bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
"Workplace ostracism, complacency and career plateau – impediment in the career path of a dignified clerk"
Authors: Basavaraj Santosh , Aranha Rekha Hitha
Published: February 2021

Learning outcomes

The case study intends to depict the career plateau of an old committed and loyal employee of an organization. The deliberation on the case enables participants to understand the vitality of career planning for employees and organizations. The case helps to develop reflections on workplace ostracism, to arrive at the solutions to address the issues of career planning, to value the experience of the employee and give him a sense of satisfaction. Overall, to understand the importance of career planning for applying HR and OB concepts at the workplace.

Case overview/synopsis

It is an account of a real scenario in the automation industry, with slight modifications to hide the identity. The essence of the case study is when a loyal employee is branded as a “dignified clerk” and gets a feeling of ostracism. The employees’ makes the organization, terminations because of outdated skills shall be a debatable topic. However, such practices have a profound impact on the other employees who stays in the organization and affect their productivity level. Career adaptability helps to overcome termination issues; adaptability is a psychological process of assisting an individual in coping with the challenges of automation technologies (Zhang Wenguang et al., 2019), it is a process of showing concerns, providing controls, solving curiosity and developing confidence during the transition process. When technologies are implemented the employer needs to address specific challenges access to technology, access to information, provide required skills and competencies to use technology, integrate people, these challenges support the successful implementation of technology (Kettunen and Sampson Jr., 2019). Career planning is a joint effort of employee and employer that sets the development target and path; the process sets demands for both the parties; it places an irreplaceable role for individual growth and corporate strategy (Zhai Meng et al., 2018). The Findings are the frequent review of job analysis and career planning that are critical for the organization's success; if done inappropriately, it would make one's roles obsolete. The critical implications of this case are the essence of career planning and the upskilling of employees. The case is useful for teaching job analysis, career planning concepts. The story is original and explains the transition of an automation industry from labor to capital intensive. The transition to automation makes a loyal employee feel ostracized due to a lack of skill sets.

Complexity academic level

Post graduate students studying in business and management and working professional of human resources can use this case.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 6: Human resource management.
A comprehensive review on mixed convection for various patterns of kinematically and thermally induced scenarios within cavities
Authors: Lukose Leo , Basak Tanmay
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address various works on mixed convection and proposes 10 unified models (Models 1–10) based on various thermal and kinematic conditions of the boundary walls, thermal conditions and/ or kinematics of objects embedded in the cavities and kinematics of external flow field through the ventilation ports. Experimental works on mixed convection have also been addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

This review is based on 10 unified models on mixed convection within cavities. Models 1–5 involve mixed convection based on the movement of single or double walls subjected to various temperature boundary conditions. Model 6 elucidates mixed convection due to the movement of single or double walls of cavities containing discrete heaters at the stationary wall(s). Model 7A focuses mixed convection based on the movement of wall(s) for cavities containing stationary solid obstacles (hot or cold or adiabatic) whereas Model 7B elucidates mixed convection based on the rotation of solid cylinders (hot or conductive or adiabatic) within the cavities enclosed by stationary or moving wall(s). Model 8 is based on mixed convection due to the flow of air through ventilation ports of cavities (with or without adiabatic baffles) subjected to hot and adiabatic walls. Models 9 and 10 elucidate mixed convection due to flow of air through ventilation ports of cavities involving discrete heaters and/or solid obstacles (conductive or hot) at various locations within cavities.

Findings

Mixed convection plays an important role for various processes based on convection pattern and heat transfer rate. An important dimensionless number, Richardson number (Ri) identifies various convection regimes (forced, mixed and natural convection). Generalized models also depict the role of “aiding” and “opposing” flow and combination of both on mixed convection processes. Aiding flow (interaction of buoyancy and inertial forces in the same direction) may result in the augmentation of the heat transfer rate whereas opposing flow (interaction of buoyancy and inertial forces in the opposite directions) may result in decrease of the heat transfer rate. Works involving fluid media, porous media and nanofluids (with magnetohydrodynamics) have been highlighted. Various numerical and experimental works on mixed convection have been elucidated. Flow and thermal maps associated with the heat transfer rate for a few representative cases of unified models [Models 1–10] have been elucidated involving specific dimensionless numbers.

Originality/value

This review paper will provide guidelines for optimal design/operation involving mixed convection processing applications.
What jokes about entrepreneurs tell us about how humour may shape and de-legitimise public perceptions of entrepreneurial identity
Authors: Smith Robert , Warren Lorraine
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Humour and, in particular, jokes have received little serious academic scrutiny in the entrepreneurship literature to date. To address this, the purpose of this paper is to examine publicly available jokes about entrepreneurs to establish what such jokes tell us about how humour, particularly entrepreneur jokes shapes public perceptions of entrepreneurial identity. This is important because humour may be an integral part of an individual's entrepreneurial identity. The authors thus contribute to understandings of the complex nature of entrepreneurial identity and how public perceptions of humour influence such by encapsulating negative public perception of entrepreneurs which may act as a de-legitimisation mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

From a representative sample of entrepreneur jokes located on the web using netnographic techniques, the authors apply a multi-disciplinary framework to analyse the material and its messages to establish how such jokes shape public perceptions.

