bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-management Needs of Breast Cancer Survivors After Treatment: Results From a Focus Group Interview
Authors: Kim Soo Hyun , Park Sihyun , Kim Sei Joong , Hur Min Hee , Lee Bo Gyeong , Han Mi Sook
Published: August 2018

Background

Recognition of the importance of self-management (SM) for breast cancer survivors (BCSs) is increasing, but evidence from investigations of their needs focusing on SM is limited.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the SM needs of BCSs who had completed treatment.

Methods

Using a qualitative study design, we interviewed a focus group of 20 BCSs who underwent cancer therapy (mean time since diagnosis 3.4 years) at a university hospital in South Korea. Data were analyzed via conventional content analysis.

Results

The focus group interviews revealed 10 subthemes that we organized into 5 themes about the posttreatment SM needs of BCSs: (1) symptom management needs, (2) emotional management needs, (3) information acquisition needs, (4) need for a relationship with healthcare providers, and (5) adaptation needs. Specifically, participants needed to acquire SM skills to relieve symptoms (eg, peripheral neuropathy, insomnia), deal with emotional problems (eg, fear of recurrence, anxiety, depression), and adapt to changes due to cancer treatment (eg, body image, lifestyle, and role changes). In particular, participants expressed a substantial need for a constructive relationship with healthcare providers who, by respecting and communicating with them, would help empower them. Participants placed a high value on building self-confidence for successful SM.

Conclusions

Our findings can contribute to the development of breast cancer survivorship care plans by emphasizing posttreatment SM.

Implications for Practice

Future SM support intervention for BCSs after treatment should focus on training SM skills, enhancing the survivor-provider relationship, and building survivor self-confidence.
Mode of Delivery in Severe Preeclampsia Before 28 Weeks' Gestation: A Systematic Review
Authors: van Eerden Leonoor , Gaugler-Senden Ingrid , de Vries Ralph J. , Zeeman Gerda G. , de Groot Christianne J. M. , Bolte Antoinette C.
Published: August 2018

Importance

Preeclampsia with an onset before 28 weeks' gestation poses dilemmas for the obstetrician with regard to the mode of delivery.

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyze the success rate of attempted vaginal delivery and the maternal and neonatal outcome according to the mode of delivery in women with preeclampsia and an indicated delivery before 28 weeks' gestation.

Evidence Acquisition

A comprehensive search was performed in the bibliographic databases PubMed, Embase.com, and Wiley Cochrane Library. The main outcome was success rate of attempted vaginal delivery. Secondary outcomes were maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Results

Eight studies describing a total of 800 women were included. Success rates of vaginal delivery varied from 1.8% to 80%, and rates for cesarean delivery after induction of labor varied from 13% to 51%. The rates for planned cesarean delivery varied from 0% to 73%. Two studies (n = 53) described no statistical significant differences in maternal outcomes. Two other studies (n = 107) report no statistical difference in neonatal outcome.

Conclusions

Studies that report the success rate of attempted vaginal delivery are limited in size. However, giving the available evidence in the reported studies a trial of labor is a considerable option in counseling women with a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia before 28 weeks' gestation due to the similar maternal and neonatal outcome. No differences in maternal or neonatal outcome were attributed to the mode of delivery, however, numbers are small.

Target Audience

Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians.

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, the learner should be better able to counsel women with early-onset preeclampsia on mode of delivery; critically appraise articles on mode of delivery in women with preeclampsia with an onset before 28 weeks' gestation; and avoid performing randomized controlled trials on mode of delivery in women with preeclampsia before 28 weeks' gestation, due to limited feasibility.
Anterior versus Posterior Component Separation: Which Is Better?
Authors: Kumar Shyanie , Edmunds R. Wesley , Dowdy Callie , Chang Yu-Wei Wayne , King Robert , Roth J. Scott
Published: August 2018

In the field of hernia surgery, there have been many advances in techniques that have provided the surgeon with a variety of options to repair the difficult abdominal wall hernia. Regardless of the technique, the ultimate goal was to provide a tension-free repair, which attempts to approximate the midline while returning abdominal wall musculature to its normal anatomic position, thus providing the patient with both a cosmetic and durable result with or without the use of a prosthetic reinforcement. Component separation techniques have been widely popularized as techniques to repair complex hernias and are frequently categorized based upon the anatomic location of the myofascial release. CSTs are generally categorized as either an anterior component separation or posterior component separation based upon the surgical approach to the abdominal wall musculature. This report objectively outlines the various techniques of component separation and specifically compares the outcomes among techniques to facilitate decision making in abdominal wall reconstruction.
A Current Review of Long-Acting Resorbable Meshes in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
Authors: Petro Clayton C. , Rosen Michael J.
Published: August 2018

