bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Board structure and financial distress in Brazilian firms
Authors: Freitas Cardoso Guilherme , Peixoto Fernanda Maciel , Barboza Flavio
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate what board characteristics affect companies in periods of financial distress (FD) among non-financial Brazilian firms and examine which model best fits to predict FD.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises data from 2010 to 2016 of the non-financial Brazilian firms listed on the Brazilian Stock Exchange. To measure this relationship, a conditional logistic regression is performed.

Findings

A U-shaped relationship between the size of the board of directors (BD) and FD is found in all models, indicating an optimal number of six members in the BD during the period of FD. However, board characteristics (related to composition and directors’ independence) are insufficient to align the shareholders’ interests and unsuitable for avoiding or even reducing FD in firms when other factors are neglected. Furthermore, the results reveal what variables provide the best-fitting models to predict FD.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that investigates how the composition of the BD affects the FD likelihood in the Brazilian context. The findings are potentially of interest to researchers and practitioners since this paper contributes to the growing literature on the influence of corporate governance mechanisms in periods of FD and the understanding of its prediction models.
Fairy tales of global consumer culture in a polarizing world
Authors: de Mooij Marieke
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to respond to the essay by Cleveland and Bartsch in this issue. The paper also aims to counter argue the various drivers of global consumer culture (GCC).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on many findings from the study of consumer behavior, the assumed drivers of GCC are discussed and a suggestion for new research is made.

Findings

Instead of globalization processes that drive GCC, the most dominant process is a local-global-local cycle of global products and brands.

Originality/value

It offers a different approach to the study of global vs local products and brands. It is suggested that instead of continuing abstract discussions of GCC, scholars do more service to international marketing by researching developments in the real world.
Strong prospects for robots in retail
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate the rapidly growing use of robots in the retail sector by considering a range of products and applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short introduction, this paper discusses robotic products and deployments in the following applications: inventory management, the provision of customer assistance, cleaning and hazard detection and product delivery. It concludes with a brief discussion.

Findings

Robots are rapidly making inroads in the retail sector. They have been shown to reduce manpower requirements, improve efficiency, reduce costs and speed-up deliveries. As applications grow and the technologies mature, retail is expected to become a major robot user and will offer significant business opportunities.

Originality/value

This study provides a detailed insight into the emerging and rapidly developing retail robotics business.
Designing a mediator space and the study of its effect on the energy consumption of a residential building using EnergyPlus software in Savadkuh, Iran
Authors: Yousefi Yasaman , Jahangiri Mehdi , Alidadi Shamsabadi Akbar , Raeesi Dehkordi Afshin
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Reducing energy consumption of a building may have a significant effect on the energy and environmental costs. Nowadays, energy simulations have come to the aid of engineers in the design and implementation of buildings with a perspective on energy consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

In the current study, the suggested volume of a residential building in the Savadkuh City, Iran, is modeled using Ecotect® software, and the amount of radiation on the sides during various months of the year is studied. Then, using EnergyPlus™ software, climate analyses are performed on the suggested design, and finally, the amount of heating and cooling loads of the building are examined under two difference scenarios of mediator space.

Findings

Results indicated that nearly at all times of the year, both the heating and cooling loads were reduced in the scenario where mediator space had two functions, i.e. as greenhouse and as a space for higher ventilation, compared to the scenario where mediator space did not have a climate role and merely served as an entrance and passageway with rigid dividers.

Originality/value

Nowadays, energy simulations have come to the aid of engineers in the design and implementation of buildings with a perspective on energy consumption. Therefore, in the current study, the suggested volume of a residential building in the Savadkuh City, Iran, is modeled using Ecotect® software, and the amount of radiation on the sides during various months of the year is studied. Then, using EnergyPlus™ software, climate analyses are performed on the suggested design, and finally, the amount of heating and cooling loads of the building are examined under two difference scenarios of mediator space.
An update on self-regulation in the Canadian securities industry (2009-2016)
Authors: Lokanan Mark
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the processing of complaints against investment advisors and Member firms through the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) enforcement system between 2009 and 2016. The paper used the misconduct funnel to show the number of complaints that are “funneled in,” and how these complaints are subsequently “funneled out” and “funneled away” at the investigation and prosecution stages of IIROC enforcement system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses data from IIROC enforcement annual reports from 2009 to 2016. A combination of descriptive statistics and correlation matrices was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings indicate that while IIROC “funneled in” more complaints, a significant proportion of complaints were “funneled out” of its enforcement system and funneled “away” from the criminal justice system. Fines imposed were often not collected from individual offenders. IIROC, it seems, is ineffective in handling the more serious and systematic industry problems.

Practical implications

It is hard not to see the findings from this study being used by the provincial securities commissions and the federal government to support the call for a national securities regulator in Canada.

