bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frontline employee authenticity and its influence upon adaptive selling outcomes
Authors: Yoo Jaewon , Arnold Todd 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
Frontline employee authenticity has been investigated in relation to both potentially positive and negative outcomes, but largely from the employee perspective. The current paper aims to investigate frontline authenticity in a sales/service context from the customer perspective, specifically examining the influence of adaptive selling in relation to a customer’s perception of salesperson authenticity. Effects on customer’s perceptions of final benefits and value are examined.

Design/methodology/approach
Survey data collected from customers of an insurance firm in South Korea were used to investigate the proposed model. Customer perceptions of salesperson adaptive selling, authenticity, key benefits delivered and organizational value provision were all captured.

Findings
The results suggest that authenticity does indeed positively influence perceptions of beneficial outcomes related to a transaction with a salesperson. These benefits then fully mediate the linkage from adaptive selling to a customer’s perceived value, gained from the salesperson’s organization.

Research limitations/implications
The collection of data from only the customer’s perspective is both a strength and a weakness. Although all of the key variables investigated are important to evaluate via the lens of the customer, such a data collection always introduces the potential problem of common method bias.

Practical implications
Managers should be aware of the importance of a salesperson behaving in an authentic manner. Although many frontline contexts have desired and scripted narratives for interacting with customers, deriving key benefits through the customers’ eyes may come more strongly by allowing the frontline employee to act naturally.

Originality/value
Authenticity has been investigated in managerial and brand contexts, but an understanding of its importance in a frontline context is in its early stages. Similarly, the importance of understanding conditions that moderate the effectiveness of adaptive selling is consistent with calls in the literature.
The responsibilities of the project owner in benefits realization
Authors: Zwikael Ofer , Meredith Jack R. , Smyrk John 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
Recent research has proposed the position of a project owner as the individual accountable for realizing target benefits. However, there is a lack of understanding in the literature of this role – in particular, the specific responsibilities of the project owner that can enhance benefits realization and operations performance. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper identifies these responsibilities in practice through two studies – a qualitative study, which includes interviews with senior executives who fund projects, and an in-depth longitudinal case study, which describes a company that continuously realizes the benefits from its projects.

Findings
The results suggest that a project owner should have 22 key responsibilities across four project phases and that an operations manager is often the most suitable candidate to fulfill this role in operations improvement projects. When performing these project responsibilities effectively, operations managers enhance benefits realization and operations improvement. Finally, the paper proposes five hypotheses for future research.

Originality/value
Based on agency theory, the paper increases our knowledge of the role of the project owner in practice. This new knowledge can enhance the realization of target benefits from projects and ensure a smooth transition from the project to the operations environment.
An automated quantitative content analysis process for humanitarian logistics research
Authors: Kunz Nathan 
Published: April 2019

PurposeAccess to high-quality data is a challenge for humanitarian logistics researchers. However, humanitarian organizations publish large quantities of documents for various stakeholders. Researchers can use these as secondary data, but interpreting big volumes of text is time consuming. The purpose of this paper is to present an automated quantitative content analysis (AQCA) approach that allows researchers to analyze such documents quickly and reliably.Design/methodology/approachContent analysis is a method to facilitate a systematic description of documents. This paper builds on an existing content analysis method, to which it adds automated steps for processing large quantities of documents. It also presents different measures for quantifying the content of documents.FindingsThe AQCA approach has been applied successfully in four papers. For example, it can identify the main theme in a document, categorize documents along different dimensions, or compare the use of a theme in different documents. This paper also identifies several limitations of content analysis in the field of humanitarian logistics research and suggests ways to mitigate them.Research limitations/implicationsThe AQCA approach does not provide an exhaustive qualitative analysis of documents. Instead, it aims to analyze documents quickly and reliably to extract the contents’ quantifiable aspects.Originality/valueAlthough content analysis has been used in humanitarian logistics research before, no paper has yet proposed an automated, step-by-step approach that researchers can use. It also is the first study to discuss specific limitations of content analysis in the context of humanitarian logistics.
Preparation and characterisation of modified VAc-VeoVa10 latex
Authors: Gong Yilu , Shao Tantan , Wang Xiuming , Zhang Xin , Sun Zhijuan , Chen Lijun 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
Fluorine and silicon materials have received the keen attention of many researchers because of their water repellency and low surface free energy. The purpose this study was to prepare vinyl acetate (VAc)-vinyl ester of neodecanoic acid (VeoVa 10) copolymer latex modified with fluorine and silicone monomer, which is emulsified with the novel surfactants of disodium laureth sulfosuccinate (MES) and octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (OP-10).

Design/methodology/approach
A series of modified latices containing fluorine-silicon have been prepared by semi-continuous seeded emulsion polymerisation of mixed monomers of VAc, VeoVa10, hexafluorobutylmethacrylate (HFMA) and vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) and emulsified by novel surfactants of MES and OP-10.

