bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A transgender girl’s experience: sexual exploitation and systems involvement
Authors: Hammond Ivy , Godoy Sarah , Kelly Mikaela , Bath Eraka
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The available research on specialized interventions for youth experiencing commercial sexual exploitation almost exclusively focuses on the impact and efficacy related to cisgender girls, despite the inclusion of youth who identify as transgender in these programs. This paper aims to present a case study on the experience of a transgender adolescent girl who experienced commercial sexual exploitation and provides a narrative of the multifarious challenges she faced while involved in institutional systems of care.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducted an in-depth case review of all records on “Jade,” a white adolescent transgender girl who experienced commercial sexual exploitation, from a specialty court program in the juvenile justice system between 2012 and 2016. Her experiences throughout childhood exemplify many of the unique challenges that transgender girls and young women with histories of exploitation or trafficking may encounter within service delivery and socioecological systems. This paper applied concepts adapted from the gender minority stress theoretical model to understand how minority gender identity can shape the experiences and outcomes of the youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation.

Findings

Jade’s narrative underscores the interplay of gender-based sexual violence, heteronormative structural barriers, transphobia and their intersectional impact on her experience while receiving specialized care. The intersectional hardships she experienced likely contributed to adverse biopsychosocial outcomes, including high rates of medical and behavioral health diagnoses and expectations of further rejection.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the extraordinary challenges and barriers faced by an often under-recognized and overlooked subset of the youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation, who may receive services that do not account for their unique needs related to gender expression and identity. This paper exemplifies how internalized stigma along with expectations of further rejection and victimization have implications for clinical and multidisciplinary intervention settings. Jade’s case underscores the need for improved access to supportive services for youth with minority gender identities, including peer community-building opportunities. Finally, this paper identifies a critical gap in US legislation and social policy. This gap contributes to the structural harms faced by transgender and gender-nonconforming youth receiving services during or following experiences of commercial sexual exploitation.
Addressing age stereotyping against older workers in employment
Authors: Bengtsson Lyndsey
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on an analysis of direct age discrimination cases by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the UK courts and employment tribunals over an 11-year period. The paper focusses upon age stereotyping towards older workers and analyses whether it is endorsed at the European level and/or national level.

Design/methodology/approach

This research has analysed a sample of 100 employment tribunal judgments concerning direct age discrimination together with 28 CJEU decisions on direct age discrimination.

Findings

This paper highlights that there are a number of cases in which age stereotyping has been endorsed at the CJEU level. By contrast, the UK courts and employment tribunals have adopted a more robust approach.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is that it only considers case law from the European Court and the influence on the UK case law, without analysing the eventual decisions of the other EU member states.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the debate with regard to the approach of the CJEU and the UK courts and employment tribunals in tackling age stereotyping and is the first to examine the influence the CJEU decisions has had on the UK jurisprudence over the period studied.
Analysis of the factors affecting probable failure of local entrepreneurs
Authors: Sojasi Qeidari Hamdollah , Salehi Mahdi , Shayan Hamid , Hosseini Kahnooj Seyed Reza , Sadeghloo Tahereh
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate and analyze the factors affecting the probable failure of rural entrepreneurs so that the most important factors responsible for failure in the business of small and local entrepreneurs are identified.

Design/methodology/approach

The present survey was conducted through the descriptive-analytical method by using a researcher-made questionnaire. The statistical population of the study included 1,641 greenhouse owner entrepreneurs in five rural communities. To clarify the key criteria affecting probable failure of greenhouse businesses, LISREL 8.8 computer software was used and the effects of selected indices on the process of probable failure of entrepreneurs were assessed using stepwise regression in the SPSS computer application environment.

Findings

According to the results, individual and managerial skills factors, deterrent financial and legal issues, social barriers and infrastructural issues investigated in this study were of the first to the fourth priorities in clarifying factors affecting probable failure of greenhouse businesses. Considering the intragroup relations in these factors, it could be said that individual and managerial skills factors and infrastructural issues had the highest correlation coefficient which could be attributed to individual and management weaknesses of entrepreneurs in understanding infrastructural issues as the most important parameters to be considered in starting businesses.

Originality/value

So far, few studies analyzed the failure of rural entrepreneurs and evaluated the probable factors affecting it. Thus, the present study is among the earliest instances in the field and its results could be of great benefit to domestic entrepreneurs and similar cases in other countries.
Institutional determinants of foreign direct investment inflows: evidence from emerging markets
Authors: Paul Justin , Jadhav Pravin
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a strategic decision for achieving competitive advantage by multinational enterprises. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of institutional determinants of FDI using data from 24 emerging markets including China, India, Indonesia, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia and Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to identify factors that attract FDI in emerging markets, this study has used data from sources such as the World Bank, Index of Economic Freedom and UNCTAD.

