bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How Might Immunization Rates Change if Cost Sharing is Eliminated?
Authors: Shen Angela K. , O'Grady Michael J. , McDevitt Roland D. , Pickreign Jeremy D. , Laudenberger Laura K. , Esber Allahna , Shortridge Emily F. 
Published: July 2017

Objectives. There is a debate regarding the effect of cost sharing on immunization, particularly as the Affordable Care Act will eliminate cost sharing for recommended vaccines. This study estimates changes in immunization rates and spending associated with extending first-dollar coverage to privately insured children for four childhood vaccines. Methods. We used the 2008 National Immunization Survey and peer-reviewed literature to generate estimates of immunization status for each vaccine by age group and insurance type. We used the Truven Health Analytics 2006 MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database of line-item medical claims to estimate changes in immunization rates that would result from eliminating cost sharing, and we used the Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research and Educational Trust Employer Health Benefits Survey to determine the prevalence of coverage for patients with first-dollar coverage, patients who face office visit cost sharing, and patients who face cost sharing for all vaccine cost components. We assumed that once cost sharing is removed, coverage rates in plans that impose cost sharing will rise to the level of plans that do not. Results. We estimate that immunization rates would increase modestly and result in additional direct spending of $26.0 million to insurers/employers. Further, these payers would have an additional $11.0 million in spending associated with eliminating cost sharing for children already receiving immunizations. Conclusions. The effects of eliminating cost sharing for vaccines vary by vaccine. Overall, immunization rates will rise modestly given high insurance coverage for vaccinations, and these increases would be more substantial for those currently facing cost sharing. However, in addition to the removal of cost sharing for immunizations, these findings suggest other strategies to consider to further increase immunization rates.
A Tuberculosis Outbreak Fueled by Cross-Border Travel and Illicit Substances: Nevada and Arizona
Authors: Mitruka Kiren , Blake Haley , Ricks Philip , Miramontes Roque , Bamrah Sapna , Chee Carla , Hickstein Laurie 
Published: July 2017

Objectives. From May 2006 to August 2008, the Southern Nevada Health District identified eight tuberculosis (TB) cases in six adults and two children in a Hispanic community. We conducted an outbreak investigation to determine the extent of TB transmission and prevent additional cases. Methods. We investigated TB cases in Nevada and Arizona with the outbreak genotype or cases with suspected epidemiologic links to this cluster but without genotyping data. We reviewed medical records and interviewed patients and contacts. Subsequently, genotype surveillance was conducted for approximately four years to monitor additional outbreak-related cases. Results. Eight outbreak cases were identified among six adults and two children. All patients were Hispanic and five were U.S.-born. The index patient was diagnosed while detained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody but deported before treatment completion. He was lost to follow-up for two years, during which time he served as the source for six secondary TB cases, including his own child. Along with the index patient, five patients reportedly engaged in the sale or use of methamphetamine. Follow-up surveillance in the two states identified eight additional cases with the outbreak genotype; three had epidemiologic links to the index case. Conclusions. We found that incomplete TB treatment led to extensive TB transmission. We recommend thorough discharge planning and active measures to ensure continuity of care and TB treatment completion for people in custody at higher risk for loss to follow-up, which likely includes those engaged in the sale or use of illicit substances.
A Public Health Economic Assessment of Hospitals' Cost to Screen Newborns for Critical Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Peterson Cora , Grosse Scott D. , Glidewell Jill , Garg Lorraine F. , Braun Kim Van Naarden , Knapp Mary M. , Beres Leslie M. , Hinton Cynthia F. , Olney Richard S. , Cassell Cynthia H. 
Published: July 2017

Objective. Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) was recently added to the U.S. Recommended Uniform Screening Panel for newborns. This evaluation aimed to estimate screening time and hospital cost per newborn screened for CCHD using pulse oximetry as part of a public health economic assessment of CCHD screening. Methods. A cost survey and time and motion study were conducted in well-newborn and special/intensive care nurseries in a random sample of seven birthing hospitals in New Jersey, where the state legislature mandated CCHD screening in 2011. The sample was stratified by hospital facility level, hospital birth census, and geographic location. At the time of the evaluation, all hospitals had conducted CCHD screening for at least four months. Results. Mean screening time per newborn was 9.1 (standard deviation = 3.4) minutes. Hospitals' total mean estimated cost per newborn screened was $14.19 (in 2011 U.S. dollars), consisting of $7.36 in labor costs and $6.83 in equipment and supply costs. Conclusions. This federal agency-state health department collaborative assessment is the first state-level analysis of time and hospital costs for CCHD screening using pulse oximetry conducted in the U.S. Hospitals' cost per newborn screened for CCHD with pulse oximetry is comparable with cost estimates of existing newborn screening tests. Hospitals' equipment costs varied substantially based on the pulse oximetry technology employed, with lower costs among hospitals that used reusable screening sensors. In combination with estimates of screening accuracy, effectiveness, and avoided costs, information from this evaluation suggests that CCHD screening is cost-effective.
V. A Rationalist Malgré Lui: The Perplexities of Being Michael Oakeshott
Authors: Spitz David 
Published: July 2017

