bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends and Differentials in Health Care Utilization Pattern in India
Authors: Ghosh Soumitra
Published: October 2014

The results from this study indicate that a vast majority of people (almost 80 per cent) in India use the private sector for outpatient care curative services, albeit a slight decline is noted between 1995–96 and 2004. The utilization of private sector for outpatient services has become more inequitable across expenditure quintiles, favouring the rich at the national level during the period 1995–96 to 2004. There are also large inter-state variations in the choice between private and public provision for poor and non-poor people at the state level. The results indicate that Himachal Pradesh is the only state where the public outpatient services are well targeted and fairly accessible to the poor people (84 per cent) than other states. The multivariate analysis suggests that the gap in access to private provider for outpatient care between poor and non-poor, highly educated and uneducated and scheduled tribes (STs) and other social groups have broadened over the study period. Unlike outpatient care, the results show a trend of declining use of public health facilities for inpatient care. A sizeable proportion of the poor were forced to visit private provider due to non-availability of public facilities: this suggests the need for the public health care system to be responsive to the needs of the poor by ensuring availability of quality services in the public facilities.
Prevalence of Occupational Health Problems among Female Hospital Health Assistants Working in a Rural Hospital, Ramanagara District, Karnataka
Authors: N. Catherin , R. Naveen , B. Joseph
Published: October 2014

Occupational injuries and exposure to blood and body fluids are serious concerns among health care workers (HCWs). The objective of this study was to investigate occupational injuries and associated factors among female health assistants working in a rural hospital in Karnataka. All the health assistants (46) working in a rural hospital were interviewed utilizing a schedule, adapted from Occupational Health Manual. Simple descriptive statistics and tests of association were performed. Among all the health assistants surveyed, 33 (71.7 per cent) of the employees were exposed to blood and body fluids, 27 (58.7 per cent) reported history of needle-stick injuries in the last three months. Stress, headache and back pain were most common complaints –28 (60.9 per cent), 25 (54.3 per cent) and 24 (52.2 per cent), respectively. The number of workers who had anaemia was 35 (76.1 per cent) and 20 (43.4 per cent) workers were underweight with a body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5. The work-related stress and musculoskeletal disorders were found to be high. Health education on ergonomics and the promotion of consistent use of personal protective equipments may help reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal and needle-stick injuries.
Do High Income Earners Have Better Health? The Case Study in Kedah, Malaysia
Authors: Samsudin Shamzaeffa
Published: October 2014

Identifying important factors that influence health status is essential in ensuring an effective health intervention. One of the factors that may contribute to the differences in individual health is the level of income. This study attempts to determine the effect of income, measured at household level, on individual health within the Malaysian context. The sample consists of individuals aged 18 and above from selected households. The self-assessed health (SAH) is used in this study to represent health status. Given that the response of SAH is in the form of ordinal, the ordered logit model, which is more appropriate than the widely used linear regression techniques, is utilized in estimating the effect of income. Controlling for other socio-economic and other health-related factors, there is evidence that income is statistically significant in determining the level of individual health with a positive effect, suggesting the existence of income related inequity in health.
Socio-economic Disparities in Health Care Seeking Behaviour, Health Expenditure and Its Source of Financing in Orissa
Authors: Sahoo Amit Kumar , Madheswaran S.
Published: October 2014

Over the years various plans and programmes have been initiated and implemented by the state government of Orissa. But, state’s health indicators have not improved substantially. Moreover, in recent years, health seeking behaviour of the people has been affected due to increasing cost of health care. Health care is not free of cost any more due to introduction of user fee, increasing trend of privatization and the technological innovation. As a result, out of pocket expenditure has increased enormously affecting the socio-economically disadvantaged groups the most. In consequence, they tend to depend more upon borrowing, dis-saving, selling valuable assets and curtailing expenditure on education of their children. Hence, in this paper we try to investigate broadly into three main aspects, namely, health seeking behaviour, health care burden and most importantly the source of financing of their health expenditure across socio-economic groups by using bi-variate and regression techniques (logit) to provide policy suggestions with respect to health care financing, especially focusing health insurance.

