2,603 research outputs found
Vaccine effectiveness against laboratory-confirmed influenza in Europe – Results from the DRIVE network during season 2018/19
No full textThe DRIVE project aims to establish a sustainable network to estimate brand-specific influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) annually. DRIVE is a public–private partnership launched in response to EMA guidance that requires effectiveness evaluation from manufacturers for all individual influenza vaccine brands every season. IVE studies are conducted by public partners in DRIVE. Private partners (vaccine manufacturers from the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Association (EFPIA)) provide written feedback moderated by an independent scientific committee.
Test-negative design (TND) case-control studies (4 in primary care and five in hospital) were conducted in six countries in Europe during the 2018/19 season. Site-specific confounder-adjusted vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates for any vaccine exposure were calculated by age group (<18 years (y), 18-64y and 65 + y) and pooled by setting (primary care, hospital) through random effects meta-analysis. In addition, one population-based cohort study was conducted in Finland.
TND studies included 3339 cases and 6012 controls; seven vaccine brands were reported. For ages 65 + y, pooled VE against any influenza strain was estimated at 27% (95%CI 6–44) in hospital setting. Sample size was insufficient for meaningful IVE estimates in other age groups, in the primary care setting, or by vaccine brand.
The population-based cohort study included 274,077 vaccinated and 494,337 unvaccinated person-years, two vaccine brands were reported. Brand-specific IVE was estimated for Fluenz Tetra (36% [95%CI 24–45]) for ages 2-6y, Vaxigrip Tetra (54% [43–62]) for ages 6 months to 6y, and Vaxigrip Tetra (30% [25–35]) for ages 65 + y.
The results presented are from the second influenza season covered by the DRIVE network. While sample size from the pooled TND studies was still too low for precise (brand-specific) IVE estimates, the network has approximately doubled in size compared to the pilot season. Taking measures to increase sample size is an important focus of DRIVE for the coming years
Vaccine effectiveness against laboratory-confirmed influenza in Europe - Results from the DRIVE network during season 2018/19
No full textThe DRIVE project aims to establish a sustainable network to estimate brand-specific influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) annually. DRIVE is a public-private partnership launched in response to EMA guidance that requires effectiveness evaluation from manufacturers for all individual influenza vaccine brands every season. IVE studies are conducted by public partners in DRIVE. Private partners (vaccine manufacturers from the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Association (EFPIA)) provide written feedback moderated by an independent scientific committee. Test-negative design (TND) case-control studies (4 in primary care and five in hospital) were conducted in six countries in Europe during the 2018/19 season. Site-specific confounder-adjusted vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates for any vaccine exposure were calculated by age group (<18 years (y), 18-64y and 65 + y) and pooled by setting (primary care, hospital) through random effects meta-analysis. In addition, one population-based cohort study was conducted in Finland. TND studies included 3339 cases and 6012 controls; seven vaccine brands were reported. For ages 65 + y, pooled VE against any influenza strain was estimated at 27% (95%CI 6-44) in hospital setting. Sample size was insufficient for meaningful IVE estimates in other age groups, in the primary care setting, or by vaccine brand. The population-based cohort study included 274,077 vaccinated and 494,337 unvaccinated person-years, two vaccine brands were reported. Brand-specific IVE was estimated for Fluenz Tetra (36% [95%CI 24-45]) for ages 2-6y, Vaxigrip Tetra (54% [43-62]) for ages 6 months to 6y, and Vaxigrip Tetra (30% [25-35]) for ages 65 + y. The results presented are from the second influenza season covered by the DRIVE network. While sample size from the pooled TND studies was still too low for precise (brand-specific) IVE estimates, the network has approximately doubled in size compared to the pilot season. Taking measures to increase sample size is an important focus of DRIVE for the coming years
Creating public value: Optimizing cooperation Between public and private Partners in infrastructure Projects
No full textInfrastructure projects - such as the construction of tunnels and bridges or the (re)construction of roads and highways – are always performed to add quality to society. In The Netherlands, these projects are most often financed by the government, from local to national level, and constructed by private contractors. Public and private partners increasingly recognize the importance of cooperation to ensure successful execution of projects. However, the partnership arrangements made at strategic level are still difficult to ensure at tactical level, where the project is controlled. This study focuses on the tactical level and specifically on the perspective of the public project managers. It is investigated what they consider project success and how the project management team operates to control the project processes. The main result of this study is the public Value Chain in which the processes of the combined project organization are captured. Recommendations are made on the primary and secondary processes that binds the partners to each other. The public Value Chain will help collaborating partners to position their specific contribution to the project outcomes more clearly. Practitioners are encouraged to use the public Value Chain to organize their project activities and discuss the contribution of both public and private parent organizations to an efficient process. It can help partners to execute their specific contribution to the value they are creating. This will further optimize collaboration between public and private partners.Integral Design & Managemen
Fly-in fly-out workforce practices in Australia: the effects on children and family relationships
No full textThis paper summarises the emerging literature on the effect on children and family relationships of having a fly-in fly-out/drive-in drive-out FIFO/DIDO parent.
