bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Namib Mills Group: managing talent in a Namibian food production business
Authors: Swart-Opperman Christina , Barnardo Claire , Boyd Sarah
Published: November 2020

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: to understand why talent management is a vital component of a company’s broader strategy for long-term operational excellence; to understand the impact of generation, life stage and career stage on an employee’s professional needs, goals and expectations of their firm; to understand how organisational culture contributes, in this case, to ineffective people management practices; and to develop a talent management strategy: new policies, processes or practices that will address the identified issues and create a sustainable pipeline of talent.

Case overview/synopsis

This case finds the successful agro-processing firm Namib Mills in a state of internal tension in April 2019. As Namibia’s premier supplier of staple food products, Namib Mills is performing well in a struggling economy. Then yet, CEO Ian Collard is concerned that his senior management team is not exhibiting the kind of leadership and strategic management needed to take the company into the future. As Ian examines the issue further – with the aid of a report from an external consultant – he begins to see that the weaknesses of his senior managers, who are prone to micromanaging and poor communication, are part of a bigger issue of talent management in the firm. The junior employees, who are energetic and ready to innovate, are growing restless as they wait for career growth and promotion opportunities. The rising leaders in middle management are also struggling to break through. Ian must confront how organisational culture and generational diversity within this family-owned business have created talent management barriers and develop a strategy for sustainably developing employees into the leaders of the future.

Complexity academic level

This case is designed for a master’s level management program and is well-suited for courses that deal with organisational behaviour, people management or human resources management. Specifically, the case is aimed at students interested in talent management, generational diversity and organisational culture.

Subject code

CSS 6: Human Resource Management.
Managing cancer patients care during the COVID-19 outbreak: a literature investigate
Authors: Özyer Yasemın , Yanmış Safiye
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This review, which was created specifically for cancer care by reviewing the literature, was prepared to provide suggestions for determining the current difficulties in cancer care during COVID-19 outbreak and managing these difficulties. It is thought that this review can contribute to the identification of deficiencies related to the subject, to create interest in this issue in our country and in the world and to guide patients in the care during the COVID-19 pandemic process.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature search was carried out using the following electronic seven databases. Search terms used included: “COVID-19”, “management of cancer care” and “cancer care”. Articles meeting the following criteria were included in the current review: articles published in English, articles published in peer-reviewed journals and articles and guidelines published in 2020, articles suggesting management of cancer care during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Findings

The findings suggest that new guidelines need to be created to assess the level of problems in cancer treatment and in hospital, to respond appropriately with the best available resources during COVID-19 outbreak.

Originality/value

This paper seeks to provide suggestions for determining the current difficulties in cancer care during COVID-19 outbreak and managing these difficulties. By doing so, it is believed the suggestions presented will contribute significantly to the quality of cancer care during COVID-19 outbreak.
Empowering children to make and shape our digital futures – from adults creating technologies to children transforming cultures
Authors: Iivari Netta
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Digital technology education of children needs to be reconsidered. The purpose of this paper is to focus on empowering the young generation as regards digital technology. Digital technology education should reap the benefits of recent developments brought in by extensive, ongoing digitalization and prepare the young generation to manage and master in their technology rich future. The recent COVID 19 pandemic has made this particularly relevant and visible in the society. The young generation should adopt a proactive and critical stance toward digital technology and consider how design and technology can be used for making the world a better place.

Design/methodology/approach

This commentary reviews literature on the complex concept of empowerment and suggests a model on the aspects to be considered when aiming at empowering the young generation as regards digital technology in the context of digital technology education.

Findings

A model is proposed that comprehensively addresses empowerment of children as regards digital technology both at individual and collective levels and in mainstream sense as a relational and motivational construct as well as in critical sense in terms of collective empowerment, social responsibility and liberation of the oppressed.

Research limitations/implications

Radical renewal in the children's education is needed in the digital age. This model outlines aspects to be considered in such a transformation. The insights should be valuable for research communities addressing the topic of children's education in the digital age in general or the topic of children's digital technology education in particular.

Practical implications

The model should also be of help for practitioners, i.e. teachers and facilitators working in informal learning spaces for developing children's digital education in practice.

Social implications

The commentary addresses significant societal issues. It is actually not only children who should be empowered to engage in making and shaping our digital futures, but people in general. The model provides novel and valuable insights on what aspects to consider in such a significant endeavor.

