bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on integrated thermal management system for electric vehicle
Authors: Liu Fei , Li Meng , Han Bing , Guo Jiale , Xu Yalong
Published: July 2022

Battery electric vehicle has become an important development direction of new energy vehicles because of its advantages of high efficiency, clean and low energy consumption. Thermal management system is required to ensure that the temperature of the battery and motor is in an efficient operating temperature range. However, as the energy required for cooling and heating of the thermal management system is provided by the power battery, the range of electric vehicles is severely reduced. In order to reduce the energy consumption of thermal management system, electric vehicle integrated thermal management system has become an important research direction. In this paper, an integrated thermal management system is designed for battery electric vehicle. The cooling and heating of battery, cooling of motor, and waste heat utilization are considered comprehensively. The simulation model of integrated thermal management system is established, and the accuracy of the model is verified by experiments. The cooling performance, heating performance and waste heat utilization performance of integrated thermal management system were analyzed under different boundary conditions.
Mechanical properties prediction of various graphene reinforced nanocomposites using transfer learning-based deep neural network
Authors: Pashmforoush Farzad
Published: July 2022

Nowadays, various machine learning (ML) approaches are widely used in different research areas. However, the need for a large training dataset has restricted the attractiveness of ML techniques for industrial applications, since the preparation of a large dataset is very costly and inefficient. To deal with this limitation, an efficient method is required to fill the gap between industry and research. For this purpose, in this study a transfer learning-based deep neural network (TL-DNN) model was developed to predict the mechanical properties of various graphene reinforced nanocomposites. In this respect, a hybrid multi-layer feedforward DNN was designed, containing one source network and one target network. The source DNN was trained to predict the mechanical properties of graphene/graphene oxide nanocomposites with various matrix types including Al, Cu, PMMA, Si3N4, Al2O3, etc. By transferring the acquired knowledge of the source DNN to the target DNN, the mechanical properties of another material (graphene/epoxy nanocomposite) were estimated with high accuracy level, even with limited number of data samples. It should be mentioned that the optimal values of the network hyperparameters were determined using genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing (SA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms.
Patterns of Implicit and Explicit Attitudes: IV. Change and Stability From 2007 to 2020
Authors: Charlesworth Tessa E. S. , Banaji Mahzarin R.
Published: July 2022

Using more than 7.1 million implicit and explicit attitude tests drawn from U.S. participants to the Project Implicit website, we examined long-term trends across 14 years (2007–2020). Despite tumultuous sociopolitical events, trends from 2017 to 2020 persisted largely as forecasted from past data (2007–2016). Since 2007, all explicit attitudes decreased in bias between 22% (age attitudes) and 98% (race attitudes). Implicit sexuality, race, and skin-tone attitudes also continued to decrease in bias, by 65%, 26%, and 25%, respectively. Implicit age, disability, and body-weight attitudes, however, continued to show little to no long-term change. Patterns of change and stability were generally consistent across demographic groups (e.g., men and women), indicating widespread, macrolevel change. Ultimately, the data magnify evidence that (some) implicit attitudes reveal persistent, long-term change toward neutrality. The data also newly reveal the potential for short-term influence from sociopolitical events that temporarily disrupt progress toward neutrality, although attitudes eventually return to long-term homeostasis in trends.
Fear in the Theater of the Mind: Differential Fear Conditioning With Imagined Stimuli
Authors: Burleigh Lauryn , Jiang Xinrui , Greening Steven G.
Published: July 2022

Many symptoms of anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder are elicited by fearful mental imagery. Yet little is known about how visual imagery of conditioned stimuli (CSs) affects the acquisition of differential fear conditioning. Across three experiments with younger human adults (Experiment 1: n = 33, Experiment 2: n = 27, Experiment 3: n = 26), we observed that participants acquired differential fear conditioning to both viewed and imagined percepts serving as the CSs, as measured via self-reported fear and skin conductance responses. Additionally, this differential conditioning generalized across CS-percept modalities such that differential conditioning acquired in response to visual percepts generalized to the corresponding imagined percepts and vice versa. This is novel evidence that perceived and imagined stimuli engage learning processes in very similar ways and is consistent with the theory that mental imagery is depictive and recruits neural resources shared with visual perception. Our findings also provide new insight into the mechanisms of anxiety and related disorders.
Cartooning and sexism in the time of Covid-19: Metaphors and metonymies in the Arab mind
Authors: Abdel-Raheem Ahmed
Published: July 2022

