bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How others see us: leaders’ perceptions of communication and communication managers
Authors: Simcic Brønn Peggy 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– This paper aims to assess other leaders’ perceptions of the importance and contribution of communication to organizational success and the abilities of their communication executives to contribute to strategic decision making.Design/methodology/approach– A quantitative approach was used through a questionnaire sent to 5,000 business leaders in small, medium, and large firms across the country of Norway.Findings– Overall results indicate that communication is viewed as not as important to business success as other management disciplines, but leaders rate communication skills as the most important communication discipline. In general, communication executives must improve their strategic orientation if they are to be engaged in decision processes where more than communication is discussed. There is moderate but significant correlation between strategic orientation and involvement in decision making and being invited to the strategic planning process.Research limitations/implications– This research was performed in a small country with all the limitations that creates; only a small percentage of the respondents had a unique communication department or head of communication, although there is some evidence this is not unusual. There also might be issues with definitions of terms such as public relations and corporate communication; while they are familiar to communication professionals, they are not so well understood by others.Practical implications– Hopefully this study will give a greater understanding of the view of communication in organizations and its contribution to organizational success.Originality/value– This study appears to be one of the first to ask other leaders opinions on communication and communication executives’ role in organizations. Most studies have asked communication executives their opinions on how their leaders view them.
The role and status of communication practice in the USA and Europe
Authors: Swerling Jerry , Thorson Kjerstin , Zerfass Ansgar 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore trends in practitioners’ perceptions of their role within organizations as well as their influence among senior management both in the USA and Europe. It analyses practitioners’ beliefs about the status of their work as well as their understandings of the ways the new media environment is shifting their everyday practice.Design/methodology/approach– This paper draws on data from two surveys of public relations (PR) practitioners, one in the USA and the other in Europe. These data enable comparisons between communication practice in the two geographic areas. The paper focusses the analysis on senior-level practitioners who reported working within the communication department of an organization.Findings– The findings of this study suggest that practitioners in both regions are optimistic about the influence of communications within their broader organizations. However, European practitioners are more likely to adopt a “central but flexible” organizational strategy for managing the need to speak in many voices across media and publics. American respondents report much greater use of social media tools than do their European counterparts. These findings are discussed as they relate to the diverse circumstances characterizing the communication practice in each region.Originality/value– This paper provides a rare comparative look at attitudes and practices within PR and communications in two distinct geographic areas.
Leadership for a new vision of public school classrooms
Authors: Sheppard Bruce , Brown Jean 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding of distributed leadership to the school district level as the authors examine how leadership for twenty-first century learning is distributed within public schools and school districts as they strive to transform their school classrooms from primarily teacher-directed toward more student-centered and technology-enhanced. It contributes to a growing understanding of the inherent distribution of school and school district leadership and helps elucidate how existing leadership machinations can be adapted to facilitate the transformation of public school classrooms from being primarily teacher-directed, to predominately student-centered, technology-enhanced learning environments.Design/methodology/approach– This is a qualitative study conducted in all school districts in one Canadian province. Data were gathered through interviews of all district technology leaders and principals of two schools (per district) deemed exemplary in their use of technology for classroom learning; focus group sessions with stratified samples of teachers and all district-level program professionals in each district, and semi-structured observations of district-selected technology-savvy classrooms in two schools per district.Findings– The paper provides insights into the challenges of leading classroom innovation, including costs associated with technology acquisition and the provision of quality professional development. It reaffirms the continued relevance of the school principal while concomitantly confirming the inherent existence of distributed leadership within and across organizational boundaries that can facilitate or impede complex change. Finally, findings from this study serve as yet another reminder that the accumulated, rich evidence base regarding the process of leading and implementing complex innovation appears to be largely ignored by practitioners.Research limitations/implications– Because the research approach is qualitative and restricted to one defined population, the generalizability of this study may be limited.Practical implications– This paper draws attention to practical importance of fostering leadership from multiple sources and the need for reflection on how research evidence in education can better directed toward improved practice.Originality/value– Given the major public expenditures in the acquisition of new and emerging technology for public school classrooms, this paper may foster reflection for improved leadership and implementation practices. The paper anticipates that this work will contribute to a growing understanding of the distributed nature of school and school district leadership. Also, the paper believes it will help elucidate how current machinations of leadership might be adapted to facilitate the transformation of public school classrooms from primarily teacher-directed to predominately student-centered, technology-enhanced learning environments.
The timeline of self-efficacy: changes during the professional life cycle of school principals
Authors: Fisher Yael 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The first purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between principal self-efficacy and work experience. The second purpose of this paper is to re-study the structure of a multidimensional and hierarchical Principal Self-Efficacy Scale (PSES).

Design/methodology/approach
– PSES was measured using the Brama-Friedman scale (PSES) (Brama and Friedman, 2007). During the 2010 school year, 123 principals participated. Exploration of PSES was based on Facet Theory (Guttman, 1959).

