bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate change accelerating land use dynamic and its environmental and socio‐economic risks in the Himalayas
Authors: Rawat Pradeep K. , Tiwari Prakash C. , Pant Charu C.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to assess the environmental and socio‐economic impacts and risks of climate change through GIS database management system (DBMS) on land use‐informatics and climate‐informatics. The Dabka watershed constitutes a part of the Kosi Basin in the Lesser Himalaya, India in district Nainital has been selected for the case illustration.

Design/methodology/approach

Land use‐informatics consists of land use mapping and change diction, i.e. decadal changes and annual changes. Climate‐informatics consists of climate change detection through daily, monthly and annual weather data for a period of 25 years.

Findings

The exercise revealed that oak and pine forests have decreased, respectively, by 25 percent (4.48 km2) and 3 percent (0.28 km2) thus bringing a decline of 4.76 km2 forest in the watershed during 1990 to 2010. But, due to climate change the mixed forest taking place of oak forest in certain pockets and consequently the mixed forest in the catchment increased by 18 percent (2.3 km2) during the same period which reduced the overall loss of forests in the region but its not eco‐friendly as the oak forest. Barren land increased 1.21 km2 (56 percent), riverbed increased 0.78 km2 (52 percent) and cultivated land increased about 0.63 km2 (3 percent) during the period of 1990 to 2010. Out of the total seven classes of the land use land cover, five classes (i.e. Oak, Pine, Mixed, Barren and Riverbed) are being changed dominantly due to climate change factor and anthropogenic factors plays a supporting role whereas only two classes (scrub land and agricultural land) are being changed dominantly by anthropogenic factors and climate change factors plays a supporting role. Expansion of mixed forest land brought out due to upslope shifting of existing forest species due to climate change factor only because upslope areas getting warmer than past with the rate of 9°C‐12°C/two decades. Consequently, the results concluded that the high rate of land use change accelerating several environmental problems such as high runoff, flash flood, river‐line flood and soil erosion during monsoon season and drought during non‐monsoon period. These environmental problems cause great loss to life and property and poses serious threat to the process of development with have far‐reaching economic and social consequences.

Originality/value

This study generated primary data on land use‐informatics and climate‐informatics to integrate each‐other for impact assessment and mitigation through sustainable land use as constitutes a part of a multidisciplinary project, Department of Science and Technology (D.S.T.) Government of India.
The importance of local and regional networks in supporting dual diagnosis in clinical practice
Authors: Holland Mark , Bell Richard , Hughes Liz
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to describe the development and functions of local and regional networks for professionals working with dual diagnosis in the north of England.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a descriptive account of local and regional networks in the north of England – their development, their function and future plans.

Findings

Local and regional networks are important in helping people share resources and ideas as well as gaining mutual support in what can be very stressful roles. However, there is a danger in a climate of financial constraints that network activities may be lost.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the importance of collegiate networks of professionals and service user representatives and offers a perspective from the north of England.
Estimating the fatigue behavior of welded joints in the VHCF regime
Authors: Krasovskyy A. , Bachmann D.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The present work aims to deal with a very high cycle fatigue (n=109 cycles) of gas metal arc welded joints, subjected to a multiaxial and non‐proportional loading. Different design codes and recommendations can greatly reduce the analysis effort in the design of welded structures providing a suitable balance between computational accuracy and ease of use for many industrial applications. However, various assumptions have to be made in a conservative way making this approach less accurate. This paper deals with a refined fatigue assessment, which considers the most important aspects for welded joints and provides an accurate lifetime prediction of welded structures.

Design/methodology/approach

For an accurate prediction of the total lifetime of welded components the information about the material state and the welding induced residual stresses on weld toes is essential. If the surface condition after welding is poor in this area, which is usually the case, the presence of defects can be assumed and the fatigue crack nucleation process can be neglected. The microstructural threshold for initial crack propagation can be therefore used as a lower bound for the fatigue limit prediction.

Findings

Based on the results from the simulation of a welding process and a post‐weld heat treatment in combination with a fracture mechanics approach, this work successfully attempts to reproduce a fatigue behavior, which was observed at the fatigue tests of the multi‐pass single bevel butt weld.

