bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of STATCOM and ESS for power system stability improvement
Authors: Alhamrouni Ibrahim , Ismail Rasyid , Salem Mohamed , Ismail Bazilah , Jusoh Awang , Sutikno Tole
Published: June 2020

The power system enters a state of voltage instability due to the inability of the power system to meet the demand for active power and reactive power due to the increase of system load. In order to stabilize the power system, the installation of STATCOM and ESS needs to be performed. The main objective of this study is to identify the suitable size and location of STATCOM and ESS for power system stability improvement. First, the IEEE 14 bus system was simulated using DIgSILENT software in ideal condition. Then, the system loadability was increased up to 200% of initial value to locate the weakest bus. This study includes the applicable location and sizing of STATCOM and ESS towards improving power system stability. The results showed that the application of STATCOM and ESS with the most reliable size can increase the bus voltage (p.u and kV) of IEEE 14 bus system thus improving the power system stability. For recommendation, the power system stability can be improved by installing multiple STATCOM and ESS at other load buses and applying a controller to both STATCOM and ESS to improve the effectiveness of generating and absorbency of active and reactive power in the power system.
Optimal location of unified power flow controller genetic algorithm based
Authors: Hassan Sana Khalid Abdul , Tuaimah Firas Mohammed
Published: June 2020

Now-a-days the Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) technology is very effective in improving the power flow along the transmission lines and makes the power system more flexible and controllable. This paper deals with overload transmission system problems such as (increase the total losses, raise the rate of power generation, and the transmission line may be exposed to shut down when the load demand increase from the thermal limit of transmission line) and how can solve this problem by choosing the optimal location and parameters of Unified Power Flow Controllers (UPFCs). which was specified based on Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimization method, it was utilized to search for optimum FACT parameters setting and location based to achieve the following objectives: improve voltages profile, reduce power losses, treatment of power flow in overloaded transmission lines and reduce power generation. MATLAB was used for running both the GA program and Newton Raphson method for solving the load flow of the system The proposed approach is examined and tested on IEEE 30-bus system. The practical part has been solved through Power System Simulation for Engineers (PSS\E) software Version 32.0 (The Power System Simulator for Engineering (PSS/E) software created from Siemens PTI to provide a system of computer programs and structured data files designed to handle the basic functions of power system performance simulation work, such as power flow, optimal power flow, fault analysis, dynamic simulations...etc.). The Comparative results between the experimental and practical parts obtained from adopting the UPFC where too close and almost the same under different loading conditions, which are (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) of the total load. can show that the total active power losses for the system reduce at 69.594% at normal case after add the UPFC device to the system. also the reactive power losses reduce by 75.483% at the same case as well as for the rest of the cases. in the other hand can noted the system will not have any overload lines after add UPFC to the system with suitable parameters.
Induction motor rotor bars type effects towards energy efficiency, economic and environment
Authors: Yahya Yanawati , Rahmat Mohd Khairil
Published: June 2020

Nowadays, the rotating motor is the most demoralized machine for the global Motor industry. Comfort of practice, start-up, small, weightiness, Increased efficiency, low maintenance and inexpensive for each power rating that generally meets the necessary features for industries. Efficient improvements are inspected with copper for the rotor bars slot. Usually, the copper loss in the induction motor Rotor division contributes to the loss of energy. The research work was planned a new rotor design, by improved rotor bars type slot, size and design. These tasks were inspected using two approaches, in particular, MotorSolve (IM) and calculations in theory. One set of simulation has shown a significant increase in energy efficiency for a new rotor frame design. Calculations in theory are used MATLAB. As a result, these new designs have improved energy efficiency by 77% as compared to its 74% existing design. The results proved to be using MATLAB. For energy, cost savings and emission reduction (ER), new design rotor frame has been saved 154KWH/year, utility bill RM 60.20/Year and 0.113 CO2 tons/years intended for individually motor. Finally, the estimated cost aimed at 100,000 pieces of new rotor bars pattern induction motor and indicates this price was kept almost RM6 million.
Development and analysis of VAWT offgrid in ducting system
Authors: Hamzah Irni Hamiza , Roslan M. H. , Malik A. A. , Saad N. W. M. , Rahim A. F. A.
Published: June 2020

Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) had been widely used in Malaysia, however, research concluded that the power produced is still low which approximately 0.02% from the wind turbine input is. The average wind speed in Penang, Malaysia, is recorded between 1.0 m/s to 2.5 m/s whereby to produce 2.7 kW of power by HAWT, 12.0 m/s of average wind speed is needed. Therefore, the main objective in this project is to develop and analyse the suitability on the Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) to be used for power generation with the wind speed in between 0.5 m/s to 3.0 m/s. Ducting system is chosen rather than the open air since commercial buildings used Heat Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. Arduino microcontroller and LabVIEW is used as interfaced to setup two types of sensors that is temperature sensor and anemometer.
Sensorless dual axis solar tracker using improved sun position algorithm
Authors: Loon Chan Men , Daud Muhamad Zalani
Published: June 2020

