bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adoption of internet banking services in Gujarat
Authors: Patel Kiran J. , Patel Hiren J.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to validate the technology acceptance model (TAM) and its extended form to understand the factors influencing internet banking adoption in Gujarat.

Design/methodology/approach

Extended TAM incorporates perceived security and social influence, important variables in internet banking literature. Using a questionnaire survey, data relating to the variables are collected from 284 individuals who are/were using internet banking services and subjected to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to establish validity and structural equation modeling (SEM) to identify important factors influencing internet banking adoption.

Findings

The empirical results of SEM showed that the extended TAM has higher predictability than the TAM in internet banking settings. The results highlighted that the intention to use internet banking is positively influenced mainly by perceived security, followed by other significant factors, namely, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and social influence.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper enable internet banking service providers to develop/modify new/existing internet banking services in order to achieve higher adoption rates of internet banking.

Originality/value

Additional incorporated variables in a new model considerably contribute to improving the understanding of internet banking adoption in Gujarat.
Service quality and customer satisfaction in Ghanaian retail banks: the moderating role of price
Authors: Narteh Bedman
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Various models and scales exist in the literature to measure retail bank service quality without any attempt at integrating them and the moderators have often been under explored. The purpose of this paper is to integrate the SERVQUAL and BSQ models and moderated the resulting scale with price in order to examine service quality and customer satisfaction with retail bank services in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is quantitative and the survey methodology was used to collect data from 560 retail bank customers. The result was analyzed through structural equation modeling.

Findings

The study provides an expanded model for measuring retail bank service quality as seven of the eight latent constructs emerged as service quality dimensions when moderated with price. It is significant to also note that five of the constructs – tangibles, reliability, assurance, empathy and price – from the direct relationship emerged as the dimensions of retail bank service quality that positively and significantly predicted customer satisfaction.

Practical implications

The study provides insight into customer behavior with the quality of retail bank services in Ghana. The resulting broader dimensions provide an integrated and expanded model as well as pointers to bank managers on service quality and customer satisfaction cues to enable them attract, serve and retain customers.

Originality/value

The study is the first of its kind to integrate two of the popular models to measure retail bank service quality and to use price as a moderator of this relationship. The resulting scale, which comprised of variables from the two models, provides support for the approach used in the current study.
Are Malaysian Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibilities effective? A stakeholders’ view
Authors: Jaiyeoba Haruna Babatunde , Adewale Abideen Adeyemi , Quadry Mahmud Oluwaseyi
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) using data collected from stakeholders in Malaysia. While Islamic scholars have developed the Islamic CSR from the Qur’anic verses, the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and from the western ideologies, the focus of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of the developed Islamic CSR practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research design was adopted for this study. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and other analyses are performed on the data collected from 193 stakeholders in Malaysia.

Findings

Based on the data collected and analyzed, the results show that stakeholders view the Malaysian Islamic banks’ CSRs as effective.

Research limitations/implications

This study investigates the effectiveness of Malaysian Islamic banks’ CSR based on the survey data collected. However, future studies could explore this in greater depth using mixed methods.

Practical implications

The research findings have great implications for researchers. Since this study is among the few research studies that investigate the effectiveness of Islamic CSR, the researchers have paved ways for further investigation in this area. In addition, the study encourages the Malaysian Islamic banks and other Islamic financial institutions to contribute more to the society.

Originality/value

The study examines the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ CSR and contributes to the growing discussions on the Islamic CSR. The study has opened up this area for further investigations by other researchers.
Perspectives of artist–practitioners on the communication of climate change in the Pacific
Authors: Capstick Stuart , Hemstock Sarah , Senikula Ruci
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the role of the visual arts for communicating climate change in the context of the Pacific islands, through the perspectives of artists and climate change practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of an “Eco Arts” project carried out in Fiji, semi-structured research interviews were undertaken with artists and climate change practitioners.

Findings

Participants’ motivations to produce art reflected their personal concerns about, and experiences of, climate change. There was an intention to use art-based approaches to raise awareness and promote action on climate change. The artwork produced drew on metaphors and storytelling to convey future climate impacts and aspects of climate change relevant to Fijian and Pacific communities.

Research limitations/implications

The study reports the perspectives of participants and discusses the potential uses of arts communication. Conclusions cannot be drawn from the findings regarding the effectiveness of specific artwork or of arts communication as a general approach.

Practical implications

The research offers suggestions for the inclusion of creative approaches to climate change communication within education and vocational training. A consideration of the perspectives of artist–practitioners has implications for the design and conduct of climate change communication.

