bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conceptualizing meaningful work and its implications for HRD
Authors: You Jieun , Kim Seonghye , Kim Keunho , Cho Ahro , Chang Wonsup
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Human resource development (HRD) research and practice mostly have focused on performance improvement although HRD fundamentally pursues human development as a whole. The purpose of this study is to conceptualize meaningful work in the context of HRD and provide implications for HRD research and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This study reviewed the literature on topics such as meaningful work, the meaning of work, workplace spirituality, the value of work and work as a calling, to understand the concept of meaningful work. In addition, this study reviewed existing studies on meaningful work in HRD journals to investigate the current status of meaningful work research within the field of HRD. This study reviewed the related literature such as meaningful work, the meaning of work, workplace spirituality, the value of work and work as a calling, to understand the concept of meaningful work. In addition, this study reviewed the existing studies on meaningful work in HRD journals to investigate the current status of meaningful work research in HRD.

Findings

The findings of this study identified three main themes in conceptualizing meaningful work, namely, positivity; significance and purpose; and human fulfillment. The authors also suggest that the meaningful work discourse in HRD expands a research boundary of HRD and enables a holistic approach to HRD research and practice.

Research limitations/implications

For future research, the authors recommend that HRD research deepens its understanding of meaningful work and its related concepts. They also recommend studies pursuing empirical evidence to reveal the significance of meaningful work.

Originality/value

Given the limited studies on meaningful work in HRD and a lack of understanding of meaningful work, this study proposes a comprehensive understanding of meaningful work, especially within the HRD context. This study also suggests a holistic approach to HRD by stressing a humanistic perspective beyond the performance-oriented HRD.
Job qualification programs for young apprentices: an analysis in the Brazilian Midwest
Authors: Lima Alex Felipe Rodrigues , Ribeiro Felipe Garcia , Teixeira Gibran da Silva
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate five job qualification programs for young apprentices, in Goiás, a Brazilian State. We expect to contribute to the improvement and strengthening of the job training programs in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

We applied propensity score matching and extensions such as the generalized propensity score method (dose–response effect).

Findings

We found evidence of the heterogenous effects of the five job qualification programs on employability. We found that the duration of the programs influences employability in up to two years after the program.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on secondary data provided by the responsible institutions. The evidence is obtained through a nonexperimental method.

Practical implications

The research has implications for public or private institutions dedicated to the professional qualification of young apprentices.

Social implications

The findings of the study provide some ways of comparing training programs, for young workers, that can be applied in different types of institutions.

Originality/value

This study provides new insight about the professional qualification of young apprentices, by comparing fives programs in Midwest Brazil.
Who is included in VET, who not?
Authors: Scharnhorst Ursula , Kammermann Marlise
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The paper describes the Swiss Vocational Education and Training (VET) system, its crucial role and challenges with respect to the inclusion of vulnerable groups and investigates the effectiveness of the efforts undertaken to promote inclusion in VET so far.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical research focusing on various indicators of inclusion (national monitoring data and own studies) is analysed.

Findings

The overall findings show that equity and inclusion of persons with a migration background or special education needs in VET have been successfully promoted but can be improved.

Research limitations/implications

Long-term, in-depth longitudinal data regarding some issues are still scarce.

Practical implications

The paper provides information about young people having difficulties to access and complete VET or who are at-risk of exclusion and points out further courses of action.

Originality/value

A comprehensive and detailed account of the current state of inclusion in Swiss VET and of related systemic problems is given.
Which factors influence locals’ and visitors’ overall restaurant evaluations?
Authors: Pezenka Ilona , Weismayer Christian
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Few studies to date have explored factors contributing to the dining experience from a visitor’s perspective. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether different restaurant attributes are critical in evaluating the restaurant experience in online reviews for visitors (non-local) and local guests.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 100,831 online restaurant reviews retrieved from TripAdvisor are analyzed by using domain-specific aspect-based sentiment detection. The influence of different restaurant features on the overall evaluation of visitors and locals is determined and the most critical factors are identified by the frequency of their online discussion.

Findings

There are significant differences between locals and visitors regarding the impact of busyness, payment options, atmosphere and location on the overall star rating. Furthermore, the valence of the factors drinks, facilities, food, busyness and menu found in the reviews also differs significantly between the two types of guests.

Practical implications

The findings of this study help restaurant managers to better understand the different customer needs. Based on the results, they can better decide which restaurant aspects should receive the most attention to ensure that customers are satisfied.

