bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes After Conservative, Endoscopic, and Surgical Treatment of Groove Pancreatitis
Authors: Kager Liesbeth M. , Lekkerkerker Selma J. , Arvanitakis Marianna , Delhaye Myriam , Fockens Paul , Boermeester Marja A. , van Hooft Jeanin E. , Besselink Marc G.
Published: November 2016

Background:

Groove pancreatitis (GP) is a focal form of chronic pancreatitis affecting the paraduodenal groove area, for which consensus on diagnosis and management is lacking.

Goals:

We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine patient characteristics and imaging features of GP and to evaluate clinical outcomes after treatment.

Results:

Eight studies were included reporting on 335 GP patients with a median age of 47 years (range, 34 to 64 y), with 90% male, 87% smokers, and 87% alcohol consumption, and 47 months (range, 15 to 122 mo) of follow-up. Most patients presented with abdominal pain (91%) and/or weight loss (78%). Imaging frequently showed cystic lesions (91%) and duodenal stenosis (60%).

Final treatment was conservative (eg, pain medication) in 29% of patients. Endoscopic treatment (eg, pseudocyst drainage) was applied in 19% of patients—34% of these patients were subsequently referred for surgery. Overall, 59% of patients were treated surgically (eg, pancreatoduodenectomy). Complete symptom relief was observed in 50% of patients who were treated conservatively, 57% who underwent endoscopic treatment, and 79% who underwent surgery.

Conclusions:

GP is associated with male gender, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The vast majority of patients presents with abdominal pain and with cystic lesions on imaging. Although surgical treatment seems to be the most effective, both conservative and endoscopic treatment are successful in about half of patients. A stepwise treatment algorithm starting with the least invasive treatment options seems advisable.
Does Incorporating Change in APRI or FIB-4 Indices Over Time Improve the Accuracy of a Single Index for Identifying Liver Fibrosis in Persons With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection?
Authors: Gounder Prabhu P. , Haering Celia , Bruden Dana J. T. , Townshend-Bulson Lisa , Simons Brenna C. , Spradling Philip R. , McMahon Brian J.
Published: November 2016

Background:

The aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and a fibrosis index calculated using platelets (FIB-4) have been proposed as noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis.

Goals:

To determine APRI/FIB-4 accuracy for predicting histologic liver fibrosis and evaluate whether incorporating change in index improves test accuracy in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected Alaska Native persons.

Study:

Using liver histology as the gold standard, we determined the test characteristics of APRI to predict Metavir ≥F2 fibrosis and FIB-4 to predict Metavir ≥F3 fibrosis. Index discrimination was measured as the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve. We fit a logistic regression model to determine whether incorporating change in APRI/FIB-4 over time improved index discrimination.

Results:

Among 283 participants, 46% were female, 48% had a body mass index >30, 11% had diabetes mellitus, 8% reported current heavy alcohol use. Participants were infected with HCV genotypes 1 (68%), 2 (17%), or 3 (15%). On liver histology, 30% of study participants had ≥F2 fibrosis and 15% had ≥F3 fibrosis. The positive predictive value of an APRI>1.5/FIB-4>3.25 for identifying fibrosis was 77%/78%. The negative predictive value of an APRI<0.5/FIB-4<1.45 was 91%/87%. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of an APRI/FIB-4 for identifying fibrosis was 0.82/0.84. Incorporating change in APRI/FIB-4 did not improve index discrimination.

Conclusions:

The accuracy of APRI/FIB-4 for identifying liver fibrosis in HCV-infected Alaska Native persons is similar to that reported in other populations and could help prioritize patients for treatment living in areas without access to liver biopsy. Change in APRI/FIB-4 was not predictive of degree of fibrosis.
Predictors of Hospital Nurses' Safety Practices
Authors: Chiang Hui-Ying , Hsiao Ya-Chu , Lee Huan-Fang
Published: November 2016

Nurses' safety practices of medication administration, prevention of falls and unplanned extubations, and handover are essentials to patient safety. This study explored the prediction between such safety practices and work environment factors, workload, job satisfaction, and error-reporting culture of 1429 Taiwanese nurses. Nurses' job satisfaction, error-reporting culture, and one environmental factor of nursing quality were found to be major predictors of safety practices. The other environment factors related to professional development and participation in hospital affairs and nurses' workload had limited predictive effects on the safety practices. Increasing nurses' attention to patient safety by improving these predictors is recommended.
Improving Nursing Communication Skills in an Intensive Care Unit Using Simulation and Nursing Crew Resource Management Strategies
Authors: Turkelson Carman , Aebersold Michelle , Redman Richard , Tschannen Dana
Published: November 2016

