bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategic human resource management and public employee retention
Authors: Fahim Marwa Gaber Ahmed 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to explore the dynamics of using strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices in the public sector. More specifically, this paper tries to point out some main aspects of SHRM, which strongly influence the decision of employees to stay. The empirical study here tends to reveal greater insights into the SHRM-retention relationship and its validation at the National Bank of Egypt (NBE).Design/methodology/approachThis research is co-relational in nature with cause and effect approach. The design of the study is both descriptive in the theoretical part and quantitative in the applied one. Theoretically, this paper adopted the analytical approach to define the main concepts, aside from an empirical study to investigate correlations in practice.FindingsThis paper concludes that the employment of best HRM practices is deemed a remarkable strategic tool in the retention of core public employees. Also, the results of analysis provide evidence that SHRM contributes to employee retention at NBE.Practical implicationsThe findings and recommendations of this research can practically guide management to devise effective policies to improve employee retention using appropriate SHRM activities, particularly in the Egyptian public organizations.Originality/valueThis research has valuable implications for both theory and practice, as it offers several contributions to literature in the field of study, as well as the practical contribution.
Arab Spring future challenges: evidence from Egypt
Authors: Abdou Doaa Salman , Zaazou Zeinab 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to shed light on the Egyptian socio-economic and political conditions seven years post the 2011 revolution.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors depended on secondary data and information gathered from scholars and from domestic and international institutions as well. Additionally, the authors distributed 390 Likert-scale questionnaires among respondents to test their perceptions regarding the safety, social, political and economic conditions in Egypt seven years post the 2011 revolution.

Findings
The research findings confirmed that there was an agreement among participants that the safety conditions in Egypt improved during the past seven years post the 2011 revolution, and there was a general agreement among participants that the political conditions in Egypt became more stable lately. The economic and social cost presents a challenging status to the current decision maker.

Practical implications
Finally, authors came up with recommendations aiming to find solutions for certain economic and political problematic issues. The main research limitation is that the representative sample was confined only to the two main governorates in Egypt: Cairo and Giza.

Originality/value
Finally, the study is of a value, as it could be considered a road map to policy makers. Moreover, the findings provide a set of policies for governments to undertake tenable actions to accelerate development and economic growth.
Public perception of corporate social responsibility of AngloGold Ashanti in Obuasi Municipality, Ghana
Authors: Abraham Ernest Mensah , Asor Valentina , Torviawu Florence , Yeboah Helen , Laryea Frank 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to ascertain how knowledge of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by community members influenced their perception of Anglo Gold Ashanti (AGA) and its reputation.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a qualitative approach using the phenomenology design. The population of the study was the residents of the Obuasi Municipality and a sample size of 20 was used. Purposive sampling was used to select both the sample frame and the respondents for the interview. An interview guide was used to carry out the in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview notes.FindingsThe study found out that the CSR carried out by AGA was mainly for philanthropic or ethical purposes. The CSR of AGA was perceived to be very important for the Obuasi Municipality, except that it has not been done to the satisfaction of the community members. There was a gap between the perception of the community members about AGA’s CSR and the observed CSR activities of AGA.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are based on people’s experiences and may differ in another geographic area even within the same country. People’s experiences may be different from reality.Practical implicationsDetailed background study is required to understand the expectations of communities where mining firms operate.Social implicationsIt is important for companies to appreciate the fact that communities in Africa have high expectations from entities doing business because there are real needs in communities.Originality/valuePoor CSR practices will jeopardise the relationship between the firm and the community.
National culture and UN global compact affiliation
Authors: Coulmont Michel , Lambert Kamille , Berthelot Sylvie 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
Despite the global nature of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), a platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible and sustainable corporate policies and practices, the participation of organisations is unequally distributed across societies. This paper aims to explore the relationship between national cultures, as defined by Hofstede, and organisations voluntarily affiliating with the UNGC.

