bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social causes and outcomes of acute transient psychotic disorder: A review of recent evidence
Authors: Carden John , Huxley Peter John , Poole Robert , Robinson Catherine , Salmoiraghi Alberto , Foulkes Joanne , Davies Sioned , Williams Seimon , Morris Nia , Meudell Alan
Published: September 2022

Background:

Reports of increasing presentations of new cases of acute psychosis both locally, nationally and internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic, warranted further investigation. International case reports almost exclusively reported only clinical outcome (e.g. remission of psychotic symptoms), and fail to report on social precipitants or social outcomes. This is a common omission when investigating new psychosis cases such as acute and transient psychotic disorder (ATPD). In order to assess social impacts and outcomes, we conducted a rapid review of recent evidence.

Aims:

To conduct a rapid review of the recent evidence of social outcomes on new cases of psychosis emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method:

Four databases (Medline, Embase, Psychinfo and Cochrane COVID-19) were searched for ATPD, psychosis and social outcomes in adults aged 18+. Duplicates were removed. There were no language limitations. Results: There were 24 papers consisting of 18 original data research papers and 6 reviews. Additionally, 33 papers/letters, reporting on 60 individual cases of psychosis emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic. These two sets of papers were reviewed separately. Many original data research papers and reviews were sub optimal in their quality, with 44% online surveys, with the remainder being routinely collected data.

Conclusion:

There is a consensus that clinical outcomes of ATPD and other brief psychotic disorders (BPD) are good in the short term. The focus only on symptomatic clinical presentation and outcomes, leaves a gap in our understanding regarding social stressors and longer term social outcomes. ATPD and BPD often may not come to the attention of Early Intervention in Psychosis services, and if they do, are discharged following symptomatic remission. Without an understanding of the social stress factors and social outcomes, opportunities may be missed to prevent increased social disability and future relapse with these presentations.
Jatobá wood flour: An alternative for the production of ecological and sustainable PCL biocomposites
Authors: Barreto Luna Carlos Bruno , dos Santos Filho Edson Antonio , Siqueira Danilo Diniz , de Souza Dayanne Diniz , Ramos Wellen Renate Maria , Araújo Edcleide Maria
Published: September 2022

The industrial residue of Jatobá wood flour (JWF) was reused during production of biocomposites based on polycaprolactone (PCL), 50% by weight of JWF was added to PCL matrix. Initially, maleic anhydride-grafted polycaprolactone compatibilizer (PCL-g-MA) was synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and degree of grafting. Afterwards, PCL/JWF and PCL/JWF/PCL-g-MA biocomposites were processed in an internal mixer and injection molded. From the gathered results, increase in torque and reduction in the melt flow index of PCL/JWF biocomposites were verified related to neat PCL. Upon addition of PCL-g-MA to PCL/JWF there was a lubricating effect with reduced torque and increased fluidity. PCL/JWF displayed increased elastic modulus, Shore D hardness, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) around 158.5%, 16% and 24.5%, respectively, related to PCL. Nevertheless, there was decline in tensile strength and impact strength, which were improved in PCL/JWF/PCL-g-MA, suggesting higher interaction among phases, providing greater stress transfer. An interesting finding was the nucleating effect of JWF in PCL matrix, as the increased degree of crystallinity and accelerated crystallization. Morphology of PCL/JWF evidenced several voids, but upon compatibilization with PCL-g-MA, the interfacial adhesion and wetness increased, improving the mechanical properties. JWF reusing presents great potential to produce sustainable biocomposites, reducing the final product costs.
Perpetrators’, Victims’, and Witnesses’ Folk Explanations of Aggressive Behaviors
Authors: McCarthy Randy J. , Jensen Audra P. , Wilson Jared P. , Rivers Alison K.
Published: September 2022

Unsurprisingly, victims and perpetrators often view aggressive behaviors differently. The current study examined whether victims, perpetrators, and witnesses also explained aggressive behaviors differently. The current study included 408 participants who recalled a time when they harmed another person (i.e., perpetrator memory), when another person harmed them (i.e., victim memory), and when they witnessed an aggressive behavior (i.e., witness memory). Replicating past research, participants rated their recalled aggressive behaviors from the victim perspective as being more harmful and less justified than they did for their recalled behaviors from the perpetrator perspective. When examining their explanations for the behaviors, participants most often explained their own aggressive behaviors by referring to their mental deliberations that led to their behavior (i.e., reason explanations). In comparison, they referred to background causal factors (i.e., causal history of reasons explanations)—such as personality traits, demographic factors, cultural norms, etc.—more when explaining others’ aggressive behaviors, especially when the explanation was from the victim perspective. These findings show the subtleties in how people communicate about their aggressive interactions: When communicating about their own aggressive behaviors, people use modes of explanations that portray their behaviors as sensible, and when communicating about a time when another person behaved aggressively towards them, people use modes of explanations that omit the thought processes that led to those behaviors.
Protesting the Present: Memory, Affect and Infrastructure in the Farmers’ Movement, India, 2020–2021
Authors: Sidana Eveleen Kaur , Kaur Sumandeep
Published: September 2022