Effective interprofessional communication is critical to patient safety. This pre-/postimplementation project used a multifaceted educational strategy with high-fidelity simulation to introduce evidence-based communication tools, adapted from Nursing Crew Resource Management, to intensive care unit nurses. Results indicated that participants were satisfied with the education, and their perceptions of interprofessional communication and knowledge improved. Teams (n = 16) that used the communication tools during simulation were more likely to identify the problem, initiate key interventions, and have positive outcomes.
Implications of Preterm Birth for Maternal Mental Health and Infant Development
Authors: Anderson Cheryl , Cacola Priscila
Published: November 2016

Preterm birth remains a major contributor to infant mortality and morbidity including neurodevelopmental delay and childhood disability. Mothers experiencing a preterm birth are at risk for maternal mental health issues, inclusive of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may affect mother–infant attachment and infant development. Depression and PTSD, frequently comorbid, following preterm birth and relationships between these symptoms, maternal–infant attachment, and infant development are reviewed. Assessments and interventions potentially capable of benefitting mother and infant are noted. The need for healthcare professionals to intervene prenatally and at postpartum is significant as maternal distress remains one of the most consistent factors related to infant development. Although depression has received much attention in the literature as a risk factor for preterm birth, impaired attachment, and delayed infant development, some of the consequences of PTSD have only recently gained research attention. A few studies support the role of PTSD in impaired maternal–infant attachment; yet, it is unclear whether preterm infants of mothers experiencing symptoms of PTSD following birth are at a higher risk for motor development problems. Because early mother–infant interactions are influenced by prematurity as well as maternal mental health, consideration for home interventions that stimulate infant development and encourage mother–infant relationships concurrently are important. Directed interventions may be beneficial for infant development and aid in strengthening the mother–infant relationship, potentially reducing depression and PTSD symptoms in the mother.
Spontaneous recurrent episodes of wrist pain in a 16-year-old girl: a case of complex regional pain syndrome
Authors: Gierthmühlen Janne , Baron Ralf , Blankenburg Markus , Zernikow Boris , Maier Christoph
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS) are disabling pain syndromes that can develop after minor tissue injury or trauma and are characterized by sensory, motor, and autonomic abnormalities distributed in a glove-like or stocking-like manner. Complex regional pain syndrome is well known in adults, but is relatively rare in children. Most of the reported cases of CRPS in children are clinical diagnoses that are not supported by examinations such as three-phase bone scintigraphy. Furthermore, different centres often use different diagnostic criteria for CRPS, which sometimes questions the diagnosis of CRPS.

Objective/Methods: Although, recurrences and in particular relapses of CRPS have been observed, a periodically, nearly self-limiting course of disease without any residues in pain-free episodes and without any new obvious injury in CRPS is rather unusual. We present the case of a 16-year-old girl who reported recurrent spontaneous pain which lasted for 2 to 3 weeks and occurred approximately 2 times a year after the patient had experienced a mild trauma 3 years ago.

Results: The pain was accompanied by swelling, temperature asymmetry, and decreased range of motion of the right hand without any complains in pain-free episodes. Recurrent symptoms occurred without any obvious trauma. Diagnosis of CRPS was made from clinical findings including quantitative sensory testing, increased periarticular radioisotope uptake in the delayed phase of three-phase bone scintigraphy and examination during anaesthesia. Multimodal inpatient pain treatment resolved her symptoms substantially.

Conclusion: Complex regional pain syndrome in children may imitate rheumatologic diseases, and the course is different from adults despite similar clinical findings.
The Impact of Complicated Grief on Diurnal Cortisol Levels Two Years After Loss: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Saavedra Pérez Heidi C. , Direk Nese , Milic Jelena , Ikram Mohammed Arfan , Hofman Albert , Tiemeier Henning
Published: November 2016

Objective

Few studies have focused on the effect of complicated grief—unresolved and prolonged grief—on the neuroendocrine systems. The present study examined the association of complicated grief and normal grief with the diurnal cortisol patterns in a large population-based study.

Methods

This study was set in the Rotterdam Study and comprised 2084 persons aged older than 55 years (mean [SD] age, 64.9 [5.5] years). Participants were assessed with the Complicated Grief Inventory and classified into no grief (n = 1922), normal grief (n = 131), or complicated grief (n = 31) if they experienced the loss in the past 2 years. Saliva samples were collected to measure cortisol levels. Morning cortisol and summary measures (area under the curve and the slope) were studied to account for the diurnal pattern of cortisol. Persons with depressive disorders were excluded, and analyses were additionally adjusted for depressive symptoms.

Results

Compared to normal grievers, participants with complicated grief showed lower levels of morning cortisol (11.26 vs 15.51 nmol/L; difference, −4.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −7.87 to −0.62; p = .022), and lower levels of overall diurnal cortisol (6.89 vs 8.98 nmol/L; difference, −2.09; 95% CI = −3.81 to −0.37; p = .017). No difference was observed in slope between both groups. Participants with complicated grief also showed lower levels of morning cortisol than the nongrievers (11.26 vs 14.71; difference, −3.46; 95% CI = −6.78 to −0.13; p = .042). In contrast, cortisol secretion patterns did not differ between persons with normal grief and nongrieving controls.

