bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LC-MS/MS Method for Rapid Quantification of Progesterone in Rabbit Plasma and Its Application in a Pharmacokinetic Study of the Transdermal Formulation
Authors: Tran Cao-Son , Bui Quang-Dong , Nguyen Ngoc-Tho Thi , Dao Minh-Hanh , Nguyen Thach-Tung
Published: October 2020

A rapid and effective method using QuEChERS-based sample preparation procedure and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis has been developed and validated to determine progesterone in rabbit plasma. The analyte was extracted from plasma by acetonitrile with phase partitioning by a mixture of magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride. The supernatant was then directly injected into LC-MS/MS in a positive electrospray ionization mode and quantified using progesterone-d9 as the internal standard. The method linearity was in the range from 1 ng/mL (LOQ) to 200 ng/mL. Method recovery was from 86.0% to 103%, and repeatability was lower than 5.5%. The plasma sample was stable for 12 weeks stored at 18 ± 2°C. This method was applied to quantify progesterone in rabbit plasma in a pharmacokinetic study of two transdermal formulations: a reference drug and a eutectic-hydrogel system. The data indicate that the eutectic-hydrogel system’s bioavailability was 1.5 times better than that of the reference drug, and the transdermal system is a potential drug delivery system for progesterone.
Investigation of Moisture Sensitivity and Conductivity Properties of Inductive Asphalt Mixtures Containing Steel Wool Fiber
Authors: Hosseinian Seyed Mohsen , Najafi Moghaddam Gilani Vahid , Mehraban Joobani Peyman , Arabani Mahyar
Published: October 2020

The construction of suitable roads in rainy areas has created problems in the construction process due to the low resistance of asphalt to moisture. To solve this problem, materials are commonly used that make mixtures resistant to moisture; however, these materials may reduce the dynamic resistance of asphalt. Therefore, materials should be used that, in addition to increasing the dynamic resistance, also increase the moisture resistance of asphalt mixtures. One of these materials used in this research is steel wool fiber (SWF), which in addition to creating conductive roads also could have a significant effect on moisture resistance. In this study, the impact of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% SWF on the Marshall stability and moisture sensitivity of mixtures was investigated using the Marshall stability and indirect tensile strength (ITS) tests, respectively. Moreover, using SWF as a conductive fiber, the conductivity properties of asphalt mixtures were explored to find the optimal amount of electrical conductivity. The results of the Marshall stability test indicated that by increasing SWF contents, the stability of mixtures increased, compared with the base sample, and greater amounts of 6% SWF resulted in the reduction of the Marshall stability. The results of ITS showed that modification of bitumen by SWF increased ITS and tensile strength ratio (TSR) amounts of mixtures. 6% SWF was the optimal amount for enhancing the resistance of asphalt mixtures to moisture sensitivity. The results of the electrical resistivity test showed that the resistivity had three phases: high resistivity, transit, and low resistivity. Mixtures containing less than 4% SWF illustrated an insulating behavior, with electrical resistivity greater than 7.62 × 108 Ω.m. At the transit phase, the resistivity of mixtures had a sharp reduction from 7.62 × 108 Ω.m to 6.17 × 104 Ω.m. Finally, 8% SWF was known as the optimal content for the electrical conductivity of mixtures.
Investigation on the Effect of Dynamic Frequency on Fracture Evolution in Preflawed Rock under Multistage Cyclic Loads: Insight from Acoustic Emission Monitoring
Authors: Meng H. J. , Wang Y. , Zhang B. , Gao S. H.
Published: October 2020

This study is aimed at revealing the effect of dynamic loading frequency on the fracture evolution behavior in preflawed rock samples under multistage cyclic loading conditions. The fracture evolution characteristics were investigated using stress-strain descriptions and in situ acoustic emission techniques. It is shown that rock strength, deformation, AE pattern, and fatigue life are strongly affected by the applied dynamic loading frequency. Rock fatigue strength and lifetime increase with the increase of dynamic loading frequency. The AE count and energy output both increase with the increase of the applied loading frequency. Six kinds of cracking modes were revealed by AE spectral frequency analysis. It is shown that large-scaled cracks are easy to be formed for rock subjected to high-frequency loads, reflected as the deceasing of AE signals with high-frequency–high-amplitude signal feature. It is suggested that applied dynamic loading frequency has obvious impact on the crack coalescence at the rock bridge segment. The testing results are helpful to enhance the cognitive of the influence of dynamic frequency on the crack communication behavior and can be expected to predict the stability of rock mass structures where rock mass is subjected to fatigue loading.
The Effect of Caching on CP and ISP Policies in Information-Centric Networks
Authors: Garmani Hamid , Ait Omar Driss , El Amrani Mohamed , Baslam Mohamed , Jourhmane Mostafa
Published: October 2020

