bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Orleans intervention model: implementing the model and its randomised controlled trial in a London borough
Authors: Baginsky Mary , Moriarty Jo , Manthorpe Jill , Atkinson HHJ Carol
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss both the early implementation of a US mental health intervention for young children in the context of its introduction to a pilot site in a London borough and the progress made in establishing a randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes an evaluation of a new intervention and the learning that followed in terms of its implementation and future evaluation. Qualitative data were collected from a range of stakeholders and practitioners through interviews and small group discussions. These interviews focussed on both of these issues, with particular reference to the proposal to conduct an RCT.

Findings

The findings of this evaluation add to the evidence on how best to support new initiatives that have been introduced from other settings and countries to embed in a receiving site and the optimal timing and feasibility of conducting an RCT. At the end of the feasibility study, which took place within the year of the service being introduced and which was only open to clients for six months of this year the conclusion was that an RCT at that point was neither possible nor desirable. Over the following years, the commitment of the judiciary to examine if there was a way to make an RCT study in respect of this intervention meant that a template was established that may well have broader application.

Research limitations/implications

At a time when there is an increasing demand for evidence on effective interventions this paper makes a valuable contribution to the development of RCTs in general and specifically in the family court arena. It also recommends that attention must also be paid to the time, which is needed to implement and establish interventions and then to test them.

Practical implications

This paper highlights the need to establish realistic timescales not only around the implementation of initiatives but also for their evaluation.

Originality/value

This study breaks new ground in considering implementation challenges in the court and children’s services’ context. It brings to the fore the important role of the judiciary in approving new processes.
Do country level constructs affect the relation between self-efficacy and fear of failure?
Authors: Kamal Sana' , Daoud Yousef S.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to show how country level constructs (investment protection, registration cost and legal protection) moderate the relationship between self-efficacy and fear of failure (FoF).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use global entrepreneurship monitor (GEM) data and augment it with country level data for 12 counties from different levels of economic development. The entrepreneurship literature has not yet addressed the micro/macro level influences on FoF to the best of the authors’ knowledge. This paper addresses this lacuna by using multilevel analysis by incorporating state influenced environment effects along with individual traits to explain this phenomenon.

Findings

It is shown that higher registration cost, higher degrees of investor protection and less legal protection diminish the effect of self-efficacy on FoF. Furthermore, the effects of the country-level factors outweigh the impact of the individual-level factors on FoF.

Research limitations/implications

One of the issues discussed earlier was the construct validity of FoF, the wording of the question in GEM data is phrased such that FoF prevents you from starting a business; this means the response is avoidance. Had the question been worded positively, the responses may have varied. A better measure would have been an index with a scale the shows varying degrees of FoF. Another feature of GEM data is that the cohorts change every year, making it impossible to track the effect of closing a business on perceptual variables such as FoF and skill perception. This requires further scrutiny and analysis.

Practical implications

It is noticed that there are regional differences in FoF country rates across various levels of economic development. The authors provide and explain by looking at how these constructs moderate the relation between skill perception and FoF. Thus, countries that have good investment protection may end up with better entrepreneurial activity rates due to mitigating the fear factor.

Social implications

Entrepreneurial activity rates can be increased by lowering the negative effect of FoF. This construct is known to be higher among females, which was typically thought to be an individual trait. This research also shows that legal and institutional constructs are actually more important in explaining FoF.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is that it addresses an acknowledged gap in the literature, in that it explains empirical findings that have not been explained before (at the level this paper does).
Dimensions of tax burden: a review on OECD countries
Authors: Celikay Ferdi
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The tax burden, defined as the ratio of the collected taxes in a particular period against the total product, is commonly used to determine the effect of fiscal and tax policies on the socioeconomic structure. The purpose of this study is to examine how the changes in some macroeconomic indicators affect the tax burden.

Design/methodology/approach

System generalized method of moments approach is used for 34 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) members in the period of 1993-2016.

Findings

Based on the research findings, variables such as income per capita, foreign trading volume, the capacity of employment, unemployment and economic share of industry sector effect tax burden in a statistically significant and positive direction. The reason that lies behind the positive effect of unemployment on tax burden is the fact that the sense of social state is not abandoned. Thus, it is predicted that the state will increase public transfer expenditures in the short term due to unemployment, this increase will impose a financial burden on the public sector both in the medium and long term and finally, there will be an increase in the tax burden.

