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Seepage erosion is one of the main reasons for the local collapse or instability of embankments. To investigate the characteristics and mechanism of seepage erosion for cohesionless soils, model tests using an independently developed seepage erosion device and numerical simulations based on a discrete element method-computational fluid dynamics (DEM-CFD) coupling model were carried out. The results show that the seepage erosion process of cohesionless soil could be characterized by four stages: stable seepage, upward migration of fine particles, boiling of sand samples, and erosion damage. The skeleton structure of a soil sample under seepage flow was continually changed due to the loss of fine soil particles, which resulted in a significant decrease in the sample strength and could, ultimately, lead to the failure of the sample. The results of this study can provide references and bases for the design, construction, and long-term service of embankments or earth dams under complex seepage conditions, reducing the risk of seepage erosion.

Objective: To indigenize the median of Down syndrome (DS) screening markers for first and second trimester, and compare the impact of the indigenized and built-in median data on the efficiency of DS screening. Materials and Methods: Data derived from first and Second-trimester screening (FTS and STS) for DS, composed of selected pregnancies deemed to be normal, were examined in a retrospective study. Indigenization regression analysis was calculated by using five models to fit statistical the raw data. Multiple of median (MoM) values estimated by using indigenized medians were compared with those calculated by using built-in. Results: This study established a regression equation which is more suitable for the median of each screening marker in the local pregnant women. The changes of median MoM of screening markers were statistically significant after indigenization. For FTS, the detection rate was 100% when the false positive rate was 5%, and the cut-off value was 1/262. On the other hand, for STS, the detection rate of the model with indigenized parameters was 77.42%, which is 16.13% higher than that of built-in parameters. Conclusion: For the individual specific risk of pregnancy, when the indigenized parameters was used to calculate, is more accurately and screening effectiveness has been improved. This is a great reference significance for the current prenatal screening whether indigenized data should be used.

Background: The pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), which began in December 2019, spread mostly from person to person through respiratory droplets. A recommendation was issued to postpone all elective surgical practices. However, some confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients required life-saving emergent surgeries. Methods: To facilitate emergent surgical interventions for these patients, we have reviewed the current literature and established an algorithm of precautions to be taken by operating room team members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The initial algorithm of preparation for surgical intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic was relatively simple. However, the abrupt increase of confirmed COVID-19 cases due to returned overseas travelers since mid-March 2020 disrupted the routine hospital clinical service. Due to the large number of febrile patients, the algorithm was therefore revised according to travel history, occupation, contact and cluster history (TOCC), unexplained fever/symptoms, and emergent/nonemergent surgery. TOCC (+) patients presenting with otherwise unexplained fever/symptoms would be regarded as belonging to the fifth category of "severe special infectious pneumonia." If the patient requires emergent surgery to relieve the non-life-threatening disorders, two times of negative COVID-19 tests are necessary before the operation is approved. For life-threatening situations without two negative results of COVID-19 tests, the operation schedule should be approved by the Chairman of Surgery Management Committee. Conclusion: The application of a clear and integrated algorithm for operating room team members aids in effective personal protective equipment facilitation to keep both healthcare providers and patients safe as well as to prevent hospital-based transmission of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The shortage of professional nurses is a global issue of critical importance. Improving the retention and recruitment of nurses is necessary to reduce this shortage. The ability to measure the quality of work life (QWL) of nurses is important to understand the current QWL status among nurses and to develop appropriate improvement strategies. The two instruments that are currently used in Taiwan both require excessive amounts of time to complete. Furthermore, the results that these two instruments generate are not easily interdisciplinary and international comparisons. Purpose: The aims of this study were to translate into Chinese the English version of the Work-Related Quality of Life Scale (WRQoL) that was developed by Van Laar, Edwards, and Easton (2007) and then to determine the reliability and validity of this Chinese-version scale in terms of measuring the QWL of nurses in Taiwan. Methods: The WRQoL was translated from English into Chinese using forward-translation with group discussions, back-translation, and verification of conceptual equivalence. Concurrent validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency reliability were determined in two samples of nurses (n = 30 and n = 213 for Phases 1 and 2, respectively) from a medical center in Taiwan during September 2009. Results: The 23-item Taiwanese version of the WRQoL showed satisfactory concurrent validity with a Taiwanese QWL scale (correlation = .75). The 3-week test-retest reliability was .89, and the Cronbach's alpha was .88, indicating high internal consistency reliability. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: The Taiwanese version of the WRQoL is acceptable for measuring the QWL of nurses in Taiwan. Larger scale studies are recommended for confirmatory factor analysis. This tool may be used for human resources management and policy-making applications, providing the potential to help retain and recruit nurses in Taiwan. Furthermore, the Taiwanese-version scale may be used to compare work-related quality of life between Taiwanese nurses and their counterparts overseas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender and sex role stereotyping are recognized as having the potential to limit the professional development of males within the nursing profession. The purpose of this study was to understand the relationships between demographic data and the dimensions of role stress, organizational commitment, and intentions to quit among male nurses in southern Taiwan. Research also investigated the correlations with three dependent variables and identified best predictors of male nurse intentions to quit the nursing profession. A total of 91 male nurses volunteered to participate in this cross-sectional research. Research results were based on data collected from questionnaires sent by mail to participants. A total of 76 valid questionnaires were returned and used in analysis (response rate = 83.5%). Findings pointed to patients, colleagues and society as the major sources of role stress for male nurses. These sources of stress, and the resultant intention to quit on the part of male nurses, are due in significant part to the widespread stereotyping of the profession of nursing as a "woman's occupation". Such stress pressures male nurses to consider quitting to take jobs in other professional fields. Role stress is correlated to intention to quit among male nurses. Role stress and years of service are highly relevant predictors of male nurse intention to quit and leave the nursing profession, explaining 33.8% of variability. We suggest that at various levels of education and society, promotion of male and female equality should be increased. There is also a need for psychological consultation as well as the promotion of male nurse role models to prevent male nurses turning away from nursing careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Quality of working life (QWL) is a highly important issue for nurses. Nurses with lower QWL tend to have lower job performance and intention to stay. The aim of this study was to apply a theoretical model to examine the structural relationships among overcommitment, effort-reward imbalance (ERI), safety climate, emotional labour and QWL for hospital nurses. Methods A cross-sectional study design and a simple random sampling method were used to recruit 295 nurses in a teaching hospital and used a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Results Overall, the nurses’ QWL was moderate. Our theoretical model showed a good model fit. Overcommintment had a significant direct positive effect on ERI (β = 0.35, p