bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delivering value
Authors: Brown Scott
Published: July 2015

The author discusses the results of Business Information Review’s 25th Business Information Survey, commenting from a US perspective. Trends in providing value-added deliverables, working with data, working with vendors, open access and open-source resources, technology, mobile access, skills, and hiring are highlighted. The article concludes that trends in business information services in the US and UK are closely aligned and that we must continue to look for opportunities to add value to business information services. The US/UK use of non-English language sources, acting on the big data opportunity, the importance of information technology enablers, and user-centric design appear as areas of potential difference.
Out-of-the-box
Authors: James Roger
Published: July 2015

Elections are a time at which objective fact vies with opinion and emotion leading up to the decision to vote. In the UK, the recent general election results proved to be a major surprise – one in which the hard data of the opinion polls and the questions asked in the focus groups were at odds with the expressed behaviour of the electorate. Before the pundits ‘regroup’ and the political groups re-establish their claimed hegemony over our intentions there is much to learn. For information scientists it is to recognize that the ‘dark arts’ of political campaigning contain many valuable techniques for effective information delivery and many lessons where information is irrelevant.
Heuristics and biases
Authors: Dale Steve
Published: July 2015

A heuristic is a word from the Greek meaning ‘to discover’. It is an approach to problem-solving that takes one’s personal experience into account. Heuristics provide strategies to scrutinize a limited number of signals and/or alternative choices in decision-making. Heuristics diminish the work of retrieving and storing information in memory and of streamlining the decision-making process by reducing the amount of integrated information necessary in making the choice or passing judgement. However, whilst heuristics can speed up our problem-solving and decision-making processes, they can introduce errors and bias judgements. This article looks at commonly used heuristics and their human psychology origins. Understanding how heuristics work can give us better insight into our personal biases and influences and (perhaps) lead to better problem-solving and decision-making.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the treatment of adult sickle cell acute chest syndrome
Authors: Parhar Ken , Parizkova Barbora , Jones Nicola , Valchanov Kamen , Fowles Jo-Anne , Besser Martin , Telfer Paul , Kaya Banu , Vuylsteke Alain , Rubino Antonio
Published: July 2015

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary haemoglobinopathy that results in polymerization of haemoglobin molecules and subsequent vaso-occlusion. A common cause of death in adults is acute chest syndrome (AChS) with resulting hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) has been used successfully in acutely reversible respiratory failure when conventional mechanical ventilation has been unable to adequately oxygenate and ventilate in a lung-protective fashion.

We present an adult SCD patient with severe respiratory failure due to AChS, successfully treated with VV-ECMO. We also discuss some of the technical challenges and considerations when using ECMO in the SCD patient.
The advent of non-thermal, non-tumescent techniques for treatment of varicose veins
Authors: Bootun Roshan , Lane Tristan RA , Davies Alun H
Published: July 2015

Varicose veins are common and their management has undergone a number of changes over the years. Surgery has been the traditional treatment option, but towards the 21st century, new endovenous thermal ablation techniques, namely, radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser ablation, were introduced which have revolutionised the way varicose veins are treated. These minimally invasive techniques are associated with earlier return to normal activity and less pain, as well as enabling procedures to be carried out as day cases. They are, however, also known to cause a number of side-effects and involve infiltration of tumescent fluid which can cause discomfort. Non-thermal, non-tumescent methods are believed to be the answer to these unwelcome effects. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is one such non-thermal, non-tumescent method and, despite a possible lower occlusion, has been shown to improve the quality of life of patients. The early results of two recently launched non-thermal, non-tumescent methods, mechanochemical ablation and cyanoacrylate glue, are promising and are discussed.
A critical analysis of the internal logic in the Life-Space Assessment (LSA) composite score and suggested solutions
Authors: Siordia Carlos
Published: July 2015

Background:

An individual’s ability to live independently is commonly measured in health research interested in identifying risk factors associated with disablement processes. In order to inform clinical practice, population research has attempted to identify the contraction of “lived-space” by using various survey instruments.

Problem:

Studies assessing habitual movements over the environment with the Life-Space Assessment (LSA) survey instrument should carefully consider how the LSA Composite Score (LSA-CS) is computed. Until now, no publication has carefully delineated the assumptions guiding the internal logic used in the computation of the LSA-CS.

Core argument:

Because the internal logic of the LSA may need further justification, a non-data-editing scoring algorithm should be considered.

Solution:

Compute LSA-CS by only using non-edited data.

Specific aim:

Paper first delineates the logic guiding the algorithm used in the formation of the LSA-CS and explains how the scoring creates and changes participant responses when they conflict with its internal logic. An easy-to-use SAS® 9.3 program for estimating a Non-Data-Edited LSA-CS (NDE-LSA-CS) is also presented.

