bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative research on vehicle energy consumptions based on the longitudinal-vertical dynamics of the tracked vehicle
Authors: Guo Zhiqiang , Liu Chunwang , Luo Junlin
Published: May 2023

In this paper, a longitudinal-vertical coupling tracked vehicle dynamic model is established to simultaneously describe the longitudinal, vertical and pitch dynamic responses of the tracked vehicle under off-road conditions. The road wheels are subjected to variable longitudinal-vertical forces due to the terrain unevenness and the excitations are transmitted to the vehicle body through the torsion suspension system. An experiment by means of a scaled-down tracked vehicle was carried out. The comparisons between the field test results and simulation results verified the effectiveness of the coupling dynamic model on predicting the vehicle dynamics. Taking advantage of the coupling tracked vehicle dynamic model, the energy computation formulas are further derived to quantitatively study the vehicle energy consumptions. The energy consumption distributions of the tracked vehicle on uneven road and paved road at different velocities are analysed. The computation results indicate that the developed energy computation method is reliable on predicting the energy generation and dissipation of the tracked vehicle. It has been found that the proportions of damping dissipation energy and road roughness caused energy consumption to total energy consumption are both higher at a greater speed.
Study of cooperative wake control for multiple wind turbines under variable wind speeds/directions
Authors: Zhang Bowen , Xu Jian , Luo Wei , Luo Zhaohui , Wang Longyan
Published: May 2023

In the wind farm control field, wind turbines are normally manipulated to maximize the individual power production which is named the greedy control. However, this greedy control method can lead to massive losses of total wind farm power production, mainly caused by the wake interference between multiple wind turbines. To this end, the cooperative wake control, which seeks the maximum total power production by coordinating each individual wind turbine at the global optimum operation point, can greatly improve the wind farm output performance. In this paper, we investigate the effectiveness of two different cooperative wake control strategies, i.e., instantaneous control and wind-interval based (WIB) control under variable wind speeds/directions scenario. These two cooperative control strategies are achieved based on the power de-rating operation to the upstream wind turbines. Taking three in-line wind turbines as an example, the control parameters of the two upstream wind turbines are cooperatively optimized while the downstream third wind turbine operates at the maximum power coefficient. To account for the multiple wind turbines wake interference, an artificial neural network (ANN) wake model characterized by the fast computational efficiency and great accuracy, in combination with the best wake superposition model chosen to quantify multiple wake effect, is proposed for the control optimization. By comparing to the baseline greedy control, it shows that both cooperative control strategies are effective in improving the power production of the wind farm. More specifically, the WIB control can maintain the power production at the same level of instantaneous control with a maximum difference less than 3%, while it reduces the operating difficulty to a large extent which greatly facilitates its application under realistic more complex wind scenarios.
Is the Beta Anomaly Real? A Correction in Existing Theories of Cost of Capital and Asset Pricing
Authors: Kumar Vinod
Published: May 2023

Researchers argue about the beta anomaly and related anomalies in the capital market based on existing theories of asset pricing. This article shows that the observed beta anomaly is added due to the mathematical errors, inconsistencies, and limitations in existing theories. We propose a general theory for central concepts in asset pricing, including beta and cost of capital, that holds for growth, taxes, and risky debt. Our theory addresses observed beta-related anomalies and other phenomena, and provides a clearer taxonomy for ongoing research and a step toward resolving several issues. The findings are highly significant for researchers and firms.

JEL Codes: G32, G12, G11, G35
Black Americans, hospitalization, and advance care planning: Structural vulnerability in Home Health Value-Based Purchasing
Authors: Bigger Sharon E. , Hemphill Jean Croce , Njoroge Trizah , Doyon Katherine , Glenn Lee
Published: May 2023

Skilled home health (HH) is the largest long-term care setting and the fastest-growing site of healthcare in the United States (U.S.). Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) is a structure of Medicare that penalizes U.S. HH agencies for high hospitalization rates. Prior studies have shown inconsistent evidence about associations of race with hospitalization rates in HH. Evidence supports that Black or African Americans are less likely to participate in advance care planning (ACP), or to complete written advance directives, which could affect their potential for hospitalization when nearing end of life. In this quasi-experimental study, we used Medicare administrative datasets, the Weighted Acute Care Services Use Rates (WACSUR) score, and the Advance Care Planning Protocol (ACPP) score to determine whether the proportion of Black HH patients in the U.S. was correlated with acute care use rates and the robustness of agency protocols on ACP. We used primary and secondary data from the U.S. from 2016-2020. We included Medicare-certified HH agencies. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used. We found a statistical trend showing that the greater proportion of Black patients enrolled in a HH agency, the greater tendency to have a high hospitalization rate. Our findings suggest that HHVBP may encourage patient selection and exacerbate health disparities. Our findings support recommendations for alternative measures of quality in HH to include measures of goal-concordant care coordination when patients are denied admission to HH.
Contemporary Review: The Use of Human Placental Tissues in Foot and Ankle Surgery
Authors: Bagheri Kian , Anastasio Albert T. , Dmytruk Michael , Chase Nicholas F. , Adams Samuel B.
Published: May 2023

