bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single-rating, multi-rating 360° performance management and organizational outcomes: evidence from the UAE
Authors: Behery Mohamed 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThis study is an academic attempt to bridge the gap between Western theories and the under-researched non-western contexts by studying the characteristics of traditional and modern performance management systems (PMSs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Drawing on the expectancy theory, this study aims to discuss the significant causal relationship between the implementation of single-rating, multi-rating 360° performance management (PM) and organizational outcomes such as trust, commitment, satisfaction and intention to leave.Design/methodology/approachUsing the self-reported measures and survey method, data were collected from 439 employees from different organizations across the UAE. Explanatory factor analysis, simple linear regression and multi-group were used to test the proposed conceptual model and examine the mediation and moderation impact.FindingsThe study explored the best-practices attributes of the traditional single-rating, multi-rating 360° PM within a non-western context. This study also provides empirical evidence on the significant role of uncertainty avoidance and power distance orientation as a mediator between the relationship between these PMSs and trust, commitment, job satisfaction and intention to leave. Finally, this paper examined the effect of many demographic variables (such as gender, age, industry type […]) on the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variables.Originality/valueThis study extends research on PM theories and models. Another important aspect of this study is that its model has been tested on the UAE’s data, an underrepresented geographic region in the management literature. Given all the PM’s positive characteristics, the way that this feedback is viewed and interpreted by employees may be moderated according to the employee’s management level, age, gender and many other demographics.
A novel MADM approach to the ground-handling agent selection problem in B2B markets
Authors: Bakır Mahmut , Özdemir Emircan , Akan Şahap 
Published: March 2021

PurposeGround-handling services are important for effective aircraft operations in the air transportation system. Airlines often outsource these services to ground-handling agents through business-to-business (B2B) marketing decisions. Therefore, this paper aims to address the problem of ground-handling agent selection in the airline industry.Design/methodology/approachA real-world case study was carried out to demonstrate the applicability of the integrated best worst method and fuzzy multi-attribute ideal real comparative analysis (F-MAIRCA) approach to solve ground-handling agent selection problems under uncertainty and imprecision. A two-stage sensitivity analysis was also conducted to ensure the credibility and validity of the application.FindingsIn the weighting stage, “Quality” was determined as the most important criterion in terms of supplier performance. With regard to the performance of the ground-handling agents, A2 was found as the optimal supplier in terms of both credibility and validity.Practical implicationsThis study enumerated several criteria that ground-handling agents must meet in order to effectively supply services for the airlines. In addition, this study provides a novel framework from which managers can gain additional benefits from their businesses. Finally, it is concluded that this approach will help airline managers quantitatively in choosing the most appropriate ground-handling agent.Originality/valueThe contributions of this study to the existing literature are twofold. First, we propose a novel multiple attribute decision-making approach to address the problem of supplier selection for airlines under uncertainty and imprecision. Second, the selection of ground-handling agents from the B2B perspective is addressed for the first time in literature.
Perceptions of undergraduate students on the effect of cooperative learning on academic achievement
Authors: Keramati Mohammad Reza , Gillies Robyn Margaret 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the effect of embedding cooperative learning (CL) into the Primary and Secondary Education Course (PSEC) on the academic achievement of undergraduate university students. The study also sought to gauge the perceptions of these students application of CL.Design/methodology/approachThis was a mixed methods sequential explanatory design involving 136 undergraduate university students who participated in a 16 week semester intervention involving the implementation of CL into their PSEC. Achievement data were collected from all students pre- and post-intervention to determine if there were significant differences between the experimental and control conditions. Forty-four participants from the experimental condition were also interviewed post-intervention on their experiences of CL.FindingsThe results showed that there was a significant difference between the academic achievement of students in the experimental and control groups in favor of students in the experimental group (p < 0.001). The perceptions of participants in the experimental condition indicated that CL not only created an empathetic, safe and pleasant learning environment and strengthened students' individual and communicative skills, but it also helped to develop an understanding of quality learning.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this study have the potential to influence university instructors by demonstrating how CL provides opportunities to not only improve student learning but also their attitude to learning.Originality/valueThis study, while demonstrating the positive effect of CL on students' academic achievement also revealed the potential this approach to teaching and learning has for embedding it in other university courses.