Using a large-scale corpus of 706 coronavirus cartoons by male and female Arab artists, this study takes a fresh and more cognitive look at sexism in multimodal discourse. Specifically, it examines the role of salience and grammar (and hence of metaphor and metonymy) in gender bias and/or in discrimination against women. It argues that both men and women are vulnerable to the influence of stereotypical and outdated beliefs that create unconscious bias. But this raises the crucial issue of whether we can speak of ‘overt’ sexism in images. Issues around terminology and conceptualization are thus also investigated. Importantly, this paper makes the following contributions to feminist and cross-cultural pragmatics: (i) it brings a distinctly Arabic perspective to gender and language; (ii) it expands socio-cognitive pragmatics beyond spoken and written communication; (iii) it shows a close coupling between an Arabic grammar and other aspects of culture; and (iv) it has the potential for impact beyond academia, specifically in the sphere of coronavirus care or of health communication.
The mid-Holocene sea-level change in the Arabian Gulf
Authors: Mauz Barbara , Shen Zhixiong , Alsuwaidi Mohammad , Melini Daniele , Spada Giorgio , Purkis Sam J
Published: July 2022

The mid-Holocene sea-level highstand is a well-known phenomenon in sea-level science, yet the knowledge on the highstand’s spatial and temporal distribution remains incomplete. Here we study the southwest coast of the Arabian-Persian Gulf where a mid-Holocene sea-level highstand and subsequent sea-level fall may have occurred due to the Earth crustal response to meltwater load. Sea-level indicators were established using standard facies analysis and error calculations, then constrained through glacio-isostatic adjustment (GIA) modelling and though procedures based on Gaussian Process and exponential decay analysis. This work allowed to identify the highstand at 1.6 ± 0.4 m occurring 6.7–6.0 ka, in excellent agreement with GIA model results. The subsequent shoreline migration followed the geophysical constraint by prograding in line with the sea-level fall until around 3 ka. Then, the strength of the external control weakened and internal processes, in particular sediment binding through microbial activity, started controlling the geometry of the accommodation space.
Ensemble methods for survival function estimation with time-varying covariates
Authors: Yao Weichi , Frydman Halina , Larocque Denis , Simonoff Jeffrey S
Published: July 2022

Survival data with time-varying covariates are common in practice. If relevant, they can improve on the estimation of a survival function. However, the traditional survival forests—conditional inference forest, relative risk forest and random survival forest—have accommodated only time-invariant covariates. We generalize the conditional inference and relative risk forests to allow time-varying covariates. We also propose a general framework for estimation of a survival function in the presence of time-varying covariates. We compare their performance with that of the Cox model and transformation forest, adapted here to accommodate time-varying covariates, through a comprehensive simulation study in which the Kaplan-Meier estimate serves as a benchmark, and performance is compared using the integrated [Formula: see text] difference between the true and estimated survival functions. In general, the performance of the two proposed forests substantially improves over the Kaplan-Meier estimate. Taking into account all other factors, under the proportional hazard setting, the best method is always one of the two proposed forests, while under the non-proportional hazard setting, it is the adapted transformation forest. [Formula: see text]-fold cross-validation is used as an effective tool to choose between the methods in practice.
Sentiment Analysis for Car Buying in a Post-COVID World
Authors: Dasgupta Pinaki , Banerjee Aishwarya , Gusain Rajiv , Saxena Utsavi , Jain Kumar Kartik
Published: July 2022

The Indian passenger vehicle was witnessing slump in sales even before the pandemic hit shores in March 2020. After the pandemic, the sector witnessed low to negative sales, low consumer trust and confidence and the added fear of the virus. The sudden declaration of the harsh lockdown in March 2020 till May 2020 aggravated the issue further. After May 2020 as the economy was gradually unlocking and most sectors were beginning to open up the study was timed between the period of March 2020 and August 2020. Unstructured textual data from online sources (micro blogging site Twitter, social media and digital media) were scrapped to understand the sentiment with respect to car buying when the lockdown was imposed and when the process of unlocking started. In the second stage, different strategies being adopted by car makers were analyzed and finally, the study concludes with how car buying will take place in a post-COVID world. Based on the analysis, factors that emerged as key to revival of car buying are facelift, spot test, voice bots, discounts, advertising and better financing options. The sentiments associated with these features as identified shall help marketers plan for effectively their market strategy.
Antisemitism as a football specific problem? The situation of Jewish clubs in German amateur sport
Authors: Müller Lasse , Haut Jan , Heim Christopher
Published: July 2022

