bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of General Motors Event Data Recorder Performance in Semi-Trailer Rear Underride Collisions
Authors: Famiglietti Nicholas , Hoang Ryan , Fatzinger Edward , Landerville Jon
Published: April 2020

The objective of this study was to analyze the validity of airbag control module data in semi-trailer rear underride collisions. These impacts involve unusual collision dynamics, including long crash pulses and minimal bumper engagement [1]. For this study, publicly available data from 16 semi-trailer underride guard crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) were used to form conclusions about the accuracy of General Motors airbag control module (ACM) delta-V (ΔV) data in a semi-trailer rear underride scenario. These tests all utilized a 2009 or 2010 Chevrolet Malibu impacting a stationary 48’ or 53’ semi-trailer at a speed of 35 mph. Nine tests were fully overlapped collisions, six were 30% overlapped, and one was 50% overlapped [2]. The IIHS test vehicles were equipped with calibrated 10000 Hz accelerometer units. Event Data Recorder (EDR) data imaged post-accident from the test vehicles were compared to the reference IIHS data. For each test, root mean square error (RMSE), the percent error over time, and the difference between the EDR ΔV and the IIHS ΔV, was quantified, plotted, and related to crash pulse. This analysis revealed a general trend of decreasing EDR ΔV parity with an increasing crash pulse duration, although overall differences remained low for most tests. Eleven tests, all with airbag deployments, converged towards an average of 3.3% error at the end of the crash pulse, which were 150-270 ms. EDR recorded ΔVs were in the range of 29.8-39.9 mph. Five tests, three of which were non-deployments, diverged to higher percentage error averaging 12.7% at an EDR ΔV of 31.8-40.0 mph. All higher error tests were 30% overlapped and had the highest crash pulse durations of 240-300 ms. One fully overlapped test generated highly unusual EDR data due to failure of the rear underride guard mounting bolts and plates.
Impact of High Performance Combustion Chamber Alloys on Fuel Efficiency
Authors: Tricker David , Egger Andrew , Krus David , Bredda Scott
Published: April 2020

Internal combustion engines have been developed for over one hundred and twenty years and are a very mature technology. Over this time, significant improvements in power density and brake thermal efficiency have been realized from improvements in design, processing and material properties. Huge advances in computer simulation capability over the past thirty years have enabled the former two categories to be explored and exploited very thoroughly, leaving materials specifications as the fundamental key to unlocking further efficiency gains. This paper summarizes the design advantages of a range of alternative materials developed for piston, ring connecting rod and bushing applications. A Ford Ecoboost 2.3l RS engine was selected as a baseline engine and the reciprocating parts were re-designed to take advantage of the improved characteristics of these materials. Reciprocating mass, mechanical efficiency and crevice volume savings have been demonstrated from the re-designed components: piston, pin, ring, connecting rod and bushing. A dynamometer test program was devised to evaluate the net improvements in engine operating efficiency from the modified engine, based on a series of steady-state reference points comparing the baseline OEM and modified engines for future engine testing.
Improved Customer Experience through Electric Vehicle Sound Enhancement
Authors: Valeri Frank , Pietila Glenn
Published: April 2020

Electric Vehicles are typically thought of as being quiet and refined, but they do come with some unique N&V challenges. Some of these challenges include a natural sound that can be undesirable due to its tonal nature, presence of high frequency, discontinuities in sound, and characteristics and levels that do not always naturally increase with motor torque and vehicle speed. One approach to address those challenges is Electric Vehicle Sound Enhancement (EVSE) which is a software feature embedded within the infotainment system. EVSE can be used to improve the perception of the vehicle by enhancing the preferred natural sounds of the vehicle, masking unusual and annoying components of the sound and aurally conveying information related to the vehicle performance. A jury study was conducted to better understand how EVSE can be used to accomplish this. This paper will summarize a typical EVSE system and highlight some of the tools and methods that can be used to develop an EVSE tuning that mitigates unpleasant sounds while enhancing the customer experience without completely changing the vehicle DNA. Vehicle examples that mitigate issues and enhance the vehicle sound will be used to help describe the benefits and methods of EVSE.
Model-Based Design of Service-Oriented Architectures for Reliable Dynamic Reconfiguration
Authors: Oszwald Florian , Obergfell Philipp , Liu Bo , Pazmino Betancourt Victor , Becker Juergen
Published: April 2020

Service-oriented architectures (SOAs) are well-established solutions in the IT industry. Their use in the automotive domain is still on the way. Up to now, the automotive domain has taken advantage of service-oriented architectures only in the area of infotainment and not for systems with hard real-time requirements. However, applying SOA to such systems has just started but is missing suitable design and verification methodologies. In this context, we target to include the notion of model-based design to address fail-operational systems. As a result, a model-based approach for the development of fail-operational systems based on dynamic reconfiguration using a service-oriented architecture is illustrated. For the evaluation, we consider an example function of an automatically controlled braking system and analyze the reconfiguration time when the function fails. The reconfiguration time, together with the worst-case execution time (WCET), was determined by a model-based calculation and by simulation. In summary, the proposed approach applied to dynamically reconfigurable systems can meet the design requirements of the ISO 26262.
Light Duty Truck Rear Axle Thermal Modeling
Authors: Nahid Mohammad , Saha Joydip , Rahman Sadek
Published: April 2020

