Spread Of Use Research Articles

Can we nudge to reduce the perioperative low value care? Decision making factors influencing safe practice implementation.

Highlight sources of low-value care (LVC) during the perioperative period help understanding the decision making behind its persistence, the barriers for change, and the potential implementation strategies to reduce it. The behavioural economics science spread of use through aligned strategies or nudge units offer an opportunity to improve success in the LVC reduction. LVC, such as unneeded surgeries, or preanaesthesia tests for low-risk surgeries in low-risk patients, is a relevant source of waste and preventable harm, most especially in the perioperative period. Despite the international focus on it, initial efforts to reduce it in the last decade have not clearly shown a sustainable improvement. Understanding the shared decision-making process and the barriers to be expected when tackling LVC is the first step to build the change. Applying a structured strategy based on the behavioural science principles may be the path to increasing high value care in an effective an efficient way. It is time to foster nudge units at different healthcare system levels.

Estimating Mobile Contactless Payment Systems Usage in Turkey Using Grey Prediction Model

Technological developments brought about by digitalization have made several innovations in many areas from economy to social life a part of our lives. The most important of these innovations was the electronicization of trade. Electronic commerce forced payment systems to change and differentiated them. The rapid development of the technology of mobile devices and the rapid spread of use also shaped the change in payment systems. Today we are talking about mobile payment systems. The change in payment systems also caused changes in physical credit cards, and contactless payment systems with credit cards became widespread. Mobile contactless payment systems have also started to be used through applications downloaded to mobile devices without the need for a physical credit card. After the convenience of contactless payment with credit card, many banks started to offer their customers the convenience of contactless payment by mobile phone.
 In this study, the demand for the use of mobile contactless payment systems in Turkey was estimated using the grey prediction model for the coming years. In determining demand forecast, the grey prediction model, which is included in the grey system theory, which was first presented by Deng in 1982, was used. It is a model that is used to make high-precision predictions based on a small number of data and has achieved successful results in many areas. In this study, some of the data were used for estimation and some for analysis of estimation results. In this study, high sharpness results were obtained.

Implementation of a Graphic Interface Development Tool for Prolog


 
 
 The work examines the current problems of the spread of use of logical programming in the development of commercial multi-platform software applications, tools for convenient development of a modern graphical interface to the logical programs. Libraries with similar concepts of use have been analyzed and described. The purpose of the proposed concept, which is implemented as an open source library, is described, and the advantages of the proposed tools over similar existing tools are indicated. The main feature and advantage of the proposed concept is the implementation of Prolog business logic and interface by means of JavaScript usage of child processes. The proposed concept of interface to Prolog takes full advantage of the possibilities provided by async await. A framework library has been created for the use of Logic Programming in graphical interface development without losses in the application performance. The paper describes the proposed concept and the developed framework (library). The ways to further improve the possibilities for expanding the purpose of the implemented library were identified. The directions of further simplification for programmers of integration of the graphic interface to logical programs have been defined. A significant advantage of the proposed tool is the easy-to-use functions to wrap and control the correctness of requests to the Prolog. The main goal of the library is to create an environment for the Prolog developers where they can create any type of software, which is meant to be user friendly, fast, and cross platform using modern and flexible. This concept also tries to solve disadvantages and architectural problems that were found in other libraries. The safety of library functionality has been analyzed. The concept of potential horizontal application scalability is described. Conclusions and future of libraries were introduced, in which the usage of TypeScript for type-safety and avoidance of run-time errors is mentioned. Overall, the library extends the use of Prolog beyond logical programming and takes a leap forward in its progress.
 
