Defective co-creation: Developing a typology of consumer dysfunction in professional services

Purpose This study aims to explore the scope of consumers’ defective co-creation behaviour in professional service encounters. One of the founding premises of service-dominant logic (Vargo and Lusch, 2004, 2008) is that consumers co-create the value they derive from service encounters. In practice, however, dysfunctional consumer behaviour can obstruct value co-creation. Extant research has not yet investigated consumers’ defective co-creation behaviour in highly relational services, such as professional services, that are heavily reliant on co-creation. Design/methodology/approach To investigate defective co-creation in professional services, 164 critical incidents were collected from 38 health-care and financial service providers using the critical incident technique within semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Thematic coding was used to identify emergent themes and patterns of consumer behaviour. Findings Thematic coding resulted in a comprehensive typology of consumers’ defective co-creation behaviour that both confirms the prevalence of previously identified dysfunctional behaviours (e.g. verbal abuse and physical aggression) and identifies two new forms of consumer misbehaviour: underparticipation and overparticipation. Further, these behaviours can vary, escalate and co-occur during service encounters. Originality/value Both underparticipation and overparticipation are newly identified forms of defective co-creation that need to be examined within the broader framework of service-dominant logic (SDL).

Cough and reflux esophagitis in children: their co-existence and airway cellularity

Background There are no prospective studies that have examined for chronic cough in children without lung disease but with gastroesophageal reflux (GER). In otherwise healthy children undergoing flexible upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (esophago-gastroscopy), the aims of the study were to (1) define the frequency of cough in relation to symptoms of GER, (2) examine if children with cough and reflux esophagitis (RE) have different airway cellularity and microbiology in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) when compared to those without. Methods Data specific for chronic cough (>4-weeks), symptoms of GER and cough severity were collected. Children aged <16-years (n = 150) were defined as 'coughers' (C+) if a history of cough in association with their GER symptoms was elicited before BAL were obtained during elective esophago-gastroscopy. Presence of esophagitis on esophageal biopsies was considered reflux esophagitis positive (E+). Results C+ (n = 69) were just as likely as C- (n = 81) to have esophagitis, odds ratio 0.87 (95%CI 0.46, 1.7). Median neutrophil percentage in BAL was significantly different between groups; highest in C+E- (7, IQR 28) and lowest in C-E+ (5, IQR 6). BAL positive bacterial culture occurred in 20.7% and were more likely present in current coughers (OR 3.37, 95%CI 1.39, 8.08). Airway neutrophilia (median 20%, IQR 34) was significantly higher in those with BAL positive bacterial cultures than those without (5%, 4; p = 0.0001). Conclusion In children without lung disease, the common co-existence of cough with symptoms of GER is independent of the occurrence of esophagitis. Airway neutrophilia when present in these children is more likely to be related to airway bacterial infection and not to esophagitis.

Co-and Ca-phosphate-based catalysts for the depolymerization of organosolv eucalytpus lignin

Depolymerization of purified organosolv eucalyptus wood lignin by the heterogeneous catalysts, cobalt polyphosphate (CoP2O6) and calcium phosphate (β-CaP2O6) was investigated. A total syringol yield of 16.7% was achieved with β-CaP2O6 in a methanol/water (50/50, wt/wt) solvent system after depolymerization at 300 ºC for 1 h, showing selectivity of the catalyst.

Managing mental health co-morbidities in hepatitis C: A systematic review of clinical guidelines

BACKGROUND Mental health co-morbidities are prevalent in hepatitis C (HCV), and in practice often considered a contraindication for initiation of treatment. A systematic review was conducted to explore whether and how current HCV clinical practice guidelines address pre-existing mental health co-morbidities. METHODS A review of the literature was undertaken to identify guidelines for the management of HCV, published in English, between 2002 and January 2015. Characteristics of the guidelines were recorded and key themes on mental health were summarized across predefined stages in the patient journey (diagnosis, pre-HCV drug therapy, on HCV drug therapy, post-HCV drug therapy, advanced disease or palliative care). RESULTS Twenty-five HCV clinical guidelines were included. Referral to psychiatrist is generally recommended as pre- and in-treatment assessment of mental health co-morbidities but HCV guidelines do not offer explicit instructions on how to manage mental health co-morbidities. Post-treatment assessment of mental health co-morbidities were lacking. Conclusions Current chronic HCV clinical guidelines are limited in their advice to clinicians regarding the management of mental health co-morbidities.

