bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marcus Aurelius
Authors: Sellars John
Published: August 2015

The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (b. 121–d. 180) was the author of a series of philosophical reflections that are best known in the English-speaking world under the title Meditations. In the Meditations Marcus reflects on a range of philosophical topics as well as challenges in his own life. The book is unlike any other philosophical text that has come down to us from Antiquity, taking the form of a collection of notebook jottings that were probably never intended for wider circulation. With the exception of Book 1, which reflects on Marcus’s debts to various people that have been important in his life, the remaining eleven books of philosophical and personal reflections are in no particular order and display no obvious structure. Many of the philosophical positions that Marcus holds, and the arguments underpinning them, remain unstated but various remarks in the text and elsewhere (especially Marcus’s correspondence with his rhetoric tutor Fronto) make it clear that Marcus was committed to Stoicism. The Meditations contains numerous examples of someone trying to respond to problems in everyday life in the light of not just Stoic ethics but also Stoic physics and Stoic logic. Although Marcus quotes often from Plato and occasionally uses Platonic terminology, his philosophical worldview remains thoroughly Stoic. He often quotes from the Stoic Epictetus, whom he explicitly acknowledges as an important influence, and he also quotes from Heraclitus, whose image of nature as everlasting fire influenced Stoic physics. How the Meditations were preserved after Marcus’s death and through the Middle Ages remains obscure, and the text did not attract any significant number of readers until the first printed edition in the sixteenth century. Since then, it has proved especially popular with general readers although less so with professional philosophers. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Henry More, the Third Earl of Shaftesbury, and Francis Hutcheson were all avid readers of Marcus. More recently, he has been an important influence on Pierre Hadot’s account of philosophy as a way of life, which, in turn, influenced the late work of Michel Foucault.
Kocher Criteria Revisited in the Era of MRI: How Often Does the Kocher Criteria Identify Underlying Osteomyelitis?
Authors: Nguyen Alex , Kan J. Herman , Bisset George , Rosenfeld Scott
Published: August 2015

Background:

The Kocher criteria are established clinical parameters that predict hip septic arthritis (SA) with a 93% or greater positive-predictive value when 3 or 4 variables are present. The incidence of osteomyelitis (OM) in these patients has not been reported. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of OM in patients who have 3 or 4 positive Kocher criteria.

Methods:

A total of 71 consecutive patients (mean age, 4.7 y) treated between January 2007 and July 2013 for suspected hip SA who had 3 or 4 positive Kocher criteria were retrospectively reviewed. The Kocher criteria variables include: non–weight-bearing status, fever>38.5°C, white blood cell>12 K, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate>40 mm/h. All patients underwent ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging as part of their workup.

Results:

There were a total of 71 patients with 3 or 4 positive Kocher criteria. Of these, 22.5% (n=16) had a diagnosis of SA and 47.9% (n=34) had a diagnosis of OM. Of the 71 patients, 52.1% (37/71) had a hip effusion on US. When an effusion was identified, 18.9% (7/37) had isolated SA, 18.9% (7/37) had isolated OM, and 24.3% (9/37) had combined SA and OM. When no effusion was identified, a total of 18/34 (52.9%) had underlying OM.

Conclusions:

Patients with 3 or 4 Kocher criteria have a high incidence (47.9%) of OM. Even in patients with a hip effusion on US, the incidence of OM was equal to that of SA. These results suggest that the combination of Kocher criteria and US alone is not sufficient to make a diagnosis in patients presenting with hip irritability and consideration should be given to adding magnetic resonance imaging to their workup.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—retrospective chart review.
How Does Patient Radiation Exposure Compare With Low-dose O-arm Versus Fluoroscopy for Pedicle Screw Placement in Idiopathic Scoliosis?
Authors: Su Alvin W. , McIntosh Amy L. , Schueler Beth A. , Milbrandt Todd A. , Winkler Jennifer A. , Stans Anthony A. , Larson A. Noelle
Published: August 2015

Background:

Intraoperative C-arm fluoroscopy and low-dose O-arm are both reasonable means to assist in screw placement for idiopathic scoliosis surgery. Both using pediatric low-dose O-arm settings and minimizing the number of radiographs during C-arm fluoroscopy guidance decrease patient radiation exposure and its deleterious biological effect that may be associated with cancer risk. We hypothesized that the radiation dose for C-arm-guided fluoroscopy is no less than low-dose O-arm scanning for placement of pedicle screws.

