bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge management initiatives in the United Arab Emirates: a baseline study
Authors: Muhammad Siddique C. 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to develop baseline data on knowledge management (KM) initiatives of business organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). UAE is a rapidly growing economy in the Arabian Gulf region and it is timely to assess KM initiatives of UAE companies and the barriers and challenges they face in KM adoption and implementation.Design/methodology/approachA survey research design was used to collect data on KM practices of a sample of companies based in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.FindingsImportance of KM practices is gradually being recognized in UAE and several organizations have initiated a number of KM‐related programs. Most KM initiatives are focused on explicit knowledge, and companies are investing significant resources in building their ICT infrastructure. The study documents the importance of a companywide KM strategy, top management commitment, proactive HRM policies, and a supportive cultural environment as the critical success factors to advance KM practice and theory in UAE.Research limitations/implicationsThe study employed a non‐probability sample which limits its ability to generalize findings to the larger population of UAE business organizations.Practical implicationsThe study offers much‐needed baseline data on KM initiatives of UAE companies, the benefits they associate with KM and barriers they must overcome to implement KM practices. These baseline data are expected to encourage further research on KM in UAE and other Gulf countries.Originality/valueThe study represents a first systematic and comprehensive attempt at reporting baseline data on KM adoption in UAE.
Resilience to health related adversity in older people
Authors: Gallacher John , Mitchell Clive , Heslop Luke , Christopher Gary 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThis paper's aim is to explore factors underlying resilience to health adversity, where resilience is defined as better perceived health after adjusting for the presence of doctor diagnosed heart disease, stroke or diabetes (vascular disease).Design/methodology/approachA population sample of 667 men and women aged 50+ years from South Wales was recruited to participate in an epidemiologic study and were consented and assessed online. Participation included health status, psychological and cognitive assessment. Structural equation modelling was used to model causal pathways. The analysis presents baseline data for this sample.FindingsAfter adjustment for vascular disease, self‐esteem was associated with higher perceived health (β=0.279, p<0.001) whilst depression was associated with lower perceived health (β=−0.368, p<0.001). Self‐efficacy and anxiety were not associated with perceived health. Further analysis found self‐esteem to buffer an effect of vascular disease on depression, reducing the impact of depression on perceived health.Practical implicationsCognitive and affective factors are involved in resilience, in relation to health these are specific to self‐esteem and depression. Although more complex associations may be found with other adversities, in relation to health, interventions to improve self‐esteem and ameliorate depression are likely to increase resilience.Originality/valueResilience has been modelled as a process involving cognitive and affective response to adversity. In the context of health, the adverse effect of depression on health perception was mediated by self‐esteem. These associations add to the understanding of the processes underlying resilience and suggest opportunities for interventions designed to increase resilience to health adversities.
Developing the research identities and aspirations of first‐generation college students
Authors: Renee Posselt Julie , Black Kim R. 
Published: September 2012

PurposeUndergraduate research experiences are associated with higher post‐baccalaureate enrolment rates for first‐generation students, but scholars have yet to develop explanations for why this is the case. This paper aims to examine the experience of first‐generation undergraduate students.Design/methodology/approachUsing case study methodology informed by grounded theory analytic methods, the authors qualitatively examine the experience of undergraduate research for ten first‐generation undergraduate students in the Ronald E. McNair Post‐baccalaureate Achievement Program, a faculty diversity programme funded by the US federal government located on almost 200 colleges and universities.FindingsStudents describe a recursive growth process that involved the acquisition of concrete skills, support from a cohort of their peers, mentoring relationships, and positive external recognition. By socialising them to forms of social and cultural capital that are valued in the academy, the programme cultivates the research identities and aspirations of participants. Students themselves develop a secondary habitus as well as a desire to challenge prevailing scholarly norms through their research aims and topics. Findings help refine Bourdieu's theory of reproduction in education and society for the context of American graduate education, for as students come to see themselves differently, they also see their futures differently and enrol in graduate education at higher rates than the national average.Originality/valueThis research is the first to examine how first generation students uniquely benefit from undergraduate research experiences.
Short‐term behavioral changes in pregnant women after a quit‐smoking program via e‐learning: A descriptive study from Japan
Authors: Fujioka Nami , Kobayashi Toshio , Turale Sue 
Published: September 2012

AbstractApproximately 20% of Japanese women in their reproductive years are smokers. Therefore, in the present study, we report the behavioral changes of woman who undertook a 3 month stop‐smoking program. Sixty‐six pregnant smokers in the first trimester of pregnancy participated in this study from two hospitals and an obstetric clinic in Japan. Our newly‐developed e‐learning program uses a cell phone Internet connection service to support pregnant women who want to quit smoking. Using this, service participants were given guidance concerning smoking, and were breath tested for their carbon monoxide levels every 4 weeks for 3 months. An e‐learning cessation smoking‐support program was maintained throughout the same period. Consequently, 52 of 66 pregnant smokers from three settings began the program, and 48 of 52 eventually completed it. The achievement rate of non‐smoking was 71.1% (37/48), and their carbon monoxide exhalation levels significantly decreased from 6.43 ± 4.5 ppm at the beginning to 0.7 ± 1.0 ppm in 1 month, to 0.29 ± 1.08 in 3 months (P < 0.001). These results suggest the effectiveness of our e‐leaning program. This paper reports the results of the study.
