Producing Useful Knowledge in Management Science—Facilitators and Barriers

In many conferences and meetings in management subjects today, some academic scholars blame themselves and their academic societies for not producing useful research. Here, usefulness refers to the type of a research that can be useful in real practice and lead to the improvement of organizations. Since the gap between academic research and industry practices has increased in recent years, there is a need to shed light on the causes of this issue and propose ways in which this challenge can be overcome. This is a critical step in enhancing applied science. This article analyzes the current trend in conducting management research and raises some issues that scholars should consider when implementing research to make their results practical. To this end, it utilizes institutional theory and introduces factors, which are mostly institutional, that needed to be considered in managerial studies in order to contribute to the practice. It introduces the factors which facilitate or impede producing useful knowledge. Additionally this article illustrates a network of academic researchers linked to industry and shows how the structural holes in the networks of academic scholars and industry can contribute to producing useful knowledge. The model of producing useful knowledge is proposed and the relationship between different methods of conducting research and the usefulness of the created knowledge for practitioners is illustrated in this paper

Reliable propagation of Persian walnut varieties using SSR marker-based true-to-type validation

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to authenticate ramets of 11 Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) varieties. All varieties and 28 of their ramets (n = 39) were genotyped with 17 SSR markers. The genetic profiles revealed two off-types: the ramets Serr 4 (S4) and Vina 1 (V1). SSR fingerprints individuating 11 walnut varieties were possible using 13 polymorphic SSRs that could be used in the future to identify clones of these varieties. Except for ‘Chandler’, each cultivar could be distinguished using a combination of two SSR loci. This result emphasizes the efficacy of the SSR markers in true-to-type validation of walnut orchards

Thermodynamic re-assessment of the Zn–P binary system

Thermodynamic phase diagrams are the cornerstones to develop synthesis of new materials. Zinc phosphide has evolved into a prospective semicontuctor for next generation solar cells, thanks to its abundance and functional properties. Here we derive an optimized Zn-P binary diagram, and compare it to two previously available assessments. We solve some of the artefacts and clarify the methodology to obtain the Gibbs free energy, reaching an accurate description of the phases. This work is important for the synthesis of zinc-phosphide in the form of thin film and nanostructures

Religiousness and preoperative anxiety: a correlational study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Major life changes are among factors that cause anxiety, and one of these changes is surgery. Emotional reactions to surgery have specific effects on the intensity and velocity as well as the process of physical disease. In addition, they can cause delay in patients recovery. This study is aimed at determining the relationship between religious beliefs and preoperative anxiety.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This survey is a correlational study to assess the relationship between religious beliefs and preoperative anxiety of patients undergoing abdominal, orthopaedic, and gynaecologic surgery in educational hospitals. We used the convenience sampling method. The data collection instruments included a questionnaire containing the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and another questionnaire formulated by the researcher with queries on religious beliefs and demographic characteristics as well as disease-related information. Analysis of the data was carried out with SPSS software using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results were arranged in three tables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The findings showed that almost all the subjects had high level of religiosity and moderate level of anxiety. In addition, there was an inverse relationship between religiosity and intensity of anxiety, though this was not statistically significant.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of this study can be used as evidence for presenting religious counselling and spiritual interventions for individuals undergoing stress. Finally, based on the results of this study, the researcher suggested some recommendations for applying results and conducting further research.</p

Two Iranian families with a novel mutation in GJB2 causing autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss

Mutations in GJB2 , encoding connexin 26 (Cx26), cause both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) at the DFNA3 and DFNB1 loci, respectively. Most of the over 100 described GJB2 mutations cause ARNSHL. Only a minority has been associated with autosomal dominant hearing loss. In this study, we present two families with autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss caused by a novel mutation in GJB2 (p.Asp46Asn). Both families were ascertained from the same village in northern Iran consistent with a founder effect. This finding implicates the D46N missense mutation in Cx26 as a common cause of deafness in this part of Iran mandating mutation screening of GJB2 for D46N in all persons with hearing loss who originate from this geographic region. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/83755/1/33209_ftp.pd

