109 research outputs found
Reading list for Risk, Information and Insurance
No full textFour-page Word document includes a detailed reading list from a module on Risk, Information and Insurance, extracted from the 2009/10 course handbook.
Religion, discrimination and trust across three cultures
No full textWe propose that religion impacts trust and trustworthiness in ways that depend on how individuals are socially identified and connected. Religiosity and religious affiliation may serve as markers for statistical discrimination. Further, affiliation to the same religion may enhance group identity, or affiliation irrespective of creed may lend social identity, and in turn induce taste-based discrimination. Religiosity may also relate to general prejudice. We test these hypotheses across three culturally diverse countries. Participants׳ willingness to discriminate, beliefs of how trustworthy or trusting others are, as well as actual trust and trustworthiness are measured incentive compatibly. We find that interpersonal similarity in religiosity and affiliation promote trust through beliefs of reciprocity. Religious participants also believe that those belonging to some faith are trustworthier, but invest more trust only in those of the same religion—religiosity amplifies this effect. Across non-religious categories, whereas more religious participants are more willing to discriminate, less religious participants are as likely to display group biases.This network project brings together economists, psychologists, computer and complexity scientists from three leading centres for behavioural social science at Nottingham, Warwick and UEA. This group will lead a research programme with two broad objectives: to develop and test cross-disciplinary models of human behaviour and behaviour change; to draw out their implications for the formulation and evaluation of public policy.
Foundational research will focus on three inter-related themes: understanding individual behaviour and behaviour change; understanding social and interactive behaviour; rethinking the foundations of policy analysis.
The project will explore implications of the basic science for policy via a series of applied projects connecting naturally with the three themes. These will include: the determinants of consumer credit behaviour; the formation of social values; strategies for evaluation of policies affecting health and safety.
The research will integrate theoretical perspectives from multiple disciplines and utilise a wide range of complementary methodologies including: theoretical modeling of individuals, groups and complex systems; conceptual analysis; lab and field experiments; analysis of large data sets.
The Network will promote high quality cross-disciplinary research and serve as a policy forum for understanding behaviour and behaviour change.</p
Gentamicin, azithromycin and ceftriaxone in the treatment of gonorrhoea; the relationship between antibiotic minimum inhibitory concentration and clinical outcome
No full text© Crown copyright 2019. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between MIC and clinical outcome in a randomized controlled trial that compared gentamicin 240 mg plus azithromycin 1 g with ceftriaxone 500 mg plus azithromycin 1 g. MIC analysis was performed on Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from all participants who were culture positive before they received treatment. METHODS: Viable gonococcal cultures were available from 279 participants, of whom 145 received ceftriaxone/azithromycin and 134 received gentamicin/azithromycin. Four participants (6 isolates) and 14 participants (17 isolates) did not clear infection in the ceftriaxone/azithromycin and gentamicin/azithromycin arms, respectively. MICs were determined by Etest on GC agar base with 1% Vitox. The geometric mean MICs of azithromycin, ceftriaxone and gentamicin were compared using logistic and linear regression according to treatment received and N. gonorrhoeae clearance. RESULTS: As the azithromycin MIC increased, gentamicin/azithromycin treatment was less effective than ceftriaxone/azithromycin at clearing N. gonorrhoeae. There was a higher geometric mean MIC of azithromycin for isolates from participants who had received gentamicin/azithromycin and did not clear infection compared with those who did clear infection [ratio 1.95 (95% CI 1.28-2.97)], but the use of categorical MIC breakpoints did not accurately predict the treatment response. The geometric mean MIC of azithromycin was higher in isolates from the pharynx compared with genital isolates. CONCLUSIONS: We found that categorical resistance to azithromycin or ceftriaxone in vitro, and higher gentamicin MICs in the absence of breakpoints, were poorly predictive of treatment failure
Vitiligo Noticeability Scale-validation studies
No full textAim
To fill validation gaps for the Vitiligo Noticeability Scale (VNS) so it can be considered for adoption into the vitiligo Core Outcome Set.
Objectives:
1) Test the reliability and interpretability of the VNS using digital images collected in the HI-Light Vitiligo trial
2) Explore how post-treatment hyperpigmentation around vitiligo patches influences the assessment of
treatment success, and the value of delaying assessment of the VNS until hyperpigmentation has resolved.