This paper presents development of a prototype sensorless dual axis solar tracker for maximum extraction of solar energy. To prove the concept and evaluate the proposed algorithm, a low cost widely availabe materials were used which was programmed based on Arduino microcontroller. The porposed algorithm works based on two search methods namely the global search that approximates the best point location in a region, and local search that further determines the actual sun’s position. Experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm gives better performance compared to the existing sun position algorithm (SPA) - based method as well as the fixed panel system. In terms of total output power, the proposed algorithm gives 17.96% more efficient than the fixed system and 6.38% better than the SPA-based system. Furthermore, the percentage error of the experimental measured angle to the actual sun azimuth angle was relatively minimal (less than 3%) during clear day operation. The system was proven to be effective in tracking the sun for improved energy production of solar PV panels and the proposed algorithm also can be used for designing the tracker with larger size of solar PV systems.
Closed loop control of DC-DC converters using PID and FOPID controllers
Authors: K Aseem , S Selva Kumar
Published: June 2020

Fractional order controllers are nowadays used in various power electronic converters as it is giving superior control performance compared with conventional PID controllers. This paper presents the closed loop control of different DC-DC converters using PID controllers and Fractional Order PID (FOPID) controllers. The closed loop control of the basic converters such as buck, boost, buck-boost converters and dual input single output DC-DC converters were designed, modeled and analyzed using conventional PID controller and FOPID controllers. The performance of the controllers are compared in terms of the different time domain specifications like overshoot, rise time, settling time, etc. and simulated in MATLAB Simulink platform. For all types of the DC-DC converters, FOPID controller gives far better performance compared with conventional PID controllers.
Time response of FOPID controlled PV based cascaded landsman converter-inverter fed induction motor and electric drives applications
Authors: Pazhanimurugan R. , Bensraj R. , Balamurugan C.R.
Published: June 2020

Time Response enhancement utilizing photovoltaic based cascaded Landsman Converter (LC) structure is one of the soft strategies in the recent scenario. The prime function of a DC-DC Landsman converter is to optimize the output power of the photovoltaic array and reduce the output voltage ripples. This paper reveals the demonstration and simulation of the Cascaded Landsman Converter Inverter System (CLCIS) with a PV source. MATLAB Simulink-model for CLCIS has been created utilizing the components of Simulink and closed-loop examinations are performed with PI and Fractional-Order-PID (FOPID) Controllers. The present work deal with the comparison of transient and steady-state time responses of CLCIS with PI and FOPID controllers. The outcomes demonstrate that dynamic reaction is enhanced by utilizing FOPID controller.
Designing of a generator for wave energy conversion for outdoor activities
Authors: Ghani Noor Syazana Abd , Ibrahim Taib , Nor Nursyarizal Mohd
Published: June 2020

Wave energy is one of the renewable resources with high availability area of the wave across the world. However, the wave power density in Malaysia is smaller compared to other countries with progressive development in Wave Energy Converter (WEC), which leads to wave energy utilization to produce pico-scale power generation for the benefit of outdoor activities. Thus, this paper is presenting the modeling of a tubular longitudinal permanent magnet linear generator for wave energy conversion for outdoor activities. This research aims to design a pico-scale linear generator with 100 W output power utilizing wave energy. The design is also intended to be a portable design with a weight that less than 20 kg, which compatible with outdoor activities. The generator is proposed by designing the different shapes of permanent magnets with slotless configuration. The designs are simulated using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to obtain the performance of flux distribution, flux linkage, and back EMF performance.
Optimal planning of hybrid photovoltaic/battery/diesel generator in ship power system
Authors: Bukar Abba Lawan , Tan Chee Wei , Lau Kwan Yiew , Dahiru Ahmed Tijjani
Published: June 2020

In line with the increasing concern on the pollution release by marine ships, renewable energy technologies in ships power system has received so much attention. Recently, photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage system (ESS) are been integrated into conventional diesel generator in ships power system Nevertheless, improper sizing of the overall ship power station will result in a high investment cost and increase CO2 emission. This paper devised a methodology to compute the optimal size of the ESS, PV and diesel generator in a ship power system to minimize CO2 emission, fuel cost, and investment cost. It is a well-known fact that power generation in a sailing ship depend on the time zone, local time, date, latitude, and longitude along ship navigation route and the condition of the ship power system also differs from power systems on land. The devised method in this paper takes into accounts the geographical and season variation of solar insolation along the route from Lagos (Nigeria) to Conakry (Guinea) and accurately model the power output of PV modules is along the route.
A random PWM control strategy for a three level inverter used in a grid connected photovoltaic system
Authors: Himour Kamal , Iffouzar K.
Published: June 2020

The work presented in this paper is devoted to the control of a photovoltaic system connected to grid by a three level diode clamed inverter. A control structure based on three parts: dc link voltage control, power injected control and current control is proposed. In this work, the random PWM strategy is used to generate control signals for the multilevel inverter used us an interface to connect photovoltaic generators to the grid. Numerical simulations are performed using MATLAB / Simulink software, the simulation results for the proposed system indicate  the performances of the proposed control structure, minimization of harmonics by the random PWM strategy applied and injection to the grid more active power by the multilevel inverter structure.

