bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How are police doing in combating crime? An exploratory study of efficiency analysis of the Policía Nacional Civil in Guatemala
Authors: Alda Erik 
Published: March 2014

Purpose– In almost all modern societies, police forces are at the forefront of ongoing activities to reduce and prevent crime. Both in practice and in popular belief, police forces are the visible presence for maintaining security and safety to citizens in municipalities, towns and cities, and from cities to local neighborhoods. This paper aims to investigate how efficiently the police in Guatemala are in combating crime using data envelopment analysis (DEA).Design/methodology/approach– The study used DEA to measure the efficiency of police stations in fighting crime in Guatemala based on their inputs and outputs.Findings– The analyses showed that only four out of 22 police departments were considered efficient. The average efficiency score for the 22 police departments was 62 percent.Research limitations/implications– Data on crime and police are limited in Guatemala. Further research using DEA would be particularly relevant if the methodology included: a wider range of inputs/outputs, longer panel data, and more precise estimates of the effect of contextual variables. The findings of the study can inform police managers and policymakers to allocate security resources more efficiently.Practical implications– Given the low levels of inefficiency of police departments in Guatemala, police management would have to ensure that clearance rates increase significantly by either increasing the human resource capacity of the police departments according to the needs so that clearance rates can be improved and be more effective and efficient in combating crime.Originality/value– This is the first in depth study of police efficiency in Central America. In an increasingly resource strapped environment employing DEA might be a useful tool to improve human and financial resource allocation.
Differing services, rising expectations, and greater demands
Authors: Vinod Kumar T.K. 
Published: March 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that impact assessment of police performance across the two types of policing methods, and explains the differing police public dynamics at the field level.Design/methodology/approach– This paper examines the varying police public dynamics in areas with and without community policing. For this purpose data were obtained from a survey conducted in the City of Calicut where the Janamaitri community policing program was implemented in some of the police stations. To obtain a contrasting perspective in areas without community policing, survey was also conducted in areas where community policing was not conducted. The method adopted in this study is to map people's perception of police performance and factors impacting it across the two areas and compare the same. The comparison is done by examining the OLS regression in the two areas with same independent and dependent variables, and explaining similarities and contrasts in trends.Findings– It concludes that while community policing has great advantages over conventional policing, it has the challenge of increasing expectation among the public and diminishing impact of certain factors that are relevant in conventional police service delivery mechanisms.Originality/value– There is one of the first studies comparing and analyzing the differing police public dynamics in areas with community policing and areas with conventional policing. It provides an insight into how public perception of police is formed in these differing environments.
Improving highway accident management through patrol beat scheduling
Authors: Wu Jiann-Sheng , Lou Tze-chiang 
Published: March 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to improve the efficiency of accident management from the angle of reducing highway accident response times while taking into account total daily work hours.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors developed a patrol beat scheduling model, which is formulated as a chance-constrained optimization model, with the objective of minimizing the sum of officer work hours. Along with the model, a simulation program was also developed to help evaluate the effectiveness of the model-generated beat schedule in terms of response times.

Findings
– This study concluded that, first, the current manually designed beat schedule could be improved should the National Highway Police Bureau adopt the proposed model. Second, the total daily work hours of the model-generated schedule at the confidence level of 100 percent were 64 hours, 21 hours less than the average work hours recorded in the 2006 data, or about an improvement of 24 percent. Should the model be adopted, not only response times will be improved, the 24 percent reduction in work hours could be translated into a cut in personnel cost.

Research limitations/implications
– The scheduling model and simulation program are both built upon one-year historical data whose accuracy and completeness is prerequisite.

Practical implications
– The proposed model can be adopted by other public service agencies such as fire departments, or emergency service centers. By replacing the historical data used in the study with their own data, agencies can evaluate the efficiency of their existing schedule or generate various schedules based on institutional needs.

Originality/value
– This model utilizes historical accident data to generate optimal beat schedule and evaluate the efficiency of such schedule. Similar models have not been found in other studies.
Youth justice back at the crossroads
Authors: Creaney Sean , Smith Roger 
Published: March 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to provide a reflection on the current trajectory of youth justice policy. The paper offers fresh insight into the changing face of youth justice.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper draws on a range of sources, including published journal articles and statistical evidence. In so doing it critically reviews relevant academic literature.

