bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alice Perrers and the Goldsmiths’ Mistery: New Evidence Concerning the Identity of the Mistress of Edward III
Authors: Tompkins Laura
Published: January 2016

In the last ten years, Mark Ormrod has published two articles in which he revealed the discovery of new evidence regarding the origins of Alice Perrers, the notorious mistress of Edward III during the final years of his life. From this research two new facts emerged: first, that Alice had a brother named John Salisbury, and second, that before her relationship with the king she was married to a man named Janyn Perrers. However, many questions remained unanswered. This article now reveals further discoveries from the collections of the London Metropolitan Archives and the Goldsmiths’ Company, which shed new light on the identities of John and Janyn and the wider questions surrounding Alice’s birth and early life. Through a detailed study of Alice’s later life, it examines the consequences of these findings in terms of Alice’s relationship with the king, her commercial activity and property acquisitions, ultimately establishing a clear context for the behaviour for which she would be condemned as the mistress of Edward III.
Ideology, Careerism and Civic Consciousness: The Crusade against Basel, 1482–1485
Authors: Housley Norman
Published: January 2016

The abstract for your paper is included below. This will appear online only. In December 1482 Pope Sixtus IV gave his legate Angelo Geraldini the faculty to preach a crusade against the people of Basel for refusing to hand over the person of the Croatian Dominican Andrija Jamometić, whose appeal for a council had plunged Sixtus’s reign into crisis. This essay compares the various threads of thought and action which prompted the Pope to resort to the crusade and led Geraldini to make use of the faculty. It is argued that Jamometić’s rebellion was probably triggered by his acute discontent with the way Sixtus had managed the crusade against the Turks, most recently his duplicitous response to their landing at Otranto. A combination of triumphalist emphasis on papal authority and anxiety about a revival of conciliarism caused Sixtus to include crusade as one of the options given to Geraldini. The legate faced resistance at Basel but he was also frustrated by Sixtus’s practice of dispersing his delegated authority among a number of agents in the field; using the crusade faculty became the only way that Geraldini could assert his primacy and advance his own prospects. Basel’s opposition stemmed in part from the awareness of its ruling elite that Frederick III would have to shield it from the Pope and his agents in order to defend dynastic and imperial interests in south-western Germany. But it also sprang from growing coolness towards Rome, and this was evidenced by the undemanding terms imposed on Basel as the price for its readmission to the Catholic community in 1485.
The influence of health-specific social network site use on the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people
Authors: Erfani Seyedezahra Shadi , Blount Yvette , Abedin Babak
Published: January 2016

Objective We aimed to explore and examine how and in what ways the use of social network sites (SNSs) can improve health outcomes, specifically better psychological well-being, for cancer-affected people.

Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with users of the Ovarian Cancer Australia Facebook page (OCA Facebook), the exemplar SNS used in this study. Twenty-five women affected by ovarian cancer who were users of OCA Facebook were interviewed. A multi-theory perspective was employed to interpret the data.

Results Most of the study participants used OCA Facebook daily. Some users were passive and only observed created content, while other users actively posted content and communicated with other members. Analysis showed that the use of this SNS enhanced social support for users, improved the users’ experiences of social connectedness, and helped users learn and develop social presence, which ultimately improved their psychological well-being.

Discussion The strong theoretical underpinning of our research and empirically derived results led to a new understanding of the capacity of SNSs to improve psychological well-being. Our study provides evidence showing how the integration of these tools into existing health services can enhance patients’ psychological well-being. This study also contributes to the body of knowledge on the implications of SNS use for improving the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people.

Conclusion This research assessed the relationship between the use of SNSs, specifically OCA Facebook, and the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people. The study confirmed that using OCA Facebook can improve psychological well-being by demonstrating the potential value of SNSs as a support service in the healthcare industry.
Mobile health devices: will patients actually use them?
Authors: Shaw Ryan J , Steinberg Dori M , Bonnet Jonathan , Modarai Farhad , George Aaron , Cunningham Traven , Mason Markedia , Shahsahebi Mohammad , Grambow Steven C , Bennett Gary G , Bosworth Hayden B
Published: January 2016

Although mobile health (mHealth) devices offer a unique opportunity to capture patient health data remotely, it is unclear whether patients will consistently use multiple devices simultaneously and/or if chronic disease affects adherence. Three healthy and three chronically ill participants were recruited to provide data on 11 health indicators via four devices and a diet app. The healthy participants averaged overall weekly use of 76%, compared to 16% for those with chronic illnesses. Device adherence declined across all participants during the study. Patients with chronic illnesses, with arguably the most to benefit from advanced (or increased) monitoring, may be less likely to adopt and use these devices compared to healthy individuals. Results suggest device fatigue may be a significant problem. Use of mobile technologies may have the potential to transform care delivery across populations and within individuals over time. However, devices may need to be tailored to meet the specific patient needs.
Magnaporthe oryzae-Secreted Protein MSP1 Induces Cell Death and Elicits Defense Responses in Rice
Authors: Wang Yiming , Wu Jingni , Kim Sang Gon , Tsuda Kenichi , Gupta Ravi , Park Sook-Young , Kim Sun Tae , Kang Kyu Young
Published: January 2016

