bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Promoting good research practice
Authors: Murray Gordon D
Published: July 2017

Embarking on a new millennium provides the stimulus both to take stock and also to look forward. In the field of medical statistics there is much to make us feel proud and excited. Rapid methodological developments together with parallel developments in computer technology have enormously expanded our statistical repertoire. At the same time, the high profile attained by the evidence-based medicine movement means that the importance of our discipline is recognized more widely then ever before. However, any medical statistician who is involved in medical publishing, or who is even a regular reader of the medical literature, must be aware of the yawning chasm between what is recognized as good statistical practice and what is actually published. Poor study design, inappropriate analysis and selective reporting are commonplace. In my opinion the most important challenge currently facing our profession is the task of bridging this chasm.
Genetic linkage methods for quantitative traits
Authors: Amos Christopher I , de Andrade Mariza
Published: July 2017

We discuss methods for detecting genetic linkage for quantitative data. The usual LOD score method uses a pseudolikelihood formulation and has optimal power provided all parameters are correctly specified, but can lead to erroneous estimates of the location for the locus influencing a trait under misspecification of parameters describing the variance of the trait. Alternative methods, in which attention focuses upon modelling covariation among relatives as a function of genetic marker, similarity lead to unbiased estimates of the location and major gene heritability of the trait influencing locus. The Haseman-Elston approach uses a regression method to perform linkage analysis and its properties have been widely studied. This method is generally less powerful than variance components procedures, but the maximum likelihood-based variance components procedures require normality of the trait to ensure robustness of the genetic linkage tests (i.e. a correct false positive rate). When samples are non-randomly selected an ascertainment correction is generally required in order to obtain unbiased parameter estimates when applying variance components methods. For quantitative traits, ascertainment corrections usually condition either on the proband exceeding a threshold, or on the trait value of the proband. We summarize simulations that show that both approaches lead to similar efficiencies for estimating genetic effects. Finally, we discuss methods for analysing diseases that include time-to-onset information. A variety of methods are available for the linkage analysis of quantitative traits. Here, we have reviewed the most commonly used methods.
Elucidation of Gene Expression Patterns in the Brain after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Baek Ahreum , Cho Sung-Rae , Kim Sung Hoon
Published: July 2017

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological disease. The pathophysiological mechanisms of SCI have been reported to be relevant to central nervous system injury such as brain injury. In this study, gene expression of the brain after SCI was elucidated using transcriptome analysis to characterize the temporal changes in global gene expression patterns in a SCI mouse model. Subjects were randomly classified into 3 groups: sham control, acute (3 h post-injury), and subacute (2 wk post-injury) groups. We sought to confirm the genes differentially expressed between post-injured groups and sham control group. Therefore, we performed transcriptome analysis to investigate the enriched pathways associated with pathophysiology of the brain after SCI using Database for Annotation Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), which yielded Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway. Following enriched pathways were found in the brain: oxidative phosphorylation pathway; inflammatory response pathways—cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction and chemokine signaling pathway; and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related pathways—antigen processing and presentation and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Oxidative phosphorylation pathway was identified at acute phase, while inflammation response and ER stress-related pathways were identified at subacute phase. Since the following pathways—oxidative phosphorylation pathway, inflammatory response pathways, and ER stress-related pathways—have been well known in the SCI, we suggested a link between SCI and brain injury. These mechanisms provide valuable reference data for better understanding pathophysiological processes in the brain after SCI.
Book Review: Shankar Kumar Bhaumik, Principles of Econometrics: A Modern Approach Using EViews
Authors: Maiti Moinak
Published: July 2017

Shankar Kumar Bhaumik, Principles of Econometrics: A Modern Approach Using EViews, 2015, New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 496 pp., ₹795. ISBN: 978-0-19-809853-9
Predictors of Patient Satisfaction in Pediatric Oncology
Authors: Davis Josh , Burrows James F. , Ben Khallouq Bertha , Rosen Paul
Published: July 2017

Objective:To understand key drivers of patient satisfaction in pediatric hematology/oncology. Methods: The “top-box” scores of patient satisfaction surveys from 4 pediatric hematology/oncology practices were collected from 2012 to 2014 at an integrated Children’s Health Network. One item, “Likelihood of recommending practice,” was used as the surrogate for overall patient satisfaction, and all other items were correlated to this item. Results: A total of 1244 satisfaction surveys were included in this analysis. The most important predictors of overall patient satisfaction were cheerfulness of practice ( r = .69), wait time ( r = .60), and staff working together ( r = .60). The lowest scoring items were getting clinic on phone, information about delays, and wait time at clinic. Conclusion: Families bringing their children for outpatient care in a hematology/oncology practice want to experience a cheerful and collaborative medical team. Wait time at clinic may be a key driver in the overall experience for families with children with cancer. Future work should be directed at using this evidence to drive patient experience improvement processes in pediatric hematology/oncology.
Fentanyl Remaining in a Transdermal System Following Three Days of Continuous Use
Authors: Marquardt Kathy A , Tharratt R Steven , Musallam Nabil A
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To determine whether there was a sufficient amount of fentanyl remaining in a patch that had been used continuously for 3 days to warrant establishment of disposal policies to prevent diversion of fentanyl.

