bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solving design management problems using lean design management: the role of trust
Authors: Uusitalo Petteri , Seppänen Olli , Peltokorpi Antti , Olivieri Hylton
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Although prior studies have noted the importance of trust for project performance, research remains scant on describing the role of trust when using lean design management (LDM) in projects. The purpose of this paper is to explore the connection between LDM and interpersonal trust in solving construction projects’ design management problems.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study was conducted that included 29 trust- and LDM-themed semi-structured interviews in the USA (California), Brazil and Finland; 11 focus group discussions were also organized to validate the interview findings.

Findings

The study reveals how LDM contributes to solving design management problems through two distinct but interconnected mechanisms: improved information flow; and improved trust among project team members. A conceptual framework was crafted to illustrate the mechanisms in building trust by means of the social domain of LDM concepts.

Research limitations/implications

The conceptual framework requires testing through an international survey or through multiple case studies.

Practical implications

The results indicate that design management would benefit from trustful environments and that trust may be the catalyst for actors’ engagement with LDM. Managers in charge of design within projects can use the conceptual framework when selecting the appropriate LDM tools, which should include both the social and technical domains.

Originality/value

The study emphasizes the importance of the social domain of LDM concepts. Previous studies have focussed on information flow aspects of LDM but have overlooked the value of interpersonal trust in solving design management problems.
Analyzing the relationship between organizational culture and lifelong learning among the information professionals in the university libraries of Pakistan
Authors: Khan Amjid , Ahmed Shamshad
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationships between the perceptions of library and information science (LIS) professionals about organizational culture (OC) and lifelong learning (LLL) in the university libraries of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a positivist paradigm and quantitative research method to examine the relationships between OC and the dimensions of LLL among the LIS professionals in the university libraries of Pakistan. Using a stratified sampling technique, data were collected, through a structured questionnaire, from a sample of 226 LIS professionals (out of N = 545) working in 97 university libraries of the country.

Findings

The results of the study found that the respondents’ perceptions about OC had positively correlated with their LLL in the study context. All the dimensions of OC predicted respondents’ LLL practices in the study context.

Practical implications

This study has practical implications for library leadership and LIS professionals to determine how the university libraries are likely to behave with LLL practices to accomplish the target goals.

Social implications

The results of this study can be used as supporting source and rationale for university libraries to develop strategic plans and policies for implementing LLL practices among LIS professionals of academic libraries.

Originality/value

The published literature shows the absence of any credible research carried out to know the influence of OC on LLL of LIS professionals.
Gender, school leadership and teachers’ motivations
Authors: Massry-Herzallah Asmahan , Arar Khalid
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The research investigates perceptions of teachers in the Arab education system in Israel concerning the effect of their principal’s leadership and gender on their motivation. Relying on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions as an analytic tool to understand the Arab school, the purpose of this paper is to answer the following research questions: first, how do the teachers perceive the leadership style and gender of their principal and what influence do these perceptions have on their motivation? Second, what are the influences of the different dimensions of culture described by Hofstede on the teachers’ motivation?

Design/methodology/approach

To answer these questions, 18 teachers from different schools in the Arab education system (10 female and 8 male) were interviewed.

Findings

The research revealed three themes which describe the teachers’ perceptions of their principals’ leadership styles with consideration of the principals’ gender: the principals’ involvement and sharing of school operations and decision making with the teachers; the extent of autonomy given to teachers; and establishment of principal–teacher relationships.

Originality/value

The paper concludes with implications of these leadership styles for teachers’ motivation for work, and suggestions are given to improve Arab principals’ practices and thus to enhance teachers’ motivation.
The wage gap in Spain for temporary workers: the effects of the Great Recession
Authors: Oliver Xisco , Sard Maria
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the wage gap between temporary and permanent workers across the whole wage distribution, not just at the mean, and the evolution before and after the Great Recession on this gap in Spain.

Design/methodology/approach

An extended Mincer-type wage equation is estimated using ordinary least square regression and unconditional quantile regression. Then, the decomposition of the wage gap between workers with fixed-term and permanent contracts for each quantile is made using the Fortin, Lemieux and Firpo decomposition.

Findings

The results show that two workers, with identical characteristics, earn different salaries if they have a different type of contract. However, the wage gap is not constant across the wage distribution. The penalty for temporary workers is wider for higher wages. Moreover, the main part of the gap is due to observed characteristics, but other factors (unobserved characteristics and discrimination) become more relevant in the upper part of the wage distribution.