The Magnaporthe oryzae snodprot1 homolog (MSP1), secreted by M. oryzae, is a cerato-platanin family protein. msp1-knockout mutants have reduced virulence on barley leaves, indicating that MSP1 is required for the pathogenicity of rice blast fungus. To investigate the functional roles of MSP1 and its downstream signaling in rice, recombinant MSP1 was produced in Escherichia coli and was assayed for its functionality. Application of MSP1 triggered cell death and elicited defense responses in rice. MSP1 also induced H2O2production and autophagic cell death in both suspension-cultured cells and rice leaves. One or more protein kinases triggered cell death, jasmonic acid and abscisic acid enhanced cell death, while salicylic acid suppressed it. We demonstrated that the secretion of MSP1 into the apoplast is a prerequisite for triggering cell death and activating defense-related gene expression. Furthermore, pretreatment of rice with a sublethal MSP1 concentration potentiated resistance to the pathogen. Taken together, our results showed that MSP1 induces a high degree of cell death in plants, which might be essential for its virulence. Moreover, rice can recognize MSP1, resulting in the induction of pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity.
Temporal Transcription Profiling of Sweet Orange in Response to PthA4-Mediated Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri Infection
Authors: Hu Yang , Duan Shuo , Zhang Yunzeng , Shantharaj Deepak , Jones Jeffrey B. , Wang Nian
Published: January 2016

Citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, is a devastating disease of most commercial citrus varieties. In our previous study, we analyzed the transcriptional response of ‘Valencia’ sweet orange to X. citri subsp. citri wild-type and pthA4 mutant infection at 48 h postinoculation (hpi). Using microarray analysis, two PthA4 targets, CsLOB1 and CsSWEET1, were identified. We have shown that PthA4 binds to the effector binding element (EBE) of CsLOB1 and activates gene expression of this susceptibility gene. However, how PthA4 modulates host genes at different stages of infection remains to be determined. In this study, we compared the transcriptional profiles between citrus leaf tissue inoculated with Xcc306 and those inoculated with a pthA4-deletion mutant strain (Xcc306∆pthA4) at 6, 48, and 120 hpi. At both 48 and 120 hpi, the PthA4-mediated infection significantly upregulated expression of a variety of genes involved in cell-wall degradation and modification, DNA packaging, G-protein, protein synthesis, sucrose metabolism, and cell division functions, while the downregulated genes were mainly enriched in photosynthesis, transport, secondary metabolism, cytochrome P450, and various plant defense-associated mechanisms. To validate microarray results, gene expression of 26 genes representing genes associated with cell-wall-associated, immunity system, and carbohydrate metabolism was confirmed using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Expression patterns of these genes at 48 and 120 hpi were consistent with the microarray results. We also identified putative EBE for PthA4 (EBEPthA4) in the promoter regions of multiple genes upregulated by PthA4, to which PthA4 might bind directly to control their gene expression. Our study provided a dynamic picture of citrus genes regulated by PthA4 during the X. citri subsp. citri infection of citrus leaves at different stages. This study will be useful in further understanding the virulence mechanism of X. citri subsp. citri and identifying potential targets of PthA4.
Molecular Characterization, Morphological Characteristics, Virulence, and Geographic Distribution of Rhizoctonia spp. in Washington State
Authors: Jaaffar Ahmad Kamil Mohd , Paulitz Timothy C. , Schroeder Kurtis L. , Thomashow Linda S. , Weller David M.
Published: January 2016

