bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative culture and professional skills
Authors: Yu Pei-Li
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The point of divergence for the authors’ analysis is the observation that research on the development of professional skills did not provide empirical support to a possible positive relationship between innovative culture and development of professional skills. The author believes that the injection of intervening variables has the potential to do just that. The purpose of this paper is to understand such contingencies through a developed moderated mediation model, which jointly examines supportive leadership as the mediating mechanism and individual power distance orientation as a moderator and to increase the theoretical validity and precision of investigating the development of professional skills.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey data were collected from 317 information technology (IT) professional technical engineers and their supervisors from high-tech sectors. The authors tested the hypotheses by hierarchical regression and followed Baron and Kenny (1986) instruction to examine our moderated mediation model. The authors used a series of confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) to verify the constructs’ distinctiveness before testing the hypotheses was performed. Meanwhile, in order to test the mediating effect, the three-equation approach to testing mediation, as recommended by Baron and Kenny (1986), was used.

Findings

The strong support for schema theory in this study suggests that the development of professional skills can be notably promoted through a moderated mediation model which integrates the link between innovative culture and professional skills through the mediating effect of supportive leadership and the direct effects are mitigated by the moderating effect of individual power distance orientation. It highlights the importance of appropriately matching innovative culture and supportive leadership with the power distance orientation of employees. This universalistic organizational behavior approach has worked effectively in an Asian sample.

Originality/value

This study provides a better understanding of work motivation by showing that an employee uses schemas to interpret the relationships among perceived innovative culture, individual power distance orientation, supportive leadership and development of professional skills. This paper also illustrates how perceived innovative culture can act as an positive motivator to inspire IT technical engineers’ development of professional skills, and how individually held power distance orientation may positively or negatively influence the relationship between perceived innovative culture and supportive leadership. Hence, this study has extended the schema theory in organizations and informed the literature on supportive leadership.
Boundary management in a boundaryless world
Authors: Kempen Regina , Hattrup Kate , Mueller Karsten
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship of flexible and permeable boundary management with both life domain conflict and life domain enrichment among expatriate workers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilizes a sample of 199 expatriates working in a higher education context, and analyses survey data with hierarchical regression analysis and cluster analysis.

Findings

Relationships between the permeability and the flexibility of life domains, and work-private life conflict, private life-work conflict, and work-private life enrichment were found. However, no significant results were obtained for the relationship between boundary management and private life-work enrichment. Two clusters of boundary management used by expatriates are described.

Research limitations/implications

Due to cross-sectional data, causal influences cannot be determined with confidence.

Practical implications

The findings underscore the need to consider the role-related stakeholders of expatriates, especially in the private life domain. Implications for the support of expatriates based on the boundary management clusters are discussed.

Originality/value

This is the first study analysing boundary management distinguishing between flexibility and permeability in an expatriate context.
The municipal advisor regulatory framework – where we are and where to next
Authors: Lanza Ernesto
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To describe the status of municipal advisor rulemaking by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB), and regulatory compliance approaches, under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act).

Design/methodology/approach

Examines the posture of the SEC, MSRB and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) upon completion of the MSRB’s core regulatory framework for municipal advisors. Explores threshold issues in determining municipal advisor status, approaches for preparing for and responding to initial regulatory compliance examinations by the SEC and FINRA, and key considerations in reviewing municipal advisor policies, procedures and business practices in light of the evolving regulatory and marketplace landscape.

Findings

SEC and FINRA compliance examiner feedback points to the expectation that municipal advisor policies, procedures, processes and records must be fully consistent with the firm’s business activities and must address each material aspect of all applicable MSRB and SEC rules, as well as the fiduciary duty of municipal advisors to their municipal entity clients under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced securities and public finance attorney that provides a consolidated outline of key municipal advisor regulatory compliance obligations under the Dodd-Frank Act.
Hong Kong SFC enforcement trends
Authors: Brock Denis , Beattie Amanda
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To discuss likely trends in the enforcement activities of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong and to explore key areas of focus and what impact they may have on Hong Kong companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Discusses the SFC’s most important current areas of focus, the need for cooperation with other regulators such as those in mainland China, and a recent increase in disclosure obligations for listed companies.

Findings

The SFC’s principal areas of focus are currently corporate fraud and malfeasance, market manipulation, and intermediary misconduct.

