bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Employers’ perception of women workers in Oman and the challenges they face
Authors: Belwal Rakesh , Belwal Shweta 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe participation and productivity of women in Oman’s labor force are very low and heavily skewed toward the government sector. There are few women in the private sector and the reasons for this are not well-known. The challenges that women workers face specifically in the Arab World are worth understanding from a participation and policy perspective. The purpose of this paper is to explore employers’ perceptions of women workers and the major challenges they face in Oman in the context of government efforts to develop the female workforce in this Middle East region.Design/methodology/approachData collected by interviewing the top executives (employers) from 28 organizations in two major cities in Oman were analyzed qualitatively, grouped into emerging themes, triangulated, and discussed.FindingsThe results indicated that employers, in general, are impressed by women workers in Oman. However, they identify a number of challenges women face. This study synthesized and grouped employers’ perceptions of these challenges in the following categories: women’s natural and physiological composition, their attitude at work, post-marital challenges, socio-cultural barriers, nature and place of work, organizational preparedness and governance, biases or prejudices of employers, and work-life balance (WLB) issues facing them.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that since female participation in the government sector in Oman is substantial, women can also be attracted to work in the private sector if policies are formulated to safeguard their interests.Originality/valueThere is an absolute dearth of studies about female participation in the Omani workforce; this study is one of the pioneering efforts. Whereas the extant literature on WLB issues represents mostly the western perspective, this study highlights the major WLB issues in Oman and fills some important gaps between the West and the Middle East by focusing on women, WLB, and policies triangle.
Innovative tools and techniques to overcome HR challenges globally
Authors: Rao M.S. 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this research paper is to address the current challenges in HR and offer innovative tools and techniques to craft a modern HR philosophy.

Design/methodology/approach
It illustrates with examples of global companies, including Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, FedEx Corporation, Mayo Clinic, Rolls-Royce, Shell, Ford, Boston Consulting Group, Nissan, and Cadbury, that are noted for innovative HR practices.

Findings
It concludes that global organizations and senior leaders must address the current HR challenges and adopt innovative tools and techniques to stay relevant and competent in the present global dynamic business environment to achieve organizational excellence and effectiveness.

Practical implications
The tools and techniques adopted to achieve a modern HR philosophy can be applied in any industry and in any size of organization.

Social implications
The social implications of this research suggest that HR leaders can achieve organizational excellence and effectiveness by adopting these innovative tools and techniques.

Originality/value
It advises placing more emphasis on leadership than on leaders because leaders are mortal, whereas leadership is immortal. It explains the role of HR leaders and CEOs in crafting a modern HR philosophy.
Accrual and real-based earnings management by UK acquirers
Authors: Kassamany Talie , Ibrahim Salma , Archbold Stuart 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the occurrence of pre-merger earnings management for a sample of 197 stock- and cash-financed UK acquirers between 1990 and 2009. It also examines the earnings management behaviour around the change in the Corporate Governance Code in 2003 based on the Higgs recommendations.

Design/methodology/approach
Mean and median accrual- and real-based manipulation are examined in the period before the announcement of a merger and acquisition. These are compared across stock and cash acquirers as well as before and after the implementation of the Higgs recommendations. Logistic regressions are also run to examine accrual- and real-based manipulation across stock and cash acquirers after controlling for variables that may affect the acquisition type.

Findings
The study found some evidence of upward pre-merger accrual-based earnings management by stock-financed acquirers, which is in line with the findings of Botsari and Meeks (2008). Furthermore, no significant changes were found in the post-Higgs period, which indicates that the recommendations put forth by Higgs may not have been successful in mitigating earnings management. The evidence also shows that cash bidders engage in pre-merger real earnings manipulation through lower discretionary expenses, possibly to enhance cash availability for the bid.

Practical implications
The findings in this study confirm earnings management exists around mergers and acquisitions and provide some evidence that the recommendations set out in the Higgs Report do not appear to have mitigated earnings management activities. This is of interest to regulators as well as investors and academicians.

Originality/value
This provides the first analysis in the UK examining the use of real-based earnings management activities by UK acquirers. It also extends prior research around corporate governance changes that occurred in the UK.
Student experiences of taught part-time study on a postgraduate dementia studies programme: findings from an electronic questionnaire survey
Authors: Burrow Simon , Bradshaw Tim , Mairs Hilary , Pusey Helen , Keady John 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the findings from an electronic questionnaire survey which set out to explore experiences of graduates of a part-time Master’s programme in dementia care at The University of Manchester.

