bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Victorian Perinatal Morbidity Statistics Form: New Items, Pre-Coded Text and Free Text
Authors: Vagg Lucianne , Taylor Odette , Riley Merilyn , Palma Sonia , Halliday Jane
Published: July 2017

This study assessed the quality of information on the form used by the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit. Information relating to four new and one modified data items, and to pre-coded and free text regions relating to maternal morbidity, was compared with that in the medical record. The new data items were documented correctly on 95.5% of forms, as were 67% of pre-coded conditions. Between 53% and 75% of free text items were correctly recorded. The results highlight the need for information and education sessions for midwives and other staff in order to collect and maintain high quality data.
The Impact of Telecommunications Technology on Health Record Management
Authors: Mitchell Jennifer
Published: July 2017

Information technology will have a significant impact on the role of the medical record administrator within the next decade. In this paper, the author discusses some of the ramifications of the increasing use of information technology; the likely impact of new technology on health information systems; and the need for medical record administrators to be sufficiently familiar with the technology to recognise where and how it can usefully be applied in health information management. A set of minimum competence standards for medical record administrators is provided.
Patient Access to Medical Information
Authors: Westbrook Johanna I.
Published: July 2017

This paper is the first of a 2-part article. In it, the author discusses issues relevant to patient access to medical records. Research findings suggest that the fear of many health practitioners regarding the harmful effects of such access are unjustified. Access to medical information improves patient-doctor relations, increases patient knowledge and compliance, has positive effects on patients' health, and improves the quality of record keeping. Other suggested advantages are increases in the quality of patient care and health practitioners' work satisfaction, and a decrease in malpractice suits. The hypotheses to be tested in a survey of medical practitioners' attitudes to these issues are discussed.
An Absenteeism Survey of Clerical Workers in Medical Record Departments
Authors: Rowlands Stella , Holman Josephine , Blades Karen
Published: July 2017

A survey of the patterns of absenteeism among clerical staff working in twenty-seven medical record departments in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory revealed that there was not a significant relationship between the bed size of the hospital (the organisation) and absenteeism, or between the medical record department (the work unit) and absenteeism. Absenteeism was defined as a day of sick leave without a medical certificate. Absenteeism was spread throughout the weekdays, and 56 percent of workers had at least one absent day during the period. Age and type of work were not associated with absenteeism, but males had a significantly higher rate than females (p < 0.001). The authors suggest that exchange theory rather than work unit size may better explain absenteeism. (AMRJ 1989, 19(1), 63–70).
Mortality and Morbidity in Western Australia Due to Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug Related Conditions during 1980–1984
Authors: Manning Karen , Binns Colin
Published: July 2017

The National Centre for Research into the Prevention of Drug Abuse has initiated a mortality/morbidity analysis with a view to: identifying geographical variations in drug related deaths/hospitalisations; identifying at risk sex/age groups for drug related diseases; illustrating the magnitude and diversity of drug related deaths/hospitalisations in Western Australia; and examining the patterns of drug related discharges. An overview of the study is presented, with a brief description of the computer packages used, preliminary results of geographical variations in drug related deaths, and a discussion of the Western Australian mortality and morbidity data sources available for this study. (AMRJ, 1989, 19(3), 101–104).
Clinical Records in Nursing Homes — What are They and Why Do we Need Them?
Authors: Anderson Barbara
Published: July 2017

The importance of clinical records to holistic client centre care is highlighted by the outcome standards which nursing homes in Australia now have to meet. The clinical record system therefore must be organised in such a way as to provide evidence that a nursing home is meeting the desired outcome standards. In this paper the author reviews some of the records problems typically encountered by nursing homes and offers potential solutions. The point is made that any nursing home with poor clinical records can expect to have difficulty meeting the outcome standards. (AMRJ, 19(3), 105–108).
Student Feedback on Professional Experience Placements
Authors: Lewis Melinda
Published: July 2017

As part of the Professional Experience Programme in the School of Health Information Management (HIM), at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, students undertake a block of professional experience in the intersemester recess. Students were invited to provide feedback to the School on their experience via a post-placement tutorial discussion with the Professional Experience Coordinator. In addition, written feedback was obtained from HIM II and HIM III students via a questionnaire. The aim of the questionnaire was to obtain student perceptions of the value of the placements as a learning experience, the role of the supervisor, the best aspects of the placement, and ways in which the placement could have been better. The results indicate that over 78% of respondents felt that the placement was an excellent or useful learning experience. No student felt the experience to be fair or poor. Student feedback provides the School with valuable information which can be used for planning and organising future placements. By aiming to continually improve the quality of professional experience we aim to improve the quality of our graduates as beginning practitioners.
The Future is Electronic
Authors: Luxford Karen
Published: July 2017

