bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategic human resources management research in hospitality and tourism
Authors: Madera Juan M. , Dawson Mary , Guchait Priyanko , Belarmino Amanda Mapel
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the strategic human resources management (HRM) literature from the points of view of both general management and hospitality and tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a critical, qualitative and comparative review of the strategic HRM research literature in the fields of general management and hospitality and tourism, providing insights into emerging research trends and pointing to the gaps in the literature.

Findings

The results of the review showed six streams of research from the hospitality and tourism literature: human capital and firm performance, high-performance HRM practices and performance, international/global issues and strategic HRM, individual HRM practices and performance, qualitative reviews of the hospitality and tourism HRM literature and country-specific strategic HRM. This review also points to the gaps between the two bodies of literature and gives recommendations for future research.

Practical implications

The current conceptual model provides a useful framework for examining how strategic HRM practices impact firm performance through macro (organizational) and micro (individual) levels. The current review illustrates the important role that frontline managers have in delivering HRM practices.

Originality/value

This review provides a conceptual model for future research and practical implications.
Sharing tourism experiences in social media
Authors: Sotiriadis Marios D.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to perform a synthesis of academic research published between 2009 and 2016 regarding the changes in tourism consumer behavior brought about by the use of social media (SM); and to suggest a set of strategies for tourism businesses to seize opportunities and deal with resulting challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

A volume of 146 peer-reviewed journal articles were retrieved from two major databases. Content analysis of this academic research has been performed, exploring the effects of online reviews on tourism consumers and providers.

Findings

The content analysis identified three main research themes that were investigated by scholars and classified into two major categories, namely, consumer perspective and provider perspective: the antecedents (factors motivating and influencing tourists); the influence of online reviews on consumer behaviour; and the impact of these reviews on tourism businesses (providers’ perspective).

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on a literature review and outcomes reported by previous studies; hence, the suggestions are indicative rather than conclusive. Some publication sources were not included.

Practical implications

This paper suggests a range of adequate strategies, along with operational actions, formulated for industry practitioners in the fields of management and marketing.

Originality/value

It provides an update of the state of published academic research into SM and an integrated set of management and marketing strategies for tourism providers in seizing the opportunities and dealing with the challenges raised in a digital context.
Development of a scale to measure hotel brand experiences
Authors: Khan Imran , Rahman Zillur
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This study aims to develop and validate a scale for measuring hotel brand experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on existing hotel and brand experience literature, and seven distinct studies carried out as part of this research, a 17-item five-dimensional hotel brand experience scale was developed.

Findings

The scale revealed sound psychometric properties based on the findings from different reliability and validity tests, as well as from successful scale replications across several different samples. The study found a significant influence of hotel brand experience on revisit intention and word-of-mouth, which confirms nomological validity of the scale.

Practical implications

The developed hotel brand experience scale can provide hoteliers a way to examine the experiences evoked through hotel brand-related stimuli.

Originality/value

This study is the first to develop and validate measures of brand experience in context of hotel industry.
Diversity management research in hospitality and tourism: past, present and future
Authors: Kalargyrou Valentini , Costen Wanda
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a review of diversity management research published in hospitality and tourism-specific and business discipline-based journals. The study objectives include attempting to assess the progress of diversity management research in hospitality and tourism, identifying gaps between the general business diversity management literature and the hospitality and tourism literature and providing hospitality and tourism scholars with suggestions to advance knowledge in diversity management.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a critical review of the existing diversity management literature in the general business and hospitality and tourism disciplines in an attempt to identify gaps and make suggestions for expanding this knowledge in the hospitality and tourism fields.

Findings

There are significant gaps between the diversity management scholarship conducted in hospitality and tourism disciplines and the general business field. Diversity management research in general business is far more in-depth and uses sociological and social psychological theoretical frameworks.

Research limitations/implications

There are lessons to be learned from the general business literature that uses strong theoretical foundations deeply grounded in sociological, psychological, social-psychological and management theories. The general management literature also explores the conditions under which diversity management adds value or creates challenges for organizations.

Practical implications

The hospitality and tourism industry has employed large numbers of ethnic minorities, women and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community for decades. As such, it is critical that scholars explore the implications of such a diverse workforce not only on organizational outcomes, but also on individual and group performance. The general business diversity management research suggests that workgroup composition can influence individual and group performance, as well as the quality of co-worker relationships. Given the team-oriented, interdependent nature of work in the hospitality and tourism industry, it is imperative that researchers conduct studies that help practitioners understand the most effective perspectives and approaches to diversity management.

Social implications

The critical literature review demonstrated that there is extremely scarce research on diversity management focusing on employees with disabilities. It is imperative to shed more light on best diversity management practices, workplace etiquette of this under-represented group of employees and their interaction with their co-workers.

