Characteristics Of Dropouts Research Articles

Patient characteristics of completion and dropout of mentalization-based treatment for adolescents with conduct disorder.

Conduct disorder (CD) is a severe mental disorder in youth. Yet, providing psychological interventions for adolescents with CD is challenging. This patient group is often characterized by risk factors for therapy dropout such as, e.g., CD symptoms and being in middle adolescence. On the other hand, little is known about characteristics of adolescents with CD who complete treatment. To gain more insight into what might become a successful therapy with adolescents with CD, this study explores baseline characteristics and drop-out occurrence in patients with CD referred to mentalization-based treatment for adolescents with CD (MBT-CD). More specifically, this study aims at identifying clusters of adolescent patients based on age, CD symptom severity and personality pathology at the beginning of treatment which may have come along with a higher or lower dropout occurrence. Following implications of an elbow plot, a 3-means cluster-analysis was conducted on self-report baseline data of N = 32 adolescents with CD (n = 11 dropouts, n = 21 completers) who participated in a feasibility study on MBT-CD. Additionally, in an exploratory stepwise logistic regression, variables were explored as potential predictors of dropout. Cluster 1 consisted of n = 14 adolescents, of whom n = 8 (57%) dropped out. Cluster 2 consisted of n = 5 adolescents of whom 1 (20%) dropped out. Cluster 3 consisted of N = 13 adolescents, of whom only n = 2 (15%) dropped out. Cluster 2 showed descriptively the highest CD symptom severity. While adolescents in Clusters 1 and 3 showed in part similarities in CD symptom severity, personality pathology was descriptively markedly higher in Cluster 1. In the stepwise logistic regression, only intimacy personality pathology was identified as potential predictor for dropout. This study's exploratory findings point to different types of adolescents with CD coming along with different chances for therapists to conduct a (successful) psychotherapy. Herein, low personality functioning in the intimacy domain, rather than CD symptoms as aggressiveness, may play a crucial role. While findings are limited by the small sample size, they may be able to shed increasing light on conducting (successful) psychotherapy with a scarcely researched patient group.

Falling through the net again: exploring the characteristics of internet dropout in China

Falling through the net again: exploring the characteristics of internet dropout in China

Analyzing Characteristics of Dropouts in a Faculty of Foreign Studies

Analyzing Characteristics of Dropouts in a Faculty of Foreign Studies

Graphene-Material-Modified PMMA Coated with 1,3,5,7-Tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane

Since the energetic material 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane (HMX) has potential safety hazards during its application, it was chosen to solve this problem by coating the surface of HMX through the self-polymerization reaction of methyl methacrylate (MMA). However, its mechanical properties were poor for further application, so graphene oxide (GO), hydroxylated graphene (GO-OH), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were chosen to be doped into PMMA for coating modification. The properties were also investigated. The composite microspheres were regular in shape. Furthermore, it was observed that graphene materials were present on the surface of the microspheres, and no crystal transformation of HMX occurred during the process. The thermal stability of the composite microspheres was improved, and the activation energies of the HMX/PMMA/GO, HMX/PMMA/rGO and HMX/PMMA/GO-OH composite microspheres were increased compared with those of the HMX/PMMA microspheres. At the same time, the high-energy dropout characteristics of the composite microspheres were improved, and the impact sensitivity of all microspheres was reduced, compared with that of the HMX/PMMA microspheres. The compressive strength of pillars pressed with composite microspheres increased by 1.91, 0.92 and 3.13 MPa, respectively. The mechanical properties of the composite microspheres were improved. As a result, HMX/PMMA composite microspheres have better properties.

Preventing type 2 diabetes, overweight and obesity in the Norwegian primary healthcare: a longitudinal design with 60 months follow-up results and a cross-sectional design with comparison of dropouts versus completers

ObjectivesStudies have demonstrated that it is possible to prevent type 2 diabetes for individuals at high risk, but long-term results in the primary healthcare are limited and high dropout rates...

