Interest Groups Research Articles

Abstract 4975: Stretching the boundary of Oncotype DX testing

Abstract Background: The predictive value of Oncotype DX in early-stage breast cancer had been well established. Strongest data support the use of chemotherapy for Recurrence Score (RS) > 30, with 25-30 deriving some benefit. Those with intermediate RS 16-25 are thought to have a small benefit from chemotherapy, especially premenopausal patients. Tumor size >5 cm is viewed as a high-risk feature regardless of RS. Our goal is to investigate how patients with uncertainty regarding their anticipated recurrence risk were managed at our institution. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis to explore the management of non-metastatic HER-2 negative hormone sensitive breast cancer patients diagnosed between 01/2018 &12/2020 stratifying them into the following study groups of interest: premenopausal (age <50), RS 16-25 compared to RS 26-30 and tumor size >5cm. Patients were compared based on whether they received adjuvant chemotherapy or not. The primary endpoint was the rate of local recurrence. Results: The results of our analysis are illustrated in the table. Studying the premenopausal group, 91.3% had RS < 16; yet 35% of them received chemotherapy. Patients with RS > 25 represented 3.2% of the premenopausal group, 12.5% of which did not receive chemotherapy. The six recurrences in the premenopausal group were all from the RS <16 subgroup. Comparing the RS 26-30 to the RS 16-25 group, patients were on average older with tumors being on average smaller, yet more patients were treated with chemotherapy; and there were no recurrences noted in both subgroups. Finally, in the tumor size >5 cm group, 91.4% had RS <16, almost all were premenopausal with many patients being lymph node negative, yet more than half received chemotherapy. Conclusions: In our study we demonstrate that in certain subgroups of early-stage breast cancer there is inconsistency in clinical practice when prescribing chemotherapy to patients factoring in their Oncotype DX scores. There is need for larger trials to guide clinicians on using Oncotype DX in those subgroups of patients. Characteristics, Treatment Pattern and Outcomes of Patient Groups of Interest Characteristics Premenopausal (N=506) RS 16-25 (N=28) RS 26-30 (N=36) Tumor Size >5 cm (N=47) Age, Mean (SD) 42.65 (5.46) 44.71 (3.85) 63.56 (9.65) 42.02 (6.14) Age, Range 19 - 49 36 - 49 45 - 79 28 - 57 Mean Tumor Size, mm (SD) 29.66 (52.21) 29.57 (33.88) 16.88 (11.19) 83.61 (37.52) Lymph Nodes Positive, n (%) 91 (18.0%) 2 (7.1%) 0 (0.0%) 16 (34.0%) Received Chemotherapy, n (%) 184 (36.4%) 7 (25.0%) 13 (36.1%) 25 (53.2%) Local Recurrence, n (%) 6 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) Mean Follow- Up, months (SD) 19.28 (8.20) 19.39 (7.07) 21.21 (11.04) 19.26 (8.93) Citation Format: Zaid Al-Saheli, Vrushali Dabak. Stretching the boundary of Oncotype DX testing [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4975.

Let’s get some food! The influence of marital status on the attributes’ perception of food delivery applications

Purpose: This research aims to identify the influence of marital status on the attributes’ perception of fooddelivery applications (FDA) by Brazilian consumers, considering convenience, price, usability, various foodchoices, and trustworthiness.Methodology: This quantitative research study is based on a survey with a sample of 348 Brazilian FDA users,applying exploratory factor analysis (EFA).Findings: This article sought to answer the influence of marital status (considering people married or ina common-law marriage vs. single, separated, and divorced individuals) on the consumer’s perception ofattributes of food delivery applications (FDAs). The attributes analyzed were price, convenience, usability,various food choices, and trustworthiness. The results demonstrate differences between the groups, withsingle, separated, and divorced individuals emphasizing perceptions of the FDA attributes usability and price.Theoretical contributions: The study extends the theory on m-commerce and FDAs, as well as managerialimplications for companies in the food delivery sector. Armed with such knowledge, marketing managers candevelop strategies focusing on specific interest groups according to marital status, considering the attributesof greatest value for each segment.Relevance/Originality: The increase in FDA consumption has attracted the attention of the most diversemarket segments. This study brings light to new propositions concerning purchase habits by specific groups,reinforcing the need to improve communication between company and user, counting on resources such ascustomization and segmentation to optimize the use of apps.

