bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circumscribed interests in autism: are there sex differences?
Authors: Nowell Sallie Wallace , Jones Desiree R. , Harrop Clare
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Sex differences in circumscribed interests (CI) may delay diagnosis for females with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); therefore, it is important to characterize sex differences in CI to determine if differential approaches to diagnostic assessment are warranted for females with ASD. The purpose of this paper is to examine sex differences in parent-reported quantity, content and functional impairment of children’s interests.

Design/methodology/approach

Parent responses to the Interests Scale were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVAs to determine diagnostic (ASD vs typical development (TD)) and sex differences between four groups of children ages six to ten years: ASD males, ASD females, TD males and TD females.

Findings

Groups were comparable on the quantity of interests reported on the Interests Scale. Children with ASD demonstrated significantly more nonsocial interests and had greater functional impairment associated with their interests than TD children. A significant diagnosis×sex effect was found for the number of interests in folk psychology. Descriptively, males with ASD were more likely to have a primary interest in the traditionally male category of physics than females with ASD whose primary interest mainly fell into the categories of TV or the more traditionally female category of psychology.

Originality/value

These findings strengthen the results of Turner-Brown et al. (2011) by replicating their findings that children with ASD have more nonsocial interests and greater functional impairments related to their interests compared to TD children in a sample that is balanced on biological sex. However, there are distinctions between males and females with ASD in their primary interests that have implications for diagnostic assessment.
Domains of Living and key demographics
Authors: Sharif Khurram , Kassim Norizan , Faisal Mohd Nishat
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of key demographics (i.e. gender, age, education and income) on the rich Muslim consumers’ Domains of Living (DoL). DoL were broken down into being, belonging and becoming domains. Relationship between the DoL and luxury consumption behavior (LCB) was analyzed as well. Being domain included elements that indicated who one is and how one defines the self; belonging domain linked an individual to his/her environment; and becoming domain referred to the set of social activities that an individual performed.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to get insights into the LCB of affluent Muslim consumers and how these insights related to key demographics and DoL. The researched population was Qatari consumers who were buying luxury products and belonged to a high-income bracket. Stratified sampling method was considered appropriate because the key objective of the study was to generalize the results across the affluent Qatari population. Stratification of the population was primarily done through the selected demographic variables. This research survey, conducted in Qatar, resulted in the collection of 213 usable questionnaires. General Linear Model Multivariate Analysis and Multiple Regression Analysis were used to establish the goodness of fit and to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Results indicated that there were significant LCB differences between the genders, age groups, income levels and educational background. Furthermore, there was a significant association between the three DOLs and LCB. There were indications that for affluent Qatari Muslims, consumption of luxury products had become a socially accepted norm. Fulfillment of luxury needs did not isolate rich Muslims from their family and friends or made them unhappy about luxury consumption. This behavior could be related to high levels of affluence among Qataris that makes acquisition of luxury products easy and not effort or time intensive.

Practical implications

Islamic luxury markets need to adopt an appropriate balance of global (considering global luxury trends) and local (based on cultural, social and religious forces) marketing strategies to engage rich Muslim consumers.

Originality/value

This paper presents LCB from the perspective of affluent Muslim consumers within the context of DoL and through the lens of key demographic variables.
Advancing customer experience practice and strategy in Thailand
Authors: Tivasuradej Yan Chi Tiffany , Pham Nam
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a broad preliminary overview and critical viewpoint on the current state of customer experience innovation and strategy in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper outlines and critically analyses the key trends based on 15 prime instances of customer experience innovation from the past ten years in Thailand across three industries: retail, fuel service and insurance.

Findings

Customer experience in Thailand is still in its nascent stage. This is because firms are yet to realise their full potential as critical brand differentiators. Many Thai firms also miss collaboration opportunities with external partners when innovating customer experiences. This is despite the overwhelming contributions from local SMEs to breakthrough innovations and creativity. Consequently, many customer experience innovations in Thailand are yet to be truly memorable and unique.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that critically examines the trends in customer experience across the retail, fuel service and insurance. It is also the only paper that outlines strategic implications of customer experience strategies and innovations to date for Thailand. Both future research topics and managerial implications for Thai professionals are discussed in the paper.
Generation Y
Authors: Arora Nidhi , Dhole Vijay
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine expectations of Generation Y (born between 1980 and 2000) entrants to Indian industry, in respect of their perspective, job experiences, considerations and initial employment expectations. Keeping in mind that organizations are required to prepare for the expectations of Generation Y. Human resources (HR) practitioners should consider the next generation as strategic business partners in the twenty-first-century workplaces, questions ignite about Generation Y’s values and aspirations and how we can engage them in our workplaces. This study was an attempt to look at Indian Gen Y employees who comprise almost half of the Indian working population and are growing at a rapid pace. Effective understanding of Gen Y will lead to the designing of effective HR policies and environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing quantitative research methods, an exploratory study was undertaken with 520 employees (all of whom fell into the category of Generation Y) from various industries.