Originality/value

The model proposed is novel and clearly needed in the research addressing this topic.
The transversal of nostalgia from psychology to marketing: what does it portend for future research?
Authors: Rana Sudhir , Raut Sachin Kumar , Prashar Sanjeev , Quttainah Majdi Anwar
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The use of nostalgia in the marketing domain has been popular around the world. Nostalgia has been considered a complex yet ambivalent emotion, which has ignited curiosity among marketing researchers and practitioners alike. In response to calls from marketing practitioners and scholars to understand nostalgia formation among consumers, this study tracks the evolution of nostalgia concepts in the domains of marketing and, more generally, business management. This study aims to highlight the development of a theoretical framework to integrate existing concepts and offer implications based on understanding nostalgia as a phenomenon among consumers as a tool for marketing practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is descriptive and inductive in nature. The manuscript is designed and positioned as a conceptual study exploring nostalgia’s journey from the domain of psychology to business management. The study synthesizes concepts of nostalgia from psychology, sociology and business management.

Findings

The study reveals that nostalgia in the business-management domain is not perceived in the same way as in psychology studies. It has journeyed through different schools of thought and is now used as an impactful marketing practice. The manuscript offers relevant information to marketing practitioners to improve their nostalgia marketing strategies, such as advertising and promotions, retro-branding, crowd-sourcing and culturally oriented practice. Subsequently, the manuscript offers pointers for understanding consumers across the generations and exploring nostalgia and consumption patterns for future research.

Research limitations/implications

The manuscript offers relevant information about nostalgia to marketing practitioners to improve their nostalgia marketing strategies and proposes avenues for future research to the domain scholars.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no comprehensive paper tracking the journey of nostalgia in business practices and providing directions for future research. This study extends existing literature both by suggesting future research directions and by drawing marketing practitioners’ attention to a conceptual framework for understanding the processes of and relationships with consumer nostalgia, including ways to use consumer nostalgia within marketing practices.
Optimal path planning for intelligent automated wheelchair using DDSRPSO
Authors: Thirugnanasambandam Kalaipriyan , R.S. Raghav , Loganathan Jayakumar , Dumka Ankur , V. Dhilipkumar
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to find the optimal path using directionally driven self-regulating particle swarm optimization (DDSRPSO) with high accuracy and minimal response time.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper encompasses optimal path planning for automated wheelchair design using swarm intelligence algorithm DDSRPSO. Swarm intelligence is incorporated in optimization due to the cooperative behavior in it.

Findings

The proposed work has been evaluated in three different regions and the comparison has been made with particle swarm optimization and self-regulating particle swarm optimization and proved that the optimal path with robustness is from the proposed algorithm.

Originality/value

The performance metrics used for evaluation includes computational time, success rate and distance traveled.
The essential needs for home-care robots in Japan
Authors: Tsujimura Mayuko , Ide Hiroo , Yu Wenwei , Kodate Naonori , Ishimaru Mina , Shimamura Atsuko , Suwa Sayuri
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aims to compare the level of needs for home-care robots amongst older adults, family caregivers and home-care staff and clarify the factors constituting these needs.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional, anonymous questionnaire survey was administered. It included 52 items related to needs for home-care robots rated on a four-point Likert scale. Means and standard deviations were calculated, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was performed for each item. Factor analysis was conducted on the needs of home-care staff.

Findings

Responses from 79 older adults, 54 family caregivers and 427 home-care staff were analysed. For all three groups, the level of agreement was high for the following needs: to inform family and support personnel immediately when older adults fall, about their location in case of natural disasters and about mismanagement of fire by older adults with dementia. For family caregivers and home-care staff, the level of need concerning monitoring was higher than for older adults. Extracted using factor analysis, the six factors representing the essential needs for home-care robots were risk minimisation, daily monitoring of the physical condition, supporting activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL, pre-empting problems, communication and miscellaneous support.

Originality/value

The results showed that the education of caregivers and the co-design process of robot development should involve home-care staff, older adults and family caregivers, which are important for making decisions about the use of home-care robots for older adults.
Personnel mobility in German non-profit organizations – an institutional perspective
Authors: Maletzky Martina , Grosskopf Sina
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Drawing on an institutional perspective, the purpose of this paper is to shed light on mobility patterns and assignment situations in 15 German non-profit organizations (NPOs) in the public diplomacy and international aid sectors. Its aim is to explore how differing field logics are related to international staffing practices in the different sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study approach was employed, based on 51 expert interviews and corresponding document analysis.

Findings

The findings display similarities between NPOs of the same sector but differences between the sectors with regard to numbers of “expensive” expatriates and the assignment situation; this is a result of the intersection of different institutional pressures in the respective fields.

Research limitations/implications

The article is based on a limited number of cases in the German context and does not allow for generalization. The results may be NPO specific; further research is necessary to compare the institutional embeddedness of staffing decisions in MNCs, other NPO sectors and country contexts.

Practical implications

Organizations in both fields find different answers to similar external pressures, which may encourage mutual learning.

