bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention improved outcome in patients with STEMI and a large thrombus burden
Authors: Bin Ning , Zhang Feifei , Song Xuelian , Xie Yuetao , Jia Meixue , Dang Yi
Published: May 2021

Background

The benefit of thrombus aspiration (TA) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) to patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains controversial. This study aimed to assess TA's impact on the outcome and prognosis for patients with STEMI and a large thrombus burden during PPCI.

Methods

This retrospective study evaluated consecutive patients with STEMI and a large thrombus burden (thrombolysis in myocardial infraction [TIMI] thrombus grade ≥4) who underwent conventional PPCI (n = 126) or PPCI + TA (n = 208) between February 2017 and January 2019. The procedure outcome and clinical prognosis were compared.

Results

Postprocedural vessel diameter was larger, and corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC) was lower in the PPCI + TA compared with the PPCI group. The proportion of postprocedural TIMI 3 flow was 83.3% in the PPC group and 94.2% in the PPCI+TA group. During the 12-month follow-up, no significant differences existed in the incidence of cardiac death, reinfarction, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization, or stroke.

Conclusion

Application of TA in patients with STEMI and a large thrombus burden during PPCI may improve the procedural outcome, but it showed no benefit on the clinical prognosis in the 12-month follow-up. Longer follow-up studies are needed to confirm TA's clinical implications in patients with STEMI.
Anaplastic carcinoma showing rhabdoid features combined with ovarian mucinous borderline cystadenoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Sun Tingting , Tian Liming , Guo Yunyun , Zheng Yu , Ouyang Linglong , Zhang Xianbin , Lai Yingrong , Yang Guofen
Published: May 2021

Anaplastic carcinoma in an ovarian tumor (ACOT) is rare. There have been a few controversial cases illustrating the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of ACOT, which are not well known. A 60-year-old Chinese woman presented with a large pelvic tumor. A transvaginal ultrasound examination showed a large single ovarian cystic tumor with mural nodules and ascites. A gross ovarian mass with a size of approximately 20 × 10×15 cm3 was found. The content of the ovarian cyst was light yellow and chocolate-like, and a large grayish mural nodule of approximately 10 cm was found on the cyst wall. Histological diagnosis of ovarian mucinous borderline cystadenoma with a mural nodule of anaplastic carcinoma showing rhabdoid features and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIa was made. Fifteen months after surgery, the patient had received six courses of paclitaxel and carboplatin. She is still alive without any recurrence of the tumor. Findings from the present case suggest that patients with ACOT and FIGO stage IIIa would benefit from surgery and chemotherapy of paclitaxel and carboplatin. We also review the clinical features and survival rate of patients with ACOT using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result database, and summarize previously reported treatments.
Yellow Fever as Cause of Death of Titi Monkeys (Callicebus Spp.)
Authors: Fernandes Natália C. C. de A. , Cunha Mariana S. , Guerra Juliana M. , Diaz-Delgado Josué , Ressio Rodrigo A. , Cirqueira Cinthya S. , Kanamura Cristina T. , Fuentes-Castillo Danny , Catão-Dias José Luiz
Published: May 2021

From 2016 to 2018, an epidemic wave of yellow fever (YF) occurred in Brazil, affecting a large number of Platyrrhini monkeys. Titi monkeys ( Callicebus spp.) were severely affected yet pathological characterizations are lacking. This study characterized epizootic YF in 43 titi monkeys ( Callicebus spp.) with respect to the microscopic lesions in liver, kidney, spleen, heart, brain, and lung, as well as the distribution of immunolabeling for YF virus antigen, and the flaviviral load in the liver. Of 43 titi monkeys examined, 18 (42%) were positive for yellow fever virus (YFV) by immunohistochemistry or reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Affected livers had consistent marked panlobular necrotizing hepatitis, lipidosis, and mild inflammation, with intense immunolabeling for YFV mainly in centrilobular hepatocytes (zone 1; P = .05). In the spleen, consistent findings were variable lymphoid depletion (10/11), lymphoid necrosis (lymphocytolysis; 4/11), and immunolabeling for YFV in histiocytic cells (3/16). The main finding in the kidney was multifocal acute necrosis of tubular epithelium (5/7) that was occasionally associated with intracytoplasmic immunolabeling for YFV (6/15). These data indicate that titi monkeys are susceptible to YFV infection, developing severe hepatic lesions and high viral loads, comparable to humans and Alouatta spp. Thus, Callicebus spp. may be reliable sentinels for YF surveillance.
A Ubiquitous Illusion of Volume: Are Impressions of 3D Volume Captured by an “Additive Heuristic”?
Authors: Bennette Elizabeth , Keil Frank C. , Yousif Sami R.
Published: May 2021

