bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Superior performance of National Early Warning Score compared with quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment Score in predicting adverse outcomes: a retrospective observational study of patients in the prehospital setting
Authors: Silcock Daniel J. , Corfield Alasdair R. , Staines Harry , Rooney Kevin D.
Published: January 2019

Background

Early intervention and response to deranged physiological parameters in the critically ill patient improve outcomes. A National Early Warning Score (NEWS) based on physiological observations has been developed for use throughout the National Health Service in the UK. The quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment Score (qSOFA) was developed as a simple bedside criterion to identify adult patients outwith the ICU with suspected infection who are likely to have a prolonged ICU stay or die in hospital. We aim to compare the ability of NEWS and qSOFA to predict adverse outcomes in a prehospital population.

Patients and methods

All clinical observations taken by emergency ambulance crews transporting patients to a single hospital were collated along with information relating to mortality over a 2-month period. The performance of the NEWS and qSOFA in identifying the endpoints of 30-day mortality, ICU admission and a combined endpoint of 48 h. ICU admission or 30-day mortality was analysed.

Results

Complete data were available for 1713 patients. For the primary outcome of ICU admission within 48 h or 30-day mortality, the odds ratio for a qSOFA score of 3 compared with 0 was 124.1 [95% confidence interval (CI): 13.5–1137.7] and the odds ratio for a high NEWS category, compared with the low NEWS category was 9.82 (95% CI: 5.74–16.81). Comparison of qSOFA and NEWS performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the primary outcome for qSOFA was 0.679 (95% CI: 0.624–0.733), for NEWS category was 0.707 (95% CI: 0.654–0.761) and for NEWS total score was 0.740 (95% CI: 0.685–0.795). Comparison of the receiver operating characteristic curves between NEWS total score and qSOFA using DeLong’s test showed NEWS total score to be superior to qSOFA at predicting combined ICU admission within 48 h of presentation or 30-day mortality (P = 0.011).

Conclusion

Our study shows qSOFA can identify patients at risk of adverse outcomes in the prehospital setting. However, NEWS is superior to qSOFA in a prehospital environment at identifying patients at risk of adverse outcomes.
Typhoid Fever Accompanied With Hematopoetic Lymphohistiocytosis and Rhabdomyolysis in a Refugee Child
Authors: Şahin Yaşar Akkiz , Karaman Kamuran , Geylan Hadi , Çetin Mecnun , Güven Burcu , Öner Ahmet F.
Published: January 2019

Typhoid fever is an acute and systemic infectious disease that is specific to humans and is caused by Salmonella typhi. Patients may present with different findings ranging from simple fever to multiple organ failure. Hemophagocytosis and rhabdomyolysis are rare complications of typhoid fever. In this study, we presented a case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and rhabdomyolysis in a 14-year-old girl who migrated from Mosul, Iraq, 1 month ago.
Microvesicles generated following traumatic brain injury induce platelet dysfunction via adenosine diphosphate receptor
Authors: Martin Grace E. , Pugh Amanda M. , Moran Ryan , Veile Rose , Friend Lou Ann , Pritts Timothy A. , Makley Amy T. , Caldwell Charles C. , Goodman Michael D.
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in an acute coagulopathy including platelet dysfunction that can contribute to ongoing intracranial hemorrhage. Previous studies have shown adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation to be reduced after TBI. In addition, circulating microvesicles (MVs) are increased following TBI and have been shown to play a role in post-TBI coagulopathy and platelet function. We hypothesized that post-TBI MVs would affect platelet aggregation in a murine head injury model.

METHODS

Moderate TBI was performed using a weight-drop method in male C57BL6 mice. Whole blood, plasma, MVs, and MV-poor plasma were isolated from blood collected 10 minutes following TBI and were mixed separately with whole blood from uninjured mice. Platelet aggregation was measured with Multiplate impedance platelet aggregometry in response to ADP. The ADP P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, R-138727, was incubated with plasma and MVs from TBI mice, and platelet inhibition was again measured.

RESULTS

Whole blood taken from 10-minute post-TBI mice demonstrated diminished ADP-induced platelet aggregation compared with sham mice. When mixed with normal donor blood, post-TBI plasma and MVs induced diminished ADP-induced platelet aggregation compared with sham plasma and sham MVs. By contrast, the addition of post-TBI MV-poor plasma to normal blood did not change ADP-induced platelet aggregation. The observed dysfunction in post-TBI ADP platelet aggregation was prevented by the pretreatment of post-TBI plasma with R-138727. Treatment of post-TBI MVs with R-138727 resulted in similar findings of improved ADP-induced platelet aggregation compared with nontreated post-TBI MVs.

