bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and test of adaptive torsional vibration suppression method for helicopter power system with variable rotor speed
Authors: Wang Yong , Huang Kaiming , Peng Yerong , Song Jie , Zhang Haibo
Published: April 2022

In order to solve the problem of torsional vibration instability of the control system for turboshaft engine caused by low-order torsional vibration modal drift under variable rotor speed effectively, an adaptive torsional vibration suppression method based on the least mean square algorithm is proposed and designed. First, based on Lagrange equation and state space method, the structural dynamic model of torque transmission chain system is established, which takes into account fixed and variable gear ratio. It is beneficial to express the dynamic characteristics of torsional vibration in real time, so that the variation laws of low-order torsional vibration modal under variable rotor speed and gear ratio are revealed. Then, an adaptive torsional vibration filter based on least mean square algorithm is proposed and designed combined with the active control objective of helicopter power system. Finally, the effectiveness of adaptive torsional vibration suppression method is validated based on numerical simulation and hardware-in-loop simulation separately. The results show that compared with the conventional constant-coefficient notch filter, the adaptive torsional vibration filter can decrease the peaks of all low-order torsional vibration frequency by more than 50%. It proves better robustness, more remarkable effectiveness and superior adaptive ability of the adaptive torsional vibration suppression method.
Acta Anatomica: A portrait of an anatomy department, Christmas 1951
Authors: Mohr Peter D
Published: April 2022

Seventy years ago, two medical art students painted a group portrait of the staff of the anatomy department in the University of Manchester Medical School. The painting is an unusual allegorical portrayal of the staff as pantomime characters. This paper asks: who were they and what were their subsequent careers? Does this picture tell us anything about the role of anatomy in medical education in the 1950s?
Facilitators and Barriers to the Utilisation of Maternal Healthcare Services in Empowered Action Group States, India
Authors: Zaveri Ankita , Paul Pintu , Roy Ranjan , Chouhan Pradip
Published: April 2022

The use of adequate reproductive healthcare services is critical to mothers and newborn babies. This study aimed to examine the facilitators and barriers to maternal healthcare utilisation in the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states. Data were drawn from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey, 2015–16 ( n = 103,984). In this study, full antenatal care (ANC), delivery assistance by the skilled birth attendant (SBA) and postnatal care (PNC) within 2 days of delivery were taken as indicators of maternity care. Overall, approximately 13% of women received full ANC, 69.4% were delivered by SBA and 57.7% had PNC within 2 days of delivery. The findings of this study reveal that urban residence, higher education, wealthier economic status, exposure to mass media and contraceptive use are the facilitators of maternal healthcare utilisation. On the contrary, low levels of education, poverty, marriage during childhood, having a large number of children, belonging to socioeconomically backward castes, having difficulties related to healthcare-seeking and unwanted pregnancies are some of the major barriers to the use of maternity care. This study suggests that policymakers and public health practitioners should design proper healthcare policies and programs to provide quality reproductive healthcare services, particularly among socio-economically vulnerable women.
Operational Performance of Banks: Frontier-Based Data Envelopment Analysis with Undesirable Output
Authors: Preeti  , Roy Supriyo
Published: April 2022

The current banking scenario marks the rising level of non-performing loans (NPLs), which negatively impacts the operational performance of banks. There is a need for an operating performance model that integrates the NPLs into the measurement of operational efficiency to provide the overall performance profile for Indian banks. The study applies a non-radial data envelopment analysis model developed by Tone (2001) and incorporates NPLs as undesirable output. The study draws empirical insights on operational performance for Indian banks for a recent five-year period. With the adoption of the non-orientation approach of the developed model, the significant contribution of the study is related to mean factor efficiency analysis, which allows the identification of inefficient sources causing operational inefficiency within banks. The robustness test result throws light on efficiency differences between two ownership categories of banks. Implications of empirical findings suggest that the regulators devise measures to control the level of NPLs to help improve the operational efficiency of the Indian banking system.
Central Bank Policies and Market Power Over the Business Cycle in Africa
Authors: Ofori-Sasu Daniel , Agbloyor Elikplimi Komla , Kuttu Saint , Abor Joshua Yindenaba
Published: April 2022

This article empirically examines the impact of the business cycle on the relationship between individual central bank policies and market power. We present a representative sample of 52 African economies over the period 2006–2018. We find that monetary, macro-prudential and central bank independence policies increase market power. The study found that, in the long run, market power reacts positively to changes or adjustments made to a central bank policy framework. We show that the individual central bank’s policy framework increase market power, when interacted with business cycle.

