bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Could franchising electricity distribution sustain rural electrification efforts?
Authors: Das Mrigakshi 
Published: September 2020

PurposeResulting from large government interventions, India could attain 99% electrification in March 2019. However, the consequences are revenue losses due to lack of real-time efforts in bringing operational efficiencies of the power distribution companies (discoms). Distribution franchisees operate as agents to the discoms for performing their contracted functions in smaller high-loss making areas under jurisdiction of a discom. This study aims to explore how rural franchisees help or hinder requisite results.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative embedded multiple-case study was conducted. The case focused on two franchisees engaged in metering, billing and collection functions of a high-loss-making rural area dominated Indian state-owned discom. Data were collected through documents, personal observations and semi-structured in-depth interviews with franchisee employees situated at different levels of the organizational hierarchy. A review of pertinent literature and government documents was utilized in forming the codes for collecting the data.FindingsIt could be argued that franchisees with strong financial capability, human resources support and monitoring and control facilities could contribute effectively in generating revenue from rural and interior electrified mass. The analysis revealed various challenges serving as hindrances in achievement of contracted targeted outcomes. The analysis resulted in highlighting factors that if implemented could result in the needed outcome.Practical implicationsThis study could be generalized only to similar socio-economic conditions. The findings could provide policy makers with valuable insights to emphasize on creating win–win situations for all the stakeholders to encourage franchisee participation.Originality/valueThis study is unique, as there is a dearth of empirical evidences relating to operational efficacies of these franchisees.
A study of treatment preference for diarrhea among Tengger people in Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Pratama Antonius Nugraha Widhi , Ningsih Lutfia Wildatul Cahya , Rachmawati Ema , Triatmoko Bawon , Tan Elizabeth Yu , Nugraha Ari Satia 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThis study aims to describe the treatment preference, especially in relation to traditional medicine, modern health care and a combination of both, in diarrheal cases among the Tengger ethnic minority group.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional survey was conducted in all eight villages of Tosari District, Pasuruan Regency, East Java Province. Tengger people were major resident in the area for generations. Convenience sampling and a face-validated structured questionnaire were used to recruit and face-to-face interview 377 Tengger people.FindingsThe study found that modern health care was the dominant preference (52%, n = 196) selected by Tengger people when they have an episode of diarrhea, compared to traditional medicines and mixed approach. Most respondents opted to visit one facility or to stay at home (64.3%, n = 242). Statistical significant relationships were found between treatment choice and age (p < 0.001), sex (p < 0.001), religion (p = 0.011), distance (p < 0.001), educational background (p < 0.001) and job (p < 0.001). A clear pattern between treatment choice and age was revealed with younger groups tended to choose modern health care, while older groups more preferred the traditional approach.Practical implicationsThis work could provide an insight that when the young Tengger people are having uncomplicated and common health illness, such as diarrhea, they tend to use modern treatment approach.Originality/valueThis study fulfilled an identified need to explore the trend of treatment approach across generations in the Tengger society as a model of the minor ethnic group in Indonesia.
Emotional problems and intellectual disability: comparing groups with and without forensic involvement
Authors: Craven Rachel , Shelton Lyn 
Published: September 2020

PurposeIndividuals with intellectual disability (ID) are known to experience increased emotional and behavioural concerns. The study aims to assess whether detained ID patients with a forensic history (IDPF) have increased difficulty managing their impulse control in comparison to detained ID patients without a forensic history (IDP). Using the externalising behaviour problems (EBP) subscale of the EPS, the study aims to compare the differences between the IDFP and IDP groups.Design/methodology/approachA total of 60 patients with ID detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (Revised 2007) were assessed using the behaviour rating scale of the EPS. The outcome scores of the EBP were used to examine any observed differences between the scores of forensically involved patients [n= 34] and those without a forensic history [n= 26]. It was hypothesised that patients with a forensic history would display higher scoring on externalised behavioural problems (EBP) than patients without such a history.FindingsNon-parametric testing revealed that there were no significant differences in EBP scoring between the two sample groups. These findings indicate that, for patients in the present study, no differences were detected in the presentation of these two distinct groups. In fact, with the exception of the verbal aggression subscale of the EBP, the other three subscales (physical aggression, non-compliance and hyperactivity) show that actually the IDP group displayed the higher ranked means in these subscales when compared with the forensically involved group.Originality/valueThese results indicate possible increased treatment needs within the IDP group and question whether offending history is necessarily a reliable predictor of ongoing hostility and behavioural concerns within similar inpatient services.
How to measure and manage the UK Government’s major project portfolio
Authors: Bourne Michael , Anker David , Chambers Glen , Torjai Laszlo 
Published: September 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to stimulate changes to the way performance data is used to improve performance taking the government’s use of project data as an example.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses systems theory to review the way the government’s major projects portfolio should be analysed.

