bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beyond the Stars and Stripes: charting Van Dyke Parks' new world musical voyage
Authors: CARTER DALE 
Published: June 2009

AbstractDuring the early 1970s the American songwriter, musician and producer Van Dyke Parks completed work on a series of albums exploring the musical contours of the circum-Caribbean region and, through them, broader patterns and issues in twentieth-century US–Caribbean relations. Focusing on the connections between the United States and the (former) British colony of Trinidad and Tobago as articulated via the latter's calypso and steel band traditions, these recordings (two solo albums and two productions) not only explore the grammar, vocabulary and subject matter of a new world music before the phrase ‘world music’ was conceived; they also invite a range of scholarly interpretations. Drawing on a selection of theoretical concepts – notably cultural imperialism, the Black Atlantic, minstrelsy, and world music itself – this article offers a set of formalist and contextualist readings intended to rehearse Parks' Caribbean work as both a case study in (and a challenge to aspects of) the inter-disciplinary analysis of popular music.
Tom Zé and the performance of citizenship in Brazil
Authors: DUNN CHRISTOPHER 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThis paper examines the recent historical trajectory of the idea of citizenship in Brazil through the perspective of Tom Zé, a composer and musician noted for his juxtaposition of avant-garde poetics and popular music. My study begins with his participation in the watershed Tropicália movement of the 1960s, focusing on his critique of consumer society and its implications for popular citizenship. In the early 1970s, the figure of the bourgeois citizen, or senhor cidadão, appears in his work as a caustic critique of those who benefited most from the expansion of capitalism during the period of authoritarian rule. With the re-emergence of civil society and redemocratisation in the 1980s, Tom Zé's work reveals a more affirmative notion of citizenship premised on the discourse of self-represenation among working-class subjects. Finally, this paper discusses Tom Zé's most recent work and its contribution to insurgent forms of citizenship in contemporary Brazil involving historically marginalised and impoverished urban communities within the context of neo-liberal globalisation.
Torpedoing the authorship of popular music: a reading of Gorillaz' ‘Feel Good Inc.’
Authors: ECKSTEIN LARS 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThis article addresses problems of authorship and creative authority in popular music, in particular in view of a pervasive split between modes of aesthetic production (involving modernist assemblage, multiple authorship, and the late capitalist logic of major label policies) and modes of aesthetic reception (which tend to take popular music as the organic output of individual performers). While rock musicians have attempted to come to terms with this phenomenon by either performing a ‘Romantic’ sense of authenticity (basically by importing folk values to the production process) or ‘Modernist authenticity’ (by highlighting experimentation and alienation), Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, creators of Gorillaz, found a third way which ingeniously allows them to do both. By creating a virtual rock band, and by hiding their own media personalities behind those of their virtual alter egos, they brought themselves into a position which allows them to produce ‘sincere’ popular music which ‘playfully’ stages the absurdities of major label music business while very successfully operating within its very confines.
Development of health technology assessment in France
Authors: Weill Caroline , Banta David 
Published: June 2009

Objectives:The aim of this study was to describe the history of health technology assessment (HTA) in France.Methods:The approach was a descriptive review done by people who have been very much involved in this history.Results:The interest in HTA and evaluation as a tool for health decision making goes back to the 1970s in France. During the 1980s, there were several attempts to develop a national HTA agency, which finally came to fruition with the development of the Agence Nationale de l'Evaluation Medicale (ANDEM) in 1989. ANDEM's main success, perhaps, was in making HTA known in France by developing its own assessments, writing and validating appropriate methodologies for assessing medical technology and medical practices, and by organizing in France the development of programs of consensus development conferences, which the ANDEM either organized itself or supported and validated. In the mid-1990s, the mandate of ANDEM was extended to hospital accreditation and the agency's name was changed to Agence Nationale d'Accreditation et d'Evaluation en Sante (ANAES). Finally, in 2005, the National Authority for Health (HAS) was formed to consolidate efforts to centralize the programs of HTA, aiming at helping decision making regarding reimbursement and pricing, in one agency and to define the optimal use of health technology in France.Conclusions:HTA has become a strong influence in the healthcare system in France. These developments may be considered rather typical of the approach to public policy questions in France, where regulation is more in use than in other countries (at least in the healthcare field). At the same time, this approach has made lobbying and other attempts to influence decisions common as well, so one might say that HTA is more politicized than in some other countries in Europe.