CONCLUSION

Adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation is inhibited acutely following TBI in a murine model. This platelet inhibition is reproduced in normal blood by the introduction of post-TBI plasma and MVs. Furthermore, observed platelet dysfunction is prevented when post-TBI plasma and MVs are treated with an inhibitor of the P2Y12 ADP receptor. Clinically observed post-TBI platelet dysfunction may therefore be partially explained by the presence of the ADP P2Y12 receptor within post-TBI MVs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.
Integrated biphasic growth rate, gene expression, and cell-size homeostasis behaviour of singleB. subtiliscells
Authors: Nordholt Niclas , van Heerden Johan H. , Bruggeman Frank J.
Published: January 2019

The growth rate of single bacterial cells is continuously disturbed by random fluctuations in biosynthesis rates and by deterministic cell-cycle events, such as division, genome duplication, and septum formation. It is not understood whether, and how, bacteria reject these disturbances. Here we quantified growth and constitutive protein expression dynamics of singleBacillus subtiliscells, as a function of cell-cycle-progression. Variation in birth size and growth rate, resulting from unequal cell division, is largely compensated for when cells divide again. We analysed the cell-cycle-dynamics of these compensations and found that both growth and protein expression exhibited biphasic behaviour. During a first phase of variable duration, the absolute rates were approximately constant and cells behaved as sizers. In the second phase, rates increased and growth behaviour exhibited characteristics of a timer-strategy. This work shows how cell-cycle-dependent rate adjustments of biosynthesis and growth are integrated to compensate for physio-logical disturbances caused by cell division.

IMPORTANCE

Under constant conditions, bacterial populations can maintain a fixed average cell size and constant exponential growth rate. At the single cell-level, however, cell-division can cause significant physiological perturbations, requiring compensatory mechanisms to restore the growth-related characteristics of individual cells toward that of the average cell. Currently, there is still a major gap in our understanding of the dynamics of these mechanisms, i.e. how adjustments in growth, metabolism and biosynthesis are integrated during the bacterial cell-cycle to compensate the disturbances caused by cell division. Here we quantify growth and constitutive protein expression in individual bacterial cells at sub-cell-cycle resolution. Significantly, both growth and protein production rates display structured and coordinated cell-cycle-dependent dynamics. These patterns reveal the dynamics of growth rate and size compensations during cell-cycle progression. Our findings provide a dynamic cell-cycle perspective that offers novel avenues for the interpretation of physiological processes that underlie cellular homeostasis in bacteria.
Preparation of Organ Scaffolds by Decellularization of Pancreas and Re-functionalization
Authors: Chandrika K Uday , Tripathi Rekha , Avinash Raj T , Sairam N. , Parliker Vasundhara Kamineni , Swami VB , Rangaraj Nandini , Mahesh Kumar J , Singh Shashi
Published: January 2019

Extracellular matrix of each tissue is unique in composition, architecture and finer details that support the very identity of the organ by regulating the status/character of the cells within it. Tissue engineering centers around creating a niche similar to the natural one, with a purpose of developing an organ/oid. In this study, whole organ decellularization of pancreas was attempted followed by reseeding it with adult mesenchymal stem cells. Decellularization completely removes cells leaving behind extracellular matrix rich scaffold. After reseeding, mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into pancreas specific cells. Upon transplantation of recellularized pancreas in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice, this organ was capable of restoring its histomorphology and normal functioning. Restoration of endocrine islets, the exocrine acinar region, and vascular network was seen in transplanted pancreas. The entire process of functional recovery took about 20 days when the mice demonstrated glucoregulation, though none achieved gluconormalization. Transplanted mice upon feeding show insulin and c-peptide in circulation. This process demonstrates that natural scaffolds of soft organs can be refunctionalized using recipients cells to counter immune problems arising due to organ transplantation.
Multiple splitting of droplets using multi-furcating microfluidic channels
Authors: Li Zida , Li Luoquan , Liao Meixiang , He Liqun , Wu Ping
Published: January 2019

Removing volumes from droplets is a challenging but critical step in many droplet-based applications. Geometry-mediated droplet splitting has the potential to reliably divide droplets and thus facilitate the implementation of this step. In this paper, we report the design of multi-furcating microfluidic channels for efficient droplet splitting. We studied the splitting regimes as the size of the mother droplets varied and investigated the effect of channel lengths. We further examined the droplet breakup mechanisms. This study could potentially be applied in washing steps in droplet-based biological assays or assays that require aliquot.
Bacterial community changes with cryoconite granule size and their susceptibility to exogenous nutrients on 10 glaciers in northwestern Greenland
Authors: Uetake Jun , Nagatuska Naoko , Onuma Yukihiko , Takeuchi Nozomu , Motoyama Hideaki , Aoki Teruo
Published: January 2019

