bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How does perceived cost and value influence pharmacy patronage? A scoping review
Authors: Grew Bethany , Collins Jack Charles , Schneider Carl Richard , Carter Stephen Ross
Published: October 2020

Purpose

To date, community pharmacy research has largely focused on the impact of service quality elements on patronage behavior. Investigation into the influence of cost and value is limited. The purpose of this study is to explore what is known about customers’ perceptions of cost and value, and how these influence patronage patterns in community pharmacy.

Design/methodology/approach

A scoping review framework was used to conduct a systematic search of four databases with the addition of articles sourced from reference lists. The database search was reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis: Extension for Scoping Reviews protocol. Studies were analyzed in terms of author name, date of publication, study location, study population, methods and key findings.

Findings

The 26 studies retrieved were qualitative or quantitative in nature and included a broad sample population. Both cost and value were found to be key factors influencing pharmacy choice. Pharmacy customers were found to perceive costs in terms of monetary, psychological, emotional and convenience-related sacrifices. Value was either perceived as relating to the worth or utility of a good or service, or in terms of a trade-off relationship between what was received and given up by the consumer.

Research limitations/implications

A comprehensive interrogation into the true meaning of “value” to consumers is warranted to improve quantitative measurement instruments.

Practical implications

Pharmacies may attempt to influence customer behavior by minimizing unfixed costs to the consumer such as the price of goods and services and time costs.

Originality/value

This review highlights the need for academic enquiry into how consumers trade-off perceived costs for service in community pharmacy.
Education and inequality in employment in China and Japan in 2000s: a social network perspective
Authors: Fung Ka Yi
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper attempts to discover whether or not social networks work in the same way in different sectors of the labour market in the same society, using data from the 2008 Asian Social Survey. Labour markets in some societies are segmented; there are two segments in the labour market, namely, the core sector and the peripheral sector. The practices of each sector differs from the others. Some sectors employ CME labour markets, while others favour LME labour markets (Kanbayashi and Takenoshita, 2014). In other words, we can find both CME and LME labour market in one society.

Design/methodology/approach

Since Granovetter’s (1973) pioneer study, scholars are interested in investigating in what way social network influence our job searching outcomes. However, these researchers have not yet yielded consistent results. Scholars argue that the institutional context of labour market can shape the network impacts on our job search outcome (Chen, 2014; Chua, 2011).

Findings

Surprisingly, this paper finds that there is no room for the use of personal contact in the public sector in both China and Japan. But, mean status is positively related to annual income in the private companies sector in both Japan and China. The significant influences of mean status in the private sectors in both China and Japan reflect the reinforcing of existing social inequality structure. This is because as the status of contact can facilitate respondents' job attainment process, those who are already in higher social status are more likely than those who are in the bottom of the social strata, to get a better job with the help from their network members.

Originality/value

The above findings show us that social network can exert various impacts on people's job searching process even in the same society. This is because it is possible that the labour market are segmented. These segments have very different practices. This difference attributes to the inconsistent findings of network effects on occupational attainment process. Therefore, it is essential to locate which labour market respondents are in, and the features of this labour market. This can help us know more about the use and effectiveness of network in different types of labour markets.
Switching from cash to mobile payment: what's the hold-up?
Authors: Loh Xiu-Ming , Lee Voon-Hsien , Tan Garry Wei-Han , Ooi Keng-Boon , Dwivedi Yogesh K.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper explores the reasons behind the slow uptake of mobile payment (m-payment) from a switching intention (SI) perspective. The antecedents of SI from cash to m-payment were explored using an integrated conceptual model of the push-pull-mooring (PPM) framework and the status quo bias (SQB) perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered survey was used to collect data, which are empirically tested using SmartPLS 3.0.

Findings

The push factor was found to have an insignificant effect on SI to m-payment whereas the pull factor was significant. Furthermore, the results revealed that the two mooring variables have contrasting results as trust is not a significant determinant of SI to m-payment while perceived security and privacy (PSP) is. Additionally, all SQB-related relationships were found to be statistically significant

Originality/value

This study determined the factors that play vital roles in the consumers' decision-making to transition from cash to m-payment. This was done via a uniquely developed conceptual model that incorporated the PPM framework with the SQB perspective.
ICT-enabled CRM system adoption: a dual Indian qualitative case study and conceptual framework development
Authors: Chatterjee Sheshadri , Chaudhuri Ranjan , Vrontis Demetris , Thrassou Alkis , Ghosh Soumya K.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to develop a comprehensive framework for adopting an information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled customer relationship management (CRM) system, toward strengthening and expanding the customer basis of the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Advanced ICT-enabled CRM includes mobile CRM, AI integrated CRM and social CRM and several business organizations have already started exploring their advanced utilization for direct financial gain and indirect “soft” benefits. Most of them, however, are challenged in the process, due to lower-than-demanded adoption of such CRM systems. To deal with the issue, the paper methodologically applies a dual qualitative case study approach that ultimately develops an advanced comprehensive CRM adoption framework.

