bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Complex, Multi-component, Dynamic, Community-Based Injury Prevention Interventions: A Statistical Framework
Authors: Bangdiwala Shrikant I. , Hassem Tasneem , Swart Lu-Anne , van Niekerk Ashley , Pretorius Karin , Isobell Deborah , Taliep Naiema , Bulbulia Samed , Suffla Shahnaaz , Seedat Mohamed
Published: May 2017

Dynamic violence and injury prevention interventions located within community settings raise evaluation challenges by virtue of their complex structure, focus, and aims. They try to address many risk factors simultaneously, are often overlapped in their implementation, and their implementation may be phased over time. This article proposes a statistical and analytic framework for evaluating the effectiveness of multilevel, multisystem, multi-component, community-driven, dynamic interventions. The proposed framework builds on meta regression methodology and recently proposed approaches for pooling results from multi-component intervention studies. The methodology is applied to the evaluation of the effectiveness of South African community-centered injury prevention and safety promotion interventions. The proposed framework allows for complex interventions to be disaggregated into their constituent parts in order to extract their specific effects. The potential utility of the framework is successfully illustrated using contact crime data from select police stations in Johannesburg. The proposed framework and statistical guidelines proved to be useful to study the effectiveness of complex, dynamic, community-based interventions as a whole and of their components. The framework may help researchers and policy makers to adopt and study a specific methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of complex intervention programs.
A primary definer online: the construction and propagation of a think tank’s authority on social media
Authors: Anstead Nick , Chadwick Andrew
Published: May 2017

Who has power in the construction of economic news in the United Kingdom? Are social media reshaping how this power is enabled? We examine the public Twitter interactions between journalists, political elites and, what is arguably the United Kingdom’s most important think tank, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), during the 2015 UK general election campaign. Combining human-coded content analysis and network analysis of Twitter discourse about the IFS during a 38-day period, we explain how and why the authority of this think tank is being translated to social media. We develop a new, social media theory of ‘primary definers’ and show how the political authority on which such roles rest is co-constructed and propagated by professional journalists and political elites. Central to this process is a behaviour we conceptualize and measure: authority signalling. Our findings call into question some of the more sanguine generalizations about social media’s contribution to pluralist democracy. Given the dominance of public service broadcasters in the processes we identify, we argue that, despite the growth of social media, there can be surprising limits on the extent to which contemporary media systems help citizens gain information about the assumptions underlying economic policy.
State and regime capacity in authoritarian elections: Egypt before the Arab spring
Authors: Koehler Kevin
Published: May 2017

Scholarship on electoral authoritarianism has increasingly recognized state capacity as an element enhancing electoral control. Building on such arguments, I examine the interaction between state capacity and regime strength in authoritarian elections. Drawing on empirical evidence from Egyptian elections under Mubarak, I show that the degree to which official regime candidates were able to profit from state penetration depended on the strength of the ruling party. In urban settings where party structures were stronger, service provision by the state helped secure the dominance of the hegemonic National Democratic Party; in rural constituencies where the party was weak, by contrast, service provision strengthened local elites who often ran and won against the party’s official candidates. This suggests that variation in regime capacity to channel political support needs to be taken into account when examining the relationship between state capacity and electoral control under authoritarianism.
The Chronicity of Depressive Symptoms in Mothers of Children With Asthma
Authors: Kub Joan , Bellin Melissa H. , Butz Arlene , Elizabeth Bollinger Mary , Lewis-Land Cassia , Osteen Philip
Published: May 2017

Depression can disproportionately affect low-income women. The purpose of this study was to explore the chronicity of depressive symptoms in a sample of 276 low-income inner-city mothers of children with high-risk asthma. The aims were to identify factors (asthma health status, stress, social support) associated with change in depressive symptomatology over 12 months as well as to ascertain what factors are most consistently associated with depressive symptoms. Using latent growth curve analysis, demographic variables, asthma severity, stress, and social support failed to explain changes in depressive symptomatology. The growth curve models, however, were predictive of Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D) scores at distinct time points indicating that higher daily stress and lower social support were associated with increased depressive symptoms. Our data highlight the chronic nature of depressive symptoms in low-income mothers of children with poorly controlled asthma. Integrating questions about caregiver psychological state across all clinical encounters with the family may be indicated.
Changing Rates of Morbidity and Mortality in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Surgery
Authors: Friedman Jacob J. , Salapatas Anna M. , Bonzelaar Lauren B. , Hwang Michelle S. , Friedman Michael
Published: May 2017

Objective

Whereas uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) was the standard surgical procedure for obstructive sleep apnea prior to 2007, multilevel surgery has become the standard since that time. This study compares morbidity and mortality rates of the stand‐alone UPPP with those of multilevel sleep surgery that includes UPPP.

