bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Sex on the Risk to Develop Contrast-Induced Nephropathy after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Madershahian Navid , Scherner Maximilian , Rudolph Tanja , Slottosch Ingo , Grundmann Franziska , Kuhn Elmar , Michels Guido , Wahlers Thorsten 
Published: April 2014

Objective Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is the third most common cause of acute renal failure and is associated with increased morbidity and in-hospital mortality. Some recent studies identified female sex as a risk factor of CIN. The aim of this study was to determine the relative impact of female sex on the development and clinical outcome of CIN in patients with preexisting renal impairment after transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods From February 2008 to February 2011, a total of 55 TAVI patients [82.4 (6.5) years] with preprocedural serum creatinine level of greater than 1.1 mg/dL were retrospectively investigated. The incidence of postprocedural CIN, lengths of intensive care unit and hospital stay, and short-term mortality among men and women were compared. Contrast-induced nephropathy was defined as a creatinine increase of greater than 0.5 mg/dL or greater than 25% from baseline within 3 days after contrast medium (CM) exposure. Results The women had significantly lower body surface area [1.8 (0.18) vs 1.95 (0.17) m2; P = 0.002), lower hemoglobin levels [11.5 (1.3) vs 12.7 (1.6) g/dL, P < 0.001], and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate [34.2 (9.7) vs 49.4 (12.3) mL/min per 1.73 m2, P = 0.002]. The amount of CM given was significantly higher in the women relative to body surface area [67.3 (42.5) vs 48.3 (16.6) mL/m2, P = 0.043]. The women received a higher number of blood cell transfusion units [4.4 (3.4) vs 2.1 (2.7) U, P = 0.006]. The frequency of CIN within 72 hours after CM exposure was significantly higher in the women (62.1% vs 26.9%, P = 0.009). A total of 31% of the women (n = 9) versus 7.7% of the men (n = 2) needed hemodialysis ( P = 0.031). Analysis of the postoperative morbidity in terms of length of intensive care unit and hospital stay revealed no significant difference between the two groups. Mortality results reached a significant difference at 60 days, with 31% (n = 9) mortality in the women compared with 7.7% (n = 2) in the men ( P = 0.031). Conclusions Women with preexisting renal impairment are at higher risk than men for CIN, with resultant higher early mortality after transapical TAVI.
The HeartShield Device Reduces the Risk for Right Ventricular Damage in Patients with Deep Sternal Wound Infection
Authors: Ingemansson Richard , Malmsjö Malin , Lindstedt Sandra 
Published: April 2014

Objective Right ventricular rupture, resulting in serious bleeding, is a life-threatening complication associated with negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in cardiac surgery. The use of a rigid barrier between the heart and the sharp sternal edges has been successfully tested on pigs. In the present article, we demonstrate increased safety in NPWT through the use of the HeartShield device. Methods Six patients were treated with a specially designed device in combination with NPWT. The device consists of a horizontally placed disk covered in foam. The back of the T-shaped device sticks up between the sternal edges and up above skin level. This part of the device is also covered in foam. Drainage is performed through two holes at the top of the device. The device and foam are changed every second to third day, and −120 mm Hg of continuous therapy is used. Six patients were treated with traditional NPWT, serving as control group. Results No signs of calluslike formation were seen on the right ventricle in the group treated with the HeartShield device. In the conventional NPWT control group, all six patients had calluslike formation (>1 × 2 cm2) on the anterior part of the right ventricle. All patients in the HeartShield group had grade 1 epicardial petechial bleeding (<0.5 cm2) on the right ventricle. In the control group, one patient had grade 1 (<0.5 cm2), three patients had grade 2 (0.5–2.0 cm2), and two patients had grade 3 (>2.0 cm2) epicardial petechial bleeding on the right ventricle. No major bleeding or mortality was observed in either group during the course of the study. Conclusions The use of the HeartShield device significantly minimizes the contact between the right ventricle and the sternal edges, thereby decreasing the risk for life-threatening complications due to bleeding.
Education for sustainable development in East Timor
Authors: Capelo Ana , Santos Conceição , Pedrosa Maria Arminda 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore the relevance of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in East Timor and proposes a set of ESD indicators to be implemented in the formal education sector.

