bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caregiver Burden in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Kocakaya Derya , Keniş-Coşkun Özge , Şentürk-Saraç Betül , Yıldızeli Bedrettin , Mutlu Bülent , Karakurt Sait
Published: November 2020

Both quality of life (QoL) and caregiver burden are essential constructs in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) however; their relationship has never been investigated before. The aim of this study was to evaluate if there was any relationship between patients’ QoL and caregiver burden. Patients with PH and their caregivers were included. Patients’ age, sex, World Health Organization (WHO) functional class, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP), and six-minute walk distances (6MWD) were recorded. Patients’ QoL was assessed using emPHasis-10 and caregiver burden with the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. 72 patient-caregiver dyads were included. Caregiver burden was significantly correlated with the QoL( r = 0.39 p < .003), but was not correlated with other clinical parameters. Patients’ QoL showed significant negative correlation with the 6MWD( r = −0.46 p < .005). There is a moderate correlation between QoL and caregiver burden. Clinical parameters influence QoL, but they do not affect caregiver burden.
Satralizumab for the Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Gao Yanli , Zhang Baoqi , Yang Junyi
Published: November 2020

Objective

To review the pharmacological characteristics, clinical evidence, and place in therapy of satralizumab for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs).

Data Sources

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed (January 2000 to October 15, 2020). Key search terms included satralizumab and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Other sources were derived from product labeling and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Study Selection and Data Extraction

All English-language articles identified from the data sources were reviewed and evaluated. Phase I, II, and III clinical trials were included.

Data Synthesis

NMOSD is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory lesions in the optic nerves and spinal cord. Interleukin-6 is involved in the pathogenesis of the disorder. Satralizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the interleukin-6 receptor. Phase III trials showed that protocol-defined relapse was 30% for satralizumab and 50% for placebo ( P = 0.018) when patients with NMOSD were treated with satralizumab monotherapy; protocol-defined relapse was 20% for satralizumab and 43% for placebo ( P = 0.02) when satralizumab was added to immunosuppressant treatment. Satralizumab is generally well tolerated, with common adverse effects including injection-related reaction.

Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice

Satralizumab has the potential to become a valuable treatment option for patients with NMOSD.

Conclusion

Satralizumab appears to be safe and effective as monotherapy or in combination with an immunosuppressant for patients with NMOSD and has the potential to become a valuable treatment option for these patients.
What’s Fair in Child Welfare? Parent Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences
Authors: Cleveland Kyndra C. , Quas Jodi A.
Published: November 2020

Parents play a critical role in the progression and outcomes of juvenile dependency (child welfare court) cases. Yet, very little is known about these parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and experiences. We examined legal understanding and attitudes among 201 parents involved in ongoing dependency cases in California and Florida via semi-structured, in-person interviews. We expected parents’ understanding to be low and attitudes to be negative, particularly among parents of color and low SES parents. We expected greater dependency understanding to be related to more positive justice attitudes, and procedural and distributive justice attitudes to be indistinguishable in this population. Findings partially confirmed expectations. Parents’ understanding of the system was low, especially among parents of color and less educated parents. Parents felt less than satisfied about the fairness of procedures and decisions. However, procedural and distributive justice attitudes were distinguishable. Finally, and unexpectedly, parents’ knowledge and attitudes were negatively related. The consistently low levels of knowledge across CA and FL suggest the critical need to increase parental knowledge. It is also important to promote fair court procedures and decision-making to improve parents’ attitudes about procedural and distributive justice, which were found to be distinct and important factors among parents navigating juvenile dependency cases.
Implementing a Substance Use Screening Protocol in Rural Federally Qualified Health Centers
Authors: Reddick Blake , Foli Karen J. , Coddington Jennifer A. , Hountz Diane
Published: November 2020

INTRODUCTION:

In 2018, nearly 20% of Americans aged 12 years and older reported using illicit substances, with higher rates in rural areas. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide health care to one in five rural Americans. However, estimates suggest that only 13.6% of patients in rural FQHCs receive substance use (SU) screening compared with 42.6% of patients in urban FQHCs.

AIMS:

This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to improve patient quality and safety and meet Health Resources and Services Administration reporting requirements. These aims were achieved through the design and implementation of a new SU screening protocol in four FQHCs in rural Indiana.

METHOD:

Deming’s plan–do–study–act model was used to implement QI interventions to increase SU screening rates. A new SU screening tool, the National Institute on Drug Abuse –Modified Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Testwas implemented, and staff were trained on its use. the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment model was used as a guiding framework. Outcome measures included a comparison of SU screening rates from the first quarter of 2019 to the first quarter of 2020, as well a pretest–posttest designed to measure staff knowledge and attitudes regarding SU.