Findings
– The findings show that the highest levels of the PSES were found with principals that were at their first year of leading the school. The levels of PSES drop significantly during the second year and up to the fifth year of work experience. The levels of PSES start to rise after the fifth year, and stabilize after ten years. Furthermore, the findings show that PSES is comprised of organizational leadership, educational, and pedagogical leadership and external and communal relations.

Research limitations/implications
– The sample was relatively small and mostly from the center school district of Israel. The second limitation was that the sample included only Jewish principals. Since 20 percent of the population in Israel is Arabs, further studies should include all minorities in order to enlighten the issue.

Practical implications
– Understanding the relations between PSES levels and work experience could assist policy makers with decisions concerning continuing professional development (in-service training) of principals.

Originality/value
– Little is known about the relations between perceived self-efficacy of principals and their work experience.
A DMAIRC approach to lead time reduction in an aerospace engine assembly process
Authors: Arturo Garza-Reyes Jose , Flint Ashley , Kumar Vikas , Antony Jiju , Soriano-Meier Horacio 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– Problem solving and continuous process improvement are key elements to achieve business excellence. Many problem solving and process improvement methodologies have been proposed and adopted by organisations, with DMAIC being the most widely used. The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical application of a modified version of DMAIC which enabled a world-class organisation to achieve an optimum reduction in the lead time of its aerospace engine assembly process.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper reviews the most commonly used problem solving and process improvement methodologies and specifically, DMAIC, its variations and limitations. Based on this, it presents define, measure, analyse, improve, review, control (DMAIRC). Finally, DMAIRC is empirically applied through a case study, in a world-class manufacturing organisation.

Findings
– The results obtained from the case study indicate that DMAIRC is an effective alternative to achieve the maximum improvement potential of a process. In particular, DMAIRC helped the organisation studied to achieve a 30 percent reduction in the lead time of its engine assembly process.

Originality/value
– The novel problem solving and process improvement methodology presented in this paper can be used by organisations to undertake a more effective improvement project by assuring that the maximum potential of their improvement initiatives and processes is achieved.
Concentration risk model for Greek bank's credit portfolio
Authors: Lefcaditis Constantinos , Tsamis Anastasios , Leventides John 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The IRB capital requirements of Basel II define the minimum level of capital that the bank has to retain to cover the current risks of its portfolio. The major risk that many banks are facing is credit risk and Basel II provides an approach to calculate its capital requirement. It is well known that Pillar I Basel II approach for credit risk capital requirements does not include concentration risk. The paper aims to propose a model modifying Basel II methodology (IRB) to include name concentration risk.

Design/methodology/approach
– The model is developed on data based on a portfolio of Greek companies that are financed by Greek commercial banks. Based on the initial portfolio, new portfolios were simulated having a range of different credit risk parameters. Subsequently, the credit VaR of various portfolios was regressed against the credit risk indicators such as Basel II capital requirements, modified Herfindahl Index and a non-linear model was developed. This model modifies the Pillar I IRB capital requirements model of Basel II to include name concentration risk.

Findings
– As the Pillar I IRB capital requirements model of Basel II does not include concentration risk, the credit VaR calculations performed in the present work appeared to have gaps with the Basel II capital requirements. These gaps were more apparent when there was high concentration risk in the credit portfolios. The new model bridges this gap providing with a correction coefficient.

Practical implications
– The credit VaR of a loan portfolio could be calculated from the bank easily, without the use of additional complicated algorithms and systems.

