bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Victimization and school: Young people’s experiences of receiving support to keep up with their schoolwork
Authors: Thunberg Sara
Published: July 2022

Victimization early in life can have several serious consequences, one of which concerns young people’s schoolwork. The present study therefore aims to investigate what support young people need to keep up with their schoolwork, based on their needs following victimization. The material consists of narrative interviews with 19 young people who were the plaintiffs at trials when they were 15–19 years old. The results show that several of the young victims did not want to go to school due to the risk of meeting their perpetrator, and because of that their grades declined when they were not physically present in school, they lost their motivation to study. There is also variation between the young victims about whether they perceive that the schools supported them and/or made adaptations to make sure they could continue with their schoolwork. The schools have a responsibility to make some adaptations, but it is not clear how far this responsibility stretches or to what extent the young victims themselves have been a part of the process. For this reason, they might not have perceived the potential adaptations and support they received from their schools as supportive. Suggestions are given concerning what the schools and other authorities need to think about when working with young victims of crime to make sure they continue with their schoolwork as much as possible.
Comparing the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Different Train-Following Control Algorithms for Fleets of Heavy-Haul Freight Trains under Moving Blocks
Authors: Roscoe Geordie , Tyler Dick C.
Published: July 2022

With the nationwide installation of positive train control (PTC) technology recently completed, freight railroads are searching for ways to leverage the technology to improve their operations beyond increasing safety. One possibility is reducing train headways through developing and installing a PTC-based moving-block system, thus increasing the capacity of railroad mainlines without adding costly track infrastructure. Though operating trains at shorter headways can theoretically increase line capacity, effectively controlling following trains becomes more difficult compared with a fixed-block system, requiring a fast-reacting train crew or control algorithm that effectively minimizes headway and fuel consumption while attenuating all fluctuations in lead-train speed. Otherwise, rapid changes in throttle and brake settings may be required, reducing following-train fuel efficiency, generating in-train forces, and diminishing the expected capacity gains from shortened headways. This research, sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration, aims to better understand how closely following freight trains respond to different throttle- and brake-control algorithms. Using insights from connected automobile and truck platooning technology, the project team developed several train-following control algorithms, analyzed their stability, and simulated their performance with fleets of freight trains subject to different speed profiles. While moving-block systems do require additional train spacing beyond the minimum safe braking distance to account for train control actions, effective train-following control algorithms can minimize this distance. Also, the developed control laws exhibit a trade-off between minimizing train headway and fuel consumption, potentially allowing railway operators to choose an optimal balance.
Deep Learning Approach for Detecting Lane Change Maneuvers Using SHRP2 Naturalistic Driving Data
Authors: Das Anik , Khan Md Nasim , Ahmed Mohamed M.
Published: July 2022

Changing lane is a complex driving maneuver and could have a significant effect on traffic safety. Therefore, developing accurate and timely lane change detection systems could assist drivers to perform and complete this complicated driving task safely. This study proposes reliable lane change detection models based on deep learning (DL) and including features from vehicle kinematics, machine vision, roadway geometries, and driver demographics using the trajectory-level SHRP2 Naturalistic Driving Study and Roadway Information Database. A cutting-edge technique named “DeepInsight” was applied to transform numeric lane change data into image data. The generated image data sets were trained, validated, and tested using a novel DL architecture called ResNet-18, considering six categories of features. To balance the lane change database, two data balancing methods—the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) and random majority under sampling (RMUS)—were considered and tested with various sampling ratios. In addition, wrapper-based Boruta and eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithms were used to extract relevant features in each category. A recall of 82% and overall accuracy of 77.9% were found using a ratio of 1:1 for the model based on vehicle kinematic features suggesting that the developed model could be used in the absence of other data. However, the best detection performance was observed using the same ratio for a reduced model based on XGBoost, which produced a recall and overall accuracy of 98.8% and 95%, respectively, considering all the features. The proposed detection system could be effectively leveraged to monitor lane change behavior and provide appropriate control strategies in a connected vehicle (CV) environment.
How People Perceive the Safety of Self-Driving Buses: A Quantitative Analysis Model of Perceived Safety
Authors: Li Zehua , Li Xiang , Jiang Bin
Published: July 2022

With the continuous development of automatic driving technology and advancements in related experimental research, the probability of traffic accidents caused by human factors has been greatly reduced. However, people are still cautious about the safety of automated driving technology. The purpose of this study was to investigate users’ perceived safety indicators and the psychological factors of their perceived safety judgment of self-driving buses. In this study, a structural model of the factors that influence self-driving buses, including behavioral intention of technology acceptance, trust theory, perceived risk, and perceived safety, was developed based on the technology acceptance model (TAM). Subsequently, a relevant survey of 215 respondents was conducted and analyzed using the partial least squares method. The results indicated that trust, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use were important factors for judging the perceived safety of self-driving buses. The structural model developed in this study can quantify and analyze user data to filter out the factors that influence the perceived safety of self-driving buses, which is conducive to improving people’s trust and acceptance of self-driving buses.
Finite Element Modeling of FHWA-Accelerated Loading Facility Test Sections With Fatigue Damage Using a Nonlinear Viscoelastic Cohesive Zone Integrated With Gaussian Damage Evolution
Authors: Kommidi Santosh Reddy , Elwardany Michael , Kim Yong-Rak , Mensching David J.
Published: July 2022

