bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nursing Home Senior Managers and Direct Care Staff: Are There Differences in Their Perceptions of Safety Climate?
Authors: Quach Emma D. , Kazis Lewis E. , Zhao Shibei , McDannold Sarah , Clark Valerie , Hartmann Christine W.
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Improving nursing home safety is important to the quality of resident care. Increasing evidence points to the relationship between actual safety and a strong safety climate, i.e., staff agreement about safety norms. This national study focused on Veterans Health Administration nursing homes (Community Living Centers [CLCs]), assessing direct care staff and senior managers’ agreement about safety norms.

Methods

We recruited all 134 CLCs to participate in the previously validated CLC Employee Survey of Attitudes about Resident Safety. To assess whether safety climate domains (7) differed by management level and by direct care staff occupation, we estimated multilevel linear regression models with random effects clustered by CLCs, medical center, Department of Veterans Affairs 2017 integrated service network (n = 20), and region.

Results

Of the 5288 individuals we e-mailed, 1397 (25.7%) completed surveys, with participation from 56 CLCs or 41.8% of 134 CLCs. In our analysis of 1316 nurses, nursing assistants, clinicians/specialists, and senior managers, senior managers rated co-worker interactions around safety (P < 0.0013) and overall safety in their CLC (P < 0.0001) more positively than did direct care staff. In contrast, on these same two domains, direct care groups had similar perceptions, though differing significantly in safety priorities, safety attitudes, and senior management commitment to safety.

Conclusions

In this national sample of nursing homes in one of the largest integrated U.S. healthcare systems, direct care staff generally perceived weaker safety processes than did senior managers, pointing to future targets for interventions to strengthen safety climate.
Effect of Sitting Ba-Duan-Jin Exercises on Balance and Quality of Life Among Older Adults: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Bao Xiao , Qiu Qi-xiang , Shao Yin-Jin , Quiben Myles , Liu Howe
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether ba-duan-jin (BDJ) can improve balance and enhance the quality of life among older adults.

Design

This pilot study was designed as a single group pre–post comparison test.

Methods

Sixteen older adults were qualified and recruited for this study at local retirement communities. Assessments for pre- and postintervention among the subjects included Single-Leg Stance, Chair Rising Test, Tinetti Balance Test, Modified Falls Efficacy Scale, and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire for quality of life.

Findings

After 12 weeks of BDJ training, significant improvements were identified in Single-Leg Stance, Tinetti Balance Test, Modified Falls Efficacy Scale, and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (all p < .01); however not for the Chair Rising Test (p > .05).

Conclusion

The results indicate that BDJ can improve balance, lower extremity strength, quality of life, and decrease fear of falling among older adults.

Clinical Relevance

BDJ is an effective rehabilitation training method and can improve balance and motor function among older people. Rehabilitation nursing plays a key role in functional rehabilitation of older people.
Hyoid Periosteum Sutures: A Modified Tissue-Preserving Hyoid Suspension Technique for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: El-Anwar Mohammad Waheed , Askar Sherif M.
Published: February 2019

Objective:

To present and assess a new, simple, conservative modification of hyoidthyroidpexy using 2 sutures between hyoid periosteum and thyroid lamina.

Methods:

Included patients had obstructive sleep apnea with apnea hypopnea index >20. Through a small midline neck incision, 2 Vicryl sutures were applied between the hyoid periosteum and thyroid cartilage. Infrahyoid and suprahyoid muscles were not traumatized.

Results:

In 19 patients, the mean apnea hypopnea index significantly dropped (P < 0.0001) from 51.5 ± 11.9 preoperatively to 10.1 ± 4.9 postoperatively. The mean lowest oxygen saturation significantly increased from 79.2 ± 10.2 to 89.5 ± 8.1 (P = 0.0015). Moreover, Epworth sleepiness scale showed significant improvements (P < 0.0001) as its mean diminished from 13.8 ± 2.9 to 5.3 ± 2.9.

