bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creative workspaces – a fad or making real impact?
Authors: De Paoli Donatella , Ropo Arja
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the current trend of designing workspaces to foster creativity. The paper brings forth themes that seem to be connected with the so-called ‘creative workspaces’. The paper discusses how the findings relate to recent theory and research. Finally, the paper develops propositions to further elaborate the issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts an inductive and social constructionist approach. In all, 40 internet pictures of workspaces claimed to be creative among a broad range of industries and companies which were analyzed through an aesthetic lens and compared to what theory and research about organizational creativity and space inform us.

Findings

The designs of ‘creative workspaces’ follow a rather standardized and deterministic assumption of what kind of spaces are considered to produce creativity: open offices, happy, playful communities of close-knit teams and spatial arrangements that resemble home, symbols and memories, sports, technology and nature. This view of creativity and workspaces remains a management fad unless a more balanced approach to the issue is assumed.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is not to be representative and the findings generalizable as such, but to bring forth the phenomenon. This exploratory and inductive approach calls for a systematic study to prove the propositions in a more controlled research setting and with a bigger sample.

Practical implications

The paper makes a few suggestions of what companies should pay attention to when building workspaces to improve organizational creativity – and to overcome the fad.

Social implications

The proposed end-user perspective may ultimately save costs, if people can voice their needs on the space arrangements from the beginning and throughout the building process, not only after the spaces are fully complete, as is typically the case.

Originality/value

The paper provides a critical view on the trend of building work spaces to purposefully enhance organizational creativity. It brings forth themes that are connected to creativity and workspace designs and suggests that more nuances are involved in the issue.
Towards responsive workplaces – identifying service paths for time- and place-independent work
Authors: Petrulaitiene Vitalija , Rytkönen Eelis , Nenonen Suvi , Jylhä Tuuli
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The need to understand work processes and end-users has become an issue in corporate real estate and workplace management. Flexible work practices and technological advancement allow end-users to move outside the building boundaries. This influences workplace management to become more service-oriented and demand-driven, and better serve the needs of end-users. For that, this paper aims to investigate the ways in which new workplace services support the knowledge creation processes of mobile workers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is exploratory and follows a multiple-case study strategy. Literature is reviewed on workplace and knowledge theories, and the market analysis consists of data from 57 firms that offer services to support the mobile knowledge worker.

Findings

Workplace services were categorized into three new groups that support knowledge creation processes for the mobile knowledge worker in various work environments. The analysis indicated that new services are driven by technological development and community formation around the physical or virtual place.

Practical implications

The proposed service groups can be examined as new business opportunities by workplace service providers, and the results suggest that the CRE managers should re-think their service portfolios, boost their collaboration with the service providers and invest in building a community.

Originality/value

This paper categorizes workplace services from a mobile knowledge worker perspective and follows a service-oriented approach to workplace management.
An approach for initiating interventions for bank recovery
Authors: Goodhart Charles A.E. , Segoviano Miguel A.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper proposes an objective metric to trigger bank recovery. Banks’ living wills involve both recovery and resolution. Since it may not always be clear when recovery plans or actions should be triggered, there is a role for an objective metric to trigger recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

We outline how such a metric could be constructed meeting criteria of adequate loss absorption; distinguishing between weak and sound banks; little susceptibility to manipulation; timeliness; scalable from the individual bank to the system.

Findings

We show how this would have worked in the UK, during 2007-2011.

Originality/value

This approach has the added advantage that it could be extended to encompass a whole ladder of sanctions of increasing severity as capital erodes.
The measurement and regulation of shadow banking in Ireland
Authors: Stewart Jim , Doyle Cillian
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study financial vehicle corporations (FVCs) and other special purpose vehicles (SPVs) in Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a database of FVCs that are a central part of the shadow banking sector in Ireland. The database is derived from a European Central Bank (ECB) list of securities and from filings in Company Registration Office, Dublin.

Findings

Tax concessions are very valuable and has resulted in zero or close-to-zero effective tax rates. Although described as “bankruptcy remote”, FVCs/ SPVs in Ireland are associated with several banks that failed. Central Bank data are inconsistent with revenue data and have resulted in regulatory gaps. The main economic benefit to Ireland consists of payments to certain service providers.

Research limitations/implications

A complete population of FVCs/SPVs has not been used. Ownership of FVCs/SPVs has not been identified with consequent implications for identifying risk to the sponsoring firm or guarantor.

Practical implications

The study indicates data deficiencies in Central Bank data, with consequent implications for regulation and measuring the size of the shadow banking sector, and failure of FVCs/SPVs described as bankruptcy remote.

