bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Healing Place and Self: The Renewed Ecological Perception and the Invisible Landscape in Barbara Kingsolverʼs Animal Dreams
Authors: Painark Wisarut
Published: May 2019

This paper examines how an individual’s perception of the environment not only affects her treatment of the land but also plays an important role in healing her wounded self and fostering her sense of belonging to the human community in Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal Dreams (1991). It will draw upon Yi-fu Tuan’s notion of place and space in Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience (1977) and Kent C. Ryden’s notion of “the invisible landscape” in Mapping the Invisible Landscape: Folklore, Writing, and the Sense of Place (1993). Tuan postulates that space becomes place when it is endowed with value and meaning and Ryden develops Tuan’s notion by arguing that meaningful human experience in a place constitutes what he calls “the invisible landscape” which refers to various other dimensions of the land apart from its physicality. Focusing on the development of the protagonist’s perception of her hometown from a sense of alienation to a more intimate relationship in Animal Dreams, this paper will specifically argue that, because her hometown faces a disastrous contamination of the river caused by the mining company, the environmental activism in which the protagonist engages significantly deepens her understanding of the place. Thus, her participation in the environmental campaign serves as a first step towards her discernment of the “invisible landscape” and also her process of healing. The environmental activity which protects both the environment and the community’s cultural identity and also the protagonist’s developing bonds with people in the community expose her to the historical, cultural and spiritual dimensions of the land. Furthermore, this renewed perception leads to the protagonist’s inhabitation of the place and her discovery of a sense of home which helps to restore her shattered self from the traumatic experience and the feeling of displacement caused by the loss of her mother and her baby during her younger years; it also induces her to reappraise her sense of selfhood as being inseparable from both the land and its inhabitants, either human or non-human. Ultimately, her clear appreciation of this more inclusive sense of self and the environment enables her to reintegrate herself into the community of her hometown.
The Interpersonal Metafunction and Translation of Power Relations: A Case Study of Fifty Shades of Grey
Authors: Chueasuai Pasakara
Published: May 2019

This article aims at analysing how Systemic Functional Linguistics’ interpersonal metafunction can inform us about the notion of power relations expressed in both the original English version and its Thai translation in a case study of the popular contemporary novel Fifty Shades of Grey written by E.L. James in 2011. The study analyses conversations between the two main characters, Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, taking place during their intimate acts which clearly demonstrate the two main characters’ power relations. Systemic Functional Linguistics’ interpersonal metafunction is concerned with the social role relationship between text participants and is applied as an analytical tool in order to see how it can explain the notion of power relations when one communicative participant has more power than the other. Analysing the mood structure of lexico-grammar (Eggins, 2004) at the textual level has found two types of clause, imperative and declarative, that are used to construct the notion of power relations between the two characters. Examining interpersonal metafunction’s tenor regarding power, contact and affective involvement further explains the notion of power relations occurring on the contextual plane. Although the findings demonstrate a certain degree of difference in the representation of power in the Thai translated version of the novel, that is, in the use of final particles; it is a characteristic of the Thai language that does not exist in English.
Preserving Harmony First, then Conveying Information: Asian Ways of Interpreting as Maintaining Rapport at a Korean Trans-National Corporation in Thailand
Authors: Hyun Yangwon
Published: May 2019

The significance of interpreter-mediated intercultural business interactions between Koreans and Thais has increased dramatically with the advent of globalization and the emergence of Translation Studies, yet there have been very few attempts to carry out research on acts of interpreting in that context. This study aims to investigate how two Asian professional interpreters deal with conflict situations in interpreter-mediated intercultural business communication contexts. It also analyzes motivations underlying the ways in which they managed conflict. The data was collected by ethnographic observation and interviews, and recorded in field-notes. By using a pragmatic approach to interpretation, the findings show that the two Asian professional interpreters used three rapport-oriented strategies for managing conflicts: replacing original utterances with mitigating expressions, avoiding interpreting rapport-sensitive utterances, and adding positive remarks. Their main motivation for choosing these strategies was to maintain harmonious relationships between the primary interlocutors, in some cases also including non-participant third parties. These findings clearly show that the professional Asian interpreters went beyond the task of conveying what one primary interlocutor wanted to say to another. Through active and deliberate revisions, omissions or additions to interpretations, they firstly upheld harmonious interpersonal relationships, then transferred information from one speaker to another. The empirical results are discussed with regards to Buddhism in Thailand and Confucianism in South Korea.
Re-Creation of Tribals: Debt, Bonded Slavery and Bonded Prostitution in Mahasweta Devi’s Imaginary Maps
Authors: Praphan Kittiphong
Published: May 2019