Design/methodology/approach
This study tests the relationship between national culture and firm affiliation with the UNGC using data derived from Hofstede’s works and information available on the UNGC website and other websites and accounting databases, covering 282 firms in 30 countries on 4 continents.

Findings
The results indicate that firms in countries with high individualism or high masculinity rankings are more likely to affiliate with the UNGC. In addition, organisations in countries with less uncertainty avoidance, short-term orientation and high restraint are also more likely to affiliate with the UNGC.

Originality/value
The results are interesting for initiatives like the UNGC. The development strategies and democratisation tools developed by this initiative will have to take into account the specific cultural features of different countries.
Constant abundances of ubiquitous uncultured protists in the open sea assessed by automated microscopy
Authors: Mangot Jean‐François , Forn Irene , Obiol Aleix , Massana Ramon 
Published: September 2018

SummaryProtists have fundamental ecological roles in marine environments and their diversity is being increasingly explored, yet little is known about the quantitative importance of specific taxa in these ecosystems. Here we optimized a newly developed automated system of image acquisition and image analysis to enumerate minute uncultured cells of different sizes targeted by fluorescencein situhybridization. The automated counting routine was highly reproducible, well correlated with manual counts, and was then applied on surface and deep chlorophyll maximum samples from the Malaspina 2010 circumnavigation. The three targeted uncultured taxa (MAST‐4, MAST‐7 and MAST‐1C) were found in virtually all samples from several ocean basins (Atlantic, Indian and Pacific) in fairly constant cell abundances, following typical lognormal distributions. Their global abundances averaged 49, 23 and 7 cells ml−1, respectively, and altogether the three groups accounted for about 10%–20% of heterotrophic picoeukaryotes. Our innovative high‐throughput cell counting routine allows for the first time a direct assessment of the biogeographic distribution of small protists (< 5 μm) and shows the ubiquity in sunlit oceans of three bacterivorous taxa, suggesting their key roles in marine ecosystems.
Oak extractive‐induced stress reveals the involvement of new enzymes in the early detoxification response of Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Fernández‐González Antonio José , Valette Nicolas , Kohler Annegret , Dumarçay Stéphane , Sormani Rodnay , Gelhaye Eric , Morel‐Rouhier Mélanie 
Published: September 2018

SummaryExtensive evidence showed that the efficiency of fungal wood degradation is closely dependent on their ability to cope with the myriad of putative toxic compounds called extractives released during this process. By analysing global gene expression of Phanerochaete chrysosporium after short oak extractive treatment (1, 3 and 6 h), we show that the early molecular response of the fungus concerns first mitochondrial stress rescue followed by the oxidation and finally conjugation of the compounds. During these early responses, the lignolytic degradative system is not induced, rather some small secreted proteins could play an important role in cell protection or signaling. By focusing on the functional characterization of an hitherto uncharacterized glutathione transferase, we show that this enzyme interacts with wood molecules suggesting that it could be involved in the detoxification of some of them, or act as a scavenger to prevent their cytosolic toxicity and favour their transport.
The interplay of EIIANtr with C‐source regulation of the Pu promoter of Pseudomonas putida mt‐2
Authors: Pérez‐Pantoja Danilo , Kim Juhyun , Platero Raúl , de Lorenzo Víctor 
Published: September 2018

