bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public appointments as a tool for public governance: a systematic literature review
Authors: Cocciasecca Simone , Grossi Giuseppe , Sancino Alessandro 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review previous research on public appointments to systematize existing knowledge, identify gaps and discuss implications for future research in this field.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a systematic literature review, carried out using the Scopus database. We selected academic articles published in journals ranked in the 2018 CABS Academic Journal Guide plus public administration articles in journals classified by Google as falling within the areas of public policy and administration. The papers were analysed according to four categories: geographical area, theoretical framework, research method and organizational setting.FindingsResults show the lack of research regarding areas like Latin America or East Asia; from a theoretical viewpoint, given the lack of explicit theoretical approaches, future research should have more formal and clear theoretical frameworks. Moreover, given the dominance of case study and review/reflection studies, alternative research methods, such as surveys or mixed methods are suggested for future works.Research limitations/implicationsWe identify a new research agenda to revive the focus on public appointments as a tool for intra- and inter-organizational governance in the public sector. Specifically, we argue that how the process of public appointments is managed has huge democratic implications, and public managers have a key role to play in that respect by designing effective governance systems and organizational procedures. The selection of papers has been limited to articles published in peer- review journals ranked in the 2018 CABS Guide; no distinctions have been made regarding journals' positioning in the ranking. Moreover, this work takes a managerial and organizational approach, while the research on public appointments is clearly interdisciplinary, with previous contributions coming mainly from political scientists.Originality/valueDespite the relevant body of literature on this topic, this study represents the first manuscript to summarize the state of the art of this theme, providing a research agenda on this very relevant but quite neglected issue in public governance.
Regulating religion in a time of COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: context, dynamics, and implication
Authors: Regus Max 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThis study aims to perform a systematic review of the dialectics and telematics strategy for regulating religion during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also analyzes some important issues related to religions, state, and society.Design/methodology/approachA critical literature review was performed to complete this study, using media, institutional, national, and international reports, as well as recent and previous studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsReligion was one of the social entities that had a crucial effect on the COVID-19 pandemic. The new system in the form of social distancing affects its performance. Furthermore, the response of religion in Indonesia is unique when its status is considered as the largest Islamic country in the world. Therefore, this study attempts to analyze and demonstrate the dynamics of relationships between actors, religion, and state in the process and strategy of religious regulation.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was carried out using a single methodological approach.Practical implicationsThis study provides input to both religion and the state (government) in building a synergy of constructive responses to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.Social implicationsIt provides input to society in understanding the critical intersection between religion, state, and society.Originality/valueThis may be the first academic study that analyzes the problems of the process of regulating religion in the context of COVID-19.
Coronavirus crisis and health care: learning from a service ecosystem perspective
Authors: Brodie Roderick J. , Ranjan Kumar Rakesh , Verreynne Martie-louise , Jiang Yawei , Previte Josephine 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has created a crisis for healthcare systems worldwide. There have been significant challenges to managing public and private health care and related services systems’ capacity to cope with testing, treatment and containment of the virus. Drawing on the foundational research by Frow et al. (2019), the paper explores how adopting a service ecosystem perspective provides insight into the complexity of healthcare systems during times of extreme stress and uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachA healthcare framework based on a review of the service ecosystem literature is developed, and the COVID-19 crisis in Australia provides an illustrative case.FindingsThe study demonstrates how the service ecosystem perspective provides new insight into the dynamics and multilayered nature of a healthcare system during a pandemic. Three propositions are developed that offer directions for future research and managerial applications.Practical implicationsThe research provides an understanding of the relevance of managerial flexibility, innovation, learning and knowledge sharing, which offers opportunities leading to greater resilience in the healthcare system. In particular, the research addresses how service providers in the service ecosystem learn from this pandemic to inform future practices.Originality/valueThe service ecosystem perspective for health care offers fresh thinking and an understanding of how a shared worldview, institutional practices and supportive and disruptive factors influence the systems’ overall well-being during a crisis such as COVID-19.
Investigating the low-risk anomaly in South Africa
Authors: Seetharam Yudhvir 
Published: December 2020

