bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transformation of public distribution system in Chhattisgarh: Dr Raman Singh’s leadership
Authors: Shubham Shubham , Mittal Shashank , Sengupta Atri
Published: May 2018

Subject area

Organizational behavior, Organizational leadership, Organizational transformation.

Study level/applicability

First year management students in the course Organizational Behavior (OB). Final year management students in the elective course on leadership and change management. Middle level managers who are working in industry, in the management development program related to change leadership and change management.

Case overview

This case deals with the transformation of the public distribution system (PDS) under the leadership of Dr Raman Singh. The PDS system was an inefficient system and the food grain supply intended for the poor was diverted by intermediaries before reaching the intended beneficiaries. Having experiences in central government ministries as a cabinet minister, Dr Raman Singh decided to transform the PDS. The challenges faced were primarily from that of the reticent bureaucracy and dealing with them requires patience and the skills of a transformational and motivational leader which Dr Raman Singh possessed.

Expected learning outcomes

This case intends to develop understanding of various dimensions related to transformational and motivational styles of leadership. Further, it intends to develop understanding of crucial institutional and organizational changes and how leaders bring about these changes in sync with technological and process changes.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS: 6: Human Resource Management.
Get “Roposo”: the fashionable social media
Authors: Raju Roshan , Bhadange Sagar , Rakshit Sandip
Published: May 2018

Subject area

Entrepreneurship, innovation, marketing and strategy.

Study level/applicability

Master’s, postgraduate and executive level programs.

Case overview

The fashion industry has evolved over the generations. Fashion is what defines any person. Your style and quotient statement gives you an edge. In a world which is getting smaller and smaller with evolving mobile and computer technology connectivity, there has been a rise in new startups in personalized fashion. This sector of personal styling has seen an investment of over US$220m in the past two years. Social media is connecting billions of people around the globe. Roposo is the brand of Relevant E-solutions and was launched in 2012. It is the brainchild idea of Avinash Saxena, Kaushal Shubhank and Mayank Bhangadia. It has created a buzz in the fashion and social media industry. This case illustrates the connective power of social media and personalized fashion. Roposo has over 2 million active users which includes a number of Bollywood stars. These users are creating their own stories related to styling and fashion tips and inspiring millions worldwide. The case explores the journey of how Roposo has changed the style statement of millions of people.

Expected learning outcomes

The expected learning outcomes are as follows: to identify the new business opportunity in the fashion industry with the use of a social media platform; to understand the evolution of fashion with the boom in social media and mobile communications; to learn how the brand grows and how celebrities are also motivated to be a part of it to connect to their fans for free; to provide inspiration for students to start up an entrepreneurial venture; to find out how the use of recommendation engines should be done to keep users engaged; and to discuss threats of competitors.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Robert Bosch Engineering, India – prospecting a smart future
Authors: Mehrotra Sonia , Salunkhe Uday , Rao Paila Anil
Published: May 2018

Subject area

International business and strategy, strategies in emerging markets.

Study level/applicability

This case can be used in undergraduate, graduate and executive education courses in international business, strategy management and strategies in emerging markets. Further, the case may also be useful to teach sub-topics such as fit between external opportunities and internal strengths (resources and capabilities) and new business model challenges.

Case overview

Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (hereafter referred as RBEI) had been chosen by the Management of Bosch in India to engage in the Government of India (GoI) Smart City Business Opportunity. Dhiraj Wali, Vice President RBEI and the present head of RBEI Smart City Projects (RBEI/SCP) over the past few years had been prospecting the non-Bosch clients especially the GoI clients for RBEI. He understood the implications of this big-ticket business opportunity for RBEI. At the same time, he was worried about the complications involved in such large projects, how should RBEI position itself to make the most of this significant business opportunity?

Expected learning outcomes

The dynamics and internal challenges of an established captive division of a multinational (i.e. Bosch) venturing into business transactions with non-captive (i.e. non-Bosch) especially government sector clients. The new business opportunities facing a multinational in emerging markets such as India. Understanding the GoI Smart City Mission and its big-ticket business opportunity. To show how the captive units of MNC evolve over the years of operation leveraging, the competencies gained to succeed in the marketplace. The reasons for this range from internal needs to increase the gains from the past investments to exploiting the external business prospects available resulting in both new opportunities for specialization and customers.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 5: International Business.
Grey-fuzzy solution for multi-objective linear programming with interval coefficients
Authors: Mahmoudi Amin , Feylizadeh Mohammad Reza , Darvishi Davood , Liu Sifeng
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a method for solving multi-objective linear programming (MOLP) with interval coefficients using positioned programming and interactive fuzzy programming approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed algorithm, first, lower and upper bounds of each objective function in its feasible region will be determined. Afterwards using fuzzy approach, considering a membership function for each objective function and finally using grey linear programming, the solution for this problem will be obtained.

