bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An effective network reconfiguration approach of radial distribution system for loss minimization and voltage profile improvement
Authors: Salkuti Surender Reddy , Battu Neelakanteshwar Rao
Published: July 2021

Distribution system represents a crucial portion of power system as it is the connection between the bulk power transmission network and the customers connected at load point. Distribution networks are increasing in size and are spread too far. Low reactance to resistance ratio and large size of network leads to higher power losses in lines and low node voltage at customer end. High power losses reduce the efficiency and affect the economy. Therefore, in this paper an algorithm for reconfiguration of distribution system for loss reduction and voltage profile enhancement is proposed. The proposed reconfiguration approach has been applied to 16 bus radial distribution system (RDS).
Improving the optical efficiency of white light-emitting diodes based on phosphor-in-glass by a dual-layer remote phosphorus structure with the application of LiLaO2:Eu3+ and CaSO4:Ce3+, Mn2+
Authors: Le Phan Xuan , Tien Le
Published: July 2021

While the remote phosphor structure is not an appropriate solution for WLED color uniformity, it is more advantageous for the luminous output of WLED than the conformal phosphor or in-cup phosphor structure. Acknowledging the ability of the remote phosphor structure, many studies have been carried out to surmount the color quality disadvantage of this structure. A dual-layer remote phosphor configuration is proposed in this research paper to acquire better color quality for WLEDs through heightening the color rendering index (CRI) and the color quality scale (CQS). The color temperature of the WLED packages this study is 8500 K. By inserting a layer of green CaSO4:Ce3+,Mn2+ or red LiLaO2:Eu3+ phosphor on the yellow YAG:Ce3+ phosphor layer, the phosphor structure configuration can be constructed. Then, to get the best color quality, the concentration of added phosphor LiLaO2:Eu3+ would be changed. The findings showed the rise of CRI and CQS along with the LiLaO2:Eu3+, which implies the influence of LiLaO2:Eu3+ to the growth of red light components within WLEDs packages. The greater the concentration of LiLaO2:Eu3+ is, the more the CRI and CQS increase. Meanwhile, the luminous flux gains from the green phosphor CaSO4:Ce3+,Mn2+. Nevertheless, the luminous flux and color quality would decrease if the concentrations of both red LiLaO2:Eu3+ and green CaSO4:Ce3+,Mn2+ phosphors reach a certain corresponding level. Centered on the Mie-scattering theory and the law of Lambert-Beer, this result is illustrated. The findings in this research are vital references for manufacturing WLEDs with higher white light performance.
(Y,Gd)BO3:Eu red phosphor for dual-layer phosphor structure to enhance the optical performance of white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Le Phan Xuan , Tien Le Hung
Published: July 2021

Among the structures using for fabricating white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) such as the conformal coating or in-cup geometries, the remote phosphor structure gives the highest luminous efficacy. However, in terms of color quality, its performance is not as good as the others. The red-light compensation has been reported as the effective solution for enhancing the color quality of WLEDs. Hence, this study adopted the idea and applied to the dual-layer phosphor structure. The phosphor used to boost the red color in light formation is (Y,Gd)BO3:Eu particle. The dual-layer remote phosphor structure was simulated with the red (Y,Gd)BO3:Eu phosphor layer above the original yellow phosphor YAG:Ce3+ one. The WLEDs with different correlated color temperatures of 5600 K, 6600 K and 7700K were experimented. Mie-theory and Lambert-Beer law were applied to examine the results. The growth in color rendering index (CRI) and color quality scale (CQS) with the increase of (Y,Gd)BO3:Eu phosphor concentration was observed. Nevertheless, the lumen efficacy would be degraded if the concentration was over a certain number. The information provided in this article is useful for the development of high-power WLED production with greater color quality.
Impact of nonintrusive load monitoring on CO2 emissions in Malaysia
Authors: Kee Keh-Kim , Lim Yun Seng , Wong Jianhui , Chua Kein Huat
Published: July 2021

Nonintrusive load monitoring (NILM) based energy efficiency can conserve electricity by creating awareness with the behaviour change and shrinking CO2 emissions to the environment. However, the lack of effective models and strategies is problematic for policymakers to forecast quantitatively CO2 emissions. This paper aims to study the impact of NILM on CO2 emissions in Malaysia. Firstly, the predictive models were established based on Malaysia open data from 1996 to 2018. After that, scenario simulations were conducted to predict CO2 emissions and NILM impact on environmental degradation in 2019-2030. The results revealed that a 12% reduction in electricity consumption due to NILM could contribute to a 10.2% shrinkage of the total CO2 emissions. The result also statistically confirmed Malaysia to achieve a 45% reduction of CO2 intensity in 2030. With NILM, the carbon reduction can be further enhanced to 60.2%. The outcomes provide valuable references and supporting evidence for policymakers in planning effective carbon emission control policies and energy efficiency measures. The work can be extended by developing a decision support system and user interfaces access via the cloud.
Keyseg: adaptive segmentation for spontaneous electroencephalography map series into spatially defined microstates of musicians’ brain
Authors: Wardani Indra K. , Sittiprapaporn Phakkharawat , Djohan Djohan , Tyasrinestu Fortunata , Suyajai Prayoon
Published: July 2021

