bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“I Am Administering Medication—Please Do Not Interrupt Me”: Red Tabards Preventing Interruptions as Perceived by Surgical Patients
Authors: Palese Alvisa , Ferro Marcello , Pascolo Marika , Dante Angelo , Vecchiato Sara
Published: May 2015

Introduction

The recent introduction of red tabards aimed at avoiding interruptions during medication rounds has generated scientific and media debate, which is still ongoing. The principal aim of this study was to evaluate patients' perceptions of 3 different red tabards; the secondary aim was to explore individual factors associated with the negative perceptions that emerged.

Methods

Eligible patients had to be admitted to the selected general surgical department and give written informed consent. A total of 104 patients were interviewed. Three real-sized red tabards, made with laminated paper and displaying different messages, were shown over 3 days to each patient involved.

Results

Despite displaying different messages, from asking everyone not to disturb to allowing only patients to interrupt, patients perceived the tabards as directed at themselves. A different risk of preventing patients from communicating urgent needs emerged. The first tabard I am administering medication—Please do not interrupt me was most at risk to inhibit the patient. A negative impact was reported by 44 patients (42.3%) for the first tabard, 50 (48.0%) for the second tabard, and 40 (38.4%) for the third. In the logistic regression, only 2 independent factors were significantly associated with the negative perception of the message reported on the tabards: a positive attitude to interrupting nurses and receiving medication during their time in hospital. However, the variance explained by these factors ranges from 9.4% to 18.3%.

Conclusions

On the basis of the findings that emerged, the adoption of the tabards should be evaluated considering the benefits already documented, and the potential negative effects that emerged on patients, which may be influenced by cultural and linguistic aspects. Wearing the tabard with the message reported on the back, directed to the staff and not the patients, may have less negative effects on patients; in addition, using a different color not to alarm the patients may be useful. In addition, comparing the red tabard effects with other strategies introduced to deal with avoidable interruptions (e.g., “no interruption zone”) to gain a comprehensive picture regarding benefits/harm is also important.
Novibacillus thermophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a Gram-staining-negative and moderately thermophilic member of the family Thermoactinomycetaceae
Authors: Yang Guiqin , Chen Junhua , Zhou Shungui
Published: May 2015

Two Gram-staining-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterial strains, SG-1T and SG-2, were isolated from a saline soil sample and a compost sample, respectively. The cells were non-motile rods that occurred singly or in chains, and endospores were not observed under tested growth conditions. Optimum growth occurred at 50 °C, pH 7.5–8.0 and with 5–7 % (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G+C content was 49.5–50.5 mol%. The strains contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The polar lipids consisted mainly of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A1γ (meso-DAP direct). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the new isolates belonged to the family Thermoactinomycetaceae, exhibiting low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (90.8–91.3 %) to the nearest type strain, Mechercharimyces asporophorigenens YM11-542T, and formed a well-supported lineage that was clearly distinguished from all currently described genera in this family. Based on our polyphasic taxonomic characterization, we propose that strains SG-1T and SG-2 represent a novel genus and species within the family Thermoactinomycetaceae, for which we propose the name Novibacillus thermophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Novibacillus thermophilus is SG-1T ( = KCTC 33118T = CGMCC 1.12771T).
Updating Rule 15 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria
Authors: Tindall Brian J.
Published: May 2015

The wording of Rule 15 as originally published in the 1975 and 1990 revisions of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria with regard to the definition of

nomenclatural types

was not clearly expressed and was modified by the Judicial Commission in 2008. However, there is a difference between the wording as proposed and that accepted. On reflection there is justification for re-examining both the proposed and the accepted wording.
X-ray Intermolecular Structure Factor (XISF): separation of intra- and intermolecular interactions from total X-ray scattering data
Authors: Mou Q. , Benmore C. J. , Yarger J. L.
Published: May 2015

XISF is a MATLAB program developed to separate intermolecular structure factors from total X-ray scattering structure factors for molecular liquids and amorphous solids. The program is built on a trust-region-reflective optimization routine with the r.m.s. deviations of atoms physically constrained. XISF has been optimized for performance and can separate intermolecular structure factors of complex molecules.
X-ray diffraction line profile analysis of acid-resistant goethite in Western Australian nickel laterite ore
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Li Jian , McDonald Robbie G. , van Riessen Arie , Hart Robert D.
Published: May 2015

