bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experience of Domestic Violence and Acceptance of Intimate Partner Violence Among Out-of-School Adolescent Girls in Iwaya Community, Lagos State
Authors: Kunnuji Michael O. N.
Published: June 2014

Gender-based domestic violence (DV) comes at great costs to the victims and society at large. Yet, many women hold the view that intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is appropriate behavior. This study aimed at exploring the nexus of experience of different forms of DV and acceptance of IPV as appropriate behavior. Using data from a survey of 480 out-of-school adolescent girls, the researcher shows that psychological abuse is a significant predictor of approval of DV resulting from the wife’s failure to make food available for her husband with victims of abuse approving of violence against women. Conversely, victims of sexual abuse, more than nonvictims, disapproved of wife beating resulting from the wife going out without informing the husband. The implications of the findings are discussed and the study recommends deconstructing women’s negative beliefs upon which DV rests.
Intimate Partner Violence Victims as Mothers
Authors: Insetta Emily R. , Akers Aletha Y. , Miller Elizabeth , Yonas Michael A. , Burke Jessica G. , Hintz Lindsay , Chang Judy C.
Published: June 2014

Children whose mothers are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) are at increased risk of adverse health and psychosocial consequences, including becoming victims or perpetrators of violence in their own relationships. This study aimed to understand the role mothers may play in preventing the perpetuation of violence in their children’s lives. We performed semistructured interviews with 18 IPV victims who are mothers and were living at the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh from July through November 2011. We sought to understand how they communicate with their children about IPV and relationships. These mothers described a desire to explain their IPV experience and offer advice about avoiding violence in relationships. As foundations for these discussions, they emphasized the importance of close relationships and open communication with their children. Although mothers are interested in talking about IPV and relationships and identify communication strategies for doing so, many have never discussed these topics with their children. These mothers need and want an intervention to help them learn how to communicate with their children to promote healthy relationships. Development of a program to facilitate communication between IPV victims and their children could create an important tool to empower mothers to break the cross-generational cycle of domestic violence.
Effect of Yarn Folding on Comfort Properties of Hemp Knitted Fabrics
Authors: Stankovic Snezana B. , Bizjak Matejka
Published: June 2014

The operation of folding provides a complex yarn differing to an appreciable degree from single components. Although the characteristics of folded yarns have been the subject of many investigations, there is a serious lack of study concerned with the influence of yarn folding on comfort properties of clothing materials. Therefore, this study focused on the effect of yarn folding on both thermal and tactile comfort of plain knitted fabrics. In addition to the structural characteristics of the yarns and knitted fabrics, the transport properties, deformation behavior and surface properties of the knitted fabrics were investigated. The results obtained indicated that the influence of yarn folding on thermal and tactile comfort properties of clothing materials is mainly positive. These effects were caused by the modification of yarn packing density which further influenced the air volume distribution as well as the fiber and yarn mobility within the fabric.
Passionate Scholarship or Academic Safety
Authors: Merryfeather Lyn
Published: June 2014

Are we passionate scholars or is academic safety something to which we aspire? Do we teach our students one thing and practice another? Are some forms of scholarship more acclaimed than others, some methodologies more acceptable? What are the ethical implications in these various questions? In this article, I outline my experiences, both as a student researcher and as an educator, that have brought me to ask these things. Holism is an ideal that many nursing students are taught and encouraged to bring to their practice, and yet holism does not seem, in many instances, to be supported in academia or in bedside practice. I suggest the possible causes for these difficulties and propose solutions. I suggest that the bedrock of ethical practice, both in the academy and with patients, is to bring all of who we are, the alchemic mystery of holism, to everything we do.
Factor Structure, Evolution, and Predictive Power of Emotional Competencies on Physical and Emotional Health in the Elderly
Authors: Fantini-Hauwel Carole , Mikolajczak Moïra
Published: June 2014

Objective: Emotional competence (EC) has been found to be an important predictor of individuals’ health. While it is well known that EC predicts important outcomes in young adults, its importance is less clear in the elderly. We aimed to address this gap: Is the structure of EC the same in older as in younger adults? How do EC evolve between 50 and 80 years old? Does the predictive power of EC, regarding physical and emotional adjustment, increase or decrease with age? Method: A total of 6,688 participants filled subjective health and EC questionnaires. We gathered their medication consumption over the last 11 years, from the database of health insurance. Results: While the structure of ECs remains stable in older adults, it generally declines as people get older, except for emotion regulation, which improves with age. Results also show that EC predicts both physical and emotional health. Discussion: These results suggest that the development of specific interventions to improve EC may be useful for the elderly.
Impact forces at dipped rail joints
Authors: Mandal Nirmal K , Dhanasekar Manicka , Sun Yan Quan
Published: June 2014