Despite the undisputed existence of antisemitic incidents in sport, little is known about their exact prevalence and forms of manifestation. Also in Germany, physical and verbal attacks against Jewish sports clubs have repeatedly come to light. To estimate the prevalence of antisemitic incidents in German grassroot sports, a standardised online survey was conducted among members of Jewish sports clubs in Germany (N = 309, data collection 3 November 2020 to 24 January 2021). Results show an accumulation of cases in football: more than two-thirds (68%) of the football players have experienced an antisemitic incident at least once, while the share in other sports is only 14%. The results indicate that football offers a particularly large number of constellations that lead to the expression of antisemitic patterns. At its core, football is shaped by a clash of group identities. It is widely accepted that opponents and their supporters are devalued through aggressive and emotionalized behaviour. A tendency towards underreporting can furthermore be observed in dealing with the incidents, among other reasons due to a significant proportion of those surveyed do not trust the sanction mechanisms of the sports associations – this in turn applies to footballers and non-footballers.
Screening for Academic Risk Among Students With Cleft Lip and/or Palate: Patterns of Risk and Qualities of Effective Tools
Authors: Conrad Amy L. , Crilly Bellucci Claudia , Heppner Celia E. , Albert Meredith , Crerand Canice E. , Woodard Suzanne , Sheikh Farah , Kapp-Simon Kathleen A.
Published: July 2022

This study evaluated the effectiveness of academic screening measures in relation to parent-reported diagnoses.

Multicenter, retrospective cohort study including structured interviews, questionnaires, and chart reviews.

Six North American cleft centers.

Children (n = 391) with cleft lip and/or palate, ages 8 to 10 years of age (192 male) and their guardians were recruited during regular clinic visits.

Parent and child ratings on the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) School Scale, child report on CleftQ School Scale, parent report on the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-Third Edition Functional Academics (ABAS-FA) Scale and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) School Competency Scale, parent interview, and medical chart review.

Risk for concerns ranged from 12% to 41%, with higher risk reflected on the CBCL-SC compared to other measures. Males with cleft palate were consistently at the highest risk. Only 9% of the sample had a parent-reported diagnosis of a learning or language disability. Ratings from the ABAS-FA and CBCL-SC had the highest utility in identifying those with language and/or learning concerns.

As cleft teams work to develop standardized batteries for screening and monitoring of patients, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of measures in identifying those at highest risk. When screening for language and learning disorders, questions related to potential academic struggles, such as increased school effort or increased school distress, are most useful. Referrals for follow-up evaluation are recommended for those identified at high risk.
Stability of a standardized preparation of methotrexate, cytarabine, and methylprednisolone hemisuccinate for intrathecal use
Authors: Perego Gianluca , Longobardo Giorgia , Viganò Lucia , Locatelli Alberta , Veneziano Cinzia , Fazio Maria
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Data about the feasibility or stability of drugs prepared for intrathecal administration are scarce, especially concerning the possibility of mixing two or more compounds in the same syringe. We evaluated the stability of an extemporaneously prepared triple intrathecal therapy containing methotrexate, cytarabine, and methylprednisolone hemisuccinate.

Materials and Methods

Six mixtures containing 12.5 mg methotrexate, 50 mg cytarabine, and 40 mg methylprednisolone hemisuccinate, diluted to a final volume of 5 ml with water for injection, were prepared in polypropylene syringes on six different days. Syringes were stored protected from light either at room temperature (20°C) ( n  =  3) or refrigerated temperature (4°C) ( n  =  3). Samples were analyzed immediately after preparation and again at 0.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 h. The analysis was conducted with a high-performance liquid chromatography instrument equipped with a quaternary pump and diode array detector. pH was also assessed before every sample analysis.

Results

When mixed in a polypropylene syringe, the three drugs were stable at both temperatures tested. No degradation >10% was observed in any sample and pH remained between 7.0 and 7.5 over time. No precipitation or color change occurred. Among the three compounds, methylprednisolone hemisuccinate was the most labile as a slight temperature- and time-dependent degradation was observed.

Conclusion

Triple intrathecal solution of methotrexate, cytarabine, and methylprednisolone hemisuccinate is stable for up to 24 h when stored in polypropylene syringes protected from light at 4°C and 20°C.
Minimal surfaces and conservation laws for bidimensional structures
Authors: Eremeyev Victor A
Published: July 2022

We discuss conservation laws for thin structures which could be modeled as a material minimal surface, i.e., a surface with zero mean curvatures. The models of an elastic membrane and micropolar (six-parameter) shell undergoing finite deformations are considered. We show that for a minimal surface, it is possible to formulate a conservation law similar to three-dimensional non-linear elasticity. It brings us a path-independent J-integral which could be used in mechanics of fracture. So, the class of minimal surfaces extends significantly a possible geometry of two-dimensional structures which possess conservation laws.
Model anisotropic materials with ellipsoidal wave surfaces and their application to determination of elastic constants by acoustical methods
Authors: Kanaun Sergey , Ronquillo Jarillo Gerardo
Published: July 2022

