bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Employee involvement and organizational effectiveness
Authors: Amah Edwinah , Ahiauzu Augustine 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which employee involvement influences organizational effectiveness and to examine the extent to which employee involvement influences profitability, productivity, and market share.Design/methodology/approachThe correlational study was conducted as a cross‐sectional survey. Research questionnaires were administered and interviews were held with managers in the organizations studied. A total of 388 managers were randomly drawn from a population of 13,339 managers of all the 24 banks in Nigeria. The independent variable, “employee involvement” was measured by empowerment, team orientation, and capacity development. The dependent variable, “organizational effectiveness” was measured by profitability, productivity, and market share. The measures all used a five‐point Likert scale (ranging from 1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree) and Spearman's rank correlation statistical tool was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe descriptive statistics of the study variables indicate that employee involvement positively influences organizational effectiveness. The result (Rho=0.515, p<0.05) shows a positive significant relationship between employee involvement and profitability. The result (Rho=0.126, p<0.05) shows a positive relationship between employee involvement and productivity. The result (Rho=0.256, p<0.05) shows a positive relationship between employee involvement and market share.Research limitations/implicationsThe result cannot be generalized because the study was carried out only in the banking industry. Not all the questionnaires given out were retrieved. Some respondents were reluctant to give out information about their organizations because of fear that such information will get to their competitors. Relevant literature on the topic of African origin were scarce, thus most of the literature reviewed was from Europe and America.Practical implicationsThe results imply that increase in the level of employee involvement in organizations will enhance profitability, productivity, and market share. This means that employee involvement is associated with organizational effectiveness.Originality/valueThe study provides increased understanding, prediction, and appreciation of human behaviour. It enables us analyze the relationship that exist between employee involvement and organizational effectiveness. The study significantly enhances the body of knowledge in this area of management, as it provides reliable empirical results that can be used by scholars and practitioners. It will also help to alert managers to the implications of cultivating a culture of employee involvement that can serve as a competitive advantage. The study will be a challenge to further research because of its findings.
Growing older together: ageing and people with learning disabilities and their family carers
Authors: Walker Carol , Ward Cally 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThis article aims to explore the new challenge posed by the first generations of people with learning disabilities who are now living into older age in significant numbers. Most are living with family carers, who are themselves ageing. This represents a major transition in people's lives and one to which services must respond if a normal life event is not to be turned into a crisis. Though this issue has been acknowledged by government, much more needs to be done to provide people with learning disabilities and their families with the necessary support to enjoy a healthy and active old age.Design/methodology/approachThis article draws on the work of the authors for over a decade in this field.FindingsLearning disabled people are likely to experience the age discrimination common in much older people provision and practice and the caring relationship is undermined in the short and long term. Evidence on the extension of personalisation indicates that it presents very considerable challenges for this group of families.Practical implicationsMore information is needed on this growing population. More preventative support is needed to sustain the caring relationship while the family is living together, to support families to plan for the future, and to provide support when the caring relationship breaks down.Originality/valueThe article draws together data from the fields of ageing, learning disability and family care to highlight the increasing challenge, which this growing, but neglected, population presents both for policy and practice. It examines the implications for both the older people themselves and for the ageing family carers with whom the majority live and of current government policy in social care and welfare benefits for this very vulnerable group.
Estimating how many deaths of people with learning disabilities in England could be prevented by better medical care
Authors: Glover Gyles , Emerson Eric 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to use the findings of the Confidential Inquiry into Premature Deaths of People with Learning Disabilities, to estimate the likely annual number of deaths of people with learning disabilities in England that would be amenable to healthcare, or both amenable and preventable.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses two scaling approaches, one based on age profiles of the population of the study area and of the country, the other on General Practice Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) learning disability register statistics.FindingsNational estimates of the annual number of deaths either amenable to healthcare or both amenable and preventable were 1,413 using the age‐based scaling approach and 1,238 using the QOF‐based approach. The two estimates are reasonably close, and represent about three and a half people a day or 25 a week.Originality/valueThe likely accuracy of the estimates depends on how representative of the country the study area is. There are reasons for thinking that people with learning disability are, if anything, likely to be more accurately recognised and better treated there. Both influences would have the effect of reducing national estimates using the authors’ methods. This suggests they should be seen as a minimum.
Commentary on “Communication is the key: improving outcomes for people with learning disabilities”
Authors: Bradshaw Jill 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide a commentary on Lewer and Harding's article about the use of “the open communication tool”(OCT).Design/methodology/approachThis article reviews the OCT as a method of both developing shared goals and understandings and identifying implementation issues.FindingsThe OCT can provide a useful model when working in services. It might be enhanced by also including ways of systematically addressing the views of the person with a learning disability and their family members.Originality/valueIndirect interventions delivered in the way described may be problematic in that some research suggests that staff teams place greater value on knowledge that is directly gained by experience of working with the person. This raises questions relating to the model within which clinical services are often delivered to supported housing settings and whether this needs to change.
Selecting for the phenotypic optimum: size‐related trade‐offs between mortality risk and reproductive output in female sockeye salmon
Authors: Cunningham Curry J. , Courage Mira G. , Quinn Thomas P. 
Published: June 2013

