bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organizational creativity: breaking equilibrium and order to innovate
Authors: Borghini Stefania
Published: July 2005

Purpose

The aim of this paper is twofold: to propose a new theoretical framework to interpret organizational creativity as a process of situated and distributed cognition in a sense‐making perspective; and to identify the system of tools which influences this process.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis developed in the paper is theoretical, as it is rooted in a rich literature review concerning organizational creativity and in the proposal to enrich these studies by applying a cognitive and a sense‐making perspective.

Findings

The paper provides a novel framework as well as new levels of analysis.

Originality/value

Compared with previous contributions, the main theoretical thesis is that a firm's creativity is achieved only if some of the well‐established mediating structures that influence creativity are intentionally broken or renewed. This proposal can provide insights for researchers and managers as well.
Knowledge management and business intelligence: the importance of integration
Authors: Herschel Richard T. , Jones Nory E.
Published: July 2005

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide a thorough analysis of the difference between business intelligence (BI) and knowledge management (KM) and to establish a framework for relating one field to the other.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the literature from approximately 1986 through 2004 served as the basis for analysis and comparison of BI and KM. The theoretical scope of the paper is to distinguish between BI and KM to clarify the role of each in a business environment.

Findings

BI focuses on explicit knowledge, but KM encompasses both tacit and explicit knowledge. Both concepts promote learning, decision making, and understanding. Yet, KM can influence the very nature of BI itself. Hence, this paper explains the nature of the integration between BI and KM and makes it clear that BI should be viewed as a subset of KM.

Originality/value

This paper establishes a clear distinction between two important fields of study, BI and KM, establishing an expanded role for BI. That is, the role of BI in knowledge improvement. This expanded role also suggests that the effectiveness of a BI will, in the future, be measured based on how well it promotes and enhances knowledge, how well it improves the mental model(s) and understanding of the decision maker(s) and thereby how well it improves their decision making and hence firm performance. The need for the integration of KM and BI is clear.
The knowledge retrieval matrix: codification and personification as separate strategies
Authors: Gammelgaard Jens , Ritter Thomas
Published: July 2005

Purpose

Proposes that multinational companies (MNCs) establish virtual communities of practice, i.e. intranet‐based collaborative forums, and thereby benefit from a combination of codification and personification strategies in order to solve knowledge retrieval problems for the knowledge worker.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an overview of the problems related to retrieval (i.e. individual decoding and interpretation of knowledge), a literature review on individual memory, databases, social capital and virtual communities of practice reveals a knowledge retrieval means matrix, paying respect to retrieval processes.

Findings

Virtual communities of practice are suggested as a strategy for internationally‐operating corporations that cannot develop regular face‐to‐face contact between employees, but still need some degree of personification for efficient knowledge transfers.

Research limitations/implications

Being a conceptual paper, quantitative/qualitative integration will enrich the debate further. Also, the very narrow focus on firms' information systems excludes important aspects such as knowledge creation, transfer stickiness, and application of retrieved knowledge.

Practical implications

The knowledge retrieval means matrix is a useful instrument for managers to map and further develop their organizations for better utilization of the organizational memory.

Originality/value

The combined tripartition of virtual communities, the combination of codification and personalization, and knowledge retrieval is, to the best of the authors' knowledge, presented for the first time.
The role of diverse institutional agendas in the importation of convergence policy into the Indian communications sector
Authors: Menon Siddhartha
Published: July 2005

Purpose

The primary purpose of this paper is to explore the importation of the convergence idea into the Indian regulatory and institutional context.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives of this paper were largely achieved by utilizing textual or policy document analysis. This methodological technique involves an analysis of primary and some secondary sources including: statements from policy makers and direct quotations from policy documents. In theoretical terms, this inquiry is grounded in institutionalism.

Findings

Barriers to achieving real convergence are not merely a function of perceptual flaws in regulatory measures or shortcomings of the industries involved, but are endemic to unrealistic conceptualizations of the phenomenon in the literature.

Research limitations/implications

More quantitative metrics could be added. However, if more quantitative methods are added the paper needs to be re‐written to accommodate them. Also a comparative perspective could be added, but then again the paper would have to be re‐designed.

Practical implications

This paper offers numerous concrete and practical applications for those in government and industry who are struggling with the convergence issue. For policymakers it provides insights for how governments and consultants may impact the progress of convergence. The paper also illustrates structural factors that industry will face in India in rolling out converged or multi‐media services.

