bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology and Geographical Variation of Myasthenia Gravis in the Province of Pavia, Italy
Authors: Montomoli Cristina , Citterio Antonietta , Piccolo Giovanni , Cioccale Rita , Ferretti Virginia V. , Fratti Cesare , Bergamaschi Roberto , Cosi Vittorio E.
Published: February 2012

Background and Aims: Previous studies have reported a prevalence estimate of myasthenia gravis (MG) from 7.7 to 11.1 per 100,000 inhabitants in Europe. Moreover, the study of the geographical distribution of MG should be useful to generate specific hypotheses. The aims are to estimate MG prevalence and to investigate its geographical variation in a delimited area in Northern Italy. Methods: The primary source of data was the MG database of the Neurological Institute of Pavia and all other sources of case collection in and outside the province. We adopted a Bayesian approach to analyze MG geographical variation within the finest geographical grid. Results: We identified 119 live MG prevalent cases resident in the province of Pavia on December 31, 2008. The overall crude prevalence was 24 per 100,000 inhabitants. The Bayesian analysis identified a small cluster of higher MG prevalence in the northern area of the province. Conclusions: The estimated MG prevalence sets the province of Pavia among the high-risk areas. The identification of high/low MG risk areas deserves further investigation of genetic and environmental factors possibly related to a major risk of the disease in that area.
Phenotype and Genotype Characterization and Twin Association in Patients with Anderson-Fabry Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Gomez Miquel , Molina Lluis , Cladellas Mercedes , Ascoeta Soledad , Soler Cristina , Ble Mireia , Ramirez Aleyska , Bruguera Jordi
Published: March 2012

Anderson-Fabry disease (FD), an X-linked recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) activity, is associated with cardiac manifestations including arrhythmias, valvular abnormalities, and cardiomyopathy. Early initiation of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) may have the potential to delay the underlying clinical outcomes in patients with FD. Clinical electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography were used to characterize the cardiomyopathy. Diagnosis of FD was performed by measuring the α-Gal A activity in plasma and mutation analysis by direct sequencing using capillary electrophoresis. We identified four adult hemizygous male patients with cardiomyopathy and other symptoms related to FD; two of them were monozygotic twins. In all cases, ECG and echocardiography showed severe left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Some years later, all patients showed typical symptoms of FD, including angiokeratomas and neurological, renal, gastrointestinal, and ocular involvement. A deficiency of α-Gal A activity and point mutations in exon 5 of the GLA gene were detected in all patients. ERT (agalsidase-alfa) was administered every other week as a 0.2 mg/kg intravenous infusion over 40 min. In conclusion, these findings highlight the importance of screening middle-aged patients with LV hypertrophy for the early detection of FD, particularly in direct-line relatives such as twins.
Differential Sleep-Wake Sensitivity of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Secretion to Progesterone Inhibition in Early Pubertal Girls
Authors: Collins Jessicah S.P. , Marshall John C. , McCartney Christopher R.
Published: March 2012

Context: Early pubertal luteinizing hormone (LH), and by inference gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), pulse secretion is marked by high nocturnal but low daytime frequency; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Plasma concentrations of progesterone, the major regulator of GnRH frequency in women, increase in the early morning in early pubertal girls and may help slow daytime GnRH frequency. Objective: To evaluate the effect of progesterone on LH pulse frequency in early to mid-pubertal girls. Design: Controlled interventional study. Setting: General clinical research center. Participants: Eighteen non-obese, non-hyperandrogenemic Tanner 1–3 girls. Intervention: Twelve-hour (19:00–07:00 h) blood sampling with or without oral progesterone administration (25–50 mg at 16:00 and 20:00 h). Main Outcome Measure: LH pulse frequency. Results: Girls receiving progesterone (n = 5) exhibited lower 12-hour LH pulse frequency than controls (n = 13), but this difference was not statistically significant (average interpulse intervals 196.0 ± 61.9 and 160.4 ± 67.1 min, respectively; p = 0.2793). In contrast to controls, however, girls receiving progesterone exhibited no LH pulses during waking hours (19:00–23:00 h; estimated interpulse interval 326.0 ± 52.7 vs. 212.0 ± 120.9 min; p = 0.0376), while nighttime (23:00–07:00 h) interpulse intervals were similar (174.8 ± 62.0 vs. 167.5 ± 76.9 min, respectively; p = 0.7750). Conclusions: Exogenous progesterone acutely suppressed daytime, but not nocturnal, LH pulse frequency in early to mid-pubertal girls, suggesting that GnRH pulse frequency is differentially regulated by progesterone depending on sleep status.
MicroRNA-21 Integrates Pathogenic Signaling to Control Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Parikh Victoria N. , Jin Richard C. , Rabello Sabrina , Gulbahce Natali , White Kevin , Hale Andrew , Cottrill Katherine A. , Shaik Rahamthulla S. , Waxman Aaron B. , Zhang Ying-Yi , Maron Bradley A. , Hartner Jochen C. , Fujiwara Yuko , Orkin Stuart H. , Haley Kathleen J. , Barabási Albert-László , Loscalzo Joseph , Chan Stephen Y.
Published: February 2012

Background—

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is driven by diverse pathogenic etiologies. Owing to their pleiotropic actions, microRNA molecules are potential candidates for coordinated regulation of these disease stimuli.