 Our findings show that there exists a statistical significant difference in health seeking behaviour, health expenditure and financing health care among socio-economic groups. Socio-economic groups fall behind in terms of health care utilization and experiencing higher health care burden as well as depending more on inefficient mechanism to finance their health expenditure. Hence, we advocate that state government should increase its expenditure share towards health sector substantially to achieve desired outcomes and also provide comprehensive health insurance to the targeted socio-economic backward groups.
Critical Analysis of an Intervention to Improve Maternal and Child Health
Authors: Piang L. Lam Khan , T.P. Sherin Raj
Published: October 2014

This paper critically analyzes Janani Shuraksha Yojana (JSY), the intervention to improve maternal and child health. It highlights that there has been a huge difference in the annual percentage growth rate of JSY beneficiaries and Institutional deliveries for each year, which implies that the increasing JSY beneficiaries did not have proportionate increase in institutional delivery. It argues that the achievement of JSY is more on increasing of JSY beneficiaries, rather than the increasing of institutional delivery as a whole. It further argued that the marginal increases of JSY beneficiaries are not from home delivery but from institutional delivery. It proposes a more tangible and sustainable approach to reach the unreached or underserved in the difficult and hard to reach areas, by changing the present strategy of ‘making the unreached or underserved population to reach the health facilities’ to ‘reaching the unreached with health facilities and services at their homestead’, so as to change the home delivery into institutional delivery.
Impact of Health on Labour Supply and Wages
Authors: Ghatak Amrita , Madheswaran S.
Published: October 2014

In an agrarian economy economic impact of illness acts not only through out of pocket expenditure, but also through loss of labour time and wages at the individual level. Using the information collected from 676 respondents at selected villages in West Bengal from 2009 to 2010, the present paper examines the impact of health on labour supply behaviour and wages. Theoretically the study borrows the idea of nutrition-based efficiency wage hypothesis and builds a conceptual framework based on capability approach. The methodology follows a household production function model. Nutritional dimension of health as indicated by body mass index (BMI) has been found to have a positive and significant impact on labour supply for both the male and female respondents. Age is found to have significantly non-linear impact on labour supply. Hence, public policies to improve the sex and age composition of the households through appropriate channels, that is, health and fertility may be necessary. Finally, the results suggest a revision in the design of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) programme by integrating it with other developmental programmes on health, sanitation and skill development in order to ensure productivity of rural manual labourers. Experience of some other countries like South Africa and Brazil suggests the need to integrate public works programmes with programmes that target health and family welfare issues particularly in the context of rural livelihood.
Scope and Impact of Global Actions under UNDESD
Authors: Hopkins Charles
Published: October 2014

As the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development ends, there will be celebrations and the inevitable reporting on activities and outcomes. Countless meetings, events, and sessions have occurred around the world. This opinion piece acknowledges three significant events or outcomes that are shaping the future of ESD within formal education on a global scale.

For this author, the first major outcome was the UNESCO World Conference in Bonn (2009) where representatives from most influentially significant ministries of education discussed and planned the future of ESD. The second was the movement conceptually of ESD from the periphery to a core component of quality education. The third was the concept of ESD more as a purpose of education comprised of not only curriculum content but new approaches to pedagogy.

In closing the determination of nations to launch the new Global Action Programme is a testimony of the success of the UNDESD.
Can ESD Reach the Year 2020?
Authors: Lenglet Frans
Published: October 2014

In order to have long-term impact ESD concepts, practices and policies should move into societal, policy and research arenas with high visibility and traction. In the process of going ‘transboundary’, the ESD label may fade but the practice and organization of social and collaborative learning may gain.
The Leading Edge of Teacher Education and ESD
Authors: Mckeown Rosalyn
Published: October 2014

Teacher education institutions (TEIs) that are pioneers and leaders in education for sustainable development (ESD) have advanced the field through efforts in programmes, practices, and policies during the United Nations Decade of ESD. An international survey of TEIs by the UNESCO Chair on Reorienting Teacher Education to Address Sustainability at York University revealed strategies used to advance ESD included incorporating ESD into existing coursework and creating new classes as well as certificate and degree programmes. Internal and external review processes ensure ESD remains embedded in teacher-education programmes. The greatest challenges to TEIs during the DESD were lack of awareness of ESD and lack of financial and human resources. Recommendations for the post-Decade Global Action Programme on ESD include creating guidelines for ESD materials development and evaluation, addressing the aforementioned challenges, and building on the experiences and expertise of the ESD pioneers to scale-up ESD in TEIs internationally.
The Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability (GUPES): Networking of Higher Educational Institutions in Facilitating Implementation of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005–2014
Authors: Pradhan Mahesh , Mariam Ayombi
Published: October 2014

This article will focus on involvement of Higher Education Institutions in promoting Education for Sustainable Development through UNEPs flagship programme Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability. To achieve this, the activities of the network are centered on three pillars: Education, Training and Networking.
Greening in the Red Zone
Authors: Mering Sabine von
Published: October 2014

Keith Tidball and Marianne Krasny (Eds), Springer Science and Business Media, Dordrecht, 2014, 503 pages, $126.35 (hard cover [Amazon]). ISBN: 978-90-481-99471.

http://www.springer.com/environment/environmental+management/book/978-90-481-9946-4
Involuntary disputes: When competition for members forces smaller unions to strike
Authors: Akkerman Agnes
Published: October 2014