SummaryThe presence of some sugars (e.g. glucose) downregulates the activity of the Pu promoter of plasmid pWW0 of Pseudomonas putida mt‐2, which drives the upper TOL operon for biodegradation of m‐xylene. Genetic evidence produced 20 years ago documented an effect of the EIIANtr (PtsN) protein of the nitrogen‐related phosphoenolpyruvate‐dependent phosphotransferase system (PTSNtr) in such a C‐source control of Pu activity. In this study, we have exploited the wealth of recent information on the PTS of P. putida as well as transcriptomic data available in the last few years on this bacterium to revisit this question – and the role of EIIANtr as such. To this end, we examined Pu output under physiological conditions known to either phosphorylate PTS proteins to saturation or to deplete them altogether from high‐energy phosphate. The results showed that Pu activity is checked by EIIANtr regardless of its phosphorylation state. However, such inhibition is intensified during growth on glucose (which correlates with more phosphate‐free EIIANtr) and partially relieved in fructose, which triggers phosphorylation of PTS proteins. These data explain former inconsistencies on the Pu‐PTSNtr interplay and provides a better understanding of the metabolic and regulatory retroactivity between the TOL plasmid and its host metabolism.
Party spirit: producing a communist civil religion in contemporary China
Authors: Pieke Frank N. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe Chinese Communist Party is confronted with a growing gap that separates the rhetoric about socialism and party rule from the individualism and materialism caused by capitalism and opening up to the outside world. In response, the Party has developed strategies that draw on an understanding of the dedication to the Party that is specifically religious, yet does not require belief, conviction, or faith in a doctrine. These strategies revolve around the Leninist concept of ‘party spirit’, which, paradoxically, has been turned into a commodity that can be produced, supplied, and consumed. Drawing on insights from the anthropology of pilgrimage, tourism, and religion, this article discusses these strategies in the context of party cadre education and so‐called ‘red tourism’. The article concludes that the Party is shaping its evolution from an infallible bearer of ideological dogma to a sacred object of worship as part of a new ‘communist civil religion’.
Clinical Effects of Polymyxin B Hemoperfusion in Patients With Septic Shock Caused by Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Suzuki Yasushi , Kojika Masahiro , Sato Hisaho , Inoue Yoshihiro , Endo Shigeatsu 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDirect hemoperfusion with polymyxin B‐immobilized fiber (PMX‐DHP) has been widely used for severe sepsis and septic shock. However, data are limited regarding the clinical experience and efficacy of PMX‐DHP for septic shock resulting from urinary tract infection (UTI). At our institution, 15 patients with septic shock resulting from a UTI received PMX‐DHP from January 2013 to July 2017. The cause of the urosepsis was mainly obstructive pyelonephritis secondary to ureterolithiasis or neurogenic bladder. Average Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were 25.9 ± 4.3 and 10.5 ± 2.2, respectively. If patients were still hypotensive after initial resuscitation, we began PMX‐DHP. Mean arterial pressure increased significantly from 58.3 ± 9.6 mm Hg to 93.6 ± 14.8 mm Hg just after PMX‐DHP and to 94.7 ± 16.9 mm Hg (P < 0.0001) 24 h after the treatment. Catecholamine index decreased significantly from 20.7 ± 11.3 to 9.3 ± 13.5 (P = 0.0001) 24 h after the treatment. Of 15 patients, 14 (93.3%) had survived 28 days after admission. Our results suggest a possible role for PMX‐DHP in the rapid stabilization of hemodynamics in patients with septic shock with an underlying UTI. These patients may be good candidates for PMX‐DHP.
POLICING THROUGH SUBSIDIZED FIREPOWER: AN ASSESSMENT OF RATIONAL CHOICE AND MINORITY THREAT EXPLANATIONS OF POLICE PARTICIPATION IN THE 1033 PROGRAM*