Findings

The findings of this research indicate that infrastructure quality, trade cost measured by tariff and non-tariff barriers, institutional quality measured by effective rule of law, political stability, regulatory quality and control on corruption are significant determinants of FDI in emerging markets.

Originality/value

This is the first study to analyze the sectoral institutional determinants of Inward FDI in the important emerging economies, to the best of authors’ knowledge.
Viewpoint: accelerating the implementation of the SDGs
Authors: Leal Filho Walter
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the need to accelerate the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the actions needed to reach them. In particular, it outlines a variety of actions which higher education institutions may undertake, to take an active part in the process.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents an analysis of the trajectory leading to the SDGs, their relevance and the problems seen in the implementation.

Findings

There are many needs to be met to implement the SDGs, and there is a perceived need to accelerate their implementation.

Originality/value

The viewpoint tackles the complexity inherent to the implementation of the SDGs and points out some of the needs to be met, so as to enable their implementation.
Analysis of stress intensity factor for fatigue crack using bootstrap S-version finite element model
Authors: Mohd Noh Muhamad Husnain , Mohd Romlay Mohd Akramin , Liang Chuan Zun , Shaari Mohd Shamil , Takahashi Akiyuki
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Failure of the materials occurs once the stress intensity factor (SIF) overtakes the material fracture toughness. At this level, the crack will grow rapidly resulting in unstable crack growth until a complete fracture happens. The SIF calculation of the materials can be conducted by experimental, theoretical and numerical techniques. Prediction of SIF is crucial to ensure safety life from the material failure. The aim of the simulation study is to evaluate the accuracy of SIF prediction using finite element analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The bootstrap resampling method is employed in S-version finite element model (S-FEM) to generate the random variables in this simulation analysis. The SIF analysis studies are promoted by bootstrap S-version Finite Element Model (BootstrapS-FEM). Virtual crack closure-integral method (VCCM) is an important concept to compute the energy release rate and SIF. The semielliptical crack shape is applied with different crack shape aspect ratio in this simulation analysis. The BootstrapS-FEM produces the prediction of SIFs for tension model.

Findings

The mean of BootstrapS-FEM is calculated from 100 samples by the resampling method. The bounds are computed based on the lower and upper bounds of the hundred samples of BootstrapS-FEM. The prediction of SIFs is validated with Newman–Raju solution and deterministic S-FEM within 95 percent confidence bounds. All possible values of SIF estimation by BootstrapS-FEM are plotted in a graph. The mean of the BootstrapS-FEM is referred to as point estimation. The Newman–Raju solution and deterministic S-FEM values are within the 95 percent confidence bounds. Thus, the BootstrapS-FEM is considered valid for the prediction with less than 6 percent of percentage error.

Originality/value

The bootstrap resampling method is employed in S-FEM to generate the random variables in this simulation analysis.
Multi-faceted organizational buyer burnout
Authors: Anaza Nwamaka A. , Harrison Dana E. , Rutherford Brian N.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to advance the organizational buying literature, by examining buyer burnout and its consequences. Specifically, the sequencing of multi-faceted organizational buyer burnout is established and the impact of each dimension on job satisfaction, job performance, affective organizational commitment and turnover intentions is accessed. The current research is accomplished through the development and examination of competing models and hypothesis testing.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 125 business-to-business buyers were surveyed using established scale items. The study examines a series of competing models and outcomes of the facets of burnout through the use of covariance-based structural equation modeling. In addition, indirect, direct and total effects were examined.

Findings

First, this study supports that researchers should examine burnout, as a multi-faceted construct within the organizational buyer context, using the Lewin and Sager model. Second, findings strongly indicate that gaps exist in the current boundary spanner research, given that the majority of this research stream only examines a single aspect, emotional exhaustion, of burnout and fails to account for the impact of both the personal accomplishment and depersonalization facets of burnout. Further, the impact of personal accomplishment is highlighted, given its total effects on examined outcomes.

Originality/value

This study extends the Lewin and Sager model beyond a sales context and finds that each facet of burnout impacts the outcome variables to varying degrees. The total impact of personal accomplishment is highlighted, given that researchers often omit this facet from their investigations.
Flexibility mechanisms in a dynamic distribution network
Authors: Qian Cheng , Yu Kangkang , Gu Haodong
Published: March 2020

Purpose

With the trend toward implementing flexible strategies to channel management, the network sources of flexibility have received increased attention. This study aims to reveal the dynamic mechanisms underlying the relationship between a distribution network and two types of flexibility: adaptive and proactive.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply agent-based modeling to simulate a three-level distribution network. First, a program of 14 segmentations across 4 stages is developed using NetLogo software. Using data on Company X’s distribution network, the authors simulate a distribution network when either adaptive or proactive flexibility is implemented and compare the performance outcomes of the distribution network. Finally, by using the database generated from an experiment designed with BehaviorSpace, the authors conduct a general linear regression analysis to analyze the effect of network structure on the performance of the distribution network.