Industrial relations theory has produced two conflicting hypotheses on the effects of multi-unionism on the incidence of industrial conflict. International comparative research proposes that unions organizing the same worker domains are prone to competition, for which industrial conflict is used as a means of propaganda. British economic research claims that unions organizing substitutable workers cooperate and act as one union. This study argues that apparent cooperation is not always voluntary action but is sometimes the result of a loss of autonomy caused by competition and a lack of mobilization power. Micro-level data on industrial action are used to test hypotheses of the conditions for such involuntary participation in labor disputes.
Signaling commitments, making concessions: Democratization and state ratification of international human rights treaties, 1966–2006
Authors: Zhou Min
Published: October 2014

How is the establishment of the international human rights regime possible in the first place? Bringing together theories from international law, political science, and sociology, I revisit the argument that global efforts to institutionalize human rights into international law are mainly driven by states undergoing democratization. Political democratization is crucial to the creation of the international human rights regime, because it generates “commitment” and “concession” mechanisms that motivate states to support human rights treaties. Analyzed by Cox event history models, the data on state ratification of the core United Nations human rights treaties from 1966 through 2006 are consistent with this argument. Improvement in human rights and increased political competition do significantly increase the rate of state ratification of human rights treaties. The ratification-promoting effect of democratization also operates in an immediate fashion. Overall, this study provides empirical support for the dynamic state-oriented explanation for global legalization of human rights and suggests a close connection between global democratization waves and the establishment of the human rights regime.
Rationalizing beliefs
Authors: Yu Ping , Zeng Li
Published: October 2014

This paper studies belief formation for two kinds of religion. The main conclusion is that they follow different mechanisms. Specifically, for religions relying on supernatural powers, people formulate beliefs based on their prior beliefs and experiences, and they may claim their beliefs for some realistic considerations. For religions based on self-sufficiency, mainly Buddhism, beliefs are formed by an awareness of suffering and dependent arising.
The Evolution of Case Management for Service Members Injured in Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: Kelley Patricia Watts , Kenny Deborah J. , Gordon Deborah R. , Benner Patricia
Published: October 2014

In this article we describe the nursing care needs of wounded service members (WSMs) from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the evolving role of the nurse case manager (CM). New types of injuries, in-field treatment, immediate transport to multiple care centers, and new technologies have created a new patient population of WSMs that requires new types of nursing care and knowledge. We interviewed 235 nurses, including CMs from nine military treatment facilities (MTFs) and the Veterans Administration (VA), on actual patient care experiences and new knowledge development, and 67 WSMs about their experiences of care. New military and VA nurse case management roles are essential for the effective functioning of the evolving, highly specialized, and transport-based health care system. Working effectively with WSMs required that the CM role be expanded beyond health care management to include family support, re-entry, and life coaching for the extremely altered life circumstances of WSMs.
Clinical Positioning Space
Authors: Williams Lars H. , Christensen Mette K. , Rytter Carsten , Musaeus Peter
Published: October 2014

In this article, we present a case study of residents’ clinical experiences and communication in outpatient oncology consultations. We apply positioning theory, a dynamic alternative to role theory, to investigate how oncology residents and patients situate themselves as persons with rights and duties. Drawing from seven qualitative interviews and six days of observation, we investigate the residents’ social positioning and their conversations with patients or supervisors. Our focus is on how (a) relational shifts in authority depend on each situation and its participants; (b) storylines establish acts and positions and narratively frame what participants can expect from a medical consultation viewed as a social episode; and (c) the positioning of rights and duties can lead to misunderstandings and frustrations. We conclude that residents and patients locate themselves in outpatient conversations as participants who jointly produce and are produced by patients’ and nurses’ storylines about who should take responsibility for treatment.
From Patient to Therapatient
Authors: Goldberg Miriam , Hadas-Lidor Noami , Karnieli-Miller Orit
Published: October 2014

We explored the experiences of social work students with psychiatric difficulties and focused on their challenges as they went through the different stages of development as health care professionals. We interviewed 12 social work students with psychiatric difficulties and analyzed the data using the immersion/crystallization method. The findings reveal the developmental process they underwent from being patients to being “therapatients” (therapists who are also patients; here, therapists coping with psychiatric difficulties). This process included four stages: an initial exploration of the health care world; questioning the possibility of a patient being a therapist and feeling incompetent; identifying their ability to be professionals; and integrating between their patient and therapist parts to become a therapatient. Understanding this process and finding ways to help students through it is crucial to allowing the patient and therapist parts to “live” together and enrich each other, and to allowing integration of professional knowledge and personal experience.
Linear programming embedded genetic algorithm for product family design optimization with maximizing imprecise part-worth utility function
Authors: Luo Xinggang , Yang Wei , Kwong CK , Tang Jianguo , Tang Jiafu
Published: October 2014

