bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The assessment of autism spectrum disorders in adults
Authors: Galanopoulos Anastasios , Robertson Dene , Woodhouse Emma
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore and highlight the main elements of an autism spectrum disorder assessment in adults. It features significant challenges for the clinical teams responsible to undertake the assessment. This paper aims to explain the importance of the wider needs assessment in accordance to the Autism Act and Autism Strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper describes the main symptom domains for an ASD diagnosis, according to the two basic diagnostic manuals. It provides compendious summary of the available diagnostic tools and the significant comorbidities people with ASD present with including other neurodevelopmental disorders, mental or physical health problems, challenging behaviour and risk issues.

Findings

– The paper proposes that all National Health System professionals should be able to recognise possible signs of ASD and accordingly refer individuals for a comprehensive assessment to secondary services. It highlights the importance of a wider needs assessment as part of a broader approach to addressing the needs of those with suspected ASD.

Practical implications

– The paper aims to improve the gaps which remain in the referral and diagnostic process of people affected by ASD.

Social implications

– Through a comprehensive assessment the paper aims to improve the educational, social and personal functioning of people with ASD as well as the quality of life of their parents and carers.

Originality/value

– The paper assembles a wide range of relevant considerations in regards to potential ASD in one place, and can be used to inform a comprehensive understanding of the assessment/diagnosis process.
Distinguishing autism from co-existing conditions: a behavioural profiling investigation
Authors: Saunders Ashleigh , Waldie Karen E.
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition for which there is no known cure. The rate of psychiatric comorbidity in autism is extremely high, which raises questions about the nature of the co-occurring symptoms. It is unclear whether these additional conditions are true comorbid conditions, or can simply be accounted for through the ASD diagnosis. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– A number of questionnaires and a computer-based task were used in the current study. The authors asked the participants about symptoms of ASD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety, as well as overall adaptive functioning.

Findings

– The results demonstrate that each condition, in its pure form, can be clearly differentiated from one another (and from neurotypical controls). Further analyses revealed that when ASD occurs together with anxiety, anxiety appears to be a separate condition. In contrast, there is no clear behavioural profile for when ASD and ADHD co-occur.

Research limitations/implications

– First, due to small sample sizes, some analyses performed were targeted to specific groups (i.e. comparing ADHD, ASD to comorbid ADHD+ASD). Larger sample sizes would have given the statistical power to perform a full scale comparative analysis of all experimental groups when split by their comorbid conditions. Second, males were over-represented in the ASD group and females were over-represented in the anxiety group, due to the uneven gender balance in the prevalence of these conditions. Lastly, the main profiling techniques used were questionnaires. Clinical interviews would have been preferable, as they give a more objective account of behavioural difficulties.

Practical implications

– The rate of psychiatric comorbidity in autism is extremely high, which raises questions about the nature of the co-occurring symptoms. It is unclear whether these additional conditions are true comorbid conditions, or can simply be accounted for through the ASD diagnosis.

Social implications

– This information will be important, not only to healthcare practitioners when administering a diagnosis, but also to therapists who need to apply evidence-based treatment to comorbid and stand-alone conditions.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to investigate the nature of co-existing conditions in ASD in a New Zealand population.
The Engagement for Learning Framework: connecting with learning and evidencing progress for children with autism spectrum conditions
Authors: Carpenter Barry , Carpenter Jessica , Egerton Jo , Cockbill Bev
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe and illustrate the use of the Engagement for Learning Framework developed through the Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (CLDD) Research Project (2009-2011). The resources support mainstream and special educators to extend the engagement of learners with CLDD.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 95 educational settings and 224 students took part across three phases of research (November 2009-March 2011) comprising a resource development phase and two trial phases in mainstream and special schools. The researchers used an exploratory, multiple case study approach and action research methodologies. A recent case study from Hamilton School, Birmingham, illustrates the Engagement for Learning Framework.

Findings

– The resulting Engagement Profile and Scale data showed increases in engagement for similar proportions of the student cohort. Across the three phases, 81-85 per cent (mean: 83 per cent) increased their levels of engagement for learning, 2-9 per cent (mean: 5.3 per cent) showed no change, while 5.5-16 per cent (mean: 11.6 per cent) showed decreased levels of engagement. Descriptive data corroborated these scores.