Originality/value

The proposed approach is able to predict accurately the fatigue strength of welded structures and to achieve the full cost and weight optimization potential for industrial applications.
Theory and experimental method to determine bonding strength envelope of bi‐material interface
Authors: Chowdhuri M.A.K. , Xia Z.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

It is well known that stress singularity may exist at the edges of a bonded bi‐material interface due to the discontinuity of material properties. This stress singularity causes difficulty in accurately determining the bi‐material interface bonding strength. This paper aims to present a new design of specimen geometry to eliminate the stress singularity and present an experimental procedure to more accurately determine the bonding strength of the bi‐material interface.

Design/methodology/approach

The design is based on an asymptotic analysis of the stress field near the free edge of bi‐material interface. The critical bonding angle, which delineates the singular and non‐singular stress field near the free edge, is determined.

Findings

With the new designed specimen and a special iterative calculation algorithm, the interface bonding strength envelope of an epoxy‐aluminum interface was experimentally determined.

Originality/value

This new design of specimen, experimental procedure and iterative algorithm may be applied to obtain more reasonable and accurate bonding strength data for a wide range of bi‐material interfaces.
Finite element modeling of mandrel speed in cold expansion process
Authors: Farhangdoost Khalil , Hosseini Abbas
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The bodies of aircraft structures have a lot of fastener holes and under different situations these holes bear external forces, which cause a tensile stress on the surface that leads to the failure of materials. Cold expansion process is one of the widely‐used methods to improve the fatigue behavior of materials used in aerospace industry, and such improvement is due to the compressive residual stress around cold expanded hole. The induced residual stress distribution around cold expanded hole is affected by several parameters such as, diametrical interfaces, surface finish of fastener holes, temperature, mandrel speed, i.e. the speed of inserting mandrel into the hole, and so on. In previous studies, most of effective parameters were investigated, whereas, the effect of mandrel speed on the residual stress distribution has not been considered. The present study, seeks to simulate cold expansion process on aluminum alloy 2A12TA using ABAQUS finite element (FE) package and to consider the effect of different mandrel speeds on residual stress distribution around cold expanded hole. It aims to verify the results of FE simulation by experimental data.

Design/methodology/approach

There are two kinds of data in this paper; experimental and FE results. The experimental results for cold expansion process have been extracted from the literature and ABAQUS finite element package was employed in order to simulate the above‐mentioned process. Moreover, FE results were validated by the experiments.

Findings

The results presented here show the influence of mandrel speed on residual stress distribution around cold expanded hole using a new analytical‐numerical method. The results gained by FE simulation show relative differences between the diagrams of residual stress distribution corresponding different mandrel speeds. It is shown in the paper; the residual stress around cold expanded hole rises by the increase of mandrel speed and consequently the improvement of fatigue life will be achieved.

Originality/value

The present study is part of Abbas Hosseini's MSc. dissertation, an original research work.
Effects of LMS, self‐efficacy, and self‐regulated learning on LMS effectiveness in business education
Authors: Eom Sean B.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The majority of e‐learning empirical research studies have focused on the two research streams: outcome comparison studies with classroom‐based learning and studies examining potential predictors of e‐learning success. The determinants of e‐learning success include interactions, instructor support and mentoring, information delivery technology, course content, self‐motivation, learning styles, and course structure. Most of these empirical studies failed to include the technological dimension as an antecedent of effectiveness of e‐learning systems. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the effects of e‐learning management systems (LMS), self‐efficacy and self‐regulated learning on learner satisfaction and system effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

This research model is an extension of the information systems success model of DeLone and McLean and the virtual learning environment effectiveness model of Piccoli et al. The research model was tested using the structural equation modelling‐based Partial Least Squares (PLS) methodology.

Findings

First, use of e‐LMS is not positively related to systems quality, information quality, self‐managed learning, and user satisfaction. Second, the findings strongly support the previous works of Rai, et al., Livari, and Freeze, et al. These three studies found strong positive relationships between information quality and user‐satisfaction and between systems quality and user‐satisfaction in a voluntary or mandatory use context. Third, perceived user satisfaction with e‐LMS is a very strong predictor of system effectiveness. This is in accordance with the findings and conclusions discussed in the literature on student satisfaction (Freeze et al., Eom et al., Rai et al., Livari). Of the four factors hypothesized to affect user satisfaction with e‐LMS, only two (systems quality and information quality) are supported at p<0.01.

Practical implications

This paper provides empirical evidence to support that e‐learner satisfaction is an important predictor of e‐LMS effectiveness and that systems quality and information quality have significant direct impacts on the perceived satisfaction of e‐learners with e‐LMS.