Originality/value

This article highlights the neglected research topic of expatriation in non-corporate assignment settings and offers an alternative view on staffing decisions than the previously predominant rational one.
“Is it safe?” – Doing ethnography on safety cover ups
Authors: Vickers David Andrew
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the ethicality, morality and partiality of at-home ethnography (AHE) through an account of organisational wrongdoing at a chemical plant.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilises an AHE example from an 18-month period at a chemical plant. Following the account, the paper reflexively explores ethical, moral and partial issues.

Findings

A well-crafted and reflexive, insider account of organisational wrongdoing enables the demonstration of the issues of ethics, morals and partiality faced by an ethnographer in the field. Whilst this is not an autoethnographic account, it is able to draw upon some contemporary thinking from autoethnography to inform reflexivity.

Originality/value

The account provides unique insight into an organizational world, the inner workings of a chemical site, which is often inaccessible to others.
Is distributed leadership an effective approach for mobilising professional capital across professional learning networks? Exploring a case from England
Authors: Brown Chris , Flood Jane , Armstrong Paul , MacGregor Stephen , Chinas Christina
Published: November 2020

Purpose

There is currently a focus on using networks to drive school and school system improvement. To achieve such benefits, however, requires school leaders actively support the mobilisation of networked-driven innovations. One promising yet under-researched approach to mobilisation is enabling distributed leadership to flourish. To provide further insight in this area, this paper explores how the leaders involved in one professional learning network (the Hampshire Research Learning Network) employed a distributed approach to mobilise networked learning activity in order to build professional capital.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods approach was used to develop a case study of the Hampshire RLN . Fieldwork commenced with in-depth semi-structured interviews with all school leaders of schools participating in the network and other key participating teachers (12 interviews in total). A bespoke social network survey was then administered to schools (41 responses). The purpose of the survey was to explore types of RLN-related interaction undertaken by teachers and how teachers were using the innovations emerging from the RLN within their practice.

Findings

Data indicate that models of distributed leadership that actively involves staff in decisions about what innovations to adopt and how to adopt them are more successful in ensuring teachers across networks: (1) engage with innovations; (2) explore how new practices can be used to improve teaching and learning and (3) continue to use/refine practices in an ongoing way.

Originality/value

Correspondingly we argue these findings point to a promising approach to system improvement and add valuable insight to a relatively understudied area.
Culture and architecture in turmoil: reflections on home architecture in contemporary Iraq
Authors: Al-Thahab Ali Aumran Lattif
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to expose the direct and indirect impacts of changing culture and society principles on the built environment, architectural scene and practice. Studying culture-architecture forceful formula in present-day Iraq, as not previously discussed, reveals how cultural shift affects the public image of architectural form, uses and activity system, thus how latter issues highlight or predict society deterioration or collapse.

Design/methodology/approach

Comparing and analysing past and contemporary works, highlighting strange values emerged later, personal survey and observing house forms, in-depth interviews, photos and architectural drawings are a set of methodological tools used in approaching research main objective.

Findings

Findings include two mutual systematic approaches. The first is to define, acknowledge and understand previous criteria, while the second is to disclose responsible authorities and institutions and their role in addition to necessary procedures to correct or minimize the impact of various changes on the contemporary architectural situation.

Originality/value

Contemporary Iraqi society and culture have been dealt with as distorted and destructive, where various unacceptable values describe its current image compared to the noble form of the inherited. As a true expression and a visible manifestation of culture with which it interacts, degraded architecture and urbanism in contemporary Iraq provide an accurate picture of the current state of society, its values, principles and beliefs.
Role of chelating compounds towards thermal resistance property of industrial grade goethite
Authors: Sinhababu Mohua , Kumar Narendra , Dutta Monojit , G. Udayabhanu
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The iron oxide-based goethite (FeOOH) is proven to be an alternative replacement for carcinogenic chrome-based pigments. Because of its low heat stability, it tends to lose water of hydration and turns red as temperature ascends beyond 240ºC. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to increase the heat stability temperature of industrial grade (IG) goethite pigment. For this, the IG goethite pigment was surface treated with sequestrant. The properties of untreated and treated IG goethite were compared.

Design/methodology/approach

Three different compounds (sodium hexametaphosphate, calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetra-acetate salt, sodium gluconate) were used into the IG goethite at different concentration level. The experiments were conducted by varying the temperature and exposure time of treated and untreated samples. The total colour difference value (DE) was compared for the treated and untreated samples.