Health technology assessment in Switzerland
Authors: Koch Pedro , Schilling Julian , Läubli Marlène , Mitscherlich Florian , Melchart Dieter , Bellucci Sergio 
Published: June 2009

Objectives and Methods:To review Switzerland's mixed public and private healthcare system with regard to health technology assessment (HTA).Results:In the past, remarkable work in HTA was done. Accomplishments include the following: (i) Switzerland became an early member of the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment. (ii) HTA has its legal bases in terms of effectiveness, appropriateness, and efficiency. (iii) The federal law allows the introduction of new technologies for a limited time for evaluation. (iv) A Swiss Network for Health Technology Assessment was established. In 2004, federal HTA activities moved from the Swiss Federal Office “of Social Security” to the one for “Public Health.” The Office mainly mandates, manages, and coordinates evaluations attached to its prevention and intervention sections in the fields of AIDS, illegal drugs, and legal drugs.Conclusions:Because of the absence of a governmental institution assessing and reporting on new health technologies, private and for profit organizations became more important for the decision-making processes. In a regulated market, the implications may be crucial for the public health.
Health technology assessment in the Asia Pacific region
Authors: Sivalal Sadasivan 
Published: June 2009

Objectives:Although health technology assessment (HTA) has been well established in all developed countries, it has not found a firm footing in many developing countries. This is especially true of the Asia Pacific region, which has much of the world population.Methods:The beginnings of HTA in this region go back to the work of Dr. David Banta in China and the establishment of the Asian HTA Network. The Network embarked on increasing awareness and building capacity among personnel from the region. Attempts were made to introduce HTA in countries where it did not exist, as well as to strengthen existing HTA programs. The Network had regular meetings, and also carried out a study on the diffusion and utilization of magnetic resonance imaging in the region. In an attempt to boost the efforts of the Network, the author spearheaded the organization of the Asian Regional HTA Conferences in Kuala Lumpur in 2000 and 2003, and in Manila, Philippines, in 2004. In addition, the author carried out a survey on HTA in the region. There are two broad categories of countries in the region: Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, China, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan, which have formal HTA programs, and others for which informal mechanisms or related activities exist, which include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.Results:It is important that once HTA is established, it is used effectively. Perseverance and dedication is needed to ensure the success of an HTA program.Conclusion:Some countries in the region have effective HTA programs, whereas in some, efforts are being made to establish HTA, or HTA-related activities are being carried out in the absence of a formal HTA program.
Experience with an external quality assurance scheme for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in India, 2001–2007
Authors: BALA M. , TAPSALL J. W. , LIMNIOS A. , SOOD S. , RAY K. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae compromises patient treatment and disease control. Epidemiologically based surveillance of AMR in gonococci is needed to optimize standard treatment regimens. Validation of AMR surveillance data depends on external quality assurance schemes (EQAS). AMR surveillance data quality in India during 2001–2007 was assessed by participants testing panels of reference strains and repeated re-challenge with identical controls, accompanied by educative feedback. Overall, correct results were obtained for 944 (82%) of 1030 tests performed for five ‘core’ antibiotics. Aggregated error rates decreased from 33% (123 tests) in 2001 to 4·4% (180 tests) in 2007 with improvements in individual laboratory performance. Cephalosporin test results produced high error rates without improvement. Reference centre and network laboratory collaboration produced marked improvements in test performance through annual EQAS integrating proficiency testing and participant education. More frequent EQAS cycles would assist this process. These experiences may be applicable in similar settings elsewhere.
Perioperative therapy in HER2+ patients
Authors: A’Hern R. P. , Bundred N. J. ,   on behalf of the EPHOS-B Trial Management Group
Published: June 2009

AbstractUse of perioperative anti-HER2 therapy presents an opportunity to use a therapy which has been shown to be effective in the adjuvant setting early in the course of a patient’s primary treatment, to assess tumour response in vivo using biomarkers and to potentially improve outcome by suppressing the growth stimulus to cancer cells that is thought to occur due to surgery. Biomarkers measured both before and after a short period of preoperative therapy may offer important predictive and prognostic information that can guide future therapy and follow-up. However, the safety and value of perioperative therapy in this context has not been established and its investigation should therefore be conducted within the context of a randomised, controlled trial. Such a trial, EPHOS-B, will shortly commence in UK alongside POETIC, a parallel trial of perioperative therapy in hormone receptor positive postmenopausal breast cancer.