Originality/value

This study’s results provide insight into areas of exploration that can significantly enhance the scholarship on diversity management in the hospitality and tourism literature.
The review of “green” research in hospitality, 2000-2014
Authors: Kim Sun-Hwa , Lee Kiwon , Fairhurst Ann
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Green practices have been of increasing interest to both practitioners and researchers in the hospitality context. To understand how green practices have been adopted in the industry, a systematic review of recent hospitality literature is essential. The purpose of this paper is to identify research domains and formulate a definition of green practices that accurately reflects the current hospitality context.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors reviewed 146 articles on green practices published between 2000 and 2014 in eight hospitality journals. Using content analysis, multiple researchers coded the articles using a standardized coding scheme.

Findings

The number of articles on green practices in the hospitality context has been growing. Most studies focus on managers and the lodging sector. The authors identify three research domains for green practices in the hospitality literature: organizational, operational and strategic. They define a green practice as a value-added business strategy that benefits hospitality operations that engage in environmental protection initiatives.

Research limitations/implications

This framework may help practitioners develop green practice strategies and governments develop effective green policies and reinforce activities aimed at environmental protection. It provides theoretical foundation for future research related to green practices in the hospitality industry. Overall, hospitality stakeholders can use this framework to understand the implementation and effects of green practices.

Originality/value

The authors create an organizational framework for a fragmented body of literature by identifying three research domains for green practices based on a systematic review of recently published hospitality articles (2000-2014). They challenge existing definitions of green practices and propose an accurate definition tailored to the hospitality context.
Modelling company generic production capabilities in process industries
Authors: Lager Thomas , Samuelsson Peter , Storm Per
Published: January 2017

Purpose

In the process industries, it is essential to have a well-articulated manufacturing strategy within companies. However, to facilitate manufacturing strategy development, it is important to start with a good characterisation of the material transformation system and company production capabilities. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A grounded theory approach, with inspiration from configuration modelling, attempted to characterize the material transformation system as a set of variables. The variable development was based on a literature review and the knowledge base of five industry experts. Two exploratory mini-case studies were carried out, primarily to illustrate the use of the model, but additionally to test its industrial usability.

Findings

A set of 31 variables was developed, and related measures and scales were tentatively defined. Two mini-cases supported the usability of the model. The model, focussing on company generic process capabilities, is a conceptual taxonomy and the study’s theoretical contribution.

Research limitations/implications

The lucidity of the definitions and scales for the variables are open to further refinement, and the limited discussions of variable relationships in this study are addressed in an agenda for further research.

Practical implications

The model can be deployed as a facilitative instrument in the analysis of company material transformation systems and may serve as a platform in further discussions on companies’ strategy development.

Originality/value

The model is a new instrument for analysing company generic process capabilities and an effort to build new theory rather than to test an existing one.
Transnational venue management corporations and local embeddedness
Authors: Yao Qin , Schwarz Eric C.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The case of the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China raises an important issue with respect to transnational venue management corporations embedding and operating in foreign markets. The purpose of this paper is to examine how Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) has implemented social embeddedness strategy to influence the management structure and enhance operational performance of the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach was chosen to examine the social embeddedness of AEG through the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai. An in-depth interview was conducted with John Cappo, the President and CEO of AEG China, in April 2016. In addition, the relative news and interviews of leaders from AEG and AEG China over the past ten years was also collected. Qualitative content analysis of the data was conducted through a coding approach. All the materials were coded into three main categories based on three aspects of social embeddedness: local stakeholder relations, reputation and trust-building, cultural and institutional adaptation.

Findings

AEG has demonstrated how a transnational venue management corporation can successfully integrate social embeddedness strategy with the management structure and operational procedures of the Mercedes-Benz Arena in three ways. First is through the relationship between AEG and its partners in the joint venture, OPG in terms of the enforcement of the contract, the clear division of responsibilities, and the mutual understanding and use of relationship building. Second is the relationship between AEG and the local government in Shanghai. Third was adapting the structures of AEG to fit within local culture and institutional contexts.

Originality/value

The unique multi-stakeholder relationship inherent to venue management in China raises important questions with respect to transnational venue management corporations operating in foreign markets. The adaptation to the local context, as a moderating factor to the institutional exposure of a venue management company involves more challenging obstacles for non-local firms, compared to firms which are familiar with their institutional context. Understanding the key solutions in building relationships and trust with partners in joint venture and local government, as well as the key methods to adopt in local contexts, have applications across any number of sport industries.
Predicting top management approval and team performance in technology industry
Authors: Lin Chieh-Peng , Liu Min-Ling , Joe Sheng-Wuu , Tsai Yuan-Hui
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To complement previous research on team performance, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the development of team performance and top management approval at the team level. In the proposed model, team performance and top management approval are influenced by the team leader’s charisma, teamwork exhaustion, and goal clarity via the full mediation of team planning. The effects of the leader’s charisma and goal clarity on team planning are moderated by teamwork exhaustion.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical testing of this model based on hierarchical regression modeling, by investigating team personnel in high-tech firms, confirms the applicability of team planning among these firms’ work teams.