Findings

The key findings pertaining to the evaluation of organizations’ readiness to adopt advanced ICT-enabled CRM systems in terms of infrastructure and resources, the identification of the critical functional areas of the organization’s focus and the differences in the requisite approaches across industries and organization types.

Practical implications

In the context of the internet and social media, the analysis and management of customer big data and their transcription into useable information is crucial. Traditional and conventional CRM was deemed unable to address this need, thus necessitating the use of advanced ICT-enabled CRM. The proposed corresponding framework tangibly and practically, thus, directs businesses toward the successful deployment of ICT-based CRM systems.

Originality/value

This study constitutes a novel attempt to identify the issues of deployment of ICT-based CRM systems in an organization and proposes a comprehensive framework, which will enable organizations to overcome the barriers when adopting a new system.
Strategic management in family business. The missing concept of the familiness learning mechanism
Authors: Barros-Contreras Ismael , Basco Rodrigo , Martín-Cruz Natalia , Hernangómez Juan
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the roots of family firms' competitive advantages by defining and testing the familiness learning mechanisms that emerge from the interaction between family and firm. Because family members are economically, emotionally and socially attached to the firm, family firms are expected to be able to develop unique and difficult to imitate learning mechanisms related to family firm value creation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study operationalizes and tests the concept of the familiness learning mechanism using a sample of nonlisted Spanish family firms. The sample is analyzed using the structural equation modeling method.

Findings

Results show that family firms' ability to accumulate internal and external knowledge, integrate social knowledge, as well as create and retain socioemotional knowledge forms the concept of the familiness learning mechanism, and the authors show what implications it might have for family firm value creation.

Originality/value

By using the dynamic capabilities approach, this article highlights the importance of the knowledge and learning derived from family involvement in the firm. The creation of learning mechanisms occurs because of the close relationships between family members and their simultaneous participation in the family and in the company systems, which creates a unique context wherein knowledge and learning emerge in an idiosyncratic manner.
Consumer acceptance of self-service technologies in fashion retail stores
Authors: Park Jee-Sun , Ha Sejin , Jeong So Won
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to update the fashion retail literature with an investigation of consumers' perceptions of in-store self-service technology (SST) and their willingness to adopt SST for fashion purchases. Specifically, this study examined the relationships between technology readiness (TR), individual characteristics and the perceived pragmatic and hedonic qualities of SST.

Design/methodology/approach

A web-based survey was distributed to Korean consumers who had experience with in-store technologies. A two-step analysis including confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling was applied.

Findings

Both pragmatic and hedonic perceptions had significant impacts on acceptance of SST for fashion shopping. As for the roles of TR, innovativeness and optimism inherent in TR enhanced consumer perceptions of SST, while discomfort and insecurity did not.

Originality/value

This study extends the knowledge of consumer acceptance of SSTs in fashion retail by highlighting the need to consider hedonic qualities and examining the different roles of each TR dimension for a full understanding of SST acceptance.
Health workforce planning under conditions of uncertainty: identifying supportive integrated care policies using scenario analysis
Authors: Rees Gareth H. , Crampton Peter , Gauld Robin , MacDonell Stephen
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Integrated care presents health workforce planners with significant uncertainty. This results from: (1) these workforces are likely in the future to be different from the present, (2) integrated care's variable definitions and (3) workforce policy and planning is not familiar with addressing such challenges. One means to deal with uncertainty is scenario analysis. In this study we reveal some integration-supportive workforce governance and planning policies that were derived from the application of scenario analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a mixed methods design that applies content analysis, scenario construction and the policy Delphi method, we analysed a set of New Zealand's older persons health sector workforce scenarios. Developed from data gathered from workforce documents and studies, the scenarios were evaluated by a suitably qualified panel, and derived policy statements were assessed for desirability and feasibility.

Findings

One scenario was found to be most favourable, based on its broad focus, inclusion of prevention and references to patient dignity, although funding changes were indicated as necessary for its realisation. The integration-supportive policies are based on promoting network-based care models, patient-centric funding that promotes collaboration and the enhancement of interprofessional education and educator involvement.

