bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of eliminating Riba in foreign currency transactions by introducing global FinTech network
Authors: Selim Mohammad
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effects of eliminating Riba in foreign currency transactions. Riba or interest arises when foreign currencies are bought and sold at different rates. From the Islamic perspective, the difference between the buying and selling rates of foreign exchange will constitute Riba. Also, this paper examines the effects of eliminating such Riba on major macroeconomic variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on the hadith which imply that if buying and selling rates of currencies or foreign exchanges are same, i.e. if one sells BD1 = Dh10 and Dh10 = BD1 on spot, there will be no Riba. This can be guaranteed if the Islamic banking system introduces the technology, often known as FinTech interest-free foreign exchange bank machines (IFfexBM), which will automatically dispense BD10 for Dh100 and vice-versa, both locally and globally, and it will have tremendous positive effects in the economy. Furthermore, the effects of introducing FinTech for eliminating Riba will be analyzed on economic and international trade activities by using aggregate expenditure (AE) and aggregate output model within the tenets of Islamic principles.

Findings

If Islamic banks (IBs) can introduce FinTech global network system where any client can buy or sell foreign currency at the same rate without any markup, it will increase the market share for IBs by increasing the number of customers and number of branches, and it will increase the inflow of funds and volumes of transactions, especially in international trade, global financial transactions and cross-border shopping. Such an increase in transactions will increase AE and AE will continuously shift up. Such an upward shift will have positive effects on equilibrium output, employment and prosperity.

Originality/value

This is, perhaps, one of the latest attempts to eliminate Riba from foreign exchange transactions by introducing FinTech IFfexBM in each and every locality. Such elimination of Riba will not only reduce the cost of cross-border transactions but it will also reduce cost in international trade and financial transactions among nations, and therefore, it will have expansionary effects on equilibrium output, employment and global prosperity.
Modeling the volatility of DJIM equity indices: a fundamental analysis using quantile regression
Authors: Arfaoui Mongi , Ben Rejeb Aymen
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the behavior of volatility of Islamic equity indices toward fundamental risk factors. It focuses on the degree and structure of sensitivity to commodity price changes, global risk perception and term premium and whether crises and fragility periods have shaped the degree and structure of this sensitivity.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantile regression incorporating structural changes and GARCH-class model are used to establish how sensitivities are varying across volatility distribution depending on global events. The data are daily series of return indices, over the period spanning from January 1, 2001 until January 22, 2018.

Findings

The results show significant sensitivity to fundamental factors. The sensitivity is identified for different regional indices and intensified across quantiles. Speculation has shaped the structure of sensitivity at normal time, but correction holds at time of crisis. The results reveal that even if they share common features, commodities cannot be considered as homogeneous asset class. Indeed, the exact relationship cannot be observed at normal time in presence of speculation and information delay. However, at time of financial fragility and periods of crisis, the sensitivity is assigned with the plausible sign.

Practical implications

The obtained results present several policy implications as well for academics, portfolio managers and policy-makers. It opens new research paths for academic research, it helps in investment decisions, provides lessons for portfolio diversification, both for price discovery and hedging. The results serve as well to implement effective macroeconomic stabilization policies and even fiscal policies to counteract any inflationary impact of fundamental price changes on investors and Islamic banks.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to empirical literature by dealing with the sensitivity of Islamic equity indices to commodity prices and term premium along with the effect of investor sentiment. It pays attention to the financial stability of Islamic stock markets by investigating the sensitivity at normal time, during fragility periods and periods of crisis. It considers the financialization process of commodity markets and includes the term premium to control for rational expectations on term structure of interest rates and the VIX (Volatility index) as global risk perception to control for safety and risk aversion.
Research data sharing behaviour of engineering researchers in Norway and the UK: uncovering the double face of Janus
Authors: Mallasvik Mari Louise , Martins Jorge Tiago
Published: December 2020

Purpose

In a context of growing policy pressures to increase the societal impact of Higher Education Institutions (HEI), open access to research data has gained increased significance, in spite of the limited availability of standard procedures and protocols, particularly in the engineering disciplines. In this article, we explore how engineering researchers' engagement with such external environment pressures impacts the conventional dimensions of engineering research work, and how engineering researchers within engineering HEI resolve potential tensions and make sense of their research data sharing practices.

Design/methodology/approach

We use an institutional logics theoretical perspective to qualitatively examine research data sharing behaviours of researchers in Norway and the UK as leading engineering research centres, through the use of policy analysis and narrative interviews.

Findings

The findings indicate that research data sharing behaviours are heavily mediated by institutional rules and rationalities that inform researchers' attitudes, but the logics that prize openness and sharing co-exist with logics that favour control and self-interest.

