bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy in Reducing Postoperative Pain after Open Hemorrhoidectomy
Authors: Kanellos Ioannis , Zacharakis Emmanouil , Christoforidis Emmanouil , Angelopoulos Stamatis , Kanellos Dimitrios , Pramateftakis Manousos Georgios , Betsis Dimitrios 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of lateral internal sphincterotomy on pain after open hemorrhoidectomy. From 1998 to 2003, seventy‐eight (78) patients with fourth‐degree hemorrhoids were included in this prospective randomized trial. The patients were randomized into two equal groups of 39 patients. Patients from group I underwent Milligan‐Morgan hemorrhoidectomy. Patients from group II, quite apart from Milligan‐Morgan hemorrhoidectomy, underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy up to the dentate line, in the left hemorrhoidectomy wound. One surgeon from the Department, who did not know to which group the patients belonged, evaluated the postoperative course in all the patients. After the first bowel movement, there were three (7.7%) patients who did not experience any pain in the internal sphincterotomy group, while in the non‐internal sphincterotomy group all patients experienced mild or moderate pain. There were also more patients who experienced excruciating pain in the non‐internal sphincterotomy group than in the internal sphincterotomy group (25 vs. 18); these differences were statistically significant (p = 0.034). There was no significant difference in the Wexner Incontinence Scale between the groups (p = 0.228). The addition of lateral internal sphincterotomy to open hemorrhoidectomy seems to have a positive effect on reducing postoperative pain in a few patients, without affecting the postoperative complications rate.
Laparoscopic Lymphatic Mapping and Sentinel Node Biopsies for Early‐stage Gastric Cancer: The Cause of False Negativity
Authors: Tonouchi Hitoshi , Mohri Yasuhiko , Tanaka Kouji , Kobayashi Minako , Ohmori Yukinari , Kusunoki Masato 
Published: March 2005

AbstractSentinel node (SN) biopsies might be useful for performing minimally invasive surgery without interrupting surgical curability. This study examined the cause of false negativity during laparoscopic lymphatic mapping and SN biopsies for early‐stage gastric cancer. Thirty‐seven patients with gastric cancer (preoperative stage T1‐2 or N0) who underwent laparoscopic lymph node mapping and SN biopsies between March 2001 and June 2004 were enrolled in this study. The tracer, patent blue and technecium‐99m‐labeled tin colloid, was injected endoscopically. Blue‐stained or radioactive nodes were defined as SNs. Gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed then the results of the SN biopsies were compared with the final diagnosis of the removed lymph nodes in permanent sections. Sentinel nodes were successfully identified in 35 patients (94.6%), and they were positive in 3 of 4 patients with metastatic lymph nodes; sensitivity was 75% and specificity was 100%. Sentinel node status could therefore be used to diagnose lymph node status with 97.1% accuracy. Of 6 SNs with metastasis, 5 showed radioactivity, and only 2 were blue stained. In the false negative case, a radioactive SN with metastasis in the right paracardial region was missed during laparoscopic mapping. An error in laparoscopic intracorporeal detection of the radioactive node with metastasis occurred because we could not eliminate the shine‐through effect. We found that during laparoscopic SN mapping there is a high risk of false negativity with SNs located in the right paracardial region. To apply laparoscopic SN mapping to early‐stage gastric cancer patients, the shine‐through effect must be eliminated because radiotracers are essential for this method.
Congruence between automatic fish counter data and rod catches of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Scottish rivers
Authors: Thorley J.L. , Eatherley D.M.R. , Stephen A.B. , Simpson I. , MacLean J.C. , Youngson A.F. 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
The potential utility of rod catch and automatic fish counter data as measures of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) abundance in Scottish rivers was assessed. The trend (long-term) and residual (short-term) variation in the net annual count for 12 counters were compared with the trend and residual variation in either the annual or spring (February–May) rod catch, as appropriate, for the fisheries district in which the counter is located. Trends were fitted using a cubic smoothing spline and compared using reference bands. In eight of the 12 short-term comparisons, the residuals were significantly correlated. The four incongruent short-term comparisons involved the shortest time-series (≤12 years) or lowest rod catches. In eight of the 12 long-term comparisons, the trends fell within the reference bands in 50% or more of the years. Rod catch and counter data both contain useful information about Atlantic salmon abundance, albeit on different temporal and spatial scales, which should be integrated into assessment schemes.
Italy and the politics of European defence: playing by the logic of multi-level networks
Authors: Foradori Paolo , Rosa Paolo 
Published: March 2005