Originality/value

Research on online reviews has largely neglected the role of different visitation motives. This study assumes that the reviews of local and non-local restaurant visitors are based on different factors and separates them to gain a more fine-grained and realistic picture of the relevant factors for each particular group.
How we roll: A fire engine to every call? Fire department resource allocation and firefighter support in the United States
Authors: Griffith John Clark , Roberts Donna L.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Emergency service departments face changing mission requirements, budget constraints and a demanding work environment. This study examined the perceptions of fire chiefs, officers and firefighters who attended the National Professional Development Symposium on the use of a tiered approach when responding to calls, the continued increase in medical calls and mental health services available to fire service personnel.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined the perceptions of fire chiefs, officers and firefighters who attended the National Professional Development Symposium on the use of a tiered approach when responding to calls, the continued increase in medical calls and mental health services available to fire service personnel.

Findings

Survey respondents indicated that they either are currently or would consider using a tiered approach to sending a fire engine and crew or a lighter vehicle to medical or other calls based requirements identified using a tiered approach.

Research limitations/implications

This idea has future implications regarding the vehicle mix of fire stations as administrators seek to meet the needs of the public most effectively. Survey responses also noted the need for mental health services arguing that care seeking firefighters should have the option of getting mental health services within the station or at an external location. Calls involving babies or young children were overwhelming cited as the most difficult. Additionally, 95% of respondents indicated a belief that most firefighters suffer from PTSD.

Practical implications

Recommendations include: A larger scale survey and analysis of first responder perceptions based on this study. Identifying “best practices” of the most effective “tiered response” approaches to deploying emergency services resources to calls. Studying Mental Health services combating PTSD to identify best practices. Lastly, emergency services administrators should consider changes to the “vehicle mix” when equipping or reequipping stations.

Social implications

Social implications include use of a “tiered response” approach to emergency calls and focusing how best to support the mental health needs of firefighters.

Originality/value

Fire Departments are only beginning to explore the idea of using a tiered response to respond to emergencies. This study identifies both short and long term implications of using a tired approach. A secondary emphasis of this study explores difficult calls and PTSD issues faced by firefighters.
The effects of political, economic and financial components of country risk on housing prices in South Africa
Authors: Muzindutsi Paul-Francois , Jamile Sanelisiwe , Zibani Nqubeko , Obalade Adefemi A.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The housing market in South Africa has the potential to drive economic growth and attract foreign investment, but it can be affected by various risk factors. This paper aims to conduct an empirical analysis of the effect of country risk components on the housing market in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Linear and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models were used to evaluate the effects of the economic, financial and political risk factors of country risk on the prices of different segments of houses based on 276 monthly time-series data from January1995 to December 2015.

Findings

First, the results established that the three housing indices were more sensitive to political risk in the long run. Second, short run results showed that the three housing indices were largely influenced by their own preceding adjustments in the short run albeit minimal influences from political risk. Third, large housing segments indicated a higher magnitude of the country risk effect in South Africa.

Originality/value

This paper concluded that the response of housing prices to changes in the country risk components differed across the three segments of the housing market in South Africa. Consequently, this study presented the first comparison of the reactions of different housing segments to different components country risk.
Key middle manager trustworthy behaviours that enhance operator participation in continuous improvement systems
Authors: Lleo Alvaro , Viles Elisabeth , Jurburg Daniel , Santos Javier
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to identify key middle manager trustworthy behaviours that encourage employees’ participation in continuous improvement activities in industrial contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The list of behaviours has been developed in two different phases. First, the authors conducted two concept mappings with operators and middle managers and, subsequently, the authors combined and integrated both points of view. Second, the authors developed an expert panel with researchers, consultants and experienced practitioners of industrial management for debugging and reducing the results, presenting the final list of behaviours.

Findings

This work presents 55 different middle manager trustworthy behaviours divided into four different categories: human qualities; training and development; technical and managerial competencies; and team building.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to existing literature about sustainable continuous improvement systems highlighting the role of middle managers and proposes a set of specific middle manager trustworthy behaviours for increasing supervisors’ influence on operator participation.

Originality/value

After extracting the knowledge of different stakeholders, the list of behaviours identified can serve as a useful tool for recruiting, training, evaluating and developing a supervisors’ managerial style that enhances operator participation in continuous improvement activities.
Applying sustainability into engineering curriculum under the background of “new engineering education” (NEE)
Authors: Qu Zejing , Huang Wen , Zhou Zhengjun
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of applying sustainability to the engineering curriculum at a university in China.