Findings

The findings suggest that jokes convey a pejorative message about how entrepreneurs are perceived by the public with the content and message of the jokes being negative and derogatory. Common themes contained in the punchlines include – criminality, greed, dishonesty, hubris, stupidity, misfortune, ridicule and deviousness – all of which may de-legitimise generic entrepreneurial identity. In the process, the authors uncovered liminal aspects of joke telling and consumption in that the perception of jokes about entrepreneurs relate to the time and context in which the joke is told given that situational cleverness is a key facet of such jokes. In addition, the authors discuss variations across jokes.

Research limitations/implications

The authors discuss learning outcomes for future research and potential future studies into humour in an entrepreneurial context.

Originality/value

This study places humour and joking on the research stage, making an incremental contribution. The authors add to the literature on the use of entrepreneurial humour and in particular in relation to how jokes influence public perception of entrepreneurs. From the data collected, the authors develop some fresh insights into the variation and range of entrepreneurship related jokes accessible online.
Identifying motivating factors among college students that influence repeat participation among special event volunteers: the moderating role of class standing
Authors: Beckman Eric , Pan Tianyu , Kitterlin Miranda , Cain Lisa
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the motivating factors that influence repeat participation among university student volunteers at a world-renowned food festival. The direct and indirection relationship (through attitude toward volunteering) was tested. Additionally, the moderating role of class standing between student volunteers' motivations, attitudes and repeat volunteer intention was assessed.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers applied a quantitative methodology to data collected after the festival volunteering experience. The research team collected 205 useable surveys from university student volunteers at the Food Network and Cooking Channel South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF®). Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships among volunteer motivations, attitude toward volunteering and intention to continue volunteering. Lastly, a multiple-group analysis was applied to test the moderating role of class standing.

Findings

The results showed the motivating factors purposive, personal enrichment and family traditions were significant in predicting attitude toward volunteering. These motivations did not significantly affect intention to continue volunteering; thus researchers found only an indirect relationship (through attitude toward volunteering) between volunteering motivations and intention to continue volunteering. Additionally, a positive attitude toward volunteering resulted in an intention to continue volunteering. Lastly, testing the moderating role of class standing revealed significant results on three pathways, indicating that students are motivated to volunteer differently based upon class standing (freshman through junior vs. senior, graduate).

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected prior to COVID-19, and the ways in which COVID-19 has impacted the events industry and the scape of future events are yet to be determined.

Practical implications

Festival organizers and managers should appeal to different motivations of potential student volunteers depending on their class standing. For example, results of the moderator “class standing” indicated that the relationship between personal enrichment motivation and attitude toward volunteering was strongest and significant among freshmen, sophomores and juniors, but insignificant among seniors and graduate students. Thus, freshmen through juniors are more highly motivated to obtain practical experiences, and this motivation results in a positive attitude toward volunteering.

Originality/value

This study tests the moderating role of class standing to help predict intention to continue volunteering at a special event. The research is further unique by extending an understanding of the validity and reliability of the special events volunteer motivations scale.
Enhancing nurses well-being through managerial coaching: a mediating model
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Islam Talat , Ali Fouzia Hadi , Raza Basharat , Kabir Golam
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Workplace well-being has emerged as an important aspect in the field of health care. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the role of managerial coaching on nurses’ well-being through psychological ownership and organizational identity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors approached 284 nurses working in both public and private hospitals (between December 2019 and February 2020) on convenience basis, and data were collected through an online questionnaire-based survey.

Findings

The data were analyzed using AMOS version 24 and structural equation modeling confirmed psychological ownership and organizational identity as explanatory variables between managerial coaching and well-being.

Research limitations/implications

The study used self-reported data using convenience sampling which may raise a question on causality. The findings suggest the management to consider the importance of managerial coaching in shaping positive workplace behaviors of employees.

Originality/value

Drawings on social exchange theory, this study extends past studies to examine the mediating roles of psychological ownership and organizational identification between managerial coaching and workplace well-being among nurses. The study has theoretical and practical implications.
Financial access and the finance–growth nexus: evidence from developing economies
Authors: Haini Hazwan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study examines the impact of financial institutions access and financial institutions depth on economic growth in 51 low- and lower–middle-income countries from 1996 to 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs an index of financial institutions depth and financial institutions access that considers the multidimensional nature of finance. The study employs a generalised least squares model as the baseline fixed effects model suffers from serial correlation. In addition, the study examines the marginal impact of financial development on growth at varying levels of financial access.

