bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corruption in the public schools of Europe: A cross-national multilevel analysis of education system characteristics
Authors: Wysmułek Ilona
Published: June 2022

Researchers have long theorized that characteristics of education systems impact both perceived and experienced corruption in public schools. However, due to insufficient cross-national survey data with measures on corruption in education and unassembled yet publicly available institutional data, there are few empirical tests of this theory. This article provides the rare direct test of the relationship between corruption in European public schools and three education system factors: government expenditure on education, education staff compensation, and teacher workload (pupil–teacher ratio). With a newly constructed harmonized data set for European countries, and controlling for national economic factors and individual characteristics, results of multilevel analyses suggest partial support for the theory that specific institutional characteristics of education systems impact public school corruption. The theorized institutional factors have different effects that depend on whether we examine bribe-giving experience or corruption perception. Results show that bribe-giving experience in public schools of Europe is weakly yet significantly related to education staff compensation. For corruption perception, low levels of government expenditure on education and a lopsided pupil–teacher ratio (too few teachers per student) increase the probability that people view corruption as prevalent.
Factors Affecting the Writing Performance in Hearing and Deaf Children: An Insight into Regularities and Irregularities of the Arabic Orthographic System
Authors: Almusawi Hashemiah
Published: June 2022

This study aims to account for the underlying causes of spelling errors in hearing and deaf children who speak a dialectal form of Arabic that substantially differs from the standard written one. It presents a general overview of the spoken Arabic language and its written system, drawing attention to some of the phonological and orthographic regularities and irregularities used in constructing and decoding Arabic words and sentences. It also accounts for the diglossic factors that interfere with the process of phoneme-to-grapheme mapping. The spelling outcomes of a group of hearing children are compared with another group of orally educated deaf children, who in addition to the complexity and diglossity of Arabic, have limited hearing abilities. Both groups performed two written tasks, one representing the standard form and the other representing the dialect. These tasks identified the types of spelling and segmentation errors and the effects of the committed errors on children’s awareness of the concept of word and word boundaries. Analysis of the results reveals their spelling errors’ nature and frequencies, and progressively categorizes the most prominent errors in practicing each language form. The deaf group ( n = 30) produced significantly more errors than the hearing group ( n = 36) in the dysphonetic errors and the word omission categories. The findings indicate that the sociolinguistic context of the Arabic language and the orthographic nature of the Arabic script are both important factors affecting hearing and deaf children’s awareness of the concept of word as well as their spelling performance. These results may enable educators to understand the underlying factors of Arabic spelling and produce targeted error correction strategies to maximize children’s learning outcomes.
Effects of ambient temperature step changes on the heat storage and release in thermal protective clothing
Authors: Huang Qianqian , Deng Meng , Li Jun
Published: June 2022

Ambient temperature steps between typical non-work and hot work environments will lead to clothing heat storage and release, which is crucial for human health and thermal comfort. In this study, the influence of five types of ambient temperature steps (from 0ºC/5ºC/10ºC/15ºC/20ºC to 40ºC to 0ºC/5ºC/10ºC/15ºC/20ºC) on the heat storage and release in clothing was investigated using a thermal manikin. A moving and temperature-controlled refrigerated incubator was constructed to realize the temperature step conditions. Results showed that ambient temperature step magnitude was positively related to heat storage and release. Some 80% of the amount of heat storage would be completed in around 10 min after the temperature steps. Increasing the inner clothing layer weight and specific heat capacity for local clothing at the chest, thigh and calf improved their heat storage against the large temperature step conditions. As for the abdomen, its heat storage was the largest. However, the clothing layer configuration impacted its heat release, so it was necessary to guide the heat transfer to the skin. The heat storage in the outer layer was increased by 2% to 39% due to adding the inner layer of the garment. The stored heat discharged completely until the temperature step magnitude exceeded 32.5°C. A multiple linear regression formula was proposed to obtain the clothing average heat storage by considering ambient temperature step magnitude and clothing insulation. The results of this study could contribute to the optimization of thermal protective clothing and improvement of the research on human thermal comfort.
Silent Indigenous Revolution in Ecuador and Mariátegui’s Thought
Authors: Jassir Mauricio Jaramillo
Published: June 2022

Examination of the silent and generally unnoticed cooperation of Ecuador’s indigenous peoples with the fragmented left in the light of José Carlos Mariátegui’s theses shows that, despite the two’s having separate projects, this cooperation contributed to transformations that the indigenous movement had pursued for decades. This underlines Mariátegui’s call for relating Marxism to the complex indigenous reality and avoiding the extrapolation of European communism to the Andean situation.