Rhizoctonia root rot and bare patch, caused by Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group (AG)-8 and R. oryzae, are chronic and important yield-limiting diseases of wheat and barley in the Inland Pacific Northwest (PNW) of the United States. Major gaps remain in our understanding of the epidemiology of these diseases, in part because multiple Rhizoctonia AGs and species can be isolated from the same cereal roots from the field, contributing to the challenge of identifying the causal agents correctly. In this study, a collection totaling 498 isolates of Rhizoctonia was assembled from surveys conducted from 2000 to 2009, 2010, and 2011 over a wide range of cereal production fields throughout Washington State in the PNW. To determine the identity of the isolates, PCR with AG- or species-specific primers and/or DNA sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacers was performed. R. solani AG-2-1, AG-8, AG-10, AG-3, AG-4, and AG-11 comprised 157 (32%), 70 (14%), 21 (4%), 20 (4%), 1 (0.2%), and 1 (0.2%), respectively, of the total isolates. AG-I-like binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. comprised 44 (9%) of the total; and 53 (11%), 80 (16%), and 51 (10%) were identified as R. oryzae genotypes I, II, and III, respectively. Isolates of AG-2-1, the dominant Rhizoctonia, occurred in all six agronomic zones defined by annual precipitation and temperature within the region sampled. Isolates of AG-8 also were cosmopolitan in their distribution but the frequency of isolation varied among years, and they were most abundant in zones of low and moderate precipitation. R. oryzae was cosmopolitan, and collectively the three genotypes comprised 37% of the isolates. Only isolates of R. solani AG-8 and R. oryzae genotypes II and III (but not genotype I) caused symptoms typically associated with Rhizoctonia root rot and bare patch of wheat. Isolates of AG-2-1 caused only mild root rot and AG-I-like binucleate isolates and members of groups AG-3, AG-4, and AG-11 showed only slight or no discoloration of the roots. However, all isolates of AG-2-1 caused severe damping-off of canola, resulting in 100% mortality. Isolates of Rhizoctonia AG-8, AG-2-1, AG-10, AG-I-like binucleate Rhizoctonia, and R. oryzae genotypes I, II, and III could be distinguished by colony morphology on potato dextrose agar, by PCR with specific primers, or by the type and severity of disease on wheat and canola seedlings, and results of these approaches correlated completely. Based on cultured isolates, we also identified the geographic distribution of all of these Rhizoctonia isolates in cereal-based production systems throughout Washington State.
Modeling the Accuracy of Three Detection Methods of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 During the Dormant Period Using a Bayesian Approach
Authors: Olmos Antonio , Bertolini Edson , Ruiz-García Ana B. , Martínez Carmen , Peiró Rosa , Vidal Eduardo
Published: January 2016

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) has a worldwide distribution and is the most economically important virus that causes grapevine leafroll disease. Reliable, sensitive, and specific methods are required for the detection of the pathogen in order to assure the production of healthy plant material and control of the disease. Although different serological and nucleic acid-based methods have been developed for the detection of GLRaV-3, diagnostic parameters have not been established, and there is no gold standard method. Therefore, the main aim of this work was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios of three commonly used methods, including one serological test (double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [DAS-ELISA]) and two nucleic acid-based techniques (spot and conventional real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]). Latent class models using a Bayesian approach have been applied to determine diagnostic test parameters and to facilitate decision-making regarding diagnostic test selection. Statistical analysis has been based on the results of a total of 281 samples, which were collected during the dormant period from three different populations. The best-fit model out of the 49 implemented models revealed that DAS-ELISA was the most specific method (value = 0.99) and provided the highest degree of confidence in positive results. Conversely, conventional real-time RT-PCR was the most sensitive method (value = 0.98) and produced the highest degree of confidence in negative results. Furthermore, the estimation of likelihood ratios showed that in populations with low GLRaV-3 prevalence the most appropriate method could be DAS-ELISA, while conventional real-time RT-PCR could be the most appropriate method in medium or high prevalence populations. Combining both techniques significantly increases detection accuracy. The flexibility and power of Bayesian latent class models open new possibilities for the evaluation of diagnostic tests for plant viruses.
Putative Rust Fungal Effector Proteins in Infected Bean and Soybean Leaves
Authors: Cooper Bret , Campbell Kimberly B. , Beard Hunter S. , Garrett Wesley M. , Islam Nazrul
Published: January 2016

The plant-pathogenic fungi Uromyces appendiculatus and Phakopsora pachyrhizi cause debilitating rust diseases on common bean and soybean. These rust fungi secrete effector proteins that allow them to infect plants, but their effector repertoires are not understood. The discovery of rust fungus effectors may eventually help guide decisions and actions that mitigate crop production loss. Therefore, we used mass spectrometry to identify thousands of proteins in infected beans and soybeans and in germinated fungal spores. The comparative analysis between the two helped differentiate a set of 24 U. appendiculatus proteins targeted for secretion that were specifically found in infected beans and a set of 34 U. appendiculatus proteins targeted for secretion that were found in germinated spores and infected beans. The proteins specific to infected beans included family 26 and family 76 glycoside hydrolases that may contribute to degrading plant cell walls. There were also several types of proteins with structural motifs that may aid in stabilizing the specialized fungal haustorium cell that interfaces the plant cell membrane during infection. There were 16 P. pachyrhizi proteins targeted for secretion that were found in infected soybeans, and many of these proteins resembled the U. appendiculatus proteins found in infected beans, which implies that these proteins are important to rust fungal pathology in general. This data set provides insight to the biochemical mechanisms that rust fungi use to overcome plant immune systems and to parasitize cells.
CB-TE2A+·Cl−·3H2O: a short intermolecular hydrogen bond between zwitterionic bicyclo[6.6.2]tetraamine macrocycles
Authors: Jurek Paul , Reibenspies Joseph H. , Kiefer Garry E.
Published: January 2016