Bonded labor or bonded slavery and bonded prostitution in India is a legacy left by British colonialism. Under this system, a person has to fall into servitude to whomever he or she has loaned money from with no means of repaying that debt. Mahasweta Devi has raised this social phenomenon in her writing, demonstrating that tribal people are those who have been victimized by this system. This study explores the issue of bonded slavery and bonded prostitution by analyzing two stories from Devi’s Imaginary Maps. This literary work depicts the plight of tribal communities as a result of the exploitation of their natural and human resources by colonizers and domestic capitalists. Those exploiters have alienated themselves from nature, considering themselves not to be part of nature but people who can use nature to increase their wealth. The depletion of nature leads to the victimization of the tribal communities. Through the lens of Postcolonial Ecocriticism, Imaginary Maps condemns the colonizers and domestic capitalists for destroying the tribes’ forests which serve as a motherly provider for their communities. This destruction forces communities to change their way of life. Money becomes a necessity and causes many tribal members to borrow money from moneylenders. Unable to repay the debt, they become bonded laborers and bonded prostitutes and are seriously exploited and abused. Imaginary Maps serves as a channel through which the tribal voice is heard, depicting the relationship between colonialism, neocolonialism, domestic capitalists, ecology and the tribal communities. From being free subjects, both nature and the tribes are re-created as bonded slaves.
Vampires and Sexual Degeneration in Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Authors: Sunthikhunakorn Nathamon
Published: May 2019

In the late-nineteenth century, Victorian people lived their lives in fear and anxiety caused by the negative consequences of the Industrial Revolution and uncertainty about their future. The concept of degeneration invented by influential nineteenth-century European scientists was used to explain the causes and effects of these pessimistic outcomes. It terrified Victorian people because it proposed the idea that the Caucasian race would be physically degraded and would, unavoidably, face extinction because later generations would become morally and culturally corrupted. This concept is reflected in the analysis of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) in the form of sexual degeneration in the form of sexual degeneration in the late-nineteenth century and how the novel seeks to deal with the tensions of the era by both reinforcing Victorian values and highlighting the importance of an adaptability to change. Relying on the social and cultural context of degeneration in nineteenth-century Britain, this paper shows that vampires in the novel can be seen to represent degenerate people and they also symbolize the Victorians’ fear regarding changes in gender roles during the late-nineteenth century. Decadent women of the period are portrayed through the figures of the female vampires and Lucy Westenra who express their lack of self-control by being excessively sexual and resigning wifehood and motherhood. While Lucy is eliminated from the text, Mina Harker survives through to the end since she is proved to be a good and loyal wife who uses her knowledge and intellect to provide her husband with support when it is needed. A character like Mina helps reduce the tension and anxiety about sexual morality, gender roles and the possibility that the English race will become extinct because she reaffirms Victorian values and also proves that it is not necessary for the country to collapse because of change.
Coherence in Thai Students’ Essays: An Analysis using Centering Theory
Authors: Pathanasin Saranya
Published: May 2019

The contributions of centering theory (CT) have been widely accepted in linguistics, but there has not yet been much published research applying the theory to first language (L1) interference. This study applies CT to investigate L1 interference in discourse coherence in essays written in English by Thai university students. A corpus compiled from 50 essays is analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Statistical results suggest that CT is more reliable than human raters in measuring coherence, since the data shows no influence of subjective measurement. Further analysis by CT shows that word repetition is the most common form of Cb (focus of attention) in the continuation states (56.6%), and pronouns are the second most frequent form (39.6%). These findings conflict with the predictions of CT, which assert that pronouns are usually preferred over noun phrases. Results of qualitative analysis pointed out that this discrepancy is caused by L1 interference in writing, since word repetition is commonly used in Thai discourse. The Thai students’ English-language writing abilities were at pre-intermediate levels of competence. However, this aspect is not considered negative L1 interference since the use of repetition in the students’ compositions helped the raters follow the ideas in the writing. The results also show that the students were not aware of issues of cohesion and were not confident in using pronouns. The L1 interference in discourse coherence, specifically word repetition, was recognized by Thai raters but not by native English-speaking (NES) raters.
Taxonomy and reclassification of South African Asteraceae genus Elytropappus (Gnaphalieae, Asteraceae), the description of two new genera and two new species
Authors: KOEKEMOER MARINDA
Published: May 2019

This revision of the genus Elytropappus confirms earlier views that there are three distinct groups represented in the genus. This paper formalizes the three groups and describes two new genera, as well as two new species identified during the study. Dicerothamnus is described for D. rhinocerotis and D. adpressus, and Myrovernix for M. longifolius, M. intricata, M. gnaphaloides, M. scaber and M. glandulosus. In the original genus (including the type species, Elytropappus hispidus), two new species, Elytropappus aridus and E. monticola, are described. Morphological characters supporting this new classification are discussed and illustrated.
Three newly recorded genera from China (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Opiinae), with the notes on the genus Neopius and descriptions of three new species
Authors: SHENG YING-YI , WU QIONG , VAN ACHTERBERG CORNELIS , CHEN XUE-XIN
Published: May 2019

