bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of the pressure relief door area and aspect ratio on discharge and force characteristics
Authors: Feng Shiyu , Wang Chenchen , Peng Xiaotian , Yan Yan , Deng Yang , Chen Jun
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of the PRD geometric parameters, including the area and aspect ratio, on the discharge and force characteristics of pressure relief process under various plenum compartment pressures and Mach numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

Under various plenum compartment pressures and Mach numbers, the effect of the area and aspect ratio on the discharge and force characteristics of the PRD are numerically investigated via a three-dimensional steady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations solver based on structured grid technology.

Findings

When the aspect ratio remains constant, the discharge coefficient CD, thrust coefficient CT and moment coefficient CM are not affected by the PRD. When the area is constant, the aspect ratio dramatically impacts the discharge and force characteristics because the aspect ratio increases, the discharge coefficient CD of the PRD decreases, and the thrust coefficient CT and the moment coefficient CM both increase. When the aspect ratio is 2, the discharge coefficient CD decreases by 14.7 per cent, the thrust coefficient CT increases by 10-15 per cent, and the moment coefficient CM increases by 10-23 per cent compared with when the aspect ratio is 1.

Practical implications

This study provides detailed data and conclusions for nacelle PRD researchers and actual engineering applications.

Originality/value

On the basis of considering the influence of operating conditions on the discharge and force characteristics of the nacelle PRD, the impact of geometric parameters, including the area and aspect ratio on the discharge and force characteristics is comprehensively considered.
The mediating effect of teamwork on the relationship between strategic orientation and performance of Nigerian banks
Authors: Otache Innocent
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically explore the mediating effect of teamwork on the relationship between strategic orientation and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a descriptive research design. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from 253 bank managers representing 20 commercial banks in Nigeria. The author used SmartPLS-SEM to analyze the data collected.

Findings

The results of the structural models showed a significantly positive relationship between strategic orientation and organizational performance on the one hand and between strategic orientation and teamwork on the other. It was also found that teamwork had a significantly positive link with organizational performance. Further analysis revealed that teamwork fully mediated the relationship between strategic orientation and organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on the Nigerian banking sector. Thus, it limits the generalizability of its findings to other sectors not covered. Future researchers could extend the study to other sectors to corroborate the findings presented.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide some practical implications for business organizations and managers. Business organizations must be strategically positioned so that they can compete in today’s highly dynamic and competitive business environment and achieve superior performance. Likewise, business managers should make sure that all employees and sections in their organizations work cooperatively as a team by creating a collaborative climate where team spirit and teamwork thrive.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to provide empirical evidence of the mediating effect of teamwork on the relationship between strategic orientation and organizational performance. In that regard, it makes a valuable contribution to the field of strategic management and enhances the applicability and the generalizability of contingency and resource-based view theories across different environmental settings.
Current practices, new insights, and emerging trends of financial technologies
Authors: Hua Xiuping , Huang Yiping , Zheng Yanfeng
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Financial technologies, also known as “FinTech,” have brought disruptive changes to virtually every aspect of financial services and are becoming increasingly important in the world economic system. The purpose of this paper is to proffer a bird view of some recent studies in the key research areas of FinTech, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, crowdfunding and then to summarize the key contributions made by all the six papers in this special issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review approach is adopted, and the summary shows that most types of FinTech innovations generate positive value to innovators, financial customers and the society. The current implications and future directions are explored based on theoretical and empirical analyses.

Findings

The benefits from and determinants of FinTech applications vary across different financial sectors. Together the summary of this special issue suggests that there is substantial value creation in further exploring the dynamics, mechanisms and social consequences of FinTech.

Originality/value

This study helps to extend knowledge by summarizing the current practices, proffering new insights and watching out emerging trends of financial technologies, and to shed light on a variety of subjects of interest to practitioners, academics and policy makers by suggesting for the future research topics.
Investigative challenges relating to gang-related homicide: senior investigating officers’ perspectives
Authors: Mozova Katarina
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with senior investigating officer (SIO) perspectives of their understanding of gang-related homicide and associated investigative challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

A phenomenological design was utilised in this study. In sum, 15 SIOs from the Metropolitan Police Service were interviewed using a semi-structured interview and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

It was found that the original typology of “gang homicide” might be too narrow and focus should be paid to “gang-related homicide”, characterised via motive behind the offence. This type of homicide exhibited specific characteristics (e.g. violent nature, large potential scene and pool of suspects) and investigative challenges which made it different from other types of homicide (e.g. complexity, need for more resources, managing unwilling witnesses, managing media interest, specific evidence challenges, need for thorough risk assessments). The need for expertise in the deployment of officers was highlighted and related to the desire for more continuing professional development (CPD).

