bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and simulation of an adaptive beam smart antenna using MATLAB
Authors: M. Africa Aaron Don , M. Tagabuhin Rica Rizabel , S. D. Tirados Jan Jayson
Published: February 2021

Signals transmitted over a long range of distance may pass through several obstacles and scatter, taking multiple paths to reach the receiver. Beamforming antennas are controlled electronically to adjust the radiation pattern following the first received signal. This allows the antenna to maximize the received signal and consequently, suppress the interfering signals received. A smart antenna should be able to diminish noise, increase the signal to noise ratio, and have better system competence. The adaptive beam makes use of the spacing of the several antennas and the phase of the signal of each antenna array to control the shape and direction of the signal beam. This paper focuses on the use of smart antennas using an adaptive beam method as a better system for the transmission of signals. A simulation between the existing Omnidirectional antenna system and the smart antenna system will be made and compared. The paper will discuss the corresponding advantages that a smart antenna system has compared to the Omnidirectional antenna system.
Miniaturised tri-band microstrip patch antenna design for radio and millimetre waves of 5G devices
Authors: Al-Khaffaf Dhurgham Abdulridha Jawad , Alshimaysawe Ihsan A.
Published: February 2021

This research presents an extremely small, cheap and simple structure of multiple bands antenna, where is the proposed design comprise square-slotted a microstrip patch antenna with triple bands of RF and mm-wave for 5G. The conducting material is a perfect electrical conductor on both sides. The antenna is printed on FR-4 lossy with a 3.9 of epsilon. Our tiny antenna has a size of 1.5357 x 1.5357 mm2. First, the design parameters were calculated using formulas and then these were simulated by the CST MWS. The simulation results show the antenna performance at the RF band from 0 to 3.4096 GHz with 3.29 gain, a value of return loss S11 and bandwidth of -13.229644 and 3.4096 GHz. The designed antenna works at the mm-wave band ranges 43.5-64 GHz with 3.49 gain, -42.419084 S11 and 20.252 GHz BW. Our antenna can also operate at the mm-wave from 81-95 GHz with -22.269547 S11, 4.52 gain, and 14.085 GHz BW. The small size and supported bandwidth of the designed antenna is suitable for thin and fast transmission devices.
Secure and smart system for monitoring patients with critical cases
Authors: Abed Alwally Abed Allah Hanan , Abduladheem Hasan Rawsam
Published: February 2021

Recently, heat-related diseases like COVID19, Chickenpox, Typhoid, and others are increasing significantly; therefore, the need for portable devices to measures the heat of the human body accurately, quickly, easily with low cost has become very necessary to preserve the life of patients. For this reason, a smart system has been developed to monitor the patient's heat, in addition to temperature and humidity of the critical environment such as surgical operating rooms, patients’ isolation rooms and pharmacies, because it can help propagate infectious agents like viruses and bacteria. The proposed system divided into four parts: transmitted part (arduino, heat sensor, and hygrometer sensor), alarm part consists of lights and alarm bell, emergency part (doctors and nurses), and the medical application has been used as the last part. The application can be used only by authorized persons and through the accounts which are granted to them, in order to protect the data from sabotage and maintain the privacy and confidentiality of it.
Feuilleton: um gênero judaico e erótico
Authors: Krausz Luis Sergio
Published: February 2021

Este artigo aborda um gênero específico da literatura judaica europeia da passagem do século XIX para o século XX: o Feuilleton. Busca-se, nele, evidenciar as articulações existentes entre este tipo de escrita de pequenas formas, que era publicada em jornais e revistas, e a condição social de escritores judeus que, recém-chegados às metrópoles, sobre elas lançavam olhares originais, absolutamente livres, ao mesmo tempo retomando elementos da cultura judaica, dentre os quais se destaca a ênfase sobre a multiplicidade de pontos de vista. A característica central do Feuilleton é o movimento livre do olhar e da subjetividade típico daqueles que, ao mesmo tempo, se veem inseridos e excluídos do ambiente urbano no qual se movem: atuores que flanam pelas grandes metrópoles e se empenham em descrevê-la e retratá-la a partir de ângulos originais. Sugere-se que os paradoxos deste olhar erótico, por assim dizer, do autor de Feuilleton, que foi considerado como gênero judaico por excelência, ainda que estabeleça uma espécie de neo-paganismo, é indissociável das ambiguidades inerentes ao processo de emancipação judaica e, sobretudo, da assimilação judaica à cultura alemã.
Long‐Term Postpartum Cardiac Function and Its Association With Preeclampsia
Authors: deMartelly Victoria A. , Dreixler John , Tung Avery , Mueller Ariel , Heimberger Sarah , Fazal Abid A. , Naseem Heba , Lang Roberto , Kruse Eric , Yamat Megan , Granger Joey P. , Bakrania Bhavisha A. , Rodriguez‐Kovacs Javier , Rana Sarosh , Shahul Sajid
Published: February 2021

Background

Preeclampsia is a prominent risk factor for long‐term development of cardiovascular disease. Although existing studies report a strong correlation between preeclampsia and heart failure, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. One possibility is the glycoprotein growth factor activin A. During pregnancy, elevated activin A levels are associated with impaired cardiac global longitudinal strain at 1 year, but whether these changes persist beyond 1 year is not known. We hypothesized that activin A levels would remain increased more than 1 year after a preeclamptic pregnancy and correlate with impaired cardiac function.