Product family design optimization is an important decision task in the early stages of product development. The extant optimization models for product family design assume that the known information for modeling can be determined precisely. However, many collected information for product design are prone to be imprecise due to the inherent uncertainty of human knowledge and expression. For example, when human experts estimate market demand of a product, imprecise information may be involved and influence the results of optimization. In this research, an optimization model with maximizing imprecise part-worth utility function is established for product family design problem. A linear programming embedded genetic algorithm is proposed to solve the proposed fuzzy optimization model. An industrial case of printing calculator product is used to illustrate the proposed approach. Experiments and sensitivity analysis based on the case study are also performed to analyze the relationship among the parameters and to explore the characteristics of the optimization model.
Natural History of Nonoperatively Treated Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus
Authors: Klammer Georg , Maquieira Gerardo J. , Spahn Silke , Vigfusson Vanessa , Zanetti Marco , Espinosa Norman
Published: October 2014

Background:

We hypothesized that patients undergoing nonoperative treatment for asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) would not deteriorate clinically or radiologically over time.

Methods:

Forty-eight patients (mean age = 48 years; range, 13-78 years) with an OLT confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) who had not undergone ankle joint surgery were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were evaluated after a minimum follow-up of 2 years (mean = 52 months; range, 27-124 months). All patients filled out an individual questionnaire and underwent a physical and radiographic assessment (radiograph and hindfoot MRI).

Results:

At final follow-up, 43 ankles (86%) in 41 patients were pain-free (visual analogue scale [VAS] 0, n = 12) or less painful (VAS 1-3, n = 31). Radiographically, osteoarthritis was absent in 47%, and grade 1 and 2 osteoarthritis each were found in 27% (van Dijk classification). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed no substantial progression in staging or lesion size. Pain at time of follow-up correlated with the depth of the lesion at initial MRI ( P < .05) and with subchondral cyst formation and presence or change of bone marrow edema at follow-up MRI ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Minimally symptomatic OLTs did not appear to progress or worsen over time when treated nonoperatively.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Postoperative Pain and Preemptive Local Anesthetic Infiltration in Hallux Valgus Surgery
Authors: Gądek Artur , Liszka Henryk , Wordliczek Jerzy
Published: October 2014

Background:

Several techniques of anesthesia are used in foot surgery. Preemptive analgesia helps to prevent the development of hypersensitivity in the perioperative period. The aim of our study was to assess the role of preemptive local anesthetic infiltration and postoperative pain after hallux valgus surgery.

Methods:

We evaluated 118 patients who underwent modified chevron and miniinvasive Mitchell–Kramer bunionectomy of the first distal metatarsal. After spinal anesthesia each patient randomly received an infiltration of local anesthetic or the same amount of normal saline 10 minutes before the skin incision. We measured the intensity of pain 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, and 72 hours after the release of the tourniquet using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Rescue analgesia and all other side effects were noted.

Results:

Preemptive analgesia resulted in less pain during the first 24 hours after surgery. The decrease of VAS score was significantly lower in the study group during all the short postoperative periods measured. The rescue analgesia was administered in 11.9% of patients in the injected group and 42.4% in the placebo group ( P < .05). In the injected group we did not observe significant difference in VAS score between patients post–chevron and miniinvasive Mitchell–Kramer osteotomy of the first distal metatarsal. No systemic adverse effects were noted. One persistent injury of dorsomedial cutaneous nerve was observed.

Conclusion:

Preemptive local anesthetic infiltration was an efficient and safe method to reduce postoperative pain after hallux valgus surgery. The analgesic effect was satisfactory in both traditional and minimally invasive techniques.

Level of Evidence:

Level I, prospective randomized study.
Exposure via Sequential Release of the Metatarsophalangeal Joint for Plantar Plate Repair Through a Dorsal Approach Without an Intraarticular Osteotomy
Authors: Jastifer James R. , Coughlin Michael J.
Published: October 2014

Background:

Traditionally, plantar plate repairs have been performed from either a direct plantar approach or through a dorsal approach utilizing an intraarticular metatarsal osteotomy. It is unknown if a plantar plate repair can be reliably performed through a dorsal approach without an osteotomy.

Methods:

The second through fourth metatarsal phalangeal (MTP) joints of 4 fresh frozen cadavers were sequentially dissected and the exposure of the plantar plate was quantified with a digital micrometer. A suture passer was then utilized to pass a suture through the released plantar plate without a metatarsal osteotomy.

Results:

The mean plantar plate exposure after capsulotomy was 1.1 mm, after capsulotomy and release of the collateral ligaments exposure was 2.5 mm, after the addition of a release of plantar structures with a McGlamry elevator exposure was 4.1 mm, and after the addition of a plantar plate takedown the exposure was 5.3 mm. Every specimen had a minimum of 4 mm of exposure. Two sutures were successfully passed through every plantar plate with the exposure obtained.