Conclusion:

Researchers interested in assessing lived-space should carefully consider if the internal logic of the LSA-CS is warranted. Clinicians should know it is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of outcome measures used when deciding on whether to apply the results of research to direct clinical practice.
Hydrotherapy vs. conventional land-based exercise for improving walking and balance after stroke: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhu Zhizhong , Cui Liling , Yin Miaomiao , Yu Yang , Zhou Xiaona , Wang Hongtu , Yan Hua
Published: July 2015

Objective:

To investigate the effects of hydrotherapy on walking ability and balance in patients with chronic stroke.

Design:

Single-blind, randomized controlled pilot trial.

Setting:

Outpatient rehabilitation clinic at a tertiary neurological hospital in China.

Subjects:

A total of 28 participants with impairments in walking and controlling balance more than six months post-stroke.

Intervention:

After baseline evaluations, participants were randomly assigned to a land-based therapy (control group, n = 14) or hydrotherapy (study group, n = 14). Participants underwent individual sessions for four weeks, five days a week, for 45 minutes per session.

Main measures:

After four weeks of rehabilitation, all participants were evaluated by a blinded assessor. Functional assessments included the Functional Reach Test, Berg Balance Scale, 2-minute walk test, and Timed Up and Go Test.

Results:

After four weeks of treatment, the Berg Balance Scale, functional reach test, 2-minute walk test, and the Timed Up and Go Test scores had improved significantly in each group ( P < 0.05). The mean improvement of the functional reach test and 2-minute walk test were significantly higher in the aquatic group than in the control group ( P < 0.01). The differences in the mean values of the improvements in the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go Test were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

The results of this study suggest that a relatively short programme (four weeks) of hydrotherapy exercise resulted in a large improvement in a small group ( n = 14) of individuals with relatively high balance and walking function following a stroke.
Psychometric evaluation of the Posture and Postural Ability Scale for children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Rodby-Bousquet Elisabet , Persson-Bunke Måns , Czuba Tomasz
Published: July 2015

Objective:

To evaluate construct validity, internal consistency and inter-rater reliability of the Posture and Postural Ability Scale for children with cerebral palsy.

Design:

Evaluation of psychometric properties.

Setting:

Five child rehabilitation centres in the south of Sweden, in November 2013 to March 2014.

Subjects:

A total of 29 children with cerebral palsy (15 boys, 14 girls), 6–16 years old, classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels II ( n = 10), III ( n = 7), IV ( n = 6) and V ( n = 6).

Main measures:

Three independent raters (two physiotherapists and one orthopaedic surgeon) assessed posture and postural ability of all children in supine, prone, sitting and standing positions, according to the Posture and Postural Ability Scale. Construct validity was evaluated based on averaged values for the raters relative to known-groups in terms of GMFCS levels. Internal consistency was analysed with Cronbach’s alpha and corrected Item–Total correlation. Inter-rater reliability was calculated using weighted kappa scores.

Results:

The Posture and Postural Ability Scale showed construct validity and median values differed between GMFCS levels ( p < 0.01). There was a good internal consistency (alpha = 0.95–0.96; item–total correlation = 0.55–0.91), and an excellent inter-rater reliability (kappa score = 0.77–0.99).

Conclusion:

The Posture and Postural Ability Scale shows high psychometric properties for children with cerebral palsy, as previously seen when evaluated for adults. It enables detection of postural deficits and asymmetries indicating potential need for support and where it needs to be applied.
Cordycepin protected against the TNF-α-induced inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Yang Jianping , Cao Yan , Lv Zhengxiang , Jiang Tao , Wang Liming , Li Zhong
Published: July 2015

Cordycepin, 3’-deoxyadenosine, is an effective component isolated from the rare Chinese caterpillar fungus Cordyceps militaris. It exerts potent anti-inflammatory actions in different cell and animal models. However, its action remains unclear on the TNF-α-induced inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs). In the present study, we demonstrated that cordycepin induced cell death at 20 and 40 μg/mL. Interestingly, 10 μg/mL cordycepin abrogated the cell death induced by 20 ng/mL TNF-α. Meanwhile, cordycepin exhibited a dose-dependent regulation of the osteogenesis of human ADMSCs: it promoted the differentiation at 10 μg/mL, whereas inhibited differentiation at 40 μg/mL. Furthermore, we discovered that 10 μg/mL cordycepin protected against the TNF-α (induced inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of human ADMSCs. It was also revealed that 10 μg/mL cordycepin restored Runx2 and Osx mRNA levels, which were significantly inhibited by TNF-αduring osteogenesis. At the same time, we found that 10 μg/mL cordycepin suppressed TNF-α-activated NF-κB signaling, by inhibiting IκBα phosphorylation and subsequent p65 release and translocation into the cell nucleus. Of clinical interest, the present study revealed mechanisms involved in inflammatory cytokine-inhibited osteogenesis, and it highlights the potential of cordycepin to promote the osteogenesis of human ADMSCs in cell-based therapy for inflammatory bone diseases.
Individual-Level Risk Factors of Incarcerated Youth
Authors: Pyle Nicole , Flower Andrea , Fall Anna Mari , Williams Jacob
Published: July 2015

