bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
R9AP targeting to rod outer segments is independent of rhodopsin and is guided by the SNARE homology domain
Authors: Pearring Jillian N. , Lieu Eric C. , Winter Joan R. , Baker Sheila A. , Arshavsky Vadim Y.
Published: July 2014

In vertebrate photoreceptor cells, rapid recovery from light excitation is dependent on the RGS9⋅Gβ5 GTPase-activating complex located in the light-sensitive outer segment organelle. RGS9⋅Gβ5 is tethered to the outer segment membranes by its membrane anchor, R9AP. Recent studies indicated that RGS9⋅Gβ5 possesses targeting information that excludes it from the outer segment and that this information is overridden by association with R9AP, which allows outer segment targeting of the entire complex. It was also proposed that R9AP itself does not contain specific targeting information and instead is delivered to the outer segment in the same post-Golgi vesicles as rhodopsin, because they are the most abundant transport vesicles in photoreceptor cells. In this study, we revisited this concept by analyzing R9AP targeting in rods of wild-type and rhodopsin-knockout mice. We found that the R9AP targeting mechanism does not require the presence of rhodopsin and further demonstrated that R9AP is actively targeted in rods by its SNARE homology domain.
Proactive Risk Assessment of Surgical Site Infections in Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Authors: Bish Ebru K. , Azadeh-Fard Nasibeh , Steighner Laura A. , Hall Kendall K. , Slonim Anthony D.
Published: July 2014

Background

The Socio-Technical Probabilistic Risk Assessment, a proactive risk assessment tool imported from high-risk industries, was used to identify risks for surgical site infections (SSIs) associated with the ambulatory surgery center setting and to guide improvement efforts.

Objectives

This study had 2 primary objectives: (1) to identify the critical risk factors associated with SSIs resulting from procedures performed at ambulatory surgery centers and (2) to design an intervention to mitigate the probability of SSI for the highest risk factors identified.

Methods

Inputs included quantitative and qualitative data sources from the evidence-based literature and from health care providers. The Socio-Technical Probabilistic Risk Assessment ranked the failure points (events) on the basis of their contribution to an SSI. The event, entitled “Failure to protect the patient effectively,” which included several failure points, was the most critical unique event with the highest contribution to SSI risk.

Results

A total of 51.87% of SSIs in this setting were caused by this failure. Consequently, we proposed an intervention aimed at all 5 major components of this failure.

Conclusions

The intervention targets improvements in skin preparation; proper administration of antibiotics; staff training in infection control principles, including practices for the prevention of glove punctures; and procedures to ensure the removal of watches, jewelry, and artificial nails.
Indirect genetic effects underlie oxygen-limited thermal tolerance within a coastal population of chinook salmon
Authors: Muñoz Nicolas J. , Anttila Katja , Chen Zhongqi , Heath John W. , Farrell Anthony P. , Neff Bryan D.
Published: July 2014

With global temperatures projected to surpass the limits of thermal tolerance for many species, evaluating the heritable variation underlying thermal tolerance is critical for understanding the potential for adaptation to climate change. We examined the evolutionary potential of thermal tolerance within a population of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) by conducting a full-factorial breeding design and measuring the thermal performance of cardiac function and the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) of offspring from each family. Additive genetic variation in offspring phenotype was mostly negligible, although these direct genetic effects explained 53% of the variation in resting heart rate (fH). Conversely, maternal effects had a significant influence on restingfH, scope forfH, cardiac arrhythmia temperature and CTmax. These maternal effects were associated with egg size, as indicated by strong relationships between the mean egg diameter of mothers and offspring thermal tolerance. Because egg size can be highly heritable in chinook salmon, our finding indicates that the maternal effects of egg size constitute an indirect genetic effect contributing to thermal tolerance. Such indirect genetic effects could accelerate evolutionary responses to the selection imposed by rising temperatures and could contribute to the population-specific thermal tolerance that has recently been uncovered among Pacific salmon populations.
Control of chitin and N-acetylglucosamine utilization in Saccharopolyspora erythraea
Authors: Liao Chengheng , Rigali Sébastien , Cassani Cuauhtemoc Licona , Marcellin Esteban , Nielsen Lars Keld , Ye Bang-Ce
Published: July 2014

