bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An efficient predictive current controller with adaptive parameter estimation in 3-ϕ inverter
Authors: Mabrouk Haddar , Boumediene Allaoua
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a detail design and description of a predictive current control scheme are adopted for three-phase grid-connected two-level inverter and its application in wind energy conversion systems. Despite its advantages, the predictive current controller is very sensitive to parameter variations which could eventually affected on system stability. To solve this problem, an estimation technique proposed to identify the value of harmonic filter parameter based on Model reference adaptive system (MRAS). Lyapunov stability theory is selected to guarantee a robust adaptation and stable response over large system parameter variation. The simulation results shows the efficiency of the proposed techniques to improve the current tracking performance.
Implementation of non-isolated three-port converter through augmented time response
Authors: Devasahayam Ramya , Immanuel D Godwin
Published: June 2021

The work is concerning a multi-port dc-dc converter with improved time response and steady state output. Here the converter carries bare amount of switches for managing the power with mono inductance. The inductance and along with that the switched capacitance are pre owned to bring large voltage gain. This paper put forwarded an appropriate controller for the closed loop monitored high-gain converter with three ports. Higher is that the conversion rate. This converter is also a good interface between DC-source and load that aims to progressing time response with FLC and PI controller in the closed loop system. The converter with the PI controller and FLC is look over and the fast responses are compared with time domain specifications. The simulation outcome indicates that the FLC based converter brings most excellent time domain response.
The origin of cycle life degradation of a lead-acid battery under constant voltage charging
Authors: Hariyadi Arif , Nugroho Awan , Suwarno Suwarno
Published: June 2021

Due to its low cost and recycle-ability, the lead-acid battery is widely used in mobile and stationary applications. Despite much research on lead-acid batteries, the effect of charging voltage on the degradation mechanism requires further investigation. In particular, the origin of cycle life degradation remains unclear. In the present work, by using electrochemical tests and materials characterization, we studied the effect of charging voltage at voltages slightly higher than the open-circuit potential (OCP) i.e., 103-107% OCP, on the battery life cycle. The highest degradation was observed at 105% OCP charging voltage. Based on the materials characterization results, we found that the degradation of a lead-acid battery is influenced by the amount of hard sulfate and the sulfate particles' size.
Implementation of video surveillance system using embedded Blackfin processor
Authors: Dessai Sanket , Kannan Deepa , Yadav Shiva Prasa
Published: June 2021

The video surveillance is critical system to track the people at the various places and to track and monitor the nuciencess bound to be happened. On the other side several studies have proved and showed the hit and miss nature of human intervention to spot change in a surrounding environment which increasing the designer challenges for the development of video surveillance system with the help of embedded processor. The designer faces a greater challenge to apply the principle of embedded systems and develop the system smart features with low power and cost for the required applications of VSS. System requirement specification (SRS), Hardware design document (HDD), Software design document and test procedure has been arrived and developed to achieve VSS system. Blackfin processor has high end video engines and is more suitable for development of video surveillance system (VSS). The VSS is designed and developed using ADSP BF533 Ez-kit lite board. Peripheral like parallel peripheral interface (PPI) is used to interface between camera and processor. Also, it is used for interfacing processor and TV. The master-slave communication is established between two Blackfin processors through SPORT to transfer the captured frame from camera to display on TV. Power management is also implemented to save the power of the system.
Restoration circuits for low power reduce swing of 6T and 8T SRAM cell with improved read and write margins
Authors: Rawat Ram Murti , Kumar Vinod
Published: June 2021

This article clarifies about the variables that influence the static noise margin (SNM) of a static random-access memory. Track down the improved stability of proposed 8T SRAM cell which is superior to conventional 6T SRAM cell utilizing Swing Restored circuit with voltages Q and QB bar are peruse and Compose activity. This SRAM cell strategy on the circuit or engineering level is needed to improve read static noise margin (RSNM), write static noise margin (WSNM) and hold static noise margin (HSNM). This article relative investigation of conventional 6T, standard 8T and proposed 8T SRAM cells with improved stability and static noise margin is finished for 180 nm CMOS innovation. This paper is coordinated as follows: Introduction in area 1, The 6T SRAM cell are portrayed in segment 2. In area 3, proposed 8T SRAM cell is portrayed. In area 4, standard 8T SRAM cell. Segment 5 incorporates the simulation and results which give examination of different boundaries of 6T and 8T SRAM cells and segment 6 conclusions.
An internet of things belief rule base smart system to predict earthquake
Authors: Mia Md. Mahashin , Hasan Abdullah Al , Atiqur Rahman , Mustafa Rashed
Published: June 2021