Concern for chronic infection of a permanent synthetic material in contaminated and “high risk” ventral hernia repairs has led to the development and dissemination of slowly resorbable biosynthetic materials at a lower cost compared with biologic mesh counterparts. Here, we review the preclinical and clinical data available for each long-acting resorbable mesh, with a candid comparison to biologic and synthetic equivalents.
Complex Open Abdominal Wall Reconstruction: Management of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue
Authors: Khansa Ibrahim , Janis Jeffrey E.
Published: August 2018

Optimal skin and soft tissue management in complex open abdominal wall reconstruction is an integral element of the operation to achieve optimal outcomes. Failure to provide stable, well-vascularized soft tissue coverage over the hernia repair can jeopardize the reconstruction through association with nonhealing wounds, mesh exposure, and even possible hernia recurrence. The literature has shown that careful attention to the skin and soft tissue, especially when part of a multidisciplinary approach to complex abdominal wall reconstruction, improves patient outcomes significantly.
Acute HIV Infection and CD4/CD8 Ratio Normalization After Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation
Authors: Davy-Mendez Thibaut , Napravnik Sonia , Zakharova Oksana , Kuruc JoAnn , Gay Cynthia , Hicks Charles B. , Mcgee Kara S. , Eron Joseph J.
Published: August 2018

Background:

We estimated the effect of initiating virologically suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) during acute HIV infection versus chronic HIV infection (AHI vs. CHI) on CD4/CD8 ratio normalization.

Setting:

A prospective clinical cohort study.

Methods:

We included patients initiating ART with AHI and CHI between 2000 and 2015 and compared time from ART initiation to the first normal CD4/CD8 ratio (defined as CD4/CD8 ≥1) using Kaplan–Meier curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Patient time was censored at virologic failure, lost to follow-up, or death. We also characterized CD4, CD8, and CD4/CD8 trajectories over the first 3 years of ART.

Results:

The 1198 patients were 27% female and 60% African American, with a median age of 37 years (interquartile range 28–47) at ART initiation. The 83 AHI patients were more likely male, younger, and of white race, than CHI patients. After 2 years of suppressive ART, 70% of AHI patients achieved a normal CD4/CD8 ratio, compared to 6%–38% of CHI patients, with greater likelihood of normalization at higher baseline CD4 counts. Time to normalization was shortest among AHI patients, followed by CHI patients with higher baseline CD4. The adjusted hazard ratio for time to normalization for AHI patients compared to CHI patients with baseline CD4 >350 was 4.33 (95% CI: 3.16 to 5.93). Higher baseline CD4/CD8 ratio was also associated with time to normalization (adjusted hazard ratio 1.54; 1.46, 1.63, per 0.1 increase in ratio).

Conclusions:

Initiating ART during AHI at higher baseline CD4 cell counts and CD4/CD8 ratios was associated with shorter time to CD4/CD8 ratio normalization.
Trajectories of inflammatory biomarkers over the eighth decade and their associations with immune cell counts and epigenetic ageing
Authors: Stevenson Anna J , McCartney Daniel L , Harris Sarah E , Taylor Adele M , Redmond Paul , Starr John M , Zhang Qian , McRae Allan F , Wray Naomi R , Spires-Jones Tara L , McColl Barry W , McIntosh Andrew M , Deary Ian J , Marioni Riccardo E
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

Epigenetic age acceleration (an older methylation age compared to chronological age) correlates strongly with various age-related morbidities and mortality. Chronic systemic inflammation is thought to be a hallmark of ageing but the relationship between an increased epigenetic age and this likely key phenotype of ageing has not yet been extensively investigated.

METHODS

We modelled the trajectories of the inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP; measured using both a high- and low-sensitivity assay), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) over the 8th decade in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. We additionally investigated the association between CRP and imputed leukocyte counts. Using linear mixed models we examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal association between the inflammatory biomarkers and two measures of epigenetic age acceleration, derived from the Horvath and Hannum epigenetic clocks.

RESULTS

Low-sensitivity CRP declined, high-sensitivity CRP did not change, and IL-6 increased over time. CRP levels inversely associated with total counts of CD8+T cells and CD4+T cells, and positively associated with senescent CD8+T cells, plasmablasts and granulocytes. Cross-sectionally, the Hannum, but not the Horvath, measure of age acceleration was positively associated with low-sensitivity CRP, high-sensitivity CRP, IL-6 and a restricted measure of CRP (≤10mg/L) likely reflecting levels relevant to chronic inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a divergent relationship between inflammation and immune system parameters in older age. We additionally report the Hannum measure of epigenetic age acceleration associated with an elevated inflammatory profile cross-sectionally, but not longitudinally.
Operando powder X-ray diffraction study of P2-Na
x
Ni0.3Mn0.7O2 cathode material during electrochemical cycling
Authors: Kjeldgaard Solveig , Birgisson Steinar , Kielland Anette Gert , Iversen Bo Brummerstedt
Published: August 2018