Originality/value

Our findings suggest that logics-specific variations in engineering researchers' identities and goals are of paramount importance to policymakers, research funders and academic leaders striving to support HEI in their efforts to augment the societal impact of research.
Envisioning a strategic framework to streamline building operation, sustainability and users’ disease control
Authors: Falorca Jorge Furtado
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to present a strategic framework aiming to streamline building operation and sustainability issues. To make available a further contribution to respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), an operational prevention guideline relying on the level of spread risk has also been developed, primarily intended for users when accessing and circulating within common spaces of buildings in general.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach involved the development of a whole theory, essentially based on a qualitative design, by means of tree schematic representations and explanatory frames. It presents part of a model already developed (called SIAPME), although, in general, besides integrating the underlying aspects of the individual experience of daily life, it is based on insights and impressions taken from the literature review.

Findings

With an identity of its own, this study offers an overview of an alternative set of well-founded and integrated strategies to improve working processes in a number of fields of the building operation function. A structured vision has thus, been provided with interest in certain key topics of the present time, such as energy management, comfort and sustainability. Still, in this context, based on a frame of knowledge gathered to date, a current, innovative and simple guidance has also been designed to help prevent the contagion of COVID-19.

Research limitations/implications

The draft of procedures is part of an ambitious goal to serve as a well-founded strategic basis for the eventual development of an advanced software solution. As it is mainly limited to qualitative analysis, from which themes and generalisations have been arranged, this research may need more empirical evidence and additional work will be necessary to overcome any gaps that may be found.

Practical implications

An overall assessment of this study seems to corroborate the idea that a significant impact on the developments in building operation can occur if stakeholders seek a more integrated way of management, based on cross-referencing of current issues. At a time when great uncertainties remain and knowledge advances are in full swing, the designed framework aims to be an added input towards already existing research. Furthermore, it can be seen as a valuable contribution to improving related software applications.

Originality/value

The originality lies in trying to better understand how and in which aspects the general day-to-day management of building operation can be handled more effectively, sustainable and framed, following a reasoned scientific line, in addition of trying to figure out greater capacity to deal with users’ contagions, especially in the existing context of the pandemic.
Nexus between intellectual capital and profitability with interaction effects: panel data evidence from the Indian healthcare industry
Authors: Tiwari Ranjit
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study seeks to understand the nexus between intellectual capital and profitability of healthcare firms in India with interaction effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Relevant data were extracted from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE)'s Prowess database for a period of ten years 2009–2018 for a sample of 84 selected firms from the healthcare industry. This study uses value added intellectual coefficient (VAIC) and modified value added intellectual coefficient (MVAIC) as a measure of intellectual capital. Further, the study employs panel regression techniques to explore the relationship between intellectual capital and profitability.

Findings

The empirical findings reveal that the intellectual capital coefficient of healthcare firms in India averages 2.7757. It is also observed that a majority of the healthcare firms' intellectual capital coefficient is below the industry average. From the regression analysis, it is evident that the intellectual capital coefficient is positively related to the profitability of healthcare firms in India. As far as the components of intellectual capital coefficient are concerned, the capital employed coefficient (CEC) is the only component driving the profitability of healthcare firms in India. A further introduction of interaction terms improves model explainability and moderates the impact of the predictor variable on the response variable. Furthermore, it is observed that the intellectual capital coefficient of the healthcare industry is immune to changes in political regimes in India.

Practical implications

The findings reveal that intellectual capital is an important driver of corporate performance, thus healthcare firms in developing economies like India need to enhance their intellectual potential. Therefore, corporates and governments in developing economies should stimulate investments in developing intellectual capital for enhanced corporate performance and economic growth. Thus, this study might be used as a reference by policymakers while drafting the future policy for the development of intellectual capital in general and healthcare sector specifically.

Originality/value

This is among the first few studies to explore such an empirical relationship for healthcare firms in India and among the few studies of this kind across the globe. It also makes novel contributions in considering interaction variables and seeking the consistency of results across different political regimes. However, the study examines one nation and one industry; thus, the generalisation of findings requires caution.
Absorptive capacity and disaster immunity: the mediating role of information quality and change management capability
Authors: Sadeghi J. Kiarash , Struckell Elisabeth , Ojha Divesh , Nowicki David
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Service organization supply chains provide a context that amplifies the complexity of interorganizational interdependencies and the need to build unique capabilities and innovative solutions, especially when confronted with man-made or natural disasters. Using the lens of complex adaptive systems (CAS), this study aims to investigate the role of absorptive capacity (AC), change management capability and information quality in improving a firm’s ability to cope with disasters – disaster immunity (DI). The study uniquely parses absorptive capacity into a three-variable, second-order construct (absorptive human resource management, absorptive complementary knowledge and absorptive infrastructure).

