bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Propagation Laws of Blasting Seismic Waves in Weak Rock Mass: A Case Study of Muzhailing Tunnel
Authors: Chen Lijun , Chen Jianxun , Luo Yanbin , Guo Yalong , Mu Yongjun , Zhong Daochuan , Liu Weiwei , Yang Tielun , Chen Weixiang
Published: May 2020

In order to study the propagation laws of blasting vibration waves in weak rock tunnels, the longitudinal and circumferential blasting vibration tests in Muzhailing Tunnel were carried out, and the measured data were analyzed and studied using the methods of Sadov’s nonlinear regression, Fourier transform, and Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) to provide a reference for the optimization of blasting design of Muzhailing Tunnel or similar weak rock tunnels. The results showed that the tangential main frequency decreases rapidly and the radial main frequency decreases slowly with the increase of proportionate charge quantity. Under a certain charge quantity, as the distance from the explosion source increases, the spectrum width of the blasting vibration frequency becomes narrower, the overall energy is more concentrated, and the vibration frequency tends to be closer to the low frequency. At a certain distance from the explosive source, the frequency of blasting vibration decreases gradually, and the amplitude of low‐frequency region increases with the increase of charge quantity. The vibration velocity on the left side of the tunnel is larger than that on the right side, and the vibration velocity at the vault and the arch foot of lower bench decreases rapidly, while the vibration velocity at the arch feet of upper bench and middle bench decreases slowly. The vibration frequencies of the left arch foot of the middle bench and the right arch foot of the upper bench are higher than those of other positions, while the frequencies of the left arch foot of the upper bench are the lowest. During tunnel blasting, the energy input to the strata media is mainly concentrated in the stage of the blasting of the cut hole. The blasting has more energy input to the left arch foot of the upper bench and the tunnel vault, which is consistent with the conclusion of frequency analysis.
Impact of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors on Glycemic Control and Cardiovascular Safety with Adherence: An Overview
Authors: Bhavadasan Keerthanaa , Davis Ann Merry , Kolanthavel Bharathi
Published: May 2020

Diabetes is a ubiquitous chronic disease worldwide. The prevalence is expected to increase further to 9.9% by the year 2045. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, also called as gliptins, act as incretin enhancers. They inhibit glucagon secretion and arouse postprandial insulin secretion, both in a glucose-dependent mode. In 2006, sitagliptin was approved as a first DPP-4 inhibitor in the treatment of diabetes concurrently with lifestyle modification. Sitagliptin has a high bioavailability, while linagliptin has a safety and tolerability profile similar to that of placebo, with a very low risk for hypoglycemia. DPP-4 inhibitors have a weight neutrality effect. One major benefit of gliptins is their excellent tolerability/safety profile compared with other glucose-lowering medications, including other new glucose-lowering agents such as sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. Compared with sulfonylureas, they have a smaller decline in HbA1c. The three gliptins showed excellent effect on glycemic control as an add-on therapy in treating type 2 diabetes. The major adverse cardiovascular events, malignancy and pancreatitis, were not associated with the treatment with sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor. The objective of establishing cardiovascular safety trials such as SAVOR-TIMI 53, EXAMINE, TECOS, CAROLINA, and CARMELINA. DPP-4 inhibitors have higher rates of adherence and persistence compared with sulfonylureas and thiazolidinediones.
Leveraging Data Science for a Personalized Haemodialysis
Authors: Hueso Miguel , de Haro Lluís , Calabia Jordi , Dal-Ré Rafael , Tebé Cristian , Gibert Karina , Cruzado Josep M. , Vellido Alfredo
Published: May 2020