Impact forces develop at the wheel/rail interface due to the presence of defects in the running surface of the wheel and/or the railhead. This paper reports on wheel impacts, caused by permanently dipped rail joints, that are characterised by high-frequency impact forces generated by high amplifications of the static load that occur for a very short duration ( P1 forces), followed by relatively low frequency, lower amplitude forces ( P2 forces) that occur for a longer duration. These impact forces are affected by the design of components adjacent to the wheel and rail, namely the bogie’s primary suspension and rail seat pads; the influences of stiffness and damping characteristics of these components are investigated. A modified three-dimensional simulation model of the dynamics of the wagon/track system that includes defects in the track is created and is used to obtain the time series of the impact force. This is converted into impact force factors that are compared with a set of field-measured data reported in the literature. A simplified equation for the determination of impact force factors due to dipped rail joints is also proposed and validated.
Methodology to assess the performance of an aircraft concept with distributed propulsion and boundary layer ingestion using a parametric approach
Authors: Valencia Esteban A , Nalianda Devaiah , Laskaridis Panagiotis , Singh Riti
Published: June 2014

The performance benefits of boundary layer ingestion in aircraft with distributed propulsion have been extensively studied in the past. These studies have indicated that propulsion system integration issues such as distortion and intake pressure losses could mitigate the expected benefits. This paper introduces and develops a methodology that enables the assessment of different propulsion system designs, which are optimized to be less sensitive to the effects of the aforementioned issues. The study models the propulsor array and main engine performance at design point using a parametric approach, and further at component level, the study focuses on identifying optimum propulsor configurations, in terms of propulsor pressure ratio and BL capture sheet height. At a system level, the study assesses the effects of splitting the thrust between the propulsor array and main engines. The figure of merit used in the optimization is the TSFC. The suitability of the concepts is further assessed using performance predictions for HTS electrical motors. For the purpose of this study, the NASA N3-X aircraft concept is selected as baseline configuration, where the different propulsion designs are tested. As the study focuses on performance assessment of the propulsion system, sizing implication issues and aircraft performance installations effects have not been included in the analysis. The results from the parametric analysis corroborated previous studies regarding the high sensitivity of the propulsion system performance to intake losses and BL inlet conditions. As the study found low-power consumption configurations at these operating conditions, this may be considered as a major issue. The system analysis from the study indicated that splitting the thrust between propulsors and main engines results in improved system efficiency with beneficial effects in fuel savings. When a 2% increase in intake pressure losses and a similar reduction in fan efficiency were assumed due to boundary layer ingestion, the study found an optimum configuration with 65% of thrust delivered by the propulsor array. To summarize, the present work built on past research further contributes to the field through the inclusion of the thrust split as a key variable in the propulsion system design. The thrust split, when introduced, enabled reduction of the detrimental effects of intake losses on the overall system performance. Additionally, as it reduces the power required for the propulsor array, it is expected to reduce the operating power of HTS and cooling systems and therefore improve the effectiveness of the concept.
The emerging science of quantitative imaging biomarkers terminology and definitions for scientific studies and regulatory submissions
Authors: Kessler Larry G , Barnhart Huiman X , Buckler Andrew J , Choudhury Kingshuk Roy , Kondratovich Marina V , Toledano Alicia , Guimaraes Alexander R , Filice Ross , Zhang Zheng , Sullivan Daniel C ,   QIBA Terminology Working Group
Published: June 2014

The development and implementation of quantitative imaging biomarkers has been hampered by the inconsistent and often incorrect use of terminology related to these markers. Sponsored by the Radiological Society of North America, an interdisciplinary group of radiologists, statisticians, physicists, and other researchers worked to develop a comprehensive terminology to serve as a foundation for quantitative imaging biomarker claims. Where possible, this working group adapted existing definitions derived from national or international standards bodies rather than invent new definitions for these terms. This terminology also serves as a foundation for the design of studies that evaluate the technical performance of quantitative imaging biomarkers and for studies of algorithms that generate the quantitative imaging biomarkers from clinical scans. This paper provides examples of research studies and quantitative imaging biomarker claims that use terminology consistent with these definitions as well as examples of the rampant confusion in this emerging field. We provide recommendations for appropriate use of quantitative imaging biomarker terminological concepts. It is hoped that this document will assist researchers and regulatory reviewers who examine quantitative imaging biomarkers and will also inform regulatory guidance. More consistent and correct use of terminology could advance regulatory science, improve clinical research, and provide better care for patients who undergo imaging studies.
Statistical issues in the comparison of quantitative imaging biomarker algorithms using pulmonary nodule volume as an example
Authors: Obuchowski Nancy A , Barnhart Huiman X , Buckler Andrew J , Pennello Gene , Wang Xiao-Feng , Kalpathy-Cramer Jayashree , Kim Hyun J (Grace) , Reeves Anthony P ,   for the Case Example Working Group
Published: June 2014