Abstract: A limited but growing amount of Australian research into fly-in fly-out (FIFO) work practices tentatively suggests that a FIFO lifestyle can have positive, negative or few effects on children and on family relationships, depending on the circumstances. Effects vary according to a range of contextual factors, such as workplace cultures, rosters and recruitment practices, as well as community and home environments, and individual characteristics. As a result, there is a high level of complexity involved in understanding the FIFO lifestyle and how it may impact on outcomes for children and family relationships. Substantial limitations in regards to the available evidence highlight the need for further research rather than providing any robust conclusions.
Key messages:
Limited studies exist that explore the effects on children and family relationships of having a FIFO parent. Research to date indicates that FIFO families are likely to be healthy, functioning families that demonstrate high levels of communication and cohesion. Most FIFO couples report healthy, satisfying and cohesive relationships.
Potential impacts on children include: negative emotions experienced as a result of the FIFO parent\u27s absence; increased levels of behaviour problems (particularly amongst boys) when the parent is away for longer periods; greater experiences of bullying at school; and increased pressure to succeed academically. However, some children view the extended time that a FIFO parent has at home as a positive outcome.
Parenting is a challenge for FIFO families, particularly for partners at home to manage the continual transitioning from solo parenting to co-parenting. Providing for the physical, emotional and intellectual needs of children can be difficult without the support of a partner at home.
The ability to communicate regularly, privately, effectively and spontaneously is an important factor that mediates the impact a FIFO lifestyle can have on children and families.
Family support services, policy-makers and practitioners need to be aware of the unique set of challenges faced by FIFO workers and their families.
Further research is needed that is longitudinal, engages with all types of FIFO workers and their families, and includes data collection prior to entry into FIFO work.
A FIFO lifestyle does not suit everyone. Families considering FIFO should thoroughly review the likely advantages and disadvantages to all members of the family. Before commencing FIFO work, families should identify the resources and supports available at the work site and in the home environment and be aware of pressure points and coping strategies
Young women's use of a microbicide surrogate: The complex influence of relationship characteristics and perceived male partners' evaluations
No full textThis is the post-print version of the article. The official published version can be found at the link below.Currently in clinical trials, vaginal microbicides are proposed as a female-initiated method of sexually transmitted infection prevention. Much of microbicide acceptability research has been conducted outside of the United States and frequently without consideration of the social interaction between sex partners, ignoring the complex gender and power structures often inherent in young women’s (heterosexual) relationships. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to build on existing microbicide research by exploring the role of male partners and relationship characteristics on young women’s use of a microbicide surrogate, an inert vaginal moisturizer (VM), in a large city in the United States. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 young women (18–23 years old; 85% African American; 47.5% mothers) following use of the VM during coital events for a 4 week period. Overall, the results indicated that relationship dynamics and perceptions of male partners influenced VM evaluation. These two factors suggest that relationship context will need to be considered in the promotion of vaginal microbicides. The findings offer insights into how future acceptability and use of microbicides will be influenced by gendered power dynamics. The results also underscore the importance of incorporating men into microbicide promotion efforts while encouraging a dialogue that focuses attention on power inequities that can exist in heterosexual relationships. Detailed understanding of these issues is essential for successful microbicide acceptability, social marketing, education, and use.This study was funded by a grant from National Institutes of Health (NIHU19AI 31494) as well as research awards to the first author: Friends of the Kinsey Institute Research Grant Award, Indiana University’s School of HPER Graduate Student Grant-in-Aid of Research Award, William L. Yarber Sexual Health Fellowship, and the Indiana University Graduate and Professional Student Organization Research Grant
Visibility of Contributions and Cost of Information: An Experiment on Public Goods