This study presents a computational fracture modeling approach for predicting highly nonlinear viscoelastic cracking, such as fatigue damage, in asphalt mixtures and pavements. The modeling approach is presented and validated against field performance data from the FHWA-Accelerated Loading Facility (ALF) performance test sections. To that end, five mixtures differing either in the type of binder used or the amount of reclaimed asphalt pavement and reclaimed asphalt shingles were selected to assess their linear viscoelastic behavior, fracture properties, and field performance. A nonlinear viscoelastic cohesive zone fracture model was used along with a Gaussian distribution damage evolution to characterize the mixture fracture properties through a numerical-experimental calibration process. Individual mixture characteristics were then used as inputs to analyze the ALF pavement structure, and the fatigue response was predicted and compared with the field performance data for model validation. Although there are several model limitations to improve, the good agreement in performance rank order among test lanes demonstrates the capability and validity of the modeling approach. This implies that the computational modeling approach attempted in this study could potentially be used to analyze and design pavements in a mechanistic manner. This could be done with just a few laboratory tests for mixture properties such as viscoelastic dynamic modulus and cohesive zone fracture parameters.
Better Preparation and Training Determine Home Care Workers’ Self-Efficacy in Contributing to Heart Failure Self-Care
Authors: Stawnychy Michael A. , Ringel Joanna B. , Barbara Riegel  , Sterling Madeline R.
Published: July 2022

Objective

Identify determinants of home care workers’ (HCW) self-efficacy in contributing to heart failure (HF) self-care.

Methods

Secondary analysis of a survey ( n = 328) examining characteristics of HCWs caring for adults with HF in New York. Self-efficacy assessed using Caregiver Self-Efficacy in Contributing to Self-Care Scale. Standardized scores range 0–100; ≥ 70 points indicate adequate self-efficacy. Characteristics determined by self-efficacy (low vs. adequate). Prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals (PR [95% CI]) were estimated using multivariable Poisson regression with robust standard errors.

Results

Home care workers with adequate self-efficacy had at least some prior HF training (55% vs. 17%, p < .001) and greater job satisfaction (90% vs. 77%, p = .003). Significant determinants for adequate self-efficacy were employment length (1.02 [1.00–1.03], p = .027), preparation for caregiving (3.10 [2.42–3.96], p < .001), and HF training (1.48 [1.20–1.84], p < .001).

Conclusion

Home care agencies and policy-makers can target caregiving preparation and HF training to improve HCWs’ confidence in caring for adult HF patients.
Relationship between pharmacy students’ resilience scores and their leadership, work experience and academic performance
Authors: Camiel Lana Dvorkin , Taglieri Catherine , Kostka-Rokosz Maria , Tataronis Gary , Goldman Jennifer
Published: July 2022

The goal is to examine if there is a relationship between students’ Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) Scale scores, demographics, work experience, leadership style, personality types and academic performance. Three cohorts of third-year pharmacy (P3) students completed the RSA and demographic questions. Students’ academic performance, work experience, leadership preferences and demographics were compared. Over 850 students from three cohorts scored on five RSA dimensions – personal competence (4.10 ± 0.58), social competence (3.64 ± 0.75), family coherence (4.18 ± 0.73), social support (4.47 ± 0.59) and personal structure (3.93 ± 0.70) (5 = highest resilience). Social competence and personal structure scores were statistically significantly different from other dimensions. Students with greater work experience, preference for leadership and extroverted personality types had higher scores in social competence and personal structure. Based on this research, it is essential to foster leadership development and encourage work experience to support students in building relationships (social competence) and improving organizational skills (personal structure), since the lowest RSA scores were in these two domains.
A hybrid INDI control for ensuring flying qualities in failures of Xcg measurement subsystem
Authors: Kim Chongsup
Published: July 2022

Modern version of fighter aircraft has a wide range of longitudinal center-of-gravity (Xcg) travel due to wide-range fuel tanks layout, various weapons, many payload stations, and so on. The wide Xcg travel degrades flying qualities of a closed-loop control system; moreover, a catastrophic accident can be caused by loss of stability due to the wide Xcg travel in severe cases. For this reason, the inner-loop control law generally employs additional feedback variables such as weight and Xcg position to guarantee the flying qualities and satisfy stability requirements. Nevertheless, this design approach can seriously deteriorate the flight safety and stability of the aircraft in the event of fuel mismanagement and Xcg measurement subsystem failures. Therefore, additional design technique should be considered to ensure the flight safety in response to the situation of the failure conditions. This paper proposes two types of a hybrid Incremental Nonlinear Dynamic Inversion control to guarantee the minimum flight safety for return to base in case of fuel mismanagement and Xcg measurement subsystem failures. The frequency-domain linear analysis and time-domain simulations were performed based on a supersonic trainer mathematical model to evaluate the performances of the proposed control methods. The evaluation results confirm that the proposed control method satisfies the level of the required flying qualities and ensure flight safety even in the event of the subsystem failures for the Xcg measurement.
The prevalence of depression, anxiety and associated factors among adults with living human immunodeficiency virus in University Malaya Medical Centre
Authors: Ong Jen Yeung , Yee Anne , Amer Nordin Amer Siddiq , Danaee Mahmoud , Azwa Raja Iskandar
Published: July 2022