Findings

The results show that both financial access and financial depth are positive to growth. However, the marginal impact of financial depth is negative at low levels of financial access, while the finance–growth relationship becomes positive at higher levels of financial access. Results suggest the importance of developing inclusive financial systems that emphasise quality rather than quantity to promote economic growth.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation lies in the measurement of financial access as it focusses more on financial system penetration and overlooks the other aspects of financial inclusion such as financial literacy and cultural differences.

Practical implications

Developing countries should continue to develop an inclusive financial system that supports the Universal Financial Access 2020 initiative.

Originality/value

This study provides further empirical evidence on the finance–growth literature focussing on the impact of financial inclusion which is scarce. Furthermore, the study employs an index of finance that captures the multidimensional nature of finance.
Anchoring and adjustment effects on audit judgments: experimental evidence from Switzerland
Authors: Henrizi Philipp , Himmelsbach Dario , Hunziker Stefan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to illustrate the potentially detrimental effects on audit decision-making of certain judgmental heuristics, which can lead to systematic judgmental biases. This paper provides background on the heuristics and biases approaches to decision-making to increase auditors' awareness of the anchoring and adjustment effects affecting audit judgments adversely.

Design/methodology/approach

This study reports the results of an experimental research design analyzing the audit judgment of 85 auditors in Switzerland.

Findings

Based on the results of the experiment, the results indicate evidence on the existence of the anchoring and adjustment heuristic in Swiss audit judgments. The authors could identify an influence of the audit company size, the auditors' experience and the auditors' knowledge about behaviorism and anchor heuristic with regard to the anchoring and adjustment effect on audit judgment.

Research limitations/implications

The experimental tasks were relatively simple abstractions from the more complex analytical review situations faced by practicing auditors. Due to the small sample size, the authors cannot ensure representativeness of the results.

Practical implications

Professional judgment is a skill that auditor acquires overtime, combined with experience and knowledge, that allows him to achieve reasonable judgments, being independent of other opinions and free from material biases in a given circumstance. Our results show that auditors who are aware of biases and heuristics are less prone to judgment biases.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to analyze the impact of auditors' explicit experience and knowledge about behaviorism and anchor heuristic on the anchoring and adjustment effect on audit judgment. Through a stronger awareness of cognitive biases, a professional skepticism can be enhanced.
Lessons learned in intellectual capital management in Germany between 2000 and 2020 – History, applications, outlook
Authors: Bornemann Manfred , Alwert Kay , Will Markus
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This article reports on the background, the conceptual ideas and the lessons learned from over more than 20 years of IC Statements and Management with a country focus on Germany and some international developments. It calls for an integrated management approach for IC and offers case study evidence on how to accomplish this quest.

Design/methodology/approach

Report on the German initiative “Intellectual Capital Statement made in Germany” (ICS m.i.G.). A brief review of the literature describes the background and theoretical foundation of the German IC method. A short description of the method is followed by four detailed case studies to illustrate long-term impact of IC management in very different organizations. A discussion of Lessons Learned from more than 200 implementations and an outlook on current and future developments finalizes the article.

Findings

IC Statements made in Germany (ICS m.i.G.) was successful in providing a framework to systematically identify IC, evaluate the status quo of IC relative to the strategic requirements, visualize interdependencies of IC, business processes and business results as well as to connect IC reporting with internal management routines and external communication. However, ICS is not an insulated method but delivers the maximum benefit when integrated with strategy development, strategy implementation, business process optimization accompanied by change management routines. Strong ties to human resource management, information technology departments, quality management, research and development teams as well as business operations as the core of an organization help to yield the most for ICS m.i.G. Over time, the focus of managing IC changes and maturity leads to deutero learning.

Practical implications

ICS m.i.G. proved easy to apply, cost efficient for SMEs, larger corporations and networks. It helps to better accomplish their objectives and to adjust their business models. The guidelines in German and English as well as a software application released were downloaded more than 100,000 times. A certification process based on a three-tier training module is available and was successfully completed by more than 400 practitioners. ICS m.i.G. is supporting current standards of knowledge management, such as ISO 9001, ISO 30401 or DIN SPEC PAS 91443 and therefore will most likely have a continuing impact on knowledge-based value creation.

Originality/value

This paper reports lessons learned from the country-wide IC initiative in Germany over the last 20 years initiated and supported by the authors. Several elements of the method have been published over time, but so far no comprehensive view on Lessons Learned had been published.
Influence of prior reviews about a firm and its alliance partners on reviewers' feedback: evidence from the airline industry
Authors: Chatterjee Swagato , Mukherjee Srabanti , Datta Biplab
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of other customer's opinion on a service firm and its alliance on the evaluation of the airline by the focal customer by integrating qualitative and quantitative user-generated content. The study also explores the relative importance of core and peripheral attributes in consumer evaluations.

