bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transformation of agriculture risk management
Authors: Bilal Ahmad Raza , Baig Mirza Muhammad Ali
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the balanced role of internal and external compliance in risk evaluation process of specialized agriculture financing. The authors examine the adaptive behavior of risk managers to determine the role of proposed transformation for risk monitoring (RM) and control process in risk mitigation and avoidance of agriculture credit failure.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered survey was conducted to collect data from 353 risk-related officers and managers in Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) Pakistan. The authors used a previously tested scale for the main constructs. The descriptive analyses were used to gauge the model capacity for determining the strength of proposed risk patterns in agriculture risk management.

Findings

The results reveal that risk evaluation process in ZTBL is reasonably efficient in mitigating risks. Given the sensitive nature of farm credit, there is a need of fundamental reforms in risk policy manuals in line with central bank’s agriculture prudential regulations and Basel-III standards. The results fully support H1 and H2, while H3 is partially validated. The result patterns indicate serious issues in risk evaluation process in agriculture finance that is causing higher delinquency in farm credit.

Research limitations/implications

Based on highlighted issues, the authors recommend valuable guidelines in the RM review system for agriculture financing products at ZTBL.

Practical implications

The authors propose remodeling of agriculture risk management and offer valuable insights to the agriculture financial regulators and government in taking policy initiatives in the pre-and-post agriculture risk evaluation process. The proposed model enables RM process to improve farm credit delinquency, particularly in ZTBL and other agriculture banking networks in commercial banks.

Originality/value

This is the first study to empirically investigate RM evaluation process in agriculture risk management of ZTBL in Pakistan, thus, offers new horizon of farm credit regulatory compliance in agricultural sector of Pakistan.
An organisational culture and trustworthiness multidimensional model to engender employee creativity
Authors: Ogbeibu Samuel , Senadjki Abdelhak , Luen Peng Tan
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to elicit a conceptual understanding of the moderating effect of trustworthiness on the relationship between organisational culture and employee creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is theoretical in nature and draws conceptual insights from an integration of theoretical and conceptual underpinnings: the competing values framework, trustworthiness from the integrative model of organisational trust and the componential theory of individual creativity.

Findings

Trustworthiness plays a major role in influencing the degree at which managers engender employee creativity. This study postulates that clan and adhocracy organisational culture dimensions have a positive impact on employee creativity, while market and hierarchy organisational culture dimensions have negative impacts on employee creativity. Employee creativity would be engendered if organisational cultures are tailored towards improving the ability of employees. Engendering of employee creativity is contingent on an acceptable degree of benevolence and integrity expressed between managers and their respective employees.

Originality/value

By integrating several methodological underpinnings to produce a multidimensional model for engendering employee creativity, from the lens of a supportive organisational culture, this study offers novel insights for both managerial practice and actions.
Characterisation of air permeability of common ceiling linings and penetrations
Authors: Rupp Stephan Harald , Plagmann Manfred
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Air permeability of ceiling linings is an important element in understanding air and moisture flux from living spaces into the roof cavity. Ideally, these two spaces are decoupled to avoid transportation of moist indoor air into the attic space, where it can lead to condensation on the cold roof cladding. The purpose of this paper is to experimentally characterise the air permeability of a variety of common ceiling types. The results are given as leakage functions. Characteristic leakage data are also given for several ceiling penetrations. A case study illustrates the relevance of these data.

Design/methodology/approach

A specially designed test facility allows the installation of different ceiling types of up to 38 m2 in area. Laminar flow elements are used to measure the volumetric flow across the ceiling while recording the pressure difference. The experimental data are fitted to the leakage function equation Q =c (ΔP)n. Ceiling penetrations are characterised in a similar way. For the case studies estimating the transport of moisture into the roof cavity, indoor climate data have been obtained using humidity and temperature sensors.

Findings

Air leakage functions are given for a number of common ceiling linings and ceiling penetrations. These data can be used in simulations aimed at modelling moisture flux into the roof cavities. In the case study, the authors also give indoor climate data of residential dwellings in New Zealand.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the need for robust ceiling air permeability data in whole-house temperature and moisture transport simulations.
Customization in medical tourism in the Philippines
Authors: Rydback Michelle , Hyder Akmal S.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Focusing on customization, this paper aims to examine how service providers market health care in emerging markets through medical tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative method, researchers conducted 18 semi-structured interviews with managers from five health-care providers and supporting organizations in the Philippines. For analysis, data from the service providers are compared.

