Alleged Causes Research Articles

The Origin of the State: The Formation of the Metatheory

The paper analyzes the main classical theories of the origin of the State: theological, patriarchal, organic, psychological, social contract, internal and external violence, class theories. The author makes an attempt to identify doctrinally reliable and mythological elements in each theory and describes the alleged causes of the occurrence of this mythological element. Based on the results obtained, the author elucidates the classification of theories of the origin of the State that, in turn, became the basis for the systematic integration of verified scientific facts about the process of state formation in order to form the primary theoretical basis of a special metatheory of politogenesis. Thus, the concept of metatheory acts as an alternative to the unsystematic integration of the state and law doctrines of the origin of the state, allowing the researcher to embark on the path of their methodologicaland structural consolidation. The main properties of the metatheory of politogenesis as a method are described, namely: universality, consistency and dynamism. The paper also provides an interpretation of this meta-theory.

Investigation of performance limitations in continuous hot-dip galvanizing units associated with product defects

The goals of the work were to search and systematize the speed limits of the steel strip during hot-dip galvanizing, associated with the threat of product defects. Since speed can be combined with many other factors, this paper provides an overview of the known causes of common defects. The causes were grouped taking into account the operations of individual sections of continuous hot-dip galvanizing units. To determine the circumstances in which defects occur, a method was used that involved step-by-step stratification of retrospective data and comparison of the distribution density of influencing factors for defective and non-defective products. The method was applied in the analysis of the data on defects at the MMK Metallurgy plant in Turkey, obtained in 2020–2021. Twenty-one types of acceptable and unacceptable defects that occur during galvanizing of DX51D steel were selected for analysis. Twenty-two technological parameters were taken as factors, including the strip speed. For each selected type of the defects, a set of influencing factors is determined, and for some types of defects, the alleged causes of their occurrence are indicated. It is shown that the relationship observed for many types of defects with the strip speed can actually be caused by other factors. We determined the types of defects, the probability of which increases with an increase in the speed or the level of its change. The paper proposes measures aimed at preventing the increase in the proportion of defective products along with the performance gain.

Pemeliharaan ulat grayak (Spodoptera litura Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) menggunakan pakan buatan pada skala laboratorium

Spodoptera litura is widely used as a test in a research controlling pests in the laboratory so it needs to be maintained to get uniform test insects in large numbers. Rearing of insects in laboratory can use natural food or artificial diets. The purpose of this study was to know the number and percentage of deaths in each phase, the alleged cause of death in each phase, and know the passed of rearing S. litura in laboratory using artificial diet. Rearing of insects is carried out in the Entomology laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Artificial diet used is Poitout diet with modification. Data obtained from the results of rearing of S. liturain laboratory are then arranged in the form of life tables at the end of the phase, the alleged cause of death, and the percentage of deaths. The results showed the passed of rearing in laboratory using artificial diet was 74.8%. Larvae death by15.7%, pupae that did not develop into imago by 11.3%, imago death by 4.7%, and eggs that did not passed is 18.2%. Alleged causes of death in all phases add to the contamination of diet by fungi, larvae eaten by other larvae, temperature and the capacity of the rearing chamber that are not compatible with the breeding of insects.

Исследование технологической возможности способа сварки трением разнородных материалов

This article presents the results of a study by foreign scientists on the study of the technological feasibility of the method of friction welding of dissimilar materials. As well as information about the research work of the authors on the creation of a resource-saving, universal and affordable technology for friction welding of dissimilar materials for domestic engineering industries. The results of the study of the work of foreign scientists showed that the method of friction welding of dissimilar materials is relevant and has a wide technological capability. It was also found that there was not used method of friction welding of dissimilar materials in the conditions of domestic engineering industries. The article presents alleged causes of this state of the problem. Considering all the shortcomings and factors identified during the study of existing methods of friction welding of dissimilar materials, the authors carried out scientific research aimed at creating a new method of friction welding of dissimilar materials. To implement the friction welding method, a design of a special device was developed and a prototype was made for experimental studies. The article considers processes of friction welding of reinforcing bars of different diameters. It is reported that the connected reinforcing bars have passed tensile and rupture tests in laboratory conditions and in a certified test center, the results of which showed a high strength of the connection. The rupture of the rods did not occur in the welds but in the base metal.