Methods and Results

To test our hypothesis, we performed echocardiograms and measured activin A levels in women approximately 10 years after an uncomplicated pregnancy (n=25) or a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia (n=21). Compared with women with a previously normal pregnancy, women with preeclampsia had worse global longitudinal strain (−18.3% versus −21.3%,
P
=0.001), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (0.91 mm versus 0.80 mm,
P
=0.003), and interventricular septal thickness (0.96 mm versus 0.81 mm,
P
=0.0002). Women with preeclampsia also had higher levels of activin A (0.52 versus 0.37 ng/mL,
P
=0.02) and activin/follistatin‐like 3 ratio (0.03 versus 0.02,
P
=0.04). In a multivariable model, the relationship between activin A levels and worsening global longitudinal strain persisted after adjusting for age at enrollment, mean arterial pressure, race, and body mass index (
P
=0.003).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that both activin A levels and global longitudinal strain are elevated 10 years after a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia. Future studies are needed to better understand the relationship between preeclampsia, activin A, and long‐term cardiac function.
Sex Differences in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Sotomi Yohei , Hikoso Shungo , Nakatani Daisaku , Mizuno Hiroya , Okada Katsuki , Dohi Tomoharu , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Sunaga Akihiro , Kida Hirota , Oeun Bolrathanak , Sato Taiki , Komukai Sho , Tamaki Shunsuke , Yano Masamichi , Hayashi Takaharu , Nakagawa Akito , Nakagawa Yusuke , Yasumura Yoshio , Yamada Takahisa , Sakata Yasushi ,   the PURSUIT‐HFpEF Investigators
Published: February 2021

Background

The female preponderance in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a distinguishing feature of this disorder, but the association of sex with degree of diastolic dysfunction and clinical outcomes among individuals with HFpEF remains unclear.

Methods and Results

We conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational study of patients with HFpEF (PURSUIT‐HFpEF [Prospective Multicenter Observational Study of Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction]: UMIN000021831). Between 2016 and 2019, 871 patients were enrolled from 26 hospitals (follow‐up: 399±349 days). We investigated sex‐related differences in diastolic dysfunction and postdischarge clinical outcomes in patients with HFpEF. The echocardiographic end point was diastolic dysfunction according to American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging criteria. The clinical end point was a composite of all‐cause death and heart failure readmission. Women accounted for 55.2% (481 patients) of the overall cohort. Compared with men, women were older and had lower prevalence rates of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and chronic kidney disease. Women had diastolic dysfunction more frequently than men (52.8% versus 32.0%,
P
<0.001). The incidence of the clinical end point did not differ between women and men (women 36.1/100 person‐years versus men 30.5/100 person‐years,
P
=0.336). Female sex was independently associated with the echocardiographic end point (adjusted odds ratio, 2.839; 95% CI, 1.884–4.278;
P
<0.001) and the clinical end point (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.538; 95% CI, 1.143–2.070;
P
=0.004).

Conclusions

Female sex was independently associated with the presence of diastolic dysfunction and worse clinical outcomes in a cohort of elderly patients with HFpEF. Our results suggest that a sex‐specific approach is key to investigating the pathophysiology of HFpEF.

Registration

URL:
https://upload.umin.ac.jp
; Unique identifier: UMIN000021831.
The Progress and Convergence of the icc and R2P Norms in a Rules-Based Global Order
Authors: Bensouda Fatou
Published: February 2021

In this contribution, the author reflects on the Forum topic ‘R2P 15 Years after the World Summit: Progress, Problems and Prospects’, and provides her perspective as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (icc) on the correlation between R2P and the principles and goals of the icc Rome Statute, against the backdrop of increasing pressures on multilateralism and multilateral institutions.
R2P at 15: Reflections of a Policymaker
Authors: Holt Victoria K.
Published: February 2021

The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) was embraced at the World Summit 15 years ago, before nations and civil society had built the tools, knowledge and political endurance to implement its approach. Written by a policy researcher with R2P expertise who became a US diplomat involved in these issues, this piece reflects on the experience of the Obama administration’s efforts to bring US government focus to atrocity prevention. It considers what it got right, what it missed, and options for looking forward to address R2P in the decade ahead.
The Judicialisation of the Social License to Operate: Criteria for International Investment Law
Authors: Zúñiga Peralta Raúl F.
Published: February 2021