Findings

The study found that many of the propositions contained within the Generation Y literature were reflected among participants in relation to their future career and lifestyle aspirations. This hints to the need for industry to carefully benchmark employee expectations and experiences to ensure commitment to the sector.

Research limitations/implications

Being an exploratory study, the results are not generalizable to the wider population. The findings frame a future longitudinal study on the careers of Generation Y graduates as they move from the anticipation to the encounter stage of their career development. This will seek to further explore the implications of Generation Y values, including those relating to diversity and equality which were not raised as an issue in this preliminary study.

Practical implications

The findings of this research contribute to our knowledge of the career aspirations of Generation Y. The paper indicates to employers some of the future benchmarkings in recruitment and HR practices that they might adopt to meet the needs of this generation of employees. It is anticipated that this paper will interest new and experienced HR practitioners. Interest might spark ongoing inquiry into effective approaches for employee engagements, specifically to Gen Y employees who will be ruling the workplace in the coming decade. The Gen Y has also led to attrition problems. Therefore, this paper will help in the effective understanding of Gen Y and designing strategies for internal benchmarking in various policies.

Originality/value

This work is a unique effort to look at the common expectations of the Gen Y employees, from the workplace. The findings highlighted the general expectations which are normally neglected in high strategical environment of today’s tech-savvy industry.
The effect of service quality, innovation towards competitive advantages and sustainable economic growth
Authors: Syapsan
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of service quality and innovation on competitive advantage and sustainable local economy, with marketing mix strategy as the mediating variable (Study in small and medium enterprise (MSME) in Java and Sumatera).

Design/methodology/approach

The study population of this paper is the MSME in Sumatera and Java Islands in Indonesia, as the highest population in Indonesia in 2010–2016 (portion of MSME in Indonesia: Java 58.29 percent and Sumatera 22.22 percent, or total 80.51 percent), and total 16 province in Indonesia: Aceh, Sumatera Utara, Riau, Sumatera Barat, Jambi, Sumatera Selatan, Bengkulu, Lampung, Kep Riau, Kep Bangka Belitung (Sumatera Island), and Banten, DKI Jakarta, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, DI Yogyakarta (Java Island). The analysis used in this study is a quantitative approach, namely, structural equation modeling based on variance, also known as the WarpPLS method.

Findings

The findings of this study are as follows: first, service quality has an influence on marketing mix strategies, meaning the application of service quality according to customer needs will create satisfaction. In other words, the better the quality of service provided, the higher the customer satisfaction will be. Second, the quality of service has a direct influence on creating a sustainable local economy, meaning that improving service quality to understand customer needs can enhance sustainable economic growth and competitive advantage through marketing mix strategies. This means that improving service quality in accordance with customer needs will improve the marketing mix strategy leading to a sustainable local economy. Third, the marketing mix strategy has a positive influence on the sustainable local economy, meaning that the higher the marketing mix strategy, the better the strategy for sustainable economic growth and competitive advantage will be.

Originality/value

The effect of marketing mix strategy as mediation (using the Sobel test) on the influence of service quality and product innovation on sustainable local economy and competitive advantage is shown in this study. No previous research studies this relationship at the research location: MSME in Indonesia, especially in Java and Sumatra Islands. Hence, this is one of few studies comprehensively evaluating the effect of service quality and innovation, toward competitive advantages and local sustainable economic: marketing mix strategy as mediating variable (study in MSME in Java and Sumatera).
Trade fairs as engagement platforms: the interplay between physical and virtual touch points
Authors: Sarmento Maria , Simões Cláudia
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the association between physical and virtual trade fairs under the conceptual lens of engagement platforms. The authors build on the idea of business trade fairs (i.e. physical and/or virtual customer touch points) as learning and engagement platforms in service ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study combines qualitative interviews (n= 16) with trade fair organizers, exhibitors and visitors and a survey (n= 263) comprising open-ended questions administrated to visitors of an international trade fair.