Chitin degradation and subsequentN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) catabolism is thought to be a common trait of a large majority of actinomycetes. Utilization of aminosugars had been poorly investigated outside the model strainStreptomyces coelicolorA3(2), and we examined here the genetic setting of the erythromycin producerSaccharopolyspora erythraeafor GlcNAc and chitin utilization, as well as the transcriptional control thereof.Sacch. erythraeaefficiently utilize GlcNAc most likely via the phosphotransferase system (PTSGlcNAc); however, this strain is not able to grow when chitin orN,N′-diacetylchitobiose [(GlcNAc)2] is the sole nutrient source, despite a predicted extensive chitinolytic system (chigenes). The inability ofSacch. erythraeato utilize chitin and (GlcNAc)2is probably because of the loss of genes encoding the DasABC transporter for (GlcNAc)2import, and genes for intracellular degradation of (GlcNAc)2by β-N-acetylglucosaminidases. Transcription analyses revealed that inSacch. erythraeaall putativechiand GlcNAc utilization genes are repressed by DasR, whereas inStrep. coelicolorDasR displayed either activating or repressing functions whether it targets genes involved in the polymer degradation or genes for GlcNAc dimer and monomer utilization, respectively. A transcriptomic analysis further showed that GlcNAc not only activates the transcription of GlcNAc catabolism genes but also activateschigene expression, as opposed to the previously reported GlcNAc-mediated catabolite repression inStrep. coelicolor. Finally, synteny exploration revealed an identical genetic background for chitin utilization in other rare actinomycetes, which suggests that screening procedures that used only the chitin-based protocol for selective isolation of antibiotic-producing actinomycetes could have missed the isolation of many industrially promising strains.
The TrpA protein of Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101 is a non-fibril-forming collagen and a component of the outer sheath
Authors: Price Simara , Toal Siobhan , Anandan Shivanthi
Published: July 2014

Collagen molecules are structural in nature and primarily found in eukaryotic, multicellular organisms. Recently, a collagen-like protein, TrpA, was identified and characterized in the marine cyanobacteriumTrichodesmium erythraeumIMS 101, and it was shown to be involved in maintaining the structural integrity of the trichomes. The TrpA protein contains one glycine interruption in the otherwise perfectly uninterrupted collagenous domain. In this study, we used phylogenetic analysis to determine that the TrpA protein sequence is most closely associated with non-fibril-forming collagen proteins. Structural modelling and circular dichroism data suggest that the glycine insertion decreases the stability of TrpA compared to uninterrupted collagen sequences. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy revealed that TrpA is expressed entirely on the surface of the trichomes, with no specific pattern of localization. These data indicate that the TrpA protein is part of the outer sheath of this organism. As such, this protein may function to promote adhesion between individualT.erythraeumtrichomes, and between this organism and heterotrophic bacteria found in the same environment.
Browning inhibition of fresh-cut lotus roots by blanching in Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge extracts
Authors: Kim Han-Bit , Chung Hun-Sik , Moon Kwang-Deog
Published: July 2014

This study was conducted to inhibit the browning of fresh-cut lotus roots by blanching in a Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge extract solution (0.5%). Lotus roots were cut to 1 cm using a knife. The fresh-cut lotus roots were blanched at 50℃ in distilled water (DW, Cont), Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract solution (GE), and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge extract solution (AE). After treatment, they were packaged with 0.04 mm PE bags and were stored at 10℃ for 12 days. Their color, hardness, DPPH radical scavenging activity, pH, and total soluble solids were then investigated. During storage, the samples treated with GE and AE had high L* values. They were also found to have higher values compared to the control group in the analysis of the browning index. No difference was found, however, in the hardness analysis. With regard to the DPPH radical scavenging activity, the sample treated with Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract had the highest activity. In the pH analysis, all the groups were found to have a decrease tendency for all the storage periods. The total soluble solids decreased in the control group and slightly increased in the AE and GE groups. These results show that blanching in Glycyrrhiza glabra L. or Astragalus membranaceus Bunge extract is effective for preventing the browning of fresh-cut lotus roots.
Physicochemical and functional characteristics of fermented products by using Sigumjang, Cheonggukjang and oak mushroom
Authors: Gigyeon (Gi-Hyeong Hong) , Kim Soo-Jung , Kim Eun-Joo , Hosung (Hyeong-Soo Kim) , Hwang Eun-Gyeong
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this study was to develop a new fermented product (named as Cheonggeumjang) using Sigumjang, Cheonggukjang and Oak mushroom. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Sigumjang, Cheonggukjang, and Cheonggeumjang, which were mixed in a different ratio as A (Sigumjang: Cheonggukjang = 1:2), B (Sigumjang: Cheonggukjang = 1:1) and C (Sigumjang: Cheonggukjang = 2 : 1). Then, the functions and physicochemical properties of products were investigated. We found that the crude protein content in Cheonggeumjang was higher than in Sigumjang whereas fat and calories content was less than that of Cheonggukjang. Free sugar content in Cheonggeumjang C 5.8681 g/100g was the highest. Moroever, Cheonggeumjang C and Sigumjang has an antioxidant activities. The electron donating capacity, SOD like activity and the inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase of these two were significantly high than other group. Fat rancidity is promoted in the presence of metal ion, Cheonggeumjang group has higher inhibitory effect on Fe2+ion than on Cu2+ ion. The rancidity of fat is also increased by reactive oxygens species, Cheonggeumjang group inhibited H2O2 in higher extent than KO2. Also, α-glucosidase inhibition activity of Cheonggeumjang C in all of the concentrations (300 ppm, 500 ppm and 700 ppm) is higher than other groups. In sensory evaluation, Cheonggeumjang C groups is ranked significantly higher than the other groups while considering color, flavor, taste and the overall acceptability. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that Cheonggeumjang is best ingredient for increasing the consumer acceptability and functionality.
Amylase activity and characterization of Bacillus subtilis CBD2 isolated from Doenjang
Authors: Yang Su-Jin , Lee Dae-Hoon , Park Hye-Mi , Jung Hee Kyoung , Park Chang-Su , Hong Joo-Heon
Published: July 2014