The Social License to Operate (SLO) is a non-legal term which has been widely conceptualised as meaning a particular set of interactions between investors and affected communities. Within the international investment law field, even though tribunals previously analysed situations of social conflict, the wording SLO had never been considered by an investment tribunal until Bear Creek Mining Corporation v Republic of Peru. This article argues that if the SLO of the investment is involved in a dispute, tribunals should thoroughly analyse the relationship between the investor and the affected community and establish (judicialise) a standard of review for the investor’s conduct which should only include those aspects of the relationship that might be considered as affecting or forming part of the national public interest. In addition, this article puts forth the criteria for the judicialisation of the SLO in investment disputes, drawing upon the Bear Creek scenario as relevant background.
The Gospel of Truth as the Gospel of the Saved Saviors
Authors: Magnusson Jörgen
Published: February 2021

In this article, I present a new reading of the Gospel of Truth, Nag Hammadi Codex I.3. Although Gnostics often have been described as taking part in the Godhead, the consequences are understudied. According to my analysis, the knowers are not subordinated to, but on equal footing with the Savior. Here, I draw the attention to some gradual processes. The Savior understands more and develops in the encounter with the need of others, saved as well as not yet saved. Through mission and deepening insight, the knowers more and more actualize themselves as Saviors, thereby embodying divinity. The consequence of this is a gradual actualization of the godhead itself. As the knowers gradually are enlightened and their divine nature disclosed, the insight of the godhead accordingly evolves. Thus, mutuality is a key concept. The Saviors cannot actualize their own nature without first having been saved and then they need to save others. The godhead, Saviors and saved are interdependent. The godhead evolves into actualized divinity through the evolving enlightenment of all its parts. Thus, the daily-life encountering with others is of fundamental importance on all levels, from the individual to the cosmic.
Characteristics of Cold Air Outbreak events and associated Polar Mesoscale Cyclogenesis over the North Atlantic region
Authors: Terpstra Annick , Renfrew Ian A. , Sergeev Denis E.
Published: February 2021

Equatorward excursions of cold polar air masses into ice-free regions, so-called Cold Air Outbreaks (CAO), are frequently accompanied by the development of severe mesoscale weather features. Focusing on two key regions, the Labrador Sea and the Greenland/Norwegian Sea, we apply objective detection for both CAO events and polar mesoscale cyclones to outline the temporal evolution of CAO events and quantify associated mesoscale cyclogenesis. We introduce a novel metric, the CAO-depth, which incorporates both the static stability and the temperature of the air mass. The large-scale atmospheric conditions during the onset of CAO events comprise a very cold upper level trough over the CAO region and a surface cyclone downstream. As the CAO matures, the cold air mass extends southeastward, accompanied by lower static stability and enhanced surface fluxes. Despite the nearly 20 degrees difference in latitude, CAO events over both regions exhibit similar evolution and characteristics including surface fluxes and thermodynamic structure. About 2/3rd of the identified CAO events are accompanied by polar mesoscale cyclogenesis, with the majority of mesoscale cyclones originating inside the cold air masses. Neither the duration nor the maturity of the CAO event seems relevant for mesoscale cyclogenesis. Mesoscale cyclogenesis conditions during CAO events over the Labrador Sea are warmer, moister, and exhibit stronger surface latent heat fluxes than their Norwegian Sea counterparts.
Veterum vestigia patrum: The Greek Patriarchs in the Manuscript Culture of Early Medieval Europe
Authors: Bruce Scott G
Published: February 2021

This article draws attention to the availability of Latin translations of Greek patristic literature in western reading communities before the year 800 through a survey of the contents of hundreds of surviving manuscripts from the Merovingian and Carolingian periods. An examination of the presence of the translated works of eastern church fathers in the 8th-century florilegium known as The Book of Sparks ( Liber scintillarum) and monastic library catalogs from the early 9th century corroborates the impression left by the manuscript evidence. Taken together, these sources allow us to gauge the popularity of particular eastern authors among Latin readers in early medieval Europe and to weigh the influence and importance of Greek patristics in the western monastic tradition.
Lacking Communication Would Increase General Symptom Index Scores of Medical Team Members During COVID-19 Pandemic in China: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Jinlong , Fang Yunyun , Lu Zhaohui , Chen Xia , Hong Na , Wang Cheng
Published: February 2021

There are few studies on the psychological status of medical staff during the COVID-19 outbreak. Our study addresses whether lack of communication affects the psychological status of medical team members supporting Wuhan during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. We used general symptom index (GSI) scores of the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) to evaluate participants’ psychological status. We adopted a stratified sampling method and selected the fourth team, with a total of 137 members, as participants. In total 76.6% and 69.7% of female and male participants, respectively, had bachelor’s degrees; 41.6% and 21.2% of female and male participants, respectively, were unmarried. Regarding communication, 14.29% and 6.06% of female and male participants, respectively, reported a lack of communication with the team (LCWT). Additionally, 13.0% and 6.1% of female and male participants, respectively, experienced fear of being infected (FoBI). LCWT and FoBI were positively correlated with GSI score (estimated change = 0.2, 95% CI [0.1-0.3]). When adjusted for gender, age, and FoBI, LCWT was positively correlated with GSI score ( P < .05). Increasing communication among medical team members can reduce GSI scores.
Microvascular Reconstruction of Osteonecrosis: Assessment of Long‐term Quality of Life
Authors: Sweeny Larissa , Mayland Erica , Swendseid Brian P. , Curry Joseph M. , Kejner Alexandra E. , Thomas Carissa M. , Kain Joshua J. , Cannady Steve B. , Tasche Kendall , Rosenthal Eben L. , DiLeo Michael , Luginbuhl Adam J. , Theeuwen Hailey , Sarwary Juliana R. , Petrisor Daniel , Wax Mark K.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Review long‐term clinical and quality‐of‐life outcomes following free flap reconstruction for osteonecrosis.