Co-benefits of addressing climate change can motivate action around the world

Personal and political action on climate change is traditionally thought to be motivated by people accepting its reality and importance. However, convincing the public that climate change is real faces powerful ideological obstacles1, 2, 3, 4, and climate change is slipping in public importance in many countries5, 6. Here we investigate a different approach, identifying whether potential co-benefits of addressing climate change7 could motivate pro-environmental behaviour around the world for both those convinced and unconvinced that climate change is real. We describe an integrated framework for assessing beliefs about co-benefits8, distinguishing social conditions (for example, economic development, reduced pollution or disease) and community character (for example, benevolence, competence). Data from all inhabited continents (24 countries; 6,196 participants) showed that two co-benefit types, Development (economic and scientific advancement) and Benevolence (a more moral and caring community), motivated public, private and financial actions to address climate change to a similar degree as believing climate change is important. Critically, relationships were similar for both convinced and unconvinced participants, showing that co-benefits can motivate action across ideological divides. These relationships were also independent of perceived climate change importance, and could not be explained by political ideology, age, or gender. Communicating co-benefits could motivate action on climate change where traditional approaches have stalled.

Isostructural co-crystals derived from molecules with different supramolecular topologies

In this article, we report the crystal structures of five halogen bonded co-crystals comprising quaternary ammonium cations, halide anions (Cl– and Br–), and one of either 1,2-, 1,3-, or 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (DITFB). Three of the co-crystals are chemical isomers: 1,4-DITFB[TEA-CH2Cl]Cl, 1,2-DITFB[TEA-CH2Cl]Cl, and 1,3-DITFB[TEA-CH2Cl]Cl (where TEA-CH2Cl is chloromethyltriethylammonium ion). In each structure, the chloride anions link DITFB molecules through halogen bonds to produce 1D chains propagating with (a) linear topology in the structure containing 1,4-DITFB, (b) zigzag topology with 60° angle of propagation in that containing 1,2-DITFB, and (c) 120° angle of propagation with 1,3-DITFB. While the individual chains have highly distinctive and different topologies, they combine through π-stacking of the DITFB molecules to produce remarkably similar overall arrangements of molecules. Structures of 1,4-DITFB[TEA-CH2Br]Br and 1,3-DITFB[TEA-CH2Br]Br are also reported and are isomorphous with their chloro/chloride analogues, further illustrating the robustness of the overall supramolecular architecture. The usual approach to crystal engineering is to make structural changes to molecular components to effect specific changes to the resulting crystal structure. The results reported herein encourage pursuit of a somewhat different approach to crystal engineering. That is, to investigate the possibilities for engineering the same overall arrangement of molecules in crystals while employing molecular components that aggregate with entirely different supramolecular connectivity.

Revisiting the CO oxidation reaction on various Au/TiO2catalysts: Roles of the surface OH groups and the reaction mechanism

This work aims to understand the influence of TiO2 surface structure in Au/TiO2 catalysts on CO oxidation. Au nanoparticles (3 wt%) in the range of 4 to 8 nm were loaded onto four kinds of TiO2 surfaces, which had different surface structures and were synthesized by calcining hydrogen titanate nanotubes at various temperatures and in different atmospheres. The Au catalyst supported on anatase nanorods exhibited the highest activity in CO oxidation at 30 °C among all the five Au/TiO2 catalysts including the reference catalyst of Au/TiO2-P25. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and infrared emission spectra (IES) results indicate that the anatase nanorods have the most active surface on which water molecules can be strongly adsorbed and OH groups can be formed readily. Theoretical calculation indicates that the surface OH can facilitate the O2 adsorption on the anatase surface. Such active surface features are conducive to the O2 activation and CO oxidation

The effect of β-alanine and NaHCO3 co-ingestion on buffering capacity and exercise performance with high-intensity exercise in healthy males