Design/methodology/approach

A text mining and natural language processing-based approach was followed to extract insights from the qualitative part of 18,457 consumer reviews, which were later analyzed along with the quantitative information obtained from the reviews using linear regression and logistic regression methods.

Findings

The authors found that customer satisfaction and recommendation behavior is formed by own and others' opinion about the airline and alliance. The relative importance of the core and peripheral attributes depends on the psychological distance from the evaluation of the attribute.

Research limitations/implications

The theoretical contribution and managerial implications have been discussed in detail.

Practical implications

It helps in review management strategy, service design strategy and the alliance and partnership strategies of the airlines.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that explores the impact attribute-level evaluations found in prior reviews on the future reviews of customers. It also explores the effect of prior reviews in the context of a service business and its alliances.
Additional effect of excimer light therapy in patients with psoriasis under other therapies
Authors: Ohtsuka Tsutomu , Kotani Hirohito
Published: February 2021

Excimer light is an effective therapy for psoriasis resulting in faster clearance and a longer remission. We studied its additional effect in patients with psoriasis under other therapies. Subjects were composed of 261 patients with psoriasis, all of which were treated with topical application of steroid and vitamin D mixed ointment. Other therapies were composed of apremilast and biologics. PASI 100 rate were evaluated until 12 months after the start of its therapy. PASI 100 rate was elevated from 13 patients (5.0%) to 34 patients (13.0%, P < 0.01). Twenty‐one of 63 patients (33.3%, P < 0.01) not reaching PASI 100 reached it after excimer light therapy. The addition of excimer light therapy in each treatment showed no significant difference compared with that before addition. Irradiation amount in patients with guselkumab (822 ± 259 mJ) was significantly smaller that with excimer only (1370 + 731 mJ) and that with IL‐17 (1747 ± 749 mJ). In addition, irradiation amount in patients reached PASI‐100 in Guselkumab (717 ± 75 mJ) which was significantly smaller that in the excimer only group (1530 ± 450 mJ). Additional effect of excimer light therapy in psoriasis, especially in patients with guselkumab, was speculated.
Validation of a reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantification of primary proteolysis during cheese maturation
Authors: Corrigan Bernard Martin , Kilcawley Kieran Noel , Sheehan Jeremiah J
Published: February 2021

A new fast and reliable reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic method is proposed for quantifying all the major casein fractions during cheese proteolysis as an alternative to more complex methodologies. Excellent separation of the caseins, para‐κ‐casein (ρ‐κ‐CN), αs1‐casein (αs1‐CN), αs1‐I‐casein (αs1‐I‐CN), αs2‐casein (αs2‐CN), and β‐casein (β‐CN) was achieved, in terms of linearity, reproducibility, repeatability, accuracy and certified standard recovery. Validation by quantification of semihard and Maasdam‐style cheeses gave comparable results for ρ‐κ‐CN, β‐CN and αs‐casein (αs‐CN) to published data for both urea–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis.
A nationwide population‐based survey on the prevalence and risk factors of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse in adult women in China – a pelvic organ prolapse quantification system‐based study
Authors: Pang H , Zhang L , Han S , Li Z , Gong J , Liu Q , Liu X , Wang J , Xia Z , Lang J , Xu T , Zhu L
Published: February 2021

Objective

To determine the prevalence, risk factors and burden of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in adult Chinese women.

Design

A nationwide cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Six geographic regions of mainland China.

Participants

Women aged ≥20 years old were included using a multistage, stratified, cluster sampling method from February 2014 through March 2016.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide epidemiological survey. ‘Symptomatic POP’ was determined by a screening questionnaire and physical examination.

Main outcome measurements

Prevalence, odds ratio (OR).

Results

A total of 55 477 women (response rate, 92.5%; mean age, 45.1 years old) were included. The prevalence of symptomatic POP was 9.6% (95% CI 9.3–9.8%) and it increased with age in each stage (P < 0.05). Symptomatic POP‐Q stage II, which mainly involved anterior compartment prolapse, was the most common (7.52%). Minor/moderate burden of symptomatic POP was the most common, with a prevalence of 9.7% (95% CI 9.5–10.0%). The odds for each type of symptomatic POP increased with age (>50 vs 20‐29 years old in symptomatic POP‐Q stage II or higher, OR increased from 1.34 [95% CI 1.32–1.45] to 7.34 [95% CI 4.34–12.41]) and multiple vaginal deliveries (multiparous [≥3] vs nulliparous in symptomatic POP‐Q stage II or higher, OR increased from 1.91 [1.71–2.13] to 2.78 [2.13–3.64]).

Conclusions

We found a lower prevalence of symptomatic POP than that found in other surveys. The main type of symptomatic POP was anterior compartment prolapse, indicating that it should be considered first. Older age and multiple vaginal deliveries increased the odds of each type of symptomatic POP.