Methods:

A multicenter matched-control cohort study of 28 patients in total was conducted. Fourteen patients who underwent O-arm-guided pedicle screw insertion for spinal fusion surgery in 1 institution were matched to another 14 patients who underwent C-arm fluoroscopy guidance in the other institution in terms of the age of surgery, body weight, and number of imaged spine levels. The total effective dose was compared. A low-dose pediatric protocol was used for all O-arm scans with an effective dose of 0.65 mSv per scan. The effective dose of C-arm fluoroscopy was determined using anthropomorphic phantoms that represented the thoracic and lumbar spine in anteroposterior and lateral views, respectively. The clinical outcome and complications of all patients were documented.

Results:

The mean total effective dose for the O-arm group was approximately 4 times higher than that of the C-arm group (P<0.0001). The effective dose for the C-arm patients had high variability based on fluoroscopy time and did not correlate with the number of imaged spine levels or body weight. The effective dose of 1 low-dose pediatric O-arm scan approximated 85 seconds of the C-arm fluoroscopy time. All patients had satisfactory clinical outcomes without major complications that required returning to the operating room.

Conclusions:

Radiation exposure required for O-arm scans can be higher than that required for C-arm fluoroscopy, but it depends on fluoroscopy time. Inclusion of more medical centers and surgeons will better account for the variability of C-arm dose due to distinct patient characteristics, surgeon’s preference, and individual institution’s protocol.

Level of Evidence:

Level III–case-control study.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Associated With Metoclopramide Use in a Boy: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Wittmann Osnat , Sadot Efraim , Bisker-Kassif Orly , Scolnik Dennis , Tavor Oren , Glatstein Miguel M.
Published: August 2015

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), an idiosyncratic reaction comprising muscular rigidity, altered level of consciousness, and autonomic dysfunction, is a rare but serious medical condition. It is most commonly precipitated by major tranquilizers such as butyrophenones, phenothiazines, and thioxanthines. Metoclopramide, a chlorbenzamide derivative with antidopaminergic properties, is widely used to treat nausea and emesis. We describe the first reported case of a boy who developed NMS in association with the use of this drug. A 13-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with a history of hyperthermia (42.6°C) and altered level of consciousness. He had recently had acute gastroenteritis and had been treated with metoclopramide 10 mg three times a day for 2 days. Vital signs were notable for hypotension, and physical examination revealed altered mental status with muscle rigidity. Laboratory testing revealed metabolic acidosis and increased prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times. He was actively cooled and received 3 rapid boluses, totaling 60 mL/kg, of isotonic crystalloids, for more than 20 minutes. Sepsis workup revealed no evidence of bacterial infection. He subsequently recovered fully and was discharged home with pediatric follow-up. This case represents the first description of NMS in association with metoclopramide in a healthy boy. It demonstrates the importance of considering this diagnosis early in the course of disease in patients with muscular rigidity, altered level of consciousness and autonomic dysfunction, and the need to rapidly respond to the physiological aberrations.
Intravenous Infiltration Resulting in Compartment Syndrome: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pare Joseph R. , Moore Christopher L.
Published: August 2015

Objective

To determine characteristics of patients who develop compartment syndrome (CS) from IV infiltration requiring surgical intervention.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted of available English literature from 1990 to date. Key terms were entered into a MEDLINE search in addition to searching grey literature and references of included manuscripts. Inclusion criteria were cases of CS requiring surgical intervention from IV infiltration. Exclusions were cases associated with phenytoin because of the unclear mechanism leading to injury (purple glove syndrome). Cases were reviewed for demographics, clinical information, and outcomes.

Results

Literature search resulted in 32 manuscripts meeting inclusion with 51 cases. Age ranged from 3 days to 81 years (19.6% age <1 year [10/51], 21.6% age 1–18 years [11/51], and 58.8% age >18 years [30/51]). IV sites were reported in 43 cases: hand 46.5%, forearm 46.5%, foot 4.7%, and leg 2.3% ([20/43], [20/43], [2/43], [1/43]). Of the 42 cases reporting patient mental status, 76.2% (32/42) had impaired mental state or limited communication including young age defined as younger than 3 years. Common associated agents were contrast 36.2%, IV fluid 34%, and mannitol 8.5% ([18/47], [16/47], [4/47]). One patient required hand amputation, 5 had persistent deficits, 36 had no long-term deficits, and 9 cases did not report patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Compartment syndrome affects patients of all ages with a significant number of patients being pediatric and specifically younger than 1 year. Patients at highest risk of developing CS requiring surgery from IV infiltration are likely to have barriers to communication.
Dissecting neural circuits for multisensory integration and crossmodal processing
Authors: Yau Jeffrey M. , DeAngelis Gregory C. , Angelaki Dora E.
Published: August 2015

