bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Much of Root Cause Analysis Translates into Improved Patient Safety: A Systematic Review
Authors: Martin-Delgado Jimmy , Martínez-García Alba , Aranaz Jesús María , Valencia-Martín José L. , Mira José Joaquín
Published: May 2020

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to consolidate studies to determine whether root cause analysis (RCA) is an adequate method to decrease recurrence of avoidable adverse events (AAEs). Methods: A systematic search of databases from creation until December 2018 was performed using PubMed, Scopus and EMBASE. We included articles published in scientific journals describing the practical usefulness in and impact of RCA on the reduction of AAEs and whether professionals consider it feasible. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the quality of studies. Results: Twenty-one articles met the inclusion criteria. Samples included in these studies ranged from 20 to 1,707 analyses of RCAs, AAEs, recommendations, audits or interviews with professionals. The most common setting was hospitals (86%; n = 18), and the type of incident most analysed was AAEs, in 71% (n = 15) of the cases; 47% (n = 10) of the studies stated that the main weakness of RCA is its recommendations. The most common causes involved in the occurrence of AEs were communication problems among professionals, human error and faults in the organisation of the health care process. Despite the widespread implementation of RCA in the past decades, only 2 studies could to some extent establish an improvement in patient safety due to RCAs. Conclusions: RCA is a useful tool for the identification of the remote and immediate causes of safety incidents, but not for implementing effective measures to prevent their recurrence.
Speed control of sensorless brushless DC motor by computing back EMF from line voltage difference
Authors: Sivakami R. , K. Thangaraj
Published: May 2020

Sensorless operation of permanent magnet brushless direct current (BLDC) motor drive controls the rotating speed with different applied voltage. No phase lagging is produced which leads to increase the efficiency and minimize the torque pulsation of the BLDC motor. Initially, motor can be started by following the v/f method then allows the sensorless mode after reaching the minimum speed of 500-1000rpm. The Sensorless BLDC motors are highly used due to higher efficiency, reliability power, acoustic noise, smaller, lighter, greater dynamic response, better speed versus torque characteristics, higher speed range and longer life. Thus the source voltage spikes and switching losses are reduced. This method can be demonstrated through MATLAB simulation and DSP TMS 320LF2407A is used in the experimental setup to get the output
SU(3) Symmetry in hafnium isotopes with even neutron N=100-108
Authors: Hossain I. , Sharrad Fadhil I. , Kassim Huda H. , Mohammed-Ali Amir A. , Ahmed A. S.
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we have reviewed the calculation of ground states energy level up to spin 14+, electric quadrupole moments up to spin 12+, and reduced transition probabilities of Hafnium isotopes with even neutron N = 100-108 by Interacting Boson Model (IBM-1). The calculated results are compared with previous available experimental data and found good agreement for all nuclei. Moreover, we have studied potential energy surface of those nuclei. The systematic studies of quadrupole moments, reduced transition strength, yrast level and potential energy surface of those nuclei show an important property that they are deformed and have dynamical symmetry SU(3) characters.
A saúde do trabalhador da educação
Authors: Barros Maria Elizabeth Barros de , Muniz Hélder Pordeu , Brito Janaina Madeira
Published: May 2020

O artigo apresenta uma experiência de pesquisa realizada em um município da Grande Vitória/ES no campo da educação pública, intitulada Programa de Formação e Investigação em Saúde e Trabalho. Visa a dar evidência ao modo como a pesquisa se efetivou, vislumbrando processos formativos no campo da educação com o objetivo de implantar Comissões de Saúde do Trabalhador. A proposta das comissões teve como direção metodológica as comunidades ampliadas de pesquisa para o exercício coletivo de análise da atividade docente. A direção metodológica foi a da pesquisa-intervenção e a produção de dados se efetivou a partir das narrativas produzidas nas rodas de conversa e do diário de campo. Apresenta como foram construídos esses instrumentos e ferramentas de análise para incrementar o debate sobre a saúde dos trabalhadores na Educação. Indica, ainda, o modo como a pesquisa, a partir da constituição de um fórum intersetorial buscou a experimentação da implementação de comissões de saúde do trabalhador da educação nas escolas. Os resultados indicam que a estratégia das Comissões por local de trabalho é um potente instrumento para intervir nas condições adversas de trabalho nas escolas.
A norma de responsabilidade social e a discriminação da mulher negra no setor industrial
Authors: Silva Valdenice Portela , Lima Marcus Eugênio Oliveira , Silva Patrícia Da
Published: May 2020

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar, de forma comparativa, os impactos da norma de responsabilidade social empresarial e a discriminação das mulheres negras, na indústria de transformação sergipana. Para tanto, foram utilizados os microdados da Relação Anual de Informações Sociais (RAIS) do Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego (MET) de 2007/2008 e 2013/2014. A partir da análise dos dados, nota-se, em relação à discriminação de gênero, uma tendência à predominância masculina no setor da indústria de transformação sergipana. Os dados indicam também que não apenas o sexo feminino é aquele com menor presença no setor industrial, mas é a mulher de cor preta que possui os menores percentuais de inclusão no setor industrial sergipano. Esse cenário comparativo de discriminação de gênero e raça pouco se alterou com a introdução da norma de responsabilidade social empresarial, a partir da década de 1990.
Association Between Sleep Disordered Breathing and Left Ventricular Function
Authors: Ogilvie Rachel P. , Genuardi Michael V. , Magnani Jared W. , Redline Susan , Daviglus Martha L. , Shah Neomi , Kansal Mayank , Cai Jianwen , Ramos Alberto R. , Hurwitz Barry E. , Ponce Sonia , Patel Sanjay R. , Rodriguez Carlos J.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Prior studies have found that sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common among those with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and heart failure. Few epidemiological studies have examined this association, especially in US Hispanic/Latinos, who may be at elevated risk of SDB and heart failure.