An intelligent belief rule base (BRB) based system with internet of things (IoT) integration can evaluate earthquake prediction (EP). This ingenious and rational system can predict earthquake by aggregating changed animal behavior combined with environmental and chemical changes which are taken as real time inputs from sensors. The BRB expert system blends knowledge demonstration criterion like attribute weight, rule weight, belief degree. The intelligent BRB system with IoT predicts the probable occurrence of the earthquake in a region based on the sign and symptoms culled by the persistent sensors. The final result taken from Intelligent BRB system with IoT integration is compared with expert and fuzzy-based system. The projected method gives a better prediction than the up-to-date expert system and fuzzy system
Escala de identidade para o exercício físico: validade fatorial e consistência interna para universitários brasileiros
Authors: Silva Walan Robert da , Carvalho Helton Pereira de , Maciel Isabely Rúbila , Cardoso Fernando Luiz
Published: June 2021

O objetivo do presente estudo é verificar as propriedades psicométricas da Escala de Identidade para o Exercício Físico (EIS), no que diz respeito à validade de construto para o contexto brasileiro. Participaram do estudo 480 universitários dos cursos de Psicologia e Educação Física, dos estados de Santa Catarina, Minas Gerais e Brasília, sendo 290 homens e 190 mulheres com média de idade de 23,7(dp=6,7) anos. Todos os 9 itens que compõem a escala mostraram carga fatorial adequada, justificando sua permanência na escala de acordo com os critérios previamente estabelecidos. A EIS validada cumpriu com as suposições de validade, com valores adequados de alpha de Cronbach e de correlações entre todos os itens, confirmando uma alta consistência interna da escala. Conclui-se que o EIS mostrou um bom desempenho psicométrico quando estudado a partir de uma amostra de universitários brasileiros.
Motivações na prática de exercício físico e os estágios de mudança dos estudantes no ensino superior
Authors: Lemos Fernando Marques Fernandes de , Corte-Real Nuno , Dias Cláudia , Fonseca António Manuel
Published: June 2021

Este estudo procurou analisar as relações existentes entre as regulações motivacionais, os estágios de mudança e a frequência da prática de exercício dos estudantes de enfermagem, em ambos os sexos. Foi realizado um estudo transversal, descritivo e exploratório com 535 estudantes. Os resultados indicaram que: (a) 55.3% dos estudantes não tinham uma prática de exercício de forma consistente e continuada; (b) 27.6% mantinham um envolvimento regular nesta prática há mais de seis meses; (c) o sexo masculino, com tempo de prática superior há seis meses, apresentava valores mais elevados que o sexo feminino na sua motivação intrínseca; (d) o sexo feminino apresentava uma frequência de prática de exercício, frequente e muito frequente, menor que o sexo masculino. Os estudantes parecem relegar a prática do exercício físico para um segundo plano, tornando este assunto merecedor de uma atenção especial, inclusivamente pelas próprias instituições de ensino.
Situações de aprendizagem de treinadores de handebol do estado de São Paulo: estudo a partir dos Jogos Abertos do Interior
Authors: Modolo Felipe , Madeira Mayara Gonçalves , Morato Márcio Pereira , Menezes Rafael Pombo
Published: June 2021

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar como as diferentes situações de aprendizagem (mediada, direta e interna) influenciaram a formação dos treinadores de handebol do Estado de São Paulo. A partir de uma abordagem qualitativa, seis treinadores finalistas dos Jogos Abertos do Interior de São Paulo foram entrevistados por um dos pesquisadores (entrevista semiestruturada), cujos discursos foram analisados a partir do método do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Os resultados apontaram que os treinadores utilizam-se de diferentes situações de aprendizagem para sua formação profissional. Os treinadores mencionaram que a graduação, os cursos de pós-graduação (lato sensu) e os escassos cursos de handebol não foram suficientes para que tivessem contato com conhecimentos específicos do handebol, principalmente referentes ao seu contexto de atuação. Em contrapartida, os treinadores parecem valorizar mais as situações de aprendizagem direta (contato com outros treinadores, assistir jogos e treinos, experiências prévias como jogador e busca por materiais didáticos – livros e internet). De maneira muito discreta é apontada a situação de aprendizagem interna, relacionando-se à reflexão sobre os treinos da própria equipe. Os treinadores relataram problemas na graduação (conhecimento dos docentes, ensino do handebol, ensino tecnocrático e descontextualizado) o que os impulsionou à busca por outras situações de aprendizagem. A partir deste cenário, conclui-se que a formação de treinadores de handebol é distante e desconectada com seu contexto prático, justificando a maior valorização dos treinadores por situações que favorecessem a discussão e a resolução dos problemas que enfrentam no cotidiano. Este estudo mostrou lacunas na formação dos treinadores que suscitam a reflexão para a elaboração de estratégias para o processo de aprendizagem profissional.
Políticas participativas e a nova literatura de análise de políticas públicas: Novos horizontes para agenda de pesquisa
Authors: Brasil Felipe Gonçalves
Published: June 2021