JEL Codes: E3, E5, E61, G21, L10, L51, M21
Anti-immigrant Violence and Xenophobia in South Africa: Untreated Malady and Potential Snag for National Development
Authors: Olofinbiyi Sogo Angel
Published: April 2022

Xenophobia has been described as one of the most endemic life-threatening obstacles confronting foreign nationals in the contemporary South Africa. The spate of this hate crime has increased unabatedly in the Kwa Zulu-Natal province of the country in recent years, diffusing to other regions such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, Limpopo and Cape Town. The study aims at establishing xenophobia as an untreated anti-immigrant violence and potential snag for national development in South Africa. It utilised data collected from previous research inquiries to achieve the expected results. The phenomenon was discussed within a criminological framework. The study projects that until South Africans are drawn back the memory lane to realise the benefits of pan-Africanism, the terroristic culture will continue to recur and eat deep into the socio-economic fabric of the nation.
The Potential Swamp Land Development to Support Food Estates Programmes in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Fahmid Imam Mujahidin , Wahyudi  , Agustian Adang , Aldillah Rizma , Gunawan Endro
Published: April 2022

The objective of this study is to analyse the potentials, obstacles and socio-economic condition of swamp land development for food estate programmes in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The results for qualitative descriptive and quantitative analysis showed there were approximately 33.4 million hectares of swamp land area, 9.5 million of which have the potential for agricultural land, particularly for rice. The rationale of food estate location are a wide area of land availability, with abundant water resources. The main obstacles of land use of swamp land are: (a) low soil pH (acid); (b) low NPK content in the soil; (c) high Al and Fe solubility (toxic); and (d) tidal influence such that during the wet season the land is flooded and during the dry season the land is dry. This research recommends that swamp land development for food estates requires: water management infrastructure rehabilitation, land management, adaptive and potential commodity selection and farmer institution strengthening and facilitation.
The contingent career path of the young George O. May
Authors: Parker R.H.
Published: April 2022

Bob Parker explains, in his first paragraph below, that George O. May was a major figure in US accounting. However, this paper was published in a location (Parker, 2012) unlikely to be noticed by many accounting historians, let alone American ones. It was the idea of Steve Zeff (whose paper on the leaders of the US profession is referred to below) to ask if Accounting History would reprint it. I am grateful to the editors for doing so. The kind permission of the Devon History Society is acknowledged. The paper was written for Devonians rather than for accountants (though, of course, May and Parker were both born into or achieved these distinctions). For the avoidance of doubt, although there are newish places called Devon in the United States, we are referring here to the county in the southwest of old England. As usual, Bob’s writing provides a master class in clarity and efficiency. Typically, he does not make claims about theory, but we find by the end that he has developed one: seven pre-conditions for great success as an accountant in the late Victorian age. An obituary of Bob Parker was published in this journal in 2016 (Nobes, 2016).

C Nobes, Royal Holloway, University of London, England
The persistence of opposition in an oppressive regime: The case of the Catholic Church in Czechoslovakia
Authors: Minarik Pavol
Published: April 2022

When faced with oppression from the state, some groups and individuals choose costly opposition rather than a compromise. This may be caused by the cost of compromise being higher than the cost of opposition. However, it is also possible that the persistent opposition is due to some past decisions. The paper proposes a model explaining persistent opposition as a result of group-specific investment in human capital that traps individuals in an opposition group even when she would be better off outside the group. The model is illustrated with the case of the Catholic Church in Czechoslovakia, the largest group opposing the Communist regime. Within that context, the model contributes to the explanation of the persistence and growth of the underground church under Communist rule as well as the post-Communist religious revival. The same model may also be applied to malign opposition groups, such as terrorist and criminal organizations, and it provides clues about how to deal with them.
Optimal control for soft-landing in elevator emergency crash using multiple magnetorheological shock absorbers
Authors: Zheng Jiajia , Zhao Jiajiang , Wang Linlin , Li Zhaochun , Dong Weiping , E Shiju
Published: April 2022

Protecting the occupants from surviving the casualties and severe injuries in elevator emergency crashes is always essential. This paper aims to explore the feasibility of using multiple magnetorheological shock absorbers (M-MRSAs) to attain the soft landing of a full-load elevator under impact velocities ranging up to 32 m/s. The resistance forces of MRSA with a bi-fold structure are predicted by evaluating the pressure drops using a nonlinear Bingham-plastic model considering the effects of minor loss. The optimal control for an M-MRSAs system achieving robustness concerning different mass loadings and impact velocities is investigated by formulating a multi-objective problem to minimize the induced peak acceleration with constrained time duration. The results demonstrate that the self-adapting MR yield force provides a smooth operation by minimizing the cycles of re-crash and rebound without incurring an end-stop impact. Furthermore, a plateau behavior of acceleration-displacement profiles is realized to effectively reduce the load transmission from overshoot accelerating force to the protected occupants and eliminate the injury risk.
Mode-I fracture control of unidirectional laminated composites using MFC actuators
Authors: Kaushik Vikas , Siddgonde Nagappa , Narita Fumio , Ghosh Anup
Published: April 2022

