bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of school reopening on the spread of COVID-19 in England
Authors: Keeling Matt J. , Tildesley Michael J. , Atkins Benjamin D. , Penman Bridget , Southall Emma , Guyver-Fletcher Glen , Holmes Alex , McKimm Hector , Gorsich Erin E. , Hill Edward M. , Dyson Louise
Published: June 2020

By mid-May, cases of COVID-19 in the UK had been declining for over a month; a multi-phase emergence from lockdown was planned, including a scheduled partial reopening of schools on 1st June. Although evidence suggests that children generally display mild symptoms, the size of the school-age population means the total impact of reopening schools is unclear. Here, we present work from mid-May that focused on the imminent opening of schools and consider what these results imply for future policy.

We compared eight strategies for reopening primary and secondary schools in England. Modifying a transmission model fitted to UK SARS-CoV-2 data, we assessed how reopening schools affects contact patterns, anticipated secondary infections and the relative change in the reproduction number, R. We determined the associated public health impact and its sensitivity to changes in social-distancing within the wider community.

We predicted reopening schools with half-sized classes or focused on younger children was unlikely to push R above one. Older children generally have more social contacts, so reopening secondary schools results in more cases than reopening primary schools, while reopening both could have pushed R above one in some regions. Reductions in community social-distancing were found to outweigh and exacerbate any impacts of reopening. In particular, opening schools when the reproduction number R is already above one generates the largest increase in cases.

Our work indicates that while any school reopening will result in increased mixing and infection amongst children and the wider population, reopening schools alone in June was unlikely to push R above one. Ultimately, reopening decisions are a difficult trade-off between epidemiological consequences and the emotional, educational and developmental needs of children. Into the future, there are difficult questions about what controls can be instigated such that schools can remain open if cases increase.
Extended use or re-use of single-use surgical masks and filtering facepiece respirators: A rapid evidence review
Authors: Toomey E , Conway Y , Burton C , Smith S , Smalle M , Chan XH , Adisesh A , Tanveer S , Ross L , Thomson I , Devane D , Greenhalgh T
Published: June 2020

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented demand for personal protective equipment. Shortages of surgical masks and filtering facepiece respirators has led to the extended use or re-use of single-use respirators and surgical masks by frontline healthcare workers. The evidence base underpinning such practices has been questioned.

Objectives

To summarise guidance and synthesise systematic review evidence on extended use, re-use or reprocessing of single-use surgical masks or filtering facepiece respirators.

Methods

A targeted search of the World Health Organization, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Public Health England websites was conducted to identify guidance. Four databases (Medline, Pubmed, Epistemonikos, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) and three preprint repositories (Litcovid, MedRxiv and Open Science Framework) were searched for relevant systematic reviews. Record screening and data extraction was conducted by two reviewers. Quality of included systematic reviews was appraised using the AMSTAR-2 checklist. Findings were integrated and narratively synthesised to highlight the extent to which key claims in guidance documents were supported by research evidence.

Results

Six guidance documents were identified. All note that extended use or re-use of single-use surgical masks and respirators (with or without reprocessing) should be considered only in situations of critical shortage. Extended use was generally favoured over re-use because of reduced risk of contact transmission. Four high-quality systematic reviews were included: three focused on reprocessing (decontamination) of N95 respirators and one focused on reprocessing of surgical masks. There was limited evidence on the impact of extended use on masks and respirators. Vaporised hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation were highlighted as the most promising reprocessing methods, but evidence on the relative efficacy and safety of different methods was limited. We found no well-established methods for reprocessing respirators at scale.

Conclusions

There is limited evidence on the impact of extended use and re-use of surgical masks and respirators. Where extended use or re-use is being practiced, healthcare organisations should ensure that policies and systems are in place to ensure these practices are carried out safely and in line with available guidance.
Crystal structures of three platinacyclic complexes bearing isopropyl eugenoxyacetate and pyridine derivatives
Authors: Chi Nguyen Thi Thanh , Thong Pham Van , Van Meervelt Luc
Published: June 2020

