non-US Studies Research Articles

Cheating by economics and business undergraduate students: an exploratory international assessment

Today’s economics and business students are expected to be our future business people and potentially the economic leaders and politicians of tomorrow. Thus, their beliefs and practices are liable to affect the definition of acceptable economics and business ethics. The empirical evaluation of the phenomenon of cheating in academia has almost exclusively focused on the US context, and non-US studies usually only cover a narrow range of countries. This paper presents a comprehensive, cross-country study on the magnitude and determinants of cheating among economics and business undergraduates, involving 7,213 students enrolled in 42 universities located in 21 countries from the American (4), European (14), Africa (2) and Oceania (1) Continents. We found that the average magnitude of copying among economics and business undergraduates is quite high (62%) but there was significant cross-country heterogeneity. The probability of cheating is significantly lower in students enrolled in schools located in the Scandinavian, and the US and British Isles blocks when compared with their Southern European counterparts; quite surprisingly this probability is also lower for the African block. On a distinctly different level, however, students enrolled in schools in Western and especially Eastern European countries reveal statistically significant higher propensities towards committing academic fraud.

Declared pharmaceutical industry involvement in a random sample of abstracts from the ASCO Annual Meetings

e17525 Background: The pharmaceutical industry (PI) plays an important role in drug development. We examined the extent and correlates of declared PI involvement in abstracts presented at ASCO Meetings 2001–2003 and 2006–2008. Methods: After stratification of abstracts into three categories of presentation ([1] oral, including plenary and oral presentations, and integrated symposia; [2] poster, including poster discussion and general poster; and [3] publication only), we randomly selected 10% of the abstracts for each of the 3-year periods of interest. Involvement by the PI was defined as declared sponsorship or by co-authorship in abstracts. Multivariate analysis (MVA) was done using logistic regression. Results: In the 2,206 abstracts analyzed, there was declared sponsorship or co-authorship by the PI in 425 (19.3%) of cases. Declared sponsorship (N = 73) was less frequent than co-authorship (N = 364). Declared sponsorship or co-authorship was present in 160 of 332 (48.2%) multinational studies, 222 of 969 (22.9%) multicenter, uninational studies, and 43 of 905 (4.3%) of single-institution studies (p < 0.001). For the 30.6% of abstracts stating the study phase in the title or text, PI involvement was present in 116 of 239 (48.5%) phase I studies, 95 of 364 (26.1%) phase II studies, and 26 of 72 (36.1%) phase III trials (p < 0.001). PI involvement was present in 280 of 1,080 (25.9%) US studies and in 145 of 1,126 (12.9%) non-US studies (p < 0.001). In MVA, significant predictors of PI involvement were multinationality (odds ratio [OR] = 6.61), phase I/II/III (versus other, OR = 3.65), and US nationality (OR = 2.98). Conclusions: Declared PI involvement is seen in nearly 20% of abstracts and is more frequent in multinational studies, clinical trials and studies with US nationality. Additional work is needed to assess the correlation between PI involvement, abstract quality and likelihood of future publication. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Cancer scope

Cancer scope

Potential impact of newborn screening for cystic fibrosis on child survival: A systematic review and analysis

To estimate the population impact of child mortality as a result of cystic fibrosis (CF) potentially preventable by newborn screening. A systematic literature review of mortality in children with classic CF without meconium ileus (MI) in screened and unscreened cohorts was extended by contacting investigators for unpublished data. In addition, survival in US states with and without newborn screening (NBS) programs for CF was compared using data from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry (CFFPR). Among non-US studies, CF-related mortality risk to approximately 10 years of age was lower by 5 to 10 per 100 in screened cohorts. Unpublished US data from a trial of NBS for CF indicate no CF-related deaths to 10 years of age in either cohort. CFFPR data suggest improved survival among children with CF born in US states with NBS, with a CF-related mortality difference to 10 years of age between the screened and unscreened groups between 1.5 and 2 per 100 children with CF without MI. In addition to improving nutritional outcomes, newborn screening for CF may result in improved child survival. The absolute differential in mortality risk, although modest in size, appears comparable to NBS for certain other genetic disorders.

