeletion is among the most commonly known genetic etiologies of autism spectrum disorder, overweightness, and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we report the prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling of a maternally inherited 16p11.2 microdeletion. In this family, the mother and fetus both have a normal phenotype and the same microdeletion. Following the use of molecular genetic techniques, including array-based methods, the number of reported cases has rapidly increased. The combination of prenatal ultrasound, karyotype analysis, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), and genetic counseling is helpful for the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal microdeletions/microduplications.
Emotional States Related to Sexual Offending Versus Violent Offending Using a Schema Therapy Perspective
Authors: Keulen-de Vos Marije , Herzog-Evans Martine , Benbouriche Massil
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to examine the emotional states preceding and during sexual and violent offenses in a Dutch sample of male forensic inpatients. Moreover, the predictive impact of these emotional states on institutional violence in the first year of mandated care was examined using an incident scheme. Observer-ratings of emotional states by 103 male offenders and 97 sex offenders were examined using Mann-Whitney U tests. Using hierarchical multiple regression analyses, the predictive relationship between crime-related emotional states and incidents was examined. Sexual and violent crimes were equally preceded by painful emotions, primarily feelings of abandonment. During violent crimes, a state of bully and attack was dominant whereas sexual crimes were also characterized by self-aggrandizement and manipulation. These emotional states were not predictive for institutional violence. This study emphasizes the importance of emotional states in offending behavior and usefulness of schema therapy’s crime theory.
The Dangers of Short-Term Confinement: Indicators of Safety Risks Among Individuals in Jail
Authors: Ellison Jared M. , Cain Calli M. , Baker Brooke , Paige Briana
Published: July 2022

Guided by the premise that an individual’s safety may be more at risk when their routines, personal attributes, or lack of guardianship influence their opportunity for exposure to violence, we examined the factors that influenced victimization risks and safety perceptions among a representative sample of respondents incarcerated at a large Midwestern jail. Results showed that vulnerable individuals such as those who were victimized prior to their incarceration, and those who antagonized others such as those who perpetrated assault, were threatened more often, were more at risk of assault victimization, and perceived more dangerous conditions. Conversely, females and individuals with greater self-control were less likely to have experienced victimization and generally felt safer in jail. Our results illustrate the importance of identifying and protecting individuals who might experience greater safety risks during jail incarceration and should be interpreted alongside research and policy aimed at improving safety and welfare within correctional institutions.
Psychological profiles of adoptees’ partners and their representations of the marital relationship
Authors: Despax Johanna , Bouteyre Evelyne , Guiller Théo
Published: July 2022

Adopted adults are presented in the psychological literature as being highly vulnerable to mental health issues. It is probable, therefore, that this vulnerability will affect many aspects of their lives. One such area is their romantic relationships but, to our knowledge, research on this is noticeably sparse, especially with regard to the significance for adoptees’ partners. The objective of the present study was to fill this gap by: (1) comparing the psychological profiles of adoptees’ versus non-adoptees’ partners and exploring their representations of the marital relationship, and (2) investigating the links between the psychological and relational variables in these two groups. To achieve these goals, scales measuring attachment, mental health, dyadic coping and co-parenting were administered to 104 partners of adoptees and 104 partners of non-adoptees. Results showed that there was no difference between the two groups on any of the variables considered. However, a correlation analysis did reveal that dismissing attachment was more closely linked to co-parental conflicts among adoptees’ partners: the more dismissive the non-adopted partner, the fewer the co-parental conflicts. This correlation comparison suggests that dismissing attachment might be a protective factor for co-parental conflicts with the adopted partner, which is in line with some previous studies related to the specificities of attachment among adopted adults.
Short-term wind speed forecasting using neural network models for Taiwan Strait
Authors: Soon Yee-Sheng , Lu Chao-hong , Tu Qian-cheng , Lin Ta-Hui
Published: July 2022

In recent years, renewable energy has received rapidly growing attention due to its eco-friendly and sustainable properties. Taiwan as an island nation that is planning to develop offshore wind power to reduce the dependence on imported energy. Due to the intermittent and variable nature of wind, a study on wind characteristics and forecasting will make it possible to obtain valuable information on local wind conditions and enhance local forecasting abilities. In this study, wind data from 2017 to 2019, obtained from the Taipower Meteorological Mast in the Taiwan Strait, was used to develop a short-term multistep wind forecasting model. This model was based on a combination of an artificial neural network and a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models. The results revealed that the northeast winds in winter and autumn were steadier, in terms of both speed and direction, than those in spring and summer. The prediction accuracies of this three-step forecasting model reached 0.991, 0.981, and 0.970, respectively. These findings will greatly improve our ability to forecast this important Taiwan Strait wind resource.
Avoidance behaviour modulates but does not condition phonophobia in migraine
Authors: Ikumi Nara , Cerda-Company Xim , Marti-Marca Angela , Vilà-Balló Adrià , Caronna Edoardo , Gallardo Victor José , Pozo-Rosich Patricia
Published: July 2022

Background

Past studies do not account for avoidance behaviour in migraine as a potential confounder of phonophobia.

Objective

To analyse whether phonophobia is partially driven by avoidance behaviour when using the classic methodology (method of limits).