Originality/value

– This original research added value to existing work by developing resources for educators that enabled them to adapt activities to encourage students’ engagement in seven engagement areas (awareness, curiosity, investigation, discovery, anticipation, persistence and initiation). The resources enabled educators to score learner engagement over time to show progress and collected associated descriptive data.
A longitudinal study of information needs and search behaviors in science and technology
Authors: Park Minsoo , Lee Tae-Seok
Published: January 2016

Purpose

This study aims at a longitudinal understanding of the user–system interactions from the context of science and technology at a query level.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors quantitatively analyzed log data sets culled from more than 24,820,416 queries submitted by users of a national scientific and technical information system, collected in 2008-2011.

Findings

In the fields of science and technology, the user search behaviors and patterns have remained stable. User queries are short and simple. In all, 80 per cent of the queries are made up of one-three terms. The length of query on a scholarly information system in the fields of science and technology is different from that of Web search. The former is longer than the latter. Search topics have shifted fast. “FUEL BATTERY”, “NANO”, “OLED”, “CAR”, “ROBOT” and “SMARTPHONE” were high-ranked queries from 2008 to 2011. It was found that the time to determine whether the users will stay on the site took about 10 seconds on average from the time of visit. If the users viewed the results of a list generated by the search query and took any action, such as detailed view, export or full-text download, most of them stayed more than 10 minutes on average.

Originality/value

Longitudinal user research using a query analysis helps to understand the information needs and behavioral patterns of users on information systems related to a specific field and those based on the Web. It also brings insights into the past, present and future events of a field. In other words, it plays a role as a mirror that reflects the flow of time. In the long run, it will be an historic asset. In the future, user studies using a query analysis need to be carried out from various (e.g. social, cultural or other academic disciplines) long-term perspectives on a continuous basis.
Defining Web 3.0: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Rudman Riaan , Bruwer Rikus
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to define Web 3.0 and discuss the underlying technologies, identify new opportunities and highlight potential challenges that are associated with the evolution to Web 3.0 technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

A non-empirical study reviewing papers published in accredited research journals, articles and whitepapers and websites was conducted. To add scientific rigour to a literature review, a four-stage approach, as suggested by Sylvester et al. (2011), was used.

Findings

The World Wide Web (henceforth referred to as the Web) is recognised as the fastest growing publication medium of all time. To stay competitive, it is crucial to stay up to date with technological trends. The Web matures in its own unique way. From the static informative characteristics of Web 1.0, it progressed into the interactive experience Web 2.0 provides. The next phase of Web evolution, Web 3.0, is already in progress. Web 3.0 entails an integrated Web experience where the machine will be able to understand and catalogue data in a manner similar to humans. This will facilitate a world wide data warehouse where any format of data can be shared and understood by any device over any network. The evolution of the Web will bring forth new opportunities and challenges. Opportunities identified can mainly be characterised as the autonomous integration of data and services which increase the pre-existing capabilities of Web services, as well as the creation of new functionalities. The challenges mainly concern unauthorised access and manipulation of data, autonomous initiation of actions and the development of harmful scripts and languages.

Practical implications

The findings will assist data managers to identify future opportunities while considering negative impacts and understanding the underlying technologies associated with the structure and storage of electronic information. The research will assist anyone in the data and information management industry to identify opportunities and mitigate risk.

Originality/value

Many organisations were caught off guard by the evolution of the Web to Web 2.0. Organisations, and in particular anyone in the data and information management industry, need to be ready and acquire knowledge about the opportunities and challenges arising from Web 3.0 technologies.
Get lost in the library?
Authors: Huang Tien-Chi , Shu Yu , Yeh Ting-Chieh , Zeng Pei-Ya
Published: January 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to identify ways to establish an information system to aid users to enhance the effectiveness of self-regulated learning and solve the problem of learning domain unawareness. Many libraries are spacious and with a rich collection of books, the problem a newcomer may encounter in the wide library is spatial unawareness. In addition, people new to a particular field of study often encounter the problem of learning domain unawareness.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents an overview of self-regulated learning theory first. We realize the essential principles of self-regulated learning model in the library and developed a learning system that utilizes the concept of combining mobile augmented reality (AR), indoor navigation and data mining algorithms.