Design:

Nine patches were applied and removed by hospice nurses after 3 days of continuous use on hospice patients with cancer. Patches were analyzed for the remaining fentanyl contents using the Coat-A-Count Fentanyl radioimmunoassay. Five 2.5-mg patches and four 10.0-mg patches were opened, solubilized with methanol, diluted with water, and analyzed in duplicate. An unused 2.5-mg patch also was analyzed as a control and showed a 94% recovery of fentanyl. A methanol blank was negative for fentanyl.

Main Outcome Measures:

The study determined the amount of fentanyl in milligrams remaining in a used patch. Using pharmacokinetic principles, this quantity was compared with a potential lethal dose of fentanyl.

Results:

Analysis showed 0.7–1.22 mg remaining in the 2.5-mg patches and 4.46–8.44 mg remaining in the 10.0-mg patches. These numbers represent 28–84.4% of the original contents. Using the pharmacokinetic values of the volume of distribution of 4 L/kg and a potential lethal blood concentration of 3.7 μg/L, one can calculate the potential lethal dose for a 70-kg person to be 1036 μg. This is well within the amount remaining in the patch. This study also demonstrated that a wide patient variability exists in the absorption of fentanyl from the patch.

Conclusions:

There is a sufficient amount of fentanyl available for abuse and misuse after 3 days of therapeutic use. Adequate disposal policies currently are not established and need to be implemented.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Watling Sharon M , Yanos John
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To review the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and therapy of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Data Sources:

Articles pertaining to the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and supportive therapy of ARDS were chosen from a computerized literature search. Recent review articles addressing the specifics of treatment in an intensive care unit are cited rather than restating these specific aspects.

Data Extraction:

Primary literature was chosen in reference to the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and supportive therapy of ARDS. Both human and animal studies were included. Review articles were cited regarding areas of ARDS supportive therapy rather than citing the primary literature.

Study Selection:

Only peer-reviewed primary literature sources were chosen to describe the specifics of pathophysiology and epidemiology. When human data were unavailable, animal studies were cited. Recent review articles were cited for specifics on supportive therapy.

Data Synthesis:

Consensus regarding the definition of ARDS and the difficulties of performing large controlled trials in patients with ARDS has made development of new modalities problematic. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology and risk factors for mortality are key to supportive therapy. Although many pharmacologic agents are being tested in patients with ARDS, attention to the aspects of supportive therapy is the only method to decrease mortality.

Conclusions:

The mortality of ARDS continues to be 70%. Pharmacists can play an active role in the supportive therapy of patients with ARDS, which is currently the only way to impact mortality.
The Role of Continuous Infusion Loop Diuretics
Authors: Yelton Shannon L , Gaylor Melissa A , Murray Kim M
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To evaluate the role of continuous infusion loop diuretics in selected patient populations, discuss the advantages and disadvantages associated with continuous infusion, and recommend monitoring parameters for the use of continuous infusion therapy. Current dosing guidelines for continuous infusion of loop diuretics have not been established, but a summary of previously studied doses is provided.

Data Sources:

A literature search using MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, as well as additional references found in pertinent articles.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Clinical studies concerning the use of loop diuretics administered by continuous infusion were evaluated in selected patient populations. All articles and clinical studies were considered for possible inclusion in the review. Information judged to be pertinent by the authors was selected for discussion.

Data Synthesis:

Comparative studies in the congestive heart failure (CHF), renal-insufficient, and postcardiac surgery patient populations have shown that loop diuretics administered by continuous infusion are more beneficial than those given by intermittent bolus administration. In adult patients with CHF, furosemide 3–4 mg/h is recommended. In adult and pediatric postcardiac surgery patients, furosemide dosages of 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg/h have produced diuresis. In patients with renal insufficiency, bumetanide 0.912 mg/h has produced diuresis. Intravenous bolus doses were used in all studies reviewed except 1. These studies have indicated that continuous infusion of the loop diuretics yields diuresis without increasing toxicity.