Findings
– Three critical insights arise from the review. First, there are promising approaches emerging in youth justice organised around the principle of avoiding formal processing of young people where possible; such as, for example, Triage, the Youth Restorative Disposal, Youth Justice Liaison and Diversion schemes, the Swansea Bureau and the Durham Pre-Reprimand Disposal. Thus there is evidence of an emerging consensus, across the domains of policy, practice and legislation which seem to endorse the idea of community-based minimum intervention, supported by principles of offender rehabilitation and restoration. Second, whilst they have not intruded to any great extent in the sphere of youth justice so far, there is no doubt that the government is keen to extend the remit of Payment by Results schemes. Perhaps most concerning is the issue with private sector organisations engaging in “gaming activities” where maximising profit becomes the intention over enhancing the well-being of the young person. Third, it is argued that in order to reconcile the lack of user-led engagement of offenders, and experiences of disempowerment, the priority should be, throughout the Youth Justice System, to involve young people in assessment and decision-making processes.

Research limitations/implications
– As an exploratory paper, it does not set out to provide a blueprint on “how” the issues outlined should be resolved. Rather, it provides a basis for further discussion, and highlights some examples of promising practice, particularly around the issues of offender engagement, participation and rights compliance. This is particularly important considering that the UK government will report to the United Nations this year (2014) on its progress in implementing and complying with the children's right agenda.

Practical implications
– The paper highlights the issues and ambiguities facing practitioners working within a payment by results framework which is contextualised by what appears to be a more liberal tone in public policy. It also explores the challenges delivering participatory approaches.

Originality/value
– The paper investigates a neglected area in youth justice, namely that of participatory approaches. It argues that, although there are resource pressures and time constraints, service user participatory techniques should be encouraged, particularly as they promote positive engagement and motivation, principally by offering a sense of control over choice.
Improving organisational performance – red team policing and partnerships
Authors: Coliandris Geoff , Rogers Colin 
Published: March 2014

Purpose
– Intra and inter-organisational learning holds important consequences for official agencies’ capabilities to reduce harm, particularly in the field of safeguarding children. A range of formal learning mechanisms exist but as these can be limited there is a case for expanding the learning opportunities relied upon. The concepts of “red teaming” and “alternative analysis” though relatively well established in other sectors are under-developed, under-used and under-promoted within policing. They offer flexible conceptual and practical resources that aim to challenge established models, thinking and practices. Policing organisations would benefit from institutionalising alternative forms of analysis though this would involve an attitudinal commitment and shift. This paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– Documentary analysis and reflection.

Findings
– Consideration of the red team approach by police and partners offers an alternative approach to effective organisational learning to prevent repeating similar mistakes uncovered by Serious Case Reviews.

Originality/value
– This paper will allow practitioners to reflect upon current serious reviews of cases and offers an alternative and effective way of improving partner agencies capabilities to reduce harm.
Embedded carbon nanotube thread piezoresistive strain sensor performance
Authors: Schulz Mark , Song Yi , Hehr Adam , Shanov Vesselin 
Published: March 2014

Purpose
– Carbon nanotube (CNT) thread
'
s piezoresisitive strain sensing properties of gauge factor, linearity, hysteresis, consistency, temperature stability, and bandwidth were evaluated. This evaluation was motivated by little information in literature combined with the need to understand these properties for commercial use. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study here analyzes as-spun CNT thread built into unidirectional glass fiber composites and mounted onto aluminium beams with epoxy to evaluate strain sensing properties. The analyses utilize known sensor parameter definitions to quantify sensor performance.

Findings
– CNT thread can provide reliable and robust strain measurements for composite and metallic structures. The strain sensor performance meets or exceeds other strain sensors in performance.

Research limitations/implications
– CNT thread
'
s piezoresistive effect is not well understood in terms of Poisson
'
s ratio and nanotube contact. More research needs to be carried out to better understand this relationship and optimize the sensor thread.

Practical implications
– CNT thread can be utilized as a robust strain sensor for composite and metallic structures. It can also be built into composite materials for embedded strain and damage monitoring. By monitoring composite materials with the sensor thread, reliability will significantly increase. In turn, this will lower safety factors and revolutionize inspection methods for composite materials.