Findings

The surface treatment of IG goethite showed significant enhancement in heat stability property. From X-ray diffraction results it was confirmed that with surface treatment, there was no phase change of IG goethite even at 300ºC. Fourier transform infrared analysis states that with surface treatment when there is gradual increase in temperature from 260ºC the % transmittance of the OH (hydroxyl) deformation region band is delayed due to sequestering effect. Also, based on the total colour DE, the colour tone of surface treated IG goethite was not perceptible by human eyes even at 280ºC.

Research limitations/implications

By increasing the heat stability of IG goethite, it will have increased spectrum of end usage in the high temperature coating segment. Coil coating is one of the biggest potential markets for this pigment. The increased heat stability will provide manufacturers with the option of an economical and non-toxic pigment in coil coatings and also in other sectors such as plastics, powder coatings and high temperature coatings.

Practical implications

The outcome of this study has been commercially implemented to produce heat stable goethite pigments in an industrial plant. The surface treated IG goethite pigments can be used in high-performance coil, powder and high temperature coatings.

Originality/value

The method for enhanced heat stability property of IG goethite by surface treatment with sequestrants is novel and could find numerous applications in high-performance coatings.
Surface finishing of additively manufactured stainless steel surgical instruments
Authors: Soja Alasdair , Li Jun , Tredinnick Seamus , Woodfield Tim
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Additive manufacturing (AM) has the potential to revolutionise the fabrication of complex surgical instruments. However, AM parts typically have a higher surface roughness compared to machined or fine cast parts. High surface roughness has important implications for surgical instruments, particularly in terms of cleanliness and aesthetic considerations. In this study, bulk surface finishing methods are described to produce end-use selective laser melting parts.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim was to achieve a surface finish as close as possible to machined parts (Ra = 0.9 µm, Wa = 0.2 µm, Pv = 7.3 µm). A sample coupon was designed to systematically evaluate different finishing techniques. Processes included bulk finishing, blasting and centrifugal finishing methods on individual parts, as well as heat treatment before and after surface finishing.

Findings

Abrasive blasting or centrifugal finishing alone was not adequate to achieve an end-use surface finish. White oxide vapour blasting at high water pressure was the most effective of the abrasive blasting processes. For centrifugal finishing, a 4 h runtime resulted in an acceptable reduction in surface roughness (Ra = 2.9 µm, Wa = 2.0 µm, Pv = 34.6 µm: inclined surface [30°]) while not significantly increasing part radii. The combination of finishing methods resulting in the smoothest surfaces was white oxide blasting followed by 4 h of centrifugal finishing and a final glass bead blast (Ra = 0.6 µm, Wa = 0.9 µm, Pv = 6.9 µm: inclined surface [30°]). The order of these methods was important because white oxide blasting was significantly less effective when applied after the centrifugal finishing.

Originality/value

Collectively, these results describe the development of a practical bulk finishing method for stainless steel surgical instruments produced by AM.
The four-phase team adaptation process: a first empirical investigation
Authors: Georganta Eleni , Kugler Katharina G. , Reif Julia A.M. , Brodbeck Felix C.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Several theoretical models have been developed to describe the process of successful team adaptation. Testing the models through empirical research is lacking. This study aims to empirically examine the way teams adapt to unexpected or novel circumstances and investigate the four-phase team adaptation process (i.e. situation assessment → plan formulation → plan execution → team learning), as proposed by Rosenet al.(2011).

Design/methodology/approach

To test the positive relationship between the four team adaptation phases and their suggested sequence, a cross-sectional field study was conducted. Data were collected from 23 teams participating during an 8-week team project.

Findings

Results from random intercept models confirmed that the team adaptation process consisted of four phases that were positively related to each other. As expected, plan formulation mediated the positive relationship between situation assessment and plan execution. However, team learning was independently related to all three previous phases, and not only to situation assessment as theory suggests.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study is one of the first attempts to test the theoretical model of the team adaptation process presented by Rosenet al.(2011). Findings illustrated that the team adaptation process is not a simple four-phase sequence, but it constitutes four dynamic phases that are strongly interrelated to each other.
Cycling in degradation of organic polymers and uptake of nutrients by a litter‐degrading fungus
Authors: Vos Aurin M. , Bleichrodt Robert‐Jan , Herman Koen C. , Ohm Robin A. , Scholtmeijer Karin , Schmitt Heike , Lugones Luis G. , Wösten Han A. B.
Published: November 2020

