bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Stress Levels in Organizations and Their Impact on Employees' Behaviour
Authors: Swaminathan P. S. , Rajkumar S.
Published: February 2012

Stress management is attracting more and more attention now ñ a ñ day, specially with respect to the workplace. As the degree of competition is deepening in the economy in the wake of globalization, liberalization and privatization and the sellerís markets have been replaced by the competitive ones, now ñ a ñ days there is no stress ñfree ñ job. Every body in the workplace experiences some kind of frustrations, tensions and anxieties related to the job assigned to one, or even in relation to the general work environment. Increasing urbanization, industrialization and ever increasing scales of operations cause stress and strain. People experiences stress as they feel that they have lost control over whatever is happening to them in life. Stress may be defined as a dynamic condition of an individual in which he/she is confronted with an opportunity, or challenge/constraint or demand that may relate to what he/she aspires or what he/she is expected to deliver and the outcome of which is perceived to be important but uncertain. Stress has become wide-spread, tending to emerge as an epidemic.

There are thousands of employers and managers who do not understand that people are the primary sustainable source of competitive advantage. The new economic policy has, however, exposed even the employers and senior managers to stress. They may, however, treat employees as dispensable commodities to be exploited for maximum production. Besides, the employees may be threatened, at times bullied or even sacked, when stress affects their performance.

Employees, on their part, must also realize that stress is caused more by their individual propensity and response to withstand the pressure of work and must also strive to condition their attitude towards external stressors.
A Review of the Role of the Management in Controlling Job Stress of the Clerks
Authors: Surati Puran
Published: February 2012

Since studies about job stress of the clerks is of utmost importance, job satisfaction is not in itself representative of the overall status of the clerks. In discussions of the control of stress of the clerks, a number of factors such as correct and scientific management have been successful in dealing with this phenomenon in a logical and scientific way. The application of the scientific and homogeneous methods are among the underlying principles of the standardization in developed countries. Providing a suitable field for training managers has a positive effect on improving job quality, planning effective job vacancies, and reducing job stress, all of which should not be overlooked. A point worth pondering is that in developing countries job stress is higher than in undeveloped countries part of which is due to human errors. A great part of this is eliminated through correct and conscious management.
Managerial Trust and Organizational Behavior
Authors: Trivedi Hemant C. , Patel Rajnikant , Guru Sunita
Published: February 2012

This paper examines the sets of behavior in a pharmaceutical company. Thirteen sets of behaviors are identified for creating managerial trust among subordinates: talk straight, demonstrate respect, create transparency, right wrongs, show loyalty, deliver results, get better, confront reality, clarify expectations, practice accountability, listen first, keep commitments, extend trust (Covey, 2006). A questionnaire survey of team members: R&D, Corporate, Branded, Chemical, International, Generic and Others employed in the pharmaceutical company is described. The results confirm presence or absence of set of behaviors amongst managers. Of the 13 behaviors analyzed, it is observed that the subordinates have a very negative perception about their managers in respect of creating transparency and showing loyalty, negative perception about their managers in respect of demonstrating respect, right wrongs and extend trust, positive perception about their managers in respect of delivering results, confronting reality, clarifying expectation and practice accountability and very positive perception about their managers in respect of talk straight and get better behavior.
Comparative Analysis of Sources and Drivers of Information Search Behaviour of the UK and India
Authors: Saigal Brinder S. , Mann Bikram Jit Singh , Mann Rashmi
Published: February 2012

This article compares the information search behaviour of the consumers on the aspect of total information search efforts, sources of information and drivers of search behaviour of two different countries namely the UK and India for FMCG products. First of all, total amount of information search has been compared for the two countries to determine the variation in total amount of information search undertaken by the two consumer groups having different nationalities. Then a comparison of various sources of information used by respondents of the two countries was made. After this, information search behaviour was compared on the basis of drivers of search. Comparison between the countries was made with the aid of t-test. Results depict that Indians conduct more information search and also consult a large number of sources of information except past experience, which is more used by the consumers in the UK. An investigation of the drivers of information search reveal that Indians undertake more search efforts because they perceive more risk and are more involved with the product purchase. This article enhances the knowledge of marketing managers on how to segment the consumers on the basis of their unique behaviour and then develop their communication strategies that are customized for each market.
Culture-Intrapreneurship Relationship: Reward as a Moderator
Authors: Srivastava Nidhi , Srivastava Shalini
Published: February 2012

Purpose: Intrapreneurship refers to employee initiatives in organizations to undertake something new, without being asked to do so. In recent years, enterprises have established “innovation units” to stimulate new ideas and utilize the energy and ideas of the individuals in international enterprises. It involves the process where an individual or a group of individuals, within an established company innovate or create a new organization as sub unit and get involved in the process of wealth creation. The systems of the organizations play an important role in developing entrepreneurial orientation of the employees. Various theories have suggested that there is a positive relation between the Intrapreneurship and organization culture and it becomes more prominent in the presence of effective reward system. The paper aims to explore the role of moderating effect of rewards on culture and Intrapreneurship relationship in an organizational setting.