We rely on rich and complex sensory information to perceive and understand our environment. Our multisensory experience of the world depends on the brain's remarkable ability to combine signals across sensory systems. Behavioural, neurophysiological and neuroimaging experiments have established principles of multisensory integration and candidate neural mechanisms. Here we review how targeted manipulation of neural activity using invasive and non-invasive neuromodulation techniques have advanced our understanding of multisensory processing. Neuromodulation studies have provided detailed characterizations of brain networks causally involved in multisensory integration. Despite substantial progress, important questions regarding multisensory networks remain unanswered. Critically, experimental approaches will need to be combined with theory in order to understand how distributed activity across multisensory networks collectively supports perception.
Using perturbations to identify the brain circuits underlying active vision
Authors: Wurtz Robert H.
Published: August 2015

The visual and oculomotor systems in the brain have been studied extensively in the primate. Together, they can be regarded as a single brain system that underlies active vision—the normal vision that begins with visual processing in the retina and extends through the brain to the generation of eye movement by the brainstem. The system is probably one of the most thoroughly studied brain systems in the primate, and it offers an ideal opportunity to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the series of perturbation techniques that have been used to study it. The perturbations have been critical in moving from correlations between neuronal activity and behaviour closer to a causal relation between neuronal activity and behaviour. The same perturbation techniques have also been used to tease out neuronal circuits that are related to active vision that in turn are driving behaviour. The evolution of perturbation techniques includes ablation of both cortical and subcortical targets, punctate chemical lesions, reversible inactivations, electrical stimulation, and finally the expanding optogenetic techniques. The evolution of perturbation techniques has supported progressively stronger conclusions about what neuronal circuits in the brain underlie active vision and how the circuits themselves might be organized.
Revealing humans’ sensorimotor functions with electrical cortical stimulation
Authors: Desmurget Michel , Sirigu Angela
Published: August 2015

Direct electrical stimulation (DES) of the human brain has been used by neurosurgeons for almost a century. Although this procedure serves only clinical purposes, it generates data that have a great scientific interest. Had DES not been employed, our comprehension of the organization of the sensorimotor systems involved in movement execution, language production, the emergence of action intentionality or the subjective feeling of movement awareness would have been greatly undermined. This does not mean, of course, that DES is a gold standard devoid of limitations and that other approaches are not of primary importance, including electrophysiology, modelling, neuroimaging or psychophysics in patients and healthy subjects. Rather, this indicates that the contribution of DES cannot be restricted, in humans, to the ubiquitous concepts of homunculus and somatotopy. DES is a fundamental tool in our attempt to understand the human brain because it represents a unique method for mapping sensorimotor pathways and interfering with the functioning of localized neural populations during the performance of well-defined behavioural tasks.
Contemporary approaches to neural circuit manipulation and mapping: focus on reward and addiction
Authors: Saunders Benjamin T. , Richard Jocelyn M. , Janak Patricia H.
Published: August 2015

Tying complex psychological processes to precisely defined neural circuits is a major goal of systems and behavioural neuroscience. This is critical for understanding adaptive behaviour, and also how neural systems are altered in states of psychopathology, such as addiction. Efforts to relate psychological processes relevant to addiction to activity within defined neural circuits have been complicated by neural heterogeneity. Recent advances in technology allow for manipulation and mapping of genetically and anatomically defined neurons, which when used in concert with sophisticated behavioural models, have the potential to provide great insight into neural circuit bases of behaviour. Here we discuss contemporary approaches for understanding reward and addiction, with a focus on midbrain dopamine and cortico-striato-pallidal circuits.
Spirochaeta sinaica sp. nov., a halophilic spirochaete isolated from a cyanobacterial mat
Authors: Dubinina Galina , Grabovich Margarita , Leshcheva Nataliya , Gronow Sabine , Gavrish Ekaterina , Akimov Vladimir
Published: August 2015

