Exploring Organizational Culture of Restaurants Through Workplace Rituals

Organizational culture can be a competitive advantage to the extent of how employees learn underlying core values. Workplace rituals are symbolic mechanisms through which employees may learn to operate in a given particular culture. Yet, surprisingly little research exists examining how different rituals are used as learning mechanisms in different cultures. Drawing on Cameron and Quinn’s (1999) cultural framework, I examined four different types of organizational cultures: clan, hierarchy, market, and adhocracy. A total of 16, semi-structured interviews with managers, owners, and staff, along with 5 field observations were used to examine the link among rituals, learning, and culture. Findings suggest that the emphasis on emotional, cognitive, and behavioral rituals were linked with different cultures. Specifically, in clan-based cultures, learning of culture values occurred through personal belonging and trusting relationships; in an adhocracy-based culture, learning of cultural values occurred through collaborative creativity and empowerment; in market-based cultures, learning of cultural values occurred through performance and consistency (to sell); and in hierarchy-based cultures, learning of cultural values occurred through efficiency and consistency (of product). Theoretical and practical implications are addressed. Rituals help to foster a stronger culture that may contribute to a competitive advantage

Investigation of the incorporation of trigonal planar oxyanions in inorganic oxide materials

The work presented in this thesis focuses on the potential incorporation of carbonate into different materials, showing how care must be given to consider its possible inclusion when synthesising materials ≤1000°C. Other oxyanion investigations are also presented for the likes of sulphate and borate. A new layered perovskite structure was synthesised with the formula Ba$_3$Yb$_2$O$_5$CO$_3$. The presence of carbonate was first confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and the new structure was determined by the Rietveld refinement using Neutron diffraction data. It was then proven that this system could be extended to a range of other rare earths. Further investigation shows how this layered structure is also seen with the partial inclusion of sulphate, provided there was stabilisation from the addition of zinc. Carbonate incorporation was also determined in the cobalt deficient Ba$_2$Co$_{1-x}$O$_{4-δ}$ systems, where a structural change is seen from monoclinic to orthorhombic-like upon increasing the amount of deficiency. This carbonate incorporation may also be seen in the iron equivalent Ba$_2$Fe$_{1-x}$O$_{4-δ}$ systems, whilst sulphate incorporation into these iron systems was also demonstrated leading to materials with higher thermal stability. The inclusion of carbonate/sulphate was confirmed through Raman spectroscopy and structure refinement. Various smaller investigations into the potential carbonate incorporation of other systems are also presented, including TiO$_2$, and Nb$_2$O$_5$. Although not conclusive, the results suggest that carbonate could also be present at low temperature in polymorphs of these compounds. Interesting borate systems, Sr$_{4-x}$Ba$_x$Na(BO$_3$)$_3$, Sr$_{4-x}$Ba$_x$Li(BO$_3$)$_3$, were synthesised. These systems have been previously reported, but we show for the first time here that they have perovskite-like superstructures. In these materials the borate groups are shown to provide all the oxygen atoms in the structure, illustrating the flexibility of the perovskite structure to accommodate oxyanion groups. The new Sr$_{4-x}$Ba$_x$Na$_{0.5}$Li$_{0.5}$(BO$_3$)$_3$ series was also prepared and whilst investigating other potential isostructural systems, a new strontium/calcium A site cation ordered Sr$_{2.2}$Ca$_{1.8}$Li(BO$_3$)$_3$ system was discovered

Carbonate : an alternative dopant to stabilize new perovskite phases ; synthesis and structure of Ba3Yb2O5CO3 and related isostructural phases Ba3Ln2O5CO3 (Ln = Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Lu)