Electronic patient records are a central feature of many national policies on health information technology. The present article provides an overview of definitions for various degrees of medical record computerisation and current obstacles to implementation. A summary of progress in the areas of standards, specific technological developments and legal issues is provided. The wide ranging benefits of electronic patient records and the implications for health information managers and clinical coders are discussed.
Looking to CQI for Improvements in Clinical Documentation and Coding
Authors: Callen Joanne , Meehan Jodee , Tomornsak Saranuj
Published: July 2017

The following paper examines how the philosophy of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) can be used to improve the quality of clinical documentation and coding. The philosophical basis of CQI and its application in the healthcare environment is outlined. Health information managers need to explore inventive ways of solving the problem of inadequate clinical documentation and high coding error rates, particularly in light of the current casemix-based funding environment.
Case Studies in Health Information Management
Authors: Lloyd Sheree , Smith Carl
Published: July 2017

This is the second management case study in the series. Each one highlights situations and problems that health information managers may face in their work.

The series is interactive: readers are invited to comment on the case study and suggest strategies for dealing with the problems it reveals. Contributions from readers are published in the following issue. Responses to our first case study, published in the May 1997 issue, are reproduced below.
The Accuracy of Eclampsia Cases Reported to the Victorian Inpatient Minimum Database and the Perinatal Data Collection Unit
Authors: Riley Merilyn , Halliday Jane
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of the reporting and coding of eclampsia in two routine data collections: the Victorian Inpatient Minimum Database (VIMD) and the Perinatal Data Collection Unit (PDCU).

The validity of cases in the two data sets was confirmed by reference to the original medical record data. Only 12 cases were the same in both data sets (i.e., 35.3% agreement). There were an additional 51 cases that were reported to either one or the other of the data sets and, of these, only 15 (i.e., 29%) were confirmed as eclampsia. The overall number of cases confirmed for both systems in 1995 was 27, or 0.4 per 1000 confinements.

Reasons for these discrepancies were investigated and three basic problems identified: quality of documentation in the medical record, coding errors, and use of data from computer-generated forms. Neither the VIMD nor the PDCU was regarded as having sufficiently accurate data for adequate reporting of maternal morbidity. By combining the information from both databases a better estimate of incidence can be obtained, but improved reporting and coding is essential for accurate assessment of this condition.
Interviewing
Authors: Robinson Kerin
Published: July 2017

A Model for Learning and Assessment used in the Bachelor of Health Information Management Course, School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne
Case Studies in Health Information Management
Authors: Cook Angela
Published: July 2017

This is the seventh management case study in our series. Each one highlights situations and problems that health information managers may face in their work.

The series is interactive: readers are invited to comment on the case study and suggest strategies for dealing with the problems it reveals.
The Quality of Burns Coding: Compliance with Standards and the Effects on Clinical Data
Authors: Alechna Natalia , Westbrook Johanna , Roberts Rosemary
Published: July 2017

Coded burns cases in two NSW public acute care facilities were reviewed to determine 1. the degree of compliance with Australian Coding Standards (ACS) relating to burns separations 2. the relationship between coding errors and poor quality documentation and 3. the impact of coding errors on ANDRG allocation. Despite high compliance with specific aspects of the ACS, coding errors occurred in 89% of cases. The ANDRG changed in 9% of total cases as a result of recoding. While some cases changed to a higher weighted ANDRG, overall the hospitals would have lost $98,445 after recoding. Significant associations were found between coding errors and poor quality documentation. The results indicate that while the ACS are adhered to, a high degree of coding variation still exists. This is largely due to inadequacies in medical record documentation. Clinicians and coders need to work together to ensure that coding variation is kept to a minimum.
Dissatisfaction is High — But We're Listening
Authors: Walker Anita
Published: July 2017

Results of the membership services survey conducted at the 19th conference of the HIMAA, Brisbane, October 1998
Nonprofit Management as a Semi-Profession
Authors: Chatterjee Pranab , Stevenson Lauren
Published: July 2017

A central question is pursued in this paper: What knowledge can sociology offer to assess the professionalization of nonprofit management? The question is answered from fieldwork done by the authors. Using criteria developed by scholars like Flexner, Greenwood, and other current researchers, the authors argue that nonprofit management has become an identifiable profession, but its professional status and prestige remain that of a semi-profession. Participant observation of one university-based program is utilized to explore the professional status of nonprofit management.
Working toward Social Justice in the Classroom and Beyond: The Idea(I)s of Martin Luther King Jr. and Contemporary Criminology
Authors: Tomaszewski E. Andreas
Published: July 2017