1,4,8,11-Tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane-4,11-diacetic acid (CB-TE2A) is of much interest in nuclear medicine for its ability to form copper complexes that are kinetically inert, which is beneficialin vivoto minimize the loss of radioactive copper. The structural chemistry of the hydrated HCl salt of CB-TE2A, namely 11-carboxymethyl-1,8-tetraaza-4,11-diazoniabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane-4-acetate chloride trihydrate, C16H31N4O4+·Cl−·3H2O, is described. The compound crystallized as a positively charged zwitterion with a chloride counter-ion. Two of the amine groups in the macrocyclic ring are protonated. Formally, a single negative charge is shared between two of the carboxylic acid groups, while one chloride ion balances the charge. Two intramolecular hydrogen bonds are observed between adjacent pairs of N atoms of the macrocycle. Two intramolecular hydrogen bonds are also observed between the protonated amine groups and the pendant carboxylate groups. A short intermolecular hydrogen bond is observed between two partially negatively charged O atoms on adjacent macrocycles. The result is a one-dimensional polymeric zigzag chain that propagates parallel to the crystallographicadirection. A second intermolecular interaction is a hydrogen-bonding network in the crystallographicbdirection. The carbonyl group of one macrocycle is connected through the three water molecules of hydration to the carbonyl group of another macrocycle.
Bis(triethanolamine)bis(μ2-trimesato)dicobalt(II): a CoIIdimer with an unreported two-dimensional supramolecular topology formed from triethanolamine and trimesic acid ligands
Authors: Xie Min , Xu Guo-Hai
Published: January 2016

Supramolecular networks are an important subset in the field of coordination polymer (CP) frameworks and are widely encountered in crystal engineering research. The search for novel topologies continues to be a significant goal in CP chemistry. The dimeric compound bis(μ-5-carboxybenzene-1,3-dicarboxylato-κ2O1:O3)bis[(triethanolamine-κ4N,O,O′,O′′)cobalt(II)], [Co2(C9H4O6)2(C6H15NO3)2], formed from the coligands 5-carboxybenzene-1,3-dicarboxylate (tmaH2−) and triethanolamine (teaH3), namely [Co(μ2-tmaH)(teaH3)]2, was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyses, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and magnetic measurements. The crystal structure features a zero-dimensional molecular structure consisting of centrosymmetric macrocyclic dinuclear complexes. Four classical hydrogen bonds between carboxylate groups and hydroxyethyl arms stabilize and extend the molecules into a two-dimensional supramolecular network. The topological analysis indicates that an unreported (3,5)-binodal supramolecular topology with a short Schläfli symbol of (4.5.6)(4.55.63.7) can be achieved by means of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure accounts for the potential to obtain unique topological types from two excellent hydrogen-bonding candidates,i.e.tmaH3and teaH3. A variable-temperature magnetic study shows the existence of antiferromagnetic behaviour in the complex.
Two-dimensional ZnIIand one-dimensional CoIIcoordination polymers based on benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate and pyridine ligands
Authors: Zhou Li-Juan , Han Chang-Bao , Wang Yu-Ling
Published: January 2016

Coordination polymers constructed from metal ions and organic ligands have attracted considerable attention owing to their diverse structural topologies and potential applications. Ligands containing carboxylate groups are among the most extensively studied because of their versatile coordination modes. Reactions of benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid (H2BDC) and pyridine (py) with ZnIIor CoIIyielded two new coordination polymers, namely, poly[(μ4-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylato-κ4O:O′:O′′:O′′′)(pyridine-κN)zinc(II)], [Zn(C8H4O2)(C5H5N)]n, (I), andcatena-poly[aqua(μ3-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylato-κ3O:O′:O′′)bis(pyridine-κN)cobalt(II)], [Co(C8H4O2)(C5H5N)2(H2O)]n, (II). In compound (I), the ZnIIcation is five-coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from four BDC2−ligands and one pyridine N atom in a distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry. Four carboxylate groups bridge two ZnIIions to form centrosymmetric paddle-wheel-like Zn2(μ2-COO)4units, which are linked by the benzene rings of the BDC2−ligands to generate a two-dimensional layered structure. The two-dimensional layer is extended into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure with the help of π–π stacking interactions between the aromatic rings. Compound (II) has a one-dimensional double-chain structure based on Co2(μ2-COO)2units. The CoIIcations are bridged by BDC2−ligands and are octahedrally coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms from three BDC2−ligands, one water O atom and two pyridine N atoms. Interchain O—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions link these chains to form a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.
Printed HF antennas for RFID on-metal transponders
Authors: Janeczek Kamil , Arazna Aneta , Salski Bartłomiej , Lipiec Krzysztof , Jakubowska Małgorzata
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate screen-printed high-frequency (HF) antennas for radio frequency identification (RFID) on-metal transponders in which a magnetic sheet was used as a substrate material.