Is it “just” planning? Exploring the integration of social justice education in an elementary language arts methods course thematic unit
Authors: Allee-Herndon Karyn A. , Kaczmarczyk Annemarie B. , Buchanan Rebecca 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine undergraduate elementary education teacher candidates’ abilities to successfully integrate social justice teaching into their interdisciplinary ELA and social studies thematic units. The projects were analyzed to determine the extent to which, if any, social justice education has been addressed.Design/methodology/approachThis study used purposive sampling of two sections of an elementary writing methods course. Students were grouped into Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to design an integrated thematic English Language Arts (ELA), Social Studies and Social Justice unit. At the conclusion of their project, components of their units were analyzed using the Social Justice Continuum of Teacher Development.FindingsOverall, the results indicate that candidates were likely to plan for inclusive practices in their instructional units. There was significant attention across units to inclusive materials and content, but there was very little attention to critical or transformative practices in planning. This likely indicates candidates’ awareness about the need for diverse content but tells us little about their ability to critically analyze the power structures themselves that contribute to the need for inclusive practices.Originality/valueBefore classroom teachers can be expected to engage in critical conversations in their own classrooms, the experiences they have within their preparation programs need to be considered. These findings indicate more explicit work must be done to support candidates in their ability to critically analyze hegemonic power structures and to engage their students in learning experiences that move beyond using diverse resources into teaching advocacy strategies to students.
Social network analysis and data visualization of MIS international collaboration in Taiwan
Authors: Chuang Yung-Ting , Chen Yi-Hsi 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to apply social network analysis (SNA) to study faculty research productivity, to identify key leaders, to study publication keywords and research areas and to visualize international collaboration patterns and analyze collaboration research fields from all Management Information System (MIS) departments in Taiwan from 1982 to 2015.Design/methodology/approachThe authors first retrieved results encompassing about 1,766 MIS professors and their publication records between 1982 and 2015 from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan (MOST) website. Next, the authors merged these publication records with the records obtained from the Web of Science, Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, Airiti Library and Springer Link databases. The authors further applied six network centrality equations, leadership index, exponential weighted moving average (EWMA), contribution value and k-means clustering algorithms to analyze the collaboration patterns, research productivity and publication patterns. Finally, the authors applied D3.js to visualize the faculty members' international collaborations from all MIS departments in Taiwan.FindingsThe authors have first identified important scholars or leaders in the network. The authors also see that most MIS scholars in Taiwan tend to publish their papers in the journals such as Decision Support Systems and Information and Management. The authors have further figured out the significant scholars who have actively collaborated with academics in other countries. Furthermore, the authors have recognized the universities that have frequent collaboration with other international universities. The United States, China, Canada and the United Kingdom are the countries that have the highest numbers of collaborations with Taiwanese academics. Lastly, the keywords model, system and algorithm were the most common terms used in recent years.Originality/valueThis study applied SNA to visualize international research collaboration patterns and has revealed some salient characteristics of international cooperation trends and patterns, leadership networks and influences and research productivity for faculty in Information Management departments in Taiwan from 1982 to 2015. In addition, the authors have discovered the most common keywords used in recent years.
Reliability, uncertainty and the management of error: New perspectives in the COVID‐19 era
Authors: Schulman Paul R. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis essay argues for the importance of error as an organizing concept in the management of hazardous technical systems to high levels of reliability and safety. The concept of “error” has been essential to the development of high reliability organizations (HROs). As practiced in HROs, error management has also been an important strategy for the management of uncertainty. “Uncertainty” has been conceived by some analysts as a condition that can convey little or no reliable information about its own boundary conditions or its specific threat to the operation of complex systems. The argument here is that uncertainty is differentiated and specified in HROs and provides important information in relation to error. Uncertainty does not, in the special context of HROs, end the possibility and practice of reliable management. In fact, error in HROs can be a starting point for the further analysis of ways in which uncertainty itself can be managed reliably. But the argument offered here does not mean that uncertainty does not challenge reliability in other settings. The COVID‐19 pandemic is offered as an example of how uncertainties may invalidate even the application of "reliability" as a performance standard in certain domains of management and policy.
A plasmid toolset for CRISPR‐mediated genome editing and CRISPRi gene regulation in Escherichia coli
Authors: Jervis Adrian J. , Hanko Erik K.R. , Dunstan Mark S. , Robinson Christopher J. , Takano Eriko , Scrutton Nigel S. 
