bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scarred by Your Employer? The Effect of Employers’ Strategies on the Career Outcomes of Non-Standard Employment
Authors: Mattijssen Lucille , Pavlopoulos Dimitris , Smits Wendy
Published: April 2022

In this article, we investigate how the strategies employers have for using non-standard employment – screening, workforce adaptability or cost reduction – affect the career outcomes of workers. To investigate this, we use multichannel sequence analysis to produce a typology of employment and income trajectories of workers with non-standard contracts in the Netherlands. The results show that workers starting employment in firms that use non-standard employment as a screening device are most likely to have careers with high levels of employment security. Strong scarring effects on the career are only found for workers who start employment in firms with cost reduction strategies.
Vaccine and Psychological Booster: Factors Associated With Older Adults’ Compliance to the Booster COVID-19 Vaccine in Israel
Authors: Ben-David Boaz M. , Keisari Shoshi , Palgi Yuval
Published: April 2022

Israel became the first country to offer the booster COVID-19 vaccination. The study tested for the first time the role of sense of control (SOC) due to vaccinations, trust and vaccination hesitancy (VH), and their association with compliance to the booster COVID-19 vaccine among older adults, during the first 2 weeks of the campaign. 400 Israeli citizens (≥ 6 years old), eligible for the booster vaccine, responded online. They completed demographics, self-reports, and booster vaccination status (already vaccinated, booked-a-slot, vaccination intent, and vaccination opposers). Multinomial logistic regression was conducted with pseudo R 2 = .498. Higher SOC and lower VH were related to the difference between early and delayed vaccination (booked-a-slot, OR = 0.7 [0.49‐0.99]; 2.2 [1.32‐3.62], intent OR = 0.6 [0.42‐0.98]; 2.7 [1.52‐4.86]), as well as to rejection ( OR = 0.3 [0.11‐0.89]; 8.5 [3.39‐21.16]). Increased trust was only related to the difference between early vaccinations and vaccine rejection ( OR = 0.3 [0.11‐0.89]). We suggest that SOC, as well as low VH, can be used as positive motivators, encouraging earlier vaccinations in older age.
Cost-effectiveness of future lockdown policies against the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gandjour Afschin
Published: April 2022

Aim: While the European Union (EU) has approved several COVID-19 vaccines, new variants of concern may be able to escape immunity. The purpose of this study is to project the cost-effectiveness of future lockdown policies in conjunction with a variant-adapted vaccine booster. The exemplary scenario foresees a 25% decline in the vaccine protection against severe disease. Methods: A decision model was constructed using, for example, information on age-specific fatality rates, intensive care unit (ICU) costs and outcomes, and herd protection threshold. The costs and benefits of a future lockdown strategy were determined from a societal viewpoint under three future scenarios—a booster shot’s efficacy of 0%, 50%, and 95%. Results: The cost-effectiveness ratio of a lockdown policy in conjunction with a booster dose with 95% efficacy is €44,214 per life year gained. A lockdown is cost-effective when the probability of approving a booster dose with 95% efficacy is at least 48% (76% when considering uncertainty in input factors). Conclusion: In this exemplary scenario, a future lockdown policy appears to be cost-effective if the probability of approving a variant-adapted vaccine booster with an efficacy of 95% is at least 48%.
What's in a Handshake? Multi-Faith Practice as a Starting Point for Christian Migration Ethics
Authors: Schmiedel Ulrich
Published: April 2022

This article assesses the tension between cosmopolitan and communitarian approaches to the ethics of migration by analysing how the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) has responded to the current so-called migration crisis in Europe. I argue that the statements of the EKD frame people on the move either as migrants or as Muslims. These frames come with competing ethical consequences. Whereas migrants are presented as passive victims in need of some form of support by Christians, Muslims are presented as active victimisers in need of some form of suppression by Christians. However, when the then chairman of the EKD shook hands with people on the move who were arriving at Munich station in the summer of 2015, the surplus of meaning communicated in this encounter demonstrated that these people cannot be reduced to their respective framing, thus resisting the construction of both the cosmopolitan migrant frame and the communitarian Muslim frame. Accordingly, I advocate for a re-conceptualisation of the theological ethics of migration which takes multi-faith practices, such as these handshakes, as a point of departure.
Analysis methodology of compatibility between motion control and mechanical architecture of a newly designed gantry virtual track train and the path-tracking control strategy
Authors: Leng Han , Ren Lihui , Ji Yuanjin
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to propose a gantry virtual track train (G-VTT) architecture and investigate the path-tracking control of it. Based on the decoupling control theory, the concept and judgment criterion of the path-tracking independence of the G-VTT was proposed to provide a method to analyzing the compatibility between motion control and mechanical architecture, and instructing the design of the architecture of the G-VTT that could realize autonomous path-tracking with simple control strategy. The controllability and observability of the path-tracking control system were discussed from the perspective of vehicle kinematics and the decouplibility of each tracking point's lateral motion and the path-tracking independence of the vehicle was proved. The distributed virtual driving (DVD) model based on self-adaptive preview PID algorithm was proposed to achieve independent path-tracking of each axle. This model consists of two parts: forward preview model based on the fractional calculus theory simulating the driver's visual field and the parameter self-tuning PID controller based on variable universe fuzzy control theory (VUF-PID controller). The effectiveness and adaptability of the DVD model were verified by co-simulation test. The results show that the VUF-PID controller has an excellent control performance and could realize the self-tuning of PID parameters effectively and could adapt to the noticeable hysteresis effect with the forward preview model introduced. Moreover, the VUF-PID controller could significantly improve the curve-passing stability of the G-VTT, and exhibits excellent adaptability to the traveling speed, curve radius, and vehicle payload. Even when the train travels under an adverse operating condition with lateral acceleration about 3.2m/s2, the maximum tracking error could still be kept below ±0.02 m.
Research on vehicle obstacle avoidance path planning based on APF-PSO
Authors: Wu Haixiao , Zhang Yong , Huang Linxiong , Zhang Jinning , Luan Zhongkai , Zhao Wanzhong , Chen Feng
Published: April 2022