In this study, one GRAS strain was screened from doenjang, a traditional Korean fermented food, as a microorganism producing amylase due to the formation of a clear zone on the medium including soluble starch. From the analysis of the gene sequence of 16S ribosomal RNA, the strain was identified as Bacillus subtilis and was therefore named Bacillus subtilis CBD2. When the nutrient broth medium was prepared with 3% NaCl, 5% glucose, and the initial medium pH 7.0, the B. subtilis CBD2 showed maximum growth. Among soluble starch, corn starch, maize amylopectin, and wheat starch, soluble starch was the most effective carbon source in the production of amylase by B. subtilis CBD2. The amylase from B. subtilis CBD2 showed the highest activities at pH 8.0 and 50°C, and corn starch was the most proper substrate for the enzyme activity. When corn starch was used as a substrate, the production of sugars through enzyme activity increased for 24 h, and then the enzyme activity became constant.
A curated C. difficile strain 630 metabolic network: prediction of essential targets and inhibitors
Authors: Larocque Mathieu , Chénard Thierry , Najmanovich Rafael
Published: July 2014

Clostridium difficileis the leading cause of hospital-borne infections occurring when the natural intestinal flora is depleted following antibiotic treatment. We presentiMLTC804cdf, an extensively curated reconstructed metabolic network for theC. difficilepathogenic strain 630.iMLTC804cdf contains 804 genes, 705 metabolites and 766 metabolic, 145 exchange and 118 transport reactions.iMLTC804cdf is the most complete and accurate metabolic reconstruction of a gram-positive anaerobic bacteria to date. We validate the model with simulated growth assays in different media and carbon sources and use it to predict essential genes. We obtain 88.8% accuracy in the prediction of gene essentiality when compared to experimental data forB. subtilishomologs. We predict the existence of 83 essential genes and 68 essential gene pairs, a number of which are unique toC. difficileand have non-existing or predicted non-essential human homologs. For 19 of these potential therapeutic targets, we find 72 inhibitors of homologous proteins that could serve as starting points in the development of new antibiotics, including approved drugs with the potential for drug repositioning.
Extraordinarily wide genomic impact of a selective sweep associated with the evolution of sex ratio distorter suppression
Authors: Hornett EA , Moran B , Reynolds LA , Charlat S , Tazzyman S , Wedell N , Jiggins CD , Hurst GDD
Published: July 2014

Symbionts that distort their host’s sex ratio by favouring the production and survival of females are common in arthropods. Their presence produces intense Fisherian selection to return the sex ratio to parity, typified by the rapid spread of host ‘suppressor’ loci that restore male survival/development. In this study, we investigated the genomic impact of a selective event of this kind in the butterflyHypolimnas bolina. Through linkage mapping we first identified a genomic region that was necessary for males to surviveWolbachia-induced killing. We then investigated the genomic impact of the rapid spread of suppression that converted the Samoan population of this butterfly from a 100:1 female-biased sex ratio in 2001, to a 1:1 sex ratio by 2006. Models of this process revealed the potential for a chromosome-wide selective sweep. To measure the impact directly, the pattern of genetic variation before and after the episode of selection was compared. Significant changes in allele frequencies were observed over a 25cM region surrounding the suppressor locus, alongside generation of linkage disequilibrium. The presence of novel allelic variants in 2006 suggests that the suppressor was introducedviaimmigration rather than throughde novomutation. In addition, further sampling in 2010 indicated that many of the introduced variants were lost or had reduced in frequency since 2006. We hypothesise that this loss may have resulted from a period of purifying selection - removing deleterious material that introgressed during the initial sweep. Our observations of the impact of suppression of sex ratio distorting activity reveal an extraordinarily wide genomic imprint, reflecting its status as one of the strongest selective forces in nature.
catena-Poly[[[bis(1H-imidazole-κN3)zinc(II)]-μ2-imidazol-1-ido-κ2N:N′] nitrate]
Authors: Govindhan Elumalai , Ganeshraja A. S. , Bhavana B. , Anbalagan Krishnamoorthy , SubbiahPandi Arunachalam
Published: July 2014