Originality/value

The study expands upon available studies for Spain in two points. First, it is the first paper to the knowledge that analyse both the wage gap between temporary and permanent workers across the wage distribution and its decomposition. Second, the paper explores what happened before and after the Great Recession. In the years that the paper analyses there is also a labour market reform.
To what extent are ageist attitudes among employers translated into discriminatory practices
Authors: Jensen Per H. , De Tavernier Wouter , Nielsen Peter
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address four interrelated questions: what is the prevalence of ageism amongst employers? What are the factors conditioning employers’ age stereotypes? To what extent are ageist attitudes among employers translated into discriminatory recruitment, retention and firing practices? And what factors can moderate the stereotype–discrimination interaction?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on a survey conducted among Danish employers; 2,525 completed the survey questionnaires; response rate 25 per cent.

Findings

The major finding is that ageist stereotypes among employers do not translate into discriminatory personnel management practices.

Research limitations/implications

The findings may be specific to Denmark. Denmark is renowned to be a non-hierarchical, egalitarian society, which may have implications for personnel management practices.

Originality/value

Contrary to this study, most studies analysing ageist stereotypes do not assess the extent to which stereotypes are translated into discriminatory personnel management practices in the workplace.
Employment protection and gender gap
Authors: Ordine Patrizia , Rose Giuseppe , Vella Gessica
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of more stringent Employment Protection Legislation on employment outflows and wages of women compared to those of men.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors exploit the Italian labor market reform of 1990 that raised firing costs for firms with less than 15 employees leaving unchanged existing rules for larger firms. The authors setup a natural experiment using this firm size threshold to examine if an increase of severance pay in small relative to large firms has a different impact on labor flows and earnings by gender. Using administrative linked employer–employee data, the authors find a significant reduced flow out of employment of women with respect to men in small relative to large firms after 1990.

Findings

The results also indicate a reduction of the gender wage gap after the reform of about 1.5 percent. These findings are statistically significant for women in fertility age and disappear if we consider older women.

Originality/value

The findings are consistent with the idea that employment protection may help in reducing gender disparities.
How do supermarkets and discounters communicate about sustainability? A comparative analysis of sustainability reports and in-store communication
Authors: Saber Marcus , Weber Anja
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Commonly, supermarkets are perceived as more sustainable than discount stores, which are accused of following an aggressive price and no-frills approach. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate whether supermarkets and discounters differ substantially in their sustainability communication.

Design/methodology/approach

Sustainability reports and in-store communication are two important channels for retailers’ sustainability communication. To analyze both communication channels, the authors use a multi-method approach with data triangulation, analyzing sustainability reports and store observations of eight German retailers (two supermarket chains, six discount chains).

Findings

The study reveals no major differences between supermarkets and discounters regarding the readability of sustainability reports and the number of key figures on sustainability presented. However, supermarkets perform significantly better in translating sustainability to the store level than discounters. Furthermore, the results indicate that poor quality in the readability analysis is reflected in fewer concrete data provided in the sustainability reports and poorer translation of sustainability to the retail store.

Originality/value

This paper presents an empirical analysis of how well German retailers communicate about sustainability on both the report and the store level for the interest of academia and retail managers. It reveals different performance qualities among retail chains and retail formats and identifies the shortcomings within current reporting legislation with a clear indication toward policy makers.
Do Indian daughters shadow their mothers?
Authors: Choudhary Akanksha , Singh Ashish
Published: September 2019

Purpose

A few studies in India have related daughters’ education to their fathers, but there is little to no evidence when it comes to the intergenerational relation between daughters and mothers’ education. Using India Human Development Survey (IHDS) 2011–2012, the purpose of this paper is to investigate intergenerational educational mobility among women (15–49 years) (vis-à-vistheir mothers) for all India.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses transition/mobility matrices and multiple mobility measures for the examination of intergenerational educational mobility among women (15–49 years) in India. The data have been taken from the “India Human Development Survey 2011-12.”

Findings

Findings indicate that intergenerational educational mobility at the all-India level is about 0.69, that is, 69 percent of the women acquire a level of education different from their mothers. Of the overall mobility, about 80 percent is contributed by upward mobility whereas the rest is downward. Mobility is greater in urban areas and is highest among the socially advantaged “Others” (or upper) caste group. Also, the upward component is substantially lower for socially disadvantaged groups compared to others. Further, there are large inter-regional variations, with the situation being worst in the central and eastern states such as Uttaranchal, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, etc. Moreover, mobility (overall and upward) increases consistently as one moves up the income distribution.