Originality/value
– The model is constructed in such a way as to provide an approximation of credit VaR satisfactory for business loan portfolios whose risk parameters lie within the range of those in a realistic bank credit portfolio and without the application of Monte Carlo simulations.
Time‐lapse seismic modelling of CO2 fluid substitution in the Devonian Redwater Reef, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Sodagar Taher M. , Lawton Don C. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTCommon shot ray tracing and finite difference seismic modelling experiments were undertaken to evaluate variations in the seismic response of the Devonian Redwater reef in the Alberta Basin, Canada after replacement of native pore waters in the upper rim of the reef with CO2. This part of the reef is being evaluated for a CO2 storage project. The input geological model was based on well data and the interpretation of depth‐converted, reprocessed 2D seismic data in the area. Pre‐stack depth migration of the ray traced and finite difference synthetic data demonstrate similar seismic attributes for the Mannville, Nisku, Ireton, Cooking Lake, and Beaverhill Lake formations and clear terminations of the Upper Leduc and Middle Leduc events at the reef margin. Higher amplitudes at the base of Upper‐Leduc member are evident near the reef margin due to the higher porosity of the foreslope facies in the reef rim compared to the tidal flat lagoonal facies within the central region of the reef. Time‐lapse seismic analysis exhibits an amplitude difference of about 14% for Leduc reflections before and after CO2 saturation and a travel‐time delay through the reservoir of 1.6 ms. Both the ray tracing and finite difference approaches yielded similar results but, for this particular model, the latter provided more precise imaging of the reef margin. From the numerical study we conclude that time‐lapse surface seismic surveys should be effective in monitoring the location of the CO2 plume in the Upper Leduc Formation of the Redwater reef, although the differences in the results between the two modelling approaches are of similar order to the effects of the CO2 fluid replacement itself.
Predicting women at risk for developing obstetric fistula: a fistula index? An observational study comparison of two cohorts
Authors: Browning A , Lewis A , Whiteside S 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo ascertain if a predictor of obstructed labour and obstetric fistula (OF) occurrence could be devised.DesignObservational study of two cohorts.SettingSelian Lutheran Mission Hospital, Arusha, Tanzania and Aberdeen Women's Centre, Freetown, Sierra Leone.PopulationAll women presenting with OF caused by obstructed labour and all women having a normal vaginal delivery (NVD) at both institutions were eligible for the study.MethodsAll women with OF and those delivering normally had their height in centimetres measured and their intertuberous space measured by the number of examiner's knuckles admitted. The dimensions for OF and normal delivery were examined individually and multiplied to gain a ‘fistula index’.Main outcomes measuresDimensions and index were compared statistically between OF and NVD women using t tests. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values from receiver operating characteristic curves were obtained for predicting OF.ResultsThere were statistical differences between the groups with OF women being significantly shorter, having a smaller intertuberous space and lower fistula index than those undergoing NVD (each P < 0.001). Sensitivity was high for fistula index ≤ 507.5 (94.9%, 95% confidence interval 83.1–98.6%) and for intertuberous space of at least three knuckles (92.3%, 95% CI 79.7–97.3%) alone.ConclusionsA simple antenatal measurement of intertuberous space could screen those women at higher risk of needing medical intervention to prevent OF.
Australia's Indigenous Carbon Economy: A National Snapshot
Authors: ROBINSON CATHY J. , GERRARD EMILY , MAY TRACEY , MACLEAN KIRSTEN 
Published: January 2014

AbstractMany Indigenous communities in Australia are well situated to provide greenhouse gas abatement and carbon sequestration benefits, but little is known about the factors affecting the capability of Australia's Indigenous organisations to participate in climate change mitigation strategies. This paper provides a ‘snapshot’ summary of certain aspects of Australia's Indigenous organisations' participation in carbon offset schemes. The snapshot provides insight into the degree to which Indigenous organisations are aware of carbon market opportunities in Australia, the level that these Indigenous organisations participate in or engage with carbon‐based economic enterprises, and the key pathways through which Indigenous carbon market opportunities are pursued. Analysis of data collected from a national survey conducted between 2011 and 2012 show that most obstacles to Indigenous participation in carbon offset schemes relate to land tenure arrangements; geographic and biophysical factors; low levels of requisite technical, human and financial resources; and appropriate recognition of Indigenous knowledge and cultural responsibilities. The snapshot also highlights the value of supporting regionally specific capacity‐building strategies to enable Indigenous people to participate in emerging carbon offset activities and the generation of associated ecosystem services. Cultural, socio‐economic or demographic factors that are also likely to influence the ability of many Indigenous communities to participate in carbon market opportunities are identified as important areas for further research.
Studying the Effects of Nucleating Agents on Texture Modification of Puffed Corn‐Fish Snack
Authors: Shahmohammadi Hamid Reza , Bakar Jamilah , Rahman Russly Abdul , Adzhan Noranizan Mohd 
Published: January 2014

AbstractTo improve textural attributes of puffed corn‐fish snack, the effects of 1%, 1.5%, and 2% of calcium carbonate, magnesium silicate (talc), sodium bicarbonate as well as 5% and 10% of wheat bran (as the nucleating materials) on textural attributes were studied. Sensory evaluation, bulk density, expansion ratio, maximum force, and count peaks were measured using the Kramer test. The results showed that all of the additives except bran significantly enhanced the texture. Among them, talc at 0.5% was the best to enhance the density and expansion ratio. Effects of using 0.5% talc on puffed corn‐fish snack microstructure were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The average cell diameter of 109 ± 48 μm and cell numbers per square centimeter of 67.4 for talc‐treated products were obtained, while for nontalc‐treated extrudates, average cell diameter of 798 ± 361 μm and cell numbers per square centimeter of 13.9 were found. Incorporation of 0.5% w/w of magnesium silicate reduced (7‐fold) the average cell diameter while increased (4‐fold) the cell number.
Rosuvastatin Can Block Pro‐Inflammatory Actions of Transgenic Human C‐Reactive Protein Without Reducing its Circulating Levels
Authors: Šilhavý Jan , Zídek Václav , Landa Vladimír , Šimáková Miroslava , Mlejnek Petr , Škop Vojtěch , Oliyarnyk Olena , Kazdová Ludmila , Mancini Massimiliano , Saar Kathrin , Schulz Herbert , Hübner Norbert , Kurtz Theodore W. , Pravenec Michal 
Published: January 2014