The existing vehicle obstacle avoidance path planning methods generally aim at obtaining the collision-free path, ignoring the impact of the planned path on the vehicle stability in the obstacle avoidance process, so that the controlled vehicle has the risk of rollover in the obstacle avoidance process. To solve the above problems, a two-layer obstacle avoidance path planning algorithm considering path pre-planning and re-planning is proposed in this paper. In the path pre-planning layer, an improved APF algorithm with road boundary function constraints is proposed. By introducing the repulsion field adjustment factor, the shortcomings of GNRON and local optimization existing in the existing artificial potential field method are effectively solved. In the path re-planning layer, taking the rollover stability index as the constraint, a pre-planning result optimization method based on particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed. The simulation results show that the obstacle avoidance path planning algorithm proposed in this paper can not only generate the obstacle avoidance path in real-time, but also reduce the yaw rate and yaw angle of the main vehicle in the process of obstacle avoidance, and effectively improve the rollover stability of the vehicle in the process of obstacle avoidance.
Thermal entrance problem for blood flow inside an axisymmetric tube: The classical Graetz problem extended for Quemada’s bio-rheological fluid with axial conduction
Authors: Saeed Khan Muhammad Waris , Ali Nasir , Bég O Anwar
Published: April 2022

The heat-conducting nature of blood is critical in the human circulatory system and features also in important thermal regulation and blood processing systems in biomedicine. Motivated by these applications, in the present investigation, the classical Graetz problem in heat transfer is extended to the case of a bio-rheological fluid model. The Quemada bio-rheological fluid model is selected since it has been shown to be accurate in mimicking physiological flows (blood) at different shear rates and hematocrits. The steady two-dimensional energy equation without viscous dissipation in stationary regime is tackled via a separation of variables approach for the isothermal wall temperature case. Following the introduction of transformation variables, the ensuing dimensionless boundary value problem is solved numerically via MATLAB based algorithm known as bvp5c (a finite difference code that implements the four-stage Lobatto IIIa collocation formula). Numerical validation is also presented against two analytical approaches namely, series solutions and Kummer function techniques. Axial conduction in terms of Péclet number is also considered. Typical values of Reynolds number and Prandtl number are used to categorize the vascular regions. The graphical representation of mean temperature, temperature gradient, and Nusselt numbers along with detail discussions are presented for the effects of Quemada non-Newtonian parameters and Péclet number. The current analysis may also have potential applications for the development of microfluidic and biofluidic devices particularly which are used in the diagnosis of diseases in addition to blood oxygenation technologies.
Modified backstepping control of IPMSM: Experimental tests
Authors: Salah Nadji , Samira Benaicha , Moreau Sandrine
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new control technique for an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor that has been designed using a modified integral backstepping controller. This architecture consists of a nonlinear backstepping control scheme to achieve the purpose of speed tracking. Then the nonlinear controller based on the backstepping control scheme with the introduction of integral actions is designed for the IPMSM drive system. The suggested controller is not only designed to stabilize the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor system, but also to ensure that the speed tracking error converges asymptotically to zero in the existence of system uncertainties and external disturbances. The advantage of the suggested approach is that the proposed controller guarantees good tracking performance, reduces steady-state errors, robustness against all parameter uncertainties, and load torque disturbances in the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor system. A new speed control scheme for the design of the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor is being developed in this work. To show the feasibility of the suggested approach, the experiment is carried out with a real-time interface based on dSPACE. A comparison with the proportional-integral controller has been made. The results prove that the proposed backstepping controller has a rapid transient response and strong robustness for all disturbances under different conditions.
Comparison of clinical presentation and outcome of childhood-onset and adulthood-onset of systemic lupus erythematosus among Indonesian patients
Authors: Hamijoyo Laniyati , Sapartini Gartika , Rahmadi Andri R , Wachjudi Rachmat G , Dewi Sumartini , Ghrahani Reni , Praptama Suhendra , Rainy Nisa R , Usman Stefanie Y , Suryajaya Bernard S , Candrianita Sasfia , Sutedja Endang , Setiabudiawan Budi
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The clinical presentation of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is generally perceived to differ from that of adult-onset SLE.