Study Design

Retrospective multi‐institutional review.

Setting

Tertiary care centers.

Methods

Patients included those undergoing free flap reconstructions for osteonecrosis of the head and neck (N = 232). Data included demographics, defect, donor site, radiation history, perioperative management, diet status, recurrence rates, and long‐term quality‐of‐life outcomes. Quality‐of‐life outcomes were measured using the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW‐QOL) survey.

Results

Overall flap success rate was 91% (n = 212). Relative to preoperative diet, 15% reported improved diet function at 3 months following reconstruction and 26% at 5 years. Osteonecrosis recurred in 14% of patients (32/232); median time to onset was 11 months. Cancer recurrence occurred in 13% of patients (29/232); median time to onset was 34 months. Results from the UW‐QOL questionnaire were as follows: no pain (45%), minor or no change in appearance (69%), return to baseline endurance level (37%), no limitations in recreation (40%), no changes in swallowing following reconstruction (28%), minor or no limitations in mastication (29%), minor or no speech difficulties (93%), no changes in shoulder function (84%), normal taste function (19%), normal saliva production (27%), generally excellent mood (44%), and no or minimal anxiety about cancer (94%).

Conclusion

The majority of patients maintained or had advancement in diet following reconstruction, with low rates of osteonecrosis or cancer recurrence and above‐average scores on UW‐QOL survey suggesting good return of function and quality of life.
National Trends in Opioid Prescriptions Following Outpatient Otologic Surgery, 2005‐2017
Authors: Cooperman Shayna P. , Jin Michael C. , Qian Z. Jason , Alyono Jennifer C.
Published: February 2021

Objective

To describe opioid stewardship in ambulatory otologic surgery from 2005 to 2017.

Study Design

Descriptive study of US private insurance claims.

Setting

Nationwide deidentified private insurance claims database (Clinformatics DataMart; Optum).

Methods

A total of 17,431 adult opioid‐naïve outpatients were included in the study. Patients were identified from CPT‐4 codes (Current Procedural Terminology, Fourth Edition) as having undergone middle ear or mastoid surgery. Multiple regression was used to determine sociodemographic and geographic predictors of postoperative morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) prescribed, including procedure type, year of procedure, age, sex, education, income level, and geographic region of the United States.

Results

The mean prescribed perioperative dose over the examined period was 203.03 MMEs (95% CI, 200.27‐205.79; 5‐mg hydrocodone pill equivalents, 40.61). In multivariate analysis, patients undergoing mastoid surgery were prescribed more opioids than those undergoing middle ear surgery (mean difference, 39.89 MME [95% CI, 34.37‐45.41], P <. 01; 5‐mg hydrocodone pill equivalents, 8.0). Men were prescribed higher doses than women (mean difference, 15.39 [95% CI, 9.87‐20.90], P <. 01; 5‐mg hydrocodone pill equivalents, 3.1). Overall MMEs prescribed by year demonstrates a sharp drop in MMEs from 2015 to 2017.

Conclusion

While the amount of opioids prescribed perioperatively has declined in recent years, otologists should continue to be cognizant of potential overprescribing in light of previous studies of patients’ relatively low opioid intake.
Determinants of normal nutrition among 0–59-month-old Filipino children living in low-income households
Authors: Ramirez Ma. Anna Rita , Ducay Apple Joy
Published: February 2021

Background:

An alternative concept in understanding malnutrition among 0 to 59-month-old children from low-income households is to look at and understand factors contributing to their good nutritional status.

Aim:

(a) Compared nutritional status of children across age groups in terms of weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, weight-for-length/height and body mass index-for-age z scores; (b) determined and compared selected characteristics of children and mothers across age; (c) identified factors affecting normal nutritional status of these children.

Methods:

Cross-sectional data from the Philippines' 8th National Nutrition Survey among 1,990 children. Differences in mean values measured using analysis of variance; chi-square test for assessing significance of association between children with normal nutritional status across child and maternal characteristics; and multivariate logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratio (AORs).