Sleep Quality Is Associated With Severe Meibomian Gland Disruption in Dry Eye

PurposeTo investigate the association between sleep quality and meibomian gland dropout characteristics in dry eye patients.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 172 dry eye patients with no history of conditions or factors that could confound dry eye disease (DED) and/or meibomian gland dropout. Participants underwent a comprehensive anterior eye assessment. The validated Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess sleep quality. The measured outcomes were dry eye symptoms via the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear breakup time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, meibomian gland function, and extent of meibomian gland dropout.ResultsOf the dry eye participants, 34.9% had severe meibomian gland dropout (SMD) and 41.3% of the subjects had poor sleep quality. Patients with poor sleep quality had greater Meibomian gland dropout while the sleep AIS and PSQI scores were significantly correlated with Meibomian gland dropout (r = 0.495, p < 0.001; r = 0.24, p = 0.002; respectively). SMD patients had worse scores on all components of the PSQI (all p < 0.001, corrected for age and sex). Use of sleep medication, poor habitual sleep efficiency, and sleep disturbance were particularly prevalent in SMD patients as compared to Non-severe meibomian gland dropout (NSMD) patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sleep quality was eventually associated with female gender (p = 0.042), OSDI (p = 0.004), TBUT (p = 0.036), and Meibomian gland dropout score (p < 0.001).ConclusionIt was found that greater meibomian gland dropout in poor sleep quality individuals is especially related to use of sleep medication, poor habitual sleep efficiency, and sleep disturbance. This finding suggests a need for long-term studies of anterior eye health in people with poor sleep quality.

Cell type identification from single-cell transcriptomes in melanoma

BackgroundSingle-cell sequencing approaches allow gene expression to be measured at the single-cell level, providing opportunities and challenges to study the aetiology of complex diseases, including cancer.MethodsBased on single-cell gene and lncRNA expression levels, we proposed a computational framework for cell type identification that fully considers cell dropout characteristics. First, we defined the dropout features of the cells and identified the dropout clusters. Second, we constructed a differential co-expression network and identified differential modules. Finally, we identified cell types based on the differential modules.ResultsThe method was applied to single-cell melanoma data, and eight cell types were identified. Enrichment analysis of the candidate cell marker genes for the two key cell types showed that both key cell types were closely related to the physiological activities of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC); one key cell type was associated with mitosis-related activities, and the other with pathways related to ten diseases.ConclusionsThrough identification and analysis of key melanoma-related cell types, we explored the molecular mechanism of melanoma, providing insight into melanoma research. Moreover, the candidate cell markers for the two key cell types are potential therapeutic targets for melanoma.

The Effects of Exergaming in Dementia

The Effects of Exergaming in Dementia

Characteristics and patient-reported outcomes associated with dropout in severely affected oncological patients: an exploratory study

BackgroundPatient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are commonly-used surrogates for clinical outcomes in cancer research. When researching severe diseases such as cancer, it is difficult to avoid the problem of incomplete questionnaires from drop-outs or missing data from patients who pass away during the observation period. The aim of this exploratory study was to explore patient characteristics and the patient-reported outcomes associated with the time-to-dropout.MethodsIn an Oncological Social Care Project (OSCAR) study, the condition of the participants was assessed four times within 12 months (t0: baseline, t1: 3 months, t2: 6 months, and t3: 12 months) by validated PROMs. We performed competing-risk regressions based on Fine and Gray’s proportional sub-distribution hazards model for exploring factors associated with time-to-dropout. Death was considered a competing risk.ResultsThree hundred sixty-two participants were analyzed in the study. 193 (53.3%) completed a follow-up after 12 months, 67 (18.5%) patients dropped out, and 102 patients (28.2%) died during the study period. Poor subjective social support was related to a higher risk of drop-out (SHR = 2.10; 95%CI: 1.01–4.35). Lower values in health-related quality of life were related to drop-out and death. The sub-scales global health status/QoL, role functioning, physical functioning, and fatigue symptom in the EORTC QLQ-C30 were key characteristics of early drop-out.ConclusionSeverely affected cancer patients with poor social support and poor quality of life seem more likely to drop out of studies than patients with higher levels of social support and a better quality of life. This should be considered when planning studies to assess advanced cancer patients. Methods of close continued monitoring should be actively used when patient experiences a substantial deterioration in their health-related quality of life and symptoms during the study. Results for such studies have to be interpreted with caution in light of specific drop-out mechanisms.Trial registrationOSCAR study was registered to the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00013640). Registered 29 December 2017.

