bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term follow-up for Psychological stRess in Intensive CarE (PRICE) survivors: study protocol for a multicentre, prospective observational cohort study in Australian intensive care units
Authors: Rai Sumeet , Brown Rhonda , van Haren Frank , Neeman Teresa , Rajamani Arvind , Sundararajan Krishnaswamy , Mitchell Imogen
Published: January 2019

Introduction

There are little published data on the long-term psychological outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and their family members in Australian ICUs. In addition, there is scant literature evaluating the effects of psychological morbidity in intensive care survivors on their family members. The aims of this study are to describe and compare the long-term psychological outcomes of intubated and non-intubated ICU survivors and their family members in an Australian ICU setting.

Methods and analysis

This will be a prospective observational cohort study across four ICUs in Australia. The study aims to recruit 150 (75 intubated and 75 non-intubated) adult ICU survivors and 150 family members of the survivors from 2015 to 2018. Long-term psychological outcomes and effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) will be evaluated at 3 and 12 months follow-up using validated and published screening tools. The primary objective is to compare the prevalence of affective symptoms in intubated and non-intubated survivors of intensive care and their families and its effects on HRQoL. The secondary objective is to explore dyadic relations of psychological outcomes in patients and their family members.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the relevant human research ethics committees (HREC) of Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Health (ETH.11.14.315), New South Wales (HREC/16/HNE/64), South Australia (HREC/15/RAH/346). The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal and presented to the local intensive care community and other stakeholders.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12615000880549; Pre-results.
Improving surgical informed consent in obstetric and gynaecologic surgeries in a teaching hospital in Ethiopia: A before and after study
Authors: Teshome Million , Wolde Zenebe , Gedefaw Abel , Asefa Anteneh
Published: January 2019

Objectives

Even though surgical informed consent (SIC) has marked benefits, in many settings the information is not provided appropriately. In Ethiopia, minimal attention is given to SIC. This study assesses whether an intervention designed to improve SIC in obstetric and gynaecologic surgeries is associated with receipt of SIC components.

Design

Pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys were conducted at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital among women who underwent obstetric or gynaecologic surgeries. The intervention consisted of a 3-day training on standard counselling for surgical procedures offered to health professionals. A total of 457 women were surveyed (230 pre-intervention, 227 post-intervention). An adjusted Poisson regression analysis was used to identify the association between the intervention and the number of SIC components received.

Results

The majority of participants were 25–34 years of age in both the pre-intervention and post-intervention groups (p=0.66). 45.7% of the pre-intervention and 51.5% of the post-intervention survey participants underwent elective surgery (p=0.21). Additionally, 70.4% of pre-intervention survey participants received counselling immediately before surgery, compared with 62.4% of post-intervention participants (p<0.001). 5.7% of pre-intervention and 6.6% of post-intervention participants reported the belief that SIC consists entirely of signing on a piece of paper (p=0.66). After controlling for effects of potential confounders, the number of SIC components reported by post-intervention survey participants was 16% higher than what is received by pre-intervention ones (adjusted coefficient=1.16 (1.06–1.28)). Having elective versus emergency surgery was not associated with the number of components received by participants in either group (adjusted coefficient=0.98 (0.88–1.09)).

Conclusion

Training on the delivery of standard SIC is associated with receipt of a higher number of standard counselling components. However, there is a need to evaluate whether a one-time intervention leads to sustained improvement. A system-wide study of factors that promote SIC is required.
Choice architecture interventions to improve diet and/or dietary behaviour by healthcare staff in high-income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Al-Khudairy Lena , Uthman Olalekan A , Walmsley Rosemary , Johnson Samantha , Oyebode Oyinlola
Published: January 2019

Objectives

We were commissioned by the behavioural insights team at Public Health England to synthesise the evidence on choice architecture interventions to increase healthy purchasing and/or consumption of food and drink by National Health Service (NHS) staff.

Data sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts and Web of Science were searched from inception until May 2017 and references were screened independently by two reviewers.

Design

A systematic review that included randomised experimental or intervention studies, interrupted time series and controlled before and after studies.

Participants

Healthcare staff of high-income countries.

Intervention

Choice architecture interventions that aimed to improve dietary purchasing and/or consumption (outcomes) of staff.

Appraisal and synthesis

Eligibility assessment, quality appraisal, data abstraction and analysis were completed by two reviewers. Quality appraisal of randomised trials was informed by theCochrane Handbook, and the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Nonrandomized Studies was used for the remainder. Findings were narratively synthesised.

Results

Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Five studies included multiple workplaces (including healthcare settings), 13 were conducted in healthcare settings only. Interventions in 10 studies were choice architecture only and 8 studies involved a complex intervention with a choice architecture element. Interventions involving a proximity element (making behavioural options easier or harder to engage with) appear to be frequently effective at changing behaviour. One study presented an effective sizing intervention. Labelling alone was generally not effective at changing purchasing behaviour. Interventions including an availability element were generally reported to be successful at changing behaviour but no included study examined this element alone. There was no strong evidence for the effect of pricing on purchasing or dietary intake.