Summary

Selection drives evolutionary changes but is often difficult to quantify and tightly link to phenotypic trait distributions in wild populations.

Sampling a single population of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) for over a decade, we calculated the expected spawning success for females resulting from: (i) increased fecundity with body length, (ii) the mortality cost of prolonged marine residency necessary to achieve large size, (iii) size‐selective natural mortality on the spawning grounds from biotic (bear and gull predation) and abiotic (stranding) processes and (iv) exploitation by a size‐selective commercial fishery. We quantified the size‐specific probability of different modes of death and the resultant potential for successful spawning, and then modelled the theoretical relationship between female length and fitness (spawning success) in the population.

This optimal distribution closely matched the observed length distribution of the focal population, when removals by the size‐selective commercial fishery were included. We then used a likelihood‐based approach to compare competing model predictions to length distributions from other populations in the watershed with different levels of size‐selective freshwater mortality, as determined by the physical characteristics of the spawning grounds.

This study provides a quantitative framework for assessing female spawning success in wild populations, as represented by the expected number of eggs deposited per spawning female. These results advance previous analyses of natural selection in that predictions for phenotypic distributions were generated and then compared to those observed in situ, rather than assuming the adaptive nature of observed distributions.
Critical importance of large native trees for conservation of a rare Neotropical epiphyte
Authors: Kartzinel Tyler R. , Trapnell Dorset W. , Shefferson Richard P. 
Published: June 2013

Summary

The distribution of rare plants may be limited by environmental or density‐dependent factors that reduce population growth and persistence. The relative importance of environmental limitations vs. the degree to which conspecifics influence recruitment may determine optimal management strategies for plants of conservation concern.

We sowed seeds of a rare epiphytic orchid in trees from agricultural Costa Rican landscapes to ask how recruitment is influenced by established conspecific plants and the environment. We hypothesized that recruitment is positively influenced by conspecific plants. Conspecific adults were expected to be associated with favourable microhabitats and mycorrhizal fungi for germinating seeds, without creating unfavourably competitive conditions. Alternatively, we hypothesized that recruitment varies due to environmental differences among study sites or host trees, irrespective of adult proximity.

We experimentally added 240 packets of seeds from 2 source populations into four naturally established populations. Germination was evaluated after five months. We used mixed models and conditional inference trees to evaluate results.

Proximity to conspecific adults neither increased nor decreased germination. Instead, large native trees and microsites with more closed canopies supported significantly greater germination than smaller cultivated trees and microsites with more open canopies.