Status and determinants of enrollment and dropout of health insurance in Nepal: an explorative study

BackgroundCompared to other countries in the South Asia Nepal has seen a slow progress in the coverage of health insurance. Despite of a long history of the introduction of health insurance (HI) and a high priority of the government of Nepal it has not been able to push rapidly its social health insurance to its majority of the population. There are many challenges while to achieve universal health insurance in Nepal ranging from existing policy paralysis to program operation. This study aims to identify the enrollment and dropout rates of health insurance and its determinants in selected districts of Nepal.MethodsThe study was conducted while using a mixed method including both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Numerical data related to enrollment and dropout rates were taken from Health Insurance Board (HIB) of Nepal. For the qualitative data, three districts, Bardiya, Chitwan, and Gorkha of Nepal were selected purposively. Enrollment assistants (EA) of social health insurance program were taken as the participants of study. Focus group discussions (FGD) were arranged with the selected EAs using specific guidelines along with unstructured questions. The results from numerical data and focus group discussions are synthesized and presented accordingly.ResultsThe findings of the study suggested variation in enrollment and dropout of health insurance in the districts. Enrollment coverage was 13,545 (1%), 249,104 (5%), 1,159,477 (9%) and 1,676,505 (11%) from 2016 to 2019 among total population and dropout rates were 9121(67%), 110,885 (44%) and 444,967 (38%) among total enrollment from 2016 to 2018 respectively. Of total coverage, more than one-third proportion was subsidy enrollment—free enrollment for vulnerable groups. The population characteristics of unwilling and dropout in social health insurance came from relatively well-off families, government employees, businessman, migrants’ people, some local political leaders as well as the poor class families. The major determinants of poor enrollment and dropout were mainly due to unavailability of enough drugs, unfriendly behavior of health workers, and indifferent behavior of the care personnel to the insured patients in health care facilities and prefer to take health service in private clinic for their own benefits. The long maturation time to activate health service, limited health package and lack of copayment in different types of health care were the factors related to inefficient program and policy implementation.ConclusionThere is a high proportion of dropout and subsidy enrollment, the key challenge for sustainability of health insurance program in Nepal. Revisiting of existing HI policy on health care packages, more choices on copayment, capacity building of enrollment assistants and better coordination between health insurance board and health care facilities can increase the enrollment and minimize the dropout.

Analysis of Correlation between the Characteristics of University Students and Dropout

Analysis of Correlation between the Characteristics of University Students and Dropout

Egyetemi tanulmányaikat megkezdő hallgatók tanulási mintázata és tanulói profilja

Nagy felelősség új Nemzeti Alaptantervet készíteni. Nem változik meg tőle egészen a magyar iskolaügy, de azért nagy a hatása, s az oktatás minden szereplőjének munkájára hatással van. Ezért nagy a felelőssége annak is, aki egy, a Nemzeti Alaptantervről szóló vitához hozzászól, aki véleményét, elképzeléseit érvényesíteni akarja. Nem is egyetlen szakma belügye az alaptanterv tartalma, hanem sok egymásra épülő vagy egymástól külön-külön fejlődő és vizsgáló diszciplína előmunkálatainak közös eredője lehet a majdani végeredmény. Tanulmányomban már csak ezért is nemcsak az irodalomtudomány tudására hivatkozom, de különböző szociológiai, pedagógiai, didaktikai, oktatáskutatási, olvasáskutatási eredményekre is. Mert miképp a vizsgált és befolyásolni kívánt jelenség – nevezetesen az iskolaügy – rendkívül összetett, úgy vizsgálata is szükségképpen ilyen kell legyen, s amikor egy hozzászólás az iskolarendszer egy szegmensének jogi eszközökkel történő módosítására, befolyásolására vagy megváltoztatására kíván érveket felhozni, akkor bizony mindezen aspektusok közül minél többre kell, hogy a figyelme kiterjedjen.