Originality/value

This study is perhaps the first study which comprehensively studies intergenerational educational mobility for women (15–49 years) at an all-India level. Findings not only capture the mobility at the aggregate level but also for different caste groups as well as regional variations and income effect.
Critical theory and decolonial possibility in the neoliberal moment
Authors: Elliott Michael
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider how practices of critical theorising directed towards present dilemmas of neoliberalisation might inadvertently participate in the reproduction of colonial power.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a critical theoretical approach, focussing on Wendy Brown’s recent work on neoliberalism in particular.

Findings

The paper argues that an alignment with colonial power is evident at a methodological level in Brown’s critique of neoliberalism and that this offers indication of how critical theorising in general might begin to reorient itself in ways that better ally it with the creation/promotion of decolonial possibility in contemporary contexts.

Originality/value

The paper makes original contribution to understanding of how western critical theorising actively participates in the reproduction of colonial power. Its value lies partly in demonstrating how this occurs in Brown’s specific case, and partly in suggesting correctives of more general applicability.
A cohort study of sustainability education in nursing
Authors: Richardson Janet , Clarke Daniel , Grose Jane , Warwick Paul
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the contribution of scenario-based learning aimed at raising awareness of sustainability in health-care practitioners. The Lancet Countdown on Climate Change calls for urgent action on health and climate change; this requires appropriate knowledge, skills and competencies that can be gained through undergraduate education. The International Council of Nurses calls for leadership in nursing for sustainability; however, climate change and health are given little attention in nursing and health-care curricula.

Design/methodology/approach

A cohort of nursing and midwifery students was introduced to sustainability and climate change in the context of health care through scenario-based learning sessions in each of their three years of undergraduate education. Questionnaires were used to collect data on participant’s attitudes toward sustainability and climate change, how useful the educational sessions were and the extent to which their clinical practice had changed.

Findings

Significant differences were found between scores in Years 1 and 2 suggesting greater awareness of the importance of sustainability in nursing education and practice. Comparison of Years 2 and 3 scores found participants more likely to apply sustainability principles in clinical practice and challenge unsustainable practices in the work environment.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is required to explore sustainability practice in postgraduate nurses/midwives. However, this study supports the need for sustainability education to be embedded within health-care professional degrees through applied and participatory pedagogical approaches.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate sustainability education and its impact on nursing attitudes towards practice.
Sustainable chemistry teaching at the pre-university level
Authors: Kanapathy Suganty , Lee Khai Ern , Mokhtar Mazlin , Syed Zakaria Sharifah Zarina , Sivapalan Subarna , Mohd Zahidi Azizah
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the knowledge levels, attitudes and behaviours regarding the concept of sustainable development among pre-university programme educators, as well as the potential barriers and opportunities they face in adopting the concept of sustainable development in the teaching of the pre-university level chemistry module at a public university in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with eight educators of a pre-university programme at a public university located in Selangor, Malaysia. This pre-university programme exposes students to advanced courses in science, which are very much like first-year university courses for candidates who are interested in gaining admission to degree programmes. For this study, the focus was on chemistry educators only. The collected data were analysed through descriptive analysis following which interviews were conducted with the respondents.

Findings

In general, the educators have good knowledge and attitudes towards the concept of sustainable development. Moreover, their projected knowledge (K), attitude (A) and behaviour (B) focus more on environmental dimensions, as opposed to other sustainable development dimensions. While the integration of the concept of sustainable development in chemistry teaching is restricted by a few barriers, such as content-based learning, lack of guidebooks related to sustainable development and an overcrowded curriculum, positive responses from the chemistry educators indicate that there are opportunities to implement sustainable chemistry concepts in the pre-university chemistry module.

Research limitations/implications

The present study was conducted with several limitations; the data were obtained from a small sample size at an institute located within a public university. The respondents of this research consisted of only three existing chemistry educators and five administrators who are also educators. Further studies about sustainable chemistry teaching should include samples from other public and private universities.

