bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Competitive performance as a substitute for competiveness measurement in tourism destinations: an integrative study
Authors: Añaña Edar da Silva , Rodrigues Raphaella Costa , Flores Luiz Carlos da Silva 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address a new method to evaluate the competitiveness of tourist destinations based on competitive performance from the consumers’ perspective. The main objective is to assess the sources of relative strength and weakness perceived in a destination, and to evaluate its performance vis-à-vis to the main competitors identified by tourists through measurement indexes.

Design/methodology/approach
The strengths and weaknesses of the focal destination were identified by plotting 12 tourism-specific variables (attractors) and 12 business-related variables in importance-performance matrix (IPA) grids. The set of destinations identified as “the main competitors” were built according to the frequency they were mentioned, and the indicators of competitiveness were estimated by averaging variables representing dimensions identified by exploratory-confirmatory factor analysis. The variables were aggregated into dimensions to permit comparisons in relation to the main competitors.

Findings
The results suggest that tourism-specific variables converge to “tourist attractions” and “conviviality,” and that business-related variables converge into “accessibility,” “infrastructure” and “macrostructure.” The competitiveness against competition was evaluated twice: by using an IPA grid to evaluate competition against “all others,” and by comparing the factors of performance across the most cited competitors. The results show that the focal destination surpasses most of its main competitors in conviviality, but has some deficiencies in tourist attractions, and that dimensions representing the business-related variables fit in the middle.

Research limitations/implications
The authors acknowledge that competitive performance, used as surrogate for competitiveness, is fairly limited once it does not consider the supply side potential forces that also influence the destination competitiveness (DC) at large. But although limited to the demand side, the proxy used to assess (DC) is in accordance with previous literature.

Practical implications
The results have high value to DMO managers, especially to those ones involved in developing tourism attractions.

Originality/value
This research advances over previous works: by identifying the nearest competitors of a destination; and by representing the competitive distance between the focal destination and its main competitors.
Financial institution ties and survival of small commercial poultry farms (SCPFs) in Ghana
Authors: Acheampong George 
Published: April 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to understand the usefulness of financial institution class ties in small commercial poultry farms’ (SCPFs’) survival in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses data from a network survey with associated attribute data on poultry small- and medium-sized enterprises. The data were collected in two waves between January 2014 and March 2015. Survival is estimated using a lagged probit model.FindingsIt was found that the survival rate of SCPFs is influenced by ties to universal banks and cooperative credit unions that have a positive effect while those with ties to savings and loans companies have a reduced survival probability.Originality/valueThe findings of the study make a significant contribution to the agricultural enterprise financing literature showing the relevance of the different financial institution types in the continued survival of agricultural SCPFs.
Patterns and perception of alcohol drinking among the Lahu people, Northern Thailand
Authors: Detpitukyon Sudkhed , Apidechkul Tawatchai , Sunsern Rachanee , Anuwatnonthakate Amornrat , Singhhorn Onnalin , Putsa Bukhari , Thutsanti Phitnaree 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the pattern and perception of alcohol drinking among the Lahu people in northern Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative method was used to elicit information on the patterns and perceptions of alcohol drinking amongst the Lahu tribespeople. Question guidelines had been developed from literature reviews and approved by three experts in the field of public health and alcohol studies. A total of 21 participants of different ages and sexes from 3 separate Lahu villages were invited to provide information. All interviews were taped and transcribed before analysis. A content analysis was used.

Findings
Lahu people begin alcohol consumption at an average of 12 years, with males usually beginning before females of the same age. Consuming alcohol is perceived to be a sign of adulthood and is also used as a means of gaining social acceptance from others in the community. Alcohol is consumed throughout the year with young and old, male and females, describing varied reasons for drinking. Income, parental behavior, and peer pressure contributes to the onset of alcohol drinking among young Lahu people. Several factors contributed to the use of alcohol among the Lahu people such as sex, age, occupation and income, peer pressure, taste and price as well as cultural adaptations amongst the farming community that play a significant role in the frequency of alcohol consumption amongst the Lahu community.

Originality/value
The results should support the development of peer education on the negative impact of alcohol use among the young people, and development of a community agreement on reducing excessive alcohol use in the Lahu community should be implemented.
Influence of emotional regulation on successful aging among Thai older adults
Authors: Tuicomepee Arunya , Suttiwan Panrapee , Watakakosol Rewadee , Ngamake Sakkaphat T. , Iamsupasit Sompoch 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
Successful aging represents a positive development in older adults. The emphasis on aging well has sought to understand resources such as emotional regulation that facilitates healthy and happy aging. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of two common emotional regulation strategies (i.e. cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) on successful aging among Thai older adults.