Originality/value

Convergence in the Indian case is greatly under researched. While there has been considerable research into regulatory issues of the nation's telecommunications and broadcast industries, few if any studies have addressed convergence among distinct mediated communication forms. Inquiry into role the regulatory role of consultant firms is particularly lacking.
Do we need broadband? Impacts of broadband in Korea
Authors: Lee Heejin , Oh Sangjo , Shim Yongwoon
Published: July 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the widely‐held assumption that broadband infrastructure will bring social and economic benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the impacts of broadband in Korea, a country with the highest penetration rate of broadband. The current status of broadband in Korea is examined, followed by an assessment of its impact on electronic commerce, overall economic effects and new business opportunities.

Findings

There is evidence of positive impacts of broadband development in Korea. Most importantly, broadband internet not only provides a driving force for new businesses for related industries, but also forms a springboard for future infrastructure in the network economy.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on positive impacts, which are largely anecdotal, and does not seek to assess negative impacts.

Originality/value

There has been little research into the socio‐economic benefits of broadband. In addition, the paper provides a snapshot of development in South Korea.
A CSR framework due to multiculturalism: the Swiss Re case
Authors: Sachs Sybille , Rühli Edwin , Mittnacht Veronika
Published: July 2005

Purpose

Owing to the fact that the concept of “CSR orientation in different cultural settings” is still quite unexplored, both in CSR theory and in empirical research the paper aims to contribute to the question of how corporations can deal with different CSR orientations when they perform their activities in different cultural settings

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretically, the analysis is based on two well‐known corporate social responsibility (CSR) approaches: first, reference is made to Carroll who reflects the economic paradigm as the basic layer of a pyramid in all cultural settings as economic responsibility and, on the opposite side, to Kang and Wood who give priority to moral and social responsibilities aligned to the difference of cultural settings. Based on the comparison of these theories in addition to a qualitative case study in the reinsurance industry some practical insights will be provided into and managerial implications developed regarding how to respond to the challenges of corporate responsibility due to multiculturalism.

Findings

It is claimed that corporations which follow a CSR understanding corresponding to the pyramid of Kang and Wood are better prepared to deal with differences regarding CSR orientation in different cultures compared with corporations that are based on the thinking of Carroll's pyramid.

Originality/value

Changing societal concerns and different local expectations across various countries, in the context of instantaneous world‐wide communication, have strongly increased the exposure of corporations to external criticism and challenge. These effects are intensified for large multinational firms, where complex interactions among distant and diverse constituencies have become commonplace. Broad societal concerns challenge the core strategies of corporations and require strategic responses. But this important strategic challenge response process cannot be analyzed within the traditional views of the firm. Therefore, a paradigm shift is asked in corporate responsibility.
Signaling corporate values: consumers' suspicious minds
Authors: Aqueveque Claudio
Published: July 2005

Purpose

While managers and researchers recognize that corporate social responsibility is positively related to some corporate performance measures, the instrumental reason for this linkage is still unclear. The present research proposes that this relationship can be better understood if the concept of trustworthiness is included.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an experimental design, the present research presents a study in which the presence or absence of environmental commitment information in a company profile is manipulated and presented to consumers, and reports the differences in the measures of consumers' perceptions of company trustworthiness and its sources originated by this manipulation. The analysis of these differences provided evidence of significant positive effects on perceived benevolence and negative effects on perceived ability measures.

Findings

The findings of the present research seem to indicate that, in some contexts, companies' cause commitment can have different (positive and negative) effects on consumers' perception of firms' trustworthiness.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size is the principal limitation of the study. Also the exclusion of personal and cultural values as moderators of the effects is a limitation. Therefore, results should be analyzed carefully because they could vary if the study is replicated in a different culture. Future research should include these personal and cultural variables in a more comprehensive model.

Practical implications

Managers must manage carefully this type of company commitment and the communication of these corporate activities to stakeholders.

Originality/value

This paper tries to analyze from the individual behavior perspective the relationship between corporate social responsibility and corporate trustworthiness.
The meanings of social entrepreneurship today
Authors: Roper Juliet , Cheney George
Published: July 2005

Purpose

Aims to explore the historical development and current usages of the concept of social entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first examines the socio‐political conditions leading to business repositioning in the traditionally governmental role of catering to the financial needs of civil society. It then reviews several models of social entrepreneurship and the leaders who have emerged as social entrepreneurs within those frameworks.

Findings

In discussion the paper questions some of the motives of social entrepreneurs and warns against uncritical acceptance of a blurring of the boundaries between sectors of society.

Research limitations/implications

This is a theoretical paper. Follow‐up research will examine in detail case studies of social entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

Social entrepreneurship is a new and rapidly rising field of practice that is, as yet, under‐researched. This paper synthesizes the limited yet diverse current literature on social entrepreneurship. It also offers a critical perspective that needs to be taken into account before the practice is accepted as a common‐sense salve to social difficulties.
Social performance: key lessons from recent experiences within Shell
Authors: Fossgard‐Moser Titus
Published: July 2005

Purpose

Seeks to summarize the findings of research undertaken by the Shell Group to better understand the business relevance, parameters, status and tools and approaches to manage social performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on four detailed case studies that combined qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and included distinct operational, business and socio‐economic contexts. The paper seeks to build theory around the concept of social performance.

