558 research outputs found
Union-Management Training Programs in the Public Sector: The New York Experience
[Excerpt] New York State has a long history of union-management education and training programs, making it unique in public sector employment. This chapter examines the programs undertaken at both state and city levels, as well as the applicability of the New York experience to other public sector jurisdictions. Although the profile of the New York State and city work force differs from that of the rest of the nation, there is much of value here for educators, union leaders, and others involved in public sector employment
Genome sequence of an alphaherpesvirus from a beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
Beluga whale alphaherpesvirus 1 was isolated from a blowhole swab taken from a juvenile beluga whale. The genome is 144,144 bp in size and contains 86 putative genes. The virus groups phylogenetically with members of the genus Varicellovirus in subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae and is the first alphaherpesvirus sequenced from a marine mammal
Economic Analysis of Increased Levels of Intramuscular Fat in Pork: Producer and Industry Opportunities
Ultrasound technology is available for accurately measuring intramuscular fat (IMF) in live pigs. This report provides information on the costs for pig producers and processors to implement this technology and what consumers are willing to pay for pork with improved levels of intramuscular fat. About half the participants in the willingness to pay study preferred the high IMF chop. They paid a premium of 25 percent over the low IMF chop.ultrasound technology, measure intramuscular fat live pigs, pig producer cost, pig processor costs, consumer willingness to pay, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Livestock Production/Industries, Marketing,
Effect of Naltrexone-Bupropion on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Overweight and Obese Patients With Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Randomized Clinical Trial
IMPORTANCE: Few cardiovascular outcomes trials have been conducted for obesity treatments. Withdrawal of 2 marketed drugs has resulted in controversy about the cardiovascular safety of obesity agents.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the combination of naltrexone and bupropion increases major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, defined as cardiovascular death, nonfatal stroke, or nonfatal myocardial infarction) compared with placebo in overweight and obese patients.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind noninferiority trial enrolling 8910 overweight or obese patients at increased cardiovascular risk from June 13, 2012, to January 21, 2013, at 266 US centers. After public release of confidential interim data by the sponsor, the academic leadership of the study recommended termination of the trial and the sponsor agreed.
INTERVENTIONS: An Internet-based weight management program was provided to all participants. Participants were randomized to receive placebo (n=4454) or naltrexone, 32 mg/d, and bupropion, 360 mg/d (n=4456).
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Time from randomization to first confirmed occurrence of a MACE. The primary analysis planned to assess a noninferiority hazard ratio (HR) of 1.4 after 378 expected events, with a confidential interim analysis after approximately 87 events (25% interim analysis) to assess a noninferiority HR of 2.0 for consideration of regulatory approval.
RESULTS: Among the 8910 participants randomized, mean age was 61.0 years (SD, 7.3 years), 54.5% were female, 32.1% had a history of cardiovascular disease, and 85.2% had diabetes, with a median body mass index of 36.6 (interquartile range, 33.1-40.9). For the 25% interim analysis, MACE occurred in 59 placebo-treated patients (1.3%) and 35 naltrexone-bupropion-treated patients (0.8%; HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.39-0.90). After 50% of planned events, MACE occurred in 102 patients (2.3%) in the placebo group and 90 patients (2.0%) in the naltrexone-bupropion group (HR, 0.88; adjusted 99.7% CI, 0.57-1.34). Adverse effects were more common in the naltrexone-bupropion group, including gastrointestinal events in 14.2% vs 1.9% (P < .001) and central nervous system symptoms in 5.1% vs 1.2% (P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among overweight or obese patients at increased cardiovascular risk, based on the interim analyses performed after 25% and 50% of planned events, the upper limit of the 95% CI of the HR for MACE for naltrexone-bupropion treatment, compared with placebo, did not exceed 2.0. However, because of the unanticipated early termination of the trial, it is not possible to assess noninferiority for the prespecified upper limit of 1.4. Accordingly, the cardiovascular safety of this treatment remains uncertain and will require evaluation in a new adequately powered outcome trial.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01601704
