bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Knowledge-Workers’ Productivity through Potential Performance Programming
Authors: Shajahan S
Published: January 2017

In today’s increasingly fast-moving world, just about everything is becoming obsolete at a rate that is shocking compared to even the recent past. Business concepts, product designs, competitor intelligence, capital equipment and all kinds of knowledge have shorter credible life spans. The challenge managers face today is to achieve creative solution to the problems and to think of new opportunities. The Potential Performance Programming (PPP) model has been an attempt at resolving these issues considering the present and future needs of both organisations and individuals. In this context, the PPP model was put to test in Techno Park, Thiruvananthapuram. The outcome of the study clearly implies that the nature of education and training the employee undergoes, exercises a his/her significant influence in shaping personality to cater to the requirements of their professions. The results of the empirical studies proved the fact that PPP would enable the software firm to deliver unique and superior value products to its global customer consistently and continuously during the period of the study.
Source of Industrial Growth in an Open Economy: An Econometric Study
Authors: Paul Justin , Ramanathan A
Published: January 2017

Indian Industry is passing through a crucial phase of transition and restructuring. The country had embarked upon the programme of economic reforms since 1991. This will have significant influence on the growth of industry and subsequent development of the economy. This study examines the major determinants of industrial growth in India from the point of view of finance and attempts to assess the impact of these reforms.
Belief Structure of Consumers Towards Advertising: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Saxena RP
Published: January 2017

Beliefs and attitudes of people about advertising differ. A belief is a descriptive thought that a person holds about something which may be based on knowledge, opinion or faith. Whereas, attitudes are summary evaluation of objects which lead people to behave in a fairly consistent way toward similar objects. Keeping this fact in mind, the present study was undertaken to study the factors underlying the belief structure of consumers towards advertising consideration taking into seven factors viz. Materialism, Lifestyle Imagery, Product Information, Value Corruption, Entertainment, Incredibility and Economic Effects.

The findings of this exploratory study have significant implications for marketers, advertisers and researchers as they clearly indicate that advertising has great influence on consumer behaviour.
Strategic Investment Decisions of Transnational Corporations in the Indian Insurance Sector
Authors: Washid Mohammad , Kazmi Azhar
Published: January 2017

In the five years since the Malhotra report was submitted, nearly all the leading foreign insurance companies have shown interest in India. Most of the companies set up liaison offices in the country as they expected the opening up of the insurance sector to be only a matter of time. While the wait may have been longer than anticipated and the maximum foreign holding less than what was desired, not one of the prospective foreign entrants is turning away. In fact, several foreign insurers have utilised the waiting period to understand and study the Indian markets and have made investments in other financial businesses.

This paper attempts to understand the current state of the Indian insurance industry and explores how insurance transnational corporations (TNCs) are working in the direction of taking the “first movers advantage” in the Indian market.
An Empirical Test of Association between Dividend Payout and Stock Returns
Authors: Sahu Chinmoy
Published: January 2017

Whether dividend distributions affect the wealth of the shareholders or not has been the central point of numerous conflicting arguments and theories in finance. This paper makes an attempt to find empirical evidence, in the Indian context, on the association between dividend distribution s and economic welfare of the owners of a firm. Using a sample of 533 firms, consisting of 485 manufacturing firms, 36 service industry firms and 12 financial services firms, regression analysis is employed to examine the association between dividend payout (independent variable) and abnormal stock market returns (dependent variable). The study uses observations from 1993 to 1998 to arrive at the results, which fail to indicate any kind of strong and consistent association between the two variables.
An Analysis of a Service-Learning Project: Students' Expectations, Concerns, and Reflections
Authors: McClam Tricia , Diambra Joel F. , Burton Bobbie , Fuss Angie , Fudge Daniel L.
Published: January 2017

A qualitative analysis of written reflective assignments during a service-learning project at a Southeastern university provide insight into students' learning, as well as a means of assessing the experience for student growth and change. Expectations and concerns of students prior to the project were compared with postexperience reflections to identify changes as a result of their participation. Among student concerns were building relationships and rapport, confidence, and skills; expectations included practical experience, translation of theory to practice, skill development, and career confirmation.