PurposeRecent studies have shown that low-volatility shares outperform high-volatility shares. Given the conventional finance theory that risk drives return, this study aims to investigate and attempt to explain the presence of the low-risk anomaly (LRA) in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachUsing share prices from 1990 to 2016, various buy-and-hold strategies are constructed to determine the return to an investor attempting to capitalise on such an anomaly. These strategies involve combinations relating to a price filter, the calculation of risk and volatility, value-weighting or equal-weighting of portfolios and the window period to construct said portfolios.FindingsIt was found that the LRA exists on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE_=) when using univariate sorts, without controlling for the size or value effect. When using multivariate portfolio sorts (size and volatility or value and volatility), it was found that the LRA does not exist on the JSE under the majority of risk proxies, but particularly prevalent when downside risk is used. This loosely points towards a potential “inverse momentum” effect where low-return portfolios outperform their counterparts.Originality/valueIn general, it is established that the risk–return relationship is non-linear and deterministic under traditional proxies, but improves to being somewhat, but not completely, linear under a Kalman filter. The Kalman filter, which can be considered a proxy for learning, does not remove the anomaly in its entirety, indicating that behavioural approaches are needed to explain such phenomena.
Research on GMAW based non-supporting thin-wall structure manufacturing
Authors: Liu Bing , Shen Hongyao , Deng Rongxin , Zhou Zeyu , Jin Jia’ao , Fu Jianzhong 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
Additive manufacturing based on arc welding is a fast and effective way to fabricate complex and irregular metal workpieces. Thin-wall metal structures are widely used in the industry. However, it is difficult to realize support-free freeform thin-wall structures. This paper aims to propose a new method of non-supporting thin-wall structure (NSTWS) manufacturing by gas metal arc welding (GMAW) with the help of a multi-degree of freedom robot arm.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses the geodesic distance on the triangular mesh to build a scalar field, and then the equidistant iso-polylines are obtained, which are used as welding paths for thin-wall structures. Focusing on the possible problems of interference and the violent variation of the printing directions, this paper proposes two types of methods to partition the model mesh and generate new printable iso-polylines on the split meshes.

Findings
It is found that irregular thin-wall models such as an elbow, a vase or a transition structure can be deposited without any support and with a good surface quality after applying the methods.

Originality/value
The experiments producing irregular models illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the methods to fabricate NSTWSs, which could provide guidance to some industrial applications.
The underuse of couple therapy for depression in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Services (IAPTS): a service evaluation exploring its effectiveness and discussion of systemic barriers to its implementation
Authors: Shepherd Melanie , Butler Lucy 
Published: December 2020

Couple therapy for depression (CTfD) is an intrinsically systemic, behaviourally‐based, interactional model. It is underused despite recommendation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and data from Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Services (IAPTS) demonstrating its effectiveness compared with other therapies. In 2016/17, only 1,842 CTfD interventions were delivered nationally, compared with vastly greater cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling provision (NHS Digital, 2018). Depressed clients’ access to CTfD is extremely restricted. IAPT CTfD service evaluation data for 81 couples indicated good outcomes for CTfD in terms of depression, anxiety and relationship satisfaction, despite mean interventions of 7.27 sessions. Recommendations for addressing the underuse of CTfD include increasing capacity through delivery targets, CTfD promotion and improved referral processes. Strengthened links between IAPTS, CTfD training courses and systemic therapists, and expanding systemic training and supervision, would support CTfD implementation and increase family inclusiveness and patient choice. Depressed clients deserve access to CTfD equivalent to individual therapies.Practitioner points

CTfD is a NICE‐recommended NHS couple therapy with equivalent effectiveness to other IAPT therapies yet is underused.

A CTfD service evaluation showed good outcomes for depression, anxiety and relationship satisfaction, despite brief intervention lengths.

Leadership, organisational change and training are required for IAPTS to widen patient choice and address barriers to CTfD implementation.