Methods:

We examined associations between SDB and LV diastolic and systolic function using data from 1506 adults aged 18 to 64 years in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos ECHO-SOL Ancillary Study (2011–2014). Home sleep testing was used to measure the apnea-hypopnea index, a measure of SDB severity. Echocardiography was performed a median of 2.1 years later to quantify LV diastolic function, systolic function, and structure. Multivariable linear regression was used to model the association between apnea-hypopnea index and echocardiographic measures while accounting for the complex survey design, demographics, body mass, and time between sleep and echocardiographic measurements.

Results:

Each 10-unit increase in apnea-hypopnea index was associated with 0.2 (95% CI, 0.1–0.3) lower E′, 0.3 (0.1–0.5) greater E/E′ ratio, and 1.07-fold (1.03–1.11) higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction as well as 1.3 (0.3–2.4) g/m
2
greater LV mass index. These associations persisted after adjustment for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. In contrast, no association was identified between SDB severity and subclinical markers of LV systolic function.

Conclusions:

Greater SDB severity was associated with LV hypertrophy and subclinical markers of LV diastolic dysfunction. These findings suggest SDB in Hispanic/Latino men and women may contribute to the burden of heart failure in this population.
Outcomes of Cardiac Catheterization in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation on Anticoagulation in Contemporary in Practice
Authors: Sherwood Matthew W. , Piccini Jonathan P. , Holmes DaJuanicia N. , Pieper Karen S. , Steinberg Benjamin A. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Allen Larry A. , Naccarelli Gerald V. , Kowey Peter R. , Gersh Bernard J. , Mahaffey Kenneth W. , Singer Daniel E. , Ansell Jack E. , Freeman James V. , Chan Paul S. , Reiffel James A. , Blanco Rosalia , Peterson Eric D. , Rao Sunil V.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Patients with atrial fibrillation on oral anticoagulation (OAC) undergoing cardiac catheterization face risks for embolic and bleeding events, yet information on strategies to mitigate these risks in contemporary practice is lacking.

Methods:

We aimed to describe the clinical/procedural characteristics of a contemporary cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation on OAC who underwent cardiac catheterization. Use of bleeding avoidance strategies and bridging therapy were described and outcomes including death, stroke, and major bleeding at 30 days and 1 year were compared by OAC type.

Results:

Of 13 404 patients in the Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation II Registry from 2013 to 2016, 741 underwent cardiac catheterization (139 with percutaneous coronary intervention) in the setting of OAC. The patients’ median age was 71, 61.8% were male, white (87.2%), had hypertension (83.7%), hyperlipidemia (72.1%), diabetes mellitus (31.6%), and chronic kidney disease (28.2%); 20.2% received warfarin while 79.8% received direct acting oral anticoagulant. One third of patients underwent radial artery access, and bivalirudin was used in 4.6%. Bridging therapy was used more often in patients on warfarin versus direct acting oral anticoagulant (16.7% versus10.0%). OAC was interrupted in 93.8% of patients. Patients on warfarin versus direct acting oral anticoagulant were equally likely to restart OAC (58.0% versus 60.7%), had similar use of antiplatelet therapy (44.0% versus 41.3%) after catheterization, and had similar rates of myocardial infarction and death at 1 year, but higher rates of major bleeding (43.3 versus 12.9 events/100 patient years) and stroke (4.9 versus 1.9 events/100 patient years).

Conclusions:

In a real-world registry of patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac catheterization, most cases are elective, performed by femoral access, with interruption of OAC. Bleeding avoidance strategies such as radial artery access and bivalirudin were used infrequently and use of bridging therapy was uncommon. Nearly 40% of patients did not restart OAC postprocedure, exposing patients to risk for stroke. Further research is necessary to optimize the management of patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac catheterization.
Evaluation of Risk-Adjusted Home Time After Acute Myocardial Infarction as a Novel Hospital-Level Performance Metric for Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Pandey Ambarish , Keshvani Neil , Vaughan-Sarrazin Mary S. , Gao Yubo , Girotra Saket
Published: May 2020

Background:

The utility of 30-day risk-standardized readmission rate (RSRR) as a hospital performance metric has been a matter of debate. Home time is a patient-centered outcome measure that accounts for rehospitalization, mortality, and postdischarge care. We aim to characterize risk-adjusted 30-day home time in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as a hospital-level performance metric and to evaluate associations with 30-day RSRR, 30-day risk-standardized mortality rate (RSMR), and 1-year RSMR.