Findings
The optimum conditions for preparing the modified latex is as follows: the amount of the surfactant was 4.0 Wt.% and the mass ratio of the anionic and nonionic surfactant was 3:1; the dosage of initiator was 0.4 Wt.% and the mass ratio of the main monomer was 3:1; and the amounts of VTES and HFMA were 2.0 and 6.0 Wt.%, respectively. In comparison with the conventional latex, the hydrophobicity of latex film was improved further.

Originality/value
The modified p (VAC-VeoVa) latex is prepared via semi-continuous seeded emulsion polymerisation, which is emulsified with the novel mixed surfactants of MES and OP-10. There are two main innovations. One is that the novel p (VAC-VeoVa) latex containing fluorine-silicon is prepared successfully. The other is that the emulsifier is composed of the novel mixed surfactants of MES and OP-10.
Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations in Four States: Implementation and Early Impacts
Authors: RUTLEDGE REGINA I. , ROMAIRE MELISSA A. , HERSEY CATHERINE L. , PARISH WILLIAM J. , KISSAM STEPHANIE M. , LLOYD JENNIFER T. 
Published: April 2019

Policy Points
Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Vermont leveraged State Innovation Model awards to implement Medicaid accountable care organizations (ACOs). Flexibility in model design, ability to build on existing reforms, provision of technical assistance to providers, and access to feedback data all facilitated ACO development. Challenges included sustainability of transformation efforts and the integration of health care and social service providers.
Early estimates showed promising improvements in hospital‐related utilization and Vermont was able to reduce or slow the growth of Medicaid costs.
These states are sustaining Medicaid ACOs owing in part to provider support and early successes in generating shared savings. The states are modifying their ACOs to include greater accountability and financial risk.
ContextAs state Medicaid programs consider alternative payment models (APMs), many are choosing accountable care organizations (ACOs) as a way to improve health outcomes, coordinate care, and reduce expenditures. Four states (Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Vermont) leveraged State Innovation Model awards to create or expand Medicaid ACOs.MethodsWe used a mixed‐methods design to assess achievements and challenges with ACO implementation and the impact of Medicaid ACOs on health care utilization, quality, and expenditures in three states. We integrated findings from key informant interviews, focus groups, document review, and difference‐in‐difference analyses using data from Medicaid claims and an all‐payer claims database.FindingsStates built their Medicaid ACOs on existing health care reforms and infrastructure. Facilitators of implementation included allowing flexibility in design and implementation, targeting technical assistance, and making clinical, cost, and use data readily available to providers. Barriers included provider concerns about their ability to influence patient behavior, sustainability of provider practice transformation efforts when shared savings are reinvested into the health system and not shared with participating clinicians, and limited integration between health care and social service providers. Medicaid ACOs were associated with some improvements in use, quality, and expenditures, including statistically significant reductions in emergency department visits. Only Vermont's ACO demonstrated slower growth in total Medicaid expenditures.ConclusionsFour states demonstrated that adoption of ACOs for Medicaid beneficiaries was both possible and, for three states, associated with some improvements in care. States revised these models over time to address stakeholder concerns, increase provider participation, and enable some providers to accept financial risk for Medicaid patients. Lessons learned from these early efforts can inform the design and implementation of APMs in other Medicaid programs.
Crop and Livestock Diversity Cultivating Gastronomic Potential, Illustrated by Sensory Profiles of Landraces
Authors: Westling Magnus , Leino Matti W. , Nilsen Asgeir , Wennström Stefan , Öström Åsa 
Published: April 2019