The genera Bitomoides van Achterberg, 2004, Neopius Gahan, 1917 and Sternaulopius Fischer, 1965 of the subfamily Opiinae are newly discovered in China and one new species of each genus are described and illustrated, viz. Bitomoides platyaulicis Sheng & Chen sp. n., Neopius citrinus Sheng & Chen, sp. n. and Sternaulopius macrophthalmos Sheng & Chen sp. n. The status of the genus Neopius Gahan is discussed.
Taxonomic synopsis of the genus Tomarus Erichson, 1847 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) in Peru
Authors: LÓPEZ-GARCÍA MARGARITA M. , GIRALDO-MENDOZA ALFREDO E. , DELOYA CUAUHTÉMOC
Published: May 2019

We provided a taxonomic synopsis of the species of the genus Tomarus Erichson, 1847 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Pentodontini) of Peru. Diagnosis, illustrations, photographs, and maps are presented for each species and a taxonomic key to known species in the country is also included.
First records of Leucania rawlinsi Adams and L. senescens Möschler (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil: redescription, potential association with Bt maize, larval parasitoids, and spatial and temporal distribution
Authors: COCCO JÉSSICA , DOLIBAINA DIEGO RODRIGO , CASAGRANDE MIRNA MARTINS , SPECHT ALEXANDRE , FOERSTER LUÍS AMILTON
Published: May 2019

Every year the area of transgenic maize planting in Brazil expands, however, our knowledge of the fauna of herbivorous insects associated with this genetically modified crop is restricted. In this work we report for the first time the occurrence of Leucania rawlinsi Adams, 2001 and L. senescens (Möschler, 1890) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil with larvae feeding on Bt and non-Bt maize silk, as well as their braconid and tachinid larval parasitoids. In order to facilitate the specific identification of these species in future studies, redescriptions of adults including high resolution images are provided. In addition, spatiotemporal distribution data of both species are presented based on systematic surveys at 13 localities in Brazil and the examination of material deposited in several scientific collections. The results are presented and discussed to contribute to the evaluation of the complex of species associated with agricultural systems that include grass crops, especially maize, including Bt varieties.
Pachnoda iskuulka (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae), a new species from Somaliland, including description of its mature larva
Authors: KRÁL DAVID , HRŮZOVÁ LUCIE , ŠÍPEK PETR , AWALE AHMED IBRAHIM , HURRE ALI ABDI , SOMMER DAVID
Published: May 2019

Pachnoda iskuulka Král, Sommer & Šípek, new species from the Sanaag region of north-eastern Somaliland is described. The new species is compared with the morphologically similar taxa Pachnoda abyssinica abyssinica Reiche, 1847, P. a. meriteti Di Gennaro, 2017, P. massajae Gestro, 1881, and P. werneri Beinhundner, 1992, all of which occur in the Horn of Africa. Relevant diagnostic characters (e.g., dorsal and ventral surface color pattern, male external genitalia) are illustrated. The third instar larva of the new species is described and biological notes are provided.
Diagnosing Moisture Sources for Flash Floods in the United States. Part I: Kinematic Trajectories
Authors: Erlingis Jessica M. , Gourley Jonathan J. , Basara Jeffrey B.
Published: May 2019

This study uses backward trajectories derived from North American Regional Reanalysis data for 19 253 flash flood reports during the period 2007–13 published by the National Weather Service to assess the origins of air parcels for flash floods in the conterminous United States. The preferred flow paths for parcels were evaluated seasonally and for six regions of interest: the West Coast, Arizona, the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Flash Flood Alley in south-central Texas, the Missouri Valley, and the Appalachians. Parcels were released from vertical columns in the atmosphere at times and locations where there were reported flash floods; these were traced backward in time for 5 days. The temporal and seasonal cycles of flood events in these regions are also explored. The results show the importance of trajectories residing for long periods over oceanic regions such as the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The flow is generally unidirectional with height in the lower layers of the atmosphere. The trajectory paths from oceanic genesis regions to inland hotspots and their orientation with height provide clues that can assist in the diagnosis of impending flash floods. Part II of this manuscript details the land–atmosphere interactions along the trajectory paths.
Nasolacrimal Duct Management During Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery
Authors: Rotsides Janine M. , Franco Alexa , Albader Abdullah , Casiano Roy R. , Lieberman Seth M.
Published: May 2019

Objective:

To evaluate rates of epiphora after transection and marsupialization of the nasolacrimal duct (NLD) during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery.

Introduction:

The nasolacrimal canal forms part of the medial wall of the maxillary sinus. Transecting the NLD is sometimes necessary for tumor resection or surgical access to maxillary sinus and infratemporal fossa pathology. There is no consensus for the endoscopic management of the NLD when only the duct is transected without involving the nasolacrimal sac.

