bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A type of collective detection scheme with improved pigeon-inspired optimization
Authors: JIA Zhengxuan
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– With increasing demand of localization service in challenging environments where Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals are considerably weak, a powerful approach, the collective detection (CD), has been developed. However, traditional CD techniques are computationally intense due to the large clock bias search space. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop a new scheme of CD with less computational burden, in order to accelerate the detection and location process.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper proposes a new scheme of CD. It reformulates the problem of GNSS signal detection as an optimization problem, and solves it with the aid of an improved Pigeon-Inspired Optimization (PIO). With the improved PIO algorithm adopted, the positioning algorithm arrives to evaluate only a part of the points in the search space, avoiding the problems of grid-search method which is universally adopted.

Findings

– Faced with the complex optimization problem, the improved PIO algorithm proves to have good performance. In the acquisition of simulated and real signals, the proposed scheme of CD with the improved PIO algorithm also have better efficiency, precision and stability than traditional CD algorithm. Besides, the improved PIO algorithm also proves to be a better candidate to be integrated into the proposed scheme than particle swarm optimization, differential evolution and PIO.

Originality/value

– The novelty associated with this paper is the proposition of the new scheme of CD and the improvement of PIO algorithm. Thus, this paper introduces another possibility to ameliorate the traditional CD.
Strategies for improving performance in the Italian local government organizations
Authors: Chiarini Andrea
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand what are the benefits in terms of improvement of performances that a local government organization (LGO) can achieve embracing ISO 9001 certification as a strategy. This research is aimed at contributing to the answering of this question by exploring the Italian situation, in particular organizations linked to Italian local government which provide services to the citizens.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research is based on mixed methodologies. First, a qualitative interview based on a semi-structured interview guide was administered to ten LGO quality managers. From this first qualitative inquiry 11 hypotheses to be validated have been stated. A survey has been carried out to validate the hypotheses. By means of two distinct questionnaires each hypothesis has been transformed into a specific question. The question is based on the Likert scale which allows using a χ2-test and non-parametric test such as Cramer’s V. The results from the scale were augmented by the interviewees’ annotations, which comprised suggestions and comments, to each question. The questionnaires have been administered over the last five years to 201 LGOs.

Findings

– From the findings it seems that ISO 9001 could improve performances in terms of effectiveness, such as citizens’ satisfaction, reduction of defectiveness and claims, as well as staff awareness of citizens’ needs. Moreover, ISO 9001 seems to have a negative effect on citizens’ participation, internal communication and teamwork as well as cost reduction. Controversial issues related to the bureaucracy of documentation and the external auditing process emerged.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings are linked to Italian LGOs therefore they need further validation in other European countries where LGOs are managed in a similar way.

Practical implications

– The implications of this research are useful for consultants and managers who want to understand what the benefits and limitations of the ISO 9001 certification are in the LGOs. The results are also useful for local government managers and practitioners who are weighing the pros and cons of ISO 9001 certification.

Originality/value

– The paper discusses in a quantitative way the benefits of ISO 9001 certification process on the performances of LGOs opening an interesting debate on the topic.
Quality of care and patient satisfaction amongst Caucasian and non-Caucasian patients
Authors: Alizadeh Somayeh , Chavan Meena , Hamin Hamin
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the key aspects of service quality within the outpatient context. The secondary aim is to compare views on quality of health service by Caucasian and non-Caucasian patients in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

– A mixed-method approach was adopted for this study. Qualitative data were collected from 40 patients to develop a scale for measuring health service quality. Quantitative data were collected using self-administered questionnaires available in English, Arabic, Persian, Chinese and Vietnamese. A total of 447 patients in six outpatient clinics completed the survey and data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

– The qualitative findings determined eight dimensions of quality for outpatient care as follows: doctor professionalism; doctor empathy; doctor expertise; treatment outcome; staff concern; timeliness; tangibles; and operation. The quantitative findings indicated that factors related to technical aspect of care, including doctor expertise and treatment outcome were assumed the strongest predictors of overall health care quality in both Caucasian and non-Caucasian groups. Furthermore, no significant discrepancy was found between these two groups’ ratings of overall service quality and satisfaction with care.