The goethite peaks in synchrotron and laboratory X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) patterns of an acid-resistant nickel laterite ore sample from a site in Western Australia exhibit a `super-Lorentzian' shape. The method for extracting the coherently scattering domain size distribution published by Leoni & Scardi [J. Appl. Cryst. (2004), 37, 629–634] is adapted to fit the asymmetric goethite peak profiles, allowing the refinement of lattice parameters for multiple goethite structural models while maintaining their relationships. The anisotropic peak broadening due to the acicular shape of the goethite crystals is addressed using spherical harmonics predefined from an XRPD pattern of a synthetic goethite sample. A bimodal coherently scattering domain size distribution of goethite crystals is predicted from the goethite profile fitting and agrees with previous transmission electron microscopy findings that two goethite populations with different domain sizes and metal substitutions exist in the ore sample. The small goethite size fraction dissolved slowly during atmospheric acid leaching, while the large goethite fraction barely dissolved. Caustic pre-treatment by KOH digestion significantly enhanced the acid-leaching performance of the small goethite fraction, but had no effect on the large goethite fraction. This study demonstrates that quantitative phase analysis on designated goethite size fractions can successfully fit the super-Lorentzian shaped line profiles of natural goethite crystals with a confirmed bimodal domain size distribution.
PRIGo: a new multi-axis goniometer for macromolecular crystallography
Authors: Waltersperger Sandro , Olieric Vincent , Pradervand Claude , Glettig Wayne , Salathe Marco , Fuchs Martin R. , Curtin Adrian , Wang Xiaoqiang , Ebner Simon , Panepucci Ezequiel , Weinert Tobias , Schulze-Briese Clemens , Wang Meitian
Published: May 2015

The Parallel Robotics Inspired Goniometer (PRIGo) is a novel compact and high-precision goniometer providing an alternative to (mini-)kappa, traditional three-circle goniometers and Eulerian cradles used for sample reorientation in macromolecular crystallography. Based on a combination of serial and parallel kinematics, PRIGo emulates an arc. It is mounted on an air-bearing stage for rotation around ω and consists of four linear positioners working synchronously to achievex, y, ztranslations and χ rotation (0–90°), followed by a φ stage (0–360°) for rotation around the sample holder axis. Owing to the use of piezo linear positioners and active correction, PRIGo features spheres of confusion of <1 µm, <7 µm and <10 µm for ω, χ and φ, respectively, and is therefore very well suited for micro-crystallography. PRIGo enables optimal strategies for both native and experimental phasing crystallographic data collection. Herein, PRIGo hardware and software, its calibration, as well as applications in macromolecular crystallography are described.
Laue-DIC: a new method for improved stress field measurements at the micrometer scale
Authors: Petit J. , Castelnau O. , Bornert M. , Zhang F. G. , Hofmann F. , Korsunsky A. M. , Faurie D. , Le Bourlot C. , Micha J. S. , Robach O. , Ulrich O.
Published: May 2015

A better understanding of the effective mechanical behavior of polycrystalline materials requires an accurate knowledge of the behavior at a scale smaller than the grain size. The X-ray Laue microdiffraction technique available at beamline BM32 at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility is ideally suited for probing elastic strains (and associated stresses) in deformed polycrystalline materials with a spatial resolution smaller than a micrometer. However, the standard technique used to evaluate local stresses from the distortion of Laue patterns lacks accuracy for many micromechanical applications, mostly due to (i) the fitting of Laue spots by analytical functions, and (ii) the necessary comparison of the measured pattern with the theoretical one from an unstrained reference specimen. In the present paper, a new method for the analysis of Laue images is presented. A Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique, which is essentially insensitive to the shape of Laue spots, is applied to measure the relative distortion of Laue patterns acquired at two different positions on the specimen. The new method is tested on anin situdeformed Si single-crystal, for which the prescribed stress distribution has been calculated by finite-element analysis. It is shown that the new Laue-DIC method allows determination of local stresses with a strain resolution of the order of 10−5.
Crystal packing in three related disaccharides: precursors to heparan sulfate oligosaccharides
Authors: Gainsford Graeme J. , Schwörer Ralf , Tyler Peter C. , Zubkova Olga V.
Published: May 2015