Conclusions:

The use of continuous infusion loop diuretics is a therapeutic alternative for patients requiring diuresis. This form of administration has provided more consistent urine flow, fewer alterations in fluid balances, fewer urinary losses of electrolytes as well as decreased dosage of the diuretic requirements. The disadvantages have not been fully elucidated because of the limited evaluation of this administration method. Few studies have used this method of administration; however, the few data available indicate that continuous infusion of loop diuretics is an efficacious alternative to conventional therapy.
How Do Minority Presidents Manage Multiparty Coalitions? Identifying and Analyzing the Payoffs to Coalition Parties in Presidential Systems
Authors: Chaisty Paul , Chernykh Svitlana
Published: July 2017

The preponderance of minority presidents in modern democracies has concentrated the attention of researchers on the multiparty coalitions that presidents form to govern in legislative assemblies. This analysis of “coalitional presidentialism” has focused almost exclusively on presidential systems in Latin America, and Brazil in particular. It has understood multiparty presidential coalitions as cabinet-level constructs, which bind the support of parties in legislatures through portfolio payoffs. In this article, we explore this analysis in a non-Latin American context: post-Soviet Ukraine. Using original quantitative and qualitative data, we find that portfolio payoffs are an important tool for managing Ukrainian coalitions. But we also find that minority presidents have relied systematically on the support of legislative parties outside of the cabinet and have used different payoffs to manage their support. Given that this complexity also exists in other new democracies, we argue that there is a need to distinguish between cabinet-level and floor-level coalitions in minority presidential systems.
Three Studies on the Reliability and Validity of a Self-Report Measure of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Lauterbach Dean , Vrana Scott
Published: July 2017

This paper describes three studies of the reliability and validity of a newly revised version of the Purdue Posttraumatic Stress Disorder scale (PPTSD-R). The PPTSD-R is a 17-item questionnaire that yields four scores: Reexperiencing, Avoidance, Arousal, and Total. It is highly internally consistent (α = .91), and the scores are relatively stable across time. The PPTSD-R is highly correlated with other measures of PTSD symptomatology and moderately correlated with measures of related psychopathology, providing preliminary support for the measure's convergent and discriminant validity. It reliably distinguishes between groups of people who were and were not traumatized, it is sensitive to the impact of different types of traumatic events, and (within a clinical sample) it discriminates between those who did and did not seek treatment for difficulty coping with the traumatic event being assessed. The PPTSD-R shows promise as a measure of PTSD symptoms in the college population.
Latent Structure of the WCST With the Standardization Samples
Authors: Goldman Robert S. , Axelrod Bradley N. , Heaton Robert K. , Chelune Gordon J. , Curtiss Glenn , Kay Gary G. , Thompson Laetitia L.
Published: July 2017

The underlying latent structure of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) was examined in sets of nonpatient normals and neurologically impaired individuals. Making use of the WCST standardization sample, a factor-analytic procedure was employed to evaluate the instrument's structure. The findings revealed that in normal individuals, the WCST is best described by a unitary factor. In contrast, in neurological patients with either focal or diffuse impairment, performance on this test is primarily explained on the basis of two factors: Problem Solving/Perseveration and Loss of Set. The inclusion of nonperseverative errors on this second factor was more obvious in neurological patients with focal lesions.
Motivation in Small Groups
Authors: Volkart Edmund H.
Published: July 2017

Distinguished sociologists or beatniks? From whom does a particular individual desire recognition? It is the small group of fairly close associates, says Professor Volkart, that is basically instrumental in motivating changes in behavior.
Decision-Making by Individuals
Authors: Rosenstock I. M.
Published: July 2017

This paper was presented at the Annual Meeting of The Society of Public Health Educators, San Francisco, California, October 29, 1960.
Modern gyrokinetic particle-in-cell simulation of fusion plasmas on top supercomputers
Authors: Wang Bei , Ethier Stephane , Tang William , Ibrahim Khaled Z , Madduri Kamesh , Williams Samuel , Oliker Leonid
Published: July 2017

The gyrokinetic toroidal code at Princeton (GTC-P) is a highly scalable and portable particle-in-cell (PIC) code. It solves the 5-D Vlasov–Poisson equation featuring efficient utilization of modern parallel computer architectures at the petascale and beyond. Motivated by the goal of developing a modern code capable of dealing with the physics challenge of increasing problem size with sufficient resolution, new thread-level optimizations have been introduced as well as a key additional domain decomposition. GTC-P’s multiple levels of parallelism, including internode 2-D domain decomposition and particle decomposition, as well as intranode shared memory partition and vectorization, have enabled pushing the scalability of the PIC method to extreme computational scales. In this article, we describe the methods developed to build a highly parallelized PIC code across a broad range of supercomputer designs. This particularly includes implementations on heterogeneous systems using NVIDIA GPU accelerators and Intel Xeon Phi (MIC) coprocessors and performance comparisons with state-of-the-art homogeneous HPC systems such as Blue Gene/Q. New discovery science capabilities in the magnetic fusion energy application domain are enabled, including investigations of ion–temperature–gradient driven turbulence simulations with unprecedented spatial resolution and long temporal duration. Performance studies with realistic fusion experimental parameters are carried out on multiple supercomputing systems spanning a wide range of cache capacities, cache-sharing configurations, memory bandwidth, interconnects, and network topologies. These performance comparisons using a realistic discovery-science-capable domain application code provide valuable insights on optimization techniques across one of the broadest sets of current high-end computing platforms worldwide.
Life Satisfaction Among High School Students With Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Problems
Authors: State Talida M. , Kern Lee
Published: July 2017

