bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TURİST REHBERLERİNİN PERFORMANSINA ve ETİK DAVRANIŞLARINA YÖNELİK TURİST ALGILARININ İNCELENMESİ
Authors: ÇOKAL Zeynep
Published: December 2019

Turist
rehberleri turistlerle birebir iletişim halinde olan ve turizmin ön saflarında
hizmet veren turizm çalışanlarıdır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, turist rehberlerinin
performansının ve etik davranışlarının turistler tarafından nasıl algılandığını
ortaya koymak ve bu algılamanın turistlerin demografik özelliklerine göre
farklılaşıp farklılaşmadığını tespit etmektir. Kapsamlı bir literatür taraması
sonucunda oluşturulan anket formu, Nevşehir ilini ziyaret eden yerli ve yabancı
438 turiste uygulanmıştır. Araştırmada turistlerin sosyo-demografik
özelliklerinin değerlendirilmesine ilişkin frekans dağılımı analizi, açıklayıcı
faktör analizi, T testi ve Anova ve Tukey çoklu karşılaştırma testi gibi
istatistiksel analiz yöntemleri kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda turistlerin
cinsiyetine göre yalnızca güvenilirlik boyutunda, eğitim durumuna göre
güvenilirlik ve adil olma boyutunda, milliyete göre yetenek boyutunda, turun
süresine göre ise yine güvenilirlik ve adil olma boyutlarında algıların
farklılaştığı sonucu elde edilmiştir. Bununla birlikte turistlerin yaşının ve
ziyaret sayısının ise algılarını farklılaştırmadığı ortaya çıkmıştır.
MERKEZ-ÇEVRE İLİŞKİLERİNDEKİ DÖNÜŞÜMÜ KARŞILAŞTIRMALI KAMU YÖNETİMİ ÇALIŞMALARI ÜZERİNDEN ANLAMAK
Authors: FEDAİ Recep
Published: December 2019

Karşılaştırmalı
kamu yönetimi, 1940’lı yıllarda önem kazanmış; Vietnam savaşı ile önemini
yitirmiş, 1990’larda ABD’nde Yeni Kamu İşletmeciliği ile ilişkilendirilmiş ve
yeniden önem kazanmıştır. Bu çalışmada ise karşılaştırmalı kamu yönetiminin
gelişimi ve kullandığı araçlardan bahsedilerek alanı daha iyi anlamak adına
disiplinin ortaya çıkışından bu yana yayınlanan çalışmalar analiz edilmiştir.
Alan yazında çok sayıda çalışma olduğu için konuya ait birtakım sorular
üzerinden çalışma sınırlandırılmıştır. Sınırlama üç kategoriye ayrılmıştır:
Çalışmalarda kullanılan yöntem, karşılaştırma yapılan ülkeler ve çalışılan
konular. Çalışma ile disiplinin nesnesi olarak seçtiği olgular, metotlar ve
ülkeler merkez-çevre ilişkilerinde yaşanan dönüşüm bağlamında analiz
edilmiştir. Yapılan araştırmalar sonucunda karşılaştırmalı kamu yönetimi
üzerinde Avrupa merkezci ekolün etkisinin azaldığı bunun yerine çalışmalarda
Asya kıtasının ön plana çıktığı görülmüştür.
AHP TABANLI VIKOR YÖNTEMİYLE OPTİMUM STADYUM KURULUŞ YERİNİN BELİRLENMESİ: BOLU İLİ ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: EĞİLMEZ Gökhan , YILDIZ Mehmet Selami , EŞ Abdulhamit
Published: December 2019

Optimal
yer seçimi, tüm işletmelerin en önemli ve uzun vadeli kararlardan biridir.
Şehir stadyumu gibi büyük ve maliyetli yapılar genelde devlet destekli kurulan
yapılardır. Bu yapıların yer seçiminde sosyal, ekonomik, kültürel ve politik
birçok etken vardır. Bu çalışmada Bolu’da yapılması planlanan futbol stadyumu
için belirlenen kriterler çerçevesinde dört yer alternatif arasından en optimal yer seçimi çok
kriterli karar verme yöntemleriyle belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. 3 alan, 3 ulaşım
ve ağırlama, 3 şehre katkı ve 4 teknik ve yasal kriter olmak üzere toplam 13 kriterin
kullanıldığı çalışmada, kriterlerin önem dereceleri Analitik Hiyerarşi Süreci
yöntemiyle elde edilmiştir. Optimal yerin seçiminde alternatifler VİKOR yöntemiyle değerlendirilmiş ve
sıralanmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre en optimal yerin Karaçayır Yerleşkesi
olduğu ve bunu sırasıyla Gölköy Yerleşkesi, Geçitveren Yerleşkesi ve Mevcut
yerin takip ettiği görülmektedir.
MARKA VE GENEL HİZMET DEĞERİ OLUŞUMUNDA İŞGÖREN GEREKSİNİMLERİNİN ÖNEMİ: BOLU OTEL İŞLETMELERİNDE BİR ARAŞTIRMA
Authors: YÜCEL Rahmi , KESKİN İlhan , BAYHAN İsa
Published: December 2019