Ethical Process in Human Research Published in Thoracic Surgery Journals

Media reports of ethical transgressions in research with human subjects have increasingly focused attention on clinical investigators and have served to undermine public confidence in medical research. A series of editorials in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery and The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in 2002 and 2003 emphasized integrity in research publication. We investigated the extent to which the ethical process was mentioned in reports of thoracic surgical research with human subjects since 2002. We reviewed all reports of research involving human subjects published in these journals during the first 6 months of 2002, the first 6 months of 2003, and the last 6 months of 2004 (n = 273, 291 and 288 for each time period, respectively with a total of 852). Ethical process was mentioned in 346 of 852 (41%) investigations. Comparing US and non-US studies, the rates of mentioning ethical process for prospective studies were 76 of 83 (92%) and 178 of 216 (82%), respectively, and for retrospective studies were 75 of 220 (34%) and 18 of 334 (5%), respectively. Between 2002 and 2004, the rates of mentioning ethical process for prospective studies increased from 79 of 101 (78%) to 80 of 89 (90%), and for retrospective studies it increased from 17 of 172 (10%) to 59 of 199 (30%). There was a significant increase in mention of ethical process from early 2002 to late 2004; however, documentation of appropriate ethical process in human research published in cardiothoracic journals remains less than ideal. The main burden of ensuring ethical process in human investigations rests with researchers, their institutions, and institutional review boards; however, editors can help rectify this problem by requiring adherence to national and international standards in the human subjects' research studies they publish. In adhering to ethical standards, investigators respect the research subjects' right of self-determination and foster public confidence in human research.

Digital division or digital decision? A study of non-users and low-users of computers

Although implicit within the notion of the ‘digital divide’ there have been surprisingly few empirical studies of those who make little or no use of information and communications technology (ICT). In particular, we have only a partial understanding of the social circumstances and detailed social patterning of the non-uptake and non-use of new technologies such as computers and the Internet. Are non-users of these technologies, as is widely assumed, falling into existing and deep-rooted patterns of social and economic inequalities? What are the individual motivations and consequences of not using ICT in the contemporary ‘information society’? Based on household survey data collected from a systematic sample of 1001 adults in England and Wales alongside follow-up in-depth interviews with 100 of these respondents, this paper seeks to develop a detailed conceptual understanding of people's non-use of computers. Firstly, it explores in detail which individuals may be excluded from computer use to varying degrees. Secondly, it considers why these individuals are not using computers in their day-to-day lives. In doing so the paper identifies a hierarchy of non-use of ICT – highlighting the recurring structured nature of this non-engagement but also recognising the agency of individuals in not making use of technologies which may have a limited relevance, utility or even pleasure in the context of their everyday lives.

Safety profile of budesonide inhalation suspension in the pediatric population: worldwide experience

To review the worldwide safety data for budesonide inhalation suspension (Pulmicort Respules) to provide a budesonide inhalation suspension pediatric tolerability profile. Clinical study data were obtained from AstraZeneca safety databases used by the US Food and Drug Administration to support the approval of budesonide inhalation suspension and from postmarketing surveillance reports (January 1, 1990, through June 30, 2002). Completed parallel-group studies of patients with asthma 18 years and younger. Safety data for budesonide inhalation suspension were pooled from 3 US, 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (n = 1,018); data from their open-label extensions (n = 670) were pooled with data from a fourth US open-label study (n = 335). Data for 333 patients 18 years and younger enrolled in 5 non-US studies also were analyzed. No posterior subcapsular cataracts were reported in any study, and the frequencies of oropharyngeal events and infection with budesonide inhalation suspension were comparable with those of reference treatments. No increased risk of varicella or upper respiratory tract infection was apparent, and budesonide inhalation suspension did not cause significant adrenal suppression in studies assessing this variable. There were small differences in short-term growth velocity between children who received budesonide inhalation suspension and those who received reference treatment in 2 of 5 trials that evaluated this variable. No increased risk of adverse events was apparent from postmarketing reports. Short- and long-term treatment with budesonide inhalation suspension, using a wide range of doses, is safe and well tolerated in children with asthma.

Environmental Educators on the Web: Results of a National Study of Users and Nonusers

To better understand the needs of environmental education (EE) related to technology, it is important to know how those in the field currently use the technology. The author describes and compares users and nonusers of the World Wide Web in terms of use of the Web, comfort level, perceived barriers, and familiarity with dominant EE sites. A clear majority of the sample are Web users and have moderate levels of comfort with it, primarily concerning basic communiccations tasks. The findings provide insight into the development of training programs and resources for environmental educators in using the Web and offer opportunities for additional research that focuses on specific technology and pedagogical use questions.

Teaching business ethics in UK higher education: progress and prospects

A large proportion of students in UK highereducation now study business and management. Although universities might be expected to aimto produce well-rounded graduates, there hasbeen a perception that business schools havetended to take a narrow view of businessstudies, paying little attention to ethicalissues. However, recently there have been somesigns of change. A survey was thereforeconducted to investigate the teaching ofbusiness ethics at both undergraduate andpostgraduate levels in the UK. Althoughprovision is still on a limited scale, signs ofgrowth are evident, with a significantproportion of institutions offering at leastsome business ethics teaching, either within a``mainstream'' subject or as a separate module. This provision was reported as being wellreceived by students, but several challengesfor the future were identified, including thesupply of suitably qualified lecturers and theavailability of non-US case study material. The findings provide a baseline for trackingthe future development of business ethics inthe UK. Several suggestions for furtherresearch are also made.