Three new platinum(II) complexes bearing a eugenol and a pyridine derivative, namely (η2-2-allyl-4-methoxy-5-{[(propan-2-yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl-κC
1)chlorido(pyridine-κN)platinum(II), [Pt(C15H19O4)Cl(C5H5N)], (I), (η2-2-allyl-4-methoxy-5-{[(propan-2-yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl-κC
1)chlorido(4-methylpyridine-κN)platinum(II), [Pt(C15H19O4)Cl(C6H7N)], (II), and (η2-2-allyl-4-methoxy-5-{[(propan-2-yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl-κC
1)chlorido(pyridine-4-carboxylic acid-κN)platinum(II), [Pt(C15H19O4)Cl(C6H5NO2)], (III), have been synthesized and further characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The PtII atoms exhibit the usual distorted square-planar coordination and are surrounded by one Cl atom, one N atom, and a C atom and C=C double bond of the eugenol ligand. The donor N atom of the pyridine ligand occupies a cis position with respect to the double bond. Complexes (I) and (II) crystallize isomorphously in space group P\overline{1} and display a similar crystal packing characterized by C—H...O hydrogen bonding, C—H...π and π–π interactions. However, the presence of the additional methyl group in the 4-methylpyridine ligand in (II) disturbs the π–π interactions. The crystal packing of (III) is characterized by O—H...O hydrogen bonding, resulting in the formation of chains of molecules connected in a head-to-tail fashion and running in the [101] direction. The IC50 values for the HepG2 and KB cell lines are 150.9, 122.3 µM for (I) and 138.9, 93.2 µM for (II), respectively.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-1H-tetrazole-5(4H)-thione
Authors: Askerov Rizvan K. , Maharramov Abel M. , Khalilov Ali N. , Akkurt Mehmet , Akobirshoeva Anzurat A. , Osmanov V. K. , Borisov A. V.
Published: June 2020

In the crystal of the title compound, C7H5FN4S, the molecules are non-planar, with dihedral angle formed by least-squares planes of tetrazole and benzene rings of 59.94 (8) °. The crystal packing is formed by N—H...S hydrogen bonds, which link the molecules into centrosymmetric dimers with an R
2
2(8) ring motif, and by the offset face-to-face π–π stacking interactions between the benzene rings, which join the dimers into layers parallel to (100). The Hirshfeld surface analysis shows that the most important contributions to the surface contacts are from N...H/H...N (21.9%), S...H/H...S (21.1%), H...H (14.6%), F...H/H...F (11.8%) and C...H/H...C (9.5%) interactions.
Value co-creation features: an empirical case study of B2B collaboration and interactions in New Zealand
Authors: Rashid Yasir , Tanveer Anisha , Shaukat Zeeshan , Sadiq Imran
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight four features of value co-creation among actors in a business-to-business environment. Service-dominant (S-D) logic of marketing is used as a theoretical lens to view at the process of value co-creation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an interpretive methodological approach, the authors collected empirical material from a single case based in New Zealand. The case was based on the collaboration, interaction and relationship between vendor and client during an information and communication technology (ICT) systems integration project. The unit of analysis was “points of value creation.” Empirical material came from observation, in-depth interviews and documents such as meeting notes and email logs. Interpretation highlighted four features of the value co-creation process: motivators, outcomes, disadvantages and management. Moreover, personal and network aspects of value co-creation process emerged.

Findings

The findings of this study capture benefits, as well as conflicts and frustrations, in a value co-creation process. Furthermore, it provides future research motivations for researchers currently working to develop S-D logic of marketing.

Originality/value

It is suggested that there is relatively little direction on how value co-creation process should be undertaken in different contexts such as retail, education, health care and ICT. There is a need to understand the dynamics and specification of value co-creation process, as the literature is scarce in this field.
Assessment of artificial neural network for thermohydrodynamic lubrication analysis
Authors: Wang Nenzi , Tsai Chih-Ming
Published: June 2020

Purpose

In this study, artificial neural networks (ANNs) are constructed and validated by using the bearing data generated numerically from a thermohydrodynamic (THD) lubrication model. In many tribological simulations, a surrogate model (meta-model) for obtaining a fast solution with sufficient accuracy is highly desired.

Design/methodology/approach

The THD model is represented by two coupled partial differential equations, a simplified generalized Reynolds equation, considering the viscosity variation across the film thickness direction and a transient energy equation for the 3-D film temperature distribution. The ANNs tested are having a single- or dual-hidden-layer with two inputs and one output. The root-mean-square error and maximum/minimum absolute errors of validation points, when comparing with the THD solutions, were used to evaluate the prediction accuracy of the ANNs.

Findings

It is demonstrated that a properly constructed ANN surrogate model can predict the THD lubrication performance almost instantly with accuracy adequately retained.