Six postexperience themes resulted from analysis: client change, student feelings, student learning, activities/structure, relationship issues, and metaphors. A comparison of pre- and postanalyses support the value of service-learning for career confirmation, the development of professionalism, personal growth, and self-reflection.
Are Challenge (Ropes) Courses an Effective Tool? A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gillis H. Lee , Speelman Elizabeth
Published: January 2017

This study reports the results of a meta-analysis of 44 studies that examined the impacts of participation in challenge (ropes) course activities. Overall, a medium standardized mean difference effect size was found (d = 0.43). Effect sizes were calculated for various study characteristics, including demographics and outcome. Higher effects were found for adult groups (d = 0.80) and for studies measuring family functioning (d = 0.67). Studies with therapeutic (d = 0.53) or developmental foci (d = 0.47) had higher effect sizes than those with educational foci (d = 0.17). Higher effect sizes for group effectiveness (d = 0.62) affirmed the use of challenge course experiences for team-building purposes. Implications for further research include the importance of recording detailed program design information, selecting appropriate instrumentation, and including follow-up data.
How Rules Shape Experience
Authors: Emo Kenneth
Published: January 2017

Rules guide and constrain participants' actions as they participate in any educational activity. This ethnographically driven case study examines how organizational rules—the implicit and explicit regulations that constrain actions and interactions—influence children to use science in the experiential educational activity of raising 4-H market animals. Observations, interviews, and artifacts gathered are interpreted using Dewey's (1938) theory of an experiential continuum, with a focus on how social control in the form of explicit organizational rules influenced the children to use science. This study provides examples of two explicit organizational rules, market animal weight restrictions and record book rules, and analyzes the influence of these rules on bringing science into the children's 4-H experience. This study provides evidence that children involved in 4-H are influenced by organizational rules to incorporate skills and processes of science into their actions.
Facilitate First Thyself: The Person-Centered Dimension of Facilitator Education
Authors: Thomas Glyn
Published: January 2017

This paper discusses the role of the person-centered dimension of facilitator education, which emphasises the attitudes, personal qualities, and/or presence of a facilitator. An overview of person-centered facilitator education, as described in the literature, is provided to enable the interpretation of the findings of a study that explored the theories and practices of facilitator educators. Operating within the interpretivist paradigm; and using a naturalistic inquiry approach, thematic analysis was used with semistructured interviews, participant observation, and graduate surveys. The findings confirmed the importance of helping emerging facilitators to develop high levels of self-awareness and a better understanding of how to manage their presence in the group. The possibility of person-centered facilitator education acting as a form of psychotherapy was flagged as a potential issue even though this was not the case in the programs observed. The study also highlighted the importance of informing emerging facilitators, before enrolment in a program, that some participants may find person-centered facilitator education challenging and confrontational.
Sweat Therapy Theory, Practice, and Efficacy
Authors: Eason Allen , Colmant Stephen , Winterowd Carrie
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this article is to examine the potential application of sweat rituals to group counseling, adventure therapy, and other forms of group work by describing a theoretical model for how sweat rituals work and presenting the results of a randomized comparative outcome study on the efficacy of sweat therapy. The theoretical model proposes five factors that reciprocally interact to produce the positive effects of sweat rituals: cultural priming, exercise, self-regulation, metaphorical and contextual elements, and interpersonal factors. To investigate efficacy, 85 university students were randomly assigned to either a sweat condition (group counseling in a sauna), or a non-sweat condition (group counseling in a standard office setting) for six weekly sessions. Measures included the Critical Incidents Questionnaire, Therapeutic Factor Inventory, Exercise Induced Feeling Inventory, and the Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale. Results indicated that participants in the sweat condition perceived a greater availability of therapeutic factors, especially for group cohesion and interpersonal learning, and had better attendance, less attrition, and reported sessions to be more useful. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Prejudice Reduction through Shared Adventure: A Qualitative Outcome Assessment of a Multicultural Education Class
Authors: Wright Alan N. , Tolan Jan
Published: January 2017

This study is a qualitative analysis of student learning outcomes from an experiential multicultural education class at a public university. The class brought together students from diverse backgrounds and used adventure education methods to achieve multicultural education goals. The class combined adventure-based experiences from ropes courses or wilderness trips with community exploration assignments, papers, and class discussions on diversity issues. Students (n = 134) wrote a final reflective essay on the learning experiences from the class. The essays were analyzed using content analysis to assess key learning events and learning outcome themes. Results show positive outcomes in personal identity, group experience, diversity awareness, and prejudice reduction. Students also indicated transfer of learning to nonclassroom contexts. The study reports statistically significant relationships between specific experiential learning events and diversity outcomes.
The Distributional Effects of Public Higher Education in New York City
Authors: Machlis Peter David
Published: January 2017