Design/methodology/approach

– A transponder antenna was designed in the form of square coil using a high-frequency electromagnetic software. Then, the antenna was fabricated with screen printing technique on two different magnetic sheets (RFN4 and RFN7) and on polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) foil for comparison. Its printing was carried out with polymer pastes based on silver flakes (PM-406 and SF). Thickness, track width and spacing were examined for the antennas using digital microscope and contact profilometer. Resistance and inductance were also measured, and resonant frequency, quality factor and target values of capacitance to achieve resonant frequency of the tested antenna at 13.56 MHz were calculated. Finally, RFID chips were mounted to the prepared antennas using an isotropic conductive adhesive, and a maximum read distance was measured with a reader installed in a smartphone.

Findings

– It was found that an antenna thickness on the magnetic sheets used was higher than on PEN foil. At the same time, surface roughness of the fabricated antennas on these sheets was revealed to be higher as well. Inductance of the measured antennas exhibited good conformity with the antenna design, but higher divergence was noticed in the measured resistance. Its lowest value was achieved when the antenna was printed with the paste PM-406 on PEN foil and the highest one when it was fabricated with the paste SF on the same substrate. This suggests that high attention needs to be paid to a polymer paste selected for antenna printing. The performed tests showed that the magnetic sheet RFN4 seems to be better substrate for on-metal transponders compared to RFN7 due to lower resistance and higher quality factor of the prepared antennas.

Research limitations/implications

– Further investigations are required to examine mechanical and thermal durability of the HF antennas printed on the magnetic sheets.

Practical implications

– The investigated HF antennas fabricated on magnetic sheets can find application in near field communication (NFC) transponders designed to be placed on metallic surfaces, e.g. on frames of advertising screens.

Originality/value

– Influence of used magnetic sheets and polymer pastes on geometry and electrical properties of HF antennas for RFID on-metal transponders was investigated. The presented investigations can be interesting for NFC/RFID designers who are involved in designing systems suitable for metallic surfaces.
Thermal properties of modified carbon films
Authors: Kalenik Jerzy , Kielbasinski Konrad , Firek Piotr , Czerwosz Elżbieta , Szmidt Jan
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present thermal properties of palladium-carbon films prepared by physical vapour deposition (PVD)/chemical vapour deposition (CVD) methods.

Design/methodology/approach

– Thin palladium-carbon films were prepared at Tele- and Radioresearch Institute. Test structures containing palladium-carbon films and titanium electrodes were made. Temperature-resistance characteristics were measured.

Findings

– The results show strong temperature dependence of modified carbon film resistance. The dependence is stable, and so modified carbon films can be applied for various electronic applications.

Originality/value

– The paper presents thermal properties of thin palladium-carbon prepared by original PVD/CVD method at Tele- and Radioresearch Institute.
Measuring employee perception of performance management system effectiveness
Authors: Sharma Neha Paliwal , Sharma Tanuja , Agarwal Madhushree Nanda
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Concerns about the effectiveness of performance management systems (PMS) have long-driven researchers and practitioners to explore ways of measuring it. It is imperative for organizations to understand, how employees perceive the effectiveness of their PMS, for positive employee outcomes. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to explore the operationalization of the construct “employee perception of PMS effectiveness” (PMSE). An evidence of construct validity for the “two-factor PMS effectiveness” measure with perceived “PMS accuracy” and “PMS fairness” as its two factors is provided. In addition, a scale to measure “employee perception of PMS accuracy” is developed.

Design/methodology/approach

– Mixed-methods research methodology.

Findings

– Findings confirmed the possible existence of the two-factor PMSE construct, with PMS accuracy and fairness as its factors. Construct validity is established through its correlations with important outcome variables. The development of a valid and reliable 12-item scale for perceived PMS accuracy (Cronbachαvalue=0.83) is an additional key contribution.

Research limitations/implications

– The research presents opportunities for future empirical studies to examine the influence of PMS accuracy and effectiveness on employee outcomes (engagement, retention, etc.). Researchers may also cross-validate the PMSE measure in different socio-cultural contexts.

Practical implications

– The perceived PMS accuracy and effectiveness measures can serve as powerful investigative tools to measure employee perceptions regarding PMS. It can help organizations identify and correct the shortcomings in their existing PMS.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to offer a cogent conceptualization and operationalization of employee perceptions of PMS accuracy and effectiveness. Hence, it has key implications for academics and practitioners.
Temporary agency workers shake a work community: a social capital perspective
Authors: Viitala Riitta , Kantola Jenni
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the kinds of effects that using a temporary agency workforce may cause on an organisational level, especially on relations between employees. In this study the authors explore the organisation as a community, leaning on the theory of social capital.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data were gathered via semi-structured interviews with 18 temporary agency workers and five employees in permanent positions. Discourse analysis with some degree of pragmatism was employed in comprehending the speech of the interviewees.

Findings

– The position of agency workers may be problematic from the perspective of social capital formulation in a work organisation. The short duration of contracts and different conditions of employment shake relations in a work group. Agency workers may also be outside the information flows. Additionally the norms and rules may be different for temporary and permanent employees and thus cause confusion.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings will hopefully provoke researchers to investigate the effects of using a temporary agency workforce in different organisational contexts. In addition, the study indicates that the theory of social capital is fruitful for investigating the topic on the organisational level.

