Standard Work Research Articles

Metaphorical Idioms in Extended Conceptual Metaphor Theory

Abstract In Extended Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Kövecses, 2020), I offered a comprehensive overhaul of “standard” conceptual metaphor theory. The present paper attempts to demonstrate how the new view of CMT can handle metaphorical idioms. To this end, I analyze four metaphorical idioms from the thematic area of money (throw money about, money slips through someone’s fingers, be a cash cow, money keeps someone/something afloat). The analysis assumes and starts out from the observation that money-related metaphors are based on two generic-level conceptual metaphors: money is a moving entity and money is a force. Extended CMT adds to CMT the notion of “mental space-level metaphors” that were largely ignored in “standard” CMT, but are given an important role in extended CMT. These are the metaphors that represent actual, contextual meanings in a metaphorical usage event. Traditional CMT-type analysis cannot account for the emergence of such idiomatic meanings because the mappings, or correspondences, of standard CMT work on a single, generic level (frame-, domain-, or even image schema level). However, the contextual meanings of naturally used metaphors (including those of metaphorical idioms) are much more information-rich and specific. The conceptual metaphors on the image schema, domain, and frame levels are offline structures in long-term memory, whereas the conceptual metaphors on the mental space level occur only online in working memory. In online communication, speakers mobilize the static image schema-, domain-, and frame-level metaphors at the mental space level, where they create highly specific mental space-level metaphors. Given this framework, it becomes possible to explain how and why the four metaphorical idioms have different contextual meanings (as represented by different mental space-level metaphors), but, at the same time, why they also share certain conceptual metaphors on the frame-, domain-, or image schema-level. Additionally, we gain new insight into how the emergence of novel metaphorical idioms occurs with the help of and constrained by a previously existing large system of hierarchically arranged conceptual metaphors.

Optimizing Hierarchical Condition Category-Risk Adjustment Factor Management in Population Health Using Rapid Process Improvement Methods.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provides reimbursement through Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) coding. Medical systems strive toward risk adjustment optimization, often implementing costly chart review processes. Previously, our organization implementing countermeasures through workflows was complex and performed in silos. Our goal was to put in place HCC-Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF) improvement tools to optimize HCC-RAF management in Population Health using rapid process improvement methods. In this quality improvement analysis (IRB#806198), we used Lean methodology to develop tools and implement streamlined processes for providers to manage, document, and code high-risk HCC conditions. Rather than applying costly countermeasures, Transformational Healthcare conducted a Rapid Process Improvement Workshop (RPIW), with workgroups implementing proposed changes, to improve processes. Each of these tools was embedded in standard work, for teams to use in practice. Tools included the development of RPIW-inspired work groups, a Provider Education website, tip sheets, clinical champions, trainings, audits, practice alerts, smart phrases, schedule view tools, severity scores, reports, dashboards, on-screen decision-support tools, coding expertise, and HCC standard work. Quantitatively, Year 1 showed enterprise HCC-RAF scores improved by 4.1%. We were able to develop tools for providers and team members to allow for more optimized pathways. Although quantitatively we realized an improvement in enterprise HCC-RAF score, our overall aim was to improve process flow and limit waste. Leveraging Lean improvement methods for the collective design of tools has supported culture change. In the end, we found that providers are indeed willing to adopt these newly built tools. These tools have optimized operations, allowing providers to work smarter, not harder.

Effect of working fluid charging amount on system performance in an ocean thermal energy conversion system

In ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems, the initial working fluid charging amount is crucial as it relates to the system’s performance and economic cost. But currently, there is no clear standard for it, and as the working fluid circulating pump is the most direct and only means to regulate the working fluid flow, it is necessary to investigate the coupled effects of it and the working fluid charging amount on the system performance. To this issue, a corresponding experimental facility was established. The coupled effects were investigated by energy and exergy analysis under varying temperature difference. The results showed that varying working fluid charging amount changed the physical state of the working fluid, and the effect on the system varied under dissimilar temperature difference conditions. Compared to the standard charge (8 kg), 75 % of the standard charging amount diminished the system thermal efficiency by 17 % and exergy efficiency by 16 % at small temperature difference (20 °C), whereas a charging amount of more than 100 % resulted in improved thermal efficiency by 14 % and exergy efficiency by 13 %. At large temperature difference (28 °C), 75 %, 125 % and 150 % of the standard working fluid charging amount all improved system performance (thermal efficiency by maximum 16 %, exergy efficiency by maximum 21 %). Besides, an increase in circulating pump frequency improved system performance regardless of the temperature difference and working fluid charging amount. This research innovatively investigates the above problems in the application scenario of OTEC, and provides theoretical and data support for the development of OTEC technology.