Conclusion:

The hyoid periosteum sutures technique (simple modification of hyoidthyroidpexy) is considered effective easily applicable, less costly with limited tissue dissection. It could be combined with other procedures in multilevel surgery for obstructive sleep apnea.
Median Cleft of the Lower Lip and Mandible: Clinical Experience and Surgical Treatment
Authors: Lou Qun , Wang Guomin , Cai Ming , Chen Yang , Wu Yilai
Published: February 2019

Median cleft of lower lip and mandible is a rare congenital craniofacial malformation and has been described as isolated clinical reports. Fewer than 100 cases have been reported in the world literature so far, and the first case was reported by French scholar Monroe in 1819. The authors report a patient with median complete cleft of the lower lip and mandible which we made a special repair surgery for him, surgical effect satisfied with the restoration of appearance and function ideal. Therefore, the appropriate period and method of surgical management are very important.
Tobacco Use After Lung Transplantation: A Retrospective Analysis of Patient Characteristics, Smoking Cessation Interventions, and Cessation Success Rates
Authors: Hofmann Patrick , Kohler Malcolm , Benden Christian , Schuurmans Macé M.
Published: February 2019

Background.

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the developed world that kills half of all long-term users. Tobacco use after solid organ transplantation is associated with allograft dysfunction, cancer, and reduced overall survival.

Methods.

In this single-center, retrospective study, we describe the frequency of tobacco use after lung transplantation (LTx), pretransplant patient characteristics associated with tobacco use, and the safety, efficacy, and outcomes of posttransplant tobacco cessation interventions.

Results.

Four percent of our LTx cohort resumed tobacco use posttransplant. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.043), the cessation duration before LTx (P < 0.001), and the packyear-cessation index (PCI) (P < 0.001) were found to be significantly associated with tobacco use posttransplant. A PCI cutoff value of 0.32 had 100% sensitivity and 45% specificity for tobacco use resumption. Thirty-five percent of the posttransplant tobacco users successfully quit tobacco consumption.

Conclusions.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a short duration of smoking cessation before LTx were at greatest risk of tobacco use after LTx. The PCI may be a useful predictor of tobacco use resumption. Pharmacological tobacco cessation interventions were found to have a comparable safety and efficacy profile compared to nontransplant patients.
Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion: A Simple and Effective Method to Modulate the Immune Response in Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Kron Philipp , Schlegel Andrea , Muller Xavier , Gaspert Ariana , Clavien Pierre-Alain , Dutkowski Philipp
Published: February 2019

Background.

Hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) has been shown to protect liver recipients from acute rejection in an allogeneic model of liver transplantation in rats. Here we investigate the impact of HOPE on the T cell–mediated immune response following kidney transplantation.

Methods.

Kidneys from Lewis rats were transplanted into Brown Norway recipients to trigger acute rejection (allogeneic untreated group). Next, Brown Norway recipients were treated either with tacrolimus,= or donor kidneys underwent 1h-HOPE-treatment before implantation without additional immunosuppression in recipients. Syngeneic kidney transplants (Brown Norway to Brown Norway) served as controls. In a second set of experiments, the immune response was assessed in a donation after circulatory death model of kidney transplantation comparing standard cold storage with subsequent HOPE treatment and hypothermic nitrogenated perfusion, where oxygen was replaced during cold perfusion.

Results.

Allogeneic kidney transplantation led to death in all untreated recipients within 10 days due to severe acute rejection. In contrast, immune activation was prevented by tacrolimus with significantly improved recipient survival. Similarly, HOPE treatment, without any immunosuppression, protected recipients from acute immune response, as measured by less cytokine release, T-cell, and macrophage activation. Additionally, HOPE-treated kidneys showed better function and less early fibrosis leading to a significantly improved recipient survival, compared with untreated allogeneic controls. Similarly, HOPE treatment protected recipients of extended donation after circulatory death kidneys from immune activation. This effect was lost when deoxygenated perfusate was used.

Conclusions.

In summary, this is the first study demonstrating the beneficial effects of HOPE on the immune response following kidney transplantation in an allogeneic rodent model.
Laminin-511 Supplementation Enhances Stem Cell Localization With Suppression in the Decline of Cardiac Function in Acute Infarct Rats
Authors: Sougawa Nagako , Miyagawa Shigeru , Fukushima Satsuki , Yokoyama Junya , Kitahara Mutsunori , Harada Akima , Mochizuki-Oda Noriko , Sato-Nishiuchi Ryoko , Sekiguchi Kiyotoshi , Sawa Yoshiki
Published: February 2019

Background.

The extracellular matrix, in particular basement membrane components such as laminins (LMs), is essential for stem cell differentiation and self-renewal. LM511 and LM221 are the main extracellular matrix components of the epicardium, where stem cells were abundant. Here, we examined whether LMs affected the regeneration process by modulating stem cell activities.

Methods.