Several empirical approaches have attempted to explain perception of 2D and 3D size. While these approaches have documented interesting perceptual effects, they fail to offer a compelling, general explanation of everyday size perception. Here, we offer one. Building on prior work documenting an “Additive Area Heuristic” by which observers estimate perceived area by summing objects’ dimensions, we show that this same principle—an “additive heuristic”—explains impressions of 3D volume. Observers consistently discriminate sets that vary in “additive volume,” even when there is no true difference; they also fail to discriminate sets that truly differ (even by amounts as much as 30%) when they are equated in “additive volume.” These results suggest a failure to properly integrate multiple spatial dimensions, and frequent reliance on a perceptual heuristic instead.
Children’s Perception of Animacy: Social Attributions to Moving Figures
Authors: Hofrichter Ruth , Mueller Megan E. , Rutherford M. D.
Published: May 2021

Adults describe abstract shapes moving in a goal-directed manner using animate terms. This study tested which variables affect school-aged children’s descriptions of moving geometrical shapes. Children aged 5 to 9 years were shown displays of interacting geometrical shapes and were asked to describe them. Across participants, instructions, number of moving figures, whether a figure caught another, and complexity of the scene were manipulated. Nine-year-olds used significantly more animate phrases than 5-year-olds. Furthermore, we found an Age by Condition interaction. Five-year-olds made significantly more animate statements in the animate condition, while 7-year-olds and 9-year-olds were less affected by instructions. Scene complexity increased children’s use of animate phrases. Number of agents present on the screen and whether a catch occurred did not impact children’s animate attributions. Our results support the hypothesis that children, like adults, are attuned to animacy cues and describe chasing agents in animate terms.
Moving Beyond the Keypress: As Technology Advances, so Should Psychology Response Time Measurements
Authors: Kramer Michelle R. , Cox Patrick H. , Yu Alfred B. , Kravitz Dwight J. , Mitroff Stephen R.
Published: May 2021

Decades of research in cognitive psychology have largely relied on simple key or button presses to quantify human behavior. While many valuable discoveries have been made, a richer response modality may reveal more information regarding the different processes that underlie complex human behavior. This study provides a proof of concept for using a touch-and-swipe response method to separate response time into two components to extract more meaningful behavioral insights. Across several analyses, the two components were consistently shown to be separable, independent measurements of behavior. Furthermore, evaluating these isolated response time components improved inferential power and clarity of behavioral patterns. The touch-and-swipe response method is simple and easy-to-use, and it shows promise for more accurately targeting mechanisms of interest.
Effect of Adhesive Boosters on Bond Strength of Bleached Teeth in Orthodontic Bonding
Authors: Ranganayakulu I , Varma D Praveen Kumar , Priya CV Padma , Ram RSVM Raghu , Viswanadh K Anand , Harsha GV Durga
Published: May 2021

Objectives:

To evaluate and compare the effect of adhesion boosters on shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets on bleached teeth.

Materials and Methods:

A sample of 90 extracted maxillary premolars was equally divided into 2 groups of bleached and non-bleached teeth. Twenty-two percent carbamide peroxide gel was used as an agent for bleaching. Each group was further divided equally into 3 subgroups depending on the type of adhesive booster used (Enhance LC, All-bond 2, and no adhesive booster [control]) and maxillary premolars brackets were bonded. Debonding was done with a universal testing machine, and the SBS was recorded.

Results:

The SBS of non-bleached teeth was highest for All-bond 2 (14.78 ± 2.47 MPa) followed by Enhance LC (13.15 ± 3.49 MPa) and control (10.30 ± 1.06 MPa). The SBS of bleached teeth was highest for All bond 2 (12.23 ± 1.41 MPa) followed by Enhance LC (11.76 ± 1.71 MPa) and control (9.63 ± 1.06 MPa). All subgroups showed a significant difference in SBS (P = .000) on bleached and non-bleached teeth. The SBS showed a significant difference between the bleached and non-bleached teeth in All-bond 2 group (P = .019).

Conclusion:

Adhesive boosters increased the SBS of both bleached and non-bleached teeth significantly. Among the two adhesive boosters used, All-bond 2 showed more SBS values.
An Innovative Procedure for Lip Lengthening in a Patient with a Short Upper Lip and High-Angle Skeletal Class II Pattern: A Case Report
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Goyal Manish , Bhavna Jha , Tomar Sumit , Kushwah Ashish
Published: May 2021

Skeletal class II malocclusion in adult patients with severe gummy smile is challenging for orthodontist and often requires surgical intervention. The difficulty increases when patients refuse orthognathic surgery, and orthodontists have limited treatment alternatives. This report describes the case of a patient with severe dento-skeletal class II malocclusion with excessive gingival display while smiling. The patient was treated with temporary anchorage devices, and an innovative method of lip repositioning was devised to correct the irregularity.
Evaluating the Lower Anterior Facial Height in Patients Treated with Extraction Versus Non-extraction Fixed Mechanotherapy: “A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis”
Authors: Jain Atam Dev , Goyal Manish , Kumar Mukesh , Premsagar Shruti , Mishra Shalini , Tomar Sumit
Published: May 2021

Objective:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the four first premolars extraction compared with a non-extraction treated control group on the lower anterior facial height.