A new class of elastic materials with orthorhombic symmetry is introduced. For such materials, group velocity surfaces of quasi-longitudinal waves have ellipsoidal shapes. Relations between elastic constants that guaranty ellipsoidal shapes of the group velocity surfaces are indicated. The model materials are used for approximate determination of effective elastic constants of heterogeneous materials by acoustical methods. Examples of reconstruction of elastic constants from acoustical data are presented, and possible errors of the reconstructions are discussed.
Hygienic Child Feces Disposal Practice and Its Associated Factors among Mothers/Caregivers of Under Five Children in West Armachiho District, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Addis Moges , Worku Walelegn , Bogale Laekemariam , Shimelash Alebachew , Tegegne Eniyew
Published: July 2022

Background:

Children’s feces are 5 times more dangerous than that of adults. Unhygienic disposal of child feces has been reported as one of the major sanitation problems in Sub-Saharan African countries. However, there is a scanty of information in the study area and evidences are insufficient in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study intends to assess child feces disposal practices and associated factors among Mothers/Caregivers of Under Five Children in West Armachiho District, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods:

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the West Armachho district from March 10, 2019 to April 10, 2019 by using a multistage cluster sampling method. Binary and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to identify factors associated to child faces disposal practice. The adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and a P-value of ⩽.05 were used to declare statistical significance.

Result:

The proportion of safe child feces disposal practice was 37.8% (95% CI: 34.6-40.89). Child feces disposal practice was significantly associated with the age of the child (AOR = 5.07, 95% CI: 2.52-10.21), the educational status of fathers (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.05–5.25), getting health education (AOR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.84-4.16), utilization of basic type of latrine (AOR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.55-5.02), knowledge of feces disposal technology options (AOR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.88-3.96), and media exposure about child feces (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.22-2.99).

Conclusion:

The practice of safe CFD was low. Age of the child, fathers’ educational status, receiving health education, basic type of latrine, feces disposal technology options used, and media exposure were independent predictors of safe CFD practice. Interventions need to be designed targeting safe CFD practices taking into account different media outlets and advocacy of improved sanitation technology use by policy makers.
Hierarchy, revisionism, and subordinate actors: The TPNW and the subversion of the nuclear order
Authors: Egel Naomi , Ward Steven
Published: July 2022

Why and how do weak states challenge the status quo? This article builds on analyses of hierarchy in International Relations to develop a more comprehensive and inclusive understanding of the concept of revisionism. We argue that while weak actors cannot generally directly challenge their position in a stratified hierarchy, they may be able to undermine or subvert the discourses that constitute these hierarchies. This approach is likely to be attractive and feasible under two conditions: when other approaches to reform have been frustrated, and when social and political resources are available to facilitate such subversive challenges. We illustrate this argument by analyzing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as a subversive revisionist project. Small states—frustrated by their inability to negotiate meaningful reform through the status quo framework—partnered with civil society and drew upon discursive resources developed during prior subversive revisionist projects in an effort to stigmatize nuclear weapons and subvert the discourses constituting the advantaged positions of those possessing them. While the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is unlikely to directly persuade nuclear weapon states to abandon their arsenals, it could have unpredictable consequences across a related range of hierarchic fields that constitute the status quo order.
Factors associated with telehealth use among adults in the United States: Findings from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey
Authors: Narcisse Marie-Rachelle , Andersen Jennifer A , Felix Holly C , Hayes Corey J , Eswaran Hari , McElfish Pearl A
Published: July 2022

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care shifted to virtual interactions with health professionals. The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of telehealth use in a nationally representative sample of the United States adult population.

Methods

The study used data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey of 17,582 respondents aged ≥18. Andersen’s model of health services utilization was employed to examine predisposing, enabling, and needs factors associated with past-year telehealth use. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine statistical associations.

Results

32.5% of adults ( n = 6402; mean age 51.6, SE = 0.4) reported telehealth use. Predisposing factors: Women and married/partnered adults and those with higher levels of education had greater odds of using telehealth. Adults living in Midwest and South and adults living in medium-small and non-metropolitan areas had decreased odds of using telehealth. Enabling factors: Income and having a usual source of care were positively associated with telehealth use. A negative association was found for those with no insurance and telehealth use, whereas a positive association was found for military insurance. Needs factors: Odds of using telehealth were increased for adults who had well-visits and ER visits in the past 12 months. Mental health services quadrupled the odds of telehealth use. Odds of using telehealth increased with each additional chronic disease, including COVID-19.

