Accessible Locations Research Articles

Placing Bets: gambling venues and the distribution of harm

ABSTRACT The liberalisation of gambling in Australia has resulted in the dispersal of 200 000 electronic gaming machines (EGMs) across the country, generating substantial revenues for State governments and the gambling industry as well as causing significant gambling-related harm. While the spatial distribution of EGM venues has been shown to follow a gradient of community disadvantage, little is known about the distinctions between the venues themselves (i.e. pubs, clubs, and casinos), either in terms of the catchments they service or the harm they produce. To this end, we constructed a sexpartite typology of EGM venues in the Northern Territory of Australia derived from venue location and licensing variables. We also conducted a geocoded mail survey (n=7041) of households in three urban centres to describe the composition of markets and problem-gambling outcomes across the six venue categories in the typology. Venues in accessible locations and those with a higher numbers of EGMs, particularly casinos and clubs located near supermarkets, were most closely associated with gambling-related harm, even when differing player socio-demographics were accounted for. We argue that gambling risk is a function of the interaction of geographic accessibility to markets on the one hand and venue effects on the other. An understanding of the geography of EGM gambling may help improve supply-side approaches to regulation, as well as shed insights into contemporary urban processes within Australia's regional settlements.

Community dental clinics: providers' perspectives

Not-for-profit community dental clinics attempt to address the inequities of oral health care for disadvantaged communities, but there is little information about how they operate. The objective of this article is to explain from the perspective of senior staff how five community dental clinics in British Columbia, Canada, provide services. The mixed-methods case study included the five not-for-profit dental clinics with full-time staff who provided a wide range of dental services. We conducted open-ended interviews to saturation with eight senior administrative staff selected purposefully because of their comprehensive knowledge of the development and operation of the clinics and supplemented their information with a year's aggregated data on patients, treatments, and operating costs. The interview participants described the benefits of integrating dentistry with other health and social services usually within community health centres, although they doubted the sustainability of the clinics without reliable financial support from public funds. Aggregated data showed that 75% of the patients had either publically funded or no coverage for dental services, while the others had employer-sponsored dental insurance. Financial subsidies from regional health authorities allowed two of the clinics to treat only patients who are economically vulnerable and provide all services at reduced costs. Clinics without government subsidies used the fees paid by some patients to subsidize treatment for others who could not afford treatment. Not-for-profit dental clinics provide dental services beyond pain relief for underserved communities. Dental services are integrated with other health and community services and located in accessible locations. However, all of the participants expressed concerns about the sustainability of the clinics without reliable public revenues.

SURFACE COMPLEXITY COMPONENT OF LIDAR POINT CLOUD ERROR CHARACTERIZATION

Abstract. There are several data product characterization methods to describe LiDAR data quality. Typically based on guidelines developed by government or professional societies, these techniques require the statistical analysis of vertical differences at known checkpoints (surface patches) to obtain a measure of the vertical accuracy. More advanced methods attempt to also characterize the horizontal accuracy of the LiDAR point cloud, using measurements at LiDAR-specific targets or other man-made objects that can be distinctly extracted from both horizontal and vertical representation in the LiDAR point cloud. There are two concerns with these methods. First, the number of check points/features is relatively small with respect to the point cloud size that is typically measured, at least, in millions. Second, these locations are usually selected in relatively benign areas, such as hard flat surfaces at easily accessible locations. The problem with this characterization is that it is not likely that a statistically representative analysis can be obtained from a limited number of points at locations that may not properly represent the overall object space composition. There is an ongoing effort to address these issues, and some of the newer methods to characterize LiDAR data include an average points spacing measure, computed from the LiDAR point cloud. Clearly, it is an important step forward but it ignores the surface complexity. The objective of this study is to elaborate only on the requirements for adequate surface representation in combination with the LiDAR error characterization techniques to identify the relation between the two surfaces, the measured and reference (ideal), and thus, to support better LiDAR or, in general, point cloud error characterization.