Authors: RAMEY DAVID M. , STEIDLEY TRENT 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThere is a popular belief that the use of military equipment can improve police efforts at social control. Recent protests and riots across the country, however, have piqued public concern about racial disparities in law enforcement and the acquisition and use of military equipment by police in the United States. By using data from the Department of Defense's 1033 Program, we conduct an agency‐level analysis to assess the validity of rational choice arguments and minority threat explanations of police participation in the 1033 Program. Our results reveal that higher violent crime rates and lower drug arrest rates increase law enforcement participation in the 1033 Program. Participation in the 1033 Program, however, is also a function of minority threat, with the functional form of minority threat varying across models predicting 1033 participation and the value of materiel acquired by successful departments. Specifically, a curvilinear relationship exists between the relative size of the Black population and involvement in the 1033 Program, and an exponential relationship between the relative size of the Black and Hispanic populations and the value of property departments receive annually from the 1033 Program.
Fiber‐Rich Food Processing Byproducts Enhance the Expansion of Cornstarch Extrudates
Authors: Masli Maria Dian Pratiwi , Gu Bon‐Jae , Rasco Barbara A. , Ganjyal Girish M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractExpansion characteristics of cornstarch‐based extrudates incorporating fiber‐rich food processing byproducts was explored. Waxy and regular cornstarch were used as the base materials with apple pomace and sugarcane bagasse incorporated at two addition levels (0%, 15%, and 30% w/w). Extrusions were conducted at three different screw speeds (150, 200, and 250 rpm) with other parameters optimized and kept constant. Apple pomace inclusion resulted in higher initial expansion index (4.23 to 5.60) and higher stable expansion index (2.76 to 4.43), but also showed higher shrinkage (8.50% to 34.72%) than sugarcane bagasse extrudates at the same inclusion levels. Inclusion of apple pomace showed potential of producing extrudates with significantly higher expansion than cornstarch control, with relatively lower energy inputs. Extrusion methods used here have the potential to preserve the textural quality and nutritional value of the fiber‐enriched extrudates, providing the base for healthier snack food items.Practical ApplicationFindings from this study can be extended to the other fiber‐rich food processing byproducts, such as other fruit and vegetable pomace, cereal brans, and pulse hulls among other materials. This data will help the development of fiber‐enriched extruded snacks that would have favorable consumer traits.
Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of thyroid cancer in northwest China: A population‐based retrospective study of 2490 patients
Authors: Huang Meiling , Yan Changjiao , Wei Hongliang , Lv Yonggang , Ling Rui 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundThe specific clinical features of thyroid cancer patients in northwest China are unclear; therefore, we analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of this population.MethodsClinical characteristics including age, gender, blood type, histological type, and BRAFV600E gene mutation; and incidence; risk factors; surgical treatment; and prognosis were recorded.ResultsA total of 2490 thyroid cancer patients were included; 98% were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Weight, blood type, histological type, and BRAFV600E gene mutation rates were significantly different. Pediatric thyroid cancer patients had higher lymph node metastasis, lower BRAFV600E mutation, and 6.2–9.2% greater recurrence rates than adult patients. PTC and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma displayed similar features, while in other types, such as follicular and medullary thyroid cancer, there were variations. Multiple logistic analyses showed that age (odds ratio [OR] 0.957, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.944–0.970; P < 0.001), focal status (OR 16.174, 95% CI 9.257–28.262; P < 0.001), pathology (OR 0.642, 95% CI 0.473–0.871; P = 0.004) and lymph node metastasis (OR 0.059, 95% CI 0.033–0.107; P < 0.001) were independent factors for BRAFV600E mutation.ConclusionMost real world clinicopathological features, treatment, and prognosis of thyroid cancer are similar to reported data, such as the higher incidence of disease in women and the larger proportion of PTC. However, the results in pediatric patients and those with BRAF gene mutations are controversial and require more clinical incidence.