Turizm,
sosyal ve ekonomik koşulların etkisiyle gelişirken serbest piyasa
koşullarındaki rekabet turizm işletmelerinin sürekli ürün ve hizmetlerini
yenilemelerini, müşteri değeri oluşturmalarını ve hizmet kalitesini
korumalarını gerektirmektedir. Otel işletmelerinin faaliyetlerindeki müşteri
odaklılık ve başarı için nitelikli insan kaynağına duyulan ihtiyaç, otelleri
işgören temin ve istihdamına yönelik süreçleri yönetmeye, geliştirmeye ve
işgören istihdamını doğru politikalarla dikkate almaya yöneltmektedir. Bu
çalışma işgören gereksinimleri ile marka değeri ve genel hizmet değeri algısı
arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma Bolu
ilinde faaliyet gösteren otel işletmelerinin yöneticilerinden anket yöntemi
kullanılarak elde edilen veriler aracılığıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler kısmi
en küçük kareli yapısal eşitlik analiz yöntemleriyle incelenerek elde edilen
bulgular ortaya konulmuştur. Araştırma sonucunda otel işletmelerinin işgören
gereksinimleri ile marka değeri ve genel hizmet değeri algısı arasında olumlu
yönde ve anlamlı düzeyde ilişkilerin olduğu gözlenmiştir.
New data on the genus Uroseius Berlese (Acari: Mesostigmata: Uropodina: Trachytidae) with a redescription of U. sorrentinus (Lombardini, 1952)
Authors: MORAZA MARÍA L.
Published: December 2019

Uroseius sorrentinus is redescribed based on nymphal instars and adults of both sexes from a cave in Southern Spain. New observations of the ontogeny of setae, glands and lyrifissures on the idiosoma and legs are provided, allowing for the clarification and expansion of the diagnostic characters of the genus UroseiusThe female of this species is distinguished from other Uroseius species by its: rounded idiosoma, with prominent anteriorly knobbed vertex; medial dorsal shield with approximately 26 pairs of short, brush-like setae; pigmented soft cuticle at posterior margin of dorsal shield with one pair of long setae; genital shield with spine-like anterior process with anterior half covered by soft sternal cuticle; and 15–20 pairs of feathered ventral setae of heterogeneous length. Males are distinguished by their: femora, genu and tibia with seta av modified as spurs; and tarsus II with two enlarged, spine-like setae. Deutonymphs are distinguished by their: dorsal shield not covering vertical and dorsolateral regions; presternal transverse sclerite present; sternal shield entire; sternal region with three pairs of conspicuous gland openings; and ventrianal shield with 8–10 pairs of setae. A key to the species of deutonymphs of Uroseius is given..
Ontogeny of morphological traits in Oribatella palustris Hammer, 1962, with remarks on juveniles of Oribatellidae (Acari: Oribatida)
Authors: BAYARTOGTOKH BADAMDORJ , ERMILOV SERGEY G.
Published: December 2019

In this work, the larva and tritonymph of Oribatella palustris, an Antarctic and Subantarctic species of the Neotropical region are investigated along with supplementary re-description of adults. Comparative characteristics of juveniles of Oribatellidae, especially larvae and tritonymphs, are given based on this study and available literature sources; keys for identification of larvae and tritonymphs of Oribatella are also presented. Previous record of Oribatella palustris from a tropical island of Mexico is questioned.
Multimodel Subseasonal Forecasts of Spring Cold Spells: Potential Value for the Hazelnut Agribusiness
Authors: Materia Stefano , Muñoz Ángel G. , Álvarez-Castro M. Carmen , Mason Simon J. , Vitart Frederic , Gualdi Silvio
Published: December 2019

Producing probabilistic subseasonal forecasts of extreme events up to six weeks in advance is crucial for many economic sectors. In agribusiness, this time scale is particularly critical because it allows for mitigation strategies to be adopted for counteracting weather hazards and taking advantage of opportunities. For example, spring frosts are detrimental for many nut trees, resulting in dramatic losses at harvest time. To explore subseasonal forecast quality in boreal spring, identified as one of the most sensitive times of the year by agribusiness end users, we build a multisystem ensemble using four models involved in the Subseasonal to Seasonal Prediction project (S2S). Two-meter temperature forecasts are used to analyze cold spell predictions in the coastal Black Sea region, an area that is a global leader in the production of hazelnuts. When analyzed at the global scale, the multisystem ensemble probabilistic forecasts for near-surface temperature are better than climatological values for several regions, especially the tropics, even many weeks in advance; however, in the coastal Black Sea, skill is low after the second forecast week. When cold spells are predicted instead of near-surface temperatures, skill improves for the region, and the forecasts prove to contain potentially useful information to stakeholders willing to put mitigation plans into effect. Using a cost–loss model approach for the first time in this context, we show that there is added value of having such a forecast system instead of a business-as-usual strategy, not only for predictions released 1–2 weeks ahead of the extreme event, but also at longer lead times.
The Association of Serum Eosinophilia with Structured Histopathology in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Ganti Ashwin , Kuhar Hannah N. , Eggerstedt Michael , Mahdavinia Mahboobeh , Gattuso Paolo , Batra Pete S. , Tajudeen Bobby A.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Prior studies have demonstrated associations between serum eosinophilia and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) pathogenesis. However, the association of serum eosinophilia with histopathology profiling in CRS has not been fully delineated and may help better characterize CRS disease burden prior to surgery.