Findings

Customization is found to play crucial role in offering health-care services. The customization takes place by adapting to emotional, social and cultural needs; alleviating knowledge asymmetry; and moderating the negative impact of the unfamiliar context experienced by international patients.

Research/limitations implications

The empirically grounded theoretical framework needs to be tested in different contexts for generalization.

Practical implications

The study focuses on understanding and responding to the needs of international patients, also demonstrating that health-care marketing must be developed through a joint effort by both the medical and business sides of health-care providers.

Social implications

The paper acknowledges the need for health-care marketing and the novel role of health-care providers.

Originality/value

Using a marketing lens, this study sheds light on the underexplored industry of medical tourism.
Exploring governance issues among boards of directors within state-owned enterprises in Barbados
Authors: Thompson Renée M. , Alleyne Philmore , Charles-Soverall Wayne
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine corporate governance (CG) issues among boards of directors (BODs) in Barbados’ state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by utilizing agency and institutional theories as the theoretical framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a mixed methods approach using quantitative and qualitative methods. Data are collected in five stages including data initially from a governance workshop attended by BODs. The findings are presented and feedback obtained in subsequent stages including several seminars attended by BODs, government officials, regulators and other stakeholders.

Findings

BODs perceive that they perform their roles and responsibilities in an effective and efficient manner, influence decision making, exercise control in SOEs and conduct well-organized meetings. However, respondents from the various stages report that there is lack of accountability and transparency, inadequate disclosure, lengthy board meetings resulting in excessive delays in decision making, unclear accounting and auditing guidelines, and a lack of training in financial and CG matters. Political interference, board appointment and composition are also cited as major concerns.

Research limitations/implications

Suggestions include reduced political interference, increased training, following OECD (2005) best practices and greater accountability.

Originality/value

The paper extends the literature on CG in BODs in SOEs in emerging economies. This study utilizes the agency and institutional frameworks to understand the phenomenon.
Ontology assessment based on linked data principles
Authors: Zemmouchi-Ghomari Leila , Mezaache Kaouther , Oumessad Mounia
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate ontologies with respect to the linked data principles. This paper presents a concrete interpretation of the four linked data principles applied to ontologies, along with an implementation that automatically detects violations of these principles and fixes them (semi-automatically). The implementation is applied to a number of state-of-the-art ontologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a precise and detailed interpretation of the linked data principles in the context of ontologies (to become as reusable as possible), the authors propose a set of algorithms to assess ontologies according to the four linked data principles along with means to implement them using a Java/Jena framework. All ontology elements are extracted and examined taking into account particular cases, such as blank nodes and literals. The authors also provide propositions to fix some of the detected anomalies.

Findings

The experimental results are consistent with the proven quality of popular ontologies of the linked data cloud because these ontologies obtained good scores from the linked data validator tool.

Originality/value

The proposed approach and its implementation takes into account the assessment of the four linked data principles and propose means to correct the detected anomalies in the assessed data sets, whereas most LD validator tools focus on the evaluation of principle 2 (URI dereferenceability) and principle 3 (RDF validation); additionally, they do not tackle the issue of fixing detected errors.
An inquiry into the supplier selection decision from the business-to-consumer (B2C) perspective
Authors: Boyce Wesley S. , Mano Haim
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into what selection criteria consumers find critical when making the supplier selection decision. Much research exists on the business-to-business (B2B) perspective, so this research seeks to investigate the business-to-consumer (B2C) viewpoint.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey is used to identify the areas that consumers find to be important when seeking suppliers. Factor analysis is used to identify selection criteria that are important to consumers.

Findings

The results suggest that consumers value several factors quite highly, including delivery, price and quality. Service, flexibility and relationship are also rated relatively high, while consumer concern with technology and the environment seemed to be lower.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to a group of consumers represented by university students. Additional research methods may provide additional detail to supplement these results.

Practical implications

The consistency the authors found between firm and consumer preferences should make it a relatively simple process for firms to consider the desires of customers when dealing with their own B2B relationships.