Music is being studied related to either its impact on the psychological interaction or cognitive process behind it. These examinations bring out music's coordination to numerous disciplines including neuroscience. A few past examinations exhibited the contrast among musicians and non-musicians regarding brain structure and brain activity. The current investigation exhibited the diverse brain activation while musicians tuned in to music with regards to their musical experiences utilizing microstate classes method analysis. The investigation intended to determine electroencephalography microstate changes in Karawitan musicians' brain while tuning in to Gendhing Lancaran. Applying the electroencephalography microstate investigation of Karawitan musicians, the occurrence parameters was computed for four microstate classes (A, B, C, and D). Microstate properties were compared among subjects and correlated to Gendhing Lancaran perception. The present results revealed that Karawitan musicians' brain were characterized by microstate classes with the increased prominence of classes A, B, and D, but decreased prominence of classes C while tuning in to Gendhing Lancaran. Our finding is the first study to identify the typical microstate characteristics of the Karawitan musician’s brains while tuning in to Gendhing Lancaran by using the microstate segmentaion method.
A smart guidance navigation robot using petri net, database location, and radio frequency identification
Authors: Gunardi Yudhi , J. N. Jumadril , Hanafi Dirman
Published: July 2021

The objective of this research is, to explain a new framework to navigate the movement of the robot towards a target goal. This involves the need for the robot to move from the initial position to 1 out of 30 rooms. Therefore the strategy used involves the combination of the room database stored in the RFID data using the petri net (PN) method to simulate and model the movement of the robot for navigation after which the dynamic behavior of the robot is moving to the desired location was analyzed. The process started from the creation of an environmental map determined by the user followed by modeling through PN and the result was used to produce a marking value which explains and navigates the movement of the robot towards the selected room. The marking value was also used as the database for the robot's movement and later substituted with the RFID to be used as the sensor input in the implementation stage. It was concluded that the robot has the ability to move to the target position according to the database stored in RFID and designed to move forward and turn left and right. For example, it followed the marking value M1 M2 M3M13M12 M11 M10 M9 M8 to Room 1 and M1 M2 M46 M47 to Room 29.
Simulation analysis of equivalent circuit model of skin-electrode impedance for transcutaneous electrical stimulation
Authors: Simatupang Joni Welman , Wijaya Wilbert , Tyler David , Mavridis Clementine
Published: July 2021

For more than 50 years, transcutaneous electrical stimulation method has been used to cure the spinal cord injury, stroke or cerebral palsy. This method works by activating the excitable nerves, muscle fibers by electrical current stimulation through electrode to skin interface. Electrode to skin interface requires equivalent circuit to overcome the inability of measuring the skin resistivity directly. We have learned several previous models, which are from Lawler, Moineau and Keller and Kuhn. Unfortunately, Moineau model neglects the capacitance effect, while Lawler and Keller and Kuhn include capacitive and resistive nature of skin in their equivalent circuits. Both models consisted of only one parallel RC block. Therefore, this paper presents the simulation results of the proposed equivalent circuit model using two parallel RC circuits. Simulation of the proposed model is conducted in MATLAB 2015a and compared with two previous models using certain parameters. Results show that the proposed model obtained the impedance of 10.830 kΩ when it is simulated using 100Hz frequency, for Lawler model the impedance is 5.340 kΩ and Keller and Kuhn model the impedance obtained is 6.490 kΩ. The proposed model has the refined impedance compared with other models and is expected to deliver better electrical stimulation.
User experience evaluation for a bus tracking apps in smart campus initiative
Authors: Khamis Norazlina , Li Kelly Kong Kai
Published: July 2021

Satisfying user experience (UX) is one of the major goals for any application. A good UX will contribute to the higher rate adoption of the application itself. With the emergence of IoT, the concept of smart campus is widely being researched and developed. Smart campus initiative is relatively important as the campus can be considered as a small town by utilizing the same IT infrastructure as smart city. Bus tracking system is one of the initiatives in smart campus environment. One of the main issues is to assess the usability of this apps before it can be deployed widely in campus. This paper will discuss the user experiences evaluation using MeCUE technique on UMS HopIn! a bus tracking apps an initiative towards implementation of smart campus in Universiti Malaysia Sabah. The app gives user the real time location of campus buses and the estimated time of arrival (ETA) for each of the buses. Based on user evaluation it has been found that the application has meet within the expectation with most of the requirements has been fulfilled and the good of UX rating. Thus, the same approach can be applied to support the development of any future smart campus initiative.
A critical success factors for software project manager in GVTs within covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Gheni Ali Yahya , Yousif Hiba Adil , Jusoh Yusmadi Yah
Published: July 2021