AbstractLandraces, that is, crop and livestock not improved by formal breeding, are scarce in the industrialized world and are mainly maintained ex situ for breeding purposes. The natural biodiversity of these landraces may contribute to securing food production that can adapt to a changing climate, crop pathogens, diseases, and other agricultural challenges. In addition, landraces might also possess unique quality traits. Our aim is to take the idea of crop and livestock diversity further by connecting flavor differences of different landraces and varieties, with gastronomic applications. Do landraces provide a creative possibility of using distinct sensory characteristics to create new dishes and food products and/or to optimize recipes by finding the right variety for existing dishes and food products? This study suggests that apple, pea, pear, and poultry landraces, apart from being valuable in terms of biodiversity in sustainable food systems, also possess unique and distinct gastronomic potential. For example, citrus odors in apples, nutty taste in gray peas, astringent taste in pears, and high odor intensity of stable in poultry is of culinary relevance when working with apple juice, plant‐based alternatives to meat, poached pears, and roasted rooster, respectively. To fully explore, and take advantage of, the gastronomic potential landraces possess, additional studies are needed in order to find suitable cooking methods and development of recipes.Practical ApplicationSeeking to increase market interest for landraces, highlighting gastronomic values could stimulate higher demand and, in turn, contribute to larger and more resilient populations preserved in situ. Specifically, the paper is of use to (I) crop and livestock producers and food companies who wish to provide products with greater sensory variation, (II) individuals, companies, and organizations with the aim to increase landrace demand and/or preservation, and (III) breeders and genetic engineers managing genetic traits of landraces and other varieties.
Nicotine Produces a High‐Approach, Low‐Avoidance Phenotype in Response to Alcohol‐Associated Cues in Male Rats
Authors: Loney Gregory C. , Angelyn Hailley , Cleary Liam M. , Meyer Paul J. 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundNicotine and alcohol use are highly comorbid. Modulation of drug‐paired extrinsic and intrinsic cues likely plays a role in this interaction, as cues can acquire motivational properties and augment drug seeking. The motivational properties of cues can be measured through Pavlovian conditioning paradigms, in which cues either elicit approach following pairing with the reinforcing properties of alcohol or elicit avoidance following pairing with the aversive consequences of alcohol. The present experiments tested whether nicotine would enhance the incentive properties of an appetitive ethanol (EtOH) cue and diminish the avoidance of an aversive EtOH cue in Pavlovian paradigms.MethodsIn experiment 1, male Long‐Evans rats with or without prior chronic intermittent access to EtOH were administered nicotine or saline injections prior to Pavlovian conditioned approach (PavCA) sessions, during which conditioned approach to the cue (“sign‐tracking”) or the EtOH delivery location (“goal‐tracking”) was measured. In experiment 2, male Long‐Evans rats were administered nicotine or saline injections prior to pairing a flavor cue with increasing doses of EtOH (i.p.) in an adaptation of the conditioned taste avoidance (CTA) paradigm.ResultsResults from PavCA indicate that, regardless of EtOH exposure, nicotine enhanced responding elicited by EtOH‐paired cues with no effect on a similar cue not explicitly paired with EtOH. Furthermore, nicotine reduced sensitivity to EtOH‐induced CTA, as indicated by a rightward shift in the dose–response curve of passively administered EtOH. The ED50, or the dose of EtOH that produced a 50% reduction in intake relative to baseline, was significantly higher in nicotine‐treated rats compared to saline‐treated rats.ConclusionsWe conclude that nicotine increases the approach and diminishes the avoidance elicited by Pavlovian cues paired, respectively, with the reinforcing and aversive properties of EtOH consumption in male rats. As such, nicotine may enhance alcoholism liability by engendering an attentional bias toward cues that predict the reinforcing outcomes of drinking.
Short and sporadic injecting cessation episodes as predictors of incident hepatitis C virus infection: findings from a cohort study of people who inject drugs in Montréal, Canada
Authors: Fortier Emmanuel , Artenie Andreea Adelina , Zang Geng , Jutras‐Aswad Didier , Roy Élise , Grebely Jason , Bruneau Julie 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackground and AimsFor most people who inject drugs (PWID), drug injecting follows a dynamic process characterized by transitions in and out of injecting. The objective of this investigation was to examine injecting cessation episodes of 1–3‐month duration as predictors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) acquisition.DesignCohort study.SettingMontréal, Canada.ParticipantsA total of 372 HCV‐uninfected (HCV RNA‐negative, HCV antibody‐positive or ‐negative) PWID (mean age = 39.3 years, 82% male, 45% HCV antibody‐positive) enrolled between March 2011 and June 2016.MeasurementsAt 3‐month intervals, participants completed an interviewer‐administered questionnaire and were tested for HCV particles (HCV RNA). At each visit, participants indicated whether they injected in each of the past 3 months (defined as three consecutive 30‐day periods). Injecting cessation patterns were evaluated on a categorical scale: persistent injecting (no injecting cessation in the past 3 months), sporadic injecting cessation (injecting cessation in 1 of 3 or 2 of 3 months) and short injecting cessation (injecting cessation in 3 of 3 months). Their association with HCV infection risk was examined using Cox regression analyses with time‐dependent covariates, including age, gender, incarceration, opioid agonist treatment and other addiction treatments.FindingsAt baseline, 61, 26 and 13% of participants reported persistent injecting, sporadic injecting cessation and short injecting cessation, respectively. HCV incidence was 7.5 per 100 person‐years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.9–9.5; 916 person‐years of follow‐up]. In adjusted Cox models, sporadic injecting cessation and short injecting cessation were associated with lower risks of incident HCV infection compared to persistent injecting (adjusted hazard ratios = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.30–1.04 and 0.24, 95% CI = 0.09–0.61), respectively.ConclusionShort and sporadic injecting cessation episodes were common among a cohort of people who inject drugs in Montréal, Canada. Injecting cessation episodes appear to be protective against hepatitis C virus acquisition, particularly when maintained for at least 3 months.
Generalist trophic ecology in a changing habitat: The case of the four‐striped mouse in a woody‐encroached savannah
Authors: Lloyd Kyle J. , Vetter Susanne 
Published: April 2019