Methods:

The study included 984 612 patients with AMI hospitalization across 2379 hospitals between 2009 and 2015 derived from 100% Medicare claims data. Home time was defined as the number of days alive and spent outside of a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or intermediate-/long-term acute care facility 30 days after discharge. Correlations between hospital-level risk-adjusted 30-day home time and 30-day RSRR, 30-day RSMR, and 1-year RSMR were estimated with the Pearson correlation. Reclassification in hospital performance using 30-day home time versus 30-day RSRR and 30-day RSMR was also evaluated.

Results:

Median hospital-level risk-adjusted 30-day home time was 24.0 days (range, 15.3–29.0 days). Hospitals with higher home time were more commonly academic centers, had available cardiac surgery and rehabilitation services, and had higher AMI volume and percutaneous coronary intervention use during the AMI hospitalization. Of the mean 30-day home time days lost, 58% were to intermediate-/long-term care or skilled nursing facility stays (4.7 days), 30% to death (2.5 days), and 12% to readmission (1.0 days). Hospital-level risk-adjusted 30-day home time was inversely correlated with 30-day RSMR (
r
=−0.22,
P
<0.0001) and 30-day RSRR
(r
=−0.25,
P
<0.0001). Patients admitted to hospitals with higher risk-adjusted 30-day home time had lower 30-day readmission (quartile 1 versus 4, 21% versus 17%), 30-day mortality rate (5% versus 3%), and 1-year mortality rate (18% versus 12%). Furthermore, 30-day home time reclassified hospital performance status in ≈30% of hospitals versus 30-day RSRR and 30-day RSMR.

Conclusions:

Thirty-day home time for patients with AMI can be assessed as a hospital-level performance metric with the use of Medicare claims data. It varies across hospitals, is associated with postdischarge readmission and mortality outcomes, and meaningfully reclassifies hospital performance compared with the 30-day RSRR and 30-day RSMR metrics.
Incidence, Microbiology, and Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized With Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Shah Anoop S.V. , McAllister David A. , Gallacher Peter , Astengo Federica , Rodríguez Pérez Jesús Alberto , Hall Jennifer , Ken Lee Kuan , Bing Rong , Anand Atul , Nathwani Dilip , Mills Nicholas L. , Newby David E. , Marwick Charis , Cruden Nicholas L.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Despite improvements in management, infective endocarditis remains associated with high mortality and morbidity. We describe temporal changes in the incidence, microbiology, and outcomes of infective endocarditis and the effect of changes in national antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines on incident infective endocarditis.

Methods:

Using a Scotland-wide, individual-level linkage approach, all patients hospitalized with infective endocarditis from 1990 to 2014 were identified and linked to national microbiology, prescribing, and morbidity and mortality datasets. Linked data were used to evaluate trends in the crude and age- and sex-adjusted incidence and outcomes of infective endocarditis hospitalizations. From 2008, microbiology data and associated outcomes adjusted for patient demographics and comorbidity were also analyzed. An interrupted time series analysis was performed to evaluate incidence before and after changes to national antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines.

Results:

There were 7638 hospitalizations (65±17 years, 51% females) with infective endocarditis. The estimated crude hospitalization rate increased from 5.3/100 000 (95% CI, 4.8-5.9) to 8.6/100 000 (95% CI, 8.1–9.1) between 1990 and 1995 but remained stable thereafter. There was no change in crude incidence following the 2008 change in antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines (relative risk of change 1.06 [95% CI, 0.94–1.20]). The incidence rate in patients >80 years of age doubled from 1990 to 2014 (17.7/100 000 [95% CI, 13.4–23.3] to 37.9/100 000 [95% CI, 31.5–45.5]). The predicted 1-year age- and comorbidity-adjusted case fatality rate for a 65-year-old patient decreased in women (27.3% [95% CI, 24.6–30.2] to 23.7% [95% CI, 21.1–26.6]) and men (30.7% [95% CI, 27.7–33.8] to 26.8% [95% CI, 24.0–29.7]) from 1990 to 2014. Blood culture data were available from 2008 (n=2267/7638, 30%), with positive blood cultures recorded in 42% (950/2267). Staphylococcus (403/950, 42.4%) and streptococcus (337/950, 35.5%) species were most common.
Staphylococcus aureus
and enterococcus had the highest 1-year mortality (adjusted odds ratio 4.34 [95% CI, 3.12–6.05] and 3.41 [95% CI, 2.04–5.70], respectively).

