bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating the minimal clinically important difference for the Physical Component Summary of the Short Form 36 for patients with stroke
Authors: Fu Vivian , Weatherall Mark , McNaughton Harry
Published: December 2021

Objective

To determine the Physical Component Summary (PCS) score's minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on the Short Form 36 (SF-36) for people with stroke.

Methods

We conducted secondary analysis of data from a large randomized controlled trial (N = 400) in the post-hospital discharge phase of stroke rehabilitation with outcome measurement 6 and 12 months following stroke. Three methods were used for estimating the MCID: two anchor and one distribution. Method 1 compared SF-36 PCS scores at 12 months for responses to the SF-36’s Perceived Health Change (PHC) question. Method 2 compared the change in PCS score between 6 and 12 months for responses to the PHC question. Method 3 used Cohen’s method to estimate the MCID from the PCS score distribution.

Results

Method 1: the mean PCS score increased by 3.0 units (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2–3.9) for each unit change in the PHC question. Method 2: the mean change in PCS score increased by 2.1 units (95% CI 1.4–2.8) for each unit change in the PHC question. Method 3: the MCID was estimated to be 1.8 units.

Conclusions

Our estimate of the MCID for the PCS in patients with stroke was 1.8 to 3.0 units.
The geontological time-spaces of late modern war
Authors: Griffiths Mark
Published: December 2021

Attending to connections between serious health conditions (cancers and congenital disorders) and weapons residues in Iraq, Afghanistan and Gaza, this article develops a geographical agenda for examining power in late modern war from the perspective of the ground and the life it sustains. A case is made for understanding the time-spaces of war as not compressed, vertical or remote but enduring, terranean and proximate in which violence emerges through processes (carcinogenic and teratogenic) that transcend boundaries between ‘life’ ( bios) and ‘nonlife’ ( geos). Such are the geontological time-spaces of late modern war that geographers – in both ‘physical’ and ‘human’ sub-fields – are uniquely equipped to examine.
Assessment of asbestos and asbestos waste quantity in the built environment of transition country
Authors: Zoraja Bojana , Ubavin Dejan , Stanisavljevic Nemanja , Vujovic Svjetlana , Mucenski Vladimir , Hadzistevic Miodrag , Bjelica Milos
Published: December 2021

Managing asbestos streams in developing and transition countries is particularly challenging. Deficiencies are often present for adequate procedures for the management of asbestos waste; solid quality data or databases on the quantities of asbestos production and usage are missing and asbestos inventories or the registry of asbestos-related diseases following European Union (EU) or other regulations are not in place. This paper aims to develop a model for determining and assessing the quantity of asbestos in the built environment of a transition country. Quantities of asbestos products and life expectancy of those products were assessed to develop a model that forecasts flows and stocks of asbestos products and wastes. The overall objective is to evaluate the model and show the manifestation of asbestos in the waste stream in a case study on a country with a transition economy, such as Serbia. Results show that total quantities of asbestos fibre consumption are approximately 0.5 million tonnes; the largest amount of waste generation is expected in the 2020s. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare for the forthcoming quantities of waste by improving legal procedures, implementation of existing regulations, and provision of economic resources. An important link for the adequate management of asbestos waste is to raise public awareness of the dangers and importance of proper and timely disposal of asbestos products.
Development and Initial Validation of the Nonparticipation in Nonformal Education Questionnaire
Authors: Kočvarová Ilona , Vaculíková Jitka , Kalenda Jan
Published: December 2021

Nonformal adult education (NFE) provides adults with the opportunity to obtain competences needed to adapt to today’s changing job market. Despite the well-documented positive effects of NFE, there remains a lack of valid research instruments to assess factors of nonparticipation. Specifically, defining the perspectives of social groups with the highest incidence of barriers and the lowest level of participation in NFE has not been a primary research goal. This study describes the development and initial validation of a novel research tool entitled the Nonparticipation in Nonformal Education Questionnaire (NP-NFE-Q). The analysis covers the use of the NP-NFE-Q on a representative sample of the adult population ( n = 878) as well as three additional cohorts: low-educated workers ( n = 227), persons caring for children under the age of three ( n = 227), and retired persons ( n = 232). The results consistently support the validation of a correlated five-factor model, which includes two situational, one institutional and two dispositional factors.
Predicting College Women’s Self-esteem Based on Verbal Coercion Experience and Verbal Tactic Items on the Revised Sexual Experiences Survey
Authors: Osman Suzanne L. , Lane Halle L.
Published: December 2021