Methods:

A structured histopathology report of 13 variables was utilized to analyze sinus tissue removed during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Complete blood count (CBC) with differential was drawn within 4 weeks prior to FESS. Serum eosinophilia was defined as >6.0% (>0.60 th/μL). Histopathology variables were compared among patients.

Results:

A total of 177 CRS patients (37 with serum eosinophilia and 140 with normal serum eosinophilia) were analyzed. Compared to CRS patients with normal serum eosinophil counts, CRS patients with serum eosinophilia demonstrated increased polypoid disease (67.6% vs 35.0%, P < .001), eosinophil aggregates (45.9% vs 20.7%, P = .003), and eosinophils per high-power field (>5/HPF) (67.6% vs 40.7%, P = .003).

Conclusion:

CRS patients with serum eosinophilia demonstrated severe disease burden on histopathology with high levels of polypoid disease and tissue eosinophilia. However, a considerable number of patients without serum eosinophilia demonstrated eosinophilic disease on histopathology, indicating that preoperative serum eosinophilia alone could not be reliably used to predict eosinophilic CRS.

Level of evidence:

4
Laboratory Findings After Urinary Tract Infection and Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Children With Vesicoureteral Reflux
Authors: Nadkarni Milan Dattaram , Mattoo Tej K. , Gravens-Mueller Lisa , Carpenter Myra A. , Ivanova Anastasia , Moxey-Mims Marva , Greenfield Saul P. , Mathews Ranjiv
Published: December 2019

It is a common practice to monitor blood tests in patients receiving long-term trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) prophylaxis for recurrent urinary tract infections. This multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 607 children aged 2 to 71 months with vesicoureteral reflux diagnosed after symptomatic urinary tract infection. Study participants received TMP-SMZ (n = 302) or placebo (n = 305) and were followed for 2 years. Serum electrolytes (n ≥ 370), creatinine (n = 310), and complete blood counts (n ≥ 206) were measured at study entry and at the 24-month study conclusion. We found no significant electrolyte, renal, or hematologic abnormalities when comparing the treatment and placebo groups. We observed changes in several laboratory parameters in both treatment and placebo groups as would normally be expected with physiologic maturation. Changes were within the normal range for age. Long-term use of TMP-SMX had no treatment effect on complete blood count, serum electrolytes, or creatinine. Our findings do not support routine monitoring of these laboratory tests in children receiving long-term TMP-SMZ prophylaxis.
Resistance to the dehumanisation of asylum seekers in Australia’s mediated public sphere: an audience perspective
Authors: Haw Ashleigh , Fozdar Farida , Cover Rob
Published: December 2019

Media narratives that dehumanise asylum seekers have tremendous power to shape and reinforce public support for policies that jeopardise the well-being of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Research suggests that such dehumanisation is exacerbated by the limited opportunities these groups have to contribute to media coverage about their experiences. In response, scholars have advocated for more inclusion of asylum seekers’ voices in news coverage; however, little is known about how Australian media audiences are engaging with this issue. This article discusses research utilising Critical Discourse Analysis alongside a cultural studies Audience Reception framework to examine the perspectives of 24 Western Australians concerning news discourses about asylum seekers. Resistance to dehumanising constructions was a recurring theme, with many participants arguing for greater inclusion of asylum seekers voices’ in news depictions of their plight. These findings suggest that some audiences are challenging and resisting dehumanising discourses about asylum seekers and in some cases, demonstrating awareness of Australian media’s evident exclusion of their voices. Examined through Judith Butler’s social ethics lens, we consider these findings in the light of positions that advocate for the provision of voice as a means to a more ethical and inclusive Australian media.
Post-treatment curcumin reduced ischemia–reperfusion-induced pulmonary injury via the Notch2/Hes-1 pathway
Authors: bo HaiZou , feng XiaoSun
Published: December 2019

Objective

To investigate the influence of curcumin on the Notch2/Hes-1 pathway after pulmonary injury induction via limb ischemia–reperfusion (I/R).

Methods

Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 30 each): sham, I/R, curcumin post-treatment (I/R+Cur), and inhibitor (I/R+DAPT). Hind-limb ischemia was induced for 4 hours, followed by reperfusion for 4 hours. After ischemia, curcumin (200 mg/kg) or DAPT (0.5 µm) was injected intraperitoneally in the I/R+Cur or I/R+DAPT group, respectively. PaO2 was examined after 4 hours of reperfusion. Pathological changes in the lung and the apoptotic index (AI) were examined. Lung malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β levels, the wet/dry (W/D) ratio, semi-quantitative score of lung injury (SSLI), and Notch2 protein and Hes-1 mRNA expression were also examined.

Results

In the I/R group, inflammatory changes were observed, AI increased, and MDA, SSLI, W/D, TNF-α, IL-1β, Notch2, and Hes1-mRNA expression increased, while PaO2 decreased compared with the Sham group. Pathological changes in the I/R+Cur group were reversed. All indexes in the I/R+DAPT and I/R+Cur group were similar.