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected from 264 US service firms in a supply chain context, this paper evaluates the research model using the structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

The second-order, three-dimensional framework for AC has far superior psychometric properties as compared to the previous unidimensional conceptualizations. Results show that AC influences a firm’s DI through change management capability and information quality – two DI enhancing resources.

Originality/value

The paper builds on previous conceptual discussions of absorptive capacity as a multidimensional construct by operationalizing AC as a latent variable with three dimensions (above). Moreover, this paper shows that AC, change management capability, information quality and DI are interrelated parts of a CAS.
Women’s mental health as a public health priority: a call for action
Authors: Silverio Sergio A.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to call the public health and mental health communities to action by making women’s mental health a public health priority.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper introduces a “Female Psychology” approach to framing and interpreting mental health narratives and public health discourses. It also draws upon lifecourse research as a way of better understanding mental illness.

Findings

This paper calls for action to prioritise women’s mental health on the public health agenda like has never previously been done before.

Research limitations/implications

New theoretical bases for research and practice are presented, encouraging the adoption of a “Female Psychology” approach to women’s lifecourses and mental health narratives.

Practical implications

Suggestions for changes to how we view, diagnose and treat women’s mental health are incorporated, ensuring women’s mental health narratives are placed firmly at the centre of their care and support.

Social implications

Women’s mental health has long been marginalised and dismissed as exaggerated and/or insignificant, and therefore has not had the economic-, personnel- and time-resource allocated to it, which it so desperately requires. This paper aims to tip the imbalance.

Originality/value

This paper, though conceptual, offers “Female Psychology” as both a practical and pragmatic approach to improving women’s mental health research, practice, and care. It is the first of its kind to, so directly, call the public health and mental health communities to prioritise women’s mental health.
Viewpoint: Service products, development of service knowledge and our community’s target audience
Authors: Wirtz Jochen
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to emphasize a research priority on the understanding of service products and how services can be productized. Furthermore, it provides perspectives on the contribution of service research to management practice and who should be the main target audience of service research.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on the personal reflections of an author of two leading services marketing textbooks.

Findings

This paper develops three propositions related to service research. First, it advances that academic service research has neglected the important topic of productizing services and that service products should be treated as concrete units of deliverables to customers rather than something fuzzy of unspecified quantity. That is, service products should be developed, designed, specified, configured, modularized, bundled, tiered, branded, priced sold and delivered to customers. More research is needed on how organizations can do this. Second, this paper argues that academics frequently underestimate the significant contributions service research has made to management practice and details important contributions that originated from the service research community. Third, it is proposed that the main target audience of service research should not be the marketing, sales and service departments. Rather, it should be decision makers (especially C-level executives) across all functions who should develop a service perspective and service mindset.

Research limitations/implications

This paper urges service researchers to focus on what are service products and how firm can create, manage and deliver them. Furthermore, it suggests that service researchers should be more confident and proud of the significant progress and contributions they have made to management practice over the past few decades. Finally, service researchers should tailor their messages for decisions makers of all organizational functions and departments in service organizations.

Originality/value

As a writer of five editions of a services marketing textbook, the author has sifted through three decades of service research. The reflections in this paper originate from this unique perspective.
Polydopamine/palygorskite hybrid-reinforced epoxy coatings adhered to a concrete surface
Authors: Sun Dewen , Hou Pingping , Li Bo , Yin Hao , Ran Qianping
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to prepare a polydopamine (PDA)–palygorskite (Pal) hybrid-reinforced epoxy coating with high adhesion strength on wet concrete surface.

Design/methodology/approach

One synthetic step was adopted to prepare novel PDA–Pal hybrid epoxy coating. The process and product were analyzed and confirmed by FIRT, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The mass fraction of PDA–Pal hybrid affecting the adhesion strength of epoxy coating was analyzed and confirmed by pull-off test.

Findings

PDA–Pal hybrid mass fractions of 0, 1, 3 and 5 were added to the coatings. For a 5 Wt.% PDA–Pal hybrid content, the adhesive strengths on the saturated or underwater concrete surfaces increased to 4.0 and 2.5 MPa, respectively. In addition, the tensile mechanical property of the epoxy coating improved significantly after PDA–Pal addition.

Practical implications

This new epoxy coating hybrid by PDA–Pal could be applied as a concrete protective layer near water or in wet or damp environments.

Originality/value

Introduction of PDA–Pal hybrid to prepare epoxy coating with high adhesion strength on wet concrete surface has not been systematically studied previously.
Do sociodemographic factors have influence on risk tolerance level of stock market investors? An analysis from a developing country perspective
Authors: Muktadir-Al-Mukit Dewan
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The study attempts to assess the relationship between sociodemographic factors and the risk tolerance level of stock market investors reflected by their trading behavior from the perspective of developing market economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected data from a survey on capital market investors in Bangladesh. Portfolio beta has been used as a dependent variable to measure the risk tolerance level where total 11 sociodemographic factors have been used as independent variables.

