Full Shift Research Articles

IN-HOSPITAL NURSE CARE CONTINUITY: DOES IT MATTER?

In-hospital cognitive decline affects up to 40% of hospitalized older adults and is associated with post-hospitalization worsening of medical and functional status. Studies pointed to the substantial role of the interpersonal relationship between older adults with cognitive impairment and the nurses who care for them. We investigated the association between nursing interpersonal continuity and cognitive outcomes in a cohort of 646 older adults aged 70 or older admitted to internal units for non-disabling conditions. Cognitive decline was defined as at least one point decline in the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire from at admission to discharge assessments. Nursing interpersonal continuity was measured using continuity of care index (CoC). CoC assesses the extent of different nurses assigned to take care of each patient during the hospital stay (2 shifts per day) and ranges from 0 (none of the nurses is the same) to 0.4 (highest feasible score according to full time standard shift plan and length of stay (LOS)). Multivariate logistic regression showed that achieving 25% of the highest feasible in-hospital nursing CoC was associated with lower odds of cognitive decline (OR=0.67, 95% CI=0.47-0.97), controlling for age, sex, premorbid activities of daily living status, at admission cognitive status, comorbidities, severity of illness and LOS. This study shows that in-hospital nursing continuity is negatively associated with older adults’ cognitive decline, even in low-continuity levels. Future studies should investigate in-hospital continuity patterns and interventions maintaining continuity in larger and more heterogenic samples.

Hidden Gibbs measures on shift spaces over countable alphabets

We study the thermodynamic formalism for particular types of sub-additive sequences on a class of subshifts over countable alphabets. The subshifts we consider include factors of irreducible countable Markov shifts under certain conditions, which we call irreducible countable sofic shifts. We show the variational principle for topological pressure for some sub-additive sequences with tempered variation on irreducible countable sofic shifts. We also study conditions for the existence and uniqueness of invariant ergodic Gibbs measures and the uniqueness of equilibrium states. Applications are given to some dimension problems and study of factors of (generalized) Gibbs measures on certain subshifts over countable alphabets.

Symbolic dynamics for one dimensional maps with nonuniform expansion

Given a piecewise C1+β map of the interval, possibly with critical points and discontinuities, we construct a symbolic model for invariant probability measures with nonuniform expansion that do not approach the critical points and discontinuities exponentially fast almost surely. More specifically, for each χ>0 we construct a finite-to-one Hölder continuous map from a countable topological Markov shift to the natural extension of the interval map, that codes the lifts of all invariant probability measures as above with Lyapunov exponent greater than χ almost everywhere.

Respiratory health and inflammatory markers - Exposure to respirable dust and quartz and chemical binders in Swedish iron foundries.

PurposeTo study the relationship between respirable dust, quartz and chemical binders in Swedish iron foundries and respiratory symptoms, lung function (as forced expiratory volume FEV1 and vital capacity FVC), fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and levels of club cell secretory protein 16 (CC16) and CRP.MethodsPersonal sampling of respirable dust and quartz was performed for 85 subjects in three Swedish iron foundries. Full shift sampling and examination were performed on the second or third day of a working week after a work free weekend, with additional sampling on the fourth or fifth day. Logistic, linear and mixed model analyses were performed including, gender, age, smoking, infections, sampling day, body mass index (BMI) and chemical binders as covariates.ResultsThe adjusted average respirable quartz and dust concentrations were 0.038 and 0.66 mg/m3, respectively. Statistically significant increases in levels of CC16 were associated with exposure to chemical binders (p = 0.05; p = 0.01) in the regression analysis of quartz and respirable dust, respectively. Non-significant exposure-responses were identified for cumulative quartz and the symptoms asthma and breathlessness. For cumulative chemical years, non-significant exposure–response were observed for all but two symptoms. FENO also exhibited a non significant exposure-response for both quartz and respirable dust. No exposure-response was determined for FEV1 or FVC, CRP and respirable dust and quartz.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that early markers of pulmonary effect, such as increased levels of CC16 and FENO, are more strongly associated with chemical binder exposure than respirable quartz and dust in foundry environments.

Ultragraph shift spaces and chaos

Motivated by C*-algebra theory, ultragraph edge shift spaces generalize shifts of finite type to the infinite alphabet case. In this paper we study several notions of chaos for ultragraph shift spaces. More specifically, we show that Li-Yorke, Devaney and distributional chaos are equivalent conditions for ultragraph shift spaces, and characterize this condition in terms of a combinatorial property of the underlying ultragraph. Furthermore, we prove that such properties imply the existence of a compact, perfect set which is distributionally scrambled of type 1 in the ultragraph shift space (a result that is not known for a labelled edge shift (with the product topology) of an infinite graph).