Longitudinal associations of daily activities and presenteeism among teleworkers in Japan

Abstract Objectives Many workers had to switch their standard work from the office to home-based telework during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies reported that telework was associated with increased sickness presenteeism. Several studies have examined the association between lifestyle behaviors and presenteeism among workers. However, there are few studies investigating the relationship among teleworkers. Thus, this study examined the association between daily activities and presenteeism in a longitudinal cohort of teleworkers in Japan. Methods A prospective cohort study with a two-year observation was conducted. The participants were 831 workers belonged to five companies in Japan. For both surveys, self-administered questionnaire surveys on daily activities and presenteeism were conducted. Presenteeism was assessed using the short-form Japanese version of the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a generalized estimating equation approach, controlling for potential confounders such as age, gender, working hours, position, and health status. Results 742 participants who teleworked in both surveys with no missing answers were analyzed. Among male workers (n = 427), chatting (β = 5.30, 95% CI: 1.52-9.07) and setting daily goals (β = 4.16, 95% CI: 1.52-9.07) were associated with decreased presenteeism. Among female workers, exercise (β = 4.33, 95% CI: 0.95-7.71) was associated with decreased presenteeism. Conclusions Although gender differences were observed, there is preliminary evidence from longitudinal studies that frequent activities such as chatting, setting daily goals, and exercising may protect against presenteeism among teleworkers. Our findings could be used to educate daily telework activities to prevent sickness presenteeism. Key messages • Daily activities during telework may worsen or improve presenteeism. • Social isolation may be an important indicator of presenteeism during telework.

Prisión Preventiva en Chile: Presión de la Gestión del Tiempo y Estandarización

The use of pre-trial detention in Chile is widely debated. Chilean legal scholars, for the most part, have advocated a restrictive interpretation. Despite this, empirical research studies on the use of pre-trial detention in Chile has revealed an increase in its use during the last decade and the development of standardized working strategies in judicial decision-making in this institution. To date, we lack in-depth analysis of the practice of this standardization and its specific relationship to pre-trial detention decisions. Based on non-participant observation of hearings and interviews with judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys in courts in the Araucanía and Bio-Bio regions, this article presents an empirical analysis of the application of pre-trial detention in Chile. In particular, how does the standardization of judicial practices influence the way decisions on pre-trial detention are made in Chile? The research study focused on the bureaucratic management of time from a socio-legal perspective. It finds that, in the face of time pressures, courts have adopted specific strategies to organize hearings, generating different types of hearings, each with its own speed and logic of standardization. The article emphasizes the need for a detailed and empirical exploration of the processes of bureaucratization within the judicial system and the tangible impacts these processes have on the fairness of access to justice.

Combined Analysis of Grade Differences in Lapsang Souchong Black Tea Using Sensory Evaluation, Electronic Nose, and HS-SPME-GC-MS, Based on Chinese National Standards

Tea standard samples are the benchmark for tea product quality control. Understanding the inherent differences in Chinese national standards for Lapsang Souchong black tea of different grades is crucial for the scientific development of tea standardization work. In this study, Lapsang Souchong black tea of different grades that meet Chinese national standards was selected as the research object. The aroma characteristics were comprehensively analyzed through sensory evaluation, electronic nose, and HS-SPME-GC-MS (headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry). The findings indicate that the higher-grade Lapsang Souchong has a higher evaluation score. The results of electronic nose analysis indicate that the volatiles with differences in tea of different grades were mainly terpenoids and nitrogen oxides. The results of HS-SPME-GC-MS analysis show that the odor characteristics of the super-grade samples are mainly floral and fruity, and these substances mainly include D-Limonene, 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol and 3-Hydroxymandelic acid, and ethyl ester. The primary aroma characteristics of the first-grade samples are floral, sweet, woody, and green, with key contributing compounds including 2-Furanmethanol, 1-Octen-3-ol, and 5-ethenyltetrahydro-α,α,5-trimethyl-cis-, 4,5-di-epi-aristolochene. The main aroma characteristics of the second-grade samples are green, herbal scent, and fruity, and the main substances include 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol, 2,3-dimethylthiophene, Dihydroactinidiolide, and Naphthalene-1-methyl-7-(1-methylethyl)-. It is worth noting that the second-grade samples contain a large amount of phenolic substances, which are related to the smoking process during processing. This study lays a solid foundation for the preparation of tea standard samples and the construction of the tea standard system.