3) Develop a ‘static’ version of the VNS and explore whether ‘static’ or ‘change from baseline’ response options are most meaningful to patients, valid and responsive
Background to data collection
We used the VNS as the primary outcome measure in a large NIHR-funded clinical trial (HI-Light).
Blinded patient assessors viewed images from the HI-Light trial. Reliability was assessed using test-retest
analyses, and interpretability by comparing with global treatment success. The static VNS was developed using focus groups with vitiligo patients, using framework analysis of the data. The new scale was validated using the same methods and analyses as for the original VNS scale
Southeast Asian Sovereign Wealth Funds: Tracking the Internationalization Path of Companies Piloting an Emerging Region
No full textSoutheast Asia has its groove back, becoming the economic force that had been anticipated in the early 1990s. The growth came from the rise of consumer class, global demand for resources, low-cost production, favorable public policy and bold ambitions. However to date, there is little understanding on the motive of internationalization by Southeast Asian sovereign wealth fund‟s (SWFs) subsidiaries. These government-linked companies (GLCs) are growing quickly and expanding overseas rapidly. Their growth has unique characteristics related to their export-oriented and supportive government policies. Using qualitative case studies developed from Singaporean and Malaysian SWFs, the paper probe the ownership advantages, strategic drivers and governance structure of these companies. The analysis of these cases led to the development of six testable propositions focused on the motives of these subsidiaries, whose direct investments dominate North, South and Southeast Asia. This research aims to lay a foundation in international investments for future research on Southeast Asian sovereign wealth funds
Beauty Is In the Eye of the Credit Card Holder? Antecedents of Credit Card Usage and Credit Card Debt
No full textCredit cards have become a common form of payment over the past fifty years, replacing both cash and the cheque that were once commonly used as payment mechanism. However, in recent years, the rising level of credit card debt is concerning. This study addresses this public issue by investigating the antecedents of credit card usage and the level of credit card indebtedness. The author collected data from credit card holders (aged 18-65) by using mixed method approach. Focus group interviews and short survey questionnaire were employed to acquire data from participants. The results show that credit card characteristics such as its low payment transparency and utility functions are factors that influence consumers’ credit card usage. Furthermore, age of credit card users also found to be associated with the usage of credit card. Meanwhile, regarding credit card debt, the results indicate that individual’s age, value, and attitudes are determinants that affect consumers’ likeliness to incur credit card debt. Consumers’ materialism and their spending behaviours cannot be fully linked to credit card debt, but the findings on this current study offer useful understanding on this issue. Lastly, the author draws on the findings to provide public policy implications
Cerebral edema in intracerebral hemorrhage : pathogenesis, natural history and potential treatments from translation to clinical trials
No full textThe author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.Peer reviewe
Using the Vitiligo Noticeability Scale in clinical trials: construct validity, interpretability, reliability and acceptability
No full textBackground: Validated outcome measures are needed for vitiligo trials. Objectives: To assess construct validity, interpretability, reliability and acceptability of the Vitiligo Noticeability Scale (VNS). Methods: We used images of vitiligo before and after treatment, plus outcome data, from the HI-Light Vitiligo trial. We compared outcome assessments made by trial participants with assessments of images by clinicians and people with vitiligo who were not trial participants [Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) panel]. Hypothesis testing assessed psychometric properties of the VNS, with κ statistics to assess agreement between outcomes. Three focus groups and two online discussion groups provided insight into the use of VNS by people with vitiligo. Results: Our hypothesis of a positive association between VNS and participant-reported global treatment success was supported for trial participants (κ = 0·41 if VNS success was defined as ≥ 4; κ = 0·71 if VNS success was defined as ≥ 3), but not for the blinded PPI panel (κ = 0·28). As hypothesized, the association with participant-reported global success was higher for VNS (κ = 0·41) than for clinician-reported percentage repigmentation (κ = 0·17). Seventy-five per cent of trial participants valued a VNS of 3 (partial response) as a treatment success. Test–retest reliability was good: κ = 0·69 (95% confidence interval 0·63–0·74). Age and skin phototype did