Findings

The authors find that the implementation of adaptive flexibility is connected with a higher level of trust and a lower level of inventory, whereas the implementation of proactive flexibility is associated with a higher level of satisfaction but a higher level of inventory. Also, this study’s analyses show that adaptive flexibility emphasizes short-term efficiency, whereas proactive flexibility put more emphasis on long-term effectiveness. In addition, the authors find that network structure has a significant effect on the distribution network by influencing inventory, satisfaction and trust.

Originality/value

Theoretically, this study’s results further develop the research on channel management by revealing the interaction between distribution networks and two types of flexibility from a dynamic (rather than static) perspective. Also, the findings help in explaining how network structure can affect the performance of a distribution network. In practice, the results also guide the focal firm in distribution channels to make strategic decisions between adaptive and proactive flexibility to improve channel performance.
Scoping review of health in office design approaches
Authors: Forooraghi Melina , Miedema Elke , Ryd Nina , Wallbaum Holger
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the literature on office design approaches (ODAs) in relation to employee health. The overall goal is to facilitate the practical use and theoretical development of design approaches to healthy offices.

Design/methodology/approach

A scoping review of 7,432 papers collected from 4 electronic databases and 5 scientific journals resulted in the selection of 18 papers for content analysis.

Findings

Various ODAs relating to building design features and health were identified. The findings highlight challenges for this emergent field, including a paucity of literature on ODAs, a lack of definitions of health and healthy offices, ambiguous design strategies and a lack of a holistic ODA.

Originality/value

ODAs are potentially valuable resources but an under-considered topic for healthy office development. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first scoping review to map and compare different design approaches in the context of office design and its main contribution is in encouraging researchers and practitioners to bring a salutogenic and holistic perspective to their design approaches.
Drivers and dynamics of brand prominence preferences among the Chinese little emperors residing in the US
Authors: Byun Sang-Eun , Long Shuying , Mann Manveer
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study investigates drivers and dynamics of preferences for brand prominence among the Chinese little emperors (LEs) residing in the US, a unique but powerful consumer group with dual-cultural characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an online survey, the proposed model was tested with a convenience sample of the Chinese LE generation residing in the US

Findings

Susceptibility to normative influence was a significant cultural driver of conspicuous, social, and unique value perceptions of luxury consumption among the Chinese LE generation residing in the US Perceived conspicuous and social values of luxury consumption were the primary drivers of this group's brand prominence preference for luxury fashion bags. However, perceived unique value of luxury consumption did not necessarily lead these consumers to prefer prominent logos or marks on a luxury bag. Furthermore, sociodemographic factors (gender, age, and time lived in the US) significantly affected perceptions and preferences related to luxury consumption among this consumer group.

Research limitations/implications

This study advances the luxury literature by examining the drivers and dynamics of brand prominence preference among the Chinese LE generation residing in the US By testing the role of different sociodemographic factors, we demonstrate heterogeneity within this group and the evolving nature of their perceptions and preferences related to luxury consumption as they are acculturated to Western culture. We used a convenient sample and focused on luxury fashion bags for measuring preference for brand prominence, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

Luxury brands should effectively convey conspicuous and social values in product designs, advertising and promotions as these values play integral roles in determining the Chinese LE generation's preference for brand prominence. Our findings also highlight the importance of fine-tuned approaches to different segments within the LE generation cohort.

Originality/value

This study fills several gaps in the luxury literature by empirically investigating various factors affecting preference for brand prominence among the Chinese LE generation residing in the US, an important but under-researched luxury segment.
The effects on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty by integrating marketing communication and after sale service into the traditional marketing mix model of Umrah travel services in Malaysia
Authors: Othman Bestoon Abdulmaged , Harun Amran , De Almeida Nuno Marques , Sadq Zana Majed
Published: March 2020

Purpose

With growing mobility in a globalized world and an estimate of more than 300 million people going on religious pilgrimages every year, various researchers have been focusing on pilgrimage-driven travel services. In this context and within the Islamic religious tradition, the “Umrah” is used as a case study in this paper. In addition, this study also investigated the effects of Umrah SMM (promotion, place, people, product, price, process, physical evidence, marketing communication and after sale service) on customer satisfaction and loyalty toward Umrah travel agents in “Malaysia.”

Design/methodology/approach

Convenience sampling technique at four international airports in “Malaysia” was used to obtain data from Umrah travelers who had used Umrah services at least once. A total of 384 usable questionnaires were collected from this study and the data were analyzed using the partial least square.

