Management as a system: creating value

Boston University School of Management publication from the 1990s about the MBA programs at BU, aimed at prospective MBA students

Moral Sensitivity: A Comparative Analysis of Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Students

This study examined the relationship of undergraduate and graduate-level nursing student self-reported moral sensitivity and social desirability. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development, Gilligan’s Ethics of Care, and Rest’s Four Component Model provide the conceptual framework. Using a correlational exploratory design, this study examined the influence of academic preparation and social desirability on nursing student self-reported moral sensitivity. A purposive sample of undergraduate and graduate-level nursing students from two public universities participated in this study. The survey instrument included Comrie’s (2005) Modified Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire for Nursing students, Ray’s short version of the Marlowe-Crown Social Desirability Scale, and the Nursing Student Demographic Survey created by the researcher. Through exploratory and parametric analyses of the data, the findings suggest that experience as a registered nurse and social desirability are predictors of self-reported nursing student moral sensitivity

The Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB) International Consortium inaugural meeting report.

The Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB) International Consortium is a novel, interdisciplinary initiative comprised of experts across many fields, including genomics, data analysis, engineering, public health, and architecture. The ultimate goal of the MetaSUB Consortium is to improve city utilization and planning through the detection, measurement, and design of metagenomics within urban environments. Although continual measures occur for temperature, air pressure, weather, and human activity, including longitudinal, cross-kingdom ecosystem dynamics can alter and improve the design of cities. The MetaSUB Consortium is aiding these efforts by developing and testing metagenomic methods and standards, including optimized methods for sample collection, DNA/RNA isolation, taxa characterization, and data visualization. The data produced by the consortium can aid city planners, public health officials, and architectural designers. In addition, the study will continue to lead to the discovery of new species, global maps of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) markers, and novel biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Finally, we note that engineered metagenomic ecosystems can help enable more responsive, safer, and quantified cities

Development and validation of the multicultural sensitivity scale for pre-service teachers

This study developed and validated an instrument to measure the multicultural sensitivity among pre-service teachers. Items capturing the concept of multicultural sensitivity were developed through literature review, open-ended questionnaires, interviews, and focus-group discussions. The items were checked for content validity and then tested in different teacher education institutions in Mindanao, Philippines. The 45-item 7-point Likert scale was tested by 573 pre-service teachers and Exploratory Factor Analysis suggested a 28-item scale. The shortened version was tested by 461 pre-service teachers. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted to verify the factor structure and results confirmed the 28-item scale composed of three factors for the personal dimension – ethnocentrism, intercultural effort, and intercultural stress – and two factors for the professional dimension – exhibiting multiculturalism and monocultural orientation. The scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency and the measurement of the construct was found to be invariant for both ethnic majority and minority.status: Published onlin

Investigating Ethical Skills in Dentists and Dental Students: A Comparative Study

Background: Commitment to professional ethics is important for all medical practitioners, including dentists. This skill should be taught to students during their studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the moral skills of dentistry students and dentists. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 160 dentistry students and dentists. The Moral skills Inventory (MSI) Questionnaire was cross-culturally adapted and used in this study. The MSI was developed by Chamber’s and has 40 items covering four domains including: moral sensitivity, moral reasoning, moral integrity, and moral courage. Each domain’s scores ranged from zero to 20. The results were analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Results: comparing with dentists, dentistry students got higher score in moral sensitivity domain (5.5 ± 3.64 vs. 3.87 ± 2.22) and moral integrity (6.4 ± 3.2 vs. 5.78 ± 2.72). However, in moral reasoning, dentists got higher score than students (15.40 ± 2.11 vs. 13.92 ± 2.35). In the moral courage domain, students’ score was 13.47 ± 3.10 and dentists’ was 13.62 ± 2.96. The mean±SD of total score of moral skills in all domains was 39.3± 4.50 for dental students, 38.68 ± 4.48 for dentists, and 38.99 ± 4.49 for all participants. Conclusion: The professional ethics skills are relatively low in all four domains among dentistry students and dentists. Workshops, reviewing the syllables of medical ethics course, and practicing moral skills during training courses and monitoring professional performance can help to improve moral skill

Trends in qualitative research in language teaching since 2000

This paper reviews developments in qualitative research in language teaching since the year 2000, focusing on its contributions to the field and identifying issues that emerge. Its aims are to identify those areas in language teaching where qualitative research has the greatest potential and indicate what needs to be done to further improve the quality of its contribution. The paper begins by highlighting current trends and debates in the general area of qualitative research and offering a working definition of the term. At its core is an overview of developments in the new millennium based on the analysis of papers published in 15 journals related to the field of language teaching and a more detailed description, drawn from a range of sources, of exemplary contributions during that period. Issues of quality are also considered, using illustrative cases to point to aspects of published research that deserve closer attention in future work, and key publications on qualitative research practice are reviewed

Oral application of L-menthol in the heat: From pleasure to performance

When menthol is applied to the oral cavity it presents with a familiar refreshing sensation and cooling mint flavour. This may be deemed hedonic in some individuals, but may cause irritation in others. This variation in response is likely dependent upon trigeminal sensitivity toward cold stimuli, suggesting a need for a menthol solution that can be easily personalised. Menthol’s characteristics can also be enhanced by matching colour to qualitative outcomes; a factor which can easily be manipulated by practitioners working in athletic or occupational settings to potentially enhance intervention efficacy. This presentation will outline the efficacy of oral menthol application for improving time trial performance to date, either via swilling or via co-ingestion with other cooling strategies, with an emphasis upon how menthol can be applied in ecologically valid scenarios. Situations in which performance is not expected to be enhanced will also be discussed. An updated model by which menthol may prove hedonic, satiate thirst and affect ventilation will also be presented, with the potential performance implications of these findings discussed and modelled. Qualitative reflections from athletes that have implemented menthol mouth swilling in competition, training and maximal exercise will also be included

Ethics and taxation : a cross-national comparison of UK and Turkish firms

This paper investigates responses to tax related ethical issues facing busines