Background: The 2019 Science for Dialysis Meeting at Bellvitge University Hospital was devoted to the challenges and opportunities posed by the use of data science to facilitate precision and personalized medicine in nephrology, and to describe new approaches and technologies. The meeting included separate sections for issues in data collection and data analysis. As part of data collection, we presented the institutional ARGOS e-health project, which provides a common model for the standardization of clinical practice. We also pay specific attention to the way in which randomized controlled trials offer data that may be critical to decision-making in the real world. The opportunities of open source software (OSS) for data science in clinical practice were also discussed. Summary: Precision medicine aims to provide the right treatment for the right patients at the right time and is deeply connected to data science. Dialysis patients are highly dependent on technology to live, and their treatment generates a huge volume of data that has to be analysed. Data science has emerged as a tool to provide an integrated approach to data collection, storage, cleaning, processing, analysis, and interpretation from potentially large volumes of information. This is meant to be a perspective article about data science based on the experience of the experts invited to the Science for Dialysis Meeting and provides an up-to-date perspective of the potential of data science in kidney disease and dialysis. Key messages: Healthcare is quickly becoming data-dependent, and data science is a discipline that holds the promise of contributing to the development of personalized medicine, although nephrology still lags behind in this process. The key idea is to ensure that data will guide medical decisions based on individual patient characteristics rather than on averages over a whole population usually based on randomized controlled trials that excluded kidney disease patients. Furthermore, there is increasing interest in obtaining data about the effectiveness of available treatments in current patient care based on pragmatic clinical trials. The use of data science in this context is becoming increasingly feasible in part thanks to the swift developments in OSS.
Aggressive Quarantine Measures Reduce the High Morbidity of COVID-19 in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis and Medical Staff of Hemodialysis Facilities in Wuhan, China
Authors: Li Junhua , Yang Yi , Gong Meiling , Shi Jia , Zhou Xi , Xing Xue , Pan Hao , Guo Shuiming , Chang Xiaoyan , Cheng Anying , Wang Yanan , Ge Shuwang  , Xiao Fang , Yao Ying , Ning Yong , He Fan , Xu Gang
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients are highly vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Medical staff of dialysis facilities without sufficient biosecurity protection are susceptible once exposed to asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. This study evaluated the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in all MHD patients and medical staff of dialysis facilities in Wuhan, China. Methods: We collected COVID-19 morbidity and mortality data from MHD patients and medical staff from 52 hemodialysis centers in Wuhan. Then, we analyzed the symptoms and signs of patients and staff in our hospital (Tongji Hospital in Wuhan), and chest CT, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection and laboratory tests were performed. After aggressive quarantine of the COVID-19 patients, we followed up on the prognosis of them. Results: We analyzed the hemodialysis data from Wuhan and found that 10% of MHD patients and 6.0% of medical staff were suspected of COVID-19. Further detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid showed that 1.7% of MHD patients and 2.9% of medical staff were confirmed as having COVID-19. In our facility, 18.9% (46/244) of patients and 9.5% (6/63) of medical staff were suspected of COVID-19. Among them, 2.9% (7/244) of MHD patients and 4.8% (3/63) of medical staff tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were confirmed as having COVID-19. Interestingly, 87.0% of MHD patients suspected of COVID-19 did not have obvious symptoms, but the CT screening showed features of viral pneumonia. There were no significant differences in symptoms, CT findings, comorbidity and laboratory findings of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic-acid-positive and -negative patients. We followed up these patients and found that 57 patients with COVID-19 died (COVID-19 mortality 8.9%). Two patients from our dialysis center with COVID-19 (mortality 4.3%) died. No new infections occurred in our dialysis center after aggressive quarantine was initiated. Conclusions: The SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in MHD patients and medical staff in dialysis facilities were both high in Wuhan. Frequent chest CT and SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection were needed to screen COVID-19 patients in dialysis facilities. Through the lessons of this experience on the aggressive diagnosis and quarantine measures of COVID-19 patients, we hope medical staff avoid more infections in serious epidemic areas.
Real-Life Comparison of Different Anti-TNF Biologic Therapies for Ulcerative Colitis Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Barberio Brigida , Zingone Fabiana , Frazzoni Leonardo , D’Incà Renata , Maccarone Maria Chiara , Ghisa Matteo , Massimi Davide , Lorenzon Greta , Savarino Edoardo Vincenzo
Published: May 2020

Background: Head-to-head comparison studies evaluating the effectiveness and tolerability of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs in inflammatory bowel disease patients are lacking. Aim: To compare the effectiveness and tolerability of anti-TNF-α drugs used in clinical practice in a cohort of patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: Retrospectively, 122 UC patients treated with infliximab (IFX) originator and biosimilar, adalimumab (ADA), and golimumab (GOL) were included. We performed an ITT analysis to evaluate clinical response and remission, steroid-free clinical remission, and endoscopy response according to the different time points of the follow-up. Baseline and post induction predictor factors of these outcomes were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression models. Moreover, a propensity score-based weighting analysis was performed. Data were analyzed using R and STATA11 software. Results: The overall clinical response was 77% after induction, 81.4% at 30 weeks, and 76.9% at 52 weeks, while the steroid-free clinical remission was 39.7, 46, and 54.6%, respectively. After induction, a higher rate of treatment failure was observed in the GOL group. At the end of follow-up, lower rates of steroid-free clinical remission and clinical response were obtained by GOL. At week 52, endoscopic response was achieved by 46.5% of the population. Conclusions: Among the different anti-TNF treatments, moderate-to-severe UC seems to respond better to IFX and ADA, whereas GOL seems to be less effective, despite a similar good safety profile.
Visceral Adipose Tissue Index and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Are Independent Predictors of Outcome in Patients with Cirrhosis Having Endoscopic Treatment for Esophageal Varices
Authors: Kimura Naruhiro , Tsuchiya Atsunori , Oda Chiyumi , Kimura Atsushi , Hosaka Kazunori , Tominaga Kentaro , Hayashi Kazunao , Yokoyama Junji , Terai Shuji
Published: May 2020