This paper is concerned with determining the effects of public higher education on the distribution of income in New York City. Distributional effects are determined by distributing the current expenditures of New York City and New York State for public higher education according to the percentage distribution of New York City and New York State taxes by income class and the percentage income distribution of students' families. This provides an estimate of the taxes paid by families in each income class to support public higher education, and the direct monetary benefits received by families in each income class from public higher education. Net benefits for each income class are obtained by subtracting total costs from total benefits for each income class. The net benefits from the public higher education system in New York City are positive for each income class below $15,000. There is a redistribution of income from the $15,000 and above income class to all income classes below $15,000. Distributional effects differ by type of college. At the community colleges, net benefits are positive for all income classes below $10,000. At the senior colleges, net benefits are also positive for the $10,000-$14,999 income class.
A Reconsideration of Some Aspects of the Utility Sacrifice Rules of Taxation
Authors: Vitaliano Donald F.
Published: January 2017

This paper derives the type of tax system (progressive, proportional or regressive) required by different marginal income utility functions to satisfy the equal absolute and equal proportional sacrifice of utility among taxpayers. The context is that in which the rules were originally formulated, namely, the old welfare economics of measurable and comparable utility.

It is found that equal absolute sacrifice calls for progression only if marginal income utility decreases at a faster rate than income increases (inelastic schedule). All other marginal utility curves require regressive taxation, save the unit elastic Bernoulli curves which requires proportional taxation. Equal proportional sacrifice indicates proportional taxation if the ratio of the area formed by the product of income and marginal utility to the total area under the marginal curve up to that income level is the same for all income levels. If this ratio decreases, progressive taxation is required; if it increases, regressive taxation is needed.

With equal absolute sacrifice, the degree of progression is shown to be independent of the amount of utility sacrificed, whereas with equal proportional sacrifice the greater the proportion of utility to be sacrificed the more progressive (or less regressive) must be the tax structure.

Finally, Musgrave's assertion that a unit elastic marginal income utility curve calls for proportional taxation under either rule is shown to be incorrect.
On the Decline and Possible Fall of PPBS
Authors: Harlow Robert L
Published: January 2017

The apparent failure of the Planning-Programming-Budgeting System (PPBS) to fulfill hopes for it in the federal government is examined in this article from the perspective of arguments surrounding its inception. It is argued that PPBS proponents had a naive conception of the political process, and that PPBS as an overall system has failed for precisely the reasons predicted by early critics. The productive aspects of the system do not require the overall framework to be useful, and, to the extent that improved budgeting is possible, it can be achieved in other ways more consistent with the actual structure of political decision-making in a world characterized by great complexity and disagreement about values.
Reforming the Forfeiture Rule: Comparing New Zealand, England and Australia
Authors: Peart Nicola
Published: January 2017

The proposition that a killer should not profit from the death of his or her victim started out as a principle, but rapidly turned into a rigid rule, known as the forfeiture rule. The courts have applied this rule rigidly to all forms of killing irrespective of the degree of moral blameworthiness. Concerns about the courts' inflexible approach to this rule prompted England, the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales to adopt legislation. These statutes leave the rule unchanged, but give the courts the discretion to modify its effects in deserving cases. The New Zealand Law Commission did not favour a discretionary approach and recommended instead that Parliament enact a code setting out in plain language all homicidal heirs' rules. The Commission's Draft Succession (Homicide) Act 1997 specifies which killings should attract the rule and which ones should be exempted. It also sets out the consequences of applying the forfeiture rule.

This article discusses the common law and the two types of reforms. It concludes that New Zealand's proposed code of rules should not be adopted in its current form, because it will produce harsh and unsatisfactory results.
Infrared Target Detection in Structured Urban Scenes
Authors: Doll Theodore J. , Cathcart J. Michael , Schmieder David E.
Published: January 2017

An experiment was conducted to measure observers' performance in detecting military targets in structured scenes with a high density of man-made features, i.e., “urban clutter”. The scenes were simulations of those produced by an infrared (IR) imaging system in air-to-ground situations. Scenes were generated with various signal-to-clutter ratios (SCR's), and were filtered to produce various levels of resolution. Detection performance was measured using a rating-scale detection task. Sensitivity (d1) increased with resolution, but varied little with SCR. Contrary to expectation, detection performance for a given level of resolution and SCR was better in the present urban scenes than in rural scenes used in a previous study. The findings help define requirements for the design and employment of IR imaging systems, and also suggest directions for future research directed at better understanding target detection processes in structured backgrounds.
A Signal Detection Paradigm for Color Display Specification
Authors: Wilson Denise L. , Kuperman Gilbert G. , Ramsey Eric G. , Perez William A.
Published: January 2017

The objective of this research was to demonstrate the validity of signal detection theory to the assessment (visual discrimination) of displayed color symbology. The area of application of the research results is in the design specification of color coded symbology to be overlayed on moving map, situational awareness displays.