RESULTS:

Baseline SU screening rate in 2019 was 0.87%. This increased to 24.8% by March 2020. Additionally, posttest results demonstrated improvement from staff on all indices, and an approval rating of 77% of the new SU screening practices.

CONCLUSIONS:

This project demonstrated that a low-cost QI intervention can increase SU screening rates in rural FQHCs, as well as improve staff knowledge and attitudes regarding SU.
Young People’s Experiences and Perceptions of YouTuber-Produced Health Content: Implications for Health Promotion
Authors: Harris Jane , Atkinson Amanda , Mink Michael , Porcellato Lorna
Published: November 2020

The growing diversity and uptake of social media has increased the sources of health information available to young people. YouTube is one of the most popular social media platforms for young people in the United Kingdom, and YouTubers are the most important influencers on the platform producing diverse health content. They are increasingly recognized by popular media and public health organizations as a potentially influential source of health information for young people. This study aimed to qualitatively explore young people’s experiences and perceptions of YouTuber health content. Focus groups (November 2017 to January 2018) with 85 young people (13–18 years) were recruited from schools in a single county in North West England. The findings suggest young people’s engagement with YouTuber health content is dependent on how they encounter it, YouTubers’ motivations for producing it, and the perceived relatability, sincerity, and generalization present in this content. The study confirms YouTuber health content was one of the many sources of health information used by young people and was most frequently encountered during young people’s routine viewing. Collaboration between public health organizations and YouTubers could be promising in communicating health messages to young people already engaged with these YouTubers, as part of wider campaigns or interventions. These messages could be particularly effective if they focused on experiences and norms rather than advice, remained consistent with YouTubers’ existing health content, incorporate clear indicators of accuracy into their narrative, and state their intention to benefit young people.
Designing a parallel Feel-the-Way clustering algorithm on HPC systems
Authors: Zheng Weijian , Wang Dali , Song Fengguang
Published: November 2020

This paper introduces a new parallel clustering algorithm, named Feel-the-Way clustering algorithm, that provides better or equivalent convergence rate than the traditional clustering methods by optimizing the synchronization and communication costs. Our algorithm design centers on how to optimize three factors simultaneously: reduced synchronizations, improved convergence rate, and retained same or comparable optimization cost. To compare the optimization cost, we use the Sum of Square Error (SSE) cost as the metric, which is the sum of the square distance between each data point and its assigned clusters. Compared with the traditional MPI k-means algorithm, the new Feel-the-Way algorithm requires less communications among participating processes. As for the convergence rate, the new algorithm requires fewer number of iterations to converge. As for the optimization cost, it obtains the SSE costs that are close to the k-means algorithm. In the paper, we first design the full-step Feel-the-Way k-means clustering algorithm that can significantly reduce the number of iterations that are required by the original k-means clustering method. Next, we improve the performance of the full-step algorithm by adopting an optimized sampling-based approach, named reassignment-history-aware sampling. Our experimental results show that the optimized sampling-based Feel-the-Way method is significantly faster than the widely used k-means clustering method, and can provide comparable optimization costs. More extensive experiments with several synthetic datasets and real-world datasets (e.g., MNIST, CIFAR-10, ENRON, and PLACES-2) show that the new parallel algorithm can outperform the open source MPI k-means library by up to 110% on a high-performance computing system using 4,096 CPU cores. In addition, the new algorithm can take up to 51% fewer iterations to converge than the k-means clustering algorithm.
Optical coherence tomography angiography of choroidal neovascularization in immune choroiditis following acute retinal necrosis
Authors: Nakamura Shun , Nakao Shintaro , Shiose Satomi , Kohno Ri-ichiro , Hasegawa Eiichi , Sonoda Koh-Hei
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

To report optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) findings in a case of immune choroiditis following contralateral acute retinal necrosis (ARN) with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.

Case report:

A 64-year-old woman with immune choroiditis following contralateral ARN and secondary CNV presented with decreased visual acuity. Fundus examination revealed macular and peripheral yellowish lesions in the right eye. Inflammatory cells were observed in the anterior chamber and the vitreous. OCT revealed retinal exudative changes and subretinal lesions suggestive of CNV. OCTA detected an abnormal vascular net in the outer retina as well as choriocapillaris, corresponding to type 2 CNV, that reduced following intravitreous anti-VEGF therapy. Two weeks after treatment, OCTA showed re-dilated choroidal neovasculature at the outer retina despite no exudative recurrence in OCT. Six weeks after treatment, OCT detected exudative changes around the neovascular lesion.