Design/methodology/approach

A new curriculum, “ethics, involvement and sustainability,” was designed and presented to engineering students from an undergraduate major in quality management engineering. This curriculum incorporated knowledge acquisition and skills training into sustainability via various teaching approaches in a mandatory curriculum at Tongling University, China. Pre- and post-questionnaire surveys, as well as a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model, were adopted to evaluate the changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of respondents before and after curriculum implementation.

Findings

Significant changes in knowledge and attitudes were observed following the implementation of the curriculum. In terms of the development of new behaviors, the changes tended to be moderate. Generally, respondents were satisfied with the effectiveness of the new interdisciplinary curriculum post-implementation.

Practical implications

Positive results were observed for the pilot and practice of the new engineering education (NEE) strategy at the cooperating university in China. Specifically, the integration of sustainability into curriculum design, implementation and evaluation inspired greater social responsibility in engineering students’ decision-making processes. Additionally, it shed light on how to integrate the concept of sustainability into curricula. One limitation of this study was the absence of a comparison group that did not experience the new curriculum.

Originality/value

Scant attention has been paid to local universities in the context of the newly-launched NEE strategy. This study provides new insight regarding the implementation of sustainability into engineering curricula and practice via formal, but diversified, teaching approaches.
The impact of consumer knowledge on profitable consumer loyalty through perceived service quality and psychological involvement in non-profit sport clubs
Authors: Behnam Mohsen , Pyun Do Young , Doyle Jason P. , Delshab Vahid
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to test the influence of consumer knowledge management on attitudinal and behavioral loyalty through service quality and psychological involvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants (N = 396) were recruited through a convenience sampling technique from non-profit sport clubs in Iran. Data were analyzed with the Structural Equation Modeling using Mplus 7.4.

Findings

The results revealed that the effects of service quality on psychological involvement were dependent on consumer knowledge management. Furthermore, there were the mediating effects of service quality and psychological involvement in the relationships between the consumer knowledge management and loyalty.

Practical implications

The research findings provide valuable insights for non-profit sport club managers seeking to better attract and retain their consumers by demonstrating the importance of investing in consumer knowledge management initiatives. Managers should thus integrate knowledge orientation into their marketing and relationship management strategies and apply the strategy into consumer knowledge within club services.

Originality/value

This study empirically highlights the important role of knowledge from, for and about the consumer on perceived service quality and loyalty building among the non-profit consumer base.
Improved random sampling consensus algorithm for vision navigation of intelligent harvester robot
Authors: Li Bin , Yang Yu , Qin Chengshuai , Bai Xiao , Wang Lihui
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Focusing on the problem that the visual detection algorithm of navigation path line in intelligent harvester robot is susceptible to interference and low accuracy, a navigation path detection algorithm based on improved random sampling consensus is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

First, inverse perspective mapping was applied to the original images of rice or wheat to restore the three-dimensional spatial geometric relationship between rice or wheat rows. Second, set the target region and enhance the image to highlight the difference between harvested and unharvested rice or wheat regions. Median filter is used to remove the intercrop gap interference and improve the anti-interference ability of rice or wheat image segmentation. The third step is to apply the method of maximum variance to thresholding the rice or wheat images in the operation area. The image is further segmented with the single-point region growth, and the harvesting boundary corner is detected to improve the accuracy of the harvesting boundary recognition. Finally, fitting the harvesting boundary corner point as the navigation path line improves the real-time performance of crop image processing.

Findings

The experimental results demonstrate that the improved random sampling consensus with an average success rate of 94.6% has higher reliability than the least square method, probabilistic Hough and traditional random sampling consensus detection. It can extract the navigation line of the intelligent combine robot in real time at an average speed of 57.1 ms/frame.

Originality/value

In the precision agriculture technology, the accurate identification of the navigation path of the intelligent combine robot is the key to realize accurate positioning. In the vision navigation system of harvester, the extraction of navigation line is its core and key, which determines the speed and precision of navigation.
Exploring management control system typologies: an organisation-level view
Authors: Jukka Tapio , Pellinen Jukka
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Management controls are the processes and mechanisms managers use to influence the behaviour of individuals and groups towards the organisation’s objectives and goals. Discrete management controls and management control system (MCS) frameworks have been extensively researched, but there is little research on organisation-level MCS types. This study aims to identify organisation-level MCS types.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on the MCS type literature, the competing values framework and the upper echelons theory to form organisation effectiveness and top management team constructs to characterise firms. Cluster analysis was used to group a sample of 318 firm-years into MCS types.