Findings

The proposed NO Donkey E-learning (NODE) system utilizes AR and innovative indoor positioning technology to fulfil the goal of navigation inside a library and solve the problems of spatial and learning domain unawareness. On the one hand, the system allows peers to communicate asynchronously to create a cloud-based information sharing community; the dual-track terminal (the website and the app interfaces) in the system could provide both educational functionalities and mobility for readers. On the other hand, AR navigation function integrates the information of reading paths, the real-space locations, real-time dynamic information, book introductions and readers’ comments to help readers have access to the topic-related books efficiently.

Practical implications

We found that although the library provides the floor plan and signs, such passive and fixed indication may cause spatial unawareness. People need system to show the bookshelf location and dynamic direction indicators when they walk in the wide library. However, most existing library information systems only provide readers with the function of book search, including which floor the book is on, call number and check-out status. In this sense, we propose that self-regulated learning theory integrated the new innovation technology is the solution for the above issues.

Originality/value

The system developed in this study, while viewing the real scenes inside the library through camera lens, provides related virtual educational information services and learning paths on screen and guides the public to do systematic self-regulated learning. With the functions of the “learning topic” and “knowledge sharing”, the learning system promotes the general public to self-monitor their learning progress and to use the sharing mechanism as the system structure to solve the two main problems of spatial unawareness and domain unawareness in learning in libraries, creating a truly innovative people-centred library information system.
Individual differences of science teachers and interactive video retrieval
Authors: Albertson Dan , Johnston Melissa P.
Published: January 2016

Purpose

This article aims to examine how the interactions and perceptions of users from a defined domain, i.e. science education, vary across different groups of teachers while retrieving video. Given the prevalence of digital resources in use in education today, it is critical to assess users’ perspectives and experiences for retrieving information across different contexts and individual user groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Interactive search experiments with 28 users were performed. A pre-experiment questionnaire collected the demographic information used to form groups for comparison in the present study. Users attempted six experimenter-developed topics using a prototype video retrieval system; experimental measures were recorded, including all actions, completion rates, errors and durations. Users rated their experiences and levels of satisfaction with different aspect of the system after each search topic. Data analyses included mean comparisons across the different groups.

Findings

A variety of influences emerged from the results, including significant variations among teachers’ interactions, levels of satisfaction and expectations across different groups of users.

Research limitations/implications

Understanding the interactions and perceptions when retrieving digital video provides insights for information professionals on how to better support the needs of different users. If systems are not taking into account users and context, there can be a mismatch between the needs of users and interactive systems, which can lead to low perceptions and further underuse of digital resources.

Originality/value

Although similar influences on digital libraries have been analysed in other contexts, they have not been directly assessed, as they specifically pertain to experiences with and perceptions of video.
Foreign direct investment and the law in Nigeria: a legal assessment
Authors: Ekhator Eghosa Osa , Anyiwe Linimose
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the laws that govern Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nigeria. The history of company law and the rise of multinational corporations clearly illustrate the attempts by the Nigerian Government to encourage the inflow of FDI. The different stages of Nigeria’s legal development will be examined in this paper and subsequently an assessment of the laws regulating FDI in the different investment sectors will be in focus.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper uses a doctrinal approach by undertaking a sectorial analysis of different sectors or segments of the Nigerian economy highlighting their various regulatory frameworks. The agricultural, steel, banking, employment and oil sectors is focussed in this paper.

Findings

– This paper demonstrates that for FDI to have positive impacts on the different sectors of the Nigerian economy, the various laws regulating the different sectors should be amended to reflect current realities.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a fresh illumination or analysis to the legal barriers inhibiting FDI in Nigeria. It does this by highlighting the various laws affecting FDI in different sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Regulation and performance of non bank financial institutions in Ghana
Authors: Ofoeda Isaac , Gariba Philip , Amoah Lordina
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between regulation of non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) and their performance in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

– The analysis is performed using data derived from the Bank of Ghana Database during a five-year period, 2006-2010. Correlated panels corrected standard errors model is used to estimate the regression equation. Capital adequacy requirements and the restrictions on the ability of non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) to take deposits are used as proxies for regulatory pressure. The study also used the return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) as measures of NBFI performance.

Findings

– Results of the study emerged with the evidence that there exists a positive relationship between minimum capital adequacy requirement of 10 per cent and profitability. This indicates that asking NBFIs to keep higher minimum capital adequacy ratio has resulted in improving their profitability. This suggests that capital regulation is an effective tool in enhancing the stability and the profitability of the financial services sector. In addition, the paper finds a positive relationship between regulatory pressure in terms of restrictions on deposits and NBFI profitability. This means that non-deposit-taking NBFIs have improved performance. This indicates that restricting NBFIs in terms of deposit-taking rather goes to increase profitability.