Conclusion:

This case discusses the use of OCTA detection of CNV in a case of immune choroiditis following contralateral ARN. During anti-VEGF therapy for inflammatory CNV-related diseases, OCTA may be useful not only for CNV detection but also for the follow-up of CNV activity.
#BlackProtest from the web to the streets and back: Feminist digital activism in Poland and narrative potential of the hashtag
Authors: Nacher Anna
Published: November 2020

In this article, I would like to take a somewhat closer look at the politics of hashtags surrounding wave of street actions known as Black Protest (Czarny Protest), held nation-wide in Poland on October 2016. Analysing the use of social media as the form of digital activism, I strive at both mitigating the fallacy of digital dualism and demystifying the notion of ‘Twitter revolutions’. The term was popularized by over-enthusiastic accounts of the social movements between 2009 and 2011. I propose to see the employment of social media platforms as the form of weak opposition and to some extent, to explain its efficiency by the ability to reclaim and mobilize the narrative power of hashtags. ‘Weak’ here means everyday, often mundane, and hence under-recognized acts as opposed to activity considered ‘heroic’ and placed in the spotlight, with all gender-based ideological and interpretative undercurrents associated with such a juxtaposition.
T-STAT for detecting autism spectrum disorder in toddlers aged 18–24 months
Authors: Wu Chin-Chin , Chiang Chung-Hsin , Chu Ching-Lin , Iao Lai-Sang , Hou Yuh-Ming
Published: November 2020

Two studies were conducted to examine the use of the Taiwanese version of the Screening Tool for Autism in Two-Year-Olds for detecting autism spectrum disorder in toddlers aged 18–24 months. Study 1 used receiver operating characteristics to select a cutoff score for the Taiwanese version of the Screening Tool for Autism in Two-Year-Olds. It involved two groups of 16 toddlers each, one group with toddlers having autism spectrum disorder and the other group with chronological and mental age-matched toddlers with developmental delay. The result suggested that a cutoff of 2.50 would yield high sensitivity and specificity. In Study 2, we recruited 136 toddlers—30 with autism spectrum disorder, 33 with mild-autism spectrum disorder, and 73 with developmental delay. Using 2.50 as the cutoff score, the concurrent agreement between Taiwanese version of the Screening Tool for Autism in Two-Year-Olds risk and clinical diagnosis and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule yielded high sensitivity and specificity. The results of this study indicated that the Taiwanese version of the Screening Tool for Autism in Two-Year-Olds can be used as a Level 2 autism-specific screening tool for the 18–24 months age group.

Lay abstract

The benefits of early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder highlight the importance of early diagnosis. Reliable diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder can be made before 24 months of age. However, many children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at a later age. Delayed diagnosis can occur for children with less severe symptoms and lead to missed opportunities for early intervention. This current study was executed to examine the Taiwanese version of the Screening Tool for Autism in Two-Year-Olds in detecting autism spectrum disorder in toddlers between 18 and 24 months of age. One strength of this study was the inclusion of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder or mild-autism spectrum disorder using the strict and relaxed Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) criteria for autism spectrum disorder simultaneously. The results of this study supported that diagnosis of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder could be made reliable before 24 months of age. And the Taiwanese version of the Screening Tool for Autism in Two-Year-Olds was a Level 2 autism-specific screening tool for toddlers aged from 18 to 24 months in Taiwan.
Characterizing the early vocabulary profiles of preverbal and minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Haebig Eileen , Jiménez Eva , Cox Christopher R , Hills Thomas T
Published: November 2020

Children with autism spectrum disorder often have significant language delays. But do they learn language differently than neurotypical toddlers? We compared the lexical skills of 64 preverbal and minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder to 461 vocabulary-size-matched typically developing toddlers. We also examined social features of verb knowledge using a novel collection of social ratings. Children with autism spectrum disorder produced proportionally more verbs than typically developing toddlers. Children with autism spectrum disorder produced proportionally more action and food words, while typically developing toddlers produced proportionally more animal, people words, and animal sounds and sound effects. Children with autism spectrum disorder also produced “mommy” and “daddy” at lower rates. We discuss how these differences may reflect an association between lexical development and weaknesses in social communication.

