bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide in the management of patients in the medical emergency department (PROMPT): correlation with disease severity, utilization of hospital resources, and prognosis in a large, prospective, randomized multicentre trial
Authors: Luchner Andreas , Möckel Martin , Spanuth Eberhard , Möcks Joachim , Peetz Dirk , Baum Hannsjörg , Spes Christoph , Wrede Christian E. , Vollert Jörn , Müller Reinhold , Katus Hugo , Giannitsis Evangelos
Published: January 2012

Aims

N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) is a potent marker of heart failure and other cardiac diseases. The value of NT‐proBNP testing in the medical emergency department (ED) was assessed in patients >65 years old.

Methods and results

This large, prospective, randomized, controlled, multicentre trial was conducted in six medical EDs. Data for evaluation of the primary endpoint of hospitalization were available for 1086 patients. Median NT‐proBNP was 582 pg/mL. A total of 16% of patients presented with NT‐proBNP <150 pg/mL (low), 55% with NT‐proBNP between 150 and 1800 pg/mL (intermediate), and 29% with NT‐proBNP >1800 pg/mL (high). NT‐proBNP was positively correlated with hospital admission [odds ratio (OR) for high vs. low 2.9, P < 0.0001], length of stay (8.5 days vs. 3.5 days for high vs. low, P < 0.01), in‐hospital death (3.9% vs. 0% for high vs. low, P < 0.01), 6 months re‐hospitalization (OR for high vs. low 5.1, P < 0.0001), and 6 months death or re‐hospitalization (OR for high vs. low 5.7, P < 0.0001). Knowledge of NT‐proBNP had no significant effect on the primary endpoint hospital admission and the secondary endpoints intermediate/intensive care unit (IMC/ICU) admission, length of stay, re‐hospitalization and death, or re‐hospitalization in the total cohort. However, patients with high open NT‐proBNP (>1800 pg/mL) were more likely to be admitted to the hospital (P < 0.05) and IMC/ICU (P < 0.05), whereas patients with low open NT‐proBNP (<150 pg/mL) were less likely to be admitted (P < 0.05) compared with patients with blinded NT‐proBNP.

Conclusion

Although NT‐proBNP does not affect overall hospitalization, it is associated with better stratification of patient care and is strongly correlated with subsequent utilization of hospital resources and prognosis.
Preface
Authors: Wise Richard , Livermore David , Brown Derek , Symonds Jane
Published: January 2012

It is over 12 years since the BSAC Working Party on Susceptibility (then Sensitivity) Testing first reported its recommendations. The primary aim of the Working Party has not changed, namely to guide the hospital laboratory in ‘assisting the clinician in his/her choice of an appropriate . . . antibiotic’. In addition, the accurate surveillance of antimicrobial resistance is increasing in importance. This latest publication moves forward from the initial discussion of breakpoints in 1988, through minimum inhibitory concentration methodology in 1991 to the current standardized disc technique (and related issues such as automation, β-lactamase detection and interpretative reading). We realize that this has involved a mammoth amount of work by a few committed individuals, who, in turn, are very grateful to the BSAC for underwriting this effort with the necessary financial resources. Equally, it has involved a wider group of interested laboratories that field-tested the method.

Some of the information in this supplement has been posted on the BSAC website (http://www.bsac.org.uk). It will be updated regularly. We advise all interested, both laboratory workers and pharmaceutical companies, to look at the website frequently.

In bringing together this Supplement we thank Sheila Dutta Chowdhury for secretarial input and most significantly all the members of the Working Party, past and present, for their hard work.

Where will we be in another 12 years? Undoubtedly automation will play a major role in the clinical laboratory and most probably detection of the genetic basis of resistance in individual isolates will be available. Until then, we commend this document to the membership of the BSAC and to a wider audience.
History and development of antimicrobial susceptibility testing methodology
Authors: Wheat Philip F.
Published: January 2012

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is performed daily on bacterial isolates in clinical laboratories. The techniques employed are often taken for granted. This paper traces the history and development of some methods still in common use for routine AST, e.g. disc diffusion and agar dilution. It was quickly recognized by early investigators that there were many variables affecting the results of these tests. Consequently, there was recognition (as early as the late 1950s) that standardization of these techniques was required. This need has led to many organizations producing standardized AST methodologies. Although some disc diffusion techniques that generated results within 4–6 h were described, most relied on 18–24 h incubation before a result was available. The clinical and economic pressures for rapid methods with low labour input led to the development of semi-automated and automated AST methodologies in the 1970s. Until 10 years ago, AST techniques relied on phenotypically testing the bacteria isolated. However, to increase the speed and reliability of resistance testing, the use of a genotypic approach has been advocated. The limitations and benefits of this new approach are discussed.
Detection of β-lactamase-mediated resistance
Authors: Livermore David M. , Brown Derek F. J.
Published: January 2012