Social implications

The shadow banking sector has been a key source of instability and risk transference in the recent past. Research and understanding is vital to prevent a future occurrence.

Originality/value

There are no publicly available databases of individual FVCs/SPVs in Ireland. Hence, research on granular data is limited. The study develops a database derived from lists of securities published by the ECB. The study also relies on a database derived from company house records.
Are we nearly there yet? A study of the English National Health Service as professional bureaucracies
Authors: Dickinson Helen , Snelling Iain , Ham Chris , Spurgeon Peter C.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore issues of medical engagement in the management and leadership of health services in the English National Health Service (NHS). The literature suggests that this is an important component of high performing health systems, although the NHS has traditionally struggled to engage doctors and has been characterised as a professional bureaucracy. This study explored the ways in which health care organisations structure and operate medical leadership processes to assess the degree to which professional bureaucracies still exist in the English NHS.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the qualitative component of a research into medical leadership in nine case study sites, this paper reports on findings from over 150 interviews with doctors, general managers and nurses. In doing so, the authors focus specifically on the operation of medical leadership in nine different NHS hospitals.

Findings

Concerted attention has been focussed on medical leadership and this has led to significant changes to organisational structures and the recruitment and training processes of doctors for leadership roles. There is a cadre of doctors that are substantially more engaged in the leadership of their organisations than previous research has found. Yet, this engagement has tended to only involve a small section of the overall medical workforce in practice, raising questions about the nature of medical engagement more broadly.

Originality/value

There are only a limited number of studies that have sought to explore issues of medical leadership on this scale in the English context. This represents the first significant study of this kind in over a decade.
A value-based taxonomy of improvement approaches in healthcare
Authors: Colldén Christian , Gremyr Ida , Hellström Andreas , Sporraeus Daniella
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The concept of value is becoming increasingly fashionable in healthcare and various improvement approaches (IAs) have been introduced with the aim of increasing value. The purpose of this paper is to construct a taxonomy that supports the management of parallel IAs in healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on previous research, this paper proposes a taxonomy that includes the dimensions of view on value and organizational focus; three contemporary IAs – lean, value-based healthcare, and patient-centered care – are related to the taxonomy. An illustrative qualitative case study in the context of psychiatric (psychosis) care is then presented that contains data from 23 interviews and focuses on the value concept, IAs, and the proposed taxonomy.

Findings

Respondents recognized the dimensions of the proposed taxonomy and indicated its usefulness as support for choosing and combining different IAs into a coherent management model, and for facilitating dialog about IAs. The findings also suggested that the view of value as “health outcomes” is widespread, but healthcare professionals are less likely than managers to also view value as a process.

Originality/value

The conceptual contribution of this paper is to delineate some important characteristics of IAs in relation to the emerging “value era”. It also highlights the coexistence of different IAs in healthcare management practice. A taxonomy is proposed that can help managers choose, adapt, and combine IAs in local management models.
They did not start the fire: reviewing and resolving the issue of physician stress and burnout
Authors: Babyar Julie Christine
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Physician stress and burnout is a serious and common concern in healthcare, with over half of physicians in the USA meeting at least one criterion for burnout. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A review on current state of physician stress and burnout research, from 2008 to 2016, was undertaken. A subsequent perspective paper was shaped around these reviews.

Findings

Findings reveal research strength in prevalence and incidence with opportunities for stronger intervention studies. While descriptive studies on causes and consequences of physician burnout are available, studies on interventions and prevention of physician burnout are lacking. Future research on physician stress and burnout should incorporate intervention studies and take care to avoid limitations found in current research. Accountability and prevention of physician burnout is the responsibility of the healthcare industry as a whole, and organizational strategies must be emphasized in future research.

Originality/value

The value of this research comes in the original comprehensive review, international inclusion and succinct summary of physician burnout research and strategies.
Internationalization, dynamic environments and new product development
Authors: Lee Keon Bong , Choi Suk Bong
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore when and how Korean firms learn from internationalization to develop new competencies to serve an international market.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a contingency perspective to examine the relationship between organizational coordination and organizational implementation capabilities. A conceptual framework was tested based on data obtained from Korean firms.

Findings

The results suggested a discrepancy between the direct and indirect influences of internationalization. On the one hand, there is an inverted U-shaped pattern in the direct relationship between internationalization and organizational implementation capabilities; that is, high levels of internationalization may reduce organizational implementation capabilities. On the other hand, the evidence for a U-shaped moderation suggests that high levels of internationalization can help a firm become capable of amplifying the value of cross-functional coordination in organizational implementation capabilities. In addition, technological changes weaken the positive impact of organizational coordination on organizational implementation capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

Empirical research on the role of internationalization and dynamic environments in the context of new product development (NPD) affirms the importance of testing the curvilinear moderation beyond a linear two-way interaction.