A symbol detection experiment was designed to determine how far apart, in CIE/UCS color space, symbol and background color must be in order for observers to detect that a symbol is present against the background. Six trained observers viewed a number of systematically varied symbol/background color combinations and were required to make one of six responses along a continuum from “symbol definitely present” to “symbol definitely not present”.

The analyses of the d' and Beta signal detection measures yielded different patterns of results, suggesting that this paradigm was successful in separating the cognitive and sensory/perceptual factors associated with color-on-color target detection. In addition, the shape of the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves indicated that the assumptions underlying the signal detection paradigm were met.
Object vs Separate Displays for Process Failure Detection: The Emergent Features Approach
Authors: Buttigieg Mary Anne , Sanderson Penelope M. , Flach John
Published: January 2017

Two studies are described that compare a “compatibility of proximity” approach to display design with an emergent features approach. Results suggest that tasks requiring integration are not necessarily better supported by an integral or object display than a separated display. A bar graph with a strong emergent feature mapped onto a goal-relevant task invariant supported better integrated task performance than a triangle display that in previous research had shown superiority when compared with weaker bar graph displays. Further research in progress is outlined. Our findings suggest that an emergent features approach to display design might be a more encompassing approach than one based solely on compatibility of proximity.
Integral, Configural, and Unitary Graphs
Authors: Carswell C. Melody
Published: January 2017

Thirteen graphical formats, each designed to display two variables, were subjected to performance-based diagnostics of integrality, configurality, and perceptual unity. None of the graphs appeared to be composed of integral dimensions; however, several graphs were classified as unitary or configural. When graphical elements or dimensions were combined into a single object, they tended to be associated with the unitary pattern of performance. Homogeneous object displays tended to be associated with configural outcomes.
Direct Manipulation, Direct Engagement, and Direct Perception: What's Directing What?
Authors: Flach John M.
Published: January 2017

The term “direct” has been used quite liberally in recent discussions of human performance and human-machine systems. Shneiderman (1983) discusses “direct manipulation”; Hutchins, Hollan and Norman (1986) discuss “direct engagement”; and Gibson (1979) discusses “direct perception”. This paper will compare these different uses of the term direct and will examine the implications for interface design.
The Interaction of Spatial and Color Proximity in Aircraft Stability Information Displays
Authors: Andre Anthony D. , Wickens Christopher D.
Published: January 2017

The objective of a complex display design is to provide information in a way that maximizes the user's ability to process that information. This paper explores the effects of manipulating the spatial and color proximity among information displays relevant to aircraft stability during both integration and focused attention tasks. The principle of compatibility of proximity (Wickens, 1987) suggests that tasks requiring the operator to integrate multiple sources of information are better served by close display proximity while tasks that require focused attention on specific sources of information are better served by more separate displays. Color proximity results clearly supported this principle and showed that using a common color (i.e. close proximity) to code different information sources facilitated integration performance while using separate colors to code different information sources facilitated focused attention performance. However, close spatial proximity did not foster integration. Instead, distant spatial proximity yielded superior performance for both focused attention and integration tasks.
Using Probe Evoked Potentials to Determine Information Processing Demands
Authors: Wilson Glenn F. , McCloskey Kathy
Published: January 2017

In the present study, three different types of probe evoked potential (EP) techniques were examined using a mental math task with three levels of difficulty. One probe condition consisted of presenting flashes at 5 sec intervals during the performance of each task level. The other conditions were designed such that probe flashes were presented at 250 and 750 msec after the onset of each mental math task item. Baseline (no task) measurements were taken for all three probe conditions. Subjects were 6 males and 4 females who participated in an earlier study (Yolton, Wilson, Davis and McCloskey, 1987), and were recalled for the present experiment. Results of the RT data replicated those found in Yolton, et al (1987), where RT increased as task level increased. The EPs obtained from each of the probe conditions showed different patterns of variation with task demand. The 5 sec probe showed differences between the no-task baseline and all other levels of the task, but not between task levels. The 250 msec probe EPs showed graded changes with task level, whereas the 750 msec probe EPs were similar to those found with the 5 sec probe EPs. These measures support the notion that probe EPs are not only measures of tonic activity, but are also measures of phasic activity. To index phasic activity, probes must be present during relevant times during task performance. The usefulness of this technique is discussed in terms of moment-to-moment fluctuations of processing demands in applied situations.
Perceived Change in Orientation from Optic Flow in the Central Visual Field
Authors: Dyre Brian P. , Andersen George J.
Published: January 2017