The title compound, {[Zn(C3H3N2)(C3H4N2)2]NO3}n, is a one-dimensional coordination polymer along [01-1] with the ZnIIatom coordinating to four imidazole/imidazolide rings. The ZnIIatom has a regular tetrahedral geometry with the planes of the two monodentate imidazole rings inclined to one another by 87.94 (17)°, while the planes of the bridging imidazolide rings are inclined to one another by 39.06 (17)°. In the crystal, the chains are linkedviabifurcated N—H...(O,O) hydrogen bonds, forming sheets parallel to (001). These two-dimensional networks are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds and a C—H...π interaction, forming a three-dimensional structure.
Li2PtF6revisited
Authors: Kraus Florian
Published: July 2014

In comparison with previous stucture determinations of Li2PtF6, dilithium hexafluoridoplatinate(IV) [Graudejuset al.(2000).Inorg. Chem.39, 2794–2800; Henkel & Hoppe (1968).Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem.359, 160–177], the current study revealed the Li atom to be refined with anisotropic displacement parameters, thus allowing for a higher overall precision of the model. Li2PtF6adopts the trirutile structure type with site symmetries of 2.mm,m.mm, ..mandm.2mfor the Li, Pt and the two F sites. The Pt—F distances in the slightly distorted PtF6octahedron are essentially similar with 1.936 (4) and 1.942 (6) Å, and the equatorial F—Pt—F angles range from 82.2 (2) to 97.8 (2)°. The Li—F distances in the somewhat more distorted LiF6octahedron are 1.997 (15) and 2.062 (15) Å, with equatorial F—Li—F angles ranging from 76.3 (7) to 99.71 (17)°.
Tony Lowe and the Interdisciplinary and Critical Perspectives on Accounting Project
Authors: Laughlin Richard
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the life of Tony Lowe, Emeritus Professor of Accounting and Financial Management at the University of Sheffield, who died on 5 March 2014. It celebrates Tony Lowe’s considerable direct contributions to accounting knowledge and, possibly more significantly, his indirect contribution through his enabling of a range of those associated with him at Sheffield to become scholars of distinction in their own right.

Design/methodology/approach

– Publication review, personal reflections and argument.

Findings

– Apart from providing insight into Tony Lowe's direct contribution to accounting knowledge through an analysis of a range of significant sole authored and joint authored publications, the paper gives rather more attention to his more indirect enabling contribution. In this regard it traces the development of initially the Management Control Association and subsequently the “Sheffield School” to Tony Lowe, clarifying the values that underlie these groups. It also clarifies how some of the key elements that have allowed the now global Interdisciplinary and Critical Perspectives on Accounting (ICPA) Project to exist and flourish are traceable to Tony Lowe and the “Sheffield School” he created.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper provides an important historical analysis of the direct and indirect influence of a unique scholar on the beginnings and development of particularly the now global ICPA Project. This history is personal and maybe selective and possibly limited because of this but hopefully will encourage others to investigate the claims further.

Originality/value

– The history of the ICPA Project has only partially been told before. This is another part of this history that has not been analysed before on which further work can build.
Corporate social disclosures: a user perspective on assurance
Authors: Wong Renfred , Millington Andrew
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate corporate social disclosure (CSD) assurance from a stakeholder perspective within a study which encompasses both stakeholder preferences and demand drivers of CSD assurance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Stakeholder perceptions of and their demand for CSD assurance are examined through a questionnaire survey. The analysis is based on responses in an empirical study from 147 organisations which are investing, procuring and third-sector stakeholders.

Findings

– Overall, stakeholder comments suggest an emphasis on the importance of specialist environmental assurors and the role of trust. The demand for assurance is positively related to stakeholders’ assessment of the value of CSD and the use of information from information intermediaries such as responsible investment indices, and negatively related to stakeholder perceptions of CSD representational faithfulness.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper only draws on data from the UK. Similar research can be explored in a context outside the UK.