Conclusion

Curcumin post-treatment reduced I/R-induced lung injury in rats. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Notch2/Hes-1 signaling pathway and the release of inflammatory factors.
Association between HLA-DRB1* allele polymorphism and caries susceptibility in Han Chinese children and adolescents in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Authors: Wang Liping , Li Boqi , Tie Xiaomin , Liu Tao , Zheng Shutao , Liu Yishan
Published: December 2019

Objective

The rate of caries and the mean number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth were reported to be significantly higher in children in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region than in children in eastern China. Little is known regarding the genetic basis of caries among residents of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This study investigated the association between HLA-DRB1 alleles and caries susceptibility in Han Chinese children and adolescents in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Methods

HLA-DRB1 allele frequency was assessed in DNA samples from buccal swabs of 42 patients with caries and 123 healthy control participants using a polymerase chain reaction method with sequence-specific primers. The chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test, followed by Bonferroni correction, was used to calculate differences in allele frequencies between groups.

Results

Compared with the healthy controls, the allele frequency of HLA-DRB1*13 was significantly higher in patients with caries in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (35.71% vs. 18.70%). The allele frequency of HLA-DRB1* 09 was significantly lower in patients with caries than in healthy controls (4.76% vs. 25.20%).

Conclusions

HLA-DRB1* 13 alleles could confer greater caries susceptibility, whereas HLA-DRB1* 09 could be protective against caries pathogenesis, in Han Chinese children in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Prospective Randomized Comparison of Capsular Management Techniques During Hip Arthroscopy
Authors: Economopoulos Kostas J. , Chhabra Anikar , Kweon Christopher
Published: December 2019

Background:

Capsular management during hip arthroscopy remains controversial. Studies evaluating this topic consist mostly of retrospective comparative reviews of prospectively gathered data on a large series of patients.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose was to perform a prospective randomized trial to comparatively assess 3 commonly performed capsular management techniques. It was hypothesized that capsular closure during hip arthroscopy would result in superior outcomes when compared with unclosed capsulotomy management techniques.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

Patients (N = 150) who had hip arthroscopy with labral repairs and femoral osteoplasties performed by the senior author were randomly assigned into 3 groups at the time of their surgery: T-capsulotomy without closure (TC), interportal capsulotomy without closure (IC), and interportal capsulotomy with closure (CC). All patients underwent labral repair and femoral osteoplasty. Patient-reported outcomes were obtained preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Other outcomes obtained included the need for future hip surgery.

Results:

Patient demographics, preoperative patient-reported outcomes, and radiographic measurements were similar among all 3 groups. Revision hip arthroscopy was performed in 5 TC cases, 2 IC cases, and 1 CC case ( P = .17). Conversion to hip arthroplasty occurred in 4 patients in the TC group and none in the IC and CC groups ( P = .02). The CC group showed higher modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL) at the 2-year follow-up when compared with the IC group ( P = .003 and P < .001, respectively). When compared with the TC group, the CC group demonstrated superior mHHS (86.2 vs 76), HOS-ADL (85.6 vs 76.8), and HOS-SSS (Hip Outcome Score–Sports-Specific Subscale; 74.4 vs 65.3) at the final 2-year follow-up ( P < .001). At the 2-year follow-up, the IC group had a higher mHHS (81.7 vs 76), HOS-ADL (82 vs 76.8), and HOS-SSS (71.4 vs 65.3; P > .001) as compared with the TC group.

Conclusion:

Patients undergoing complete capsular closure during hip arthroscopy showed improved patient-reported and surgical outcomes when compared with those with unrepaired T-capsulotomy or interportal capsulotomy. These results suggest that repair after capsulotomy may be a favorable arthroscopic capsular management technique.
Tragedy Following Tragedies: Estimating the Copycat Effect of Media-Covered Suicide in the Age of Digital News
Authors: Ownby Daniel , Routon P. Wesley
Published: December 2019

The Werther effect is the name given to the observed relationship between celebrity suicide and the national suicide rate. Media-covered suicides are often followed by a positive shock in the national suicide rate. Using a unique time series comprising media coverage variables collected from Google News and major news websites, combined with several U.S. national trends from various sources, we estimate the magnitude of the Werther effect in the age of digital news media, where news of celebrity suicide spreads farther and more rapidly. We find a speeding up of this effect, which in the last century was only observed in the month following news coverage. Now, the effect appears slightly more prominent in the month of coverage, though it still persists in the following month. We also find evidence that the Werther effect has diminished in magnitude, perhaps due to the increased normalization of both suicide and celebrity suicide.

JEL Classifications: Z13, Z19, I19
Successful yet Precarious: South Asian Muslim Americans, Islamophobia, and the Model Minority Myth
Authors: Shams Tahseen
Published: December 2019

Precariousness is the notion that unstable and temporary employment can induce feelings of vulnerability and insecurity. As a “successful” minority because of their high education levels and economic attainments, South Asian Americans can hardly be described as precarious. However, ethnographic observations reveal a collective precariousness felt by this group. Despite measures of success, their positionality as a racialized and stigmatized religious “Other” induces in them an insecurity akin to that felt by those un(der)employed. They fear that despite their achievements, they can be discriminated against in their workplace because of their race and religion. This anxiety influences their education and career choices, and political engagements. Theoretically, precariousness is largely conceptualized as a phenomenon contained within national borders. However, South Asian Muslim Americans’ precariousness is influenced by that of Muslims of other nationalities abroad, underscoring the transnational dimension of precariousness and how it can extend beyond immediate networks and physical borders.
Rolling contact fatigue behaviour of rails: Wedge model predictions in T-Gamma world
Authors: Six K , Mihalj T , Marte C , Künstner D , Scheriau S , Dietmaier P , Trummer G
Published: December 2019