Lay abstract

Although preverbal and minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder represent a significant portion of the autism spectrum disorder population, we have a limited understanding of and characterization of them. Although it is a given that their lexical profiles contain fewer words, it is important to determine whether (a) the words preverbal and minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder produce are similar to the first words typically developing children produce or (b) there are unique features of the limited words that preverbal and minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder produce. The current study compared the early word profiles of preverbal and minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder to vocabulary-matched typically developing toddlers. Children with autism spectrum disorder produced proportionally more verbs than typically developing toddlers. Also, children with autism spectrum disorder produced proportionally more action and food words, while typically developing toddlers produced proportionally more animal words, animal sounds and sound effects, and people words. Children with autism spectrum disorder also produced “mommy” and “daddy” at lower rates. Our findings identified several areas of overlap in early word learning; however, our findings also point to differences that may be connected to core weaknesses in social communication (i.e. people words). The findings highlight words and categories that could serve as useful targets for communication intervention with preverbal and minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder.
On political street art as expressions of citizen media in revolutionary Egypt
Authors: Blaagaard Bolette B , Mollerup Nina Grønlykke
Published: November 2020

This article traces the intersecting and interstitial spaces of political aesthetics in political street art featuring key activists of the Egyptian uprising of 2011–13 as well as the following struggle. We argue that the complex political expressions displayed in the images as recontextualized and embodied afford the images different roles in citizens’ political and social struggles. We develop three modalities of political street art – emplacement, travelling and conversation – that allow different works different roles in the political formation of subjectivity. In order to understand street art’s role in political subjectivity formation, this article applies visual discursive analyses to two expressions of political street art: first, the stencil of a blue bra, referring to sitt al-banat, a woman who was stripped naked in public as she was beaten unconscious by Egyptian military soldiers; second, the mural of then jailed activist Sanaa Seif in the Copenhagen borough of Christiania.
Bazaar aesthetics: On excess and economic rationality
Authors: Deka Maitrayee
Published: November 2020

For more than a century, social theoretical writings on consumer culture and commodity aesthetics have concentrated on the world of capitalist commodities and commercial spaces: on brands, shopping malls and global media culture. Popular commodity aesthetics have had a marginal presence in the literature. However, today, as the popular masses are entering commercial culture to an unprecedented extent, through cheap electronics, ubiquitous internet connectivity and accessible knock-offs, popular commodity aesthetics have increased in importance. In this article, I use fieldwork in Delhi’s electronics bazaars to develop an inside perspective on the popular aesthetic of the bazaar. I argue that bazaars are characterized by excess: the excess of a seemingly chaotic architecture, household objects, and unhindered sociality. The excess is not simply a symptom of an underlying irrationality. It is deeply embedded in the social and economic life of bazaars and contributes towards the ability of small-scale commerce to endure and survive.
Reliability and uncertainty quantification of the net section tension capacity of cold-formed steel angles with bolted connections considering shear lag
Authors: Borges Jéssica Ferreira , de Paula Valdeir Francisco , Evangelista Francisco , Bezerra Luciano Mendes
Published: November 2020

In cold-formed steel members under tension and connected with bolts, the resistance capacity of the net section should be calculated, taking into account the shear lag phenomenon. This is done through the net section reduction coefficient, Ct. Different Standards show different equations for Ct. In this work, experimental laboratory data of cold-formed steel angles from the authors are used for the evaluation of the accuracy of the predictions of the net section capacity of members under tension. Such predictions are given by the equations of AISI, Eurocode-3, Brazilian standard NBR 14762, and also by a predictive equation previously proposed by the authors. The paper shows how each equation predicts the tension member resistance capacity in front of the experimental data. Most of the equations in the design standards have good predictions when more sections of the steel angles are connected. The results show that the AISI standard presented the best resistance capacity prediction and lower standard deviations of the output response upon uncertainty.
Seismic analysis of the rail-counterweight system in elevators considering the stiffness of rail brackets
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Günay Selim , Lu Wensheng
Published: November 2020

The rail in the rail-counterweight system in elevators is vertically supported along the building height by the rail brackets. In the numerical model of the rail-counterweight system, the rail-bracket assembly is modelled as a continuous beam supported by linear springs representing the rail brackets and the stiffness of the bracket is contributed to the overall stiffness of the rail-bracket assembly. To investigate the effect of the rail brackets on the seismic responses of the rail-counterweight system, a parameter named “stiffness ratio” is proposed in a rail-bracket assembly, defined as the ratio of the stiffness of the bracket to that of the simply supported continuous beam representing the rail at mid-span of an intermediate span. The stiffness of the brackets is varied by changing the stiffness ratio of the rail-bracket assembly, and the corresponding seismic responses of the rail-counterweight system are analyzed, including the maximum stress in the rail, the maximum deformation of the brackets, and the maximum displacement of the roller guide off the rail. A comprehensive analysis is conducted by considering four rail spans and three earthquake motions. The variations of the responses with the increasing stiffness ratio are dependent on the earthquake characteristics and the rail spans. The less the rail span is, the less important the effects of the stiffness ratio are. Nevertheless, the seismic responses of the rail-counterweight system generally have little change when the stiffness ratio is up to 4 and more. It is indicated that increasing of the stiffness ratio are not necessarily capable of improving the seismic performance of the counterweight system, especially when the stiffness ratio or the stiffness coefficient of the brackets is large, varying the stiffness ratio is unhelpful to change the rail-counterweight responses.
Ecstasy (MDMA): A rebellion coherent with the system
Authors: García-Montes José Manuel , Pérez-Álvarez Marino , Sánchez-Moya Miguel Ángel , Torres José Alberto Carmona , Carreno David F. , Garcelán Salvador Perona , Sánchez-Sánchez Laura del Carmen
Published: November 2020