Findings
This paper concludes that broader engagement in the analytics process should be considered as a way of improving insights and learning from reviews. The paper suggests that report alone has limited value.

Research limitations/implications
By taking a systems approach, this study raises questions about the methods used to manage data analysis and system improvements. Systems thinking is a useful tool to consider applications such as the performance of the government’s project portfolio, but there are many other approaches that can be applied.

Practical implications
This study makes very specific recommendations around the roles and responsibilities of people and teams at different levels in the system. Roles and activities are described together with recommendations about interfering in and overreaching these roles and activities.

Originality/value
This paper synthesises a number of systems approaches together with a view of why “we measure” to create a framework for analysing approaches to performance improvement. The practical application provided here gives insights into how these approaches can be used in real-life contexts.
Understanding liaison psychiatry commissioning: an observational study
Authors: Fossey Matt , Godier-McBard Lauren , Guthrie Elspeth A. , Hewison Jenny , Trigwell Peter , Smith Chris J. , House Allan O. 
Published: September 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges that are experienced by staff responsible for commissioning liaison psychiatry services and to establish if these are shared by other health professionals.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a mixed-methods design, the findings from a mental health commissioner workshop (n = 12) were used to construct a survey that was distributed to health care professionals using an opportunistic framework (n = 98).

Findings
Four key themes emerged from the workshop, which was tested using the survey. The importance of secure funding; a better understanding of health care systems and pathways; partnership working and co-production and; access to mental health clinical information in general hospitals. There was broad convergence between commissioners, mental health clinicians and managers, except in relation to gathering and sharing of data. This suggests that poor communication between professionals is of concern.

Research limitations/implications
There were a small number of survey respondents (n = 98). The sampling used an opportunistic framework that targeted commissioner and clinician forums. Using an opportunistic framework, the sample may not be representative. Additionally, multiple pairwise comparisons were conducted during the analysis of the survey responses, increasing the risk that significant results were found by chance.

Practical implications
A number of steps were identified that could be applied in practice. These mainly related to the importance of collecting and communicating data and co-production with commissioners in the design, development and monitoring of liaison psychiatry services.

Originality/value
This is the first study that has specifically considered the challenges associated with the commissioning of liaison psychiatry services.
Parent engagement in perinatal mortality reviews: an online survey of clinicians from six high‐income countries
Authors: Boyle FM , Horey D , Siassakos D , Burden C , Bakhbakhi D , Silver RM , Flenady V 
Published: September 2020

ObjectiveParent engagement in perinatal mortality review meetings following stillbirth may benefit parents and improve patient safety. We investigated perinatal mortality review meeting practices, including the extent of parent engagement, based on self‐reports from healthcare professionals from maternity care facilities in six high‐income countries.DesignCross‐sectional online survey.SettingAustralia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK and USA.PopulationA total of 1104 healthcare professionals, comprising mainly obstetricians, gynaecologists, midwives and nurses.MethodsData were drawn from responses to a survey covering stillbirth‐related topics. Open‐ and closed‐items that focused on ‘Data quality on causes of stillbirth’ were analysed.Main outcome measuresHealthcare professionals’ self‐reported practices around perinatal mortality review meetings following stillbirth.ResultsMost clinicians (81.0%) were aware of regular audit meetings to review stillbirth at their maternity facility, although this was true for only 35.5% of US respondents. For the 854 respondents whose facility held regular meetings, less than a third (31.1%) reported some form of parent engagement, and this was usually in the form of one‐way post‐meeting feedback. Across all six countries, only 17.1% of respondents described an explicit approach where parents provided input, received feedback and were represented at meetings.ConclusionsWe found no established practice of involving parents in the perinatal mortality review process in six high‐income countries. Parent engagement may hold the key to important lessons for stillbirth prevention and care. Further understanding of approaches, barriers and enablers is warranted.Tweetable abstractParent engagement in mortality review after stillbirth is rare, based on data from six countries. We need to understand the barriers.
Between governance‐driven democratisation and democracy‐driven governance: Explaining changes in participatory governance in the case of Barcelona
Authors: BUA ADRIAN , BUSSU SONIA 
Published: September 2020