Nodal micrometastases in early stage breast cancer: two case reports
Authors: Reeder J. , Puhalla S. , Vogel V. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe most important predictor of outcome for women with early stage breast cancer is the presence or absence of metastases in the axillary lymph nodes. In the era of sentinel lymph node biopsies and improved pathology techniques, micrometastatic disease can be diagnosed. The question of whether or not to treat these women as if they have nodal disease remains in doubt. In order to further explore this topic, we identified two cases of women with nodal micrometastases at our institution. A literature review of PUBMED and SABCS abstracts was then performed. In this article, we discuss our results and the emerging clinical debate about the management of nodal micrometastases.
Anti-angiogenic therapy: from laboratory to the patient
Authors: Ademuyiwa F. O. , Sledge G. W. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAngiogenesis, or new vessel formation, plays a key role in the process of tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancer. Recent large phase-III trials (E2100 and AVADO) demonstrate the clinical utility of bevacizumab in combination with front-line taxane-based chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer, leading to its recent approval in the United States and Europe. Several other anti-angiogenic strategies against vascular endothelial growth factor are in various phases of clinical development. This paper reviews the data on bevacizumab in metastatic breast cancer and other anti-angiogenic strategies on development in breast cancer.
Challenges of illness in metastatic breast cancer: A low-income African American perspective
Authors: Rosenzweig Margaret Quinn , Wiehagen Theresa , Brufsky Adam , Arnold Robert 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTObjective:Disparities in breast cancer survival and treatment for African American and low income women are well documented, yet poorly understood. As care for women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) evolves to a chronic care model, any inequities in optimal treatment and management of symptoms must also be identified and eliminated. The purpose of this study was to explore how race and income status influence women's experiences with MBC, particularly the management of symptoms, by describing the perceived challenges and barriers to achieving optimal symptom management among women with MBC and exploring whether the perceived challenges and barriers differed according to race or income.Method:Quantitative techniques were used to assess demographics, clinical characteristics, symptom distress, and quality of life and to classify women into groups according to race and income. Qualitative techniques were used to explore the perceived challenges, barriers, and potential influences of race and income on management of symptoms in a prospective sample of 48 women with MBC.Results:Commonalities of themes across all groups were faith, hope, and progressive loss. Low-income African American women uniquely experienced greater physical and social distress and more uncertainty about treatment and treatment goals than the other delineated racial and economic groups.Significance of results:There are many commonalities to the challenges of illness presented to women with MBC. There are also interesting, emerging thematic racial and economic differences, most compelling among the low income African American women with resultant practice and research implications.
Caring for a person in advanced illness and suffering from breathlessness at home: Threats and resources
Authors: Gysels Marjolein H. , Higginson Irene J. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTObjective:Little is known about the factors that mediate the caregiving experience of informal carers at home, which could inform about ways of supporting them in their caregiving role. Our objective was to investigate the caring experience of carers for patients with an advanced progressive illness (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], heart failure, cancer, or motor neuron diseases [MND]), who suffer from breathlessness.Methods:A purposive sample of 15 carers was selected. They were recruited via the patients they cared for (who suffered from COPD, cancer, MND, or heart failure) from the hospital and the community. Data were collected through semistructured, in-depth interviews. All were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The analysis used a Grounded Theory approach and NVivo software facilitated the management and analysis of the data.Results:Several key issues affected caring in a positive or a negative way. The threats to caring were uncertainty, carers' own health problems, an imploded world, negative reactions from outside, person loss, and acute exacerbations. Resources that carers drew on were acceptance, self-care, availability of support, feeling that caring is a shared responsibility with the patient, and “getting on with” caring in case of emergencies. Breathlessness was particularly challenging, and carers did not have any strategies to relieve the symptom. They were ill prepared for acute exacerbations.Significance of results:Carers need to be included in opportunities for support provision in advanced illness. Negotiated involvement of a health professional could buffer the heavy responsibilities related to home care. They could provide problem-solving skills and build on the resources that carers draw on in response to what they experience as most threatening to their caring role.