Quantitative imaging biomarkers are being used increasingly in medicine to diagnose and monitor patients’ disease. The computer algorithms that measure quantitative imaging biomarkers have different technical performance characteristics. In this paper we illustrate the appropriate statistical methods for assessing and comparing the bias, precision, and agreement of computer algorithms. We use data from three studies of pulmonary nodules. The first study is a small phantom study used to illustrate metrics for assessing repeatability. The second study is a large phantom study allowing assessment of four algorithms’ bias and reproducibility for measuring tumor volume and the change in tumor volume. The third study is a small clinical study of patients whose tumors were measured on two occasions. This study allows a direct assessment of six algorithms’ performance for measuring tumor change. With these three examples we compare and contrast study designs and performance metrics, and we illustrate the advantages and limitations of various common statistical methods for quantitative imaging biomarker studies.
Closed-form fiducial confidence intervals for some functions of independent binomial parameters with comparisons
Authors: Krishnamoorthy K , Lee Meesook , Zhang Dan
Published: June 2014

Approximate closed-form confidence intervals (CIs) for estimating the difference, relative risk, odds ratio, and linear combination of proportions are proposed. These CIs are developed using the fiducial approach and the modified normal-based approximation to the percentiles of a linear combination of independent random variables. These confidence intervals are easy to calculate as the computation requires only the percentiles of beta distributions. The proposed confidence intervals are compared with the popular score confidence intervals with respect to coverage probabilities and expected widths. Comparison studies indicate that the proposed confidence intervals are comparable with the corresponding score confidence intervals, and better in some cases, for all the problems considered. The methods are illustrated using several examples.
Factors of Management Education in India as Perceived by Learners and Providers: An Empirical Study
Authors: Mukherjee Debarshi
Published: June 2014

From the very genesis of management education as a formal discipline of study during early nineteenth century, it has undergone many changes in terms of content development, curriculum development and pedagogy. The systems prevailing in India preach the methodology of classroom lecture with intermittent or limited use of technology tools to impart education. However, under the present setting, the study partakes to find out the perception of students or learners and academicians and corporate or providers of management education towards a winning pedagogy from the myriad of traditional classroom and e-learning pedagogies suiting individual’s learning requirement resulting in higher learning gain. Traditional classroom teaching and Web-based instructional system (WBIS) of e-learning pedagogy have contributed to identify the variables of management education in this paper. From the observed variables, it was revealed that respondents preferred WBIS over traditional school of thought and another dimension of management education, that is, blended learning involving characteristics from the other two schools surfaced as the third factor.
Book Review: Debra L. Nelson, James Campbell Quick and Preetam Khandelwal, Organizational Behaviour: A South Asian Perspective
Authors: Sehgal Aakanksha
Published: June 2014

Debra L. Nelson, James Campbell Quick and Preetam Khandelwal, Organizational Behaviour: A South Asian Perspective. Delhi: Cengage Learning India, 2013, xxxv + 787 pp., Price not mentioned. ISBN: 978-81-315-1852-6 (Paperback).
The role of the state in corporate governance
Authors: Baker C Richard , Quéré Bertrand P
Published: June 2014

Prior empirical research in the accounting and finance literatures has often neglected the role of the state in corporate governance, preferring instead to study relationships between shareholders and directors and the effects of various corporate governance mechanisms on the economic performance of companies. In contrast, accounting and business historians have often examined the legal systems, rules, and regulations that control business enterprises, thereby acknowledging the existence of persistent interactions between the state and business entities through time. The purpose of this article is to illustrate, through a discussion and analysis of several ways in which the state has enacted its role in corporate governance, that state regulation and supervision of business entities has been both commonplace and necessary for the maintenance of a stable economic system.
Few older people in New Zealand who commit suicide receive specialist psychogeriatric services
Authors: Cheung Gary , Casey Jane
Published: June 2014

Objective:

Suicide in older people is a growing public health concern in many parts of the world. The literature on this issue is lacking in New Zealand. The aim of this study is to ascertain whether this group is accessing specialist psychogeriatric services. A retrospective case series study of completed suicides in older people (≥65 years) during a three-year period from January 2010 to December 2012 was performed.

Method:

An online survey detailing demographic and clinical information was completed by psychiatrists in 15 of the 20 District Health Boards in New Zealand.

Results:

Only about 15% of older people who committed suicide were accessing specialist psychogeriatric services and the group with the highest suicide rate (men≥85 years) did not feature in specialist services. Depression (61%) was the most common diagnosis and nearly half (35%) had had contact with specialist services within three days prior to the suicide. Over half (52%) had a history of past suicide attempt(s).

