Qualitative Analysis of the Factors Associated with Whistleblowing Intentions among Athletes from Six European Countries

Although whistleblowing is thought to represent an effective mechanism for detecting and uncovering doping in sport, it has yet to become a widely adopted practice. Understanding the factors that encourage or discourage whistleblowing is of vital importance for the promotion of this practice and the development of pedagogical material to enhance the likelihood of whistleblowing. The current study employed a qualitative methodology to explore the personal and organisational factors that underpin intentions to blow the whistle or that may lead to engagement in whistleblowing behaviours in sport. Thirty-three competitive athletes across a range of sports took part in a semi-structured interview which sought to explore what they would do should they encounter a doping scenario. Content analysis revealed that whistleblowing is a dynamic process characterised by the interaction of a range of personal and organisational factors in determining the intention to report PED use. These factors included moral reasoning, a desire to keep the matter "in-house", perceived personal costs, institutional attitudes to doping, and social support. Analysis revealed a number of 'intervening events' (Ajzen, 1991), including a perceived lack of organisational protection (e.g., ethical leadership) within some sporting sub-cultures, which present an important obstacle to whistleblowing. The intention to report doping was underpinned by a "fairness loyalty trade-off" which involved athletes choosing to adhere to either fairness norms (which relate to a sense that all people and groups are treated equally) or loyalty norms (which reflect preferential treatment towards an in-group) when deciding whether they would blow the whistle. The promotion of fairness norms that emphasise a group's collective interests might encourage athletes to view whistleblowing as a means of increasing group cohesiveness and effectiveness and thereby increase the likelihood of this practice

A novel 2-D coordination polymer with mixed azido and alkoxido bridges: Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

A novel 2-D coordination polymer [Cu2(L)(N3)3]n 1 (HL: 1,5-diaminopentan-3-ol) has been synthesized and its crystal structure and magnetic properties have been studied. The crystal structure of the compound 1 consists of binuclear moieties [Cu2(L)(N3)3] with mixed alkoxido/end-on azido bridges, which are linked by double asymmetric end-on and single asymmetric end-to-end azido bridges, resulting in a 2-D layer extended within the ab crystallographic plane. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data evidence strong antiferromagnetic interaction between the CuII ions within the binuclear units, which are mediated by the two types of bridges (J = -123(2) cm-1, H =-2JS1S2). The experimental value of the exchange coupling constant is confirmed by DFT calculations.Ingénierie Cristalline de Matériaux Moléculaires Multifonctionnel

Vibration Energy Harvesting Potential for Turbomachinery Applications

The vibration energy harvesting process represents one of the research directions for increasing power efficiency of electric systems, increasing instrumentation nodes autonomy in hard to reach locations and decreasing total system mass by eliminating cables and higher-power adapters. Research based on the possibility of converting vibration energy into useful electric energy is used to evaluate the potential of its use on turbomachinery applications. Aspects such as the structure and characteristics of piezoelectric generators, harvesting networks, their setup and optimization, are considered. Finally, performance test results are shown using piezoelectric systems on a turbine engine

How to Develop Moral Skills in Sport by Using the Corruption Heritage?

This paper examines how the corruption heritage of South-Eastern European sport can be used as content for educational strategies designed to improve the ethics and integrity in today’s sport. Hidden or dark history is useful when considering an education for a sustainable development approach to improving athletes’ moral skills. In education, examining mistakes can be a useful tool for preventing their recurrence as they provide examples for study and content for evidence-based learning. At the same time, it is a useful process, aiming to develop critical thinking and the decision-making skills in the area of sports. This paper provides examples on how narratives can be used in the field of sport moral education and what patterns reflecting the lack of integrity in sport can be identified. Because it has perpetuated and altered the image and principles of sports competition, diminishing trust in sport sustainability, it is important to identify how this effect can be approached from the perspective of the education for sustainable development (ESD), as applied to the area of sports. However, it is essential that sports integrity be valued by society and that all sports actors (athletes, coaches, officials) promote ethics and fair play

How to Develop Moral Skills in Sport by Using the Corruption Heritage?

This paper examines how the corruption heritage of South-Eastern European sport can be used as content for educational strategies designed to improve the ethics and integrity in today’s sport. Hidden or dark history is useful when considering an education for a sustainable development approach to improving athletes’ moral skills. In education, examining mistakes can be a useful tool for preventing their recurrence as they provide examples for study and content for evidence-based learning. At the same time, it is a useful process, aiming to develop critical thinking and the decision-making skills in the area of sports. This paper provides examples on how narratives can be used in the field of sport moral education and what patterns reflecting the lack of integrity in sport can be identified. Because it has perpetuated and altered the image and principles of sports competition, diminishing trust in sport sustainability, it is important to identify how this effect can be approached from the perspective of the education for sustainable development (ESD), as applied to the area of sports. However, it is essential that sports integrity be valued by society and that all sports actors (athletes, coaches, officials) promote ethics and fair play

Liposomal bupivacaine – New trends in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Units

Progress made on local anesthetics controlled release formulation and their ability to induce motor and sensory block for a longer period of time brings significant advantages in clinical practice. The use of sustained release formulations provides analgesia for a long period of time with one administration, thus limiting the complications that can occur with conventional analgesia. Also, controlled release of a biologically active compound prevents overdosing, minimizing the side effects, especially cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity and tissue lesions. Clinical use of liposomal formulation brings high impressive results in pain control and quick patient recovery. Increased patient comfort, reducing to half the hospital length of stay, and treatment costs are able to provide a higher level of healthcare