Background

This study estimates prevalence of depression and anxiety among adults living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and determines its associated factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2020 and January 2021, in the Infectious Disease clinic and ward. One hundred ninety-one patients were recruited via convenience sampling. Patients’ sociodemographic were obtained, followed by Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale -21 (DASS-21), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and M.I.N.I. international neuropsychiatric interview (M.I.N.I.) The cut off DASS-21 point for depression is ≥5, for anxiety, ≥ 4. Mann-Whitney U and Chi square test were used to analyse the association between variables, and logistic regression to find predictability.

Results

Of the 191 participants, 89.5% outpatient, mean age 40 years (SD 0.742), 91.1% male, 65.4% single, 71.2% working, 46.1% Malaysian Chinese, 59.8% non- heterosexual, mean 6 years of being HIV positive; mean CD4 count 449/μL; mean viral load 116,690 (median = 20). 85.9% were taking antiretroviral therapy. The prevalence of depression was 35.1% ( n = 67); anxiety was 42.9% ( n = 82). Regression analysis revealed anxiety and stress increased odds of depression by 3.8 times ( p = .001) and 12 times ( p < .001) respectively. Those 40 years old and younger had 2.3 times odds of anxiety ( p = .048). Increased social support from friends increased odds of anxiety by 1.7 times ( p = .018). Depression and stress increased odds of anxiety by 4.4 times ( p = .001) and 3.7 times ( p = .008) respectively.

Conclusions

Depression and anxiety among people with HIV is often under-recognised. Early identification and treatment of the mental illness is warranted. Screening with DASS-21 is useful to detect depression in patients with HIV.
Safety and tolerability of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells in lupus animal models and a phase I clinical trial in humans
Authors: Chun Sehwan , Choi Chan-Bum , Kim Min S. , Nam Jae-Yong , Lee Tae Y. , Lee Young-Tae , Kim SungHoon , Han Sang-Bae , Bae Sang-Cheol
Published: July 2022

Objective

Several clinical trials aimed at treating various autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), by introducing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been conducted. However, with refractory lupus nephritis (LN), the outcomes of MSC transplantation are not well known, and further validation is required. In particular, data concerning the safety and efficacy of LN treatment using bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) are still lacking.

Methods

We identified characteristics of BM-MSCs in terms of cell morphology, chromosomal stability, differentiation capacity, and phenotype through cell passages. The in vivo stability of BM-MSCs was evaluated by single-dose and repeated-dose toxicity tests, tumorigenicity tests, and biodistribution tests using lupus mouse models. Based on the encouraging nonclinical results, we conducted a nonrandomized, open-label, single-arm phase I clinical trial to evaluate the tolerability and safety of a single administration of haploidentical allogeneic BM-MSCs (CS20AT04) in seven LN patients (NCT03174587). We used a classical three + three design to find the optimal dosage. The starting dose was 2.0×106 cells/kg and escalated to 3.0×106 cells/kg if there was no dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Evaluation of the safety and tolerability was assessed 28 days after the infusion, and the maximum tolerated dose was determined.

Results

Properly cultured BM-MSCs showed high proliferation and multipotency, but chromosomal changes were not found. There were two deaths by a rapid administration rate in the high-dose group (2.0×106 cells/head) in a single administration test. BM-MSCs were distributed in the kidneys until Day 7. In the phase I clinical trial, seven LN patients were enrolled. Participants received BM-MSCs through intravenous infusion. There was no DLT at both initial dose (2.0×106 cells/kg) and escalated dose (3.0×106 cells/kg). One patient was not administered the full 2.0×106 cells/kg dose because of a technical error during infusion. This patient did not show DLT. Three adverse events were reported, namely, one diarrhea, one toothache, and one arthralgia, and all were considered NCI-CTC grade I events.