An important consideration for some types of flight simulation is that sufficient information be provided for a veridical perception of a pilot's motion and/or change in orientation. Previous research (Andersen & Braunstein, 1985) has suggested that induced self-motion from stimulation of the central visual field may be related to internal depth within the display. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of internal depth within the display on perceived changes in orientation. Subjects monocularly viewed displays simulating observer motion within a volume of randomly positioned points through a window which limited the field of view to 15 degrees. The velocity of the displays varied according to a sum of four frequencies. Change in posture was used to measure changes in perceived spatial orientation. Three variables were examined: 1) the extent of internal depth within the display, 2) the presence or absence of visual information specifying change in orientation, and 3) the frequency of motion simulated by the display. A frequency analysis of postural sway indicated that increased sway occurred at frequencies of .375 Hz and lower when motion at these frequencies was present in the display. However, the extent of internal depth in the display had no consistent effect on the perception of changing orientation. The implications of this research for flight simulation will be discussed.
Relationship of Static Stereoscopic Depth Perception to Performance with Dynamic Stereoscopic Displays
Authors: Tittle James S. , Rouse Michael W. , Braunstein Myron L.
Published: January 2017

Although most tasks performed by human observers that require accurate stereoscopic depth perception, such as working with tools, operating machinery, and controlling vehicles, involve dynamically changing disparities, classification of observers as having normal or deficient stereoscopic vision is currently based on performance with static stereoscopic displays. The present study compares the performance of subjects classified as deficient in static stereoscopic vision to a control group with normal stereoscopic vision in two experiments-one in which the disparities were constant during motion and one in which the disparities changed continuously. In the first experiment, subjects judged orientation in depth of a dihedral angle, with the apex pointed toward or away from them. The angle translated horizontally, leaving the disparities constant. When disparity and motion parallax were placed in conflict, subjects in the normal group almost always responded in accordance with disparity, whereas subjects in the deficient group responded in accordance with disparity at chance levels. In the second experiment, subjects were asked to judge the direction of rotation of a computer-generated cylinder. When dynamic occlusion and dynamic disparity indicated conflicting directions, performance of subjects in the normal and deficient groups did not differ significantly. When only dynamic disparity information was provided, most subjects classified as stereo deficient were able to judge the direction of rotation accurately. These results indicate that measures of stereoscopic vision that do not include changing disparities may not provide a complete evaluation of the ability of a human observer to perceive depth on the basis of disparity.
Vertical Disparity in Advanced Automotive Displays
Authors: Schaeffer Maurice S. , Campbell John L.
Published: January 2017

The optical systems being considered for automotive virtual image displays may confront drivers with significantly more vertical disparity than their military counterparts. Military head-up displays, for example, are limited to 1 milliradian (mrad) of vertical disparity whereas automotive displays may have 5 mrad.

Three experiments were performed to examine performance with virtual image displays as a function of amount of vertical disparity. Stimuli were simple speedometer dials with embedded tripmeters representing both analog and digital display tasks. Stimuli were presented tachistoscopically and subjects were required to read one or both instruments on each trial.

Disparity did not affect performance accuracy. Large disparities did, however, result in diplopia and, possibly, suppression of one of the visual images. Nevertheless, it appears that, at least in the driving situation, where displays are used intermittently and briefly for the information contained in them, comparatively large amounts of vertical disparity in displays will not degrade performance and may not even be noticed.
Living in the past: The impact of victimization memory on threat perceptions
Authors: Lašas Ainius , Garcia-Retamero Rocio , Jankauskaitė Vaida , Simonaitytė Vitalija
Published: January 2017

Threat perception is a key issue defining intergroup conflict dynamics. To date, it has been linked with power asymmetries and value similarities between groups. This article examines the role of victimization memory in threat construction. The results of an experiment converge to suggest that personal and institutional victimization memories are robust predictors of the levels of threat perception. They act as primary references in the assessment of threat and suppress framing effects. The findings have significant implications for the theory of threat perception.
IRF8 is the target of SIRT1 for the inflammation response in macrophages
Authors: Jia Yanhui , Han Shichao , Li Jun , Wang Hongtao , Liu Jiaqi , Li Na , Yang Xuekang , Shi Jihong , Han Juntao , Li Yan , Bai Xiaozhi , Su Linlin , Hu Dahai
Published: January 2017