This article presents an experimental and numerical investigation of Mode-I fracture control in aerospace grade unidirectional laminated composites (AS4/914) using the smart material approach. The P1 type macro fiber composites (MFC) actuators are selected for current research because of their higher free strain, high mechanical flexibility, and good blocking force. The opening mode (Mode-I) interlaminar fracture tests have been carried out on DCB specimens having surface bonded MFC actuator patches under the application of electric voltage within a range of 0–1500 V. These fracture control tests have been performed on pre-cracked (PC) and non pre-cracked (NPC) double cantilever beam specimens. The modified pin force model has been adopted for the evaluation of actuation forces in surface bonded MFC actuators. The XIGA-CZM based numerical formulation is utilized for numerical fracture modeling under electromechanical loading conditions. The MFC actuators have significant control over Mode-I fracture energy under the application of peak operating voltage. The numerical model using a modified pin force model in combination with XIGA-CZM based fracture model shows a good agreement with experimental observations.
Parental Well-Being: Another Dimension of Adult Well-Being
Authors: Gupta Kriti
Published: April 2022

Since healthy parents are more likely to provide a fulfilling childhood to their children, it seems crucial to examine those aspects of parenthood that add to parental well-being. The present article discusses the theoretical relationship between well-being and parenting within the contemporary social and relational context by underlining how society and children play significant roles in determining parental well-being.
Thromboelastography for the Prevention of Perioperative Venous Thromboembolism in Orthopedics
Authors: Fan Dejing , Ouyang Ziyao , Ying Yanping , Huang Shuangxia , Tao Pinyue , Pan Xiao , Lu Shuyu , Pan Qini
Published: April 2022

We have reviewed a large number of relevant literature to determine the deficiencies of orthopedics in the diagnosis and prevention of venous thromboembolism（VTE）events during the perioperative period, and found that the TEG technology has been widely used after liver transplantation, which may make up for the deficiencies. This review expounds the detection principle and latest thromboelastography (TEG) development, and highlights the advantages of TEG over previous screening methods in diagnosing hypercoagulability. By analyzing the correlation and consistency between TEG and conventional coagulation test, reliable indexes for diagnosing hypercoagulability and important parameters for guiding perioperative anticoagulation treatment were summarized. Furthermore, our work contributes to further studies of TEG in orthopedics. Based on the research results, we believe that TEG may help orthopedists to identify and predict VTE events, use anticoagulants, eventually reduce the occurrence of VTE events.
Asserting Naga cultural identity and challenging colonialism in Easterine Kire’s Sky is My Father: A Naga Village Remembered
Authors: Mandal Sanatan , Singh Smriti
Published: April 2022

Focusing on the Indigenous identity of the Angami Naga people of Northeast India, this article investigates Easterine Kire’s first Naga novel written in English, Sky is My Father: A Naga Village Remembered to explore how Naga people suffer from land dispossession and cultural dispossession during the time of colonialism. Through the lens of colonial discourse, this study examines the scenario of colonialism in Nagaland to describe how the British colonial encroachment creates the legendary Battle of Khonoma, fought between the British Government and the village of Khonoma. Taking insights from postcolonial theorists like Bill Ashcroft, Franz Fanon, and others, this article further discusses how the native people not only bear the white man’s burden but also attempt to dismantle the compartmentalized colonial system through their reaction to the colonial encroachment to their land and cultural colonialism of Christianity.
Party ideologies and UN debates
Authors: Finke Daniel
Published: April 2022

In this article, I analyze the importance of party ideologies for foreign policy priorities as revealed in the UN General Assembly (UNGA). In doing so, I contribute to an increasing number of studies on the relevance of the partisan theory of public policy for foreign policy making. On the theoretical side, I expect liberal governments to direct more diplomatic efforts towards global development cooperation, that is, the fight against poverty, disease, environmental degradation, and discrimination. By comparison, I argue that the foreign policy of conservative governments emphasizes immediate conflicts and threats to national sovereignty. On the empirical side, I present the statistical analysis of all plenary speeches held by the representatives of 38 stable democracies before the UNGA between 1993 and 2016. My empirical analysis reveals that liberal, internationalist governments are significantly more engaged in UNGA debates on global development cooperation, whereas conservative governments allocate more speaking time to debates on the international law and institutions, including issues of national sovereignty. These results are confirmed when zooming in to UN General Debates. Importantly, I find that all of these effects are conditional on governing parties commanding substantive majorities in their national parliament.
When I’m First, I Can Use More: The Divergent Effects of Joint Appeals on Likelihood of Purchasing Sustainable Products
Authors: Rostiani Rokhima , Purwanto Bernardinus Maria , Septianto Felix , Chiew Tung Moi
Published: April 2022