This paper addresses the following questions: (1) How did the ideals and beliefs of Martin Luther King Jr. shape his vision of a just society and world? (2) How did he believe this could be accomplished? (3) How do his idea(l)s compare to those of contemporary “critical criminologists”? The paper closes with a proposal and strategy for progressive nonviolent social action to make social justice a reality in and outside of the classroom environment.
Katrina as a Natech Disaster: Toxic Contamination and Long-Term Risks for Residents of New Orleans
Authors: Picou J. Steven
Published: July 2017

Hurricane Katrina's impacts have been debated and discussed as resulting from either natural forces or from the failure of man-made levees. However, both the immediate (3 years) and, most important, long-term (20 years or more) social and health consequences of Katrina must be understood in terms of natech disasters. Natech disasters combine etiological elements of both natural and technological disasters, and this conceptual framework forces a recognition of the risks of toxic contamination. A review of available information on the air quality and sediment contamination in New Orleans following Katrina's destruction and subsequent flooding provides data for justifying this natech classification. Furthermore, data on the awareness of contamination for residents of Orleans parish are presented, revealing that a majority feel they have been exposed, and one out of three are worried about neighborhood contamination. Suggestions for changes in risk assessment and public policy are also provided to mitigate the impacts of future natech disasters.
Many Hats: The Methods and Roles of the Program Evaluator
Authors: Hirsch Michael L. , Quartaroli Tina A.
Published: July 2017

Program evaluation often casts the social scientist in multiple roles that require the use of various methods and skills to deliver the product or products desired by the hiring agency. Social scientists engaged in evaluation research often find their roles being expanded beyond those articulated in their contracts. Balancing these numerous demands while maintaining professional integrity can be both challenging and rewarding in terms of professional growth and expansion of one's professional network. This article focuses on the experiences of one research team working with a law enforcement agency in a midsized city in the Southwest during the first two years of the implementation of a Weed and Seed program. Nimbleness of method, expansion of the evaluator's role, and the reality of unexpected challenges are the primary lessons to be drawn from this experience.
Learning from Program Participants: Obtaining Participant Input on Service Development in an Emergency Food Program
Authors: Mason Maryann , Jaskiewicz Lara J. , Christoffel Kaufer K.
Published: July 2017

A mixed method study was conducted to assess the utility of adding health-focused obesity prevention programs/services to food distribution sites. A Project Advisory Committee (comprised of service agencies interested in extending services to food distribution sites) led the project. Field surveys and focus groups were conducted with food distribution participants at four community food distribution sites in Chicago. User opinions/suggestions for adding services to distribution sites were gathered. Analysis included Frequencies/Descriptives for survey responses. Focus-group transcripts were coded using constant comparative analysis methods. Results: 317 surveys completed at four distribution sites. Six focus groups held, each attended by 6–15 users. Conclusions: Food-assistance-user households identified healthy eating (HE) goals and connected goals to the health/well-being of household members. Barriers to HE goals included: cost, food preparation knowledge/skills, habit, taste, and household management challenges. Reactions to proposed services were mixed. Survey results supported cooking demonstrations, recipe information, nutrition education, and health screenings. Focus-group participants supported nutritional consulting and had little support for child/youth-focused services (e.g., immunization) and mixed support for adult health-screenings. Implications: Food-assistance programs may find it helpful to join with other community services to find ways to address user-identified needs, especially household organization and parenting/child rearing practices. Users' heavy burden of chronic disease suggests food-assistance programs should assess how to meet specific nutritional needs of chronic conditions. Plans for providing program services have been altered based on project results (e.g., no child immunization services added, rethinking youth services, and the addition of mobile health screening). The findings have led to further research among project partners into parenting aspects of healthy eating and several Advisory Committee members are exploring the potential for collaborative project development around household-based nutrition counseling.
Police Officer Perceptions of a Victim-Services Program
Authors: Hatten Patrycia , Moore Mel
Published: July 2017

This study examines how police officers view their victim-services program and on which occasions they call a victim's advocate to a crime scene. The purpose of this study is to enhance the number of referrals to the victim-services program by police officers, as they are the primary means through which those just victimized become aware of services available to them. The eighty-eight police-officer participants offered extremely positive evaluations of the program and their experiences with victim advocates. Calls for an advocate, then, appear to be limited by police officers' individual evaluations of a victim's need for an advocate, victims' declining an officer's offer to request an advocate, and victims' limited knowledge about the program. Social-policy implications include revising police policies to require officers to call an advocate for all eligible crime victims or, minimally, provide all victims with written materials about the victim services available to them.
Food Deserts
Authors: Adams Anthony Troy , Ulrich Monika J. , Coleman Amanda
Published: July 2017