Tweetable abstract

The prevalence of female symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) was 9.6% in China. It is related to old age and multiple vaginal deliveries.
Smoking cessation in head and neck cancer patients: Factors influencing successes and failures
Authors: Smith Justin , Woolley Torres , Brown Amy , Vangaveti Venkat , Chilkuri Madhavi
Published: February 2021

Introduction

This study investigated the smoking behaviours and cessation rates of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, and their barriers and facilitators to cessation.

Method

The study used a mixed methods, sequential explanatory design. The quantitative data were collected at baseline (around time of cancer diagnosis) via a survey prior to commencement of treatment. Participants identified as current smokers at baseline were then followed up to determine their smoking status after treatment and asked to participate in one‐on‐one, semi‐structured interviews.

Results

Sixty‐four participants with HNC were recruited, with 29 classified as current smokers. The 7‐day point prevalence cessation rate for current smokers was 72% at 1‐month follow‐up, and 67% at 3 months, while continuous smoking cessation was 54% at 1 month, and 42% at 3 months. Participants who continued smoking were found to consume more alcohol (P = 0.032), be in a lower stage of change (pre‐contemplation or contemplation stages of the transtheoretical model) at baseline (P = 0.012) and be less confident in being able to cease smoking (P = 0.004). Qualitative analysis revealed 5 key themes associated with smoking cessation: the teachable moment of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, willpower and cessation aids, psychosocial environment, relationship with alcohol and marijuana, and health knowledge and beliefs surrounding smoking and cancer.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the majority of HNC patients achieve smoking cessation, but relapses are common. Cessation programmes should be developed that are comprehensive, sustained and address factors such as alcohol, marijuana and depression.
Molecular and spatial analyses reveal new insights on Bois noir epidemiology in Franciacorta vineyards
Authors: Quaglino Fabio , Passera Alessandro , Faccincani Monica , Moussa Abdelhameed , Pozzebon Alberto , Sanna Francesco , Casati Paola , Bianco Piero Attilio , Mori Nicola
Published: February 2021

Bois noir (BN) grapevine disease is associated with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ (CaPsol), a pathogen with a complex ecology including multiple insect vectors and plant hosts. A key point to improve the effectiveness of BN control strategies consists in determining the epidemiological role of ground‐cover weeds. The present study employed a multidisciplinary approach, based on the application of spatial (spatial analysis by distance indices) and molecular (stamp gene typing) analyses, to identify weeds with a potential role in BN epidemiology in northern Italy. Generated data showed that in addition to Convolvulus arvensis, one of the main CaPsol inoculum sources, Chenopodium album, Polygonum aviculare and Trifolium repens were found associated with BN epidemiology. CaPsol molecular typing highlighted that the strains prevalent in symptomatic grapevines were characterised by stamp sequence variants St19, St11 (nettle‐related) and St5 (bindweed‐related). The latter was prevalent also in Hyalesthes obsoletus and weeds, suggesting their main association with bindweed‐related epidemiology. On the other hand, nettle‐related CaPsol strains were occasionally found in H. obsoletus and weeds. Considering that H. obsoletus‐mediated transmission of CaPsol occurs mainly with young instars, further investigations will confirm if, in addition to bindweed and nettle, weeds associated with BN epidemiology in Franciacorta can represent larval developmental hosts and, consequently, act as CaPsol reservoirs for transmission to grapevine. Moreover, other studies are needed to clarify the relationship between such weeds and CaPsol alternative vectors.
Akt and its phosphorylation in nucleus accumbens mediate heroin‐seeking behavior induced by cues in rats
Authors: Zhu Huaqiang , Zhuang Dingding , Lou Zhongze , Lai Miaojun , Fu Dan , Hong Qingxiao , Liu Huifen , Zhou Wenhua
Published: February 2021

Akt is initially identified as one of the downstream targets of phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K) and is involved in morphine reward and tolerance. However, whether phospholyration of Akt (p‐Akt) mediates heroin relapse remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the role of p‐Akt in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in cue‐induced heroin‐seeking behaviors after withdrawal. First, rats were trained to self‐administer heroin for 14 days, after which we assessed heroin‐seeking behaviors induced by a context cue (CC) or by discrete conditioned cues (CS) after 1 day or 14 days of withdrawal. We found that the active responses induced by CC or CS after 14 days of withdrawal were higher than those after 1 day of withdrawal. Meanwhile, the expression of p‐Akt in the NAc was also greatest when rats were exposed to the CS after 14 days of withdrawal. Additionally, a microinjection of LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, into the NAc inhibited the CS‐induced heroin‐seeking behaviors after 14 days of withdrawal, paralleling the decreased levels of p‐Akt in the NAc. Finally, Akt1 or β‐arrestin 2 was downregulated via a lentiviral injection to assess the effect on heroin seeking after 14 days of withdrawal. CS‐induced heroin‐seeking behavior was inhibited by downregulation of Akt1, but not β‐arrestin 2, in the NAc. These data demonstrate that Akt phosphorylation in the NAc may play an important role in the incubation of heroin‐seeking behavior, suggesting that the PI3K/Akt pathways may be involved in the process of heroin relapse and addiction.
Impact of cumulative incarceration and the post‐release period on syringe‐sharing among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Rivera Saldana Carlos D. , Beletsky Leo , Borquez Annick , Kiene Susan M. , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Zúñiga María Luisa , Martin Natasha K. , Cepeda Javier
Published: February 2021

Background and aims

Syringe‐sharing among people who inject drugs, which can occur during incarceration and post‐release, has been linked with increased risk of blood‐borne infections. We aimed to investigate the cumulative effect of repeated incarceration and the post‐release period on receptive syringe‐sharing.