Practical implications

– Better understanding of stakeholder defined determinants of the demand for CSD assurance as well as their perceptions of CSD assurance will inform regulators and enable companies to better discharge accountability towards stakeholders.

Originality/value

– This is one of the few empirical studies that investigate CSD assurance and one of the first to focus on stakeholder perceptions of, and demand for, CSD assurance within a multiple stakeholder perspective, rather than practitioner or corporate perceptions of CSD assurance.
Challenges of insuring weather risk in agriculture
Authors: Odening Martin , Shen Zhiwei
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review some challenges of insuring weather risk in agriculture and to discuss potential remedies for these problems.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is developed as a narrative on weather insurance based largely on existing literature.

Findings

– Weather risks show characteristics that often violate classical requirements for insurability. First, some weather risks, particularly slowly emerging weather perils like drought, are spatially correlated and cause systemic risks. Second, climatic change may increase the volatility of weather variables and lead to non-stationary loss distributions, which causes difficulties in actuarial ratemaking. Third, limited availability of yield and weather data hinders the estimation of reliable loss distributions.

Practical implications

– Some of the approaches discussed in this review, such as time diversification, local test procedures and the augmentation of observational data by expert knowledge, can be useful for crop insurance companies to improve their risk management and product design.

Originality/value

– This study provides background and development information regarding weather insurance and also presents statistical tools and actuarial methods that support the assessment of weather risks as well as the design of weather and yield insurance products.
The costs of having a bully in the library
Authors: A. Crumpton Michael
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the this article is to address the issue of bullying within an organizational environment related to workplace conflict, which has not been typically noted within library organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article provides the context to determine whether a problem exists and several resources to utilize if needed.

Findings

– It is speculated that bullying can exist in library organizations as with other professional organizations, but has not been raised as an issue with regard to potential costs involved.

Originality/value

– This topic is being addressed as part of the financial considerations present within library operations that bear attention in today’s environment.
Situational variables and sustainability in multi-attribute decision-making
Authors: J.K. Simpson Bonnie , K. Radford Scott
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine whether consumers demonstrate a multi-dimensional understanding of sustainability in their decision-making and addresses the situational influence of confidence and compromise on sustainable product choices.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using three choice-based conjoint experiments the authors examined the importance of sustainability, compromise and confidence to consumers across two contexts. Two-step cluster analyses were used to segment consumers based on the importance scores.

Findings

– Data indicates that the environmental dimension of sustainability is the most influential followed by economic and social. The responses suggest three distinct segments identified as self-focused, trend motivated and reality driven that demonstrate significantly different characteristics in their approach to sustainable products.

Research limitations/implications

– Current research tends to focus on the environmental dimension, while paying little heed to the economic and social dimensions. This research indicates that consumers consider all three dimensions when making sustainable product choices and highlights that differences may emerge with respect to product utility.

Practical implications

– Firms must be aware that consumers differ in the importance they place on sustainability. The reality-driven segment is the most attractive segment, as they are highly engaged and are willing to invest time in understanding the complexities of sustainability. The trend-motivated segments are more fickle with superficial knowledge, and the self-focused segments are self-serving in their orientations and use price as a key decision variable.

Originality/value

– The paper addresses an important oversight in the sustainability literature. It provides both a theoretical contribution to advance marketing research and a practical contribution that may be of interest to those trying to market sustainable products.
How companies’ good deeds encourage consumers to adopt pro-social behavior
Authors: Romani Simona , Grappi Silvia
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the effects of company corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives on two consumers’ pro-social behaviors closely related to the social cause promoted by the company, such as consumers donating money and volunteering time. In addition, the role of moral elevation as a mediating variable in such relationships is tested.

Design/methodology/approach

– After an exploratory study, the authors tested the role of moral elevation as a mediator that facilitates the effects of company CSR activities in social domains on two specific types of pro-social behavior displayed by consumers: donating money and volunteering time for the same cause sponsored by the company. The authors conducted two quantitative studies to test their hypotheses. In Study 1, they considered the two pro-social behaviors as intentions; in Study 2, they analyzed them as actual behaviors. In both studies, the authors conducted controlled experiments administered in the field. By using experimental and control conditions, they were able to manipulate corporate responsible actions in social contexts, and a mediational analysis was conducted.

Findings

– The authors results show that moral elevation mediates the positive relationship between the CSR activity and consumer intention to donate (actual consumer donating behavior) to social causes, and the CSR activity and volunteering intention (actual volunteering behavior).