Conclusion

We defined the characteristics of BM-MSCs and identified their safety and tolerability in both animal models and a phase I clinical trial. The maximum tolerated dose was determined to be 3.0×106 cells/kg in patients with LN.
Total Body Irradiation–Based Conditioning Regimen Improved the Survival of Adult Patients With T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma After Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Niu Jiahua , Chen Zhixiao , Gao Jie , Qiu Huiying , Wan Liping , Wang Ying , Wang Wenwei , Tong Yin , Huang Chongmei , Cai Yu , Xu Xiaowei , Zhou Kun , Zhang Ying , Xia Xinxin , Shen Chang , Wei Yu , Chen Tingfeng , Song Xianmin , Yang Jun
Published: July 2022

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is one of the consolidation modalities for adult patients with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL). However, the optimal conditioning regimen needs to be explored. In the present study, 40 patients with T-LBL undergoing allo-HSCT were retrospectively analyzed, including 23/40 (57.5%) with total body irradiation (TBI)–based conditioning regimen and 17/40 (42.5%) with busulfan (BU)-based regimen. TBI–based regimen significantly increased the cumulative incidence (CI) of grade II to IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) as compared with BU-based regimen (13.0% vs 0%, P = 0.000). The relapse risk was significantly lowered in TBI-based group with a 2-year CI of relapse (CIR) of 9.1% as compared with that of 49.6% in BU-based group ( P = 0.008). The 1-year and 2-year non-relapse mortalities (NRMs) for all patients were 5.0% and 10.3%, respectively. The 1-year and 2-year NRMs were 8.9% and 16.0% in TBI-based group, and 0.00% and 0.00% in BU-based group ( P = 0.140). The 2-year probabilities of overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were 83.0% [95% confidence interval, 63.4%–100%] and 74.0% (95% confidence interval, 54.4%–93.6%) in TBI-based group, which were higher than that of 35.0% (95% confidence interval, 0.0%–72.2%) and 50.0% (95% confidence interval, 24.5%–75.4%) in BU-based group, respectively ( P = 0.020 for OS and P = 0.081 for RFS). In multivariate analysis, TBI-based regimen significantly reduced the risk of relapse [subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) = 0.030, 95% CI, 0.002–0.040, P = 0.000] and improved the OS [hazard ratio (HR) 0.121, 95% CI, 0.021–0.683, P = 0.017] as an independent prognostic factor. These results suggested that TBI-based regimen might be an optimal choice for adult patients with T-LBL undergoing allo-HSCT.
Online Guidance for Domestic Violence Survivors and Service Providers: A COVID-19 Content Analysis
Authors: Fleury-Steiner Ruth , Miller Susan L. , Camphausen Lauren C. , Burns Kaelyn F. , Horney Jennifer A.
Published: July 2022

To assess COVID-19 information and services available to domestic violence service providers, survivors, and racially and culturally specific communities in the U.S., a content analysis of 80 national and state/territorial coalition websites was performed in June 2020. COVID-19 information was available on 84% of websites. National organizations provided more information for survivors related to safety and mental health and for racially and culturally specific communities. State/territorial coalitions provided more information for providers on COVID-19 and general disaster preparedness. COVID-19 and social distancing measures implemented to control it diminished help-seeking in unique ways. Greater online access to information and resources may be needed to address changing needs of survivors during disasters and emergencies.
Physical Fitness and Maternal Psychosocial Status in Children With Autism Attending a Regular Physical Activity Program
Authors: Sahan Ayse Kubra , Ozturk Nazan , Calik-Kutukcu Ebru , Aksu Hatice , Tunagur Mustafa Tolga , Arikan Hulya
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to compare physical fitness-related parameters in Turkish children with mild to moderate autism and their typically developing (TD) peers to determine maternal anxiety level and quality of life. Children with autism had significantly worse scores for all Munich Fitness Test (MFT) parameters except step test heart rate and had lower physical activity levels compared to the TD children ( p < .05). There was no difference between groups in terms of postural deviations or maternal anxiety scores ( p > .05). The MFT total score was associated with higher maternal quality of life scores ( r = .605, p = .006). This study showed that despite participating in a regular physical activity program, children with mild to moderate autism have lower physical fitness and activity levels compared to their TD peers, whereas better physical fitness in children with autism has a positive effect on their mothers’ quality of life.
Overexpression of LIMA1 Indicates Poor Prognosis and Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ma Wei , Liao Yiqun , Gao Ziwen , Zhu Wenyan , Liu Jianbing , She Wandong
Published: July 2022

Background:

LIMA1 encodes LIM domain and actin binding 1, a cytoskeleton-associated protein whose loss has been linked to migration and invasion behavior of cancer cells. However, the roles of LIMA1 underlying the malignant behavior of tumors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) are not fully understood.

Methods:

We conducted a multi-omics study on the role of LIMA1 in HNSC based on The Cancer Genome Atlas data. Subsequent in vitro experiments were performed to validate the results of bioinformatic analysis. We first identified the correlation between LIMA1 and tumor cell functional states according to single-cell sequencing data in HNSC. The potential downstream effects of LIMA1 were explored for gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways through functional enrichment analysis of the gene sets that correlated with LIMA1 in HNSC. The prognostic role of LIMA1 was assessed using the log rank test to compare difference in survival between LIMA1High and LIMA1Low patients. Univariate Cox regression and multivariate Cox regression were further carried out to identify the prognostic value of LIMA1 in HNSC.

Results:

LIMA1 was identified as a prognostic biomarker and is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progress in HNSC. In vitro silencing of LIMA1 suppressed EMT and related pathways in HNSC.

