Finding a Way Out of the Ethnographic Paradigm Jungle

In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop a hybrid ethnographic paradigm, taking the best points from the different approaches of ethnographic research. The pioneering proponents of ethnography differed in their conceptualization of the method, resulting in the development of three distinct schools of thought-holistic, semiotic and behavioristic. These three ethnographic paradigms have their respective benefits and shortcomings. Following any one of these approaches may lead to only partial comprehension of the phenomenon by the ethnographer. This study wished to address this issue by developing a best practice approach, which will have the virtues of all the three paradigms. It is hoped that this evolved paradigm will help in making the work of the ethnographer a lot more comprehensive and the experience much richer

Constructing and validating a scale to measure Social media brand community enjoyment (SMBCE)

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MEMORABLE TOURISM EXPERIENCES (MTE): INTEGRATING ANTECEDENTS, CONSEQUENCES AND MODERATING FACTOR

Purpose - The concept of tourism as an experience is gaining interest among practitioners and academics alike. This study contributes to the tourism literature by integrating the antecedents and outcomes of memorable tourism experiences (MTE) and consumer-level factors as moderators into a single model. Design - The study applies primary survey using structured questionnaire. The study hypotheses are empirically tested based on survey data of 700 tourists (both domestic and foreign) in India. Methodology - The data collected is analyzed using structural equation modeling. The model also includes the moderating role of tourists’ openness to experience. Findings - Findings show a positive impact of destination attributes on MTE. MTE is observed to positively affect its immediate outcomes, perceived value and satisfaction from tourism experiences. Subsequently, satisfaction has a positive effect of loyalty and word of mouth (WOM), but perceived value affects only on word of mouth. Openness to experience moderated the impact of destination attributes on MTE. Originality - The study makes new theoretical and managerial contributions. The study is one of the first of its kind to integrate the antecedents and outcomes of MTE in a single study. Moreover, the study also considers the moderating influence of tourist personality in the same study

Prediabetes, dyslipidemia and c-reactive protein levels among stroke patients: a hospital-based study in north-east India

Background: Stroke is defined as an abrupt onset of a neurologic deficit lasting for more than 24 hours that is attributable to a focal vascular cause. Hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia are often documented in stroke patients. Elevated CRP level is independently associated with the excessive risk of ischemic stroke. Aim and Objectives were to evaluate the glycemic status, lipid profile and c-reactive protein level in stroke patients admitted in a teaching institute of north-east India.Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted in the department of medicine, Agartala Government Medical College and GBP hospital, within a period of January 2020 to June 2021. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 15 using appropriate statistical tests.Results: Among 200 patients of stroke, 50% was found to be pre-diabetic, 40% known diabetic and 10% newly diagnosed diabetic. 60% were hypertensives. Among them, 80% had ischaemic stroke and 20% hemorrhagic stroke. 70% of the patients had hypercholesterolemia, 60% had hypertriglyceridemia. 80% had raised serum LDL and 57% decreased serum HDL. Out of 200 patients, 60% was found to have raised serum CRP level. 55% of ischaemic stroke patients and 5% of hemorrhagic stroke patients had raised CRP level.Conclusions: Prediabetes and newly diagnosed diabetes are highly prevalent in patients with stroke or TIA. As the prevalence of prediabetes is growing rapidly, prediabetes might become one of the most important modifiable therapeutic targets in both primary and secondary prevention. Early detection of dyslipidemia and treatment with drugs along with dietary modifications and lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of stroke. Since, it was a cross-sectional study, these results need to be validated by further long-term prospective studies

Fixed points of generalized cyclic contractions without continuity and application to fractal generation

In this paper, we define a generalized cyclic contraction and prove a unique fixed point theorem for these contractions. An illustrative example is given, which shows that these contraction mappings may admit the discontinuities and also that an existing result in the literature is effectively generalized by the theorem. We apply the fixed point result for generation of fractal sets through construction of an iterated function system and the corresponding Hutchinsion–Barnsley operator. The above construction is illustrated by an example. The study here is in the context of metric spaces

Effect of Audience Personality Traits on Reality Show Watching Motives

The relationship between viewer personality and reality show watching has been a point of discussion among media researchers but has been rarely tested. The authors in the present study explore: (i) Reality Show Watching Motives (RSWM) of viewers, (ii) further investigates the impact of viewer personality on RSWM in a developing nation context. The authors followed mixed method approach to this end. A qualitative approach was applied to investigate consumer perceptions about reality shows and generate RSWM items. This was followed by a large scale survey to relate viewer personality to RSWM. Structural equation modelling was applied to generate findings in the quantitative phase. Five RSWM dimensions emerged from the qualitative and quantitative analysis. Consumer personality was found to have a significant impact on RSWM dimensions. However, there was variation on the effect of individual personality dimensions on individual RSWM dimensions. The study has theoretical and managerial implications

Chronic inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome: A case–control study using multiple markers

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with insulin resistance and elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Chronic inflammation has been observed in PCOS in several studies but there is also opposing evidence and a dearth of research in Indians. Objective: To estimate chronic inflammation in PCOS and find its relationship with appropriate anthropometric and biochemical parameters. Materials and Methods: Chronic inflammation was assessed in 30 women with PCOS (Group A) and 30 healthy controls (Group B) with highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and platelet microparticles (PMP). In group A, the relationship of chronic inflammation with insulin resistance, waist hip ratio (WHR) serum testosterone, and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) were examined. Results: In group A, the hsCRP, TNFα, and PMP were significantly elevated compared to group B. However, IL-6 level was similar between the groups. In group A, PMP showed a significant positive correlation with waist-hip ratio and serum testosterone. IL-6 showed a significant positive correlation with insulin sensitivity and significant negative correlation with insulin resistance and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase. Conclusion: PCOS is associated with chronic inflammation and PMP correlates positively with central adiposity and biochemical hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS. Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Inflammation, C-reactive protein, Interleukin-6, Tumor necrosis factor, Microparticles