bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Institutions as resource context
Authors: Koskela-Huotari Kaisa , Vargo Stephen L 
Published: February 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of institutions and institutional complexity in the process through which resources-in-context get their “resourceness.”Design/methodology/approach– To shed light on the process of potential resources gaining their “resourceness,” the authors draw from two streams of literature: the service ecosystems perspective and institutional theory.Findings– The authors combine the process of resources “becoming” with the concept of institutions and conceptualize institutional arrangements, and the unique sets of practices, symbols and organizing principles they carry, as the sense-making frames of the “resourceness” of potential resources. In service ecosystems, numerous partially conflicting institutional arrangements co-exit and provide actors with alternative frames of sense-making and action, enabling the emergence of new instances of “resourceness”.Research limitations/implications– The paper suggests that “resourceness” is inseparable from the complex institutional context in which it arises. This conceptualization reveals the need for more holistic, systemic and multidisciplinary perspectives on understanding the implications of the process of resources “becoming” on value co creation, innovation and market formation.Practical implications– As the “resourceness” of potential resources arises due to the influence of institutions, managers need a more profound understanding of the complimentary and inhibiting institutional arrangements and the related practices, symbols and organizing principles that comprise the multidimensional context in which they operate.Originality/value– This paper is one of the first to focus specifically on the process of resources “becoming,” using a systemic and institutional perspective to grasp the complexity of the phenomenon.
The measurement of worker relations: the development of a three-component scale
Authors: Biggs David Michael , Swailes Stephen , Baker Steven 
Published: February 2016

Purpose
– Healthy employee relations are important for individual well-being and are likely to contribute towards job satisfaction and other positive work outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of worker relations and proposes a new three-component model of worker relations which embraces the relationships that employees have with their co-workers, supervisor and the organisation.

Design/methodology/approach
– A 20-item inventory was tested using data collected in a local authority (n=157) and led to the retention of nine items which were embodied in a scale for further evaluation. A second study using data using obtained in an emergency call management service (n=85) were used to further evaluate the factor structure of the scale and assess its predictive validity. A third study (n=70) provided further information on the measure.

Findings
– The new nine-item measure is a viable instrument with adequate reliability for assessing three levels of worker relations. In line with predictions, the three sub-scales (co-worker, supervisor and organisation) were positively correlated with job satisfaction and social relations.

Practical implications
– The new scale provides a freely available and parsimonious alternative to existing measures of worker relations.

Originality/value
– The paper considers the component aspects of worker relations before defining, theorising and developing a general purpose short instrument capable of quantitatively measuring worker relations.
Using modified IPA to define quality improvement strategies
Authors: Ho Li-Hsing , Chang Pi-Yun , Yen Tieh-Min 
Published: February 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to propose a modified Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) model and calculates the performance of quality characteristic for the purpose of defining quality improvement strategy.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study developed modified IPA by introducing the Mahalanobis Distance and multiple regression analysis to evaluate the performance gap and implicit importance of quality characteristics. This paper used a large air-conditioning manufacturer in Taiwan as the case analysis and study targets. It discussed and validated the modified IPA analytical results by studying case history and market analysis.

Findings
– Through the case study, the quality characteristics of air-conditioning product and service needed to be improved immediately are Green product (Q3) and Repair service (Q10), and the Price (Q11) and Serviceability (Q2) could be kept or enhanced to win the market competitive advantages.