Practical implications

The present study offers insights into the importance of high levels of internationalization in enabling Korean firms to create effective cross-functional coordination to serve an international market with new products.

Originality/value

This is the first review focusing on the role of internationalization in NPD.
Rethinking value proposition tools for living labs
Authors: Äyväri Anne , Jyrämä Annukka
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual analysis on value proposition tools to be used in future empirical research and in building managerial insight. The conceptual analysis focusses on a living lab framework and recent theoretical developments around the concept of value that are reflected in the context of three managerial tools for creating value propositions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using abductive reasoning, the descriptions of the tools were analysed as cultural texts, as language-in-use in a social context.

Findings

In the context of the living labs approach, the Value Proposition Builder™ (VPB) seems to conflict with the ideas and premises of user-centric innovation processes. In the Value Proposition Canvas (VPC), the co-creation aspect is rather vague, as the enterprise and its offerings are presented as creators of value for the customer. Thus, this tool somewhat contradicts the living lab approach. The People Value Canvas (PVC) is aligned with the service-dominant logic and the premises of living labs. However, all three tools largely neglect a deeper acknowledgement of the role of the wider context, the service ecosystem, and the role of networked actors as resource integrators. Moreover, none of the tools explicitly point out the role of enterprises as intermediaries in constructing invitations for value co-creation.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the SDL and living labs literature by conceptual analysis on different value proposition tools; the VPB™, the PVC, and the VPC which are relevant for academics as well as practitioners creating new understanding and insights on the connectedness of the living labs framework and SDL as well as their relationship to managerial tools. By identifying the absent elements of S-D logic from managerial value proposition tools, the paper contributes to current discussions by giving attention from scholars towards investigating managerial tools and by providing a new conceptual analysis for future empirical research. The critical analysis of the managerial tools contributes to managerial practice by emphasising the need to consciously evaluate the benefits and failures of tools for developing their organisations.
Doing good while making money
Authors: Chakrabarty Bidisha , Lee Sang Bong , Singh Nitish
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the performance of exchange traded funds (ETFs) that hold corporate social responsibility (CSR) stocks and compare their risk-return characteristics with the market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the Sharpe ratio and Jensen’sαfrom multivariate regressions to perform a multi-country study to examine how CSR-oriented ETFs perform against global, national, and regional market indexes. The authors examine paired groupings of each CSR-oriented ETF with its corresponding index after appropriate risk adjustments.

Findings

The authors find that CSR-oriented ETFs’ perform similar to their market indexes. Thus, individual investors can earn comparable returns while investing in CSR-oriented ETF, indicating that they can indeed do “good” while not missing out on returns. However, the authors also find that unlike the previously documented buffer effects that CSR-oriented firms enjoy, CSR-oriented ETFs do not outperform their market indexes during economic downturns. Thus, CSR-oriented ETFs are not safe havens for individual investors during times of economy-wide slumps.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study is its limited sample size. Because the authors use novel hand-collected data, the authors have 11 CSR-focused ETFs with their corresponding indexes.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that examines individual investor participation using CSR-oriented ETFs. The study is made possible by hand-collected data on CSR-related ETFs which identify in detail the composition of each of these ETFs, and the findings highlight how individual investors can promote CSR while also making sound investments.
Characteristics of codified knowledge and replication-imitation speed differentials
Authors: Kim Bongsun , Kim Minyoung , Kim Eonsoo
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate knowledge replication-imitation speed differentials in the context of patents as the target knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes patent citations in the electric digital data processing class employing an accelerated failure-time model.

Findings

This study finds that replicators can turn the private aspect of knowledge into an advantage against imitators with respect to the speed of knowledge transfer, even after the knowledge is codified in a patent. Specifically, being a replicator provides no knowledge transfer speed advantage over imitators. Instead, a joint consideration of knowledge characteristics and organizational boundaries is necessary when explaining knowledge replication-imitation speed differentials. Thus, “organizational advantage” in knowledge transfer is knowledge characteristic-specific rather than general.

