Evaluating why quantity surveyors conflict with collaborative project delivery system

The recurring poor performance and lack of collaborative culture in the UK construction industry has been a topic of debate for many years now. This has triggered an industry wide demand for performance improvement and innovation in the construction sector. Several studies over the years have reported and linked these concerns to fragmentation, deep-seated cultural resistance and negative commercial behaviours among project participants. Traditionally, Quantity Surveyors (QSs) within the UK system are popularly known for their commercial management functions i.e., contract advice and cost related roles. But, the lack of evidence on collaborative practice across the commercial roles often performed by the QSs in practice has revealed a separation within the construction model where QSs are formulated outside the core project production team (client, designers, and constructors). This continues with further practical implications like process waste, value loss, conflicts among others. However, recently, there were calls for industry-wide modernisation with an appeal specifically on QSs to create positive link within the value chain as against being a burden to it. Based on a literature review and a case study approach, the study further discovered other commercial factors deterring collaborative practice that is emanating from QSs position outside the production system. These factors among others are: commercial background &training, customer &safeguarding practice, excessive monthly reporting & commercial governance and balancing standards with innovation

Scandals from an Island: Testing Anglo-American Corporate Governance Frameworks

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an account of banking scandals in relation to corporate governance (CG) failures in an emerging economy, arguing that Anglo-American ideas of CG are misplaced in traditional settings. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders. Observations of annual general meetings (AGMs) and the personal working experience of one of the researchers, along with documentation, provided triangulating data on CG practices. Findings The authors have found that both of the banks studied had adopted CG practices contrary to the expectations of the Sri Lankan CG codes. Key features of CG practices that emerged from their investigations of these two scandals are ineffectual central bank regulations, familial boards of directors, ceremonial board meetings, biased auditing practices and manipulative AGMs, relying on traditional structures of accountability centred around families, kin and social networks. Research limitations/implications The authors argue, drawing on Weber (1958, 1961, 1968, 1978), that the traditionalist culture mediates the process of rationality in bank governance codes and regulatory frameworks Therefore, practices fall far short of expectations. Originality/value The paper builds on the extended critique of shareholder-centric CG models and their transferability to alien contexts. It contributes to the CG studies calling for more appreciation of the need to move beyond the conventional view of CG problems as simply down to conflicts of interests. The authors complement and advance the decoupling debate in CG studies drawing on the Weberian notion of traditionalism

High-efficiency transduction of spinal cord motor neurons by intrauterine delivery of integration-deficient lentiviral vectors

Integration-deficient lentiviral vectors (IDLVs) are promising gene delivery tools that retain the high transduction efficiency of standard lentiviral vectors, yet fail to integrate as proviruses and are instead converted into episomal circles. These episomes are metabolically stable and support long-term expression of transgenes in non-dividing cells, exhibiting a decreased risk of insertional mutagenesis. We have embarked on an extensive study to compare the transduction efficiency of IDLVs pseudotyped with different envelopes (vesicular stomatitis, Rabies, Mokola and Ross River viral envelopes) and self-complementary adeno-associated viral vectors, serotype-9 (scAAV-9) in spinal cord tissues after intraspinal injection of mouse embryos (E16). Our results indicate that IDLVs can transduce motor neurons (MNs) at extremely high efficiency regardless of the envelope pseudotype while scAAV9 mediates gene delivery to ~40% of spinal cord motor neurons, with other non-neuronal cells also transduced. Long-term expression studies revealed stable gene expression at 7months post-injection. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that IDLVs may be efficient tools for in utero cord transduction in therapeutic strategies such as for treatment of inherited early childhood neurodegenerative diseases

Conventional and unconventional surgical modalities for choledochal cyst: long-term follow-up