Background: The relationship between the amount of adipose tissue and advanced-stage liver cirrhosis with esophageal varices (EV) is unknown. We aimed to reveal the prognostic significance of adipose tissues in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: We enrolled 87 patients with EV who received initial endoscopic treatment and underwent scheduled treatments in our hospital. Computed tomography (CT) images were obtained of a 5-mm slice at the umbilical level. We evaluated the effect of mortality based on the visceral adipose tissue index (VATI), subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI), and visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio (VSR). Results: Cox hazard multivariate analysis showed that the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; hazard ratio [HR]: 4.650, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.750–12.353, p = 0.002), γ-GTP (HR: 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001–1.006, p = 0.026), and VATI (HR: 1.057, 95% CI: 1.030–1.085, p < 0.001) significantly affected mortality. Cox hazard multivariate analysis for liver-related death was also significantly affected by HCC (HR: 1.057, 95% CI: 1.030–1.085, p < 0.001) and VATI (HR: 1.052, 95% CI: 1.019–1.086, p = 0.002). The difference between the Child-Pugh scores 12 months after treatment and that during initial treatment were significantly positively correlated with VATI (r = 0.326, p = 0.027). Patients with high VATI had a significantly higher frequency of HCC after EV treatment by Kaplan-Meier analysis (p = 0.044). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that VATI measured by CT could significantly predict mortality in cirrhosis patients through decreasing liver function and increasing HCC frequency, and appropriately controlling VATI could improve their prognosis.
Prevalence of Asymptomatic Coronary Artery Stenosis Based on Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in Adults with Erectile Dysfunction: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lee Ju Young , Lee Sae Rom , Lee Sang Yeoup
Published: May 2020

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic coronary artery stenosis (CAS) using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in Korean men with erectile dysfunction (ED). Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 108 men who underwent CCTA at a health promotion center in Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital. Each subject who was evaluated for ED using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF) questionnaire did not have a past history or symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD). We assessed the association between ED and CCTA-based CAS. Results: The overall prevalence of ED was 57.4%; furthermore, age (p = 0.001) and fasting blood glucose (p =0.035) were the metabolic risk factors that were most significantly associated with the presence of ED. The overall frequency of CAS was 31.5%, and ED (p = 0.022), age (p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (p = 0.021), and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.029) were significantly associated with the presence of CAS. The prevalence of CAS was 40.3 and 19.6% in the ED and non-ED groups, respectively. Men with ED were 2.778 times more likely to present with CAS than those without ED (OR 2.778, 95% CI 1.143–6.749, p = 0.024); however multivariate logistic regression analysis, while controlling for age, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose, suggested the absence of a significant association between ED and CCTA-based CAS. Conclusion: This study shows that CCTA-based CAS is a common phenomenon in men who have ED. Furthermore, ED patients without cardiac symptoms need to be investigated for the possibility of hidden CAD.
MEMÓRIA DA ABOLIÇÃO NA MAÇONARIA PAULISTA
Authors: Francisco Renata Ribeiro
Published: May 2020

O presente artigo tem o objetivo de analisar a construção da memória da abolição na maçonaria paulista. Para este estudo examinou-se o modo pelo qual as representações dos maçons se articularam com o desejo de construção da memória maçônica da abolição no espaço público. Num primeiro momento, realizou-se a contextualização dos caminhos percorridos pela maçonaria paulista em sua ascensão, decadência e sucessiva luta pela recuperação de sua memória na história do Brasil. Em seguida, discutiu-se como a maçonaria tem construído um lugar de memória na cidade de São Paulo. Por fim, analisou-se a emergência de uma literatura maçônica, denominada celebrativa, na década de 1970, cujo objetivo era difundir e consolidar as narrativas positivas e evocativas da organização maçônica.
IFIGÊNIA: DE PROSTITUTA À HEROÍNA
Authors: Rouse Josefa
Published: May 2020

Este trabalho analisa a representação da mulher negra a partir das obras Sortilégio – Mistério Negro (1951) e Sortilégio II - Mistério Negro de Zumbi Redivivo (1976/77), dramaturgia escrita e reescrita por Abdias do Nascimento no bojo do Teatro Experimental do Negro. Nos debruçamos em especial às questões relativas às personagens femininas (Ifigênia, as Ialorixás e o coro de mulheres). Perpassamos questões do feminismo negro e suas interseccionalidades, a religiosidade transposta para o discurso teatral, a afetividade da mulher negra e o lugar de fala destas mulheres no teatro nacional com o intuito de pensar suas implicações no teatro moderno e contemporâneo e observar como a cena pode colaborar para lançar outro olhar sobre suas imagens, a partir das mudanças de uma obra a outra, como no percurso da personagem Ifigênia, mais contundente - ainda que dentro de um estereótipo controverso. A pesquisa desdobrou-se a partir de revisão bibliográfica, com a finalidade de apontar para certas modalidades de representação da mulher negra que se apresentam como estereótipos dominantes, a fim de repensar processos de desumanização vividos em especial por mulheres negras, e apontar caminhos emancipatórios que possam revelar suas subjetividades por meio da cena.
RESENHA: MENDY, PETER KARIBE. AMILCAR CABRAL: A NATIONALIST AND PAN-AFRICANIST REVOLUTIONARY. ATHENS: OHIO UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2019.
Authors: Scholl Camille Johann
Published: May 2020