Lived experience of Thai women and their changing bodies in midlife
Authors: Noonil Naiyana , Hendricks Joyce , Aekwarangkoon Saifon 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThis study focused on the lived experience of Thai women and their changing bodies in midlife. The methodology chosen was a phenomenological approach. Eighteen women aged 46–55 years, who lived in the southern Thailand and identified themselves as experiencing physiological changes, participated in the study. Five themes became apparent during the analysis of the women's stories: changing in midlife, sensing normal phenomena, searching for explanation, sense of loss, and self‐managing. This study reveals that Thai women's traditional ties to Buddhism play a major role in their acceptance of midlife as part of the life cycle; an event that is best managed with support from other women. Health professionals should reconsider their understanding of women's midlife experiences in order to provide effective healthcare support to Thai women.
Childbirth experience of migrants in China: A systematic review
Authors: Cheung Ngai Fen , Pan Anshi 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAs preliminary research into the childbirth experience of migrants in China, this paper presents a systematic review of Chinese and English literature published between 1999 and 2011 on childbirth in migrants in China. Electronic databases were accessed and papers were found by keyword search. A total of 132 Chinese and 9 English papers were catalogued for review. These papers address migrant maternity issues concerning antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal care, institutional issues, family planning or birth control. Since China's economic reforms, the healthcare infrastructure has been inadequate for childbirth in migrants. They experience more adverse birth outcomes than local residents. This suggests that the effects of change upon childbirth and the existing urban and rural care systems cannot meet the needs of the migrants. There is a lack of research in the childbirth experience of women. Knowledge of their childbirth experience will contribute to the understanding of these needs, informing systems' reform. The medical approach results in many unnecessary interventions and higher costs. It is argued here that a midwifery model of care is most appropriate for the childbirth experience of migrant women.
Performance care practices in complementary and alternative medicine by Thai breast cancer survivors: An ethnonursing study
Authors: Wanchai Ausanee , Armer Jane M. , Stewart Bob R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore how Thai breast cancer survivors perform care practices in complementary and alternative medicine to promote their health and well‐being. Research was conducted using an ethnonursing method. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews with 17 Thai breast cancer survivors in Thailand. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using the ethnonursing analysis method. The findings showed Thai breast cancer survivors started their care practices in complementary and alternative medicine immediately following a diagnosis of breast cancer. They sought out and gathered alternative medicine information from several sources, such as the people around them, media resources, books, magazines, or newspapers. After gathering information, Thai breast cancer survivors would try out various types of complementary medicines rather than use only one type because of information from other people and their own evaluation. The findings of this study indicate the need for a conversation about complementary medicine use between healthcare providers and Thai breast cancer survivors as an on‐going process throughout the cancer trajectory to ensure that safe and holistic care is provided.
Differences in Quality of Antenatal Care Provided by Midwives to Low‐Risk Pregnant Dutch Women in Different Ethnic Groups
Authors: Choté Anushka , de Groot Christianne , Redekop Ken , Hoefman Renske , Koopmans Gerrit , Jaddoe Vincent , Hofman Albert , Steegers Eric , Trappenburg Margo , Mackenbach Johan , Foets Marleen 
Published: September 2012

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether differences existed in the adherence to the Dutch national guidelines regarding basic antenatal care by Dutch midwives for low‐risk women of different ethnic groups.Methods: This was an observational study using data from electronic antenatal charts of 7 midwife practices (23 midwives), participating in the Generation R Study. The Generation R Study is a multiethnic, population‐based, prospective, cohort study that is investigating the growth, development, and health of urban children from fetal life until young adulthood. The study is conducted in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The antenatal charts of 2093 low‐risk pregnant women with an expected birthing date in 2002 through 2004 were used to determine the mean quality of antenatal care scores for 7 ethnic groups. These scores reflected the degree of adherence to the guidelines regarding 10 tests and examinations.Results: Few differences between ethnic groups were found in adherence to the guidelines that addressed the obstetric‐technical quality of antenatal care. This finding applied more to nulliparous than to multiparous women. Adherence to guidelines was not always better in the antenatal care provided to native Dutch multiparous women when compared to other ethnic groups. Midwives adhered well to the guidelines regarding most tests. For all women, irrespective of ethnic background, hemoglobin was not measured as often as recommended, and this was especially the case for Moroccan, Surinamese‐Creole, and Dutch‐Antillean multiparous women.Discussion: The poorer adherence regarding screening for hemoglobin needs further investigation, as women with African or Mediterranean heritage are more at risk for hemoglobinopathies. However, in general, midwives adhered well to the clinical guidelines regarding most tests irrespective of the ethnic background of the pregnant women. When differences were present, these were not systematically less favorable for non‐Dutch pregnant women.