AbstractScholars of participatory democracy have long noted dynamic interactions and transformations within and between political spaces that can foster (de)democratisation. At the heart of this dynamism lie (a) the processes through which top‐down “closed” spaces can create opportunities for rupture and democratic challenges and (b) vice‐versa, the mechanisms through which bottom‐up, open spaces can be co‐opted through institutionalisation. This paper seeks to unpick dynamic interactions between different spaces of participation by looking specifically at two forms of participatory governance, or participatory forms of political decision making used to improve the quality of democracy. First, Mark Warren's concept of ‘governance‐driven democratization’ describes top‐down and technocratic participatory governance aiming to produce better policies in response to bureaucratic rationales. Second, we introduce a new concept, democracy‐driven governance, to refer to efforts by social movements to invent new, and reclaim and transform existing, spaces of participatory governance and shape them to respond to citizens’ demands. The paper defines these concepts and argues that they co‐exist and interact in dynamic fashion; it draws on an analysis of case study literature on participatory governance in Barcelona to illuminate this relationship. Finally, the paper relates the theoretical framework to the case study by making propositions as to the structural and agential drivers of shifts in participatory governance.
Estimating population density of Nicrophorus quadripunctatus (Coleoptera: Silphidae) in Korea
Authors: Kim Do‐Sung , Cho Young‐Bok , Han Yong‐Gu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEstimating the population density of organisms is of great concern to ecologists and much effort has been put into making accurate assessment of population levels in nature. We evaluated the trapping web (TW) method for the determination of the density of species of burying beetles. We found eight and six species of burying beetles at Beopjusa and Ssanggok‐ri areas, respectively. Most of the species population comprised Nicrophorus quadripunctatus, with densities of 65 and 195 per ha for Beopjusa and Ssanggok‐ri areas, respectively. Moreover, the flight intercept trap (FIT) method from 2003 to 2007 also revealed the same trend: Beopjusa temple (2928) to Ssanggok‐ri (5835). However, the differences in number of individuals were probably due to the differences in the methods and the length of the trapping period. The populations of N. quadripunctatus exist as metapopulations, making accurate assessment of the population densities extremely difficult. We hypothesized that the TW method could accurately estimate population densities extrapolated from patch population size per area.
Toxoplasma gondii α‐amylase deletion mutant is a promising vaccine against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis
Authors: Yang Jing , Yang Chenghang , Qian Jiahui , Li Facai , Zhao Junlong , Fang Rui 
Published: September 2020