Methods and Results—

Using a network biology approach, we identify microRNA associated with multiple pathogenic pathways central to PH. Specifically, microRNA-21 (miR-21) is predicted as a PH-modifying microRNA, regulating targets integral to bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Rho/Rho-kinase signaling as well as functional pathways associated with hypoxia, inflammation, and genetic haploinsufficiency of BMP receptor type 2. To validate these predictions, we have found that hypoxia and BMP receptor type 2 signaling independently upregulate miR-21 in cultured pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. In a reciprocal feedback loop, miR-21 downregulates BMP receptor type 2 expression. Furthermore, miR-21 directly represses RhoB expression and Rho-kinase activity, inducing molecular changes consistent with decreased angiogenesis and vasodilation. In vivo, miR-21 is upregulated in pulmonary tissue from several rodent models of PH and in humans with PH. On induction of disease in
miR-21
–null mice, RhoB expression and Rho-kinase activity are increased, accompanied by exaggerated manifestations of PH.

Conclusions—

A network-based bioinformatic approach coupled with confirmatory in vivo data delineates a central regulatory role for miR-21 in PH. Furthermore, this study highlights the unique utility of network biology for identifying disease-modifying microRNA in PH.
Incidence and Prognosis of Resistant Hypertension in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Daugherty Stacie L. , Powers J. David , Magid David J. , Tavel Heather M. , Masoudi Frederick A. , Margolis Karen L. , O'Connor Patrick J. , Selby Joe V. , Ho P. Michael
Published: March 2012

Background—

Despite a recent American Heart Association (AHA) consensus statement emphasizing the importance of resistant hypertension, the incidence and prognosis of this condition are largely unknown.

Methods and Results—

This retrospective cohort study in 2 integrated health plans included patients with incident hypertension in whom treatment was begun between 2002 and 2006. Patients were followed up for the development of resistant hypertension based on AHA criteria of uncontrolled blood pressure despite use of ≥3 antihypertensive medications, with data collected on prescription filling information and blood pressure measurement. We determined incident cardiovascular events (death or incident myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, or chronic kidney disease) in patients with and without resistant hypertension with adjustment for patient and clinical characteristics. Among 205 750 patients with incident hypertension, 1.9% developed resistant hypertension within a median of 1.5 years from initial treatment (0.7 cases per 100 person-years of follow-up). These patients were more often men, were older, and had higher rates of diabetes mellitus than nonresistant patients. Over 3.8 years of median follow-up, cardiovascular event rates were significantly higher in those with resistant hypertension (unadjusted 18.0% versus 13.5%,
P
<0.001). After adjustment for patient and clinical characteristics, resistant hypertension was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.33–1.62).

Conclusions—

Among patients with incident hypertension in whom treatment was begun, 1 in 50 patients developed resistant hypertension. Patients with resistant hypertension had an increased risk of cardiovascular events, which supports the need for greater efforts toward improving hypertension outcomes in this population.
Reduced Plasma Eicosapentaenoic Acid–Arachidonic Acid Ratio in Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Fujihara Masahiko , Fukata Mitsuhiro , Odashiro Keita , Maruyama Toru , Akashi Koichi , Yokoi Yoshiaki
Published: February 2012

A reduced ratio of plasma eicosapentaenoic acid–arachidonic acid (EPA-AA) is a newly recognized atherosclerotic risk factor. This ratio has not been fully investigated in peripheral artery disease (PAD). Seventy Japanese patients with atherosclerotic risk factors were enrolled and divided into 2 groups, those with PAD (group A: n = 38) and those without PAD (group B: n = 32). The EPA-AA ratio ( P = .001) and ankle–brachial index (ABI: P < .001) in group A were significantly lower than those in group B. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that EPA-AA, ABI, and prescription of clopidogrel had significant correlation with PAD. Given the appropriate cutoff values, EPA-AA (odds ratio [OR] = 11.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.0-45.8; P < .001) and ABI (OR = 44.0, 95% CI = 5.4-358.5; P < .001) are factors independently associated with PAD. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that reduced plasma EPA/AA may underlie PAD at least in Japanese.
Effectiveness of Suspension Seats in Maintaining Performance Following Military High-Speed Boat Transits
Authors: Myers Stephen D. , Dobbins Trevor D. , King Stuart , Hall Benjamin , Holmes Sharon R. , Gunston Tom , Dyson Rosemary
Published: March 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether suspension seats (SS) fitted to rigid inflatable boats (RIB) could help maritime boarding teams maintain running performance during the high-risk posttransit phase.