Originality/value
– This study developed a modified IPA to help organization identifying key quality characteristics of product and service, and choosing its improvement strategies to win the market competitive advantages effectively.
The leadership criterion: challenges in pursuing excellence in the Jordanian public sector
Authors: Aladwan Shaker A , Forrester Paul 
Published: February 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges that face leaders when implementing business excellence programmes in the Jordanian public sector.Design/methodology/approach– The study adopted a content analysis approach to analyse the excellence assessment reports that have been produced by the King Abdullah II Centre for Excellence. The sample comprises ten public organisations which have participated in the King Abdullah Award for Excellence more than once and acknowledge in their reports that they have failed to achieve satisfactory results.Findings– The key challenges to effect the implementation of leadership criteria in the public sector in Jordan were found to be poor strategic planning, lack of employee empowerment, weaknesses in benchmarking performance, and a lack of financial resources, poor integration and coordination, and poor measurement system.Practical implications– This study proposes a conceptual model for the assessment of challenges that face managers when seeking to implement excellence in leadership in the Jordanian public sector.Originality/value– Leadership challenges in the public sector are generally widely studied, but it is important to gain a better understanding of how these challenges can be overcome. In comparison to many existing studies, this research has provided specific and detailed insights these organisational excellence challenges in the public sector and provides a conceptual model for use by other researchers into the future.
Size asymmetry of resource competition and the structure of plant communities
Authors: DeMalach Niv , Zaady Eli , Weiner Jacob , Kadmon Ronen 
Published: February 2016

Summary

Plant communities show two general responses to gradients of soil resources: a decrease in species richness at high levels of resource availability and an associated shift in species composition from small and slow‐growing species to large and fast‐growing species. Models attempting to explain these responses have usually focused on a single pattern and provided contradicting predictions concerning the underlying mechanisms.

We use an extension of Tilman's resource competition model to investigate the hypothesis that both patterns may originate from the size‐asymmetric nature of light exploitation by competing plants. The only mechanism producing changes in species richness and species composition in our model is mortality due to competition.

Under the framework of the model, asymmetric light exploitation is a necessary and sufficient condition to obtain the empirically observed responses of species richness and species composition to soil resource gradients. This theoretical result is robust to relaxing the simplifying assumptions of the model.

Our model shows that the traits enhancing competitive superiority depend on the mode of resource exploitation: under symmetric exploitation, competitive superiority is achieved by tolerance of low resource levels, while under asymmetric exploitation, it is achieved by the ability to grow fast and attain a large size. This result indicates that a long‐standing debate concerning the traits that enhance competitive superiority in plant communities (the ‘Grime–Tilman debate’) can be reduced into a single parameter of our model – the degree of asymmetry in resource competition.

The model also explains the observed shift from below‐ground to above‐ground competition with increasing productivity, the associated increase in the asymmetry of competitive interactions and the increasing likelihood of competitive exclusion under high levels of productivity. None of these patterns could be obtained under symmetric competition in our model.