Originality/value

Scenario analysis for policy production is rare in health workforce planning. We show how it is possible to identify policies to address an integrated care workforce's development using this method. The article provides value for planners and decision-makers by identifying the pros and cons of future situations and offers guidance on how to reduce uncertainty through policy rehearsal and reflection.
Does country governance and bank productivity Nexus matters?
Authors: Kamarudin Fakarudin , Mohamad Anwar Nazratul Aina , Md. Nassir Annuar , Sufian Fadzlan , Tan Khar Mang , Iqbal Hussain Hafezali
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of country governance and other potential bank-specific characteristics and macroeconomic condition determinants on bank productivity in the period of 2006–2016.

Design/methodology/approach

The productivity level of total 167 banks selected from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore are evaluated using the data envelopment analysis-based Malmquist productivity index method. A panel regression analysis framework based on ordinary least squares, a fixed effect and a random effect models then are used to identify its main determinants.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate that the total factor productivity changes of Islamic banks is higher than conventional banks. The liquidity and global financial crisis influence both banks’ productivity. Bank size, credit risk, market power, management efficiency and inflation merely influence Islamic banks’ productivity. On the country governance dimensions, voice and accountability are found to positively influence both banks’ productivity. Regulatory quality and rule of law (RL) significantly influences the conventional parts. Political stability and absence of violence, government effectiveness, RL and control of corruption negatively influence the banks’ productivity, but this influence is only significant for the Islamic banks.

Originality/value

Country governance has received surprisingly little attention in the banking industry over the past few decades. Majority of the studies that examine the effect of governance on bank performance have focused more on the micro governance dimension. Thus, to the best of the researcher’s knowledge, no study has been done to address the effect of country governance on the productivity of the Islamic and conventional banks.
Taxonomies of money laundering: an Iranian perspective
Authors: Molla Imeny Vahid , Norton Simon D. , Salehi Mahdi , Moradi Mahdi
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to identify the sources of laundered money in Iran and the destinations to which it is transferred, independently verified by auditors. Based on such data, the study aims to develop a simple model of endogenous and exogenous factors facilitating money laundering in developing countries, which can inform domestic and international legislative and regulatory responses.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were sent to Iranian certified public accountants who worked for auditing firms in 2019 and who have encountered suspected money laundering during their work with clients.

Findings

The government and public officials are the primary sources of money laundering activity in Iran. The main destinations of laundered funds are investments abroad, gold, foreign currencies, real estate and purchases of luxury goods. Domestic legislation, while bearing similarities with that found in other jurisdictions such as the UK and the USA, is flawed in several ways, including an inability to determine beneficial ownership of funds and weak enforcement.

Originality/value

Because of international sanctions and the prevailing political situation, it is difficult to obtain data for money laundering and other financial crimes in Iran. The data obtained is of importance to international bodies in understanding the nature of money laundering in Iran, and how to negotiate in the future to address mutual concerns. Given the country’s perceived high association with money laundering, the data obtained is of value in identifying the specific characteristics of the problem.
Experiential entrepreneurship education via US films: why and how
Authors: Liguori Eric , Muldoon Jeff , Bendickson Josh
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Experiential education is key if the authors as scholar-educators are to empower the next generation of students to recognize opportunities, exploit them and succeed in entrepreneurship. Experiences facilitate the bridge between theory and practice; experiencing something serves as the linking process between action and thought. Capitalizing on technological advances of the last two decades, this paper depicts how film can be (and why it should be) incorporated into entrepreneurship classrooms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze the learning literature, broadly defined, to assess and articulate the experiential nature of film. More specifically, this paper establishes a framework for film as an experiential pedagogical approach, offering theoretical connections and best practice recommendations. In doing so, this paper assesses two feature films and provide educators with a guide for their use in the classroom.

Findings

This paper establishes a framework for film as an experiential pedagogical approach, offering theoretical connections and best practice recommendations. It concludes with two actionable case examples, broad enough they are deployable in almost any entrepreneurship classroom, assuming English is the primary language.

Originality/value

This paper brings to life a concept some have long assumed is effective, but the literature often neglects: the use of film as an experiential medium. In doing so, two new case examples are developed and available for immediate deployment into classrooms.
Supply chain efficiency framework to improve business performance in a competitive era
Authors: Negi Saurav
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to develop a supply chain efficiency framework to improve overall business performance in the competitive era. This paper offers a critical literature review on supply chain efficiency that aims to reveal the basic research that has been carried out, the problem areas and requirements for the efficiency in the new era of the supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology followed during this research involves beginning with a wide base of articles lying at the supply chain intersection, performance measurement topics, and then screening the list to concentrate on supply chain efficiency.

Findings

Findings show that supply chain efficiency in the modern era remains an open research field. This research contributes to the supply chain literature by clarifying the supply chain efficiency definition, defining key measurements and variables for supply chain efficiency and developing a supply chain efficiency framework to improve overall performance.