Background: High-speed RIB transits have been reported to cause reductions in the running performance of boarding teams posttransit.

Method: In this experiment, two pairs of teams completed a 3-hr transit in either calm or rough seas (calm, 5 vs. 5; rough, 6 vs. 6) in an RIB fitted with either fixed (FS) or Suspension seats (SS). Exhaustive shuttle run distance was measured pre- and immediately posttransit. Transit heart rate and perceived exertion (RPE) were measured and deck and seat pan acceleration recorded; the latter were reported as impacts count and peak magnitude.

Results: Distance run was reduced for the FS teams following both transits (calm, −250 m, −20%, p < .07; rough, −398 m, −26%, p < .05), whereas it was unchanged for the SS teams. All transit heart rates and RPE indicated light exertion levels. Seat pan impacts were similarly reduced during the calm transit (FS, −42%; SS, −30%); however, during the rough transit, the SS was more than twice as effective (FS, −32%; SS, −71%). Peak impact magnitudes were reduced by the SS (calm, −38%; rough, −57%) and amplified by the FS (calm, +3%; rough, +28%).

Conclusion: Suspension seats effectively maintained posttransit running performance by reducing magnitude of the vertical shocks imposed on the passengers.

Application: High-speed RIB transits followed immediately by high-intensity activity are intrinsic to contemporary maritime operations; suspension seats can maintain post-transit physical performance, thereby enhancing safety and operational effectiveness.
A Field Study on the Impact of Variations in Short-Term Memory Demands on Drivers’ Visual Attention and Driving Performance Across Three Age Groups
Authors: Reimer Bryan , Mehler Bruce , Wang Ying , Coughlin Joseph F.
Published: March 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess sensitivity of visual attention and driving performance for detecting changes in driver cognitive workload across different age groups.

Background: The literature shows mixed results concerning the sensitivity of gaze concentration metrics to variations in cognitive demand. No studies appear showing how age affects gaze allocation during cognitive demand.

Method: Recordings of drivers’ gaze and driving performance by individuals in their 20s, 40s, and 60s were captured in actual driving conditions during three levels of cognitive demand.

Results: Gaze concentration increased with task difficulty through the low and moderate levels of demand and then appeared to level out at the high demand level. At the moderate difficulty level, gaze concentration increased by 2.4 cm (≈2°) from the reference period. The degree of gaze concentration with added cognitive demand is not related to age in the relatively healthy drivers studied. Driving performance measures did not show a consistent relationship with the objective demand level.

Conclusion: Gaze concentration appears at low levels of cognitive demand prior to the appearance of marked decrements in driving control. There is no compelling evidence from this study that driving performance measures can be used to index differences in workload prior to capacity saturation.

Application: Drivers’ awareness of vehicle surroundings is incrementally affected by increases in cognitive demand. Developers of more advanced driver support systems should consider gaze concentration as a measure of driver cognitive workload. This recommendation is particularly relevant in light of the added benefits of gaze measurements for detecting visual demand.

Keywords: mental workload, cognitive distraction, eye movements, visual tunneling, driving safety, situational awareness, voice interfaces, cellular telephones
Mining Work, Family and Community: A Spatially-Oriented Approach to the Impact of the Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine Closure in Remote Australia
Authors: McDonald Paula , Mayes Robyn , Pini Barbara
Published: March 2012

While changes in work and employment practices in the mining sector have been profound, the literature addressing mining work is somewhat partial as it focuses primarily on the workplace as the key (or only) site of analysis, leaving the relationship between mining work and families and communities under-theorized. This article adopts a spatially oriented, case-study approach to the sudden closure of the Ravensthorpe nickel mine in the south-west of Western Australia to explore the interplay between the new scales and mobilities of labour and capital and work–family–community connections in mining. In the context of the dramatically reconfigured industrial arena of mining work, the study contributes to a theoretical engagement between employment relations and the spatial dimensions of family and community in resource-affected communities.
The Predictive Value of Selection Criteria in an Urban Magnet School
Authors: Lohmeier Jill Hendrickson , Raad Jennifer
Published: March 2012