Findings

A team leader’s charisma and goal clarity positively relate to team planning, while teamwork exhaustion is not associated with team planning. Team planning further positively relates to team performance and top management approval, respectively. A team leader’s charisma negatively moderates the relationship between teamwork exhaustion and team planning, while goal clarity positively moderates the relationship between teamwork exhaustion and team planning.

Originality/value

While previous literature has focused in depth on team planning and its antecedents and outcomes, there still exists an important gap regarding potential moderation in the formation of team planning. This study provides some important findings that complement previous literature by examining three fresh exogenous determinants for explaining team planning, their interaction effects, and how they indirectly relate to team performance and top management approval via the full mediation of team planning.
Perceived employability of Hong Kong employees: its antecedents, moderator and outcomes
Authors: Ngo Hang-yue , Liu Huimin , Cheung Francis
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a model that investigates volition and self-efficacy as antecedents, and work engagement and job satisfaction as outcomes of perceived employability. It also evaluates the moderating role of job insecurity on the relationships between perceived employability and the two employee outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected via a random sampling survey on living conditions of Hong Kong citizens in 2014. The final sample consists of 414 Chinese working adults. The authors employ structural equation modeling and moderated regression analysis to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results show that volition and self-efficacy are positively related to perceived employability, and perceived employability in turn positively relates to work engagement and job satisfaction. Besides, perceived employability fully mediates the effect of volition and partially mediates the effect of self-efficacy, on the two outcome variables. The authors also find that job insecurity acts as a significant moderator on the relationships between perceived employability and the outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of this study include self-reported data, cross-sectional research design, and selected respondents with a large proportion of recent immigrants. By delineating the process through which perceived employability affects employees’ work engagement and job satisfaction, this study provides some implications for research and practice.

Originality/value

This study introduces a conceptual model that includes both antecedents and consequences of perceived employability. It examines the relationships among volition, perceived employability, and work engagement, which has not been studied before. By identifying job insecurity as an important moderator, it reveals a boundary condition of perceived employability on employee outcomes.
Creative industries work across multiple contexts: common themes and challenges
Authors: Hennekam Sophie , Bennett Dawn
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the precarious nature of creative industries (CIs) work in Australia, Canada and the Netherlands, with a focus on job security, initial and on-going training and education, and access to benefits and protection.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports from a largely qualitative study featuring an in-depth survey answered by 752 creative workers in the three locations.

Findings

Survey data identified common themes including an increase in non-standard forms of employment and the persistence of precarious work across the career lifespan; criticism of initial education and training with particular reference to business skills; the need for and challenges of life-long professional learning; and lack of awareness about and access to benefits and protection. Respondents also reported multiple roles across and beyond the CIs.

Practical implications

The presence of common themes suggests avenues for future, targeted creative workforce research and signals the need for change and action by CIs educators, policy makers and representative organizations such as trade unions.

Originality/value

While precarious labour is common across the CIs and has attracted the attention of researchers worldwide, a lack of comparative studies has made it difficult to identify themes or issues that are common across multiple locations.
Plant traits and plant biogeography control the biotic resistance provided by generalist herbivores
Authors: Grutters Bart M. C. , Roijendijk Yvonne O. A. , Verberk Wilco C. E. P. , Bakker Elisabeth S.
Published: January 2017

Globalization and climate change trigger species invasions and range shifts, which reshuffle communities at an exceptional rate and expose plant migrants to unfamiliar herbivores. Dominant hypotheses to predict plant success are based on evolutionary novelty: either herbivores are maladapted to consume novel plants (enemy release hypothesis), or novel plants are maladapted to deter herbivores (biotic resistance hypothesis). Since novelty can work both ways, it fails to consistently predict when herbivores will consume novel over non‐novel plants. Surprisingly, the value of using plant traits to predict herbivore consumption of novel plants remains largely unexplored. We hypothesized that (i) plant traits explain generalist herbivore consumption rates of novel and non‐novel plants, and (ii) any effect of novelty will be grounded in consistent trait differences between native and novel plants. Lastly, we expected to find (iii) differences in plant traits and plant consumption rates across latitude.