Practical implications

Gang-related homicide is especially challenging, but due to its volume, SIOs in London developed a sort of “muscle memory” – something that other police services do not have, even though the “gang problem” is spreading outside of metropolitan areas. Support for changes (e.g. in the utility of community impact assessment) and non-standard procedures (e.g. consideration of covert operations early on) should be discussed in further training and manual development. More attention needs to be paid to the synthesis of experience, expertise and science, SIOs being especially interested in debriefs and CPD opportunities. Multi-agency training is key for homicide investigators, relating to the complex nature of gang-related homicide and relevant safeguarding issues. Resourcing is a clear issue relating to the increase in gang-related homicide, as well as its investigation.

Originality/value

This is the first research into investigative challenges of gang-related homicide in England and Wales, and the findings can be utilised by all police services who may be dealing with gangs in their area. The findings can also support calls for change and development within services.
Modelling strategic orientation dimensions and performance of small and medium enterprises
Authors: Yadav Seemant Kumar , Tripathi Vikas , Goel Geetika
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and rank different dimensions of strategic orientation and firm’s performance using the approach of interpretive structural modeling.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses interpretative structural modeling and the MICMAC technique to establish a hierarchical relationship among different dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation and manufacturing performance of Indian SMEs.

Findings

The final outcome of interpretative structural modeling and the MICMAC analysis revealed a relationship between the variables under study along with the categorization of all in two different categories, depending upon their driving power and dependency, which decision-makers can also use while devising their strategy to improve performance.

Originality/value

To date, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no significant contribution about such interrelationship was reported; therefore, this study is one of its types to fill this gap.
Employee ownership in companies in Cameroon
Authors: Alim Ousmanou
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of employee ownership (EO) on the creation of shareholders’ wealth in companies in Cameroon.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach adopted is hypothetical-deductive. The sample includes 89 companies, of which 31 practiced EO policy for at least ten years. Information used come from secondary data collected over the period 2008–2013 at the National Statistical Institute of Cameroon. These data were analyzed through a time series cross-sectional regression, corrected for any latent heteroskedasticity and serial auto-correlation.

Findings

The paper finds that the average level for participation of employee in the capital is 7.4 percent and the average wealth creation of shareholders is 26 percent of invested equity. However, this average rate of creation of shareholders’ wealth is higher in companies with EO (45 percent) than in conventional firms (16 percent). For the results of model estimates, the percentage of capital held by employees affect positively and significantly at 1 percent the return on equity. This study concludes that EO is a lever for creation of shareholders’ wealth in companies in Cameroon.

Practical implications

Findings of this research can serve as framework for reflection by politicians, managers and business leaders as they will have a strategic management tool capable of improving the social climate in companies and also promoting shareholders’ wealth creation. It is a formula that would allow them combining economic and social realities of organizations.

Originality/value

No similar review has been done before in Africa in general and Cameroon in particular. Study was carried out in a context where financial market is not developed.
The impact of teacher well-being and mental health on pupil progress in primary schools
Authors: Glazzard Jonathan , Rose Anthea
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The study was based around the following three research questions: What factors affect teacher well-being and mental health? How does teacher well-being and mental health impact on the progress of students? What resilience strategies are used by highly effective teachers with poor mental health to ensure that their students thrive? The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The research study was qualitative in nature and involved ten primary schools in England. Teachers and head teachers were interviewed. Each school visit also included a pupil discussion group with children from Years 3. In total, the research team interviewed 35 education professionals and 64 pupils.

Findings

Teachers reported a number of work-related stress triggers including busy times of the year, such as assessment periods, the pressure of extra curricula activities, the unexpected, keeping up with the pace of change and changes in school leadership. Children were attuned to their teacher’s mood and could usually pick up when they were feeling stressed, even if teachers tried to hide it.

Originality/value

No studies have used pupil voice to explore pupil perspectives of the impact of teacher mental health on their learning and progress. This is the first study of its kind.
COBIT 5 compliance: best practices cognitive computing risk assessment and control checklist
Authors: van Wyk Jana , Rudman Riaan
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to develop a comprehensive best practices checklist that can be used by governing bodies to identify and evaluate an enterprise’s risk exposure around cognitive systems (CSs) and formulate mitigating internal controls that can address these risks.