Conclusion:

Significant improvement in exposure of the plantar plate was achieved with each successive structure released .

Clinical Relevance:

Successful plantar plate repair can be reliably performed through a dorsal approach without a metatarsal osteotomy in a cadaveric model.
Intraoperative and Perioperative Complications During Revision Arthroplasty for Salvage of a Failed Total Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: Williams Joan R. , Wegner Nicholas J. , Sangeorzan Bruce J. , Brage Michael E.
Published: October 2014

Background:

Revision of a failed total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) remains a challenge. Advances in total ankle implant design have renewed interest in revision TAA as an alternative to ankle arthrodesis or amputation in the management of a failed TAA. The purpose of our study was to review a series of failed Agility TAA revised to INBONE II TAA and identify reasons for revision as well as perioperative complications.

Methods:

A retrospective review of 35 cases of failed Agility TAA revised to an INBONE II TAA was performed at 1 institution. Patient demographics, indications for revision, radiographs, and complications were reviewed. The average follow-up was 9.1 months (range, 0-28 months). All revisions were performed by 1 of 2 foot and ankle surgeons familiar with both prostheses.

Results:

The Agility TAA lasted a mean of 6.7 years prior to revision to an INBONE II TAA. Revision TAA was indicated due to mechanical loosening, osteolysis, periprosthetic fracture, and a dislocated prosthesis. Adjunctive procedures were performed in 31 of 35 cases. There were 6 intraoperative and 5 acute postoperative complications, leading to an overall 31.4% complication rate. There was 1 patient with continued pain postoperatively who underwent a second revision of the INBONE II 20 months postoperatively.

Conclusion:

Revision TAA was a viable treatment option for failed TAA. A high risk of perioperative complications remains, and physicians should be aware of the challenges that occur during these procedures in order to plan for them preoperatively.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Effect of Chronic Heart Rate Reduction by If Current Inhibitor Ivabradine on Left Ventricular Remodeling and Systolic Performance in Middle-Aged Rats With Postmyocardial Infarction Heart Failure
Authors: Dedkov Eduard I. , Bogatyryov Yevgen , McCooey Daniela Scaldaferri , Christensen Lance P. , Weiss Robert M. , Tomanek Robert J.
Published: October 2014

Background:

A large myocardial infarction (MI) initiates progressive cardiac remodeling that leads to systolic heart failure (HF). Long-term heart rate reduction (HRR) induced by the I f current inhibitor ivabradine (IVA) ameliorates left ventricular (LV) remodeling and improves systolic performance in young post-MI rats. However, the beneficial effects of chronic IVA treatment in middle-aged rats remain to be determined.

Methods:

A large MI was induced in 12-month-old rats by left coronary artery ligation. Rats were treated with IVA via osmotic pumps intraperitoneal in a dose of 10.5 mg/kg/d (MI + IVA) and compared with MI and sham-operated animals 12 weeks after MI.

Results:

Heart rate in MI + IVA rats was on average 29% lower than that of rats in the MI group. Left ventricular remodeling was comparable between post-MI groups, although MI + IVA rats did not show the compensatory thickening of the noninfarcted myocardium. Chronic HRR had no effect on transverse cardiac myocyte size and capillary growth, but it reduced the collagen content in noninfarcted myocardium. Left ventricular systolic performance remained similarly impaired in MI and MI + IVA rats. Moreover, abrupt IVA withdrawal led to worsening HF and reduction of coronary reserve.

Conclusion:

Our data reveal that chronic IVA-induced HRR does not provide sustainable benefits for LV systolic performance in middle-aged rats with post-MI HF.
Pathways From Childhood Maltreatment to Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Faulkner Breanne , Goldstein Abby L. , Wekerle Christine
Published: October 2014

Longitudinal survey data were used to examine the relationship between two types of childhood maltreatment, abuse/neglect and exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV), and two outcomes, substance use and dating violence, within the past year. Participants were youth ( N = 158, aged 16–19 at Time 3) involved with child protective services (CPS). A parallel multiple mediator model was used to test the hypothesis that trauma symptoms would mediate the relationship between both types of maltreatment and dating violence, marijuana, and alcohol use outcomes. Although both types of maltreatment were not directly associated with dating violence and substance use outcomes, the indirect effects of anxiety, anger, and dissociation on the relationship between maltreatment and substance use/dating violence were significant. Direct effects of both types of maltreatment on past year use of dating violence + alcohol use and dating violence + marijuana use were not significant, but results demonstrated a significant indirect effect for anger on the relationship between exposure to IPV and past year dating violence + marijuana use. No other indirect effects were significant. Findings highlight the negative effects of exposure to IPV and have implications for the development of prevention programming for youth transitioning out of CPS.
The Association of Mental Health Conditions With Employment, Interpersonal, and Subjective Functioning After Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Beck J. Gayle , Clapp Joshua D. , Jacobs-Lentz Jason , McNiff Judiann , Avery Megan , Olsen Shira A.
Published: October 2014