Originality/value

This is the first study of its kind to systematically analyze the enforcement performance of IIROC.
Developing model to analyze factors affecting firms’ agility and competitive capability
Authors: Ahmed Waqar , Najmi Arsalan , Mustafa Yusra , Khan Asif
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate and explain the factors contributing to supply chain agility in service-oriented firms and therein to enhance competitive capabilities of the organization. The study has identified various variables from past studies that support firms in developing agile supply chain operations. Factors identified from prior studies are supply chain flexibility, supply chain visibility, supply chain responsiveness, supply chain speed and learning orientation, which were then empirically tested for further understanding.

Design/methodology/approach

Using purposive sampling, a sample of 217 valid responses was gathered through structured questionnaire from supply chain practitioners working in various service industries of Pakistan. Partial least square-structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.

Findings

The results of the study show that learning orientation and flexibility of the service firm highly complement the goal of achieving agility in their operations. Speed and visibility also have a major impact on developing agile supply chain. Moreover, supply chain agility has a significantly positive impact on competitive capabilities.

Originality/value

This research is about investigating the operational agility of services sector, which is a one-off study especially in the context of developing and competitive market. This research will provide important insights into the context of dynamic capabilities view for policymakers and decision-makers who aim to develop their competitive strategies based on their operational agility.
Promoting work engagement in the hotel sector: review and analysis
Authors: Park Sunyoung , Johnson Karen R. , Chaudhuri Sanghamitra
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Using the job demands-resources (JD-R) model as a theoretical framework, the purpose of this study is to identify antecedents of work engagement in the hotel sector through an integrative literature review of existing empirical studies.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 38 quantitative studies published between 2001 and 2017 were reviewed, and a summary of the antecedents of work engagement was compiled based on the JD-R model.

Findings

Support from the organization, supervisors and coworkers were the most frequently discussed predictors of work engagement. Compared with previous studies in other sectors, the findings show unique antecedents of work engagement in the hotel sector, such as internal branding, organizational justice and organizational features (e.g., organizational size/history/level) as job resources; behavioral intentions and polychronicity as personal resources; and customer emotions and sexual harassment as job demands.

Practical implications

This study is relevant considering the discourse in the hotel sector on delegating human resource responsibilities to frontline managers. Hotel managers should establish and maintain a work environment where coworkers and supervisors provide support as the environment is found to be a key factor that promotes work engagement.

Originality/value

The significance of the study is that it provides an overview of studies on work engagement in the hotel sector and insights on how hotel service practices affect employees and work engagement by highlighting the antecedents of work engagement from previous empirical studies.
User-focused office renovation: a review into user satisfaction and the potential for improvement
Authors: Kwon Minyoung , Remøy Hilde , Van Den Dobbelsteen Andy
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper highlights the importance of user satisfaction in office renovation. A user-focussed renovation approach can enhance user satisfaction in offices and their functional quality while meeting energy performance goals. The purpose of this paper is to investigate users’ needs and the physical and psychological factors affecting user satisfaction, as input to office renovation projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The selected articles are collected from Scopus, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. Searching was limited to the main key terms of office, work environment, and user satisfaction and comfort. The important factors were searched through empirical-based international literature mainly. Based hereupon, a guide will be developed for the analysis and evaluation of user satisfaction in office renovations.

Findings

From a comprehensive overview, the findings present ten main factors to increase user satisfaction in office renovation. These are associated with physical and psychological satisfaction and comfort. In addition, the influential factors were categorised into three levels based on needs theories to organise the hierarchy of priorities.

Practical implications

This research adds to the body of knowledge about which factors are important for user satisfaction, based on what previous research has found in that field. This is important to improve the sustainability in use.

Originality/value

User satisfaction is often studied through separate aspects: health and indoor climate vs functionality and productivity. This paper examines overall user satisfaction of workplaces by integrating the perspectives of physical and psychological conditions, and by providing insight into the priority of satisfaction factors.
A trickle-down effect of subordinates’ felt trust
Authors: Chiu Han-Cheng , Chiang Pin-Hua
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between managers’ and supervisors’ trust in subordinates and team cooperation and to suggest that the downward flow of trust affects team employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from supervisor-employee dyads from a multisource field study.

Findings

Feeling trusted by managers has an indirect effect on team cooperation through feeling trusted by supervisors. In addition, there was a strong positive relation between feeling trusted by supervisors and team cooperation when team size was smaller, but a weak positive relation when team size was larger.

Practical implications

In order for subordinates to feel trusted, management leaders must implement actions that include: delegation and empowerment, participative decision-making and listening with respect and full attention. It is also suggested that the team size should not be too large.