Originality/value

The B2C perspective on the supplier selection decision has seen limited research coverage. The B2C collaboration perspective considers the contributions consumers can make in supply chain decisions, which may lead to new supply chain management strategies.
The crusade of digital disruption
Authors: Matzler Kurt , Friedrich von den Eichen Stephan , Anschober Markus , Kohler Thomas
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to help managers understand digital disruption and implement strategies that will support the digital transformation of companies. Traditional companies need to learn from disruptive ventures and reimagine their business models based on digitalization.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on multiple case studies of both disruptive startups and established organizations navigating digital transformations.

Findings

The authors introduce three levels of digitalization to build a framework of six different value creation stages that result from digitalization. Companies need to create digital products, enhance their processes with digital technology and most important reimagine their business models.

Practical implications

Managers receive guidance on how to deal with digital disruption. They can learn from pathfinding companies that successfully leveraged digital technology to create and capture new value.

Originality/value

The original contribution of this paper is a simple and useful framework to understand and leverage digital disruption.
How do consumers from developed regions evaluate global brands from emerging countries? An investigation from the perspective of global–local identity
Authors: Guo Xiaoling , Hong Ying-yi
Published: November 2018

Purpose

While an increasing number of global brands are of emerging country origin, research about emerging global brands remains scare. The purpose of this paper is to provide the first theoretical effort to understand how consumers in the developed regions evaluate global brands from emerging countries. Building on globalization and social identity theory, the paper aims to shed light on the effect of global identity on consumer attitude toward emerging global brands, the process of such effect, and the boundary condition for it as well.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used two non-student surveys in the USA and UK in which respondents’ global identity was measured and two laboratory experiments in which respondents’ global identity was primed. The operationalization of dependent variables is also divergent, either directly measuring attitude toward the global brands from developing countries or measuring consumer relative evaluation. Convergent results were reported from four studies.

Findings

The results show that when consumers’ global (vs local) identity is accessible, those from developed regions will show more favorable evaluations of global brands from emerging countries. And this effect is mediated by the positive association between global identity and globalization. Further, this effect emerged when consumers view global and local cultures as compatible with each other but disappeared when consumers view global and local cultures as oppositional to each other.

Practical implications

The findings have practical implications for global brand marketers from emerging economies to enter developed country markets, and to make their brands real global. Specifically, global identity consumers should be targeted and the compatible view of global and local cultures should be pronounced.

Originality/value

Focusing on global brands from emerging countries, this paper examines the global identity effect in developed country markets for the first time. The finding add new knowledge to the literature of globalization, global branding, and assimilation effect of global identity, and help to reconcile the heated debate on whether country of origin is still relevant to the globalized world.
Determinants of bank loan charge-off rates: evidence from the USA
Authors: Ghosh Amit
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Using data on 5,176 commercial banks in the USA for the period 1999Q1-2016Q3, the present study aims to examine the underlying determinants of loan charge-off rates.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses panel data fixed-effects estimation methodology.

Findings

Greater regulatory capital, more diversification, higher profits and cost efficiency reduce charge-off rates. On the contrary, a higher share of loans in banks asset portfolio and a higher share of real estate loans have a detrimental impact on loan performance. Moreover, strong US macroeconomic fundamentals reduce loan charge-offs. Finally, real estate loan charge-offs are most sensitive to balance sheet conditions.

Practical Implications

Consistent with Basel-III regulation, the results underscore the importance of banks to remain well capitalized. Greater tier-1 capital refrains banks from risky lending practices, thereby improving their loan performance. It is also important that banks maintain a diversified income stream and earn higher profitability. Finally, managerial inefficiencies leading to higher non-interest expense needs to be reduced to improve loan performance.

Originality/value

Although a burgeoning body of literature has examined the underlying factors that affect poor quality loans in both the USA and elsewhere, fewer studies have focused on loan performance. From the perspective of banking regulation and fostering banking stability, determining the factors that affect loan charge-offs is extremely crucial to identify channels through which loan performance is either worsened or improved. If we understand poor loan performance, we can use that knowledge to anticipate the possibility of bankruptcy.
Providing high-quality fundamental care for patients with acute abdominal pain
Authors: Feo Rebecca , Donnelly Frank , Muntlin Athlin Åsa , Jangland Eva
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Globally, acute abdominal pain (AAP) is one of the most common reasons for emergency admissions, yet little is known about how this patient group experiences the delivery of fundamental care across the acute care delivery chain. The purpose of this paper is to describe how patients with AAP experienced fundamental care across their acute care presentation, and to explicate the health professional behaviours, reported by patients, that contributed to their positive experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative descriptive study, using repeated reflective interviews, was analysed thematically (n=10 patients).