Design/methodology/approach
The participants selected for this paper were 150 older adults living in Bangkok and adjacent areas. Their mean age was 69.7 (±6.7) years old. Instruments were the Successful Aging Inventory and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Each participant voluntarily completed an individual self -reported questionnaire.

Findings
The results revealed that the two emotional regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) have collectively explained 6 percent of the variance of successful aging. The cognitive reappraisal strategy was a sole significant predictor (β=0.20).

Originality/value
Promoting emotional regulation strategies in particular a cognitive reappraisal strategy among Thai older adults can facilitate their cognitive functioning, and their successful aging.
Effectiveness of hand foot mouth disease prevention and control measures between high and low epidemic areas, Northern Thailand
Authors: Sittisarn Siriyaporn , Wongnuch Pilasinee , Laor Pussadee , Inta Chadaporn , Apidechkul Tawatchai 
Published: April 2018

PurposeHand foot mouth disease (HFMD) is an emerging disease caused by Enterovirus. HFMD usually occurs in South-East Asian countries including Thailand. Thailand has been indicated as one of the countries having high epidemic rate in children less than five years of age, particularly in the northern regions. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative method was used to extract information from 48 informants from two different areas; high and low epidemic areas of HFMD. Question guidelines were developed from literature review and viewed by three external experts in the field before use. Interviews took place in a private and confidential room. Each interview lasted approximately 50 minutes.FindingsThere are no policies regarding HFMD control in both high and low epidemic areas of HFMD. The staff at sub-district local government level did not have the necessary qualifications for HFMD control. Additionally, staff were not stable, and there was a lack of a disease control team. Antiseptics for cleaning day care centers (DCC) were not effective for disease control; most DCC use Dettol®, soap, dishwashing liquid, detergent and water for cleaning the environment. These antiseptics do not include chlorine making it ineffective in destroying the virus.Originality/valueThe sub-district local government should be concerned about HFMD control; the staff should have the necessary qualifications suitable for disease control. Standard and practical HFMD control guideline should be set up and used in DCC.
Determinants of compliance with child immunization among mothers of children under five years of age in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Authors: Konwea Patience Esohe , David Funmilayo Alice , Ogunsile Seyi Elizabeth 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
Vaccine preventable diseases are major threats to the health and well-being of children under five years of age. They contribute a great deal to childhood illnesses and disabilities, and are accountable for a high percentage of childhood mortality worldwide. In Nigeria, the government has made a lot of effort to provide immunizations against these childhood diseases. It is however sad to note that many children still do not complete their routine immunization. The purpose of this paper is to determine factors which influence mothers’ compliance with childhood immunization.

Design/methodology/approach
This was a descriptive study carried out among 600 mothers of under-five children randomly selected from nine postnatal clinics in Ekiti State between January and August 2016. A self-structured validated questionnaire containing items to explore demographic characteristics of respondents, compliance with child immunization (Cronbach’s α=0.92) and determinants of compliance (Cronbach’s α=0.83) was the instrument for data collection. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify determinants of mothers’ compliance with childhood immunization.

Findings
The level of compliance of mothers with childhood immunization was high (80 percent). The two factors which contributed significantly to mothers’ compliance were the mothers’ knowledge of childhood immunization (β weight= 0.243) and mothers’ educational status (β weight=0.169). Mothers with tertiary education had the highest level of compliance (76.8 percent).

Originality/value
Having good knowledge of childhood immunization and a high educational status positively influence a mothers’ compliance with child immunization.
Efficacy of district tuberculosis co-ordinating team on health service performance for suspected TB patient in district hospital
Authors: Tangsawad Sasithorn , Taneepanichskul Surasak 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the efficacy of a district tuberculosis (TB) co-ordinating team on health service performance for suspected TB patients in a district hospital in northeastern Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach
A comparison study of pre- and post-evaluations of TB system improvement was conducted in a district hospital in northeastern Thailand between October 2016 and June 2017. Data collection reviewed the record of suspected TB cases reported in the district hospital in the past nine months as a base line for describing the health service performance in term of received investigation for TB diagnosis. Participants from a TB clinic, district health office and health center set up a TB co-ordinating team to explore situations and systematic gaps. The TB co-ordinating team gave recommendations of health service performance for suspected TB patients over a nine-month period. Records of suspected TB cases health service performance were collected nine months after intervention. Data analysis by descriptive statistics and to test the effect of intervention was performed.