Methods

Patients undergoing UPPP between 2007 and 2014 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. UPPP was defined by Current Procedural Terminology codes 42145 and 42950. Primary outcomes were incidence of morbidity and mortality. Rates were compared between a control group with UPPP only and a group with multilevel surgery.

Results

A total of 2674 cases were analyzed. The incidence of complications in the UPPP‐only group was 1.6% (0.09% fatal); in the multilevel surgery group, 4.63% (0.19% fatal). The difference in overall and nonfatal complications is statistically significant (P <. 01); however, values for fatal complications are too low for comparison. There is a statistically significant (P <. 01) positive correlation (R2 = 0.92) between year of operation and rate of complications, with increased incidence of complications in more recent years.

Discussion

Complication rates for multilevel sleep surgery are higher than those of stand‐alone UPPP, and overall complication rates have been increasing in recent years. As UPPP supplemented with multilevel surgery is now the standard surgical treatment for most cases of obstructive sleep apnea‐hypopnea syndrome, historical complication rates based predominantly on patients undergoing UPPP only underestimate complication rates of modern sleep surgery.

Implications for Practice

It is reasonable to inform patients that multilevel procedures bring an increased risk of complications, and patient selection should be guided accordingly.
Elevated dopamine D1 receptor availability in striatum of Göttingen minipigs after electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Landau Anne M , Alstrup Aage KO , Audrain Helene , Jakobsen Steen , Simonsen Mette , Møller Arne , Videbech Poul , Wegener Gregers , Gjedde Albert , Doudet Doris J
Published: May 2017

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a direct form of brain stimulation, is an effective antidepressant. We hypothesized that the beneficial effects of ECT are mediated by increased dopaminergic neurotransmission, in which the baseline activity of D1 receptors may predict the response to ECT. We established a novel model of brain stimulation in Göttingen minipigs based on the protocol of ECT applied in humans. With positron emission tomography (PET), we determined a measure of dopaminergic neurotransmission with the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist [11C]SCH23390. Seven minipigs were anesthetized and completed PET at baseline, prior to the onset of ECT treatment, and at 24–48 h and 8–10 days after the end of a clinical course of ECT, consisting of 10 ECT sessions over a 3.5-week period. In all pigs, the binding of [11C]SCH23390 to striatal D1 receptors had increased by 24–48 h after ECT, and in most, binding returned towards baseline at 8–10 days. Increased binding was observed in inverse proportion to baseline binding rates. Increased binding to dopamine D1 receptors suggests facilitation of dopaminergic neurotransmission, which may contribute to the therapeutic effects of ECT. Importantly, the baseline binding capacity of D1 receptors predicts the magnitude of increased binding, up to a maximum binding capacity.
Students of a Feather “Flocked” Together: A Group Assignment Method for Reducing Free-Riding and Improving Group and Individual Learning Outcomes
Authors: Harding Lora Mitchell
Published: May 2017

Group-based teaching and learning is ubiquitous across undergraduate and graduate business curricula, and with any type of group work, free-riding—a form of social loafing in which free-riding group members reap the rewards of nonloafing members without exerting comparable effort—is a concern. This research examines a group assignment method, herein called the flocking method, designed to reduce free-riding by improving students’ motivation and availability to contribute to the group. A quasi-experiment is described in which students were flocked, or matched, according to their schedule availability and willingness to devote time to the course, such that motivated students (i.e., those who planned to devote more time) were grouped with other motivated students with similar schedules, whereas unmotivated students were grouped with other unmotivated students with similar schedules. Compared with self-selected groups, students in flocked groups not only reported less free-riding, they also performed better on group and individual assignments, indicating an actual reduction in free-riding. Additionally, compared with the most prominent methods for reducing free-riding examined in literature, the flocking method of group assignment reduces resource demands on the instructor and students, making it as efficient to implement as it is effective. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
Respiratory motion during 90Yttrium PET contributes to underestimation of tumor dose and overestimation of normal liver tissue dose
Authors: Ausland Line , Revheim Mona-Elisabeth , Skretting Arne , Stokke Caroline
Published: May 2017

Background

Yttrium-90 dosimetry after radioembolization is reliant on accurate quantitative imaging of the microsphere deposition. Previous studies have focused on the correction of geometrical resolution effects.

Purpose

To uncover additional effects of respiratory motion.

Material and Methods

Mathematical models describing spherical tumors were formed and two blurring effects, limited geometrical resolution and respiratory motion, were simulated. The virtual images were used as basis for dose volume histogram estimations by convolving the radioactivity representations with a dose point kernel.

