bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Off-policy integral reinforcement learning algorithm in dealing with nonzero sum game for nonlinear distributed parameter systems
Authors: Ren He , Dai Jing , Zhang Huaguang , Zhang Kun
Published: July 2020

Benefitting from the technology of integral reinforcement learning, the nonzero sum (NZS) game for distributed parameter systems is effectively solved in this paper when the information of system dynamics are unavailable. The Karhunen-Loève decomposition (KLD) is employed to convert the partial differential equation (PDE) systems into high-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) systems. Moreover, the off-policy IRL technology is introduced to design the optimal strategies for the NZS game. To confirm that the presented algorithm will converge to the optimal value functions, the traditional adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) method is first discussed. Then, the equivalence between the traditional ADP method and the presented off-policy method is proved. For implementing the presented off-policy IRL method, actor and critic neural networks are utilized to approach the value functions and control strategies in the iteration process, individually. Finally, a numerical simulation is shown to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposal off-policy algorithm.
Finite-time H∞ dynamic quantization inputs control for uncertain switched systems
Authors: Zhang Liangda , Wu Baowei , Liu Lili
Published: July 2020

This paper investigates the problem of finite-time stability and finite-time [Formula: see text] stabilization for switched systems with parametric uncertainties and nonlinear disturbances satisfying Lipschitz condition. The dynamic quantization inputs feedback control technology is proposed to utilize quantized input measurements which can significantly reduce the communication burden. Sufficient conditions in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMIs) are presented through applying Lyapunov function method and average dwell approach to ensure the finite-time stability of the switched system. By analysing the feasibility of LMIs’ solution, the feedback gain matrix and the dynamic quantization parameter are obtained. In addition, more constraints are proposed to ensure the finite-time stabilization with a prescribed [Formula: see text] performance index with respect to nonlinear disturbances, and the Lipschitz constant matrix of Lipschitz condition is not required to be known in advance. Finally, with the application to the proposed control of a numerical example and a two-stage chemical reactor system, the validity of the conclusion is verified.
Event-triggered finite-time consensus for stochastic multi-agent systems
Authors: Yang Zichao , Zheng Shiqi , Liang Bingyun , Xie Yuanlong
Published: July 2020

This paper studies a consensus problem for a kind of stochastic multi-agent systems (SMAS). First, a reduced-order observer is designed to estimate unknown states in SMASs. Second, an event-triggered adaptive output feedback control method is presented. It can reduce the controller updates and communication burden. Moreover, the radial basis function neural networks are applied to approximate the unknown functions in systems. Finally, it is demonstrated that the proposed control scheme can achieve finite-time practical consensus for SMASs. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.
Transfer function identification of a liquid flow-line pressure control system from simple relay auto-tuning
Authors: Ghorai Prasenjit , Majhi Somanath , Kasi Venkata Ramana , Pandey Saurabh
Published: July 2020

Accurate modeling of liquid flow systems is necessary for the effective operation of the plant under different conditions. The plant dynamics may change with time, and due to this, the operation may not be satisfactory. In this article, relay autotuning of a liquid flow-line is proposed. Well-known describing function approximation is utilized for the estimation of gain of relay used in a feedback loop to excite the plant to be identified. The expressions are derived for the identification of a class of overdamped second-order plus dead-time and first-order plus dead-time plant dynamics. The identification method tested on different standard systems shows that the proposed method has good identification accuracy. Therefore, the proposed identification method is applied to a liquid flow line pressure control system. The experimental results show that an accurate dynamic model is extracted using the proposed method with a minimal set of data from an obtained limit cycle oscillation. The measured quantities of the limit cycle are utilized in the derived explicit expressions for the identification of unknown variables of the dynamic plant model. A distributed process control system is utilized here as a standard industrial platform to design virtual relay and conduct the proposed autotuning. The efficiency of the modeling method is demonstrated through the comparison of Nyquist and relay response plots with the transfer functions obtained from the MATLAB system identification toolbox.
Food insecurity among public administration graduate students
Authors: Mallinson Daniel J
Published: July 2020

Food insecurity is a pressing concern for students in higher education. Much of the conversation surrounding this problem, however, focuses on undergraduate students. But some research finds the problem extends to graduate students. This study asks the question of how food insecurity may be affecting graduate students in public administration. A pilot study in a Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration-accredited program reveals that almost one quarter of respondents are food insecure. This includes one in five students who are completing their degrees online. The survey also found an important divergence between the types of programs food-insecure students are willing to use and those to which food-secure students are willing to contribute. Given the effects of food insecurity on academic success and degree completion, this study has important implications for public administration programs.
The Implications of Providing Grandchild Care for Grandparents’ Marital Quality
Authors: Wang Shuangshuang , Mutchler Jan E.
Published: July 2020