Objective

We aimed to compare the demographic and clinical manifestation between childhood-onset vs. adult-onset SLE in a cohort of Indonesian patients at tertiary care centers.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients in the Hasan Sadikin Lupus Registry from 2008 until December 2017. The demographics, clinical presentations, and outcomes were compared between childhood-onset SLE (<18 years old) (Group 1) and adult-onset SLE (≥18 years old) (Group 2).

Results

Eight hundred seventy patients were involved into this study. The proportion of childhood-onset SLE was 20% (174 patients). The mean age of group 1 versus group 2 was 13.56 ± 3.04 vs 30.41 ± 8.54 years. The following clinical manifestations at SLE diagnosis were significantly more common in childhood-onset than in adult-onset SLE patients: hematological disorder ( p = 0.033) and arthritis ( p = 0.006). While discoid rash ( p = 0.036) and photosensitivity ( p < 0.001) were significantly found higher in adult-onset SLE. Cyclophosphamide therapy was significantly more common to be used in childhood-onset (38.5% vs 21.0%, p = <0.001). However, frequency of mortality on follow-up tended to be higher in childhood-onset group (11.5% vs 7.0%, p = 0.208).

Conclusion

Arthritis and hematologic involvements at SLE diagnosis were more prominent in childhood-onset compared to adult-onset patients, and mortality in childhood-onset SLE during follow-up relatively higher. This data may suggest the need for more aggressive management approach to childhood-onset patients with SLE.
CCL21 and IP10 as serum biomarkers for pulmonary involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Osman Haidy M , Omar Gihan M , Elameen Nadia F , Abdel-Nasser Ahmed M
Published: April 2022

Background

Although the significance of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the pathogenesis of SLE is well established, the findings showed diversity and implied that combining different biomarkers could be useful in monitoring disease activity or organ involvement. Despite the potentially high prevalence of lung involvement in SLE, only a few studies have investigated for lung biomarkers.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the value of Chemokine Ligand 21 (CCL 21) and Interferon gamma–induced protein 10 (IP10) as serum biomarkers for pulmonary involvement in SLE and their correlation with disease activity, organ involvement, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and chest CT findings.

Materials and methods

Sixty SLE patients and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled into this study. All patients underwent serological tests, PFTs, and chest CT examination. The serum levels of CCL21 and IP10 were analyzed, and their correlations with PFTs and CT were explored.

Results

SLE patients with pulmonary involvement had higher serum CCL21 and IP10 levels compared to those without pulmonary involvement which in turn had higher levels than the controls. There were strong negative correlations between CCL21 and IP10 and FEV1, FVC, and DLCO. There were also strong correlations between both biomarkers and HRCT and pulmonary damage, but no correlation with other disease manifestations. Serum level of 2095 pg/mL for CCL21 and 7185 pg/mL for IP10 could detect pulmonary involvement in SLE with a sensitivity of 83.7% and a specificity of 94.1%. Both biomarkers performed equally well in detecting SLE pulmonary involvement with a strong agreement between them (κ = 0.86, p < .001), but CCL21 was better correlated with PFT abnormalities.

Conclusion

Both CCL21 and IP10 are serum biomarkers to detect pulmonary involvement in SLE with high sensitivity and specificity. CCL21 correlates better with PFT abnormalities.
Understanding the Navigation Experience: Do Virtual Customer Service Agents Make a Difference?
Authors: Soares Ana Maria , Pinho José Carlos , Alves António
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study is to contribute to understanding website usage and loyalty and specifically whether the navigation experience varies with the presence of a virtual customer service agent (VCSA) on the website. Two online surveys were carried out with a random sample of 1,000 frequent flyers before and after the inclusion of the VCSA in an airline company website. Results are tested using partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modelling and importance–performance map analysis. Results show that perceived ease of use (PEU), perceived usefulness (PU), perceived visual attractiveness, perceived enjoyment and social presence impact website loyalty. In the website without the VCSA, usability variables (PU and PEU) and perceived visual attractiveness are the strongest antecedents of loyalty, while perceived visual attractiveness and social presence are the strongest predictors in the VCSA setting.
Analysis of Stakeholders’ Perception of the Role of Development Communication: Disturbing Tales from the Niger Delta
Authors: Alakwe Kizito Ogedi , Okpara Ngozi
Published: April 2022