Findings

Findings highlighted the general role that trade fairs have in facilitating companies’ interactions with existing and potential customers. The trade fair develops in physical and virtual platforms, where companies advance business relationships and generate learning experiences and customer engagement. Participants look for solutions to problems and frequently innovation is a consequence of the engagement and learning processes. Yet, while the physical trade fair is instrumental for human personal interaction, namely, to establish informal networks of contacts and face-to-face interactions, virtual trade fairs are highlighted as a catalyst to foster interactivity and connectivity before and after the physical trade fair.

Research limitations/implications

The study endures limitations that may be addressed by future research. For example, studies in similar contexts and in other settings (e.g. different industries) are warranted.

Practical implications

The study offers wide-ranging implications for the principal agents from the trade fair industry: trade fair organizers, exhibitors and visitors.

Originality/value

This research constitutes a preliminary attempt to understand the association between physical and virtual trade fairs and contributes to the discourses on customer engagement and the underlying notion of service ecosystems in the trade fair environment. In particular, the study looks at the role and connections that each platform plays for organizers and participants providing important insights into improving physical and virtual trade fair participation strategies.
Why “majors” surge in the post-disruptive recording industry
Authors: Kask Johan , Öberg Christina
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The recording industry has gone through a far-reaching disruption, but the major record companies from the past continue to surge. The following question is addressed: Why has disruption in the recording industry not followed the patterns of generic examples from other sectors? The purpose of this paper is to describe and explain why the digital disruption does not lead to the disruption of all types of companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This longitudinal study is based on a large set of secondary sources combined with in-depth interviews in Sweden’s recording industry.

Findings

Findings indicate that when customers turn to streaming, the major record companies’ direct control of which music the consumer is exposed to increases. This main finding contrasts statements that streaming services would facilitate peer-to-peer sharing activities between music customers and make record companies redundant. The major record companies have remained at a prosperous position due to the control of valuable content and marketing assets, as well as asymmetric interdependency among parties in the supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

The recording industry is different to many other sectors based on the latent value of catalogues, and the conclusions drawn from this paper should thereby not be taken for granted for other industries.

Practical/implications

Findings suggest that by “reading” the development of the industry and understanding what key resources create dependencies and revenue flows, managers would be better at tackling disruption.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to previous literature by describing how incumbent companies survive and even prosper post-disruption. It adds to the understanding of the digitalization of the recording industry and points at how dependencies help to understand disruption.
Policy, implementation and management of the inclusive design of open space for visually impaired persons
Authors: Siu Kin Wai Michael , Xiao Jia Xin , Wong Yi Lin
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This study aims to address policy, implementation and management, the three stages of inclusive open space. It compares both the level of design and implementation of open space in Beijing, Hong Kong and Taipei by following the inclusive guidelines. It also identifies recommendations for policy, implementation and management of inclusive open space and its facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Field observations were conducted in 27 parks within three cities. In-depth interviews were conducted with a variety of participants, including visually impaired persons, government officers, representatives of non-governmental organisations, local communities and experts.

Findings

Most of the so-called inclusive environments and facilities have not been user-friendly in actual practice. The findings suggest that policies are an essential precondition; however, implementation and management must not be ignored because they ensure the effectiveness of inclusive design.

Research limitations/implications

Comprehensive and continuous studies on the proposed framework are recommended throughout the policy, implementation and management processes.

Practical implications

The findings serve as a reference and direction for taking a holistic approach to inclusive design of open space in densely populated cities.

Social implications

This study examines the levels of inclusive open space and illustrates how to provide barrier-free environments that can be used by the widest spectrum of people.

Originality/value

This study evaluates policy, implementation and management in the three cities based on 29 guidelines generated from seven principles of inclusive design. A research framework is proposed for researchers and policymakers to consider how to achieve effective inclusive open spaces.
Impact of core-product and service-encounter quality, attitude, image, trust and love on repurchase
Authors: Han Heesup , Yu Jongsik , Chua Bee-Lia , Lee Sanghyeop , Kim Wansoo
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine airline passengers’ repurchase decision-making process by developing a sturdy theoretical framework comprising in-flight core-product and service-encounter quality, brand attitude, image, trust and love. The authors also attempted to examine if such decision formation differs across full-service and low-cost airlines in South Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative method was used to achieve research objectives. For assessment of the conceptual framework and test of research hypotheses, a structural equation modeling and test for metric invariance were used.

Findings

The results revealed that in-flight product and service-encounter quality significantly affected their subsequent variables, and their impact on intention was mediated by brand attitude, image, trust and love. In addition, brand image along with brand trust included the strongest influence on intention. Findings also indicated that the relationships among brand attitude, image, trust and love significantly differed between full-service and low-cost airlines.

