Generic Factors Research Articles

FACTORS AFFECTING PHYSICIAN’S ADHERENCE TO GENERIC DRUG PRESCRIBING PRACTICE IN PRIVATE HEALTH FACILITIES, MEKELLE CITY, NORTHEASTERN ETHIOPIA

Introduction: Generic medicines are produced by multiple manufacturers hence, are usually cheaper than innovator brands and therefore save costs on medicines. Many physicians oppose brand substitution, believing generic medicines to be inferior to their originator counterparts. Physicians’ belief about generic medicines and factors affecting generic prescribing in Ethiopia are poorly investigated. Objective: To assess the physicians’ belief about generic medicines and to identify factors affecting generic medicines prescribing in private health facilities, Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted enrolling all physicians working in private health facilities. The data were collected from January 2016 to March 2016. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires measuring generic medicines belief of physicians using a Likert scale of 1–5. Data were then entered into SPSS version 20 for analysis. Results: Of the fifty-six physicians approached in this study, 50 (89.2% response rate) questionnaires were included in the analysis. Nearly three-fourth (72%) of the physicians claimed that they always prescribe generic medicines. More than half (55.3) of the respondents beliefs generic medicines have different active ingredients than a brand innovator. Almost equal percentage (52% and 54%) of the Physicians disagreed with brand medicines were safer than generic medicines and prescribing generic due to the complicated health problem of the patient respectively. Around two third (67.5%) of physicians reported that quality profile of medicine was a major reason for prescribing generic medicines. Moreover, availability of medicines in pharmacies and low cost of medicines were the main reasons for prescribing generic medicines with 58.1% and 52.4% respectively. Conclusion: The majority of physicians do not have a positive perception of generic medicines and a significant portion of the physician’s belief brand medicines safer and effective than generic counterparts. The availability of medicines in pharmacies, low cost of medicines and purchasing power of the patients are major factors affecting generic medicines prescribing. Keywords: Generic medicines, belief, private health facilities, physicians

A novel strategy for clustering major depression individuals using whole-genome sequencing variant data

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is highly prevalent, resulting in an exceedingly high disease burden. The identification of generic risk factors could lead to advance prevention and therapeutics. Current approaches examine genotyping data to identify specific variations between cases and controls. Compared to genotyping, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) allows for the detection of private mutations. In this proof-of-concept study, we establish a conceptually novel computational approach that clusters subjects based on the entirety of their WGS. Those clusters predicted MDD diagnosis. This strategy yielded encouraging results, showing that depressed Mexican-American participants were grouped closer; in contrast ethnically-matched controls grouped away from MDD patients. This implies that within the same ancestry, the WGS data of an individual can be used to check whether this individual is within or closer to MDD subjects or to controls. We propose a novel strategy to apply WGS data to clinical medicine by facilitating diagnosis through genetic clustering. Further studies utilising our method should examine larger WGS datasets on other ethnical groups.

On the source inversion of fugitive surface layer releases. Part II. Complex sources

The experimental measurement of fugitive emissions of particulate matter entails inherent complexity because they are usually discontinuous, of short duration, may be mobile, and are affected by weather conditions. Owing to this complexity, instead of experimental measurements, emission factors are used to inventory such emissions. Unfortunately, emission factor datasets are still very limited at present and are insufficient to identify problematic operations and appropriately select control measures. To extend these datasets, a source inversion methodology (described in Part I of this work) was applied to field campaigns in which operation-specific fugitive particulate matter emission factors were determined for several complex fugitive sources, some of which were mobile. Mobile sources were treated as a superposition of instantaneous sources. The experimental campaigns were conducted at ports (bulk solids terminals), aggregate quarries, and cement factories, encompassing powder handling operations and vehicle circulation on paved and unpaved roads. Emission factors were derived for the operations and materials involved in these scenarios and compared with those available in the emission factor compilations. Significant differences were observed between the emission factors obtained in the studied handling operations. These differences call into question the use of generic emission factors and highlight the need for more detailed studies in this field.

