bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are Employee Selection and Incentive Contracts Complements or Substitutes?
Authors: ABERNETHY MARGARET A. , DEKKER HENRI C. , SCHULZ AXEL K‐D. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTThere is a debate in the literature as to whether employee selection is a substitute or complement to incentive contracting. We argue that incentive contracts and selection can be both complements and substitutes conditional on the contracting difficulty faced by the firm. We examine these control choices in a setting where contracting difficulties arise due to the firm's choice of strategy and from the volatility created by the firm's external environment. We select a firm's commitment to organizational learning (OL) as our strategic choice variable as this provides a useful proxy for identifying settings where explicit incentive contracting is difficult. The results show that, as firms become increasingly committed to OL, incentive contracts and employee selection operate as complements. However, with a high commitment to OL and an increasing level of external volatility, contracting on performance measures will become less effective. In this context, our results indicate that there is a substitution effect toward employee selection.
Action research and reducing the vulnerability of peri‐urban agriculture: a case study from the Montreal Region
Authors: Bryant Christopher Robin , Chahine Ghalia 
Published: June 2015

AbstractImportant pressures still increase the vulnerability of peri‐urban farming despite initiatives to protect agricultural land and activities since the mid‐1960s in several jurisdictions in the USA and Canada. Often, farmland is still removed from agricultural reserves for the ‘good of society’ (for example, creating industrial parks). In 2008, an action research project was initiated to attempt to reduce agricultural vulnerability in several peri‐urban and rural areas near Montreal by emphasising the importance of the appropriation of the value of these farmlands by non‐farm citizens and actors. The action research roles involved accompanying the farmers, facilitating meetings, mobilising non‐farm actors, and informing farmers of possibilities when asked to do so. In this article, one specific project is analysed in Senneville (in the west of Montreal Island). While the project was initiated by the farmers to guarantee their long‐term future, they also sought to involve other, mostly non‐agricultural, actors. In a colloquium, a collective vision for the project was constructed, integrating other functions of farmland such as conservation and leisure activities. Many meetings were organised over a three‐year period and formal presentations were made to the municipality. The project is ongoing, including new farm operations and the reinforcement of local markets for marketing mainly organic produce. The area is now an integral part of an emerging ‘green belt’ of the Montreal agglomeration and is already part of a ‘green coalition’ of both urban and peri‐urban actors (farmers and non‐farmers), and an emerging food system movement which represents a more holistic approach to food production.
Amur tiger conservation education program: A pilot study on program effectiveness
Authors: MUKHACHEVA Anna S. , DERUGINA Vasilissa V. , MAKSIMOVA Galina D. , SOUTYRINA Svetlana V. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAnthropogenic impacts are the primary threats to Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and their habitat. Villagers living in proximity to tigers tend to view them negatively and, often, as a source of revenue on black markets. We aim to reduce human–tiger conflict by working with young students of Ternei County in the heart of tiger habitat in Primorskii Krai (Province). To inform and influence Ternei County's future decision‐makers, we developed “Safe Conduct”, a year‐long education program held in 6 villages, culminating in a multi‐school conference. We tested the efficacy of Safe Conduct as a potential model for tiger conservation educational programs. We measured levels of student knowledge about tiger ecology, their attitude towards tigers, and their willingness to engage in tiger conservation activites prior to, immediately after and 6 months following the completion of our program. Results supported the fundamental premise of Safe Conduct that knowledge and attitude towards tigers are correlated. Knowledge of tiger ecology and attitude towards tigers increased by the project's completion; both remained high after 6 months. However, commitment to participation in conservation efforts rose temporarily post‐program and then dropped. Results varied by village. We recommend that the reasons for the high performance measures of students in 2 villages be investigated, and that lessons learned be applied to villages that underperformed. Safe Conduct represents a potential model for environmental education programs in Ternei County and elsewhere to educate future generations, to eventually develop a strong commitment to Amur tiger conservation at the community level.
Identifying ecological corridors for Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and Amur leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis)