Findings

According to the presented example, in this paper, the proposed method is both simple in use and suitable for solving different problems. In the numerical example mentioned in this paper, the proposed method provides an acceptable solution for such problems.

Practical implications

As in most real-world situations, the coefficients of decision models are not known and exact. In this paper, the authors consider the model of MOLP with interval data, since one of the solutions to cover uncertainty is using interval theory.

Originality/value

Based on using grey theory and interactive fuzzy programming approaches, an appropriate method has been presented for solving MOLP problems with interval coefficients. The proposed method, against the complex methods, has less effort and offers acceptable solutions.
Walkability assessment and tourism cities: the case of Venice
Authors: Gorrini Andrea , Bertini Viola
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a systematic review of the contributions present in the literature about walkability. This is aimed at defining a set of criteria and methodologies for the assessment of the level of pedestrian friendliness of cities characterised by mass tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a theoretical review about walkability and on the study of mass tourism phenomenon in Venice in relation to the ongoing de-urbanisation process. The analysis of open data sets provides by the Public Institutions of Venice and the execution of on-site observations allowed a qualitative assessment on the level of walkability of the historical centre of Venice.

Findings

The results of the proposed study highlighted that the level of walkability in Venice is profoundly affected by the lack of base services, the presence of massive tourism flows and the scarcity of road signage.

Practical implications

All the elements highlighted in this work could lead to proposing several design solutions and policies to manage the tourism phenomenon in Venice in a more effective and sustainable manner.

Social implications

The assessment and enhancement of the level of walkability of urban areas represent a useful tool to manage the tourist flows and to reduce the conflicts between inhabitants and visitors in tourism cities.

Originality/value

The current work represents a valuable contribution towards the systematisation of the theoretical and methodological framework towards a tourism-based walkability assessment.
Innovation and competitive advantage creation
Authors: Anning-Dorson Thomas
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how emerging market firms create competitive advantage through innovation. The study through the upper echelon theory and the power distance cultural perspective examines the mediating role of organisational leadership in the innovation and competitive advantage relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from the service sectors of two emerging economies, i.e. India and Ghana. Robust standard error regressions were run at two levels. First, at the specific country level and later on the aggregated level for robustness check.

Findings

The results show that in both India and Ghana, innovation largely relates positively with competitive advantage. In specific terms, market innovation was found to be the most significant determinant of competitive advantage in both contexts. Additionally, organisational leadership was also found to be mediating between innovation and competitive advantage in both contexts independently and collectively to confirm the effect of power distance and leadership role in such cultures.

Research limitations/implications

The current study looks at only two emerging markets with high power distance cultures. The implication is that the impact of leadership may differ in emerging economies with low power distance.

Originality/value

The current study looks beyond the mundane relationship between financial performance measures and innovation to assess innovation and competitive advantage in emerging markets context, which has not received the needed attention. It further explains how emerging markets firms can ride on the back of power distance to create a competitive advantage with their innovation development and implementation through organisational innovation leadership. The study offers that the maximum exploitation of the beneficial effect of innovation – competitive advantage – in service firms can only be achieved when leaders spearhead the innovation process and see it through implementation.
Foreign participation and internationalization intensity of African enterprises
Authors: Narteh Bedman , Acheampong George
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish the relationship between foreign participation in enterprises in Africa, their internationalization intensity and the associated moderating conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilized data from the World Bank enterprise surveys in 46 African countries across seven years. The hypothesized relationships are estimated using the Heckman two-stage pooled cross-sectional model to correct for selection bias.

Findings

The findings show that foreign participation in enterprises has a positive effect on internationalization intensity in Africa. While we observe this positive effect, we also found that there is a lot of heterogeneity that accompanies this effect based on enterprise size, financial performance and local market competition.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the internationalization literature by showing that foreign participation in local enterprises can have a positive effect on the internationalization propensities of these enterprises. It also shows that the main effect is heterogeneous as it is moderated by other enterprise and environmental factors.