Layered transition metal oxides are of significant interest for applications in sodium-ion batteries. This article reports an operando powder X-ray diffraction study of the cathode material P2-Na
x
Ni0.3Mn0.7O2 during electrochemical cycling. The structural changes are shown to be reversible over two full cycles, and refinement of sodium occupancies provides insight into the very complex ion movement during battery operation. The sodium loading progresses through a set of metastable compositions showing that the working battery is out of equilibrium on a structural level. Peak broadening caused by stacking faults is observed in the P2 structure at ∼4.0 V, prior to the ∼4.2 V phase transformation from P2 to the `Z' phase
Glassy carbon, NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM 3600): hydrogen content, neutron vibrational density of states and heat capacity
Authors: Cappelletti Ronald L. , Udovic Terrence J. , Li Hui , Paul Rick L.
Published: August 2018

Commercial glassy carbon plates being used as absolute intensity calibration standards in small-angle X-ray scattering applications (NIST SRM 3600) have been characterized in several recent publications. This contribution adds to the characterization by measuring the hydrogen content of a plate to be (4.8 ± 0.2) × 10−4 (mol H)/(mol C), and by measuring the vibrational spectrum by neutron inelastic scattering. The spectrum bears a strong resemblance to published measurements on graphite, allowing the identification of several spectral features. The measured spectrum is used to calculate the heat capacity of low-hydrogen-content glassy carbon for comparison with measurements reported here from 20 to 295 K.
Crystal structures of the hexafluoridophosphate salts of the isomeric 2-, 3- and 4-cyano-1-methylpyridinium cations and determination of solid-state interaction energies
Authors: Mague Joel T. , Larrabee Erin , Olivier David , Vaccaro Francesca , Riley Kevin E. , Koplitz Lynn V.
Published: August 2018

The synthesis and crystal structures of the isomeric molecular salts 2-, 3- and 4-cyano-1-methylpyridinium hexafluoridophosphate, C7H7N2
+·PF6
−, are reported. In 2-cyano-1-methylpyridinium hexafluoridophosphate, C—H...F hydrogen bonds form chains extending along the c-axis direction, which are associated through C—H...F hydrogen bonds and P—F...π(ring) interactions into stepped layers. For 3-cyano-1-methylpyridinium hexafluoridophosphate, corrugated sheets parallel to [001] are generated by C—H...F hydrogen bonds and P—F...π(ring) interactions. The sheets are weakly associated by a weak interaction of the cyano group with the six-membered ring of the cation. In 4-cyano-1-methylpyridinium hexafluoridophosphate, C—H...F hydrogen bonds form a more open three-dimensional network in which stacks of cations and of anions are aligned with the b-axis direction. Dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D) calculations were carried out in order to elucidate some of the energetic aspects of the solid-state structures. The results indicate that the distribution of charge within a molecular ionic cation can play a large role in determining the strength of a cation–anion interaction within a crystal structure. Crystals of 2-cyano-1-methylpyridinium hexafluoridophosphate are twinned by a 180° rotation about the c* axis. The anion in 3-cyano-1-methylpyridinium hexafluoridophosphate is rotationally disordered by 38.2 (1)° in an 0.848 (3):0.152 (3) ratio.
Crystal structure of sodium (1S)-D-mannit-1-ylsulfonate
Authors: Haines Alan H. , Hughes David L.
Published: August 2018

The title salt, Na+·C6H13O9S− [systematic name: sodium (1S,2S,3S,4R,5R)-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydroxyhexane-1-sulfonate], is formed by reaction of D-mannose with sodium bisulfite (sodium hydrogen sulfite) in water. The anion has an open-chain structure with the S atom and the C atoms of the carbohydrate chain forming an essentially planar zigzag chain in which the absolute values of the torsion angles lie between 173.6 (2) and 179.9 (3)°. The sodium cations are penta-coordinated by O atoms, with one link to a carbohydrate O atom and four to O atoms of sulfonate residues in separate anions, thus creating a three-dimensional network. The carbohydrate anions are arranged in a head (–SO3
−) to head (–SO3
−) arrangement, thereby forming two parallel sheets linked through coordination to sodium ions, with each sheet containing intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the anionic residues. Unusually, the double sheets are not connected to neighbouring sets of double sheets, either by ion coordination or intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
Accelerating unstructured large eddy simulation solver with GPU
Authors: Liu Hongbin , Su Xinrong , Yuan Xin
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Adopting large eddy simulation (LES) to simulate the complex flow in turbomachinery is appropriate to overcome the limitation of current Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes modelling and it provides a deeper understanding of the complicated transitional and turbulent flow mechanism; however, the large computational cost limits its application in high Reynolds number flow. This study aims to develop a three-dimensional GPU-enabled parallel-unstructured solver to speed up the high-fidelity LES simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Compared to the central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs) can provide higher computational speed. This work aims to develop a three-dimensional GPU-enabled parallel-unstructured solver to speed up the high-fidelity LES simulation. A set of low-dissipation schemes designed for unstructured mesh is implemented with compute unified device architecture programming model. Several key parameters affecting the performance of the GPU code are discussed and further speed-up can be obtained by analysing the underlying finite volume-based numerical scheme.