The three title compounds form part of a set of important precursor dissacharides which lead to novel therapeutics, in particular for Alzheimer's disease. All three crystallize as poorly diffracting crystals with one independent molecule in the asymmetric unit. Two of them are isostructural: 4-methoxyphenyl 4-O-[6-O-acetyl-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl)-α-D-glucopyranosyl]-2-O-benzoyl-3-O-benzyl-6-O-chloroacetyl-α-L-idopyranoside, C59H56ClN3O16, (I), theido-relative of a reportedgluco-disaccharide [Gainsfordet al., 2013).Acta Cryst.C69, 679–682] and 4-methoxyphenyl 4-O-[6-O-acetyl-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl)-α-D-glucopyranosyl]-2-O-benzoyl-3-O-benzyl-6-O-methoxyacetyl-α-L-idopyranoside, C60H59N3O17, (II). Both exhibit similar conformational disorder of pendant groups. The third compound 4-methoxyphenyl 4-O-[6-O-acetyl-2-azido-3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl]-2-O-benzoyl-3-O-benzyl-6-O-methoxyoacetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, C52H55N3O15, (III), illustrates that a slightly larger set of weak intermolecular interactions can result in a less disordered molecular arrangement. The molecules are bound by weak C—H...O(ether) hydrogen bonds in (I) and (II), augmented by C—H...π interactions in (III). The absolute configurations were determined, although at varying levels of significance from the limited observed data.
Crystal structure of (4Z)-4-[(2E)-1-hydroxy-3-(naphthalen-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-ylidene]-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one
Authors: Salim Muhammad , Munawar Munawar Ali , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz , Shahid Muhammad , Malik Khizar Iqbal
Published: May 2015

In the title compound, C23H18N2O2, the pyrazole ring subtends dihedral angles of 2.01 (13) and 1.55 (10)° with the pendant benzene ring and the naphthalene ring system, respectively. The molecule is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation for the 27 non-H atoms = 0.025 Å) and intramolecular O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds both closeS(6) loops. In the crystal, very weak aromatic π–π stacking interactions between the benzene and the pyrazole rings, with centroid–centroid distances of 3.8913 (14) and 3.9285 (15) Å, are observed.
Crystal structure of 2-(p-tolyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)benzo[b]thiophene-3-carbonitrile
Authors: Sandhya N. C. , Naveen S. , Lokanath N. K. , Ananda S.
Published: May 2015

In the title compound, C17H10F3NS, the dihedral angle between the fused benzothiophene ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.042 Å) and the benzene ring is 29.78 (11)°. The crystal structure features C—H...F and very weak C—H...N hydrogen bonds, which generate (001) sheets.
Crystal structure of 2-nitro-N-(2-nitrophenyl)benzamide
Authors: Moreno-Fuquen Rodolfo , Azcárate Alexis , Kennedy Alan R.
Published: May 2015

In the title compound, C13H9N3O5, the mean plane of the non-H atoms of the central amide fragment C—N—C(=O)—C [r.m.s. deviation = 0.0442 Å] forms dihedral angles of 71.76 (6) and 24.29 (10)° with the C-bonded and N-bonded benzene rings, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds formingC(4) chains along [100]. Weak C—H...O contacts link the molecules into (100) sheets containing edge-fusedR44(30) rings. Together, the N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds generate a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structures of spinel-type Na2MoO4and Na2WO4revisited using neutron powder diffraction
Authors: Fortes A. Dominic
Published: May 2015

Time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction data have been collected from Na2MoO4and Na2WO4to a resolution of sin (θ)/λ = 1.25 Å−1, which is substantially better than the previous analyses using MoKα X-rays, providing roughly triple the number of measured reflections with respect to the previous studies [Okadaet al.(1974).Acta Cryst.B30, 1872–1873; Bramnik & Ehrenberg (2004).Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem.630, 1336–1341]. The unit-cell parameters are in excellent agreement with literature data [Swansonet al.(1962). NBS Monograph No. 25, sect. 1, pp. 46–47] and the structural parameters for the molybdate agree very well with those of Bramnik & Ehrenberg (2004). However, the tungstate structure refinement of Okadaet al.(1974) stands apart as being conspicuously inaccurate, giving significantly longer W—O distances, 1.819 (8) Å, and shorter Na—O distances, 2.378 (8) Å, than are reported here or in other simple tungstates. As such, this work represents an order-of-magnitude improvement in precision for sodium molybdate and an equally substantial improvement in both accuracyandprecision for sodium tungstate. Both compounds adopt the spinel structure type. The Na+ions have site symmetry .-3mand are in octahedral coordination while the transition metal atoms have site symmetry -43mand are in tetrahedral coordination.
Crystal structure of barium perchlorate anhydrate, Ba(ClO4)2, from laboratory X-ray powder data
Authors: Lee Jeonghoo H. , Kang Ji Hoon , Lim Sung-Chul , Hong Seung-Tae
Published: May 2015

The previously unknown crystal structure of barium perchlorate anhydrate, determined and refined from laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data, represents a new structure type. The title compound was obtained by heating hydrated barium perchlorate [Ba(ClO4)2·xH2O] at 423 Kin vacuofor 6 h. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space groupFddd. The asymmetric unit contains one Ba (site symmetry 222 on special position 8a), one Cl (site symmetry 2 on special position 16f) and two O sites (on general positions 32h). The structure can be described as a three-dimensional polyhedral network resulting from the corner- and edge-sharing of BaO12polyhedra and ClO4tetrahedra. Each BaO12polyhedron shares corners with eight ClO4tetrahedra, and edges with two ClO4tetrahedra. Each ClO4tetrahedron shares corners with four BaO12polyhedra, and an edge with the other BaO12polyhedron.
Numerical simulation of thermal properties at Cu/Al interfaces based on hybrid model
Authors: Tang Yunqing , Zhang Liqiang , Yang Haiying , Guo Juan , Liao Ningbo , Yang Ping
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate thermal properties at Cu/Al interfaces.