Design/methodology/approach
An electronic questionnaire survey was sent to 57 graduates who had studied on the programme since it began in 2003. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data from responses to six open-ended questions.

Findings
In total, 31 completed questionnaires were received. Four key themes were identified from the qualitative data: juggling competing demands; experiencing personal growth and achievement; locating sources of support; and supporting changes to practice.

Research limitations/implications
Limitations included the small sample size and the survey not covering the experiences of students who had failed to complete the first year of study.

Originality/value
The study demonstrates the perceived value of dementia education at more advanced levels for people working in professional roles in dementia care, this included professional and personal development and supporting changes to practice. The study additionally adds to a limited evidence base relating to how mature, health and social care students experience part-time study in higher education and has implications for future research aimed at informing the development of appropriate course design and employer support.
Service users’ experiences of participation in clinical psychology training
Authors: Campbell Meadhbh , Wilson Charlotte 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore mental health service users’ experiences of involvement in a clinical psychology course.

Design/methodology/approach
Five participants were recruited from a service user and carer group aligned to a university professional clinical psychology course. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and data were analysed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).

Findings
Four superordinate themes, group processes, advocating, transforming and power, were drawn from the data, with ten subthemes emerging capturing experiences on the personal, professional and group levels.

Research limitations/implications
The study is not generalisable and has a small number of participants. However, many of the themes have resonance with existing literature.

Practical implications
Service user initiatives need to consider the personal and contextual issues that service users may have experienced prior to their involvement. The needs of service user initiatives may change over time. Such initiatives must evolve in conjunction with the personal and political journeys of participants.

Originality/value
Few studies have explored the experiences of mental health service users in clinical psychology training using a robust methodology. The current study suggests that eliciting these experiences highlights factors that facilitate involvement as well as the barriers.
Consumer perspectives on personal recovery and borderline personality disorder
Authors: Donald Fiona , Duff Cameron , Broadbear Jillian , Rao Sathya , Lawrence Katherine 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex condition characterized by a number of psychosocial difficulties that typically involve considerable suffering for individuals with the condition. Recovery from BPD may involve specific processes such as work on how the self is perceived by the individual with BPD and his or her relationships which differ from those common to recovery from other mental health conditions. The details of the processes that may best promote changes within the self and relationships are yet to be established. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
In total, 17 consumers from a specialist BPD service were interviewed to identify factors they have experienced that contribute to recovery from BPD. Thematic analysis within a grounded theory framework was used to understand key themes within the interview data. The emphasis was on specific conditions of change rather than the more global goals for recovery suggested by recent models.

Findings
Key themes identified included five conditions of change: support from others; accepting the need for change; working on trauma without blaming oneself; curiosity about oneself; and reflecting on one’s behavior. To apply these conditions of change more broadly, clinicians working in the BPD field need to support processes that promote BPD-specific recovery identified by consumers rather than focusing exclusively on the more general recovery principles previously identified within the literature.

Originality/value
The specific factors identified by consumers as supporting recovery in BPD are significant because they involve specific skills or attitudes rather than aspirations or goals. These specific skills may be constructively supported in clinical practice.
Effect of different air settings over fire-induced condition in a stairwell
Authors: da Silva Aristides Lopes , Xiong Shengwu , Aamir Hussain 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
This work aims to report the effect of different inlet air velocity settings, and the position of the inlet areas under fire-induced conditions in stairwells.

Design/methodology/approach
The results are evaluated both experimentally and numerically. In sequence, the study also describes the results of three tests under different ventilation conditions, which were performed by simulating a fire of 0.9 m diameter in a stairwell access door. Detailed transient measurements of air temperature in the walls, air velocity settings at the ventilation outlet, smoke temperature through the fans and pressure through the exhaust fans were recorded for the study.

Findings
These data could be used as benchmark for future numerical validation studies. Based on computational fluid dynamics, the tests were performed using fire dynamics simulator codes, to compare the results of tests and simulations.

Originality/value
The numerical study was performed in confined floors close to the test areas of a typical stairwell, with different vents and a source of fire. The results show that the lack of symmetry in the air vents settings has greater influence on the plume than the total area of the air inlet.
Investigating a comparative evaluation approach in explaining loyalty
Authors: Jaiswal Anand Kumar , Lemmink Jos G.A.M. 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the superiority of comparative evaluation or relative attitudinal measurement approach in which the respondent evaluates one object with direct comparison with other objects. The study uses comparative and non-comparative approaches to examine the effects of service quality, value, and customer satisfaction on attitudinal loyalty in a service setting.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses the data collected from the survey of 300 customers of two large Indian banks.