Behavior Change Following Implementation of Home‐Based Life‐Saving Skills in Liberia, West Africa
Authors: Lori Jody R. , Amable Elikem E. , Mertz Sara G. , Moriarty Kathleen 
Published: September 2012

Introduction: Home‐Based Life‐Saving Skills (HBLSS) has been fully integrated into Liberia's long‐term plan to decrease maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, coordinated through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The objective of this article is to disseminate evaluation data from project monitoring and documentation on translation of knowledge and skills obtained through HBLSS into behavior change at the community level.Methods: One year after completion of HBLSS training, complication audits were conducted with 434 postpartum women in 1 rural county in Liberia.Results: Sixty‐two percent (n = 269) of the women were attended during birth by an HBLSS‐trained traditional midwife or family member, while 38% (n = 165) were attended by a traditional midwife or family member who did not receive HBLSS training. Home‐Based Life‐Saving Skills–trained birth attendants performed significantly more first actions (life‐saving actions taught to be performed after every birth) than the attendants not HBLSS trained. Fourteen percent of our sample (n = 62) reported too much bleeding following the birth. Of these women, approximately half (n = 29) were attended by an HBLSS‐trained traditional midwife or family member. There was a significant difference in secondary actions (those actions taught to be performed when a woman experiences too much bleeding following childbirth) that were reported to have been performed by HBLSS‐trained attendants (mean 5.26, standard deviation [SD] 1.88) and untrained attendants (mean 2.73, SD 1.97; P < .0001).Discussion: Our findings suggest that HBLSS knowledge is being transferred into behavior change and used at the community level by traditional midwives and family members.
Two‐Step Sintering of Pristine and Aluminum‐Doped Zinc Oxide Ceramics
Authors: Zhang Yulong , Tan Ruiqin , Yang Ye , Zhang Xianpeng , Wang Weiyan , Cui Ping , Song Weijie 
Published: September 2012

ZnO and Al‐doped ZnO ceramics with high density and fine grain size were prepared using a two‐step sintering method. ZnO ceramics with a grain size of 1.2 μm and a density greater than 99% were obtained. The kinetic window for a ZnO nanoparticle TSS process was determined in this study. Dense AZO ceramics with homogeneous Al distribution were obtained using a high sintering temperature (Tst) of 1323 K and a low sintering temperature (Tnd) of 1273 K. The activation energies for ZnO and AZO nanoparticle grain growth were determined to be 169 ± 18 kJ/mol and 374 ± 36 kJ/mol, respectively.
Validation of Advia plateletcrit for assessing platelet mass in dogs, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Authors: Tvedten Harold W. , Lilliehöök Inger E. , Öberg Josefine , Häggström Jens , Höglund Katja , Ljungvall Ingrid 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundDetermination of the plateletcrit (PCT) is the most effective way to evaluate platelet mass in dogs, such as Cavalier King Charles spaniel (CKCS) dogs, with macrothrombocytopenia. The IDEXX VetAutoread hematology analyzer, which performs quantitative buffy coat (QBC) analysis, has been validated to determine platelet mass in CKCS dogs. The Advia 2120 reports a PCT, but the validity of this value has not been evaluated for dogs with macrothrombocytopenia.ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to validate MPV and PCT determined by the Advia 2120 in dogs, including CKCS dogs, comparing values with those obtained from QBC analysis.MethodsAdvia PCT was compared with QBC results from 43 CKCS dogs and 15 dogs of other breeds in one study. Advia PCT, platelet count, and MPV were evaluated to identify biologic patterns in 31 clinically healthy CKCS dogs and 66 dogs of 3 other breeds and to generate values used for comparisons.ResultsAdvia PCT agreed well with QBC results in general, but had a negative bias and appeared to underestimate PCT in CKCS dogs with the lowest PCTs. Advia PCT and MPV results followed expected biologic patterns in CKCS dogs and dogs of other breeds with MPVs being highest in dogs with the lowest platelet counts.ConclusionsAdvia 2120 PCT and MPV satisfactorily identified changes in platelet mass and size in CKCS dogs, but PCTs were lower than expected, especially in CKCS dogs with the lowest PCTs, when compared with QBC results.