A strain of free-living obligately anaerobic, halophilic spirochaete, SLT, was isolated from a sample of a cyanobacterial mat of the hypersaline Solar Lake, Sinai shore. The strain had motile helical cells, 0.35–0.40 × 6–10 μm. Strain SLT exhibited high resistance to NaCl among known halophilic spirochaetes growing at NaCl concentrations from 2 to 12 % (optimum growth at 7 %). The strain grew at temperatures from 10 to 32 °C (optimum at 28 °C) and pH from 6 to 8.5 (optimum at pH 7.0–7.5). Carbohydrates, but not alcohols, organic acids or nitrogenous compounds (peptone, yeast extract and amino acids), were used as energy substrates for growth. Ethanol, acetate, lactate, H2 and CO2 were the products of glucose fermentation. Sulfide was produced in the presence of S0 or thiosulfate in the medium. The DNA G+C content was 44.7 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain SLT clustered within the genus Spirochaeta, exhibiting 94.2 and 93.7 % similarity with its closest relatives, Spirochaeta bajacaliforniensis DSM 160554T and Spirochaeta smaragdinae DSM 11293T, respectively; similarity with other species did not exceed 86 %. The phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the strain, as well as the results of phylogenetic analysis support the classification of strain SLT as representing a novel species of the genus Spirochaeta, for which the name Spirochaeta sinaica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SLT ( = DSM 14994 = UNIQEM U 783).
Halocynthiibacter arcticus sp. nov., isolated from Arctic marine sediment
Authors: Baek Kiwoon , Lee Yung Mi , Shin Seung Chul , Hwang Kyuin , Hwang Chung Yeon , Hong Soon Gyu , Lee Hong Kum
Published: August 2015

A Gram-staining-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, non-motile, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium producing white colonies, PAMC 20958T, was isolated from a marine sediment of the Arctic. PAMC 20958T grew at 10–27 °C (optimally at 21 °C), at pH 5.5–9.5 (optimally at pH 7.0–7.5) and in the presence of 0.5–7.5 % (w/v) (optimally at 2.0 %) NaCl. PAMC 20958T showed 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Halocynthiibacter namhaensis KCTC 32362T and formed a robust phylogenetic clade with this species. The average nucleotide identity value between strain PAMC 20958T and H. namhaensis KCTC 32362T was 79.7 % and the genome-to-genome distance was 13.0 % on average. The genomic DNA G+C content calculated from the genome sequence was 53.2 mol%. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c. The major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) and major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified lipids. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis and genotypic and phenotypic data obtained in this study, it is concluded that strain PAMC 20958T ( = KCTC 42129T = JCM 30530T) represents the type strain of a novel species of the genus Halocynthiibacter, for which the name Halocynthiibacter arcticus sp. nov. is proposed.
Corynebacterium tapiri sp. nov. and Corynebacterium nasicanis sp. nov., isolated from a tapir and a dog, respectively
Authors: Baumgardt Sandra , Loncaric Igor , Kämpfer Peter , Busse Hans-Jürgen
Published: August 2015

Two Gram-stain-positive bacterial isolates, strain 2385/12T and strain 2673/12T were isolated from a tapir and a dog's nose, respectively. The two strains were rod to coccoid-shaped, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity identified Corynebacterium singulare CCUG 37330T (96.3 % similarity) as the nearest relative of strain 2385/12T and suggested the isolate represented a novel species. Corynebacterium humireducens DSM 45392T (98.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) was identified as the nearest relative of strain 2673/12T. Results from DNA–DNA hybridization with the type strain of C. humireducens demonstrated that strain 2673/12T also represented a novel species. Strain 2385/12T showed a quinone system consisting predominantly of menaquinones MK-8(H2) and MK-9(H2) whereas strain 2673/12T contained only MK-8(H2) as predominant quinone. The polar lipid profiles of the two strains showed the major compounds phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified glycolipid. Phosphatidylinositol was identified as another major lipid in 2673/12T whereas it was only found in moderate amounts in strain 2385/12T. Furthermore, moderate to minor amounts of phosphatidylinositol-mannoside, β-gentiobiosyl diacylglycerol and variable counts of several unidentified lipids were detected in the two strains. Both strains contained corynemycolic acids. The polyamine patterns were characterized by the major compound putrescine in strain 2385/12T and spermidine in strain 2673/12T. In the fatty acid profiles, predominantly C18 : 1ω9c and C16 : 0 were detected. The two strains are distinguishable from each other and the nearest related established species of the genus Corynebacterium phylogenetically and phenotypically. In conclusion, two novel species of the genus Corynebacterium are proposed, namely Corynebacterium tapiri sp. nov. (type strain, 2385/12T = CCUG 65456T = LMG 28165T) and Corynebacterium nasicanis sp. nov. (type strain, 2673/12T = CCUG 65455T = LMG 28166T).
Human insulin polymorphism upon ligand binding and pH variation: the case of 4-ethylresorcinol
Authors: Fili S. , Valmas A. , Norrman M. , Schluckebier G. , Beckers D. , Degen T. , Wright J. , Fitch A. , Gozzo F. , Giannopoulou A. E. , Karavassili F. , Margiolaki I.
Published: August 2015