Practical implications

This study will be very useful to the scholars working in this field. The proposed framework would help researchers and academicians to understand every dimension and variable of supply chain efficiency, allowing practitioners to measure efficiency levels and identify improvement measures. This framework would also act as a comprehensive guide for future studies and business practices.

Originality/value

As there are several state-of-the-art review papers on various supply chain areas, there is a lack of literature available on supply chain efficiency studies that can provide a comprehensive framework for researchers on related literature. Thus, the present study seeks to bridge this gap in the supply chain literature. Also, this study will provide a strong basis for researchers and academicians to apply the supply chain efficiency measurement system to the dynamic supply chain.
Entrepreneurial microcredit support: the silver bullet for microenterprises success. The case of funds Mauricie in Quebec
Authors: Ayayi Ayi Gavriel , Dali Chantale Sidohon
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to propose a model of entrepreneurial microcredit support that could address the problem of entrepreneurial support provided by microfinance institutions. This objective is justified by the need to produce scientific knowledge that could be of use to practitioners and political decision-makers who formulate and implement strategies of social inclusion and poverty reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a socio-constructivist research perspective. Social constructivism is a theoretical approach that posits that all social reality is constructed. In other words, individuals construct their knowledge of reality relative to their social setting. This justifies the use of the focus group to supplement and validate the data gathered in an individual interview. The socio-constructivist perspective allows us to better understand and develop knowledge based on the meaning that interviewees attribute to their experience. This perspective also justifies the choice of qualitative data collection method. The data were collected during semi-structured interviews.

Findings

Entrepreneurial microcredit support is distinguished from classic entrepreneurial support because it places the individual at the center of the process by emphasizing soft skills in the development of the entrepreneurial spirit. This approach engenders an efficient support process that comprises three main steps: determination of entrepreneurial potential, empowerment and reinforcement of autonomy and acquisition of managerial skills. The efficiency stems from the fact that the time factor is not a constraint in the entrepreneurial microcredit support process and from the relationship of proximity and trust between the credit agent and the micro-entrepreneur.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to deal with the entrepreneurial microcredit support, which is completely different from the classical entrepreneurial support because of the uniqueness of microfinance and micro-entrepreneurs. The model clearly reveals that the support for the development of the skills required to successfully run a microenterprise is provided based on a socio-constructivist approach in which the micro-entrepreneur is the main actor in the construction of “mobilized knowledge” required to nurture promoters’ entrepreneurial spirit. Consideration of soft skills in a socio-constructivist perspective is, therefore, indispensable for entrepreneurial development.
China rising and Northeast Asia: paradoxes amidst the new cold war
Authors: Liu Tony Tai-Ting
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influences of China’s rise for regional order, specifically in terms of the paradoxes of security, institution and power in Northeast Asia. Contrary to ideas propounded by the theory of economic interdependence and peace, this paper argues that the rise of China generated more anxieties for Northeast Asia than it saved.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a historical approach to the question of China’s rise and its relationship with Northeast Asia. This is a qualitative paper based on reflections and review of secondary sources and current events.

Findings

This paper finds that China’s rise has produced three paradoxes of security, institution and power in Northeast Asia. The paradoxes have shaped the geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape of Northeast Asia in the post-cold war period and are likely to continue to implicate regional order in the near future.

Originality/value

This paper is an original reflection of the author’s personal thoughts and opinions.
Stress prediction and evaluation approach based on azimuthal amplitude‐versus‐offset inversion of unconventional reservoirs
Authors: Du Bingyi , Zhang Guangzhi , Zhang Jing , Gao Jianhu , Yong Xueshan , Yang Wuyang , Jiang Ren , Wang Shujiang , Li Hailiang , Wang Enli
Published: October 2020

A novel approach of unconventional reservoir stress evaluation is proposed to enhance the accuracy of fracture development prediction. Differential horizontal stress ratio can reflect the stress characteristic of fractured reservoir. To calculate the differential horizontal stress ratio more intuitionistic and simpler, we re‐derive its formula with Poisson's ratio and fracture density. Meanwhile, a new azimuthal PP‐wave amplitude versus offset equation based on Poisson's ratio and fracture density was derived for inverting above elastic parameters directly. Therefore, two steps are needed to realize stress evaluation. First, amplitude‐versus‐azimuthal angle inversion in the Bayesian framework in constraint of prior information such as well log data or rock physics information is executed for elastic and fracture parameters using pre‐stack angle gathers of different azimuth angles. The second procedure is to estimate differential horizontal stress ratio with Poisson's ratio and fracture density. Finally, a real data set is studied to test the new approach and the result demonstrated that the estimated differential horizontal stress ratio can reflect the stress property and it agrees with geological law and the new drilled well interpretation. Therefore, we can conclude that the combination of newly derived differential horizontal stress ratio and azimuthal PP‐wave amplitude versus offset equation in this study provides an available method for estimating the differential horizontal stress ratio of unconventional reservoirs, and the new approach can offer reliable geophysical information for stress evaluation.
An integrated approach to measure hunting intensity and assess its impacts on mammal populations
Authors: Dobbins Michael , Sollmann Rahel , Menke Scot , Almeyda Zambrano Angelica , Broadbent Eben
Published: October 2020

