Socioeconomic inequalities in attitudes towards cancer: an international cancer benchmarking partnership study.

Socioeconomic status (SES) differences in attitudes towards cancer have been implicated in the differential screening uptake and the timeliness of symptomatic presentation. However, the predominant emphasis of this work has been on cancer fatalism, and many studies focus on specific community subgroups. This study aimed to assess SES differences in positive and negative attitudes towards cancer in UK adults. A population-based sample of UK adults (n=6965, age≥50 years) completed the Awareness and Beliefs about Cancer scale, including six belief items: three positively framed (e.g. 'Cancer can often be cured') and three negatively framed (e.g. 'A cancer diagnosis is a death sentence'). SES was indexed by education. Analyses controlled for sex, ethnicity, marital status, age, self-rated health, and cancer experience. There were few education-level differences for the positive statements, and overall agreement was high (all>90%). In contrast, there were strong differences for negative statements (all Ps<0.001). Among respondents with lower education levels, 57% agreed that 'treatment is worse than cancer', 27% that cancer is 'a death sentence' and 16% 'would not want to know if I have cancer'. Among those with university education, the respective proportions were 34, 17 and 6%. Differences were not explained by cancer experience or health status. In conclusion, positive statements about cancer outcomes attract near-universal agreement. However, this optimistic perspective coexists alongside widespread fears about survival and treatment, especially among less-educated groups. Health education campaigns targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged groups might benefit from a focus on reducing negative attitudes, which is not necessarily achieved by promoting positive attitudes

Penggunaan Contract Forward Hedging Secara Konvensional Dan Syariah Dalam Meminimalkan Risiko Nilai Tukar (Studi Kasus Pada PT Indofood Cbp Sukses Makmur, Tbk Dan Anak Perusahaan Yang Terdaftar Di JII)

Thissstudyxaimsxtoxdeterminexthexexchangexrate risk to bexfaced by PTxIndofoodxCBPII(ICBP) Sukses Makmur,xTbkxinx2015,xhowxthexusexofxcontract forward hedgingxof conventionalxand syar'i xonxxtotalxxnet liability in foreign exchange (forex), and the differences in corporate profits after the second calculation hedging. Differences forward contract conventional and Islamic heding located at the forward exchange rate calculations. Conventional forward exchange rate is calculated based on the foreign currency interest rate, while for sharia hedging forward exchange rate is calculated based on the value of the foreign exchange rate fluctuation risk. The results showed that both the forward hedging contract conventional and Islamic both provide positive changes in the financial statements of ICBP in 2015 in the form of foreign exchange earnings respectively Rp57,13 billion and Rp18,35 billion. Therefore, ICBP as a company whose shares are listed in the Jakarta Islamic Index (JII) may use forward hedging contract with this concept as a means to protect total net liabilities in foreign currency on the foreign exchange risk

Investigation of the international comparability of population-based routine hospital data set derived comorbidity scores for patients with lung cancer

INTRODUCTION: The International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) identified significant international differences in lung cancer survival. Differing levels of comorbid disease across ICBP countries has been suggested as a potential explanation of this variation but, to date, no studies have quantified its impact. This study investigated whether comparable, robust comorbidity scores can be derived from the different routine population-based cancer data sets available in the ICBP jurisdictions and, if so, use them to quantify international variation in comorbidity and determine its influence on outcome.METHODS: Linked population-based lung cancer registry and hospital discharge data sets were acquired from nine ICBP jurisdictions in Australia, Canada, Norway and the UK providing a study population of 233 981 individuals. For each person in this cohort Charlson, Elixhauser and inpatient bed day Comorbidity Scores were derived relating to the 4-36 months prior to their lung cancer diagnosis. The scores were then compared to assess their validity and feasibility of use in international survival comparisons.RESULTS: It was feasible to generate the three comorbidity scores for each jurisdiction, which were found to have good content, face and concurrent validity. Predictive validity was limited and there was evidence that the reliability was questionable.CONCLUSION: The results presented here indicate that interjurisdictional comparability of recorded comorbidity was limited due to probable differences in coding and hospital admission practices in each area. Before the contribution of comorbidity on international differences in cancer survival can be investigated an internationally harmonised comorbidity index is required.</p