APART FROM HIS WORK AS AN INTERPRETER of Hobbes, Oakeshott's significance as a political philosopher prior to the publication of On Human Conduct1 may fairly be said to be encompassed in, and derive from, his essay “Political Education.”2 To be sure, he has written a good deal before and after that essay, but the bulk of those writings—not least the papers collected in his Rationalism in Politics-are in one way or another glosses on the central theme articulated in that inaugural lecture. That theme has both a philosophical and a doctrinal importance. At the philosophical level, it offers a serious challenge to conventional conceptions of political theory. At the doctrinal level, it sets forth an alternative to conventional conservatism—but not, as some American conservatives like to think, a compatible or complementary alternative.
Psychometric properties of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire in patients with neck pain
Authors: Lee Kwok-Chung , Chiu Thomas TW , Lam Tai-Hing 
Published: July 2017

Objectives: To translate the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and investigate the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the questionnaire in patients with neck pain. Design: Observational cross-sectional and prospective study. Setting: Physiotherapy outpatient departments. Subjects: Four samples with 476 consecutive adult patients with neck pain from four physiotherapy centres. Methods: The original questionnaire was translated into Chinese by forward and backward translation and reviewed by a panel of experts. The subjects completed the Chinese version of the fear-avoidance questionnaire, Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire, Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey and their pain intensity was measured using an 11-point pain numerical rating scale. They were observed and measured at the beginning of physiotherapy, at week 3 and at week 6 after treatment began. Results: The questionnaire had very good content validity and test-retest reliability with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.81 and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.90. Spearman’s correlation coefficients between fear-avoidance and the neck pain questionnaire, the health survey (physical), health survey (mental) and pain scale were 0.56, 0.45, 0.36 and 0.34, respectively. The standard response mean and effect size at week 6 were 0.38 and 0.32, respectively. Factor analysis yielded three factors which accounted for 61.6% of the total variance of the questionnaire. Conclusion: The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for patients with neck pain. It has been shown to demonstrate very good content validity, a high degree of test-retest reliability and internal consistency, good construct validity and medium responsiveness.
Task-oriented progressive resistance strength training improves muscle strength and functional performance in individuals with stroke
Authors: Yang Yea-Ru , Wang Ray-Yau , Lin Kuei-Han , Chu Mou-Yu , Chan Rai-Chi 
Published: July 2017

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of task-oriented progressive resistance strength training on lower extremity strength and functional performance in chronic stroke subjects. Design: Single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Setting: Medical centre and district hospital. Subjects: Forty-eight subjects at least one year post stroke. Interventions: Participants randomly allocated to two groups, control (n-/24) and experimental (n-/24). Subjects in the control group did not receive any rehabilitation training. Subjects in the experimental group were put on a four-week task-oriented progressive resistance strength training. Main measures: Lower extremity muscle strength, gait velocity, cadence, stride length, six-minute walk test, step test, and timed up and go test. Results: Muscle strength significantly improved in the experimental group for strong side muscle groups (ranged from 23.9% to 36.5%) and paretic side muscle groups (ranged from 10.1% to 77.9%). In the control group muscle strength changes ranged from 6.7% gain to 11.2% decline. The experimental group showed significant improvement in all selected measures of functional performance except for the step test. In the control group, the number of repetitions of the step test significantly decreased (-20.3%) with no change in other functional tests. There was a significant difference between groups for muscle strength and all functional measures. The strength gain was significantly associated with gain in the functional tests. Conclusions: The task-oriented progressive resistance strength training programme could improve lower extremity muscle strength in individuals with chronic stroke and could carry over into improvement in functional abilities.
Hand function in Charcot Marie Tooth: test retest reliability of some measurements
Authors: Svensson Elisabeth , Häger-Ross Charlotte 
Published: July 2017