Conclusions:

Older people who complete suicide are infrequently accessing specialist services. In those that do, there are questions to be answered regarding suicide prediction and prevention for this high-risk group of vulnerable individuals. More research is required targeting those not accessing specialist services, in particular the high risk group of older men. The role of general practitioner, community care, the assessment and management of depression and whether there is any access issue to specialist psychogeriatric services require elucidation.
Risk for Child Maltreatment Among Infants Discharged From a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Risch Elizabeth C. , Owora Arthur , Nandyal Raja , Chaffin Mark , Bonner Barbara L.
Published: June 2014

Studies suggest that neonatal illness may cause increased risk for child maltreatment (CM), but these findings may be biased by observed and unobserved confounding factors (social, family, and maternal characteristics) including increased surveillance by health care providers. This study expands on previous research by examining and controlling for these potential study biases and confounders using a sibling discordance retrospective cohort study design. Infants born in a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were matched with non-NICU born sibling controls. Cox proportional hazard models with shared frailty terms were used to account for clustering and heterogeneity in CM survival time (time to CM event). Potentially key covariates were selected using the directed acyclic graph approach, and surveillance reports were identified and systematically included or excluded from analyses. Managing these sources of bias reduced but did not eliminate the association between neonatal illness and CM report risk. Risk was especially high during the first year of the NICU infant’s life and among families with multiple well-known CM risk factors.
Maltreatment Histories of Foster Youth Exiting Out-of-Home Care Through Emancipation
Authors: Havlicek Judy
Published: June 2014

Little is known about maltreatment among foster youth transitioning to adulthood. Multiple entries into out-of-home care and unsuccessful attempts at reunification may nevertheless reflect extended exposure to chronic maltreatment and multiple types of victimization. This study used administrative data from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to identify all unduplicated allegations of maltreatment in a cohort of 801 foster youth transitioning to adulthood in the state of Illinois. A latent variable modeling approach generated profiles of maltreatment based on substantiated and unsubstantiated reports of maltreatment taken from state administrative data. Four indicators of maltreatment were included in the latent class analysis: multiple types of maltreatment, predominant type of maltreatment, chronicity, and number of different perpetrators. The analysis identified four subpopulations of foster youth in relation to maltreatment. Study findings highlight the heterogeneity of maltreatment in the lives of foster youth transitioning to adulthood and draw attention to a need to raise awareness among service providers to screen for chronic maltreatment and multiple types of victimization.
Violence in the Lives of Rural, Southern, and Poor White Women
Authors: Farber Naomi , Miller-Cribbs Julie E.
Published: June 2014

Poor White single mothers and their children in non-urban communities in the American South experience high levels of domestic violence. We report selected findings from a life history study among White, low-income, unmarried mothers in South Carolina. Here, we examine how domestic violence in both childhood and adulthood may inhibit asset development by diminishing low-income single mothers’ accumulation of human and social capital, thus compromising their well-being as adults and parents.
HIV Testing Among Sexually Active Hispanic/Latino MSM in Miami-Dade County and New York City
Authors: Joseph Heather A. , Belcher Lisa , O’Donnell Lydia , Fernandez M. Isabel , Spikes Pilgrim S. , Flores Stephen A.
Published: June 2014

HIV testing behavior is important in understanding the high rates of undiagnosed infection among Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). Correlates of repeat/recent testing (within the past year and ≥5 tests during lifetime) and test avoidance (never or >5 years earlier) were examined among 608 sexually active Hispanic/Latino MSM (Miami-Dade County and New York City). Those who reported repeat/recent testing were more likely to have incomes over $30,000, speak English predominately, and have visited and disclosed same-sex behavior to a health care provider (HCP) in the past year. Those who were classified as test avoiders were less likely to have incomes over $10,000 and to have seen an HCP in the past year. The main reason for not testing (in both groups) was fear of HIV positivity; however, twice as many test avoiders considered this their main reason, and more test avoiders had confidentiality concerns. Results suggest that messages to encourage testing among Hispanic/Latino MSM may be most effective if past testing patterns and reasons for not testing are considered. HCPs can play an important role by consistently offering HIV tests to MSM and tailoring messages based on prior testing histories.
The Multilevel Mixed Intact Group Analysis
Authors: Schoonenboom Judith
Published: June 2014

Educational innovations often involve intact subgroups, such as school classes or university departments. In small-scale educational evaluation research, typically involving 1 to 20 subgroups, differences among these subgroups are often neglected. This article presents a mixed method from a qualitative perspective, in which differences among intact subgroups regarding one construct or effect are first quantitatively identified and subsequently qualitatively described and explained by differences among the contexts of the separate intact subgroups. Its focus on the contexts of intact subgroups, where organizational factors can be modified, makes this method interesting from a management perspective. In evaluations, repeated application of the method deserves a place beside other analytical methods.
The influence of personal communities on the self-management of medication taking: A wider exploration of medicine work
Authors: Cheraghi-Sohi Sudeh , Jeffries Mark , Stevenson Fiona , Ashcroft Darren M , Carr Matthew , Oliver Kathryn , Rogers Anne
Published: June 2014

Objectives

There is a lack of focus on the broader social context, networks and influences on medicine-taking as part of illness work. This work adopts a social network approach and seeks to explicate the nature of medicine-taking work that people with multiple long-term conditions (LTCs) and their social network members (SNMs) do in attempting to take their medications on a daily basis, the division of labour amongst these members and when and why SNMs become involved in that work.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 people who had multiple LTCs. Medication networks were constructed and the division of labour in relation to medication-work was explored.