Synthesis. The ability of the model to explain a wide range of observed patterns and the robustness of these predictions to its simplifying assumptions suggest that the size asymmetry of competition for light is a fundamental factor in determining the structure and diversity of plant communities.
High‐resolution manometric subtypes as a predictive factor for the treatment of achalasia: A meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Ou Ying Hua , Nie Xi Ming , Li Li Fu , Wei Zheng Jie , Jiang Bo 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveTo assess manometric subtypes as predictive factors for the treatment efficacies of pneumatic balloon dilatation (PBD) and laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) in patients with achalasia.MethodsA systematic search of the Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library database was conducted to identify relevant publications on high‐resolution manometric subtypes and different therapies for achalasia with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data on the success rates after PBD or LHM for different manometric subtypes were extracted. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for different manometric subtypes were estimated using STATA 13.0.ResultsIn all, nine studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 298 patients having achalasia receiving PBD and 429 undergoing LHM were included in the meta‐analysis. The pooled OR between the subtypes of achalasia after PBD or LHM showed that the best and worse treatment outcomes were found in patients with type II and III achalasia, respectively (type I vs type II after PBD: OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.08–0.36, P = 0.000; type I vs type III after PBD: OR 3.64, 95% CI 1.55–8.53, P = 0.003; type II vs type III after PBD: OR 27.18, 95% CI 9.08–81.35, P = 0.000; type I vs type II after LHM: OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.12–0.56, P = 0.001; type I vs type III after LHM: OR 1.89, 95% CI 0.80–4.50, P = 0.148; type II vs type III after LHM: OR 6.86, 95% CI 2.72–17.28, P = 0.000).ConclusionType II achalasia shows the best prognosis after PBD and LHM, while type III achalasia has the worst prognosis.
Teaching ultrasound‐guided regional anesthesia remotely: a feasibility study
Authors: Burckett‐St.Laurent D. A. , Cunningham M. S. , Abbas S. , Chan V. W. , Okrainec A. , Niazi A. U. 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundUltrasound‐guided regional anesthesia (UGRA) requires acquisition of new skills. Learning requires one‐on‐one teaching, and can be limited by time and mentor availability. We investigate whether the skills required for UGRA can be developed and subsequently assessed remotely using a novel online teaching platform. This platform was developed at the University of Toronto to teach laparoscopic surgery remotely and has been termed Telesimulation.MethodsAnesthesia Site Chiefs at 10 hospitals across Ontario were sent a letter inviting their anesthesia teams to participate in an UGRA remote training program. Four to five anesthetists from each site were recruited from the first four hospitals expressing interest. Simulation models and ultrasound machines were set up at each location and connected via Skype™ and web cameras with the Telesimulation center at our hospital. Training consisted of four online sessions and one offline lecture in order to teach an ultrasound‐guided supraclavicular block. Participants were evaluated before and after training by on‐site and off‐site assessors using a validated Checklist and Global Rating Scale (GRS).ResultsNineteen staff anesthetists were recruited. Post‐training scores were significantly higher across both assessment tools, on‐site (P < 0.001) and off‐site training locations (P = 0.003). The inter‐rater reliability between on‐site and remote training site ratings was good for the Checklist (ICC = 0.672, 95% CI: 0.369–0.830) and excellent for the GRS (ICC = 0.847, 95% CI: 0.706–0.921).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that UGRA can be taught remotely. Future research will focus on comparing this method to on‐site teaching and its application in resource‐restricted countries.
Trends in forest condition, threats and conservation action as derived from participatory monitoring in coastal Kenya
Authors: Ndang'ang'a Paul K. , Barasa Fred M. , Kariuki Mercy N. , Muoria Paul 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe coastal forests of Kenya are conservation priorities hosting high levels of biodiversity. Monitoring of biodiversity in these forests is therefore necessary to understand and reverse negative trends in good time. Using the Important Bird Area (IBA) monitoring framework, a participatory approach, state (habitat condition), pressure (threats) and response (conservation action) indicators of twelve coastal Kenya forest IBAs were assessed from 2004 to 2011. Trends for these indicators were assessed at six sites for which sufficient data existed: Arabuko‐Sokoke, Dakatcha Woodlands, Gede Ruins, Lower Tana River, Shimba Hills and Taita Hills, and baselines were described for remaining six. Changes were always small, but state deteriorated in Gede, Lower Tana and Shimba Hills, remained the same (unfavourable) in Arabuko‐Sokoke and Dakatcha, and improved in Taita Hills. Pressure reduced in Arabuko‐Sokoke, Dakatcha and Taita Hills, deteriorated in Lower Tana and Shimba Hills and remained the same (medium) in Gede. Response improved in Dakatcha, remained the same (medium) in Shimba Hills, and deteriorated in the rest. As there was an apparent overall deterioration in the forests assessed, improved management of the protected sites and increased conservation action through community engagement around protected areas and within the nonprotected IBAs are recommended.
Fetal cardiovascular hemodynamics in twin–twin transfusion syndrome
Authors: Wohlmuth Christoph , Gardiner Helena M. , Diehl Werner , Hecher Kurt 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTwin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) complicates 10–15% of monochorionic–diamniotic (MCDA) pregnancies. It originates from unbalanced transfer of fluid and vasoactive mediators from one twin to its co‐twin via placental anastomoses. This results in hypovolemia in the donor and hypervolemia and vasoconstriction in the recipient twin. Consequently, the recipient demonstrates cardiovascular alterations including atrioventricular valve regurgitation, diastolic dysfunction, and pulmonary stenosis/atresia that do not necessarily correlate with Quintero‐stages. Selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation of placental vascular anastomoses disrupts the underlying pathophysiology and usually improves cardiovascular function in the recipient with normalization of systolic and diastolic function within weeks after treatment. Postnatal studies have demonstrated early decreased arterial distensibility in ex‐donor twins, but 10‐year follow up is encouraging with survivors showing normal cardiovascular function after TTTS. However, prediction and appropriate early management of TTTS remain poor. Assessment of the cardiovascular system provides additional insight into the pathophysiology and severity of TTTS and may permit more targeted early surveillance of MCDA pregnancies in future. It should form an integral part of the diagnostic algorithm.
Testing predictive control of movement in children with developmental coordination disorder using converging operations
Authors: Adams Imke L. J. , Lust Jessica M. , Wilson Peter H. , Steenbergen Bert 
Published: February 2016

