bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of employee learning on staff motivation in Greek small firms: the employees' perspective
Authors: Panagiotakopoulos Antonios 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to try to understand the main motivational forces, from the employees' point of view, that direct staff behavior in small firms within a country that suffers from a severe financial crisis. The study will identify the main factors affecting staff motivation at a period where the financial rewards are kept to the minimum, with the purpose of helping small firm owners create working environments that stimulate employee performance.Design/methodology/approachIn order to explore the impact of various contextual variables on staff motivation, 65 structured personal interviews were conducted with employees working in Greek small firms that showed an interest to participate in the study. The empirical work took place in Greece during September‐December 2011 and the respondents consisted of workers employed in 20 small firms (i.e. firms employing from 5 to 50 workers) of the Greek services sector, as well as the manufacturing industry. The interview questions looked at various factors affecting staff motivation, such as quality of supervision, financial rewards, job design, training and development opportunities, social relations with co‐workers etc. The data analysis involved descriptive, hierarchical coding based on a priori codes identified from previous theory and grounded codes that emerged from new observations.FindingsThe changing nature of the international business environment has placed an increasing emphasis on the importance of effective human resource practices for firm success, including the importance of the “psychological contract” (i.e. the perceptions of the employee and employer of what their mutual informal obligations are towards each other) within the employment relationship.Originality/valueHuman resource management plays a vital role in ensuring the promotion of business success and managing change. This involves paying attention to the “psychological contract” and the establishment of expectations and obligations with all groups of employees within the organization. This paper explores the impact of various contextual variables on staff motivation from the employees' perspective.
The rules of engagement
Authors: by Gareth Bell Interview 
Published: January 2013

PurposeProvides an interview with Jane Sparrow, author of The Culture Builders.Design/methodology/approachInterviews Sparrow about her research and findings.FindingsDiscusses the five leadership types she discovered.Practical implicationsOffers advice on how to get the best from your work force.Originality/valuePresents the insight of a leading practitioner in the field of management and employee engagement.
A conceptual framework for hybrid system dynamics and discrete event simulation for healthcare
Authors: Chahal Kirandeep , Eldabi Tillal , Young Terry 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a generic framework for hybrid (integrated deployment of system dynamics and discrete event simulation) simulation which can be applied in the healthcare domain.Design/methodology/approachAs hybrid simulation in an organisational context is a new topic with limited available data on deployment of hybrid simulation in organisational context, an inductive approach has been applied. On the basis of knowledge induced from literature, a generic conceptual framework for hybrid simulation has been developed. The proposed framework is demonstrated using an explanatory case study comprising an accident and emergency (A&E) department.FindingsThe framework provided detailed guidance for the development of a hybrid model of an A&E case study. Findings of this case study suggest that the hybrid model was more efficient in capturing behavioural impact on operational performances.Research limitations/implicationsThe framework is limited to only SD and DES; as agent‐based is another simulation method which is emerging as a promising tool for analysing problems such as spread of infectious diseases in healthcare context, inclusion of this into the framework will enhance the utility of the framework.Practical implicationsThis framework will aid in the development of hybrid models capable of comprehending both detail as well as dynamic complexity, which will contribute towards a deeper understanding of the problems, resulting in more effective decision making.Social implicationsIt is expected that this research will encourage those engaged in simulation (e.g. researchers, practitioners, decision makers) to realise the potential of cross‐fertilisation of the two simulation paradigms.Originality/valueCurrently, there is no conceptual framework which provides guidance for developing hybrid models. In order to address this gap, this paper contributes by proposing a conceptual framework for hybrid simulation for the healthcare domain.
Framework for detailed workflow analysis and modelling for simulation of multi‐modal image‐guided interventions
Authors: Fernández‐Gutiérrez Fabiola , Barnett Iain , Taylor Bruce , Houston Graeme , Melzer Andreas 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for analysing and modelling detailed workflow of image‐guided interventions to facilitate simulation and the re‐engineering process for the development of new procedures in multi‐modal imaging environments.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology presented includes a literature review on workflow simulation in surgery, focussing on radiology environments, an assessment of simulation tools, a data gathering and management framework and research on methods for conceptual modelling of the processes.FindingsThe literature review reveals that few authors attempted to analyse the phases within image‐guided interventions, and those that did, only did so partially. The framework developed for this work intends to fill the gap found in the survey. It allows the maintenance and management of large amounts of data, one of the most critical factors when modelling detailed workflow. In addition, selecting the appropriate simulation software plays an important role, saving time in later stages of the project.Originality/valueThe framework presented for endovascular interventions can be extended to other types of image‐guided interventions. Moreover, modelling the workflow processes in a modular way facilitates the re‐engineering process when integrating different imaging modalities during the same procedure.