Generation of tunable frequency-multiplication factor signal with full range phase shift based on a DPMZM

In this paper, a novel photonic phase shifter with full range phase shift and tunable frequency-multiplication factor based on a simple configuration is proposed. The main devices are a dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulator (DPMZM) and a FBG-based Sagnac loop. The DPMZM is employed to generate two optical sidebands with multiplied frequency spacing and a FBG-based Sagnac loop is applied to make the two sidebands orthogonally polarized. A following polarization controller (PC) is employed to tune the phase continuously from −180°to 180°. The simulation results show the frequency multiplication factors (FMF) can be two, four, and eight. A RF signal with the frequency of 5 GHz can be converted to 10 GHz, 20 GHz and 40 GHz with their phases continuously tuned from −180°to 180°. The results emerge that the power response is flat for different phase shift. Furthermore, the proposed structure may feature large frequency tuning range since no optical filter and 90°electrical hybrid coupler are used. The effect of non-ideal factors, i.e., DC drifting, RF signal power variation and extinction ratio on the performance of the unwanted signal suppression ratio (USSR) and the conversion efficiency (CE) are also studied. In addition, the polarization isolation performance of the FBG-based Sagnac loop and the bandwidth of the whole structure is clarified. The influence on the multiplied signals due to the unsatisfactory phase and power response of the FBG are also discussed.

Carbon monoxide exposures among U.S. wildland firefighters by work, fire, and environmental characteristics and conditions

Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure levels encountered by wildland firefighters (WLFs) throughout their work shift can change considerably within a few minutes due to the varied tasks that are performed and the changing environmental and fire conditions encountered throughout the day. In a U.S. Forest Service study during the 2009–2012 fire seasons, WLFs from 57 different fires across the U.S. were monitored for CO using CO data-logging detectors while an observer recorded worker tasks, fire characteristics, and environmental conditions at scheduled intervals. Exposures to CO for 735 WLF’s work shifts were analyzed to assess the effect of variations among work tasks, fire characteristics, and environmental conditions. Geometric mean full shift time-weighted averages were low at 2.4 parts per million (ppm) and average length of work shift was 11 hr and 15 min. The task with the highest mean CO exposure was sawyer/swamper at 6.8 ppm; workers performing that task had an estimated 9 times higher odds of a having a 1-min CO measurement exceeding 25 ppm than the referent pump task (OR = 8.89, 95% CI = 1.97, 40.24). After adjusting CO exposure limits for shift length, elevation, and work level, 2% and 4% of the WLF’s work shifts exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s recommended exposure level and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist’s threshold limit value, respectively. In regression modeling, variables that were significantly associated with elevated levels of CO exposure included: task, fuel model, wind orientation, crew type, relative humidity, type of attack, and wind speed. In the absence of instruments such as CO detectors that can determine and alert WLFs to elevated CO levels, recognition of the conditions that lead to elevated levels of CO exposure can assist WLFs to effectively use administrative controls, such as work rotations, to minimize exposures.

Decidability of Irreducible Tree Shifts of Finite Type

We reveal an algorithm for determining the complete prefix code irreducibility (CPC-irreducibility) of dyadic trees labeled by a finite alphabet. By introducing an extended directed graph representation of tree shift of finite type (TSFT), we show that the CPC-irreducibility of TSFTs is related to the connectivity of its graph representation, which is a similar result to one-dimensional shifts of finite type.

Support stability of maximizing measures for shifts of finite type

This paper establishes a fundamental difference between $\mathbb{Z}$ subshifts of finite type and $\mathbb{Z}^{2}$ subshifts of finite type in the context of ergodic optimization. Specifically, we consider a subshift of finite type $X$ as a subset of a full shift $F$. We then introduce a natural penalty function $f$, defined on $F$, which is 0 if the local configuration near the origin is legal and $-1$ otherwise. We show that in the case of $\mathbb{Z}$ subshifts, for all sufficiently small perturbations, $g$, of $f$, the $g$-maximizing invariant probability measures are supported on $X$ (that is, the set $X$ is stably maximized by $f$). However, in the two-dimensional case, we show that the well-known Robinson tiling fails to have this property: there exist arbitrarily small perturbations, $g$, of $f$ for which the $g$-maximizing invariant probability measures are supported on $F\setminus X$.

Intermediately trimmed strong laws for Birkhoff sums on subshifts of finite type

ABSTRACT We prove strong laws of large numbers under intermediate trimming for Birkhoff sums over subshifts of finite type. This gives another application of a previous trimming result only proven for interval maps. To prove these statements we introduce the space of quasi-Hölder continuous functions for subshifts of finite type. Additionally, we prove a trimmed strong law for St. Petersburg type distribution functions which can be applied to interval maps, subshifts of finite type and possibly other dynamical systems.

