bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing business model innovation: an innovative approach towards designing a digital ecosystem and multi-sided platform
Authors: Hoch Nino Bernd , Brad Stelian
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to increase understanding regarding the transformation of traditional business models, integrating digital technologies. The significance of digitisation within business models has increased dramatically in recent years. Because of this, new knowledge on how to transform traditional business models into digital business models in a systematic way is needed. Digital technologies, embedded in previously non-digital goods, force companies to rethink their business models.

Design/methodology/approach

A design science research methodology was chosen for this study. A literature review and semi-structured interviews served as the theoretical foundation to integrate behavioural science into the design science process. From the design science perspective, an artefact is introduced to provide an architectural framework to manage business model innovation in a systematic way. The artefact's application is demonstrated through a case study conducted at a real company and evaluated afterwards by means of structured interviews with experts.

Findings

The authors propose a highly useable and valuable conceptual framework for systematic business model innovation. However, one limitation of the research is that it was conducted among construction professionals in Germany, and so the result might not hold true for other firms or industry branches.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted among construction professionals in Germany, and this acts as a limitation, as the result might not hold true for other firms or industry branches.

Originality/value

The purpose of this study is to provide managers with a framework for business model innovation, helping them systematically integrate digital technologies to create customer-added value. The proposed framework presents an innovative conceptual analysis of systematic business model innovation, which has not been addressed in prior studies.
Who is counted as in-work poor? Testing five different definitions when measuring in-work poverty in Sweden 1987–2017
Authors: Jansson Birgitta , Broström Lovisa
Published: December 2020

Purpose

There is ongoing debate amongst in-work poverty researchers as to how to answer the question “who is counted as in-work poor?” and how to define the minimum size of work that should be used to determine a “working threshold”. The purpose of this paper aims to contribute to this debate by testing five different definitions of a “working threshold” and discussing their implications when testing the different measurement outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data from Statistics Sweden (SCB), including the total population registered as living in Sweden for each year from 1987 to 2017. All calculations are on a yearly basis and in fixed prices (2017). The data set used is based on linked administrative data retrieved from Statistics Sweden and the software used is SAS 9.4.

Findings

Results show how in-work poverty trends differ by measurement approach. The two definitions with the lowest income thresholds are found to include a very heterogenic group of individuals. The development of in-work poverty in Sweden over 30 years show decreasing in-work poverty during the first decade followed by an increase to almost the same levels at the end of the period. In-work poverty in Sweden has transformed from being female-dominated in 1987 and the typical person in in-work poverty 2017 is a male immigrant, aged 26–55 years.

Practical implications

This methodological discussion might lead to a new definition of who is a worker amongst the in-work poor, which could consequently affect who is counted as being in in-work poverty and lead to new social policy measures.

Originality/value

This is, to the authors' knowledge, the first time different definitions of work requirement used to define in-work poverty have been tested on a data set including the total population and over a period of 30 years.
Taxi within a grab? A gender-invariant model of mobile taxi adoption
Authors: Ooi Keng-Boon , Foo Fang-Ee , Tan Garry Wei-Han , Hew Jun-Jie , Leong Lai-Ying
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The paper intends to examine mobile taxi (m-taxi) adoption, so as to close the gap in the current literature and clarify the behaviour of users by synthesising technological factors that are related to the characteristics of m-taxi applications with non-technological factors that are associated with the psychological characteristics of customers. The moderating effects of gender were also tested.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire was adopted for data collection with 415 useable responses. The theoretical lens was tested via partial least squares-structural equation modelling. Additionally, state-of-the-art techniques such as permutation and multigroup analysis were applied.

Findings

Results indicate that social pressure, technology anxiety, effort expectancy, performance expectancy, and service and system quality are not significantly related to behavioural intention. Also, findings show no significant differences among gender in this study, which suggests that the model is invariant across gender groups.

Originality/value

This study provides a novel insight by taking a broader perspective of ride-hailing terminology by considering both taxis and private vehicles.
Crisis determination and financial contagion: an analysis of the Hong Kong and Tokyo stock markets using an MSBVAR approach
Authors: Troug Haytem , Murray Matt
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper then, is to add to the existing literature on financial contagion. While a vast amount of the debate has been made using data from the late 1990s, this paper differentiates itself by analysing more current data, centred around the most recent global financial crisis, with specific focus on the stock markets of Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing Pearson and Spearman correlation measures, the dynamic relationship of the two markets is determined over tranquil and crisis periods, as specified by an Markov-Switching Bayesian Vector AutoRegression (MSBVAR) model.

Findings

The authors find evidence in support of the existence of financial contagion (defined as an increase in correlation during a crisis period) for all frequencies of data analysed. This contagion is greatest when examining lower-frequency data. Additionally, there is also weaker evidence in some data sub-samples to support “herding” behaviour, whereby higher market correlations persist, following a crisis period.

