bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Palliative care for people living with HIV/AIDS: Factors influencing healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitude and practice in public health facilities, Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Ajisegiri Whenayon Simeon , Abubakar Aisha A. , Gobir Abdulrazaq A. , Balogun Muhammad S. , Sabitu Kabiru 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPhysicians, nurses and allied health staff play very vital roles in addressing palliative care (PC) needs of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The healthcare professionals’ experiences determine the success of palliative care delivery. There is paucity of data on palliative care for PLWHA. For this reason, we assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of palliative care for PLWHA and associated factors among health care professionals.We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study among healthcare workers (HCWs) in public health facilities in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria between February and May, 2017. Multistage sampling technique with proportionate-to-size allocation was used to determine facility sample size and HCWs per professional discipline. Data were collected with questionnaires adapted from Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing, Frommelt Attitude toward Care of the Dying and practical questions adapted from PC standard guidelines. Univariate analysis was done to compute frequencies and proportions. Odd’s ratios were calculated to assess the statistical association between variables and P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Multivariate analysis was conducted on variables that were significant with bivariate analysis. Epi-Info software was used for statistical analyses.The mean age of the 348 participants was 37.5 years (SD: ±8.9) and 201 (57.8%) were female. Thirty-six (10.3%) participants had good knowledge, 344 (98.9%) had favourable attitude and 90 (25.9%) had good practice of PC for PLWHA. Major determinants of good knowledge of PC include being a doctor (aOR = 2.70; 95%CI: 1.28 - 5.56). Determinants of good practice of palliative care include possessing a minimum of a bachelor degree (aOR=2.30; 95%CI : 1.05-5.08) and practicing in a tertiary hospital (aOR=6.67; 95%CI : 3.57-12.5).HCWs had favourable attitude towards PC for PLWHA despite an overall poor knowledge and practice. We recommended quality in-service training and continuous education on palliative care for HCWs.
Applying non-parametric testing to discrete transfer entropy
Authors: Olin-Ammentorp Wilkie , Cady Nathaniel 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTransfer entropy (TE) is a powerful algorithm which attempts to detect the transfer of information from one system to another. In neuroscience, it has the potential to track the movement of information through complex neuronal systems, and provide powerful insights into their organization and operation. One such application is the ability to infer the existence of causal connectivity (such as synaptic pathways) between neurons in a culture being recorded by micro-electrode array (MEA).There are several challenges, however, in applying TE to neurological data; one of these is the ability to robustly classify what experimental TE value qualifies as significant. We find that common methods in spike train analysis such as a Z-test cannot be applied, as their assumptions are not met. Instead, we utilize surrogate data to compute a sample under the null hypothesis (no causal connection), and resample experimental data through Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods to create a sample of TE values under experimental conditions. A standard non-parametric test (Mann-Whitney U-test) is then applied to compare these samples, and determine if they represent a significant connection.We have applied this methodology to MEA recordings of neuronal cultures developing over a period of roughly a month, and find that it provides a wealth of information regarding the cultures' maturity. This includes features such as the directed graph of causal connections across the MEA and identification of information exchange centers. These results are consistent and carry a well-defined significance level.
Grouping effects in numerosity perception under prolonged viewing conditions
Authors: Poom Leo , Lindskog Marcus , Winman Anders , van den Berg Ronald 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTHumans can estimate numerosities – such as the number sheep in a flock – without deliberate counting. A number of biases have been identified in these estimates, which seem primarily rooted in the spatial organization of objects (grouping, symmetry, etc). Most previous studies on the number sense used static stimuli with extremely brief exposure times. However, outside the laboratory, visual scenes are often dynamic and freely viewed for prolonged durations (e.g., a flock of moving sheep). The purpose of the present study is to examine grouping-induced numerosity biases in stimuli that more closely mimic these conditions. To this end, we designed two experiments with limited-dot-lifetime displays (LDDs), in which each dot is visible for a brief period of time and replaced by a new dot elsewhere after its disappearance. The dynamic nature of LDDs prevents subjects from counting even when they are free-viewing a stimulus under prolonged presentation. Subjects estimated the number of dots in arrays that were presented either as a single group or were segregated into two groups by spatial clustering, dot size, dot color, or dot motion. Grouping by color and motion reduced perceived numerosity compared to viewing them as a single group. Moreover, the grouping effect sizes between these two features were correlated, which suggests that the effects may share a common, feature-invariant mechanism. Finally, we find that dot size and total stimulus area directly affect perceived numerosity, which makes it difficult to draw reliable conclusions about grouping effects induced by spatial clustering and dot size. Our results provide new insights into biases in numerosity estimation and they demonstrate that the use of LDDs is an effective method to study the human number sense under prolonged viewing.
Distinct vascular genomic response of proton and gamma radiation