Conclusion

Proximity, availability and sizing are choice architecture elements that are likely to be effective for NHS organisations.

Trial registration number

CRD42017064872.
Disparity of the Chinese elderly’s health-related quality of life between urban and rural areas: a mediation analysis
Authors: You Xinyi , Zhang Yali , Zeng Jinfeng , Wang Congju , Sun Hongpeng , Ma Qinghua , Ma Yana , Xu Yong
Published: January 2019

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the urban–rural disparity in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the Chinese elderly and to explore the mediating roles of socioeconomic status (SES) and frequency of contact with children in the relationship between urban/rural areas and HRQoL.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study for 2015–2016, involving 12 369 Chinese aged 45 years and over. HRQoL of respondents was measured by three-level EuroQol five dimensions (EQ-5D-3L). SES, based on principal components analysis, was combined by the individual possessions of durable consumer goods and houses. Frequency of contact with children was derived from the responses to whether they live with children and how often they contact with them. Mediation analyses were performed to examine the mediating effects of SES and frequency of contact in the relationship between urban/rural areas and HRQoL.

Results

Urban respondents had higher scores of HRQoL than rural respondents (p<0.05). As SES and frequency of contact with children increased, the scores of HRQoL of the elderly went up as well. Mediation analyses proved the possible mediating effects of SES and frequency of contact in the relationship between urban/rural areas and HRQoL (0.0713 and 0.0064). The indirect effects induced by SES and frequency of contact were 65.45% and 5.90%, respectively.

Conclusions

There was a significant difference in HRQoL between urban and rural middle-aged and elderly participants, which was partially mediated by urban–rural disparities in SES and frequency of contact with children. Higher SES and frequency of contact with children contributed to higher health status in the Chinese elderly.
Burnout among obstetricians and paediatricians: a cross-sectional study from China
Authors: Ye Junying , Wang Huan , Wu Hao , Ye Liaosha , Li Qi , Ma Xiang-yu , Yu Xiaodong , Zhang Hua , Luo Xu
Published: January 2019

Objectives

Hospitals devoted to maternal and child health represent unique healthcare institutions in China. Healthcare professionals in these hospitals attend to health services for women and children, and also provide technical services and support for district maternal and children’s healthcare as well as family planning. However, few studies have examined occupational burnout among doctors employed in these hospitals. This research addresses the gap in the literature.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of obstetricians and paediatricians from 11 maternal and child health hospitals across China was conducted May through June 2017. A total of 678 people completed a self-administered questionnaire. The survey included questions about demographics, doctor–patient relationships and networks of support as well as characteristics designed to capture the occurrence of burnout, such as emotional exhaustion, cynicism and professional efficacy. T-test, variance and multiple regression analyses were used to examine the data.

Results

The research revealed that 56.6% of obstetricians and paediatricians exhibited signs of occupational burnout. Poor doctor–patient relationships and high average number of weekly hours worked contributed to burnout. Additionally, low family support corresponded to physicians’ low sense of professional efficacy.

Conclusions

Several factors have contributed to occupational burnout among paediatricians and obstetricians at maternal and child health hospitals in China, including lack of family support, poor doctor–patient relationships and heavy workloads.
Emergency Medicine Palliative Care Access (EMPallA): protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of specialty outpatient versus nurse-led telephonic palliative care of older adults with advanced illness
Authors: Grudzen Corita R , Shim Deborah J , Schmucker Abigail M , Cho Jeanne , Goldfeld Keith S
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Emergency department (ED)-initiated palliative care has been shown to improve patient-centred outcomes in older adults with serious, life-limiting illnesses. However, the optimal modality for providing such interventions is unknown. This study aims to compare nurse-led telephonic case management to specialty outpatient palliative care for older adults with serious, life-limiting illness on: (1) quality of life in patients; (2) healthcare utilisation; (3) loneliness and symptom burden and (4) caregiver strain, caregiver quality of life and bereavement.

Methods and analysis

This is a protocol for a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel, two-arm randomised controlled trial in ED patients comparing two established models of palliative care: nurse-led telephonic case management and specialty, outpatient palliative care. We will enrol 1350 patients aged 50+ years and 675 of their caregivers across nine EDs. Eligible patients: (1) have advanced cancer (metastatic solid tumour) or end-stage organ failure (New York Heart Association class III or IV heart failure, end-stage renal disease with glomerular filtration rate <15 mL/min/m2, or global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease stage III, IV or oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); (2) speak English; (3) are scheduled for ED discharge or observation status; (4) reside locally; (5) have a working telephone and (6) are insured. Patients will be excluded if they: (1) have dementia; (2) have received hospice care or two or more palliative care visits in the last 6 months or (3) reside in a long-term care facility. We will use patient-level block randomisation, stratified by ED site and disease. Effectiveness will be compared by measuring the impact of each intervention on the specified outcomes. The primary outcome will measure change in patient quality of life.