Results:

Younger (AOR =1.63–2.54), female children (AOR=1.20), mothers neither pregnant nor lactating (AOR=1.18), have high school, vocational (AOR=1.65) or college level education (AOR=2.02), household use of water-sealed toilet (AOR=1.26), having nuclear family types (AOR=1.25) indicated protection against undernutrition. Behavior-related factors that significantly predict normal nutrition among the children were “acceptable” food consumption score among households (0 to 5 and 6 to 23 months old), delivery in health facilities (6 to 23 months old) and household use of water-sealed toilets (24 to 59 months).

Conclusion:

Based on the findings, activities and programs can be tailored around the behavior-related factors identified depending on the target age group, and pursued in crafting interventions to maintain normal nutrition among the children.
Latest 30-m map of mature rubber plantations in Mainland Southeast Asia and Yunnan province of China: Spatial patterns and geographical characteristics
Authors: Xiao Chiwei , Li Peng , Feng Zhiming , Yang Yanzhao , You Zhen , Lin Yumei , Zhang Xianzhou
Published: February 2021

Knowledge of the location, area and extent of rubber plantations is a prerequisite for assessing their ecological and environmental impacts. Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA) and Yunnan province (MSEA&YN) in China are globally important rubber-planting regions. Rubber cultivation in areas at moderate and low altitudes (<1000 m) within these regions has expanded rapidly in recent years. However, datasets of maps generated at a fine spatial resolution are still unavailable for MSEA&YN. Because of this, three relevant and important questions remain unanswered: what are the northernmost boundary for rubber production in these regions, what is the highest altitude at which rubber is produced, and how are the plantations distributed in (cross-) border regions? An approach of the phenology- and Landsat-based re-normalized vegetation index (RNVI), originally developed for Xishuangbanna in southern China, is used in this study to verify the feasibility of mapping mature rubber plantations in MSEA&YN using the Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager data products acquired from January to April, 2013 to 2018. Characteristics of the vertical and horizontal distributions of mature rubber plantations in MSEA&YN, as well as national differences especially in the (cross-) borders, were examined using the generated map. The results showed that the RNVI method, although tailored to the northern edge of the tropics, is useful for detecting mature rubber plantations in MSEA&YN. The latest map of mature rubber plantations indicated that they occupied a total area of 7.69 × 106 ha, accounting for 3.32% of the study area. Spatial analyses showed three typical features of the distribution: new plantations at higher (over 1000 m) and lower (below 200 m) elevations, more cultivation in the borderlands (over a half within 60 km buffers), and their northward movement (as far as 25°N). The results of this study have important implications for phenological methods verification in the tropics, and provide valuable information on mature rubber plantations in MSEA&YN.
School canteens and the food waste challenge: Which public initiatives can help?
Authors: Pancino Barbara , Cicatiello Clara , Falasconi Luca , Boschini Matteo
Published: February 2021

Foodservice is estimated to produce 12% of the total food waste in Europe, and it is a major target for policies against food waste. The amount of food lost during foodservice operations has been assessed in the literature as a figure ranging from 10% to 41% of the quantity prepared in the kitchen, either as non-served food or as plate waste. In this paper, a systematization of the current initiatives against food waste in EU school foodservice is provided. This background is used as a base to discuss the results of a direct assessment of food waste conducted in 78 primary schools in Italy, where 28.6% of the food prepared was not consumed by the diners. Part of it was saved for reuse, while the rest was disposed and treated as organic waste or, to a lesser extent, as unsorted waste. The flows of food waste, represented by a Sankey diagram, show that some actions may be implemented in order to save more food from disposal; for example, implementing donation programmes for non-served food or using doggy bags to avoid the disposal of plate waste. A greater effort shall be put on preventive actions, aimed at avoiding the generation of food waste; in this sense regular monitoring at schools may act as a first preventive measure as it can increase the awareness of students, teachers and foodservice staff over the issue of food waste.
Career Decision, Work Adjustment, and Person–Job Fit of Adolescents: Moderating Effects of Parental Support
Authors: Neuenschwander Markus P. , Hofmann Jan
Published: February 2021

We applied the social cognitive model of work satisfaction to the transition from lower secondary education to work in Switzerland and combined career decision and adjustment to work. The model assumes that self-efficacy affects career decision outcomes and adjustment after transition to work. Self-efficacy interacts with parental support during career decision making. We tested the model using a longitudinal sample of 603 adolescents who filled out questionnaires in seventh grade, ninth grade, and 1 year after starting work. Structural equation models showed that parental support weakens the effect of self-efficacy on anticipated person–job fit and expectations of work conditions (moderation). Expectations of work conditions and a company’s support help newcomers to attain a high perceived person–job fit. These findings have several implications on how to support adolescents’ school-to-work transition.
Beyond Bathroom Bills and the Gender Identity Debate: Complicating the Policy Conversation About Supporting Trans Students in Schools
Authors: Farley Amy N. , Leonardi Bethy
Published: February 2021