Internet traffic volume is increasing, and this causes scalability issues in content delivery. Information-centric network has been introduced to support this increase in Internet traffic through caching. While collaborative caching in information-centric network is a crucial feature to improve network performance and reduce delivery costs in content distribution, the current pricing strategies on the Internet are not incentive compatible with information-centric network interconnection. In this paper, we focus on the economic incentive interactions in caching deployment between several types of information-centric network providers (content provider and Internet service provider). In particular, we develop game-theoretic models to study the interaction between providers in an information-centric network model where the providers are motivated to cache and share content. We use a generalized Zipf distribution to model content popularity. We formulate the interactions between the Internet service providers and between the content providers as a noncooperative game. We use a Stackelberg game model to capture the interactions between the content provider and Internet service providers. Through mathematical analysis, we prove the existence and uniqueness of the Nash equilibrium under some conditions. An iterative and distributed algorithm based on best response dynamics is proposed to achieve the equilibrium point. The numerical simulations illustrate that our proposed game models result in a win-win solution.
Evaluation of Oral Health Status and Oral Care of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Radwan-Oczko Małgorzata , Duś-Ilnicka Irena , Richards Pamela , Thomsen Anna Marie , Rasmussen Claus
Published: October 2020

Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal disease (PD) are common chronic, immunoinflammatory, destructive, and progressive diseases; however, the correlations between those two are not yet widely discussed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the selected demographic and clinical parameters of RA patients and oral health status parameters, on the basis of self-assessment. Materials and Methods. Three hundred patients under treatment were included in the study. Questionnaires were completed by 164 out of 300 patients. Results. A total of 100 females and 64 males took part in the study, with a mean age of 65 ± 11.1 years. In younger patients, the disease activity score (DAS28) was higher, and it was associated with pain or discomfort in the oral cavity and with difficulties in toothbrushing. Discomfort or pain in the oral cavity was to a significant extent associated with the poor gingival state, gingival bleeding, and difficulties in biting or chewing. Conclusions. In RA patients, difficulties in biting or chewing, discomfort or pain in oral cavity, feeling of the presence of movable teeth, and gingival bleeding are indications of periodontal infection. Maintaining awareness of oral health and RA is a key issue in the simultaneous management of proper oral care and RA due to the mutual influence of those two factors.
On

M

λ

m
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-Statistical Convergence
Authors: Aral Nazlım Deniz , Günal Şerife
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we introduce a new type of statistical convergence method for double sequences by using the

M
,

λ

m
,
n

-method of summability which was defined by Natarajan. We also obtain some inclusion relations between statistical convergence and

M

λ
m
,
n

-statistical convergence for double sequences.
Structural and Thermal Properties of Ethiopian Eri and Mulberry Silk Fibres
Authors: Melesse Getnet , Atalie Desalegn , Koyrita Ayano
Published: October 2020

Silk fibre has received attention in the biomedical sector rather than textile production because of its excellent biocompatibility properties in the past century. Although silk fibre properties are different from area to area, it has created an opportunity in the biomedical sector to develop new silk‐based medical textile products. This research work aimed to study the structural, physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of Ethiopian silkworm cocoon’s filament. Eri and mulberry silk fibre properties such as morphological structure, chemical properties, linear density, filament length, tensile strength, elongation, thermal property, and luster were measured using ES ISO and ASTM standard methods. Statistical analysis result showed that eri silk fibre from Arba Minch had water removal temperature between 100°C and 125°C with a degradation temperature of around 400°C and eri silk fibre from both Addis Ababa and Awassa had an almost similar water removal temperature around 100°C and degradation temperature around 420°C. Tensile strength and elongation of both eri and mulberry silk fibres had significant differences among each region. The highest tensile strength of 4.47 cN was observed from Addis Ababa, and the highest elongation of 20.01% was found from the Arba Minch eri silk fibre. The coarser linear density of 2.496 dtex from Arba Minch and finer count of 2.392 dtex were exhibited from Awassa. Arba Minch eri silk fibre had the highest filament length of 403.04 m and the least fibre length of 399.2 m recorded at Addis Ababa, and a better whiteness (Rd) value of 58.21 was observed at Arba Minch eri silk fibre. Bivoltine and multivoltine mulberry silk fibres had an average tensile strength of 8.01 and 11.83 cN, elongation of 10.3 and 12.1%, fineness of 3.2 and 3.16 dtex, and filament length of 1208.6 and 1028.26 m, respectively, in the same place of Arba Minch. The morphological structure of eri silk fibre from each region had an almost smooth and clean surface, but bivoltine and multivoltine mulberry silk fibres were somehow rough and had spots. According to the comparison results, Ethiopian silk fibres can be utilised more in the biomedical application and competitive in the global market.
Novel Cathode Electrode with Superior Rate Capability Using Perforated Aluminum Current Collector for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Bae Jin-Ju , Shin Ji-Woong , Kim Seong-Jae , Hong Tae-Whan
Published: October 2020