Ciclopirox nail lacquer topical solution 8% in the treatment of toenail onychomycosis

Background: Onychomycosis is a relatively common condition affecting toenails more than fingernails. It is caused predominantly by dermatophytes. Onychomycosis can cause pain and discomfort and has the potential to be a source of morbidity. Objective: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ciclopirox nail lacquer solution 8% used to treat onychomycosis of the toe in the United States and in centers worldwide. Methods: Two identically designed, double-blind, vehicle controlled, parallel group multicenter studies were performed in the United States to evaluate the use of ciclopirox nail lacquer to treat mild to moderate toe onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes. In the first study, 223 patients were randomized to treatment (ciclopirox group: 112, vehicle group: 111), and in the second study, 237 subjects were randomized (ciclopirox group: 119, vehicle group: 118). Before randomization, patients were to have clinical features of onychomycosis in at least one great toe with positive light microscopic examination and a positive dermatophyte culture. The test material was applied daily for a period of 48 weeks to all toenails and affected fingernails, covering the entire nail plate and approximately 5 mm of surrounding skin. At baseline, subjects had between 20% to 65% area of target nail involved. Physician's assessments were carried out every 4 weeks, and mycologic evaluation and photographic planimetry using standardized photographs were performed every 12 weeks during the 48 weeks of treatment. In studies conducted outside the United States, patients were also to have clinical, microscopic, and culture evidence of onychomycosis. However, these studies included some patients infected with nondermatophyte organisms (eg, Candida species), and the area of nail involvement was generally greater than observed in the US studies. Treatment regimens also varied in the non-US studies with lacquer applications that were sometimes less frequent than the once daily treatment used in the US studies (eg, alternate day or twice weekly). In addition, the typical duration of treatment was 6 months in the non-US studies as compared with 48 weeks in the United States. Outcome measures were similar to those used in the US trials, although a non-photographic planimetric method was used to quantify disease extent. Results: Data from the pivotal US trials have demonstrated that ciclopirox nail lacquer 8% topical solution is significantly more effective than placebo in the treatment of onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum, and of mild to moderate toe onychomycosis without lunula involvement. At the end of the 48-week treatment period, the mycologic cure rate (negative culture and negative light microscopy) in study I was 29% vs 11% in the ciclopirox and vehicle groups, respectively. Similarly, the mycologic cure rate for study II was 36% vs 9%, respectively. In the non-US studies, the mycologic cure rates ranged from 46.7% to 85.7%. In addition, ciclopirox nail lacquer has demonstrated a broad spectrum of activity with efficacy against Candida species and some nondermatophytes in non-US studies. Ciclopirox nail lacquer is considered extremely safe regarding causally related treatment emergent adverse-effects (TEAEs), with most TEAEs transient and localized to the site of action (eg, erythema and application site reaction). In the US studies, TEAEs were generally mild and cleared while the patient continued to use the nail lacquer. Conclusions: Studies conducted worldwide demonstrate the efficacy of ciclopirox nail lacquer for the treatment of finger and toe onychomycosis. Both controlled and open-label studies confirm the excellent safety profile of this topical therapy. Thus, the nail lacquer provides a treatment choice with a favorable benefit-to-risk ratio. With its novel mechanism of action and its topical route of administration, ciclopirox nail lacquer offers an innovative approach to the treatment of this often difficult-to-manage disease. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;43:S70-80.)

Estimating Inefficiencies in Banking: A Survey

This paper presents a review of the extensive literature concerned with estimating production and cost inefficiencies in banks. The meaning of inefficiency in this context is outlined, alternative estimation techniques are summarised and the problems of modelling the activities of banks and measuring their inputs and outputs are discussed. By including more non-US studies than previous surveys, the paper produces a more comprehensive summary and comparison of inefficiency results than has previously been attempted. The paper ends with a set of recommendations for future researchers in the area.

Autism: not an extremely rare disorder.

To study autism over time in order to ascertain whether there has been an increase in its prevalence in recent years. All English language papers on the prevalence of autism were reviewed. Ten of the studies retrieved were not used in the final analysis because they did not meet full criteria for inclusion in the review. The remaining 20 studies, published between 1966 and 1997, were subdivided into US studies (n=2) and non-US studies (n=18), and the latter group was subdivided into four 8-year periods. The early studies yielded prevalence rates of under 0.5 in 1000 children, whereas the later ones showed a mean rate of about 1 in 1000. There was a marked difference in prevalence rates between those studies that included some children born before 1970 (low rates) and those that included only children born in 1970 and after (high rates). This is probably due to the lower rates obtained by use of criteria strictly based on Kanner's description of his syndrome. The US studies reported atypically low rates. There was a highly significant estimated increase with calendar year in the non-US studies (3.8% per year). It is concluded that autism is considerably more common than was previously believed. The possible reasons for the higher reported rates are discussed.