Extant literature and critical observation indicate that the Niger Delta has grappled with developmental challenges for decades. The underdevelopment has often been referred to as a paradox in relation to the abundant natural resources domiciled in the region. This research is, therefore, initiated to explore the role communication plays in the development of the Niger Delta and most importantly, analyse the way the stakeholders perceive development communication. Leveraging a qualitative, exploratory and phenomenological approach and working with 53 participants drawn from 6 different communities in the Niger Delta, this study utilised focus group discussions and digital ethnography to extract answers to the research questions. Findings reveal a high level of dissonance between the people and the government, attributed to the style and forms of communication, and the apparent lack of participation of the people in developmental plans. The study argues that these result in a negative perception of communication from the government and other developmental agencies while affirming positively the centrality of the participatory model of development communication in the development of the region.
India and the Contemporary Global Order: Beyond Western Imaginations and Conceptualisations
Authors: Choudhary Ladhu R.
Published: April 2022

Shivshankar Menon, India and Asian Geopolitics: The Past, Present (Penguin, 2021). pp. 406, ₹699. ISBN: 9780670091294.

B. M. Jain, The Geopsychology Theory of International Relations in the 21st Century: Escaping the Ignorance Trap (Lexington Books, 2021). pp. 249, ₹8000. ISBN: 9781498573597.

Itty Abraham, How India Become Territorial: Foreign Policy, Diaspora, Geopolitics (Stanford University Press, 2014). pp. 207, ₹7628. ISBN: 0978804792684.
Dichotomy to Continuum: Importance of Faecal Sludge Management in Shaping Future Urban–Rural Linkages in Urbanizing India
Authors: Dasgupta Shubhagato , Agarwal Neha
Published: April 2022

Meeting the sanitation needs of a growing and urbanizing population in India led the incumbent national government to launch a large-scale sanitation programme, the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014. Having reduced the deficit in basic rural sanitation in its first phase, the programme is targeting to achieve universal safely managed sanitation in its second phase launched in February 2020. Since the trajectory to achieving safely managed sanitation is inherently path-dependent, the present article utilizes novel survey data from rural India to understand the nature of sanitation systems in transitioning spaces and identify the investments they require to provide safely managed sanitation. It finds that the de facto preference in sanitation systems that households manifest is in direct contrast to the governmental choice of the low-cost twin pit system. The choice of the on-site sanitation system is informed by the household’s economic status and how ‘characteristically’ urban the settlements they reside in are. The article further discusses the implications of these findings for the short-term responsiveness and long-term effectiveness of the massive sanitation investments (USD 19 billion) planned for the next five years in India.
Service-Learning in Undergraduate General Chemistry: A Review
Authors: Faulconer Emily , Kam C. J. Y.
Published: April 2022

Background: Service-learning is gaining recognition as a valuable pedagogy for students to gain both academic and psychosocial benefits. This high-impact practice allows students to achieve course learning objectives while contributing to their community's needs. A review from 2007 revealed a lack of research focused on the topic in the prior decade, despite the interest that was shown by the American Chemical Society in 2000. Purpose: This review of recent case studies on the topic provides future researchers and practitioners with an understanding of the current state of service-learning in undergraduate chemistry courses. Methodology/Approach: To create a representative sample of recent literature for a non-exhaustive scoping review, only peer-reviewed articles addressing service-learning in undergraduate chemistry, published in reliable journals in the last two decades were included. These studies were analyzed in terms of course design, research design, and research quality. Findings/Conclusions: While the scoping review identified papers with notable contributions to establishing service-learning in undergraduate general chemistry, the review also identified several key gaps in the literature, including small sample size, reliance on subjective and indirect measures, and qualitative measures that exclude correlation analysis. Implications: Recommendations for future work for both practitioners and researchers are provided.
A PSO-based computational framework to design active noise cancelation systems for smart vehicle enclosures
Authors: Porghoveh Mojtaba , Heidari Shirazi Kourosh , Messia Antonio , Yildizdag M Erden
Published: April 2022

In this study, active noise cancelation (ANC) systems are developed by a computational optimization framework based on particle swarm optimization (PSO), aiming to attenuate engine noise inside smart cubic vehicle enclosures. To have rapid estimation of acoustic properties, the main PSO algorithm is coupled with an analytical solution based on modified modal interaction method to evaluate the cost function. The optimum configurations, i.e., best positions and volume velocities of secondary sound sources, are defined for each resonant frequency. For numerical simulations, two vehicle enclosures of different size are considered to assess the applicability of the optimization algorithm. The overall performance of determined ANC systems is investigated, and it is shown that substantial noise reduction is achieved.
Effect of classical and molecular production techniques on physical properties and volatile compounds of berry ice-creams
Authors: Aydın Mehmet , Özdemir Nilgün , Gün İlhan
Published: April 2022