Originality/value

This study extends the use of ANNs to the applications other than the analyses dealing with experimental data. A similar procedure can be used to build a surrogate model for computationally intensive tribological models to have fast results. One of such applications is conducting extensive optimum design of tribological components or systems.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-03-2020-0109/
Bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to health-care: a new tool for better outcomes
Authors: Gillin Laurence Murray , Hazelton Lois Marjorie
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the value of an industry ecosystem in providing context for both identifying and evaluating organisation opportunities and related entrepreneurial behaviour for future strategic growth by reference to a case study in the health-care industry. Using a validated entrepreneurship mindset audit instrument, an assessment is made of the leadership, decision-making, behaviour and awareness dimensions of professional practice health-care staff to create the internal culture that fosters an entrepreneurial orientated organisation that can deliver effective innovation for satisfied users of health-care services.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study examines the distinctive dimensions of entrepreneurial mindset – leadership, decision-making, behaviour and awareness – within a practice-based health-care (nursing) ecosystem and how these dimensions impact organisation performance throughout the health-care industry.

Findings

This study validates research findings that entrepreneurial leadership encourages entrepreneurial behaviour and an entrepreneurial culture supports the development of innovations. Opportunities for such cultural behaviour are best understood by measuring the staff’s and leaders’ “entrepreneurial mindset”.

Research limitations/implications

Generalising results from this case study requires caution. The positive outcome from the professional practice examples, and their strong association with impactful entrepreneurial mindset values on service delivery, requires further evaluation.

Practical implications

Using an entrepreneurial mindset audit to assess organisation’s cultural behaviour enables management to identify factors fostering or inhibiting entrepreneurial activity and to devise interventions to improve strategic direction.

Originality/value

Entrepreneurial mindset is not a new concept, but adding the critical significance of spiritual awareness to creative entrepreneur behaviour, together with a visioning map, adds both value and understanding to enhance organisation performance.
The implementation of the fraud exception rule: a comparative study
Authors: Aladwan Zaid
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the application of the fraud exception rule and try to analyze the different approaches in regard to the implication of fraud rule in letters of credit. Further, this paper tries to explore if there is an obstacle when applying such exception rule in common law and whether there is an overlap with interpreting the said rule. The same fact appears in civil law courts as well.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a comparative study which uses analytical approach and critical legal thinking.

Findings

The scope of the fraud defence, the US legal systems demonstrate that the scope of the fraud rule is extended and covers both fraud in documents and fraud in the underlying contract, while in contrast, in UK the rule’s scope is restricted to fraud in documents only. Such an approach is reasonable, as it is justified by applying the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP) rules strictly. That is to say, English courts apply the rules literally, even if it does not lead to fair judgements, while in contrast, American courts seek to enforce justice even if it goes beyond the rules. In any case, restricting the fraud exception to fraud in the documents is the proper approach. The reason for such restriction, on the one hand, is to maintain the integrity of letters of credit and, on the other hand, to affirm the autonomy principle.

Originality/value

Extending the scope of the fraud defence will require banks to go beyond the documents, which is not logical. Banks are neither expert in such transactions nor required to do so. Most importantly, banks are concerned with documents only; it is for the court to go beyond the documents. Although this approach could be criticized, it is important to ensure that the validity of the documentary credit instrument is not compromised. As established by academics, any argument need not engage the bank unless it is in respect of the presented documents. In short, “pay now, argue later” is paramount to distinguish parties’ litigations from banks vs parties’ litigations. In any case, it can be suggested that extending the fraud rule exception to include fraud in the underlying contract from Jordan perspective is not the proper one because it is necessary to maintain the integrity of letters of credit and to affirm the autonomy principle.
Spiritual, psychological and social dimensions of taxpayers compliance
Authors: Yuniarta Gede Adi , Purnamawati I. Gusti Ayu
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the role of spiritual, psychological and social dimensions of business taxpayer compliance in micro small and medium enterprises. Tax compliance is an ideal condition for taxpayers who meet tax regulations and report income accurately and honestly. However, the reality in Indonesia shows the voluntary compliance level to the community is still low. This is reflected in the amount of state tax revenue compared to gross domestic product.

Design/methodology/approach

The location of the study was conducted on taxpayers of micro small and medium enterprises in Bali Province. The type of data used in this study is quantitative data with primary data sources in the form of questionnaires to 100 business taxpayers. Data analysis uses multiple linear regression.

Findings

The results showed that money ethics (as a psychological dimension) and tax socialization (as a social dimension), did not significantly influence tax compliance. Karma phala (as a spiritual dimension) has a positive and significant effect on business taxpayers’ compliance. When an individual's behavior has reflected commitment in their religion philosophy, it is expected to be a control of deviant behavior and good behavior in taxation obligations. In the future, it will be able to prevent deviations from perversion and universal undesirable.