The predictive value of selection criteria on outcome data from two cohorts of students (Total N = 525) accepted to an urban magnet high school were evaluated. Regression analyses of typical screening variables (suspensions, absences, metropolitan achievement tests, middle school grade point averages [GPAs], Matrix Analogies test scores, and demographic variables) on graduation and magnet school GPA indicate that most of the selection variables did not have predictive value. The results of the regression analyses are discussed, as well as the implications for using selection criteria in urban “select” schools.
Anticipating Army Exit
Authors: Walker David I.
Published: March 2012

There is recent concern about what becomes of Armed Forces leavers. This is most apparent among leavers themselves and is a feature of short careers that compel individuals to find replacement jobs and lifestyles. Concern for one’s civilian future rises to prominence in the preexit period and is confronted in resettlement processes during this time. Based on qualitative analysis of interviews with twenty-eight UK regular Army career soldiers and officers, the article argues that the final year of service—though mostly a practical endeavor—is also an important time for tackling matters of identity. The work is underpinned theoretically by a combination of Mead’s pragmatism and Ricoeur’s hermeneutics and constructs a typology of preexit orientation. This is an approach that casts some doubt about the utility of projecting oneself into unknown civilian futures from the context of distinctive and familiar Army relations.
The Role of the Train Station in the Image Formation of the Early Republican Ankara
Authors: Sak Segah , Basa Inci
Published: March 2012

Depending on the assumption that buildings play the fundamental role in the formation of cities and their image, this study investigates the contribution of the Train Station to the formation of Ankara and its image in the early years of the Turkish Republic. The spatial entity of the station reflected the intended modern identity of the new state. Orienting the movement and development within its setting, the building constituted an indispensable element of the structure of the city. It acted as an immediate stimulus for the perception of the city and as a mediator for the creation of city’s image. As a building of prestige, it accommodated contemporary practices and provided civilized conditions for the whole public. Consequently, the station had a significant effect on the social and spatial formation and mental re-formation of Ankara.
Trade Unionism in the Mining Industry of Bihar
Authors: Majee Kunal M
Published: February 2012

The Indian coal mining industry is a huge endeavour employing a giant workforce and producing nearly 200 million tonnes of coal every year. Trade Unions are many and powerful. They have had remarkable success in improving the wages and bettering the work conditions of the miners. However, in the maintenance of industrial peace their record has been mixed.
Employee Empowerment: A New Strategy for Creating a High Performance Work Force
Authors: Bagali M M
Published: February 2012

Developing and Managing Human Resources forms the major component of organizational development and growth. There are many ways through which HR is developed and managed. The present buzzword is Empowerment. The present study highlights how it was possible for an organization to develop an outstanding organization and thus create a place to work, where each one was proud and happy to be associated with the organization. The study found many strategies for managing HR, which were unique in the Indian context. The study pleads for a shift from all the theories of HR management towards a culture of empowerment and employee ownership.
The W.T.O. and the Dragon – China's Entry into the World Trade Organization
Authors: Mathias T A
Published: February 2012

The world's biggest nation and tenth largest trader is not yet a member of W T O, though it applied for membership in 1986. What is the reason for this? Why does China still demand membership and what are the attitudes of the developed and developing countries to China's entry into W T O?
Creating Customer Value Focused Organization Through Employment Branding
Authors: Panda Tapan K
Published: February 2012

In today's business world, brand managers have two branding missions. They are product branding and employment branding. Product branding deals with creating a distinction in the market place for the product or service offered to the external customers. Product branding provides a mental patent against consumer apprehensions and hence creates a sustainable competitive advantage for the organization. On the other hand employment branding deals with an internal as well as external marketing orientation for hiring and keeping the best talents at the market place. By employment branding process the organization creates an image of the organization as the dream corporation to work for. Employment branding as a process is a recent phenomenon where organizations try to go beyond a recruitment advertisement and try to create an atmosphere in the work place that enhances the value delivered to the customer.

This research paper deals with the strategic issue of employment branding and its relevance in the age of talent hunt. Every branding process involves a brand promise and brand character. While product branding takes care of the brand promise, it is the employment branding that looks in to the issue of brand character. A brand character is built at the customer interaction point where the customer also looks at the kind and level of motivation of employees with whom he deals during the transaction process. This paper highlights various approaches in employment brand building and also looks at the performance technology issue by which the internal customers web themselves around the brand promise and character to deliver a higher customer value.
Computer Programming Job Analysis
Authors: Roy Debdulal Dutta
Published: February 2012

This study investigated relative uses of computer programming job characteristics across different organizations and effects of different demographic variables on job analysis ratings. Data were collected from 201 computer programers of 6 different organizations through checklist. Principal component analysis noted four mostly used job characteristics as program writing and testing, human relations, data analysis and user satisfaction. Of them only data analysis differed among different organizations significantly. No significant main and interaction effects of the demographic variables on job analysis ratings were noted. Results were explained in terms of different human resource program design.
Occupational Stress and Health Promotion: A Psychosocial Approach
Authors: Rishi Parul
Published: February 2012

The increasing potential hazards to health resulting from unsafe occupational environment are creating an alarming situation and promotion of occupational health and well being has become an issue of great concern.

