bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A case of suspected infective endocarditis with Lactococcus garvieae: lack of in vitro synergy between ampicillin and gentamicin
Authors: Sunnerhagen Torgny , Hammarlund Peter , Rasmussen Magnus 
Published: February 2015

Introduction:

Lactococcus garvieae is an uncommon cause of infective endocarditis (IE) and, despite the fact that synergy between beta‐lactam antibiotics and aminoglycosides has not been demonstrated for lactococci, combination therapy is often used.

Case presentation:
We report a case of suspected L. garvieae IE in an 82‐year‐old man, which was successfully treated with a combination of ampicillin and gentamicin. Despite careful dosing and monitoring of gentamicin levels, the patient developed a transient decrease in renal function and permanent bilateral vestibular deficiency. The combination of gentamicin and ampicillin did not demonstrate synergistic killing effects in vitro against the L. garvieae isolate from this patient. However, synergy was noted against two of the four L. garvieae isolates tested. Unfortunately, an Etest‐based method, which would be easy to use in a routine laboratory, was unable to predict synergy in the time‐kill methods.

Conclusions:
The use of combination therapy in IE is based solely on in vitro synergy between beta‐lactams and aminoglycosides. Here we demonstrate that a combination of ampicillin and gentamicin induces synergistic killing only of some L. garvieae isolates. Since synergy does not seem to be omnipresent, the risks for aminoglycoside toxicity must be carefully weighed against the potential theoretical benefit of combination therapy in L. garvieae IE.
Racial awareness: effects on justice perceptions and trust in management in the USA
Authors: Buttner E. Holly , Lowe Kevin B. 
Published: February 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of the socio-demographic diversity characteristic, racioethnicity, vs the deeper-level socially constructed attribute, awareness of racial privilege (which the authors termed “racial awareness”), on perceptions of organizational justice and on trust in management (TM) (trust) in a US context. The authors predicted that racial awareness would have a greater effect on perceptions of interactional and procedural justice and on trust than would participant racioethnicity. Second, the authors predicted that justice perceptions would influence trust. Finally the authors predicted that justice perceptions would mediate between racial awareness and TM.Design/methodology/approach– The authors surveyed Black, Hispanic and Native American professionals in one industry in the USA. The authors employed regression and bootstrap analyses to test the hypotheses.Findings– Racial awareness influenced justice ratings and TM. Justice perceptions influenced employee trust. Interactional and procedural justice had indirect effects on the relationship between racial awareness and trust, supporting the hypotheses.Research limitations/implications– Respondents were primarily African-American, so additional research to assess attitudes of other groups is needed. Respondents belonged to a minority networking group which provided the sample. It is possible that their membership sensitized the respondents to racial issues.Practical implications– The finding suggest that managers can positively influence US minority employees’ trust regardless of the employees’ racial awareness by treating them with dignity and respect and by ensuring fairness in the application of organizational policies and procedures.Originality/value– This study examined the impact of US minority employee racial awareness on justice perceptions and TM, important variables in the employer-employee relationship. Findings indicated that racial awareness was a better predictor of employee attitudes than was racioethnicity.
Theoretical and trustees’ perspectives on the establishment of an Islamic social (Waqf) bank
Authors: Haji Mohammad Mohammad Tahir Sabit 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to present an alternative to current banking systems. The purpose of the paper is the optimisation of the concept of cash waqf and its management in the framework of a waqf bank and its viability.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study is doctrinal and empirical. Several assumptions concerning the structure and operation of the bank are made, surveyed and descriptively analysed.

Findings
– The concept of cash waqf could be used for the operation of a waqf bank. There was a tendency among the given group of practitioners towards a corporate international social bank, capitalised by the waqf and non-waqf assets, sought after from the public and private sectors, as well as the Muslims and non-Muslims.

Research limitations/implications
– Assumptions are basic. Empirical findings are based on the perspective of waqf trustees. Other stakeholders’ perspectives need further research.

Practical implications
– The study is expected to persuade for, and assist in the establishment of a waqf bank.

Social implications
– This paper could contribute to the effectiveness of waqf institutions in their delivery of public good to the poor and society. These implications are not restricted to a specific country. Charities and the poor of any society may benefit from this study if the idea of total social banking is upheld.