More stringent Federal emission regulations and fuel economy requirements have driven the automotive industry towards more sophisticated vehicle thermal management systems to best utilize the waste heat and improve driveline efficiency. The final drive unit in light and heavy duty trucks usually consists of geared transmission and differential housed in a lubricated axle. The automotive rear axle is one of the major sources of power loss in the driveline due to gear friction, churning and bearing loss affecting vehicle fuel economy. These losses vary significantly with lubricant viscosity. Also the temperatures of the lubricant are critical to the overall axle performance in terms of power losses, fatigue life and wear. In this paper, a methodology for modeling thermal behavior of automotive rear axle with heat exchanger is presented. The proposed model can be used to predict the axle lubricant temperature rise. It also can be used to study the effect of coolant temperature on the axle warm-up and efficiency for a typical EPA fuel economy driving cycle.

Thermal axle consists of automotive rear axle with a heat exchanger added to the axle housing to control the axle lubricant temperature using energy from coolant. The proposed multi-mass model allows an assessment of the effect of operating parameters (heat exchanger effectiveness, coolant flow rate, coolant temperature, lubricant viscosity) on the axle performance and driveline efficiency. The model represents a useful tool to optimize coolant energy distribution between axle and other vehicle thermal system devices. The model can be used to develop more sophisticated thermal system control strategies with variable coolant flow control devices. The model will also be helpful to select axle lubricant for optimum axle performance. The model is validated by comparing its results with experimental data obtained from EPA fuel economy driving cycle vehicle tests.
Utilization of Bench Testing in Vehicle Thermal System Development for Extreme Cold Ambient Condition
Authors: Khandaker Masuma , Uddin Ahmed , Sanikal Vijay , Fuad Kaji , Lindquist Craig , Baker Gary , Rahman Sadek
Published: April 2020

Automotive thermal systems are becoming complicated each year. The powertrain efficiency improvement initiatives are driving transmission and engine oil heaters into coolant network design alternatives. The initiatives of electrified and autonomous vehicles are making coolant networks even more complex. The coolant networks these days have many heat exchangers, electric water pumps and valves, apart from typical radiators, thermostat and heater core. Some of these heat exchangers, including cabin heaters deal with very small amount of coolant flow rates at different ambient conditions.

This paper describes how viscosity can be a major reason for simulation inaccuracy, and how to deal with it for each component in the coolant network. Both experimental and computational aspects have been considered in this paper with wide range of ambient temperatures. Methods have been proposed to handle these issues in the simulation phase at the early phase of automotive thermal system development, especially during extreme cold ambient conditions.
Co-Simulation Methodology for PHEV Thermal System Development
Authors: Rahman Rezwanur , Biswas Auvi , Lindquist Craig , Khandaker Masuma , Rahman Sadek
Published: April 2020

Thermal development of automotive applications is a lot more complex than it used to be in the past. Specifically, for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), all the sub-systems are so intertwined that it’s hard to analyze them as sub-systems only. A system level solution is needed for proper sizing of components. For early thermal development, a co-simulation method can ensure that we take into account the inter-dependency of all the thermal features in the car. As for example, a large PHEV battery may need to be passively cooled by refrigerant, which is also associated with the interior Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) cooling system. For proper sizing of the condenser, chiller etc., one has to account for the battery cooling and cabin cooling as one system. There are also many thermal actuators on a PHEV, e.g. control valves, pulse-width-module (PWM) pumps, electric compressor, electric coolant heaters etc. Smart controls and calibration development early in the product development can impact sizing of front end cooling modules and other heat exchangers significantly. The design of hardware and software has to be simultaneous and synchronous in order to devise a properly optimized thermal system. This paper is going to explain the methodology for co-simulation for a PHEV and also illustrate some simulation results.
Nonlinear Model Predictive Control of Autonomous Vehicles Considering Dynamic Stability Constraints
Authors: Chen Xunjie , Wu Guangqiang , Ren Meng
Published: April 2020