Originality/value

We integrate theories of social exchange, social information processing, social learning and attraction-selection-attrition to test a trickle-down model of how trust in subordinates cascades down through management levels and ultimately affects team cooperation.
Virtual reality in tourism: a state-of-the-art review
Authors: Beck Julia , Rainoldi Mattia , Egger Roman
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Emerging technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), have been influencing both the tourism supply side and tourists alike. The purpose of this study is to analyse VR research in tourism and to provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art review. As the technological connotation of the term VR has been changing and encompasses various VR systems with different capabilities, this paper aims to provide a systematic and structured overview. The overall objective of this paper is to contribute to a thorough understanding of VR research in tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper comprehensively reviews and analyses existing literature on VR in tourism, published from 1994 to February 2018. Using a wide variety of sources, these papers were examined so as to give a state-of-the-art literature review and to deepen one’s understanding of the diverse applications of VR in a tourism context. This paper also presents a novel classification of different VR systems according to the level of immersion and depicts their respective technological capabilities.

Findings

The advent of new VR hardware necessitates a distinction for different VR systems applied in the tourism sector. Research conducted during the past three years has been focussing on the application of head-mounted displays, which reflects the temporal development of VR technology. Regardless of the VR system, most studies examine VR as a marketing tool for promotion and communication purposes during the pre-travel phase, focussing on behavioural aspects. Advances in technology will yield new opportunities and application possibilities for the tourism industry.

Originality/value

The key contribution of this paper lies in its structural approach, which differentiates between non-, semi- and fully immersive VR systems in tourism, as well as the proposition of respective definitions. The concluding part of the paper proposes practical implications for tourism businesses together with directions for future studies.
Exploring interventions to curb workplace deviance: lessons from Air India
Authors: Malik Pooja , Lenka Usha
Published: May 2019

Purpose

In a world of fast-changing markets, corporate brand is the heart and soul of a company. A company’s employees are crucial in nourishing a successful corporate image. Eventually, organizations require committed employees who orient their energy and drive the company toward a shared vision. However, employees’ deviant behavior can cripple the organization’s brand image. Given this fact, the purpose of this study is to offer strategies that can play a vital role in overcoming destructive deviance and in turn fostering the pavement for building a strong corporate brand image.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the purpose, this study used systematic review of literature to analyze the newspaper articles that reported the cases of deviant behaviors exhibited by employees of “Air India” and were published between 2015 and 2017. Further, this study used document analysis to identify and categorize the various forms of deviant behaviors exhibited by employees of Air India.

Findings

The current study asserted four chief interventions, namely, talent management strategies, resilience, workplace spirituality and mindfulness to overcome destructive deviance and promote constructive behavior among employees of Air India.

Research limitations/implications

The present study offers vital implications for organizations to curb the escalating deviant behavior among employees in the hospitality industry. These interventions might lay a significant pavement for fostering positive emotions among employees, which in turn could play a crucial role in enhancing service quality and building a strong brand image.

Originality/value

Given the mounting cases of deviant behavior among employees, the present study draws attention to the necessity for a shift in the generic organizational strategies and instigates organizations to integrate the study’s strategies to curb deviant behavior and in turn build a strong corporate image.
The meanings of solo travel for Asian women
Authors: Yang Elaine Chiao Ling , Yang Mona Ji Hyun , Khoo-Lattimore Catheryn
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This study aims to explore the meanings of solo travel for Asian women, focussing on how Asian women construct and negotiate their identities in the heteronormalised, gendered and Western-centric tourism space.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews were conducted with 35 Asian solo female travellers from ten Asian countries/societies and analysed using constructivist grounded theory. The interpretation was guided by a critical stance and intersectionality lens.

Findings

The findings show that solo travel provides a means for self-discovery but the path was different for Asian women, for whom the self is constructed by challenging the social expectations of Asian women. Western-centric discourse was identified in the participants’ interactions with other (Western) travellers and tourism service providers, as well as in the ways these Asian women perceive themselves in relation to Western travellers. In addition to gendered constraints and risks, the findings also reveal the positive meaning of being Asian women in the gendered tourism space.

Research limitations/implications

By labelling Asian women, the study risks adopting an essentialised view and overlooking the differences within the group. However, this strategic essentialism is necessary to draw attention to the inequalities that persist in contemporary tourism spaces and practices.