 

Policy recommendation for the regulation of heated tobacco products based on evidence review of their health effects and influence on tobacco control

Objective This report aimed to present policy recommendations on the regulation of heated tobacco products based on a review of the literature on the use of heated tobacco products, component analysis of harmful chemical substances, and product characteristics as nicotine delivery device, and on an examination of the influence of the product's increasing usage to the main measures of tobacco control.Methods The literature search was performed using Japan Centra Revuo Medicina and PubMED database. The search yielded 11 articles that examined the use of heated tobacco products, component analysis of harmful chemical substances, and product characteristics as nicotine delivery device. Eight articles were additionally collected from reports of public health research in Japan and public reports in foreign countries. The six main policies advocated by World Health Organization as MPOWER (Monitor, Protect, Offer, Warn, Enforce, Raise) were adopted in considering the expected influence of this product's increasing usage this product epidemic on tobacco control. In addition to the abovementioned 19 articles, 26 documents and materials related to the status of tobacco control were collected and used to examine the influence of the product's increasing usage to the main measures of tobacco control.Results In Japan, heated tobacco products have been available since December 2013, and the spread of use has risen remarkably since 2016. As of October 2016, Japan consumed more than 90% of the heated tobacco products sold internationally. Compared with cigarettes, heated tobacco products can reduce exposure to harmful substances except nicotine. However, their use does not lead to reduced risk of illness. The reduction of exposure to harmful substances cannot be expected when used in combination with cigarettes. Heated tobacco products and cigarettes have similar nicotine exposure levels and pharmacokinetics; thus, use of the former results in nicotine dependence and exacerbates the difficulty in discontinuing tobacco consumption. The popularity of heated tobacco products could adversely affect any of the six main measures of tobacco control.Conclusion Although public health concerns have been identified for the popularity of heated tobacco products, evidence remains insubstantial for the formulation of regulatory implications. Additional research is needed on the health effects to users and bystanders, effects on cigarettes use, and influence on tobacco control policy. From the perspective of the precautionary principle of public health, the same regulation as for cigarettes should be implemented as regards heated tobacco products until their health effects are fully elucidated.

Medicinal plants used for skin-related diseases among the Batswanas in Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, South Africa

Skin diseases have come under the spotlight due to the fact they are the first symptoms associated with many diseases, including AIDS. Although Western medications are available for treating skin diseases, many ethnic groups including the Batswanas in North West Province still consult traditional health practitioners (THPs) for skin diseases. This study was aimed at exploring and documenting indigenous knowledge and medicinal plants used for skin-related diseases by Batswana THPs in North West Province. Ethnobotanical information, including local name of plant, part used, methods of preparation and administration, was captured using semi-structured questionnaires. These questionnaires were administered to 30 purposively selected THPs from 10 villages. Quantitative parameters including use-value (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF) and cultural importance index (CI), were computed to determine the relative importance of plant species locally, the homogeneity of knowledge among THPs and the spread of use and versatility. In total, 80 plants belonging to 40 families and 61 genera were documented as being used in preparation of 36 recipes to treat 43 skin-related diseases grouped into 7 categories. Asparagaceae (seven plants) and Asteraceae (seven plants), Xanthorrhoeaceae (six plants) and Solanaceae (six plants) were the most representative families. The most frequently used plant parts are the roots (31%), whole plant (26%) and leaves (19%), while the most common methods of preparation include concoction (30%), maceration (23%) and decoction (19%). Hypoxis hemerocallidea (0.9) and Helichrysum paronychioides (0.8) had the highest UV, while Hypoxis hemerocallidea (0.4), Helichrysum paronychioides (0.4) and Urginea sanguinea (0.3) were the most culturally important plants. The highest ICF (0.6) was linked to miscellaneous skin diseases, with rashes (22%) being the most frequently treated in the category. The disease with the highest plant diversity for treatment is chickenpox with 22 plants, followed by yaws with 16 plants, while rashes and boils are treated using 14 plants. The study recorded 38 plants used to treat skin-related diseases for the first time in South Africa. The current findings are an indication that the Batswana traditional medicine pharmacopoeia has rich plant diversity for treatment of skin-related diseases. However, these may come under threat because the young population is not showing interest in indigenous knowledge. The current study has also opened a platform for in-depth scientific analysis to evaluate the pharmacological efficacy and safety of the identified medicinal plants.