While sustainable products are mostly promoted with intrinsic appeals (e.g., “Buy this product and do something good for the environment”), marketers can also incorporate extrinsic appeals (e.g., “Buy this product and show others how sustainable you are”), thus creating joint appeals. However, it remains unclear whether such joint appeals will be more or less effective than intrinsic appeals in driving favorable consumer evaluations of sustainable products. This research investigates the divergent effects of joint versus intrinsic appeals on consumers’ likelihood of purchasing sustainable products and tests the moderating role of pioneering status in this regard. Across two experimental studies, this research demonstrates that joint (vs. intrinsic) appeals will lead to a higher likelihood of purchasing sustainable products from a brand perceived as a pioneer, but to a lower likelihood of purchasing sustainable products from a brand perceived as a follower. Further, these positive versus negative effects of joint appeals are driven by two distinct mechanisms—emotional value and consumer skepticism, respectively. The theoretical and practical contributions of this research are discussed.
“I did it without hesitation. Am I the bad guy?”: Online conversations in response to controversial in-game violence
Authors: Bowman Nicholas David , Bowen Daniel A , Mercado Melissa C , Resignato Lindsey Jean , de Villemor Chauveau Philippe
Published: April 2022

Video game content has evolved over the last six decades, from a basic focus on challenge and competition to include more serious and introspective narratives capable of encouraging critical contemplation within gamers. The “No Russian” mission from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 casts players as terrorists responsible for the murder of innocent bystanders, sparking debate around how players engage and react to wanton violence in modern video games. Through thematic analysis of 649 Reddit posts discussing the mission, 10 themes emerged representing complexity in player experiences. Those themes were grouped into categories representing (descending order), (1) rote gameplay experiences, (2) dark humor, (3) comparing the mission to other games and real-world events, and (4) self-reflective eudaimonic reactions to the mission. Although less common, the presence of eudaimonic media effects (in at least 15% of posts) holds promise for the use of video games as reflective spaces for violence prevention.
Unsupervised dam anomaly detection with spatial–temporal variational autoencoder
Authors: Shu Xiaosong , Bao Tengfei , Zhou Yuhang , Xu Ruichen , Li Yangtao , Zhang Kang
Published: April 2022

The anomaly detection and health monitoring of dams have attracted increasing attention. To detect the temporal and spatial anomalies of the dam, a novel spatial–temporal variational autoencoder is proposed. The proposed model is based on the sequential variational autoencoder, and its backbone is fulfilled by the recurrent neural network and graph convolutional network to capture the temporal and spatial features in both the generative and inference models. To obtain a normal pattern, we made an assumption that the normal values should be temporally smooth and spatially similar. Then, the smoothness and similarity-inducing operations are used in the framework of the proposed model. Through the addition of smoothness and similarity losses in sequential variational autoencoder, the proposed model can obtain a temporally smooth and spatially similar pattern. For verification, an arch dam is taken as an example. Through comparison among six baseline models, the proposed model detects the temporal and spatial anomalies accurately and stably.
Failures of imagination: Racial justice in philosophy and education
Authors: Frank Jeff
Published: April 2022

This article is a retrospective look at Chris Lebron’s essay ‘Thoughts on Racial Democratic Education and Moral Virtue’. I argue that Lebron’s work remains extremely relevant, both for its vision of antiracist education, and for the methodological questions it allows readers to contend with. As we are living in an age of increasing backlash to antiracist education, taking another look at Lebron’s essay also allows us to consider the reasonableness of this backlash and what this backlash says about imagination and failures of imagination.
Circling the Herd: Houston’s Black Trail Riders, Placemaking, and the Liberatory Potential of Second Sites
Authors: Binkovitz Leah
Published: April 2022

Recent scholarship on Black placemaking challenges the deficit framework of urban sociology. At the same time, more sociologists are now pushing for the recovery of long marginalized Black thinkers. This article advances both efforts. It begins by extending Du Bois’ idea of “second sight” to illuminate the critical and creative practices of “second site” production, conceptualized here as a communal process that reimagines and celebrates the centrality of Black communities in the ongoing, contested production of urban spaces. It then demonstrates that process through a case study of Houston’s Black trail riders, using evidence from 21 interviews and observations of rides and gatherings to detail the material and nonmaterial dimensions of second site production through space, place, and time. Results show how, despite urban development that attempts to marginalize Black communities, the trail riders intentionally create a second site that challenges the dominant spatial regime in durable and flexible ways.
Computing the fragility index for randomized trials and meta-analyses using Stata
Authors: Linden Ariel
Published: April 2022

In this article, I introduce two commands for computing the fragility index (FI): fragility, which is used for individual randomized controlled trials, and metafrag, which is used for meta-analyses. The FI for individual studies is defined as the minimum number of patients whose status would have to change from a nonevent to an event to nullify a statistically significant result. Correspondingly, the FI for meta-analyses is defined as the minimum number of patients from one or more trials included in the meta-analysis for which a modification of the event status (that is, changing events to nonevents or nonevents to events) would change the statistical significance of the pooled treatment effect to nonsignificant. Whether for an individual study or for a meta-analysis, a low FI indicates a more “fragile” study result, and a larger FI indicates a more robust result.
Analyzing coarsened categorical data with or without probabilistic information
Authors: Vach Werner , Alder Cornelia , Pichler Sandra
Published: April 2022