Originality/value

Results in the literature suggest that there are many reasons for increasing tax burden such as socio-economic development, financial and organizational structure and the globalization process. However, according to this study, it seems that gross domestic product per capita, the size of the industry sector, openness, employment capacity and unemployment rate also have a positive and significant effect on tax burden in the long run. Ultimately, these results demonstrate that tax burden, one of the most important indicators of the public sector size in the sample of the states and period in hand, is influenced positively by all independent variables and increases slightly but surely. These results suggest that the tax state is still a determinative factor in the socioeconomic field within its taxation tools.
The effectiveness of the international anti-corruption legal framework in the context and practice of Colombia
Authors: Perez Torres Gloria
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of the enforcement of the international anti-bribery legal framework in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses the PetroTiger case to examine the effects of foreign bribery prosecutions in Colombia, from a bribe-receivers perspective. PetroTiger is a USA-based company that was prosecuted for bribing public officials in Colombia. As a result, the public officials involved were also prosecuted in Colombia for receiving bribes. This case serves to illustrate how international anti-bribery law operates in practice and how it impacts Colombian law enforcement institutions and their capacity to prosecute bribe-receivers. The Colombian response to the international anti-corruption framework is examined in this study through the review of legislative efforts taken to address the problems of bribery and corruption in public procurement.

Findings

This study finds that enforcement of foreign bribery laws raise awareness of the situation of corruption in developing countries, generate parallel prosecutions of individuals at the receiving end of bribes and helps developing countries to develop technical expertise to fight corruption.

Practical implications

In practice, due to the transnational nature of foreign bribery, without international agreements, this type of corruption in international business would seldom lead to prosecution. Although the effectiveness of the enforcement of international anti-corruption law is debated, in reality, prosecutions of foreign bribery by developed countries have more positive than negative implications for developing countries.

Social implications

Assist to continue efforts to deter corruption.

Originality/value

No many studies have looked at the effectiveness of anti-corruption international law in developing countries. As indicated by Mr. Moulette Patrick head of Anti-Corruption Division at organisation for economic co-operation and development more research on the effectiveness of the UN enacted Convention against Corruption, which is what this paper does.
Using a visually adapted repertory grid technique (VARGT) with people who stalk
Authors: Wheatley Rachael , Winder Belinda , Kuss Daria J.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide instructions on how to implement an adapted version of the standard repertory grid technique (VARGT). The purpose of which is to provide practitioners with a tool, which enables active engagement by participants in research and clinical practice. This tool has been used effectively with people convicted of stalking offences.

Design/methodology/approach

Repertory grids, developed from Kelly’s Personal Construct Theory (1955), had never been used with those who stalk, either clinically or in a research context. Visual and kinaesthetic adaptations were made to standard RGT procedures (Grice, 2002; Tan and Hunter, 2002), for use in a mixed methods research study (Wheatley, 2019, p. 77) due to expected challenges in engaging with this group. This manuscript presents theoretical underpinnings and step-by-step instructions for practical application.

Findings

The VARGT is easy to administer and produces rich data, in both qualitative and quantitative formats. This adapted approach encourages active participation and an interpreted therapeutic collaboration (Wheatley et al., 2020).

Practical implications

This novel technique has engaged men convicted of stalking offences collaboratively in research activities and showed potential for its use as a clinical tool. This instructional technical paper allows the technique to be replicated.

Originality/value

This novel technique has engaged men convicted of stalking offences collaboratively in research activities and showed potential for its use as a clinical tool. This instructional technical paper allows the technique to be replicated.
Effectiveness of the project-based learning program on Thai nursing student competency for elderly care in the community
Authors: Hanklang Suda , Sivasan Suleegorn
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the Thai nursing student competency enhancement program applied through project-based learning (PjBL) in caring for the elderly in the community.

Design/methodology/approach

This quasi-experimental one-group pre-post-test design was used to compare mean scores on gerontological nursing competency scales comprising four dimensions including holistic health promotion, empirical evidence, empowerment and quality care and ethical and moral competencies. A total of 95 participants were randomly selected from a list of registered attendees. A five-week PjBL approach for a community nursing practicum was designed and comprised of an introduction to the project, components of research methodology, group projects and group presentations. A gerontological nursing competencies questionnaire was used with participants, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Two-way ANOVA and a paired t-test were used to compare pre-post mean scores of competencies.

Findings

A total of 95 students participated in the PjBL and the majority of participants were female (92.6%). The results revealed post–PjBL mean scores of gerontological nursing competencies were higher than the premean score (p value < 0.05) except the empirical evidence competencies which showed no statistical difference.