Conclusions:

Despite changes in antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines, the crude incidence of infective endocarditis has remained stable. However, the incidence rate has doubled in the elderly. Positive blood cultures were observed in less than half of patients, with
Staphylococcus aureus
and enterococcus bacteremia associated with worse outcomes.
Familial Recurrent Myocarditis Triggered by Exercise in Patients With a Truncating Variant of the Desmoplakin Gene
Authors: Poller Wolfgang , Haas Jan , Klingel Karin , Kühnisch Jirko , Gast Martina , Kaya Ziya , Escher Felicitas , Kayvanpour Elham , Degener Franziska , Opgen‐Rhein Bernd , Berger Felix , Mochmann Hans‐Christian , Skurk Carsten , Heidecker Bettina , Schultheiss Heinz‐Peter , Monserrat Lorenzo , Meder Benjamin , Landmesser Ulf , Klaassen Sabine
Published: May 2020

Background

Variants of the desmosomal protein desmoplakin are associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, an important cause of ventricular arrhythmias in children and young adults. Disease penetrance of desmoplakin variants is incomplete and variant carriers may display noncardiac, dermatologic phenotypes. We describe a novel cardiac phenotype associated with a truncating desmoplakin variant, likely causing mechanical instability of myocardial desmosomes.

Methods and Results

In 2 young brothers with recurrent myocarditis triggered by physical exercise, screening of 218 cardiomyopathy‐related genes identified the heterozygous truncating variant p.Arg1458Ter in desmoplakin. Screening for infections yielded no evidence of viral or nonviral infections. Myosin and troponin I autoantibodies were detected at high titers. Immunohistology failed to detect any residual
DSP
protein in endomyocardial biopsies, and none of the histologic criteria of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy were fulfilled. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed no features associated with right ventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, but multifocal subepicardial late gadolinium enhancement was present in the left ventricles of both brothers. Screening of adult cardiomyopathy cohorts for truncating variants identified the rare genetic variants p.Gln307Ter, p.Tyr1391Ter, and p.Tyr1512Ter, suggesting that over subsequent decades critical genetic/exogenous modifiers drive pathogenesis from desmoplakin truncations toward different end points.

Conclusions

The described novel phenotype of familial recurrent myocarditis associated with a desmoplakin truncation in adolescents likely represents a serendipitously revealed subtype of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. It may be caused by a distinctive adverse effect of the variant desmoplakin upon the mechanical stability of myocardial desmosomes. Variant screening is advisable to allow early detection of patients with similar phenotypes.
Clinical and Angiographic Outcomes With Drug‐Coated Balloons for De Novo Coronary Lesions: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Elgendy Islam Y. , Gad Mohamed M. , Elgendy Akram Y. , Mahmoud Ahmad , Mahmoud Ahmed N. , Cuesta Javier , Rivero Fernando , Alfonso Fernando
Published: May 2020

Background

The role of drug‐coated balloons (DCBs) in the treatment of de novo coronary lesions is not well established.

Methods and Results

Electronic databases and major conference proceedings were searched for randomized controlled trials that compared DCBs with stents or angioplasty for de novo coronary lesions. The primary outcome was target lesion revascularization. Summary estimates were conducted using random‐effects analysis complemented by several subgroup and sensitivity analyses. A total of 14 randomized controlled trials with 2483 patients were included. At a mean follow up of 12 months, DCBs were associated with no difference in the incidence of target lesion revascularization as compared with alternative strategies (risk ratio [RR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.35–1.76). There was no difference in treatment effect based on the indication (ie, small‐vessel disease, myocardial infarction, bifurcation, or high bleeding risk) (
P
interaction
=0.22). DCBs were associated with lower target lesion revascularization compared with bare metal stents and similar target lesion revascularization compared with drug‐eluting stents (
P
interaction
=0.03). There was no difference between DCBs and control in terms of major adverse cardiac events, vessel thrombosis, or cardiovascular mortality. However, DCBs were associated with a lower incidence of myocardial infarction (RR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.25–0.90) and all‐cause mortality (RR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.22–0.94).

Conclusions

In patients with de novo coronary lesions, use of DCBs was associated with comparable clinical outcomes irrespective of the indication or comparator device. DCBs had a similar rate of target lesion revascularization compared with drug‐eluting stents. A randomized trial powered for clinical outcomes and evaluating the role of DCBs for all‐comers is warranted.
How to Chase a Monkey: Reforming the Oiharai Response to Crop-Feeding Macaques in Japan
Authors: Knight John
Published: May 2020

This research is about the reform of the farmer’s chase response to crop-damaging monkeys in Japan. It focuses on a campaign to transform this chase response, known as oiharai, from a simple field-side act of expulsion into a collective, extended, and high-threat (but non-lethal) pursuit aimed at deterring future monkey visits. A number of problems with the reform are identified, including, most fundamentally, a shortage of residents in today’s depopulated, ageing villages able to do the chasing. In order to overcome this obstacle, attempts are made to boost this depleted chase capacity using (human and nonhuman) surrogate chasers.
Do Social Constraints Inhibit Analytical Atheism? Cognitive Style and Religiosity in Turkey
Authors: Caldwell-Harris Catherine L. , Hocaoğlu Sevil , Morgan Jonathan
Published: May 2020