Introduction β-alanine (BAl) and NaHCO3 (SB) ingestion may provide performance benefits by enhancing concentrations of their respective physiochemical buffer counterparts, muscle carnosine and blood bicarbonate, counteracting acidosis during intense exercise. This study examined the effect of BAl and SB co-supplementation as an ergogenic strategy during high-intensity exercise. Methods Eight healthy males ingested either BAl (4.8 g day−1 for 4 weeks, increased to 6.4 g day−1 for 2 weeks) or placebo (Pl) (CaCO3) for 6 weeks, in a crossover design (6-week washout between supplements). After each chronic supplementation period participants performed two trials, each consisting of two intense exercise tests performed over consecutive days. Trials were separated by 1 week and consisted of a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test and cycling capacity test at 110 % Wmax (CCT110 %). Placebo (Pl) or SB (300 mg kgbw−1) was ingested prior to exercise in a crossover design to creating four supplement conditions (BAl-Pl, BAl-SB, Pl–Pl, Pl-SB). Results Carnosine increased in the gastrocnemius (n = 5) (p = 0.03) and soleus (n = 5) (p = 0.02) following BAl supplementation, and Pl-SB and BAl-SB ingestion elevated blood HCO3 − concentrations (p < 0.01). Although buffering capacity was elevated following both BAl and SB ingestion, performance improvement was only observed with BAl-Pl and BAl-SB increasing time to exhaustion of the CCT110 % test 14 and 16 %, respectively, compared to Pl–Pl (p < 0.01). Conclusion Supplementation of BAl and SB elevated buffering potential by increasing muscle carnosine and blood bicarbonate levels, respectively. BAl ingestion improved performance during the CCT110 %, with no aggregating effect of SB supplementation (p > 0.05). Performance was not different between treatments during the RSA test.

In vitro pre-vascularisation of tissue-engineered constructs: A co-culture perspective

In vitro pre-vascularization is one of the main vascularization strategies in the tissue engineering field. Culturing cells within a tissue-engineered construct (TEC) prior to implantation provides researchers with a greater degree of control over the fate of the cells. However, balancing the diverse range of different cell culture parameters in vitro is seldom easy and in most cases, especially in highly vascularized tissues, more than one cell type will reside within the cell culture system. Culturing multiple cell types in the same construct presents its own unique challenges and pitfalls. The following review examines endothelial-driven vascularization and evaluates the direct and indirect role other cell types have in vessel and capillary formation. The article then analyses the different parameters researchers can modulate in a co-culture system in order to design optimal tissue-engineered constructs to match desired clinical applications.

Community uses of co-creative media digital storytelling and co-creative Media: The role of community arts and media in propagating and coordinating population-wide creative practice

How is creative expression and communication extended among whole populations? What is the social and cultural value of this activity? What roles do formal agencies, community-based organisations and content producer networks play? Specifically, how do participatory media and arts projects and networks contribute to building this capacity in the contemporary communications environment? The latest issue of CSJ article in a special issue on “Broadening Digital Storytelling Horizons” edited by Burcu Simsek.

Modelling of the evaporation of a droplet suspended in a binary atmosphere

The process of spray drying is applied in a number of contexts. One such application is the production of a synthetic rock used for storage of nuclear waste. To establish a framework for a model of the spray drying process for this application, we here develop a model describing evaporation from droplets of pure water, such that the model may be extended to account for the presence of colloid within the droplet. We develop a spherically-symmetric model and formulate continuum equations describing mass, momentum, and energy balance in both the liquid and gas phases from first principles. We establish appropriate boundary conditions at the surface of the droplet, including a generalised Clapeyron equation that accurately describes the temperature at the surface of the droplet. To account for experiment design, we introduce a simplified platinum ball and wire model into the system using a thin wire problem. The resulting system of equations is transformed in order to simplify a finite volume solution scheme. The results from numerical simulation are compared with data collected for validation, and the sensitivity of the model to variations in key parameters, and to the use of Clausius–Clapeyron and generalised Clapeyron equations, is investigated. Good agreement is found between the model and experimental data, despite the simplicity of the platinum phase model.