Originality/value

Expert guidance from experienced commercial and corporate lawyers.
Evaluating the police service quality for handling traffic crash reporting
Authors: Janstrup Kira , Kaplan Sigal , Barfod Michael Bruhn , Prato Carlo Giacomo
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The phenomenon of traffic crash under-reporting has been extensively documented in terms of its extent, but not equally analysed in terms of its reasons. As police distrust has been recently identified as a major reason for crash under-reporting, the purpose of this paper is to look at the police service quality for handling the reporting of traffic crashes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study introduces a novel approach to evaluate service quality that combines multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) with latent class analysis (LCA). Moreover, this study presents the design of a web-based survey on the basis of the SERVQUAL approach to detecting strengths, opportunities and threats with crash reporting to the police at a strategic level. Transportation stakeholders (e.g. researchers, authorities, consultants, NGO representatives, suppliers) with an interest in traffic safety in Denmark participated in the survey that yielded 86 complete responses.

Findings

The novel approach was successfully applied and its implementation demonstrated the usefulness of the tool even in countries with a high police service. Results showed that the participating stakeholders perceived human factors as more important than physical factors in order to increase the crash reporting, with responsiveness as the most important and tangibles as the least important dimensions. Nevertheless, most stakeholders viewed a mixture of human and physical factors as crucial to increase crash reporting rates.

Originality/value

This study advances the knowledge about police service quality with a novel expert-based decision support tool based on SERVQUAL, MCDA and LCA, demonstrates its applicability in countries with a high-police service, and opportunities and barriers for increasing the crash reporting rate.
Measuring disparities in police activities: a state of the art review
Authors: Smith Michael R. , Rojek Jeff J. , Petrocelli Matthew , Withrow Brian
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a contemporary review of the research on racial disparities in police decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

State of the art literature review.

Findings

The findings are mixed on racial disparities in the primary policing domains of stops, arrests, use of force, and neighborhood deployment. While minorities are often overrepresented among those subjected to police enforcement actions, these findings vary considerably. Almost all of the current studies that have reported racial disparities in the exercise of police authority lack the methodological rigor or statistical precision to draw cause and effect inferences.

Research limitations/implications

Efforts underway to document the impact of body-worn cameras on citizen complaints and force used by police could be extended to examine the impact of cameras on racial disparities in other enforcement-related outcomes such as arrests, stops and frisks, or searches. In addition, evaluating the effects of police training, such as anti-bias training or training on police legitimacy, on reducing racial disparities in police enforcement outcomes is another promising line of research inquiry.

Originality/value

This paper provides a concise review of the current state of the literature on a topic that is dominating the national conversation currently underway about the role of the police in American society.
Gender differences in understanding police perspectives on crowd disorder
Authors: Dawson Stephanie E. , Davies Garth
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature and dynamics of crowd disorder from the perspective of the police in a Canadian context, as well as to extend this perspective to include the opinions of female police officers.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 460 Vancouver police officers participated in this study. Following the 2011 Stanley Cup riot, police officers received mail-based questionnaires focussed on gathering information concerning police perceptions of the crowd and the police response in riot situations. A total of 15 response items were analysed using descriptive approaches and confirmatory factor analyses.

Findings

The study findings revealed that, in addition to being multidimensional, the police perspective of crowd disorder may be contingent upon certain officer characteristics. Although, the police perspective can generally be categorized by four overarching constructs: dichotomous crowd, homogeneous threat, strict policing and tactical response; it becomes more complex once the officers’ gender is taken into consideration. The results suggest that the male and female police officers may have some differing views about the nature of crowds and the type of police response required to manage disorderly crowd situations.

Originality/value

In addition to being the first study to analyse police perceptions of crowd disorder in a Canadian context, this research is the first to include the points of view of female officers.
Using force: experiences of Belgian police officers
Authors: Noppe Jannie , Verhage Antoinette
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the type of force that is most frequently used by Belgian police officers in their daily activities, and to examine the individual and contextual triggers that result in using force.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the results of an online survey of police officers in three Belgian local police zones are presented. Second, qualitative data are used to gain more insight into the factors, individual as well as contextual, that influence the decision to use force.

Findings

The survey results indicate that the officers in the sample rarely use force. When force is used, the type of force used is typically situated on the lower end of the continuum (verbal and physical force without a weapon). The interview data suggest that suspect resistance, the behaviour of the suspect in general and the character and personality of the police officer have an influence on the use of force.

Practical implications

The authors conclude that police officers should be provided not only with training on typical situations, but also with training to handle unpredictable cases, as well as individual coaching and aftercare. Increased transparency and reporting of the use of force and evolutions thereof could provide basic information to develop training, coaching and aftercare.

Originality/value

Although there has been plenty of academic attention given to the factors that determine proper use of force by the police, most research in this field is based on police experiences abroad (such as in the USA).
Reliance on orthography and phonology in reading of Chinese: A developmental study
Authors: Zhou Wei , Shu Hua , Miller Kevin , Yan Ming
Published: March 2017

Background

Disruptions of reading processes due to text substitutions can measure how readers use lexical information.