Findings

Two themes were identified: developing genuine, caring relationships with health professionals and being informed about one’s care. Patients reported that health professionals established genuine professional–patient relationships despite the busy care environment but perceived this environment as impeding information-provision. Patients were typically accepting of a lack of information, whereas poor professional–patient relationships were seen as inexcusable.

Practical implications

To provide positive fundamental care experiences for patients with AAP, health professionals should establish caring relationships with patients, such as by using humour, being attentive, and acknowledging patients’ physical pain and emotional distress; and should inform patients about their care, including allowing patients to ask questions and taking time to answer those questions.

Originality/value

This is the first Australian study to explore the experiences of patients with AAP across the acute care delivery chain, using a novel method of repeated interviews, and to demonstrate how fundamental care can be delivered, in clinical practice, to ensure positive patient experiences.
Exploring a transition in Dutch healthcare
Authors: Johansen Françoise , Loorbach Derk , Stoopendaal Annemiek
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Healthcare systems are facing persistent challenges, such as dealing with an ageing population, related increases in chronic diseases and healthcare costs facilitated by technological progress. The authors argue that the boundaries of optimisation are being reached and a more fundamental change or transition is necessary. The purpose of this paper is to explore the contours of this transition in the Netherlands. The authors do this from the perspective of healthcare organisations that have participated in the “Expedition to Sustainable Healthcare”: a learning programme organised by the Dutch Network for Sustainable Healthcare aimed at creating frontrunners in this transition.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines conceptual with experimental empirical work. The authors use the transition research frameworks to conceptualise persistent problems and transitional dynamics in the healthcare system. In a longitudinal study, the authors analysed how the participating organisations developed after the expedition.

Findings

The process validated the initial understanding of persistent sustainability challenges. An integral approach to sustainable healthcare is translated as a transformation of culture, structures and practices and the development of capacity for crossing borders and domains, inside and outside of the organisation. To facilitate and stimulate such a process the authors found that problem structuring and collective identification of persistent problems and the unsustainability in the healthcare system is a crucial step towards a shared view and discourse that supports change.

Originality/value

A transition in the Dutch healthcare system is just starting to emerge and has barely been subject of research. This paper provides an empirical description of a transition management process in this context. The authors hope to lay a foundation for future work that seeks to explore transitions in healthcare in theory and practice.
The racialization of immigrants in Canada – a historical investigation how race still matters
Authors: Krysa Isabella , Paludi Mariana , Mills Albert J.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the discursive ways in which racialization affects the integration process of immigrants in present-day Canada. By drawing on a historical analysis, this paper shows how race continues to be impacted by colonial principles implemented throughout the colonization process and during the formation stages of Canada as a nation. This paper contributes to management and organizational studies by shedding light on the taken-for-granted nature of discursive practices in organizations through problematizing contemporary societal and political engagements with “race”.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on critical diversity studies as theoretical framework to problematize a one-dimensional approach to race and diversity. Further, it applies the Foucauldian historical method (Foucault, 1981) to trace the construction of “race” over time and to show its impact on present-day discursive practices.

Findings

Through a discursive review of Canada’s past, this paper shows how seemingly non-discriminatory race-related concepts and policies such as “visible minority” contribute to the marginalization of non-white individuals, racializing them. Multiculturalism and neoliberal globalization are identified as further mechanisms in such a racialization process.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates the importance of a historical contextualization to shed light on present workplace discrimination and challenges unproblematic approaches to workplace diversity.
Industrial and tourism perspectives on open innovation
Authors: Iglesias-Sánchez Patricia P. , Jambrino-Maldonado Carmen , de las Heras-Pedrosa Carlos
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Open innovation (OI) involves the alignment of the organisation’s strategy and resources. Notably, companies will not adopt this emerging paradigm without a guarantee of better results. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify which combination of entrepreneurial managerial approaches makes it possible for companies to improve performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involves a survey questionnaire, 147 enterprises and regression analysis on the survey data to identify to what extent strategic and management orientations affect innovation performance (IP), as well as an analysis focusing on the results of two sectors (i.e. tourism and agri-food industries).