Autonomous vehicle performance is increasingly highlighted in many highway driving scenarios, which leads to more priorities to vehicle stability as well as tracking accuracy. In this paper, a nonlinear model predictive controller for autonomous vehicle trajectory tracking is designed and verified through a real-time simulation bench of a virtual test track. The dynamic stability constraints of nonlinear model predictive control (NLMPC) are obtained by a novel quadrilateral stability region criterion instead of the conventional phase plane method using the double-line region. First, a typical lane change scene of overtaking is selected and a new composited trajectory model is proposed as a reference path that combines smoothness of sine wave and comfort of linear functional path. Reference lateral velocity, azimuth angle, yaw rate, and front wheel steering angle are subsequently taken into account. Then, by establishing a nonlinear vehicle dynamics model where Magic Formula of nonlinear tire model is adapted, the quadrilateral vehicle stability region is defined in consideration of designed velocity, road adhesion coefficient, and front wheel steering angle. Working condition-variant constraints determined by the boundaries of the quadrilateral region are subsequently obtained to guarantee the stability and vehicle performance. Finally, a nonlinear motion state space model with measured and unmeasured disturbance for NLMPC tracking maneuver is proposed, Meanwhile, a multi-objective cost function based on track error, ride comfort, and the smoothness of control derivative is established. Laguerre functions are applied to design optimal control trajectory and Hildreth’s quadratic programming procedure is introduced to find converged solutions meeting constraints derived from previously investigated quadrilateral stability region for sake of lightening computation load and finding better numerically conditioned solutions of control when NLMPC is implemented online. The configuration of a real-time virtual test track is explained and the NLMPC algorithm is validated. The simulation and experiment results are illustrated to show the effectiveness of the designed nonlinear model predictive control scheme under the test of the overtaking scene compared with the conventional driver control. This work may provide a useful basis for researches of autonomous vehicle lane change in terms of track accuracy, ride comfort as well as stability.
The Role of NOx in Engine Lubricant Oxidation
Authors: Coultas David R.
Published: April 2020

Fuel economy trends like engine downsizing and reduced piston ring tension have created challenging environments for modern engine oils which are expected to deliver more from less. Downsizing has led to smaller sumps meaning longer contact times of the lubricant with NOx in blow-by gasses. Fuel economy requirements have also demanded greater engine efficiency with increasing sump temperatures and blow-by rates due to reduced ring tension. These trends promote nitro-oxidation driven by the action of NOx and air on the lubricant. Nitro-oxidation has often been overlooked as a mechanism of oil oxidation in real world engines. Indeed, in bench oxidation tests purporting to protect modern engines against lubricant oxidation, the emphasis is almost exclusively on iron catalysed oxidation. This paper will show that a simple bench nitro-oxidation test is capable of reproducing trends in nitrate ester formation and consumption seen in real engines and demonstrate that lubricant oxidation and viscosity increase is accounted for by the action of NOx without the use of iron catalysts. This demonstrates that the initiation of lube oil oxidation in real engines is due to the action of NOx and it is only later in the oil life cycle that iron plays any significant role. This has important implications for the widespread use of iron-catalysed bench oxidation tests as guardians for oxidation performance in the real world. Because the oxidation observed in iron catalysed bench oxidation tests does not include NOx, the initiation and propagation of oxidation proceeds via a different mechanism and requires a different anti-oxidant solution.
Impact of biomass burning aerosols on radiation, clouds, and precipitation over the Amazon during the dry season: dependence of aerosol-cloud and aerosol-radiation interactions on aerosol loading
Authors: Liu Lixia , Cheng Yafang , Wang Siwen , Wei Chao , Pöhlker Mira , Pöhlker Christopher , Artaxo Paulo , Shrivastava Manish , Andreae Meinrat O. , Pöschl Ulrich , Su Hang
Published: April 2020

Abstract. Biomass burning (BB) aerosols can influence regional and global climate through interactions with radiation, clouds, and precipitation. Here, we investigate the impact of BB aerosols on the energy balance and hydrological cycle over the Amazon Basin during the dry season. We performed WRF-Chem model simulations for a range of different BB emission scenarios to explore and characterize nonlinear effects and individual contributions from aerosol-radiation interactions (ARI) and aerosol-cloud interactions (ACI). The ARI of BB aerosols tend to suppress low-level liquid clouds by local warming and increased evaporation, and to facilitate the formation of high-level ice clouds by enhancing updrafts and condensation at high altitudes. In contrast, the ACI of BB aerosol particles tend to enhance the formation and lifetime of low-level liquid clouds by providing more cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), and to suppress the formation of high-level ice clouds by reducing updrafts and condensable water vapor at high altitudes (> 8 km). For scenarios representing the lower and upper limits of BB emission estimates for recent years (2002–2016), we obtained total BB aerosol radiative forcings of −0.2 W m−2 and 1.5 W m−2, respectively, showing that the influence of BB aerosols on the regional energy balance can range from modest cooling to strong warming. We find that ACI dominate at low BB emission rates and low aerosol optical depth (AOD), leading to an increased cloud liquid water path (LWP) and negative radiative forcing, whereas ARI dominate at high BB emission rates and high AOD, leading to a reduction of LWP and positive radiative forcing. In all scenarios, BB aerosols led to a decrease in the frequency of occurrence and rate of precipitation, caused primarily by ACI effects at low aerosol loading and by ARI effects at high aerosol loading. Overall, our results show that ACI tend to saturate at high aerosol loading, whereas the strength of ARI continues to increase and plays a more important role in highly polluted episodes and regions. This should hold not only for BB aerosols over the Amazon, but also for other light-absorbing aerosols such as fossil fuel combustion aerosols in industrialized and densely populated areas. The importance of ARI at high aerosol loading highlights the need for accurately characterizing aerosol optical properties in the investigation of aerosol effects on clouds, precipitation, and climate.
Using a global network of temperature lidars to identify temperature biases in the upper stratosphere in ECMWF reanalyses
Authors: Marlton Graeme , Charlton-Perez Andrew , Harrison Giles , Polichtchouk Inna , Hauchecorne Alain , Keckhut Philippe , Wing Robin
Published: April 2020