 
Optimization of SHEPWM cascaded multilevel inverter switching patterns
Authors: Hiendro Ayong , Yusuf Ismail , Junaidi Junaidi , Wigyarianto Trias Pontia , Simanjuntak Yohannes M
Published: June 2020

Selective harmonic elimination (SHE) is an efficient method to eliminate low-order selected harmonics. However, due to nonlinearity in the problems, many optimization techniques give unsatisfied performances in finding optimum switching angles for the SHE. This paper proposes a modified moth-flame optimization algorithm to eliminate selective harmonics in cascaded multilevel inverters. The optimization algorithm is employed to find sets of optimum switching angles for cascaded 5-level, 7-level, and 9-level inverters. The results have shown that modified moth-flame optimization is beneficial in finding optimum switching angles. It performs better than moth-flame optimization (MFO) and differential evolution (DE) algorithms. The optimum switching angles are applied to generate switching pulses for a cascaded 9-level inverter to demonstrate the algorithm’s accuracy. As a result, the low-order harmonics are entirely removed from the ac output voltage of the inverter.
Species clarification of the medicinal wood-inhabiting fungus Phylloporia (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) in China

Authors: JIANG JI-HANG , ZHOU LIN-JIANG , LIU SHI-LIANG , ZHOU LI-WEI , TIAN XUE-MEI
Published: June 2020

Basidiocarps of Phylloporia are used as a source of natural medicine in China mainly in Shandong Province. Although the species diversity of Phylloporia has been well-studied worldwide, especially in China, the species identities of the medicinal basidiocarps are still unconfirmed. In this study, we sampled basidiocarps of Phylloporia from Shandong Province, China. On the basis of morphological and phylogenetic evidence as well as host-tree information, it is clarified that Phylloporia lonicerae on Lonicera japonica is the most widely used medicinal species of this genus, P. fontanesiae on Fontanesia fortunei is rarely used, and P. pulla on Pyrus is potentially used. The taxonomical status of these three species is briefly discussed, and P. lonicerae and P. pulla originally described from outside of China are described with illustrations based on specimens from Shandong Province, China. This clarification is crucial for medicinal studies and potential industry development of Phylloporia species.
New and endemic species of Brachymenium (Bryaceae, Bryophyta) in the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil

Authors: CANESTRARO BIANCA KALINOWSKI , PERALTA DENILSON FERNANDES
Published: June 2020

The present study describes and illustrates two newly identified moss species of Brachymenium, endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest of the South and Southeastern regions of Brazil. The first is Brachymenium elimbatum, a medium-sized plant with leaf apex ending in a short to long arista, margins not bordered, plane, entire, costa tapering above and sub-percurrent. The second is Brachymenium sublineare, a medium-sized plant with leaves often asymmetrically curved in the distal half, margins bordered by 1–3 rows of narrow rectangular cells and serrate at distal half, costa short-excurrent, flagelliform branches occasionally present and exostome teeth sub-linear. A key is presented with the most similar Brazilian Brachymenium species.
Peperomia calcicola (Piperaceae), a new species from limestone outcrops of the southeastern Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Authors: MARCUSSO GABRIEL MENDES , MELO PABLO HENDRIGO ALVES DE , LOMBARDI JULIO ANTONIO
Published: June 2020

Peperomia calcicola is here described as a new species from the Atlantic Forest of São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. The species was found on limestone outcrops in the understory of rainforest in the Alto Ribeira State Tourist Park (PETAR). It is characterized by the unique combination of pilose to pubescent stems and leaves, the leaves 7–9-nerved, slightly discolorous, ovate to large lanceolate blades with acute apex and cordate to rounded base, and the spadix of 0.5–1.7 cm long. Here we present description, color photos, and taxonomic comparisons with the morphologically close taxa.
A new species of Eryngium (Apiaceae) from the central-western region of Mexico

Authors: GARCÍA-RUIZ IGNACIO , MARTÍNEZ-RAMÍREZ JULIO , OCAMPO GILBERTO
Published: June 2020

We describe and illustrate Eryngium pugae I. García, J. Martínez-Ramírez & Ocampo as a new species to science. The new taxon grows near streams in places with open oak and oak-pine forests in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Eryngium pugae is morphologically related to E. gentryi, so a comparative table that includes characteristics of these two taxa is provided.
Lectotypification of Albizia lathamii (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae)

Authors: KrishnaChandran SAMPATH KUMAR , SENIAPPAN ARUMUGAM , Mastakar VIJAY KUMAR
Published: June 2020

The name Albizia lathamii (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), an endemic legume tree of Peninsular India and considered Critically Endangered, is herewith lectotypified with the specimen collected by H.A. Latham and named by R.S. Hole (1912). The online herbarium image of the lectotype at K and the original illustration in the protologue by Hole are also provided. Besides, the diversity of endemics of the genus in India is clarified.
A new type designation of Thymus microphyllus, basionym of Micromeria microphylla (Lamiaceae)