β-Lactams are the most widely used antibiotics, and β-lactamases are the greatest source of resistance to them. An understanding of β-lactamase detection and identification is therefore valuable. Colorimetric, acidimetric and iodometric tests of β-lactamase production are good, rapid indicators of penicillin and ampicillin resistance in Haemophilus, Moraxella and Neisseria spp. These methods can also be applied to Gram-negative aerobic bacilli but are less useful, since the usual question is not whether a β-lactamase is produced by these organisms, but which β-lactamase? Accurate identification of the β-lactamases of Enterobacteriaceae demands gene or protein sequencing, but the broad type of enzyme produced by an isolate can often be inferred from antibiotic susceptibility data. Resistance to ceftazidime or cefpodoxime implies extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., especially if susceptibility to cefoxitin is retained. ESBL production can be confirmed with double disc tests or with various commercial kits. Derepression of AmpC β-lactamases in Enterobacter spp. and Citrobacter freundii is another important mechanism and can be inferred from cross-resistance to β-lactamase inhibitor combinations and to all cephalosporins except fourth-generation agents. Antagonism between cefoxitin and cefotaxime can be used to infer the presence of inducible AmpC enzymes in these species, indicating the risk of segregation of derepressed mutants, but in general this risk is better predicted from accurate speciation.
Recommendations for susceptibility tests on fastidious organisms and those requiring special handling
Authors: King Anna
Published: January 2012

Fastidious organisms present problems in antimicrobial susceptibility testing related to particular cultural requirements or slow growth. Methods for commonly isolated fastidious organisms, including haemolytic streptococci, Neisseria spp. and Haemophilus spp., are included in the description of the standardized disc diffusion method. However, some further information is given here for Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria spp. Other less commonly isolated fastidious organisms are detailed and modifications of the disc diffusion method are given for Campylobacter spp. and rapidly growing anaerobes. For those organisms where disc diffusion methodology is not recommended, Brucella spp., Helicobacter pylori and Leigionella spp., MIC determinations are often needed, although disc diffusion test results may be useful as screens for resistance. Where disc diffusion can be used it is important to use the correct medium and to include appropriate controls. Methodology is also given for testing isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, which are affected by both medium and temperature.
The epidemiology of candidaemia and mould infections in Australia
Authors:   the Australian Mycology Interest Group, Slavin Monica A.
Published: January 2012

A retrospective review of Candida bloodstream infections (BSI) in Australian hospitals between 1995 and 1998 was performed. Nine tertiary referral hospitals in the States of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland participated. Of all isolates, 56% were Candida albicans, 14% Candida parapsilosis, 13% Candida glabrata, 5% Candida krusei and 4.5% Candida tropicalis. There were significant differences in the distribution of species in different patient groups. Among surgical patients, 69% of candidaemia was due to C. albicans, whereas among medical patients the proportion was 52%, and in haematology patients 43% (P = 0.0012; Pearson χ2). BSI with C. krusei were almost exclusive to haematology patients and were the second leading cause of Candida infection in that group, accounting for 27% of infections. The temporal pattern of Candida isolates also revealed a relationship between the latter years of the study and a lower likelihood of infection with C. albicans. Logistic regression showed year of the study [P = 0.032; odds ratio (OR) 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–0.98] and surgery (P = 0.005; OR 2.02; 95% CI 1.2–3.1) to be significant variables. The rate of candidaemia in Australian hospitals was similar to that reported for US hospitals at 0.1–0.27 per 1000 discharges. Since April 1998, the clinical database on the internet resource Mycology Online has invited submission of clinical details from cases of invasive mycoses from Australian clinicians. To date, descriptions of 43 patients with proven or presumptive mould infection have been entered on the database. Of these, the leading cause was infection with Aspergillus (n = 16), followed by Zygomycetes (n = 7), Fusarium (n = 5), Scedosporium (n = 5) and Exserohilum (n = 1). Although Aspergillus infections were the most frequent on the database, the variety of mould infections seen in this short time was surprising. A knowledge of local patterns of infection and antifungal susceptibility is useful in selecting empirical therapy and formulating prophylactic and pre-emptive strategies.
The political left rolls with the good and the political right confronts the bad: connecting physiology and cognition to preferences
Authors: Dodd Michael D. , Balzer Amanda , Jacobs Carly M. , Gruszczynski Michael W. , Smith Kevin B. , Hibbing John R.
Published: January 2012