Findings

Among all study variables, three sociodemographic factors are found to be significant in differentiating the risk tolerance level of the stock market investors. The author finds that the risk tolerance level of stock market investors significantly varies according to marital status, family size and financial responsibility.

Practical implications

As sociodemographic characteristics provide a basis in assessing the investor risk tolerance level in the context of developing market economies, the study suggests that stock market related policy and investment management planning process should be formulated by incorporating behavioral aspects of the retail investors.

Originality/value

This study has the potential to contribute to the behavioral finance literature by showing how and at what extent sociodemographic factors may influence the risk tolerance level of stock market investors in developing countries, where sociodemographic factors are considered to be more dominating than the normative portfolio selection procedure because of lacking in investors' financial literacy and due to the presence of a weak regulatory as well as institutional framework. Further, apart from identifying and comprehensively incorporating all possible sociodemographic factors, this study uses portfolio beta as a new objective measure for financial risk tolerance, which overcomes the problem of subjective and other risk tolerance measurement in the existing literature.
Antecedents of civic virtue and altruistic organizational citizenship behavior in Macau
Authors: Chan Sow Hup Joanne , Kuok Oi Mei Kim
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationships between two dimensions of communication satisfaction – personal feedback and supervisory communication – on outcomes such as altruistic organizational citizenship behavior and civic virtue. Another aim is to examine the mediating role of organizational justice (OJ) between these two dimensions of communication satisfaction and altruistic organizational citizenship behavior and civic virtue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a survey conducted in major organizations in Macau SAR, China. Data from 294 respondents who successfully completed the questionnaire is used for the analysis.

Findings

The results reveal that supervisory communication is significantly and positively associated with altruistic organizational citizenship behavior. Both personal feedback and supervisory communication are significantly and positively associated with civic virtue. OJ is a mediator between personal feedback and civic virtue. OJ also mediates the relationship between satisfaction with supervisory communication and civic virtue. It is intriguing that OJ is not a mediator in the relationship between satisfaction with communication and altruistic organizational citizenship behavior.

Research limitations/implications

A single city cross-sectional study presents some restrictions on the generalizability of the findings. More studies are needed to understand communication satisfaction – organizational citizenship behavior processes to establish if the findings hold with other samples in other cultures.

Practical implications

The empirical evidence in this study shows that satisfaction with communication is critical for promoting discretionary behaviors. The mediating roles of OJ between personal feedback and civic virtue and between supervisory communication and civic virtue, clearly indicate that even though a manager may try hard to motivate employees’ participation in discretionary behaviors, whether employees participate in extra-role behaviors depends on their perception of justice.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine how altruistic organizational citizenship behavior and civic virtues are influenced by satisfaction with communication. Moreover, the mediating role of OJ has never been tested previously. The findings contribute to the HR literature and provide deeper insights on how to promote citizenship behavior.
Priority nonconformity and service quality analysis of hospitals in Thailand: a care provider perspective
Authors: Vanichchinchai Assadej
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The objectives of this research are to investigate service quality expectation, perception and satisfaction in outpatient departments and to propose the priority nonconformity index (PNCI) to assess overall prioritization of efforts in relation to expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

SERVQUAL has five dimensions: tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. It was used to gather data from multiple-responding care providers in 220 Thai hospitals nationwide. Paired-samples t-test and importance-performance analysis (IPA) were used for analysis. The PNCI was initiated to evaluate the overall conformity between expectation and perception and to suggest strategies for improvement.

Findings

It was found that assurance is the most important and the best performed dimension with the least dissatisfaction. Tangibility is the least important and the least performed dimension with the most dissatisfaction. From gap analysis, there are significant negative gaps in overall service quality, all dimensions and all indicators. IPA found assurance and responsiveness as strengths, and this suggests transfer of excessive resources from empathy to enhance reliability. PNCI of Thai hospitals is 0.8 and this has suggested similar strategies to IPA.