O livro Amílcar Cabral: a Nationalist and Pan-Africanist Revolutionary faz parte da coleção “Ohio Short Stories of Africa” e apresenta uma visão ampla da biografia de Amílcar Cabral, um “icônico líder político do século XX” que foi “um nacionalista consumado e um revolucionário pan- africanista” determinado a acabar com o colonialismo português na Guiné Portuguesa – atual Guiné-Bissau – e nas Ilhas de Cabo Verde.
High diversity of Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) in a Ramsar site Lake Kud-Thing, Northeast Thailand
Authors: TIANG-NGA SUPATRA , SINEV ARTEM Y. , SANOAMUANG LA-ORSRI
Published: May 2020

An intensive study of cladoceran diversity in Lake Kud-Thing, a Ramsar site of Bueng Kan Province, Thailand, was conducted. One hundred and twenty-five qualitative samples were collected from 15 localities during the period from June 2012 to November 2014. A total of 58 species belonging to 38 genera was recorded. Three species, Chydorus idrisi Sinev 2014, Karualona kwangsiensis (Chiang 1963) and Streblocerus cf. serricaudatus (Fisher 1849) are new records for Thailand. The most species rich family was Chydoridae (32 species, 55% of the encountered species in the lake) followed by Sididae (8 species, 14%) and Macrothricidae (8 species, 14%) while only a single species of Ilyocryptidae was observed. The most frequently encountered planktonic species were Ceriodaphnia cornuta Sars 1885, Bosmina cf. meridionalis Sars 1904 and Ephemeroporus barroisi (Richard 1894). A newly described chydorid, Anthalona spinifera Tiang-nga, Sinev & Sanoamuang 2016, was also recorded from this lake. The number of cladocerans recorded in this study is remarkably higher than that of previous studies in other natural lakes (17–40 species) within Thailand. In addition to earlier records, the number of cladocerans of Lake Kud-Thing has been updated to 62 species, about two times higher than that of other lakes in this region. Thus, our results suggest that Lake Kud-Thing is one of the biodiversity hotspots for Cladocera of Southeast Asia.
A study on resin infusion and effects of reinforcement structure at dual scales by a quasi-realistic numerical simulation method
Authors: Li Chen , Cantarel Arthur , Gong Xiaojing
Published: May 2020

In this article, we propose a random fiber configuration method to set up quasi-realistic geometric models of the fibrous tow in reinforcement. Finite element method is applied to simulate the injection of resin at dual scales (both intra and inter tows, 2D and 3D models). Permeabilities of dual scales in three directions (in horizonal, vertical and longitudinal directions) are also explored. The influence of variant structure parameters on the permeability is discussed in the meantime. Flow front tracking considering surface tension effect based on the dual-scale model is carried out to predict resin flow through the fibrous reinforcement.
Mind–Muscle Connection: Limited Effect of Verbal Instructions on Muscle Activity in a Seated Row Exercise
Authors: Fujita Rafael A. , Silva Nilson R. S. , Bedo Bruno L. S. , Santiago Paulo R. P. , Gentil Paulo R. V. , Gomes Matheus M.
Published: May 2020

Verbal instruction increases electromyographic (EMG) activity in the first three repetitions of an exercise, but its effect on an entire exercise set until failure is unknown. Once there are changes in motor unit recruitment due to fatigue, the effect of verbal instructions can change during different intervals of a set. This study analyzed whether verbal instruction emphasized the contraction of back muscles (i.e., myoelectric activity) during initial, intermediate, and final exercise repetitions performed until failure. Twenty participants with little or no experience in strength training performed a seated row exercise with and without verbal instruction. Surface electrodes were fixed over the latissimus dorsi, teres major, biceps brachii, and posterior deltoid (PD) muscles. Myoelectric activity was computed by mean amplitude and by the median frequency. We analyzed data with repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance and found that, with verbal instruction, there was increased EMG mean amplitude in the latissimus dorsi (15.21%, p = .030) and reduced EMG mean amplitude in the PD (14.39%, p = .018) on initial repetitions. Other muscle EMG amplitudes did not change. On intermediate repetitions, there was reduced signal amplitude only in the PD (15.03%, p =  .022). The verbal instruction did not interfere with signal amplitude on final repetitions nor in the median frequency throughout the series. Verbal instruction seems to have little effect on increasing myoelectric activity of these targeted muscles in an entire set of a resistance training.
The Only (Other) Poll That Matters? Exit Polls and Election Night Forecasts in BBC General Election Results Broadcasts, 1955–2017
Authors: Wilks-Heeg Stuart , Andersen Peter
Published: May 2020