Introduction: Shakespeare's Public Spheres

ABSTRACTHabermas’ sense of a “cultural Public Sphere” is a notoriously complex term and, when applied to Early Modern cultures, needs careful definition. This essay both introduces the variety of methods by which we might approach playtexts with a view to their public – auditory – impact and contributes to a debate about an audience's understanding of Shakespeare's plays. By selecting two words and their spread of use in one play, Twelfth Night, we might appreciate the potential for meaningful ambiguity latent in how we hear the language of live performance. If we search for how certain terms (in this case, the cluster of semes derived from repetitions of “fancy” and “play”), we might find at times incompatible senses, yet we get near to appreciating the range of Early Modern dramatic language.

Effect of Margin Level Setting in Abutments Created by CAD/CAM on Residual Cement

Background: Various complications of dental implants have been reported as cases with long-term implant use increase with its spread of use. It has been reported that residual cement is involved in approximately 80% of the peri-implantitis cases, and prompt management of residual cement is important. This study examined cementation of the superstructure and how the level of gingival margin of abutments affected the amount of residual cement. The study also examined the level of abutment margin to avoid residual cement.Materials and Methods: Working models were prepared using epoxy resin. Implants were placed in one part of the maxillas. Silicone rubber was used to simulate peri-implant gingiva. Morphological designing was performed for the abutments and superstructures on the prepared models. The examination was performed on four levels of abutment margins: the same level as the margin of the gingiva (ML0), 1 mm subgingival (ML-1), 2 mm subgingival (ML-2), and 3 mm subgingival (ML-3). Temporary cement was placed in each superstructure which was then placed on the abutment. An access hole was created on the superstructure, and the abutment and superstructure were removed from the model. Observations were made on the cement remaining subgingivally (residual cement). The cement above the margin and residual cement were collected.Results: If the margin level was subgingival, there was a tendency for residual cement to adhere to the entire subgingival area regardless of the margin depth. The residual cement weight percentage was significantly higher for the ML-2 and ML-3 margins than for ML-0 margins. The percentages of supragingival cement did not differ significantly among different abutment margins.Discussion and Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that when the abutment margin is ML-2 or lower, the cement does not extrude supragingivally and tends to remain subgingivally.

DIC Challenge: Developing Images and Guidelines for Evaluating Accuracy and Resolution of 2D Analyses

With the rapid spread in use of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) globally, it is important there be some standard methods of verifying and validating DIC codes. To this end, the DIC Challenge board was formed and is maintained under the auspices of the Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM) and the international DIC society (iDICs). The goal of the DIC Board and the 2D–DIC Challenge is to supply a set of well-vetted sample images and a set of analysis guidelines for standardized reporting of 2D–DIC results from these sample images, as well as for comparing the inherent accuracy of different approaches and for providing users with a means of assessing their proper implementation. This document will outline the goals of the challenge, describe the image sets that are available, and give a comparison between 12 commercial and academic 2D–DIC codes using two of the challenge image sets.

Large Coercive Field of 45 kOe in a Magnetic Film Based on Metal-Substituted ε-Iron Oxide.

Magnetic ferrites are stable, sustainable, and economical. Consequently, they have been used in various fields. The development of large coercive field (large Hc) magnetic ferrites is a very important but challenging issue to accelerate the spread of use and to expand practical applications. In this study, we prepared a rhodium-substituted ε-iron oxide film and observed a remarkably large Hc value of 35 kOe at room temperature. This is the largest value among magnetic ferrites to date. Such a large-Hc ferrite is expected to greatly expand the application of magnetic ferrites. Furthermore, when the temperature dependence of the magnetic properties was measured, an even larger Hc value of 45 kOe was recorded at 200 K. Such large Hc values are much larger than those of conventional hard magnetic ferrites.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Prostate Cancer: Novelty or Innovation?

This Viewpoint describes the rapid spread of use of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation as a treatment for prostate cancer and calls for establishment of a registry to better assess the efficacy and safety of this approach.