Un análisis de la cooperación silenciosa y generalmente inadvertida de los pueblos indígenas de Ecuador con la izquierda fragmentada a partir de una aproximación basada en las tesis de José Carlos Mariátegui muestra que, a pesar de que cada grupo tenía proyectos separados, dicha cooperación contribuyó a las transformaciones que el movimiento indígena había perseguido durante décadas. Esto subraya el llamado de Mariátegui a relacionar el marxismo con la compleja realidad indígena y a evitar la extrapolación del comunismo europeo a la situación andina.
Rational Use of vitamins during pregnancy and The pregnancy multivitamin products’ available in Turkey
Authors: Aksoy Nilay , Ozturk Nur
Published: June 2022

Background: Despite the imperative role of sufficient vitamin intake during pregnancy, not all women are capable of following a balanced diet during these times. As an attempt to resolve the issue of micronutrient deficiencies, many women resort to the use of multivitamins; ones often made for pregnant women. Aim: The review aims to compare the Daily Recommended Dietary Allowance of each vitamin, micronutrient, and macronutrient with the doses available in a sample of products found in the Turkish markets, whether imported or manufactured in Turkey. Methods: The Daily Recommended Dietary Allowance doses were collected from the CDC, WHO, and IOM databases. The doses present in each product were gathered using the database offered by the Turkish pharmacist association “Tebrp” as well as RxMediaPharma. Elevit® and decavit® were selected as they've been approved by the Turkish Ministry of Health, while the other products were randomly chosen using a computer program. Results: Several formulations available in Turkey display higher or lower daily contents of vitamins and minerals than is normally ideal for pregnant women as specified by the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Formulations that exceed the recommended RDA while remaining underneath the tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) range for specific vitamins includes Pregnacare®, Decavit®, and Elevit®. Conclusion: All of these variances in multivitamin content must be considered by physicians and clinical pharmacists when selecting the appropriate multivitamin for pregnant women, taking into account all of the hazards and benefits that vitamin supplements may bring to fetus health and development.
Why didn’t you resist? Situational influences on victim resistance during a rape
Authors: Chopin Julien , Beauregard Eric
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study is to examine factors influencing victim resistance during rape. Specifically, this study aims to understand which factors impact victim resistance using a multivariate approach focused on situational aspects related to offender, victim, and crime context characteristics. The sample includes 2,017 rape cases where victims did not resist, resisted passively, resisted verbally, or resisted physically. The first step of this study uses bivariate analyses to examine the relationship between the different categories of victim resistance and offender, victim, and crime context characteristics. Second, we computed three sequential binomial regressions in order to better understand the impact of each variable in multivariate modeling. The findings suggest that victim resistance is impacted by three main dimensions: victims’ physical and psychological vulnerabilities, the mentalizing of victimization risk, and the analysis of offenders’ vulnerabilities and additional risks to the victim. Both theoretical and practical implications for victims as well as for various actors in the criminal justice system are discussed.
Simplified decision making in the belief space using belief sparsification
Authors: Elimelech Khen , Indelman Vadim
Published: June 2022

In this work, we introduce a new and efficient solution approach for the problem of decision making under uncertainty, which can be formulated as decision making in a belief space, over a possibly high-dimensional state space. Typically, to solve a decision problem, one should identify the optimal action from a set of candidates, according to some objective. We claim that one can often generate and solve an analogous yet simplified decision problem, which can be solved more efficiently. A wise simplification method can lead to the same action selection, or one for which the maximal loss in optimality can be guaranteed. Furthermore, such simplification is separated from the state inference and does not compromise its accuracy, as the selected action would finally be applied on the original state. First, we present the concept for general decision problems and provide a theoretical framework for a coherent formulation of the approach. We then practically apply these ideas to decision problems in the belief space, which can be simplified by considering a sparse approximation of their initial belief. The scalable belief sparsification algorithm we provide is able to yield solutions which are guaranteed to be consistent with the original problem. We demonstrate the benefits of the approach in the solution of a realistic active-SLAM problem and manage to significantly reduce computation time, with no loss in the quality of solution. This work is both fundamental and practical and holds numerous possible extensions.
Higher education in welfare regimes: Three worlds of post-Soviet transition
Authors: Malinovskiy Sergey , Shibanova Ekaterina
Published: June 2022

Higher education has generally been excluded from the welfare discourse, especially in transition countries. This article addresses existing research gaps by applying the ideas of decommodification and stratification to higher education in post-Soviet countries, within the comparative framework of welfare regime typology. The purpose of this study is to analyse the extent to which higher education relates to welfare state models in such countries. The research demonstrates that institutional settings and outcomes of higher education provision in Estonia, Georgia and Russia are evolving toward patterns of social-democratic, liberal and conservative models, respectively. Although the correspondence is incomplete, we argue that post-Soviet states are more similar to groups of countries representing these welfare regimes than to each other. This study argues against the assumption of a uniform post-Soviet pattern of higher education policy and shows that its structuring is embedded in the wider context of national welfare state models.
Adaptive fuzzy backstepping control of flexible marine riser with uncertain parameters and input saturation constraint
Authors: Wan Min , Zhou Li , Zhang Qiang , Yin Yanxia
Published: June 2022

