bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emotional predictors of consumer's satisfaction with healthcare public services
Authors: Vinagre Helena , Neves José 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to test empirically a framework that contributes to the understanding of patients' satisfaction by estimating the relationships between the satisfaction of particular types of customers with their emotions and perceived justice.Design/methodology/approachThe study was developed in two segments. First, an exploratory analysis was conducted to find a factor structure and to test the psychometric properties of satisfaction and perceived justice scales. After that the hypothesized model was tested through an empirical study, with a sample of 520 patients from six Portuguese public healthcare services, using structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results show that the scales are psychometrically sound and confirm that satisfaction results from a complex cognitive and affective mechanism, thus highlighting the interactive characteristics of the services.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is needed to confirm these findings and to find if there is any possible conditioning factors that would interfere with these variables and change their effects on satisfaction.Practical implicationsPatients' satisfaction is an important issue for improving the provided healthcare services.Originality/valueThe paper offers empirical evidence about the complementary effect of emotions and perceived justice on the satisfaction with healthcare services. Findings also provide a model of analysis with valid and reliable measures.
Quality of care and patient satisfaction: a new theoretical and methodological approach
Authors: Larsson Gerry , Wilde‐Larsson Bodil 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe paper's purpose is to develop a care‐context adapted version of the emotional stress reaction questionnaire (ESRQ), which is based on the cognitive‐phenomenological writings of Lazarus, and, using this instrument, to explore the relationship between quality of care from a patient perspective and patient satisfaction while taking key antecedent conditions into account.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 624 patients at 16 Swedish out‐patient clinics (75 per cent response rate). Patients responded to the ERSQ, the quality from the patient's perspective questionnaire (QPP), the single‐item measures of personality (SIMP), and questions related to the outcome of the visit. Dimensionality of the ESRQ was analysed using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The relationship between the theoretical concepts was explored with logistic regression analysis.FindingsA care‐context adapted version of the ESRQ was developed with meaningful factors and satisfactory psychometric properties. Care‐episode specific appraisal and coping processes covaried as predicted with emotional responses. The theoretical model was partly confirmed when assessed against two outcome criteria: intention to follow the doctor's advice and hesitation to visit the same out‐patient clinic again.Practical implicationsThe scales used are easy to administer and interpret.Originality/valueThe suggested theoretical model of the relationship between quality of care from a patient perspective and patient satisfaction is new, as is the emotion‐oriented approach to assessing patient satisfaction.
Referral pathways of patients with gallstones
Authors: Borowski David , Knox Margaret , Kanakala Venkat , Richardson Stuart , Seymour Keith , Attwood Stephen , Slater Bary 
Published: February 2010

PurposeGallstone‐related illnesses are one of the most common reasons for emergency hospital admissions, often with serious complications. Standard treatment of uncomplicated gallstone‐disease is by laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which can be safely and cost‐effectively performed during a short hospital stay or as day‐case. This paper aims to evaluate the referral pattern of patients with gallstones, which treatment is given and whether patients admitted as emergency could have benefited from earlier elective referral. The management of these patients is examined in the context of payment by results to determine cost and potential savings.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takens was prospective clinical audit and patient questionnaire in a district general hospital. Cost comparisons were made using secondary care income (NHS tariff) and estimated cost of hospitalisation, investigations and treatment.FindingsBetween May and July 2007, 114 patients were admitted with symptomatic gallstones, 62 (54.4 per cent) were emergencies. Cholecystectomy was performed in all 52 elective patients and performed or planned for 59/62 (95.2 per cent) emergencies. A total 17/62 emergencies (27.4 per cent) presented with complications of gallstones. 38/62 (61.3 per cent) had similar symptoms before, with 21/38 (55.3 per cent) diagnosed in primary care or by another hospital department. 11 (52.4 per cent) of these had not been referred for a surgical opinion; taking account of age, co‐morbidity and data acquired for elective admissions, the cost of their treatment could have been reduced by at least £16,194.Originality/valueA large proportion of patients admitted with symptomatic biliary disease could have been referred earlier and electively. Such referral practice could improve the quality of care and reduce cost for the NHS both in primary and secondary care.