The use of fetal tissues in regenerative medicine has long been a source of both promise and controversy. Since the turn of the century, their utilization has expanded because of antiinflammatory and analgesic properties, which have been theorized to act as an avenue for treating various orthopaedic conditions. With increased recognition and use, it is essential to understand the potential risks, efficacy, and long-term effects of these materials. Given the substantial body of literature published since 2015 (the date of the most recent review of fetal tissues in foot and ankle surgery), this manuscript provides an updated reference on the topic. Specifically, we evaluate the recent literature regarding the role of fetal tissues in wound healing, hallux rigidus, total ankle arthroplasty, osteochondral defects of the talus, Achilles tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis.
Adaptive contact-force control and vibration suppression for constrained flexible manipulator with unknown control direction and time-varying actuator fault
Authors: Ma Xinyang , Liu Jinkun
Published: May 2023

A contact-force control and vibration suppression problem for a constrained one-link flexible manipulator with unknown control direction and time-varying actuator fault is discussed in this paper. The manipulator is described by a Partial Differential Equation model. The Nussbaum function is used to solve the unknown control direction and time-varying actuator fault problems. A Nussbaum function provides an adaptive boundary controller constructed to control the contact force to a target and simultaneously eliminate the vibration of the flexible manipulator. The Variable Separation Technique is used along with system boundary conditions to prove the necessary existence and uniqueness of the system solution more concisely than using the common [Formula: see text]-semigroup contractions method. Because force sensors are not necessary, the noise caused by a force sensor can be avoided. Numerical simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed controller-based solution.
Optimal phase compensation for a rotor-AMB system considering interface contact
Authors: Zhou Yang , Zhou Jin , Wang Yiyu , Zhang Yue , Xu Yuanping
Published: May 2023

Rotor-Active magnetic bearing (rotor-AMB) systems offer significant advantages in power consumption and are increasingly being applied in fluid machinery. However, in such machinery, the impeller and the rotor are commonly connected by bolt fastening. Once a certain pre-tightening force is applied to the bolted connection and the interface contact between the rotor and the impeller is formed, the flexible modal vibration will be excited when the rotor is levitated. The conventional Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller is limited in this vibration suppression and it is essential to increase the damping at bending mode to inhibit vibration. However, the calculation of the optimal phase compensated is based on the rotor-AMB model considering interface contact. In this work, the effect of the interface contact is equivalent to massless spring units, and the disturbance generated by spring units is acted upon the mechatronic system in the way of positive feedback. The detailed description of the transfer function from the disturbance to rotor deformation at fourth bending mode is obtained by theoretical model and system identification. The optimal phase of the system needed to inhibit the disturbance is determined by minimizing the gain of the transfer function at fourth bending mode. A combination of PID control and phase compensation is implemented in the experiment. The results show that the optimal phase is 50° as the calculation and the optimal phase compensation control can sufficiently inhibit the modal vibration.
Isolated corneal involvement by Lichen Planus - multi-modal evaluation
Authors: Leitão Miguel , Cabral Diogo
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To describe a case of ocular Lichen Planus, successfully managed using a multimodal evaulation, including Anterior Segment OCT (AS-OCT).

Observations

A female patient in her forties with a history of cutaneous Lichen Planus presents with blurred vision and burning eye sensation. Anterior segment evaluation revealed bilateral punctate keratitis, stromal haze and subepithelial pigmented dots. AS-OCT was pivotal for diagnosis, showing anterior stromal hyperreflective dots. A diagnosis of ocular Lichen Planus was estabilished and the patient was treated with topical hydrocortisone, with complete subsidence of the complaints.

Conclusions and Importance

Ocular Lichen Planus can present as isolated corneal involvement independent from severe cicatrizing conjunctivitis. Appropriate and timely treatment can prevent irreversible ocular surface disease. Ophthalmologists should be aware of Lichenoid Tissue Reaction (LTR) disorders, especially in patients with relentless blepharitis and/or ocular surface disease.
DCR preferences among oculoplastic surgeons: Barriers and facilitators to adoption of endoscopic DCR
Authors: Alturkistany Walaa , Allen Richard , Aloqab Aysha , Schellini Silvana , Yuen Hunter , Strianese Diego , Althaqib Rawan N. , Alsulaiman Hamad M.
Published: May 2023

Objective

To determine the preference for dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), patient selection criteria for endoscopic DCR, endoscopic DCR technique, and barriers to adoption of endoscopic DCR.