Methods

With eye‐movement recording, children and adults viewed sentences with either identical, orthographically similar, homophonic or unrelated substitutions of the first characters in target words. To the extent that readers rely on orthographic or phonological cues, substitutions that contain such cues should cause less disruption reading than do unrelated substitutions.

Results

On pretarget words, there was a reliable reduction in gaze duration due to homophonic substitution only for children. On target words, we observed reliable recovery effects due to orthographic similarity for adults. On post‐target words, adults had better orthographic‐based and phonological‐based recovery abilities than children.

Conclusions

The combination of eye movement recording and the error detection paradigm offers a novel implicit paradigm for studying reading development: during sentence reading, beginning readers of Chinese may rely on phonological mediation, while skilled readers have more direct access to semantics from orthography.

What is already known about this topic

There is little evidence for early phonological activation during the reading of Chinese sentences among skilled Chinese readers

There is a rich body of evidence supporting the view that phonological information is activated very early in alphabetic scripts, as indexed by shorter fixation durations when useful phonological information is present.

What this paper adds

Chinese beginning readers have early parafoveal activation of phonology during the silent reading of Chinese sentences, as indexed by the parafovea‐on‐fovea effect in the homophonic substitution condition.

The early activation of phonology diminishes with the development of reading skills.

Implications for theory, policy or practice

The phonological parafovea‐on‐fovea effect was revealed during the silent reading of Chinese sentences for beginning readers.

Chinese children may rely on phonological codes while skilled readers have more direct access to semantics from orthography.

The teaching of phonological aspects of Chinese orthography is very important for beginning readers
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the association between poor oral health and substance abuse
Authors: Baghaie Hooman , Kisely Steve , Forbes Malcolm , Sawyer Emily , Siskind Dan J.
Published: March 2017

Background and aims

Substance use disorders are associated commonly with comorbid physical illness. There are fewer data on dental disease in these conditions, in spite of high rates of dry mouth (xerostomia), as well as the associated indirect or life‐style effects such as poverty and lack of access to care. We compared the oral health of people with substance use disorders (SUDs) with non‐using controls.

Method

This was a systematic search for studies from the last 35 years of the oral health of people reporting SUDs. We used MEDLINE, PsycInfo, OVID, Google Scholar, EMBASE and article bibliographies. Results were compared with the general population. Oral health was assessed in terms of dental caries and periodontal disease using the following standardized measures: the mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) or surfaces (DMFS) and probing pocket depth. Non‐carious tooth loss was assessed clinically.

Results

We identified 28 studies that had sufficient data for a meta‐analysis, comprising 4086 SU patients and 28 031 controls. People with SUD had significantly higher mean scores for DMFT [mean difference = 5.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.61–7.69 and DMFS (mean difference = 17.83, 95% CI = 6.85–28.8]. They had more decayed teeth but fewer restorations, indicating reduced access to dental care. Patients with SUD also exhibited greater tooth loss, non‐carious tooth loss and destructive periodontal disease compared to controls.

Conclusion

Patients with substance use disorders have greater and more severe dental caries and periodontal disease than the general population, but are less likely to have received dental care.
Should obese women's access to assisted fertility treatment be limited? A scientific and ethical analysis
Authors: Tremellen Kelton , Wilkinson Dominic , Savulescu Julian
Published: March 2017

Obesity is associated with a reduction in fertility treatment success and increased risks to mother and child. Therefore guidelines of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) suggest that a body mass index exceeding 35 kg/m2 should be an absolute contraindication to assisted fertility treatment such as in vitro fertilisation IVF. In this paper we challenge the ethical and scientific basis for such a ban. Livebirth rates for severely obese women are reduced by up to 30%, but this result is still far better than that observed for many older women who are allowed access to IVF. This prohibition is particularly unjust when IVF is the only treatment capable of producing a pregnancy, such as bilateral tubal blockage or severe male factor infertility. Furthermore, the absolute magnitude of risks to mother or child is relatively small, and while a woman has a right to be educated about these risks, she alone should be allowed to make a decision on proceeding with treatment. We do not prohibit adults from engaging in dangerous sports, nor do we force parents to vaccinate their children, despite the risks. Similarly, we should not prohibit obese women from becoming parents because of increased risk to themselves or their child. Finally, prohibiting obese women's access to IVF to prevent potential harms such as ‘fetal programing’ is questionable, especially when compared to that child never being born at all. As such, we believe the RANZCOG ban on severely obese women's access to assisted reproductive treatment is unwarranted and should be revised.
Interruption to antiplatelet therapy early after acute ischaemic stroke: a nested case–control study
Authors: Mazlan‐Kepli Wardati , Macisaac Rachael L. , Walters Matthew , Bath Philip Michael William , Dawson Jesse ,   on behalf of the VISTA Collaborators
Published: March 2017

Aims

Antiplatelet drugs are often discontinued early after ischaemic stroke, either because of poor compliance, complications or withdrawal of care. It is unclear whether this places patients at increased risk of recurrence. We explored the association between cardiovascular event rate and persistence with prescribed antiplatelet drugs.