Findings

Key findings include that: there exists a strong business case for social performance; good social performance is fundamentally concerned with the identification and management of core business impacts; social issues can be identified and managed in a systematic manner; and The Shell Group is developing and implementing a range of tools and approaches to assist effective management of social issues.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on a limited number of cases from within Shell; further validation of findings could be achieved through similar research in other industrial sectors.

Practical implications

Research has highlighted the business case for social performance, key “ingredients” of social performance and provides a specific framework and tools for more effective management of social issues.

Originality/value

First time such research has been undertaken within the Shell Group and perhaps similar companies. Paper should be of potential interest value to practitioners (e.g. social performance and CSR managers), academics, policy makers and non‐governmental organizations.
Going global: how to identify and manage societal expectations in supply chains (and the consequences of failure)
Authors: Blowfield Michael E.
Published: July 2005

Purpose

Multinational companies that want to be reputable global citizens need to manage divergent and often conflicting societal expectations. Aims to show that some do this by using a universally applicable set of policies, approaches, rights and responsibilities, while others believe it is better for companies to manage the issues most material to where they are operating.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper, drawing on empirical studies in five continents, examines how companies identify and manage societal expectations when the notion of society itself is undergoing change, and the relationship between business and wider society is being revisited.

Findings

Discusses the experience of employing global social and environmental standards, the value of thinking in terms of a global ethic, and whose interests are served by this approach. Argues that, with certain important caveats, current approaches to managing the social and environmental dimensions of global supply chains provide at best a crude means of tackling societal expectations that can mislead managers into thinking they have the problem in hand.

Research limitations/implications

This paper has consequences not only for those whose expectations are ignored, but also for company managers who think they are doing the right thing but are actually being blinded to important material issues. Argues that this is a direct consequence of how values and power are overlooked in corporate citizenship theory and practice, and that one needs to be more open and thoughtful about what expectations can and should be met.

Originality/value

These observations in this paper challenge aspects of corporate citizenship's orthodox thinking and require that new consideration be given to the challenge of working with and distinguishing between global communities of need and of expectation. They provide a timely reality check for those propounding and employing popular contemporary approaches to managing the business‐society relationship, and at the same time suggest more effective ways of addressing expectation management in the future.
Corporate social responsibility and financial performance
Authors: Van de Velde Eveline , Vermeir Wim , Corten Filip
Published: July 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the interaction between sustainability and financial performance. Can socially responsible investors, integrating environmental, social and ethical issues in their investment policy, expect the same return as traditional investors?

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the sustainability ratings of a specialized rating agency, Vigeo, a Fama and French approach is performed to adapt for style biases in the performances.

Findings

The results indicate that, on a style‐adjusted basis, high sustainability‐rated portfolios have performed better than low‐rated portfolios, but, probably due to the short horizon, not to a significant extent. The same results are found for four out of the five sub‐ratings of which the sustainability rating is composed, suggesting that sustainability is a broad and multidimensional concept that cannot be attributed to one specific theme or topic. The results also indicate that investors are ready to pay a premium for companies with good management of their relations with shareholders, clients and suppliers.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the rather new concept of socially responsible investing and in order to avoid survivorship bias, only a relative time horizon is considered.

Practical implications

There is no cost involved in integrating sustainable dimensions in the investment policy.

Originality/value

The paper shows the relevance of socially responsible investing when one adjusts for style differences within the portfolio.
Realigning business, government and civil society
Authors: Midttun Atle
Published: July 2005

Purpose

This article aims to explore the character of an emerging model of corporate social responsibility (CSR)‐oriented societal governance in an exchange theoretical perspective and to examine the distinctive characteristics of the relations between civil society, business and government in the new model and the drivers behind it.

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing typical roles and role‐sets in political, commercial and regulatory exchange, the article pin‐points characteristics of the embedded relational governance/CSR model contrasted against liberal governance and the Keynesian welfare state. The analysis is stylized and conceptually based, in line with the Weberian ideal type concept and brings out stylized juxtapositions of the three governance models based on previous studies.

Findings

An emerging model of corporate social responsibility (CSR) or embedded relational governance seems to share the basic market orientation of the liberal model, yet, at the same time, sharing many of the social and collective goals of the welfare state. This combination is apparently achieved by embedding the social dimension into civil society and self‐regulatory market processes. Finally, the paper reflects on the drivers behind the new governance approach, in the context of a globalizing economy. The paper argues that NGO‐driven communicative intermediation interfacing with an increasing CSR and corporate governance focus in financial evaluation may serve to retain some of the social agenda from the welfare state, under the CSR‐ or embedded‐relational model, an agenda that seemed to be gradually losing out with the global competitive exposure of the welfare state.