Authors: Emanuela Ricciotti , Sarantopoulou Dimitra , Grant Gregory R. , Sanzari Jenine K. , Krigsfeld Gabriel S. , Kiliti Amber J. , Kennedy Ann R. , Grosser Tilo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPurpose. The cardiovascular biology of proton radiotherapy is not well understood. We aimed to compare the genomic dose-response to proton and gamma radiation of the mouse aorta to assess whether their vascular effects may diverge.Materials and methods.We performed comparative RNA sequencing of the aorta following (4 hrs) total-body proton and gamma irradiation (0.5 - 200 cGy whole body dose, 10 dose levels) of conscious mice. A trend analysis identified genes that showed a dose response.Results.While fewer genes were dose-responsive to proton than gamma radiation (29 vs. 194 genes;q-value ≤ 0.1), the magnitude of the effect was greater. Highly responsive genes were enriched for radiation response pathways (DNA damage, apoptosis, cellular stress and inflammation;p-value ≤ 0.01). Gamma, but not proton radiation induced additionally genes in vasculature specific pathways. Genes responsive to both radiation types showed almost perfectly superimposable dose-response relationships.Conclusions.Despite the activation of canonical radiation response pathways by both radiation types, we detected marked differences in the genomic response of the murine aorta. Models of cardiovascular risk based on photon radiation may not accurately predict the risk associated with proton radiation.
Using a continuum model to decipher the mechanics of embryonic tissue spreading from time-lapse image sequences: An approximate Bayesian computation approach
Authors: Stepien Tracy L. , Lynch Holley E. , Yancey Shirley X. , Dempsey Laura , Davidson Lance A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAdvanced imaging techniques generate large datasets capable of describing the structure and kinematics of tissue spreading in embryonic development, wound healing, and the progression of many diseases. These datasets can be integrated with mathematical models to infer biomechanical properties of the system, typically identifying an optimal set of parameters for an individual experiment. However, these methods offer little information on the robustness of the fit and are generally ill-suited for statistical tests of multiple experiments. To overcome this limitation and enable efficient use of large datasets in a rigorous experimental design, we use the approximate Bayesian computation rejection algorithm to construct probability density distributions that estimate model parameters for a defined theoretical model and set of experimental data. Here, we demonstrate this method with a 2D Eulerian continuum mechanical model of spreading embryonic tissue. The model is tightly integrated with quantitative image analysis of different sized embryonic tissue explants spreading on extracellular matrix (ECM) and is regulated by a small set of parameters including forces on the free edge, tissue stiffness, strength of cell-ECM adhesions, and active cell shape changes. We find statistically significant trends in key parameters that vary with initial size of the explant, e.g., for larger explants cell-ECM adhesion forces are weaker and free edge forces are stronger. Furthermore, we demonstrate that estimated parameters for one explant can be used to predict the behavior of other similarly sized explants. These predictive methods can be used to guide further experiments to better understand how collective cell migration is regulated during development.Author SummaryNew imaging tools and automated microscopes are able to produce terabytes of detailed images of protein activity and cell movements as tissues change shape and grow. Yet, efforts to infer useful quantitative information from these large datasets have been limited by the inability to integrate image analysis and computational models with rigorous statistical methods. In this paper, we describe a robust methodology for inferring mechanical processes that drive tissue spreading in embryonic development. Tissue spreading is critical during wound healing and the progression of many diseases including cancer. Direct measurement of biomechanical properties during spreading is not possible in many cases, but can be inferred through mathematical and statistical means. This approach identifies model parameters that are able to robustly predict results of new experiments. These methods can be integrated with more general studies of morphogenesis and to guide further experiments to better understand how tissue spreading is regulated during development and potentially control spreading during wound healing and cancer.
Achieving supply chain excellence through supplier management
Authors: Salam Mohammad Asif , Khan Sami A. 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a supplier selection and management program to improve overall supplier performance.Design/methodology/approachSupplier performance is measured in terms of quality and delivery within a fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) business of a multinational company based in Thailand using a case study methodology. The quality and delivery related data were collected from daily deliveries at the manufacturing plant both before and after implementing the supplier management program.FindingsFindings of the study suggest that the selection of suppliers based on their performance is important for manufacturing firms. Moreover, the supplier selection and management program can contribute effectively to improving suppliers’ performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis case study has been conducted based on a single company within the FMCG industry. Hence, it limits the generalizability of the findings across industries.Practical implicationsThe study provides a real-life tool for practitioners to learn about the importance of strategic decision-making process pertaining to the supplier selection and management program.Social implicationsThis study demonstrates that through a transparent supplier evaluation process, the firms can develop trust and long-term relationship with their suppliers for pursuing the goals of product development and innovation.Originality/valueImplementing a supplier management system is a critical step in enhancing an organization’s overall competitiveness. To develop an effective supplier management system firms must have objective measures and share those with their suppliers. Developing metrics for suppliers’ evaluation is the key to achieving continuous improvement as evidenced in this case.
Purchasing and supply management skills revisited: an extensive literature review
Authors: Karttunen Elina 
Published: November 2018

