Consumption strategies and motivations of Chinese consumers: The case of UK sustainable luxury fashion

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore Chinese consumers’ motivations to purchase luxury fashion products in the UK and how far sustainability plays a role in the decision-making process, by extending the consumer typology of translators, exceptors, selectors. The authors further add an additional dimension to defining “luxury”. Design/methodology/approach: An exploratory design utilising multiple qualitative research tools (semi-structured interviews, focus groups) provides the basis for this research. A grounded analysis was applied. Findings: Findings map motivational drivers to purchasing luxury products and establish a fourth consumer type “indulgers”. Well-being further emerged as a key characteristic that defines “luxury”. Research limitations/implications: The sample size is limited to Chinese consumers purchasing luxury fashion in the UK, and thus may not be generalised. Practical implications: This research helps managers to understand the consumer types and underlying motivations of Chinese consumers purchasing luxury fashion in the UK. As one of the largest target groups, this research informs managers on how to further capitalise on this market. Originality/value: This paper creates a new consumer typology that not only categorises consumers according to their consumption aspects, but further identifies their underlying motivations to do so

Inflammatory Differences in Plaque Erosion and Rupture in Patients With ST‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background: Plaque erosion causes 30% of ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarctions, but the underlying cause is unknown. Inflammatory infiltrates are less abundant in erosion compared with rupture in autopsy studies. We hypothesized that erosion and rupture are associated with significant differences in intracoronary cytokines in vivo. Methods and Results: Forty ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with <6 hours of chest pain were classified as ruptured fibrous cap (RFC) or intact fibrous cap (IFC) using optical coherence tomography. Plasma samples from the infarct‐related artery and a peripheral artery were analyzed for expression of 102 cytokines using arrays; results were confirmed with ELISA. Thrombectomy samples were analyzed for differential mRNA expression using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Twenty‐three lesions were classified as RFC (58%), 15 as IFC (38%), and 2 were undefined (4%). In addition, 12% (12 of 102) of cytokines were differentially expressed in both coronary and peripheral plasma. I‐TAC was preferentially expressed in RFC (significance analysis of microarrays adjusted P<0.001; ELISA IFC 10.2 versus RFC 10.8 log2 pg/mL; P=0.042). IFC was associated with preferential expression of epidermal growth factor (significance analysis of microarrays adjusted P<0.001; ELISA IFC 7.42 versus RFC 6.63 log2 pg/mL, P=0.036) and thrombospondin 1 (significance analysis of microarrays adjusted P=0.03; ELISA IFC 10.4 versus RFC 8.65 log2 ng/mL, P=0.0041). Thrombectomy mRNA showed elevated I‐TAC in RFC (P=0.0007) epidermal growth factor expression in IFC (P=0.0264) but no differences in expression of thrombospondin 1. Conclusions: These results demonstrate differential intracoronary cytokine expression in RFC and IFC. Elevated thrombospondin 1 and epidermal growth factor may play an etiological role in erosion

What is current practice in offering debriefing services to post partum women and what are the perceptions of women in accessing these services: A critical review of the literature

Objective: The main research question is to describe current practice in offering debriefing services to postpartum women and learn about the perceptions of women accessing these services Design: Critical review of the literature using a meta ethnography approach. Findings: Twenty papers were identified. These included four surveys, three qualitative studies, one mixed methods study and three literature reviews. Nine randomised controlled trials (RCTs) provided additional information from alongside surveys and description of interventions. Two types of debriefing were identified: structured and unstructured. The more formal psychoanalytic forms took place within the RCTs whilst the unstructured discussion sessions commonly with midwives were identified in other research papers. In addition there is confusion amongst service providers about the nature of debriefing and what is delivered. Various aspects of providing a postnatal debriefing service were identified including the optimal timing, specific groups offered debriefing and the number of sessions offered. Postnatal debriefing enabled women to have their birth experiences validated by talking and being listened to and being provided with information. Finally from the limited literature identified relating to midwives’ perceptions of postnatal debriefing there was an overall feeling from midwives that they considered it to be beneficial to women. Key conclusions: The findings of this literature review imply that women’s responses to receiving postnatal debriefing are generally positive. This review has found that women appear to value talking and being listened to by a midwife following birth. They seem to have a strong need to have their story heard. This discussion also allows the women to have questions answered and information given where necessary. The whole process places a seal on a woman’s birth experience which is validated. Implications for practice: Although there is no evidence to suggest that postnatal debriefing reduces morbidity, women find the service of value. Maternity providers should consider offering a postnatal debriefing service to meet those needs in advance of further research in this area