3:45 PM Abstract No. 122 Malpractice litigation in interventional radiology

The litigious nature of the medical-legal system environment is a major concern for American physicians with an estimated cost of $10 billion. In this study we identify the causes of litigation in cases of involving interventional radiologists as well as the factors that contribute to verdicts or settlements resulting in indemnity payments. Publicly available verdict reports were recorded using the Westlaw and Casetext legal databases. To identify pertinent cases we used the search terms “medical malpractice,” “interventional radiologist,” and “interventional radiology” with dates ranging from 1998 to 2019. Cases were evaluated for alleged causes of malpractice, resulting injury, findings and indemnity payment (if any). The database search yielded 450 cases, with 12% of cases (n = 53) involving interventional radiologists as defendants. Of these cases 26.4% were settled out of court (n = 14) and the remaining 73.5% went to trial (n = 39). Of those cases that went to trial 80% saw defense verdicts (n = 31) and 20% saw plaintiff verdicts (n = 8). Overall 22.6% of patients claimed that they did not receive proper informed consent (n = 12) and 88.6% claimed that the procedure was not the proper standard of care (n = 47). The bulk of the cases claimed negligence in clinical performance as the result of treatment failure or postoperative complications. Overall the majority (85%; n = 43) of cases showed judgments in favor of the physician. The main issues that arise in interventional radiology malpractice litigation are those of informed consent and clinical performance. Comprehensive preprocedural counseling, when combined with best practice peri-operative care, may minimize the impact of litigation.

An assessment of employer liability for workplace stress

PurposeThis study aims to examine workplace stress in a random sample of litigated cases heard in UK courts. The majority of claims related to clinical depression. The alleged causes of workplace stress most commonly cited in the litigation included excessive workload, followed by poor management practices; organisational, economic or technical changes; aggressive management style; and bullying by co-workers.Design/methodology/approachThe term claimant is used to refer to the worker who made the original complaint of workplace stress, and the term defendant refers to the employing organisation defending the claim. In an attempt to establish the number and type of claims brought forward, the population of individual case records relating to workplace stress was accessed electronically from a variety of legal databases.FindingsThe presence of effective workplace stress management policies were important interventions that played a particularly significant role in avoiding legal action and reducing employees’ detrimental experiences. A significant finding was that 94 per cent of the cases were found in favour of the employer as the defendant, and the implications of this for managerial practice are suggested. This analysis of 75 cases between 1992-2014 will shed valuable light on the nature of workplace stress claims heard in the courts and the likelihood of the claimant employee’s success in such cases.Research limitations/implicationsFurther work could be undertaken to examine the extent to which the legal framework could be regarded as encouraging a compensation culture and placing excessive burdens on employing organisations. This paper assesses the scope of liability for workplace stress through an analysis of some of the legal claims made and evaluates whether these sorts of fears are justified.Practical implicationsThese court cases are real scenarios in which various organisations faced civil action arising from workplace stress claims. The main contribution that this research makes to the existing body of literature on the subject is to discern the different contexts that led to litigation in these cases.Social implicationsResearchers have reported on the negative consequences associated with workplace stress, both for individuals and organisations (Cooper and Marshall, 1976). It has been recognised that employers have a duty, which is in many cases enforceable by law, to ensure that employees do not become ill (Michie, 2002). The aim of this paper is to analyse the legal record on litigation since 1992 and discuss how the findings inform the wider literature.Originality/valueWorkplace stress claims have been described as the “next growth area” in claims for psychiatric illness (Mullany and Handford, 1997; Elvin, 2008; Horsey and Rackley, 2009). Hugh Collins stated “owing to the limitations of the statutory compensatory scheme in the UK […] private law has been used to expand the range of protection against illness […] in the workplace” (Collins, 2003). To understand how court decisions are changing, the development of this body of law needs to be traced (Ivancevich et al., 1985).

Malodorous consequences: What comprises negligence in anosmia litigation?