This systematic review sought to understand the individual characteristics of incarcerated youth within the major risk factor domains identified by the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). A comprehensive search of the literature from 1979 to 2013 identified 85 articles of individual-level risk characteristics that relate to mental health, personality, psychological factors, social/emotional-behavioral issues, cognitive-intellectual development, academic achievement, victimization history, and substance use. Understanding the characteristics that place youth at risk of incarceration is important in the development and implementation of effective educational interventions to prevent incarceration and rehabilitate incarcerated youth. Considerations regarding how educators can use a multi-tiered prevention system to deliver a continuum of academic and behavioral supports to target students’ risk characteristics are discussed. In addition, future research is highlighted in response to the characteristics that place youth at risk of incarceration.
Epidemiology and Microbiology of Sepsis Syndromes in a University-Affiliated Urban Teaching Hospital and Level-1 Trauma and Burn Center
Authors: Tulloch Luis G. , Chan Jeannie D. , Carlbom David J. , Kelly Mary Jo , Dellit Timothy H. , Lynch John B.
Published: July 2015

Purpose:

To use the 2010 to 2011 data collected by structured chart review to provide a detailed up-to-date description of the epidemiology and microbiology of the sepsis syndromes.

Methods:

Prospective observational study conducted at a university-affiliated urban teaching hospital and level-1 trauma and burn center. All adult patients who triggered a Code Sepsis in the emergency department (ED) between January 2010 and December 2011 were included.

Results:

One hundred eighty four patients presented with a verified sepsis syndrome and triggered a Code Sepsis in the ED during the studied time period. The mean hospital and intensive care unit length of stays (LOSs) were 15.4 (interquartile range [IQR] = 14) and 6.7 (IQR = 5) days, respectively. The total inpatient mortality was 19% (n = 35). Patients with an unspecified source of infection and those without an isolated pathogen had the highest inpatient mortality, 42.1% (n = 8) and 23.3% (n = 10), respectively.

Conclusion:

Hospital mortality and hospital LOS of sepsis are similar to those reported in other observational studies. Our study confirms a decline in the mortality of sepsis predicted by earlier longitudinal studies and should prompt a resurgence of epidemiological research of the sepsis syndromes in the United States.
Childhood Sexual Abuse and Later Alcohol-Related Problems: Investigating the Roles of Revictimization, PTSD, and Drinking Motivations Among College Women
Authors: Hannan Susan M. , Orcutt Holly K. , Miron Lynsey R. , Thompson Kristen L.
Published: July 2015

The current study sought to examine whether symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adolescent sexual assault (ASA), and drinking motivations (e.g., drinking to regulate emotional experiences) mediate the relationship between a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and subsequent alcohol-related problems among college women. Participants were 579 female students at a Midwestern university. Participants were recruited as part of a larger longitudinal study that investigated risk and resiliency factors related to sexual revictimization. Using a serial mediation model, the current study found that the proposed constructs mediated the relationship between CSA and subsequent alcohol-related problems via two separate paths. In one path, CSA was associated with PTSD, which in turn predicted drinking to regulate emotional experiences, which then was related to alcohol-related problems in adulthood. In the second path, CSA was related to ASA, which in turn predicted drinking to regulate emotional experiences, which then was related to alcohol-related problems in adulthood. These results suggest that individuals with a history of CSA are more likely to experience both revictimization in adolescence and PTSD symptoms in adulthood, which may lead to alcohol-related problems via drinking to regulate emotional experiences. These findings suggest the importance of incorporating skills training in adaptive emotion regulation strategies into treatment for individuals with a history of CSA and ASA.
Alcohol Expectancy, Drinking Behavior, and Sexual Victimization Among Female and Male College Students
Authors: Tyler Kimberly A. , Schmitz Rachel M. , Adams Scott A.
Published: July 2015

College students have high rates of heavy drinking, and this dangerous behavior is strongly linked to sexual victimization. Although research has examined risk factors for sexual assault, few studies have simultaneously studied the various pathways through which risks may affect sexual assault and how these pathways may be uniquely different among females and males. As such, the current study uses path analyses to examine whether alcohol expectancies mediate the relationship between social factors (e.g., hooking up, amount friends drink) and drinking behavior and experiencing sexual victimization, and whether drinking behavior mediates the relationship between alcohol expectancies and sexual victimization among a college sample of 704 males and females from a large Midwestern university. For both females and males, sexual victimization was positively associated with child sexual abuse, hooking up more often, and heavier drinking, whereas greater alcohol expectancies were associated with sexual victimization only for females. Several mediating pathways were found for both females and males. Gender comparisons revealed that some of the pathways to sexual victimization such as hooking up, amount friends drink, and housing type operated differently for females and males.
Looking for Blame: Rape Myth Acceptance and Attention to Victim and Perpetrator
Authors: Süssenbach Philipp , Eyssel Friederike , Rees Jonas , Bohner Gerd
Published: July 2015