This study aims to investigate some chemical, physical, textural, and aroma compounds properties of the ice-cream with berry fruits produced using classical and molecular ice-cream production techniques. No significant difference was determined between the pH, dry solid, fat, protein, ash amounts, and overrun of the samples. However, molecular ice-creams, in particular, have a softer structure since they contain tiny ice crystals, and the first dripping and full melting time was realized in less time. The effect of added fruit variety on the viscosity value of the samples was found to be significant. It was observed that the volatile compound profiles of the ice-creams were affected differently by ice-cream production techniques. The octanoic, hexanoic, and dodecanoic acid were high-value prominent compounds in all the ice creams. Furthermore, the 14 volatile compounds that are effective in the difference between the ice-creams and their production techniques were determined, which is more important in the ice cream aroma. This is the first study on the change of the volatile compounds, hence the aroma compound profile, in molecular ice-cream production technique. And, it was presented as an innovative approach. Therefore, it is thought to be shed new light on future studies.
Bullous Pemphigoid-Associated Mortality Rate in a Canadian Tertiary Referral Centre
Authors: Cyr Patrick , Lim Darosa , Caruana Marco , Pennou Camille , Lemieux Alexandre , Fortin Bernard , Bolduc Chantal
Published: April 2022

Background

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune blistering disorder in adults. Most individuals with BP are over the age of 60. Its worldwide incidence has been increasing owing to population aging. Observational studies published over the last 2 decades highlight the non-negligible, albeit variable overall mortality of BP patients, with reported 12-month mortality rates of 10.8% to 40.8%, and 24-month mortality rates of 20.1% to 51.0%. Data in the Canadian population are lacking.

Objectives

We aimed to estimate the 12- and 24-month overall mortality rate of Canadian patients diagnosed with BP, and to identify independent risk factors adversely impacting overall survival.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 166 patients with a diagnosis of BP between 2010 and 2020 was carried out at Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), a tertiary referral center in Montréal, Québec, Canada. Cumulative mortality was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier estimator, and independent prognostic factors were identified using a Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

Eighty-five patients (51.2%) in our study were female. The median age was 79.1 years old, and 80 patients (48.2%) were 80 years old or older. Mortality at 12 and 24 months in our study cohort was 16.2% (CI95% = 10.5 – 21.8) and 27.6% (CI95% = 20.5 – 34.7), respectively. In a multivariate analysis, patients who were male, 80 years old or older, and/or had a diagnosis of a major neurocognitive disorder had a poorer overall survival.

Conclusions

The all-cause mortality of patients with BP in our study population compared favorably with international data reported in the literature.
Long-term efficacy and safety of siponimod in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: Analysis of EXPAND core and extension data up to >5 years
Authors: Cree Bruce AC , Arnold Douglas L , Fox Robert J , Gold Ralf , Vermersch Patrick , Benedict Ralph HB , Bar-Or Amit , Piani-Meier Daniela , Rouyrre Nicolas , Ritter Shannon , Kilaru Ajay , Karlsson Goeril , Giovannoni Gavin , Kappos Ludwig
Published: April 2022

Background:

Siponimod significantly reduced the risk of confirmed disability progression (CDP), worsening in cognitive processing speed (CPS), relapses, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of brain atrophy and inflammation versus placebo in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) patients in the Phase 3 EXPAND study.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess long-term efficacy and safety of siponimod 2 mg/day from the EXPAND study including the extension part, up to > 5 years.

Methods:

In the open-label extension part, participants receiving placebo during the core part were switched to siponimod (placebo-siponimod group) and those on siponimod continued the same treatment (continuous siponimod group).

Results:

Continuous siponimod reduced the risk of 6-month CDP by 22% (hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 0.78 (0.66–0.92) p = 0.0026) and 6-month confirmed worsening in CPS by 23% (HR (95% CI): 0.77 (0.65–0.92) p = 0.0047) versus the placebo-siponimod group. Sustained efficacy on annualized relapse rate, total and regional brain atrophy, and inflammatory disease activity was also observed. No new, unexpected safety signals for siponimod were identified over the long term.

Conclusion:

The sustained efficacy and consistent long-term safety profile of siponimod up to > 5 years support its clinical utility for long-term treatment of SPMS. Benefits in the continuous siponimod versus placebo-siponimod group highlight the significance of earlier treatment initiation.

Trial registration number:

NCT01665144
Grounding evaluation capacity development in systems theory
Authors: Klier Sarah D. , Nawrotzki Raphael J. , Salas-Rodríguez Nataly , Harten Sven , Keating Charles B. , Katina Polinpapilinho F.
Published: April 2022

While “systemic thinking” is popular in the context of capacity development and evaluation, there is currently a lack of understanding about the benefits to employing systems theory in evaluation capacity development. Systems theory provides a useful orientation to the work involved in complex systems (e.g. national evaluation systems). This article illustrates how evaluation capacity development practitioners can use systems theory as a conceptual tool to gain a better understanding of the functional aspects and interrelationships present within a given evaluation system. Specifically, the systems theory perspective can help elucidate the reasons for the success or failure of a given evaluation capacity development program or activity. With the goal of motivating evaluation capacity development practitioners to use systems theory in their work, this article presents a systems theory framework for evaluation capacity development and offers practical examples of how it can be adopted.
Louver and window position effect on cross-ventilation in a generic isolated building: A CFD approach
Authors: Yazarlou Tayyebeh , Barzkar Esmaeil
Published: April 2022