Social implications

The involvement of artist–practitioners in the communication of climate change offers the potential for novel discussions and interpretations of climate change with individuals and within communities, which complement more formal or scientific communication.

Originality/value

The present study identifies the motivations and objectives of artist–practitioners involved in climate change communication. The authors highlight the role of personal experience and their use of artistic concepts and creative considerations pertinent to the geography and culture of the Pacific region.
Poverty among the small-scale plantation holders
Authors: Saifullah Md. Khaled , Kari Fatimah Binti , Othman Azmah
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the socio-economic condition of indigenous households involved in the production of palm oil and natural rubber in Peninsular Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Discriminant analysis is used in this study.

Findings

This study finds that 49.70 percent of natural rubber plantation owners and 37.3 percent of the palm oil plantation owners live under the national poverty line. Discriminant analysis shows that natural rubber plantation size has a significant difference between income below the poverty line and above the poverty line. But palm oil plantation size is not significantly different between income below and above the poverty line, mainly because small-scale palm oil farms receive help from the government and other agencies. This study also finds that the majority of indigenous people do not have ownership rights to their land.

Practical implications

This study suggests that small-scale plantation holders should be provided with training to upgrade their skills to increase productivity. Furthermore, finding an appropriate land ownership model helps to understand the fundamental issue of poverty among the small-scale plantation holder of indigenous people in Peninsular Malaysia.

Originality/value

Primary data are used in this study. The results show different scenarios than the existing studies.
Good governance and preferential trade: evidence from the Swiss generalized system of preferences
Authors: Ritzel Christian , Kohler Andreas , Mann Stefan
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine if the institutional quality of developing countries (DCs) and least-developed countries (LDCs) contributes to a significant increase in the utilization rate of the Swiss generalized system of preferences in the agro-food sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use state of the art regression techniques accounting for zero values to identify if the institutional quality – separately depicted by the Worldwide Governance Indicators, the Index of Economic Freedom and the Human Development Index – can contribute in overcoming non-tariff barriers (NTBs) to trade.

Findings

The institutional quality exerts a consistent positive effect on the level of utilization of trade preferences.

Research limitations/implications

Swiss food trade represents, of course, only a very small share of world trade, therefore it would be worthwhile to extend the analysis to other countries and sectors.

Practical implications

Industrialized countries’ development policies should more strongly focus on capacity building in DCs and LDCs to strengthen trade-related institutions.

Originality/value

The study focuses on an often underemphasized element in international trade relations – the role of the institutional quality in overcoming NTBs to trade.
Link among energy consumption, carbon dioxide emission, economic growth, population, poverty, and forest area
Authors: Islam Rabiul , Abdul Ghani Ahmad Bashawir
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship among energy consumption (EC), carbon dioxide emission, economic growth, foreign direct investment, population, poverty, and income of four Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, namely, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines.

Design/methodology/approach

An econometric analysis was used to achieve the goal of this study taking the period of 1995-2014.

Findings

The results of the study motivated the researcher to recommend that four ASEAN countries, namely, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines should increase their energy efficiency, increase the share of green energy from their total energy use, and increase energy conservation in order to reduce the unnecessary wastage of energy.

Originality/value

The findings validate that economic growth, population, and income have positive and statistically significant impacts on EC, while carbon dioxide emission, foreign direct investment and poverty have negative impacts on EC for Malaysia. Economic growth, income and poverty have positive and statistically significant impacts on EC, while carbon dioxide emission, foreign direct investment and population have negative impacts on EC for Singapore. Carbon dioxide emission and foreign direct investment have positive and statistically significant impacts on EC, while economic growth, population, poverty and income have negative impacts on EC for the Philippines. Finally, economic growth, carbon dioxide emission and income have positive and statistically significant impacts on EC, while foreign direct investment, population and poverty have negative impacts on EC for Malaysia.
Criteria for choosing banking services: gender differences in the university students’ perspective
Authors: Mohd Suki Norazah
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the criteria invoked by university students when choosing banking services, and determine whether male and female students rate the importance of the various criteria differently.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are gathered via a quantitative approach using a questionnaire, from 300 students of a public higher learning institution in the Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia. The students were all aged between 18 and 25 years old, and the data obtained are analysed using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis findings, prior to using Statistical Package for Social Sciences to conduct a multiple discriminant analysis.