Cardiac Fatigue in Male Athletes with Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Impairments After a Very Long-Distance Triathlon.

Prolonged strenuous exercise can transiently decrease cardiac function. Other studies have identified three major exercise-induced pulmonary changes: bronchoconstriction, dynamic hyperinflation and pulmonary oedema with reduced alveolar-capillary membrane diffusing capacity. This study investigated whether athletes with one of these pulmonary dysfunctions following a very long-distance triathlon exhibit similar cardiac alterations as those without dysfunctions. Sixty trained male triathletes (age 39 ± 9years) underwent baseline and post-race assessments, including echocardiography (with standard, 2D-strain and myocardial work assessments), spirometry and double-diffusion technique to evaluate alveolar-capillary membrane diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DMCO). Cardiac function in athletes with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (> 10% decrease FEV1), dynamic hyperinflation (> 10% decrease inspiratory capacity) or impaired diffusion capacity (> 20% decrease DMCO/alveolar volume) were compared with those without these dysfunctions. The race lasted 14h 20min ± 1h 26min. Both systolic and diastolic cardiac functions declined post-race. Post-race, 18% of athletes had bronchoconstriction, 58% dynamic hyperinflation and 40% impaired diffusing capacity. Right and left ventricular standard and 2D-strain parameters were similar before the race in all subgroups and changed similarly post-race, except E/E', which decreased in the bronchoconstriction subgroup and increased in those with diffusion impairment. Global constructive work decreased by ~ 19% post-race (2302 ± 226 versus 1869 ± 328mmHg%, P < 0.001), more pronounced in athletes with diffusion impairment compared with others (- 26 ± 13 versus - 15 ± 9%, P = 0.001) and positively correlated with DMCO/alveolar volume reduction. After a very long-distance triathlon, bronchoconstriction and hyperinflation were not associated with significant cardiac changes, whereas impaired alveolar-capillary membrane diffusing capacity was associated with a more significant decline in myocardial function. These findings highlight the complex relationship between pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities and cardiac fatigue following prolonged strenuous exercise.

Efficacy of combined surgical approaches in the management of sinonasal and orbital pathologies: innovations in minimally invasive techniques and their impact on postoperative outcomes

Sinonasal and orbital pathologies present unique challenges due to their anatomical complexity requiring advanced surgical approaches for optimal management. This systematic study demonstrates the effectiveness of combined surgical interventions based on advancements in minimally invasive approaches. An electronic literature search was performed on articles reporting patient outcomes after combined surgical management in sinonasal and orbital pathologies through the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Under the inclusion criteria, randomized controlled trials, literature reviews, cohort studies, and case reports published in the last decade on reputable journals were taken under consideration. Complications and functional outcomes were improved as compared to the conventional surgery techniques when looked into the previous evidences. Heterogeneities of the study designs and duration of follow-up did not permit a meta-analysis. The endoscopic orbital decompression, and other such sinonasal surgeries were now performed with less intraoperative blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times. After all research, it can be concluded that combined surgical techniques do improve outcomes, but more high-quality, standardized work needs to be done to establish long-term efficacy. Our research findings support this trend of minimalization of invasive techniques to treat pathologies within the sinonasal and orbital spaces and stress their overall capacity to enhance postoperative results. Future research should focus on standardizing protocols and longer follow up periods to evaluate recurrence and long-term complications better.

Impact of a 6-month sit-stand desk-based intervention on regional musculoskeletal discomfort and overall post-work fatigue in office workers: a cluster randomised controlled trial

Evaluate the impact of a 6-month sit-stand desk (SSD) intervention on office workers’ regional musculoskeletal discomfort (MD) and overall post-work fatigue (PWF) compared to a control group. A two-arm (1:1) clustered randomised controlled trial including 38 participants (aged 24–60 years, 77% women) assigned to intervention or control groups. The intervention, spanning 6 months, involved psychoeducation, motivational prompts, and SSD. The control group maintained standard working conditions. MD was assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and PWF with the Need for Recovery Scale. ANCOVA was employed to compare groups, adjusting for covariates, with 5% significance. The intervention group reduced overall MD (p = 0.018) and PWF (p = 0.013), while the control group showed no changes. However, no time*group interactions were found (p > 0.05). A 6-month SSD intervention alleviated office workers’ MD and PWF, suggesting benefits from increasing standing time by at least 30 minutes/day. Future investigations must explore individual heterogeneity in response to SSD. Trial registration https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/JHGPW.