To suppress the vibration of a flexible riser system with input saturation and uncertain parameters under the influence of unknown external disturbances, an adaptive fuzzy backstepping boundary control algorithm was designed. First, the backstepping method and Lyapunov function are used to analyze the subsystem and design the virtual control law. On this basis, the adaptive fuzzy system was designed to approximate the unknown nonlinear term in the design process, and the smooth hyperbolic tangent function and the auxiliary system based on Nussbaum function were introduced to limit control input. The stability and uniform boundedness of the closed-loop control system are proved by the Lyapunov stability theory without simplifying or discretizing the infinite dimensional dynamic model. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm is verified by comparing the control effect with proportional–integral–derivative control and the previous adaptive backstepping control by MATLAB simulation. The simulation results show that the proposed control algorithm can overcome the uncertainty of system parameters and effectively suppress the riser vibration under input constraints, and its control effect is better than proportional–integral–derivative control and adaptive backstepping control.
Data-driven prediction-control system modeling for magnetorheological damping force
Authors: Lv Hongzhan , Sun Qi , Ma Weiguang
Published: June 2022

As a new type of intelligent damper, the magnetorheological damper has been widely used in robot, automobile NVH, and intelligent structure. However, for the intelligent response control from the structural excitation, it is the challenge to realize the intelligent control of the magnetorheological damping system. In this paper, the prediction-control mechanism of the magnetorheological damping system is modeled by a data-driven method, such as neural network and classification algorithm. The NARX (Nonlinear autoregressive with external input) neural network is used to predict the desired damping force required for the structural system in the forward direction, and the decision tree classification algorithm is used to reversely-control the desired current of the magnetorheological damping system in instant response to the structural system’s damping force requirement. The analysis results show that the prediction-control method is feasible to realize the intelligent control of the damper based on the state data of the damped system, which provides a new idea for the intelligent control of the magnetorheological damper system.
Impact compression damages of 3D braided composites with/without axial yarns after thermo-oxidative ageing
Authors: Long Jing , Xu Feng , Wu Yuanyuan , Xue Yousong , Sun Baozhong , Gu Bohong , Zhang Wei
Published: June 2022

Ageing conditions and braided structures will affect dynamic damage and failure mechanisms of 3D braided composites. Here we report the influence of thermo-oxidative ageing on impact compression behaviors of 3D braided composite with and without axial yarns, i.e., four directional (3D4d) and five directional (3D5d) braided composites. We found a significant difference in mechanical properties between epoxy resins and composites after ageing. The impact compressive strength of epoxy resins declined rapidly and then slowly, while the composites decreased continuously, with the increase of ageing days. The interfacial debonding is main degradation mechanism for both braided composites at the later ageing stage. Thermo-oxidative ageing accelerates the inner damage evolution which propagates from surface cracks. Compared with 3D4d braided composites, the 3D5d braided structure has higher strength retaining level after ageing. In addition, the 3D5d braided samples have higher resistance to impact deformation and lower crack propagation. Finite element analysis (FEA) results revealed that 3D5d composites showed higher load carrying capacity and less damages than 3D4d composites.
Targeting EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutation in Non–small cell Lung Cancer: Amivantamab and Mobocertinib
Authors: Russell Molly C. , Garelli Alyssa M. , Reeves David J.
Published: June 2022

Objective

To evaluate clinical data regarding the use of amivantamab and mobocertinib for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutation non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and assess their potential impact on the care of patients.

Data Sources

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov was conducted using the terms amivantamab, Rybrevant, JNJ-61186372, mobocertinib, Exkivity, TAK-788.

Study Selection and Data Extraction

Relevant English-language clinical trials were evaluated.

Data Synthesis

Amivantamab and mobocertinib were Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved based on phases 1 and 2 studies. Amivantamab demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 40% and median progression-free survival (PFS) of 8.3 months. Patients commonly experienced rash (86%), paronychia (45%), and stomatitis (21%). Mobocertinib demonstrated an ORR of 28% and median PFS of 7.3 months in phase 1/2 study. Patients frequently experienced diarrhea (91%), rash (45%), and paronychia (38%). Cardiac monitoring is recommended with mobocertinib due to risk of QTc prolongation and cardiac failure.

Relevance to Patient Care

For NSCLC patients who possess an EGFR exon 20 insertion mutation, amivantamab and mobocertinib are indicated as second-line therapy. Ongoing studies are evaluating these therapies as first-line monotherapy and as part of combination regimens in multiple cancer types. Dosage forms, drug interactions, and patient comorbidities should be considered when deciding which of the 2 agents may be most appropriate.