Findings

The results show that an acceleration ratio of approximately 84 (on a single GPU) for double precision algorithm can be achieved with this unstructured GPU code. The transitional flow inside a compressor is simulated and the computational efficiency has been improved greatly. The transition process is discussed and the role of K-H instability playing in the transition mechanism is verified.

Practical/implications

The speed-up gained from GPU-enabled solver reaches 84 compared to original code running on CPU and the vast speed-up enables the fast-turnaround high-fidelity LES simulation.

Originality/value

The GPU-enabled flow solver is implemented and optimized according to the feature of finite volume scheme. The solving time is reduced remarkably and the detail structures including vortices are captured.
Numerical investigation of the fluid lag during hydraulic fracturing
Authors: Chen Bin , Cen Song , Barron Andrew R. , Owen D.R.J. , Li Chenfeng
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to systematically investigate the fluid lag phenomena and its influence in the hydraulic fracturing process, including all stages of fluid-lag evolution, the transition between different stages and their coupling with dynamic fracture propagation under common conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A plane 2D model is developed to simulate the complex evolution of fluid lag during the propagation of a hydraulic fracture driven by an impressible Newtonian fluid. Based on the finite element method, a fully implicit solution scheme is proposed to solve the strongly coupled rock deformation, fluid flow and fracture propagation. Using the proposed model, comprehensive parametric studies are performed to examine the evolution of fluid lag in various geological and operational conditions.

Findings

The numerical simulations predict that the lag ratio is around 5% or even lower at the beginning stage of hydraulic fracture under practical geological conditions. With the fracture propagation, the lag ratio keeps decreasing and can be ignored in the late stage of hydraulic fracturing for typical parameter combinations. On the numerical aspect, whether the fluid lag can be ignored depends not only on the lag ratio but also on the minimum mesh size used for fluid flow. In addition, an overall mixed-mode fracture propagation factor is proposed to describe the relationship between diverse parameters and fracture curvature.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, relatively simple physical models such as linear elasticity for solid, Newtonian model for fluid and linear elasticity fracture mechanics for fracture are used. The current model does not account for such effects like leak off, poroelasticity and softening of rock formations, which may also visibly affect the fluid lag depending on specific reservoir conditions.

Originality/value

This study helps to understand the effect of fluid lag during hydraulic fracturing processes and provides numerical experience in dealing with the fluid lag with finite element simulation.
The use and abuse of safety indicators in construction
Authors: Oswald David , Zhang Rita Peihua , Lingard Helen , Pirzadeh Payam , Le Tiendung
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a critical review of the use of safety performance indicators in the construction industry. The authors consider the strengths, limitations and managerial consequences associated with commonly used indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors combine two separate data sets in this critical review. These include 32 semi-structured interviews with construction industry representatives involved in the collection and reporting of safety indicators, as well as a multi-level safety climate survey that was conducted at 12 construction sites across Australia.

Findings

The analysis provides new evidence that, in their current use, commonly used H&S indicators are subject to manipulation and misinterpretation. Their usefulness as tools to support safety management activities in construction projects and organisations needs to be understood in the context of their limitations. In particular, safety indicators do not reflect the full set of factors that affect workplace safety and there will always be disagreement about what should be counted and how.

Originality/value

As a result of the substantial shortcomings of safety indicators, great care needs to be taken when using them to determine or evaluate organisational safety policy and practices.
The trade integration and Pakistan’s export performance
Authors: Alam Shaista
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of trade integration on Pakistan’s export performance (value of exports, number of exporters and number of products per exporter) during 2003 to 2010.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the World Bank Exporters Dynamics Database are analysed using fixed effect panel data techniques.

Findings

The results suggest that trade integration with South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), China and Iran play remarkable role in improving export value by 73, 29 and 55 per cent, respectively. It is found that on average more than 140 and 339 exporters increase after integration with SAFTA and China, respectively, and during the study period, 1,605 and 606 exporters entered into SAFTA and Chinese market, respectively. Moreover, 182 and 146 additional exporters entered in Malaysian and Iranian export market after integration, which is 19 and 98 per cent, respectively, of initial year’s number of exporters. In addition, Malaysia and Mauritius show positive and considerable effect on diversification of product variety.