Findings

This study reports a theory-based measurement construct that is initially validated with new empirical data. The authors found from the empirical data four different categories of firms based on the general type of their MCSs labelled clan, adhocracy, market and hierarchy.

Originality/value

This study makes two contributions to the MCS literature. Firstly, it presents a theory-based measurement construct to identify organisational and top management attributes that can be used to classify organisations’ overall MCS types. Secondly, it demonstrates how information from annual reports and other publicly available data sources can be used to identify the overall MCS types of organisations.
Accountability moderates the effects of egoistic and altruistic appeals in prosocial messages
Authors: Pittman Matthew
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify the relationship between consumer accountability and responses to egoistic and altruistic appeals. It proposes that when consumers’ relationships with others are heightened in the form of accountability, different prosocial message appeals become effective. The study expands the understanding of how marketing may enhance the efficacy of prosocial campaign messages.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilized three online experimental studies to test hypotheses across different population samples and health product categories. Self-benefit and other-benefit appeals were tested to decrease meat consumption (Study 1), increase vaccination intent (Study 2) and purchase oxybenzone-free sunscreen (Study 3). Results provide converging evidence for the proposed interaction between appeal type and accountability.

Findings

When consumers believe their choices will be known or discussed with others, they are more persuaded by other-benefit or altruistic appeals. Contrary to some existing research, Study 3 found that when public accountability was heightened, hybrid appeals were less effective than a solely altruistic appeal in generating purchase intent, digital engagement and attitude change, even controlling for social desirability.

Research limitations/implications

Public accountability was manipulated only in an online setting, and future studies should replicate with greater ecological validity. Results inform how scholars, brands and organizations should approach message efficacy in prosocial campaigns, particularly when an individual’s relationship with others may become salient.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development and deployment of various organizational strategies such as changing the appeal depending on where a message will be viewed by consumers. Importantly for digital campaigns, maximum digital engagement arises from an altruistic appeal in a public context.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to understand how organizations can successfully encourage prosocial consumer behavior, as well as bridges literature gaps on accountability and appeal efficacy.
The impact of the 34th America's cup on taxable sales in the San Francisco bay area
Authors: Kahane Leo H.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

An economic impact study conducted in 2010 predicted that hosting the 34th America's Cup in 2013 would result in $1.37 billion in total economic benefits to the San Francisco Bay Area. The goal of this paper is to examine the ex post effects of this competition on real taxable sales in the Bay Area.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel data set of quarterly observations on taxable sales transactions for all counties in the state of California is employed. These data are explored using two estimation methodologies: difference-in-differences and synthetic control.

Findings

Results from a difference-in-differences analysis and a synthetic control analysis produce similar findings. Namely, the 34th America's Cup competition appears to have had a minimal, short-lived impact on San Francisco and no measurable impact on two nearby counties.

Practical implications

The empirical results in this paper underscore the findings of previous research showing that ex ante economic impact studies tend to overstate the net economic benefits of hosting mega-events.

Social implications

The results of this paper may serve as a warning to policy makers considering using tax dollars to host a mega-event that such events often do not generate the economic gains reported in typical economic impact studies.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to econometrically explore the impact of hosting the America's Cup on taxable sales transactions in a region. This paper also employs the relatively new empirical methodology called synthetic control.
Perceived overqualification and counterproductive work behavior: testing the mediating role of relative deprivation and the moderating role of ambition
Authors: Schreurs Bert , Hamstra Melvyn R.W. , Jawahar I.M. , Akkermans Jos
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to test the mediating role of relative deprivation in the relationship between perceived overqualification and counterproductive work behavior. In addition to testing this mediation, the authors posited that ambition would interact with perceived overqualification to predict relative deprivation and, through it, counterproductive work behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data collected from 181 employees were analyzed using the SPSS macro PROCESS to test the proposed moderated mediation model.

Findings

Results indicated that perceived overqualification positively associated with perceptions of relative deprivation, which were, in turn, positively related to counterproductive work behavior. This indirect relationship gained in strength with increasing levels of ambition.