Originality/value

This paper is instrumental in assisting the Ministry of Education, administrators, as well as educators within the pre-university sector to shift their goals towards sustainable chemistry teaching to achieve success in education for sustainable development.
Mobile phone vs paper-pencil mode of note-taking, a case study among the students of Bankura University
Authors: Kundu Arnab , Bej Tripti
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to recommend the university authorities to build better teaching-learning environment for its students to use variables and multiple note-taking methods in class for best results fundamental in each method.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a case study that follows a ‘problem-driven’ approach concerned specifically with providing practical solutions to real-world problems. A sample size of 320 respondents was obtained, in which 300 were university students selected from the first, second and third years of study and 20 were professors.

Findings

This case study made it very obvious to all that mobile phone note-taking is a regular practice among students at Bankura University. At the same time, the study also reveals that the practice does not significantly differ based on students’ sex.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the findings, the study recommends for the need to educate students on the importance of paper and pencil note-taking method so that they do not fall prey to such risks. A befitting environment should be created so that students can use various methods of note-taking in classrooms avoiding their negative impacts.

Practical implications

It has a wide implication in the modern age where cutting-edge technologies are shaping our course actions every day. We cannot keep ourselves from this technological association and our mobile phones have become our friend, philosopher and guide. In this scenario, this study bears a big implication in itself.

Originality/value

This study is based on the authors’ ground study and is purely original and unique in the true sense.
Modelling advances in gatekeeping theory for academic libraries
Authors: Ojennus Paul
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the appropriateness of gatekeeping theory, particularly its recent elaboration in journalism and communication studies for the investigation of information flows in academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the methods of conceptual analysis and thought experiment.

Findings

This paper finds that current elaborations of gatekeeping theory are useful for modeling library information flows, particularly identifying and evaluating influences on those flows. It is able to reframe intransigent issues around library neutrality and open access so that more nuanced approaches can be constructed.

Originality/value

Gatekeeping theory as elaborated by Shoemaker and Vos for journalism and communication studies, while occasionally referenced the library and information science (LIS) literature, has not been previously evaluated as a framework for library information flows. This is the first paper to assess the potential of aspects of the theory such as levels of analysis and multiplicity of channels to reframe issues in LIS.
Dark tourism consumption in Mexico City: a new perspective of the thanatological experience
Authors: Speakman Mark
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The Euro-centric nature of dark tourism research is limiting the perspective and restricting the scope of contemporary theory. Hence, this paper aims to explore how dark tourism consumption differs in a society apart from the Anglo/Eurosphere. This is done by testing Stone and Sharpley’s (2008) thanatological framework in Mexico, a country whose residents are renown for having a unique perspective on death, to assess whether Mexican dark tourism consumers undergo a similar, or different, thanatological experience to that proposed in the framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a qualitative approach in the form of a case study. The opinions of Mexican dark tourism consumers were gained by using the technique of semi-structured interviewing in four separate dark tourism sites within Mexico City, with coding serving as the form of analysis.

Findings

The findings show that due to the non-existence of an absent/present death paradox in Mexican society, the research participants experienced a thanatological process that contrasts with those from Western societies, which indicates that the thanatological framework is unsuitable in the context of Mexican dark tourism. At the same time, the study contests the common perception that Mexicans have a jovial familiarity with death, and demonstrates that in this case the thanatological process confirmed an acceptance of death, rather than any kind of intimacy.

Originality/value

The research is valuable in that it is a response to recent calls for research in geographical locations not previously considered in a dark tourism/thanatology context.
Library information services in academic libraries of Azerbaijan: a comparative study
Authors: Ismayilov Khalil , Ismayilov Nadir , Mammadova Vafa
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to comparatively study the library and information services provided by three academic libraries – Baku State University Scientific Library, ADA University Library and Information Services and Khazar University Library and Information Center – located in Baku, Azerbaijan. Various types of library services are examined in terms of funding, acquisition and technical equipment support issues. Also, different subordination conditions (public/private) of the universities help to better understand the current position of academic libraries in different entities.

Design/methodology/approach

Most part of the conveyed information was obtained through review of related literature, libraries’ annual reports and personal communication with the directors of the academic libraries, to look for similarities and differences in provided library and information services. The results of the study are comparatively described through multiple tables and charts.

Findings

For improving services it is necessary to develop paid forms of library and information services, maintain various training possibilities for library staff in modern librarianship areas, increase the variety and number of public and outreach activities.

Research limitations/implications

As the findings of the paper suggest new forms of library services and activities, it is necessary to continue the topic in further studies to develop practical methods and applications for local library conditions.