not influence interpretation of the VNS scores. To people with vitiligo, the VNS is an acceptable and meaningful patient-reported outcome measure. Conclusions: Trial participants may assess their vitiligo differently compared with blinded assessors. A VNS score of 3 may be more highly valued by people undergoing vitiligo treatment than was previously thought. What is already known about this topic? Vitiligo is a common condition, and can have a considerable psychological impact. A Vitiligo Core Outcome Set is being developed, to enable the results of vitiligo trials to be compared and combined more easily. The Vitiligo Noticeability Scale (VNS) is a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) developed in partnership with people with vitiligo; initial validation studies have been promising. What does this study add? The VNS shows good construct validity, reliability and acceptability; it can be used in all ages and skin phototypes. All five levels of the VNS scale should be reported for transparency, to aid interpretation of trial findings, and to facilitate meta-analysis in systematic reviews. VNS assessments made by trial participants and independent observers are likely to be qualitatively different, making blinded assessment of VNS by independent observers difficult to interpret. Blinding of participants to trial interventions is recommended whenever possible. What are the clinical implications of the work? The VNS can be used as a PROM to assess the cosmetic acceptability of repigmentation at individual patches of vitiligo. A VNS score of 3 or more is likely to be valued by patients as a treatment success
Intragroup punishment and intergroup conflict aversion weaken intragroup cooperation in finitely repeated games
No full textWe experimentally analyze group-specific social preferences and dynamic strategies in finitely repeated games where helping partners hurts rivals. Cooperation with partners decreases when it inflicts losses on rivals, even when it is socially efficient. Cooperation decreases with rivalry, while it increases with synergy and previous cooperation by partners but not rivals. Our structural model of bounded rationality estimates preferences and strategies. It shows that participants anticipate future payoffs from partner cooperation and punish partner defection with unyielding defection, while further averting intergroup conflict due to altruism towards rivals. Intragroup cooperation and intergroup conflict weaken over time through these two channels.Ministry of Education (MOE)Nanyang Technological UniversityTan gratefully acknowledges the financial support from Nottingham University Business School under the Spark Fund, Nanyang Technological University under the Start-Up Grant, and the Ministry of Education Singapore under the AcRF Tier 1 Grant (RG126/20)
Home interventions and light therapy for treatment of vitiligo (HI-Light Vitiligo Trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
No full textVitiligo is a condition resulting in white patches on the skin. People with vitiligo can suffer from low self-esteem, psychological disturbance and diminished quality of life. Vitiligo is often poorly managed, partly due to lack of high quality evidence to inform clinical care. We describe here a large, independent, randomised controlled trial (RCT) assessing the comparative effectiveness of potent topical corticosteroid, home-based hand-held narrowband ultraviolet B-light (NB-UVB) or combination of the two, for the management of vitiligo.
Methods and Analysis
The HI-Light Vitiligo Trial is a multi-centre, three-arm, parallel group, pragmatic, placebo-controlled RCT. 516 adults and children with actively spreading, but limited, vitiligo are randomised (1:1:1) to one of three groups: mometasone furoate 0.1% ointment plus dummy NB-UVB light, vehicle ointment plus NB-UVB light, or mometasone furoate 0.1% ointment plus NB-UVB light. Treatment of up to three patches of vitiligo is continued for up to 9 months with clinic visits at baseline, 3, 6 and 9 months and four post treatment questionnaires.
The HI-Light Vitiligo Trial assesses outcomes included in the vitiligo core outcome set and places emphasis on participants’ views of treatment success. The primary outcome is proportion of participants achieving treatment success (patient-rated Vitiligo Noticeability Scale) for a target patch of vitiligo at 9 months with further independent blinded assessment using digital images of the target lesion before and after treatment. Secondary outcomes include time to onset of treatment response, treatment success by body region, percentage repigmentation, quality of life, time-burden of treatment, maintenance of response, safety, and within-trial cost effectiveness.
Ethics and Dissemination
Approvals were granted by East Midlands–Derby Research Ethics Committee (14/EM/1173) and the MHRA (EudraCT 2014-003473-42). The trial was registered 8th January 2015 ISRCTN (17160087). Results will be published in full as open access in the NIHR Journal library and elsewhere
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