SummaryThe article looks at the role of Italy in the decision-making arena of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), analysing the initiatives it put in place to address and influence the construction of a common defence. The article aims to explain the ability or inability of Italy to build up a consensus around its proposals. By studying two initiatives in the field of European defence and security, it seeks to determine the factors which resulted in the differing outcomes of Italian actions at the European level.
Education and training for digital librarians
Authors: Bawden David , Vilar Polona , Zabukovec Vlasta 
Published: March 2005

PurposeTo determine and compare approaches to the education and training of librarians for work in digital libraries. More precisely, to identify – in general terms, rather than specifically – the important competencies required by information professionals in creating and managing digital libraries, and in facilitating their use, and to assess how these competencies are treated in LIS education and training, and therefore how the capacities of the information professions are being developed.Design/methodology/approachLiterature analysis of the skill sets required by librarians working with digital materials. Evaluation of formal education and of professional development programmes in the UK and in Slovenia, to assess how these needs are being met.FindingsBoth formal education and continuing development training are adapting to cover aspects of the digital library environment, both in the UK and in Slovenia. This is happening as part of the normal process of the redesign of degree programmes and of training courses. Digital library skills and knowledge – embodying conceptual, semantic, syntactic and technical aspects – are being included in existing courses, for the most part, rather than in entities labelled “digital library”. This approach has strengths and also weaknesses. While there is some agreement on core topics, there is much variation in how they are presented, and in the relative importance given to them.Research limitations/implicationsBased on comparison of education and training programmes in two countries, the UK and Slovenia.Practical implicationsRecommendations for curricula are made.Originality/valueProvides an insight into education and training needs in a developing and important area.
Online cultural heritage exhibitions: a survey of information retrieval features
Authors: Li Liew Chern 
Published: March 2005

PurposeWhat kinds of online cultural heritage exhibitions are now available on the internet? How far have these cultural heritage institutions voyaged in terms of harnessing the power of information and communication technology and the interactivity of multimedia systems to exhibit cultural heritage resources? This study aims to highlight the major initiatives and developments across libraries, archives and museums, and to provide an overview of the characteristics and features of current major initiatives – specifically of the objectives and purposes of the exhibitions, their contents, the available information retrieval (search and browse facilities) and interactive features. Design/methodology/approach – Reports the findings of a personal investigation of 15 online exhibitions, conducted between February and June 2004. Findings – A number of key characteristics of the information retrieval features of the surveyed online exhibition sites are identified. Research limitations/implications – This is by no means a comprehensive or all‐inclusive survey of all relevant initiatives. It is meant to be an exploratory study of the current landscape and architecture of major cultural heritage online exhibitions available on the web. Changes in the online exhibitions after June 2004 are not reflected in this paper.Originality/valueBased on the findings of this survey, major areas of research that would improve the features of online exhibition systems are indicated.
Additives depletion and engine oil condition – a case study
Authors: Kumar Saurabh , Mishra N.M. , Mukherjee P.S. 
Published: March 2005

PurposeTo study and estimate changes of various properties upon use of engine oil by different methods.Design/methodology/approach – By viscosity measurement, pH measurement, Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopic analysis and UV‐Visible (Ultraviolet and visible rays) spectroscopic analysis.Findings – Some specific changes in additives of the oil upon use could be traced.Practical implications – Correct choice for additives for a particular use may enhance the oil life and also protect the engine from damage.Originality/value – The findings may be important to the lube oil producers and the users.
What if you build it, and they keep coming and coming and coming?
Authors: Starkweather Wendy , Marks Kenneth 
Published: March 2005

PurposeTo provide an overview of building use in Lied Library at UNLV from the Library's opening in 2001 through early 2004 and to provide and update on the implications of the ramifications of that use for staff and users.Design/methodology/approachUse and visitation statistics are highlighted and factors associated with the use, such as overall design, policy changes, new services and resources as well as campus context are presented.FindingsThe experiences at UNLV's Lied Library indicate that the concept of “library as place” still matters; that an awe‐inspiring and esthetically pleasing design can produce a very functional building and that still matters; that continually evolving user‐focused services still matter; and that, for the library to continue to matter in the lives of its users, it must continue to adapt to its campus context, to collaborate successfully with campus partners and to respond effectively to the constantly changing context of information delivery and knowledge promotion.Practical implicationsIt is important that librarians working in new libraries take time to review the successes and possible unintended consequences or shortcomings that result from their building projects, to identify the toll that success may take, and to appreciate the value and necessity of continued evolution even in a new building.Originality/valueThe observations presented may prove useful to librarians preparing for and assessing post‐move‐in experiences in their new libraries. Practical tips on preparing for and handling national and international visitors are also provided and suggestions for future action are given.
Lied Library @ four years: technology never stands still
Authors: Vaughan Jason 
Published: March 2005