In this study, T-Gamma and Wedge models have been compared with each other for the prediction of surface-initiated rolling contact fatigue cracks on rail surfaces. Both models are able to account for different observed rolling contact fatigue-wear regimes in tracks, but with very different physical backgrounds. The T-Gamma model uses empirically determined damage functions by introducing a relationship between the wear number (T-Gamma) and the rolling contact fatigue damage increment. Different rolling contact fatigue-wear regimes are considered in this empirical approach based on the idea that initiated cracks get partially or fully removed by the wear mechanism, not accounting for the full complexity of the occurring tribological phenomena. The Wedge model represents a physical approach, where contact stresses and its impact on plastic deformations and related material anisotropy are considered. Thus, the prediction of different rolling contact fatigue-wear regimes is based on these physical relationships, where plastic shear deformations in the near-surface layer play a key role. For comparison, the wheel–rail contact data from stochastic multibody dynamics simulations of a metro vehicle with conventional bogie technology running in three curve radii have been used. While the T-Gamma model always predicts the same rolling contact fatigue damage increment for a given T-Gamma value, the Wedge model shows a scattering of the predicted rolling contact fatigue damage increments when plotting them over T-Gamma because of the explicit consideration of contact stresses. Thus, each scenario consisting, for example, of certain vehicles, curve radius, wheel–rail profile combination, friction conditions, rail material, etc. needs its own damage function in the T-Gamma world. This should be kept in mind when applying the standard T-Gamma model to scenarios which differ significantly from the scenario it has been parameterised for.
Country-level Governance and Capital Markets in Asia-Pacific Region
Authors: Duppati Geeta , Scrimgeour Frank , Kumar Anoop S.
Published: December 2019

Manuscript type: An empirical analysis of the relationship between country-level governance and share markets in the Asia-Pacific region was carried out using dynamic value at risk (Dynamic VaR), mixed data sample (MIDAS) and exponential generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) models.

Research question/issue: Is there a relationship between a country’s governance and stock market in terms of the level of returns and share price volatility? We hypothesise that stock returns for countries with higher levels of governance will have lower ex ante expected returns and less volatility than countries with lower levels of governance.

Research findings/insights: It is evident from the empirical findings that there is still significant diversity in both corporate-level governance and country-level governance within the Asia-Pacific region. The results from using mixed data sample-autoregressive distributed lag (MIDAS-ADL) model correlation between world governance index (WGI) and the dynamic VaR suggest that the estimators of high frequency slope for India, China and Malaysia are negative. In addition, their t statistics show that the correlation is significant; meanwhile, their goodness of fit is also very high confirming the explanation power of MIDAS-AD model. Consequently, the capital market performances of India, China and Malaysia are negatively related to their corporate-level governance and country-level governance. However, China has a positive correlation between WGI and corporate-level governance and country-level governance. This uncommon phenomenon may be the result of its special political system and the segregation of the capital market and the real economy.

Theoretical/academic implications: The linkage between country-level governance and volatility of stocks in Asia-Pacific markets indicates there is scope to reduce stock price volatility through enhanced national governance. Volatility as an indicator of risk reflects market uncertainty in terms of processing information signals to find the equilibrium return risk nexus. Consequently, researchers have to incorporate the data of different frequency into the same equation using robust methods.

Practitioner/policy implications: Regulatory frameworks encompassing stock markets will benefit from a more focussed consideration of the way in which governance and risk are correlated. Findings from the generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) and VaR analysis are that stock market volatility is a suitable proxy for the governance of a country. As country governance indices are annual at best, volatility measures give more timely readings. An increase in volatility suggests there is a decline in national governance, and this has implications for those involved in trade, donor organisations and international lending agencies such as the World Bank.
Existential Isolation…Press Play to Escape
Authors: Jones Scott
Published: December 2019

While consumer research has frequently visited the fantastical search for escape from everyday life, this story (part autoethnographic, part fiction – all the characters and incidents are the author’s creation) documents a solo consumer’s spirited desire to escape from beyond what quotidian life affords, and society’s sometimes unwelcome gaze, in a more sombre and hermit form than has previously been explored. The story plays on immersion, narrative transportation and parasocial imaginings around a prolonged binge-watch marathon and coping with the existential isolation, a resource in constant need of replenishment.
Fabric defect recognition using optimized neural networks
Authors: Liu Zhoufeng , Zhang Chi , Li Chunlei , Ding Shumin , Dong Yan , Huang Yun
Published: December 2019

Fabric defect recognition is an important measure for quality control in a textile factory. This article utilizes a deep convolutional neural network to recognize defects in fabrics that have complicated textures. Although convolutional neural networks are very powerful, a large number of parameters consume considerable computation time and memory bandwidth. In real-world applications, however, the fabric defect recognition task needs to be carried out in a timely fashion on a computation-limited platform. To optimize a deep convolutional neural network, a novel method is introduced to reveal the input pattern that originally caused a specific activation in the network feature maps. Using this visualization technique, this study visualizes the features in a fully trained convolutional model and attempts to change the architecture of original neural network to reduce computational load. After a series of improvements, a new convolutional network is acquired that is more efficient to the fabric image feature extraction, and the computation load and the total number of parameters in the new network is 23% and 8.9%, respectively, of the original model. The proposed neural network is specifically tailored for fabric defect recognition in resource-constrained environments. All of the source code and pretrained models are available online at https://github.com/ZCmeteor .
Double region of interest timing bolus technique following endovascular aortic repair: Short-term prognosis analysis
Authors: Tomizawa Nobuo , Ito Shingo , Nakao Tastuya , Arakawa Hiroaki , Yamamoto Kodai , Inoh Shinichi , Nojo Takeshi , Nakamura Sunao
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To compare the incidence rate of reintervention in patients with and without complication findings at aortic computed tomography using double region of interest timing bolus (DRTB) method after endovascular stent placement of the aorta.