Originality/value

– The value of this study is in respect of its contribution to the extant literature on financial regulation and performance of NBFIs.
Out of the ordinary? Appraising ISO 26000 ' s CSR definition
Authors: Moratis Lars
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the definition of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as propagated by ISO 26000, the global comprehensive guidance standard for CSR, compare it to and position itvis-à-visother contemporary interpretations of CSR and formulate a critique on the standard’s definition of CSR.

Methodology/Approach

– This paper aims to examine the definition of CSR as propagated by ISO 26000, the global comprehensive guidance standard for CSR, compare it to and position itvis-à-visother contemporary interpretations of CSR and formulate a critique on the standard’s definition of CSR.

Findings

– ISO 26000’s definition of CSR is ‘out of the ordinary ' when compared to instrumental CSR definitions that are currently dominant, as it propagates an explicit moral perspective on corporate responsibilities towards society. While it resembles aspects of earlier definitions of CSR, this paper argues that the standard, being the end result of a global stakeholder dialogue, tries to make a strong plea for the return of morality in the CSR debate. Also, it is concluded that the ISO 26000 definition of CSR has several shortcomings, especially on the subject of corporate governance, which are addressed.

Practical/implications

– While the main gist of this paper is of a theoretical nature, it may have implications for practice as well. For instance, it may inform critical examinations of corporate commitments to CSR through adopting ISO 26000, and may inform future revisions of the standard.

Originality/Value

– This paper is the first to examine the ISO 26000 definition of CSR in a structured and detailed way.
Macroprudential policies, crisis and risk-taking
Authors: Ghosh Saibal
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The role of macroprudential policies (MPPs) in influencing bank risk-taking has recently attracted significant attention in the literature. Several studies have emerged, both at the cross-country level as well as at the level of individual countries that have examined this issue. However, whether and to what extent do MPPs affect risk-taking by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) banks has not been investigated in prior empirical research. Toward this end, using data during 1996-2010, the author examines the impact of MPPs on risk-taking by GCC banks. The author considers the entire gamut of MPPs – those focused on credit, capital and liquidity – and how they impact bank risk.

Design/methodology/approach

– In view of the possible endogeneity between the dependent variables and the crucial independent variable (i.e. MPP), the paper uses advanced panel data techniques that address this endogeneity. Toward this end, the author uses dynamic panel data methodology to examine the interlinkage between bank risk taking and MPPs for GCC banks.

Findings

– The findings appear to suggest that although MPPs are useful, not all of them are equally effective in containing the potential build-up of financial stress. Viewed from this standpoint, it appears that capital adequacy ratios and reserve requirements are the ones with maximum efficacy in limiting potential build-up of risks. Classifying the MPPs as per their impact on major balance sheet variables, the results indicate that capital-related measures tend to exert the greatest impact on credit.

Originality/value

– A significant volume of literature has emerged in recent years that examine the efficacy of MPPs on bank risk-taking. Notwithstanding available cross-country research, limited analysis on this aspect in the context of GCC banks. Toward this end, an extended sample of GCC banks has been used to examine this issue. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is one of the earliest studies for GCC banking systems to examine this issue.
Do Muslims intend to participate in Islamic insurance?
Authors: Md Husin Maizaitulaidawati , Ab Rahman Asmak
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to apply theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in predicting consumer intention to participate in takaful. One area of concern for takaful operators is the untapped Islamic insurance (takaful) market and lower market share compared to conventional insurance counterparts. It is possible that the application of the TPB could shed some light on the problem and possibly offer some assistance to the takaful operators.

Design/methodology/approach

– Interrelationships among attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and purchase intentions in regard to takaful products participation were examined within a framework of the theory of planned behaviour. A model and series of propositions are developed. The propositions are open to empirical verification and can form the basis for a research stream on takaful participation.

Findings

– In identifying factors influencing takaful participation, TPB is used and the model incorporates certain individual factors that are likely to influence intentions towards takaful participation. The model proposes that individual factors such as awareness, knowledge and exposure have impacts on takaful participation.