Recent studies claim that having an analytical cognitive style is correlated with reduced religiosity in western populations. However, in cultural contexts where social norms constrain behavior, such cognitive characteristics may have reduced influence on behaviors and beliefs. We labeled this the ‘constraining environments hypothesis.’ In a sample of 246 Muslims in Turkey, the hypothesis was supported for gender. Females face social pressure to be religious. Unlike their male counterparts, they were more religious, less analytical, and their analytical scores were uncorrelated with religiosity. We had predicted an analogous effect for the comparison between monolingual and bilingual students, since English-proficient students are exposed to a wider social environment. The bilingual students were less religious than the monolingual students, yet they were also less analytical. Thus, being analytical was not the path to lower religiosity for the bilingual students. Cognitive styles need to be studied along with social norms in a variety of cultures, to understand religion-cognition relationships.
Early Interculturation, Late Interculturation – Does It Make a Difference in Our Memories?
Authors: Oulahal Rachid , Denoux Patrick
Published: May 2020

Our research is in the perspective of intercultural psychology and addresses the question of memories an intercultural situation leaves for individuals who experience it during their life. More precisely, it is through the autobiographical memory that our research analyzes the articulation between identity and memory processes in relation to a life experience in an intercultural situation, whether it is a life in a multicultural environment, a migration towards a new cultural environment, a plurality of cultural affiliations or many other configurations that the present world is filled with and for which the cultures contact is put in the foreground.

The autobiographical memory retains representations of our past and plays a fundamental role in building a sense of identity and continuity of existence. Our article presents results from an analysis based on the life stories of 5 elderly subjects who had intercultural experiences. It would seem that early intercultural experience directs life discourse towards a principle of coherence in autobiographical memory, emphasizing what the participant was rather than what he achieved. On the other hand, Late intercultural experience orients it to a correspondence principle in autobiographical memory, attaching to actions and temporality of life experience and highlighting achievements rather than individuals self perception.
The enigmatic Amazonian genus Eutrachelophis: morphological evidence and description of new taxa (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Xenodontini)
Authors: Zaher Hussam , Prudente Ana L.C.
Published: May 2020

Eutrachelophis contains two species – Eu. bassleri and Eu. steinbachi – that are known from the lowland rainforests of western Amazonia (Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia). Due to their unusual hemipenial morphology, they have been considered to belong to a separate tribe – Eutrachelophiini – of dipsadids. Here, we describe a new species of Eutrachelophis that fills an important morphological gap in the hemipenial pattern known for this genus. Although highly modified, apical disks are recognizable in the hemipenes of both species, supporting their inclusion in the tribe Xenodontini. We further allocate Eu. steinbachi in a new genus, due to the contrasting morphological disparities and lack of uniquely derived features shared with the remaining species of Eutrachelophis. The new genus can be distinguished from all other genera of Dipsadidae by the presence of deeply divided lobes with lobular projections that expand beyond the tip of the sulci, the latter ending on the middle surface of the lobes where it opens at the base of a small nude area considered to be the remnant of the Xenodontini apical disks. The two remaining species of Eutrachelophis retain well-developed Xenodontini apical disks that are expanded throughout the lobular region reaching each other’s edges at midline due to the fusion of both lobes in one unique structure. The condition observed in the genus Lygophis is morphologically intermediate between the highly specialized condition present in Eutrachelophis and the one known to characterize other Xenodontini, supporting the allocation of this genus in the tribe. (Zoobank: www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:96725BD0-D9E6-4A85-A4BD-D6BF988CFC5E)
Interpreting Silence?
Authors: Scott Charles E.
Published: May 2020

The guiding question in this essay is, how might we speak of silence—interpret silence—without objectifying it and losing a sense of it in the way we speak of it. That means that prioritizing the value of direct linguistic language, comprehension (i.e. constructing a conceptual grasp), interpreting what other hermeneuts say about silence, or attempting to make it visible is not a viable option. The myths of Hermes and Metis, however, might be integral to the lineages of speaking and knowing that are more suited to speaking of silence than the lineages that arise out of biblical exegesis and modern/contemporary philosophy and theology. In the process of shifting to the value of those myths, the bonding of truth and goodness with stability and moral decency is displaced by the value of uncertainty and indirection. Throughout, the essay accepts the distinction between silences and silence and prioritizes awareness of silence in the silence accompanying awareness.
“I Want to be a Leader, But Men Are Better Than Women in Leadership Positions”
Authors: al-Mutawa Rana
Published: May 2020

This research paper investigates female perceptions of female leadership in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where, particularly recently, state feminism has supported women’s occupation of leadership positions. It thus explores how state feminism’s portrayal of the ideal woman in leadership has impacted Emirati women’s perceptions of female leaders. A survey comprising 350 female Emirati students was undertaken, and results were supported by interviews. Findings suggest that although 93 percent of respondents “wanted to” or “probably wanted to” be leaders, they nevertheless endorsed “sexist” stereotypes and legitimizing myths. These contradictions are due, most likely, to ambivalent messages disseminated by the state and by society at large about female leaders. This research postulates that, while women have gained more agency in the public sphere through occupying leadership positions, their own perceptions and portrayals of acceptable gender roles are complex and ambivalent.
Saudi Women as Decision Makers: Analyzing the Media Portrayal of Female Political Participation in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Karolak Magdalena , Guta Hala
Published: May 2020