Results

For respiratory motion only, the largest errors were found for the smallest tumors and/or tumors with heterogeneous distribution of yttrium-90 microspheres. The deviations in max dose and dose to 25% and 50% of the tumor volume were estimated at 20–40%, 10–30%, and 0–30%, respectively. Additional blurring from geometrical resolution increased the errors to 55–75%, 50–60%, and 25–60%, respectively.

Conclusion

Respiratory motion contributes to underestimation of tumor dose and overestimation of normal tissue dose.
Reappraising the Impact of Offending on Victimization: A Propensity Score Matching Approach
Authors: Posick Chad
Published: May 2017

Existing evidence clearly supports an empirical connection between offending and victimization. Often called the “victim–offender overlap,” this relationship holds for both sexes, across the life course, and across a wide range of countries and cultural environments. In addition, the relationship is sustained regardless of the study sample and statistical methods applied in the analyses of the sample data. However, there has yet to be a study that examines this relationship for violent and property crime using quasi-experimental methods accounting for a wide range of potential confounders including individual differences and cultural contexts. This study subjects the victim–offender relationship to testing through propensity score matching for both violent and property crimes using an international dataset. The results show that previous violent and theft offending increases the odds of victimization when matching on individual and contextual factors. This finding supports previous literature and suggests that delinquent behavior may act as a “switch” that exposes one to subsequent violent and theft victimization.
From Kampungs to Condos? Contested accumulations through displacement in Jakarta
Authors: Leitner Helga , Sheppard Eric
Published: May 2017

Across cities of the global South, major initiatives are underway to assemble land from informal settlements in order to make it available for large-scale infrastructure and commercial real estate projects. Driven by global city aspirations, profit-seeking developers, demands from emergent middle classes for modern residential, consumption and recreational spaces, and, last but not least, the availability of finance, these land transformations seek to commodify and enclose residential urban commons and involve the displacement of thousands of urban residents. Through an examination of two field sites, a ‘legal’ kampung where land is being acquired through negotiations between kampung residents with land rights and developers’ land brokers, and two ‘illegal’ kampungs whose residents were evicted in the name of flood mitigation, we conclude that the default theory for explaining these processes—accumulation by dispossession—is inadequate for capturing the variegated and complex nature of such processes. By thinking through Jakarta, we seek to provincialize the dominant concept of accumulation by dispossession, proposing an extension that we suggest is better attuned to capture the distinct features of Southern cities: Contested accumulations through displacement.
Planning Walkable Neighborhoods
Authors: Stafford Lisa , Baldwin Claudia
Published: May 2017

Despite growing numbers of studies on planning walkable neighborhoods, few have included people with diverse abilities across the age spectrum. This article demonstrates a need for more inclusion of human diversity in walkable neighborhoods research to better inform policy, planning, and design interventions that are spatially and socially just for all ages and all abilities. Our study addresses this through a critical review of the literature, highlighting existing research practices, known person–environment influences on walkability, and limitations within current knowledge. We recommend future integrated and inclusive research directions to encapsulate diversity of abilities and ages in walkable neighborhood studies.
Coercive Control and Its Impact on Intimate Partner Violence Through the Lens of an EU-Wide Survey on Violence Against Women
Authors: Nevala Sami
Published: May 2017

Research on intimate partner violence has suggested that not all violence is the same. This article builds upon earlier research on coercive control—or intimate terrorism—and examines the experiences of women who can be assessed as having experienced coercive controlling violence both in terms of the types of violent incidents they experience and the impact and consequences of the most serious incident of violence by an intimate partner. The article explores differences across the 28 European Union (EU) Member States in terms of coercive control and type of violence used. The results—based on data from the first EU–wide survey on violence against women by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights—are further considered in terms of their association with gender equality. The results show that, in the EU, violence against women perpetrated under coercive control differs from other forms of violence as it involves more serious forms of violence and has a bigger impact in terms of its varied consequences. Countries where women indicated lower levels of coercive control are shown as scoring higher on a measure of gender equality, in contrast with earlier interpretations of the survey findings concerning the relationship between survey measures of physical and/or sexual violence and gender equality. The analysis supports the need to differentiate between various types of intimate partner violence against women—including violence under coercive control—in the European context, both in terms of research to better understand violence and for interventions to prevent violence.
Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence in Europe: The Role of Socioeconomic Status, Inequality, and Partner Behavior
Authors: Reichel David
Published: May 2017