Conclusion

Amivantamab and mobocertinib target an uncommon NSCLC mutation that has historically marked a poor prognosis because of innate resistance to previously approved EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Promising results from early phase trials supported accelerated FDA approval.
Fostering Relational Healing: The Use of CPRT with Foster Caregivers to Promote Family Success
Authors: Frawley Caitlin , Kelchner Viki P.
Published: June 2022

A large proportion of children in the foster care system experience placement instability, which works against the three national goals for children in the child welfare system: permanency, safety, and well-being. Placement instability has been linked with increased child externalizing behaviors and increased parenting stress. Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) is one intervention which combats issues associated with placement instability. We outline the needs of children and families in the foster care system, the benefits of relationship-focused play therapy interventions, and provide rationale for the use of CPRT among child welfare agencies.
Epithelial downgrowth leading to graft rejection after penetrating keratoplasty
Authors: Godin Fernando , Mercado Carolina , Larco Pablo , Pacheco L Maria A , Borroni Davide , Chacon Aponte Alberto
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To report a case of epithelial downgrowth after penetrating keratoplasty.

Case description

A 58-year-old man presented with graft rejection in his three-month-old, repeat penetrating keratoplasty. Examination revealed centripetal opacification of the posterior cornea due to deep epithelization. He had new retro-corneal membranes and anterior uveitis. Specular microscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography were performed, and a clinical diagnosis of epithelial downgrowth was made. The patient had intracameral injections with 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and achieved resolution of intraocular findings after treatment.

Conclusions

Epithelial downgrowth is an uncommon complication of penetrating keratoplasty. It affects the patients’ visual acuity and graft survival. Clinical observation is preferred in severe cases due to the high risk of intraocular damage; intracameral 5FU promises to be a good option in these cases.
Prospective relationship between autistic traits and nutrient intakes among Japanese children: Results of the Shika study
Authors: Tsujiguchi Hiromasa , Hara Akinori , Miyagi Sakae , Pham Kim Oanh , Suzuki Keita , Nguyen Thao Thi Thu , Ono Yasuki , Kambayashi Yasuhiro , Shimizu Yukari , Nakamura Haruki , Suzuki Fumihiko , Shibata Aki , Hayashi Koichi , Tsuboi Hirohito , Nakamura Hiroyuki
Published: June 2022

Increased food selectivity among children with autism spectrum disorder may lead to nutritional inadequacy. We designed this study to examine the prospective relationship between autistic traits in children and subsequent nutrient intake in later childhood and whether this relationship changes over time. We utilized longitudinal data obtained at two time points from the Shika study, an ongoing population-based study conducted in a rural area of Japan. Participants were 759 Japanese children aged between 7 and 12 years at baseline and between 10 and 15 years in the follow-up. The results obtained showed relatively lower intakes of sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B2, and vitamin B12 among children with than without autistic traits. Interactions were observed among autistic traits and time points for iron, vitamin B2, folic acid, and pantothenic acid. The results of this study suggest the importance of screening the nutrient intake of children with autistic traits across childhood in order to reduce the risk of restricted intake.

Lay Abstract

It is known about food selectivity among children with autism spectrum disorder. However, the nutritional inadequacy among children with ASD is not clear. Especially, long-term evaluation has not been studied. We examined the prospective relationship between autistic traits in children and subsequent nutrient intake in later childhood. We utilized data obtained at two time points from a study conducted in Japan. Participants were 759 Japanese children aged between 7 and 12 years at baseline and between 10 and 15 years in the follow-up. The results showed relatively lower intakes of sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B2, and vitamin B12 among children with than without autistic traits. Relatively lower intake of minerals and vitamins in children with autistic traits is more evident in later childhood. The results suggest the importance of screening the nutrient intake of children with autistic traits across childhood.
Cold-start emission reduction of the gasoline-powered vehicle utilizing a novel method
Authors: Teymoori Mohammad Mahdi , Chitsaz Iman , Kashani Nima Ajami , Davazdah Emami Mohsen
Published: June 2022

Most vehicle tailpipe emissions are related to the cold-start condition. In the present study, a novel methodology is introduced to trap the cold-start emissions. A numerical model is used to investigate the method implementation on the vehicle’s cold-start emissions. Model is validated with the experimental data. Three different driving cycles are simulated to understand the effects of the employed method. The results show that the light-off temperature is independent of the driving cycle, while the light-off time is highly dependent on the driving behavior. The presented concept is more effective for traffic conditions and the low required powers of the vehicle. The most emission reduction is related to the emissions with moderate increment after catalyst light off. Therefore, the most considerable reduction is related to the NOx emission in all driving conditions, while method implementation is not beneficial for CO reduction compared to NOx. The emission reduction varies from 20% (WLTC) to 35% (NEDC) for CO emission, from 25% (WLTC) to 34% (NEDC and FTP75) for HC emission and 41% (FTP75) to 51% (NEDC) for NOX emission. This idea would help gasoline-powered vehicles to pass more strict emissions such as Euro7 in the coming future.
Benjamin’s Baudelaire: Translation and modern experience
Authors: Bielsa Esperança
Published: June 2022