Findings

The multiple discriminant analysis revealed that bank services, people influences, electronic services, and banking security significantly affect students’ decisions when choosing banking services, and that female students attach more importance to each of these factors than do their male counterparts.

Practical implications

Banks as financial service providers should provide less complex and more user-friendly banking systems and services that require minimal mental and physical effort for students, and should ensure their compatibility with students’ banking norms and lifestyles.

Originality/value

The identification of the most noteworthy criteria for choosing banking services, particularly accounting for gender differences among university students, provides information to banks that allows them to improve their standards of service, offer more attractive incentives and increase their visibility, thereby attracting and retaining customers.
Ownership dynamics around IFRS adoption: emerging markets context
Authors: Hessayri Manel , Saihi Malek
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the firm’s capital market benefits in a high-quality information setting. More specifically, the authors address the question of whether the commonly documented IFRS benefits are capable of influencing inducing shareholders to increase their equity investment in adopting firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is performed on publicly listed firms in three emerging countries, namely, Morocco, South Africa and Turkey. The design of the ownership database allows a panel analysis for the years 2001 through 2011. The trend approach is suitable to account for concurrent effects that are unrelated to financial reporting while controlling for time-lasting behavior of investors. Overall, a minimum of four-year periods before and after the IFRS adoption date are warranted.

Findings

Overall, the findings support evidence of increases in equity holdings following a firm’s IFRS adoption. More specifically, institutional investors and institutional blockholders (both domestic and foreign) invest more heavily in the stocks of the firms that have committed to IFRS. By contrast, the authors fail to report evidence for ownership by blockholders and controlling shareholders.

Practical implications

The current empirical work should be of value to international investors, policy makers and market authorities. As for international investors facing reduced information disadvantage and comparable financial information across worldwide markets, they will find it easier to select and invest in value-creating stocks. This study may be useful for policy makers in acquiring a clear view of advantages, challenges and relevance of IFRS adoption to emerging markets. In particular, this study contributes to an understanding of potential capital market consequences of IFRS adoption. Furthermore, market authorities should be aware of the importance of institutional framework to enhance IFRS implementation and usage.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the ongoing empirical research on the intended capital market benefits of IFRS. The authors provide deeper insight into shareholdings changes of a number of key investors in a context where supply and demand of information are stained with asymmetry and mostly, influenced by differences in accounting practices. A major contribution of this study is the use of a methodological approach that outperforms commonly used approaches in the way how it considers concurrent events (compared to the shift specification) and time-lasting investor behavior (compared to the difference-in-differences analysis).
Service integration through medical leadership in England’s NHS
Authors: Iliffe Steve , Manthorpe Jill
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the current interest in leadership within the National Health Service (NHS), especially within medicine, as a solution to the slow rate of integration of health and social care services.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a conceptual analysis of policy documents and professional statements about leadership.

Findings

Leadership is a new common sense, promoted despite the limited evidence that it actually delivers. Leaders take risks, develop organisational vision and involve others in change using influence rather than hierarchic authority. They work together in ad hoc local networks, and, because leaders experience the work first hand, they are trusted by fellow professionals and bring to the organisation of work a flexible, immediate, policy-oriented dynamism and pragmatic adaptability.

Practical implications

This paper argues that the leadership movement represents a historic compromise between professionals (mostly medical) who want to shape decision making about service reconfiguration, and managers and politicians seeking ways to integrate health and social care services.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge this conceptual analysis is the first to be applied to leadership within the NHS.
The negative effects of job embeddedness on performance
Authors: Greene Juanne , Mero Neal , Werner Steve
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the boundary conditions of job embeddedness (JE), considering whether certain conditions of high embeddedness may have a potential dark side leading to lower employee performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Hierarchical moderated regression was used to test the interactions between JE, economic exchange, and social exchange.

Findings

Results indicate that under certain exchange conditions, JE can have negative implications for performance.

Practical implications

Consideration should be given to how management interventions come together to motivate employees and impact performance.

Originality/value

This study speaks to the possible negative side of JE and provides support for its potential to produce adverse consequences for organizations under certain contexts.
Torque capacity and contact stress analysis of conical interference fit shrink disc of wind turbine
Authors: Yu K.H. , Yang Xi
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Shrink fit is an important method used in mechanical transmission, but the design of these connections is not sufficiently precise due to lack of knowledge regarding the effects of many parameters. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the torque capacity and contact stress analysis for a new shrink disc by numerical analysis and experimental methods. Torque capacity analysis aims to predict the effectiveness of mechanical transmission, and to check the structural safety. Stress-strain curves are measured using the universal testing machine, and Bilinear Kinematic Hardening rate-independent plasticity model characterises the elastic-plastic response of the materials.