Originality/value

– The study captured ethnically diverse patients’ perspectives on health service quality and highlighted the significance of technical quality, which is generally neglected in service quality measures.
The impact of total quality management on service company performance: evidence from Spain
Authors: Psomas Evangelos L. , Jaca Carmen
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to explore the impact of total quality management (TQM) factors on performance dimensions of service companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– A research project was designed in the Spanish services sector. Companies that had already participated in activities with regard to business excellence were randomly selected and approached through a structured questionnaire, yielding a sample of 151 responding companies. By analyzing TQM implementation and company performance through the exploratory factor analysis, specific TQM factors and performance dimensions are extracted. The TQM factors that significantly influence the performance dimensions are determined through multiple linear regression analyses.

Findings

– According to the findings, the factors describing TQM implementation in service companies concern quality practices of top management, employee quality management, process management, employee knowledge and education and customer focus. Similarly, the performance dimensions revealed concern financial performance, operational performance, customer satisfaction and product/service quality performance. The TQM factors concerning customers, employees and top management significantly affect the performance dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

– The subjective data were collected from quality managers of a small-sized sample of companies operating in a European Union country and belonging to different services sub-sectors. Based on these limitations, future research studies are recommended.

Practical implications

– By focussing on specific TQM factors, a service company can improve its performance dimensions. In doing so, it can lay the foundations not only to survive but to be competitive in the current global scenario that is characterized by an economic downturn.

Originality/value

– This paper describes a reliable TQM model that can be implemented in the services sector and a means by which a service company can improve its performance.
Advanced phase powertrain design attribute and technology value mapping
Authors: Georgiou Aris , Haritos George , Fowler Moyra , Imani Yasmin
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to focus on how the concept design stage of a powertrain system can be improved by using a purely objective driven approach in selecting a final concept design to progress further. This research investigation will examine the development of a novel test-bed to assist in the selection of powertrain technologies during the concept design phase at Ford Motor Company Ltd, serving as the main contribution to knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

– The objectives of this research were achieved by carrying out a literature review of external published work related to concept design evaluation methods within product development and value engineering techniques. Empirical studies were conducted with a supporting case study used to test the application of a new test-bed to improve the concept design decision process.

Findings

– A quantitative new tool “Product Optimisation Value Engineering” (PROVEN) is presented to critically assess new and evolving powertrain technologies at the concept design phase.

Research limitations/implications

– This research improves the concept design selection process, hence increasing the product value to the customer.

Practical implications

– The new test-bed “PROVEN” incorporates a data-driven objective approach to assist in assessing concept design alternatives in providing the net value in terms of function and cost as perceived by the customer.

Originality/value

– A mathematical new test-bed that incorporates a highly adaptable, data-driven and multi-attribute value approach to product specification and conceptual design is developed, novel to the automotive concept design process. This will create a substantially optimised product offering to the market, reducing overall development costs while achieving customer satisfaction. The new tool has the ability to define a technology value map to assess multiple technical options as a function of its attributes, whose precise values can be determined at a given cost.
Supportability issues of mechanical systems for their useful life
Authors: Asjad M. , Kulkarni M.S. , Gandhi O.P.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) start providing support to their products, that helped them in beating the competition across the worldwide. The unavailability of spares and crews may also prolong the downtime of equipment, thereby affecting the systems’ performance. The spares and crews have as much effect on the systems’ performance as the design characteristics (i.e. reliability and maintainability). Thus, the OEMs required to extent the support to their products through maintenance, spares, crews, etc., so as to gain the customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– The mathematical model for spares, crews and support quality has been presented in this research work. The problem has been identified from the literature perspective for mechanical systems.

Findings

– The model has been implemented on a real-life problem, in which the OEMs provide support to their make installed at compressed natural gas workstation in National Capital Region, India.

Originality/value

– The research proposed in this work will be helpful to manufacturer, customer, academician, researcher, industrialist and any concerned person, to get the exhaustive benefits from the system.
How can we better support families living with cardiovascular disease and depression?
Authors: Jones Martin , Thompson David , Ski Chantal , Clark Robyn , Gray Richard , Vallury Kari , Alam Ferdous
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of psychosocial treatments to support families living with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and depression. The paper highlights that depression in people with CVD is a predictor of non-adherence to both medicines and cardiovascular rehabilitation programmes. The authors believe there is a clinical need to develop a programme of care to support the whole family to adhere to cardiovascular rehabilitation programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

– A team of expert cardiovascular nurses, mental health nurses (MHN) and cardiologist clinical opinions and experiences. These opinions and experiences were supplemented by literature using MEDLINE as the primary database for papers published between December 2000 and December 2013.

Findings

– People with CVD who become depressed are more likely to stop taking their medicine and stop working with their health care worker. Most people with heart and mood problems live with their families. Health workers could have a role in supporting families living with heart and mood problems to their care and treatment. The paper has highlighted the importance of working with families living with heart and mood problems to help them to stick with care and treatment.