Schools and districts across the country have been thrust into the political limelight as they grapple with sometimes competing policy messages about the education of transgender and gender expansive students. Drawing on 2 years of survey data from families of transgender and gender expansive youth in one mountain state, this article uses critical trans politics to examine the ways the current policy climate aligns with the supports schools provide. Results suggest that parents desire policies and practices that transform cis-heteronormative school structures, and they recognize that policy is often limited in its ability to affect the material experiences of youth in schools. We therefore argue that a focus on bathroom bills and policies regarding trans accessibility have distracted from a conversation that needs to be elevated to address broader structural issues and should ultimately be driven by families and trans youth.
“The Price of Disaster”: The Charter School Authorization Process in Post-Katrina New Orleans
Authors: Henry Kevin Lawrence
Published: February 2021

Charter schools because of their entanglements with privatization remain one of the most publicly contested and controversial educational reform initiatives. Charter schools, in theory, are to balance autonomy and accountability in order to provide students with innovative learning environments and increased achievement on traditional academic measures. The governance of charter schools and the vision espoused in the charter application are central in determining the organization and operation of charter schools. As such, connected to charter schools are the actors that envision them and the processes and policies that enable them. Utilizing the case of post-Katrina New Orleans, I examine the charter authorization process, an understudied aspect of charter school policy. Understood as an objective, colorblind process in mainstream policy articulations, the authorization process regulates entry into educational markets. This paper applies a Critical Race Theory analysis to the authorization process. I argue the charter school authorization process is a foundational gatekeeping mechanism that structures charter markets. In so doing, the charter school authorization process is embedded within and constitutive of on-going processes of racial formation and racialized power solidification. Moreover, I argue mainstream policy articulations situate the charter school authorization process as an accountability mechanism that is neutral, benign, and objective; such articulations distort and distract from the racial antagonisms upon which neoliberal reform projects are built.
Structural design and gait research of a new bionic quadruped robot
Authors: Chen Jiu-Peng , San Hong-Jun , Wu Xing , Xiong Bin-Zhou
Published: February 2021

Quadruped bionic robot has a strong adaptability to the environment, compared with wheeled and tracked robots, it has superior motion performance, and has a wide range of application prospects in rescue and disaster relief, ground mine clearance, mountain transportation, so it has become a research hotspot all over the world. Leg structure is an important embodiment of the superior performance of quadruped robot, and it is also the key and difficult point of design. This article proposes a novel quadruped robot with waist structure, which can complete a variety of gait forms. Based on the theory of linkage mechanism, a novel leg structure is designed with anti-parallelogram mechanism, which improves the strength and stiffness of the robot. Using D-H description method, the kinematics analysis of this quadruped robot single leg is carried out. On this basis, in order to ensure the foot contact with the ground and achieve zero impact, polynomial programming is used to plan the foot trajectory of swing phase and support phase. Based on the static stability margin, the optimal static gait of the quadruped robot is planned. A co-simulation study has been carried out to investigate further the validity and effectiveness of the quadruped robot on gait. The simulation results clearly show the robot can walk steadily and its input and output meet the expected requirements. The solid prototype platform is built, and the trajectory planning experiment of single leg is carried out, and the foot trajectory of single leg is obtained by using laser tracker. The gait planning algorithm is applied to the whole robot, and the results show that the robot can walk according to the scheduled gait, which proves the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Influence of coined-bead die on spring-back characteristics in V-die bending process using the finite element method
Authors: Thipprakmas Sutasn , Sontamino Arkarapon
Published: February 2021

The coined-bead technique is an effective approach for controlling the spring-back characteristics involved in sheet-metal bending. Most previous studies have focused on the application of the coined-bead punch. In this application, bead marks are commonly formed on the inner radii of the bent components. To ensure the precision of the inner bent radius, a coined-bead die can be employed. However, information and data pertaining to coined-bead die applications are currently lacking. In the present research, the influences of the coined-bead die on the spring-back characteristics during V-die bending are investigated for aluminium alloy sheets (AA1100-O), by using the finite element method (FEM) and related physical experiments. Based on material flow and stress distribution analyses, it is found that the bending mechanism of coined-bead die application (particularly in the coining stage) is different from that of coined-bead punch application. Moreover, an increase in the punch radius-to-workpiece thickness ratio and decreases in the bend angle and coined-bead width result in increased spring-back characteristics. It is revealed that the coined-bead die can be applied to prevent spring-back characteristics and the bead mark at the inner radius. However, it was also noted that the V-shape parameters should be carefully considered for coined-bead applications. In addition, it is recommended that the width of the coined-bead die should be larger than that of the coined-bead punch.
The motivational role of affect in an ecological model
Authors: Gabriel Rami
Published: February 2021

Drawing from empirical literature on ecological psychology, affective neuroscience, and philosophy of mind, this article describes a model of affect-as-motivation in the intentional bond between organism and environment. An epistemological justification for the motivating role of emotions is provided through articulating the perceptual context of emotions as embodied, situated, and functional, and positing perceptual salience as a biasing signal in an affordance competition model. The motivational role of affect is pragmatically integrated into discussions of action selection in the neurosciences.
Menstrual Hygiene Practices of Adolescent Girls in Rural Maharashtra
Authors: Aggarwal Sumit , Ambalkar Deepti , Madhumathi Jayaprakasam , Badge Vijay , Humne Arun
Published: February 2021

