Approach for Predicting Cracking Deterioration in Sprayed Seals from Subjective Condition Ratings

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812199150
Author(s):  
Khulood Hwayyis ◽  
Rayya Hassan ◽  
Michael T. Fahey
Keyword(s):  
Multilevel Analysis ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Historical Time ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Highway Networks ◽  
Modeling Approach ◽  
Subgrade Soil ◽  
Subjective Condition ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Rural Highway

Cracking is the most influential distress on the performance of bituminous surfaces of granular pavements and ultimately that of underlying layers. The purpose of the study reported here is to describe the modeling approach adopted in developing cracking deterioration models of bituminous sprayed seals from historical time series subjective condition ratings. In this approach, a multilevel analysis has been applied to capture the variations between observations, segments, and highways. Further, it involved considering all possible contributing factors that affect cracking deterioration of in-service sprayed seals. Factors considered here include surface age, temperature, traffic volume, rainfall, shoulder seal width, and subgrade soil reactivity. The modeling approach has been applied to condition data from five rural highway networks separately then collectively. In the latter, only significant contributing factors from the individual networks’ models are considered. These networks have spray sealed granular pavements with different operating and environmental conditions. Predictions of the overall model have been compared with the currently used model. The latter has been developed for the same networks from two years of subjective condition data, using Markov chains (MC) and surface age as the only predictor. The overall model developed here using multilevel analysis and incorporating the significantly contributing factors predicts earlier deterioration than the MC model currently used. The latter predicts 70% of segments to be in good condition at the age of 5 years, whereas the first predicts only 49%.

High Performance Coaches’ Mental Health and Wellbeing: Applying the Areas of Work Life Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fraser Carson ◽  
Julia Walsh ◽  
Luana C. Main ◽  
Peter Kremer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Life Model ◽  
Workload Control ◽  
Sport Athlete ◽  
The Individual

In the last five years, mental health and wellbeing has attracted greater public, government, and research interest. In sport, athlete mental health and wellbeing has been a focus across all competition levels. The high performance coach responsible for athlete performance, health and wellbeing has not attracted the same attention despite working in an intense high-pressure work environment. Using the Areas of Work Life Model as a theoretical framework, this Insights paper discusses the existing coaching literature to ascertain both contributing factors for promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, and negative influences that increase stress and potential burnout. The six dimensions (workload; control; reward; fairness; community; and values) resonate throughout the coaching literature, but to-date, no study has applied the model to this group. Analysis of the extracted articles indicated that high performance coaches should become more self-aware around how to cope with stress and stressful situations, while sports organisations should invest in both the individual coach and the organisational culture to enhance work engagement. Coaches are performers and should prepare themselves to ensure they can perform at their peak; and managing their own mental health and wellbeing is an important component to this.

scholarly journals An Exploratory Study of Entrepreneurship in Taiwan’s Small & Medium Enterprises – Case Studies of Six Manufacturing Companies

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-114
Author(s):  
Wen-Chia Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Individual Factor ◽  
Entrepreneurial Management ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Small Medium Enterprises ◽  
New Research ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Crucial Part

Entrepreneurship with organization setting has been conceptualized in a variety of ways. Studies in this area remain broad and appear relatively fragmented. From previous literature reviews, we found that little attention has been paid toward the entrepreneurial management model with the starting-up phases of Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Taiwan. In view of this, the purpose of this study is to fill this gap in the literature by proposing a research framework that integrates both entrepreneurship literature and Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) literature. To address this problem, a new research method based on integrating cases study and in-depth interviews methods are also proposed. According to the results, the individual factor was the central part among the four contributing factors (reproduction, imitation, valorization, and venture). With respect to the six dimensions of entrepreneurship (strategic orientation, commitment to opportunity, commitment to resources, control over resources, management frame, and compensation philosophy), the enterprises interviewed in this research all set forth their perspectives. As for the four kinds of entrepreneurial status, there were four entrepreneurial imitation companies and two entrepreneurial venture companies in this research. To conclude, several propositions were proposed, and the results released that the individual factor was the crucial part among the four contributing factors. Research also examined the main dimensions of entrepreneurship for analyzing the theoretical basis.

