bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Be rational or be emotional: advertising appeals, service types and consumer responses
Authors: Zhang Hongxia , Sun Jin , Liu Fang , G. Knight John
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This research aims to examine the use of emotional and rational advertising appeal regarding service options that differ in terms of their experience and credence properties and exploring the moderating role of individual difference in affect intensity on the consumers’ varying reliance on rational vs emotional appeals.

Design/methodology/approach

– Study 1 is a 2 (service type: restaurant vs dentist) × 2 (advertising appeal: emotional vs rational) between-subjects design. In total, 137 undergraduate students took part in this study. Study 2 is a 2 (service type: airline vs hospital) × 2 (advertising appeal: emotional vs rational) between-subjects design. In total, 84 MBA students were randomly assigned to each of the experimental conditions. Study 3 is a 2 (service type: airline vs hospital) × 2 (advertising appeal: rational vs emotional appeal) × 2 (affect intensity: high vs low) between-subjects design. The sample size was 170 undergraduates.

Findings

– The results of the first two studies provided support that an emotional advertising appeal led to a higher purchase intention in the experience service condition, while a rational message generated higher purchase intention in the credence service condition. Study 3 showed the moderating role of individual difference in affect intensity. High affect intensity individuals reported higher levels of brand favorability than did their low affect intensity counterparts when exposed to ads using emotional appeal. Conversely, subjects showed no significant differences in the intensity of their emotional responses when exposed to rational appeals.

Practical implications

– Our results suggest a strong need to tailor ads to fit different service categories. An emotional appeal would be more effective for experience services, and a rational appeal would be more effective for credence services. Besides, individual traits may also need to be considered when matching the appeal to the service type.

Originality/value

– This study makes an important contribution to the limited existing research by providing a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between advertising appeal and the type of service across different sub-categories, themes, individual trait and effectiveness measures. Specifically, the present research seeks to illuminate the relative effectiveness of emotional vs rational appeals in services advertising. In addition, the current research reveals new knowledge about the role that affect intensity plays in determining consumer responses to advertising.
The elaboration likelihood model: review, critique and research agenda
Authors: J. Kitchen Philip , Kerr Gayle , E. Schultz Don , McColl Rod , Pals Heather
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review, critique and develop a research agenda for the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM). The model was introduced by Petty and Cacioppo over three decades ago and has been modified, revised and extended. Given modern communication contexts, it is appropriate to question the model’s validity and relevance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors develop a conceptual approach, based on a fully comprehensive and extensive review and critique of ELM and its development since its inception.

Findings

– This paper focuses on major issues concerning the ELM. These include model assumptions and its descriptive nature; continuum questions, multi-channel processing and mediating variables before turning to the need to replicate the ELM and to offer recommendations for its future development.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper offers a series of questions in terms of research implications. These include whether ELM could or should be replicated, its extension, a greater conceptualization of argument quality, an explanation of movement along the continuum and between central and peripheral routes to persuasion, or to use new methodologies and technologies to help better understanding consume thinking and behaviour? All these relate to the current need to explore the relevance of ELM in a more modern context.

Practical implications

– It is time to question the validity and relevance of the ELM. The diversity of on- and off-line media options and the variants of consumer choice raise significant issues.

Originality/value

– While the ELM model continues to be widely cited and taught as one of the major cornerstones of persuasion, questions are raised concerning its relevance and validity in 21st century communication contexts.
The influence of religiously motivated consumer boycotts on brand image, loyalty and product judgment
Authors: Abosag Ibrahim , F. Farah Maya
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to examine the influence of religiously motivated boycotts, such as the one conducted in Saudi Arabia against Danish companies, on corporate brand image, customer loyalty and product judgment. Despite a growing research interest in understanding the effects of different types of consumer animosities on companies’ performance, there appears to be a scarcity of studies addressing the specific effects of religious animosity. Religious animosity is considered as an additional type which may have more stable and longer-term impacts than other animosities on behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was based on a two-stage design: an exploratory qualitative stage involving 11 in-depth interviews, followed by a more comprehensive quantitative stage designed to test a proposed theoretical model. Data was collected from Saudi customers of the Danish company Arla Foods in Saudi Arabia. Data was analysed using structural equation model (LISREL 8).

Findings

– The model confirms that boycotting have strong negative impact on brand image and consumer loyalty but does not influence consumers’ product judgment.

Practical implications

– Religious boycotts have significant consequences on both corporate profits and brand image. The study provides clear steps for companies to combat the influence of religious boycotts especially in relation to brand image and customer loyalty.