Findings

The numerical result shows that there is no plastic deformation at the interference regions, and the maximum equivalent strain happens on the inner ring. The stress of outer ring is decreased with radius increasing, and shows a periodic variation along the circumference, but stress concentration happens at the threaded holes. Finally, the torque capacity of the shrink disc system is measured through a developed test machine, and the torque capacity difference between numerical and experimental results is about 3.3 per cent.

Originality/value

This paper presents a numerical and experimental carrying capacity analysis for a shrink disc. Plasticity model characterises the materials’ elastic-plastic response based testing. A test machine is designed to measure the torque capacity; the error is about 3.3 per cent.
Heuristic biases in investment decision-making and perceived market efficiency
Authors: Shah Syed Zulfiqar Ali , Ahmad Maqsood , Mahmood Faisal
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify the mechanism by which heuristics influences the investment decisions of individual investors, actively trading on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), and the perceived efficiency of the market. Most studies focus on well-developed financial markets and very little is known about investors’ behaviour in less developed financial markets or emerging markets. The present study contributes to filling this gap in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Investors’ heuristic biases have been measured using a questionnaire, containing numerous items, including indicators of speculators, investment decisions and perceived market efficiency variables. The sample consists of 143 investors trading on the PSX. A convenient, purposively sampling technique was used for data collection. To examine the relationship between heuristic biases, investment decisions and perceived market efficiency, hypotheses were tested by using correlation and regression analysis.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights into the relationship of heuristic biases, investment decisions and perceived market efficiency. The results suggest that heuristic biases (overconfidence, representativeness, availability and anchoring) have a markedly negative impact on investment decisions made by individual investors actively trading on the PSX and on perceived market efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitation of the empirical review is the tiny size of the sample. A larger sample would have given more trustworthy results and could have empowered a more extensive scope of investigation.

Practical implications

The paper encourages investors to avoid relying on heuristics or their feelings when making investments. It provides awareness and understanding of heuristic biases in investment management, which could be very useful for decision makers and professionals in financial institutions, such as portfolio managers and traders in commercial banks, investment banks and mutual funds. This paper helps investors to select better investment tools and avoid repeating expensive errors, which occur due to heuristic biases. They can improve their performance by recognizing their biases and errors of judgment, to which we are all prone, resulting in a more efficient market. So, it is necessary to focus on a specific investment strategy to control “mental mistakes” by investors, due to heuristic biases.

Originality/value

The current study is the first of its kind, focusing on the link between heuristics, individual investment decisions and perceived market efficiency within the specific context of Pakistan.
An intelligent case-based knowledge management system for quality improvement in nursing homes
Authors: Choy King Lun Tommy , Siu Kai Yuet Paul , Ho To Sum George , Wu C.H. , Lam Hoi Yan , Tang Valerie , Tsang Yung Po
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to maintain the high service quality of the long-term care service providers by establishing a knowledge-based system so as to enhance the service quality of nursing homes and the performance of its nursing staff continually.

Design/methodology/approach

An intelligent case-based knowledge management system (ICKMS) is developed with the integration of two artificial intelligence techniques, i.e. fuzzy logic and case-based reasoning (CBR). In the system, fuzzy logic is adopted to assess the performance through the analysis of the long-term care services provided, nurse performance and elderly satisfaction, whereas CBR is used to formulate a customized re-training program for quality improvement. A case study is conducted to validate the feasibility of the proposed system.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate that the ICKMS helps in identification of those nursing staff who cannot meet the essential service standard. Through the customized re-training program, the performance of the nursing staff can be greatly enhanced, whereas the medical errors and complaints can be considerably reduced. Furthermore, the proposed methodology provides a cost-saving approach in the administrative work.

Practical implications

The findings and results of the study facilitate decision-making using the ICKMS for the long-term service providers to improve their performance and service quality by providing a customized re-training program to the nursing staff.

Originality/value

This study contributes to establishing a knowledge-based system for the long-term service providers for maintaining the high service quality in the health-care industry.
“How are you ageing today?” Art, activism and ageing
Authors: Martin David James
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need to challenge ageism and to draw attention to how art, especially art activism, can challenge Ageism and bring about a new personal understanding of ageing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a summary of personal reflections by the author.

Findings

The pervasive, ageist, stereotypical attitudes developed at an early age and the possible means to challenge and transform thinking through Art.