Unsustainable hunting of wildlife is one of the greatest threats to diverse and healthy forests, yet our understanding of hunting activity is limited by our methods of accurately identifying its intensity and distribution. Several methods have been used to quantify hunting in past studies (e.g. interviews, ranger patrols and camera traps). However, none of these alone have been able to produce precise spatiotemporal measures of hunting activity.

In this study, we used a new method to detect hunters through passive acoustic monitors and developed an integrated approach to measure hunting activity while simultaneously assessing its impacts on mammal populations using camera traps.

We applied a hierarchical community occupancy model that accounted for the imperfect detection of species on data from 45 trap locations, surveyed from January to June 2018, to investigate the impacts of spatial variation and intensity in hunting pressure on mammal species richness and occurrence in four protected areas in southern Belize. We developed spatiotemporally explicit indices of hunting activity separately from camera trap and acoustic monitor data and used a Bayesian model selection framework to identify predictors of site occurrence for individual species and three functional groups: carnivores, herbivores and omnivores.

We found that camera traps under‐detected hunting activity in the region by 939% compared to acoustic monitors.

Consistent with our predictions, hunting intensity was negatively correlated with site‐level species richness, with an average decrease in richness of 31% across its range of variation. Occurrence patterns for the three functional groups were also negatively associated with hunting intensity. Often the target of hunters, herbivores, displayed the strongest negative response to hunting, while omnivores were least affected.

Synthesis and applications. Unsustainable hunting of wildlife is a global phenomenon with wide‐ranging implications for ecological communities, especially mammals. Our study highlights mammal sensitivity to increasing hunting pressure at the community and species level and emphasizes the necessity for developing robust tools to accurately monitor hunting activity, while also providing a flexible framework for simultaneously assessing hunting and its impacts on mammal communities.
Occupational mobility and cognitive ability: A commentary on Betthäuser, Bourne and Bukodi
Authors: Marks Gary N.
Published: October 2020

This commentary critiques Betthäuser, Bourne and Bukodi's (2020) paper which finds that cognitive ability does not substantially mediate class of origin effects on educational and occupational outcomes. From these results, they conclude that cognitive ability is only of minor importance for social stratification, reasserting their view of the primacy of class origins for social stratification. The central issue surrounding cognitive ability in social stratification is its effects on socioeconomic attainments vis‐à‐vis socioeconomic origins, not the extent that cognitive ability mediates classorigin effects. Their analytical strategy of estimating the extent that cognitive ability mediates class origineffects is misleading because: it ignores the only moderate associations of socioeconomic origins with educational and occupational outcomes; the stronger direct effects of cognitive ability; the associations of parents’ ability with their own socioeconomic attainments; and the genetic transmission of cognitive ability and other traits relevant to social stratification from parents to their children.
Novel strategies for the biocontrol of noctuid pests (Lepidoptera) based on improving ascovirus infectivity using Bacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Yu Huan , Yang Chang‐Jin , Li Ni , Zhao Ying , Chen Zhuang‐Mei , Yi Si‐Jia , Li Zi‐Qi , Adang Michael J. , Huang Guo‐Hua
Published: October 2020

Identifying novel biocontrol agents and developing new strategies are urgent goals in insect pest biocontrol. Ascoviruses are potential competent insect viruses that may be developed into bioinsecticides, but this aim is impeded by their poor oral infectivity. To improve the per os infectivity of ascovirus, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) was employed as a helper to damage the midgut of lepidopteran larvae (Helicoverpa armigera, Mythimna separata, Spodoptera frugiperda, and S. litura) in formulations with Heliothis virescens ascovirus isolates (HvAV‐3h and HvAV‐3j). Btk and ascovirus mixtures (Btk/HvAV‐3h and Btk/HvAV‐3j) were fed to insect larvae (3rd instar). With the exception of S. frugiperda larvae, which exhibited low mortality after ingesting Btk, the larvae of the other tested species showed three types of response to feeding on the formulas: type I, the tested larvae (H. armigera) were killed by Btk infection so quickly that insufficient time and resources remained for ascoviral invasion; type II, both Btk and the ascovirus were depleted by their competition, such that neither was successfully released or colonized the tissue; type III, Btk was eliminated by the ascovirus, and the ascovirus achieved systemic infection in the tested larvae. The feeding of Btk/ascovirus formulas led to a great reduction in larval diet consumption and resulted in a significant decrease in the emergence rate of H. armigera, M. separata, and S. litura larvae, which suggested that the formulas exerted marked oral control effects on both the contemporary individuals and the next generation of these tested pest species.
Outcomes in Hispanics With COVID‐19 Are Similar to Those of Caucasian Patients in Suburban New York
Authors: Valenzuela Rolando G. , Michelen Yamil , Bracey Alexander , Cruz Priscilla , Fombonne Benjamin , Fries Bettina C. , Mallon William K. , Fernandes Rafael , Thode Henry C. , Singer Adam J.
Published: October 2020