In two studies, the authors examined the influence of rape myth acceptance (RMA) on participants’ attention toward the potential victim versus perpetrator in a rape case. In Study 1 ( N = 90), participants selected information that focused on either the male defendant or the female victim. With increasing RMA, participants preferred information that focused on the victim rather than the defendant. In Study 2 ( N = 41), participants viewed photographs depicting both victim and defendant while their eye movements were recorded. With increasing RMA, participants spent less time inspecting the defendant relative to the victim. In both studies, higher RMA predicted stronger anti-victim and pro-defendant judgments, replicating previous research. Taken together, these results support the assumption that RMA guides participants’ attention, leading to a focus on the alleged rape victim and away from the alleged perpetrator. Implications of the current research and future directions are discussed.
Therapeutic Progression in Abused Women Following a Drug-Addiction Treatment Program
Authors: Fernández-Montalvo Javier , López-Goñi José J. , Arteaga Alfonso , Cacho Raúl , Azanza Paula
Published: July 2015

This study explored the prevalence of victims of abuse and the therapeutic progression among women who sought treatment for drug addiction. A sample of 180 addicted Spanish women was assessed. Information was collected on the patients’ lifetime history of abuse (psychological, physical, and/or sexual), socio-demographic factors, consumption variables, and psychological symptoms. Of the total sample, 74.4% ( n = 134) of the addicted women had been victims of abuse. Psychological abuse affected 66.1% ( n = 119) of the patients, followed by physical abuse (51.7%; n = 93) and sexual abuse (31.7%; n = 57). Compared with patients who had not been abused, the addicted women with histories of victimization scored significantly higher on several European version of the Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI) and psychological variables. Specifically, physical abuse and sexual abuse were related to higher levels of severity of addiction. Regarding therapeutic progression, the highest rate of dropout was observed among victims of sexual abuse (63.5%; n = 33), followed by victims of physical abuse (48.9%; n = 23). Multivariate analysis showed that medical and family areas of the EuropASI, as well as violence problems and suicide ideation, were the main variables related to physical and/or sexual abuse. Moreover, women without abuse and with fewer family problems presented the higher probability of treatment completion. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
Family Polyvictimization and Elevated Levels of Addiction and Psychopathology Among Parents in a Chinese Household Sample
Authors: Chan Ko Ling
Published: July 2015

When studying the co-occurring victimization within a family, current literature often focuses on individual violence and fails to cover more than two forms of violence. This study fills the research gap by using families, instead of individuals, as units and investigating the prevalence of family polyvictimization. Family polyvictimization is defined as the co-occurrence of child victimization, intimate partner violence (IPV) between parents, and elder abuse within a family. This study analyzed a set of data from 7,466 households, with at least a child under 18 years of age, in six regions in China collected during 2009 and 2010. Descriptive analyses and ordinal logistic regressions were performed to explore the prevalence of family polyvictimization, as well as its associations with parents’ addictive behaviors and negative health factors. The lifetime prevalence and the past-year prevalence of family polyvictimization was 2.53% and 1.09%, respectively. Parents from a polyvictimized family were more likely to report addictive behaviors, and to show poorer mental health and more posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms than those who were less exposed to violence. Findings show the importance of the whole-family approach to screening multiple types of violence within a family when one type is detected, as well as the potential usefulness of identifying at-risk families among parents with addictive behaviors and poor mental health.
The Relationship Between Emotion Regulation, Executive Functioning, and Aggressive Behaviors
Authors: Holley Sarah R. , Ewing Scott T. , Stiver Jordan T. , Bloch Lian
Published: July 2015

Emotion regulation deficits and executive functioning deficits have independently been shown to increase vulnerability toward engaging in aggressive behaviors. The effects of these risk factors, however, have not been evaluated in relation to one another. This study evaluated the degree to which each was associated with aggressive behaviors in a sample of 168 undergraduate students. Executive functioning (cognitive inhibition and mental flexibility) was assessed with a Stroop-like neuropsychological task. Emotion regulation and aggressive behaviors were assessed via self-report inventories. Results showed main effects for both emotion regulation and executive functioning, as well as a significant interaction, indicating that those who scored lowest in both domains reported engaging in aggressive behaviors the most frequently. When different types of aggression were examined, this interaction was only significant for acts of physical aggression, not for acts of verbal aggression. Therefore, for physical aggression, emotion regulation and executive functioning exerted a moderating effect on one another. The implications are that, at least for acts of physical aggression, relatively strong capabilities in either domain may buffer against tendencies to engage in aggressive behaviors. Thus, both emotion regulation skills and executive functioning abilities may be valuable targets for interventions aiming to reduce aggressive behaviors.
Investigation of the Validity of 3-D Virtual Fitting for Pants
Authors: Song Hwa Kyung , Ashdown Susan P.
Published: July 2015