Cryoconite granules, which are dark-colored biological aggregates on glaciers, effectively accelerate the melting of glacier ice. Bacterial community varies with granule size, however, community change in space and their susceptibility to environmental factors has not been described yet. Therefore, we focused on bacterial community from 4 different granule sizes (30-249 μm, 250- 750 μm, 750-1599 μm, more than 1600 μm diameter) in 10 glaciers in northwestern Greenland and their susceptibility for exogenous nutrients in cryoconite hole. A filamentous cyanobacterium Phormidesmis priestleyi, which has been frequently reported from glaciers in Arctic was abundant (10-26%) across any size of granules on most of glaciers. Bacterial community across glaciers became similar with size increase, and whence smallest size fractions contain more unique genera in each glacier. Multivariate analysis suggests that phosphate, which is significantly higher in one glacier (Scarlet Heart Glacier), is primary associated with bacterial beta diversity. Correlation coefficients between abundance of major genera and nutrients largely changed with granule size, suggesting that nutrients susceptibility to genera changes with growth process of granule (e.g. P. priestleyi was affected by nitrate in early growth stage).
High-quality, genome-wide SNP genotypic data for pedigreed germplasm of the diploid outbreeding species apple, peach, and sweet cherry through a common workflow
Authors: Vanderzande Stijn , Howard Nicholas P , Cai Lichun , Linge Cassia Da Silva , Antanaviciute Laima , Bink Marco CAM , Kruisselbrink Johannes W , Bassil Nahla , Gasic Ksenija , Iezzoni Amy , Weg Eric Van de , Peace Cameron
Published: January 2019

High-quality genotypic data is a requirement for many genetic analyses. For any crop, errors in genotype calls, phasing of markers, linkage maps, pedigree records, and unnoticed variation in ploidy levels can lead to spurious marker-locus-trait associations and incorrect origin assignment of alleles to individuals. High-throughput genotyping requires automated scoring, as manual inspection of thousands of scored loci is too time-consuming. However, automated SNP scoring can result in errors that should be corrected to ensure recorded genotypic data are accurate and thereby ensure confidence in downstream genetic analyses. To enable quick identification of errors in a large genotypic data set, we have developed a comprehensive workflow. This multiple-step workflow is based on inheritance principles and on removal of markers and individuals that do not follow these principles, as demonstrated here for apple, peach, and sweet cherry. Genotypic data was obtained on pedigreed germplasm using 6-9K SNP arrays for each crop and a subset of well-performing SNPs was created using ASSIsT. Use of correct (and corrected) pedigree records readily identified violations of simple inheritance principles in the genotypic data, streamlined with FlexQTL™ software. Retained SNPs were grouped into haploblocks to increase the information content of single alleles and reduce computational power needed in downstream genetic analyses. Haploblock borders were defined by recombination locations detected in ancestral generations of cultivars and selections. Another round of inheritance-checking was conducted, for haploblock alleles (i.e., haplotypes). High-quality genotypic data sets were created using this workflow for pedigreed collections representing the U.S. breeding germplasm of apple, peach, and sweet cherry evaluated within the RosBREED project. These data sets contain 3855, 4005, and 1617 SNPs spread over 932, 103, and 196 haploblocks in apple, peach, and sweet cherry, respectively. The highly curated phased SNP and haplotype data sets, as well as the raw iScan data, of germplasm in the apple, peach, and sweet cherry Crop Reference Sets is available through the Genome Database for Rosaceae.
Adenovirus-mediated expression of SIK1 improves hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus rats
Authors: Song DaoFei , Yin Lei , Wang Chang , Wen XiuYing
Published: January 2019

AIM

In this study, we investigated the role and mechanism of Salt-induced kinase 1 (SIK1) in regulation of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism in a high-fat food (HFD) and streptozocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model.

Methods

A diabetic rat model treated with HFD plus low-dose STZ was developed and was transduced to induce a high expression of SIK1 in vivo via a tail-vein injection of a recombinant adenoviral vector. The effects on hepatic glucogenetic and lipogenic gene expression, systemic metabolism and pathological changes were then determined.