Design/methodology/approach
– A detailed analysis of relevant literature concerning national development plans (Republica Democrática de Timor-Leste, 2011), literature centred in East Timor and international perspectives about ESD principles, policies and values (UN reports) was carried, in order to examine the relevance of ESD in East Timor and to assist the selection of a set of ESD indicators. These indicators are proposed in order to assess and monitor if the current national policies, educational programmes, secondary school content, learning goals and activities in formal education express concerns related with ESD promotion in terms of specific curricular themes, learning characteristics, learning resources, skills, values and attitudes.

Findings
– This paper argues that the East Timor government has intentions in ESD promotion and implementation. Thus, ESD indicators could be helpful in assessment of new curricular practices. However, even though ESDI may indicate that secondary school programmes, content, learning goals or activities are aligned with ESD principles, it is also important to assess if they then contribute effectively to sustainable development.

Originality/value
– The case study of East Timor adds to the literature about the current interests of young countries such as this in progressing towards a sustainable future, starting from the selection and implementation of ESD indicators in the current curriculum reform. If it is successful, ESD will contribute to transforming not only education but also the quality of life of the East Timorese.
Developing internal crisis communication
Authors: Heide Mats , Simonsson Charlotte 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– The article has two major purposes. The first purpose is to examine the roles and practices of communication professionals in relation to internal aspects of crisis communication. The second is to suggest new roles and practices for communication professionals that will enable a strategic approach to internal crisis communication. This article is based on empirical material from a larger three-year research project that focuses on internal crisis communication at a university hospital (UH) in Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach
– This article is based on empirical material from a larger, three-year research project that focuses on internal crisis communication at a university hospital (UH). For the purpose of this article the authors have mainly analysed transcripts of 24 semi-structured interviews that lasted 1-1.5 hours each. The authors chose to interview both communication professionals and other key persons/crisis managers in order to have the role and practices of communication professionals elucidated not only from the perspective of communication professionals themselves.

Findings
– A conclusion from the case study is that communication professionals have a rather limited role in internal crisis communication. Their role is primarily focused on information distribution through the intranet, even though they are also involved in strategic managerial work during the acute stage of the crisis. The communication professionals are first and foremost called for once the crisis has already occurred, which can be seen as a “communication on demand” approach, which limits a strategic orientation. In this paper some new roles and practices for communication professionals are suggested, which involve a strategic approach and cover all the stages of crisis.

Research limitations/implications
– Future research needs to go deeper into the practices and processes of these roles.

Practical implications
– Important prerequisites for fulfilling a strategic role as a communication professional are membership of the board, diversified communication roles, a developed managerial role, being closer to core operations, and legitimacy.

Originality/value
– The absence of a strategic crisis management thinking and discourse in organisations delimits communication professionals to a technical role rather than a managerial and strategic role. Taking internal crisis communication seriously and adopting a broader view of crises will raise new demands on communication professionals, which go beyond the operational and tactical roles in the acute phase of a crisis.
Preliminary evidence on the relationship between corporate governance attributes and audit committee functionality in Egypt: beyond checking the box
Authors: Abdel-Meguid Ahmed , Samaha Khaled , Dahawy Khaled 
Published: April 2014

Purpose–This exploratory study aims to provide preliminary evidence regarding the non-audit committee corporate governance determinants of audit committee functionality.Design/methodology/approach–The study is based on archival accounting, corporate governance data, and interviews of subjects of the top 100 companies listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX100). A logistic regression is used to identify the non-audit committee governance attributes that affect the likelihood of of having a functional audit committee.Findings–Board size and board independence, (CEO-chairman duality) are positively (negatively) related to audit committee functionality, suggesting complementary governance relations. On the other hand, the authors document a negative relation between auditor type (Big4) and audit committee functionality indicating a substitutive governance effect.Originality/value–To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that explores the actual functioning of audit committees in Egypt beyond mere regulatory requirements. The study highlights the importance of assuring that the “spirit” of corporate governance laws and regulations is adhered to rather than the mere compliance with their “letter”.
Intertwining CSR with strategy – the way ahead
Authors: Jhunjhunwala Shital 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance and means of making corporate social responsibility (CSR) an integral part of corporate strategy with the help of case studies.

Design/methodology/approach
– The article explores the transformation of business from being egocentric to socially responsible. With the use of examples it demonstrates how integrating CSR into strategy can create sustainable business models.