Recent systematic reviews (Wilsonet al., 2013,Dev. Med. Child Neurol.,55, 217; Adamset al., 2014,Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev.,47C, 225) suggest that a common underlying problem in developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is the internal modelling deficit. The study presented here is the first to test this hypothesis using a within‐subject design, assessing motor imagery, action planning, and rapid online control (ROC) in a sample of children screened rigorously forDCD. Participants were 66 children; 33 children (26 boys and seven girls) aged 6–11 years in theDCDgroup and 33 controls (gender and age matched). Motor imagery was assessed with the hand rotation task (HRT), action planning with an end‐state comfort effect test, andROCwith the double‐step pointing task. Results showed that children withDCDwere slower and less accurate than controls in theHRT. Reduced forward planning for comfortable end‐state was also shown inDCD. Finally, no group differences were found on theROCtask. Collectively, children withDCDmanifest deficits in the internal modelling of movements, but this varies under different task constraints, particularly those related to movement complexity.
Optimizing diabetes control in people with Type 2 diabetes through nurse‐led telecoaching
Authors: Odnoletkova I. , Goderis G. , Nobels F. , Fieuws S. , Aertgeerts B. , Annemans L. , Ramaekers D. 
Published: February 2016

AimsTo study the effect of a target‐driven telecoaching intervention on HbA1c and other modifiable risk factors in people with Type 2 diabetes.MethodsWe conducted a randomized controlled trial in patients receiving hypoglycaemic agents. The primary outcome was HbA1c level at 6 months in the entire sample and in a subgroup with HbA1c levels ≥ 53 mmol/mol (7%) at baseline. Secondary outcomes were HbA1c at 18 months; total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, blood pressure, BMI and proportion of people who had achieved guideline‐recommended targets at 6 and 18 months.ResultsA total of 287 participants were randomized to telecoaching and 287 to usual care. The mean (sd) baseline HbA1c level was 53 (11) mmol/mol [7.0 (1.0)%] overall and 63 (10) mmol/mol [7.9 (0.9)%] in the elevated HbA1c subgroup. At 6 months, the between‐group differences in favour of telecoaching were: HbA1c ‐2 (95% CI ‐4; ‐1) mmol/mol [‐0.2 (95% CI ‐0.3;‐0.1)%; P=0.003] overall and ‐4 (95% CI ‐7; ‐2) mmol/mol [‐0.4 (95% CI ‐0.7; ‐0.2)%; P=0.001] in the elevated HbA1c subgroup; BMI ‐0.4 kg/m2 (95% CI ‐0.6; ‐0.1; P=0.003); total cholesterol ‐6 mg/dl (95% CI ‐11; ‐1, P=0.012). The proportion of participants on target for the composite of HbA1c, LDL and blood pressure increased by 8.9% in the intervention group and decreased by 1.3% in the control group (P=0.011). At 18 months, the difference in HbA1c was: ‐2 (95% CI ‐3;‐0) mmol/mol [‐0.2 (95% CI ‐0.3; ‐0.0)%; P=0.046] overall and ‐4 (‐7; ‐1) mmol/mol [‐0.4 (95% CI ‐0.7; ‐0.1)%; P=0.023] in the elevated HbA1c subgroup.ConclusionNurse‐led telecoaching improved glycaemic control, total cholesterol levels and BMI in people with Type 2 diabetes. Twelve months after the intervention completion, there were sustained improvements in glycaemic control.
Demographic buffering and compensatory recruitment promotes the persistence of disease in a wildlife population