Findings

The main findings show a direct effect amongst the level of innovation, external openness and open innovation management (OIM), and IP. However, although there are no differences in the perception and orientation of OIM and the results across the two sectors, the influence of the variable firm size has been supported. Finally, the collective effort required by companies to ensure the successful implementation of OI processes and achieve high IP is outstanding.

Practical implications

This paper discusses the significance of these findings, highlighting the main practical implications for researchers and companies – especially the need to assimilate the organisational change involved in the challenge of OI.

Originality/value

This study combines the sectors industry and services, emphasises OIM and reinforces the literature in the field of IP.
How does immigration status affect the public stigma of behavioral health disorders?
Authors: Corrigan Patrick , Hafeez Mehak , Alkhouja Maya
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look specifically at the intersection between behavioral health and immigration stigma.

Design/methodology/approach

In April of 2017, 256 US participants answered an online solicitation on MTurk to answer questions regarding perceptions of others. Participants were randomized to one of four vignettes which had conditions representing diagnosis (drug abuse vs brain cancer) and immigration status (naturalized citizen vs undocumented immigrant).

Findings

Drug abuse was significantly disdained and blamed more than brain cancer. A main effect was also found for immigration status for disdain. Interaction between diagnosis and immigration status was significant for blame, but undocumented status increased the blame of students with brain cancer, the opposite condition the authors expected.

Originality/value

The study validated previously tested hypotheses, namely, people with behavioral health challenges are highly stigmatized being disdained and blamed for their conditions more than people with brain cancer. The study tested intersectionality by examining the hypothesis that undocumented immigration status worsens stigmatizing views of people with behavioral health conditions.
Employees’ psychological empowerment and performance: how customer feedback substitutes for leadership
Authors: Guerrero Sylvie , Chênevert Denis , Vandenberghe Christian , Tremblay Michel , Ben Ayed Ahmed Khalil
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Relying on the theories of substitutes for leadership and psychological empowerment, this study aims to explore how perceptions of customer positive feedback can substitute for managers’ transformational leadership in driving frontline employees’ psychological empowerment and, in turn, task performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors tested the research hypotheses with frontline employees working in 17 equipment rental stores. Employees completed a questionnaire about customer positive feedback, transformational leadership and psychological empowerment, and supervisors completed a separate questionnaire about employees’ task performance. A total of 178 employee-supervisor dyads formed the final sample of the study.

Findings

The results provided support for our hypotheses. Psychological empowerment fully mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and task performance. Moreover, customer positive feedback moderated the indirect relationship between transformational leadership and task performance such that it was significant and positive only when customer feedback was low.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the service marketing literature by showing that customer positive feedback can substitute for managers’ leadership in helping frontline employees feeling more in control of their work and psychologically empowered. Another useful contribution for practitioners is that customers may have a positive impact on frontline employees’ motivation state, which past research has little explored.
The soul of resilience
Authors: Bunnell Pille
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Rather than an attempt to define or clarify resilience in terms of its characteristics, or its correspondence to reality, this paper is a series of reflections that leads to the notion of resilience as a way of being in the world. What is presented is not intended to be conclusive in any way. The paper aims to trigger thoughtful reflections that will lead to further conversations about the entailments and ethical concerns implicit in the concept of resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper comprises reflections based on a selection of published ideas, as well as on personal engagement in the domains of ecology and the biology of cognition. In postulating that resilience may have a central, ineffable quality, the phrase “soul of” has been used as an approach to considering what such a quality may be. This formulation leads to a consideration about the nature of our relationships with the other such that the notion of resilience has become meaningful.

Findings

Language parses or chunks named ideas in a way that reveals some regularities and obscures others. The word resilience is one such chunk that historically has changed its meaning. Furthermore in the present the word refers to variable aspects or elements depending on the context of its usage. In the ecological context, resilience entails an ambiguous balance between persistence and change, and indeed this ambiguity may be necessary to accommodate the complexities. In all cases the author has considered, we are only concerned with resilience where there is an ethical dimension and this, inherently, must be multidimensional given the complexities of the systems being regarded. The author claims that the soul of resilience arises through an ethically oriented reflexive awareness of our dynamic flow in a relational embeddedness.