What kind of protest cultures became visible in the farmers’ movement? What modes of resistance did the movement draw upon in the context of Punjab, the Northern part of India? Did the resistance present a response to the neoliberal ethos of the current political and economic environment? Tracing the rituals of resistance in Punjab through the songs, print and digital material, this paper shows that the movement was a response beyond the call to repeal the farm laws, claiming a higher moral ground based on the passion for farming and military service; and an expression and mobilisation of the past through the affective registers of despair, enthusiasm and betrayal. In doing so, the movement (2020–2021) generated enriched meanings and imaginaries of traffic that otherwise only comprised sites of speed and singular mobilities. Traffic became an intersection of history and memory embodied through performance mapping the ‘non-place’ infrastructures creating temporarily ‘settled places’.
Khaps in the Making of Farmers’ Protests in Haryana: A Study of Role and Fault Lines
Authors: Singh Shamsher
Published: September 2022

The farmers’ movement against the three farm-laws in India often brought together conflicting forces and entities to put up a collective fight to safeguard the peasantry. The protests though mainly located at various border points of the national capital penetrated the immediate local communities over the duration. In the state of Haryana, these protests saw an unlikely participant, the khaps, playing an active role in sustaining the agitation. This article examines the role of khaps from a sociological perspective, discussing the nature, forms and ways of their participation in the protests. The discussion attempts to underline the limitations of their participation and the social fault lines that emerged as a result of it. The research argues that participation of khaps led to a consolidation of assertion of the dominant communities and resulted in restricting the potential and ambit of the movement to forge larger solidarities among the rural masses.
A diversity-based parallel particle swarm optimization for nonconvex economic dispatch problem
Authors: Xin Jinghao , Yu Liying , Wang Junda , Li Ning
Published: September 2022

The economic dispatch (ED) problem aims to minimize the total generation cost while satisfying certain constraints, such as valve-point effects, multi-fuel options, prohibited operating zones, transmission losses, and ramp rate limits. In this paper, these constraints are considered simultaneously for the first time, resulting in a complex nonconvex ED problem. A diversity-based parallel particle swarm optimization (DPPSO) is proposed to solve the nonconvex ED problem, where the implementation details—such as evaluation function design, particle definition, and equality and inequality handling strategies—have been carefully discussed. In our approach, the population of DPPSO is divided into different groups to maintain diversity in particles so that the optimization capacity can be enhanced. An asynchronous information–sharing mechanism (AISM) helps decrease the population size. Hence, the computational burden is reduced. Moreover, information in different groups is calculated parallelly and updated asynchronously to improve computational efficiency. Benchmark functions are employed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Furthermore, three nonconvex ED problems are resolved by the proposed method, and state-of-the-art performance has been achieved. In addition, the proposed algorithm is highly modular, making it easy to unite other salient variants of particle swarm optimization (PSO) to improve its performance.
Automatic oscillations detection and classification of control loop using generalized machine learning algorithms
Authors: Arbabi Yazdi Yaser , Toossian Shandiz Heydar , Gholizade Narm Hossein
Published: September 2022

This study detects oscillations in the control loop and separates them from others by implementing supervised machine learning on generalized and normalized statistical variables. Oscillations in the control loops can result in high variability of performance, increase the costs, increment defects and potential hazards in the future. Valve stiction is one of the most important reasons for oscillatory behaviour in the process industry. The detection of this non-linear parameter becomes even more complex in the presence of other oscillating factors, such as poor controller tuning and external disturbances. The proposed method is based on a six-step algorithm. After preparing the data, the best classifier is selected from three trained classifiers Naïve Bayes, support vector machine and K-nearest neighbours’ separators. Finally, the decision tree will automatically detect and classify oscillating factors in the control loop. This method is independent of the process model, and through the decision tree, it determines the probability of occurrence of each oscillation factor in the loop. The resulting system was tested on benchmark industrial data to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Do parents have exam anxiety, too? The predictive role of irrational beliefs and perfectionism with parental exam anxiety in explaining students’ exam anxiety
Authors: Baytemir Kemal
Published: September 2022

Objectives: Exam Anxiety is a condition influenced by both personal and environmental factors as well as cultural, family, and family-related systems. Accordingly, the current study aims at determining the predictive role of parental exam anxiety with irrational beliefs and perfectionism in explaining students’ exam anxiety. Methods: The study included a total of 1006 participants, students (N = 503 (58%) female and (42%) male) and parents (N = 503 (65%) female and (35%) male) of these students. The Test Anxiety Inventory, Exam Anxiety Scale for Parents, The Irrational Beliefs Scale for Adolescence, and Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale were used as data collection instruments for this study. Results: The regression analyses indicated that exam anxiety in students was significantly predicted by the worry sub-dimension of parental exam anxiety, irrational beliefs as well as concern over mistakes, parental criticism, and doubting of actions sub-dimension of perfectionism. Conclusion: The findings are discussed and explained based on the relevant literature.
Cholesteatoma With Cochlear Fistula and Carotid Dehiscence
Authors: Nasrollahi Tasha , Michela Borrelli  , Raskin Jonathan , Tawk Karen , Djalilian Hamid R.
Published: September 2022