Risk factors for acute care hospital readmission in older persons in Western countries: a systematic review.

Hospital readmission in older persons is common and reported as a post-discharge adverse outcome from hospitalization. Readmission relates to a mix of factors associated with increasing age, living conditions, progression of disease as well as factors related to the processes of care. To allow health professionals to focus more intensively on patients at risk of readmission, there is a need to identify the characteristics of those patients. To identify and synthesize the best available evidence on risk factors for acute care hospital readmission within one month of discharge in older persons in Western countries. Participants were older persons from Western countries, hospitalized and discharged home or to residential care facilities. The factors of interest considered generic factors related to socio-demographics, health characteristics and clinical and organizational factors related to the care pathway. The current review considered analytical and descriptive epidemiological study designs that evaluated risk factors for acute care hospital readmission. The outcome was readmission to an acute care hospital within one month of discharge. A three-step search was utilized to find published and unpublished studies in English, French, German, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish. Five electronic databases were searched from 2004 to 2013, followed by a manual search for additional studies. Methodological quality was assessed independently by two reviewers, using the standardized Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) critical appraisal tool. Data were extracted verbatim using a data extraction form, which identified the components from the standardized JBI data extraction tool from JBI-MAStARI and was adapted to the needs of the present review. Due to the clinical and methodological heterogeneity of the studies included, a narrative summary and metasynthesis of the quantitative findings was conducted. Based on a review of nine studies from ten Western countries, we found several significant risk factors pertaining to readmission to an acute care hospital within one month of discharge in persons aged 65 years and over. Factors associated with higher risk of hospital readmission covered socio-demographics such as higher age, male gender, ethnicity, living conditions, health characteristics such as poor overall condition and functional disability as well as prior admissions. Organizational factors including length of hospital stay, method of referral and discharge destination were associated with increased risk of acute care hospital readmission. We found several significant, but inconsistent, associations between readmission to an acute care hospital within one month of discharge in persons aged 65 years and over. These associations involved a mix of socio-demographic factors, factors related to health and illness, previous hospitalizations, length of stay as well as clinical and organizational determinants related to the index admission. Although more studies concluded that certain diagnoses or comorbid conditions affected the risk of readmission, they did not agree on any disease in particular.Due to the breadth and diversity of variables examined and the lack of comparability of findings, the impact of these varying factors and their value as risk adjusters and application in different settings and populations are limited.

Electoral System and Party Dimension Assessment in Democratic Indonesia

Studies on election and its consequences on political parties in new democratic countries have often paid attention to cover the impacts imposed on the party system. This paper aims to examine the extent of the electoral system in influencing political parties in terms of improving their function or performance. This study will apply an analytical framework initiated earlier by webb and White (2009) on party dimension in the new democracy by looking at the Indonesian case. In this framework, there are saveral generic factors in the relation between the electoral system and the party's function such as ideological polarization, party constituency base, fractionalization in parliament and vote distribution. This study found that any changes applied to the electoral system in democratic Indonesian bear little or insignificant impact on political party performance. In addition, this study made use of the national election result dataset and calculated the variables with correlated formula which were subsequently analyzed to obtain an empirical explanation.

Generic prognostic factors for musculoskeletal pain in primary care: a systematic review

ObjectivesTo summarise the evidence for generic prognostic factors across a range of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions.Settingprimary care.Methods and outcomesComprehensive systematic literature review. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO and EMBASE were searched for prospective...

An Evo-Devo Perspective on Multicellular Development of Myxobacteria.