Relationship between the warm/cool feeling of fabric and the subjective evaluation of the quality of ladies' knitted fabrics
Authors: Inoue Takako , Nakayama Akira , Niwa Masako 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between the warm/cool feeling of the heat properties of fabrics and the subjective evaluation of the quality of ladies' garment fabrics.Design/methodology/approachRegression analysis is conducted using stepwise block regression applied to the expert judges' judgment value total hand value, using six blocks of the mechanical properties and one block of the initial maximum values qmax of the heat flux of the heat properties of spring and summer tailored‐type jacket fabrics, as the seven blocks of fabric properties, including the secondary term of each property.FindingsThe results of the regression analysis show that the qmax values do not affect the subjective evaluation of the quality of spring and summer tailored‐type jacket fabrics. The results of the regression analysis of ladies' knitted fabric properties applied to the subjective evaluation value have confirmed that the qmax values affect the subjective evaluation of the quality of ladies' knitted fabrics.Originality/valueThis paper usefully describes the relationship between the warm/cool feeling of fabric and the subjective evaluation of the quality of ladies' knitted fabrics.
Computerized pattern making focus on fitting to 3D human body shapes
Authors: Sook Cho Young , Tsuchiya Keiichi , Takatera Masayuki , Inui Shigeru , Park Hyejun , Shimizu Yoshio 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the development of a method of constructing three‐dimensional (3D) human body shapes that include a degree of ease for purpose of computerized pattern making.Design/methodology/approachThe body shape could be made with ease allowance to an individual's unique body shape using sweep method and a convex method. And then generates tight skirt patterns for the reconstructed virtual body shape using a computerized pattern making system.FindingsThis paper obtains individual patterns using individually reconstructed 3D body shapes by computerized pattern development. In these patterns, complex curved lines such as waist lines and dart lines are created automatically using the developed method. The method is successfully used to make variations of a tight skirt to fit different size women. The author also used the method to make other skirts of various designs.Originality/valueThe method described in this paper is useful for making patterns and then garments, without the need for the garments to be later adjusted for the subject.
Lipase treatment to improve hydrophilicity of polyester fabrics
Authors: Rim Kim Hye , Soon Song Wha 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the conditions of the treatment using commercial lipase to improve the hydrophilicity of the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics.Design/methodology/approachThe lipase treatment conditions, such as the pH, temperature, treatment time, and concentration, are controlled by measuring the hydrolytic activity, moisture regain, and wettability of the treated fabrics. The effects of calcium ions on the moisture regain and wettability of the treated fabrics are also evaluated.FindingsThe lipase treatment conditions for PET fabrics are controlled at a pH of 7.5, a temperature of 30°C, a treatment time of 60 min, and a lipase concentration of 50 percent (owf). The moisture regain of the PET fabrics that are treated with lipase improved 3.3 times that of the untreated PET fabric. Calcium chloride did not affect the moisture regain of the treated fabrics but affected their wettability. The surface of the PET fabrics that are treated under optimum conditions and in the presence of calcium chloride showed many cracks and voids, unlike the surface of the untreated PET fabrics.Research limitations/implicationsThe lipase treatment did not affect the handle of the PET fabrics in the present paper because the weight loss is very small.Originality/valueIn this paper, the control conditions for the improvement of the hydrophilicity of PET fabrics using the low‐cost commercial lipase are determined. The results of the study could further the environment‐friendly finishing of PET fabrics.
Geometric disposition of threads in single‐layer woven structures
Authors: Chepelyuk Elena , Choogin Valeriy , Cousens Jenny , Hann Michael 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the advantages of a new interpretation of the geometric disposition of threads within woven fabric structures, and to develop a method of determining the parameters of threads, with reference to each order of their disposition.Design/methodology/approachBased on the analysis of the geometrical models proposed by Barker and Midgely, by Pierce and by Novikov, the substantiation of the advantages of a stricter model, offered by the authors, for determining the geometric disposition of threads within single layer woven fabric structures with the help of the tangent function is given. This model allows the substantial expansion of the actual bounds of the interval of the order of the geometric disposition of threads in woven fabric structures to 0.2‐9.8.FindingsThe tangent function can approximate the crimp height ratio of the warp threads within the woven fabric structure with accuracy within the limits of geometric disposition angle change from 1° to 89°.Research limitations/implicationsThe work has applications in the industrial production of woven fabrics.Practical implicationsThis research will allow the design of a woven fabric with practically any ratio of crimp height for the warp and weft threads to effectively achieve the required performance characteristics of the cloth.Originality/valueThis paper extends the knowledge of the geometrical characteristics of woven fabric structure, and proposes intelligent methods of determining the parameters of thread cross‐sections in accordance with the orders of the geometric disposition of threads in woven fabric structure.