Methods

We used a matched case–control design using the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive (VISTA). Cases were patients who had an acute coronary syndrome, recurrent stroke or transient ischaemic attack within 90 days post‐stroke and were matched for age ± 10 years and sex with up to four controls. Antiplatelet use was categorized as persistent (used for >3 days and continued up to day 90), early cessation (used antiplatelet <3 days) or stopped/interrupted users (used for >3 days but stopped prior to day 90). These categories were compared in cases and controls using a conditional logistic regression model that adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 970 patients were included, of whom 194 were cases and 776 were matched controls. At 90 days, 10 cases (5.2%) and 58 controls (7.5%) stopped/interrupted their antiplatelet. The risk of cardiovascular event was not different in stopped/interrupted users (adjusted odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.33, 1.48; P = 0.352) and early cessations (adjusted odds ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.62, 1.74; P = 0.876) when compared to persistent users.

Conclusion

We found no increased risk in patients who stopped and interrupted antiplatelets early after stroke but the study was limited by a small sample size and further research is needed.
HSP90 inhibitor AUY922 can reverse Fulvestrant induced feedback reaction in human breast cancer cells
Authors: Bai Jingchao , Zhou Guanglin , Qiu Yufan , Hu Yunhui , Liu Jingjing , Zhao Jing , Zhang Sheng , Zhang Jin
Published: March 2017

Hormone therapy has become one of the main strategies for breast cancer, however, many estrogen receptor (ER) positive patients end in tumor collapse due to initial or acquired resistance to hormone treatment, which includes Fulvestrant. Here we report that ErbB receptors and downstream PI3K/AKT and ERK pathway have been reactivated after treatment of Fulvestrant in ER positive MCF‐7 and T47D cells, which are related to Fulvestrant resistance. HSP90 is a universally expressed chaperone protein and plays a vital role in both normal and cancer cells, HSP90 inhibitor AUY922 can reverse this feedback reactivation effect of Fulvestrant by targeting multiple proteins related in ErbB receptors, PI3K/AKT and ERK pathway, which is much better than single targeting inhibitors. We also consolidate these effects in human fresh breast tumors. Combination of AUY922 and Fulvestrant may become a promising therapy strategy in breast cancer treatment.
Immunology and genetics of tumour necrosis factor in allergic contact dermatitis
Authors: Dittmar Daan , Schuttelaar Marie L.
Published: March 2017

During the sensitization phase of allergic contact dermatitis, the proinflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF) plays an important role by promoting epidermal Langerhans cell migration to draining lymph nodes. It also plays a role during the elicitation phase. The TNF gene (TNF) is located within the major histocompatibility complex region. Many single‐nucleotide variants exist in the promoter region of TNF, and these may either increase or decrease mRNA transcription and therefore lead to higher or lower levels of TNF. The most extensively studied single‐nucleotide variant of TNF is a base pair substitution in the promoter region at location –308 relative to the transcription start site (rs1800629, TNF –308G>A), which is believed to increase transcription and lead to higher TNF levels. The role of TNF in allergic contact dermatitis and the functionality of TNF –308G>A are reviewed in this article. The association between genetic variants and disease can be studied in a case–control design. Only a few case–control studies investigating the association between TNF –308G>A and allergic contact dermatitis have been published, with contradictory results. These are reviewed critically, and suggestions for future case–control studies on this topic are made.
Renminbi Internationalization in the New Normal: Progress, Determinants and Policy Discussions
Authors: Li Cheng , Zhang Xiaojing
Published: March 2017

In the present paper we explore the internationalization of the renminbi with reference to the experiences of other monetary powers, and discuss its determinants, prospects and implications for China's development in the “new normal.” Specifically, after summarizing the major progress made thus far, we conduct a regression analysis, showing that economic size and financial conditions are significant determinants of the international currency status, while inertia and other unobserved factors also play important roles. These empirical findings enable us to undertake a scenario analysis focusing on the renminbi's potential to become a global reserve currency. Based on this quantitative research, we then revisit China's policy initiatives designed to promote its currency overseas. In our view, the internationalization of the renminbi, along with financial deepening and liberalization, should be regarded as a means to achieve China's goal of reaching a more sustainable and balanced model of development.
A Study of Accountability in Two Organizational Learning Frameworks: Why Accountability for Learning is Critical
Authors: Baxter David , Colledge Thomas , Turner Neil
Published: March 2017