Research limitations/implications

Research is only limited to entrepreneurs who are in the micro small and medium business sector, so it is still lacking in representing the public opinions, especially business people in businesses whose scope is wider. In addition, the variables used in this study are still not maximized, one can add more variables, one of which is tax modernization.

Originality/value

Consideration of spirituality dimension use because it is part of individual character formation in attitude and behavior. The psychological and spiritual dimensions include the human behavior theories development that integrate aspects of spirituality to shape human behavior as a whole with a comprehensive perspective, especially religious philosophy through the enforcement of karma phala laws to realize compliance and fulfillment of tax obligations with full responsibility.
Effect of cybercrime laws on protecting citizens and businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Authors: Younies Hassan , Al-Tawil Tareq Na'el
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which cybercrime laws protect citizens and businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Pertinent questions over the lax regulatory environment and incomprehensible cybersecurity policies have influenced the discussions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will first offer a global outlook of cybersecurity laws and legislation. The global outlook will present the basis for examining best practices that the UAE could emulate. The paper will then examine the legislative landscape of cyber laws in the UAE, including cross-country comparisons. The comparisons are critical, as the country’s cybercrime laws are in their infancy phase.

Findings

The UAE has taken decisive and proactive measures to deter the threat of cybercrimes and cyberattacks. The UAE strategy comprehensive strategy has been effective in protecting the economy and populations from the adverse effects of cybercrimes. The success lies in the enactment of comprehensive and streamlines laws and regulations with harsher penalties. The stringent legal measures, including longer jail terms, stiffer fines and deportation of foreigners, have ensured robust deterrence to cybercriminals.

Originality/value

The analysis has shown that the UAE has a higher score of preparedness against cybercrimes and cyberattacks. The UAE has specifically crafted a broader and effective legislative framework of cybercrime laws. Although the UAE has comprehensive cybercrime laws, the remarkable level of technological advances in the country makes citizens and businesses lucrative targets. The UAE now has the burden of doubling down its legal efforts to deter emerging cybersecurity risks.
Psychological ownership in open source electronic medical records communities
Authors: Perrigino Matthew B. , Dunford Benjamin B. , Biondich Paul G. , Cullen Theresa , Pratt Benjamin R.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Open source software (OSS) communities devoted to the development of electronic medical records (EMRs) have grown in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the challenge the leaders of these communities face in terms of building perceptions of psychological ownership among community members.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys (n = 50) and brief interviews (n = 56) with individual members of an open source EMR community (most of whom are based in African nations) were used.

Findings

Among community members, normative commitment (in comparison to extrinsic motivation and affective commitment) was the strongest predictor of psychological ownership. Interviews revealed that community members tended to feel a greater sense of ownership toward the end user (i.e. hospitals and clinics) than toward the community itself.

Practical implications

To foster engagement and retention – and enhance the worldwide impact of their community on healthcare practices – leaders of open source EMR communities can offer incentives related to certifications and status-based rewards, hold annual meetings to allow members to develop a better understanding of the community and encourage members to “pay it forward” by involving end users (i.e. hospital and clinic employees) within the community, thus furthering public health initiatives.

Originality/value

OSS communities experience unique challenges compared to traditional organizations. This necessitates a reconsideration of the applicability of commonly accepted principles, tenets and recommendations from the management literature.
Discovering innovation opportunities based on SECI model: reconfiguring knowledge dynamics of the agricultural artisan production of agave-mezcal, using emerging technologies
Authors: Flores Torres Columba Lisset , Olvera-Vargas Luis Alberto , Sánchez Gómez Julia , Contreras-Medina David Israel
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Following the recommendation of the food and agriculture organization of the United Nations in agricultural innovation, for taking advantage of emerging technologies, in benefit of small-farmers, the present study explores one of the most ancient crops in the world that privileging the application of tacit knowledge, to become a succulent plant called agave, into the so-called drink of the gods, the mezcal. For this, the purpose of this study is to discover innovation opportunities and reconfiguring knowledge interaction dynamics of the agricultural artisan production of agave-mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico, using emerging technologies

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative-quantitative approach, the study was carried out with 44 mezcal producers from Oaxaca, Mexico, through face-to-face session, questionaries’ application and field visits, based on the model of socialization, externalization, combination and internalization (SECI) through Likert-scale questions, combining the non-parametric statistical analysis and digital compass, for the detection of technological opportunities

Findings

Basing on artisanal process, context-knowledge place, technological resources and SECIs model results, the opportunities must go in the route of labour in the logic of digital performance. In this sense, becomes relevant to develop an easy-use mobile application for improving the interaction of mezcaleros with external agents and another’s producers., A second proposal is the creation of mezcal-tech-hub, thinking as collaborative space, for promoting the interaction producer-to-producer and producer-to-external agent.