Design

Ongoing community‐based cohort, recruited through targeted sampling between 2011 and 2012 with 6‐month follow‐ups.

Setting

Tijuana, Mexico.

Participants

Sample of 185 participants (median age 35 years; 67% female) with no history of incarceration at study entry, followed to 2017.

Measurements

Cumulative incarceration and post‐release period were constructed from incarceration events reported in the past 6 months for each study visit. Receptive syringe‐sharing in the past 6 months was assessed as a binary variable. We used logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to examine the association between cumulative incarceration events and the post‐release period with receptive syringe‐sharing over time. Missing data were handled through multiple imputation.

Findings

At baseline, 65% of participants engaged in receptive syringe‐sharing in the prior 6 months. At follow‐up, 150 (81%) participants experienced a total of 358 incarceration events [median = 2, interquartile range (IQR) = 1–3]. The risk of receptive syringe‐sharing increased with the number of repeated incarcerations. Compared with never incarcerated, those with one incarceration had 1.28 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.97–1.68] higher adjusted odds of syringe‐sharing; two to three incarcerations, 1.42 (95% CI = 1.02–1.99) and more than three incarcerations, 2.10 (95% CI = 1.15–3.85). Participants released within the past 6 months had 1.53 (95% CI = 1.14–2.05) higher odds of sharing syringes compared with those never incarcerated. This post‐release risk continued up to 1.5 years post‐incarceration (adjusted odds ratio = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.04–1.91), but then waned.

Conclusions

A longitudinal community cohort study among people who inject drugs suggested that the effects of incarceration on increased injecting risk, measured through syringe‐sharing, are cumulative and persist during the post‐release period.
Safety of ibogaine administration in detoxification of opioid‐dependent individuals: a descriptive open‐label observational study
Authors: Knuijver Thomas , Schellekens Arnt , Belgers Maarten , Donders Rogier , van Oosteren Toon , Kramers Kees , Verkes Robbert
Published: February 2021

Background and aims

Ibogaine is an indole alkaloid used in rituals of the African Bwiti tribe. It is also used in non‐medical settings to treat addiction. However, ibogaine has been linked to several deaths, mainly due to cardiac events called torsades des pointes preceded by QTc prolongation as well as other safety concerns. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiac, cerebellar and psychomimetic safety of ibogaine in patients with opioid use disorder.

Design

A descriptive open‐label observational study.

Setting

Department of psychiatry in a university medical center, the Netherlands.

Participants

Patients with opioid use disorder (n = 14) on opioid maintenance treatment with a lasting wish for abstinence, who failed to reach abstinence with standard care.

Intervention and measurements

After conversion to morphine‐sulphate, a single dose of ibogaine‐HCl 10 mg/kg was administered and patients were monitored at regular intervals for at least 24 hours assessing QTc, blood pressure and heart rate, scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA) to assess cerebellar side effects and the delirium observation scale (DOS) to assess psychomimetic effects.

Findings

The maximum QTc (Fridericia) prolongation was on average 95ms (range 29‐146ms). Fifty percent of subjects reached a QTc of over 500ms during the observation period. In six out 14 subjects prolongation above 450ms lasted beyond 24 hours after ingestion of ibogaine. No torsades des pointes were observed. Severe transient ataxia with inability to walk without support was seen in all patients. Withdrawal and psychomimetic effects were mostly well‐tolerated and manageable (11/14 did not return to morphine within 24 hours, DOS scores remained below threshold).

Conclusions

This open‐label observational study found that ibogaine treatment of patients with opioid use disorder can induce a clinically relevant but reversible QTc prolongation, bradycardia, and severe ataxia.
A meta‐analysis of problem gambling risk factors in the general adult population
Authors: Allami Youssef , Hodgins David C. , Young Matthew , Brunelle Natacha , Currie Shawn , Dufour Magali , Flores‐Pajot Marie‐Claire , Nadeau Louise
Published: February 2021

Background and Aims

Few meta‐analyses have been conducted to pool the most constant risk factors for problem gambling. The present meta‐analysis summarizes effect sizes of the most frequently assessed problem gambling risk factors, ranks them according to effect size strength and identifies any differences in effects across genders.