Originality/value

– The study tested the influence of consumer religious boycotts on brand image and customer loyalty. Religious animosity was found to cause a more persistent boycott that negatively impacts brand image and weakens customer loyalty. However, by and large, boycotting was found not to have any significant impact on product judgment.
Logistics and supply chain education and jobs: a study of UK markets
Authors: Yew Wong Chee , B. Grant David , Allan Barbara , Jasiuvian Inga
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the curriculum design of logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) undergraduate courses offered by selected UK higher education (HE) institutions and compares them with employers’ job requirements in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

– Desk-based research involving content analysis of 22 selected undergraduate LSCM courses from 18 UK HE institutions and job advertisements from an online recruitment web site during 12 weeks in 2011-2012.

Findings

– In general, LSCM recruiters highlighted the importance of professional skills and general management knowledge rather than specific LSCM subject knowledge. Work experience is important even at the entry level. As the roles become more senior, as indicated by higher salaries, more LSCM subject knowledge and work experience is required. The findings indicate an imbalance between the undergraduate curriculum and employer needs. Only some of the LSCM undergraduates programmes investigated provided such a balance of curriculum design.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper is based on published information in web sites and also job adverts. More studies of the detailed syllabuses for the courses and the overall learning experiences of students are required.

Practical implications

– This paper highlights the importance of general managerial skills and professional skills to meet the needs of employers. Graduates are expected to be able to manage and acquire additional LSCM knowledge when required indicating the importance of continuing professional development.

Originality/value

– The methodology of this paper takes advantages of the availability of up-to-date “live” data via the internet. As a result, this study provides new insights into the LSCM employer requirements for three salary brackets, from entry level to senior level, and it indicates the “right” balance of curriculum design for LSCM graduates in the present days.
The mediating effect of logistics integration on supply chain performance
Authors: Alam Arshad , K. Bagchi Prabir , Kim Bumsoo , Mitra Subrata , Seabra Fernando
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of individual logistics-related factors, namely, supplier involvement (SI), length of supplier relationship (LSR), use of information technology (IT), and logistics integration (LI) on a firm's supply chain performance (SCP) and test for the mediating effect of LI in a multi-country survey conducted in Brazil, Korea and India. The paper also develops a composite variable, supply chain competency (SCC), as an overall measure of the quality of a firm's supply chain and demonstrate its effect on a firm's SCP.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research methodology was based on designing and administering a survey instrument. Data collected from 187 organizations in Brazil, Korea and India were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling methodology.

Findings

– Results show that for the combined data, the direct effects of SI, LSR and IT on SCP are insignificant while LI has a very significant direct effect on SCP. On the other hand, except for SI, LSR and IT have significant effects on SCP through LI establishing the mediating role of LI. The paper also finds that SCC has a significant effect on SCP. Further, when countries are considered individually the paper finds that IT has a significant indirect effect on SCP in the case of all the countries while LSR has a significant indirect effect on SCP, both in the case of Brazil and Korea. Additionally, in the case of Korea SI has a significant indirect effect on SCP.

Research limitations/implications

– Like other survey-based research, the findings of this paper are also limited by the sample size. Especially, the observations specific to individual countries are as good as the respective sample sizes. Also, since all the respondents belonged to manufacturing firms, the findings of this paper are relevant for the manufacturing sector.

Practical implications

– This paper establishes the mediating effect of LI in assessing the impact of logistics-related factors on a firm's SCP. It confirms that although logistics-related factors are necessary for a firm's superior SCP, they are not sufficient unless their interactions are taken into consideration, as evidenced by the significant positive relationship between SCC and SCP.

Originality/value

– To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first paper to study the effect of logistics-related factors on a firm's SCP and establish the mediating role of LI in a multi-country setting. This paper also develops a composite variable SCC and examines its effect on SCP.
Free Web-based tools for information literacy instruction
Authors: Forbes Christine
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to examine several free Web-based tools for library instruction, including links to actual use by libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

– Free Web-based technologies were explored to determine use in library instruction.

Findings

– Free Web-based technologies are used for instruction by academic, medical and public libraries.

Originality/value

– This paper examines some newer Web-based technologies that are used in library instruction.
School-based nutrition education: features and challenges for success
Authors: Kupolati Mojisola D. , MacIntyre Una E. , Gericke Gerda J.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this review is to critically assess published articles on school-based nutrition education (NE) intervention to identify factors hindering or contributing to the success of interventions. School-based NE possesses the capacity to influence learners’ nutrition behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

– An electronic search of articles was conducted in Medline, PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases, Google and snowballing. Included in the review were school-based studies with classroom NE with or without nutrition services and studies published between 2000 and 2013. School-based non-intervention studies and interventions that did not include a nutrition teaching component were excluded in the review.