Originality/value

The value of the present study is the empirical description of knowledge dynamics interaction contained in the agricultural artisan production of agave-mezcal through SECI model; the identification of problems, failure or barriers contained in the knowledge interaction dynamics of the agricultural artisan production agave-mezcal; the proposal of innovation opportunities for reconfiguring the knowledge interaction dynamics of the agricultural artisan production agave-mezcal from a developing economy, using emerging technologies.
Viewpoint: The impact of coronavirus on service ecosystems as service mega-disruptions
Authors: Kabadayi Sertan , O’Connor Genevieve E. , Tuzovic Sven
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to synthesize the widespread economic impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 and presents a new concept, service mega-disruptions (SMDs), which refers to fast moving market disturbances at a massive scale caused by a pandemic. The purpose of this paper is to offer a framework to recognize the impact of SMDs on service ecosystems and a call to action for service researchers in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents an overview of massive market disturbances that is observed across multiple service sectors based on current news reports. It then develops themes for timely and actionable research for service scholars.

Findings

The outbreak of COVID-19 demonstrates that both service industries and the service research community face a new reality, something that we are not well-prepared to handle. A new framework is needed to understand the impact of such virus outbreaks, and current service marketing concepts need to be re-investigated from a new perspective.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature and service research community by addressing the phenomenon of SMDs by curating a framework and collection of research themes to understand what we observe and what we need to learn to do better in the future.
Mapping the field: a bibliometric analysis of land use and carbon emissions (LUCE) research from 1987 to 2018
Authors: Liu Chunhui , Li Kongqing
Published: June 2020

Purpose

One of the most critical and active research areas in the field of climate change in recent years has been the interaction between land use and carbon emissions (LUCE). As there is a lack of data to represent the knowledge structure and evolution of LUCE between 1987 and 2018, this paper turned to CiteSpace in order to identify and visualize the cited references and keyword networks, the distribution of categories and countries and highly cited references in connection to LUCE research. Two indicators, betweenness centrality (BC) and citation burst (CB) embedded in CiteSpace, were utilized to investigate the knowledge structures.

Design/methodology/approach

Two indicators, BC and CB embedded in CiteSpace, were introduced to investigate the knowledge structures.

Findings

Firstly, pre-2000 papers provide the main theoretical foundation for LUCE research, and the innovation of computer technology also provides new ideas and methods for related research. Secondly, greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are attracting more attention. As agriculture also involves food security, the pressure on agriculture to reduce carbon is enormous, and more research and policy investment will be needed in the future. Thirdly, although the natural sciences ranked highly on BC detection, social and humanities sciences have contributed more to the LUCE research with an increasing emphasis on regional and global governance to combat climate change. Finally, keen interest in carbon emissions and sustainable development in developed countries, particularly in Europe, has led to a large number of LUCE studies. Research being done in developing countries that are most affected by climate change is also outstanding.

Originality/value

The results collected will assist scientific researchers to better understand the research status and frontier trends in this sector, thus permitting researchers to comprehend current research interests in the LUCE analysis field and providing useful information for further investigation and publication strategies.
Critical success factors for total quality management implementation and implications for sustainable academic libraries
Authors: Asante Edward , Ngulube Patrick
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the critical success factors for total quality management implementation and implications for sustainable academic libraries in Ghana. This study is part of a PhD project that focussed on selected technical university libraries in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a quantitative approach to collect the data. Samples of 124 participants were involved in this study. PLS-SEM (Smart PLS3) software was used to analyse the data. Convergent, discriminant validity assessment was computed. Eight variables of critical success factors were tested in relation to total quality management implementation at selected academic libraries in Ghana.

Findings

This study established that out of the eight variables tested, six of them (i.e. top management commitment, employee innovation employee training, organisational culture, teamwork and effective communication, quality performance) indicated a significant positive relationship with total quality management implementation apart from strategic planning and human resource management.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited to eight variables as the critical success factors mentioned in the previous paragraph. The use of one methodology might be a limitation as the use of multimethod might have given a more comprehensive picture than the case. This study was limited to only technical university libraries in Ghana hence caution must be exercised when applying the results to contextually different academic environments. The results are applicable to academic universities library in Ghana and beyond if they are adjusted to suit the context.

Practical implications

This study is timely as it may lead to effective total quality management implementation and the sustainability of technical university libraries in Ghana and Africa in general.