Da organização dos movimentos sociais no final da década de 1960 até a institucionalização da participação na Constituição de 1988 a agenda de pesquisa sobre as instituições participavas no Brasil não só se consolidou no cenário acadêmico como vêm crescendo e se diversificando nas últimas décadas. Com o objetivo de inserir a mais recente literatura do campo de políticas públicas nos estudos das instituições participativas, o presente trabalho parte do entendimento das políticas públicas como um campo epistemológico fronteiriço e multidisciplinar. Assim, é através da explanação de algumas de suas teorias e de modelos próprios de análise da formulação de políticas que se pretende mostrar novos horizontes para a agenda de pesquisa sobre as instituições participativas.
Análise documental das políticas públicas de incentivo às práticas físico-esportivas para pessoas com deficiência no Brasil: perspectivas para as Paralimpíadas Rio2016
Authors: Andrade Andresa Caravage , Almeida Marco Bettine de , Andrade Douglas Roque , Monteiro Carlos Bamdeira
Published: June 2021

Este artigo visa por meio da análise documental compreender e refletir sobre as pessoas com deficiência dentro do contexto social, cultural e político da última década; enquanto perpassa documentos relacionados à pessoa com deficiência, saúde, esporte e lazer, tendo como pano de fundo as Paralimpíadas Rio – 2016. Com essas amarrações pretende-se contribuir para a reflexão sobre as políticas públicas para as pessoas com deficiência nestas e nas demais áreas; que estão sendo fortemente impulsionadas devido as Paralimpíadas, para que estas políticas se firmem como um legado a estas pessoas.
Onde é Melhor se Aposentar? Uma Análise Comparativa dos Sistemas Previdenciários dos Setores Público e Privado do Brasil, Chile e Espanha
Authors: Santana Lucas Guglielmo , Afonso Luís Eduardo
Published: June 2021

Este trabalho visa comparar os sistemas previdenciários de Brasil, Chile, e Espanha, com o emprego de indicadores previdenciários. Foram estudados os benefícios de aposentadoria programada para trabalhadores dos setores público e privado. Foram construídos diferentes perfis de indivíduos representativos, dados pelas combinações de renda inicial, crescimento da renda, idade de entrada no mercado de trabalho e gênero. Foram verificadas evidências de progressividade no caso brasileiro, pois os indicadores são mais elevados para indivíduos de renda mais baixa. Também foi verificado que há um incentivo à entrada tardia no mercado de trabalho no setor privado no Brasil. Este padrão não foi verificado nos outros países. Para trabalhadores do setor público há maior similaridade entre os três países. Entretanto para o Brasil, os indicadores ainda são, de forma geral, mais elevados para trabalhadores do setor público, comparativamente ao setor privado.
Análise de Tendências do Comércio Intraindustrial Brasil-Japão entre 1997 e 2014
Authors: Miyazak Silvio Yoshiro Mizuguchi , Baptista Leonardo
Published: June 2021

O artigo examina o comércio intraindustrial, que consiste no comércio internacional de produtos de um mesmo setor de atividade econômica, entre o Brasil e o Japão no período de 1997 a 2014 em todos os setores, utilizando o índice Grubel & Lloyd com dados do Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria e Comércio do Brasil. Constatou-se que o comércio intraindustrial entre esses países é relativamente pequeno, exceto nos setores das indústrias químicas e dos metais comuns e seus derivados. Os resultados obtidos permitem delinear alguns incentivos como políticas públicas de comércio para o setor exportador brasileiro, considerando um parceiro asiático estratégico.
A Insuficiência de Políticas Públicas Nacionais Pró-Biodiversidade Amazônica
Authors: Andrade Ricardo Teixeira Gregório de , Manzatto Ângelo Gilberto
Published: June 2021

O presente artigo tem por objetivo avaliar os graus de eficiência e suficiência das políticas públicas e investimentos do governo brasileiro destinados ao uso sustentável e conservação da biodiversidade nacional, com foco no bioma amazônico. A perspectiva utilizada foi analisar a trajetória de inserção e execução de marcos legais, diretrizes orçamentárias e investimentos em Ciência, Tecnologia & Inovação atinentes, desde a década de 1990. Corroborada pelos dados socioambientais resultantes (cenário atual), a análise indica a insuficiência e ineficiência do direcionamento e consecução das ações. Apesar da posição central ocupada pela Amazônia quanto à biodiversidade mundial, as políticas públicas estatais são ainda tímidas, fragmentadas e de baixo impacto.
Um Olhar Retrospectivo sobre os Correspondentes Bancários: sete notas para uma história do branchless banking brasileiro
Authors: Jayo Martin
Published: June 2021

O artigo reúne sete notas, escritas entre 2007 e 2010, sobre o surgimento e desenvolvimento dos correspondentes bancários (CBs) como importante canal de distribuição de serviços financeiros no Brasil. Ao fazer isso, mostra como ele cresceu na esteira de políticas públicas de inclusão social e financeira.
Política Imigratoria Espanhola entre 1945-1960: o caso gallego
Authors: Camopos Álvarez Xosé Ramón
Published: June 2021