Originality/value

The paper can be accepted as the first comparative study of the library information services in academic libraries of Azerbaijan, which gives general overview and analysis of separate service ranges and types. The researchers interested in Azerbaijani librarianship may find it practical.
Towards the ethical librarian
Authors: Amoah Gloria Bosomtwi , Yeboah Eugene Baah
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the perspectives and viewpoints of professional staff of the Sam Jonah Library in as much as the ethical aspects of their profession are concerned. The paper also seeks to determine the common ethical issues that confront these professionals and their default courses of action in dealing with these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The descriptive survey design was used as the research methodology with the population of the study being all professional (post-graduate diploma and above) and para-professional (certificate, diploma and first degree) staff of the library. Due to the small number of professional staff (43) in the library, the census sampling technique was used.

Findings

Results indicated the existence of ethical dilemmas in the working lives of these professionals with guidance for dealing with these dilemmas emanating mostly from consultation of senior colleagues. Although the findings showed that the Ghana Library Association (GLA) had an ethics handbook, it was revealed that majority of the staff were not aware of its existence. It was also discovered that one of the major challenges of these professionals is the absence of a specific library code of ethics handbook to guide staff in case they are confronted with these ethical dilemmas. The study recommends a strong awareness creation initiative from the GLA to bring to the notice of members, the existence of a formal code of ethics document.

Originality/value

The paper provides information on specific ethical issues confronting staff of the library and their current modes of dealing with the dilemmas they encounter.
Understanding the psychological drivers of loneliness: the first step towards developing more effective psychosocial interventions
Authors: Robertson Guy
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the need to develop a more balanced approach to addressing the loneliness experience by older people by recognising the psychological and emotional dynamics which cause it. It proposes a more holistic psychosocial approach to loneliness.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on and reviews the published literature on the psychological aspects of loneliness.

Findings

Although not extensive, there is sufficient evidence to begin to develop and test more psychosocial approaches to addressing loneliness.

Research limitations/implications

The evidence base is not extensive and a fair degree of it has not been fully trialled with older people.

Practical implications

There is an a priori case for using the evidence that exists to develop and test out new psychosocial interventions for addressing loneliness.

Social implications

It is possible that a more psychosocial approach to loneliness will enable more to be done to address the significant distress of older people experience severe and chronic loneliness. It may also be possible to develop more effective preventative strategies which build resilience in older people.

Originality/value

The field of loneliness practice and research is overwhelmingly based on sociological analysis and social interventions. This paper is one of the first to explicitly highlight the value in drawing from psychological data in order to develop psychosocial approaches.
Additive manufacturing by material extrusion with medical grade silicone elastomers and IR laser curing
Authors: Porter Daniel A. , Davis Nicholas , Krueger Paul S. , Cohen Adam L. , Son David
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Techniques of extrude and cure additive manufacturing for thermally cured, high viscosity and medical-grade silicone are investigated by using a small ram extruder and a near-infrared (IR) laser. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the process parameter effects on the stiffness of the final products.

Design/methodology/approach

Process parameter effects on axial stiffness values and durometer are explored. Parameters such as extrusion layer height, laser speed, laser current, laser raster spacing and multiple laser passes were investigated and compared to traditional cast and cure methods. Dimensional changes were also recorded and compared.

Findings

Tensile and durometer tests show that certain curing parameters give tensile stress and durometers within 10 per cent of bulk material specifications at 200 per cent strain. Parameters that had the highest impact on tensile stress at 200 per cent strain were layer height (0.73 per cent) followed by laser power (0.69 per cent), and then laser raster spacing (0.45 per cent). Parameters that had the highest impact on durometer were laser power (1.00 per cent), followed by layer height, (0.34 per cent) and then laser raster speed (0.32 per cent). Three-dimensional printed samples had about 11.2 per cent more shrinkage than the bulk cast samples in the longest dimension.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first that demonstrates near IR laser curing parameter effects on three-dimensional printed, commercial off-the-shelf, medical-grade and viscous silicone. The ability to cure very viscous thermosets locally enables interesting technologies such as wire encapsulation, high voltage actuators and drug delivery devices.
The spatial complexity of seed movement: Animal‐generated seed dispersal patterns in fragmented landscapes revealed by animal movement models
Authors: Nield Andrew P. , Nathan Ran , Enright Neal J. , Ladd Philip G. , Perry George L. W.
Published: September 2019

Large animals provide crucial seed dispersal services, yet face continued threats and are susceptible to changes in landscape composition and configuration. Thus, there is a growing imperative to improve understanding of animal‐generated seed dispersal using models that incorporate spatial complexity in a realistic, yet tractable, way.