Methods

We included 40 patients who underwent computed tomography of the aorta using DRTB method after endovascular stent placement. DRTB method allows to scan the aorta with a short injection time of 9 s by synchronizing the scan speed to the aortic flow. Complication findings at computed tomography were defined as endoleak, rupture, occlusion, and infection. The primary endpoint was reintervention, which was defined as any of the following three events: conversion to open repair, graft revision, or secondary intervention.

Results

The mean contrast medium during computed tomography angiography was 38.6 ± 3.9 mL. Complication findings at computed tomography were present in 10 patients (25%): endoleak ( n = 9) and infection ( n = 1). During a median follow-up of 7 months (interquartile range, 4–11 months), two patients experienced reintervention. Kaplan–Meier curves by complication findings showed that event rate at 6 months was significantly higher in patients with complication findings than in patients without (20% vs 0%, p =  0.01). No patients without complication findings at computed tomography experienced reintervention.

Conclusions

No complication findings at computed tomography after intervention of the aorta resulted in good prognosis in patients who underwent aortic computed tomography using DRTB method.
Landmarks of pharmacogenomics and some considerations for clinical practice
Authors: Ampong David Nana
Published: December 2019

Since the completion of the Human Genome Project 28 years ago, myriad genomics applications have risen in areas such as agriculture, livestock, infectious agents, forensics, bioenergy, ancestry, health, disease, and medicine. This was driven partly by the US government’s ability to use a unique program to facilitate genome sequencing to the point where the cost of sequencing a whole human genome is not prohibitive. However, application of this knowledge of the double helix twisted DNA at the bedside in psychiatric clinical practice has little to report, despite US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of nearly 40 psychotropic drugs, as well as specific guidelines for their application. Patients with treatment-resistant mental illness, history of unresponsiveness to psychotropic medications, and history or family history of serious adverse effects to psychotropic drugs may qualify for pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing with insurance reimbursement, or a low, out-of-pocket, payment of not greater than US $300. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and providers who utilize PGx will not only improve patient care outcomes, but also contribute to the acceleration of the potential diagnostic and preventive capabilities of PGx testing.
The 2019 midterm elections in the Philippines: Party system pathologies and Duterte’s populist mobilization
Authors: Teehankee Julio Cabral , Kasuya Yuko
Published: December 2019

The May 13, 2019 midterm elections were generally seen as a referendum on the first three years of the presidency of Rodrigo R Duterte. The elections tested and consolidated the political strength of Duterte as the country’s populist strongman president. Most of the national and local candidates he endorsed won their contests for the 18,066 national and local positions. The election also resulted in a victory for the administration’s nine senatorial candidates (out of 12 seats) and a majority of its governors, mayors, and local legislators. The results follow the historical patterns of midterm elections in the post-authoritarian period. But unlike previous Philippine presidents, Duterte did not personally endeavor to consolidate his political support under his dominant party solely through the systematic mobilization of patronage. Duterte eschewed patronage-based political party building in favor of populist mobilization or the rallying of mass supporters toward contentious political action with minimum institutional intermediation. With a record high trust rating, Duterte was not only an active endorser of candidates, but he was also both a staunch defender of his allies and a relentless attacker of the opposition. In the end, the biggest winners in the 2019 midterm elections were not the candidates but Duterte himself.
Water Cartographies of Goa: Khazans, Sedimentation and Dissolution of Coastal Cultural Landscapes
Authors: Pombo Pedro
Published: December 2019

Goa’s landscape is an encounter between dry and wet materialities, the Indian Ocean world and the Western Ghats of Konkan, the distant and the localized, open seas and deep currents and floodplains, estuaries and muddy soils. Reordered in geometric geographies, these curvilineous cultivated lowlands, named khazans, surrounded by villages, temples and churches are part of the landscape and crucial sensorial layers of this Indian state. Village neighbourhoods (named waddi in Konkani) are organized not around a solid centre, but along several interconnected paddy fields, creating particular territorial maps of each village. Can our perception change, thus, if we see the Goan territory having water as its defining element, instead of a land-based perspective, and consider these lands as cultural landscapes?