Conclusion

There are disparities in telehealth use according to sex, education, rurality, access to care, and health needs. Tackling these disparities is pivotal to ensure barriers to telehealth use are not exacerbated post-pandemic.
The effect of the model of contingent teaching on improving Iranian EFL learners’ essay writing
Authors: Behzadi Soufiani Leila , Ahangari Saeideh , Saeidi Mahnaz
Published: July 2022

Regarding the three main features of scaffolding, namely, contingency, fading, and the transfer of responsibility, contingency entails the assistance adjusted to a learner’s existing level of understanding. The present study investigated the effect of the model of contingent teaching on improving Iranian English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ overall writing performance (opinion essays), and in terms of writing components; namely, task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. Moreover, the study aimed at investigating which component was mostly affected by the model. Based on convenience sampling, 60 female EFL learners of English in a language school between the ages of 20 and 30 were chosen from four intact classes. After conducting the Oxford placement test to ensure the homogeneity of the learners, the participants were then randomly assigned to one of two groups: experimental or control. The findings of the MANCOVA test revealed that the model of contingent teaching fostered EFL learners’ opinion essay writing performance. Besides, the model of contingent teaching improved task response and the lexical resource more significantly. The study offers some practical implications for teacher trainers, teachers, and EFL learners which are discussed.
A comparison of the content and nature of worries of autistic and neurotypical young people as they transition from school
Authors: Waldman Jack , McPaul Ann , Jahoda Andrew
Published: July 2022

The prevalence of anxiety is higher in autistic young people, compared to neurotypical youths. However, the nature of worry in autistic young people is under-researched. Transition from secondary school is a time of change and can be challenging for autistic adolescents. This project explored the content and emotional impact of worries in neurotypical and autistic young people during transition. Twenty-two autistic people and 22 neurotypical people, aged 16–18, were recruited from mainstream schools. Participants completed a novel task to identify and explore the nature of their main worries. The participants’ worry frequency and distress levels in relation to their most salient concerns, and their anxiety levels, were measured. Content analysis highlighted similarities and differences between the two groups’ worries. Both groups worried about failure and their prospects of further education. Autistic people were more concerned about change and friendship, whereas more salient worries for neurotypical individuals were about work and money. Autistic people were more distressed by their worries than neurotypical individuals. Findings regarding the nature of autistic young people’s worries may help inform interventions. Moreover, asking autistic people about their worries as they leave school may help to address their concerns, ease their transition and reduce distress.

Lay abstract

Autistic young people experience higher levels of anxiety than neurotypical young people. Having worries is part of feeling anxious. This makes it surprising that very little research has looked at the kind of worries autistic young people have. Leaving school, in particular, can be a worrying time for young people. Twenty-two autistic young people and 22 neurotypical young people who were at mainstream secondary schools agreed to take part in the study. They were between 16 and 18 years of age. They were asked to sort through a series of pictures, showing the different types of worries that young people might experience. They were then asked to pick out their four main worries and say how much they thought about each worry and how upset the worry made them. They also completed a questionnaire about their level of anxiety. There were similarities and differences between the autistic and neurotypical young people’s worries. Both groups worried about failing and how they might get on in further education. The autistic young people were more worried about change and friendships. Work and money were particular concerns for the neurotypical young people. The autistic young people said that they found their worries more upsetting than the neurotypical young people. Having a better understanding of autistic young people’s worries at important points in their lives might mean that more timely help and support can be given to them. Simply knowing what to ask young autistic school leavers about may help them to express unspoken concerns.
The case for methodological naturalisation: Between political theory and political science
Authors: Perez Nahshon
Published: July 2022

Contemporary political theory demonstrates a turn towards data-sensitive research. Waldron, Shapiro, Carens, Blau and Floyd emphasise the importance of grounding political theory in empirical data. Political scientists developed methods aimed at improving the ways in which political institutions are studied. What can empirical political theory borrow from this literature, that would advance its aim to precisely evaluate political institutions? It is suggested to naturalise within political theory political-science methods. We point to three methods: the usage of case studies, avoiding sampling by the dependent variable and process tracing. In order to demonstrate their relevance, we re-read three studies in contemporary political theory (by Walzer, Spinner-Halev and Wenar), in light of the noted methods. If empirical political theory aims to fulfil its own stated goals and evaluate the desirability of political institutions according to reliable data regarding their functionality, it would greatly benefit from naturalising the methods of political science.
Development of non-communicable disease risk factors in Finland: projections up to 2040
Authors: Tolonen Hanna , Reinikainen Jaakko , Zhou Zhi , Härkänen Tommi , Männistö Satu , Jousilahti Pekka , Paalanen Laura , Lundqvist Annamari , Laatikainen Tiina
Published: July 2022

Background:

Non-communicable diseases are a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. They share the same behavioural risk factors (smoking, sedentary behaviour, alcohol consumption and an unhealthy diet), all of which are modifiable risk factors, and biological consequences (hypertension, elevated total cholesterol, obesity and diabetes).