Design/methodology/approach

– A hybrid (molecular dynamics-interface stress element-finite element model (MD-ISE-FE) model is constructed to describe thermal behaviors at Cu/Al interfaces. The heat transfer simulation is performed after the non-ideal Cu/Al interface is constructed by diffusion bonding.

Findings

– The simulation shows that the interfacial thermal resistance is decreasing with the increase of bonding temperature; while the interfacial region thickness and interfacial thermal conductivity are increasing with similar trends when the bonding temperature is increasing. It indicates that the higher bonding temperature can improve thermal properties of the interface structure.

Originality/value

– The MD-ISE-FE model proposed in this paper is computationally efficient for interfacial heat transfer problems, and could be used in investigations of other interfacial behaviors of dissimilar materials. All these are helpful for the understanding of thermal properties of wire bonding interface structures. It implies that the MD-ISE-FE multiscale modeling approach would be a potential method for design and analysis of interfacial characteristics in micro/nano assembly.
Finite element analysis of frictionless contact problems using fuzzy control approach
Authors: Massa F , Do H , Cazier O , Tison T , Lallemand B
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a new way to solve numerically a mechanical frictionless contact problem within a context of multiple sampling, frequently used to design robust structures.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper proposes to integrate a control-based approach, currently used in automation domain, for the solving of non-linear mechanical problem. More precisely, a fuzzy logic controller is designed to create a link between the normal gaps identified between the bodies and the normal contact pressures applied at the interface.

Findings

– With this new strategy, the initial non-linear problem can be decomposed into a set of reduced linear problems solved using the finite element method. A projection built from the modal bases of each component in contact is considered to reduce computational time. Moreover, the proposed numerical applications highlight an interesting compromise between computation time and precision of contact data.

Research limitations/implications

– Currently, the proposed Fuzzy Logic Controller for Contact method has been developed for a frictionless contact problem in the case of 2D numerical applications. Therefore, as obtained results are very interesting, it will be possible to expand on these works in a future works for more complex problems including friction, 3D model and transient dynamic responses by adding other controllers.

Originality/value

– In conclusion, this paper highlights the interest of studying a contact problem by considering automation approaches and defines the basis of future multidisciplinary works.
Geometrically nonlinear analysis of two-dimensional structures using an improved smoothed particle hydrodynamics method
Authors: Lin Jun , Naceur Hakim , Coutellier Daniel , Laksimi Abdel
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an efficient smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method particularly adapted for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of structures.

Design/methodology/approach

– In order to resolve the inconsistency phenomenon which systematically occurs in the standard SPH method at the domain’s boundaries of the studied structure, the classical kernel function and its spatial derivatives were modified by the use of Taylor series expansion. The well-known tensile instabilities inherent to the Eulerian SPH formulation were attenuated by the use of the Total Lagrangian Formulation (TLF).

Findings

– In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present improved SPH method, several numerical applications involving geometrically nonlinear behaviors were carried out using the explicit dynamics scheme for the time integration of the PDEs. Comparisons of the obtained results using the present SPH model with analytical reference solutions and with those obtained using ABAQUS finite element (FE) commercial software, show its good accuracy and robustness.

Practical implications

– An additional application including a multilayered composite structure and involving buckling and delamination was investigated using the present improved SPH model and the results are compared to the FE results, they confirmed both the efficiency and the accuracy of the proposed method.

Originality/value

– An efficient 2D-continuum SPH model for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of thin and thick structures is proposed. Contrarily to the classical SPH approaches, here the constitutive material relations are used to link naturally the stresses and strains. The Total Lagrangian approach is investigated to alleviate the tensile instabilities problem, allowing at the same time to avoid the updating procedure of the neighboring particles search and therefore reducing CPU usage. The proposed approach is valid for isotropic and multilayered composites structures undergoing large transformations. CPU time savings and better results with the new 2D-continuum SPH formulation compared to the classical continuum SPH. The explicit dynamic scheme was used for time integration allowing a fast resolution algorithm even for highly nonlinear problems.
Development and validation of an incompressible Navier-Stokes solver including convective heat transfer
Authors: Stokos Konstantinos , Vrahliotis Socrates , Pappou Theodora , Tsangaris Sokrates
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a numerical method for the simulation of steady and unsteady incompressible laminar flows, including convective heat transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

– A node centered, finite volume discretization technique is applied on hybrid meshes. The developed solver, is based on the artificial compressibility approach.