Wood and litter degrading fungi are the main decomposers of lignocellulose and thus play a key role in carbon cycling in nature. Here, we provide evidence for a novel lignocellulose degradation strategy employed by the litter degrading fungus Agaricus bisporus (known as the white button mushroom). Fusion of hyphae allows this fungus to synchronize the activity of its mycelium over large distances (50 cm). The synchronized activity has a 13‐h interval that increases to 20 h before becoming irregular and it is associated with a 3.5‐fold increase in respiration, while compost temperature increases up to 2°C. Transcriptomic analysis of this burst‐like phenomenon supports a cyclic degradation of lignin, deconstruction of (hemi‐) cellulose and microbial cell wall polymers, and uptake of degradation products during vegetative growth of A. bisporus. Cycling in expression of the ligninolytic system, of enzymes involved in saccharification, and of proteins involved in nutrient uptake is proposed to provide an efficient way for degradation of substrates such as litter.
Trace level detection of select opioids (fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and tramadol) in suspect pharmaceutical tablets using surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with handheld devices
Authors: Kimani Martin M. , Lanzarotta Adam , Batson JaCinta S.
Published: November 2020

The opioid crisis in the USA has resulted in over 702,000 overdose fatalities between 1999 and 2017 and can be attributed to over‐prescription of opioids and abuse of synthetic opioids in combination with other illicit drugs. A rapid and sensitive SERS method has been developed for trace detection of opioids including fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and tramadol in low‐dosage suspect tablets using two different handheld Raman spectrometers equipped with 785 and 1064 nm lasers. The method involves a micro‐extraction procedure using 10% methanol in deionized water, followed by filtration and addition of colloidal silver and aqueous KBr, resulting in a mixture that can be measured directly via a glass vial. The lowest concentration (Cmin) of fentanyl, tramadol, oxycodone, and hydrocodone standards that yielded a positive match was 250 ng/ml, 5, 10, and 10 μg/ml using the 1064 nm laser device and 100 ng/ml, 1 μg/ml, 500 ng/ml, and 750 ng/ml using the 785 nm laser device, respectively. For the analysis of suspect tablets containing these opioids, the Cmin ranges between 5 and 75 µg/ml for 1064 nm laser device and 1 and 50 µg/ml for 785 nm laser device. The overall positive identification rate for all the opioids studied in the suspect counterfeit tablets analyzed ranged from 80% to 100%. The use of SERS for rapid chemical identification at remote sampling sites, such as international mail facilities (IMFs) and express courier hubs (ECHs), provides a rugged, simple, and practical method applicable for point‐of‐entry sampling and analysis.
Use of dental CBCT software for evaluation of medical CT‐acquired images in a multiple fatality incident: Proof of principles
Authors: Wood Robert E. , Gardner Taylor
Published: November 2020

Comparison of post‐mortem dental findings to ante mortem dental records is a well‐established, frequently used scientific means of human identification. Dentistry has adapted a form of CT scanning that uses a cone‐shaped beam and is thus termed cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT is presently being used in many aspects of dentistry including osseointegrated implant planning, orthodontics, endodontics, investigation of pathology, and assessment prior to complex dental extractions. The identification of seven individuals from multiple fatality incident was undertaken using a simple technique for completing comparative radiographic dental identifications using post‐mortem medical computed tomographic (CT) image‐acquisition techniques and commercially available dental software normally used in clinical care. The authors will show the means by which the harvesting of anatomically important data from medical CTs and conversion of these files was undertaken to provide crisp, clear post‐mortem dental images for forensic comparison to assist in the identification of two adults and provide age stratification of three juveniles. The use of this technique has shown to be beneficial for expediting efficient identification of deceased individuals, helping to isolate which cases may need additional scientific methods of identification, saving time and money to the organization and eliminating biological/body substance or radiation exposure to the operator. The application of this software for use in forensic dental identification cases is presented, and the methodology to create post‐mortem images suitable for comparison is detailed.
A comparison of computed tomography, X‐ray and Lodox® scans in assessing pediatric skull fractures using piglets
Authors: Spies Amy Joy , Steyn Maryna , Brits Desiré
Published: November 2020

Skull fractures are common in children both due to abuse and accidental incidences. The accurate detection of these fractures may therefore be critical. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of CT, X‐ray, and Lodox® scans, the latter which has not previously been evaluated and is commonly employed in South Africa, in detecting the number, location and type of pediatric skull fractures. Blunt force trauma was inflicted with a mallet on ten piglet skulls, which were CT, X‐ray, and Lodox® scanned and then macerated. The number, location, and type of skull fractures visible using each imaging modality, and on the cleaned skulls, were recorded. Sensitivities and specificities of each method were calculated. For fracture number and location, CTs had a sensitivity of 47.3%, X‐rays 22.4% and Lodox® 23.3%. For fracture type, sensitivities were 46.1%, 16.6%, and 17.8% for CT, X‐ray, and Lodox®, respectively. Specificities were high (92.5%–100%) which reduces the risk of incorrectly diagnosing fractures. However, low sensitivities increase the risk of failing to identify fractures and possible victims of abuse. Osteological analysis should preferably be the method of choice when evaluating pediatric skull trauma, and CTs should be used when osteological analysis is not feasible. If CT scanners are not available, X‐rays and Lodox® may have to be used. In these cases, additional radiographic views of the skull are imperative and may increase the sensitivity of these methods, although they are not recommended to detect exact pediatric skull fracture number, location, and type.
Combining spawn egg counts, individual photo‐ID and genetic fingerprinting to estimate the population size and sex ratio of an endangered amphibian
Authors: REYNE Marina , HELYAR Sarah , AUBRY Aurélie , EMMERSON Mark , MARNELL Ferdia , REID Neil
Published: November 2020