Practical implications

The practical implications of this paper are elusive, yet meaningful, as the paper attempts to open space for operating in an ethical and useful manner with ambiguous concepts and for avoiding the hubris of certainty. The paper is an explication of one of the ways of thinking inspired by second order science.

Originality/value

As the reflections in this paper are largely those original to the author, the ideas are original. Whether they have value depends on what ideas, attitudes, orientations and further reflections are triggered and whether these in turn implicitly or explicitly alter actions toward more effective care of our world. If reflection on resilience increases resilience, then this paper will have value.
Social influence or personal attitudes?
Authors: Yang Xue
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the impact of social influence and personal attitudes on users’ continuance intention. Based on social influence theory, this study developed a theoretical model to explore what factors can influence users’ social network sites continuance intention.

Design/methodology/approach

To validate the research model, the authors used an online survey instrument to gather data. Hypotheses were tested using partial least squares modeling.

Findings

Using a data set including 229 WeChat users in China, the authors found that the influence of subjective norms and group norms on continuance intention is insignificant. Moreover, social identity and personal attitudes were proved to be significant predictors of continuance intention. Specifically, gender played a moderating role in the relationship between social identity and continuance intention. In addition, gender moderated the effect of personal attitudes on continuance intention as well.

Originality/value

This study provided insights into how social influence affects users’ continuance intention. Moreover, this study concentrated on the different impact of social influence and personal attitudes on users’ continuance intention. Specifically, the authors explored gender differences in users’ continuance intention. The results extend the knowledge about the differences of males versus females in using social network sits.
Inhibitory effects of catechin isolated from Acacia catechu on ovalbumin induced allergic asthma model
Authors: Patel Snehal , Patel Vinit
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Polyphenols possess anti-allergic activities. Catechin is one of the polyphenols that are abundantly present in the Acacia catechu. In this study, the authors investigated the effect of catechin isolated from A. catechu in an experimental mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma.

Design/methodology/approach

Catechin was isolated from A. catechu, and phytochemical analysis was carried out by ultraviolet visible and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high pressure thin-layer chromatography was used for the determination of an amount of catechin present. In a first set of an experiment, the authors have carried out dose-dependent evaluation of catechin on histamine synthesis in normal rats. In another study, allergic asthma was induced in BALB/c mice by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg OVA dissolved in 4 mg aluminum hydroxide dissolved in 0.2 ml saline on Days 0 and 14. Catechin was given orally at the dose of 100 mg/kg, once a day from Day 1 to Day 35 and after which various respiratory parameters such as tidal volume, respiratory rate and airflow rate, biochemical parameters such as histamine release from mast cells, bronchoalveolar (BAL) lavage fluid analysis and histopathology of lungs were carried out.

Findings

Catechin showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in respiratory parameters such as tidal volume, respiratory rate and airflow rate, as well as biochemical and hematological parameters such as blood histamine, serum bicarbonate and nitric oxide levels as compared to the disease control group. The treatment also showed inhibitory effects on histamine synthesis in rat peritoneal as well as BAL mast cells. Also, a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in lung histopathology was observed with catechin.

Originality/value

From the present study, the authors can conclude that catechin exhibited potent anti-allergic activity by inhibition of histamine synthesis by inhibition of histidine decarboxylase enzyme. The study suggests that catechin has therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic inflammatory disease in humans.
Knowledge and attitudes towards vitamin D food fortification
Authors: Clark Beth , Doyle Julie , Bull Owen , McClean Sophie , Hill Tom
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Vitamin D deficiency is a well-recognised public health problem within the UK, with specific population groups more vulnerable to deficiency. Two pilot studies were used to explore awareness of vitamin D deficiency and attitudes towards food fortification.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 120 participants from five at-risk groups (South Asians, Blacks, Middle Eastern, Far Eastern and Caucasian older adults over 65 years) plus a group of British Caucasians who do not avoid sun exposure explored awareness of vitamin D, sun exposure knowledge and behaviour and attitudes towards food fortification. The latter group was included to provide a comparison group who were at a reduced risk of deficiency.χ2was used to test associations between categorical variables and the study groups. The second study used three focus groups and two interviews, conducted on young South Asian females and examined knowledge and awareness of vitamin D and vitamin D-fortified foods.