Results

Four types of medication-work emerged: medication articulation, surveillance, emotional and informational. Involvement of SNMs in medication-work was selective, performed primarily by family members, within the home. Involvement reflected network composition and/or an individual’s conceptualisation/presentation of self.

Discussion

Our findings support and extend the conceptualisation of routine medicine-taking as a type of work. Furthermore, we illustrate the involvement of SNMs in aspects of medicine-work. Health professionals should explore and support the role of SNMs in medicine-taking where possible. Future research should explore the implications of network types and compositions on medicine-taking and associated work.
The role of obesity in oesophageal cancer development
Authors: Long Elizabeth , Beales Ian L.P.
Published: June 2014

The incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma has increased dramatically in the developed world in the last half century. Over approximately the same period there has been an increase in the prevalence of obesity. Multiple epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have confirmed that obesity, especially abdominal, visceral obesity, is a risk factor for gastro-oesophageal reflux, Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Although visceral obesity enhances gastro-oesophageal reflux, the available data also show that visceral obesity increases the risk of Barrett’s oesophagus and adenocarcinoma via reflux-independent mechanisms. Several possible mechanisms could link obesity with the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in addition to mechanical effects increasing reflux. These include reduced gastric Helicobacter pylori infection, altered intestinal microbiome, factors related to lifestyle, the metabolic syndrome and associated low-grade inflammation induced by obesity and the secretion of mediators by adipocytes which may directly influence the oesophageal epithelium. Of these adipocyte-derived mediators, increased leptin levels have been independently associated with progression to oesophageal adenocarcinoma and in laboratory studies leptin enhances malignant behaviours in cell lines. Adiponectin is also secreted by adipocytes and levels decline with obesity: decreased serum adiponectin levels are associated with malignant progression in Barrett’s oesophagus and experimentally adiponectin exerts anticancer effects in Barrett’s cell lines and inhibits growth factor signalling. At present there are no proven chemopreventative interventions that may reduce the incidence of obesity-associated oesophageal cancer: observational studies suggest that the combined use of a statin and aspirin or another cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor is associated with a significantly reduced cancer incidence in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus.
When Having Black Friends Isn’t Enough
Authors: Wout Daryl A. , Murphy Mary C. , Barnett Sabrica
Published: June 2014

People’s concerns about being rejected temper their interest in forming interracial friendships. For Blacks, identity threat can magnify their rejection concerns and reduce friendship interest. The present research explores the role that threat and safety cues play in Blacks’ concerns about being rejected by Whites. Prior to an interaction, participants learned information about their partner that was comprised of two safety cues or a safety cue accompanied by a threat cue. In Study 1, Blacks who received both a safety and a threat cue were more concerned about being rejected and were less interested in forming an interracial friendship than Blacks who received only safety cues. Whites were unaffected by these cues. In Study 2, Blacks’ perceptions of their interaction partner’s warmth mediated the cues’ effects on rejection concerns and friendship interest. This research suggests that a single threatening cue can undermine safety cues during interracial interactions.
Optimized contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography for characterization of focal liver lesions in cirrhosis: A single‐center retrospective study
Authors: de Sio Ilario , Iadevaia Maddalena D , Vitale Luigi M , Niosi Marco , Del Prete Anna , de Sio Chiara , Romano Lorenzo , Funaro Annalisa , Meucci Rosaria , Federico Alessandro , Loguercio Carmelina , Romano Marco
Published: June 2014

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of death amongst cirrhotic patients. Its diagnosis and discrimination from non‐HCC malignant lesions in cirrhosis includes contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT), contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI), or, in selected cases, liver biopsy. The role of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is still controversial.

Aims

To evaluate whether, by selecting an appropriate ‘time to wash‐out’ cut‐off value, CEUS capability of discriminating between HCC and non‐HCC malignancies in cirrhotic patients may be enhanced.

Methods

We enrolled 282 cirrhotic patients who underwent CEUS at our institute, from January 2008 to January 2012, for focal liver lesions (FLLs) detected at ultrasound (US). We used liver biopsy and subsequent histological evaluation as the gold standard for correct classification of FLLs. We calculated the area under receiver operator characteristic curves for CEUS to distinguish patients with HCC from those with non‐HCC malignancies. The best ‘time to wash‐out’ cut‐off values were selected.