Over the last decade, there has been increased interest in measuring life satisfaction among children and adolescents as an indicator of broad well-being and happiness. Although limited, existing research with students with social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) problems indicates they experience lower life satisfaction compared with their nondisabled peers. We evaluated life satisfaction ratings by 553 high school students with SEB problems and examined those ratings relative to their academic, mental health, and behavioral outcomes as well as demographic characteristics. In addition, we examined stability of life satisfaction reports over time. Overall, students reported “medium” satisfaction with life, except in the School domain, which was rated least favorably. Higher life satisfaction reports significantly correlated with lower anxiety, depression, and behavior problems, as well as higher reading and math achievement. Differences were found based on gender and ethnicity, with female and Hispanic/Latino students reporting lower satisfaction in certain life domains compared with their counterparts. Finally, self-reported life satisfaction showed variability across time.
Understanding Celiac Disease From Genetics to the Future Diagnostic Strategies
Authors: Salazar Carolina , García-Cárdenas Jennyfer M , Paz-y-Miño César
Published: July 2017

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the permanent inflammation of the small bowel, triggered by the ingestion of gluten. It is associated with a number of symptoms, the most common being gastrointestinal. The prevalence of this illness worldwide is 1%. One of the main problems of CD is its difficulty to be diagnosed due to the various presentations of the disease. Besides, in many cases, CD is asymptomatic. Celiac disease is a multifactorial disease, HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 haplotypes are predisposition factors. Nowadays, molecular markers are being studied as diagnostic tools. In this review, we explore CD from its basic concept, manifestations, types, current and future methods of diagnosis, and associated disorders. Before addressing the therapeutic approaches, we also provide a brief overview of CD genetics and treatment.
Social Winners and Losers: A Case Study of Press Construction
Authors: Shoebridge Andrea
Published: July 2017

The role of mass media in framing public discourse about gendered life courses is a fundamental mechanism for reinforcing patriarchal culture. Women who do not comply with the marriage and maternity mandate are subject to the type of personalised reaction experienced by Australia's first female prime minister that triggered renewed public debate about misogyny in social organisation. Using case study methodology and framing analysis, I examined a feature published in the national broadsheet about marriage trends that made patriarchy's preferred model explicit. The communication practices used in the feature are discussed in terms of ‘truth’, and how they might reflect and confirm the attitudes and beliefs of the newspaper's readership.
Natural Heritage Conservation and Eco-Digital Poiesis: A Western Australian Example
Authors: Ryan John Charles
Published: July 2017

A city of biodiversity, Perth in Western Australia faces significant environmental challenges. As species and habitats vanish, so too can their biocultural heritage. To address biological and cultural decline, FloraCultures is a digital conservation initiative that uses archival, ethnographic and design approaches to conserve and promote Perth's ‘botanical heritage’. This article examines the project's conceptual foundations in terms of nature/culture, tangible/intangible and thinking/making dualisms, as well as some of the practical strategies used to address these dualisms. To articulate biocultural heritage, I have had to rethink categorical oppositions through ecopoiesis – the making of interactive digital objects as informed by ecological discourses. The repository being developed will incorporate cultural materials (texts, visual art, interview recordings, music and video) not conventionally associated with environmental conservation. Key community-building approaches, such as focus groups and crowdsourcing, discussed later in the article, provide digitally based interventions into biocultural heritage loss that reflect the ecopoietic basis of FloraCultures.
‘Show Me Your Slugune and I'll Let You Have the Firstlook’: Some Thoughts on Today's Digital Screenwriting Tools and Aprs
Authors: Batty Craig
Published: July 2017

Today's market is inundated with digital screenwriting tools and apps. From the introduction of formatting software that promised to give writers access to industry standard screenplay layout (Final Draft, Celtx) comes an era in which technologists are seeking to influence screenwriting practice itself (Scrivener, Slugline, Plotbot, StorySkeleton). Although perhaps not as explicit in their claims of success as the plethora of seminars by screenwriting ‘gurus’, digital tools and apps do in some ways promise a range of solutions to everyday screenwriting problems, at the very least by assuring users that they will help manage the logistics that often get in the way of creativity. But what do these digital interventions actually do? Do they shape creative practice, or merely provide tools to format a screenwriter's existing ideas? Do they help the writing process, or the processing of writing? This article examines some of the digital screenwriting tools and apps on the current market, and examines what they offer script development and writing practice. By reflecting on my own involvement in an online screenplay assessment platform, the article also suggests how embracing pedagogical aspects of screenwriting might give digital tools and apps the opportunity to help shape creative practice.
The Media by the Media: How News Organisations Cover Themselves and Each other
Authors: Tiffin Rodney
Published: July 2017