Conclusions

Participants with complicated grief showed low levels of morning cortisol and low overall diurnal cortisol levels characteristic for a chronic stress reaction.
High Mobility and HIV Prevalence Among Female Market Traders in East Africa in 2014
Authors: Camlin Carol S. , El Ayadi Alison M. , Kwena Zachary A. , McFarland Willi , Johnson Mallory O. , Neilands Torsten B. , Bukusi Elizabeth A. , Cohen Craig R.
Published: November 2016

Background:

The contribution of women's mobility to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa is poorly understood, despite women's high mobility and evidence that it is associated with higher-risk sexual behavior. We sought to measure levels of mobility, HIV prevalence, and related risk behaviors among female traders in Kisumu, Kenya.

Methods:

We used global positioning system mapping to develop a probability-based sample and recruited 305 female market traders for participation in a survey and voluntary HIV counseling and testing in 2014. We estimated HIV prevalence and fitted logistic regression models to measure associations between mobility, risk behaviors, and HIV infection.

Results:

HIV prevalence was 25.6% (95% confidence interval: 21.0 to 30.8); 11.5% had migrated (changed residence, over county, or national boundary) in the past year and 39.3% in the past 5 years. More than one-third (38.3%) spent nights away from main residence in the past month, with 11.4% spending more than a week away. Multiple partners were reported by 13.1% of women in the last year; 16% of married women reported a concurrent partnership. Mobility was not significantly associated with HIV prevalence, although recent short-term mobility was significantly correlated with higher numbers of sexual partners in the past year.

Conclusions:

Female market traders were highly mobile, and HIV prevalence among traders was higher than in the general population of women of reproductive age in Kisumu (15.3% in 2013), and Nyanza Province, Kenya (16.1% in 2012). High HIV prevalence and risk behavior among women in this study warrant accelerated attention to HIV prevention and care needs of mobile women, including market traders.
Revisiting the effect of red on competition in humans
Authors: Fortunato Laura , Clauset Aaron
Published: November 2016

Bright red coloration is a signal of male competitive ability in animal species across a range of taxa, including non-human primates. Does the effect of red on competition extend to humans? A landmark study in evolutionary psychology established such an effect through analysis of data for four combat sports at the 2004 Athens Olympics [1]. Here we show that the results do not replicate in an equivalent, independent dataset for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and that there is substantial variation in the fraction of wins by red across sports in both years. We uncover a number of shortcomings with the research design, analysis, and interpretation underlying the original results. For example, the variation observed in the data may reflect bias towards wins by one color over the other, linked to specific features of the tournament structure for the sports analysed. Reanalysis of the data to address these shortcomings indicates that there is no evidence for an effect of red on the outcomes of Olympic combat sports. Our results refute past claims based on analysis of this system, challenging the related notion that any effect of red in human competition is an evolved response shaped by sexual selection.
Autophagy Mitigates High-Temperature Injury in Pollen Development of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Dundar Gonul , Shao Zhenhua , Higashitani Nahoko , Kikuta Mami , Izumi Masanori , Higashitani Atsushi
Published: November 2016

Autophagy is one of the cellular processes that break down cellular components during senescence, starvation, and stress. The susceptibility of plant pollen development to high-temperature (HT) stress is well known, but the involvement of autophagy in HT injury is yet to be clarified. Here, we found that following transfer to 30 °C, all autophagy-deficient (atg) mutants (atg2-1, 5-1, 7-2, and 10-1) of Arabidopsis thaliana tested displayed visibly impaired pollen development and anther dehiscence. HT-induced male sterility significantly increased in the atg mutants, but the degree of HT-induced obstacles did not change between the wild type (WT) and mutants from the seedling stage to the bolting stage. Cytological analyses showed that 30 °C promoted autophagy and autolysosome formation in both anther wall cells and microspores in developing anthers of WT, but the atg5-1 mutant did not show completion of tapetum degeneration and microspore maturation. HT upregulated hydrogen peroxide and dehydroascorbate reductase 1 production in both WT and atg5-1 anthers, but the basal levels were already higher in the mutant. HT repressed expression of UNDEAD and its regulator MYB80, which are required for tapetal programmed cell death (PCD) for proper pollen development. Taken together, our results suggest that autophagy functions in tapetum degeneration and pollen development during HT-caused tapetal PCD abortion.

Highlights

In Arabidopsis, autophagy is not essential for completion of the life cycle under normal temperatures.

High temperature (HT) stress induces autophagy in developing anther wall cells and microspores.

Autophagy deficient atg mutants become almost completely male-sterile at moderate HT.