Originality/value

Findings from this study can be employed to develop strategic policy to improve Thai hospitals as a whole. The newly developed PNCI can be used as an indicator to assess efficiency of resource allocation to fit better with customer requirements.
Rethinking entrepreneurship through distribution: distributive relations and the reproduction of racialized inequality among South African entrepreneurs
Authors: Beresford Melissa
Published: December 2020

Entrepreneurship is commonly understood as the identification, evaluation, and execution of a market‐based opportunity to produce profits. But anthropological scholarship shows that capitalism, and market relations more broadly, cannot function without acts of distribution. Focusing on two different groups of entrepreneurs across the racialized socioeconomic divides of Cape Town, South Africa – White South African entrepreneurs in the city's central business district and Black South African entrepreneurs in the city's largest township of Khayelitsha – this article compares the distributive resources that entrepreneurs use to launch and maintain their businesses. I show that the productive capacity of all entrepreneurs depends upon the distributive resources that are available to them, gained primarily from access to intergenerational wealth or from lateral modes of reciprocity and social support. But more importantly, I demonstrate how these distributive resources and activities reproduce the structural economic inequalities of racial capitalism, which are rooted in South Africa's colonial and apartheid history. I conclude by discussing the implications that this has for the ways that anthropologists discuss the potential of distributive strategies among marginalized populations, as well as the way that scholars and policy‐makers understand the economic potential of entrepreneurial practice.
Physical characterization of high methoxyl pectin and sunflower oil wax emulsions: A low‐field 1H NMR relaxometry study
Authors: Akkaya Sinem , Ozel Baris , Oztop Mecit Halil , Yanik Derya Kocak , Gogus Fahrettin
Published: December 2020

Pectin–wax‐based emulsion systems could be used to form edible films and coatings with desired water permeability characteristics. Pectin is often used in food industry due to its gelling and viscosity increasing properties. Physical properties of pectin are highly dependent on its esterification degree. Waxes are commonly used as edible coatings to enhance the water barrier properties of food products. This study focuses on preparing emulsions with sunflower oil wax (SFW) and high methoxyl pectin (HMP) at different concentrations for any possible edible film or coating formulations. Sunflower oil (SFO) was added as the dispersed oil phase to these emulsions. Characterization of the emulsions was performed by using particle size, rheology, and time domain nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry measurements. Effects of HMP concentration and the presence of SFO in the emulsion formulations were explored. Mean particle size values were recorded between 1 and 3 µm. Rheology measurements showed that increasing HMP concentrations and presence of SFO in emulsions resulted in more pseudoplastic behavior. NMR transverse relaxation times (T2) were measured to detect the differences between the emulsions. Relaxation spectrum analysis was also conducted for a detailed understanding of the transverse relaxations. Addition of SFO and higher HMP concentrations decreased the T 2 values of the emulsion systems (P < 0.05). However, T2 decreasing effect of SFO was compensated at 10% (w/w) HMP concentration showing that SFO was well dispersed in this particular emulsion formulation. Changes in the rheological behavior and relaxation times provided insight on the formation and stability of the emulsions.

Practical Application

Findings of this study can be utilized and integrated to produce edible films and coatings with different water permeability characteristics. This study showed that NMR relaxometry parameters were also effective in monitoring and determining the physical characteristics of the pectin–wax‐based emulsion systems as other conventional techniques including rheology and particle size measurements. Our NMR relaxometry findings were in correlation with the flow behavior and particle size results of the investigated emulsion systems.
Distribution of active ingredients of a commercial aflatoxin biocontrol product in naturally occurring fungal communities across Kenya
Authors: Islam Md‐Sajedul , Callicott Kenneth A. , Mutegi Charity , Bandyopadhyay Ranajit , Cotty Peter J.
Published: December 2020

Human populations in Kenya are repeatedly exposed to dangerous aflatoxin levels through consumption of contaminated crops. Biocontrol with atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus is an effective method for preventing aflatoxin in crops. Although four atoxigenic A. flavus isolates (C6E, E63I, R7H and R7K) recovered from maize produced in Kenya are registered as active ingredients for a biocontrol product (Aflasafe KE01) directed at preventing contamination, natural distributions of these four genotypes prior to initiation of commercial use have not been reported. Distributions of the active ingredients of KE01 based on haplotypes at 17 SSR loci are reported. Incidences of the active ingredients and closely related haplotypes were determined in soil collected from 629 maize fields in consecutive long and short rains seasons of 2012. The four KE01 haplotypes were among the top ten most frequent. Haplotype H‐1467 of active ingredient R7K was the most frequent and widespread haplotype in both seasons and was detected in the most soils (3.8%). The four KE01 haplotypes each belonged to large clonal groups containing 27–46 unique haplotypes distributed across multiple areas and in 21% of soils. Each of the KE01 haplotypes belonged to a distinct vegetative compatibility group (VCG), and all A. flavus with haplotypes matching a KE01 active ingredient belonged to the same VCG as the matching active ingredient as did all A. flavus haplotypes differing at only one SSR locus. Persistence of the KE01 active ingredients in Kenyan agroecosystems is demonstrated by detection of identical SSR haplotypes six years after initial isolation. The data provide baselines for assessing long‐term influences of biocontrol applications in highly vulnerable production areas of Kenya.
Interstrain differences in voluntary binge‐like drinking behavior and in two acute ethanol injections‐induced synaptic plasticity deficits in rats
Authors: Sauton Pierre , Deschamps Chloé , Jeanblanc Virginie , Pierrefiche Olivier , Jeanblanc Jérôme , Naassila Mickael
Published: December 2020