In recent years, there has been a growing multinational awareness of, and interest in matters of individual physical/psychosocial occupational environment. With the advancements in technological process, physical and chemical hazards in the working environment have been controlled to some extent resulting in reduced occupational diseases and accidents but on the other side, there is an out-spurt of psycho-social stress which has not so far been seriously taken care of. The present paper attempts to draw the attention of occupational health professionals in the field of psychosocial stress and its role in overall organizational health and well being. Several health promoting strategies (individual/organizational) have also been suggested with special reference to the sense of coherence model, consideration of psychological requirements of personnel, bio-feedback and relaxation technique.
Innovations in Marketing Strategies of News Paper Industry in India — A Case Study of Times of India Group
Authors: Sridhar M. K. , Sainath A. R.
Published: February 2012

Newspapers have become products like any other consumer, industrial or service products. They have unique features which other products do not have. The newspaper industry in India is witnessing intense competition from within and from outside like electronic and internet media. This has tremendous bearing on circulation and advertisement revenues.

The industry has responded proactively to these challenges. There is more and more focus on marketing and innovations in marketing strategies. Reviews of some of these strategies are focused in the paper.

The authors have presented a case study of TIMES OF INDIA GROUP for innovations in marketing strategies, which are product, price, promotion and distribution related. A survey has been conducted by the authors on a recent innovation in marketing strategy of TRIMMING and SLIMMING the size of the newspaper. The data collected from 357 readers of Bangalore are analysed. The readers in general are not only positive to these changes but also have observed them keenly. Such understanding of sensitivity of readers is crucial for the success of marketing strategies.
Managing Organizational Change
Authors: Gupta Parvinder
Published: February 2012

Management of change in organizations has been one of the most important concerns of professionals in recent times. A manager, an administrator or a consultant, who wishes to understand the dynamics of change, is most frequently confronted with questions such as: What is the concept of change? How to decide what to change, and then how to change it? Is implementation of change always painful? What one needs to keep in mind while implementing changes in organizations? Many more such questions are being asked and need to be asked, and scholars have been making efforts to find answers to these questions. The present paper highlights some of the important issues involved in the management of organizational change, and identifies areas of gap in the change management literature which warrant further empirical and theoretical developments.
Cultural Influence on Managerial Thinking
Authors: Pradhan Rabindra Kumar , Kumar Updesh
Published: February 2012

Culture has always been a source of influence on human behaviour. It affects the way in which individual processes information and reasons in negotiation and other organisational decisions. In today's competitive world, the work place is more unstable and unpredictable than before. To make right judgment in the right context is the right choice of the present time. This study made an attempt to establish a link between organizational culture and managerial thinking. This kind of analysis would help managers to adapt particular tactics to effectively deal with people in one cultural context. The objective of the study was to examine the impact of organizational culture on managerial thinking and to develop possible OD interventions to enhance executive effectiveness. The present study followed a 2x2x2 factorial design of research where 400 managers/executives (front line and middle level) of MNCs and PSUs in manufacturing and service-oriented organisation were administered on Organisational Culture Questionnaire (Udai Pareek, 1989) and Managerial Thinking Style Inventory (Gangopadhyay, 1993). The findings of the study revealed that there exist significant difference between managers of MNCs and PSUs with regard to Managerial Thinking Styles and preference for a particular Organisational Culture Profile. The managers in MNCs preferred autocratic, technocratic and entrepreneurial culture profiles in comparison to managers of PSUs who showed preference for bureaucratic culture. With regard to managerial thinking, it was observed that managers of MNCs relied more on analyzer and implementer type of thinking style than the managers of PSUs who believed in collaborator style of thinking. The future implications of the study were discussed in the light of present findings in this paper. The authors have also suggested few possible OD interventions to enhance executive effectiveness.
Organisational Climate: An Exploratory Study on Nalco
Authors: Sukalyani Swati , Pattanayak Biswajeet
Published: February 2012

This study aimed to (a) to understand and assess organisational climate and its dimensions in NALCO and (b) suggest interventions based on the findings. MAO-C, a standardised questionnaire was used for a sample of thirty. The findings show that climate of NALCO is dominated by dependency and expert influence. Further, it is observed that the dominant characteristics perceived by the executives are dependency and control while it is achievement and expert influence by non-executives. Another finding states that the organisational climate is weak in the areas of achievement, extension and control. Based on these findings, the suggestions are made to make the organisation more environment sensitive and customer responsive.
Quality Environment: A Survey of Public Opinion
Authors: Sekhar S. F. Chandra
Published: February 2012

