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Performance and promotion are a natural progression for faculty in an academic environment and the growth of an institution. This study examined High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS) as a framework for academic development, work environment, and promotion among faculty in higher education. A mixed-methods approach employed both quantitative tools with an administered survey and qualitative interactions using the interview process. Participants were recruited using a systematic and random sampling approach of faculty in Thailand and selected international institutions. Four hundred and sixty-three participants, including 236 from Thailand and 227 from international institutions, completed the survey with 20 participants from each of Thailand and international institutions involved in interviews. HPWS as a theoretical framework in the academic environment was associated with academic development and promotion (p<0.001). Differences were identified in the performance indicators and promotion criteria between Thailand and international participants. Social inequality, disproportionate administrative decision-making, and wellness towards promoting a healthy work and life balance emerged as central themes. Study findings consistent through comparative literature, statistical testing, and saturation of interview responses revealed that HPWS as a theoretical framework in human resource management applies to academic development and promotion experiences in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS) as a framework for academic development, work environment, and promotion among faculty in higher education. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-methods approach that employed both quantitative tools with an administered survey and quali-tative interactions using the interview process was used. Participants were recruited using a systematic and random sampling approach of faculty in Thailand and selected international institutions. Findings: Four hundred and sixty-three participants, including 236 from Thailand and 227 from international institutions, completed the survey with 20 participants from each of Thailand and international insti-tutions involved in interviews. HPWS as a theoretical framework in the academic environment was associated with academic development and promotion (p<0.001). Differences were identified in the performance indicators and promotion criteria between Thailand and international participants. Social inequality, disproportionate administrative decision-making, and wellness towards promoting a healthy work and life balance emerged as central themes. Practical implications: Study findings consistent through comparative literature, statistical testing, and saturation of inter-view responses revealed that HPWS as a theoretical framework in human resource management ap-plies to academic development and promotion experiences in higher education. Originality/value: The paper could continue the evaluation and application of HPWS as a human resource framework towards the mutual benefit of performance and promotion of faculty and higher education institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of recreational cannabis has been rapidly increasing in the United States of America and it is heavily accelerated by recent decriminalization and legalization movements. It has been gaining greater popularity among adolescents and young adults due to the perception of low health risk of cannabis and improved accessibility. Consequently, there has been increasing number of cases being reported for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) related to recreational cannabis use in people who are otherwise healthy and do not have any cardiac history. The pathophysiology of cannabis-induced ACS is rather poorly understood, yet there is general agreement among physicians that cannabis-induced diffuse transient coronary vasospasm and sympathomimetic properties of cannabis are the underlying mechanism of cardiac manifestations. The purpose of this review is to discuss the relationship between ACS and recreational cannabis use and to raise an issue that its potential severe health outcomes pose a public health concern, which should warrant strengthening the regulations related to recreational cannabis use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A substantial body of evidence suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are associated with negative health outcomes. While this relationship has been widely established for developed countries, the present study is the first to our knowledge to look at ACE, as well as protective factors and life outcomes in a developing Caribbean nation. The present study compared early life experiences of 57 nutmeg workers in Grenada with a global lifetime measure of adult outcomes, including physical and mental health, level of education, substance use, and delinquency. Higher ACE scores were significantly associated with increased poorer global lifetime outcomes. In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between ACE and coping skills, as well as coping skills and global health outcome measures. ACE in a Caribbean nation appear to occur at similar rates to developed countries. The findings suggest interplay between ACE, coping skills, and global adverse life outcomes. Interventions aimed at preventing ACE and increasing coping skills in young children and youth at risk may represent an effective prospective treatment to reduce the negative impact of ACE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The United Nations (UN) recognizes Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as a heterogenous group with common geographic and socio-economic challenges. Their vulnerability to disasters was exacerbated during COVID-19 because of emerging nationalism and protectionism towards supply chains and resources. This study aimed to determine if multilateralism engagement improved COVID-19 outcomes and if Foreign Affairs investment improved short term COVID-19 outcomes. Method: Metrics were developed to reflect country parameters, clinical impact of COVID-19, engagement in multilateralism, health systems strength and integration in the International Political Economy. Open-source information was used to quantify proxy measures with the calculated percent spent on foreign affairs being the major proxy of multilateralism and disaster impact as lag time to vaccination, case burden and deaths in the first six months of 2020. Data was collected for each of the 38 SIDS. SPSS was used to assess possible correlations with short- and long-term clinical outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: SIDS were noted to have an average lag of 4.1 months to begin vaccination rollout compared with developed nations and prolonged below global average vaccination rates. Expenditure on Foreign Affairs reduced the vaccination lag (p=0.03), decreased short-term cases (p<0.001) and deaths (p<0.001), Human Development Index improved vaccination rates (p<0.001) and lowered total cases (p=0.03). Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow also decreased vaccination lag (0.02). Dependence on Foreign Aid decreased vaccination rates (p=0.01). Conclusion: These relationships suggest that there were multiple factors that determined short- and long-term health outcomes in SIDS. Mitigating the impact of a disaster therefore requires a multiple level investment solution that recognizes the importance of other actors in the global system. The COVID-19 experience suggests that engagement in multilateralism is important in countries that have a high vulnerability to disasters such as SIDS. This is valuable for future disasters in vulnerable states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]