Research limitations/implications

The intention of this paper was not to analyse the cause or transmission mechanism of contagion between financial markets. Therefore future studies could extend the methodology used in this paper by including exogenous macroeconomic factors in the MSBVAR model.

Originality/value

The results of this paper serve to explain why the debate of the persistence and in fact existence of financial contagion remains alive. The authors have shown that the frequency of a time series dataset has a significant impact on the level of observed correlation and thus observation of financial contagion.
International capital flows with safe assets accumulation
Authors: Hung Ly Dai
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The author studies the role of safe assets accumulation in shaping the pattern of international capital flows.

Design/methodology/approach

The author combines a theoretical model and the empirical analysis. The model is a two-country open economy, while the evidence is based on a fixed-effect regression on a panel of 19 countries of the eurozone.

Findings

In an open two-country economy, a positive productivity shock raises both mean and variance of wealth accumulation rate, then, leading to a greater holding of safe assets for risk-sharing motivation. Upon financial integration, the shock can induce the outflows of net total capital. The evidence of 19 eurozone countries confirms the theory and also uncovers that the safe assets (bonds) are the dominant driver of cross-border capital flows within the eurozone.

Research limitations/implications

The model can be extended to account for the impact of safe assets on the economic growth, then, analyzes the role of safe assets within financial globalization. Taking into account the impact of safe assets on the open-economy economic growth can be the next step to approach the issue.

Practical implications

The paper also provides important policy implication. Since a higher productivity level can raise the outflows of net total capital through the accumulation of foreign safe assets, an economy needs to increase its supply of safe asset along with upgrading its domestic productivity level. This combination is important for the long-run capital accumulation and economic growth of an economy with an increasing path of the productivity level.

Originality/value

The paper seeks a balance between theory and evidence on international capital flows. Moreover, the paper bridges the gap between the literature on international capital flows and the literature on safe assets. And the paper also focuses on the economies of the eurozone.
A panel path analysis approach to the determinants of coronavirus disease 2019 transmission: does testing matter for confirmed cases?
Authors: Goswami Gour Gobinda , Ali ARM Mehrab , Islam Sharose
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to examine the role of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test on transmission data globally to reveal the fact that the actual picture of transmission history cannot be exposed if the countries do not perform the test adequately.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Our World in Data for 212 countries and areas and 162 time periods daily from December 31, 2019, to June 09, 2020, on an unbalanced panel framework, we have developed a panel-based path analysis model to explore the interdependence of various actors of COVID-19 cases of transmission across the globe. After controlling for per capita gross domestic product (GDP), age structure and government stringency, we explore the proposition that COVID-19 tests affect transmission positively. As an anecdote, we also explore the direct, indirect and total effects of different potential determinants of transmission cases worldwide and gather an idea about each factor's relative role in a structural equation framework.

Findings

Using the panel path model, we find that a 1 standard deviation change in the number of tests results in a 0.70 standard deviation change in total cases per million after controlling for several variables like per capita GDP, government stringency and age population (above 65).

Research limitations/implications

It is not possible to get balanced data of COVID-19 for all the countries for all the periods. Similarly, the socioeconomic, political and demographic variables used in the model are not observed daily, and they are only available on an annual basis.

Practical implications

Countries which cannot afford to carry out more tests are also the countries where transmission rates are suppressed downward and negatively manipulated.

Social implications

Cross country collaboration in terms of COVID-19 test instruments, vaccination and technology transfer are urgently required. This collaboration may be sought as an alternative to foreign development assistance.

Originality/value

This article provides an alternative approach to modeling COVID-19 transmission through the panel path model where the test is considered as an endogenous determinant of transmission, and the endogeneity has been channeled through per capita GDP, government stringency and age structure without using any regression-based modeling like pooled ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed-effects, two-stage least squares or generalized method of moments (GMM). Endogeneity has been handled without using any instruments.
Engaging Consumers in Medicaid Program Design: Strategies from the States
Authors: ZHU JANE M. , ROWLAND RUTH , GUNN ROSE , GOLLUST SARAH , GRANDE DAVID T.
Published: December 2020

Policy Points

As Medicaid programs grow in scale and complexity, greater consumer input may guide successful program design, but little is known about the extent to which state agencies are engaging consumers in the design and implementation of programs and policies.

Through 50 semistructured interviews with Medicaid leaders in 14 states, we found significant variation in consumer engagement approaches, with many common facilitators, including leadership commitment, flexible strategies for recruiting and supporting consumer participation, and robust community partnerships. We provide early evidence on how state Medicaid agencies are integrating consumers’ experiences and perspectives into their program design and governance.

Context

Consumer engagement early in the process of health care policymaking may improve the effectiveness of program planning and implementation, promote patient‐centric care, enhance beneficiary protections, and offer opportunities to improve service delivery. As Medicaid programs grow in scale and complexity, greater consumer input may guide successful program design, but little is known about the extent to which state agencies are currently engaging consumers in the design and implementation of programs and policies, and how this is being done.