Objective: To evaluate the reliability of some measurements of hand function in people with Charcot Marie Tooth disease. Design: Test retest study. Setting: University, hospitals/clinics in northern Sweden. Subjects: Twenty people with Charcot Marie Tooth disease. Main outcome measures: Measures of (1) dexterity; Box and Block Test and Nine-Hole Peg Test, (2) strength; Grippit instrument (grip and pinch), (3) tactile sensation; Shape Texture Identification Test. Statistics used: intraclass correlation (ICC 2.1), limits of agreement, coefficient of repeatability, coefficient of variation, and linear weighted kappa. Results: The ICC for the Box and Block Test was very high (0.95). The limits of agreement, coefficient of repeatability (CR) (11.5 blocks/min) and coefficient of variation (CV) (8.4%) were acceptable. There was bias towards a better result on the second occasion. For the Nine-Hole Peg Test, the reliability was good if performance was within 2 min (ICC =0.99, CR = 4.3 s, CV = 3.9%). Grip strength proved to be reliable (ICC = 0.99, CR = 26.7 N, CV = 6.6%), while pinch strength was less reliable. The kappa value of the Shape Texture Identification Test was 0.87, which was considered very good although the test has limitations in terms of how well it can describe patients either performing very well or very poorly. Conclusions: The tested instruments can all be used to evaluate hand function in people with Charcot Marie Tooth. Certain factors, however, like limited time aspects for the Nine-Hole Peg Test and the number of trials used, should be taken into consideration. Pinch strength evaluation should be interpreted with caution.
Hereditary Multifocal Renal Cystadenocarcinomas and Nodular Dermatofibrosis in the German Shepherd Dog: Macroscopic and Histopathologic Changes
Authors: Lium B. , Moe L. 
Published: July 2017

A syndrome characterized by bilateral, multifocal renal cystadenocarcinomas and nodular dermatofibrosis was found in 43 German shepherd dogs. Affected kidneys varied in weight from normal to 2950 g. The cut surface revealed multiple solid and cystic tumors that varied in size from barely visible to 27 cm in diameter. Metastases were found in ten of the 23 dogs examined since 1979. All 23 dogs had numerous firm nodules in the skin and subcutis, and ten of 11 bitches had multiple uterine leiomyomas. Histological examination of the renal cortex showed multifocal hyperplastic to highly malignant epithelial proliferations. Skin lesions consisted of dense collagen fibers, and the uterine tumors consisted of interlacing bundles of smooth muscle cells. Pedigree analysis strongly indicates that the syndrome is hereditary, probably in an autosomal dominant pattern. This seems to be the first description of such a syndrome in domestic animals. Comparable syndromes in man are discussed.
Illegal Convictions and Sentences to Capital Punishment
Authors: Holmes William M. 
Published: July 2017

The paper examines the prevalence of illegal capital convictions and sentences to death in the United States, from 1976 to 1992. Data are analyzed from all capital convictions and sentences to death row during this period, using information from the death row imprisonment file in the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data, collected by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and used by the Bureau of Justice Statistics in their annual capital punishment research notes. Data are available on over 6,000 offenders sentenced to death row during this period. The findings show that more than 40 percent of all original capital convictions or sentences are overturned as illegal—either in the conviction for the crime, the capital sentence, or for illegal elements in the capital statutes. Considerable variation exists between states in the proportion of illegal convictions and sentences. In some states, all of the capital cases were overturned during this period as illegal convictions or sentences. In 18 states more than half of all capital cases are legally defective. The discussion raises questions regarding the problematic results of capital convictions and sentences.
Climate Protection Policy from the Point of View of Energy Policy
Authors: Boge D. 
Published: July 2017

Noticeable success in reducing CO2 emissions can only be reached if the government provides the necessary framework and if a strategy of climate protection is developed with - and not against - the economy. A policy of deliberate energy price increase, geared towards the producers with possibilities of compensation, mixed with a system of direct government incentives and limited legal measures as well as self-obligation, can best achieve reductions in emissions of 25-30%. Even if this target is reached in Germany - as CO2 emissions would only temporarily fall by 1% - the global greenhouse problem would not be changed drastically. A strategy for keeping in check the anthropogenic greenhouse effect has to be designed globally. At the very least, action in the whole EC is required. The suggestion of the EC-commission to introduce an EC CO2/energy tax is to be applauded.
Increasing efficiency from censored survival data by using random effects to model longitudinal covariates
Authors: Hogan Joseph W , Laird Nan M 
Published: July 2017