Originality/value

– Most people with heart and mood problems live with their families. The paper has highlighted the importance of working with families living with heart and mood problems to help them to persevere with care and treatment. MHN may have a role, though consideration should also be given to exploring the role of other health care workers and members of the community. As the population ages, clinicians and communities will need to consider the impact of depression on adherence when working with families living with CVD and depression.
Pregnant women’s experience of depression care
Authors: Jarrett Patricia M.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Up to 25 per cent of women will experience depression during their pregnancy. Perinatal mental health problems are a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, however care provided to women is often a low priority. The purpose of this paper is to explore women’s perspective of care from GPs and midwives, when they experience symptoms of depression during pregnancy.

Design/methodology/approach

– Women, with self-reported symptoms of depression, were invited to post comments in response to a series of on-line questions posted on two discussion forums over a nine month period. The questions were related to the care women received from GPs and midwives. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

– In total, 22 women responded to the on-line questions. A number of themes were identified from the data including women’s disclosure of symptoms to GPs and midwives; lack of knowledge of perinatal mental health among health providers; attitudes of staff and systemic issues as barriers to good care; anti-depressant therapy and care that women found helpful.

Research limitations/implications

– Women often face significant emotional and psychological health issues in the transition to motherhood. This small study indicates women often experience difficulties in interacting with their GP and midwife in seeking help. This research has identified some contributing factors, however more rigorous research is needed to explore these complex issues.

Originality/value

– This paper highlights service provision in the care of women with depression in pregnancy.
On-line role play in mental health education
Authors: Saunder Lorna
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore a method of incorporating on-line role play in mental health nursing education. Recreation of meaningful and realistic simulations for mental health nurses is challenging. Examination of the literature reveals there is a gap in the provision of simulations that replicate practice, encourage the development of skills and promote responsibility. Those that exist may require significant investment in complex technologies or a high degree of planning and time commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

– An evaluation of a pedagogical design that used an on-line survey to gather responses and thematic analysis was undertaken.

Findings

– The findings identified that students engaged with the case leading to a realistic experience of case management and development of professional communication skills.

Research limitations/implications

– This evaluation could be expanded further to a more formal study examining the students’ emotional responses and learning as they progress through the activity.

Practical implications

– The activity outlined in this paper demonstrates that a relatively simple approach can result in deep learning whereby the student can fully experience the role of a qualified practitioner. This model could easily be adopted by other higher education institutions or as a part of continuing professional development.

Originality/value

– This paper combines previously researched methods of providing role play to mental health nursing students. It has addressed the critiques of other methodologies such as being time consuming, expensive or lacking in realism. The end product, is low cost, manageable from the lecturers perspective and delivers important learning outcomes to the students.
Enhancing recovery orientation within mental health services: expanding the utility of values
Authors: Williams Virginia C , Deane Frank P. , Oades Lindsay G , Crowe Trevor P , Ciarrochi Joseph , Andresen Retta
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the role of values within contemporary mental health recovery services, outlining the rationale and approach for a specific values-focused staff intervention to promote autonomously motivated uptake of recovery-oriented practices.

Design/methodology/approach

– Recent advances in understanding of the enduring gap between ideological and applied acceptance of personal recovery within mental health services are outlined, with particular focus on the limited utility of training programmes as a means to promoting implementation. Frequently, mental health service organisations have adopted recovery policies in a primarily “top-down” fashion standing in contrast to the high autonomy approaches espoused for service users. Drawing from the extensive research related to Self-Determination Theory (SDT), a complementary focus on “bottom-up” approaches that enable service-delivery staff to develop a sense of autonomy for changed work practices in order to increase implementation is indicated.

Findings

– Application of values-focused interventions for mental health recovery staff parallel to the approaches acknowledged as effective for service participants are likely to be effective in promoting implementation of newly trained recovery-oriented practices.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is conceptual in nature and therefore reflects the priorities and views of the authors but the paper draws together well-established literature to develop a novel approach to a highly relevant issue.

Practical implications

– Training transfer and implementation of evidence-based practice are issues with broad relevance and the explication of additional methods to promote employee uptake of new practices is a key priority for organisations and policy makers.

Social implications

– Significant social implications include furthering the discussion and insight to the development of effective delivery of mental health services to individuals accessing service.