Our objectives were to evaluate factors raised in malpractice litigation in which plaintiffs alleged that physician negligence led to olfactory dysfunction. We analyzed publically available federal and court records using Westlaw, a widely used computerized legal database. Pertinent jury verdicts and settlements were comprehensively examined for alleged causes of malpractice (including procedures for iatrogenic causes), defendant specialty, patient demographics, and other factors raised in legal proceedings. Of 25 malpractice proceedings meeting inclusion criteria, 60.0% were resolved for the defendant, 12.0% were settled, and 28.0% had jury-awarded damages. Median payments were significant ($300,000 and $412,500 for settlements and awards, respectively). Otolaryngologists were the most frequently named defendants (68.0%), with the majority of iatrogenic cases (55.0%) related to rhinologic procedures. Associated medical events accompanying anosmia included dysgeusia, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and meningitis. Other alleged factors included requiring additional surgery (80.0%), unnecessary procedures (47.4% of iatrogenic procedural cases), untimely diagnosis leading to anosmia (44.0%), inadequate informed consent (35.0%), dysgeusia (56.0%), and psychological sequelae (24.0%). Olfactory dysfunction can adversely affect quality of life and thus is a potential area for malpractice litigation. This is particularly true for iatrogenic causes of anosmia, especially following rhinologic procedures. Settlements and damages awarded were considerable, making an understanding of factors detailed in this analysis of paramount importance for the practicing otolaryngologist. This analysis reinforces the importance of explicitly including anosmia in a comprehensive informed consent process for any rhinologic procedure.

Dying to Get Out of the Asylum: Mortality and Madness in Four Mental Hospitals in Victorian Canada, c. 1841–1891

This article examines the status of lunatic cadavers during the second half of the nineteenth century. The first section summarizes cause of death data of over three thousand patients who were admitted to the four principal lunatic asylums in the province of Ontario (Canada). The results illuminate the alleged causes of death, revealing, among other factors, the impact of tuberculosis and general paralysis of the insane. The data also suggest that there was a steady increase in life chances of those entering the mental hospital over the five decades under study. The second section of the article investigates the tension between medical schools and asylum superintendents as educational requirements for nineteenth-century medical education necessitated more and more material for dissection, elevating the status of alienists as gatekeepers to cadavers. The article then concludes by reflecting on what implications these findings have for our understanding of the Victorian lunatic asylum.

Meningitis and legal liability: An otolaryngology perspective

PurposeMeningitis is a potential complication in otolaryngologic procedures and conditions. Severe sequelae make understanding factors involved in relevant malpractice litigation critical. We analyze pertinent litigation for awards, outcomes, patient demographic factors, and other alleged causes of malpractice. MethodsPertinent jury verdict and settlement reports were examined using the Westlaw legal database (Thomson Reuters, New York, NY). ResultsTwenty-three cases (60.5%) involved non-iatrogenic injuries, including inadequate treatment or failure to diagnose sinusitis or otitis media, while 15 (39.5%) involved iatrogenic cases, mostly rhinologic procedures. 36.8% of cases were resolved for the defendant, 28.9% with juries awarding damages, and 34.2% with settlements. Although not statistically significant, mean damages awarded were higher than settlements ($2.1 vs. 1.5M, p=0.056), and cases involving pediatric patients were more likely to be resolved with payment than those with adult litigants (80.0% vs. 52.2%, p=0.08 respectively). Other frequent alleged factors included permanent deficits (63.2%), requiring additional surgery (41.1%), death (34.2%), cognitive deficits (21.2%), deafness (15.8%), and inadequate informed consent (33.0% of iatrogenic cases). ConclusionsPractitioners facing litigation related to meningitis may wish to consider these findings, notably for cases involving death or permanent functional deficits, as cases with out of court settlements tended to be resolved with lower payments. Cases involving misdiagnosis may be more likely to be resolved with payment compared with iatrogenic cases. By understanding the issues detailed in this analysis and including them in the informed consent process for patients undergoing rhinologic and otologic procedures, otolaryngologists may potentially improve patient safety and decrease liability.