Originality/value

The proposed model can be used to enhance the smooth implementation of total quality management in academic libraries in general and Ghana in particular. The framework is termed as Eddie and Pat's Achievement of Quality Performance (EPAfQP) model.
Governance and financial efficiency of Brazilian credit unions
Authors: Favalli Ricardo Terranova , Gori Maia Alexandre , da Silveira Jose Maria Ferreira Jardim
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the relation between governance and financial efficiency of credit unions in Brazil. The study shows how poor financial efficiency in credit unions may result from undesirable configurations in executive management and other variables related to governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops an innovative methodology to classify credit unions according to the level of governance using indicators of representativeness and participation, leadership, management and supervision. This methodology integrates the use of multiple correspondence and cluster analysis. The study then applies stochastic frontier models to analyze how governance affects the indicators of financial efficiency.

Findings

The results highlight that better governance substantially increases the efficiency of credit unions in terms of a higher level of credit operations per institution.

Originality/value

The paper uses a pioneering survey applied by the Central Bank to almost the total population of credit unions in Brazil. The results highlight how to operationalize a subjective and broad concept related to cooperative governance to identify the remarkable impacts of good governance practices on the financial efficiency of credit unions.
Impact of convection on thermographic analysis of silver based thermal joints
Authors: Stojek Krzysztof Jakub , Felba Jan , Nicolics Johann , Wołczyński Dominik
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to develop thermal analysis method of thermal joints characterization. The impact on convection on thermal resistance analysis with use thermography for silver-based thermal joints were investigated for non-metallized and metalized semiconductor surfaces. Heat transfer efficiency depends on thermal conductivity; radiation was used to perform thermographic analysis; the convection is energy loss, so its removing might improve measurements accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

Investigation of thermal joints analysis method was focused on determination of convection impact on thermal resistance thermographic analysis method. Measuring samples placed in vacuum chamber with lowered pressure requires transparent window for infrared radiation that is used for thermographic analysis. Impact of infrared window and convection on temperature measurements and thermal resistance were referred.

Findings

The results showed that the silicon window allowed to perform thermal analysis through, and the convection was heat transfer mode which create 15% energy loss.

Originality/value

It is possible to measure thermal resistance for silver-based thermal joints with convection eliminated to improve measurements accuracy.
Effect of trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy on depression and the quality of life of the elderly in Indonesia
Authors: Efendi Ferry , Indarwati Retno , Aurizki Gading Ekapuja
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze the effect of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) on the depression level and quality of life of the elderly in an earthquake-affected district of North Lombok Regency, Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) with a population of two elderly groups living in an earthquake-affected district was used in this study. The intervention comprised giving TF-CBT. There were three research instruments applied to determine the variables, namely, the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5), the Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (GDS 15) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). All instruments were adopted and translated using back translation to Bahasa Indonesia, which is appropriate at the suggestion of the WHO. To investigate the effect of the intervention, we used hierarchical linear models (HLM) with intent-to-treat analysis. The patent parameter effect was tested using the Wald test (t-test) with a confidence Interval of 95 per cent.

Findings

The final analysis applied CAPS-5 and showed that there was a decrease in the PTSD of the respondents, which was down to only 8 (17.8 per cent) in the post-test. The same situation happened for the depression variable (2.8 per cent) after it was assessed using GDS-15C. The Quality of life (WHOQoL-BREF) variable was divided into Physical (50.7), Psychological (57.1), Social (53.6) and Environmental (45.7). These components show there to be a significant result in terms of improving the quality of life of the elderly victims of the earthquake. The finding highlights that applying TF-CBT in the elderly population can significantly drop post-traumatic stress disorder and depression level and enhanced quality of life.

Social implications

The intervention decreased the depression level and improved the quality of life of the elderly as found in the six- week follow-up. Longer training and integration with the structured local wisdom could be necessary to better address the mental health of the elderly affected by the earthquake. Moreover, strengthening the role of the family as the primary caregiver is required to improve the outcome.

Originality/value

This is the first study that has attempted to use TF-CBT as a method of treatment for the elderly to decrease their depression and to increase quality of life among the Indonesian elderly who have experienced an earthquake. This paper provides knowledge on the effectiveness of TF-CBT that can be used by therapists to treat depression problems suffered by the elderly in a post-disaster area.
Changes in older adults’ impairment, activity, participation and wellbeing as measured by the AusTOMs following participation in a Transition Care Program
Authors: Smith Haley N. , Fields Sally M.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Maintaining a continuum of care is vital to ensure adequate health among older adults, particularly during periods of care transitions, when they are vulnerable and at risk of poor health outcomes. The Transition Care Program in Australia is designed to support older adults following the conclusion of a hospital episode. Using the Australian Therapy Outcome Measures for Occupational Therapy (AusTOMs‐OT), this study aimed to understand how the Transition Care Program impacts an older adult’s occupational performance during care transitions.