Methods:

Medical records of 29 patients from 2 academic institutions who underwent endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery with transection of the NLD were retrospectively reviewed. Whether the duct was marsupialized or simply transected was recorded, and the postoperative rate of epiphora was calculated.

Results:

Mean age was 59 years (range, 14-86 years). Mean follow-up was 10.5 months (range, 1-33 months). The NLD was marsupialized in 16 (55%) and simply transected in 13 (45%) patients. Six patients underwent postoperative radiation. No patients in the marsupialization group had epiphora postoperatively, all with Munk score of 0. One patient in the transection group developed postoperative epiphora with Munk score of 1. Pathology included inverted papilloma (8), acute on chronic inflammation (6), B-cell lymphoma (3), juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (2), squamous cell carcinoma (2), Schneiderian papilloma (2), metastatic melanoma (1), HPV-related carcinoma (1), adenocarcinoma (1), benign epithelial cyst (1), adenoid cystic carcinoma (1), and erosive chronic sinusitis without nasal polyposis (1).

Conclusion:

Management after transection of the NLD varies widely. The duct may be simply transected or marsupialized, or a formal dacryocystorhinostomy can be performed. The surgeon must also choose whether to place a stent. Based on our small series and review of the literature, marsupialization or simple transection of the NLD results in a low rate of postoperative epiphora in the setting of endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery.
Correlation of serum meteorin-like concentration with the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Sun Huibo , Zhang Yanhua , Wang Jing , Kong Jie
Published: May 2019

Objective

Inflammatory processes that occur in subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome may contribute to progressive atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity. Meteorin-like protein, which is also known as subfatin, is transcribed similarly to meteorin protein. Meteorin-like alleviates skeletal muscle inflammation. We aimed to investigate the serum meteorin-like status of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome subjects and determine the potential link between serum meteorin-like concentration with the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

Methods

The obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome group was composed of 207 obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome subjects diagnosed via polysomnography. A total of 106 healthy volunteers without clinical symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome were recruited as the control group. Blood samples were obtained from all subjects to evaluate the serum meteorin-like concentrations via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.

Results

Decreased serum meteorin-like concentration was found in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome subjects compared with the controls. Serum meteorin-like concentration was associated with a reduced OR for having obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.961 to 0.98; P < 0.001). Severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome subjects showed significantly lower meteorin-like concentration compared with mild and moderate cases. Moderate subjects exhibited decreased serum meteorin-like concentration compared with mild cases. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that serum meteorin-like concentration was negatively correlated with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome severity. Serum meteorin-like concentration negatively correlated with body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apnoea–hypopnea index, number of arousals, hypopnoea and apnoea in subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

Conclusion

Serum meteorin-like concentration is inversely correlated with the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.
Black Male Leaders Care Too: An Introduction to Black Masculine Caring in Educational Leadership
Authors: Bass Lisa R.
Published: May 2019

Background: This study addresses the leadership of African American male leaders and their operationalization of the ethic of care in their practice by analyzing the educational leadership of African American men through an ethic of care lens. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to simultaneously remind readers of the importance of caring in schools, while discussing the caring styles of Black males in leadership. Research Design: This study examined the lived experiences of 10 African American male administrators to understand their perceptions of caring leadership. The phenomenon of interest was investigated using qualitative, exploratory study methodology to facilitate the collection of rich data that tells the stories of the participants. The themes discovered during the focus group were used during the one-on-one interviews to probe deeper into the issues and evaluate the consistency of the themes. Striking similarities that fit logically into themes emerged in the data from the focus group and the individual interviews. Findings: The themes that emerged from this study did not support the stereotype so often set forth regarding Black male leadership. The major emergent themes were: Black male leaders cared and liked being associated with caring, they felt they had to mask their caring nature because of societal expectations, they view themselves as father figures, they strongly identify and connect with a sense of spirituality, they believe that action must follow caring, and they practice “rough love” as care. Conclusion: The core foundational principles of Black Masculine Caring include a framework that acknowledges Black men have the capacity to care, and often care deeply. Black men’s capacity to care depends on their prior experience as Black men. The caring exhibited by Black men is influenced by their culture, and caring demonstrated by Black men is often misunderstood or misinterpreted.
Making the A Priori Procedure Work for Differences Between Means
Authors: Trafimow David , Wang Cong , Wang Tonghui
Published: May 2019

Previous researchers have proposed the a priori procedure, whereby the researcher specifies, prior to data collection, how closely she wishes the sample means to approach corresponding population means, and the degree of confidence of meeting the specification. However, an important limitation of previous research is that researchers sometimes are interested in differences between means, rather than in the means themselves. To address this limitation, we propose additional equations that expand the a priori procedure to handle differences between means, both in matched and in independent samples. Finally, implications are discussed.
Spread the Green Word: A Social Community Perspective Into Environmentally Sustainable Behavior
Authors: Geiger Nathaniel , Swim Janet K. , Glenna Leland
Published: May 2019