Method

Cross-sectional study conducted from May-December 2021. A survey was sent to oculoplastic surgeons. Questions on demographic characteristics, type of clinical practice, technique preferences, barriers and facilitators to adoption of endoscopic DCR were included.

Results

245 participants completed the survey. Most respondents were located at an urban site (84%), were in private practice (66%), and had been in practice for more than 10 years (58.9%). Sixty one percent perform external DCR as the first line procedure for treating primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The most common factor influencing the surgeon's decision to perform endoscopic DCR was the patient's request (37%) followed by endonasal exam (32%). The most common barrier for not performing endoscopic DCR was the lack of experience and lack of training during fellowship (42%). The most worrisome complication for most respondents was failure of the procedure (48%), followed by bleeding (30.3%). Eighty one percent believe surgical mentorship and supervision during initial cases would facilitate endoscopic DCR learning.

Conclusions

External Dacryocystorhinostomy is the preferred technique for treating primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Learning endoscopic DCR early during fellowship training and high surgical volume to improve the learning curve dramatically impacts the adoption of the procedure.
Ethnic Media, Diversity and Settlement: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Budarick John
Published: May 2023

This article examines the role of migrant media and communication in the long- and short-term settlement experiences of migrants through interviews with community leaders from seven migrant communities in South Australia. Bringing together literature on ethnic media and migrant settlement, multiple, interacting and overlapping forms of communication are incorporated into the analysis. These including traditional ethnic media, digital media and face-to-face communication. It is argued that the role of communication is best understood when migrants are taken as active ‘achievers and consumers’ who still face challenges to settlement. The results show the importance of migrant-controlled communication in providing a granular and tailored approach in which migrants are able to shape and determine the communication forms that best serve their needs. However, the paper also demonstrates the impact internal differences have on experiences of communication.
Multi-level political change: Assessing electoral volatility in 58 European regions (1993-2022)
Authors: Vampa Davide
Published: May 2023

In recent years, increasing attention has been devoted to electoral turmoil associated with the emergence of new political actors or the crisis of established parties at national level. However, in multi-level systems, transformations have also affected sub-national politics. This article seeks to understand some hitherto unexplored aspects of political change in regional party systems. Change is linked to the concept of instability and operationalized in terms of electoral volatility. To account for the fact that instability may be driven by distinct regional and national pressures coexisting in regional elections, a new measure of volatility has been developed. It is disaggregated into two territorial components: ‘Region-specific volatility’ (RSV) and ‘Region-transcending volatility’ (RTV). RSV refers to changes in electoral support for political parties competing exclusively in one region, while RTV is calculated for parties that ‘transcend’ regional boundaries – i.e. they are electorally active in several/all regions of a country or are part of institutionalized inter-regional networks. By applying this new measure to 385 elections in 58 European regions, this article shows that levels and types of instability have varied significantly over time, across regions and across countries. This may also account for different developments in territorial politics observed in Western Europe.
Review of spatial disability in individuals with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder: Toward spatial cognition theory
Authors: Nejati Vahid , Khoshroo Saba , Mirikaram Fatemeh
Published: May 2023

Spatial cognition is the ability to detect, process, integrate, and formulate the spatial aspects of the environment. Spatial abilities, as perceptual doorway of information processing, influence on higher cognitive functions. This systematic review aimed to explore impaired spatial ability in individuals with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD). The data from 18 empirical experiments that explored at least one factor of spatial ability in individuals with ADHD was collected in accordance with the PRISMA approach. This study discussed several determinants of impaired spatial ability, including factors, domains, tasks, and measures of spatial ability. Furthermore, the impact of age, gender, and comorbidities are discussed. Finally, a model was proposed to explain the impaired cognitive functions in children with ADHD based on spatial abilities.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction for autistic adults: A feasibility study in an outpatient context
Authors: Agius Hanna , Luoto Anne-Kristina , Backman Anna , Eriksdotter Carina , Jayaram-Lindström Nitya , Bölte Sven , Hirvikoski Tatja
Published: May 2023

Autistic adults report high stress and impaired ability to cope with stressors. Mindfulness-based stress reduction targets individual’s own resources to regulate stress responses. An open feasibility study was conducted in an outpatient context, recruiting autistic adults without intellectual disability. The intervention, guided by trained mindfulness-based stress reduction teachers, followed the contents of the standard manual while adapting the delivery to autistic adults’ needs. The total sample comprised of N = 50 participants; N = 43 (86%) attended at least one session, and N = 34 of these (79%) completed the intervention. Participants found mindfulness-based stress reduction logical, likely to lead to improvement and recommendable to autistic peers. No serious adverse events were reported. Measures of preliminary effectiveness indicated reduced symptoms of stress ( p < 0.001; d = 0.51) and improved stress-coping skills ( p = 0.017; d = 0.43) from pre- to post-intervention, as well as a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression. No changes were observed in mindful attention awareness, life satisfaction, or acceptance of the autism diagnosis. The data suggest that mindfulness-based stress reduction is a feasible and acceptable intervention for autistic adults in an outpatient setting. Further investigation in randomized clinical trials is warranted (Clinical Trials, clinicaltrials.gov, registration no. NCT05244265).