The Vehicle, Spring 1984
Vol. 25, No. 2
Table of Contents
The OpeningKathy Fordpage 3
PaintThomas B. Waltrippage 3
PhotographLisa Fresepage 4
City as Castigating AnimalJerry McAnultypage 5
LimitsMichelle Mitchellpage 6
In SilenceKeila Tooleypage 6
PhotographLisa Fresepage 7
Indian CreekJerry McAnultypage 8
The Right Idea about RainMichelle Mitchellpage 8
Van Gogh\u27s Young Male PeasantKeila Tooleypage 9
AbigailMaggie Kennedypage 9
CleaningJennifer K. Soulepage 10
Heat WaveJerry McAnultypage 11
VigilJanet Gracepage 11
Hatred of ClownsMichelle Mitchellpage 12
Trees in the YardKeila Tooleypage 13
Lost on Back RoadsToby Mirabellipage 13
The Death of My Father\u27s HandsGina Grillopage 14
Soft LandingMaggie Kennedypage 14
Incident in the Generic AisleMaggie Kennedypage 15
Happy Well-adjusted Individuals, ConsideringJennifer K. Soulepage 16
Old ManGina Grillopage 17
It Doesn\u27t MatterTed Boonepage 18
A Love Poem for Charles DonaldCathy Moepage 18
David Willey at Whitman WharfSue Oiler Millerpage 19
I Am the ArtsBrenda Renee Drummerpage 20
Mothers and DaughtersJennifer K. Soulepage 22
ScratchesMichelle Mitchellpage 26
SedativeStacey Flanniganpage 26
Calloused HandJanet Gracepage 27
Cool CatStacey Flanniganpage 27
For My History Teacher, Miss WilhelmCathy Moepage 28
Short Poem for Chris\u27s EyesBob Zordanipage 28
MissingMichelle Mitchellpage 29
Over ThereGraham Lewispage 30
Strange BedfellowsMaggie Kennedypage 31
Retired PlumberMichelle Mitchellpage 32
Rumors of War DeadKathy Fordpage 33
Night LightsKeila Tooleypage 33
Fish on the Train TracksJerry McAnultypage 34
DaddyKeily Tooleypage 34
A Message to the MessengerAmy Eadespage 35
Dancing AloneKathy Bowerpage 36
HandsMaggie Kennedypage 36
The Key to the Ladies\u27s RoomMichelle Mitchellpage 37
Crashing the BlueStacey Flanniganpage 37
The Cradle will FallMichelle Mitchellpate 38
One IslandKeila Tooleypage 38
Black Walnut PaintSue Oiler Millerpage 39
SerendipityGraham Lewispage 40
Cover ArtLisa Fresehttps://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1045/thumbnail.jp
Bovine Tuberculosis in Free-Ranging Carnivores from Michigan
During a survey of carnivores and omnivores for bovine tuberculosis conducted in Michigan (USA) since 1996, Mycobacterium bovis was cultured from lymph nodes pooled from six coyotes (Canis latrans) (four adult female, two adult male), two adult male raccoons (Procyon lotor), one adult male red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and one 1.5-yr-old male black bear (Ursus americanus). One adult, male bobcat (Felis rufus) with histologic lesions suggestive of tuberculosis was negative on culture but positive for organisms belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex when tested by polymerase chain reaction. All the tuberculous animals were taken from three adjoining counties where M. bovis is known to be endemic in the free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population. There were two coyotes, one raccoon, one red fox, and one bobcat infected in Alpena county. Montmorency County had two coyotes and one raccoon with M. bovis. Two coyotes and a bear were infected from Alcona County. These free-ranging carnivores/omnivores probably became infected with M. bovis through consumption of tuberculous deer. Other species included in the survey were opossum (Didelphis virginiana), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and badger (Taxidea taxus); these were negative for M. bovis
Programmatic Evaluation of a Combined Antigen and Antibody Test for Rapid HIV Diagnosis in a Community and Sexual Health Clinic Screening Programme
Background
A substantial proportion of HIV-infected individuals in the UK are unaware of their status and late presentations continue, especially in low prevalence areas. Fourth generation antigen/antibody rapid test kits could facilitate earlier diagnosis of HIV in non-clinical settings but lack data on performance under programmatic conditions.
Methods and Findings
We evaluated the performance of Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo Test (Determine Combo), a rapid test with indicators for both HIV antibodies and p24 antigen, in participants recruited from community outreach and hospital-based sexual health clinics. HIV infection was confirmed using laboratory enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA), Line Immuno Assay (LIA) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In total, 953 people underwent HIV testing. HIV antibody (Ab) prevalence was 1.8% (17/953). Four false positive rapid tests were identified: two antibody and two p24 antigen (Ag) reactions. Of participants diagnosed as HIV Ab positive, 2/17 (12%) were recent seroconverters based on clinical history and HIV antibody avidity test results. However, none of these were detected by the p24 antigen component of the rapid test kit. There were no other true positive p24 Ag tests.