Best clinical practice experience at University of Gondar Comprehensive specialized Hospital Emergency and critical care Medicine department, A Case Study Under a resource limited set up

Abstract Background The emergency department (ED) is unique unstable environment where someone faces unscheduled and undifferentiated diseased patients, stressed families, unsettled staffs and unequitable resources.UoGCSH is the oldest in the Ethiopia and the only referral hospital for more than 13 million people from the five-zone north-west Ethiopia with 950 beds capacity. During the 2020 G.C a proposal paper was submitted to the administration bodies of the college and the hospital. The proposal was suggesting short term, mid-term and long-term quality improvement segments implemented in institutionally convenient manner. Objective To describe the transformation of emergency and critical care medical services at University of Gondar Comprehensive specialized hospital from scratch to the current status. Method A descriptive case study design was applied to narrate critical care service transformation at UoG Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Since this case study is a data review from gathered secondary data, desk reviews of the emergency department, quality directorate data review, and the annual audit report review, there was no need for IRB approval. Result and recommendation After a year of renovation, we were able to organize a newly refurbished emergency room having a triage area with adequate reception space, Red resuscitation area with 10 beds (considering patient overflow), Orange with 18 beds, Yellow with 10 beds and floater area, isolation room, decontamination room, ED laboratory, main store, disaster store and piped oxygen system to all beds. we have gone a long journey in bringing those promised practices into demonstrable practice and finally replicable prototypic best practice. Even though we paced extra miles in achieving this status. Standard emergency room work flow implementation enable us to control the day-to-day patient and attendant crowding that impedes the anticipated medical treatment outcome and result in a significant dissatisfaction.Despite this achievement the trauma center establishment and high-quality patient care is recommended.

Experts consensus on standard items of the cohort construction and quality control of temporomandibular joint diseases (2024)

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients'suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.

A Comparative Analysis of the Factors Influencing Job Expectations among Unemployed Men and Women in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, persistent gender differences in unemployment rates exist, with women enduring greater rates of unemployment de-spite having a higher average educational attainment than men. Gender differences in job search intensity vary with attitudes to-ward employment or unemployment as attitudes play a significant role in employment decision-making. These differences are intimately linked to people's expectations and mindsets regarding their work, which are strongly influenced by societal and cultural gender roles. This study looks at how job expectations differ between unemployed men and women in Sri Lanka. This study relies on data from the Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey (2021) and a multinomial logistic model to analyse the total unemployed, male unemployed, and female unemployed separately while taking two dependent variables; job sector expectations and occupational expectations. The study's findings emphasise the pivotal role of gender in sharpening job expectations among the unemployed. Regarding job sector expectations, unemployed women are more inclined towards jobs in the public sector than those in the private sector because of the government's reputation for offering standardized working hours and a work-life balance conducive environment. Furthermore, there are noteworthy differences in occupational expectations as unemployed women are more likely to expect professional and managerial level jobs with the increase in higher education enrolment. This study offers a groundbreaking contribution to the literature by unveiling unique, gender-specific determinants of job expectations among Sri Lanka's unemployed, highlighting the influence of unemployment duration, and employing distinct analytical models to bridge significant theoretical, empirical and methodological gaps. Finally, this study puts forth the broader discourse on gender, unemployment, and labour market dynamics in Sri Lanka, offering gender-specific policy recommendations aimed at bridging the expectation gap between unemployed men and women in Sri Lanka.

EVALUATION OF REMOTE WORKING IN THE CONTEXT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE COVİD-19 PERIOD

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic that emerged in 2019, the traditional full-time working model was replaced by alternative working models. The current standard working model -with the progress of Covid-19- was abandoned by companies, and various companies have preferred the remote working model. This article was conducted to reveal the effects of remote working on employees and to offer suggestions for employers. This research was designed as qualitative research. Data were collected by phone calls or Zoom meetings over a semi-structured interview with 20 people working in various sectors and experienced in remote working. The results showed the disadvantages of remote working, such as communication problems arising from the inability to communicate face-to-face and extended working hours. It is recommended that countries adapt their laws considering the effects of remote work, and companies can prefer the hybrid model instead of office work.