Methodology: The present study was done on a sample of 150 managers belonging to private sector organization. Variables in the study were assessed through descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Hierarchical Regression Analysis.

Findings: It was analyzed that there is a positive and significant relationship between culture and Intrapreneurship and Performance Linked Rewards and Policies to motivate Innovation moderated the impact of culture on Intrapreneurship.

Implications: The findings of this study can assist organizations to develop intrapreneurial mindset of employees with the suitable Reward System which is instrumental in providing a conducive culture to the employees. There should be better learning environment and better work place practices, performance linked rewards to encourage innovation by the employees.
Employee and Labour Welfare at the Tata Group Companies
Authors: Shah Shashank
Published: February 2012

Employees are the foundation for the superstructure of a corporate organisation. Without them, the organisation would not be able to achieve its identified and highlighted goals and objectives. While the employees are expected to do much for the organisation for the remuneration they receive, the organisation also needs to appreciate their honest and committed services. Employee and Labour welfare needs to be undertaken by corporate organisations for genuine altruism and not for profit-making and goodwill building alone. In this paper, the author has used the study of a Group which has attempted this in corporate India for more than a century. The Tata Group and its major companies have been studied to describe their employee and labour welfare initiatives. The descriptive research design, with the now popular and evolving anecdotal style of narration, has been used by the author. Triangulation of data has been done through personal interviews with top executives of the Group and its major companies, responses to an Executive Perception Survey on Employees, and published information available in the public domain.
Television Viewing and Perception of Parental Concern among Urban Indian Children
Authors: Mittal Manish
Published: February 2012

The present study focuses on understanding the television viewing habits of Indian children, and the kind of impact demographic variables have on this phenomenon. The research indicates that the weekly television viewing time among Indian children averages 9.92 hours. Gender has an influence on the duration of daily television viewing of the children with girls watching less television than boys. The differences were found to be significant (p = 0.00) both for weekdays and weekends or holidays. The average television viewing time was found to be decreasing with age. The differences were statistically insignificant for school days (p = 0.590) but significant for non school days (p = 0.001). Most of kids experience parental intervention/control but it was found to have no influence on kids' television viewing time.
A Study of the Impact of Types of Job Change on Perceived Performance of Newly Rotated Managers: The Mediating Role of Job Change Dimensions
Authors: Srivastava Sushmita
Published: February 2012

The purpose of the study is to find out the underlying Select Dimensions of job/role changes, as perceived by employees who have undergone recent job changes in an Indian manufacturing organization. It seeks to examine the impact of these select dimensions namely Perceived Role Clarity, Perceived Planned Job Change & Perceived Workplace Support on Perceived Performance. It further investigates the impact of types of job change, namely Source & Nature of change, on Perceived Performance. When Job changes were top down, such as in cases of re-organization, Perceived Performance was found to decline. (Hall, Goodale, Rabinowitz, Morgan, 1978). The study while investigating the impact of the dimensions of Job Change on Perceived Performance, revealed that Perceived Workplace Support successfully mediates the relationship between Type of Job Change & Perceived Performance.

The study would enable corporate managers to clearly focus on the factors that would enhance perceived performance of those undergoing job/role changes in the organization.
Labour Organisations in the Printing Industry in Orissa
Authors: Sahoo K. M. , Rath P. K.
Published: February 2012

Workers combine together to form organization or union in order to further their common interest of its members. Workers participation in union's activities help the process of democratization from the grass root level. So the trade union has become the integral part of the economic system and will remain as a prominent factor in industrial relation system.

Here in this paper an attempt has been made to analyse how the union activities started in the Government printing press, Cuttack, Orissa, where the organization of labour initiated by various political parties generates interest among scholars to investigate its growth and development and analyze various problems associated with it and to suggest measures for effective working in the changed work context.
Employers' Perspective of MBA Curriculum in Meeting the Requirements of the Industry
Authors: Pandiyan A. V. R.
Published: February 2012