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, 41% of the world's amphibian species are threatened with extinction, making them more threatened than any other vertebrate group nowadays. Given the global amphibian crisis, comprehensive understanding of demographics and population trends of declining and threatened species is essential for effective management and conservation strategies. Counting egg spawns is widely used to assess population abundance in pond breeding anurans. However, it is unknown how such counts translate into robust population size estimations. We monitored the breeding activity of the Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita), combining egg string counts and individual photo‐identification with Capture‐Mark‐Recapture population size and operational sex ratio estimation. Male Natterjack toads were identified by the pattern of natural markings with repeated ID of the same individual confirmed for 10% of the samples using genetic fingerprinting. We identified 647 unique individuals within a closed study population at Caherdaniel, Co Kerry. Population estimates derived from egg string counts estimated a breeding population of 368 females (95% CI 353–384) and Capture‐Mark‐Recapture estimated a breeding population of 1698 males (95% CI 1000–2397). The female:male sex ratio was conservatively estimated at 1:5 (95% CI 1:3–1:6) where 62% ± 6% of females were assumed to spawn. These substantially departed from any priori assumption of 1:1 which could have underestimated the breeding population by up to 72%. Where amphibian absolute population size estimation is necessary, methods should include empirical survey data on operational sex ratios and not rely on assumptions or those derived from the literature which may be highly population and/or context‐dependent.
Age at menarche, ideal cardiovascular health metrics, and risk of diabetes in adulthood: Findings from the REACTION study
Authors: Hu Chunyan , Zhang Yi , Zhang Jie , Huo Yanan , Wan Qin , Li Mian , Qi Hongyan , Du Rui , Zhu Yuanyue , Qin Yingfen , Hu Ruying , Shi Lixin , Su Qing , Yu Xuefeng , Yan Li , Qin Guijun , Tang Xulei , Chen Gang , Xu Min , Wang Tiange , Zhao Zhiyun , Chen Yuhong , Gao Zhengnan , Wang Guixia , Shen Feixia , Luo Zuojie , Chen Li , Li Qiang , Ye Zhen , Zhang Yinfei , Liu Chao , Wang Youmin , Wu Shengli , Yang Tao , Deng Huacong , Chen Lulu , Zhao Jiajun , Mu Yiming , Wang Weiqing , Xu Yu , Bi Yufang , Lu Jieli , Ning Guang ,   for the REACTION Study Group
Published: November 2020

Background

Age at menarche was reported to be associated with the risk of diabetes. However, the impact of ideal cardiovascular health metrics (ICVHMs) on the association between age at menarche and adulthood diabetes risk was unclear.

Methods

We included 121 431 women from the nationwide, population‐based cohort of the REACTION study (Risk Evaluation of Cancers in Chinese Diabetic Individuals: a Longitudinal Study). The diagnosis of diabetes was based on the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measurement. Logistic regression and multiplicative interaction analysis were conducted to investigate the potential interaction effect between age at menarche and ICVHMs on the development of diabetes.

Results

The multivariable‐adjusted odds ratios of diabetes across categories of age at menarche (<14, 14‐17, and > 17 years) were 1.22 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17, 1.28), 1.00 (reference), and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.85, 0.93), respectively. In subgroup analysis, significant interactions were detected between total cholesterol/blood pressure levels and age at menarche regarding the risk of diabetes (P for interaction = .0091 and .0019, respectively). The increased risk associated with age at menarche <14 years was observed in participants with three or fewer ICVHMs, but not in women with four or more ICVHMs (P for interaction = .0001).

Conclusions

Age at menarche was inversely associated with the risk of diabetes in adulthood in Chinese women, and it appeared to be modified by the presence of ICVHMs. Further studies are needed to clarify the precise interrelationship and the generalizability of our results.
Factors influencing medical practitioner participation in population carrier screening for cystic fibrosis
Authors: Valente Giulia M. , Amor David J. , Ioannou Liane J. , Archibald Alison D.
Published: November 2020

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) carrier screening should be offered to people planning a pregnancy or in early pregnancy, according to current recommendations. However, research indicates rates of offering CF carrier screening are low. Health professionals (HPs) play an important role in offering population carrier screening.