The transition to multicellularity, recognized as one the major transitions in evolution, has occurred independently several times. While multicellular development has been extensively studied in zygotic organisms including plant and animal groups, just a few aggregative multicellular organisms have been employed as model organisms for the study of multicellularity. Studying different evolutionary origins and modes of multicellularity enables comparative analyses that can help identifying lineage-specific aspects of multicellular evolution and generic factors and mechanisms involved in the transition to multicellularity. Among aggregative multicellular organisms, myxobacteria are a valuable system to explore the particularities that aggregation confers to the evolution of multicellularity and mechanisms shared with clonal organisms. Moreover, myxobacteria species develop fruiting bodies displaying a range of morphological diversity. In this review, we aim to synthesize diverse lines of evidence regarding myxobacteria development and discuss them in the context of Evo-Devo concepts and approaches. First, we briefly describe the developmental processes in myxobacteria, present an updated comparative analysis of the genes involved in their developmental processes and discuss these and other lines of evidence in terms of co-option and developmental system drift, two concepts key to Evo-Devo studies. Next, as has been suggested from Evo-Devo approaches, we discuss how broad comparative studies and integration of diverse genetic, physicochemical, and environmental factors into experimental and theoretical models can further our understanding of myxobacterial development, phenotypic variation, and evolution.

PROBABILITY MANAGEMENT AND THE FLAW-OF-AVERAGES

Uncertainty is ever-present and is an integral part of life. Recognising the existence of uncertainty and its possible effects on decision-making may be important for the profitability, financial success, or even survival of an organisation. A relatively new discipline, - known as probability management, - has recently emerged as part of operations research/management science. This paper will attempt to provide a brief introduction to the concepts of probability management and the motivation behind its development. One of the major driving forces resulting in this development is the phenomenon known as the ‘ flaw-of-averages ’ . The flaw-of-averages has important consequences in industrial engineering, financial, business, and economic models. The classic newsvendor problem will be used as an illustrative example. However, the main purpose of this paper is to discuss the most important characteristics of the flaw-of-averages. It will investigate and attempt to quantify some of the generic factors that may have an influence on the existence and severity of the flaw-of-averages and its expected consequences. Various models will be developed, and experiments will be conducted using Microsoft Excel as a modelling tool and an experimental approach based on Monte Carlo simulation modelling.

The Emerging Outline of Selected HRM Business Practices In MNC In Central Europe – The Empirical Research Findings

AbstractThe main goal of the article is to present some selected research findings on HRM business practices in local subsidiaries of multinational corporations in Central Europe in the after-recovery time from the worldwide economic crisis. The main subjects of interest are these kinds of behaviors, activities and opinions which are exhibited by these organizations in association with the business strategies they follow and as a result of their responses to the global economic changes. The article covers such issues as: generic business strategies, competitive factors, centralization and decentralization of HRM at the corporate and local level, responsibility of decisions, critical areas of HRM, competencies of HRM managers and the importance of HRM knowledge flows. The research was conducted in 2016 and the respondents were asked about their HRM practices in a previous year. The presented research findings come from five countries: Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia. Although one of the final inferences says that expanding the formulated conclusions on the whole population would not be valid because of the selection, structure and size of the research sample, the conducted research has some cognitive value, especially that this field of knowledge and practice has been poorly recognized so far.

REDUCTION OF THE RISK IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT BY USING DESIGN-BUILD AS A MEANS FOR SUITABLE CONSTRUCTING

Suitable and sustainable buildings have increased demands for design and for the transfer of design requirements to realization. That causes an increase of risk connected with the differences between planned and real parameters of the buildings. This article will outline the main theme comparison between DBB and DB projects concerning contractor’s risk management level. This comparative analysis explains, using the RIPRAN method, the hidden risks in each type of delivery method. The comparison identifies numerous contractual topics and risks included in both and gives deeper insight into risk management, both for the contracting party and also for public procurement. Applying risk analysis strategies and tools to the process will help decision-makers evaluate and select the suitable delivery method consistently and defensibly. This paper gives generic risk factors related to both project types. The results indicate risk factors with influence on the price, probability of occurrence and unfavourable impact on the project and help allocate risk level more properly in accordance with its high, middle or low probable impact. Public investment is a significant part of the public budget, the application of design-build can help with the reduction of corruption, and the public sector can benefit from the usage of DB projects to help eliminate the mistakes made by contracting authorities.