Practical implications

Enterprises should recognize the positive effect that foreign participation in them can have on internationalization intensity. Managers of African enterprises need to look beyond the investments into enterprises that foreign owners offer and take advantage of their foreign market knowledge and legitimacy. Discrimination in local markets could be considered as a push factor to internationalize.

Originality/value

While the study is not the first to explore the relationship between foreign ownership and internationalizing behavior, it is one of the earliest to show that the relationship is heterogeneous, and it provides some key moderators.
Transforming collective knowledge into team intelligence: the role of collective teaching
Authors: Huang Yen-Chih , Chin Yang-Chieh
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the pivotal role that collective teaching plays in knowledge transfer between new product development teams. This study develops a theoretical model of collective teaching, where team intelligence is its consequence and learning orientation cognitive skills are moderators.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a questionnaire survey of 156 pairs of new product development project teams of information technology firms, the authors used partial least squares to test the study’s hypotheses.

Findings

The findings reveal that the use of collective teaching is positively related to team intelligence of recipient teams. In addition, T-shaped skills of source teams exert positive moderating influence on this relationship and so does a learning orientation of recipient teams.

Research limitations/implications

First, the sample firms used in the study are from the IT industry, which is characterized by extremely short product life cycles, thereby limiting the generalizability of the study’s findings. Second, the authors did not examine whether the effect of T-shaped skills is different at various NPD stages; the contributions of each functional expertise may vary depending on the NPD stage (e.g. the idea generation or pre-launch stage). Third, the use of cross-sectional design precludes a causal inference. The role of focal constructs and moderators and their consequent effects would benefit from more stringent, longitudinal research. Finally, the authors controlled for only a limited set of factors of team intelligence because other potential antecedents of this variable still await identification by future studies.

Practical implications

This study suggests that the implementation of collective teaching can enhance the capacity of a project team as a whole to manage and innovate information, namely, team intelligence. The study’s findings also suggest that the management must recognize the significance of teams’ learning orientation and thereby proactively develop teams’ learning culture by redesigning work, reward systems or performance evaluation to promote learning. Additionally, it is prudent for managers to reconsider their recruitment criteria to incorporate T-shaped skills.

Originality/value

This study represents the first step in developing an empirically grounded framework linking collective teaching with team intelligence. Additionally, the authors confirm that team intelligence is a four-dimensional construct.
Critical areas of knowledge loss when employees leave in the oil and gas industry
Authors: Sumbal Muhammad Saleem , Tsui Eric , Cheong Ricky , See-to Eric W.K.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the critical types of knowledge lost when employees depart companies in the oil and gas field.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a grounded theory methodology. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with elite informants in the oil and gas sector to gain an in-depth insight into the research problem. ATLAS.ti was used for data analysis and coding.

Findings

In the oil and gas industry, employees generally have job rotation and work at various geographical locations during their career. The departing employees possess valuable types of knowledge depending on the role and duties they have performed over the years. These include specialized technical knowledge, contextual knowledge of working at different geographical locations, knowledge of train wrecks and history of company, knowledge of relationships and networks, knowledge of business processes and knowledge of management.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings might only be applicable to the oil and gas sector.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified gap on the identification of critical areas of knowledge loss when employees depart from oil and gas companies. The study adds to the existing body of literature on this underexplored area in the knowledge management literature.
Reflections on happiness
Authors: Caan Woody
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the twenty-first century reach and impact of “happiness” work by one individual (Professor Lord Richard Layard).

Design/methodology/approach

The author approaches his work as a public health case study, with the caveat that the author knew this “Case” personally, which could influence the author’s assessment.

Findings

During 2005-2018, Richard Layard stimulated discussion of “happiness” as a field of study. This field now has global relevance to mental health, although its relationship to practice for population health is still debated.

Originality/value

Layard’s ideas are behind many initiatives, such as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies.
Mobile commerce adoption among the bottom of the pyramid: a case of street vendors in Thailand
Authors: Pipitwanichakarn Tanikan , Wongtada Nittaya
Published: May 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the applicability of technology acceptance model in explaining technology adoption among street vendors in Thailand as a representation of emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

A pen-and-pencil survey was administered to 370 street vendors in Bangkok; 356 usable surveys were analyzed for a completed rate of 96.2 per cent. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

This study contributes to the existing technology acceptance literature as follows: First, the predictive power of the technology acceptance model is strong and holds true for street vendors. Second, it revealed that the relationship of entrepreneurial orientation and technology adoption is completely connected through the decision-making process (i.e. trust and system characteristics, otherwise known as usefulness and ease of use). Finally, the degree of product differentiation strengthens the positive relationship between perceived usefulness and the intention to use mobile commerce.