We report evidence that individual-level variation in people's physiological and attentional responses to aversive and appetitive stimuli are correlated with broad political orientations. Specifically, we find that greater orientation to aversive stimuli tends to be associated with right-of-centre and greater orientation to appetitive (pleasing) stimuli with left-of-centre political inclinations. These findings are consistent with recent evidence that political views are connected to physiological predispositions but are unique in incorporating findings on variation in directed attention that make it possible to understand additional aspects of the link between the physiological and the political.
The puzzle of monogamous marriage
Authors: Henrich Joseph , Boyd Robert , Richerson Peter J.
Published: January 2012

The anthropological record indicates that approximately 85 per cent of human societies have permitted men to have more than one wife (polygynous marriage), and both empirical and evolutionary considerations suggest that large absolute differences in wealth should favour more polygynous marriages. Yet, monogamous marriage has spread across Europe, and more recently across the globe, even as absolute wealth differences have expanded. Here, we develop and explore the hypothesis that the norms and institutions that compose the modern package of monogamous marriage have been favoured by cultural evolution because of their group-beneficial effects—promoting success in inter-group competition. In suppressing intrasexual competition and reducing the size of the pool of unmarried men, normative monogamy reduces crime rates, including rape, murder, assault, robbery and fraud, as well as decreasing personal abuses. By assuaging the competition for younger brides, normative monogamy decreases (i) the spousal age gap, (ii) fertility, and (iii) gender inequality. By shifting male efforts from seeking wives to paternal investment, normative monogamy increases savings, child investment and economic productivity. By increasing the relatedness within households, normative monogamy reduces intra-household conflict, leading to lower rates of child neglect, abuse, accidental death and homicide. These predictions are tested using converging lines of evidence from across the human sciences.
Evolution and the psychology of intergroup conflict: the male warrior hypothesis
Authors: McDonald Melissa M. , Navarrete Carlos David , Van Vugt Mark
Published: January 2012

The social science literature contains numerous examples of human tribalism and parochialism—the tendency to categorize individuals on the basis of their group membership, and treat ingroup members benevolently and outgroup members malevolently. We hypothesize that this tribal inclination is an adaptive response to the threat of coalitional aggression and intergroup conflict perpetrated by ‘warrior males’ in both ancestral and modern human environments. Here, we describe how male coalitional aggression could have affected the social psychologies of men and women differently and present preliminary evidence from experimental social psychological studies testing various predictions from the ‘male warrior’ hypothesis. Finally, we discuss the theoretical implications of our research for studying intergroup relations both in humans and non-humans and discuss some practical implications.
Chryseobacterium viscerum sp. nov., isolated from diseased fish
Authors: Zamora L. , Vela A. I. , Palacios M. A. , Sánchez-Porro C. , Svensson-Stadler L. A. , Domínguez L. , Moore E. R. B. , Ventosa A. , Fernández-Garayzábal J. F.
Published: January 2012

A taxonomic study was carried out on five Gram-staining-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped bacteria isolated from the gills and livers of five diseased rainbow trout. The five novel isolates were designated strains 687B-08T, 445-08, 452-08, 453B-08 and 967B-08. In phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the five novel strains appeared almost identical (99.0–100 % sequence similarity) and to belong to the genus

Chryseobacterium

. Strain 687B-08T (the strain selected to represent the five novel isolates) was found to be most closely related to

Chryseobacterium oncorhynchi

701B-08T (98.9 % sequence similarity),

Chryseobacterium ureilyticum

F-Fue-04IIIaaaaT (98.6 %),

Chryseobacterium indologenes

ATCC 29897T (98.3 %),

Chryseobacterium jejuense

JS17-8T (98.1 %) and

Chryseobacterium gleum

ATCC 35910T (98.1 %). In DNA–DNA hybridizations, DNA–DNA relatedness values of 99–100 % were recorded between the five novel strains. Lower DNA–DNA relatedness values (21–57 %) were recorded between strain 687B-08T and

C. oncorhynchi

701B-08T,

C. ureilyticum

F-Fue-04IIIaaaaT and the type strains of other closely related, established species of the genus

Chryseobacterium

. The predominant respiratory quinone of strain 687B-08T was MK-6 and the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 1ω9c, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 1ω6c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain 687B-08T was 38.6 mol%. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic evidence, the five novel strains isolated from rainbow trout represent a single, novel species of the genus