Originality/value
– This paper is the first to comprehensively evaluate key strain sensing properties of CNT thread. With all this strain sensor information in one spot, this should help expedite the use of this technology in other research and industry.
Are women having a vaginal birth after a previous caesarean delivery at increased risk of anal sphincter injury?
Authors: Hehir MP , Fitzpatrick M , Cassidy M , Murphy M , O'Herlihy C 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveTo examine the incidence of obstetric anal sphincter injury in women who had a successful vaginal birth after a previous caesarean delivery (VBAC).DesignRetrospective analysis of prospectively gathered data.SettingA tertiary referral university institution.PopulationAll secundiparous women with a previous caesarean delivery who had a VBAC from 2001 to 2011.MethodsDetails of maternal demographics, intrapartum characteristics and outcomes were examined in cases of VBAC with accompanying anal sphincter injury.Main outcome measuresRates of obstetric anal sphincter injury and associated risk factors.ResultsDuring the study period there were 3071 trials of labour in secundiparous women with a previous caesarean delivery; 65% (1981/3071) of these had a successful VBAC. Women having a VBAC were at greater risk of anal sphincter injury than nulliparous women having a vaginal delivery over the same period (5% [98/1981] versus 3.5% [1216/34 496], P = 0.001, odds ratio 1.4, 95% CI 1.15–1.75). The rate of instrumental delivery in woman having a VBAC was 39% (771/1981). On multiple logistic regression analysis an increased rate of instrumental delivery was a strong predictor of sphincter injury (P = 0.03, odds ratio 1.15, 95% CI 1.01–1.3). When the first labours of women with sphincter injury in the VBAC group were examined, 70% (60/86) had been in labour before undergoing their caesarean delivery.ConclusionThe incidence of anal sphincter injury in women undergoing VBAC is 5% and birthweight is the strongest predictor of this. The rate of instrumental delivery in this group was also increased.
Diagnostic value of serum glutathione peroxidase 3 levels in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Oh In‐Jae , Kim Hye‐Eun , Song Sang‐Yun , Na Kook‐Joo , Kim Kyu‐Sik , Kim Young‐Chul , Lee Seung‐Won 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundWe selected glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) as a specific candidate that is down regulated in patients with lung cancer. In this study, we examined the diagnostic value of serum GPx3, which is an extracellular protein and readily detectable in blood.MethodsWe collected serum samples from 342 patients with lung cancer and 126 controls (normal healthy people and patients with benign diseases or other malignancies). We measured serum GPx3 levels using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsMean serum GPx3 levels were significantly lower in the patient group compared with the control group (10.1 ± 5.0 μg/mL vs. 13.0 ± 5.8 μg/mL, P < 0.001). In addition, mean serum GPx3 levels tended to be lower in the patients without metastasis compared with those with metastasis (9.6 ± 4.5 μg/mL vs. 10.7 ± 5.7 μg/mL, P = 0.051). Furthermore, mean serum GPx3 levels had a significant difference according to initial treatments (P < 0.001). In other words, mean serum GPx3 levels were significantly lower in the surgery group (8.2 ± 4.1 μg/mL) compared with the concurrent chemoradiotherapy (11.5 ± 4.6 μg/mL, P < 0.001), chemotherapy (10.7 ± 5.6 μg/mL, P < 0.001), and supportive care groups (10.9 ± 4.8 μg/mL, P = 0.002).ConclusionOur results showed that serum GPx3 levels were significantly lower in the patients who underwent surgery, which indicates that the serum may have diagnostic value in patients at an operable stage of lung cancer, rather than those at a locally advanced or metastatic stage.
Effects of acid treatment on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in ecological samples: a review and synthesis
Authors: Schlacher Thomas A. , Connolly Rod M. 
Published: March 2014

Summary

Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen are mainstay tracers in diverse fields of ecology, particularly in studies of food webs.

Investigators are generally interested in tracing dietary C and N, and hence routinely remove non‐dietary, inorganic C contained in calcified structures (e.g. shells, bones) by chemical dissolution of the carbonates. Acid treatment can, however, isotopically fractionate samples if part of the organic matter is lost or chemically modified, resulting in potentially altered δ13C and δ15N values.

Here, we synthesize the effects of acid treatments on stable isotope analysis reported in the literature, showing that: (i) the method can change both δ13C and δ15N values; (ii) shifts in δ13C are generally, but not always, consistent with expectations of more depleted carbon ratios after the removal of the isotopically heavier inorganic carbonates; (iii) nitrogen ratios either decrease or increase in 15N content; and (iv) the majority (74–79% of comparisons) of reported changes to δ13C and δ15N values attributable to acid treatment are <1 ‰, but larger acid effects can occur.