Natural ventilation has been used to increase indoor air quality, remove pollutants, and remove heat absorbed in the building structure. Some architectural features such as wind-catcher systems are used to induce airflow into buildings, and openings equipped with louvers are employed to reduce solar daylight while allowing natural ventilation. Earlier studies on ventilated louvers and wind-catchers have shown the impact of the louvers’ opening positions and slat angles. However, their combination with each other has been less studied. This paper presents CFD simulations of cross-ventilation in a generic isolated building integrated with a one-sided roof-top wind-catcher and the outlet opening, both equipped with louvers for three different window opening positions. The isothermal 3D steady RANS equations were solved with the Standard k- ε method. The CFD simulations with CFX software were validated with the wind-tunnel experiments. The results show that the lowest dimensionless wind velocities inside the building were observed for the arrangement “Down” for both cases with and without louvers. In contrast, the highest air exchange efficiency and dimensionless wind velocities inside the building were measured for the arrangement “Up” for the case with louvers. This research can be considered as an architectural strategy to improve indoor natural cross-ventilation.
Constitutional metaphors: Facebook’s “supreme court” and the legitimation of platform governance
Authors: Cowls Josh , Darius Philipp , Santistevan Dominiquo , Schramm Moritz
Published: April 2022

Who governs—and who should govern—online communication? Social media companies, international organizations, users, or the state? And by what means? A range of rhetorical devices have been used to simplify the complexities associated with the governance of online platforms. This includes “constitutional metaphors”: metaphorical allusions to traditional political concepts such as statehood, democracy, and constitutionalism. Here, we empirically trace the ascent of a powerful constitutional metaphor currently employed in the news media discourse on platform governance: characterizations of Facebook’s Oversight Board (OB) as a “supreme court.” We investigate the metaphor’s descriptive suitability and question its normative and political ramifications. We argue that uncritical characterizations of the OB as Facebook’s “supreme court” obscure its true scope and purpose. In addition, we argue that appropriating the socio-cultural symbolism and hence political legitimacy of a supreme court and mapping it onto a different type of actor poses a threat to responsible platform governance.
Deformation processed high strength high conductivity Cu and Al matrix composite wires: An introductory review
Authors: Zafar Hafız Muhammad Numan , Nair Fehmi
Published: April 2022

Deformation processed wires are used in the fields which demand the combination of contradictory properties such as mechanical strength and electrical conductivity. For the last 4–5 decades, scientists have focused on fabricating Cu and Al matrix wires using various plastic deformation techniques. While the high electrical conductivity is ensured through mentioned elements, the strength is achieved by orderly employment of plastic deformation and various heat treatments for basically achieving microscale filamentary structure of reinforcing elements. However, the strict selection criteria of starting materials and contradicting nature of processing regime and expected properties require proper knowledge of materials-microstructure and fabrication-property correlations. This paper summarizes the manufacturing methods, processing parameters-microstructure interactions, consequential mechanical and electrical properties and finally, current, and potential applications of deformation processed bi-metallic composite wires. It will help engineers, through provided comparative analysis, choose appropriate processing routes and starting materials for the realization of high strength/conductivity wires as well as guide what to expect in terms of targeted properties.
A combined deep learning model for damage size estimation of rolling bearing
Authors: Xiyang Liu , Guo Chen , Tengfei Hao , Wenping Pan
Published: April 2022

The identification of damage sizes based on vibration monitoring data is significant in the study of fault evolution, prediction and diagnosis of rolling bearing. There are inherent restrictions in traditional identification models such as high dependence on prior knowledge and insufficient feature extraction, aiming at the limitation, a prediction method of rolling bearing damage size based on deep learning is proposed. In this paper, a combined model of deep convolutional long-short-term memory network is developed, which can sufficiently extract the multi-dimensional and time-series characteristics of bearing vibration signal, and realize the intelligent and efficient diagnosis of bearing fault. On the basis of theoretical analysis, the rolling bearing fault tests under various damage sizes and rotational velocities are carried out by using the accelerated fatigue testing machine for rolling bearings, and the traditional and novel methods are compared based on the test data. The results show that the prediction accuracy of the combined network can reach 99.94% and 98.67%, respectively under normal and noisy conditions, which is higher than the single deep convolution network, long-short-term memory network and other models. The comparison results amply demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method.
The untapped potential of physical activity monitoring for quality assurance of field-based walking tests in clinical respiratory trials
Authors: Orme Mark W , Pina Ilaria , Singh Sally J
Published: April 2022