Strengthened links between IAPTS and systemic therapists are needed.
Paediatric domestic accidents during COVID‐19 pandemic in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Tiffany W. K. , Hung Judy W. S. , Leung Michael W. Y. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundWith school closures and social isolation imposed by the COVID‐19 pandemic, both children and parents in Hong Kong have been forced to stay at home for extended periods of time. Besides the disease itself growing globally, this pandemic has inflicted many other healthcare problems. This study aims to look at the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on paediatric surgical accidents.MethodsA retrospective review of all patients under 18 years of age admitted to a tertiary paediatric surgical unit with accidents was done between January to May 2020 (COVID‐19 social isolation period). Comparison was made with cases between January to May 2018 and 2019. Inclusion diagnoses include foreign body ingestion (FBI), scald injury, animal bite, and fall. Demographic data including age and gender, details of injury and treatment, and length of hospitalization were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed by Fisher exact test and statistical significance was defined as P ≤ .05.ResultsA total of 35 patients were admitted during the period 1‐5/2020 compared to 28 patients in 1‐5/2019 and 16 patients in 1‐5/2018. Median age at presentation is 3 years. Diagnoses include FBI, animal bite, scald injury and fall. Thirteen required surgical intervention including oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (20%), wound debridement (13%), wound suturing (67%). Mean length of hospital stay was 2.89 days. The proportion of domestic accidents in 2020 increased compared with the same period in 2018 and 2019 (P‐values = .0001, .0259). Non‐food foreign body ingestions at home during COVID19 increased significantly (P‐values = .0018, .0223). Surgical intervention required for domestic accidents in 2020 also increased (P‐values = .1223, .107).ConclusionThe social isolation imposed by the COVID‐19 pandemic has caused an increase in paediatric domestic accidents requiring admission to our surgical ward. Governments and healthcare authorities should proactively implement appropriate intervention programs and better plan resources to prevent these domestic accidents during lockdown.
The role of CD23 in the regulation of allergic responses
Authors: Engeroff Paul , Vogel Monique 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIgE, the key molecule in atopy has been shown to bind two receptors, FcεRI, the high‐affinity receptor, and FcεRII (CD23), binding IgE with lower affinity. Whereas cross‐linking of IgE on FcεRI expressed by mast cells and basophils triggers the allergic reaction, binding of IgE to CD23 on B cells plays an important role in both IgE regulation and presentation. Furthermore, IgE‐immune complexes (IgE‐ICs) bound by B cells enhance antibody and T cell responses in mice and humans. However, the mechanisms that regulate the targeting of the two receptors and the respective function of the two pathways in inflammation or homeostasis are still a matter of debate. Here, we focus on CD23 and discuss several mechanisms related to IgE binding, as well as the impact of the IgE/antigen‐binding on different immune cells expressing CD23. One recent paper has shown that free IgE preferentially binds to FcεRI whereas IgE‐ICs are preferentially captured by CD23. Binding of IgE‐ICs to CD23 on B cells can, on one hand, regulate serum IgE and prevent effector cell activation and on the other hand facilitate antigen presentation by delivering the antigen to dendritic cells. These data argue for a multifunctional role of CD23 for modulating IgE serum levels and immune responses.
Can information regarding the index stillbirth determine risk of adverse outcome in a subsequent pregnancy? Findings from a single‐center cohort study
Authors: Graham Nicole , Stephens Louise , Johnstone Edward D. , Heazell Alexander E. P. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionWomen with a history of stillbirth have an almost five‐fold increased risk of stillbirth in a subsequent pregnancy, as well as increased risk of other adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The reasons for this association are not well understood but could relate to recurrent causes. We aimed to determine whether information from the time of index stillbirth, including cause, is associated with outcome of a subsequent pregnancy.Material and methodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted at a UK tertiary maternity center. Cases were included if stillbirth was investigated, subsequent pregnancy care was provided, and the birth occurred in the same unit. Data on maternal characteristics, findings of investigations, and classification of death using the ReCoDe system were extracted, and logistic regression was performed to determine whether these factors were associated with adverse outcome in the subsequent pregnancy.ResultsIn this cohort (n = 266), there were 69 adverse outcomes, including three perinatal deaths. Preterm delivery (16.2%) and birthweight <10th centile (12.4%) were the most common adverse outcomes. Of the preterm births, 69.8% were iatrogenic and 47% of these were due to abnormalities of fetal growth. On multivariate analysis women with a preexisting medical condition (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.12, 95% CI 1.10‐4.12) and those who smoked in their subsequent pregnancy (aOR 6.80, 95% CI 1.99‐23.30) were at increased risk of adverse outcome. Neither ReCoDe classification of stillbirth (P = .61) nor gestation of stillbirth (P = .36) were associated with subsequent pregnancy outcome. Placental histopathological findings of maternal vascular malperfusion (aOR 11.34, 95% CI 2.20‐58.62), fetal vascular malperfusion (aOR 9.27, 95% CI 1.09‐78.82), and chorioamnionitis (aOR 6.35, 95% CI 1.16‐34.78) in the index stillbirth were associated with adverse outcome in subsequent pregnancy. These associations were independent of maternal characteristics.ConclusionsPlacental examination at time of stillbirth is important, as certain placental disorders inform the risk of adverse outcome in subsequent pregnancy. In this cohort, information regarding maternal characteristics and classification of cause of stillbirth do not provide significant prognostic information about the risk of adverse outcome in subsequent pregnancies. Optimal management of maternal medical disorders and access to smoking cessation are essential.