Methods

This is a case-control study where we tested phonophobia in a cohort of high-frequency/chronic migraine patients (15.5 ± 0.74 headache days/month) and non-headache controls. Auditory stimuli, delivered in both ears, were presented using three different paradigms: the method of limits, the method of constant stimuli, and the adaptive method. Participants were asked to report how bothersome each tone was until a sound aversion threshold was estimated for each method.

Results

In this study, we successfully replicate previously reported reduction in sound aversion threshold using three different methods in a group of 35 patients and 25 controls (p < 0.0001). Avoidance behaviour in migraine reduced sound aversion threshold in the method of limits (p = 0.0002) and the adaptive method (p < 0.0001) when compared to the method of constant stimuli. While thresholds in controls remained the same across methods (method of limits, p = 0.9877 and adaptive method, p = 1).

Conclusion

Avoidance behaviour can exacerbate phonophobia. The current methodology to measure phonophobia needs to be revised.
Development and Evaluation of Performance Measures for Capacity Utilization of Traffic Signals
Authors: Dobrota Nemanja , Stevanovic Aleksandar , Mitrovic Nikola , Alshayeb Suhaib , Zlatkovic Milan
Published: July 2022

Emerging high-resolution datasets allow for developing traffic signal performance measures (TSPMs) which can provide a better understanding of traffic signal operations. One of the specific objectives of signal operations is related to the measurement of capacity utilization. A fundamental measure for capacity utilization is the “degree of saturation” ( DS), and it has both volume-based and occupancy-based formulations. The former is known as “volume over capacity ratio” ( V/C), whereas the latter is known as “green occupancy ratio” ( GOR). When V/C is used to observe capacity utilization, it is not known whether the capacity is utilized from interrupted flow, free flow, or a combination of two. Similarly, the amount of time in the cycle utilized by volume (characterized with the first and last vehicle arrival time) is not revealed within V/C. On the other hand, GOR“overlooks” cases when a high number of vehicles travel without stopping or fewer vehicles depart the signal with significant startup delays and similar. In addition, because of a lack of scientific attention, GOR has often been misinterpreted as some similar, yet different TSPM. Therefore, if only V/C or GOR are used to monitor signal performance, the understanding of utilized capacity will be incomplete or misleading. This study proposes three TSPMs: “queued volume in volume to capacity ratio” ( QViV/C), “cycle utilization” ( CLU), and “volume-occupancy capacity utilization” ( VOCU) to overcome the limitations of V/C and GOR. Also, by evaluating existing occupancy-based measures, it was found that they can be used to estimate capacity utilization, including oversaturated conditions.
Crash Modification Functions for Rural Skewed Intersections
Authors: Ingle Anthony , Gates Timothy J.
Published: July 2022

This study evaluated the safety influence of intersection skew angle on rural two-lane, two-way facilities by calibrating crash modification factors. Ten years of crash history among federal aid and nonfederal aid highways was used to develop crash modification functions at three-leg and four-leg stop-controlled intersections. Skew angle was investigated as a parameter in the safety performance functions models both as a continuous variable, with observed values ranging from zero to 80°, and categorized into ranges. A few transformations of the skew parameter were considered, such as the flexible-form model having skew interaction with annual average daily traffic, and a Hoerl curve. Both three-leg and four-leg intersections exhibited an initially increasing trend of crash rates followed by a decreasing trend as the skew angle increased. A categorical model was found to best describe the skew relationship using discrete skew angle ranges. Among three-leg intersections, a skew angle between 17° and 27° experienced 22% more crashes than perpendicular intersections. However, more highly skewed three-leg intersections exhibited a decreasing relationship to increasing skew angle. Among four-leg intersections, a skew angle between 17° and 27° experienced 40% more crashes, whereas intersections with a skew angle greater than 45° did not have significantly different crash occurrence than perpendicular intersections. The implications of assuming a monotonic increasing relationship to skew angle are challenged as a result of this study.
The Impact of Multiple Long-Term Care Services Use on Dementia and Nondementia Caregivers’ Health Care Utilization and Costs
Authors: Chan Su-Yuan , Yu Hsiao-Wei , Yang Ming-Ching , Lee Yue-Chune , Chen Ya-Mei
Published: July 2022

Background

The study examined the effects of multiple long-term care (LTC) services (i.e., using both social and professional care services) on caregivers of service recipients with and without dementia.

Methods

We retrieved data for 10,771 caregivers of older adults in the Ten-Year Long-Term Care Project (TLTCP) in Taiwan. We examined the effects of care recipients’ initial prescription of single or multiple LTC services on their caregivers’ healthcare services use, including outpatient, emergency department (ED), and inpatient services.

Results

For care recipients prescribed a single LTC service, dementia caregivers had 0.82 more ED visits and 10.4% higher total fees than nondementia caregivers ( p < .05). However, for care recipients prescribed multiple LTC services, dementia caregivers and nondementia caregivers used healthcare services at similar levels, and dementia caregivers had 3.5% lower per-visit outpatient fees ( p < .05).

Discussion

Providing multiple LTC services for people with dementia results in great benefit to their caregivers.