Research limitations/implications

The article presents a stylized analytical framework of CSR/embedded relational governance that lays a basis for further exploration and systematic testing through comparative empirical studies.

Practical implications

The paper brings out the interplay between political, regulatory and commercial processes and gives a broader understanding of the societal implications of CSR.

Originality/value

Original contributions of this paper: first, the analytical formulation of the societal governance implications of CSR; second, the exchange theoretical conceptualization of this mode of societal governance.
Ecogeography of the herpetofauna of a northern California watershed: linking species patterns to landscape processes
Authors: Welsh Jr Hartwell H. , Hodgson Garth R. , Lind Amy J.
Published: July 2005

Ecosystems are rapidly being altered and destabilized on a global scale, threatening native biota and compromising vital services provided to human society. We need to better understand the processes that can undermine ecosystem integrity (resistance‐resilience) in order to devise strategies to ameliorate this trend. We used a herpetofaunal assemblage to first assess spatial patterns of biodiversity and then to discover the underlying landscape processes likely responsible for these patterns. Reptiles and amphibians are a phylogenetically diverse set of species with documented sensitivity to environmental perturbations. We examined ecogeographic patterns of these taxa in aquatic and riparian environments across the landscape mosaic of the Mattole River watershed of northern California, USA. We analyzed species distributions relative to three primary vegetation types (grassland, second‐growth forest, late‐seral forest) and two hydrologic regimes (perennial vs intermittent). We sought evidence for the processes behind these patterns by modeling animal distributions relative to multi‐scale compositional, structural, and physical attributes of the vegetation or hydrologic type. Total herpetofaunal diversity was higher along perennial streams, with reptile diversity higher in mixed grassland. Amphibian and reptile richness, and reptile evenness, varied significantly among the three vegetations. Evidence indicated that distinct assemblages were associated with each end of a seral continuum. Four amphibians were more abundant in late‐seral forest, while two amphibians and two reptiles were more abundant in second‐growth forest, or mixed grassland, or both. Two amphibians were more abundant along intermittent streams. Models for predicting reptile richness, or abundances of the two amphibian assemblages, indicated water temperature was the best predictor variable. Based on these results and the physiological limits of several sensitive species, we determined the primary processes influencing faunal assemblage patterns on this landscape have been vegetation changes resulting from the harvesting of late‐seral forests and the clearing of forest for pasture. Comparing past with present landscape mosaics indicated that these changes have transformed the dominant amphibian and reptile species assemblage from a mostly cold‐water and cool forest‐associated assemblage to one now dominated by warm‐water and mixed grassland/woodland species.
A multi‐scale test for dispersal filters in an island plant community
Authors: C. Burns Kevin
Published: July 2005

Constraints on plant distributions resulting from seed limitation (i.e. dispersal filters) were evaluated on two scales of ecological organization on islands off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. First, island plant communities were separated into groups based on fruit morphology, and patterns in species diversity were compared between fruit‐type groups. Second, abundance patterns in several common fleshy‐fruited, woody angiosperm species were compared to species‐specific patterns in seed dispersal by birds. Results from community‐level analyses showed evidence for dispersal filters. Dry‐fruited species were rare on islands, despite being common on the mainland. Island plant communities were instead dominated by fleshy‐fruited species. Patterns in seed dispersal were consistent with differences in diversity, as birds dispersed thousands of fleshy‐fruited seeds out to islands, while dry fruited species showed no evidence of mainland‐island dispersal. Results from population‐level analyses showed no evidence for dispersal filters. Population sizes of common fleshy‐fruited species were unrelated to island isolation, as were rates of seed dispersal. Therefore, island isolation distances were not large enough to impose constraints on species’ distributions resulting from seed limitation. Rates of seed dispersal were also unrelated to island area. However, several species increased in abundance with island area, indicating post‐dispersal processes also help to shape species distributions. Overall results suggest that seed dispersal processes play an important role in determining the diversity and distribution of plants on islands. At the community‐level, dry‐fruited species were seed limited and island communities were instead dominated by fleshy‐fruited species. At the population‐level, common fleshy‐fruited species were not seed limited and showed few differences in distribution among islands. Therefore, although evidence for dispersal filters was observed, their effects on plant distributions were scale‐dependent.
An investigation into the reduction in flow rate of intravenous fluid by antireflux valves
Authors: Hall J. M. , Roberts F. L.
Published: July 2005