Originality/value

This study advances the previous research on e-commerce adoption in settings outside the formal sector. More specifically, this study developed and validated the extended technology acceptance model in the smallest-scale of entrepreneurs, street vendors, to increase the understanding of the adoption of m-commerce.
Leadership, job crafting, and employee health and performance
Authors: Lichtenthaler Philipp Wolfgang , Fischbach Andrea
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to integrate the effects of top-down leadership and employees’ bottom-up job crafting behaviors on employee health and performance. The authors expected that employees’ promotion- and prevention-focused job crafting act as intervening mechanisms linking top-down employee-oriented leadership with employee health and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi-source data were collected amongn=117 independent employee-leader dyads.

Findings

Promotion-focused job crafting was positively and prevention-focused job crafting was negatively related to employees’ health and performance. Employee-oriented leadership was positively related to promotion-focused job crafting but unrelated to prevention-focused job crafting. Employee-oriented leadership was indirectly related to health and performance through promotion-focused job crafting. Moreover, promotion-focused job crafting had the strongest positive impact on adaptive performance, followed by proactive and then task performance, while prevention-focused job crafting had the strongest negative impact on task performance followed by proactive and then adaptive performance.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the cross-sectional study design, results reveal how employee-oriented leadership is related to employee health and performance through promotion-focused job crafting.

Practical implications

Organizations need employee-oriented leaders, who facilitate promotion-focused job crafting, which helps employees to perform well while staying well.

Originality/value

This study adds to the literatures on job crafting, leadership, and employee health and performance by explicating intervening processes in these relationships. It adds to research on the extended job demands-resources job crafting model by showing, that promotion- and prevention-focused job crafting has different relationships with antecedents (i.e. leadership) and outcomes (i.e. health and performance).
Deconstructing the relationship between mindfulness and leader effectiveness
Authors: Lippincott Matthew
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Recent research implies that leader performance may be enhanced by mindfulness. The purpose of this paper is to present findings that help clarify the process of behavioral development that may be involved, as well as contributing to a better understanding of why leaders attribute improved effectiveness to mindfulness.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through 42 modified behavioral-event interviews with senior organizational leaders from ten countries. Data analysis was performed using qualitative analysis techniques, and the emotional and social competency inventory (ESCI).

Findings

Mindfulness is perceived by practitioners as significantly influencing the development of behaviors, and changes to awareness, that they link to improved leadership effectiveness. Mindfulness is also perceived as enhancing cognitive function, and may contribute to the development of emotional intelligence competencies linked to increased leadership performance.

Practical implications

The results have potential implications for improving the efficacy of leadership development activities specifically through the incorporation of mindfulness and emotional intelligence training activities.

Originality/value

To the researcher’s knowledge, this is both the first qualitative study to conduct an in-depth analysis exploring the link between mindfulness and improvements in leader effectiveness, and also the first study to examine these relationships using the ESCI as a framework for analysis.
Long-term container throughput forecast and equipment planning: the case of Bangkok Port
Authors: Gosasang Veerachai , Yip Tsz Leung , Chandraprakaikul Watcharavee
Published: May 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to forecast inbound and outbound container throughput for Bangkok Port to 2041 and uses the results to inform the future planning and management of the port’s container terminal.

Design/methodology/approach

The data used cover a period of 16 years (192 months of observations). Data sources include the Bank of Thailand and the Energy Policy and Planning Office. Cause-and-effect forecasting is adopted for predicting future container throughput by using a vector error correction model (VECM).

Findings

Forecasting future container throughput in Bangkok Port will benefit port planning. Various economic factors affect the volume of both inbound and outbound containers through the port. Three cases (scenarios) of container terminal expansion are analyzed and assessed, on the basis of which an optimal scenario is identified.

Research limitations/implications

The economic characteristics of Thailand differ from those of other countries/jurisdictions, such as the USA, the EU, Japan, China, Malaysia and Indonesia, and optimal terminal expansion scenarios may therefore differ from that identified in this study. In addition, six particular countries/jurisdictions are the dominant trading partners of Thailand, but these main trading partners may change in the future.