Findings

– Thirty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Features of successful NE interventions included the use of behavioural theories, especially the social cognitive theory and the involvement of trained teachers in the implementation of interventions. Capacity development for teachers, time constraints, school policies and implementation problems of multicomponent interventions were some of the identified challenges encountered in the studies reviewed.

Originality/value

– Trained teachers are invaluable assets in interventions to improve nutrition behaviours of learners. Challenges associated with teacher-oriented school-based NE intervention can be overcome by properly designed and implemented interventions based on behavioural theory.
The health benefits of whole grains and fibre
Authors: Ruxton Carrie , Derbyshire Emma
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the latest mounting evidence reporting associations between the important role of whole grains and fibre in lowering the risk of chronic diseases and health.

Design/methodology/approach

– A general systematic review was conducted to locate and summarise up-to-date published studies within the field. A Medline search identified human-controlled trials and observational studies published in the past five years.

Findings

– A total of 49 studies were identified. In observational studies, higher intakes of whole grain and dietary fibre were associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, abdominal adiposity and certain cancers. This was further supported by human intervention trials, which reported benefits for appetite control, blood lipid levels, glycaemic control, digestive health and secondary cancer prevention. Mechanisms may relate to the micronutrients and phytonutrients present in high fibre foods.

Practical implications

– Practical advice is needed to help people identify foods rich in whole grains, e.g. breakfast cereals. UK fibre recommendations should be aligned with European guidelines and food labelling regulations, and a whole grain dietary recommendation, e.g. similar to the US guideline of three portions a day, could be introduced. Government and industry should play a role in communicating dietary fibre guidelines and the health benefits associated with whole grain and fibre, particularly insoluble fibre.

Originality/value

– This paper develops knowledge about whole grains, health and the importance of establishing whole-grain dietary recommendations.
Proximate and mineral composition of some selected coldwater fishes of upland Himalaya
Authors: Sarma Debajit , Akhtar M. S. , Das Partha , Das Puspita , Gadiya Ganesh , Shahi Neetu , Ciji A.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The present study aims to determine the proximate and mineral composition of important coldwater food fishes in the North Eastern Indian upland region to assess their nutritional quality.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is of original work and the analyses were performed using AOAC (1990). Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and determined by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test using SPSS (Version 19).

Findings

– Crude protein levels ranged from 16-20 per cent, crude fat (CF) 9.60-1.54 per cent and ash 3.5-0.99 per cent. Moisture content was in the range of 71-78 per cent. The lowest moisture content was observed in Semiplotus semiplotus and highest in Labeo dero. Sodium, potassium and calcium content ranged from 92-309, 692-1435, 467-2021 mg/100g, respectively. Maximum concentration of potassium was found in Labeo dero followed by Labeo pangusia. Selenium was most abundant in L. dero, Labeo dyocheilus, Sanguina sanguine, Barilius bendelisis, Garra mullya, L. pangusia and Neolissochilus hexagonolepis. The maximum level of iron was evidenced in Tor tor.

Originality/value

– The results obtained revealed that all the ten studied fishes are rich sources of nutrients including protein, macro and micro-minerals, which will be a healthy addition to human diet and will act as a ready reference for the nutritionists and other stakeholders.
Nutraceutical olive oil: does it make the difference?
Authors: Casini Leonardo , Contini Caterina , Marinelli Nicola , Romano Caterina , Scozzafava Gabriele
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to verify the market potentials of health claims by means of a study that tests the effectiveness of extra-virgin olive oil promotion based on the nutraceutical indications recently authorised by European regulations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology utilises a discrete choice experiment on a sample of Italian consumers. Market segmentation is performed by means of applying a latent-class model.

Findings

– The health claim proves particularly interesting for two consumer segments: the “functional claim seekers” (24 per cent) and the “reduction of disease risk claim seekers” (13 per cent). The former segment consists of young, single males who prefer more moderately priced olive oils. The latter is instead made up of elderly individuals who prefer an explicit message on disease and are oriented towards the higher price ranges.

Practical implications

– The potentials in implementing a promotional strategy based on the awareness of olive oil’s nutraceutical properties are demonstrated. Strategies will have to target specific characteristics of the various consumer segments.