Food deserts and accessibility represent a new frontier in the assault of life-threatening, dietrelated diseases, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Scholars represent the research literature from diverse disciplines, such as anthropology, agriculture, sociology, economics, marketing, public policy, sociology, and social epidemiology. Applied sociology has not contributed to this important conversation. Applied sociology's integration and use of theory, methods, and practical approach for addressing social problems may enhance the food deserts and accessibility literature and help eradicate barriers to consumption of affordably priced and nutritious foods often associated with race/ethnicity, poverty, residential segregation, and lack of access. Medical research has long suggested that the onset of coronary disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are exacerbated by poor nutritional habits and lack of exercise. These explanations are overly simplistic. Over the last twenty years a stream of research has begun to flow that explores how access (or lack of access) to food environments, including supermarket, grocery store, and food retail establishments, impacts food shopping habits and, thus, nutritional habits. We discuss some of the limitations associated with the food deserts and accessibility literature, including conceptual issues, the urban bias in research, methodological limitations, and the absence of theory.
Families Help Homeless and Disabled Relatives Providing Support is More Stressful with “Double Troubles”
Authors: Polgar Michael
Published: July 2017

People provide help and support to disabled homeless relatives as part of a system of care for homeless adults. This family support is stronger, and stress on relatives is greater, when people who are homeless experience difficulties or disorders related to a disability. Research analyzes data from a study of people with homeless relatives.1 Results show that people spend more time and money caring for a homeless relative who is disabled. Results also show that helping a relative living with a disability is associated with significantly more stress on family caregivers. This relationship varies somewhat depending on the nature of the disability. Since research shows that family caregiving supplements community services for homeless adults, and since results support hypotheses to show how family support is more stressful in the context of disability, social service systems can help by encouraging and providing community support for both disabled homeless adults and for their family caregivers.
Helping the Poor or the System? Examining My Participation: Observation in Social Service Organizations
Authors: Seale Elizabeth
Published: July 2017

In this article I examine my experiences of practice and research in the social service field, which may be relevant to applied and clinical sociologists who work beyond academia, as well as academic ethnographers in general. Although the researcher as a person from a particular background profoundly impacts the data collected, examining the role of the researcher in everyday situations (at some research site) sheds light on important social processes. I provide three examples from my study of social service organizations, emphasizing how critically examining my own responses to role conflicts during ethnographic research provides crucial insight into the ways in which well-meaning social service workers end up regulating and disciplining the people they purport to serve. I conclude by urging academic sociologists to consider the benefits of applied work for sociological knowledge and encouraging applied sociologists to examine their own emotional topography in their frontline work as a research method in itself.
Sociology: A Community Engagement Discipline
Authors: Breese Jeffrey R.
Published: July 2017

This article focuses on the best practices for faculty members as they engage in community-based research and work. The field of sociology is used as a frame, demonstrating the community engagement inherent in the discipline that offers the support, guidance, pedagogical tools, and professional outlets for faculty who are committed to taking part in the engaged scholarship of linking professional efforts to the larger community. Best practices in terms of faculty review, rank and tenure policies, and commitment to amenable scholarship models (such as the Boyer approach) are considered to assist such faculty wanting to take part in community-based work.
Community-based Research on the Effects of the Financial Crisis on Community Service Organizations in Adams County, PA
Authors: Gibbons Michael S.
Published: July 2017

As a result of the financial crisis, several Adams County community service organizations went unfunded for three months in the summer and fall of 2009. Representatives of the community service organizations and Gettysburg College collaborated on this project to document the effects of that lack of funding. Community service organizations cut programs and staff and extended credit. Community partners stepped in to provide basic funding. Increased community cohesion resulted, as did increased awareness of community needs.
The Politics of Applied Black Studies
Authors: Perry Ravi K.
Published: July 2017

This article documents the activism and applied contributions of select African American social scientists whose applied methods from the mid-1890s to the present made contributions to understanding the black experiences, the achievement of civil rights, and the development of the contemporary Black Studies academic discipline. The resulting historical analysis indicates that black social scientists had initially been, and to some extent continue to be, the progenitors of applied social science methodology. While scholars have recently recognized the marginalization of black social scientists within their respective disciplines, I argue that black social scientists have been the underrecognized intellectual leaders that helped established what is now known as applied social science.
Comparison of femtosecond laser-induced front- and rear-side ablation of films
Authors: Wang W J , Wang K D , Jiang G D , Mei X S , Yang C J
Published: July 2017