Methods

We conducted semistructured interviews with 50 Medicaid program leaders across 14 states, employing a stratified purposive sampling method to select state Medicaid programs based on US census region, rurality, Medicaid enrollment size, total population, ACA expansion status, and Medicaid managed care penetration. Interview data were audio‐recorded, professionally transcribed, and underwent iterative coding with content and thematic analyses.

Findings

First, we found variation in consumer engagement approaches, ranging from limited and largely symbolic interactions to longer‐term deliberative bodies, with some states tailoring their federally mandated standing committees to engage consumers. Second, most states were motivated by pragmatic considerations, such as identifying and overcoming implementation challenges for agency programs. Third, states reported several common facilitators of successful consumer engagement efforts, including leadership commitment, flexible strategies for recruiting and supporting consumers’ participation, and robust community partnerships. All states faced barriers to authentic and sustained engagement.

Conclusions

Sharing best practices across states could help strengthen programs’ engagement efforts, identify opportunities for program improvement reflecting community needs, and increase participation among a population that has traditionally lacked a political voice.
Threshold for optimal administration of plerixafor in autologous peripheral blood stem cell collections through CD34+ cell monitoring based on the experience from two Japanese university hospitals
Authors: Okubo Mitsuo , Furuta Yoshiaki , Nakamura Yuki , Osawa Toshiya , Tada Naoki , Sawada Tomohiro , Yamatoya Kenji , Sekiguchi Yasunobu , Araki Yoshihiko , Miyake Kazunori , Noguchi Masaaki , Komatsu Norio , Ohsaka Akimichi
Published: December 2020

Plerixafor was introduced to Japan in 2017 as a stem cell mobilization enhancement reagent, but the threshold for its use remains unclear. In this study, we assessed 57 patients treated with plerixafor (33 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and 24 with malignant lymphoma (ML) and 152 patients without plerixafor administration. When CD34+ cell pre‐counts were between 5.5 and 20 cells/μL in MM or 6 and 21 cells/μL in ML, the CD34+ cell count increased significantly, attaining the highest yield in response to plerixafor (achievement rate by one leukapheresis is 93.3% and 91.7% in MM and ML, at P < .001 and P = .012, respectively). In case the CD34+ cell pre‐count was less than 5.5 cells/μL, an increase of at least 7 cells/μL from baseline by plerixafor was the necessary condition to achieve successful collection through a two‐time leukapheresis. Monitoring CD34+ cell numbers might improve the collection efficiency and reduce the cost.
Placement of self‐expanding metallic tracheobronchial Y stent with laryngeal mask airway using conscious sedation under fluoroscopic guidance
Authors: Pertzov Barak , Gershman Evgeni , Izhakian Shimon , Amor Shai M. , Rosengarten Dror , Kramer Mordechai R.
Published: December 2020

Background

Central airway obstruction and fistula are treated with a tracheobronchial Y stent. In the currently used self‐expandable metal Y stents, the delivery system is 8 mm in diameter and requires either a 9 mm tracheal tube or rigid bronchoscope to enable airway control during insertion. In this study we present a novel technique of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) assisted Y stent insertion, enabling airway control during deployment of the Y stent.

Methods

All procedures using LMA in assisting Y stent insertions between 2014–2020 were reviewed. Data collected included demographics, clinical diagnosis and disease characteristics, indication, procedural success rates, clinical outcome and survival.

Results

A total of 10 patients with a median age of 61.5 years (range 37–73) underwent LMA assisted Y stent insertion. Indications for stent insertion were malignant disease with central airway obstruction or fistula. In all cases airway patency was achieved leading to improvement of symptoms and performance status. No procedural complications were reported. The median survival was 4.5 weeks (range: 2–26).

Conclusions

LMA assisted Y stent insertion enables airway control during the procedure. In comparison to silicone Y stent insertion, the procedure is less cumbersome, shorter in duration and does not require the use of general anesthesia or rigid bronchoscopy.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

LMA assisted Y stent insertion enables airway control during the implantation of metallic self‐expanding Y stent. The procedure does not require the use of general anesthesia or rigid bronchoscopy.