This study explored the associations of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and depressive symptoms with employment, social support, and subjective functioning in 100 women who were seeking mental health assistance after intimate partner violence. Depressive disorders showed significant associations with low levels of social support, diminished self-esteem, reduced quality of life, and elevated negative social problem-solving orientation. PTSD severity was significantly associated with low self-esteem and elevated negative problem orientation, while severity of GAD was only associated with negative problem orientation. Results are discussed in light of current service models for women who have experienced intimate partner violence.
Stalking and Psychosocial Distress Following the Termination of an Abusive Dating Relationship
Authors: Edwards Katie M. , Gidycz Christine A.
Published: October 2014

The purpose of the current study was to utilize a prospective methodology to better understand the extent to which women report stalking behaviors perpetrated by their abusive ex-partners and how these stalking experiences affect women’s psychological adjustment. Participants included 56 college women who completed measures of partner abuse and psychological adjustment prior to and after terminating an abusive dating relationship. A little over half of the women (51.8%) reported some type of stalking victimization following the termination of the abusive relationship. After controlling for baseline levels of psychological distress and partner abuse variables, experiences of post-relationship stalking victimization predicted greater levels of posttraumatic stress symptomatology and interpersonal sensitivity, whereas post-relationship stalking victimization was unrelated to depression and personal empowerment.
The Role of Sexual Violence in Creating and Maintaining Economic Insecurity Among Asset-Poor Women of Color
Authors: Loya Rebecca M.
Published: October 2014

This article argues that economic instability and sexual violence reinforce each other in two ways. First, the devastating psychological consequences of sexual assault can diminish work performance and disrupt income, creating economic instability, particularly for the asset-poor. Latina and African American women face particular risk due to barriers to appropriate post-assault resources and low rates of asset ownership. Second, income- and asset poverty increase women’s risk for sexual violence and complicate recovery. Women with financial and social resources can leverage these assets to both avoid and recover from sexual assault, whereas women without such resources lack these options. Policy solutions are proposed.
Funding Public Transportation Through Special Assessment Districts
Authors: Mathur Shishir
Published: October 2014

Little scholarly attention has been paid to the equity impacts of special assessment districts (SADs) established to fund public transportation projects. This article uses three recent public transportation projects funded using SADs in the United States and finds that the case study SADs’ performance is mixed. Although the districts use a variety of criteria, such as property value, parcel area, and distance from the transportation project, to calculate assessments in a way that promotes horizontal equity, the assessment methodologies do not take into account the disamenity associated with certain elements of public transportation projects, such as the rail line. Furthermore, owner-occupied residential properties are often exempt from paying assessments to garner support for SADs, rather than to satisfy equity concerns. Finally, the low-interest, long-term payment of assessments enhances vertical equity which can be further enhanced if assessment exemptions or deferments are consistently provided to seniors on fixed incomes and low-income households.
Dissecting an Online Intervention for Cancer Survivors
Authors: Chen Zhenghao , Koh Pang Wei , Ritter Philip L. , Lorig Kate , Bantum Erin O’Carroll , Saria Suchi
Published: October 2014

The Internet has been used extensively to offer health education content and also for social support. More recently, we have seen the advent of Internet-based health education interventions that combine content with structured social networking. In many ways this is the Internet equivalent to small group interventions. While we have some knowledge about the efficacy of these interventions, few studies have examined how participants engage with programs and how that might affect outcomes. This study seeks to explore (a) the content of posts and (b) the nature of participant engagement with an online, 6-week workshop for cancer survivors and how such engagement may affect health outcomes. Using methodologies related to computational linguistics (latent Dirichlet allocation) and more standard statistical approaches, we identified (a) discussion board themes; (b) the relationship between reading and posting messages and outcomes; (c) how making, completing, or not completing action plans is related to outcome; and (d) how self-tailoring relates to outcomes. When considering all posts, emotional support is a key theme. However, different sets of themes are expressed in the first workshop post where participants are asked to express their primary concern. Writing posts was related to improved outcomes, but reading posts was less important. Completing, but not merely making, action plans and self-tailoring are statistically associated with future positive health outcomes. The findings from these exploratory studies can be considered when shaping future electronically mediated social networking interventions. In addition, the methods used here can be used in analyzing other large electronically mediated social-networking interventions.
Outcome of a Food Observational Study Among Low-Income Preschool Children Participating in a Family-Style Meal Setting
Authors: Treviño Roberto P. , Vasquez Liset , Shaw-Ridley Mary , Mosley Desiree , Jechow Katherine , Piña Christina
Published: October 2014