In this paper we examine the complex relationship between accountability and organizational learning through a case study with the UK Royal Air Force (RAF). Accountability is a complex and contradictory construct that has both positive and negative implications for organizational learning. Within the same organization we observed positive effects of accountability in one organizational learning system, and negative effects of accountability in another. This case study adds to the organizational learning and accountability literatures, showing that accountability to hierarchy, rather than preventing learning, can actually promote effective learning, making it more likely that people will report problems quickly and accurately and take follow‐up action. This only applies if the learning objectives align with the broader accountability framework, and if reporting on failures will enhance individual reputation. If not, then people will tend to avoid reporting negative events in order to avoid punishment and reputation damage. Accountability to hierarchy is only negative if it conflicts with the learning objectives.
Euphresco inter‐laboratory comparison (2009–2012) on detection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and Ralstonia solanacearum in potato tubers: proposal to include TaqMan® real‐time PCR as a primary (core) screening test in EU/EPPO standard methods
Authors: van Vaerenbergh J. , Müller P. , Elphinstone J. G. , Vreeburg R. A. M. , Janse J. D.
Published: March 2017

In the European Union (EU) potato production is surveyed for Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (potato ring rot) and Ralstonia solanacearum (potato brown rot) under Commission Directives 93/85/EEC with its amendment 2006/56/EC and 98/57/EEC with its amendment 2006/63/EC. A regular update of the Directives is required in view of developments in understanding of the biology of these organisms and the diagnostics recommended for their detection and identification. Three inter‐laboratory tests (ILT1, ILT2 and ILT3) were performed from 2009 to 2012 as part of a Euphresco Phytosanitary ERA‐NET project to assess performance of current official methods for C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and R. solanacearum. A major aim of the ILTs was to generate data on the performance of real‐time PCR protocols to support their introduction as primary (core) screening tests for both pathogens. In ILT1, 29 laboratories from 23 countries participated, in ILT2, 23 laboratories from 18 countries and in ILT3 42 laboratories from 24 countries. Relative accuracies for real‐time PCR tests averaged 92% for R. solanacearum and 96% for C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus) and compared with existing primary (core) screening tests (immunofluorescence, conventional PCR, semi‐selective plating and bioassay) in terms of analytical sensitivity, analytical specificity and robustness. It was concluded that all methods tested, including real‐time PCR, can be considered as equivalent. Therefore TaqMan® real‐time PCR is recommended for inclusion in EU Directives and EPPO Standards as a reliable primary (core) screening method.
Multiple ATP‐binding cassette transporters are involved in insecticide resistance in the small brown planthopper,Laodelphax striatellus
Authors: Sun H. , Pu J. , Chen F. , Wang J. , Han Z.
Published: March 2017

ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters are membrane‐bound proteins involved in the movement of various substrates, including drugs and insecticides, across the lipid membrane. Demonstration of the role of human ABC transporters in multidrug resistance has led to speculation that they might be an important mechanism controlling the fate of insecticides in insects. However, the role of ABC transporters in insects remains largely unknown. The small brown planthopper,Laodelphax striatellusFallén, has developed resistance to most of the insecticides used for its control. Our goals were to identify the ABC transporters inLa. striatellusand to examine their involvement in resistance mechanisms, using related strains resistant to chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin and imidacloprid, compared with the susceptible strain. Based on the transcriptome ofLa. striatellus, 40 full‐length ABC transporters belonging to the ABCA–ABCH subfamilies were identified. Quantitative PCR revealed that over 20% of genes were significantly up‐regulated in different resistant strains, and eight genes from the ABCB/C/D/G subfamilies were up‐regulated in all three resistant strains, compared with the susceptible strain. Furthermore, synergism studies showed verapamil significantly enhanced insecticide toxicity in various resistant strains but not in the susceptible strain. These results suggest that ABC transporters might be involved in resistance to multiple insecticides inLa. striatellus.
Structure and viscosity of phase‐separated BaO–SiO2 glasses
Authors: Gueguen Yann , Houizot Patrick , Célarié Fabrice , Chen Mingwei , Hirata Akihiko , Tan Yongwen , Allix Mathieu , Chenu Sébastien , Roux‐Langlois Clément , Rouxel Tanguy
Published: March 2017