Chryseobacterium

, for which the name Chryseobacterium viscerum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 687B-08T ( = CECT 7793T  = CCUG 60103T).
Luteimonas cucumeris sp. nov., isolated a from cucumber leaf
Authors: Sun Zhan-Bin , Zhang Hui , Yuan Xing-Fang , Wang Yin-Xian , Feng Dong-Mei , Wang Yi-Hua , Feng Yong-Jun
Published: January 2012

A Gram-negative, aerobic and non-motile rod, designated Y4T, was isolated from a cucumber leaf from Pinggu District, east Beijing, PR China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain Y4T was most closely related to

Luteimonas aquatica

RIB1-20T (96.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). DNA–DNA relatedness between strain Y4T and

L. aquatica

RIB1-20T was 42.5±3.9 %. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 1ω9c, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The major ubiquinone was Q-8. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 69.9 mol%. Based on the evidence above, strain Y4T represents a novel species of the genus

Luteimonas

, for which the name Luteimonas cucumeris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y4T ( = CGMCC 1.10821T = KCTC 23627T).
Candida kuoi sp. nov., an anamorphic species of the Starmerella yeast clade that synthesizes sophorolipids
Authors: Kurtzman Cletus P.
Published: January 2012

A novel strain of anamorphic yeast, designated strain NRRL Y-27208T, was isolated from concentrated grape juice in Cape Province, South Africa. Analysis of nuclear large subunit rRNA gene sequences from the D1/D2 domains separated the novel isolate from strains of Starmerella bombicola and Starmerella
meliponinorum, as well as from species of the genus Candida that are members of the Starmerella clade. Compared to previously described species, strain NRRL Y-27208T is most closely related to S. bombicola but can be separated from this species by its ability to grow on d-ribose and erythritol. Strain NRRL Y-27208T produced sophorolipids that have an open chain structure similar to Candida
batistae, Candida
riodocensis and Candida
stellata, which is in contrast to the closed chain sophorolipids produced by S. bombicola and Candida
apicola. The analyses showed that NRRL Y-27208T ( = CBS 7267T) represents a novel species distinct from previously described species, for which the name Candida kuoi sp. nov. is proposed.
The effects of hepatitis B virus integration into the genomes of hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Jiang Zhaoshi , Jhunjhunwala Suchit , Liu Jinfeng , Haverty Peter M. , Kennemer Michael I. , Guan Yinghui , Lee William , Carnevali Paolo , Stinson Jeremy , Johnson Stephanie , Diao Jingyu , Yeung Stacy , Jubb Adrian , Ye Weilan , Wu Thomas D. , Kapadia Sharookh B. , de Sauvage Frederic J. , Gentleman Robert C. , Stern Howard M. , Seshagiri Somasekar , Pant Krishna P. , Modrusan Zora , Ballinger Dennis G. , Zhang Zemin
Published: January 2012

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV integration into the host genome has been reported, but its scale, impact and contribution to HCC development is not clear. Here, we sequenced the tumor and nontumor genomes (>80× coverage) and transcriptomes of four HCC patients and identified 255 HBV integration sites. Increased sequencing to 240× coverage revealed a proportionally higher number of integration sites. Clonal expansion of HBV-integrated hepatocytes was found specifically in tumor samples. We observe a diverse collection of genomic perturbations near viral integration sites, including direct gene disruption, viral promoter-driven human transcription, viral-human transcript fusion, and DNA copy number alteration. Thus, we report the most comprehensive characterization of HBV integration in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Such widespread random viral integration will likely increase carcinogenic opportunities in HBV-infected individuals.
Fuzzy approach for uncertainty analysis of thin walled composite beams
Authors: Pawar Prashant M. , Nam Jung Sung , Ronge Babruvahan P.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an analytical approach to evaluate the influence of material uncertainties on cross‐sectional stiffness properties of thin walled composite beams.

Design/methodology/approach

Fuzzy arithmetic operators are used to modify the thin‐walled beam formulation, which was based on a mixed force and displacement method, and to obtain the uncertainty properties of the beam. The resulting model includes material uncertainties along with the effects of elastic couplings, shell wall thickness, torsion warping and constrained warping. The membership functions of material properties are introduced to model the uncertainties of material properties of composites and are determined based on the stochastic behaviors obtained from experimental studies.

Findings

It is observed from the numerical studies that the fuzzy membership function approach results in reliable representation of uncertainty quantification of thin walled composite beams. The propagation of uncertainties is also demonstrated in the estimation of structural responses of composite beams.