This study distinguished among types of grandchild care (i.e., co-residence, high and low levels of babysitting, and no care), and examined their associations with grandparents’ marital quality. The sample consisted of 7,267 married grandparents aged 40 years and over from the 2008, 2010, and 2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Providing grandchild care generally undermined grandparents’ marital quality; however, different types of grandchild care affected different aspects of marital quality. The negative effects of providing grandchild care were more pronounced among grandmothers than grandfathers. Grandmothers providing high-level babysitting care were at especially higher risk of experiencing marital strain among the caregiver groups. Findings suggest that providing grandchild care appears to be more of a stressor than a source of reward with respect to shaping grandparents’ marital quality. Sensitivity to such impact on marital quality may be usefully incorporated into developing supports and services meant for grandparent caregivers.
Tactile perception by mouth: Perceiving properties of objects when vision is impaired
Authors: Urqueta Alfaro Andrea , Walker Laura , Lee Chris , Lei Daisy
Published: July 2020

The lips and tongue demonstrate similar or greater spatial acuity than the fingertips. Indeed, infants use the mouth to perceive properties of objects such as hardness, texture, and shape. In normal development, it is assumed that mouthing decreases in favour of increasingly advanced hand exploration patterns. However, anecdotal reports suggest that mouthing continues to serve a perceptual function when a person’s vision is abnormal. This study explored blind or visually impaired (BVI) adults’ self-reported use of mouthing to perceive properties of objects. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 BVI adults with visual acuities ranging from no light perception to 20/40. Data were analysed using content analysis to identify specific properties perceived by the mouth. Despite social norms that discourage mouthing, some BVI adults use oral tactile perception of texture, shape, temperature, and taste to better characterize objects. These findings suggest that compensatory behaviours using the mouth can support the rehabilitation of individuals with abnormal vision.
Financing entrepreneurship in times of crisis: Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the market for entrepreneurial finance in the United Kingdom
Authors: Brown Ross , Rocha Augusto , Cowling Marc
Published: July 2020

This commentary explores the manner in which the current COVID-19 crisis is affecting key sources of entrepreneurial finance in the United Kingdom. We posit that the unique relational nature of entrepreneurial finance may make it highly susceptible to such a shock owing to the need for face-to-face interaction between investors and entrepreneurs. The article explores this conjecture by scrutinising a real-time data source of equity investments. Our findings suggest that the volume of new equity transactions in the United Kingdom has declined markedly since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It appears that seed finance is the main type of entrepreneurial finance most acutely affected by the crisis, which typically goes to the most nascent entrepreneurial start-ups facing the greatest obstacles obtaining finance. Policy makers can utilise these real-time data sources to help inform their strategic policy interventions to assist the firms most affected by crisis events.
Turtles all the way down: Micro-cues and piecemeal transfer in L3 phonology and syntax
Authors: Archibald John
Published: July 2020

There are several theories which tackle predicting the source of third language (L3) crosslinguistic influence. The two orthogonal questions that arise are which language is most likely to influence the L3 and whether the influence will be wholesale or piecemeal (property-by-property). To my mind, Westergaard’s Linguistic Proximity Model (LPM) is preferable to other theoretical models (say Rothman’s Typological Primacy Model) insofar as it is consistent with many aspects of L2/L3 phonological learnability that I am familiar with. Westergaard proposes a structure-based piecemeal approach to the explanation of third language acquisition (L3A). The model is driven by parsing and dictates that the first language (L1) or second language (L2) structure which is hypothesized to be most similar to the L3 structure will be the one to transfer.
Digital Workflow for CBCT-Guided Customized Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (3D Digital MARPE): A Clinical Innovation
Authors: Thakkar Digant , Ghosh Abhisek , Keshwani Tanisha
Published: July 2020

Miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) has added a new dimension to the world of orthodontics with its use in skeletal expansion of transverse problems in adult population. However, there are few limitations noted with the use of prefabricated MARPE designs such as adaptation to the palate or minscrew fit in cases of high arched palate, which compromises with the anchorage and final outcome. The aim of this article is to use digital workflow to 3d print a MARPE with the aid of cone beam computed tomography, which would overcome the deficiencies of a prefabricated MARPE design and would provide greater rigidity and anchorage value, and predictable skeletal expansion.
Long-term Outcomes and Survivorship of Fresh-Frozen Meniscal Allograft Transplant With Soft Tissue Fixation: Minimum 10-Year Follow-up Study
Authors: Grassi Alberto , Macchiarola Luca , Lucidi Gian Andrea , Coco Vito , Romandini Iacopo , Filardo Giuseppe , Neri Maria Pia , Marcacci Maurilio , Zaffagnini Stefano
Published: July 2020

Background:

Meniscal allograft transplant (MAT) is considered an effective procedure for reducing pain and improving knee function. Nevertheless, the current knowledge regarding the results of MAT is limited to short- to mid-term follow-up studies, especially for arthroscopic techniques.