News organisations have traditionally been shy about covering their own affairs. In the nineteenth century, the first mention of the editor of the London Times in the columns of his own newspaper was his obituary – even though the cognoscenti knew he was a significant political force. Early in World War II, The Sydney Morning Herald was outraged by the policies of the Menzies Government in relation to paper rationing and the launching of The Daily Mirror. Its private lobbying and protests were frantic, but the issue was barely canvassed in its own news columns (Souter, 1981: 187ff).
Media Ownership in Australia: Winners and Losers
Authors: Hawker Geoffrey
Published: July 2017

Between December 1986 and March 1987 Australia's media underwent a major shakeup. The old days of three names — Herald and Weekly Times (HWT), News Corporation (Rupert Murdoch) and John Fairfax, with Kerry Packer added for TV and magazines — are over.
Individual Differences, Psychological Neighbourhoods and Use of the Domestic Telephone
Authors: Noble Grant
Published: July 2017

Published research in the public domain concerning use of the domestic telephone is rare. Even the systematic study of the social consequences of the telephone had, according to Wurtzel & Turner (1977) and Dordick (1983), been relatively neglected. Yet as Aronson (1971) has pointed out, development of telephone systems has been intimately tied to modernisation over the past century. Perhaps it is because the telephone is such an integral part of life that it has been ‘taken for granted’ and thus, as Moyal (1987) points out, has not received the research attention it deserves.
The Economics of Tipping: Tips, Profits and the Market's Demand—Supply Equilibrium
Authors: Schwartz Zvi
Published: July 2017

Research indicates that the size of a tip is rarely correlated with the quality of the service rendered. These findings empirically refute the widely accepted economic argument that tipping is an efficient quality-control mechanism. This study provides an alternative explanation to the existence of tipping. It develops a microeconomics tipping model and demonstrates that tips affect the firm's profitability through changes in the market's demand–supply equilibrium when consumer segments differ in their demand functions and their propensity to tip. This demand–supply framework can serve as a useful tool for managers who wish to select an appropriate tipping policy for their firms.
Reproductive factors, lifestyle and dietary habits among pregnant women in Greenland: The ACCEPT sub-study 2013–2015
Authors: Terkelsen Anne Seneca , Long Manhai , Hounsgaard Lise , Bonefeld-Jørgensen Eva Cecilie
Published: July 2017

Background: During past decades the formerly active lifestyle in Greenland has become sedentary, and the intake of traditional food has gradually been replaced with imported food. These lifestyle and dietary habits may affect pregnant women. Aim: To describe age and regional differences in reproductive factors, lifestyle and diet among Greenlandic pregnant women in their first trimester. Methods: A cross-sectional study during 2013–2015 including 373 pregnant women was conducted in five Greenlandic regions (West, Disko Bay, South, North and East). Interview-based questionnaires on reproductive factors, lifestyle and dietary habits were compared in relation to two age groups (median age ≤28 years and >28 years). Results: In total, 72.4% were Inuit, 46.6% had BMI >25.0 kg/m2, 29.0% were smoking during pregnancy and 54.6% had used hashish. BMI, educational level, personal income, previous pregnancies and planned breastfeeding period were significantly higher in the age group >28 years of age compared to the age group ≤28 years of age. In region Disko Bay, 90.9% were Inuit, in region South more had a university degree (37.9%) and region East had the highest number of previous pregnancies, the highest number of smokers during pregnancy and the most frequent intake of sauce with hot meals and fast-food. Conclusions: Overall a high BMI and a high smoking frequency were found. Age differences were found for BMI and planned breastfeeding period, while regional differences were found for smoking and intake of sauce with hot meals and fast-food. Future recommendations aimed at pregnant women in Greenland should focus on these health issues.
Minimum Need for Care in Geriatric Institutions
Authors: Mackeprang Bent , Bentzon Michael Weis
Published: July 2017

On the basis of a study from De Gamles By, Copenhagen, concerning the mortality and changes in the patients' need for nursing care over a 2-year period, calculation is made of the time-related changes in the care status, using a special model for homes for elderly persons. This model is based on a policy that only independent persons are received into such homes and that they remain there until they die. It is found that the need for care becomes stabilized after a period of 5–6 years and remains at a level corresponding to about 45% independent, 36% slightly dependent, and 17% heavily dependent patients (the “minimum need for care”). Using the model, a few examples are given to illustrate the changes which would arise in the need for care in De Gamles By if, on the basis of the primary care status on January 15, 1969, (A) only independent patients were admitted, and (B) the current admittance policy was continued.
The Long-Term Treatment of the Aged: An Assessment Method
Authors: Simonen Helena , Apajalahti Antti , Ferm Liisa , Tötterman Lars Emil
Published: July 2017

The aim of this investigation was to construct three parameters and assess their value as admission criteria for long-term institutional care of the aged, viz. medical dependence, nursing dependence, and dementia. The material consisted of 200 applicants, of whom 150 were admitted to institutions. The need for personal care was measured by means of a test method developed at the Wasa Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, and the dementia test comprised five subtests, each of which measures a distinct field of mental function.