Findings

The result indicated that the marketing mix has a significant positive effect on customer loyalty through customer satisfaction both directly and indirectly. This study will be of interest to the Umrah travel industry, for Malaysia and all the other countries, in understanding how marketing mix strategies are essential in maintaining a long-term relationship with customers.

Originality/value

The literature on Umrah travel services revealed that the traditional service marketing mix (SMM) of 7P’s is inadequate. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap and examine an innovative service marketing mix strategy for “Umrah Service” including marketing communication and after sales service. It investigates the effects of enhanced Umrah SMM on customer satisfaction and loyalty towards Umrah travel agents in “Malaysia”.
Customer participation risk management: conceptual model and managerial assessment tool
Authors: Damali Uzay , Secchi Enrico , Tax Stephen S. , McCutcheon David
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Customer participation (CP) has received considerable interest in the service literature as a way to improve the customer experience and reduce service providers' costs. While its benefits are not in question, there is a paucity of research on potential pitfalls. This paper provides a conceptual foundation to address this gap and develops a comprehensive model of the risks of customer participation in service delivery, integrating research from the marketing, operations and supply chain management, strategy, and information technology fields.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is derived deductively by integrating insights from research in marketing, operations and supply chain management, strategy, and information technology.

Findings

This paper identifies three categories of potential risks of CP (i.e. market, operational, and service network) and discusses ways that firms can mitigate these risks. Building on the model, it develops a CP risk assessment tool that managers can use when evaluating increases in CP.

Research limitations/implications

The conceptual model proposed in this paper can serve as a robust basis for future research in customer participation, particularly in such areas as sharing economy services, service delivery networks, and experiential services. The risk assessment tool offers clear guidelines for managers who are considering an increase in customer participation in their service.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt to conceptually define customer participation risk and develop a comprehensive model of its drivers and strategies to mitigate it. This paper develops a straightforward method for managers to evaluate CP risk.
Entrepreneurial alertness, self-efficacy and social entrepreneurship intentions
Authors: Urban Boris
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Considering that many unanswered questions remain regarding the antecedents to entrepreneurial intentions, the purpose of this study is to develop insights from existing theories in entrepreneurship frameworks and apply these in the social entrepreneurship context. Consequently the study examines to what extant beliefs and cognitions shape social entrepreneurial intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses were statistically tested using multiple regression analyses based on survey data (n = 156) from individuals in South Africa.

Findings

Results support the hypotheses where entrepreneurial alertness significantly explained social entrepreneurial intentions, while self-efficacy showed a positive mediating effect in this relationship.

Practical implications

Policymakers encouraging social entrepreneurship should not only focus on external support factors such as financial support but also deliberately develop interventions by focusing on beliefs and cognitions, which the study has identified as important predictors of social entrepreneurship intentions.

Originality/value

By introducing previously unrelated individual-level factors to social entrepreneurship, closer empirical links are created between these factors in this study.
The role of strategic environmental orientation in environmental design practices
Authors: Yang Ma Ga (Mark) , Roh James Jungbae , Kang Mingu
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The current study aims to investigate the role of strategic environmental orientation (SEO) in implementing environmental design practices (EDPs).

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of survey data collected from 212 US manufacturing firms, structural equation modeling and regression analysis are used to test the proposed research model.

Findings

The findings of the present study suggest that SEO not only drives firms' design of environmental products but also moderates the relationship between EDPs and environmental performance. However, SEO turns out not to moderate the relationship between EDPs and operational performance. This study also highlights that firms' EDPs play a critical role in enhancing environmental performance as well as operational performance.

Originality/value

By examining the important role of SEO, this research unpacks the moderating role of SEO between EDPs and firm performance, thus shedding light on how SEO promotes EDPs and the effectiveness of EDPs.
Comparing perceived brand positioning through social representations among registered amateur football players
Authors: Lebrun Anne-Marie , Neveu Quentin , Bouchet Patrick
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The objective of this research is to understand and compare the perceived brand positioning of two football megabrands (Adidas and Nike) for a specific social group, the registered amateur football players in France, using the social representation theory (SRT) as the theoretical framework and the free word associations as the main method.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted through face-to-face questionnaire among a convenience sample of registered amateur football players in France (n = 362) and for which 52 percent chose Adidas and 48 percent Nike.

Findings

Findings demonstrated that Adidas and Nike have a different perceived brand positioning for the registered amateur football players in France. Adidas is perceived as more typical and positioned “inside the football ground” through main characteristics of its football goods for training and competition. Nike is more positioned “outside the football ground” through their sportswear goods for daily life and fashion.