What this study adds

In this study we present the technique and outcomes of LMA assisted Y stent insertion. This method of Y stent insertion provides an additional treatment option for patients with central airway obstruction and fistula.
Market Reactions to Corporate Governance Ranking Announcements: Evidence from Taiwan
Authors: TAI YI‐HUI , HWANG NEN‐CHEN RICHARD
Published: December 2020

This study examines whether market participants react to the announcements of corporate governance ranking exercises. As a regulatory innovation, the Financial Supervisory Commission in Taiwan initiated and administered two ranking exercises, one in 2015 and the other in 2016, on all publicly listed companies. Adopting anchoring‐and‐adjustment theory, the study predicts that market participants will react strongly to the second announcement if the ranking obtained in the second exercise turns out to be better than the ranking in the first round. Employing an event study methodology, the study shows that market participants react positively and significantly to firms ranked in the top 50% in the second corporate governance exercise. Their reactions to the announcement are even stronger among those that did not list in the top 20% in the first exercise, but made it into the top 50% in the second one. Overall, our analyses support that anchoring‐and‐adjustment theory effectively explains market participants’ behaviour. Since the monitoring of the board of directors and investors may not effectively mitigate the potential moral hazard committed by family owners/executives, our empirical evidence demonstrates that a ranking exercise probably can be employed to supplement routine corporate governance disclosures made in annual reports, in order to strengthen the check‐and‐balance mechanism and reduce the risk of principal–principal conflicts. In conclusion, we discuss the implications of the research findings and propose directions for future studies.
Displayed enthusiasm attracts attention and improves recall
Authors: Moè Angelica , Frenzel Anne C. , Au Lik , Taxer Jamie L.
Published: December 2020

Background

Instructor enthusiasm has been shown to enhance a range of positive student outcomes including recall, but the underlying mechanisms for the favourable effects of teacher enthusiasm are still largely unknown.

Aims

We hypothesized that attention paid to the instructor is one mechanism and that the positive effects of enthusiasm will disappear when attention is captured by another task.

Samples

In a series of three studies, we involved fourth and fifth graders in listening to texts read aloud with high or low levels of displayed enthusiasm.

Methods

In Study 1, we obtained self‐reported and observed behavioural indicators of attention while students were read texts with high versus low enthusiasm. In Study 2, we additionally manipulated attention by comparing a group who performed a concurrent attentional task while listening to the texts read with high or low enthusiasm to a group who only listened to the texts. In Study 3, we compared the attention‐catching concurrent task used in Study 2 to a non‐attention‐catching dual task.

Results and Conclusions

Our results confirm that displayed enthusiasm captures attention and that attention partially explains the positive effect of displayed enthusiasm on recall.
Conversion of left atrial volume to diameter for automated estimation of sudden cardiac death risk in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bhopalwala Huzefa , Dewaswala Nakeya , Liu Sijia , Scott Christopher G. , Welper James M. , Akinnusotu Oluwatoyin , Bos Johan Martijn , Ommen Steve R. , Ackerman Michael J. , Pellikka Patricia A. , Geske Jeffrey B. , Noseworthy Peter , Arruda‐Olson Adelaide M.
Published: December 2020

Background

A subset of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is at high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Practice guidelines endorse use of a risk calculator, which requires entry of left atrial (LA) diameter. However, American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) guidelines recommend the use of LA volume index (LAVI) for routine quantification of LA size. The aims of this study were to (a) develop a model to estimate LA diameter from LAVI and (b) evaluate whether substitution of measured LA diameter by estimated LA diameter derived from LAVI reclassifies HCM‐SCD risk.

Methods

The study cohort was comprised of 500 randomly selected HCM patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). LA diameter and LAVI were measured offline using digital clips from TTE. Linear regression models were developed to estimate LA diameter from LAVI. A European Society of Cardiology endorsed equation estimated SCD risk, which was measured using LA diameter and estimated LA diameter derived from LAVI.

Results

The mean LAVI was 48.5 ± 18.8 mL/m2. The derived LA diameter was 45.1 mm (SD: 5.5 mm), similar to the measured LA diameter (45.1 mm, SD: 7.1 mm). Median SCD risk at 5 years estimated by measured LA diameter was 2.22% (interquartile range (IQR): 1.39, 3.56), while median risk calculated by estimated LA diameter was 2.18% (IQR: 1.44, 3.52). 476/500 (95%) patients maintained the same risk classification regardless of whether the measured or estimated LA diameter was used.

Conclusions

Substitution of measured LA diameter by estimated LA diameter in the HCM‐SCD calculator did not reclassify risk.
The ‘classic stromatolite’ Cryptozoön is a keratose sponge‐microbial consortium
Authors: Lee Jeong‐Hyun , Riding Robert
Published: December 2020

Animal evolution transformed microbial mat development. Canonically inferred negative effects include grazing, disturbance and competition for space. In contrast, ancient examples of cooperation between microbial mats and invertebrates have rarely been reported. Late Cambrian (~485 million years) Cryptozoön is widely regarded as the first stromatolite to have received a taxonomic name and has been compared with present‐day examples at Shark Bay, Australia. Here, we show that Cryptozoön is an interlayered consortium of keratose (‘horny’) sponge and microbial carbonate in roughly equal proportions. Cryptozoön's well‐defined layering reflects repeated alternation of sponge and microbial mat. Its distinctive lateral growth is due to the ability of keratosans to colonize steep and overhanging surfaces. Contrary to the perception of Phanerozoic stromatolites as anachronistic survivors in a eukaryotic world, Cryptozoön suggests mutualistic behaviour in which sponges and microbial mats cooperated to gain support, stability and relief, while sharing substrates, bacteria and metabolites. Keratosan‐microbial consortia may have been mistaken for stromatolites throughout the record of the past 500 million years, and possibly longer.
Provider perceptions of hypertension care in a low‐resource setting
Authors: Spies Lori A. , Lan Anh Mai Thi
Published: December 2020