This article focusses on Walter Benjamin’s approach to the experience of modernity through his long-term engagement with the poetry of Charles Baudelaire. Benjamin translated Baudelaire and produced a theoretical reflection on translation based on this experience in his essay ‘The Task of the Translator’. Years later, he would place Baudelaire at the centre of his attempt to reconstruct the prehistory of modernity in his great unfinished work The Arcades Project. This article brings to light the relationship between translating and interpreting Baudelaire in Benjamin’s work, attempting to recover a systematicity in his thought that escapes from traditional disciplinary borders. In order to do so, it reads Benjamin’s essay on ‘The Task of the Translator’ in light of major issues that can only be clarified with reference to his later adoption of historical materialism and, conversely, it approaches Benjamin’s interpretation of Baudelaire as the writer of modern life as a revision of philosophical concerns that were first approached in his metaphysics of language and translation. A concluding section explores how such an interpretation relates to a materialist physiognomics which puts language and translation at the heart of a critique of modernity.
Student Academic Engagement and Burnout Amidst COVID-19: The Role of Purpose Orientations and Disposition Towards Gratitude in Life
Authors: Yukhymenko-Lescroart Mariya A.
Published: June 2022

The current study considered the role of broad life orientations of university students on their academic engagement and burnout within the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to examine whether life purpose orientations predicted student academic engagement and burnout directly and indirectly through disposition towards gratitude. University students completed questionnaires assessing academic engagement, burnout (reduced sense of schoolwork accomplishment, schoolwork devaluation, mental exhaustion from schoolwork), life purpose orientations (others-growth, self-growth, career-focused), and disposition towards gratitude. Structural equation modeling showed that academic engagement and two dimensions of burnout (reduced sense of schoolwork accomplishment, schoolwork devaluation) were negatively predicted by career-focused purpose orientation and by disposition towards gratitude. Additionally, reduced sense of schoolwork accomplishment was predicted indirectly by others-growth purpose orientation through disposition towards gratitude. Overall, findings highlight that broad life orientations may play salient roles in student academic success.
Transcriptome Profiling Unveils a Critical Role of IL-17 Signaling-Mediated Inflammation in Radiation-Induced Esophageal Injury in Rats
Authors: Yao Jia , Zhang Jinkang , Wang Jinlong , Lai Qian , Yuan Weijun , Liu Zhongyu , Cheng Shuanghua , Feng Yahui , Jiang Zhiqiang , Shi Yuhong , Jiang Sheng , Tu Wenling
Published: June 2022

Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involving the initiation and progression of radiation-induced esophageal injury (RIEI) is important for prevention and treatment. Despite ongoing advances, the underlying mechanisms controlling RIEI remain largely unknown. In the present study, RNA-seq was performed to characterize mRNA profiles of the irradiated rat esophagus exposed to 0, 25, or 35 Gy irradiation. Bioinformatics analyses including dose-dependent differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and immune infiltration were performed. 134 DEGs were screened out with a dose-dependent manner (35 Gy > 25 Gy > control, or 35 Gy < 25 Gy < control). GO and KEGG analyses showed that the most significant mechanism was IL-17 signaling-mediated inflammatory response. 5 hub genes, Ccl11, Cxcl3, Il17a, S100a8, and S100a9, were identified through the intersection of the DEGs involved in inflammatory response, IL-17 pathway, and PPI network. Additionally, immune infiltration analysis showed the activation of macrophages, monocytes, T cells, NKT cells, and neutrophils, among which macrophages, monocytes, and neutrophils might be the main sources of S100a8 and S100a9. Thus, these findings further our understanding on the molecular biology of RIEI and may help develop more effective therapeutic strategies.
Investigation of heat transfer enhancement using ferro-nanofluids (Fe3O4/water) in a heated pipe under the application of magnetic field
Authors: Ebaid Munzer SY , Ghrair Ayoup M , Al-busoul Mamdoh
Published: June 2022