This article presents an analysis of determinants of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the European Union (EU). Based on an EU-wide survey with 42,000 women that examined women’s diverse experiences of violence—from violence by strangers to sexual harassment—this article looks specifically at the survey’s research with respect to the occurrence of IPV in current partnerships. The analysis explores selected determinants of IPV by focusing on specific indicators in relation to a couple’s socioeconomic status, and analyzes inequalities in the sense of unequal distribution of resources. In addition, a partner’s behavior outside a relationship, as captured through specific survey questions, is looked at as providing additional evidence of factors that strongly indicate IPV. The results of the article show that, when averaging across the EU Member States, among couples with lower socioeconomic status, there is higher prevalence of violence. In particular, women reporting problems with their household income also report higher rates of IPV. Furthermore, women suffer more often from violence if they do not have an equal say about household income. While reported inequality in income between partners, in the sense of a partner earning more or less than a woman, does not show a consistent result, a woman who reports having less say about the family income is more likely to experience IPV. This result points to the importance of “norm” related inequality compared with actual inequality with respect to IPV, which holds true across all EU Member States. Finally, a partner’s behavior—in terms of being violent outside a relationship and frequently getting drunk—shows a strong influence on women reporting incidents of IPV across all countries in the survey.
Voices in Conflict? The Crisis Communication of Meta-Organizations
Authors: Frandsen Finn , Johansen Winni
Published: May 2017

Crisis communication research has largely focused on investigating crisis response strategies applied by a single organization when aiming to protect its reputation among key stakeholders. Little research has explored the interorganizational dimension of crises, crisis management, and crisis communication, in casu, the role of trade associations. Based on Rhetorical Arena Theory, this article examines two research questions: (1) How do trade associations prepare for crises that may arise for their member organizations and/or for themselves? and (2) How do trade associations communicate during a crisis involving one or more of their members and/or themselves? Do they speak with “one voice,” or do they pursue different strategies? The empirical basis for this research is a case study of how four Danish trade associations representing the clothing industry intervened communicatively when one of their members, Bestseller, faced a double crisis in 2011.
Evaluating the Types of Pharmacy Student Interventions Made During an Interprofessional 6-Week Adult Internal Medicine Rotation
Authors: Vinluan Celeste M. , Jabalie Melanie M. , Navarrete Jacquelyn P. , Padilla Margie E.
Published: May 2017

Introduction:

The new standards for pharmacy education require that pharmacy students are involved in direct and interprofessional team-based care in multiple practice settings, which include “real-time” interactions with physician prescribers and medical students.

Methods:

From April 2014 to December 2015, fourth-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students at University Medical Center of El Paso, Texas were assigned to an interprofessional team that was comprised of physician prescribers, medical students, and a pharmacist faculty. They recorded their interventions that were analyzed for type, number, physician acceptance, clinical importance, and time requirements for intervention recommendation. Interventions were divided into 5 main types and further divided into specific categories.

Results:

Twelve PharmD students contributed 531 interventions, resulting in an average of 44 interventions per student with a physician acceptance rate of 87%. The most common types of interventions performed by PharmD students were under the categories of Therapy Needed (29.8%), Too Low Dose/Frequency (21.1%), Too High Dose/Frequency (8.3%), Therapeutic Level Monitoring (6.8%), and IV to PO Conversion (4.9%). A majority of interventions were of moderate clinical importance (56.1%) and took approximately 15 minutes to complete (92.5%).

Conclusion:

PharmD students under the supervision of clinical faculty on an interprofessional internal medicine team are valuable collaborators and contributors in decreasing the number of drug-related problems that can negatively impact patient care.
Time-varying process model for intelligent prediction of strain and temperature in micro-turning process
Authors: Mandal Soumen , Pal Aniruddha , Nagahanumaiah
Published: May 2017

Time-varying process models for micro-machining processes are important as they aid in control of machining parameters. In this research, a state-space-based process model for the temperature and strain generated near the cutting edge of the tool tip is identified using system identification approach. Fiber Bragg grating sensors were placed rigidly near the cutting edge of the tool tip in a micro-turning setup. Subsequently, micro-turning operations were carried out on aluminum and mild steel. The computer numerically controlled program was such that the machining parameters (feed velocity, depth of cut and RPM) change with machining time. The time-varying machining parameters act as inputs to the model, and the dynamic values of strain and temperature serve as model output. A state-space model was generated using the experimental data. Subsequently, a Kalman filter was used to intelligently predict the values of strain and temperature at the cutting edge of tool tip in advance using the model parameters identified by state-space modeling. Experimental results confirm that the time-varying model and the Kalman filter proposed in this research are effective in predicting the strain and temperature in advance with high accuracy. The maximum error in prediction of temperature was 0.4 °C, whereas for strain prediction, the maximum error was 0.3µ∈.
Comparison of machining characteristics of metal matrix composites using CO2 laser curve cutting process
Authors: Sharma Vikas , Kumar Vinod
Published: May 2017