This study focuses on the effects of the organic ligand 4-ethylresorcinol on the crystal structure of human insulin using powder X-ray crystallography. For this purpose, systematic crystallization experiments have been conducted in the presence of the organic ligand and zinc ions within the pH range 4.50–8.20, while observing crystallization behaviour around the isoelectric point of insulin. High-throughput crystal screening was performed using a laboratory X-ray diffraction system. The most representative samples were selected for synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements, which took place at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and the Swiss Light Source (SLS). Four different crystalline polymorphs have been identified. Among these, two new phases with monoclinic symmetry have been found, which are targets for the future development of microcrystalline insulin drugs.
Serial femtosecond crystallography of soluble proteins in lipidic cubic phase
Authors: Fromme Raimund , Ishchenko Andrii , Metz Markus , Chowdhury Shatabdi Roy , Basu Shibom , Boutet Sébastien , Fromme Petra , White Thomas A. , Barty Anton , Spence John C. H. , Weierstall Uwe , Liu Wei , Cherezov Vadim
Published: August 2015

Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) enables high-resolution protein structure determination using micrometre-sized crystals at room temperature with minimal effects from radiation damage. SFX requires a steady supply of microcrystals intersecting the XFEL beam at random orientations. An LCP–SFX method has recently been introduced in which microcrystals of membrane proteins are grown and delivered for SFX data collection inside a gel-like membrane-mimetic matrix, known as lipidic cubic phase (LCP), using a special LCP microextrusion injector. Here, it is demonstrated that LCP can also be used as a suitable carrier medium for microcrystals of soluble proteins, enabling a dramatic reduction in the amount of crystallized protein required for data collection compared with crystals delivered by liquid injectors. High-quality LCP–SFX data sets were collected for two soluble proteins, lysozyme and phycocyanin, using less than 0.1 mg of each protein.
Racial-ethnic diversity in Canada: competitive edge or corporate encumbrance? Part One
Authors: Appelbaum Steven H. , Kryvenko Oleksandr , Rodriguez Parada Mauricio , Soochan Melina Rodica , Shapiro Barbara T.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this two-part paper is to explore the relationship between multiculturalism and performance, and attempt to reconcile some of the varying points of views, in order to suggest practical implications for managers in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of the literature regarding both diversity and performance was performed. Next, the focus was on the relationship specifically between racial-ethnic diversity and performance. To show the relevance of the paper, materials dedicated to Canadian population and immigration was included.

Findings

– It is still somewhat inconclusive whether diversity can have a definite positive or negative impact on organizational performance. The literature reviewed shows that authors have differing opinions. One element appears to be clear: diversity of itself does not necessarily bring benefit. For a diverse group to perform well, it must be well managed. Diversity remains an underused tool that managers have yet to learn to utilize.

Research limitations/implications

– At the time of writing, there was not a significant amount of published material on the direct relationship between multiculturalism and performance. This paper attempts to gather and make sense of the various views formalized thus far and puts forth a new question of how to turn multiculturalism in the workplace into an asset for organizations.

Practical implications

– Managers still do not agree on how to take full advantage of diversity. As the Canadian workforce becomes more and more diverse, so increases the importance of addressing and answering this question in practical terms. Especially facing the increased globalization of corporations, taking advantage of the untapped potential that resides in a culturally diverse work team should be at the top of every international company’s goals.

Social implications

– The importance of studying the relationship between multiculturalism and performance is crucial because in developed countries like Canada organizations are becoming increasingly culturally diverse. Much has been written about the effect of group diversity on conflict and creativity, on the performance of heterogeneous groups vs homogeneous groups, on organizational commitment among ethnic minorities, and on self-fulfilling performance expectations.

Originality/value

– This paper is a useful source for managers interested in understanding the real value of diversity in the workplace, as well as for researchers studying the relationship between corporate diversity and corporate performance.
Learning isn’t changing
Authors: Little Bob
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– An exploration of what’s changing – and what is not – in the world of corporate learning. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– Discussion paper with special reference to the report “A Review of the e-learning markets of the UK, EU and China 2014”, published by Learning Light in 2014.

Findings

– Learning is not changing – but the need and the opportunities for that learning are expanding. What is changing in the learning world is not learning per se but delivery technologies – and also the relative importance in the overall learning delivery mix of this growing range of learning delivery technologies.

Research limitations/implications

– We’re standing on the shoulders of giants but we appear to be looking at an extremely foggy landscape. And, since we do not have “20/20 foresight”, our danger is that we spend our time “training to fight the last war” rather than “training to win the next war”.

Practical implications

– There are a number of technological factors as well as demographic factors that learning and development professionals need to take into account when designing and developing (online) learning materials.

Social implications

– As technology makes the work of subject matter experts more accessible, other factors – such as money or time availability – are likely to come into play to maintain some form of established intellectual elite.