Potential of Using Design-Build in Public Procurement

Risk is an omnipresent effect in every area of human activity. Ignoring it can cause serious problems. This article is about eliminating risk in public contracts using the design-build method as a possible solution to reduce risk. First, we need to compare the standard method of design-bid-build with its alternative, design-build. Two methods are used in this article to analyse risk – the main method is RIPRAN. The evaluated results provided by the RIPRAN method are processed by research data using a scoring method with a risk map. The analysis is going to detect the difference between the DBB and DB methods, primarily in appearance and its impact on the realization of the whole construction. The comparison identifies numerous contractual topics and risks included in both and gives deeper insight into risk management, both for the contracting party and also for public procurement. Applying risk analysis strategies and tools to the process will help decision-makers evaluate and select the most suitable delivery method consistently and defensibly. This paper gives generic risk factors related to both project types.

THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE FREE FLOW SPEED ON AN ARTERIAL IN ILORIN, NIGERIA

Generic factors (weather, environment, vehicles, fixed roadway characteristics, pedestrian and traffic streams) singly or jointly influence the free flow speed. This paper, therefore, presents the outcome of the quantitative evaluation of the influence of these factors on the free flow speed on an arterial in a medium-sized urban settlement in Nigeria. Instantaneous speeds of forty test vehicles were observed at lull periods on the 7.1km-Offa Garage-Emir’s Road, Ilorin, with simultaneous collection of data on drivers’ and vehicle ages, passenger occupancy, roadside parked vehicles and businesses. The geometric properties of the arterial were earlier established and segmented to four uniform sections. Result of computations using the category and statistical analysis show that the environment, pedestrian and roadway geometry have negative influences on the free flow speed. This can be confirmed by the poor relationship between free flow speed and these factors, with R 2 values of 14.9-55%, and lower average free flow speed of commercial saloon cars on wet pavement than on dry pavement, with 12% percentage reduction. Adoption of design and analysis of traffic stream in Ilorin and other urban settlements in Nigeria is, therefore, recommended. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i3.2

Establishing a Set of Macroeconomic Factors Explaining Variation Over Time of Performance in Business Sectors

With increasing competitiveness of companies and business sectors in the domestic markets of Lithuania, economic units are frequently confronted with the lack of methods for more detailed analysis of external factors explaining the variation over time of corporate financial indicators. The analysis or forecasting of financial indicators is usually linked with the development of a stock market or undertaken to estimate the probability of bankruptcy. However, there is a lack of studies aimed at identifying links between macroeconomic factors and financial performance indicators and explaining their variation over time. To serve that purpose, the factors of the macroeconomic environment that are most significant for certain economic activities have been identified and analysed to enable explaining the variation over time patterns of corporate financial indicators. The analysis covers economic performance, i.e. financial performance indicators and their links with macroeconomic factors, in 89 business sectors of Lithuania at a three-digit level of NACE 2 ed. The findings of the research indicate that the unemployment level in the country, the volume of export and import and the GDP are the most important macroeconomic factors that can be used to forecast different profitability, financial leverage, liquidity and other financial performance indicators of individual business sectors or companies. The research has not unfolded any significant differences between business sectors therefore the above factors are considered generic macroeconomic factors enabling to explain financial performance indicators of the 89 business sectors. Hence, special attention has to be paid to identifying and analysing specific factors and assessing the causal link. When established, the set of such factors provides a framework for building of a model to forecast business sector financial indicators.