Engagement in proenvironmental behavior can be understood in part by considering how individuals operate as members of social communities and are influenced by these communities. In the present work, we use social network analysis to explore how social network structure predicts proenvironmental behavior. We consider three types of behaviors—(a) private, (b) public nonorganizational, and (c) organizational behaviors—and consider the potential for (i) behavioral diffusion and (ii) two types of opinion leader influence for each of these three behaviors within a religious social community. Results are consistent with patterns indicating diffusion for public nonorganizational and organizational, but not private behaviors. In contrast, being well connected with many opinion leaders to whom one would go for advice (but not simply being friends with these individuals) is associated with greater engagement in all three types of proenvironmental behavior.
Design Moderators of Perceived Residential Crowding and Chronic Physiological Stress Among Children
Authors: Rollings Kimberly A. , Evans Gary W.
Published: May 2019

Chronic crowding within housing adversely affects psychological well-being, yet little is known about how design attributes contribute to these effects, especially among children. This cross-sectional study first examined associations between residential interior density and children’s ( M = 9 years of age) perceived bedroom and home crowding. Second, analyses investigated whether interior design attributes (residential floor plan arrangement measured by space syntax [depth and permeability]; bedroom ceiling height, volume, and window area) buffer negative effects of perceived crowding on multimethodological indices of child development, including psychological distress, learned helplessness, and physiological stress. After adjusting for home type, clutter, income, gender, and age, interior density was significantly associated with perceived home and bedroom crowding. Regression results suggested that bedroom ceiling height was associated with reduced negative effects of home, but not bedroom, perceived crowding on blood pressure, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and allostatic load among participants who reported higher levels of perceived crowding.
Celebrating Half a Century of Environment and Behavior: A Bibliometric Review
Authors: Milfont Taciano L. , Amirbagheri Keivan , Hermanns Elena , Merigó José M.
Published: May 2019

Environment and Behavior is a leading international journal that publishes research examining the relationships between human behavior and the built and natural environments since 1969. Motivated by its half-century anniversary, the present article uses the Web of Science Core Collection database to provide a bibliometric overview of the leading trends that have occurred in the journal during the 1969-2018 period. The impact of the journal has increased over the years, Gary W. Evans is the author with most published papers, articles by Paul C. Stern and Thomas Dietz have made a notable scientific impact, the University of Michigan is the institution with the highest number of publications, and there is a growing trend in the number of women and international contributors to the journal. This bibliographic review provides strong evidence of the scientific impact of the journal, and the wider Environment-and-Behavior community should be proud of its story of success.
Decomposition of Output and Productivity Growth in the Organised Manufacturing Industries in India: An Inter-State Analysis
Authors: Roy Prasanta Kumar
Published: May 2019

This article examines and applies the theoretical foundation of the decomposition of output and total factor productivity growth (TFPG) of the aggregate manufacturing industries in 15 major industrialised states in India as well as in all-India during the period from 1981–1982 to 2010–2011, during the entire period, during the pre-reform period (1981–1982 to 1990–1991) and post-reform period (1991–1992 to 2010–2011), and also during two different decades of the post-reform period, that is, during 1991–1992 to 2000–2001 and 2001–2002 to 2010–2011. Output growth is decomposed into input growth effect and TFPG where the three attributes of TFPG are adjusted scale effect, technological progress (TP) and technical efficiency change. A stochastic frontier model with a translog production function is used to estimate the growth attributes of output and total factor productivity (TFP). The empirical results show that input growth is the major contributor to output growth, whereas TP is found to be the major contributor to TFPG and the decline in TFPG of the organised manufacturing sector in India and in its major industrialised states during the post-reform period is mainly due to the decline in TP of the same during that period.

JEL Codes: C23, D24, L6, O47
An intelligent control approach for resonance damping in a grid-connected inverter system
Authors: Hemakesavulu O , Dash Subhransu S , Chellammal Nallaperumal
Published: May 2019

Photovoltaic power generation has transformed into the most reassuring strategy for power generation among the renewable sources in view of its intrinsic favorable circumstances. The significant snag that photovoltaic system poses like other inexhaustible sources is the power intermittency in regard to atmospheric conditions like irradiation and temperature. These photovoltaic systems are interfaced to the grid through filters via inverters to prevent harmonics getting in to the grid. Generally, inductor–capacitor–inductor filters are employed in grid-connected system, as they provide better harmonic attenuation than inductor and inductor-capacitor filters. However, they bring resonance as well as oscillations into the grid-connected system. So, in order to suppress the resonance that brings instability problems in the system, active damping control strategies are adopted. But these conventional active damping methods increase the complexity of the system as they need extra sensors. This article proposes a fuzzy logic control-based active damping method to ease the control activity. The proposed controller is contrasted with the injected grid current feedback controller to investigate the resonance damping and the stability of grid interfaced multilevel inverter with inductor–capacitor–inductor filter. When compared with the injected grid current feedback controller, the fuzzy logic control approach promises satisfactory performance based on harmonic content, resonance peak, and stability analysis. The compliance according to the industrial standard in terms of harmonics is met in this article and is duly documented within the manuscript. Simulation results verify the design strategies and the effectiveness of the proposed fuzzy logic control strategy.
Biologically-Inspired Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Olin-Ammentorp Wilkie , Cady Nathaniel
Published: May 2019