This paper analyzes the contrasting media portrayals of female political participation in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through a thorough discourse analysis of Saudi, British, and American newspaper articles surrounding the 2015 municipal elections, we scrutinize how the portrayal of women as a subject group has shifted from one that requires the constant approval of guardians in the public sphere to one that makes its own decisions and actively participates in politics. We analyze what types of discourses and frames have supported this drastic shift in official Saudi media discourses. We then contrast these findings with the portrayal of Saudi female political participation in Western countries that claim to uphold human rights and gender equality, in contrast to Saudi Arabia. Finally, we contrast our findings with the perceptions of 50 female Saudis regarding female agency and political participation in Saudi Arabia.
From Long-term Contract to Market: An RBC Perspective on International Negotiations of Iron Ore Prices in the Asia-Pacific Region, 2009–2010
Authors: Wang Yue , Tanaka Akira , Huang Xiaochun
Published: May 2020

The collapse of a long-term contract-based (LTC) benchmark system and the rise of a market-based index system in international negotiations of iron ore prices in the Asia-Pacific region has attracted much media attention. However, a systematic analysis of why and how such a change occurred from a negotiation point of view is absent. Drawing upon a relationship-behavior-conditions (RBC) perspective from the international business (IB) negotiation literature, this article investigates how negotiations between parties unfolded during the 2009–2010 period. Specifically, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of the subject by evaluating the relationships between various negotiating parties, investigating some intriguing behaviors by negotiating parties, and identifying important conditions surrounding the negotiation process. The case of iron ore price negotiation also offers a vehicle to advance the RBC perspective in untangling complex IB negotiation problems and generate some broad implications for IB negotiation research and practices.
Research on the Beginnings of Cambodian Sinophone Literature
Authors: Lim Pierre-Mong
Published: May 2020

Based on research done in the National Archives of Cambodia on the Sino-Cambodian newspaper Mekong Yat Pao and its literary supplements, this report has two main objectives: firstly, since the field of Sinophone literature in the Cambodian Kingdom has seldom been researched, to write a general introduction to the history of the newspaper and its historical context; and then to describe in detail the contents of the literary supplements, trying to understand their development according to a periodization through which one can follow the evolution of the dominant literary genres and the parallel political events of the 1950–60s in Cambodia and mainland China.
Are Arms Trade Treaty Meetings Being Used to Their Full Potential?
Authors: Pytlak Allison
Published: May 2020

When adopted in 2013 the international Arms Trade Treaty (att) was widely heralded for its life-saving potential and for bringing human rights and humanitarian concerns squarely into international arms transfers decision-making processes. This article takes a critical look at the att meeting cycle, which comprises an annual conference of states parties (csp), as well as preparatory sessions and meetings of the Treaty’s working groups. The article is guided by the question, are att meetings being used to their full potential to meet the Treaty’s objectives and prevent atrocities? It studies two aspects of the att meeting cycles—working groups and annual csp thematic areas of focus — to demonstrate the nature of the substantive outcomes that are emerging from conferences. The article identifies that the inability of states parties to use the meetings to address matters of compliance with the att’s prohibition and risk assessment requirements constitutes a major shortcoming, and offers suggestions and alternatives for states parties and other stakeholders.
The att and War Profiteering: the Case of the UK
Authors: Perlo-Freeman Sam
Published: May 2020

The Arms Trade Treaty is intended to prevent arms supplies likely to be used to violate International Humanitarian Law or human rights, or exacerbate conflict. Yet, some of the countries who most strongly championed the ATT have continued to supply arms in the face of clear evidence that they are being misused, most notably at present in the war in Yemen. This article addresses this apparent paradox in the case of the UK – the first major arms producing nation to publicly support the ATT. The article situates UK support for the ATT, under the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair, in the context of the domestic political considerations of the Blair Government; in particular, the desire to restore the UK’s image as a “force for good” in the world in the wake of the Iraq War. At the same time, the high dependence of the UK arms industry on exports, in particular to Saudi Arabia, drove the government to fail to robustly implement ATT commitments – as well as those from the earlier EU Common Position, and to allow UK arms companies to continue to engage in “war profiteering” in Yemen and elsewhere.
R2P in Syria and Myanmar: Norm Violation and Advancement
Authors: Russo Jenna B.
Published: May 2020

Attempts to intervene in the Syrian and Myanmar crises have been hampered by political deadlock, leading even supporters of R2P to question its continued salience. Yet, upon closer consideration, Member States and other members of the international community have, by and large, upheld their protection responsibilities, via the creation of innovative mechanisms that have been used to bypass Security Council deadlock. Not only have these mechanisms served to uphold R2P in these two cases, they have created alternate pathways to operationalise R2P, thus serving to further advance the norm. The theoretical claim put forth is that norm violations have served as an alternate vehicle for norm advancement, as flagrant norm violations committed by the Syrian and Myanmar governments, as well as by the Security Council, have reminded members of the international community of the costs of failing to protect.
Milk From the Butterfly Spring: State and Enterprise in the Yunnan Dairy Industry
Authors: DuBois Thomas David
Published: May 2020