Lay abstract

Autistic adults report high stress levels and difficulties dealing with everyday stressors. Mindfulness-based stress reduction groups aim to help regulate stress responses. We asked 50 autistic adults, without intellectual disability, to participate in a study of mindfulness-based stress reduction. The group program was made accessible through clear group leader communication and good program predictability, as well as reduced exposure to disturbing sensory stimuli. The mindfulness and yoga based exercises from the original mindfulness-based stress reduction program were included. The participants were positive and would even recommend an autistic friend to participate in a mindfulness-based stress reduction group. They reported that mindfulness-based stress reduction could lower symptoms of stress and improved stress coping. We still need to investigate these effects further in larger studies. The findings of this work show that mindfulness-based stress reduction groups can be adapted for autistic adults and that the participants overall were positive to the intervention and the group format.
Navigating ambivalence: A qualitative study of young fitness self-trackers’ engagement with body ideals through social media
Authors: Stage Carsten , Bach Nielsen Stinne
Published: May 2023

This article explores how social media are involved in imagining and sensing body ideals among young fitness self-trackers in Denmark (age 15–24). The analysis is based on 20 interviews and contributes to existing research on social media, body image and self-tracking by showing that social media are central for the fitness practices of the participants, but also that gaining access to practical knowledge, motivational material and visual goals seem to be more important motivations for social media use than personal sharing and interaction. Social media are furthermore understood by the participants as unavoidable, but ambivalent terrains in the sense that cognitive and affective benefits, like knowledge or motivation, can only be accessed and felt by handling the risk of also encountering misinformation and demotivating images of idealised or deceptive bodies. The informants legitimise their engagement with social media by positioning themselves as mature media users able to navigate social media through practices of content dis/engagement. The ambivalence of social media is in other words experienced as both ‘elemental’ and ‘curatable’ by the informants; an experience that stresses the need to question the traditional conceptualisation of ambivalence as an inhibition of personal agency and will formation.
Salt enrichment and its deterioration in earthen sites in Emperor Qin’s Mausoleum Site Museum, China
Authors: Xia Yin , Fu Fei , Wang Jiayi , Yu Chuck Wah , Gu Zhaolin
Published: May 2023

Salt enrichment in the topsoil, owing to one-way migration of moisture from earthen sites to air environment, is an important inducement to weathering of sites and relics, such as efflorescence, recess, slice-peeling, which becomes the most important challenge to the preservation of unearthed sites and relics. Further, salt enrichments in the topsoil of undulating earthen sites are usually inhomogeneous such that it is difficult to precisely prevent the deterioration from happening of salt enrichment in the topsoil. A case study of salt enrichment at the K9901 funerary pit of Emperor Qin’s Mausoleum Site Museum was conducted by soil column experiment and numerical simulation. The water and salt transport in the earthen sites were simulated and analyzed by HYDRUS software. The simulation of the salt enrichment process at the earthen sites demonstrated that the enrichment of soluble salt ions mainly occurs on the surface of rammed earth and increases annually; the salt damage at the earthen sites can be effectively delayed by taking an environmental control measure. These results provide a reference for the prevention of salt damage at earthen sites and facilitate the daily management of earthen sites.
Dynamical analysis of a vertical excited pendulum using He’s perturbation method
Authors: Galal Abdallah A , Amer TS , Amer Wael S , Elkafly Heba Ali
Published: May 2023

The current paper investigates the nonlinear dynamics of an excited pendulum by a crank-shaft-slider mechanism (CSSM), in which it is restricted to move vertically. He’s method of homotopy is employed to obtain the analytical solution of the governing differential equation. The numerical solution of this equation is obtained using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method (RKM). The comparison between both solutions demonstrates a high level of consistency, which confirms the precision of the gained analytic solution. The graphical representations of these solutions are presented to reveal the influence of various parameters on the investigated motion.
On society’s reachability, representability, and ability for dialogue: Exploring the interrelation between journalism and social cohesion
Authors: Reimer Julius , Albert Verena , Loosen Wiebke
Published: May 2023

