bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance Evaluation of Bit Error Rates for Various Schemes in Underwater Communication
Authors: Mala C. S. , Prathiba N. , Bhavana D. V. , Bindu S. , Guha Soumitha , Tabassum Waajida
Published: December 2020

Underwater communication is of great consequence for a number of subaqueous operations and applications. The rise in the area of undersea applications like ecological control, discoveries and defense depend on reliable transfer of real-time or stored data. Data communication in this
area is one of the biggest challenges. This paper presents a model, designed and simulated for Rician and Rayleigh channels using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) for underwater communication. Bit Error Rate (BER) for single transreceiver, multiple transreceiver, multipath,
multiple delay and different path gains have been computed. Performances for various wavelet filters have been identified. MATLAB environment is used to evaluate the OFDM models and BER computation.
The Usage of Endobiliary Stents with Antiseptic Coating in the Treatment of Choledocholithiasis
Authors: Gnashko Angela V. , Kulikovskiy Vladimir F. , Yarosh Andrey L. , Karpachev Aleksandr A. , Soloshenko Aleksandr V. , Linkov Nikolay A. , Gostishev Victor K.
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Choledocholithiasis is still an actual problem of treatment of complicated forms of cholelithiasis. The difficulties in treatment of this pathology are caused by the predominance of elderly and senile aged patients whom biliary stenting in most cases can be used
as the only method of treatment. The purpose of the study is to justify the usage of endobiliary prostheses with antiseptic coating in the treatment of patients with choledocholithiasis. Material and methods: We analyzed the results of 95 patients’ treatment with “difficult”
choledocholithiasis and in these casesbiliary endoprostheses were used at the first stage of curing. In 56 cases (group 1–58.4%), stenting was performed with “traditional” plastic prostheses without special coating, 39 stentings (group 2–41.6%) were performed with plastic
stents, the surfaces of which were modified with 10% betadin solution. Results: The frequency of patient’s postoperative complications of the 1st group was 19.64% and 7.69% in the 2nd group. The decrease of specific complications such as early stent obturation and the development
of purulent cholangitis was identified. The rate of complications in cases of endobiliary uncoated stenting using was 7.14% and 5.36% and these complications occurred in 2.56% and 2.56% in the group where Betadine coating was used. The term of serving of the biliary stents in the 2nd group
(182.3±37.1 days) was significantly higher than the term of the uncoated stents (125.8±33.9 days). Conclusion: The usage of the antiseptic coating reduces the risk of developing of purulent-septic complications and increases the duration of functioning of biliary stents
in patients with “difficult” choledocholithiasis.
Comparative Analysis of Conditions for Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Korean Pine Plantations (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zucc.) on the Territory of Vladivostok Agglomeration
Authors: Rozlomy N. G. , Gukov G. V.
Published: December 2020

The forest cover of the Far East is very high. The forests of the Russian Far East (FE) occupy from 3 to 16% of the areas, that is stock of wood, and biological diversity of this form of vegetation cover. In order to restore and diversify the forest fund in Primorsky Krai, to determine
the possibility of obtaining various wood within a short time and the possibility of switching to mass planting, pure crops of Manchurian walnut, Manchurian ash, Amur cork tree, Maksimovich poplar, Korean pine and Scotch pine has been created on the territory of the state forest fund since
the early 1950s. The article analyzes the growth of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zucc.) plantations. The yield class, age, diameter and height, density and stock were determined on 5 trial areas. The analysis of the condition of artificial
plantings for Korean cedar and Scotch pine, which were planted from 1954 to 1980, indicates their low capacity for survival, which decreases to 14–25% in 25–40 years, depending on the location of the research object. It confirms the need to expand and reconstruct the green zones
of towns of “Great Vladivostok.” The main reasons for reducing the capacity for survival of plantings are forest fires and unauthorized logging.
Non-Newtonian Magneto-Hydrodynamic Fluid with Radiation by Stretching Cylinder
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Gamal M. , Al-Hanaya Amal M.
Published: December 2020

The aim of the present paper is to study the numerical solutions of the steady magnetohydrodynamic and heat generation effects on anon-Newtonian fluid with radiation through a porous medium by a stretching cylinder. The governing continuity, momentum, and energy equations are converted
into a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations by means of similarity transformation. The resulting system of coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations is solved numerically. Numerical results were presented for velocity and temperature profiles for different parameters
of the problem are studied graphically. Finally, the effects of related physical parameters on skin friction and the rate of heat transfer are also studied.
Snowfall-Rate Retrieval for K- and W-Band Radar Measurements Designed in Hyytiälä, Finland, and Tested at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Norway
Authors: Schoger Sybille Y. , Moisseev Dmitri , von Lerber Annakaisa , Crewell Susanne , Ebell Kerstin
Published: December 2020