Design/methodology/approach

COBIT 5 was scrutinised to identify the processes which are necessary for the effective governance of CSs. The applicable processes were used to identify significant risks relating to cognitive computing (CC), as well as to develop a best practices control checklist.

Findings

The research output developed was a best practices checklist and executive summary that would assist enterprises in evaluating their CC risk exposure and assess the adequacy of existing controls. The first checklist highlights the incremental risk exposure which needs to be addressed. To evaluate the effectiveness of the cognitive computing control structure, a best practices checklist was developed that can be used by internal auditors and risk and audit committees. An executive summary was developed to highlight the key focus areas that governing bodies need to consider.

Practical implications

The checklist provides a tool to assess the enterprises’ risk exposure, evaluate the existing CC control mechanisms and identify areas that require management attention.

Originality/value

The checklists and executive summary developed provides enterprises with a comprehensive checklist that can be used, while at the same time allowing them to discharge their responsibility in terms of King IV.
The role of flow for mobile advergaming effectiveness
Authors: Catalán Sara , Martínez Eva , Wallace Elaine
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Based on flow theory, the purpose of this paper is to explain why the use of mobile advergames can enhance players’ brand perceptions and purchase intentions, as well as the factors that affect players’ flow experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 212 participants who played a mobile advergame was analysed. Structural equation modelling with PLS was used to test the research model.

Findings

The results reveal that challenge, interactivity, focused attention and telepresence significantly influence the flow experience while playing mobile advergames. Results also show that the greater the flow, the more positive the attitude towards the featured brand and the greater the purchase intention.

Practical implications

The findings of this study are important for advertising practitioners and advergames developers as understanding the key game features that promote flow is crucial to designing engaging mobile advergames that persuade players most.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature in two ways. First, it provides new insights into the effectiveness of mobile advergames, which is an under-researched area. Second, it offers a conceptual framework based on flow theory for understanding why the use of mobile advergames can enhance players’ brand perceptions and purchase intentions.
Contingent worker monetary influence, work attitudes and behavior
Authors: Johnson Daniel , Lake Christopher J.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between pay satisfaction, global job satisfaction, loyalty and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) – as they all pertain to contingent workers. The proposed model suggests, due to the nature of contingent work, pay satisfaction will influence the above variables. Additionally, this study aims to explore the relationship between pay satisfaction and OCB directed toward an individual employee.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a cross-sectional research design, administering a web-based survey to the participants (n=117) for data collection. Hierarchical regression, correlation and relative importance analyses were used for hypothesis testing.

Findings

The results suggest pay satisfaction of contingent workers is positively related to global job satisfaction, loyalty to a hiring agency, loyalty to a client company and OCB directed toward a client organization.

Originality/value

The primary contribution of the current study was the assessment of extrinsic rewards and their relationship to job satisfaction, loyalty and OCBs among contingent workers. This appears to be the first study to assess the relationship between pay satisfaction and loyalty, along with OCBs of contingent workers. The findings establish the importance of pay when loyalty to both staffing agency and client company is considered.
Psychological contracts of international business travellers
Authors: Atkinson Carol , Pareit Els
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of psychological contracts of international business travellers (IBTs), a new form of expatriate that has arisen from the growing need for alternative forms of internationally mobile talent. The research is conducted in Belgium, a country recognised as a global hub in which international assignments are essential to economic success.

Design/methodology/approach

Research in respect of IBTs is limited and semi-structured interviews are used to explore Belgian employee perspectives.

Findings

The contract is more relational in nature than might be expected with an idiosyncratic mix of relational and transactional obligations.

Research limitations/implications

The research is small-scale and qualitative and not widely generalisable. Further it presents only employee perspectives. Nevertheless it generates rich insights into a phenomena about which little is known.

Practical implications

The findings develop understanding of how to manage the valuable strategic resource that is the IBT.

Originality/value

First, the research is of value to the International Human Resource Management field in developing understanding of a newly emerging form of international employee, the IBT. Second, it contributes to psychological contract research in both developing understanding the transactional/relational balance and in generating much-needed rich and nuanced qualitative data.
Exploring presenteeism among hospital physicians through the perspective of job crafting
Authors: Giæver Fay , Løvseth Lise Tevik
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to seek a deeper understanding of presenteeism by utilising the perspective of job crafting to explore how a selected group of physicians make sense of their decision to attend work while ill and of their experience of doing so. Job crafting implies that employees not only respond to their job description, but also proactively change tasks, relationships and perceptions in order to experience work in meaningful ways.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative methodological framework involving interviews was adopted to explore the ways in which a selected group of 20 Norwegian hospital physicians engaged in job crafting during presenteeism. The resulting data were analysed using theory-led thematic analysis utilizing the theoretical perspective of job crafting.