The effectiveness of 3D virtual fitting technology when visualizing the fit and silhouette of pants by analyzing the similarities between real and virtual fit using 20 fit locations, 3 lower body shapes, and fit status was investigated. We produced 61 custom pants for the participants and virtually tried each on a personalized 3D body scan avatar. The technology was not generally effective for visualizing pant fit. Especially, the waist placement of the virtual pants was lower than that for the actual pants. The virtual software indicated less ease than the actual pants and could not express stress folds due to slight misfit. The front silhouette of the virtual pants spread wider than the real pants. The virtual pants for females with a hip tilt shape had the greatest divergence from the actual pants. The virtual pants with good fit appeared more effectively than did those with poor fit.
After the Wedding Night
Authors: Diefendorf Sarah
Published: July 2015

This study seeks to understand the ways in which men who pledge sexual abstinence until marriage negotiate and assert masculine identities before and after marriage. Using longitudinal qualitative data, this work traces the ways in which men who pledge abstinence until marriage manage a tension between both “sacred” and “beastly” discourses surrounding sexuality. The situational and interactional gendered practices of these men highlight their attempts to resolve the incongruity between practices of sexual purity and hegemonic definitions of masculinity. I argue that a decision to pledge sexual abstinence until marriage is an example of hybrid masculinities (Bridges and Pascoe 2014) in that the postmarriage transition to a more hegemonically masculine status suggests that such practices are not challenging current gendered systems of power and inequality. These findings underscore the potential fallacy in using cross-sectional data to illustrate changes in gender relations, and demonstrate the importance of incorporating life course perspectives when theorizing masculinities.
“Suits To Self-Sufficiency”
Authors: Cummins Emily R. , Blum Linda M.
Published: July 2015

In 1997 the women-run nonprofit organization Dress for Success opened its first location with the aim of empowering low-income women by providing gently used suits for job interviews. Drawing on eight months of fieldwork in an affiliate office, we analyze cross-race and cross-class interactions between privileged volunteers and low-income clients to demonstrate the emergence of what we term “neoliberal maternalism.” Historical forms of maternalism—the mother-centric voluntarism aimed at assisting indigent families a century ago—emphasized women’s domesticity and promoted the earliest welfare provisions. We suggest that neoliberal maternalism, instead, works alongside welfare retrenchment by insisting that single mothers become self-sufficient workers. Similar to earlier maternalisms, the benevolence of affluent volunteers serves to reinforce class and race superiority while producing moments of genuine care and connection. We argue that while all forms of maternalism come with a related body politics aimed at disciplining the bodies of othered women, neoliberal maternalism carries a distinct body politics that, rather than regulating the home and reproduction, intrusively enforces ideals of aesthetic labor required for the postindustrial service economy. Finally, we suggest that retaining maternalism as an analytic framework is particularly important for investigating the influence of neoliberalism and the eroding social safety net on interactions between women.
Inappropriate Medication Use Among Underserved Elderly African Americans
Authors: Bazargan Mohsen , Yazdanshenas Hamed , Han Shelley , Orum Gail
Published: July 2015

Objective: The goal of this study is to identify correlates and the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use among underserved elderly African Americans. Method: This cross-sectional study recruited 400 elderly African Americans living in South Los Angeles, and used structured, face-to-face surveys. These elicited data pertaining to the type, frequency, dosage, and indications of all medications used by participants. Results: Seventy percent of participants engaged in PIM use and used at least one medication that was classified as “Avoid” (27%) and “Use Conditionally” (43%) through Beers Criteria. Significant correlations emerged between PIM use and the number of autonomic and central nervous system, neurological and psychotherapeutic medications, medication duplications, and drug–drug interactions. Discussion: Our findings point to the need for multidisciplinary team programs of health care providers that include primary and specialist physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and social workers. Together, they can improve health outcomes, enhance the quality of life, and reduce morbidity and mortality due to inappropriate medication use.
Social Inequalities on Selected Determinants of Active Aging and Health Status Indicators in a Large Brazilian City (2003-2010)
Authors: de Souza Braga Luciana , Lima-Costa Maria Fernanda , César Cibele Comini , Macinko James
Published: July 2015