Study on permanent housing production after 1999 earthquake in Kocaeli (Turkey)
Authors: Tas Murat , Tas Nilufer , Cosgun Nilay 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine production of permanent housing in Turkey after the 1999 Marmara earthquake in terms of planning, design, and construction, and to identify problems that were faced. Earthquake survivors face many problems that affect the return to normalcy, including disruptions in temporary and permanent housing. To improve the earthquake survivors' social‐psychological status, it is imperative to shorten the transition from temporary to permanent housing. For the transition to be as brief as possible, planning, design, and construction of permanent housing need to be carried out seamlessly.Design/methodology/approachA survey is carried out among those who took part in the permanent housing production in Kocaeli, where, after the Marmara earthquake in 1999, permanent housing practices were dense.FindingsAs a result of the study, the most important problem in the production process is found to be the limited time allocated for design and construction, and the restrictions in construction materials and elements imposed by the administration. Serious losses in the disaster make the ground state the factor of greatest priority in choosing the settlement area.Research limitations/implicationsKocaeli is chosen as the study area because after the earthquake, nearly 40 per cent of the permanent housing was constructed in Kocaeli. The study involves a multi‐dimensional inquiry in the context of site selection, area design, housing design, construction, and supervision criteria.Originality/valueThese data can serve as a resource for government/planners who develop policies for meeting post‐disaster reconstruction.
Oil spill incidents and pipeline vandalization in Nigeria
Authors: Aroh K.N. , Ubong I.U. , Eze C.L. , Harry I.M. , Umo‐Otong J.C. , Gobo A.E. 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review oil spill incidents and pipeline vandalism in Nigeria between 1970 and 2006 and to examine the potential danger posed by such activities to public health.Design/methodology/approachThe approach adopted to achieve this objective is questionnaire administration on health impacts. Also secondary sources of information come from textbooks and journals. However, data from natural resources exploitation and hazards are collated and analyzed.FindingsIt is evident that, out of the 1,000 reported oil spill incidents analyzed, some hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil are lost to the environment. Graphic pictures of typical oil spill through acts of vandalism in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria are analyzed and reviewed. The run‐off and sedimentation of this pollutant in fresh water systems severely degrade water quality, affect fish spawning and aquatic invertebrates' habitats, thus lowering food web productivity. Incidentally the spill‐over effect on humans who directly depend on fish and other aquatic food as an alternative protein supplement is quite inundating. The effects on humans include irritation, dermatitis, cancer, occurrence of abortion, organ failure and genetic disorder.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations encountered in this research work include logistics problems, poor response and uncooperative attitude from respondents, transportation difficulties and restricted access to impacted sites by law enforcement agents and funding. Therefore subsequent researchers in this area should be equipped adequately with both the necessary protective gadgets and increased funding to meet challenges of this nature.Practical implicationsThe practical implication of the study is that oil spill incidents should be documented and reported early enough for prompt attention by the regulatory agencies in order to protect and enhance the quality of the environment.Originality/valueThe value of the paper is that oil spill and pipeline vandalization devastate the environment, pollute dependable potable water sources such as streams and rivers and should be seen as a serious threat and negation to the attainment of the United Nations Millennium development goals.