Prioritization of combinatorial test cases by incremental interaction coverage

Combinatorial testing is a well-recognized testing method, and has been widely applied in practice. To facilitate analysis, a common approach is to assume that all test cases in a combinatorial test suite have the same fault detection capability. However, when testing resources are limited, the order of executing the test cases is critical. To improve testing cost-effectiveness, prioritization of combinatorial test cases is employed. The most popular approach is based on interaction coverage, which prioritizes combinatorial test cases by repeatedly choosing an unexecuted test case that covers the largest number on uncovered parameter value combinations of a given strength (level of interaction among parameters). However, this approach suffers from some drawbacks. Based on previous observations that the majority of faults in practical systems can usually be triggered with parameter interactions of small strengths, we propose a new strategy of prioritizing combinatorial test cases by incrementally adjusting the strength values. Experimental results show that our method performs better than the random prioritization technique and the technique of prioritizing combinatorial test suites according to test case generation order, and has better performance than the interaction-coverage-based test prioritization technique in most cases

The Adoption of a Code of Best Practice: Incentive Implications.

We study the incentives induced by the adoption of a Code of Best Practice. Using an agency model, we analyze whether and when firms are interested in adopting a Code that allows the shareholder to reduce the manager's discretion. Our results suggest that if a voluntary Code is available, not all firms will be interested in it. In firms that do adopt it, the Code is not always used to reach more efficient outcomes. Regarding investment decisions, we show that a proper design of a Code can alleviate the distortions caused by the agency problem at the investment level. Finally, we analyze some features that a regulator protecting shareholder's wealth should consider. Our findings suggest that heterogeneity in Codes may be partially explained by differences in the distribution of firms or by different abilities of the regulator.Codes of Best Practice, Corporate Governance, Agency model, Limited Liability

Is there a causal role for homocysteine concentration in blood pressure?:A Mendelian randomization study

Background: An understanding of whether homocysteine is a cause or a marker of increased blood pressure is relevant because blood homocysteine can be effectively lowered by safe and inexpensive interventions (e.g., vitamin B-6, B-9, and B-12 supplementation). Objective: The aim was to assess the causal influence of homocysteine on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively) in adults with the use of Mendelian randomization (MR). Design: Data from the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort (Brazil) were used. A total of 4297 subjects were evaluated in 2004–2005 (mean age: 22.8 y). The association of homocysteine concentration with SBP and DBP was assessed by conventional ordinary least-squares (OLS) linear regression and 2-stage least-squares (2SLS) regression (MR analysis). The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T (rs1801133) was used as proxy for homocysteine concentration. We also applied MR to data from the International Consortium for Blood Pressure (ICBP) genomewide association studies (>69,000 participants) using rs1801133 and additional homocysteine-associated SNPs as instruments. Results: In OLS regression, a 1-SD unit increase in log homocysteine concentration was associated with an increase of 0.9 (95% CI: 0.4, 1.4) mm Hg in SBP and of 1.0 (95% CI: 0.6, 1.4) mm Hg in DBP. In 2SLS regression, for the same increase in homocysteine, the coefficients were −1.8 mm Hg for SBP (95% CI: −3.9, 0.4 mm Hg; P = 0.01) and 0.1 mm Hg for DBP (95% CI: −1.5, 1.7 mm Hg; P = 0.24). In the MR analysis of ICBP data, homocysteine concentration was not associated with SBP (β = 0.6 mm Hg for each 1-SD unit increase in log homocysteine; 95% CI: −0.8, 1.9 mm Hg) but was positively associated with DBP (β = 1.1 mm Hg; 95% CI: 0.2, 1.9 mm Hg). The association of genetically increased homocysteine with DBP was not consistent across different SNPs. Conclusion: Overall, the present findings do not corroborate the hypothesis that homocysteine has a causal role in blood pressure, especially in SBP

An investigation of routes to cancer diagnosis in 10 international jurisdictions, as part of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership: Survey development and implementation