Conclusions:

LIMA1 promotes EMT and further leads to tumor invasion and metastasis. Increased expression of LIMA1 indicates poor survival, identifying it as a prognostic biomarker in HNSC.
Effect of two different sulfide coated steel fiber towards tribo performance – An interface study
Authors: Eakambaram A , Balaji MA Sai , P Baskara Sethupathi
Published: July 2022

The purpose of friction material is to decelerate a vehicle by transforming the kinetic energy of the vehicle into heat, via friction, and dissipating that heat to the surroundings. A lot of heat is generated at the contact plateaus formed by the reinforcing fibers. Therefore, inorder to dissipate the heat, steel fibers were coated with FeS and SnS and accordingly brake pads were made and termed as DBF and DBS. Another brake pad with similar formulation but with a mixture of steel fiber, FeS and SnS was made (designated as DBO) for comparison. All three brake pads were tested in an inertia brake dynamometer with a typical schedule. The speed spread (100/50 Kmph) 0.6g and effectiveness variation of all the pads are fallen in the required range. The fade I of DBO is observed 32.8% lesser whereas for DBS and DBF, it is observed10% and 15.7% more than the standard values, respectively. DBF and DBO have shown 25.4% and 39.6% more wear than DBS, respectively. Further, it is observed a more consistent µ during single braking to identify fade during stops in the second effectiveness test. It is evidenced for the increase in the life of the friction film formed by the sulfide coated fibers in DBS which has increased its wear resistance (Max Δµ = 0.10 for DBS, 0.29 for DBF, and 0.30 for DBO). It is also noticed that the radial wear of all three brake pads was greater than the tangential wear and their ratios are 1.36, 1.40 and 1.55, respectively for DBS, DBF and DBO. Moreover, the optimization has revealed the DBS as best performer friction materials formulation.
Redrawing women’s later-in-life desires: Representations of ageing femininities, intimacies and the promise of happiness in graphic novels
Authors: De Vuyst Sara
Published: July 2022

This article explores representations of ageing femininities and later-in-life intimacies based on a critical, contextualised reading of two graphic novels. Narratives of later life are deeply entangled with notions of happiness. While ageing has usually been associated with decay, loss and an irreversible path to unhappiness, in recent years, there has been a shift towards a more rosy picture of an active, social, happy and fulfilling later-in-life. These happiness scripts contain a set of gendered instructions on how to achieve the good life in old age. For ageing women, they include expectations about beauty and the body, sexual desires and the temporal organisation of the life course. This article draws on Sara Ahmed’s critique on the disciplinary dynamics of the promise of happiness and the work that emotions do to value certain bodies, expressions of sexuality and life choices as good for older women and others as bad. The study found that the two graphic novels analysed ‘Bloesems in de herfst’ (Blossoms in Autumn, 2018) by Zidrou and Aimée De Jongh and ‘Bingo Love’ (2018) by Tee Franklin and Jen St-Onge, both confirm and challenge normative ideas about gender, ageing and sexuality. However, while both graphic novels redraw some lines of the prevailing scripts of happiness for ageing women, they do not erase them entirely from the frame. In the end, I will take the discussion one step further by reflecting on how representations of older women can destabilise norms about gender, sexuality and ageing and subvert disciplinary narratives about later life happiness.
Multi-obstacle aware smart navigation system for visually impaired people in fog connected IoT-cloud environment
Authors: Mueen Ahmed , Awedh Mohammad , Zafar Bassam
Published: July 2022

Design of smart navigation for visually impaired/blind people is a hindering task. Existing researchers analyzed it in either indoor or outdoor environment and also it’s failed to focus on optimum route selection, latency minimization and multi-obstacle presence. In order to overcome these challenges and to provide precise assistance to visually impaired people, this paper proposes smart navigation system for visually impaired people based on both image and sensor outputs of the smart wearable. The proposed approach involves the upcoming processes: (i) the input query of the visually impaired people (users) is improved by the query processor in order to achieve accurate assistance. (ii) The safest route from source to destination is provided by implementing Environment aware Bald Eagle Search Optimization algorithm in which multiple routes are identified and classified into three different classes from which the safest route is suggested to the users. (iii) The concept of fog computing is leveraged and the optimal fog node is selected in order to minimize the latency. The fog node selection is executed by using Nearest Grey Absolute Decision Making Algorithm based on multiple parameters. (iv) The retrieval of relevant information is performed by means of computing Euclidean distance between the reference and database information. (v) The multi-obstacle detection is carried out by YOLOv3 Tiny in which both the static and dynamic obstacles are classified into small, medium and large obstacles. (vi) The decision upon navigation is provided by implementing Adaptive Asynchronous Advantage Actor-Critic (A3C) algorithm based on fusion of both image and sensor outputs. (vii) Management of heterogeneous is carried out by predicting and pruning the fault data in the sensor output by minimum distance based extended kalman filter for better accuracy and clustering the similar information by implementing Spatial-Temporal Optics Clustering Algorithm to reduce complexity. The proposed model is implemented in NS 3.26 and the results proved that it outperforms other existing works in terms of obstacle detection and task completion time.
Machine learning in anesthesiology: Detecting adverse events in clinical practice
Authors: Maciąg Tomasz T , van Amsterdam Kai , Ballast Albertus , Cnossen Fokie , Struys Michel MRF
Published: July 2022