To test these hypotheses, we measured the consumption rate of plant species for a tropical and a temperate generalist herbivore in controlled feeding trials by offering them a large variety of 40 plant species from different geographical origins. Therefore, whether a plant was novel depended on the herbivore used, allowing us to disentangle plant identity from plant novelty. We also measured plant chemical traits and determined whether traits, geographical origin or novelty best explained herbivore consumption rates.

Both generalist herbivores consumed more of plants with a high nitrogen‐to‐phenolic compounds ratio, irrespective of the plant's novelty to the herbivore. A pattern of increasing plant's nitrogen‐to‐phenolics ratio with latitude could explain why both the tropical and temperate herbivore consumed more of plants from temperate regions. Plant novelty and its geographical origin no longer explained consumption rates once differences in nitrogen‐to‐phenolic compounds ratio were taken into account.

We show that differences in plant traits along a latitudinal cline determine herbivore consumption rates, irrespective of whether plants are novel or familiar. Therefore, we propose that integrating evolutionary novelty theory with plant traits and biogeography will increase our understanding of the consequences of plant species migration beyond biogeographical barriers.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Increased PD‐L1 expression in breast and colon cancer stem cells
Authors: Wu Yanheng , Chen Mingshui , Wu Peihong , Chen Chen , Xu Zhi Ping , Gu Wenyi
Published: January 2017

Here we report the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1/2 (PD‐L1/L2) in breast and colon cancer stem cells (CSCs). The stemness of these cells was confirmed by their surface markers. Using flow cytometry analysis we demonstrated that PD‐L1 expression was higher in CSCs of both cancers compared to non‐stem like cancer cells. Consistent with this, detection of cellular PD‐L1 proteins by western blot assay also showed increased PD‐L1 protein in CSCs. In contrast, only trace amounts of PD‐L2 were detected in CSCs of both cancers. Our results suggest that breast and colon cancers may be sensitive to PD1/PD‐L1 immunotherapy and thus warrant further investigations of CSC targeted PD1/PD‐L1 therapy.
Corporation Diversification and Firm Performance: Evidence from Vietnamese Listed Firms
Authors: Phung Duc Nam , Mishra Anil V.
Published: January 2017

We examine the effect of corporate diversification on the performance of firms listed on the Vietnamese stock exchanges, using 2744 firm year observations over the period from 2007 to 2012. We find that corporate diversification has a negative impact on firm performance. Our results are robust to various econometric estimation techniques including fixed effect, instrumental fixed effect, Heckman selection model and system generalised method of moments. In the Vietnamese context, the lack of an efficient corporate governance system may encourage firms to follow corporate diversification strategies, thus impairing their performance.
Government Size and Stochastic Growth
Authors: Lee Shin‐Chyang , Wu Shang‐Fen , Lee Cheng‐Te
Published: January 2017

This paper analyses the effects of the size of government on economic growth in a stochastic endogenous growth model involving the supply‐side effect and demand‐side effect produced by government spending. We show that a rise in the government spending affects economic growth through three channels, including the crowding‐out effect, the spin‐off effect and the resource mobilisation effect. We demonstrate that there exists an optimal size of government that maximises the economic growth rate.
Impact and Management Research: Exploring Relationships between Temporality, Dialogue, Reflexivity and Praxis
Authors: MacIntosh Robert , Beech Nic , Bartunek Jean , Mason Katy , Cooke Bill , Denyer David
Published: January 2017

This paper introduces the special issue focusing on impact. We present the four papers in the special issue and synthesize their key themes, including dialogue, reflexivity and praxis. In addition, we expand on understandings of impact by exploring how, when and for whom management research creates impact and we elaborate four ideal types of impact by articulating both the constituencies for whom impact occurs and the forms it might take. We identify temporality as critical to a more nuanced conceptualization of impact and suggest that some forms of impact are performative in nature. We conclude by suggesting that management as a discipline would benefit from widening the range of comparator disciplines to include disciplines such as art, education and nursing where practice, research and scholarship are more overtly interwoven.
The effects of age and sublexical automaticity on reading outcomes for students with reading disabilities
Authors: Metsala Jamie L. , David Margaret D.
Published: January 2017

For students with reading disabilities, reading fluency has proven difficult to remediate. The current study examined age‐related effects on measures of word and text‐reading outcomes, within the context of a phonologically based remedial reading program. The contribution of speeded‐reading of sublexical sound–spelling patterns to fluency outcomes was also examined. The youngest group of participants showed better outcomes on measures of word and pseudoword reading. All age groups made significant and meaningful improvements on measures of reading fluency and reading comprehension. Participants' mastery of speeded, sublexical sound–spelling reading contributed variance to fluency outcomes beyond pre‐intervention fluency scores. Practice with sublexical spelling patterns may be one important component of programs directed at remediating accuracy and fluency deficits for students with reading disabilities.