The aesthetic and heritage dimensions of cultural landscapes are essential to perceive Goa as a place of simultaneous dissolution and sedimentation along time and cultural geographies. Based on recent research on Goa and the Indian Ocean, this text proposes khazans to be recognized both as natural elements and cultural signifiers and as the main cartographic layers of inclusive Goan cultural landscapes.
The Ratirahasya—Kukkoka: Secrets of Love
Authors: Somasundaram O , Raghavan Vijaya
Published: December 2019

The literary treatises on sexuality have existed in India for a long time and the most important work so far is Vatsyayana’s Kama Sutra. Kukkoka also contributed to this area, but much later in the twelfth century ce. His work had been translated by the Tamil king-poet Ativira Rama Pandian of the sixteenth century ce—some excerpts from which have been described in this article.
HMGB1 concentration measurements in trauma patients: assessment of pre-analytical conditions and sample material
Authors: Ottestad William , Rognes Ingrid N. , Skaga Erlend , Frisvoll Cassandra , Haraldsen Guttorm , Eken Torsten , Lundbäck Peter
Published: December 2019

Background

HMGB1 is a mediator of systemic inflammation in sepsis and trauma, and a promising biomarker in many diseases. There is currently no standard operating procedure for pre-analytical handling of HMGB1 samples, despite that pre-analytical conditions account for a substantial part of the overall error rate in laboratory testing. We hypothesized that the considerable variations in reported HMGB1 concentrations and kinetics in trauma patients could be partly explained by differences in pre-analytical conditions and choice of sample material.

Methods

Trauma patients (n = 21) admitted to a Norwegian Level I trauma center were prospectively included. Blood was drawn in K2EDTA coated tubes and serum tubes. The effects of delayed centrifugation were evaluated in samples stored at room temperature for 15 min, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h respectively. Plasma samples subjected to long-term storage in − 80 °C and to repeated freeze/thaw cycles were compared with previously analyzed samples. HMGB1 concentrations in simultaneously acquired arterial and venous samples were also compared. HMGB1 was assessed by standard ELISA technique, additionally we investigated the suitability of western blot in both serum and plasma samples.

Results

Arterial HMGB1 concentrations were consistently lower than venous concentrations in simultaneously obtained samples (arterial = 0.60 x venous; 95% CI 0.30–0.90). Concentrations in plasma and serum showed a strong linear correlation, however wide limits of agreement. Storage of blood samples at room temperature prior to centrifugation resulted in an exponential increase in plasma concentrations after ≈6 h. HMGB1 concentrations were fairly stable in centrifuged plasma samples subjected to long-term storage and freeze/thaw cycles. We were not able to detect HMGB1 in either serum or plasma from our trauma patients using western blotting.

Conclusions

Arterial and venous HMGB1 concentrations cannot be directly compared, and concentration values in plasma and serum must be compared with caution due to wide limits of agreement. Although HMGB1 levels in clinical samples from trauma patients are fairly stable, strict adherence to a pre-analytical protocol is advisable in order to protect sample integrity. Surprisingly, we were unable to detect HMGB1 utilizing standard western blot analysis.
Liver fibrosis and accelerated immune dysfunction (immunosenescence) among HIV-infected Russians with heavy alcohol consumption - an observational cross-sectional study
Authors: So-Armah Kaku , Freiberg Matthew , Cheng Debbie , Lim Joseph K. , Gnatienko Natalia , Patts Gregory , Doyle Margaret , Fuster Daniel , Lioznov Dmitry , Krupitsky Evgeny , Samet Jeffrey
Published: December 2019

Background

The multifactorial mechanisms driving negative health outcomes among risky drinkers with HIV may include immunosenescence. Immunosenescence, aging of the immune system, may be accentuated in HIV and leads to poor outcomes. The liver regulates innate immunity and adaptive immune tolerance. HIV-infected people have high prevalence of liver-related comorbidities. We hypothesize that advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis is associated with alterations in T-cell subsets consistent with immunosenescence.

Methods

ART-naïve people with HIV with a recent history of heavy drinking were recruited into a clinical trial of zinc supplementation. Flow cytometry was used to characterize T-cell subsets. The two primary dependent variables were CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells expressing CD28-CD57+ (senescent cell phenotype). Secondary dependent variables were CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells expressing CD45RO + CD45RA- (memory phenotype), CD45RO-CD45RA+ (naïve phenotype), and the naïve phenotype to memory phenotype T-cell ratio (lower ratios associated with immunosenescence). Advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis was defined as FIB-4 > 3.25, APRI≥1.5, or Fibroscan measurement ≥10.5 kPa. Analyses were conducted using multiple linear regression adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

Mean age was 34 years; 25% female; 88% hepatitis C. Those with advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis (N = 25) had higher HIV-1 RNA and more hepatitis C. Advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis was not significantly associated with primary or secondary outcomes in adjusted analyses.

Conclusions

Advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis was not significantly associated with these senescent T-cell phenotypes in this exploratory study of recent drinkers with HIV. Future studies should assess whether liver fibrosis among those with HIV viral suppression and more advanced, longstanding liver disease is associated with changes in these and other potentially senescent T-cell subsets.
HIV screening in men and women in Senegal: coverage and associated factors; analysis of the 2017 demographic and health survey
Authors: Lakhe Ndeye Aïssatou , Diallo Mbaye Khardiata , Sylla Khadime , Ndour Cheikh Tidiane
Published: December 2019

Background

Despite the adoption of the provider-initiated HIV testing strategy, the rate of HIV testing is still very low in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with HIV testing among sexually active women and men in Senegal. Knowledge of HIV status is the gateway to antiretroviral treatment.

Methods

A secondary analysis of the 2017 Senegal Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) was performed, using data on sexually active women aged 15–49 and men aged 15–59. The outcome variable was the proportion of women and men who reported ever being tested for HIV in the last 12 months before the survey. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the socio-demographic, HIV-knowledge, media exposure, and behavioral factors associated with HIV testing in Senegal.