Authors: FERRER-GALLEGO P. PABLO , ROSSELLÓ JOSEP A. , SÁEZ LLORENÇ
Published: June 2020

Micromeria Bentham (1829: sub t. 1282) (Lamiaceae) is a monophyletic and taxonomically intricate genus, represented by nearly 70 species. These are distributed from the Macaronesian-Mediterranean region to southern Africa, India, and China (Morales 1991b, Govaerts 1999, Harley et al. 2004, Bräuchler et al. 2005, 2008; Puppo & Meimberg 2015, Puppo et al. 2014, 2015).
Availability of Recently Described Ptychadena (Anura: Ptychadenidae) Nomina from Ethiopia
Authors: COLSTON TIMOTHY J. , NOONAN BRICE P. , SMITH MEGAN L. , PYRON R. ALEXANDER
Published: June 2020

Frogs of the genus Ptychadena (Boulenger, 1917) have long been identified as harboring cryptic diversity and comprising numerous species-complexes (Largen 1997; Zimkus et al. 2017), and many authors have recognized the particularly high hidden richness in the Ethiopian highlands (Largen 1997; see Largen & Spawls 2010 and refs. within). This cryptic diversity was confirmed by recent molecular studies (Freilich et al. 2014; Smith et al. 2017a, Reyes-Velasco et al. 2018). Those authors identified a congruent set of evolutionarily distinct candidate species using both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, and described the geographic and ecological isolation of these species in detail (Freilich et al. 2014; Smith et al. 2017a).
The alderfly genus Indosialis Lestage, 1927 (Megaloptera: Sialidae) in Thailand and Laos, with a description of a new species
Authors: PIRAONAPICHA KANYAKORN , SANGPRADUB NARUMON , JAITRONG WEEYAWAT , LIU XINGYUE
Published: June 2020

Indosialis Lestage, 1927 is a small and rare megalopteran genus belonging to the family Sialidae and endemic to the Oriental region. The Thai and Lao species of Indosialis are herein revised by an integrative approach combining morphological and molecular evidence, including two species: Indosialis bannaensis Liu, Yang & Hayashi, 2006 and Indosialis siamensis sp. nov. The pupal stage of Indosialis is reported here for the first time. Indosialis siamensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by 1) the brown head and prothorax (orange in congeners); 2) the apical tooth of right mandible in male sharply angulated (truncate or almost absent in congeners); and 3) the distinct sac-like structure present in male genitalia (indistinct or absent in congeners). The new species coexists with I. bannaensis in Loei Province, northeastern Thailand. Both species inhabit slow-flowing or sluggish streams that are usually covered by Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott (Araceae).
Establishment of a non-native xyleborine ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus monographus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), new to North America in California
Authors: RABAGLIA ROBERT J. , SMITH SHERI L. , RUGMAN-JONES PAUL , DIGIROLOMO MARC F. , EWING CURTIS , ESKALEN AKIF
Published: June 2020

Specimens of an ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus monographus (Fabricius), were found infesting oak trees in California. This is the first record of this species established in North America. Based on collection information, this species most likely has been established in the Napa County area for several years. A modified key to Xyleborus in North America, and diagnosis of the species is provided.
A new species and new records of the genus Bolboceras Kirby, 1819 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Geotrupidae: Bolboceratinae) from India
Authors: GUPTA DEVANSHU , CHANDRA KAILASH , GHOSH JOYJIT , DAS PRIYANKA
Published: June 2020

A new species of the genus Bolboceras Kirby, 1819; Bolboceras arunachalensis Chandra, Gupta & Ghosh, new species (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Bolboceratinae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India is described, diagnosed, and illustrated. Bolboceras perpunctatum Krikken, 2013 is recorded for the first time from Central India.
Effect of Bax Gene Expression on Cell Invasion in Hepatobiliary Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Chen Shaojian , Wang Jun , Wei Jianfeng , Wang Jinsong , Wu Youyi
Published: June 2020

There is a growing tendency of the morbidity of hilar cholangiocarcinoma in recent years. Some studies indicate that Bax gene expression was slightly increased in adjacent tissues of cholangiocarcinoma. Therefore, it is speculated that this condition may have certain correlation with
the invasive ability of cholangiocarcinoma cell. This research aimed to detect the effect of Bax on cell invasive ability. The cholangiocarcinoma cell line RBE was cultured. Bax high-expression vector and Bax small interfere RNA (Bax-siRNA) were named pLBax and pLBax-siRNA, respectively. The
constructed vector was transfected into the RBE cell line by using liposome transfection followed by analysis of the relationship between Bax expression and invasive ability of cholangiocarcinoma cell. The Bax gene expression in cells transfected with both vectors showed increased and decreased
expression, respectively. The RBE cell apoptosis was significantly increased after high expression of Bax, while cell invasive ability was decreased with significant differences among pLBax, pLBax-siRNA and control group (p < 0.05). Bax was downregulated and RBE cell showed reversed
changes with significant differences among different groups (p < 0.05). The change of the Bax expression in cholangiocarcinoma cell can affect cell invasive ability and apoptosis. Bax expression was negatively correlated with cell invasive ability.
Microphones, not megaphones: Functional crowdworker voice regimes on digital work platforms
Authors: Gegenhuber Thomas , Ellmer Markus , Schüßler Elke
Published: June 2020