Originality/value

– A novel aspect of this paper is the provision of a theoretical rationale for the application of SDT as a framework for understanding the continuing challenge of recovery operationalisation, which despite the conceptual good-fit, currently stands as an association not well exploited. Moreover, this paper proposes values-clarification and coaching as a specific and reproducible approach to enhancing recovery-oriented service provision.
Reducing noise in the academic library: the effectiveness of installing noise meters
Authors: Lange Jessica , Miller-Nesbitt Andrea , Severson Sarah
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of an electronic noise-monitoring device (NoiseSign) at reducing noise levels in quiet study areas in an academic library.

Design/methodology/approach

– Surveys and decibel-level measurements were used to measure the perceived and objective noise levels, respectively, in both an intervention and a control area of two major branch libraries. Patrons’ perception of noise was measured with a passive paper and online survey, which asked patrons to rate the current noise level and their desired noise level. The actual noise measurements were collected twice a day with a hand-held decibel reader for 60 seconds and then corroborated after the intervention with automatically logged decibel readings from the noise monitor device in the two intervention areas. The authors conducted one-way ANOVA’s to determine if the results were significant.

Findings

– The NoiseSign had no statistically significant effect on either actual noise levels or user perceptions of noise in the library. The surveys comments and anecdotal observation of the spaces while doing measurements did reveal that noise in the quiet study areas was not the primary source of complaints.

Originality/value

– In spite of many proposed solutions to reducing noise in libraries, there has been very little research in this area. This is the first study to examine the effectiveness of using a noise-monitoring device in reducing noise levels at an academic library.
A complete system for publishing music-related ETDs
Authors: Yang Le , Ketner Kenny , Luker Scott , Patterson Matthew
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– There is no proposed solution to address the unresolved issues of publishing music-related electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) pertaining to technology availability, copyright, and preservation. The purpose of this paper is to propose a complete system, including technology development and publishing model, which addresses the existing issues of publishing music-related ETDs. The paper shares the practice of utilizing the system developed by Texas Tech University Libraries known as Streaming Audio and Video Experience (SAVE), and proposes it as a solution for other multimedia collections.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed system includes a technology solution and a publishing model. The technology solution, SAVE, contains an authenticated streaming multimedia player, a responsive-design user interface, and a web-based submission and management system. The publishing model combines a DSpace-based institutional repository (IR) with SAVE and preservation strategies.

Findings

– The integrated system of SAVE and DSpace-based IR expands the access of music-related ETDs and other multimedia collections to patrons, benefits the distance education students as well as the local students, facilitates professors’ classroom teaching, and helps to preserve physical multimedia items by avoiding check-outs.

Originality/value

– The SAVE solution resolves issues of publishing music-related ETDs, fulfills the local needs of publishing hundreds of music-related ETDs from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, and supports the publishing of other multimedia collections. The software will be released open source to the public for other universities’ use. The publishing model is also useful for those universities that intend to integrate an IR with the streaming player platform.
Dividend initiators, winners during 2008 financial crisis
Authors: Consler John , Lepak Greg M.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe and compare the mean response for selected financial variables in three dividend paying groups before and after the financial crisis of 2008. Dividend initiators are expected to be rewarded by investors over traditional dividend paying firms.

Design/methodology/approach

– Quarterly CRSP data from 2000 to 2012 are used to define dividend paying groups. Highly unbalanced financial data on dividend paying firms are analyzed in two truncated sample periods defined before and after the financial crisis. Fitted models describing differences in dividend paying groups are based on the linear mixed model representation of penalized splines with random effects to account for repeated measures over time.

Findings

– Results are presented on the important differences in selected financial variables before and after the financial crisis by dividend paying pattern group (traditional, initiators, residual/catering). Special emphasis is given to the analysis of market/book value ratio. Results demonstrate dividend initiators are rewarded over traditional dividend firms by investors. Firms with an intermittent paying pattern have no advantage. All dividend paying firms grow during the 2008 financial crisis. Traditional dividend payers have larger size than other dividend payers. The size effect explains results for several of the financial variables studied.

Research limitations/implications

– Future work can include an industry effect on the three dividend paying groups.

Practical implications

– Investors appear to prefer certainty as to when they receive a dividend over uncertainty, especially in times of economic downturn and economic recovery.

Social implications

– Enhanced awareness that different payment patterns exist and are rewarded differently over time on both the corporate issuer and investor sides.