Aim:

This study attempts to demonstrate the relevance of the socio-cultural model of drugs in explaining the impressive development of ecstasy in the last 45 years.

Method:

First the study describes the use of ecstasy by groups which have left their imprint on the substance: university students, gays, yuppies and the “New Age” movement. Then the link between ecstasy and techno music led to the socially integrated “club” phenomenon, and the “rave”, which began as a rupturing, nonconformist phenomenon.

Findings:

According to this argument, in spite of its clearly counterculture beginnings, the “rave” movement and its most characteristic drug, ecstasy, have gradually become integrated into mainstream culture, somehow reinforcing the functioning of capitalist postmodernity. Our study explains ecstasy’s history in reference to the cultural contradictions of capitalism and the functions that it currently fulfils for young people. Based on this analysis, the implications of the cultural perspective are discussed as a paradigm of research in drug use, stressing notions of subculture, myths and rituals. It also proposes a harmonious articulation of academic and common knowledge as the most appropriate method for their study.

Conclusion:

A cultural approach to drug use could assist in unblocking a field so in need of conceptual and empirical revision.
A study on the microstructure, hardness, and tribological behavior of aluminum-based metal–matrix composite fabricated through recursive friction stir processing
Authors: Girish G , Anandakrishnan V
Published: November 2020

In this work, an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu/TiC metal–matrix composite was fabricated through recursive friction stir processing, and its microstructure, hardness, and tribological properties were investigated. Microstructure examination revealed a homogeneous dispersion of TiC particles in the matrix after six recursive passes. The grains were significantly refined and microhardness of the composite improved due to the presence of TiC particles. Friction coefficient and wear rate of the composite went up with an increase in the applied load and dropped significantly at higher sliding velocities. The morphology of the wear specimens experimented under different testing conditions was analyzed and the corresponding wear mechanisms discussed.
Investigation on the coupling interaction in electron beam welded Al–Cu bimetallic sheet
Authors: Li FS , Wei ZC , Li XF , Kang HD , Li Z , Xu RZ
Published: November 2020

Two sound joints of Al–Cu bimetallic sheet with 6.5 mm in thickness were obtained in Cu (upper)–Al (lower) and Al (upper)–Cu (lower) welding configurations via the electron beam welding and their distinct coupling models were developed to well understand their flow behavior of the molten pool and microstructure evolution mechanisms during the electron beam welding. For the electron beam welding of the Cu–Al bimetallic sheet, liquid Al and Cu flowed into each other and fully combined in the fusion zone and the interface zone under high-temperature environment, forming large amount of intermetallic compounds. For the electron beam welding of the Al–Cu bimetallic sheet, liquid Al was floating on the Cu substrate, while liquid Cu was flowing at the bottom of the molten pool and mutually combined with liquid Al at the interface, forming a relatively small amount of intermetallic compounds. Moreover, a part of liquid Al flowed back to the seam root under the influence of the Marangoni effect. Therefore, the fusion zone and the interface zone with various phase compositions were formed in these two Al–Cu bimetallic joints and the mechanical properties of the corresponding joints were determined. Furthermore, the average tensile strengths of Cu–Al and Al–Cu bimetallic joints were 59 MPa and 67 MPa, respectively. The fracture locations of these two joints were both at the edge of the fusion zone along the Al2Cu intermetallic compound interlayer. Moreover, the fracture characteristics of these joints were mainly cleavage fracture.
Modelling combustion in spark ignition engines with special emphasis on near wall flame quenching
Authors: Ranasinghe CP , Malalasekera W
Published: November 2020