Practical implications

Increasing the customer retention rate is a key component of airline business success. This study made an important contribution to advancing the existing knowledge on what factors induce airline customers’ decision to repurchase a particular airline product and how such factors are interrelated with each other within the proposed model.

Originality/value

This research was the first to explore that the relationship strength among brand image, brand attitude, brand trust and brand love are not equal between full-service and low-cost airline passenger groups.
CSR adoption in the multinational hospitality context
Authors: Iyer Gopalkrishnan R. , Jarvis Lee
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues in the context of the hospitality industry and offer some avenues for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews several domains of CSR and takes stock of some exemplar research from hospitality management pertaining to each domain. Particular note is taken of research that explores CSR issues outside the Western world. Several unanswered questions are then noted along with suggestions for future research.

Findings

Based on prior literature, four CSR domains were identified as instrumental, social/legal/political, ethical and environmental. CSR issues in hospitality research have predominantly focused on the instrumental domain while there is scant research on other domains. CSR adoption in the multinational context was identified as due from stakeholder pressures, competitive environment and cultural environment.

Research limitations/implications

The paper identifies some unanswered questions in transnational operations of hospitality firms and suggests avenues for future research.

Practical implications

The paper recommends that due attention must be given to contextual issues in the conceptualization, focus and practice of CSR by multinational hospitality firms.

Originality/value

The paper offers a review of hospitality research on various CSR domains. It offers some unanswered research questions that may spur future research, discussion and debates among academics, students and executives.
Risk, capabilities, and international venture capital syndication in China
Authors: Pezeshkan Amir , Smith Adam , Fainshmidt Stav , Zhang Jing
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advance a holistic model of venture capital (VC) firms’ syndication decisions in an emerging economy. When considering syndication with local partners, VC firms consider multiple sources of risk related to firm-specific characteristics (life-cycle, operational and political). In conjunction with these risk factors, they also consider their own capabilities, namely, their knowledge breadth and knowledge depth. Knowledge breadth stems from a VC firm’s network position and knowledge depth is a result of its prior industry expertise. Together, these capabilities have competing impacts on VC firms’ desire to syndicate. From one perspective, VC firm capabilities may help deal with risk such that syndication may not be perceived as necessary. Alternatively, VC firm capabilities may signal attractiveness to a local partner and allow the VC firm to syndicate more easily.

Design/methodology/approach

Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis is conducted on a sample of 111 US VC firms investing in China between 1993 and 2010.

Findings

Lower VC firm capabilities are associated with a tendency not to syndicate with a local partner when venture risk factors are low. This pattern may arise because of such VC firms’ relative lack of experience with partnership management or weaker appeal to local partners.

Originality/value

This study is one of the earliest attempts to develop a neo-configurational perspective within the VC literature and thus contributes to a more nuanced understanding of international VC firms’ strategic behaviour in emerging economies by examining multiple risks and capabilities simultaneously and in conjunction.
The psychiatric management of prisoners on hunger strike: developing a management algorithm using the Delphi technique
Authors: Gulati Gautam , Kelly Brendan D. , O’Neill Conor , O’Connell Paul , Linehan Sally , Spain Eimear , Meagher David , Dunne Colum P.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The assessment and management of prisoners on hunger strikes in a custodial setting is complex. There is limited clinical guidance available for psychiatrists to draw upon in such cases. The purpose of this paper is to develop a management algorithm through expert elicitation to inform the psychiatric care of prisoners on a hunger strike.

Design/methodology/approach

A Delphi method was used to elicit views from Irish forensic psychiatrists, a legal expert and an expert in ethics using a structured questionnaire. Themes were extracted from the results of the questionnaire to propose a management algorithm. A consensus was reached on management considerations.

Findings

Five consultant forensic psychiatrists, a legal expert and an expert on psychiatric ethics (n=7) consented to participation, with a subsequent response rate of 71.4 per cent. Consensus was achieved on a proposed management algorithm. Assessment for mental disorder, capacity to refuse food and motivation for food refusal are seen as key psychiatric tasks. The need to work closely with the prison general practitioner and the value of multidisciplinary working and legal advice are described. Relevant aspects of law included mental health, criminal law (insanity) and capacity legislation.