The covid-19 pandemic sweeping the world and has rendered a large proportion of the workforce as they are unable to commute to work. This has resulted in employees and employers seeking alternative work arrangements, including the software industry. Then comes the need for the global market and international presence of many companies to implement the global virtual teams (GVTs). GVTs members are gradually engaged in globalized business environments across space, time and organizational boundaries via information and communication technologies. Despite the advancement of technology, the project managers are still facing many challenges in communication. Hense, to become a successful project manager still a big challenge for them. This study is trying to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) for software project manager. A literature review was conducted to identify the CSFs. Next, an online survry was conducted to rank those factors according to their propriety. An online survey was distributed among the software developers, project managers, and academicans. The statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 22 was used to analyze the data collection. Twelfth CSFs were identified in this study. Also, the findings indicated that leadership skills factor is the highest factor level ranking in this study.
The Relationship Between the Time Spent on Facebook and GPA Scores of Post-Graduates
Authors: Rahim Mohammad Naim
Published: July 2021

The article is aimed to study the correlation between the time spent on Facebook and GPA scores of post-graduate students of Afghanistan. Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, and many other social networks are used broadly by scholars inside and outside the campuses. However, these social platforms are a mean for communication and have paved the way for interactive educational practices, but still there are concerns on the relationships of these social applications on students’ educational developments. Reviewing the literature, the study identified that there are few articles on the impact of social media on teaching and learning in Afghanistan which are conducted in different context as well as applied different methods and observations. Therefore, this article intended to use a quantitative approach and descriptive survey to evaluate the GPA scores of the students and the time spent on Facebook in order to evaluate their relationships. The data is analysed performing Repeated Measure ANOVA and Pearson Correlation. The results show that there is no significant difference in the mean score of GPAs between three semester of post-graduates. It also highlights that there is no correlation between the time spent on Facebook and the GPA scores of students. To conclude, the study contributes to enrich the ongoing e-learning strategies of the higher education by underlining the potentials and restrictions of the use of social medias on students’ educational developments.
Dor pós-amputação - abordagem terapêutica
Authors: Sakamoto Hatsue
Published: July 2021

O tratamento da dor no coto e/ou dor fantasma após a amputação é uma tarefa difícil, pois desconhecemos a fisiopatologia e as alterações neuroquímicas que ocorrem no sistema nervoso. Ele depende do tipo de dor, o grau de severidade e o quanto incapacita o paciente; geralmente o tratamento se baseia em técnicas não invasivas por que de acordo com vários estudos, as técnicas invasivas são pouco eficazes. Além disso, qualquer intervenção cirúrgica no sistema nervoso periférico ou central, nos casos de dor por deaferentação, pode incrementar a deaferentação aumentando o risco de persistência da dor. O programa reabilitacional é a base do tratamento da dor pós-ampulação.
Tratamento e follow-up da tendinite patelar (jumper's knee) com eletroacupuntura Ryodoraku
Authors: Imamura Satiko Tomikawa , Imamura Marta , Amatuzzi Marco Martins , Soares Nelson
Published: July 2021

A tendinite da patela é uma lesão comum em atletas que utilizam repetidamente o mecanismo desacelerador do músculo extensor do joelho, como nos saltos, corridas, ciclismos e chute. Os autores apresentam os resultados do tratamento conservador de 58 doentes (66 joelhos) portadores de tendinite patelar grau 3 através da Eletroampuntura Ryodoraku. Alívio completo da dor e retorno da dor à atividade esportiva prévia foi observado em 43 casos (74,1%). Os autores concluem que a Eletroacupuntura Ryodoraku é um método eficaz, de fácil execução e baixo custo operacional; necessitando um pequeno número de aplicações para a obtenção do alívio da dor.
Dor - aspectos fisiopatológicos
Authors: Ribeiro Sobrinho José Brenha
Published: July 2021

Neste artigo foram revistos os diversos níveis de integração do fenômeno nociceptivo, bem como o interrelacionamento da nocicepção com os demais elementos sensoriais, mnésticos e motivacionais. Enfatizou-se neste artigo o caráter multidimensional do fenômeno doloroso.
Red Blood Cell and Endothelial eNOS Independently Regulate Circulating Nitric Oxide Metabolites and Blood Pressure
Authors: Leo Francesca , Suvorava Tatsiana , Heuser Sophia K. , Li Junjie , LoBue Anthea , Barbarino Frederik , Piragine Eugenia , Schneckmann Rebekka , Hutzler Beate , Good Miranda E. , Fernandez Bernadette O. , Vornholz Lukas , Rogers Stephen , Doctor Allan , Grandoch Maria , Stegbauer Johannes , Weitzberg Eddie , Feelisch Martin , Lundberg Jon O. , Isakson Brant E. , Kelm Malte , Cortese-Krott Miriam M.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Current paradigms suggest that nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial cells (ECs) through endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the vessel wall is the primary regulator of blood flow and blood pressure. However, red blood cells (RBCs) also carry a catalytically active eNOS, but its role is controversial and remains undefined. This study aimed to elucidate the functional significance of RBC eNOS compared with EC eNOS for vascular hemodynamics and nitric oxide metabolism.