In some applications, only a coarsened version of a categorical outcome variable can be observed. Parametric inference based on the maximum likelihood approach is feasible in principle, but it cannot be covered computationally by standard software tools. In this article, we present two commands facilitating maximum likelihood estimation in this situation for a wide range of parametric models for categorical outcomes—in the cases both of a nominal and an ordinal scale. In particular, the case of probabilistic information about the possible values of the outcome variable is also covered. Two examples motivating this scenario are presented and analyzed.
The Multiple Selves Framework in Transformative Learning
Authors: Karpen Samuel C.
Published: April 2022

In an appeal to establish transformative learning’s (TL) boundaries, Kegan (2000) implored researchers to identify “what from transforms?” As a social psychologist, I am particularly drawn to theorists who identify the self as the form that transforms; however, I argue that a model of the self that specifies how it is represented in memory offers advantages to the prevailing models of the self-advanced by transformative learning theorists. Since a multiple self-framework specifies how the self is represented in memory, it is more specific than previous models and it is amenable to research methods beyond retrospective reports. Additionally, it offers several explanations of how transformation may occur and provides an alternative explanation for incomplete transformations. In doing so, it adds to theories attempting to identify the form that transforms.
An Examination of DRAMMA Model Outcomes for Campus Recreation Users
Authors: Twilley Danny , Morris Laura , Hunter Holland W. , Holland Kathleen K.
Published: April 2022

Institutions of higher education are encountering increases in the number of students with mental health issues. As administrators look for ways to promote positive mental health, exploring the role leisure has in the well-being of college students is warranted. This study used the DRAMMA model to better understand the connection of leisure and subjective well-being via the psychological pathways of detachment-recovery, affiliation, meaning, mastery, and autonomy through leisure satisfaction of campus recreation users. Findings suggest campus recreation programs should focus on providing satisfying leisure and recreation experiences that provide meaning, affiliation, and detachment-recovery to students as a potential means to influence subjective well-being.
Challenges Faced and Solutions Implemented in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic among North American College Campus Recreation Staff
Authors: Powers Samantha L. , Wilson Oliver W. A. , Bopp Melissa
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the operation and availability of campus recreation services at North American colleges and universities. This study examined the challenges faced and solutions implemented by campus recreation departments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of campus recreation staff from across North America. Institution and staff characteristics along with challenges and solutions were collected from 174 campus recreation department staff via an online survey in November 2020. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analyses. As a result of the pandemic, campus recreation departments have experienced challenges regarding finances, staffing, student engagement, and health and safety. To address these challenges, departments have limited facility access and capacity, reduced spending, adjusted staffing levels and responsibilities, transitioned to virtual or modified in-person programming, leveraged intrauniversity collaborations, and implemented new health and safety protocols. Solutions have the potential to help institutions meet the needs of students during the pandemic and beyond. Virtual programming and reservation systems may be especially useful post-pandemic, and lessons learned regarding multi-faceted COVID-19 policy enforcement could help advance compliance with other policies, such as harassment.
Comparison of the Development of Character and Skills between Club and Varsity Athletes
Authors: Beldon Zachary , Walker Joseph T. , Collins John
Published: April 2022

Students that wish to participate in organized intercollegiate sports programs in college face two options, club sports or varsity sports. Although both options allow for students to compete against students from other institutions, the structure and experiences of both programs is drastically different. This study aims to compare club athletes and varsity athletes on their perceptions of their coach's behaviors and the influence those behaviors have on sportsmanship development, and to identify the differences between the two sport types and the social development outcomes that are commonly associated with sports participation. The results of this study show that the assessed coaching behaviors were more predictive within varsity athletes than club athletes, and that club athletes rated wanting to develop a new skill and be physically active as more important in their participation than it was for varsity athletes.
Examining Campus Recreation and Sports Experiences of College Students with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Attitudes of College Students Without IDD: A Special Olympics Unified Sports® Study
Authors: Oakes Lindsey Ryan , Milroy Jeffrey , George Scott , Smith Ashlyn
Published: April 2022

Recreation and sports participation can produce social health benefits for college students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). Despite growing numbers of college students with IDD on college campuses, literature exploring inclusion within campus recreation and sports is limited. To understand how students with IDD have been, desire to be, and can be meaningfully included in campus recreation and sports, experiences of students with IDD (N = 33), and the experiences and attitudes of students without IDD (N = 260) were examined. A mixed methods study design, including web-based surveys and semi-structured interviews, was used to collect data from participants at three American universities. Results of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and thematic analysis revealed a critical need to examine these students’ inclusion within campus life at large.
Inelastic bouncing of a spherical ball in the presence of quadratic drag with application to sports balls
Authors: Lubarda Marko V. , Lubarda Vlado A.
Published: April 2022