Aim

Globally, the rapid increase of hypertension is particularly prevalent in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Hypertension is the most significant modifiable risk factor for stroke and ischaemic heart disease, the leading cause of mortality in Vietnam. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the provision of hypertension care in Vietnam by exploring provider perceptions.

Methods

A sequential exploratory mixed‐method design was selected to allow for the initial qualitative interview findings to be incorporated into the development of the hypertension education workshop. Data were collected through semistructured interviews of 15 Vietnamese clinicians involved in the care of patients with hypertension.

Results

Anxiety related to diagnosis of hypertension and specifically fear of having a stroke was mentioned by half of the participants. Several themes also emerged regarding barriers to implementing lifestyle modification to improve patient hypertension outcomes. There were contradictory opinions on the nurse's role in providing patient education across clinical settings. A lack of systematic structure and evidence‐based teaching resources was also noted.

Conclusions

Gaining the provider's perspective increases understanding of the regional culture and context of hypertension care. The increased understanding can be used to improve provider education and enhance hypertension population outcomes.
The CBP/p300 histone acetyltransferases function as plant‐specific MEDIATOR subunits in Arabidopsis
Authors: Guo Jing , Wei Long , Chen Shan‐Shan , Cai Xue‐Wei , Su Yin‐Na , Li Lin , Chen She , He Xin‐Jian
Published: December 2020

In eukaryotes, MEDIATOR is a conserved multi‐subunit complex that links transcription factors and RNA polymerase II and that thereby facilitates transcriptional initiation. Although the composition of MEDIATOR has been well studied in yeast and mammals, relatively little is known about the composition of MEDIATOR in plants. By affinity purification followed by mass spectrometry, we identified 28 conserved MEDIATOR subunits in Arabidopsis thaliana, including putative MEDIATOR subunits that were not previously validated. Our results indicated that MED34, MED35, MED36, and MED37 are not Arabidopsis MEDIATOR subunits, as previously proposed. Our results also revealed that two homologous CBP/p300 histone acetyltransferases, HAC1 and HAC5 (HAC1/5) are in fact plant‐specific MEDIATOR subunits. The MEDIATOR subunits MED8 and MED25 (MED8/25) are partially responsible for the association of MEDIATOR with HAC1/5, MED8/25 and HAC1/5 co‐regulate gene expression and thereby affect flowering time and floral development. Our in vitro observations indicated that MED8 and HAC1 form liquid‐like droplets by phase separation, and our in vivo observations indicated that these droplets co‐localize in the nuclear bodies at a subset of nuclei. The formation of liquid‐like droplets is required for MED8 to interact with RNA polymerase II. In summary, we have identified all of the components of Arabidopsis MEDIATOR and revealed the mechanism underlying the link of histone acetylation and transcriptional regulation.
Integrating Mental Health into Maternal Health Care in Rural Mali: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Lasater Molly E. , Murray Sarah M. , Keita Mariam , Souko Fatoumata , Surkan Pamela J. , Warren Nicole E. , Winch Peter J. , Ba Aissata , Doumbia Seydou , Bass Judith K.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Common perinatal mental disorders are prevalent in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The gap between the need for and availability of mental health services, also known as the mental health treatment gap, is particularly acute for women during the perinatal period in rural Mali. This qualitative study aimed to identify a feasible and acceptable integrated care approach for the provision of maternal mental health care in rural Mali to help narrow the treatment gap and increase access to care.

Methods

From April to June 2016, qualitative data were collected in the Sélingué health district and Bamako, Mali. In‐depth interviews were conducted among women, community health workers, midwives, and mental health specialists. Focus group participants included community health workers, midwives, and an obstetric nurse. All data were inductively coded and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

Women described several coping strategies to manage their distress, including visiting their parents; confiding in a friend, relative, or community health worker; and participating in women's association groups. Mental health‐related stigma was described as being widespread in the community and among health providers. In response to the lack of mental health services, midwives and community health workers supported the feasibility and acceptability of the integration of mental health services into maternal health services. Midwives were discussed as being key providers to conduct mental health screenings and provide initial psychosocial care for women.