A flame front is quenched when approaching a cold wall due to excessive heat loss. Accurate computation of combustion rate in such situations requires accounting for near wall flame quenching. Combustion models, developed without considering wall effects, cannot be used for wall bounded combustion modelling, as it leads to wall flame acceleration problem. In this work, a new model was developed to estimate the near wall combustion rate, accommodating quenching effects. The developed correlation was then applied to predict the combustion in two spark ignition engines in combination with the famous Bray–Moss–Libby (BML) combustion model. BML model normally fails when applied to wall bounded combustion due to flame wall acceleration. Results show that the proposed quenching correlation has significantly improved the performance of BML model in wall bounded combustion. As a second step, in order to further enhance the performance, the BML model was modified with the use of Kolmogorov–Petrovski–Piskunov analysis and fractal theory. In which, a new dynamic formulation is proposed to evaluate the mean flame wrinkling scale, there by accounting for spatial inhomogeneity of turbulence. Results indicate that the combination of the quenching correlation and the modified BML model has been successful in eliminating wall flame acceleration problem, while accurately predicting in-cylinder pressure rise, mass burn rates and heat release rates.
Conducting cross-cultural qualitative interviews with mainland Chinese participants during COVID: Lessons from the field
Authors: Lawrence Leigh
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 global pandemic has had a significant impact on researchers as the normal and expected difficulties of research are exacerbated as education and our way of life has drastically changed. This research note is a reflective narrative of the author’s experience transitioning from face-to-face to online interviews in light of social distancing and global travel restrictions. Through a descriptive analysis, this article details the numerous ethical, logistical, practical, and cultural issues the author confronted in preparation for qualitative cross-cultural online interview research through personal reflections, current events, and existing literature. The aim of this article is to highlight personal experience to better inform future research and encourage flexibility and reflexivity in research. It is hoped that this article can be of use to further develop cross-cultural qualitative methodology and expand upon the emerging field of literature surrounding videoconferencing qualitative research.
Fatigue damage diagnosis and prognosis of an aeronautical structure based on surrogate modelling and particle filter
Authors: Cristiani Demetrio , Sbarufatti Claudio , Cadini Francesco , Giglio Marco
Published: November 2020

A key issue affecting the performances of every human-conceived engineering system is its degradation, fatigue crack growth being one of the major structural deterioration phenomena. Fatigue crack growth is usually modelled as a stochastic process: uncertainty sources lie both in the item and in the physical degradation process variability. Fatigue crack growth deserves close attention, especially considering that condition-based maintenance methodologies are recently experiencing a major drive to increase their technology readiness level, requiring validated diagnostic and prognostic methodologies which should be capable of operating online and in real-time. In this regard, particle filters provide a consistent Bayesian framework, where the posterior distribution of the system degradation state is recursively approximated based on a time-growing stream of observations measuring the system response, enabling, in general, increasingly informed lifetime estimates. However, the real-time operation capability of such methods is hindered by their requirements in terms of computational power, which is mainly due to the complexity of the structural models they rely upon. Within this work, a comprehensive particle filter framework, able to deal with fatigue crack growth uncertainty sources while simultaneously addressing the computational burden issue, is proposed. The algorithm structure enables to simultaneously perform the diagnosis and prognosis of fatigue crack growth, while the adoption of the augmented state formulation allows to address scenarios where the degradation process of fatigue crack growth fails to meet the degradation model ruling the particle filter. Artificial neural networks–based surrogate modelling is adopted at different stages and embedded within the particle filter algorithm, relieving the computational burden associated with the evaluation of the trajectory likelihoods as well as enabling a fast estimation of the remaining useful life. Both simulated and experimental data sets regarding fatigue crack growth in an aluminium aeronautical panel are used for the algorithm testing, additionally proving the validity and effectiveness thereof by means of common prognostic performance metrics.
In the Money: Gender and Jockey Success on the Thoroughbred Racetrack
Authors: Binder Alexander D. , Grimes Paul W. , Winterbotham Russell G.
Published: November 2020

This paper examines the relative performance and access to mounts of female jockeys in American horseracing, the only major professional sport where female and male athletes directly compete on a regular basis. We modeled the determinants of the probability for a jockey finishing a race “in-the-money”—placing first, second, or third, and the determinants for receiving mounts. Among other findings, the results indicated that the probability for female jockeys finishing a race in the money was not significantly different from male jockeys, ceteris paribus, yet female jockeys continue to receive fewer mounts after controlling for other relevant, observable factors.
Safety and Feasibility of No.12a Lymph Node Dissection by Portal Vein Approach in Radical Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Huang Hai-Peng , Xiong Wen-Jun , Peng Yao-Hui , Zheng Yan-Sheng , Luo Li-Jie , Li Jin , Cui Zi-Ming , Zhu Xiao-Feng , Wan Jin , Wang Wei
Published: November 2020

Background:

Traditional laparoscopic No.12a lymph node dissection in radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer may damage the peripheral blood vessels, and is not conducive to the full exposure of the portal vein and the root ligation of the left gastric vein. We recommend a new surgical procedure, the portal vein approach, to avoid these problems.

