Ian L. Gordon, Seth Casden and Michael R. Hamblin
This study aims to test the effects of Celliant armbands on grip strength in subjects with chronic wrist and elbow pain. Celliant® is a functional textile fabric containing…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to test the effects of Celliant armbands on grip strength in subjects with chronic wrist and elbow pain. Celliant® is a functional textile fabric containing minerals that emit infrared radiation (IR) in response to body heat. IR-emitting fabrics have biological effects including the reduction of pain and inflammation and the stimulation of muscle function.
Design/methodology/approach
A randomized placebo-controlled trial recruited 80 subjects (40 per group) with a six-month history of chronic wrist or elbow pain (carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis or arthritis) to wear an armband (real Celliant or placebo fabric) on the affected wrist or elbow for two weeks. Grip strength was measured by a dynamometer before and after the two-week study.
Findings
For the placebo group, the mean grip strength increased from 47.95 ± 25.14 (baseline) to 51.69 ± 27.35 (final), whereas for the Celliant group, it increased from 46.3 ± 22.02 to 54.1 ± 25.97. The mean per cent increase over the two weeks was +7.8% for placebo and +16.8% for Celliant (p = 0.0372). No adverse effects was observed.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations include the wide variation in grip strength in the participants at baseline measurement, which meant that only the percentage increase between baseline and final measurements showed a significant difference. Moreover, no subjective measurements of pain or objective neurophysiology testes was done.
Practical implications
Celliant armbands are easy to wear and have not been shown to produce any adverse effects. Therefore, there appears to be no barrier to prevent widespread uptake.
Social implications
IR-emitting textiles have been studied for their beneficial effects, both in patients diagnosed with various disorders and also in healthy volunteers for health and wellness purposes. Although there are many types of textile technology that might be used to produce IR-emitting fabrics, including coating of the fabric with a printed layer of ceramic material, incorporating discs of mineral into the garment, the authors feel that incorporating ceramic particles into the polymer fibers from which the fabric is woven is likely to be the most efficient way of achieving the goal.
Originality/value
Celliant armbands appear to be effective in painful upper limb inflammatory disorders, and further studies are warranted. The mechanism of action is not completely understood, but the hypothesis that the emitted IR radiation is absorbed by nanostructured intracellular water provides some theoretical justification.
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Ian Gordon, Ian Melville and Anthony L. Poole
Provides a guideline for an ideal residential structural report,from the point of view of members of the Editorial Board of Structural Survey, discussing the definition of the…
Abstract
Provides a guideline for an ideal residential structural report, from the point of view of members of the Editorial Board of Structural Survey, discussing the definition of the term ′structural survey′, the position of the client, the preliminary stages, the main body of the report, the conclusions and appendices. Recommends 18 main contents of a structural survey report.
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The purpose of this article attempts to portray the unique and complex role of library middle managers. This important and influential position can be a proving ground for new and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article attempts to portray the unique and complex role of library middle managers. This important and influential position can be a proving ground for new and old managers as libraries continue to evolve, adjust policies, introduce new services and meet the needs of their users. Circulation managers as influential middle managers are realistically depicted as busy, overwhelmed and isolated, but welcome the opportunity to provide leadership and enhance their professional development.
Design/methodology/approach
This viewpoint is solely based on the author's varied experiences and personal reflections as a circulation department head providing leadership alongside colleagues in a busy academic library.
Findings
Department heads as managers of circulation departments are pivotal positions in every library. Circulation heads performing as middle managers are responsible for a full range of administrative, managerial and organizational services. Circulation heads are well positioned as change agents simultaneously directing frontline staff members, policies and services while providing valuable insight to library administration. Yet, circulation managers experiencing constantly evolving responsibilities, are too often found to be caught in the middle negotiating inconsistencies. Successful circulation managers require an eclectic mix of essential skills initiating and deploying change, defining success, dealing with people, actively participating in professional development and providing leadership.
Research limitations/implications
The study and research of library middle managers in public and academic libraries is practically nonexistent. As libraries increasingly create, adjust and reinvent library services, spaces and visions due to increasing digitization, in response to emerging online environments and new service models – middle managers and circulation librarians are excellent and proven pivots to negotiate and successfully implement this change.