Taking context into account in urban agriculture governance: Case studies of Warsaw (Poland) and Ghent (Belgium)

This article explores the role of local particularism in relation to the global interest in urban agriculture (UA). A growing movement is advocating UA, but future prospects are limited by variability, unclear expectations, vague responsibilities and leadership in the UA movement. We wonder whether the poor understanding of UA governance is associated with a public discourse and academic literature that too easily adopt the generic and universally claimed benefits. We argue here that uncritical enthusiasm results in an overly instrumental approach to governance of UA with a main focus on stimulating formal (e.g., policy making) and informal advocacy (e.g., civic engagement in UA). We do not deny the importance of formal and informal advocacy in UA development, but rather claim that the potential of UA needs a more nuanced analysis. Study of the interplay between UA advocacy and a city’s contextual characteristics is a worthy pursuit, as it may provide significant and more profound explanations for the divergence observed in UA developments. Case studies performed in Warsaw (Poland) and Ghent (Belgium) serve to illustrate the importance of context. The results suggest that neither case is likely to benefit from a governance strategy that only stimulates greater advocacy and institutional support. The inclusion of city-specific needs, opportunities and pitfalls of UA in the governance strategy can help to move UA toward its full potential. We suggest a policy-making strategy for UA that expands beyond the realm of food production alone. Ultimately, the aim is to steer away from assessing (and critiquing) UA solely against the backdrop of these generic success factors.

Perception of Social Studies Teachers on Home Factors Contributing to Violent Behavior among Teenagers in Osun State, Nigeria

The study examined the perception of Social Studies teachers on home factors contributing to violent behaviour among teenagers. It also identified the causes of violent behaviour among teenagers and highlighted the methods of resolving violent behaviour among teenagers. This was with a view of curbing violent behaviour among teenagers. The study adopted survey design. The population for this study consisted of teachers in Junior Secondary Schools in the state. A total of 115 teachers were purposively selected in Osun State Junior Secondary Schools. All the selected teachers were Social Studies teachers. The questionnaire titled “Teachers’ Perception of Home Factors Contributing to Violent Behaviour among Teenagers” (TPHFCVB) was developed by the investigators to elicit information from the respondents and their responses were subsequently analysed with the use of Frequency Distribution Tables, Percentages and Factor Analysis. Results showed that 6 principal components explained nearly 73% of the variability in the original 21 variables. Also the results revealed that there were six home factors contributing to violent behaviour among teenagers which were: single parenting, over confidence, poor home, over protection and dependency on family, poor relationship between parents and children and coming from wealthy home. However, it was shown that 3 principal components explained nearly 70% of the variability in the original 11 variables. The first component highly correlated with being victims of physical abuse, exposure to violent films and increased stress and conflicts. The results further revealed that 7 variables had very high values that were very close to 1. This proved that all these variables were good methods of resolving violent behaviour among teenagers. The study concluded and inferred that there were several home and generic factors contributing to violent behaviour among teenagers in Osun State. However, organizing sex education and parenting programmes by the school couple with monitoring the type of films children watch can go a long way in suppressing violent tendency among teenagers.

Self-organized patchiness facilitates survival in a cooperatively growing Bacillus subtilis population.

Ecosystems are highly structured. Organisms are not randomly distributed but can be found in spatial aggregates at many scales, leading to spatial heterogeneity or even regular patterns(1). The widespread occurrence of these aggregates in many different ecosystems suggests that generic factors intrinsic to the populations-such as interactions between the organisms-play a major role in their emergence(1,2). Beyond the emergence of spatial patchiness, its functional consequences remain unclear. Here we show in Bacillus subtilis that cooperative interactions in a spatial environment are sufficient to form self-organized patches. These patches allow for survival even when the microbe density is too low to sustain growth in a well-mixed environment. Decreasing cell mobility leads to more compact patches that enhance this survival advantage but also reduce the overall growth. Our results highlight that even populations lacking specific group-forming mechanisms can nonetheless form spatial patterns that allow for group survival in challenging environments.