Purpose:

To evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes, reoperations, and failures with a minimum follow-up of 10 years after fresh-frozen MAT performed arthroscopically with soft tissue fixation.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A total of 46 patients (age, 36.6 ± 10.6 years; 36 male, 10 female) who underwent medial MAT (n = 27) or lateral MAT (n = 19) with a minimum 10-year follow-up were evaluated with the Lysholm score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), visual analog scale for pain, and Tegner score. Surgical failure was defined as the need for partial or total graft removal (meniscectomy or knee replacement), and clinical failure was defined as the need for partial or total graft removal in addition to a poor Lysholm score (<65 points) at final follow-up. Survival analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier curve, and clinical scores were analyzed based on the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) for MAT.

Results:

10-year survival and clinical data were available for 38 patients. Because 6 meniscectomies were required, the rate of survival free from surgical failure was 91% at 5 years and 86% at 10 years. Lower survival was reported in lateral MAT (73%) compared with medial MAT (96%). Because a further 4 patients had poor Lysholm scores, the rate of survival free from surgical and clinical failure was 87% at 5 years and 70% at 10 years. The average Lysholm score at final follow-up was 82 ± 20, and 60% to 82% of patients achieved PASS of the various KOOS subscales. The Tegner score and the KOOS Sport score significantly decreased from mid-term to long-term evaluation ( P < .001 and P < .05, respectively). Other KOOS subscales and the Lysholm score remained stable at long-term evaluation. No significant differences were found between isolated MAT or combined MAT regarding subjective scores, surgical failures, or clinical failures.

Conclusion:

Up to 10 years after surgery, 86% of fresh-frozen MATs with soft tissue fixation were still in situ, and satisfactory clinical results were present for about 70% of patients. Decline of clinical outcomes from midterm to long term was noted only in sports-related scores. A higher number of overall reoperations was noted in female patients, whereas a higher risk of failure was present in the patients with lateral MAT.
Utility of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Preserve Quadriceps Muscle Fiber Size and Contractility After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries and Reconstruction: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Blinded Trial
Authors: Toth Michael J. , Tourville Timothy W. , Voigt Thomas B. , Choquette Rebecca H. , Anair Bradley M. , Falcone Michael J. , Failla Mathew J. , Stevens-Lapslaey Jennifer E. , Endres Nathan K. , Slauterbeck James R. , Beynnon Bruce D.
Published: July 2020

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and reconstruction (ACLR) promote quadriceps muscle atrophy and weakness that can persist for years, suggesting the need for more effective rehabilitation programs. Whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can be used to prevent maladaptations in skeletal muscle size and function is unclear.

Purpose:

To examine whether early NMES use, started soon after an injury and maintained through 3 weeks after surgery, can preserve quadriceps muscle size and contractile function at the cellular (ie, fiber) level in the injured versus noninjured leg of patients undergoing ACLR.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods:

Patients (n = 25; 12 men/13 women) with an acute, first-time ACL rupture were randomized to NMES (5 d/wk) or sham (simulated microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation; 5 d/wk) treatment to the quadriceps muscles of their injured leg. Bilateral biopsies of the vastus lateralis were performed 3 weeks after surgery to measure skeletal muscle fiber size and contractility. Quadriceps muscle size and strength were assessed 6 months after surgery.

Results:

A total of 21 patients (9 men/12 women) completed the trial. ACLR reduced single muscle fiber size and contractility across all fiber types ( P < .01 to P < .001) in the injured compared with noninjured leg 3 weeks after surgery. NMES reduced muscle fiber atrophy ( P < .01) through effects on fast-twitch myosin heavy chain (MHC) II fibers ( P < .01 to P < .001). NMES preserved contractility in slow-twitch MHC I fibers ( P < .01 to P < .001), increasing maximal contractile velocity ( P < .01) and preserving power output ( P < .01), but not in MHC II fibers. Differences in whole muscle strength between groups were not discerned 6 months after surgery.

Conclusion:

Early NMES use reduced skeletal muscle fiber atrophy in MHC II fibers and preserved contractility in MHC I fibers. These results provide seminal, cellular-level data demonstrating the utility of the early use of NMES to beneficially modify skeletal muscle maladaptations to ACLR.

Clinical Relevance:

Our results provide the first comprehensive, cellular-level evidence to show that the early use of NMES mitigates early skeletal muscle maladaptations to ACLR.

Registration:

NCT02945553 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier)
Preoperative Medial Meniscal Extrusion Is Associated With Patient-Reported Outcomes After Medial Opening Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy
Authors: Kim Man Soo , Koh In Jun , Kim Chul Kyu , Choi Keun Young , Kang Ki Ho , In Yong
Published: July 2020

Background:

Although the medial compartment continues to sustain some loading after medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) in varus-deformed knees, no studies have examined the relationship between medial meniscal extrusion (MME) and patient-reported outcome measures after MOWHTO.