Acidification is needed if mechanical removal of calcified structures is unfeasible in carbonate‐rich sample matrices containing low organic C and N, but should otherwise be very carefully considered before its use as a routine pre‐treatment step of biological samples in isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
Randomized Clinical Trial of Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen Versus Codeine/Acetaminophen in the Treatment of Acute Extremity Pain After Emergency Department Discharge
Authors: Chang Andrew K. , Bijur Polly E. , Munjal Kevin G. , John Gallagher E. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to test the hypothesis that hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin [5/500]) provides more efficacious analgesia than codeine/acetaminophen (Tylenol #3 [30/300]) in patients discharged from the emergency department (ED). Both are currently Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Schedule III narcotics.MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, clinical trial of patients with acute extremity pain who were discharged home from the ED, comparing a 3‐day supply of oral hydrocodone/acetaminophen (5 mg/500 mg) to oral codeine/acetaminophen (30 mg/300 mg). Pain was measured on a valid and reproducible verbal numeric rating scale (NRS) ranging from 0 to 10, and patients were contacted by telephone approximately 24 hours after being discharged. The primary outcome was the between‐group difference in improvement in pain at 2 hours following the most recent ingestion of the study drug, relative to the time of phone contact after ED discharge. Secondary outcomes compared side‐effect profiles and patient satisfaction.ResultsThe median time from ED discharge to follow‐up was 26 hours (interquartile range [IQR] = 24 to 39 hours). The mean NRS pain score before the most recent dose of pain medication after ED discharge was 7.6 NRS units for both groups. The mean decrease in pain scores 2 hours after pain medications were taken were 3.9 NRS units in the hydrocodone/acetaminophen group versus 3.5 NRS units in the codeine/acetaminophen group, for a difference of 0.4 NRS units (95% confidence interval [CI] = –0.3 to 1.2 NRS units). No differences were found in side effects or patient satisfaction.ConclusionsBoth medications decreased NRS pain scores by approximately 50%. However, the oral hydrocodone/acetaminophen failed to provide clinically or statistically superior pain relief compared to oral codeine/acetaminophen when prescribed to patients discharged from the ED with acute extremity pain. Similarly, there were no clinically or statistically important differences in side‐effect profiles or patient satisfaction. If the DEA reclassifies hydrocodone as a Schedule II narcotic, as recently recommended by its advisory board, our data suggest that the codeine/acetaminophen may be a clinically reasonable Schedule III substitute for hydrocodone/acetaminophen at ED discharge. These findings should be regarded as tentative and require independent validation in similar and other acute pain models.
Urinary Catheter Use and Appropriateness in U.S. Emergency Departments, 1995–2010
Authors: Schuur Jeremiah D. , Chambers Jennifer Gibson , Hou Peter C. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractObjectivesCatheter‐associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is the most prevalent hospital‐acquired infection, yet little is known about emergency department (ED) use of urinary catheters. The objective was to describe use of urinary catheters in U.S. EDs and determine the proportion that was potentially avoidable.MethodsThe National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), a weighted probability sample of U.S. ED visits, was analyzed from 1995 through 2010 for use of urinary catheters in adults. Use of a urinary catheter was a specific chart review element and was classified as potentially avoidable if none of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list of appropriate indications were met by ED visit diagnoses or patient disposition. Annual frequency of urinary catheter use and appropriateness were calculated. Predictors of ED‐placed urinary catheters for admitted patients were assessed with multivariate logistic regression.ResultsThe annual rate of ED‐placed urinary catheters varied from 2.2 to 3.3 per 100 adult ED visits. Among admitted patients, 8.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.0% to 9.1%) received urinary catheters; 64.9% (95% CI = 56.9% to 72.9%) were potentially avoidable. Among discharged patients 1.6% (95% CI = 1.5% to 1.7%) received urinary catheters. There was no significant trend over time in the use of urinary catheters or potentially avoidable urinary catheters (PAUCs). Predictors of catheter use in admitted patients included indicators of patient severity, female sex, and race/ethnicity. Hospital characteristics predicting catheter use included region, ownership type, and urban location. Predictors of potentially avoidable urinary catheter use were lower patient severity, female sex, care by a midlevel practitioner, and nonurban location.ConclusionsReducing use of urinary catheters outside of CDC guideline criteria in ED patients is a promising strategy to reduce CAUTIs.
How much is enough? A study of municipal councillor remuneration
Authors: Schobel Kurt 
Published: March 2014

AbstractCanadian municipalities face a significant challenge when setting council remuneration. The inherent conflict‐of‐interest that arises when councillors vote on their remuneration requires the process to be as unbiased as possible. This article identifies four themes in municipal remuneration reports: composition of review committees, use of tax‐free remunerations, methodology of reviews, and identification of common key criteria for reviews. Using the identified criteria, the article recommends a four‐stage process for remuneration. Focusing the reviews on the stated criteria of municipalities may increase acceptance of the results and attract the best possible candidates.SommaireLes municipalités canadiennes font face à un défi de taille lorsqu'elles doivent fixer la rémunération des conseillers. Le conflit d'intérêts inhérent, qui surgit lorsque les conseillers votent au sujet de leur rémunération, exige que le processus soit aussi impartial que possible. Cet article identifie quatre thèmes dans les rapports municipaux sur la rémunération : composition des comités d'examen, recours à des rémunérations non imposables, méthodologie des examens, et identification de critères clés communs pour les examens. À l'aide des critères identifiés, l'article recommande un processus de rémunération en quatre étapes. En axant les examens sur les critères stipulés par les municipalités, on pourrait accroître l'acceptation des résultats et attirer les meilleurs candidats possibles.