Results

In T2DM rats, SIK1 expression was reduced in the liver. Overexpression of SIK1 improved hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia and fatty liver, reduced the expression of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB)-regulated transcription co-activator 2 (CRTC2), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), pS577 SIK1, sterol regulatory element binding-protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and its target genes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), and increased the expression of SIK1, pT182 SIK1 and pS171 CRTC2 in diabetic rat livers with the suppression of gluconeogenesis and lipid deposition.

Conclusion

SIK1 plays a crucial role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in the livers of HFD/STZ-induced T2DM rats, where it suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis by regulating the SIK1/CRTC2 and SIK1/SREBP-1c signalling pathways. Strategies to activate SIK1 kinase in liver would likely have beneficial effects in patients with T2DM and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Dissecting the energetics of subunit rotation in the ribosome
Authors: Levi Mariana , Whitford Paul C.
Published: January 2019

The accurate expression of proteins requires the ribosome to efficiently undergo elaborate conformational rearrangements. The most dramatic of these motions is subunit rotation, which is necessary for tRNA molecules to transition between ribosomal binding sites. While rigid-body descriptions provide a qualitative picture of the process, obtaining quantitative mechanistic insights requires one to account for the relationship between molecular flexibility and collective dynamics. Using simulated rotation events, we assess the quality of experimentally-accessible measures for describing the collective displacement of the ~ 4000-residue small subunit. For this, we ask whether each coordinate is able to identify the underlying free-energy barrier and transition state ensemble (TSE). We find that intuitive structurally-motivated coordinates (e.g. rotation angle, inter-protein distances) can distinguish between the endpoints, though they are poor indicators of barrier-crossing events, and they underestimate the free-energy barrier. In contrast, coordinates based on inter-subunit bridges can identify the TSE. We additionally verify that the committor probability for the putative TSE configurations is 0.5, a hallmark feature of any transition state. In terms of structural properties, these calculations implicate a transition state in which flexibility allows for asynchronous rearrangements of the bridges as the ribosome adopts a partially-rotated orientation. These calculations provide a theoretical foundation, upon which experimental techniques may precisely quantify the energy landscape of the ribosome.
Precision lattice parameter determination from transmission diffraction of thick specimens with irregular cross sections
Authors: Stock S. R. , Laugesen M. , Birkedal H. , Jakus A. , Shah R. , Park J.-S. , Almer J. D.
Published: January 2019

Accurate determination of lattice parameters from X-ray diffraction requires that the diffraction angles be measured very precisely, and significant errors result if the sample–detector separation differs from that assumed. Transmission diffraction from bones, which have a complex cross section and must be left intact, is a situation where this separation is difficult to measure and it may differ from position to position across the specimen. This article describes a method for eliminating the effect of variable sample cross section. Diffraction patterns for each position on the specimen are collected before and after 180° rotation about an axis normal to the cross section of interest. This places the centroid of the diffracting mass at the center of rotation and provides the absolute lattice parameters from the average apparent lattice parameters at the two rotation angles. Diffraction patterns were collected across the cross section of three specimens: a 3D-printed elliptical cylinder of Hyperelastic Bone (HB), which is composed primarily of synthetic hydroxyapatite (hAp), a 3D-printed HB model of the second metacarpal bone (Mc2), and a modern human Mc2 containing nanocrystalline carbonated apatite (cAp). Rietveld refinement was used to determine precise unit-cell parameters a
apparent and c
apparent for each pattern of each scan, and these values determined the actual average 〈a〉 and 〈c〉 for each sample. The results indicate that the 0°/180° rotation method works well enough to uncover variations approaching 1 × 10−3 Å in cAp unit-cell parameters in intact bones with irregular cross sections.
Crystal structure of 2-[(2E)-2-methyl-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-ylidene]-N-phenylhydrazinecarboxamide
Authors: Saritha S. R. , Anitha L. , Layana S. R. , Sithambaresan M. , Sudarsanakumar M. R.
Published: January 2019

The title compound, C17H17N3O, crystallizes with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. The semicarbazone moieties of these independent molecules (I and II) are essentially planar [maximum deviation of 0.042 (1) Å in molecule I and 0.041 (1) Å in molecule II], with the terminal phenyl rings twisted away from the mean plane of the semicarbazone moiety, making dihedral angles of 60.26 (8) and 28.76 (9)° in molecule I and 31.07 (9) and 35.45 (8)° in molecule II. The molecules both exhibit an E configuration with respect to the C=C and azomethine C=N bonds. In the crystal, two classical N—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions are present between the two molecules, forming a centrosymmetric dimer, while a weak C—H...O non-classical hydrogen-bonding interaction, with a donor–acceptor distance of 3.476 (2) Å, interconnects two neighbouring centrosymmetric dimers to form a cage-like structure. These cage structures are interconnected by weak C—H...π interactions with an H...π distance of 2.790 Å, forming supramolecular chains along the c-axis direction.
Challenges to transferring and sharing of tacit knowledge within a construction supply chain
Authors: Saini Mandeep , Arif Mohammed , Kulonda Dennis J.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the potential challenges that hinder the effective transfer and sharing of tacit knowledge (knowledge communication [KC]) within a construction supply chain (CSC).