Methods:

Electronic search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Lilacs, Scielo, clinical trials, and opengrey.eu databases; only article published in English were included. The eligibility criteria were extraction of four first premolars compared with a non-extraction control group treated with fixed mechanotherapy. Anterior Nasal Spine to Menton (ANS-Me) (mm) was taken as the primary outcome; Frankfurt mandibular plane angle (FMA) and Nasion to Menton (N-Me) were selected as secondary outcomes. Non-randomized Studies-of Intervention (ROBINS-I) tool was used for the quality assessment and risk of bias. Heterogeneity was analyzed using statistical tests, including chi-squared-based Q-statistic, tau-square, and I-squared statistics. Review Manager was used for quantitative assessment and meta-analysis.

Results:

Five retrospective studies were included for quantitative assessment and three were included in the meta-analysis due to certain missing data. Extraction of four first premolars did not affect both primary and secondary outcomes with P = .65, P = .93, and P = .91, respectively, for ANS-Me, FMA, and N-Me.

Conclusion:

This review and meta-analysis concluded that there was no statistically significant effect of extraction of four first premolars on lower anterior facial height.
A Novel Device to Measure the Optimal Position of Central Incisors in Anteroposterior Dimension Clinically: “P” Device
Authors: Singh Pavankumar R , Ambekar Anand S , Kangane Suresh K
Published: May 2021

Facial esthetic has always been a concern for humans for ages. The anteroposterior (AP) position of central incisors plays a key role in building facial esthetic in a smiling profile view. There have been various cephalometric, profilometric, and photographic methods used in the past to assess and predict the AP position of maxillary incisors in their optimal esthetic position. Our new device will help to predict, assess, and measure the optimal AP position of maxillary central incisors clinically using the glabella as a landmark.
‘Undoubtedly Love Letters’? Olive Schreiner’s Letters to Karl Pearson
Authors: Dampier Helen
Published: May 2021

Letters have sometimes been assumed to be a private form of life writing, and certainly many of the South African writer Olive Schreiner’s (1855–1920) letters have been read in this way. However, her letters trouble any simple, binary notions of public and private. This article offers a re-reading of Schreiner’s letters to the statistician and founder of the Men and Women’s Club, Karl Pearson (1857–1936). It argues that the dominant reading that has been made of these letters as ‘unrequited love letters’ needs rethinking, for when these letters are considered in their entirety and contextualised as part of Schreiner’s wider extant letters, and when the intertwining of their public and private aspects is recognised, it becomes clear that a considerably more complex interpretation of her letters is required, and that this has implications for reading letters more generally.
Papa
Authors: Burgo Brenda
Published: May 2021

In this personal narrative, the author details her grandfather’s and father’s experiences of police brutality in Los Angeles, a pattern that continues from one generation to another. She shows the long legacy of violence and racism that Black men face at the hands of the Los Angeles Police Department – from her grandfather Roy Wyche, who was beaten so badly in 1974 that he sustained permanent brain damage, to her father who suffered severe injuries after being wrongly suspected of a crime in 1983. These stories, she argues, are common occurrences that are part of a long history of injustice and systemic racism that Black people continue to face in the present day.
A Peek into Their Mind? An Exploration of Links Between Offense-Supportive Statements and Behaviors among Men Who Sexually Exploit Children and Adolescents Online
Authors: Paquette Sarah , Fortin Francis
Published: May 2021

While forensic psychologists have some access to their patients’ thoughts when deciding on a diagnosis or appraising risk, others, such as police investigators, must rely on physical evidence and behavioral markers to make sense of a crime. Studies showing that offense-supportive cognitions constitute a risk factor for sexual offending, including offenses that take place on the internet, highlight the need for some access to offenders’ thoughts. This exploratory study examines the associations between offense-supportive statements about the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents and proxy behaviors. As part of PRESEL, a collaborative research project between Québec provincial police and academic researchers, the case files of 137 men convicted of using child sexual exploitation material or committing child-luring offenses were analyzed. Results showed that many meaningful risk factors and sexual offending behavioral markers were associated with the cognitive themes Sexualization of children, Child as partner, Dangerous world, Entitlement, and Uncontrollability. The use of encryption was negatively associated with the cognition Virtual is not real while Internet is uncontrollable was associated with fewer contacts with minors over the internet. Findings are useful for understanding the psychological needs that should be targeted in treatment, as well as helping prioritize police workloads.
Occupations creating joy for people living with advanced cancer: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Bentz Hannah Holt , Madsen Stine Hviid , Pilegaard Marc Sampedro , Østergaard Lisa Gregersen , Brandt Åse , Offersen Sara Marie Hebsgaard , la Cour Karen
Published: May 2021

Introduction

For people living with advanced cancer, the possibilities for experiences of joy are seriously influenced by the consequences of the illness. Due to the limited expected lifetime, the need to support such experiences that may entail joy and contribute to quality of life are of importance. Research shows that people with advanced cancer experience quality of life through occupations they are able to perform and enjoy. The aim of this study was to describe which occupations contribute to joy for people living with advanced cancer and explore how they reflect upon these occupations during an occupational therapy intervention.