Two power-law relations linking equivalent radar reflectivity factor Ze and snowfall rate S are derived for a K-band Micro Rain Radar (MRR) and for a W-band cloud radar. For the development of these Ze–S relationships, a dataset of calculated and measured variables is used. Surface-based video-disdrometer measurements were collected during snowfall events over five winters at the high-latitude site in Hyytiälä, Finland. The data from 2014 to 2018 include particle size distributions (PSD) and their fall velocities, from which snowflake masses were derived. The K- and W-band Ze values are computed using these surface-based observations and snowflake scattering properties as provided by T-matrix and single-particle scattering tables, respectively. The uncertainty analysis shows that the K-band snowfall-rate estimation is significantly improved by including the intercept parameter N0 of the PSD calculated from concurrent disdrometer measurements. If N0 is used to adjust the prefactor of the Ze–S relationship, the RMSE of the snowfall-rate estimate can be reduced from 0.37 to around 0.11 mm h−1. For W-band radar, a Ze–S relationship with constant parameters for all available snow events shows a similar uncertainty when compared with the method that includes the PSD intercept parameter. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed Ze–S relationships, they are applied to measurements of the MRR and the W-band microwave radar for Arctic clouds at the Arctic research base operated by the German Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) and the French Polar Institute Paul Emile Victor (IPEV) (AWIPEV) in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Norway. The resulting snowfall-rate estimates show good agreement with in situ snowfall observations while other Ze–S relationships from literature reveal larger differences.
The Unfolding of Control Mechanisms inside Organizations: Pathways of Customization and Transmutation
Authors: Chown Jillian
Published: December 2020

Organizational control is a fundamental function of all organizations. Drawing on ethnographic data from one hospital implementing a new behavioral control mechanism across multiple internal units, I explore how control mechanisms spread and unfold inside organizations. This study shows that control mechanisms are co-created through interactions between managers and employees as they engage in an iterative team learning process in two stages: (1) learning about the mandated control mechanism in order to assess its viability in their local context; and (2) learning how to (re)design the control mechanism so that it delivers its intended control outcomes. It also identifies two pathways through which control mechanisms unfold. Along the customization pathway, teams customize the mandated control mechanism so that it functions well in their context. Along the transmutation pathway, teams develop their own locally designed alternative control mechanism to achieve the intended control outcomes based on their own assessment of their unit’s problems. By showing how organizational control mechanisms are co-created by management and employees, this study provides a dynamic view of how control mechanisms spread and unfold within organizations.
Health Care Crisis Unabated: A Review of Recent Data on Health Care in the United States
Authors: Himmelstein David U. , Woolhandler Steffie
Published: December 2020

We review recently published studies of US health policy and the nation’s health care system. Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, health inequalities were widening and care was inequitably distributed. Although the Affordable Care Act’s coverage expansion improved access to care and timely cancer diagnoses, a large proportion of US residents continued to avoid medical care due to concerns about costs, and access to mental health services remains particularly inadequate. Yet more evidence of private insurers’ profit-driven misbehaviors and of corruption among medical leaders continues to emerge. Misguided incentives and lax regulation encourages nominally nonprofit health care providers to mimic for-profits’ misconduct, and rapacious investors own and control an increasing share of physicians’ practices. Pharmaceutical firms wield outsize political influence and devote far more funds to rewarding investors than to research and development effort. Yet despite vigorous efforts by pharma and other commercial interests to denigrate national health insurance, polls indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increasing support for such reform.
Challenges and innovations in achieving zero hunger and environmental sustainability through the lens of sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Okello Moses , Lamo Jimmy , Ochwo-Ssemakula Mildred , Onyilo Francis
Published: December 2020

Achieving zero hunger by 2030 often raises the issue of environmental protection or sustainable social development among policy makers due to the environmental footprint of intensifying agricultural production across the continent. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has one of the fastgrowing populations with more than half of the global growth between now and 2050. The challenge now lies in feeding the ever-growing population that is exerting pressure on the limited available resources. Doubling the agricultural productivity of small-scale farmers by 2030 (SDG 2.3) remains a daunting task for researcher and policy makers to address on the continent that now relies much on imports of food. Exploitation of the untapped massive land resources for agricultural production poses threats to sustainability. However, the challenges of global warming cannot be left out of this discussion since it has direct impact on future productivity on the continent. Climate change that has been projected to mostly affect the poorer countries also present trials to the food system through increased diseases and weather extremes of floods and droughts. Questions are yet to be answered on which tradeoffs and synergies if any need to be made to achieve zero hunger in Africa by 2030. This synopsis critically breaks down the conflicts, tradeoffs and synergies of how a continent with such massive agricultural production potential can navigate sustainably to achieve zero hunger, self-sufficiency and exports prospects while conserving the environment and natural resources. Evident deployment of new and improved technologies especially advanced biotechnology tools will be critical in achieving zero hunger by 2030. The adaptation needs of the continent are broad including institutional, social, physical and infrastructural needs, ecosystem services and environmental needs, and financial and capacity uncertain impacts.
Distribution of Practice Combined with Observational Learning Has Time Dependent Effects on Motor Skill Acquisition
Authors: Krigolson Olave E. , Ferguson Thomas D. , Colino Francisco L. , Binsted Gordon
Published: December 2020