Objectives: This paper describes the methods used in the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership Module 4 Survey (ICBPM4) which examines time intervals and routes to cancer diagnosis in 10 jurisdictions. We present the study design with defining and measuring time intervals, identifying patients with cancer, questionnaire development, data management and analyses. Design and setting: Recruitment of participants to the ICBPM4 survey is based on cancer registries in each jurisdiction. Questionnaires draw on previous instruments and have been through a process of cognitive testing and piloting in three jurisdictions followed by standardised translation and adaptation. Data analysis focuses on comparing differences in time intervals and routes to diagnosis in the jurisdictions. Participants: Our target is 200 patients with symptomatic breast, lung, colorectal and ovarian cancer in each jurisdiction. Patients are approached directly or via their primary care physician (PCP). Patients’ PCPs and cancer treatment specialists (CTSs) are surveyed, and ‘data rules’ are applied to combine and reconcile conflicting information. Where CTS information is unavailable, audit information is sought from treatment records and databases. Main outcomes: Reliability testing of the patient questionnaire showed that agreement was complete (κ=1) in four items and substantial (κ=0.8, 95% CI 0.333 to 1) in one item. The identification of eligible patients is sufficient to meet the targets for breast, lung and colorectal cancer. Initial patient and PCP survey response rates from the UK and Sweden are comparable with similar published surveys. Data collection was completed in early 2016 for all cancer types. Conclusion: An international questionnaire-based survey of patients with cancer, PCPs and CTSs has been developed and launched in 10 jurisdictions. ICBPM4 will help to further understand international differences in cancer survival by comparing time intervals and routes to cancer diagnosis

Penentuan Portofolio Saham Yang Optimal Dengan Model Markowitz Sebagai Dasar Penetapan Investasi Saham (Studi Pada Perusahaan Food and Beverage Yang Terdaftar Di Bursa Efek Indonesia Tahun 2012)

The research was conducted on the basis of the increasing number of investors who choose to invest their funds in stocks , it is indicated by the increasing positive sentiment on stock investments as compared to other investments . Establishment of the Model Markowitz portfolio is one model that can be used to form portfolios , because with this model portfolios easily shaped to fit the desirable investment characteristics and objectives . Use of Markowitz model , it can be seen : a) where the company\u27s shares are included in the optimal portfolio , b ) what proportion of funds to be invested in each stock , and c ) what level of expected portfolio return and risk of the optimal portfolio . The results of this study indicate that there are nine stocks included in the optimal portfolio with Markowitz model . The formation of the portfolio , the risk can be reduced compared to stock only invested assets only on 1 stock only. Nine stocks included in the optimal portfolio model of Markowitz include stock : AISA , DLTA , ICBP , INDF , MLBI , MYOR , BREAD , SKLT and ULTJ

Optimasi Portofolio Saham Indeks Bisnis 27 Di Bursa Efek Indonesia (Pendekatan Model Markowitz)

Peningkatan teknologi dan informasi telah membuat pasar modal Indonesia sebagai alternatif investasi yang cukup menarik. Investasi.pada pasar modal cukup berisiko sehingga, investor harus memiliki keahlian dalam mengurangi risiko tersebut. Salah satu caranya adalah membentuk sebuah portofolio berdasarkan Model Markowitz maka, tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui saham-saham yang mana sajakah layak masuk ke dalam portofolio optimal dan untuk mengetahui proporsi dana pada setiap saham yang layak untuk memperoleh portofolio optimal pada saham Indeks Bisnis 27. Sampel penelitian ini menggunakan Indeks Bisnis 27 periode Mei-Oktober 2015 dan teknik analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah optimasi portofolio Model Markowitz. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa, dari 27 saham terdapat 5 saham yang layak masuk portofolio optimal dengan proporsinya masing-masing yaitu; AKR Corporindo (55.145%), Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur (2.444%), Lippo Karawaci (16.056%), Surya Citra Media (21.297%) dan Media Nusantara Citra (5.057%). Portofolio dari saham-saham tersebut, menghasilkan expected return sebesar 1.645%, pada tingkat risiko sebesar 3.437%