Findings

It was evident that physicians were indecisive and insecure when evaluating their own illness, and that, via task, relational and cognitive crafting, they trivialised, endured and showcased their illness, and engaged in presenteeism in various ways. Furthermore, physicians to some extent found themselves caught in dysfunctional circles by contributing to the creation of a work environment where presenteeism was maintained and seen as expected.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should address a wider range of contexts, and use longitudinal methods to explore the multifaceted, context-specific and evolving nature of presenteeism and job crafting in more depth. Interventions aimed at countering the negative implications of presenteeism should address the issue from both a social and a systemic point of view.

Originality/value

The findings extend the current understanding of presenteeism by demonstrating the multifaceted and evolving nature of the ways in which personal illness and presenteeism are perceived and enacted over time.
On the application of Lean principles and practices to innovation management
Authors: Solaimani Sam , Veen Jack van der , Sobek II Durward K. , Gulyaz Erdogan , Venugopal Venu
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Increasingly, a firm’s innovation capability has become one of the key frontiers of competitive advantage. The Lean philosophy has a well-proven reputation for its focus on process efficiency and effectiveness, and therefore, is often applied in various areas of innovation. Such wide and ever-increasing applicability also has resulted in an incoherent corpus of literature on Lean innovation. The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize an integrative view on Lean innovation management.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a systematic literature review, the key Lean principles and practices useful in the context of innovation management are identified and synthesized into an all-inclusive framework. By means of three illustrative cases (i.e. public hospital, electronics company and avionics manufacturer), this paper elaborates on how the proposed framework can be applied.

Findings

A total of 88 publications are analyzed, leading to 34 Lean principles and practices relevant to innovation management, which are further integrated into a comprehensive model, dubbed the “Leanovation” framework.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to advance the understanding of various interrelated and interdependent components of Lean innovation management in a holistic way.
Quantifying cryptic function loss during community disassembly
Authors: Terui Akira , Finlay Jacques C. , Hansen Amy T. , Kozarek Jessica L.
Published: September 2019

Emerging theory suggests that the ecosystem‐level consequences of anthropogenic pressures depend on how species will be disassembled from ecological communities (i.e. the disassembly rule). Species loss, however, is not the sole ecological cause of ecosystem function loss: behaviours underpinning ecosystem function can also be disrupted by anthropogenic pressures without detectable declines of component species (‘cryptic function loss’).

Here, we introduce a novel framework that integrates behavioural responses into community disassembly metrics. We applied this framework to freshwater mussel communities (order Unionida) of the midwestern United States, in which intensive agricultural land use threatens stream biota. We combined a field experiment, meta‐analysis and watershed‐scale population dataset to assess how excessive sediment concentrations, one of the leading drivers of freshwater biodiversity loss, influence community‐level water clearance rates of freshwater mussels via behavioural (changes in mass‐specific clearance rate) and population (changes in population density) responses.

Our study provided three key insights. First, freshwater mussels exhibited high behavioural sensitivity to increased total suspended solids (TSS) across species (i.e. reduced water clearance rate), whereas population responses were highly species‐specific. Second, the behavioural response to increased TSS causes substantial cryptic function loss under stressful conditions: simulated water clearance rates when behavioural response is included can be less than half that of mussel communities with no behavioural response. Finally, simulations revealed that mussel communities are likely to show rapid but consistent rates of ecosystem function loss irrespective of disassembly rules. The similar rates of function loss are due to the uniform behavioural response to TSS that masks the linkage between population sensitivity of a species and its contribution to ecosystem function.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings suggest that ignoring behavioural processes may cause non‐negligible underestimation of ecosystem function loss during community disassembly, potentially leading to overly optimistic assessments of ecosystem resilience. Furthermore, unlike species declines or local extinctions, behaviour response tied to function loss may occur concurrently with increasing anthropogenic pressures. Therefore, managers should acknowledge the risk of immediate function loss after human‐induced environmental changes.
Partitioning between atmospheric deposition and canopy microbial nitrification into throughfall nitrate fluxes in a Mediterranean forest
Authors: Guerrieri Rossella , Lecha Lucas , Mattana Stefania , Cáliz Joan , Casamayor Emilio O. , Barceló Anna , Michalski Greg , Peñuelas Josep , Avila Anna , Mencuccini Maurizio
Published: September 2019

Microbial activity plays a central role in nitrogen (N) cycling, with effects on forest productivity. Although N biotransformations, such as nitrification, are known to occur in the soil, here we investigate whether nitrifiers are present in tree canopies and actively process atmospheric N.