Electrodes were fabricated using a perforated aluminum current collector and a standard aluminum foil, and the relationship between the electrochemical performance of the battery and the current collector was investigated. The perforated aluminum foil improved the contact characteristics
between the cathode materials particles and the current collector. Also, electrochemical performance indicators such discharge capacity and rate characteristics were improved due to the increased adhesion of the electrode using the perforated current collector.
Tuning the Edge-Site Activity of 2H Phase MoSe2 for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction via Sulfur Substitution and Strain Engineering
Authors: Xu Ziwei , Zhao Guanghui , Wang Mingyuan , Liang Jingjing , Hussain Shahid , Shi Zhenzhen , Song Ruofei , Shi Changshuai , Liu Guiwu , Qiao Guanjun
Published: October 2020

The 2H phase MoSe2 of high chemical stability and excellent catalytic activity is a promising catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as a potential candidate, due to its low cost, high efficiency and abundant production. However, the HER catalytic efficiency of
MoSe2 largely depends on the activity of reaction sites including the basal plane and the edges, and remains low because only the Mo edge sites are active. Herein, we have calculated the structural stability, catalytic activity, and strain engineering on sulfur substituted MoSe2
catalytic structures (Mo(Se1–xSx)2) by density functional theory. The results demonstrate that most of Mo(Se1–xSx)2 monolayers are thermodynamically stable and the HER activity of the
Mo(Se1–xSx)2 monolayers can be effectively tuned by both element substitution and strain engineering with the mechanisms uncovered at the atomic level. This study provides the experiments theoretical references for the novel catalyst design
of the hydrogen evolution reaction.
Study on the Lifespan Prediction of Silicon Rubber Nanocomposites Under High Humidity and High Temperature Environment
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Liu Xin , Yang Chengshun , Ni Lianghua , Huang Xiaoning , Zhang Chao
Published: October 2020

In this paper, the silicon rubber nanocomposites samples cut from the composite insulators operating in high humidity and high temperature areas for 0–13 years were taken as the research object. In accordance to previous research experiences, test methods such as static contact
angle method, hardness test method were employed to investigate the changing law of lifespan prediction parameters with operating time. Based on test results, some lifespan prediction parameters significantly correlated with operating time were filtered by means of correlation calculation.
On this basis, a prediction method which can be used to determine the operating time of the nanocomposites was proposed based on BP neural network. Test results indicate that lifespan prediction parameters including HC, θ, A, T, H, XO
were significantly correlated with the operating time of the insulation material from composite insulator, and these parameters can be used to characterize the aging degree accurately. Besides, due to the high accuracy in experimental verification, the lifespan prediction method proposed in
this paper can be used to determine the operating time of composite insulators from transmission lines in future research.
Preparation of Porous Titanium Dental Implant by 3D Printing/Composite Coating and Its Biomechanical Properties and Flexural Strength
Authors: Yang Chengxue , Yu Zhengwen , Long Yuanzhu , Chen Lin
Published: October 2020

Dental implants have been widely used in clinical practice. The 3D modeling software was used to design threedimensional (3D) models (in the shapes of long strips, discs, and screws), i.e., the Ti2.6Al1.2 V0.42 specimens. Meanwhile, the implant material
was electrochemically precipitated, and a layer of chitosan nano-coating was added to the surface. To test the bone-binding ability and planting success rate of the material, the mechanical properties of the specimens with different porosity (0%∼70%) were firstly analyzed by the three-point
bending method. Then, the screw-shaped titanium alloy specimens were divided into the solid group, the solid coating group, the solid 30% group, the coating 30% group, the solid 50% group, and the coating 50% group. The MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured, and the in vitro biological properties of
the specimens were tested from different angles. The biomechanical properties and flexural strength of screw-shaped titanium alloy specimens in different groups were tested by using a universal testing machine. In the experiment, the prepared dental implants had the complete surface, uniform
pore distribution, dense coating distribution, and less overall cracks. The elastic gradient of porous titanium specimens would decrease due to the increase of porosity. The cell activity of the test specimen was higher, and the percentage of viable cells exceeded 80%. The MTT test confirmed
that the pores of the test specimen could promote the increase of MTT value (P < 0.05), and the test specimen/composite coating had higher ALP levels compared with the test pieces with no surface treatments (P < 0.05). In biomechanical properties and flexural strength tests,
the increase of pores increased the biomechanical properties (P < 0.05) and decreased the flexural resistance (P < 0.05), while the increase of coating decreased the biomechanical properties and increased the flexural resistance (P < 0.05). The porous titanium
alloy specimens were successfully prepared, and the chitosan-based composite coating was applied. The material was non-toxic, which was beneficial to cell proliferation and had good mechanical properties, thereby contributing to the growth of new bone.
Preparation of Zirconia-Based Dental Restorative Materials and Exploration on Their Wear Performances on Enamel/Dentine
Authors: Wang Guanchao , Lyu Jiao , Fang Yan , Sun Qiang , Ma Penghua , Zhang Shanchuan , Xu Baohua
Published: October 2020