Methods

In total, 111 people with advanced cancer from the intervention group in a randomised controlled trial participated in the present study. Thirty-six of these participants were interviewed, and for 10 participants, this was combined with participant observations. A directed and a conventional content analysis were applied.

Results

148 occupations contributing to joy were categorised into self-care, leisure and productivity. Most occupations were placed into leisure (89%). Participants had three distinct approaches to occupations contributing to joy: Finding solutions to maintain occupations contributing to joy; having an all or nothing approach; and hoping to resume occupations contributing to joy.

Conclusion

This study found a wide range of occupations contributing to joy and shows the importance of focusing on enabling leisure occupations for people living with advanced cancer. The wide range of occupations as well as participants’ approaches to occupations may be useful to inform future interventions to enable enjoyment for people living with advanced cancer.
Virtual reality in social skills training programs for people with schizophrenia: A systematic review and focus group
Authors: Oliveira Catarina , Simões de Almeida Raquel , Marques António
Published: May 2021

Introduction

This study aims to determine the guidelines for the design of a social skills training programme for people with schizophrenia using virtual reality.

Methods

This article encompasses two studies: Study 1, a systematic review of five articles indexed in the databases B-on, PubMed, Clinical trials and Cochrane Library (2010–2020); Study 2, a focus group of occupational therapists trained in mental health and multimedia professionals, in which they discussed the outline of such a programme.

Results

A set of guidelines were identified as central and consensual which should be included in the programme. It must have multilevel logic and gradual learning, with simulations of everyday situations, in which it is possible to practise the skills of conversation and communication. Virtual reality provides people with schizophrenia with unlimited opportunities, enhancing a personalized intervention.

Conclusion

Social skills training could be part of the treatment for people with schizophrenia, and virtual reality is a promising tool to complement traditional training, although still little implemented in mental health services. Occupational therapists have a prominent role in the development and application of this because of their knowledge of activity analysis and their ability to facilitate the generalization of skills in different contexts.
Proposing a new short screening test for upper limb apraxia
Authors: Yamada Mai , Koyanagi Masahiko , Kawaguchi Miyo , Sato Yuki , Tsujihata Mitsuhiro , Higashi Toshio
Published: May 2021

Background

Apraxia has a major impact on activities of daily living in stroke patients. The proper assessment and treatment of apraxia is important for maintaining a good quality of life. We developed a short evaluation test for upper limb apraxia.

Patients and Methods

The present Screening Test of Gestures for Stroke consists of 10 items for each verbal instruction and imitation. Each item includes three meaningless gestures, three meaningful gestures and four pantomimes. The Screening Test of Gestures for Stroke is scored based on a 3-point system: 10, 5 or 0 (maximum score: 200). The test took approximately 2–5 min to complete. We recruited 65 patients admitted to our hospital with left hemisphere stroke and 50 healthy subjects.

Results

The reliability of the Screening Test of Gestures for Stroke was as follows: the intraclass correlation coefficient of intra-rater reliability was 0.93 for both verbal instructions and imitations, and the intraclass correlation coefficient total scores for inter-rater reliability for verbal instructions and for imitations were 0.97 and 0.95, respectively. The alpha coefficient was ≥0.80.

Conclusions

The Screening Test of Gestures for Stroke is a reliable and valid bedside test that has a short assessment time, does not require special equipment and can evaluate upper limb apraxia in stroke patients from the acute to the chronic phase.
Food supply chains and the antimicrobial resistance challenge: On the framing, accomplishments and limitations of corporate responsibility
Authors: Hughes Alex , Roe Emma , Hocknell Suzanne
Published: May 2021

This paper presents a critique of supply chain responses to a particular global wicked problem – antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It evaluates the understanding of AMR (and drug-resistant infections) as a food system challenge and critically explores how responsibility for addressing it is framed and implemented. We place the spotlight on the AMR strategies applied in UK retailers’ domestic poultry and pork supply chains. This provides a timely analysis of corporate engagement with AMR in light of the 2016 O’Neill report on Tackling Drug Resistant Infections Globally, which positioned supermarket chains, processors, and regulators as holding key responsibilities. Research included interviews with retailers, industry bodies, policy makers, farmers, processors, consultants and campaigners. We evaluate how strategy for tackling AMR in the food system is focused on antimicrobial stewardship, particularly targets for reducing antibiotic use in domestic food production. The global value chain notion of multipolar governance, where influence derives from multiple nodes both inside and outside the supply chain, is blended with more-than-human assemblage perspectives to capture the implementation of targets. This conceptual fusion grasps how supply chain responsibility and influence works through both a distributed group of stakeholders and the ecological complexity of the AMR challenge. The paper demonstrates in turn: how the targets for reducing antibiotic use in domestic meat production represent a particular and narrowly defined strategic focus; how those targets have been met through distributed agency in the UK supply chain; and the geographical and biological limitations of the targets in tackling AMR as a wicked problem.
Economic geography I: Uneven development, ‘left behind places’ and ‘levelling up’ in a time of crisis
Authors: Leyshon Andrew
Published: May 2021