Ethics and dissemination

Institutional Review Board approval was obtained at all study sites. Trial results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT03325985; Pre-results.
Pathways of antibiotic use in Bangladesh: qualitative protocol for the PAUSE study
Authors: Rousham Emily K , Islam Mohammad Aminul , Nahar Papreen , Lucas Patricia Jane , Naher Nahitun , Ahmed Syed Masud , Nizame Fosiul Alam , Unicomb Leanne
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Global actions to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR) include optimising the use of antimicrobial medicines in human and animal health. In countries with weak healthcare regulation, this requires a greater understanding of the drivers of antibiotic use from the perspective of providers and consumers. In Bangladesh, there is limited research on household decision-making and healthcare seeking in relation to antibiotic use and consumption for humans and livestock. Knowledge is similarly lacking on factors influencing the supply and demand for antibiotics among qualified and unqualified healthcare providers.

The aim of this study is to conduct integrated research on household decision-making for healthcare and antibiotic use, as well as the awareness, behaviours and priorities of healthcare providers and sellers of antibiotics to translate into policy development and implementation.

Methods and analysis

In-depth interviews will be conducted with (1) household members responsible for decision-making about illness and antibiotic use for family and livestock; (2) qualified and unqualified private and government healthcare providers in human and animal medicine and (3) stakeholders and policy-makers as key informants on the development and implementation of policy around AMR. Participant observation within retail drug shops will also be carried out. Qualitative methods will include a thematic framework analysis.

A holistic approach to understanding who makes decisions on the sale and use of antibiotics, and what drives healthcare seeking in Bangladesh will enable identification of routes to behavioural change and the development of effective interventions to reduce the health risks of AMR.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval for the study has been obtained from the Institutional Review Board at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh following review by the Research and Ethics Committees (PR-16100) and from Loughborough University (R17-P081). Information about the study will be provided in a participant information letter in Bangla (to be read verbally and given in writing to participants). A written informed consent form in Bangla will be obtained and participants will be informed of their right to withdraw from the study. Dissemination will take place through a 1 day dissemination workshop with key stakeholders in public health and policy, practitioners and scientists in Bangladesh, and through international conference presentations and peer-review publications. Anonymised transcripts of interviews will be made available through open access via institutional data repositories after an embargo period.
Comparison of tetradecyl sulfate versus polidocanol injections for stabilisation of joints that regularly dislocate in an Ehlers-Danlos population
Authors: Burling Fraser
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To determine whether there is similarity between tetradecyl sulfate and polidocanol in stabilising a joint from dislocating in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).

Method

A retrospective analysis of patients with EDS in a sole-practice clinic in New Zealand. Patients must have had the diagnosis of EDS, had easily dislocatable joints, had treatment and at least 3 months’ follow-up. 0.11% tetradecyl sulfate solution, or 0.25% polidocanol solution, was injected to ligament attachments (enthesis) on the side of the joints where they dislocated. Patients were deemed successfully treated if their affected joints were no longer dislocated over a minimum of 3 months’ follow-up (out to 3 years).

Results

Of 250 patients at the time of the study, 46 fitted the criteria. There were 37 treated with tetradecyl sulfate and nine with polidocanol. For the tetradecyl group there were a total of 305 injections around 97 joints: mean 3.1, range 1–22, median 2. For the polidocanol group there were 36 injections around 19 joints: mean 1.9, range 1–8, median 2. The difference of means between group 1 (tetradecyl) and group 2 (polidocanol) is 1.2, CIs 0.34 to 2.98. All patients had no further dislocations of treated joints unless they had a major new injury (two patients).

Conclusion

There was no difference between the two groups for stabilising joints from dislocating. These two agents appear promising for treating patients with recurrent joint dislocations in the setting of EDS. Prospective multicentre randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm these data.
Determining the sex of equine fetuses: an update
Authors: Neal Huw
Published: January 2019

Knowing whether a pregnant mare is carrying either a colt or a filly fetus is helpful for many breeders, both for commercial and private purposes. This information may influence future mating plans for the mare and valuations for insurance, and may contribute to a decision regarding possible sale of the animal. The stage of pregnancy at which fetal sex is most easily identified, especially for new examiners, is the early period of development when the primitive external genital tissue can be recognised relatively easily with a clear difference between male and female forms. This article describes the development of the equine embryo, the anatomy of the fetus in the early stages of pregnancy and the ultrasonographic approach required to determine the sex of the fetus.
Moral reasons to edit the human genome: picking up from the Nuffield report
Authors: Gyngell Christopher , Bowman-Smart Hilary , Savulescu Julian
Published: January 2019