This article examines the role of results forecasts and exit polls in BBC general election night broadcasts from 1955 to 2017. Despite the substantial role played by academics in results programmes, in devising forecasts and analysing results as they emerge, academic literature on election night broadcasts is scant. This article charts the development of election night forecasting over time and its implications for the structure and content of election night broadcasts. It draws on a unique new data set of verbatim transcripts of the first hour of every BBC election night broadcast from 1955–2017 to quantify the attention paid to forecasts and exit polls and assess how they frame discussion of the likely outcome and its potential political consequences. The article concludes that the function of election night broadcasts as ‘the first draft of psephology’ merits closer attention for both the political narratives and the academic research agendas they generate.
Recidivism Among Justice-Involved Youth: Findings From JJ-TRIALS
Authors: Robertson Angela A. , Fang Zhou , Weiland Doris , Joe George , Gardner Sheena , Dembo Richard , Mcreynolds Larkin , Dickson Megan , Pankow Jennifer , Dennis Michael , Elkington Katherine
Published: May 2020

Recidivism, and the factors related to it, remains a highly significant concern among juvenile justice researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. Recent studies highlight the need to examine multiple measures of recidivism as well as conduct multilevel analyses of this phenomenon. Using data collected in a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded Juvenile Justice-Translational Research on Interventions for Adolescents in the Legal System (JJ-TRIALS) cooperative agreement, we examined individual- and site-level factors related to 1-year recidivism among probation youth in 20 sites in five states to answer research questions related to how recidivism rates differ across sites and the relationships between individual-level variables and a county-level concentrated disadvantage measure and recidivism. Our findings of large site differences in recidivism rates, and complex relationships between individual and county-level predictors of recidivism, highlight the need for more nuanced, contextually informed, multilevel approaches in studying recidivism among juveniles.
The Impact of Occupational Characteristics and Victimization on Job Burnout Among South Korean Correctional Officers
Authors: Choi Jaeyong , Kruis Nathan E. , Kim Yeonsoo
Published: May 2020

Prior research on correctional officer burnout has focused almost exclusively on the effects of job characteristics. To date, this line of inquiry has largely failed to consider one important factor associated with the unique nature of prison work—direct exposure to interpersonal victimization (e.g., individuals in custody-on-officers). This article uses data from 269 correctional officers working in four South Korean facilities to examine the differential impact of experienced individuals in custody-on-officers aggression (i.e., verbal violence, minor and serious physical violence) and job characteristics (e.g., role clarity) on three dimensions of job burnout (i.e., emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a sense of a lack of personal accomplishment). Results show that verbal victimization is more impactful on correctional officer burnout than physical victimization. However, the results also suggest that job characteristics may be more impactful on predicting certain dimensions of correctional officer burnout than experienced victimization. Potential policy implications are discussed.
The Principal Development Pipeline: A Call for Collaboration
Authors: Gordon Stephen P.
Published: May 2020

The author identifies 10 phases of the principal development pipeline, some of which are seldom acknowledged and many of which are inadequately addressed. The author argues that various stakeholder groups should collaborate to provide continuous professional development to future and current principals through each phase of the pipeline. Examples of leadership development and stakeholder collaboration for each phase of the pipeline are also provided in this article.
An Exploration of the Relationship Between Autonomy Congruence, Perceived Supervisor Individualized Consideration, and Employee Outcomes
Authors: Jong Jaehee , Ford Michael
Published: May 2020

Human resource practices requiring employee participation or involvement in work-related decision-making have been commonly believed to be beneficial to work outcomes; however, we suggest that the effects of those practices on work outcomes can be limited by individual preferences, which influence the perceived quality of supervision. Drawing upon prior research on work structure, person–environment (P-E) fit perspective, and perceived organizational support, we examine the joint effects of autonomy and preference for autonomy on employee work outcomes (task performance and organizational citizenship behaviors) that are mediated via perceived supervision (individualized consideration) among U.S. state government employees. The results showed that the congruence between autonomy and preference for autonomy was associated with the highest level of perceived individualized consideration by supervisors, highlighting the important role played by perceptions of the supervisor behavior in promoting employees’ positive attitudes at work.
The impact of collective bargaining on employment and wage inequality: Evidence from a new taxonomy of bargaining systems
Authors: Garnero Andrea
Published: May 2020

To study the link between different types of collective bargaining systems and employment, unemployment and wage inequality, I use a novel taxonomy of bargaining systems in 36 OECD countries between 1980 and 2015. The results show that coordinated bargaining systems are associated with higher employment, better integration of vulnerable groups and lower wage inequality than fully decentralized systems. Uncoordinated centralized systems perform similarly in terms of unemployment to fully decentralized systems but are associated with higher employment and lower wage inequalities. These results suggest that the link between decentralization and good labour market outcomes is more nuanced than previously suggested.
Perceptions of Evidence-Based Decision-Making Among Full-Time Teachers and Senior Undergraduates in Public Health: A Nationwide Survey in Taiwan
Authors: Weng Yi-Hao , Yang Chun-Yuh , Chiu Ya-Wen
Published: May 2020