This research article studies in detail the problems, issues and challenges faced by the MBA graduates and the management institutes offering MBA programmes in Chennai with reference to employability, entrepreneurship, skills and competencies. It also focuses on the areas to be included in the existing MBA curriculum. For this purpose, employers in various industrial sectors are consulted to understand their needs and opinions. Having studied the problems, it also suggests strategies for enhancing the quality of MBA programme to meet industry standards. A flexible MBA programme is suggested to accommodate the needs of changing industrial scenario, keeping in mind only a programme which allows constant assessment and re-evaluation with scope for modification will help achieve meeting the changing demands of the industries.
Human Resource Practices and Perceived Organizational Support — A Relationship in Indian Context
Authors: Narang Leenu , Singh Lakhwinder
Published: February 2012

Perceived Organizational Support is considered to be a significant variable with important implications for desired employee behavior and attitudes that could lead an organization to attain competitive advantage. In order to find out what leads to higher POS in Indian context, the data has been collected from 308 employees working in different organizations in the National Capital Region (NCR). The present study attempts to examine the relationship between perceived human resource practices and perceived organizational support (POS). Regression analysis reveal that along with employee age, HR practices including supervisor support, career development, compensation and selection and staffing are the significant predictors of perceived organizational support.
Ethical Issues in Human Resource Management
Authors: Suresh S.
Published: February 2012

Ethics refers to a system of moral principles - a sense of right and wrong, and goodness and badness of actions and the motives and consequences of these actions. In the business, businessmen must draw their ideas about what is desirable behavior from the same sources as anybody else would draw. Ethical values channelize the individual energies into pursuits that are benign to others and beneficial to the society. Ethical issues abound in HR activities, such as remuneration, labour relations, health and safety, training and development etc. This article offers insight into a detailed discussion of how ethical issues related to HR situations.
Quality Circles: An Indian Approach: Part — II
Authors: Dey B R
Published: February 2012

Quality Circles are much talked about and practised in India today. The practical problems facing such Circles are studied in this article with reference to some of the Circles actually functioning.
Swadeshi, A New Name for an Old Reality
Authors: Mathias T A
Published: February 2012

Ideologues are today, trying to bring back the Socialistic Pattern of Society or more plainly “The License-permit Raj” under the more dignified and emotionally charged name of Swadeshi. If they succeed, all the bureaucracy that paralysed India's economic life for the first forty years of independence will once again become our daily experience. Managed Trade, a Command Economy, Swadeshi are inimical to growth. They demonstrate the negative thinking which has afflicted India in all aspects of our national life and produced havoc in it.
Administration of Minimum Wages in Orissa
Authors: Tripathy Pradyumna Kumar , Mohanty P K
Published: February 2012

The state has the largest number of scheduled employments (82) in the country for which minimum wages have been fixed. In fixing the minimum wages the Govt. of Orissa have followed the recommendations of the Labour Ministers' Conference of 20th May 1987, that minimum wages should be revised every 2 years or on the rise of the Consumer Price Index by 50 points. A minimum Wages Advisory Board, a tripartite body has been constituted to coordinate the work of committees and subcommittees and to advise the state government. However, the enforcement of the Act in the state leaves much to be desired. Violations of minimum wages are seen mostly in Shops and Commercial Establishments including Hotels and Restaurants and also in the Construction Business. Violations of minimum wages are more in rural and other remote areas. Sometimes cases of violation of minimum wages are seen in Government departments also.
Total Quality in Human Resources Management: An Emerging Perspective
Authors: Kondalkar V G , Dhar Upinder
Published: February 2012

Total Quality Management should be applied not just to the production of goods and services, but also, and indeed primarily, to the development of the human resources of an organization. The principles enunciated by Deming, Juran and Crosby all agree on this point.
Ethics, A Survival Need for Business
Authors: Krishna R Suresh
Published: February 2012

I am deeply honoured to be asked to speak on an occasion honouring and commemorating JRD Tata, a person who has been described as a great gentleman, a rare description, for a businessman of our times. He epitomizes all that is good in India and all that is worth caring for.
Duration of Unemployment and Re-employment: Part — II
Authors: Noronha Ernesto
Published: February 2012

What happens to workers when an industry closes down? This paper answers this question in detail, by studying the impact of the closure of the New Rajpur Textile Mill in Ahmedabad on the lives of its employees.
The East Asian Financial Crisis — A Look Back and an Analysis
Authors: Sadri Sorab
Published: February 2012

For almost five decades the capitalist answer to the socialist development in Asia and Latin America was the spectacular rise of the East Asian economies. This paper adopts a liberal position in examining what went wrong in East Asia, why the bubble of capitalist growth burst and why the IMF bail-out did not succeed. It provides a detailed analysis of the situation before, during and after the crisis.
Factor Productivity in the Indian Public Sector Steel Industry
Authors: Vijayakumar A
Published: February 2012