Results

Histological diagnosis of FLLs was as follows: 34 benign lesions (i.e. 25 regenerative nodules and 9 dysplastic nodules) and 248 malignant lesions (223 well‐to‐moderately differentiated HCCs; 7 poorly‐differentiated HCCs; 5 intrahepatic colangiocellular carcinomas (ICCs); 5 primary non‐Hodgkin B‐cell lymphomas (NHBLs); and 8 metastatic liver tumors). A time to wash‐out > 55 s identified patients with HCC with the highest level of accuracy (92.7%). Similarly, a time to wash‐out ≤ 55 s correctly identified the vast majority of the non‐HCC malignancies (100% sensitivity, 98.2% specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 98.3%).

Conclusions

CEUS is an accurate and safe procedure for discriminating FLLs in cirrhotic patients, especially when a cut‐off time to wash‐out of 55 s is chosen as a reference value.
What a world assembly could look like
Authors: Colomer Josep M
Published: June 2014

I identify some basic institutional features that can make a world assembly viable in terms of size and degree of complexity. The most potentially satisfactory model is a bicameral assembly formed by a lower chamber with about 2000 seats (of which about one-fourth would be elected in single-member districts and about three-fourths in multimember districts of proportional representation with moderate magnitude) and an upper chamber of territorial representation based on about 700 territorial units all across the world (basically corresponding to the nearly 200 currently independent states plus about 500 regional governments).
14-3-3σ induces heat shock protein 70 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Chia-Chia , Jan Yee-Jee , Ko Bor-Sheng , Wu Yao-Ming , Liang Shu-Man , Chen Shyh-Chang , Lee Yen-Ming , Liu Tzu-An , Chang Tzu-Ching , Wang John , Shyue Song-Kun , Sung Li-Ying , Liou Jun-Yang
Published: June 2014

Background

14-3-3σ is implicated in promoting tumor development of various malignancies. However, the clinical relevance of 14-3-3σ in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor progression and modulation and pathway elucidation remain unclear.

Methods

We investigated 14-3-3σ expression in 109 HCC tissues by immunohistochemistry. Overexpression and knockdown experiments were performed by transfection with cDNA or siRNA. Protein expression and cell migration were determined by Western blot and Boyden chamber assay.

Results

In this study, we found that 14-3-3σ is abundantly expressed in HCC tumors. Stable or transient overexpression of 14-3-3σ induces the expression of heat shock factor-1α (HSF-1α) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in HCC cells. Moreover, expression of 14-3-3σ significantly correlates with HSF-1α/HSP70 in HCC tumors and both 14-3-3σ and HSP70 overexpression are associated with micro-vascular thrombi in HCC patients, suggesting that 14-3-3σ/HSP70 expression is potentially involved in cell migration/invasion. Results of an in vitro migration assay indicate that 14-3-3σ promotes cell migration and that 14-3-3σ-induced cell migration is impaired by siRNA knockdown of HSP70. Finally, 14-3-3σ-induced HSF-1α/HSP70 expression is abolished by the knockdown of β-catenin or activation of GSK-3β.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that 14-3-3σ participates in promoting HCC cell migration and tumor development via β-catenin/HSF-1α/HSP70 pathway regulation. Thus, 14-3-3σ alone or combined with HSP70 are potential prognostic biomarkers for HCC.
Wage subsidies in developing countries as a tool to build human capital: design and implementation issues
Authors: Almeida Rita , Orr Larry , Robalino David
Published: June 2014

This paper reviews international experiences with the implementation of wage subsidies and develops a policy framework to guide their design in developing countries. The evidence suggests that, if the goal is only to create jobs, wage subsidies are unlikely to be an effective instrument. Wage subsidies, however, could have a role in helping first-time job seekers or those who have gone through long-periods of unemployment or inactivity, to gain some work experience and in the process build skills and improve their employability. If these “learning” effects are large enough, the social benefits of wage subsidies could outweigh their cost. When wage subsidies are designed with these objectives in mind, there are important implications in terms of eligibility and targeting, how the subsidy is set, its duration, and the types of conditionalities on employers and beneficiaries. Given uncertainty regarding their impact, in all cases, programs should be piloted and evaluated prior to full scale implementation.

JELs

J2, J3, J6
Standard operating procedures for antibiotic therapy and the occurrence of acute kidney injury: a prospective, clinical, non-interventional, observational study
Authors: Nachtigall Irit , Tafelski Sascha , Günzel Karsten , Uhrig Alexander , Powollik Robert , Tamarkin Andrey , Wernecke Klaus D , Spies Claudia
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 7% of hospitalized and 66% of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. It increases mortality, hospital length of stay, and costs. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether there is an association between adherence to guidelines (standard operating procedures (SOP)) for potentially nephrotoxic antibiotics and the occurrence of AKI.