SummaryAimsStatins have antiinflammatory effects and are known to decrease risk of cardiovascular events and to reduce serum levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), a widely studied biomarker and potential mediator of inflammation and heart disease. However, it is unclear whether statins can block pro‐inflammatory effects of human CRP independent of their ability to reduce serum levels of human CRP. Here, we investigated whether rosuvastatin could block pro‐inflammatory effects of human CRP without reducing circulating levels of human CRP.Methods and ResultsWe studied the antiinflammatory effects of rosuvastatin in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) transgenically expressing human CRP (CRP‐transgenic SHR) and in nontransgenic SHR lacking human CRP (nontransgenic SHR). The CRP‐transgenic SHR is characterized by increased serum levels of human CRP and inflammation. In the CRP‐transgenic strain, we found that rosuvastatin treatment decreased circulating levels of inflammatory response markers IL6 and TNFα without decreasing circulating levels of human CRP. In contrast, in the nontransgenic strain lacking human CRP, rosuvastatin treatment had little or no effect on IL6 and TNFα levels. Rosuvastatin also reduced cardiac inflammation and oxidative tissue damage, reduced epididymal fat mass, and improved adipose tissue lipolysis much more in the CRP‐transgenic strain than in the nontransgenic strain.ConclusionRosuvastatin can protect against pro‐inflammatory effects of human CRP in a manner that is not dependent on achieving a reduction in circulating levels of human CRP.
Left retroperitoneal aortic aneurysm repair in patients unsuitable for endovascular treatment
Authors: Twine Christopher P. , Von‐Oppell Ulrich , Williams Ian M. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundThis study aims to evaluate the contemporary outcome of left open retroperitoneal (RP) abdominal aortic surgery over a 7‐year time period in patients with difficult anatomy unsuitable for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).MethodsEighty‐four consecutive patients unsuitable for EVAR/FEVAR underwent left RP open aortic surgery. Of these, 44 (52%) required an infrarenal cross‐clamp, 17 (20%) a suprarenal cross‐clamp and 15 (18%) a supracoeliac cross‐clamp. Eight (10%) were thoracoabdominal aneurysms.ResultsThere were four mortalities within 30 days (4.8%). Two occurred in patients with a supracoeliac cross‐clamp, one in a suprarenal cross‐clamp (total suprarenal mortality 10%) and one in an infrarenal cross‐clamp. Four patients required prolonged ventilatory support (>10 days). Three patients (9%) from the suprarenal group developed post‐operative renal dysfunction, one of these required permanent dialysis. Paralytic ileus occured in two patients (2%) and was secondary to ischaemia in both cases.ConclusionThere will always remain a small group of patients best treated by open aortic surgery. By definition, these are complex, difficult cases and are decreasing in number. However, in vascular units regularly performing the RP approach, excellent results can be obtained. This series provides further evidence for centralization of vascular services.
When does ultrasonography influence management in suspected appendicitis?
Authors: Scrimgeour Duncan S. G. , Driver Christopher P. , Stoner Rebecca S. , King Sebastian K. , Beasley Spencer W. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundAccurate diagnosis of appendicitis is challenging, particularly in children. Moreover, opinion is divided over the role of ultrasonography (US) in its diagnosis and how US may influence management. This study compares the use of US in two tertiary paediatric hospitals and how it influenced the management of suspected appendicitis.MethodsData from acute admissions, radiology, histopathology and theatre were cross‐referenced to review all children who underwent an appendicectomy (with or without preoperative US) for suspected appendicitis in Christchurch (CH) in New Zealand and Aberdeen (AB) in Scotland in 2009.ResultsFive hundred and ninety‐nine patients (442 CH; 157 AB) were included, with similar age and gender distributions. US was performed in 23% of patients with an overall appendix visualization rate of 29%. The overall positive and negative predictive values were 67% and 100%, respectively. Females were more likely to have US than males (P < 0.001, χ2). In females with no appendix seen on US, in the presence or absence of other pathology, a normal appendix was confirmed in 50% and 58%, respectively. Visualizing the appendix resulted in a lower rate of normal appendix at operation (20%, 4/20) compared with when the appendix was not visualized (56%, 14/25).ConclusionIdentification of a normal appendix on US seems sufficiently accurate to exclude appendicitis with confidence, while positive US should be interpreted in conjunction with the clinical features in influencing the decision to operate. The incidence of a non‐inflamed appendix at operation could be reduced with an increased rate of appendiceal visualization by sonographers.