We developed a spatially explicit agent‐based seed dispersal model, with disperser movements informed by biotelemetry data, to evaluate how landscape composition and configuration affect seed dispersal patterns. We illustrated this approach for the world's second largest ratite, the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), a highly mobile generalist frugivore considered an important long‐distance disperser for many plant species across Australia.

When animal movement is unrestricted, model parameters related to seed gut passage largely determine seed dispersal kernels. However, as habitat loss and fragmentation increase, the extent of long‐distance dispersal events is reduced and seed shadows became progressively more aggregated. This effect is due to the emu not being able to move between disconnected parts of the landscape, with small changes in habitat structure causing decreased long‐distance dispersal.

We simulated seed dispersal patterns generated by three commonly used generic models of animal movement – unbiased and biased correlated random walks and Lévy walks – to evaluate how different representations of movement affect estimations of animal movements and emergent seed dispersal patterns. Simulated movements informed by the emu biotelemetry data resulted in longer median seed dispersal distances than do the three generic models.

Synthesis.Changes in landscape composition and configuration can dramatically alter patterns of zoochorous seed dispersal as they influence animal movement. However, when models are used to simulate the patterns of seed dispersal, decisions about how animal movement is represented also affect estimates of seed dispersal.
Using sternal angle as anatomic landmark for right internal jugular vein catheterization in pediatrics
Authors: Xu Hui , Zhu Xiaoqiu , Li Jin , Yao Yiyi , Guo Mingyan , Yu Taihui , Xiong Xilin , Huang Zhiquan , Miao Liping , Lin Daowei
Published: September 2019

Background

Many formulas based on the patient's height, weight and/or age exist to determine central venous catheter (CVC) depth in children. However, this information is unavailable in some emergency conditions. Therefore, direct methods should be developed to guide catheter position in children.

Methods

Eighty patients aged 1–10 y were enrolled from July 2015 to August 2016 and seventy‐five were completed; fifty were male, and twenty‐five were female. The exclusion criteria were inability to identify the sternal angle or failure to use the right internal jugular vein approach. The catheter was inserted using the right internal jugular vein approach, the distance from the skin puncture point to the midpoint of the sternal angle plane was measured, and the catheter tip was positioned to this distance minus 1 cm. Chest radiography were performed for those children after catheter insertion. The relative position between the catheter tip and carina was confirmed and the longitudinal distance from the catheter tip to the carina was calculated on radiographic images, and related complications were recorded.

Results

All catheter tips were above the carina, and the average distance from the catheter tip to the carina was 9.8 mm. No patients experienced serious complications.

Conclusion

The sternal angle is a useful and reliable anatomic landmark for guiding CVC position in children. Using this landmark, the catheter can be quickly and conveniently placed at a safety position in right internal jugular vein, especially in some emergency conditions.
The EAACI‐AAAAI‐WAO Junior Members’ joint survey: A worldwide snapshot of Allergy and Clinical Immunology specialty
Authors: Caminati Marco , Antolín‐Amérigo Darío , Bonini Matteo , Buelow Becky , Bundy Vanessa , Couto Mariana , Darlenski Razvigor , Fassio Filippo , Kelly Brian , Kwong Christina , Santos Alexandra , Tsilochristou Olympia , Kase Tanno Luciana ,   the EAACI JMs Assembly Board, the AAAAI FIT Committee, the WAO Junior Members Steering Group
Published: September 2019

Background

Education and training in Allergy and Clinical Immunology (A/I) are characterized by a great variability worldwide. However, objective and worldwide data regarding this topic are lacking.

Methods

To investigate personal information, education, and involvement in scientific societies of juniors engaged in A/I field, a questionnaire was developed by representatives from the JMs’ boards of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), and the World Allergy Organization (WAO).

Results

A total of 543 questionnaires were collected from 76 regions of all continents. The geographic distribution of responders was as follows: Africa‐Middle East 3.0%, Asia‐Pacific 21.4%, Europe 48.2%, Latin America 12.1%, and North America 15.3%. 59.0% of responders declared that A/I is recognized as a separate specialty in their country, Europe mostly accounting for that proportion. Primary interest in the field represents the main motivation for choosing A/I specialty. Concerning involvement in scientific societies, 41.1% of responders ever attended an EAACI Congress, 20.6% an AAAAI Congress, and 20.4% a WAO Congress. According to 40.3% of responders, scientific societies do not provide enough opportunities for young members, and 96.4% believes in a more intensive cooperation between the A/I Societies.