This article is the first of three reviews in which economic geography is viewed through the lens of crises. This article focuses on the resurgence of uneven development as a political problem, which has led to public policy debates and responses in which economic geography is an underpinning construct. The article focuses on the UK where public policy responses have engaged with the problems caused by uneven development. Arguments made over many years about the long-term damaging impacts of geographical inequalities in opportunity and income have broken through into the political mainstream and gained traction. The article explains how this happened, as an already unbalanced regional economy was exacerbated first through growth led by financial services and then austerity-led decline. There are opportunities for economic geography in this public policy conjuncture, although it will require an ability to engage competently and critically with mainstream economics, and a willingness to work with political actors and a challenging, frustrating, and uncomfortable political process. Moreover, it also requires that the problem of uneven development remains adequately defined and attended to, so that appropriate public policy responses may be formulated, and continues to garner sufficient political attention, to allow both time and opportunity for intervention in public policy.
One step ahead adaptive control technique featured by fuzzy-based least square estimator for wind systems
Authors: Dambrosio Lorenzo
Published: May 2021

The present paper proposes the application to a wind system of the One Step Ahead control scheme featured by a Fuzzy-based Least Square Estimator. The considered wind system power generation supplies an electrical load disconnected from the power supply grid. It is composed of a three bladed horizontal-axis wind turbine which drives a synchronous generator by means of gearbox: the mathematical model for both the horizontal-axis wind-turbine and the synchronous generator will be briefly outlined. The adaptive nature of the One-Step-Ahead control algorithm relies on providing consistent estimation of the controlled system. This is achieved by means of a Least Square Algorithm that is able to provide a good estimation of a linear discrete time model of the controlled system, nevertheless its convergence rate reduces very quickly. For this reason, Least Square Algorithm needs a resetting strategy, which allows the achievement of a compromise between estimation accuracy and convergence rate. This not only represents a very problem-dependent issue but also introduces weaknesses in term of control tracking errors, which in turns needs an extra control contribution (integral correction). The proposed Least Square Algorithm enhancement overcomes these issues managing differently the estimation accuracy and the convergence rate. In the Results section, the achievements of the application of the One-Step-Ahead algorithm to the wind system will prove the reliability of the suggested enhanced control technique.
Massive transfusion experience, current practice and decision support: A survey of Australian and New Zealand anaesthetists
Authors: Sanderson Brenton J , Field Jeremy D , Estcourt Lise J , Wood Erica M , Coiera Enrico W
Published: May 2021

Massive transfusions guided by massive transfusion protocols are commonly used to manage critical bleeding, when the patient is at significant risk of morbidity and mortality, and multiple timely decisions must be made by clinicians. Clinical decision support systems are increasingly used to provide patient-specific recommendations by comparing patient information to a knowledge base, and have been shown to improve patient outcomes. To investigate current massive transfusion practice and the experiences and attitudes of anaesthetists towards massive transfusion and clinical decision support systems, we anonymously surveyed 1000 anaesthetists and anaesthesia trainees across Australia and New Zealand. A total of 228 surveys (23.6%) were successfully completed and 227 were analysed for a 23.3% response rate. Most respondents were involved in massive transfusions infrequently (88.1% managed five or fewer massive transfusion protocols per year) and worked at hospitals which have massive transfusion protocols (89.4%). Massive transfusion management was predominantly limited by timely access to point-of-care coagulation assessment and by competition with other tasks, with trainees reporting more significant limitations compared to specialists. The majority of respondents reported that they were likely, or very likely, both to use (73.1%) and to trust (85%) a clinical decision support system for massive transfusions, with no significant difference between anaesthesia trainees and specialists ( P = 0.375 and P = 0.73, respectively). While the response rate to our survey was poor, there was still a wide range of massive transfusion experience among respondents, with multiple subjective factors identified limiting massive transfusion practice. We identified several potential design features and barriers to implementation to assist with the future development of a clinical decision support system for massive transfusion, and overall wide support for a clinical decision support system for massive transfusion among respondents.
Driver Expectations toward Strategic Routing
Authors: Kröller Alexander , Hüffner Falk , Kosma Łukasz , Kröller Katja , Zeni Mattia
Published: May 2021