The bouncing motion of a spherical ball following its repeated inelastic impacts with a horizontal flat surface is analyzed. The effect of air resistance on the motion of the ball is accounted for by using the quadratic drag model. The effects of inelastic impacts are accounted for by using the coefficient of restitution, which is assumed to remain constant during repeated impacts. Also presented is an extension of the analysis allowing for a velocity-dependent coefficient of restitution. Closed-form expressions are derived for the velocity, position, maximum height, duration, and dissipated energy during each cycle of motion. The decrease of successive rebound heights in the presence of air resistance is more rapid for higher values of the launch velocity, because the drag force is stronger and acts longer. Air resistance can significantly affect the value of the coefficient of restitution determined in a dropping ball test. For a given number of rebounds, the energy dissipated by inelastic impacts is greater than the energy dissipated by air resistance, if the launch velocity is sufficiently small. The opposite is true for greater values of the launch velocity. The derived formulas are applied to analyze the bouncing motion of a ping pong ball, tennis ball, handball, and a basketball.
Concave gold nanoparticles on aluminum as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate for detection of thiram
Authors: Martinez-Garcia Monica M , Pichardo-Molina Juan L , Arzate-Plata Norberto , Alvarado-Gil Juan J
Published: April 2022

We report a simple preparation of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates with gold concave nanocubes of different sizes, deposited onto aluminum slides. The SERS substrates were characterized using 4-Aminothiophenol. Resulting in that the substrate prepared with 55 nm nanocubes exhibits the higher analytical enhancement factor (AEF), 1.5 × 106. Moreover, the SERS substrates’ performance was also evaluated for thiram detection using a series of water and tomato juice samples spiked with the pesticide. Our results show that the excellent performance of the substrate allows the detection of thiram with high sensitivity. The substrates were able to detect thiram with a limit of detection of 7 ppm and 14 ppm, respectively, in water and tomato juice. Our preliminary results open the possibility of using our methodology to detect diverse pollutants of interest.
Ultrasound measurements in clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method and risk factors for recurrence: A retrospective study
Authors: Nahle Imad S , Miron Marie-Claude , Grimard Guy , Abu Zeid Ahmad , Glavas Panagiotis (Peter)
Published: April 2022

Background:

Recurrence remains the main challenge in the treatment of clubfoot. The primary goal of this study is to determine if ultrasound measurements are associated with recurrence after successful management with the Ponseti method. Furthermore, other factors are identified which can be associated with recurrence of the deformity.

Methods:

Seventy-six infants (114 idiopathic clubfeet), all treated with the Ponseti technique were reviewed. All patients had an ultrasound evaluation by the same radiologist at the beginning of the treatment. Recurrence, defined as the need to return to Ponseti casting, was recorded at a mean follow-up of 5 years. Measurements of association with recurrence were obtained for the following ultrasound measures: the medial talonavicular displacement (MTa-N), the medial malleolus to navicular distance (MM-N), the talocalcaneal angle (Ta-C), and the distal tibial physis to proximal calcaneal apophysis distance (Ti-C). Subsequently, a multivariate logistic regression analysis modeling recurrence examined patients’ characteristics, compliance, Achilles tenotomy, and ultrasound measurements.

Results:

Recurrence rate was 22% noted in 17 patients. On univariate analysis, relapse was associated with increased MTa-N (p = 0.038), decreased MM-N (p = 0.008), and decreased Ti-C (p = 0.023). On multivariate analysis, we identified the Ti-C as the only ultrasound measurement significantly associated with recurrence (p = 0.026). Other significant predictors for relapse in this study were noncompliance with orthosis (OR = 139.0 (95% CI: 8.7–2224.0), p < 10−3), and omitting percutaneous Achilles tenotomy in clubfoot treatment (OR = 23.9 (95% CI: 1.2–493.6), p = 0.041).

Conclusion:

The Ti-C sonographic measurement at the start of treatment can be a useful adjunct to help identify high-risk patients for recurrence of deformity. Non-compliance with bracing and omitting percutaneous Achilles tenotomy are also predictive factors.

Level of evidence:

Prognostic study, Level III
Clinical examination and patients’ history are not suitable for neonatal hip screening
Authors: Ziegler Christian Maximilian , Ertl Katharina Maria , Delius Maria , Foerster Kai Martin , Crispin Alexander , Wagner Ferdinand , Heimkes Bernhard
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

To assess the percentage of missed developmental dysplasia of the hip, which escape the German criteria for newborn hip high-risk screening, we analyzed our data gained from the general neonatal sonographic hip screening performed at our department. The aim of the study was to determine the number of potentially belatedly treated developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Methods:

The data from 1145 standardized newborn hip ultrasound examinations according to the Graf technique were analyzed retrospectively comparing findings for general neonatal sonographic hip screening and high-risk screening subgroups.