Both dementia and nursing dependence were found to increase with age, and there was a highly significant correlation between nursing dependence and age. There was also a highly significant correlation between nursing dependence and degree of dementia. The changes in nursing dependence 3 and 6 months after admission showed a significant correlation with the test scores for dementia. The nursing dependence of the moderately or severely demented persons had increased in 6 months after admission by approximately 100%.

The test results of dementia were used as the sole, decisive criterion in 24% of admissions; medical dependence alone decided the choice of institution in 22% and nursing dependence in 15%. Two or three parameters were used in 39% of admissions—all indicating the same type of institutional care. The simultaneous use of the three assessment criteria provides an extensive body of information as to the general need of care, and by means of this information the appropriate placement of the old will be made possible.
Risk Factors for Premature Death in Men 56–60 Years Old: A Prospective Study of Men Born 1914, Living in Malmö, Sweden
Authors: Lannerstad Olof , Isacsson Sven-Olof , Lindell Sven-Eric
Published: July 2017

In a five-year follow-up of a random sample of men aged 55 the association between risk factors and premature death was analysed. The overall mortality in five years was 5.8%. The mortality among the smokers was 8%; among non-smokers 2%. Of 16 cancer deaths all were smokers except one who was an ex-smoker. In spite of treatment of hypertension (>165/110 mmHg) there was an association between high blood pressure and premature death, particularly when cause of death was cardiovascular disease. There was no association between premature death and serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides or physical activity. The study is based on 703 men, of whom 41 died. The autopsy frequency was 93%. Only 3 men (0.4%) were lost to follow-up.
Drug Reimbursement in Four Nordic Countries
Authors: Hemminki Elina , Bomann-Larsen Petter
Published: July 2017

The purpose of the present study was to describe the reimbursement systems in use for the reimbursement of medicaments purchased within the state compulsory health (sickness) insurance systems in four Nordic countries, and to study whether and how reimbursement for drug costs has been used to check the quality and quantity of drug consumption. During the study period drug reimbursement has been selective in Denmark and Norway, but in Finland and Sweden it has been a mixture of selective (free drugs) and unselective (partially reimbursed drugs). The use of drug reimbursement as a control measure to regulate the quality and quantity of drug consumption has not been explicit. With the exception of monetary costs, the objectives of the control have not been explicitly stated, and administrative practices have sometimes been arbitrary. Even though at first sight the Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish systems of free medication may appear alike, a more detailed analysis of diseases and drugs showed that the comprehensiveness and contents of the schemes differed. The differences seemed largely of an administrative nature. The financial costs of drug reimbursement had risen rapidly and varied from one country to another, being highest in Sweden.
Some Methodologic Problems Encountered in Occupational Health Research
Authors: Olsen Jam
Published: July 2017

The sources of error encountered in occupational health epidemiology present unique and difficult problems. Knowledge of these possible sources of error is essential for the proper design of studies and interpretation of study results. This article describes important sources of bias in occupational health research including healthy worker selection, information bias and the differential distribution of workplace health services.

The paper emphasizes that reference groups must be chosen with extreme care in order to avoid potential problems of healthy worker selection. In addition, knowledge of the process by which diseases are diagnosed is important in planning appropriate study designs.
Future Challenges to Health Services
Authors: Vikatmaa Eeva Kuuskoski
Published: July 2017

Scandinavian doctors are rarely politicians, but Dr Eeva Kuukoski-Vikatmaa is Minister of Social Affairs and Health in Finland. We invited her to comment on developments in the health services there. Eds.
Cimetidine Utilization in Denmark 1977–1981
Authors: Schmidt K. , Mosbech J. , Worsøe E.
Published: July 2017

A description of development in the utilization pattern of cimetidine (Tagamet) in Denmark is given on the basis of 19 154 granted applications for individual drug reimbursement submitted to the National Board of Health from the initial registration of cimetidine in September 1977 until general reimbursement was introduced in July 1981. The application rate per 100000 inhabitants increased steeply from 49 in 1978 to 148 in 1980 and decreased to 127 in 1981. Despite this rapid introduction, however, hospital utilization for ulcer disease was constant during this period. Half of the applications treated diagnosed duodenal ulcers and a third gastric ulcers. Only 50% of those gastric ulcers were diagnosed by endoscopy. The age-specific application rate reached a peak in the age group of 50–69 years. There was a considerable geographical variation in the rate of application. The reason for this is unknown, since the variations in the ages of patients and years of application were different in different counties, and no correlation between application rate and proxy variables for standard of health and special interest in ulcer disease between the different counties could be shown.
Limitations in the use of Job Exposure Matrices
Authors: Olsen Jørn
Published: July 2017