Originality/value

This study investigated Asian solo female travellers, an emerging but under-researched segment. It provides a critical examination of the intersectional effect of gender and race on identity construction for Asian solo female travellers. This study shows the need for a more inclusive tourism space.
Low‐frequency layer‐induced dispersion in a weak‐contrast vertically heterogeneous orthorhombic medium
Authors: Roganov Yuriy , Stovas Alexey , Roganov Vyacheslav
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we consider wave propagation in a periodically layered medium with orthorhombic symmetry. The weak‐contrast approximation is utilized to derive the low‐frequency dispersion in effective properties for P, S1 and S2 waves. We show that the dispersion term for all effective properties is controlled by the second‐order contrasts in elastic properties from the layers. We also compute the sensitivity matrices for second‐ and fourth‐order coefficients from eigenvalues of frequency‐dependent system matrix associated with kinematic parameters for individual wave modes.
Sensitivity of functional targeted neuropeptide evaluation in testing pregabalin analgesic efficacy in a rat model of osteoarthritis pain
Authors: Otis Colombe , Guillot Martin , Moreau Maxim , Pelletier Jean‐Pierre , Beaudry Francis , Troncy Eric
Published: May 2019

The monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)‐induced joint degeneration in rats is the most used animal model to screen analgesic drugs to alleviate osteoarthritis (OA) pain. This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of pregabalin (PGB) in an MIA‐induced OA model in rodents by using functional and neuroproteomic pain assessment methods. Treatment group included PGB in curative intent over 9 days compared to gold standard therapy (positive controls) and placebo (negative control). Functional assessments of pain (quantitative sensory testing and operant test) were performed concomitantly with spinal neuropeptides quantification. At day 21 post‐OA induction, PGB in MIA rats reduced tactile allodynia (P = 0.028) and improved the place escape/avoidance behaviour (P = 0.04) compared to values recorded at last time‐point before initiating analgesic therapy. All spinal neuropeptide concentrations, such as substance P, calcitonin gene‐related peptide, bradykinin and somatostatin, came back to normal (non‐affected) rat values, compared to their increase observed in MIA rats receiving the placebo (P < 0.0001). Initiated 13 days after chemical OA induction, repeated medication with PGB provided analgesia according to quantitative sensory testing, operant test and targeted neuropeptides pain assessment methods. This report highlights the interest of using reliable and sensitive methods like targeted neuropeptide quantification to detect the analgesic effects of a test article with concomitant functional assessments of pain when studying OA pain components.
Occurrence of seasonal water replacement in mangrove soil and the trunk growth response of Avicennia alba related to salinity changes in a tropical monsoon climate
Authors: Komiyama Akira , Poungparn Sasitorn , Umnouysin Suthathip , Rodtassana Chadtip , Pravinvongvuthi Tamanai , Noda Takehiro , Kato Shogo
Published: May 2019

Salinity is a crucial factor regulating mangrove growth. We evaluated seasonal variations in soil water salinity and the water replacement process in a tropical monsoon mangrove forest of eastern Thailand during 2015–2018. Trunk growth of Avicennia alba was monitored monthly using dendrometer bands and was analyzed in relation to water replacement. Soil water salinity showed remarkable seasonal variation that was influenced by the infiltration of inundated water from the river, with a salinity level similar to that of seawater during the middle of the dry season and to that of fresh water during the middle of the rainy season. Patterns of soil water salinity shifted seasonally in both horizontal and vertical distributions, highlighting soil water replacement between the two seasons. In the middle of the rainy season, soil water salinity across the horizontal distribution was nearly fresh at most sampling points on the river side but gradually increased landward along a 120‐m transect. The vertical distribution of soil water salinity showed relatively low salinity at the surface horizon, which gradually increased downward to a 100‐cm depth. In the dry season, the soil salinity gradient in both distributions was opposite to that in the rainy season. This seasonal change in soil water salinity was significantly related to the trunk growth of A. alba, which increased greatly during the rainy season. Seasonal water replacement causes fluctuations in soil salinity and probably nutrient availability. The combination of low soil water salinity and large nutrient influx might enhance trunk growth during the rainy season.
Exploring the speech and language of individuals with non‐syndromic submucous cleft palate: a preliminary report
Authors: Boyce Jessica O. , Sanchez Katherine , Amor David J. , Reilly Sheena , Da Costa Annette , Kilpatrick Nicky , Morgan Angela T.
Published: May 2019

Background

Submucous cleft palate (SMCP) has a heterogeneous presentation and is often identified late or misdiagnosed. Diagnosis is prompted by speech, resonance or feeding symptoms associated with velopharyngeal insufficiency. However, the broader impacts of SMCP on communication have rarely been examined and therefore are poorly understood.

Aim

To describe the communicative profile of individuals with non‐syndromic SMCP by examining speech, language and pragmatics (social language).

Methods & Procedures

Fifteen participants with SMCP aged 5;1–12;8, without a genetic diagnosis, participated in the study. Participants completed standardized assessments examining language, resonance, speech and non‐verbal intellect. Parents also completed the Children's Communication Checklist (CCC‐2), which provided a measure of overall communicative ability, including pragmatic skills. Formal language outcomes were compared with two cohorts: 36 individuals with overt non‐syndromic clefts and 129 individuals with no history of clefting.