Originality/value

By modeling and measuring relative deprivation, this study offers a direct test of the often-invoked relative deprivation explanation of the implications of perceived overqualification for counterproductive work behavior. The study also shows how ambition can have unintended consequences.
The consequence of waiters’ professional identity on passion for work and its effects on employee turnover: a qualitative approach
Authors: Jerez-Jerez M.J. , Melewar T.C.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Purpose- This study aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between waiters’ professional identity and its antecedents such as work interaction, identity interferences, stigma, standardisation brand, authenticity, extroversion and education. “Salience” will be used as a moderator of this relationship to explain the prominence of the stimuli. The consequences of professional identity on passion and turnover intention will be analysed.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative methodology, which encompassed 3 focus group discussions (18 participants) and 11 in-depth interviews. Participants will be based on Michelin-starred restaurants in London. Founded on analysis of the qualitative data, the antecedents and consequences of professional identity were formulated.

Findings

Findings demonstrate that the main factors of the formation of waiters’ professional identity are work interaction, identity interferences, stigma, standardisation brand, authenticity, extroversion and education, its consequences (passion and turnover intention) and salience as a moderator of this relationship to clarify the relevance of the stimuli. These factors have been demonstrated to have an effect on the formation of professional identity.

Originality/value

This study is relevant because the repercussion of perceptions, such as identity and identification for emerging exclusive job roles, is still under-examined in certain conditions. Restaurateurs need to work with and comprehend the quality individual framework of waiters in job roles because these have a stimulus on the fundamental interests, such as passion for work and turnover of the waiting workforce. Moreover, within the hospitality industry, there has been a predisposition to prominence more on chefs than waiting staff.
Motivating resellers of the international brand in competitive markets
Authors: Gupta Suraksha
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how brand managers can motivate resellers who are not directly associated with the brand and know the brand through a local or a national level distributor. Findings of this study provide insights into factors that can lead a brand manager motivate resellers through a reseller motivation pyramid.

Design/methodology/approach

Using qualitative data collected from brand managers, different themes of reseller motivations were evaluated.

Findings

An overlap between organizational goals, resource-related needs and capabilities of resellers are indicative of modification required in reseller management strategy to keep resellers motivated.

Research limitations/implications

This research suffers from lack of quantitative data that could enable the researcher to establish the linkages discussed.

Originality/value

This research extends current understanding about intrinsic motivations of resellers to promote a brand in competitive markets.
Exploring the factors influencing consumers’ virtual garment fit satisfactions
Authors: Buyukaslan Evrim , Baytar Fatma , Kalaoglu Fatma
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Virtual garment fit will be an important determinant for the online purchase decision of consumers in the near future. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual model to explore the factors that might impact consumers’ virtual garment fit satisfactions (VFS).

Design/methodology/approach

Virtual body satisfaction (VBS), acceptance of the virtual try-on technology and virtual fabric properties were examined as factors that would potentially impact consumers’ VFS. Forty-five women, from 18 to 35 years old, were recruited for the study. Participants were scanned by using a 3D body scanner and their scans were used for virtual try-on. Seven circular skirts with different fabric properties were created by using a commercial 3D simulation software. Participants evaluated the fit of these virtual skirts on their own virtual bodies. Participants’ VFSs and their correlations with VBSs, acceptance of virtual try-on technology and virtual fabric properties were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation test.

Findings

Participants’ VBSs at hips were correlated fairly good with their VFSs (r = 0.50, N = 180, p < 0.01) and their acceptance of virtual try-on technology was weakly correlated to VFSs (r = 0.24, N = 180, p < 0.01). However, no significant correlation was found between virtual fabric properties and participants’ VFSs.

Research limitations/implications

This study did not examine the ideal beauty notion, which may affect consumers’ expectations about how the garments should fit on them. Another limitation was the use of a single skirt design as a stimulus.

Originality/value

Studies that explore virtual garment fit often measure the garment ease or the virtual fabric tension and ignore consumer perspective, which is essential for online purchase decision. This study is unique as it prioritizes consumers’ perspectives.
Root trait responses to drought are more heterogeneous than leaf trait responses
Authors: Lozano Yudi M. , Aguilar‐Trigueros Carlos A. , Flaig Isabel C. , Rillig Matthias C.
Published: August 2020

Drought can strongly modify plant diversity and ecosystem processes. As droughts are expected to intensify in the future, it is important to better understand plant responses to this global driver. Root traits are an overlooked but powerful predictor of plant responses to drought because they are in direct contact with the soil environment and are responsible for taking up nutrients and water.