Uncovering Malpractice in Appendectomies: a Review of 234 Cases

BackgroundGeneral surgery is a “high-risk specialty” with respect to medical malpractice rates, and appendicitis is one of the most common diagnoses encountered by practitioners. Our objectives were to detail issues affecting malpractice litigation regarding appendicitis and appendectomies, including outcomes, awards, alleged causes of malpractice, and other factors instrumental in determining legal responsibility and increasing patient safety. Study DesignPublically available federal and state court records were examined for pertinent jury verdict and settlement reports. Information from 234 pertinent cases was collected, including alleged causes of malpractice and outcomes. ResultsOf the 234 cases included in this study, the most common factor noted was an alleged delay in diagnosis (67.1 %), followed by intraoperative negligence (16.2 %). Alleged deficits in informed consent, although only specifically cited as a cause of malpractice in 1.3 % of cases, were found to be an important aspect of many cases. In total, 59.8 % of cases were ruled in favor of the physician, 23.7 % in favor of the plaintiff, and 5.5 % reached a settlement. The average plaintiff award was US$794,152, and the average settlement award was US$1,434,286. ConclusionAn important strategy to decrease liability in a physician's practice is prompt evaluation of an appendicitis patient. An integral part of this is efficient communication between physicians practicing a wide variety of specialties, especially including practitioners in emergency medicine and general surgery. Additionally, completing a thorough informed consent explaining all aspects of the procedure including the factors we outline will not only increase patient awareness of potential risks but also protect the physician in the face of litigation.

Modulation of γ-Secretase Activity by Multiple Enzyme-Substrate Interactions: Implications in Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease

BackgroundWe describe molecular processes that can facilitate pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by analyzing the catalytic cycle of a membrane-imbedded protease γ-secretase, from the initial interaction with its C99 substrate to the final release of toxic Aβ peptides.ResultsThe C-terminal AICD fragment is cleaved first in a pre-steady-state burst. The lowest Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio is observed in pre-steady-state when Aβ40 is the dominant product. Aβ42 is produced after Aβ40, and therefore Aβ42 is not a precursor for Aβ40. The longer more hydrophobic Aβ products gradually accumulate with multiple catalytic turnovers as a result of interrupted catalytic cycles. Saturation of γ-secretase with its C99 substrate leads to 30% decrease in Aβ40 with concomitant increase in the longer Aβ products and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. To different degree the same changes in Aβ products can be observed with two mutations that lead to an early onset of AD, ΔE9 and G384A. Four different lines of evidence show that γ-secretase can bind and cleave multiple substrate molecules in one catalytic turnover. Consequently depending on its concentration, NotchΔE substrate can activate or inhibit γ-secretase activity on C99 substrate. Multiple C99 molecules bound to γ-secretase can affect processive cleavages of the nascent Aβ catalytic intermediates and facilitate their premature release as the toxic membrane-imbedded Aβ-bundles.ConclusionsGradual saturation of γ-secretase with its substrate can be the pathogenic process in different alleged causes of AD. Thus, competitive inhibitors of γ-secretase offer the best chance for a successful therapy, while the noncompetitive inhibitors could even facilitate development of the disease by inducing enzyme saturation at otherwise sub-saturating substrate. Membrane-imbedded Aβ-bundles generated by γ-secretase could be neurotoxic and thus crucial for our understanding of the amyloid hypothesis and AD pathogenesis.

Prognostic factors for long-term work disability due to musculoskeletal disorders