SummaryIndividuals with inhibited immunity may develop lethal toxoplasmosis; thus, a safe and effective vaccine is urged to be developed. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) α‐amylase (α‐AMY) is one of the enzymes responsible for starch digestion. In the present study, we first generated a ME49Δα‐amy mutant and discovered that loss of α‐AMY robustly grew in vitro but contributed to significant virulence attenuation in vivo. Therefore, we established a mouse model to explore the protective immunity of Δα‐amy mutant against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. The results indicated that the survival rates of short‐term or long‐term immunized mice re‐infected with the tachyzoites of multiple T. gondii strains were nearly 100%. ME49Δα‐amy not only could provide protective immunity against tachyzoites infection but also could resist the infection of tissue cysts. Furthermore, we detected that ME49Δα‐amy vaccination could effectively eliminate the proliferation of parasites in mice and prevent the formation of cysts. The significant increases of Th1‐type cytokines, Th2‐type cytokines and specific total IgG and IgG subclasses (IgG2a and IgG1) confirmed efficiency of a combination of cellular and humoral immunity against infection. In conclusion, ME49Δα‐amy attenuated strain can produce strong immune responses to provide efficient protection against toxoplasmosis, which signifies that ME49Δα‐amy mutant may be a potential vaccine candidate.
Application of a New Species‐Richness Based Flow Ecology Framework for Assessing Flow Reduction Effects on Aquatic Communities
Authors: Rapp Jennifer L. , Burgholzer Robert , Kleiner Joseph , Scott Durelle , Passero Elaina M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWater‐resources managers are challenged with maintaining a balance among beneficial uses throughout river networks and need robust means of assessing potential risks to aquatic life resulting from flow alterations. This study generated ecological limit functions from species‐streamflow relations to quantify potential fish richness response to flow alteration and compared results to currently accepted streamflow management guidelines. Modeled responses of absolute richness change were watershed specific and varied among sample sets derived from hydrologic unit classifications of different sizes (large HUC 6 basins to regional scale HUC 8). With a 20% flow reduction, 10% of HUC 8 predicted a richness decrease in one or more taxa. While absolute richness change was consistent across streams within a HUC, percent richness change was stream size dependent. Comparisons with Instream Flow Incremental Methodology habitat models predicted habitat loss greater than percent richness change; however, predictions for habitat and richness decreased similarly as stream size decreased. Watershed‐specific responses from flow reductions could allow water‐resources management decisions to be made locally based on the predicted richness change for certain sized streams. Quantitative results highlight the utility of a richness‐based framework for generating watershed‐specific risk assessments that validate and inform currently employed water‐resources management practices.
England SimSmoke: the impact of nicotine vaping on smoking prevalence and smoking‐attributable deaths in England
Authors: Levy David T. , Sánchez‐Romero Luz María , Li Yameng , Yuan Zhe , Travis Nargiz , Jarvis Martin J. , Brown Jamie , McNeill Ann 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsWhereas the use of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) is widespread, their impact on smoking prevalence is controversial. This study considered the potential impact of NVPs on smoking prevalence in England.DesignIndirect simulation model. The England SimSmoke model is validated through 2012, before NVP use became more widely used by smokers. Because information on NVP‐related transitions is limited, an indirect method is used; the difference in observed smoking prevalence (reflecting NVPs) is compared with a 2012–2019 counterfactual No‐NVP scenario (without NVPs) to estimate the impact of NVPs on smoking and smoking‐attributable deaths.SettingEngland, 2000–2019.ParticipantsNationally representative sample of population.MeasurementsEngland's population, mortality rates and smoking prevalence estimates from three national surveys and tobacco control policies.FindingsBetween 2000 and 2012, SimSmoke projected a decline in age 18+ smoking prevalence of 23.5% in men and 27.0% in women. These projections, as well as those by specific age groups, were generally consistent with findings from the three national surveys. Comparing 2012–2019 relative reduction in age 18+ prevalence from the Annual Population Survey (males, 27.5%) with the model‐predicted No‐NVP reduction (males, 7.3%), the implied NVP‐attributable relative reduction in adult smoking prevalence was 20.2% (95% CI, 18.8%–22.0%) for males and 20.4% (18.7%–22.2%) for females. The NVP‐attributable reduction was 27.2% (22.8%–31.6%) for males and 31.7% (27.4%–36.5%) for females ages 18–24 and 18.6% (15.2%–21.8%) for males and 15.0% (11.1%–18.8%) for females ages 25–34, with similar reductions for ages 35+. The implied reduction in smoking prevalence between 2012 and 2019 equates to 165 660 (132 453–199 501) averted deaths by 2052. Other surveys yielded smaller, but relatively consistent results.ConclusionsAn indirect method of simulation modelling indicates that substantial reductions in smoking prevalence occurred in England from 2012–2019 coinciding with the growth in nicotine vaping product use.
Gender and the dynamics of technology adoption: Empirical evidence from a household‐level panel data
Authors: Mishra Khushbu , Sam Abdoul G. , Diiro Gracious M. , Miranda Mario J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractVery few empirical studies account for the dynamic nature of the agricultural technology adoption decision and none of these explores if this dynamic nature depends on the gender of the decision maker. Using four waves of a household‐level Ugandan panel data, this is the first empirical analysis to account for self‐learning (one's own adoption experience) in explaining current adoption decision in a developing country context, and the first to study the interaction between self‐learning and gender. Technology adoption is defined as adoption of hybrid seed, inorganic fertilizer, or pesticides. Our results indicate that the dynamic panel data Probit model is superior to its static counterpart in the sense that self‐learning, captured by lagged technology adoption indicators, is by far the most important determinant of technology adoption. We also find a weaker impact of self‐learning for female‐headed households than male‐headed households. Female‐headed households face fewer learning opportunities, which produce a lower self‐learning impact in later periods, further exacerbating the gap in technology adoption among male‐ and female‐headed households.
Mechanization in land preparation and agricultural intensification: The case of rice farming in the Cote d'Ivoire
Authors: Mano Yukichi , Takahashi Kazushi , Otsuka Keijiro 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIt is critically important to intensify farming systems in sub‐Saharan Africa by disseminating improved agronomic practices and increasing the application of modern inputs. One of the region's problems is that proper land preparation is difficult due to the scarcity of draft animals and the underdevelopment of the tractor rental market. Our analysis of rice production in the Cote d'Ivoire reveals that farmers who use tractors in land preparation more intensively apply fertilizer and use more labor to carefully implement proper agronomic practices, thereby raising productivity. Thus, the diffusion of tractors appears to be key to the intensification of rice farming systems in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Long‐run impacts of trade shocks and export competitiveness: Evidence from the U.S. BSE event
Authors: Chen Chen‐Ti , Crespi John M. , Hahn William , Schulz Lee L. , Taha Fawzi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper examines how comparative advantages of major beef exporters changed following the 2003 bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) outbreak, which significantly disrupted the U.S. beef trade until approximately 2007. Using longitudinal data on beef export values and constructed revealed comparative advantage measures, we show that while some measures of the long‐run impacts of BSE on U.S. beef export competitiveness have returned to pre‐2003 levels, the U.S.’s comparative advantage has not. We also examine a hypothetical scenario of no BSE event in 2003 and predict that in the absence of the BSE outbreak, the U.S. beef sector would have been increasingly more competitive by 2017 than it actually was. Long‐term trade competitiveness may not simply return to normal even after a short‐term disruption.