Originality/value

The interest of this research is to be primarily inductive and focus on a specific group (membership of registered amateur football players) to understand the perceived brand positioning in the football market. The method allows activating the belonging with this group (higher level of practice with these brands) by using the SRT method of free word associations. Thanks to this original approach, results could help managers of Nike and Adidas reinforce their brand positioning and gain market share, as well as build their specific brand community like both megabrands did for the runners in France.
Elucidation of demographic, clinical and trichoscopic features for early diagnosis of self‐healing acute diffuse and total alopecia
Authors: Fukuyama Masahiro , Kinoshita‐Ise Misaki , Sato Yohei , Ohyama Manabu
Published: March 2020

The term “acute diffuse and total alopecia” (ADTA) has been often used as a synonym for self‐regressing severe alopecia areata (AA). However, ADTA is originally defined as a rapidly‐progressive subtype of AA (RP‐AA) with short recovery time and favorable prognosis irrespective of interventions. Indeed, a subpopulation of ADTA recovers spontaneously. We focused on this unique subset of AA, which we coined as “self‐healing ADTA” (sADTA). Prompt and accurate differentiation of sADTA from other RP‐AA is important to avoid unnecessary treatments, which is still challenging due to the lack of predictive diagnostic hallmarks. In this study, 18 sADTA patients were retrospectively analyzed to delineate their demographics and clinical features, including gentle hair pull test and trichoscopic findings, followed by statistical comparison with those of RP‐AA. All sADTA cases were female and the average age was 38.1 ± 15.9 years. The progression of hair loss areas peaked at 3.6 ± 1.5 months, and complete hair regrowth was achieved in 7.9 ± 1.7 months. The identified factors supporting the diagnosis of sADTA included being female; the absence of scalp pain and itch; the absence of extra‐scalp hair loss; club hair predominance in hair pull test; predominant short vellus hairs; and increase in vacant follicular ostia on trichoscopy. Subsequently, a scoring system for early diagnosis of sADTA was developed by counting the number of six identified factors present in a tested case. When analyzed by the developed system, all sADTA cases, including an additional four cases, had scores of 4 or above, while all RP‐AA cases had scores below 3 except one case. Therefore, the system successfully differentiated sADTA from RP‐AA (P < 0.01). Despite some technical limitations, the current study suggested that sADTA is a distinctive entity with unique pathophysiology and that early diagnosis before intervention is feasible based on the characteristics.
Hypoxia‐induced lncRNA ANRIL promotes cisplatin resistance in retinoblastoma cells through regulating ABCG2 expression
Authors: Yin Xiaolong , Liao Yujun , Xiong Weiwei , Zhang Yuezhi , Zhou Yue , Yang Yang
Published: March 2020

Cisplatin (DDP) resistance limits its efficacy for retinoblastoma (Rb). Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) has been shown to contribute to chemotherapy resistance in tumours under hypoxic conditions. This study was designed to explore the role and mechanism of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) antisense non‐coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) in regulating DDP resistance in Rb cells under hypoxia and to validate whether HIF‐1α was involved in this process. The interaction between HIF‐1α and the promoter of ANRIL was analyzed using ChIP assay. Cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as protein levels of drug resistance‐related proteins (ABCG2 and MDR1) were examined to evaluate DDP resistance in Rb cells. The interactions between miR‐328 and ANRIL as well as miR‐328 and ABCG2 were analyzed using dual‐luciferase reporter assays. Upon hypoxia, HIF‐1α directly bound to the ANRIL promoter region to transcriptionally activate ANRIL. The hypoxia‐induced ANRIL promoted Rb cell resistance to DDP, as evidenced by facilitation of cell proliferation, inhibition of cell apoptosis and upregulation of ABCG2 and MDR1. Mechanistically, ANRIL promoted Rb cell resistance to DDP by acting as a sponge of miR‐328 to upregulate expression of ABCG2, which was confirmed as a direct target of miR‐328. Collectively, hypoxia‐induced ANRIL promotes DDP resistance in Rb cells by sponging miR‐328 to upregulate ABCG2 expression.
Why do street‐level bureaucrats risk themselves for others? The case of Israeli police officers
Authors: Cohen Nissim , Golan‐Nadir Niva
Published: March 2020

What factors influence police officers’ willingness to risk themselves for others? Police officers are street‐level bureaucrats, who are not only given the mandate to use deadly force in order to keep public order but also risk their most important resource – their lives – to protect society. We suggest three factors that prompt police officers to risk their lives: individual characteristics (a desire to gain respect and recognition, and testing one's courage, ideology, and personality), organizational conditions (expectations of peers and supervisors, promotion opportunities), and environmental context (a hostile working environment and the importance of public opinion to them). Using an abductive approach combined with a triangulated qualitative method, our findings indicate that personal characteristics are indeed important, but so too are organizational conditions and environmental context. The practical insight, therefore, is that decision makers ‘can’, in various formal and informal ways, influence street‐level bureaucrats’ behaviour. Here, the interactions among managers, workers, and clients are a crucial element.
Chronic hepatitis B infection and the risk of gestational diabetes: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Giles ML , Davey M‐A , Wallace EM
Published: March 2020

Objective

An estimated two billion people worldwide live with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Many of these are women of reproductive age. Studies that have examined pregnancy outcomes in women living with HBV have reported conflicting results in relation to the incidence of gestational diabetes (GDM). The aim of this study is to examine if gestational diabetes is more common in women with chronic HBV residing in a non‐Asian country.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Victoria, Australia.