Findings
The records from 324 and 379 suspected TB cases reported in the hospital from the 9 months preceding and 9 months, respectively, after intervention were reviewed. A TB co-ordinating team was set up to improve the system and health service performance in terms of investigation for TB diagnosis. The results revealed that health service performance in terms of complete microscopy and investigation in both chest radiography and microscopy increased after intervention. When comparing between pre- and post-intervention, suspected cases received both chest radiography and microscopy in 176 cases and 283 cases, respectively (p-value=0.001). There were 27 cases diagnosed for smear positive TB in pre-intervention and 51 cases diagnosed in post-intervention (p-value=0.011). There were 21 cases pre- and 36 cases post-intervention that had referral documents from health center with no statistically significant difference.

Originality/value
The TB co-ordinating team had the role to improve health service performance for suspected TB cases to enroll in investigation process for increase TB diagnosis in district hospital.
The comparison of causal relationships of job stress between Thai immigrant employees with and without rearing their aging parents
Authors: Kaewanuchit Chonticha , Sawangdee Yothin 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The occupational stress is a disadvantage resulting in mental health illnesses that have been found when looking at those migrants who were young adults and migrated to work in the urban areas, leaving behind their aging parents to live alone at home. The purpose of this paper is to compare the causal relationships of job stress between Thai immigrant employees with and without rearing aging parents.

Design/methodology/approach
The research was a cross-sectional survey. The sample for this study included 600 Thai immigrant employees (300 cases per group) in 2016. Measures included individual characteristics, working conditions, and a Thai Job Content Questionnaire (Thai-JCQ) on related job stress. The model was verified using a path model by Mplus software.

Findings
The distance traveled between the house and the workplace, wages, working conditions had a direct effect on job stress. Working conditions among Thai immigrants employees with rearing aging parents had the most direct effect on job stress with a standardized regression weight of 0.552 (p-value <0.05) as well as working conditions among their without rearing aging parents had the most direct effect on job stress with a standardized regression weight of −0.292.

Originality/value
This research demonstrated that working conditions were an important factor.
Corporate values from a personal perspective
Authors: Illes Katalin , Vogell Christiane 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The paper aims to analyse organisational values from a personal perspective. The purpose was to explore how employees learn about corporate values and how they relate to these values. The motivation has been one of discovery of current practices in businesses, with a strong focus on corporate values and their effects on employees.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors offer a review of the key definitions and main theoretical frameworks of values. Four case studies provide empirical data to establish some understanding of how values are identified and the extent to which they are translated into behaviours and attitudes in the workplace. The paper combines an overview of literature on values and semi-constructed telephone interviews with 26 interviewees from four organisations about corporate and individual values.

Findings
Values are positively related to, and central to the concept of the self, and are distinct from norms. Both the literature review and the multiple case studies’ empirical findings suggest that values are worth striving for and successful embedding of them requires a “culture of sharing”. Without the culture of sharing corporate values will not penetrate the organisation or have any meaningful impact on behaviour.