Originality/value

This study outlines a management algorithm for the psychiatric assessment and management of prisoners on a hunger strike, a subject about which there is limited guidance to date. Although written from an Irish perspective, this study outlines key considerations for psychiatrists in keeping with international guidance and therefore may be generalisable to other jurisdictions.
Sector-level objectives and associated inhibiting and enabling factors for the Indian real estate sector from a process standardisation perspective
Authors: Mukherjee Kamal K. , Iyer K.C. , Sawhney Anil
Published: February 2019

Purpose

A perceived uniqueness of real estate (RE) projects has led to a view among RE practitioners that since no two RE projects are the same, they must all follow their own unique set of processes. Further, local exigencies often result in the very processes agreed at the beginning of every project being changed, thereby making projects unpredictable for delivery within time and budget, or to the standards of quality expected. Maintaining the need to follow pre-defined standard processes in RE operations, the purpose of this paper is to focus on two converging tracks: the first track studies available sector-level competitiveness frameworks appropriate for RE to formulate RE sector objectives; and the second track retains the process standardisation perspective to comprehensively identify a set of factors that influence the defined sector objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology adopted comprises, respectively, for the two tracks, a focussed literature review and semi-structured interviews with 30 Indian RE sector practitioners working at levels of consequence, supported by qualitative interpretive analysis. As a sustained development requires all stakeholders to have their concerns addressed, this research leads to the formulation of four sector objectives, one for each stakeholder group identified. Furthermore, two sets of factors (inhibiting and enabling) are deduced from stakeholder interviews reinforced by secondary literature as those that would influence the realisation of the objectives from the standpoint of processes and their standardisation.

Findings

It is thought that factors identified here will inform actionable strategies for a transformation to the long-elusive process and standards-based delivery in the Indian RE sector. Such strategies will not only lead to the next spate of improvements from innovative processes and standards thereof but will also equip RE players with the wherewithal to successfully engage globally.

Originality/value

This work extends the earlier research to shift from a function to process orientation in RE and bridges research gaps in each of the tracks mentioned above: the articulation of RE sector objectives, and identification of factors influencing the objectives.
Preparation of composite fabric loaded with mi-croencapsulated plant extracts and its inhibitory effect on lipase
Authors: Wang Rui , Li Mengxuan , Liu Xing , Sun Yanli
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This study aims to elaborate on the microencapsulation of the plant extract (PE, from Camellia sinensis leaf, clover flower and cocoa flower) and the preparation of a slow-release lining fabric loading the PE microcapsule.

Design/methodology/approach

PE was microencapsulated into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) shells through interfacial polymerization. The morphology, thermal stability, slow-release property and drug loading ratio of the PVA/PE microcapsules were characterized to ensure the availability in coating finishing. To find the optimum parameters, the composite fabrics were prepared from non-woven fabrics coated by calcium alginate hydrogel, which glued mass fractions of microcapsules and dried in different ways. To evaluate the effectiveness, a lipase enzyme activity test was conducted.

Findings

Under optimal conditions, the PVA/PE microcapsules with smooth surface have an average particle size of 14.5 um, and they are expected to reach a loading ratio of 38.5 per cent while remaining stable under 220°C. Given a microcapsule of 4 per cent (of the mass), the composite fabric has a good hand feeling, being prepared through calcium chloride coating. It is shown that the inhibition ratios of the microcapsules and composite fabrics on lipase are 31.3 and 21.0 per cent, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The composite fabric could be prepared through the other finishing methods such as padding and printing. In addition, the release mechanism of the composite could be studied.

Practical implications

This study provided a simple and effective way to prolong the duration of PE. This way was conductive to protect environmental sensitive PEs from being destroyed in compositing processes.

Originality/value

Preparing composite fabrics for transdermal delivery system was novel and other kind of plant extracts could be used in this way.
Market-power, stability and risk-taking: an analysis surrounding the riba-free banking
Authors: Louhichi Awatef , Louati Salma , Boujelbene Younes
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Analysis of the trade-off between competition and financial stability has been at the center of academic and policy debate for over two decades and especially since the 2007-2008 global financial crises. This study aims to provide particular attention to the Islamic banking system which principally involves with the riba-free instruments as compared to the conventional interest-based system. The results show that an increase in the concentration in the conventional banking sector can lead to the deterioration of stability through the increased prices. For Islamic banks, an increase of the market power can positively affect the banking stability.

Design/methodology/approach

Two complementary approaches, namely, one-step generalized method of moment (GMM) system analysis and panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) framework, were applied.

Findings

The results show the same effect of Islamic and conventional banks’ market power on banking soundness; yet, a different effect is displayed with non-performing loans (NPLs). In particular, the “competition–fragility” assumption for both banking industries is supported when considering z-score as the dependent variable. Including NPLs, this postulation is still approved for conventional banks; however, the “competition–stability” postulation is supported for Islamic banks.