Cholesteatomas are non-neoplastic, invasive lesions created by the accumulation of keratinized squamous epithelium in the temporal bone. If left untreated, its expansion may cause local destruction of the surrounding structures, eventually leading to inner ear fistula, dehiscence of tegmen and possible intracranial pathology, and facial nerve paralysis. Surgical resection is the mainstay of curative treatment. We hereby present a case of a giant cholesteatoma in a 62-year-old patient who presented with a right-sided hemifacial spasm with later paralysis who was treated with botulinum toxin injection by a neurologist. CT scan imaging showed a very large cholesteatoma with involvement of the carotid canal, cochlea, and geniculate ganglion. The patient underwent transmastoid and subarcuate approach for resection which led to marked improvement of her symptoms.
Thyroid Gland Flap for Prevention of Pharyngocutaneous Fistula After Total Laryngectomy
Authors: Song Bokhyun , Suh Ye-Jin , Kim Tae Hwan , Son Young-Ik , Choi Nayeon
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is the one of the major complications after total laryngectomy (TL), which can result in saliva leakage, rupture of major vessels, and increased hospitalization. Several flaps have been tried to prevent PCF during TL, and they are usually associated with donor site morbidity and uncertain viability in case of previously irradiated patients. This study aimed to report a novel bilateral pedicled thyroid gland flap (TGF) technique for delicate and effective reinforcement of neopharynx suture line after TL.

Methods

Bilateral pedicled TGF was performed for the reinforcement of neopharynx T-shape suture sites after TL in this case series.

Results

A total of five cases of the TGF were performed during TL, with four of them being salvage setting following previous chemoradiation therapy (CRT). The well-adapted and viable TGF status was confirmed by post-operative computed tomography scan and normally preserved thyroid hormone levels in all patients. No post-operative infections, hemorrhage, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, or PCF were reported.

Conclusion

The TGF is an effective and reliable flap in TL patents and should be considered as a method in neopharynx reconstruction, even in salvage TL following prior CRT.
Linking Student Achievement Growth to Professional Development Participation and Changes in Instruction: A Longitudinal Study of Elementary Students and Teachers in Title I Schools
Authors: Desimone Laura M. , Smith Thomas M. , Phillips Kristie J. R.
Published: September 2022

Background/Context

Most reforms in elementary education rely on teacher learning and improved instruction to increase student learning. This study increases our understanding of which types of professional development effectively change teaching practice in ways that boost student achievement.

Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study

Our three-year longitudinal analysis answers two main research questions: (1) To what extent do teachers’ topic coverage, emphasis on memorization and solving novel problems, and time spent on mathematics instruction, predict student mathematics achievement growth? (2) To what extent does teacher participation in content-focused professional development predict the aspects of instruction found in our first analysis to be related to increases in student mathematics achievement growth?

Population/Participants/Subjects

This study uses data collected by the U.S. Department of Education for the Longitudinal Evaluation of School Change and Performance (LESCP) in 1997, 1998, and 1999. The LESCP drew its sample from 71 high-poverty schools in 18 school districts in 7 states. Our student-level analyses include 7,588 observations over three years of 4,803 students assigned to 457 teachers. Teacher-level analyses include the same 457 teachers in 71 schools over three years.

Research Design

This is a quasi-experimental longitudinal study. To answer our first research question, we employ a 4-level cross-classified growth model using MLwiN software, with time points nested within students, students cross-classified by teachers over the three years of the study, and teachers and students nested within schools. To answer our second question, we employ a series of hierarchical linear models (HLM) to test the relationship between instruction and professional development.

Conclusions/Recommendations

We found that (1) when teachers in third, fourth, and fifth grade focused more on advanced mathematics topics (defined as operations with fractions, distance problems, solving equations with one unknown, solving two equations with two unknowns, and statistics) and emphasized solving novel problems, student achievement grew more quickly; (2) when teachers focused more on basic topics (defined as measurement, rounding, multi-digit multiplication, and problem solving) and emphasized memorizing facts, student achievement grew more slowly; and (3) when teachers participated in professional development that focused on math content or instructional strategies in mathematics (in Year 1), they were more likely to teach in ways associated with student achievement growth. Specifically, they were more likely to teach advanced topics and emphasize solving novel problems. Effect sizes ranged from 1% to 15% of a standard deviation.
Coping Strategies Used by Older Cancer Survivors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study
Authors: Galica Jacqueline , Kilgour Heather M. , Oliffe John L. , Haase Kristen R.
Published: September 2022