Originality/value

– This study provides insights for a previously unaddressed takaful participation among potential consumers. Prior work on determining participation of takaful has not applied TPB in an effort to understand the phenomenon.
Investment performance indicators of selected Lagos commercial properties
Authors: Anule Solomon Aondohemba , Umeh Obinna Lawrence
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify drivers of investment performance of commercial property in Lagos with a view to preventing a rule of thumb approach to investments’ decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Questions theoretically underpinned on factors influencing commercial property investment performance were designed and administered to 125 real estate practitioners in Lagos in order to weigh the factors influencing commercial property investment performance in five selected locations in Lagos. The responses were analyzed using the mean item score and the principal component analysis, and the most critical factors extracted.

Findings

– Individual sub-markets reveal top factors common to each location as cost of building materials, location, quality of road infrastructure, rental growth and security. Findings across sub-markets reveal three critical set of factors. Condition of the premises; the second theme is a mixture of socio-cultural and legal framework; the third is also a mixture of socio-cultural, political and economic factors. Their factor loading’s are: 0.851, 0.828 and 0.805, respectively.

Practical implications

– Investors, appraisers and property managers may benefit from the findings as they make better investment and management decisions. Also adopting modern construction methods will cut unnecessary cost incurred from wastage of building materials and open the door to private investors with limited capital.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first to capture five different locations in Lagos. It goes beyond the study of Thontteh and Omirin (2014) which covered only one location. Thus, this study tends to present more reliable findings.
Heuristic-driven bias in property investment decision-making in South Africa
Authors: Lowies Gert Abraham , Hall John Henry , Cloete Christiaan Ernst
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine whether anchoring and adjustment as heuristic-driven bias and herding behaviour influences listed property fund managers in South Africa’s property investment decisions. The study contributes to the understanding of the influence of heuristic-driven bias and herding behaviour on property investment decisions made in a highly volatile environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is focused on the subject field of behavioural finance and follows a survey-based design. A questionnaire was finalised after completion of the pilot study and was sent via e-mail to fund managers of all South African-based property funds listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange. Non-parametric statistical measures were used.

Findings

– Consistency with other studies suggests that anchoring and adjustment may exist in the decisions made by listed property fund managers. However, fund managers tend to not adjust to new information due to the current socio-political environment in South Africa rather than a lack of understanding of the new information.

Practical implications

– It is recommended that investors form developed and emerging economies take notice of the highly volatile circumstances in which property fund managers in an emerging economy such as South Africa have to make investment decisions. The probability of missed gains as a result of conservative investment strategies may have an impact on future returns.

Originality/value

– This study enhanced the understanding of the role that heuristic-driven bias plays in the South African property industry and more importantly, it went some way towards enhancing understanding of behavioural aspects and their influence on property investment decision making in an emerging market.
The performance of the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment compliant listed property firms in South Africa
Authors: Akinsomi Omokolade , Kola Katlego , Ndlovu Thembelihle , Motloung Millicent
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) on the risk and returns of listed and delisted property firms on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The study was investigated to understand the impact of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) property sector charter and effect of government intervention on property listed markets.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study examines the performance trends of the listed and delisted property firms on the JSE from January 2006 to January 2012. The data were obtained from McGregor BFA database to compute the risk and return measures of the listed and delisted property firms. The study employs a capital asset pricing model (CAPM) to derive the alpha (outperformance) and beta (risk) to examine the trend amongst the BEE and non-BEE firms, Sharpe ratio was also employed as a measurement of performance. A comparative study is employed to analyse the risks and returns between listed property firms that are BEE compliant and BEE non-compliant.

Findings

– Results show that there exists differences in returns and risk between BEE-compliant firms and non-BEE-compliant firms. The study shows that BEE-compliant firms have higher returns than non-BEE firms and are less risky than non-BEE firms. By establishing this relationship, this possibly affects the investor’s decision to invest in BEE firms rather than non-BBBEE firms. This study can also assist the government in strategically adjusting the policy.

Research limitations/implications

– This study employs a CAPM which is a single-factor model. Further study could employ a multi-factor model.

Practical implications

– The results of this investigation, with the effects of BEE on returns, using annualized returns, the Sharpe ratio and alpha (outperformance), results show that BEE firms perform better than non-BEE firms. These results pose several implications for investors particularly when structuring their portfolios, further study would need to examine the role of BEE on stock returns in line with other factors that affect stock returns. The results in this study have several implications for government agencies, there may be the need to monitor the effect of the BEE policies on firm returns and re-calibrate policies accordingly.