Here, we determine which root traits are sensitive to drought and the magnitude of that response. We also tested whether root trait relationships with shoot biomass are affected by drought and to what extent all these responses depend on plant species identity. To do so, we conducted a glasshouse experiment with 24 plant species grown in pots (10 replicates per species), which included grasses, forbs and legumes. All replicates were well watered during the first month and then half of them were kept under drought (30% water holding capacity [WHC]), with the other half serving as control (70% WHC). After 2 months of treatment, leaf and root traits were measured.

Leaf traits had a strong and more uniform response to drought compared to root traits. Root trait responses were variable and differed among plant species. Overall, grasses and several forbs had increased root diameter with drought while forbs had decreased specific root surface area (SRSA) and specific root length (SRL). Increase of root diameter and reduction of root elongation or sacrificing fine roots are different strategies that may promote nutrient and water acquisition, depending on plant species identity.

Our results identify changes in root morphological traits as mechanisms to likely tolerate drought and highlight that, although such drought responses are species‐specific, they are phylogenetically clustered.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Range‐extending tropical herbivores increase diversity, intensity and extent of herbivory functions in temperate marine ecosystems
Authors: Zarco‐Perello Salvador , Carroll Gemma , Vanderklift Mat , Holmes Thomas , Langlois Tim J. , Wernberg Thomas
Published: August 2020

Climate change is modifying species distributions around the world, forcing some species poleward, where they can alter trophic interactions. Many tropical herbivorous fishes have successfully expanded their ranges into temperate ecosystems, and while it is clear they drive increases in herbivory rates in specific localities, little is known about how they might affect the diversity of herbivory functions across large spatial scales, considering their interaction with assemblages of native herbivores in temperate habitats.

We assessed the spatial overlap and habitat associations of native temperate and range‐expanding tropical herbivorous fishes in six subregions of south‐western Australia to determine how incursions of tropical species may have affected the diversity, redundancy (index of uniqueness) and the ‘spatial extent’ (addition of functions in new areas) and ‘intensity’ (increasing density of functional groups) of specific herbivory functions in recipient ecosystems.

Tropical herbivores had high abundances in temperate ecosystems, forming schools from 40 (parrotfish) to 200 (rabbitfish) individuals strongly associated with seagrass meadows and reefs with high cover of turf algae. Overlap with temperate herbivores was highest in the northern subregions, forming unique assemblages, with no apparent species displacements. The addition of tropical species increased functional diversity and uniqueness (the complement of redundancy), introducing novel herbivory functions to many locations. Seagrass browsing increased in spatial extent (27%) and intensity (15×), while seaweed browsing and grazing increased in intensity by up to 2.5× in regions with high abundances of tropical herbivores.

Our results suggest that the diversity, intensity and spatial extent of different herbivory functions can change as tropical species with different habitat affinities, behaviours and diets shift their distributions poleward. Changes in functional redundancy are likely to be heterogeneous in space and might not increase initially because the diversity of herbivory functions is relatively low in some temperate marine ecosystems. However, there is the potential for greater redundancy as further tropical species arrive, their abundances increase and the spatial and functional overlap of communities rises.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Widespread and major losses in multiple ecosystem services as a result of agricultural expansion in the Argentine Chaco
Authors: Barral María Paula , Villarino Sebastian , Levers Christian , Baumann Matthias , Kuemmerle Tobias , Mastrangelo Matias
Published: August 2020

Where agriculture expands into tropical and subtropical forests, social–ecological impacts are typically strong. However, where and how frontier development impacts on ecosystem functioning and services is often unclear, including which services trade‐off against agricultural production. This constitutes a major barrier towards planning for more sustainable outcomes in deforestation frontiers.

Here we assessed spatiotemporal change in multiple ecosystem services in the Argentine Chaco, a global deforestation hotspot. We modelled and mapped five ecosystem functions (i.e. carbon storage in biomass, carbon storage in soil, erosion control, excess rainfall retention by vegetation and soil fertility) which together provide three ecosystem services (i.e. agricultural suitability, climate regulation and flood regulation) for 1985, 2000 and 2013. We then employed this information to identify and map: (a) main trade‐offs between ecosystem services and agricultural production, and (b) bundles of changes in ecosystem services through the use of Self‐Organizing Maps.

Our results highlight that land‐use changes since 1985 have led to widespread and drastic declines in ecosystem functions and services across the Argentine Chaco. Mean losses of ecosystem services ranged between 6% and 10% for flood regulation, climate regulation and agricultural suitability. The largest losses occurred in the Dry Chaco subregion between 2000 and 2013.

We find two main types of trade‐offs between regulating ecosystem services and agricultural production. Increases in crop and pasture production occurred along with large and moderate losses, respectively, in flood regulation and climate regulation over 20% of the region.