Purpose:

To examine whether compartmental baseline MME was associated with patient-reported outcome measures after MOWHTO.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

This retrospective study was composed of 149 MOWHTOs in 147 patients with clinical and radiological assessments. Patients were grouped according to severity of MME in the medial compartment at the time of surgery. MME was categorized into 4 groups according to MOAKS (MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] Osteoarthritis Knee Score) criteria and relative value of MME. We compared preoperative characteristics, including Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading scale, meniscal tear pattern, and postoperative Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) subscores. Associations between extent of MME and WOMAC subscores at postoperative 1 and 2 years were assessed with generalized linear models.

Results:

Pattern of meniscal tear ( P < .05) and KL grade ( P < .05) were associated with MME. Patients with KL grades 3 and 4 at the time of surgery had significantly greater MME than those with KL grade 2 ( P < .05). When patients were divided into 4 groups according to MOAKS criteria at the time of surgery, there were significant differences in WOMAC pain scores among groups at 1 and 2 years after the operation (all P < .05). The WOMAC function score also differed among groups at postoperative 1 year ( P < .05) but not postoperative 2 years ( P > .05). When patients were divided into 4 groups according to relative MME at the time surgery, the WOMAC pain score differed significantly among groups at postoperative 1 and 2 years (all P < .05). Analysis of WOMAC pain score as the dependent variable in multivariate analyses revealed that severity of absolute and relative MME and KL grade were independent predictors of worse WOMAC pain score at postoperative 1 and 2 years (all P < .05).

Conclusion:

Greater preoperative MME at the time of surgery was associated with inferior patient-reported outcomes, especially pain, in patients with MOWHTO at 1 and 2 years after surgery.
Investigation and evaluation of neem leaves extract as a green inhibitor for corrosion behavior of mild steel: An experimental study
Authors: Abro Irfan A , Abro Muhammad I , Assad Mamdouh EH , Rahimi-Gorji Mohammad , Hoang Nguyen M
Published: July 2020

It is a well-established fact that corrosion of mild steels occurs in pipelines, storage tanks, oil reservoirs, boilers, and petrochemicals industries. Green inhibitors are economical, non-toxic and eco-friendly, and forming barrier type layer of organic compounds over metallic materials. In this paper, weight loss, electrochemical measurements containing potential measurements, potentiodynamic polarization and impedance spectroscopy were applied to inspect the neem leaves extract inhibition efficiency and corrosion phenomenon under three conditions (X1, X2 and X3) in 1.0 M HCl medium. The characterization technique including scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy was conducted to scrutinize the elemental analysis, corrosive pitting and morphology of corrosion products of mild steel immersed in 1.0 M HCl medium with and without neem leaves extract concentration. The corrosion inhibition efficiency of neem leaves extract increased with increasing concentration and conditioning time. By increasing the conditioning time from 0.08 h to 72 h, the corrosion inhibition efficiency of neem leaves extract was increased from 75% to 97%. The neem leaves extract corrosion inhibitor works quite effectively only for 24 h, thereafter its efficiency drastically decreases. For 24 h, neem leaves extract prevented 80–90% corrosion attack but when steel immersion time was increased to 48 h and 72 h, its efficiency decreased from 83% to 65% and 52% to 42%, respectively.
An investigation on methods for axis detection of high-density generic axially symmetric mechanical surfaces for automatic geometric inspection
Authors: Guardiani E , Morabito A
Published: July 2020

The detection of the symmetry axis from discrete axially symmetric surfaces is an interesting topic, which is transversal to various fields: from geometric inspection to reverse engineering, archeology, etc. In the literature, several approaches have been proposed for estimating the axis from high-density triangular models of surfaces acquired by three-dimensional (3D) scanning. The axis evaluation from discrete models is, in fact, a very complex task to accomplish, due to several factors that inevitably influence the quality of the estimation and the accuracy of the measurements and evaluations depending on it. The underlying principle of each one of these approaches takes advantage of a specific property of axially symmetric surfaces. No investigations, however, have been carried out so far in order to support in the selection of the most suitable algorithms for applications aimed at automatic geometric inspection. In this regard, ISO standards currently do not provide indications on how to perform the axis detection in the case of generic axially symmetric surfaces, limiting themselves to addressing the issue only in the case of cylindrical or conical surfaces. This paper first provides an overview of the approaches that can be used for geometric inspection purposes; then, it applies them to various case studies involving one or more generic axially symmetric surfaces, functionally important and for which the axis must be detected since necessary for geometric inspection. The aim is to compare, therefore, the performances of the various methodologies by trying to highlight the circumstances in which these ones may fail. Since this investigation requires a reference (i.e. the knowledge of the true axis), the methodologies have been applied to discrete models suitably extracted from CAD surfaces.
Remarks on energy harvesting of nonlinear charge and voltage piezoelectric models in a two-degrees-of-freedom nonlinear portal frame model
Authors: Rocha Rodrigo T , Tusset Angelo M , Ribeiro Mauricio A , Lenz Wagner B , Balthazar Jose M
Published: July 2020