Studies of the benefits of a distributed practice schedule on motor skill acquisition have typically found that distribution of practice results in better learning. However, less research has focused on how the benefits of distributed practice are impacted by timing during acquisition. To examine how timing of skill acquisition interacts with distribution of practice we had two groups of participants complete either an extensive massed or distributed training schedule to learn a speed stacking sequence across ten sessions. For participants in both groups, we provided observational learning to facilitate skill acquisition. Analysis of speed stacking time on a retention test revealed an overall benefit for the distributed relative to the massed practice group. Interestingly, our analysis of the benefits of distributed practice during training only showed performance benefits in the early session (session one) and later sessions (sessions eight, nine, and ten) of skill acquisition but not mid-way through it (sessions two through seven). Our results support previous findings highlighting the learning benefits of a distributed practice schedule but suggest that these benefits occur differentially throughout acquisition. Our work also replicates research demonstrating that observational learning is more beneficial when it is yoked to actual practice.
Preaching from ground to table: Reflections on an Eastertide sermon for Port Royal Baptist Church
Authors: Inscore Essick John
Published: December 2020

Food production and consumption cuts across personal, communal, and liturgical practices. This article includes a sermon and a theological reflection on Port Royal Baptist Church’s communion bread. The sermon and reflection give particular attention to the benefits of the perennial grain Kernza, the nature of belonging in Baptist congregations, eating with greater memory, and the delight and pleasure of eating together in worship. The bread we eat, whence it comes, and how we prepare and eat it are all worthy of theological reflection and lived witness.
Adversity Considerations for Thyroid Follicular Cell Hypertrophy and Hyperplasia in Nonclinical Toxicity Studies: Results From the 6th ESTP International Expert Workshop
Authors: Huisinga Maike , Bertrand Lise , Chamanza Ronnie , Damiani Isabelle , Engelhardt Jeff , Francke Sabine , Freyberger Alexius , Harada Takanori , Harleman Johannes , Kaufmann Wolfgang , Keane Kevin , Köhrle Josef , Lenz Barbara , Marty M. Sue , Melching-Kollmuss Stephanie , Palazzi Xavier , Pohlmeyer-Esch Gabriele , Popp Andreas , Rosol Thomas J. , Strauss Volker , Van den Brink-Knol Hetty , Wood Charles E. , Yoshida Midori
Published: December 2020

The European Society of Toxicologic Pathology organized an expert workshop in May 2018 to address adversity considerations related to thyroid follicular cell hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia (FCHH), which is a common finding in nonclinical toxicity studies that can have important implications for risk assessment of pharmaceuticals, food additives, and environmental chemicals. The broad goal of the workshop was to facilitate better alignment in toxicologic pathology and regulatory sciences on how to determine adversity of FCHH. Key objectives were to describe common mechanisms leading to thyroid FCHH and potential functional consequences; provide working criteria to assess adversity of FCHH in context of associated findings; and describe additional methods and experimental data that may influence adversity determinations. The workshop panel was comprised of representatives from the European Union, Japan, and the United States. Participants shared case examples illustrating issues related to adversity assessments of thyroid changes. Provided here are summary discussions, key case presentations, and panel recommendations. This information should increase consistency in the interpretation of adverse changes in the thyroid based on pathology findings in nonclinical toxicity studies, help integrate new types of biomarker data into the review process, and facilitate a more systematic approach to communicating adversity determinations in toxicology reports.
The theoretical basis of enterprise architecture: A critical review and taxonomy of relevant theories
Authors: Kotusev Svyatoslav , Kurnia Sherah
Published: December 2020

Enterprise architecture is a collection of artifacts describing various aspects of an organization from an integrated business and IT perspective. Practicing enterprise architecture in organizations implies using these artifacts to facilitate information systems planning and improve business and IT alignment. Despite its long history, the enterprise architecture discipline still remains largely atheoretical and lacks a solid theoretical basis. Based on our previous empirical studies of the practical usage of enterprise architecture artifacts in multiple organizations and broad literature analysis, this conceptual article identifies and discusses in detail 10 theories that can be considered key for understanding how an enterprise architecture practice works: actor-network theory, boundary objects theory, cognitive fit theory, communities of practice theory, decision-making theories, information processing theory, knowledge management theory, management fashion theory, media richness theory, and uncertainty principle. Taken together, these theories offer a comprehensive theoretical view of an enterprise architecture practice explaining the role of enterprise architecture artifacts, their usability, and participation of stakeholders and, therefore, may constitute a theoretical basis of the entire enterprise architecture discipline. Although this article does not elaborate on any of these theories, it brings these theories to light, establishes their critical importance for comprehending an enterprise architecture practice, and positions them as central to the enterprise architecture discourse. Each of these theories can be leveraged by enterprise architecture scholars in their future studies for analyzing enterprise architecture practices through respective theoretical lenses. This article intends to provide fresh theoretical insights on enterprise architecture, spark new waves of theoretical enterprise architecture research, and contribute to the development of a sound theoretical foundation for the enterprise architecture discipline.
Multidetector computed tomography in diagnosing peritoneal metastases in ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Tsili Athina C , Naka Christina , Argyropoulou Maria I
Published: December 2020