In this paper we report the synthesis of the new layered perovskite oxide carbonate, Ba3Yb2O5CO3. This phase is formed when 3BaCO(3):1Yb(2)O(3) mixtures are heated in air at temperatures 1000 degrees C, while above this temperature the carbonate is lost and the simple oxide phase Ba3Yb4O9 is observed. The structure of Ba3Yb2O5CO3 was determined from neutron diffraction studies and consists of a tripled perovskite with double Yb-O layers separated by carbonate layers, the first example of a material with such a structure. Further studies showed that analogous Ba(3)Ln(2)O(5)CO(3) phases could be formed for other rare earths (Ln = Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Lu). The results highlight the ability of the perovskite structure to accommodate carbonate groups, and emphasise the need to consider their potential presence particularly for perovskite systems prepared in lower temperature synthesis routes

Short-term reliability of inflammatory mediators and response to exercise in the heat

Prospective application of serum cytokines, lipopolysaccharide, and heat shock proteins requires reliable measurement of these biomarkers that can signify exercise-induced heat stress in hot conditions. To accomplish this, both short-term (seven day) reliability (at rest, n=12) and the acute responsiveness of each biomarker to exercise in the heat (pre and post 60 min cycling, 34.5oC and 70% RH, n=20) were evaluated. Serum was analysed for the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL-6), heat shock protein 72 (eHSP72), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Test-retest reliability was determined as the coefficient of variation (CV). Biomarkers with the least short-term within-subject variation were IL-6 (19%, ± 20%; CV, ± 95% confidence limits) and LPS (23%, ± 13%). Greater variability was observed for IgM, eHSP72 and CRP (CV range 28-38%). IL-6 exhibited the largest increase in response to acute exercise (95%, ± 11%, p = <0.001) and although CRP had a modest CV (12%, ± 7%) it increased substantially post-exercise (p = 0.02, ES; 0.78). In contrast, eHSP72 and LPS exhibited trivial changes post-exercise. It appears variation of common inflammatory markers after exercise in the heat is not always discernible from short-term (weekly) variation

Genome sequence of an Australian kangaroo, Macropus eugenii, provides insight into the evolution of mammalian reproduction and development.

BACKGROUND: We present the genome sequence of the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, which is a member of the kangaroo family and the first representative of the iconic hopping mammals that symbolize Australia to be sequenced. The tammar has many unusual biological characteristics, including the longest period of embryonic diapause of any mammal, extremely synchronized seasonal breeding and prolonged and sophisticated lactation within a well-defined pouch. Like other marsupials, it gives birth to highly altricial young, and has a small number of very large chromosomes, making it a valuable model for genomics, reproduction and development. RESULTS: The genome has been sequenced to 2 × coverage using Sanger sequencing, enhanced with additional next generation sequencing and the integration of extensive physical and linkage maps to build the genome assembly. We also sequenced the tammar transcriptome across many tissues and developmental time points. Our analyses of these data shed light on mammalian reproduction, development and genome evolution: there is innovation in reproductive and lactational genes, rapid evolution of germ cell genes, and incomplete, locus-specific X inactivation. We also observe novel retrotransposons and a highly rearranged major histocompatibility complex, with many class I genes located outside the complex. Novel microRNAs in the tammar HOX clusters uncover new potential mammalian HOX regulatory elements. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses of these resources enhance our understanding of marsupial gene evolution, identify marsupial-specific conserved non-coding elements and critical genes across a range of biological systems, including reproduction, development and immunity, and provide new insight into marsupial and mammalian biology and genome evolution

Adrenaline to improve survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest : the PARAMEDIC2 RCT