Originality/value
– This study is the first to address the structure and operation of a waqf bank empirically.
Advancing the country image construct from a public relations perspective
Authors: Buhmann Alexander , Ingenhoff Diana 
Published: February 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a new model for the measurement of the constitution and effects of the country image as a central target construct in international public relations.Design/methodology/approach– The authors combine concepts from reputation management (Eisenegger and Imhof, 2008; Ingenhoff and Sommer, 2007), national identity theory (Smith, 1987), and attitude theory (Ajzen and Fishbein, 1980) to derive a four-dimensional model, conceptualizing country images as stakeholder attitudes toward a nation and its state, comprising specific beliefs and general feelings in a functional, normative, aesthetic, and emotional dimension. Furthermore, the authors develop a path model to analyze the country image’s effect on stakeholder behavior. This model is operationalized and tested in a survey regarding the country image of the USA and its effects on travel behavior.Findings– Results show how functional, normative and aesthetic image dimensions vary in affecting the formation of the affective image component. It is also demonstrated how the affective image di-mension acts as a mediator in the image’s effect on stakeholder behavior.Practical implications– For international public relations and public diplomacy practice the developed model supplies a new approach for country image analyses which will serve and improve the development and evaluation of cross-national communication strategies.Originality/value– The paper introduces a new theory-grounded approach to clarify the dimensionality of the country image construct. It is the first to operationalize cognitive and affective dimensions of the country image by combining formative and reflective indicators in a mixed specified construct.
Fluid leadership in dynamic contexts
Authors: Thomas Christopher H. , Hebdon Andrew S. , Novicevic Milorad M. , Hayek Mario J. 
Published: February 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this study is to examine an historical account of an effective leader who was able to draw from multiple styles of leadership, and choose a dominant style based upon contextual constraints and demands context, and subordinate behaviors associated with leadership styles not suited to the context.Design/methodology/approach– To identify his prominent style at each leadership episode, we critically analyzed Nehemiah’s leadership role transitions across 13 chapters of text using sociohistorical method and a quasi-repeated treatment design via qualitative comparative analysis.Findings– We found that Nehemiah adapted his behaviors such that his prominently displayed leadership style varied based on dynamic configurations of demands placed on him during his rebuilding efforts. As Nehemiah progressed through distinct stages of his mission, he differentially emphasized tactics associated with different styles of leadership in response to the contextual demands that were most salient during each stage.Practical implications– Organizational leaders are presented with evidence that developing a broad repertoire of leadership behaviors is essential to guiding followers within dynamic environments.Originality/value– This paper uses a novel historical source material to investigate contemporary leadership concepts grounded in established theoretical frameworks. Using this material, we demonstrate the applicability of various leadership styles within different contexts, and use Nehemiah as an illustration of an effective leader capable of fluidly enacting multiple leadership styles.
The life and times of a senior scholar: an interview with Lyman Porter
Authors: Moore Karl 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to present an interview of a senior scholar to get his perspectives on the field, its history and the future.

Design/methodology/approach
– A semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted.

Findings
– It is one person’s personal views, albeit a person with considerable success in the field of business studies.

Originality/value
– The interview reflects the changes in business schools over the interviewee’s decades of experience.
C. Bertrand Thompson and management consulting in Europe, 1917-1934
Authors: Wren Daniel A. , Greenwood Regina A. , Teahen Julia , Bedeian Arthur G. 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to highlight myriad accomplishments of C. Bertrand Thompson, who is perhaps most well known as a scientific-management bibliographer and a Taylor disciple, in the belief that his contributions as a pioneer management theorist and consultant in Europe deserve to be more widely known and more deeply appreciated.

Design/methodology/approach
– Archival, primary and secondary sources were used in the research.

Findings
– Thompson was among the first to bring management consulting to Europe. He understood the importance of adapting scientific-management principles to meet the diverse needs of each client for whom he consulted. Thompson’s strong belief and value system remained constant throughout his life.

Practical implications
– Understanding the needs of customers or clients and adapting systems to meet those needs is essential in achieving success as a consultant.

Originality/value
– By drawing on rarely accessed published and unpublished materials, this paper discusses Thompson’s many contributions to management thought and practice, most of which previously have not been highlighted in the referent literature.
Studying strategy formation in small companies – a cognitive perspective
Authors: Wrona Thomas , Ladwig Tina 
Published: February 2015