Originality/value

This study provides new empirical evidence that e‐learners' self‐regulated learning behavior may not lead to a higher level of e‐learners' satisfaction with e‐LMS, but it may lead to a higher level of satisfaction with web‐based courses.
The benefits of short‐term study abroad as a blended learning experience
Authors: Slotkin Michael H. , Durie Christopher J. , Eisenberg Jarin R.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the role blended learning plays in expanding study abroad opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach utilized involves providing a synopsis of research dealing with study abroad and its benefits, particularly for student populations likely to comprise a significant portion of the distance learning market. Perspectives on the benefits derived from incorporating distance learning into short‐term study abroad programs are then discussed based on the experiences of a business college with a significant enrollment of online students.

Findings

This paper highlights the flexibility afforded by online education in fulfilling academic content requirements, showcasing blended learning as a strategic complementary input in content delivery. The enhancement in study abroad options afforded offers the potential to introduce international business experiences to student populations historically underserved.

Practical implications

Blended learning facilitates the inclusion of online students, enhancing the financial viability of study abroad courses and programs.

Social implications

Blended learning facilitates the inclusion of online students, expanding study abroad opportunities to student populations historically underserved.

Originality/value

Conceptualizing blended learning as a facilitating device for study abroad is a contribution to the literature; research surrounding the nexus between online learning and study abroad is embryonic. Within this nascent area, this paper also provides value in offering suggestions for future empirical research.
Critical success factors for the effective implementation of Lean Sigma
Authors: Laureani Alessandro , Antony Jiju
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Identification of critical success factors (CSFs) for any continuous improvement initiative is important as it allows organisations to focus their efforts on these factors to ensure a success. The purpose of this paper is to present the CSFs for the effective implementation of Lean Six Sigma and to analyze the implementation of Lean Six Sigma, focusing on the CSFs identified in the literature, through a survey of companies, geographically dispersed, from both the manufacturing and service industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken by authors in this study has two fundamental parts. The first part was to analyse the current literature on CSFs for all continuous improvement initiatives such as TQM, Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma. The second part was to design a survey questionnaire based on the literature. The questionnaire was sent to 600 companies (both manufacturing and service) and the response rate is approximately 17 per cent.

Findings

Analysis of key findings highlighted that the most important factors are: management commitment, cultural change, linking Lean Six Sigma to business strategy and leadership styles. The results also revealed that the least important factors are linking Six Sigma to HR rewards and extending Lean Six Sigma to supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

A sample size of 101 companies is not sufficient to generalise our key findings. This will be rectified by carrying out further surveys in the forthcoming months and making this investigation a longitudinal study. Moreover, the authors have to execute semi‐structured interviews to obtain a better understanding of the current practice of Lean Six Sigma in participating organisations. An online survey was administered for this study; however future semi‐structured interviews with employees in those companies would enable one to have a better understanding of their practice of Lean Six Sigma programmes.

Originality/value

Although there are a number of papers published on CSFs of Lean and Six Sigma, it was found that there is a dearth of literature on CSFs of Lean Six Sigma implementation. The authors also compare and contrast the CSFs in both manufacturing and service organisations. The results showed what the most and least important factors are for a successful implementation of Lean Six Sigma, providing valuable insights for organizations which will be embarking on this journey.
Biofuels investments in tropical forest‐rich countries: implications for responsible finance
Authors: Willem van Gelder Jan , German Laura , Bailis Rob
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The global biofuels sector has expanded rapidly in the past decade, with feedstock expansion penetrating many tropical areas. While the emerging demand for biofuels represents an opportunity for developing countries, it also poses a host of social and environmental risks. Large investments are needed to finance expansion of biofuel and feedstock production, suggesting that the financial sector may have a crucial role to play in mitigating these risks. This paper seeks to explore the role of financiers in expanding biofuel feedstock production and refining in tropical forest‐rich countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America to better understand the role and future potential of responsible finance in the biofuel sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis draws on published data and reports from academia, industry, governments, civil society and the press, to quantify the magnitude and source of investments made from 2000‐2010 in 16 countries sampled from “ecoregions” subject to high rates of forest conversion, weak land tenure institutions, and vulnerable communities.

Findings

It is found that the case study countries received USD 5.3‐7.3 billion for feedstock production and USD 5.7‐6.7 billion for biofuel refining between 2000 and 2009. This was financed by a mix of entrepreneurs, private banks, investors, governments and multilateral banks. While no clear patterns emerge, foreign banks and institutional investors rank as “important” for most feedstocks and regions. Multilateral banks and domestic institutional investors seem to be the least important. Few financiers have criteria in place in order to ensure sustainable investing practices, and those who do tend to have policies of limited quality.