PurposeTo relate challenges associated with maintaining the technology involved in a modern, major academic research library.Design/methodology/approachExperiences from the past four years are categorized and discussed as they relate to information technology maintenance, enhancement, and future development. The narrative includes specific detailed examples, while maintaining a wide overall view, given the vast scope of what constitutes “information technology”.FindingsLooking back at knowledge gained from four years of operating a new academic library, one can understand that technology is constantly evolving, creating numerous challenges. Such challenges include maintaining and enhancing existing systems and services, as well as introducing new systems and services. Associated with all such activities are a myriad challenges such as technology, funding, security, and overall resource management.Practical implicationsThe findings serve to remind practitioners and administrators of the varied, complex, and expensive nature of maintaining a comprehensive information technology environment. Several concrete examples offer ideas that may aid with topics such as facility design planning and major project management.Originality/valueThis paper serves as a current case study useful for institutions considering a major library expansion or planning construction of a new major library, and also serves as a useful executive summary (with supporting specific examples) detailing the complex tasks associated with maintaining and enhancing information technology resources.
Copyright in the networked world: author's rights
Authors: Seadle Michael 
Published: March 2005

PurposeThis column looks at which rights matter, how to retain them, and which journal publishers already cooperate.Design/methodology/approachIt uses the requirements of the Berlin Declaration on Open Access, and examines the Creative Commons licences, the SPARC addendum, the project RoMEO list publishers' copyright policies, and the Emerald Journal Article Record form.FindingsIf retaining rights to works in order to provide open access is a key part of the solution to the crisis in scholarly publishing, then significant progress has taken place.Practical implicationsIt remains to be seen whether having authors retain the right to provide open access will, over time, bring down journal costs. Enough publishers have cooperated that an opportunity now exists for repositories to begin to show what they can (or cannot) accomplish.Originality/valueIt remains to be seen whether having authors retain the right to provide open access will, over time, bring down journal costs.
Discourse as strategic coping resource: managing the interface between “home” and “work”
Authors: Tietze Susanne 
Published: March 2005

PurposeTo provide insight into the consequences of telework from the perspective of the teleworker and the household. The paper discusses the consequences of telework for the formulation of identities.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on empirical work, which comprises home visits to teleworkers and therefore includes observational data and interview data. The data are analysed following a particular framework, which is views discourse as a “strategic resource” and draws on the vocabulary of performativity and connectivity to investigate why some “discursive acts” take successfully while others fail.FindingsIt is shown that teleworkers and their households need to engage in strategies to protect and reconfirm their respective identities. This is achieved through the enactment of regulatory as well as self‐regulatory (identity) acts.Originality/valueThe paper is located in the household of teleworkers and therefore, includes this less well researched perspective. The linking of the conceptual framework (strategic resource) with the location of the study in the household in order to investigate the theme “identity” is an innovative feature, which shows that (internal) self‐regulatory identity acts are equally or even more important than (external) regulatory acts.
The implementation of the TQM philosophy in Poland
Authors: Bugdol Marek 
Published: March 2005

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to present an overview of various total quality management (TQM) issues in Poland's business organizations and the public sector.Design/methodology/approachDescribes the role of the Polish Quality Award Committee in promoting the idea of TQM. Presents the results of survey research on the implementation of TQM in Polish companies. Presents a critical analysis of the results and formulates conclusions based on the author' experience gained while working in the Polish Quality Award Committee at the National Chamber of Economy.FindingsThe analysis of the literature on the subject and the results of empirical research allow the formulation of conclusions. It turns out that most Polish companies implement the TQM philosophy under the influence of the positive results of the functioning quality management systems based on ISO standards. The influence of cultural and social factors cannot be underestimated. The further development of the TQM philosophy should be related to the development of knowledge in the field of human resources management. The promotional and didactic activities of the Polish Quality Award Committee and Polish universities influence positively the functioning and development of TQM. Some Polish companies try to combine TQM with other management methods, e.g. reengineering.Practical implicationsThe practical aspects comprise these conclusions which are related to the barriers to the implementation of TQM. The knowledge of such barriers and their character can be advantageous for managers in the process of decision making.Originality/valueThe paper is the first holistic survey of TQM in Polish companies. It may constitute a basis for further research and scholarly analysis.
Corporate ethics in TQM: management versus employee expectations and perceptions
Authors: Svensson Göran , Wood Greg 
Published: March 2005