No presente artigo realiza-se uma aproximação à política emigratória espanhola durante os primeiros anos do franquismo e suas repercussões em Galiza. Uma vez finalizado o grande ciclo emigratório americano em 1930, este se volta a recuperar a partir de 1946 impulsionado pela abertura da política migratória e se consolida na década dos cinquenta. Também se trata de refletir o contexto histórico no que tem lugar este processo, fazendo especial finca-pé na situação socioeconómica da Galiza das décadas dos 40 e 50.
Information and psychological impact in the context of strategic communications paradigm
Authors: Karayani Alexander G. , Karayani Yuliya M.
Published: June 2021

Background. The change in the paradigm of information-psychological confrontation caused changes in the content and architectonics of information-psychological impact, and determined the new trends in the forms of their practical use. Identifying the features of information and psychological impact in the context of strategic communications will make it possible to ensure the information and psychological security of person and society in a more targeted way. Objective. To identify the types, features and trends in the application of information-psychological impact in the context of the strategic communications paradigm. Results. The study reveals the essence of strategic communications as a paradigm of information-psychological confrontation. It analyzes architectonics and content of the main types of information and psychological impact. The study also discusses the main trends in the development of methods and forms of information and psychological impact. Conclusions. The context of strategic communications extends the understanding of information and psychological impacts. It is advisable to consider it as a deliberate dissemination (promotion, blocking and/or selection) of information, interaction and movement between participants in the communication process.Strategic communications use impact methods related to “hard power” meta-strategies based on coercion and “soft power” using attraction technologies. The implementation of these meta-strategies is accompanied by trends reflecting the transition from influence on the military enemy to impact on civilians; from “hard” to “soft” methods of exposure; from monological forms (dissemination of information, influence) to dialogical forms (communication); from an open invasion of consciousness and human behavior to more hidden forms of influence; from tactical forms designed for immediate effect to strategic forms aimed at a distant outcome; from monotype forms of influence to diverse, difficult, complex ones.To ensure the information-psychological security of the person and society, knowledge and consideration of the peculiarities of information and psychological impact are necessary within the framework of the current paradigm of information-psychological confrontation.
Socio-psychological features of value orientations in postgraduate students
Authors: Sobkin Vladimir S. , Smyslova Maria M. , Adamchuk Dmitriy V.
Published: June 2021

Background. In the present situation, which certain studies describe as a crisis in the system of research staff training and which is characterized by low number of postgraduate students filling up the staff of scientific institutions, it is extremely important to study the specifics of motivation and value sphere of postgraduate students’ personality. Objective. Analysis of the socio-psychological characteristics that postgraduate students’ values have. Design. The study is based on a monitoring questionnaire survey of graduate students conducted in 2019 by employees of the RAO Information and the analytical center. The empirical data were processed using methods of mathematical statistics (statistical software packages SPSS and StatSoft Statistica). The study involved students of postgraduate research bodies that train postgraduate students in the field of education sciences, as well as postgraduates of pedagogical universities situated in Moscow, St. Petersburg and in other regions of the Russian Federation. A total of 803 respondents were interviewed. The study was aimed at assessing the hierarchy of life values in graduate students and the influence of socio-demographic factors, social stratification, and socio-psychological factors on the relevance of postgraduate students’ life values. Results. The results of the study indicate that the leading positions in the structure of postgraduate students’ life values are occupied by basic values (“family”, “good health” and “material well-being”) and by the most relevant values associated with self-actualization. It is shown that the value orientations of postgraduate students are determined by the influence of a number of socio-demographic factors (gender, age, presence and composition of the family), social stratification (financial status, educational status of parents) and socio-psychological factors (having or not clear-cut future plans, emotional assessment of one’s prospects, having or not emigration plans) factors. The comparison of the opinions of postgraduates and research staff showed that postgraduates are more focused on values related to self-actualization, as well as on traditionalist values. Conclusions. The core of postgraduate students’ life values structure if formed by the basic values and, in addition, the values related to self-actualization of individual. The value orientations of postgraduate students are determined by a number of socio-demographic factors, social stratification and socio-psychological factors. It was found out that at a certain age the structure of life values in postgraduate students changes significantly, in accordance with the aims of age development. It is shown that changes in graduate students’ family status make them reconsider the structure of life values. It is also noted that the restructuring of life values in graduate students, when if it proceeds in accordance with the values of natives in “Western” countries, contributes to the formation of emigration attitudes.
Hippocratic Diagnosis, Solomonic Therapy, Roman Amulets: Epilepsy, Exorcism, and the Diffusion of a Jewish Tradition in the Roman World
Authors: Zellmann-Rohrer Michael
Published: June 2021