Methods:

We generated tissue-specific loss- and gain-of-function models for eNOS by using cell-specific Cre-induced gene inactivation or reactivation. We created 2 founder lines carrying a floxed eNOS (eNOS
flox/flox
) for Cre-inducible knockout (KO), and gene construct with an inactivated floxed/inverted exon (eNOS
inv/inv
) for a Cre-inducible knock-in (KI), which respectively allow targeted deletion or reactivation of eNOS in erythroid cells (RBC eNOS KO or RBC eNOS KI mice) or in ECs (EC eNOS KO or EC eNOS KI mice). Vascular function, hemodynamics, and nitric oxide metabolism were compared ex vivo and in vivo.

Results:

The EC eNOS KOs exhibited significantly impaired aortic dilatory responses to acetylcholine, loss of flow-mediated dilation, and increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure. RBC eNOS KO mice showed no alterations in acetylcholine-mediated dilation or flow-mediated dilation but were hypertensive. Treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor
N
γ
-nitro-
l
-arginine methyl ester further increased blood pressure in RBC eNOS KOs, demonstrating that eNOS in both ECs and RBCs contributes to blood pressure regulation. Although both EC eNOS KOs and RBC eNOS KOs had lower plasma nitrite and nitrate concentrations, the levels of bound NO in RBCs were lower in RBC eNOS KOs than in EC eNOS KOs. Reactivation of eNOS in ECs or RBCs rescues the hypertensive phenotype of the eNOS
inv/inv
mice, whereas the levels of bound NO were restored only in RBC eNOS KI mice.

Conclusions:

These data reveal that eNOS in ECs and RBCs contribute independently to blood pressure homeostasis.
Immune Mechanisms of Dietary Salt-Induced Hypertension and Kidney Disease: Harry Goldblatt Award for Early Career Investigators 2020
Authors: Elijovich Fernando , Kleyman Thomas R. , Laffer Cheryl L. , Kirabo Annet
Published: July 2021

Salt sensitivity of blood pressure is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality not only in hypertensive but also in normotensive adults. The diagnosis of salt sensitivity of blood pressure is not feasible in the clinic due to lack of a simple diagnostic test, making it difficult to investigate therapeutic strategies. Most research efforts to understand the mechanisms of salt sensitivity of blood pressure have focused on renal regulation of sodium. However, salt retention or plasma volume expansion is not different between salt-sensitive and salt-resistant individuals. In addition, over 70% of extracellular fluid is interstitial and, therefore, not directly controlled by renal salt and water excretion. We discuss in this review how the seminal work by Harry Goldblatt paved the way for our attempts at understanding the mechanisms that underlie immune activation by salt in hypertension. We describe our findings that sodium, entering antigen-presenting cells via an epithelial sodium channel, triggers a PKC (protein kinase C)- and SGK1 (serum/glucocorticoid kinase 1)-stimulated activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, which, in turn, enhances lipid oxidation with generation of highly reactive isolevuglandins. Isolevuglandins adduct to proteins, with the potential to generate degraded peptide neoantigens. Activated antigen-presenting cells increase production of the TH17 polarizing cytokines, IL (interleukin)-6, IL-1β, and IL-23, which leads to differentiation and proliferation of IL-17A producing T cells. Our laboratory and others have shown that this cytokine contributes to hypertension. We also discuss where this sodium activation of antigen-presenting cells may occur in vivo and describe the multiple experiments, with pharmacological antagonists and knockout mice that we used to unravel this sequence of events in rodents. Finally, we describe experiments in mononuclear cells obtained from normotensive or hypertensive volunteers, which confirm that analogous processes of salt-induced immunity take place in humans.
Leafing through Pliny with Sidonius
Authors: van Waarden Joop
Published: July 2021

The programmatic opening letter 1.1 of Sidonius Apollinaris’ correspondence is clearly inspired by the opening letter of Pliny the Younger’s correspondence. This article, however, argues that it can only be fully understood when read against a combination of Pliny’s letters 1.1, 1.2, and 1.5. Plin. Ep. 1.2 raises the issue of editing and publishing speeches, which Sidonius explicitly applies to bringing out a letter collection, as well as the eminently important discussion of a literary canon in which Cicero plays a crucial role for both authors. In Sidonius’ opening letter, Cicero’s appearance is cloaked in a strangely farcical guise which, however, becomes transparent once read against the foil of Plin. Ep. 1.5. Cicero then appears as a symbol of non-conformist behaviour which is at the basis of Sidonius’ editorial project.
An Ambiguous Oracle in the Prophecy against Elam (Jeremiah 49:34–39)
Authors: Eichler Raanan
Published: July 2021

Jeremiah 49:38, the penultimate verse in the Bible’s only prophecy against Elam, reads: “Then I shall set my throne in Elam and exterminate king and princes from there—declares Yhwh.” It is argued here that the verse has two plausible and quite different meanings, that it was designed to convey both, and that as such it is a deliberately ambiguous oracle.
Methods for Dispersal of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate for Stratospheric Aerosol Injection
Authors: Neukermans Armand , Cooper Gary , Foster Jack , Galbraith Lee , Jain Sudhanshu
Published: July 2021