Originality/value

This work demonstrates the use of fuzzy approach to incorporate uncertainties in the responses analytically, in turn improving computational efficiency drastically as compared to the Monte‐Carlo method.
Formulas for the fuel of climbing propeller driven airplanes
Authors: Labonté Gilles
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to derive and solve equations for the fuel required by internal combustion engine airplanes on trajectories with a constant rate of climb or descent. Three modes of flight are considered: constant angle of attack, constant speed, and constant Mach number.

Design/methodology/approach

Newton's second law of motion is used to derive the equations. These are Riccati equations or reduced to such equations after neglecting a small term. A change of variable transforms them into second order linear differential equations that are solved exactly.

Findings

Formulas are found for the weight of fuel, speed, altitude, horizontal distance, time to climb, and power required.

Practical implications

The formulas obtained have direct applications for the analysis of aircraft performances and mission planning.

Originality/value

The formulas obtained are new and fundamental for the analysis of aircraft dynamics.
Asymmetrically realized absorptive capacity and relationship durability
Authors: Andersén Jim , Kask Johan
Published: January 2012

Purpose

Absorbing knowledge from partner firms is a key feature of marketing relationships. Recent publications have called for more dynamic and cognitive approaches in marketing relationship research. Also, established definitions of absorptive capacities have been questioned. This article aims to address propositions that take these overlooked and questioned elements into consideration, which can help explain conducts and dependencies, and affect relationship durability.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors put forward four propositions by combining literature on interfirm relationships and managerial cognition with evolutionary ideas from marketing and management literature.

Findings

The authors embrace a redefinition of potential absorptive capacity (the disposed capacity to absorb knowledge) and realized absorptive capacity (the absorption of knowledge actually performed). This distinction can, to some extent, be explained by the degree of cognitive attention given to the marketing relationship. Moreover, asymmetrically realized absorptive capacity vis‐à‐vis a partner substantially influences the dynamics of partners' conduct and dependency, which may vary the risk that the relationship will end.

Practical implications

The propositions illustrate how a motivated partner that gives more attention to the relationship is more likely to absorb more knowledge than its counterpart, which can threaten the durability of a relationship. Thus, managers need to be able to understand possible long‐term consequences of the partner's conduct in order to avoid losses of joint strategic resources and relational benefits.

Originality/value

By advocating an evolutionary approach, an impetus for more dynamism in marketing relationship research is presented. This study also shows the importance of including the longitudinal dimension in analysis if one wants to understand change in – and durability of – marketing relationships.
Transformational leadership across hierarchical levels in UK manufacturing organizations
Authors: Edwards Gareth , Gill Roger
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on an empirical study of the effectiveness of transformational, transactional and laissez‐faire leadership across hierarchical levels in manufacturing organizations in the UK. The aim was to develop a framework of leadership across hierarchical levels that would be useful for leadership development programmes and interventions.

Design/methodology/approach

Managers from 38 companies completed a 360‐degree version of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. Multiple responses – self, superior, subordinate and peer ratings – were obtained for 367 managers of whom 15 per cent were female and 85 per cent male, aged between 21 and 62 years (mean=42 years), from 38 organizations in the UK manufacturing sector. Of the 367 subjects, unanimous (cases were used only if all ratings agreed on the hierarchical level of the subject) opinions on hierarchical level were gained for 215 (58 per cent), which includes 30 top‐level managers, 33 directors, 54 senior managers, 43 middle managers and 55 lower managers. Data concerning time span were also obtained for 253 managers.

Findings

The findings of the research show a distinct pattern of behaviours across different hierarchical levels of organizations. Transformational leadership is equally effective across hierarchical levels in organizations, whereas transactional leadership is not effective at the uppermost hierarchical levels in organizations but effective at levels lower down. Laissez‐faire leadership is ineffective at all hierarchical levels.

Originality/value

A framework of effective leadership behaviours across hierarchical levels in organizations was developed from the findings. This framework can be used as a basis for leadership development in UK manufacturing organizations and potentially wider more general organization contexts.
Extraversion, openness and conscientiousness
Authors: Zopiatis Anastasios , Constanti Panayiotis
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between leadership styles (Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ 5X‐Short)) and the “Big Five” personality traits (NEO‐FFI) of neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, conscientiousness and agreeableness among managers currently working in the hotel industry of Cyprus.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a quantitative approach, the MLQ 5X‐Short was utilized to allow research participants to describe their leadership style as they perceive it. In addition, the most widely acknowledged tool for measuring personality traits, NEO‐FFI, was also incorporated in the questionnaire.