Autophagy plays a role in tapetum degeneration and pollen development during HT-caused abortion of tapetal program cell death.
A location-specific spreadsheet for estimating Zika risk and timing for Zika vector surveillance, using U.S. military facilities as an example
Authors: Foley Desmond H. , Pecor David B.
Published: November 2016

Local Zika virus transmission in the United States involving one or both of the known vector species,Aedes aegyptiandAe. albopictus,is of major concern. To assist efforts to anticipate the risks of transmission, we developed an Excel spreadsheet tool that uses vector and virus temperature thresholds, remotely sensed maximum temperature, and habitat suitability from models to answer the questions: “is Zika transmission likely here?” and “when should we conduct vector surveillance?”. An example spreadsheet, updated regularly and freely available, uses near real-time and forecast temperature data to generate guidance, based on a novel four level Zika risk code, for 733 U.S. military facilities in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico.
Dynamical System Modeling to Simulate Donor T Cell Response to Whole Exome Sequencing-Derived Recipient Peptides: Understanding Randomness In Clinical Outcomes Following Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Koparde V , Abdul Razzaq B , Suntum T , Sabo R , Scalora A , Serrano M , Jameson-Lee M , Hall C , Kobulnicky D , Sheth N , Sampson J , Reed J , Roberts C , Qayyum R , Buck G , Neale M , Toor A.
Published: November 2016

The quantitative relationship between the magnitude of variation in minor histocompatibility antigens (mHA) and graft versus host disease (GVHD) pathophysiology in stem cell transplant (SCT) donor-recipient pairs (DRP) is not established. In order to elucidate this relationship, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on 27 HLA matched related (MRD), & 50 unrelated donors (URD), to identify nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). An average 2,463 SNPs were identified in MRD, and 4,287 in URD DRP (p<0.01); resulting peptide antigens that may be presented on HLA class I molecules in each DRP were derivedin silico(NetMHCpan ver2.0) and the tissue expression of proteins these were derived from determined (GTex). MRD DRP had an average 3,670 HLA-binding-alloreactive peptides, putative mHA (pmHA) with an IC50 of <500 nM, and URD, had 5,386 (p<0.01). To simulate an alloreactive donor cytotoxic T cell response, the array of pmHA in each patient was considered as anoperatormatrix modifying a hypothetical cytotoxic T cell clonalvectormatrix; each responding T cell clone’s proliferation was determined by the logistic equation of growth, accounting for HLA binding affinity and tissue expression of each alloreactive peptide. The resultingsimulatedorgan-specific alloreactive T cell clonal growth revealed marked variability, with the T cell count differences spanning orders of magnitude between different DRP. Despite an estimated, uniform set of constants used in the model for all DRP, and a heterogeneously treated group of patients higher total and organ-specific T cell counts were associated with cumulative incidence of GVHD in recipients in Cox proportional hazard models. In conclusion, exome wide sequence differences and the variable alloreactive peptide binding to HLA in each DRP yields a large range of possible alloreactive donor T cell responses. Our findings also help understand the apparent randomness observed in the development of alloimmune responses.
How Fast Fast-Folding Proteins Fold in Silico
Authors: Pang Yuan-Ping
Published: November 2016

In reported microcanonical molecular dynamics simulations, fast-folding proteins CLN025 and Trp-cage autonomously folded to experimentally determined native conformations. However, the folding times of these proteins derived from the simulations were more than 4–10 times longer than their experimental values. This article reports autonomous folding of CLN025 and Trp-cage in isobaric–isothermal molecular dynamics simulations with agreements within factors of 0.69–1.75 between simulated and experimental folding times at different temperatures. These results show that CLN025 and Trp-cage can now autonomously fold in silico as fast as in experiments, and suggest that the accuracy of folding simulations for fast-folding proteins begins to overlap with the accuracy of folding experiments. This opens new prospects of developing computer algorithms that can predict both ensembles of conformations and their interconversion rates for a protein from its sequence for artificial intelligence on how and when a protein acts as a receiver, switch, and relay to facilitate various subcellular-to-tissue communications. Then the genetic information that encodes proteins can be better read in the context of intricate biological functions.
SCODE: An efficient regulatory network inference algorithm from single-cell RNA-Seq during differentiation
Authors: Matsumoto Hirotaka , Kiryu Hisanori , Furusawa Chikara , Ko Minoru S.H. , Ko Shigeru B.H. , Gouda Norio , Hayash Tetsutaro , Nikaido Itoshi
Published: November 2016

The analysis of RNA-Seq data from individual differentiating cells enables us to reconstruct the differentiation process and the degree of differentiation (in pseudo-time) of each cell. Such analyses can reveal detailed expression dynamics and functional relationships for differentiation. To further elucidate differentiation processes, more insight into gene regulatory networks is required. The pseudo-time can be regarded as time information and, therefore, single-cell RNA-Seq data are time-course data with high time resolution. Although time-course data are useful for inferring networks, conventional inference algorithms for such data suffer from high time complexity when the number of samples and genes is large. Therefore, a novel algorithm is necessary to infer networks from single-cell RNA-Seq during differentiation.