Propensity to drink alcohol and to initiate binge drinking behavior is driven by genetic factors. Recently, we proposed an original animal model useful in the study of voluntary binge‐like drinking (BD) in outbred Long–Evans rats by combining intermittent access to 20% ethanol in a two‐bottle choice (IA2BC) paradigm to 15‐min daily sessions of 20% ethanol operant self‐administration. We sought to compare three strains of outbred rats (Long–Evans, Sprague–Dawley, and Wistar) in our BD model. Because we found different propensity to BD between strains, we also sought to test interstrain differences using another procedure of two acute ethanol exposures known to alter long‐term depression of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Our results demonstrate that in both IA2BC and operant procedures, the Long–Evans strain consumed the highest, Wistar the lowest amount of ethanol, and the Sprague–Dawley was intermediate. Long–Evans rats were also the fastest consuming with the shortest time to reach 50% of their maximum consumption in 15 min. When we tested the acute effects of ethanol, long‐term depression in hippocampus was abolished specifically in Long–Evans rats with no impact in the two other strains. Thus, our study reveals that the Long–Evans strain is the ideal strain in our recently developed animal model useful in the study of BD. In addition, with the other paradigm of forced acute ethanol exposure, the Long–Evans strain displayed an increase in sensitivity to the deleterious effect of BD on hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Further studies are needed in order to investigate why Long–Evans rats are more prone to BD.
Heroin‐assisted treatment of heroin‐addicted patients normalizes regulatory T cells but does not restore CD4+ T cell proliferation
Authors: Hansen Wiebke , Luppus Sina , Barthel Romy , Chang Dae‐In , Broemstrup Julia , Zwarg Thomas , Shibata Jo , Westendorf Astrid M. , Buer Jan , Scherbaum Norbert
Published: December 2020

Heroin dependence may result in suppression of adaptive immune responses. Previously, we demonstrated an increase in relative numbers of inhibitory CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and impaired proliferative activity of CD4+ T cells from heroin‐addicted patients in contrast to patients in opioid maintenance therapy and healthy controls. However, it remains elusive whether heroin has a direct impact on the CD4+ T cell compartment or whether observed effects result from stressful living conditions. Here, we analyzed the frequencies of Tregs and the proliferation as well as the cytokine production of stimulated CD4+ T cells from heroin‐addicted patients with use of illicit heroin, patients in heroin‐assisted treatment (HAT), and patients in methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). Relative numbers of CD4+ Tregs were significantly enhanced in patients with illicit heroin abuse compared with patients in HAT or MMT. Notably, CD4+ T cells from patients in HAT and from persons using illicit heroin showed significant reduced proliferation and secretion of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines IFN‐γ and IL‐6 upon stimulation in vitro. From these results, we conclude that structured programs such as HAT and MMT dampen elevated frequencies of Tregs in heroin‐addicted patients, whereas chronic heroin administration irrespective of using illicit heroin or receiving HAT has a direct impact on the proliferative activity and cytokine production of CD4+ T cells.
Transfer of incentive salience from a first‐order alcohol cue to a novel second‐order alcohol cue among individuals at risk for alcohol use disorder: electrophysiological evidence
Authors: Fleming Kimberly A. , Cofresí Roberto U. , Bartholow Bruce D.
Published: December 2020

Background and aims

In susceptible individuals, cues associated with drug use are theorized to take on incentive–motivational properties, including the ability to reinforce higher‐order, drug‐related associative learning. This study aimed to test this prediction among people varying in risk for alcohol use disorder.

Design, setting and participants

Repeated‐measures experiment with a measured individual difference variable at a University psychology laboratory in Missouri, USA. One hundred and six young adults (96 contributed complete data) were pre‐selected to represent the upper and lower quartiles of self‐reported sensitivity to alcohol's acute effects.

Measurements

Participants completed a second‐order Pavlovian conditioning paradigm in which an initially neutral visual cue (second‐order conditional stimulus; CS2) predicted onset of an olfactory cue (first‐order conditional stimulus; CS1). Olfactory cues were isolated from alcoholic beverages, sweets and non‐comestible substances, each presumed to have a natural history of first‐order conditioning. Event‐related potential responses to the CS2 across its conditioning and extinction, and to the CS1, provided neurophysiological indices of incentive salience (IS).