Objectives: The objective of this study is to longitudinally examine the coping strategies used by older cancer survivors (≥60 years of age) during COVID-19. Methods: An interpretive descriptive approach was used to collect and analyse qualitative data collected via 1:1 telephone interviews at three timepoints: June/July 2020, January 2021, and March 2021. Main Findings: Coping strategies used by older adults reflected the resources available to them, and their agency in self-triaging and deciding on resources to support their coping. These decisions were impacted by pandemic-imposed restrictions and necessitated readjustment over time. Three themes were developed to describe coping strategies (including any changes): adapting means and methods to connect with others; being intentional about outlook; and taking actions toward a brighter future. Conclusion: Older adults used a variety of coping strategies, though their reliance on resources beyond themselves (e.g., family/friends) indicates a need to add tailored resources to existing professional services.
Populism’s challenges to political reason: Reconfiguring the public sphere in an emotional culture
Authors: González Ana Marta , García Martínez Alejandro Néstor
Published: September 2022

Populism’s Challenges to Political Reason can be seen as a consequence of social and cultural trends, the so called ‘emotional culture’, that have been accentuated in recent decades. By considering those trends, this article aims at shedding light on some distinctive marks of contemporary populism in order to argue for a reconfiguration of the public sphere that, without ignoring emotion, recovers argumentation and persuasion based on facts and reason.
Can Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions Provide Unbiased Effect Estimates? A Systematic Review of Internal Replication Studies
Authors: Waddington Hugh Sharma , Villar Paul Fenton , Valentine Jeffrey C.
Published: September 2022

Non-randomized studies of intervention effects (NRS), also called quasi-experiments, provide useful decision support about development impacts. However, the assumptions underpinning them are usually untestable, their verification resting on empirical replication. The internal replication study aims to do this by comparing results from a causal benchmark study, usually a randomized controlled trial (RCT), with those from an NRS conducted at the same time in the sampled population. We aimed to determine the credibility and generalizability of findings in internal replication studies in development economics, through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We systematically searched for internal replication studies of RCTs conducted on socioeconomic interventions in low- and middle-income countries. We critically appraised the benchmark randomized studies, using an adapted tool. We extracted and statistically synthesized empirical measures of bias. We included 600 estimates of correspondence between NRS and benchmark RCTs. All internal replication studies were found to have at least “some concerns” about bias and some had high risk of bias. We found that study designs with selection on unobservables, in particular regression discontinuity, on average produced absolute standardized bias estimates that were approximately zero, that is, equivalent to the estimates produced by RCTs. But study conduct also mattered. For example, matching using pre-tests and nearest neighbor algorithms corresponded more closely to the benchmarks. The findings from this systematic review confirm that NRS can produce unbiased estimates. Authors of internal replication studies should publish pre-analysis protocols to enhance their credibility.
Government through clanship: Governing Ethiopia’s Somali pastoralists through a community-based social protection programme
Authors: ALENE GETU DEMEKE , DUNCAN JESSICA , DIJK HAN VAN
Published: September 2022

Drawing on an analysis of the implementation of Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) in the Somali periphery, we consider how the programme is promoted as an ‘innovative’ social protection programme that links food security with development projects. Underpinning its ‘innovative’ role is a community-based approach, focusing upon the institutions, values and capacities of a community. Taking the case of the nomadic pastoralists in Ethiopia’s Somali region, we consider the role of clans as the ‘dominant’ grassroot socio-political organizations. Our analysis, drawing on ethnographic fieldwork shows how in the implementation of PSNP the mobilization and (re)deployment of clanship values and rules create legible and governable Somali pastoral subjects. This is in line with the Ethiopian state’s conception of ‘improvement’ and ‘modern’ way of life based on sedentary-based development and governance. We illustrate how clan leaders unwittingly (re)organize their clan (leadership) values and capacities to support this project. We argue that clan-based implementation of PSNP has become an ‘effective’ mechanism of extending state power and governing nomadic pastoralists, leading to changes in relations of authority and in forms of (inter)subjectivity between pastoralists, their clan (leaders) and the state. Towards this end, we put forward the concept of ‘government through clanship’ to reflect the assemblage of these practices, processes and changes which would offer critical analytical insights into social policies claimed to be community-based.
Responsiveness and minimal clinically important difference of the five times sit-to-stand test in ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury: A six-month prospective cohort study
Authors: Amatachaya Sugalya , Khuna Lalita , Thaweewannakij Thiwabhorn
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To explore the responsiveness and minimal clinically important differences of the five times sit-to-stand test in ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury.

Methods

This six-month prospective cohort study was conducted in 109 individuals with spinal cord injury who could walk with or without a walking device for at least 10 meters. Participants were assessed for the five times sit-to-stand test in the four arm-placement conditions and standard measures to determine responsiveness of the test, at baseline, and one, three, and six months. At six months, participants were also interviewed for the global rating of change to estimate the minimal clinically important differences of the five times sit-to-stand test.