Barium silicate glasses with 0‐40 mol% BaO were synthesized either by aerodynamical levitation and laser heating (at low barium content) or by conventional melting and quenching process. Characterization by means of Raman scattering spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals a structural transition between glasses with low BaO content (<10 mol%) showing an atomic network resembling the one of amorphous silica, and glasses with a BaO content larger than 10 mol%, which exhibit the typical signature of a binary silicate glass with Q2 and Q3 units. Viscosity curves show a marked increase of the viscosity as the BaO content decreases below 20 mol%. Barium is found to easily diffuse and promote phase separation while silicon remains homogeneously distributed. A dramatic increase in the viscosity is observed as phase separation proceeds, resulting in the formation of Ba‐rich nodules in a percolating SiO2‐rich matrix at low barium content, or in Ba‐poor nodules in a BaO‐rich matrix at large barium content.
Home‐care nursing staff in self‐directed teams are more satisfied with their job and feel they have more autonomy over patient care: a nationwide survey
Authors: Maurits Erica E.M. , de Veer Anke J.E. , Groenewegen Peter P. , Francke Anneke L.
Published: March 2017

Aims

The aims of this study were: (1) To examine whether working in a self‐directed team is related to home‐care nursing staff's job satisfaction; (2) To assess the mediating effect of self‐perceived autonomy over patient care; (3) To investigate the moderating effect of educational level on the association between autonomy over patient care and job satisfaction.

Background

Self‐directed teams are being introduced in home care in several countries. It is unknown whether working in a self‐directed team is related to nursing staff's job satisfaction. It is important to gain insight into this association since self‐directed teams may help in retaining nursing staff.

Design

A cross‐sectional study based on two questionnaire surveys in 2014 and 2015.

Methods

The study involved 191 certified nursing assistants and registered nurses employed in Dutch home‐care organizations (mean age of 50). These were members of the Dutch Nursing Staff Panel, a nationwide panel of nursing staff working in various healthcare settings.

Results

Self‐direction is positively related to nursing staff's job satisfaction. This relationship is partly mediated by autonomy over patient care. For certified nursing assistants and registered nurses with a bachelor's degree, a greater sense of autonomy over patient care in self‐directed teams is positively related to job satisfaction. No significant association was found between autonomy over patient care and job satisfaction for registered nurses with an associate degree.

Conclusions

This study suggests that home‐care organizations should consider the use of self‐directed teams as this increases nursing staff's job satisfaction and may therefore help to retain nursing staff in home care.
Processes that Inform Multicultural Supervision: A Qualitative Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Tohidian Nilou B. , Quek Karen Mui‐Teng
Published: March 2017

As the fields of counseling and psychotherapy have become more cognizant that individuals, couples, and families bring with them a myriad of diversity factors into therapy, multicultural competency has also become a crucial component in the development of clinicians during clinical supervision and training. We employed a qualitative meta‐analysis to provide a detailed and comprehensive description of similar themes identified in primary qualitative studies that have investigated supervisory practices with an emphasis on diversity. Findings revealed six meta‐categories, namely: (a) Supervisor's Multicultural Stances; (b) Supervisee's Multicultural Encounters; (c) Competency‐Based Content in Supervision; (d) Processes Surrounding Multicultural Supervision; (e) Culturally Attuned Interventions; and (f) Multicultural Supervisory Alliance. Implications for practice are discussed.
Contextualizing leadership: Transformational leadership and Management‐By‐Exception‐Active in safety‐critical contexts
Authors: Willis Sara , Clarke Sharon , O'Connor Elinor
Published: March 2017

Within the existing leadership literature, the role of context for shaping the effectiveness of leadership is yet to be fully understood. One type of context that poses particular challenges for leaders is an environment where safety is highly critical (i.e., high exposure to risk and likelihood of an accident). We hypothesize that such environments call for specific transformational and transactional leadership behaviours, which differ from those behaviours most effective in less safety‐critical contexts. We tested for moderating effects of perceptions of hazard exposure and accident likelihood on the relationship between transformational leadership and Management‐By‐Exception‐Active with safety and job performance outcomes. The moderation effects of accident likelihood on the link between transformational/MBEA leadership and subordinate performance were supported, demonstrating variation in the effectiveness of leader behaviours dependent on followers’ perceptions about the likelihood for an accident. MBEA leadership was found to be more strongly linked to contextual performance and safety participation if accident likelihood was high, but not under low accident likelihood conditions. Transformational leadership was found to be less strongly related to these performance outcomes in contexts where safety was perceived as highly critical. Our findings have important theoretical and practical implications, and call into question the universality of the transformational–transactional leadership framework. Practical considerations focus on the implications for managers and supervisors who operate in safety‐critical contexts.