Design/methodology/approach

This study identifies six challenges (through literature review) with 15 positive correlations between them. Quantitative methodology is used to validate those challenges and correlations between challenges. First, data are collected through semi-structured e-survey questionnaire. Afterwards, a Frequency and Kruskal–Wallis H test is run for initial validation of identified challenges. A correlation analysis is used to highlight the taxonomic relations between those challenges. Finally, the study establishes the rank order of the first and following challenges.

Findings

This study highlights that traditional ways of working with construction organisations are the predominant challenge that hinders effective transferring and sharing of tacit knowledge. The cause of challenges is the fragmented nature of CSC. Also, it brings out the correlation between those challenges. The study draws the conclusion and recommendation to implement KC within a CSC.

Originality/value

The study highlights the challenges that hinder KC in a construction process of a CSC. It establishes that the fragmented nature of the construction sector is not the first challenge that hinders implementation of transferring and sharing of tacit knowledge but somewhat traditional organisation structures and working processes. This is the first paper that investigates and tests the challenges in four dimensions and establishes the rank order of challenges with crucial distinction in a KC approach within a CSC.
Academic mothers as ideal workers in the USA and Finland
Authors: Ollilainen Marjukka
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how women academics experience academic motherhood in the USA and Finland, how they time their pregnancy in an academic career, and the ways in which the different policy environments and academic opportunity structures in each country shape the management of academic work and care work during maternity leave.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection involved a snowball, convenience sample of semi-structured, long interviews with 67 academic mothers, 33 in Finland and 34 in the USA. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed for emerging themes.

Findings

In both countries, women academics made fertility decisions by carefully deliberating their access to maternity leave, age-related concerns and the perception of job security. In Finland, the insecurity of fixed-term contracts and intensification of the ideal worker norm shaped fertility decisions and leave activities despite generous work-family policies. The US mothers’ timing of pregnancy was influenced by concerns of age-related infertility more than career risks. Women in both countries felt pressure to maintain presence at work even while they were on leave.

Originality/value

The paper addresses a paucity of comparative studies about motherhood (and parenthood) in the academe, an increasingly central question for today’s academic workforce.
Patriarchal hegemony
Authors: Adisa Toyin Ajibade , Abdulraheem Issa , Isiaka Sulu Babaita
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Research on the impact of patriarchy and patriarchal norms on women’s work-life balance is scarce. A typical patriarchal society, such as Nigeria, tends to be organised based on gender, and the construct is embedded in the culture. This paper aims to investigate the impact of patriarchy on women’s work-life balance in a non-Western context: Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a qualitative research approach to enhance their insight into the issue of patriarchy and women’s work-life balance. Data for the study were collected over a four-month period, using semi-structured interviews as the primary method of data collection.

Findings

The findings of the thematic analysis reveal the impact of patriarchy on women’s work-life balance in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically Nigeria. Women’s aspirations to achieve work-life balance in this part of the world are often frustrated by patriarchal norms, which are deeply ingrained in the culture. The findings of this study reveal that male dominance of and excessive subordination of females, domestic and gender-based division of labour and higher patriarchal proclivities among men are the ingredients of a patriarchal society. These issues make the achievement of work-life balance difficult for women.

Research limitations/implications

The extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the limited sample size and the selected research context.

Practical implications

The insights gleaned from this research suggest that there are still major challenges for women in the global south, specifically Nigeria, in terms of achieving work-life balance due to the prevalent patriarchy and patriarchal norms in the society. Strong patriarchal norms and proclivity negatively affect women’s work-life balance and in turn may impact employee productivity, organisational effectiveness, employee performance and employee punctuality at work. However, an Australian “Champion of Change” initiative may be adopted to ease the patriarchal proclivity and help women to achieve work-life balance.