Findings

– A sufficient number of representative test cases have been examined for the validation of this numerical solver. A wide range of the various dimensionless parameters were applied for different working fluids, in order to estimate the general applicability of our solver. The obtained results agree well with those published by other researchers. The strongly coupled solution of the governing equations showed superiority compared to the loosely coupled solution as inviscid effects increase.

Practical implications

– Convective heat transfer is dominant in a wide variety of practical engineering problems, such as cooling of electronic chips, design of heat exchangers and fire simulation and suspension in tunnels.

Originality/value

– A comparison between the strongly coupled solution and the loosely coupled solution of the Navier-Stokes and energy equations is presented. A robust upwind scheme based on Roe’s approximate Riemann solver is proposed.
The estimation of the length constant of a long cooling fin by variational iteration method
Authors: Zhang Yan , Chen Qiaoling , Liu Fujuan , Wang Ping
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to validate the variational iteration method (VIM) is suitable for various nonlinear equations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The He’s VIM is applied to solve nonlinear equation which is derived from actual engineering problem. The result was compared with other method.

Findings

– The result obtained from VIM shows good agreement with Xu’s result which provide a solid evidence that VIM is convenient and effective for solving nonlinear equation in the engineering.

Originality/value

– The VIM can be extended to many academic and engineering fields for nonlinear equations solving.
Improved method of determining friction factor in pipes
Authors: Winning Herbert Keith , Coole Tim
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an improved computational method for determining the friction factor for turbulent flow in pipes.

Design/methodology/approach

– Given that the absolute pipe roughness is generally constant in most systems, and that there are few changes to the pipe diameter, the proposed method uses a simplified equation for systems with a specific relative pipe roughness. The accuracy of the estimation of the friction factor using the proposed method is compared to the values obtained using the implicit Colebrook-White equation while the computational efficiency is determined by comparing the time taken to perform 300 million calculations.

Findings

– The proposed method offers a significant improvement in computational efficiency for its accuracy and is compared 28 of the explicit equations currently in use.

Practical implications

– This method enables a simplified equation to offer a significant improvement in computational efficiency for its accuracy and is easier to code, enabling engineers to more efficiently calculate frictional pressure loss for flow in pipes.

Originality/value

– Due to the complexities in flow regime and pipe roughness, there is a limit to the scope for further computational efficiency through simplification of the explicit equation. This paper presents a new method and simplified equation which combined are able to deliver results with similar accuracy to less computationally efficient explicit equations.
Thermal performance of six different types of wavy-fins
Authors: Khaled AbdulRahim Assaad
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– Heat transfer inside wavy fins is analyzed in this work. The paper aim to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– Six different types of wavy fins are considered. The fin equation for each fin type is solved using a high accurate finite difference method. Excellent agreement is obtained between the numerical solution under zero wave amplitude and the exact solution of the plain fin.

Findings

– The following wavy fin types and conditions are found to produce larger heat transfer rate and its volumetric value than those for the plain fin and other wavy fins: short fins with parallel wavy profiles and large surface-wave frequency; long fins with symmetric wavy surface around the length axis, positive cross-sectional area gradient at the base, and large surface-wave frequency; and long fins with symmetric wavy profiles around the length axis, positive cross-sectional area gradient at the base, and small surface-wave frequency.

Research limitations/implications

– In addition, both fins with symmetric wavy surface around the width axis and parallel wavy surfaces along the width axis have same performance indicators. Also, these wavy fins possess higher fin efficiency than either that of the plain fin or those of the other types of wavy fins.

Originality/value

– Finally, heat transfer enhancements in the studied wavy fins are increased by increases in the excess of the surface area, cross-sectional area gradient at the base, arc length and arc width relative to those of the plain fin.
Fairness judgments and counterfactual thinking: pricing goods versus services
Authors: Naquin Charles E , Kurtzberg Terri R. , Krishnan Aparna
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to propose and empirically document the idea that people’s perceptions of having been treated fairly depend, in part, on whether the explanation provided to them of a product’s pricing is primarily based on the costs of labor (a service) versus materials (goods). Because materials are more fixed and tangible than the effort of labor, it is argued that people will have fewer counterfactual thoughts about how things could have been different with the cost of materials than those associated with labor. This has implications for fairness judgments more generally, as it suggests that people may be uneven in which types of data they attend to when making fairness judgments. Three experiments are presented that empirically test the relationship between the salience of goods versus services in the price paid and the resulting perceptions of fairness. Findings confirm that thoughts of money spent on a service were associated with lesser feelings of fairness than were thoughts of money spent on a good. This research uniquely identifies the mechanism by which some evaluations are considered fairer than others. Implications for organizational processes, such as procedural justice and fair compensation, are discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three experiments are presented that empirically test the relationship between the salience of goods versus services in the price paid, and the resulting perceptions of fairness.