Conclusions

The survey provides the first worldwide perspective about A/I specialty. It represents the first ever example of a structured collaboration between the junior members (JMs) of the three main A/I Societies. The findings suggest the need for harmonization, at least in terms of training and formation in the field of A/I worldwide.
Different thickening complexes with pectin in infant anti‐regurgitation formula
Authors: Dupont Christophe , Vandenplas Yvan
Published: September 2019

Aim

To summarise the results from four clinical trials assessing the efficacy and safety of a thickening complex in the management of regurgitation in infants.

Methods

Infants (n = 392) younger than 5 months presenting with at least five regurgitations per day were recruited in four open‐label, interventional, single‐group, multi‐centric clinical trials sharing an identical design. The efficacy of four different formulae thickened with different thickening complexes of pectin, starch and locust bean gum, was evaluated on regurgitation at days 3, 14 and 90, and stools and growth at days 14 and 90.

Results

The daily number of regurgitation episodes was significantly reduced at days 3 and 14 vs baseline in all studies (P < .001), with the largest decrease with the formula having the highest pectin content (study 1; P < .001). In all studies, growth was within normal range. A trend towards stool normalisation for consistency was observed in three studies at day 90 vs baseline and was significant in study 1 (P < .001). Stool frequency was unchanged by the interventions.

Conclusion

The four tested thickened formulae reduced regurgitation and were proven to be safe. The formula with the largest amount of pectin and lowest starch content showed the best efficacy.
Vascular and inflammatory mineralocorticoid receptors in kidney disease
Authors: Barrera‐Chimal Jonatan , Jaisser Frederic
Published: September 2019

Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation in the kidney can occur outside the aldosterone‐sensitive distal nephron in sites including the endothelium, smooth muscle and inflammatory cells. MR activation in these cells has deleterious effects on kidney structure and function by promoting oxidative injury, endothelial dysfunction and stiffness, vascular remodelling and calcification, decreased relaxation and activation of T cells and pro‐inflammatory macrophages. Here, we review the data showing the cellular consequences of MR activation in endothelial, smooth muscle and inflammatory cells and how this affects the kidney in pathological situations. The evidence demonstrating a benefit of pharmacological or genetic MR inhibition in various models of kidney disease is also discussed.
The tRNA‐associated dysregulation in immune responses and immune diseases
Authors: Zhu Chunsheng , Sun Bao , Nie Anzheng , Zhou Zheng
Published: September 2019

Transfer RNA (tRNA), often considered as a housekeeping molecule, mainly participates in protein translation by transporting amino acids to the ribosome. Nevertheless, accumulating evidence has shown that tRNAs are closely related to various physiological and pathological processes. The proper functioning of the immune system is the key to human health. The aim of this review is to investigate the relationships between tRNAs and the immune system. We detail the biogenesis and structure of tRNAs and summarize the pathogen tRNA‐mediated infection and host responses. In addition, we address recent advances in different aspects of tRNA‐associated dysregulation in immune responses and immune diseases, such as tRNA molecules, tRNA modifications, tRNA derivatives and tRNA aminoacylation. Therefore, tRNAs play an important role in immune regulation. Although our knowledge of tRNAs in the context of immunity remains, for the most part, unknown, this field deserves in‐depth research to provide new ideas for the treatment of immune diseases.
DBBM shows no signs of resorption under inflammatory conditions. An experimental study in the mouse calvaria
Authors: Kuchler Ulrike , dos Santos Gabriel Mulinari , Heimel Patrick , Stähli Alexandra , Strauss Franz Josef , Tangl Stefan , Gruber Reinhard
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) is not resorbable. However, the behavior of DBBM under inflammatory conditions remains unclear. Aim of the study was therefore to evaluate the resorption of DBBM under local inflammatory conditions in vivo using the calvarial osteolysis model.