Methods

This study was carried out as a prospective, clinical, non-interventional, observational study. Data collection was performed over a total of 170 days in three ICUs at Charité – Universitaetsmedizin Berlin. A total of 675 patients were included; 163 of these had therapy with vancomycin, gentamicin, or tobramycin; were >18 years; and treated in the ICU for >24 hours. Patients with an adherence to SOP >70% were classified into the high adherence group (HAG) and patients with an adherence of <70% into the low adherence group (LAG). AKI was defined according to RIFLE criteria. Adherence to SOPs was evaluated by retrospective expert audit. Development of AKI was compared between groups with exact Chi2-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis (two-sided P <0.05).

Results

LAG consisted of 75 patients (46%) versus 88 HAG patients (54%). AKI occurred significantly more often in LAG with 36% versus 21% in HAG (P = 0.035). Basic characteristics were comparable, except an increased rate of soft tissue infections in LAG. Multivariate analysis revealed an odds ratio of 2.5-fold for LAG to develop AKI compared with HAG (95% confidence interval 1.195 to 5.124, P = 0.039).

Conclusion

Low adherence to SOPs for potentially nephrotoxic antibiotics was associated with a higher occurrence of AKI.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN54598675. Registered 17 August 2007.
Limit Theorems for Continuous-Time Branching Flows
Authors: He Hui , Ma Rugang
Published: June 2014

We construct a flow of continuous-time and discrete-state branching processes. Some scaling limit theorems for the flow are proved, which lead to the path-valued branching processes and nonlocal branching superprocesses, over the positive half line, studied in Li (2014).
Markov Chain Monte Carlo for Computing Rare-Event Probabilities for a Heavy-Tailed Random Walk
Authors: Gudmundsson Thorbjörn , Hult Henrik
Published: June 2014

In this paper a method based on a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm is proposed to compute the probability of a rare event. The conditional distribution of the underlying process given that the rare event occurs has the probability of the rare event as its normalizing constant. Using the MCMC methodology, a Markov chain is simulated, with the aforementioned conditional distribution as its invariant distribution, and information about the normalizing constant is extracted from its trajectory. The algorithm is described in full generality and applied to the problem of computing the probability that a heavy-tailed random walk exceeds a high threshold. An unbiased estimator of the reciprocal probability is constructed whose normalized variance vanishes asymptotically. The algorithm is extended to random sums and its performance is illustrated numerically and compared to existing importance sampling algorithms.
Optimal Dynamic Risk Control for Insurers with State-Dependent Income
Authors: Zhou Ming , Cai Jun
Published: June 2014

In this paper we investigate optimal forms of dynamic reinsurance polices among a class of general reinsurance strategies. The original surplus process of an insurance portfolio is assumed to follow a Markov jump process with state-dependent income. We assume that the insurer uses a dynamic reinsurance policy to minimize the probability of absolute ruin, where the traditional ruin can be viewed as a special case of absolute ruin. In terms of approximation theory of stochastic process, the controlled diffusion model with a general reinsurance policy is established strictly. In such a risk model, absolute ruin is said to occur when the drift coefficient of the surplus process turns negative, when the insurer has no profitability any more. Under the expected value premium principle, we rigorously prove that a dynamic excess-of-loss reinsurance is the optimal form of reinsurance among a class of general reinsurance strategies in a dynamic control framework. Moreover, by solving the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation, we derive both the explicit expression of the optimal dynamic excess-of-loss reinsurance strategy and the closed-form solution to the absolute ruin probability under the optimal reinsurance strategy. We also illustrate these explicit solutions using numerical examples.
On the Asymptotic Behaviour of Extremes and Near Maxima of Random Observations from the General Error Distributions
Authors: Vasudeva R. , Kumari J. Vasantha , Ravi S.
Published: June 2014

As the name suggests, the family of general error distributions has been used to model nonnormal errors in a variety of situations. In this article we show that the asymptotic distribution of linearly normalized partial maxima of random observations from the general error distributions is Gumbel when the parameter of these distributions lies in the interval (0, 1). Our result fills a gap in the literature. We also establish the corresponding density convergence, obtain an asymptotic distribution of the partial maxima under power normalization, and state and prove a strong law. We also study the asymptotic behaviour of observations near the partial maxima and the sum of such observations.
A Characterisation of Transient Random Walks on Stochastic Matrices with Dirichlet Distributed Limits
Authors: McKinlay S.
Published: June 2014

We characterise the class of distributions of random stochastic matrices X with the property that the products X(n)X(n − 1) · · · X(1) of independent and identically distributed copies X(k) of X converge almost surely as n → ∞ and the limit is Dirichlet distributed. This extends a result by Chamayou and Letac (1994) and is illustrated by several examples that are of interest in applications.
A Comparison of Milestone-Based and Buyout Options Contracts for Coordinating R&D Partnerships
Authors: Bhattacharya Shantanu , Gaba Vibha , Hasija Sameer
Published: June 2014