Practical implications

– The use of agency workforce should be considered comprehensively in organisations. Its effects on work organisations may be conflicting. If temporary agency workers are needed as interim help, HRM practices should be developed in order to minimise the potential problems in terms of social capital.

Originality/value

– The study adopted an organisational perspective on the agency workforce, which is still rare in studies on the topic.
Technology induced competitive advantage: a case of US lodging industry
Authors: Bilgihan Anil , Wang Youcheng
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this research is to assist hospitality organizations to better deploy and manage their information technology (IT) resources and enhance overall effectiveness by demonstrating how technologies can be used as a competitive weapon at various levels from a managerial perspective. Both academia and practitioners attempt to understand the driving factors of IT-induced competitive advantage. While some firms enjoy competitive advantage through IT, others struggle to gain such competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

– AHLA E-Commerce and Technology Committee members were interviewed for their knowledge and insight toward the perceived problem. The committee comprises technology executives who meet twice per year to discuss the changing face of technology and e-business in the hospitality industry. Participants of this study consisted of vice presidents, CTO/CIOs of hotels, CEOs of hospitality technology vendors and academics who focus on hospitality technology research.

Findings

– Findings indicate that IT-induced competitive advantage is possible when hotels choose to integrate all the possible technologies in the organization with a harmony that creates synergy. To create IT-induced competitive advantage, firms also need to allocate resources (human, knowledge and capital) effectively and invest in innovative and sophisticated technologies.

Research limitations/implications

– IT can be used to create competitive advantage by means of differentiation, innovation, channel domination, cost reductions and efficiency improvements.

Practical implications

– Four distinct stages of IT usage were identified. The first is the operation stage which includes technologies that are solely used to manage daily business operations. The second is the enhancement stage where IT applications are used to increase productivity and efficiency. IT applications at the strategic stage improves intra-organization and inter-organizational business processes. Finally, IT applications at the transformation stage enable companies to achieve the maximum competitive advantage.

Originality/value

– The current research serves to fill the gap between academia and industry.
Online impulse buying of tourism products
Authors: Rezaei Sajad , Ali Faizan , Amin Muslim , Jayashree Sreenivasan
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the structural relationship between web site personality, utilitarian web browsing, hedonic web browsing and online impulse buying of tourism products.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 405 valid online questionnaires were collected to empirically test the measurement and structural model using partial least square path modelling approach, a variance-based structural equation modelling technique. The study sample includes experienced online shoppers who performed shopping tourism products and services via internet medium.

Findings

– The results imply that web site personality is a second-order reflective construct comprising solidity, enthusiasm, genuineness, sophistication and unpleasantness. web site personality positively influences utilitarian web browsing, hedonic web browsing and online impulse buying; and both hedonic web browsing and utilitarian web browsing positively influence online impulse buying.

Originality/value

– Online impulse buying of tourism products has not been profoundly explored in current literature, despite its important implication for managers, academicians and consumers alike. This study contributes to the field of e-commerce marketing, retailing and e-tourism research.
Time-related factors influencing on an itinerary planning system
Authors: Angskun Jitimon , Korbua Sasiwimon , Angskun Thara
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to focus on time-related factors influencing on an itinerary planning system. The research objective is to produce an itinerary planning system which balances between the limited time of traveler and the number of tourist attractions they can visit. This system should facilitate travelers by presenting candidate itineraries that visit attractions as much as possible under several time-related factors.

Design/methodology/approach

– To achieve the goal, an itinerary planning system has been designed and developed. The system considers several time-related factors including acceptable total travel time specified by travelers, time-related factors at an attraction (e.g. time zones, opening hours and visiting time) and time-related factors of traveling (e.g. road obstructions, weather, date and time and rest time). A routing algorithm which is aware of these time-related factors has been introduced to find candidate itineraries.

Findings

– The performance of developed itinerary planning system has been evaluated by measuring speed and accuracy of seven traveling situations under different time-related factors. The experimental results indicate that the proposed routing algorithm spends less planning time than the traditional exhaustive routing algorithm. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm over the exhaustive algorithm is approximately 46 per cent while the accuracy is equal. Additionally, this designed system is evaluated by usability testing from nine experts. The evaluation is performed by measuring the user satisfaction level with the ability of user–system interaction. The results show that the overall system usability is in very satisfied level.

Research limitations/implications

– The designed itinerary planning system has three limitations. First, Google maps technology could not find information of some tourist attractions because these places were marked with several coordinates on the map. Second, holiday periods are manually kept into the database of system; therefore, it is necessary to annually and manually update the information. Third, the developed system is an online planner; thus, the speed of system depends on the bandwidth of users.

Practical implications

– The designed itinerary planning system considers time-related factors as much as possible and more than the existing planning systems. This implies that the designed system is one of the most accurate planning systems in practice. Thus, the tourism business could rely on the developed itinerary planning system to help travel agents plan a travel itinerary properly and receive an accurate and up-to-date travel explanation to their customers.