The credibility of threshold-based alarms in anesthesia monitors is low and most of the warnings they produce are not informative. This study aims to show that Machine Learning techniques have a potential to generate meaningful alarms during general anesthesia without putting constraints on the type of procedure. Two distinct approaches were tested – Complication Detection and Anomaly Detection. The former is a generic supervised learning problem and for this a simple feed-forward Neural Network performed best. For the latter, we used an Encoder-Decoder Long Short-Term Memory architecture that does not require a large manually-labeled dataset. We show this approach to be more flexible and in the spirit of Explainable Artificial Intelligence, offering greater potential for future improvement.
Continuing assessments in online dating: Enabling relational development between potential romantic partners in WeChat conversations
Authors: Pan Shuyi , Gan Yumei
Published: July 2022

Potential romantic partners often employ specific communicative strategies in computer-mediated communication based on their anticipation of future interactions. This conversation analytic study examines the practice of assessments used in WeChat conversations between potential romantic partners. We found that people recurrently mobilize the action of assessment to maintain or terminate their relationships. Especially, people tend to provide more assessments after an initial assessment, which we term ‘continuing assessment’. We show that continuing assessments are sequentially organized in conversational context between co-participants and are essential for relational developments. When potential partners aim to maintain or advance their relationships, continuing assessments are used to prevent a structurally integrated conversation from falling into closure. In contrast, continuing assessments are applied to put an end to the dialogue and to manage face work. Our study furthers the understanding of the communicative strategies of online dating.
Amor Loci: Auden in Rookhope
Authors: Tomaney John
Published: July 2022

I present a conspectus of the imaginative geography of the English poet WH Auden. This imaginative geography is avowedly the product of a rootless, cosmopolitan which extols domestic virtues against the backcloth of an originary poetic homeland in Rookhope in the Northern Pennines of England. Auden’s poetry addresses eternal questions about the conditions under which communities thrive or decline, what dividends they bestow upon their members, the costs and benefits of choosing to cultivate local knowledge and attachments and how communities coexist at different scales. Auden’s topopoetics reflects his search for affective bonds in a life marked otherwise by placelessness. It is a quest for a sense of place in the absence of insideness – in this respect it affects more widespread concerns of how to belong to place in an age of hyper-globalisation. Although the landscape of the Northern Pennines held a profound aesthetic attraction for Auden, it was the numinous experience of his youth in Rookhope that allowed him to attach his poetic and personal biography to the place and ascribe its meaning. This amounted to a kind of elective belonging, albeit stripped of any sociological connotation or political commitment.
Intimate geographies of virginal blood
Authors: Militz Elisabeth
Published: July 2022

Feminist scholars, activists, and artists have long addressed the topic of virginity and have dismantled it as a powerful, globally circulating, and gendered myth. It affects how many woman-identifying people experience how their bodies become (a)sexual. Centrally, the myth of virginity has been shown to be mobilized in support of colonial, ethnonationalist identity projects. In Kyrgyzstan, disciplining women through policing their sexual behavior co-constituted nation-building projects after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Drawing on data collected since 2017 (qualitative interviews in Bishkek and Osh and qualitative research on Instagram), I examine intimate geographies of the virginity myth in Kyrgyzstan. Building on geographic scholarship on intimacy and body parts, I discuss the ways in which virginal blood works both to submit to and to reclaim one’s intimate body spaces and sexual practices. I argue that people affected by the virginity myth create the foundations for intimate justice in Kyrgyzstan. On the one hand, people are reclaiming authority over their intimate bodies through subverting sexist systems of sexual control and through expanding discursive horizons of virginity performances. On the other hand, activists on Instagram are supporting digital public spaces that allow to author virginal blood narratives and provide resources on intimate body knowledge. Analyzing the scalar doings of virginal blood, the paper contributes a case study on intimate justice and the geographies of the body in Kyrgyzstan. My analysis encourages further examination of the capacities of the body to better understand how certain body parts turn into key sites of (geo)political struggles and can transform them.
Monitoring of thermoplastic induction welding defects. Use of electromagnetic properties as a predictive tool
Authors: Mazzeschi Mattia , Nuñez Karina C , Cañibano Esteban , Merino Juan C
Published: July 2022

