bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic performance, financial leverage and financial crisis: evidence from GCC countries
Authors: Zeitun Rami , Saleh Ali Salman 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of financial leverage on firm’s performance in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Additionally, this paper investigates the impact of recent financial crisis on GCC firms.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors argue that the firm’s performance has a dynamic relationship that cannot be measured in cross-sectional data. Hence, the authors use a panel data to examine the effect of financial leverage on firm’s performance using the dynamic Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimator.

Findings
– The results from the GMM estimator show that companies’ leverage is a significant determinant of firm’s performance in GCC countries. The authors also found that financial crisis had a negative and significant impact on firms’ performance in GCC countries.

Research limitations/implications
– First, the data used in this paper rely on information published by the firms, and therefore, the robustness of the results were limited by the accuracy of the data provided. Second, failed firms were excluded from the study sample which may affect the results. Third, macroeconomic variables could be used in future research to investigate their impact on companies’ performance before and after the global financial crisis. Fourth, some other important variables (such as firm age and firm ownership) could be used in future studies to examine the effects of the 2008 financial crisis on companies’ performance.

Practical implications
– This research provides initial guidelines for policy makers in GCC countries to understand how to enhance the performance of their firms using financial leverage and other firm-specific factors.

Originality/value
– This is a first comprehensive study to investigate the effect of capital structure and financial crisis on firms’ performance in GCC countries.
Research on nursing unit layouts: an integrative review
Authors: Rashid Mahbub 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to present an integrative review of the research studies on nursing unit layouts.

Design/methodology/approach
– Studies selected for review were published between 1956 and 2014. For the purpose of this review, a framework for integrative review was developed using research orientations. The three primary dimensions – technical, psychological and social – of the designed environment and various combinations of these dimensions were used to define the research orientations of these studies.

Findings
– Of all the publications reviewed for the paper, 21 presented technical orientations, 16 psychological orientations, 3 social orientations, 20 psychotechnical orientations, 10 sociotechnical orientations, 2 psychosocial orientations and 13 presented psychosociotechnical orientations. With only a few exceptions, several issues related to nursing unit layouts were investigated no more than one time in any one category of research orientations. Several other seemingly important issues including patient and family behavior and perception, health outcomes and social and psychosocial factors in relation to unit layouts have not been studied adequately.

Research limitations/implications
– Future studies on nursing unit layouts will need to focus on patient and family behavior and perception, health outcomes and social and psychosocial factors in different units. They will also need to focus on developing theories concerning the effects of layouts on the technical, psychological and social dimensions of nursing units.

Originality/value
– Despite a long history of research on nursing unit layouts, an integrative review of these studies is still missing in the literature. This review fills in the gap using a novel framework for integrative review developed based on research orientations.
Flexible design principles
Authors: Siu Kin Wai Michael , Wong Kwun Sing Leo 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to propose a set of flexible design principles for enhancing the flexibility of street furniture to deal with the diverse and changing urban environment. Flexibility is an important but less considered element of public design (otherwise called public environment and facility design), especially in regard to the street furniture that is encountered in everyday life. Taking Hong Kong as a case study, this paper gives an overview of the concepts of flexibility and flexible design, and identifies the current limitations and problems of the current street furniture design practices with respect to the diverse and changing urban environment.

Design/methodology/approach
– Based on a review of the current literature and relevant documentation, interviews with government officers and different groups of users (including those with special needs), and field observations in Hong Kong’s urban areas over a period of four years, the policies relating to street furniture design in Hong Kong and its management and implementation were evaluated.

Findings
– The results indicate that the current street furniture in Hong Kong is unable to adapt to or resist changes, can easily cause safety and management problems and is not adaptable to new developments. This paper proposes six principles for the flexible design of street furniture, namely, custom in use, multifunctional use, responds effectively to changing circumstances, easily and conveniently managed, universal in use and sustainable in use.

Research limitations/implications
– It is difficult to understand the diverse needs and preferences of different users in urban environments. The findings in this paper are based on intensive field work and broad industry experience. To deal with the rapid and ongoing urban change, this paper recommends a further long-term and in-depth study of street furniture.

Practical implications
– Based on the findings, this paper proposes six flexible design principles for designing street furniture that is sufficiently flexible to meet the rapid and ongoing urban change and diverse users’ needs.

Social implications
– Different societies and urban areas faced different types and levels of changes. Therefore, a flexible approach to street furniture design is important and necessary.