In this paper, a piezoelectric energy harvesting application on a portal frame of two-degrees-of-freedom considering a quadratic coupling between the coordinates with two-to-one internal resonance is considered. The piezoelectric material is considered as a linear device using a voltage and a charge mathematical model. The equations of motion of the system were obtained by applying the energy method of Lagrange, and the method of multiple scales is applied to find an analytical approximated solution of the equations of motion. Numerical results showed that the voltage model and a charge model have good agreement in relation to the behavior and amplitudes of displacement of the system.
Anakinra in the treatment of protracted paradoxical inflammatory reactions in HIV-associated tuberculosis in the United Kingdom: a report of two cases
Authors: Keeley Alexander J , Parkash Vivak , Tunbridge Anne , Greig Julia , Collini Paul , McKane William , Tattersall Rachel S
Published: July 2020

Paradoxical reactions, including immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), are common in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB). Paradoxical reactions may confer substantial morbidity and mortality, especially in cases of central nervous system (CNS) TB, or through protracted usage of corticosteroids. No high-quality evidence is available to guide management in this scenario. Interleukin-1-mediated inflammation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of TB–IRIS. We describe two cases where anakinra (human recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) was used as steroid-sparing therapy for life-threatening protracted paradoxical inflammation in HIV-associated TB. In the first case of disseminated TB with lymphadenitis, protracted TB–IRIS led to amyloid A amyloidosis and nephrotic syndrome. In the second case of disseminated TB with cerebral tuberculomata, paradoxical inflammation caused unstable tuberculomata leading to profound neuro-disability. In both cases, paradoxical inflammation persisted for over a year. Protracted high-dose corticosteroid use led to adverse events yet failed to control inflammatory pathology. In both patients, anakinra successfully controlled paradoxical inflammation and facilitated withdrawal of corticosteroid therapy. Following anakinra therapy, nephrotic syndrome and neuro-disability resolved, respectively. Anakinra therapy for protracted paradoxical inflammation in HIV-associated TB may be a viable therapeutic option and warrants further research.
Confidence in Context: Perceived Accuracy of Quantitative Estimates Decreases With Repeated Trials
Authors: Minson Julia A. , Umphres Christopher
Published: July 2020

Across seven studies (combined N = 5,484), we demonstrated that confidence in one’s judgments decreases over a series of quantitative estimates. This finding was robust to various methods of confidence elicitation, the presence of incentives, and different estimation topics (Studies 1, 2, and 4). Our results also stand in contrast to participant expectations (Study 3). The phenomenon does not appear to be driven by fatigue, lack of effort, or various explanations based on incorporating uncertainty from prior judgments into subsequent ones. Our findings suggest that rather than evaluating confidence in isolation, participants evaluate confidence in reference to their stated confidence on earlier judgments. We theorize that confidence in earlier judgments increases in hindsight because of biased forgetting of disconfirming evidence. As a result, confidence in subsequent judgments appears to be comparatively lower (preregistered Studies 5–7). We discuss the implications for confidence research and consumer, organizational, and policy decision-making.
Young Adults Make Rational Sexual Decisions
Authors: Hatz Laura E. , Park Sanghyuk , McCarty Kayleigh N. , McCarthy Denis M. , Davis-Stober Clintin P.
Published: July 2020

We examined risky sexual choice under the lens of rational decision-making. Participants ( N = 257) completed a novel sexual-choice task in which they selected from among hypothetical sexual partners varying in physical attractiveness and in the probability that one would contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI) from a one-time sexual encounter with them. We found that nearly all participants evaluated the sexual-choice alternatives in a coherent fashion consistent with utility-based theories of rational choice. In subsequent analyses, we classified participants’ responses according to whether their sexual preferences were based on maximizing attractiveness or minimizing the risk of STIs. Finally, we established an association between sexual choice in our task and reported real-world sexual risk-taking.
Greenhouse gas emissions reduction by process intensification: Reactive distillation column with side decanter
Authors: Plesu Popescu Alexandra-Elena , Bonet Jordi , Llorens Joan
Published: July 2020