The economics of osteoporosis and its prevention. A review.

A systematic review of all published economic evaluations of treatments for the prevention of osteoporosis since 1980 was undertaken. 21 published studies were identified. The majority of the studies were set in the context of the US healthcare system. Non-US studies were heavily influenced by the methodologies of 1 US research group. All studies published before 1990 only considered the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at the menopause for osteoporosis prevention. Since 1990 a number of studies have looked at other therapies as well as HRT in older women. All studies that have made a direct comparison between using HRT at the menopause with HRT in older women have suggested that it is more cost effective to initiate therapy in older non-perimenopausal women. However, there is a paucity of evidence from randomised controlled trials on which to base assumptions on costs and effectiveness. Large randomised trails with hip fracture as the main outcome measure are required to answer key economic and clinical questions.

Cervical screening: the optimum visit plan for contacting users and non-users in Scotland.

To investigate the numbers of visits required to obtain interviews with users and non-users of cervical screening, and to determine the workload involved to enable an optimum visit plan to be developed. Case-control study of users and non-users of cervical screening using a flexible visit plan that involved up to eight attempts at contact. Visits were made in mornings, afternoons, and evenings, the visit pattern being determined by information gained from local sources. Altogether 660 non-users of cervical screening (cases), aged 20-64 and registered with 23 randomly selected general practitioners (GPs), were identified from the Tayside computerised register of cervical smears. These women were selected from the computerised lists of 18 GPs in Dundee and five in Perth. A total of 417 women recorded as having a smear within the previous three years (controls), matched by age and GP, were also identified from the computerised register. Altogether 1834 attempts were made to contact the cases, of whom 339 were interviewed, giving a workload of 18 interviews per 100 attempts. For the controls 1359 attempts were made at contact to yield 339 interviews, a workload of 25 interviews per 100 attempts. Refusals (19%) and incorrect addresses (23%) were the two major reasons for failing to achieve interview. Only for four (0.6%) of the cases and one (0.2%) of the controls was no information gained. The proportion of attempts which led to interview remained constant with increasing numbers of call-backs (up to six for the cases and eight for the controls). A flexible approach to visit scheduling that takes account of local knowledge can lead to interviews with 66% of non-users of health screening, when incorrect addresses are removed. It is preferable to plan for many (up to six) visits to achieve interview. This will minimise non-response bias without increasing the workload per successful interview.

Nonusers of Academic Libraries:

This essay proposes the identification and study of nonusers of academic library reference services. Using the techniques previously applied to different classes of public library users, researchers could benefit from information already available, as well as undertake survey research on lifestyles in academe. The discussion puts forth the claim that nonusers of academic libraries are potential users belonging to the same three groups as current users: faculty, staff, and students. A brief overview of the results of the application of lifestyles research to public library user groups is provided. Finally, the article describes some lifestyle characteristics of each of the three groups and their possible implications for academic library reference services.

Practical Problems in the Conduct of Non-US Studies from Which Data Will Be Used for US Registration

Practical Problems in the Conduct of Non-US Studies from Which Data Will Be Used for US Registration

An epidemiological approach to the study of users and nonusers of child health services.

A case-comparison study was carried out in 1972 to determine the characteristics of users and nonusers of child health services. A sample of 529 mothers with children under five years of age (eligible children) residing in one poor barrio in Cali, Colombia was selected. The characteristics of mothers and their eligible children were described in relation to their use or nonuse of health services and a set of indicators was develop which differentiated the nonuser group from the user group. A two-stage sampling technique was used. First, blocks in the barrio were sampled, and second, an equal number of mothers with eligible children who used and who did not use services in the year prior to the study were selected for interview. Nonusers were matched with users on distance from home to local health center. The set of indicators which best discriminated the groups was: the number of eligible children, age of mother, access to free medical care, the action proneness score (attitudes), and knowledge of health, illness, and services. The study method permitted identification of the target population for services, determination of current patterns of use, and quantification of morbidity and immunization levels.

Users and Non-Users of a Student Psychiatric Clinic

Studies of the clientele of psychiatric clinics have repeatedly shown that use is highly correlated with social variables such as social class. Since non-users are never studied, it is not clear whether these correlations occur because there is more illness in some social strata, or for other reasons. In the present study of users and non-users, it is found that the larger determinant of the correlation is not amount of illness, but religion and religious participation. This finding is interpreted to mean that there is a psychiatric public, whose members are oriented toward clinic-use with fewer symptoms fh.".n o-m.r.

An Output Study of Users and Non-users of Tobacco in a Strenuous Physical Occupation

An Output Study of Users and Non-users of Tobacco in a Strenuous Physical Occupation