Verbal coercion experience is common among college women and has sometimes been associated with lower self-esteem. The current study examined self-esteem based on the two verbal coercion items included in the latest version of the most popular measure of sexual victimization experience, the Sexual Experiences Survey-Short Form Victimization (SES-SFV; Koss et al., 2007 ). One item includes verbal tactics categorized as “threat” and the other item includes verbal tactics categorized as “criticism.” Undergraduate women ( n = 479) completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the SES-SFV. Results showed that women who experienced criticism reported lower self-esteem than those who did not experience criticism. However, threat experience was not significantly related to women’s self-esteem. Findings support Koss et al.’s suggestion that criticism tactics are more negative than threat tactics, and imply that self-esteem may be negatively associated with some sexually coercive verbal tactics but not associated with others. Future researchers should pay careful attention to operational definitions of verbal coercion.
Connecting Implementation Science, Community-Engaged Research, and Health Promotion to Address Cancer Inequities in Massachusetts: The UMB/DF-HCC U54 Outreach Core
Authors: Ramanadhan Shoba , Donaldson S. Tiffany , Siqueira C. Eduardo , Rackard-James Charlotte , Miller Elecia , Tappin Jamiah , Tracy Natalicia , Minsky Sara , Maldonado-Campos Aileene A. , Bruff Carmenza , Mahtani Sitara , Teixeira Marina S. , Viswanath Vish
Published: December 2021

The Outreach Core of the U54 Partnership between the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and the University of Massachusetts Boston created a new model for addressing cancer inequities that integrates implementation science, community-engaged research, and health promotion. Key elements of the approach include engaging a Community Advisory Board, supporting students from underrepresented minority backgrounds to conduct health promotion and community-engaged research, increasing the delivery of evidence-based cancer prevention programs to underserved communities (directly and by training local organizations), supporting research-practice partnerships, and disseminating findings. Our model highlights the need for long-term investments to connect underserved communities with evidence-based cancer prevention.
Can Targeted Government Investment in Rural Establishments Induce Innovative Activity?
Authors: Mann John T. , Miller Steven R. , Malone Trey
Published: December 2021

Rural economic development strategies increasingly focus on “homegrown” economic policies, including investing in entrepreneurial development. However, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of these strategies, in part because of data constraints. Using a mixed-methods approach, basic t-tests, fixed-effect probit regression, and propensity scoring techniques on data from the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Rural Establishment Innovation Survey, this article tests the effectiveness of federal policies in inducing innovative activity in rural and urban establishments. The authors also explore indirect comparisons between rural and urban establishments. They find that Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards can increase the likelihood that an establishment will act innovatively and that this effect may be larger in rural settings than in urban settings. Results suggest that targeted public investment can induce rural innovation.
The Association Between Loneliness and Psychiatric Symptomatology in Older Psychiatric Outpatients
Authors: Schutter Natasja , Holwerda Tjalling J , Kuipers Hanna , Van Rien H. L. , Stek Max L. , Comijs Hannie C. , Peen Jaap , Dekker Jack J M.
Published: December 2021

purpose

Loneliness in adults increases with age. Although loneliness has been found to be associated with psychiatric disorders and dementia, no information is available on prevalence of loneliness in older psychiatric patients. The aims of this study were to examine prevalence of loneliness in older psychiatric outpatients, including gender differences and associations with psychiatric disorders and social isolation.

Methods

Cross-sectional study in an outpatient clinic for geriatric psychiatry between September 2013 and February 2018. Interviews were done in 181 patients.

Results

80% of participants were lonely. Loneliness was associated with having contacts in less social network domains, in women but not in men. There were no associations with DSM-IV-TR-classifications. However, loneliness was associated with higher scores on questionnaires for depression and cognitive function. Intensity of treatment did not differ significantly between lonely and non-lonely participants.

Conclusion

Loneliness is highly prevalent in older psychiatric outpatients, with men and women equally affected. Loneliness should be assessed in all older psychiatric patients, especially when they show high scores on symptom checklists or have a restricted social network.
Nursing Is the Light in Institutional Darkness: A Dialogue With Dr. Jean Watson
Authors: Morrow Mary R. , Watson Jean
Published: December 2021

The year 2022 is Nursing Science Quarterly’s 35th year in publication, and we are interested in dialoging with some of the discipline’s nurse theorists. We hope to uncover some influences and origins of their theoretical thinking and hear about their current projects related to nursing science. In this Scholarly Dialogue column, we dialogue with Dr. Jean Watson, nurse theorist, director of the Watson Caring Science Institute, and Distinguished Professor/Dean Emerita of University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing.
A Book Review of The Humanbecoming Paradigm: An Everchanging Horizon by Rosemarie Rizzo Parse (2021). Discovery International Publications
Authors: Clarke Pamela N.
Published: December 2021

Reviewing The Humanbecoming Paradigm: An Everchanging Horizon was a living quality experience and reminded this reviewer of the power of Parse’s passion and devotion in developing the humanbecoming paradigm for nursing. The presentation of humanbecoming is compelling and exquisitely detailed. It is highly recommended that this book be required for graduate students and faculty for a deep intense understanding of humanbecoming. There are dense chapters in relation to history, principles, and concepts; sciencing; living the art of humanbecoming; family and community models; leading-following model; mentoring model; teaching-learning model; and a chapter on developing a program for PhD education, complete with suggested courses, philosophy, and methodologies.
Caring for Patients in a Coma Following a Traumatic Brain Injury in Iran
Authors: Nayeri Nahid Dehghan , Ahmadi Chenari Hadi , Esmaeili Maryam , Farsi Zahra , Baumann Steven L.
Published: December 2021