Withdrawn Paper

Abstract. There are several data product characterization methods to describe LiDAR data quality. Typically based on guidelines developed by government or professional societies, these techniques require the statistical analysis of vertical differences at known checkpoints (surface patches) to obtain a measure of the vertical accuracy. More advanced methods attempt to also characterize the horizontal accuracy of the LiDAR point cloud, using measurements at LiDAR-specific targets or other man-made objects that can be distinctly extracted from both horizontal and vertical representation in the LiDAR point cloud. There are two concerns with these methods. First, the number of check points/features is relatively small with respect to the point cloud size that is typically measured, at least, in millions. Second, these locations are usually selected in relatively benign areas, such as hard flat surfaces at easily accessible locations. The problem with this characterization is that it is not likely that a statistically representative analysis can be obtained from a limited number of points at locations that may not properly represent the overall object space composition. There is an ongoing effort to address these issues, and some of the newer methods to characterize LiDAR data include an average points spacing measure, computed from the LiDAR point cloud. Clearly, it is an important step forward but it ignores the surface complexity. The objective of this study is to elaborate only on the requirements for adequate surface representation in combination with the LiDAR error characterization techniques to identify the relation between the two surfaces, the measured and reference (ideal), and thus, to support better LiDAR or, in general, point cloud error characterization.

Subconjunctival infestation with Setaria

Abstract Most cases of human subconjunctival infestations with nematodes described in the literature belong to the genus Dirofilaria. This is a report of subconjunctival setariasis in a 65 years old man, diagnosed 2 years after a travel to Singapore. The parasite was removed immediately from the subconjunctival space and the patient was administered topical antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops. The complete remission of symptoms and signs was noted. The parasite was identified on optical microscopy as belonging to the genus Setaria. The life cycle of the parasite and the accidental human contamination are described. The presence of a moving worm under the human conjunctiva is a rare condition that requires urgent action, in order to prevent its migration into less accessible locations. Since the human subject is a dead-end host who does not allow the multiplication of the parasite, its surgical removal is the only cure.

Barriers to Contraception and Interest In Over‐the‐Counter Access Among Low‐Income Women: A Qualitative Study

Barriers to contraceptive access encourage nonuse and gaps in use, which contribute to the high prevalence of unintended pregnancy in the United States. One strategy to improve access to oral contraceptives is to make them available without a prescription. From March 2007 to January 2009, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted with 45 low-income women in the Boston area to explore how they obtain contraceptives and their opinions about making oral contraceptives available over the counter. Transcripts of the discussions and interviews were deductively and inductively coded. Data were analyzed thematically, and illustrative quotes were extracted. Overall, participants reported ease in obtaining contraceptives, which were available at multiple accessible locations throughout Boston. However, various barriers-unaffordable copays and clinic visits, the time required for clinic visits, restrictions on the number of packs of prescription contraceptives (e.g., the ring, the pill) purchased monthly and the limited time frame in which to purchase them-deterred consistent use of preferred methods. Most participants supported over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives; however, they raised concerns about cost, as well as the safety of such access for minors, first-time users and women with medical conditions. Women's concerns about over-the-counter access to contraceptives must be addressed if this approach is to improve use and potentially help reduce the unintended pregnancy rate.

Palliative care for vulnerable populations

The purpose of this article is to identify how inclusive and accessible palliative care can be achieved for all, including those labelled as vulnerable populations. Drawing on a review of existing literature as well the research of the Vulnerable Persons and End-of-Life New Emerging Team (VP-NET), this article reflects on what changes can be made within palliative care to make it more inclusive. Experiences of marginalization often result, intentionally or unintentionally, in differential treatment in healthcare. This increased vulnerability may result from attitudes of healthcare providers or from barriers as a result of "normal" care practices and policies that may exclude or stigmatize certain populations. This may include identifying when palliative care is necessary, who receives palliative care and where, and what is necessary to complement palliative care. Inclusive and accessible palliative care can become possible through building on the existing strengths in palliative care, as well as addressing existing barriers. This may include treating the whole person and that person's support team, including paid support workers, as part of the unit of care. It involves ensuring physically accessible hospice and palliative care locations, as well as thinking creatively about how to include those excluded in traditional locations. Inclusive palliative care also ensures coordination with other care services. Addressing the barriers to access, and inclusion of those who have been excluded within existing palliative care services, will ensure better palliative and end-of-life care for everyone.