We have investigated the extent to which antireflux (non‐return) valves impede the maximum flow rate of crystalloid in intravenous infusion systems when administered either under gravity or with 300 mmHg added pressure. When used with a 16G cannula, a reduction in flow rate of 19–38% was consistently seen. With a 20G cannula, no significant reduction in flow was found. The valve tested that produced the least reduction in flow was the Westcott Sae‐flo® valve.
Analysis of testis‐specific transcripts in the chicken
Authors: Kim D. K. , Lim D. , Lee B. R. , Shin J. H. , Kim H. , Han J. Y.
Published: July 2005

Sequences of candidate chicken testis‐specific genes were analysed in order to develop a resource for functional genomic studies of the testis and male germ cells. Tentative consensus sequences (TC) containing expressed sequence tags expressed in testis libraries were selected from the TIGR Gallus gallus Gene Index, resulting in 292 TC. The transcriptional expression of these genes were evaluated in several chicken tissues, including testis and ovary. One hundred ten of the 292 TC were expressed in a testis‐specific manner. Annotation of the TC using the Gene Ontology database terms showed that the proportion of testis‐specific TC that were classified as having catalytic activity (within the molecular function branch) was higher than the proportion of total chicken TC classified in the same way. Our results may facilitate the investigation of testis‐specific genes and their functional analysis in the chicken, as well as in other avian species.
Cloning, mapping and association study with carcass traits of the porcine SDHD gene
Authors: Zhu Z. M. , Zhang J. B. , Li K. , Zhao S. H.
Published: July 2005

A 1320‐bp cDNA containing the full coding region of the porcine succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit D (SDHD) gene was obtained by random sequencing of clones from a Chinese Tongcheng pig 55‐day fetal longissimus dorsi muscle cDNA library. Analysis of the SDHD gene across the INRA‐University of Minnesota porcine radiation hybrid panel indicated close linkage with microsatellite marker SW2401, located on SSC9p21. The open reading frame of this cDNA covers 480 bp and encodes 159 amino acids. The deduced porcine amino acid sequence showed greater similarity with human and bovine protein sequences than with those from mouse and rat. The BLAST analysis of the porcine SDHD to NCBI identified Unigene Cluster Ssc.2586. Possible single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were identified by alignment of expressed sequence tags in the cluster. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) single strand conformation polymorphism, sequencing, and PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism were used to confirm and detect a synonymous polymorphic MboI site within the open‐reading frame. Allele frequencies of this SNP were investigated in two commercial and five Chinese local pig breeds. These five Chinese breeds had very high frequencies for one allele, whereas frequencies of both alleles were intermediate in Large White and Duroc. An association analysis suggested that different SDHD genotypes have significant differences in loin‐muscle area (P < 0.01).
Polymorphism, linkage mapping and expression pattern of the porcine skeletal muscle glycogen synthase (GYS1) gene
Authors: Zuo B. , Xiong Y. Z. , Deng C. Y. , Su Y. H. , Wang J. , Lei M. G. , Li F. E. , Jiang S. W. , Zheng R.
Published: July 2005

The glycogen synthase gene (GYS1), which encodes the rate‐limiting enzyme for glycogen synthesis of skeletal muscle, is a promising candidate gene for traits related to skeletal muscle in pigs. In this study, a G/A single nucleotide polymorphism in GYS1 intron 7 detected as a FokI PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) showed allele frequency differences among five Chinese indigenous pig breeds and three western commercial pig breeds. Linkage analysis assigned the gene GYS1 to marker interval SW1302–SW1473 on SSC6 in a three‐generation Meishan X Large White reference family. The results of association analysis and interval mapping suggested that the FokI PCR‐RFLP polymorphism might be linked with the quantitative trait loci affecting carcass traits detected on SSC6 in the F2 intercross pedigree. The reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction revealed that the porcine GYS1 gene was expressed in spleen, lung, liver, kidney, small intestine, skeletal muscle, heart and stomach, with the highest expression in skeletal muscle.
Genetic diversity and differentiation of guanaco populations from Argentina inferred from microsatellite data
Authors: Maté M. L. , Bustamante A. , Giovambattista G. , de Lamo D. , von Thüngen J. , Zambelli A. , Vidal‐Rioja L.
Published: July 2005