Findings

The IS of the alcohol CS1 was higher among participants low in alcohol sensitivity (LS), relative to their higher‐sensitivity (HS) peers. The IS of the CS2 paired with the alcohol CS1 increased across the CS2 conditioning phase among LS but not HS participants. Also, LS (but not HS) individuals also experienced increases in alcohol craving following alcohol CS1 exposure, and this change was correlated with increases in the IS of the CS2 paired with the alcohol CS1.

Conclusions

Alcoholic beverage odor, a proximal cue for alcohol consumption, appears to reinforce conditioning of neurophysiological responses to a novel cue among low alcohol sensitivity (LS) individuals but not high alcohol sensitivity individuals, providing the first evidence that the LS phenotype may be associated with differences in the conditioned reinforcing properties of alcohol‐related cues. These findings support the idea that the LS phenotype may increase alcohol use disorder risk via susceptibility to incentive salience sensitization.
Building a hospital‐based addiction medicine consultation service in Vancouver, Canada: the path taken and lessons learned
Authors: Braithwaite Vivian , Ti Lianping , Fairbairn Nadia , Ahamad Keith , McLean Mark , Harrison Scott , Wood Evan , Nolan Seonaid
Published: December 2020

Background and aims

To improve evidence‐based addiction care in acute care settings, many hospitals across North America are developing an inpatient addiction medicine consultation service (AMCS). St Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, Canada houses a large interdisciplinary AMCS. This study aimed to: (1) describe the current model of clinical care and its evolution over time; (2) evaluate requests for an AMCS consultation over time; (3) highlight the established clinical training opportunities and educational curriculum and (4) provide some lessons learned.

Design, setting and participants

A retrospective observational analysis in an urban, academic hospital in Vancouver, Canada with a large interdisciplinary AMCS, studied from 2013 to 2018, among individuals who presented to hospital and had a substance use disorder.

Measurements

Data were collected using the hospital's electronic medical records. The primary outcome was number of AMCS consultations over time.

Findings

In 2014 the hospital's AMCS was restructured into an academic, interdisciplinary consultation service. A 228% increase in the number of consultations was observed between 2013 (1 year prior to restructuring) and 2018 (1373 versus 4507, respectively; P = 0.027). More than half of AMCS consultations originated from the emergency department, with this number increasing over time (55% in 2013 versus 74% in 2018). Referred patients were predominantly male (> 60% in all 5 years) between the ages of 45 and 65 years. Reasons for consultation remained consistent and included: opioids (33%), stimulants (30%), alcohol (23%) and cannabis use (8%).

Conclusions

After St Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, Canada was restructured in 2014 to a large, interdisciplinary addiction medicine consultation service (AMCS), the AMCS saw a 228% increase in the number of consultation requests with more than half of requests originating from the emergency department. Approximately two‐thirds of consultation requests were for opioid or stimulant use.
Australian Bogong moths Agrotis infusa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), 1951–2020: decline and crash
Authors: Green Ken , Caley Peter , Baker Monika , Dreyer David , Wallace Jesse , Warrant Eric
Published: December 2020

The Bogong moth Agrotis infusa is well known for its remarkable long‐distance migration – a return journey from the plains of southeast Australia to the Australian Alps – as well as for its cultural significance for Indigenous Australians. Each spring, as many as four billion moths are estimated to arrive in the Australian Alps to aestivate in cool mountain caves and in boulder fields, bringing with them a massive annual influx of energy and nutrients critical for the health of the alpine ecosystem. However, a massive decline in moths present at their aestivation sites has occurred over the past 3 years, with only a few individuals present where hundreds of thousands could earlier be found. In order to understand the possible sources of decline, we analysed historical records of Bogong moth numbers at aestivation sites in the Australian Alps, including observations on Mt. Gingera (NSW) in the early 1950s, observations from 1980 onwards in the Snowy Mountains (NSW) and an almost‐unbroken series of observations each summer over the past 53 years in three caves at different elevations on Mt. Buffalo (Victoria). This analysis shows that moth numbers were probably steady from 1951 until about 1980, fluctuated and slowly fell from then until 2016 and dramatically crashed in 2017. In the Murray–Darling Basin, the main winter breeding ground of Bogong moths, changes in farming practices, such as increasing land clearing for crops (which has removed around a quarter of a billion moths annually from the mountains compared to pre‐European levels), has probably driven some of the decline in Bogong moth numbers observed from 1980 to 2016. The impact of insecticide remains unclear and is in urgent need of further study. Even though we found little evidence that increasing global temperatures per se are responsible for the Bogong moth decline, the Australian climate has nonetheless become drier and warmer over past decades, possibly hampering the survival of immature stages in the breeding areas and confining adult aestivation to gradually higher elevations. The crash in moth numbers from 2017 is most likely due to the recent severe drought in the moth's breeding grounds.
An anatomical study of the dorsal and ventral nasal conchal bullae and middle nasal conchae in normal Shetland ponies: Computed tomographic anatomical and morphometric findings
Authors: Gerlach Kerstin , Vervuert Ingrid , Gittel Claudia , Köhler Lisa , Schmidt Nane , Winter Karsten , Berner Dagmar , Troillet Antonia , Schulz‐Kornas Ellen
Published: December 2020