Originality/value
– The findings of this paper and the proposed six flexible design principles can provide insight and direction for government officials, design and planning professionals, developers, utility and management companies and communities on how to embed public design (i.e. policy, implementation and management) in the future.
A computational fluid dynamics analysis of the wave soldering process
Authors: Abdul Aziz M.S. , Abdullah M.Z. , Khor C.Y. , Mazlan M. , Iqbal A.M. , Fairuz Z.M. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to present a three-dimensional finite volume-based analysis on the effects of propeller blades on fountain flow in a wave soldering process and performs an experimental validation.

Design/methodology/approach
– Solder pot models with various numbers of propeller blades were developed and meshed by using hybrid elements and simulated by using the FLUENT fluid flow solver. The characteristics of the fountain, such as flow profile, velocity vector, filling time, and fountain advancement, were investigated. Molten solder (Sn63Pb37) material, a temperature of 250°C, and a propeller speed of 830 rpm were applied in the simulation. The predicted results were validated by the experimental fountain profile.

Findings
– The use of a six-blade propeller in a solder pot increased the fountain thickness profile and reduced the filling time. Moreover, a six-blade propeller design resulted in a stable fountain profile and was considered the best choice for current wave soldering processes.

Practical implications
– This study provides a better understanding of the effects of propeller blades on the fountain flow in the wave soldering process.

Originality/value
– The study explores the fountain flow behavior and provides a reference to the engineers and designers in order to improve the fountain flow of the wave soldering.
Free convection in a triangular cavity filled with a porous medium saturated by a nanofluid
Authors: Sheremet M. A. , Pop Ioan 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– Steady-state free convection heat transfer in a right-angle triangular porous enclosure filled by a nanofluid using the mathematical nanofluid model proposed by Buongiorno has been numerically analyzed. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach
– The nanofluid model takes into account the Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis effects. The governing equations formulated in terms of the vorticity-stream function variables were solved by finite difference method.

Findings
– It has been found that the average Nusselt number is an increasing function of the Rayleigh and Lewis numbers and a decreasing function of Brownian motion, buoyancy-ratio and thermophoresis parameters. At the same time the average Sherwood number is an increasing function of the Rayleigh and Lewis numbers, Brownian motion and thermophoresis parameters and a decreasing function of buoyancy-ratio parameter.