PurposeResearch on purchasing managers and their skills requirements supports the training and education of purchasing professionals. This paper offers an in-depth analytical review of the purchasing skills reported in the supply chain management (SCM) literature. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the most important skills and factors that influence these skills.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employs a systematic literature review methodology. Two databases, Scopus and Web of Science, are searched for relevant articles. The selected journal articles are used as sources to obtain a view not only on the relevant purchasing and supply management (P/SM) skills, but also on factors that emphasize certain P/SM skills. This paper also summarizes the ten skills ranked as most important (often described as the “top ten”) among the sample articles.FindingsThe paper highlights the essential skills for purchasing professionals, verified both by their frequent appearances in rankings and by citation frequency in the literature. Generic managerial skills, such as communication, cost analysis, teamwork, problem-solving, negotiation, influencing, and persuasion, as well as information technology skills, received the most attention in the literature and rankings of the “top ten” P/SM skills. This paper provides a refined categorization of purchasing skills, which have merged recently with other discussed skills, such as political and entrepreneurial ones, into this categorization. This paper identifies factors that affect purchasing managers’ skills requirements.Originality/valueThis paper presents a structured overview of 57 peer-reviewed articles from high-quality journals about purchasing skills. The review contributes to the purchasing skills literature by showing the most relevant skills and the factors that influence skills requirements. These factors also provide arenas for further research related to purchasing skills.
Strategic human resource practices for innovation performance
Authors: Singh Noopur 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the conception of strategic human resource practices (SHRPs) for establishing innovation performance (IP) in the tourist hotel industry. In this research, the author has also studied the influence of knowledge management capacity (KMC) as a mediator between the two and the role of environmental uncertainty (EU) in moderating the relation between SHRP and KMC.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through survey method from the employees and managers of the tourist hotels in Jharkhand, India. Furthermore, 368 customer contact employees and 46 managers’ responses were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and SPSS macro named PROCESS.FindingsThe interpretation of the empirical results signifies SHRP influence on IP and KMC as a mediator between SHRP and IP. Additionally, the role of EU in positively mitigating the interaction between SHRP and KMC was seen.Originality/valueThe present research work adds to the subsisting literature by empirically fortifying the proposed hypotheses. Additionally, current studies focused on hospitality and tourism industry operating in a developed economy, the present study is an attempt to explore a comprehensive and theoretically grounded relationship between SHRP, KMC and IP with the help of resource-based view in an emerging economy.
Efficient courts? A frontier performance assessment
Authors: Ferro Gustavo , Romero Carlos A. , Romero-Gómez Exequiel 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to build performance indicators to assess efficiency for First Instance Federal Courts in Argentina and study the determinants of efficiency in Criminal Instruction Courts.

