Distinct cytokine profiles across trajectories of self-perceived cognitive impairment among early-stage breast cancer survivors.

The aim of the current study is to identify distinct cytokine profiles in relation to self-perceived cognitive trajectories. In our study cohort (n = 128), early-stage breast cancer patients were categorized into no impairment reported, acute, delayed, persistent and intermittent cognitive decline respectively. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were elevated compared to baseline; with TNF-α implicated in the acute cognitive trajectory while IL-6 and IL-8 were involved in the persistent cognitive trajectory. Our findings help to further our understanding of cytokine profiles implicated in cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) and support the use of cytokine levels as biomarkers of cognitive decline over time

Differentiation vs. standardisation in supply chain segmentation: a quantitative study

The key value proposition of supply chain segmentation is to differentiate supply chains through a reasonable number of segments in order to gain a level of standardisation and avoid managerial complexity incurred in fully customised supplychains. The decision on how products are grouped into segments is at the core of a successful implementation. A fundamental trade-off in this decision-making process is between higher differentiation by having small group sizes and higher standardisation from a smaller number of groups. In this manuscript, we implement segmentation on supply chain configurations and investigate the trade-off by analysing several network scenarios. We use optimisation models for each scenarioto align decisions of segment formation and supply chain configurations. We show that divergences in demand characteristics, geographic difference, and cost synergy such as pooling effect have impacts on the balance of standardisation and differentiation

Investment Intention in Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a form of investment that has emerged in the alternative financial market. It addresses the unmet demand of small investors wanting to contribute to a project. In developing countries, this concept is recent, thus leading to less activity compared to advanced markets. This master thesis seeks to explain the factors that drive or prevent investors from developed countries to fund projects in developing countries. Factors like monetary utility, social utility, cultural distance, geographical distance, personal interest, perceived risk on crowdfunding, perceived risk on investment in developing countries, and self-efficacy have been identified from the literature review. This study has used a descriptive quantitative approach and collected data from 79 individuals, mainly Norwegian nationals. Of the eight hypotheses, monetary utility, personal interest, perceived risk on investment in developing countries have not been testable due to inadequate data. Cultural distance and geographical distance have been merged into one variable as psychic distance due to being too highly correlated. The findings from the multiple regression analysis have resulted us in accepting the hypotheses of societal utility, self-efficacy, and psychic distance to be factors that impact the investment decisions in crowdfunding. Perceived risk on crowdfunding on the other hand has been found insignificant. The results of this study have contributed to the existing theory of planned behavior. For practice, the results are highly relevant for fund seekers who are trying to raise fund through crowdfunding

Investment Intention in Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a form of investment that has emerged in the alternative financemarket. It addresses the unmet demand of small investorswanting toinvest in startups orcontribute to projects. In developing countries, this concept is recent,thus leadingto less activity compared to advanced markets. This master thesis seeksto explain the factors that driveor prevent investors from developed countries to fund projectsin developing countries. Factorslike monetary utility, societalutility, cultural distance, geographical distance, personal interest, perceived risk of crowdfunding, perceived risk on investment in developing countries, and self-efficacy have been identified inthe literature review. These factors have been transformed to testablehypotheses. This studyhasusedanexploratory quantitative approach andcollecteddata from 79 individuals, mainlyNorwegian nationals. Of the eight hypotheses, monetary utility, personal interestandperceived risk of investment in developing countries havenot been testable due to inadequatedata.The two hypothesescultural distance and geographical distance have beenmergedinto one variable as psychic distance due to being too highly correlated. Findingsfromthemultiple regression analysis have resultedinusaccepting the hypotheses of societal utility, self-efficacy, and psychic distance to be factors that impact investment intentionin crowdfunding. Perceived risk of crowdfunding on the other hand has beenfound insignificant. Results of this study havecontributed to our theoretical understanding of drivers and barriers for using crowdfunding for investment in developing countries. For practice, the results are highly relevant for fund seekers who are trying to raise funds through crowdfunding

Risk Assessment of Ocular Hypertension and the Use of Medication

Ocular hypertension (OHT) is the only known modifiable risk factor of glaucoma development. Intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering therapy reduces the risk of glaucoma development. The 5-year risk of glaucoma conversion is <10% for untreated OHT patients. Cost-effectiveness analyses suggested that it is not cost-effective to treat all patients with OHT. Treatment should be targeted towards the higher-risk group—namely, patients with older age, a higher level of IOP, a thinner central corneal thickness (CCT), a larger vertical cup-to-disc ratio (VCDR) and a smaller pattern standard deviation (PSD) value on visual field (VF) test. These risk factors were established by the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) and the European Glaucoma Prevention Study (EGPS). However, there is significant variability in the measurement of the currently known risk factors, especially if the assessment is taken from a longitudinal perspective. This can lead to overtreatment or under-treatment: the former exposing the patient to unnecessary side effects of IOP-lowering eye drops and the latter putting the patient at risk of developing glaucoma. The advancement of new VF algorithm and ocular imaging can lead to the identification of new approaches to risk stratification and, thus, more specific treatment for OHT patients

Help Seeking, Work Status, and Outcome: Counseling Psychologist’s Prospective Role

Exploring the effects on mental health outcome when individuals who admit they are in need of mental health help and actually do engage in help seeking (versus those who admit a need but do not seek help), in addition to work status may provide support to bolster the education and promotion of help seeking and work engagement. Moreover, counseling psychologists may be best positioned to understand how career and mental health issues interact by addressing the concerns of occupational mental health. The current study examined the effects of actual mental health help seeking and work status on mental health outcome

Help Seeking, Work Status, and Outcome: Counseling Psychologist’s Prospective Role

Exploring the effects on mental health outcome when individuals who admit they are in need of mental health help and actually do engage in help seeking (versus those who admit a need but do not seek help), in addition to work status may provide support to bolster the education and promotion of help seeking and work engagement. Moreover, counseling psychologists may be best positioned to understand how career and mental health issues interact by addressing the concerns of occupational mental health. The current study examined the effects of actual mental health help seeking and work status on mental health outcome

Sensor.IO

ME450 Capstone Design and Manufacturing Experience: Winter 2021The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (AACIL), an organization led by people with disabilities to empower the lives of people with disabilities, wants an electronic input/output device that gives a unique sensory experience for their members. The device must map user inputs to outputs, enabling users with varying levels of ability to interact with the device and giving them autonomy in the final output of the device. This need was identified by our three primary stakeholders: Sean Ahlquist (A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning Professor), Claire Moore (AACIL’s Visual Arts teacher), and an AACIL Visual Arts participant. Through an ideation phase, screening using requirements and specifications, and evaluation using a Pugh chart, we selected our final design: an input/output device that manipulates a textile to alter the projections of lights shining through the textile. Based on a theoretical model of the system, experiments to characterize the interaction between lights and textiles, and preliminary electrical analysis, we created a detailed CAD model. We then moved into manufacturing, ordering purchased components, and assembly. We conducted extensive user testing and verification of our requirements and specifications. The team verified 8 of our 10 requirements, including our user engagement and accessibility requirements. Some of our requirements were not met due to time and budget limitations, including durability and safety labeling. Overall, the device achieved its purpose of providing an accessible, interactive, engaging input/output device for self-expression.Sean Ahlquist; Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living: UM Architecturehttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/167649/1/Team_34-SensorIO.pd