Findings
The results provide partial support to the superiority of the comparative evaluation over non-comparative evaluation. Additionally, results indicate that service quality positively affects customer value, and both service quality and customer value have a direct positive effect on customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction drives attitudinal loyalty which in turn leads to customers’ willingness to pay more.

Research limitations/implications
In the study, two banks were used for comparative evaluation. Since consumers’ consideration set can consist of more than two alternatives, future studies can include more than two objects.

Practical implications
Non-comparative measurements do not always adequately explain customer loyalty and superior performance of firms. This could potentially lead to misinterpretations of effects of service quality improvement programs and thus sub-optimal management decisions. Managers should use comparative evaluation approach for measuring marketing variables wherever possible.

Originality/value
Although the use of comparative evaluation is suggested in the literature (Dick and Basu, 1994), extant research has not systematically examined its superiority over non-comparative evaluation. This study empirically tests the comparative evaluation approach against the non-comparative approach by examining a comprehensive model involving the interrelationships among service quality, value, customer satisfaction, and their impact on attitudinal loyalty and willingness to pay more.
The relationship between emotional intelligence, thinking style, and the quality of investors’ decisions using the log-linear method
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Mohammadi Nahid 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
Investors’ decision-making is based on quantitative and rational analyses, and some other factors deriving from the market expectations are also contribute significantly on the shareholders’ response to market interactions. The present study aims to discover whether emotional intelligence and thinking style have a significant effect on the quality of investors’ decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach
To gather data, a questionnaire was designed and developed and distributed among the participants during the first half of 2015. Moreover, the SAS software and the log-linear method was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings
The results show that emotional intelligence, thinking style and quality of decision-making are not dependent and emotional intelligence and thinking style are not interdependent on each other.