Methods:

Using data from a series of cross-sectional health examination surveys conducted among the adult population in Finland from 1997 to 2017, a projection of risk factor development (smoking, leisure time sedentary behaviour, hypertension, elevated total cholesterol, overweight and obesity, and diabetes) up to the year 2040 was made. The projections were estimated using a multiple imputation method.

Results:

Smoking prevalence is estimated to continue to decline up to 2040, similar to hypertension and elevated total cholesterol. By contrast, obesity and diabetes will develop unfavourably, with an increase in prevalence. The increase in obesity is mainly due to polarisation – that is, normal-weight people remain of a normal weight, but overweight people tend to gain more weight and become obese. The observed and estimated changes for leisure time sedentary lifestyle were not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Projections of risk factors for non-communicable diseases are needed to guide public health policies and programmes, decision-making and the allocation of health care resources for prevention and care. In Finland, favourable developments have been seen in many of the risk factors, but obesity and diabetes show unfavourable development. There is a need to continue regular, systematic monitoring of the development of risk factors through health examination surveys and to set national goals and programmes to tackle the existing problems.
Between surveillance and technological solutionism: A critique of privacy-preserving apps for COVID-19 contact-tracing
Authors: Mann Monique , Mitchell Peta , Foth Marcus
Published: July 2022

In this article, we examine the rise of contact-tracing apps during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic as a new form of technological solutionism – a technological or techno-social fix that can be deployed at national scale in response to an urgent, supranational problem. A dystopian view saw the rapid development and proliferation of COVID-19 contact-tracing apps as a vanguard technology for surveillance. Expediently deployed as a technological fix to the pandemic, contact-tracing was seen to threaten to transform a state of emergency into a state of exception, under which accepted or constitutional laws and norms might be suspended. Here, we extend early critiques of the contact-tracing app as a ‘technofix’ to argue the growing intervention of global technology corporations in digital governance and affairs of national sovereignty throughout the COVID-19 pandemic represents a new frontier of state–industrial surveillance that exploits people’s pre-investment in and dependence on technology corporations. We exemplify this with the ‘technofix’ of the Google–Apple Exposure Notification (GAEN) framework and critically examine the notion of a decentralised and privacy-preserving Bluetooth-based contact-tracing framework proposed by global technology corporations that may threaten state sovereignty when determining public health responses to current or future crises.
Who gets a say in this? Speaking security on social media
Authors: Umansky Natalia
Published: July 2022

Can social media revert the top-down dynamics of securitization? Limited by the notion that ‘security is only articulated in an institutional voice by the elites’, the role of non-elite actors has remained understudied. Only recently has it been proposed that lay actors can become influential security agents through their online activity. However, social media’s capacity to revert the top-down dynamics of securitization remains contended. To explore this puzzle and seeking to update the theory of securitization to the modern context of political communication, this study employs a semi-supervised machine learning approach to analyse a novel dataset of over 10 million Twitter messages by five elite and non-elite actor groups discussing the Amazon rainforest fires in 2019. Finally, the study uses vector autoregression (VAR) models to explore who leads and who echoes the securitization process. The results show that both elite and lay actors behave as security agents and demonstrate the methodological contribution offered by the text-as-data approach developed in this analysis.
Distance, proximity, and authenticity in the point of view of US military drone operator autobiographies
Authors: Voice Matthew
Published: July 2022

Drone warfare disrupts the generally understood experience of war, and drone operators’ distance from the battlefield has called into question the authenticity of their experiences as participants in conflict. This article examines the autobiographies of three US military drone operators, analysing how the narration is discursively oriented to particular spatial and ideological perspectives. It argues that the linguistic construction of point of view in each text reflects a dynamic and sometimes paradoxical relationship between drone operators and their distance from the battlefield. Observing the position and shifting of deictic centres, the analysis draws parallels between spatial perspective, ideology, and the social identities of drone operators and victims of drone strikes. It concludes by reflecting on the variety of discursive strategies employed across these texts, and considers this variation itself to be an emerging trend in the discourse of drone warfare.
Experimental and numerical analysis of ratcheting behavior of A234 WPB steel elbow joints including corrosion defects
Authors: Moradi Abolfazl , Shariati Mahmoud , Zamani Pedram , Karimi Reza
Published: July 2022