A preventive care approach for oral health in nursing homes: a qualitative study of healthcare workers’ experiences

BackgroundOral health problems are common among care-dependent older adults living in nursing homes. Developing strategies to prevent the deterioration of oral health is therefore crucial to avoid pain and tooth loss. A standardized work widely used in nursing homes in Sweden is the quality register Senior Alert (SA), which assesses age-related risks concerning e.g. pressure sores, falls, malnutrition and oral health. The oral health assessment is performed with the Revised Oral Assessment Guide-Jönköping (ROAG-J), which also includes planning and implementation of preventive oral care interventions with the goal of achieving good quality care. However, what facilitates and hinders healthcare workers in working with oral health in SA remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to describe healthcare workers’ experiences of assessing oral health with the ROAG-J, planning and performing preventive oral health care actions in accordance with SA in nursing homes.MethodsHealthcare workers (n = 28) in nursing homes in two Swedish municipalities participated and data was collected through six focus group interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify patterns of meaning in the data.ResultsThemes generated in the analysis were:A structured process promotes communication and awareness and stresses the importance of oral health;Oral care for frail older adults is challenging and triggers ethical dilemmas;Unclear responsibilities, roles and routines in the organization put oral health at risk;Differences in experience and competence among healthcare staff call for educational efforts.ConclusionsThe structured way of working increases staff awareness and prioritization of oral health in nursing homes. The main challenges for the healthcare workers were residents’ reluctance to participate in oral care activities and oral care being more complicated since most older adults today are dentate. Organizational challenges lay in creating good routines and clarifying staff roles and responsibilities, which will require continuous staff training and increased management involvement.

Flagging Frailty in the Emergency Department: A System to Identify and Visualise Frailty

Abstract Background Older adults with frailty who present to the Emergency Department (ED) are at increased risk of hospitalisation, prolonged length of stay, deconditioning and loss of independence.1 Early identification of frailty using a validated tool, such as the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), is widely recommended to inform clinical decisions, identify the best pathway of care for older adults with frailty, and for potential use as a predictor or an outcome.2 We aimed to develop and implement a system of frailty identification which is highly visible, digitised and integrated with routine ED processes. Methods In the ED of a large teaching hospital, an expanded interdisciplinary Acute Frailty Team (AFT) commenced work in the ED in February 2024. The AFT aimed to screen all over 70s presenting within working hours for frailty using CFS. ED consultants collaborated with software developers through iterative design stages to create a ‘Frailty Flag’ for the ED Whiteboard with the requirements that it is highly visible, easy to use and highlights patients with higher frailty scores. Results In April 2024, a ‘Frailty Flag’ was launched on the ED Whiteboard, prominently displaying the CFS and using traffic light colouring to highlight those with higher CFS scores. As part of standard work, the AFT populate the CFS on the ED Whiteboard, which is viewed by all staff in ED on large wall-mounted screens. Feedback from ED and inpatient staff indicate that a highly visible frailty score is a valuable addition to the ED Whiteboard which allows them to prioritise care and supports decision making regarding suitability for geriatric care pathways. Conclusion A Frailty Flag on the ED Whiteboard allows for easy, accessible communication of frailty scores to the ED multi-disciplinary team. Next steps involve integrating the Frailty Flag with in-patient systems and developing standard work for out of hours use of the system.

Development of a Method for the Determination of Rifaximin and Rifampicin Residues in Foods of Animal Origin.