An Analytical Investigation of the Characteristics of the Dropout Students in Higher Education

Aim/Purpose: Student dropout in higher education institutions is a universal problem. This study identifies the characteristics of dropout. In addition, it develops a mathematical model to predict students who may dropout. Methodology: The paper develops a mathematical model to predict students who may dropout. The sample includes 555 freshmen in a non-profit private university. The study uses both descriptive statistics, such as cross tabulation, and a binary regression model to predict student dropout. Contribution: There are two major contributions for the paper. First, it identifies the dropout rates of each group, a finding that may be used to better allocate resources at higher education institutions. Second, it develops a predictive model that may be used in order to predict the probability of a student dropping out and take preventive actions. Findings: This study compared dropout rates of one and a half year of enrollment among Traditional Undergraduate Students. Two major findings are the following: (1) Some of the resources designed to assist student are misallocated, and (2) Predictive models can be used to calculate the probability of a student dropping out. Recommendations for Practitioners: The study recommends that institutions must create initiatives to assist freshmen students and have annual assessment to measure the success of the initiatives. Recommendation for Researchers: Two, mathematical models may be used to predict dropout rates, the paper includes a model that predicted with 66.6% accuracy students who will dropout.

Parapapillary Deep-Layer Microvasculature Dropout in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Eyes With a Parapapillary γ-Zone.

To explore the clinical characteristics of parapapillary deep-layer microvasculature dropout (MvD) associated with parapapillary γ-zone in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A total of 150 eyes with POAG and 75 age- and axial length-matched control eyes, both having parapapillary γ-zone as determined by spectral-domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT), were included. Parapapillary MvD was defined as a focal sectoral capillary dropout without any visible microvascular network identified in deep-layer en-face images obtained using swept-source OCT angiography (OCTA). Optic nerve heads were imaged using SD-OCT to examine the microstructure of β-parapapillary atrophy, and to measure areas of the β-zones (area with intact Bruch's membrane) and γ-zones (area devoid of Bruch's membrane). Factors associated with the presence of MvD were determined using logistic regression analyses. Parapapillary deep-layer MvD was identified in 117 of 150 POAG eyes (78.0%) with a parapapillary γ-zone, whereas none of the healthy control eyes showed MvD. MvD was universally identified within the γ-zone and additionally involved the β-zone in eyes with both γ- and β-zones. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed significant influence of thinner global retinal nerve fiber layer (P = 0.001), worse visual field mean deviation (P < 0.001), as well as larger areas of parapapillary γ-zones (P ≤ 0.010) and β-zones (P ≤ 0.005) on the presence of MvD. MvD was frequently identified in the γ-zone in POAG eyes, but not in healthy eyes. Worse visual field loss and larger areas of γ- and β-zones were associated with the presence of MvD in POAG eyes with a parapapillary γ-zone.

Drop-out during a randomized trial with adolescents with intellectual disability was associated with participant burden, while drop-out at study exit was associated with carer and household characteristics

BackgroundPeople with intellectual disability are difficult to retain in longitudinal studies. Research on determinants of study retention for individual-carer dyads, and their reasons for drop-out, are limited. AimsTo investigate characteristics associated with drop-out, and to investigate whether characteristics varied by stage of drop-out. Methods and proceduresData are from an Australian randomized trial with adolescents with intellectual disability living in the community. Characteristics of both the adolescent and their nominated carer were collected at baseline. Carers were sent an exit questionnaire approximately two years after enrolment. Outcomes and resultsBaseline information was available for 566 adolescents: 72(13.0%) withdrew during the study, and 96(17.3%) didn’t return exit questionnaires. Characteristics associated with drop-out during the study were being in the intervention group, the carer being younger, and the carer not being one of the adolescent’s parents. Characteristics associated with withdrawal at exit were carer having lower education and carer having lower socioeconomic status. No adolescent characteristic was associated with drop-out. Conclusions and implicationsCharacteristics of drop-outs weren’t related to the adolescent and differed according to timing. Drop-out during the study was associated with study burden, whereas characteristics of drop-outs at exit interview were associated with lower social position.