Originality/value

While much has been written on biofuel sustainability and governance, there is little research that delineates the nature of investment and finance in the sector.
Regulating for rights and sustainability: biofuel in Malaysia
Authors: McPhail Ken , Farrah Maimunah Tengku
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Industrial biofuels have been promoted as one solution to energy security, climate change and rural development, however many non‐government organisations argue that national biofuel policies could violate many individuals' right to food. Drawing specifically on the palm oil industry in Malaysia, this opinion piece therefore seeks to provoke debate on the relationship between rights and sustainability and whether emergent business and human rights regulatory frameworks grasp the complexity of business's impact on the right to food.

Design/methodology/approach

The commentary draws on an analysis of disclosure made by all palm oil companies listed in the Malaysian stock exchange. The annual, corporate social responsibility reports and web pages for all companies as at June 2011 were reviewed. Each company's disclosures on human rights; sustainability and biofuel were analysed and related this to evidence of government investment. The primary objective in undertaking the content analysis was to explore whether and how the discourse of corporate accountability in the palm oil industry is evolving, specifically in relation to human rights and sustainability.

Findings

The paper finds that there is little evidence that rights, the environment and biofuel are being connected at a policy or conceptual level in the palm oil sector in Malaysia. In the majority of disclosures, sustainability and rights appear to be substantively disconnected. In the main, the increase in demand for palm oil that will result from the growth of national biofuel targets is constructed as positive for business. This paper address the regulatory implications of the findings.

Originality/value

This opinion piece contributes toward filling a significant gap in the literature on the inter‐relationship between rights and sustainability. This study will primarily be of value to regulators and policy setters within the palm oil industry in Malaysia. However, the findings may have value to policy setters within the biofuels sector internationally.
Sincerity, excitement and sophistication
Authors: He Jiaxun
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This study aims to fill in new evidence related to theoretical explanations on how perception of sincerity, excitement and sophistication relates to attitudes towards the different kinds of brand extensions, namely, horizontal extension and vertical extension.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking an established Chinese brand as a test object and a survey sample data from three cities in China, the strength of perception of brand personality and its effect on attitudes towards brand extension is tested. T‐test is used to analyze the data.

Findings

Results show that, a salient perception of personality “sincerity” is significantly favourable to downward extension, but has no significant effect on upward, near or far extension. A salient perception of personalities “excitement” and “sophistication” is significantly favourable to upward and far extension, but has no significant effect on downward or near extension.

Research limitations/implications

Although the data used for testing the hypotheses in this article are taken from three cities in China, spanning four major age groups, this collection of data does not eliminate the possible errors introduced in the course of survey. Another limitation is that this survey takes one single established brand.

Practical implications

This study provides targeted strategies for the long‐term management of Chinese local brands, particularly established brands. Decision makers for enterprises of established brands are consequently faced with two alternative solution approaches. One is to undertake brand extension and develop and promote new products to improve brand personality. The second is to reform a brand's personality to make it conducive for reasonable market extension.

Originality/value

This study contributes to branding theories by pioneering research on attitudes towards a parent brand as an evaluation factor in research on the mechanism of brand extension, as well as by enriching research on matters related to brand personality traits.
Clinical and legal issues associated with the use of cycle helmets
Authors: Mc Nicholl Declan , Slow Dawn , Oliver Anne E.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to be a review of the clinical and legal issues surrounding the wearing of cycle helmets. It explains how helmets work, the standards currently in place and arguments for and against their protective value. It then considers how this clinical and actuarial data has been interpreted in case law and in particular the issue of contributory negligence.

Design/methodology/approach

A search of scientific databases and public search engines was used to review the relevant literature up to August 2012.

Findings

There is conflicting evidence for the protective value of cycle helmets. Some researchers have found helmets to protect against head and facial injuries. Others have criticised the research methods used and questioned whether helmets can protect the wearer from the most damaging types of head injury. No trial judge has yet found a case for contributory negligence on the part of a cyclist not wearing a helmet.

Research limitations/implications

Research cannot use randomised control trials and is limited to other methodologies. Further work should focus on a range of aspects of safer cycling including cyclist and driver safety awareness along with comparing the safety factors of existing designs and developing better helmet design. Cyclists may wish to consider wearing a helmet to avoid claims for contributory negligence in the future.