Pixel‐based airborne hyperspectral sensing technique for search‐and‐rescue of the missing RMAF NURI helicopter in Genting‐Sempah, Malaysia
Authors: Kamaruzaman Jusoff Hj. 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and describe a pixel‐based airborne hyperspectral remote sensing system approach for searching for missing and lost RMAF aircraft, especially the NURI helicopter that crashed in Genting‐Sempah, Malaysia on Friday 13 July 2007, ten minutes after leaving the RMAF 10th Squadron based in Sg. Besi Camp, Selangor, Malaysia. It was reported found crashed with all six air force crew onboard killed, four days later on 17 July 2007 at 13.25 hours 5 km North‐west of Genting‐Sempah‐Karak‐Highway.Design/methodology/approachThe objective is achieved by exploring the use of a very high 1 m2 spatial resolution (pixel‐based) airborne hyperspectral imaging system near real‐time data processing within two hours after landing. The UPM‐Aeroscan's AISA is a state‐of‐the‐art aircraft mounted commercial hyperspectral sensor operated for SAR development application by Forest Geospatial Information and Survey Lab (FGISL)/Aeroscan Precision (M) Sdn Bhd. in Block C3, UPM‐MTDC Tech Centre, Lebuh Silikon, Universiti Putra Malaysia. It is designed to provide a near real time, frequent, repetitive, accurate and reliable pushbroom instrument that acquires images in hundreds of registered, contiguous narrow spectral band passes such that for each element it is possible to derive a complete reflectance spectrum between the tree crowns, a damaged or slashed tree canopy and an anomaly especially metal like foreign object that penetrates into the tree crowns of a dense forest. Using an advanced Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) digital analysis and two archives spectral signatures of flying and “parked” NURI helicopters, in addition to ground supporting data from the civilian eye‐witnesses, spectral matching of images is applied to identify and map the missing helicopter.FindingsDespite the bad weather hampering the search and air surveillance‐to‐ground verifications, the NURI helicopter was reported found crashed with all six air force crew onboard killed, four days later based on the GPS suspected locations analysed and mapped from the UPM‐APSB's AISA airborne hyperspectral sensor data. The GPS locations given by the image were, however, not accurate for ground verifications since an old military topographical map were used. The GPS locations from the airborne image was transferred on to a Google Earth image in the Operations Room but, for ground verifications, a different set of reference topographical maps were used. However, the suspected search target sites were not that far away from the actual sighted RMAF NURI helicopter wreckage.Originality/valueThe value and contribution of this research are the successful application of operating a pixel‐based airborne hyperspectral sensor to locate missing military helicopters in SAR. It is expected that the UPM‐APSB's AISA airborne hyperspectral sensor can be of further use in future SAR for missing civilian helicopters or commercial aircraft.
Burn survivors' perceptions regarding relevant sexual education strategies
Authors: Parrott Yolan , Esmail Shaniff 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the unique issues childhood burn survivors experience in relation to sex education and sexual development.Design/methodology/approachUsing a phenomenological approach, participants described their lived experiences with regards to sex education and the sexuality issues they encountered as child burn survivors. One‐to‐one semi‐structured interviews and a focus group were used to gather data, which were analyzed using a constant comparison method.FindingsResults provide educators with better insight into the experiences of burn survivors as well as strategies for approaching sex education. Findings centered around five areas: exposure, sex education content, timing of sex education, characteristics of the educator and most appropriate methods of delivery.Research limitations/implicationsSexuality is a value‐laden topic that has the potential to increase apprehension and decrease willingness to discuss. As a result, the sample may not be wholly representative across age groups, concerns or social attitudes regarding sexuality present within this population. Additional limitations are also noted. Future studies, which utilize a mixed method approach with a larger sample of both adolescent and adult burn survivors, would increase the value and generalizability of the findings.Originality/valueResearch findings confirm that persons living with childhood burn injuries experience similar feelings and concerns regarding their sexuality as their able‐bodied peers which contradict social views. However, mainstream sex education falls short of addressing their unique needs and as such this study's findings provide strategies to allow for appropriate knowledge acquisition to ease the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Development of health promoting leadership – experiences of a training programme
Authors: Eriksson Andrea , Axelsson Runo , Bihari Axelsson Susanna 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe and analyse the experiences of an intervention programme for development of health promoting leadership in Gothenburg in Sweden. The more specific purpose is to identify critical aspects of such a programme as part of the development of a health promoting workplace.Design/methodology/approachA programme supporting managers in health promoting leadership was studied. The study was performed as a holistic case study design. In total, 17 semi‐structured interviews were conducted, supplemented with data from a leadership survey. The material was coded according to the principles of content analysis, resulting in the three main categories: comprehensiveness, integration and participation.FindingsThe results show the importance of regarding the development of health promoting leadership as a contribution to the building of organisational capacity for health promoting workplaces. This requires a comprehensive approach, including both individual and structural aspects, as well as an integration of programme ideas into the practice of management. Moreover, a wide participation in the planning and design of the programme is desirable. The concrete outcomes of this programme were action plans for workplace health promotion developed during the programme. For the participating managers a positive part of the programme was also the possibilities for reflecting and sharing experiences.Originality/valueThis study contributes knowledge and experiences that can be applied in the development of health promoting leadership. There is, however, a need for clearer health promoting goals and sub‐goals in order to assess the health outcomes of such a leadership programme.