Objective: To assess trends in social inequalities among 2,624 elderly living in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in three domains of the World Health Organization’s Active Aging model (physical environment, social determinants, use of health services) and health status indicators. Method: Data came from two representative household surveys conducted in 2003 and 2010. Social inequality was measured by the slope and the relative index of inequality. Educational level was used to define socioeconomic status. Results: Significant improvements were observed in the prevalence rates of 7 out of 12 indicators. However, the social inequalities persisted through 10 out of 12 selected active aging and health status indicators, except for fear of falling on the sidewalks/crossing the streets and fear of being robbed. Discussion: Social inequalities persistence might be assigned to the continuity of unequal distribution of resources among groups with different educational levels.
Be prepared? An outside-in perspective on the future public sector in Europe
Authors: Pollitt Christopher
Published: July 2015

This paper takes an outside-in perspective on recent public sector reforms in Europe. It selects three of the most consequential and probable external trends, and then looks at how far management reforms are anticipating them. The conclusion is that European Union government responses to predictable external trends have been limited and unstrategic. Many official studies of climate change and demographic change have been written, but concrete responses such as resource prioritization and relevant public management reforms do not seem to have been substantial. There is a disconnect between mainstream public management reforms and the biggest external pressures public sectors are now beginning to face. Academic public administration has also been slow to respond to these “megatrends,” but has considerable potential for contributing to their amelioration.
High rates of cervical cancer among HIV-infected women at a referral hospital in Malawi
Authors: Kohler Racquel E , Tang Jennifer , Gopal Satish , Chinula Lameck , Hosseinipour Mina C , Liomba N George , Chiudzu Grace
Published: July 2015

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Malawi. National guidelines recommend screening women aged 30–45 years every five years; however, no specific recommendations exist for women with HIV. We aimed to assess the frequency of high-grade dysplasia (CIN 2 or CIN3) and cervical cancer among women in central Malawi and to examine associations with CIN2+ (CIN2/3 or cancer). We extracted cervical Pap smear, biopsy, loop electrosurgical excision procedure and uterine specimen reports from a hospital pathology database from November 2012 to November 2013. We used logistic regression to estimate associations with CIN2+. We reviewed specimens from 824 women; we excluded 194 with unknown HIV status, leaving 630 in the analytic sample. Twelve percent had high-grade dysplasia and 109 women (17%) had cancer. Twenty-five percent of high-grade dysplasia cases and 35% of cancers occurred among women outside recommended screening ages. The odds of having CIN2+ were 6.55 times (95% CI 4.44-9.67) greater for HIV+ women. High-grade dysplasia and cervical cancer are very common among Malawian women, especially HIV+ women. HIV infection was strongly associated with CIN2+. Expanding screening to women not covered by current guidelines could avert a substantial proportion of cervical cancer cases in Malawi.
Institutional change to compensate for low birth rates: The Chinese situation, and comparison with other countries
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhang Junze , Cao Shixiong
Published: July 2015

Despite fears of global overpopulation, population declines are becoming a significant demographic problem in developed and rapidly developing countries. If we have no effective measures to solve the problem, the world’s population will continue to age, and some small ethnic groups will face a risk of extinction. The human race’s social and genetic diversity therefore face significant challenges. The failure to raise birth rates in developed regions suggests that preventing adverse consequences from the population decline will not depend on our good intentions or on new technology, but rather on recognition of the problems resulting from an evolved institution based on low birth rates. Changing this institution will require us to enhance the social status of women, but will also require practical recognition of their unique needs in the context of childbearing and raising children. However, this innovation represents a huge challenge to overcome because of human resistance to change of existing institutions.
Development Theory, Regional Politics and the Unfolding of the ‘Roadscape’ in Ladakh, North India
Authors: Demenge Jonathan
Published: July 2015

The idea that ‘more roads mean more development’ is part of conventional wisdom and is firmly entrenched in the development discourse and practice. However, what this stability and pervasiveness should not conceal is that arguments in favour of roads have evolved over time, shaping the expansion of the ‘roadscape’, that is, the part of the landscape made up by roads. I illustrate this point at three levels: global development theories, road construction in India and in Ladakh. First I demonstrate how arguments for road construction have evolved in the literature and adapted to criticisms, backing the firmly entrenched idea that roads are conducive to development. Second, I show that the expansion of the road network in India is determined by changing national priorities and policies. Finally, I attempt to account for the factors that explain the late and sudden development of the roadscape in Ladakh, namely, the role of the state and geopolitics. Together, the three levels illustrate the adaptive character of roads, as they survive successive shifts in theories and state priorities.
Housing Shortages in Urban India and Socio-economic Facets
Authors: Kumar Arjun
Published: July 2015