In vitro, adhesive, and proliferative activities of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were evaluated on LM511 and LM221. To examine the effects of LMs in vivo, we established an acute myocardial infarction model by ligation of the proximal part of the left anterior descending artery at the height of the left atrial appendage and then placed atelocollagen sheets with or without LM511 and LM221 over the anterolateral surface of the left ventricular wall. Four or 8 weeks later, cardiac function, histology, and cytokine expressions were analyzed.

Results.

MSCs showed greater proliferation and adhesive properties on LM511 than on LM221. In vivo, at 4 weeks, isolectin B4–positive cells were significantly higher in the LM511-transplanted group than in the control group. Moreover, some isolectin B4–positive cells expressed both platelet-derived growth factor receptor α and CD90, suggesting that LM511 enhanced MSC recruitment and attachment at the implanted site. After 8 weeks, these cells were more abundant than at 4 weeks. Transplantation with LM511-conjugated sheets increased the expression of cardioprotective and angiogenic factors.

Conclusions.

Transplantation with LM511-conjugated sheets enhanced MSC localization to the implantation site and modulated stem cells activities, leading to angiogenesis in acute myocardial infarction rat models.
Differences Between Patient-Reported Versus Clinician-Observed Nonulcerative Signs and Symptoms of the Foot in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Takehara Kimie , Oe Makoto , Ohashi Yumiko , Tsunemi Yuichiro , Kadowaki Takashi , Sanada Hiromi
Published: February 2019

PURPOSE:

The primary aim of this study was to compare patient reported versus clinician-observed nonulcerative foot conditions in patients attending a diabetic foot clinic and deemed at risk for diabetic foot ulcers.

DESIGN:

Retrospective review of medical records.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING:

The medical records of 126 patients with diabetes mellitus and deemed at risk for developing diabetic foot ulcers were reviewed. All patients received care from a diabetic foot outpatient clinic in a university-based hospital in Tokyo, Japan, between November 2008 and October 2009.

METHODS:

We compared patients' self-identified foot complaints with clinically observable conditions affecting the feet of these individuals with diabetes mellitus. Patients' medical records were retrieved, and patient complaints and identified preulcerative signs of the foot were documented. All clinical observations were made by nurse specialists with knowledge of diabetic foot conditions. Nonulcerative diabetic foot conditions we observed included calluses, corns, abnormal nails, fissures, tinea pedis, and tinea unguium. Patient sensitivity to correctly identify these signs was calculated using the following formula: patient-reported foot signs divided by clinically identified preulcerative signs.

RESULTS:

Patient sensitivity for identifying nonulcerative signs varied based on the foot condition was 51.4% for calluses, 47.8% for pincer nails, 44.4% for corns, 33.3% for fissures, 19.4% for nail abnormalities, 3.9% for scales/maceration between the toes, 2.6% for interdigital tinea pedis, and 18.2% for tinea unguium.

CONCLUSION:

These findings suggest that persons with diabetes vary in their awareness of conditions affecting their feet and enhancing their risk for the development of diabetic foot ulcers. We recommend additional education on foot-related self-care including how often to observe their feet and how to recognize symptoms that may elevate their risk for diabetic foot ulcers.
Erythrobacter spongiae sp. nov., isolated from marine sponge
Authors: Zhuang Lingping , Lin Binbin , Xu Li , Li Guoqiang , Wu Chang-Jer , Luo Lianzhong
Published: February 2019

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain HN-E23T, which was isolated from sponge collected from Yangpu Bay, Hainan, China. Cells of strain HN-E23T were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, orange-yellow-pigmented, short rods, that could grow at 10–40 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 5–11 (optimun, pH 7) and in 0.5–12 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3 %). This isolate was positive for oxidase, catalase, and the hydrolysis of aesculin, but negative for indole production and the reduction of nitrate. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain HN-E23T formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the cluster comprising

Erythrobacter

strains. Strain HN-E23T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to

Erythrobacter aquimixticola

JSSK-14T (97.2 %), followed by

Erythrobacter atlanticus

s21-N3T (96.6 %),

Erythrobacter luteus

KA37T (96.5 %) and

Erythrobacter citreus

RE35F/1T (96.4 %). The digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) and the average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain HN-E23T and JSSK-14T were 18.8 and 74.9 %, respectively. The dDDH and ANI values are below the standard cut-off criteria for delineation of bacterial species. The dominant fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c), C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/ω6c). The major polar lipids comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, an unidentified glycolipid and six unidentified lipids. The respiratory lipoquinone was identified as Q-10. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 65.5 mol%. Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain HN-E23T represents a novel species of the genus