Findings

Findings suggest that transformational leadership is positively associated with extraversion, openness and conscientiousness; while in contrast, passive/avoidance leadership style is negatively associated with conscientiousness and agreeableness.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size (n=131) and the homogeneity of the sample, limit the generalizability of the findings to other environments.

Practical implications

Hospitality organizations should recruit, promote and invest in developing extrovert individuals who are both open to experience and conscientious, and who also exhibit transformational leadership behaviours.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the scientific literature by investigating the association between the “Big Five” personality traits and transformational leadership behaviours.
Automated tongue area detection for computer‐aided diagnosis based on ASM and GA
Authors: Liu Zhi , Wang Hongjun , Jiang Wei
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The human tongue is a unique organ that can be stuck out of the body for physical examination, and tongue diagnosis is very important in traditional Chinese medicine. Automated tongue area detection is crucial and indispensable for computer‐aided tongue diagnosis, but it is difficult to implement because of the physiological properties of the tongue. For example, as a non‐rigid organ, the tongue has a high degree of variability in size, shape, color, and texture. The purpose of this study is to address this problem.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a hybrid framework for tongue area detection based on active shape model and genetic algorithm with the prior knowledge of tongue shape deformation.

Findings

A set of 612 tongue images was collected from both healthy and sick subjects. Using these images, the proposed method was compared with state‐of‐the‐art methods. The proposed method achieved an improvement of about 10 percent, 36 percent, and 6 percent over the existing methods in terms of mean Hausdorff distance, mean closest point distance, and Williams Index, respectively. The results demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed method in terms of both robustness and accuracy.

Originality/value

The proposed method gives a new approach for computer‐aided tongue diagnosis in medicine.
Fact, fiction, and feng shui: an exploratory study
Authors: Poulston Jill , Bennett Rene
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This exploratory study aims to determine whether a relationship is likely to exist between good feng shui and success.

Design/methodology/approach

The feng shui of eight hotel foyers and entrances were evaluated against 20 criteria, and managers asked to comment on the success of their hotels. Results were examined for possible relationships between feng shui and their descriptions of success.

Findings

Similarities between the reported success of hotel and feng shui evaluations were found in six out of the eight hotels in the study.

Research limitations/implications

Responses on success were subjective and based on five criteria, which were insufficient to determine the existence of a firm relationship between actual success and feng shui. However, this was an exploratory study, and the relationships were sufficiently strong to warrant further research.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that feng shui offers useful design principles, and hotels with good feng shui are described as being more successful than those with poor feng shui. Good feng shui appears to have a positive effect on feelings of success.

Originality/value

This is the first study that attempts to test the relationship between good feng shui and success.
Work environment preferences – does age make a difference?
Authors: Rothe Peggie , Lindholm Anna‐Liisa , Hyvönen Ari , Nenonen Suvi
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The paper aims to identify the differences and similarities in work environment preferences of office users of different age.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses results of a preference survey answered by more than 1,100 office employees in Finland. The survey included questions concerning user preferences in terms of location, buildings, workspaces, and services. The analysis starts with a principal component analysis (PCA). The respondents are divided into five clusters based on their year of birth, and their responses are compared based on regression analysis. The identified differences are confirmed by discriminant analysis.

Findings

The study shows that there are differences in the work environment preferences of users of different age. Significant differences were found concerning personal services, commuting, collaboration, restaurant services, and adjustability of indoor climate. The study also identifies areas in which preferences between younger and older employees did not differ remarkably, such as privacy and the virtual environment.

Research limitations/implications

While the study indicates that there are preference differences in the workforce as it currently exists, it does not explain whether the identified differences are connected to generations, or if they are simply a result of age and experience.

Practical implications

The paper includes findings that are valuable for all parties that are involved in designing and managing work environments.

Originality/value

The results give new insights on what office users of different age prefer in their work environments. The paper proposes that some general notions regarding generational differences in the workplace lack academic evidence, and presents results that suggest that the differences are not as significant as generally thought.
Coming of age
Authors: Wiid Ria , du Preez Rose , Wallström Åsa
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This article presents a content analysis of Marketing Intelligence & Planning (MIP) for the period 1990‐2010. The aim was to identify key trends in the evolution of MIP.

Design/methodology/approach

Four areas were addressed, including an analysis of the nature of authorship, identification and ranking of the most prolific authors, recognition of the most influential articles based on number of citations, and an exploration of the research themes within the published articles. During the 21 years a total of 952 papers appeared in the journal and out of these, 856 were research articles and thereby included in the content analysis. A coding protocol was developed, covering author demographics, citations and research themes.