Results

The five times sit-to-stand test showed large internal responsiveness (standardized response means>0.83), with moderate external responsiveness as compared to the 10-meter walk test ( ρ = −0.28 to −0.48, p < 0.005). The changes in the outcomes >2.27 and >2 s could be used to indicate a level of minimal clinically important change for participants who executed the test with and without hands, respectively.

Conclusion

The five times sit-to-stand test is a responsiveness measure for ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury. The levels of minimal clinically important differences found in this study (>2.27 and >2 s) can be applied as a useful benchmark for the decision of clinically relevant changes over time for these individuals.
Analysis of low velocity impact properties of basalt fiber composites considering strain rate effect
Authors: Yang Mengmeng , Cui An , Huang Xianqing
Published: September 2022

This study focuses on the strain rate effect on the mechanical properties and damage evolution of basalt fiber reinforced composites subjected to low-velocity impact. A constitutive model is developed to accurately analyze the failure behavior of BFRP laminates. The strain-rate-dependent (SRD) model puts emphasis on a modified stress-strain relationship described by dynamic increase factor (DIF) to update mechanical properties timely during the impact loading and the damage evolution simulation is performed with the finite element code of ABAQUS software. The results shown in the LVI simulation confirmed the validity of the SRD model in comparison with the conclusions of experiments. Furthermore, detailed comparisons are discussed between the strain rate dependent (SRD) model and the strain rate independent (SRI) model under various simulations of different impact energy, thickness, and ply angles of laminates.
Stochastic modelling of the home equity access scheme
Authors: Lamarra Tyson , Bruhn Aaron , Miller Michael
Published: September 2022

The housing wealth of elderly homeowners is emerging as a key asset to support Australians in retirement. The Australian government's Home Equity Access Scheme allows elderly Australians to access the equity in their home and utilise this illiquid wealth. Through stochastic modelling of the scheme, this paper compares two strategies of drawing down housing wealth and provides a framework for comparing strategies that balances income, flexibility and longevity protection. The first strategy supplements other sources of retirement income, whereas the second strategy is similar to a contingent deferred annuity, with non-housing assets drawn down first. Although results vary by cohort and objective, the role of the scheme as a vehicle to protect against poverty in old age is emphasised. This reinforces the potential of home ownership as a financial asset in retirement, in addition to benefits conferred through housing ownership over the entire life cycle.

JEL Classification: G22,G51
Impact of Emulsion Type, Application Rate, and Adverse Construction Conditions on Tack Coat Performance
Authors: Wruck Blaine M. , Coleri Erdem , Sreedhar Shashwath , Kumar Vikas
Published: September 2022

The tack coat is a bonding agent applied between new and existing asphalt pavement layers. Roadway construction operations inherently introduce adverse conditions, such as dust on the pavement surface and nonuniform coverage (streaking), which can compromise tack coat bond quality. Climatic conditions such as heavy rainfall also create issues late in the construction season. Newly developed engineered tack coat emulsions, which utilize stiff asphalt binders and polymer modifiers, are purported to improve interlayer bonding characteristics and reduce the propensity of early fatigue cracking and pavement failure. This study evaluates engineered tack coats against conventionally used tack coats in a laboratory setting to identify their benefits when subjected to different pavement surface types, application rates, and commonly experienced adverse roadway construction conditions. Monotonic direct shear testing was employed to characterize interlayer bonding using two response parameters, interlayer shear strength and interlayer bond energy. This study advances the knowledge of engineered tack coat performance under real-world conditions and also employs a laboratory sample preparation methodology that is representative of pavement construction in the field.
Study of Overtaking Maneuvers on Wide One-Way Roads in Weak Lane-Disciplined Traffic Using Naturalistic Driving Data
Authors: Dutta Bhupali , Chakroborty Partha , Vasudevan Vinod
Published: September 2022

Drivers make assumptions and predictions on the expected paths of nearby vehicles. In traffic with weak lane discipline, prediction of the paths of other vehicles becomes more uncertain than in lane-based traffic because of frequent lateral wander. The situation becomes even more challenging on one-way roads where the scope for lateral wander is greater than on two-way roads. Study of overtaking maneuvers on wide one-way roads in the absence of lane discipline therefore becomes imperative. This paper investigates driver behavior while overtaking on wide one-way roads in disorderly traffic using naturalistic driving data collected by an instrumented vehicle. This study proposes definitions of the start and end of the maneuver that lead to behaviorally identifiable time points. The behavior of the overtaking vehicle driver is studied in both longitudinal and lateral directions. Data from 181 overtaking maneuvers on one-way roads of two different road widths are used to study the behavior. The primary observation of the present study is that, although the initial motivation for overtaking is a driver’s sense of urgency because the faster driver of the overtaking vehicle wants to avoid the slow-moving vehicle ahead, once the maneuver starts, the actions of the driver are guided by their concern for safety. One of the major implications of the present study is that the results can be used to develop microsimulation models to analyze driver behavior while overtaking in disorderly traffic streams.
Examining Seat Belt Use Habits in Wyoming: A Bayesian Hierarchical Logit Approach
Authors: Nazneen Sahima , Farid Ahmed , Ksaibati Khaled
Published: September 2022