The study described here is the process of caring for patients in a coma following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Iran. The data that were analyzed come from in-depth semistructured interviews of 20 key participants and associated memos and field notes. The MAXQDA 10 qualitative analysis software was used to assist with the coding of the data. Ten catagories and 26 subcategories were identified from the primary analysis, which fit well into four themes. The main themes that were identified were chaos and confusion, inconsistent quality, multilateral support, and improving care. The processes of caring for persons in a coma following a TBI were found to be an ever-changing, multidimensional, context-dependent process.
Compound transmission principle analysis of eccentric curve-face gear pair with curvilinear-shaped teeth based on tooth contact analysis
Authors: Lin Chao , Wang Yu , Hu Yanan , Yu Yongquan
Published: December 2021

A new type of compound transmission gear pair was put forward, called eccentric curve-face gear pair with curvilinear-shaped teeth. It could realize reciprocating motion of the gear shaft when the intersecting shafts achieve transferring motion and power through its unique tooth profile. The compound transmission principle of this gear pair was fully established based on the profile-closure process of axial direction and meshing process of the end face. The tooth surfaces of the eccentric curve-face gear and non-circular gear were generated. The contact paths of different teeth were obtained, and the compound transmission principle of eccentric curve-face gear pair with curvilinear-shaped teeth was verified by tooth contact analysis. By analyzing the mechanical characteristics of time-varying contact points, the changing rule of contact force was studied, and the compound transmission principle of the gear pair was further revealed from mechanics. Moreover, the experimental platform for transmission of eccentric curve-face gear pair with curvilinear-shaped teeth was set up to measure the motion law and contact area, and the correctness of the analysis results was verified.
Internal model control for rocket launcher position servo system based on improved wavelet neural network
Authors: Wang Ronglin , Lu Baochun , Gao Qiang , Hou Runmin
Published: December 2021

This paper proposes an improved wavelet neural network-internal model controller (WNN-IMC) for the rocket launcher position servo system. Due to complex nonlinearities and uncertainties of external disturbances in the rocket launcher position servo system, it is vitally challenging to establish its accurate model by the mechanical modeling technique. A wavelet neural network (WNN) identification method is proposed to determine the system mathematical model through test datum, which optimized by the hybrid algorithm of differential evolution (DE) and particle swarm optimization (PSO). Then, the proposed method is applied to identify the semi-physical simulation platform of the rocket launcher velocity servo system. The results demonstrate that the validity of the DEPSO-WNN method is better than that of the WNN and PSO-WNN methods. Finally, compared with the WNN-IMC controller and the ADRC controller, the effectiveness of the improved WNN-IMC controller is verified by the semi-physical simulation experiments.
Relative contact width evaluation of end hemispherical cavities rollers as an indication of Hertzian contact pressure
Authors: Chhotani Paresh C , Vakharia DP , Shaikh AA
Published: December 2021

In a recent investigation, the end hemispherical cavities (EHC) rollers exhibited better strength against fracture than hollow rollers. Furthermore, EHC rollers looked promising from a higher fatigue life aspect than conventional solid rollers in a simulation study. Therefore, it necessitated further exploration of the EHC roller concept and to this end, in the present investigation, the contact widths of EHC rollers were relatively evaluated to judge its contact stresses' behavior with respect to the solid roller because the contact stresses are responsible for the fatigue life of rolling bearings. In the experiments, the contact footprints were obtained by forcing specimens of rollers against chemically etched surfaces and were examined by a microscope for measurement of contact widths. The experimental trials were performed with individual roller-on-plate tests and also with full-bearing samples. The etch correction factor was used to correct anomalies of real and observed contact widths due to etching film thickness. The parabolic relationships were established for roller variants which yielded constants signifying their relative ranks. The contact semi-widths, thus derived from corrected experimental results of individual roller-on-plate tests, demonstrated good agreement (<5%) with those derived from simulation results. The results of full-bearing sample tests for roller variants also ranked same as individual roller-on-plate tests. The encouraging results of contact semi-width assuredly favor the prospects of relatively higher fatigue life in case of EHC rollers.
What Might Books Be Teaching Young Children About Gender?
Authors: Lewis Molly , Cooper Borkenhagen Matt , Converse Ellen , Lupyan Gary , Seidenberg Mark S.
Published: December 2021

We investigated how gender is represented in children’s books using a novel 200,000-word corpus comprising 247 popular, contemporary books for young children. Using adult human judgments and word co-occurrence data, we quantified gender biases of words in individual books and in the whole corpus. We found that children’s books contain many words that adults judge as gendered. Semantic analyses based on co-occurrence data yielded word clusters related to gender stereotypes (e.g., feminine: emotions; masculine: tools). Co-occurrence data also indicated that many books instantiate gender stereotypes identified in other research (e.g., girls are better at reading, and boys are better at math). Finally, we used large-scale data to estimate the gender distribution of the audience for individual books, and we found that children are more often exposed to stereotypes for their own gender. Together, the data suggest that children’s books may be an early source of gender associations and stereotypes.
Spatio-temporal evolution and driving effects of the ecological intensity of urban well-being in the Yangtze River Delta
Authors: Hu Meijuan , Sarwar Suleman , Li Zaijun , Zhou Nianxing
Published: December 2021