In July 2018, the Nuffield Council of Bioethics released its long-awaited report on heritable genome editing (HGE). The Nuffield report was notable for finding that HGE could be morally permissible, even in cases of human enhancement. In this paper, we summarise the findings of the Nuffield Council report, critically examine the guiding principles they endorse and suggest ways in which the guiding principles could be strengthened. While we support the approach taken by the Nuffield Council, we argue that detailed consideration of the moral implications of genome editing yields much stronger conclusions than they draw. Rather than being merely ‘morally permissible’, many instances of genome editing will be moral imperatives.
An Obturator Nerve Block does not Alleviate Postoperative Pain after Total Hip Arthroplasty: a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Nielsen Niels Dalsgaard , Runge Charlotte , Clemmesen Louise , Børglum Jens , Mikkelsen Lone Ramer , Larsen Jens Rolighed , Nielsen Thomas Dahl , Søballe Kjeld , Bendtsen Thomas Fichtner
Published: January 2019

Background and objectives

A substantial group of patients suffer from moderate to severe pain following elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). Due to the complex innervation of the hip, peripheral nerve block techniques can be challenging and are not widely used. Since the obturator nerve innervates both the anteromedial part of the joint capsule as well as intra-articular nociceptors, we hypothesized that an obturator nerve block (ONB) would decrease the opioid consumption after THA.

Methods

Sixty-two patients were randomized to receive ONB or placebo (PCB) after primary THA in spinal anesthesia. Primary outcome measure was opioid consumption during the first 12 postoperative hours. Secondary outcome measures included postoperative pain score, nausea score and ability to ambulate.

Results

Sixty patients were included in the analysis. Mean (SD) opioid consumption during the first 12 postoperative hours was 39.9 (22.3) mg peroral morphine equivalents (PME) in the ONB group and 40.5 (30.5) mg PME in the PCB group (p=0.93). No difference in level of pain or nausea was found between the groups. Paralysis of the hip adductor muscles in the ONB group reduced the control of the operated lower extremity compared with the PCB group (p=0.026). This did, however, not affect the subjects’ ability to ambulate.

Conclusions

A significant reduction in postoperative opioid consumption was not found for active versus PCB ONB after THA.

Trial registration number

NCT03064165and 2017-000068-14.
Prevalence of human papillomavirus-related diseases in the Republic of Korea: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Oh Jin-Kyoung , Choi Hwa Young , Han Minji , Lee Jae-Kwan , Min Kyung-Jin , Ki Moran
Published: January 2019

Objective

We aimed to evaluate trends in the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases in the era before the introduction of organised HPV vaccination programmes in the Republic of Korea.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used National Health Insurance Service data from 2002 to 2015 and included participants who were diagnosed with the following HPV-related diseases (codes from the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision): genital warts (A63.0); cancer in the head and neck (C00–C10), anus (C21), vulva (C51), vagina (C52), cervix uteri (C53) and penis (C60); carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the lip/oral cavity/pharynx (D00.0), anus (D01.3), cervix (D06), vulva (D07.1), vagina (D07.2) and penis (D07.4); benign neoplasms of the larynx (D14.1); and dysplasia of the cervix (N87), vagina (N89) and vulva (N90). For each diagnosis, the fraction of cases attributable to HPV in Korea was assessed based on the percentages of diseases attributable to HPV reported in some international studies. The age-standardised prevalence was estimated using the direct population-based method.

Results

The overall age-standardised prevalence of HPV-related diseases increased from 2002 to 2015, mainly due to increased prevalence of genital warts in men and cervical dysplasia and CIS in women. In women, genital wart prevalence increased from 2002 (24.4 per 100 000) to 2011 (57.1) and then decreased until 2015 (53.5); in men, the prevalence increased steadily from 2002 (22.9) to 2015 (109.4). The prevalence of cervical dysplasia and CIS increased (from 86.5 in 2002 to 484.5 in 2015, and from 60.3 in 2002 to 114.9 in 2015, respectively), but that of cervical cancer decreased (from 120.0 in 2002 to 106.9 in 2015).

Conclusions

Non-organised HPV vaccination and organised cervical cancer screening may have contributed to the downward trend in genital wart prevalence and the upward trend in cervical abnormalities among women.
Effect of prehospital tourniquets on resuscitation in extremity arterial trauma
Authors: McNickle Allison G , Fraser Douglas R , Chestovich Paul J , Kuhls Deborah A , Fildes John J
Published: January 2019

Background

Timely tourniquet placement may limit ongoing hemorrhage and reduce the need for blood products. This study evaluates if prehospital tourniquet application altered the initial transfusion needs in arterial injuries when compared with a non-tourniquet control group.