Wyoming has one of the lowest seat belt law compliance rates in the United States. Understanding the factors associated with seat belt non-use is crucial for the development of appropriate mitigation measures that aid in increasing seat belt usage rates. In this study, Bayesian binary logistic regression models were developed to: i) investigate the factors associated with daytime seat belt non-use using observational survey data; and ii) assess the factors related to seat belt non-use in fatal crashes while accounting for possible intra-class correlation (effects of unobserved factors common to occupants in the same vehicle). The results indicated that males were less likely to use seat belts than females. Also, trips made in pick-up trucks, those made within urban areas, those made during weekdays, and those made by means of vehicles with Wyoming license plates were likely to involve seat belt non-use. Furthermore, counties with thriving oil and gas industries had lower seat belt use rates. It was also inferred that young occupants, rear seat occupants, impairment, weekdays, traveling around midnight, traveling on collector roads, and traveling on local roads were associated with seat belt non-use. A strong correlation in seat belt non-use among occupants within the same vehicle warrants the implementation of the hierarchical logistic model to investigate seat belt use among occupants involved in fatal crashes. The findings of this study highlight remarkable trends in seat belt use habits in Wyoming, which will aid legislatures in proposing road safety measures aimed at raising seat belt usage proportions.
Using Machine Learning Methods for Modeling Freight Train Derailment Severity
Authors: Lotfi Arefeh , Bagheri Morteza , Ahmadi Abbas
Published: September 2022

This paper focuses on identifying factors affecting the severity of freight train derailment. To examine the train derailment, it is necessary to study the point of derailment and the number of cars derailing. Previous studies have used truncated geometric distributions with two key assumptions: (1) cars in a train get involved in a derailment independently of one another, and (2) probabilities of cars involved in derailments are all the same along the train length. The underlying assumptions are clearly violated in the real world. Therefore, in this study, different classification approaches, including decision tree, random forest, support vector machine, and AdaBoost techniques, have been used to avoid fixed assumptions. The results show that the decision tree is the best classifier to predict the severity of train derailment for the US accident database, and the two-level severity scenario (one car derailed or more) presents better results to classify derailment severity. The research also shows that freight train derailment severity has been affected mainly by (1) train speed, (2) cause of the accident, and (3) train weight-to-train length ratio. Among these features, cause of accident is the most important feature in classifying accident severity; also, the causes of one-car derailments are mostly related to mechanical and electrical failures. In mechanical and electrical failure, train speed plays a significant role in determining the severity of accidents. The factor of train weight to length comes into account when an accident’s cause is related to human factors.
The Impacts of Telework Options on Worker Outcomes in Local Government: Social Exchange and Social Exclusion Perspectives
Authors: Kwon Myungjung , Kim-Goh Mikyong
Published: September 2022

While telework has been adopted widely in local governments because of the numerous potential benefits that it offers for the workforce, organizations, and society, little research has been done to examine if and how telework achieves expected worker outcomes in local governments. Drawing on insights from the social exchange and social exclusion theories, this article extends previous telework research by demonstrating the differential effects of telecommute and telework options on job satisfaction and performance of local government workforce. Data were collected through an online survey of workers at a large local government agency in California. Results showed that telework and telecommute options improved job satisfaction and performance of workers in the local government agency due to flexible work schedules and locations. In addition, telecommuters having more interpersonal interaction opportunities which reduce feelings of social isolation/work alienation experienced higher job satisfaction and performance than teleworkers.
Planning Theory Education: A Forty-Year Review
Authors: Pokharel Atul
Published: September 2022

This article analyzes the results of a survey of planning theory course outlines conducted in 2020 parallel to four similar surveys that together provide a forty-year review of a central component of planning education. The article begins by briefly reviewing the major trends in planning theory over the past forty years. It then examines the course topics and required readings, authors, and texts for sixty-two master’s-level courses offered during the 2019–2020 academic years. The article concludes by evaluating the survey findings and the picture they paint of contemporary planning theory education.
Comparison of the genotoxicity of two commercial pesticides by their micro and nano size capsules
Authors: Paz-Trejo Cynthia , Jiménez-García Luis Felipe , Arenas-Huertero Francisco , Gómez-Arroyo Sandra
Published: September 2022