In politics and academia, but also in the broader public, there has been wide discussion concerning a sense of dwindling social cohesion most markedly in liberal democracies. One of the virulent questions in this context is the role journalism plays and the common notion that journalism can strengthen or weaken cohesion. However, there is no shared understanding of whether and how journalism or journalistic reporting influence cohesion and whether and in what way journalism is at all responsible for strengthening a society’s cohesion. Against this background, we conducted four group discussions with a total of 21 experts from the fields of journalism, academia, and ‘cohesion practice’ in order to understand how different actors inside and outside the field of journalism view the relationship between social cohesion and journalism. The analysis reveals that there are no systematic differences between the views of these three expert groups. Nonetheless, the many facets of and different perspectives on the topic are fundamentally ambivalent. This is because the interrelation between journalism and social cohesion is characterized by tensions and trade-offs in and between three dimensions: society’s reachability, representability, and ability for dialogue. This also means that journalists need to balance these tensions time and again and, generally, a society continuously negotiates the interrelation between journalism and cohesion. In modern societies, journalism itself is a forum in which this negotiation takes place; and the fact that it takes place already contributes to cohesion, but can also compromise it.
Development of a fractal engine simulation model in a multidimensional simulation for the cold start process of a gasoline direct injection engine
Authors: Li Delong , Hu Jinghu , Hall Matthew , Matthews Ron
Published: May 2023

A fractal engine simulation (FES) sub-model was integrated into three-dimensional simulations for modeling turbulent combustion for a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine. The FES model assumes that the effects of turbulence on flame propagation are to wrinkle and stretch the flame, and fractal geometry is used to predict the surface area increase and thus the turbulent burning velocity. Different formulas for the four sequential stages of combustion in SI engines are proposed to account for the changing effects of turbulence throughout the combustion process. However, most prior studies related to the FES model were quasi-dimensional simulations, with few found in multi-dimensional studies, and none under cold start conditions or stratified charges. This paper describes how the model was implemented into multidimensional simulations in CONVERGE CFD, and what the formulas are in the four sequential stages of combustion in SI engines. The capabilities of the FES model for simulating the cold start cases, under the conditions of the dramatically changing engine speed and mixture stratification in a complex engine geometry, are presented in this study. The FES model was able to not only simulate the steady-state cases with constant engine speed, but also predict the in-cylinder pressure traces in all four cylinders for the very first firing cycle with transient engine speed, and gave good agreement with the experimental measurements under these extremely transient conditions. The uncertain maximum fractal dimension was chosen as 2.37 in this research, and a simple linear correlation with engine speed was used to obtain the coefficient used in calculating the kernel formation time which controls the so-called combustion or ignition delay.
A pattern-recognition-based clustering method for non-invasive diagnosis and classification of various gastric conditions
Authors: Maity Abhijit , Bhattacharya Sayoni , Mahato Anil C , Chaudhuri Sujit , Pradhan Manik
Published: May 2023

Conventional endoscopic biopsy tests are not suitable for early detection of the acute onset and progression of peptic ulcer as well as various gastric complications. This also limits its suitability for widespread population-based screening and consequently, many people with complex gastric phenotypes remain undiagnosed. Here, we demonstrate a new non-invasive methodology for accurate diagnosis and classification of various gastric disorders exploiting a pattern-recognition-based cluster analysis of a breathomics dataset generated from a simple residual gas analyzer-mass spectrometry. The clustering approach recognizes unique breathograms and “breathprints” signatures that clearly reflect the specific gastric condition of an individual person. The method can selectively distinguish the breath of peptic ulcer and other gastric dysfunctions like dyspepsia, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease patients from the exhaled breath of healthy individuals with high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, the clustering method exhibited a reasonable power to selectively classify the early-stage and high-risk gastric conditions with/without ulceration, thus opening a new non-invasive analytical avenue for early detection, follow-up, and fast population-based robust screening strategy of gastric complications in the real-world clinical domain.
Development of a novel, robust, near-shore, wave energy converter for energy security in remote communities
Authors: Nicholls-Lee Rachel
Published: May 2023

This work aimed to test the feasibility, both experimentally and numerically, of a novel concept for a robust Wave Energy Converter (WEC) operating in the near-shore region. The converter uses a series of non-return valves, constrained by a tapered pipe, where the incoming wave builds up pressure in each compartment and finally drives a turbine onshore with the pressurised water. The device is aimed at remote communities, to gain energy security and reduce dependence on imports. The device facilitates local engagement, and it is intended that local people are trained to perform most maintenance tasks using low cost, readily available, parts. This work assessed the feasibility of the WEC through physical testing, the results of which were compared to initial numerical models. The device was shown to capture energy and, through a case study of Ushant Island off the coast of France, was shown to have the potential to become part of the future energy mix for remote communities.
A comprehensive diagnosis method of valve leakage faults based on bi-sensor information fusion
Authors: Liu Zhengjie , Ning Hao , Wu Mengmeng , Mu Weilei , Liu Guijie
Published: May 2023