We analyze optimal contractual arrangements in a bilateral research and development (R&D) partnership between a risk-averse provider that conducts early-stage research followed by a regulatory verification stage and a risk-neutral client that performs late-stage development activities, including production, distribution, and marketing. The problem is formulated as a sequential investment game with the client as the principal, where the investments are observable but not verifiable. The model captures the inherent incentive alignment problems of double-sided moral hazard, risk aversion, and holdup. We compare the efficacy of milestone-based options contracts and buyout options contracts from the client's perspective and identify conditions under which they attain the first-best outcome for the client. We find that milestone-based options contracts always attain the first-best outcome for the client when the provider has some bargaining power in renegotiation and identify their applicability to different R&D partnerships.

This paper was accepted by Yossi Aviv, operations management.
Running Errands in Time: Approximation Algorithms for Stochastic Orienteering
Authors: Gupta Anupam , Krishnaswamy Ravishankar , Nagarajan Viswanath , Ravi R.
Published: June 2014

In the stochastic orienteering problem, we are given a finite metric space, where each node contains a job with some deterministic reward and a random processing time. The processing time distributions are known and independent across nodes. However the actual processing time of a job is not known until it is completely processed. The objective is to compute a nonanticipatory policy to visit nodes (and run the corresponding jobs) so as to maximize the total expected reward, subject to the total distance traveled plus the total processing time being at most a given budget of B. This problem combines aspects of the stochastic knapsack problem with uncertain item sizes as well as the deterministic orienteering problem.

In this paper, we consider both nonadaptive and adaptive policies for Stochastic Orienteering. We present a constant-factor approximation algorithm for the nonadaptive version and an O(log log B)-approximation algorithm for the adaptive version. We extend both these results to directed metrics and a more general sequence orienteering problem.

Finally, we address the stochastic orienteering problem when the node rewards are also random and possibly correlated with the processing time and obtain an O(log n log B)-approximation algorithm; here n is the number of nodes in the metric. All our results for adaptive policies also bound the corresponding “adaptivity gaps”.
Inside the male psyche: men and healthcare
Authors: Barber Chris
Published: June 2014

This article, the second in this series on men's health issues, will provide a basic overview of some of the issues that men face in relation to their general healthcare, such as social attitudes to men, the ‘male psyche’, male health and whether (and why) men do not access healthcare services in the same way that women do.

A number of local, national and international reports into men's health will be highlighted; these may be of use in helping support staff understand how our society's construction of the male identity prevents men from accessing health services.
Reflective practice on inpatient mental health wards (1/2): integrating cognitive-behavioural framework with reflective learning process
Authors: Mankiewicz Pawel D
Published: June 2014

This first article—of two—is in three parts.

First, it discusses the important role of reflective learning in the modern practice of mental health practitioners, and summarises the relevance of national policies for reflective clinical practice.

Second, it highlights the benefits that regular and structured reflection on clinical experiences might have for the professional development of nurses and healthcare assistants working on inpatient mental health wards.

Finally, this paper argues for an incorporation of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) principles into the reflective learning process.

The second article will build on this, and evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the CBT-integrated model of reflective practice.
The joys of guerilla gardening
Authors: Francis-Pester Dawn
Published: June 2014

Seed bombs are both fun and educational, and will have your setting bursting into life. Dawn Francis-Pester talks you through how to make them and where to drop them.
Academic conundrums
Authors: Jones Julia
Published: June 2014

We all know that professional development is important, but to what extent, and what type of qualifications are the right ones, and more controversially, do they have any real impact?
Caring for mixed ages and stages
Authors: Chalmers Debbie
Published: June 2014

For a childminder with toddlers and children of varying ages, the idea of taking on a baby at the same time might seem a huge undertaking, but it can also be rewarding.
Choosing good foods
Authors: Sowerby Jennifer
Published: June 2014

Childminders are well placed to help children and parents learn about the benefits of nutrition, and the need to eat a healthy and balanced diet, full of tasty, fresh foods.
Valuing appropriate sensations
Authors: Gascoyne Sue
Published: June 2014

In this extract from Sensory Play by Sue Gascoyne [Practical Pre-School Books] we look at the implications for adults providing activities for children with special educational needs.
Research roundup: June 2014
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: June 2014

In brief

▪ Antidepressants at high doses appear to increase suicidal behaviour in children and young people ▪ Acamprosate and oral naltrexone reduce the likelihood that people abusing alcohol will return to drinking ▪ Nurses should be aware of the elevated sexual health risks experienced by those who misuse opiates or crack cocaine ▪ Exenatide enhances motor and non-motor performance in people with Parkinson's disease