Originality/value

This study illuminates the differential effects of organizational boundaries on knowledge transfer by investigating both replication and imitation in conjunction with each other, which has been a weakness in previous studies. This study also investigates knowledge transfer speed, another void in extant research.
Natural born opportunists
Authors: Fennimore Anne
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to adapt research conducted on subclinical psychopaths and Machiavellians to conceptualise false agents in transaction cost economics (TCE). Both opportunism and information asymmetry provide a means to manipulate contractual relationships, pursuing existing loopholes for self-interest, while uncertainty and small-numbers bargaining allow false agents to exploit existing agreements during periods of rapid change, growth, and development. Considering differences in contract length preference may inform our understanding of subclinical psychopaths and Machiavellians. Contextually, the rise of “quasi-governmental” hybrid organisations may produce an ideal prospect for “natural born” opportunists to reap self-interested benefits through contractual loopholes.

Design/methodology/approach

This theoretical paper addresses social norms and blind trust in contractual relationships. In turn, blind trust may provide clues about the environmental conditions that facilitate manipulation by subclinical psychopaths and Machiavellians during negotiations of contract term length.

Findings

Williamson’s (1975) TCE framework provides a novel approach to subclinical psychopathic and Machiavellian behaviour by agents. Assumptions about behavioural norms may differ between the contracting party and the agent, leading to positive behavioural expectations of trust such as confidence, reciprocity, and history. The length of the contractual relationship may distinguish subclinical psychopaths from Machiavellians. The subclinical psychopath is more likely to behave opportunistically in short-term contracts, while Machiavellians more likely amass goodwill to behave opportunistically in long-term contracts. The role of uncertainty, small-numbers bargaining, information asymmetry, and opportunism is particularly relevant in quasi-governmental organisations when agents are “natural born” opportunists.

Originality/value

This theoretical paper adds to discussion of TCE related problems in organisations. “Natural born” opportunistic agents are more likely to take advantage of principals who extend trust as a goodwill gesture in a contractual relationship. Trust often represents a mental shortcut, based on “gut” reactions to save time, especially in dynamic environments. Hybrid organisations represent one such environment, in which contracting of goods and services renders comprehensive monitoring impracticable. Yet, scholarship adheres to legal mechanisms as safeguards against opportunism without acknowledging social norms that guide blind trust. Finally, contrasting motives between principals and false agents creates an inherent relationship asymmetry.
The relevance of information transfer in learning culture
Authors: Gil Alfonso J. , Mataveli Mara
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of the processes of orientation and empowerment and the transfer of information in the learning culture.

Design/methodology/approach

The first hypothesis predicts that information mediates the relationship between orientation and empowerment processes and learning culture and the second hypothesis suggests that organisational size moderates the relationships between constructs. The empirical work is conducted in the wine industry in Spain through a structural equation analysis, partial least squares.

Findings

The hypothesis of mediation is confirmed; however, the hypothesis about size moderation is not confirmed.

Practical implications

The importance of the transfer of information in the foundation of a learning culture is highlighted and, therefore, its importance in the development of learning in organisations, especially in building learning organisations.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature on learning in organisations by sharing not only the characteristics that identify a learning culture, but also the mechanisms or processes through which a learning culture can be developed.
Women’s treatment on men’s conditions: a critical evaluation of selected literature and research findings
Authors: Segraeus Vera
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Deviant behavior was punished during the middle ages. In the seventeenth century, people were locked up in asylums. A first step towards humanization was taken by the founders of the moral treatment movement in the nineteenth century, but it declined at the end of that century. What we today call “milieu therapy” represents a new phase in treating mental illness and deviance. After the Second World War, the therapeutic community (TC) method was widely implemented in Europe, but the needs of different target populations were not dealt with equally. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this contribution, the treatment needs of diverse populations of female drug abusers are addressed. Selected literature and research findings for women in mixed and gender-specific treatment are presented.

Findings

The conclusion is that we need a women and family perspective in substance abuse treatment and research. Moreover, a holistic and multidisciplinary treatment approach is needed since so many factors and aspects are involved.

Originality/value

Treatment programs should focus on long-term lifestyle changes and be tailored to the specific needs of diverse target populations. Modified TCs for women and men with children and/or dual diagnosis are definitely the future for TCs.
A probabilistic study on the geometrical design of gravity retaining walls
Authors: Haddad Abdolhosein , Rezazadeh Eidgahee Danial , Naderpour Hosein
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to introduce a relatively simple method of probabilistic analysis on the dimensions of gravity retaining walls which might lead to a more accurate understanding of failure. Considering the wall geometries in the case of allowable stress design, the probability of wall failure is not clearly defined. The available factor of safety may or may not be sufficient for the designed structure because of the inherent uncertainties in the geotechnical parameters. Moreover, two cases of correlated and uncorrelated geotechnical variables are considered to show how they affect the results.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on the failure and stability of gravity retaining walls which can be stated in three different modes of sliding, overturning and the foundation-bearing capacity failure. Each of these modes of failure might occur separately or simultaneously with a corresponding probability. Monte Carlo simulation and Taylor series method as two conventional methods of probability analysis are implemented, and the results of an assumed example are calculated and compared together.