Results:

We diagnosed developmental dysplasia of the hip in 18 of the 1145 newborns via ultrasound. A total of 10 out of 18 developmental dysplasia of the hip would have been missed by high-risk screening, which corresponds to a proportion of 55.6% false-negative results. The sensitivity of high-risk screening was only 44.4% and specificity, 78.3%. The positive predictive value was 3.2%. Family history as a screening criterion yielded false-negative results in 77.8% and false-positive results in 16.8%. In all, 83.3% of the children who were born with developmental dysplasia of the hip but not from breech position as a risk factor were false negative. The clinical examination was false negative in 88.9% and false positive in 0.6%.

Conclusion:

High-risk screening detected less than every second developmental dysplasia of the hip, rendering the first month as the most effective treatment window unavailable for inapparent dysplastic hips, potentially resulting in the need for more invasive treatment. Due to the high sensitivity of ultrasound in the detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip, we recommend to replace the current German high-risk screening guidelines with a general newborn screening for all neonates using Graf ultrasound in the first week of life.

Level of evidence:

Level II.
Are early antero-posterior and lateral radiographs predictive of clubfoot relapse requiring surgical intervention in children treated by Ponseti method?
Authors: Li Jingchun , Xu Chenchen , Li Yiqiang , Liu Yuanzhong , Xu Hongwen , Canavese Federico
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

To investigate the value of antero-posterior and lateral radiographs in predicting clubfoot relapse after treatment with the Ponseti method.

Methods:

This was a retrospective review of 104 children (157 feet) younger than 3 months of age with idiopathic clubfoot treated using the Ponseti method at our institution between January 2007 and December 2014. All patients underwent Achilles tenotomy and were divided into two groups according to the need for further surgery to correct the deformity: relapsed group (24 patients; 36 feet) and non-relapsed group (80 patients; 121 feet). All antero-posterior and lateral foot radiographs were performed less than 3 months after Achilles tenotomy. The talo-calcaneal (TC-AP) and talus-first metatarsal (TM-AP) angles were measured in the antero-posterior view, while the tibio-calcaneal (TIC-L), talus-first metatarsal (TM-L), and talo-calcaneal (TC-L) angles were measured in the lateral view. The multi-factor logistic regression model of the stepwise selection method was used to predict the relapse of clubfoot deformity from the potential predictive values.

Results:

The mean age at initial plain radiography examination was 99.45 ± 21.54 days. Differences in TC-AP, TM-AP, TC-L, and TIC-L between the two groups were statistically significant. However, only TM-AP and TIC-L were included in the “ risk of relapse” formula using the multi-factor logistic stepwise selection method.

Conclusion:

Early antero-posterior and lateral radiographs in children younger than 3 months of age at initial Ponseti treatment have positive predictive value for relapse. Reduced TM-AP angle and increased TIC-L were associated with an increased risk of relapse.

Level of evidence:

level III.
Anterior distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis in children with cerebral palsy: Establishing surgical indications and techniques using the modified Delphi method and literature review
Authors: Shore Benjamin J , McCarthy James , Shrader M Wade , Graham H Kerr , Veerkamp Matthew , Rutz Erich , Chambers Henry , Davids Jon R , Narayanan Unni , Novacheck Tom F , Pierz Kristan , Dreher Thomas , Rhodes Jason , Shilt Jeffery , Theologis Tim , Van Campenhout Anja , Kay Robert M
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to develop consensus for the surgical indications of anterior distal femur hemiepiphysiodesis in children with cerebral palsy using expert surgeon opinion through a modified Delphi technique.

Methods:

The panel used a 5-level Likert-type scale to record agreement or disagreement with 27 statements regarding anterior distal femur hemiepiphysiodesis. Consensus was defined as at least 80% of responses being in the highest or lowest 2 of the Likert-type ratings. General agreement was defined as 60%–79% falling into the highest or lowest 2 ratings.

Results:

For anterior distal femur hemiepiphysiodesis, 27 statements were surveyed: consensus or general agreement among the panelists was achieved for 22 of 27 statements (22/27, 82%) and 5 statements had no agreement (5/27, 18%). There was general consensus that anterior distal femur hemiepiphysiodesis is indicated for ambulatory children with cerebral palsy, with at least 2 years growth remaining, and smaller (<30 degrees) knee flexion contractures and for minimally ambulatory children to aid in standing/transfers. Consensus was achieved regarding the importance of close radiographic follow-up after screw insertion to identify or prevent secondary deformity. There was general agreement that percutaneous screws are preferred over anterior plates due to the pain and irritation associated with plates. Finally, it was agreed that anterior distal femur hemiepiphysiodesis was not indicated in the absence of a knee flexion contracture.

Conclusion:

Anterior distal femur hemiepiphysiodesis can be used to treat fixed knee flexion contractures in the setting of crouch gait, but other associated lever arm dysfunctions must be addressed by single-event multilevel surgery.