The fundamental goal of sustainable urban development is to maximize human well-being with minimum ecological consumption. The ecological intensity of urban well-being (EIWB) achieves an effective linkage among economic, social, and ecological systems, and it is an effective indicator for evaluating urban sustainable development. This study analyzed the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics and driving effects of the ecological intensity of urban well-being over 2000–2019 in the Yangtze River Delta. It was found that as the ecological consumption per unit well-being output decreased gradually, the improvement in well-being level and the increase in ecological consumption were increasingly delinked, and regional EIWB and its sub-dimensions tended to fluctuate. Urban EIWB was dominated by low and lower levels, urban economic well-being (ECWB) was increasingly dominated by the lower type, and urban social well-being (SOWB) and environmental well-being (ENWB) were dominated by the low level. The resource consumption, technology, and well-being effects distinctively inhibited the decrease in regional EIWB and the economic effect exerted an obvious boosting function, whereas environmental consumption effect, scale effect, and efficiency effect had no obvious impact. The variation in urban EIWB was mainly driven by two-factor dominance, featuring economic and technological effects.
Basic Need Satisfaction Intervention for Mainland Chinese International Students’ Adjustment to College
Authors: Law Wilbert , Liu Shuang
Published: December 2021

With an increasing number of students pursuing their tertiary studies overseas, ways to improve their adaptation into a new environment become of the utmost importance. By applying self-determination theory, the current research investigated the extent that a basic psychological need intervention can increase need-satisfying experiences and promote the adjustment of Mainland Chinese international students to college. In total, 55 participants were randomly assigned to an intervention or control condition. They completed questionnaires on basic need satisfaction and college adjustment before the start of the study, right after the completion of the intervention, and after a 5-week follow-up. Participants who received the intervention had significantly higher need satisfaction and adjustment to college than those in the control condition. The intervention effect was maintained after a 5-week delay. In addition, the results showed that the increases in psychological need satisfaction after the intervention predicted higher levels of students’ adjustment to college. Theoretical implications for the universality of basic need satisfaction to students’ well-being and practical implications for international education are discussed.
Design and control of 2-DoF joystick using MR-fluid rotary actuator
Authors: Diep Bao Tri , Nguyen Quoc Hung , Le Thanh Danh
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this paper is to design a control algorithm for a 2-DoF rotary joystick model. Firstly, the structure of the joystick, which composes of two magneto-rheological fluid actuators (shorten MRFA) with optimal configuration coupled perpendicularly by the gimbal mechanism to generate the friction torque for each independent rotary movement, is introduced. The control strategy of the designed joystick is then suggested. Really, because of two independent rotary movements, it is necessary to design two corresponding controllers. Due to hysteresis and nonlinear dynamic characteristics of the MRFA, controllers based an accurate dynamic model are difficult to realize. Hence, to release this issue, the proposed controller (named self-turning fuzzy controllers-STFC) will be built through the fuzzy logic algorithm in which the parameters of controllers are learned and trained online by Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm. Finally, an experimental apparatus will be constructed to assess the effectiveness of the force feedback controls. Herein, three experimental cases are performed to compare the control performance of open-loop and close-loop control method, where the former is done through relationship between the force at the knob and the current supplied to coil while the latter is realized based on the proposed controller and PID controller. The experimental results provide strongly the ability of the proposed controller, meaning that the STFC is robust and tracks well the desirable force with high accuracy compared with both the PID controller and the open-loop control method.
A Pilot Study of the Swedish Sexual Offender Treatment Program
Authors: Lindegren Stina
Published: December 2021

Purpose: The aim was to test whether dynamic criminogenic risk factors change after participation in a new cognitive-behavioral treatment program adhering to the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model, within a group of adult men convicted of a sexual offense in Sweden. Methods: Three psychometric tests from approximately 26 participants were completed. Therapists rated 46 participants using the Therapist Rating Scale-2 (TRS-2). Results: Participants reported a significant decrease in hypersexuality, small to medium effect size, a non-significant, increased, internal locus of control, but no change regarding attachment styles, posttreatment. Therapists rated significant decrease in all treatment needs posttreatment, medium to large effect size. Conclusions: The significant reduction of several criminogenic risk factors posttreatment indicates the treatment program may reduce problems related to increased risk of recidivism, especially hypersexuality. Moreover, treatment did not appear to have negative effects, motivating further implementation. However, to evaluate the effectiveness, more research is necessary.
Association Among End-Of-Life Discussions, Cancer Patients’ Quality of Life at End of Life, and Bereaved Families’ Mental Health
Authors: Hayashi Yoko , Sato Kazuki , Ogawa Masahiro , Taguchi Yoshiro , Wakayama Hisashi , Nishioka Aya , Nakamura Chikako , Murota Kaoru , Sugimura Ayumi , Ando Shoko
Published: December 2021