Findings

The probability analysis of the failure in each mode is calculated separately and a global failure mode is introduced as the occurrence of three modes of sliding, overturning and foundation-bearing capacity failure. Results revealed that the global mode of failure can be used along with the allowable stress design to show the probability of the worst failure condition. Considering the performance and serviceability level of the retaining structure, the global failure mode can be used. Furthermore, the correlation of geotechnical variables seems to be relatively more dominant on the probability of global failure comparing to each mode of failure.

Originality/value

The introduced terminology of global mode of failure can be used to provide more information and confidence about the design of retaining structures. The resulted graphs maintain a thorough insight to choose the right dimensions based on the required level of safety.
CFD analysis on hydrodynamic conditions of a designed spiral column photobioreactor for cultivation of microalgae
Authors: Chatterjee Sushovan
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is analysis on fluid flow characteristics inside a modified designed spiral bubble column photo-bioreactor. Available fluid dynamic simulation of bubble column reactor (BCR) (which is well-known conventional photobioreactor) had shown significance contribution over the past two decades, where the fluid dynamics of the culture medium and mixing will influence the average irradiance and the light regimen to which the cells are exposed. This enhances the growth. To develop this, and also to cut down the cost parameter involving the production of biodiesel from algae, the growth rate of algae has to be enhanced.

Design/methodology/approach

Some design modification through a staggered spiral-path inside the bubble column design had been proposed and comparative simulation of the modified design has been reported. Three-dimensional simulations of gas–liquid flow both in the BCR and spiral path column reactor have been carried out using the Euler–Euler approach. Various graphs are plotted, and from comparing, it has been seen that the proposed reactor will enhance better mixing rate, which could help the growth rate in microalgae in the present proposed model. In this paper, an earnest attempt had made to carry out computational simulation of conventional BCR and designed reactor used for cultivation of microalgae which had analyzed using commercial code ANSYS 14.

Findings

From this work, it was observed that the average turbulence kinetic energy fluctuates more in designed reactor over the conventional photo bioreactor, which will in turn increase diffusivity and enhance transfer of mass, momentum and energy. The results provide comprehensive information concerning effect of fluid flow characteristics inside a modified designed spiral bubble-column photo-bioreactor.

Originality/value

Some of our earlier published results (www.scientific.net/AMM.592-594.2427) are also referred in this paper. This work had been performed under the financial aid from RPS project (no. 8,023/RID/RPS/27/11/12), sponsored by All India Council for Technical Education.
Estimation of characteristics of naturally fractured reservoirs by pressure transient analysis
Authors: Rezk Mohamed Gamal , Abdelwaly A.A.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the pressure behavior in dual porosity reservoirs using different techniques in an attempt to correctly characterize reservoir properties. Pressure transient tests in naturally fractured reservoirs often exhibit non-uniform responses.

Design/methodology/approach

The pressure transient tests in naturally fractured reservoirs were analyzed using conventional semi-log analysis, type curve matching (using commercial software) and Tiab’s direct synthesis (TDS) technique. In addition, the TDS method was applied in case of a naturally fractured formation with a vertical hydraulic fracture. These techniques were applied to a single-layer, naturally fractured reservoir under pseudosteady state matrix flow. By studying the unique characteristics of the different flow regimes appear on the pressure and pressure derivative curves, various reservoir characteristics can be obtained such as permeability, skin factor and fracture properties.

Findings

For naturally fractured reservoirs, a comparison between the results semi-log analysis, software matching and TDS method is presented. In case of wellbore storage, early time flow regime can be obscured that lead to incomplete semi-log analysis. Furthermore, the type curve matching usually gives a non-uniqueness solution, as it needs all the flow regimes to be observed. However, the direct synthesis method used analytical equation to calculate reservoir and well parameters without type curve matching. For naturally fractured reservoirs with a vertical fracture, the pressure behavior of wells crossed by a uniform flux and infinite conductivity fracture is analyzed using TDS technique. The different flow regimes on the pressure derivative curve were used to calculate the fracture half-length in addition to other reservoir properties.