Authors: MIQUELLE Dale G. , ROZHNOV Vyachaslav V. , ERMOSHIN Victor , MURZIN Andre A. , NIKOLAEV Igor G. , HERNANDEZ‐BLANCO Jose A. , NAIDENKO Sergie V. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe rapid explosion of human populations and the associated development of human‐dominated landscapes have drastically reduced and fragmented habitat for tigers (Panthera tigris) and leopards (Panthera pardus) across Asia, resulting in multiple small populations. However, Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) habitat in Russia has remained largely interconnected, except for a break between tigers in southwest Primorye and the southern Sikhote‐Alin Mountains. This habitat patch in southwest Primorye also retains the last population of Amur leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis). Genetic differentiation of tigers in southwest Primorye and the Sikhote‐Alin Mountains along with survey data suggest that habitat fragmentation is limiting movement of tigers and leopards across the Razdolnaya River basin. We looked at historical and recent survey data on tigers and leopards and mapped existing cover types to examine land‐use patterns of both large felids and humans in the development strip along the Razdolnaya River. We then used least‐cost distance analyses to identify the most effective potential corridor to retain connectivity for large felids between Land of the Leopard National Park and Ussuriskii Zapovednik (Reserve). We identified a single potential corridor that still exists with a total distance of 62.5 km from Land of the Leopard National Park to Ussuriskii Zapovednik, mostly (93%) through forested habitat. We recommend formal recognition of a Razdolnaya ecological corridor and provide specific recommendations for each of 3 proposed management sections.
Mortality of Amur tigers: The more things change, the more they stay the same
Authors: ROBINSON Hugh S. , GOODRICH John M. , MIQUELLE Dale G. , MILLER Clayton S. , SERYODKIN Ivan V. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPoaching as well as loss of habitat and prey are identified as causes of tiger population declines. Although some studies have examined habitat requirements and prey availability, few studies have quantified cause‐specific mortality of tigers. We used cumulative incidence functions (CIFs) to quantify cause‐specific mortality rates of tigers, expanding and refining earlier studies to assess the potential impact of a newly emerging disease. To quantify changes in tiger mortality over time, we re‐examined data first collected by Goodrich et al. (; study period 1: 1992–2004) as well as new telemetry data collected since January 2005 (study period 2: 2005–2012) using a total of 57 tigers (27 males and 30 females) monitored for an average of 747 days (range 26–4718 days). Across the entire study period (1992 to 2012) we found an estimated average annual survival rate of 0.75 for all tigers combined. Poaching was the primary cause of mortality during both study periods, followed by suspected poaching, distemper and natural/unknown causes. Since 2005, poaching mortality has remained relatively constant and, if combined with suspected poaching, may account for a loss of 17–19% of the population each year. Canine distemper virus (CDV) may be an additive form of mortality to the population, currently accounting for an additional 5%. Despite this relatively new source of mortality, poaching remains the main threat to Amur tiger survival and, therefore, population growth.
Evaluation of the effect of a 1‐day interventional workshop on recovery from job stress for radiation therapists and oncology nurses: A randomised trial
Authors: Poulsen Anne A. , Sharpley Christopher F , Baumann Kathryn C , Henderson Julie , Poulsen Michael G 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIntroductionCancer care workers experience high levels of occupational stress that can have adverse mental and physical health consequences. Educating health professionals about self‐care practices throughout their careers can potentially build resilience. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of an educational intervention to improve recovery from job stress, increase satisfaction with current self‐care practices and improve sleep quality.MethodsAn equivalent, randomised comparison, pretest–post‐test intervention design was used to investigate the effects of a 1‐day workshop (plus educational material) compared with written educational material alone, on measures of recovery experiences (i.e. psychological detachment from work, relaxation, mastery experiences and control over leisure), satisfaction with recovery‐related self‐care practices and perceived sleep quality of 70 cancer care workers.ResultsWorkshop participants reported greater mean changes 6 weeks post‐workshop for total recovery experiences (F(1,69) = 8.145, P = .008), self‐care satisfaction (F(1,69) = 8.277, P = .005) and perceived sleep quality (F(1,69) = 9.611, P = .003). There was a decline in the scores of the control group over the 6‐week period for all measures. Workshop participants not only avoided this decline, but demonstrated increased mean scores, with a significant main effect 6 weeks post‐workshop, compared with the control group (F(3,63) = 4.262, P = .008).ConclusionsA 1‐day intervention workshop improved recovery skills, satisfaction with self‐care practices and perceived sleep quality of oncology nurses and radiation therapists. Outcomes were enhanced when participants actively participated in experiential group‐based learning compared with receiving written material alone. This intervention has the potential to enhance resilience and prevent burnout at different points in a cancer worker's career.
A Comparison of the Tax‐Motivated Income Shifting of Multinationals in Territorial and Worldwide Countries
Authors: Markle Kevin 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis paper tests for differences in the tax‐motivated income‐shifting behaviors of multinationals subject to different systems of taxing foreign earnings. I find that, on average, multinationals subject to territorial tax regimes shift more income than those subject to worldwide tax regimes. The difference in shifting, however, is driven by a difference in the subset of shifting that involves the parent country; multinationals in the two groups appear to shift equally among their foreign affiliates. In additional tests, I find that the shifting of worldwide firms is sensitive to reinvestment in the recipient countries, while that of territorial firms is not.
mvmorph: an r package for fitting multivariate evolutionary models to morphometric data
Authors: Clavel Julien , Escarguel Gilles , Merceron Gildas 
Published: June 2015