Originality/value
The current study used a unique model to test the hypotheses, and the results may be different from those of previous studies.
The rotated Cartesian coordinate method to remove the axial singularity of cylindrical coordinates in finite‐difference schemes for elastic and viscoelastic waves
Authors: Zhuang Mingwei , Zhou Jianyang , Wei Songlin , Liu Qing Huo 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTWhen modelling the propagation of 3D non‐axisymmetric elastic and viscoelastic waves in cylindrical coordinates using the finite‐difference time‐domain method, a mathematical singularity occurs due to the presence of terms in the elastic and viscoelastic wave equations. For many years, this issue has been impeding the accurate numerical solution near the axis. In this work, we propose a simple but effective method for the treatment of this numerical singularity problem. By rotating the Cartesian coordinate system around the z‐axis in cylindrical coordinates, the numerical singularity problems in both 2D and 3D cylindrical coordinates can be removed. This algorithm has three advantages over the conventional treatment techniques: (i) the excitation source can be directly loaded at , (ii) the central difference scheme with second‐order accuracy is maintained, and (iii) the stability condition at the axis is consistent with the finite‐difference time‐domain in Cartesian coordinates. This method is verified by several 3D numerical examples. Results show that the rotating the Cartesian coordinate method is accurate and stable at the singularity axis. The improved finite‐difference time‐domain algorithm is also applied to sonic logging simulations in non‐axisymmetric formations and sources.
Effects of variations in fluid properties and fracture geometry on dispersion, anisotropy, and reflection in media with planar fractures
Authors: Gan Yuandi , Chesnokov Evgeni M. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTOur objective was to discover the effect of variations in fluid properties and fracture geometry on the velocity of seismic wave propagation in fluid‐saturated media with parallel planar fractures. We used numerical models calculated by analytical solutions to examine the behaviour of P‐wave phase velocity dispersion in the normal direction to layering, in non‐porous and porous media with planar fractures. We also examined the anisotropy of low frequency phase and group velocities of fast and slow P‐waves and angular‐dependent reflection coefficients in media with planar fractures, under conditions of saturation by fluids with varying bulk moduli, densities, and fracture apertures. We defined several parametre , , and characterising dispersion, characterising anisotropy, characterising the difference between fast and slow modes, and R0 and characterising reflection. Our results show that the behaviour of dispersion shows wider stopbands in the case of gas saturation. Concavity indicator of dispersion for gas saturation was greater than that for liquid saturation and is usually greater than one. Anisotropy is more sensitive to bulk modulus contrast than to density contrast between the solid and the fluid, and is more sensitive to density contrast than to bulk modulus contrast. The case of gas saturation usually had a greater negative R0 and a greater value of compared with those of brine and heavy and light oil saturations. Our results are helpful in distinguishing fluid types saturating geophysical fractures and estimating the aperture and spacing of planar fractures. In seismic exploration, bulk modulus and fluid density can provide useful information in distinguishing among brine, oil, and gas; fracture geometry is important to estimate the permeability of reservoirs.
Taming the zebra: Unravelling the barriers to diagnosing aortic dissection
Authors: Rotella Joe‐Anthony , Yeoh Michael 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAortic dissection is a lethal cardiovascular emergency that continues to pose a diagnostic dilemma to the emergency physician. The condition is rare, can present atypically and is associated with a cumulative mortality for every hour that passes. While it is a recognised differential of acute chest pain, its prevalence in comparison to other causes often leads to the diagnosis being overlooked. The ED is a busy environment with high patient turnover and varying degrees of complexity and acuity. This increases susceptibility to cognitive bias and error‐producing conditions that can lead to delayed or missed diagnosis. In reported cases where aortic dissection has been missed, clinician awareness of the disease was not the primary issue but failure to respond to clinical cues suggestive of aortic dissection was. To improve patient outcomes for this condition, it is important for clinicians to be aware of pertinent cognitive bias and error‐producing conditions.
Body Composition and Inflammation in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Mandic Ante , Cavar Ivan , Skoro Ivana , Tomic Ivan , Ljubic Kristina , Coric Slavica , Mikulic Ivanka , Azinovic Igor , Pravdic Danijel 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe volume state of dialysis patients is important in guiding the dialysis process. Volume overload in these patients is associated with inflammation. The objectives of the present study were to assess the body composition of patients on hemodialysis; to determine the concentrations of B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in plasma and evaluate the association of BNP concentrations with volume overload; to determine the concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP), albumin and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities as indicators of inflammatory or antioxidant processes. The study included 79 maintenance hemodialysis patients. Assessment of body compartments was carried out using a body composition monitor (BCM). After BCM measurements, blood samples were taken from the patients for laboratory tests. There were 40 (50.6%) volume‐overloaded patients (relative overhydration >15%). These patients had a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension (P < 0.05), significantly higher concentrations of BNP (P = 0.01), lower body mass index (P < 0.05) and lower fat tissue index (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between plasma BNP and CRP concentrations (ρ = 0.231; P < 0.05), and a negative correlation between (log) BNP and albumin (r = −0.021; P < 0.05), as well as (log) CRP and albumin concentrations (r = −3; P < 0.01). SOD activity was positively correlated with albumin concentrations (r = 0.254; P < 0.05). The concentrations of BNP in this study were associated with volume overload and inflammatory markers. Patients with a higher albumin concentration had higher SOD activity.
Transthyretin deposition promotes progression of osteoarthritis
Authors: Matsuzaki Tokio , Akasaki Yukio , Olmer Merissa , Alvarez‐Garcia Oscar , Reixach Natalia , Buxbaum Joel N. , Lotz Martin K. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryDeposition of amyloid is a common aging‐associated phenomenon in several aging‐related diseases. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease, and aging is its major risk factor. Transthyretin (TTR) is an amyloidogenic protein that is deposited in aging and OA‐affected human cartilage and promotes inflammatory and catabolic responses in cultured chondrocytes. Here, we investigated the role of TTR in vivo using transgenic mice overexpressing wild‐type human TTR (hTTR‐TG). Although TTR protein was detected in cartilage in hTTR‐TG mice, the TTR transgene was highly overexpressed in liver, but not in chondrocytes. OA was surgically induced by destabilizing the medial meniscus (DMM) in hTTR‐TG mice, wild‐type mice of the same strain (WT), and mice lacking endogenous Ttr genes. In the DMM model, both cartilage and synovitis histological scores were significantly increased in hTTR‐TG mice. Further, spontaneous degradation and OA‐like changes in cartilage and synovium developed in 18‐month‐old hTTR mice. Expression of cartilage catabolic (Adamts4, Mmp13) and inflammatory genes (Nos2, Il6) was significantly elevated in cartilage from 6‐month‐old hTTR‐TG mice compared with WT mice as was the level of phospho‐NF‐κB p65. Intra‐articular injection of aggregated TTR in WT mice increased synovitis and significantly increased expression of inflammatory genes in synovium. These findings are the first to show that TTR deposition increases disease severity in the murine DMM and aging model of OA.