Direct hydration of cyclohexene to produce cyclohexanol is the industrial process with a lower raw material cost but with a quite expensive process. Large energy consumption is consequence of large cyclohexene recycle related with its unfavourable chemical equilibrium. This study corroborates that the Asahi process is a good candidate for intensification avoiding the cyclohexene recycle. Rigorous simulation shows that a single reactive distillation column, with a side decanter, operated at total reflux, allows overcoming the chemical equilibrium limitations as the product is continuously collected by the column bottoms and the heat of reaction is directly used to separate the product by distillation. The novel process is studied and compared to the classical Asahi process. An energy comparison with the available processes proposed in the literature is performed. Therefore, achieving more energy-efficient processes leads to lowering their environmental impact, thus decreasing the carbon dioxide emissions. Applying the proposed methodology for cyclohexanol production, more than 67,000 t CO2/y emissions can be avoided compared to the nowadays used classical process, thus the potential savings applying process intensification to the chemical industry are very large and worth further investigation.
Two kinds of theory: What psychology can learn from Einstein
Authors: McGann Marek , Speelman Craig P.
Published: July 2020

A century ago, Einstein distinguished between two kinds of theory—theories of principle and constructive theories. These have separate but complementary roles to play in the advancement of knowledge, in the manner in which they relate to data and in how they are developed. The different kinds of theory carry implications for what kinds of data we produce and for how they are put to use. We outline Einstein’s distinction and the model of theory formation that it involves. We then use the distinction to look at some of the discussion of scientific practice in psychology, particularly recent work on the need for more theoretical, rather than purely methodological, sophistication. We argue in agreement with Einstein that the distinction is a useful one and that adopting it as a tenet of theoretical development requires a renewed commitment to a natural history of psychology.
Cognitive Ability in Everyday Life: The Utility of Open-Source Measures
Authors: Revelle William , Dworak Elizabeth M. , Condon David
Published: July 2020

The measurement of individual differences in cognitive ability has a long and important history in psychology, but it has been impeded by the proprietary nature of most assessment measures. With the development of validated open-source measures of ability (collected in the International Cognitive Ability Resource, or ICAR, available at ICAR-project.com ), it is now possible for many researchers to assess ability in large surveys or small, lab-based studies without the expenses associated with proprietary measures. We review the history of ability measurement and discuss how the growing set of items included in ICAR allows ability assessments to be more generally available to all researchers.
Classification of fish species from different ecosystems using the near infrared diffuse reflectance spectra of otoliths
Authors: Benson Irina M , Barnett Beverly K , Helser Thomas E
Published: July 2020

Applications of Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy in fisheries science are currently limited. This current analysis of otolith spectral data demonstrate the potential applicability of FT-NIR spectroscopy to otolith chemistry and spatial variability in fisheries science. The objective of this study was to examine the use of NIR spectroscopy as a tool to differentiate among marine fishes in four large marine ecosystems. We examined otoliths from 13 different species, with three of these species coming from different regions. Principal component analysis described the main directions along which the specimens were separated. The separation of species and their ecosystems may suggest interactions between fish phylogeny, ontogeny, and environmental conditions that can be evaluated using NIR spectroscopy. In order to discriminate spectra across ecosystems and species, four supervised classification model techniques were utilized: soft independent modelling of class analogies, support vector machine discriminant analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis, and k-nearest neighbor analysis (KNN). This study showed that the best performing model to classify combined ecosystems, all four ecosystems, and species was the KNN model, which had an overall accuracy rate of 99.9%, 97.6%, and 91.5%, respectively. Results from this study suggest that further investigations are needed to determine applications of NIR spectroscopy to otolith chemistry and spatial variability.
Bandwidth enhancement in damping control for piezoelectric nanopositioning stages with load uncertainty: Design and implementation
Authors: Ling Jie , Feng Zhao , Kang Xi , Xiao Xiaohui
Published: July 2020

High bandwidth and fast tracking of desired trajectories are eagerly required in various applications that use piezoelectric nanopositioning stages, especially in atomic force microscopes where the vibration stemming from lightly damped modes of stages is a challenging control problem. In this study, a bandwidth-enhanced positive acceleration, velocity, and position feedback damping controller is presented to achieve the tracking bandwidth exceeding the first resonant frequency through using a novel pole-shift method. The stability of the positive feedback damped loop is examined by a mixed passivity, small-gain approach, and Nyquist theorem framework. Also, in conjunction with a proportional–integral tracking controller, robust stability is addressed for load uncertainties. Experimental application to a piezoelectric nanopositioning stage demonstrates that a closed-loop bandwidth of 282.5 Hz is achieved, which exceeds the dominating resonance of the stage at 210 Hz. The achieved bandwidth is 1.35 times larger than the dominating resonance, which is a competitive result among most existing damping control approaches. Comparative tracking results verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme on the suppression of low-frequency hysteresis and tracking performance of high-speed triangular waves under load variations.
Inquiry as Divination
Authors: MacLure Maggie
Published: July 2020