Erythrobacter

, for which the name Erythrobacter spongiae sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain HN-E23T (=MCCC 1K03331T=LMG 30457T).
Enhanced fitness relates to reduced cerebrovascular reactivity and perfusion in a sample of very healthy older adults
Authors: Intzandt Brittany , Sabra Dalia , Foster Catherine , Desjardins-Crépeau Laurence , Hoge Rick , Steele Christopher J , Bherer Louis , Gauthier Claudine J
Published: February 2019

Aging is accompanied by decreased grey matter volume (GMV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), where the latter tends to decline the earliest in aging. Enhanced fitness in aging has been related to preservation of GMV and CBF, and in some cases CVR, although there are contradictory relationships reported between CVR and fitness. Therefore, to gain a better understanding of the complex interplay with fitness and GMV, CBF and CVR, it is necessary to study them concurrently. Here, we aimed to disentangle the interactions between these outcomes in healthy older adults. MRI acquisitions collected anatomical, CBF and CVR information in all participants, as well as VO2,max. Results revealed decreased CVR was associated with increased fitness throughout large areas of the cerebral cortex. Within these regions it was found that lower fitness was associated with higher CBF and a slower hemodynamic response to hypercapnia. Overall, results indicate that the relationship between age, cerebral health and cerebral hemodynamics are complex. Future studies should collect other physiological outcomes in parallel with quantitative imaging, such as measures of carbon dioxide sensitivity and autoregulation, to further understand the intricacy of the effects fitness has on the aging brain, and how this may bias quantitative measures of cerebral health.
Asymmetric post-translational modifications regulate the intracellular distribution of unstimulated STAT3 dimers
Authors: Cardoso Beatriz , Letra-Vilela Ricardo , Silva-Almeida Catarina , Rocha Ana Maia , Murtinheira Fernanda , Branco-Santos Joana , Rodriguez Carmen , Martin Vanesa , Santa-Marta Mariana , Herrera Federico
Published: February 2019

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is a ubiquitous and pleiotropic transcription factor that plays essential roles in normal development, immunity, response to tissue damage and cancer. We have developed a Venus-STAT3 bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay that allows the visualization and study of STAT3 dimerization and protein-protein interactions in living cells. Inactivating mutations on residues susceptible to post-translational modifications (K49R, K140R, K685R, Y705F and S727A) did not alter the basal dimerization of unstimulated STAT3, but changed significantly the intracellular distribution of STAT3 dimers. Surprisingly, the distribution of specific asymmetric STAT3 dimers (i.e. the STAT3 molecules carry different mutations) was different from symmetric dimers. Our results indicate that asymmetric post-translational modifications on STAT3 dimers could constitute a new level of regulation of STAT3 signaling. This set of Venus-STAT3 BiFC constructs provides yet unexplored means to advance our understanding of STAT3 behavior and function in cancer and beyond.
Thermodynamic Measures of Human Brain Development from Fetal Stage to Adulthood
Authors: Rietman Edward A. , Taylor Sophie , Siegelmann Hava T. , Cavaglia Marco , Tuszynski Jack A.
Published: February 2019

This paper analyzes the data obtained from tissue samples of the human brains containing protein expression values. The data have been processed for their thermodynamic measure in terms of the Gibbs free energy of the corresponding protein-protein interaction networks. We have investigated the functional dependence of the Gibbs free energies on age and found consistent trends for most of the 16 main brain areas. The peak of the Gibbs energy values is found at birth with a trend toward plateauing at the age of maturity. We have also compared the data for males and females and uncovered functional differences for some of the brain regions.

Significance Statement

In this paper we briefly outline the theoretical basis for a novel analysis of brain development in terms of a thermodynamic measure (Gibbs free energy) for the corresponding protein-protein interaction networks. We analyzed the overall developmental patterns for Gibbs free energy as a function of age across all brain regions. Of particular note was the significant upward trend in the fetal stages, which is generally followed by a sharp dip at birth and a plateau at maturity. We then compared the trends for female and male samples. A crossover pattern was observed for most of the brain regions, where the Gibbs free energy of the male samples were lower than the female samples at prenatal and neonatal ages, but higher at ages 8-40.
Generalizing to generalize: when (and when not) to be compositional in task structure learning
Authors: Franklin Nicholas T. , Frank Michael J.
Published: February 2019