In this paper, ratcheting behavior of intact and corroded 90o elbow pipe specimens of A234 WPB steel is investigated at intrados, crown, and extrados positions. A special fixture was designed and constructed to carry out the fatigue experiments. Then, the effects of fatigue loading parameters (mean and amplitude) and defect depth were examined on ratcheting responses of intact and corroded specimens at intrados, crown, and extrados positions. To simulate the ratcheting behavior of specimens, a finite element analysis was performed based on the combined nonlinear isotropic/kinematic hardening model. As a reasonable agreement was found between the finite element (FE) simulation results and experimental data, the influence of constant internal pressure during the cyclic loading was examined on ratcheting responses through FE simulation. Results indicated that decreasing the load amplitude was more effective on decreasing the ratcheting strain than that of the mean fatigue load. Moreover, the most critical ratcheting response was associated with the intrados location of the pipe. For defective specimens, decreasing fatigue loading parameters resulted in a shakedown behavior for a defect placed at extrados, while, for the defects at intrados and crown, an increasing behavior was observed for the ratcheting strain. It was revealed that, at extrados position, the ratcheting behavior was arrested up to 1 mm defect depth. The ratcheting strains were increased at intrados and crown by increasing the internal pressure, while they were decreased at extrados.
Reasons influencing the formation of low-speed pre-ignition
Authors: Stepien Zbigniew
Published: July 2022

Low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) is a problem for many highly boosted engines and constitutes a major industry challenge. This paper provides an overview of the reasons that might lead to low-speed pre-ignition. These reasons have been systematized and divided into four groups related to the engine, fuel, lubricating engine oil, and engine operating conditions. In the case of the engine, particular attention was drawn, among others, to the type of fuel injection, the method of mixture formation, the compression ratio, and piston design as important factors affecting the occurrence of pre-ignition in the case of stochastic self-ignition. The paper analyzes the influence of the engine operation and the adjustment of its operating parameters on the frequency of occurrence of low-speed pre-ignition. The paper extensively discusses the relationship between the engine lubricating oil including the oil base groups and its additives and the occurrence of abnormal combustion. The impact of different types of detergents was considered in more detail. The paper also describes the effects of the fuel properties on low-speed pre-ignition. The most important fuel properties from the point of view of its confirmed influence on the formation of low-speed pre-ignition are the its chemical composition, deposit control additives and volatility. The conclusion emphasizes that the operating conditions in a modern downsized, turbocharged gasoline engine can induce a low-speed pre-ignition problem, which can lead to destructive super-knock events. It was indicated that low-speed pre-ignition tends to become more prominent in the operating regime that is most beneficial to attaining improved fuel economy. Therefore, the solution to this problem is considered to be a key factor in further development of downsizing and improving the engine efficiency. An innovative element of the article, which distinguishes it from other similar articles, is the proposed logical division and systematization of the hitherto identified factors influencing the LSPI phenomenon. This has been done by separating, comprehensively listing and ordering these factors
Experiential value of volunteer tourism: The perspective of interaction ritual chains
Authors: Yu Zhiyuan , Na Mengfan
Published: July 2022

Volunteer tourism is an increasingly popular activity in different parts of the world. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the experiential value of Chinese college students in volunteer tourism. Participant reports were used for qualitative research to explore the experiential value of 57 Chinese students participating in the AIESEC Global Volunteer Program. Research results based on the Interaction Ritual Chains Theory show that “role identification,” “authenticity”, and “interactivity” are the main experiences of interactive rituals. This research distinguishes five dimensions of volunteer tourism experiential value: emotional value, conversational value, cognitive value, esthetic value, and symbolic value.
It’s strategy. But is it practice? Desperately seeking social practice in strategy-as-practice research
Authors: Rouleau Linda , Cloutier Charlotte
Published: July 2022