In this study, we developed the novel and efficient algorithm SCODE to infer regulatory networks, based on ordinary differential equations. We applied SCODE to three single-cell RNA-Seq datasets and confirmed that SCODE can reconstruct observed expression dynamics. We evaluated SCODE by comparing its inferred networks with use of a DNaseI-footprint based network. The performance of SCODE was best for two of the datasets and nearly best for the remaining dataset. We also compared the runtimes and showed that the runtimes for SCODE are significantly shorter than for alternatives. Thus, our algorithm provides a promising approach for further single-cell differentiation analyses.

The R source code of SCODE is available athttps://github.com/hmatsu1226/SCODE.
Logic Synthesis of Recombinase-Based Genetic Circuits
Authors: Chiu Tai-Yin , Jiang Jie-Hong R.
Published: November 2016

A synthetic approach to biology is a promising technique for various applications. Recent advancements have demonstrated the feasibility of constructing synthetic two-input logic gates inEscherichia colicells with long-term memory based on DNA inversion induced by recombinases. On the other hand, recent evidences indicate that DNA inversion mediated by genome editing tools is possible; powerful genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas9 systems, have great potential to be exploited to implement large-scale recombinase-based circuits. What remains unclear is how to construct arbitrary Boolean functions based on these emerging technologies. In this paper, we lay the theoretical foundation formalizing the connection between recombinase-based genetic circuits and Boolean functions. It enables systematic construction of any given Boolean function using recombinase-based logic gates. We further develop a methodology leveraging existing electronic design automation (EDA) tools to automate the synthesis of complex recombinase-based genetic circuits with respect to area and delay optimization. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of our proposed method.
G protein-coupled estrogen receptor regulates heart rate by modulating thyroid hormone levels in zebrafish embryos
Authors: Romano Shannon N , Edwards Hailey E , Cui Xiangqin , Gorelick Daniel A
Published: November 2016

Estrogens act by binding to estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERα, ERβ), ligand-dependent transcription factors that play crucial roles in sex differentiation, tumor growth and cardiovascular physiology. Estrogens also activate the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), however the function of GPERin vivois less well understood. Here we find that GPER is required for normal heart rate in zebrafish embryos. Acute exposure to estrogens increased heart rate in wildtype and in ERα and ERβ mutant embryos but not in GPER mutants. GPER mutant embryos exhibited reduced basal heart rate, while heart rate was normal in ERα and ERβ mutants. We detectedgpertranscript in discrete regions of the brain and pituitary but not in the heart, suggesting that GPER acts centrally to regulate heart rate. In the pituitary, we observedgperexpression in cells that regulate levels of thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3), a hormone known to increase heart rate. GPER mutant embryos showed a mean 50% reduction in T3 levels compared to wildtype, while exposure to exogenous T3 rescued the reduced heart rate phenotype in GPER mutants. Our results demonstrate that estradiol plays a previously unappreciated role in the acute modulation of heart rate during zebrafish embryonic development and suggest that GPER regulates basal heart rate by altering total T3 levels.
Crystal structures of twoansa-titanocene trifluoromethanesulfonate complexes bearing the Me2Si(C5Me4)2ligand
Authors: Kessler Monty , Godemann Christian , Spannenberg Anke , Beweries Torsten
Published: November 2016

The crystal structures of twoansa-titanocene trifluoromethanesulfonate complexes bearing the Me2Si(C5Me4)2ligand are reported, namely [dimethylbis(η5-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)silane](trifluoromethanesulfonato-κ2O,O′)titanium(III) toluene monosolvate, [Ti(CF3O3S)(C20H30Si)]·C7H8,1, and chlorido[dimethylbis(η5-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)silane](trifluoromethanesulfonato-κO)titanium(IV), [Ti(CF3O3S)(C20H30Si)Cl],2. Both complexes display a bent metallocene unit, the metal atom being coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral geometry, with the trifluoromethanesulfonate anion acting as a bidentate or monodentate ligand in1and2, respectively. In1, weak π–π stacking interactions involving the toluene solvent molecules [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.9491 (11) Å] are observed.
(2-Hydroxybenzoato-κO)triphenyl(triphenylphosphine oxide-κO)tin(IV)
Authors: Seye Dame , Diop Cheikh Abdoul Khadir , Diop Libasse , Renald David
Published: November 2016

The title compound, [Sn{C6H4(OH)COO}(C6H5)3{OP(C6H5)3}], is comprised of discrete molecules with the SnIVatom in a trigonal–bipyramidal coordination environment. The carboxylate O atom of the salicylate anion and the O atom of the triphenylphosphine oxide moiety are in the axial positions and the threeipsoC atoms occupy the equatorial positions. An intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond is present in the anion between the hydroxy group and the carbonyl atom O of the carboxylate group.
“A whole new future” – identity construction among disadvantaged young adults
Authors: Koen Jessie , Van Vianen Annelies , Klehe Ute-Christine , Zikic Jelena
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how disadvantaged young adults construct a positive work-related identity in their transition from unemployment to employment, and what enables or constrains a successful transition.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 apprentices of a reemployment program (Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen). The qualitative data were complemented by data on participants’ reemployment status one year after the program ended.