Bridging the Gap in Harm Reduction Using Mobile Overdose Response Services (MORS) in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced additional health challenges for people who use substances (PWUS) amid the overdose crisis. Numerous harm reduction services, including supervised consumption sites (SCS) across Canada, faced shutdowns and reduced operating capacity in order to comply with public health measures. Mobile Overdose Response Services (MORS) are novel overdose prevention technologies that allow those who are unable to access alternative means of harm reduction to consume substances under the virtual supervision of a trained operator. Here, we examine the role of MORS in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 59 semi-structured interviews were conducted with the following key interest groups: PWUS, healthcare providers, harm reduction workers, MORS operators, and the general public. Inductive thematic analysis informed by grounded theory was used to identify major themes pertaining to the perception of MORS. As the pandemic shifted the public focus away from harm reduction, many participants viewed MORS as an acceptable strategy to reduce the harms associated with solitary substance and alleviate the sense of isolation driven by social distancing measures. While the pandemic may have increased the utility of MORS, concerns surrounding personal privacy and confidentiality remained. Overall, MORS were perceived as a useful adjunct service to address the unmet needs PWUS during the pandemic and beyond.

When and why high civil servants demand information from interest groups in policymaking. A Southern European perspective

ABSTRACT Studying how public administrations proactively search for information from interest groups provides a new perspective for a better understanding of how bureaucratic policymaking works and how civil servants interact with interest groups. Building on data collected through an online survey submitted to approximately 700 high-level public servants in Greece, Italy and Portugal, this paper investigates whether and how organisational and individual policy analytical capacities (dis)incentivise top officials’ solicitation and use of information provided by interest groups in policymaking. The emerging evidence is counter-intuitive: those who seek information from interest groups most frequently are the most competent top officials in the least (individually perceived) competent areas of public administration. Thus, focusing on policy analytical capacities could be very useful for understanding administrative behaviour.

Analysis of Pseudo-Decentralization and Financial Dependency in the Implementation of Regional Autonomy in Sumedang Regency of Indonesia

This study examines the phenomenon of pseudo-decentralization and financial dependence in the context of regional autonomy implementation in Sumedang Regency, Indonesia. Using a case study approach and analyzing financial data from 2019-2022, this research investigates the extent to which Sumedang Regency relies on central and provincial governments for financial resources. The findings reveal a high level of financial dependence due to limited income sources provided by the central government to regions like Sumedang. Despite this dependency, Sumedang Regency has successfully executed development programs and received awards, partly due to effective political lobbying by regional leaders. However, this reliance on local elites may hinder the achievement of decentralization objectives and lead to unequal development outcomes. As a recommendation, the central government is urged to focus on implementing fiscal policies that distribute more lucrative and equitable financial resources to all regencies and cities, promoting genuine decentralization and fair development.

Standardization of key performance indicators and metrics for investigational drug services (IDS): Consensus recommendations among IDS specialists.

