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1 – 4 of 4Francesco Buonamici, Tommaso Stomaci and Monica Carfagni
This study aims to examine the efficacy of 3D printing polymers to realistically mimic the fossa ovalis (FO) – a cardiac structure that is positioned in the interatrial septum  
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the efficacy of 3D printing polymers to realistically mimic the fossa ovalis (FO) – a cardiac structure that is positioned in the interatrial septum – for simulating transseptal puncture (TP) procedures.
Design/methodology/approach
Specimen of different materials and thicknesses were prepared and tested simulating the puncturing of the FO using a 12F ID/14F OD TP catheter. Force and tenting length results were compared with literature references. Scanning electron microscope images of the specimen were acquired to observe the perforated region as well as the structure of the specimen in the unaffected area.
Findings
Significant changes in the properties of interest were registered for the same material on specimens tested at different moments after fabrication. Suturable vessel wall polyjet material offers the best characteristics to replicate FO anatomy and mimic its behavior to puncturing.
Originality/value
The originality of the work lies in the test of different commercial materials. Similar works are already present in literature but specifically designed materials are used. Demonstrating that off-the-shelf materials could be viable for FO specimens would simplify the design of realistic TP simulators in the future.
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Keywords
Elena Carvajal-Trujillo, Jesús Claudio Pérez-Gálvez and Jaime Jose Orts-Cardador
The main objective of this article is to visualize the structure and trends of pro-environmental behavior (PEB) between 1999 and 2023 through mapping and in-depth analysis. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The main objective of this article is to visualize the structure and trends of pro-environmental behavior (PEB) between 1999 and 2023 through mapping and in-depth analysis. The aim is to analyze PEB, which has received considerable academic attention in recent years due to its key role in the conservation of the environment and the protection of local communities in tourist destinations. This paper provides an important summary of the recent research that has explored the role that tourists have in protecting the environment through PEB.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents a visual analysis of 2005 scholarly articles between the years 1999 and 2023 related to PEB. Using the knowledge mapping based on VOSviewer it presents the current status of research, which includes the analysis of citation analysis, co-citation analysis, co-citation network and longitudinal analysis.
Findings
PEB is an emerging topic due to its relevance to protecting the environment in the context of travel. The citation and co-citation analysis show the relevance of the behavior of tourists with regard to protecting the environment. The co-word analysis highlights the current significance of research concerning green hotels and the destination image of environmentally responsible destinations.
Originality/value
This study sheds light on the current research progress of PEB in the context of tourism through a comprehensive analysis (citation, co-citation and co-word). In addition, we provide theories and factors that have been previously used to study PEB in the context of tourism. The findings contribute to a broad and diverse understanding of the concept of PEB, which can provide important insights for policymakers in formulating management strategies and policies aimed at reducing environmental impacts in destinations.
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Frank Lefley and Vaclav Janecek
The paper aims to identify the level of support and expand on the issues recently raised in the literature concerning critical mass theory and board gender diversity (BGD).
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to identify the level of support and expand on the issues recently raised in the literature concerning critical mass theory and board gender diversity (BGD).
Design/methodology/approach
The authors systematically searched relevant articles on the Scopus database in March 2024, identifying 132 articles. After removing book chapters, conference papers and reviews, the number was reduced to 122. An additional 16 were discarded as they were irrelevant (e.g. political, theoretical or conceptual) to the current study, leaving a final sample of 106 articles. This longitudinal study covers the period from 2016 to 2024.
Findings
The paper finds compelling evidence supporting the critical mass theory and underscores the importance of corporate BGD in today’s society. It also offers explanations for the few cases where critical mass theory may not be fully supported. It highlights that the performance benefits of corporate BGD, in many cases, only exist when there is a critical mass of female directors on the board.
Practical implications
It lends support to policymakers in pursuing corporate BGD through quotas, provided that the incentive is not just to fill the numbers.
Originality/value
The paper offers a unique perspective on the level of support for the critical mass theory. It is believed to be the first paper to conduct a longitudinal study to investigate the support for the critical mass theory.
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Anna Fredriksson, Ahmet Anil Sezer and Viktoria Sundquist
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether construction logistics services are still carried out mostly in an ad hoc manner, or has advanced to a more standardized…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether construction logistics services are still carried out mostly in an ad hoc manner, or has advanced to a more standardized, strategically implemented practice and to explore different actors’ attitudes towards construction logistics.
Design/methodology/approach
Unlike previous studies of construction logistics, relying on single or multiple case studies, a survey was designed to deliver a generalizable snapshot of contemporary industry practices and the status of construction logistics. A total of 902 responses from the Swedish construction industry were collected with the help of the industry wide questionnaire.
Findings
The results show that construction logistics setups (CLSs) are only used by 14% of the responding organizations, which confirms that construction logistics services are still mostly carried out in an ad hoc manner. This may change considering that respondents with more experience in the industry claim an increased demand for CLSs. The ad hoc approach is less common among contractors than other types of organizations and large organizations. Furthermore, there is a more positive attitude towards the benefits of construction logistics among the respondents from organizations having a standard CLS.
Originality/value
This is the first industry wide survey presenting the status of implementation level of standardized logistics services in the construction industry and the attitudes among industry actors towards logistics.
Details