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to furthering CSR theory by showing the positive effects of company CSR initiatives on two pro-social “secondary” outcomes and the mediating role played by moral elevation. Important implications for the role of CSR are derived for companies and society in general.
Taking stock of the literature on HRD education
Authors: Zachmeier Aaron , Cho Yonjoo
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature on university-based human resource development (HRD) courses and programs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methods used in this paper are integrative literature review and content analysis.

Findings

– Only 71 peer-reviewed articles that address university-based HRD courses and programs in any way were found. Forty-six were empirical studies and 25 were either conceptual or editorial in nature. The majority of articles focused on HRD courses and programs in the USA and the UK. Perspectives from other countries were nearly absent. Many of the claims about the content and quality of HRD courses and programs were not supported by empirical evidence.

Research limitations/implications

– HRD courses and programs are offered in universities around the world. Almost nothing is known of their content, quality or methods. Future research on these courses and programs should focus on the relevance of curriculum to the needs of organizations.

Originality/value

– While HRD research and practice are concerned with learning and development, topics related to the learning and development of future HRD scholars and practitioners are rarely addressed in the HRD literature. This is the only comprehensive review of the small-body peer-reviewed literature on university-based HRD courses and programs. It provides a summary of the findings of empirical research on HRD courses and programs, and an analysis of the warrant for the claims about these courses and programs.
Ensuring functionality of a nearly zero-energy building with procurement methods
Authors: Kantola Mikko , Saari Arto
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to show the results of the task given by a major research program concerning low-energy building and indoor environment. The task was to develop contracting document model layouts to be used in zero-energy building (ZEB) and nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

– A workshop method was chosen for gathering information and developing the layouts.

Findings

– In the debate in the workshop three main topics arose: the selection of project delivery system, the use of performance controller for the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and making innovation possible by making the call for bids as loose as possible.

Research limitations/implications

– The use of performance controller could be investigated more, and more accurate information and knowledge about the best practices on nZEB construction can be captured as the industry moves in that direction and more projects will appear.

Originality/value

– The goals of the research program were met and also the main issues of nZEB construction contracting were documented, which can be utilized by the whole industry of house building.
Mentoring in the workplace
Authors: Ramalho Jordana
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to offer practical tips and guidance to organisations considering setting up a workplace mentoring programme.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper shares insights and practical tips based on the experience of St Mungo's Homelessness charity.

Findings

– Mentoring is an effective low-cost means of making the most of your in-house experience and developing the potential of your workforce.

Originality/value

– Based on the experience of St Mungo's Homelessness charity, the paper shares insights and offers practical tips for organisations that are considering setting up a mentoring programme.
Understanding the loss of trust in large banks
Authors: Hurley Robert , Gong Xue , Waqar Adeela
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore a stakeholder trust model of organizations and applies the model to diagnose the loss of trust in large banks (Universal and Investment Banks) after the global financial crisis (GFC). Prescriptions for the repair of trust are offered along with the diagnosis.

Design/methodology/approach

– The theoretical underpinnings of the stakeholder trust model of organizations are supported using the literature in marketing and management. Case study data on large and community banks are used to explore differences in these type of banks as they relate to trustworthiness as articulated in the stakeholder trust model of organizations.

Findings

– The stakeholder trust model of organizations and six dimensions of trustworthiness help to explain why trust eroded in large banks during the GFC but increased or remained stable among some community banks. This diagnosis of the loss of trust also points to interventions that will be necessary to restore trust going forward among large banks.

Research limitations/implications

– Scholars in marketing need to develop a more macro view of the firm that examines trust beyond customers to reflect a wider stakeholder focus and issues of corporate social responsibility, trust reputation and license to operate.

Practical implications

– This paper points out strategic changes, some of which are radical, that will be required to restore and sustain stakeholder trust in large banks.

Social implications

– Building trustworthy banks is essential to social and economic progress.

Originality/value

– This paper addresses a void in marketing research by moving beyond the product and transactional level focus and framing a more macro oriented approach to understand trust in banks.
Recovering cultural built heritage after natural disasters
Authors: MacKee Jamie , Haugen Askland Hedda , Askew Louise
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to propose an alternative strategy for preparing, recovering and conserving cultural built heritage (CBH) in the context of natural disasters. It presents the idea that disaster preparedness is integral to CBH protection and conservation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Building upon a review of existing scholarship on CBH, resilience and disaster management, a conceptual model is proposed to assist key stakeholders preparing for the recovery of CBH after natural disasters. It is argued that the protection and recovery of CBH in the wake of natural disasters require a holistic approach and that the theoretical framework of resilience thinking can support such an approach.