Originality/value

This paper provides valuable insights by bringing patriarchy into the discussion of work-life balance. This issue has been hitherto rare in the literature. It therefore enriches the literature on work-life balance from a patriarchal perspective.
Can you judge a book by its cover? Industrial doctorates in Portugal
Authors: Cardoso Sónia , Tavares Orlanda , Sin Cristina
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Industrial doctorates have arisen in recent decades as a new form of doctoral education which has the potential to innovate the curriculum, among other things. Such programmes run in a number of countries including Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia or Italy. In Portugal, industrial doctorates are very recent. The purpose of this paper is to understand whether Portuguese industrial doctorates distinguish themselves through collaboration with industry, specifically in curriculum development and delivery, or if they replicate the traditional doctorates under a new name.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from self-assessment reports of existing programmes submitted to the Portuguese accreditation agency and interviews with programme leaders were analysed.

Findings

The findings suggest that despite the fact that there is space for improvement in the collaboration in curriculum development and delivery, this is nonetheless a dimension which differentiates industrial doctorates. Industrial doctorates can, therefore, be “judged by their cover” because they are indeed a new category of doctoral degrees.

Originality/value

Although circumscribed to the Portuguese context and focussed on a particular aspect of university–industry collaboration, the paper contributes to further knowledge on industrial doctorates, a topic on which research is still scarce.
Seeking and escaping in a Saudi Arabian festival
Authors: Alshammari Faten , Kim Youn-Kyung
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether visitors’ seeking and escaping motivations influence the cognitive evaluation of a non-traditional festival in Saudi Arabia, which in turn leads to the sense of joy and subsequent word-of-mouth publicity. In Saudi Arabia, leisure and tourism opportunities are limited and many Saudis have a strong desire for new leisure experiences. Although the government and event organizers have made efforts to provide visitors with unconventional experiences at non-tradition-based festivals, these festivals have not attracted many Saudi Arabian visitors.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative methodology was used based on the on-site data collected from 458 visitors attending the Abha summer festival in Saudi Arabia. A structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships among seeking motivations, escaping motivations, cognitive evaluation, sense of joy and word-of-mouth.

Findings

The result reveals that two seeking motivations (i.e. food and entertainment) and two escaping motivations (i.e. diversion and escape) influence cognitive evaluation, which in turn influences their sense of joy and ultimately word-of-mouth. However, novelty, a seeking motivation, does not influence cognitive evaluation.

Research limitations/implications

The authors limited the study of seeking and escaping motivations to one non-traditional festival in Saudi Arabia. Further studies can use multiple festivals to increase generalizability to non-traditional festivals in Saudi Arabia. Another extension of this study would be to examine these motivations in both traditional and non-traditional festivals in Saudi Arabia to assess to what extent visitors’ seeking and escaping motivations are fulfilled in each type of festival.

Practical implications

Diversion motivation is the most important factor for non-traditional festival organizers to consider in developing strategies to attract more visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Originality/value

This paper is the first that applies Iso-Ahola’s motivation theory and the cognitive appraisal theory of emotion in the non-traditional festival setting in Saudi Arabia.
Transnational marriages and the health and well-being of Thai migrant women living in Norway
Authors: Straiton Melanie Lindsay , Ansnes Tone Jersin , Tschirhart Naomi
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the health and well-being of Thai immigrant women in transnational marriages.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews with 13 Thai women living in Norway who have (had) a Norwegian spouse/partner were conducted and the transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Initial culture shock and a mixture of employment issues, transnational ties, marital relationships and social networks intertwined to influence women’s health and well-being over time. Sending financial remittances to family in Thailand could be challenging due to struggles to obtain suitable employment, working in low-paid physical jobs and spouses’ lack of understanding of this cultural practice. Over time, these intertwined factors led to chronic stress and deteriorating health for some. Thai networks and friendships were important for emotional and practical support.

Practical implications

More organised assistance may be beneficial to facilitate integration, reduce social isolation and improve employment opportunities.

Originality/value

Research on Thai women has so far focused on their position as immigrant wives and the vulnerabilities to exploitation and abuse they face. Focusing on only discourses around marital relationships may be limiting when trying to understand factors that influence the health and well-being of Thai immigrant women.
Key characteristics for designing a supply chain performance measurement system
Authors: Elgazzar Sara , Tipi Nicoleta , Jones Glynis
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a review of the literature that gives insight into design elements for constructing a supply chain performance measurement (SCPM) system.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of published research on SCPM systems and frameworks over the last two decades was conducted with the purpose of categorising key functions of SCPM systems by providing an insight into the design, functionality, implementation and practical implications of SCPM systems.

Findings

The review revealed a set of functions governing the SCPM system that have not been fully explored in previous research: the process focus, prioritisation, integration and causality functions of a SCPM system. A relationship between two or more functions can be created to include more functionality based on the needs of the company to create a comprehensive performance measurement system.