Aims

To determine the opinions, knowledge and practice patterns of HPs with regard to the routine offering of population carrier screening for CF.

Materials and Methods

Five key informant interviews informed the development of an online questionnaire which was distributed to a select group of HPs involved in prenatal care in Victoria, Australia.

Results

Of the participants who completed the questionnaire (n = 87), 35.6% reported offering CF carrier screening to all patients attending for preconception or early pregnancy consultations. High referrers of CF carrier screening were more likely to be female, work in the private sector, in metropolitan areas and specialise as an obstetrician. High referrers demonstrated a greater level of knowledge of CF and carrier screening than low referrers (t = −3.779, P < 0.001). Low referrers perceived more barriers to offering carrier screening than high referrers (t = 2.125, P = 0.037). Low referrers were more likely to perceive lack of community awareness and HP knowledge as a barrier to offering CF carrier screening, compared to high referrers, who were more likely to perceive time constraints as a barrier.

Conclusions

To promote routine offering of population CF carrier screening, resources are needed to improve knowledge and provide clinical support thereby reducing perceived barriers.
Mortality data 2004–2019: an audit of the Royal Adelaide Hospital Adult Burn Service
Authors: Stefani Kristian , Wagstaff Marcus J. D. , Damkat Ivo , Greenwood John E.
Published: November 2020

Background

Burns are complex, multifaceted injuries that can pose significant challenges to the treating team. The Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) Burns Service has undergone a major evolution over the past two decades, with perceived improvement in outcomes. We present here a longitudinal audit of the RAH Burns Service Mortality Data between 2004 and 2019.

Methods

An audit was conducted of all index admissions to the RAH Burns Unit from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2019. Age at admission, total body surface area, burn depth, presence of inhalation injury and outcome were recorded. Baux and revised Baux Scores were calculated. Lethal Area 50% for different time points and age groups, Baux50/100 and Revised Baux50/100 values were then calculated using logistical regression.

Results

During 2004–2019, there were 5653 index admissions to the RAH Burns Unit. The mean total body surface area of burn injuries admitted was 5.1% and the survival rate was 99.17%. The Lethal Area 50% for the study period was 74%, with an improvement from 70% (2004–2011) to 80% (2012–2019). The Baux50 score for the time period was 120 and the Revised Baux50 was 129.

Conclusion

The RAH results are comparable with other high‐income country Burn Services and demonstrated significant improvement across the study period. The data also highlight areas for ongoing focus such as the elderly burns patient.
Individual attitudes towards migration: A re‐examination of the evidence
Authors: Müller Tobias , Tai Silvio Hong Tiing
Published: November 2020

In the literature about the determinants of attitudes towards immigration, some authors emphasize the role of economic factors, while others argue that attitudes are mostly determined by non‐economic factors. This paper evaluates the relative importance of the two. We estimate a structural model of individual attitudes towards immigration, accounting for unobserved individual factors, and use this model to carry out a decomposition analysis of attitudes in 20 European countries. We find that economic mechanisms are significant determinants of attitudes, but that other (non‐economic) factors play a more decisive role in the relation between individual education levels and attitudes to immigration.

Résumé.

Attitudes individuelles face à l’immigration : réexamen de l’évidence empirique. Dans la littérature portant sur les facteurs qui déterminent les attitudes face à l’immigration, certains auteurs soulignent le rôle des facteurs économiques tandis que d’autres affirment que ces attitudes sont principalement déterminées par d’autres facteurs. Cet article évalue l’importance relative de ces deux approches. Nous estimons un modèle structurel qui explique les attitudes individuelles face à l’immigration, et qui tient compte des facteurs individuels non observés. Nous utilisons ce modèle pour procéder à une analyse par décomposition de ces attitudes dans 20 pays européens. Nous trouvons que les mécanismes économiques influencent de manière significative les attitudes. Cependant, les facteurs non économiques jouent un rôle plus important dans la relation entre le niveau d’éducation des individus et leurs attitudes face à l’immigration.
The Children’s Health and Maintenance Program (CHAMP): An innovative community outreach oral health promotion program: A randomized trial
Authors: Seirawan Hazem , Parungao Kristine , Habibian Mina , Slusky Natalia , Edwards Christine , Artavia Margarita , Cen Steven , Chan Chan , Mulligan Roseann
Published: November 2020

Objective

To describe CHAMP (Children's Oral Health Promotion Program) evaluating the impact of two motivational methods in increasing dental care access.