Association of alcohol consumption with allergic disease and asthma: a multi‐centre Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Skaaby Tea , Kilpeläinen Tuomas O. , Taylor Amy E. , Mahendran Yuvaraj , Wong Andrew , Ahluwalia Tarunveer S. , Paternoster Lavinia , Trompet Stella , Stott David J. , Flexeder Claudia , Zhou Ang , Brusselle Guy , Sajjad Ayesha , Lahousse Lies , Tiemeier Henning , Have Christian Theil , Thuesen Betina H. , Kårhus Line Lund , Møllehave Line Tang , Leth‐Møller Katja Biering , Shabanzadeh Daniel Mønsted , Gonzalez‐Quintela Arturo , Power Chris , Hyppönen Elina , Kuh Diana , Hardy Rebecca , Meitinger Thomas , Jukema J. Wouter , Völker Uwe , Nauck Matthias , Völzke Henry , Friedrich Nele , Bonten Tobias N. , Noordam Raymond , Mook‐Kanamori Dennis O. , Tolstrup Janne S. , Taube Christian , Peters Annette , Grallert Harald , Strauch Konstantin , Schulz Holger , Grarup Niels , Hansen Torben , Pedersen Oluf , Burgess Stephen , Munafò Marcus R. , Linneberg Allan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAimsTo use the rs1229984 variant associated with alcohol consumption as an instrument for alcohol consumption to test the causality of the association of alcohol consumption with hay fever, asthma, allergic sensitization and serum total immunoglobulin (Ig)E.DesignObservational and Mendelian randomization analyses using genetic variants as unbiased markers of exposure to estimate causal effects, subject to certain assumptions.SettingEurope.ParticipantsWe included a total of 466 434 people aged 15–82 years from 17 population‐based studies conducted from 1997 to 2015.MeasurementsThe rs1229984 (ADH1B) was genotyped; alcohol consumption, hay fever and asthma were self‐reported. Specific and total IgE were measured from serum samples.FindingsObservational analyses showed that ever‐drinking versus non‐drinking, but not amount of alcohol intake, was positively associated with hay fever and inversely associated with asthma but not with allergic sensitization or serum total immunoglobulin (Ig)E. However, Mendelian randomization analyses did not suggest that the observational associations are causal. The causal odds ratio (OR) per genetically assessed unit of alcohol/week was an OR = 0.907 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.806, 1.019; P = 0.101] for hay fever, an OR = 0.897 (95% CI = 0.790, 1.019; P = 0.095) for asthma, an OR = 0.971 (95% CI = 0.804, 1.174; P = 0.763) for allergic sensitization and a 4.7% change (95% CI = –5.5%, 14.9%; P = 0.366) for total IgE.ConclusionsIn observational analyses, ever‐drinking versus not drinking was positively associated with hay fever and negatively associated with asthma. However, the Mendelian randomization results were not consistent with these associations being causal.
One size does not fit all—evolution of opioid agonist treatments in a naturalistic setting over 23 years
Authors: Nordt Carlos , Vogel Marc , Dey Michelle , Moldovanyi Andreas , Beck Thilo , Berthel Toni , Walter Marc , Seifritz Erich , Dürsteler Kenneth M. , Herdener Marcus 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackground and aimsOpioid agonist treatment (OAT) is currently the most effective treatment for people with opioid dependence. In most countries, however, access to the whole range of effective medications is restricted. This study aims to model the distribution of different OAT medications within a naturalistic and relatively unrestricted treatment setting (Zurich, Switzerland) over time, and to identify patient characteristics associated with each medication.MethodsWe used generalized estimating equation analysis with data from the OAT register of Zurich and the Swiss register for heroin‐assisted treatment (HAT) to model and forecast the annual proportion of opioids applying exponential distributions until 2018 and patient characteristics between 1992 and 2015.ResultsData from 11 895 patients were included in the analysis. Methadone remains the mainstay of OAT, being prescribed to two‐thirds of patients. Following its approval, the proportion of HAT increased rapidly and is now constant at 12.16% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 11.15–13.17]. The initial increase of proportions of buprenorphine or slow‐release oral morphine (SROM) following their approval for OAT was slower. While in 2014 both medications had a proportion of 10.2% and 10.3%, respectively, our model predicts a further increase of SROM to 19.9% in 2018, with a ceiling level of 25.19% (21.40–28.98%) thereafter. SROM patients display characteristics similar to those treated with methadone; buprenorphine patients show the highest social integration; and HAT patients are the most homogeneous group, with highest mean age, most widespread injecting experience and lowest social integration.ConclusionsBased on data from Zurich, Switzerland from 1992 to 2015, there is no evidence for an excessive demand for a single medication in a naturalistic and liberal opioid agonist treatment setting. Rather, the specific patient characteristics associated with each medication underline the need for diversified treatment options for opioid dependence.