Originality/value

– This study adds to body of knowledge of practical dividend payment patterns around a financial crisis. It also provides added support for dividend initiators.
The relationship between covariance risk and size effects in emerging equity markets
Authors: Wang Ming-Chieh , Ye Jin-Kui
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the conditionally expected return on size-based portfolios in an emerging market (EM) is determined by the country’s world risk exposure. The authors analyze the degree of financial integration of 23 emerging equity markets grouped into five size portfolios using the conditional international asset pricing model with both world and domestic market risks. The authors also compare the model’s fitness on the predictability of portfolio returns by using world and EM indices.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study investigates whether large-cap stocks are priced globally and whether mid- and small-cap stocks are strongly influenced by domestic risk factors. The authors first examine the predictability of large-, mid-, and small-cap stock portfolio returns by using global and local variables, and next compare the model fitness by using world and EM indices on the prediction of size-based stock returns. Finally, the authors test whether the world price of covariance risk is the same for different portfolios.

Findings

– The authors find that the conditional expected returns of large-cap stocks should be priced by global variables. Mid- and small-cap stocks are influenced by domestic variables rather than global variables, and their returns are priced by local residual risks. The test of the conditional asset pricing model shows that the largest stocks have the smallest mean absolute pricing errors (MAE), and their pricing errors are lower in large markets than in small markets. Third, the EM index offers more predictability for the excess returns of mid- and small-cap stocks than the world market index, but the explanatory power of this index does not increase for large-cap stocks.

Originality/value

– EMs in the past were known as segment markets, with local risk factors more important than global risk factors, suggesting significant benefits from adding EMs to global portfolios. It would be interesting to examine whether financial integration differs for various firm sizes in the markets.
Issues and constraints perceived by young entrepreneurs of Pakistan
Authors: Aslam Saad , Hasnu S.A.F.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to find out intentions of business graduating students regarding launching their own business, and their perception regarding issues and constraints entrepreneur would encounter after entering into entrepreneurial activities. In addition, it focusses to provide a general understanding regarding entrepreneurship. The study also argues unfriendly policies and environment for entrepreneurship slows down poverty reduction and economic development.

Design/methodology/approach

– For this research, data were collected through structured questionnaire. Population of this study comprised of all the MBA final semester students of Pakistan. Statistical techniques were used for analysis.

Findings

– Research shows that most MBA graduating students actually plan to launch their own business, but perception about different issues and constraints refrain them to enter into the entrepreneurial field. The study also shows that policies of government and country’s environment effect entrepreneurship which further effects poverty reduction and economic development.

Originality/value

– Different constraints are highlighted in the study due to which business graduates hesitate to become an entrepreneur, plus importance level of each constraint is also calculated in the study.
Exploring consumer doubt towards local new products innovation and purchase intention
Authors: Afzali Mehdi , Ahmed Elsadig Musa
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a scale to find the relationship between consumer doubt, skepticism, familiarity, information seeking, value for money and aesthetic design with customers’ purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study focussed on students of Malaysian university of multimedia in Melaka campus and used questionnaires to obtain the relevant data. Convenience random sampling method is used whereby 200 questionnaires were distributed among the target population and exactly 200 completed answers were collected.

Findings

– The survey results show that aesthetic design and information seeking of a product has a positive significant relationship with customers’ purchase intention. Respondents reported a consideration on these two factors and it is revealed that the scale used in this study is reliable and valid kind of measurement to assess customers’ purchase intention.

Practical implications

– To minimize the innovating failure among launched new innovative products, managers and decision makers should focus on variables used in this study. By focussing on aesthetic design and information seeking they can overcome some of the problems cause failure.

Originality/value

– This research focus on customers’ purchase intention to buy a Malaysian-made innovative new product and their lack of confidence and trust if the product satisfy their needs. The scale in this study show that this research is valid and it gives new perception toward purchase intention and innovation.
The cyclochlorotine mycotoxin is produced by the nonribosomal peptide synthetase CctN in Talaromyces islandicus (‘Penicillium islandicum’)
Authors: Schafhauser Thomas , Kirchner Norbert , Kulik Andreas , Huijbers Mieke M.E. , Flor Liane , Caradec Thibault , Fewer David P. , Gross Harald , Jacques Philippe , Jahn Linda , Jokela Jouni , Leclère Valérie , Ludwig‐Müller Jutta , Sivonen Kaarina , van Berkel Willem J.H. , Weber Tilmann , Wohlleben Wolfgang , van Pée Karl‐Heinz
Published: March 2016