Originality/value

Since the results show the effectiveness of the student nursing competency enhancement program through PjBL when caring for the elderly in the community, it is important for health care instructors to apply PjBL, especially in community nursing. Improving empirical competency evidence among nursing students is still required and necessary.
Capability development measures adopted by public sector organizations in PPP projects delivery in developing countries
Authors: Olojede Betty Oluwafunso , Opawole Akintayo , Jagboro Godwin Onajite
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the measures practiced by public sector organizations (PSOs) to develop their capability and strength toward attaining the skills requirements for public-private partnership (PPP) program.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a quantitative approach based on primary data obtained via questionnaire survey. The literature review provided the basis for identification of variables that were evaluated through structured questionnaire survey. The respondents were professionals in PSOs that have procured PPP projects in Southwestern Nigeria. These were sampled through the drawing of referral chain, involving respondents-driven sampling technique. The data collected were analyses using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

The capability development measures of PSOs in PPP projects delivery clustered around five components: conventional practices, training and development, organizational practices, human capital enhancement and government-aided intervention. These five components of capability development measures are expected to be focused with adequate and equal interest and embraced by PSOs in countries with evolving PPP markets.

Social implications

The study provides implications for domestic human capital strengthening for enhanced infrastructure delivery in countries with evolving PPP markets.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature on capabilities improvement on PPP projects. This was achieved by providing empirical evidences with respect to human resource boost for enhanced performance of public sector organizations in their partnership with their private sector counterparts for PPP project success.
Who performs better? AVMs vs hedonic models
Authors: Valier Agostino
Published: March 2020

Purpose

In the literature there are numerous tests that compare the accuracy of automated valuation models (AVMs). These models first train themselves with price data and property characteristics, then they are tested by measuring their ability to predict prices. Most of them compare the effectiveness of traditional econometric models against the use of machine learning algorithms. Although the latter seem to offer better performance, there is not yet a complete survey of the literature to confirm the hypothesis.

Design/methodology/approach

All tests comparing regression analysis and AVMs machine learning on the same data set have been identified. The scores obtained in terms of accuracy were then compared with each other.

Findings

Machine learning models are more accurate than traditional regression analysis in their ability to predict value. Nevertheless, many authors point out as their limit their black box nature and their poor inferential abilities.

Practical implications

AVMs machine learning offers a huge advantage for all real estate operators who know and can use them. Their use in public policy or litigation can be critical.

Originality/value

According to the author, this is the first systematic review that collects all the articles produced on the subject done comparing the results obtained.
Increasing small- and medium-enterprise contribution to local and regional economic growth by assessing the institutional environment
Authors: Gamidullaeva Leyla A. , Vasin Sergey M. , Wise Nicholas
Published: March 2020

Purpose

A neo-institutional methodology defines the entrepreneurial environment for SMEs as a multidimensional set of interacting formal/informal institutions influencing regional economic growth. Acknowledging the multidimensional nature of SME growth, this study tests an approach to measure SME institutional environment quality through the identification of regional-level determinants.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used in this paper is based on Brunset al.’s (2017) model and is tested on 81 Russian Federation regions. The approach seeks to determine variation in entrepreneurial ecosystems based on quality and estimated marginal effects of difference across geographical regions.

Findings

The most severe obstacle to SME development in Russia is its shadow economy and corruption. Access to finance, high transportation fees, and instability in the political and economic field ranks second and third, respectively. Results suggest governments should eliminate main obstacles at country-level, which hampers the SME sector's development. While this is noted for this case looking at Russia, this is a common argument found in SME research.

Practical implications

Findings from this study are useful in managerial practice, aimed at increasing innovative development and increasing the competitiveness of Russian SMEs. A neo-institutional approach is one of the theoretical strands with the emphasis on enhanced understanding of organizational behavior and social capital, including cultural norms and beliefs.

Originality/value

Utilizing an extended empirical approach to assess the institutional environment for SMEs addresses a research gap – offering novel insight on SME growth useful for policy makers. The results can inform managerial practices to increase SME contribution to economic growth.
Perceptions of tourism: a study of residents' attitudes towards tourism in the city of Girona
Authors: Vidal Rua Sira
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Socio-cultural impacts of tourism have been widely researched within a social exchange theoretical framework, yet it seems that this theory could be neglecting those more emotional elements, which at the same time could be considered key to understand how tourism affects the society. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to look at the social exchange theory (SET) from a different perspective and focus on those less rational influencing factors that could be shaping residents’ attitudes towards tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on six main constructs, a quantitative survey-based research is developed in the small city of Girona with the purpose to broaden the versality of the theory, with the support of in-depth exploratory interviews. Thus, an exhaustive study of the influences that attachment to communities, involvement in the tourism industry and personal benefits derived from tourism could have on residents’ perceptions is developed.