Originality/value

The results of different field cases showed that TDS technique offers several advantages compared to semi-log analysis and type curve matching. It can be used even if some flow regimes are not observed. Direct synthesis results are accurate compared to the available core data and the software matching results. It can be used to confirm the software matching results and to give reliable reservoir characteristics when there is lack of data.
Modeling the effect of entrained sand particles on pressure transverse in a flowing gas well
Authors: Fadairo Adesina , Oyedele-Adeyi Olusegun , Oladepo Adebowale , Ogunkunle Temitope
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study showcase a realistic model for estimating pressure drop at any production time in any location along the vertical flowing solid-gas well. Also to simulate the impact of solid particles on the pressure transient in gas well. The production of natural gas from the reservoir is always associated with entrained solid particle of different sizes, mainly sand particles and crystalline salts. Entrained solid transport along the gas phase has been a great concern for gas production engineer, as the detrimental consequences are often associated to desirable high operational parameters, such as rate and pressure transverse in producing well.

Design/methodology/approach

A variety of early models for predicting pressure transverse in gas wells were based on steady state flow equation that did not consider time factor, which results in inaccuracy at early production time. Some of the early investigators overlooked the effect of the solid on the pressure transverse phenomena in a gas well. Hence, there is a need for developing a model for estimating pressure transverse at all times in solid–gas well. This study presents an equation for pressure drop in flowing vertical well without neglecting any term in the momentum equation by the inclusion of accumulation and kinetic term.

Findings

The solution of the resulting differential equation gives functional relationship between solid–gas flow rates and pressure at any point in flowing well at any given production time. The results show improvement over previous studies, as the assumptions previously neglected were all considered.

Originality/value

A more realistic result that includes the initial unsteadiness phenomenon is obtained; hence, predicting pressure transient at any given production time has been established for both gas that flows along with solid particles and gas without particles. At the onset of production, the effect of all possible wellbore pressure losses is highly pronounced and decreased as the production time increases. The newly developed model, however, can be used at all depths. The effect of using the Sukkar and Cornell model is extremely adverse for the calculation of other parameters, such as flow rate, and carrying out economic analysis.
Protective effects of in vivo‐expressed autotransporters against Bordetella pertussis infection
Authors: Suzuki Koichiro , Shinzawa Naoaki , Ishigaki Keisuke , Nakamura Keiji , Abe Hiroyuki , Fukui‐Miyazaki Aya , Ikuta Kazuyoshi , Horiguchi Yasuhiko
Published: July 2017

Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough, a severe and prolonged respiratory disease that results inhas high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in developing countries. The number incidence of whooping cough cases is increasing in many countries despite high vaccine coverage. Causes for the re‐emergence of the disease include the limited duration of protection conferred by the acellular pertussis vaccines (aP)s and pathogenic adaptations that involve antigenic divergence from vaccine strains. Therefore, current vaccines therefore need to be improved. In the present study, we focused on five autotransporters: namely SphB1, BatB, SphB2, Phg, and Vag8, which were previously found to be expressed by B. bronchiseptica during the course of infection in rats and examined their protective efficiencies as vaccine antigens. The passenger domains of these proteins were produced in recombinant forms and used as antigens. An intranasal murine challenge assay showed that immunization with a mixture of SphB1 and Vag8 (SV) significantly reduced bacterial load in the lower respiratory tract and a combination of aP and SV acts synergistically in effects of conferring protection against B. pertussis infection, implying that these antigens have potential as components to for improvinge th the currently available acellular pertussis vaccine.
Phthaloyl‐coenzyme A decarboxylase from Thauera chlorobenzoica: the prenylated flavin‐, K+‐ and Fe2+‐dependent key enzyme of anaerobic phthalate degradation
Authors: Mergelsberg Mario , Willistein Max , Meyer Heike , Stärk Hans‐Joachim , Bechtel Dominique F. , Pierik Antonio J. , Boll Matthias
Published: July 2017

The degradation of the industrially produced and environmentally relevant phthalate esters by microorganisms is initiated by the hydrolysis to alcohols and phthalate (1,2‐dicarboxybenzene). In the absence of oxygen the further degradation of phthalate proceeds via activation to phthaloyl‐CoA followed by decarboxylation to benzoyl‐CoA. Here, we report on the first purification and characterization of a phthaloyl‐CoA decarboxylase (PCD) from the denitrifying Thauera chlorobenzoica. Hexameric PCD belongs to the UbiD‐family of (de)carboxylases and contains prenylated FMN (prFMN), K+ and, unlike other UbiD‐like enzymes, Fe2+ as cofactors. The latter is suggested to be involved in oxygen‐independent electron‐transfer during oxidative prFMN maturation. Either oxidation to the Fe3+‐state in air or removal of K+ by desalting resulted in >92% loss of both, prFMN and decarboxylation activity suggesting the presence of an active site prFMN/Fe2+/K+‐complex in PCD. The PCD‐catalysed reaction was essentially irreversible: neither carboxylation of benzoyl‐CoA in the presence of 2 M bicarbonate, nor an isotope exchange of phthaloyl‐CoA with 13C‐bicarbonate was observed. PCD differs in many aspects from prFMN‐containing UbiD‐like decarboxylases and serves as a biochemically accessible model for the large number of UbiD‐like (de)carboxylases that play key roles in the anaerobic degradation of environmentally relevant aromatic pollutants.
The adaptation of a Solution Focused Brief Therapy domestic violence perpetrator programme: a case study with a client with a learning disability
Authors: Banting Rosemary , Butler Catherine , Swift Charlotte
Published: July 2017