Originality/value

There are only two major projects that have forecast container throughput volumes for Bangkok Port. The first project, by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, applied both the trend of cargo volumes and the relationship of volumes with economic indices such as population and gross domestic product. The second project, by the Port Authority of Thailand, applied a moving average method to forecast the number of containers. Other authors have used time-series forecasting. Here, the authors apply a VECM to forecast the future container throughput of Bangkok Port.
Inclusion and affective well-being: roles of justice perceptions
Authors: Le Huong , Jiang Zhou , Fujimoto Yuka , Nielsen Ingrid
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating roles of procedural justice and distributive justice in the organizational inclusion-affective well-being relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 253 Australian employees using an online survey. The study used confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to analyze the data.

Findings

Organizational inclusion was positively related to both distributive justice and procedural justice. The relationship between organizational inclusion and affective well-being was mediated by both distributive justice and procedural justice.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional design may have limited the empirical inferences; however, the proposed model was based on robust theoretical contentions, thus mitigating the limitation of the design. Data were collected from a single organization, thus limiting generalizability.

Practical implications

Implementation of inclusion training activities at organizational, group, and individual levels is important to enhance perceptions of organizational inclusion and subsequently improve employee affective well-being.

Originality/value

Based on the group engagement model and group-value model of justice, this paper adds to the literature by demonstrating two mediating mechanisms driving the organizational inclusion-affective well-being relationship.
Work-life balance crafting behaviors: an empirical study
Authors: Gravador Luz Nario , Teng-Calleja Mendiola
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address gaps in the work-life balance (WLB) literature by identifying WLB crafting behaviors employed by individuals, empirically testing which of these behaviors significantly affect WLB, and examining the relationship between the identified WLB crafting behaviors, WLB, and subjective well-being (SWB).

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilized a quantitative approach. In total, 314 employees participated in the online survey. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships among the variables.

Findings

Results show that protecting private time and working efficiently significantly relate with WLB and that WLB mediates the relationships between these two WLB crafting behaviors and SWB. Findings also suggest a significant direct relationship between behaviors that foster family relationships and SWB.

Research limitations/implications

The study is correlational in nature. Future studies may make use of experimental designs or conduct a longitudinal study. Other variables can be examined in future research such as life circumstances (i.e. life cycle stage change, objective health status) or other constructs within the self-concordance model (i.e. goal concordance, need satisfaction fulfillment).

Practical implications

The results suggest the importance of organization support in employees’ mastery of significant crafting behaviors through offering socialization, productivity, and time management employee programs.

Originality/value

The present research, unlike previous studies on employees’ proactive behaviors to attain WLB, empirically tested the identified behaviors and was able to identify the WLB crafting behaviors with significant relationships with WLB and SWB.
Job engagement in higher education
Authors: Pham-Thai Nguyen T. , McMurray Adela J. , Muenjohn Nuttawuth , Muchiri Michael
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Employees’ job engagement is a key driver for organizational success and competitive advantage. Based on Kahn’s engagement theory and social exchange theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between job engagement, transformational leadership, high-performance human resource (HR) practices, climate for innovation, and contextual performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey, conducted at two different points in time, was employed to collect data from 394 pairs of Vietnamese university academics and their leaders. Data were analyzed by structural equation modeling (SEM) and multilevel SEM using the Statistical Package for Social Science Version 24 and Mplus Version 7.4.

Findings

The findings indicated that transformational leadership and high-performance HR practices were key drivers of employees’ job engagement. A climate for innovation contributed effectively to mediate the effect of transformational leadership on employees’ job engagement. Further, employees’ job engagement was positively and significantly related to contextual performance.

Research limitations/implications

The short time lag between the two data collection phases might limit the ability to reach definite causal conclusions. Future research using a longitudinal design is needed to provide stronger validation for the underlying model.

Originality/value

This study is a rare attempt that investigates the process from which employees’ job engagement is generated and contributes to improve contextual performance in the higher education sector.
Trade‐offs and synergies between bird conservation and wildfire suppression in the face of global change
Authors: Regos Adrián , Hermoso Virgilio , D'Amen Manuela , Guisan Antoine , Brotons Lluís
Published: May 2018

The combined effects of climate change and other factors, such as land‐use change or fire disturbance, pose daunting challenges for biodiversity conservation world‐wide.

We predicted the future effectiveness of the Natura 2000 (N2000), the current network of protected areas (PA) in Europe, at maintaining and representing suitable environmental conditions for a set of 79 bird species between 2000 and 2050 in a fire‐prone area, strongly affected by land abandonment processes in North East Spain. We then compared PA performance with a set of alternative priority areas for conservation, which consider fire‐vegetation dynamics, selected by using a conservation planning tool (Marxan). Fire‐vegetation dynamics were modelled using a process‐based model (Medfire Model) under alternative fire management and climate change scenarios. Bird communities were predicted using the spatially explicit species assemblage modelling framework (SESAM) and species distribution models that hierarchically integrate climate change and wildfire‐vegetation dynamics.