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) of the abdomen is currently the imaging examination of choice for the staging and follow-up of ovarian carcinoma (OC). Peritoneal metastases (PMs) represent the most common pathway for the metastatic spread of OC. MDCT scanners, due to several advantages—including increased volume coverage, reduced scanning time, acquisition of thin slices and creation of multiplanar reformations, and three-dimensional reconstructions—provide useful information regarding the early and accurate detection of PMs. Detailed mapping of peritoneal carcinomatosis is feasible, with improved detection of sub-centimeter peritoneal implants and thorough evaluation of curved peritoneal surfaces.
Ecology and Imperium: State Formation in Early Colonial Bengal c. 1765–1800
Authors: Chatterjee Baijayanti
Published: December 2020

This article looks at the process of state formation in Bengal in the second half of the eighteenth century when the English East India Company emerged as the paramount authority in the province. The article argues that compared with the previous regime of the Nazims who were content in exercising a loose sovereignty over the outlying regions of Bengal, the Company showed greater initiative in conquering and pacifying the remote areas of the province. In terms of its ecology, the province of Bengal could be divided into three distinct zones: the plains, the hills and the delta. The process of state formation varied in these three distinct eco-zones. While it was easy for the Company to establish its control over the Bengal plains, it became increasingly difficult for them to establish their power and authority in the hill forests (home to autonomous tribal communities who resented and resisted British interference) and in the deltaic tracts where the maze of rivers provided safe refuge and a means of escape to the Magh pirates and every other state fugitive. This article is an account of the Company’s struggles to establish its supremacy in Bengal, but it also looks at the resistance offered by autonomous tribal groups to retain and preserve their independence. Finally, this article attempts to link ecology with the process of state formation in early colonial Bengal.
Book review: Sumita Mukherjee, Indian Suffragettes: Female Identities and Transnational Networks
Authors: Gupta Amit Kumar
Published: December 2020

Sumita Mukherjee, Indian Suffragettes: Female Identities and Transnational Networks. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2018, ₹895, ISBN: 9780199 484218.
Book review: Amiya P. Sen, An Idealist in India: Selected Writings and Speeches of Sister Nivedita
Authors: Arya Geeta
Published: December 2020

Amiya P. Sen, An Idealist in India: Selected Writings and Speeches of Sister Nivedita. New Delhi: Primus Books, 2016, xi + 225 pp., ₹1450, ISBN: 9789384082932.
Loneliness Trajectories: Evidence for Staged Intervention Among Chinese Bereaved Parents
Authors: Wang Ning , Hu Qian
Published: December 2020

Losing an only child affects the mental health of many older adults in China, placing them at a higher risk of loneliness. However, few studies explore the long-term effects of losing an only child on loneliness trajectories among older Chinese bereaved parents. Adopting a qualitative, grounded theory approach, this study investigates how experiences of loneliness among bereaved parents evolve and the implications for staged intervention. Twenty-seven in-depth interviews were conducted with people who lost their only child in Shanghai and Wuhan. A multistep data analysis technique was used to analyze the data. The findings indicate that trajectories of perceived loneliness have three distinct stages and follow a U-shape in their frequency and intensity. Interventions of psychological consultation, social network restoration, and improved old-age support should be emphasized at each stage.
Sociocultural Determinants of Attitudes Toward Domestic Violence Among Women and Men in Afghanistan: Evidence from Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey 2015
Authors: Akbary Mohammad Fazel , Ariyo Tolulope , Jiang Quanbao
Published: December 2020

Domestic violence (DV), also commonly referred to as intimate partner violence or spousal abuse, is a global public health issue that affects the physical, psychological, sexual, and reproductive health of women. We examined the sociocultural factors associated with the attitude toward DV perpetrated against women in Afghanistan. We used data from the 2015 Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey, consisting of an ever-married sample of 29,461 women and 10,760 men aged 15 to 49 years. Our dependent variable, attitude toward DV, was determined from responses on acceptance of wife-beating in five scenarios, and the group of socio cultural factors was selected based on evidence from previous studies. Our main analytical method was logistic regression, using the survey design. Our findings indicated that factors such as an increase in years of education and living in a wealthier household reduce the likelihood of acceptance of DV among men and women. Ethnicity was also associated with the attitude toward DV, but the magnitude varied across ethnic groups and gender. Furthermore, an increase in age and living in the urban area were associated with nonjustification of DV among women, but not among men. On the other hand, frequent exposure to the media increases the likelihood of acceptance of DV among men, but not for women. The result of the present study suggests that there are economic, social, and cultural aspects to the attitude toward DV among men and women in Afghanistan. Therefore, policies designed at changing the socio cultural perception of the people are of importance in other to bring about a change in attitude, and even combat the prevalence of DV.
Associations of Alcohol Consumption, Sexual Assault History, Severity, and Revictimization With College Women’s Bystander Behaviors in Alcohol-involved Settings
Authors: Marcantonio Tiffany L. , Willis Malachi , Schisler Eric D.
Published: December 2020