Outcomes & Results

Speech intelligibility was reduced secondary to hypernasality, disordered articulation and/or impaired phonology (n = 7) in children with SMCP. Poorer overall language outcomes were observed for children with SMCP compared with both those with overt clefts and no history of clefting (p < 0.001). Language scores for children with SMCP ranged from impaired (n = 6) to above the standardized mean (n = 4). Receptive and expressive language performance were independently correlated with non‐verbal IQ (p < 0.01). Those with severe language impairment (n = 4) also had borderline or impaired non‐verbal IQ. Parents reported that speech and semantics were the most affected sub‐domains of communication, while scores were the highest for the initiation domain. Speech and language skills were correlated strongly with pragmatics (r = 0.877, p < 0.01).

Conclusions & Implications

Overall, performance was variable within the SMCP group across speech, language and pragmatic assessments. In addition to well‐documented speech difficulties, children with SMCP may have language or pragmatic impairments, suggesting that further neurodevelopmental influences may be at play. As such, for individuals with SMCP, additional clinical screening of language and pragmatic abilities may be required to ensure accurate diagnosis and guide both cleft and non‐cleft related therapy programmes.
Characteristics of hollows and hollow‐bearing trees in semi‐arid river red gum woodland and potential limitations for hollow‐dependent wildlife
Authors: Westerhuis Erin L. , Schlesinger Christine A. , Nano Catherine E. M. , Morton Stephen R. , Christian Keith A.
Published: May 2019

Up to 37 species of the birds and microbats inhabiting inland Australia are dependent on tree cavities for breeding or roosting. The river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), a well‐known hollow‐bearing tree species, occurs in linear semi‐arid woodland along thousands of kilometres of ephemeral river channels and is the only tree species that provides widespread, aggregated hollow resources across a landscape otherwise dominated by shrublands. Here we assess the type and quantity of hollows available along ephemeral rivers of the MacDonnell Ranges bioregion in central Australia and determine which characteristics of river red gums best predict the abundance and characteristics of different tree hollows, as first steps towards assessing the current availability of hollows in the region. Approximately a third of all river red gums sampled were hollow‐bearing, but individual trees with abundant hollows were rare. Further, 36% of hollows had an entrance ≤ 5 cm, and 37% had entrances which were 6–10 cm in diameter, whereas only 13% of hollows had an entrance diameter > 20 cm suitable for larger hollow‐using species. Large and high hollows only occurred on trees that did not display post‐disturbance resprouting. Trees with multiple and diverse hollows were rare and tended to be in advanced stages of senescence and had larger stems (82.3 ± 3.33 cm) and were taller (14.4 ± 0.53 m) compared to non‐hollow‐bearing trees (23.44 ± 1.68 cm, 8.0 ± 0.34 m). Further research is required to establish whether the current abundance of hollows and diversity of hollow types are limiting to cavity‐dependent wildlife, and to identify any threats to availability of hollows.
“Bordering on Treason”? Sir Raphael Cilento and Pre‐Second World War Fascism in Australia
Authors: Deery Phillip , Kimber Julie
Published: May 2019

Sir Raphael Cilento died on 16 April 1985 at the age of ninety‐two. The notice in the Canberra Times spoke of Cilento's “worldwide” reputation in tropical medicine, his contribution to the public health service in Queensland, and his role with the United Nations in the immediate post‐war years. In short, he was an “eminent son of Australia”. But Sir Raphael Cilento's halo has been tarnished by his persistent eugenicist beliefs and his later association with the anti‐Semitic League of Rights. There were also lingering allegations and rumours about his apparent pre‐war association with Fascism. Without the evidentiary “smoking gun”, this association has occasionally been alluded to by scholars but never fully examined. Drawing on an unreleased, previously classified security file, this article addresses this question in Cilento's life. Through an examination of what the security service and military intelligence knew of Cilento's activities, the article argues that Cilento was at best an active fellow traveller and at worst a card‐carrying Fascist who narrowly escaped internment.
A randomised controlled trial of phenylephrine and noradrenaline boluses for treatment of postspinal hypotension during elective caesarean section
Authors: Mohta M. , Garg A. , Chilkoti G. T. , Malhotra R. K.
Published: May 2019