Background Adrenaline has been used as a treatment for cardiac arrest for many years, despite uncertainty about its effects on long-term outcomes and concerns that it may cause worse neurological outcomes. Objectives The objectives were to evaluate the effects of adrenaline on survival and neurological outcomes, and to assess the cost-effectiveness of adrenaline use. Design This was a pragmatic, randomised, allocation-concealed, placebo-controlled, parallel-group superiority trial and economic evaluation. Costs are expressed in Great British pounds and reported in 2016/17 prices. Setting This trial was set in five NHS ambulance services in England and Wales. Participants Adults treated for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were included. Patients were ineligible if they were pregnant, if they were aged < 16 years, if the cardiac arrest had been caused by anaphylaxis or life-threatening asthma, or if adrenaline had already been given. Interventions Participants were randomised to either adrenaline (1 mg) or placebo in a 1 : 1 allocation ratio by the opening of allocation-concealed treatment packs. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was survival to 30 days. The secondary outcomes were survival to hospital admission, survival to hospital discharge, survival at 3, 6 and 12 months, neurological outcomes and health-related quality of life through to 6 months. The economic evaluation assessed the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained from the perspective of the NHS and Personal Social Services. Participants, clinical teams and those assessing patient outcomes were masked to the treatment allocation. Results From December 2014 to October 2017, 8014 participants were assigned to the adrenaline (n = 4015) or to the placebo (n = 3999) arm. At 30 days, 130 out of 4012 participants (3.2%) in the adrenaline arm and 94 out of 3995 (2.4%) in the placebo arm were alive (adjusted odds ratio for survival 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 1.97). For secondary outcomes, survival to hospital admission was higher for those receiving adrenaline than for those receiving placebo (23.6% vs. 8.0%; adjusted odds ratio 3.83, 95% confidence interval 3.30 to 4.43). The rate of favourable neurological outcome at hospital discharge was not significantly different between the arms (2.2% vs. 1.9%; adjusted odds ratio 1.19, 95% confidence interval 0.85 to 1.68). The pattern of improved survival but no significant improvement in neurological outcomes continued through to 6 months. By 12 months, survival in the adrenaline arm was 2.7%, compared with 2.0% in the placebo arm (adjusted odds ratio 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.00 to 1.92). An adjusted subgroup analysis did not identify significant interactions. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for adrenaline was estimated at £1,693,003 per quality-adjusted life-year gained over the first 6 months after the cardiac arrest event and £81,070 per quality-adjusted life-year gained over the lifetime of survivors. Additional economic analyses estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for adrenaline at £982,880 per percentage point increase in overall survival and £377,232 per percentage point increase in neurological outcomes over the first 6 months after the cardiac arrest. Limitations The estimate for survival with a favourable neurological outcome is imprecise because of the small numbers of patients surviving with a good outcome. Conclusions Adrenaline improved long-term survival, but there was no evidence that it significantly improved neurological outcomes. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per quality-adjusted life-year exceeds the threshold of £20,000–30,000 per quality-adjusted life-year usually supported by the NHS. Future work Further research is required to better understand patients’ preferences in relation to survival and neurological outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and to aid interpretation of the trial findings from a patient and public perspective. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN73485024 and EudraCT 2014-000792-11. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 25, No. 25. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information

2019 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation has initiated a continuous review of new, peer-reviewed, published cardiopulmonary resuscitation science. This is the third annual summary of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. It addresses the most recent published resuscitation evidence reviewed by International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Task Force science experts. This summary addresses the role of cardiac arrest centers and dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the role of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adults and children, vasopressors in adults, advanced airway interventions in adults and children, targeted temperature management in children after cardiac arrest, initial oxygen concentration during resuscitation of newborns, and interventions for presyncope by first aid providers. Members from 6 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation task forces have assessed, discussed, and debated the certainty of the evidence on the basis of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria, and their statements include consensus treatment recommendations. Insights into the deliberations of the task forces are provided in the Justification and Evidence to Decision Framework Highlights sections. The task forces also listed priority knowledge gaps for further research

Does six weeks pre-season training influence the physiological fitness of amateur soccer players?

Typically in team sports, such as amateur soccer, the pre-season period is a short amount of time (~ 6-7 weeks) that is used to facilitate gains in fitness and match readiness for the competitive season (1). During this time the players strive to reach their previous fitness levels as well as develop skills to become match ready (2). It has been reported that during the off-season, soccer players undergo periods of inactivity and a significant de-training effect has been shown to occur after only 8 weeks (1). Therefore pre-season training must prepare players so that they can sufficiently maintain high intensity actions throughout a game as the average work intensity during a soccer match has been estimated to approximate ~70-80% of maximum aerobic power (3, 4)