A dental restorative material based on the zirconia matrix was designed for the analysis of friction and wear performances of enamel/dentine in vitro. First, the calcium phosphate powder was obtained by the sol–gel method. Then, three kinds of candidate composite ceramic
restorative materials (4Zr6D, 5Zr5D, and 6Zr4D) were obtained by sintering at different mixing ratios with zirconia. The materials were analyzed by physical property characterization and compared with polymer porcelain, glass ceramics, and zirconia, thereby exploring the difference in wear
performances of different dental restoration materials in enamel and dentine. In the tests and analyses of hardness, porosity, and density, zirconia-based restorative materials with a ratio of 5Zr5D showed better toughness and less mass loss. In the comparison of wear performances, zirconia-based
composite restorative materials showed higher hardness (1575.66 ± 27.36 Hv). In the enamel and dentine wear tests, the greater the hardness was, the greater the mass loss was; however, the morphology of tooth cusp and tooth surface remained unchanged. The friction performance of polymer
porcelain-based restorative material matched with that of the dentine and enamel; therefore, its mass loss was less; however, its surface morphology would change. The results showed that the application of zirconia-based restorative materials as dental restorative materials could achieve the
higher hardness and ensure the stability of the enamel/dentine appearance.
Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Modified Magnesium Oxysulfate Cement Incorporating Alkali Conditioner
Authors: Li Shengbin , Ren Haoqian , Wu Qin , Ye Yiyang
Published: October 2020

Magnesium oxysulfate cement is an ecological gas-hardening cementitious material. The cement has a complex system, insufficient hydration, and unstable hydration products, so that the cement mechanical property is poor. In this study, calcium chloride/carbon dioxide/weak buffer solution
is used to generate alkaline additive, namely vaterite calcium carbonate. The additive material is characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and then the optimal MgO/MgSO4/H2O molar ratio after calcium carbonate is added to magnesium oxysulfate
cement, the optimal laying method and reasonable amount of vaterite calcium carbonate are analyzed by mechanical tests. In the experiment, the basic additive is characterized firstly. It is found that the XRD of the additive mainly includes the peaks of calcite and vaterite. It can be seen
by scanning electron microscopy that many calcites and vaterites are not formed, the calcites are accumulated more, and there is a large number of particles, which are not appeared before. In the mechanical test of magnesium sulfide cement, the mechanical properties of magnesium oxysulfate
cement will increase firstly and then decrease with the increase of MgO/MgSO4 molar ratio in the way of long-cut calcium carbonate for reinforcement. Compared with the layout of long-cut calcium carbonate-magnesium oxysulfate cement, the layout of short-cut calcium carbonate-magnesium
oxysulfate cement can enhance the toughness of the modified cement, increase the amount of calcium carbonate, and improve the flexural strength and toughness index of the modified magnesium oxysulfate cement. The blending ratio is better to be 6%. Based on above researches and demonstrations,
blending the calcium carbonate-based alkaline additive can effectively improve the mechanical properties of the magnesium oxysulfate cement.
Cultural heritage as status seeking: The international politics of Turkey’s restoration wave
Authors: Yanık Lerna K , Subotić Jelena
Published: October 2020

This article explores the relationship between cultural heritage politics and international status-seeking. We advance a two-fold typology of status-seeking that explains why states engage in cultural heritage restoration practices at home and abroad. First, cultural heritage restoration can be an easy way to signal state respect of its multicultural past while providing cover for continuing anti-multicultural policies of the present. States with uncertain, challenged, or liminal international status use cultural heritage projects as a ‘standard of civilization’ of democracy, displaying themselves on the international stage as worthy of status and respect. Cultural heritage here is used as a strategy for international status affirmation. Second, states may engage in cultural heritage restoration beyond their borders, supporting or directly managing renovation of these sites in order to expand their imagined national cultural, political, and economic domain. Cultural heritage restoration projects here serve as a backdrop for powerful international economic alliances that can be used for status substitution—replacing one status-generating benchmark of ‘standard of civilization’ with another—economic prosperity. We illustrate these arguments with two recent cases of cultural heritage restoration that involve Turkey: the ‘Akdamar’ Church in Van, Turkey and the Tomb of Gül Baba in Budapest, Hungary.
Islamophobia and French academia
Authors: Hajjat Abdellali
Published: October 2020

The aim of this article is to study the French academic controversy related to Islamophobia. It raises the general question of the autonomy of social sciences in relation to the political-media field and the capacity of researchers to be reflexive and to distance themselves from the mainstream Islamophobic discourse. Drawing on the publications produced by French academics about Islamophobia, the article first analyses the space of controversy, showing that it does not take place in the central social science journals but on their periphery, or even outside the academic field. It then focuses attention on the logic of avoiding the (rare) French accounts on Islamophobia, which not only results in a timid academic disputatio but also in a disqualification of the concept of Islamophobia that mobilizes arguments similar to political-media discourses. The tension between factual judgement and value judgement is also analysed, highlighting how researchers working on Islamophobia are charged with a lack of scientific rigour and the unacknowledged political bias of the deniers. Finally, the article highlights the instrumentalization of the reference to Pierre Bourdieu by the deniers of Islamophobia. Thus, the forms of the French academic controversy on Islamophobia are indicative of the denial of Islamophobia and the influence of the media on the academic field.
Diagnostic Salivary Tests for SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Azzi L. , Maurino V. , Baj A. , Dani M. , d’Aiuto A. , Fasano M. , Lualdi M. , Sessa F. , Alberio T.
Published: October 2020