What determines carpooling to workplaces in Belgium: location, organisation, or promotion?

Home to work travel remains the prime focus of mobility management policies, in which the promotion of carpooling is one of the main strategies. Besides governments, employers are key players in this strive for a more sustainable commute. However, commuting research tends to focus on individual commuters and their place of residence, rather than on workplaces and company-induced measures. Therefore, this paper takes the workplace as research unit to analyse the popularity of carpooling in Belgium. After an exploratory (spatial) data analysis, we incorporate three groups of factors in a multilevel regression model which predicts the share of carpooling at large workplaces: location (accessibility), organisation (activity sector), and promotion (carpool-oriented mobility management measures). Higher levels of carpooling are found at less accessible locations, and in the activity sectors construction, manufacturing and transport. This analysis gives insight in the determinants of carpooling, and may thus contribute to the development of sustainable transport policies.

Do Incomers Pay More for Rural Housing?

The paper explores whether incomers pay a price premium for rural housing and, if so, whether it varies according to the origin of the buyer. Empirical analysis focuses on Aberdeenshire, Scotland, distinguishing between housing in the accessible and remote rural locations within the region. Buyers originating from Aberdeen city are found to pay more than locals in accessible rural housing markets, with the price premium highest in the high-quality housing-market segment. There is, however, no evidence that a price premium is paid by in-migrants from more distant locations. In contrast, consistent with information asymmetry and higher search costs, buyers from the rest of the UK are found to pay significantly more for high-quality properties in the remote rural area. From a methodological perspective the findings support the use of multilevel models which allow for unobserved neighbourhood effects.

An experimental glenoid rim strain analysis for an improved reverse anatomy shoulder implant fixation

Loosening of glenoid components in TSA is a main cause of failure. In reverse anatomy TSA designs used for unstable joints, fixation is particularly demanding. Strains developed around the glenoid rim of biomechanical sawbone scapulae implanted with (a) the original fixed-fulcrum Bayley-Walker glenoid prosthesis in current clinical use, and (b) a revised version with conical cross-section, were compared. The conical shape of the revised design was hypothesized to produce greater strains in the glenoid rim than the original tapered screw design. The 2D strain field at three accessible locations around the rim of each scapula was measured with three-element rosette strain gauges for two types of simulated cancellous bone fill under applied physiologically relevant loads. The average strain energy densities around the rim for the conical design were greater than for the original design by a factor of 1.55-2.25 for all loading conditions. Results indicate that a significantly greater proportion of load was directed toward cortical bone in the conical design, thus promoting cortical bone loading.

Inverse Estimation of Surface Heating Condition in a Finite Slab With Temperature-Dependent Thermophysical Properties

Temperature and heat flux at the heated surface can be estimated by solving an inverse heat conduction problem (IHCP) based on measured temperature and/or heat flux at the accessible locations (e.g., back surface). Most of the previous studies used temperature measurement data in the objective function, and little work has been done for the inverse numerical algorithm based on heat flux measurement data. In this study, a one-dimensional IHCP in a finite slab is solved by using the conjugate gradient method. The heat flux measurement data are, for the first time, incorporated into the objective function for a nonlinear heat conduction problem with temperature-dependent thermophysical properties. The results clearly show that the inverse approach of using heat flux measurement data in the objective function can provide much better predictions than the traditional approaches in which the temperature measurements are employed in the objective function. Parametric studies are performed to demonstrate the robustness of the formulated IHCP algorithm by testing it for two different materials under different frequencies of the imposed heat flux along with random errors of the measured heat flux at the back surface.