Originality/value

This paper combines both the clinical and legal debate surrounding cycle helmet use. The paper will better inform clinicians, members of the legal profession, members of Government responsible for introducing legislation, helmet designers/manufacturers and individuals wishing to make an informed decision about helmet use.
Housing benefit for service charges in sheltered housing schemes: an exercise in semantics or an application of reality?
Authors: Sandford Paul , Shepherd James
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to give guidance on the level of service charges that can be claimed by residents in sheltered housing as part of their housing benefit claims.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the relevant legislation and recent opinions and rulings of both the Upper Tribunal and the Supreme Court.

Findings

A broad based non arithmetical approach must be taken, particularly as many key words are not statutorily defined.

Originality/value

Claimants, advocates and decision makers should use the guidance outlined when considering housing benefit claims by sheltered housing residents.
Stakeholder consultation practices within healthcare infrastructure planning
Authors: Mahadkar Sameedha , Mills Grant , Price Andrew D.F.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

With the advent of the Darzi review in 2008, and more recently the White Paper “Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS” (2010), the NHS in England is being redesigned to provide high quality, person‐centred services with improved capacity and performance. In this change oriented scenario, stakeholder consultation has a critical role to play given the widespread advocacy in government policy and healthcare literature. In order to support informed decision making, the purpose of this paper is to: explore healthcare infrastructure planning through various approaches to stakeholder consultation within English Primary Care Trusts (PCTs); and develop a conceptual approach to strategic asset management (SAM) based on the findings of stakeholder consultation and engagement exercises.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi‐method triangulation approach including action research has been adopted to evaluate current stakeholder consultation practices with a local PCT and to explore their approach to healthcare infrastructure planning through: a literature review of stakeholder engagement and theory; evaluation of a local consultation exercise; and a web based document review of consultation practices within 149 English PCTs.

Findings

PCT estate managers and healthcare planners have to operate within constantly changing dynamic healthcare environments and need to reduce uncertainty and indecision that often surrounds the debate of reconfiguration of healthcare facilities and services. Consultations by the PCTs vary in: the level of detail provided to the public; sample sizes; detail and transparency of the consultation; distribution and analyses of the consultation; and techniques and approaches.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can be used by healthcare policy makers to: inform how clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) could be better involved during patient and public engagement; and determine practical ways of putting patients at the heart of General Practitioners (GP) commissioning.

Originality/value

The research identifies gaps within current stakeholder consultation practices in English PCTs and develops a conceptual approach to SAM that accounts for stakeholder consultation; decision making levels within healthcare infrastructure planning within a wider competency based organisational view, which currently does not exist.
Stakeholder service delivery expectations of military facilities management
Authors: Rahman Jumat Abdul , Coffey Vaughan , Skitmore Martin
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the quality of service of a South East Asian country's military facilities management organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

An interview survey and questionnaire survey were used to obtain a description and summary of stakeholders’ expectations and the extent to which they were being satisfied by the services provided.

Findings

The method provides a useful means of identifying and prioritising varying expectations between stakeholder groups and of indicating any mismatch in expectations in the management of military facilities.

Social implications

The development and use of a method to test and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the management of military facilities helps in providing better value for money.

Originality/value

In addition to re‐affirming Parasuraman's overall dimensions of service expectation, the empirical summary of the stakeholders’ expectations obtained in this way is of practical value for the service provider in developing a strategy for expectation management. For the case studied, it is also apparent that although the current processes in service delivery are well understood by all involved stakeholders, there is a need for further improvement with regards to their expectation levels. It is also one of the very few reported studies on the management of military facilities.
System‐of‐systems approach for assessment of financial innovations in infrastructure
Authors: Mostafavi Ali , Abraham Dulcy M. , Lee Joung
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the study presented in this paper is to assess determinants of financial innovations in infrastructure using a system‐of‐systems approach, and to demonstrate this approach in the context of the US highway transportation sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A system‐of‐systems approach is adopted for systemic assessment. Data obtained from a case‐based research approach and a survey deployed to the state Departments of Transportation in the US is utilized in parallel with a network analysis to explore the status quo, key players and interactions, and the drivers of financial innovations for infrastructure.

Findings

The findings include constructs regarding the players, practices, and activities and also a conceptual model relating to the drivers of financial innovations.

Practical implications

The model along with the constructs provides an analytical tool for understanding the dynamics of financial innovations. Such understanding would lead to expansion of the creation and diffusion of financial innovation practices in the highway transportation infrastructure globally.