Field-based walking tests are well-established outcome measures in clinical research trials and in the evaluation of routine clinical services, including pulmonary rehabilitation. Despite widespread use, there has been little attention to, or reporting of, the quality assurance of these tests. Physical activity monitoring has become increasingly popular and data from activity monitors could be used for quality assurance of field-based walking tests. We provide examples in this article of data-driven insights possible with this approach, using data from waist-worn accelerometry, for the incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT), endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT) and six-minute walk test (6MWT). Given the multitude of devices to measure physical activity and the range metrics to describe physical activity, we also comment on some of the technical considerations to using activity monitors for walking test quality assurance. Data-driven approaches to quality assurance are already commonplace for other outcome measures in clinical respiratory trials, but little is known about this approach for field-based walking tests. The application of physical activity monitoring may be extended to other field-based exercise tests and additional rehabilitation services. This may be more challenging for self-paced walking tests such as the 6MWT. Future work should apply this approach to research trials and service evaluations to explore the impact of field-based walking test quality on performance (e.g. distance on the ISWT or time achieved for the ESWT), responsiveness to interventions (e.g. pulmonary rehabilitation) and effectiveness of training procedures (e.g. remote training for multi-site trials).
Help-Seeking and Help-Related Experiences of Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis
Authors: Prior Ayelet , Shilo Guy , Peled Einat
Published: April 2022

This interpretive qualitative meta-synthesis (QMS) aims to systematically review what we know about the help-seeking and help-related experiences of commercially sexually exploited youth (CSEY). A comprehensive search of the relevant databases was conducted to identify published qualitative peer-reviewed papers and research reports about the experiences and perceptions of CSEY. A corpus of 34 qualitative studies was compiled and synthesized, using the conceptual framework of help-seeking and QMS guidelines. The QMS reveals that although help-seeking of CSEY are rarely the focus of the inquiry, the reviewed studies include meaningful information about help-related experiences of CSEY. Thus, the synthesis of the available data yields novel insights about how CSEY perceive their involvement in CSE, define the problems they deal with, decide to seek help, choose the proper help, and engage in helping relations. Particularly, the QMS underscores that CSEY do not always perceive their involvement in CSE as problematic, nor do they identify themselves as victims of exploitation. The findings highlight the significance of developing social services that specialize in helping CSEY, the importance of actively identifying CSEY and reaching out to them, and the need to enable CSEY to be involved in decisions about the extent and type of support they are provided.
The Impact of Health Literacy on Kidney Transplant Listing
Authors: Chen Gloria , Siahaan Jacob , Leon Novelo Luis , Rizvi Imran , De Golovine Aleksandra , Edwards Angelina , Pai Akshta , Dar Wasim A.
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Limited health literacy has been associated with poor health outcomes in the general population, but there have been few studies investigating the association between functional health literacy and kidney transplant listing. The primary objective of this study was to determine if functional health literacy was associated with kidney transplant listing after controlling for demographic, psychosocial, and medical variables, which were secondarily examined for correlation with transplant listing. Design: We retrospectively reviewed 423 kidney transplant candidates who were prospectively administered the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults during their transplant evaluation. Results: The functional health literacy scores were found to correlate with transplant listing (P = 0.013). Unexpectedly, a subset of patients (n = 14 out of 36) who had scores < 59 was still able to obtain approval for listing. The probability of approval decreased when functional health literacy scores ranged from 0 to 59 and increased when functional health literacy scores varied between 60 to 100. Multivariable analysis found transplant listing to also be associated with substance use (OR = 0.15, P < 0.001), ESKD etiology other than diabetes or hypertension (OR = 2.62, P < 0.001), time on dialysis (P = 0.012), and pace of transplant evaluation (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Functional health literacy was associated with kidney transplant listing. Programmatic interventions that can help overcome the impact of functional health literacy and improve access to transplantation should be explored.
Impact of Androgen Receptor Expression and the AR:ER Ratio on the Survival Outcomes in the Diverse Subgroups of Vietnamese Breast Cancer: A Single Institutional Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Phung Huyen Thi , Nguyen Chu Van , Mai Nhung Thi , Vu Ha Thi Ngoc , Pham Khoa Hong , Tran Giang Le
Published: April 2022