The amount of suitable environmental conditions within the N2000 network was predicted to fall by around 15%, on average, over the next decades in relation to the initial conditions but could be partially modulated by fire management policies in future. The efficiency of the current PA system was predicted to decrease from 17.4% to 15% between 2000 and 2050. However, a more efficient PA system could be achieved with a conservation planning approach that explicitly considers fire‐vegetation dynamics and their management.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings show: (a) how the current Natura 2000 could still hold an important bird conservation value by 2050; (b) how the relocation of some protected areas should be considered in order to substantially increase bird conservation effectiveness; and (c) how the integration of fire‐vegetation dynamics, fire management policies and their objectives within conservation planning provide “win–win” solutions for bird conservation and fire prevention in fire‐prone abandoned landscapes.
Symbiont‐mediated competition: Xenorhabdus bovienii confer an advantage to their nematode host Steinernema affine by killing competitor Steinernema feltiae
Authors: Murfin Kristen E. , Ginete Daren R. , Bashey Farrah , Goodrich‐Blair Heidi
Published: May 2018

Bacterial symbionts can affect several biotic interactions of their hosts, including their competition with other species. Nematodes in the genus Steinernema utilize Xenorhabdus bacterial symbionts for insect host killing and nutritional bioconversion. Here, we establish that the Xenorhabdus bovienii bacterial symbiont (Xb‐Sa‐78) of Steinernema affine nematodes can impact competition between S. affine and S. feltiae by a novel mechanism, directly attacking its nematode competitor. Through co‐injection and natural infection assays we demonstrate the causal role of Xb‐Sa‐78 in the superiority of S. affine over S. feltiae nematodes during competition. Survival assays revealed that Xb‐Sa‐78 bacteria kill reproductive life stages of S. feltiae. Microscopy and timed infection assays indicate that Xb‐Sa‐78 bacteria colonize S. feltiae nematode intestines, which alters morphology of the intestine. These data suggest that Xb‐Sa‐78 may be an intestinal pathogen of the non‐native S. feltiae nematode, although it is a nonharmful colonizer of the native nematode host, S. affine. Screening additional X. bovienii isolates revealed that intestinal infection and killing of S. feltiae is conserved among isolates from nematodes closely related to S. affine, although the underlying killing mechanisms may vary. Together, these data demonstrate that bacterial symbionts can modulate competition between their hosts, and reinforce specificity in mutualistic interactions.
Fecal pollution: new trends and challenges in microbial source tracking using next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Unno Tatsuya , Staley Christopher , Brown Clairessa M. , Han Dukki , Sadowsky Michael J. , Hur Hor‐Gil
Published: May 2018

In this minireview, we expand upon traditional microbial source tracking (MST) methods by discussing two recently developed, next‐generation‐sequencing (NGS)‐based MST approaches to identify sources of fecal pollution in recreational waters. One method defines operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that are specific to a fecal source, e.g., humans and animals or shared among multiple fecal sources to determine the magnitude and likely source association of fecal pollution. The other method uses SourceTracker, a program using a Bayesian algorithm, to determine which OTUs have contributed to an environmental community based on the composition of microbial communities in multiple fecal sources. Contemporary NGS‐based MST tools offer a promising avenue to rapidly characterize fecal source contributions for water monitoring and remediation efforts at a broader and more efficient scale than previous molecular MST methods. However, both NGS methods require optimized sequence processing methodologies (e.g. quality filtering and clustering algorithms) and are influenced by primer selection for amplicon sequencing. Therefore, care must be taken when extrapolating data or combining datasets. Furthermore, traditional limitations of library‐dependent MST methods, including differential decay of source material in environmental waters and spatiotemporal variation in source communities, remain to be fully understood. Nevertheless, increasing use of these methods, as well as expanding fecal taxon libraries representative of source communities, will help improve the accuracy of these methods and provide promising tools for future MST investigations.
Review article: Best practice management of closed hand and wrist injuries in the emergency department (part 5 of the musculoskeletal injuries rapid review series)
Authors: Strudwick Kirsten , McPhee Megan , Bell Anthony , Martin‐Khan Melinda , Russell Trevor
Published: May 2018