A Job Exposure Matrix (JEM) is a cross classification of occupations, industries and exposures within a given job. A general JEM covers all occupations and industries. Severe misclassification by using such a JEM is hardly avoidable. Use of a general JEM will therefore rarely be able to identify risk ratios in the moderately elevated range. However, a general JEM could be an important tool in looking for differentiated misclassification, a frequently mentioned problem in case-control studies. Principles of this kind of use is given in the text.
Development of a Community Intervention Programme on Miners' Health and Working Environment in Nicaragua
Authors: Aragon Aurora , Pena Rodolfo , Svanström Leif , Thörn Åke
Published: July 2017

Since 1983, a broad research and development programme has been carried out with the support of Sweden through the Swedish Agency for Research Cooperation in Developing Countries (SAREC). One of the medical research and development projects deals with the environment and state of health of the population of an entire village, and is referred to as the Abdon Vega project. It is pursued by the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine of the University of León, Nicaragua, with the support of the Department of Social Medicine at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. The project comprises two stages. The first one centres on the state of health of the workers and the mining environment. This article reports on the objectives of the project and the study area. It presents experience from the development work up to now and the difficulties encountered.
Pregnant Women's Attitudes for Accepting or Declining a Serum-Alpha-Fetoprotein Test
Authors: Sandén Marie-Louise , Bjurulf Per
Published: July 2017

This study analyzes attitudes which influence women in their decisions to accept or decline a serum-Alpha-FetoProtein (se-AFP) test. The survey covers all women who have visited antenatal clinics offering the se-AFP test in a given area during a specified period. All in all, the pregnant women answered four questionnaires: three before and one after delivery. 19% of the women declined the se-AFP test. During pregnancy, the women who did not take the se-AFP test said that the reason was anxiety about the results of the test. Many of the women who took the test said that they wanted assurance that the child was healthy. This entails obvious ethical problems when the test is positive. The test-routine does not have a major influence in the decisionmaking process. A change in routines to shorten the waiting time, and a different cut-off line might influence some of the declining women to accept the test.
Differential Mortality among Semiskilled Applicants of Disability Pension
Authors: Hasle Henrik , Jeune Bernard , Skytthe Axel
Published: July 2017

The mortality experience among 4440 applicants for disability pension has been examined during a period of observation of ten years. All applicants were males and had been member of the Danish Semiskilled Workers' Union. The reference group consists of age matched male members of the same union. The applicants for disability pension experienced a considerable excess mortality when compared with the reference group. The higher mortality risk is still present more than ten years after the application has been settled. The persons who were refused disability pension experienced an elevated mortality, too. In opposition to previous studies it is not found informative to put forward a common estimate of the elevated mortality rate because the group of disability applicants is very heterogeneous concerning their mortality experience; the excess mortality is most elevated among persons granted the high level pension, among the youngest, and during the period closest to the award.
Local Action Groups in Prevention of Child Accidents
Authors: Helset Anne , Botten Grete
Published: July 2017

Local action groups, organized by public health nurses, were formed in eight municipalities of Norway in order to prevent childhood accidents. The process of establishing such action groups and their way of operating are reported. The study revealed a potential for local activities in health promotion and yielded experience worth considering when starting similar projects. A project should be designed locally and priorities based upon locally felt needs. Formal channels for transferring knowledge from the health sector to other sectors in the municipality need to be established. An action group consisting of both lay people and professionals seems to be the most efficient means.
Children of Mentally Ill Mothers: Social Situation and Psychometric Testing of Mental Development
Authors: Bågedahl-Strindlund M. , Rosencrantz-Larsson L. , Wilkner-Svanfeldt P.
Published: July 2017

Children of mothers who satisfied the Research Diagnostic Criteria of (1) Schizophrenia, (2) Alcoholism or Drug Use Disorder, (3) Major Depressive Disorder including Mania, (4) Unspecified Functional Psychosis, and (5) Other Psychiatric Disorder and children of obstetric controls were studied with regard to subsequent mental and behavioural development and social conditions. 72 index children and 17 children from the comparison group were examined at an approximate age of six years by a child psychologist. More index children than those from the comparison group showed impaired mental and behavioural development. The children of abusing mothers in particular tended to have a worse outcome. One-half of the index children were not living with their mothers at the time of follow-up.
Abuse and Neglect of The Elderly – a Nordic Perspective Report from a Nordic Research Project
Authors: Hydle Ida
Published: July 2017