Sexual assault victimization (SAV) histories may impede, increase, or have no effect on women’s risk recognition. Yet, even though risk recognition is a component of bystander intervention, the effect of SAV on bystander behaviors is understudied. For example, how different SAV histories, such as the severity of the assault and if women were revictimized since entering college, have not been examined with bystander behaviors; we intended to address this gap in the literature. Building on recent work, we also examined the potential interactive effects of alcohol consumption and SAV history in predicting bystander behaviors. College women ( n = 560) completed a web-based survey on alcohol consumption, SAV experiences since entering college, and bystander behaviors in alcohol-involved settings. We found that the effect of SAV history on bystander behavior varied based on alcohol consumption. As women’s alcohol consumption increased so did their self-reported engagement in bystander behaviors. For non-victims, increased alcohol consumption had a greater positive effect on their bystander behaviors than victims. However, after a certain quantity of alcohol was consumed, both victims and non-victims reported decreased bystander behavior. Finally, alcohol consumption did not interact with severity of SAV or revictimization status in predicting bystander behavior. Findings suggest alcohol consumption may be more influential on bystander behaviors for women with no history of SAV; however, consuming a greater quantity of alcohol is related to a decrease in bystander behavior—regardless of SAV history. Given these findings, more work is needed to explore when and how alcohol impedes, and potentially encourages, bystander behavior. How SAV histories relate to bystander behaviors also warrants further research.
The Murderous Coronavirus: Data and Statistics to Die or to Adapt, But Together – That is the Question
Authors: Lehohla Pali
Published: December 2020

Coronavirus is a health pandemic that threatens to spawn an economic depression. The paper explores how the official statistics constituency has been affected inter alia in its readiness of, responses to and requirements for addressing coronavirus by official statistical agencies. First, in the production of statistics and second in measuring the impact of coronavirus in society. The paper sheds light on how the virus has attacked the very lens of observation – statistics as content and statistics as an institution. In particular we explore how the pandemic disrupted the 2020 Round of Population Censuses and what country responses are. In this regard, the responses of countries would be explored from the logistical and operational readiness and adaptation. We will explore how the statistical lens has been used to understand the effects of COVID-19 on well-being. The results of Alkire–Foster method (see OPHI, 2020) that generates multidimensional poverty index will be shared.
Crown Lengthening for Mandibular and Maxillary Canine Teeth in the Dog
Authors: Hale Fraser A.
Published: December 2020

Crown lengthening is the exposure of root structure to function as clinical crown for restorative coverage.1 Indications for crown lengthening include increasing the amount of clinical crown available for attachment of a prosthesis (crown or bridge) following crown fracture, and exposure of a malerupted tooth crown allowing management of any pathologic changes. Types of crown lengthening procedures include simple gingivectomy [type I], apically repositioned flap(s) following bone recontouring [type II], or orthodontic extrusion [type III].

Type I and II crown lengthening procedures involve periodontal surgery requiring maintenance of the biological width of the gingiva composed of the gingival sulcus, junctional epithelium, and connective tissue attachment (Fig. 1). Each of these zones is approximately 1-mm wide in humans, and may be 2 to 3-mm wide in large dogs. In type II crown lengthening procedures in dogs, the apically repositioned flap should maintain a minimum 3-mm biological width of the gingiva coronal to the newly formed alveolar crest to provide space for the three zones to reestablish.

Failure to maintain gingival biological width physiology may cause an inflammatory response that results in crestal bone resorption and apical migration of periodontal soft tissues.1 Advanced periodontal disease resulting in the formation of infrabony pockets may jeopardize tooth maintenance.1 Crown preparation may be performed acutely, however a 2 to 3-week interval is recommended between crown lengthening and preparation to allow for accurate assessment of gingival margin location following wound healing. Type II crown lengthening of the mandibular and maxillary canine teeth is described step-by-step.
University or Degree Apprenticeship? Stratification and Uncertainty in Routes to the Solicitors’ Profession
Authors: Casey Caroline , Wakeling Paul
Published: December 2020