Two methods for the laboratory-scale formation of aerosols of nanosized particles of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), for potential use in Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), a Solar Radiation Management (SRM) technique, are described. The first uses the coarse fluidization of bulk PCC in a simple vessel, followed by dispersal using a commercially available two-fluid nozzle. The manufacturer’s measured particle mass distribution for the bulk material, and sprayed aerosol particle mass distributions are compared, indicating that the sprayed particles are well separated in spite of a notoriously problematic agglomeration tendency. The method is suitable for scale-up. A second dispersal method, useful for small laboratory experiments, using liquid carbon dioxide as a dispersant as well as spray propellant gave similar results. The mass mode diameters measured here (0.89 to 1.4 μm) differ from that stated by the manufacturer (0.7 μm), but the distributions are consistent in showing complete separation of the particles.
Perceived Authenticity and Place Attachment: New Findings from Chinese World Heritage Sites
Authors: Yi Xiaoli , Fu Xiaoxiao , So Kevin Kam Fung , Zheng Chunhui
Published: July 2021

Building on previous research that claims tourists’ perceived authenticity is an antecedent to place attachment, this study explored the relationship between the two theoretical constructs. Specifically, the mechanism between perceived authenticity, place attachment, and loyalty was empirically tested. The data were collected at Kaiping Diaolou and Villages, and the Old Town of Lijiang, two UNESCO heritage sites in southern China. Contrary to previous studies, the findings indicate that (1) perceived authenticity can be an antecedent to place attachment, (2) across both sites, tourists’ perceived authenticity of architecture or intangible heritage exhibited various effects on different components of place attachment, (3) the constituents of place attachment significantly influence loyalty, and (4) place attachment mediates between perceived authenticity and loyalty. This study provided a refined understanding of the dynamics between perceived authenticity and place attachment and offered practical implications for heritage management and marketing.
Modeling First Year Stop Out of Kalamazoo Promise Scholars: Mapping Influences of Socioeconomic Advantage and Pre-College Performance to College Performance and Persistence
Authors: Collier Daniel , McMullen Isabel
Published: July 2021

The Kalamazoo Promise (KPromise) is amongst the most well-known and generous tuition-free policies. This study advances the understanding of Promise student performance and persistence. We used a weighted-least square means and variance adjusted (WLSMV) SEM approach and k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) to deal with missing data. The main model suggested first-year college GPA (β = –.48) possessed the strongest effect on a first-year stop out followed by socioeconomic advantage (β = –.26), high school performance (β = –.25), immediate enrollment (β = –.22), and KPromise funding (β =.06). Model differences from 06–10 and 11–15 cohorts, illustrate that in the later cohorts socioeconomic advantage’s effect on a first-year stop out lessened.
Emphasizing Choice and Autonomy in Personal Hygiene, Menstrual Health, and Sexual Health Product Distribution to People Experiencing Homelessness in Atlanta, Georgia During COVID-19
Authors: Ballard April M. , Hoover Alison T. , Rodriguez Ana V. , Caruso Bethany A.
Published: July 2021

The Dignity Pack Project is a small-scale, crisis-oriented supply chain in Atlanta, Georgia, designed to meet the acute personal hygiene,menstrual health, and sexual health needs of people experiencing homelessness (PEH). It was organized in response to conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic that continue to illuminate and exacerbate the distinct and complex challenges PEH face when trying to meet their basic needs and maintain their health. In addition to being particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to underlying conditions, crowding, and shared living spaces, the pandemic makes it harder for PEH to access already scant resources. Specifically, shelters across the United States have experienced outbreaks and, as a result, have reduced capacity or closed completely. Social support organizations have paused or restricted services. Donations and volunteering have decreased due to economic conditions and social distancing requirements. This practice note describes how we integrated feedback from PEH at the outset of the Dignity Pack project—and continue to do so—enabling the development of a pragmatic, humanistic outreach model that responds to the evolving needs of PEH as pandemic conditions and the seasons change. We detail how we established complementary partnerships with local organizations and respond to critical insights provided by PEH. We offer lessons and recommendations driven by the needs and preferences of PEH.
Long-Term Stability of Short-Term Intensive Language–Action Therapy in Chronic Aphasia: A 1–2 year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Doppelbauer Lea , Mohr Bettina , Dreyer Felix R. , Stahl Benjamin , Büscher Verena , Pulvermüller Friedemann
Published: July 2021

Background. Intensive aphasia therapy can improve language functions in chronic aphasia over a short therapy interval of 2–4 weeks. For one intensive method, intensive language–action therapy, beneficial effects are well documented by a range of randomized controlled trials. However, it is unclear to date whether therapy-related improvements are maintained over years. Objective. The current study aimed at investigating long-term stability of ILAT treatment effects over circa 1–2 years (8–30 months). Methods. 38 patients with chronic aphasia participated in ILAT and were re-assessed at a follow-up assessment 8–30 months after treatment, which had been delivered 6–12.5 hours per week for 2–4 weeks. Results. A standardized clinical aphasia battery, the Aachen Aphasia Test, revealed significant improvements with ILAT that were maintained for up to 2.5 years. Improvements were relatively better preserved in comparatively young patients (<60 years). Measures of communicative efficacy confirmed improvements during intensive therapy but showed inconsistent long-term stability effects. Conclusions. The present data indicate that gains resulting from intensive speech–language therapy with ILAT are maintained up to 2.5 years after the end of treatment. We discuss this novel finding in light of a possible move from sparse to intensive therapy regimes in clinical practice.
A balanced sensor scheduling for multitarget localization in a distributed multiple-input multiple-output radar network
Authors: Wang Chenggang , Wang Zengfu , Xu Xiong , Hao Yuhang
Published: July 2021