Originality/value

– An attempt to discern some current trends and extrapolate them.
The challenges to performance and sustaining mutual health organisations/health institutions
Authors: Adomah-Afari Augustine
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore challenges to the performance and sustainability of mutual health organisations (MHOs) and health institutions towards enhancing access to quality health care (HC) in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were gathered through interviews and documentary review.

Findings

– Problems with late release of reimbursement funds for discharging with claims by the central government has impacted heavily on the financial and strategic management and decision-making processes of the MHOs and health institutions.

Research limitations/implications

– The lack of in-depth analysis of the financial viability of the MHOs; and the limited number of schemes selected.

Practical implications

– Recommends the need to ensure prompt release of reimbursement funds by government to enable the MHOs to reimburse claims to health institutions.

Social implications

– There is a perceived tension between the MHOs and HC institutions due to late release of reimbursement funds by the government.

Originality/value

– Contributes to understanding of how the NHI Act influences the operations of MHOs and health institutions towards increasing access to quality HC and financing.
Using fuzzy gap analysis to measure service quality of medical tourism in Taiwan
Authors: Ho Li-Hsing , Feng Shu-Yun , Yen Tieh-Min
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is intended to create a model to measure quality of service, using fuzzy linguistics to analyze the quality of service of medical tourism in Taiwan so as to find the direction for improvement of service quality in medical tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study developed fuzzy questionnaires based on the characteristics of medical tourism quality of service in Taiwan. Questionnaires were delivered and recovered from February to April 2014, using random sampling according to the proportion of medical tourism companies in each region, and 150 effective samples were obtained. The critical quality of service level is found through the fuzzy gap analysis using questionnaires examining expectations and perceptions of customers, as the direction for continuous improvement.

Findings

– From the study, the primary five critical service items that improve the quality of service for medical tourism in Taiwan include, in order: the capability of the service provider to provide committed medical tourism services reliably and accurately, facility service providers in conjunction with the services provided, the cordial and polite attitude of the service provider eliciting a sense of trust from the customer, professional ability of medical (nursing) personnel in hospital and reliability of service provider.

Originality/value

– The contribution of this study is to create a fuzzy gap analysis to assess the performance of medical tourism service quality, identify key quality characteristics and provide a direction for improvement and development for medical tourism service quality in Taiwan.
The effect of age, gender and education level on customer evaluations of retail furniture store atmospheric attributes
Authors: Yildirim Kemal , Cagatay Kubulay , Hidayetoğlu Mehmet Lütfi
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the effect of age, gender and education level on customer evaluations of store atmospheric attributes (colour, lighting type, musical genre/tempo/volume, circulation area, lighting, climatic conditions, ambient scent and cleanliness) in the context of retail furniture stores.

Design/methodology/approach

– To that end, a questionnaire was administered to 273 customers who shopped at furniture stores in the Siteler district of Ankara. The reliability coefficients of the data were defined based on their percentage values. Then, to examine the effect of age, gender and education level on customer evaluations of store atmospheric attributes, the appropriateχ2 analysis was applied.

Findings

– Significant differences in customer evaluations of store atmospheric attributes emerged based on age, gender and education level. Based on those results, certain store atmospheric attributes (colour, lighting type, musical genre/tempo/volume) preferred by customers were suggested to enhance the design of furniture stores. In addition, the store’s circulation area, lighting, climatic conditions, ambient scent and cleanliness were found to have a significant impact on the duration of customer visits to furniture stores.

Originality/value

– The study scientifically assessed the effects of age, gender and education on the perceptions of customers in terms of ambient atmosphere. Application of these findings to store design should have positive effects on the willingness of customers to remain in the store and should positively affect their shopping decisions.
Consumer-to-store employee and consumer-to-self-service technology (SST) interactions in a retail setting
Authors: Lee Hyun-Joo
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand the underlying mechanism of how consumer-to-store employee and consumer-to-self-service technology (SST) interaction qualities contribute to consumer retail patronage.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 300 surveys for each type of in-store kiosk were used for the data analysis. The proposed model was analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

– This study suggests a direct link from SST usage frequency to perception of SST service quality. Also, retail patronage intentions were positively influenced by both interpersonal service quality and SST service quality, and SST usage intentions were positively affected by retail patronage intentions. Lastly, three causal links were shown to be dissimilar between the two types of in-store kiosk: interpersonal service quality-retail patronage intentions, SST service quality-retail patronage intentions, and SST service quality-SST usage intentions. The remaining links were similar for both types of in-store kiosks.