Findings

This paper suggests that those smaller tourism destinations might mirror themselves in those close big tourism destinations and thus residents’ opinions and attitudes seem to be influenced by the situations lived in these larger tourism destinations. Moreover, this paper stresses on the importance of interactions and relationships between tourists and residents to boost personal benefits from tourism. Finally, results show how those attached citizens tend to support tourism development, which could be explained by the proudness they feel when others value what for them is home.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the current understanding of attitudes towards tourism within the SET framework, especially relating to covering those more emotional elements of social interactions. Moreover, there seems to be a gap in current research relating to small urban destinations that is aimed to be covered in this research.
Tourism trends: lifestyle developments and the links to solo tourism
Authors: Leith Craig
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose drivers that may impact the development of solo tourism in the near future.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper identifies and briefly examines four key factors that, it is suggested, will be significant in solo tourism in the near future.

Findings

It is proposed that future solo tourism will be increasingly fragmented based on the desires, living circumstances and motivations of the individual. A key element will be the level of solitude or controlled or uncontrolled companionship that the individual desires. Three possible personas of the future solo tourist are highlighted.

Originality/value

Solo tourism is currently underresearched, and this paper provides a starting point in looking specifically at the varying motivations and behaviours of the solo tourist.
The blockchain as a sustainable business model innovation
Authors: Tiscini Riccardo , Testarmata Silvia , Ciaburri Mirella , Ferrari Emanuele
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to strive to close the current research gap pertaining to potential implications of the blockchain (BC) for sustainable business models (SBMs) in the agri-food industry.

Design/methodology/approach

To answer the research question, the authors utilised the Value Triangle framework by Biloslavo et al. (2018) in order to explore the potential innovation of BC for SBMs in the agri-food industry. Then, the authors apply it to an in-depth exploratory case study of the Placido Volpone winery. The authors draw data from strategic plans, annual reports, corporate website and a semi-structured interview with the winery's founder.

Findings

The authors show how BC technology could be a source of SBM innovation in the agri-food industry.

Research limitations/implications

BC technology has the potential to significantly change SBMs. Given the huge set-up investments by the industry, academic research investigating potential implications and supporting companies in their application of BC is needed. This paper explores how the implications of BC as source of innovation on SBMs can be investigated.

Practical implications

The research results of this study can be used by company leaders and managers to support the development of SBMs through the introduction of BC technology in their business activities.

Originality/value

The paper is novel because it investigates the relationship between SBM innovation and BC providing theoretical justification to SBM technological innovation in an agri-food setting. Additionally, the paper provides an empirical application of the framework by Biloslavo et al. (2018) for understanding the development of SBM through BC in the agri-food industry.
Measurement method of aircraft barycenter based on multi posture
Authors: Li Shuanggao , Chu Wenmin , Huang Xiang
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The measurement of aircraft barycenter is a verification of theoretical barycenter and is an important step of aircraft development. In the traditional measurement method of aircraft barycenter, the posture of the aircraft needs to be adjusted manually and is measured by optical instruments. The efficiency of posture adjustment depends on the proficiency of workers, and the accuracy of measurement is not high. In view of these problems of the current barycenter measurement method, this paper aims to propose an aircraft barycenter measurement method based on multi-posture.

Design/methodology/approach

In this method, the numerical control locator is used as a supporting part to fix and adjust the aircraft, and the calculation model of aircraft barycenter is established according to the principle of rigid body rotation and the principle of moment balance. Then, the influence of the main error sources on the measurement accuracy of aircraft barycenter is analyzed by Monte Carlo simulation, and the measurement accuracy is compared with that of the barycenter measurement method based on horizontal posture. Finally, the experiment platform of barycenter measurement was built in the laboratory and the experiments were carried out.

Findings

The experimental results show that the barycenter measurement method proposed in this paper has obvious advantages in measurement accuracy and efficiency compared with the traditional method.

Originality/value

This method can be used to measure the barycenter of different types of aircraft quickly and automatically.
Investigation of the challenges of implementing social sustainability initiatives: a case study of the apparel industry
Authors: Akbar Suraiyah , Ahsan Kamrul
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Introducing social sustainability initiatives in the apparel industry is a complex and challenging process. This study aims to investigate the challenges facing Bangladesh apparel supplier organisations in implementing factory safety initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study identifies challenges of implementing social sustainability initiatives of the apparel industry based on a literature review and case-study interviews with senior-level management of apparel supplier organisations.

Findings

The analysis shows significant challenges facing apparel supplier organisations in implementing social sustainability initiatives relate to resource and institutional issues. These challenges are resource management and strategy, cost and financial concerns, as well as cultural, regulation and monitoring issues.

