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Beyond 'Negotiation' Challenges of Participatory Projects for the Anthropology of Development

The notion of 'negotiated development' implies the 'unpacking' of a predetermined technological package by local brokers in accordance with their own needs and interests. Studies elaborating this proposition have given rise to a stimulating literature which generally defends the thesis that development interventions must be studied as only one element of a broader process of social change . I have been much inspired by the methodological foundations of this perspective, at the roots of which..

Beyond 'Negotiation' Challenges of Participatory Projects for the Anthropology of Development

The notion of 'negotiated development' implies the 'unpacking' of a predetermined technological package by local brokers in accordance with their own needs and interests. Studies elaborating this proposition have given rise to a stimulating literature which generally defends the thesis that development interventions must be studied as only one element of a broader process of social change . I have been much inspired by the methodological foundations of this perspective, at the roots of which..

The relationship between isometric mid-thigh pull force-time characteristics and swing performance in high-level youth golfers

The production of vertical ground reaction force has been suggested to relate directly to club head speed (CHS) in golfers, providing a rationale for the implementation of strength and conditioning to enhance performance. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) force-time characteristics and measures of swing performance (CHS and Carry) in high-level youth golfers. Thirteen high-level youth golfers selected for their National Squad performed IMTP and swing testing using a TrackMan launch monitor across two testing sessions. Results revealed significant correlations between IMTP Peak Force (PF) and 6-iron Carry (r=0.91, p<0.001), Driver Carry (r=0.91, p<0.001), 6-iron CHS (r=0.89, p<0.001) and Driver CHS (r=0.88, p<0.001). All other variables showed trivial to large non-significant correlations. Findings support the use of the IMTP as a testing tool in high-level youth golfers and emphasise the importance of strength training within this population

Embeddings, dimension groups and presentations of AF algebras, and the index of subfactors

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Cost-effectiveness of Implementing Low-Tidal Volume Ventilation in Patients With Acute Lung Injury

Background: Despite widespread guidelines recommending the use of lung-protective ventilation (LPV) in patients with acute lung injury (ALI), many patients do not receive this lifesaving therapy. We sought to estimate the incremental clinical and economic outcomes associated with LPV and determined the maximum cost of a hypothetical intervention to improve adherence with LPV that remained cost-effective. Methods: Adopting a societal perspective, we developed a theoretical decision model to determine the cost-effectiveness of LPV compared to non-LPV care. Model inputs were derived from the literature and a large population-based cohort of patients with ALI. Cost-effectiveness was determined as the cost per life saved and the cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained. Results: Application of LPV resulted in an increase in QALYs gained by 15% (4.21 years for non-LPV vs 4.83 years for LPV), and an increase in lifetime costs of $7,233 per patient with ALI ($99,588 for non-LPV vs $106,821 for LPV). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for LPV were$22,566 per life saved at hospital discharge and $11,690 per QALY gained. The maximum, cost-effective, per patient investment in a hypothetical program to improve LPV adherence from 50 to 90$9,482. Results were robust to a wide range of economic and patient parameter assumptions. Conclusions: Even a costly intervention to improve adherence with low-tidal volume ventilation in patients with ALI reduces death and is cost-effective by current societal standards.NIH F32HL090220.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/84154/1/Cooke - CEA LPV.pd

Rectal Optical Markers for In-vivo Risk Stratification of Premalignant Colorectal Lesions.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. despite being eminently preventable by colonoscopy via removal of premalignant adenomas. In order to more effectively reduce colorectal cancer mortality, improved screening paradigms are needed. Our group pioneered the use of low coherence enhanced backscattering (LEBS) spectroscopy to detect the presence of adenomas throughout the colon via optical interrogation of the rectal mucosa. In a previous ex-vivo biopsy study of 219 patients, LEBS demonstrated excellent diagnostic potential with 89.5% accuracy for advanced adenomas. The objective of the current cross-sectional study is to assess the viability of rectal LEBS in-vivo. Experimental Design: Measurements from 619 patients were taken using a minimally invasive 3.4 mm diameter LEBS probe introduced into the rectum via anoscope or direct insertion, requiring ~1 minute from probe insertion to withdrawal. The diagnostic LEBS marker was formed as a logistic regression of the optical reduced scattering coefficient μs∗ and mass density distribution factor D. Results: The rectal LEBS marker was significantly altered in patients harboring advanced adenomas and multiple non-advanced adenomas throughout the colon. Blinded and cross-validated test performance characteristics showed 88% sensitivity to advanced adenomas, 71% sensitivity to multiple non-advanced adenomas, and 72% specificity in the validation set. Conclusions: We demonstrate the viability of in-vivo LEBS measurement of histologically normal rectal mucosa to predict the presence of clinically relevant adenomas throughout the colon. The current work represents the next step in the development of rectal LEBS as a tool for colorectal cancer risk stratification