The public sector steel industry in India shows a fluctuating trend in the productivity of the two principal factor of production, capital and labour. Some suggestions are made to improve the total productivity level of the industry.
Tribals and Joint Forest Management in India
Authors: Ezhakunnel A.
Published: February 2012

Forests have been the lifeline of indigenous people in India. However, the British government and, subsequently, the government of independent India have caused the severance of the people's centuries old relationship with the forest. Deprived of the right to access to the forests and devoid of other means of livelihood, the people began to exploit the forests. Gradually it dawned on the government that the protection of the forests as forests would be well-nigh impossible without the active participation of user groups. This led to the concept of Joint Forest Management, which began in West Bengal in the Jharkhand area. After a study of the problems involved, the paper concludes that JFM policies and practices based on the need of the tribals, could be successful. However, the government's apathy towards any genuine involvement of local communities is the obstacle.
Industrial Relations in a Private Limited
Authors: Paul Paulson K
Published: February 2012

It is generally believed that the economic situation created by liberalization has had a beneficial effect on industrial relations, particularly in private industries. However, much depends on the relations between management and labour and the attitudes they have to one another in individual establishments. The case recounted here illustrates this important point.
The Epic and the Prophetic: A Reading of the Primeval History against 1 Samuel 15–16 and 2 Samuel 7
Authors: Ferguson Jamie H.
Published: February 2012

This article argues that a ‘prophetic’ redaction of Yhwh's successive dealings with Saul and David in 1 Samuel 15–16 and 2 Samuel 7 provides a meaningful structural parallel with the ‘epic’ (or non-P) portion of the Primeval History, and that this sequence of material from 1–2 Samuel provides a more compelling frame of reference for the epic portion of the Primeval History than the election of Abraham and his line immediately following. More specifically, this article proposes that the epic portion of the Primeval History reformulates Yhwh's perpetual acceptance of the line of David as a cosmic reconciliation between divinity and humankind. This argument is supported through a combination of literary analysis and review of various accounts of the composition-history of these texts.
Competitive Federalism and Race to the Top Application Decisions in the American States
Authors: Nicholson-Crotty Sean , Staley Tucker
Published: February 2012

The Race to the Top (RTTT) program, announced by the Obama Administration in 2009, represented the largest competitive grant in the history of U.S. education. Despite the amount of money available and the dire condition of most state budgets in that year, however, some states chose not to apply for funding and the remainder submitted applications of widely divergent character. We argue in this article that the frequency and competitiveness of applications offer insight into the factors that conditioned commitment to the administration’s reform agenda within each state. We use competitive federalism theory to develop expectations about the influence of those factors and test those expectations with a variety of analytic techniques. The results suggest that application decisions within the states were influenced by the level of electoral credit that politicians expected to receive from education policy generally and the amount they could receive by adhering to the specific tenets of the administration’s reform agenda. These factors affected state-level decision making to a much greater degree than the actual need for federal funding.
Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Associated With Function-Focused Care
Authors: Resnick Barbara , Galik Elizabeth , Gruber-Baldini Ann L. , Zimmerman Sheryl
Published: February 2012

The purpose of this study was to describe falls and injuries within assisted living (AL) communities and determine whether a function-focused care (FFC) intervention increased the risk of falls and/or injuries. This was a secondary data analysis using data from a 12-month cluster-randomized controlled trial in which four AL communities were matched based on ownership and randomly assigned to treatment (FFC-AL) or attention control (FFC—education only). Demographic information and information on comorbidities, falls, and consequences postfall, ability to ambulate 50 yards, gait and balance, cognition, person–environment fit, and medication use were collected. Logistic regression was used to test the hypotheses. Exposure to FFC-AL did not result in an increased likelihood of falling (Wald = 0.01, p = .96) or sustaining an injury ( B = 0.42, Wald = 0.88, p = .35). The study findings supported prior research findings supporting the safety of interventions that optimize function and encourage physical activity among older adults.
Orthostatic Hypotension in Older Nursing Home Residents Who Fall
Authors: Gray-Miceli Deanna , Ratcliffe Sarah J. , Liu Sizhu , Wantland Dean , Johnson Jerry
Published: February 2012

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) and dizziness have been linked to older adult falls. As a treatable condition, the detection of OH is of clinical importance to falls prevention. Gaps in the literature about symptoms associated with OH among older adult fallers, such as dizziness led to this secondary analysis of blood pressure data and reported symptoms. Of the 194 Registered Nurse (RN) documented falls, most ( n = 91; 46.9%) failed to meet the prevailing diagnostic criteria for OH; 18 (9.2%) met criteria; and 8 (4%) nearly met the OH criteria. OH determinations were incomplete or absent in 41% ( n = 77). Of the 18 residents with OH, none reported dizziness, instead half reported loss of balance. We conclude, older residents did not report symptoms of dizziness prior to OH drops in blood pressure and falls. Further study is warranted to identify other predictive symptoms of OH and to evaluate nursing staff’s understanding of OH.
Prevalence of Intron 1 Inversion of Cases With Hemophilia A in North Indian Population
Authors: Faridi Nuzhat Jahan , Kumar Praveen , Husain Nuzhat
Published: February 2012