This study was conducted in a Mediterranean holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) forest in Spain during the transition from hot dry summer to cool wet winter. We quantified —N and —N fluxes for rainfall (RF) and throughfall (TF) and used δ15N, δ18O and Δ17O to elucidate sources of . Finally, we characterized microbial communities and abundance of nitrifiers on foliage, RF and TF water through metabarcoding and quantitative polymerase chain reaction respectively.

NO3—N fluxes at the site were larger in TF than RF, suggesting a contribution from dry deposition, as also supported by δ15N and δ18O. However, Δ17O indicated that about 20% of in TF derived from canopies nitrification in August, after a severe drought, with a lower proportion in September (≈8%). This seasonal partitioning between biologically and atmospherically derived coincided with a decreasing trend of the abundance of archaeal nitrifiers. Tree canopies and TF had more diverse microbial communities than RF. Yet, RF showed higher variability in microbial composition, likely associated with the origin of air masses.

Synthesis. Atmospheric N deposition is significantly altered after passing through tree canopies. While nitrification has been proposed as one of the mechanisms responsible for these changes, very few studies directly investigate its occurrence. Here, we showed that nitrification by epiphytic leaf microbes contributed to increasing NO3 in TF and that nitrifiers' activity was reduced going from the dry and hot summer to the cool winter. Overall, these results highlight the power of coupling microbial community analysis, functional gene amplification and stable isotope approaches to examine ecosystem‐scale processes.
Thoracostomy in children with severe trauma: An overview of the paediatric experience in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Quinn Nuala , Palmer Cameron S , Bernard Stephen , Noonan Michael , Teague Warwick J
Published: September 2019

Objective

Thoracic trauma is a leading cause of paediatric trauma deaths. Traumatic cardiac arrest, tension pneumothorax and massive haemothorax are life‐threatening conditions requiring emergency and definitive pleural decompression. In adults, thoracostomy is increasingly preferred over needle thoracocentesis for emergency pleural decompression. The present study reports on the early experience of thoracostomy in children, to inform debate regarding the best approach for emergency pleural compression in paediatric trauma.

Methods

Retrospective review of Ambulance Victoria and The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Trauma Registry between August 2016 and February 2019 to identify children undergoing thoracostomy for trauma, either pre‐hospital or in the ED.

Results

Fourteen children aged 1.2–15 years underwent 23 thoracostomy procedures over the 31 month period. The majority of patients sustained transport‐related injuries, and underwent thoracostomies for the primary indications of hypoxia and hypotension. Two children were in traumatic cardiac arrest. Ten children underwent needle thoracocentesis prior to thoracostomy, but all required thoracostomy to achieve the necessary definitive decompression. All patients were severely injured with multiple‐associated serious injuries and median Injury Severity Score 35.5 (17–75), three of whom died from their injuries. Thoracostomy in our cohort had a low complication rate.

Conclusion

In severely injured children, thoracostomy is an effective and reliable method to achieve emergency pleural decompression, including in the young child. The technical challenges presented by children are real, but can be addressed by training to support a low complication rate. We recommend thoracostomy over needle thoracocentesis as the first‐line intervention in children with traumatic cardiac arrest, tension pneumothorax and massive haemothorax. [Correction added on 23 September 2019 after first online publication: in the second sentence of the conclusion, the words “under review process” were mistakenly added and have been removed.]
Air‐side ammonia stripping coupled to anaerobic digestion indirectly impacts anaerobic microbiome
Authors: Fernandez‐Gonzalez Nuria , Pedizzi Chiara , Lema Juan M. , Carballa Marta
Published: September 2019