Acoustic emission (AE) signals caused by valve leakage exhibit obvious nonlinearity and nonstationarity characteristics. Due to the limitations of traditional valve leakage diagnosis methods, it is difficult to distinguish between internal and external valve leakage failures effectively. Recognizing this challenge, a comprehensive valve leakage diagnosis method based on a multichannel fusion convolutional neural network (MCFCNN) is proposed. First, AE signals are converted from one-dimensional time-domain signals to two-dimensional time–frequency images by the time–frequency analysis method. Then, the time–frequency images are used as model inputs, and MCFCNN fuses the features of time–frequency images from two different position. Hence, a new comprehensive diagnosis method for the bi-sensor fusion contains the time–frequency information, modal information, and position information of valve leakage is proposed. Subsequently, the effectiveness of the proposed method was verified through valve leakage simulation experiments. Furthermore, in order to study the impact of modal information on identifying internal and external valve leakage faults, the fault prediction performance of MCFCNN was compared and analyzed using short-time Fourier transform (STFT) and time-reassigned synchrosqueezing transform (TSST). Finally, according to the needs of engineering practice, the impact of sampling length on different methods is studied. The results show that compared to STFT–MCFCNN, TSST–MCFCNN required a shorter sampling length with the same diagnostic accuracy, which means that the method proposed in this study can achieve faster response time for ball valve leakage under conventional leakage flow rates.
Electoral Competition and Strategic Intra-Coalition Oversight in Parliament: The Case of the Bipolar Belgian Polity
Authors: de Vet Benjamin
Published: May 2023

Although research has highlighted how parties use parliamentary tools to monitor coalition partners and ensure that they loyally execute compromises, the role of electoral competition in intra-coalition oversight is less well documented. Do coalition parties actually ‘police the bargain’ or do they rather use their tools to publicly target and potentially discredit parties with whom they will eventually compete for votes? Although generally difficult to disentangle, this study focuses on the unique Belgian polity, where Flemish and francophone parties govern together in a federal cabinet but compete electorally in two separate party systems. Multivariate analyses of MPs’ use of parliamentary questions between 1995 and 2018 (N = 30,661) confirm that coalition partners are particularly scrutinized when they are ideologically distant or control salient portfolios. Contrary to expectations, however, electoral competitors are not targeted more intensively, nor does direct electoral competition decrease the relative importance of ideological divisiveness or issue salience. These findings provide new insights into how and to what extent parliaments serve as arenas for intra-coalition governance.
A View from the Top (Dog): Intersections of Incarceration, Motherhood, and Trauma on Foxtel’s Wentworth
Authors: DeCarvalho Lauren J. , Martínez-Carrillo Nadia
Published: May 2023

In this essay, we extend conversations around motherhood depictions in popular culture to women inmates on television. Specifically, we explore intersections of incarceration, motherhood, trauma, and power on Foxtel’s Wentworth (2013–2021) through the character of Bea Smith. We investigate her journey to Top Dog status—analyzing how these intersections propel her to that highest authority position in prison, while also unpacking why they contribute to her losing that coveted position. We argue that Bea’s trauma morphs her into what D’Amore calls a “vigilante feminist,” who uses violence to protect herself and others. However, Wentworth shows the complicated nature of how trauma operates with motherhood as it intersects with incarceration and power in that Bea’s journey is not a straight one. Instead, Bea shifts away from the role of vigilante feminist at times, opting in favor of using violence for pure revenge.
Focused Ultrasound and Ultrasound Stimulated Microbubbles in Radiotherapy Enhancement for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Leong Kai Xuan , Sharma Deepa , Czarnota Gregory J.
Published: May 2023

Radiation therapy (RT) has been the standard of care for treating a multitude of cancer types. However, ionizing radiation has adverse short and long-term side effects which have resulted in treatment complications for decades. Thus, advances in enhancing the effects of RT have been the primary focus of research in radiation oncology. To avoid the usage of high radiation doses, treatment modalities such as high-intensity focused ultrasound can be implemented to reduce the radiation doses required to destroy cancer cells. In the past few years, the use of focused ultrasound (FUS) has demonstrated immense success in a number of applications as it capitalizes on spatial specificity. It allows ultrasound energy to be delivered to a targeted focal area without harming the surrounding tissue. FUS combined with RT has specifically demonstrated experimental evidence in its application resulting in enhanced cell death and tumor cure. Ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles have recently proved to be a novel way of enhancing RT as a radioenhancing agent on its own, or as a delivery vector for radiosensitizing agents such as oxygen. In this mini-review article, we discuss the bio-effects of FUS and RT in various preclinical models and highlight the applicability of this combined therapy in clinical settings.
Predicting Motor Outcomes Using Atlas-Based Voxel Features of Post-Stroke Neuroimaging: A Scoping Review
Authors: Yoo Ji-Hun , Chong Benjamin , Barber Peter Alan , Stinear Cathy , Wang Alan
Published: May 2023

Background

Atlas-based voxel features have the potential to aid motor outcome prognostication after stroke, but are seldom used in clinically feasible prediction models. This could be because neuroimaging feature development is a non-standardized, complex, multistep process. This is a barrier to entry for researchers and poses issues for reproducibility and validation in a field of research where sample sizes are typically small.