Background

Despite reported higher rates and worse outcomes due to COVID‐19 in certain racial and ethnic groups, much remains unknown. We explored the association between Hispanic ethnicity and outcomes in COVID‐19 patients in Long Island, New York.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 2,039 Hispanic and non‐Hispanic Caucasian patients testing positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 between March 7 and May 23, 2020, at a large suburban academic tertiary care hospital near New York City. We explored the association of ethnicity with need for intensive care unit (ICU), invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and mortality.

Results

Of all patients, 1,079 (53%) were non‐Hispanic Caucasians and 960 (47%) were Hispanic. Hispanic patients presented in higher numbers than expected for our catchment area. Compared with Caucasians, Hispanics were younger (45 years vs. 59 years), had fewer comorbidities (66% with no comorbidities vs. 40%), were less likely to have commercial insurance (35% vs. 59%), or were less likely to come from a nursing home (2% vs. 10%). In univariate comparisons, Hispanics were less likely to be admitted (37% vs. 59%) or to die (3% vs. 10%). Age, shortness of breath, congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD), hypoxemia, and presentation from nursing homes were associated with admission. Male sex and hypoxemia were associated with ICU admission. Male sex, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypoxemia were associated with IMV. Male sex, CHF, CAD, and hypoxemia were associated with mortality. After other factors were adjusted for, Hispanics were less likely to be admitted (odds ratio = 0.62, 95% confidence interval = 0.52 to 0.92) but Hispanic ethnicity was not associated with ICU admission, IMV, or mortality.

Conclusions

Hispanics presented at higher rates than average for our population but outcomes among Hispanic patients with COVID‐19 were similar to those of Caucasian patients.
Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot? The Uses of History in Scottish Nationalist Politics, 2007‐Present
Authors: Clarke Amy
Published: October 2020

The Scottish National Party (SNP) was elected into government in 2007, and in January 2012 announced plans for an independence referendum. In the same period, the SNP government implemented substantial cultural and heritage projects — some of which showcased the long history of Scottish‐English animosity. In the accompanying political rhetoric, it was clear that the SNP was utilising history for the 2014 independence campaign. This referendum ultimately resulted in Scotland's retention of the Union, though the SNP remained in power. The Scottish‐British relationship was further tested in 2016, however, with the UK referendum on leaving the EU. All Scottish electorates voted in favour of remaining, and the chasm between Scottish and British identities and future trajectories has since widened further. This article compares the SNP's promotion of nationalist historical narratives prior to the 2014 referendum, particularly those seen in government‐supported heritage initiatives, with subsequent historical narratives expressed especially through diplomatic engagements in light of Brexit. In doing so, the infusion of nationalist histories in contemporary Scottish politics — and the potential complications of this approach for the SNP in the post‐Brexit political landscape — will be highlighted.
“What Shall We Do With It Now?”: The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana and the Difficult Heritage of Fascism
Authors: Carter Nick
Published: October 2020

This article uses the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana (PdCI) in the Rome suburb of EUR as a case study to explore how Italians have negotiated the “difficult heritage” of Fascism since 1945. Following Sharon Macdonald, the paper understands the term difficult heritage to refer to a historically significant past that remains materially visible through sites, buildings, artworks, monuments and other artefacts, but which is difficult to reconcile with “a positive, self‐affirming contemporary identity”. The paper employs a biographical approach to reveal and analyse the post‐Fascist “lives” of the PdCI, one of the most recognisable — and, in recent decades, most admired — examples of Fascist monumental architecture in Italy. With reference also to other examples of difficult Fascist heritage in Italy, and to sites associated with the difficult heritage of Nazism in Germany, the paper offers new insights into how Italy has confronted its Fascist past and places the Italian experience of difficult heritage within the broader international context.
Different Trajectories of Panic and the Associated Factors among Unmarried Chinese during the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Tan Yuxin , Lin Xiuyun , Wu Dazhou , Chen Hui , Jiang Yongqiang , He Ting , Yin Jinxiu , Tang Yingying
Published: October 2020

Background

A large number of the population experienced panic during the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in China. The current study explored the trajectory of panic and its associated factors to develop promising strategies for controlling the global spread of COVID‐19 and improving the mental health emergency management.