Methods

Data were collected as a part of usual occupational therapy care from March 2016 to August 2017 from clients admitted to a Gold Coast Health Transition Care Program. Data from 110 clients were analysed on 5 AusTOMs‐OT scales: functional walking and mobility, upper limb use, self care, domestic life—home, and community life/recreation/leisure/play. Change data from these scales were analysed using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test.

Results

Clients in the Transition Care Program experienced statistically and clinically significant improvements in all AusTOMs‐OT scales analysed as well as in each domain of impairment, activity limitation, participation restriction and distress/wellbeing.

Conclusion

These results are meaningful for clients, occupational therapists and Australian Transition Care Programs. Clients demonstrated progress towards their goals, indicating maintenance or improvements in their occupational performance, confirming for occupational therapists that the provision of services is promoting goal achievement and leading to improved occupational performance. The study also highlighted the benefits for the use of outcome measures such as the AusTOMs‐OT to quantify and validate client change.
Phenotypic heterogeneity as key factor for growth and survival under oligotrophic conditions
Authors: Kundu Kankana , Weber Nina , Griebler Christian , Elsner Martin
Published: June 2020

Productivity‐poor oligotrophic environments are plentiful on earth. Yet it is not well understood how organisms maintain population sizes under these extreme conditions. Most scenarios consider the adaptation of a single microorganism (isogenic) at the cellular level, which increases their fitness in such an environment. However, in oligotrophic environments, the adaptation of microorganisms at population level – that is, the ability of living cells to differentiate into subtypes with specialized attributes leading to the coexistence of different phenotypes in isogenic populations – remains a little‐explored area of microbiology research. In this study, we performed experiments to demonstrate that an isogenic population differentiated to two subpopulations under low energy‐flux in chemostats. Fluorescence cytometry and turnover rates revealed that these subpopulations differ in their nucleic acid content and metabolic activity. A mechanistic modelling framework for the dynamic adaptation of microorganisms with the consideration of their ability to switch between different phenotypes was experimentally calibrated and validated. Simulation of hypothetical scenarios suggests that responsive diversification upon a change in energy availability offers a competitive advantage over homogenous adaptation for maintaining viability and metabolic activity with time.
An Evaluation of Differentially Spliced Genes as Markers of Sex for Forensic Entomology,,
Authors: Jonika Michelle M. , Hjelmen Carl E. , Faris Ashleigh M. , McGuane Alexander S. , Tarone Aaron M.
Published: June 2020

Blow flies (Calliphoridae) are important medically and economically and are commonly used in forensics as temporal markers in death investigations. While phenotypic traits in adult flies can be sexually dimorphic, sex identification in immatures is difficult. Consequently, little is known about how sex may result in developmental disparities among sexes even though there are indications that they may be important in some instances. Since genetic mechanisms for sex are well studied in model flies and species of agricultural and medical importance, we exploit the sex‐specifically spliced genes transformer (tra) and doublesex (dsx) in the sex determination pathway to optimize a sex identification assay for immatures. Using known primer sets for tra and with a novel one for dsx, we develop PCR assays for identifying sex in four forensically relevant Calliphoridae species: Lucilia sericata (Meigen), Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius), and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) and evaluated their performance. Band detection rates were found to range from 71 to 100%, call rates ranged from 90 to 100%, and no error was found when bands could be called. Such information is informative for purposes of testimony and in preparation for development studies. The developed assays will assist in further differentiating sexually dimorphic differences in development of the Calliphoridae and aid in more accurately estimating insect age when age predictive markers (size, development time, molecular expression) are sexually dimorphic.
Associations between general and abdominal obesity and incident diabetic neuropathy in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhou Rui , Li Furong , Chen Guochong , Fu Qiang , Gu Shanyuan , Wu Xianbo
Published: June 2020

Background

Previous epidemiological evidence on the sex‐specific association of obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, as reflected by larger waist circumference (WC), with incident diabetic neuropathy (DN) remains limited.

Methods

We used data from a patient cohort with a median 10‐year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus at the time of recruitment. A composite outcome of four types of predefined DN (Neuro 1‐4) was used as the outcome of interest. Because of sex differences in abdominal obesity, analyses were conducted separately for men and women.