Practical implications

Artist and Arts organisations, their commissioners and funders could consider focussing upon ageing across the life course and commission and create work which challenges thinking and the status quo on ageing, reflecting society’s adjustment to an Ageing society.

Social implications

Art and especially art activism could make a fundamental contribution to a raft of strategies to not only combat ageism but assist personal understanding of our ageing.

Originality/value

Currently there are relatively few artists and arts organisation focussing upon ageing across the life course. The paper states the view that such art activity could assist with new ways of understanding personal ageing and challenge ageist attitudes.
Anthropology's ‘impact’: a comment on audit and the unmeasurable nature of critique
Authors: Stein Felix
Published: December 2017

The UK government has recently made higher education funding of anthropological research partially dependent on its social ‘impact’. Based on work in higher education and fifty interviews with anthropologists trained in Britain, this article analyses the implications of these impact requirements. It shows that anthropologists generally share government desires for their work to have a societal effect, but that impact, as understood in the United Kingdom's dominant research measurement exercise known as the Research Excellence Framework (REF), is marked by a series of important practical and conceptual limitations. On a practical level, it underestimates the social effects of teaching, relies on an overly limiting notion of evidence, and significantly restricts the scope of permissible research. On a conceptual level, impact measurement cannot fully grasp the nature or effect of anthropology, insofar as the latter is a critical science that contributes to the constant renewal of audit's own politico‐epistemic foundations. This exposes an important limitation of audit practices more widely, which has so far received little scholarly attention: audits are in several ways incapable of grasping sociocultural critique.
Going to ‘Pentecost’: how to study Pentecostalism – in Melanesia, for example
Authors: Eriksen Annelin
Published: December 2017

In this article, I question regional context as primary context in anthropological analyses. I argue that the idea of historical continuity in a geographical locality/region might prevent us from understanding not only radical change, but also more gradually emerging social patterns that connect the ethnography to very different kinds of histories and places. Concretely, I focus on the global Charismatic and Pentecostal movements, and as an experiment, I ask whether it is possible to go to ‘Pentecost’, instead of going to Melanesia. With ‘going to Pentecost’ as a heuristic device, I suggest it is possible to overcome methodological challenges in the study of global religious movements. In this article, I thus trace the practices and articulations of my interlocutors as part of a wider Pentecostal universe. I show how notions of seeing, borders, separations, and protection are crucial in ‘Pentecost’, and I connect this to key Christian ideas and values.
An investigation of social class inequalities in general cognitive ability in two British birth cohorts
Authors: Connelly Roxanne , Gayle Vernon
Published: December 2017

The ‘Flynn effect’ describes the substantial and long‐standing increase in average cognitive ability test scores, which has been observed in numerous psychological studies. Flynn makes an appeal for researchers to move beyond psychology's standard disciplinary boundaries and to consider sociological contexts, in order to develop a more comprehensive understanding of cognitive inequalities. In this article we respond to this appeal and investigate social class inequalities in general cognitive ability test scores over time. We analyse data from the National Child Development Study (1958) and the British Cohort Study (1970). These two British birth cohorts are suitable nationally representative large‐scale data resources for studying inequalities in general cognitive ability. We observe a large parental social class effect, net of parental education and gender in both cohorts. The overall finding is that large social class divisions in cognitive ability can be observed when children are still at primary school, and similar patterns are observed in each cohort. Notably, pupils with fathers at the lower end of the class structure are at a distinct disadvantage. This is a disturbing finding and it is especially important because cognitive ability is known to influence individuals later in the lifecourse.
The impact of isolated maternal hypothyroxinaemia on the incidence of large‐for‐gestational‐age infants: the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort study
Authors: Zhu Y‐d , Han Y , Huang K , Zhu B‐b , Yan S‐q , Ge X , Zhou S‐s , Xu Y‐y , Ren L‐i , Sheng J , Pan W‐j , Hao J‐h , Zhu P , Tao F‐b
Published: December 2017

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether isolated maternal hypothyroxinaemia (IMH) is associated with risks of small/large‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA/LGA) infants.

Design

Population‐based prospective cohort study.

Setting

Ma'anshan Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinics, China.

Population

Pregnant women with singleton births (n = 3178).

Methods

Descriptive statistics were calculated for the demographic characteristics of the mothers and their newborns. Linear regression was applied to estimate the association between thyroid hormone levels and birthweight. Logistic regression was performed to calculate the association between IMH and SGA/LGA.