Founded in 1959, the Dengchuan Milk Products Factory was both an individuated enterprise and an asset in the development of western Yunnan. This article examines the six-decade transformation of Dengchuan from state-owned industry, to officially promoted dragon head, and finally as a wholly owned subsidiary of the New Hope Group. Even as the company enjoyed greater managerial independence, it has relied on the government for materials, market access, and the development of its dairy base, a relationship that only recently reversed as the company responded to demands for capital investment and productive upscaling. Albeit on a much smaller scale, this relationship is comparable to the business groups that dominate sectoral development in strategic industries.
A review of the species of Anaspis (s. str.) similar to A. nigripes Brisout and A. apfelbecki Schilsky, with the description of three new species (Coleoptera: Scraptiidae)
Authors: LEVEY BRIAN
Published: May 2020

Three new species are described: A. cooteri sp. n. (from China), A. curva sp. n. (from China), A. bertrami sp. n. (from Lebanon). A dichotomous key is provided to distinguish the new species from their most similar known species, namely: A. apfelbecki Schilsky, A. emarginata Schilsky, A. graeca Schilsky, A. koenigi Schilsky, A. marseuli Csiki, A. mongolica Ermisch, A. nigripes Brisout de Barneville.
Patient Data-Sharing for AI: Ethical Challenges, Catholic Solutions
Authors: Baric-Parker Jean , Anderson Emily E.
Published: May 2020

Recent news of Catholic and secular healthcare systems sharing electronic health record (EHR) data with technology companies for the purposes of developing artificial intelligence (AI) applications has drawn attention to the ethical and social challenges of such collaborations, including threats to patient privacy and confidentiality, undermining of patient consent, and lack of corporate transparency. Although the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops’ Ethical and Religious Directives for Health Care Services ( ERDs) address collaborations between US Catholic healthcare providers and other entities, the ERDs do not adequately address the novel concerns seen in EHR data-sharing for AI development. Neither does the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rule. This article describes ethical and social problems observed in recent patient data-sharing collaborations with AI companies and analyzes them in light of the guiding principles of the ERDs as well as the 2020 Rome Call to AI Ethics ( RCAIE) document recently released by the Vatican. While both the ERDs and RCAIE guiding principles can inform future collaborations, we suggest that the next revision of the ERDs should consider addressing data-sharing and AI more directly.

Electronic health record data-sharing with artificial intelligence developers presents unique ethical and social challenges that can be addressed with updated United States Catholic Conference of Bishops’ Ethical and Religious Directives and guidance from the Vatican’s 2020 Rome Call to AI Ethics.
The haze extreme co-movements in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and its extreme dependence pattern recognitions
Authors: Deng Lu , Zhang Zhengjun
Published: May 2020

Extreme haze was often observed at many locations in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region within several hours when they occurred, which is referred to as extreme co-movements and extreme dependence in statistics. This article applies tail quotient correlation coefficient to explore the temporal and spatial extreme dependence patterns of haze in this region. Hourly PM2.5 station-level data during 2014–2018 are used, and the results show that the tail quotient correlation coefficient between stations increases with month. Specifically, the simultaneous extreme dependence was strong in the fourth season, while the haze was severe. In the first season, while the haze was also severe, the extreme hazes only show strong co-movements with a time difference. These observations lead to the study of two special scenarios, that is, the concurrence/extreme dependence of the worst extreme haze and its lag effects. City clusters suffering simultaneous extreme haze or with certain time difference as well as the most frequently co-movement cities are identified. The extreme co-movements of these cities and the reasons for their occurrences have strong implications for improving the PM2.5 joint prevention and control in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. The importance of lag effects is also reflected in the precedence order of the extreme haze’s appearance. It is especially useful when setting the mechanism of the early warning system which can be triggered by the first appearance of extreme haze. The precedence orders also avail in investigating the transmission path of the haze, based on which more precise meteorological models can be made to benefit the haze forecasting of the region.
Conceptualising modes of redistribution in public urban infrastructure
Authors: Wiesel Ilan , Liu Fanqi
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we distinguish between five modes of redistribution in the allocation of funding for public urban infrastructure, including: the prioritisation of disadvantaged urban areas (area-based redistribution); the prioritisation of infrastructures that support disadvantaged populations (differentiated redistribution); reorganisation of urban infrastructural networks to address issues such as centralisation (systemic redistribution); transformation of infrastructure funding allocation and delivery systems (structural redistribution); and the prioritisation of infrastructures that support a convivial urban culture (relational redistribution). We apply the first three modes of redistribution with a longitudinal comparative analysis of state government infrastructure expenditure in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, from 1999/2000 to 2015/2016. This analysis shows that infrastructure expenditure in Melbourne represented a more just approach to redistribution, in an area-based, differentiated and systemic sense. It highlights the potential and limitations of each mode of analysing redistribution and their combined application as a lens into spatial justice.
Quality of Life and Emotional Solidarity in Residents’ Attitudes toward Tourists: The Case of Macau
Authors: Lai Hio Kuan , Pinto Patrícia , Pintassilgo Pedro
Published: May 2020