Femtosecond laser rear-side ablation, in which the laser beam first passes through the substrate, then irradiates on the film at the substrate–film interface, can be used to fabricate films on a transparent substrate. In this method, the material removal mechanism is different from that in front-side ablation, and the ablation occurs in an enclosed space. The different material removal process in rear-side laser ablation will bring about some unique ablation results. In this paper, the material removal mechanisms and ablation results of Cr film in rear-side ablation are investigated by comparing with those in front-side ablation. It is found that rear-side ablation can achieve smaller feature size than front-side ablation, especially when the laser fluence is small. However, owing to its different material breaking and ejecting process, the rear-side ablation tends to have worse bottom morphology and irregular edge morphology. In addition, the microstructures in the two ablations have opposite cross-sectional shapes and the ripple period in rear-side ablation is larger than that in front-side ablation.
Diffusion welding/bonding of ferritic to pearlitic ductile irons
Authors: Çetin M
Published: July 2017

In this study, ferritic and pearlitic ductile irons were joined using a diffusion welding method at different temperatures for different durations. In order to determine the strength of the joints, shear and hardness tests were applied. Additionally, an optical microscopy examination was carried out in order to determine the interface properties of the joint. The work conducted showed that the highest interface strength was obtained for the specimens joined at 1000 °C for 60 min. The hardness measurements indicated that the highest hardness value was obtained for the interface and the hardness values on both sides of the interface decreased gradually.
Numerical analysis of temperature profile and weld dimension in laser+pulsed gas metal arc welding hybrid welding
Authors: Xu G X , Wu C S , Qin G L , Wang X Y , Lin S Y
Published: July 2017

Increasing the number of process parameters allows a flexible adjustment of the laser+pulsed gas metal arc welding (GMAW) hybrid welding process; however, it places higher demands on the technology development and the process optimization. It is therefore important to conduct fundamental investigations involving mathematical modelling to understanding the hybrid welding process. In this study, thermal action characteristics in laser+pulsed GMAW hybrid welding are considered from the viewpoint of macro heat transfer, and two kinds of adaptive combined volumetric heat source models are developed for numerical analysis of heat flow in the hybrid welding. Based on the appropriate description of heat input from a laser beam, pulsed GMAW and heat content of overheated droplets, the adaptive heat source models are developed for laser+pulsed GMAW hybrid welding through combining three contributions to the heat density, i.e. double elliptic planar distribution of arc heat for both peak and background durations, uniformed distribution of droplet heat content in a double ellipsoid body, and logarithm or parabolic curve-rotated body distribution of laser beam with linearly enhanced peak density along the central axis. The interaction between laser and arc is taken into account indirectly by appropriately varying the distribution parameters of heat sources. The shape and size of the weld pool and the weld reinforcement in the quasi-steady state are calculated for three hybrid welding conditions, which show a fair agreement with the experimental results. The temperature profiles, cooling rates, and widths of the heat-affected zone in hybrid welding under different welding conditions are also computed and compared with those of pulsed GMAW, and the differences among them are discussed and explained.
Experiences of using a wearable camera to record activity, participation and health-related behaviours: Qualitative reflections of using the Sensecam
Authors: Wilson Gemma , Jones Derek , Schofield Patricia , Martin Denis J.
Published: July 2017

Objective

Upcoming technology is changing the way that we are able to collect data looking into activity, social participation and health behaviours. Wearable cameras are one form of technology that allows us to automatically record a collection of passive images, building a visual diary of the user’s day. Whilst acknowledging the usefulness of wearable cameras in research, it is also important to understand individuals’ experiences whilst using them. The aim of this study was to explore the acceptance, experience and usability of a wearable camera (Microsoft® Sensecam) to record the day-to-day activity and social participation of older people.

Methods

A total of 18 older adults, who had worn the wearable camera for seven days, took part in semi-structured interviews.

Results

Four themes emerged from the findings: ‘Intrusiveness’; ‘Importance of others’; ‘Remembering the wearable camera’; and ‘Ease of use’.

Conclusions

Individuals’ expectations and experiences of using the wearable camera differed considerably. Participants believed that the wearable camera would be intrusive, difficult to use and would evoke public reaction; however, these worries were not borne out in experience. Individuals typically forgot about the presence of the wearable camera during use, remembering it only sporadically. One drawback to its use is that some participants were cautious of using the camera when around others, which impacted the amount of time the camera was worn, and, therefore, the nature of the data recorded. Design issues of the Sensecam were also a problem for the older adults in the study and affected their interaction with the technology.
The Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Instruction to Teach Physical Examination to Students and Trainees in the Health Sciences Professions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tomesko Jennifer , Touger-Decker Riva , Dreker Margaret , Zelig Rena , Parrott James Scott
Published: July 2017

Purpose:

To explore knowledge and skill acquisition outcomes related to learning physical examination (PE) through computer-assisted instruction (CAI) compared with a face-to-face (F2F) approach.