End-of-life discussions are essential for patients with advanced cancer, but there is little evidence about whether these discussions affect general ward patients and family outcomes. We investigated the status of end-of-life discussions and associated factors and their effects on patients’ quality of death and their families’ mental health. Participants in this retrospective cross-sectional observational study were 119 bereaved family members. Data were collected through a survey that included questions on the timing of end-of-life discussions, quality of palliative care, quality of patient death, and depression and grief felt by the families. Approximately 64% of the bereaved family members participated in end-of-life discussions between the patient and the attending physician, and 55% of these discussions took place within a month before death. End-of-life discussions were associated with the patients’ prognostic perception as “incurable, though there is hope for a cure” and “patients’ experience with end-of-life discussions with family before cancer.” There was a small decrease in depression and grief for families of patients who had end-of-life discussions. Those who did not have end-of-life discussions reported lower quality of end-of-life care.
Coresidence is Not a Failure to Launch or Boomerang Children
Authors: Evans Victoria L. , Ferrier Phyllis J. , Pugh Shannon M. , Bohecker Lynn , Edwards Nivischi N.
Published: December 2021

Literature on emerging adults living with their parents has presented this concept as a problem and emphasized a White European-North American or individualistic voice through the use of terms such as “failure to launch” or “boomerang” children. The authors highlight an alternative term, coresidence, and perspectives from collectivistic cultures outside of the dominant view that have historically been marginalized and underrepresented in research. A case study of the first author's lived experiences as a representative from the Appalachian Highlands culture, provides one example to honor and create space for previously silenced, collectivistic voices in the literature.
SARS-CoV-2 Immunohistochemistry In Placenta
Authors: Rakheja Dinesh , Treat Kristina , Timmons Charles F. , Carrillo Deyssy , Miller Sara E. , Stroberg Edana , Barton Lisa M. , Duval Eric J. , Mukhopadhyay Sanjay
Published: December 2021

Compared to the parental SARS-CoV-2 virus, infections by the now dominant Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 appear to be more common and more severe in pregnant women. The need for a robust, cheap, and quick method for diagnosing placental infection by SARS-CoV-2 has thus become more acute. Here, we describe a highly sensitive and specific immunohistochemical assay for SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein for routine use in placental pathology practice.
Conceptualizing and Engaging in Reflective Practice: Experienced Evaluators’ Perspectives
Authors: Tovey Tiffany L. S. , Skolits Gary J.
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine professional evaluators’ perceptions of reflective practice (RP) and the extent and manner in which they engage in RP behaviors. Nineteen evaluators with 10 or more years of experience in the evaluation field were interviewed to explore our understanding and practice of RP in evaluation. Findings suggest that RP is a process of self and contextual awareness, involving thinking and questioning, and individual and group meaning-making, focused on facilitating growth in the form of learning and improvement. The roles of individual and collaborative reflection as well as reflection in- and on-action are also discussed. Findings support a call for the further refinement of our understanding of RP in evaluation practice. Evaluators seeking to be better reflective practitioners should be competent in skills such as facilitation and interpersonal skills, as well as budget needed time for RP in evaluation accordingly.
The Prognostic Significance of Proteasome 26S Subunit, Non-ATPase (PSMD) Genes for Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Salah Fararjeh AbdulFattah , Al-Khader Ali , Al-Saleem Malak , Abu Qauod Rinad
Published: December 2021

Proteasome a highly sophisticated systems that alter protein structure and function. Proteasome 26S Subunit, Non-ATPase (PSMD) genes have been implicated in several types of malignancies. This is the first study to look at how proteasomal subunits are expressed in patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA). BLCA was used to evaluate the predictive value of PSMD genes (PSMD1 to PSMD12) in relation to clinicopathological characteristics. PSMD genes’ expression patterns at the mRNA level were analyzed using a variety of bioinformatics methods, including gene expression profile integrative analysis (GEPIA), Oncomine, TCGA, and Gene expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The GEPIA and TCGA dataset survival plot functions were used to assess the prognostic significance of PSMD genes. PSMD2, PSMD3, PSMD4, PSMD8, and PSMD11 genes were significantly overexpressed in BLCA compared with normal bladder tissues. PSMD2 and PSMD8 were significantly overexpressed in BLCA more than other types of cancer. High level of PSMD2 and PSMD8 predicted shorter overall (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) in BLCA patients. High level of PSMD2 was significantly associated with elder age ( P  < .001), female gender ( P = .014), tumor grade ( P  < .001), and metastasis ( P = .003). PSMD2 has been shown to be an independent predictor for OS in BLCA patients based on univariate and multivariate analysis ( P  < .001). Overall, according to this study, PSMD2 and PSMD8 could be served as a prognostic biomarker for BLCA patients.
The contribution of professions to the governance of integrated care: Towards a conceptual framework based on case studies from Denmark
Authors: Burau Viola , Kuhlmann Ellen , Ledderer Loni
Published: December 2021

Objective

Good governance of integrated care is key to better health care, but we know little about how professions can help make this happen. Our aim is to introduce a conceptual framework to analyse how professions contribute to the governance of integrated care, and to apply the framework to a secondary analysis of selected case studies from Denmark.