Originality/value

– This paper has confirmed the opportunities that the recent European regulations on health claims have introduced for the olive oil market. This form of promotion could prove particularly important for quality productions that are often insufficiently recognisedvis-à-vistheir high production costs.
Winds of change
Authors: Evans Joanne , Reed Barbara , Linger Henry , Goss Simon , Holmes David , Drobik Jan , Woodyat Bruce , Henbest Simon
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the role a recordkeeping informatics approach can play in understanding and addressing these challenges. In 2011, the Wind Tunnel located at the Defence Science Technology Organisation (DTSO)’s Fisherman’s Bend site in Melbourne and managed by the Flight Systems Branch (FSB) celebrated its 70th anniversary. While cause for celebration, it also raised concerns for DSTO aeronautical scientists and engineers as to capacities to effectively and efficiently manage the data legacy of such an important research facility for the next 70 years, given increased technological, organisational and collaboration complexities.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper will detail how, through a collaborative action research project, the twin pillars of continuum thinking and recordkeeping metadata and the three facets of organisational culture, business process analysis and archival access, were used to examine the data, information, records and knowledge management challenges in this research data context. It will discuss how this perspective, was presented, engaged with and evolved into a set of strategies for the sustained development of FSB’s data, information and records management infrastructure, along with what is learnt about the approach through the action research process.

Findings

– The project found that stressing the underlying principles of recordkeeping, applied to information resources of all kinds, resonated with the scientific community of FSB. It identified appropriate strategic, policy and process frameworks to better govern information management activities.

Research limitations/implications

– The utility of a recordkeeping informatics approach to unpack, explore and develop strategies in technically and organisationally complex recordkeeping environment is demonstrated, along with the kinds of professional collaboration required to tackle research data challenges.

Practical implications

– In embracing technical and organisational complexity, the project has provided FSB with a strategic framework for the development of their information architecture so that it is both responsive to local needs, and consistent with broader DSTO requirements.

Originality/value

– This paper further develops recordkeeping informatics as an emerging approach for tackling the recordkeeping challenges of our era in relation to maintaining and sustaining the evidential authenticity, integrity and reliability of big complex research data sets.
Succession Planning 2.0: building bench through better execution
Authors: H. Church Allan
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to present nine observations about the state of succession planning and talent management (TM) practices today along with recommendations and an integrated model for enhancing the effectiveness of these efforts. Many talent management practitioners today would agree that the succession planning processes in their organizations are limited in their effectiveness. They are often seen as another complex and time-consuming human resource (HR) process, and often paper exercise, to be completed and archived until the following year. This is due to several factors, including a lack of focus on the future capabilities needed; inconsistencies in the implementation of processes designed; limited system integration of talent and succession planning efforts with other key HR and business processes; and lack of accountability for making decisions and ensuring they are fully executed. Given the importance of identifying, developing and preparing leaders for the future success of the business this is quite concerning. What is needed in the field is an upgrade to Succession Planning 2.0. But what does that look like exactly? What can senior practitioners do to transform them to have a significantly greater impact going forward?

Design/methodology/approach

– The content here is based on inputs from a variety of sources including dialog with more than 50 heads of talent management in major corporations, discussions and reviews at professional conferences, debates with academic scholars and the author’s personal experience with designing and leading major succession planning efforts.

Findings

– Nine observations about the state of succession planning and talent management practices today are presented. An integrated model of Succesion Planning execution is introduced.

Originality/value

– This paper represents the authors’ unique synthesis of discussions, informal data and personal experience running succession planning (SP) and TM efforts for over a decade.
Supporting staff in hostile environments
Authors: Nowlan Kate
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This article aims to consider the impact on employees of working in hostile environments.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper considers how organisations can best prepare employees for this type of assignment, including pre-assignment training and counselling, as well as on-going post-assignment support and the pivotal role of line managers in trauma management.

Findings

– The paper utilises the experiences of two organisations, Action Aid International and Concern Worldwide to outline their approach to supporting employees working in hostile environments.

Originality/value

– This paper responds to a growing debate around the impact of extensive exposure to violence, tragedy and natural disasters for employees of a range of international organisations.
The effect of onsite-offshore work division on project cost, schedule, and quality for re-engineering projects in Indian outsourcing software industry
Authors: Mishra Debasisha , Mahanty Biswajit
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to make an attempt to find good values of onsite–offshore team strength; number of hours of communication between business users and onsite team and between onsite and offshore team to reduce cost and improve schedule for re-engineering projects in global software development environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The system dynamics technique is used for simulation model construction and policy run experimentation. The experts from Indian software outsourcing industry were consulted for model construction, validation and analysis of policy run results in both co-located and distributed software development environment.