When estimating a survival time distribution, the loss of information due to right censoring results in a loss of efficiency in the estimator. In many circumstances, however, repeated measurements on a longitudinal process which is associated with survival time are made throughout the observation time, and these measurements may be used to recover information lost to censoring. For example, patients in an AIDS clinical trial may be measured at regular intervals on CD4 count and viral load. We describe a model for the joint distribution of a survival time and a repeated measures process. The joint distribution is specified by linking the survival time to subject-specific random effects characterizing the repeated measures, and is similar in form to the pattern mixture model for multivariate data with nonignorable nonresponse. We also describe an estimator of survival derived from this model. We apply the methods to a long-term AIDS clinical trial, and study properties of the survival estimator. Monte Carlo simulation is used to estimate gains in efficiency when the survival time is related to the location and scale of the random effects distribution. Under relatively light censoring (20%), the methods yield a modest gain in efficiency for estimating three-year survival in the AIDS clinical trial. Our simulation study, which mimics characteristics of the clinical trial, indicates that much larger gains in efficiency can be realized under heavier censoring or with studies designed for long term follow up on survival.
Photo-Journalism: An Annotated Bibliography
Authors: Wolseley Roland E. 
Published: July 2017

The brevity of this bibliography can be blamed, not on its compiler's unwillingness to search the photography and journalism publications or the book shelves of numerous libraries and supply shops, but upon the editor's explicit instructions and the scarcity of material. Professor Arpan's specific orders were: “The bibliography should contain references to photo-journalism only and should skip photography in general.” Precisely that was done, although “photo-journalism” was interpreted broadly. It meant that a few general books of special help should be included; it meant, also, a little attention to television and the news reel. Having prepared a bibliography in the field of general journalism, the compiler knew that little had been written on photo-journalism. He was not prepared, however, for the realization that most writing on the subject is either badly out-of-date or superficial. Articles in such journals as Camera, American Photographer, Editor and Publisher, and Popular Photography usually are topical and timely but therefore highly perishable. So many technological changes have occurred in the past few years that whole books have become mere curiosities. Popular taste has affected photo-journalism also, stimulated by the growth of the picture magazine. Photo-journalism, like newspaper circulation, radio news writing, and country journalism, is wide open for up-to-date and thorough treatment by textbook authors. At this writing there is no single book, dated later than 1939, which is intended as a basic text in a photo-journalism course or at least suitable for such use. The compiler wishes to thank James Fosdick, assistant professor of photography, Kent State University, and C. Wesley Brewster, instructor in graphic arts, Syracuse University, for their suggestions.
An Annotated Bibliography of Journalism Subjects in American Magazines: August, September, and October 1948
Authors: Swindler William F. ,   Assisted, Roddick DeWitt C. , Price Granville , Pride Armistead S. , Mosse Baskett 
Published: July 2017

New mechanical devices for newspaper production continued to be top news during 1948, although the Florida publisher using the famed “cold type” process issued a sober warning against over-optimism. The union struggle against the Taft-Hartley law which motivated the primary interest in printerless production continued as well. The ban of the magazine the Nation from New York City public school lists became the hot-weather cause célébre of early autumn. In the field of radio, television was at last recognized as a practical competitive factor in communications and advertising. —W. F. S.
Preventing infection in the home
Authors: Bloomfield SF 
Published: July 2017

F undamental to controlling infection transmission in the home is the need to recognise it as an environment where all human activities occur, including food hygiene, hand hygiene and hygiene related to care of vulnerable groups. In recent years the concept of a risk assessment/risk reduction approach to hygiene has successfully controlled microbial risks in food and other manufacturing environments. To deliver hygiene policy with real health benefits it is now accepted that a risk-based approach must also be developed for the home. The first step, hazard characterisation, involves identifying sites and surfaces where pathogens most frequently occur, and whether they are likely to be present in numbers that represent an infectious dose. A risk assessment is then made by considering this information together with an assessment of the probability of human exposure to the hazard. Risk reduction is achieved by application of a suitable hygiene procedure at the appropriate time.
‘Covering All Points': conference review
Authors: Robinson Bryan 
Published: July 2017

T he Royal College of Surgeons in London played host in May to the ‘Covering All Points’ conference on the prevention of occupational blood-borne virus transmission in health care. The aim of the conference was two-fold. First, it considered how the number of accidents occurring in healthcare organisations could be measured accurately. It then discussed how to control and reduce the risks inherent in them.