The objective of this study is to identify risk factors for permanent work disability (PWD) related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This is a secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled intervention study in Temporary Work Disability (TWD) due to MSDs. The association of PWD (claim submission and status recognition) with baseline clinical, sociodemographic, work-related administrative and occupational factors was analyzed by Cox proportional hazards models. Of 3,311 patients with TWD, 47 submitted a PWD claim, of whom 32 achieved PWD status. The main alleged causes of the PWD were back pain, sciatica, and inflammatory diseases. The following factors were independently associated with an increased probability of PWD claim submission: age (odds ratio (OR) 5.1), being woman (OR 2.1), self-employment (OR 3.4), unemployment (OR 13.8), previous musculoskeletal surgery (OR 16), repeated TWD (OR 3.4), sitting (OR 2.8), and raising arms frequently (OR 3.1). Patients with inflammatory disease were more likely to file PWD claims (OR 10.4) while tendonitis was associated with lower probability (OR 0.3). The sociodemographic factors that better predicted PWD status recognition were age (OR 5.7), low educational level (OR 4.2), previous musculoskeletal surgery (OR 14.9), unemployment (OR 17.6), sitting (OR 2.6), and raising arms frequently (OR 2.7). Inflammatory diseases were the diagnoses associated with a higher rate of PWD status recognition (OR 6.1). Inflammatory diseases have a high chronic disability potential in active workers. Sociodemographic, work-related, occupational factors, and other clinical factors, some of which are modifiable, may explain the development of long-term work disability related to MSDs.

We Are What We Measure

We Are What We Measure

Causes of interruption of bevacizumab therapy in age-related macular degeneration

To evaluate the rate and the causes of interruption of bevacizumab intravitreal therapy in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a referential eye-care center in Joinville, southern Brazil. Retrospective, non-comparative, consecutive case series. Cases included all patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration who were treated with one or more bevacizumab intravitreal injections at Sadalla Amin Ghanem Eye Hospital between January, 2006 and January, 2008. Data were obtained from patients' medical records and telephone interviews. Discontinuity criterion was the absence of patient follow-up after a minimum of 3 months from the last ophthalmic examination. Eighty-two patients were treated. Among them, 24 (29.3%) interrupted follow-up inadvertently. The mean age was 75.2 years old (range 65-89 yo). Mean number of bevacizumab intravitreal injections was 2.0 (range 1-6). Nineteen patients answered to telephone questionnaires. The main alleged causes of discontinuity of therapy were unexpected poor visual results (8 cases, 42.1%), lack of information about followup visits (5 cases, 26.3%) and comorbidities (3 cases, 15.8%). A high number of patients interrupted follow-up after beginning bevacizumab therapy. Many of them related avoidable causes for discontinuity of treatment. Efforts must be done to improve education of age-related macular degeneration patients, especially in relation to functional outcomes and prolonged follow-up care.

Radical Atmosphere: Explaining Jihadist Radicalization in the UK

In the months following the July 7, 2005, attack that killed 52 people and injured hundreds more, the British government was at pains to deny allegations that Britain was targeted by homegrown, al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorists because of its Middle East foreign policy. Yet the government was privately aware by May 2004 that a “particularly strong cause of disillusionment amongst Muslims … is a perceived ‘double standard’ in the foreign policy of western governments (and often those of Muslim governments), in particular Britain and the U.S” (FCO/HO 2005). Specific causes cited were bias towards Israel vis-à-vis Palestinians; non-action on Kashmir and Chechnya; and “active oppression” in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the wider “war on terror.” Other alleged causes included social and economic deprivation, Islamophobia (particularly following 9/11), and intergenerational clashes between first, second, and third generation Muslims. But little attempt was made either before or after July 7, 2005, to examine the interaction between these domestic and foreign sources of radicalization. This paper attempts to do so by examining the rhetoric and actions of a range of young British Muslims including: examples of 48 persons convicted of, charged for, or killed by violent jihad—evidence of young Muslim opinion on extremism and causes of violent jihadi terror in Britain. The evidence from this preliminary study, though not large enough to draw reliable statistical inferences, does suggest that not only is British foreign policy a significant source of alienation among young British Muslims, but that attitudes towards British foreign policy interact with and often reinforce domestic social, cultural, and economic sources of discontent. As explained in the literature review below, examining the links between perceptions of foreign policy towards the wider Muslim Ummah and sources of domestic discontent offers a more satisfying account of British Muslim radicalization than those offered by the dominant structural (social network theories) and “aggrieved actor” interpretations. I would like to thank Jonathan Githens-Mazer for organizing the PSA panel at the 2007 APSA Annual Meeting where I presented this paper. I would also like to thank Shah Miah for allowing me to cite evidence from his BA research project (Queen Mary, University of London); Emily Mclean Inglis and Anthony de Silva for research assistance; and Zamila Bunglawala for advice and data on British Muslims and the labor market.