Methods

Extremity arterial injuries were queried from our level I trauma center registry from 2013 to 2017. The characteristics of the cohort with prehospital tourniquet placement (TQ+) were described in terms of tourniquet use, duration, and frequency over time. These cases were matched 1:1 by the artery injured, demographics, Injury Severity Score, and mechanism of injury to patients arriving without a tourniquet (TQ−). The primary outcome was transfusion within the first 24 hours, with secondary outcomes of morbidity (rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, compartment syndrome), amputation (initial vs. delayed), and length of stay. Statistical tests included t-test and χ2for continuous and categorical variables, respectively, with p<0.05 considered as significant.

Results

Extremity arterial injuries occurred in 192 patients, with 69 (36%) having prehospital tourniquet placement for an average of 78 minutes. Tourniquet use increased over time from 9% (2013) to 62% (2017). TQ+ patients were predominantly male (81%), with a mean age of 35.0 years. Forty-six (67%) received blood transfusion within the first 24 hours. In the matched comparison (n=69 pairs), TQ+ patients had higher initial heart rate (110 vs. 100, p=0.02), frequency of transfusion (67% vs. 48%, p<0.01), and initial amputations (23% vs. 6%, p<0.01). TQ+ patients had increased frequency of initial amputation regardless of upper (n=43 pairs) versus lower (n=26 pairs) extremity involvement; however, only upper extremity TQ+ patients had increased transfusion frequency and volume. No difference was observed in morbidity, length of stay, and mortality with tourniquet use.

Discussion

Tourniquet use has increased over time in patients with extremity arterial injuries. Patients having prehospital tourniquets required a higher frequency of transfusion and initial amputation, without an increase in complications.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic study, level IV.
Numerical mesoscopic method for transportation of H2O-based nanofluid through a porous channel considering Lorentz forces
Authors: Sheikholeslami M. , Gerdroodbary M. Barzegar , Moradi Rasoul , Shafee Ahmad , Li Zhixiong
Published: January 2019

Recently, various ways are investigated to augment heat transfer in different applications such as porous ceramic domain. Adding nanoparticles to fluid is the best operational way to increase the conduction of fluids. In this paper, migration of nanofluid inside a porous duct under the impact of magnetic force is scrutinized. LBM is applied to present comprehensive parametric analysis for various concentrations of nanofluid, Hartmann, Reynolds, and Darcy numbers. Outputs illustrate that Nu augments with improve of Lorentz forces. Augmenting Da significantly enhances the convective flow in our model.
The trapping problem and the average shortest weighted path of the weighted pseudofractal scale-free networks
Authors: Dai Meifeng , Dai Changxi , Wu Huiling , Wu Xianbin , Feng Wenjing , Su Weiyi
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we study the trapping time in the weighted pseudofractal scale-free networks (WPSFNs) and the average shortest weighted path in the modified weighted pseudofractal scale-free networks (MWPSFNs) with the weight factor [Formula: see text]. At first, for exceptional case with the trap fixed at a hub node for weight-dependent walk, we derive the exact analytic formulas of the trapping time through the structure of WPSFNs. The obtained rigorous solution shows that the trapping time approximately grows as a power-law function of the number of network nodes with the exponent represented by [Formula: see text]. Then, we deduce the scaling expression of the average shortest weighted path through the iterative process of the construction of MWPSFNs. The obtained rigorous solution shows that the scalings of average shortest weighted path with network size obey three laws along with the range of the weight factor. We provide a theoretical study of the trapping time for weight-dependent walk and the average shortest weighted path in a wide range of deterministic weighted networks.
MODELING A FLEXIBLE RETIREMENT AGE TO NARROW PENSION GAP: THE CASE OF CHINA
Authors: LIU YALI , YANG MEIYING , ZHENG HAITAO , JIANG YUNYUN , GU DONGFANG
Published: January 2019

With the relatively fixed retirement age, the dramatic increase in life expectancy and the sharp decline in fertility have caused a serious aging problem and an unsustainable pension crisis. It is therefore necessary to design flexible retirement benefits rules that consider life expectancy. By introducing the lifetime utility optimization model, the closed-form solution for the flexible retirement age is obtained. Pension benefits incentive strategies are constructed to encourage contributors to choose a retirement age that is beneficial toward narrowing the pension gap. The empirical studies show that China will face a serious pension gap in the future if the current statutory retirement age is not adjusted. If the retirement age is delayed according to life expectancy, the future pension gap will be greatly reduced.
AGGLOMERATION ECONOMIES AND PERFORMANCE IN KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE BUSINESS SERVICES
Authors: ZHANG CUI
Published: January 2019