Practical implications

The identified challenges may be useful for policymakers and managers of apparel buyer and supplier organisations to recognise critical issues involved in social initiative implementation and to help improve social sustainability practices of the apparel industry.

Social implications

By addressing the identified issues, stakeholders in the apparel industry can work to ensure improved social sustainability practices in apparel manufacturing factories.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the research on social sustainability practices of the apparel industry by identifying and addressing challenges faced by apparel supplier organisations in implementing social sustainability initiatives in apparel manufacturing factories.
RETRACTED: Diosmetin exerts cardioprotective effect on myocardial ischaemia injury in neonatal rats by decreasing oxidative stress and myocardial apoptosis
Authors: Mo GuoLiang , He Yong , Zhang XiaoQian , Lei Xia , Luo Qi
Published: March 2020

Myocardial injury caused by the myocardial ischaemia (MI) is still a troublesome condition in the clinic, including apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation. Diosmetin inhibits the cellular apoptosis and inflammatory response and enhances antioxidant activity. So, this study was designed to investigate the cardioprotective effects of diosmetin on MI model neonatal rats. Forty Sprague Dawley (SD) rats 7 days old were randomly divided into five groups. Four groups of rats received diosmetin (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) or vehicle (MI group) after ischaemia. Another group received vehicle without ischaemia to serve as a control group. Rats were pretreated with diosmetin intraperitoneally for 7 days and intoxicated with isoproterenol (ISO, 85 mg/kg, sc) on the last 2 days. The expression of apoptotic molecules, myocardial systolic function index, antioxidant enzymes and myocardial enzyme was analyzed. Compared with the control group, the proliferation marker proteins of Ki67 were increased significantly (P < .05), the MI group significantly increased the cardiac apoptosis, oxidative stress and myocardial enzymes, and weakened myocardial contractility. The levels of p‐P65/P65 were increased significantly (P < .05) with decreased p‐AKT/AKT and p‐Nrf2/Nrf2 (P < .05). Nevertheless, pretreatment with diosmetin reversed these changes, especially high‐dose group. In summary, diosmetin has significant potential as a therapeutic intervention to ameliorate myocardial injury after MI and provides the rationale for further clinical studies.
Vibrio splendidus O‐antigen structure: a trade‐off between virulence to oysters and resistance to grazers
Authors: Oyanedel Daniel , Labreuche Yannick , Bruto Maxime , Amraoui Hajar , Robino Etienne , Haffner Philippe , Rubio Tristan , Charrière Guillaume M. , Le Roux Frédérique , Destoumieux‐Garzón Delphine
Published: March 2020

A major debate in evolutionary biology is whether virulence is maintained as an adaptive trait and/or evolves to non‐virulence. In the environment, virulence traits of non‐obligatory parasites are subjected to diverse selective pressures and trade‐offs. Here, we focus on a population of Vibrio splendidus that displays moderate virulence for oysters. A MARTX (Multifunctional‐autoprocessing repeats‐in‐toxin) and a type‐six secretion system (T6SS) were found to be necessary for virulence toward oysters, while a region (wbe) involved in O‐antigen synthesis is necessary for resistance to predation against amoebae. Gene inactivation within the wbe region had major consequences on the O‐antigen structure, conferring lower immunogenicity, competitive advantage and increased virulence in oyster experimental infections. Therefore, O‐antigen structures that favour resistance to environmental predators result in an increased activation of the oyster immune system and a reduced virulence in that host. These trade‐offs likely contribute to maintaining O‐antigen diversity in the marine environment by favouring genomic plasticity of the wbe region. The results of this study indicate an evolution of V. splendidus towards moderate virulence as a compromise between fitness in the oyster as a host, and resistance to its predators in the environment.
Identification of osmo‐dependent and osmo‐independent betaine‐choline‐carnitine transporters in Acinetobacter baumannii: role in osmostress protection and metabolic adaptation
Authors: Breisch Jennifer , Averhoff Beate
Published: March 2020

Acinetobacter baumannii is outstanding for its ability to cope with low water activities and therefore its adaptation mechanism to osmotic stress. Here we report on the identification and characterization of five different secondary active compatible solute transporters, belonging to the betaine‐choline‐carnitine transporter (BCCT) family. Our studies revealed two choline‐specific and three glycine betaine‐specific BCCTs. Activity of the BCCTs was differentially dependent to the osmolality: one choline and one betaine transporter were osmostress‐independent. Addition of choline to resting cells of Acinetobacter grown in the presence of the co‐substrate choline or with phosphatidylcholine as sole carbon source led to ATP synthesis in the wild type but not in the BCCT quadruple mutant. This indicates that the BCCTs are essential to transport the energy substrate choline. The role of the different BCCTs in osmostress resistance and in metabolic adaptation of A. baumannii to the human host is discussed.
Insights into the epidemiology of cardiopulmonary resuscitation‐induced consciousness in out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Doan Tan N , Adams Luke , Schultz Brendan V , Bunting Denise , Parker Lachlan , Rashford Stephen , Bosley Emma
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To describe the characteristics and outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)‐induced consciousness patients from a large database of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods

Included were adult patients, attended between January 2007 and December 2018 by the Queensland Ambulance Service, where resuscitation was attempted by paramedics. Manual review of records was undertaken to identify CPR‐induced consciousness cases. Patients exhibiting purposeful limb/body movement during CPR, with or without displaying other signs, were considered to be CPR‐induced consciousness. Characteristics and outcomes of CPR‐induced consciousness patients were compared to those without CPR‐induced consciousness.

Results

A total of 23 011 OHCA patients were included; of these, 52 (0.23%) were CPR‐induced consciousness. This translates into an incidence rate of 2.3 cases per 1000 adult resuscitation attempts over 12 years. Combativeness/agitation was the most common sign of CPR‐induced consciousness, described in 34.6% (18/52) of patients. CPR‐induced consciousness patients had numerically higher rates of return of spontaneous circulation on hospital arrival (51.9% vs 28.6%), discharge survival (46.2% vs 15.1%) and 30‐day survival (46.2% vs 14.7%), than those without CPR‐induced consciousness; however, CPR‐induced consciousness was not found to be an independent predictor of survival. Higher proportions of CPR‐induced consciousness patients had arrest witnessed by paramedics, occurring in public places, of cardiac aetiology and initial shockable rhythm, than patients without CPR‐induced consciousness.

Conclusions

CPR‐induced consciousness in OHCA appears to be associated with higher survival rates. Standardised guidelines on recognition and management of CPR‐induced consciousness remain to be established.
Alcohol use by people with an intellectual disability in Aotearoa/New Zealand: The protective influence of family and social and support networks
Authors: Gee Grahame , Conder Jenny , Adamson Simon
Published: March 2020

Accessible summary

People with an intellectual disability are able to drink alcohol.

We talked to 10 people in New Zealand about their experiences of drinking alcohol.

Small amounts of alcohol were drunk.

Family and friends influenced the amount drunk.

Television programmes and advertising also influenced the amount drunk.

Background

The move to community living has increased access to alcohol for people with an intellectual disability. The literature on alcohol usage in this population is sparse, and no research has investigated the experience of alcohol consumption in Aotearoa/New Zealand for people with an intellectual disability.

Methods

The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences and patterns of alcohol use amongst individuals with a mild intellectual disability living in the community in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Ten people who self‐identified as consuming alcohol were recruited through a self‐advocacy group. Following semi‐structured interviews with each person, transcripts were qualitatively analysed using Braun and Clarke's (Qualitative Research in Psychology, 2006, 3, 77) approach to identify the main themes.

Results

Two major themes were identified. The theme “Drinking Patterns” recognised a low level of alcohol consumption amongst the participants, while the second theme “Influences on Drinking Behaviour” demonstrated the importance of their social network on promoting and reinforcing low levels of alcohol consumption as well as the influence of television and advertising.

Conclusion

The social and support network operates as a key protective factor influencing the low levels of alcohol consumption by people with an intellectual disability reported in this study.
Technology Matters: The human touch in a digital age – a blended approach in mental healthcare delivery with children and young people
Authors: Sanderson Charlotte , Kouzoupi Natalia , Hall Charlotte L.
Published: March 2020

Online psychological interventions have the potential to address many current issues facing service provision in child and adolescent mental health, not least improving access to evidence‐based therapies and providing greater patient choice. Recognising this, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) now recommend digitally delivered therapy in the treatment of depression in children and young people (CYP). However, despite the virtual ubiquity of technology in young people’s lives, and good evidence that online treatments can be effective, there remain barriers to real‐world implementation. We argue that remote therapist support and blended approaches to therapy will be important models in harnessing the potential of digital technology in CYP mental health.
Feasibility and acceptability of cognitive rehabilitation during the acute phase of schizophrenia
Authors: Nemoto Takahiro , Takeshi Kiyoaki , Niimura Hidehito , Tobe Miki , Ito Ryosuke , Kojima Akiko , Saito Hiroko , Funatogawa Tomoyuki , Yamaguchi Taiju , Katagiri Naoyuki , Tsujino Naohisa , Mizuno Masafumi
Published: March 2020

Aim

Although numerous studies have demonstrated promising results for the cognitive rehabilitation in subjects with schizophrenia, the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation for everyday and social functioning is not yet sufficient. Although consideration of the contents and methods are vital, the timing for implementing cognitive rehabilitation also seems to be crucial. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of cognitive rehabilitation during the acute phase of schizophrenia.

