bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High performance work practices and organizational performance-mediation analysis of explanatory theories
Authors: Garg Naval 
Published: January 2019

PurposeAlthough high-performance work practices (HPWPs) are considered to have a strong influence over organizational performance, researchers are not unanimous about the exact mechanism through which the impact of HPWS transcends to organizational performance. The purpose of this paper is to explore two explanatory theories (job characteristics theory and psychological impact theory) of HRM and examine their possible mediation effect on the relationship between HPWPs and organizational performance.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling was used to examine the mediation effect.FindingsFour constituents of job characteristics theory (autonomy, feedback, skill variety and task significance) and two constituents of psychological impact theory (job satisfaction and organization citizenship behavior) reported partial mediation.Originality/valueThe paper is based on primary data collected by author.
An investigation of the satisfaction of project managers and team members
Authors: Sweis Rateb Jalil , Saleh Rawan Ali , Sharaireh Yousra , Moarefi Alireza 
Published: January 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the job satisfaction levels between International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001-certified and non-ISO 9001-certified project-based companies in Jordan, for project managers (PMs) and project team members (consultants, engineers and architects).Design/methodology/approachThe study sample consists of individuals from the aforementioned four roles of ISO 9001-certified and non-ISO 9001-certified companies. A questionnaire survey was used to collect the data from 57 companies. In total, 72 valid questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 92.98 percent. The data obtained were statistically analyzed, and then the independentt-test was used to test the study hypotheses.FindingsThe results revealed that ISO 9001-certified companies experience higher job satisfaction level for the four roles compared to non-ISO 9001-certified companies. Between the two samples, it was noted that there is a significant difference in the PMs’, consultants’ and engineers’ satisfaction with co-workers and without any remarkable difference in the specific satisfaction. No significant difference between the two samples in general satisfaction was found for PMs and engineers. Finally, no significant difference was found in three satisfaction elements for architects.Research limitations/implicationsUnderstanding the linkage between being ISO 9001-certified company and project members’ job satisfaction can provide a new strategic direction for project-based companies’ performance management that can help in achieving superior work outcomes. A small sample size is considered the main limitation of this study.Originality/valueThis study attempts to fill the knowledge gap that is rarely investigated in the literature, i.e. the link between being ISO 9001-certified company and the level of project members’ job satisfaction.
How do avatar attractiveness and customization impact online gamers’ flow and loyalty?
Authors: Liao Gen-Yih , Cheng T.C.E. , Teng Ching-I 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
Avatars are known to be influential in gaming communication. However, little is known about how avatar attractiveness and customization impact online gamers’ flow, i.e., the experience of total concentration with intrinsic enjoyment and loyalty. Grounded in social identity and flow theories, the purpose of this paper is to construct a model to explain how avatar attractiveness and customization can impact online gamers’ flow and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach
The responses of 1,944 online gamers are collected. Structural equation modeling is used for analyses.

Findings
The analytical results indicate that avatar attractiveness and customization are positively related to avatar identification, which is positively related to flow, and then to online gamer loyalty. In addition, avatar identification and flow are important process variables in the above relations.

Originality/value
This study is novel in being the first attempt to apply social identity and flow theories to explain how avatar attractiveness and customization contribute to online gamers’ flow and loyalty.
Identifying essential competencies for medical students
Authors: Du Xiangyun , Kassab Salah Eldin , Al-Moslih Ayad M. , Abu-Hijleh Marwan Farouk , Hamdy Hossam , Cyprian Farhan Sachal 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify essential profession-related competencies, clinical knowledge and skills that medical students should develop in the early stages of their education for future professional practice.

Design/methodology/approach
A literature review and workshop resulted in a list of 46 crucial profession-related competencies. The first round of the modified Delphi survey (feedback questionnaire) involved experts who identified 26 items (via a Likert scale). The second round of the modified Delphi survey by faculty members highlighted ten items. Statistical analysis yielded four domains with items clustered as follows: interpersonal competencies (communication and collaboration), cognitive skills (problem solving, critical thinking and reflectivity), work-related skills (planning and time management) and professionalism (integrity, sense of responsibility, respect and empathy).

Findings
In conclusion, the results of this study provide insights and implications surrounding the competencies that are essential for assessment and facilitation in the early stages of a medical curriculum. The study also predicts the challenges of facilitating and assessing these competencies, as pointed out in recent literature. In general, outcomes of the study suggest that instead of categorizing the competencies, it is more meaningful to take a holistic and integrated approach in order to conceptualize, facilitate and assess these competencies in context of the complexities of real-life situations.