Most studies on the relationship between agglomeration economies and economic performance have focussed on regions in general or manufacturing. Very few papers have considered the impacts of agglomeration economies on the economic performance of knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) firms. We propose a theoretical framework based on the characteristics of KIBS to study the precise channels through which KIBS firms benefit from specialization externalities and diversity externalities. The empirical evidence based on the software and IT services industry in China, a very dynamic branch of KIBS, shows that firms benefit from service diversity externalities but not specialization externalities, consistent with the idea of “nursery cities”.
HOW DO RURAL HOUSEHOLDS PREFER TO ADAPT LIVELIHOODS TO ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF CLIMATE AND POLICY CHANGES?
Authors: ZHENG YUAN , JACOBSEN JETTE BREDAHL , THORSEN BO JELLESMARK , LIU ZHEN
Published: January 2019

A better understanding of how society anticipates and adapts to future changes is critical to inform impact assessment and to develop timely and well-targeted policies to support adaptation. However, the forward-looking adaptation process remains poorly understood. In this paper we introduce choice experiment as a useful approach to investigate how households prefer to adapt livelihoods ex ante to the economic impact of climate and policy changes. This allows us to frame adaptation decisions within the random utility theory and explicitly quantify the likelihoods of particular adaptation choices given varied attributes of contextual changes and households. We collected data from 162 rural households in three Chinese mountain villages. Overall, households chose primarily to increase efforts in agriculture activities or stick to current livelihood portfolios. The results of a Mixed Logit model indicated that households’ choice of agriculture was certain while their adoption of non-agriculture livelihoods to safeguard the households from future changes. Moreover, several possibilities were evaluated for policy interventions to build adaptive capacity of households and facilitate adaptation. Such measures could, for instance, focus on supporting agricultural inputs, providing access to credit as well as practical skills training.
Weak cosmic censorship conjecture in Kerr black holes of modified gravity
Authors: Liang Bin , Wei Shao-Wen , Liu Yu-Xiao
Published: January 2019

By neglecting the effects of self-force and radiation, we investigate the possibility of destroying the Kerr-MOG black hole through the point particle absorption process. Using the instability of event horizon and equation of particle motion, we get the upper and lower energy bounds allowed for a matter particle to produce the naked singularity. We find that the energy gap always exists between the upper and lower energy bounds for both extremal and near-extremal black holes, which means some tailored particles can actually lead to the violation of the weak cosmic censorship conjecture. However, when considering the effect of the adiabatic process, the result shows that the Kerr-MOG black hole gets more stable instead of a naked singularity, and thus the weak cosmic censorship conjecture can be restored at some level.
Exactly solvable f(R) inflation
Authors: Valtancoli P.
Published: January 2019

We show that by adding a cosmological constant term to the Starobinsky model, it can be solved exactly without using the slow-roll approximation.
Impact of the nuclear mass uncertainties on the r process
Authors: Wang Z. Y. , Wen Q. G. , Heng T. H.
Published: January 2019

Based on a simple site-independent approach, we attempt to reproduce the solar [Formula: see text]-process abundance with four nuclear mass models, and investigate the impact of the nuclear mass uncertainties on the [Formula: see text] process. In this paper, we first analyze the reliability of an adopted empirical formula for [Formula: see text]-decay half-lives which is a key ingredient for the [Formula: see text] process. Then we apply four different mass tables to study the [Formula: see text]-process nucleosynthesis together with the calculated [Formula: see text]-decay half-lives, and the existing [Formula: see text]-decay data from FRDM+QRPA is also considered for comparison. The numerical results show that the main features of the solar [Formula: see text]-process pattern and the locations of the abundance peaks can be reproduced well via the [Formula: see text]-process simulations. Moreover, we also find that the mass uncertainties can significantly affect the derived astrophysical conditions for the [Formula: see text]-process site, and resulting in a remarkable impact on the [Formula: see text] process.
MICROSTRUCTURE AND ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF Ni–B/GO ULTRASONIC-ASSISTED COMPOSITE COATINGS
Authors: JIANG JIBO , CHEN HAOTIAN , ZHU LIYING , SUN YAOXIN , QIAN WEI , LIN HUALIN , HAN SHENG
Published: January 2019