Phenylephrine is currently the vasopressor of choice during elective caesarean section, but it can cause reflex bradycardia. Noradrenaline, a potent α‐agonist and weak β‐agonist, may be associated with a lower incidence of bradycardia. However, comparative information is limited. This double‐blind randomised controlled trial compared the effects of 100 μg phenylephrine and 5 μg noradrenaline administered as boluses for the treatment of postspinal hypotension during elective caesarean section in women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy. Hypotension was defined as a decrease of ≥ 20% from baseline systolic arterial pressure, or an absolute value < 100 mmHg. Ninety women were included in the study. The primary outcome was the incidence of maternal bradycardia < 60 beats.min−1. There was no difference in the incidence of bradycardia (37.8% with phenylephrine vs. 22.2% with noradrenaline; p = 0.167), number of hypotensive episodes, number of boluses required to treat the first hypotensive episode or reactive hypertension. The total number of boluses used was higher in the phenylephrine group (p = 0.01). Maternal heart rate at 1 min after vasopressor administration was non‐significantly lower using phenylephrine vs. noradrenaline (p = 0.034, considering p < 0.01 as statistically significant). The umbilical artery pH was higher using phenylephrine than with noradrenaline (p = 0.034). In conclusion, both vasopressors reversed postspinal hypotension without a statistically significant difference in maternal bradycardia. However, in view of the lower umbilical artery pH when using noradrenaline, further research is warranted to study its placental transfer and fetal metabolic effects.
Continuous 4‐week ECG monitoring with adhesive electrodes reveals AF in patients with recent embolic stroke of undetermined source
Authors: Lumikari Tuomas J. , Putaala Jukka , Kerola Anne , Sibolt Gerli , Pirinen Jani , Pakarinen Sami , Lehto Mika , Nieminen Tuomo
Published: May 2019

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently escapes routine stroke workup due to its unpredictable and often asymptomatic nature, leaving a significant portion of patients at high risk of recurrent stroke. Recent trials emphasized continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring in the detection of occult AF. We screened AF in patients meeting the embolic stroke of unknown source (ESUS) criteria using an external miniaturized recorder with an adhesive electrode.

Methods

Patients aged ≥50 with recent ESUS were prospectively screened and assigned to wear a 1‐lead ECG device capable to record continuous ECG for up to 4 weeks. Electrodes were replaced every 3–4 days. Primary outcome was proportion of patients completing at least 80% of monitoring. Secondary outcome measures included incidence of AF and initiation of oral anticoagulation therapy after AF detection.

Results

Fifty‐seven patients were monitored (mean age 64.5 ± 8.2 years, median delay from stroke to the start of monitoring 8 days, IQR 4–44). Of these, 51 patients (89.5%) completed at least 80% of the desired monitoring period. We detected AF ≥30 s in seven patients (12.3%), all of whom initiated anticoagulation therapy. Atrial fibrillation was revealed in six patients (85.7%) within the first week of monitoring. Compared to patients without AF, patients with AF were older (70.6 ± 5.1 vs. 63.6 ± 8.3 years, p < 0.011) and more obese (body mass index 30.0 ± 3.4 vs. 26.6 ± 4.6, p < 0.039).

Conclusions

Prolonged ECG monitoring with an external device using adhesive electrodes is feasible in ESUS patients, since nine out of ten patients used the device appropriately and AF was detected in one out of eight patients.
From a White Desert to the Largest World Deposit of Lithium: Symbolic Meanings and Materialities of the Uyuni Salt Flat in Bolivia
Authors: Sanchez‐Lopez Maria Daniela
Published: May 2019

The Uyuni salt flat (Salar de Uyuni) in Bolivia possesses the largest lithium deposit in the world. Over the past 40 years, this location has been commodified and radically transformed. This paper examines how a landscape, understood from its material attributes and qualities, shapes and is shaped by social relations unfolding in a process of commodification and mining expansion. Based on primary qualitative data, the paper explores two elements: (1) how the symbolic meaning of this landscape has changed over time for the surrounding indigenous communities; and (2) how the different materialities of the salt flat as landscape, as ulexite and as lithium allow understanding of the drivers of socio‐environmental change and conflict in this region. The paper argues that social relations and governance frameworks are interlinked with changing symbolic meanings and the different materialities of the Uyuni salt flat.
Multicentre retrospective study of intravascular large B‐cell lymphoma treated at academic institutions within the United States
Authors: Geer Marcus , Roberts Emily , Shango Maryann , Till Brian G. , Smith Stephen D. , Abbas Hashim , Hill Brian T. , Kaplan Jason , Barr Paul M. , Caimi Paolo , Stephens Deborah M. , Lin Emily , Herrera Alex F. , Rosenbaum Evan , Amengual Jennifer E. , Boonstra Philip S. , Devata Sumana , Wilcox Ryan A. , Kaminski Mark S. , Phillips Tycel J.
Published: May 2019