Menstrual practices of adolescent girls in rural parts of India are greatly influenced by taboos and socio-cultural beliefs. In this study, the menstrual hygiene practices and beliefs of 122 adolescent girls between the ages of 13 and 19 years from rural Maharashtra were evaluated by personal interview and questionnaires. None of the girls had the right scientific knowledge about menstruation and were isolated during menstruation. They used cloth or home-made sanitary pads and were at risk of infections. There is a dire need for knowledge dissemination among school children and their families, increased awareness of menstrual hygiene and access to the requisite sanitary products in rural areas.
Development and application of a real-time RT-PCR assay to rapidly detect H2 subtype avian influenza A viruses
Authors: Xiao Yixin , Yang Fan , Liu Fumin , Yao Hangping , Wu Nanping , Wu Haibo
Published: February 2021

The H2 subtypes of avian influenza A viruses (avian IAVs) have been circulating in poultry, and they have the potential to infect humans. Therefore, establishing a method to quickly detect this subtype is pivotal. We developed a TaqMan minor groove binder real-time RT-PCR assay that involved probes and primers based on conserved sequences of the matrix and hemagglutinin genes. The detection limit of this assay was as low as one 50% egg infectious dose (EID50)/mL per reaction. This assay is specific, sensitive, and rapid for detecting avian IAV H2 subtypes.
What is architecture for? designing as enriching the landscape of affordances
Authors: Jelić Andrea
Published: February 2021

Starting from the understanding of architecture as an existential art, this commentary highlights the relevance of Rietveld’s view on the affordances of art for making technologies in two ways: (a) first, by discussing the value of the notion of affordances for educating architecture students in thinking what a space can do and increasing their sensitivity for understanding and incorporating the diversity of users’ needs and abilities in design and (b) second, by outlining the implications for thinking about architectural design as a life-affirming practice, which originates in and enriches our landscape of affordances.
Vulnerability context and well-being factors of Indigenous community development: a study of Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Saifullah Md. Khaled , Masud Muhammad Mehedi , Kari Fatimah Binti
Published: February 2021

The Indigenous people of Malaysia are a heterogeneous community scattered over more than 852 villages in Peninsular Malaysia. This community has been identified to be among the poorest and marginalized in Peninsular Malaysia. This study evaluates the well-being factors as well as problems that hinder the development of an Indigenous community in Peninsular Malaysia. This article adopted a quantitative approach based on data collected through survey and 2,136 respondents were interviewed. The study reveals that the Indigenous community is likely to remain poor in terms of economic status significantly because of insufficient access to basic education and the inability of being employed. This is also due to the inability to receive support for housing, economic livelihood, and other social infrastructures. In addition, the study indicates that economic status and access to education are the most significant factors that may help improve the overall well-being of an Indigenous community. This finding also suggests that the social and environmental aspects in Peninsular Malaysia have not improved together with economic development.
Unilateral intrusion in a medically complex patient using an orthodontic mini-implant: A case report
Authors: Gibson Clara , Critchlow Simon , Patel Brijesh
Published: February 2021

Orthognathic surgery offers a predictable treatment option for patients with skeletal discrepancies and corresponding dental malocclusions. In cases where surgery is not advised due to significant medical co-morbidity, the orthodontist must approach the treatment using different mechanical modalities. Orthodontic mini-implants can be a valuable adjunct in these cases. We describe a case where a palatal mini-implant was used during orthodontic treatment in a patient with a complex capillary malformation, which precluded surgical correction.
Diurnal effects of illuminance on performance: Exploring the moderating role of cognitive domain and task difficulty
Authors: Ru T , Smolders KCHJ , Chen Q , Zhou G , de Kort YAW
Published: February 2021

Literature has occasionally reported acute effects of office illuminance on cognitive performance during daytime. The current study was conducted to systematically investigate whether the type of task and level of task difficulty moderate the effect of daytime illuminance on cognitive functioning. Thirty healthy participants were assigned to high (∼1036 lux at eye level; melanopic EDI = 904 lux) vs. low (∼108 lux at eye level, melanopic EDI = 87 lux) illuminance (at 6500 K) during working hours, in which participants were tested on both easy and difficult versions of tasks probing sustained attention, response inhibition, conflict monitoring and working memory. Subjective sleepiness and mood were also measured. Results revealed that exposure to high vs. low illuminance significantly improved speed on the response inhibition task, and accuracy and speed on the working memory tasks. Moreover, when effects arose, these were moderated by task difficulty, consistently showing more pronounced effects for easy than for difficult trials. Notably, subjective sleepiness and negative mood remained unaffected by illuminance, and no statistically significant effects emerged for sustained attention and conflict monitoring. This study demonstrates that the diurnal cognitive effects of illuminance may be moderated by both types of cognitive task and task difficulty.
Spinoza on the teaching of doctrines: Towards a positive account of indoctrination
Authors: Dahlbeck Johan
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this article is to add to the debate on the normative status and legitimacy of indoctrination in education by drawing on the political philosophy of Benedict Spinoza (1632–1677). More specifically, I will argue that Spinoza’s relational approach to knowledge formation and autonomy, in light of his understanding of the natural limitations of human cognition, provides us with valuable hints for staking out a more productive path ahead for the debate on indoctrination. This article combines an investigation into the early modern history of political ideas with a philosophical inquiry into a persistent conceptual problem residing at the heart of education. As such, the aim of the article is ultimately to offer an account of indoctrination less fraught with the dangers of epistemological and political idealism that often haunt rival conceptions.
You get to stop him! Gendered violence and interactive witnessing in Netflix’s Kimmy vs The Reverend
Authors: Patrick Stephanie
Published: February 2021