Matrix characterization of multidimensional subshifts of finite type

<p>Let X ⊂ A<sup>Zd </sup>be a 2-dimensional subshift of finite type. We prove that any 2-dimensional subshift of finite type can be characterized by a square matrix of infinite dimension. We extend our result to a general d-dimensional case. We prove that the multidimensional shift space is non-empty if and only if the matrix obtained is of positive dimension. In the process, we give an alternative view of the necessary and sufficient conditions obtained for the non-emptiness of the multidimensional shift space. We also give sufficient conditions for the shift space X to exhibit periodic points.</p>

Introduction of a formal handover procedure in radiology after changing to a full shift on-call system for registrars

Introduction of a formal handover procedure in radiology after changing to a full shift on-call system for registrars

On semi-open codes and bi-continuing almost everywhere codes

We will show that a system is synchronized if and only if it has a cover whose cover map is semi-open. Also, any factor code on an irreducible sofic shift is semi-open and the image of a synchronized system by a semi-open code is synchronized. On the other side, right-closing semi-open extension of an irreducible shift of finite type is of finite type. Moreover, we give conditions on finite-to-one factor codes to be open and show that any semi-open code on a synchronized system is bi-continuing a.e. We give some sufficient conditions for a right-continuing a.e. factor code being right-continuing everywhere.

Topological entropy of Markov set-valued functions

We investigate the entropy for a class of upper semi-continuous set-valued functions, called Markov set-valued functions, that are a generalization of single-valued Markov interval functions. It is known that the entropy of a Markov interval function can be found by calculating the entropy of an associated shift of finite type. In this paper, we construct a similar shift of finite type for Markov set-valued functions and use this shift space to find upper and lower bounds on the entropy of the set-valued function.

Single-crystal 207Pb-NMR of wulfenite, PbMoO4, aided by simultaneous measurement of phosgenite, Pb2Cl2CO3

The effort for determining NMR interaction tensors from orientation-dependent spectra of single crystals may be greatly reduced by exploiting symmetry relations between atoms of the observed nuclide in the unit cell, as is well documented in the literature. In this work, we determined both the full chemical shift (CS) tensor of 207Pb and the unknown orientation of the rotation axis for the natural mineral phosgenite, Pb2Cl2CO3, from a single rotation pattern, i.e. spectra of crystal orientations from 0 to 180°. In the tetragonal crystal structure of phosgenite, four symmetry-related, but magnetically inequivalent 207Pb are generated by the Wyckoff multiplicity. The mineral wulfenite, PbMoO4, also crystallises in a tetragonal space group, but the site multiplicity for 207Pb generates only one magnetically inequivalent atom, thus not supplying sufficient experimental data to determine CS tensor and axis orientation from an arbitrary number of rotation patterns. One solution to this problem is to simultaneously acquire data of a known compound with high symmetry and Wyckoff multiplicity (here: phosgenite), which supplies additional constraints making the solution of the target compound (here: wulfenite) possible. The 207Pb CS tensors thus determined are characterised by the following eigenvalues in ppm: δ11PAS=(−2553±1), δ22PAS=(−1929±1), δ33PAS=(−1301±1) for phosgenite, and δ11PAS=(−2074±1), δ22PAS=(−2074±1), δ33PAS=(−1898±1) for wulfenite.

Topological conjugacy of topological Markov shifts and Ruelle algebras

We will characterize topological conjugation for two-sided topological Markov shifts (¯¯¯¯¯XA,¯¯¯σA) in terms of the associated asymptotic Ruelle C∗-algebra RA and its commutative C∗-subalgebra C(¯¯¯¯¯XA) and the canonical circle action. We will also show that the extended Ruelle algebra ˜RA, which is a unital and purely infinite version of RA, together with its commutative C∗-subalgebra C(¯¯¯¯¯XA) and the canonical torus action γA is a complete invariant for topological conjugacy of (¯¯¯¯¯XA,¯¯¯σA). The diagonal action of γA has a unique KMS-state on ˜RA, which is an extension of the Parry measure on ¯¯¯¯¯XA.