Published: March 2021

SummaryCRISPR technologies have become standard laboratory tools for genetic manipulations across all kingdoms of life. Despite their origins in bacteria, the development of CRISPR tools for engineering bacteria has been slower than for eukaryotes; nevertheless, their function and application for genome engineering and gene regulation via CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) has been demonstrated in various bacteria, and adoption has become more widespread. Here, we provide simple plasmid‐based systems for genome editing (gene knockouts/knock‐ins, and genome integration of large DNA fragments) and CRISPRi in E. coli using a CRISPR‐Cas12a system. The described genome engineering protocols allow markerless deletion or genome integration in just seven working days with high efficiency (> 80% and 50%, respectively), and the CRISPRi protocols allow robust transcriptional repression of target genes (> 90%) with a single cloning step. The presented minimized plasmids and their associated design and experimental protocols provide efficient and effective CRISPR‐Cas12 genome editing, genome integration and CRISPRi implementation. These simple‐to‐use systems and protocols will allow the easy adoption of CRISPR technology by any laboratory.
Comparative anatomic and morphometric examination of the interosseous muscle, sesamoid ligaments and flexor tendons of the fetlock in South American camelids
Authors: Schraml Susanne , Barrios Santos William Arthur , Mülling Christoph , Bässler Claus , Hagen Jenny 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study presents a comparative morphological and morphometrical examination of the interosseous muscle (IOM), digital flexor tendons and associated structures of all four species of South American Camelids (SACs): Lama (Lama glama), alpaca (Vicugna pacos), guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and vicuna (Vicugna vicugna). Our findings show that the lamoid interosseous muscle and digital flexor tendons are very similar between species and differences, which have been reported previously, are possibly due to diverging examiner interpretation. Lumbricalis muscles were mostly found as single muscles in this study. The definition of the terminal and dorsal branches of the interosseous muscle is critically revised. The analysis of morphometric data indicates that the size of the individual has a substantial influence on the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the examined structures. Metacarpal/metatarsal bone width is a main predictor of CSA, while the factor species only shows significance in specific sample points. For lama and alpaca, no differences in CSA in relation to species as factor were found. The IOM shows the largest CSAs of the three examined structures in all species, which implies an important load‐bearing function. Considerable individual variation remains unexplained by the mentioned factors. This lowers the prospect of CSA reaching diagnostic importance in SAC fetlock pathology.
Revisions of clinical protocols using the Plan Do Check Act cycle improved outcomes of extremely preterm infants at 2 years
Authors: Saikusa Mamoru , Kinoshita Masahiro , Tsuda Kennosuke , Hisano Tadashi , Okada Junichiro , Iwata Sachiko , Fujino Hiroshi , Maeno Yasuki , Yamashita Yushiro , Iwata Osuke 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimClinical quality improvement is often cumbersome due to established protocols. We aimed to investigate whether outcomes of preterm infants improve with protocol revisions using iteration cycles.MethodsPreterm infants born <28 weeks gestation between January 2006 and December 2015 were retrospectively analysed. Protocols were revised using Plan Do Check Act cycle. Death and serious adverse events at term were reviewed in six‐monthly quality improvement meetings. Adverse outcome of death or motor/sensory impairments at two years was compared before and after two major protocol changes, which were implemented in January 2008 and January 2012.ResultsBased on the appraisal for period 2006–2007, strategies for surfactant, narcotics, parenteral nutrition, respiratory gas humidity and prophylactic indomethacin and antibiotics were changed for period 2008–2011. For period 2012–2015, stabilisation of infants was accelerated via very early catheterisation. Of 162 infants (84 males, 25.5 ± 1.5 weeks gestation) within the whole cohort, 63 developed adverse outcomes, which were fewer for periods 2008–2011 (p = 0.013) and 2012–2015 (p = 0.035) compared with period 2006–2007 (adjusted for gestational age, Apgar scores and sex).ConclusionCareful bottom‐up revisions of protocols using iteration cycles, accounting for local settings, successfully improved the outcomes of preterm infants.
‘We don't know what tomorrow will bring’: Parents' experiences of caring for a child with an undiagnosed genetic condition
Authors: Aldiss Susie , Gibson Faith , Geoghegan Sophie , Jewitt Anna , Elliott Tara Kerr , Williams Anna , Wray Jo , Oulton Kate 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundFamilies and healthcare professionals caring for a sick or disabled child without a definitive diagnosis face unique challenges, particularly in relation to managing uncertainty, access to healthcare and coordination of care. There has been little research exploring the impact this has on families, their support needs or their experience of health services.MethodsThis qualitative interview study included interviews with 14 mothers of children with undiagnosed genetic conditions. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes emerged, uncovering overlapping patterns in the data: (1) living with complexity amidst uncertainty—‘We don't know what tomorrow will bring’; (2) parental role—‘I do everything I can’; (3) parental role—‘Not coping is not an option’; and (4) support needs—‘There's lots of help that just isn't out there’.ConclusionsThe results clearly demonstrate the stresses faced when caring for a child with an undiagnosed genetic condition. Some themes are shared with the experience of other families caring for children with complex needs. However, parents were doing all they could for their child in the context of a life of uncertainty, with the absence of a clear diagnosis clearly causing additional stress that impacted on the whole family. Impact on their emotional and physical well‐being was evident; they described times of feeling stressed, worried and anxious. They were confused due to being overloaded with information and frustrated by a lack of care coordination. Parents did not appear to prioritize their own well‐being and held back their emotions to protect themselves and others. As a result, they had many unmet needs, particularly relating to emotional support.