Acute hand and wrist injuries are a common presentation to the ED and are associated with large individual and societal costs. Appropriate management of these injuries in the ED is crucial given that optimal hand function is essential for daily activities and quality of life. This rapid review investigated best practice for the assessment and management of common closed hand and wrist injuries in the ED. Databases were searched in 2017, including PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, TRIP and the grey literature, including relevant organisational websites. Primary studies, systematic reviews and guidelines published in English language in the past 12 years that addressed the acute assessment, management, follow‐up plan or prognosis were considered for inclusion. Data extraction of included articles was conducted, followed by quality appraisal to rate the level of evidence. The search revealed 2454 articles, of which 55 were included in the review (n = 23 primary articles, n = 26 systematic reviews and n = 6 guidelines). This rapid review provides clinicians who manage common closed fractures and soft tissue injuries of the hand and wrist in the ED, a summary of the best available evidence to enhance the quality of care for optimal patient outcomes. There is evidence to support taking a thorough history and physical examination with consideration of occupational and functional factors, restoring alignment and immobilising when necessary and referring onwards. Key points regarding the diagnosis and management of these injuries are provided.
Sleeping Well Trial: Increasing the effectiveness of treatment with continuous positive airway pressure using a weight management program in overweight adults with obstructive sleep apnoea—A stepped wedge randomised trial protocol
Authors: Truby Helen , Edwards Bradley A. , O'Driscoll Denise M. , Young Alan , Ghazi Ladan , Bristow Claire , Roem Kerryn , Bonham Maxine P. , Murgia Chiara , Day Kaitlin , Haines Terry P. , Hamilton Garun S.
Published: May 2018

Background

The majority of adults diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are overweight or obese. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common effective therapy for OSA. However, adherence declines over time with only 50% of patients prescribed CPAP continuing to use it long term. Furthermore, a recent prospective analysis indicated that those more adherent with CPAP therapy have enhanced weight gain trajectories which in turn may negatively impact their OSA.

Aim

The Sleeping Well Trial aims to establish whether the timing of starting a lifestyle weight loss intervention impacts on weight trajectory in those with moderate–severe OSA treated at home with CPAP, while testing the potential for smart phone technology to improve adherence with lifestyle interventions.

Methods

A stepped wedge design with randomisation of individuals from 1 to 6 months post‐enrolment, with 5 months of additional prospective follow up after completion of the stepped wedge. This design will investigate the effect of the 6‐month lifestyle intervention on people undergoing CPAP on body weight, body composition and health‐related quality of life.

Discussion

This trial tests whether the timing of supporting the patient through a weight loss intervention is important in obtaining the maximum benefit of a lifestyle change and CPAP usage, and identify how best to support patients through this critical period.

Trial Registration

The protocol (v1) is registered prospectively with the International Clinical Trials Registry (CTR) ACTRN12616000203459 (public access). Any amendments to protocol will be documented via the CTR. Recruitment commenced in March 2016 with data collection scheduled to finish by May 2018.
Effect of a Sodium Alginate Coating Infused with Tea Polyphenols on the Quality of Fresh Japanese Sea Bass (Lateolabrax japonicas) Fillets
Authors: Nie Xiaobao , Wang Lihong , Wang Qi , Lei Jilin , Hong Wanshu , Huang Baosheng , Zhang Changfeng
Published: May 2018

Sodium alginate (SA) and tea polyphenols (TP) are natural preservatives commonly used in the food industry, including the production of fish products. The effect of SA coating infused with TP on the quality of fresh Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicas) fillets was evaluated over a 20‐day period at 4 °C. SA (1.5%, w/v) or TP (0.5%, w/v) treatment alone, and the SA coating infused with TP (SA‐TP) all reduced microbial counts, with the SA‐TP providing the greatest effect. Fish fillet samples treated with SA‐TP had significantly lower levels of total volatile basic nitrogen, lipid oxidation, and protein decomposition during the storage period, relative to the remaining treatments. The samples treated with SA‐TP had the highest sensory quality rating as well. Collectively, sodium alginate coating infused with tea polyphenols may represent a promising treatment for preservation of Japanese sea bass fillets during cold storage.