Originality/value
Ten items were identified as essential profession-related competencies that should be incorporated during the early stages of medical education. Six out of the ten items were agreed upon by all participants of the study: collaboration, communication, problem solving, integrity, responsibility and respect. This list aligns with the existing literature and graduate attributes internationally. Items related to planning and time management, critical thinking and reflectivity were regarded as specifically lacking and important areas of improvement for Arabic students. Divergence on items of empathy and medical ethics were observed among international and local panels, with the main concern, raised by medical faculty, being how to facilitate and assess these items. The competencies identified mandate reforms in the medical school curricula in an attempt to implement essential skills early in medical student’s career.
Modeling of student academic achievement in engineering education using cognitive and non-cognitive factors
Authors: Al-Sheeb Bothaina A. , Hamouda A.M. , Abdella Galal M. 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
The retention and success of engineering undergraduates are increasing concern for higher-education institutions. The study of success determinants are initial steps in any remedial initiative targeted to enhance student success and prevent any immature withdrawals. This study provides a comprehensive approach toward the prediction of student academic performance through the lens of the knowledge, attitudes and behavioral skills (KAB) model. The purpose of this paper is to aim to improve the modeling accuracy of students’ performance by introducing two methodologies based on variable selection and dimensionality reduction.

Design/methodology/approach
The performance of the proposed methodologies was evaluated using a real data set of ten critical-to-success factors on both attitude and skill-related behaviors of 320 first-year students. The study used two models. In the first model, exploratory factor analysis is used. The second model uses regression model selection. Ridge regression is used as a second step in each model. The efficiency of each model is discussed in the Results section of this paper.

Findings
The two methods were powerful in providing small mean-squared errors and hence, in improving the prediction of student performance. The results show that the quality of both methods is sensitive to the size of the reduced model and to the magnitude of the penalization parameter.

Research limitations/implications
First, the survey could have been conducted in two parts; students needed more time than expected to complete it. Second, if the study is to be carried out for second-year students, grades of general engineering courses can be included in the model for better estimation of students’ grade point averages. Third, the study only applies to first-year and second-year students because factors covered are those that are essential for students’ survival through the first few years of study.

Practical implications
The study proposes that vulnerable students could be identified as early as possible in the academic year. These students could be encouraged to engage more in their learning process. Carrying out such measurement at the beginning of the college year can provide professional and college administration with valuable insight on students perception of their own skills and attitudes toward engineering.

Originality/value
This study employs the KAB model as a comprehensive approach to the study of success predictors. The implementation of two new methodologies to improve the prediction accuracy of student success.
Wireless mesh network data communications and reliability analysis for anti-theft application deployment in educational institutions
Authors: van Rensburg Roger , Mellado Bruce , Augusto Marin Tobon Cesar 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to locally develop low-cost wireless mesh networks for reliable data communications to devices that prevent the theft of these devices in learning institutions of South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach
A network test-bench was developed where millions of packets were transmitted and logged between interconnected nodes to analyze the quality of the network’s service in a harsh indoor building environment. Similar methodologies in “big data” analysis as found in particle physics were adopted to analyze the network’s performance and reliability.

Findings
The results from statistical analysis reveal the quality of service between multiple asynchronous transmitting nodes in the network and compared with the wireless technology routing protocol to assess coverage in large geographical areas. The mesh network provides stable data communications between nodes with the exception of reliability degradation in some multi-hopping routes. Conclusions are presented to determine whether the underlining mesh network technology will be deployed to protect devices against theft in educational institutions of South Africa.

Research limitations/implications
The anti-theft application will focus on proprietary firmware development with a reputable tablet manufacturer to render the device inoperable. Data communications of devices to the network will be monitored and controlled from a central management system. The electronics embedding the system-on-chip will be redesigned and developed using the guidelines stipulated by the chip manufacturer.

Originality/value
Design and development of low-cost wireless mesh networks to protect tablets against theft in institutions of digitized learning. The work presents performance and reliability metrics of a low-power wireless mesh wireless technology developed in a harsh indoor building environment.
Silver nano platelet films on soft micro grating surface
Authors: Mehdi Murtuza , Chandio Alidad , Akhtar Maaz , Khan Zaibullah , Zaman Ahsan , Muhammad Adeel 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
Polymer substrates with micron size roughness features have been found to play an important role in the mechanical performance of thin functional films which are used extensively in stretchable and flexible micro electromechanical systems. The purpose of this study is to report the stretchability and flexibility limits of micro size silver nano platelet films on a soft polymer substrate having two different orientations of micro grating with respect to the applied load.