Background: The androgen receptor (AR) has recently emerged as a useful marker for the more favorable prognosis and better outcomes among women with estrogen receptor (ER) + ve breast cancer (BC) and the further refinement of BC subtype. Furthermore, AR expression in ER − ve tumors has a particular prognostic significance. Additionally, the ratio of nuclear AR to ER may critically have an influence on tumor biology and respond to endocrine therapy. Purpose: To define the AR expression and AR:ER ratio, and explored their correlation with the clinicopathological features, prognosis, and survival outcomes in the various subclasses of invasive BC. Methods: The current study was conducted on 522 BC patients who had surgical operations, without neoadjuvant chemotherapy by applying a retrospective cohort analysis. The clinicopathological characteristics were recorded. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on AR, ER, PR, HER2, and Ki67. Expression of AR was paired into different immunophenotypes for analysis with clinicopathological features and survival. All BC patients’ survival was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier and log-rank models. Results: The presence of AR was detected in 65.3%. Positive AR, the ratio of AR:ER<2, luminal androgen receptor (LAR) + and AR + HER2 + immunophenotypes were significantly associated with better prognostic features. AR:ER<2 was observed in the prolonged overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (87.9 and 86.2%, respectively) compared to AR:ER≥2 (25.0% in both) ( P < .001). In contrast, in HR + ve BCs, the AR expression was not significantly correlated with survival. The multivariate model revealed that the ratio of nuclear AR to ER remained as an independent prognostic variable. Conclusion: The AR expression had a distinct OS and DFS. The AR:ER ratio is an independent indicator for predicting the OS and DFS of BC patients in both univariate and multivariate analyses.
Case Study of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares in Children With and Without Trauma History
Authors: DeMarni Cromer Lisa , Pangelinan Brooke A. F. , Buck Tara R.
Published: April 2022

These case examples depict the adaptation of Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy (ERRT) for use with children. ERRT was developed for trauma-related nightmares in adults. The current study modified ERRT to be developmentally appropriate for children, incorporating child appropriate language, interactive activities, and parent coaching. The modified treatment, called cognitive-behavioral therapy for nightmares in children (CBT-NC), added additional stress-management components to further adapt the treatment for children with anxiety-related nightmares and no trauma history. These case studies describe the course of treatment for two girls whose nightmares had different etiologies—one experiencing trauma-related nightmares and the other experiencing idiopathic anxiety-related nightmares. This was the first application of CBT-NC for idiopathic nightmares. Both children responded positively to treatment, and treatment gains were maintained at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Improvements were seen not only for nightmare frequency and distress, but overall sleep also improved. Findings demonstrate that this adapted nightmare treatment for children is feasible and promising for nightmares in children, regardless of nightmare etiology.
Global, Regional, and National Levels and Trends in the Burden of Pressure Ulcer from 1990 to 2019: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease 2019
Authors: Yakupu Aobuliaximu , Wang Hanqi , Huang Lifang , Zhou Jingqi , Wu Fangyi , Lu Yong , Lu Shuliang
Published: April 2022

Pressure ulcer (PU) is a type of chronic ulcer, placing a high burden not only on patients’ families but also on national healthcare systems globally. To determine the level, trends, and burden of PU worldwide and to provide an essential foundation for building targeted public policies on PUs at the national, regional, and global levels, data on PU were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 Study. The incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and deaths of PUs in 204 countries and regions from 1990 to 2019 were calculated and stratified by sex, age, geographical location, and sociodemographic index (SDI). The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of incidence, DALYs, and deaths was calculated to evaluate the temporal trends. A total of 3,170,796 new cases (95% uncertainty interval (UI), 3,499,729–2,875,433 cases) of PU were identified globally in 2019, more than 55% of which were among male individuals, and most of the new cases were concentrated in those 75–90 years of age. The burden of PU measured in DALYs was 481 423 (95% UI, 583 429-374 334) in 2019, 73% and 27% of which could be attributed to years of life lost (YLLs) and years lived with disability (YLDs), respectively. The burden increased gradually from 1990 to 2019 (from 267 846 [360 562-211 024] to 481 423 [95% UI, 583 429-374 334]). A total of 24 389 deaths were attributed to PU (95% UI, 31 260.82-17 299). The EAPC of incidence, DALYs, and deaths were negative in most regions, the age-standardized rate (ASR) of incidence, DALYs, and deaths were considered to be decreasing in most of the regions, and the EAPCs were negatively correlated with the SDI levels, universal health coverage (UHC), and gross domestic product (GDP), which shows that the ASRs of PU decreased as the economy developed and countries’ healthcare system performances improved.
Simulating time-to-event data from parametric distributions, custom distributions, competing-risks models, and general multistate models
Authors: Crowther Michael J.
Published: April 2022

In this article, I describe some substantial extensions to the survsim command for simulating survival data. survsim can now simulate survival data from a parametric distribution, a custom or user-defined distribution, a fitted merlin model, a specified cause-specific hazards competing-risks model, or a specified general multistate model (with multiple timescales). Left-truncation (delayed entry) is now also available for all settings. I illustrate the survsim command with some examples, demonstrating the huge flexibility that can be used to better evaluate statistical methods.
A toolbox for measuring heterogeneity and efficiency using zonotopes
Authors: Cococcioni Marco , Grazzi Marco , Li Le , Ponchio Federico
Published: April 2022

In this work, we describe the new command zonotope, which, by resorting to a geometry-based approach, provides a measure of productivity that fully accounts for the existing heterogeneity across firms within the same industry. The method we propose also enables assessment of the extent of multidimensional heterogeneity with applications to fields beyond that of production analysis. Finally, we detail the functioning of the software to perform the related empirical analysis, and we discuss the main computational issues encountered in its development.