In the present work, the effects of input variables of laser beam machining on the machining characteristics of the metal matrix composites reinforced with SiC, Al2O3, and ZrO2 particles were investigated. The comparison of the machining characteristics has been done to analyze the behavior of various reinforced particles with the variation of laser machining variables. Various output characteristics such as dross height, kerf deviation, and striations angle have been investigated and compared with each metal matrix composite material. Parameters such as cutting speed, reinforced particles, and cut profile were found to be the most significant factors influencing the various output characteristics. The morphological changes in the structure have been examined using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction technique for the agglomeration of the reinforced particles. The crack and recast layer formation has been examined in the specimens of higher quantity of the reinforced particles. It was analyzed that the metal matrix composites material reinforced with SiC particles has shown different behaviors as compared to other metal matrix composites materials.
Why did Sigmund Freud refuse to see Pierre Janet? Origins of psychoanalysis: Janet, Freud or both?
Authors: Fitzgerald Michael
Published: May 2017

Pierre Janet and Joseph Breuer were the true originators of psychoanalysis. Freud greatly elaborated on their findings. Freud initially admitted these facts but denied them in later life. Janet discovered the concept transference before Freud.
Full annulus numerical study of hot streaks propagation in a hydrogen-rich syngas-fired heavy duty axial turbine
Authors: Ioannou Eleni , Sayma Abdulnaser I
Published: May 2017

This paper presents a study of the effect of fuel composition on hot streaks propagation in a high-pressure turbine using a full annulus unsteady computational fluid dynamics analysis of the first two stages. Hot streaks result from the inherent non-uniformities of temperature profiles at the exit of the combustion chamber. Variations in composition arise from current challenges requiring gas turbines to adapt to fuel variations driven by the need to reduce CO2 emissions through the use of synthetic hydrogen-rich fuels (syngas) typically generated from the gasification of coal or solid waste. Syngas containing 80% hydrogen has been used in this study in a heavy duty gas turbine modified to accommodate the low calorific value fuel. Calculations were conducted on the baseline gas turbine originally designed for natural gas for the comparative study. Applying combustor representative hot streak profiles, analyses were performed for different hot streak distributions and locations. Analysis of results focused on the segregation of cold and hot fluid patterns and the effects of hot streaks on secondary flows and temperature re-distributions up to the second turbine stage. The hot flow pattern is affected by the fuel composition, resulting in more concentrated thermal wake shapes for syngas when compared to the reference natural gas fuel. In effect, the interaction with the secondary flow leads to more intense flow turning of the pressure side leg of the horseshoe vortex in the first rotor passage. The higher temperature levels in the case of syngas, in combination with the effect of the enhanced secondary flow, result in higher radial spread of the hot fluid that tends to migrate towards the blade hub and tip with the effects being obvious further downstream the first turbine stage.
Hemoglobin A1c as a Predictor of Postoperative Infection Following Elective Forefoot Surgery
Authors: Cancienne Jourdan M. , Cooper Minton T. , Laroche Kevin A. , Verheul Dirk W. , Werner Brian C.
Published: May 2017

Background:

There remains little evidence to support a perioperative hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level that could serve as a threshold for a significantly increased risk of postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) following forefoot surgery.

Methods:

A national database was queried for patients who underwent elective forefoot surgery with diabetes. Patients with a perioperative HbA1c level within 3 months of surgery were identified and stratified based on HbA1c level in 0.5 mg/dL increments. The incidence of SSI was determined by either a diagnosis or procedure for SSI within 1 year and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) analysis was performed to determine an optimal threshold value of HbA1c.

Results:

A total of 4630 patients who underwent forefoot surgery with diabetes with a perioperative HbA1c were included. The rate of SSI ranged from 2.3% to 11.8%. The inflection point of the ROC curve corresponded to an HbA1c level above 7.5 mg/dL ( P < .0001; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.58-0.67; AUC = 0.631; specificity = 75%; sensitivity = 46%). After multivariate analysis, patients with an HbA1c level of 7.5 mg/dL or greater had a significantly higher risk for postoperative wound infection compared to patients below this threshold (OR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.5-2.4; P < .0001).

Conclusions:

The risk of postoperative SSI following forefoot surgery increased as the perioperative HbA1c increased. ROC analysis determined that a perioperative HbA1c above 7.5 mg/dL could serve as a threshold for a significantly increased risk of postoperative SSI following forefoot surgery.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, comparative series.
A method for bidirectional active control of structures
Authors: Paul Satyam , Yu Wen
Published: May 2017

Proportional-derivative (PD) and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers are popular control algorithms in industrial applications, especially in structural vibration control. In this paper, the designs of two dampers, namely the horizontal actuator and torsional actuator, are combined for the lateral and torsional vibrations of the structure. The standard PD and PID controllers are utilized for active vibration control. The sufficient conditions for asymptotic stability of these controllers are validated by utilizing the Lyapunov stability theorem. An active vibration control system with two floors equipped with a horizontal actuator and a torsional actuator is installed to carry out the experimental analysis. The experimental results show that bidirectional active control has been achieved.
Output feedback boundary control of a flexible marine riser system
Authors: Liu Yu , Guo Fang
Published: May 2017