Originality/value

The existent literature was scarcely interested in exploring the concept of competitivity in the context of Islamic banking sector as compared to the conventional one by applying two complementary approaches, namely, GMM and PVAR. This later allows to test the effect and the feedback effect of the competition and stability concepts.
Clinical management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum across primary and secondary care: a population‐based study
Authors: Fiaschi L , Nelson‐Piercy C , Deb S , King R , Tata LJ
Published: February 2019

Objectives

To assess how nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) are managed and treated across primary and secondary care.

Design

Population‐based pregnancy cohort.

Setting

Medical records (CPRD‐GOLD) from England.

Population

417 028 pregnancies during 1998–2014.

Methods

Proportions of pregnancies with recorded NVP/HG diagnoses, primary care treatment, and hospital admissions were calculated. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to estimate adjusted relative risk ratios (aRRRs) with 99% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between NVP/HG management paths and maternal characteristics.

Main outcome measures

NVP/HG diagnoses, treatments, and hospital admissions.

Results

Overall prevalence of clinically recorded NVP/HG was 9.1%: 2.1% had hospital admissions, 3.4% were treated with antiemetics in primary care only, and 3.6% had only recorded diagnoses. Hospital admissions and antiemetic prescribing increased continuously during 1998–2013 (trend P < 0.001). Younger age, deprivation, Black/Asian/mixed ethnicity, and multiple pregnancy were associated with NVP/HG generally across all levels, but associations were strongest for hospital admissions. Most comorbidities had patterns of association with NVP/HG levels. Among women with NVP/HG who had no hospital admissions, 49% were prescribed antiemetics, mainly from first‐line treatment (21% prochlorperazine, 15% promethazine, 13% cyclizine) and metoclopramide (10%). Of those admitted, 38% had prior antiemetic prescriptions (34% first‐line, 9% second‐line, 1% third‐line treatment).

Conclusion

Previous focus on hospital admissions has greatly underestimated the NVP/HG burden. Although primary care prescribing has increased, most women admitted to hospital have no antiemetics prescribed before this. An urgent call is made to assess whether admissions could be prevented with better primary care recognition and timely treatment.

Tweetable abstract

The NVP/HG burden is increasing over time and management optimisation should be high priority to help reduce hospital admissions.
Our observations with cold calling: Patient anger and undesirable experiences
Authors: Taylor David McD , Kant Joyce A , Dombagolla Mahesha HK , Lai Fiona WY , Hendarto Andreas
Published: February 2019

Little is known about the effects of the ‘cold calling’ technique (telephone contact without prior warning) for patient follow up in ED research. Recently, we undertook a prospective, observational pain management study. Patients were cold called 48 h post‐discharge and surveyed regarding their pain management satisfaction. We made contact with 778 patients. Among these, we observed 12 cases of patient anger: mistaken identity, disbelief that the hospital was calling, frustration that test results and appointment times could not be provided, abuse about ED management and outpourings of sadness. We also observed eight cases of an undesirable experience for either the patient, their family or the caller: five patients had died (including one ‘at her last moments’), precipitation of patient distress and uncomfortable situations for the caller. Given our experience, we believe that cold calling should be avoided, where possible, and other techniques (e.g. limited disclosure) considered as alternatives.
Comparison of acoustic and traditional point count methods to assess bird diversity and composition in the Aberdare National Park, Kenya
Authors: Wheeldon Amie , Mossman Hannah L. , Sullivan Martin J. P. , Mathenge James , de Kort Selvino R.
Published: February 2019

Afromontane forests, like those in the Aberdare National Park (ANP) in Kenya, sustain unique avifaunal assemblages. There is a growing need for biodiversity inventories for Afromontane forests, especially through the utilisation of unskilled observers. Acoustic surveys are a potential aid to this, but more comparisons of this technique with that of traditional point counts are needed. We conducted a systematic survey of the ANP avifauna, assessing whether acoustic and traditional surveys resulted in different species richness scores, and whether this varied with habitat and species characteristics. We also investigated the role of habitat and elevation in driving variation in species richness. The ANP provides habitat types including scrub, moorland, montane, hagenia and bamboo forests. Overall, the surveys yielded 101 identified species. The acoustic method resulted in higher species richness scores compared to the traditional method across all habitats, and the relative performance of the two methods did not vary with habitat type or visibility. The methods detected different species, suggesting that they should be used together to maximise the range of species recorded. We found that habitat type was the primary driver of variation in species richness, with scrub and montane forest having higher species richness scores than other habitats.
Uses and mechanisms of apnoeic oxygenation: a narrative review
Authors: Lyons C. , Callaghan M.
Published: February 2019