Results

Among the 7442 participants (4551 men and 2891 women) recruited in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) study, 3999 cases of incident DN were documented (2529 in men and 1470 in women). Larger WCs were associated with a higher risk of DN among both men and women. Compared with the lowest quintile, the hazard ratio (HR) for the highest quintile was 1.30 (95% CI 1.13‐1.49) among men (Ptrend <.001). For women, the HR for the highest vs lowest quintile was 1.25 (95% CI 1.04‐1.51) (Ptrend <.001). A linear relationship between WC and DN was observed in men, and in women, the risk of DN increased as the WC quintile increased before it appeared to plateau. The relationship between body mass index and incident DN was similar to the results observed for WC.

Conclusion

General and abdominal obesity were both associated with an increased risk of incident DN among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, regardless of sex.
Oasis Functional Stability Evaluation Based on Multiple Indicators, Northwest China
Authors: LI Sen , ZHANG Zhishan , WANG Tao , YAN Changzhen , DU Heqiang
Published: June 2020

We produced and analyzed oasis structure information, and evaluated oasis functional stability using the multiple indicators based on Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) in the arid region of China in 2015. The results showed that the oases area was 193,734 km2, accounting for 8.17% of the arid region of China. The spatial difference in the functional stability of oases was obvious. The Beijiang zone had the highest functional stability and was relatively stable state, and the Hexi Corridor‐Alashan Plateau zone had the lowest functional stability and was relatively unstable. The functional stability is dominated by production and ecological functions, which have regional differences. Increasing oasis agricultural output, strengthening highway infrastructure construction and paying attention to education will become important ways to improve oasis functional stability. Water resources determine the ecological function, thus affecting the oasis functional stability. The results provide references for the formulation of related policies according to local conditions.
Quantitative trait loci mapping of adult‐plant resistance to powdery mildew in triticale
Authors: Karbarz Małgorzata , Tyrka Mirosław , Woźniak‐Strzembicka Anna , Czajowski Grzegorz , Wardyńska Agnieszka , Tyrka Dorota , Pojmaj Mirosław , Wędzony Maria
Published: June 2020

Powdery mildew (PM) is a common disease caused by Blumeria graminis, which affects cereals and has recently adapted to triticale. Adult‐plant resistance (APR) genes provide durable protection of crops from the disease. Quantitative trait loci corresponding to the APR effects were mapped in an F2 population of “Lamberto” (susceptible) × “Moderto” (resistant). A genetic map of winter triticale was constructed based on the segregation of 863 DArT, 38 microsatellite and 10 resistance gene analogue markers. Composite interval mapping (CIM) was applied to identify three QTLs for maximum disease severity (MDS) and two for the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) conferring resistance to the powdery mildew on chromosomes: 6A, 7A, 1B and 4R. The 39% variation in AUDPC was explained by the main QTL localised on chromosome 4R. Genes coding TRIUR3 proteins, serine/threonine protein kinase and cell wall associated kinases were localised in silico within the QTL and alternative DNA markers were proposed for flexible use in laboratories of diversified throughput.
A randomised controlled trial of fibrinogen concentrate during scoliosis surgery
Authors: Chen W. , Shen J. , Zhang Y. , Hu A. , Liang J. , Ma L. , Yu X. , Huang Y.
Published: June 2020

Bleeding and blood transfusion are common after scoliosis surgery. Fibrinogen is essential for blood clot formation and depletes quickly during haemorrhage. We randomly allocated 102 children 12–18 years old having surgery for idiopathic scoliosis, 51 to intra‐operative fibrinogen concentrate 30 mg.kg−1 (maximum 2 g) and 51 to saline placebo. Fibrinogen reduced peri‐operative blood loss by a median (95%CI) volume of 155 (5–320) ml, from a median (IQR [range]) of 1035 (818–1420 [400–3030]) ml to 885 (755–1155 [270–2645]) ml, p = 0.04. Seven and four children received allogeneic red blood cell transfusion after fibrinogen and placebo, respectively, p = 0.34. There were no side‐effects.
Subendocardial stress in pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Tran Tomio , Farasat Morteza , Krantz Mori J.
Published: June 2020

A primigravida 26‐year‐old woman who had developed pre‐eclampsia with malignant hypertension at 30 weeks of gestation suffered acute myocardial infarction two days postpartum. Electrocardiogram demonstrated diffuse ST‐segment depression suggestive of subendocardial ischemia. Echocardiography demonstrated focal asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy, with a characteristic “basal septal bulge”, and a left ventricular mid‐cavitary gradient of 51 mmHg. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries and vascular flow. Peripartum acute myocardial infarction is rare and portends a high mortality. However, to date, only one case of acute myocardial infarction associated with asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy and pre‐eclampsia has been described in the literature.