Level of evidence:

V
Book review: Christophe Jaffrelot. Modi’s India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Indian Democracy
Authors: Aeijaz Tanvir
Published: April 2022

Christophe Jaffrelot. Modi’s India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Indian Democracy. Westland Publications. 2021. 639 pages. ₹899.
A Qualitative Analysis of Older Adults’ Views of Healthcare Provider Attributes and Communication Skills
Authors: Stewart Brittany , Hanke Paige , Kucemba Megan , Levine Diane L. , Mendez Jennifer , Saad Aline H.
Published: April 2022

Understanding factors that improve patients’ healthcare experiences are essential for healthcare providers (HCPs) caring for older adults (OAs). Previous data supports that effective patient-centered care leads to a better understanding of patients’ experiences, values, and preferences. The aim of this study was to evaluate OAs views of HCPs attributes and communication skills to better understand patient's views about their HCP interactions. Qualitative analysis of the data revealed five key themes that emerged: professionalism, patient rapport, patient-centered care, empathy, and communication. Addressing and optimizing performance in these areas could improve patient experiences and support enhanced training for healthcare students.
Teaching Culturally Safe Care in Simulated Cultural Communication Scenarios During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Virtual Visits with Indigenous Animators
Authors: Maar Marion , McGregor Lorrilee , Desjardins Danica , Delaney Kerri Z. , Bessette Nicole , Reade Maurianne
Published: April 2022

Clinical learning activities involving Indigenous patient actors that specifically address the development of culturally safe care skills among medical students are important in order to improve health care for Indigenous people. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to strict physical distancing regulations and regional lockdowns that made the in-person delivery of Simulated Cultural Communication Scenarios (SCCS) with Indigenous patient actors impossible due to the disproportionate risk that public health emergencies pose for Indigenous communities. As the pandemic continued in 2021, we co-created a Virtual Visit approach to SCCS for the education of culturally safe care to pre-clerkship medical students. We report on student and tutor evaluation of these virtual sessions and contextualize our findings with our previous results delivering In-Person SCCSs. We found that Virtual Visit SCCS were highly effective in providing authentic exposure to and feedback from Indigenous patients. However, students rated their learning outcomes with Virtual Visit lower than the In-person approach to SCCS. We recommend formal training on interacting with patients in virtual care scenarios prior to Virtual Visit SCCS. We also found that exposure to SCCS with Indigenous animators has the potential to conjure up a diverse spectrum of sometimes unresolved negative feelings related to colonialism among students and tutors including discomfort, embarrassment, and anxiety. Our findings underscore the importance of resolving these sentiments within the safe environment of a classroom. To prepare Indigenous as well as non-Indigenous students and tutors adequately, it is important to acknowledge and critically deconstruct the embodiment of colonialism and Indigenous-settler relations when teaching physicians, as well as future physicians, preparedness for culturally safe care of Indigenous peoples.
Involvement of adenosine signaling pathway in migraine pathophysiology: a systematic review of preclinical studies
Authors: Thuraiaiyah Janu , Kokoti Lili , Al-Karagholi Mohammad Al-Mahdi , Ashina Messoud
Published: April 2022

Background

Adenosine is a purinergic signaling molecule with a wide range of physiological functions including anti- and pronociceptive properties. Adenosine receptors are expressed in the trigeminovascular system, and adenosine receptor antagonist, caffeine, relieves migraine headache. We performed a systematic review of the literature of preclinical data addressing the role of adenosine in migraine pathophysiology.

Methods

PubMed and EMBASE were searched for pre-clinical studies on the role of adenosine in migraine pathophysiology on September 5th, 2021.

Results

A total of 2510 studies were screened by title and abstract. Of these, thirteen pre-clinical studies evaluating adenosine, adenosine A1, A2A and A3 receptors were included.

These studies showed that adenosine signaling pathway is involved in controlling vascular tone. Furthermore, electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion modulates the expression of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in the trigeminal ganglion and trigeminal nucleus caudalis implicating adenosine signaling pathway in pain transmission.

Conclusion

Preclinical studies showed that adenosine has a dual effect on vasodilation and trigeminal pain pathway due to different receptor activation, suggesting a possible role of adenosine in migraine pathophysiology. Studies investigating pharmacological characteristics of subtypes of adenosine receptors are needed to further elucidate their role as a potential target for migraine treatment.
Compact and Scalable Large Vortex Array Generation Using Azocarbazole Polymer and Digital Hologram Printing Technique
Authors: Jackin Boaz Jessie , Shirai Masaki , Haginaka Honoka , Kinashi Kenji , Tsutsumi Naoto , Sakai Wataru
Published: April 2022

An integrated device capable of generating large number of multiplexed optical vortex beams with arbitrary topological charge is considered as one of the crucial requirement for driving information photonics forward. Here we report a simple method for simultaneous generation of 100 multiplexed optical vortex beams from a polymer film of size 1 mm2 and thickness of 30 μm. This is achieved through a combination of computer-generated holography, digital hologram printing and photoisomeric polymers. When the fabricated sample is illuminated with a collimated laser beam, a pre-determined vortex array with arbitrary topological charge is emitted. The polymer film easy to synthesize and exhibits a diffraction efficiency of 30% with a retention period longer than 50 days.