Purpose– The major part of studies in the field of strategic cognition focussed on strategy content, while process studies are comparatively rare. Those of the studies that are dedicated to explain strategy occurrence are dominantly restricted to formal decision making. In contrast to this, the purpose of this paper is to draw on a framework that helps to get a differentiated picture on contingent processes, strategies may pass through in organizations. Furthermore, an own elicitation procedure is introduced that enables to measure strategic cognition on different levels.Design/methodology/approach– The paper provides an empirical approach by applying collective causal mapping techniques, both on an individual as well as collective level. The conceptual framework of the study rests on the “genesis” concept of strategy formation introduced by Kirsch and colleagues.Findings– The main contribution of the paper is the presentation of a methodical approach to study the formation of shared strategic orientations in small companies. An operationalization to study these cognitive processes, based on collective causal mapping techniques is provided.Practical implications– Applying the methodical approach presented in the paper is expected to make a contribution to the understanding of the shared knowledge of organizational members about major strengths and weaknesses of a new strategic reorientation and to contribute to practical concerns of organizational members in specific problematic situations, especially in small companies.Originality/value– The study empirically approaches the complex phenomenon on strategy formation in small companies and therefore expands the understanding of shared cognition in organizations.
Influence of culture on priority-setting of high performance activities
Authors: de Waal André , Chipeta Kettie 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to determine whether there are common conceptions of high performance organizations (HPOs) among business in South Africa and Tanzania. This is important to know because their perceptions will not only influence the nature and scope of topics, syllabi and course materials used in teaching, but will also influence the priority of organizational decisions which are going to be made by the students when they are managers.

Design/methodology/approach
– Data were collected by means of a questionnaire from a sample of 357 second and third year business students who were asked to rate the 35 items contained in the HPO Framework (Waal, 2012) on a seven-point Likert-scale.

Findings
– Factor analysis revealed that South African and Tanzania business students put priority on three of the original five HPO factors: continuous improvement and renewal, long-term orientation, high quality management, comprising 16 of the original 35 HPO characteristics. A bivariate correlation between the HPO factors and Hofstede’s dimensions of cultural values revealed a significant relationship between the HPO factor long-term orientation and three of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, for both cultures.

Originality/value
– The value of the study is that it adds to the HPO literature by focussing on cultural implications and Hofstede’s dimensions. The answer to the research question are there similarities or differences among business students from South Africa and Tanzania in their perceptions of what the priority should be in regard to strengthening specific characteristics in the HPO Framework? is affirmative: yes, there are differences in high performance priority-setting per country and these differences can be explained by cultural differences. The findings of this study thus form a basis for the understanding of the effects of national cultures on the creation of HPOs.
Practice learning a prelude to work: studies by DIETS2
Authors: de Looy Anne , Markaki Anastasia , Joossens Sofie , Spyridaki Aspasia , Chatzi Vasiliki 
Published: February 2015

Purpose– The aim of this study is to describe placement learning opportunities for student dietitians related to future fields of work.Design/methodology/approach– An online questionnaire determined the variety and duration of pre-qualifying practice placements across Europe. Responses from members of the Thematic Network DIETS2 in Europe (n= 39) were analysed.Findings– A response rate of 61 per cent from 19 countries (39 higher education institutions or national dietetic associations) is reported. Four sub-types of placement are used by the respondents for pre-qualifying dietetic students. Placements are in public health, education and social care (28 per cent); clinical (27 per cent); catering (20 per cent) and others (25 per cent), including the food industry. Median number of weeks in the location was 12 for clinical settings; 5 for health, education and social care; 4.5 for in catering and up to 7 weeks in other locations.Research limitations/implications– If dietitians and nutritionists are to contribute fully to Health 2020 and Europe 2020 agendas for improving the health of the workforce, which is fundamental to improve productivity and lessen absenteeism, then alerting them to diverse strategies and practical implementation as seen in practice is highly important. Developing competence, brought about by engaging in a diversity of practice-based learning, would enable dietitians to meet multidisciplinary and multidimensional roles required to improve European nutritional health.Practical implications– Clear learning outcomes and competence statements are critical for guiding practice-based learning.Originality/value– The diversity of locations of placements needs to be promoted and exploited by higher education for health improvement.
Influence of processing parameters on physicochemical properties of fractionated fish oil at low temperature crystallization
Authors: Soleimanian Yasamin , Sahari Mohammad A. , Barzegar Mohsen 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of low temperature fractional crystallization to increase polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of fish oil. Effects of temperature, stages of crystallization, rate of cooling, agitation and addition of primary nucleus on separation efficiency were evaluated. Low temperature crystallization of triacylglycerols (TAGs) was used to increase PUFA content of fish oil (initial PUFA content ∼30 g/100 g oil).

Design/methodology/approach
– To optimize the fractionation process, the effect of fractionation temperature (7, 5, 0 and −5°C), crystallization procedures, cooling rate, agitation and addition of primary nucleus on PUFA content was evaluated.

Findings
– The best relationship between PUFA concentration (45.8 g/100 g oil) and PUFA yield (51.5 per cent) was attained by performing two-stage crystallization of TAGs at the final temperatures of 5 and 0°C under slow cooling rate (3°C h−1 for first fractionation procedure and 0.7°C h−1 for second stage, until the final fractionation temperature, 0°C, was reached) and slow agitation (3 rpm) and in the presence of primary nucleus, which resulted in 50 per cent increase in PUFA content over the original fish oil.