Summary

We present mvmorph, a package of multivariate phylogenetic comparative methods for the r statistical environment. mvmorph is freely available on the cran package repository (http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/mvMORPH/).

mvmorph allows fitting a range of multivariate evolutionary models under a maximum‐likelihood criterion. Initially developed in the context of phylogenetic analysis of multiple morphometric traits, its use can be extended to any biological data set with one or multiple covarying continuous traits. All the fitting models include the possibility to use simmap‐like mapping, which may be useful for fitting changes along lineages at a given point in time. All models provide diagnostic metrics for convergence and reliability of estimates, as well as the possibility to include trait measurement errors in model estimates.

New features provided by the mvmorph package include the possibility of fitting models with changes in the mode of evolution along the phylogeny, which will be particularly meaningful in comparative analyses that include extinct taxa, for example when testing changes in evolutionary mode associated with global biotic/abiotic events.

We briefly describe the models already included in mvmorph and provide some demonstration of the use of the package with two simulated worked examples.
Causation and Validation of Nursing Diagnoses: A Middle Range Theory
Authors: de Oliveira Lopes Marcos Venícios , da Silva Viviane Martins , Herdman T. Heather 
Published: June 2015

PurposeTo describe a predictive middle range theory (MRT) that provides a process for validation and incorporation of nursing diagnoses in clinical practice.Data SourcesLiterature review.Data SynthesisThe MRT includes definitions, a pictorial scheme, propositions, causal relationships, and translation to nursing practice.ConclusionsThe MRT can be a useful alternative for education, research, and translation of this knowledge into practice.Implications for Nursing PracticeThis MRT can assist clinicians in understanding clinical reasoning, based on temporal logic and spectral interaction among elements of nursing classifications. In turn, this understanding will improve the use and accuracy of nursing diagnosis, which is a critical component of the nursing process that forms a basis for nursing practice standards worldwide.
On the Strong Consistency of M‐Estimates in Linear Models for Negatively Superadditive Dependent Errors
Authors: Wang Xinghui , Hu Shuhe 
Published: June 2015