A cross dialectal view of the Arabic dative alternation

This paper is concerned with the syntax of ditransitive verbs in Arabic.We concentrate on the vernaculars, focussing in particular on three geographically spread dialects: Egyptian Cairene Arabic, the dominant vernacular in Egypt, Hijazi Arabic, spoken in Western Saudi Arabia and Maltese, a mixed language with a Magrebi/Siculo-Arabic stratum. We show that all three exhibit an alternation (the dative alternation) between a ditransitive ('double object') construction and a corresponding prepositional dative construction, and outline a number of differences between these constructions in the different varieties of Arabic. We consider the distribution of verbs exhibiting the dative alternation in the light of Ryding's (2011) observations concerning Modern Standard Arabic

Brazing copper to dispersion-strengthened copper

The Advanced Photon Source (APS) is a state-of-the-art synchrotron light source that will produce intense x-ray beams, which will allow the study of smaller samples and faster reactions and processes at a greater level of detail that has been possible to date. The beam is produced by using third-generation insertion devices in a 7 GeV electron/positron storage ring that is 1100 meters in circumference. The heat load from these intense high power devices is very high and certain components must sustain total heat loads of 3 to 15 kW and heat fluxes of 30 W/mm{sup 2}. Because the beams will cycle on and off many times, thermal shock and fatigue will be a problem. High heat flux impinging on a small area causes a large thermal gradient that results in high stress. GlidCop{reg_sign}, a dispersion strengthened copper, is the desired material because of its high thermal conductivity and superior mechanical properties as compared to copper and its alloys. GlidCop is not amenable to joining by fusion welding, and brazing requires diligence because of high diffusivity. Brazing procedures were developed using optical and scanning electron microscopy

The role of atopy in otitis media with effusion among primary school children: audiological investigation

Objective of this study is to value the role of atopy in otitis media with effusion (OME) in children attending primary school in Western Sicily focusing on the audiological characteristics among atopic and non atopic subjects suffering from OME. 310 children (5-6 years old) were screened by skin tests and divided into atopics (G1) and non atopics (G2). The samples were evaluated for OME by pneumatic otoscopy, tympanogram and acoustic reflex tests. The parameters considered were: documented persistent middle ear effusion by otoscopic examination for a minimum of 3 months; presence of B or C tympanogram; absence of ipsilateral acoustic reflex and a conductive hearing loss greater than 25 dB at any one of the frequencies from 250 Hz through 4 kHz. 56 children (18.06%) resulted atopics while 254 were non atopics. OME was identified in 24 atopic children and in 16 non atopic children for a total number of 40 children; the overall prevalence rate was 12.9% (42.85% for G1 and 6.30% for G2). OME was bilateral in 28 children (70%), with a significative difference between G1 (79.17%) and G2 (56.25%). The prevalence of B tympanogram was 70.59%, corresponding to 79.07% for G1 and 56% for G2. The mean air conduction pure tone was respectively 31.97 dB for G1 and 29.8 dB for G2. The prevalence value of OME in atopics children, also supported by the higher predominance of bilaterality, B tympanogram and hearing loss among this group, could suggest the important role of allergy in the pathogenesis of OME

Effect of Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors on platelet aggregation in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Aims: Despite widespread use of dual antiplatelet therapy in acute myocardial infarction, there remains a residual risk of morbidity and mortality. Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors have been found to inhibit platelet aggregation through the Glycoprotein VI collagen-mediated pathway. The Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor, Ibrutinib is used in the management of haematological malignancies and another Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor, ONO-4059 (also known as tirabrutinib), is in clinical development. This is an observational study to evaluate the effects of Ibrutinib and ONO-4059 on platelet aggregation after acute myocardial infarction. Methods and results: Twenty patients with a confirmed diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction were enrolled and blood samples obtained within 48 h of hospital admission. All patients were on dual antiplatelet therapy; aspirin plus a P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel or ticagrelor). Blood samples were treated ex vivo with increasing concentrations of Ibrutinib (0, 0.5, 1, 2 μM) and ONO-4059 (0, 0.2, 0.5, 1 μM). Platelet aggregation was measured in response to collagen using a Multiplate analyser to estimate the area under the curve, with lower values indicating lower platelet aggregation. The median age was 63 years and 80% were male. The median area under the curve values for Ibrutinib concentrations 0 (control), 0.5, 1 and 2 mmol/l were 18.5, 8 (P = 0.0004), 4.5 (P < 0.0001) and 2 (P < 0.0001) units and for ONO-4059 concentrations 0 (control), 0.2, 0.5 and1μM, median area under the curve values were 13, 12 (P = 0.7), 6.5 (P = 0.0001) and 5.5 (P = 0.0004 compared to control). Conclusion: The Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors, Ibrutinib and ONO-4059, show further inhibition of platelet aggregation in blood samples from patients with acute myocardial infarction, receiving dual antiplatelet therapy in a dose dependent manner. These results provide a rationale for Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors to be tested as a potential new antiplatelet strategy for acute myocardial infarction

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.