AbstractTrophic generalists tolerate greater habitat change than specialists; however, few studies explore how generalist trophic ecology is affected. We established how the trophic ecology of an extreme generalist, Rhabdomys pumilio, changed in relation to a directionally changing woody‐encroached savannah in Eastern Cape, South Africa by investigating (a) foraging behaviour, (b) trophic niche and (c) feedback effects. (a) Giving‐up densities showed that R. pumilio preferred foraging in subcanopy microhabitat during the night as a result of lower thermoregulatory costs, but had similar preferences for sub‐ and intercanopy microhabitats during the day. (b) An isotope analysis revealed that the dietary composition and trophic niche occupied by R. pumilio differed among tree canopy cover levels (0%, 30% and 80%), which appeared to be related to changes in C4 grass material and invertebrate availability. (c) Artificial seed patches suggested that R. pumilio was a potentially important postdispersal seed predator of the woody‐encroaching species, Vachellia karroo. Thus, an increase in tree canopy cover altered the trophic niche of R. pumilio by reducing foraging costs at night and providing alternative food resources in terms of availability and source. These findings demonstrate how an extreme generalist adapted to human‐induced habitat change through changes in its trophic ecology.
Doctors’ rural practice self‐efficacy is associated with current and intended small rural locations of practice
Authors: Bentley Megan , Dummond Nadine , Isaac Vivian , Hodge Heidi , Walters Lucie 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectiveKey factors which positively influence recruitment and retention of doctors to rural practice include rural background and positive rural training experience. Despite this knowledge, there is no well‐established conceptual framework to explain how these factors influence intention. The aim of this study was to consider rural practice self‐efficacy and its influence on rural career choice by doctors. Questions relating to self‐efficacy were formulated using Bandura's four proposed sources of self‐efficacy, which include mastery experiences, vicarious experience, social persuasion and emotional and physical response to experiences.DesignCross‐sectional study.Setting and participantsMedical school graduates from Flinders University, who completed a rural year as a part of the clinical component of the course between 1997 and 2015.Main outcome measuresRural self‐efficacy; current and intended location of practice in small rural communities (<25 000 people).ResultIt was found that 28.5% of participants were currently working in communities of <25 000 people. Levels of intent for future small town rural practice were consistent across career stages after internship. Higher rural practice self‐efficacy scores were found in doctors working in smaller towns (<25 000) and small communities (<10 000). Higher self‐efficacy was also associated with rural background, more senior career status, earlier speciality decision time and smaller expectation‐experience gap.ConclusionAn independent association exists between rural self‐efficacy and intention to remain or return to small rural practice. The article offers rural clinical schools the opportunity to consider how they can influence future rural career outcomes.
Exposure‐response modeling of tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis using continuous composite measures and their individual components
Authors: Bastida Carla , Soy Dolors , Ruiz‐Esquide Virginia , Sanmartí Raimon , Huitema Alwin D.R. 
Published: April 2019

AimsTocilizumab has a direct effect on inflammatory markers. Therefore, composite measures for disease activity assessment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using these inflammatory markers may not be suitable for tocilizumab treatment. We used a modelling approach to describe the tocilizumab exposure‐response relationship and to investigate the different dynamics of the individual components of the routinely used continuous composite measures.MethodsPharmacokinetic (PK), clinical and laboratory data were obtained from a prospective, observational, single‐centre study involving 35 subjects with RA treated with intravenous tocilizumab. A population PK/pharmacodynamic analysis was performed using nonlinear mixed effects models.ResultsThe population for model development comprised 1086, 1083 and 1082 observations calculated with the disease activity score based on 28 joint (DAS28) and the simplified and clinical disease activity scores (SDAI, CDAI). The tocilizumab exposure‐response relationship was described with an indirect‐response model. Two main groups of individual components were identified based on their different dynamics under tocilizumab treatment: (i) tender and swollen joint counts and patient and evaluator global assessment showed a slower decrease of their baseline value (half‐life: 4.6 weeks, RSE: 24%) and the need for higher serum drug concentration (EC50: 4.60 μg/mL, RSE: 103%, IIV: 359%) than (ii) C‐reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (half‐life: 2.3 weeks, RSE 19%; EC50: 0.878 μg/mL, RSE: 41%, IIV: 238%).ConclusionOur study confirms a different dynamics of the individual components of the most frequently used continuous composite measures under tocilizumab treatment which should be taken into account to avoid misassessment of disease activity.