Originality/value

The study presented in this paper is the first of its kind to identify the determinants of financial innovations in infrastructure based on a systemic approach.
Capacity to choose and refuse? A case study
Authors: Guthrie Susan , Roddam Hazel , Panna Sharmin , Fairburn Gordon
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to present the distinctive roles and perspectives of the members of a multidisciplinary team supporting a man with multiple diagnoses who was under Section by the Mental Health Act.

Design/methodology/approach

The management of risk for this man with intellectual disability, mental illness and a degenerative neurological condition was particularly complex due to his self‐harming and impulsivity. Each specialist clinician (nurse, speech and language therapist, psychiatrist) reflects on their role as a member of a team approach. The perspective of the man himself is represented, although he was unable to give a consistent descriptive self report.

Findings

For people with mental illness and intellectual disability the capacity to understand and retain information about their condition may be limited and variable. The paper discusses the multiple ethical issues in attempting to preserve a modified autonomy and in decision making around best interests.

Practical implications

Supporting someone with dysphagia presents specific challenges to staff teams due to the everyday and familiar nature of mealtimes. When the person is unable to understand and refuses to comply with guidelines outlining restrictions to mealtime choices, the staff's role in safeguarding is particularly complex. The paper considers how to mitigate against risks to mental and physical health.

Originality/value

In cases of self harm the care team is challenged to respect autonomy and maintain quality of life whilst ensuring safety of the individual. The paper discusses maintaining professional integrity when considering compromise.
Autism spectrum disorders and offending
Authors: Gunasekaran Santhana , Chaplin Eddie
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to offer a general review of offending and autism spectrum disorders from both the authors' perception of the media portrayal and the current evidence based research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors undertook a review of the current literature relating to autism spectrum disorders and offending and commented on current media reporting to try and offer a balance.

Findings

Recent evidence suggests that there is unlikely to be an increased prevalence compared to the general population, but the presence of co‐morbidities may increase the risk of violence.

Originality/value

The paper offers a succinct overview of the current evidence base relating to autism spectrum disorders and offending.
Rapid risk assessment in acute hospital for patients with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Read Stevie , Johnson Tristan
Published: November 2012

Purpose

There is significant literature to demonstrate that people with intellectual disabilities are at higher risk of premature death, however there is relatively little evidence of research carried out on risk assessment in hospital for this patient group. This paper aims to share the outcomes from a patient safety project conducted in an acute hospital by the Trust's intellectual disabilities team.

Design/methodology/approach

A project structure was used, supported by the Trust patient safety team through association with the National Institute for Innovation and Improvement: leading improvement in patient safety (LIPS) programme. The aim of the project was to bring together the current evidence, to understand the risk issues for this group and develop a robust risk assessment tool that could be embedded into the care processes in acute hospitals.

Findings

A six month pilot concluded that a short assessment in a familiar format was more likely to be used by nurses. Risk assessment on its own does not deliver better and safer care. It must be accompanied by a series of clear, evidence based actions that used together ensure the patients' total safety and care needs are met. This tool is used throughout the Trust and in a number of other hospitals across the eastern region. Its use has contributed to reducing length of stay and improving health outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows the need for further research and data gathering.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that risk for patients with intellectual disabilities in hospital is complex. Education is essential to underpin new assessment tools for clinical practice.
Energy simulations of a transparent‐insulated office façade retrofit in London, UK
Authors: Liang Wong Ing , Eames Philip , Perera Srinath
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Transparent insulation materials (TIMs) have been developed for application to building facades to reduce heating energy demands of a building. The purpose of this research is to investigate the feasibility of TI‐applications for high‐rise and low‐rise office buildings in London, UK, to reduce heating energy demands in winter and reduce overheating problems in summer.

Design/methodology/approach

The energy performance of these office building models was simulated using an energy simulation package, Environmental Systems Performance‐research (ESP‐r), for a full calendar year. The simulations were initially performed for the buildings with conventional wall elements, prior to those with TI‐systems (TI‐walls and TI‐glazing) used to replace the conventional wall elements. Surface temperatures of the conventional wall elements and TI‐systems, air temperature inside the 20 mm wide air gaps in the TI‐wall, dry‐bulb zone temperature and energy demands required for the office zones were predicted.