Findings

– The paper discusses how the process of adaptive cycles has a role to play in the development of a holistic understanding of the conservation process. It proposes an adaptive cycle model that is supported by four critical factors: reordering, conserving, shifting and transforming.

Originality/value

– Through exploration of systems thinking and resilience theory, the research presented in this paper explores a new approach to the conceptualisation of CBH. The paper presents the first stage of a research project that aims to develop strategies that can support the protection and recovery of CBH in the wake of natural disasters. The proposed model represents a holistic approach for reconceptualising CBH and may, as such, have potential implications that extend from the field of post-disaster recovery into the domain of CBH conservation and protection.
Differences in quality of life between pediatric sickle cell patients who used hydroxyurea and those who did not
Authors: Nwenyi Emmanuel , Leafman Joan , Mathieson Kathleen , Ezeobah Nkonye
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the differences in quality of life (QoL) between two groups of pediatric sickle cell patients: those who used hydroxyurea and those who chose not to use the medication to treat sickle cell disease.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was a quantitative, non-randomized, cross-sectional, comparative study. In total, 100 children ages seven to 17 participated in the study. Parents of the patients completed a demographic questionnaire while the participants completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Peds QoL) and Sickle Cell Disease Quality of Life Inventory (SCD QoL).

Findings

– The Ped QoL regression analysis revealed that hydroxyurea use and parental marital status accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in Ped QoL. The SCD QoL regression analysis also revealed that hydroxyurea and age accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in SCD QoL. Finally, the regression analysis revealed that SCD, parental marital status, parental income, sex, age, race and number of siblings did not account for a significant proportion of the variance in SCD crises per year.

Originality/value

– This paper proved a need to study the differences in QoL between those pediatric patients who used hydroxyurea and those who did not use the medication.
College clinic service quality and patient satisfaction
Authors: Deshwal Pankaj , Ranjan Vini , Mittal Geetika
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the service quality dimensions that play an important role in patient satisfaction in campus clinics in Delhi; assess student satisfaction with service; and suggests ways to improve areas of dissatisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire was distributed to students who had completed at least two consultations at the college clinic. Convenience sampling was used to approach respondents. The questionnaire uses modified SERVQUAL and other instruments, including original dimensions and those constructed through detailed discussions. Factor analyses, reliability tests and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy were conducted. The final sample had a total of 445 respondents.

Findings

– After factor analysis, the authors found that the dimensions affecting patient satisfaction are: staff professionalism; clinic staff reliability; clinic accessibility and basic facilities; tangibles; cleanliness; awareness of the clinic/diseases and how clinic staff deals with emergencies. Most students were satisfied with the professionalism of the clinic staff. More than 70 percent of the respondents reported that the clinic staff paid good attention to them. The campus clinic was deemed reliable by more than 50 percent of respondents. The students found the clinic's location convenient, with more than 50 percent supporting its location. However, there was dissatisfaction among the students regarding the tangibles of the clinic, with more than 50 percent favoring upgrading. There was satisfaction among the respondents regarding the availability of the doctor after clinic hours, but contact details for the clinic staff were not easily accessible on campus. More than 60 percent of respondents were satisfied with the cleanliness of the campus clinic. More than 50 percent felt that the campus clinic was not equipped to deal with emergencies efficiently. At the same time, 90 percent of respondents reported the availability of referral facilities in case of emergencies.

Originality/value

– The authors believe that this is the first study conducted to assess patient satisfaction in the campus clinics of engineering institutes in Delhi region. This paper provides valuable information to college clinic administrators.
Graduates’ job satisfaction across domains of study
Authors: Gajderowicz Tomasz , Grotkowska Gabriela , Wincenciak Leszek
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to address the problem of job satisfaction determinants of higher education graduates across six selected study domains.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on the theoretical considerations, derived from human capital theory and signalling theory, the authors formulate the model explaining job satisfaction as a broad measure of labour market success. Explanatory variables include various socio-demographic characteristics as well as market environment and process of learning, modes of teaching and study programme characteristics. Data used in the analysis comes from two special surveys of European research projects REFLEX and HEGESCO. Principal component analysis method and OLS regression were used to estimate model parameters.

Findings

– The results of our research show the important role of characteristics of educational process, as well as individual graduates’ early work-related experience in predicting job satisfaction. Differences in job satisfaction determinants across domains may be to some extent explained by the differences in the labour market characteristics for graduates in given discipline. Variety of education-related characteristics taken into account in the empirical analysis of determinants of job satisfaction is a key valuable contribution to the research in the field.