Originality/value

This is an original empirical research. The contributions of the paper are many fold: this paper is first to analyse the effect of Pakistan’s trade integration established during 2000s decade; pioneer contribution of this study is to use the number of exporters and number of products, as well as the value of exports to measure the export performance of Pakistan; and this study uses positive and negative discrepancies in export value data, number of HS6 products exported as a proxy of product diversification, share of industrial exports in total exports and share of textile exports in industrial exports.
Assessing health care quality in adolescent clinics, implications for quality improvement
Authors: Anaba Emmanuel Anongeba , Abuosi Aaron Asibi
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Adolescents are more exposed to risky health behaviors. However, many adolescents do not seek health care due to the poor quality of care. The purpose of this paper is to assess health care quality in adolescent clinics in Tema, a suburb of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional survey design was adopted to collect data from 365 adolescent respondents. Data were analyzed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (version 20) using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression.

Findings

The results demonstrate that adolescents perceived quality of care in adolescent clinics to be good. The significant predictors of adolescents’ overall perceptions of quality of care were provider competencies (β=0.311, p<0.01), adolescent’s health literacy (β=0.359, p<0.01), appropriate package of services (β=0.093, p<0.05), and equity and non-discrimination (β=0.162, p<0.01).

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in an urban setting. Therefore, the generalization of findings must be done with caution.

Originality/value

Adolescent health care quality in Ghana is below expectation. However, it has received little attention from researchers. This study provides empirical evidence for adolescent health care quality improvement in developing countries like Ghana.
When social media traumatizes teens
Authors: McHugh Bridget Christine , Wisniewski Pamela , Rosson Mary Beth , Carroll John M.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which negative online risk experiences (information breaches, explicit content exposure, cyberbullying and sexual solicitations) cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in adolescents. The study also explores whether teens’ short-term coping responses serve to mitigate PTSD or, instead, act as a response to stress from online events.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilized a web-based diary design over the course of two months. Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling with repeated measures.

Findings

The study confirmed that explicit content exposure, cyberbullying and sexual solicitations (but not information breaches) evoke symptoms of PTSD. Analyses also indicated that teens engage in active and communicative coping after they experience post-traumatic stress, regardless of risk type or frequency.

Practical implications

The authors found that teens took active measures to cope with online risks soon after they felt threatened (within a week). Actively coping with stressful situations has been shown to enhance adolescent resilience and reduce long-term negative effects of risk exposure. If these early coping behaviors can be detected, social media platforms may be able to embed effective interventions to support healthy coping processes that can further protect teens against long-term harm from exposure to online risks.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine situational PTSD symptoms related to four types of adolescent online risk exposure within the week exposure occurred. By applying two competing theoretical frameworks (the adolescent resilience framework and transactional theory of stress), the authors show empirical evidence that suggests short-term coping responses are likely a stress reaction to PTSD, not a protective factor against it.
Assessing timebanking use and coordination: implications for service exchange tools
Authors: Yuan Chien Wen , Hanrahan Benjamin V. , Carroll John M.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Timebanking is a generalized, voluntary service exchange that promotes use of otherwise idle resources in a community and facilitates community building. Participants offer and request services through the mediation of the timebank software. In timebanking, giving help and accepting help are both contributions; contributions are recognized and quantified through exchange of time-based currency. The purpose of this paper is to explore how users perceive timebank offers and requests differently and how they influence actual use.

Design/methodology/approach

This survey study, conducted in over 120 timebanks across the USA, examines users’ timebanking participation, adapting dimensions of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).

Findings

The authors found that perceived ease of use in timebanking platforms was positively associated with positive attitudes toward both requests and offers, whereas perceived usefulness was negatively associated with positive attitudes toward requests and offers. The authors also found that having positive attitudes toward requests was important to elicit behavioral intention to make a request, but that positive attitudes toward offers did not affect behavioral intentions to make offers.

Practical implications

The authors discussed these results and proposed design suggestions for future service exchange tools to address the issues the authors raised.