SummaryIn this paper we discuss the strong consistency of M‐estimates of the regression parameters in a linear model with negatively superadditive dependent (NSD) random errors. The result improves the moment condition and generalises the case of independent random errors to that of NSD random errors.
An interdisciplinary specialist team leads to improved diagnostics and treatment for paediatric patients with vascular anomalies
Authors: Mattila Katariina A. , Kervinen Kaisa , Kalajoki‐Helmiö Teija , Lappalainen Kimmo , Vuola Pia , Lohi Jouko , Rintala Risto J. , Pitkäranta Anne , Salminen Päivi 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAimPatients with vascular anomalies are often misdiagnosed, leading to delayed or improper treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an interdisciplinary team on the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric patients with vascular anomalies.MethodsWe reviewed the paediatric patients evaluated by our interdisciplinary team between 2002 and 2012, analysing the referral diagnosis, final diagnosis, patient age, sex, clinical history, laboratory tests, imaging studies and treatments.ResultsOf the 480 patients who were evaluated, 435 (90.6%) had a vascular anomaly: 30.7% of all patients had a tumour and 55.2% had a malformation. Haemangiomas comprised 93.2% of all tumours, while malformations included capillary (9.8%), lymphatic (30.1%), venous (36.8%), arteriovenous (3.8%) and combined slow–flow (7.9%) malformations. Tumours were initially diagnosed correctly in 89.2% of the patients, but only 38.0% of the malformations were diagnosed correctly. Improper treatment was given to 1.4%, due to incorrect diagnoses.ConclusionThis study showed that haemangiomas were likely to be diagnosed correctly, but other tumours and vascular malformations were likely to be misdiagnosed. Misdiagnosis seldom led to improper treatment, but probably led to delayed treatment in many cases. The interdisciplinary approach led to improved diagnostics and treatment.
Malnutrition is common in Ugandan children with cerebral palsy, particularly those over the age of five and those who had neonatal complications
Authors: Kakooza‐Mwesige Angelina , Tumwine James K. , Eliasson Ann‐Christin , Namusoke Hanifa K. , Forssberg Hans 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAimPoor growth and malnutrition are frequently reported in children with cerebral palsy in developed countries, but there is limited information from developing countries. We investigated the nutritional status of Ugandan children with cerebral palsy and described the factors associated with poor nutrition.MethodsWe examined 135 children from two to 12 years with cerebral palsy, who attended Uganda's national referral hospital. A child was considered underweight, wasted, stunted or thin if the standard deviation scores for their weight for age, weight for height, height for age and body mass index for age were ≤−2.0 using World Health Organization growth standards. Multivariable logistic regression identified the factors associated with nutritional indicators.ResultsOver half (52%) of the children were malnourished, with underweight (42%) being the most common category, followed by stunting (38%), thinness (21%) and wasting (18%). Factors that were independently associated with being malnourished were as follows: presence of cognitive impairment, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 4.5, being 5 years or older (aOR = 3.4) and feeding difficulties in the perinatal period (aOR = 3.2).ConclusionMalnutrition was common in Ugandan children with cerebral palsy and more likely if they were 5 years or more or had experienced neonatal complications.
Feasibility of thoracoscopic thymectomy for treatment of early‐stage thymoma
Authors: Odaka Makoto , Shibasaki Takamasa , Asano Hisatoshi , Marushima Hideki , Yamashita Makoto , Morikawa Toshiaki 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIntroductionThe objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of thoracoscopic thymectomy (TT) for treatment of early‐stage thymoma and to compare the outcomes with those after open thymectomy (OT).MethodsA retrospective review of 98 patients who underwent TT or OT of Masaoka stage I‐II thymoma without thymic cancer between 1996 and 2013 was performed.ResultsThoracoscopic thymectomy was performed in 67 patients, and OT was performed in 31 patients. The intraoperative blood loss amounts differed significantly between the TT group and OT group (100 vs 185 mL, P = 0.0070). The postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the TT group than in the OT group (4 vs 12 days, P < 0.0001). No patient in the TT group underwent conversion to open surgery, and no surgical complications, such as massive bleeding, were observed. Two patients experienced recurrence in the TT group during the median postoperative follow‐up period of 65 months. No significant differences were found in the 5‐year disease‐free survival rates between the two groups. There were no significant differences in disease‐free survival as classified by Masaoka stage, World Health Organization type, and the extent of resection of the thymus.ConclusionOur outcome showed that TT largely reduced the degree of invasiveness. The outcome was not inferior to that of OT. The results primarily demonstrated the feasibility of TT for treatment of early‐stage thymoma.
The effect of atorvastatin treatment on serum oxysterol concentrations and cytochrome P450 3A4 activity
Authors: Hukkanen Janne , Puurunen Johanna , Hyötyläinen Tuulia , Savolainen Markku J. , Ruokonen Aimo , Morin‐Papunen Laure , Orešič Matej , Piltonen Terhi , Tapanainen Juha S. 
Published: June 2015