Methods:

25 patients with advanced gastric cancer underwent radical laparoscopic gastrectomy and No.12a lymph node were dissected by portal vein approach, including 7 cases with total gastrectomy, 18 cases with distal gastric resection, 14 males and 11 females. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, time to first flatus, postoperative hospital stay, number of total lymph node dissection and No.12a lymph node dissection, No.12a lymph node metastasis rate and postoperative complications were statistically observed.

Results:

All the patients were operated successfully and No.12a lymph node were cleaned by portal vein approach. A total of 683 lymph nodes were dissected, with the average number of lymph nodes dissection and positive lymph nodes were (27.3 ± 12.7) and (3.8 ± 5.6) respectively. The average number of No.12a lymph node dissection was (2.4 ± 1.95) and the metastasis rate of No.12a lymph node was 16% (4/25). The average operation time of radical laparoscopic distal and total gastrectomy were (239.2 ± 51.4) min and (295.1 ± 27.7) min respectively. The mean intraoperative blood loss was (134.0 ± 65.7) ml, and postoperative first anal exhaust time was (2.24 ± 0.86) d. The mean time to fluid intake was (4.2 ± 1.7) d, and postoperative hospitalization time was (9.6 ± 5.0) d. Without portal vein injure, anastomotic leakage, gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal obstruction and other complications were observed in all patient.

Conclusion:

Our results show that the laparoscopic No.12a lymph node dissection by portal vein approach for gastric cancer is safe, feasible and has certain clinical application value.
Anthony Johnson Showalter: A Pioneer in Southern Gospel Music Education
Authors: Canterbury Alicia
Published: November 2020

Anthony Johnson Showalter (c. 1853–1924) was a music educator, gospel composer, publisher, and considered a pioneer in gospel music and education in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. Showalter is notably mentioned in numerous texts and studies related to gospel music; however, little data has been collected regarding the tools he used in singing schools—namely, the rudiment books he wrote and the schools where he used the curriculum. The purpose of this study is to discover Showalter’s possible motivation to begin his career, his determination in writing music education curriculum, organizing singing schools, his reasonings for focusing on seven-shape note style, and his influence into the twenty-first century. Materials analyzed included Showalter’s rudiment books, extant copies of his periodical, “The Music Teacher and Home Magazine,” and interviews at present-day gospel singing schools. Extant research related to four-shape and seven-shape hymnody and education was also reviewed. Findings indicate that Showalter was a progressive student-centered educator who utilized alternate tools in helping many with literacy by organizing the Southern Normal Musical Institute. Showalter created materials and opportunities which were accessible to the advanced and the beginner, hence providing a future for gospel singing schools well into the twenty-first century.
Wave scattering of non-planar trifurcated waveguide by varying the incident through multiple regions
Authors: Afsar Haleem , Nawaz Rab , Jan Aasim Ullah
Published: November 2020

This article elucidates a non-planar trifurcated wave scattering problem by considering incident wave through multiple regions of the underlying waveguide. The scattered field potentials in respective duct regions are obtained via mode-matching technique (MMT) thereby dealing with the non-planar surfaces and step discontinuities positively. The scattering effects are determined by allowing the incident wave from each region explicitly and then simultaneously. The distribution of energies subject to different choices of regions for incidents are presented to analyze the effects of varying regions of incidents. It is mentioned that obtained solutions are thoroughly validated thereby displaying the scattering characteristics graphically.
Long-term outcomes of endovascular treatment of isolated subclavian artery aneurysms
Authors: Fang Gang , Fang Yuan , Xu Xin , Yang Jue , Zhu Ting , Yue Jianing , Fu Weiguo , Dong Zhihui
Published: November 2020

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to review our institutional experience of endovascular treatment for isolated subclavian artery aneurysms and evaluate the long-term outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective review of all patients with isolated subclavian artery aneurysms who underwent endovascular treatment between March 2008 and March 2020 was performed. The demographics, aneurysmal characteristics, treatment strategies, and in-hospital and follow-up outcomes were recorded and then analyzed.

Results

From March 2008 to March 2020, 35 isolated subclavian artery aneurysms were endovascularly treated at our institution. Atherosclerosis was the most common cause of aneurysms in this series. Most aneurysms were intrathoracic (91.4%) and located at the right side (77.1%). There were 26 true aneurysms, seven pseudoaneurysms, and two ruptured isolated subclavian artery aneurysms. Five types of endovascular strategies were performed. Covered stent placement across the aneurysm was the most (54.3%) commonly used method. Technical success was achieved in all patients. The median postoperative in-hospital stay was 4.0 days (range, 1–15 days). One patient died after discharge but within 30 days of surgery due to myocardial infarction. The median follow-up time was 62.0 months (range, 3–132 months). No death, stroke, stent fractures, or severe upper limb ischemia developed during the follow-up period. The cumulative survival rate at five years was 97.1%. The overall complication rate was 25.7% and one-third of complications (8.6%) required reinterventions.