This article considers whether degree apprenticeships could disrupt traditional university routes to professional careers and redress longstanding inequalities in access between individuals from different social backgrounds. Using the solicitors’ profession as a pertinent case, issues of access and choice are explored, utilising Breen and Goldthorpe’s theory of Relative Risk Aversion to understand variation across social background. Drawing on 23 in-depth interviews with law students, trainee solicitors and solicitor degree apprentices from four universities and five law firms across England, the analysis illuminates the decision-making approaches of aspiring solicitors through both the university and the degree apprenticeship routes. Contrary to expectation, the degree apprenticeship route appears to be discounted as unfamiliar and risky by many of those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Instead, it is tactically adopted as an alternative by some middle-class students. As such, the degree apprenticeship is not likely to disrupt existing patterns of access to the solicitors’ profession.
Effects of thin hard film deposition on fatigue strength of AA7075-T6
Authors: Baragetti Sergio , Arcieri Emanuele Vincenzo
Published: December 2020

Thanks to their favorable strength-to-weight ratio, Aluminum-Zinc alloys are often used in high-performance industrial sectors. These alloys are characterized by poor erosion resistance, which could be increased by the deposition of thin films. For example, PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) films can reduce wear and ensure appreciable performance in aggressive environments. This paper describes the effects of thin hard film deposition on the strength of AA7075 under cyclic loading. Uncoated samples and samples with a DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) surface layer were tested with a rotating bending fatigue machine within the range of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] cycles. Two regression models were tested to study the relationship between fatigue strength and number of cycles within the range considered. For the samples without the film, even a linear regression can be suitable. With regard to the fatigue strength of the samples with surface layer, a piecewise linear regression is suggested, although a high scatter of experimental data can be observed. Finite element (FE) modelling was used to calculate the stresses induced by bending moment. The bending stresses were added to the residual stresses induced by the film deposition. The maximum value was found beneath the sample surface. Therefore, crack nucleation is expected under the surface of samples with film. The fatigue cracks initiate at the surface in untreated samples.
Social networks and condomless intercourse with female partners among male sex workers in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Saiyed Faiez K , Segura Eddy R , Tan Diane , Clark Jesse L , Lake Jordan E , Holloway Ian W
Published: December 2020

Male sex workers (MSW) in the Dominican Republic (DR) have multiple sexual partners, including personal and client-relationships, and are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We examined the prevalence of condomless anal and/or vaginal intercourse (CI) among MSW in the DR as a function of social network factors. Self-report surveys and social network interviews were administered to MSW recruited through venue-based sampling (N = 220). A generalized linear model was used to complete a Poisson Regression model and identify variables significantly associated with the outcome of interest. CI was more common with female (28.3%) than with male partners (4.9%). Factors associated with CI with the last female partner included older age of MSW, CI with the last male partner, having a stable female partner (a consistent or main partner), and having ≥1 family member in the participants’ social network. Partner and social network characteristics associated with CI among MSW suggest the utility of dyadic and network interventions to reduce HIV risk.
Knowing as being: Psychology, limits to knowledge, and an ethics of solidarity
Authors: Li Peiwei
Published: December 2020

Critical epistemological reflection facilitates disciplinary self-reflection, and yet the limitation of this practice needs to examined. This article explores the possibility of a praxis-oriented philosophical foundation for psychology through investigating the limits to knowledge. Integrating insights from critical communicative pragmatist perspectives and Zen Buddhism, this paper outlines what constitutes limits to knowledge and contests the boundary of epistemology, in relation to psychology as a natural science, social science, and critical science. Building upon this deconstruction/reconstruction, Zen Buddhist practice is drawn upon to further illuminate the potential to center psychology through the praxis of knowing as being, which is nontotalizing and always open to uncertainty and fallibility. My key argument is that any notion of epistemology is inadequate when divorced from its intra-connection to being and practice that have inherent ethical and moral relevance. This necessitates deferring philosophizing to a constant and endless practice that upholds an ethics of solidarity.
The Holocene paleoenvironmental history of Western Caucasus (Russia) reconstructed by multi-proxy analysis of the continuous sediment sequence from Lake Khuko
Authors: Grachev Alexei M , Novenko Elena Y , Grabenko Evgeniy A , Alexandrin Mikhail Y , Zazovskaya Elya P , Konstantinov Evgeniy A , Shishkov Vasiliy A , Lazukova Lyudmila I , Chepurnaya Anna A , Kuderina Tatiana M , Ivanov Maxim M , Kuzmenkova Natalia V , Darin Andrei V , Solomina Olga N
Published: December 2020