An Analysis On Usage Preferences Of Learning Objects And Learning Object Repositories Among Pre-Service Teachers

The purpose of the study is to investigate how pre-service teachers benefit from learning objects repositories while preparing course content. Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used in a mixed methods approach. This study was carried out with 74 teachers from the Faculty of Education. In the first phase of the study, pre-service teachers’ prior knowledge about learning objects was defined. During the second phase of the study, a two-hour seminar was given to pre-service teachers to introduce the learning objects and the object repositories. Then, they were requested to prepare a course content and instructional plan using the object repositories. During the last phase of the study, their opinions about the object approach were determined. According to findings; before the seminar, it was observed that pre-services teachers didn’t know learning objects and object repositories. Also, they didn’t use learning object repositories as a reference for their courses. Pre-service teachers’ preferences about learning object repositories were change according to some different factors: especially language, interaction level and resource type. Furthermore, it was seen that most of them exhibited positive attitude toward learning objects. As a conclusion, it would be worthwhile to increase the number of object repositories allowing preparation of course contents by combining objects to form a whole, in order to promote and spread use of learning object approach among teachers and pre-service teachers through in-service training and pre-service training programs. Also, considering the factors affecting selection of learning objects, it would be an important step to provide support to creation of object repositories particularly in the native language, with high explanatory quality and exercise opportunities, for development and spread of use of learning objects and repositories.

Moment Capacity of FRP Reinforced Concrete Beam Assessment Based on Centerline Geometry

The flexural behavior of FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) reinforced concrete beam has been the topic of intensive previous research, because of the spread of use of modern FRP composite materials in the building industry as concrete reinforcement. The behavior of FRP reinforced member is different from the one reinforced with regular steel reinforcement, mainly because of vast difference between moduli of elasticity of FRP composite reinforcement bars and steel. This difference results in the fact that conventional design methods used for years in the field of reinforced concrete structures using steel reinforcement give poor results if attempted use with FRP reinforced structural members. Results of conventional methods are so poor that use of such methods would be dangerous they tend to overestimate load carrying capacity and underestimate deformations both resulting in unsafe predictions. This paper points to formulating easy to use and comprehensible method of predicting moment capacity of FRP reinforced concrete beams subjected to bending loading and validation of the proposed method via set of experiments.

The role of the state in the development of accounting in the Portuguese–Brazilian Empire, 1750–1822

This paper explores the role of the state in the development of accounting in the Portuguese–Brazilian Empire (1750–1822) in the context of economic and political transformations. In this period, the interrelations of accounting and the state were central to understanding accounting change in Portugal and Brazil. Through control of accounting education, organization of the accounting occupation, rules of corporate governance and governmental accounting itself, governments adopted accounting technologies in an effort to shape and normalize decisions in order to achieve desirable objectives for the empire. This was particularly so during the reigns of D. José I and D. João VI: the former was responsible for initiatives to improve control over and connect the empire, including the spread of use of double-entry bookkeeping in the Portuguese metropolis; the latter was responsible for initiatives to achieve the same ends once the metropolis moved to Brazil. This paper uses primary and secondary sources to present and contrast those initiatives and the reasoning behind them.

Changes in Brain Glioma Incidence and Laterality Correlates with Use of Mobile Phones - a Nationwide Population Based Study in Israel

Mobile phones are in extensive use worldwide and concerns regarding their role in tumor formation were raised. Over the years multiple studies were published in order to investigate this issue using several approaches. The current study looks at secular trends of brain gliomas (low and high grade) incidence and changes in tumor's laterality over 30 years in a population extensively using this technology with a possible correlation to the spread of use of mobile phones. All brain gliomas that were diagnosed from 1980-2009 were included and subdivided into two groups--low and high grade. Secular and periodic time trend analyses of incidence rates and changes in laterality were performed. Preferred side of head using mobile phones was assessed with a questionnaire in a sample of adult individuals. A decrease in incidence of low grade giomas (LGG) that correlated with introduction of mobile technology was found from 2.57, 2.34 and 2.79 for every 100,000 in the period 1980 to the end of 1994 to 1.72, 1.82 and 1.57, respectively, over the last three 5-years periods (1995-2009). High-grade glioma incidences increased significantly from 1980-2009 but in the period after mobile phones were introduced (1994-2009) a lower, non significant, rate of increase was observed in males and a lower one (significant) in females. A shift towards left sided tumor location for all adult gliomas combined and separately for LGG and HGG was noted from 1995 onward. The shift was more marked for those who were diagnosed in ages 20-49 (p=0.03). We found a statistically significant decrease in LGG's over 30-years period that correlates with introducing of mobile phones technology and a shift in laterality towards left-sided tumors, the latter occurred in both low and high-grade gliomas.