Digital work platforms are often said to view crowdworkers as replaceable cogs in the machine, favouring exit rather than voice as a means of resolving concerns. Based on a qualitative study of six German medium-sized platforms offering a range of standardized and creative tasks, we show that platforms provide voice mechanisms, albeit in varying degrees and levels. We find that all platforms in our sample enabled crowdworkers to communicate task-related issues to ensure crowdworker availability and quality output. Five platforms proactively consulted crowdworkers on task-related issues, and two on platform-wide organisation. Differences in the ways in which voice was implemented were driven by considerations about costs, control and a crowd’s social structure, as well as by platforms’ varying interest in fair work standards. We conclude that the platforms in our sample equip crowdworkers with ‘microphones’ by letting them have a say on workflow improvements in a highly controlled and easily mutable setting, but do not provide ‘megaphones’ for co-determining or even controlling platform decisions. By connecting the literature on employee voice with platform research, our study provides a nuanced picture of how voice is technologically and organisationally enabled and constrained in non-standard, digital work contexts.
“We Have a Black Professor?” Rejecting African Americans as Disseminators of Knowledge
Authors: McCoy-Wilson Sonya
Published: June 2020

Black students at predominantly Black institutions (PBIs) often do not perceive Black faculty as disseminators of knowledge. Instead, Black students view Black faculty through a racialized lens, ignoring their positionality as academic experts in positions of power. The purpose of this essay is to examine the troubling impact that this perception has on teaching and learning, to propose culturally relevant teaching as a way forward. First, a distinction must be made between PBIs and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Next, this rejection of Black academics is contextualized in social constructivism and the binary construction of race. Finally, internalized structures of oppression serve as the catalyst for this phenomenon.
Effects of Neurocognitive Temporal Training on Weapon Firing Performance
Authors: Enders Leah R. , Boykin Gary L. , Rice Valerie J.
Published: June 2020

While marksmanship is a critical skill for military personnel, some service members experience difficulty in attaining and maintaining marksmanship qualifications. Temporal training may improve marksmanship performance, since rhythm and timing are critical for coordinated movement. In this study, we examined the effect of neurocognitive temporal training (NTT) on military personnel’s marksmanship performance. We randomly assigned 41 active duty U.S. Army service members with prior marksmanship training into an NTT group that received 12 NTT training sessions ( N = 18) and a Control group ( N = 23) that received no NTT training. We measured marksmanship at baseline (pretest) and following either NTT (posttest) or, for the Control group, a comparable time period. We quantified marksmanship during 2 tasks of firing 5 self-paced shots at stationary 175 m and 300 m targets (Task 1) and firing at 50 moving and stationary targets of varying distances (Task 2). We recorded three measures of accuracy and three measures of precision (including Total Path Length, a unique measure quantifying shot-to-shot variability) for the first task, and we recorded one accuracy measure for the second task. To determine group differences for pretest versus posttest, we used multivariate analysis of variances for Task 1 and a mixed-model analysis of variance for Task 2. Results revealed significantly reduced variability and improved precision when firing at the 175 m target for the NTT group compared with the Control group ( p < .05), but there were no significant group differences on other measures. While these results suggest the utility of neurocognitive timing and rhythm training for marksmanship precision, additional research is needed and should include varied training regimens, comparisons of expert versus novice shooters, additional outcome measures, and a larger participant sample.
The Pen Is Not Always Mightier: Different Ways of Measuring Handedness With the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory Yield Different Handedness Conclusions
Authors: Prichard Eric C. , Christman Stephen D. , Walters Jeanette
Published: June 2020

Although consistency of handedness (the strength of dominant hand preference) is increasingly recognized as an important individual difference, there are questions about how to best measure it. A recent meta-analysis showed that researchers have often failed to report details of responses and response formats to handedness test items. In addition to measuring handedness direction (i.e., left versus right handedness), there can be utility to dichotomizing the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) into consistent and inconsistent dominant handedness, despite controversy over the best means of doing so. In this study, we performed a discriminant function analysis of EHI items to determine which items best predicted handedness consistency versus handedness direction. Although the same discriminant function accounted for most of the variance for both dependent measures, writing and drawing EHI items were the strongest predictors of handedness direction and combing and opening jars items were the strongest predictors of handedness consistency. As different items on the EHI predicted these different handedness dimensions, we discuss the implications of dichotomizing EHI items into both relevant dimensions for both biological and environmental theories of the basis of handedness and for future handedness research.
The whistleblower hero in cinematic dramatization
Authors: Olesen Thomas
Published: June 2020