This paper presents new multi-proxy records of the Holocene environmental and climatic changes in the Western Caucasus revealed from a continuous sediment sequence from mountainous Lake Khuko (Caucasus State Natural Biospheric Reserve, 1744 m a.s.l.). Palaeoecological analyses of a sediment core for grain size, magnetic susceptibility, loss on ignition, and pollen allowed us to determine five principal climatic phases with several subphases since 10.5 ka BP. The age model is based on seven accelerator mass spectrometry 14C dates, supplemented by 210Pb data for the uppermost part of the sediment core. Warm periods (10.5–6.7, 6.7–5.5, 3.5–2.4, 0.8–0.5 ka BP) were characterized by high biological productivity in the lake as indicated by high organic matter content and expansion of forests, typical of modern low and middle mountain zones, as indicated by the increase in abundance of Quercus, Ulmus, Corylus, and Tilia in the pollen assemblages. Cold periods (5.5–3.5, 2.4–0.8, and 0.5 ka BP–present) are marked by a consistent decrease in organic matter content in lake deposits and possibly higher intensity of the catchment erosion. The changes in pollen assemblages (for instance peaks of Abies, Picea, and Pinus) suggested a potential elevational decline in the boundaries of vegetation belts and expansion of high-altitude woodlands. Abrupt changes in the lake ecosystem were identified between 4.2 and 3.5 ka cal BP marked by a short-term variation in sediment regime shown by variation in organic matter content, magnetic susceptibility values, and sediment grain size. This was probably caused by climatic fluctuations in the Western Caucasus region as a result of complex shifts in the ocean-atmosphere system during the 4.2 ka event. Overall, the first Holocene multi-proxy continuous lake sediment record provides new insights into the climate history in the Western Caucasus.
Establishment of Immune-related Gene Pair Signature to Predict Lung Adenocarcinoma Prognosis
Authors: Jiang Xueping , Gao Yanping , Zhang Nannan , Yuan Cheng , Luo Yuan , Sun Wenjie , Zhang Jianguo , Ren Jiangbo , Gong Yan , Xie Conghua
Published: December 2020

Tumor microenvironment (TME) has critical impacts on the pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the molecular mechanism of TME effects on the prognosis of LUAD patients remains unclear. Our study aimed to establish an immune-related gene pair (IRGP) model for prognosis prediction and internal mechanism investigation. Based on 702 TME-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) training cohort using the ESTIMATE algorithm, a 10-IRGP signature was established to predict LUAD patient prognosis. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses showed that DEGs were significantly associated with tumor immune response. In both TCGA training and Gene Expression Omnibus validation datasets, the risk score was an independent prognostic factor for LUAD patients using Lasso-Cox analysis, and patients in the high-risk group had poorer prognosis than those in the low-risk one. In the high-risk group, M2 macrophage and neutrophil infiltrations were higher, while the levels of T cell follicular helpers were significantly lower. The gene set enrichment analysis results showed that DNA repair signaling pathways were involved. In summary, we established an IRGP signature as a potential biomarker to predict the prognosis of LUAD patients.
Landlocked or Policy-locked? The WTO Review of Nepal’s Trade Policy
Authors: Sharma Kishor
Published: December 2020

Located between India and China—emerging powerhouses—Nepal is a landlocked country. Despite its strategic location, Nepal’s growth performance so far has been disappointingly slow. It has not yet fully adhered to the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and regulations, and it faces several challenges relating to prudential macroeconomic policies, governance and infrastructure. It is increasingly evident that Nepal’s own policies and practices are the root cause of its lacklustre growth performance despite its strategic location between two emerging powerhouses, with preferential access to many high-income economies. However, Trade Policy Review: Nepal 2018 by the WTO is disappointingly polite in discussing these challenges and policy shortcomings, which should have been the left, right and centre of the report. Despite these shortcomings, its publication is very timely, given the current policy debate on the problems of landlocked developing countries.
Multidimensional Property Supplementation: A Method for Discovering and Describing Emergent Qualities of Concepts in Grounded Theory Research
Authors: Johnsson Linus
Published: December 2020

Multidimensional property supplementation is a grounded theory method for analysis that conceives of concepts as multidimensional spaces of possibilities. It is applied in an iterative process comprising four steps: expansion, whereby vague codes are split and contraries postulated; abstraction of practically significant differences in terms of properties and dimensions; geometrization of properties to create conceptual subspaces that supplant subcategories and have additional, emergent qualities; and unification of the concept by validating it against data and relieving it of properties that do not tie in sufficiently with other concepts. Multidimensional conceptual models encourage the researcher to elaborate properties that explain, predict, or guide action. Fully developed, they can be easily connected to others in a process and function, by virtue of their emergent qualities, as falsifiable hypotheses in their own right. For these reasons, multidimensional property supplementation is open to epistemological justification without presuming acceptance of techniques specific to grounded theory.
Screening of IRF6 Variants in Patients Subjected to Genetic Association Studies for Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip/Palate
Authors: Velázquez-Aragón José A. , Angel Ariadna González-del , Alcántara-Ortigoza Miguel A. , Reyna-Fabián Miriam E. , Estandia-Ortega Bernardette
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To screen for interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) pathogenic variants in patients clinically diagnosed with nonsyndromic cleft lip palate (NSCL/P) and establish the proportion of misdiagnosed Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) cases, which could have biased previous NSCL/P case–control association studies.

Design:

Retrospective case series.

Setting:

Tertiary care children’s hospital.

Participants:

One hundred seventy-two unrelated Mexican patients with NSCL/P, 128 of whom had previously been included in a NSCL/P case–control association study.