This paper is concerned with the design of boundary control for globally stabilizing a flexible marine riser system. The dynamics of the riser system are represented in the form of hybrid partial–ordinary differential equations. Firstly, when the system state available for feedback is unmeasurable, an observer backstepping method is employed to reconstruct the system state and then design the boundary control for vibration suppression of the riser system. Subsequently, for the case that the system states in the designed control law cannot be accurately obtained, the high-gain observers are utilized to estimate those unmeasurable system states. With the proposed control, the uniformly ultimately bounded stability of the closed-loop system is demonstrated by the use of Lyapunov’s synthetic method and the state observer error is converged exponentially to zero as time approaches to infinity. In addition, the disturbance observer is introduced to track external environmental disturbance. Finally, the control performance of the closed-loop system is validated by carrying out numerical simulation.
Impact of a specialty pharmacy case management service on adherence in patients receiving oral antineoplastic agents
Authors: Middendorff Grant , Elsey Rachel , Lounsbery Brian , Chadwell Roxanne
Published: May 2017

Background

Patients receiving treatment with oral antineoplastic agents encounter several barriers to adherence, which may include high medication costs, limited access to specialty medications, severe adverse effects, complex medication regimens, and special handling precautions. Medication nonadherence not only reduces the efficacy of drug therapy but also has the potential to increase healthcare expenditures due to disease-related hospitalizations. Although several previous studies have examined patient adherence to oral antineoplastic agents, few have examined the impact of a specialty pharmacy case management service.

Methods

Patient adherence to oral antineoplastic agents was evaluated through a retrospective analysis of pharmacy claims data and medical chart reviews. The medication possession ratio (MPR) was used to quantitatively measure adherence during two 6-month intervals, prior to and following the implementation of a case management service. Patients with an MPR greater than or equal to 0.8 were categorized as adherent, while those with an MPR less than 0.8 were categorized as non-adherent.

Results

During the first 6-month interval prior to implementation of the case management service (n = 40), a cumulative average MPR of 0.922 was observed. Following implementation of the case management service (n = 56), a non-statistically significant (p = 0.199) increase in MPR to 0.941 was identified. For patients categorized as non-adherent, a nonstatistically significant (p = 0.214) decrease from 15% to 7% was identified following the introduction of the case management service.

Conclusion

Study results from this retrospective review indicate that case management services provided through an outpatient specialty pharmacy may have the potential to improve patient adherence to oral antineoplastic agents.
The impact of pharmacist telephone calls after discharge on satisfaction of oncology patients: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Salmany Sewar S , Ratrout Lujeen , Amireh Abdallah , Agha Randa , Nassar Noor , Mahmoud Nour , Rimawi Dalia , Nazer Lama
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of telephone follow-up calls on satisfaction in oncology patients after hospital discharge.

Method

A randomized controlled study, in which patients were randomized into two groups: The experimental group with the telephone follow-up (TFU) calls (intervention) and the control group (no intervention). The telephone follow-up call was conducted within 72 h after discharge. During the call, patients were asked about their medications, namely, whether they received them, understood how to take them, and whether they developed any medication-related adverse effect. Both groups were contacted by phone two weeks later to assess their satisfaction with the discharge medication instructions and the provided pharmaceutical services, using the 5-point Likert scale. In addition, hospital records were reviewed for emergency room visits and hospital readmissions within 30 days after discharge.

Results

There was no difference in the percentage of patients who reported being very satisfied between both the intervention and the control groups (45% intervention vs. 48% control, P = 0.68). The mean time of the intervention phone call was 3 ± 1.7 (SD) min. During the telephone follow-up call, medication-related problems were identified in 20% of the patients. There was no significant difference in emergency room visits and hospital readmissions in the intervention group vs. control (44% vs. 53%, P = 0.123) and (37% vs. 43%, P = 0.317), respectively.