Design/methodology/approach
Parallel and perpendicular micro gratings on the surface of a soft polymer substrate polydimethylsiloxane were patterned using a carefully machined master aluminum block and thin aluminum foils. Silver nano platelet-based films were rod coated on the substrate surface containing the micro gratings. These films were dried in ambient air and were tested for their stretchability and flexibility limits using homemade tools. Finite element modeling has also been performed and was found to support the experimental observations.

Findings
Experiments indicate that stretchability of silver nano platelet-based thin films tends to increase when the grating orientation remains parallel to the axis of the applied load, while its flexibility improves when the orientation becomes perpendicular to the loading axis.

Originality/value
The effect of grating orientation with respect to the applied load was investigated. The experiments show that micro grating roughness features are capable of enhancing the mechanical performance of nano platelet-based silver films on a soft polymer substrate and can be used in various stretchable and flexible micro electro mechanical device applications.
Climate change and tree harvest interact to affect future tree species distribution changes
Authors: Wang Wen J. , Thompson Frank R. , He Hong S. , Fraser Jacob S. , Dijak William D. , Jones‐Farrand Todd 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Tree harvest and climate change can interact to have synergistic effects on tree species distribution changes. However, few studies have investigated the interactive effects of tree harvest and climate change on tree species distributions.

We assessed the interactive effects of tree harvest and climate change on the distribution of 29 dominant tree species at 270 m resolution in the southern United States, while accounting for species demography, competition, urban growth and natural fire. We simulated tree species distribution changes to year 2100 using a coupled forest dynamic model (LANDIS PRO), ecosystem process model (LINKAGES) and urban growth model (SLEUTH).

The distributions of 20 tree species contracted and nine species expanded within the region under climate change by end of 21st century. Distribution changes for all tree species were very slow and lagged behind the changes in potential distributions that were in equilibrium with new climatic conditions.

Tree harvest and climate change interacted to affect species occurrences and colonization but not extinction. Occurrence and colonization were mainly affected by tree harvest and its interaction with climate change while extinctions were mainly affected by tree harvest and climate change.

Synthesis and applications. Interactive effects of climate and tree harvest acted in the same direction as climate change effects on species occurrences, thereby accelerating climate change induced contraction or expansion of distributions. The overall interactive effects on species colonization were negative, specifically with positive interactive effects at leading edges of species ranges and negative interactive effects at trailing edges. Tree harvest generally did not interact with climate change to greatly facilitate or ameliorate species extinction. Our modelling results highlight the importance of considering disturbances and species demography (e.g. post‐harvest regeneration dynamics) when predicting changes in tree distributions.
Mental health care among blacks in America: Confronting racism and constructing solutions
Authors: Alang Sirry M. 
Published: January 2019

ObjectivesTo describe reasons for unmet need for mental health care among blacks, identify factors associated with causes of unmet need, examine racism as a context of unmet need, and construct ways to improve service use.Data SourcesData from the 2011‐2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were pooled to create an analytic sample of black adults with unmet mental health need (N = 1237). Qualitative data came from focus groups (N = 30) recruited through purposive sampling.Study DesignUsing sequential mixed methods, reasons for unmet need were regressed on sociodemographic, economic, and health characteristics of respondents. Findings were further explored in focus groups.Principal FindingsHigher education was associated with greater odds of reporting stigma and minimization of symptoms as reasons for unmet need. The fear of discrimination based on race and on mental illness was exacerbated among college‐educated blacks. Racism causes mistrust in mental health service systems. Participants expressed the importance of anti‐racism education and community‐driven practice in reducing unmet need.ConclusionMental health systems should confront racism and engage the historical and contemporary racial contexts within which black people experience mental health problems. Critical self‐reflection at the individual level and racial equity analysis at the organizational level are critical.
Ecdysone receptor isoforms play distinct roles in larval–pupal–adult transition in Leptinotarsa decemlineata
Authors: Xu Qing‐Yu , Deng Pan , Zhang Qiong , Li Ang , Fu Kai‐Yun , Guo Wen‐Chao , Li Guo‐Qing 
Published: January 2019