Graphene oxide (GO) sheet and ultrasonic field (UF) were successfully employed to produce Ni–B/GO and UF–Ni–B/GO composite coatings on Q235 mild steel by electroless plating. The composite coatings’ structure and surface morphology were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results showed that GO was successfully co-deposited in the Ni–B alloy. Moreover, UF–Ni–B/GO composite coatings have smoother surface and thicker cross-section than others. The microhardness and corrosion resistance of the sample coatings were determined using Vickers hardness tests, Tafel electrochemical tests and electrochemical impedance measurements (EIS) in 3.5[Formula: see text]wt.% NaCl solution to receive the effect of GO and ultrasonic. The findings indicated that UF–Ni–B/GO exhibited optimum hardness (856[Formula: see text]HV) and enhanced corrosion resistance (6.38 [Formula: see text][Formula: see text] over the Ni–B and Ni–B/GO coatings. Due to these interesting properties of the coating, it could be used as a protective material in the automotive and aerospace industries for parts of machines that were manipulated in high temperature and corrosive environments.
Online Job Dispatching and Scheduling to Minimize Job Completion Time and to Meet Deadlines
Authors: LI YUPENG
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we study the problem of job dispatching and scheduling, where each job consists of a set of tasks. Each task is processed by a set of machines simultaneously. We consider two important performance metrics, the average job completion time (JCT), and the number of deadline-aware jobs that meet their deadlines. The goal is to minimize the former and maximize the latter. We first propose OneJ to minimize the job completion time (JCT) when there is exactly one single job in the system. Then, we propose an online algorithm called MultiJ, taking OneJ as a subroutine, to minimize the average JCT, and prove it has a good competitive ratio. We then derive another online algorithm QuickJ to maximize the number of jobs that can meet their deadlines. We show that QuickJ is competitive via a worst case analysis. We also conjecture that the competitive ratio of QuickJ is likely to be the best one that any deterministic algorithm can achieve. We also shed light on several important merits of MultiJ and QuickJ, such as no severe coordination overhead, scalability, work conservation, and no job starvation.
A New Damage Index for Isolated Structures
Authors: Elyasi Niloofar , Khoshnoudian Faramarz , Khoshnoudian Yasaman
Published: January 2019

Damage indices based on structural dynamic characteristics are often used to detect damage in the structures. In this study, a new index for identifying damages in base-isolated structures is proposed using the frequency response function (FRF). Since calculation of the FRF data is time- and memory-consuming for problems of large size, the two-dimensional principal component analysis technique is employed to decrease the data size. The damage indices calculated, representing the health state of the structure, are stored in a database, which are then used to detect the damage location and severity by utilizing the lookup table method. The proposed damage detection method is applied to four concrete frame models, one of which is fixed at the base and the others are isolated by elastomeric bearings. The FRF data are polluted with three different noise values (5%, 10% and 15%) in order to evaluate the uncertainty of measurements. The accuracy of the proposed indices is compared with each other for various parameters such as noise values, bearings characteristics, base conditions and different damage scenarios. The results show the precision of the proposed method.
Fast and memory efficient approach for mapping NGS reads to a reference genome
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Agarwal Suneeta , Ranvijay
Published: January 2019

New generation sequencing machines: Illumina and Solexa can generate millions of short reads from a given genome sequence on a single run. Alignment of these reads to a reference genome is a core step in Next-generation sequencing data analysis such as genetic variation and genome re-sequencing etc. Therefore there is a need of a new approach, efficient with respect to memory as well as time to align these enormous reads with the reference genome. Existing techniques such as MAQ, Bowtie, BWA, BWBBLE, Subread, Kart, and Minimap2 require huge memory for whole reference genome indexing and reads alignment. Gapped alignment versions of these techniques are also 20–40% slower than their respective normal versions. In this paper, an efficient approach: WIT for reference genome indexing and reads alignment using Burrows–Wheeler Transform (BWT) and Wavelet Tree (WT) is proposed. Both exact and approximate alignments are possible by it. Experimental work shows that the proposed approach WIT performs the best in case of protein sequence indexing. For indexing, the reference genome space required by WIT is 0.6[Formula: see text]N (N is the size of reference genome) whereas existing techniques BWA, Subread, Kart, and Minimap2 require space in between 1.25[Formula: see text]N to 5[Formula: see text]N. Experimentally, it is also observed that even using such small index size alignment time of proposed approach is comparable in comparison to BWA, Subread, Kart, and Minimap2. Other alignment parameters accuracy and confidentiality are also experimentally shown to be better than Minimap2. The source code of the proposed approach WIT is available at http://www.algorithm-skg.com/wit/home.html .
Recent Developments in the Effects of Different Dopants on the Structure and Property of Lithium Titanate Material
Authors: Li Xi-Yang , Chen Qian-Lin , Yang Min , Li Ya-Nan , Ma Jing-Bo
Published: January 2019

The lithium titanium spinel Li4Ti5O[Formula: see text] has attracted more and more attention as anode materials applied in lithium ion batteries. Li4Ti5O[Formula: see text] material has been found to be able to intercalate lithium ions without deformation of the lattice. However, compared with graphite and other anode materials, the low conductivity of Li4Ti5O[Formula: see text] restricts its charging and discharging rate. Doping is deemed to be a businesslike method to enhance ionic and electronic conductivity of Li4Ti5O[Formula: see text]. This paper reviews the effects of Li4Ti5O[Formula: see text] with different doping ions on different crystal lattice states. And it has been found by a summary that the doping objective of doping ions at Li4Ti5O[Formula: see text] is also different. Moreover, the applications of ion doping in different fields of Li4Ti5O[Formula: see text] are prospected.
The Path Selection of the Chinese Judges’ Disciplinary System Reform
Authors: LI Dejia
Published: January 2019

The reform of the judicial disciplinary system is an important part of China’s judicial reform. The purpose of the Disciplinary Committee for Judges and Prosecutors is to re-establish the judicial disciplinary system, including specific procedures, such as producing evidence, making arguments and statements, to protect the professional rights of judicial personnel.