Originality/value

– This study investigates the performance of listed property firms on the JSE which are BEE compliant. This is the first study to investigate listed property firms which are BEE compliant.
Knowledge management and employee empowerment
Authors: Hasani Kaveh , Sheikhesmaeili Saman
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between knowledge management (KM) and employee empowerment in institutions of higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research method in this study was the descriptive-correlative type, and was based on the goal of the method applied. Subjects in this research included the staff members of higher educational institutions in Iran. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. To analyse research data, descriptive statistics, and for inferential statistics, the Pearson correlation, the Friedman ranking test and stepwise regression, were used. For data analysis, SPSS software was used.

Findings

– The results from the study show that all alternative hypotheses were confirmed and there was a significant relationship between KM and employee empowerment. In addition, KM predicted the aspects of employee empowerment in institutions of higher education.

Originality/value

– Through this study, the positive role of KM in employee empowerment in institutions of higher education has been described, and the importance of considering such studies has been specified for researchers.
Modelling complexity in retail supply chains
Authors: Ekinci Esra , Baykasoglu Adil
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the characteristics of complexity and how a retail supply chain can contain complexity in itself. A case has been provided to show the measurement of complexity with/without information sharing and the relation of complexity with the performance measures. Quantification of the complexity will help the practitioners to take strategic actions.

Design/methodology/approach

– System dynamics simulation has been used to model the retail supply chain with and without information sharing and data visibility. Entropy-based metric used for quantification and comparison of complexity based on the outputs of the models. Performance measures proposed for the retail supply chains to understand the effect of data visibility.

Findings

– Paper provides insight about the complexity of retail supply chain perspective. Using system dynamics modelling can be a useful way to perform what-if type analysis before business process changes. Including both complexity and performance measures can be useful to understand if the complexity is good or bad for the business and if it is in manageable amount.

Research limitations/implications

– Paper can encourage the future research on retail supply chains.

Practical implications

– Approach can be useful to analyse what-if type analysis in practice easily. It can support strategic decision making process.

Originality/value

– Combines retail supply chain with complexity and performance measurement.
Emotional landscapes; discomfort in the field
Authors: Levy Nadine
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore a researcher’s emotions in the field. It argues that a researcher’s emotional responses can lead to insights into certain aspects of participants’ emotional and social worlds, while simultaneously obscuring certain lines of inquiry and limiting data collection. On this basis, the author calls for researchers to maintain a high level of awareness and reflexivity while working with strong emotions in the field. This, the author argues, allows a researcher to remain open to new understandings and address any limitations skilfully and transparently.

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing on feminist theory and emerging scholarship pertaining to fieldwork and emotions, this paper examines the methodological dilemmas the author faced in relation to the own subjectivity while carrying out field-work at radical ecovillage in the USA. It analyses sections of the reflexive diary and explores the insights the author gained by remaining aware and reflexive while in the field.

Findings

– The author demonstrates how feelings of unease, alienation and entrapment prompted to explore new lines of inquiry and, in turn, consider certain emotion rules and ideologies present in the research setting. The author also speculates about the ways such feelings impacted the data collection by obscuring certain phenomena in the field.

Research limitations/implications

– The author makes a number of practical suggestions about how researchers can work skilfully with emotions in the field. In addition, the author proposes that by remaining mindful of one’s emotional responses valuable lines of questioning and themes may emerge for consideration.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to emerging scholarship on the importance of examining a researcher’s experiences and reactions to a research setting in conjunction with other data. It offers a practical example of how this approach can elicit insight into the lives of participants.
Behavioural flexibility in migratory behaviour in a long‐lived large herbivore
Authors: Eggeman Scott L. , Hebblewhite Mark , Bohm Holger , Whittington Jesse , Merrill Evelyn H.
Published: January 2016

Migratory animals are predicted to enhance lifetime fitness by obtaining higher quality forage and/or reducing predation risk compared to non‐migratory conspecifics. Despite evidence for behavioural flexibility in other taxa, previous research on large mammals has often assumed that migratory behaviour is a fixed behavioural trait.

Migratory behaviour may be plastic for many species, although few studies have tested for individual‐level flexibility using long‐term monitoring of marked individuals, especially in large mammals such as ungulates.

We tested variability in individual migratory behaviour using a 10‐year telemetry data set of 223 adult female elk (Cervus elaphus) in the partially migratoryYaHaTinda population inAlberta,Canada.