Conclusion

Telephone follow-up calls conducted by a pharmacist to discharged oncology patients did not improve patients' satisfaction, emergency room visits or hospital readmissions; however, they helped to identify medication-related adverse effects in the oncology patients.
Conducting Biobehavioral Research in Patients With Advanced Cancer: Recruitment Challenges and Solutions
Authors: Gilbertson-White Stephanie , Bohr Nicole , Wickersham Karen E.
Published: May 2017

Despite significant advances in cancer treatment and symptom management interventions over the last decade, patients continue to struggle with cancer-related symptoms. Adequate baseline and longitudinal data are crucial for designing interventions to improve patient quality of life and reduce symptom burden; however, recruitment of patients with advanced cancer in longitudinal research is difficult. Our purpose is to describe challenges and solutions to recruitment of patients with advanced cancer in two biobehavioral research studies examining cancer-related symptoms. Study 1: Symptom data and peripheral blood for markers of inflammation were collected from newly diagnosed patients receiving chemotherapy on the first day of therapy and every 3–4 weeks for up to 6 months. Study 2: Symptom data, blood, and skin biopsies were collected from cancer patients taking epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors at specific time points over 4 months. Screening and recruitment results for both studies are summarized. Timing informed consent with baseline data collection prior to treatment initiation was a significant recruitment challenge for both the studies. Possible solutions include tailoring recruitment to fit clinic needs, increasing research staff availability during clinic hours, and adding recruitment sites. Identifying solutions to these challenges will permit the conduct of studies that may lead to identification of factors contributing to variability in symptoms and development of tailored patient interventions for patients with advanced cancer.
Is Tolerance Broken in Autoimmunity?
Authors: Laxminarayana Dama
Published: May 2017

Autoimmune diseases are classified into about 80 different types based on their specificity related to system, organ and/or tissue. About 5% of the western population is affected by this anomaly, but its worldwide incidence is unknown. Autoimmune diseases are heterogeneous in nature and clinical manifestations range from benign disorders to life-threatening conditions. Autoimmunity strikes at any stage of life, but age and/or gender also play role in onset of some of these anomalies. The autoimmune pathogenesis is initiated by the origination of autoantigens, which leads to the development of autoantibodies followed by auto-immunogenicity and the ultimate onset of autoimmunity. There is a lack of suitable therapies to treat autoimmune diseases, because mechanisms involved in the onset of these anomalies were poorly understood. Present therapies are limited to symptomatic treatment and come with severe side effects. Here, I described the molecular mechanisms and cellular events involved in the initiation of autoimmunity and proposed better strategies to modulate such molecular and cellular anomalies, which will help in preventing and/or controlling autoimmune pathogenesis and ultimately aid in enhancing the quality of life.
Powertrain modelling for engine stop–start dynamics and control of micro/mild hybrid construction machines
Authors: Dinh TQ , Marco J , Greenwood D , Harper L , Corrochano D
Published: May 2017

Engine stop–start control is considered as the key technology for micro/mild hybridisation of vehicles and machines. To utilise this concept, especially for construction machines, the engine is desired to be started in such a way that the operator discomfort can be minimised. To address this issue, this paper aims to develop a simple powertrain modelling approach for engine stop–start dynamic analysis and an advanced engine start control scheme newly applicable for micro/mild hybrid construction machines. First, a powertrain model of a generic construction machine is mathematically developed in a general form, which allows to investigate the transient responses of the system during the engine cranking process. Second, a simple parameterisation procedure with a minimum set of data required to characterise the dynamic model is presented. Third, a model-based adaptive controller is designed for the starter to crank the engine quickly and smoothly without the need of fuel injection while the critical problems of machine noise, vibration and harshness can be eliminated. Finally, the advantages and effectiveness of the proposed modelling and control approaches have been validated through numerical simulations. The results imply that with the limited data set for training, the developed model works better than a high fidelity model built in AMESim while the adaptive controller can guarantee the desired cranking performance.
Attention, please! Structural influences on tabloidization of campaign coverage in German and Austrian elite newspapers (1949–2009)
Authors: Magin Melanie
Published: May 2017

The term tabloidization describes the spillover of tabloid journalism’s characteristics – which aim to attract recipients’ attention – to other media types, particularly elite media. The validity of the common assumption that tabloidization has increased over the last decades is unknown since long-term studies are widely lacking. Applying a most similar systems design, the current study pursues several goals: On the macro-level, it aims to clarify whether campaign coverage of seven German and Austrian elite newspapers has become more tabloidized over six decades (1949–2009) and whether the long-term developments are related to three structural drivers of tabloidization – tabloid newspapers, commercial television, and the Internet. On the meso-level, the study investigates among outlet differences in tabloidization. Tabloidization is conceptualized as multidimensional, considering the topic, focus, and style dimension. The results show that tabloidization in general and in the single newspapers has increased, but only slightly and only in a few respects. While some of the hypothesized structural influences on tabloidization are confirmed, other, more situative drivers of tabloidization seem to account for short-term ups and downs in levels of tabloidization.
Markets and marketing research on poverty and its alleviation
Authors: Sridharan Srinivas , Barrington Dani J. , Saunders Stephen G.
Published: May 2017