Humans routinely face novel environments in which they have to generalize in order toact adaptively. However, doing so involves the non-trivial challenge of deciding which aspects of a task domain to generalize. While it is sometimes appropriate to simply re-use a learned behavior, often adaptive generalization entails recombining distinct components of knowledge acquired across multiple contexts. Theoretical work has suggested a computational trade-off in which it can be more or less useful to learn and generalize aspects of task structure jointly or compositionally, depending on previous task statistics, but empirical studies are lacking. Here we develop a series of navigation tasks which manipulate the statistics of goal values (“what to do”) and state transitions (“how to do it”) across contexts, and assess whether human subjects generalize these task components separately or conjunctively. We find that human generalization is sensitive to the statistics of the previously experienced task domain, favoring compositional or conjunctive generalization when the task statistics are indicative of such structures, and a mixture of the two when they are more ambiguous. These results support the predictions of a normative “meta-generalization learning” agent that does not only generalize previous knowledge but also generalizes the statistical structure most likely to support generalization.

Author Note

This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation Proposal 1460604 “How Prefrontal Cortex Augments Reinforcement Learning” to MJF. We thank Mark Ho for providing code used in the behavioral task. We thank Matt Nassar for helpful discussions. Correspondence should be addressed to Nicholas T. Franklin (nfranklin@fas.harvard.edu) or Michael J. Frank (michael_frank@brown.edu).
Corrosion inhibition of stainless steel in sulfuric acid solution containing sulfide ions
Authors: Hermas Abou-Elhagag A. , Elnady Abobakr Mohamed , Ali Reham M.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Although stainless steel (SS) has good corrosion resistance in most aqueous solutions, it suffers corrosion in some solutions which contain aggressive ions such as sulfide ions. This study aims to use some cephalosporins (cefotaxime, cephapirin and cefazolin) as corrosion inhibitors of commercial SS in 0.5 M H2SO4solution containing sulfide ions at 30°C.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out using weight loss method, potential-time, linear polarization, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance measurements, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and energy dispersive X-ray analysis.

Findings

The presence of the cephalosporin compound in the corrosive medium shifted the corrosion potential of SS to much positive side, which enhances self-passivation of SS, and the shifting increased with increasing inhibitor concentration. The cephalosporin compounds worked as effective inhibitors with mainly anodic and the efficiency increase as cefotaxime < cephapirin < cefazolin. The inhibitors form a protective adsorbed layer, which enriches the surface content of Ni and Cr and thus assists the SS to be passive.

Originality/value

The antibiotics cephalosporins could be used as effective corrosion inhibitors for SS in acidic solutions containing sulfide ions. The inhibitors enhances the the passive oxide film of SS even in presence of aggressive ions such as sulfide ions.
An analysis of a structured benchmarking project
Authors: Al Nuseirat Ahmad Abdullah , El Kahlout Zeyad Mohammad , Abbas Ahmed , Adebanjo Dotun , Punnakitikashem Prattana , Mann Robin
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a benchmarking project carried out by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) as part of a structured benchmarking initiative. The project was based on the TRADE benchmarking methodology and this paper examines the tools, activities and outcomes that relate to each stage of the adopted methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on case study methodology. Data were collected from various sources including analysis of project reports written by DEWA’s benchmarking team reporting on their activities during the project. Data were also collected from four project presentations given at different stages of the project. In addition, the research team held three meetings with the DEWA benchmarking team at different stages of the benchmarking project.

Findings

The results show the key challenges and successes faced during each stage of the benchmarking project. It indicates the actions taken to overcome the challenges and the role played by internal and external stakeholders in facilitating the success of the benchmarking project.

Practical implications

The study presents information that would guide organisations that wish to carry out a benchmarking project – and particularly those implementing benchmarking for the first time. The study provides a summary of the key lessons learnt by DEWA’s benchmarking team as a guide for other organisations.

Originality/value

Academic research has not adequately examined and analysed the stage-by-stage elements of a benchmarking project from the perspective of the implementing organisation. This study addresses this gap by detailing and analysing the experiences of a benchmarking project by tracking the stage-by-stage activities of the benchmarking team.
Governance of artificial intelligence and personal health information
Authors: Winter Jenifer Sunrise , Davidson Elizabeth
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the increasing challenges to governing the personal health information (PHI) essential for advancing artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning innovations in health care. Risks to privacy and justice/equity are discussed, along with potential solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper highlights the scale and scope of PHI data consumed by deep learning algorithms and their opacity as novel challenges to health data governance.

Findings

This paper argues that these characteristics of machine learning will overwhelm existing data governance approaches such as privacy regulation and informed consent. Enhanced governance techniques and tools will be required to help preserve the autonomy and rights of individuals to control their PHI. Debate among all stakeholders and informed critique of how, and for whom, PHI-fueled health AI are developed and deployed are needed to channel these innovations in societally beneficial directions.