Main Outcomes Measurements:

Sanger sequencing of the 9 IRF6 exons were performed, all variants respect with sequence reference were reported and classified for their pathogenic significance according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines.

Results:

Seven percent of cases were familial. No pathogenic variant was identified in IRF6. We identified 12 previously reported benign variants; their frequencies did not significantly differ from those reported for individuals of Mexican ancestry. Three of them were uncommon intronic variants not reported in ClinVar. The rs2235371 and rs2235375 variants, which were previously analyzed in a NSCL/P case–control association study (containing 132 patients, 128 of whom were analyzed herein) did not show discordant association results comparing to the 370 controls from the previous study.

Conclusions:

The misdiagnosis of IRF6-related VWS as NSCL/P appears to be infrequent in our sample, suggesting that mutational screening of IRF6 would have a low diagnostic yield in patients with NSCL/P. The absence of IRF6 pathogenic alleles could be related to the application of an exhaustive clinical evaluation that discarded the syndromic forms and/or the low proportion of familial cases included.
Parent’s Experiences During Orthodontic Treatment of Their Children With Cleft Lip and Palate: Phenomenological Study
Authors: Imani Mohammad Moslem , Jalali Amir , Nouri Prichehr , Golshah Amin
Published: December 2020

Objectives:

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is a congenital anomaly that affects not only the patients but also their family members and companions. Identifying the problems encountered by patients with CLP and their families can greatly help clinicians in efficient treatment planning to obviate the treatment needs and promote the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to determine the experiences of the parents of children with CLP undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Methods:

This study was conducted based on descriptive phenomenology using the Colaizzi’s 7-step analysis method of phenomenological data. The private orthodontic clinics of Kermanshah city were evaluated in this study. The participants included the parents of children with CLP younger than 15 years who had presented to the clinics seeking orthodontic treatment. In-depth semistructured interviews with open-ended questions were used to collect information regarding the experiences of parents in this process. The collected data were analyzed using the Colaizzi’s 7-step analysis.

Results:

Qualitative analysis of the interviews yielded 271 codes, 18 subthemes, 7 themes, and 3 main themes including fatigue (exhaustion, helplessness, and incompetence), self-reliance (mutual support and empathy), and the need for social support (counseling services and citizenship rights).

Conclusion:

In general, the results revealed that parents of children with CLP under orthodontic treatment are vulnerable due to their previous adverse experiences in the course of treatment of their children and need support in several physical, psychological, social and spiritual domains.
A new criterion for comfort assessment of in-wheel motor electric vehicles
Authors: Salmani Hossein , Abbasi Milad , Fahimi Zand Tondar , Fard Mohammad , Nakhaie Jazar Reza
Published: December 2020

A novel optimization technique was implemented to investigate the effects of vibrations on comfort of occupants to maintain oscillations in an acceptable zone in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization 2631 standard. In this regard, a newly introduced comfort indicator was defined as discomfort criterion (DiC). The effectiveness of the proposed measure was investigated throughout the suspension optimization of an in-wheel motor electric vehicle which almost doubled the unsprung mass by adding an electric motor to the wheel assembly. First, a spatial oscillatory model of the electric vehicle with eight degrees of freedom was developed, and the linear quadratic regulator control scheme is selected to control an actuator in an active suspension. Road excitations were then generated by applying the power spectral density of road class B–C provided by the International Organization for Standardization 8608 standard. The exceedance from the reduced comfort limit (in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization 2631 standard) and wheel travel (WT) of the vehicle were considered as design objectives. Finally, using a novel optimization procedure, the optimum condition and impact factor of the design variables, as well as counterplots of the design objectives with respect to the effective design parameters, were extracted and analyzed. Results proved the proposed indicator, that is, discomfort criterion (DiC) as a reliable measure to assess suspension systems’ performance effectively.
Finite element method and analytical analysis of static and dynamic pull-in instability of a functionally graded microplate
Authors: Pazhouheshgar Arang , Haghighatfar Yashar , Moghanian Amirhossein
Published: December 2020

The static and dynamic pull-in phenomenon of a functionally graded Al/Al2O3 microplate, considering the damping coefficient and fringing field effects, has been analyzed because of its crucial effect in micro-electromechanical systems application, especially in microswitches. The nonlinear equation of motion of functionally graded microplate has been derived using Hamilton’s principle, and solved analytically. Furthermore, a finite element code has been developed to solve the problem. Comparing the theoretical and numerical results for specific boundary conditions demonstrates that the numerical solution predicts the pull-in phenomenon with the least errors; and it can be used for various material power laws, damping coefficients, and initial gaps between the microplate and the substrate. The numerical results for various boundary conditions demonstrate that by increasing the damping coefficient, the dynamic pull-in voltage is also increased, and pull-in time will slow down. Moreover, the effect of power law and applied voltage on the pull-in instability is investigated.