Two contrasting portraits of exorcism in the Roman period for patients with symptoms consistent with epilepsy, drawn by Josephus (A.J. 8.45–47) and Lucian (Philops. §16), illustrate a substantial albeit contested diffusion of that ancient technique from the Jewish tradition to a wider Mediterranean public. The process is reflected in a similarly complex traditional background and textual composition of a group of inscribed Greek amulets for epilepsy. A sidelight on attitudes towards the practice of exorcism, on its way to wider popularity, and the conception of epilepsy is cast by these amulets, which have not yet been studied as a group. Their texts witness the application of precise Greek medical terminology, yet to an end, and in a compositional company, that authors in the Hippocratic tradition would have rejected. More generally, the artifacts offer a cross-section of amuletic practice and its diversity in the Roman and late ancient periods.
God’s Devils: Pragmatic Theodicy in Christian Responses to Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn’s Conquest of Jerusalem in 1187
Authors: Brewer Keagan
Published: June 2021

This paper considers Christian responses to the problem of evil following Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn’s conquest of Jerusalem. Among Catholics, Audita Tremendi offered the orthodox response that God was punishing Christian sin. However, the logical conclusion of this view is that the Muslims were agents of God despite being “evil” for having captured Jerusalem from Christians. Twelfth-century theologians believed that God could use demons in the service of good. In response to 1187, while many Christians portrayed the Muslims as evil, some expressed that they were divine agents. Meanwhile, others murmured that Muslim gods (including, to some, Muḥammad) were superior to Christian ones; that the Christian god was apathetic, violent, or wicked; that the crusade of 1189–92 was against God’s will; and that crusaders were murderers. Thought-terminating clichés centring on the divine mysteries permitted the continuance of Christianity in the face of this profound theodical controversy.
William Saroyan’s Dream of Home
Authors: Levonian Greg
Published: June 2021

The many forms of home permeate William Saroyan’s most notable dramatic efforts: Hello Out There, The Time of Your Life, The Beautiful People, and The Cave Dwellers. Home embodies not only a place, but also an idea – one that provides hope for the hopeless and adrift.
The harvestmen fauna (Arachnida: Opiliones) of the Katunsky Biosphere Reserve and adjacent territories (South Siberia, Russia), with a description of a new species of Sabacon (Sabaconidae) and notes on Sabacon sergeidedicatum Martens, 1989
Authors: TRILIKAUSKAS LAIMONAS A. , AZARKINA GALINA N.
Published: June 2021

An annotated list of harvestmen species (six species in two families) of the Katunsky Biosphere Reserve and adjacent territories in the Altai Republic, Russia is provided. A new species, Sabacon zateevi sp. nov. (♂ ♀ from the Altai Mountains, Russia), is described. Liropilio stukanovi Gritsenko, 1979 is recorded from Russia for the first time, and appearance and diagnostic features of its male are described. The appearance of a living specimen of the female of Homolophus nordenskioeldi (C.L. Koch, 1879) is also provided. For all the studied species, biotope preferences and distribution are discussed. Additional information on morphology and distribution of Sabacon sergeidedicatum Martens, 1989 is given.
Small and Marginal Farmers’ Participation in Potato Contract Farming in West Bengal, India
Authors: Behera Hari Charan , Kodirekkala Koteswara Rao , Sinha Ashish Aman
Published: June 2021

There are ongoing discourses on contract farming across the world. Contract farming is an issue of serious concern in India today, among farmers as well as policymakers. Such farming among small and marginal farmers, who are facing several problems in agriculture, requires special attention. Considering the large presence of small and marginal farmers and PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay model of potato contract farming in the state of West Bengal, which is India’s second largest producer of potatoes, a study is imperative from the perspective of small and marginal farmers and their participation in potato contract farming. The present paper discusses the nature and extent of participation of small and marginal farmers in potato contract farming in the state. Although participation is qualitative and interpretative in nature, the study considers the attributes which are mainly quantitative or measurable. In order to understand the nature and extent of the participation of small and marginal farmers in contract farming, the study also focuses on the participation of other stakeholders such as vendors and non-marginal and small farmers, and a comparison of socioeconomic conditions between the contract and non-contract farmers is undertaken.
Changes in mental health during the COVID-19 crisis in Romania: A repeated cross-section study based on the measurement of subjective perceptions and experiences
Authors: Vancea Florin , Apostol Mădălina-Ştefania
Published: June 2021

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused dramatic changes in the daily lives of Romanians, affecting their mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has evolved at three significant peaks, which sequentially occurred on: April 29, 2020; September 18, 2020; and the third wave registered the highest severity on November 27, 2020. Little is known about the mental health changes during this phase of this pandemic. This study evaluated mental health levels in Romania at the end of the first wave of the pandemic and amidst the third and most severe wave. We administered a two-phase internet-based survey among 543 and 583 participants, respectively, recruited through snowball sampling at a 6-month interval. The IPAT Anxiety Scale measured anxiety, the Beck’s Depression Inventory measured depression, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale measured dissociation. We observed no statistically significant differences in the number of participants with clinically relevant scores at either time point. In the first survey, 23.8%, 19.2%, and 32.6% reported being clinically anxious, clinically depressed, and showed clinical dissociation, respectively. Binary logistic regressions indicated that age, education level, and previous traumatic events were significantly associated with clinical levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover, multiple linear regression analysis reported a collective significant effect of gender, age, psychological impact, traumatic events, and dissociation on predicting high levels of anxiety and depression. Romanian adults’ mental health status was affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it did not change 6 months after the first lockdown.
Tourism in a Semantic Mirror: Retheorizing Tourism from the Linguistic Turn
Authors: Lai Kun , Li Xiang (Robert)
Published: June 2021