Method

A random‐effects meta‐analysis was conducted on jurisdiction‐wide gambling prevalence surveys on the general adult population published until March 2019. One hundred and four studies were eligible for meta‐analysis. The number of participants varied depending on the risk factor analyzed, and ranged from 5327 to 273 946 (52% female). Weighted mean odds ratios were calculated for 57 risk factors (socio‐demographic, psychosocial, gambling activity and substance use correlates), allowing them to be ranked from largest to smallest with regard to their association with problem gambling.

Results

The highest odds ratio (OR) was for internet gambling [OR = 7.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.24, 10.99, P < 0.000] and the lowest was for employment status (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.87, 1.22, P = 0.718). The largest effect sizes were generally in the gambling activity category and the smallest were in the socio‐demographic category. No differences were found across genders for age‐associated risk.

Conclusions

A meta‐analysis of 104 studies of gambling prevalence indicated that the most frequently assessed problem gambling risk factors with the highest effect sizes are associated with continuous‐play format gambling products.
Cost‐effectiveness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination strategies among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Tijuana, Mexico
Authors: Marquez Lara K. , Fleiz Clara , Burgos Jose Luis , Cepeda Javier A. , McIntosh Craig , Garfein Richard S. , Kiene Susan M. , Brodine Stephanie , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Martin Natasha K.
Published: February 2021

Background and Aims

In Latin America, Mexico was first to launch a hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination strategy, where people who inject drugs (PWID) are a main risk group for transmission. In Tijuana, HCV seroprevalence among PWID is > 90%, with minimal harm reduction (HR). We evaluated cost‐effectiveness of strategies to achieve the incidence elimination target among PWID in Tijuana.

Methods

Modeling study using a dynamic, cost‐effectiveness model of HCV transmission and progression among active and former PWID in Tijuana, to assess the cost‐effectiveness of incidence elimination strategies from a health‐care provider perspective. The model incorporated PWID transitions between HR stages (no HR, only opioid agonist therapy, only high coverage needle–syringe programs, both). Four strategies that could achieve the incidence target (80% reduction by 2030) were compared with the status quo (no intervention). The strategies incorporated the number of direct‐acting anti‐viral (DAA) treatments required with: (1) no HR scale‐up, (2) HR scale‐up from 2019 to 20% coverage among PWID, (3) HR to 40% coverage and (4) HR to 50% coverage. Costs (2019 US$) and health outcomes [disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs)] were discounted 3% per year. Mean incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICER, $/DALY averted) were compared with one‐time per capita gross domestic product (GDP) ($9698 in 2019) and purchasing power parity‐adjusted per capita GDP ($4842–13 557) willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) thresholds.

Results

DAAs alone were the least costly elimination strategy [$173 million, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 126–238 million], but accrued fewer health benefits compared with strategies with HR. DAAs + 50% HR coverage among PWID averted the most DALYs but cost $265 million, 95% CI = 210–335 million). The optimal strategy was DAAs + 50% HR (ICER $6743/DALY averted compared to DAAs only) under the one‐time per‐capita GDP WTP ($9698).

Conclusions

A combination of high‐coverage harm reduction and hepatitis C virus treatment is the optimal cost‐effective strategy to achieve the HCV incidence elimination goal in Mexico.
Perception of class mobility moderates the relationship between social class and prosocial behaviour
Authors: Rao Ting‐Ting , Yang Shen‐Long , Yu Feng , Xu Bu‐Xiao , Wei Jia
Published: February 2021

Previous studies have reported contradictory relationships between social class and prosocial behaviour. Some studies have found that higher class individuals are more likely to exhibit prosocial behaviour than lower class individuals; whereas in others the opposite was observed. In view of this difference, this study proposed and tested the moderating role of perception of class mobility. Studies 1 and 2, using different operational definitions, revealed that the interaction effect between social class and perceived class mobility on prosocial behaviour was significant. Under the condition of lower perception of class mobility, lower class individuals showed less prosocial behaviour than higher class individuals. When perception of class mobility was higher, however, the prosocial behaviour of lower class individuals increased, showing no significant difference between lower and higher class individuals. Study 3 further explored why perception of class mobility might influence lower class individuals’ prosocial behaviour and supported a mediating role of system‐justifying belief. To some extent, these results provide a new perspective to understand the relationship between social class and prosocial behaviour.
Estimation of Poisson mean with under‐reported counts: a double sampling approach
Authors: Sengupta Debjit , Banerjee Tathagata , Roy Surupa
Published: February 2021

Count data arising in various fields of applications are often under‐reported. Ignoring undercount naturally leads to biased estimators and inaccurate confidence intervals. In the presence of undercount, in this paper, we develop likelihood‐based methodologies for estimation of mean using validation data. The asymptotic distributions of the competing estimators of the mean are derived. The impact of ignoring undercount on the coverage and length of the confidence intervals is investigated using extensive numerical studies. Finally an analysis of heat mortality data is presented.
Bayesian estimation and model comparison for linear dynamic panel models with missing values
Authors: Aßmann Christian , Preising Marcel
Published: February 2021