Revisiting the economic effect of export subsidy: an expansion of the traditional analysis
Authors: Sun Zesheng , Wang Shuyun 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to attempt to expand the traditional economic effect analysis of export subsidy, which has previously ignored the incentive of export subsidies in terms of competition from re‐importation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper performs a comparative static analysis based on the traditional welfare analysis of export subsidies by introducing different transportation costs and using small country model and large country model, respectively.FindingsCompared with the traditional analysis, exporting countries that implement export subsidies suffer less welfare loss and induce intra‐industry trade of homogeneous products. Due to export subsidy policy incentives, transportation costs heavily influence trade patterns, trade volumes and welfare. Trade patterns evolve from unidirectional export to intra‐industry trade as transportation costs are reduced, with the main source of welfare loss coming from transportation costs. The distribution of export subsidies is biased when domestic transportation costs are high. Under low domestic transportation costs, inefficient intra‐industry trade would emerge as a result of export subsidy incentive.Practical implicationsThe findings could be helpful to understand the impact of export subsidy policy on trade pattern, trade volumes and welfare when considering international and domestic transportation cost.Originality/valueThe paper emphasizes the incentive of export subsidy on re‐importation, and links it with transportation costs, which expand the traditional export subsidy analysis.
International classification of functioning, disability and health and motor neurone disease rehabilitation
Authors: Ng Louisa , Khan Fary 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine if issues relevant to multidisciplinary rehabilitation care from the perspective of the patient and caregiver can be addressed utilising the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework; also to identify gaps in evidence and service provision to optimise clinical care.Design/methodology/approachParticipants with motor neurone disease (MND) (n=44) and their caregivers (n=37) were recruited from a tertiary MND clinic. Cross‐sectional predominantly qualitative methodology was used to explore the perspectives of MND patients and their caregivers on disability and service gaps. Their disability experience and relevant environmental factors were then mapped onto the ICF framework. Personal factors were described. The impact of MND on caregivers was also described.FindingsThere were significant gaps in MND care. In particular, the need for coordinated care by neurology, rehabilitation and palliative care services (“neuropalliative rehabilitation” model) was highlighted. The ICF framework adequately incorporated patient‐and caregiver‐ reported disability in MND.Originality/valueThis is the first review that the authors can identify, that lays the foundation for development of an ICF “Core set” (expert‐selected ICF categories that should be addressed in multidisciplinary care settings) for MND, which could improve consensus of care and communication amongst treating clinicians.
Lasting behavioural responses of brown bears to experimental encounters with humans
Authors: Ordiz Andrés , Støen Ole‐Gunnar , Sæbø Solve , Sahlén Veronica , Pedersen Bjørn E. , Kindberg Jonas , Swenson Jon E. 
Published: January 2013

Summary

Some large carnivore populations are increasing in Europe and North America, and minimizing interactions between people and carnivores is a major management task. Analysing the effects of human disturbance on wildlife from a predator–prey perspective is also of conservation interest, because individual behavioural responses to the perceived risk of predation may ultimately influence population distribution and demography.
The Scandinavian brown bear population provides a good model to study the interactions between an expanding large carnivore population, and people who use forests extensively for professional and recreational activities. We experimentally approached 52 GPS‐collared brown bears (293 approaches on foot) from 2006 to 2011, to document the reaction of bears and quantify the effect of disturbance on bear movements.
None of the bears reacted aggressively to the observers. Although the location of the animals was known, bears were usually in quite concealed spots and were physically detected in only 16% of the approaches (seen in 42 approaches; heard in 6). However, the bears altered their daily movement patterns after the approaches. Bears increased movement at night‐time and moved less at daytime, which was most visible in days 1 and 2 after the approaches, altering their foraging and resting routines.
Synthesis and applications. We provide experimental evidence on the effect of human disturbance on a large carnivore. The lack of aggressive reactions to approaching observers reinforces the idea that European brown bears generally avoid people, although bears can respond aggressively if they feel threatened (e.g. when wounded). However, the movement patterns of the bears changed after disturbance. Separating large carnivores and people temporally and spatially is an important goal for conservation and management. Conserving the shrub cover that provides concealment to the carnivores and keeping people away from the most densely vegetated spots in the forests is a way to avoid encounters between carnivores and people, therefore promoting human safety and carnivore conservation.