Design/methodology/approach
The efficiency scores were determined using data envelopment analysis with a database for the period 2006–2010. Then, a search of the efficiency determinants in the Criminal Instruction Courts was performed. Four output-oriented models were developed based on various explanatory and environmental variables.

Findings
Workload is an environmental variable that significantly increased the average levels of efficiency. When analyzing explanatory factors of the efficiency levels of the Criminal Instruction Courts, surrogate judges and temporary staff are more efficient on average than tenured judges and staff.

Research limitations/implications
The method chosen permits flexibility in the analysis. Future research would be interesting to develop the underlying economic model using econometric methods.

Practical implications
This paper’s contribution is twofold: first, to estimate the relative efficiency for all First Instance Federal Courts in every jurisdiction; and second, to explain the differences in efficiency in the Criminal Instruction Courts.

Social implications
This study has the potential to greatly impact the discussion of how to structure judicial procedures (from the benchmarking between different branches of Federal justice) and in the design of incentives in a judicial career (e.g. tenured vs temporary judges and clerical employees, the role of seniority of judges and clerical employees and the impact of gender in performance).

Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first scholarly article to measure efficiency in Argentine justice system using mathematical programming and econometric methods. It has academic interest since it advances on the comprehension of the underlying production function of justice service provision. The paper also has social and practical implications since it permits contributing to the institutional design and opens the discussion for further sequels with other methods and complementary purposes.
The role of temporal focus and self-congruence on consumer preference and willingness to pay
Authors: Tan Teck Ming , Salo Jari , Juntunen Jouni , Kumar Ashish 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
The study aims to investigate the psychological mechanism that motivates consumers to pay more for a preferred brand that reflects their actual or ideal self-concept, by examining the shift in attention between consumer’s present, future, and past moments.

Design/methodology/approach
First, in a survey setting, the study identifies the relationship between temporal focus and self-congruence. Subsequently, we conduct three experiments to capture the effects of temporal focus on brand preference and willingness to pay (WTP). In these experiments, we manipulate consumers’ self-congruence and temporal focus.

Findings
The findings show that consumers with a present focus (distant future and distant past foci) tend to evaluate a brand more preferably when the brand serves to reflect their actual (ideal) selves. However, in the absence of present focus consumers’ WTP is more for a brand that reflects their ideal selves.

Research limitations/implications
The study does not have an actual measure on consumers’ WTP; instead we use single-item measure.

Practical implications
This study sheds new light on branding strategy. The results suggest that authentic and aspirational branding strategies are relevant to publicly consumed products. Brand managers could incorporate consumers’ temporal focus into branding strategy that could significantly influence consumer preference and WTP for their brands.

Originality/value
This study expands our understanding of brand usage imagery congruity by showing that temporal focus is an important determinant of self-congruence. In this regard, this study empirically investigates the relationship of temporal focus, self-congruence, brand preference, and WTP. It further reveals that mere brand preference does not necessarily lead consumers to pay more for symbolic brands.
Non-linear stability analysis of micropolar fluid lubricated journal bearings with turbulent effect
Authors: Das Subrata , Guha Sisir Kumar 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of turbulence on the stability characteristics of finite hydrodynamic journal bearing lubricated with micropolar fluid.

Design/methodology/approach
The non-dimensional transient Reynolds equation has been solved to obtain the non-dimensional pressure field which in turn used to obtain the load carrying capacity of the bearing. The second-order equations of motion applicable for journal bearing system have been solved using fourth-order Runge–Kutta method to obtain the stability characteristics.

Findings
It has been observed that turbulence has adverse effect on stability and the whirl ratio at laminar flow condition has the lowest value.

Practical implications
The paper provides the stability characteristics of the finite journal bearing lubricated with micropolar fluid operating in turbulent regime which is very common in practical applications.

Originality/value
Non-linear stability analysis of micropolar fluid lubricated journal bearing operating in turbulent regime has not been reported in literatures so far. This paper is an effort to address the problem of non-linear stability of journal bearings under micropolar lubrication with turbulent effect. The results obtained provide useful information for designing the journal bearing system for high speed applications.
Co-producing digitally-enabled courses that promote desistance in prison and probation settings
Authors: Morris Jason , Knight Victoria 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to set out an approach to innovation in criminal justice settings that gives service users a “voice” through the co-production of digital content designed for services that promote desistance. The authors describe the benefits and challenges of involving service users in co-creating mediated digital content within a co-production framework.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a new methodology for developing desistance-oriented programmes. The authors draw on a distinctive co-production exemplar within a prison setting that captures the perspectives of people who have shared their voices and the authors begin to explore the impact that co-production has had for them and for the service.FindingsThe testimonies of service users involved in this exemplar provide insights into the benefits and challenges of co-production in the criminal justice system more broadly.Practical implicationsCo-production is a credible service design strategy for developing digital services in prisons and probation; Complementary Digital Media (CDM) provides a promising pedagogical approach to promoting desistance; CDM enables service users to share their voice and stories to assist their peers. Digitally enabled courses to promote desistance can be well suited to peer support delivery models.Originality/valueCDM is a novel approach that uses co-production to create highly tailored content to promote desistance in discrete target groups. CDM can be used to digitalise processes within traditional offending behaviour programmes (OBPs). It can also enable the development of innovative toolkit approaches for flexible use within day-to-day therapeutic conversations between service users and criminal justice staff or peer supporters. CDM thereby offers practitioners in criminal justice settings an entirely new set of evidence-informed resources to engage service users.