Originality/value

The study is among the first few studies that examine timebanking participation using large-scale survey data. The authors evaluate sociotechnical factors of timebanking participation through adapting dimensions of TAM.
Female students’ preparedness for a male-dominated workplace
Authors: Alves Sianne , English Jane
Published: August 2018

Purpose

To provide relevant, appropriate education to the female student population, their perceptions as women and preparedness to work in male-dominated spaces, such as the construction workplace, is essential. The aim of this study, by the Professional Communication Studies and the HIV/AIDS Inclusivity and Change Unit, was to explore whether the students have been appropriately prepared.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative methodology comprising six semi-structured focus groups was conducted with student cohorts in 2016 and 2017. The focus groups were drawn from different courses in 2016 and 2017 and comprised a total of 17 female students between the ages of 20 and 23 years old. Themes were developed by using NVivo for “literal” (Mason, 1996, p. 56) coding prior to manually coding the data using an interpretive lens. Eight dominant themes emerged from the data, which are discussed in the findings.

Findings

Responses were that the students perceived that their gender is advantageous to their entering the profession, as there is legislative support but that the challenge remains that they need to prove their worth more than their male counterparts. The curriculum fails to prepare and/or sensitise students to respond to gender-based challenges, some of which they have already experienced during vacation work.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is drawn from one institution. Whilst the university has a diverse student body, it is not confirmed that the sample groups were reflective of the broad base of women employed in the construction field in South Africa.

Social implications

The findings were aligned with those from developed countries. Whilst some challenges specific to developing countries were cited, they were not considered to be insurmountable.

Originality/value

Gender research is an important topic for countries which, like South Africa, have legislated that employment of women in construction be increased but do not underscore gender in curriculum development of construction courses in universities.
Testing the productivity bias hypothesis in Middle East countries
Authors: Halicioglu Ferda , Ketenci Natalya
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the validity of the productivity bias hypothesis (PBH) in 18 Middle East countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs autoregressive-distributed lag approach to cointegration approach and stability tests.

Findings

The empirical results suggest the existence of the PBH only in the case of Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Practical implications

Conclusions drawn from this research could be useful for the policy-makers of governments and practitioners in international trade organizations.

Originality/value

This study extends the existing literature by providing initial empirical time series evidence of the PBH for the entire Middle East countries.
The effect of the financial crisis on the dynamic relation between foreign exchange and stock returns
Authors: Ahmed Neveen
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the dynamic relationship between foreign exchange and stock returns. Specifically, the authors examine the impact of the 2008 financial crises on the relation between foreign exchange and stock returns in the MENA region.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine the long-run relation between these two variables using VECM and the authors study the volatility behavior of these two variables using the Dynamic VECH–generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model. The sample covers the MENA region over the period 2004–2015.

Findings

The results indicate a regime shift in three countries: Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. In addition, the results assert asymmetric relation between stock returns and changes in exchange rates during pre-crisis and post-crisis periods. Modeling the volatility of the foreign exchange and stock return and their covariance using VECH–GARCH suggests that the persistence in volatility is more prominent in the crisis/post-crisis period as compared with the pre-crisis period. Finally, the authors also find more significant results for the persistence parameter in the covariance between stock return and foreign exchange in the crisis/post-crisis period as compared with the pre-crisis period.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the studies by Wong and Li (2010) and Caporaleet al.(2014) are the only two that have examined the interaction between stock prices and foreign exchange during the recent financial crisis of 2008. To the authors’ knowledge, none of the previous literature examined the impact of financial 2008 crisis on the relation between foreign exchange and stock prices in the MENA.
Multi-professional teamwork in human services
Authors: Nylén Ulrica
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This paper investigates the prospects and difficulties of multi-professional teamwork in human services from a professional identity perspective. The purpose of this paper is to explore the mutual interplay between professional identity formation and team activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a process study of two cases of multi-professional teamwork in family care. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with team members and managers. The analysis follows a stepwise approach alternating between the individual and team levels.

Findings

In showing the mutual interplay between teamwork processes and individual identity formation, the study contributes knowledge on professional identity formation of mature professionals; in particular showing how unique individual identification processes have different consequences for multi-professional team activities. Further, alternative shapes of interplay between individual identity formation and team-level processes are identified.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the fact that the sample is small and that collaboration intensity was relatively low, the paper succeeds in conceptualising the links between professional identity formation and multi-professional teamwork.

Practical implications

In managing multi-professional teams, team composition and the team’s early developments seem determining for whether the team will reach its collaborative intentions.

Originality/value

This paper is original in its exploration of the ongoing interplay between individual identity formation and multi-professional team endeavours. Further, the paper contributes knowledge on mature professionals’ identity formation, particularly concerning individual variation within and between professional groups.
Open innovation based knowledge management implementation: a mediating role of knowledge management design
Authors: Wu Ing-Long , Hu Ya-Ping
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Knowledge-based organizations is a new paradigm for business. Knowledge management (KM) is important for supporting core business processes. This paper aims to define an open innovation (OI)-driven KM implementation for effectively executing the support.