Findings

Identity construction was not preceded by clear motives or “possible selves.” Rather, serendipitous events led to participation in the reemployment program, after which provisional selves seemed to emerge through different pathways. The data also suggested that disadvantaged young adults had to discard their old selves to consolidate their new identity.

Research limitations/implications

A successful transition from unemployment to employment may require that old selves must be discarded before new selves can fully emerge. Given that our qualitative design limits the generalizability of the findings, the authors propose a process model that deserves further empirical examination.

Practical implications

A clear employment goal is not always required for the success of a reemployment intervention: interventions should rather focus on accommodating the emergence and consolidation of provisional selves. Yet, such programs can be simultaneously effective and unhelpful: especially group identification should be monitored.

Originality/value

Most research assumes that people are driven by specific goals when making a transition. The current study shows otherwise: the factors that enable or constrain a successful transition are not to be found in people’s goals, but rather in the process of identity construction itself.
Jellinek revalued
Authors: Kelemen Gabor , Mark Monika Andrea
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Since the Jellinekian Foundation of modern alcohol studies 75 years ago, no one has yet systematically studied the role of his ethnographic studies, his university attendance and engagement in psychoanalytic work leading to the birth of his first book (published in 1917), which applied an ethnographic approach. The purpose of this paper is to uncover and show the ethnographic, experimental psychological and psychoanalytic roots in Jellinek’s different models of alcohol problems, from the conventional medical one, though the Alcoholics Anonymous-inspired concept, to the species of alcoholism theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the data from their research in the archives of Budapest, Berlin, Leipzig and Grenoble, the authors examine Jellinek’s scientific output in alcohol studies. They focus on data related to Jellinek’s activity in statistics, ethnography including field work and the business model of psychoanalysis.

Findings

Drawing from various traditions of science, Jellinek acquired considerable sources of knowledge with the help of his friends and teachers during his formative years, which later led him to renew and transform his models of alcohol problems. New data on Jellinek’s personal history, a by-product of the archival research, is also presented.

Practical implications

The Jellinekian heritage, including his cross-fertilisation approach, represents a vast reserve for addiction science.

Originality/value

This paper not only adds to the understanding of the history of addiction, but might also lead to a rearranging of our knowledge about the founder of the field.
Exploring the impact of emotional intelligence on portfolio performance
Authors: El-Chaarani Hani
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The main purpose of this research is to empirically test the impacts of emotional intelligence score and emotional intelligence processing on the performance of investor’s portfolio.

Design/methodology/approach

A mail questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of 983 international investors. The total number of usable responses received was 197 giving a response rate of 20.4 per cent. From 197 investors, 46 accepted to complete the experiment study during two trading hours for each investor from January first until February 19, 2015.

Findings

The results reveal a positive impact of emotional intelligence on portfolio performance. Additional analysis shows that the emotional intelligence process has a significant impact on the portfolio performance. The higher impact is revealed when the investors understand the markets tendency, manage their own emotions, take their financial decisions and finally control their personnel emotions during market fluctuations. The lower impact is detected when investors take reactive decisions after perceiving the markets tendency. This research also reveals that the investors have high capacity to manage and control their emotions during market fluctuations especially who are characterized by high emotional intelligence level.

Research limitations/implications

The first limit of this research is the exploration of limited number of investors and financial operations during limited period. Therefore, the results could not be generalized, and further studies should include larger samples during larger period. The second limitation concerns the used variables to measure the portfolio performance and the emotional intelligence level. For future studies, it will be preferred to use other quantitative and qualitative variables lead to measure the different analytical dimensions of portfolio performance and emotional intelligence.

Practical implications

The results hold implications for investors that seek to enhance efficiently and effectively the portfolio performance. It also prompts investors to focus on effort that can improve the management and the control of personnel emotions.