In this article, we consider the problem of optimally selecting a subset of transmitters from a transmitter set available to a multiple-input and multiple-output radar network. The aim is to minimize the location estimation error of underlying targets under a power constraint. We formulate it as a minimum-variance estimation problem and show that the underlying variance reduction function is submodular. From the properties of submodularity, we present a balanced selection policy which minimizes the worst-case error value using a minimax strategy. A greedy algorithm with guaranteed performance with respect to optimal solutions is given to efficiently implement the scheduling policy. The effectiveness and the efficiency of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated in simulated examples.
Rapid Interpretation of Temporal–Spatial Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Operational Data – RITSUD: Aiding UAV Operators With Visualizations of Patterns-of-Life Activities
Authors: Zak Yuval , Tapiro Hagai , Alicia Thomas J. , Parmet Yisrael , Rottem Hovev Michal , Taylor Grant S. , Oron-Gilad Tal
Published: July 2021

To accomplish their missions, the operators of military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) aggregate and process information from multiple sources under time constraints, while experiencing partial sensory deprivation. We aimed to design, develop, and evaluate the need for designated information aids in the form of visualizations of spatial and temporal patterns-of-life for specific operational mission phases. In an evaluation conducted to assess the usefulness of the proposed visualizations, experienced UAV operators from two nations were presented with five scenarios in a narrative format. Each scenario contained one information-aid visualization for a specific mission phase. Participants had to interpret each mission phase and rate the information aid. Results showed that, in general, most operators favored the aids, but their appreciation of specific aids depended on the mission phase. There were also statistically significant differences between the nations. The results emphasize the potential for equipping UAV operators with information aids in the form of visualizations of spatial and temporal patterns-of-life. Moreover, the findings underline the need for more rigorous analyses of operators’ missions, as the need for specific visualizations was shown to vary with mission phase, and some visualizations were found to be more widely useful than others.
How football team composition constrains emergent individual and collective tactical behaviours: Effects of player roles in creating different landscapes for shared affordances in small-sided and conditioned games
Authors: Laakso Timo , Davids Keith , Luhtanen Pekka , Liukkonen Jarmo , Travassos Bruno
Published: July 2021

The aim of the present study was to examine how team composition of players with different roles constrains individual and collective tactical behaviours, and ball possession effectiveness, during competitive 3 vs 3 small-sided and conditioned games (SSCGs) in youth soccer players. Fifteen male players (under 15 yrs, mean age 13.2 ± 1.03 years, mean years of practice: 4.2 ± 1.10 years) from the same club participated in this study. For analysis purposes, on advice from the coaching staff, participants were categorised according to their main team performance role, resulting in sub-samples of 5 defenders (centre-backs = 2 and full- backs = 3), 7 midfielders (central midfielders = 3 and wide midfielders = 4) and 3 attackers (forwards). In order to assess participant tactical behaviours, a notational analysis system was created with four categories: i) team behaviours, ii) individual players’ offensive actions, iii) individual players’ defensive actions, and iv), ball possession effectiveness. Analysis of players’ offensive actions revealed that the team composed only of midfielders revealed a higher frequency of diagonal and vertical passes in relation to the attackers’ team. In offensive individual actions, the attackers’ team revealed more dribbles in relation to the teams of defenders and midfielders. Analysis of ball possession effectiveness revealed that the team of defenders achieved higher values of shots on goal compared to the team of midfielders. These findings exemplified how playing role constrains the emergence of different collective behaviours and individual actions in 3 vs 3 SSCGs.
The Roles of Supervisory Support and Involvement in Influencing Scientists’ Job Satisfaction to Ensure the Achievement of SDGs in Academic Organizations
Authors: Ghasemy Majid , Rosa-Díaz Isabel Maria , Gaskin James Eric
Published: July 2021

Job satisfaction is the focus of this study, given its strategic importance, both to generate differentiation and competitive advantages, and to promote better and more sustainable results in organizations. Guided by the Affective Events Theory (AET), the interest is in analyzing the direct and indirect effects of supervisory support and involvement on job satisfaction and highlighting the implications of the academics’ emotions for sustainability-related policies and practices in academic environments. The context selected is the higher education (HE) sector in Malaysia for science disciplines, due to its socio-economic relevance and its direct link to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4), as well as to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A sample of 579 scientists were selected randomly and the analysis was carried out based on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) methodology. Our results supported the hypotheses postulated in the study and especially highlighted the effects of supervisory support and positive affect on job satisfaction, as well as the effect of interpersonal conflict on negative affect. In terms of implications, policy makers at ministry level are advised to consider introducing directives which promote a climate of emotional safety and trust in academic institutions, to achieve the SDGs more effectively and efficiently. At the university level, and given the relevance of the observed effects, academic leaders are recommended to contemplate improving university environments in some way that reduces levels of negative work events (interpersonal conflict in our case). This is crucial as the negative work events can trigger negative emotions, which in turn cause scientists’ job dissatisfaction.
The autonomy of international organizations? The analysis of major powers’ influence over the World Bank’s aid policies
Authors: Kim Yooneui , Kim Youngwan
Published: July 2021