Results

The study found that 61.1% (95%CI: 59.2–62.9) of women and 26.2% (95%CI: 24.2–28.3) of men were tested for HIV at the last 12 months. In multivariate analysis, among men the factors independently associated with being tested for HIV were: age groups 20–24 to 40–44 and age group 50–54; a higher level of education; being in the richest household wealth quintile; being married; knowing about the efficacy of HAART during pregnancy; having 2 or more lifetime sex partners and owning a mobile phone. Among women factors independently associated with HIV testing were: being in any age groups versus 15–19; a higher level of education; being in the richest household wealth quintile; being married; knowing about the efficacy of HAART during pregnancy; having any STI in last 12 months; fearing stigma; owning a mobile phone; and having any number of ANC visits, versus none.

Conclusion

Although HIV remains a public health threat, HIV testing’s prevalence is still low in Senegal, making it difficult to interrupt the transmission chain within the community and to reach the UNAIDS goal for 2020 of “90–90-90”. Innovative community-based strategies are needed to address barriers and improve access to HIV testing in Senegal, particularly for men and for the youngest and poorest populations.
Burden of acute kidney injury and 90-day mortality in critically ill patients
Authors: Wiersema Renske , Eck Ruben J. , Haapio Mikko , Koeze Jacqueline , Poukkanen Meri , Keus Frederik , van der Horst Iwan C. C. , Pettilä Ville , Vaara Suvi T.
Published: December 2019

Background

Mortality rates associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) vary among critically ill patients. Outcomes are often not corrected for severity or duration of AKI. Our objective was to analyse whether a new variable, AKI burden, would outperform 1) presence of AKI, 2) highest AKI stage, or 3) AKI duration in predicting 90-day mortality.

Methods

Kidney Diseases: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria using creatinine, urine output and renal replacement therapy were used to diagnose AKI. AKI burden was defined as AKI stage multiplied with the number of days that each stage was present (maximum five), divided by the maximum possible score yielding a proportion. The AKI burden as a predictor of 90-day mortality was assessed in two independent cohorts (Finnish Acute Kidney Injury, FINNAKI and Simple Intensive Care Studies I, SICS-I) by comparing four multivariate logistic regression models that respectively incorporated either the presence of AKI, the highest AKI stage, the duration of AKI, or the AKI burden.

Results

In the FINNAKI cohort 1096 of 2809 patients (39%) had AKI and 90-day mortality of the cohort was 23%. Median AKI burden was 0.17 (IQR 0.07–0.50), 1.0 being the maximum. The model including AKI burden (area under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) 0.78, 0.76–0.80) outperformed the models using AKI presence (AUROC 0.77, 0.75–0.79, p = 0.026) or AKI severity (AUROC 0.77, 0.75–0.79, p = 0.012), but not AKI duration (AUROC 0.77, 0.75–0.79, p = 0.06). In the SICS-I, 603 of 1075 patients (56%) had AKI and 90-day mortality was 28%. Median AKI burden was 0.19 (IQR 0.08–0.46). The model using AKI burden performed better (AUROC 0.77, 0.74–0.80) than the models using AKI presence (AUROC 0.75, 0.71–0.78, p = 0.001), AKI severity (AUROC 0.76, 0.72–0.79. p = 0.008) or AKI duration (AUROC 0.76, 0.73–0.79, p = 0.009).

Conclusion

AKI burden, which appreciates both severity and duration of AKI, was superior to using only presence or the highest stage of AKI in predicting 90-day mortality. Using AKI burden or other more granular methods may be helpful in future epidemiological studies of AKI.
The ED50 and ED95 of oxytocin infusion rate for maintaining uterine tone during elective caesarean delivery: a dose-finding study
Authors: Qian Xiao Wei , Drzymalski Dan M. , Lv Chang Cheng , Guo Fei He , Wang Lu Yang , Chen Xin Zhong
Published: December 2019

Background

The 90% effective dose (ED90) of oxytocin infusion has been previously estimated to be 16.2 IU h− 1. However, bolus administration of oxytocin prior to the infusion may decrease the infusion dose required. The aim of this study was to estimate the ED95 for oxytocin infusion after a bolus at elective caesarean delivery (CD) in nonlaboring parturients.

Methods

We performed a randomized, triple blinded study in 150 healthy termparturients scheduled for elective CD under epidural anaesthesia. After delivery of the infant and i.v. administration of 1 IU oxytocin as a bolus, Participants were randomized to receive oxytocin infusion at a rate of 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, or 8 IU h− 1, to be given for a total of 1 h. Uterine tone assessed by the blinded obstetrician as either adequate or inadequate. Secondary outcomes included estimated blood loss (EBL), requirement for supplemental uterotonic agents, and development of side effects.

Results

The 95% effective dose (ED95) of oxytocin infusion was estimated to be 7.72 IU h− 1 (95% confidence interval 5.80–12.67 IU h− 1). With increasing oxytocin infusion rate, the proportion of parturients who needed rescue oxytocin bolus or secondary uterotonic agents decreased. No significant among-group differences in the EBL and oxytocin-related side effects were observed.

Conclusions

In parturients who receive a 1 IU bolus of oxytocin during elective cesarean delivery, an infusion rate of oxytocin at 7.72 IU h− 1 will produce adequate uterine tone in 95% of parturients. These results suggest that the total dose of oxytocin administered in the postpartum period can be decreased when administered as an infusion after oxytocin bolus.