Equine paranasal sinuses are susceptible to inflammation. Insufficient drainage through the nasal passages and meatus may lead to the accumulation of inspissated purulent discharge. Particularly in ponies, these anatomical structures are suspected to be relatively small. To date, there are no reports considering the morphology of nasal conchal bullae in small horse breeds such as Shetland ponies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the size of the conchal bullae and the medial nasal conchae of Shetland ponies and their relation to the skull dimension using computed tomography. Reconstructed images of healthy adult heads of Shetland ponies were used. Linear skull measurements as well as two cranial indices of the head dimensions were taken. Length, width and height of the dorsal and ventral conchal bullae and the medial nasal conchae were measured in relation to the skull and compared with the data of skulls of large breed horses. The anatomical proportions of pony heads were characterized by a smaller cranial index and a greater nasal index than those of large breed horses. Shetland ponies showed a longer cranial length compared with the nasal length. Heads are consistently smaller, and the relationship of the bullae to the head length was also smaller than those measured in large breed horses. A negative correlation between the head and bullae size was found. In conclusion, this study suggests that Shetland ponies have distinguishing proportions of the head. These findings are relevant for clinical examination and surgical treatment of equine sinus disease in those breeds.
‘I’d rather die in the middle of a street’: Perceptions and expectations of aged care among Forgotten Australians
Authors: Browne‐Yung Kathryn , O’Neil Diana , Walker Ruth , Smyth Alison , Putsey Peter , Corlis Megan , Laver Kate E. , Fernandez Elizabeth , Cations Monica
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To explore perceptions and expectations regarding aged care among older Forgotten Australians, informing better ways of delivering safe and inclusive care for this group.

Methods

In‐depth interviews were undertaken with sixteen Forgotten Australians to understand their perspectives, hopes and perceived barriers to receiving appropriate aged care. Qualitative data were analysed using Ritchie and Spencer's framework approach.

Results

Participants were highly averse to receiving aged care in residential settings, particularly where delivered by religious organisations. Limited perceived opportunities to develop trust and maintain control and independence while managing re‐traumatising situations shaped Forgotten Australians negative perceptions of the aged care system. Participants also spoke of how their lifelong marginalisation could limit their access to choice and quality in aged care.

Conclusion

The aged care industry could provide safe and inclusive care by adopting a person‐centred and trauma‐informed model that recognises and addresses the specific needs and challenges of Forgotten Australians.
Neutrophilic dermatosis: a new skin manifestation and novel pathogenic variant in a rare autoinflammatory disease
Authors: Bardou Maine Luellah Demaret , Rivitti‐Machado Maria Cecilia , Michalany Nilceo Schwery , de Jesus Adriana Almeida , Goldbach‐Mansky Raphaela , Barros João Coriolano Rego , Terreri Maria Teresa de Sande e Lemos Ramos Ascensão , Grumach Anete Sevciovic
Published: December 2020

Sideroblastic anaemia, B‐cell immunodeficiency, periodic fever and developmental delay (SIFD) is caused by mutations of TRNT1, an enzyme essential for mitochondrial protein synthesis, and has been reported in 23 cases. A 6‐month‐old girl was evaluated with recurrent fever, failure to thrive, skin lesions and anaemia. She received blood transfusions and empirical antibiotics. Skin lesions, previously interpreted as insect bites, consisted of numerous firm asymptomatic erythematous papules and nodules, distributed over trunk and limbs. Skin histopathology revealed an intense dermal neutrophilic infiltrate extending to the subcutaneous, with numerous atypical myeloid cells, requiring the diagnosis of leukaemia cutis, to be ruled out. Over the follow‐up, she developed herpetic stomatitis, tonsillitis, lobar pneumonia and Metapneumovirus tracheitis, and also deeper skin lesions, resembling panniculitis. Hypogammaglobulinaemia was diagnosed. An autoinflammatory disease was confirmed by whole exome sequencing: heterozygous mutations for TRNT1 NM_182916 c.495_498del, p.F167Tfs * 9 and TRNT1 NM_182916 c.1246A>G, p.K416E. The patient has been treated with subcutaneous immunoglobulin and etanercept. She presented with developmental delay and short stature for age. The fever, anaemia, skin neutrophilic infiltration and the inflammatory parameters improved. We describe a novel mutation in SIFD and the first to present skin manifestations, namely neutrophilic dermal and hypodermal infiltration.