Radiosynoviorthesis in people with haemophilia.

In the last three decades radiosynovectomy (RSV) has been partially accepted as an alternative to surgical synovectomy in cases of haemophilic arthropathy. This issue of the journal contains an interesting article1 on the use of RSV in haemophiliacs by a Spanish group with experience in this technique2. RSV was first used by Fellinger et al. in 1952 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis3 and the technique has now been exploited for more than 50 years to treat resistant synovitis in patients with this form of arthritis. It is well known that about 90% of people with severe haemophilia experience chronic degenerative joint changes by the second or third decades of their lives. Such degenerative changes are mainly due to spontaneous recurrent intra-articular bleeding in patients undergoing on-demand treatment and a critical point for avoiding haemophilic arthropathy is the prevention of articular haemorrhages by means of prophylactic treatment. However, despite regular infusions of antihaemophilic concentrate at an early age (primary or secondary prophylactic treatment), recurrent haemarthrosis and chronic arthropathy still persist in adult patients treated on-demand as well as in a small proportion of patients on prophylaxis even in the absence of clinical evidence of bleeding4. Synoviorthesis with radioisotopes has some advantages over the same technique using chemical agents. These advantages are mainly related to the reduced number of injections, usually only one, although in some cases up to three as described in the paper published in this issue1, compared to five to ten, which are the norm with chemicals, as reported by Radossi et al5. The paper by De la Corte-Rodriguez et al.1 describes the possibility that further improvements can be achieved by using more than one radioisotope injection and that the results, in terms of relief of pain, increased range of movements and decreased haemarthrosis, are obtained by the cumulative administrations which seem to work “independently”. This approach needs optimal safety precautions. Indeed, although much has been learnt from thousands of administrations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, RSV is not widely used in the management of haemophilic arthropathy as it is considered to be potentially dangerous because of the isotopes. Furthermore, some logistic difficulties may be encountered in relation to, for example, drug supplies and inadequate space for the procedure to be carried out in designated protected areas. Further caution is required in haemophiliacs because of the young age of the patients and there are also concerns about the risk of chromosomal damage. Even though long-term monitoring has not detected this adverse event in any haemophiliac who has undergone RSV, these concerns probably explain why there is only limited experience of RSV in Europe and in North America as opposed to Latin America and developing countries. Radossi et al. have demonstrated the successful treatment of end-stage arthropathy using chemical synoviorthesis even in advanced age. Although the average age of the cohort described by the Spanish group in this issue of the journal was 18 years1, the patients’ ages ranged from 18 to 51 years old and the cohort probably included a proportion of patients with advanced stage arthropathy: the overall results of the study would, therefore, support the use of RSV in this subset of patients. The current, ideal treatment of haemophilic arthropathy is primary prophylaxis but unfortunately, only 15–20% of the world’s population has access to this, meaning that 80–85% of haemophiliacs in the world are presently treated on-demand or even untreated. RSV is a relatively simple, virtually painless and inexpensive technique for the treatment of chronic haemophilic synovitis, even in patients with inhibitors. In conclusion, we strongly support the spread of use of RSV and we invite doctors dealing with haemophilia to address frequent logistic difficulties (e.g. legal restrictions, poor appeal) in order to adopt this technique, especially in the current climate of cost-saving and resource limitation, as underlined in the paper by De La Corte-Rodriguez et al1.