Genotype data from 14 microsatellite markers were used to assess the genetic diversity and differentiation of four guanaco populations from Argentine Patagonia. These animals were recently captured in the wild and maintained in semi‐captivity for fibre production. Considerable genetic diversity in these populations was suggested by the finding of a total of 162 alleles, an average mean number of alleles per locus ranging from 6.50 to 8.19, and He values ranging from 0.66 to 0.74. Assessment of population differentiation showed moderate but significant values of FST = 0.071 (P = 0.000) and RST = 0.083 (P = 0.000). An amova test showed that the genetic variation among populations was 5.6% while within populations it was 94.4%. A number of 6.6 migrants per generation may support these results. Unambiguous individual assignment to original populations was obtained for the Pilcaniyeu, Las Heras and La Esperanza populations. The erroneous assignment of 18.75% Rio Mayo individuals to the Las Heras population can be explained by the low genetic differentiation found between these two populations. Thirty‐nine of 56 loci per population combinations were in Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium because of guanaco heterozygote deficiency, which may be explained by population subdivision. The high level of genetic diversity of the guanacos analysed here indicates that the Patagonian guanaco constitutes an important genetic resource for conservation or economic utilization programmes.
Polymorphism at the porcine Dominant white/KIT locus influence coat colour and peripheral blood cell measures
Authors: Johansson A. , Pielberg G. , Andersson L. , Edfors‐Lilja I.
Published: July 2005

We have examined the phenotype of different KIT genotypes with regard to coat colour and several blood parameters (erythrocyte numbers and measures, total and differential leucocyte numbers, haematocrit and haemoglobin levels and serum components). The effect of two different iron supplement regimes (one or two iron injections) on the blood parameters was also examined. For a total of 184 cross‐bred piglets (different combinations of Hampshire, Landrace and Yorkshire) blood parameters were measured four times during their first month of life, and the KIT genotypes of these and 70 additional cross‐bred piglets were determined. Eight different KIT genotypes were identified, which confirms the large allelic diversity at the KIT locus in commercial pig populations. The results showed that pigs with different KIT genotypes differ both in coat colour and in haematological parameters. In general, homozygous Dominant white (I/I) piglets had larger erythrocytes with lower haemoglobin concentration, indicating a mild macrocytic anaemia. The effect of two compared with one iron injection was also most pronounced for the I/I piglets.
How we do it: adjunctive intravenous midazolam: diagnosis and treatment of therapy‐resistant muscle tension dysphonia
Authors: Bhalla R.K. , Wallis J. , Kaushik V. , de Carpentier J.P.
Published: July 2005

Keypoints

• Dysphonic patients with muscle tension are common at voice clinics. The majority respond to intensive vocal therapy.

• A small number of cases remain resistant to intensive vocal therapy.

• We have used intravenous midazolam to enhance therapy‐resistant dysphonic patients’ self‐monitoring, their self‐awareness and to change fixed patterns.

• Six of seven patients were discharged with restoration of normal voice 1 month after treatment.
How we do it: the Bradford grommet trainer: a model for training in myringotomy and grommet insertion
Authors: Jesudason W.V. , Smith I.
Published: July 2005

Keypoints

• Myringotomy and grommet insertion is the most common operative procedure in otological practice.

• We describe a simple, cheap and effective model for the junior trainee to develop the skills required for myringotomy and grommet insertion without compromising patient safety.

• As the materials required for our model are more readily available, it is more likely to gain widespread acceptance in ENT training.
Variability of vascularity in nasal mucosa as demonstrated by CD34 immunohistochemistry
Authors: Philpott C.M. , Wild D. , Guzail M. , Murty G.E.
Published: July 2005

Keypoints

• Regional anatomical variations in the nasal vasculature have not been studied histologically.

• Immunohistochemistry performed using marker for CD34 antigen on vascular endothelium biopsied from 5 sites on the lateral nasal wall and compared with one septal biopsy.

• No significant regional variations in microvascular architecture over the lateral wall of the nose were found.

• Lateral wall measurements were significantly different to the septal measurements (P = 0.0003, 0.01).

• Suggests biopsies can be taken from any site on the lateral wall and give a representative sampling of the vascularity for research purposes.
A prospective randomized controlled trial evaluating alcohol on loudness perception in cochlear implant users
Authors: Meerton L.J. , Andrews P.J. , Upile T. , Drenovak M. , Graham J.M.
Published: July 2005

Aim:  The aim of this study was to determine the effects of alcohol on the psychophysical responses in patients with cochlear implants. This has not been previously studied. It was also hoped to provide information that could suggest possible sites of action of the known effects of alcohol on the auditory pathway.

Design:  A prospective randomized placebo‐controlled trial, with full ethical approval.

Participants:  Eight successful cochlear implant users were selected, of whom two had bilateral implants which were tested separately. In total 10 cochlear implants were tested.

Intervention:  Alcohol was given in the form of vodka (50% alcohol, 1 mL/kg body weight) with 500 mL of orange and cranberry juice. The placebo control was given in the form of 500 mL of orange and cranberry juice alone.