Authors: McDonald Jenni L. , Bailey Trevor , Delahay Richard J. , McDonald Robbie A. , Smith Graham C. , Hodgson Dave J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDemographic buffering allows populations to persist by compensating for fluctuations in vital rates, including disease‐induced mortality. Using long‐term data on a badger (Meles meles Linnaeus, 1758) population naturally infected with Mycobacterium bovis, we built an integrated population model to quantify impacts of disease, density and environmental drivers on survival and recruitment. Badgers exhibit a slow life‐history strategy, having high rates of adult survival with low variance, and low but variable rates of recruitment. Recruitment exhibited strong negative density‐dependence, but was not influenced by disease, while adult survival was density independent but declined with increasing prevalence of diseased individuals. Given that reproductive success is not depressed by disease prevalence, density‐dependent recruitment of cubs is likely to compensate for disease‐induced mortality. This combination of slow life history and compensatory recruitment promotes the persistence of a naturally infected badger population and helps to explain the badger's role as a persistent reservoir of M. bovis.
Aquatic food security: insights into challenges and solutions from an analysis of interactions between fisheries, aquaculture, food safety, human health, fish and human welfare, economy and environment
Authors: Jennings Simon , Stentiford Grant D , Leocadio Ana M , Jeffery Keith R , Metcalfe Julian D , Katsiadaki Ioanna , Auchterlonie Neil A , Mangi Stephen C , Pinnegar John K , Ellis Tim , Peeler Edmund J , Luisetti Tiziana , Baker‐Austin Craig , Brown Mary , Catchpole Thomas L , Clyne Fiona J , Dye Stephen R , Edmonds Nathan J , Hyder Kieran , Lee Janette , Lees David N , Morgan Owen C , O'Brien Carl M , Oidtmann Birgit , Posen Paulette E , Santos Ana Ribeiro , Taylor Nick G H , Turner Andrew D , Townhill Bryony L , Verner‐Jeffreys David W 
Published: February 2016

AbstractFisheries and aquaculture production, imports, exports and equitability of distribution determine the supply of aquatic food to people. Aquatic food security is achieved when a food supply is sufficient, safe, sustainable, shockproof and sound: sufficient, to meet needs and preferences of people; safe, to provide nutritional benefit while posing minimal health risks; sustainable, to provide food now and for future generations; shock‐proof, to provide resilience to shocks in production systems and supply chains; and sound, to meet legal and ethical standards for welfare of animals, people and environment. Here, we present an integrated assessment of these elements of the aquatic food system in the United Kingdom, a system linked to dynamic global networks of producers, processors and markets. Our assessment addresses sufficiency of supply from aquaculture, fisheries and trade; safety of supply given biological, chemical and radiation hazards; social, economic and environmental sustainability of production systems and supply chains; system resilience to social, economic and environmental shocks; welfare of fish, people and environment; and the authenticity of food. Conventionally, these aspects of the food system are not assessed collectively, so information supporting our assessment is widely dispersed. Our assessment reveals trade‐offs and challenges in the food system that are easily overlooked in sectoral analyses of fisheries, aquaculture, health, medicine, human and fish welfare, safety and environment. We highlight potential benefits of an integrated, systematic and ongoing process to assess security of the aquatic food system and to predict impacts of social, economic and environmental change on food supply and demand.