Panel data are collected over several time periods for the same units and hence allow for modelling both latent heterogeneity and dynamics. Since in a dynamic setup, the dependent variable also appears as an explanatory variable in later periods, missing values lead to substantial loss of information and the possibility of inefficient estimation. For linear dynamic panel models with fixed or random effects, we suggest a Bayesian approach to deal with missing values. The Gibbs sampling scheme providing a sample from the posterior distribution is thereby augmented by draws from the full conditional distribution of the missing values. While the full conditional distribution for missing values in the dependent variable is implied by the model setup, we incorporate a flexible non‐parametric approximation to the full conditional posterior distribution of missing values in the explaining variables. Also, we provide accurate non‐nested model comparison in terms of the marginal likelihood from the resulting hybrid Gibbs sampling output. The properties and possible efficiency gains of the suggested approach are illustrated by means of a simulation study and an empirical application using a macroeconomic panel data set.
A classification of woody communities based on biological dissimilarity
Authors: Hao Minhui , von Gadow Klaus , Alavi Seyed Jalil , Álvarez‐González Juan Gabriél , Baluarte‐Vásquez Juan Rommel , Corral‐Rivas Javier , Hui Gangying , Korol Mykola , Kumar Rajesh , Liang Jingjing , Meyer Peter , Remadevi Othumbam Kat , Kakkar Ritu , Liu Wenzhen , Zhao Xiuhai , Zhang Chunyu
Published: February 2021

Aims

Traditional quantitative approaches to forest classification are based on differences in species abundance or incidence among communities. In these approaches, all species are regarded as biologically equidistant regardless of the biological heterogeneity. The objective of the study is to evaluate the potential of the “Discriminating Avalanche” approach, which integrates species abundance and biological heterogeneity, as a new basis for forest classification.

Location

China, India, Iran, Ukraine, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Peru, and South Africa.

Method

We illustrate our approach using a set of 35 large tree‐mapped forest plots from various regions of the world. Our dissimilarity matrices, which integrate species abundance with biological heterogeneity, are compared with the standard Bray–Curtis and Whittaker dissimilarity indices, and provide the quantitative basis for a hierarchical cluster analysis.

Results

Four distinct groups of forests were identified using the proposed forest dissimilarity matrix. Afro‐montane forests from South Africa constitute a first group. A second group includes temperate deciduous broad‐leaved forests dominated by oak (Quercus) and beech (Fagus) from Europe and China. Conifer‐dominated forests constitute a third group. The remaining forests constitute the fourth group.

Conclusion

Biological heterogeneity provides a practical basis for vegetation classification. The results of this study, based on a variety of temperate and tropical forests, suggest that a measure of biological dissimilarity based on evolutionary and morphological differences among species is more effective than the traditional species abundance‐based approaches to classify an arbitrary set of plant communities. This approach promises greater refinement and consistency in ecological classification. In particular, it has advantage in classifying forests along large geographic scales in situations of high beta diversity and species turnover.
Ethionamide population pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and therapeutic implications in South African adult patients with drug‐resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Mugabo Pierre , Mulubwa Mwila
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Ethionamide is part of the drug‐resistant tuberculosis regimen whose pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) information is limited. The aim of the study was to describe the PK and simulate doses to assess PD attainment.

Methods

This was an observational population PK study of patients admitted for drug‐resistant tuberculosis at a hospital in South Africa. Nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling implemented in Monolix 2019R2 was used to estimate population pharmacokinetic parameters. We performed Monte Carlo simulations to assess and optimise the dose regimen. The target Cmax range was 2.5‐5 μg/mL, which is within the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range. The target AUC0‐24h was 140.5 μg*h/mL, which corresponds to the PK/PD target ratio AUC0‐24h/MIC of 56.2.

Results

A one‐compartment pharmacokinetic model with a lag‐time, first‐order absorption and elimination best described the PK of ethionamide. The lag‐time, absorption rate constant (ka), volume of distribution (V/F) and clearance (Cl/F) were 0.66 hours, 0.434 h−1, 180 L and 99.5 L/h, respectively, for a typical individual weighing 52.6 kg. Between‐subject variability in lag‐time, ka, V/F and Cl/F were 38%, 92%, 168% and 120%, respectively. Simulation of the recommended doses of 15‐20 mg/kg, 500 mg, 750 mg and 1000 mg for patients in the weight bands <33, 33‐50, 51‐70 and >70 kg resulted in <17% and 3% of the patients achieving the target Cmax and AUC0‐24h, respectively.

Conclusion

There is high variability in ethionamide PK and very few patients attain the desired target exposure at standard or optimised doses. We propose individualised dose regimen optimisation.