Hemophilia A is an X-linked bleeding disorder resulting from heterogeneous mutations in the factor VIII (FVIII) gene. The disease is frequently caused by intron 22 inversion mutation in FVIII gene in approximately 50% cases and by intron 1 inversion (Inv1) in 2% to 5% cases with severe hemophilia A. Both inversion mutations occur due to intrachromosomal recombination between inverted repeats found in intronic sequences in upstream regions located telomeric to the FVIII gene and result in a severe phenotype. Frequency of Inv1 mutation varies in different populations. We have analyzed the frequency of the Inv1 in a group of 110 cases with Hemophilia A from North Indian Population and found 4 inversion-positive cases (3.6%). The Inv1 genotyping was further applied to analyze the hemophilia carrier status of the mother and proband's sister. Direct mutation detection strategy is more perfective in diagnosis of cases, carriers, and in prenatal diagnosis of hemophilia A.
Standards in Gifted Education and Their Effects on Professional Competence
Authors: Johnsen Susan K.
Published: February 2012

Educators need to know the professional standards in their field to maintain high levels of professional competence. This article focuses on four sets of teacher preparation standards in gifted education. They address initial and advanced preparation of educators who teach students with gifts and talents. Initial preparation standards include the National Association for Gifted Children/Council for Exceptional Children–The Association for the Gifted (NAGC/CEC-TAG) teacher knowledge and skill standards for gifted and talented education and the NAGC preparation for all teacher standards that were developed in response to the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Advanced preparation standards incorporate the CEC-NAGC Advanced Knowledge and Skill Set: Specialist in Gifted and Talented Education and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Exceptional Needs Standards. These standards relate to other national teacher preparation, content, and gifted education programming standards. Research suggests that standards have a positive effect on professional competence and the field and are used to legitimize the field of gifted education; to build consensus; to offer guidance for developing programs at the university, state, and local levels; and for evaluation and advocacy.
A modern solver interface to manage solution algorithms in the Community Earth System Model
Authors: Evans Katherine J. , Salinger Andrew G. , Worley Patrick H. , Price Stephen F. , Lipscomb William H. , Nichols Jeffrey A. , White James B. , Perego Mauro , Vertenstein Mariana , Edwards James , Lemieux Jean-François
Published: February 2012

Global Earth System Models (ESMs) can now produce simulations that resolve ~50 km features and include finer scale, interacting physical processes. However, the current explicit algorithms that dominate production ESMs require ever-decreasing time steps in order to achieve these fine-resolution solutions, which limits time to solution even when efficiently exploiting the spatial parallelism. Solution methods that overcome these bottlenecks can be quite intricate, and there is no single set of algorithms that perform well across the range of problems of interest. This creates significant implementation challenges, which is further compounded by the complexity of ESMs. Therefore, prototyping and evaluating new algorithms in these models requires a software interface that is flexible, extensible, and easily introduced into the existing software. We describe our efforts to create a parallel solver interface that links the Trilinos collection of solver libraries to the Glimmer Community Ice Sheet Model (Glimmer-CISM), a continental ice-sheet model used in the Community Earth System Model (CESM). We demonstrate this interface within both current and developmental versions of Glimmer-CISM and provide strategies for its integration into the rest of the CESM.
Outsourcing candidate selection
Authors: Hellmann Olli
Published: February 2012

Conflict between factions has been identified as an important factor explaining different procedures of candidate selection. However, the question of what drives factions in choosing certain procedures over others remains under-theorized. This article argues that, when ranking their preferences for candidate selection procedures, factions are influenced by their electoral strategy. While clientelistic factions will push for candidate selection procedures that subordinate themselves to the logic of clientelistic exchange networks, programmatic factions will try to maximize the effectiveness of formal regulations. To demonstrate this relationship, the article studies the recent development of political parties in Taiwan and South Korea, where programmatic factions have ‘outsourced’ the authority to nominate candidates to external actors, thereby moving it beyond the reach of internal patron–client networks.
Complementary or controversial care? The opinions of professionals on complementary and alternative interventions for Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Authors: O’Reilly Michelle , Cook Laura , Karim Khalid
Published: February 2012