Intravascular large B‐cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare entity, with a generally aggressive course that may vary based on geographic presentation. While a United States (US) registry study showed relatively good outcomes with IVLBCL, clinicopathological and treatment data were unavailable. We performed a detailed retrospective review of cases identified at 8 US medical centres, to improve understanding of IVLBCL and inform management. We compiled data retrieved via an Institutional Review Board‐approved review of IVLBCL cases identified from 1999 to 2015 at nine academic institutions across the US. We characterized the cohort's clinical status at time of diagnosis, presenting diagnostic and clinical features of the disease, treatment modalities used and overall prognostic data. Our cohort consisted of 54 patients with varying degrees of clinical features. Adjusting for age, better performance status at presentation was associated with increased survival time for the patients diagnosed in vivo (hazard ratio: 2·12, 95% confidence interval 1·28, 3·53). Based on the data we have collected, it would appear that the time interval to diagnosis is a significant contributor to outcomes of patients with IVLBCL.
Association of youth health care transition readiness to role overload among parents of children with chronic illness
Authors: Hart Laura C. , van Tilburg Miranda A.L. , Campbell Robert , Faldowski Richard A. , Nazareth Meaghan , Ndugga Maggwa , Coltrane Chad , de Ferris Maria Diaz‐Gonzalez
Published: May 2019

Background

A parent's level of role overload, a situation in which the demands of an individual's roles are beyond their capacity to perform adequately, has been associated with poor outcomes in adolescents. It is unknown if role overload in parents is associated with less health care transition (HCT) readiness in their children with chronic conditions. We sought to assess this relationship.

Methods

Youth with chronic conditions attending a therapeutic camp and their parents completed online consents/assents and de‐identified surveys. Parents reported on parental role overload using the Reilly Role Overload Scale and a proxy assessment of the youth's HCT readiness using the STARx—Parent Questionnaire. Youth self‐reported on their HCT readiness using the STARx Questionnaire. Linear regression measured the relationship between parent role overload and HCT readiness, controlling for youth's age, sex, and degree of youth's educational support.

Results

One hundred fifty‐two parents and 50 youth completed the measures. Greater parental role overload was associated with less overall HCT readiness on the parent proxy measure (β = −.12, P ≤ .008) and a lower level in the self‐management domain on the parent proxy measure (β = −.20, P ≤ .001). We found no associations between parent role overload and youth self‐report of HCT readiness.

Conclusion

Parent's level of role overload had no association with youth's self‐report of HCT readiness but was negatively associated with parent proxy report of their youth's HCT readiness, suggesting that parents with high levels of role overload may perceive their youth as less ready to transition to adult‐focused care.
Socioeconomic gradients in toothache experience among Australian adults: A time trend analysis from 1994 to 2013
Authors: Peres Karen G. , Luzzi Liana , Harford Jane , Peres Marco A.
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To identify time trend pattern in toothache and to estimate whether toothache prevalence differs by socioeconomic position and residential location over time.

Methods

Data from nine successive National Dental Telephone Interview Surveys (NDTIS) from 1994 (n = 6907) to 2013 (n = 6778) performed in Australia among individuals aged 15 years or over were used. The dependent variable was toothache reported very often, often or sometimes during the previous 12 months. Independent variables were age group, household income (tertiles), insurance/cardholder status and geographical remoteness. Prais‐Winsten analyses were performed, and the average annual percentage change (AAPC) for toothache prevalence was estimated.

Results

Toothache affected slightly more than 10% of the overall population in 1994 (11.6%) and 1995 (11.4%), reaching approximately one‐sixth (16.2%) of individuals in 2013. Overall, there was a significant increase in toothache prevalence over time (AAPC = 2.0% [95% CI 0.7;1.34]) and in those aged 25‐44 (AAPC 2.1% [95% CI 0.6;3.6]) and 45‐64 (AAPC 3.4% [95% CI 1.5;5.3]) years and markedly among those in the lowest income group (AAPC 3.4% [95% CI 0.1;6.7]). All geographic locations except for remote/very remote areas had upward toothache prevalence over time. Insured status was not associated with increased toothache prevalence during the investigated period.

Conclusions

Toothache prevalence increased from 1994 to 2013 in Australian adults particularly among the lowest socioeconomic group.
LL‐37 promotes neutrophil extracellular trap formation in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Authors: Cao Yujie , Chen Fenghong , Sun Yueqi , Hong Haiyu , Wen Yihui , Lai Yinyan , Xu Zhaofeng , Luo Xin , Chen Yang , Shi Jianbo , Li Huabin
Published: May 2019

Background

Neutrophil accumulation has been observed in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, the functions of neutrophils are poorly understood. Neutrophils produce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are involved in a variety of chronic inflammatory pathologies. LL‐37 is the only member of the cathelicidin family in human.

Objective

Our aims were to examine the presence of NETs in CRSwNP and to investigate the regulatory effect of LL‐37 on NET formation.

Methods

Nasal polyp tissues were investigated for the presence of NETs by using immunofluorescent (IF) staining. The expression and distribution of LL‐37 were examined by using quantitative RT‐PCR, ELISA, IF, and immunohistochemistry. Purified peripheral neutrophils were stimulated with LL‐37 and stained with IF to identify NETs. NETs% was defined as percentage of NET‐generating neutrophils to the total number of neutrophils.