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. There are currently no consensus guidelines on establishing metrics for investigational drug services (IDS). Because of the complexity of research protocols, it remains difficult for sites to track pharmacy productivity and create a baseline for IDS growth within the institution, as well as to perform benchmarking with peer institutions. The goal of this study was to help establish practical guidance for IDS metrics and site utility as applicable. This was a survey-based project conducted by the metrics subgroup of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) IDS special interest group (SIG), which was formed specifically for this analysis. Three surveys developed by the metrics subgroup were sent to members of the IDS HOPA SIG to gather metrics. The first survey included questions about what metrics IDS sites currently collect. The identified metrics were then condensed into categories. Through a consensus-based approach, standardized definitions were established and applied to future surveys. The 2 subsequent surveys sent to HOPA SIG members helped create a list of top recommended metrics that are recommended for every IDS site to track. A total of 3 surveys were sent to 75 recipients, with the response rate ranging from 24% to 38%. From these surveys and consensus with the metrics subgroup, 5 top recommended metrics were identified: (1) active protocols; (2) dispenses; (3) new clinical trials initiated; (4) patients treated; and (5) clinical interventions. These recommended metrics should serve as guidance and allow for standardization to help ensure adequate resources are available for IDS pharmacy staff. These recommendations should serve as a basis for standardization and benchmarking with peer institutions.

Symposium on molecular radiotherapy dosimetry: The first of a series?

The EFOMP Special Interest Group for Radionuclide Internal Dosimetry (SIG_FRID) organised its first scientific meeting, the Symposium on Molecular Radiotherapy Dosimetry, in Athens on November 9th–11th 2023. The Symposium was hosted by the Hellenic Association of Medical Physicists and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. This meeting gathered more than 180 scientists from 28 countries. Scientific, clinical and regulatory aspects were addressed by 8 invited experts. Two continuous professional development sessions were organised. A special round table gathering medical physics experts, physicians regulatory authority experts and patient representatives addressed the possibilities to increase clinical dosimetry dissemination. The event was supported by companies and a specific industry session allowed sponsors to present their products, innovations and future perspective in this field.

Lobbying transparency and attitudes towards interest groups: a survey experiment

AbstractDespite the growing interest for lobbying in public opinion research, little is known about citizen’s attitudes towards interest groups, especially after legislation making lobbying transparent is passed. Using data from a pre-registered survey experiment conducted with a panel of 569 participants from the Republic of Ireland, this study shows that when exposed to information about lobbying conducted by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and business organisations, citizens do not improve their evaluations of interest groups. Surprisingly, against the general expectations found in the transparency literature, information about lobbying does not trigger positive changes in attitudes. A post hoc analysis of the participants’ reactions to the transparency treatment reveals that citizens may have little interest or understanding of political activities such as lobbying. The study, however, also reveals that lobbying transparency does not backfire producing unexpected negative effects. This adds a new perspective to the recent debate on how public opinion responds to interest group behaviour.

Lobbying venue selection under separation of powers and resource constraints

AbstractPrior work examines how organization resources and types shape venue selection strategies. Both Congress and executive branch agencies can change policy, so interest groups must consider which of these venues to lobby on a given issue. We argue that factors in the political environment—venues’ issue priorities and the power of groups’ allies in a venue—influence how groups with different resource constraints select lobbying venues. Examining over one million issue-level lobbying disclosures filed between 2008 and 2016, we find that low-resource groups strategically lobby the venue(s) controlled by partisan allies and respond to the government’s and public’s issue priorities. Meanwhile, high-resource groups more often lobby all venues relevant to their issues regardless of the political environment, especially on issues gaining significant attention within government but not in the public. Our findings suggest that separation of powers provides high-resource groups more venues to lobby for favored policies. Conversely, low-resource groups strategically only lobby venues they have the potential to influence.

INVOLVEMENT OF DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDER GROUPS IN ENSURING CHILDREN’S DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH: ANALYSIS AND PERSPECTIVES