Abstract. To advance our understanding of the stratosphere, high quality observational datasets of the upper atmosphere are needed. It is commonplace that reanalysis is used to conduct stratospheric studies. However the accuracy of the standard reanalysis at these heights is hard to infer due to a lack of in-situ measurements. Satellite measurements provide one source of temperature information. As some satellite information is already assimilated into reanalyses, the direct comparison of satellite temperatures to the reanalysis is not truly independent. Stratospheric lidars use Rayleigh scattering to measure density in the upper atmosphere, allowing temperature profiles to be derived for altitudes from 30 km (where Mie scattering due to stratospheric aerosols becomes negligible) to 80–90 km (where the signal-to-noise begins to drop rapidly). The Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) contains several lidars at different latitudes that have measured atmospheric temperatures since the 1970s, resulting in a long running upper-stratospheric temperature dataset. These temperature datasets are useful for validating reanalysis datasets in the stratosphere, as they are not assimilated into reanalyses. Here we take stratospheric temperature data from lidars in the northern hemisphere for winter months between 1990–2017 and compare them with the European Centre for ECMWF's ERA-interim and ERA-5 reanalyses. To give confidence in any bias found, temperature data from NASA's EOS Microwave Limb Sounder is also compared to ERA-interim and ERA-5 at points over the lidar sites. In ERA-interim a cold bias of −3 to −4 K between 10 hPa and 1 hPa is found when compared to both measurement systems. Comparisons with ERA-5 found a small bias of magnitude 1 K which varies between cold and warm bias with height between 10 hPa and 3 hPa, indicating a good thermal representation of the upper atmosphere to 3 hPa. At heights above this, comparisons with EOS MLS yield a slight warm bias and the temperature lidar yield a cold bias. A further comparison is undertaken to see the effects of the assimilation of the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A satellite data and the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate GPS Radio Occulation (COSMIC GPSRO) data on stratospheric temperatures. By comparing periods before and after the introduction of each data source it is clear that COSMIC GPSRO improves the cold bias in the 3 hPa to 0.5 hPa altitude range.
Optical properties of Central Asian aerosol relevant for spaceborne lidar applications and aerosol typing at 355 and 532 nm
Authors: Hofer Julian , Ansmann Albert , Althausen Dietrich , Engelmann Ronny , Baars Holger , Wandinger Ulla , Abdullaev Sabur F. , Makhmudov Abduvosit N.
Published: April 2020

Abstract. For the first time, a dense data set of particle extinction-to-backscatter ratios (lidar ratios), linear depolarization ratios, and backscatter- and extinction-related Ångström exponents for a Central Asian site are presented. The observations were performed with a continuously running multiwavelength polarization Raman lidar at Dushanbe, Tajikistan, during an 18-month campaign (March 2015 to August 2016). The presented seasonally resolved observations fill an important gap in the data base of aerosol optical properties used in aerosol typing efforts with spaceborne lidars and ground-based lidar networks. Lidar ratios and depolarization ratios are also basic input parameters in spaceborne lidar data analyses and in efforts to harmonize long-term observations with different space lidar systems operated either at 355 or 532 nm. As a general result, the found optical properties reflect the large range of occurring aerosol mixtures consisting of long-range-transported dust (from the Middle East and the Sahara), regional desert, soil, and salt dust, and anthropogenic pollution. The full range from highly polluted to pure dust situations could be observed. Typical dust depolarization ratios of 0.23–0.29 (355 nm) and 0.30–0.35 (532 nm) were observed. In contrast, comparably low lidar ratios were found. Dust lidar ratios at 532 nm accumulated around 35–40 sr and were even lower for regional background dust conditions (20–30 sr). The reason for these low values may be partly related to the direct emission and emission of re-suspended salt dust (initially originated from numerous desiccating lakes and the Aralkum desert). Detailed correlation studies (e.g., lidar ratio vs. depolarization ratios and Ångström exponent vs. lidar ratio and vs. depolarization ratio) are presented to illuminate the complex relationships between the observed optical properties and to identify the contributions of anthropogenic haze, dust, and background aerosol to the overall aerosol mixtures found within the 18-month campaign.
Biomass burning combustion efficiency observed from space using measurements of CO and NO2 by TROPOMI
Authors: van der Velde Ivar R. , van der Werf Guido R. , Houweling Sander , Eskes Henk J. , Veefkind J. Pepijn , Borsdorff Tobias , Aben Ilse
Published: April 2020