Revegetation of degraded ecosystems into grasslands using biosolids as an organic amendment: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Ploughe Laura W. , Akin‐Fajiye Morodoluwa , Gagnon Alyson , Gardner Wendy C. , Fraser Lauchlan H. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractQuestionsBiosolids are a source of nutrient‐rich organic material that can be used to improve degraded or disturbed soils. Research on vegetation responses to the land application of biosolids has increased in the past 20 years, but there is no consensus on how plant communities respond to biosolids applications. What factors influence productivity and vegetative cover following biosolids application for grassland reclamation? How does the addition of biosolids impact plant community responses?LocationGlobal, but predominantly North America and Europe.MethodsTo explore vegetative responses following biosolids application, we used a global systematic review and meta‐analysis of 59 articles. Our meta‐analysis used the log response ratio (LRR) as an effect size for productivity, total cover, species richness, diversity and exotic species abundance and explored covariates addressing various site characteristics and reclamation strategies.ResultsWe found that across sites, the land application of biosolids significantly increased productivity and cover but had no significant overall effect on species richness, Shannon diversity or exotic species abundance on degraded lands. These increases in the LRR for productivity and vegetative cover were lower on sites that experienced a fire prior to biosolids application. Climatic variables like mean annual temperature were shown to alter the response of vegetative cover, where warmer sites tended to have more positive responses to biosolids. Seeding was found to increase plant cover but decrease species richness early in the reclamation process.ConclusionsThis area of research is growing; most of the publications we used come from the last 20 years and were mostly conducted in North America and Europe. While we can build on the present literature, there is clearly room for more research to ensure the process of reclaiming degraded ecosystems using biosolids results in desired plant communities, e.g. high native species diversity. Future research should consistently report biosolids chemical characteristics as well as application and processing methodologies.
Synaptonemal complex proteins modulate the level of genome integrity in cancers
Authors: Hosoya Noriko , Miyagawa Kiyoshi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe synaptonemal complex (SC) is a proteinaceous structure that is transiently formed during meiosis to promote homologous recombination between maternal and paternal chromosomes. As this structure is required only for meiotic recombination, the proteins constituting the complex are almost undetectable in normal somatic cells, but they can be expressed under the conditions in which the transcriptional machinery is deregulated. Accumulating evidence indicates that they are epigenetically expressed in cancers of various origin. Not surprisingly, in contrast to their meiotic roles, the somatic roles of the SC proteins remain to be investigated. However, it has recently been reported that SYCP3 and SYCE2 control DNA double‐strand break repair negatively and positively, respectively, suggesting that the ectopic expression of the SC proteins in somatic cells could be associated with the maintenance of genomic instability. Thus, it is highly likely that the investigation of the somatic roles of the SC proteins would improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying tumor development.
Individual differences in musical ability are stable over time in childhood
Authors: Kragness Haley E. , Swaminathan Swathi , Cirelli Laura K. , Schellenberg E. Glenn 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe development of human abilities stems from a complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors. Numerous studies have compared musicians with non‐musicians on measures of musical and non‐musical ability, frequently attributing musicians’ superior performance to their training. By ignoring preexisting differences, however, this view assumes that taking music lessons is akin to random assignment. In the present longitudinal study, the musical ability of 5‐ to 10‐year‐olds was measured at Time 1 with a test of music perception and cognition. Five years later, at Time 2, the children took the same test and a second test designed for older listeners. The test‐retest correlation for aggregate scores was remarkably high, r ≈ 0.7, and remained strong when confounding variables (age, cognitive abilities, personality) were held constant. At both time points, music training was associated with musical ability, but the association at Time 2 became nonsignificant when musical ability at Time 1 was held constant. Time 1 musical ability also predicted duration of subsequent music training. These data are consistent with results from genetic studies, which implicate genes in all aspects of musical behavior and achievement, and with meta‐analyses, which indicate that transfer effects from music training are weak. In short, early musical abilities significantly predicted later abilities, demonstrating that individual differences are stable over time. We found no evidence, however, to suggest that music training predicted musical ability after accounting for prior ability. The results underscore the importance of considering preexisting abilities in any type of learning.