PurposeThe objective of this research is to develop and describe a conceptual framework of corporate ethics in total quality management (TQM).Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a summarised in‐depth and longitudinal case illustration. The summarised case describes corporate ethics in an intra‐corporate relationship.FindingsTQM requires human resources and failing to care for them will affect accordingly the success of TQM. The case description illustrates the evolution of management versus employee expectations and perceptions of corporate ethics. It has an emphasis on the human resources of a company that strives towards TQM. As the quality of corporate ethics decreases the outcome of TQM is also affected (i.e. directly or indirectly). The case is initialised in an atmosphere of management and employee optimism and positivism of corporate ethics, which is a requisite from both parties in order to ensure prosperous TQM. The successive change towards pessimism and negativism of corporate ethics in the intra‐corporate relationship concludes the in‐depth case description.Research limitations/implicationsFour parameters of corporate ethics are used to incorporate corporate ethics into TQM, namely management versus employee expectations and perceptions. Internal corporate quality management should always be regarded as dependent upon the achieved equilibrium between management and employee perceptions. It is also dependent upon the derived equilibrium between management and employee previous expectations.Practical implicationsAn important insight of this research is that TQM requires the continuous attention to the management versus employee expectations and perceptions inherent in corporate ethics of internal business operations. Furthermore, corporate ethics is complementary to business ethics.Originality/valueThe case description has shown that TQM may be running well and accomplishing the hard goals. However, TQM is not only about figures, profits and costs. It is also a business approach that should penetrate all activities inside and outside that are related to the company, including the soft issues.
The identification and application of knowledge capital within small firms
Authors: Keogh William , Mulvie Angela , Cooper Sarah 
Published: March 2005

PurposeResearch has shown that employers in small businesses may not provide, or fund, off‐the‐job training for reasons including that they believe that no training was considered necessary in their business. The research reported in this paper aims to focus on a study of software‐related companies that form part of an important sector for potential growth.Design/methodology/approachThis article reports findings from a study of 20 software related small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The overall purpose of the research was to establish a model whereby companies within the cluster could identify the training and development needs of their employees, and also of their management team(s). Interviews were held with owner managers and senior staff, and a training needs analysis was conducted in each organisation.FindingsA number of factors were hindering the development of managerial talent in the sample. These included their small size, a lack of resources and availability of personnel for release to undertake development programmes as well as a shortage of specialist human resource management (HRM) expertise.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the growing body of knowledge in the field of strategic human resource development in SMEs. However, the identification, understanding and development of knowledge capital are vital to compete within international markets and the knowledge economy. The approach suggested by the research provides a framework for improvement by identifying requirements for a “toolkit” that meets the needs of organisations and bridges the gap within the existing literature and empirical evidence.
Cultural determinants of competitiveness within SMEs
Authors: Ritchie Bob , Brindley Clare 
Published: March 2005

PurposeTo develop a contingency framework that will assist in overcoming the concerns expressed about the ability to integrate and generalise findings from research studies into entrepreneurship and small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachA preliminary framework is developed as a contribution towards fulfilling the need for a means of connecting often, diverse studies into SMEs and entrepreneurship. The framework is evaluated initially in terms of previous studies in the field and subsequently employing results from the authors' own cross‐national empirical studies involving ethnic, gender and cultural barriers to engaging in entrepreneurship.FindingsThe results from a series of empirical studies of experienced managers and aspiring managers are presented. The nature of the cultural differences and the implications for future research and policy making are evaluated. Issues such as the motivating and de‐motivating factors associated with establishing and managing an SME are highlighted.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are used to initiate the development and formulation of a contingency framework of entrepreneurship, which identifies cultural factors and differences as significant contingency variables.Practical implicationsThe importance of recognising the impact of cultural and gender differences on the development and application of policies and practices designed to stimulate and sustain entrepreneurship and enterprise is highlighted. This theoretical contribution should lead to more robust policy development.Originality/valueThe development of a contingency framework which addresses differences in the contextual circumstances in differing countries or regions in terms of culture, gender and ethnicity. Providing support for this framework based on the review of relevant literature and empirical evidence.