AimsAtorvastatin is known to both inhibit and induce the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme in vitro. Some clinical studies indicate that atorvastatin inhibits CYP3A4 but there are no well‐controlled longer term studies that could evaluate the inducing effect of atorvastatin. We aimed to determine if atorvastatin induces or inhibits CYP3A4 activity as measured by the 4β‐hydroxycholesterol to cholesterol ratio (4βHC : C).MethodsIn this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled 6 month study we evaluated the effects of atorvastatin 20 mg day−1 (n = 15) and placebo (n = 14) on oxysterol concentrations and determined if atorvastatin induces or inhibits CYP3A4 activity as assessed by the 4βHC : C index. The respective 25‐hydroxycholesterol and 5α,6α‐epoxycholesterol ratios were used as negative controls.ResultsTreatment with atorvastatin decreased 4βHC and 5α,6α‐epoxycholesterol concentrations by 40% and 23%, respectively. The mean 4βHC : C ratio decreased by 13% (0.214 ± 0.04 to 0.182 ± 0.04, P = 0.024, 95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference –0.0595, –0.00483) in the atorvastatin group while no significant change occurred in the placebo group. The difference in change of 4βHC : C between study arms was statistically significant (atorvastatin –0.032, placebo 0.0055, P = 0.020, 95% CI of the difference –0.069, –0.0067). The ratios of 25‐hydroxycholesterol and 5α,6α‐epoxycholesterol to cholesterol did not change.ConclusionsThe results establish atorvastatin as an inhibitor of CYP3A4 activity. Furthermore, 4βHC : C is a useful index of CYP3A4 activity, including the conditions with altered cholesterol concentrations.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Likelihood of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery
Authors: Cheng Erika R. , Declercq Eugene R. , Belanoff Candice , Iverson Ronald E. , McCloskey Lois 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundA major contributor to the increase in cesarean deliveries over recent decades is the decline in vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC). Racial and ethnic disparities in other perinatal outcomes are widely recognized, but few studies have been directed toward racial/ethnic differences in VBAC rates.MethodsWe used the population‐based Massachusetts Pregnancy to Early Life (PELL) database to investigate racial/ethnic differences in rates of VBAC for Massachusetts residents with one prior cesarean from 1998 to 2008.ResultsThe overall VBAC rate was 17.3 percent. After adjusting for demographic, behavioral, and medical risk factors, non‐Hispanic Asian mothers had a greater likelihood of VBAC than non‐Hispanic white mothers (adjusted risk ratio 1.31 [95% CI 1.23–1.39]). No other racial/ethnic group was significantly different from non‐Hispanic whites in adjusted analyses. The likelihood of VBAC also decreased with increasing maternal age.DiscussionNon‐Hispanic Asian women are significantly more likely to have VBAC than non‐Hispanic white women. Efforts to reduce cesarean delivery rates in the United States should address these disparities. Future research should investigate factors underlying these differences to ensure that all women have access to appropriate maternity care services.