Outcome measurement:  The ‘comfort level’ (C level) was recorded before, and 1 h after alcohol or placebo ingestion for each patient's cochlear implant. Blood alcohol concentration was determined prior to alcohol or placebo consumption and then repeated after 45, 60, 90 and 180 min.

Results:  The mean blood alcohol concentration 1 h after ingestion was 50 mg/dL. In the ‘alcohol’ arm the mean electrical unit increase in the C level was 19.9 with a standard deviation of 2.2. In the control arm the mean change in C level was 0.10 with a standard deviation of 0.3.

Conclusions:  In this first prospective randomized control study of the effect of alcohol on sound perception in cochlear implant users, alcohol significantly increased the upper end of the dynamic range (C levels) in comparison with placebo (P = <0.0001 using paired t‐test analysis). This effect is likely to be the result of change in the auditory pathways proximal to the cochlea.
Randomized controlled trial comparing Merocel® and RapidRhino® packing in the management of anterior epistaxis*
Authors: Badran K. , Malik T.H. , Belloso A. , Timms M.S.
Published: July 2005

Objectives:  A prospective non‐blinded randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of Merocel® and RapidRhino® nasal packs in the treatment of anterior epistaxis.

Methods:  Fifty‐two consecutive participants admitted with anterior epistaxis refractory to digital pressure or nasal cautery were randomized to treatment using one or other of the nasal packs. Patients who required repacking because of continued bleeding, only the first packs were included in the analysis. Haemostatic properties of the packs were measured by grading bleeding during and after removal of the pack (0–4, where four is uncontrollable) and by noting if the nose was re‐packed or not. The difficulty of insertion and removal (graded 0–3 by clinician where 3 is the most difficult) and the participant's perception of discomfort (graded 0–10, where 10 is the worst pain) during insertion and removal of the pack were also measured.

Results:  For bleeding, the mean values for Merocel® and RapidRhino® during packing and after pack removal were not significant (P = 0.38 and 0.82 respectively). The mean values of patient discomfort on insertion were 6.9 and 5.0 (P = 0.01), and for discomfort on removal were 4.6 and 3.4 (P = 0.05) respectively. The mean values of insertion graded by the clinician were 1.7 and 0.9 (P = 0.0003), and for removal were 1.4 and 0.4 (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:  RapidRhino® and Merocel® are equally effective in the control of anterior epistaxis but RapidRhino® is significantly more comfortable for the patient and easier for the healthcare worker during insertion and removal.
Physical and psychosocial correlates of head and neck cancer: an update of the literature and challenges for the future (1996–2003)
Authors: Ledeboer Q.C.P. , van der Velden L.‐A. , de Boer M.F. , Feenstra L. , Pruyn J.F.A.
Published: July 2005

Keypoints

• An update of the literature on physical and psychosocial aspects of head and neck cancer, with special emphasis on effects of treatment, patient‐related factors and psychosocial intervention on quality of life (QoL).

• QoL deteriorates during and directly after treatment and returns only slowly to pre‐treatment values.

• Organ preservation, gender and coping‐strategies are factors related to QoL after treatment.

• As prognosis and survival were found to be comparable under different treatment regimes, we noticed a gradual shift in therapy towards organ preservation.

• Systematic care, using specific instruments is important for improving the QoL.

• We feel that more attention should be given to improving support, in order to optimize the QoL of patients during the palliative stage.
Healthcare workers' hand decontamination practices: compliance with recommended guidelines
Authors: Creedon Sile A.
Published: July 2005

Aim.  This paper reports a study of healthcare workers' handwashing/hand hygiene practices from a behavioural perspective.

Background.  Hospital acquired infection poses a very real and serious threat to all who are admitted to hospital. Pathogens are readily transmitted on healthcare workers’ hands, and hand hygiene substantially reduces this transmission. Evidence‐based guidelines for healthcare workers’ hand hygiene practices exist, but compliance with these is internationally low.

Methods.  A quasi‐experimental design with a convenient sample was used. The Predisposing, Reinforcing, Enabling Constructs in Educational Diagnosis and Evaluation Health Education Theory was used as the theoretical framework, and the data were collected in 2001. Healthcare workers’ handwashing practices (observation of behaviour, n = 314) and their predisposition (attitudes, beliefs and knowledge) towards compliance with hand hygiene guidelines (questionnaire, n = 62) were studied. Nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and care assistants involved in direct patient care in the study unit participated in the study. The interventional hand hygiene programme aimed to predispose healthcare workers to adopt hand hygiene behaviour (poster campaign and educational handout), reinforce (feedback on pretest results) and enable the behaviour (provision of an alcohol hand rub beside each patients bedside).