Findings

– Findings confirm that thoughts of money spent on a service were associated with lesser feelings of fairness than were thoughts of money spent on a good.

Originality/value

– This research uniquely identifies the mechanism by which some evaluations are considered fairer than others. Implications for organizational processes, such as procedural justice and fair compensation, are discussed.
Assessing quality of management practices in Palestinian hospitals
Authors: Sabella Anton Robert , Kashou Rami , Omran Omar
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide an assessment of the quality of management practices and implementation in hospitals operating in the West Bank of Palestine using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) Criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on the MBNQA Criteria, a survey of 51 hospitals was conducted using questionnaires, interviews and focus groups to gather data. Data were analyzed and compared across all administrative types of hospitals using the MBNQA points system.

Findings

– The results show that the performance of non-governmental organizations and private hospitals was superior with respect to all other administrative types. A closer look at the results show that all hospitals exhibit areas of concern such as human resource focus, information and analysis, as well as performance results.

Research limitations/implications

– Despite the exclusion of hospitals operating in the Gaza Strip, this research promotes critical management practices aimed at improving quality of management practices and their subsequent implementation in the surveyed hospitals.

Practical implications

– The MBNQA Criteria, as well as other quality assessment tools, can be used to measure the various activities of hospitals and identify competencies and weaknesses in a tangible manner to improve hospital performance.

Originality/value

– This paper presents a fresh perspective on the quality management issues in Palestinian hospitals to practitioners, administrators and academics using the MBNQA Criteria. Also, it serves as a foundation for future initiatives and programs aimed at improving quality in hospitals.
Organizational citizenship behaviour
Authors: Gyekye Seth Ayim , Haybatollahi Mohammad
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The study aims to examine the extent to which age and job satisfaction levels were predictive of organizational citizenship behaviours (OCB). From a practical perspective, understanding age- and job satisfaction-related participation in OCB would benefit management’s decisions regarding workers’ adaptability, general work effectiveness and the effective handling of demographic-dependant organizational characteristics. Members of the sample were 320 Ghanaian industrial workers.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected by cross-sectional self-reports. The internal consistency reliability was tested with Cronbach’s alpha. A one-way ANOVA and post-hoc analyses were used to compare the mean scores of the four age-cohorts. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test the main and interaction effects of age and job satisfaction on OCB. A two-way interaction effect of age and job satisfaction on OCB was produced and illustrated graphically.

Findings

– Both independent variables were predictive of OCB. Age was a significant predictor of OCB in this sample. In contrast to Western studies, older workers were more active in citizenship behaviours than their younger counterparts. The data also indicated job satisfaction to be a significant predictor of citizenship behaviours. Compared to older workers, younger workers’ citizenship behaviours were significantly influenced by job satisfaction. Results were interpreted in the context of East/West cultural values, with special emphasis on Ghanaian cultural influences on OCB. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Originality/value

– The study explored for the first time, the joint impact of age and job satisfaction on citizenship behaviours.
A storyline of ideological change in a New Zealand primary school
Authors: Giles David
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This article aims to report on the findings from a research project that explored a school’s changing ideological storyline with the appointment of a new Principal and the Board of Trustees’ intention to move towards a strengths-based approach to education. Following the school’s dialogue and decision-making over a three-year period enabled the identification of a range of competitive processes between the dominant and an emergent ideology within the school.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using an ideological framework proposed by Meighanet al.(2007), the research focussed on the development and maintenance of shared understandings within each ideology. For the purpose of this article, the participants have been limited to those in school governance, the school’s senior leadership team and some teachers across a three-year period. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, online surveys and informal observations and analysed through interpretive and hermeneutic processes.

Findings

– The findings show the subtleties and nuances of two dominant and competing ideologies that represented different philosophies for education: a deficit discourse of progressive ideals and a strengths-based ideology of education. The existing and dominant ideology is challenged by the determination and moral purpose of the principal with the unanimous support from those in governance. In due process, the school emerged into a creative enterprise through the adoption of shared understandings that were underscored by a strengths-based ideology.