This article discusses the urban housing situation in India using the data from Census and NSS Housing Condition Rounds, and it also estimates the urban housing shortages in 2012 by Caste and Ethnic groups, following the methodology of the Technical Group on Urban Housing Shortage, 2012–17 (TG-12). The TG-12 estimated the number of urban households to be 81.35 million and urban housing shortage to be 18.78 million in 2012. Households living in congested conditions were found to be one of the main factors leading to these housing shortages. Households from economically weaker sections and lower income groups accounted majorly for these shortages. Among caste and ethnic groups, housing shortages were found to be high for Scheduled Caste households than Scheduled Tribe and other households, mainly on account of congestion factor. The results suggest the need for attention towards urban housing with targeted group-specific policies (economic and social) and socio-spatial perspective to eradicate shelter deprivation and to enhance the quality of life of the people in urban India.
Performance Evaluation of an Industrial Cluster-based Common Facility Centre (CFC) in Pakistan
Authors: Shahzad Khuram
Published: July 2015

A common facility centre (CFC) was established to enhance the competitiveness and economic contribution of organisations operating in the ceramics sector of Pakistan. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of this CFC in terms of its operational, financial and strategic goals achievement. The second aim of this study was to propose a customised, cost-effective and robust framework for the proper monitoring and evaluation of the present as well as other CFCs developed particularly to support industrial clusters in Pakistan. Study used mixed-methods approach (i.e., interviews, focus group, survey questionnaires, content analysis, etc.) to collect data. Feedback from the industry revealed that CFC had significantly enhanced the productivity, profitability and competitiveness of the clustered organisations in ceramics sector. Shuttle kiln technology had created a huge buy-in and has been acknowledged as a vital value addition to the industry. However, the current capacity of CFC was found insufficient to fulfil industry’s demands and to achieve its macroeconomic goals. Provision of pressure casting technology along with addition of another shuttle kiln was needed to obtain desired results. CFC’s own competitiveness was very important for the cluster’s competitiveness. A proper monitoring and evaluation system along with a coherent set of performance indicators should have been designed and implemented at the time of CFC’s inception.
Financing India’s Urban Infrastructure
Authors: Chattopadhyay Soumyadip
Published: July 2015

Cities in India are envisioned as engines of growth but they suffer from severe service shortages. The realisation of the full potential of cities depends crucially on their ability in meeting the challenges of providing urban infrastructure on a sustainable basis. This article, therefore, reviews the current financing options for urban infrastructure and discusses the strategies for pursuing reform agenda needed to strengthen financial health of the municipalities. Given the inadequacies of the municipal financial resources and capacities, this article emphasises on the need for an integrated policy and regulatory environment, in which urban local bodies (ULBs) can enhance their capacities to generate resources from existing sources at their disposal and also can better utilise innovative sources of infrastructure financing. In particular, possible reform actions to improve municipal finance are clarifications in institutional arrangements for service delivery, true local financial autonomy, sustainable finances supported by user charges, restructuring of intergovernmental grants to incentivise reform with greater assistances for smaller cities, encouraging public–private partnerships (PPPs), deepening of the municipal bond market, local capacity building, strengthening regulatory framework of service delivery and public participation.
No duty owed to the relatives of a victim of a person with mental illness
Authors: Scott Russ
Published: July 2015

Objective:

To review the case of an acutely psychotic person who was discharged into the care of a friend whom he killed later the same day, and to consider the reasoning of the High Court in the subsequent negligence action of the victim’s relatives.

Conclusions:

By a narrow interpretation, the High Court found that the exercise of the powers and duties in relation to the involuntary detention of a mentally ill person as prescribed by the Mental Health Act were inconsistent with a common law duty of care to another person or the relatives of another person.
Are psychiatrists trained to be leaders in mental health? A survey of early career psychiatrists
Authors: van Zeist-Jongman Annette
Published: July 2015

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate how early career psychiatrists in 2014 valued the leadership skill education in their training to become psychiatrists.

Method:

All psychiatrists who gained Fellowship since 2009 after training in New Zealand or Australia were invited to take part in a survey.

Results:

Respondents considered themselves not adequately prepared for the leadership, management and administrative tasks and roles they have as psychiatrists, with preparedness for management tasks scoring the lowest. They valued as most useful to have opportunity to practice with a leadership role, to be able to observe ‘leaders at work’, to have a supervisor with special interests and skills in leadership and management and to have a formal teaching program on leadership and management. They advised teaching to be given throughout the entire 5 years of the training program by experienced leaders.

Conclusions:

Leadership skills training in the education of psychiatrists should contain both practical experience with leadership and management roles and formal teaching sessions on leadership and management skills development. Suggestions for improvement of the leadership and management skills education in the training of psychiatrists have been formulated.
Emil Kraepelin’s ideas on transcultural psychiatry
Authors: Steinberg Holger
Published: July 2015

Objective:

Prevailing degeneration theory and an increasing number of people in inpatient mental treatment aroused the famous German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin’s (1856–1926) interest to investigate whether the mental illnesses typical for Europe were also characteristic for ‘primitive peoples’. He thus dedicated a period spent in the Dutch East Indies (Java) in 1904 to transcultural psychiatric research. This paper endeavours to compile Kraepelin’s key findings, aiming to make readers aware of what kind of transcultural research Kraepelin did and what conclusions he came up with. At the same time it provides some background for the question of whether Kraepelin can really be referred to as the founder of transcultural psychiatry.