Research limitations/implications

The paper concludes with a conceptual framework to guide future research in the area of designing a SCPM system and define the main aspects that should be considered when developing a SCPM system.

Practical implications

The paper brings a new dimension to the SCPM research by identifying the main functions of SCPM systems that could benefit practitioners to set up a SCPM system relevant to its intended function. The paper presents multiple potential stages of merging different functions in one SCPM system. Based on the company’s needs and context, the functionality of the SCPM system can be designed at four levels creating ten possible scenarios when designing a company’s SCPM system.

Originality/value

The paper integrated the literature and findings of 269 research papers of the last two decades, upon which a conceptual framework was developed as a guide for constructing an effective SCPM system.
Analysing the determinants of technical efficiency of dairy farms in Brazil
Authors: Mareth Taciana , Scavarda Luiz Felipe , Thomé Antonio Marcio Tavares , Cyrino Oliveira Fernando Luiz , Alves Tiago Wickstrom
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the determinants of technical efficiency (TE) in dairy farms located in the South of Brazil, aiming for a better understanding of the topic for academics, dairy farmers and policymakers to improve the productivity and competitiveness of dairy farms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was developed using a two-stage approach. Data envelopment analysis was used to estimate the TE level and regression models to understand the factors affecting TE in dairy farms. The sample size is 253 dairy farms in the South of Brazil.

Findings

The variation in the mean TE indexes reported in the literature can be explained by the attributes of the analysed studies, including the education of the farm operator, farm size (number of cows and milk), feed and labour costs, and use of services. Additionally, the results suggest that dairy farmers in the sample could increase milk output by 50.1 per cent (level of inefficiency) on average if they improve their TE.

Originality/value

This study makes three important contributions: first, it formulates hypotheses from the previous literature’s propositions on the estimation of TE in dairy farms; second, it tests the hypotheses in an empirical study to understand the main factors affecting the TE in dairy farms of the selected municipalities in the South of Brazil; and third, it compares previous findings on the determinants of TE in dairy farms serving different stakeholders, such as researchers, farmers and government representatives, to improve the productivity and competitiveness of dairy farms.
Improving productivity through strategic alignment of competitive capabilities
Authors: Hutton Steven , Eldridge Stephen
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the productivity performance at the firm level from the perspective of manufacturing capability development at the process level. Moreover, it reveals how alignment of manufacturing capabilities with market requirements has influenced a firm’s productivity over a period that includes the 2008 global recession.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework was derived from established theories and employed as part of a case study design encompassing a multiple methods research approach. The case of a UK SME was selected to reflect some of the issues associated with the wider productivity stagnation experienced by the UK economy in recent years.

Findings

The firm’s manufacturing strategy had become incrementally misaligned with market requirements due to external changes in its business environment. The complex relationships between capabilities such as quality, speed and cost were characterised. Realigning the firm’s manufacturing strategy to regain productivity performance required a range of prioritised actions including capital investment and changes in management practices concerning bottom-up process improvement and regular, top-down strategy review.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the case study cannot be generalised and the outcomes are specific to just one firm. However, the approach lends itself to replication, particularly within SMEs.

Originality/value

Prior studies have focussed on capability development at higher levels of abstraction. The study operationalized established theoretical perspectives at the firm level to derive context-based outcomes that can be used to improve manufacturing strategy alignment and productivity. Furthermore, the study contributes empirical evidence from the SME sector to the ongoing debate regarding the UK’s productivity puzzle.
The role of cognitive biases in anticipating and responding to cyberattacks
Authors: Ceric Arnela , Holland Peter
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of four cognitive biases, namely, selective perception, exposure to limited alternatives, adjustment and anchoring, and illusion of control in anticipating and responding to Distributed-Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on exploratory case study research and secondary data on decision making in the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in regards to planning and managing DDoS attacks on Census day in 2016.

Findings

Cognitive biases limited the ABS’s awareness of the eCensus system’s vulnerabilities, preparation for and management of DDoS attacks. Cyberattacks are on the increase, and managers should expect and be prepared to deal with them.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the sensitivity of the topic, it was not possible to interview relevant stakeholders. Analysis is based on high-quality secondary data that includes comprehensive government reports investigating the events on Census day.

Practical implications

Cyberattacks are inevitable and not an aberration. A checklist of actions is identified to help organisations avoid the failures revealed in the case study. Managers need to increase their awareness of cyberattacks, develop clear processes for dealing with them and increase the robustness of their decision-making processes relating to cybersecurity.