Originality/value

– Previous empirical work on this topic has mostly been limited to investigations of service quality of either a human- or a technology-based service option. In contrast, the current study incorporates both interpersonal service quality and SST service quality as critical factors affecting retail patronage intentions and thus provides an important opportunity to advance the understanding of consumer-to-store employee and consumer-to-SST interaction qualities and their contribution to consumer retail patronage.
An examination of the online service-profit chain
Authors: Bressolles Grégory , Durrieu Francois , Deans Kenneth R
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the service-profit chain (SPC) on e-service quality dimensions, online customer value (CV) dimensions, e-satisfaction, and e-loyalty in an e-commerce context.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 2,813 internet customers filled in an online questionnaire after completing a specified task on one of 28 wine web sites from seven countries.

Findings

– The results highlight the impact of the dimensions of e-service quality (information, aesthetics, ease of use, security/privacy, and reliability) on the dimensions of online CV (functional, economic, and social value) as they affect e-satisfaction, which in turn influences e-loyalty. The results validate the SPC in an e-commerce context and also stress the partial mediating role of the dimensions of online CV between the dimensions of e-service quality and e-satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample may not exactly match the customer profile of the web sites analyzed. In order to generalize the results, future research should replicate this study with a customer sample from each web site. Future research could also take into account other variables that may have an influence on the relationships identified. Additionally it would be interesting to replicate the study in other industries and undertake longitudinal studies in one or more industries.

Practical implications

– From a managerial point of view, online retailers, especially in the wine sector, can positively affect CV, satisfaction, and loyalty by focussing on information, aesthetics, ease of use, security/privacy, and reliability.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first to study the SPC by examining service quality dimensions, CV dimensions, satisfaction, and loyalty in an online context. It extends the knowledge of online retailing by validating the SPC on the dimensions of traditional service concepts, such as service quality and CV. The findings can assist online retailers to better understand the dynamics of online customer relationships and the implications for customer satisfaction and ultimately loyalty.
Is the American dream dead? Inequality, mobility and entrepreneurship
Authors: Choi Young Back
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to question the frequently heard claims of a negative relationship between inequality and intergenerational mobility (such as the “Great Gatsby Curve” by Alan Krueger) and to propose entrepreneurship as the neglected prime countervailing force against the putative advantages of the rich.

Design/methodology/approach

– A critical examination of evidences marshalled to support the case for a negative relationship between inequality and mobility, in terms of the appropriateness of statistical inferences and the consistency between implications and observations. The paper adopts alternative approach of Austrian economic in emphasizing the role of entrepreneurship in generating mobility.

Findings

– The putative negative relationship between inequality and mobility is not supported by evidence. The result is partly that egalitarians tend to skip close examination when they run into evidence that seems to support their preconception. It is also partly that the dominant tradition in economics, based on the model of efficient allocation of given resources, induces them to overlook entrepreneurship, the prime wealth creator and generator of mobility.

Research limitations/implications

– The research outlines an argument that the rich do not have advantage in entrepreneurship because it depends not on the ownership of currently valued resources, but on the discovery and exploitation of profitable opportunities. This claim is made based on Kirznerian perspective and author’s own theory of inference and learning process. However, it would be nice to able to provide empirical evidence of this claim made in the paper.

Social implications

– Many policies of redistribution, based on the belief that increase in inequality (as measured by Gini coefficient) signifies a diminution of intergenerational mobility, should be re-examined since the alleged negative relationship between inequality and intergenerational mobility turns out to be untrue. For greater intergenerational mobility, entrepreneurs should be encouraged, by allowing them to experiment freely.

Originality/value

– Emphasizing the role of entrepreneurship in intergenerational mobility and the dealing with the question of whether or not the rich would have advantage in entrepreneurship is original to this paper.
Development policies and partnerships in Greece: experiences from Thessaloniki
Authors: Metaxas Theodore , Duquenne Marie Noelle
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of specific local development policies and partnerships for SME enterprises in Thessaloniki one of the metropolis of south Europe. The two main research questions are: first, what are the most important development policies for firms’ development? and second, in what level these policies receive different significance from firms belonging in different production sectors?

Design/methodology/approach

– In order to achieve the aims of the paper and answer the research questions, the study uses an extensive use of bibliography, and field research that has been implemented by administering questionnaires on a representative sample of 227 enterprises. The study comes up to valuable conclusions for the firms and the city through the use of exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis and clustering.

Findings

– The present research brings on important issues and questions about local economic development because it presents directly the estimations and views of a large number of local enterprises that reflect the image of local economy. Finally, this research gives a satisfactory overview of the inner growth of Thessaloniki and further the results could lead to an evaluation, planning, implementation, rejection or reconstruction of specific actions and policies locally.