Methods

We developed a framework, which identified the what, how and why of the contribution professions make to the governance of integrated care. We included five qualitative Danish studies, using coordination as an indicator of integrated care. We adopted a thematic approach in our analysis, combining deductive and inductive elements.

Results

Health professions engage in highly diverse activities, which fall into closely connected clusters of more formal or more informal coordination. Professions apply many different adaptive mechanisms at different levels to fit coordination into local contexts. Professions are driven by interlocking rationales, where a common focus on patients connects organizational and professional concerns.

Conclusions

Our analytical framework emerges as a useful tool for analysis. The contribution of professions to the governance of integrated care needs greater attention in health policy implementation as it can promote more effective governance of integrated care.
Additional forces on continuously welded rails of a long-span high-speed railway suspension bridge under single effect and multiple effects: A case study
Authors: Yu Xiangdong , Cheng Nengyu , Jing Haiquan
Published: December 2021

This paper investigates the track–bridge interactions of the Wufengshan Yangtze Bridge, the longest high-speed railway suspension bridge in China. A finite element model of the track and bridge is built using the commercial software ANSYS. The longitudinal additional forces of the track under a single effect and combination effects of temperature rising load, bending load, and braking load are calculated. The numerical results show that strong additional forces appear in the continuously welded rail of the Wufengshan Yangtze Bridge. Temperature effect is the dominant factor for the residual internal forces. The maximum tensile stress is 115.5 MPa and the extreme compressive stress reaches 329.9 MPa. Rail expansion joints are needed for this long-span suspension bridge.
Impacts of light direction and window properties on students’ perceptual evaluations in design studios
Authors: Çağatay Kubulay , Yıldırım Kemal , Yıldırım İpek , Başoğlu Kenan
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to determine how light direction, window proximity and window dimensions could affect students' perceptual evaluations in design studios. The design studios of the Nuh Naci Yazgan University in Kayseri were selected as the research setting. The ‘semantic differential scale’ composed of 10 adjective pairs was used for determining subjects’ perceptual evaluations of design studios having two different window dimensions. According to the results obtained, when making drawings, right-handed students who received light from a window on the left side were determined to perceive the physical environmental factors of design studios more positively compared to students who received light from a window on the right side. In addition, students sitting near a window in design studios were observed to generally perceive the physical environmental factors more positively than those sitting in the middle close to the window, in the middle away from the window and inside. Furthermore, students who sat in an area with floor to ceiling window were determined to perceive the place more positively compared to those who sat in an area with parapet to ceiling window. These results generally confirmed that light direction, window proximity and window dimensions in design studios are effective on students’ perceptual evaluations.
Stability and synchronous characteristics of a two exciters vibration system considering material motion
Authors: Hou Yongjun , Xiong Guang , Fang Pan , Du Mingjun , Wang Yuwen
Published: December 2021

Nowadays, two exciters vibration system played an indispensable role in a majority of machinery and devices, such as vibratory feeder, vibrating screen, vibration conveyer, vibrating crusher, and so on. The stability of the system and the synchronous characteristics of two exciters are affected by material motion. However, those effects of material on two exciters vibration system were studied very little. Based on the special background, a mechanical model that two exciters vibration system considering material motion is proposed. Firstly, the system's dynamic equations are solved by using Lagrange principle and Newton's second law. Then, the motion stability of the system when material with different mass move on the vibrating body is analyzed by [Formula: see text] mapping and numerical simulation methods, and the motion forms of the material are also studied. Meanwhile, the frequency responses of the vibrating body are analyzed. Finally, the influence of material on the phase difference of the two exciters is revealed. It can be concluded that with the mass ratio of the material to the vibrating body increasing, the system's motion evolves from stable periodic motion to chaotic state, the synchronization ability of two exciters decline, and the unpredictability of abrupt change about the phase difference increases. Further, the uncertainties of both the abrupt change of phase difference and the collision location affect each other and eventually lead to the instability of the system.
A vibration model of a rotor system with the sinusoidal waviness by using the non-Hertzian solution
Authors: Liu Jing , An Chenyu , Pan Guang
Published: December 2021