We used net squared displacement (NSD) to classify migratory strategy for each individual elk‐year. Individuals switched between migrant and resident strategies at a mean rate of 15% per year, and migrants were more likely to switch than residents. We then tested how extrinsic (climate, elk/wolf abundance) and intrinsic (age) factors affected the probability of migrating, and, secondly, the decision to switch between migratory strategies.

Over 630 individual elk‐years, the probability of an individual elk migrating increased following a severe winter, in years of higher wolf abundance, and with increasing age.

At an individual elk level, we observed 148 switching events of 430 possible transitions in elk monitored at least 2 years. We found switching was density‐dependent, where migrants switched to a resident strategy at low elk abundance, but residents switched more to a migrant strategy at high elk abundance. Precipitation during the previous summer had a weak carryover effect, with migrants switching slightly more following wetter summers, whereas residents showed the opposite pattern. Older migrant elk rarely switched, whereas resident elk switched more frequently to migrate at older ages.

Our results show migratory behaviour in ungulates is an individually variable trait that can respond to intrinsic, environmental and density‐dependent forces. Different strategies had opposing responses to density‐dependent and intrinsic drivers, providing a stabilizing mechanism for the maintenance of partial migration and demographic fitness in this population.
Effects of plant functional group loss on soil biota and net ecosystem exchange: a plant removal experiment in the Mongolian grassland
Authors: Chen Dima , Pan Qingmin , Bai Yongfei , Hu Shuijin , Huang Jianhui , Wang Qibing , Naeem Shahid , Elser James J. , Wu Jianguo , Han Xingguo
Published: January 2016

The rapid loss of global biodiversity can greatly affect the functioning of above‐ground components of ecosystems. However, how such biodiversity losses affect below‐ground communities and linkages to soil carbon (C) sequestration is unclear. Here, we describe how losses in plant functional groups (PFGs) affect soil microbial and nematode communities and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) in a 4‐year removal experiment conducted on the Mongolian plateau, the world's largest remaining natural grassland.

Our results demonstrated that the biomasses or abundances of most components of the two below‐ground communities (microbes and nematodes) were negatively affected byPFGloss and were positively related to above‐ground plant biomass. The removal of dominantPFGs (perennial bunchgrasses and perennial rhizomatous grasses) reduced the biomass or abundance of below‐ground community components while removal of less dominantPFGs (perennial forbs and annuals/biennials) did not change or increased the biomass or abundance of below‐ground community components.

The biomass‐based ratio of fungal to bacterial microbes and the number‐based ratio of fungal‐feeding to bacterial‐feeding nematodes decreased with increasingPFGlosses. Variation partitioning analyses showed that the identity ofPFGs together with above‐ground plant biomass explained most of the total variation in soil microbes and that the identity ofPFGs and above‐ground plant biomass together with nematode food resources explained most of the total variation in soil nematodes. The increase inNEEwithPFGloss was mainly explained by decreases in above‐ground plant biomass and the ratio of fungi to bacteria.

Synthesis. The shift of below‐ground communities from a fungal‐based to a bacterial‐based energy channel asPFGrichness decreases indicates that less diverse grassland ecosystems will have lower nutrient retention and hence be more sensitive to land‐use or climate change. The dominant effects of above‐ground plant biomass and below‐ground communities onNEEindicate thatPFGloss resulting from land‐use or climate change has the potential to reduce C sequestration in semi‐arid grassland soils. These findings suggest that predictive models may need to consider the composition of above‐ground and below‐ground communities in order to accurately simulate the dynamics ofCO2fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems.
The effect of prenatal lifestyle intervention on weight retention 12 months postpartum: results of the Norwegian Fit for Delivery randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sagedal LR , Sanda B , Øverby NC , Bere E , Torstveit MK , Lohne‐Seiler H , Hillesund ER , Pripp AH , Henriksen T , Vistad I
Published: January 2016

Objective

To examine the effect of a prenatal lifestyle intervention on postpartum weight retention (PPWR).

Design

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Healthcare clinics in southern Norway.

Population

Healthy, nulliparous women with body mass index ≥19 kg/m2, age ≥18 years, and singleton pregnancy of ≤20 gestational weeks.

Methods

Women were randomised to intervention (dietary counselling twice by phone and access to twice‐weekly exercise groups during pregnancy) or control group (standard prenatal care). Intervention compliance was defined post‐factum as attending dietary counselling and ≥14 exercise classes.