Different volume concentrations (1.2, 0.6, 0.3 wt%) of Fe3O4/water nanofluids and for different Reynolds number (Re) varying from 2180 to 9160 were used experimentally. The aim of work is to study the effect of applying various magnetic field intensity 15.1, 30.3, 45.5 mT on heat transfer enhancement in a horizontal pipe heated with constant heating flux of 420 W. Results showed that Nusselt number (Nu) increases with increasing Re for the nanofluids and water regardless the presence or absence of the magnetic field. Also, higher values were obtained than water. The average increase in Nu for Fe3O4-nanofluids is 16.7% relative to water when the magnetic field is not applied. However, the average increase in heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number are 9.4%, 26.1%, 31.3% and 8.8%, 13.1%, and 23.9% in the presence of magnetic field [Formula: see text] compared to the absence of magnetic field and base fluid water, respectively. Furthermore, pressure drop increases with the increase of Reynolds number and magnetic field strength. It can be concluded that the magnetic field has a big effect on the thermal transfer performance of Fe3O4/water nanofluid when compared with the thermal motion of magnetic nanoparticles. Finally, it is found that the performance factor is above unity in the presence and absence of magnetic field strength. This means that Nusselt number enhancement is higher than friction changes, which indicates the applicability of the heated pipe in the improvement of heat transfer. These results can be useful for enhancing heat transfer in many engineering applications such as heat exchangers, medical devices, and electronic devices.
Identification and analysis of the factors to realizing variable intake/exhaust phases in opposed-piston two-stroke diesel engines
Authors: Yang Wei , Ma Fu-kang , Li Feng , Xu Jun-feng
Published: June 2022

The opposed-piston, two-stroke (OP2S) diesel engine is a potential power system to promote thermal efficiency, but the engine has an inferior scavenging performance. Through variable intake/exhaust times, the combustion process can be effectively facilitated. For example, the VVT technology is used in traditional engines. However, this technology has not been applied to OP2S diesel engines. This present work analyzed parameters influencing the intake/exhaust times to find a way to realize variable intake/exhaust times in OP2S diesel engines. These parameters affecting intake/exhaust times were mainly focused on, for example, crank to link ratio (CLR), piston phase difference (PPD), and port height (PH). Through investigating their influence on IMEP, scavenging efficiency, and trapping efficiency, we evaluated the different schemes from performance, intake/exhaust phases, and realization cost. The results show that the PH scheme significantly precedes the PPD and CLR schemes for realizing the variable intake/exhaust times. The PH scheme owns a more extensive phase adjustment range of 31°CA, the IMEP of 0.75 MPa, and the scavenging efficiency of 0.74. To achieve better power and scavenging performance, the EPH should be 37.5% higher than IPH, and the PPD should be kept below 15°CA.
Examining the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Service Providers Working with Children and Youth with Neuro-developmental Disabilities and their Families: Results of a Focus Group Study
Authors: Nicholas David B. , Mitchell Wendy , Ciesielski Jill , Khan Arisha , Lach Lucyna
Published: June 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed unprecedented service interruptions in many sectors including services for children and youth with neuro-developmental disabilities (NDD). We examined the experiences of service providers as they supported this population during the pandemic. Five focus groups were convened with 24 service providers offering support to children/youth with NDD and their families. Results highlight substantial service changes and challenges, as observed by service providers. Service closures and program delivery modification resulted in the rapid adoption of virtual services and reduced program delivery. Service providers have faced heightened workloads, personal weariness and ‘burn out’, and new levels of conflict at work, yet with little opportunity and support for self-care. Beyond challenges, new learning and growth have emerged, with heightened collaboration amongst organizations. Strains in service delivery during the pandemic have exposed programming and systems gaps, for which proactive capacity building is warranted and recommended.
Neutropenia, neutrophilia, and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio as prognostic markers in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Meisel Alexander , de Wit Ronald , Oudard Stephane , Sartor Oliver , Stenner-Liewen Frank , Shun Zhenming , Foster Meredith , Ozatilgan Ayse , Eisenberger Mario , de Bono Johann S.
Published: June 2022

Background and purpose:

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are potentially useful prognostic markers in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). This post hoc analysis investigated whether these markers can be utilized for dose considerations and evaluated the prognostic impact of leukocyte subtypes.

Patients and methods:

PROSELICA assessed the non-inferiority of cabazitaxel 20 mg/m2 (C20; n = 598) versus 25 mg/m2 (C25; n = 602) for overall survival (OS) in patients with mCRPC previously treated with docetaxel. The association of grade ⩾ 3 neutropenia, NLR, baseline neutrophilia and lymphopenia with OS, progression-free survival (PFS), and prostate-specific antigen response rate (PSArr) was investigated by an unplanned uni- and multivariate analyses.

Results:

PROSELICA confirmed the negative prognostic value of increased baseline NLR [⩾3, hazard ratio (HR) 1.40; p < 0.0001], but did not identify a subgroup of patients benefiting more from C20 or C25. In this post hoc analysis, patients who developed grade ⩾3 neutropenia ( n = 673) had a significantly improved OS [∆OS = 2.7 months, HR = 0.78 (95% CI 0.68–0.89)] with the greatest advantage observed in patients with baseline neutrophilia [ n = 85; 5.3 months, 0.60 (0.42–0.84)]. After adjustment for the Halabi criteria, neutropenia grade ⩾ 3 was the only biomarker that remained significantly associated with OS [ (HR 0.86 (0.75–0.98)], PFS [HR 0.78 (0.68–0.88)], and PSArr [odds ratio (OR) 1.82 (1.37–2.41)] while neutrophilia showed the strongest association with OS [1.53 (1.29–1.81)].