Abstract. The global fire emission inventories depend on ground and airborne measurements of species-specific emission factors (EFs), which translate dry matter losses due to fires to actual trace gas and aerosol emissions. The EFs of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) can function as a proxy for combustion efficiency to distinguish flaming from smoldering combustion. The uncertainties on these EFs remain large as they are limited by the spatial and temporal representativeness of the measurements. The global coverage of satellite observations has the advantage to fill this gap, making these measurements highly complementary to ground-based or airborne data. We present a new analysis of biomass burning pollutants using space-borne data to investigate the spatiotemporal efficiency of fire combustion. Column measurements of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide (XNO2 and XCO) from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) are used to quantify the relative atmospheric enhancements of these species over different fire-prone regions around the world. We find spatial and temporal patterns in the ΔXNO2 / ΔXCO ratio that point to distinct differences in biomass burning behavior. Such differences are induced by the burning phase of the fire (e.g. high temperature flaming vs. low temperature smoldering combustion) and burning practice (e.g. the combustion of logs, coarse woody debris and soil organic matter vs. the combustion of fine fuels such as savanna grasses). The sampling techniques and the signal-to-noise of the retrieved ΔXNO2 / ΔXCO signals were quantified with WRF-CHEM experiments and showed similar distinct differences in combustion types. The TROPOMI measurements show that the fraction of surface smoldering combustion is much larger for the boreal forest fires in the upper northern hemisphere and peatland fires in Indonesia. These types of fires cause a much larger increase (3 to 6 times) in ΔXCO relative to ΔXNO2 than elsewhere in the world. The high spatial and temporal resolution of TROPOMI also enables the detection of spatial gradients in combustion efficiency at smaller regional scales. For instance, in the Amazon, we found higher combustion efficiency (up to 3-fold) for savanna fires than for the nearby tropical deforestation fires. Out of two investigated fire emission products, the TROPOMI measurements support the broad spatial pattern of combustion efficiency rooted in GFED4s. Meanwhile, TROPOMI data also add new insights on regional variability in combustion characteristics that are not well represented in the different emission inventories, which can help the fire modeling community to improve their representation of the spatiotemporal variability in EFs.
The interaction between urbanization and aerosols during the typical haze event
Authors: Yu Miao , Tang Guiqian , Yang Yang , Miao Shiguang , Zhang Yizhou , Li Qingchun
Published: April 2020

Abstract. The interaction between aerosols and urbanization during the haze event was investigated using the Rapid-Refresh Multiscale Analysis and Prediction System-Short Term (RMAPS-ST). The mechanisms of the impacts of aerosols and urbanization were also analyzed and quantified. Aerosols reduce urban-related warming during the daytime, and the warming decreased by 30 to 50 % as the concentration of PM2.5 increased from 200 to 400 µg·m−3. Aerosols enhance the urban-related warming at dawn, with an increase of approximately 28 %, which is important for haze formation. Urbanization reduced the aerosol-related cooling effect by approximately 54 % during the haze event, and the strength of the impact changed little with increasing aerosol content. The impact of aerosols on urban-related warming is more significant than the impact of urbanization on aerosol-related cooling. Aerosols decreased the urban-impact on the mixing layer height by 148 % and on the sensible heat flux by 156 %. Furthermore, the aerosols decreased the latent heat flux, and the impact was reduced by 48.8 % by urbanization. The impact of urbanization on the transport of pollutants is more important than that of aerosols. The interaction between urbanization and aerosols may enhance the accumulation of pollution and weigh against diffusion.
Exploring a link between the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum and Neotethys continental arc flare-up
Authors: van der Boon Annique , Kuiper Klaudia F. , van der Ploeg Robin , Cramwinckel Marlow J. , Honarmand Maryam , Sluijs Appy , Krijgsman Wout
Published: April 2020

Abstract. The Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO), a ~500 kyr episode of global warming that initiated at ~40.5 Ma, is postulated to be driven by a net increase in volcanic carbon input, but a direct source has not been identified. Here we show, based on new and previously published radiometric ages of volcanic rocks, that the interval spanning the MECO corresponds to a massive increase in continental arc volcanism in Iran and Azerbaijan. Ages of Eocene extrusive volcanic rocks in all volcanic provinces in Iran cluster around 40 Ma, very close to the peak warming phase of the MECO. Based on the spatial extent and volume of the volcanic rocks as well as the carbonaceous lithology in which they are emplaced, we estimate the total amount of CO2 that could have been released at this time corresponds to between 1500 and 11 300 Pg carbon. This is compatible with the estimated carbon release during the MECO. Although the uncertainty in both individual ages, and the spread in the compilation of ages, is larger than the duration of the MECO, a flare-up in Neotethys subduction zone volcanism represents a plausible excess carbon source responsible for MECO warming.
Assessing knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses after a continuing professional development program: A qualitative study
Authors: Johnson Jessie , Masaba Arlene , Munir Sadia , O’Dwyer Robin , Smith Amber , Elawad Khalid , Abdulla Samya Ahmad Al
Published: April 2020