The article analyses the construction of whistleblower heroes in cinematic dramatization. Drawing on Joseph Campbell’s and Vladimir Propp’s work on mythology and fairy tales and Jeffrey Alexander’s civil sphere concept, I argue that these narratives are structured as a journey with five thresholds that all must be crossed before heroic status can be awarded. The theoretical framework is applied in an analysis of eight whistleblower films. So far, films have not been explored as a source of sociological insight into the values and meanings associated with whistleblowers. While the article focuses empirically on films, the findings have broader implications. The analysis of films lets us discover the ideal-typical contours of the whistleblower as a distinct social and political persona in democratic societies. Unpacking their hero-making narratives equips us with new tools to interpret the moral-political grammar of the meaning struggles that emerge in the wake of real-life whistleblower disclosures.
Cultures of risk: On generative uncertainty and intergenerational memory in post-Yugoslav migrant narratives
Authors: Drnovšek Zorko Špela
Published: June 2020

The disintegration of Yugoslavia not only marked the end of a decades-long socialist multinational project, but also reorganised former Yugoslavs’ possibilities for imagining certain futures. This article examines intergenerational narratives of rupture amongst migrant families living in Britain, showing how uncertain pasts produce distinctly diasporic post-Yugoslav cultures of risk. Unlike sociological accounts of risk that foreground the conditions of late Western modernity, this approach to risk is grounded in collective experiences of late socialism, violent state collapse, and unexpected migration, as well as intergenerational experiences of migration and settlement in Britain. The article puts forth two main arguments. On the one hand, British-born children of former Yugoslav migrants ‘inherit’ and re-narrate their families’ stories of rupture, which transform the specific events of the 1990s into narratives of potentially universal existential uncertainty. While future uncertainty cannot be avoided, it can be partly mitigated by focusing on the present. On the other hand, both parents and children invoke the more positive aspects of risk when they imagine optimistic mobile futures for the younger generation. Here young people’s diasporic hybridity, another inheritance of post-Yugoslav migrations, is favourably contrasted with the postsocialist ‘stuckedness’ that characterises much of the post-Yugoslav space. By focusing on the multi-temporal and generative qualities of narrative uncertainty, the article proposes that intergenerational stories of rupture can contribute valuable interpretive resources for dealing with open-ended futures, both within and beyond migrant communities.
Independence and relationality in notions of adulthood across generations, gender and social class
Authors: Nilsen Ann
Published: June 2020

The adult person is in sociological literature often referred to as a genderless and classless being. As a life course phase it is implicitly viewed as a static destination after a dynamic transition period of youth. The aim of this article is to empirically examine perceptions of adulthood in biographical interviews in three-generation Norwegian families. A case-based biographical approach related to gender and social class across historical periods is at the core of the analysis. Thoughts on independence and the Mead-inspired concept of relationality are used as sensitising concepts to examine general ideals and personal considerations in notions of adulthood. The analyses indicate variations over historical periods, generations and life course phases wherein relationality or independence become significant. Relationality may take on different meanings with reference to period-specific gender expectations such as the male provider role and women as the primary carer in families in the oldest generations. Ideals of individual independence as choice or necessity vary according to life course phase, social class and period-specific conditions.
Estimating Contextual Effects from Ego Network Data
Authors: Smith Jeffrey A. , Gauthier G. Robin
Published: June 2020

Network concepts are often used to characterize the features of a social context. For example, past work has asked if individuals in more socially cohesive neighborhoods have better mental health outcomes. Despite the ubiquity of use, it is relatively rare for contextual studies to use the methods of network analysis. This is the case, in part, because network data are difficult to collect, requiring information on all ties between all actors. In this article the authors ask whether it is possible to avoid such heavy data collection while still retaining the best features of a contextual-network study. The basic idea is to apply network sampling to the problem of contextual models, in which one uses sampled ego network data to infer the network features of each context and then uses the inferred network features as second-level predictors in a hierarchical linear model. The authors test the validity of this idea in the case of network cohesion. Using two complete data sets as a test, the authors find that ego network data are sufficient to capture the relationship between cohesion and important outcomes, such as attachment and deviance. The hope, going forward, is that researchers will find it easier to incorporate holistic network measures into traditional regression models.
Tunnel Operations in the Israel Defense Forces: Adapting the Warrior Ethos to Post-Heroic Conflict
Authors: Stern Nehemia , Ben-Shalom Uzi , Gold Niv , Berger Corinne , Antonovsky Avishai , Peleg Dvir
Published: June 2020