The diagnosis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection relies on the detection of viral RNA by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) performed with respiratory specimens, especially nasopharyngeal swabs. However, this procedure requires specialized medical personnel, centralized laboratory facilities, and time to provide results (from several hours up to 1 d). In addition, there is a non-negligible risk of viral transmission for the operator who performs the procedure. For these reasons, several studies have suggested the use of other body fluids, including saliva, for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The use of saliva as a diagnostic specimen has numerous advantages: it is easily self-collected by the patient with almost no discomfort, it does not require specialized health care personnel for its management, and it reduces the risks for the operator. In the past few months, several scientific papers, media, and companies have announced the development of new salivary tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection. Posterior oropharyngeal saliva should be distinguished from oral saliva, since the former is a part of respiratory secretions, while the latter is produced by the salivary glands, which are outside the respiratory tract. Saliva can be analyzed through standard (rRT-PCR) or rapid molecular biology tests (direct rRT-PCR without extraction), although, in a hospital setting, these procedures may be performed only in addition to nasopharyngeal swabs to minimize the incidence of false-negative results. Conversely, the promising role of saliva in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is highlighted by the emergence of point-of-care technologies and, most important, point-of-need devices. Indeed, these devices can be directly used in workplaces, airports, schools, cinemas, and shopping centers. An example is the recently described Rapid Salivary Test, an antigen test based on the lateral flow assay, which detects the presence of the virus by identifying the spike protein in the saliva within a few minutes.
Local Labor Market Inequality in the Age of Mass Incarceration
Authors: Petach Luke , Pena Anita Alves
Published: October 2020

We contend that the rise of mass incarceration in the United States can be framed through the lens of stratification economics, which views race- and class-based discrimination as a rational attempt on behalf of privileged groups to preserve their relative status and the material benefits which that status confers. Using the first (to our knowledge) local-level data set on incarceration rates by race, we explore the relationship between income inequality, poverty, and incarceration at the commuting zone level from 1950 to the present. Consistent with Michelle Alexander’s hypothesis that expansion of the penal system and the rise of “tough on crime” policy were efforts by privileged groups to drive a wedge into working-class political coalitions formed out of the Civil Rights Movement, we find that labor markets with greater inequality experienced larger increases in the overall incarceration rate. Furthermore, we find that relative rates of poverty play a key role in explaining differential effects of mass incarceration across race. Areas where White poverty rates were large relative to non-White poverty rates experienced no significant change in White incarceration, but an expansion of non-White incarceration. These findings have implications for policies related to economic and judicial systems.
Nicholas Rengger and two wars
Authors: Kennedy-Pipe Caroline
Published: October 2020

Nicholas Rengger spent much of his career thinking and writing on the phenomenon of war. Eschewing any optimistic view that war could be abolished he also challenged the application of Just War theory to explain and justify the use of military force after the events of 9/11. His intellectual interactions with Jean Bethke Elshtain highlighted his growing unease with those in International Relations who sought to render palatable the use of torture, extraordinary rendition and technological ‘fixes’ in the pursuit of Western interests.
“Together We Can Return to Balance”—Eastern Woodlands Native Perspectives and Type 2 Diabetes: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sadlon Penni , Charron-Prochownik Denise , Sullivan-Bolyai Susan
Published: October 2020

Purpose

To explore the perspectives of Eastern Woodlands Native people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the context of health beliefs, T2DM disease self-management, and family and community connections.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive method using face-to-face or telephonic semistructured interviews was employed with Native people ages 18 years or older who have a diagnosis of T2DM (N = 12) from an unidentified Eastern Woodlands tribe. The PEN-3 Cultural Model guided the study initially.

Results

The overarching theme “together we can return to balance” corresponded to 5 subthemes: coming to know life paths with T2DM, acknowledging the imbalance, negotiating my way forward, making important connections, and sticking closer to Mother Earth. Dimensions within the subthemes suggest why Native people may not be reaching T2DM treatment goals. Reasons include incomplete diabetes knowledge, difficulty accessing resources, and contextual variations in adoption of conventional diabetes treatments.