The central goal of this study was to better understand and quantify how residents of villages around Patancheru a massive industrial belt of Secunderabad city held attitude towards and perceive the quality of environment that constitute their neighbourhood. In addition, the research explored how occupation influences this perception. About 652 heads of the households from surrounding villages responded to a questionnaire/interview schedule. Results indicate that occupation was found to be influencing their attitude towards environment. Occupation was also found to be influencing their concern for quality environment. Lastly, the correlational analysis reveals that increase in the attitude towards the environment positively and significantly increased the concern for quality environment. Thus, the implications were drawn intended to help the pollution control and environmental councils involved in education, outreach and planning.
Strategic HR Roles in India: HR – Dares to be the Think Tank?
Authors: Bhatnagar Jyotsna , Sharma Anuradha
Published: February 2012

Conner and Ulrich's (1996) Multiple Model Survey Questionnaire was validated in this two stage research study. In the first stage, 4 organizations were purposively chosen and a random sampling was conducted on 44 managers to pilot test the questionnaire. In the second stage, the study was conducted on a sample of 600 managers, falling in nine industrial sectors. The study seeks to probe, HR -Line managers' perception of the strategic HR roles, the status of the strategic HR roles, and the impact of the background variables on the strategic HR roles. Descriptive statistics, Correlation, Coefficient and Bi-variate analysis was tabulated. Findings indicated that there was no difference in the perception of the strategic partner role in the managers of the Public Sector and Multinational firms. There was a significant difference in the perception of HR mangers and line managers, while Hierarchical level impacted the Business partner role of HR. The results provide support for the strategic HR roles, which are of a moderate quality, found in the managers of the IT sector. Implications for a think tank role of HR are discussed along with future research areas.
Impact of Organizational Culture and Influence Tactics on Transformational Leadership
Authors: Mehta Shuchi , Krishnan Venkat R.
Published: February 2012

Impact of organizational culture (strong and weak) and use of influence tactics (soft and hard) on transformational leadership was studied using a 2 × 2 experimental design and a sample of 120 executives in a large manufacturing firm in eastern India. Results of analyses of variance show that leaders are seen as more transformational if the organizational culture is strong rather than weak, and if leaders use soft influence tactics rather than hard tactics. Transformational leadership is the highest when soft tactics are used in a strong culture, and the lowest when hard tactics are used in a weak culture.
Need for Cognition as Determinant of Response to Rational and Emotional Ad Appeals
Authors: Agrawal Richa , Patangia Vinay
Published: February 2012

Advertising communications are one way, they are also impersonal and receivers are not obliged to listen or even pretend to as they would in a personal exchange. They are free to ignore the message, remember it, or forget it as they please. This makes it imperative for advertisers to create messages that will intrude on the consumers' perceptual defences. Advertising hence, by necessity, must use powerful emotional and rational ad appeals to be noticed. While rational appeals would go down well with the left brainers (high on cognition), emotional appeals would be well received by the right brainers (high on feelings).

Need for cognition represents the tendency of individuals to engage in and enjoy thinking. It may be described as the need to structure relevant situations in meaningful integrated ways and a need to undertsand and make sense out of the experiential world. It is helpful in understanding how argument strength and endorser attractiveness in advertisements may influence consumer attitudes.

Insurance is universally acknowledged to be an institution that handles risk and provides security to an individual and his/her family. Given the fact that it also has a bearing on his/her future income (through the element of saving and investment); and offers him/her additional tax saving benefits; one may conclude that purchasing of insurance policy is a complex and high involvement decision for both emotional and rational reasons. An individual ranking high on a rational approach to a product and at the same time exhibiting a high degree of involvement would need more facts and evidences for making a decision. While, another individual taking a more emotional approach to the product and exhibiting the same high level of involvement would be influenced by strong emotional appeals. What should then be the stand of the advertisers when developing ads of insurance policy? What works best – an emotional approach or a rational appeal?