Social implications

Health data may be used to address pressing societal concerns, such as operational and system-level improvement, and innovations such as personalized medicine. This paper informs work seeking to harness these resources for societal good amidst many competing value claims and substantial risks for privacy and security.

Originality/value

This is the first paper focusing on health data governance in relation to AI/machine learning.
Leader Machiavellianism and follower silence
Authors: Erkutlu Hakan , Chafra Jamel
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Drawing on the social exchange theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between leader Machiavellianism and employee’s quiescent silence. Specifically, the authors take a relational approach by introducing employee’s relational identification as the mediator. The moderating role of psychological distance in the relationship between leader Machiavellianism and quiescent silence is also considered.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from nine universities in Turkey. The sample included 793 randomly chosen faculty members along with their department chairs. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the proposed model.

Findings

The results of this study supported the positive effect of leader Machiavellianism on employee’s quiescent silence as well as the mediating effect of employee’s relational identification. Moreover, when the level of psychological distance is low, the relationship between leader Machiavellianism and quiescent silence is strong, whereas the effect is weak when the level of psychological distance is high.

Practical implications

The findings of this study suggest that educational administrators in the higher education should be sensitive in treating their subordinates, as it will lead to positive interpersonal relationship, which, in turn, will reduce workplace silence. Moreover, they should pay more attention to the buffering role of psychological distance for those subordinates with high distrust and showing silence.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on organizational silence by revealing the relational mechanism between leader Machiavellianism and employee quiescent silence. The paper also offers a practical assistance to employees in the higher education and their leaders interested in building trust, increasing leader–employee relationship and reducing workplace silence.
Interaction effects between contract specificity, competence trust and goodwill trust upon supplier opportunism and relational stability
Authors: Cho Meehee , Bonn Mark A. , Terrell Benjamin B.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This study was designed to offer empirical evidence about the significant impacts of supplier opportunism and relational stability upon restaurant performance. This study aims to investigate the extent to which competence and goodwill trust interact with contract specificity in mitigating supplier opportunism and improving relational stability.

Design/methodology/approach

This study obtained a data set using 324 account executives representing a US restaurant product supplier. These same account executives were also contacted to obtain data from general managers of their largest restaurant accounts. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the hypothesized relationships. Additionally, a two-step hierarchical regression analysis was used to test how contract specificity and trust interact upon supplier opportunism and relational stability.

Findings

Results revealed that contract specificity, competence and goodwill trust significantly reduced supplier opportunism and improved relational stability, which positively affected restaurant performance. Additionally, the interaction between contract specificity and goodwill trust significantly reduced the level of supplier opportunism, supporting the complementary role of goodwill trust for contract specificity. When goodwill trust interacted with contract specificity, it was found to significantly improve relational stability.

Practical implications

These results offer empirical evidence pertaining to the significant impacts of supplier opportunism and relational stability upon restaurant performance. Findings can be used to develop effective governance strategies to manage restaurant-supplier transactions.

Originality/value

Although the interaction between contract specificity and trust with respect to decreasing supplier opportunism and promoting relational stability has been a subject of debate in the supply chain management research literature, to date, no relevant research addressing this topic exists within the context of restaurant management. In this study, trust was particularly assessed based upon its two distinct roles (competence and goodwill) involving their interaction with contract specificity upon supplier opportunism and relational stability. The findings regarding those different roles of the two types of trust provide new insights into the existing knowledge about the use of both formal and informal governance specific to the restaurant industry.
Building brand relationship for restaurants
Authors: Erkmen Ezgi , Hancer Murat
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of other customers in explaining customers’ relation with a brand. A conceptual model, which incorporates other customers along with atmospherics, food quality and service quality, is proposed to better understand how customers form their brand preference for fine dining restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research methodology, using structural equation modeling, was adopted to understand the role of other customers along with other restaurant attributes. Data were collected from the customers of fine dining restaurants resulting in 324 usable surveys.

Findings

The findings supported the sequential link for: restaurant experience attributes – brand relationship and brand preference. While all restaurant attributes except other customers explain the satisfaction of customers, only service quality and other customers played a significant role in forming the brand image in the minds of restaurant guests. Overall, this study acknowledged the importance of both other customers and employees in fine dining restaurants’ branding.

Research limitations/implications

The results suggest that customers in servicescape have a significant role in creating a successful brand image for restaurants. Moreover, service quality is also key to achieve a unique image, thereby suggesting that employees could be a source of differentiation and competitive advantage by managing their brand related behaviors.