Synthesis of platestacks and microtowers of zinc by thermal evaporation

Zinc microtower and platestacks were synthesized by thermal evaporation of zinc. This synthesis was carried out under high vacuum conditions in the absence of catalyst and carrier gas. The morphology, composition and microstructural properties of the Zn nanostructures were studied by XRD, SEM and TEM. The synthesized microtowers and platestacks were single crystalline in nature. These microtowers and platestacks showed a layered structures consisting of several hexagonal nanoplates. Based on the morphological and composition analysis, we have proposed a vapor-solid mechanism to explain the growth of these nanostructures.

Chronicling the patient journey: Co-creating value with digital health ecosystems

With the introduction of the PCEHR (Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record), the Australian public is being asked to accept greater responsibility for the management of their health information. However, the implementation of the PCEHR has occasioned poor adoption rates underscored by criticism from stakeholders with concerns about transparency, accountability, privacy, confidentiality, governance, and limited capabilities. This study adopts an ethnographic lens to observe how information is created and used during the patient journey and the social factors impacting on the adoption of the PCEHR at the micro-level in order to develop a conceptual model that will encourage the sharing of patient information within the cycle of care. Objective: This study aims to firstly, establish a basic understanding of healthcare professional attitudes toward a national platform for sharing patient summary information in the form of a PCEHR. Secondly, the studies aims to map the flow of patient related information as it traverses a patient’s personal cycle of care. Thus, an ethnographic approach was used to bring a “real world” lens to information flow in a series of case studies in the Australian healthcare system to discover themes and issues that are important from the patient’s perspective. Design: Qualitative study utilising ethnographic case studies. Setting: Case studies were conducted at primary and allied healthcare professionals located in Brisbane Queensland between October 2013 and July 2014. Results: In the first dimension, it was identified that healthcare professionals’ concerns about trust and medico-legal issues related to patient control and information quality, and the lack of clinical value available with the PCEHR emerged as significant barriers to use. The second dimension of the study which attempted to map patient information flow identified information quality issues, clinical workflow inefficiencies and interoperability misconceptions resulting in duplication of effort, unnecessary manual processes, data quality and integrity issues and an over reliance on the understanding and communication skills of the patient. Conclusion: Opportunities for process efficiencies, improved data quality and increased patient safety emerge with the adoption of an appropriate information sharing platform. More importantly, large scale eHealth initiatives must be aligned with the value proposition of individual stakeholders in order to achieve widespread adoption. Leveraging an Australian national eHealth infrastructure and the PCEHR we offer a practical example of a service driven digital ecosystem suitable for co-creating value in healthcare.

High Oxygen Storage Capacity and High Rates of CO Oxidation and NO Reduction Catalytic Properties of Ce1-xSnxO2 and Ce0.78Sn0.2Pd0.02O2-delta

Ce1-xSnxO2 (x = 0.1-0.5) solid solution and its Pd substituted analogue have been prepared by a single step solution combustion method using tin oxalate precursor. The compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and H-2/temperature programmed redution (TPR) studies. The cubic fluorite structure remained intact up to 50% of Sri substitution in CeO2, and the compounds were stable up to 700 C. Oxygen storage capacity of Ce1-xSnxO2 was found to be much higher than that of Ce1-xZrxO2 due to accessible Ce4+/Ce3+ and Sn4+/Sn2+ redox couples at temperatures between 200 and 400 C. Pd 21 ions in Ce0.78Sn0.2Pd0.02O2-delta are highly ionic, and the lattice oxygen of this catalyst is highly labile, leading to low temperature CO to CO2 conversion. The rate of CO oxidation was 2 mu mol g(-1) s(-1) at 50 degrees C. NO reduction by CO with 70% N-2 selectivity was observed at similar to 200 degrees C and 100% N-2 selectivity below 260 degrees C with 1000-5000 ppm NO. Thus, Pd2+ ion substituted Ce1-xSnxO2 is a superior catalyst compared to Pd2+ ions in CeO2, Ce1-xZrxO2, and Ce1-xTixO2 for low temperature exhaust applications due to the involvement of the Sn2+/Sn4+ redox couple along with Pd2+/Pd-0 and Ce4+/Ce3+ couples.