Research limitations/implications

– The analysis is constrained by weakness since the sample of enterprises is rather small and the results concern only the enterprises located in Thessaloniki. Based on this fact, general conclusions can be drawed for other regions as well as for the whole Greece. This is subjected to more analysis.

Practical implications

– The added value of this research is essential since there are only few similar researches in South-East Europe and in Greece. Especially, the relationship between local development policies and firms’ development competitiveness has not been studied enough in the area under consideration.

Social implications

– Enterprises understand and designate the importance of specific policies that affect their development while at the same time through their evaluations they outline the character and dynamics of these policies in a unique dynamic, geographical and productive city like this of Thessaloniki.

Originality/value

– The analysis showed that enterprises recognize as positive factor the effort of the local authorities to set the area as a business pole in favour of enterprises and the broader area but policy problems of organization and planning arise that concern mainly the operation and support of local enterprises and specific those from the tourist and service sector. This image raises issues of competence on planning and organization of development polices by the local authorities focusing on specific productive sectors so as the effect of these policies to be effective with positive results for enterprises.
Bananas, the GATT, the WTO and US and EU domestic politics
Authors: de Melo Jaime
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to revisit the celebrated conflict that lasted close to two decades and pitted the EU against the USA and against MFN suppliers of bananas. It starts by recalling the major turning points in the dispute and argues that the EU-USA conflict could largely be explained by the changing landscape on trade-policy making on both sides of the Atlantic. As to the EU-MFN grower dispute, it can be largely explained by uncertainty on the distribution of quota rents and on the reluctance to use economic analysis in the panel decisions. Econometric and simulation estimates are given in support of this argument.

Design/methodology/approach

– Analytical interpretation of the conflict supported by graphical analysis. Econometric and simulation estimates to support the arguments.

Findings

– The paper shows that the EU-MFN grower dispute is largely explained by uncertainty on the distribution of quota rents as result of the move away from region-specific quotas to tarification.

Research limitations/implications

– Lack of better data on transport costs and unreliable price data discussed in the paper is an important caveat only partly remedied through simulation analysis.

Practical implications

– The use of the simple and transparent models here would have helped the panel reach an informed decisions on what tariff would have preserved the same market shares for MFN growers of bananas.

Originality/value

– This is the first thorough political-economy review of the dispute since the often cited paper: Cadot and Webber, (2002) “Banana splits: policy process, particularistic interests, political capture, and money in transatlantic trade politics.”
Intergenerational links, gender differences, and determinants of self-employment
Authors: Wu Dongxu , Wu Zhongmin
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of self-employment, using data from the British Household Panel Survey.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using the maximum likelihood estimation, the authors estimate the Probit models via disaggregation of the sample by male and female, and inclusion of regional and industrial controls.

Findings

– This paper finds that the intergenerational links in self-employment run significantly through father-son, and mother-daughter. In addition, the authors find that lump-sum endowment, aspiration, marriage and education attainment are all significant and positive determinants for female self-employed while insignificant for male self-employed. Variables including number of children, health of the individual, and age effect are more important determinants for male than for female self-employed.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings show that there are significant differences between male and female self-employed. Future studies on self-employment should therefore distinguish the two genders in their econometric models.

Originality/value

– The authors reinforce and add to the exiting literature on gender differences in the determinants of self-employment. The authors disaggregate the data by gender, and introduce some important variables for empirical studies, such as father self-employed, mother self-employed, aspiration, health of the individual, and age effect.
Criteria selection for evaluation of ERP systems implementation in large Brazilian companies
Authors: De Freitas Reinaldo José , Costa Helder Gomes , Pereira Valdecy , Shimoda Eduardo
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to identify criteria that can be used in assessing the successful implementation of ERP (enterprise resource planning) in large companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a systematic review conducted in 74 selected articles from a survey performed in Scopus bases and Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science, an initial set of 34 criteria was defined and used for evaluating the implementation of ERP systems. This set was submitted to a sample of 111 experts in ERP for evaluation via electronic forms provided through the EncuestaFácil site. The collected data were treated by applying the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) method. The criteria selection is based on the integration of two methodological approaches: systematic review and the application of CVR method for validation of ratings issued by experts.

Findings

– As a result of the research, 25 criteria were identified and validated to evaluate the implementation of ERP systems, focusing on large Brazilian companies.

Practical implications

– The research results can be very useful to managers using ERP systems and have significant utility for organizations that develop ERP systems.

Originality/value

– According to studied literature, no previous study has used this integration in the identification of criteria for assessing the implementation of ERP systems in large Brazilian companies. On the other hand, the use of these two approaches assured confidence in the validity of the findings.