Although scholars have sought to theorize tourism from important philosophical turns (e.g., epistemological/antirational/postmodern/practice), one influential turn (viz. linguistic) has not received much attention. This study attempts to fill this gap by retheorizing tourism from the linguistic turn. We introduced major theories of meaning (a core part of the linguistic turn) from the philosophy literature, on the basis of which we constructed a new semantic space of “tourism” where multiple semantic dimensions (defined by particular types of meaning theories) coexist and possess different semantic veins (determined by a subtheory of meaning) consisting of numerous semantic dots (i.e., actual understandings of tourism). This prescriptive space captures the image of tourism in a semantic mirror, encompassing tourism ontologies in a semantic/linguistic realm. This space also offers solutions to four problems in prior tourism theorization. By innovatively linking tourism and philosophy of language, this study has expanded the options in addressing the question “What is tourism?”
A dual-arm manipulation strategy using position/force errors and Kalman filter
Authors: Yang Wu-Te , Chen Bo-Hsun , Lin Pei-Chun
Published: June 2021

This paper presents a new coordination manipulation strategy for a custom-made dual-arm robot. With master and slave coordination infrastructure, both spatial relation and sense of touch are considered to hold an object stably. Given the known trajectory of the master arm, the slave arm fuses position and force commands by using the Kalman filter to yield optimal compensation amounts. The proposed strategy has been experimentally evaluated, and the results confirm that it was capable of dealing with fragile and flexible objects. In addition, the influence of the loop time of the digital controller on force control for this task was also investigated in mathematical and simulated ways. Furthermore, a series of experiments were designed to explore the effects that have influences on errors in force control. The main factors that affect force control error were analyzed.
Age-discriminated IVF Access and Evidence-based Ageism: Is There a Better Way?
Authors: Cavaliere Giulia , Fletcher James Rupert
Published: June 2021

Access to state-funded fertility treatments is age-restricted in many countries based on epidemiological evidence showing age-associated fertility decline and aimed at administering scarce resources. In this article, we consider whether age-related restrictions can be considered ageist and what this entails for a normative appraisal of access criteria. We use the UK as a case study due to the state-funded and centrally regulated nature of in vitro fertilization (IVF) provision. We begin by reviewing concepts of ageism and age discrimination in gerontological scholarship and contend that it is analytically useful to differentiate between them when considering age-restricted health services. We then argue that criteria to access IVF could be considered indirectly ageist so far as they rely on an age-related evidence base that manifests ageist categorizations of persons. Lastly, we examine whether there could be more normatively desirable alternatives to devise criteria to access fertility treatment, considering “lifestyle” as a potential candidate. We conclude, however, that lifestyle-based discrimination is problematic because, unlike age-based discrimination, it risks exacerbating existing socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities.
One-stage supraclavicular hybrid procedure for type B aortic dissection involving three rare anatomical anomalies: a case report and literature review
Authors: Chen Junhang , Dai Xiangchen , Zhu Jiechang , Hu Fanguo , Li Peng , Luo Yudong , Fan Hailun , Feng Zhou , Zhang Yiwei
Published: June 2021

Managing type B aortic dissection (TBAD) involving Kommerell’s diverticulum (KD), aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), and isolated left vertebral artery (ILVA), is extremely challenging. As treatment, we described a one-stage hybrid technique combined with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with open surgery through a supraclavicular incision. A 57-year-old man with TBAD and the three anomalies successfully underwent hybrid TEVAR. A side-to-side artificial bypass between the ARSA and the right common carotid artery was established through a right supraclavicular incision before TEVAR. The release of the stent-graft was designed from the distal aortic ostium to the left common carotid artery (LCCA) to cover the ILVA, ARSA, and left subclavian artery (LSA). Then, the ILVA and LSA were transposed to the LCCA through a left supraclavicular incision. Intraoperative angiography confirmed complete false lumen exclusion and KD, with all branches patent and without endoleaks. Computed tomography angiography 7 days and 1 year postoperatively demonstrated well-perfused ARSA, LSA, and ILVA, and a fully expanded stent-graft with no endoleaks, migration, disconnection, or stenosis. TBAD involving KD, ARSA, and ILVA in one case is rare. This is the first report to treat this pathology with a one-stage supraclavicular hybrid procedure.
The Importance of Merit Principles for Civil Service Systems: Evidence from the U.S. Federal Sector
Authors: Brewer Gene A. , Kellough J. Edward , Rainey Hal G.
Published: June 2021