Modeling and Control of Itô Stochastic Networked Control Systems With Random Packet Dropouts Subject to Time-Varying Sampling

In this note, we discuss the modeling and control of a class of Ito stochastic networked control systems (NCSs) with packet dropouts that are subject to time-varying sampling. The system under consideration is first modeled as a continuous-time system with input delay that is subject to double randomness via the input-delay approach. Then, by assuming the packet drop rate and recurring to the celebrated formula of total probability, an equivalent model which takes full advantage of probability distribution characteristics of both packet dropouts and sampling periods is established. In particular, the probability distribution values of the stochastic delay taking values in two given intervals can be explicitly obtained, which is of crucial importance to model and analyze the actual problem in NCSs. Based on that, robustly exponentially mean-square stability of the system with an $H_\infty$ performance is guaranteed, an $H_\infty$ controller design procedure is then proposed. Finally, a numerical simulation example is exploited to show the effectiveness and applicability of the results derived and some less conservative results are obtained.

WHO WILL DROP OUT NEXT? CHARACTERIZATION OF DROPOUTS IN A LARGE LONGITUDINAL STUDY

One of the biggest problems of large-scale longitudinal studies is the phenomenon of attrition of participants. Even with the best effort a significant number of participants decides to discontinue – which increases with study duration. For aged study samples with a high number of diseases characteristics of dropouts and the prediction of future dropout are of particular interest. 1201 participants of the TREND study (Tübinger evaluation of Risk factors for Early detection of NeuroDegeneration; www.TREND-studie.de) underwent a detailed general, neurological and psychiatric examination at four time points (baseline and three two-year follow-ups). To assess cognitive functions, the neuropsychological CERADplus test battery was used, and the participants were asked for subjective memory impairment and their respective concerns. Participants with objective cognitive impairment had a higher risk for dropping out (16.5 % of the dropouts after baseline had an amnestic MCI vs. 4.1 % of the non-dropouts, p<.001), whereas subjective memory impairment was no risk factor (p=.257); counterintuitively, dropouts had significantly less memory concerns (p=.015). The completers of all four visits (506 participants, participants with less than four visits so far were excluded from the analyses) showed a significant relation between subjective and objective impairment in cognitive tests for the baseline assessment and similar for all follow-up assessments. Dropouts (225 dropouts after one of the four visits, pooling based on their last conducted visit) did not show any significant relations to any of the mentioned objective and subjective domains in the last visit prior to dropout. Surprisingly, subjective memory impairment was not predictive for dropout. There was no concordance of subjective and objective memory impairment in the dropout group, but in the completers’ group. These results indicate that dropouts display an inaccurate subjective memory evaluation, particularly in the last visit before dropout. The loss of the ability to estimate one's own cognitive performance adequately may be a useful predictor for future dropout. Therefore, these participants need greater attention regarding their study adherence.

Characteristics of Participant Dropouts in a 1‐year Randomized Controlled Trial of Weight Gain Prevention