Originality/value
– The present results are new and original for the heat transfer and fluid flow in a right-angle triangular porous enclosure filled by a nanofluid using the mathematical nanofluid model proposed by Buongiorno. The results would benefit scientists and engineers to become familiar with the flow behaviour of such nanofluids, and the way to predict the properties of this flow for possibility of using nanofluids in advanced nuclear systems, in industrial sectors including transportation, power generation, chemical sectors, ventilation, air-conditioning, etc.
Coercion and trust in psychiatry: the ultimate contradiction
Authors: Donskoy Anne-Laure 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to present a focused viewpoint of coercion in psychiatry from the perspective of a survivor and activist.Design/methodology/approach– This paper takes elements from and builds on three recent conference and seminar presentations presented in France and the UK in 2014: International Congress on Clinical Ethics Consultation 2014, Paris: Comité Européen Droit Ethique et Psychiatrie, June 2014, Perpignan and Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Annual Congress, London 2014.Findings– Coercion in psychiatry runs counter to the highest human rights standards, rules out genuine care and profoundly undermines trust.Research limitations/implications– Additional research from a user and survivor experience would offer a different and more grounded perspective of how coercion is actually exerted and experienced through, for instance, a narrative approach.Originality/value– The paper is proposed from the viewpoint of a survivor of psychiatry and human rights activist. It is a contribution towards a more user/survivor oriented discourse in this area.
Positive lifestyle changes following urological cancer diagnoses – an Australian interview based study
Authors: Cerimagic Sabina , Ahmadi Nariman , Gurney Howard , Hossack Tania , Patel Manish I. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine ethnic Australian urological cancer patients and the positive life changes that those patients report after cancer diagnosis.Design/methodology/approach– A sample of 50 Australian urological cancer patients of ethnic origin were chosen to participate in this study. One-on-one semi structured interviews were conducted with the patients.Findings– Cancer diagnosis often serves as an impetus for making positive lifestyle changes. Most (98 per cent) of this study’s participants reported that they made positive lifestyle changes following a diagnosis of cancer. Those positive lifestyle changes include: greater appreciation of health and life (100 per cent); improved diet (94 per cent); closer relationships with family and friends (90 per cent); more frequent visits to the doctor for check-ups (74 per cent); increased physical activity (48 per cent); starting a new hobby (36 per cent); greater knowledge about their health in general (32 per cent) and increased spirituality (22 per cent).Research limitations/implications– The limitation of this study is the small sample of patients with ethnic diversity specific to western Sydney. Larger multicentre studies across Australia are required to confirm the findings. Additionally, this study focused on positive life changes, because 98 per cent of the participants reported positive lifestyle changes after diagnosis. However, there are related negative health behaviour changes, which this study has not addressed in depth. Furthermore, a comparison between positive life changes of ethnic Australian patients’ against the experience of post cancer diagnosis of non-ethnic Australian patients could investigate this issue further and possibly provide further insight.Originality/value– The majority (98 per cent) of the participants report positive lifestyle changes following urological cancer diagnoses. The patient population of predominantly elderly (84 per cent), males (90 per cent) differs from the current literate which states that positive lifestyle changes (posttraumatic growth) are mainly found to be significantly correlated to being female, younger and non-white and greater event severity.
Sex trafficking and the role of state police within Australia
Authors: Elfes Angeleke , Birch Philip 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine operational policing practice with reference to reducing sex trafficking.Design/methodology/approach– This is a qualitative study in which in-depth structured interviews were conducted with state police officers in one state of Australia.Findings– The paper reveals that state police officers have a good understanding of sex trafficking and are involved in reactive policing methods in order to reduce this crime type. The data set yields a limitation in proactive policing methods for reducing sex trafficking, primarily due to human and financial resources and the composition of state and federal laws and policing practices in Australia. Those interviewed also noted how sex trafficking can disguise itself as legitimate sex work.Research limitations/implications– The effectiveness in operational practice at the local, national and international level in reducing sex trafficking can be enhanced through a more co-ordinated response to the problem. Recognition of better communication strategies and partnership working can support a reduction in sex trafficking as well as allowing those who are trafficked the status of “victim”.Practical implications– To ensure those who are trafficked for sexual servitude are viewed and treated as victims within the law. To review how state police forces in Australia are resourced in order to proactively address sex trafficking. To ensure state police forces can engage in more proactive policing initiatives in order to prevent sex trafficking. Reflect on examples of good practice between federal and state police forces in Australia to implement a co-ordinated approach for combatting sex trafficking.Originality/value– This is one of just a few studies examining organised crime from the perspective of law enforcement personnel within Australia.
Evaluating the mental health of recently arrived refugee adults in Western Australia
Authors: Lillee Alyssa , Thambiran Aesen , Laugharne Jonathan 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to measure the levels of psychological distress in adults entering Western Australia (WA) as refugees through the Australian Humanitarian Programme. To determine if the introduction of mental health screening instruments impacts on the level of referrals for further psychological/psychiatric assessment and treatment.Design/methodology/approach– Participants were 300 consecutive consenting refugee adults attending the Humanitarian Entrant Health Service in Perth, WA. This service is government funded for the general health screening of refugees. The Kessler-10 (K10) and the World Health Organisation’s post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screener were the principal outcome measures used.Findings– Refugees had a high rate of current probable PTSD (17.2 per cent) as measured with the PTSD screener and mean K10 scores were significantly higher than general population norms. The K10 showed high accuracy for discriminating those with or without probable PTSD. Being married and having more children increased the risk of probable PTSD. In regard to region of origin, refugees from Western and Southern Asia had significantly higher scores on both screeners followed by those from Africa with those from South-Eastern Asia having the lowest scores. Referral rate for psychiatric/psychological treatment was 18 per cent compared to 4.2 per cent in the year prior to the study.Practical implications– This study demonstrates increased psychological distress including a high rate of probable PTSD in a recently arrived multi-ethnic refugee population and also demonstrates significant variations based on region of origin. In addition, it supports the feasibility of using brief screening instruments to improve identification and referral of refugees with significant psychological distress in the context of a comprehensive general medical review.Originality/value– This was an Australian study conducted in a non-psychiatric setting. The outcomes of this study pertain to refugee mental health assessed in a general health setting. The implications of the study findings are of far reaching relevance, inclusive of primary care doctors and general physicians as well as mental health clinicians. In particular the authors note that the findings of this study are to the authors’ knowledge unique in the refugee mental health literature as the participants are recently arrived refugees from diverse ethnic groups.
Neurometabolic Effect of Altaian Fungus Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi Mushroom) in Rats Under Moderate Alcohol Consumption
Authors: Shevelev Oleg B. , Akulov Andrey E. , Dotsenko Anna S. , Kontsevaya Galina V. , Zolotykh Mariya A. , Gerlinskaya Lyudmila A. , Veprev Sergey G. , Goryachkovskaya Tat'yana N. , Zhukova Natal'ya A. , Kolchanov Nikolay A. , Pel'tek Sergey E. , Moshkin Mikhail P. 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundThe medications produced from natural products are widely used as prophylactics for sickness induced by alcohol consumption. One such prophylactic is produced from the Reishi mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum. Because of the antioxidant properties of these preparations, we expect neuroprotective prophylactic effects of Reishi‐based medications in alcohol‐treated animals.MethodsThe Reishi (R) suspension was produced as water extract from Altaian mushrooms. Sprague–Dawley male rats were separated into the following 3 experimental groups: Group A + R received R (6 days per week) starting 1 week before alcohol exposure, and during the next 3 weeks, they received both R and alcohol; group A received alcohol; and group C received water. At the end of experiment, we determined the metabolic profile using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) of the brain cortex and phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the liver. Additionally, the blood cells were collected, and the serum biochemistry and liver histology were performed after euthanasia.ResultsPartial least squares discriminant analysis processing of the brain 1H MRS gave 2 axes, the Y1 axis positively correlated with the level of taurine and negatively correlated with the level of lactate, and the Y2 axis positively correlated with the content of GABA and glycine and negatively correlated with the sum of the excitatory neurotransmitters, glutamate and glutamine. The Y1 values reflecting the brain energetics for the A + R group exceeded the corresponding values for groups C and A. The maximal level of Y2 reflecting the prevalence of inhibitory metabolites in the brain was observed in the rats exposed to alcohol. Moderate alcohol consumption did not cause significant pathological changes in the livers of the experimental animals. However, 20 days of alcohol consumption significantly increased the number of binuclear hepatocytes compared to the control. This effect was mitigated in the rats that received the Reishi extract.ConclusionsRegular administration of the Reishi suspension improved the energy supply to the brain cortex and decreased the prevalence of inhibitory neurotransmitters that are characteristic of alcohol consumption. The alcohol‐induced increase in liver proliferation was significantly suppressed by regular administration of the G. lucidum water suspension.
Activation of the interleukin‐6/Janus kinase/STAT3 pathway in pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland
Authors: Andreasen Simon , Therkildsen Marianne Hamilton , Grauslund Morten , Friis‐Hansen Lennart , Wessel Irene , Homøe Preben 
Published: June 2015

The interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)/Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway is of crucial importance in promoting tumorigenesis in several malignant tumors but may also be active in benign tumors, e.g., of pleomorphic adenoma (PA). In this study we characterize the expression of the pathway components with immunohistochemistry and selected mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) regulated by this pathway in isolated duct‐ and myoepithelial cells in PA. 46 PAs were immunostained and 10 of these were used for in situ hybridization (ISH). Six frozen specimens were analyzed using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Using immunohistochemistry, IL‐6, JAK1, JAK2 and STAT3 were detected significantly more frequently in PA cells than in cells from normal salivary gland tissue. Using RT‐PCR cyclin D1, fibroblast growth factor 2, and p21 were found to be overexpressed while matrix metallopeptidase 9 was detected at low levels in PA compared to normal salivary gland. ISH showed significant overexpression of miR‐181b in PA, while miR‐21 was undetectable in PA and normal tissue. Overexpression of the pathway components and its mRNA and miRNA products provide important clues regarding the growth of PAs. Our findings brings us one step closer to targeted treatment of this tumor entity, although in vitro studies are warranted to confirm this.
Relations of Care: The Contexts for Immigrant Care Workers in Northern Italy
Authors: Meyer Patti 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis article provides insight into the experiences of South American low‐wage, immigrant care workers who provide care to elders in private homes in Genoa, Italy. An analysis of data collected during fieldwork in 2009–2010 focuses on the larger context of labor unions in Italy, the very intimate context of the home as worksite, and care worker strategies in this work sector. Using Aihwa Ong's concept of “self‐engineering” by workers in a neoliberal economy to examine how workers in this context negotiate their work lives demonstrates both the usefulness and limitations of this important concept in home‐based labor.