Conclusions:

Grade ⩾ 3 neutropenia was the only leukocyte-based biomarker associated with all key outcome parameters in mCRPC patients receiving cabazitaxel and might be able to overcome the negative prognostic effect of baseline neutrophilia.

NCT number:

NCT01308580
Improving cervical spinal cord lesion detection in multiple sclerosis using filtered fused proton density-T2 weighted images
Authors: Alharbi Khalid O , Abujamea Abdullah H , Alomair Othman I , Alsakkaf Hussein M , Alharbi Abdulaziz A , Alghamdi Sami A , Alharbi Abdullah G
Published: June 2022

Background

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is considered a vital in depicting multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. Current studies demonstrate that proton density (PD) weighted images (WI) are superior to T2 WI in detecting MS lesions (plaques) in the spinal cord.

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic value of filtered fused PD/T2 weighted images in detecting cervical spinal cord MS lesions.

Material and Methods

In this retrospective study, we selected a sample size of 50 MS patients. Using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE), a digital image processing filter was used on the (PD/T2) fused images. The produced images were inspected and compared to the original PD images by two experienced neuroradiologists using interobserver and intraobserver. An ROI analysis was also performed on the processed and original PD images.

Results

The repeatability measurement of the match between the two examinations was highly consistent for both neuroradiologists. The repeatability for both neuroradiologists was 96.05%, and the error measurement was 3.95%. The reproducibility measurement of the neuroradiologist’s evaluation shows that the processed images could help to identify lesions better [excellent (84.87%)] than PD images [good (61.19%)]. ROIs analysis was performed on 113 MS lesions and normal areas in different images within the sample size. It revealed an enhanced ratio of 2.2 between MS lesions and normal spinal cord tissue in processed fused images compared to 1.34 in PD images.

Conclusion

The processed images of the fused images (PD/T2) have superior diagnostic sensitivity for MS lesions in the cervical spine than PD images alone.
The Role of Friends and Romantic Partners in College-Attending Emerging Adults’ Engagement and GPA
Authors: DeLuca Bishop Haylee K. , Baker Elizabeth A. , van Dulmen Manfred H. M.
Published: June 2022

The current study examines the impact of perceived academic support from closest same-sex friends and romantic partners on two indicators of academic success: GPA (reported by the registrar’s office) and student engagement. Utilizing a longitudinal, daily-diary design, we investigate whether perceived academic support from closest same-sex friends and perceived academic support from romantic partners are unique constructs. Longitudinal path models also test the associations between academic support, student engagement, and GPA. Participants were emerging adults attending college ( N = 246) at a large, Midwestern U.S. university, who were in a committed romantic relationship for at least 4 months. Results suggest academic support from friends and academic support from romantic partners are unique constructs. Academic support from friends, but not romantic partners, is positively associated with student engagement, which subsequently predicts GPA. These findings build upon work demonstrating the importance of close relationships in undergraduate student engagement and achievement.
Gender Discrimination and Retaliation at Pinterest
Authors: Jha Srirang K. , Jha Shweta
Published: June 2022

Francoise Brougher joined Pinterest as a chief operating officer in March 2018. Earlier she worked with Square and Google. She worked hard to augment the revenue of the company from US$500 million to US$1.1 billion in a short span of about two years. A large team of about 1,500 staff reported to her. However, soon after joining the company, she realized that the decision-making was monopolized by cronies of the chief executive officer (CEO). At the time of filing application for initial public offer, she noticed discrepancies in her compensation as compared to her male counterparts. Raising the issue became a bone of contention between Brougher and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Todd Morgenfeld. The matter became worse as the CEO Ben Silbermann also sided with the CFO. Ultimately, Brougher was shown the door in a most unceremonious manner. Anguished by the treatment meted out to her at Pinterest, Brougher filed a lawsuit against gender discrimination and retaliation. Both the parties reached an out-of-court settlement that instantly hit the headlines across the globe because of the magnitude and nature of the terms of settlement. This case explores the underlying questions emanating from the nature of the case as well as general incidence of gender discrimination and retaliation at the workplaces across the world.
Lost in the Perilous Boulevards of Gig Economy: Making of Human Drones
Authors: Gupta Rajesh , Gupta Rajneesh
Published: June 2022