Air‐side stripping without a prior solid–liquid phase separation step is a feasible and promising process to control ammonia concentration in thermophilic digesters. During the process, part of the anaerobic biomass is exposed to high temperature, high pH and aerobic conditions. However, there are no studies assessing the effects of those harsh conditions on the microbial communities of thermophilic digesters. To fill this knowledge gap, the microbiomes of two thermophilic digesters (55°C), fed with a mixture of pig manure and nitrogen‐rich co‐substrates, were investigated under different organic loading rates (OLR: 1.1–5.2 g COD l−1 day−1), ammonia concentrations (0.2–1.5 g free ammonia nitrogen l−1) and stripping frequencies (3–5 times per week). The bacterial communities were dominated by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla, while the predominant methanogens were Methanosarcina sp archaea. Increasing co‐substrate fraction, OLR and free ammonia nitrogen (FAN) favoured the presence of genera Ruminiclostridium, Clostridium and Tepidimicrobium and of hydrogenotrophic methanogens, mainly Methanoculleus archaea. The data indicated that the use of air‐side stripping did not adversely affect thermophilic microbial communities, but indirectly modulated them by controlling FAN concentrations in the digester. These results demonstrate the viability at microbial community level of air side‐stream stripping process as an adequate technology for the ammonia control during anaerobic co‐digestion of nitrogen‐rich substrates.
Financing Sustainable Infrastructure Development in South Asia: The Case of AIIB
Authors: Kumar Nagesh , Arora Ojasvee
Published: September 2019

As a subregion with huge unmet needs for physical infrastructure, South Asian countries welcomed the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as a new multilateral development bank (MDB) to help close some of their financing gaps. Not only were the South Asian countries among the founding members of the new bank, they have also emerged as its important borrowers. Starting operations in January 2016, AIIB has had only three years of operations. Three years is not a long time for evolution of an MDB from scratch, but it can give an indication of the shape of things to come. This note briefly reviews AIIB's operations in South Asia, a subregion facing some of the widest gaps in providing sustainable and resilient infrastructure to all its people as enunciated in the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.
History and development of plastination techniques
Authors: von Horst Christoph , von Hagens Rurik , Sora Constantin‐Mircea , Henry Robert W.
Published: September 2019

Plastination was a game‐changing invention for macroscopic anatomical preparation. The method yielded dry, odourless, tangible and durable specimens which allowed new exhibition and teaching set‐ups and paved the way for sophisticated preparations and spectacular positioning of specimens. Despite the impact of the new method, there have been similar techniques in place before. Exsiccation techniques, polymer embeddings and specimen impregnation with hardening substances were earlier methods which already included the main concepts that were later combined and refined in plastination. S10 silicone plastination, the technique most commonly known and applied, was followed by plastination methods suitable for research and sectional anatomy teaching. Numerous variations of sheet plastination techniques allow research applications and new ways of presenting topographic relations and mesoscopic insights. Besides the development of plastination techniques in sensu stricto, related techniques had a renaissance with new applications and developments, including corrosion casting and diaphonization methods. This brief review shall provide a historical context of plastination including some anecdotal spotlights on the ideas and innovations that lead to nowadays plastination techniques.
Value of ST‐segment change in lead aVR in diagnosing left main disease in Non‐ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome—A meta‐analysis
Authors: Lee Gien‐Kuo , Hsieh Yen‐Ping , Hsu Shang‐Wei , Lan Shou‐Jen , Soni Kshitij
Published: September 2019

Background

Previous researches proved that the ST‐segment elevation (STE) in lead aVR had great significance on the prediction of severe left main lesion or serious multivessel lesions. The current research is to summarize the published data and evaluate the overall association of STE in lead aVR and left main coronary artery disease (LMD) in Non‐ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Methods

Literature searching was performed in the online database, and a systematic review was conducted based on the searched results. Meaningful STE in lead aVR was summarized and analyzed for odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

Twenty‐seven articles were included for final data analysis. Compared with STE < 0.05, STE ≥ 0.05 mV was associated with a higher incidence rate of LMD (OR = 6.64, 95% CI: 4.80 ~ 9.17), and the degree of STE in lead aVR was significantly associated with LMD. Myocardial infarction was more likely to occur in patients with STE ≥ 0.05 mV than in patients with STE < 0.05 mV (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.73 ~ 5.62).

Conclusions

The STE in lead aVR and the degree of STE are independent predictors in diagnosing LMD or myocardial infarction.
No effect of a musical intervention on stress response to venepuncture in a neonatal population
Authors: Howard Caoimhe , Powell Anna S. , Pavlidis Elena , Pavel Andreea , Finn Daragh , Allen Andrew , Olavarria‐Ramirez Loreto , Clarke Gerard , Livingstone Vicki , Boylan Geraldine B. , Dempsey Eugene M.
Published: September 2019

Aim

To investigate the effect of a musical intervention on neonatal stress response to venepuncture as measured by salivary cortisol levels and pain profile scores.