CpG Immunotherapy in Chenopodium album sensitized mice: The comparison of IFN-gamma, IL-10 and IgE responses in intranasal and subcutaneous administrations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mucosal-based immunotherapy has been already used as an alternative form of allergen delivery. In asthma, the poor success rate of immune modulation could be a consequence of inadequate immune modulation in the airways. Previously, we have found that subcutaneous (S.C) co-administration of a homemade allergenic extract from Chenopodium album (Ch.a) pollen and Guanine-Cytosine containing deoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs) is effective to prevent the inflammatory responses in mouse. In this study we used CpG/Ch.a for immunotherapy of Ch.a-induced asthma and compared the intranasal (I.N) and S.C routes of administration concerning IFN-γ, IL-10 and total IgE responses.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ch.a sensitized mice were treated intranasaly or subcutaneously using CpG and Ch.a. extract. IFN-γ, IL-10 and total IgE were measured in supernatant culture of splenocytes and bronchoalveolor lavage (BAL) fluids by ELISA. Student's t test was used in the analysis of the results obtained from the test and control mice.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that I.N administration of CpG/Ch.a in sensitized mice significantly increased the production of systemic and mucosal IFN-γ and IL-10 compared to phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Ch.a alone and control ODNs treated sensitized mice (P ≤ 0.001). On the other hand, S.C. route induced the systemic and mucosal IFN-γ in the lower levels than in I.N one, and failed to increase systemic IL-10 induction (P = 0.06). Total serum IgE in CpG/Ch.a treated mice in both routes showed significant decreases compared to three control groups (P ≤ 0.01). The amounts of IgE in BAL fluids were not measurable in all groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>According to the results of this experiment we concluded that immunotherapy via the I.N co-administration of CpG/Ch.a in comparison with S.C route is more effective to stimulate the mucosal and regulatory responses in Ch.a induced asthma.</p

Computer-aided dermoscopy for diagnosis of melanoma

BACKGROUND: Computer-aided dermoscopy using artificial neural networks has been reported to be an accurate tool for the evaluation of pigmented skin lesions. We set out to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a computer-aided dermoscopy system for diagnosis of melanoma in Iranian patients. METHODS: We studied 122 pigmented skin lesions which were referred for diagnostic evaluation or cosmetic reasons. Each lesion was examined by two clinicians with naked eyes and all of their clinical diagnostic considerations were recorded. The lesions were analyzed using a microDERM(® )dermoscopy unit. The output value of the software for each lesion was a score between 0 and 10. All of the lesions were excised and examined histologically. RESULTS: Histopathological examination revealed melanoma in six lesions. Considering only the most likely clinical diagnosis, sensitivity and specificity of clinical examination for diagnosis of melanoma were 83% and 96%, respectively. Considering all clinical diagnostic considerations, the sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 89%. Choosing a cut-off point of 7.88 for dermoscopy score, the sensitivity and specificity of the score for diagnosis of melanoma were 83% and 96%, respectively. Setting the cut-off point at 7.34, the sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 90%. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of the dermoscopy system was at the level of clinical examination by dermatologists with naked eyes. This system may represent a useful tool for screening of melanoma, particularly at centers not experienced in the field of pigmented skin lesions

Mycobacterium ulcerans disease: experience with primary oral medical therapy in an Australian cohort

Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) is responsible for disfiguring skin infections which are challenging to treat. The recommended treatment for MU has continued to evolve from surgery to remove all involved tissue, to the use of effective combination oral antibiotics with surgery as required. Our study describes the oral medical treatment utilised for consecutive cases of MU infection over a 15 month period at our institution, in Victoria, Australia. Managing patients primarily with oral antibiotics results in high cure rates and excellent cosmetic outcomes. The success with medical treatment reported in this study will aid those treating cases of MU infection, and will add to the growing body of knowledge about the relative roles of antibiotics and surgery for treating this infection

Prevalence of Clostridium difficile colonization among healthcare workers

BackgroundClostridium difficile infection (CDI) has increased to epidemic proportions in recent years. The carriage of C. difficile among healthy adults and hospital inpatients has been established. We sought to determine whether C. difficile colonization exists among healthcare workers (HCWs) in our setting.MethodsA point prevalence study of stool colonization with C. difficile among doctors, nurses and allied health staff at a large regional teaching hospital in Geelong, Victoria. All participants completed a short questionnaire and all stool specimens were tested by Techlab&reg; C.diff Quik Check enzyme immunoassay followed by enrichment culture.ResultsAmong 128 healthcare workers, 77% were female, of mean age 43 years, and the majority were nursing staff (73%). Nineteen HCWs (15%) reported diarrhoea, and 12 (9%) had taken antibiotics in the previous six weeks. Over 40% of participants reported having contact with a patient with known or suspected CDI in the 6 weeks before the stool was collected. C. difficile was not isolated from the stool of any participants.ConclusionAlthough HCWs are at risk of asymptomatic carriage and could act as a reservoir for transmission in the hospital environment, with the use of a screening test and culture we were unable to identify C. difficile in the stool of our participants in a non-outbreak setting. This may reflect potential colonization resistance of the gut microbiota, or the success of infection prevention strategies at our institution.<br /