Population

All singleton births between 2009 and 2017.

Methods

Poisson regression was performed to determine whether gestational diabetes is more common in women with HBV than in women without HBV taking into account other risk factors such as maternal age, body mass index (BMI), parity and country of birth.

Main outcome measure

Gestational diabetes diagnosis in women with chronic HBV infection.

Results

For women with HBV, the unadjusted incidence risk ratio for GDM was 1.75 (95% CI 1.6–1.9). After adjusting for region of birth, BMI, parity, age and smoking, the adjusted incidence risk ratio was 1.2 (95% CI 1.1–1.3). The highest incidence (37.1%) of GDM was in women with HBV and a BMI of >40.

Conclusions

The findings from this study confirm an association between HBV and GDM.

Tweetable abstract

HBV is associated with GDM with an incidence risk ratio for GDM of 1.75 (95% CI 1.6–1.9).
Methodologies Applied to Fingerprint Analysis
Authors: González Marina , Gorziza Roberta Petry , de Cássia Mariotti Kristiane , Pereira Limberger Renata
Published: March 2020

This systematic review deals with the last 10 years of research in analytical methodologies for the analysis of fingerprints, regarding their chemical and biological constituents. A total of 123 manuscripts, which fit the search criteria defined using the descriptor “latent fingermarks analysis,” were selected. Its main instrumental areas (mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, and innovative methods) were analyzed and summarized in a specific table, highlighting its main analytical parameters. The results show that most studies in this field use mass spectrometry to identify the constituents of fingerprints, both to determine the chemical profile and for aging. There is also a marked use of mass spectrometry coupled with chromatographic methods, and it provides accurate results for a fatty acid profile. Additional significant results are achieved by spectroscopic methods, mainly Raman and infrared. It is noteworthy that spectroscopic methods using microscopy assist in the accuracy of the analyzed region of the fingerprint, contributing to more robust results. There was also a significant increase in studies using methods focused on finding new developers or identifying components present in fingerprints by rapid tests. This systematic review of analytical techniques applied to the detection of fingerprints explores different approaches to contribute to future studies in forensic identification, verifying new demands in the forensic sciences and assisting in the selection of studies for the progress of research.
Between culture and satisfaction: mediating roles of renqing perception and rules perception
Authors: Ren Han , Chen Charles Weizheng , Chen Yuling
Published: March 2020

Renqing is a culturally specific Chinese notion of the informal norms in society that are significantly different from the formal rules. This paper focuses on employees’ perception of renqing and of the rules in Chinese workplaces. Specifically, we define renqing (or rules) perception as the extent to which employees perceive that people’s actions in their organizations follow renqing norms (or formal rules). Conceptually and empirically, we find that both renqing perception and rules perception are two‐dimensional constructs. Drawing on social information processing theory, we propose the mediating mechanisms underlying organizational culture, employees’ perceptions of renqing and of rules, and their job satisfaction. Specifically, we hypothesize that clan culture will positively relate to renqing perception, while hierarchy culture will have a positive relation to rules perception; both will lead to higher job satisfaction. Results from two‐wave surveys of 325 Chinese employees provide largely consistent support for our hypotheses. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
An Experiment in Making Water Affordable: Philadelphia’s Tiered Assistance Program (TAP)
Authors: Mack Elizabeth A. , Wrase Sarah , Dahme Joanne , Crosby Susan M. , Davis Martha , Wright Melody , Muhammad Ravonne
Published: March 2020

The ability to pay for water and wastewater services is a growing issue in the developed world. To this point in time, utilities have helped customers grappling with affordability issues using different types of customer assistance programs (CAPs). Income‐based billing approaches differ from CAPs in that bills are structured so as to be affordable for customers at the outset. Recently, the City of Philadelphia implemented an innovative program to work towards resolving the affordability problem in their city using income‐based billing. This tiered assistance program or TAP structures bills for water, wastewater, and stormwater services to program enrollees’ income. Given the innovative nature of the program, this paper describes the rollout of TAP and assesses the impact of the program on customers and utility revenues. The paper closes with a critical assessment of TAP and considerations for utilities evaluating the implementation of similar programs.
Effective Transboundary Aquifer Areas: An Approach for Transboundary Groundwater Management
Authors: Sanchez Rosario , Rodriguez Laura , Tortajada Cecilia
Published: March 2020