Practical implications
As a crafted article written by a former head of a circulation department every staff member, student and librarian serving in access/borrowing/circulation departments should consult this article as required reading.
Social implications
The voices of library middle managers are too often muted, not valued and rarely celebrated. This viewpoint article written in a conversational voice depicts circulation librarians as middle managers that bring value to all libraries and should be heard.
Originality/value
This paper depicts the opportunities and challenges faced by, as well as the skills and competencies required by librarians serving as circulation departments heads.
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An estimated 65% of customer relationship marketing applications fail. Here's how to increase the chances of success.
Reports on the Federal Express corporation′s largest operation, Business Logistics, and its current total quality management (TQM) programme. Shows how the organization translated…
Abstract
Reports on the Federal Express corporation′s largest operation, Business Logistics, and its current total quality management (TQM) programme. Shows how the organization translated quality philosophy into action. Outlines a working structure for TQM. Examines the organization′s use of service quality indicators. Finally, stresses the role of customer partnership in maintaining TQM.
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Ian Wilkinson and Gordon Wills
Many firms are now undertaking their final analysis of the effects on their businesses of Britain's entry into the E.E.C. New opportunities in Europe and new threats at home are…
Abstract
Many firms are now undertaking their final analysis of the effects on their businesses of Britain's entry into the E.E.C. New opportunities in Europe and new threats at home are being anticipated and planned for. One obvious fact that is being focussed upon by many is the phased elimination over the next five years of tariff barriers between Britain and the six present member countries. This leads firms to examine their pricing policies for Europe, if they are already operating there, and ponder such questions as whether the tariff saving is to be passed on to the consumer in the form of a price reduction, or retained by the firm. Alternatively, if firms are not already operating in Europe then the tariff reductions are seen as an opportunity for them to consider marketing there. We attempt here to explore the effects of Britain's entry on the overall marketing strategies of British firms in Europe and to put the tariff reduction question into its broad commercial perspective.
Dean Carson, Kristal Coe, Kerstin Zander and Stephen Garnett
The aim of this paper is to synthesise three separate but similar studies into the motivations of accountants, engineers, and nurses to come to Australia's Northern Territory…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to synthesise three separate but similar studies into the motivations of accountants, engineers, and nurses to come to Australia's Northern Territory. Gordon's job structures model and the labour force development implications of staples thesis are to be used to provide a view of the differences between types of jobs.
Design/methodology/approach
Separate surveys of accountants, engineers and nurses registered in the Northern Territory were conducted in 2006 and 2007. Similarities in design between the studies allowed comparisons to be made regarding responses to questions about motives to move to the Northern Territory. Comparisons between the job groups were made on the basis of responses to individual motives, and a principal components analysis was used to identify groups of motives.
Findings
Nurses were more likely than engineers to be motivated to work with indigenous people and by their own family and social issues. Accountants were similar to engineers with regards to working with indigenous people, and similar to nurses with regards to family and social migration motives.
Practical implications
Growing the professional workforce in the Northern Territory is a prominent government policy objective. This study shows that different approaches to recruitment need to be taken with workers in different professions.
Originality/value
One of the weaknesses in existing academic literature on recruitment and retention of professionals in rural and remote areas is a lack of studies comparing rural migration motives of labour employed in different types of jobs. This study covers those aspects of the field.
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The personal comments of one of the judges on the entries to the 1994Survey Report Competition. Initially appraises entries from the aspectof presentational first impressions…
Abstract
The personal comments of one of the judges on the entries to the 1994 Survey Report Competition. Initially appraises entries from the aspect of presentational first impressions, aids to understanding in the form of photographs and plans, the use of technical terms, size and written quality. Gives further consideration as to whether the client′s instructions have been fulfilled, the depth and quality of the technical information given, whether adequate advice and warnings are provided where information is lacking, the provision of costs and the scope of the concluding recommendations. Despite minor flaws the entry awarded first prize is considered a worthy winner and thanks are extended to all those who entered.