No full textWe experimentally investigate the impact of visibility of information about contributors on contributions in the public goods game. We systematically consider several treatments that are similar to a wide range of situations in practice. First, we vary the cost of viewing identifiable information about contributors. Second, we vary recognizing all, top or bottom contributors. We find that recognizing all contributors significantly increases contributions relative to the baseline. Recognizing only the top contributors is not significantly different from not recognizing contributors, but recognizing only the bottom contributors is as effective as recognizing all contributors. When viewing information about contributors is costly, there is no significant difference in contributions as compared to the case where all contributors are displayed by default. This effect holds even though the identities of contributors are viewed less than ten percent of the time.public-goods, information, competition
On the Determinants of Cross Border Co-operation of Austrian Firms with Central and Eastern European Partners
No full textI analyse cross-border co-operation of Austrian firms with CEEC partners. Firm size, previous experience with co-operation and depth of integration with the most important partner are more important determinants of co-operation than distance to the closest potential partner. Firms with experience of co-operation are more likely to enter business relationships and less likely not to co-operate. Small firms are unlikely to co-operate in incentive contracts, while firms which are part of production networks typically co-operate in business and ownership relationships. Distance to the closest potential partner increases the probability of not co-operating and reduces the probability of ownership relationships.
Finding the right partners: institutional and personal modes of governance of university–industry interactions
No full textWe study two different governance modes of university–industry interactions: in the institutional mode, interactions are mediated by the university through its administrative structures (such as departments or dedicated units such as technology transfer offices), while in the personal contractual mode interactions involve formal and binding contractual agreements between firms and individual academics, carried out without the direct involvement of the university. We argue that the choice of which form of governance to adopt involves different decision-making processes for firms and that both governance forms have important roles to play in the context of university–industry knowledge transfer. Relying on a representative sample of firms in the Italian region of Piedmont, we examine the characteristics and strategies of firms that interact with universities under different governance modes. Our results indicate that ignoring personal contractual arrangements with individual researchers, as the previous literature does, amounts to overlooking at least 50% of university–industry interactions. The econometric estimations suggest that personal contractual interactions are used relatively more by small firms involved in technology and open innovation strategies, while institutional interactions are mostly used by large firms that vertically integrate R&D activities
Melanoma cells break down LPA to establish local gradients that drive chemotactic dispersal.
No full textThe high mortality of melanoma is caused by rapid spread of cancer cells, which occurs unusually early in tumour evolution. Unlike most solid tumours, thickness rather than cytological markers or differentiation is the best guide to metastatic potential. Multiple stimuli that drive melanoma cell migration have been described, but it is not clear which are responsible for invasion, nor if chemotactic gradients exist in real tumours. In a chamber-based assay for melanoma dispersal, we find that cells migrate efficiently away from one another, even in initially homogeneous medium. This dispersal is driven by positive chemotaxis rather than chemorepulsion or contact inhibition. The principal chemoattractant, unexpectedly active across all tumour stages, is the lipid agonist lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) acting through the LPA receptor LPAR1. LPA induces chemotaxis of remarkable accuracy, and is both necessary and sufficient for chemotaxis and invasion in 2-D and 3-D assays. Growth factors, often described as tumour attractants, cause negligible chemotaxis themselves, but potentiate chemotaxis to LPA. Cells rapidly break down LPA present at substantial levels in culture medium and normal skin to generate outward-facing gradients. We measure LPA gradients across the margins of melanomas in vivo, confirming the physiological importance of our results. We conclude that LPA chemotaxis provides a strong drive for melanoma cells to invade outwards. Cells create their own gradients by acting as a sink, breaking down locally present LPA, and thus forming a gradient that is low in the tumour and high in the surrounding areas. The key step is not acquisition of sensitivity to the chemoattractant, but rather the tumour growing to break down enough LPA to form a gradient. Thus the stimulus that drives cell dispersal is not the presence of LPA itself, but the self-generated, outward-directed gradient
Venture Builder piece describing the author\u27s work as president of CEI Communi
No full textVenture Builder piece describing the author\u27s work as president of CEI Community Ventures, his formation of Clear Innovations Partners (CIP) and the Regional Cluster Alliance (RCA), and his shelving of a plan to start a new venture capital fund, Clear Venture Partners (CVP)
- …