Background This study presents our experience of various modes of presentation, surgical methods applied (both conventional and unconventional), and their outcome on patients with choledochal cyst. Method This is a retrospective study in which files of all patients with choledochal cyst over a period of 10 years (1997–2007) were studied. Data collected from files included age, sex, modes of presentation, various surgical techniques, outcome, and follow-up. Results The total number of patients was 35. The most common mode of presentation was recurrent abdominal pain in 20 (57%) patients. It was followed by jaundice in 16 (45%) patients, fever, nausea, and vomiting in 10 (28.5%) patients, and other symptoms. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed in 26 (74%) patients, hepaticoduodenostomy in five (14%) patients, external T-tube drainage in three (8%) patients, and cystoduodenostomy in two (5%) patients. Two patients expired in this series. The follow-up loss was 20%. Three patients who suffered from cholangitis were managed conservatively. No patient has shown cirrhosis and cholangiocarcinoma till now. Conclusion Choledochal cyst is an important entity in an Indian setup. The presentation has a wide spectrum; therefore, different types of surgical intervention would play a significant role in various situations.Keywords: choledochal cyst, follow-up of choledochal cyst, surgical technique

Exploratory study of 'costing collaboratively' in the UK construction industry

This research study looks at how stakeholders collaborate over costing in the UK construction industry. The purpose is to define the concept of ‘costing collaboratively’ (CC), to widen understanding of collaboration. Post economic recession, more collaborative practices have been regarded as strategies for transforming construction challenges. However, studies have shown that these practices are fading in the UK, because of fragmentation, adversarialism and, clients preference for lowest tender, whilst cost consultants struggles to be involved in collaborative working especially, during costing activities. The primary research used a multiple case study approach, which aggregated data from interviews and documentary analysis (financial business case; costing & estimating manuals etc.). Overall, 23 interviews were captured with cost consultants, lean practitioners, main contractors among others within the building and infrastructure sectors in the UK. The results showed attributes, like target costing, optioneering and all-inclusive value engineering, as relevant constituents of CC. Accordingly, these were used to defined CC as an approach that engaged stakeholders (upstream and downstream) around wider scheme budgets creating a sense of ownership, driving positive behaviours to achieve desired cost outcomes. However, the results also show that although CC is progressing within the multidisciplinary settings, the approach is still driven by price, and a limited understanding continue to affect the wider practice of collaboration in the UK construction industry

Key factors affecting commercial actors in collaborative working within the UK construction industry

Extensive research on the importance of collaborative working (CW) and aligning stakeholders’ interests in construction has been widely conducted. But often the practice of commercial actors during CW has often been overlooked, particularly within the UK setting, where scholars have lamented on the lack of industry-wide collaboration. This study aims to explore the factors affecting commercial actors in CW, specific to the UK construction industry. The research used a context-based approach to seek stakeholders’ perspective on the key factors affecting commercial actors in CW within the UK. Semi-structured interviews with individuals (contractors, cost consultants, designers among others) from construction and infrastructure organizations were conducted, using multiple case study investigations.The collected data was analyzed using a case study approach, and principles of inductive thematic analysis to identify the key factors. Findings from the analysis identified ‘institutional’ factor such as transactional cost economic influence, the prevailing construction model influence, and professional related drivers. Key drivers within these factors include commercial background and training, custom and practice, misaligned interests in projects, clients’ perception of consultants, cost-driven environment, conventional procurement protocols, and bureaucratic functions. In conclusion, these factors continue to affect CW with undue influence on commercial actors in the UK, thus preventing performance improvement demanded by successive UK government reports. The context-based approach applied in this study is expected to provide some insight in construction management research, especially from commercial perspective in the UK, to gain an understanding of how these factors are manifesting