Synthesis. Landscape changes that replace large native trees with a more homogenous array of cultivated species may not only reduce rare epiphyte populations directly, but also limit their ability to colonize disturbed secondary habitats. Because the habitat is the prime determinant of recruitment, large and often isolated native trees that act as refuges for rare epiphytes in disturbed landscapes should be a top priority for local conservation efforts.
Lactobacillus plantarum 29 Inhibits Penicillium spp. Involved in the Spoilage of Black Truffles (Tuber aestivum)
Authors: Sorrentino Elena , Reale Anna , Tremonte Patrizio , Maiuro Lucia , Succi Mariantonietta , Tipaldi Luca , Di Renzo Tiziana , Pannella Gianfranco , Coppola Raffaele 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe effect of an antifungal culture of Lactobacillus plantarum to be used in the storage at refrigeration temperature of fresh black truffles was examined. The strain was selected among 29 lactobacilli isolated from foods and evaluated for their viability and acidification activity at 4 °C, as well as for their inhibitory activity against 11 Penicillium strains isolated from truffles stored at refrigeration temperature. Lb. plantarum 29 showed the ability to hold not only the growth of Penicillium isolated from truffles, but also that of P. digitatum DSM 2750, a green mold involved in the spoilage of truffles. The antifungal activity was observed in vitro and in situ, and the sensory characteristics of truffles were preserved during the cold storage.
Participation of Catalase in Voluntary Ethanol Consumption in Perinatally Low‐Level Lead‐Exposed Rats
Authors: Mattalloni Mara S. , De Giovanni Laura N. , Molina Juan C. , Cancela Liliana M. , Virgolini Miriam B. 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundEnvironmental lead (Pb) exposure and alcohol abuse pose significant public health problems for our society. One of the proposed mechanisms of action of the developmental neurotoxicant Pb is related to its ability to affect antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT). Ethanol's (EtOH) motivational effects are postulated to be mediated by the CAT‐dependent acetaldehyde generated in the brain. The current study sought to investigate the role of this enzyme in the elevated EtOH intake previously reported in perinatally Pb‐exposed rats.MethodsThirty‐five‐day‐old male Wistar rats exposed to 220 ppm Pb during gestation and lactation were offered escalating EtOH solutions (2 to 10%) or water, 2 h/d for 28 days. Once baseline 10% EtOH intake was achieved, they were injected with (i) saline (SAL), (ii) 3‐amino 1,2,4 triazole (aminotriazole [AT], a CAT inhibitor, 250 mg/kg intraperitoneally [i.p.], 5 hours before the last 8 EtOH intake sessions), or (iii) 3‐nitropropionic acid (3NPA; a CAT activator, 20 mg/kg subcutaneously [s.c.], 45 minutes before the last 4 EtOH intake sessions). Rats were then sacrificed, blood collected, and brain regions harvested for CAT activity determination. Additional studies evaluated EtOH intake and CAT activity in response to 10 and 30 mg/kg 3NPA. Both 3NPA and AT were evaluated for striatal cytotoxicity.ResultsWe observed that AT pretreatment blunted the increased EtOH intake, as well as the elevated CAT activity in blood, cerebellum, and hippocampus evidenced in the developmentally Pb‐exposed rats that have consumed EtOH. Conversely, 20 mg/kg 3NPA further increased voluntary EtOH intake in these animals as compared with controls, concomitantly with a slight elevation in CAT activity both in blood and in the striatum, associated with no changes in striatal cytotoxicity.ConclusionsThese results suggest a participation of CAT, and possibly acetaldehyde, in Pb‐induced high EtOH intake, and open up new avenues to elucidate the mechanism that underlies the Pb and EtOH interaction.
IL26 gene inactivation in Equidae
Authors: Shakhsi‐Niaei M. , Drögemüller M. , Jagannathan V. , Gerber V. , Leeb T. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryInterleukin‐26 (IL26) is a member of the IL10 cytokine family. The IL26 gene is located between two other well‐known cytokines genes of this family encoding interferon‐gamma (IFNG) and IL22 in an evolutionary conserved gene cluster. In contrast to humans and most other mammals, mice lack a functional Il26 gene. We analyzed the genome sequences of other vertebrates for the presence or absence of functional IL26 orthologs and found that the IL26 gene has also become inactivated in several equid species. We detected a one‐base pair frameshift deletion in exon 2 of the IL26 gene in the domestic horse (Equus caballus), Przewalski horse (Equus przewalskii) and donkey (Equus asinus). The remnant IL26 gene in the horse is still transcribed and gives rise to at least five alternative transcripts. None of these transcripts share a conserved open reading frame with the human IL26 gene. A comparative analysis across diverse vertebrates revealed that the IL26 gene has also independently been inactivated in a few other mammals, including the African elephant and the European hedgehog. The IL26 gene thus appears to be highly variable, and the conserved open reading frame has been lost several times during mammalian evolution.
Self‐regulation of older drivers with cognitive impairment: A systematic review
Authors: Devlin Anna , McGillivray Jane A 
Published: July 2013