Neuroimmunology in neurological and psychiatric disorders
Authors: Takeuchi Hideyuki 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe central nervous system (CNS) has long been considered as an immunological privileged site where the surveillance of the immune system does not reach out. However, it is now recognized that this CNS homeostasis is collapsed by neuroinflammation such as influx of proinflammatory factors and cells, neuronal dysfunction, and glial activation. Currently, CNS neuroinflammation is considered as a main pathomechanism to mediate disease progression in not only neurotrauma and neuroinflammatory disorders but also neurodegenerative diseases including dementia. Moreover, growing evidence indicates that chronic CNS neuroinflammation is also involved in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorders, depression, and schizophrenia. This paper reviews the current proposed pathomechanisms and therapeutic strategies of neurological and psychiatric disorders from a point of view of chronic neuroinflammation.
Transfer Deep Learning for Reconfigurable Snapshot HDR Imaging Using Coded Masks
Authors: Alghamdi Masheal , Fu Qiang , Thabet Ali , Heidrich Wolfgang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHigh dynamic range (HDR) image acquisition from a single image capture, also known as snapshot HDR imaging, is challenging because the bit depths of camera sensors are far from sufficient to cover the full dynamic range of the scene. Existing HDR techniques focus either on algorithmic reconstruction or hardware modification to extend the dynamic range. In this paper we propose a joint design for snapshot HDR imaging by devising a spatially varying modulation mask in the hardware and building a deep learning algorithm to reconstruct the HDR image. We leverage transfer learning to overcome the lack of sufficiently large HDR datasets available. We show how transferring from a different large‐scale task (image classification on ImageNet) leads to considerable improvements in HDR reconstruction. We achieve a reconfigurable HDR camera design that does not require custom sensors, and instead can be reconfigured between HDR and conventional mode with very simple calibration steps. We demonstrate that the proposed hardware–software so lution offers a flexible yet robust way to modulate per‐pixel exposures, and the network requires little knowledge of the hardware to faithfully reconstruct the HDR image. Comparison results show that our method outperforms the state of the art in terms of visual perception quality.
Preoperative weight loss in women with obesity in gynaecologic oncology: A retrospective study
Authors: Aubrey Christa , Skeldon Matthew , Chapelsky Sarah , Giannakopoulos Nadia , Ghosh Sunita , Steed Helen , Pin Sophia 
Published: March 2021

SummaryTo retrospectively review the efficacy of short term supervised medical weight loss for women with obesity, body mass index (BMI ≥40 kg/m2) in gynaecologic oncology, and the associated perioperative and pathologic outcomes. A retrospective study of a dedicated preoperative weight loss clinic for gynaecologic oncology patients from March to December 2019. Statistical analysis was performed with McNemar's test for correlated proportions, Pearson's correlation tests for continuous variables, and paired t‐tests to compare means. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to determine the factors associated with weight loss over time. A P‐value of <.05 was used for statistical significance. Review of cases up‐graded after surgery was performed by a gynaecologic pathologist. There were a total of 49 women included in the study. The most common referral reason was endometrioid carcinoma or hyperplasia of the endometrium (77.6%). Mean initial weight was 130.2 kg, and corresponding mean BMI 48.1 kg/m2. Patients attended on average nine preoperative weight loss visits. A significant difference between initial weight and weight at surgery was demonstrated, from 129.6 to 118.0 kg (8.4% weight loss) (P < .0001). This difference persisted to their post‐surgical visit, with an additional mean loss of 1.89 kg (9.4% weight loss) (P = .044). The majority (92.1%) of patients with endometrial pathology had surgical management, and of these 85.7% were minimally invasive. Preoperative weight loss is a feasible option in gynaecologic oncology patients. Greater understanding of clinical significance, follow‐up, and ideal target population for this intervention is needed.