Method:

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis published between January 2001 and December 2016 was conducted. Databases searched included Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, ERIC, Ebsco, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies were synthesized by study design, intervention, and outcomes. Statistical analyses included DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model.

Results:

In total, 7 studies were included in the review, and 5 in the meta-analysis. There were no statistically significant differences for knowledge (mean difference [MD] = 5.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −2.05 to 12.84) or skill acquisition (MD = 0.35, 95% CI: −5.30 to 6.01).

Conclusions:

The evidence does not suggest a strong consistent preference for either CAI or F2F instruction to teach students/trainees PE. Further research is needed to identify conditions which examine knowledge and skill acquisition outcomes that favor one mode of instruction over the other.
Microfinance and Poverty Reduction: Is Social Protection the Missing Link?
Authors: Priyadarshee Anurag
Published: July 2017

An ever-increasing body of literature points out that microfinance, despite being widely acknowledged as an effective strategy for poverty reduction, is not reaching a majority of poor households and is, thus, not effective in reducing their poverty. Our current theoretical understanding indicates that this is largely due to demand deficit on the part of poor households for microfinance products and services currently on the offer. Such products and services are observed to be more suitable to the financial needs of richer poor than those of the poor and very poor households. Literature suggests that microfinance outreach to poor may be improved by altering their external environment or by modifying the microfinance products to suit the needs of the poor.

Literature, however, largely overlooks recent developments in the arena of social protection that are impacting financial needs of the poor. On the basis of empirical findings from three Indian states, I argue that demand deficit for microfinance may be corrected if provisions of microfinance are built upon social protection programmes that are increasingly becoming a significant aspect of the financial environment of the poor. Empirical evidence suggests that financial services may be more useful and acceptable to the poor, and, thus, may have more potential to reduce poverty if they are linked with social protection programmes. In addition, the availability of financial services that substantially meet the needs generated by the social protection measures may also contribute towards deepening of the impact of such measures.
The First Compulsory Licencing Case in India under the TRIPS Agreement: An Analysis of Bayer Versus Natco Pharma Ltd
Authors: Raju K. D.
Published: July 2017

Intellectual property rights provides protection to inventions and monopoly rights for a limited period of time to encourage innovation in industry. In many cases, it turned out to be an abuse of the monopoly power by different means. A compulsory licence is a mechanism provided under the Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement in order to revoke a patent granted to a patentee in certain circumstances. Across the world, the compulsory licencing (CL) on intellectual property rights (IPRs) is granted on similar grounds like unreasonably exorbitant prices of an essential facility or commodity, or in the country where patent does not work or where substantial public interest is affected by the way an IPR holder exercises his/her right.

This article analyses India’s first CL order in favour of Natco Pharma which has garnered a lot of attention all over the world, and CL has been viewed as a remedy to curb the abuse of exclusivity protected by IPR. The case essentially revolves around an anti-cancer drug, Nexavar, which had been patented by Bayer.

This article begins by elaborating the concept of CL and its effect on developing countries with a special reference to the TRIPS Agreement. The latter part would deal with the viability of CL order under the Indian framework of IP law and India‘s compliance with TRIPS in the background of the case of Bayer versus Natco Pharma. Finally, the article concludes that CL is a TRIPS-permitted provision that developing countries can use in their favour to protect their health sector, and the present case can be a model for the developing countries.
Leukofiltration plus pathogen reduction prevents alloimmune platelet refractoriness in a dog transfusion model
Authors: Slichter Sherrill J. , Pellham Esther , Bailey S. Lawrence , Christoffel Todd , Gettinger Irena , Gaur Lakshmi , Latchman Yvette , Nelson Karen , Bolgiano Doug
Published: July 2017

Key Points

Eight weekly transfusions of F-LR + pathogen-reduced donor platelets were accepted by 31 of 32 (97%) recipient dogs. Among accepting recipients, none developed lymphocyte and only 2 had platelet antibodies not associated with platelet refractoriness.
Characterisation of eppin function: expression and activity in the lung
Authors: Scott Aaron , Glasgow Arlene , Small Donna , Carlile Simon , McCrudden Maelíosa , McLean Denise , Brown Ryan , Doherty Declan , Lundy Fionnuala T. , Hamid Umar I. , O'Kane Cecilia M. , McAuley Daniel F. , Brodlie Malcolm , Tunney Michael , Elborn J. Stuart , Irwin Chris R. , Timson David J. , Taggart Clifford C. , Weldon Sinéad
Published: July 2017

Eppin is a serine protease inhibitor expressed in male reproductive tissues.