Background: Nurses play a crucial role in the prevention of communicable diseases through the public health immunization programs. Knowledge, attitude and practices of health care providers have significant impact on the vaccine administration and education of adults and parents of children.Objective: The present qualitative study aims to explore the knowledge, attitude and practices of nurses in Qatar before and after the delivery of the immunization-related continuous professional development program.Methods: 10 out of 125 nurses who have completed the training program volunteered to participate in the face-to-face interviews. Data was then collected, transcribed and analysed by the researcher team members.Results: Themes identified from this study: Empowerment, advancing practice and continuing education. Participants felt more confident and had a sense of fulfilment on completion of the education program. Practicing evidenced based skills and methods achieved an outcome of better quality of care, which can directly affect practice. Participants also felt that continuing education allows them to become self-motivated to keep up with new and emerging knowledge. Taken together, our data revealed that continuing professional education immunization-training program was successful in improving the knowledge, attitude and practices of the participants.Conclusions: Continued education beyond traditional baccalaureate nursing programs in order to ensure nurses possess the knowledge to safely handle, teach and administer vaccines is needed.
Standing up against workplace bullying behavior: Recommendations from newly licensed nurses
Authors: Smith Carolyn R. , Palazzo Steven J. , Grubb Paula L. , Gillespie Gordon L.
Published: April 2020

Objective: Workplace bullying exists in today’s healthcare system and often targets newly licensed nurses. Experiences of workplace bullying behavior may negatively affect the nurses’ physical and psychological health and impact job satisfaction and staff turnover rates at an organizational level. The purpose of this study was to explore strategies suggested by newly licensed nurses to prevent and intervene during incidents of workplace bullying behavior.Methods: An exploratory qualitative design guided this study. Three open-ended questions asked included: What do you think could be done to prevent a future, similar incident of workplace bullying? If you or someone else attempted to the stop the bullying incident, please describe the actions taken. If you or someone else did not attempt to stop the bullying incident, please state what would need to happen for you to intervene on behalf of yourself or someone else. Surveys were distributed electronically to newly licensed nurses from three baccalaureate nursing programs who had participated in a workplace bullying education intervention study as students. A total of 79 responses were received. Responses to three open-ended questions about recent incidents of workplace bullying behavior were coded and analyzed. Then the Social-Ecological Model was used to organize results into individual, relationship, and organizational level strategies.Results: Most respondents reported experiencing workplace bullying behaviors in the previous six months. Three domains of strategies were identified: Preventing Future Bullying Behavior, Stopping Incidents of Bullying Behavior, and Promoting Others to Act.Conclusions: Results indicated newly licensed nurses desire to be supported by their peers and organization as well as strategies to intervene when bullying behaviors occur. Implications for clinical practice and education are presented.
Three-dimensional Volumetric Filling Ratio Predicts Stress Shielding in Short-stem Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Authors: Celik Haluk , Chauhan Aakash , Flores-Hernandez Cesar , D'Lima Darryl , Hoenecke Heinz
Published: April 2020

Introduction:

Three-dimensional (3-D) CT volumetric filling ratio (VFR) is a better predictor of proximal humerus stress shielding after short-stem anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) than using plain radiographs.

Methods:

Forty-four patients with short-stem aTSAs, preoperative CT scans, and a minimum 3-year radiographic follow-up were included. Patients were divided into group A (stress shielding) and group B (no stress shielding) based on the radiographic analysis. Standard implant filling ratios were measured on plain radiographs. The 3-D VFR of the metaphyseal and diaphyseal segments of the aTSA stem was measured using MIMICS (Materialise). The area under a receiver operator characteristic curve was used to determine the predictive strength of the 3-D VFR method.

Results:

The average age and radiographic follow-up was 69 years and 44 months. Group A had 19 patients and statistically higher filling ratios using 3-D VFR method than group B, whereas no notable differences were found between the groups using standard techniques. The 3-D VFR had an area under a receiver operator characteristic curve of 92%, which supports it as a good predictor of stress shielding.

Conclusions:

These methods enable early identification of patients at risk for stress shielding and can also be valuable in improving humeral stem designs.