Main outcome measures

Outcomes included SGA/LGA.

Results

The prevalence of IMH, defined as a free thyroxine value (FT4) lower than the 2.5th percentile with normal thyroid stimulating hormone, was 2.5% (78/3080) and 2.5% (74/2999) in the first and second trimesters, respectively. Additionally, 306 (9.6%) and 524 (16.5%) infants were defined as SGA and LGA, respectively. No evidence supported the notion that IMH is associated with an increased risk for SGA in either the first [odds ratio (OR): 1.762, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.759–4.089] or the second (OR: 0.763, 95% CI: 0.231–2.516) trimester. However, an increased risk of LGA was observed among IMH women in the second trimester (OR: 2.088, 95% CI: 1.193–3.654). Maternal TPO‐Ab positivity in the second trimester increased the risk of SGA (OR: 2.094, 95% CI: 1.333–3.290).

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that IMH is associated with LGA.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81330068).

Tweetable abstract

Isolated maternal hypothyroxinaemia may increase the risk of large‐for‐gestational‐age infants.
Cigarette use is increasing among people with illicit substance use disorders in the United States, 2002–14: emerging disparities in vulnerable populations
Authors: Weinberger Andrea H. , Gbedemah Misato , Wall Melanie M. , Hasin Deborah S. , Zvolensky Michael J. , Goodwin Renee D.
Published: December 2017

Background and aims

While cigarette smoking has declined over time, it is not known whether this decline has occurred similarly among individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) in the United States (US). The current study estimated trends in smoking from 2002 to 2014 among US individuals with and without SUDs.

Design

Linear time trends of current smoking prevalence were assessed using logistic regression models.

Setting

United States; data were drawn from the 2002 to 2014 National Household Survey on Drug Use (NSDUH), an annual US cross‐sectional study.

Participants

A representative, population‐based sample of US individuals age 12 yeas and older (total analytical population: n = 723 283).

Measurements

Past‐month current smoking was defined as having smoked at least 100 lifetime cigarettes and reporting smoking part or all of at least one cigarette during the past 30 days. Respondents were classified as having any SUD if they met criteria for abuse or dependence for one or more of the following illicit drugs: cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, tranquilizers, cocaine, heroin, pain relievers, simulants and sedatives. A second SUD variable included all drugs listed above excluding cannabis use disorder (CUD). An additional variable included respondents who met criteria for cannabis abuse or dependence.

Findings

Among those with any SUD, the prevalence of smoking did not change from 2002 to 2014 (P = 0.08). However, when CUDs were separated from other SUDs, a significant increase in prevalence of smoking was observed among those with SUDs excluding CUDs (P < 0.001), while smoking decreased among those with CUDs (P < 0.001). Smoking declined among those without SUDs (P < 0.001). In 2014, smoking remained significantly more common among those with any SUD (55.48%), SUDs excluding CUDs (63.34%) and CUDs (51.34%) compared with those without these respective disorders (18.16, 18.55 and 18.64%; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The prevalence of cigarette smoking in the United States increased from 2002 to 2014 among people with substance use disorders (SUDs) excluding cannabis use disorders (CUDs) and declined among those with CUDs and without SUDs. In 2014, the prevalence of smoking was multifold higher among those with SUDs, including CUDs, compared with those without SUDs.
The possible role of CD8+/Vα7.2+/CD161++ T (MAIT) and CD8+/Vα7.2+/CD161lo T (MAIT‐like) cells in the pathogenesis of early‐onset pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Meggyes Matyas , Szanto Julia , Lajko Adrienn , Farkas Balint , Varnagy Akos , Tamas Peter , Hantosi Eszter , Miko Eva , Szereday Laszlo
Published: December 2017

Problem

The objective of this study was to compare the expressions of different immune‐checkpoint molecules by MAIT and MAIT‐like cells in healthy pregnancy and in early‐onset pre‐eclampsia.

Method of study

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stained with monoclonal antibodies to characterize MAIT and MAIT‐like cells. Flow cytometric analyses were used to measure PD‐1, TIM‐3, activation markers, and intracellular perforin expression.

Results

We identified CD3+/CD8+/Vα7.2+/CD161++ MAIT cells and a minor cell population characterized by CD3+/CD8+/Vα7.2+/CD161lo surface markers. In measuring the expression of PD‐1 receptor, we found a significantly lower expression by MAIT cells in women with early‐onset pre‐eclampsia. CD69 expression by MAIT cells was significantly elevated in early‐onset pre‐eclamptic patients. Intracellular perforin content by MAIT and PD‐1+ MAIT cells was significantly increased in pre‐eclamptic patients compared with healthy individuals.