Conclusion

This study identified themes from Native perspectives about T2DM self-management and about prospects that may mitigate incomplete knowledge and support. Integrating indigenous health and wellness knowledge with conventional principles of diabetes care presents several opportunities for nurses to advance diabetes self-management (DSM) education and support. Including Native health concepts when educating patients about DSM should be viewed as desirable for holistic family and community involvement that is central toward preventing disease progression.
Jump-Starting the Socialization Experience: The Longitudinal Role of Day 1 Newcomer Resources on Adjustment
Authors: Bauer Talya N. , Erdogan Berrin , Caughlin David , Ellis Allison M. , Kurkoski Jennifer
Published: October 2020

We examine the newcomer adjustment patterns of 985 new hires at a Fortune 500 technology organization across their first year on the job. Data were collected from newcomers, their managers, and company records from organizational entry (employee’s first day) to the end of the first year of employment. We examined, first, whether newcomer resources (material, personal, social, and status resources) related to early newcomer adjustment levels (role clarity, task mastery, and acceptance) and rates of adjustment and, second, how newcomer resources and the rate of adjustment related to manager ratings of newcomer adjustment at 9 and 12 months post-entry. The average of every adjustment variable was higher at the latest data collection point, indicating that time was on newcomers’ side and was related, overall, to higher adjustment levels. Finally, we explored which resources related to the three newcomer adjustment indicators and the shapes adjustment trajectories took depending on resources at organizational entry. Results indicated that personal resources (proactive personality, optimism, and organizational knowledge) were related to early adjustment. Regarding material resources, having a work station ready the first day on the job was related to adjustment. For social resources, meeting one’s manager the first day on the job was related to early social acceptance. For status resources, greater newcomer job level was unexpectedly not related to early adjustment. We found partial support for the direct relationships between early adjustment levels or adjustment rates and manager ratings of adjustment at 9 months but limited support for manager ratings of adjustment at 12 months.
The Role of the ILO during and after Apartheid
Authors: Webster Edward , Forrest Kally
Published: October 2020

The International Labour Organization (ILO) at times played an important role in challenging race discrimination in the workplace, both as apartheid legislation intensified and in the new democratic South Africa. The controversy around forced labor, and the participation of independent African countries in the ILO, ultimately led to the withdrawal of South Africa. Subsequently, ILO Conventions and the 1964 Declaration influenced the government to establish the 1978 Wiehahn Commission to examine industrial relations. Its recommendations led to extensive unionization. The ILO was initially reluctant to recognize the independent unions but subsequently worker organizational power led to its support. Later, it contributed to creating a post-apartheid workplace order. However, despite its intention to build an inclusive industrial relations system, many workers remain excluded from the regulatory framework and the labor movement. The ILO’s rigid binary between direct coercion on the one hand and the voluntary recruitment of workers on the other does not capture the continuity from slavery, indentured labor, and the migrant labor system through to use of casual labor in contemporary South Africa. The ILO seems more comfortable with traditional unions and clear-cut employer-employee relationships.
When fear of failure leads to intentions to act entrepreneurially: Insights from threat appraisals and coping efficacy
Authors: Hunter Erik , Jenkins Anna , Mark-Herbert Cecilia
Published: October 2020

Calls in the entrepreneurship literature have advocated theory development and empirical studies exploring fear of failure. Often viewed as an inhibitory factor towards entrepreneurial activity, contemporary research has suggested that fear of failure can also motivate entrepreneurial activity. To explore this issue, we draw on Protection Motivation Theory to conceptualise and operationalise fear of failure. We find support for the notion that fear of failure prompts the adoption of entrepreneurial strategies, provided the entrepreneur believes they have the ability to act entrepreneurially, and that by so doing, their financial situation will improve. Our approach extends the literature on fear of failure in an entrepreneurship context by disentangling cognitive and behavioural aspects focusing not only on threat appraisals, but also on how entrepreneurs cope with them.
Comparison of atrio-femoral and femoro-atrial venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adult
Authors: Ling Steven Kin-ho
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Different cannulation approaches existed for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO). We aimed to compare the atrio-femoral (AF) and femoro-atrial (FA) configuration in terms of their flow efficiency and influence on patient outcome.

Method:

This was a single-centre, retrospective case control study. Adult patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and required VV ECMO service at Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong, from June 2015 to January 2020 were included. Data were collected from our ECMO database for comparison.

Results:

Between June 2015 and January 2020, eight patients received AF configuration and 19 patients received FA configuration. The maximum achieved flow in the AF group was significantly higher than that in the FA group (4.08 ± 0.57 L/min vs. 3.52 ± 0.58 L/min, p = 0.03). The fluid balance in first 3 days of ECMO was significantly lower in the AF group compared to that in the FA group (1.16 ± 2.71 L vs. 3.46 ± 1.97 L, p = 0.02). As well, the chance for successful awake ECMO was statistically higher in the AF group (p = 0.048).

Conclusion:

Atrio-femoral configuration in VV ECMO was associated with a higher maximum achieved ECMO flow, less fluid gain in first 3 days of ECMO and more successful awake ECMO.
The art and science of recruitment to a cancer rapid autopsy programme: A qualitative study exploring patient and clinician experiences
Authors: Tutty Erin , Horsley Philomena , Forbes Shepherd Rowan , Forrest Laura E.
Published: October 2020

Background:

CASCADE is a successful, Australia-first cancer rapid autopsy programme. Patients are recruited to the programme by their clinician once they understand that further treatment has only palliative intent. Despite its value, rapid autopsy is a rare research method owing partly to recruitment challenges.