This study presents an empirically grounded account of tunnel combat operations in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) within the context of “post-heroic” warfare. Current scholarship on “post-heroism” has viewed the technological and professional standards of contemporary military conflicts as distancing the individual combatant from the modern battlefield. Little attention has been given however to the ways in which soldiers themselves experience and adapt to post-heroic conditions. Findings based on in-depth semistructured interviews with 17 IDF tunnel combatants show these soldiers actively reinterpreting the strategic importance placed on distancing the warrior from the battlefield. This exploratory article suggests that an individual “warrior ethos” still resonates amid the professional and technological contours of post-heroic (underground) conflicts. By presenting a novel account of contemporary tunnel warfare from the perspective of the combatants themselves, this research sheds new light on the different personal dimensions that impact post-heroic military operations.
Postoperative Outcomes of Branchial Cleft Cyst Excision in Children and Adults: An NSQIP Analysis
Authors: Moroco Annie E. , Saadi Robert A. , Patel Vijay A. , Lehman Erik B. , Wilson Meghan N.
Published: June 2020

Objective

Identify risk factors and perioperative morbidity for patients undergoing branchial cleft cyst (BCC) excision.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analysis.

Setting

American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program adult and pediatric databases (NSQIP and NSQIP‐P).

Subject and Methods

Patients who underwent BCC excision (Current Procedural Terminology 42810, 42815) were queried via NSQIP (2005‐2016) and NSQIP‐P (2012‐2016). Outcomes analyzed include patient demographics, medical comorbidities, admission type, operative characteristics, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and readmission.

Results

A total of 1775 children and 677 adults were identified. Mean age at time of surgery was 4.6 years for children and 38.6 years for adults. Outpatient procedures were performed in 87.1% of adults and 94.0% of children (P <. 001). Postoperative complications were uncommon, occurring in <1% of adults and 3.9% of children (P <. 001). Similarly, readmission occurred in 1.2% of adults and 1.1% of children. In adults, smoking status was shown to have a significant effect on postoperative complications (odds ratio, 6.25; P =. 037). Age group did not have an effect on the complication rate in the pediatric population. Pediatric otolaryngologists had higher rates of postoperative complications (P =. 001), prolonged operative times (P <. 001), and fewer outpatient procedures (P <. 001). Conversely, in adults, otolaryngologists had fewer postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Postoperative complications following BCC excision are relatively uncommon, demonstrating procedural safety when performed at any age.
Medical Intervention Alone vs Surgical Drainage for Treatment of Peritonsillar Abscess: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Forner David , Curry Dennis E. , Hancock Kristy , MacKay Colin , Taylor S. Mark , Corsten Martin , Trites Jonathan R. , Rigby Matthew H.
Published: June 2020

Objective

Peritonsillar abscesses (PTAs) are common emergency consultations for otolaryngologists. Medical management alone may offer satisfactory treatment without the risk associated with surgical drainage. Therefore, we performed a systematic review of medical treatment alone compared to surgical drainage for the treatment of PTA.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Review Methods

Studies comparing the outcomes of medically treated to surgically treated patients were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. All screening and data extraction were completed by 2 independent reviewers. Meta‐analysis was performed using a random‐effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results

Ten cohort studies and 2 randomized studies were included (ntotal = 33,468). Study quality was low, with only 1 study providing multivariable analysis. The combined rate of treatment failure in patients initially treated with medical management alone was 5.7% compared to 5.5% in the surgical group. There was no statistically significant difference in the odds of treatment failure between interventions through random‐effects meta‐analysis (odds ratio [OR], 1.10; 95% CI, 0.53‐2.26; I
2 = 41%; P =. 13). Subgroup analysis excluding pediatric‐specific studies revealed similar odds of treatment failure when initially managed with medical intervention (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.56‐1.50; P =. 39; I
2 = 0%).

Conclusion

Meta‐analysis of available studies demonstrated no difference in odds of treatment failure for patients with PTA managed through medical intervention alone compared to surgical intervention. These findings should be interpreted with caution due to high probability of bias and overall low quality of studies.
Telemedicine and the Interdisciplinary Clinic Model: During the COVID‐19 Pandemic and Beyond
Authors: Zughni Lisa A. , Gillespie Amanda I. , Hatcher Jeanne L. , Rubin Adam D. , Giliberto John Paul
Published: June 2020

The emergence of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and the subsequent need for physical distancing have necessitated a swift change in health care delivery. Prior to the COVID‐19 outbreak, many institutions utilized an interdisciplinary clinic model including both a laryngologist and a speech‐language pathologist for the evaluation of patients with voice, swallowing, and upper airway disorders. To improve access, many providers are pursuing the use of interdisciplinary telemedicine to provide individualized patient‐centered care while allowing for physical distancing. The purpose of this commentary is to review the current literature regarding telemedicine in laryngology and speech‐language pathology as well as the current and future states of practice for interdisciplinary tele‐evaluations.
A Guiding Principles Checklist for Otolaryngologic Surgery in the COVID‐19 Era
Authors: Valika Taher S. , Maurrasse Sarah E. , Thompson Dana M.
Published: June 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on surgical workflows. There is an abundance of ever‐changing information, and protocols are reflexively modified on a daily basis. As many otolaryngologic procedures are shown to have higher risk of viral transmission—so‐called aerosol‐generating procedures—it is imperative that multidisciplinary care teams be provided updated, timely, and consistent information. A single‐page Guiding Principles surgical checklist was developed to discuss 7 key factors: patient information, staff wellness, risk minimization, prioritization, resource utilization, key society criteria, and communication. This was completed for every patient requiring otolaryngologic surgery and was distributed to the care teams involved. It provided the most information for those on the frontline and allowed for cogent pre‐, intra‐, and postoperative planning.
Back to the Future: Principles on Resuming Outpatient Services in the COVID‐19 Era
Authors: Valika Taher S. , Billings Kathleen R.
Published: June 2020