Talaromyces islandicus (‘Penicillium islandicum’) is a widespread foodborne mold that produces numerous secondary metabolites, among them potent mycotoxins belonging to different chemical classes. A notable metabolite is the hepatotoxic and carcinogenic pentapeptide cyclochlorotine that contains the unusual amino acids β‐phenylalanine, 2‐aminobutyrate and 3,4‐dichloroproline. Although the chemical structure has been known for over five decades, nothing is known about the biosynthetic pathway of cyclochlorotine. Bioinformatic analysis of the recently sequenced genome of T. islandicus identified a wealth of gene clusters potentially coding for the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Here, we show by RNA interference‐mediated gene silencing that a nonribosomal peptide synthetase, CctN, is responsible for the synthesis of cyclochlorotine. Moreover, we identified novel cyclochlorotine chemical variants, whose production also depended on cctN expression. Surprisingly, the halogenase required for cyclochlorotine biosynthesis is not encoded in the cct cluster. Nonetheless, our findings enabled us to propose a detailed model for cyclochlorotine biosynthesis. In addition, comparative genomics revealed that cct‐like clusters are present in all of the sequenced Talaromyces strains indicating a high prevalence of cyclochlorotine production ability.
Evaluative judgements: ethics, aesthetics and ‘bad taste’
Authors: Stewart Simon
Published: March 2016

Bourdieusian research demonstrates that judgements about ‘bad taste’ are in great part determined by negation. In seeking to extend the reach of sociological research beyond this relational account, this article theorizes the ethical and aesthetic dimensions of evaluative judgements. First, with reference to value-rational social action, it considers the ethical dimension. Relatedly, it draws attention to debates concerning the limits of what can be artistically represented and what offends ethical sensibilities. Second, in considering the aesthetic dimension, the article theorizes an account of evaluative judgement situated in the everyday: one that pays close attention to how it is formed at a micro-level on an individual and collective basis. This attention to the interaction between individuals and objects, largely neglected in Bourdieu’s analysis, enables us to zoom in to see that ‘bad taste’ is a changeable notion and the ‘bad’ can become ‘good’ through evaluative reworking that challenges existing interpretations and evaluations. By performing the difficult task of identifying and distinguishing the ethical and aesthetic dimensions of evaluative judgement, the article argues that we can gain a multi-layered understanding of what and how people value.
Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and the risk for adverse infant outcomes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Donovan BM , Spracklen CN , Schweizer ML , Ryckman KK , Saftlas AF
Published: March 2016

Background

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is of particular concern during pregnancy when not one, but two lives are at risk. Previous meta‐analyses have suggested an association between IPV and adverse birth outcomes; however, many large studies have since been published, illustrating the need for updated pooled effect estimates.

Objectives

To evaluate the relationship between IPV during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth (PTB), low‐birthweight (LBW), and small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) infants.

Search strategy

We searched PubMed and SCOPUS (from inception until May 2015), and the reference lists of the relevant studies.

Selection criteria

Observational studies comparing the rates of at least one adverse birth outcome (SGA, LBW, or PTB) in women who experienced IPV during pregnancy and those who did not.

Data collection and analysis

Data extracted from 50 studies were pooled and pooled odds ratios were calculated using random‐effects models.

Main results

Intimate partner violence (IPV) was significantly associated with PTB (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.60–2.29) and LBW (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.68–2.65), although a large level of heterogeneity was present for both (I2 = 84 and 91%, respectively). The association with SGA was less pronounced and marginally significant (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02–1.84), although fewer studies were available for meta‐analysis (n = 7).

Conclusions

Our meta‐analysis indicates that women who experienced IPV during pregnancy are at increased risk of having a PTB, and an LBW or an SGA infant. More studies examining the association between IPV and SGA are needed.

Tweetable Abstract

Meta‐analysis of IPV during pregnancy finds increased risk for preterm birth, LBW and SGA infants.
Pelvic organ function before and after laparoscopic bowel resection for rectosigmoid endometriosis: a prospective, observational study
Authors: Riiskjær M , Greisen S , Glavind‐Kristensen M , Kesmodel US , Forman A , Seyer‐Hansen M
Published: March 2016

Objective

To assess urinary, sexual, and bowel function before and after laparoscopic bowel resection for rectosigmoid endometriosis.

Design

Prospectively collected data regarding the function of the pelvic organs.

Setting

Tertiary endometriosis referral unit, Aarhus University Hospital.

Sample

A cohort of 128 patients who underwent laparoscopic bowel resection for endometriosis.

Methods

The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ), Sexual Function–Vaginal Changes Questionnaire (SVQ), and the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) questionnaire were answered before and after surgery. Non‐invasive urodynamic testing was performed.

Main outcome measures

Pre‐ and postoperative function of the pelvic organs was compared, and risk factors for improved/impaired function were identified.