Findings
– Firms need to develop a framework for integrating CSR into their business strategy for long term successful survival.

Social implications
– Corporates and society are intertwined and mutually dependent. Business cannot survive without society's acquiescence nor succeed without its active support.

Originality/value
– The article explains the benefits of CSR and how to make it an integral part of business strategy to gain a competitive advantage.
Making sense of board effectiveness: a socio-cognitive perspective
Authors: Sur Sujit 
Published: April 2014

Purpose–This paper aims to investigate a team dynamics based approach to assess board effectiveness, namely the interplay between boardroom decision-making processes and the board members' cognitive mental models.Design/methodology/approach–A socio-cognitive perspective is utilized for analyzing board processes and determining board effectiveness. Utilizing the concepts of team mental models and sensemaking, a theoretically grounded model of board effectiveness is developed, wherein the propositions predict the causality and effect of the socio-cognitive and sensemaking processes on board effectiveness.Findings–The proposed model is able to analyze the relationship among the different decision-making processes and members' cognitive models as determinants of board effectiveness, wherein the board's decision making process mediates the board's cognitive model – effectiveness relationship, while the board's cognitive model moderates the decision process – effectiveness relationship.Research limitations/implications–The conceptual model advances a rationale that might explain the mixed or modest findings in literature on the relationship between board demographics, dynamics and effectiveness.Practical implications–The model allows practitioners and policy makers an alternative mechanism to assess board effectiveness, that is able to not only integrate the demographic, diversity and dynamics related measures, but also enables a clear understanding of the cognitive influences on board decision making and effectiveness.Originality/value–The conceptual model encompasses most of the relevant constructs and findings of previous studies and offers a parsimonious yet holistic understanding of the boardroom mechanisms that might determine board effectiveness.
Corporate social responsibility practices and motivations in a peripheral country: two Portuguese illustrative cases
Authors: F. Proença João , Castelo Branco Manuel 
Published: April 2014

Purpose–The purpose of the paper is to provide an illustrative picture of how large corporations in a peripheral country such as Portugal engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and discuss the motivations underlying these practices.Design/methodology/approach–In this study, a case study methodology was used to explore CSR practices and the underlying motivations in two Portuguese companies.Findings–The results obtained suggest that some specificity may be present in the way of defining corporate responsibility for society by Portuguese companies. The Portuguese companies analysed seem to display an historical preference for corporate paternalism. This suggests that moral reasons can motivate firms (and individuals within them) to engage in social responsibility activities.Research limitations/implications–This work focuses on two specific case studies, but other cases might find diverse findings.Originality/value–It adds to the scarce research on CSR by Portuguese companies by providing new empirical data. It contributes to the growing body of evidence which seems to suggest that cultural differences associated with different countries affect CSR dynamics.
Boards and governance of state-owned enterprises
Authors: Nana Yaw Simpson Samuel 
Published: April 2014

Purpose–This study aims to examine the structure, attributes, and performance of boards of directors of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) within the broader context of public sector governance. This is informed by the less attention given to the concept among public sector organizations despite efforts to make state enterprises more effective and efficient, especially in developing and middle income countries.Design/methodology/approach–Data was collected through questionnaires self-administered in 2010 to all 25 SOEs in Accra, Ghana, out of the 29 nationwide. Some key officials were interviewed and documentary evidence analyzed to achieve triangulation of data and results.Findings–Results show that state-owned enterprises have boards and comply with the minimal governance issues outlined the legal frameworks establishing them. However, they exhibit significant weaknesses in the areas of board performance evaluation, criteria for board appointment, the balance of executive directors and non-executive directors, and other board characteristics, indicating a departure from general practices.Practical implications–Findings suggest the need for a tailored corporate governance framework or code for state-owned enterprises in developing countries.Originality/value–Compared to the literature, this study provides insight on boards from the perspective of state enterprises in ensuring good corporate governance, particularly in the context of a middle income country (Ghana).
Corporate governance as a value driver for firm performance: evidence from India
Authors: Mishra Supriti , Mohanty Pitabas 
Published: April 2014