Rifaximin and rifampicin are good broad-spectrum antimicrobials. The irrational use of antimicrobial drugs in veterinary clinics could threaten public health and food safety. It is necessary to develop a reliable detection method of the residue for enhancing the rational supervision of the use of such drugs, reducing and slowing down the generation of bacterial resistance, and promoting animal food safety and human health. So, this study developed an LC-MS/MS method for the detection of rifaximin and rifampicin residues in animal-origin foods. The residual rifaximin and rifampicin of homogenized test materials were extracted with acetonitrile-dichloromethane solution or acetonitrile in the presence of anhydrous sodium sulfate and vitamin C, purified by dispersible solid phase extraction, determined by LC-MS/MS, and quantified by the internal standard method. The specificity, sensitivity, matrix effect, accuracy, and precision of the method were investigated in the edible tissues of cattle, swine, or chicken. In addition, the stability of the standard stock solution and the standard working solution was also investigated. The method was suitable for the muscle, liver, kidney, fat, milk, and eggs of cattle, swine, or chicken, as well as fish and shrimp. The specificity of the method was good, and the detection of the analytes was not affected by different matrices. Both the LOD and LOQ of the two analytes were 5 μg/kg and 10 μg/kg, respectively. The results of matrix effects in each tissue were in the range of 80-120%; there were no significant matrix effects. The average accuracy of rifaximin and rifampicin in different foodstuffs of animal origin was between 80% and 120%, and the method precision was below 20% (RSD). The proposed method showed good performance for determination, which could be employed for the extraction, purification, and detection of residual rifaximin and rifampicin in edible animal tissues. The pretreatment procedure of tissue samples was simple and feasible. The method was highly specific, stable, reliable, and with high sensitivity, accuracy, and precision, which met the requirements of quantitative detection of veterinary drug residues.

PENGARUH PENERAPAN STANDAR OPERASIONAL PROSEDUR DAN DISIPLIN KERJA TERHADAP KINERJA: KEPUASAN KERJA SEBAGAI VARIABEL MEDIASI

This study aims to analyze the influence of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) implementation and work discipline on employee performance with job satisfaction as a mediating variable at PT. Paragon Technology and Innovation. The research employs a quantitative approach with purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 85 employees. Data analysis uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS. The results show that: (1) SOP has a negative insignificant effect on employee performance, (2) Work discipline has a significant positive effect on employee performance, (3) SOP has a significant positive effect on job satisfaction, (4) Work discipline has a significant positive effect on job satisfaction, (5) Job satisfaction has a significant positive effect on employee performance, (6) Job satisfaction cannot mediate the relationship between SOP and employee performance, and (7) Job satisfaction can mediate the relationship between work discipline and employee performance.

The U.S. Low-Wage Structure: A McWage Comparison

Abstract Thanks to standardized work protocol and technology of McDonald's restaurants, the hourly wage of McDonald's Basic Crew enables wage comparisons under near-identical skill inputs and hedonic job conditions. McWages capture labor costs in entry-level jobs, while the Big Macs (earned) Per Hour (BMPH) index measures corresponding purchasing power of wages. We document large and growing geographical wage differences in standardized jobs using data covering most U.S. counties during 2016-2023. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, there was no BMPH growth where minimum wages stayed constant, but the pandemic wage increase, which diminished the importance of minimum wages, was stronger in these areas.

The state of pivot subtitling

Abstract At the heart of media globalization lies pivot subtitling – an indirect translation method that facilitates accessibility and cultural diversity in a vastly multilingual mediascape. Conducted between September 2022 and April 2023, this survey targeted 80 Turkish subtitlers who translated Korean content for various subscription video-on-demand (SVoD) platforms. The study aims to understand the working conditions of Turkish pivot subtitlers, elicit recommendations, and provide insights to industry stakeholders. The findings reveal a lack of uniformity within pivot subtitling workflows across SVoD platforms, highlighting the need for standardized working conditions. The study also addresses the quality assurance of pivot subtitles and templates, emphasizing the absence of consistent procedures in post-submission processes. The results call for measures to uphold equitable working conditions for pivot subtitlers, underscored by achieving uniformity in workflows, and a commitment to confront systemic challenges that disincentivize direct translation in favor of indirect translation via pivot templates.

Comments on standard EN-10371 and proposals for standard follow up

The small punch test technique was developed in the USA in the 1980 s, followed shortly by Japan and introduced to Europe in the 1990 s. CEN organized Workshop 21 to summarize more than ten years of research results and formulate the first technical guidelines CWA 15627. The specification work for European standard started in 2015 and the first European standard EN-10371 was published in 2022. The EN-10371 standardized the specimen size and test apparatus. It also specifies the test procedure and characteristic parameters for small punch test (SP) and small punch creep test (SPC). Nine annexes allows estimation of the values normally obtained using classical standard size uniaxial or fracture mechanics specimens. In order to make the standard perfect and usable, the standard working group proposed a five year “standard follow up” project in 2019. Responding to the proposed project, authors carefully re-examined the specification, and found some shortcomings in the standard. Proposals are put forward to improve the current methodology and extend the standard scope to include the latest development.