Conclusion

Altered frequency and reduced PD‐1 expression combined together with the elevated perforin content of MAIT cells insinuate their potential roles in the pathogenesis of early‐onset pre‐eclampsia.
Gastric ultrasound in the third trimester of pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial to develop a predictive model of volume assessment
Authors: Arzola C. , Perlas A. , Siddiqui N. T. , Downey K. , Ye X. Y. , Carvalho J. C. A.
Published: December 2017

Bedside gastric ultrasonography can be performed reliably by anaesthetists to assess gastric content in the peri‐operative period. We aimed to study the relationship between gastric cross‐sectional area, assessed by ultrasound, and volumes of clear fluids ingested by pregnant women. We recruited 60 non‐labouring third‐trimester pregnant women in a randomised controlled and assessor‐blinded study. A standardised scanning protocol of the gastric antrum was performed in the 45° semirecumbent and 45° semirecumbent‐right lateral positions. Subjects were randomly allocated to drink one out of six predetermined volumes of apple juice (0 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, 300 ml, 400 ml). Qualitative and quantitative assessments at a baseline period after an 8‐h fast, and immediately after the drink, were used to establish the correlation between antral cross‐sectional area and volume ingested. A predictive model to estimate gastric volume was developed. Antral cross‐sectional area in the semirecumbent right lateral position significantly correlated with the ingested volume (Spearman rank correlation = 0.7; p < 0.0001). A cut‐off value of 9.6 cm2 discriminated ingested volumes ≥ 1.5 ml.kg−1 with a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 66.7%, and an area under the curve of 0.82. A linear predictive model was developed for gastric volume based only on antral cross‐sectional area (Volume (ml) = −327.1 + 215.2 × log (cross‐sectional area) (cm2)). We conclude that in pregnant women in the third trimester of gestation, the antral cross‐sectional area correlates well with volumes ingested, and this cut‐off value in the semirecumbent right lateral position discriminates high gastric volumes.
Abusive Supervision from an Integrated Self‐Control Perspective
Authors: Pundt Alexander , Schwarzbeck Katharina
Published: December 2017

We investigate the relationship between supervisors’ irritation and follower perceptions of abusive supervision. Based on the integrated self‐control framework, we propose a positive relationship between supervisor irritation and abusive supervision. Moreover, we propose this relationship to be buffered by supervisors’ self‐control capacities and by external monitoring of the supervisor by upper management. We tested our hypotheses in a two‐source survey study with 96 supervisor‐follower dyads. Our results show a positive relationship between supervisor irritation and abusive supervision and an interaction between supervisor irritation and supervisor self‐control. The interaction pattern revealed a positive relationship between supervisor irritation and abusive supervision if supervisor self‐control is low. We also found an interaction between supervisor irritation and external monitoring in predicting active but not passive forms of abusive supervision. Our findings underline the role of self‐control processes in explaining abusive supervision.
Advances in predicting venous thromboembolism risk in children
Authors: Rühle Frank , Stoll Monika
Published: December 2017

Paediatric venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a rare disorder but a rising incidence has been observed in recent years, due to improved VTE diagnosis and increased use of central venous catheters in the treatment of severe diseases. Risk assessment strategies are well established for adult patients, however, similar guidelines for paediatric patients are largely lacking. Several risk prediction tools have been reported in recent literature, which make use of established risk factors to assess VTE risk in paediatric subgroups, such as hospitalised children, cancer‐diagnosed children and paediatric trauma patients. Although these models suffer several limitations regarding their study size and heterogeneous selection of predictor variables, they offer potential for improving the thromboprophylaxis management in these children. Here, we give an overview on recently reported risk prediction models for paediatric VTE.
Molecular detection of minimal residual disease in multiple myeloma
Authors: Bai Yinlei , Orfao Alberto , Chim Chor Sang
Published: December 2017