This article examines the main models of the extraterritorial judicial disciplinary system, and analyses the trend and characteristics of current judges’ disciplinary system reform. The reform’s largest problem lies in the positioning of the judges’ disciplinary committee and the distribution of judge’s disciplinary power which need to be clearly defined.
Piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of Na0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15–BaTiO3 composite ceramics with Mg doping
Authors: Jiang Chaobin , Ma Chao , Luo Qian , Liu Kanghui , Qin Lu , Wu Zhentao , Cao Wanqiang , Chen Yong
Published: January 2019

As one of the representatives of lead-free NBT ceramics, Na[Formula: see text]Bi[Formula: see text]Ti4O[Formula: see text] has still attracted much attention due to its excellent dielectric properties and has become the focus of research. However, its piezoelectric properties are far from satisfactory. In order to improve the piezoelectric properties of Na[Formula: see text]Bi[Formula: see text]Ti4O[Formula: see text], Na[Formula: see text]Bi[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]MgxOy–BaTiO3 (NBTM–BT) composite ceramics were synthesized by a conventional mixed oxide route and sintered at 1040∘C through two-step method. We optimized the electrical properties of NBTM–BT by changing the stoichiometric ratio of Mg content and studied its microscopic mechanism. The piezoelectric coefficient ([Formula: see text]) is stable at about 20 pC/N. Moreover, the maximum remanent polarization (2[Formula: see text]) of the ceramic is 3.08[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]C/cm2 with the coercive field of 18.01[Formula: see text]kV/cm. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss for Na[Formula: see text]Bi[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]Mg[Formula: see text]–BT composite ceramic were found to be 486 and 0.17 at 10[Formula: see text]kHz, respectively. The characteristic peaks of BT and Na[Formula: see text]Bi[Formula: see text]Ti4O[Formula: see text] can be observed clearly from the X-ray diffraction analysis. SEM analysis showed that all samples were well crystallized. Consequently, the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of Na[Formula: see text]Bi[Formula: see text]Ti4O[Formula: see text]–BT composite ceramic will be enhanced much by Mg doping, which means it has a wider range of applications in electronic devices such as piezoelectric devices.
Statistical Discrimination of RFI and Astronomical Transients in 2-bit Digitized Time Domain Signals
Authors: Nita Gelu M. , Keimpema Aard , Paragi Zsolt
Published: January 2019

We investigate the performance of the generalized Spectral Kurtosis (SK) estimator in detecting and discriminating natural and artificial, very short duration transients in the 2-bit sampling time domain Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) data. We demonstrate that, while both types of transients may be efficiently detected, their natural or artificial nature cannot be distinguished if only a time domain SK analysis is performed. However, these two types of transients become distinguishable from each other in the spectral domain, after a 32-bit FFT operation is performed on the 2-bit time domain voltages. We discuss the implication of these findings on the ability of the Spectral Kurtosis estimator to automatically detect bright astronomical transient signals of interests, such as pulsar or fast radio bursts (FRB), in VLBI data streams that have been severely contaminated by unwanted radio frequency interference.
Computation of Aeroacoustics and Fluid Flow Problems Using a Novel Dispersion Relation Preserving Scheme
Authors: Mahato Bikash , Naveen Ganta , Bhumkar Yogesh G.
Published: January 2019

A new spectrally optimized physical dispersion relation preserving scheme has been introduced to solve computational acoustics and aeroacoustics problems, accurately. The derived fourth-order accurate scheme has significant spectral resolution and physical dispersion relation preserving (DRP) nature. The scheme displays neutral stability at high CFL numbers. The developed scheme has an ability to add numerical diffusion as and when required to attenuate spurious waves present in the computed solutions. These features make the proposed scheme suitable for solving computational aeroacoustic problems. The scheme has been validated by comparing solutions of model computational acoustic problems with the available analytical solutions. Scheme has also been tested to solve the incompressible flow field around a circular cylinder executing rotary oscillations. Ability of the scheme to perform direct simulation of the computational aeroacoustic problems has been shown by computing acoustic field triggered by a laminar flow past a stationary circular cylinder. Excellent match has been observed between the present computed results and the available results in the literature which justifies applicability of the present DRP scheme to solve complex flow and aeroacoustic problems.