The present paper is an attempt at investigating whether variations in the need for cognition makes individuals favour a particular type of appeal, especially in case of advertisements of insurance policy. The study is exploratory in nature with 2×2 factorial design, wherein need for cognition and types of appeals are independent variables and consumers response is the dependent variable, Independent variable of need for cognition has two levels high and low; whereas advertising appeal has two categories rational and emotional. The study proposes to examine whether there are significant variations in the responses of individuals having high and low need for cognition towards emotional and rational ad appeals, in case of advertisements of insurance policy. The findings of the study would enable marketers and advertisers in developing suitable ads for insurance policy.
Leader Member Exchange and Employee Attitudes: A Study in the Indian Context
Authors: Vikramaditya E.
Published: February 2012

This study examined outcomes of leader-member exchange (LMX) relationships in the Indian context. Using data collected from 110 employees, the author investigated the relationship between LMX and subordinates' reports of outcome variables. Results indicated that job satisfaction, commitment, intention to quit, leadership effectiveness, satisfaction with leader and extra effort were positively related to LMX. Intention to quit was negatively related to LMX. Implications and limitations of the study are identified.
Satisfaction of Textile Workers with Awards/Settlements: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Jyoti  , Sidhu A. S.
Published: February 2012

The Indian industrial relations model is based on the free enterprise-cum-planning-cum-growing public sector-cum parliamentary democracy model of growth. For the purpose of securing peace in industry and to give a fair deal to the workers, Indian industrial relations system has also designed different organs for the settlement of industrial disputes. Two methods are generally followed in the state of Punjab as well as in the country as a whole to deal with the industrial disputes viz., (1) Direct settlement, and (2) Third party settlement. A number of studies have been carried out to evaluate the performance of dispute settlement at the state and national levels. However authors feel that efficiency is not the only criterion to analyse the performance of dispute settlement machinery. Effectiveness, i.e., whether it makes parties, especially the workers, satisfied with those awards/settlements, can be another criterion to evaluate the performance of dispute settlement machinery. The present study has been carried out to address this question. For this purpose an attempt has been made to identify the factors which discriminates the satisfied/dissatisfied group of workers with awards/ settlements. Stepwise discriminant analysis has found that out of thirteen variables only three variables, i.e., marital status of workers, awareness about past agreements, and preference for the method of settlement, have emerged as significant variables to predict the profile of satisfied workers in textile industry of Punjab. Hence, the null hypothesis that no significant difference exists in the profile of two groups in regard to their satisfaction level is rejected.
Organizational Climate and Organizational Role Stress: A Correlational Study in Newspaper Industry
Authors: Singh Sanjay Kumar , Dhillon Paramjeet Kaur
Published: February 2012

The study deals with the relationships of organizational climate with organizational role stress in newspaper industry and the sample under study were the staff reporters/correspondents of newspapers. This study is unique in the sense that hardly any research inquiry has been so far done on to the newspaper reporters/correspondents from a psychological perspective. The findings of the study indicate that perception of internal environment of organization is negatively related with the felt role stress on the part of all the groups of newspaper reporters under study. The findings of the study were discussed in the light of previous research in the field. This study is of importance to the newspaper industry as it would help the management of the newspaper organization to design organizational policies, practices, and procedures in such a fashion so that the newspaper reporters could work to their level best without experiencing too much of role stress.
The Relationship Between Work Attitudes and Work Performance
Authors: Randhawa Gurpreet
Published: February 2012

The present study attempts to examine the relationship between work performance and work attitudes (job satisfaction, turnover intentions and job specific self-efficacy). Participants were a sample of 150 scientists randomly selected from the Agriculture Extension Centres in Haryana. They were in the age range of 26 to 65 years. The results indicated that both job satisfaction and self-efficacy are significantly positively correlated with work performance of scientists. Furthermore, the results showed that there is a significant negative correlation between turnover intentions and work performance. Thus, the analysis indicated that work performance is significantly related to all these variables.
A Study of Relationship of Job Burnout and Job Anxiety with Job Involvement among Bank Employees
Authors: Allam Zafrul
Published: February 2012

In this study, an attempt has been made to find out the relationship between job burnout, job anxiety and their various facets and job involvement among managers and clerical staff of banks. The sample consisted of 300 employees selected randomly from various branches of nationalized banks. A set of tools containing Job Involvement Scale, Job Anxiety Scale and Job Burnout Inventory was used to gather information. The data were analyzed by means of Person's coefficient correlation. The results revealed that (i) personal accomplishment, one of the facets of job burnouts was found significantly to be related to job involvement among the bank managers (ii) emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment were found significantly to be related to job involvement among clerical staff and, (iii) no significant relationship was found between job anxiety and its factors and job involvement among bank managers; whereas only self-esteem was found significantly to be related to job involvement among the clerical staff.
The Indian Economy: A Study of its Susceptibility to Fuller Capital Account Convertibility (CAC)
Authors: Ray Subhasis , Das Subhrajyoti
Published: February 2012