Identification of Synthetic Host Defense Peptide Mimics That Exert Dual Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities
Authors: Som Abhigyan , Navasa Nicolás , Percher Avital , Scott Richard W. , Tew Gregory N. , Anguita Juan 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTA group of synthetic antimicrobial oligomers, inspired by naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides, were analyzed for the ability to modulate innate immune responses to Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. These synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides (SMAMPs) specifically reduced cytokine production in response toStaphylococcus aureusand theS. aureuscomponent lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a TLR2 agonist. Anti-inflammatory SMAMPs prevented the induction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-10 in response toS. aureusor LTA, but no other TLR2 ligands. We show that these SMAMPs bind specifically to LTAin vitroand prevent its interaction with TLR2. Importantly, the SMAMP greatly reduced the induction of TNF and IL-6in vivoin mice acutely infected withS. aureuswhile simultaneously reducing bacterial loads dramatically (4 log10). Thus, these SMAMPs can eliminate the damage induced by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) while simultaneously eliminating infectionin vivo. They are the first known SMAMPs to demonstrate anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activitiesin vivo.
Accurate and Rapid Identification of Candida spp. Frequently Associated with Fungemia by Using PCR and the Microarray-Based Prove-it Sepsis Assay
Authors: Aittakorpi Anne , Kuusela Pentti , Koukila-Kähkölä Pirkko , Vaara Martti , Petrou Michael , Gant Vanya , Mäki Minna 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT
The rapid identification of microbes responsible for bloodstream infections (BSIs) allows more focused and effective therapies and outcomes. DNA sequence-based methods offer an opportunity for faster, accurate diagnosis and for effective therapy. As our objective of the study, the ability of the Prove-it Sepsis platform, already proven as a rapid PCR- and microarray-based assay for the majority of sepsis-causing bacteria, was extended to also rapidly identify clinically relevant yeasts in blood culture. The performance characteristics of this extended platform are described. We found that the extended diagnostic Prove-it Sepsis platform was found to be highly accurate when analyzing primary isolates, spiked blood cultures, nucleic acid extracts from a retrospective blood culture data set, and primary blood cultures. Comparison of the blood culture results from the Prove-it Sepsis platform with those from conventional culture-based methods or by gene sequencing demonstrated a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 98% for fungal targets (based on analysis of a total of 388 specimens). Total assay time was 3 h from DNA extraction to BSI diagnosis. These results extend the performance characteristics of the Prove-it platform for bacteria to the easy, rapid, and accurate detection and species identification of yeasts in positive blood cultures. Incorporation of this extended and rapid diagnostic platform into the tools for clinical patient management would allow possibly faster identification and more focused therapies for BSIs.
Relationship between within-Host Fitness and Virulence in the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus: Correlation with Partial Decoupling
Authors: Furió Victoria , Garijo Raquel , Durán María , Moya Andrés , Bell John C. , Sanjuán Rafael 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTGiven the parasitic nature of viruses, it is sometimes assumed that rates of viral replication and dissemination within hosts (within-host fitness) correlate with virulence. However, there is currently little empirical evidence supporting this principle. To test this, we quantified the fitness and virulence of 21 single- or double-nucleotide mutants of the vesicular stomatitis virus in baby hamster kidney cells (BHK-21). We found that, overall, these two traits correlated positively, but significant outliers were identified. Particularly, a single mutation in the conserved C terminus of the N nucleocapsid (U1323A) had a strongly deleterious fitness effect but did not alter or even slightly increased virulence. We also found a double mutant of the M matrix protein and G glycoprotein (U2617G/A3802G mutant) with high fitness yet low virulence. We further characterized these mutants in primary cultures from mouse brain cells andin vivoand found that their relative fitness values were similar to those observed in BHK-21 cells. The mutations had weak effects on the virus-induced death rate of total brain cells, although they specifically reduced neuron death rates. Furthermore, increased apoptosis levels were detected in neurons infected with the U2617G/A3802G mutant, consistent with its known inability to block interferon secretion.In vivo, this mutant had reduced virulence and, despite its low brain titer, it retained a relatively high fitness value owing to its ability to suppress competitor viruses. Overall, our results are in broad agreement with the notion that viral fitness and virulence should be positively correlated but show that certain mutations can break this association and that the fitness-virulence relationship can depend on complex virus-host and virus-virus interactions.
Upstream AUG Codons in the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVmac239 Genome Regulate Rev and Env Protein Translation
Authors: van der Velden Gisela J. , Klaver Bep , Das Atze T. , Berkhout Ben 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTThe mRNAs encoding the Rev and Env proteins of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) are unique because upstream translation start codons are present that may modulate the expression of these viral proteins. This is true for the regular mRNAs, but we also report novel mRNA splicing variants that encode up to five upstream AUG (uAUG) codons. Their influence on Rev and Env translation was measured by mutational inactivation in reporter constructs and in the SIVmac239 strain. An intricate regulatory mechanism was disclosed that allows the virus to express a balanced amount of these two proteins. This insight also allows the design of vector constructs that efficiently express these proteins.