Single‐cell and population level viral infection dynamics revealed by phageFISH, a method to visualize intracellular and free viruses
Authors: Allers Elke , Moraru Cristina , Duhaime Melissa B. , Beneze Erica , Solonenko Natalie , Barrero‐Canosa Jimena , Amann Rudolf , Sullivan Matthew B. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryMicrobes drive the biogeochemical cycles that fuel planet Earth, and their viruses (phages) alter microbial population structure, genome repertoire, and metabolic capacity. However, our ability to understand and quantify phage–host interactions is technique‐limited. Here, we introduce phageFISH – a markedly improved geneFISH protocol that increases gene detection efficiency from 40% to > 92% and is optimized for detection and visualization of intra‐ and extracellular phage DNA. The application of phageFISH to characterize infection dynamics in a marine podovirus–gammaproteobacterial host model system corroborated classical metrics (qPCR, plaque assay, FVIC, DAPI) and outperformed most of them to reveal new biology. PhageFISH detected both replicating and encapsidated (intracellular and extracellular) phage DNA, while simultaneously identifying and quantifying host cells during all stages of infection. Additionally, phageFISH allowed per‐cell relative measurements of phage DNA, enabling single‐cell documentation of infection status (e.g. early vs late stage infections). Further, it discriminated between two waves of infection, which no other measurement could due to population‐averaged signals. Together, these findings richly characterize the infection dynamics of a novel model phage–host system, and debut phageFISH as a much‐needed tool for studying phage–host interactions in the laboratory, with great promise for environmental surveys and lineage‐specific population ecology of free phages.
Rich Man, Poor Man, Politician Man: Wealth Effects in a Candidate Biography Survey Experiment
Authors: Campbell Rosie , Cowley Philip 
Published: January 2013

Research Highlights and Abstract We show that voters are sensitive to the relative wealth of election candidates. As candidates' earnings increase, so their popularity declines. Wealth is an especial negative for women, for working class respondents and for Labour and Lib Dem respondents. Conservative respondents are less put off by wealthy candidates, although they draw a sharper distinction between the source of income than others. This article reports the findings from an Internet survey experiment designed to investigate the British public's reactions to wealthy (or not so wealthy) candidates. We applied two experimental manipulations, one to wealth and the other to occupation. We varied occupation and the amount that the candidates earned each year. We found that voters preferred self-made businessmen to financiers, but that regardless of occupation they reacted negatively to financial success. We discovered heterogeneity in responses, with women, working class and Labour and Lib Dem respondents being especially hostile to increases in income. Conservative respondents were less put off by wealthy candidates, although they drew a sharper distinction between the source of income than did others. The experiments provide support for the identity politics claim that voters want a representative who is ‘like them’; and suggest that political scientists should pay more attention to the representation of wealth and social class.
Updated evidence‐based practice guidelines for the nutritional management of patients receiving radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy
Authors: Isenring Elisabeth , Zabel Rachel , Bannister Melanie , Brown Teresa , Findlay Merran , Kiss Nicole , Loeliger Jenelle , Johnstone Cara , Camilleri Belinda , Davidson Wendy , Hill Jan , Bauer Judy 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimsThe aim of this paper was to update the evidence‐based practice guidelines for the nutritional management of patients receiving radiation therapy and broaden the scope to include chemotherapy.MethodsThe following databases were searched using a range of keywords: Cochrane Database, CENTRAL, MEDLINE (via Ebscohost), EMBASE, CINAHL (Ebscohost), Web of Science, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition and PubMed. Relevant papers (n = 47) were reviewed by at least two members of the steering committee and assigned a level of evidence and a quality rating.ResultsThere were no new published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of nutrition intervention in radiation therapy. Most statements in the previous radiation therapy guidelines have strong evidence supporting nutrition intervention. There were 12 studies in chemotherapy including five RCTs. While these studies provided strong evidence that simple nutrition intervention improves nutritional outcomes such as dietary intake and weight, they did not find an improvement in quality of life or survival. Several RCTs found no benefits of nutrition support in patients undergoing chemotherapy. None of the RCTs in chemotherapy used medical nutrition therapy (MNT) as the intervention, but rather simple dietary advice and/or supplements.ConclusionsThe evidence to support nutrition intervention in patients receiving radiation therapy remains strong. However, the benefits of nutrition intervention in chemotherapy are less clear. Further studies are required to evaluate the impact of MNT as opposed to simple dietary advice in chemotherapy patients. This update contributes to a move towards comprehensive evidence‐based guidelines for the nutritional management of patients with cancer.