Discussion

Integrated maternal and mental health interventions are needed to narrow the gap between the need for and availability of mental health services in rural Mali. Findings from this study underscore the great need for mental health services for women in the perinatal period who reside in rural Mali and that it is both feasible and acceptable to integrate mental health screening and low‐level psychosocial care into antenatal care, delivered by midwives.
Effect of family nursing therapeutic conversations on patients with heart failure and their family members: Secondary outcomes of a randomised multicentre trial
Authors: Østergaard Birte , Mahrer‐Imhof Romy , Shamali Mahdi , Nørgaard Birgitte , Jeune Bernard , Pedersen Karen Steenvinkel , Lauridsen Jørgen
Published: December 2020

Aims and objectives

This study evaluates the short‐term (3 months), medium‐term (6 months) and long‐term (12 months) effect of family nursing therapeutic conversations added to conventional care versus conventional care on social support, family health and family functioning in outpatients with heart failure and their family members.

Background

It has been emphasised that increased social support from nurses is an important resource to strengthen family health and family functioning and thus improve the psychological well‐being of patients with heart failure and their close family members.

Design

A randomised multicentre trial.

Methods

A randomised multicentre trial adhering to the CONSORT checklist was performed in three Danish heart failure clinics. Consecutive patients (n = 468) with family members (n = 322) were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Participants were asked to fill out family functioning, family health and social support questionnaires. Data were measured ahead of first consultation and again after 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results

Social support scores increased statistically significant both at short‐term (p = 0.002) medium‐term (p = 0.008) and long‐term (p = 0.018) among patients and their family members (p = <0.001; 0.007 and 0.014 respectively) in the intervention group in comparison with the control group. Both patients and their family members reported increased reinforcement, feedback, decision‐making capability and collaboration with the nurse. No significant differences between the intervention and control groups were seen in the family health and family functioning scales among patients and family members.

Conclusions

Family nursing therapeutic conversations were superior to conventional care in providing social support from nurses.

Relevance to clinical practice

Family nursing therapeutic conversations are suitable to improve the support from nurses among families living with heart failure.
Demarginalizing women of color in intersectionality scholarship in psychology: A Black feminist critique
Authors: Cole Elizabeth R.
Published: December 2020

Psychology's disciplinary interests and methodological norms lead psychologists to look for intersectionality at the level of individuals and variables, with an attendant focus on identities rather than social structures of inequality. Accordingly, many social science approaches reframe intersectionality as a tool to understand complexity, rather than oppression and liberation. At the same time, social science scholars deploying intersectionality frameworks have moved the focus of the analytic framework away from the particular subject position and social location of Black women and the vulnerabilities they face. In these ways, even at a moment when intersectionality is exceedingly visible in social science, including psychology, women of color are not visible in that success. These trends represent not only an injustice but also a threat to the radical potential of intersectionality to transform scholarship and practice. This article aims to recenter women of color in this special issue by discussing what the collected papers can tell us about the lives of women of color, their status as creators of knowledge, and useful approaches for deploying intersectionality frameworks within psychology.
How do appearance and fragrance influence expectations and conceptual associations of cosmetic products? An exploratory case study with liquid hand soap
Authors: Parente Emma , Ares Gastón
Published: December 2020

The visual appearance and olfactory cues of liquid soap can trigger powerful expectations and associations in consumers' mind, which largely influence purchase decisions and shape product experience. In this context, the aims of the present work were: (a) to study the effect of appearance (color and transparency) and fragrance on conceptual associations and expectations of liquid hand soap and (b) to evaluate if preference patterns moderate such effect. Eight samples of liquid hand soap were obtained following a full factorial design with three 2‐level variables: fragrance (herbal vs. fruity), color (green vs. orange), and transparency (transparent vs. pearly). Samples were evaluated by 104 female participants, who rated their liking and used a check‐all‐that‐apply question to describe the samples in terms of sensory characteristics, expected functional aspects of the product, and conceptual associations. Results showed that appearance and transparency did not influence consumer liking. However, fragrance had a significant effect on consumer liking, expectations and conceptual associations of liquid hand soap. The effect of fragrance on expectations and conceptual associations depended on consumer liking of the fragrance. In addition, pearly appearance did not influence liking but had a significant effect on consumer expectations regarding functional aspects of the liquid hand soap.