Level of Evidence:

Level III. Case-control study
Departmental Experience and Lessons Learned With Accelerated Introduction of Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Crisis
Authors: Loeb Alexander E. , Rao Sandesh S. , Ficke James R. , Morris Carol D. , Riley Lee H. , Levin Adam S.
Published: April 2020

Despite the use of digital technology in healthcare, telemedicine has not been readily adopted. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems have begun crisis management planning. To appropriately allocate resources and prevent virus exposure while maintaining effective patient care, our orthopaedic surgery department rapidly introduced a robust telemedicine program during a 5-day period. Implementation requires attention to patient triage, technological resources, credentialing, education of providers and patients, scheduling, and regulatory considerations. This article provides practical instruction based on our experience for physicians who wish to implement telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between telemedicine encounters and necessary in-person visits, providers may be able to achieve 50% of their typical clinic volume within 2 weeks. When handling the massive disruption to the routine patient care workflow, it is critical to understand the key factors associated with an accelerated introduction of telemedicine for the safe and effective continuation of orthopaedic care during this pandemic.

Level of Evidence:

V
Intergenerational Contradictions in Body Image Standards Among Australian Immigrant Mothers and Children: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Zulfiqar Tehzeeb , D’Este Catherine , Strazdins Lyndall , Banwell Cathy
Published: April 2020

In this mixed-methods study, we explored how gender and cultural factors, including social status were linked with children’s immigrant backgrounds and their body image dissatisfaction and weight management strategies in Australia. Cross-sectional data analysis of 10-11-year-old children from the Birth cohort of the “Longitudinal Study of Australian Children” showed that approximately half of the children were dissatisfied with their body images. A higher proportion of these were children of immigrants from low-and-middle-income-countries. Additionally, about three-quarters children were actively managing their weights. Children of immigrants from low-and-middle-income-countries constituted a higher proportion of these also. Among boys, desiring a heavier body was highest for those with immigrant mothers from low-and-middle-income-countries, while the desire to be thinner was highest among girls of immigrants from low-and-middle-income-countries. Although the percentage of children who adopted strategies to gain weight was very small, boys of immigrants from low-and-middle-income-countries, in particular, were almost three times as likely as non-immigrant boys, to try to gain weight (18% vs 5.9%, respectively).

Qualitative face-to-face interviews with immigrant mothers and their 8-11-year-old children revealed intergenerational variations in body image standards. Maternal body image standards were drawn from their origin countries, but children followed Australian norms. Despite increased obesity awareness amongst mothers, they desired higher body weight for their children, due to an association with high status and health in origin countries. However, children were aware of the stigma, unpopularity, and low status associated with high body weights in Australia. To reduce cultural and status-based obesity inequalities, Australian obesity prevention plans must include culturally responsive health promotion strategies for immigrant parents and their children to improve their knowledge about healthy weights and weight management strategies.
Experiences of Health Care Workers Regarding Maintenance of Confidentiality Concerning Hearing Challenged People in Selected Public Health Facilities in eThekwini District, South Africa
Authors: Dlamini Snenhlanhla Kelly , Sibiya Maureen Nokuthula
Published: April 2020

Communication between a health care provider and a patient is a pre-requisite for any intervention to occur in the process of health care. Deaf patients depend on interpreters when seeking health care. Confidentiality is an issue since interpreters are involved in the Deaf community. Health care workers (HCWs) are tasked to ensure that the delivery of information to the patient is accurate and kept confidential. A descriptive exploratory qualitative design was used to explore the experiences of HCWs regarding the maintenance of confidentiality for hard of hearing patients. The study population comprised HCWs who worked with hearing challenged patients. Purposive sampling, which is a type of non-probability sampling, was utilized to select the study participants from the population. This research study was conducted at two hospitals in eThekwini District. Structured interviews, using an interview schedule, were used to collect data. The actual sample size was 10 participants. Data was analysed using Tesch’s eight steps of thematic analysis. Six major themes emerged from the data analysis namely training of health care workers, communication preferences for hard of hearing patients, communication challenges, health care worker-patient relationship, involvement of family members as interpreters and measures to maintain confidentiality. Majority of participants experienced communication challenges with patients who are hard of hearing since only few HCWs are trained in sign language. The findings of this study will contribute to addressing issues related to the maintenance of confidentiality of hard of hearing patients. This study does not claim to exhaust the subject but to raise awareness of new investigations in other realities. Further research in the larger representative population of HCWs and hard of hearing patients is necessary to make the health care system more accessible and communication with HCWs more satisfying and effective.
Handling Innovation in Small Family Firms: The Role of Context
Authors: Floris Michela , Dettori Angela , Dessi Cinzia
Published: April 2020

Innovation management in family firms is a paradoxical challenge. The constant tension between innovation and tradition confers to this topic a fascinating mystery area that calls to action scholarly efforts and further studies to underscore whether family firms are innovating or not. This debate becomes even more intriguing and interesting when family businesses are small-sized and embedded in local contexts strongly attached to traditions and cultures that inhibit change. Based on the curiosity of analyzing the innovation proclivity of small family firms rooted in such a context and building on previous studies that were focused on innovation in family run businesses, we deeply investigated two cases. Findings uncovered a twofold and opposite role of the context:  on the one hand, a constraint and, on the other hand, leverage of innovation. Interesting scholars and practical implications are discussed, and future studies are suggested.
Beleidsonderzoek in de periode 1970-1995
Authors: van Hoesel Peter
Published: April 2020