Practitioner points

Safety‐critical contexts pose particular challenges to leaders. If safety is perceived as highly critical, leaders and/or followers may hold different expectations about leadership and different leadership styles could be required compared to contexts where safety is not critical.

Perceived effectiveness of transformational leadership and Management‐By‐Exception‐Active for employees’ safety participation and contextual performance is influenced by employees’ perceptions of the risk for an accident within their work context.

Management‐By‐Exception‐Active is effective for enhancing team members’ extra effort for safety and contextual performance if the perceived risk of an accident is high, but less effective if perceptions of accident likelihood are low.

Managers and supervisors should therefore pay attention to employees’ perceptions of risk of an accident and the factors that determine how employees perceive their context.
Effectiveness of adjunctive interventions for accelerating orthodontic tooth movement: a systematic review of systematic reviews
Authors: Yi J. , Xiao J. , Li H. , Li Y. , Li X. , Zhao Z.
Published: March 2017

This study was aimed to summarise published systematic reviews (SRs) that assess the effects of adjunctive interventions on the acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). Electronic and manual searches were performed up to August 2016. Systematic reviews investigating the impact of adjunctive techniques on the promotion of OTM were included. The methodological quality of the included reviews was evaluated using the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) scale. The quality of evidence for each intervention was assessed using GRADE. The Jadad decision algorithm was used to select a study to provide body evidence from discordant reviews on the same intervention. A total of 11 SRs were included in this study. AMSTAR scores ranged from 4 to 10 of 11. The quality of evidence ranged from very low to low. The short‐term (1–3 months) effects of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT, 5 and 8 J cm−2) and corticotomy were supported by low‐quality evidence. The evidence regarding the efficacy of photobiomodulation, pulsed electromagnetic field, interseptal bone reduction, two vibrational devices (Tooth Masseuse and Orthoaccel) and electrical current was of very low quality. Relaxin injections and extracorporeal shock waves were reported to have no impact on OTM according to low‐ and very low‐quality evidence, respectively. Based on currently available information, we conclude that low‐quality evidence indicates that LLLT (5 and 8 J cm−2) and corticotomy are effective to promote OTM in the short term. Future high‐quality trials are required to determine the optimal protocols, as well as the long‐term effects of LLLT and corticotomy, before warranting recommendations for orthodontics clinics.
Effect of cation–anion balance in feed on urine pH in rabbits in comparison with other species
Authors: Heer F. , Dobenecker B. , Kienzle E.
Published: March 2017

In the present investigation, the impact of diet composition on urine pH in rabbits was compared with previous studies on rabbits, cats, dogs, pigs and horses. A total of 13 dwarf rabbits were fed six different diets with a cation–anion balance (CAB) between −39 and +320 mmol/kg dry matter (DM) using ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) as an acidifier. CAB was calculated as follows: CAB (mmol/kg DM) = 49.9*Ca + 82.3*Mg +43.5*Na + 25.6*K − 59*P − 62.4*S − 28.2*Cl; minerals in g/kg DM. Urine, faeces and blood were collected. Urine pH ranged from 5.26 ± 0.22 at a CAB of −39 mmol/kg DM to 8.56 ± 0.24 at a CAB of +320 mmol/kg DM. A low CAB in the feed reduced blood pH and blood base excess significantly. Renal excretion of Ca, P, Na and Mg and water was significantly higher in rabbits eating acidifying diets. In comparison with other species, rabbits reacted to acidifying diets in a similar way as cats, dogs and pigs. Rabbits on a mildly alkalizing diet, however, had a trend to higher urine pH than other monogastric species on such diets (cats, dogs, pigs, horses).
Involvement of PKA signalling in anti‐inflammatory effects of chitosan oligosaccharides in IPEC‐J2 porcine epithelial cells
Authors: Yang J. W. , Tian G. , Chen D. W. , Yao Y. , He J. , Zheng P. , Mao X. B. , Yu J. , Huang Z. Q. , Yu B.
Published: March 2017