Findings

– The study results show that there is a drop in the overall team productivity in outsourcing environment by considering the offshore options. But the project cost can be reduced by employing the offshore team for coding and testing work only with minimal training for imparting business knowledge. The research results show that there is a potential to save project cost by being flexible in project schedule.

Research limitations/implications

– The study found that there could be substantial cost saving for re-engineering projects with a loss of project schedule when an appropriate onsite–offshore combination is used. The quality and productivity drop, however, were rather small for such combinations. The cost savings are high when re-engineering work is sent to offshore location entirely after completion of requirement analysis work at onsite location and providing training to offshore team in business knowledge The research findings show that there is potential to make large cost savings by being flexible in project schedule for re-engineering projects.

Practical implications

– The software project manager can use the model results to divide the software team between onsite and offshore location during various phases of software development in distributed environment.

Originality/value

– The study is novel as there is little attempt at finding the team distribution between onsite and offshore location in global software development environment.
Engagement and identification
Authors: Kuntz Joana , Roberts Abigail
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to investigate the unique contributions from social (i.e. trust climate, departmental integration) and organisational factors (i.e. managerial recognition, goal clarity and technology support) to work engagement and identification with the organisation in a human resource offshoring (HRO) context.

Design/methodology/approach

– Participants were recruited from a large Australian financial institution with an HR centre located in the Philippines. Ninety-one members of the captive HR centre completed the anonymous online questionnaire consisting of quantitative items and open-ended fields. Regression analyses were conducted to ascertain the relationships hypothesised.

Findings

– The findings suggest that goal clarity is a key predictor of both engagement and identification with the organisation, and that technology support and managerial recognition also influence offshore staff members’ motivation and workplace attitudes.

Research limitations/implications

– The cross-sectional, self-report nature of the study, along with the small sample obtained, are noted as limitations of the study. Nevertheless, the high response rate (91 per cent) and availability of qualitative data provide valuable insight into the key factors that impact HRO operations and performance.

Practical implications

– The study uncovers social and organisational variables that affect staff motivation and attitudes in an HRO context, and offers a number of guidelines for practitioners operating in these settings, focussing on goal clarity, managerial recognition and technology support.

Originality/value

– The study contributes to a growing body of research into the organisational and human capital factors that account for HRO performance and sustainability, and offers preliminary evidence for their unique contributions to key performance drivers. Guidelines for future research and business practice are proposed, namely, the consideration of multilevel and temporal approaches to the management and investigation of HRO operations.
Conceptualising the production offshoring organisation using the viable systems model (VSM)
Authors: Mugurusi Godfrey , de Boer Luitzen
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is concerned with one of the main contributions from the field of management cybernetics, the Viable System Model (VSM) developed by Beer (1972). This paper analyses what happens in terms of the VSM when a firm engages in production offshoring.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is conceptual and develops four propositions about the nature of variety balance that production firms face, and what adjustments they make in the original viable system, both in terms of the properties of one or more of the basic subsystems and in the network of couplings between them.

Findings

– The paper shows the production offshoring organisation as a dynamic adaptive system in search of ways to cope effectively with external forces that undermine its viability. The paper discusses how VSM can advance production offshoring research by both supplementing and linking established approaches such as transaction cost economics, the resource-based view and the eclectic theory of international production.

Originality/value

– This research highlights the effects of geographical expansion of the firm’s operation on the stability of the firm itself. Using the VSM perspective, the paper provides opportunities to systematically track the changes that occur in the production offshoring firm and diagnose what they imply for the viability of the system as a whole.
Role of aspect in understanding tense: an investigation with adolescents with SLI
Authors: Stuart Nichola J. , van der Lely Heather
Published: November 2014

Background

Morphosyntax has been well researched in specific language impairment (SLI) and there is general agreement that children with SLI have particular difficulties with tense‐marking. Less well researched is the role that aspect plays in the difficulties found in tense‐marking, especially as tense and aspect are often confounded in English. Initial investigation of the understanding of aspect in preschool children with SLI suggests that they are less sensitive to aspect and its interaction with tense than typically developing (TD) children. It is unclear, however, what is the developmental trajectory of their understanding of aspect and its interaction with tense and whether these difficulties are still found in older children and adolescents with SLI.