BackgroundCognitive decline contributes significantly to the safety risk of older drivers. Some drivers may be able to compensate for the increased crash risk by avoiding complex driving situations or restricting their driving.Objective and MethodA comprehensive English‐language systematic review was conducted to determine the level of evidence for older adult drivers with cognitive impairment engaging in self‐regulation.ResultsTwelve studies were included in the review. The majority of studies investigated driver avoidance, followed by driver restriction. Few studies ascertained the reasons for changing driving behaviour.ConclusionsThe evidence supports the view that drivers with cognitive impairment do restrict their driving and avoid complex driving situations. However, it remains to be determined whether the drivers who engage in self‐regulation have insight into their own driving abilities or whether external factors result in self‐regulation of driving behaviour.
The potential impact of new diagnostic criteria on the frequency of gestational diabetes mellitus in Sweden
Authors: Claesson Rickard , Ekelund Magnus , Berntorp Kerstin 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) has suggested new diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus. Many centers in Europe still use the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. In southern Sweden we use the 2‐h threshold of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes criteria based on universal screening with a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test. We have retrospectively scrutinized oral glucose tolerance tests in a subset of 174 women included in a previous study, diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus 1996–1999. A complete repeat oral glucose tolerance test was performed directly after diagnosis in 120 women. When applying the current Swedish criteria, and the IADPSG and the WHO criteria to the material, gestational diabetes mellitus was confirmed in 67% (80/120), 84% (101/120), and 80% (96/120), respectively. Hence, 26% (101/80) more women were identified by the IADPSG criteria and 20% (96/80) more women by the WHO criteria, compared with the criteria presently in use.
Does counting species count as taxonomy? On misrepresenting systematics, yet again
Authors: de Carvalho Marcelo R. , Ebach Malte C. , Williams David M. , Nihei Silvio S. , Trefaut Rodrigues Miguel , Grant Taran , Silveira Luís F. , Zaher Hussam , Gill Anthony C. , Schelly Robert C. , Sparks John S. , Bockmann Flávio A. , Séret Bernard , Ho Hsuan‐Ching , Grande Lance , Rieppel Olivier , Dubois Alain , Ohler Annemarie , Faivovich Julián , Assis Leandro C. S. , Wheeler Quentin D. , Goldstein Paul Z. , de Almeida Eduardo A. B. , Valdecasas Antonio G. , Nelson Gareth 
Published: June 2013

AbstractRecent commentary by Costello and collaborators on the current state of the global taxonomic enterprise attempts to demonstrate that taxonomy is not in decline as feared by taxonomists, but rather is increasing by virtue of the rate at which new species are formally named. Having supported their views with data that clearly indicate as much, Costello et al. make recommendations to increase the rate of new species descriptions even more. However, their views appear to rely on the perception of species as static and numerically if not historically equivalent entities whose value lie in their roles as “metrics”. As such, their one‐dimensional portrayal of the discipline, as concerned solely with the creation of new species names, fails to take into account both the conceptual and epistemological foundations of systematics. We refute the end‐user view that taxonomy is on the rise simply because more new species are being described compared with earlier decades, and that, by implication, taxonomic practice is a formality whose pace can be streamlined without considerable resources, intellectual or otherwise. Rather, we defend the opposite viewpoint that professional taxonomy is in decline relative to the immediacy of the extinction crisis, and that this decline threatens not just the empirical science of phylogenetic systematics, but also the foundations of comparative biology on which other fields rely. The allocation of space in top‐ranked journals to propagate views such as those of Costello et al. lends superficial credence to the unsupportive mindset of many of those in charge of the institutional fate of taxonomy. We emphasize that taxonomy and the description of new species are dependent upon, and only make sense in light of, empirically based classifications that reflect evolutionary history; homology assessments are at the centre of these endeavours, such that the biological sciences cannot afford to have professional taxonomists sacrifice the comparative and historical depth of their hypotheses in order to accelerate new species descriptions.
Standardized dirts for testing the efficacy of workplace cleaning products: validation of their workplace relevance
Authors: Elsner Peter , Seyfarth Florian , Sonsmann Flora , Strunk Meike , John Swen‐Malte , Diepgen Thomas , Schliemann Sibylle 
Published: June 2013

SummaryBackgroundIn order to assess the cleaning efficacy of occupational skin cleansers, standardized test dirts mimicking the spectrum of skin soiling at dirty workplaces are necessary.ObjectivesTo validate newly developed standardized test dirts (compliant with the EU Cosmetics Directive) for their occupational relevance.MethodsIn this single‐blinded, monocentric questionnaire‐based clinical trial, 87 apprentices of three trades (household management; house painting and varnishing; and metal processing) evaluated the cleanability of six standardized test dirts in relation to their workplace dirts. In addition, they judged the similarity of the test dirts to actual dirts encountered in their working environments.ResultsMost of the household management participants assessed the hydrophilic model dirt (‘mascara’), the lipophilic model dirt (‘W/O cream’) and a film‐forming model dirt (‘disperse paint’) as best resembling the dirts found at their workplaces. Most of the painters and varnishers judged the filmogenic model dirts (‘disperse paint’ and ‘acrylic paint’) as best resembling the dirts found at their workplaces. For the metal workers, the lipophilic and paste‐like model dirts were most similar to their workplace dirts.ConclusionsThe spectrum of standardized test dirts developed represents well the dirts encountered at various workplaces. The test dirts may be useful in the development and in vivo efficacy testing of occupational skin cleansers.