The nonlinear contact forces and deformations between the balls and raceways can cause very complex vibration behaviours of rotor systems with the waviness in the support bearings. However, almost all previous works that used sinusoidal waviness took the Hertzian solution as the calculation method, which is not an accurate method based on Johnson’s formulation since the changes in the curvature at the sinusoidal contact surfaces. To overcome this issue, a new dynamic model of a rigid rotor system with the waviness in the support bearings is proposed. To provide a more accurate nonlinear contact force formulation for the sinusoidal waviness profile, the model used the Johnson’s extended Hertzian contact model to replace Hertzian contact model. This model can consider the time-varying curvature between the mating sinusoidal surfaces. The lubricating condition in the support bearing is also considered. A comparative study on the effects of Hertzian contact model, simplified Hertzian contact model, and Johnson's extended Hertzian contact model on the nonlinear vibrations of the rotor system is developed. The effects of the waviness amplitude and orders on the vibrations of the rotor system are discussed. The comparative simulations show that the proposed model can provide a more reasonable approach for predicting the vibrations of the rigid rotor system. Moreover, the simulations give that the nonlinear contact forces in the support bearings can greatly affect the system vibrations.
Milestones and cornerstones: Queering the life course
Authors: Kemple Thomas
Published: December 2021

Rather than refuting or challenging the claims by Baert, Morgan, and Ushiyama to originality, the objective of this commentary is to flesh out “existence theory” by extending its repertoire of examples and by expanding on its classical and philosophical sources. Drawing on precedents in canonical statements by Vico, Weber, Durkheim, Simmel, and Marx, this response poses questions about the model’s implied assumption of a time-line that traces a “straight” path from the past to the present and future by invoking the alternative imagery of a circular history, cyclical time, or “queer” life course. To support this argument, contemporary queer theories are invoked to supplement the concept-metaphor of “existential milestones” with that of “existential cornerstones,” which do not always suggest that human development follows a single path or a binding timeline. The civil institutions of religion, marriage, and burial, as discussed by both classical sociologists and queer theorists, for instance, may be defined by a sense of necessity and inevitability but also by contingency and coincidence.
Effect of ultrasonic welding process parameters on seam strength of PVC-coated hybrid textiles for weather protection
Authors: Hussen Muktar S , Kyosev Yordan K , Pietsch Kathrin , Rothe Stefan , Kabish Abera K
Published: December 2021

Using a lapped seam, PVC-coated hybrid textiles with uniform thickness were bonded by continuous ultrasonic welding and conventional joining method with the help of hot air tape welding technique for weather protection purposes. Three fundamental sewing parameters at two distinct levels and three primary welding parameters at three levels based on 6 and 12 mm welding widths were used. To consider the effect of welding and sewing parameters on seam strength, full factorial designs of experiments were designed, fabricated, and tested. The thermal behavior and possibility of chemical conversion in the welding zone under the influence of ultrasonic vibrations were examined. Variation in width of heat-affected zone of weld seam was measured. The seam strength of ultrasonic weld seam compared with that of conventional seams, and superior seam strength yielding parametric levels were assessed. The parametric influence of both joining techniques on seam quality and their tendencies in the relationship were analyzed statistically. The weld seam strength (1256.392 and 2116.93 N/50 mm) was optimized numerically and identified its trend with the variation of the weld seam. The discovered relationship led to the conclusion that the variation in the weld seam can be used to estimate the tensile strength of the weld seam through the developed effective numerical model as a non-destructive testing method, and its outcome was successful as a destructive testing method. The result shows that the ultrasonic weld seam provided a higher tensile strength ( > 75%) than the conventional seam for both evaluated welding widths and obtained statistically significant results.
CCL28 Downregulation Attenuates Pancreatic Cancer Progression Through Tumor Cell-Intrinsic and -Extrinsic Mechanisms
Authors: Yan Jingjing , Yuan Pengkun , Gui Liming , Wang Zhixue , Yin Pan , Gao Wei-Qiang , Ma Bin
Published: December 2021

C-C motif chemokine ligand 28 (CCL28) has been reported to be pro-tumoral in several cancer types. However, the role of CCL28 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression remains unclear. CCL28 mRNA expression in tumors from PDAC patients was found to be elevated as compared to normal pancreas. CCL28 expression was also negatively correlated with overall survival (OS) in pancreatic cancer patients. Our in vitro experiments showed that CCL28 knockdown impairs the proliferation of mouse pancreatic cancer cell line PAN02. Moreover, in both immunocompetent syngeneic mice and immunodeficient NOD-SCID mice, CCL28 deficiency significantly attenuated the growth of subcutaneous PAN02 tumors. In syngeneic mouse model, CCL28 downregulation remodeled the pancreatic tumor microenvironment by suppressing the infiltration of both regulatory T (Treg) cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and activated pancreatic stellate cells, and upregulating the expression of lymphocyte cytotoxic proteins including perforin and granzyme B. In conclusion, our work demonstrates that CCL28 is a potential target for pancreatic cancer treatment and CCL28 blockade could inhibit tumor growth through both tumor-cell-intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms.
A computing allocation strategy for Internet of things’ resources based on edge computing
Authors: Zhang Zengrong
Published: December 2021