Findings

Findings show a trend going from single‐authored articles towards increased collaboration both within and across countries, and across institutions. The 24 most productive authors counted for 20.2 per cent of the analysed articles, and most of them were from the UK. The 856 articles included in the analysis received 9.368 citations. The five most prevalent research topics during the 21‐year period as a whole were: marketing strategy, consumer behaviour, research measurement and metrics, global/export marketing, and customer relationship management. Differences with respect to the research topics were found over the time period.

Originality/value

This analysis identifies key trends in the evolution of MIP. To date there has been no historical analysis of the journal and this analysis provides useful information for the MIP editorial team as well as other researchers and authors.
Market segmentation in Russian subsidiaries of FMCG MNEs
Authors: Wilson Ian , Mukhina Maria
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This exploratory study attempts to cast some light on the state of market segmentation and the issues faced by practitioners amongst a sample of Russian subsidiaries of Western multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in fast‐moving consumer goods markets.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research in the form of depth interviews with seven respondents was undertaken at five MNEs (covering 11 brands across 13 product categories) and one Russian‐owned company which had recently recruited its senior management from Coca‐Cola in Moscow. MNEs were chosen because it was believed they would have the resources to acquire such expertise and knowledge as was necessary to develop a segmentation structure.

Findings

The companies researched had indicated that, in most cases, they had not been fully satisfied with their segmentations and so were engaged in continual attempts to improve their segmentations. For the majority, need‐state segmentation was currently seen as a considerable step forward but other options were being investigated. The study shows that factors influencing the search for the better segmentation need to include the nature of the product but also the stage of development of the product category, itself resulting, in most cases, from the pattern of market development in transition economies.

Research limitations/implications

The research uses only a limited number of respondents but there was a large degree of commonality in respect of the key broad issues.

Practical implications

The study has implications for the factors to be taken into account when designing segmentation approaches, including the nature and stage of development of the product category and the purpose of the segmentation.

Originality/value

As far as is known, this is the first study which addresses segmentation issues amongst Russian subsidiaries of Western FMCG multi nationals.
A market segmentation approach to esteem and efficacy in information search
Authors: Bishop Melissa , Barber Nelson
Published: January 2012

Purpose

Building on consumer purchase behavior and self‐confidence theories combined with insights from marketing segmentation literature, this study aims to investigate the influence of self‐esteem and self‐efficacy on consumers' selection of sources of information when making a product buying decision.

Design/methodology/approach

Multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the main and interaction effects of the independent categorical variables on multiple dependent interval variables. An online survey was distributed using search engine marketing.

Findings

The results indicate that sources of information are used differently among individuals with differing levels of self‐esteem and self‐efficacy. For example, individuals with higher self‐efficacy relied on themselves for information, while those with lower self‐efficacy relied on impersonal sources of information, such as the media or internet. Individuals with higher self‐esteem relied on themselves and impersonal sources (media and internet) as important sources of information, compared with those respondents with low self‐esteem.

Research limitations/implications

Measuring situational influence using brief descriptions of hypothetical consumption situations was required. These descriptions could not include all possible facets of a natural setting resulting in subjective interpretations by respondents of what constitutes socially acceptable behavior.

Practical implications

Consumer experiences and expectations will vary during a purchase situation. Understanding how individuals seek varied sources of information based on self‐esteem and self‐efficacy is pertinent to marketing professionals when creating advertising programs particularly for products which offer potential socially risky situations, such as gift‐giving.

Originality/value

This research contributes by expanding the understanding of search behavior and the influence of self‐esteem and self‐efficacy on different purchase situations.
Customer needing: a challenge for the seller offering
Authors: Strandvik Tore , Holmlund Maria , Edvardsson Bo
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The present increasingly tough economic climate has uncovered the need to go beyond the prevailing seller‐oriented models and company practices in order to capture the factors that essentially drive buyer companies. What is needed is a genuinely customer‐side concept that corresponds to offering. The purpose of this study is to develop a new concept labeled “customer needing” which emerged from the material collected in an industrial service setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports a case study of a typical high‐technology industrial service with a strong outsourcing trend. The empirical data consist of interviews with eight representatives from the seller company and 16 interviews from different customer companies.