Using current best evidence to make decisions can improve outcomes of public health. Thus, establishing the capacities of evidence-based public health (EBPH) has become one of the core competences. To better scale up EBPH movement, efforts should focus on introduction of EBPH into school curriculum. However, data indicating the extent to which EBPH is used in universities are scant. In the current study, we conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey to investigate the perceptions toward EBPH among full-time teachers and senior undergraduates at all universities with a Department of Public Health in Taiwan. A structured questionnaire was distributed by post to all potential participants of nine universities in 2017. Questions included items related to awareness, knowledge, skills, behaviors, and barriers of EBPH. Results showed teachers were more aware of EBPH than students. In addition, teachers more often had sufficient knowledge and skills of EBPH, and more often applied the findings to decision-making after critical appraisal than students. Furthermore, personal barriers toward EBPH were more common in students than teachers. In conclusion, there are differences in awareness, knowledge, skills, behaviors, and barriers of EBPH between teachers and students. The data suggest that an initiative of systematically teaching EBPH to undergraduates is important.
Under- or Overtreatment of Mental Distress? Practices, Consequences, and Resistance in the Field of Mental Health Care
Authors: Doblytė Sigita
Published: May 2020

The economic, social, and health costs of mental distress are increasingly burdening individuals and societies in Europe. Yet, overmedicalization of mild symptoms is also well documented. This accumulates in more pressures and demands on health care systems. In this article, I explore how the process of help seeking in mental distress might be shaped by health system design and functioning in one of the South European societies—Spain. Employing Bourdieu’s theoretical lens, in-depth interviews with health care providers and users of services are analyzed. I reveal how the logic of the mental health care field, which is reinforced by the market, the state, and the media, may result in medicalization of mild distress while severe mental illness remains undertreated. I also show how mental help-seeking practices could gradually influence the functioning of the treatment system. Nevertheless, points of resistance to medicalization can also be identified.
Understanding the Experiences of Health Care–Seeking Migrants in Delhi: Trajectories and Challenges
Authors: Mathew Bincy , Nambiar Devaki
Published: May 2020

Many studies have reported on issues of accessibility and quality of health care among the different vulnerable subgroups in urban locations. To date, no study has been done on the challenges faced by health care–seeking migrants (those traveling to cities for health reasons). This qualitative study used in-depth interviews and nonparticipant observation to examine the health problems, health care–seeking trajectories, and challenges faced by health care–seeking migrants in Delhi, India. Participants described long courses of health care seeking, typically from the district to the state capital to the national capital. There were variegated paths to health care seeking characterized by delays in service utilization, progression of disease, and cost escalation. The challenge relating to the delay in receiving health care was exacerbated by the residency status of health care–seeking migrants. In conclusion, health-related migration is associated with shared but also unique barriers to health care seeking. India’s urban health care reform agenda needs to cater to the needs of this population.
Taking Care of Yourself and Your Risk for Breast Cancer (CUIDARSE): A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Health Communication Intervention for Latinas
Authors: Payán Denise D. , Maggard-Gibbons Melinda , Flórez Karen R. , Mejía Nelly , Hemmelgarn Marian , Kanouse David , Kahn Katherine L. , Golinelli Daniela , Diaz Fuentes Claudia M. , Newberry Sydne J. , Lara Marielena
Published: May 2020

Latinas in the United States are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer (BC) compared to non-Latinas. Literacy-appropriate and culturally sensitive cancer communication interventions can help address existing racial/ethnic BC disparities. We formatively developed a new BC prevention brochure for Spanish-speaking Latinas (≥35 years). Eligible women ( n = 240) from a large public hospital in California were randomly assigned to one of three study arms: Group 1 received the new brochure, Group 2 included a community health worker (CHW) who delivered the new brochure’s content, and a control group received a standard educational brochure. Participants completed three surveys (baseline, postintervention, 3-month follow-up) with a 100% completion rate for the first two surveys and 80.4% completion after 3 months. We assessed the difference in outcomes for BC risk knowledge, perceived BC susceptibility, and BC information self-efficacy between groups. Participant mean age was 52.3 years, and 82.1% reported low English proficiency. Mean knowledge scores increased and perceived BC susceptibility improved for all groups ( p ≤ .05), yet treatment effects were not significant between groups for these outcomes. BC information self-efficacy also increased from baseline to postintervention for all groups to >80%. After 3 months, only Group 2 and the control group retained their increases and treatment effects were significant only for Group 2 compared to other groups in unadjusted and adjusted models. A CHW-delivered intervention may be more effective in improving BC information self-efficacy among Latinas compared to print material alone. More research is needed to examine the efficacy of CHW-delivered interventions.
Low-friction mechanism of silicon carbide and cemented carbide in water
Authors: Guo Fei , Wu Fan , Wu Fangyong , Wang Yuming
Published: May 2020

The tribological properties of self-mated silicon carbide, self-mated cemented carbide, and cemented carbide/silicon carbide under water lubrication were studied. The three matched pairs could achieve low-friction coefficients (0.01–0.03) under certain test conditions. Additionally, the dependence of the friction coefficients on the rotation speed and load were measured. By combining these results with the observed surface topography and wear measurements, it was determined that the three matched pairs were in the hydrodynamic lubrication. In addition, combined with experiments in ethylene glycol and PAO40, it was shown that the actual viscosity of the lubricant had a significant influence on the realization of low friction. Furthermore, matching materials had an influence on the tribological properties, which may be related to the surface wettability of the lubricant.
Interactive visual analytics tool for multidimensional quantitative and categorical data analysis
Authors: Shahid Muhammad Laiq Ur Rahman , Molchanov Vladimir , Mir Junaid , Shaukat Furqan , Linsen Lars
Published: May 2020