수치모델을 이용한 한국 남해의 유동특성 이해

In order to understand the flow properties of the South Sea of Korea, tidal currents, wind-driven currents, density-driven currents and residual flows were investigated by using 3-dimensional numerical model(POM). In offshore regions, tide-induced residual current tends to flow eastward during the spring tide and westward during the neap tide. Total residual flow is irregular due to the bottom topography in the coastal area. The density-driven currents in the coastal area showed to be relatively weak, with little seasonal differences. The special tendency was apparent in the open sea. That is, the flow in the offshore regions showed results similar to that of the Tsushima current. The wind-driven currents in the coastal area showed to be much stronger than in offshore regions. Vertically, the flow of the surface layer was much stronger than that of the bottom layer. Through these results, material transport and diffusion in the south coast, as a basis for predicting the spread of use is expected to be available.

Serial experiments online

Current network protocols must comply with rigid interfaces and rules of behavior to fit into well defined, vertical protocol stacks. It is difficult for network designers to offer a wide spectrum of alternative protocols suitable for diverse situations, and to make the stack evolve to match new needs. The tendency is to design protocols that can adapt to the widest possible spread of use. However, even the best adaptive protocols cannot possibly cope with all situations. When their adaptivity limits are reached, the ability to switch to other protocols becomes a clear advantage Our aim in this paper is to present Lightweight Autonomous resIlient Networks (LAIN), a framework that exploits the multiplicity of alternative protocol, and exposes the spectrum of choice to the advantage of the applications. The system runs continuous experiments with alternative protocols online, in parallel as well as serially, in order to select automatically those that best match the application's needs under the current network conditions. We report first results on the feasibility of the approach and point out the need for such a system in network and protocol evolution

Earlier warning: A multi-indicator approach to monitoring trends in the illicit use of medicines

Background The availability of medicines on the illicit drug market is currently high on the international policy agenda, linked to adverse health consequences including addiction, drug related overdoses and injection related problems. Continuous surveillance of illicit use of medicines allows for earlier identification and reporting of emerging trends and increased possibilities for earlier intervention to prevent spread of use and drug related harm. This paper aims to identify data sources capable of monitoring the illicit use of medicines; present trend findings for Rohypnol and Subutex using a multi-indicator monitoring approach; and consider the relevance of such models for policy makers. Methods Data collection and analysis were undertaken in Bergen, Norway, using the Bergen Earlier Warning System (BEWS), a multi-indicator drug monitoring system. Data were gathered at six monthly intervals from April 2002 to September 2006. Drug indicator data from seizures, treatment, pharmacy sales, helplines, key informants and media monitoring were triangulated and an aggregated differential was used to plot trends. Results Results for the 4-year period showed a decline in the illicit use of Rohypnol and an increase in the illicit use of Subutex. Conclusion Multi-indicator surveillance models can play a strategic role in the earlier identification and reporting of emerging trends in illicit use of medicines.

Spreading of use of ethyl alcohol, narcotics, psychotropic materials and testing of soldiers in Lithuanian Army

Spreading of use of ethyl alcohol, narcotics, psychotropic materials and testing of soldiers in Lithuanian Army

Freqüência e uso de estrangeirismos ingleses no português brasileiro: Um estudo baseado em corpus

Neste trabalho, apresentamos uma investigação baseada em corpora acerca da extensão do uso de estrangeirismos de origem inglesa no português do Brasil. Para tanto, utilizamos o corpus Banco de Português, do projeto DIRECT (LAEL, PUCSP), com mais de 230 milhões de palavras, de fontes orais e escritas, e o British National Corpus, com cerca de 100 milhões de palavras, também provenientes da escrita e fala. A investigação motiva-se (1) pela necessidade do envolvimento dos lingüistas e lingüistas aplicados em debates acerca de políticas públicas, (2) por ser esse um tema caro ao prof. John Robert Schmitz, e (3) pela escassez de trabalhos sobre estrangeirismos que utilizem corpora eletrônicos. Os resultados indicam que (1) há muitos anglicismos em vigor no português brasileiro, (2) a freqüência deles é baixa e (3) eles parecem adquirir sentidos e usos diferentes da língua de origem.