Methods

A total of 812 unmarried adults (aged from 18 to 42 years, M = 23.3, SD = 3.45) from all over China participated online in our investigation. A Growth Mixture Model (GMM) was developed and analysed.

Results

Three classes of trajectories for panic were identified: the “continuous decline group (CDG)”, the “continuous low group (CLG),” and the “continuous high group (CHG)”. With reference to the CDG, people in the CHG were more sensitive to social factors. With reference to the CDG, people in the CLG were more likely to possess some of the following traits: being men, in Hubei Province (center of the pandemic), with a lower income, and less sensitive towards social factors and individual factors. With reference to the CLG, people in the CHG were more likely to be women, located outside of Hubei Province, and more sensitive to social factors, family factors, and individual factors.

Conclusion

Social factors, family factors, and individual factors predicted the different trajectories of panic.
Thal protects against paraquat‐induced lung injury through a microRNA‐141/HDAC6/IκBα‐NF‐κB axis in rat and cell models
Authors: Zheng Fenshuang , Zhu Junbo , Zhang Wei , Fu Yangshan , Lin Zhaoheng
Published: October 2020

The protective functions of thalidomide in paraquat (PQ)‐induced injury have been reported. But the mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this research, a PQ‐treated rat model was established and further treated with thalidomide. Oedema and pathological changes, oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis and cell apoptosis in rat lungs were detected. A PQ‐treated RLE‐6TN cell model was constructed, and the viability and apoptosis rate of cells were measured. Differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) after thalidomide administration were screened out. Binding relationship between miR‐141 and histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) was validated. Altered expression of miR‐141 and HDAC6 was introduced to identify their involvements in thalidomide‐mediated events. Consequently, thalidomide administration alone exerted no damage to rat lungs; in addition it reduced PQ‐induced oedema. The oxidative stress, inflammation and cell apoptosis in rat lungs were reduced by thalidomide. In RLE‐6TN cells, thalidomide increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis. miR‐141 was responsible for thalidomide‐mediated protective events by targeting HDAC6. Overexpression of HDAC6 blocked the protection of thalidomide against PQ‐induced injury via activating the IkBα‐NF‐κB signalling pathway. Collectively, this study evidenced that thalidomide protects lung tissues from PQ‐induced injury through a miR‐141/HDAC6/IkBα‐NF‐κB axis.
Dyadic association between aggressive pretend play and children’s anger expression
Authors: Rao Zhen , Fink Elian , Gibson Jenny
Published: October 2020

This study investigates the association between children’s peer‐reported expression of anger and their pretend play with aggressive/negative themes observed during spontaneous play with classmates. Participants comprised 104 Chinese children (Mage = 8.98 years,SD = 0.97, 49% girls) and were filmed playing in peer dyads with toys. Aggressive and non‐aggressive negative pretend themes were coded at five‐second intervals for 10 minutes. Children’s expression of anger in real situations was reported by peers. Analysis using actor–partner interdependence modelling (APIM) revealed significant partner effects, indicating that children were more likely to engage in pretend play with aggressive themes when they were playing with a partner who was perceived by their peers as more easily angered. It was also found that boys were more likely to engage in pretend play with both aggressive and non‐aggressive negative themes compared with girls.
Correlations of the expression of γδ T cells and their co-stimulatory molecules TIGIT, PD-1, ICOS and BTLA with PR and PIBF in the peripheral blood and decidual tissues of women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion
Authors: Liang Q , Tong L , Xiang L , Shen S , Pan C , Liu C , Zhang H
Published: October 2020