The health of thermoplastic induction welded joints was evaluated by monitoring the electromagnetic response to a time variant magnetic field through a local measurement of the attenuated and reflected field. For this purpose, a numerical model was developed to study how the joint interface affects this response in the presence and absence of a delamination and as a function of the electromagnetic characteristics of a susceptor. Using a single loop coil geometry as local magnetic field excitation and measurement, the frequency range at which the highest damage detection sensitivity occurs has been identified for different sizes of a delamination in the bond line. It has been found that the presence of a susceptor reduces the capability of damage detection for the considered values of electromagnetic properties. The obtained results are the starting point for further research activities aimed at developing an electromagnetically based sensitive layer for monitoring the health of thermoplastic joints, capable of detecting and quantifying joint damage and assessing residual fatigue life.
A Chief Operating Officer's Perspective on Managerial Coaching
Authors: Carvalho Charles , Carvalho Sheldon , Carvalho Fallan Kirby
Published: July 2022

The Problem

In recent years, managerial coaching has garnered increasing attention from organizations, even though practitioners suggest that managers may resist coaching employees. More dialog and research that uncovers the motivations, challenges, and benefits managers accrue from coaching, and the crucial role line and human resource development (HRD) managers can play in creating coaching cultures seems warranted.

The Solution

Perspectives on actions that HRD practitioners can take to support managerial coaching are gained from an interview with a global organization executive.

The Stakeholders

This article will benefit HRD practitioners and line managers seeking to institutionalize a culture of coaching.
Prostatic Abscess Combined With Spleen Abscess Due to Multi-Drug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Li Shun , Sun Zeqiang , Di Ning , Liu Qingyong , Wu Fei
Published: July 2022

The prostatic abscess is a rare complication of a bacterial infection of the prostate. Since the early use of potent antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections, the incidence of the prostatic abscess has declined significantly. In keeping with that, prostatic abscess combined with abscesses in the spleen or other distant organs become an extremely rare but fatal clinical condition. Here, we present a case of prostate and spleen abscess due to multi-drug-resistant gram-negative bacilli without obvious risk factors. The patient initially complained of high-grade fever and dysuria. After screening the source of infection by computed tomography (CT) scans, prostate and spleen abscesses were diagnosed. In addition, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase positive Escherichia coli was detected both in urine and blood culture. The patient was successfully treated by a transurethral resection of the prostate followed by splenic puncture and drainage, as well as intravenous administration of meropenem. Although the prostate abscess combined with spleen abscess was rare, the possibility of dissemination in remote tissues should be taken into consideration before the surgical treatment of prostatic abscesses. The concurrent drainage of multiple abscesses followed by intensive and sensitive antibiotics was safe and effective for indicated patients.
Radiobiological Comparison of Acuros External Beam and Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm on Esophageal Carcinoma Radiotherapy Treatment Plans
Authors: Wang Lin , Zhang Jianping , Huang Miaoyun , Xu Benhua , Li Xiaobo
Published: July 2022

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the dose differences and radiobiological assessment between Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) and Acuros External Beam (AXB) with its 2 calculation models, namely, dose-to-water (AXB-Dw) and dose-to-medium (AXB-Dm), on esophageal carcinoma radiotherapy treatment plans.

Materials and methods

The AXB-Dw and AXB-Dm plans were generated by recalculating the initial 66 AAA plans using the AXB algorithm with the same monitor units and beam parameters as those in the original plan. The dosimetric and radiobiological assessment parameters were calculated for the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs). The gamma agreement for the PTV and the correlation between it and the volume of the air cavity and bone among the different algorithms were compared simultaneously. The dose discrepancy between the theoretical calculation and treatment planning system (TPS) when switching from AXB-Dm to AXB-Dw was analyzed according to the composition of the structures.

Results

The PTV dose of AXB-Dm plans was significantly smaller than that of the AAA and AXB-Dw plans (P < .05), except for D2. The difference values for AAA vs AXB-Dm (∆ Dx,(AAA-AXB,Dm)) and AXB-Dw vs AXB-Dm (∆ Dx,(AXB,Dw-AXB,Dm)) were 1.94% [1.27%, 2.64%] and 1.95% [1.56%, 2.27%], respectively. For the spinal cord and heart, there were obvious differences between the AAA vs AXB-Dm (spinal cord: 1.15%, heart: 2.89%) and AXB-Dw vs AXB-Dm (spinal cord: 1.88%, heart: 3.25%) plans. For the lung, the differences between AAA vs AXB-Dm and AAA vs AXB-Dw were significantly larger than those of AXB-Dm vs AXB-Dw. Compared to the case of AAA and AXB-Dw, the decrease in biologically effective dose (BED10, [Formula: see text]) of AXB-Dm due to dose non-uniformity exceeded 6.5%, even for a small [Formula: see text]. The average values of equivalent uniform dose in the AAA, AXB-Dw, and AXB-Dm plans were 52.03±.39 Gy, 52.24 ± .81 Gy, and 51.13 ± .47 Gy, respectively. The tumor control probability (TCP) results for PTV in the AAA, AXB-Dw, and AXB-Dm plans were 62.29 ± 1.57%, 62.82 ± 1.69%, and 58.68±1.88%, respectively. With the 2%/2 mm and 3%/3 mm acceptance criteria, the mean values of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] were 87.24, 63.3, and 64.81% vs 97.86, 91.77, and 89.25%, respectively. The dose discrepancy between the theoretical calculation and TPS when switching from AXB-Dm to AXB-Dw was approximately 1.63%.