The type III histone deacetylase SIRT1 has recently emerged as a critical immune regulator by suppressing T-cell immunity and macrophage activation during inflammation, but its mechanism in regulating inflammatory response in macrophages remains unclear. Here we show that the expression of SIRT1 in macrophage cells decreased following the release of inflammation cytokines when the cells were stimulated with LPS. IRF8, an important regulator in monocyte differentiation and macrophage polarization, showed the opposite trend, with SIRT1 expression levels increasing after the cells treated with LPS. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence experiments showed that SIRT1 could not only interact with IRF8, but also deacetylate it. LPS treatment had no effect on the expression of IRF8 in macrophage cells in which sirt1 was specifically deleted. Our results show that IRF8 may be the target of histone deacetylase SIRT1 to regulate the inflammation in the macrophage cells.
Managing Health Information during Disasters: A Survey of Current Specialised Health Information Systems in Victorian Hospitals
Authors: Smith Erin , Morgans Amee , Biggs Jennifer , Buchanan Ross
Published: January 2017

It can be predicted that a substantial number of patients will seek medical care during a possible disaster, placing an increased strain on hospital resources, including health information services. With medical records playing a vital role in the identification of patients and documentation of patient care, the ability of the health information system to cope with this projected surge in demand needs to be addressed. This study was designed to investigate the expected use of specialised health information systems for disasters in Victorian hospitals during such contingencies. Specifically, this study investigated what type of specialised systems hospitals had in place at the time and whether a standard for specialised health information systems for disasters was needed. While 79% of responding hospitals reported having a specialised health information system for disasters, 91% of all responding hospitals reported that specialised health information systems for disasters were necessary. All specialised systems were paper-based, and 94% were based on the standard medical record format and content. Finally, 64% of hospitals believed that a Standard for specialised disaster medical records should be developed.
The Effect of Occupational Stress on Work Performance of Female Employees: Study in Indonesia
Authors: Irawanto Dodi W. , Noermiyati  , Primasari Diana
Published: January 2017

Occupational stress plays an important role in determining the performance of (female) employees in a company. This occupational stress is heavily influenced by internal factors that originate from within the organisation as well as external factors that originate from outside the organisation. It is therefore important to realise and understand its existence. Occupational stress can also bring either positive or negative effects on the performance of employees, depending on the level of stress perceived by employees. The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence exerted by stressors and occupational stress on the performance of female employees, the moderating influence of demographic variables on the relationship between stressors and the performance of female employees and also the relationship between occupational stress and the performance of female employees. This study employed a sample of 108 female employees working in one of the biggest tollway operators in Indonesia. A hierarchical regression analysis method was adopted in the data analysis process. From the findings, it can be concluded that stressors and occupational stress significantly influence the performance of the female employees either simultaneously or partially, and that occupational stress predominantly affects the performance of the female employees prior to the addition of demographic variables. Demographic variables strengthen the relationship between stressors and performance, and weaken the relationship between occupational stress and performance. This indicates that demographic variables have a role in moderating the relationship of stressors and occupational stress with the performance of female employees.
Instrument for Measuring Intentions to Leave
Authors: Aguirre Luis Roberto Domínguez , Roncancio Patricia Roncancio , Aranda Mariana Marcelino , Campos Álvaro Fabricio Ramírez
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study is to show the design of an instrument that contextualises the intention to leave (IL) in terms of spaces and job content (SJC), the perceived supervisor support (PSS), the perceived peer support (PPS), the organisational extrinsic motivation (OEM), the available opportunities outside the organisation (AO) and family–work conflict (FWC) as a tool to make diagnostic evaluations of Mexican hotel companies. The method used for the design of this instrument included literature review, establishment of dimensions and items and items validation. The reliability of the instrument was evaluated through the technique of split halves, and eventually it was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient in the different components of the instrument, as an indicator of internal consistency. The correlation coefficients obtained were acceptable in 38 of the 40 and significant at 0.01 level with only two at the 0.05 level. The tool proved to be reliable as a whole and in all dimensions in the first scan. Thus, the results revealed that this instrument measures the following: the causal dimensions, intention to leave and its variables.
Do Board Characteristics Impact Firm Performance? An Agency and Resource Dependency Theory Perspective
Authors: Bhatt R. Rathish , Bhattacharya Sujoy
Published: January 2017

This article, from the perspective of agency and resource dependency theory, investigates the relationship between the various board characteristic measures, such as, board composition, board size, leadership structure and board activity, and accounting measures of performance in a sample of listed firms of Indian information technology (IT) sector. Panel data analysis was carried out on the sample. Our study, after controlling for firm-specific factors, found that the non-duality has a positive effect on performance only when the chairman is independent especially in the case of the larger firms. However, it failed to give evidence to the aspect of agency theory linked to board independence and firm performance. A significant and positive relationship was found between board size and firm performance. Board meeting and board attendance were not found to be associated with firm performance. Our study lends new insights specific to Indian markets as we find results contrary to the popular belief that smaller boards and boards with more independent directors lead to better firm performance.
Self-Reported Diagnosis of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes and Lifestyle Change Among Uninsured Primary Care Patients
Authors: Weaver Shannon , Ashby Jeanie , Kamimura Akiko
Published: January 2017

Introduction:

The purpose of this study is to examine self-reported diagnosis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and lifestyle change among uninsured primary care patients utilizing a free clinic.