Methods

In thirty adult BALB/c mice, DBBM was implanted into the space between the elevated soft tissue and the calvarial bone. Inflammation was induced either by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) injection or by polyethylene particles (Ceridust) mixed with DBBM. Three modalities were randomly applied (n = 10 each): (a) DBBM alone (control), (b) DBBM + LPS, and (c) DBBM + polyethylene particles (Ceridust). Mice were euthanized on day fourteen, and each calvarium was subjected to histological and µCT analysis. Primary outcome was the size distribution of the DBBM particles. Secondary outcome was the surface erosion of the calvarial bone.

Results

Histological and µCT analysis revealed that the size distribution and the volume of DBBM particles in the augmented site were similar between DBBM alone and the combinations with LPS or polyethylene particles. Moreover, histological evaluation showed no signs of erosions of DBBM particles under inflammatory conditions. µCT analysis and histology further revealed that LPS and the polyethylene particles, but not the DBBM alone, caused severe erosions of the calvarial bone as indicated by large voids representing the massive compensatory new immature woven bone formation on the endosteal surface.

Conclusions

Local calvarial bone but not the DBBM particles undergo severe resorption and subsequent new bone formation under inflammatory conditions in a mouse model.
Does the oral steroid treatment of patients with nasal polyposis cause osteopenia or osteoporosis?
Authors: Sahlstrand‐Johnson Pernilla , Holmström Mats , Ehnhage Anders
Published: September 2019

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the bone mineral density (BMD) in a group of Swedish patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) with or without asthma, as well as to evaluate whether the treatment of this patient group is in accordance with the EPOS recommendations.

Design, settings and participants

Adult patients with a diagnosis of CRSwNP, and a history of at least two courses of oral corticosteroids (OCS) during the last year, were consecutively included in this study at five centres.

Main outcome measures

The BMD of the patients was measured by Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), which is the only technology for classifying BMD according to the criteria established by WHO.

Results

A total of 51 patients, with an average number of 7 years with OCS treatment, were enrolled. During the last 12 months, the mean number of OCS courses was 2.76, and the total mean intake was 891 mg of Prednisone equivalents. According to the T‐scores, 17 patients were measured to have ≤−1 SD T‐score lumbar spine, which is considered to be osteopenia, and five patients had <−2.5 SD T‐score, considered as osteoporosis. However, when taking age and gender into account and analysing the Z‐scores, only 2 patients had a reduced density of the spine and none in the hip, which is no difference compared to a matched Swedish population.

Conclusions

This prospective study shows that 2‐3 moderate courses of OCS annually may be used without high risk of causing osteopenia/osteoporosis in patients with CRSwNP.
Moderately common plants show highest relative losses
Authors: Jansen Florian , Bonn Aletta , Bowler Diana E. , Bruelheide Helge , Eichenberg David
Published: September 2019

Nature conservation efforts often focus on rare species. Common and moderately common species, however, receive much less attention. Our analysis of occupancy change of flora using a grid survey in 1980 and a habitat mapping survey in 2000 in Northeast Germany revealed significant losses for most of the 355 modeled plant species. Highest losses were recorded for moderately common species. Plant species occurring in 20–40% of grid cells declined on average by 50% in 20 years, although there were some methodological uncertainties. We found no correlation between occupancy decline and Red List category, but habitat loss seems to be a main driver. We suggest to rethink conservation indicators by including previously common species in monitoring. Our approach to estimating trends, using the association of species to habitat types and occupancy–area relationships, can be applied to other regions with heterogeneous resurvey data, but it cannot replace urgently needed monitoring schemes.
History and future perspectives in Japanese guidelines for endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer
Authors: Hatta Waku , Gotoda Takuji , Koike Tomoyuki , Masamune Atsushi
Published: September 2019

Japanese guidelines for gastric cancer treatment were first published in 2001 for the purpose of showing the appropriate indication for each treatment method, thereby reducing differences in the therapeutic approach among institutions, and so on. With the accumulation of evidence and the development and prevalence of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), the criteria for the indication and curability of endoscopic resection (ER) for early gastric cancer (EGC) have expanded. However, several problems still remain. Although a risk‐scoring system (eCura system) for predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) may help treatment decision in patients who do not meet the curative criteria for ER of EGC, which is referred to as eCura C‐2 in the latest guidelines, additional gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy may be excessive for many patients, even those at high risk for LNM. Less‐invasive function‐preserving surgery, such as non‐exposed endoscopic wall‐inversion surgery with laparoscopic sentinel node sampling, may overcome this problem. In addition, further less‐invasive treatment, such as ER with chemotherapy, should be established for patients who prefer not to undergo additional gastrectomy.