Adherence to a Mediterranean‐style diet can slow the rate of cognitive decline and decrease the risk of dementia: a systematic review
Authors: Opie Rachelle Sara , Ralston Robin A. , Walker Karen Z. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to explore the association between a Mediterranean‐style diet and cognitive performance, dementia, Alzheimer's disease and associated mortality in ageing populations.MethodsA systematic search of Ovid Medline, Embase and Cinahl plus databases for papers published from September 1970.ResultsTen prospective cohort studies and one cross‐sectional study were included in this review. Higher adherence to a Mediterranean‐style diet was associated with significantly decreased risks for all‐cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's disease mortality and infarcts detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Adherence to a Mediterranean‐style diet was not, however, consistently associated with tests of cognitive performance and was not associated with the presence of white matter hyper‐intensities in the brain. In four of six studies, subjects in the highest tertile for Mediterranean diet adherence had a 28–48% lower risk for development of dementia or Alzheimer's disease than subjects in the lowest tertile. For subjects with Alzheimer's disease, those in the highest tertile of adherence to a Mediterranean‐style diet had a 73% lower mortality risk than those in the lowest tertile (fully adjusted hazard ratio 0.27, 95% CIs: 0.10–0.69, P for trend = 0.003).ConclusionsThere is strong evidence for the protective role of a Mediterranean‐style diet against cognitive decline and development of Alzheimer's disease. Strategies should now be sought to promote this eating pattern in older Australians. Support for dietitians in implementing this change has potential to reduce the high health‐care costs associated with cognitive decline on ageing.
18α‐glycyrrhetinic acid extracted from Glycyrrhiza radix inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of the hepatic stellate cell line
Authors: Zong Lei , Qu Ying , Xu Ming Yi , Dong Yu Wei , Lu Lun Gen 
Published: January 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of 18α‐glycyrrhetinic acid (18α‐GA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and its underlying mechanisms.MethodsHSCs (both human and rat HSCs) were pretreated with or without selective peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ) antagonist, GW9662, before 18a‐GA treatment. Cell cycle and apoptosis of HSCs were analyzed by flow cytometry, and changes in cell cycle and apoptosis‐related proteins were analyzed by Western blot. The effect of 18α‐GA on nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) DNA‐binding activity was measured by ArrayStar transcription factor activity assay.Results18α‐GA markedly reduced LX‐2 cell numbers by 14.8% and 31.2% after 48 h and 72 h of treatment, respectively (P < 0.05). 18α‐GA also significantly increased the percentage of LX‐2 cells in phase G0/G1 and decreased it in phase S after treated for 48 h and 72 h compared with the control group. 18α‐GA increased apoptosis to 6.8% at 48 h, compared with control (2.5%), and at 72 h the percentages of apoptotic cells in control and the treatment groups were 3.1% and 15.6%, respectively, in LX‐2 cells (P < 0.01). Similar changes occurred in CCl4‐cirrhotic fat‐storing cells. Furthermore, 18α‐GA induced expression of PPAR‐γ and altered some cell cycle and apoptosis‐related proteins. 18α‐GA also inhibited NF‐κB DNA‐binding activity. All these effects were abolished by GW9662.Conclusions18α‐GA inhibits the proliferation of activated HSCs and induces apoptosis in culture. It also increases PPAR‐γ expression and decreases NF‐κB DNA‐binding activity, which may be involved in these effects.
Incidence and outcomes of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in rural and urban Australia
Authors: Shiraev Timothy , Condous Michael G. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundRural and regional populations suffer higher rates of preventable disease and all‐cause mortality than urban areas, with rural areas of the USA experiencing double the rate of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). We investigated the incidence and outcomes of ruptured AAAs in an Australian rural and regional setting, and compared these with those of an urban population.MethodsWe undertook a retrospective analysis of all patients suffering AAA rupture in New South Wales (NSW) from 2009/2010 to 2010/2011. Variables included rates of rupture, mortality and intensive care admission. Urban and rural–regional areas were stratified according to NSW Health Local Health Districts, and comparisons between the two groups were performed.ResultsRuptured AAAs had an incidence of 4.1/100 000, with males twice as likely to suffer AAA rupture (P = 0.009), but females 88% more likely to die from rupture (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference between AAA rupture rates (5.0 versus 3.4 per 100 000; P = 0.054) nor case‐fatality rates (41.22% versus 40.94%; P = 0.087) in rural–regional and urban populations. Patients in urban areas had a longer hospital stay (5 days versus 1 day, P = 0.001), were more likely to be admitted to intensive care unit (29.4% versus 19.9%, P = 0.001) and were less likely to be transferred to another hospital (19% versus 32%, P = 0.001).ConclusionsAAA ruptures remain a significant public health burden. Rural and regional areas suffer disproportionately, which may be improved by implementation of AAA screening and funding for rural and regional hospitals to sustain adequate surgical and intensive care facilities.