Introduction. In the United States, one out of every seven low-income children between the ages of 2 and 5 years is at risk for overweight and obesity. Formative research was conducted to determine if preschool children participating in family-style meals consumed the minimum food servings according to U.S. Department of Agriculture dietary guidelines. Method. Participants were 135 low-income children aged 3 to 4 years who attended an urban child care center. Participant’s parents completed a Family Demographic Questionnaire to provide information on race/ethnicity, parent’s level of education, and household income. Direct observation of children’s food and beverage consumption during school breakfast and lunch was collected over 3 consecutive days. Dietary data were assessed using the Nutrition Data System for Research software. Height and weight measurements were obtained to determine risk for obesity. Descriptive statistics were reported by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 16. Results. Among 135 participants, 98% identified as Mexican American, 75% lived at or below poverty level, and 24% reported a family history of diabetes. Children consumed less than half of the calories provided between breakfast and lunch and did not consume the minimum recommended dietary food servings. Despite the poor dietary intake, physical measurement findings showed 25% obesity prevalence among study participants. Conclusions. Findings support the need for evidenced-based early childhood obesity prevention programs that provide behavior change opportunities for children, their families, teachers, and menu planners. Family-style meal settings are ideal opportunities for implementing nutrition education strategies to prevent early childhood obesity.
Professional role perceptions among Iraqi Kurdish journalists from a ‘state within a state’
Authors: Relly Jeannine E , Zanger Maggy , Fahmy Shahira
Published: October 2014

Twenty years after a foreign intervention in Iraqi Kurdistan during Saddam Hussein’s authoritarian rule, this study found that Kurdish journalists’ professional role perceptions appear, to an extent, to reflect liberal democratic news media values. The study used the hierarchy-of-influences framework to examine determinants of professional role perceptions among Iraqi Kurdish journalists ( N = 175), who interacted with democratic institutions more than a decade longer than the rest of the country. The ‘Watchdog’ role perception model was the strongest of eight models in the study with influences including Western news media training, Internet use frequency, and ‘democrat’ political ideology over ‘Nationalist’. Furthermore, the ‘Islamist’ ideology had a stronger influence than ‘democrat’ on ‘Watchdog’ role perceptions, potentially indicating these perspectives, at times, may be embraced by groups not within the ruling parties.
The poetics of goodbye: Change and nostalgia in goodbye narratives penned by ex-Baltimore Sun employees
Authors: Spaulding Stacy
Published: October 2014

This study examines a website produced by a group of workers laid off by The Baltimore Sun in April 2009. This study describes the poetics of ‘goodbye narratives’, reflective stories written by ex-employees regarding their organizational experiences. This article uses plot and thematic analysis rooted in narrative and organizational studies to understand community sense making of organizational change. Individually, these writers told stories that expressed attachment to their work and profession, while collectively these narratives dramatically illustrated the impact of organizational decline. Furthermore, these stories provided an opportunity to examine the role of nostalgia within interpretative community discourse. This article theorizes that nostalgia performs both individual and collective sense making, building a bridge between local and durational interpretative modes.
Youth Justice Co-ordinators’ perspectives on New Zealand’s Youth Justice Family Group Conference process
Authors: Slater Christine , Lambie Ian , McDowell Heather
Published: October 2014

The article describes an evaluation of New Zealand’s Youth Justice Family Group Conference process from the perspectives of Youth Justice Co-ordinators. The study aimed to understand the development of practice, to identify factors constituting best practice and areas of process weakness. Data was obtained from semi-structured interviews with Youth Justice Co-ordinators ( n = 19) with at least 12 years’ experience (Project One) and four broader focus groups ( n = 27) (Project Two).

Findings

The Youth Justice Family Group Conference process was reported by participants to be effective for the majority of young people, but inadequate for recidivist, high-risk offenders. Best practice included: aligned professional approaches to conference philosophy and practice, service delivery by trained Youth Justice Co-ordinators, conference preparation quality, victim inclusion, and determining a strengths-based personalised plan for the young person. Several process weaknesses were identified.

Applications

Recommendations for process improvement included: addressing Co-ordinator training and service leadership, reviewing the process for recidivists, enhancing professional collaboration and Police training.
Expression of classical components of the renin-angiotensin system in the human eye
Authors: White Andrew JR , Cheruvu Sarat C , Sarris Maria , Liyanage Surabhi S , Lumbers Eugenie , Chui Jeanie , Wakefield Denis , McCluskey Peter J
Published: October 2014

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative expression of clinically-relevant components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the adult human eye.