Weaning is characterized by intestinal inflammation, which is a big challenge in pig industry. Control of intestinal inflammation is important for improvement of growth performance and health. Therefore, the study was focused on the anti‐inflammatory activity of low‐molecular‐weight chitosan oligosaccharide (LCOS) in a porcine small intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC‐J2). The results showed that TNF‐α, as inflammation inducer, significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of IL‐8 and MCP‐1. Afterwards, LCOS significantly attenuated mRNA expression of IL‐8 and MCP‐1 induced by TNF‐α in the cells. Mannose (MAN), as ligand of mannose receptor, had no effect on the anti‐inflammatory activity of LCOS, which suggested that mannose receptor may not involve in the anti‐inflammatory activity of LCOS in IPEC‐J2 cells. Interestingly, N‐[2‐(p‐bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]‐5‐isoquinolinesulfonamide 2HCl hydrate (H89), as PKA (protein kinase A)‐specific inhibitor, reversed the mRNA expression of IL‐8 when co‐cultured with LCOS. Furthermore, LCOS concentration dependent downregulated the mRNA expression of claudin‐1 compared with TNF‐α treatment. However, the trans‐epithelial electric resistance (TEER) was not affected by LCOS when co‐cultured with TNF‐α in 3 hr. In conclusion, LCOS have a potent anti‐inflammatory activity, and as a feed additives, may be useful for the inhibition of inflammatory process in weaning period of pigs with intestinal inflammation occurring.
Effects of a short‐term supranutritional selenium supplementation on redox balance, physiology and insulin‐related metabolism in heat‐stressed pigs
Authors: Liu F. , Celi P. , Cottrell J. J. , Chauhan S. S. , Leury B. J. , Dunshea F. R.
Published: March 2017

Heat stress (HS) disrupts redox balance and insulin‐related metabolism. Supplementation with supranutritional amounts of selenium (Se) may enhance glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and reduce oxidative stress, but may trigger insulin resistance. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of a short‐term high Se supplementation on physiology, oxidative stress and insulin‐related metabolism in heat‐stressed pigs. Twenty‐four gilts were fed either a control (0.20 ppm Se) or a high Se (1.0 ppm Se yeast, HiSe) diet for 2 weeks. Pigs were then housed in thermoneutral (20°C) or HS (35°C) conditions for 8 days. Blood samples were collected to study blood Se and oxidative stress markers. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted on day 8 of thermal exposure. The HS conditions increased rectal temperature and respiration rate (both p < .001). The HiSe diet increased blood Se by 12% (p < .05) and ameliorated the increase in rectal temperature (p < .05). Heat stress increased oxidative stress as evidenced by a 48% increase in plasma advanced oxidized protein products (AOPPs; p < .05), which may be associated with the reductions in plasma biological antioxidant potential (BAP) and erythrocyte GPX activity (both p < .05). The HiSe diet did not alleviate the reduction in plasma BAP or increase in AOPPs observed during HS, although it tended to increase erythrocyte GPX activity by 13% (p = .068). Without affecting insulin, HS attenuated lipid mobilization, as evidenced by a lower fasting NEFA concentration (p < .05), which was not mitigated by the HiSe diet. The HiSe diet increased insulin AUC, suggesting it potentiated insulin resistance, although this only occurred under TN conditions (p = .066). In summary, HS induced oxidative stress and attenuated lipid mobilization in pigs. The short‐term supranutritional Se supplementation alleviated hyperthermia, but did not protect against oxidative stress in heat‐stressed pigs.
Recovering 3D particle size distributions from 2D sections
Authors: Cuzzi Jeffrey N. , Olson Daniel M.
Published: March 2017

We discuss different ways to convert observed, apparent particle size distributions from 2D sections (thin sections, SEM maps on planar surfaces, etc.) into true 3D particle size distributions. We give a simple, flexible, and practical method to do this; show which of these techniques gives the most faithful conversions; and provide (online) short computer codes to calculate both 2D‐3D recoveries and simulations of 2D observations by random sectioning. The most important systematic bias of 2D sectioning, from the standpoint of most chondrite studies, is an overestimate of the abundance of the larger particles. We show that fairly good recoveries can be achieved from observed size distributions containing 100–300 individual measurements of apparent particle diameter.
On the occurrence and origin of anthropogenic radionuclides found in a fragment of the Chelyabinsk (LL5) meteorite
Authors: Querfeld Rebecca , Tanha Mohammad R. , Heyer Lars , Renz Franz , Guggenberger Georg , Brandstätter Franz , Ferrière Ludovic , Koeberl Christian , Steinhauser Georg
Published: March 2017

A piece of the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteorite was investigated for its content of anthropogenic radionuclides. In addition to traces of cesium‐137 that had been previously reported for this particular fragment, we found an unusually high amount of strontium‐90, which indicates that the source of this contamination was the Kyshtym accident (1957). A high Sr‐90/Cs‐137 activity ratio is characteristic for Kyshtym‐derived contaminations. Based on the cesium‐137 content in the soil from the finding site, it is estimated that the fragment was contaminated with soil particles in the milligram range upon impact. Investigation of the soil revealed very unusual ferromagnetic characteristics and an iron‐rich chemical composition. Mössbauer spectroscopy indicated the presence of steel components in this soil, suggesting that the investigated meteorite fragment was found in an industrial dumping site rather than natural soil.