What is already known about this topic

Reading fluency has proven difficult to remediate for students with reading disabilities.

Training with sublexical sound–spelling patterns has increased recognition of the trained patterns, but transfer has been limited.

Young children with reading difficulties appear to have an advantage at closing the reading achievement gap; however, there are some inconsistencies in the literature.

What this paper adds

Automaticity with sublexical patterns made a unique contribution to fluency outcomes in this sample of students with reading disabilities.

In the context of the reading program examined, all age groups made significant and meaningful standard score gains on reading fluency.

Young children did not score higher than the two older groups on measures of oral reading fluency or reading comprehension; bringing into question conclusions drawn from prevention versus intervention studies.

Implications for theory and practice

Findings lend support to models of reading acquisition that emphasize multilayered, sublexical spelling–sound knowledge as important to reading fluency, beyond that of sight‐word reading efficiency.

Including speeded practice of a broad range of sublexical sound–spelling patterns and training these to mastery deserves further study as one potential approach to improving fluency interventions for students with reading disabilities.

We suggest that this sublexical training may mimic reading practice in terms of building orthographic representations that support fluent reading.
The influence of habitat heterogeneity and latitude on gamma diversity of the Nearctic Simuliidae, a ubiquitous group of stream‐dwelling insects
Authors: McCreadie John W. , Williams Rachel H. , Stutsman Sam , Finn Debra S. , Adler Peter H.
Published: January 2017

Among the most prominent, large‐scale patterns of species richness are the increases in richness with decreasing latitude and with increasing habitat heterogeneity. Using the stream‐dwelling larval and pupal stages of North American black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae), we address 3 broad questions about species richness: (i) Does a significant latitude–richness relationship exist? (ii) How does habitat heterogeneity influence gamma diversity? (iii) What is the sign (positive or negative) of the latitude–richness and the heterogeneity–richness relationships? We found no evidence that habitat heterogeneity influences gamma diversity. The estimated peak species richness for black flies in North America was at 50–53°N, which also corresponds with peak generic richness. All plesiomorphic, extant lineages of the Simuliidae in the Western Hemisphere are found in cool mountainous environments of North America, suggesting that peak richness at 50–53°N might be a signature of this phylogenetic pattern and a reflection of underlying historical processes.
Non‐buprenorphine opioid utilization among patients using buprenorphine
Authors: Daubresse Matthew , Saloner Brendan , Pollack Harold A. , Alexander G. Caleb
Published: January 2017

Background and Aims

Buprenorphine is commonly used to treat opioid use disorder; however, non‐buprenorphine prescription opioid use among these patients is not well defined. We sought to estimate the prevalence of non‐buprenorphine opioid use among incident buprenorphine users and quantify levels of opioid use prior to, during and after the first treatment episode.

Design

We used QuintilesIMS anonymized, individual‐level, all‐payer pharmacy claims to identify incident users of buprenorphine between January 2010 and July 2012 from a large cohort of approximately 50 million patients filling two or more prescriptions for any opioid during any calendar year between 2006 and 2013 in 11 states of interest.

Setting

Eleven states within the United States.

Participants

Of the individuals who met our inclusion criteria (n = 38 096), 55% were female and half were aged between 29 and 54 years. Median length of the first treatment episode was 55 days [interquartile range (IQR) = 28–168 days].

Measurements

We calculated four measures of non‐buprenorphine opioid use: (1) number of prescriptions, (2) quantity dispensed, (3) days of supply and (4) total morphine milligram equivalents (MME) before, during and after the first treatment episode. Our primary outcome was the MME per opioid day supplied during each time period.

Findings

Approximately two‐fifths (43%) of buprenorphine recipients filled an opioid prescription during the treatment episode and two‐thirds (67%) filled an opioid prescription following treatment. The mean total of MME per opioid day supplied 12 months prior to treatment declined from 57 mg/per day [95% confidence interval (CI) = 57, 58] to 54 mg/per day (95% CI = 54, 55) during the treatment episode, then remained constant at 55 mg/per day (95% CI = 54, 56) following the treatment episode.