Conclusion:

Kraepelin assumed that illnesses with exterior causes depended on the type of stimulants widely used in a given culture. Since he found little evidence for progressive paralysis, he concluded that European brains were particularly prone to sequelae of syphilis. For endogenous psychoses he postulated differences in both symptoms and courses, depressions being rarer and milder, and ceasing sooner. By contrast, he found dementia praecox (mainly covered by the concept of schizophrenias later) to be the most prevalent mental illness in Java, explicitly different in form from that in Europe.
Can understanding the neurobiology of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) inform treatment?
Authors: Rossell Susan L , Harrison Ben J , Castle David
Published: July 2015

Objectives:

We aim to provide a clinically focused review of the neurobiological literature in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), with a focus on structural and functional neuroimaging.

Conclusions:

There has been a recent influx of studies examining the underlying neurobiology of BDD using structural and functional neuroimaging methods. Despite obvious symptom similarities with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), no study to date has directly compared the two groups using neuroimaging techniques. Studies have established that there are limbic and visual cortex abnormalities in BDD, in contrast to fronto-striatal differences in OCD. Such data suggests affect or visual training maybe useful in BDD.
Social anxiety disorders in clinical practice: differentiating social phobia from avoidant personality disorder
Authors: Lampe Lisa
Published: July 2015

Objective:

To outline the problems around overlap between social phobia (SAD) and avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) and provide guidelines that may assist clinicians to differentiate these conditions.

Conclusions:

A constellation of symptoms can be identified that may distinguish AVPD from SAD, with key features being a strong and pervasively negative self-concept, a view of rejection as equating to a global evaluation of the individual as being of little worth and a sense of not fitting in socially that dates from early childhood. It is important to identify the presence of AVPD in order to anticipate potential problems with engagement and retention in therapy, to target treatment interventions and optimise outcome.
Implementing music therapy on an adolescent inpatient unit: a mixed-methods evaluation of acceptability, experience of participation and perceived impact
Authors: Patterson Sue , Duhig Michael , Darbyshire Chris , Counsel Robin , Higgins Niall , Williams Ian
Published: July 2015

Objective:

We aimed to assess the feasibility of delivering a music therapy program on adolescent psychiatric wards.

Method:

We undertook a mixed-methods evaluation of a pilot program. Various active and receptive techniques were employed in group music therapy sessions delivered as part of a structured clinical program. Data collected in interviews with participants and staff and feedback questionnaires were thematically and descriptively analysed and triangulated.

Results:

Data from 62 questionnaires returned by 43 patients who took part in 16 music therapy sessions, and seven staff, evidenced strong support for music therapy. Patients typically reported experiencing sessions as relaxing, comforting, uplifting, and empowering; >90% would participate by choice and use music therapeutically in the future. Staff endorsed music therapy as valuable therapeutically, reporting that patients engaged enthusiastically and identified sessions as improving their own moods and ward milieu.

Conclusions:

Integration of music therapy in inpatient treatment of adolescents is feasible and acceptable, and is valued by staff and patients as a complement to ‘talking therapies’. Participation is enjoyed and associated with outcomes including improvement in mood, expression of feelings and social engagement consistent with recovery.
Mental health in the Solomon Islands: developing reforms and partnerships
Authors: Ryan Brigid , Orotaloa Paul , Araitewa Stephen , Gaoifa Daniel , Moreen John , Kiloe Edwin , Same William , Goding Margaret , Ng Chee
Published: July 2015

Objectives:

The Solomon Islands face significant shortages and geographical imbalances in the distribution of skilled health workers and resources, which severely impact the delivery of mental health services. The government's Integrated Mental Health Service has emphasised the importance of greater community ownership and involvement in community-based mental health care, and of moving from centralised services to increased local and accessible care.

Methods:

From 2012 to 2014, the Solomon Islands Integrated Mental Health service worked with Asia-Australia Mental Health to build workforce capacity and deliver sustainable community mental health programs.

Results:

Supported by the Australian Aid Program’s Public Sector Linkages Program, this project shared resources and fostered links between public sector agencies in Australia, Fiji and the Solomon Islands.

Conclusions:

Key learning points from the collaboration included the critical need to establish partnerships with community stakeholders, the importance of sustaining a well-functioning mental health team, and optimising the strengths of the local resources in the Solomon Islands. Through this project, national policies, promotion and service delivery were strengthened, through the exchange of experiences and mobilisation of north-south (Australia-Solomon Islands) and south-south (Solomon Islands-other Pacific nations) technical expertise. This project demonstrates the potential for international partnerships to contribute to the development of culturally-appropriate and integrated mental health services.