Apnoeic oxygenation refers to oxygenation in the absence of spontaneous respiration or mechanical ventilation. It has been described in humans for over half a century and has seen a resurgence in interest given its potential to delay oxygen desaturation during airway management, especially with the advent of high‐flow nasal cannulae. This narrative review summarises our current understanding of the mechanisms of gas exchange during apnoeic oxygenation and its diverse range of clinical applications, including its use at induction of anaesthesia and for the facilitation of ‘tubeless anaesthesia’. Additional discussion covers use in critical care, obese, obstetric and paediatric sub‐populations. The article also highlights current research efforts aiming to enhance the evidence base for the use of this technique.
Alpha lipoic acid reverses the negative effect of LPS on mouse spermatozoa and developmental competence of resultant embryos in vitro
Authors: Makvandi A. , Kowsar R. , Hajian M. , Mahdavi A. H. , Tanhaei Vash N. , Nasr‐Esfahani M. H.
Published: February 2019

Background

Reproductive toxicity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on spermatozoa is well established.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to show the potential benefits of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) as a strong antioxidant in alleviating the reproductive toxicity of LPS.

Materials and methods

Sperm cells and cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from healthy NMRI mice (body weights ranged from 25 to 35 g, 100 females and 200 males). Sperm cells were treated with varying doses of ALA (0.01, 0.02, and 0.04 mm) and 0.01 μg/mL of LPS for 4 h. The quality of spermatozoa (ROS production, DNA fragmentation, and spontaneous acrosome reaction), sperm fertilizability, and the consequent developmental competence of oocytes inseminated with ALA/LPS‐treated spermatozoa were recorded.

Results

The results showed that 0.04 mm of ALA abrogated LPS‐reduced sperm motility, viability, ROS production, spontaneous acrosome reaction, fertilizability, and developmental competence. In addition, 0.04 mm ALA significantly reverted the negative effects of LPS on inner cell mass (ICM) cell counts, total cell number (TCM), and ratio between ICM and TCM.

Discussion

Our data showed that ALA significantly could abrogate the negative effects of LPS on sperm quality and oocyte developmental competence. Therefore, ALA had the capacity for protecting sperm cells from LPS‐induced damage and ensured fertilization and developmental competency.

Conclusion

These in vitro findings suggested a therapeutic role for ALA in reducing the negative effects of LPS on spermatozoa and early embryonic development.
Toward liquid biopsies in cancer treatment: application of circulating tumor DNA
Authors: Barlebo Ahlborn Lise , Østrup Olga
Published: February 2019

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) refers to the fraction of cell‐free DNA in a patient's blood originating from tumor cells. Increased knowledge about tumor genomics, improvements in targeted therapies, and accompanying advances in DNA‐sequencing technologies have increased the interest in using ctDNA as a minimally invasive tool in cancer diagnostics and treatment. Especially, early tumor detection including identification of minimal residual disease and stratification of adjuvant therapy are promising approaches. Also, ctDNA showed to be reliable in treatment monitoring and can be used to assess therapy resistance due to the broad variety of tumor subclones captured in ctDNA. Therefore, using ctDNA in the clinical setting has the potential to improve therapeutic outcomes. In the present review, we summarize the status of ctDNA in oncology with focus of being an alternative to tissue biopsies in early detection and treatment monitoring.
Lymphoma diagnostics: getting more from less
Authors: Galardy Paul J. , Bedekovics Tibor , Macintyre Elizabeth , Miles Rodney R.
Published: February 2019

In the modern era, clinicians and pathologists increasingly make challenging diagnoses in patients with suspected lymphoma using minimal amounts of diagnostic material. The increase in utilization of minimally invasive procedures, such as fine needle aspiration or needle core biopsies, lead to challenges in our ability to make accurate histopathological assessments of disease, including the integration of new diagnostic and prognostic testing, with smaller amounts of material. The trend towards minimally invasive diagnostics is also often in conflicting interest with researchers seeking to study tissue specimens to better understand the biology and genetics of these diseases to move the field forward. Thankfully, there are emerging fields which seek to extract large amounts of diagnostic and prognostic data out of material that is circulating in the blood of patients with lymphoma. Here we will review recent exciting data regarding the use of circulating tumour cells, circulating tumour DNA, and the detection and utility of circulating exosomes and how it can assist in diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic monitoring. These advances hold the promise to enable continued safe patient care while also advancing discovery, translational and clinical research.
Personal, environmental, and family factors of participation among young children
Authors: Williams Uzma , Law Mary , Hanna Steven , Gorter Jan Willem
Published: February 2019

Objective

The purpose of this study is to assess the influences of environment, population characteristics, and service utilization on participation frequency and involvement in the home setting among children 0 to 5 years.