Selectively willing and conditionally able: HIV vaccine trial participation among women at “high risk” of HIV infection

Efficacy studies of investigational HIV vaccines require enrollment of individuals at ‘high risk’ for HIV. This paper examines participation in HIV vaccine trials among women at ‘high risk’ for HIV acquisition. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 African-American women who use crack cocaine and/or exchange sex for money/drugs to elicit attitudes toward medical research and motivators and deterrents to HIV vaccine trial participation. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed; data were coded and compiled into themes. Most women expressed favorable attitudes toward medical research in general. Motivators for trial participation included compensation; personal benefits including information, social services, and the possibility that the trial vaccine could prevent HIV; and altruism. Deterrents included: dislike of needles; distrust; concern about future consequences of participating. In addition, contingencies, care-giving responsibilities, and convenience issues constituted barriers which could impede participation. Respondents described varied, complex perspectives, and individual cases illustrate how these themes played out as women contemplated trial participation. Understanding factors which influence vaccine research participation among women at ‘high risk’ can aid sites to tailor recruitment procedures to local contexts. Concerns about future reactions can be addressed through sustained community education. Convenience barriers can be ameliorated by providing rides to study visits when necessary, and/or conducting study visits in accessible neighborhood locations. Women in this sample thought carefully about enrolling in HIV vaccine trials given the structural constraints within which they lived. Further research is needed regarding structural factors which influence personal agency and individuals’ thinking about research participation.

Discrimination in festival games with limited observability and accessibility

This paper provides an analysis of discrimination and prejudices from the perspective of inductive game theory. We extend the festival game, originally given by Kaneko–Matsui, to include new constraints on the observability of ethnic identities and on accessible locations for players. We characterize the Nash equilibrium set, which reveals a different variety of segregation patterns and discriminatory behavior. In order to facilitate the analysis of discrimination and prejudices, we introduce a measure of discrimination, which chooses a representative equilibrium with the smallest degree of discrimination. Using this measure, we discuss various new phenomena, such as discrimination in an ethnic hierarchy; similar ethnicities as discriminated and as discriminating; and mutual discrimination. The introduction of limited observability and accessibility enables us to obtain those results.

Measure for Measure: How Well Do We Measure Micro-Level Conflict Intensity?

Rich measures of micro-level violent conflict intensity are key for successfully providing insight into the legacy of civil war. Yet, the debate on how exactly conflict intensity should be measured has just started. This paper aims to fuel this awakening debate. It is demonstrated how existing and widely available data - population census data - can provide the basis for a useful measure of microlevel conflict intensity, i.e. a fine Wartime Excess Mortality Index (WEMI). In contrast to measures that are based on news reports or data from transitional justice records, WEMI is relatively neutral to the cause of excess mortality, giving equal weight to victims belonging to the conquering and defeated party, to victims of large-scale massacres and dispersed killings, to victims in easily accessible locations and remote areas, and to direct and indirect victims of violence. The measure is illustrated for the case of Rwanda and it is shown that in a straightforward empirical application of the impact of armed conflict on schooling different measures for micro-level conflict intensity yield strikingly different results.

Technical refinement of ultrasound-guided transoral resection of parapharyngeal/retropharyngeal thyroid carcinoma metastases.

The transoral approach to the parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal space (PPS/RPS) for the management of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) has been previously described in other articles. However, limited exposure with this approach can be a challenge. This is a retrospective review of 6 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided transoral excision of PPS/RPS WDTC metastases from October 2003 to March 2009 in a cancer center setting. Ultrasound-guided methylene blue dye injection of the node was used in 3 patients to facilitate intraoperative identification. The technique, safety, and feasibility of the procedure are described in this study. Successful resection of the metastases was accomplished in all cases without intraoperative complication. The 1 definite recurrence was further treated with transmandibular excision. Transoral excision of PPS/RPS WDTC metastases with ultrasound-guided methylene blue dye injection into the metastatic node is safe, feasible, and may further improve intraoperative identification of metastases in poorly accessible locations in the head and neck.

Laparoscopic management of an isolated primary omental hydatid cyst: A case report and literature review

Primary isolated omental hydatid cysts are extremely rare. Usually, omental hydatid cysts are secondary, either resulting from spontaneous spread of cysts or occurring after operations involving hydatidosis in other regions. Here, we report a case of a primary isolated omental hydatid cyst treated with a laparoscopic approach.We report a 16-year-old female who admitted to hospital with right upper quadrant pain. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) revealed a cyst located between the liver and right kidney. The cyst was enucleated from the omentum and removed with a laparoscopic approach. Histopathologic examination revealed a hydatid cyst. There was no recurrence during 3 years of follow-up. Primary isolated omental hydatid disease should be considered in patients in endemic regions with intra-abdominal cysts. Laparoscopic surgery seems to be effective and safe for hydatid cysts in accessible locations.