Strategic Routing is a traffic intervention mechanism. To reduce traffic in a certain area, drivers are asked to take a pre-defined route diverting them from the area, even though this increases their travel time. This can be implemented with navigation apps or in-dash navigation from navigation service providers such as TomTom or Google. Triggered by a traffic authority, the driver receives information through the service provider’s infrastructure and user interface about a new route and potentially a reward. In this work, we investigate the dynamics between traffic authority, service provider, and end user by analyzing user expectations. Ultimately, service providers are competing for customers. They can, therefore, only implement strategic routing if it appeals to drivers rather than scares them away. We report on the insights of a two-stage study with 457 participants, exploring what kind of strategic routing interventions are appreciated by drivers. We find that drivers report a high interest in seeing diversion suggestions, even when they are not inclined to take them. However, they are unwilling to have their route adapted automatically. Important factors affecting drivers’ willingness to divert are the reason for the detour and the additional driving time. Incentives do increase the efficacy, but only marginally increase user appreciation, indicating that users may mistrust strategic routing that relies too strongly on incentives.
Vision for Mechanistic-Empirical Railway Track System and Component Analysis and Design
Authors: Edwards J. Riley , Quirós-Orozco Ricardo J. , Bastos Josué César , Dersch Marcus S. , Tutumluer Erol
Published: May 2021

Many analytical methods and other processes have been developed for the evaluation of railway track and its components, but these have largely been used for analysis. Design is often driven by development projects that do not engage research, resulting in designs that may not be optimized in the context of the broader track structure. This paper proposes a mechanistic-empirical (M-E) analysis and design framework that encourages an understanding of mechanical load-response behavior and comparison of loading demands, and the capacity of the track infrastructure component under study. The approach builds on similar advancements in the field of highway pavement research, including the development and use of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG). Rail applications present unique economies to a focused M-E design approach, given that loads are concentrated in localized regions and beneath the rails. This paper first reviews prior design and analysis approaches, then presents the essential features of an M-E railway track system and component analysis and design, and, in the end, notes gaps that will require future research before proper implementation of M-E design within rail engineering. The authors also discuss the role of probabilistic design and structural reliability analysis in future design practices. Finally, governing mechanistic failure modes for the track system as well as components and associated life cycle data to achieve full implementation of such an M-E design process are identified and a path forward for implementation is proposed.
Vehicle Dimensions Based Passenger Car Classification using Fuzzy and Non-Fuzzy Clustering Methods
Authors: Niroomand Naghmeh , Bach Christian , Elser Miriam
Published: May 2021

There has been globally continuous growth in passenger car sizes and types over the past few decades. To assess the development of vehicular specifications in this context and to evaluate changes in powertrain technologies depending on surrounding frame conditions, such as charging stations and vehicle taxation policy, we need a detailed understanding of the vehicle fleet composition. This paper aims therefore to introduce a novel mathematical approach to segment passenger vehicles based on dimensions features using a means fuzzy clustering algorithm, Fuzzy C-means (FCM), and a non-fuzzy clustering algorithm, K-means (KM). We analyze the performance of the proposed algorithms and compare them with Swiss expert segmentation. Experiments on the real data sets demonstrate that the FCM classifier has better correlation with the expert segmentation than KM. Furthermore, the outputs from FCM with five clusters show that the proposed algorithm has a superior performance for accurate vehicle categorization because of its capacity to recognize and consolidate dimension attributes from the unsupervised data set. Its performance in categorizing vehicles was promising with an average accuracy rate of 79% and an average positive predictive value of 75%.
Prioritizing Pedestrian and Bicyclist Count Locations for Volume Estimation
Authors: Schoner Jessica , Proulx Frank , Knapp de Orvañanos Katherine , Almdale Brian
Published: May 2021

As data collection programs grow, cities need a way to systematically deploy counting equipment in a way that ensures robust pedestrian and bicyclist volume data are collected across a spectrum of use patterns and infrastructure contexts. This paper presents the findings from a deep dive into pedestrian and bicyclist volumes and exposure, including statistical modeling, as well as translating the outputs into an algorithm for systematically growing Seattle Department of Transportation’s nonmotorized count data collection program. The data collection location prioritization algorithm described in this paper provides a roadmap for cities and other agencies as they build their nonmotorized data collection programs.
Multi-Objective Evaluation Model of Single-Lane Roundabouts
Authors: Ahmed Hend , Easa Said M.
Published: May 2021