Advances in integrated circuitry from the 1950s to the present day have enabled a revolution in technology across the world. However, fundamental limits of circuitry make further improvements through historically successful methods increasingly challenging. It is becoming clear that to address new challenges and applications, new methods of computation will be required. One promising field is neuromorphic engineering, a broad field which applies biologically inspired principles to create alternative computational architectures and methods. We address why neuromorphic engineering is one of the most promising fields within emerging computational technology, elaborating on its common principles and models, and discussing its current state and future challenges.
Gender and hand dominance on fine motor skills among Grade 1–7 learners with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Pila-Nemutandani Refilwe Gloria , Pillay Basil Joseph , Meyer Anneke
Published: May 2019

Children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder encounter difficulties in many activities in their daily lives that require motor coordination skills. The aim of this study was to establish whether children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have deficits in fine motor skills. Eighty male and female learners diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder matched with 80 non-attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from the North West and Limpopo provinces (South Africa), aged 7–13  years, participated in the study. All participants completed the grooved pegboard test, the maze coordination task, and the finger tapping test. These instruments measure various functions of motor speed and eye–hand coordination. The findings reveal that children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder performed significantly poorer than the control group with regard to the grooved pegboard and maze coordination tasks, but not with the finger tapping task. There were no gender differences in all the tests. Performance on the maze coordination task with the non-dominant hand was poorer for the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder group with regard to the time taken to complete the task. However, no hand dominance differences were found on the grooved pegboard and finger tapping tests. The study revealed a relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomatology and motor problems with regard to complex tasks of accuracy, but not on a simple task of motor speed. It is, therefore, recommended that since children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder show motor deficiencies, motor skill training should be considered as part of the intervention, as these skills are needed for many daily activities and academic competencies.
Vitamin D Status in Egyptian Children With Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Saad Khaled , Abdelmoghny Abobakr , Aboul-Khair Mohamed Diab , Abdel-Raheem Yasser Farouk , Gad Eman Fathalla , Hammour Ahmed El-Sayed , Hawary Bahaa , Zahran Asmaa M. , Alblihed Mohamd A. , Elhoufey Amira
Published: May 2019

Objective: This study aimed to assess the serum levels of vitamin D in an Egyptian cohort of children with allergic rhinitis (AR) and to evaluate any correlation of vitamin D status with the disease severity. Patient and methods: One hundred twenty children with AR and 100 healthy children were included in our study. We studied the serum levels of vitamin D 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D in all participants. The associations between vitamin D levels and clinical characteristics of AR were examined. Results: In AR group, the serum levels of calcium, (25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D levels were significantly lower ( p < .0001, p < .001, and p < .0001, respectively) in AR children than in controls. Furthermore, the mean 25-OHD3 levels in patients with moderate/severe AR were significantly lower than those with mild AR ( p < .001). We found significant negative correlations between mean 25(OH)D levels and total nasal symptom score ( r = −.62, p = .002) and total immunoglobulin E levels ( r = −.27, p = .013) in AR group. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is a frequent finding among Egyptian children with AR when compared to the healthy group. A significant inverse association was observed between vitamin D levels and AR disease severity.
Bias of Two-Level Scalability Coefficients and Their Standard Errors
Authors: Koopman Letty , Zijlstra Bonne J. H. , de Rooij Mark , van der Ark L. Andries
Published: May 2019

Two-level Mokken scale analysis is a generalization of Mokken scale analysis for multi-rater data. The bias of estimated scalability coefficients for two-level Mokken scale analysis, the bias of their estimated standard errors, and the coverage of the confidence intervals has been investigated, under various testing conditions. It was found that the estimated scalability coefficients were unbiased in all tested conditions. For estimating standard errors, the delta method and the cluster bootstrap were compared. The cluster bootstrap structurally underestimated the standard errors of the scalability coefficients, with low coverage values. Except for unequal numbers of raters across subjects and small sets of items, the delta method standard error estimates had negligible bias and good coverage. Post hoc simulations showed that the cluster bootstrap does not correctly reproduce the sampling distribution of the scalability coefficients, and an adapted procedure was suggested. In addition, the delta method standard errors can be slightly improved if the harmonic mean is used for unequal numbers of raters per subject rather than the arithmetic mean.
Minimal volume ventilation during robotically assisted mitral valve surgery
Authors: Kesävuori Risto , Vento Antti , Lundbom Nina , Schramko Alexey , Jokinen Janne J , Raivio Peter
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

A minimal volume ventilation method for robotically assisted mitral valve surgery is described in this study. In an attempt to reduce postoperative pulmonary dysfunction, 40 of 174 patients undergoing robotically assisted mitral valve surgery were ventilated with a small tidal volume during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods:

After propensity score matching, 31 patients with minimal volume ventilation were compared with 54 patients with no ventilation. Total ventilation time, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, arterial lactate concentration, and the rate of unilateral pulmonary edema in the matched minimal ventilation and standard treatment groups were evaluated.