The use of nanotechnology in the agrochemical industry has become increasingly popular over the past decade, raising the question of whether these products may represent a risk or benefit compared to their conventional presentations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the different genotoxic effects of the Complete encapsulated presentation (CEP), the micro encapsulated fraction (MEF), and the nano encapsulated fraction (NEF) of two pesticides (Karate® and Ampligo®) in lymphocytes from human peripheral blood. To test the different fractions, the pesticides were separated by centrifugations by the average size of the capsule, then were characterized by the general composition of the capsule by RAMAN and FTIR spectroscopy and the active ingredient of both pesticides by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Each fraction was tested separately and analyzed by comet assay through the tail moment and the percentage of DNA in the tail and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus through their frequency of micronucleus, nucleoplasmic bridges, and nuclear buds. The nuclear division index and the Nuclear Division Cytotoxicity Index were also measured. For both pesticides, the CEP increased the genetic damage observed in the tail moment and percentage of DNA in the tail at all concentrations for both pesticides. However, in the micronucleus test, NEF induced more micronuclei than MEF and CEP in all treatments reducing cell proliferation as the concentration decreased for both pesticides. These results suggested that NEF had more genotoxic effects in both pesticides, increasing the damage to the cells.
Social and Emotional Variables as Predictors of Students’ Perceived Cognitive Competence and Academic Performance
Authors: Hachem Maryam , Gorgun Guher , Chu Man-Wai , Bulut Okan
Published: September 2022

Research extensively highlights the importance of social-emotional skills in learning and development. In this study, we evaluated whether social and emotional variables directly impact students’ perceived cognitive competence and academic performance through a structural equation model. Survey responses ( N = 29,384) were collected from 114 K-12 schools in a large school district in Alberta. Results showed that cognitive competence was directly predicted by social cognition and social competence but indirectly by emotional competence through the mediating effect of social competence. Academic performance was also directly predicted by social cognition. Cognitive competence was positively associated with academic emotions, while academic performance was negatively associated with them. Overall, our findings suggest that learning is a highly social process, and investing in the development of social-emotional skills must be a priority, with a primary focus on creating positive and supportive learning environments. Future research may adjust this model and target more specific social-emotional variables.
The efficacy of a semi-resorbable membrane based on silk fibroin-Glycerol on bone regeneration in rabbit calvarial defects compared to a commercial collagen membrane
Authors: Sukchan Kongkiat , Pripatnanont Prisana , Tunthasen Rudjit , Meesane Jirut
Published: September 2022

Silk fibroin-glycerol-based membranes were fabricated and characterized for use as a self-maintaining and non-collapsible semi-resorbable membrane in guided bone regeneration. The study assessed the bone regeneration capacity of silk fibroin-glycerol-based membranes compared to a collagen membrane in 10-mm circular bilateral calvarial defects of 20 male New Zealand white rabbits. The animals were divided into two sets of time frames of 4 and 12 weeks and allocated into four groups ( n = 5/group); an empty defect (E), a collagen membrane (Bio-Gide®; BG), a silk fibroin-glycerol-collagen membrane (SGC), and a silk fibroin-glycerol membrane (SG). The bone density (optical density, OD) from the 2D radiographs, tissue reaction from histological sections, new bone volume, and area from micro-CT and the histomorphometry were evaluated. The Mean OD of the E (34.49 ± 14.21%) and BG groups (35.71 ± 9.65%) at 12 weeks were higher than at 4 weeks, but the SGC (39.04 ± 7.94%) and SG (40.96 ± 9.25%) groups were lower at 4 weeks. The new bone volumes at 4 weeks of the SG (24.19 ± 1.35%) and SGC groups (24.19 ± 3.47%) were significantly higher than the BG group (16.93 ± 2.95%) but were not different from the E group (18.39±4.78%). At 12 weeks, the new bone volumes in the SGC (29.09 ± 3.81%), SG (29.11 ± 5.94%), and BG groups (26.26 ± 4.42%) were higher than in the E group (21.63 ± 5.81%) without statistical significance. Histological images in the SGC and SG groups showed slow biodegradation without a foreign body reaction. The new bone area at 4 weeks was lowest in BG (12.95 ± 5.44%), and the others were comparable. At 12 weeks, the new bone area in the E group (23.55±8.69%) was lower than the BG (31.42 ± 6.18%), SG (35.25 ± 13.92%), and SGC groups (36.35 ± 10.23%). Silk fibroin-glycerol-based membranes are semi-resorbable membranes that possess a self-maintaining property, have a barrier function without collapsing, and are successful in facilitating bone regeneration.
Fabrication, characterization and efficacy evaluation of natural gum-based bioactive haemostatic gauzes with antibacterial properties
Authors: Kushwah Himanshu , Sandal Nidhi , Chauhan Meenakshi , Mittal Gaurav
Published: September 2022