Beleidsonderzoek in de periode 1970-1995

Beleidsonderzoek is een vak dat in de afgelopen vijftig jaar geleidelijk is ontwikkeld tot een echte professie. In dit essay wordt de eerste helft van deze periode beschreven en op diverse punten vergeleken met de huidige situatie. De terugblik bestaat uit drie onderdelen: professionalisering; relatie met opdrachtgevers; ambachtelijke aspecten.
Does Elastography Have a Place in Evaluating Tissue Stiffness in Testicular Torsion?
Authors: Hancerliogullari Kadir Oymen
Published: April 2020

Background: One of the most important urologic emergencies is testicular torsion in children. Elastography is as an objective method in diagnosis and treatment of testicular torsion, with grayscale and colored images. Our study presents an original framework, which may guide certain research and practices in this field. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)-elastography for the diagnostic performance of testicular torsion. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 16 male white New Zealand rabbits of the same weight and age were selected and divided into two groups. In group I, the right testicle was fixed, and in group II, the right testicle underwent 720° torsion in a counterclockwise direction and fixed. Following 1 and 2 hours of ischemia, measurements of the right and left testicles were performed simultaneously. The left testicle was measured again after 24 hours in order to better observe the changes that right testicular ischemia might have had on the left testicle. Results: A statistically significant increase was detected in the elastography values of the right testicle at 1, 2, and 24 hours (P < 0.05). Elastography values were significantly increased in the left testicle after 24 hours (P < 0.05). The elastographic measurement values of the testicular tissue increased significantly with the increase in the duration of ischemia. Conclusion: With the width of its imaging window and healthy evaluation opportunity, elastography is a method in determining tissue stiffness of unilateral and contralateral testicular structures. In this study, the efficacy of elastography was evaluated. As a future research, further studies are needed to evaluate the elastography values in epididmo-orchitis and other causes of acute scrotum.
A mountain of millipedes VIII. The genus Aquattuor Frederiksen, 2013 revisited – a new species from the Udzungwa Mts, Tanzania, another from the Nguru Mts and introduction of the first pair of male legs as a source of taxonomic characters (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Odontopygidae)
Authors: Enghoff Henrik
Published: April 2020

A large, newly collected material of the genus Aquattuor from the Udzungwa Mts, Tanzania, has been studied. Two new species are described, viz., A. mollilobus sp. nov. from the Udzungwa Mts and A. nguruensis sp. nov. from the Nguru Mts, Tanzania. Aquattuor claudiahempae Enghoff & Frederiksen, 2015, is recorded as new for the Udzungwa fauna. Characters from the first pair of male legs are illustrated for all Aquattuor species and are shown to be useful for species discrimination. A new gonopodal difference between A. submajor Enghoff, 2015 and A. udzungwensis Enghoff, 2015 is described and illustrated. Intrageneric relationships and distribution patterns are discussed. A distribution map and a key to all Aquattuor species are presented.
Learned Credulity in Gianfrancesco Pico’s Strix
Authors: Stephens Walter
Published: April 2020

In 1522–23, Gianfrancesco Pico della Mirandola was involved in trials that executed ten accused witches. Soon after the trials, he published Strix, sive de ludificatione daemonum, a meticulous defence of witch-hunting. A humanistic dialogue as heavily dependent on classical literature and philosophy as on Scholastic demonology, Strix is unusually candid about the logic of witch-hunting. A convicted witch among its four interlocutors makes Strix unique among witch-hunting defenses. Moreover, it devotes less attention to maleficia or magical harm than to seemingly peripheral questions about sacraments and the corporeality of demons. It attempts to demonstrate that witches’ interactions with demons happen in reality, not in their imagination, thereby vindicating the truth of Christian demonology and explaining the current surfeit of evils. Strix explicitly reverses Gianfrancesco’s earlier stance on witchcraft in De imaginatione (1501) and supplements the defence of biblical truth he undertook in Examen vanitatis doctrinae gentium (1520).
Fabulae and Imaginatio in Gianfrancesco Pico’s Thought
Authors: Pappalardo Lucia
Published: April 2020

In Renaissance philosophy, the term fabula is often used to mean a poetic or fantastic tale that conceals the truth beneath metaphorical language. This article will focus on a rather different concept of fabula found in Gianfrancesco Pico della Mirandola’s works. To the younger Pico, the entire tradition of Greek and Latin poetry is a fabula: that is, a false and immoral narration inspired by demons. In the first part of this article, I will trace the origin of this use of fabula to the early Christian apologists. I will argue that Gianfrancesco’s intention was to build on this idea through an interpretation of ancient thought that differed from the historiographical model of prisca theologia proposed by Marsilio Ficino and Giovanni Pico. In the second part, I will show the close relationship, in Gianfrancesco’s philosophy, between fabula and imaginatio.