Aims

To investigate comprehension of the grammatical aspect contrast between completed events using the simple past tense ‐ed/irregular (perfective grammatical aspect) and ongoing events using the past progressive (imperfective grammatical aspect). The role of lexical aspect was also investigated through the balanced use of verbs that were inherently telic (i.e. have a natural end‐point) and verbs that required the addition of prepositional phrase for a telic interpretation when used in the perfective aspect condition.

Methods & Procedures

A sentence–picture matching task was administered to 10 participants with SLI (aged 12;10–16;8 years) and 30 language ability matched TD children who were split into three groups (mean ages: 5;10, 7;4 and 9;2).

Outcomes & Results

Adult‐like performance was found by all groups on the perfective aspect condition, but only by the oldest group of TD children on the imperfective aspect condition. The performance of the group with SLI was consistent with their much younger language ability matched TD children in their understanding of the progressive ‐ing when used to describe ongoing events that have taken place in the past. The lexical aspect of the telicity of the verbs was not found to have any significant effect on performance.

Conclusions & Implications

Although further investigation of the understanding of aspect (both comprehension and production) is needed, the results have implications for therapy. The past progressive ‐ing construction is important, particularly for providing context and background information in narratives, but it is not explicitly taught in schools. Therefore, some focus on the temporal nature of tense‐marking in therapy may be beneficial to individuals with SLI in understanding the temporal nature of events and how aspect interacts with tense.
Sacrifice as the ideal hunt: a cosmological explanation for the origin of reindeer domestication
Authors: Willerslev Rane , Vitebsky Piers , Alekseyev Anatoly
Published: November 2014

The Siberian Northeast shows striking parallels between the cosmologies of hunters and reindeer herders. What may this tell us about the transformation from hunting to pastoralism? This article argues for a structural identity between hunting and sacrifice, and for the domestication of the reindeer as the result of hunters' efforts to use sacrifice to control the accidental variables of the hunt. Hunters can practise their ethos of ‘trust’ with prey only through highly controlled ritual enactments. We describe two: the famous bear festival of theAmurGulf region and the consecrated reindeer of the Eveny. Both express the same overall logic by which sacrifice functions as an ideal hunt. The animal is involved in a relation not of domination but of trust, while also undergoing a process of taming. We therefore suggest that the reindeer's domestication may be based not only on ecological or economic adaptations, but also on cosmology.
Age and admission times as predictive factors for failure of admissions to discharge‐stream short‐stay units
Authors: Shetty Amith L , Shankar Raju Savitha Banagar , Hermiz Arsalan , Vaghasiya Milan , Vukasovic Matthew
Published: November 2014

Objective

Discharge‐stream emergency short‐stay units (ESSU) improve ED and hospital efficiency. Age of patients and time of hospital presentations have been shown to correlate with increasing complexity of care. We aim to determine whether an age and time cut‐off could be derived to subsequently improve short‐stay unit success rates.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective audit on 6703 (5522 inclusions) patients admitted to our discharge‐stream short‐stay unit. Patients were classified as appropriate or inappropriate admissions, and deemed successful if discharged out of the unit within 24 h; and failures if they needed inpatient admission into the hospital. We calculated short‐stay unit length of stay for patients in each of these groups. A 15% failure rate was deemed as acceptable key performance indicator (KPI) for our unit.

Results

There were 197 out of 4621 (4.3%, 95% CI 3.7–4.9%) patients up to the age of 70 who failed admission to ESSU compared with 67 out of 901 (7.4%, 95% CI 5.9–9.3%, P < 0.01) of patients over the age of 70, reflecting an increased failure rate in geriatric population. When grouped according to times of admission to the ESSU (in‐office 06.00–22.00 hours vs out‐of‐office 22.00–06.00 hours) no significant difference rates in discharge failure (4.7% vs 5.2%, P = 0.46) were noted.

Conclusion

Patients >70 years of age have higher rates of failure after admission to discharge‐stream ESSU. Although in appropriately selected discharge‐stream patients, no age group or time‐band of presentation was associated with increased failure rate beyond the stipulated KPI.
Why do patients choose to attend a private emergency department?
Authors: Shearer Freya M , Bailey Paul M , Hicks Brontie L , Harvey Brooke V , Monterosso Leanne , Ross‐Adjie Gail , Rogers Ian R
Published: November 2014

Objective

Understanding the reasons patients decide to attend a particular acute care service, and their expectations of that service, is important in providing optimal patient care. The present study aimed to determine factors influencing patient decisions to attend a private Australian ED, an issue that has not been previously addressed in the literature.