Conclusions

The AAA and AXB-Dw algorithms overestimated the radiobiological parameters when the tumor particularly consisted of nonuniform tissues. A relatively small dose difference could cause a significant reduction in the corresponding TCP. Dose distribution algorithms should be carefully chosen by physicists and oncologists to improve tumor control, as well as to optimize OARs protection.
Biochemical Investigation of Therapeutic Potentials of Plant-Based Bioactive Compounds as Stimulators of Glucagon like peptide-1 Secretion
Authors: Javed Areeba , Muzammal Ayman , Akash Muhammad Sajid Hamid , Rehman Kanwal
Published: July 2022

This study was aimed to investigate the therapeutic potentials of plant-based bioactive compounds; lutein and resveratrol alone and/or in combination with DPP-4 enzyme inhibitor; sitagliptin on the secretion and bioavailability of Glucagon like peptide-1(GLP). For this, experimental rats were divided into seven groups. Group 1 was marked as control, while other six groups received streptozotocin (60 mg/kg I.P.). Later, group 2 was kept disease-control. While group 3 received 10 mg/kg/day sitagliptin (DDP-4i). Group 4 received 40 mg/kg/day lutein (LUT) and group 5 received 30 mg/kg/day resveratrol (RES). While group 6 and 7 were received combination of DPP-4i+LUT and DPP-4i+RES, respectively. Combined administration of DPP-4i+LUT or DPP-4i+RES showed expected therapeutic effects by lowering the fasting blood glucose and maintaining the serum insulin concentrations with improved glucose sensitivity and reduced insulin resistance. Further, co-administration of LUT and RES with DPP-4i revealed beneficial effects on measures of insulin resistance, circulating lipids, glycemic index, oxidative stress, and inflammatory status along with restoration of histological morphology of pancreatic cells and enterocytes that seemed to improve the level of GLP-1. Hence, substantial verdicts of this study showing therapeutic potentials of LUT and RES would surely help to recognize the potential effects in combination with DPP-4i as stimulators of GLP-1 secretion.
Biting back: A green-cultural criminology of animal liberation struggle as constructed through online communiques
Authors: Stephens-Griffin Nathan
Published: July 2022

This article conceptualises animal liberation direct action in green-cultural criminological terms. To do this, it draws on Johnston and Johnston’s methodological approach and undertakes qualitative content analysis of animal liberation communiqués published on the website, Bite Back. Whilst a significant body of scholarly literature has discussed animal liberation struggles, this article develops an understanding of these often-criminal acts and events within a cultural criminological context. Findings from this analysis reveal three themes. First, activists variously resist and embrace the state and media’s ‘terrorisation’ and discursive delegitimating of animal liberation struggle. Activists wilfully play on the framing of themselves as terrorists. Second, activists are also able to re-contextualise what might otherwise be seen as minor, apolitical events into a much broader liberation struggle. Third, animal liberation activism is frequently and explicitly connected to other emancipatory struggles. To conclude, the article argues that animal liberation activists engage in direct action on a local level, and strategically promote hyper localised instances of direct action globally through online communiqués. In doing so, animal liberation activists engage in a ‘prefigurative integration’ of what might otherwise be dismissed as isolated hyper local ‘petty events’ within a global struggle against violence, exploitation and oppression.
The effect of stress levels of nurses on performance during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating role of motivation
Authors: Ardıç Mesut , Ünal Özgün , Türktemiz Halil
Published: July 2022

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is thought that nurses working at more intensive levels and in high-risk areas may increase their stress and decrease their motivations and performance.

Aims

This study aimed to determine the effects of stress and work stress on nurses’ motivations and performances.

Methods

An online, cross-sectional survey, which used self-assessment scales to measure perceived stress, perceived work stress, motivation, and work performance was used as a data collection tool. The target population was all working nurses in a hospital.

Results

One hundred and fourteen nurses completed the questionnaires. The results of the study show that the participants' perceived motivation level (3.131 ± 0.685), perceived stress level (2.885 ± 0.547), and perceived job stress level (3.202 ± 1.067) were at a medium level, while their perceived performance level (3.845 ± 0.783) was at a high level. According to correlation analyses results, increases in perceived stress levels of nurses decrease their motivations ( r = −0.502) and performances ( r = −0.603). Similarly, increases in perceived work stress levels of nurses decrease their motivations ( r = −0.441) and performances ( r = −0.534). According to the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis, motivation has a mediating role in the negative effect of perceived stresses on performance ( β = −0.694) and augments such negative effect ( β = −0.169). Similarly, motivation has a mediating role in the negative effect of perceived work stresses on performance ( β = −0.295) and increases the negative effect of perceived work stress on performance ( β = −0.097).

Conclusions

Nurses’ perceived stress and perceived work stress levels were not high, but an increase in these variables may decrease nurses’ motivation and performance. Thus, controlling nurses’ stress levels and identifying possible stress sources related to the COVID-19 pandemic are important to support nurses in their work.