Originality/value

This research was one of the first to study the role of other customers in restaurant service experience along with other attributes to assess customers’ brand relation and brand preference for fine dining restaurants.
Possibilities and barriers for practical application of internationally recognized diplomas of remote education
Authors: Tyurina Yulia , Troyanskaya Mariya , Ermolina Lilia , Bogoviz Aleksei V. , Lobova Svetlana
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the possibilities and barriers of the practical application of internationally recognized diplomas of higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used SWOT analysis for determining preconditions and barriers as well as possibilities and threats that are related to the provision and practical application of internationally recognized diplomas of higher education and the method of modeling of socio-economic processes and systems for compiling a conceptual model of the provision and practical application of internationally recognized diplomas of higher education. Demand for the practical application of internationally recognized diplomas in modern Russia is determined with the method of analysis of statistical data (method of economic statistics). The information and analytical basis of the research consists of materials of the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation.

Findings

It is shown by the example of modern Russia that the practical application of internationally recognized diplomas is popular, and universities that provide remote education possess wide possibilities in the sphere of their provision, as they are characterized by high flexibility that allows them to adapt to the international standards of university education. The barriers of the practical application of internationally recognized diplomas of higher education are caused by the lack of clear and generally recognized international standards of university education, absence of entrepreneurial culture of application of internationally recognized diplomas and absence of international organization that certifies activities of universities and issues licenses for internationally recognized diplomas.

Originality/value

In order to overcome these barriers, the authors created a conceptual model of the provision and practical application of internationally recognized diplomas of higher education.
Application of remote technologies in education
Authors: Stroeva Olesya A. , Zviagintceva Yuliia , Tokmakova Elena , Petrukhina Elena , Polyakova Oksana
Published: February 2019

Purpose

At present, the development of information technologies changes the whole system of public functioning. Special attention is paid to the system of higher education, as it forms future highly qualified specialists, who will become the basis of digital economy. According to this, new remote technologies are implemented into the system of education each year, which are a basic prototype of smart technologies. The purpose of this paper is to determine the role of remote technologies in the development of the system of higher education and to form skills with the students.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on this, it is necessary to solve the following tasks: view the aspects, peculiarities and possibilities of remote education; distinguish the main tools of remote technologies in education; offer electronic final program as a remote method of evaluation of students’ knowledge.

Findings

In this study, the following methods are used: analysis, synthesis, logical method, abstraction and comparison. Scientific novelty consists in performing research in the sphere of significance and implementation of remote technologies in the system of higher education of the Russian Federation.

Originality/value

This research could be useful for public officers who form programs of development of higher education and for academic staff of higher educational establishments.
E-learning in higher inclusive education: needs, opportunities and limitations
Authors: Meskhi Besarion , Ponomareva Svetlana , Ugnich Ekaterina
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the limitations, opportunities and conditions for the development of e-learning in the inclusive education system in the universities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the literature dedicated to e-learning, its application and adaptation in higher inclusive education. Systemic and social approaches were applied to the perception of higher inclusive education for the purposes of this study. The principles of evolutionary economics and institutional theory were used for determining the possibility of using e-learning in higher inclusive education. The findings are confirmed by an empirical study of the integration of e-learning into the higher inclusive education system by the example of Russia.

Findings

It has been shown that the development of e-learning in the national higher education system and its perception by the higher inclusive education system depends on the level of development of social and information interrelation in the society. In addition, e-learning can only be used in higher inclusive education when it is interrelated with traditional learning. The efficiency of e-learning in higher inclusive education depends on the systemic institutional environment which was formed both at the level of the state and at the level of a particular university. In this case, the institutional environment should be focused not only on the development of e-learning and inclusive education, but also on their collaboration.

Practical implications

The results of the study, which identified special aspects, opportunities and limitations of e-learning in higher inclusive education, can be applied to improve its effectiveness both at the level of individual universities and at the level of formation of national strategies for the development of higher education.

Originality/value

Given the growing relevance of higher inclusive education in the contemporary world and the limited number of studies of adaptation and the use of e-learning in it, the results obtained can contribute to the implementation of strategic planning of this direction at the national and local levels.
Perception of ESG criteria by mainstream investors: evidence from Tunisia
Authors: Khemir Souhir
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perception of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria by mainstream investors in an emerging financial market, that of Tunisia, country at the origin of the Arab Spring.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted with financial professionals.