Originality/value

– Research findings indicate the areas of potential actions aimed at improving future job satisfaction which can be undertaken by higher education institutions’ management bodies.
Job mismatch in early career of graduates under post-communism
Authors: Robert Peter
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate vertical and horizontal mismatch between education and current occupation for graduates in four post-communist societies: Hungary, Poland, Lithuania and Slovenia. In this way it contributes to the field by exploring how mechanisms, known from previous studies on western societies, affect job mismatch in emerging market economies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two dependent variables are constructed: working in a non-graduate occupation as defined by the ISCO job title depicts vertical mismatch; assessment of the job from the perspective of the fields of study describes horizontal mismatch. Since the dependent variables are dichotomous ones, binary logistic regression models are fitted to the data predicting the incidence of mismatch. Explanatory variables cover mechanisms affecting job mismatch: variation by fields of studies, accumulated work experience during studies, labour market uncertainties during early career, trade off between job safety and job mismatch, persistence of “bad” labour market entry during early career, influence of parental background on school-to-work transition.

Findings

– The analysis reveals significant differences for study fields in association with occupational specificity of the disciplines. Only study-related work experience seems to be advantageous to find a matching job. Labour market uncertainties increase the probability of job mismatch. Job safety is more important than a matching job.

Originality/value

– Mismatch in first occupation has strong and long-lasting effect on the job match even five years after the graduation. The effect of parental background on job mismatch is curvilinear.
The lean-performance relationship in services: a theoretical model
Authors: Hadid Wael , Afshin Mansouri S.
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The extant literature on lean service reveals a noticeable lack of theoretical models establishing the core constructs of lean service, their interrelation and impact on organizational performance. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap by proposing a theoretical model in which lean constructs are identified and operationalized to establish their interrelation and impact on organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper synthesizes information drawing on a systematic review of the literature on lean service, other relevant academic literature to develop a theoretical model and a set of propositions. Drawing on the universal theory, socio-technical systems theory and contingency theory (CT), the paper highlights and clarifies the potential impact of lean service on operational and financial performance.

Findings

– This study identifies a comprehensive set of lean technical practices, lean supportive practices, inhibitors and expected outcome of lean service. Expected relationships among those constructs are established by developing a conceptual framework with several propositions based on the relevant literature and the socio-technical system theory, the universal perspective and the CT, when relevant. Moreover, six influential contextual variables on the lean-performance relation are identified based on a review of the management accounting literature, organizational strategy literature and diversification literature to overcome limitations of previous studies.

Originality/value

– This paper covers a gap in the literature by identifying and operationalizing lean service constructs and offering a theoretical model with several propositions that establish relationships between lean constructs and overcome limitations in previous studies by identifying six contextual variables that are important factors in the lean-performance associations.
The effect of the regulatory framework on the competitiveness of the dairy sector in Tanzania
Authors: Charles Urassa Goodluck
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of the regulatory framework on the competitiveness of the dairy sector of Tanzania. More precisely, it attempts to identify the main regulations governing the dairy industry and examines areas in which they overlap. The paper explores the effect of the regulatory framework on the business enterprises operating in the sector and highlights ongoing initiatives for harmonisation of the regulations affecting the dairy sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study that culminated in the paper was qualitative in nature, being based on case studies of two enterprises operating in the dairy industry, secondary data, in-depth discussions with industry stakeholders through personal interviews and focus group discussions. The paper also draws on observations made of the advocacy project that is going on to review regulations in the dairy sector.

Findings

– The dairy sector in Tanzania is facing significant regulatory challenges, leading to the high cost of doing business. The main regulatory burdens facing the sector are: multiple inspections of premises, multiple testing of products, multiplicity of licences for premises and products, and the use of regulations as a source of revenue. Bureaucratic roadblocks add costs to businesses and reduce the competitiveness of products and services, as well as the potential for business expansion and job creation. While the private sector appears to succeed in creating awareness of the issue, it has not yet succeeded in pressurising the government to take action to bring about policy change.

Practical implications

– The findings of the paper will inform policy makers and the private sector on how the regulations affect the competitiveness of the dairy industry. The paper will also aid advocacy initiatives by private sector organisations by providing empirical evidence concerning the damaging effect of the regulatory framework and will contribute some ideas on how to carry forward the ongoing dialogue between the private and public sector.

Originality/value

– The paper fills the gap resulting from the lack of empirical evidence regarding the impact of the regulatory framework on the competitiveness of the private sector in the context of a developing economy. It demonstrates how systematic research on advocacy issues raised by the private sector could be used to generate evidence that informs and motivates policy change. The paper also applies the theory of regulation to a specific industry to show how regulatory reforms could be attained.