Methods

Patients were recruited from consecutive acute admissions to the inpatient unit during a 15‐month period and were evaluated to determine whether they could be enrolled in an 8‐week cognitive rehabilitation program within 14 days of their hospital admission. Cognitive rehabilitation programs with a workbook style were adopted, taking the patients' conditions and burdens into consideration.

Results

Eighty‐three patients were newly admitted during the entry period, and 49 patients (59.0%) were eligible for inclusion. Of them, 22 patients (44.9%) agreed to participate and started the program. Sixteen patients completed the program and underwent a second assessment. Thus, 32.7% (16/49) of all the eligible patients actually completed the study. The participants were quite satisfied with the program.

Conclusions

This preliminary study yielded encouraging data demonstrating the feasibility and acceptability of cognitive remediation for patients with schizophrenia during the acute phase. The provision of cognitive rehabilitation during the acute phase of the first episode can reasonably be expected to lead to better functional outcomes.
Forecasting cycles of seizure likelihood
Authors: Karoly Philippa J. , Cook Mark J. , Maturana Matias , Nurse Ewan S. , Payne Daniel , Brinkmann Benjamin H. , Grayden David B. , Dumanis Sonya B. , Richardson Mark P. , Worrell Greg A. , Schulze‐Bonhage Andreas , Kuhlmann Levin , Freestone Dean R.
Published: March 2020

Objective

Seizure unpredictability is rated as one of the most challenging aspects of living with epilepsy. Seizure likelihood can be influenced by a range of environmental and physiological factors that are difficult to measure and quantify. However, some generalizable patterns have been demonstrated in seizure onset. A majority of people with epilepsy exhibit circadian rhythms in their seizure times, and many also show slower, multiday patterns. Seizure cycles can be measured using a range of recording modalities, including self‐reported electronic seizure diaries. This study aimed to develop personalized forecasts from a mobile seizure diary app.

Methods

Forecasts based on circadian and multiday seizure cycles were tested pseudoprospectively using data from 50 app users (mean of 109 seizures per subject). Individuals' strongest cycles were estimated from their reported seizure times and used to derive the likelihood of future seizures. The forecasting approach was validated using self‐reported events and electrographic seizures from the Neurovista dataset, an existing database of long‐term electroencephalography that has been widely used to develop forecasting algorithms.

Results

The validation dataset showed that forecasts of seizure likelihood based on self‐reported cycles were predictive of electrographic seizures for approximately half the cohort. Forecasts using only mobile app diaries allowed users to spend an average of 67.1% of their time in a low‐risk state, with 14.8% of their time in a high‐risk warning state. On average, 69.1% of seizures occurred during high‐risk states and 10.5% of seizures occurred in low‐risk states.

Significance

Seizure diary apps can provide personalized forecasts of seizure likelihood that are accurate and clinically relevant for electrographic seizures. These results have immediate potential for translation to a prospective seizure forecasting trial using a mobile diary app. It is our hope that seizure forecasting apps will one day give people with epilepsy greater confidence in managing their daily activities.
Similarities in biological processes can be used to bridge ecology and molecular biology
Authors: Hallin Johan , Cisneros Angel F. , Hénault Mathieu , Fijarczyk Anna , Dandage Rohan , Bautista Carla , Landry Christian R.
Published: March 2020

Much of the research in biology aims to understand the origin of diversity. Naturally, ecological diversity was the first object of study, but we now have the necessary tools to probe diversity at molecular scales. The inherent differences in how we study diversity at different scales caused the disciplines of biology to be organized around these levels, from molecular biology to ecology. Here, we illustrate that there are key properties of each scale that emerge from the interactions of simpler components and that these properties are often shared across different levels of organization. This means that ideas from one level of organization can be an inspiration for novel hypotheses to study phenomena at another level. We illustrate this concept with examples of events at the molecular level that have analogs at the organismal or ecological level and vice versa. Through these examples, we illustrate that biological processes at different organization levels are governed by general rules. The study of the same phenomena at different scales could enrich our work through a multidisciplinary approach, which should be a staple in the training of future scientists.
The association between clinical parameters recorded at vet gates during Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance rides and the imminent risk of elimination
Authors: Bennet Euan D. , Hayes Megan E. , Friend Laura , Parkin Tim D. H.
Published: March 2020

Background

Endurance competitions over distances of 80‐160 km are required by Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules to be divided into a number of stages between three and six. These stages are also known as “loops”. Veterinary inspections, designed to ensure horse welfare, are conducted at the end of each loop, with details recorded on a separate “vet card” for each horse.