Over the past years, strategy-as-practice research has become a cornerstone for better understanding how strategy emerges from the sayings and doings of individuals in organizations. While tremendous progress has been made, we believe that the process that has led us to where we are today has left a crucial debate for understanding strategy as a “practice” behind. Inspired by other recent challenges to the field, we address a central question that has concerned the strategy-as-practice community from its early beginnings, but for which an adequate answer has yet to be provided: What is practice? We answer this question by suggesting that strategy-as-practice scholars place a knowledgeability principle at the core of their conceptualization of practice. We believe that taking the notion of practice more seriously in our research in this way will help not only reinvigorate, but also revitalize our field by deepening our understanding of the relationship between practice research and strategic organization.
COVID-19 and diabetes: What do we know so far?
Authors: Gangadaran Prakash , Padinjarathil Himabindu , Rajendran Shri Hari Subhashri , Jogalekar Manasi P , Hong Chae Moon , Aruchamy Baladhandapani , Rajendran Uma Maheswari , Gurunagarajan Sridharan , Krishnan Anand , Ramani Prasanna , Subramanian Kavimani
Published: July 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management has been challenging for patients with comorbidities. Patients with diabetes and COVID-19, in particular, have shown severe symptoms and rapid progression of the disease. They also have a high mortality rate compared to the non-diabetic population. The high mortality rate is caused in people with diabetes who are in a pro-inflammatory condition; this could worsen COVID-19. In addition, people with diabetes have circulatory issues and COVID-19 infection can lead to further clotting problems. It is critical to understand the mechanisms underlying the adverse clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes and COVID-19. This review discusses various disease conditions contributing to poor prognosis in diabetic COVID-19 patients such as hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, impaired pancreatic function, and production of advanced glycation end products.
Intracranial pure arterial malformations
Authors: Tee Qiao Xin , Maingard Julian , Chong Winston , Kok Hong Kuan , Asadi Hamed
Published: July 2022

Pure arterial malformations (PAMs) are rare vascular lesions often detected incidentally on brain imaging. They are characterised by a mass of arterial loops containing arteries that are tortuous, overlapping and dilated without any associated arteriovenous shunting. The incidence of PAMs have been rising due to the increasing use of non-invasive angiographic imaging for the diagnosis of neurovascular disorders. This article will present the clinical course of two cases of PAM, both of which demonstrated a stable appearance on surveillance imaging despite the lack of surgical or endovascular intervention.
Network methods and design of randomized trials: Application to investigation of COVID-19 vaccination boosters
Authors: DeGruttola Victor , Goyal Ravi , Martin Natasha K , Wang Rui
Published: July 2022

Network science methods can be useful in design, monitoring, and analysis of randomized trials for control of spread of infections. Their usefulness arises from the role of statistical network models in molecular epidemiology and in study design. Computational models, such as agent-based models that propagate disease on simulated contact networks, can be used to investigate the properties of different study designs and analysis plans. Particularly valuable is the use of these methods to assess how magnitude and detectability of intervention effects depend on both individual-level and network-level characteristics of the enrolled populations. Such investigation also provides an important approach to assessing consequences of study data being incomplete or measured with error. To address these goals, we consider two statistical network models: exponential random graph models and the more flexible congruence class models. We focus first on an historical use of these methods in design and monitoring of a cluster randomized trial in Botswana to evaluate the effect of combination HIV prevention modalities compared to standard of care on HIV incidence. We then present a framework for the design of a study of booster vaccine effects on infection with, and forward transmission of, SARS-CoV-2 variants. Motivation for the study is driven in part by guidance from the United Kingdom to base approval of booster vaccines with “strain changes” that target variants on results of neutralizing antibody tests and information about safety, but without requiring evidence of clinical efficacy. Using designs informed by our agent-based network models, we show it may be feasible to conduct a trial of novel SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in a single large campus to obtain useful information regarding vaccine efficacy against susceptibility and infectiousness. If needed, the sample size could be increased by extending the study to a small number of campuses. Novel network methods may be useful in developing pragmatic SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials that can leverage existing infrastructure to reduce costs and hasten the development of results.
Empirical wavelet decomposition and BFindex for early detection of bearing defects
Authors: Mezaghcha Amine , Ziani Ridha , Felkaoui Ahmed
Published: July 2022

In this paper, a signal processing scheme is developed for early detection of bearing defects .This scheme combines Empirical Wavelet Decomposition (EWD) technique and Frequency Weighted Energy Operator (FWEO). EWD employs an adaptive process that is able to exploit the frequency information contained in the signal and decompose it into a finite number of Empirical Modes (EMs). However, this technique still faces the problem of how to optimally divide the Fourier spectrum during the application process to extract empirical modes with physical meanings from the vibration signal. To overcome this problem we propose a new segmentation method based on the research of the frequency resonance band in the power spectrum which is excited by defect impacts. In the other hand, identifying the mode that carries the fault information among all the obtained modes is the key to successful application of EWD technique. In this paper we propose a new criterion named Bearing Fault index (BFindex) for automatically selecting the correct mode. Then, this mode is demodulated using FWEO to separate the defect frequency from the natural frequency excited by the impacts. The proposed scheme is evaluated using real bearing vibration signals with inner race and outer race defects. The experimental results confirmed its ability in detecting fault characteristic frequencies, which validates its effectiveness in the diagnosis of bearing defects.