This article describes how abuse and neglect of the elderly was made an issue for research in a Nordic perspective. The Council of Nordic Ministers funded a cooperation between Nordic researchers on the issue of abuse of the elderly, based on a Norwegian initiative in 1988. The aim was to establish a base of knowledge in order to recommend social and political measures for each country. The researchers were chosen from the disciplines of social work, social anthropology, sociology, nursing sciences and medicine. Interested researchers were hard to find in Iceland and Denmark. Important results are on a theoretical level the discussion and perspectives on the definition of “family”, “violence” and “elderly”. On the practical level the results reveal that between 8% and 17% of a random population sample in Denmark, Sweden and Finland knew about elderly people being abused in their homes. Between 1 and 8% of elderly people living in their homes are being abused by their close kin, according to either the old people themselves or as reported by home nurses. In one of the Swedish projects 12% of close family members, being responsible for the care of a demented, mostly spouse or parent, admitted abuse towards the demented person. Swedish home nurses described the difficulties in intervening into the abusive families.
Accident Prevention Activities in the Norwegian Municipalities: The Local Response to a Nationwide Campaign
Authors: Thuen Frode , Mæland John Gunnar
Published: July 2017

The Norwegian “Campaign Against Home Accidents” was launched nationwide during 1988 to 1991, with the goal of reducing the incidence of home accidents by 20%. The aim of the campaign was to urge primarily the municipal health services to form local accident prevention groups and to implement local measures for prevention of home accidents. On the basis of two surveys, after one year and at the end of the national campaign, an evaluation was carried out concerning the participation of the municipal health services in the campaign and the impact of the campaign on local accident prevention activities. The results indicate that the national campaign engaged the majority of the municipalities and stimulated local accident prevention work to some extent. Most local activities were health education measures, whereas environmental intervention were less commonly reported. Involvement in the campaign was the variable most related to level of accident prevention activities at the end of the campaign periode. However, the relationship was only modest. Restricted economical resources, too little emphasis on environmental change, lack of political involvement and insufficient use of coalition partners at the community level are suggested as the major explanations for the limited effect of the campaign.
Doubt and excitement: an experiential learning approach to teaching the practice of qualitative research
Authors: Bartels Koen PR , Wagenaar Hendrik
Published: July 2017

This article diagnoses that qualitative research (QR) methods courses and literature often remain silent on how to actually do QR and explores how practice theory can improve learning and teaching the practice of QR. It develops an experiential learning approach of turning experiences and emotions of doubt and excitement into a dialogical process of asking creative questions, imagining new ideas, and animating a practical relationship to the world. Based on data and observations of a summer school course in QR methods to PhD students, we present three pedagogical practices for recognizing and tolerating affective resistances to experiential learning and finding creative solutions to emergent research problems.
Understanding untreated hypertension from patients’ point of view: A qualitative study in rural Yogyakarta province, Indonesia
Authors: Rahmawati Riana , Bajorek Beata
Published: July 2017

Objectives

This study aimed to explore perspectives about hypertension from patients who do not take anti-hypertensive medications. Factors that shape their perspectives as well as patients’ expectations were also canvassed.

Method

Individual, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 30 people (≥45 years old) living in rural villages, diagnosed with hypertension, who had not taken any anti-hypertensive medications for at least one year. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.

Results

Four themes emerged: (1) alternative medicines for managing high blood pressure; (2) accessing health care services; (3) the need for anti-hypertensive medications; and (4) existing support and patients’ expectations. Reluctance to take anti-hypertensive medications was influenced by patients’ beliefs in personal health threats and the effectiveness of anti-hypertensive medications, high self-efficacy for taking alternative medicines, the lack of recommendation regarding hypertension treatment, and barriers to accessing supplies of medicines.

Conclusion

Despite their awareness of being diagnosed with hypertension, patients undervalued visiting a health professional to control their high blood pressure. Health strategies need to consider patients’ beliefs, concerns and expectations. Providing an accessible, affordable and adequate supply of hypertension medication is also key to any programs designed to optimise hypertension management.
Modelling and testing of a granular insulating material
Authors: Orlik-Kożdoń Bożena , Nowoświat Artur
Published: July 2017

In the following article, the Authors present the results of initial researches into a building component needed for thermal insulation. The building component is a elastic insulation plate made from recycling materials. The solution is protected by industry patter Elastyczna pyta izolacyjna No 23 621 for Silesian University of Technology Gliwice. The paper presents the determination method of effective thermal conductivity for granular materials. It is based on the geometrical model for the determination of granular medium structure, which is based on the theory of the highest-density arrangement of equal-sized spheres. The elaborated by the Authors modeling results, obtained on the basis of an innovative description (definition) of granular medium, were addressed to the commonly applied two-component medium. To verify the correctness of the calculation model proposed by the Authors, the results were subjected to validation, basing on the thermal conductivity of elastic plates in a hot plate apparatus.