Are international organizations autonomous actors in global politics? This paper investigates whether and how major powers influence the World Bank’s official development assistance policies. Despite the World Bank’s attempts to maintain independence from its member states, we argue that major powers are still influential. Testing this expectation with the data of official development assistance provisions between 1981 and 2017, we find that the World Bank provides a higher amount of official development assistance to the recipient countries that receive a higher amount of such assistance from the major powers such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Japan. In addition, the World Bank is prone to provide a higher amount of official development assistance to the recipients that have a similar preference to the major powers. This study sheds light on the relations between major powers and international organizations.
Does the target market affect bank performance? Evidence from the geographic diversification of city commercial banks in China
Authors: Li Xiaonan , Song Chang
Published: July 2021

After the opening up of the banking sector to domestic and foreign capitals which is approved by the Chinese government, the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) has permitted city commercial banks to diversify geographically. Since this deregulation in 2006, city commercial banks began to geographically diversify to occupy the market and acquire more financial resources. To examine the causal relationship between geographical diversification and bank performance, we construct an exogenous geographical diversification instrument using the gravity-deregulation model and a policy shock. We find that bank geographical diversification negatively affects bank performance. Moreover, we conduct some mechanism tests in the Chinese context. We find that the target market with several large- and medium-sized banks and a high level of local protectionism in the target market decreases the performance of city commercial banks. Finally, cross-sectional analyses show that the impact of geographical diversification on banks’ performance is more notable among city commercial banks that are younger, and have a lower capital adequacy ratio and a higher non-performing loan ratio.
Development of mass and heat transfer coupled model of hollow fiber membrane for salt recovery from brine via osmotic membrane distillation
Authors: Ahmad Sher , Marson Gabriela Vollet , Rehman Waheed Ur , Younas Mohammad , Farrukh Sarah , Rezakazemi Mashallah
Published: July 2021

Background

In this research work, a coupled heat and mass transfer model was developed for salt recovery from concentrated brine water through an osmotic membrane distillation (OMD) process in a hollow fiber membrane contactor (HFMC).The model was built based on the resistance-in-series concept for water transport across the hydrophobic membrane. The model was adopted to incorporate the effects of polarization layers such as temperature and concentration polarization, as well as viscosity changes during concentration.

Results

The modeling equations were numerically simulated in MATLAB® and were successfully validated with experimental data from literature with a deviation within the range of 1–5%. The model was then applied to study the effects of key process parameters like feed concentrations, osmotic solution concentration, feed, and osmotic solution flow rates and feed temperature on the overall heat and mass transfer coefficient as well as on water transport flux to improve the process efficiency. The mass balance modeling was applied to calculate the membrane area based on the simulated mass transfer coefficient. Finally, a scale-up for the MD process for salt recovery on an industrial scale was proposed.

Conclusions

This study highlights the effect of key parameters for salt recovery from wastewater using the membrane distillation process. Further, the applicability of the OMD process for salt recovery on large scale was investigated. Sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the key parameters. From the results of this study, it is concluded that the OMD process can be promising in salt recovery from wastewater.
The CCCH zinc finger family of soybean (Glycine max L.): genome-wide identification, expression, domestication, GWAS and haplotype analysis
Authors: Hu Xin , Zuo Jianfang
Published: July 2021

Background

The CCCH zinc finger (zf_CCCH) is a unique subfamily featured one or more zinc finger motif(s) comprising of three Cys and one His residues. The zf_CCCH family have been reported involving in various processes of plant development and adaptation.

Results

In this study, the zf_CCCH genes were identified via a genome-wide search and were systematically analyzed. 116 Gmzf_CCCHs were obtained and classified into seventeen subfamilies. Gene duplication and expansion analysis showed that tandem and segmental duplications contributed to the expansion of the Gmzf_CCCH gene family, and that segmental duplication play the main role. The expression patterns of Gmzf_CCCH genes were tissue-specific. Eleven domesticated genes were detected involved in the regulation of seed oil and protein synthesis as well as growth and development of soybean through GWAS and haplotype analysis for Gmzf_CCCH genes among the 164 of 302 soybeans resequencing data. Among which, 8 genes play an important role in the synthesis of seed oil or fatty acid, and the frequency of their elite haplotypes changes significantly among wild, landrace and improved cultivars, indicating that they have been strongly selected in the process of soybean domestication.