With the advances in science and technology, a rapid growth of multidimensional (multivariate) datasets is observed in different fields. Projection and visualization of such data to a lower dimensional space without losing the data structure is a challenging task. We propose an interactive visual analytics tool that is applied for the combined analysis of multidimensional numerical and categorical data. The tool helps the analyst not only to find the clusters of similar objects but also to identify the important features specific to these clusters. The efficacy of the various functionalities of the tool is examined analyzing epidemiological data to understand the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea. Our approach helps the user to visually analyze the data and get a better understanding of the data. The tool would be a valuable resource for analysts working on numerical and categorical data.
Damage identification based on convolutional neural network and recurrence graph for beam bridge
Authors: He Hao-xiang , Zheng Jia-cheng , Liao Li-can , Chen Yan-jiang
Published: May 2020

Traditional statistical pattern identification methods, such as artificial neural network and support vector machine, have limited ability to identify minor damage of bridges. Deep learning can mine the inherent law and representation level of sample data. As a typical algorithm of deep learning, convolutional neural network is a feedforward neural network with deep structure and convolution calculation, and its ability of image identification is very outstanding. The recurrence graph of structural response can reveal the internal structure, similarity, and damage information. The original structure response signal involves the coupling vibration of vehicle and bridge is filtered and reconstructed by wavelet packet, and then the recurrence graph of different damage cases is obtained, which is used as the input image of convolutional neural network as a new type of damage feature; thus, a damage identification method based on convolutional neural network and recurrence graph is established. The results of numerical simulation and model experiment show that the recurrence graph contains more damage information; compared with the traditional statistical pattern identification methods, convolutional neural network can achieve more accurate feature extraction and identification through intelligent learning layer by layer, so as to realize more accurate identification of damage location and damage degree.
Detection of sand deposition in pipeline using percussion, voice recognition, and support vector machine
Authors: Cheng Hao , Wang Furui , Huo Linsheng , Song Gangbing
Published: May 2020

Deposits prevention and removal in pipeline has great importance to ensure pipeline operation. Selecting a suitable removal time based on the composition and mass of the deposits not only reduces cost but also improves efficiency. In this article, we develop a new non-destructive approach using the percussion method and voice recognition with support vector machine to detect the sandy deposits in the steel pipeline. Particularly, as the mass of sandy deposits in the pipeline changes, the impact-induced sound signals will be different. A commonly used voice recognition feature, Mel-Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients, which represent the result of a cosine transform of the real logarithm of the short-term energy spectrum on a Mel-frequency scale, is adopted in this research and Mel-Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients are extracted from the obtained sound signals. A support vector machine model was employed to identify the sandy deposits with different mass values by classifying energy summation and Mel-Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients. In addition, the classification accuracies of energy summation and Mel-Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients are compared. The experimental results demonstrated that Mel-Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients perform better in pipeline deposits detection and have great potential in acoustic recognition for structural health monitoring. In addition, the proposed Mel-Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients–based pipeline deposits monitoring model can estimate the deposits in the pipeline with high accuracy. Moreover, compared with current non-destructive deposits detection approaches, the percussion method is easy to implement. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and acoustic recognition, the proposed method can realize higher accuracy and higher speed in the detection of pipeline deposits, and has great application potential in the future. In addition, the proposed percussion method can enable robotic-based inspection for large-scale implementation.
Islamic beliefs on gamete donation: The impact on reproductive tourism in the Middle East and the United Kingdom
Authors: Chien Siobhan
Published: May 2020

Approximately 15% of couples are affected by infertility worldwide. Subsequently, the use of assisted reproductive technologies is becoming increasingly popular, including the use of donor eggs, sperm and embryos. Despite ongoing ethical debate surrounding gamete donation, this is now a widely accepted practice in Western countries. Assisted reproductive technology is becoming more commonly utilised within the Muslim population; however, gamete donation remains a relatively controversial and taboo topic within this religion. Interestingly, there are significant differences in beliefs between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims. Whilst Sunni Islam absolutely forbids the use of third-party reproductive assistance, Shi’a Islam is somewhat more lenient towards this practice. Reproductive tourism has therefore become prevalent in Shi’a Middle Eastern countries that permit the use of donor gametes in assisted reproductive technologies; however, this continues to evoke a strong bioethical debate, particularly around sperm donation. With the increased influx of reproductive tourism, this is beginning to weaken the regional Sunni Islam ban on the use of donor technologies, questioning the morality of their current beliefs. Consideration of religious beliefs is also crucial for patient-centred care in UK patients treated by the National Health Service for fertility issues. Of note, there is a lack of non-Caucasian donors in the United Kingdom. Reproductive tourism is also becoming increasingly common in the United Kingdom and needs to be considered in terms of future patient management in delivering good obstetric care.
The Relationship Between Work Engagement and Work–Life Balance in Organizations: A Review of the Empirical Research
Authors: Wood Jacob , Oh Jihye , Park Jiwon , Kim Woocheol
Published: May 2020