The natural complexity, heterogeneity, and extent of transboundary aquifers around the world, have led to controversy over which method or criteria should be used to identify and delineate their boundaries. Currently, there is no standard methodology that aquifer‐sharing countries can use to delineate the area of a transboundary aquifer. In the case of Mexico and Texas, Mexico uses administrative boundaries, whereas Texas uses geological boundaries. This paper proposes a method for delineation and prioritization of aquifers (or aquifer areas) called effective transboundary aquifer areas (ETAAs), which uses a combination of physical criteria (geological boundaries, topography, and hydrography) and the location and density of active water wells in the borderland between Mexico and Texas. This method identifies the area of priority (productivity area) in the aquifer using pumping patterns or hot spots regardless of the aquifer’s surficial geological limits, therefore offering a more effective, local and practical management option at the transboundary level. Different geological features or pumping patterns will have different sizes and locations of ETAAs within the same aquifer. In West Texas, which is dominated by bolsons, the method produces limited options for ETAAs, whereas in South Texas in the easternmost border the identified ETAAs are more significant.
Predictors of positive bone cultures from CT‐guided bone biopsies performed for suspected osteomyelitis
Authors: Lee Harrison T. , Sebro Ronnie
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Bone biopsies are often used to direct antibiotic choice in patients with suspected osteomyelitis. The aim of this study was to identify the best predictors of positive bone biopsy cultures.

Methods

A retrospective review of 845 patients who underwent computed tomography (CT)‐guided non‐spine bone biopsies at a tertiary academic healthcare institution. Thirty‐seven patients (4.4%) had biopsies performed for suspected osteomyelitis. Laboratory markers, as well as imaging features, were measured. t‐Tests and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare clinical and demographic variables between patients with positive bone cultures and patients with negative bone cultures. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the best predictors of bone culture positivity.

Results

All patients had negative blood cultures; however, only eight patients (21.6%) had positive bone cultures, with Staphyloccocus the most common organism. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that an open wound (OR = 14.00, 95% CI (1.74, 112.4), p = 0.013) and any fluid aspirated at the time of biopsy (OR = 10.50, 95% CI (1.21, 91.01), p = 0.033) were the best predictors of bone culture positivity. The area under the curve (AUC) for this multivariable model was 0.784 with sensitivity and specificity of 0.778 and 0.778, respectively. Interestingly, and contrary to popular belief, open wounds with exposed bone did not always yield positive bone cultures, and when cultures were positive, were not polymicrobial.

Conclusions

Aspiration of fluid at the time of biopsy and the presence of an open wound are the best predictors of positive bone cultures.
Is prospective MRI mapping of the changes in the volume of the prostate gland in prostate cancer patients undergoing 6 months of neo‐adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy a step towards a trial to determine those who may benefit from treatment intensification or extended duration?
Authors: Christie David RH , Sharpley Christopher F , Mitina Natalia , MacAteer Eamonn , Jackson James E , Lunn Dominic
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Neo‐adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy prior to radiotherapy (RT) causes shrinkage of the prostate gland, but the changes in volume have never been mapped over time in detail, nor have the associations between volume reduction and testosterone escape or prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) kinetics been determined.

Methods

Fifty consecutive patients with prostate cancer were treated with 6 months of triptorelin prior to definitive RT. The volume of the prostate gland was measured at the outset and every 6–7 weeks thereafter using MRI scans. The volumes were calculated using a planimetric method, and inter‐rater reliability was checked. Factors associated with a large initial volume and greater reductions in it were assessed.

Results

The median volume at the outset was 45 cc, and the median reductions every 6 weeks thereafter were 23, 18, 9 and 5%. The inter‐rater agreement was high (r > 0.9, P < 0.001). There were no baseline clinical factors associated with a high initial prostate volume, but the initial volume was associated with greater volume reduction. Testosterone escape had no effect on the reduction, and changes in volume were not reflected in PSA response kinetics.

Conclusions

Reductions in volume continue throughout a 6‐month course of neo‐adjuvant therapy but are greatest during the first 6 weeks. Although individualisation of the duration or intensity of the hormone treatment warrants further investigation, the role of prostate gland volume reduction remains uncertain. More detailed studies of tumour volume might be possible if the imaging required was acceptable and accessible to patients.
Blood biomarker levels of methylation capacity in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Guo Bao‐Qiang , Ding Shi‐Bin , Li Hong‐Bin
Published: March 2020

Objective

To compare the peripheral blood levels of methionine (Met), S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM), S‐adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and the SAM/SAH ratio (the most core and predictive indices of cellular methylation ability) between patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and control subjects.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to August 2, 2019, without language restriction. The random‐effects model was used to summarize effect sizes.