Results

A total of 96.1% of the women completed the 1–year follow‐up. A significant decrease (P = 0.002) in bladder filling problems (F–score) was observed 1 year after surgery, primarily caused by a significant decrease in bladder pain (P = 0.0001). No change for urodynamic parameters was observed. A significant increase in overall sexual satisfaction (P = 0.0001) and decrease in worries about sexual life (P = 0.001) was seen 1 year after surgery. Frequency of defecation was significantly increased 1 year after surgery (P = 0.0001), but the overall bowel function measured by LARS score was unchanged. Patients with anastomotic leakage had a significantly higher risk (odds ratio, OR 5.40; P = 0.002) of increased incontinence problems (I–score) 1 year after surgery.

Conclusion

A significant and clinically relevant improvement in urinary and sexual function 1 year after laparoscopic bowel resection for endometriosis was found. Except for anastomotic leakage, this could be observed independent of any patient‐ or treatment‐related factor. Apprehension about impairment of urinary and sexual function should not be a contraindication for bowel resection in endometriosis patients.

Tweetable abstract

Rectal resection for endometriosis does not impair urinary and sexual function 1 year after surgery.
Potential clinical implication of 18F‐FDG PET/CT in diagnosis of periprosthetic infection and its comparison with 18F‐Fluoride PET/CT
Authors: Kumar Rajender , Kumar Rakesh , Kumar Vijay , Malhotra Rajesh
Published: March 2016

Introduction

The differentiation between septic and aseptic loosening of prosthetic hip joint is a major challenge for the clinician. This study assessed and compared the diagnostic accuracy of 18F‐ flouro‐deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F‐FDG PET/CT) with 18F‐fluoride PET/CT for diagnosis of infection in the painful hip prosthesis.

Methods

In this prospective study, we included the patients with painful hip prostheses with radiological or clinical suspicion of loosening, those who had given the written consent and scheduled for clinical and diagnostic evaluation before revision arthroplasty. To rule out the nature of loosening (septic vs. aseptic), all the patients underwent 18F‐Fluoride PET/CT and 18F‐FDG PET/CT. The reference standard for periprosthetic infection was based on histopathology and/or microbial culture and/or intraoperative findings.

Results

We prospectively evaluated 42 patients of hip prostheses before revision arthroplasty. Visual and semi‐quantitative analysis of both the positron emission tomography (PET) images was done and the results were compared with a reference standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV) and accuracy of 18F‐FDG PET/CT were 93.7%, 92.3%, 88.2%, 96% and 92.8% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of 18F‐fluoride PET/CT were 75%, 96.1%, 92.3%, 86% and 88.1% respectively. FDG PET/CT has higher sensitivity, NPV and accuracy as compared to compared to Fluoride PET/CT and comparable specificity and PPV.

Conclusions

Fluoride PET/CT had shown slightly higher specificity than FDG‐PET/CT, but the overall diagnostic performance of FDG‐PET/CT in periprosthetic infection is optimal in routine clinical practice and better than fluoride PET/CT.
Longitudinal macroinvertebrate assemblages in contrasting discontinuities: the effects of damming in tropical streams
Authors: Mwedzi Tongayi , Bere Taurai , Siziba Nqobizitha , Mangadze Tinotenda , Bangira Courage
Published: March 2016

The study assessed the impact of damming on water quality and macroinvertebrate assemblages. It also assessed the response of macroinvertebrate‐based indices of water quality to damming. Macroinvertebrate community and physicochemical variables data were collected from 86 sites. Twenty‐nine sites downstream of dams were compared with 27 sites above impoundments and 30 sites on nearby unregulated streams. Of the downstream sites, 13 were situated <1 km from a dam while the other 16 were situated >1 km from a dam. A decrease in temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and total dissolved solids was observed in sites immediately downstream of impoundments. Macroinvertebrate community structure and South African Scoring System (SASS) scores closely followed the damming‐induced changes in water quality. However, water quality variables, macroinvertebrate community structure and SASS scores reverted back to typical upstream conditions in distances around 1 km from dams. Stream recovery from dam‐induced changes was demonstrated with streams recovering at distances around 1 km from the point of regulation in corroboration with predictions of the serial discontinuity concept (SDC). These dam‐induced changes also reflected themselves in SASS scores suggesting potential usefulness of SASS in monitoring ecological integrity of tropical rivers following disturbances like damming.
Demography of a population with a long history of poaching and the utility of the individual identification technique as a tool for monitoring intermittently studied elephant populations
Authors: Onyango Patrick O. , Lesowapir Bernard
Published: March 2016