The aim of this study was to investigate the localisation and regulation of eppin expression in myeloid and epithelial cell lines, and explore its potential role as a multifunctional host defence protein.

Using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, eppin was detected in the lungs of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and cystic fibrosis lung disease. Expression of eppin in monocytic cells was unaffected by stimulation with Toll-like receptor agonists, cytokines and hormone receptor agonists. However, upregulated expression and secretion of eppin was observed following treatment of monocytes with epidermal growth factor. Incubation of recombinant eppin with monocytic cells resulted in significant inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced chemokine production. Furthermore, eppin inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-κB activation by a mechanism which involved accumulation of phosphorylated IκBα. In anin vivomodel of lung inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide, eppin administration resulted in decreased recruitment of neutrophils to the lung with a concomitant reduction in the levels of the neutrophil chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-2.

Overall, these results suggest a role for eppin outside of the reproductive tract and that eppin may have a role in the innate immune response in the lung.
Tyk2 as a target for immune regulation in human viral/bacterial pneumonia
Authors: Berg Johanna , Zscheppang Katja , Fatykhova Diana , Tönnies Mario , Bauer Torsten T. , Schneider Paul , Neudecker Jens , Rückert Jens C. , Eggeling Stephan , Schimek Maria , Gruber Achim D. , Suttorp Norbert , Hippenstiel Stefan , Hocke Andreas C.
Published: July 2017

The severity and lethality of influenza A virus (IAV) infections is frequently aggravated by secondary bacterial pneumonia. However, the mechanisms in human lung tissue that provoke this increase in fatality are unknown and therapeutic immune modulatory options are lacking.

We established a human lungex vivoco-infection model to investigate innate immune related mechanisms contributing to the susceptibility of secondary pneumococcal pneumonia.

We revealed that type I and III interferon (IFN) inhibitsStreptococcus pneumoniae-induced interleukin (IL)-1β release. The lack of IL-1β resulted in the repression of bacterially induced granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) liberation. Specific inhibition of IFN receptor I and III-associated tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2) completely restored theS. pneumoniae-induced IL-1β–GM-CSF axis, leading to a reduction of bacterial growth. A preceding IAV infection of the human alveolus leads to a type I and III IFN-dependent blockade of the early cytokines IL-1β and GM-CSF, which are key for orchestrating an adequate innate immune response against bacteria. Their virally induced suppression may result in impaired bacterial clearance and alveolar repair.

Pharmacological inhibition of Tyk2 might be a new treatment option to sustain beneficial endogenous GM-CSF levels in IAV-associated secondary bacterial pneumonia.
Patterns and predictors of analgesic use in pregnancy: a longitudinal drug utilization study with special focus on women with migraine
Authors: Harris Gerd-Marie Eskerud , Wood Mollie , Eberhard-Gran Malin , Lundqvist Christofer , Nordeng Hedvig
Published: July 2017

Background

Few studies have investigated the drug utilization patterns and factors predicting drug use in pregnant women with migraine. This longitudinal drug utilization study aimed to describe patterns of analgesic use in a sample of Norwegian pregnant women according to their migraine history, and to identify predictors for analgesic use among these women.

Methods

Pregnant women giving birth at Akershus University Hospital between 2008 and 2010 were recruited at ultrasound examination in gestational week 17. Data were collected by questionnaires in gestational weeks 17 and 32, and at 8 weeks postpartum, and linked to birth records. Women were grouped into four categories according to migraine history: no migraine history, previous migraine history, recent migraine history (within 1 year prior to pregnancy) and migraine in pregnancy. Patterns of use of analgesics were analyzed descriptively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors predicting analgesic use.

Results

Out of 1981 women, 5.0% reported having migraine in pregnancy, 13.2% had a recent history of migraine, 11.5% had a previous history of migraine, and 68.8% reported no history of migraine. Analgesic use declined during pregnancy. Many women switched from triptans and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to paracetamol, which constituted most of the analgesic use. Factors associated with analgesic use included recent migraine history (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.2), more severe headache intensity (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.3–1.4), smoking (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.3) and multiparity (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.7).