Introduction: Strengthening the dental public health (DPH) of the pediatric population requires prioritizing development with the identification of key stakeholders and their leading functions.
 The aim. To analyze the current state and identify prospects for intra-industry and inter-sectoral cooperation in the process of strengthening the dental public health of the child population to justify ways of optimization.
 Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study using expert assessments involving 15 highly competent experts (competence level above 0.85) was conducted through a specially designed program. Bibliosemantic and sociological methods were employed. Expert assessments and stakeholder mapping were performed, visualizing the «authority-interest» relationship of different interested groups on a two-dimensional model. The results were analyzed using standard statistical methods with the application of Jupyter Notebook (https://jupyter.org/install). Intra-class correlation coefficients were used to assess the agreement of expert opinions. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered critical in testing all statistical hypotheses.
 Results. The graphical analysis allowed for the identification of stakeholders and determination of their roles in the DPH system. Groups with high and low levels of power and interest were identified. The agreement among experts regarding the determination of power and interest was respectively ICC=0.76 (95% CI 0.56 – 0.91) and ICC=0.79 (95% CI 0.59 – 0.92). The necessity of targeted efforts with each group, considering their capabilities and limitations, was emphasized. Key stakeholders included families, communities, family physicians, public health institutions, pediatric dentists, and others. Primary functions aimed at strengthening children’s dental health were attributed to influencing determinants of dental health, intersectoral collaboration and support for relevant initiatives at the local level are essential.
 Conclusions. The importance of developing and implementing programs aimed at improving the dental health of the child population has been established. Emphasis is placed on the significance of collaboration among various stakeholders in supporting a strategic approach to managing DPH.

Barriers and advocacy needs for hepatitis C services in prisons: Informing the prisons hepatitis C advocacy toolkit

BackgroundCarceral settings are a key focus of the 2030 WHO global hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination goals. Despite this, access to HCV testing and treatment services in prisons remains low globally, limiting opportunities to achieve these goals. Advocacy efforts are needed to address service inequities and mobilise support for enhanced HCV programs in prisons globally. INHSU Prisons, a special interest group of the International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU) is developing a Prisons HCV Advocacy Toolkit to address this need. Here we present findings of a mixed study to inform the development of the Toolkit. MethodsThe aim of this study was to inform the development of the Toolkit, including understanding barriers for scaling up prison-based HCV services globally and advocacy needs to address these. An online survey (n = 181) and in-depth interviews (n = 25) were conducted with key stakeholders from countries of different economic status globally. Quantitative data were statistically analysed using R Studio and qualitative data were analysed thematically. The data sets were merged using a convergent design. ResultsKey barriers for enhanced prison-based HCV services included lack of political will and action, lack of prison-based healthcare resources, and poor awareness about HCV and the importance of prison-based HCV services. These findings underscore how advocacy efforts are needed to motivate policymakers to prioritise HCV healthcare in prisons and ensure funds are available for services (including diagnostic tools and treatment, healthcare teams to implement services, and systems to measure their success). Advocacy resources to raise the awareness of policy makers, people working in the prison sector, and incarcerated populations were also identified as key to increasing HCV service uptake. ConclusionThe Toolkit has the potential to support advocacy efforts for reaching HCV elimination targets. By understanding the advocacy needs of potential Toolkit end-users, the findings can inform its development and increase its accessibility, acceptability, and uptake for a globally diverse audience.