By identifying characteristics that may increase the risk for participant dropout, interventions can be tailored to promote participant retention. Baseline characteristics of 81 premenopausal women (mean±SD age: 31.4±8.1 y, body weight (BW): 76.1±19.0 kg, body mass index (BMI): 27.9±6.8 kg/m2) enrolled in a 1‐year weight gain prevention randomized controlled trial were examined to identify factors related to participant dropout. Independent t‐tests were used to compare baseline age, anthropometrics and demographics in women who completed the trial in its entirety (i.e., completers; n=48) with women who withdrew or were excluded before the end of the intervention (i.e., dropouts; n=33). Significance was set at P&lt;0.05. Dropouts were significantly younger (P&lt;0.005) and had lower BW (P&lt;0.04) and BMI (P&lt;0.01) when compared to study completers. Similarly, waist circumference (P&lt;0.05), hip circumference (P&lt;0.01), fat mass (P&lt;0.03) and body fat percentage (P&lt;0.02) were all lower in dropouts. Income level was significantly lower (P&lt;0.003) in dropouts, while ethnicity and education level were not significantly different between dropouts and completers (both P&gt;0.05). As this trial emphasized weight gain prevention rather than weight loss, older participants with overweight and obesity who had previously attempted and failed at long‐term weight loss may have been more motivated by the maintenance approach included in this intervention. The importance of weight gain prevention may not have resonated with younger participants with normal BMI, therefore, future weight gain prevention trials should include specific strategies and messaging that appeal to this population in order to increase retention.Support or Funding InformationFunded by an Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station/National Institute of Food and Agriculture research grant (#1001251).

Cognitive development through schooling and everyday life

The influences of schooling and everyday experiences on cognitive development are typically confounded. In the present study, we unraveled the influence of chronological age and years of schooling on the development of general cognitive competency in a two-wave longitudinal design with a three-year interval among 181 Kharwar children in India, aged 6 to 12 years. Effects of chronological age and years of schooling on cognitive development could be estimated independently because of their weak correlation among the Kharwar and because of the many shared background characteristics of school drop-outs, children without schooling, and children with schooling. The same five cognitive measures, each with parallel school and everyday testing modes, were administered to all children on both occasions. The internal structures of both the school and the everyday tests were equivalent across time and to each other. In line with our expectations, analyses of the net development per year revealed a decrement of the effect of chronological age, which was stronger for everyday tests than school tests, and an increment of the effect of years of schooling, which was stronger for school tests than everyday tests. Schooling ought to be considered in all theories of cognitive development, with genuine attention toward the real cognitive advantages it has at each developmental level.

Clinical and immune characteristics of rapid dropout and long-term survival in a phase II safety and efficacy study of combination CRS-207/GVAX immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer.

459 Background: Baseline patient characteristics may impact duration on study and survivorship of patients in immunotherapy trials. In this study, GVAX pancreas (GM-CSF–secreting allogeneic pancreatic tumor cells) was administered with low-dose cyclophosphamide (Cy), with or without subsequent CRS-207 (live-attenuated Listeria monocytogenes–expressing mesothelin) infusion. Baseline clinical and immunological data were examined for two patient subsets based on duration on study. Methods: Previously treated patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned at a ratio of 2:1 to 2 doses of Cy/GVAX followed by 4 doses of CRS-207 or 6 doses of Cy/GVAX every 3 weeks. Stable patients were offered additional courses. Patients were evaluated for post-randomization duration on study of &lt; 60 days (rapid dropouts, RD) and &gt; 18 months (long-term survivors, LTS). Baseline characteristics of these subsets were examined. Results: A total of 93 patients were randomized. Fifteen patients were RD; 13 were LTS. More RDs versus LTS had liver metastasis and lymph node involvement. On average, fewer RD patients had radiotherapy prior to randomization and fewer had prior surgical intervention. RD averaged 1.73 prior metastatic cancer treatment regimens versus 1.31 in LTS. RD also had higher average baseline CA 19-9 levels. Immune analysis showed higher circulating terminal effector CD8+ T cells and lower serum IL-6 in LTS compared to RD. Serum IL-6 concentration remained lower in LTS at four weeks following initiation of treatment. For patients who received CRS-207, CD8+ T cells specific to listeriolysin O (LLO) and mesothelin were higher in LTS than RD, as determined by ELISPOT. Conclusions: Baseline clinical and immunological characteristics may impact patient duration on immunotherapy trials. Immune monitoring and biomarker analysis in this study is ongoing to identify circulating cellular, tumor biomarkers and genomic (miRNA and mRNA) signatures that may correlate with survival. These findings warrant continued exploration of patient characteristics to identify best candidates for immunotherapy trials. Clinical trial information: NCT01417000.