Effects of a community-based approach of food and psychosocial stimulation on growth and development of severely malnourished children in Bangladesh: a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Psychosocial stimulation (PS) and food supplementation (FS) improve development of malnourished children. This study evaluates the effects of a community-based approach of PS and FS on growth and development of severely malnourished children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Severely underweight hospitalised children aged 6-24 months (n = 507) were randomly allocated on discharge to five groups: (i) PS, (ii) FS, (iii) PS+FS, (iv) clinic-control and (v) hospital-control. PS included play sessions and parental counselling on child development. This was done at each fortnightly follow-up visit, that is, every second week, for 6 months at community clinics. FS included distribution of cereal-based food packets (150-300 kcal/day) for 3 months. All groups received medical care, micronutrient supplementation, health-education and growth monitoring. Children's development was assessed using revised version of Bayley Scales of Infant Development at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of intervention. Anthropometry was measured using standard procedure. RESULTS: Comparing groups with any stimulation with those with no stimulation there was a significant effect of stimulation on children's mental development index (group*session interaction P = 0.037, effect size = 0.37 s.d.) and weight-for-age Z-score (group*session interaction P = 0.02, effect size=0.26 s.d.). Poor levels of development and nutritional status were sustained, however, due to their initial very severe malnutrition. There was no effect on motor development and linear growth. CONCLUSION: Children receiving any stimulation showed a significant benefit to mental development and growth in weight. More intensive intervention with longer duration is needed to correct their poor developmental levels and nutritional status

Oral health behind the bars: oral health seeking behavior among jail prisoners at central jail of Peshawar, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

Background: The oral health care-seeking behavior among prison inmates is an overlooked area, often leading to deteriorating general health due to the prisoners’ limited awareness of oral hygiene practices. It is crucial to address this issue and understand the factors associated with oral healthcare-seeking behavior in prisons. Objective: To assess the oral healthcare-seeking behavior of prison inmates at Central Prisoner Jail, Peshawar Pakistan and to look the factors associated with their dental care utilization. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Central Prisoner Jail, Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan from November 2021 to April 2022. A consecutive sampling technique was used to collect data from both convicted and under-trial prisoners by using a pre-tested WHO Basic Oral Health Survey 2013 tool. Our outcome variable was “Visit to a dentist in the last 12 months (Never/Once or more than one visit). Chi-square test was used to determine univariate association with other explanatory variables while multivariable logistic regression was performed to adjust for potential confounders. Result: A total of 225 participants were recruited to the study with a mean (SD) age of 32.9(11.4). More than two-thirds of 200(88.9%) of the participants were males. One-third of the sample never visited the dentist75(33.3). Participants who completed college/university education and never visited the dentist in the last 12 months constituted a smaller proportion (17.6%) compared to those who visited the dentist once or more than once n = 28(82.4%, p-value = 0.003). Individuals who were using toothbrushes were most frequently visiting the dentist n = 130(72.6%=p value = 0.001) as compared to never visitors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that Participants who experienced teeth pain or discomfort had 0.42 times lower odds of visiting the dentist compared to those who did not experience any pain or discomfort [AOR 0.42 (95% CI 0.17–0.80), p = 0.04]. Similarly, Participants who do not use any denture have 4.06 times higher odds[AOR 4.06(95% CI 1.76–9.36), p = 0.001] of visiting the dentist compared to those who use a denture. Conclusion: Our result demonstrates that those prisoners who were experiencing tooth pain or discomfort and not using dentures were the strong predictors with lower dental visit frequency to seek oral health care

Maternal deaths in Pakistan : intersection of gender, class and social exclusion.

Background: A key aim of countries with high maternal mortality rates is to increase availability of competent maternal health care during pregnancy and childbirth. Yet, despite significant investment, countries with the highest burdens have not reduced their rates to the expected levels. We argue, taking Pakistan as a case study, that improving physical availability of services is necessary but not sufficient for reducing maternal mortality because gender inequities interact with caste and poverty to socially exclude certain groups of women from health services that are otherwise physically available. Methods: Using a critical ethnographic approach, two case studies of women who died during childbirth were pieced together from information gathered during the first six months of fieldwork in a village in Northern Punjab, Pakistan. Findings: Shida did not receive the necessary medical care because her heavily indebted family could not afford it. Zainab, a victim of domestic violence, did not receive any medical care because her martial family could not afford it, nor did they think she deserved it. Both women belonged to lower caste households, which are materially poor households and socially constructed as inferior. Conclusions: The stories of Shida and Zainab illustrate how a rigidly structured caste hierarchy, the gendered devaluing of females, and the reinforced lack of control that many impoverished women experience conspire to keep women from lifesaving health services that are physically available and should be at their disposal