The article proposes divination as a speculative method for inquiry, drawing primarily on the work of Deleuze. Divinatory practices would be diagrammatic, ambulant, cryptic, affirmative, and experimental. They would look for strange relations between the one and the many, in the shifting totality of the cosmos, and entertain relations that are always to some extent inhuman. The article offers an example from an ethnographic study of classroom interaction. It suggests that divination has the power to import “catastrophe” into the frameworks and methods of research, in the hope of clearing a space for creativity and unforeseen outcomes.
Asset Maintenance Practices and Challenges in U.S. Counties
Authors: Kim Jiseul , Ebdon Carol
Published: July 2020

This study explores capital asset maintenance practices and challenges in U.S. counties, which have been understudied in previous public administration research. We also compare the current practices with those found in the 2001 Government Performance Project (GPP) analysis. Interviews with 20 officials in 12 counties revealed six themes. Four of these are concerned with maintenance challenges: the economic environment, politics, human resources, and information systems. The other two themes relate to efforts that have been made by these counties to enhance maintenance through cost management and additional funding. Overall, we found that asset maintenance in these counties was negatively affected by the Great Recession, and that there is still a substantial level of unfunded maintenance, which is only slightly better than what was reported in the GPP, despite a recent focus on improvements.
The Why and How of the Integrative Review
Authors: Cronin Matthew A. , George Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

An effective integrative review can provide important insight into the current state of research on a topic and can recommend future research directions. This article discusses different types of reviews and outlines an approach to writing an integrative review. It includes guidance regarding challenges encountered when composing integrative reviews, such as fair representation of different perspectives and synthesizing that knowledge to yield new insights. An integrative review is of unique value among other types of knowledge-synthesis vehicles, such as narrative or systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Because each has distinctive but important approaches to synthesizing empirical knowledge, our protocol for writing integrative reviews is designed to complement these other knowledge-synthesis vehicles to best advance organization science.
Lubrication mechanisms of hexagonal boron nitride nano-additives water-based lubricant for steel–steel contact
Authors: Bin Abdollah Mohd Fadzli , Amiruddin Hilmi , Alif Azmi Muhammad , Mat Tahir Noor Ayuma
Published: July 2020

This study intends to explore the lubrication mechanism of hexagonal boron nitride nano-additive. Synergistic analysis comprising worn surface observation, surface wettability testing, and the Stribeck curve principle is used to test this water-based lubricant on steel–steel contact. Distilled water and 0.1–5.0 vol.% hexagonal boron nitride nano-additive is used to prepare a mixture using sonification technique. A viscometer is employed to determine the viscosity of the nanolubricant. A four-ball tribometer is employed to determine the tribological characteristics and lubrication performance. Hamrock and Dowson equations are used to determine the minimum film thickness needed for lubrication. Surface morphology characteristics are inspected using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, surface tension meter, and profilometer. The efficacy of the lubricant as friction and wear-reduction additive is determined to have a mixed lubrication regime with the optimum concentration of 1.0 vol.% hexagonal boron nitride. Protecting film, mending effect, rolling effect, and polishing effect have been recommended as the lubrication mechanisms. Increasing the addition of hexagonal boron nitride additives may lead to a change in the lubrication regime from mixed to hydrodynamic, where agglomeration is observed in the nanoparticles, and an increase in friction is observed.
Examining the role of the learner and the teacher in language learning motivation
Authors: Hennebry-Leung Mairin , Xiao Hu Amy
Published: July 2020

Effective teaching practice requires that teachers know their students not as ‘faceless average learners’, but as individuals. The most individual of learner characteristics is personality, and yet language education research has made little progress in understanding the role of personality. As the field of language learning motivation seeks to develop frameworks for motivational teaching practice, a richer understanding of learners’ individuality is crucial in shaping practices that respond to learners’ needs. The present study examines the role of learners’ personality and teachers’ practice in shaping motivation and self-efficacy in language learning. Drawing on data gathered from 277 learners of English in Hong Kong, aged 11–14 years, and 24 lesson observations, across 10 classes, the study applies hierarchical multiple regression analysis to reveal a significant role of personality and teachers’ motivational practice in predicting language learning motivation and self-efficacy. Results reveal that while personality variables demonstrated large effect sizes for motivational orientations, teacher practice variables evidenced large effect sizes for language learning self-efficacy. Implications are discussed for theorization of language learning motivation and for teaching practice, with a particular emphasis on language teacher education.
Location in location-less environments: The role of geospatial concordance in online information evaluation
Authors: Flanagin Andrew J , McKenzie Grant , Abeyta Audrey
Published: July 2020