Merit principles have served as central tenets of the U.S. civil service system since the late 19th Century, but in recent decades reforms have been proposed and implemented that weaken central aspects of merit. This makes it important to seek evidence about how government employees perceive the status of merit principles and to examine relationships that exist between adherence to merit principles and work in federal agencies. Analysis indicates that federal employees who perceive adherence to merit principles also perceive a better quality of work life, compared to employees who see their agencies as less supportive of merit principles. Employees who perceive greater adherence to merit principles in their organizations report greater general satisfaction with their agencies as workplaces, higher levels satisfaction with leadership and recognition received, lower turnover intentions, and better quality of work unit output.
Examining the Characteristics That Differentiate Jihadi-Associated Cyberattacks Using Routine Activities Theory
Authors: Holt Thomas J. , Turner Noah D. , Freilich Joshua D. , Chermak Steven M.
Published: June 2021

This study applies routine activities theory to determine whether the characteristics of jihadi-inspired web defacements in the United States vary from all other defacements performed against IP addresses hosted within the United States from 2012 to 2016. We focus on target suitability variables and use a sample of over 2.2 million defacements reported by the independent website Zone-H. We estimated a binary logistic regression model and found that jihadi cyberattacks were rare among all the defacements performed in this 5-year period. Additionally, these findings demonstrated jihadists were more likely to target organizational websites and utilized specific attack methods compared to all other defacers. We contextualize our findings and outline a number of avenues for future research.
Evaluation and investigation of grinding process of biomedical polymer (PEEK)
Authors: Khoran Mohammad , Azarhoushang Bahman , Amirabadi Hossein
Published: June 2021

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) has been widely used in the medical engineering due to its high strength to weight ratio, creep and wear-resistance, and anti-allergically properties. Grinding is generally used to produce PEEK parts with high accuracy and surface quality requirements. In this research, the tool loading and the effect of cryogenic cooling in the grinding of PEEK are studied for the first time. It is shown that the generated heat in the grinding process, which is mainly influenced by the tool micro-topography, process parameter, and coolant lubricant has an important role in the surface integrity of PEEK. Additionally, the influence of specific material removal rate and the dressing speed ratio on the specific grinding energy of PEEK was studied. The input parameters of the grinding process that are investigated in this study include cutting speed (vs), depth of cut (ae), and feed rate (vft). To investigate the grinding wheel topography, the effects of dressing overlap ratio (Ud) and the dressing speed ratio (qd) were also investigated. Grinding force, surface roughness, and loading of the grinding wheel were considered as output parameters. The experiments were designed based on response surface methodology and the optimum cutting condition was obtained based on this method. The depth of cut and the dressing overlap ratio had respectively the maximum and minimum impact on the surface roughness and cutting forces. Additionally, the tool loading was mainly influenced by the cutting speed.
Sample size determination for stepped wedge cluster randomized trials in pragmatic settings
Authors: Wang Jijia , Cao Jing , Zhang Song , Ahn Chul
Published: June 2021

The stepped-wedge cluster randomized design has been increasingly employed by pragmatic trials in health services research. In this study, based on the GEE approach, we present closed-form sample size calculation that is applicable to both closed-cohort and cross-sectional stepped wedge trials. Importantly, the proposed method is flexible to accommodate design issues routinely encountered in pragmatic trials, such as different within- and between-subject correlation structures, irregular crossover schedules for the switch to intervention, and missing data due to repeated measurements over prolonged follow-up. The closed-form formulas allow researchers to analytically assess the impact of different design factors on sample size requirement. We also recognize the potential issue of limited numbers of clusters in pragmatic stepped wedge trials and present an adjustment approach for underestimated variance of the treatment effect. We conduct extensive simulation to assess the performance of the proposed sample size method. An application example to a real clinical trial is presented.
Semiparametric estimation of the proportional rates model for recurrent events data with missing event category
Authors: Lin Feng-Chang , Cai Jianwen , Fine Jason P , Dellon Elisabeth P , Esther Charles R
Published: June 2021

Proportional rates models are frequently used for the analysis of recurrent event data with multiple event categories. When some of the event categories are missing, a conventional approach is to either exclude the missing data for a complete-case analysis or employ a parametric model for the missing event type. It is well known that the complete-case analysis is inconsistent when the missingness depends on covariates, and the parametric approach may incur bias when the model is misspecified. In this paper, we aim to provide a more robust approach using a rate proportion method for the imputation of missing event types. We show that the log-odds of the event type can be written as a semiparametric generalized linear model, facilitating a theoretically justified estimation framework. Comprehensive simulation studies were conducted demonstrating the improved performance of the semiparametric method over parametric procedures. Multiple types of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections of young cystic fibrosis patients were analyzed to demonstrate the feasibility of our proposed approach.
Treatment of Severe Rigid Posttraumatic Equinus Deformity With Gradual Deformity Correction and Arthroscopic Ankle Arthrodesis
Authors: Fuentes Patricio , Cuchacovich Natalio , Gutierrez Paulina , Hube Maximiliano , Bastías Gonzalo F.
Published: June 2021