Induced abortions in Pakistan: an afflicting challenge needing addressal

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-98
Author(s):  
Marina Baig ◽  
Sadia Abbas Ali ◽  
Kiran Mubeen ◽  
Arusa Lakhani
Keyword(s):  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Health System Strengthening ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Abortion Law ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Unintended Pregnancies ◽  
Induced Abortions ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Post Abortion

Unintended pregnancies due to low prevalence of contraceptive use in Pakistan leads to a huge burden of induced abortions. These abortions are a major cause of concern, as a majority of these abortions are performed in an unhygienic environment by untrained providers, leading to maternal morbidities and mortalities. Some of the contributing factors of unsafe abortions are lack of availability of quality services, financial barriers, stigma associated with abortion and lack of awareness about abortion law. Therefore, there is an urgent need to invest on family planning and post-abortion care services through health system strengthening approach. The proposed comprehensive strategy for actions at the individual, facility, community and policy levels can address the issue of unsafe abortion in the country.

Difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis: contributing factors and burden of disease

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia M T Roodenrijs ◽  
Marlies C van der Goes ◽  
Paco M J Welsing ◽  
Janneke Tekstra ◽  
Floris P J G Lafeber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Burden Of Disease ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Abstract Objectives Treatment of difficult-to-treat (D2T) RA patients is generally based on trial-and-error and can be challenging due to a myriad of contributing factors. We aimed to identify risk factors at RA onset, contributing factors and the burden of disease. Methods Consecutive RA patients were enrolled and categorised as D2T, according to the EULAR definition, or not (controls). Factors potentially contributing to D2T RA and burden of disease were assessed. Risk factors at RA onset and factors independently associated with D2T RA were identified by logistic regression. D2T RA subgroups were explored by cluster analysis. Results Fifty-two RA patients were classified as D2T and 100 as non-D2T. Lower socioeconomic status at RA onset was found as an independent risk factor for developing D2T RA (OR 1.97 (95%CI 1.08–3.61)). Several contributing factors were independently associated with D2T RA, occurring more frequently in D2T than non-D2T patients: limited drug options because of adverse events (94% vs 57%) or comorbidities (69% vs 37%), mismatch in patient’s and rheumatologist’s wish to intensify treatment (37% vs 6%), concomitant fibromyalgia (38% vs 9%) and poorer coping (worse levels). Burden of disease was significantly higher in D2T RA patients. Three subgroups of D2T RA patients were identified: 1) ‘non-adherent dissatisfied patients’; 2) patients with ‘pain syndromes and obesity’; 3) patients closest to the concept of ‘true refractory RA’. Conclusions This comprehensive study on D2T RA shows multiple contributing factors, a high burden of disease and the heterogeneity of D2T RA. These findings suggest that these factors should be identified in daily practice in order to tailor therapeutic strategies further to the individual patient.

scholarly journals Human Failure: An Analysis of 2000 Incident Reports

1993 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 678-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Williamson ◽  
R. K. Webb ◽  
A. Sellen ◽  
W. B. Runciman ◽  
J. H. Van Der Walt
Keyword(s):  
Crisis Management ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Rule Based ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Technical Errors ◽  
Human Failure ◽  
Traditional Patterns ◽  
The Individual

Information of relevance to human failure was extracted from the first 2,000 incidents reported to the Australian Incident Monitoring Study (AIMS). All reports were searched for human factors amongst the “factors contributing”, “factors minimising”, and “suggested corrective strategies” categories, and these were classified according to the type of human error with which they were associated. In 83% of the reports elements of human error were scored by reporters. “Knowledge-based errors” contributed directly to about one-quarter of incidents; the outcome of one third of incidents was thought to have been minimised by prior experience or awareness of the potential problems, and in one fifth some strategy to improve knowledge was suggested. Correction of “rule-based errors” or provision of protocols or algorithms were thought, together, to have a potential impact on nearly half of all incidents. Failure to check equipment or the patient contributed to nearly one-quarter of all incidents, and inadequate crisis management contributed to a further I in 8. “Skill-based errors” (slips and lapses) were directly responsible for I in 10 of all incidents, and were thought to make an indirect contribution in up to one quarter. “Technical errors” were responsible for about 1 in 8 incidents. Analysing the relative contribution of each type of error for each type of problem allows the development of rational preventative strategies. Continued efforts must be made to improve the knowledge-base of anaesthetists, but AIMS has shown that there may also be much to gain from directing attention towards eliminating rule-based errors, for promoting the use of protocols, check-lists and crisis management algorithms, and improving anaesthetists’ insight into the factors contributing and circumstances in which slips and lapses may occur. Traditional patterns of behaviour in doctors may also make them more liable to certain types of human error; removing the onus for adhering to standards and approved work practices from the individual to the “system” may lead to more consistent application of the “best practice”.

scholarly journals Bearing the Weight of Imprisonment: The Relationship Between Prison Climate and Well-Being

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1385-1404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther F. J. C. van Ginneken ◽  
Hanneke Palmen ◽  
Anouk Q. Bosma ◽  
Miranda Sentse
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Multilevel Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Unit Level ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Individual Perceptions ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Relationship