Conclusions

The use of buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder has increased markedly in the United States. However, a substantial proportion of patients fill prescriptions for non‐buprenorphine opioids during and following such treatment.
A prospective study of maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes in the setting of cesarean section in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Harrison Margo S. , Pasha Omrana , Saleem Sarah , Ali Sumera , Chomba Elwyn , Carlo Waldemar A. , Garces Ana L. , Krebs Nancy F. , Hambidge K. Michael , Goudar Shivaprasad S. , Kodkany Bhala , Dhaded Sangappa , Derman Richard J. , Patel Archana , Hibberd Patricia L. , Esamai Fabian , Liechty Edward A. , Moore Janet L. , Wallace Dennis , Mcclure Elizabeth M. , Miodovnik Menachem , Koso‐Thomas Marion , Belizan Jose , Tshefu Antoinette K. , Bauserman Melissa , Goldenberg Robert L.
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Cesarean section (CS) rates are increasing globally with an unclear effect on pregnancy outcomes. The study objective was to quantify maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with CS compared with vaginal delivery (VD) both within and across sites in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Material and methods

A prospective population‐based study including home and facility births in 337 153 women with a VD and 47 308 women with a CS from 2010 to 2015 was performed in Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo. Women were enrolled during pregnancy; delivery and 6‐week follow‐up data were collected.

Results

Across all sites, CS rates increased from 8.6% to 15.2%, but remained low in African sites. Younger, nulliparous women were more likely to have a CS, as were women with higher education and those delivering an infant weighing 1500–2499 g. Across all sites, maternal and neonatal mortality was higher, and stillbirths were lower, in pregnancies delivered by CS. Antepartum and postpartum complications as well as obstetric interventions and treatments were more common among women who underwent CS. In stratified analyses, all outcomes were worse in women with a CS compared with VD in African compared to non‐African sites.

Conclusions

CS rates increased across all sites during the study period, but at more pronounced rates in the non‐African sites. CS was associated with reduced postpartum hemorrhage and lower rates of stillbirths in the non‐African sites. In the African sites, CS was associated with an increase in all adverse outcomes. Further studies are necessary to better understand the increase in adverse outcomes with CS in the African sites.
REACHING THE RURAL POOR THROUGH AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES IN MONGOLIA
Authors: HILLIOVA Marketa , HEJKRLIK Jiri , MAZANCOVA Jana , TSEREN Tserendavaa
Published: January 2017

This paper focuses on the cooperative sector in central Mongolia. Its aim is to provide new insights into the role and importance of cooperatives among poor rural populations. We analyse cooperatives’ inclusiveness of smaller herders and farmers and cooperatives’ governance structures. The research is based on data collected in selected provinces of the central Töv region. The data were collected for three distinctive target groups – cooperative board members, cooperative members and non‐members. We found that the cooperative sector in Mongolia is strongly affected by the governmental policy regarding wool subsidies, which provides subsidies only to cooperative members and has consequently caused rapid growth in the number of new, free‐riding cooperative members and led to very low levels of members’ self‐identification with their cooperatives. This policy also affects the inner organizational structures of cooperatives. Further, we found indications that poorer farmers tend not to be members of cooperatives and that the overall benefits for non‐members and the general community arising from local cooperatives are rather low.
Repeated maximal‐intensity hypoxic exercise superimposed to hypoxic residence boosts skeletal muscle transcriptional responses in elite team‐sport athletes
Authors: Brocherie F. , Millet G. P. , D'Hulst G. , Van Thienen R. , Deldicque L. , Girard O.
Published: January 2017

Aim

To determine whether repeated maximal‐intensity hypoxic exercise induces larger beneficial adaptations on the hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α pathway and its target genes than similar normoxic exercise, when combined with chronic hypoxic exposure.

Methods

Lowland elite male team‐sport athletes underwent 14 days of passive normobaric hypoxic exposure [≥14 h·day−1 at inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) 14.5–14.2%] with the addition of six maximal‐intensity exercise sessions either in normobaric hypoxia (FiO2 ~14.2%; LHTLH; n = 9) or in normoxia (FiO2 20.9%; LHTL; n = 11). A group living in normoxia with no additional maximal‐intensity exercise (LLTL; n = 10) served as control. Before (Pre), immediately after (Post‐1) and 3 weeks after (Post‐2) the intervention, muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis.

Results

Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α subunit, vascular endothelial growth factor, myoglobin, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma coactivator 1‐α and mitochondrial transcription factor A mRNA levels increased at Post‐1 (all P ≤ 0.05) in LHTLH, but not in LHTL or LLTL, and returned near baseline levels at Post‐2. The protein expression of citrate synthase increased in LHTLH (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 at Post‐1 and Post‐2, respectively) and LLTL (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 at Post‐1 and Post‐2, respectively), whereas it decreased in LHTL at Post‐1 and Post‐2 (both P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Combined with residence in normobaric hypoxia, repeated maximal‐intensity hypoxic exercise induces short‐term post‐intervention beneficial changes in muscle transcriptional factors that are of larger magnitude (or not observed) than with similar normoxic exercise. The decay of molecular adaptations was relatively fast, with most of benefits already absent 3 weeks post‐intervention.
Exclusive enteral nutrition provides an effective bridge to safer interval elective surgery for adults with Crohn's disease
Authors: Heerasing N. , Thompson B. , Hendy P. , Heap G. A. , Walker G. , Bethune R. , Mansfield S. , Calvert C. , Kennedy N. A. , Ahmad T. , Goodhand J. R.
Published: January 2017

Background

Few studies have reported the systematic use of exclusive enteral nutrition in the perioperative setting.