Conclusions

This study provides a scientific foundation for the comprehensive understanding, future cloning and functional studies of Gmzf_CCCH genes in soybean, meanwhile, it was also helpful for the improvement of soybean with high oil content.
Mendelian randomization analysis identified genes pleiotropically associated with central corneal thickness
Authors: Yang Zhikun , Yang Jingyun , Liu Di , Yu Weihong
Published: July 2021

Objective

To prioritize genes that were pleiotropically or potentially causally associated with central corneal thickness (CCT).

Methods

We applied the summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) method integrating summarized data of genome-wide association study (GWAS) on CCT and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data to identify genes that were pleiotropically associated with CCT. We performed separate SMR analysis using CAGE eQTL data and GTEx eQTL data. SMR analyses were done for participants of European and East Asian ancestries, separately.

Results

We identified multiple genes showing pleiotropic association with CCT in the participants of European ancestry. CLIC3 (ILMN_1796423; PSMR = 4.15 × 10− 12), PTGDS (ILMN_1664464; PSMR = 6.88 × 10− 9) and C9orf142 (ILMN_1761138; PSMR = 8.09 × 10− 9) were the top three genes using the CAGE eQTL data, and RP11-458F8.4 (ENSG00000273142.1; PSMR = 5.89 × 10− 9), LCNL1 (ENSG00000214402.6; PSMR = 5.67 × 10− 8), and PTGDS (ENSG00000107317.7; PSMR = 1.92 × 10− 7) were the top three genes using the GTEx eQTL data. No genes showed significantly pleiotropic association with CCT in the participants of East Asian ancestry after correction for multiple testing.

Conclusion

We identified several genes pleiotropically associated with CCT, some of which represented novel genes influencing CCT. Our findings provided important leads to a better understanding of the genetic factors influencing CCT, and revealed potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma and keratoconus.
Comparing regression modeling strategies for predicting hometime
Authors: Holodinsky Jessalyn K. , Yu Amy Y. X. , Kapral Moira K. , Austin Peter C.
Published: July 2021

Background

Hometime, the total number of days a person is living in the community (not in a healthcare institution) in a defined period of time after a hospitalization, is a patient-centred outcome metric increasingly used in healthcare research. Hometime exhibits several properties which make its statistical analysis difficult: it has a highly non-normal distribution, excess zeros, and is bounded by both a lower and upper limit. The optimal methodology for the analysis of hometime is currently unknown.

Methods

Using administrative data we identified adult patients diagnosed with stroke between April 1, 2010 and December 31, 2017 in Ontario, Canada. 90-day hometime and clinically relevant covariates were determined through administrative data linkage. Fifteen different statistical and machine learning models were fit to the data using a derivation sample. The models’ predictive accuracy and bias were assessed using an independent validation sample.

Results

Seventy-five thousand four hundred seventy-five patients were identified (divided into a derivation set of 49,402 and a test set of 26,073). In general, the machine learning models had lower root mean square error and mean absolute error than the statistical models. However, some statistical models resulted in lower (or equal) bias than the machine learning models. Most of the machine learning models constrained predicted values between the minimum and maximum observable hometime values but this was not the case for the statistical models. The machine learning models also allowed for the display of complex non-linear interactions between covariates and hometime. No model captured the non-normal bucket shaped hometime distribution.

Conclusions

Overall, no model clearly outperformed the others. However, it was evident that machine learning methods performed better than traditional statistical methods. Among the machine learning methods, generalized boosting machines using the Poisson distribution as well as random forests regression were the best performing. No model was able to capture the bucket shaped hometime distribution and future research on factors which are associated with extreme values of hometime that are not available in administrative data is warranted.
Cannulation technique and complications in arteriovenous fistulas: a Swedish Renal Registry-based cohort study
Authors: Staaf Karin , Fernström Anders , Uhlin Fredrik
Published: July 2021

Background

The four cannulation techniques, rope ladder (RL), area puncture (AP), buttonhole with blunt needles (BHb), and buttonhole with sharp needles (BHs), affects the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in different ways. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between the different cannulation techniques and the occurrence of AVF complications.

Methods

The study was performed as a national registry-based cohort study using data from the Swedish Renal Registry (SRR). Data were collected from January 2014 to October 2019. Seventy of Sweden’s dialysis units participate in the registry. We analyzed a total of 1328 AVFs in this study. The risk of complications was compared between the four different cannulation techniques. The risk of AVF complications was measured by the incidence and incidence rate ratio (IRR). We compared the IRRs of complications between different cannulation techniques.

Results

BHs is the most common cannulation technique in Sweden. It has been used in 55% of the AVFs at some point during their functional patency. BHb (29%), RL (13%), and AP (3%) has been used less. BHb had the lowest risk of complications compared to the other techniques, and a significantly lower risk of stenosis, infiltration, cannulation difficulties, compared to RL and BHs. Cannulation difficulties were significantly more common using AP compared to BHs, and BHb. Infections were not significantly increased using the buttonhole technique.

Conclusions

BHb had the lowest risk of complications. Infections were not significantly increased using the buttonhole technique. Dialysis units with a low infection rate may continue to use the buttonhole technique, as the risk of complications is lower.