Findings

Peak temperatures of between 50 and 70°C were predicted for the internal surface of the TI‐systems, which clearly demonstrated the large effect of absorption of solar energy flux by the brick wall mass with an absorptivity of 90 percent behind the TIM layer. In the office zones, the magnitude of temperature swings during daytime was reduced, as demonstrated by a 10 to 12 h delay in heat transmission from the external façade to the office zones. Such reduction indicates the overheating problems could be reduced potentially by TI‐applications.

Originality/value

This research presents the scale and scope of design optimisation of TI‐systems with ESP‐r simulations, which is a critical process prior to applications to real buildings.
Global diversity patterns and cross‐taxa convergence in freshwater systems
Authors: Tisseuil Clement , Cornu Jean‐François , Beauchard Olivier , Brosse Sebastien , Darwall William , Holland Robert , Hugueny Bernard , Tedesco Pablo A. , Oberdorff Thierry
Published: November 2012

Whereas global patterns and predictors of species diversity are well known for numerous terrestrial taxa, our understanding of freshwater diversity patterns and their predictors is much more limited.

Here, we examine spatial concordance in global diversity patterns for five freshwater taxa (i.e. aquatic mammals, aquatic birds, fishes, crayfish and aquatic amphibians) and investigate the environmental factors driving these patterns at the river drainage basin grain.

We find that species richness and endemism patterns are significantly correlated among taxa. We also show that cross‐taxon congruence patterns are often induced by common responses of taxa to their contemporary and historical environments (i.e. convergent patterns). Apart from some taxa distinctiveness (i.e. fishes), the ‘climate/productivity’ hypothesis is found to explain the greatest variance in species richness and endemism patterns, followed by factors related to the ‘history/dispersion’ and ‘area/environmental heterogeneity’ hypotheses.

As aquatic amphibians display the highest levels of congruency with other taxa, this taxon appears to be a good ‘surrogate’ candidate for developing global freshwater conservation planning at the river drainage basin grain.
Transcriptional response of lignin‐degrading enzymes to 17α‐ethinyloestradiol in two white rots
Authors: Přenosilová L. , Křesinová Z. , Amemori A. Slavíková , Cajthaml T. , Svobodová K.
Published: November 2012

Fungal, ligninolytic enzymes have attracted a great attention for their bioremediation capabilities. A deficient knowledge of regulation of enzyme production, however, hinders the use of ligninolytic fungi in bioremediation applications. In this work, a transcriptional analyses of laccase and manganese peroxidase (MnP) production by two white rots was combined with determination of pI of the enzymes and the evaluation of 17α‐ethinyloestradiol (EE2) degradation to study regulation mechanisms used by fungi during EE2 degradation. In the cultures of Trametes versicolor the addition of EE2 caused an increase in laccase activity with a maximum of 34.2 ± 6.7 U g−1 of dry mycelia that was observed after 2 days of cultivation. It corresponded to a 4.9 times higher transcription levels of a laccase‐encoding gene (lacB) that were detected in the cultures at the same time. Simultaneously, pI values of the fungal laccases were altered in response to the EE2 treatment. Like T. versicolor, Irpex lacteus was also able to remove 10 mg l−1 EE2 within 3 days of cultivation. While an increase to I. lacteus MnP activity and MnP gene transcription levels was observed at the later phase of the cultivation. It suggests another metabolic role of MnP but EE2 degradation.
Outcomes of child psychiatric treatment
Authors: Lundh A. , Forsman M. , Serlachius E. , Lichtenstein P. , Landén M.
Published: November 2012

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate outcomes of child psychiatric outpatient treatment as usual and to identify outcome predictors, with special regard to attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorder, obsessive‐compulsive disorder and conduct disorder.

Method

Routinely collected data from 12 613 outpatients between July 2006 and January 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden were analysed. The outcome measure was change in Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) ratings between first visit and case closure (∆CGAS).

Results

CGAS improved during the course of treatment across all diagnostic groups, ranging from a mean change of 4 (mental retardation) to 16 (suicide attempts). ∆CGAS was two times higher in the mood disorder group compared with the ADHD group. In the mood disorder group, several psychotherapies were associated with better outcome but not medication. In the ADHD group, psychotherapeutic interventions were also associated with better outcome, but those who received treatment with central stimulants received less non‐medical interventions.