Aim

To test the hypothesis that exclusive enteral nutrition provides a safe and effective bridge to surgery and reduces post‐operative complications, in adult patients with Crohn's disease requiring urgent surgery for stricturing or penetrating complications.

Methods

Patients treated with exclusive enteral nutrition prior to surgery were each matched with two control patients for disease behaviour, type of surgery, age at diagnosis and disease duration. Data on disease phenotype, nutritional status, operative course and post‐operative complications were obtained.

Results

Twenty‐five per cent [13/51] patients treated with exclusive enteral nutrition avoided surgery. Exclusive enteral nutrition had no effect on pre‐operative weight, but it significantly reduced serum CRP [median at baseline 36 (interquartile range, IQR: 13–91] vs. pre‐operation 8 (4–31) mg/L, P = 0.02]. The median (IQR) length of surgery was shorter in patients pre‐optimised with exclusive enteral nutrition than controls [3.0 (2.5–3.5) vs. 3.5 (3.0–4.0) hours respectively, P < 0.001]. Multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed that going straight‐to‐surgery compared exclusive enteral nutrition pre‐optimisation was associated with a ninefold increase in the incidence of post‐operative abscess and/or anastomotic leak [OR 9.1; 95% CI (1.2–71.2), P = 0.04].

Conclusions

Exclusive enteral nutrition frequently down‐stages the need for surgery in patients presenting with stricturing or penetrating complications of Crohn's disease; it is associated with a reduction in systemic inflammation, operative times and the incidence of post‐operative abscess or anastomotic leak. Further trials are needed to elucidate how exclusive enteral nutrition may improve operative outcomes.
Does the Presence of Female Executives Curb Earnings Management? Evidence from Korea
Authors: Kim Hyun Ah , Jeong Seok Woo , Kang Tony , Lee Dongyoung
Published: January 2017

We investigate the role of female executives in curbing earnings management behaviour in Korea, a country known for its strong male‐dominant culture. In a sample of Korean firms from 2002 to 2010, we find that female presence in top management is negatively associated with discretionary accruals, suggesting that gender diversity in senior management deters opportunistic financial reporting even in a highly male‐dominant corporate environment. Further, this association is primarily observed in firms with stronger (weaker) female (male) dominance. This finding is consistent with the idea that female executives can exert more influence on corporate decisions in a more female‐friendly environment. These findings have implications for academics and practitioners seeking to understand the impact of the role of top executive gender diversity in corporate accounting practices.
Climate change and alpine stream biology: progress, challenges, and opportunities for the future
Authors: Hotaling Scott , Finn Debra S. , Joseph Giersch J. , Weisrock David W. , Jacobsen Dean
Published: January 2017

In alpine regions worldwide, climate change is dramatically altering ecosystems and affecting biodiversity in many ways. For streams, receding alpine glaciers and snowfields, paired with altered precipitation regimes, are driving shifts in hydrology, species distributions, basal resources, and threatening the very existence of some habitats and biota. Alpine streams harbour substantial species and genetic diversity due to significant habitat insularity and environmental heterogeneity. Climate change is expected to affect alpine stream biodiversity across many levels of biological resolution from micro‐ to macroscopic organisms and genes to communities. Herein, we describe the current state of alpine stream biology from an organism‐focused perspective. We begin by reviewing seven standard and emerging approaches that combine to form the current state of the discipline. We follow with a call for increased synthesis across existing approaches to improve understanding of how these imperiled ecosystems are responding to rapid environmental change. We then take a forward‐looking viewpoint on how alpine stream biologists can make better use of existing data sets through temporal comparisons, integrate remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) technologies, and apply genomic tools to refine knowledge of underlying evolutionary processes. We conclude with comments about the future of biodiversity conservation in alpine streams to confront the daunting challenge of mitigating the effects of rapid environmental change in these sentinel ecosystems.
Clinical change after the implementation of the Choice and Partnership Approach within an Australian Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
Authors: Naughton Jonine N.L. , Carroll Matthew , Basu Soumya , Maybery Darryl
Published: January 2017

Background

The Choice and Partnership Approach (CAPA) model has been implemented widely into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the United Kingdom and similar health systems in Australia and New Zealand. This study investigated whether the implementation of the CAPA model was related to changes in client clinical outcomes and response times within a regional Australian CAMHS.