Management of uncontrolled bleeding due to traumatic injuries occurring in battlefields and road traffic accidents is a major healthcare concern, especially in developing countries like India. Since natural coagulation mechanism alone is insufficient to achieve haemostasis quickly in such cases, application of an external haemostatic product is generally required to accelerate the coagulation process. We had recently reported preliminary comparison of four natural absorbent gums, which indicated towards haemostatic potential of gum tragacanth (GT) and xanthan gum (XG). Present study involves fabrication of haemostatic dressings incorporated with different concentrations of GT or XG, along with ciprofloxacin (a broad-spectrum antibiotic) and other excipients over woven cotton gauze. Prepared gauzes were investigated for physico-chemical characteristics, in-vitro blood interaction studies, antibacterial effect and in-vivo haemostatic efficacy in Sprague Dawley rats using two bleeding models. Acute dermal toxicity studies were also carried out as per OECD guidelines. SEM studies showed that gauzes coated with XG had thin, uniform layer of coating, while in case of GT; coating was comparatively rough with insoluble particles of GT adhering over gauze surface, forming voids on the fibers. Coated gauzes exhibited optimum mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength and percent extension at break. GT coated dressings showed good fluid uptake and retention ability in-vitro. Test gauzes were non-hemolytic in nature, did not elicit any dermal toxicity on animals’ skin and had the ability to protect against E. coli infection. In-vivo efficacy studies in rat femoral artery and liver laceration bleeding models indicated that gauzes coated with 4% GT were able to clot blood in least time (36.67 ± 3.33s and 40 ± 2.58s respectively) as compared to other gum combinations and commercially available dressing ‘Surgispon® (103.3 ± 4.22s and 85 ± 5.62s respectively). Results of this study validate our initial findings of the potential of gum tragacanth to be developed into a suitable haemostatic product.
“If Something Were to Happen”: Communicative Practices of Resilience in the Management of Work-Life Precarity
Authors: Golden Annis G. , Jorgenson Jane
Published: September 2022

A substantial body of literature considers the experience of precarious work in market economies. Only recently, however, have scholars of work begun to consider the impact of precarity in the workplace on work-life interrelationships. This study contributes to that research and expands its focus beyond the form of precarity represented by job insecurity to other forms of precarity that inhere in the management of work-life interrelationships for working families in industrialized nations. Taking a communication as constitutive of work-life interrelationships perspective, we identify four forms of precarity in middle class working mothers’ accounts of work-life, and then examine how these forms are communicatively managed through classed and gendered discursive and material/technological practices of resilience. Using Weick’s organizational sensemaking model, in particular his notion of “partial inclusion,” we discuss the implications that individuals’ practices of resilience to manage work-life precarity have for the individual-organization relationship among middle class working mothers.
Fabrication of sinusoidal-shaped multi-tip diamond tools by a focused ion beam machining process
Authors: Yan Yongda , Wang Yuzhang , Wu Wei , Lou Zaizhen , Geng Yanquan
Published: September 2022

Multi-tip diamond (MTD) tools have remarkable advantages in scratching micro-nano structures. A key component of inertial confinement fusion is a glass capsule with a periodic sinusoidal ripple nanostructure, and its processing requires very low surface roughness and a consistent nanostructure. Using MTD tools for force servo machining is an efficient method, and the focused ion beam (FIB) method has been effective in machining multi-tip diamond tools. To machine an MTD tool with high precision and efficiency, experiments were conducted to explore the influence of FIB machining parameters on tip geometries. The tip of a MTD tool with a three-dimensional periodic sinusoidal ripple was successfully prepared using optimized processing parameters. The results demonstrated that the estimated amplitude and period machining error was less than 1.71% and 1.63%, respectively, for nanoscale structured tips. Related research provides a new solution for the cross-scale and efficient processing of nanostructures.
Electric motor steer-by-wire angle tracking by proportional differential sliding mode controller with disturbance observer
Authors: Shi Qin , Xu Ziang , Wei Yujiang , Wang Mingwei , Zheng Xinxin , He Lin
Published: September 2022

This paper focuses on the front wheel angle tracking control problem of the steer-by-wire system subject to unmodeled dynamics, uncertain parameters, external disturbances and measurement noises. Considering the measurement uncertainties of front wheel angle and angular velocity, a new steering dynamics model with matched and unmatched disturbances is built for control design. An unmatched disturbance observer is designed to attenuate the effects of unmatched measurement uncertainties and further improve the angle tracking precision of steady-state. A matched disturbance observer is developed to cancel the effects of matched disturbances, and to alleviate the chattering of sliding mode control. Based on the outputs of these two disturbance observers and the sliding mode controller (SMC), a proportional differential sliding mode control (pdSMC) approach is developed by a new sliding manifold for angle tracking of the steer-by-wire system. The developed approach has been downloaded into a steering control unit, and tested in real-world conditions using vehicle test bench to fully realize electric motor steering by wire in engineering practice. Experimental results show that compared with the SMC controller, the pdSMC controller reduces the mean absolute error of the front wheel angle by 52% and 58.9% in the steering tests of step response and slalom path, respectively.