Mobility, safety, and environmental sustainability are priorities in the geometric design of roundabouts. This paper presents a multi-objective optimization model that determines the geometric design elements of single-lane roundabouts using all three objectives. The user can specify weights for the objectives, or the model can determine the optimal weights. Mobility is defined in terms of roundabout delay and modeled using the United Kingdom empirical model. Safety is modeled in terms of collision frequency based on the methodology of the Highway Safety Manual. Environmental sustainability is represented by vehicle emissions (nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide) and is modeled using the vehicle-specific power methodology. The proposed model directly identifies the optimal geometric dimensions (decision variables) of the roundabout, including entry width, exit width, approach half-width, circulatory width, effective flare length, entry radius, entry angle, and inscribed circle diameter. The input data to the model include traffic data, site conditions, and limitations based on design guidelines. Application of the proposed model is illustrated using two actual roundabouts. The comparison results show that the proposed model provides substantial improvements in safety, mobility, and environmental sustainability compared with existing conditions. In addition, the model requires much less effort to apply compared with the traditional iterative method, and as such should be of interest to highway designers.
Balancing the Service Benefits and Mainline Delay Disbenefits of Operating Shorter Freight Trains
Authors: Diaz de Rivera Adrian , Dick C. Tyler , Parkes Matthew M.
Published: May 2021

Advanced train control systems enabling single-person crews or driverless trains promise to significantly reduce the fixed costs of operating a train, removing a strong incentive for longer trains. For carload freight traffic, operating a given number of railcars in shorter trains enables railroads to improve service quality and revenue through increased train frequencies or more direct trains bypassing intermediate classification yards. However, operating shorter trains increases the total number of trains on existing rail corridors, exacerbating congestion and decreasing network fluidity. Rail Traffic Controller simulation software is used to quantify the potential mainline delay impacts and relative capacity consumption of shorter trains. Different combinations of train length and train type heterogeneity are tested on representative single-track freight corridors. Results indicate that train control systems with moving blocks can mitigate some of the mainline delay impacts of shorter trains, particularly at a high traffic volume, with a mix of train types and a greater proportion of railcars traveling on short trains. Mid-siding crossovers can further boost the effectiveness of moving blocks in managing complex train conflicts caused by train type heterogeneity. Simulation results are used to perform an example railcar transit time estimation illustrating the trade-off between yard connection time benefits and mainline delay disbenefits, and the thresholds at which different operating strategies produce a net transit time benefit. Understanding the mainline delay impacts of shorter trains can assist railroad practitioners formulating long-term capital investment plans, developing future operating strategies, and improving service quality and market share through a short train philosophy.
Precision Scheduled Railroading and the Need for Improved Estimates of Yard Capacity and Performance Considering Traffic Complexity
Authors: Dick C. Tyler
Published: May 2021

Multiple North American freight railroads have adopted concepts of Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) that attempt to reduce costs by maximizing train length and minimizing railcar transit time. To achieve these objectives, PSR emphasizes pre-blocking traffic and operating general-purpose trains. These changes have altered the nature of operations at many classification yards, leading to yard closures and conversions to different yard types. Difficulty in implementing PSR-inspired operating practices at yards suggests the industry requires improved estimates of classification yard performance and capacity. While volume-based approaches may be adequate when yard operations are consistent with historical experience, it is hypothesized that approaches considering overall traffic complexity will offer improved predictions when changes are also made to the number of blocks and trains assembled in the yard. An original simulation model of a classification yard pull-down process is used to investigate this hypothesis. The simulation results suggest that a combination of factors describing yard traffic complexity can be a better predictor of yard performance than volume alone. The results are also transformed into a capacity constraint that describes the interaction between the maximum allowable daily number of railcars, blocks, and trains processed by a classification yard. Better understanding of these relationships can aid practitioners and researchers in improving network blocking models and developing train plans that properly use available yard capacity under PSR and other operating plans, reducing the likelihood of future network disturbances and congestion events.
Speeds of Right-Turning Vehicles at Signalized Intersections during Green or Yellow Phase
Authors: Fitzpatrick Kay , Pratt Michael P. , Avelar Raul
Published: May 2021

The operation and design of signalized intersections involves tradeoffs between operational efficiency and safety for a variety of users, including motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Additionally, the mix of vehicle types in the fleet sometimes requires special considerations. These concerns especially apply to the selection of curb radius at the corners, where right-turning vehicles operate close to pedestrians. Larger curb radii accommodate the swept paths of trucks and allow right turns to occur at higher speeds but may compromise safety and security for pedestrians by increasing the crossing distance and increasing the frequency of higher-speed turns. The authors collected right-turn vehicle speeds at 31 urban signalized intersection approaches in Texas with radii ranging from 15 to 70 ft. The authors calibrated a model to predict right-turn speeds as a function of site characteristics including curb radius, leading headway, vehicle type (car versus truck), maneuver of the preceding vehicle (through versus right turn), and signal indication (yellow or green). The analysis results indicate that right-turn speeds increase slightly with increasing radius, if the preceding vehicle proceeds through (rather than turning right) at the intersection, or if the signal indication is yellow rather than green. The calculated 85th percentile turning speed is generally higher than the assumed speed calculated using the radius of curvature equation. These trends should be considered if the intersection is expected to have notable volumes of pedestrians or trucks, as lower speeds are desirable for pedestrian safety, but larger radii may be necessary to accommodate turning trucks.
Can we use neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in the diagnosis and prediction of extracapsular extension in localized prostate cancer?
Authors: Merder Erkan , Arıman Ahmet , Dinçer Selvi , Altunrende Fatih
Published: May 2021

Purpose:

We investigated role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the diagnosis and prediction of extracapsular extension (ECE) in clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa).