Design/methodology/approach

KM is important for supporting organizational innovation. OI plays a critical determinant role in defining the design of KM for effectively supporting OI. Further, the final goal of KM is to reach the success of OI-based KM implementation. A model is thus proposed for connecting OI as a driver to a design of KM and, in turn, KM implementation. Survey is conducted to collect data. Partial least squares is used for analysis.

Findings

The three processes of OI partially present significant impact on the design of KM process and, in turn, a noticeable achievement of KM implementation. The two KM processes indicate an interaction effect for reinforcement mutually. The findings provide rich evidence into the argument that OI-based KM implementation through the mediator of the design of KM process is important for a successful KM in organizations.

Practical/implications

While OI is a phenomenon that has increasingly become critical for the contemporary business, the design of KM mechanism needs to be adapted from the choice of OI process for guaranteeing the success of KM implementation.

Originality/value

Extant theories did not provide such an approach to develop an effective KM implementation in terms of the important management concept, OI, in organizations. This model empirically demonstrates its capability to work on this issue.
Destructive forms of leadership
Authors: Mullen Jane , Fiset John , Rhéaume Ann
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between abusive supervision and employee health and safety outcomes in Study 1 and to examine the effect of inconsistent leadership, operationalized as the interaction between transformational leadership and supervisor incivility, on employee safety participation in Study 2.

Design/methodology/approach

In Study 1, survey data were gathered fromn=145 healthcare workers. In Study 2, survey data were gathered fromn=177 nurses.

Findings

A partially mediated structural model was estimated in Study 1 and the results show that the model provided a good fit to the dataχ2(1)=1.27,p=0.23. Abusive supervision predicted safety climate (β=−0.41,p<0.01) and psychological health (β=−0.27,p<0.01). Safety climate, in turn, predicted psychological health (β= 0.40,p<0.01) and safety participation (β= 0.37,p<0.01). Study 2: moderated regression analysis showed that inconsistent leadership significantly predicted employee safety participation,F(5,144)=4.46,p<0.01.

Originality/value

Theoretical and practical implications for creating psychologically healthy workplaces through interventions aimed at improving leader effectiveness are discussed.
Mood metadata on Chinese music websites: an exploratory study with user feedback
Authors: Hu Xiao , Cheong Christy W.L. , Zhang Siwei , Downie J. Stephen
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Music mood is an important metadata type on online music repositories and stream music services worldwide. Many existing studies on mood metadata have focused on music websites and services in the Western world to the exclusion of those serving users in other cultures. The purpose of this paper is to bridge this gap by exploring mood labels on influential Chinese music websites.

Design/methodology/approach

Mood labels and the associated song titles were collected from six Chinese music websites, and analyzed in relation to mood models and findings in the literature. An online music listening test was conducted to solicit users’ feedback on the mood labels on two popular Chinese music websites. Mood label selections on 30 songs from 64 Chinese listeners were collected and compared to those given by the two websites.

Findings

Mood labels, although extensively employed on Chinese music websites, may be insufficient in meeting listeners’ needs. More mood labels of high arousal semantics are needed. Song languages and user familiarity to the songs show influence on users’ selection of mood labels given by the websites.

Practical implications

Suggestions are proposed for future development of mood metadata and mood-enabled user interfaces in the context of global online music access.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights on understanding the mood metadata on Chinese music websites and uniquely contributes to existing knowledge of culturally diversified music access.
Trait evolution in tropical rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) trees is related to dry season intensity
Authors: Rungwattana Kanin , Kasemsap Poonpipope , Phumichai Thitaporn , Kanpanon Nicha , Rattanawong Ratchanee , Hietz Peter
Published: August 2018

Drought shapes the distribution and survival of trees even in tropical wet forests, and the wood and leaf trait spectra are used to understand drought adaptations. However, trait variation may result from ontogenetic adjustment or be related to tree size and not reflect evolutionary adaptations.

Intraspecific variation in adaptations to drought can be an important factor in a species’ distribution and response to climate change, but excluding potentially confounding factors and proving adaptive evolution are challenging. Provenance trials can identify hereditary variability.

We analysed wood and leaf traits in rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) tree clones from 15 locations in the Amazon basin that were planted in northern Thailand, controlled for tree size, tested for genetic relatedness and the phylogenetic signal in traits and compared trait variations with the climate at the location of origin.

Correlations between traits and tree size were low. Intraspecific trait variation was similar to relationships in published among‐species comparisons, and correlations among wood traits and correlations among leaf traits were stronger than between wood and leaf traits. Genotype explained 30%–70% of the trait variation, and traits differed in how much of this variation was controlled by location or the relatedness among clones.