Purpose–The study aims to examine corporate governance issues in India and establish the relationship between corporate governance and financial performance.Design/methodology/approach–The sample comprises 141 companies belonging to the “A” group stocks listed in the Mumbai Stock Exchange of India. Considering the institutional uniqueness in India, a composite measure of corporate governance is developed comprising three indicators – legal, board and proactive indicators. Data on the three indicators and financial performance were procured from secondary sources. In the step-wise multiple regression analysis, the influence of these three indicators and the composite measure of corporate governance was examined on firm performance after controlling the confounding effects of firm size.Findings–The board and the proactive indicators influence the firm performance significantly whereas legal compliance indicator does not do so. The composite corporate governance measure is a good predictor of firm performance.Originality/value–This study has two contributions: one, it proposes a composite measure of corporate governance considering the unique institutional characteristics of the Indian economy. Two, the study establishes the predictability of the new measure of corporate governance on firm performance as a tool to boost investors' confidence and financial health of firms.
Antecedents and consequences of replacing international independent intermediaries
Authors: B. Nes Erik 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– What characterizes the relationships with intermediaries that are soon to be replaced, and are the replacements successful? The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study applies a longitudinal design. The paper conducted a survey among a sample of exporters concerning their relationships with independent intermediaries in terms of trust, commitment, communication, control and two performance variables; financial performance and strategic goal achievement. Five years thereafter the author contacted the same companies again and questioned which independent intermediaries had been replaced in the period. The author then compared the replaced intermediaries with the extended intermediaries before they were replaced and analysed changes in the evaluations of the relationships and of the performance after the replacement.

Findings
– The relationships with terminated intermediaries that were replaced by sales subsidiary or home-based direct sales were characterized having higher trust, communication and control than extended relationships before replacement. While it may be surprising that these quite successful relationships were terminated, this is in line with internationalization process theories. The replacements, both intermediaries that were replaced by other intermediaries and by sales subsidiary/home-based direct sales, were highly successful in terms of improvement in performance and behavioural relationship variables.

Research limitations/implications
– The empirical findings are limited by the sample and by data collection from the principal only in the dyadic relations.

Practical implications
– International independent intermediaries should analyse the likelihood of being replaced by the principal because the relationship or the performance is unsatisfactory, but also because of satisfactory evaluations. Terminations of satisfactory relationships tend to be accompanied by change in operation mode to internal organization. The independent intermediary should in such cases build a defence structure against unwanted termination and/or prepare for buyout. The success of the replacements suggests that international marketers benefit from being proactive in replacing intermediaries with new intermediaries or with a hierarchal entry mode.

Originality/value
– This is the first study that applies most of these variables from interorganizational relations theory in the study of international independent intermediary replacements. It is also the first to give insight into the consequences of intermediary terminations.
Policing pornography in the workplace: the case of Australia Post
Authors: Chelliah John 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– Highlights the risks employers face in disciplining employees for inappropriate behavior.

Design/methodology/approach
– Considers the types of approach that are necessary for a fair disciplinary process.

Findings
– Reveals that an employer's policies governing inappropriate behavior are worthless unless employees are educated on these policies and the consequences of breaching these policies are clearly communicated.

Practical implications
– Guides managers in successfully defending claims of unfair dismissal for inappropriate behavior.

Social implications
– Draws attention to the risks associated with the access and storage of pornography at the workplace.

Originality/value
– Raises the issue of organizational awareness and preparedness to undertake challenges posed by inappropriate behavior.
Examining brand communities among children and adolescents: an exploratory study
Authors: Ann Flurry Laura , R. Swimberghe Krist , M. Parker Janna 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– Online communities designed to appeal to children are on the rise. The success of this marketplace phenomenon indicates that adolescents are likely candidates for brand community membership; however, the literature has yet to examine this trend. This research aims to address this gap and establish the likely existence of brand community involvement among adolescents. It further seeks to explore the characteristics which may differentiate children who are more likely to become involved in brand communities and examine what impact their involvement may have on adolescents' psychological well-being.

Design/methodology/approach
– A national online panel was employed to collect survey data from respondents aged 7-18 and their parents.

Findings
– The results support the existence of a high brand community involvement segment among adolescents. Adolescents high in brand community involvement are found to display noteworthy differences in attitudes, values, and marketplace behaviors. Several interesting avenues of future research are proposed.

Originality/value
– To the authors' knowledge this is the first study attempting to measure differences between adolescents who measure high and low in brand community involvement. Of particular interest are the results indicating that adolescents involved in brand communities may have important distinguishing attitudes and values and exhibit noteworthy differences in their marketplace behavior.