Our mapping of bundles identified five common patterns of change in ecosystem services, delineating areas of stable or degrading ecosystem service supply. This provides a powerful template for adaptive spatial planning.

Synthesis and applications. Using the Argentinean Chaco as an example, we demonstrate how combining fine‐scale land‐use maps with biophysical models provides deep insights into the spatiotemporal patterns of changes in ecosystem services, and their trade‐offs with agricultural production. The periodic updating of maps of trade‐offs and bundles of change in ecosystem services provides key inputs for the adaptive management of highly dynamic and threatened landscapes, such as those in tropical and subtropical deforestation frontiers.
Bacteriophage host range evolution through engineered enrichment bias, exploiting heterologous surface receptor expression
Authors: Zeng Ziyue , Salmond George P. C.
Published: August 2020

Research on the initial phage–host interaction has been conducted on a limited repertoire of phages and their cognate receptors, such as phage λ and the Escherichia coli LamB (EcLamB) protein. Apart from phage λ, little is known about other phages that target EcLamB. Here, we developed a simple method for isolating novel environmental phages in a predictable way, i.e. isolating phages that target a particular receptor(s) of a bacterium, in this case, the EcLamB protein. A plasmid (pMUT13) encoding the EcLamB porin was transferred into three different enterobacterial genera. By enrichment with these engineered bacteria, a number of phages (ZZ phages) that targeted EcLamB were easily isolated from the environment. Interestingly, although EcLamB‐dependent in their recombinant heterologous hosts, these newly isolated ZZ phages also targeted OmpC as an alternative receptor when infecting E. coli. Moreover, the phage host range was readily extended within three different bacterial genera with heterologously expressed EcLamB. Unlike phage λ, which is a member of the Siphoviridae family, these newly isolated EcLamB‐dependent phages were more commonly members of the Myoviridae family, based on transmission electron microscopy and genomic sequences. Modifications of this convenient and efficient phage enrichment method could be useful for the discovery of novel phages.
Life in hot acid: a genome‐based reassessment of the archaeal order Sulfolobales
Authors: Counts James A. , Willard Daniel J. , Kelly Robert M.
Published: August 2020

The order Sulfolobales was one of the first named Archaeal lineages, with globally distributed members from terrestrial thermal acid springs (pH < 4; T > 65°C). The Sulfolobales represent broad metabolic capabilities, ranging from lithotrophy, based on inorganic iron and sulfur biotransformations, to autotrophy, to chemoheterotrophy in less acidophilic species. Components of the 3‐hydroxypropionate/4‐hydroxybutyrate carbon fixation cycle, as well as sulfur oxidation, are nearly universally conserved, although dissimilatory sulfur reduction and disproportionation (Acidianus, Stygiolobus and Sulfurisphaera) and iron oxidation (Acidianus, Metallosphaera, Sulfurisphaera, Sulfuracidifex and Sulfodiicoccus) are limited to fewer lineages. Lithotrophic marker genes appear more often in highly acidophilic lineages. Despite the presence of facultative anaerobes and one confirmed obligate anaerobe, oxidase complexes (fox, sox, dox and a new putative cytochrome bd) are prevalent in many species (even facultative/obligate anaerobes), suggesting a key role for oxygen among the Sulfolobales. The presence of fox genes tracks with a putative antioxidant OsmC family peroxiredoxin, an indicator of oxidative stress derived from mixing reactive metals and oxygen. Extreme acidophily appears to track inversely with heterotrophy but directly with lithotrophy. Recent phylogenetic re‐organization efforts are supported by the comparative genomics here, although several changes are proposed, including the expansion of the genus Saccharolobus.
Impact of a quality improvement project to reduce the rate of obstetric anal sphincter injury: a multicentre study with a stepped‐wedge design
Authors: Gurol‐Urganci I , Bidwell P , Sevdalis N , Silverton L , Novis V , Freeman R , Hellyer A , van der Meulen J , Thakar R
Published: August 2020

Objective

To evaluate the impact of a care bundle (antenatal information to women, manual perineal protection and mediolateral episiotomy when indicated) on obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) rates.

Design

Multicentre stepped‐wedge cluster design.

Setting

Sixteen maternity units located in four regions across England, Scotland and Wales.

Population

Women with singleton live births between October 2016 and March 2018.