Originality/value

– It is incumbent upon school principals to notice the shifting organisational storylines within their schools and communities and act in a manner that realises the moral imperative of schooling for the students (Fullan, 2011). This article opens specific ideological processes that have appreciatively moved a school towards pedagogical excellence and a repurposing of the organisation for the students’ sake.
Perceived organizational support and work outcomes
Authors: Paillé Pascal
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to examine the mediating role of psychological contract (PC) violation on the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and a set of work-related affects (trust), attitudes (job satisfaction, commitment to the organization and intention to leave) and individual effectiveness (civic virtue).

Design/methodology/approach

– Two independent studies were conducted (N= 162 andN= 242). To test the mediating effect, the procedure of Baron and Kenny (1986) was used in both studies.

Findings

– Overall, in both studies, data reported the same pattern. While PC violation played a partial mediating role between POS and affect (i.e. trust in organization) and attitudes (i.e. commitment, satisfaction and intention to leave), PC violation failed to mediate the relationship between POS and individual effectiveness (i.e. civic virtue).

Practical implications

– The results suggest that the implementation of supportive actions may help employees overcome frustrations tied to their perception that the PC has been broken.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to PC literature. Given that violation was less examined than breach, this paper contributes to greater understanding by addressing the relationship between violation, POS and a set of work outcomes.
Exploring power assumptions in the leadership and management debate
Authors: Edwards Gareth , Schedlitzki Doris , Turnbull Sharon , Gill Roger
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to take a fresh look at the leadership and management debate through exploring underlying power assumptions in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is a conceptual discussion that draws on the power-based literature to develop a framework to help conceptually understand leadership in relation to management.

Findings

– The paper highlights the historically clichéd nature of comments regarding conceptual similarities and differences between leadership and management. The paper draws attention to a problem within this debate – a confusion regarding assumptions of power. As a result the paper brings to the forefront perspectives of management that are of an emergent and non-work perspective which enables the development of a framework of the literature that includes managers “doing” leadership, managers “becoming” leaders, “being” leaders and managers, and leaders “doing” management. The paper goes on to explore the meaning and potential behind each part of the framework and suggests a need to develop an understanding of “doing” leadership and management and “being” managers and leaders through an exploration of “becoming” in organisations.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a new perspective on the leadership and management or leadership vs management question by introducing a non-work, emergent or personal perspective on management. Furthermore, this paper concludes that whether leadership and management are similar or different is dependent upon which power construct underlies each phenomenon, a consideration that has been neglected in the leadership and management debate for some time.
Does learning orientation matter for nonprofit organization performance? Empirical evidence from Ghana
Authors: Baba Yusif
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– Many changes taking place in the nonprofit sector have created an environment in which organizational learning could be regarded as representing a high-profile notion with strategic importance for nonprofit organizations (NPOs), but its application in the nonprofit sector has not received adequate research attention. The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical test of the relationship between learning orientation and NPO performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature on organizational learning is briefly reviewed and a marketing-focussed perspective on learning is adopted. Then drawing from resource-based theory and relationship marketing, a conceptual model is developed that links learning orientation to NPO performance, predicting that noneconomic performance would mediate between learning orientation and economic performance. Using Baron and Kenny’s mediation regression procedure, this prediction is subjected to an empirical test with survey data collected on 118 NPOs operating in Ghana.

Findings

– The paper finds a general support for the view that noneconomic performance is the primary organizational feature that drives economic performance and that learning orientation is an outgrowth of this characteristic.

Originality/value

– This study addresses the important question of whether paying attention to their mission helps NPOs acquire critical resources from their funding entities, discussing this issue in the context of organizational learning to respond to RBT scholars’ call for more research that highlight the underlying processes through which strategic resources (such as organizational learning) contribute to the organization’s financial outcomes.
How toxic leaders are perceived: gender and information-processing
Authors: Chua Sarah Mei Yi , Murray Duncan William
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study gender-based differences in information-processing impact on message perception, leading to women viewing the behavior of potentially toxic leaders more negatively than they are viewed by men.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 381 participants completed a series of measures of cue recognition items, collusion and conformity pertaining to a hypothetical toxic leadership scenario.

Findings

– Results indicated that women perceived the toxic leader more negatively than men, elaborating more on negative message connotations, while men emphasized positives. Likewise, men recorded higher scores on their tendency to collude with the toxic leader compared to women. Evidence was also found that participants were more attuned to negative messages and behavior from a leader of the same gender.

Research limitations/implications

– The Anglo-Celtic dominance of the sample is identified as a potential limitation. Further research exploring how not only gender, but age and cultural differences impact on how leaders are perceived is also proposed.