Originality/value

– This research proposes the novel design and implementation of an itinerary planning system which can suggest candidate itineraries, which visit maximum attractions under several time-related factors.
Work attitudes of Generation Y in Macau’s hotel industry: management’s perspective
Authors: Fok Raymond H.M. , Yeung Ruth M. W.
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This study aims to explore the factors that affect the work attitudes of Generation Y towards the hotel industry in Macau from the perspective of senior management.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a purposeful sampling method, an in-depth interview with five executives in the hotel industry who are having a supervisory or managerial role from different departments and types of hotels was undertaken; the executives have a supervisory or managerial role from different departments and types of hotel.

Findings

– The results reveal that attitudes of Generation Y lack the key aspects that potential staff should carry, but organizational culture and human resource management strategies, as well as external environment, can influence Generation Y’s work attitudes and loyalty. The findings also indicate that building Generation Y’s positive work attitudes and moderating the negatives are vital roles of human resource management strategy to maintain service performance.

Originality/value

– A comprehensive Generation Y work-attitude framework is developed, and this study incorporates practitioner engagement in real-world practice, which impacts upon service performance in the hotel industry.
US and Chinese perceptions of simulated US courtesy
Authors: Li Jing , Canziani Bonnie , Hsieh Yuchin
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to identify similarities and differences in US and Chinese subjects’ emotional responses to and perceptions of courtesy of simulated English-language communication prompts.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected through a web-based stimulus administered on US and Chinese students. Subject responses to eye contact and smile images and a set of verbal expressions were measured on ratings of emotion and courtesy.

Findings

– Smiling with direct eye contact and warmed-up verbal expressions were found to elicit a higher level of emotional response and were perceived as viable server politeness cues. US and Chinese participants had similar responses to facial and verbal prompts.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to understanding about service employee cues, such as courtesy, that can influence service quality in a cross-cultural tourism setting.
Induction of melasma by 1064‐nm Q‐switched neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser therapy for acquired bilateral nevus of Ota‐like macules (Hori nevus): A study on related factors in the Chinese population
Authors: Wang Ben , Xie Hong‐fu , Tan Jun , Xie Hong‐ju , Xu Lin‐yong , Ding Rong , Liu Fang‐fen , Chen Xiang , Jian Dan , Li Ji
Published: January 2016

Laser treatment has emerged as a common treatment modality for acquired bilateral nevus of Ota‐like macules (ABNOM). To identify the ratio of melasma induction and exacerbation before and after laser therapy for ABNOM and to observe the risk factors related to the induction and exacerbation of melasma by laser therapy, we analyzed related factors of 1268 adult Chinese patients who underwent 1064‐nm Q‐switched neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (QNYL) treatment using case series and case–control studies. Overall, 24.0% of the ABNOM patients had mixed melasma. Among the ABNOM patients without melasma, after laser therapy the development of melasma was more frequently noted in patients older than 35 years (P < 0.0001), as well in patients whose ABNOM was less than 10 cm2 (P = 0.027), ABNOM were light (similar to yellow‐brown) in color (P = 0.021) and skin types were closer to type IV (P < 0.0001). New melasma lesions also appeared most frequently in the zygomatic region (P < 0.0001). Among the ABNOM patients with melasma, 89.5% experienced worsening of their melasma, irrespective of their related factors above. We concluded that the risk of inducing melasma is great after 1064‐nm QNYL treatment in ABNOM patients, and particularly in the patients with both ABNOM and melasma. ABNOM patients should be treated as early as possible and before the age of 35 years.
Using dynamic occupancy models to inform climate change adaptation strategies for California spotted owls
Authors: Jones Gavin M. , Gutiérrez Ralph J. , Tempel Douglas J. , Zuckerberg Benjamin , Peery M. Zachariah
Published: January 2016

Management strategies intended to reduce the impacts of future climate change on montane species ought to consider fine‐scale variation in microclimate (e.g. because of topography) and vegetation conditions that create climate refugia. Identifying potential refugia and quantifying their importance is facilitated by analytical approaches that explicitly model associations between dynamic population processes and environmental conditions.

We developed a population model to project future site occupancy dynamics in spotted owls Strix occidentalis under climate change and forest‐management scenarios. The model was parameterized with statistical relationships derived from dynamic occupancy analyses applied to 20 years of spotted owl presence/nondetection data in the Sierra Nevada, California, USA. This approach allowed us to link colonization and extinction processes with spatial and temporal variation in vegetation characteristics, microclimate and weather while accounting for imperfect detection.

Occupancy analyses indicated that greater prevalence of closed‐canopy forest in owl sites was associated with lower extinction and higher colonization rates. Both rates increased following consecutive warm summers, but warm summer temperatures had a greater effect on extinction than colonization. Following the warmest summers, extinction was most likely to occur in owl sites with cool microclimates and relatively little closed‐canopy forest, but extinction became considerably less likely in cool microclimates when greater amounts of closed‐canopy forest were present. By comparison, extinction probability was lower at owl sites with warmer microclimates and relatively invariant to the amount of closed‐canopy forest present.