Aim:

This research aimed to explore (1) how, in practice, clinicians select and recruit patients to the programme and (2) patient experiences of this process.

Design:

This was a qualitative study grounded in phenomenology. CASCADE team members (clinicians and researchers) and patients participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using an inductive, team-based approach to thematic analysis.

Participants:

Interviews were conducted with 31 participants (11 patients and 20 CASCADE team members).

Results:

Patient selection and recruitment to a rapid autopsy programme is both an art and science. In practice, patient selection is a subjective process that involves assessing a patient’s psychosocial suitability for the programme. Trust and rapport are necessary for informing this assessment and to create an environment conducive to discussing rapid autopsy. Clinicians have also crafted their own ways of delivering information about CASCADE, with both clinicians and patients acknowledging that, if not handled sensitively, recruitment could cause distress. Overall, patients were satisfied with the way in which they were recruited.

Conclusion:

Findings provide insight into how clinicians successfully select and recruit patients to a rapid autopsy programme and suggests that discussing such topics are acceptable to end-of-life patients. This research also raises thought-provoking questions about the ‘gatekeeping’ role of clinicians in recruitment.
Healthcare professionals’ experiences of inter-professional collaboration during patient’s transfers between care settings in palliative care: A focus group study
Authors: Mertens Fien , Debrulle Zoë , Lindskog Evelyn , Deliens Luc , Deveugele Myriam , Pype Peter
Published: October 2020

Background:

Continuity of care is challenging when transferring patients across palliative care settings. These transfers are common due to the complexity of palliative care, which has increased significantly since the advent of palliative care services. It is unclear how palliative care services and professionals currently collaborate and communicate to ensure the continuity of care across settings, and how patient and family members are involved.

Aim:

To explore healthcare professionals’ experiences regarding the communicative aspects of inter-professional collaboration and the involvement of patient and family members.

Design:

Qualitative design, including focus group discussions.

Setting/participants:

The study focused on one palliative care network in Belgium and involved all palliative care settings: hospital, hospital’s palliative care unit, home care, nursing home. Nine group discussions were conducted, with diverse professionals ( n = 53) from different care settings.

Results:

Timely and effective inter-professional information exchange was considered fundamental. A perceived barrier for interprofessional collaboration was the lack of a shared electronic health record. Efficiency regarding multidisciplinary team meetings and inter-professional communication were subject to improvement. A striking study finding was the perceived insufficient open communication of specialists towards patients and the lack of shared decision making. This not only hampered advance care planning discussions and early integration of palliative home care, but also the functioning of other professionals.

Conclusion:

From the perspective of the integrated care framework, several areas of improvement on different levels of care and collaboration are identified. Support from policymakers and researchers is required to achieve integrated palliative care in regional networks.
Biomechanical evaluation of axial-loading simulated experiment in wrist fractures: a finite element analysis
Authors: Fan You-Liang , Xu Hai-Yun , Xia Ming-Yang , Zhang Wen , Wen Hui-Long , Gao Li-Bo , Pei Yan-Hui
Published: October 2020

Objective

To assess the biomechanical properties that influence wrist fracture, so as to provide the theoretical basis for simulation experiments to aid the optimal design of wrist protectors.

Methods

Six cadaveric wrists were included as experimental specimens. Wrist specimens wearing wrist protectors formed the experimental group and unprotected wrist specimens formed the control group. The wrist specimens were axially loaded under physiological loads and the stress magnitude and distribution of the experimental and control groups were obtained. A three-dimensional wrist finite element model of a healthy volunteer was developed to verify the rationality and effectiveness of the cadaveric wrist models.

Results

Under normal physiological loads, the stress on the radioulnar palmar unit was high and manifested in the form of pressure, while the stress on the radioulnar dorsal unit was lower and manifested in the form of tension. The stresses on the radial distal palmar, ulnar distal palmar, radial distal dorsal, ulnar distal dorsal, radial proximal palmar and ulnar proximal palmar units in the experimental group were less than those in the control group.