Originality/value

This paper presents one of the first empirical studies that attempt to explore how emotional intelligence and, particularly, emotional process serve to sustain the performance of portfolio during market fluctuations.
Re-evaluating the practice of hibah trust in Malaysia
Authors: Noordin Nazrul Hazizi , Ismail Muhammad Issyam , Abd Rahman Muhammad Abd Hadi , Haron Siti Nurah , Abdullah Adam
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to re-evaluate and thus recommends possible ways in improving the current practice of hibah trust in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts a thorough and critical review on relevant literature on Islamic wealth management and estate distribution. Besides, the current practice and application of hibah trust by the Malaysian trustee companies such as Amanah Raya Berhad and As-Salihin Trustee Berhad is analyzed based on information gathered from their publications and direct consultation.

Findings

Based on the comparison made between hibah trust and its conventional counterpart, living trust, this study found that that the hibah trust product mirrors the conventional living trust, which provides a high degree of freedom to the benefactor to decide on the distribution of his wealth without taking into consideration the interest of the eligible heirs under farai’d. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that the practice of hibah trust would be able to expedite the lengthy and complex procedures of inheritance, reduce administrative costs and avoid legal impediments and inheritance tax.

Practical implications

This paper proposes a comprehensive framework for an improved asset distribution under hibah trust within the Malaysian Islamic wealth management industry by highlighting the significance of fara’id and wasiyyah rules. This proposed framework of hibah trust would become a useful reference for the policy makers in designing a dedicated regulation or legal provisions in the established laws that will govern the practice of hibah trust in Malaysia.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper lies in highlighting the importance of adhering to the law of Islamic inheritance rules as ordained by Allah s.w.t in structuring contemporary Islamic estate planning instruments such as hibah trust, which is not evident in the current practice.
Enhancing management integrity through auditability concept: a literature review
Authors: Johari Razana Juhaida , Sayed Hussin Sayed Alwee Hussnie
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of auditability concept as one of the corporate governance indicators that could increase the management integrity practices and public confidence toward the organizations. Nowadays, most business organizations having issues related to the complexity of the transactions, which make it difficult to collect audit evidence and eventually may affect the company’s good governance. This paper highlights the importance of management integrity practices through auditability concept that needs to be emphasized in today’s business environment. Auditability is the ability of the organizations to provide accurate adequate records to be audited by auditors.

Design/methodology/approach

A number of databases in fields such as social sciences and economics were used to acquire literature on the topic.

Findings

A discussion on the auditability concept through auditability triangle and auditability model and how management could strengthen the governance practices.

Originality/value

This paper provides new inputs to related parties in preparing more comprehensive guidelines on the implementation of auditability practice among the management as to increase the public confidence on the reported financial statements.
Measuring Latin America’s export dependency on China
Authors: Casanova Carlos , Xia Le , Ferreira Romina
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deploy an export dependency index to identify the sectors and countries in Latin America which are most exposed to fluctuations in Chinese demand. Bilateral trade between China and Latin America has grown very quickly in the past decade. As a consequence, economic relationships with Latin America intensified tremendously, as growing demand for resources drove China into relatively unexplored frontiers.

Design/methodology/approach

The Index measures the relative exposure of Latin American exporters to shifts in demand from China and is scaled from 0 to 1 (the higher the score, the more exposed an exporter is to disruptions of trade with China). The authors undertook the analysis using six-digit trade figures from the United Nations COMTRADE database (Harmonized System 2007 nomenclature) to ensure granularity and consistency and contrasted their results across two points in time, 2008 and 2014. The analysis was very comprehensive, covering the products that accounted for 80 per cent or more of all exports to China in 2014, for all countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Findings

According to our estimates, dependency on China increased overboard across Latin America for all countries and all sectors between 2008 and 2014. Absolute dependency levels were highest in Costa Rica, Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela, Brazil, Panama, Peru, Chile, Guyana and Argentina. Of these, the largest exporters to China, namely, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela, featured high dependencies concentrated around just four commodities: soy in the form of soybeans and soybean oil; crude oil; copper in the form of copper ore, copper cathodes and unrefined copper; and iron ore. These four commodities accounted for 80 per cent of the regions’ total exports to China.

Originality/value

This is one of few studies that look into Latin America’s commodity export dependency on China at such granular level.
Mexico, Brazil and Chile: potential links with China and South Korea
Authors: Fung K.C. , Hwang Hsiang-Chih , Seade Jesús , Tung Rocky
Published: November 2016

Purpose

In this paper, the authors aim to examine trade in parts and components of Mexico, Chile and Brazil, focusing in particular on trade of television parts (SITC 7711) and semiconductors (SITC 7763) with China and South Korea. They also study the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on supply chain activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use sub-categories of trade data to look at export and import of parts and components involving China, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil and Chile. They also use two-stage regressions to examine the impact of FDI on supply chain trade.

Findings

The authors found preliminary evidence that there may be early signs of an emerging Trans-Pacific production network between these three Latin American economies and the China-based and South Korea-based East Asian supply chains. The authors argue that this budding network will improve economic welfare. To deepen the Trans-Pacific supply chain, it would be desirable for China and South Korea to consider joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). In addition, FDI enhances trade in components.