Employers increasingly attempt to create the right environments where employees experience work–life balance. At the same time, organizations concerned with their organizational-level outcomes encourage improving employee work engagement. The question becomes, how do employee work–life balance and work engagement relate to one another? A similar question concerns human resource development (HRD) practitioners who seek to help both employees with balancing their work and life and employers with their organizational goals. A body of literature has examined the relationship between work–life balance and work engagement, which we review in this article. We identify and synthesize the findings of 37 articles empirically investigating the relationship between work–life balance and work engagement. The findings showed the various antecedents, mediators, and moderators that depict the relationships between work engagement and work–life balance. Furthermore, we provide insight into HRD scholarship regarding how to clarify the direction of causality between two concepts, which has been largely left inconclusive. Finally, our article proposes insightful directions for future research and practice in the field of HRD.
Rally ’round the flag revised: External soft threats and media coverage
Authors: Hatuel-Radoshitzky Michal , Yarchi Moran
Published: May 2020

This article addresses media coverage of soft-power threats, which are typical in modern wars between state and non-state actors. In doing so, the authors depart from the vast literature on the ‘rally ’round the flag’ phenomenon coined in relation to conventional military threats. They base their case study on the interplay between Israel and the global Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) civil society movement that utilizes soft-power tactics with the aim of isolating Israel internationally. To assess the way the Israeli media relate to BDS, determine the absence or existence of a ‘rally ’round the flag’ phenomenon vis-à-vis BDS, and assess coverage characteristics, the authors conducted a qualitative and quantitative analysis of ( N = 209) articles covering BDS in the Israeli media over the course of three years (2015−2018). Their findings suggest that coverage of the soft threat follows similar patterns to those coined on conventional military threats.
Poison If You Don’t Know How to Use It: Facebook, Democracy, and Human Rights in Myanmar
Authors: Whitten-Woodring Jenifer , Kleinberg Mona S. , Thawnghmung Ardeth , Thitsar Myat The
Published: May 2020

Internet access in Myanmar has exploded from less than 1 percent in 2001 to more than 30 percent in 2018 and of those who have access, 40 percent list Facebook as their primary source of news. Coinciding with Facebook’s diffusion in Myanmar is a sharp increase in violence toward minority groups—especially the Rohingya. A U.N. Fact-Finding mission found Facebook was used to spread hate and facilitate the persecution of the Rohingya. But we know little about how people in Myanmar actually use Facebook, how they acquire and evaluate the information they find on the platform and whether they see disinformation or extreme speech. Furthermore, we lack information about the sentiments that Facebook users and non-users express about the Rohingya and how they view Facebook’s role in inter-ethnic conflict. We use interviews to address these questions. We find that people in Myanmar use Facebook for a variety of reasons, that they look at international and domestic sources, and encounter many different kinds of information—including extreme speech—on the platform. Most people also told us that they prefer sources that confirm their views.
Regions at Risk in the Knee Joint of Young Professional Soccer Players: Longitudinal Evaluation of Early Cartilage Degeneration by Quantitative T2 Mapping in 3 T MRI
Authors: Schenk Hanna , Simon David , Waldenmeier Leonie , Evers Christoph , Janka Rolf , Welsch Goetz H. , Pachowsky Milena L.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The study aims to detect regions at risk for (pre-)osteoarthritis in the tibiofemoral joint of young professional soccer players by evaluating cartilage composition by T2 mapping in a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging setting.

Methods

In this longitudinal study, 20 professional adolescent soccer players were included. Tibiofemoral cartilage was assessed by quantitative T2 mapping and T2 values were evaluated by regions of interest analysis. Statistical evaluation, using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, was performed to compare global T2 values and subregional T2 values between a baseline and a follow-up investigation 4.3 years later. Based on the average of playing time (15 years) we divided the cohort in 2 groups and differences were evaluated.

Results

When comparing baseline and follow-up, our findings showed statistically significant increases of the global medial tibial and femoral T2 values. The most noticeable results of the subregional T2 analysis were statistically significant increases in the medial posterior zones (deep femoral 36.1 vs. 39.5, P = 0.001; superficial femoral 57.0 vs. 62.4, P = 0.034; deep tibial 28.3 vs. 34.1, P = 0.009; superficial tibial 43.2 vs. 55.3, P = 0.002).

Conclusion

The elevation of T2 values in the medial, especially medial posterior, compartment of the knee joint indicates that these regions are at risk for early cartilage degeneration already at the time of adolescence. The findings can help individualize and optimize training concepts and to be aware of the chronic stress on these vulnerable areas. Prevention programs should be established in young players to avoid further cartilage damage.