Methods

In a randomised control crossover trial, participants were randomised to both a control arm (sucrose) and intervention arm (sucrose and music) for routine venepuncture procedures. Salivary swabs were collected at baseline, 20 minutes post‐venepuncture and 4 hours post‐venepuncture. Pain levels were assessed using the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP). A total of 16 preterm neonates participated in both arms to complete the study.

Results

Cortisol values were elevated at all timepoints in the intervention arm (baseline, 20 minutes, and 4 hours post‐procedure) but not significantly so (P = .056, P = .3, and P = .575, respectively). Median change in cortisol values from baseline was +128.48 pg/mL (−47.66 to 517.02) at 20 minutes and +393.52 pg/mL (47.88‐1221.34) at 4 hours post‐procedure in the control arm compared to −69.564 pg/mL (−860.96 to 397.289) and +100.48 pg/mL (−560.46 to 842.99) at 20 minutes and 4 hours post‐procedure in the intervention arm. There was no statistically significant difference observed between groups (P = .311 at 20 minutes, and P = .203 at 4 hours post‐procedure). PIPP scores were not significantly different between study arms.

Conclusion

Our findings did not support the additional benefit of music intervention on neonatal stress response to venepuncture in preterm infants.
Survey by TEDDY European Network of Excellence for Paediatric Clinical Research demonstrates potential for Europe‐wide trials
Authors: Ruggieri Lucia , Bonifazi Donato , Landi Annalisa , Bonifazi Fedele , Bartoloni Franco , Costello Mary , Felisi Maria Grazia , Gasthuys Elke , Godo Anila , Martinon Torres Federico , Nadal David , Nuytinck Lieve , Rocchi Francesca , Turner Mark , Ceci Adriana
Published: September 2019

Aim

The European Network of Excellence for Paediatric Clinical Research, known as the TEDDY Network, carried out a survey to determine the capacity and competence of paediatric centres to perform research studies.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, web‐based pilot survey was conducted from October 2016 to April 2017 with paediatric clinical research centres in 11 countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. All were registered with the TEDDY Network database.

Results

We approached 107 centres and 63 provided data on their experiences and expertise in paediatric clinical trials. Four groups of performance indicators were identified, referring to scientific experience, trial readiness, trial competence, regulatory issues, ethics and patients. Most centres were actively involved in paediatric clinical research: 53 centres (84.1%) had received funds for more than five paediatric studies in the last 5 years, and 42 (66.7%) had a specific clinical trial unit and dedicated study coordinators. We concluded that the European centres we studied had the capability and capacity to conduct paediatric trials, but there was still room for improvement, including enhanced collaboration.

Conclusion

This pilot survey demonstrated that there is potential for performing paediatric trials across Europe, but improvements are possible.
Taking on the Taliban: Ethical issues at the frontline of academia
Authors: Ahmad Ayesha
Published: September 2019

This article reflects on the challenges of developing academic research that is undertaken to create social change. I describe the ways that my research has been generated and guided by activism. Even though the descriptor of my research interests is generally gender‐based violence and mental health, my research is situated within an ongoing political discourse that fundamentally opposes and normatively challenges ideologies such as those implemented at a governmental level during the Taliban regime in Afghanistan that continue to have power over Afghan women’s lives. I critique the emergence of two research projects that work with women survivors of violence and develop trauma therapeutic interventions using traditional storytelling. My positionality as a woman of Muslim origin and an academic in the U.K. resulted in inescapable juxtapositions and the necessary blurring of the boundaries between personal and professional viewpoints as well as highlighting the potency of traumatic stories in contexts of conflict, oppression, silencing and marginalization. I go on to explain why I have a moral obligation as an ethicist working in global health, with resources and expertise, to systematically develop my research questions and objectives in accordance with the end‐goal of tackling and deconstructing harmful ideologies and practices towards women and girls in societies marred by the violent complexities of national and international conflicts.
Women's satisfaction with maternity care during preterm birth
Authors: Alfaro Blazquez Ruben , Ferrer Ferrandiz Esperanza , Gea Caballero Vicente , Corchon Silvia , Juarez‐Vela Raul
Published: September 2019

Background

Women's satisfaction with maternity care is strongly influenced by their sociodemographic characteristics, values, and attitudes. The arrival of a preterm baby is often a traumatic time, with unique factors involved. The Spanish Preterm Birth Experience and Satisfaction Scale (P‐BESS) is a robust instrument capable of assessing women's satisfaction during preterm birth. The purpose of this study was to assess women's satisfaction with maternity care during labor and birth with preterm babies in a Spanish‐speaking population.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study. Participants were 182 women who gave birth within 37 weeks' gestation. Factors associated with satisfaction were studied through univariate and bivariate analyses and through multiple linear regression using the backward elimination method.