Practical implications
– Determination of iodine and saponification values, refractive index, solid fat content, melting point, cholesterol content of original oil and final fractionated product with the highest PUFA ratio showed that fractionation significantly alters physical and chemical properties of the fraction.

Originality/value
– Comparison of iodine value, saponification value, refractive index, solid fat content, melting point and cholesterol content of original oil and the final fractionated product (with the highest PUFA ratio) showed that the fractionation process significantly alters mentioned properties of the initial oil.
Mediterranean fever gene mutations: correlation with cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 gene polymorphism
Authors: El Hawary Rabab , Elanwary Sherif , Meshaal Safa 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTMutations in the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene lead to familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), a pro‐inflammatory state characterized by outbursts of inflammatory cytokines. The aims of this study were to identify the common mutations of MEFV gene in Egyptian patients with FMF, to study cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA‐4) gene polymorphism and to evaluate correlations between CTLA4–1661 polymorphisms and MEFV mutations and clinical symptoms. Four hundred and twenty‐four patients with clinical pictures suspicious of FMF were enrolled in this study. Mutations in MEFV gene were confirmed by reversed hybridization. Patients with homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations and 120 healthy controls were investigated for polymorphism of −1661 CTLA4 gene and the findings correlated with disease incidence and clinical symptoms of the disease. Ninety‐seven patients had single heterozygous mutations and 78 had compound heterozygous or homozygous MEFV gene mutations. M694I/V726A was the most common genotype (14.1%), followed by homozygous M694I. There was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls in incidence of −1661 A/G single nucleotide polymorphism CTLA4 (P = 0.189), nor any significant correlation with any of the clinical symptoms of FMF and MEFV gene mutations.
Assessment of flavaglines as potential chikungunya virus entry inhibitors
Authors: Wintachai Phitchayapak , Thuaud Frédéric , Basmadjian Christine , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Ubol Sukathida , Désaubry Laurent , Smith Duncan R. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTChikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re‐emerging mosquito‐borne alphavirus that recently caused large epidemics in islands in, and countries around, the Indian Ocean. There is currently no specific drug for therapeutic treatment or for use as a prophylactic agent against infection and no commercially available vaccine. Prohibitin has been identified as a receptor protein used by chikungunya virus to enter mammalian cells. Recently, synthetic sulfonyl amidines and flavaglines (FLs), a class of naturally occurring plant compounds with potent anti‐cancer and cytoprotective and neuroprotective activities, have been shown to interact directly with prohibitin. This study therefore sought to determine whether three prohibitin ligands (sulfonyl amidine 1 m and the flavaglines FL3 and FL23) were able to inhibit CHIKV infection of mammalian Hek293T/17 cells. All three compounds inhibited infection and reduced virus production when cells were treated before infection but not when added after infection. Pretreatment of cells for only 15 minutes prior to infection followed by washing out of the compound resulted in significant inhibition of entry and virus production. These results suggest that further investigation of prohibitin ligands as potential Chikungunya virus entry inhibitors is warranted.
Virulence characteristics of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli from raw meats and clinical samples
Authors: Hoang Minh Son , Kimura Etsuko , Hoang Minh Duc , Honjoh Ken‐ichi , Miyamoto Takahisa 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTShiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are dangerous foodborne pathogens. Foods are considered as important sources for STEC infection in human. In this study, STEC contamination of raw meats was investigated and the virulence factors of 120 clinical STEC strains characterized. STEC was detected in 4.4% of tested samples. Among 25 STEC strains from meats, five strains (20%) were positive for the eae gene, which encodes intimin, an important binding protein of pathogenic STEC. The remaining strains (80%) were eae‐negative. However, 28% of them possessed the saa gene, which encodes STEC agglutinating adhesin. The ehxA gene encoding for enterohemolysin was found in 75% of the meat strains and the subAB gene, the product is of which subtilase cytotoxin, was found in 32% of these strains. The stx2a gene, a subtype of Shiga toxin gene (stx), was the most prevalent subtype among the identified meat STEC bacteria. None of the meat STEC was O157:H7 serotype. Nevertheless, 92% of them produced Shiga toxin (Stx). Among 120 clinical STEC strains, 30% and 70% strains harbored single and multiple stx subtypes, respectively. Most clinical STEC bacteria possessed eae (90.8%) and ehxA (96.7%) genes and 92.5% of them showed Stx productivity. Our study shows that some raw meat samples contain non‐O157 STEC bacteria and some strains have virulence factors similar to those of clinical strains.