Methods

CHAMP is a multi‐dimensional oral health promotion programme that recruited and screened underprivileged children/families from community sites in Los Angeles County between 2012 and 2018. A randomized clinical trial (RCT) enrolled children/families into one or more motivational interventions (intra‐oral camera and/or social work consultation) designed to impact subsequent scheduling of dental appointments.

Results

CHAMP served 24 535 families. RCT had 418 families with 68.5% scheduling appointments by second follow‐up (P < .001). Excluding children with scheduled appointments by first follow‐up, children experiencing both interventions were 4.1 (95% CI 1.5‐11.2) times more likely to schedule appointments by second follow‐up than were the controls (P=<.01). When experiencing both interventions and had never previously been to the dentist, 68.3% scheduled dental appointments; this was significantly higher than the controls (46.7%) (P = .04). The best predictor for families to have scheduled appointments was a dental visit within the last six months [OR = 3.8 (95% CI 2.2‐6.6), P < .001].

Conclusions

Outreach health promotion programmes are important and should consider utilizing various motivational techniques to encourage enrolment and treatment at dental homes.
A blueprint for securing Brazil's marine biodiversity and supporting the achievement of global conservation goals
Authors: Magris Rafael A. , Costa Micheli D. P. , Ferreira Carlos E. L. , Vilar Ciro C. , Joyeux Jean‐Christophe , Creed Joel C. , Copertino Margareth S. , Horta Paulo A. , Sumida Paulo Y. G. , Francini‐Filho Ronaldo B. , Floeter Sergio R.
Published: November 2020

Aim

As a step towards providing support for an ecological approach to strengthening marine protected areas (MPAs) and meeting international commitments, this study combines cumulative impact assessment and conservation planning approach to undertake a large‐scale spatial prioritization.

Location

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Brazil, Southwest Atlantic Ocean.

Methods

We developed a prioritization approach to protecting different habitat types, threatened species ranges and ecological connectivity, while also mitigating the impacts of multiple threats on biodiversity. When identifying priorities for conservation, we accounted for the co‐occurrence of 24 human threats and the distribution of 161 marine habitats and 143 threatened species, as well as their associated vulnerabilities. Additionally, we compared our conservation priorities with MPAs proposed by local stakeholders.

Results

We show that impacts to habitats and species are widespread and identify hot spots of cumulative impacts on inshore and offshore areas. Industrial fisheries, climate change and land‐based activities were the most severe threats to biodiversity. The highest priorities were mostly found towards the coast due to the high cumulative impacts found in nearshore areas. As expected, our systematic approach showed a better performance on selecting priority sites when compared to the MPAs proposed by local stakeholders without a typical conservation planning exercise, increasing the existing coverage of MPAs by only 7.9%. However, we found that proposed MPAs still provide some opportunities to protect areas facing high levels of threats.

Main conclusions

The study presents a blueprint of how to embrace a comprehensive ecological approach when identifying strategic priorities for conservation. We advocate protecting these crucial areas from degradation in emerging conservation efforts is key to maintain their biodiversity value.
Mental wellbeing of equine veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and veterinary students during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Mair T. S. , Mountford D. R. , Radley R. , Lockett E. , Parkin T. D.
Published: November 2020

The rapid global spread of COVID‐19 necessitated changes to national behavioural patterns and working practices, including self‐isolating, maintenance of social distancing and lockdowns. These steps are likely to have had consequences for mental health and wellbeing.

Objectives

To assess the mental wellbeing of equine veterinary surgeons, equine veterinary nurses and veterinary students during the COVID‐19 pandemic and the associated lockdown in the UK in June 2020.

Study design

Electronic survey.

Methods

The survey was run between 6 June 2020 and 14 June 2020, and consisted of 22 closed and open questions, including the 14‐item scale Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). The questionnaire was distributed through email via the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) membership database.

Results

A total of 451 responses were received. The mean scores for the WEMWBS for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and veterinary students were 47.17, 39.53 and 44.29 respectively. These compare to 48.08 and 46.38 for equine veterinary surgeons and nurses respectively in the 2019 RCVS survey of the profession. The WEMWBS results indicated lower levels of mental wellbeing in equine veterinary nurses/student veterinary nurses and veterinary students, compared to equine veterinary surgeons, as well as in furloughed equine veterinary surgeons compared to working equine veterinary surgeons.

Main limitations

Risk of self‐selection bias and reporting bias. Low numbers of veterinary nurse respondents.

Conclusions

There were lower levels of mental wellbeing among equine veterinary surgeons and equine veterinary nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to the situation prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Equine veterinary nurses appeared to be more likely to report lower mental wellbeing than veterinary surgeons, and furloughed veterinary surgeons reported lower levels of mental wellbeing than veterinary surgeons that continued working during the lockdown.