In many elephant populations in Africa, adverse effects of poaching including altered age and sex structure and long calving intervals continue to negatively impact the rate of recovery. The study reported here characterized the demographic status of the elephant population in Meru National Park, Kenya, so as to determine the size, age and sex structure, and calving interval of the population and to compare its demographic parameters against those from the relatively stable elephant population at Amboseli. Additionally, a demographic study conducted 7 years earlier enabled us to determine the demographic performance of the population and to explicitly test the utility of the individual identification technique in monitoring intermittently studied populations. We found 392 elephants in the park. The proportion of older individuals was lower, and the calving interval was longer than estimates from Amboseli. We recognized 16% of elephants indexed in the previous study. Our results suggest that the individual identification technique may be useful in monitoring demographic changes including poaching in intermittently studied elephant populations. Overall, our results suggest that although the Meru elephant population showed signs of recovery, poaching continues to imperil its recovery.
Stratigraphy of Pleistocene glaciations in the St Elias Mountains, southwest Yukon, Canada
Authors: Turner Derek G. , Ward Brent C. , Froese Duane G. , Lamothe Michel , Bond Jeffrey D. , Bigelow Nancy H.
Published: March 2016

At least five Middle to Late Pleistocene advances of the northern Cordilleran Ice Sheet are preserved at Silver Creek, on the northeastern edge of the St Elias Mountains in southwest Yukon, Canada. Silver Creek is located 100 km up‐ice of the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 McConnell glacial limit of the St Elias lobe. This site contains ~3 km of nearly continuous lateral exposure of glacial and non‐glacial sediments, including multiple tills separated by thick gravel, loess and tilted lake beds. Infrared‐stimulated luminescence (IRSL) and AMS radiocarbon dating constrain the glacial deposits to MIS 2, 4, either MIS 6 or mid‐MIS 7, and two older Middle Pleistocene advances. This chronology and the tilt of the lake beds suggest Pleistocene uplift rates of up to 1.9 mm a−1 along the Denali Fault since MIS 7. The non‐glacial sediment consists of sand, gravel, loess and organic beds from MIS 7, MIS 3 and the early Holocene. The MIS 3 deposits date to between 30–36 14C ka BP, making Silver Creek one of the few well‐constrained MIS 3‐aged sites in Yukon. This confirms that ice receded close to modern limits in MIS 3. Pollen and macrofossil analyses show that a meadow‐tundra to steppe‐tundra mosaic with abundant herbs and forbs and few shrubs or trees, dominated the environment at this time. The stratigraphy at Silver Creek provides a palaeoclimatic record since at least MIS 8 and comprises the oldest direct record of Pleistocene glaciation in southwest Yukon.
Label-free detection of immune complexes with myeloid cells
Authors: Szittner Z , Bentlage A E H , Rovero P , Migliorini P , Lóránd V , Prechl J , Vidarsson G
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study was to provide proof-of-concept for quantitative and qualitative label-free detection of immune complexes through myeloid cells with imaging surface plasmon resonance. Surface plasmon resonance imaging was first applied to monitor the binding of human sera from healthy and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to immobilized citrullinated RA-specific peptide antigens, histone citrullinated peptide 2 (HCP2) and viral citrullinated peptide 2 (VCP2). Next, the binding of monocytoid cell line U937 to the resulting immune complexes on the sensor surface was monitored. As control, binding of U937 was monitored to immunoglobulin (Ig)G subclasses simultaneously. Cell response results were compared to results of cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 (CCP2) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), clinical RA diagnosis and antigen-specific antibody distribution of the samples. Human IgG3 triggered the most pronounced response, followed by IgG1 and IgG4, while IgG2 did not result in U937 cell binding. Serum samples obtained from RA patients resulted in a significantly increased cell response to VCP2 compared to healthy controls. The strength of cell response towards VCP2 immune complexes showed significant correlation with levels of antigen-specific IgA, IgG and IgG3. Cellular responses on VCP2 immune complexes showed significant association with both CCP2-based serological positivity and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria-based clinical RA diagnosis. Immunoglobulin-triggered binding of monocytoid cells can be monitored using a label-free multiplex technology. Because these binding events are presumably initiated by Fc receptors, the system provides a tool for biological detection of autoantibodies with diagnostic value, here exemplified by anti-citrullinated antibodies. This provides added information to antibody levels, as interaction with Fc-receptor-expressing cells is also affected by post-translational modification of the immunoglobulins.