Findings

A needing is based on the customers' mental models of their business and business strategies that affect their priorities, decisions, and actions. It is itself a mental model of how the customer conceives the fulfillment of a specific task. In this paper the needing is operationalized as a profile of three dimensions containing six functions that represent desired value in use for the customer: the doing dimension comprises a relieving and an enabling function; the experiencing dimension has an energizing and a sheltering function; and the scheduling dimension contains a time‐framing and a timing function. Empirical data are presented to illustrate the new concept.

Research limitations/implications

This is a case study but the ensuing concept provides a framework for further research on value in use and mental models in an industrial service setting. The studied offering was a complex business service representing an outsourced function and the buyers were functional experts and higher‐level executives, all of them experts in the service in question.

Practical implications

The concept of customer needing extends knowledge of value in use and consequently represents an important tool in developing successful seller offerings. The shift of focus from offering to needing can explain why some sales attempts fail and can thus reveal new business opportunities.

Originality/value

In addition to highlighting the mental models driving companies' priorities and behavior, the study offers insights into value in use in an industrial service setting. The concept customer needing helps to analyze and describe value in use and provides a new buyer‐side concept corresponding to the offering concept.
Tinkering towards Utopia: trying to make sense of my contribution to the field
Authors: Mulford Bill
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of what the author believes to be his major contributions to the field of Educational Administration.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken is a personal review and reflection based on research. For purposes of structuring the article three themes have been selected – complexity, development, and being close to and providing an empirical base for policy and practice. In addition, three areas are discussed that the author regrets having not taken further – the relationship between a school and its system from the school's perspective, the role of quality evidence, particularly the provision of valid and reliable surveys for use by practitioners, and public attitudes to education, including re‐examining the purposes of schools and their enactment.

Findings

The studies reviewed stress the importance of the interrelationship between the individual, organisational and contextual in effective teaching of educational administration, organisational development in schools, leadership for organisational learning and student outcomes, and successful school principalship. These studies promote a “tinkering towards Utopia”. “Tinkering” in the sense of improvement from the inside out rather than from outside schools and from the top down, and being about small scale and developmental rather than wholesale and/or continuous change. “Utopian” in the sense of focusing on complexity and heterogeneity rather than simplicity and homogeneity in both purposes and processes. “Utopia” is about learning for all, especially through facilitating schools as communities of professional learners. However, there continues to be a need for researchers in the field to provide a stronger empirical base for policy and practice, including providing quality, culturally specific evidence.

Research limitations/implications

While clarity is provided on the links between leadership and student outcomes in schools and areas for further research are identified, the article is limited by its heavy reliance on the author's Australian research findings.

Originality/value

The article has value in that the links are clarified between leadership and a breadth of student outcomes. It broadens what counts for good schooling and school leadership and provides clear evidence for improvements in policy and practice.
Why it pays to be old – and how to get old before your years
Authors: Briggs Hilary
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to challenge HR specialists to consider the value of experience, seek out older workers and ensure that younger staff are developed to give them experience beyond their years.

Design/methodology/approach

Recognizes that organizations need to ensure they get value for money from their employees, and that older workers are often perceived as expensive, less flexible and lacking technology skills. Gives examples from companies such as McDonald's, and from the author's own experience, which counter these perceptions. Concludes with practical actions to enhance employee value for money.

Findings

Argues that leading organizations such as McDonald's have found tangible bottom‐line impact of employing older workers. Provides five key benefits of experience and suggests nine ways that HR managers could develop their staff so they get old ahead of their years.

Practical implications

The paper challenges HR managers to go beyond a compliance approach to ageism, recognize the potential of older workers and ensure that younger staff are developed in ways that enhance their experience. Contains information that will be increasingly relevant as the proportion of older people in the workforce rises.

Originality/value

The paper is of benefit to HR specialists and line managers seeking ideas on how to ensure their employees provide value for money.
Penny‐wise, pound‐foolish managers: the syndrome affecting productivity and efficiency
Authors: Khan Anas
Published: January 2012

Purpose

Outlines the importance of senior management focusing on strategic and value‐creating activities rather than on issues that could be handled by subordinate staff.

Design/methodology/approach

Draws on information gathered from the authors' industry knowledge and experience, plus the HR literature.

Findings

Argues that senior managers sometimes get side‐tracked by lack of proper teamwork and dynamics, organizational politics, ego and lack of confidence. Underlines the importance of setting clear and attainable objectives and introducing good communication systems with a supportive and professional organizational culture.

Practical implications

Draws attention to a common and concerning pattern of management in which senior managers get bogged down with minor matters instead of making significant issues a priority.

Originality/value

Deals with organizational performance in the context of penny‐wise pound‐foolish thinking.