Results:

Patients in the minimal ventilation group had shorter ventilation times, 12.0 (interquartile range: 9.9-15.0) versus 14.0 (interquartile range: 12.0-16.3) hours (p = 0.036), and lower postoperative arterial lactate levels, 0.99 (interquartile range: 0.81-1.39) versus 1.28 (interquartile range: 0.99-1.86) mmol/L (p = 0.01), in comparison to patients in the standard treatment group. There was no difference in postoperative PaO2/FiO2 ratio levels or in the rate of unilateral pulmonary edema between the groups.

Conclusion:

Minimal ventilation appeared beneficial in terms of total ventilation time and blood lactatemia, while there was no improvement in arterial blood gas measurements or in the rate of unilateral pulmonary edema. The lower postoperative arterial lactate levels may suggest improved lung perfusion among patients in the minimal volume ventilation group. The differences in the ventilation times were in fact small, and further studies are required to confirm the possible advantages of the minimal volume ventilation method in robotically assisted cardiac surgery.
Cardiac Doppler in patients with primary varicose veins of lower extremities
Authors: Rusinovich Yury , Rusinovich Volha
Published: May 2019

Aim

This study examines the characteristics of cardiac Doppler in patients with primary varicose veins of lower extremities.

Material and methods

We performed retrospective descriptive statistical analysis of cardiac Doppler data of 85 patients with primary varicose veins and compared obtained parameters with normal values.

Results

Patients with primary varicose veins in comparison with normal controls have significantly lower early diastolic mitral and tricuspid inflow velocities (E wave), significantly higher late diastolic mitral and tricuspid inflow and annular velocities (A and a′ waves), significantly higher systolic mitral and tricuspid annular velocities (s′ wave), and they have normal early diastolic mitral and tricuspid annular velocities (e′ wave).

Conclusion

Cardiac Doppler in patients with primary varicose veins differs significantly from the actual normal values. Possible mechanism of this finding is compensatory increased atrial ejection fraction due to altered preload in patients with primary varicose veins.
Acceptability, tolerability, and effects on symptoms and signs of vulvovaginitis of a non-soap, herbal-based intimate hygiene solution (Zelesse®)
Authors: Guinot Misericordia , Blanco Jose Eliseo , Delgado Juan Luis , Oliva Raquel , Frutos Luis Manuel San , Huerta Ibone , Velasco Syra , Nieto Concepción
Published: May 2019

Objective

To evaluate the acceptability, tolerability, and effects on vulvovaginitis symptoms and signs of a non-soap, herbal-based intimate solution (Zelesse®).

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational, multicenter study including adult women with symptoms and signs of vulvovaginitis with various etiologies, including candidiasis, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, and atrophic and irritative vaginitis. The presence and intensity of signs (edema, erythema, vaginal discharge) and symptoms (pruritus) of vulvovaginitis were evaluated before and after 5–15 days of daily use of Zelesse® alone or as a coadjuvant in antimicrobial therapy. Variables following a normal distribution and categorical variables were analyzed using the Student t-test and chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, respectively.

Results

A total 137 women were enrolled in the study; 87 (63.5%) women received concomitant antimicrobials and 50 (36.5%) used Zelesse® only. Global symptom scores and frequency of patients with vulvovaginitis signs and symptoms, and their mean intensity, decreased after treatment in both patient groups. Vaginal pH and (in the Zelesse®-only group) vaginal flora remained unaltered. The product was safe, well tolerated, and highly accepted by patients.