Findings

Despite efforts by the Tunisian state to promote CSR and ESG criteria since the outbreak of the revolution of January 14th, 2011, the results show that these criteria are fairly well known by our interlocutors. As part of an investment allocation decision, the ESG criteria are considered as secondary to financial ones. The three criteria are classified as follows according to their usefulness in the investment choices of financial professionals: corporate governance, social and environmental.

Research limitations/implications

In addition to the subjective nature of the data collected, this research is limited to the input of only financial professionals. It does not inform us about ESG indicators that may influence the investment decisions of financial professionals, and thus this issue deserves further reflection.

Originality/value

This exploratory study sheds light on a little-explored topic in Tunisia, country at the origin of the Arab Spring. It contributes to the existing literature in the areas of investor behavior toward ESG criteria and adds to the limited literature in the area of emerging countries.
The moderating effect of international trade on outside director system in Korean firms
Authors: Nam Yoonsung , Kim Tae-Joong , Choi Wonyong
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating effect of international trade on outside director system in Korean firms. The authors expected that Korean firms highly depending on international trade would mitigate the resource provision function of outside director system in order to reduce information asymmetry among global business partners. In addition, the authors tried to find out the functions of outside director system: the control function based on agency theory and resource provision function based on resource dependence theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors tested the hypotheses by Poisson regression with 2011 and 2002 Korean-listed manufacturing firms. The dependent variable is the number of excessively appointed outside directors and independent variable is CEO type: family CEO or professional CEO. The moderating variable is the dependency on international trade measured by export proportion out of total sales.

Findings

The authors found that not control but resource provision function was a main role of outside director system in Korean firms. The authors also found negative moderating effect of dependency on international trade, which means that firms highly depending on global market tended to consider outside director system as control function, namely “global standard.”

Originality/value

This paper is the leading study that tries to analyze empirically the relationship between international trade and the function of governance mechanism; outside director system in Korean firms. It also confirms that Korean firms adopted outside director system on the basis of the resource dependence theory.
Homestead exemptions and efficiency
Authors: Carroll Deborah A. , Ivonchyk Mikhail , Larson Sarah Elizabeth
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the theory of optimal monitoring, which posits that more generous county homestead exemptions lower the incentive for residents to monitor school operations, thereby increasing inefficiency in service outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses two-stage Simar and Wilson’s data envelopment analysis to assess county school districts’ efficiency in the state of Georgia for each year from 2007 to 2012.

Findings

Controlling for other factors known to be correlated with government efficiency, such as fiscal capacity and competition, this study finds evidence that higher property tax burdens resulting from lower county school district homestead exemptions, as a proxy of more intense citizens’ monitoring pressures, are associated with improved county school district performance efficiency. These results provide empirical support for the theory of optimal monitoring.

Practical implications

Increased government funding toward education is more likely to improve education outcomes if accompanied by efficiency control mechanisms. One such mechanism could be increased transparency of government operations and accountability of public officials.

Originality/value

This research uses a newer and more robust estimation of relative efficiency and analyzes a more common type of property tax exemption. This improves the internal validity and generalizability of the findings regarding the theory of optimal monitoring.
Budget preparers’ perceptions and performance-based budgeting implementation
Authors: Jalali Aliabadi Farzaneh , Mashayekhi Bita , Gal Graham
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the reason for the failure of implementing performance-based budgeting (PBB) at Iranian public universities and research institutes (PURI). This examination focuses on the actors participating in the budget processes and their perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses grounded theory and employs deep semi-structured interviews of budget preparers at Iranian PURI.

Findings

The results indicate a loose coupling between perceived and regulated budgeting process. This leads to budgetary slack as a barrier for authentic information flow and indeed PBB implementation. In the analysis of the results, the authors suggest some ways to improve the current situation of the budgeting processes at Iranian PURI.

Practical implications

Public organizations that desire to transform their budgeting system need to consider their actors’ perceptions regarding the budgeting process. By explicitly considering their perceptions the organization may be able to solve any loose coupling as a result of internal, external and behavioral conditions.

Originality/value

This research examines issues that arise in the transformation of organizational processes. The focus on budget processes is critical for organizations which receive most, if not all, of their operational funds from a central authority. This research highlights the role of budget actors’ perceptions in transforming the budgeting process. An important result of this analysis is documenting the existence of loose coupling in the current budgeting process at Iranian PURI. This loose coupling results in slack creation and restricts the implementation of a PBB system. Additionally, this loose coupling limits the flow of authentic information.