Re‐offending rates of perpetrators of domestic violence are high (Hester et al., ) and there is a need for perpetrator programmes to reduce victimization. There is no clear evidence for the effectiveness of existing programmes (Bowen, Gilchrist and Beech, ; Herman, Rotunda, Williamson and Vodanovich, ; Smedslund et al., ). A new perpetrator programme based on Solution Focused Brief Therapy has been developed (Bowen, ), and whilst in its infancy it has received positive feedback from services and clients (International Innovation, ). Solution Focused Brief Therapy has been found to be effective in the reduction of aggression and criminal behaviours (Gingerich and Peterson, ), and has been effectively used with people with a learning disability (Smith, ). This case study will explore the effectiveness of the new perpetrator programme with someone with a learning disability on their attitudes towards domestic violence and abuse as well as self‐esteem.

Practitioner points

Solution Focused Therapy for domestic violence has been found to successfully change the behaviour and improve the self‐esteem of a man with a learning disability

Where children are at risk of harm, longer‐term interventions remain the recommended therapy

The mainstream model for treatment was adapted by using visual aids and role play to work with someone with learning disabilities and these were found to be useful by the client
Identifying key sites for connecting jaguar populations in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Diniz M. F. , Machado R. B. , Bispo A. A. , Brito D.
Published: July 2017

Networks of protected areas play a key role for large carnivore conservation since habitat fragmentation and population isolation are strong threats for them. We evaluated the contribution of the Protected Jaguar Areas (PJAs) and other forest fragments (1217 patches) to habitat availability and connectivity for jaguars in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We used habitat availability indices to rank the PJAs and the forest fragments according to their importance to different aspects of landscape connectivity. We also analyzed the protection degree of the forest fragments with greater importance for connectivity. PJAs represented 37% of the total amount of habitat area and 34% of the equivalent connected area of the whole network, suggesting that PJAs contribute only modestly to the habitat availability and connectivity of the complete network. The individual classification showed that the majority of PJAs did not contribute expressively in terms of intrapatch connectivity (65%) or to the connectivity among other patches (74%). Twenty‐six forest fragments were identified by the rank analysis. They increased the equivalent connected area index of the PJAs network between 3.8 and 4.1 times. Nearly half of the connector fragments’ area (44.4%) is not under any degree of protection, and 34.8% of them are under the protection of sustainable use protected areas (IUCN categories V–VI). As umbrella and/or flagship species, the effective protection of jaguars may also benefit other species. Therefore, results indicate that the inclusion of the connector fragments in more restrictive protection categories (strict protection protected areas), associated with active population and habitat management strategies, might enhance habitat connectivity and availability not only for jaguars, but also for many other species in the Atlantic Forest.
A complementary perspective on business ethics in South Korea: Civil religion, common misconceptions, and overlooked social structures
Authors: Horak Sven , Yang Inju
Published: July 2017

Following the recent call for advancement in knowledge about business ethics in East Asia, this study proposes a complementary perspective on business ethics in South Korea. We challenge the conventional view that South Korea is a strictly collectivist country, where group norms and low trust determine the norms and values of behavior. Using the concept of civil religion, we suggest that the center of the South Korean civil religion can be seen in the affective ties and networks pervading the economic, political, and social institutions, embedded in and guided by Confucian ideals. We argue that South Korea should be seen not as a collectivist low‐trust society, but rather as an affective‐relational society, in which the relational context determines whether collectivism or individualism prevails. Further, we assert that trust, the cohesive factor of affective ties and networks, has until now been inadequately captured by conventional surveys. Our proposed perspective contributes to a more holistic picture and a more firmly grounded understanding of business ethics in South Korea.
Alterations in the steroid biosynthetic pathways in the human prefrontal cortex in mood disorders: A post‐mortem study
Authors: Qi Xin‐Rui , Luchetti Sabina , Verwer Ronald W. H. , Sluiter Arja A. , Mason Matthew R. J. , Zhou Jiang‐Ning , Swaab Dick F.
Published: July 2017