Two highly homologous mouse odorant receptors encoded by tandemly-linked MOR29A and MOR29B genes respond differently to phenyl ethers

Since the discovery of odorant receptors (ORs) in rodents, most ORs have remained orphan receptors. Even for deorphanized ORs in vitro, their in vivo properties are largely unknown. Here, we report odor response profiles of two highly homologous mouse ORs, MOR29A and MOR29B, both in vivo and in vitro. The BAC transgenic mouse was generated, in which olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) expressing the transgenes MOR29A and MOR29B were differently tagged with IRES-gapECFP and IRES-gapEYFP, respectively. MOR29A- and MOR29B-expressing OSN axons converged on separate but nearby loci on the dorsal surface of the olfactory bulb (OB). Optical imaging of intrinsic signals in the OB identified five different phenyl ethers as candidate ligands for MOR29B. Based on in vitro calcium imaging with the isolated OSNs and luciferase assay with heterologous cells, only guaiacol and vanillin were found to be potent agonists for MOR29A and MOR29B. Because of its accessible glomerular locations in the dorsal OB and defined odor response profiles both in vivo and in vitro, the MOR29A/29B tagging mouse will serve as an excellent tool for studying both odor-signal processing and neural circuitry in the OB.

Wnt1 and BMP2: two factors recruiting multipotent neural crest progenitors isolated from adult bone marrow.

Recent studies have shown that neural crest-derived progenitor cells can be found in diverse mammalian tissues including tissues that were not previously shown to contain neural crest derivatives, such as bone marrow. The identification of those "new" neural crest-derived progenitor cells opens new strategies for developing autologous cell replacement therapies in regenerative medicine. However, their potential use is still a challenge as only few neural crest-derived progenitor cells were found in those new accessible locations. In this study, we developed a protocol, based on wnt1 and BMP2 effects, to enrich neural crest-derived cells from adult bone marrow. Those two factors are known to maintain and stimulate the proliferation of embryonic neural crest stem cells, however, their effects have never been characterized on neural crest cells isolated from adult tissues. Using multiple strategies from microarray to 2D-DIGE proteomic analyses, we characterized those recruited neural crest-derived cells, defining their identity and their differentiating abilities.

FDG-PET probe-guided surgery for recurrent retroperitoneal testicular tumor recurrences

Aim Tumor marker based recurrences of previously treated testicular cancer are generally detected with CT scan. They sometimes cannot be visualized with conventional morphologic imaging. FDG-PET has the ability to detect these recurrences. PET probe-guided surgery, may facilitate the extent of surgery and optimize the surgical resection. Methods Three patients with resectable 2nd or 3rd recurrent testicular cancer based on elevated tumor markers after previous various chemotherapy schedules and resections of residual retroperitoneal tumor masses were included in this study. A diagnostic FDG-PET was performed and a hotspot in previously operated area of the retroperitoneal space in all three patients was visualized. PET probe-guided surgery was performed using a high-energy gamma probe 3 h post-injection of 500 MBq FDG. Results All patients showed extended adhesions and scar tissue in the retroperitoneal area due to the previous surgeries. Pre-operative PET/CT scan showed a good correlation with intra-operative PET probe-guided detection of recurrent lesions. There was a high target to background ratio (TGB) of 5:1 during the procedure. In one patient, a 2 cm large lesion, which did not show on pre-operative FDG-PET scan, was detected with the PET probe. Histopathologic tissue evaluation demonstrated recurrent vital tumor in all PET probe positive lesions. Conclusions PET probe-guided surgery seems to be a promising tool to localize FDG-PET positive lesion in recurrent testicular cancer in hardly accessible surgical locations. PET probe-guided surgery might be a useful technique in surgical oncology for recurrent testicular cancer and has the potential to be applied in surgery of other malignant diseases.

Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Injections at the Pharmacy Might Be a Good Option

Pharmacies often have more accessible hours and locations than family planning clinics or other health facilities. Why not enlist pharmacists (who