This study proposes a model to investigate the relationship between residents’ perception of tourism’s impact on their quality of life (QoL) and their emotional solidarity toward tourists. The social exchange theory was used as a framework to explain the relationship, and structural equation modeling to assess the hypothesized model. Data for this study were obtained from survey responses of 407 residents in Macau, China, characterized by an intense tourism activity in a small territory. Results indicate that residents’ perception of tourism’s impact on four life domains (material, community, emotional, and health and safety) influences their satisfaction with the corresponding life domains. However, these domains only partially contribute to their overall satisfaction with QoL. Moreover, overall satisfaction with QoL revealed to be a significant predictor of residents’ emotional solidarity toward tourists. The findings indicate the importance of considering QoL in examining residents’ attitudes toward tourists. Implications and opportunities for further research are proposed.
Inequality, Loneliness, and Political Appearance: Picturing Radical Democracy with Hannah Arendt and Jacques Rancière
Authors: Schaap Andrew
Published: May 2020

Radical democrats highlight dramatic moments of political action, which disrupt everyday habits of perception that sustain unequal social relations. In doing so, however, we sometimes neglect how social conditions—such as precarious employment, social dislocation, and everyday exposure to violence—undermine political agency or might be contested in uneventful ways. Despite their differences, two thinkers who have significantly influenced radical democratic theory (Hannah Arendt and Jacques Rancière) have been similarly criticized for contributing to such a socially weightless picture of politics. However, attending to how they are each preoccupied by the social conditions of inequality and loneliness enables us to recognize two distinct aspects of democratic politics–emancipation and civility. Cultivating an interpretive flexibility to shift between these aspects of politics might enable radical democrats to more clearly picture how struggles for appearance are limited and shaped by the social conditions within which they are enacted.
Developing a new technique for the simultaneous optimization of both segmented time and injection rate for water flooding reservoirs: An analysis of Shengli Oilfield XIN-42 reservoir block
Authors: Ma Yinfei , Shi Anfeng , Wang Xiaohong , Tan Baoguo , Sun Hongxia
Published: May 2020

The adjustment and control of the water injection rate is a commonly used method for increasing the cumulative oil production of waterflooded reservoirs. This article studies the production optimization problem under the condition of a fixed total water injection rate. The production process is divided into several segments. Considering the correlation between the segment’s time intervals and the well’s injection rate distribution, a simultaneous optimization of both segmented time and injection rate is proposed for enhancing net present value. Both empirical simulations and field application demonstrate that the suggested methods produce the highest increase in net present value – of approximately 13% and 10%, respectively – and significantly improve water flooding efficiency compared to other conventional schemes, such as segmented oil production optimization, cumulative oil production optimization and Bang-Bang control. The proposed methods under a 2-segment division increase oil production efficiency and greatly reduce adjustment costs.
Development and Validation of a BMI-Based Figure Rating Scale for Chinese Adolescents
Authors: Yu Chao-Ran , Yu Xin-Yang , Fan Zhi-Tao , Wang Kui , Littleton Heather L.
Published: May 2020

Figure rating scales (FRS) have been widely used to measure body dissatisfaction. In the current study, an FRS based on body mass index (BMI) and body shape of Chinese adolescents (C-BMI-FRS) was developed and validated. The perceived actual figure chosen from C-BMI-FRS by 2,237 Chinese adolescents aged 15–18 years old correlated strongly with BMI ( r = .83 in girls and r = .80 in boys). Additionally, there was a strong relation between actual and ideal figure discrepancy (AID) scores and measures of body satisfaction ( r = −.54 in girls, r = −.28 in boys) and eating disorder symptoms ( r = .54 in girls, and r = .52 in boys). There also were moderate associations of AID scores with self-esteem ( r = −.16) and negative affect ( r = .18) in girls. Test–retest reliability over an 8- to 10 -week interval exceeded .57 for actual figure, ideal figure, and AID scores. Overall, findings support the utility of C-BMI-FRS as a measure of body dissatisfaction among Chinese adolescents.
Numerical simulations on static and dynamic response of full-scale mast structures for H-Darrieus wind turbine
Authors: Ferroudji Fateh , Saihi Lakhdar , Roummani Khayra
Published: May 2020

Mast structure is one of the most important parts of a vertical-axis wind turbine which supports generator and rotor and represents one-third of the overall costs in the production of a standard wind turbine (approximately 30%). All this may cause significant economic and physical losses when it is damaged or collapsed. The purpose of this research is to investigate numerically the static strength and structural dynamic responses of 10-kW vertical-axis wind turbine masts subjected to the aerodynamic and gravity loadings (according to the IEC 61400-2:2006 and EN 1991-1-4:2005 standards) using the SolidWorks finite element software. Mast structures with four different heights (12, 14, 16, and 18 m) and three various outer diameters (0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 m), in each height configuration, were evaluated. These analyses were performed to identify the stiffness, resistance, reliability, and natural frequency stiffness requirements within the mast structures, in order to save manufacturing cost. Based on static analysis, no structural failure is predicted for all masts during wind turbine operation according to maximum von Mises stresses at the bottom of the mast and maximum total deflections on the top of the mast. In addition, the dynamic parameters of these 12 models of masts have been studied to obtain the natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes. Finally, the recommendations to avoid resonance and design strategy for each mast model are discussed.