Altered levels of steroids have been reported in the brain, cerebral spinal fluid and plasma of patients with mood disorders. Neuroimaging studies have reported both functional and structural alterations in mood disorders, for instance in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). In order to determine whether the endogenous production of steroids is altered in the ACC and DLPFC of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder (BPD), quantitative real‐time PCR was performed to detect mRNA expression level of key enzymes in the steroid biosynthetic pathways. In MDD, a significant decrease in mRNA level of cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1, synthesizing C19 ketosteroids) in the ACC and a significant increase in mRNA levels of hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase 2A1 [SULT2A1, catalyzing the sulfate conjugation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)] were observed in the DLPFC, suggesting alterations in DHEA and its sulfate metabolite DHEAS levels. Decreased intensity and distribution of CYP17A1 immunohistochemical staining was found in the ACC of MDD patients. Interestingly, there was a significant positive correlation between the mRNA levels of CYP17A1 and tyrosine‐related kinase B (TrkB) full length isoform. In a unique post‐mortem human brain slice culture paradigm, BDNF mRNA expression was found to be significantly increased following incubation with DHEA. Together, these data indicate a close relationship between DHEA and BDNF‐TrkB pathways in depression. Furthermore, in the DLPFC, higher mRNA levels of 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase‐1 (HSD11B1, reducing cortisone to the active hormone cortisol) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR, facilitating the shuttle of cholesterol through the intermembrane space) were found in the MDD patients and BPD patients, respectively. In conclusion, this study suggests the presence of a disturbance in the endogenous synthesis of DHEA and DHEAS in mood disorders, which has a close relationship with BDNF‐TrkB signaling.
Reproducibility of heart rate recovery in patients with intermittent claudication
Authors: Fecchio Rafael Yokoyama , Chehuen Marcel , Peçanha Tiago , Cucato Gabriel Grizzo , Costa Luiz Augusto Riani , Leicht Anthony Scott , Ritti‐Dias Raphael Mendes , Wolosker Nelson , Forjaz Cláudia Lúcia de Moraes
Published: July 2017

Background

Postexercise heart rate recovery (HRR) is a non‐invasive tool for cardiac autonomic function assessment. Reproducibility of HRR has been established in healthy subjects; however, no study has evaluated this reproducibility in clinical populations who may present autonomic dysfunction. Patients with peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication (IC) often present altered cardiac autonomic function and HRR could be an interesting tool for evaluating autonomic responses to interventions in this population. Therefore, the reproducibility of HRR should be determined in this specific population.

Objective

To determine the reproducibility of HRR indices in patients with IC.

Methods

Nineteen men with IC underwent two repeated maximal treadmill tests. Raw HR and relative HRR (difference to exercise peak) indices measured at 30, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300s of recovery were evaluated. The presence of systematic bias was assessed by comparing test and retest mean values via paired t‐test. Reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and agreement by typical error (TE), coefficient of variation (CV) and minimal detectable difference (MDD).

Results

There were no significant differences between the test and retest values of all raw HR and relative HRR indices (P ≥ 0·05), except for HR120s (P = 0·032). All indices exhibited excellent reliability (ICC ≥ 0·78). Raw HR and relative HRR indices showed TEs ≤ 6·4 bpm and MDDs ≤ 17·8 bpm. In addition, all indices showed CVs ≤ 13·2%, except HRR30s (CV = 45·6%).

Conclusions

The current results demonstrated that most HRR indices were highly reproducible with no systematic error, excellent reliability and good agreement in patients with IC following maximal graded exercise.
A Plantation Precariat: Fragmentation and Organizing Potential in the Palm Oil Global Production Network
Authors: Pye Oliver
Published: July 2017

This article draws on research conducted among migrant workers in the palm oil industry in Malaysia. It explores the fragmentation and the precaritization of palm oil labour and discusses how workers react to different forms of precarity in pursuit of their own spatial strategies of social reproduction. The article shows how migrant workers use extensive, transnational networks to circumvent or challenge the strategies of spatial control of capital. Migrant workers use these spatially and temporally contingent networks to avoid national border controls, to abscond and switch employers, and to organize collective bargaining and wildcat strikes. Fragmentation thus provokes a counter‐reaction from workers, who scale up everyday resistance strategies, producing the potential for new spatialities of solidarity. It is argued that this everyday practice of workers could become the basis for more political spatial organizing strategies within the palm oil global production network (GPN).