Background:

Posttraumatic ankle equinus is associated with rigid deformity, poor skin condition, and multiple prior surgeries. Open acute correction has been described using osteotomies, talectomy, and arthrodesis, but concerns exist about skin complications, neurologic alterations, secondary limb discrepancy, and bone loss. Gradual correction using a multiplanar ring fixator and arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis (AAA) may decrease these complications.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing correction of posttraumatic rigid equinus with at least 1 year of follow-up after frame removal. The procedure consisted of percutaneous Achilles lengthening, gradual equinus correction using a multiplanar ring fixator, and AAA retaining the fixator in compression with screw augmentation. Frame removal depended on signs of union on the computed tomography scan. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) scores were assessed as well as preoperative and postoperative x-rays. Complications were noted throughout the follow-up period.

Results:

Five patients were treated with a mean age of 35 years and mean follow-up of 31 months. Deformities were gradually corrected into a plantigrade foot over an average duration of 6 weeks. Union was achieved in all patients with a mean time of an additional 25 weeks, for a mean total frame time of 31 weeks. The mean preoperative tibiotalar angle was 151 degrees and was corrected to 115 degrees. FFI score improved from a mean of 87 to 24 and VAS from 8 to 2.

Conclusion:

Posttraumatic rigid equinus can be treated effectively using gradual correction followed by integrated AAA in a safe and reproducible manner. Patients in this series had excellent functional, radiological, and satisfaction results.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Perspectives of Women Living With HIV on Addressing Violence and Use of Alcohol During HIV Services: Qualitative Findings From Fishing Communities in Uganda
Authors: Miller Amanda P. , Ddaaki William G. , Bloom Brittnie E. , Wirtz Andrea L. , Nakyanjo Neema , Kigozi Godfrey , Wagman Jennifer A.
Published: June 2021

The syndemic relationship between harmful alcohol use, intimate partner violence (IPV), and HIV is well established across international settings. Less is known about how these health issues are perceived by women living with HIV (WLWH), who are disproportionately affected by these intertwined epidemics. A qualitative study was undertaken with 20 WLWH in Rakai, Uganda, to assess their perceptions of how these issues have affected their lives and their communities and to assess the acceptability of integrating a screening and brief intervention for alcohol use and IPV into HIV posttest counseling. Recommendations for intervention programming arising from the results are discussed.
Retrospective analysis of 450 emergency department dermatology consultations: An analysis of in-person and teledermatology consultations from 2015 to 2019
Authors: Hines Alexander S , Zayas Jacqueline , Wetter David A , Bridges Alina G , Camilleri Michael J , McEvoy Marian T , el-Azhary Rokea A , Goyal Deepi G , Davis Mark DP , Sartori-Valinotti Julio C
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Dermatologic complaints are a common reason for emergency department visits.

Methods

Retrospective chart review from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019. Patients in the Mayo Clinic Emergency Department receiving dermatology consultation were included.

Results

Dermatitis (24.7%, n = 113), infection (20.4%, n = 93), and drug reaction (10.3%, n = 47) accounted for the majority of diagnoses. Emergency department providers often provide no diagnosis (38%) or a differential diagnosis (22%), and dermatology consultation frequently alters diagnosis (46%) and treatment (83%). Patients receiving in-person consultations are admitted more frequently than those receiving teledermatology consultations (40% vs. 16%, p < 0.001). Primary diagnostic concordance with subsequent dermatology evaluation is high for in-person (94%) and teledermatology (88%) consultations.

Discussion

This is the largest study of emergency department dermatology consultations in the United States and the first to compare in-person and teledermatology emergency department consultation utilization in clinical practice. These modalities are utilized in a complementary fashion at our institution, with severe dermatologic diagnoses seen in-person. The valuable role of emergency department dermatologists is highlighted by frequent changes to diagnosis and treatment plans that result from dermatology consultation. Furthermore, our data suggest that teledermatology is an effective modality with the potential to expand access to dermatologic expertise in the emergency department setting.
The role of status and power inequalities in leader-member exchange
Authors: Lianidou Theano
Published: June 2021

Demographically diverse leader-member relationships are predominantly studied based on similarity-attraction theory. However, empirical research examining the effect of similarity and dissimilarity on leader-member exchange (LMX) quality has resulted in inconsistent findings. I propose a new theoretical model which suggests that the LMX quality of demographically diverse leader-member dyads is affected by informal and formal status and power inequalities. My propositions, which lead to different outcomes than those of similarity-attraction theory, draw primarily upon social dominance theory and show how inequalities in demographic status and power and in positional status and power intertwine to affect LMX quality. Theoretical contributions and future research opportunities are discussed.