Materials and methods:

A total of 396 patients with clinically localized PCa who underwent open radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP), and 260 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent suprapubic prostatectomy were included in the study. Preoperative NLR, prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate specific antigen density (PSAD), free PSA, prostate volume (PV), free/total PSA (f/t PSA) in both groups, and relation of NLR with PSA, Gleason Score (GS), and pathologic stage in PCa group were investigated. Records of patients were analyzed retrospectively.

Results:

NLR, free PSA, f/t PSA, and PV were statistically higher in BHP, and PSAD was higher in PCa group. In PCa group, NLR was found to be higher in patients with PSA >10 ng/ml compared to those with less than ⩽10 ng/ml. NLR increases as the preoperative GS increases, and it was higher in pT3 patients than pT2 patients. NLR was statistically higher in those patients with positive lymph nodes than those without after RRP ( p = 0.029).

Conclusion:

NLR is not a sufficient biomarker in differentiating clinically localized PCa from BPH. NLR increases as preoperative GS and pathologic stage increases. Lymph node involved patients after RRP have statistically higher NLR. NLR can be an indicator of ECE and lymph-node involvement in clinically localized PCa.
In Millennial Footsteps: California Social Movement Organizations for Generation Z
Authors: Serrano Uriel , Lin May , Ebrahimi Jamileh , Orellana Jose , Paniagua Rosanai , Terriquez Veronica
Published: May 2021

This article highlights main themes that emerged from our panel featuring youth organizers and scholars of youth social movements in California. We focus on how organizations uplift youth leadership, foster queer inclusivity, build across racial difference, and cultivate “beloved community,” a concept popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Our organizations address the root causes of inequities that threaten low-income communities of color, while adapting to contemporary challenges by proposing new modes of social change. For example, youth-centered leadership has long been at the crux of youth organizing; meanwhile, “healing” has increasingly emerged as a prominent aspect of youth organizations devoted to social change. This article thus summarizes our panel’s insights about youth organizing across California.
Influence of structural physiognomies of pawpaw fiber–glass fiber hybrid–based green composites on mechanical properties and biodegradation potential of epoxy composites
Authors: Oladele Oluwole I , Makinde-Isola Baraka A , Adediran Adeolu A , Ayanleye Oluwaseun T , Taiwo Samuel A
Published: May 2021

The demand for durable and sustainable eco-friendly materials in recent times has caused many researchers to consider the use of plant fibers in composite development. In this research, the suitability of treated pawpaw fiber as a substitute for glass fiber was considered. The pawpaw fiber was extracted from the plant stem by dew retting and treated before been incorporated into the epoxy matrix. Two distinct fiber structures in linear and network forms were identified, separated, and used for the development of the composites. The composites were produced by incorporating a fixed amount of pawpaw fiber with a varied amount of glass fiber within 3–15 wt% in epoxy-based polymer matrix after which mechanical and biodegradation tests were carried out on the developed samples. Fractured surface morphology was also observed using a scanning electron microscope. The results revealed that the fiber structures influence the properties of the material. While mechanical properties were mostly enhanced by treated linear structure pawpaw fiber, biodegradation was highly promoted by treated network structure pawpaw fiber. Tensile (except for strain), hardness, and flexural properties were enhanced by the linear-structured treated pawpaw fiber, while biodegradability, impact, and tensile strain were improved by the network-structured treated pawpaw fiber compared to the control sample.
Reliabilities of WMS–IV Discrepancy Score Comparisons for Subtests, Indexes, and Selected WAIS–IV Composites
Authors: Ryan Joseph J. , Glass Umfleet Laura , Gontkovsky Samuel T.
Published: May 2021

This investigation provides internal consistency reliabilities for the Wechsler Memory Scale–Fourth Edition (WMS–IV) subtest and index discrepancy scores using the standardization samples of the Adult and Older Adult batteries. Subtest reliabilities ranged from .00 to .93 for Adults and .25 to .94 for Older Adults. Three of 91 Adult coefficients and three of 24 Older Adult coefficients reached the recommended level (≥ .90). Index reliabilities ranged from .46 to .94 for 100 Adult Battery comparisons and .19 to 93 for 36 Older Adult Battery comparisons. Each battery had 10 coefficients ≥ .90. Ability–memory discrepancies were reported using WAIS–IV VCI, PRI, WMI, and GAI as intelligence standards. Ability–memory comparisons for the Adult Battery ranged from .82 to .93 with 12 of 20 comparisons ≥ .90; Older Adult Battery reliabilities ranged from .85 to .94 with six of 16 comparisons ≥ .90. In terms of discrepancy score reliabilities, the WMS–IV represents a marked improvement over the WMS–III.