In order to meet the demand for efficient computing services in big data scenarios, a cloud edge collaborative computing allocation strategy based on deep reinforcement learning by combining the powerful computing capabilities of cloud is proposed. First, based on the comprehensive consideration of computing resources, bandwidth, and migration decisions, an optimization problem is constructed that minimizes the sum of all user task execution delays and energy consumption weights. Second, a dynamic offloading scheduling algorithm based on Q-learning is proposed based on the optimization problem. This algorithm makes full use of the computing power for cloud and edge, which effectively meets the demand for efficient computing services in Internet of Things’ scenarios. Finally, facing the environment dynamic changes of edge nodes in edge cloud, the algorithm can adaptively adjust the migration strategy. Experiments show that when the number of Internet of Things’ devices is 30, the total energy consumption of Internet of Things’ devices of proposed algorithm is reduced by 24.67% and 19.44%, respectively, compared with other algorithms. The experimental results show that proposed algorithm can effectively improve the success rate of task offloading and execution, which can reduce the local energy consumption.
A Test of General Strain Theory: Explaining Intimate Partner Violence and Alcohol Use Among Black Women
Authors: Steele Megan E. , Sutton Tara E. , Brown Alyssa , Simons Leslie G. , Warren Patricia Y.
Published: December 2021

Using a sample of 291 Black women and a longitudinal study, we explore how general strain theory can broaden our understanding of Black women’s alcohol use and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. Results demonstrated that racial discrimination, past IPV and sexual victimization, and family member’s victimization heightened depression, which increased heavy alcohol use. Discrimination and family victimization also elevated anger, leading to greater IPV perpetration. Results further revealed that depression and anger interacted to influence IPV. Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers must continue to pursue culturally sensitive practices to effectively address this unique constellation of strains and advocate for the needs of Black women.
Comparison on the Efficacy and Safety of Different Surgical Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia With Volume >60 mL: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wang Yong-Bo , Yan Si-Yu , Xu Xiao-Feng , Huang Xing , Luo Li-Sha , Deng Yu-Qing , Li Xu-Hui , Huang Qiao , Wang Yun-Yun , Huang Jiao , Jin Ying-Hui , Zeng Xian-Tao
Published: December 2021

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of 10 different surgical treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with volume >60 mL. A systematic literature review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) within a Bayesian framework was performed. A total of 52 parallel-group RCTs included, reporting on 6,947 participants, comparing open prostatectomy (OP), monopolar/bipolar transurethral resection of prostate (monopolar/ bipolar TURP), thulium, holmium and diode laser enucleation of prostate (LEP), bipolar enucleation of prostate, potassium titanyl phosphate laser vaporization of prostate (KTP LVP), bipolar vaporization of prostate (bipolar VP), and laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (laparoscope SP). Compared with OP, laparoscope SP identified better maximal flow rate (Qmax; mean differences [MDs] = 2.89 mL/s) at the 24th month, but bipolar VP demonstrated worse Qmax (MD = −3.20 mL/s) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS; MD = 2.60) at the 12th month. Holmium LEP (MD = 1.37) demonstrated better International Index of Erectile Function–5 at the 12th month compared with OP. However, compared with OP, KTP LVP demonstrated worse postvoid residual volume (PVR) at the sixth (MD = 10.42 mL) and 12th month (MD = 5.89 mL) and monopolar TURP (MD = 6.9 mL) demonstrated worse PVR at the 12th month. Eight new surgical methods for BPH with volume >60 mL appeared to be superior in safety compared with OP and monopolar TURP due to fewer complications. Bipolar VP and KTP LVP maybe not suitable for prostates more than 60 mL due to short- and middle-term worse Qmax, IPSS, and PVR than OP.
Ulnar Superficialis Slip Resection Versus Radial Superficialis Slip Resection: A Biomechanical Pilot Study
Authors: Fuchs Lee , Gafni Nir , Brosh Tamar , Saleh Shadi , Kosashvili Yona , Oron Amir
Published: December 2021

Background:

There are numerous clinical scenarios during which the surgeon contemplates whether the radial or ulnar slip of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) should be sacrificed. To date no study has assessed the point of failure of each one of the FDS slips in each digit, aiding the avid surgeon in deciding which slip to sacrifice.

Methods:

A total of 41 digits were assessed, each digit was dissected, and a specimen containing the denuded bone of the middle phalanx with the attachments of the ulnar and radial FDS slips was obtained. An Instron 4502 device was utilized to biomechanically assess the point of failure of each slip of each digit.

Results:

There was no statistical difference between ulnar and radial slip point of failure when compared across all digits and subjects. There was no statistical difference between male and female subject’s specimens. The point of failure was higher in the ulnar slips of the second and third digits, whereas the point of failure was higher in the radial slips of the fourth and fifth digits.

Conclusions:

Sacrifice of a FDS slip may cause loss of grip strength. In several clinical scenarios one may be faced with the dilemma which FDS slip to sacrifice. Our findings show this is not an arbitrary choice. Hand surgeons should keep our findings in mind when deciding which slip to sacrifice, in effort to preserve function and strength in the injured hand.