Practical Application

The sodium alginate‐tea polyphenols composite coating has strong potential to be used as a new biopreservative for maintaining fish fillet quality.
The analgesic effect of a popliteal plexus blockade after total knee arthroplasty: A feasibility study
Authors: Runge C. , Bjørn S. , Jensen J. M. , Nielsen N. D. , Vase M. , Holm C. , Bendtsen T. F.
Published: May 2018

Introduction

An obturator nerve block (ONB) and a femoral triangle block (FTB) provide effective analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) without impeding the ambulation, although the ONB produces motor blockade of the hip adductor muscles. The popliteal plexus (PP) in the popliteal fossa is formed by contribution from the tibial nerve and the posterior obturator nerve, innervating intraarticular genicular structures and the posterior capsule of the knee. We hypothesised that a popliteal plexus block (PPB) as a supplement to an FTB would reduce pain after TKA without anaesthetising motor branches from the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa.

Aim

To assess the analgesic effect of adding a PPB to an FTB in 10 subjects with significant pain after TKA.

Methods

All subjects underwent unilateral TKA with spinal anaesthesia and received an FTB. The cutaneous sensation and the postoperative pain were assessed. The primary outcome was the proportion of subjects with pain above numeric rating scale (NRS) 3 followed by a reduction to NRS 3 or below after conducting a PPB.

Results

Ten subjects with a median pain of NRS 5.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 4‐8) after unilateral TKA received a PPB. All 10 subjects experienced a reduction in pain to NRS 3 or below (NRS 1.5 [IQR 0‐3]) within a mean time of 8.5 (95% CI 6.8‐10.2) minutes. Three subjects were completely pain free after the PPB. The ankle muscle strength was not affected.

Conclusions

The PPB provided effective pain relief without affecting the ankle muscle strength in all 10 subjects with significant pain after TKA and an FTB.
Flexion decreases the ventilation quality of the Ambu® AuraGain™ laryngeal mask in paralysed children: A prospective randomised crossover study
Authors: Lee J.‐H. , Jang Y.‐E. , Kim E.‐H. , Kim H.‐S. , Kim J.‐T.
Published: May 2018

Background

The influence of different head and neck positions on ventilation with the Ambu® AuraGain™ remains unevaluated in children. This study assessed the influence of different head and neck positions on ventilation with the AuraGain™ in paediatric patients.

Methods

In this prospective, randomised crossover study, children ≤7 years of age who were scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia were enrolled. An AuraGain™ was placed in all patients; mechanical ventilation was performed using a volume‐controlled mode with a tidal volume of 10 mL/kg. Respiratory rate was adjusted to maintain a ETCO2 of 35‐40 mm Hg. The oropharyngeal leak pressure, expiratory tidal volume, peak inspiratory pressure, ventilation score and fibreoptic bronchoscopic view score were assessed for the neutral head and neck position, and then for the flexed, extended and rotated head and neck positions in a random order.

Results

Compared with the neutral position, the oropharyngeal leak pressure increased in the flexed position (P < .001), and decreased in the extended (P = .014) and rotated position (P = .002). The expiratory tidal volume and ventilation score were significantly reduced during flexion (all P < .005), and were comparable among the neutral, extended and rotated positions. The fibreoptic score improved in the extended and rotated position (all P < .001). Only the flexion ventilation score was lower compared with the neutral position (P = .014).

Conclusions

Clinically, the flexed head and neck positions negatively affected ventilation due to obstruction of the airway. Ventilation with AuraGain™ can be effectively performed with the head and neck in the neutral, extended and rotated position in paediatric patients.
Farming for bees: annual variation in pollinator populations across agricultural landscapes
Authors: Tucker Erika M. , Rehan Sandra M.
Published: May 2018

Wild bees comprise a diverse group of pollinators essential to healthy ecosystems and crop pollination. Despite their importance, the way in which many driving factors affect specific bees or pollinators in specific regions remains unknown. Northern New England is one such place lacking detailed study. Accordingly, we collected bees from three different landscape types for three consecutive years in northern New England.

Annual, seasonal and landscape factor affects were examined. We found that season and landscape type significantly influenced the bee community. Bee abundance and species richness were highest during the warmer seasons. At the landscape scale, overall bee abundance and species richness were greatest in the organic farm landscapes and lowest in the meadow landscapes.

We also examined the bee community across multiple taxonomic levels: guild, family and species. Wild bee abundance varied significantly depending on the taxonomic level analyzed. Within genera, certain species had significantly higher abundances in meadow type landscapes, whereas other species had higher abundances in the organic or the conventional farm type landscapes.

These results support the need for more regionally and taxonomically specific studies on wild bees, their habitat requirements and the influence of environmental factors across agricultural and unmanaged landscapes.