The use of complementary and alternative interventions is growing and gaining popularity, both in the UK and internationally, with significant financial and emotional implications. Complementary and alternative interventions are often utilised by parents of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and research has investigated parental beliefs. There is, however, limited understanding regarding what professionals believe about the use of alternative treatments. In this paper we explore the opinions of a range of different professionals about alternative treatments and found that while some have an open-minded opinion, there was a tendency to hold beliefs that these treatments are ineffective, that they give false hope and have potential to harm the child. We discuss the implications for this in terms of the importance of an open dialogue between professionals and families and consider the importance of this in relation to the popularity of these interventions.
Predicting symptoms of post-traumatic stress among patients undergoing orthopedic surgery on the basis of routinely collected cardiovascular data
Authors: Cremeans-Smith Julie K , Krupko Thomas A , Greene Kenneth , Delahanty Douglas L
Published: February 2012

The present study examined whether in-hospital assessments of heart rate and blood pressure predicted symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS) in 110 patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery. After controlling for conceptually relevant factors, in-hospital cardiovascular functioning predicted symptoms of PTS three months following surgery. Specifically, lower pre-surgical and post-surgical systolic and diastolic blood pressure predicted more symptoms of avoidance and PTS (total). In contrast, higher heart rate prior to and shortly following surgery predicted marginally more intrusive thoughts. The present findings suggest that routinely collected medical data may provide a means to identify patients at risk for problematic outcomes following surgery.
Neo-Boasianism, a form of critical structural realism: It’s better than the alternative
Authors: Reyna Stephen P
Published: February 2012

A good paper should have fortifying doses of reason and revelation. The revelation in this paper is the identity of ‘the alternative’ mentioned in the title. The article reasons that neo-Boasianism should be an approach of broad interest in anthropological research. Argumentation extends across two sections. The first section explains the merits of critical structural realism. Different sub-sections introduce the realism, structuralism, and critical science of critical structural realism, taking pains to compare it with postmodernism. The second section introduces neo-Boasianism, showing how it is a form of critical structural realism – one that permits analysis of connections between brain and social structural realms. The notion of a cultural neurohermeneutic system is advanced as a neurological structure allowing antecedent social action to be connected with subsequent action. Finally, revelation comes at the paper’s conclusion: it is shown what alternative neo-Boasianism is better than.
Neuroanthropology or simply anthropology? Going experimental as method, as object of study, and as research aesthetic
Authors: Roepstorff Andreas , Frith Chris
Published: February 2012

Neuroanthropology is a new kid on the academic block. It seems to offer a methodological and conceptual synthesis, which bridges current fault lines within anthropology, both as discipline and as departments. We are not convinced that it will deliver on these grounds. However, it has the potential to open up novel ways to do and think ‘experimental anthropology’, as a method, as an object of study and as a research aesthetic. This approach, we argue, is probably not neuroanthropological – it may simply be anthropological.
Journalism, accountability and the possibilities for structural critique: A case study of coverage of whistleblowing
Authors: Wahl-Jorgensen Karin , Hunt Joanne
Published: February 2012

This article looks at the coverage of whistleblowers in the UK national press as a way of examining practices of journalistic accountability. Based on a content analysis of newspaper coverage in the period from 1997 to 2009, the study demonstrates, first of all, that whistleblowing is viewed as newsworthy and is taken seriously by the media, who mostly cover whistleblowers in neutral or positive ways. Nevertheless, the acts of whistleblowing which receive most media attention fit with the existing news agenda and prevailing social and economic trends. We further suggest that journalistic story-telling constructs narratives of whistleblowers as heroic, selfless individuals to establish the legitimacy of their claims of systemic wrongdoing in the public interest. Thus, our study ultimately demonstrates that the forms of accountability and systemic critique enabled by whistleblowing stories operate in complex and historically contingent ways.
Mauss’s lectures to psychologists: A case for holistic sociology
Authors: Ignatow Gabriel
Published: February 2012

In lectures delivered to psychologists in the 1920s and 1930s, Marcel Mauss argued for a rapprochement between sociology and psychology. His goal was not disciplinary unification, but rather a more holistic sociology that recognized the mutual constitution of the body and mind, and the effects of society on the embodied person. Following a review of main points from Mauss’s lectures, I critically review several research programs that are advancing in directions similar to those Mauss advocated: cognitive science research on embodied cognition; psychology studies of cross-cultural differences in perception and emotional expression; and sociological studies of moral cultures. I argue that these research programs provide firm support for positions developed in Mauss’s lectures, and that, therefore, Mauss’s ideas provide a useful template on which future sociological studies of culture, mind, and body can be built.
Barriers to Implementing Treatment Integrity Procedures in School Psychology Research
Authors: Sanetti Lisa M. Hagermoser , DiGennaro Reed Florence D.
Published: February 2012