Practical applications

Consumers associated the fragrance they preferred with a higher cleansing ability and perceived skin improvement, as well as with more positive emotional and conceptual associations. Pearly appearance was positively associated with functional aspects of the soaps, such as cleansing and moisturizing effects.
Valence determinations and oxybarometry on FIB‐sectioned olivine and pyroxene using correlated Ti, V, and Cr micro‐XAFS spectroscopy: Evaluation of ion‐milling effects and application to Antarctic micrometeorite grains
Authors: Sutton S. R. , Brearley A. J. , DobricĂ E. , Lanzirotti A. , Newville M. , Tschauner O.
Published: December 2020

X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy methods have been applied to focused ion beam (FIB) produced sections of olivine and pyroxene for determining the valence states of Ti, V, and Cr and inferring oxygen fugacities of formation for each element. High‐quality XAFS spectra were obtained for all three elements for analytical voxels of ~10 pg and usable spectra down to the pg level are achievable. The extraterrestrial samples studied here were olivine and pyroxene from chondrules in Semarkona (LL3.00), olivine from chondrules in Kainsaz (CO3.2), and an olivine and a pyroxene grain from two Antarctic micrometeorites (AMM). The general agreement between calculated thin section and FIB section valences strongly suggests that there is negligible alteration of Ti, V, and Cr valences during FIB sectioning. The inferred oxygen fugacities for the AMM olivine support an equilibrium igneous history similar to results seen for some achondrites. For the pyroxene, highly reduced Cr, coupled with relatively oxidized Ti, suggests an origin in a mildly metamorphosed chondritic parent body. These results demonstrate that this FIB and micro‐XAFS approach is promising for establishing the oxidation states of minute monomineralic grains of diverse extraterrestrial origins, including materials from sample‐return spacecraft, such as the Stardust, OSIRIS‐REx, Hayabusa, and Hayabusa2 missions.
Breastfeeding practices in Mexico: Results from the National Demographic Dynamic Survey 2006–2018
Authors: Unar‐Munguía Mishel , Lozada‐Tequeanes Ana Lilia , González‐Castell Dinorah , Cervantes‐Armenta Manuel A. , Bonvecchio Anabelle
Published: December 2020

Although actions have been taken to improve breastfeeding in Mexico, trends over the last decade and their associated factors have not been analysed. We estimated trends in breastfeeding practices at the national, rural/urban, and regional level indigenous ethnicity and socio‐economic level, and their associated factors using the National Demographic Dynamics Survey (2006, 2009, 2014 and 2018). We assessed breastfeeding indicators of women with children <24 months according to The World Health Organization recommendations. Logistic regressions models of pooled data were used to estimate trends and associations with biological and sociodemographic characteristics. Between 2006 and 2018, the prevalence of ever breastfed increased from 91.8% to 94.2% (p< 0.001), whereas early initiation of breastfeeding increased from 40.8% to 59.7% (p< 0.001), with similar increments by urban/rural level. Between 2009 and 2018, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in children <6 months increased from 13.0% to 20.7% (p< 0.001). The largest increase was seen in Mexico City, in nonindigenous women and those with a high socio‐economic status, whereas indigenous women and those from the South had the lowest or no improvements. Breastfeeding education during pregnancy [odds ratio (OR) 1.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–1.5] was positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding, whereas being employed (OR 0.8; 95% CI 0.6–0.9) was negatively associated. Breastfeeding practices improved but are still far from recommendations. Implementing strategies like breastfeeding counselling and programmes and policies that promote and support breastfeeding for poor, indigenous, single and working mothers should be a priority for the government to ensure that all children have the best start in life.
Genome‐wide analysis of in vivo CcpA binding with and without its key co‐factor HPr in the major human pathogen group A Streptococcus
Authors: DebRoy Sruti , Aliaga‐Tobar Victor , Galvez Gabriel , Arora Srishtee , Liang Xiaowen , Horstmann Nicola , Maracaja‐Coutinho Vinicius , Latorre Mauricio , Hook Magnus , Flores Anthony R. , Shelburne Samuel A.
Published: December 2020

Catabolite control protein A (CcpA) is a master regulator of carbon source utilization and contributes to the virulence of numerous medically important Gram‐positive bacteria. Most functional assessments of CcpA, including interaction with its key co‐factor HPr, have been performed in nonpathogenic bacteria. In this study we aimed to identify the in vivo DNA binding profile of CcpA and assess the extent to which HPr is required for CcpA‐mediated regulation and DNA binding in the major human pathogen group A Streptococcus (GAS). Using a combination RNAseq/ChIP‐seq approach, we found that CcpA affects transcript levels of 514 of 1667 GAS genes (31%) whereas direct DNA binding was identified for 105 GAS genes. Three of the directly regulated genes encode the key GAS virulence factors Streptolysin S, PrtS (IL‐8 degrading proteinase), and SpeB (cysteine protease). Mutating CcpA Val301 to Ala (strain 2221‐CcpA‐V301A) abolished interaction between CcpA and HPr and impacted the transcript levels of 205 genes (40%) in the total CcpA regulon. By ChIP‐seq analysis, CcpAV301A bound to DNA from 74% of genes bound by wild‐type CcpA, but generally with lower affinity. These data delineate the direct CcpA regulon and clarify the HPr‐dependent and independent activities of CcpA in a key pathogenic bacterium.
Uncommon preputial localization of Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Authors: Thomas Caroline , Mesnard Clemence , Petrot Dominique , Fraitag Sylvie , Legroux Jacques , Barbarot Sebastien
Published: December 2020