Practical implications

– From a management standpoint understanding that men and women process information differently has worth in assisting in organizations more effectively structuring their intra-organizational communications. Gender-specific communications may help to offset perceptions of negativity toward leaders.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to consider how gender-based information-processing differences may influence whether a leader is perceived as toxic by male and female followers. It also suggests that gender interaction effects may be critical when considering how leaders, particularly toxic leaders, are viewed by employees.
The role of values and leadership style in developing OCB among Arab teachers in Israel
Authors: Abd El Majid Ebrahem , Cohen Aaron
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between individual values, social exchange variables (organizational leadership and transformational leadership), and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and in-role performance. Specifically, we posited that the principals’ values would be transmitted to the teachers and would thereby affect the latter’s OCB and in-role performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was administrated in a sample of 1,268 teachers and their 64 principals, all of them employed in Arab schools in Israel.

Findings

– The results of HLM showed that the principals’ individual values were related to two of the outcome variables: Openness to change was related to altruistic OCB and self-transcendence to in-role performance. However, the nature of the relationships found was not according to expectations. The findings showed a strong positive relationship between the two social exchange variables and all three outcome variables. The results demonstrate that both individual values and social exchange variables are concepts that can increase the understanding of employees’ behavior in the workplace.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors conclude by emphasizing the need for further research on the relationship between values, social exchange, and performance and by suggesting some directions for such research.

Originality/value

– The data for the study were collected from different sources (data on values and performance from the schools’ principals and data on the exchange variables from the teachers). Such an examination provides interesting insights into the relationship examined, together with reducing common method errors.
Anti-diabetic effect of dandelion leaves and roots in type two diabetic patients
Authors: Iddrisu Ishawu , Oduro Ibok , Tandoh Marina Aferiba , Annan Reginald Adjetey
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to synthesis all primary evidence relevant to the anti-diabetic effect of dandelion. Dandelion leaf and root have been used extensively for its medicinal and health benefits since hundreds of years ago. This systematic review was conducted to gather scientific evidence that are available with regards to the anti-diabetic effect of dandelion leaf and root.

Design/methodology/approach

– A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, BioMed, PLUSONE and Cochrane databases between June 6, 2013 and June 30, 2013. Manual search was also done on books and journals in the KNUST library and its electronic database for possible documented effects of dandelion leaf or root on diabetic patients. Key words “dandelion”, “Taraxacum”, “dandelion and diabetes”, “Taraxacum officinale”, “Taraxacum and diabetes”, “dandelion and hypoglycemia” and “dandelion and hyperglycemia” were used in the search.

Findings

– The search yielded 713 papers, and after the removal of duplicates and papers not relevant to this review, 20 papers were accepted for the review. These included studies conducted in humans and animals (rats and mice). Among the 20 studies reviewed, only 1 study examined and reported a positive hypoglycemic effect of dandelion on diabetic rats.

Research limitations/implications

– The review only considered published papers and might have left out some unpublished research works.

Practical implications

– The results of this review suggest paucity of data available on the use of dandelion in the treatment/management of diabetes. There is the need for well-designed clinical trials to ascertain the anti-diabetic effect of dandelion.

Social implications

– The consumption of dandelion by type 2 diabetic patients to treat or manage their blood glucose has not been clinically proven to be effective, as shown by the review.

Originality/value

– The paper provides a clear picture of the evidence available in the use of dandelion as an anti-diabetic herb, and this provides some preliminary data for the conduct of a clinical research on it.
Sweet and sour: music and taste associations
Authors: Kontukoski Maija , Luomala Harri , Mesz Bruno , Sigman Mariano , Trevisan Marcos , Rotola-Pukkila Minna , Hopia Anu Inkeri
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to extend current understanding concerning the cross-modal correspondences between sounds and tastes by introducing new research tools and experimental data to study associations and their reflections between music and taste.

Design/methodology/approach

– The experiment design addresses the multidisciplinary approach by using cultural, chemical and statistical analysis methods.

Findings

– The paper provides further evidence that exposure to the “sweet” or “sour” musical pieces influences people’s food-related thinking processes and behaviors. It also demonstrates that sweet or sour elements in the music may reflect to actual sweetness (as measured by sugar content) and sourness (as measured by organic acid content) of foods developed in association with music carrying similar taste characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings should be replicated and expanded using larger consumer samples and wider repertoires of “taste music” and dependent variables. Also, the level of experimental control should be improved; e.g., the “sweet” and “sour” music were produced using different instruments, which may have an influence to the results.

Practical implications

– Ambient “taste music” that is congruent with the basic flavors of the dishes can be played in restaurants to highlight guests’ sensory experience.

Social implications

– By carefully considering the symbolic meanings of the music used in different social situations, it is possible to create multimodal experiences and even subconscious expectations in people’ minds.

Originality/value

– Cross-modal associations are made between the tastes and music. This can influence on perception of food and provide new ways to build multimodal gastronomic experiences.