Objectives

To identify risk factors recorded on vet cards that were associated with elimination at subsequent loops.

Study design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Data relating to 3213 horse starts worldwide in international (CEI) events during 2014 were analysed. Univariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for potential inclusion in a final multivariable logistic regression model. Models were constructed stepwise using backwards‐removal and assessed using the Bayesian information criterion.

Results

Risk factors were identified, which would allow an “in‐ride” risk profile to be constructed for each horse which evolves as the horse progresses through the ride. Some risk factors such as abnormal gait and high heart rate were found to be repeatedly associated with imminent failure to qualify.

Main limitations

This is a relatively small study in terms of cohort size, based on the data that were available at the time of the study. Although comprehensive ride history data were also available for each horse via the main FEI database, training data were not.

Conclusions

By identifying risk factors observed during the veterinary inspections at the end of a loop that are strongly associated with elimination at the end of the next or subsequent loops, these results provide an evidence‐base for educational initiatives and regulatory changes that will inform the way veterinary delegates use veterinary inspections to help identify horses at risk of imminent FTQ.
Morphological divergence among Spanish Common Crossbill populations and adaptations to different pine species
Authors: Alonso Daniel , Fernández-Eslava Blanca , Edelaar Pim , Arizaga Juan
Published: March 2020

Crossbills (Loxia spp.) provide a classical avian model of ecological specialization on food resources. Previous studies have suggested that morphometric, genetic and vocal diversification among Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra populations is better explained by ecological distance (use of different conifers) than by geographical distance, indicating that populations have diverged adaptatively. We tested for adaptive divergence in Iberian crossbills using bill and body size measurements of 6082 crossbills from 27 sites, each consisting of a dominant or single pine (Pinus) of four possible species. Crossbills using different pines differed significantly in body size and bill size and shape. There was no correlation between geographical and morphological distance among sampling sites, consistent with the hypothesis that the morphological divergence of Iberian crossbills is shaped by their ecological differences (foraging on alternative conifers) rather than geographical distance. However, for unknown reasons, Common Crossbills foraging on Pinus sylvestris in Iberia have on average much smaller bills than Parrot Crossbills Loxia pytyopsittacus feeding on the same pine species in northern Europe. The extent to which crossbills specialize on Iberian P. sylvestris remains to be established. Specialization on conifers with overlapping geographical distributions may be facilitated by matching habitat choice of crossbills as a function of their local intake rates.
Variation in monthly sizes of home‐ranges of Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus in western, eastern and southern Africa
Authors: Thompson Lindy J. , Barber David R. , Bechard Marc J. , Botha André J. , Wolter Kerri , Neser Walter , Buechley Evan R. , Reading Richard , Garbett Rebecca A. , Hancock Pete , Maude Glyn , Virani Munir Z. , Thomsett Simon , Lee Hansoo , Ogada Darcy , Barlow Clive R. , Bildstein Keith L.
Published: March 2020

Tracking studies are often used to inform conservation plans and actions. However, species have frequently only been tracked in one or a few localities, whereas space use can be remarkably flexible, especially in long‐lived species with advanced learning abilities. We assessed variability in space use in the Critically Endangered Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus by pooling movement data from three populations across the species’ sub‐Saharan range (in South Africa, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, The Gambia and Mozambique). We estimated minimum convex polygons and kernel density estimators (KDEs) and compared monthly home‐range sizes between breeding and non‐breeding seasons, age‐classes and subspecies, accounting for uneven sampling within groups. Mean (± sd) monthly home‐range sizes (95% KDEs) for adult Hooded Vultures from southern (12 453 ± 21 188 km2, n = 82) and eastern Africa (3735 ± 3652 km2, n = 24) were 103 and 31 times larger than those of conspecifics from western Africa (121 ± 98 km2, n = 48). This may relate partly to subspecific differences, and individuals with small home‐ranges in western Africa and Ethiopia were trapped in urban environments. Regional variation in space use by Hooded Vultures may be linked to flexibility in feeding behaviour (degree of commensalism) which may arise in response to resource availability and persecution in different areas. Age‐class also affected monthly home‐range sizes, with immature birds generally having larger monthly home‐range size estimates than adults. Our results highlight the flexibility of Hooded Vultures in terms of their home‐range sizes and suggest that home‐range sizes differ between populations and individuals, depending on the extent of human commensalism. Our results also reaffirm the importance of international co‐operation in conservation efforts aimed at protecting this wide‐ranging, non‐migratory species.