Methods:

Free clinic patients participated in a self-administered survey in May and June 2016. Patients with the following self-reported diagnoses were analyzed: type 2 diabetes only (n = 84), and type 1 diabetes only or both (n = 43).

Results:

Participants who reported having type 2 diabetes only and/or were patients of the diabetes clinic were less likely to have modified diet and/or physical activity to manage diabetes compared to those with type 1 diabetes and/or those who were not patients of the diabetes clinic. Participants with hypertension were more likely to have changed diet and/or physical activity compared to those without hypertension.

Conclusion:

Uninsured primary care patients may not know whether they have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This is problematic as type 1 and type 2 diabetes require different prevention and self-management strategies. Future studies should examine the impact of misunderstanding the 2 types of diabetes on health behaviors and outcomes and explore the context of the misunderstanding.
Nighttime Bandaging to Reduce Lymphedema Swelling
Authors: Keisuke Nakanishi , Ayana Mawaki , Chika Oshima , Yukari Takeno , Fumiya Kurono , Yuiko Taniho , Kenta Murotani , Toyone Kikumori , Etsuko Fujimoto
Published: January 2017

Multilayer compression bandaging (MLB) for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) patients may be easier to apply during nighttime sleep. Little is known about the specific effects of nighttime multilayer bandaging (NMLB) alone. In the present study, we examined whether NMLB alone significantly improved the negative symptoms of BCRL such as excessive swelling and an unpleasant feeling. A pre–post study was conducted as a basis for the development of efficient self-care treatment. Eight middle-aged female patients with unilateral upper extremity BCRL voluntarily participated in this study. During the first 2 weeks, the participants were educated and trained in the self-bandaging technique. The participants then wore MLB on the affected extremity for the following seven nights at home from bedtime to the next morning (hereafter referred to as the intervention). We measured the segmental total body water (STBW) volume on the affected upper extremity using bioimpedance spectroscopy and subjective symptoms using a visual analog scale. Each parameter was measured at the beginning and end of the intervention periods. It was found that the STBW volume on the affected upper extremity decreased significantly during intervention. The mean STBW volume reduction was 0.088 L ( p = .047, 95% CI [0.001, 0.175] L]). Subjective symptoms related to swelling (i.e., tightness, heaviness, and fullness) decreased significantly during intervention ( p < .05). In conclusion, decrease in the STBW volume and subjective symptoms on the affected upper extremity were observed at the end of the intervention. These results suggest that NMLB reduces both swelling and swelling-related symptoms of BCRL.
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis: A Review of Pharmacologic Therapy
Authors: Ansani Nicole T
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To review pharmacological therapy in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT).

Data Sources:

Articles and abstracts in English published from 1966 to January 2000 were identified by MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts searches using the terms HIT, Hill, heparin-associated thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hirudin, lepirudin, argatroban, ancrod, heparinoids, orgaran, danaparoid, and org 10172. Additional articles were identified from the bibliographies of retrieved literature.

Data Synthesis:

HITT is a devastating drug-induced immunologic complication that occurs in 2–5% of patients on heparin. Often, HITT results in life- or limb-threatening complications. HITT is frequently diagnosed by clinical presentation, and there is no optimal drug treatment approach. The first step of treatment is to discontinue all forms of heparin. If anticoagulation is indicated, several agents have been evaluated. Lepirudin, argatroban, and danaparoid are agents available for use in HITT. Lepirudin is a recombinant hirudin that directly complexes with thrombin. Danaparoid is a heparinoid moiety that works by inactivation factor Xa. Argatroban, a direct semisynthetic thrombin inhibitor, is the newest agent available. Ancrod is derived from pit viper venom and acts as a fibrinolytic agent; its use is not recommended. No studies have evaluated the comparative efficacy and safety of these agents.

Conclusions:

Argatroban, danaparoid, and lepirudin have shown efficacy and safety in treatment of HITT. Each agent exerts differences in pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic parameters and has advantages and disadvantages in particular patient populations. Therapy must be guided on an individual basis. Further investigation is needed to ascertain an optimal treatment approach.
Renal Vasculitis Associated with Doxycycline
Authors: Goland Sorel , Kazarsky Raya , Kagan Alexander , Huszar Monica , Abend Itzhak , Malnick Stephen DH
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To report a case of renal small-vessel vasculitis related to doxycycline administration.