Findings

A lack of knowledge and misconceptions were highlighted by both studies in relation to at-risk factors, including sunlight exposure (p= 0.037), dietary intakes (p= 0.0174) and darker skin pigmentation (p= 0.023), sources of vitamin D and the health benefits associated with optimal consumption. Attitudes to mandatory fortification of some foods varied significantly(p= 0.004) between the groups with acceptance rates for Blacks (68 per cent), those over 65 years (50 per cent), Middle Eastern (67 per cent) and Far Eastern (73 per cent), whereas the control (71 per cent) showed no acceptance, and South Asians gave a mixed response (48 per cent No). Focus group findings highlighted positive views towards fortification, although this was less for mandatory as opposed to voluntary fortification. Both pilot studies highlight the need for more research into this area, to create more effective public health policies.

Originality/value

The research presents novel insights into a topical area where there is limited research.
How formal navigators interpret their roles supporting families
Authors: Funk Laura , Hounslow Wanda
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how formal navigators interpret their roles supporting families of older adults.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was an interpretive inquiry informed by critical gerontology and discourse analytic methods. Interview data were collected and analyzed from 22 formal service providers who helped older adults and their families navigate health and social care resources in one Western Canadian city.

Findings

Although acknowledging structural barriers to service access, participants emphasized individual empowerment as their dominant strategy, interpreting their roles as providing information and education about services. In part, these interpretations may reflect the limited nature of their ability to help broker access or advocate; in part, they may also reflect the broader political and economic discourses surrounding care in Canada.

Research limitations/implications

When providers position navigation and access to care as individual problems, this can obscure structural burden as well as potential inequities among older adults. Future research should examine whether navigational role interpretations are similar or different to those of navigators in other regions. Navigators in other health and social care contexts may enact differing meanings in their work.

Practical implications

Although formal public navigators can play an important role, approaches that go beyond providing information may better meet families’ needs for support.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies focused specifically on providers’ interpretations of the meaning of navigational work in health and social care for older adults, and to extend a critical gerontological gaze toward the issue of system navigation.
Commentary on “workforce development: perspectives from people with learning disabilities”
Authors: Stevens Martin
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore links between the staff values and skills identified by Davies and Matuska and other literature. The commentary aims to place these values and skills in the context of established approaches to working with people with learning disabilities, to explore their impact on recruitment and to outline limitations on their applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The commentary explores the implications of Davies and Matuska’s findings, relating these to previous research and policy literature.

Findings

The commentary argues that it is important to stress the complexity of working with people with learning disabilities and the qualities of workers required. In addition, the importance of values-based recruitment (VBR) is also supported. Finally, the commentary points to the importance of creative ways of overcoming the limitations presented by current austerity policies.

Originality/value

The commentary links characteristics and skills of staff valued by people with learning disabilities with person-centred care and VBR.
Dietary shifts influenced by livestock grazing shape the gut microbiota composition and co‐occurrence networks in a local rodent species
Authors: Li Guoliang , Li Jing , Kohl Kevin D. , Yin Baofa , Wei Wanhong , Wan Xinrong , Zhu Baoli , Zhang Zhibin
Published: November 2018

The collapse of large wild herbivores with replacement of livestock is causing global plant community and diversity shifts, resulting in altered food availability and diet composition of other sympatric small herbivores in grasslands. How diet shifts affect the gut microbiota of small mammals and whether these changes may translate into complex interactions among coexisting herbivores remain largely unknown.

We conducted both a field experiment and a laboratory diet manipulation experiment to test whether sheep grazing induces a diet shift and thus alters the gut microbiota of a small rodent species living in grassland. We found that enclosures subjected to grazing were mostly dominated by Stipa krylovii (accounting for 53.6% of the total biomass) and that voles consumed significantly more S. krylovii and less Cleistogenes squarrosa in grazed enclosures. Voles in grazing enclosures exhibited significantly lower abundances of Firmicutes, higher abundances of Bacteroidetes and significantly lower measurements of alpha diversity. The microbiota from voles in the grazed enclosures had a smaller and more simplified co‐occurrence network with relatively higher percentage of positive interactions. Analysis based on dietary clusters indicated that grazing‐induced changes in diet composition contributed to the distinct gut microbial community of voles in enclosures.