Little is known about the relative influence of shared and individual perceptions of prison climate on adjustment to incarceration. This study investigated the relationship between prison climate and well-being among a sample of 4,538 adults incarcerated in the Netherlands. Prison climate dimensions were considered both as prison unit-level variables and as individual-level perceptions. Multilevel analysis results showed that most variance for well-being is found at the individual rather than the unit level. This implies that it does not make much of a difference for well-being in which prison unit someone resides. Positive effects of prison climate on well-being were primarily found for individual perceptions of prison climate, rather than for the aggregate unit measures. More research is needed to determine whether this finding holds true in other countries. The findings confirm the importance of disentangling the contribution of prison climate at the individual and group level.

scholarly journals The Effect of Municipality Size and Local Office on the Electoral Success of Belgian/Flemish Election Candidates: A Multilevel Analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert-Jan Put ◽  
Bart Maddens
Keyword(s):  
Multilevel Analysis ◽  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Electoral Success ◽  
Election Result ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Empirical Analysis ◽  
Positive Effect

This article examines the effect that municipality size and local office have on election candidates’ results. We argue that candidates from the larger municipalities have comparatively larger relevant networks, both in terms of constituents and party grassroots volunteers. In addition, these candidates appeal to a relatively larger share of voters within the constituency. We expect that the relative size of the candidates’ municipality will have a positive effect on the relative number of preferential votes they receive in the constituency and will interact with the effect that holding local office has on the individual election result. While the empirical analysis does not show support for the idea that municipality size will have a significant effect, the expected interaction between local office and municipality size is confirmed. The electoral advantage of being mayor, alderman or local councillor seems to increase with the relative size of the municipality in the district.

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF POLIOMYELITIS VIRUS ON HUMAN BRAIN CELLS IN TISSUE CULTURE

1955 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Hogue ◽  
R. McAllister ◽  
A. E. Greene ◽  
L. L. Coriell
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Human Brain ◽  
Cell Body ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Fetal Brain ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Brain Cells ◽  
Poliomyelitis Virus ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Brain

Poliomyelitis virus I, Mahoney strain, affected human brain cells grown in tissue cultures usually causing death of the cells in 3 days. The neurons reacted in different ways to the virus, some died with their neurites extended, others contracted one or more of their neurites. Terminal bulbs were frequently formed at the tips of the neurites when they were being drawn into the cell body. The final contraction of the cell body and the change into a mass of granules were often very sudden. Vacuoles often developed in the neuron. There was no recovery. Astrocytes, oligodendroglia, and macrophages were affected by the virus but not as quickly as the neurons. The age of the tissue culture was not a factor when the cells were in good condition. The age of the individual donor of the brain tissue was a factor; the fetal brain cells appeared to be more sensitive to the virus than the adult brain cells. The fetal neurons often reacted ½ hour after inoculation while the adult neurons reacted more slowly, 2 to 24 hours after inoculation. All these changes seemed to be caused by virus infection because they were prevented by specific antiserum or by preheating the virus.

is Feigned Psychosis a Pathway to Schizophrenia?

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
J. Traça Almeida ◽  
J. Alves da Silva ◽  
M. Xavier ◽  
R. Gusmão
Keyword(s):  
Case Reports ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Sick Role ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Factitious Disorders ◽  
Clinical Syndromes ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Underlying Pathology

Factitious disorders (FD) are characterized by intentional production of either physical, psychological or mixed symptoms that mimic various clinical syndromes, with no apparent advantage for the individual concerned other than allowing him to assume the sick role. Large body of work has been accumulated on FD, but the majority of published data deal with the physical variant of the disease, with comparable few reports on psychiatric FD. Although there are many different presentations for psychiatric FD, the factitious psychosis subset justifies particular attention. Factitious psychosis may be prodromic of a genuine chronic psychosis, usually in the context of a personality disorder. Published data shows Munchausen psychosis, a severe subset of FD psychosis, with a prevalence of 0.25% of all inpatient admissions and global FD psychosis attaining 4.1% of all diagnosed psychoses, generally with a poor prognosis.The scantiness of studies on the subject of psychiatric FD and factitious psychosis in particular, despite its significant prevalence, coupled with the fact that its recognition embarks on a radically different approach compared with the physical variant, stresses the need for case reporting.We present four clinical cases with discussion of the underlying pathology and outcome, and a systematic review of the literature of FD psychosis case reports. This is followed by further discussion addressing the recognition of factitious psychosis, its etiological contributing factors, management, effects on staff and diagnostic criteria.

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