Case Summary:

A 42-year-old healthy woman was given doxycycline 100 mg/d because of a fever and a cough. Two days later, she developed a fever and rash. In addition, she deveoped acute renal failure with a creatinine concentration of 2.2 mg/dL and a glomerular filtration rate of 25 mL/min, as well as an increase in liver enzymes. No evidence was found for infectious or autoimmune etiologies. Renal biopsy showed renal small-vessel vasculitis. The patient was treated with prednisone 60 mg/d for one month. All of her symptoms resolved after three months.

Conclusions:

This is a unique case of isolated renal vasculitis associated with doxycycline.
Comparison of Community Pharmacy Services in Urban and Suburban Areas, with Emphasis on Those for Older People
Authors: Erickson Steven R , Hirshorn Barbara
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To document and compare the availability and type of pharmacy services provided by community pharmacies to the elderly in an urban area (central city) and a suburban area of a large metropolitan area, as well as the use of pharmacy services by elderly people living in the study areas.

Design:

Questionnaire.

Setting:

Metropolitan Detroit, MI.

Subjects:

Pharmacies, pharmacists, and elderly people.

Data Collection:

Data were collected from the 1990 census and surveys of pharmacies, pharmacists, and elderly patients in the study areas.

Results:

There were fewer pharmacists, pharmacies, and pharmacy business hours available for the elderly living in the central city compared with the suburban area. Overall, the elderly generally felt satisfied with their pharmacists. Pharmacists indicated that less than half of their elderly patients with new prescriptions receive verbal/written information and few do little in the area of follow-up monitoring for elderly patients. The elderly in the central city are concerned with neighborhood crime, use mass transportation, have significantly lower incomes, and live alone more often than the suburban area elderly.

Conclusions:

Overall there was no significant difference in access to available pharmacy services. Urban and suburban area respondents did have some differences that may affect their ability to access pharmacies.
Stability of Tacrolimus Injection in Total Parenteral Nutrition Solution
Authors: Ku Yi-Min , Min David I , Kumar Vijay , Noormohamed Saleem A
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To examine the stability of tacrolimus in a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution over 24 hours at room temperature.

Study Method:

Admixtures of tacrolimus 0.1 mg/mL in TPN, containing amino acids 4.25%, dextrose 25%, and electrolytes, were prepared and visually inspected under normal lighting conditions against a white and black background for color change, turbidity, cloudiness, and precipitation. The concentration of tacrolimus in the admixtures was determined by HPLC at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after preparation.

Results:

The concentration of tacrolimus did not change over the 24-hour study period. No color change, precipitation, or cloudiness was observed in any of the solutions under the storage conditions.

Conclusions:

Tacrolimus is chemically stable in TPN for 24 hours at room temperature, and therefore can be administered to patients as a 24-hour continuous infusion with TPN.
Pharmacist Review to Simplify Medication Regimens in a VAMC Primary Care Clinic
Authors: Laucka Paul V , Webster Will B , Kuch Jeffrey
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To assess the effect of a clinical pharmacist's prospective medication review of patients receiving multiple drug therapy, using the pharmaceutical care process, as determined by the number of concurrent medications the patient is receiving before and after clinic visits.

Design:

Assigned groups.

Setting:

Outpatient primary care clinic of a tertiary healthcare Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility.

Patients:

Seven hundred twenty-seven patients who had eight or more active medication orders were selected. Four hundred forty-one patients (aged 67.2 ± 10.4 y) were in the intervention group; 286 others (aged 66.6 ± 11.9 y), whose medical records were not available, were assigned to the control group and received no clinical pharmacist intervention.

Intervention:

Medication regimens of VA ambulatory patients with eight or more active medications were reviewed by a clinical pharmacist, and a written communication to the prescriber was attached to the medical record.

Main Outcome Measures:

The number of active concurrent medications before and after clinic visits was measured.

Results:

There was a decrease in the medications in the intervention group from an average of 12.1 ±4 to 11.5 ± 4.2 (p < 0.05). The medications in the control group rose from an average of 11.8 ± 4.44 to 12.2 ± 4 (p = NS). A decrease of 0.6 prescriptions per patient was highly significant (p < 0.05). During the study, 1,336 recommendations were made to practitioners. From this group, 41% of the recommendations were accepted, and 477 medications were discontinued, the quantity dispensed or dosage was reduced, or an alternative medication was prescribed.

Conclusions:

These data suggest that clinical pharmacist intervention in an ambulatory care setting can affect practitioner prescribing habits and significantly decrease the number of medications prescribed.