Methods

Semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews with ED patients, purposively sampled to broadly reflect the departmental caseload and casemix. The two primary questions asked were: ‘Why did you choose to come to this emergency department?’ and ‘What are your general expectations of this emergency department visit?’. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then analysed using manifest and then latent content analysis techniques.

Results

All patients approached (n = 30) agreed to interview. Four key themes were identified: prior experience of the hospital, convenient location of the hospital, anticipated high‐quality care and anticipated short wait times.

Conclusions

Patients chose to use the private ED because of prior experience, proximity, and an expectation they would be seen promptly and be provided with competent care.
Prevalence of Rhodopsin mutations in autosomal dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa in Spain: clinical and analytical review in 200 families
Authors: Fernandez‐San Jose Patricia , Blanco‐Kelly Fiona , Corton Marta , Trujillo‐Tiebas Maria‐Jose , Gimenez Ascension , Avila‐Fernandez Almudena , Garcia‐Sandoval Blanca , Lopez‐Molina Maria‐Isabel , Hernan Inma , Carballo Miguel , Riveiro‐Alvarez Rosa , Ayuso Carmen
Published: November 2014

Purpose

We aimed to determine the prevalence of mutations in the RHO gene in Spanish families with autosomal dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa (adRP), to assess genotype–phenotype correlations and to establish an accurate diagnostic algorithm after 23 years of data collection.

Patients and Methods

Two hundred patients were analysed through a combination of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, single‐strand conformation polymorphism, genotyping microarray and Sanger sequencing of the RHO gene.

Results

Overall, 42 of 200 Spanish adRP families were mutated for RHO (21.0%). Twenty‐seven different RHO mutations were detected; seven of them were novel. A genotype–phenotype correlation was established with clinical data from 107 patients. The most prevalent p.Pro347Leu mutation, responsible for 4.5% (9/200) of all mutated adRP families, was associated with a phenotype of early onset and severe course diffuse RP.

Conclusions

This retrospective study provides a wide spectrum of mutations in the RHO gene in Spanish patients with adRP. Also, the prevalence of mutations is similar to that reported in European population. Genotyping microarray followed by RHO sequencing is proposed as a first step in molecular diagnosis of adRP Spanish families. An increasing understanding of causal RHO alleles in adRP facilitates disease diagnosis and prognosis, especially for the prevalent p.Pro347Leu mutation.
Estimation of drug receptor occupancy when non‐displaceable binding differs between brain regions – extending the simplified reference tissue model
Authors: Kågedal Matts , Varnäs Katarina , Hooker Andrew C. , Karlsson Mats O.
Published: November 2014

Aim

The simplified reference tissue model (SRTM) is used for estimation of receptor occupancy assuming that the non‐displaceable binding in the reference region is identical to the brain regions of interest. The aim of this work was to extend the SRTM to also account for inter‐regional differences in non‐displaceable concentrations, and to investigate if this model allowed estimation of receptor occupancy using white matter as reference. It was also investigated if an apparent higher affinity in caudate compared with other brain regions, could be better explained by a difference in the extent of non‐displaceable binding.

Methods

The analysis was based on a PET study in six healthy volunteers using the 5‐HT1B receptor radioligand [11C]‐AZ10419369. The radioligand was given intravenously as a tracer dose alone and following different oral doses of the 5‐HT1B receptor antagonist AZD3783. Non‐linear mixed effects models were developed where differences between regions in non‐specific concentrations were accounted for. The properties of the models were also evaluated by means of simulation studies.

Results

The estimate (95% CI) of KiPL was 10.2 ng ml−1 (5.4, 15) and 10.4 ng ml−1 (8.1, 13.6) based on the extended SRTM with white matter as reference and based on the SRTM using cerebellum as reference, respectively. The estimate (95% CI) of KiPL for caudate relative to other brain regions was 55% (48, 62%).

Conclusions

The extended SRTM allows consideration of white matter as reference region when no suitable grey matter region exists. AZD3783 affinity appears to be higher in the caudate compared with other brain regions.
Inclusion of Placebos and Blinding for Ascending Dose First‐in‐Human Studies and Other Underpowered Phase 1 Studies has not been Justified and on Balance is Not Useful
Authors: Parasrampuria Dolly A. , Benet Leslie Z.
Published: November 2014