Across four seasons of her Netflix hit comedy, Kimmy Schmidt emerged as a strong, female survivor of sexual violence. However, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt would often walk a fine line between post-feminist and feminist understandings of rape and gendered violence, while reinforcing harmful racial tropes rooted in ‘white feminism’. In 2020, Netflix brought Kimmy back for her ‘biggest adventure yet’ in Kimmy vs the Reverend, but, this time, the viewer had the power, as the tagline read, to ‘decide what happens’, with Netflix’s interactive feature. The article argues that Netflix’s interactivity feature is employed in potentially transformative ways, providing a call-to-action to fans and implicating the audience as both spectators and witnesses to injustices of systemic violence against women. However, the 2020 film's investment in, and deployment of white feminist politics mirrors a broader media erasure of the experiences of racialised women, while closing down the interactive potential of identification across difference.
Neoadjuvant immunotherapy in resectable head and neck cancer: oral cavity carcinoma as a potential research model
Authors: Gutiérrez Calderón Vanesa , Cantero González Alexandra , Gálvez Carvajal Laura , Aguilar Lizarralde Yolanda , Rueda Domínguez Antonio
Published: February 2021

Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity (OCSCC) accounts for approximately 25% of cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the main risk factors for both cancers. Surgical resection, combined with adjuvant radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy in patients with high risk of relapse, is the key element in management in the initial stages. However, despite the availability of aggressive multidisciplinary treatments, advanced resectable OCSCC carries poor prognosis; only half of the patients are disease-free 5 years after the surgery. Immunotherapy based on the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has been proven to be effective in a wide variety of tumours, including recurrent and metastatic HNSCC. These positive results resulted in investigations into its effectiveness in earlier stages of the disease with OCSCC emerging as an interesting research model because of the accessible location of the tumours. This article reviews the potential advantages of emerging immunotherapeutic agents [mainly monoclonal antibodies against programmed cell death-1 ( PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitors] as neoadjuvant treatment for OCSCC at locoregional stages as well as the ongoing clinical trials, challenges in evaluating tumour response, and possible predictive biomarkers of response with highlights regarding the role of oral microbiota as modulators of immune response. The efficacy and safety of anti- PD-1 drugs in these patients have been proven in preliminary trials. If there is a decrease in the relapse rate and an improvement in the overall survival after surgical resection in ongoing trials, preoperative immunotherapy may be established as a treatment option for patients with early stages of the disease.
The Use and Prescription of Pangolin in Traditional Vietnamese Medicine
Authors: Sexton Rebecca , Nguyen Trang , Roberts David L.
Published: February 2021

It is now acknowledged that demand stemming from traditional medicine stimulates a continued market for illegal wildlife trade globally. Increasing demand for pangolin fuels widespread unsustainable extraction and an illicit international trade that is threatening pangolin populations worldwide. Vietnam is an important transit country in this trafficking network and a significant consumer country, particularly due to their longstanding tradition of consuming wildlife products as traditional medicine. We conducted 51 semi-structured, questionnaire-based interviews with traditional Vietnamese medicine practitioners in Hanoi, Vietnam to explore the factors influencing their prescription of pangolin. The results show that traditional Vietnamese medicine practitioners are important drivers of pangolin use and that prescription continues despite prohibitive legislation. The main influencing factors were money, illegality (as a deterrent) and supply. Wealthier patients were more likely to use pangolin as medicine and patients generally trusted a doctor’s prescription. Awareness of regulations related to pangolin use in traditional medicine was low and pangolin use continued without fear of the law. Lactation, abscesses and circulation were the most prescribed uses for pangolin scales. All respondents believed that pangolin can be substituted, however, a belief remained that substitutes are inferior to pangolin. This study provides a unique perspective of pangolin use in one of the main pangolin consumption countries in the world. The results suggest that the law is not being implemented effectively and that increased enforcement efforts are necessary. Furthermore, these insights serve to inform future demand-reduction campaigns whereby the most common uses and substitutes for pangolin scales may be targeted.