Markovian dynamics of concurrent systems

Monoid actions of trace monoids over finite sets are powerful models of concurrent systems---for instance they encompass the class of 1-safe Petri nets. We characterise Markov measures attached to concurrent systems by finitely many parameters with suitable normalisation conditions. These conditions involve polynomials related to the combinatorics of the monoid and of the monoid action. These parameters generalise to concurrent systems the coefficients of the transition matrix of a Markov chain. A natural problem is the existence of the uniform measure for every concurrent system. We prove this existence under an irreducibility condition. The uniform measure of a concurrent system is characterised by a real number, the characteristic root of the action, and a function of pairs of states, the Parry cocyle. A new combinatorial inversion formula allows to identify a polynomial of which the characteristic root is the smallest positive root. Examples based on simple combinatorial tilings are studied.

Glider automorphisms and a finitary Ryan\u2019s theorem for transitive subshifts of finite type

For any mixing SFT X we construct a reversible shift-commuting continuous map (automorphism) which breaks any given finite point of the subshift into a finite collection of gliders traveling into opposing directions. As an application we prove a finitary Ryan’s theorem: the automorphism group {{,mathrm{Aut},}}(X) contains a two-element subset S whose centralizer consists only of shift maps. We also give an example which shows that a stronger finitary variant of Ryan’s theorem does not hold even for the binary full shift.

Renewal and Upgrading System For A Sustainable Urban-Rural Housing System Development: Panacea To Accommodation, Employment And Healthcare Issues

Developments in the Urban communities has become issue of great concern. Urban development has been rapid with urban centres springing up from rural communities and sometimes creating an imbalance in environmental systems with attendant consequences and advantages. The study therefore explored the urban system housing development within the context of formulating framework for development, renewal and upgrading in order to achieve sustainable development in urban and rural communities. The aim of the study was to carry out a longitudinal survey of selected areas where there is occurrence of concentration of rural-urban, urban-rural settlement within the selected study areas. Survey was conducted on some parameters as part of the calibrated questionnaire that was designed in Likert Scale 1-5 used for the study. The parameters include evaluation of existing renewal and upgrading pattern, upgrading system, renewal strategies, features of rural-urban growth, challenges of urban renewal and regenerations, influence of urban and rural upgrading system on employment availability, health challenges associated with urban-rural settlement and post occupancy study of satisfaction level of residents of urban and rural settlement housing facilities.The study engaged population of 5 different locations with 100 residents drafted from various selected locations classified as urban and rural settlement as respondents. The data was analysed using Mean Item Score, Simple percentages and regression analysis. Some of the striking contribution in this study includes: System to formulate good renewal and resuscitating, it also include resuscitating decayed component of rural setting at urban location. The study also contribute to knowledge in advocating strategies for urban and renewal strategy like compilation of plans for physical development of the area, development of identified locations, re-accommodation and resettlement of displaced settlements, re-accommodation and resettlement of displaced settlements and reconstruction of the areas devastated by development programmes. Similarly, rural and urban development would bring employment opportunity for all classes of trade either skill labour, un-skill labour and semi-skill labour. Construction activities would attract and provide fortune to different workers category there creating prosperity for all. Finally, the study developed a system framework that could be used for urban and rural settlement regeneration, revitalization, redevelopment and reconstruction. The developed framework would assist in eliminating accommodation challenges, employment problems and health care issues often associated with disparity in settlement growth when rural settlement metamorphosed into urban settlement.

ACTUAL PROBLEMS OF GENDER EQUALITY IN THE SECURITY AND DEFENSE SECTOR

Affirmation of gender equality is one of the aspects of the mankind development process which can be compared by value and closely connected to the global democratization tendency. At the post-industrial stage, the development of men and women equality becomes one of the main aspects of social modernization. The essence of democracy is providing people with rights, the organization of the governmental state on the principle of social contract between equal individuals, who must have the same opportunities for making independent and responsible decisions. Therefore, gender equality is a rather sensitive indicator of the development level of a country. In the system of world renewal and reform, Ukraine tends to integrate into the Euro-Atlantic security model and create a civil society on a modern basis. Such an approach implies the obligation to define clear state gender strategies and the development of an appropriate state gender policy. One of the important aspects of ensuring equal and stable social development with the application of the most effective methods of state intervention is the introduction of the gender approach in the security and defense sector of Ukraine, which becomes a purposeful, systemic and multidirectional governmental activity. It should be noticed that gender policy in this area should be understood as the progress of militaryservice regardless of gender: equality in the perspectives of such service, rights and responsibilities. A new stage of active public assistance in the development of gender policy in the field of security and defense began in 2018 and is still ongoing. Many significant steps have been taken in gender equality in the army and in the fight against gender discrimination. But at the same time, it should be mentioned that today there are some problems in providing gender policy in the military spher; and solving and overcoming of such problems will contribute to increasing the efficiency of the functioning and development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the positive implementation of the state gender policy in the context of European choice of Ukraine in the context of its world and European integration.