Treatment integrity data are essential to drawing valid conclusions in treatment outcome studies. Such data, however, are not always included in peer-reviewed research articles in school psychology or related fields. To gain a better understanding of why treatment integrity data are lacking in the school psychology research, we surveyed the authors of the 210 treatment outcome articles published in four school psychology journals from 1995 through 2008 regarding their perceptions of barriers to implementing treatment integrity procedures. Results indicated that (a) lack of theory and specific guidelines on treatment integrity procedures; (b) lack of general knowledge about treatment integrity; (c) time, cost, and labor demands; and (d) lack of editorial requirement were broadly perceived as barriers by school psychology researchers to implementing treatment integrity procedures. Implications for future research are discussed.
Recognizing Leadership at a Distance
Authors: Harms Peter D. , Han Guohong , Chen Huaiyu
Published: February 2012

The present study investigated whether personality and leadership evaluations based on photographs of Chinese CEOs made by Western raters were accurate at predicting organizational outcomes. Consistent with implicit leadership prototypes held by Westerners, perceived effectiveness was associated with higher levels of perceived intelligence, dominance, and positivity. However, actual organization performance was associated with the culturally appropriate leadership trait of risk taking. These findings suggest that although it is possible to use perceptions of personality based on photographs to predict objective leader effectiveness, individuals using a leadership paradigm suited to Western cultures are poor judges of potential success in Eastern cultures.
Discovering the Leader Within Yourself
Authors: Gibbons Linda J. , Wesoloski Mary Anne , Lawinger Sandra , Fishman Donna
Published: February 2012

School nurses are leaders every day, sometimes with ambivalence and sometimes fully embracing the leadership role. The authors were participants and trainers in the successful School Nurse Leadership Program of the Healthy Schools Campaign. The article describes five principles of effective school nurse leadership to help school nurses discover the leaders within themselves: passion, knowledge, advocacy, relationships, and communication. School nurses are encouraged to set leadership goals. Participants in a session at the NASN 2011 annual conference described a variety of 6-month goals including “Invite myself to the administrative meetings at least one time per quarter; present on a topic for at least 5 minutes.” Setting simple yet attainable goals is the first step to recognizing leadership in oneself.
What Every School Nurse Needs to Know About Section 504 Eligibility
Authors: Sampson Cheryl Husa , Galemore Cynthia A.
Published: February 2012

The Americans With Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008 (ADAA), effective January 1, 2009, expanded the definition of disability. These changes in turn impact which students qualify for Section 504 plans in the school setting and will no doubt strain school resources as implementation of the law progresses. Therefore, it is essential that school nurses be well versed in the changes in order to continue to perform a lead role in advocating for students with disabilities in the school setting and to assist with Section 504 compliance.
The role of intravenous iron in the treatment of anemia in cancer patients
Authors: Steinmetz H.Tilman
Published: February 2012

Anemia is a major cause of morbidity in cancer patients resulting in poor physical performance, prognosis and therapy outcome. Initially, erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) were supposed to be the treatment of choice but about one third of patients turned out to be nonresponders and meta-analyses provided evidence of an increased risk of mortality if used excessively. This along with the successful use of intravenous iron for anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease prompted seven clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of intravenous iron as an adjunct to ESAs and four additional studies using intravenous iron only for anemia in cancer patients. These studies confirmed a superior response if ESAs are combined with intravenous iron and revealed iron only to be a useful option in patients with mild and absolute iron deficiency (AID). Currently, best treatment decisions for anemia in cancer might be based on measurements of serum ferritin (SF), transferrin saturation (TSAT), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), ferritin index (FI = sTfR/log SF), hypochromic reticulocytes (CHR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). However, there is still an urgent need for trials investigating diagnostic approaches to optimize therapy of anemia in cancer patients with iron and/or ESAs.
TCR-transgenic lymphocytes specific for HMMR/Rhamm limit tumor outgrowth in vivo
Authors: Spranger Stefani , Jeremias Irmela , Wilde Susanne , Leisegang Matthias , Stärck Lilian , Mosetter Barbara , Uckert Wolfgang , Heemskerk Mirjam H. M. , Schendel Dolores J. , Frankenberger Bernhard
Published: February 2012

The hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR/Rhamm) is overexpressed in numerous tumor types, including acute lymphoid leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Several studies have reported the existence of T-cell responses directed against HMMR in AML patients that are linked to better clinical outcome. Therefore, we explored the use of HMMR-specific TCRs for transgenic expression in lymphocytes and their in vivo impact on HMMR+ solid tumors and disseminated leukemia. We obtained TCRs via an in vitro priming approach in combination with CD137-mediated enrichment. Recipient lymphocytes expressing transgenic TCR revealed the specific tumor recognition pattern seen with the original T cells. Adoptive transfer experiments using a humanized xenograft mouse model resulted in significantly retarded solid tumor outgrowth, which was enhanced using IL-15–conditioned, TCR-transgenic effector memory cells. These cells also showed an increased potency to retard the outgrowth of disseminated AML, and this was further improved using CD8-enriched effector memory cells. To define a safe clinical setting for HMMR-TCR gene therapy, we analyzed transgenic T-cell recognition of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and found on-target killing of HLA-A2+ HSCs. Our findings clearly limit the use of HMMR-TCR therapy to MHC- mismatched HSC transplantation, in which HLA-A2 differences can be used to restrict recognition to patient HSCs and leukemia.
Monitoring physical and psychosocial symptom trajectories in ovarian cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Meraner Verena , Gamper Eva-Maria , Grahmann Anna , Giesinger Johannes M , Wiesbauer Petra , Sztankay Monika , Zeimet Alain G , Sperner-Unterweger Barbara , Holzner Bernhard
Published: February 2012

Background

Diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer (OC) entail severe symptom burden and a significant loss of quality of life (QOL). Somatic and psychological impairments may persist well beyond active therapy. Although essential for optimal symptom management as well as for the interpretation of treatment outcomes, knowledge on the course of QOL-related issues is scarce. This study aimed at assessing the course of depressive symptoms, anxiety, fatigue and QOL in patients with OC over the course of chemotherapy until early after-care.

Methods

23 patients were assessed longitudinally (eight time points) with regard to symptom burden (depression, anxiety, fatigue, and QOL) by means of patient-reported outcome instruments (HADS, MFI-20, EORTC QLQ-C30/-OV28) and clinician ratings (HAMA/D) at each chemotherapy cycle and at the first two aftercare visits.

Results

Statistically significant decrease over time was found for depressive symptoms and anxiety as well as for all fatigue scales. With regard to QOL, results indicated significant increase for 11 of 15 QOL scales, best for Social (effect size = 1.95; p < 0.001), Emotional (e.s. = 1.62; p < 0.001) and Physical Functioning (e.s. = 1.47; p < 0.001). Abdominal Symptoms (e.s. = 1.01; p = 0.009) decreased, Attitudes towards Disease and Treatment (e.s. = 1.80; p < 0.001) improved significantly over time. Analysis of Sexual Functioning was not possible due to a high percentage of missing responses (61.9%).

Conclusions

The present study underlines the importance of longitudinal assessment of QOL in order to facilitate the identification of symptom burden in OC patients. We found that patients show high levels of fatigue, anxiety and depressive symptoms and severely impaired QOL post-surgery (i.e. at start of chemotherapy) but condition improves considerably throughout chemotherapy reaching nearly general population symptoms levels until aftercare.
Outcomes for depression and anxiety in primary care and details of treatment: a naturalistic longitudinal study
Authors: Prins Marijn A , Verhaak Peter FM , Hilbink-Smolders Mirrian , Spreeuwenberg Peter , Laurant Miranda GH , van der Meer Klaas , van Marwijk Harm WJ , Penninx Brenda WJH , Bensing Jozien M
Published: February 2012

Background

There is little evidence as to whether or not guideline concordant care in general practice results in better clinical outcomes for people with anxiety and depression. This study aims to determine possible associations between guideline concordant care and clinical outcomes in general practice patients with depression and anxiety, and identify patient and treatment characteristics associated with clinical improvement.

Methods

This study forms part of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA).

Adult patients, recruited in general practice (67 GPs), were interviewed to assess DSM-IV diagnoses during baseline assessment of NESDA, and also completed questionnaires measuring symptom severity, received care, socio-demographic variables and social support both at baseline and 12 months later. The definition of guideline adherence was based on an algorithm on care received. Information on guideline adherence was obtained from GP medical records.

Results

721 patients with a current (6-month recency) anxiety or depressive disorder participated. While patients who received guideline concordant care (N = 281) suffered from more severe symptoms than patients who received non-guideline concordant care (N = 440), both groups showed equal improvement in their depressive or anxiety symptoms after 12 months. Patients who (still) had moderate or severe symptoms at follow-up, were more often unemployed, had smaller personal networks and more severe depressive symptoms at baseline than patients with mild symptoms at follow-up. The particular type of treatment followed made no difference to clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

The added value of guideline concordant care could not be demonstrated in this study. Symptom severity, employment status, social support and comorbidity of anxiety and depression all play a role in poor clinical outcomes.