SENSITIVE JOURNALISM AS A CONFLICT SETTLEMENT TECHNOLOGY

The article is devoted to the possibilities of sensitive journalism in preventing or ending conflicts. Existing proposals based on international experience regarding the use of sensitive journalism as a way to prevent and end conflicts are considered: the need to investigate structural and cultural violence against certain groups; identify all groups that are participants in the conflict; outline the real interests of these groups; to become a dialogue platform for conflicting parties. Conflict is defined by specialists in sensitive journalism as a situation when two or more people, groups of people, have or think they have incompatible goals and undermine the possibility of achieving each other’s goals. When creating journalistic material taking into account the methods of sensitivity, it is first necessary to determine the stage of the conflict (superficial, latent, open), as it affects the further focus of the illumination. Experts advise giving voice by telling personal stories to all potentially conflicted groups. If the conflict has entered the latent stage, it is necessary to reveal the needs of the conflicting groups. Open conflict is an open, often violent, deeply expressed, deep-seated frustration with an unmet need or goal. As the conflict escalates, the collective identity of each side is formed as the opposite of the enemy’s personality. From the point of view of sensitive journalism, it is necessary to study in detail all the nuances of such mutual identification. Further, when journalists “allow their media to become a place for dialogue,” they thereby facilitate mutual understanding between the parties. Further, the article outlines the possibilities of using the technology of sensitive journalism in the modern Ukrainian context. This has gained relevance in connection with Guided by the OSCE proposals, the Ukrainian media space tried to respond to requests of conflict sensitivity. In particular, central and regional online media and television content were monitored. Research results: central and regional online media in 2015 provided 5% of information about social groups related to the conflict. Most of the materials were devoted to fighters; less than 1% to volunteers and immigrants; materials dedicated to the residents of the occupied territories are completely absent. The results of the television content research show similar trends. The analysis of the target groups that were studied in the course of monitoring makes it possible to understand that these are groups that appeared already during the open armed conflict. Thus, unfortunately, we cannot talk about the awareness of the need to investigate and understand the situation of cultural and structural violence that preceded the conflict, to take into account the interests of all interested groups and to have a deep understanding of the context. Separately, such a basic thing for conflict-sensitive journalism as a sensitive interview should be mentioned. Ukrainian journalists and specialists in the field of communication began to pay attention to him mainly during the large-scale invasion of 2022. Although the basic principles of a sensitive interview are somewhat clear, it is a pity that there is no clear line between the interview as a genre and as a method of gathering information. Clearly establishing this boundary, understanding the sensitive interview exclusively as a method of gathering information, in our opinion, would help to better understand the possibilities of this type of interview.

INTEREST GROUPS BETWEEN AUTONOMOUS AND NATIONAL INTEREST

Whether approached from an empirical or theoretical scientific point of view, the concept of interest groups covers a reality that is extremely difficult to understand and define. Although the formation of interest groups is a phenomenon that is common to all societies and the term is constantly used in the public debate in the form of “interest groups”, “pressure groups” or “lobbies”, it shows various sociological, ideological and economic heterogeneous aspects. Interest groups can take many different forms (unions, professional, religious organizations, associations, collective movements, etc.). An interest group, to be considered as such, must rely on a permanent organization, which distinguishes it, for example, from a one-time protest movement or social movement. Analyzing interest groups means discovering the logic of the construction of these collectives and their causes, their modes of existence and their means of existence, also studying the repertoires and modalities of action that “they implement the constraints and possibilities shaped by the spaces in which they are inserted.

EUROPEAN UNION-UKRAINE AGRICULTURAL TRADE DURING THE RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR: A POLITICAL ECONOMY PERSPECTIVE

The article analyzes the consequences of the Russian armed invasion of Ukraine, initiated in February 2022, for the EU’s trade policy towards this country and for the changes in mutual foreign trade in agri-food goods due to its temporary, exceptional liberalization, with particular emphasis on the imports of these products into the EU. The study uses the political economy approach (including interest group theory) to explain the premises of the EU’s specific trade policy towards Ukraine and the crisis in mutual trade relations between Ukraine and its neighboring countries, caused by the excessive inflow of Ukrainian grain into their territories. Large agri-food corporations are identified as potential interest groups monopolizing economic power, influencing the use of agricultural land, the export of agricultural products, and Ukraine’s domestic and foreign policy. The measures of temporary liberalization of trade in agricultural products applied by the EU to Ukraine in response to the war situation resulted in a significant increase in their imports into the EU, while in the case of Poland its share in the volume of EU imports of sensitive products (wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower) in the 14 months since the beginning of the war was several to over a dozen times higher than in the 11 months preceding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Ikigai-9