The health assurance coaching model for chronic renal disease management.

This article presents a coach-player approach to the care of patients with chronic renal disease (CRD) that evokes patients’ motivation toward self-maintaining behaviors and informed, competent, and confident selfcare. In operation, it is superior to our conventional directive and prescriptive styles of patient caregiving because self-evidently it assures each patient’s continuous access to consistent high-quality care at lower cost because of predictably reduced use of health care resources. Grounded on evidence-based disease management and generically applicable to virtually all chronic medical disease, health assurance coaching should specifically focus on reducing both the morbidity risks among pre– end stage CRD patients and, as a consequence, cause a significant reduction in the current, unacceptable rates of morbidity and mortality of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. It is generally agreed that our dialyzed ESRD patients’ current rates of morbidity and mortality, and therefore their health care costs, are too high. The principal, alleged causes, including late referral to a nephrologist of already uremic patients, late initiation of dialysis, underdialysis, and undernutrition, are being addressed, respectively, by educational countermeasures in the literature; increasing amounts of dialysis; and use of biocompatible membranes, erythropoietin, intradialytic alimentation, and dietetic coun

Environmental education: a decade of failure but some hope for the future

The world is experiencing a number of major problems (overpopulation, too-rapid urbanisation, uncontrolled technology, habitat destruction etc.) which are threatening the future of human life on earth. To document the alleged causes of environmental degradation as such a list of discrete problems as is done by many writers (Palme, 1972; Burnet, 1979 etc.) can lead to an erroneous supposition that provided a systematic solution can be found for each problem, then the future is likely to be less threatened. This supposition is incorrect because the crisis has arisen from the threat posed by the whole, that is, the irrevocable links which exist between each of these problem areas such as those listed above. Resolving one problem satisfactorily on a global scale will not provide solutions for the other problem areas. The solution must lie with an approach which might not only solve many present problems but also prevent new problems from arising. Such a remedy reflects on the ecological nature of the problem, recognising that “everything is connected to everything else” (Commoner, 1972a). From around 1970, this role has been allocated specifically to education. Perelman (1976) saw a need to develop ecological pedagogy, an educational process that is ecological not only in its subject matter but in its structure and dynamics as well. Both Ehrlich (1971) and Commoner (1972b) saw education as a necessary component of any solution. Boyden (1970) argued that educational institutions must be placed at the top of the list of agents whose task is to reverse the trend towards environmental degradation. He noted that a key task for present adult generations is to provide youth with an environmental education (EE) that will prepare them emotionally and intellectually for the role of protecting the biosphere. Stapp (1970, 24) remarked on the need for well-informed educators: “If individuals are to be prepared to make the kind of environmental decisions that our nation will face in the future, schools must embark on a comprehensive program that will span the curriculum (K-12).”

Market Information and the Farmer's Problems

T HERE is no general agreement as to the cause of the agricultural depression since 1920, neither is there any unanimity of opinion concerning the remedies for the situation in which farmers have found themselves. Whether the farmer's plight arises wholly or in part from high handling costs resulting from the lag in wages in the post-war deflation period; or from an overproduction of farm commodities stimulated beyond the peace-time needs by the heavy demands of the war, and made possible by the tremendous technological developments in the last decade; or from a combination of circumstances in which each of these, and other alleged causes, are determinants, the fact remains that to the farmer, the real difficulty has been expressed in the form of low prices for products sold, and high prices for commodities purchased. Ask farmers themselves what the trouble is, and the answer invariably comes back Prices. What the farmer needs most is a higher purchasing power for the products he sells, regardless of how it is obtained. Either higher prices for products sold by producers, or lower prices for products purchased by them, will result in increasing the purchasing power of the farmer's dollar, and thus bring relief to the farming population. But what is the r6le of market information in such a farm relief program? Since the farmer's situation is reflected in the relative prices of farm products, it is evident that if the use of market information is to advance the