Along with advancements in information technology and related infrastructure, the gig economy is expanding to more and more cities in the world. In emerging economies like India, due to increasing urbanisation and Internet connectivity, many services are being delivered through technology platforms, and their numbers are growing fast. However, not much is known about the impact of app-based employment on the workers. The online food delivery sector is a suitable segment to probe the same. How vulnerable is this ever-dispensable food delivery employee in his monotonous job? These workers are employed under the mobile apps that control them like in a sci-fi game. What does it mean to be constantly under the mobile app surveillance? Does the flexibility of the gig economy impact the skills and aspirations of these boys? Does it dehumanise the workers and transform them into human drones? This study maps the lived experience of food delivery boys and their families, which has so far remained behind the celebrated success of the platform economy in India. Using both interview and participant observation methods to study gig workers and deploying dimensional analysis to unpack the context, this study finds evidence of unobtrusive dehumanisation. Given the mushrooming trend of such gig workers, the findings of this study call for a deeper analysis of the social impact of the gig economy and have far-reaching implications.
Fall from grace or back down to earth? Conservation and political conflict in Africa’s “miracle” state
Authors: LaRocco Annette A , Mogende Emmanuel
Published: June 2022

Since the publication of the influential text, An African Miracle, much scholarship has focused on Botswana's supposed “exceptionality” anchored in the country's economic growth and sustained democracy. Botswana's success story has proved enduring and versatile, being deployed in numerous contexts including in relation to Botswana’s status as a conservation “safe haven” in southern Africa. Many green plaudits are associated with the tenure of former president Ian Khama (2008–2018), who broke with longstanding tradition and actively campaigned against his own vice president and successor, President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Their acrimonious relationship is multifaceted but in this article, we refer to disputes over wildlife conservation policy wherein Masisi rolled back his predecessor's signature conservation policies, focusing specifically on the reversal of the hunting ban, the disarming of some anti-poaching officers, and changes in Botswana's stance in international environmental diplomacy regarding ivory and the CITES regime. We contend that Khama's conservation decisions—underpinned by lack of consultation and green violence—made Botswana a “green miracle” to outside observers while contravening the central principles of local democratic practice such as therisanyo (consultation) cherished in the country. We argue that Masisi's reversal of Khama-era positions that were unpopular with conservation-adjacent communities represents not a “fall from grace,” but rather the bringing back down to earth of policies that had alienated the local population, thus indicating the potential to pursue inclusive governance that domestically Botswana acclaims.
Mainstreaming ecosystem services: The hard work of realigning biodiversity conservation
Authors: Suarez Daniel Chiu
Published: June 2022

For over two decades, proponents of “ecosystem services” approaches have endeavored to transform the field of biodiversity conservation. In this article, I examine the work of the Natural Capital Project to show how the “mainstreaming” of ecosystem services has required not just hard work but specific forms of work performed by specific types of actors with specific sets of capabilities working through characteristic sorts of organizational contexts. I draw on key theorizations from organization studies to interpret the politics of ecosystem services and conceptualize the conditions (fragmented fields), practices (bricolage), actors (institutional entrepreneurs), and power relations (hegemonic) which have together comprised this work and underpinned ongoing efforts to realign the organizational forms and functions of mainstream conservation. I emphasize how tracing these micro-social foundations—the embedded agencies of those using ecosystem services to contextually negotiate real-world conservation interventions—is crucial to understanding the dynamics of broader and increasingly pronounced macro-institutional shifts in conservation.
A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials on Interventions Adopting Body-Mind-Spirit (BMS) Model on Holistic Well-Being
Authors: Li Tongtong , Hu Xinyue , Chi Iris
Published: June 2022

Background

This systematic review aims to examine existing randomized controlled trials on interventions adopting Body-Mind-Spirit (BMS) model and evaluated the effectiveness of holistic well-being outcomes. Following three key concepts of the BMS model, our review questions included (1) How was BMS defined? (2) What activities were included, and how were they related to BMS dimensions? (3) What were interventionists’ backgrounds, and whether they received BMS training? (4) What were holistic outcomes? and (5) What were the effectiveness and qualities of studies?

Methods

Searches were performed using nine databases for the studies published through August 2020. The process follows PRISMA protocol, and the “risk of bias” tool from the Cochrane Handbook was utilized to determine the quality of included studies.

Results

Across 20 included studies, 18 (90%) presented a BMS definition, but only seven (35%) included all three key concepts of the BMS model. Eight studies (40%) offered detailed descriptions of body, mind, and spirit sections, and 12 (60%) mentioned cultural factors. Only five (25%) specified the body, mind, and spirit activities, and only three (15%) reported the BMS training in detail. Seven studies (35%) showed effectiveness in holistic outcomes. Only three (15%) were considered as high quality.

Conclusion

A unified definition of the BMS model and the guideline to apply the BMS model to design and implement interventions are highly recommended to provide a standard framework for researchers to conduct future studies. The reason for low quality is because the lack of adequate allocation concealment and blindings.