We report a rare case of a 14‐year‐old boy with Langerhans cell histiocytosis localized to the prepuce. The patient was treated with a topical corticosteroid followed by imiquimod cream resulting in significant clinical improvement of the lesion. Although spontaneous remission is possible, the use of imiquimod may be an effective alternative therapy in cases of cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis refractory to topical corticosteroids.
Queer studies and religion in Southern Africa: The production of queer Christian subjects
Authors: Robertson Megan
Published: December 2020

The question of how to write about queer Africa has been a significant debate in scholarship over the last decade. One of the key emerging areas, in the development of ‘queer Africa scholarship’ has been through the framing of queer African subjects at the intersections with religion and in particular, Christianity. As scholars begin to further imagine queer African subjects as Christian, it is important to explore how and in what ways these subjectivities are constructed. In this article, I apply a qualitative analysis to academic literature that explicitly focuses on, or includes a substantive analysis of queer Christians and/or queer Christianity in Southern Africa. While Southern Africa is not representative of the entire continent, this region is a productive site within which to understand how queer subjects are imagined to be situated, what they are imagined to be doing and how they are imagined to be doing what they do. The context produces queer and LGBTI + (this acronym is sometimes preferred to 'queer' to refer collectively to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and in various other ways as gender and/or sex non‐conforming.) subjects who find and make religious homes within legally permissive and restrictive countries and do so through a variety of normative, queer and normatively queer ways, thus revealing religious and sexual contradictions and boundary crossing. This has opened up numerous ways of understanding how religion can be negotiated and transformed in this region. I conclude by examining the theoretical and epistemological possibilities that are revealed through the current imaginings of queer Christian subjects in Southern Africa, as well as the potential these understandings offer for different spaces and new discourses in future scholarship.
Significance of radioelements distribution in the Precambrian rocks of Jabel Sayid, western Saudi Arabia, using spectrometric and geochemical data
Authors: Abd El‐Naby Hamdy H. , Dawood Yehia H. , Sabtan Abduallah A. , Al Yamani Mahmood S.
Published: December 2020

In situ gamma‐ray spectrometry measurements were carried out using RS‐230 BGO spectrometer over an area of 9.4 km2. One hundred and seventy eight spectrometric points were collected along parallel profiles with spacing 325 m in the Easting X direction and Northing Y direction. The results are treated statistically to determine the minimum, maximum, arithmetic mean (X), SD (S), and coefficient of variability (CV %). The spectrometric survey revealed the presence of radioactive zones in the aplite‐pegmatite with maximum eU content of 1,550 ppm and eTh of 7,974 ppm, whereas alkali granite has an average eU content of 12 ppm and eTh of 34 ppm. Felsite has an average eU and eTh close to that of alkali granite, 11 and 32 ppm, respectively. Pegmatite veins cutting alkali granite have high values of eU and eTh, an average of 34 and 101 ppm, respectively. The metamorphosed volcanic rocks of the Mahd Group demonstrate the lowest radioactivity with an average eU content of 0.8 ppm and eTh of 1.6 ppm. These rocks partly show evidences of post‐magmatic alteration processes, for example, silicification, sericitization, and oxidation. Excluding metavolcanics, the strong positive correlation between eU and eTh for the different rock varieties reflects their geochemical coherence during magma crystallization and indicates that both elements are largely accommodated into accessory minerals and were not disturbed by alteration. The CV values of the different rock units show normal distribution, where all the percentages of CV values are less than 100, with the exception of eU of felsite that shows CV % value slightly higher than 100. The aplite‐pegmatite, alkali granite, and the associated pegmatite veins show negative value of uranium outward migration, but are still the most favorable host rocks for uranium and thorium mineralization. A tentative interpretation of such contradiction suggests that uranium is largely accommodated into accessory minerals and only limited labile uranium redistribution has occurred and uranium was precipitated in association with alteration products. This interpretation is supported by the presence of kasolite Pb(UO2)SiO4.(H2O), along the fractured zones and quartz veins in the aplite‐pegmatite. The limited uranium migration in the study area was also revealed by the low weathering rate estimated by the calculations of chemical indices of alteration.
The Pebble Remains in the Master's Hand: Two Careers Spent Learning (Still) from John Evans
Authors: Finkel Adam M. , Gray George M.
Published: December 2020

In this article, we discuss four vexing problems in risk‐based decision making that John Evans has addressed over the last nearly 40 years and has perennially challenged the two of us and others to think about. We tackle the role in decision making of potential thresholds in dose–response functions, how the lack of health reference values for many chemicals may distort risk management, the challenge of model uncertainty for risk characterization, and the yet‐untapped potential for value‐of‐information analysis to enhance public health decision making. Our theme is that work remains to be done on each of these, but that some of that work would merely involve listening to ideas that John has already offered.