Conclusion

Under physiological loads, wearing a wrist protector can reduce the stress on the radioulnar distal palmar, radioulnar proximal palmar and radioulnar distal dorsal units, while having no obvious effect on the radioulnar proximal dorsal units.
Forensic Experts’ Perspectives on Australian Indigenous Sexual Offenders and Factors Important in Evaluating the Risk of Recidivism
Authors: Allan Alfred , Parry Cate L. , Tubex Hilde , Spiranovic Caroline , Morgan Frank
Published: October 2020

Law and ethics require that risk assessment should be cross-culturally valid and fair, but Australian research in this regard is underdeveloped. A logical first step in progressing the work required to build a strong evidence base on culturally sensitive risk assessment in Australia is to determine the expert views of those in the field. We interviewed 13 Australian evaluators who assess Indigenous sexual offenders’ recidivism risk to determine their perceptions of the risk assessment instruments they use and the attributes they believe evaluators doing cross-cultural assessments should have. Our central findings are that evaluators use the available instruments because they believe that the same factors predict sexual recidivism for Indigenous and non-Indigenous offenders, but that they do so cautiously knowing the limitations of the instruments. Evaluators nevertheless want more research data to guide them when they use the available instruments to assess people from cultures that differ from those of people in the normative sample. Participants acknowledge that the unique challenges of assessing Indigenous sexual offenders require non-Indigenous evaluators to be culturally competent and confident. These findings should be valuable to evaluators and those who train or supervise evaluators and/or intend to establish or improve the validity of risk instruments in Australia.
Evaluating the Effect of Incidents on Freeway Facilities and Updating the Incident Capacity Adjustments for HCM
Authors: Addison Jeremy , Aghdashi Seyedbehzad , Rouphail Nagui M.
Published: October 2020

This paper investigates the effect of incidents on freeway segment capacity. Currently, the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) provides a look-up table linking the remaining segment capacity fraction during an incident to the total and closed number of lanes on the segment. In reality, segment capacity during an incident will tend to vary over time, with the most severe effects felt early on before any type of response is initiated, with congestion progressively improving as the appropriate incident management actions are implemented. By applying a genetic algorithm calibration method on each incident day and calibrating the incident capacity adjustment factors (CAFs), optimal time-dependent CAFs were derived that best represented the effect of incidents on the freeway segment capacity. By analyzing the optimal CAFs, the strongest relationship was revealed to be between the optimal time-dependent CAF and the temporal progression of the incident. A regression model was developed to represent this behavior. This was formulated in a manner that can directly adjust the current HCM’s fixed CAF values (for a specific lane closure configuration) for modeling incidents both in single day, seed file application, or for an entire year reliability analysis. A portion of WB I-540 in Raleigh, NC was selected as the study area in which the proposed method was tested. Between January 2014 and December 2018, the team identified 22 isolated incidents (away from the recurring congestion period) that closed one or two lanes of traffic, creating a distinct congestion pattern.
“Pocketing” Research Data? Ethnographic Data Production as Material Theorizing
Authors: Neubert Christine , Trischler Ronja
Published: October 2020

We analyze the relations between ethnographic data and theory through an examination of materiality in research practices, arguing that data production is a form of material theorizing. This entails reviewing and (re-)applying practice-theoretical discussions on materiality to questions of ethnography, and moving from understanding theory primarily as ideas to observing theorizing in all steps of research practice. We introduce “pocketing” as a heuristic concept to analyze how and when ethnographic data materializes: the concept defines data’s materiality relationally, through the affective and temporal dimensions of practice. It is discussed using two examples: in a study on everyday architectural experience where ethnographic data materialized as bodies affected by architecture; and in a study on digital cooperation where research data’s materialization was distributed over time according to the use of a company database. By conceptualizing data’s materiality as practice-bound, “pocketing” facilitates understanding the links between data and theory in ethnographic data production.
Food insecurity and healthcare access, utilization, and quality among middle and later life adults in California
Authors: Janio Emily A. , Sorkin Dara H.
Published: October 2020

Objectives: This study examined the association between food insecurity status and healthcare access, utilization, and quality among adults aged 55 years and older. Methods: Data collected between 2011 and 2016 for the California Health Interview Survey were used. The sample included 72,212 individuals who were divided into three groups: food secure (FS), low food security (L-FS), and very low food security (VL-FS). Results: Logistic regression analyses controlled for demographics. Food insecurity was associated with decreased access to and quality of care and increased utilization. Specifically, VL-FS was more likely to delay care than FS. Additionally, VL-FS and L-FS had greater odds of visiting an emergency room than FS. Furthermore, VL-FS and L-FS were more likely to have a doctor who did not always explain aspects of care carefully compared to FS. Discussion: These findings suggest a need for increased screening for food insecurity in healthcare settings.
Analysis of the cutting ratio and investigating its influence on the workpiece’s diametrical error in ultrasonic-vibration assisted turning
Authors: Soleimanimehr Hamid
Published: October 2020

Due to its numerous advantages such as reduction of machining force and surface roughness, ultrasonic-vibration assisted turning process has been extensively investigated. In the present paper, a new vibration analysis has been done and it has been shown that in the case of rigid workpiece or stable cutting ratio, negligible diametrical error is created by tool vibration in vibration turning which is not present in conventional turning. On the other part of the study, flexible workpiece has been considered and workpiece deformation has been investigated. It has been shown that in this case, the cutting ratio experiences an increasing trend from spindle to free end of one-end fixed workpiece. It has been also shown that the experimental results are in good agreement with analysis. Workpiece diametrical error in conventional turning is about twice in vibration turning.