Methods:

We obtained 14 post-mortem enucleated human eyes from patients whom had no history of inflammatory ocular disease nor pre-mortem ocular infection. We determined the gene expression for prorenin, renin, prorenin receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensinogen and angiotensin II Type 1 receptor, on tissue sections and in cultured human primary retinal pigment epithelial and iris pigment epithelial (RPE/IPE) cell lines, using both qualitative and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Protein expression was studied using indirect immunofluorescence (IF).

Results:

Almost all components of the classical RAS were found at high levels, at both the transcript and protein level, in the eyes’ uvea and retina; and at lower levels in the cornea, conjunctiva and sclera. There was a much lower level of expression in the reference cultured RPE/IPE cells lines.

Conclusion:

This study describes the distribution of RAS in the normal adult human eye and demonstrates the existence of an independent ocular RAS, with uveal and retinal tissues showing the highest expression of RAS components. These preliminary findings provide scope for examination of additional components of this system in the human eye, as well as possible differential expression under pathological conditions.
Urinary angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 increases in diabetic nephropathy by angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker olmesartan
Authors: Abe Masanori , Oikawa Osamu , Okada Kazuyoshi , Soma Masayoshi
Published: October 2014

Introduction:

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a member of the renin–angiotensin system that degrades angiotensin (Ang) II to the seven-amino acid peptide fragment Ang-(1-7). We evaluated the changes in urinary ACE2 levels in response to treatment with the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker olmesartan in diabetes patients with nephropathy.

Materials and methods:

This prospective, open-label, interventional study was conducted with 31 type 2 diabetes patients with nephropathy. After initial evaluation, patients received 20 mg/day olmesartan, which was increased to 40 mg/day over a 24-week period.

Results:

In diabetes patients with chronic kidney disease, olmesartan significantly increased urinary ACE2 levels independently of blood pressure and plasma aldosterone levels and reduced albuminuria, urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), and plasma aldosterone levels. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that the change in urinary L-FABP levels was an independent predictor of increased urinary ACE2 levels.

Conclusion:

Olmesartan may have the unique effect of increasing urinary ACE2 levels. However, whether this contributes to olmesartan’s renoprotective effect must be examined further.
Mass Preferences on Shared Representation and the Composition of Legislative Districts
Authors: Christenson Dino , Makse Todd
Published: October 2014

Scholars of redistricting often discuss “communities of interest” as a guideline for drawing districts, but scholarship offers little guidance on how citizens construe communities and interests in the context of representation. In this article, we seek to better understand how citizens’ perceptions of people and places affect preferences regarding representation. Using an original survey conducted in 15 Massachusetts communities, we explore whether citizens have meaningful preferences about the communities with whom they share the same representative. To the extent they do, we test whether these preferences are driven by geographic considerations or other factors such as partisanship, race, and socioeconomic status. Our findings not only offer the opportunity to refine the concept of “communities of interest” to account for voter preferences but also more broadly speak to the literature on the increasingly political nature of residential preferences and their impact on political attitudes, participation, and voting behavior.
Do Diabetic Foot Infections With Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Differ From Those With Other Pathogens?
Authors: Zenelaj Besa , Bouvet Cindy , Lipsky Benjamin A. , Uçkay Ilker
Published: October 2014

There is controversy as to whether or not diabetic foot infections (DFIs) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are associated with worse outcomes than DFIs caused by other pathogens. To address this issue we performed a nonsystematic literature search of published articles in English language journals seeking studies reporting on the outcomes of DFIs related to their microbiology. We retrieved 48 articles published from 1999 to 2013 that described a total of 7771 cases of DFI. The overall proportion of DFIs with an isolate of S aureus was about 30%; just over one third of these (11% of all cases) were MRSA strains. Among the DFI cases caused by MRSA 1543 were episodes of soft tissue infections and 113 of osteomyelitis, while non-MRSA organisms caused 5761 soft tissue infections and 354 cases of osteomyelitis. Only 5 of the included articles attempted a comparison between DFI caused by MRSA and those caused by other pathogens, with no clear differences noted. The median total duration of antibiotic therapy for DFI caused by MRSA was 26 days, of which a median of 10 days was given intravenously. Only a few articles reported the proportion of patients with a recurrence, but they often did not differentiate between MRSA and non-MRSA cases. Four publications reported a worse functional or microbiological outcome in MRSA, compared to non-MRSA, cases, but the findings were variable and differences did not seem to be significant. Many trials failed to adjust for case-mix or to definitively demonstrate a relationship between microbiology and outcomes. Few of the articles specifically commented on whether the MRSA isolates were health care- or community-acquired strains. Notwithstanding the substantial limitations of the available literature, there does not appear to be a need for any special treatment for DFI caused by MRSA. The current guidelines for treating according to established international recommendations seem appropriate.