Method

Multiple measures of time, clinical diagnosis, contact and outcomes were collected at intake and discharge for 33 clients prior to and 77 following the implementation of CAPA.

Results

A two‐tailed t‐test showed that the significantly reduced waiting time was associated with the timing of CAPA implementation. The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Children and Adolescents information subscale showed a significant post‐CAPA implementation improvement. A chi‐square test for independence showed that the CAPA model group had significantly more initial clinical appointments.

Conclusions

After the implementation of CAPA, the flow of young people through the service improved, with children and adolescents being seen in a more timely manner. The findings highlighted that the greater client throughput did not negatively impact upon clinical outcomes. Further prospective research with the completion of multi‐informant outcome measures is recommended.
Targeting of tumor growth and angiogenesis underlies the enhanced antitumor activity of lenvatinib in combination with everolimus
Authors: Matsuki Masahiro , Adachi Yusuke , Ozawa Yoichi , Kimura Takayuki , Hoshi Taisuke , Okamoto Kiyoshi , Tohyama Osamu , Mitsuhashi Kaoru , Yamaguchi Atsumi , Matsui Junji , Funahashi Yasuhiro
Published: January 2017

The combination of lenvatinib, a multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, plus everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, significantly improved clinical outcomes versus everolimus monotherapy in a phase II clinical study of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We investigated potential mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of the combination treatment in preclinical RCC models. Lenvatinib plus everolimus showed greater antitumor activity than either monotherapy in three human RCC xenograft mouse models (A‐498, Caki‐1, and Caki‐2). In particular, the combination led to tumor regression in the A‐498 and Caki‐1 models. In the A‐498 model, everolimus showed antiproliferative activity, whereas lenvatinib showed anti‐angiogenic effects. The anti‐angiogenic activity was potentiated by the lenvatinib plus everolimus combination in Caki‐1 xenografts, in which fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐driven angiogenesis may contribute to tumor growth. The combination showed mostly additive activity in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐activated, and synergistic activity against FGF‐activated endothelial cells, in cell proliferation and tube formation assays, as well as strongly suppressed mTOR‐S6K‐S6 signaling. Enhanced antitumor activities of the combination versus each monotherapy were also observed in mice bearing human pancreatic KP‐1 xenografts overexpressing VEGF or FGF. Our results indicated that simultaneous targeting of tumor cell growth and angiogenesis by lenvatinib plus everolimus resulted in enhanced antitumor activity. The enhanced inhibition of both VEGF and FGF signaling pathways by the combination underlies its superior anti‐angiogenic activity in human RCC xenograft models.
Experiences of parents of children with special needs at school entry: a mixed method approach
Authors: Siddiqua A. , Janus M.
Published: January 2017

Background

The transition from pre‐school to kindergarten can be complex for children who need special assistance due to mental or physical disabilities (children with ‘special needs’). We used a convergent mixed method approach to explore parents' experiences with service provision as their children transitioned to school.

Methods

Parents (including one grandparent) of 37 children aged 4 to 6 years completed measures assessing their perceptions of and satisfaction with services. Semi‐structured interviews were also conducted with 10 parents to understand their experience with services.

Results

Post transition, parents reported lower perceptions of services and decreased satisfaction than pre‐transition. The following themes emerged from the qualitative data: qualities of services and service providers, communication and information transfer, parent advocacy, uncertainty about services, and contrasts and contradictions in satisfaction. The qualitative findings indicate that parents were both satisfied and concerned with aspects of the post‐transition service provision.

Conclusions

While the quantitative results suggested that parents' experience with services became less positive after their children entered school, the qualitative findings illustrated the variability in parents' experiences and components of service provision that require improvements to facilitate a successful school entry.
Peer Groups as a Context for School Misconduct: The Moderating Role of Group Interactional Style
Authors: Ellis Wendy , Zarbatany Lynne , Chen Xinyin , Kinal Megan , Boyko Lisa
Published: January 2017

Peer group interactional style was examined as a moderator of the relation between peer group school misconduct and group members' school misconduct. Participants were 705 students (Mage = 11.59 years, SD = 1.37) in 148 peer groups. Children reported on their school misconduct in fall and spring. In the winter, group members were observed in a limited‐resource task and a group conversation task, and negative and positive group interactional styles were assessed. Multilevel modeling indicated that membership in groups that were higher on school misconduct predicted greater school misconduct only when the groups were high on negative or low on positive interactional style. Results suggest that negative laughter and a coercive interactional style may intensify group effects on children's misconduct.