Conclusions

Women with migraine stop or switch medications during pregnancy. Analgesic use in pregnancy is affected by migraine characteristics and intensity, and also by socio-demographic factors. Clinicians should bear this in mind when giving advice on adequate management of migraine in pregnancy and safe analgesic use.
A semi-automated approach to generate 4D/5D BIM models for evaluating different offshore oil and gas platform decommissioning options
Authors: Cheng Jack C. P. , Tan Yi , Song Yongze , Liu Xin , Wang Xiangyu
Published: July 2017

Background

Offshore oil and gas platforms generally have a lifetime of 30 to 40 years, and platform decommissioning is a major issue because many of the existing offshore oil and gas platforms are reaching the end of their service life. There are many possible options for decommissioning offshore oil and gas platforms, and each decommissioning option can be implemented using different methods and technologies. Therefore, it is necessary to have a clear understanding and in-depth evaluation of each decommissioning option before commencing platform decommissioning. 4D and 5D building information modeling (BIM) has been commonly used in the building industry to analyze constructability and to evaluate different construction or demolition plans. However, application of BIM in the oil and gas industry, especially for the platform decommissioning process, is still limited.

Methods

This paper suggests and demonstrates the application of 4D and 5D BIM technology to simulate various methodologies to realize various selected offshore platform decommissioning options, thereby visualizing and evaluating different options, considering both the time and resources required for decommissioning process. One hundred and seventy-seven offshore platform decommissioning options are summarized in this paper. A new approach to create multiple 4D/5D BIM models in a semi-automated manner for evaluating various scenario options of OOGP decommissioning was proposed to reduce the model creation time as current way of 4D/5D BIM model creation for each OOGP decommissioning option is time consuming.

Results

In the proposed approach, an OOGP BIM model relationship database that contains possible 4D/5D BIM model relationships (i.e. schedules for different decommissioning methods) for different parts of an OOGP was generated. Different OOGP decommissioning options can be simulated and visualized with 4D/5D BIM models created by automatically matching schedules, resources, cost information and 3D BIM models. This paper also presents an illustrative example of the proposed approach, which simulates and evaluates two decommissioning options of a fixed jacket platform, namely Rig-to-Reef and Removal-to-Shore. As compared to the traditional approach of 4D/5D BIM model generation, the proposed semi-automated approach reduces the model generation time by 58.8% in the illustrative example.

Conclusions

The proposed approach of semi-automated 4D/5D BIM model creation can help understand the implication of different decommissioning options as well as applied methods, detecting potential lifting clashes, and reducing 4D/5D BIM model creation time, leading to better planning and execution for the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas platforms. In addition, with the proposed semi-automated approach, the 4D/5D BIM model can be generated in a more efficient manner.
Implementing the Quality Startup Management System model in Hong Kong: a case study
Authors: LAI Kim-Hung Lotto
Published: July 2017

The innovation and technology industries have become key areas to which the HKSAR Government is committed for advanced technology development and new economic driven. In order to nurture and support local technology startups grow and flourish successfully, HKSTP had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA) to support incubation programmes through business matching and quality assurance mechanisms for startup companies. Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) was invited by HKQAA to be one of members in the advisory committee for this recognition scheme. Then, focus group was formed from different parties, including but not limited to incubatees, incubators, investors, HKSTP, HKQAA, HKSQ and other concerned stakeholders. This paper aims to introduce a systematic approach model named “Quality Startup Management System (QStarMS) Model” through literature review and analysis, focus group and case study. QStarMS integrated Business Side of startup using Business Model Generation/Canvas (BMG/C) and Management Side under ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, as well as, to simplify the model to fit startups requirements and overcome their limitations. Finally, we will report the recently progress of the QStarMS implementation through HKQAA Registration – Startups scheme.
Elastic properties of two VTI shale samples as a function of uniaxial stress: Experimental results and application of the porosity-deformation approach
Authors: Sviridov Viacheslav A. , Mayr Sibylle I. , Shapiro Serge A.
Published: July 2017

Shale is a complex medium composed of clay, other mineral phases, and a pore space. The combined elastic properties of these components control the effective (anisotropic) properties of the composite solid. The factor that is the most dependent on the stress field is the structure of the pore space, which greatly influences the elastic properties of the medium. We have further developed and experimentally validated the porosity deformation approach (PDA) for understanding and modeling stress-dependent changes of the elastic properties of sedimentary rocks. PDA separates the pore space into stiff and compliant parts. The load dependencies of the elastic properties have linear contributions due to the former and exponential contributions due to the latter. We evaluate data sets of elastic properties of two vertical transverse isotropic shale samples measured under uniaxial stress. Then we apply the PDA and our optimization algorithm to the measured data sets to model the stress dependency of the seismic velocities and validate the modeling with experimentally obtained results. We have developed for the first time the constant anellipticity approach (CAN), which estimates the off-axis velocity (in an inclined direction relative to the symmetry axis direction) as a function of stress. Measurements of off-axis velocities are often missing information, and CAN permits us to fill this gap. This provides further background for the reconstruction of the stress dependency of the compliance tensor from acoustic log data.