Semi-allogeneic embryos are not rejected by the maternal immune system due to maternal–fetal immune tolerance. Progesterone (P) receptor (PR)-expressing γδ T cells are present in healthy pregnant women. In the presence of P, these cells secrete an immunomodulatory protein called progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF), which can facilitate immune escape and is important in preventing embryonic rejection. This work investigated the correlations of the expression of γδ T cells and their co-stimulatory molecules T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) and B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) with progesterone receptor (PR) and progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) in peripheral blood and decidual tissue in women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) and normal pregnant (NP) women. We confirmed that γδ T cell proportions and PIBF expression in the peripheral blood and decidua of URSA women decreased significantly, while PR expression in decidua decreased. However, TIGIT, PD-1, ICOS and BTLA expression in γδ T cells in peripheral blood did not change, while TIGIT and PD-1 expression in γδ T cells in decidua increased significantly. Under the action of PHA-P (10 µg/ml), co-blocking of TIGIT (15 µg/ml) and PD-1 (10 µg/ml) antibodies further induced γδ T cell proliferation, but PIBF levels in the culture medium supernatant did not change. At 10−10 M P, γδ T cells proliferated significantly, and PIBF concentrations in the culture medium supernatant increased. γδ T cells co-cultured with P, TIGIT and PD-1 blocking antibodies showed the most significant proliferation, and PIBF concentrations in the culture medium supernatant were the highest. These results confirm that P is necessary for PIBF production. The TIGIT and PD-1 pathways participate in γδ T cell proliferation and activation and PIBF expression and play important roles in maintaining pregnancy.
Physics‐based Pathline Clustering and Exploration
Authors: Nguyen Duong B. , Zhang Lei , Laramee Robert S. , Thompson David , Monico Rodolfo Ostilla , Chen Guoning
Published: October 2020

Most existing unsteady flow visualization techniques concentrate on the depiction of geometric patterns in flow, assuming the geometry information provides sufficient representation of the underlying physical characteristics, which is not always the case. To address this challenge, this work proposes to analyse the time‐dependent characteristics of the physical attributes measured along pathlines which can be represented as a series of time activity curves (TAC). We demonstrate that the temporal trends of these TACs can convey the relation between pathlines and certain well‐known flow features (e.g. vortices and shearing layers), which enables us to select pathlines that can effectively represent the physical characteristics of interest and their temporal behaviour in the unsteady flow. Inspired by this observation, a new TAC‐based unsteady flow visualization and analysis framework is proposed. The centre of this framework is a new similarity measure that compares the similarity of two TACs, from which a new spatio‐temporal, hierarchical clustering that classifies pathlines based on their physical attributes, and a TAC‐based pathline exploration and selection strategy are proposed. A visual analytic system incorporating the TAC‐based pathline clustering and exploration is developed, which also provides new visualizations to support the user exploration of unsteady flow using TACs. This visual analytic system is applied to a number of unsteady flow in 2D and 3D to demonstrate its utility. The new system successfully reveals the detailed structure of vortices, the relation between shear layer and vortex formation, and vortex breakdown, which are difficult to convey with conventional methods.
Stigmatization caused by hair loss – a systematic literature review
Authors: Schielein Maximilian Christian , Tizek Linda , Ziehfreund Stefanie , Sommer Rachel , Biedermann Tilo , Zink Alexander
Published: October 2020

Hair loss is a symptom that can cause stigmatization and severe impairment of quality of life. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the literature on stigmatization of hair loss. Using predefined MeSH terms and keywords, a systematic search was performed in the databases MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, PsycINFO and PsycNET. No time restriction was chosen (last update: May 07, 2019; PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019122966). A total of 98 studies were identified, of which eleven were selected for inclusion in this work. The Hairdex, a questionnaire on disease‐specific quality of life, was the most frequently used instrument for the quantitative assessment of stigma. The studies were highly heterogeneous and values for stigmatization of androgenetic alopecia varied widely. However, regardless of the pathogenesis, patients with hair loss often suffer from stigmatization which limits their quality of life. Stigmatization of people with visible skin lesions has often been neglected in clinical practice and in daily contact with affected individuals. Studies that specifically address the stigma of hair loss are rare. Further studies are needed to achieve comparability within pathogeneses as well as with other visible dermatoses in order to better understand the enormous psychosocial burden of hair loss.
Ultrasound‐assisted injection of the centrodistal joint in the horse
Authors: Jarosinski Sarah K. , Sampson Sarah N. , Russell Lauren
Published: October 2020

Background

Injection of the centrodistal (CD) joint in the horse is a commonly performed procedure for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This procedure can be technically challenging, and while radiographic guidance has been previously used, ultrasound localised injection of the CD joint has not been described.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of using ultrasound localisation to increase the accuracy of CD joint injection.

Study design

Experimental method assessment.

Methods

One operator performed the ultrasound and injection of 24 CD joints in 12 sedated horses. The joints were injected with iohexol (2 ml), sterile saline (1.5 ml) and amikacin (0.5 ml). Dorsoplantar and dorsomedial plantarolateral radiographic projections were obtained immediately after injection to evaluate the presence of contrast material in the CD joint.

Results

The CD joint was successfully injected in 17/24 joints, representing a 70.8% accuracy.

Main limitations

The horses used in this study were from the University research herd, and not clinical cases. One investigator performed all the ultrasonography and CD joint injections.

Conclusions

The use of ultrasound localisation could improve success of CD joint injection as well as improve the learning curve of less experienced practitioners learning this procedure.