Results

Women reported high satisfaction with maternity care overall (average score of 84 out of 95). Women with a university education were generally less satisfied. Women were more satisfied if they were pregnant for the first time. Women who reported a previous premature birth or neonatal death were more satisfied, and women who had prior miscarriages were less satisfied compared with women without these experiences.

Conclusions

The analysis confirmed that the majority of women surveyed were very satisfied with their childbirth experience. The Spanish P‐BESS can be a useful way of prioritizing intervention measures, focusing on those aspects lowest scored by women, such as “information and explanations” and “confidence in staff,” to improve maternity services for families experiencing preterm birth.
Patterns in a species‐rich tropical understory plant community
Authors: Denslow Julie S. , Chaverri S. Luis Guillermo , Vargas R. Orlando
Published: September 2019

Understory plants are an important component of the high plant species diversity characteristic of neotropical rain forests. Herbs, shrubs, understory trees, and saplings of canopy trees occupy a broadly uniform environment of abundant rainfall, low light levels, and high humidity. We asked whether this community at the La Selva Biological Station in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica was structured by environmental filters such as soil origin, topographic position, and understory light availability. We used nested quadrats to assess effects of soil origin (recent alluvium, weathered alluvium, residual volcanic soil) and topographic position (ridges, mid‐slopes and flats) on species composition, density, and diversity and measured six edaphic and understory light parameters. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling ordinations were based on frequency of occurrence in 20 quadrats for 272 species in the shrub size class and 136 species in the small‐tree size class for 17 sites. Three axes were correlated with composite environmental variables produced by principal component analysis representing slope, extractable phosphorus, and light. NMS site positions also reflected soil origin, topographic position, and geographic location. The analyses illustrated a complex community structured by species responses to environmental filters at multiple, interdigitated spatial scales. We suggest that light availability affected by canopy dynamics and dispersal limitation provides additional sources of variation in species distributions, which interact with edaphic patterns in complex ways.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Long‐term results of endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment vs Limberg flap for treatment of difficult cases of complicated pilonidal disease: a prospective, nonrandomized study
Authors: Romaniszyn M. , Swirta J. S. , Walega P. J.
Published: September 2019

Aim

To present the results of a prospective, nonrandomized comparative study on the treatment of complicated pilonidal sinus by endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (EPSiT) compared with Limberg flap surgery, based on experience of a single surgical centre.

Method

A prospective, nonrandomized comparative study. Long‐term follow‐up of 62 patients with complicated pilonidal disease was analysed (36 operated on using the Limberg flap technique and 26 using the EPSiT method). The median follow‐up was 27 months (12–44).

Results

The median operating time in the EPSiT group was 60 min (25–80 min) and in the Limberg group 67 min (35–95 min). In the EPSiT group, primary healing was achieved in 22 out of 26 patients (84.6%) in a median of 42 days with a total complication rate of 11.5%. There were seven recurrences after initial healing. The total success rate of the EPSiT procedure with long‐term follow‐up was 57.7%. In the Limberg flap group, all patients healed (100%) in a median of 21 days. The complication rate in this group was 26.5%, and there were two recurrences in this group. The total success rate of the Limberg flap procedure was 94.1%.

Conclusion

For patients with complicated pilonidal sinus, the endoscopic procedure has a significantly lower success rate than the Limberg flap procedure, but a lower risk of complications. Such patients should be offered a choice between a safer, minimally invasive procedure with a higher risk of recurrence or flap surgery, which is more effective, but with a higher risk of complications.
Cyber Safe Curricula and Online Harassment
Authors: Greenhalgh‐Spencer Heather
Published: September 2019

In this article, Heather Greenhalgh‐Spencer analyzes three examples of curricula aimed at cultivating good cyber behavior and countering online harassment. These curricula are branded as addressing civic needs, cultivating civic duty, and developing skills to help students understand and react to online threats. Here, Greenhalgh‐Spencer offers two critiques of these, and other similar, cyber safe curricula. First, current cyber safe curricula do not adequately address the ways that identity — particularly gender and sexuality — shape one's experience of online spaces and exposure to online threats. Second, current cyber safe curricula do not adequately consider nuances of how to “react” to online threats. The preponderance of cyber curricula teach students that all forms of offensive speech online should be abolished or pushed against. These curricula miss the opportunity to cultivate conversations around the tensions between the need to feel safe and the need to protect freedoms of speech.