Simulations of our population model suggested that managing for greater amounts of closed‐canopy forest may ameliorate the potential negative effects of warm summer temperatures by the mid‐century, especially at high elevations. The model also allowed us to identify sites where potential management efforts would be most effective.

Synthesis and applications. By modelling environmental processes influencing site colonization and extinction dynamics, we were able to identify features of potential climate change refugia for a montane species of management interest that could be promoted by land managers to increase species persistence. We also provided a general, process‐based population modelling approach for projecting changes in animal populations and developing habitat‐based climate change adaptation strategies using presence/nondetection data.
Referendums on Membership and European Integration 1972–2015
Authors: Qvortrup Matt
Published: January 2016

There are many myths about referendums. The most common one is that voters are inherently sceptical and tend to vote no when given the opportunity. This article analyses some of the commonly held ‘truths’ about referendums on EU matters. Based on a statistical analysis of all forty‐three EU‐related referendums since 1972, it shows that governments tend to lose referendums if they have been in office for a long time, that emotive words on the ballot paper are correlated with a high yes vote and that a high turnout is correlated with a vote against European integration, but campaign spending is inconsequential. Based solely on statistical evidence from the previous forty‐three referendums, the opponents of EU membership will win the Brexit referendum.
Healthy Food Stores, Greenlining and Food Gentrification: Contesting New Forms of Privilege, Displacement and Locally Unwanted Land Uses in Racially Mixed Neighborhoods
Authors: Anguelovski Isabelle
Published: January 2016

Local activists engaged in contemporary environmental justice struggles not only fight against traditional forms of hazardous locally unwanted land uses (LULUs), they also organize to make their neighborhoods livable and green. However, urban environmental justice activism is at a crossroads: as marginalized neighborhoods become revitalized, outside investors start to value them again and they themselves invest in green amenities. Yet vulnerable residents are now raising concerns about the risk of displacement from their neighborhoods in consequence of environmental gentrification processes. Their fear is linked to environmental amenities such as new parks or remodeled waterfronts, as well as (most recently) healthy food stores. Using the case of a conflict around a new Whole Foods supermarket in Boston, MA, I examine how food venues and stores labeled as healthy and natural can create socio‐spatial inequality together with privilege, exclusion and displacement in racially diverse neighborhoods. I analyze how high‐end supermarket chains target inner‐city neighborhoods for their growth and profit potential, and demonstrate that their arrival contributes to what I call ‘supermarket greenlining'. This greenlining illustrates the process of food gentrification, and the manipulation of health and sustainability discourses about food by healthy and natural food investors and their supporters. The opening of high‐end supermarkets thus converts such stores into new LULUs for historically marginalized groups.
Educational effectiveness of gynaecological teaching associates: a multi‐centre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Duffy JMN , Chequer S , Braddy A , Mylan S , Royuela A , Zamora J , Ip J , Hayden S , Showell M , Kinnersley P , Chenoy R , Westwood OM , Khan KS , Cushing A
Published: January 2016

Objective

To evaluate, among medical students learning the female pelvic examination, the added benefits of training by gynaecological teaching associates compared with training involving a manikin only.

Design

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Nine university teaching hospitals.

Population

Ninety‐four medical students recruited prior to commencing a 4‐week obstetrics and gynaecology rotation.

Methods

The control training consisted of lectures, demonstration of the pelvic examination on a manikin, and opportunities to practise on this low‐fidelity simulation (n = 40). The experimental group received additional gynaecological teaching associate training, delivered by pairs of experienced associates to groups of four medical students (n = 54).

Main outcome measures

Outcomes measured at the end of the rotation included knowledge of the correct order of examination components (Yes/No), and student comfort [Likert scales anchored between 1 (very uncomfortable) and 4 (very comfortable) on four items] and confidence [Likert scales anchored between 1 (No) and 3 (Yes) on six items]. The primary outcome, measured at the end of the academic year, was the objective structured clinical examination of a female pelvis (score range 0–54).

Results

At baseline, the groups were similar in age, gender, and ethnicity. At the end of the clinical rotation, when compared with the control intervention, the experimental intervention had a moderate effect on student knowledge [difference 29.9% (95% CI 11.2–48.6%); P = 0.002] and confidence [difference 1 (95% CI 0‐2); P < 0.001], and a large effect on student comfort [difference 1.8 (95% CI 0.6–3.0); P = 0.004]. At the end of the academic year, the experimental intervention had no impact on skills compared with the control [difference 2 (95% CI–1 to 4); P = 0.26].

Conclusions

Among medical students taught the female pelvic examination by low‐fidelity simulation, additional training by gynaecology teaching associates improved knowledge, comfort, and confidence at the end of the clinical rotation but did not improve examination skills at end of the academic year.