Practical implications

To deepen the Trans-Pacific supply chain, it would be desirable for China and South Korea to consider joining the TPP. In addition, it would be beneficial for these Latin American economies to encourage more direct investment in infrastructure and in manufacturing facilities from Asia.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the earliest research papers examining the Trans-Pacific supply chain, linking China, South Korea with Mexico, Brazil and Chile. The authors also study the impact of FDI on supply chain activities.
Evaluation of non-cost factors affecting the life cycle cost: an exploratory study
Authors: Alqahtani Ayedh , Whyte Andrew
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the main non-cost factors affecting accurate estimation of life cycle cost (LCC) in building projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten factors affecting LCC in building project cost estimates are identified through literature and interviews. A questionnaire survey is conducted to rank these factors in order of priority and provide the views of cost practitioners about the significance of these factors in the accurate estimation of LCC. The data from 138 construction building projects completed in UK were collected and analysed via multiple regression to discover the relationship between capital and LCCs and between non-cost factors and cost estimation at each stage of the life cycle (capital, operation, maintenance and LCC).

Findings

The results of analysis of existing LCC data of completing project and survey data from cost professionals are mostly consistent with many literature views and provide a reasonable description of the non-cost factors affecting the accuracy of estimates.

Originality/value

The value of this study is in the method used, which involves analysis of existing life data and survey data from cost professionals. The results provide a plausible description of the non-cost factors affecting the accuracy of estimates.
The role of the architect using integrated contracts for social housing renovation projects
Authors: Salcedo Rahola Tadeo Baldiri , Straub Ad
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to gain more in-depth knowledge in the tendering procedures and organisational typologies of consortia working with integrated contracts for social housing renovation projects and especially in the inherent changes in the role of the architect and his or her relations with the client and consortium members.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 21 Dutch social housing renovation projects using an integrated contract with the involvement of an architect were identified in the period 2005-2013. The study is based on interviews with 13 from 21 architects working in these projects.

Findings

The findings indicate that in the majority of these projects, the architect is contracted by the main contractor rather than by the client, the social housing organisation. The new contractual relationship has no significant effect on the relationship of the architect with the social housing organisation and improves the relationship of the architect with the main contractor, consultants, advisors and other consortium members, such as specialist contractors. The architect switches from the role of designer to that of technical and aesthetic advisor, compared to traditional design-bid-build projects.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on the first experiences of architects working with integrated contracts for social housing renovation projects. Results may be different for other types of projects.

Practical implications

Architects involved in integrated contracts for housing renovation projects can foresee the implications for their daily work. The study provides useful insights for educational reform to prepare students and practising architects to make the most of the new situation.

Originality/value

The few studies into integrated contracts that refer to the role of the architect have flagged up changes in this role relative to the traditional design-bid-build approach. This study provides in-depth knowledge of the role of the architect in integrated contracts.
Relationship between decision-making style, competitive strategies and organisational performance among construction organisations
Authors: Oyewobi Luqman Oyekunle , Windapo Abimbola , Rotimi James Olabode Bamidele
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The decision-making styles and strategies of organisations play significant roles in their competitive advantage and the achievement of superior performance. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of decision-making styles on the strength of the relationship between competitive strategy and organisational performance among large construction organisations based in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on large construction organisations in South Africa using a questionnaire survey to elicit information. The sample consists of 72 large construction organisations, and the measures of decision-making styles, competitive strategies and organisational performance used for the instrument utilised to elicit information were derived from the literature. Descriptive, parametric and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the effect of decision-making styles and competitive strategies on the organisations’ performance.

Findings

The results of the study show that organisations utilize all types of decision-making styles, but the most significantly adopted styles are analytical and directive. The study found that decision-making styles influence organisational performance through competitive strategies.

Research limitations/implications

The research considered large construction organisations based in South Africa and operating in three provinces, where almost 75 per cent of all public projects are being implemented. The findings can be generalised to other large construction organisations functioning within the South African industry, because most of the organisations surveyed operate nationally. However, the findings may not be generalizable to the entire industry. Small and medium-sized organisations vary in terms of structure in relation to large organisations; hence, their decision-making styles may be different.

Practical implications

The study makes explicit the need to consider the role of different decision-making styles being practiced within organisations and how their moderating effect influences organisational performance beyond rational processes. A better understanding of this will enable organisations to achieve the total commitment of their staff to achieve superior performance.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the existing literature and body of knowledge on the strategic management of organisations. It underpins the assertion that decision-making styles and competitive strategies can influence organisational performance, and this is validated within the construction industry. Knowledge of the relationships between the variables measured in this paper will be beneficial to both owners and managers of construction organisations, because they provide the necessary information on how strategic decision-making styles influence the strategy adopted and, in turn, the organisational performance.