Background: The Japanese concept of “ikigai” embodies the feeling of having a meaningful purpose in life. It is associated with several positive outcomes. This study aimed to translate and validate the German version of the Ikigai-9 scale (Ikigai-9-G)—and ikigai scores for certain groups of interest were presented. Methods: Data were taken from a quota sample of the German adult population aged 18 to 74 years (n = 5000; representative in terms of age, sex, and state). Data were collected in August/September 2023. The translation process was conducted in accordance with the existing guidelines. Reliability (Cronbach’s alpha; McDonald’s omega) was assessed. Moreover, we evaluated the structure’s soundness using confirmatory factor analysis for construct validity and examined concurrent validity by exploring pairwise correlations between the Ikigai-9-G with life satisfaction, happiness, health-related quality of life, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Additionally, we presented ikigai scores for specific sociodemographic groups of interest. Results: Cronbach’s alpha for the Ikigai-9-G equaled 0.88. The results of confirmatory factor analysis supported the original three-factor model as initially proposed. A higher sense of ikigai was associated with less depressive symptoms (r = −0.43, p < 0.001), less anxiety symptoms (r = −0.39, p < 0.001), higher health-related quality of life (r = 0.42, p < 0.001), higher happiness levels (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), and higher satisfaction with life levels (r = 0.57, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The Ikigai-9 scale is a psychometrically sound tool offering the possibility for assessing ikigai among German speakers. Additional translation and validation studies are required to facilitate comparisons across different countries.

Perspective: use and reuse of NMR-based metabolomics data: what works and what remains challenging.

The National Cancer Institute issued a Request for Information (RFI; NOT-CA-23-007) in October 2022, soliciting input on using and reusing metabolomics data. This RFI aimed to gather input on best practices for metabolomics data storage, management, and use/reuse. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) Interest Group within the Metabolomics Association of North America (MANA) prepared a set of recommendations regarding the deposition, archiving, use, and reuse of NMR-based and, to a lesser extent, mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics datasets. These recommendations were built on the collective experiences of metabolomics researchers within MANA who are generating, handling, and analyzing diverse metabolomics datasets spanning experimental (sample handling and preparation, NMR/MS metabolomics data acquisition, processing, and spectral analyses) to computational (automation of spectral processing, univariate and multivariate statistical analysis, metabolite prediction and identification, multi-omics data integration, etc.) studies. We provide a synopsis of our collective view regarding the use and reuse of metabolomics data and articulate several recommendations regarding best practices, which are aimed at encouraging researchers to strengthen efforts toward maximizing the utility of metabolomics data, multi-omics data integration, and enhancing the overall scientific impact of metabolomics studies.

Historical Study of Marriage Law Between the Norms and the Problematics

Purpose: This study aims to examine the history of marriage law between norms and problems in Indonesia. Methods: The method used in this research is qualitative legal history analysis with a juridical-normative approach. Data was obtained by searching literature regarding marriage in the context of legal history in Indonesia, including laws, regulations, historical documents, and other related literature. Result and Discussion: Law Number 1 of 1974 concerning Marriage is unification for the entire population of Indonesia, which is plural but also plural with a release clause by their respective laws and religions. Based on the history of the formation of Law No. 1 of 1974 from the Draft Law until its ratification, experienced pros and cons based on religious perspectives and women's rights, both in legislative, executive, and organizational institutions Implications of the Research: Based on the formation process, it is influenced and colored by the interests of specific interest groups, with religious elements very dominant in it. In practice, implementing Law No. 1 of 1974 raises legal problems in certain legal events, especially various legal events that comply with Law No. 1 of 1974, which are patriarchal and detrimental to women as wives. Originality/Value: This research highlights the unique contribution and added value of research to our understanding of the history of marriage law in Indonesia. This research occasionally explores the evolution of norms and problems in marriage law. It identifies essential patterns and practical implications through an in-depth approach to legal historical analysis.

Violence and Power of the Modern British Monarch

Violence and Power of the Modern British Monarch

Tribal Colleges and Universities Program Hub and Topical Interest Groups (NSF)

Tribal Colleges and Universities Program Hub and Topical Interest Groups (NSF)

Navigating hostility: How political contexts affect the strategies of LGBTQ+ interest groups

Navigating hostility: How political contexts affect the strategies of LGBTQ+ interest groups