In spite of the capacity for the Internet to connect people and information irrespective of geography, physical location may paradoxically provide influential indicators of the perceived expertise of strangers and the credibility of the information they provide that may in turn guide people’s behaviors. To address this, this study examined the novel concept of geospatial concordance or the degree to which entities implicated in the sharing of aggregated opinions in online information pools are physically close to each other in geographic space. Predictions were tested in the context of user-generated online reviews using stimuli reflecting various types of geospatial concordance: between information consumers and online reviewers, between reviewed venues and their reviewers, and between consumers and reviewed venues. Findings support geographic perspectives emphasizing space as a mental construction imbued with particular meaning and confirm psychological views that people mentally construe places at different levels of abstraction, depending on their psychological, and physical, distance from them.
Outbreak news production as a site of tension: Journalists’ news-making of global infectious disease
Authors: Kim Youngrim
Published: July 2020

News media play a crucial role during infectious disease outbreaks because they shape people’s understanding of not only the disease itself but also the meaning of living in a ‘risk society’, which is imagined as newly and inherently insecure due to the transnational nature of global crises. As a result, studies on media narratives of infectious diseases have explored the issues of territoriality and national security by examining the discursive themes that undergird outbreak news. However, less is known about how these narratives are constructed through professional practice and the experience of those who create news. How journalists balance the interests of their local audience with the interconnected, interdependent aspects of these global events is the central question of this article. Interviewing journalists from the US, the UK, and South Korea who have reported on recent infectious disease outbreaks, I analyzed the news production of global outbreaks by examining the inner struggles, negotiations, and external forces that shape outbreak news. The findings suggest that journalistic practice in the context of global health crises is structured by tensions and contradictions: journalists conceptualize infectious diseases both as ‘foreign’ threats and ‘shared’ problems, try to find a balance between different value systems of newsworthiness such as cultural proximity and global outlook, and simultaneously internalize and resist the existing conventions of the ‘outbreak narrative’.
Exploring cultural criminology: The police world in fiction
Authors: Selmini Rossella
Published: July 2020

In my 2017 presidential address to the European Society of Criminology (ESC) in Cardiff, I explored the representation of the police and police work in contemporary European novels, and compared and contrasted how the police and policing are dealt with in popular fiction and in the relevant scholarly literature. I selected unusually literate works that provide insights into policing in diverse countries and cultures, in which the main characters are middle-aged male policemen who share some characteristics: cynical but idealistic, empathetic rather than taciturn, restrained not aggressive, resistant to authority but dedicated to their mission. My main arguments are that contemporary fiction depicts police work with a greater verisimilitude than occurred in the past and in ways that parallel scholarly work on police culture. Police scholars’ assumptions about differences between real police work and fictional accounts are challenged, particularly when we look at how the police do their work and live their lives rather than at the types of crime they deal with. These characterizations of European police work and culture may particularly address and appeal to a specific sector of readers, a liberal and progressive public, and interrogate whether and how this kind of representation relates to contemporary theoretical models of procedural justice. Distinctively European models of police and policing emerge, despite some national peculiarities.
Transformative Learning and Well-Being for Emerging Adults in Higher Education
Authors: Sherman Glen L.
Published: July 2020

The concept of well-being has emerged over the past several years in a significant way in higher education across North America, posing the question of what well-being means in relation to transformative education. The meaning and implications of relating well-being and transformative learning for emerging adults, college and university students aged 18–25, are articulated. Critical thinking, typically cited as the ideal mental activity aimed for in higher education, is explored in relation to mindfulness as a complementary form of mental activity and in both their connections to contemplative education. This unites these sometimes disparate activities many educators see as essential functions for student success, suggests a more holistic conception of student well-being, and promotes transformative education through a process of self-clarification for students in the midst of emerging adulthood.
Decision fusion for composite hypothesis testing in wireless sensor networks over a shared and noisy collision channel
Authors: Laitrakun Seksan
Published: July 2020

We consider the composite hypothesis testing problem of time-bandwidth-constrained distributed detection. In this scenario, the probability distribution of the observed signal when the event of interest is happening is unknown. In addition, local decisions are censored and only those uncensored local decisions will be sent to the fusion center over a shared and noisy collision channel. The fusion center also has a limited time duration to collect transmitted decisions and make a final decision. Two types of medium access control that the sensor nodes apply to send their decisions are investigated: time division multiple access and slotted-Aloha. Unlike using the time division multiple access protocol, the slotted-Aloha-based distributed detection will experience packet collisions. However, in this article, since only uncensored decisions are sent, packet collisions are informative. We derive fusion rules according to generalized likelihood ratio test, Rao test, and Wald test for both the time division multiple access–based distributed detection and the slotted-Aloha-based distributed detection. We see that the fusion rules for the slotted-Aloha-based distributed detection here also exploit packet collisions in the final decision-making. In addition, the asymptotic performances and energy consumption of both schemes are analyzed. Extensive simulation and numerical results are provided to compare the performances of these two schemes. We show that, for a given time delay, the slotted-Aloha-based distributed detection can outperform the time division multiple access–based distributed detection by increasing the number of sensor nodes which results in higher energy consumption.