Results

We retrieved 1,493 records, of which 22 studies met inclusion criteria. Our overall analyses revealed that individuals with ASD had significantly decreased levels of Met (22 studies; Hedges’ g = −0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.89, −0.35), SAM (8 studies; Hedges’ g = −0.60; 95% CI: −0.86, −0.34), and the SAM/SAH ratio (8 studies; Hedges’ g = −0.98; 95% CI: −1.30, −0.66) and significantly increased levels of SAH (8 studies; Hedges’ g = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.94). The findings of the overall analyses were quite stable after being verified by sensitivity analyses and in agreement with the corresponding outcomes of subgroup analyses. Additionally, our results from meta‐analytic techniques confirmed that the effect estimates of this meta‐analysis did not originate from publication bias.

Conclusion

Individuals with ASD have substantially aberrant peripheral blood levels of Met, SAM, SAH, and the SAM/SAH ratio, which supports the association between impaired methylation capacity and ASD. Therefore, further investigations into these indices as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic targets of ASD are warranted.
Surgical management of symptomatic right‐sided Bochdalek hernias in adults: when is a minimally invasive approach appropriate?
Authors: Lau Ngee‐Soon , Crawford Michael , Sandroussi Charbel
Published: March 2020

Background

Right‐sided Bochdalek hernias are uncommon congenital diaphragmatic hernias that can be challenging to manage because they can contain bowel, omentum, kidney or liver.

Methods

We describe our experience at a single centre and integrate this with all reported cases in the literature to evaluate how this rare problem has been managed and when a minimally invasive approach is appropriate.

Results

A total of 31 patients were identified, four patients from our institution and 27 case reports from the literature. A minimally invasive approach was utilized in 15 of 31 patients (including two of four at our institution) and was more common if the operation was performed in the elective setting (10/12 versus 4/19). If a bowel resection was required, an open approach was more common (9/17 versus 1/14). The commonest method of repair was a primary suture repair (18/31), and the mesh was used in 13 cases, particularly in the elective setting (9/12 versus 4/19).

Conclusion

Right‐sided Bochdalek hernias are an uncommon and challenging problem. These hernias can contain bowel, kidney and even liver but can still be successfully repaired using minimally invasive techniques, especially in the elective setting and when an emergency bowel resection is not required.
Validation of the 34‐week gestation as definition of late onset preeclampsia: Testing different cutoffs from 30 to 37 weeks on a population‐based cohort of 1700 preeclamptics
Authors: Robillard Pierre‐Yves , Dekker Gustaaf , Scioscia Marco , Bonsante Francesco , Iacobelli Silvia , Boukerrou Malik , Hulsey Thomas C.
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Early onset preeclampsia (EOP) and late onset preeclampsia (LOP) have been differentiated with a cut‐point of ≤34 weeks. This classical definition has never been examined with respect to maternal characteristics by different gestational age cut‐points. We examined maternal characteristics in a population‐based cohort of 1736 preeclamptic deliveries at different gestational age cut‐points from 30 to 37 weeks (CO30 to CO37).

Material and methods

Eighteen‐year observational population‐based historical cohort study (2001‐2018). All consecutive births delivered at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Hospitalier Sud Reunion’s maternity. Standardized epidemiological perinatal database.

Results

The incidence of EOP was lower in adolescents (1.8% vs 3.5%, odds ratio [OR] 0.50, P = .17). Conversely, the odds of LOP was increased for women over 35, beginning at C030 (OR 1.13, P = .02) and this effect (OR = 1.2) was still detectable at C037 (P = .06). Among primigravid women, the incidence of EOP was lower than LOP (OR ranging from 0.71 to 0.82 for different CO). Conversely, the incidence of LOP was higher (adjusted OR about 2.7 [CO30‐CO34] with a rise to 3.3 at CO37 (P < .001). Women with EOP had a lower body mass index (BMI) as compared with LOP at CO34 and CO37. The adjusted OR (per 5 kg/m2 increment) declined from 1.06 to 1.03 from CO30 to C037 in EOP women. Conversely, for LOP, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) increased from 1.04 to 1.06 from CO30 to CO37 (P < .001). Gestational diabetes mellitus was not associated with LOP at any cut‐off (aOR 1.07, NS) but was protective against EOP from CO30 to CO34 (aOR 0.42, 0.61 and 0.73, respectively, P < .001). This protective effect disappeared at CO37. Chronic hypertension and history of preeclampsia were both EOP and LOP risks but with a much stronger effect for EOP (chronic hypertension: aOR 6.0‐6.5, history of preeclampsia: aOR 12‐17).

Conclusions

The 34th week of gestation appears to provide a reasonable cut‐point to differentiate between EOP and LOP. Additional research is needed to better describe the possible differences in the pathophysiology of these different phenotypes.