Despite the significantly higher complete remission rates and improved survival achieved in the last decade, multiple myeloma (MM) patients continue to relapse due to persistence of minimal residual disease (MRD). Generally, MRD refers to persistence of low levels of disease in the order of one tumour cell in ≥105 normal cells. Currently, molecular and immunophenotypic techniques are employed for MRD detection. This review focuses on MRD detection by molecular techniques, including allele‐specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction (ASO‐PCR), next‐generation sequencing (NGS) and digital PCR (dPCR), in addition to a brief description of, and comparison with, multiparameter flow cytometry. The basic principles, technical advantages and limitations, and the clinical impact of all three molecular techniques are reviewed and compared. They all have a sensitivity of at least 10−5, among which ASO real‐time quantitative PCR is the most well‐standardized, and NGS carries the highest sensitivity and applicability, while dPCR is still under investigation. Furthermore, molecular MRD negativity is a favourable prognostic factor for survival of patients with MM. However, several challenges inherent to molecular detection of MRD still remain to be overcome, particularly false negativity and failure to detect extramedullary disease. Finally, detection of MRD from peripheral blood remains challenging.
Sensitivity and specificity of the lymphocyte transformation test in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms causality assessment
Authors: Cabañas R. , Calderón O. , Ramírez E. , Fiandor A. , Caballero T. , Heredia R. , Herranz P. , Madero R. , Quirce S. , Bellón T.
Published: December 2017

Background

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe delayed hypersensitivity reaction. The determination of drug causality is complex. The lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) has been reported positive in more than 50% of DRESS cases. Nevertheless, the sensitivity and specificity of LTT specifically in DRESS have not yet been established. Rechallenge with the culprit drug is contraindicated and cannot be used as gold standard for sensitivity and specificity determination.

Objective

To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of LTT in a clinically defined series of patients with DRESS.

Methods

Some 41 patients diagnosed with DRESS were included in the study. The results of the algorithm of the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System were used as the standard for a correct diagnosis of drug causality. A standard LTT was performed with involved drugs in acute or recovery samples. A stimulation index (SI) ≥2 in at least one concentration except for beta‐lactams (SI ≥3) and contrast media (SI ≥4) was considered positive. Contingency tables and ROC curves were used for analysis.

Results

Sensitivity and specificity of LTT in the recovery phase of DRESS were 73% and 82%, respectively, whereas in the acute phase, they were only 40% and 30%, respectively. Comparison of skin tests and LTT confirmed a higher sensitivity and specificity of LTT in DRESS. LTT showed high sensitivity (S) and specificity (Sp) for anticonvulsants (S 100%, Sp 100%; P = .008), anti‐TB drugs (S 87.5%, Sp 100%; P = .004), and beta‐lactams (S 73%, Sp 100%; P = .001). ROC curves revealed that the best criteria for LTT positivity for all drugs are SI ≥2 in at least one concentration, increasing overall sensitivity to 80%, and for beta‐lactams from 73% to 92%.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

LTT is a good diagnostic tool for drug causality in DRESS, mainly when performed in the recovery phase.
Short‐ and long‐term clinical and patient‐reported outcomes following laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy using biological mesh for pelvic organ prolapse: a prospective cohort study of 224 consecutive patients
Authors: McLean R. , Kipling M. , Musgrave E. , Mercer‐Jones M.
Published: December 2017

Aim

Laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR) is potentially a safe and effective operation to correct pelvic organ prolapse and to treat obstructive defaecation and solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. This study aimed to evaluate, in a prospective, consecutive cohort of patients, the long‐term clinical outcomes following LVMR, patient‐reported functional and quality of life outcomes, and urinary and sexual dysfunction.

Method

Data on 224 patients who underwent LVMR with Permacol™ biological mesh were collected prospectively from May 2008 to October 2016. Outcome measures were complications, recurrence, mortality, patient satisfaction, patient‐reported functional and quality of life outcomes, and urinary and sexual dysfunction. Scores were compared using the two‐tailed Wilcoxon signed rank test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

There was no mortalities associated with LVMR in this series; complications occurred in 10.7% of patients (4.9% early, 5.8% late). Mesh‐related morbidity was 0.45% and vaginal suture‐related morbidity was 1.33%. Recurrence occurred in 25 patients (11.4%), 5% at 12 months, 10.7% at 5 years. Significant improvement in patient‐reported functional outcomes were seen (P < 0.001) for both constipation and faecal incontinence symptoms. Furthermore, significant improvement in quality of life outcomes for patients with constipation, faecal incontinence and prolapse persisted through follow‐up (P < 0.001). Patient satisfaction was positive for > 90% of patients during follow‐up. Symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence and dyspareunia improved significantly postoperatively (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

LVMR using Permacol is associated with low morbidity and mortality, recurrence and, additionally, significantly improved constipation, faecal incontinence and prolapse functional and quality of life outcomes, with associated improvement in urogynaecological symptoms.