Techniques for framing questions in conducting family meetings in palliative care
Authors: Dumont Isabelle , Kissane David 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTObjective:Family therapy has developed several approaches to framing questions within family meetings, but few of these techniques have been adapted for palliative care. We focus on the application of questioning techniques from systemic family therapy to palliative care. More specifically, we describe and give examples of the model of asking questions developed by Karl Tomm (1988) through its application in Family Focused Grief Therapy (FFGT), a preventive intervention delivered to high-risk families during palliative care and bereavement.Methods:First, the type of questions used across the course of therapy is explored based on the interventive questioning model. Then, a case example is provided to demonstrate the use and adaptation of this model in a palliative care setting.Results:At the beginning of therapy, the most frequent questions were linear and circular, moving around the family to build up a picture of events from everyone's perspective. As for the frequency of reflexive and strategic questions, these increased as the therapy progressed, bringing the family to new perspectives. The case example fleshes out the importance of each type of question, all of which have a proper place in the course of therapy.Significance of results:These illustrations highlight the value of having a model of questioning styles to guide the clinician when exploring palliative care issues, such as care provision, coping and grief, intimacy, and discussing death. This framework could be useful in guiding supervisors, trainees, and clinicians seeking to build skills and optimize their interventions in a palliative care setting.
Patients' views on decision making in advanced cancer
Authors: Philip Jennifer , Gold Michelle , Schwarz Max , Komesaroff Paul 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTObjective:To explore patients' understanding of decision making in the treatment of advanced cancer and to determine the factors they believe important to these processes in their care.Methods:Surveys were distributed to consecutive outpatients with advanced malignancy attending a comprehensive cancer treatment center.Results:Patients believed that the medical condition (94%), their doctors' experience (81%), and the medical literature (73%) are the most important factors for decisions made in their care. They also value their relationship with the doctor (63%) and their own (the patients') values (63%), and just over a third considered their family's values and the doctors' personality important. Most did not believe the doctors' values should influence decisions made. They were mindful of the uncertainty involved in decisions in the setting of advanced cancer.Significance of results:Overall, patients were satisfied with the decision-making processes and they understood and highly regarded the incorporation of factors, other than their medical condition, in their care.
Strength through adversity: Bereaved cancer carers' accounts of rewards and personal growth from caring
Authors: Wong W.K. Tim , Ussher Jane , Perz Janette 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTObjective:Many studies have identified negative and distressing consequences experienced by informal cancer carers, but less attention has been given to positive and beneficial aspects of caring. This qualitative study examined the positive aspects of caring as subjectively constructed by bereaved informal cancer carers, a group of individuals who are in a position to make sense of their caring experiences as a coherent whole.Method:Twenty-three bereaved informal cancer carers were interviewed, and their accounts were analyzed using a thematic analytical approach from a phenomenological perspective.Results:The participants were able to identify positive and beneficial aspects of caring. These included the discovery of personal strength, through adversity, acceptance, and necessity; the deepening of their relationship with the person for whom they cared; and personal growth through altered relationships with others and altered perspectives on living. Many participants gave accounts of focusing on these positive benefits when they reflected on their caring experiences.Significance of results:We concluded that benefit finding in the face of adverse events serves an important function in allowing individuals to incorporate difficult experiences into their worldview in a meaningful way, thus maintaining positive beliefs about the world. This has implications for the development of interventions for informal cancer carers and for those who are bereaved following caring.
A feasibility study of a two-session home-based cognitive behavioral therapy–insomnia intervention for bereaved family caregivers
Authors: Carter Patricia A. , Mikan Sabrina Q. , Simpson Cherie 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTObjective:In 2008 over two million family caregivers will become bereaved. The vast majority of these caregivers have provided ‘round-the-clock care for a period ranging from months to years. Bereaved family caregivers report insomnia symptoms that persist beyond 1 year, longer than what is seen in bereaved noncaregivers, placing them at increased risk of depression and complicated grief. Despite some rewarding elements, caregiving is a stressful and exhausting role that often requires the caregiver to restructure his or her life around the needs of the patient. Once the patient dies, the structure is lost. Cognitive behavioral therapy interventions are effective in providing structure. This pilot study explored the feasibility of a two-session home-based cognitive behavioral therapy–insomnia (CBT-I) intervention for bereaved family caregivers.Method:A 5-week longitudinal descriptive study design was used with 11 adult primary family caregivers of patients who died from cancer. A master's prepared nurse delivered two CBT-I intervention sessions in participant homes. Data collection sessions occurred at baseline, 3, and 5 weeks. A debriefing session was held at Week 6.Results:Participant evaluations of the intervention indicated that it was feasible and acceptable (e.g., 100% would recommend it to others); objective data further supported its feasibility (e.g., 100% completed the trial). In addition, when comparing baseline with Weeks 3 and 5, participants demonstrated improvement in insomnia and depressive symptoms.Significance of results:The results of this pilot study suggest that the intervention is feasible and acceptable and produces promising effects on insomnia and depressive symptoms in bereaved family caregivers.