AbstractA heterodimer of two nuclear receptors, ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle, mediates 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling to modulate many aspects in insect life, such as molting and metamorphosis, reproduction, diapause and innate immunity. In the present paper, we intended to determine the isoform‐specific roles of EcR during larval–pupal–adult transition in the Colorado potato beetle. Double‐stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) were prepared using the common (dsEcR) or isoform‐specific (dsEcRA, dsEcRB1) regions of EcR as templates. Ingestion of either dsEcR or dsEcRA, rather than dsEcRB1, by the penultimate (3rd) and final (4th) instar larvae caused failure of larval–pupal and pupal–adult ecdysis. The RNA interference (RNAi) larvae remained as prepupae, or became deformed pupae and adults. Determination of messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of EcR isoforms found that LdEcRA regulates the expression of LdEcRB1. Moreover, silencing the two EcR transcripts, LdEcRA or LdEcRB1 reduced the mRNA levels of Ldspo and Ldsad, and lowered 20E titer. In contrast, the expression levels of HR3, HR4, E74 and E75 were significantly decreased in the LdEcR or LdEcRA RNAi larvae, but not in LdEcRB1 depleted specimens. Dietary supplement with 20E did not restore the expression of five 20E signaling genes (USP, HR3, HR4, E74 and E75), and only partially alleviated the pupation defects in dsEcR‐ or dsEcRA‐fed beetles. These data suggest that EcR plays isoform‐specific roles in the regulation of ecdysteroidogenesis and the transduction of 20E signal in L. decemlineata.
Mixed‐method study on medicinal herb collection in relation to wildlife conservation: the case of giant pandas in China
Authors: ZENG Yichao , ZHANG Jindong , HULL Vanessa 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMedicinal herb collection has historical and cultural roots in many rural communities in developing countries. Areas where herb collection occurs may overlap with biodiversity hotspots and crucial habitat of endangered and threatened species. However, impacts of such practices on wildlife are unknown and possibly underestimated, perhaps due to the elusive nature of such activities. We examined this phenomenon in Wolong Nature Reserve, China, a protected area in the South‐Central China biodiversity hotspot that also supports a community of Tibetan, Qiang and Han people who use herb collection as a supplementary source of livelihood. We adopted a participatory approach in which we engaged local people in outlining spatial and temporal dynamics of medicinal herb collection practices. We found that the overall spatial extent of herb collection increased in the past two decades. We then overlaid herb collection maps with localities of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) feces collected over two time points in the reserve. Using a Bayesian parameter estimation, we found evidence for declined giant panda occurrence in the areas most recently impacted by emerging medicinal herb collection. Our methodology demonstrates the potential power of integrating participatory approaches with quantitative methods for processes like herb collection that may be difficult to examine empirically. We discuss future directions for improving explanatory power and addressing uncertainty in this type of mixed‐method, interdisciplinary research. This work has implications for future attempts to understand whether and how prevalent but subtle human activities may affect wildlife conservation.
Adaptive evolutionary expansion of the ribonuclease 6 in Rodentia
Authors: LANG Datian , LIM Burton K. , GAO Yun , WANG Xiaoping 
Published: January 2019

AbstractRibonuclease 6 (RNase6 or RNase K6) is a protein that belongs to a superfamily thought to be the sole verte‐brate‐specific enzyme known for a wide range of physiological functions, including digestion, cytotoxicity, angiogenesis, male reproduction and host defense. In our study, 51 functional genes and 11 pseudogenes were identified from 27 Rodentia species. Intriguingly, in the 3 main lineages of rodents there were multiple RNase6s identified in all species of Ctenohystrica, whereas only a single RNase6 was observed in other Rodentia species examined except for 2 species in the mouse‐related clade. The evolutionary scenario of “birth (gene duplication) and death (gene deactivation)” and gene sorting have been demonstrated in Ctenohystrica. In addition, bursts of positive selection, diversification of isoelectric point and positive net charge have been identified in Ctenohystrica, especially at two key sites that are involved in antimicrobial function. Site Trp30 has undergone positive selection and Ile45 has changed into other residues in Group B and Group C of the Ctenohystrica. Our results demonstrated a complex and intriguing evolutionary pattern of rodent RNase6, and indicated that functional modification may have occurred, which establishes an important theoretical foundation for future functional assays in rodent RNase6.