Today, the majority of phase 1 dose‐escalation first‐in‐human studies are designed as blinded, placebo‐controlled protocols. First‐in‐human phase 1 studies are a critical component of the drug development process, but in our opinion, the additions of blinding and placebo control to these study protocols are a matter of faith without scientific support to show that the increased complexity, time, burdensome nature and expense of such additions, plus the increase in human subjects studied, are justified and useful in the drug development process. Here, we document the prevalence of such studies, review and respond to the rationalizations for such protocols and propose that the addition of blinding and placebo control to first‐in‐human and many other underpowered phase 1 studies is unnecessary because these additions provide little documented benefit to the drug development process.
Specific Role of α2A‐ and α2B‐, but not α2C‐, Adrenoceptor Subtypes in the Inhibition of the Vasopressor Sympathetic Out‐flow in Diabetic Pithed Rats
Authors: Altamirano‐Espinoza Alain H. , Manrique‐Maldonado Guadalupe , Marichal‐Cancino Bruno A. , Villalón Carlos M.
Published: November 2014

Several lines of evidence have shown an association of diabetes with a catecholamines' aberrant homeostasis involving a drastic change in the expression of adrenoceptors. This homeostatic alteration includes, among other things, atypical actions of α2‐adrenoceptor agonists within central and peripheral α2‐adrenoceptors (e.g. profound antinociceptive effects in diabetic subjects). Hence, this study investigated the pharmacological profile of the α2‐adrenoceptor subtypes that inhibit the vasopressor sympathetic out‐flow in streptozotocin‐pre‐treated (diabetic) pithed rats. For this purpose, B‐HT 933 (up to 30 μg/kg min) was used as a selective α2‐adrenoceptor agonist and rauwolscine as a non‐selective α2A/2B/2C‐adrenoceptor antagonist; in addition, BRL 44408, imiloxan and JP‐1302 were used as subtype‐selective α2A‐, α2B‐ and α2C‐adrenoceptor antagonists, respectively (all given i.v.). I.v. continuous infusions of B‐HT 933 inhibited the vasopressor responses induced by electrical sympathetic stimulation without affecting those by i.v. bolus injections of noradrenaline in both normoglycaemic and diabetic rats. Interestingly, the ED50 for B‐HT 933 in diabetic rats (25 μg/kg min) was almost 1‐log unit greater than that in normoglycaemic rats (3 μg/kg.min). Moreover, the sympatho‐inhibition induced by 10 μg/kg min B‐HT 933 in diabetic rats was (i) abolished by 300 μg/kg rauwolscine or 100 and 300 μg/kg BRL 44408; (ii) partially blocked by 1000 μg/kg imiloxan; and (iii) unchanged by 1000 μg/kg JP‐1302. Our findings, taken together, suggest that B‐HT 933 has a less potent inhibitory effect on the sympathetic vasopressor responses in diabetic (compared to normoglycaemic) rats and that can probably be ascribed to a down‐regulation of α2C‐adrenoceptors.
Retracted: The cost‐effectiveness of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for the treatment of idiopathic medically refractory overactive bladder (wet) in the UK
Authors: Autiero Silke Walleser , Hallas Natalie , Betts Christopher D. , Ockrim Jeremy L.
Published: November 2014

Objective

To estimate the long‐term cost‐effectiveness of specialised treatment options for medically refractory idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) wet.

Patients and Methods

The cost‐effectiveness of competing treatment options for patients with medically refractory idiopathic OAB wet was estimated from the perspective of the National Health Service in the UK. We compared sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) with percutaneous nerve evaluation (PNE) or tined‐lead evaluation (TLE) with optimal medical therapy (OMT), botulinum toxin type A (BoNT‐A) injections, and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS). We used a Markov model with a 10‐year time horizon for all treatment options with the exception of PTNS, which has a time horizon of 5 years. Costs and effects (measured as quality‐adjusted life years) were calculated to derive incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Direct medical resources included are: device and drug acquisition costs, pre‐procedure and procedure costs, and the cost of managing adverse events. Deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed to test robustness of results.

Results

At 5 years, SNS (PNE or TLE) was more effective and less costly than PTNS. Compared with OMT at 10 years, SNS (PNE or TLE) was more costly and more effective, and compared with BoNT‐A, SNS PNE was less costly and more effective, and SNS TLE was more costly and more effective. Decreasing the BoNT‐A dose from 150 to 100 IU marginally increased the 10 year ICERs for SNS TLE and PNE (SNS PNE was no longer dominant). However, both SNS options remained cost‐effective.

Conclusion

In the management of patients with idiopathic OAB wet, the results of this cost‐utility analysis favours SNS (PNE or TLE) over PTNS or OMT, and the most efficient treatment strategy is SNS PNE over BoNT‐A over a 10‐year period.