Originality/value

This the authors believe that it is the first major study of the DDoS attacks on the Australian census. DDoS is a security reality of the twenty-first century and this case study illustrates the significance of cognitive biases and their impact on developing effective decisions and conducting regular risk assessments in managing cyberattacks.
The emergence of the customer relationship portfolio of a new venture: a networking process
Authors: La Rocca Antonella , Perna Andrea , Sabatini Andrea , Baraldi Enrico
Published: January 2019

Purpose

While several studies have focused on the initial phases of new ventures and their first customer and supplier relationships, we have a limited understanding of how the new venture’s portfolio of customer relationships emerges. This paper aims to explore the emergence of the customer relationship portfolio of a new venture and to investigate the effects of early relationships on subsequent ones.

Design/methodology/approach

Methodologically, the authors rely on a longitudinal single case study of a new venture which develops, implements and sells customized cost-management software. The study is exploratory and based on 24 in-depth interviews.

Findings

The findings show that the development of a customer portfolio depends on the cumulative effect of heterogeneous elements and network connections. These include the initial link between the new venture and the first customer and a subsequent series of interconnections that develop with the emerging network capability of the new venture.

Originality/value

As one of the few studies that explore the emergence of new ventures’ customer relationship portfolio, this study demonstrates the value of applying a relational/network approach for studying relationship portfolio dynamics.
Exploring the preliminary development of the Community Equity Literacy Leadership Assessment (CELLA) for school leaders
Authors: Green Terrance , Rodgers Melissa
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the ongoing, iterative and empirical work to develop, test and revise the Community Equity Literacy Leadership Assessment (CELLA) for principals through several studies: a sorting study and expert panel survey review.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs several survey development methods, including a sorting study and expert panel survey review.

Findings

The findings suggest that each study improved the CELLA’s items and provided useful learning for future testing cycles of inquiry.

Originality/value

Research suggests that principal leadership is a significant aspect of equitable and authentic school–family–community engagement. However, there is a paucity of theoretically grounded and psychometrically sound instruments to assess principals’ knowledge and skills in this area. To address this gap, the authors developed the CELLA for school leaders and their leadership teams.
Critical realism and performance measurement and management
Authors: Armstrong Ryan
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the implications of adopting a critical realist position for the study of performance measurement and management (PMM) systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses recent challenges to knowledge creation in PMM, arguing that overcoming these will require revisiting often implicit philosophical assumptions related to how the world is and how we learn about it. A critical realist perspective is explored and illustrated with the case of a software company attempting to empower and motivate its team.

Findings

Critical realism provides a means of building interdisciplinary knowledge in PMM. In addition to a generative view of causality, critical realism could augment a systems view of PMM by adopting a stratified view of reality and through its applied approach to knowledge building. The case illustrates the RRREIC approach and highlights the interplay of mechanisms of different scales and how this requires interdisciplinarity.

Research limitations/implications

Approaching the study of PMM with critical realism requires going beyond a particular tool or practice to understand the theory behind it. Such an approach can facilitate a layered, nuanced analysis of the issues facing organizations in a changing context.

Originality/value

This paper adds to discussion of philosophical topics in management and PMM and could help resolve ongoing challenges to knowledge building in the field, especially around barriers to conducting interdisciplinary research. In combination with rigorous methods, a strong philosophical base can facilitate relevant, lasting theories that can respond to a changing organizational context.
Study of the influence of employee safety voice on workplace safety level of small- and medium-sized enterprises
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Mei Qiang , Liu Suxia
Published: January 2019

Purpose

To improve unsafe workplace of Chinese SMEs, this paper aims to use the multi-agent simulation experiment to reveal the relationship between employees’ safety voice and safety level of enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

Through simulation of employees’ safety voice activities, enterprises’ production activities, enterprises’ safety activities, an experiment platform is built. The experiment introduces external variable of labor resource and sets four experimental situations considering whether labor resource is sufficient and whether employees’ value is significant.

Findings

The result shows that not all the employees’ safety voice can change small- and medium-sized enterprises’ safety level. When there is sufficient labor supply, employee safety voice cannot improve the safety level of enterprises; when there is short of labor and employee safety voice is strong, safety level can be effectively improved. When employees have the strikingly different value variance, safety voice of common employees cannot improve safety level of enterprises, but employee safety voice with high value can improve safety level.

Originality/value

This fully provides that under the circumstances of disappearing demographic dividend in China, improving employees’ safety awareness and reasonably using their safety voice can boost SMEs to enhance safety level.