Conclusion

Whereas the functional impairment and the level of improvement in mood disorder corresponded to previous efficacy studies, the ADHD patients were more impaired and improved less after treatment. This should prompt a critical discussion as to whether ADHD patients receive the best available treatment in CAMHS in Stockholm and elsewhere.
Quantitative Reduction of Peripheral CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Regulatory T cells in Reproductive Failure after Artificial Insemination by Donor Sperm
Authors: Lu Yuechao , Zhang Fan , Zhang Yang , Zeng Bin , Hu Lian , Liao Aihua
Published: November 2012

Problem

The objective of this study was to determine whether peripheral Treg‐cell percentages were altered in women with reproductive failure after artificial insemination by donor sperm (AID) and which parameters can best discriminate women with AID failure and normal controls.

Method of study

A retrospective case–control study of 20 fertile controls and 20 patients undergoing more than four treatment cycles with negative pregnancy test (Group I), 20 experiencing biochemical pregnancy loss (Group II), and 20 undergoing missed abortion or spontaneous miscarriage (Group III) was performed. The peripheral percentages of CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25 +Foxp3+ Treg cells within CD4+ T‐cell population were evaluated at both late follicular and luteal phases of menstrual cycle by flow cytometry.

Results

A significantly decreased percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells was detected at the late follicular phase in all AID failure groups compared with the controls. The percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells at the late follicular phase in the controls was higher than that at the luteal phase. Using receiver operating characteristic curve, we found that CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg‐cell percentage <2% can best discriminate the AID failure and normal controls.

Conclusion

Reduced percentage of peripheral CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells at the late follicular phase was associated with AID failure and can be a potential biomarker for predicting AID‐induced failure.
Laparoscopic or Lichtenstein repair for recurrent inguinal hernia: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Yang Jun , Tong Da Nian , Yao Jing , Chen Wei
Published: November 2012

Background

There is no clear answer regarding the use of laparoscopic techniques versus the Lichtenstein method for the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia.

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of laparoscopy versus the Lichtenstein repair by a meta‐analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

Databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the Science Citation Index updated to May 2012, were searched. The main outcome measures were wound infections and haematoma, urinary retention, post‐operative chronic pain and recurrence. A meta‐analysis of included RCTs was performed.

Results

Five RCTs, comprising a total of 427 patients, were included. Although most of the analysed outcomes were similar between groups, wound infection rates and post‐operative chronic pain occurred less frequently in the laparoscopic group than in the Lichtenstein group (odds ratio: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08–0.97; P = 0.05; odds ratio: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.17–0.68; P = 0.002, respectively).

Conclusion

The laparoscopic approach to the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia is superior to the Lichtenstein hernioplasty in some aspects that affect patient satisfaction.
Performance of Risk Estimation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Hepatitis B (REACH‐B) score in classifying treatment eligibility under 2012 Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) guideline for chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Chen T.‐M. , Chang C.‐C. , Huang P.‐T. , Wen C.‐F. , Lin C.‐C.
Published: November 2012

Background

REACH‐B [Risk Estimation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in Chronic Hepatitis B] scoring system was developed to predict the risk of HCC in noncirrhotic chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

Aim

To evaluate the discriminatory performance of REACH‐B scoring system in classifying anti‐viral treatment eligibility of CHB patients according to the 2012 Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) treatment guideline.

Methods

A total of 904 noncirrhotic CHB were enrolled. Patients' age, gender, liver biochemistry, HBeAg status and HBV DNA levels were recorded.

Results

The minimum REACH‐B risk score for patients to be eligible for anti‐viral treatment was 7 for HBeAg‐positive and 6 for HBeAg‐negative patients. Among them, increasing REACH‐B score was not significantly associated with eligibility for treatment [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.210, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.979–1.494, P = 0.078] in HBeAg‐positive patients, as shown by logistic regression analysis after adjusting for gender. In HBeAg‐negative patients, REACH‐B score significantly predicted the treatment eligibility (adjusted OR: 1.783, 95% CI: 1.607–1.979, P < 0.001). Discriminatory ability of REACH‐B score to classify eligibility was poor for HBeAg‐positive patients ≥40 years [area under receiver operating characteristic (AUC): 0.664, 95% CI: 0.533–0.795], but good/excellent for HBeAg‐positive patients <40 years (AUC: 0.903; 95% CI: 0.841–0.964), HBeAg‐negative patients ≥45 years (AUC: 0.883; 95% CI: 0.848–0.917) and HBeAg‐negative patients <45 years (AUC: 0.907; 95% CI: 0.874–0.940).

Conclusion

The discriminatory performance of the REACH‐B scoring system in classifying anti‐viral treatment eligibility based on the 2012 APASL guideline was good/excellent, except for ≥40 years old HBeAg‐positive patients.