Conclusion
These data lend support to an increasing body of evidence suggesting that 4th generation rapid HIV tests have little additional benefit over 3rd generation HIV kits for routine screening in low prevalence settings and have high rates of false positives. In order to optimally combine community-based case-finding among hard-to-reach groups with reliable and early diagnosis 3rd generation kits should be primarily used with laboratory testing of individuals thought to be at risk of acute HIV infection. A more reliable point of care diagnostic is required for the accurate detection of acute HIV infection under programmatic conditions
The Vehicle, Fall 1983
Vol. 25, No. 1
Table of Contents
Amish BoyDevon Flesorpage 3
SyllogismJ. Maura Davispage 3
Ten SecondsD.L. Lewispage 4
The Cedar ChestBridget M. Howepage 4
A Christmas With CarolSteve Longpage 5
TeethMichelle Mitchellpage 7
An I-Love-You PoemD.L. Lewispage 8
The Dragon SlayerSusan Gradypage 8
A DefinitionAmy J. Eadespage 9
FingernailsSuzanne Hornpage 10
The Liar\u27s TableBrook Wilsonpage 10
Fifi\u27s Last PartySteve Longpage 12
Absence/PresenceSuzanne Hornpage 13
From the Rantings of a Mad Astronomy StudentAmy J. Eadespage 13
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and MachiavelliF. Link Rapierpage 15
Errant LoverBecky Lawsonpage 16
DaddyKevin Lylespage 16
GhostsGary Ervinpage 17
TangoF. Link Rapierpage 17
Grandma\u27s SlippersBecky Lawsonpage 18
EdgesAmy J. Eadespage 19
Having ChildrenDevon Flesorpage 20
Young Black GirlKevin Lylespage 21
CatSuzanne Hornpage 22
Breakfast for OneMichelle Mitchellpage 22
A Modest ProposalBrooke Sanfordpage 23
Post MortemF. Link Rapierpage 26
Who Said I Forgot?Lynne Krausepage 27
The Corner Booth at StuckeysMaggie Kennedypage 28
The First DayDavis Brydenpage 29
DownLynne Krausepage 30
Fairie RingDevon Flesorpage 31
The LaundrymatKathy Fordpage 32
Sunday in OctoberBridget M. Howepage 32
The Kitchen WindowMaggie Kennedypage 33
UntitledChristina Maire Vitekpage 34
8th Grade Field Trip to SpringfieldMichelle Mitchellpage 34
Children of the FortiesF. Link Rapierpage 35
one winter and i was eightGary Ervinpage 35
Don\u27t we all know?Thomas B. Waltrippage 36
The TravelerMaggie Kennedypage 36
The VisitKathy Fordpage 40
CubismMaggie Kennedypage 40https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1042/thumbnail.jp
The Vehicle, Fall 1983
Vol. 25, No. 1
Table of Contents
Amish BoyDevon Flesorpage 3
SyllogismJ. Maura Davispage 3
Ten SecondsD.L. Lewispage 4
The Cedar ChestBridget M. Howepage 4
A Christmas With CarolSteve Longpage 5
TeethMichelle Mitchellpage 7
An I-Love-You PoemD.L. Lewispage 8
The Dragon SlayerSusan Gradypage 8
A DefinitionAmy J. Eadespage 9
FingernailsSuzanne Hornpage 10
The Liar\u27s TableBrook Wilsonpage 10
Fifi\u27s Last PartySteve Longpage 12
Absence/PresenceSuzanne Hornpage 13
From the Rantings of a Mad Astronomy StudentAmy J. Eadespage 13
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and MachiavelliF. Link Rapierpage 15
Errant LoverBecky Lawsonpage 16
DaddyKevin Lylespage 16
GhostsGary Ervinpage 17
TangoF. Link Rapierpage 17
Grandma\u27s SlippersBecky Lawsonpage 18
EdgesAmy J. Eadespage 19
Having ChildrenDevon Flesorpage 20
Young Black GirlKevin Lylespage 21
CatSuzanne Hornpage 22
Breakfast for OneMichelle Mitchellpage 22
A Modest ProposalBrooke Sanfordpage 23
Post MortemF. Link Rapierpage 26
Who Said I Forgot?Lynne Krausepage 27
The Corner Booth at StuckeysMaggie Kennedypage 28
The First DayDavis Brydenpage 29
DownLynne Krausepage 30
Fairie RingDevon Flesorpage 31
The LaundrymatKathy Fordpage 32
Sunday in OctoberBridget M. Howepage 32
The Kitchen WindowMaggie Kennedypage 33
UntitledChristina Maire Vitekpage 34
8th Grade Field Trip to SpringfieldMichelle Mitchellpage 34
Children of the FortiesF. Link Rapierpage 35
one winter and i was eightGary Ervinpage 35
Don\u27t we all know?Thomas B. Waltrippage 36
The TravelerMaggie Kennedypage 36
The VisitKathy Fordpage 40
CubismMaggie Kennedypage 40https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1042/thumbnail.jp
The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire: psychometric properties, benchmarking data, and emerging research
BACKGROUND: There is widespread interest in measuring healthcare provider attitudes about issues relevant to patient safety (often called safety climate or safety culture). Here we report the psychometric properties, establish benchmarking data, and discuss emerging areas of research with the University of Texas Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. METHODS: Six cross-sectional surveys of health care providers (n = 10,843) in 203 clinical areas (including critical care units, operating rooms, inpatient settings, and ambulatory clinics) in three countries (USA, UK, New Zealand). Multilevel factor analyses yielded results at the clinical area level and the respondent nested within clinical area level. We report scale reliability, floor/ceiling effects, item factor loadings, inter-factor correlations, and percentage of respondents who agree with each item and scale. RESULTS: A six factor model of provider attitudes fit to the data at both the clinical area and respondent nested within clinical area levels. The factors were: Teamwork Climate, Safety Climate, Perceptions of Management, Job Satisfaction, Working Conditions, and Stress Recognition. Scale reliability was 0.9. Provider attitudes varied greatly both within and among organizations. Results are presented to allow benchmarking among organizations and emerging research is discussed. CONCLUSION: The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire demonstrated good psychometric properties. Healthcare organizations can use the survey to measure caregiver attitudes about six patient safety-related domains, to compare themselves with other organizations, to prompt interventions to improve safety attitudes and to measure the effectiveness of these interventions
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