We verified our findings using laboratory experiments, in which voles were exclusively fed C. squarrosa (high carbohydrate, high fibre and high in secondary compounds), S. krylovii (low carbohydrate, low fibre and low in secondary compounds) or Leymus chinensis (nutritionally intermediate). We observed that the gut microbiota of voles changed with the three different diets, supporting the idea that the effects of sheep grazing on the gut microbiota of Brandt's voles may be related to grazing‐induced diet shifts.

Our results highlighted the negative effects of livestock grazing on small mammals in grassland via changes in plant community and gut microbiota of small mammals and help to better understand the cascading consequences of realistic scenarios of world‐wide decline in large wild herbivores.
Somatic growth contributes to population variation in marine fishes
Authors: Stawitz Christine C. , Essington Timothy E.
Published: November 2018

Understanding population fluctuations is a major goal of population ecology. In unpredictable marine environments, population variation is thought to be caused primarily by varying survival rates through a critical early life‐history stage. However, there is increasing evidence that somatic growth variation is common and causes population fluctuations.

We examine the relative effects of empirically validated variability in somatic growth and recruitment on two response metrics across eight different life‐history archetypes of marine fish. We evaluate how much variation is propagated into mature biomass (MB), a proxy for population resilience, and population production, a measure of population rebuilding capacity. Production is defined as the biomass produced by the stock above what is needed to sustain the population at a constant level.

We used empirical estimates of reproductive success and somatic growth rate, coupled with a population model, to evaluate the relative role of both types of variation in population fluctuations. The effects of this variation on population production and MB were examined across three variation scenarios, in which somatic growth only, reproduction only or both processes varied temporally. We also examined three levels of age truncation to explore whether modified population age structure altered these dynamics.

The contribution of somatic growth to biomass variability exceeded that of recruitment for some species (2/8), while in others (5/8 species), recruitment variation was more influential. When population production was examined, somatic growth variation contributed more to population variation for three species. The relative importance of the two processes was not clearly correlated with key life‐history traits (i.e., growth and mortality rates), but instead was determined by time‐series characteristics of growth and recruitment variation. Increasing age truncation slightly increased the relative effect of recruitment variation on MB variation for three species.

These results suggest somatic growth variation can be as important as early life‐history survival in driving population fluctuations in some marine fish species. This analysis provides a counterexample to the commonly held assumption of many marine population dynamics models: That population variability is induced primarily through variation in reproductive success.
Warming impacts on early life stages increase the vulnerability and delay the population recovery of a long‐lived habitat‐forming macroalga
Authors: Capdevila Pol , Hereu Bernat , Salguero‐Gómez Roberto , Rovira Graciel·la , Medrano Alba , Cebrian Emma , Garrabou Joaquim , Kersting Diego K. , Linares Cristina
Published: November 2018

Understanding the combined effects of global and local stressors is crucial for conservation and management, yet challenging due to the different scales at which these stressors operate. Here, we examine the effects of one of the most pervasive threats to marine biodiversity, ocean warming, on the early life stages of the habitat‐forming macroalga Cystoseira zosteroides, its long‐term consequences for population resilience, and its combined effect with physical stressors.

First, we performed a controlled laboratory experiment exploring the impacts of warming on early life stages. Settlement and survival of germlings were measured at 16°C (control), 20°C, and 24°C, and both processes were affected by increased temperatures. Then, we integrated this information into stochastic, density‐dependent integral projection models.

Recovery time after a major disturbance significantly increased in warmer scenarios. The stochastic population growth rate (λs) was not strongly affected by warming alone, as high adult survival compensated for thermal‐induced recruitment failure. Nevertheless, warming coupled with recurrent physical disturbances had a strong impact on λs and population viability.

Synthesis. The impact of warming effects on early stages may significantly decrease the natural ability of habitat‐forming algae to rebound after major disturbances. These findings highlight that, in a global warming context, populations of deep‐water macroalgae will become more vulnerable to further disturbances, and stress the need to incorporate abiotic interactions into demographic models.