There was no correlation with mean temperature or total annual rainfall. However, rainfall in the driest quarter (19–199 mm) was strongly related to leaf mass per area, carbon isotopic composition and area‐based nitrogen content (r2 = 0.54–0.70) and weaker to wood traits (vessel density and vessel lumen fraction). Trees from locations with a stronger dry season also had higher growth rates in Thailand.

All traits correlating with climate showed a significant phylogenetic signal. We found no evidence of increased drought tolerance, but the trait spectrum and higher growth in trees from drier locations suggest that deciduous rubber trees have adapted via drought avoidance rather than tolerance. Our study also underlines the importance of looking at a suite of traits rather than individual ones to understand adaptive strategies.

Aplain language summaryis available for this article.
Flowers with poricidal anthers and their complex interaction networks—Disentangling legitimate pollinators and illegitimate visitors
Authors: Mesquita‐Neto José N. , Blüthgen Nico , Schlindwein Clemens
Published: August 2018

In flowers with poricidal anthers, pollen is not freely accessible and legitimate access is restricted to bees capable of vibrating the anthers. Despite the protection of pollen provided by poricidal anthers, numerous illegitimate, non‐buzz‐pollinating flower visitors rob pollen.

We aimed to quantify the influence of functional groups of floral visitors and illegitimate interactions on the network structure to disentangle the flower visitor network into its mutualistic and antagonistic components.

We delimited three functional groups of bees based on their pollen collection behaviour in poricidal flowers: large bees that vibrate entire flowers in a single buzzing position (flower buzzing), bees vibrating single anthers in different positions (anther buzzing) and non‐vibrating flower‐damaging or gleaning bees (non‐buzzing). Moreover, we characterized legitimate and illegitimate interactions of co‐occurring and co‐flowering plants and their flower visitors based on the stigma contact during a visit. Since we independently assessed the type of interaction with bee–plant species combinations, we were able to include the behavioural variations of each bee species across different flowers.

The networks were modular, with stronger interactions within subsets of species than among the subsets. All modules included a combination of flower‐, anther‐ and non‐buzzing bees, and mutualistic and antagonistic networks were intermingled. Seven bee species shifted their roles across plant species. Specialization in the subset of interactions with pollinators was higher than the overall visitation network. Flower‐buzzing bees were more specialized than anther‐buzzing and non‐buzzing bees, which used virtually all poricidal flowers similarly.

Although plants with poricidal anthers shared a specialized mechanism of pollen release, their pollinators were highly dissimilar and formed compartments of interacting species. The interaction‐level approach taken in our study confers a high specificity to the pollinator network, leading to a more complex and realistic picture of mutualistic webs versus its embedded florivory, which are otherwise confounded in pooled networks across flower visitors.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Intraspecific variation in litter palatability to macroarthropods in response to grazing and soil fertility
Authors: Coq Sylvain , Nahmani Johanne , Resmond Rémi , Segrestin Jules , David Jean‐François , Schevin Patrick , Kazakou Elena
Published: August 2018

Clarifying the functional consequences of intraspecific trait variability in response to interacting trophic levels would provide a significant improvement in our understanding of above‐ground–below‐ground linkages. In particular, the effects of grazing on plant traits may translate into altered litter quality, with potentially important consequences for litter‐feeding decomposers. Plant and litter variability in response to grazing is expected to depend on soil fertility levels, with tolerance and defensive strategies more commonly expressed on fertile and poorer soils, respectively. However, how grazing and fertility interactively alter litter quality and palatability to detritivores has not been explored yet.

We conducted a cafeteria experiment with three common millipede (Diplopoda) species feeding on leaf litter from two plant species, the grass Bromopsis erecta and the forb Potentilla verna. Each millipede was offered a binary choice between litter types produced by the same plant species, but sampled in plots with distinct herbivory and fertilization status: litter originating from grazed areas or from 1‐year sheep exclosures, both in native areas and in adjacent paddocks that received chemical N and P fertilization, as well as litter from a 25‐year sheep exclosures in the native area.

We found that fertilization and herbivore exclusion interactively affected Bromopsis litter quality and palatability, whereas Potentilla was much less affected. Bromopsis litter palatability was not affected by grazing when litter was collected in native plots, except for the long‐term exclosure which led to low palatability. In contrast, and in line with our expectations, herbivory was associated with much higher palatability in fertilized plots. The changes in palatability were associated with important alterations of litter quality.

Overall, our study demonstrates that intraspecific variation in litter can have profound consequences for soil functioning. It emphasizes the role of grazing as a key, but plant species‐specific factor controlling litter intraspecific variability, and its complex interaction with soil fertility level. Moreover, our results advocate for a better understanding of the response of the different organisms involved in the decomposition process, in particular litter‐feeding macro‐detritivores. We encourage future studies aiming at disentangling the various and complex relationships between above‐ground processes such as herbivory and soil functioning.