Results

Neutrophil extracellular traps were located in the subepithelial layer of nasal polyps and control tissues. Nasal polyps had higher NETs% compared with that of controls (23.01% ± 3.43% vs 4.52% ± 1.33%, P < 0.0001). NET count was also increased in nasal polyps. NET count correlated with neutrophil count (r = 0.908, P < 0.001). LL‐37 protein and mRNA levels were upregulated in nasal polyps. LL‐37 was distributed in the epithelial and subepithelial layer and mainly expressed by neutrophils. Moreover, LL‐37 promoted peripheral neutrophils to form NETs in a dose‐dependent manner ex vivo. Interestingly, dexamethasone did not inhibit the effect of LL‐37 on inducing NET formation. Furthermore, peripheral neutrophils from CRSwNP patients were more susceptible to LL‐37‐mediated NET formation, compared with neutrophils derived from control subjects. In addition, NETs released LL‐37 in vivo and ex vivo.

Conclusion

Neutrophil extracellular traps are significantly increased in nasal polyps and LL‐37 induces NET formation in CRSwNP patients. These findings indicate that NETs may contribute to the pathogenesis of neutrophilic inflammation in CRSwNP.
Development and validation of a preoperative prediction model for follicular thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Yu QingAn , Liu KunPeng , Xie ChangMing , Ma DaKun , Wu YaoHua , Jiang HongChi , Dai WenJie
Published: May 2019

Objective

The low pre‐ and intraoperative diagnostic rates in follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) often lead to inadequate surgical resection and necessitate further completion surgery. Therefore, the preoperative prediction of FTC in thyroid nodules is essential.

Design and Patient

Patients were categorized into two data sets: the modelling data set, which included 3649 patients admitted to our centre between January 2014 and December 2016, and the validation data set, which included 1253 patients admitted between January and December 2017. Patient data from the FTC and non‐FTC groups were initially included in a modelling data set to establish a preoperative prediction model. This model was subsequently employed in a validation data set for external validation of the predictive value. The positivity rate for FTC predicted by the model was compared with that of the intraoperative frozen sections.

Results

The preoperative serum thyroglobulin level, nodule diameter, calcification status, solidity and blood supply were selected as predictors for the model. The regression equation was as follows: Y = 0.010 × (thyroglobulin level) + 0.556 × (nodule diameter) + 0.675 × (calcification status) + 2.355 × (nodule component) + 1.072*(blood flow) − 9.787. The model positively predicted FTC at values of Y ≥ −4.11. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of the prediction model were 89.2%, 90.2%, 87.7%, 39.2 and 0.11, respectively. External validation of the model demonstrated acceptable results. The positive prediction rate of the model was 90.7% (78/86), which was significantly higher than that of the intraoperative frozen sections (10.5% [9/86]; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

We successfully established and validated a simple and reliable preoperative prediction model for FTC using the preoperative thyroglobulin level and ultrasonographic features of the thyroid nodules. This model may improve the preoperative evaluation of FTC in clinical settings and facilitate the development of a reasonable surgical programme for FTC.
Coronary artery calcification in middle‐aged women with premature ovarian insufficiency
Authors: Gunning Marlise N. , Meun Cindy , van Rijn Bas B. , Maas Angela H. E. M. , Benschop Laura , Franx Arie , Boersma Eric , Budde Ricardo P. J. , Appelman Yolande , Lambalk Cornelis B. , Eijkemans Marinus J. C. , Velthuis Birgitta K. , Laven Joop S. E. , Fauser Bart C. J. M. ,   On behalf of the CREW‐consortium
Published: May 2019

Objective

Women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) enter menopause before age 40. Early menopause was associated with increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD), death from cardiovascular disease and all‐cause mortality. We compared the prevalence of CAD between middle‐aged women on average 10 years following the initial POI diagnosis, with a population‐based cohort.

Design

Cross‐sectional case‐control study.

Participants

Women from two Dutch University Medical Centers above 45 years of age previously diagnosed with POI (n = 98) were selected and compared with age‐ and race‐matched controls from the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Measurements

The primary outcome was detectable coronary artery calcium (CAC) determined by coronary computed tomography (CCT).

Results

Women with POI had significantly higher blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose, despite lower BMI compared to controls. Similar proportions of detectable CAC (CAC score >0 Agatston Units) were observed in women with POI and controls (POI n = 16 (16%), controls n = 52 (18%), P = 0.40 and Padj = 0.93). In women with POI separately, we were not able to identify associations between CVD risk factors and CAC. The following CVD risk factors in controls were positively associated with CAC: age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and LDL cholesterol. HRT use was negatively associated with CAC in controls.

Conclusions

The presence of CAC did not differ significantly in women with POI around 50 years of age, compared to an age‐ and race‐matched control group. We observe no increased calcified coronary disease in POI patients, despite the presence of unfavourable cardiovascular risk factors in these women.