Marketing practitioners and business scholars now view some of the world’s poorest communities as profitable growth markets. Hence a market-based approach to poverty alleviation has gathered momentum. This article traces the evolution of such a market-based approach over four decades and highlights a gradual trend away from a deficit-reduction approach (focused on constraints and justice) towards an opportunity-expansion approach (focused on capabilities and well-being). This trend is summarized in an analytical framework of human capabilities, well-being goals and transformative impact evolved from the literature. The framework is then used to analyse the practice of sanitation marketing, which has emerged as a key method in one of the highest priority domains in international development discourse – sanitation. The article concludes with a discussion of how contemporary work can further take forward the key tenets of the framework and guide the development of ‘good markets’ for the poor.
Winning by Losing
Authors: Dagaev Dmitry , Sonin Konstantin
Published: May 2017

In sport tournaments, the rules are presumably structured in a way that any participant cannot benefit by losing instead of winning. We show that tournament systems, consisting of multiple round-robin and knockout tournaments with noncumulative prizes, which are ubiquitous around the world, are generically incentive incompatible. We use our model to discuss potential remedies and applications.
Advanced Glycation End Products and Risks for Chronic Diseases: Intervening Through Lifestyle Modification
Authors: Prasad Chandan , Davis Kathleen E. , Imrhan Victorine , Juma Shanil , Vijayagopal Parakat
Published: May 2017

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a family of compounds of diverse chemical nature that are the products of nonenzymatic reactions between reducing sugars and proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids. AGEs bind to one or more of their multiple receptors (RAGE) found on a variety of cell types and elicit an array of biologic responses. In this review, we have summarized the data on the nature of AGEs and issues associated with their measurements, their receptors, and changes in their expression under different physiologic and disease states. Last, we have used this information to prescribe lifestyle choices to modulate AGE-RAGE cycle for better health.
Atherosclerotic vascular diseases have really the same risk factors? Comparison between large abdominal aortic aneurysm and obstructive non-coronary arterial disease
Authors: Tsialtas Dimitri , Bolognesi Maria Giulia , Volpi Riccardo , Bolognesi Roberto
Published: May 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there are differences among clinical conditions and traditional atherosclerotic risk factors between patients with large abdominal aortic aneurysm and those with occlusive non-coronary arterial disease.

Methods

We clinically examined 519 patients with asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm and 672 with severe obstructive arterial diseases before surgical repair.

Results

In patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm, we identified a clear predominance of males ( p < 0.001), more alcohol consumers ( p < 0.05), higher values of diastolic blood pressure ( p < 0.05), higher values of serum creatinine ( p < 0.005), more hyperuricemic patients ( p < 0.005) and less diabetics ( p < 0.001). In patients with occlusive atherosclerotic vasculopathies, we observed more smokers ( p < 0.05), higher systolic blood pressure and more hypertensives ( p < 0.05 respectively) and a prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia ( p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm were mostly males with diastolic hypertension, impaired renal function and less diabetics, while patients with occlusive arteriopathy were more smokers, hypertensives and more hypertriglyceridemics.
Participation trends according to relative age across youth UK Rugby League
Authors: Cobley Stephen P , Till Kevin
Published: May 2017

Relative age effects in sports participation highlight the presence of a significant social and developmental inequality. To assess its prevalence, patterning, and size, this study examined participation trends of youth (ages 7–21 years) Rugby League players registered to local community clubs across the North of England ( N = 23,943). Results showed that irrespective of relative age, participation growth occurred from U8 to U12s age categories. However, from U13 to U19s, participation became differentiated with the relatively younger showing earlier and progressively lowering participation proportions (e.g. Q4s – U13–U17 = 24–17%) and were up to 50% less likely to participate (i.e. Q4 vs. Q1 – U15–U16 OR = 0.48 and 0.50). Findings highlight the substantial earlier loss of participation for the relatively younger across youth ages. Player development systems containing inherent selection and differentiation during adolescence are presented as one key process affecting the decision to participate in youth Rugby League.
Painting Chinese mythology: Varying touches on the magazine covers of Time, The Economist, Der Spiegel, and China Today
Authors: Xu Kun
Published: May 2017

This study applied semiotic analysis to examine the national image of China on the magazine covers of Time, The Economist, Der Spiegel, and China Today. This study sought to find out and explicate the myths of different, even conflicting portrayals of the image of China. By comparing the signs on these magazine covers, five themes were identified: a threatening China versus a friendly China, a collectivistic China versus an individualistic China, a paradoxical China versus a progressing China, a capitalist China versus a communist China, and a dark China versus a promising China. These themes further led to the construction of the transnational comparative framing model. The similarities and differences in presenting China’s image between Western magazine covers and Chinese magazine covers were also discussed in the study. The mechanisms for framing China’s national image include the use of objectification, collectivistic illustration, contradiction, dual identity, and reference to historical contexts.