Originality/value
The paper highlights the importance of considering corporate values from a personal perspective. Organisations wanting to strengthen corporate values need to engage in conversations about values regularly across the organisation. Leaders need to be part of these discussions without dominating or forcefully influencing them.
In vivo effect of a TLR5 SNP (C1205T) on Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection in weaned, specific pathogen‐free Landrace piglets
Authors: Muneta Yoshihiro , Arai Nobuo , Yakabe Yoko , Eguchi Masahiro , Shibahara Tomoyuki , Sakuma Akiko , Shinkai Hiroki , Uenishi Hirohide , Hirose Kensuke , Akiba Masato 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTToll‐like receptor 5 is a pattern‐recognition receptor for bacterial flagellin. We previously reported that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of swine TLR5, C1205T, impairs recognition of Salmonella typhimurium (ST) flagellin and ethanol‐killed Salmonella Choleraesuis (SC). In the present study, weaned, specific pathogen‐free (SPF) Landrace piglets with CC, CT or TT genotypes were orally infected with ST (L‐3569 strain) to determine the effect of this specific SNP on ST infection in vivo. Eighteen ST‐infected piglets (six each with CC, CT, or TT) exhibited fever and diarrhea for 1 week after infection. TT piglets had the longest duration of fever. TT piglets had the greatest mean diarrhea score during the experimental period, followed by CT and CC piglets. Fecal ST shedding was greater in CT and TT pigs than CC pigs from 2 days after infection. Serum haptoglobin concentration increased in ST‐infected piglets and to greater extents in CT and TT pigs than CC pigs. Daily weight gain was lower in infected pigs, particularly TT piglets, than control pigs. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that impairment of TLR recognition affects pig susceptibility to disease in vivo. Thus, piglets with the T allele of swine TLR5 (C1205T) exhibit impaired resistance to ST infection. Furthermore, elimination of the T allele of this SNP from Landrace pigs would lead to enhancement of their resistance to ST infection.
Generalisation and specialisation in hoverfly (Syrphidae) grassland pollen transport networks revealed by DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Lucas Andrew , Bodger Owen , Brosi Berry J. , Ford Col R. , Forman Dan W. , Greig Carolyn , Hegarty Matthew , Neyland Penelope J. , de Vere Natasha 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Pollination by insects is a key ecosystem service and important to wider ecosystem function. Most species‐level pollination networks studied have a generalised structure, with plants having several potential pollinators, and pollinators in turn visiting a number of different plant species. This is in apparent contrast to a plant's need for efficient conspecific pollen transfer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the structure of pollen transport networks at three levels of biological hierarchy: community, species and individual. We did this using hoverflies in the genus Eristalis, a key group of non‐Hymenopteran pollinators.

We constructed pollen transport networks using DNA metabarcoding to identify pollen. We captured hoverflies in conservation grasslands in west Wales, UK, removed external pollen loads, sequenced the pollen DNA on the Illumina MiSeq platform using the standard plant barcode rbcL, and matched sequences using a pre‐existing plant DNA barcode reference library.

We found that Eristalis hoverflies transport pollen from 65 plant taxa, more than previously appreciated. Networks were generalised at the site and species level, suggesting some degree of functional redundancy, and were more generalised in late summer compared to early summer. In contrast, pollen transport at the individual level showed some degree of specialisation. Hoverflies defined as “single‐plant visitors” varied from 40% of those captured in early summer to 24% in late summer. Individual hoverflies became more generalised in late summer, possibly in response to an increase in floral resources. Rubus fruticosus agg. and Succisa pratensis were key plant species for hoverflies at our sites

Our results contribute to resolving the apparent paradox of how generalised pollinator networks can provide efficient pollination to plant species. Generalised hoverfly pollen transport networks may result from a varied range of short‐term specialised feeding bouts by individual insects. The generalisation and functional redundancy of Eristalis pollen transport networks may increase the stability of the pollination service they deliver.
Functional traits and environmental characteristics drive the degree of competitive intransitivity in European saltmarsh plant communities
Authors: Ulrich Werner , Kubota Yasuhiro , Piernik Agnieszka , Gotelli Nicholas J. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Competitive intransitivity, the existence of loops in competitive hierarchies, is one mechanism that can promote the local coexistence of competitors and maintain high local species diversity, although its prevalence and importance remain largely unknown. A full understanding of local community assembly needs knowledge of how transitive and intransitive competitive interactions are linked to species functional traits and the strength of biotic and abiotic filters.

We apply a recently developed statistical tool to quantitative data on central European inland saltmarsh plant communities to infer causal relationships between soil characteristics, species occurrences and functional traits, and we estimated coefficients of competition.

We found a predominance of intransitive competitive hierarchies. The proportion of such hierarchies was positively correlated with local species richness and compositional variability. Average soil characteristics were not correlated with competitive intransitivity, whereas high soil pH and the high variability in local pH and soil salinity decreased the overall impact of competition on community composition. In pairwise comparisons of species, dissimilarity in morphology, resource demand and reproductive phenology was significantly negatively correlated with differences in competitive performance, while higher environmental dissimilarity was particularly linked to intermediate degrees of competitive superiority.

Our results suggest that habitat filtering for similar traits might intensify competitive interactions, but might also give rise to intransitive competitive loops that subsequently promote species coexistence and permit species’ functional equivalence. Intransitive competition appears to increase local diversity and small scale‐species turnover. The observed local differences in competitive structures suggest frequent competitive plasticity and context‐dependent competitive interactions. Finally, our results support the view that local abundance distributions can be used to infer the strength and outcome of competitive interactions.

Synthesis. Our results confirm that intransitive competitive interactions might be a strong force structuring local plant communities. Intransitivity needs to be considered when studying plant community assembly and species co‐existence.