The rapidly changing health care climate related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has resulted in numerous changes to health care systems and in practices that protect both the public and the workers who serve in hospitals around the country. As a result, these past few months have seen a drastic reduction in outpatient visits. With phased reopening and appropriate guidance, health care systems are attempting to return to normal. The experiences and lessons learned are described, and we provide guiding principles to allow for a safe and effective return to outpatient care.
Dynamic Nexuses between Macroeconomic Variables and Sectoral Stock Indices: Reflection from Indian Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Maji Sumit Kumar , Laha Arindam , Sur Debasish
Published: June 2020

Determination of significant sector specific macroeconomic factors under the board manufacturing industry is an important task. In Indian context, using the monthly data on five major manufacturing sector specific indices (such as BSE-Basic Materials, BSE-Consumer Discretionary Goods and Services, BSE-Fast Moving Consumer Goods, BSE-Health Care and BSE-Industrials) and the macroeconomic variables (gold price, index of industrial production, wholesale price index, money supply, foreign portfolio investment ratio (FPIR), rate of interest, real effective exchange rate and crude oil price and economic policy uncertainty) for the period September, 2005 to November, 2016, the present study attempted to explore the significant sector specific macroeconomic variables in long run as well as short run. The empirical results obtained by applying the ARDL-UECM model suggested that economic policy uncertainty, FPIR and price factor were observed to be the most important determinants of all the five sectoral stock indices for the study period.
Comparison of end-of-life care in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or lung cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Butler Stacey J , Ellerton Lauren , Gershon Andrea S , Goldstein Roger S , Brooks Dina
Published: June 2020

Background:

Palliative care has been widely implemented in clinical practice for patients with cancer but is not routinely provided to people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aim:

The study aims were to compare palliative care services, medications, life-sustaining interventions, place of death, symptom burden and health-related quality of life among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer populations.

Design:

Systematic review with meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD42019139425).

Data sources:

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched for studies comparing palliative care, symptom burden or health-related quality of life among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer or populations with both conditions. Quality scores were assigned using the QualSyst tool.

Results:

Nineteen studies were included. There was significant heterogeneity in study design and sample size. A random effects meta-analysis ( n = 3–7) determined that people with lung cancer had higher odds of receiving hospital (odds ratio: 9.95, 95% confidence interval: 6.37–15.55, p < 0.001) or home-based palliative care (8.79, 6.76–11.43, p < 0.001), opioids (4.76, 1.87–12.11, p = 0.001), sedatives (2.03, 1.78–2.32, p < 0.001) and dying at home (1.47, 1.14–1.89, p = 0.003) compared to people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. People with lung cancer had lower odds of receiving invasive ventilation (0.26, 0.22–0.32, p < 0.001), non-invasive ventilation (0.63, 0.44–0.89, p = 0.009), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (0.29, 0.18–0.47, p < 0.001) or dying at a nursing home/long-term care facility (0.32, 0.16–0.64, p < 0.001) than people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Symptom burden and health-related quality of life were relatively similar between the two populations.

Conclusion:

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receive less palliative measures at the end of life compared to people with lung cancer, despite a relatively similar symptom profile.
Ghrelin suppresses migration of macrophages via inhibition of ROCK2 under chronic intermittent hypoxia
Authors: Chen Hong , Du Jianfeng , Zhang Siying , Tong Hao , Zhang Man
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Migration of macrophages and atherosclerosis result in various diseases, including coronary heart disease. This study aimed to clarify the roles that ghrelin and Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) play in migration of macrophages under chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH).

Methods

A rat model of CIH was constructed and changes in ghrelin and ROCK2 protein expression were measured by western blot assay. The migratory ability of macrophages was determined by the transwell assay. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was applied to detect the changes in intima-media thickness.

Results

We found that CIH enhanced migration of macrophages, and this effect was attenuated by exogenous ghrelin. Additionally, the facilitative effect of CIH on migration of macrophages was strengthened or decreased by upregulation or downregulation of ROCK2, respectively. This phenomenon indicated that ROCK2 was involved in CIH-induced migration in macrophages. Furthermore, western blot and transwell assays showed that ghrelin inhibited CIH-induced migration via ROCK2 suppression in macrophages.

Conclusions

In summary, the present study shows that ghrelin inhibits CIH-induced migration via ROCK2 suppression in macrophages. Our research may help lead to identifying a new molecular mechanism for targeted therapy of atherosclerosis and its associated coronary artery diseases under intermittent hypoxia.