Operator related attenuation effects in radiometric surveys

Radiometric surveys using airborne, vehicular mounted or backpack detector systems are increasingly used to identify and evaluate complex distributions of radioactivity in the environment. The signals detected depend on the energy and spatial distribution of radioactive sources, the material properties of the environment and the specific properties of the detector systems employed. Materials in close vicinity to the detector such as housings, and intermediate materials may have a critical impact on detection efficiency, and must therefore be taken into account in calibration. This study evaluates the effect of shielding by the body of the operator in backpack surveys. Controlled experiments using point sources and absorbers, chosen to represent the form and composition of human tissue, were conducted, and coupled to an analytical radiation transport model to estimate attenuation factors for mapping of 137Cs. In this way generic factors to correct for this effect using portable spectrometers have been determined. The results compare well with observations at sampled calibration sites in Fukushima and the Solway area in Scotland. Reductions of the 137Cs full-energy peak intensity between 20% and 30% may be expected depending on operator stature and the offset position of backpack systems. Similar effects may be present for other radiometric systems carried by a human operator.

Prognostic factors for disability and sick leave in patients with subacute non-malignant pain: a systematic review of cohort studies

ObjectiveThis systematic review aims to identify generic prognostic factors for disability and sick leave in subacute pain patients.SettingGeneral practice and other primary care facilities.ParticipantsAdults (>18 years) with a subacute (≤3-month)...

Gaps in responses to LGBT issues in Thailand: Mental health research, services, and policies

Focusing on Thailand, we give a historical overview of LGBT identities and issues, highlight psychological, psychiatric and nursing research on LGBT mental health and services, and review LGBT-related policy statements of professional associations and state-affiliated instances dealing with mental health. Our review demonstrates that stigma, victimisation and familial rejection in Thailand are linked to stress, depression, substance use and suicidality among Thai LGBT people. Research has insufficiently covered transgender men, bisexuals and intersex people. Access to mental health services and their appropriateness are impeded by generic factors (e.g. overcrowded services, stigma, and confidentiality concerns) and low practitioner knowledge of LGBT issues, stereotyping of LGBT clients, and anticipation of practitioners not being accepting or understanding LGBT identities. LGBT-related policy statements have been issued by state-affiliated bodies, but not by professional associations. While sometimes supportive, many policy documents have used stigmatising terminology and perpetuated anti-LGBT prejudice. LGBT-specific counselling and health services have been established, therapeutic strategies have been investigated and information on LGBT issues has been disseminated, but LGBT sensitivity remains to be mainstreamed in Thai health and counselling services. Providing training on LGBT issues, publicising the Yogyakarta Principles and getting professional associations engaged with LGBT issues are among the ways forward.

Isoprene Emission Factors for Subtropical Street Trees for Regional Air Quality Modeling.

Evaluating the environmental benefits and consequences of urban trees supports their sustainable management in cities. Models such as i-Tree Eco enable decision-making by quantifying effects associated with particular tree species. Of specific concern are emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds, particularly isoprene, that contribute to the formation of photochemical smog and ground level ozone. Few studies have quantified these potential disservices of urban trees, and current models predominantly use emissions data from trees that differ from those in our target region of subtropical Australia. The present study aimed (i) to quantify isoprene emission rates of three tree species that together represent 16% of the inventoried street trees in the target region; (ii) to evaluate outputs of the i-Tree Eco model using species-specific versus currently used, generic isoprene emission rates; and (iii) to evaluate the findings in the context of regional air quality. Isoprene emission rates of (Myrtaceae) and (Proteaceae) were 2.61 and 2.06 µg g dry leaf weight h, respectively, whereas (Sapindaceae) was a nonisoprene emitter. We substituted the generic isoprene emission rates with these three empirical values in i-Tree Eco, resulting in a 182 kg yr (97%) reduction in isoprene emissions, totaling 6284 kg yr when extrapolated to the target region. From these results we conclude that care has to be taken when using generic isoprene emission factors for urban tree models. We recommend that emissions be quantified for commonly planted trees, allowing decision-makers to select tree species with the greatest overall benefit for the urban environment.