Methods

Stepwise region by region roll‐out every 3 months starting January 2017. The four maternity units in a region started at the same time. Multi‐level logistic regression was used to estimate the impact of the care bundle, adjusting for time trend and case‐mix factors (age, ethnicity, body mass index, parity, birthweight and mode of birth).

Main outcome measures

Obstetric anal sphincter injury in singleton live vaginal births.

Results

A total of 55 060 singleton live vaginal births were included (79% spontaneous and 21% operative). Median maternal age was 30 years (interquartile range 26–34 years) and 46% of women were primiparous. The OASI rate decreased from 3.3% before to 3.0% after care bundle implementation (adjusted odds ratio 0.80, 95% CI 0.65–0.98, P = 0.03). There was no evidence that the effect of the care bundle differed according to parity (P = 0.77) or mode of birth (P = 0.31). There were no significant changes in caesarean section (P = 0.19) or episiotomy rates (P = 0.16) during the study period.

Conclusions

The implementation of this care bundle reduced OASI rates without affecting caesarean section rates or episiotomy use. These findings demonstrate its potential for reducing perineal trauma during childbirth.

Tweetable abstract

OASI Care Bundle reduced severe perineal tear rates without affecting caesarean section rates or episiotomy use.
Portfolio allocation patterns and policy‐making effectiveness in minority coalition governments
Authors: KÖNIG THOMAS , LIN NICK
Published: August 2020

Although minority coalition has become a relatively frequent form of governance, it is often considered politically ineffective in policy making. To obtain sufficient support in parliament, government bills must go through the scrutiny activities initiated by coalition partners and overcome the concerns of external support parties in opposition. By examining parliamentary scrutiny on government bills, this paper explains the surprising policy‐making effectiveness in minority coalition governments. Specifically, we argue and show that different patterns of portfolio allocation with the specific ideological locations of the ministerial office‐holder, the coalition partner and the external supporter, structure the extent to which government bills are scrutinized in parliament, and therefore, the effectiveness of the minority coalition on managing and implementing policies. We empirically examine bills initiated by 256 ministries in 13 Danish minority coalitions between 1985 and 2015, and we reveal robust evidence that corroborates our argument.
Association of blood pressure changes with survival after paramedic rapid sequence intubation in out‐of‐hospital patients with stroke
Authors: Fouche Pieter F , Jennings Paul A , Boyle Malcolm , Bernard Stephen , Smith Karen
Published: August 2020

Objective

Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is used to secure the airway of some patients with stroke. Recent observational studies suggest that RSI is associated with poorer survival, and that decreases in systolic blood pressure (BP) following RSI could be a cause of worse survival. The present study aims to find if decreased systolic BP after paramedic RSI is associated with poorer survival in stroke patients transported by ambulance.

Methods

The present study was a retrospective analysis of all stroke patients who received paramedic RSI attended by Ambulance Victoria, Australia. Logistic regression predicted the survival for strokes that had received RSI. The change in systolic BP during paramedic care was the main predictor.

Results

Of 43 831 patients with stroke, 882 (2%) received RSI. Almost 48% of RSI had a decline in systolic BP of more than 20% from baseline, and the decline in systolic BP after RSI was largest for intra‐cerebral haemorrhage (−22.7 mmHg) compared to ischaemic strokes (−10.1 mmHg) or subarachnoid haemorrhage (−15.6 mmHg) (P = 0.001). Sixteen percent of the RSI group had an episode of hypotension anytime during the out‐of‐hospital care. For each 10 mmHg decrease in systolic BP with RSI for intra‐cerebral haemorrhage an increase of 11% in the odds of survival is apparent (P = 0.04); for subarachnoid haemorrhage an increase of 17% (P = 0.02) and for ischaemic strokes a non‐significant decrease of 7% (P = 0.26).

Conclusions

Paramedic RSI‐related decrease in systolic BP is associated with improved survival in those with intra‐cerebral or subarachnoid haemorrhage but not ischaemic stroke.
Tracking employee voice: developing the concept of voice pathways
Authors: Townsend Keith , Wilkinson Adrian , Dundon Tony , Mowbray Paula K.
Published: August 2020

Different disciplines have studied employee voice as a key component of workplaces. However, they have not tended to look at voice as a journey en route to enhanced (or diminished) employee voice with a start, diversion, delay and combining twists and turns during processes leading to outcomes. In this article, we build on existing theory and phenomena to develop the concept of ‘employee voice pathways’. We use this concept to provide a framework for analysing the processes underpinning employee voice as a potential desirable form of employee voice as well as outlining areas for a future research agenda.