Results.  Implementation of the multifaceted interventional behavioural hand hygiene programme resulted in an overall improvement in compliance with hand hygiene guidelines (51–83%, P < 0·001). Furthermore, healthcare workers believed that their skin condition improved (P < 0·001). An increase in knowledge about handwashing guidelines was also found.

Conclusions.  In order to be effective, efforts to improve compliance with handwashing guidelines must be multifaceted. Alcohol hand rubs (with emollients) need to be provided at each patient's bedside. Issues surrounding healthcare workers’ skin irritation need to be addressed urgently.
Early 20th century untrained nursing staff in the Rockhampton district: a necessary evil?
Authors: Madsen Wendy
Published: July 2005

Aim.  This paper explores the role of untrained nursing staff within the nursing services of the Rockhampton region, Queensland, Australia, throughout the early 20th century. It details who these nurses were, where they worked and how their work was affected by factors such as legislation and social changes.

Background.  Despite the increasing prevalence of trained nurses from the late 19th century, nurses who had never undergone any formal training continued to gain work in hospitals, institutions and their local communities.

Method.  This paper is an historical analysis of a wide range of primary source material relating to untrained nursing staff. The primary source material used related specifically to a limited geographical region in Australia.

Findings.  Untrained nursing staff primarily worked as private duty nurses at the beginning of the 20th century. However, as the century progressed, their opportunities to work as untrained nursing staff tended towards institutions dealing with the chronically ill and the aged. As a result of this transition, their profile altered from that of a married/widowed woman living at home with dependents to one who could live on‐site at the institution with no dependents. Furthermore, the level of autonomy of the untrained nurse decreased dramatically throughout this period from being relatively independent to being under the control of a trained nurse within the institution.

Conclusion.  Consideration of the historical evolution of untrained nursing staff challenges some of the assumptions made about this category of nurse, assumptions that can affect current relationships between professional nurses and others who undertake nursing work.
Strengthening women's health visiting work with women
Authors: Pritchard Jacqueline E.
Published: July 2005

Aims.  The aim of the paper is to show how life events contributed to ways in which health visitors related to women in their professional work.

Background.  Health visiting work has been labelled ‘invisible’ and since, ‘invisibility’ is an issue in feminist literature, this concept was explored in relation to health visiting.

Methods.  A qualitative research design was developed, with a conceptual framework based in feminist and educational literature. Semi‐structured, tape‐recorded interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 35 women health visitors. A systematic approach to data analysis took place, through which key themes and analytic categories were identified.

Findings.  The findings showed three levels of interaction between health visitor and client that overlapped in the working relationship. First, the public face of the work is exemplified in the planned purposes of the health visiting contact. Secondly, during this contact, health visitors may draw on their lay knowledge of ‘life events’, that is, their private knowledge of the situation being described by the client. Thirdly, and at the same time, health visitors manage hidden personal feelings that arise within the interaction.

Conclusions.  The invisible private knowledge gained in life events can have a transforming effect for both health visitors and clients. However, there is no educational model which legitimizes private and personal knowledge as a resource for use by health visitors. Understanding women's own position as ‘women in a gendered society’ would enhance the way in which health visiting is conducted and could lead to more productive outcomes in public health work.
Coping with a possible breast cancer diagnosis: demographic factors and social support
Authors: Drageset Sigrunn , Lindstrøm Torill Christine
Published: July 2005

Aim.  This paper reports a study examining the relationships between demographic characteristics, social support, anxiety, coping and defence among women with possible breast cancer.

Background.  Awaiting a possible breast cancer diagnosis is an anxiety‐provoking situation that demands coping. Social support and demographic characteristics have been reported to influence coping and well‐being, but the interconnection is insufficiently understood.

Design.  A survey design was used, and self‐administrated questionnaires were returned by a convenience sample of 117 women in Norway who had undergone breast biopsy. The data were collected from September 1998 to February 2000.

Instruments.  The instruments consisted of: the Social Provisions Scale, State‐Trait Anxiety Scale, Utrecht Coping List and Defence Mechanisms Inventory. In addition, data on age, level of education, employment, marital status, and household status were collected.

Results.  Social support was positively related to instrumental‐oriented coping and emotion‐focused coping, unrelated to cognitive defence and defensive hostility. Educational level was positively related to instrumental‐oriented coping. Educational level, employment and marital status were negatively related to cognitive defence. Educational level was the most important contributor to social support. Attachment and education were the most important contributors to instrumental‐oriented coping, with education as the strongest predictor.

Conclusion.  Better coping was linked primarily to education, and secondly to attachment. Unemployment, low level of education and single/divorced/widowed status were related to greater use of cognitive defence. Women who used a defensive hostile style tended to receive poor social support. Nurses need to be aware of the influence of demographic characteristics on social support, coping and defence and to identify poor copers, as these patients are most in need of professional support.