Conclusions

Zelesse®, the non-soap herbal-based solution in this study, may represent a safe and effective option for symptomatic relief of vulvovaginitis.
The Role of Motivation in Predicting Addiction Treatment Entry Among Offenders With Substance Use Disorders Under Probation Supervision
Authors: Shaul Lilach , Blankers Matthijs , Koeter Maarten W. J. , Schippers Gerard M. , Goudriaan Anna E.
Published: May 2019

Many offenders with a substance use disorder (SUD) do not enter addiction treatment. The aim of this study was to examine predictors of addiction treatment entry and to get more insight in the predictive value of treatment motivation. A total of 83 male offenders with a SUD under probation supervision in the Netherlands were assessed at the start of probation supervision and at 12-month follow-up. A total of 38 offenders (45.5%) entered addiction treatment in the follow-up period. Offenders with any mandated treatment ( p = .028) and higher treatment motivation ( p = .005) were more likely to enter treatment. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that treatment motivation predicts addiction treatment entry in the first year of probation (OR = 2.215, p < .01). This emphasizes the relevance of treatment motivation for addiction treatment entry among offenders with a SUD. Pretreatment motivational interventions are therefore recommended for offenders with low motivation for treatment in probation settings.
Effect of posterior quadratus lumborum blockade on the quality of recovery after major gynaecological laparoscopic surgery: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fujimoto Hiroko , Irie Tomoya , Mihara Takahiro , Mizuno Yusuke , Nomura Takeshi , Goto Takahisa
Published: May 2019

Bilateral quadratus lumborum blockade (QLB) using ultrasound guidance has been introduced as an abdominal truncal block to improve postoperative analgesia and quality of recovery (QoR) after abdominal surgery, but efficacy remains controversial. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of posterior QLB on the postoperative QoR, and secondarily to evaluate postoperative pain after gynaecological laparoscopic surgery (LS). This study was a single-centre randomized controlled trial. QLB group patients underwent bilateral posterior quadratus lumborum injections with 25–30 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine after induction of general anaesthesia; the control group underwent no block. Both groups were administered fentanyl-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia postoperatively. The postoperative QoR was measured using the Quality of Recovery 40 (QoR-40) questionnaire score; postoperative pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the cumulative postoperative fentanyl dose. Thirty-one and 29 patients were randomised to the QLB and control groups, respectively. The intraoperative remifentanil dosage was significantly less in the QLB group. The median (interquartile range) for the QoR-40 score was not different between the groups: 154 (133–168) in the QLB group and 158 (144–172) in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcome variables. Single-shot QLB did not improve the QoR or postoperative pain in patients managed by multimodal analgesia after gynaecological LS.
Role of Childhood Context and Experience in Shaping Activity-Travel Choices in Adulthood
Authors: Long Kamryn , Capasso da Silva Denise , Dias Felipe F. , Khoeini Sara , Bhat Aarti C. , Pendyala Ram M. , Bhat Chandra R.
Published: May 2019

To what extent do experiences in childhood and parental influences shape mobility choices and behaviors in adulthood? This is the central question that this research seeks to answer through an analysis of a unique survey data set that includes variables describing a number of contextual factors from the individual’s childhood. The study presents a joint model of vehicle ownership and transit usage in adulthood as a function of childhood influences and experiences, while controlling for other socio-economic and demographic variables.
Estimating Peak-Hour Traffic Profiles for Selection of Appropriate Day-of-Year Signal Timing Plans
Authors: Mitrovic Nikola , Stevanovic Aleksandar
Published: May 2019

Multiple day-of-year (DOY) signal timing plans (STPs) are developed to deal with day-to-day traffic fluctuations during a particular peak hour. Once the operating intervals of these plans are scheduled, they stay valid for the next several months or even years. A STP deployed in this way is rigid regarding any day-to-day changes in the peak-hour traffic and might not be the best option (among the developed DOY plans) for the prevailing traffic. In this paper, we select an appropriate DOY STP for the next peak hour based on estimated traffic profile of that peak hour. We first applied [Formula: see text]-means clustering to a historical data set to identify the dominant profiles and develop optimal STPs for the extracted demand profiles. We then utilized recent traffic information to predict the profile of the next peak-hour traffic and select the STP relevant for the estimated profile. For predictions of an upcoming peak-hour traffic profile, we tested multiple methods in the context of the following: (i) within-an-hour prediction where all traffic information available 15–30 min before the start of peak hour is utilized; and (ii) next-day prediction where traffic information from previous (but not of the investigated) days is considered. The results of the analysis, based on a 3-year of volume data along a 5-mi corridor, show that adequate signal plans can be selected for 65% and 75% of the days in a year in the context of a next-day and within-an-hour prediction, respectively. The results merit the further development of this idea.
Spillover of Workplace Bullying Into Family Incivility: Testing a Mediated Moderation Model in a Time-Lagged Study
Authors: Sarwar Aisha , Bashir Sajid , Karim Khan Abdul
Published: May 2019

Utilizing temporally segregated field data from a sample of nurses ( n = 251), the present study examined the relationship between workplace bullying and family incivility. We drew on spillover theory and the emotions literature to answer our research questions. We hypothesized that emotions would serve as an explanatory mechanism for the relationship between workplace bullying and family incivility. We further tested the moderating role of neuroticism on the relationship between emotions and family incivility. Our results indicated that workplace bullying triggered negative emotions, which in turn caused family incivility. Moreover, neuroticism moderated the positive relationship between emotions and family incivility.