The purpose of the project is to find out possible implications for fuller Capital Account Convertibility (CAC) in the Indian context. Fuller CAC implies selling and buying financial assets overseas in market determined exchange rate, which indicates abundant inflow and outflow of FII, FDI in the capital market. Any change in this flow can affect the economy either directly or in an indirect manner. Therefore it is important for any economy to keep a balance between the inward and outward flows of capital across the country. Currently India is experiencing a high momentum cash inflow and withdrawal by Foreign Institutional Investors (FII) and in the backdrop of recent East Asian economic crisis, this calls for special attention. This paper tests the randomness and stationarity of the Indian Stock market (through NIFTY) and then analyzes the long term influence of FII and Mutual Fund on NIFTY performance. Finally it tests for any significant decline in GDP growth in a few East Asian countries before and after fuller CAC implementation. This paper concludes that fuller CAC does not ring an immediate alarm on the performance of the stock market, however GDP growth has been affected post-implementation in other developing countries. India needs to guard itself so that fuller CAC does not make it dependent on foreign investments, rather should give an impetus for robust industrial development.
Performance Evaluation of Indian Commercial Banks Using the Super Efficiency Approach
Authors: Sinha Ram Pratap
Published: February 2012

In view of the changed scenario in the Indian banking sector during the reform period, this paper tries to make a comparison of fund and non-fund based operating performance of select (28) Indian commercial banks (20 public sector, eight private sector) for the period 2002–03 to 2004–05 using the super efficiency approach.

The results available from the study indicate a decline in mean technical efficiency (implying greater heterogeneity in performance across banks) during the period under consideration. This divergence in performance during the later years could be due to the influence of idiosyncratic factors. The study also indicates that the observed private sector banks have higher mean technical efficiency than the observed public sector banks.
Profiling Organizational Learning: An Empirical Study of IT and Banking Sectors in India
Authors: Azmi Feza Tabassum , Hussain Zareen
Published: February 2012

“Without learning, the wise become foolish; by learning, the foolish become wise. Learn as if you could never have enough of learning, as if you might miss something.”

Confucius (551–479 BC)

Changing business landscape and environmental pressures are constantly threatening the survival of business organizations. Even perennially successful companies are finding it difficult to deliver consistent results. Organizations that were till now basking in the glory of a near invincible status, need to understand that learning is indispensable for survival and success.

Keeping in mind the vital role that learning plays in any organization, the objective of the present study was to compare the organizations in the banking and IT sectors in India vis-à-vis their learning orientation. Based on data collected from top-ranking organizations in the two sectors, the study reveals that statistically significant differences were found between the two sectors on most of the learning dimensions; significant differences were also found to exist when pair-wise comparison was made between organizations from the two sectors. Intra-sectoral comparisons revealed that although within the IT sector there were differences; no statistically significant difference was observed within the banking sector.
Rehabilitation of VRS Seekers: Myths and Realities
Authors: Pathardikar Avinash D. , Sahu Sangeeta
Published: February 2012

VRS is viewed as one of the methods for the turnaround of the company when the business cycle is on a declining curve. Though these schemes have reduced excess fat of the organisations, but the life of individuals getting VRS has long been neglected. The study attempts to reveal the benefits provided by the organisation to the voluntarily retired employees and their life after voluntary retirement in terms of various independent and dependent variables. Findings show significant relation of age, income, education and number of dependents with worries and tensions after VRS.

Moreover, the financial support from organisation in the form of compensation is not enough. The results highlight the need of greater role to be played by the organisations for VRS seekers in preparing them for a better life after.
Managing Environmental Economies: An Indian Perspective
Authors: Prasad Lakshman
Published: February 2012

The article emphasizes on strengthening our eco-economy It pleads for evolving consensual methodologies and acting on that in the area of environmental accounting. Such an approach should integrate ‘polluters pay principle’, disincentives on environmentally destructive activities and other fiscal instruments including incentives on eco-friendly measures to contribute to ‘green budget’. The product pricing to reflect social costs and environmental costs to form an important component of project costs are some of the themes elucidated briefly in the text. It is necessary that ecologists and economists should jointly zero-in on some strategic parameters to pave the way for such an exercise.

“The stability of an empire depends upon the stability of its environment”.

Chankya 4thCentury B.C.
Stress Among Gold Collar Employees in Chennai City
Authors: Ramaniah G. , Subrahmanian Mu.
Published: February 2012

The employment landscape in India is undergoing structural changes. The largest employers in India are no longer companies in the manufacturing domain but in the IT and BPO domains. Employees working in the IT industry all are termed as Gold Collar Employees. Stress among them is now-a-days increasing due to competition, conflicting expectations from peers, team leaders or clients, etc. They go through a lot of anxiety, depression and loneliness because of their work environment, and often exhibit feelings or inadequacy, lowered self esteem and dissatisfaction. This article examines the relation between organizational role stress (ORS) and demographics of 300 IT professionals working in Chennai city. The ORS scale designed by Udai Pareek was used to study the above. The results show that there is high stress level. Further it was found that there exists a relation between martial status and ORS. The stress among females is due to role isolation, inter role distance and role overload.