Objectives

The primary aim of this review is to describe the methodologies currently used in motor outcome prediction studies using atlas-based voxel neuroimaging features. Another aim is to identify neuroanatomical regions commonly used for motor outcome prediction.

Methods

A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol was constructed and OVID Medline and Scopus databases were searched for relevant studies. The studies were then screened and details about imaging modality, image acquisition, image normalization, lesion segmentation, region of interest determination, and imaging measures were extracted.

Results

Seventeen studies were included and examined. Common limitations were a lack of detailed reporting on image acquisition and the specific brain templates used for normalization and a lack of clear reasoning behind the atlas or imaging measure selection. A wide variety of sensorimotor regions relate to motor outcomes and there is no consensus use of one single sensorimotor atlas for motor outcome prediction.

Conclusion

There is an ongoing need to validate imaging predictors and further improve methodological techniques and reporting standards in neuroimaging feature development for motor outcome prediction post-stroke.
The Resolution Passed, Now What? A Superintendent’s Commitment to Racial and Social Justice and the Complexities of a Police-Free Schools’ Resolution
Authors: Wiley Kathryn E. , Starr Joshua P.
Published: May 2023

Following a wave of racial justice activism during the summer of 2020, nearly 40 school districts passed resolutions ending the use of law enforcement in schools. In such districts, school superintendents then faced the challenge of implementing these “police-free schools’ resolutions,” while sometimes encountering strong resistance, from White parents and community members in particular. This case explores the challenges of implementing a police-free schools’ resolution through the perspective of a White superintendent committed to anti-racism and social justice in a fictitious district called Union Public Schools. Informed by real events, the authors invite education leaders to articulate their stance and strategy as it relates to anti-racist leadership, law enforcement in schools, and White resistance to equity-oriented policy change.
Identifying ex vivo acute ischemic stroke thrombus composition using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Darcourt Jean , Brinjikji Waleed , François Olivier , Giraud Alice , Johnson Collin R. , Patil Smita , Staessens Senna , Kadirvel Ramanathan , Mohammaden Mahmoud H , Pisani Leonardo , Rodrigues Gabriel Martins , Cancelliere Nicole M , Pereira Vitor Mendes , Bozsak Franz , Doyle Karen , De Meyer Simon F , Messina Pierluca , Kallmes David , Cognard Christophe , Nogueira Raul G
Published: May 2023

Background

Intra-procedural characterization of stroke thromboemboli might guide mechanical thrombectomy (MT) device choice to improve recanalization rates. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been used to characterize various biological tissues in real time but has not been used in thrombus.

Objective

To perform a feasibility study of EIS analysis of thrombi retrieved by MT to evaluate: (1) the ability of EIS and machine learning to predict red blood cell (RBC) percentage content of thrombi and (2) to classify the thrombi as “RBC-rich” or “RBC-poor” based on a range of cutoff values of RBC.

Methods

ClotbasePilot was a multicentric, international, prospective feasibility study. Retrieved thrombi underwent histological analysis to identify proportions of RBC and other components. EIS results were analyzed with machine learning. Linear regression was used to evaluate the correlation between the histology and EIS. Sensitivity and specificity of the model to classify the thrombus as RBC-rich or RBC-poor were also evaluated.

Results

Among 514 MT,179 thrombi were included for EIS and histological analysis. The mean composition in RBC of the thrombi was 36% ± 24. Good correlation between the impedance-based prediction and histology was achieved (slope of 0.9, R2  =  0.53, Pearson coefficient  =  0.72). Depending on the chosen cutoff, ranging from 20 to 60% of RBC, the calculated sensitivity for classification of thrombi ranged from 77 to 85% and the specificity from 72 to 88%.