Conclusions

Endovascular treatment for isolated subclavian artery aneurysms is safe, effective and technically achievable in most patients. Short- and long-term outcomes are promising. Reasonable and flexible use of covered stents can also get satisfactory outcomes in some complicated lesions such as isolated subclavian artery aneurysms located at the origin of the right subclavian artery, avoiding the huge surgical trauma caused by conventional open repair.
Breaking Up the Unity of the World: Peter Fitzpatrick’s Conception of Responsive Law
Authors: van der Walt Johan
Published: November 2020

This short article on Peter Fitzpatrick’s conception of “responsive law” analyzes the ambiguous temporality that Fitzpatrick discerned in modern law. On the one hand, law makes the claim of being fully present and therefore already and completely contained in itself. This aspect of law reflects the law’s claim to “immanence,” that is, its claim of always being able to rely strictly on its own operational terms without having to take recourse to any consideration not already contained within itself. It is this aspect of law that renders the ideal of the “rule of law” feasible. On the other hand, the law’s claim to doing justice to every unique and therefore every new case also demands that it takes leave of that which is already settled within it. This aspect of law can be called its “imminence.” The imminence of the law concerns the reality that law always finds itself on the threshold of that which has not yet been said and must still be said. The article shows how Fitzpatrick relied on Freud’s concept of the totem to explain the “wondrous” unity of its immanence and imminence.
Supporting young struggling readers at Success for All schools in the United States and the Netherlands: Comparative case studies
Authors: Hingstman Mariëtte , Doolaard Simone , Warrens Matthijs J , Bosker Roel J
Published: November 2020

Success for All, a multi-tiered school reform program, has its origins in the US and has recently expanded to the Netherlands. Using a multiple case study approach, we investigated similarities and differences in the way struggling readers are supported at two Success for All schools in the US and two in the Netherlands. First- and second-grade teachers and other staff members involved in the implementation of Success for All and the support of struggling readers were interviewed. We concluded that American and Dutch interviewees agreed on the benefits of Success for All for struggling readers, such as the engaging whole-class lessons and the possibility to offer tutoring. Furthermore, in both countries a tension was observed between the scriptedness of Success for All and the need for flexibility in the support of struggling readers. Regarding differences, we observed that both contextual and cultural factors led to variations in the way struggling readers are supported.
The effect of adolescent athletes’ achievement goal orientation and perception of error on their sport-confidence
Authors: Lee Seungjoo , Kwon Sungho , Kim Yong-se , Lee Doheung
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of achievement goal orientation and perception of error on the sport-confidence of adolescent athletes and the moderating effect of perception of error in a competitive sports environment to provide basic data for improving the sport-confidence of adolescent athletes. The subjects of the study were middle and high school athletes (N = 300, Males = 218, Females = 82) registered in institutions under the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. Results revealed that athletes’ achievement goal orientation positively predicted sport-confidence and these pathways were moderated by athletes’ perception of error. The implications for athletes and researchers from those results are discussed.
Factors affecting the acceptance of integrated electronic personal health records in Saudi Arabia: The impact of e-health literacy
Authors: Alsahafi Yaser A , Gay Valerie , Khwaji Adel A
Published: November 2020

Background:

National implementation of electronic personal health record (ePHR) systems is of vital importance to governments worldwide because this type of technology promises to promote and enhance healthcare. Although there is widespread agreement as to the advantages of ePHRs, the level of awareness and acceptance of this technology among healthcare consumers has been low.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to identify the factors that can influence the acceptance and use of an integrated ePHR system in Saudi Arabia.

Method:

The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model was extended in this study to include e-health literacy (e-HL) and tested using structural equation modelling. Data were collected via a questionnaire survey, resulting in 794 valid responses.

Results:

The proposed model explained 56% of the variance in behavioural intention (BI) to use the integrated ePHR system. Findings also highlighted the significance of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence (SI) and e-HL as determinants of Saudi healthcare consumers’ intentions to accept and use the integrated ePHR system. Additionally, assessment of the research model moderators revealed that only gender had a moderating influence on the relationship between SI and BI. Finally, findings showed a low level of awareness among Saudi citizens about the national implementation of an integrated ePHR system, suggesting the need to promote a greater and more widespread awareness of the system and to demonstrate its usefulness.

Conclusion:

Findings from this study can assist governments, policymakers and developers of health information technologies and systems by identifying important factors that may influence the diffusion and use of integrated ePHRs.