Method

Data were collected from parents of 236 children (mean age 3 years and 5 months, SD = 1.30, girls = 152 and boys = 84) using a children's treatment centre in Ontario through an online survey. Two path models measuring home frequency and home involvement were assessed using structural equation modelling. The exogenous factors in the models included child's age, child's sex, child's complexity, number of environmental barriers, income, mother's participation, and service utilization. In addition to participation as the primary outcome, each model explored predictors of service utilization and mother's participation.

Results

The involvement model (R2 = 0.46) explained more variance than the frequency model (R2 = 0.33). Age (0.35, P < 0.001) and barriers (0.07, P = 0.001) predicted participation frequency in the home, χ2(9) = 8.51, P < 0.4, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.00, comparative fit index (CFI) = 1.00. The home involvement model, χ2(6) = 9.79, P < 0.13, RMSEA = 0.06, CFI = 0.97, showed that increasing age (0.09, P < 0.001), lower complexity (0.13, P = 0.001), and higher mother's participation (0.057, P = 0.001) were significantly related to higher participation. An increase in child's age or complexity significantly influenced service utilization across both models. Complexity reduced mother's participation in both the frequency and involvement models.

Conclusions

This study is one of the first in Canada to examine participation of young children. The aggregation of each unit factor, particularly barriers and complexity, can accrue a large impact on the child's and mother's participation. The potential to mediate this impact by removing environmental barriers and promoting mother's participation merits further study.
Assessing the cost‐effectiveness of a fluoride varnish programme in Chile: The use of a decision analytic model in dentistry
Authors: Palacio Raul , Shen Jing , Vale Luke , Vernazza Christopher Robert
Published: February 2019

Objectives

This study illustrates the use of a decision analytic model (DAM) to evaluate whether fluoride varnish application (FV) increases the proportion of caries‐free children in the Chilean preschool population, at an acceptable cost.

Methods

DifferentFVinterventions were compared with an oral health counselling‐only intervention. TheFVinterventions were tested (with and without screening) every 6 months over 2 years, in either a preschool setting or during a well‐child programme appointment in a primary care setting. A Markov model was developed to simulate theFVperformance. The model was populated with data obtained from Chilean epidemiologic studies, a systematic review and a costing study. The counselling‐only intervention was compared withFVinterventions to estimate the incremental cost per child. As there was uncertainty in terms of precise parameter values both probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results

Delivery ofFVin a primary care setting without screening was the most effective and the least costly intervention. Compared with counselling‐only intervention, this intervention increased the prevalence of caries‐free children in the population by 3.7%, with an extra cost (in March 2015) of £3 per caries‐free child. The results were sensitive to the starting age ofFVapplication; increasing age would reduce the cost‐effectiveness of theFVintervention. Furthermore, cost‐effectiveness improves if some equipment such as an oral hygiene kit was not used and if less costly but qualified staff appliedFVrather than dentists.

Conclusions

This analysis allowed the comparison of the performance ofFVin realistic scenarios incorporating important aspects of health and education policies. The application ofFVin a primary care setting was the most cost‐effective strategy. The work demonstrated that both the methodology and results are useful for decision‐makers.
Long‐term structural changes and outcomes of implants in particulate cellular bone and marrow reconstructed jawbone
Authors: Matsuo Akira , Hamada Hayato , Takahashi Hidetoshi , Chikazu Daichi
Published: February 2019

Background

Association between long‐term structural changes of grafted bone and outcomes of the implants is not clear.

Purpose

Morphometrical measurements and implant success were analyzed in subjects of particulate cellular bone and marrow (PCBM) reconstruction of the jawbone.

Materials and Methods

Subjects were 30 implants in 13 patients from a series of 24 PCBM reconstruction cases. The cortical bone thickness and cancellous computed tomography (CT) radiodensity values were retrospectively analyzed from the CT data of 27 subjects. The cumulative success rate of the implants in the PCBM reconstructed cases (pure graft) was compared with that of 127 implants of 56 native bone cases and 42 implants of 28 bone augmentation (partial graft) cases.

Results

In areas of PCBM reconstruction, cancellous CT radiodensity values were significantly high immediately after the surgery, and subsequently the values became stable. Cortical thickness was significantly increased, but did not reach that of native bone. Implant success rates were statistically not different (P = 0.783) between the native bone (91.3%), the partially grafted bone (95.2%), and the PCBM reconstructed bone (93.3%).

Conclusion

Implants in pure grafted bone are mainly supported by cancellous bone, because cortical thickness remained thin for a long period of time.