Conclusion

Combination of EIS and machine learning can reliably predict the RBC composition of retrieved ex vivo AIS thrombi and then classify them into groups according to their RBC composition with good sensitivity and specificity.
Study on heat and moisture transfer characteristics of HPCMs
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Shi Xing , Jin Xing
Published: May 2023

Phase change materials (PCMs) could be used in envelopes to moderate indoor temperature while hygroscopic materials could be used in envelopes to moderate indoor humidity. However, it remains unsolved whether these two materials are mixed to generate a better effect than single materials. Therefore, a transient model for coupled heat and moisture transfer through hygroscopic PCMs (HPCMs) was presented. The numerical cases of periodic boundary conditions and realistic weather conditions were conducted to investigate the heat and moisture transfer characteristics of three gypsum-based HPCMs containing different mass ratios of microencapsulated PCMs. Quantitative analyses were conducted to capture the effects of hygrothermal properties on heat and moisture transfer characteristics of HPCMs. The numerical results show that the mixing of PCMs and hygroscopic materials could generate a better temperature-humidity controlling effect than pure hygroscopic material, and the condensation risks inside the envelopes could also be reduced. Both the studied cases indicate that the HPCMs could be applied in building envelopes to passively moderate the indoor temperature and humidity simultaneously, reducing the building energy consumption and condensation risks inside the envelopes. The effects of hygroscopic and moisture transfer properties on temperature-control performance of HPCMs are relatively small, while the thermal properties play an important role in the improvement of temperature-humidity controlling performance of HPCMs with the increase of PCM concentration.
Food monotony compromises photoperiod induced responses in migratory redheaded bunting
Authors: Yadav Anupama , Malik Shalie , Rani Sangeeta
Published: May 2023

Food is one of the key environmental factors affecting an organism’s behavior and physiology on daily and seasonal basis. Over the years, studies regarding human food habits and its subsequent impact on their behavior and physiology have been explored a lot but studies on same line are missing with reference to different animal taxa. Thus, in the present study, we investigated the impact of varied food availability over a monotonous food schedule on birds. We were interested in knowing how this treatment affects the birds’ behavior and physiology? The experiment was performed on migratory passerine finch; redheaded bunting ( Emberiza bruniceps), wherein two groups of bird ( N = 10 each) were taken. Group I (Kakuni group; KG) birds were fed only with seeds of Setaria italica (Kakuni) whereas group II (Mixed Diet group; MG) was provided with seeds of kakuni along with sesame seeds ( Sesamum indicum) and egg white, all three separately in different bowls. Results reveal that behaviorally, MG birds were more active with higher gross food intake when compared with KG. MG birds also had significant gain in body mass and testicular volume during the course of experiment, although, the accumulation of fat remained unchanged between the two groups. Thus, the study clearly demonstrates the motivation to eat and stay active besides being reproductively proficient in presence of varied food availability.
Mancunian Chinese Diaspora Organisations’ Response to Covid-19 – Studying the Societal Actors’ Perspective on Collaborative Governance in Crisis
Authors: Levy Katja
Published: May 2023

This article contributes to the emerging field of research on collaborative governance in crises. It asks how social organisations see their contribution of skills and expertise to tackling a wicked problem such as the Covid-19 pandemic. For this purpose, I interviewed representatives of ethnic Chinese organisations about their work and relationships with the local government in Manchester in 2020 and 2021. Ethnic Chinese organisations are an interesting group because they had early access to knowledge about the spread of the virus and its harmfulness. Collaboration with them could potentially have helped to contain the pandemic in the ethnic Chinese community in the city and beyond. Based on semi-structured interviews with representatives of ethnic Chinese organisations and applying the combined theoretical frameworks of social capital and collaborative governance theories, the study identifies five organisational types in terms of their involvement in collaborative governance efforts.
Single-cell RNA-sequence analysis of human bone marrow reveals new targets for isolation of skeletal stem cells using spherical nucleic acids
Authors: Matthews Elloise Z , Lanham Stuart , White Kate , Kyriazi Maria-Eleni , Alexaki Konstantina , El-Sagheer Afaf H , Brown Tom , Kanaras Antonios G , J West Jonathan , MacArthur Ben D , Stumpf Patrick S , Oreffo Richard OC
Published: May 2023

There is a wealth of data indicating human bone marrow contains skeletal stem cells (SSC) with the capacity for osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation. However, current methods to isolate SSCs are restricted by the lack of a defined marker, limiting understanding of SSC fate, immunophenotype, function and clinical application. The current study applied single-cell RNA-sequencing to profile human adult bone marrow populations from 11 donors and identified novel targets for SSC enrichment. Spherical nucleic acids were used to detect these mRNA targets in SSCs. This methodology was able to rapidly isolate potential SSCs found at a frequency of <1 in 1,000,000 in human bone marrow, with the capacity for tri-lineage differentiation in vitro and ectopic bone formation in vivo. The current studies detail the development of a platform to advance SSC enrichment from human bone marrow, offering an invaluable resource for further SSC characterisation, with significant therapeutic impact therein.