Main outcome measures

PPWR (weight measured postpartum minus self‐reported pre‐pregnancy weight) and the proportion of women returning to pre‐pregnancy weight.

Results

Of 606 women randomised, 591 were included in an intention‐to‐treat analysis of pregnancy outcomes and 391 (64.5%) were analysed 12 months postpartum. Mean PPWR was not significantly different between groups (0.66 kg for intervention versus 1.42 kg for control group, mean difference −0.77 kg, 95% CI −1.81, 0.28; P = 0.149). An increased proportion of intervention participants achieved pre‐pregnancy weight (53% versus 43%, OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.003, 1.471; P = 0.045). However, the difference was not statistically significant when we adjusted for missing data (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.23, P = 0.067) using logistic mixed‐effects models analysis. Women compliant with intervention had significantly lower PPWR than control participants, also after adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted mean diff −1.54 kg, 95% CI −3.02, −0.05; P = 0.039).

Conclusions

The Norwegian Fit for Delivery intervention had little effect on PPWR, although women who were compliant with the intervention demonstrated significantly lower PPWR at 12 months.

Tweetable abstract

Norwegian Fit for Delivery RCT: little effect of lifestyle intervention on weight retention 1 year postpartum.
Review article: Staff perception of the emergency department working environment: Integrative review of the literature
Authors: Johnston Amy , Abraham Louisa , Greenslade Jaimi , Thom Ogilvie , Carlstrom Eric , Wallis Marianne , Crilly Julia
Published: January 2016

Employees in EDs report increasing role overload because of critical staff shortages, budgetary cuts and increased patient numbers and acuity. Such overload could compromise staff satisfaction with their working environment. This integrative review identifies, synthesises and evaluates current research around staff perceptions of the working conditions in EDs. A systematic search of relevant databases, using MeSH descriptors ED/EDs, Emergency room/s, ER/s, or A&E coupled with (and) working environment, working condition/s, staff perception/s, as well as reference chaining was conducted. We identified 31 key studies that were evaluated using the mixed methods assessment tool (MMAT). These comprised 24 quantitative‐descriptive studies, four mixed descriptive/comparative (non‐randomised controlled trial) studies and three qualitative studies. Studies included varied widely in quality with MMAT scores ranging from 0% to 100%. A key finding was that perceptions of working environment varied across clinical staff and study location, but that high levels of autonomy and teamwork offset stress around high pressure and high volume workloads. The large range of tools used to assess staff perception of working environment limits the comparability of the studies. A dearth of intervention studies around enhancing working environments in EDs limits the capacity to recommend evidence‐based interventions to improve staff morale. © 2016 The Authors. Emergency Medicine Australasia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine
Definitive intensity‐modulated radiotherapy concurrent with systemic therapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Outcomes from an integrated regional Australian cancer centre
Authors: Masoud Rahbari Reza , Winkley Lauren , Hill Jacques , Tahir Abdul Rahim Mohammed , McKay Michael , Last Andrew , Shakespeare Thomas P , Dwyer Patrick
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) incidence has increased over the past two decades largely because of an increase in human papilloma virus (HPV)‐related OPSCC. We report here outcomes of definitive radiation therapy for OPSCC with simultaneous integrated boost intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in a regional Australian cancer centre.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records (EMR) of all patients treated with IMRT for head and neck cancer. We included patients who received a curative intent IMRT for OPSCC (2010–2014).

Results

Of 61 patients, 80% were men, and the median age was 57 years. Ninety percent of our patients received concurrent systemic therapy, and 68% were p16 positive. The median radiotherapy dose received was 70 Gy in 35 fractions. The median follow up for surviving patients was 22 months. Twenty‐four month actuarial data show that the loco‐regional recurrence free, metastasis‐free MFS, cancer‐specific (CaSS) and overall survival percentages were 98.3%, 92.6%, 91% and 90.3%, respectively. We did not observe grades 4 or 5 acute or late toxicities, and 10 patients (16.2%) exhibited persistent grade 3 toxicity 6 months after completing the treatment.

Conclusion

The results from curative IMRTs for OPSCC delivered in a regional cancer centre are comparable with results published by tertiary referral centres. A long‐term follow up of this patient cohort will continue for further analyses and comparisons with tertiary centres.