Predictors of sexual risk-taking among new drug users

We studied predictors of HIV-related sexual risk-taking among individuals who initiated the use of heroin or methamphetamine during the past 5 years. Many studies have linked drug use to HIV risk and most research has been based on samples of users with long-established drug careers. We conducted face-to-face interviews with 153 adult new drug users in Atlanta, GA. Drug use was not a statistically significant predictor of sexual risk, but gender, age, race, homelessness status, childhood neglect, level of paranoia, and level of (dys)functionality in handling disagreements were associated with the frequency of sexual risk-taking. We discuss the need to incorporate new drug users in HIV/AIDS and other health-related prevention and intervention programs.     

Sequential analysis methodology for a Poisson GLMM with applications to multicenter randomized clinical trials

Sequential analyses in clinical trials have ethical and economic advantages over fixed sample size methods. The sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) is a hypothesis testing procedure which evaluates data as it is collected. The original SPRT was developed by Wald for one-parameter families of distributions and later extended by Bartlett to handle the case of nuisance parameters. However, Bartlett's SPRT requires independent and identically distributed observations. In this paper we show that Bartlett's SPRT can be applied to generalized linear model (GLM) contexts. Then we propose an SPRT analysis methodology for a Poisson generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) that is suitable for our application to the design of a multicenter randomized clinical trial that compares two preventive treatments for surgical site infections. We validate the methodology with a simulation study that includes a comparison to Neyman–Pearson and Bayesian fixed sample size test designs and the Wald SPRT.     

The use of scenarios in corporate planning—eight case histories

In response to an increasingly turbulent environment, many firms are attempting to develop means to assess proposed strategies in the light of plausible alternative futures. Probably the most widely adopted technique for this purpose is multiple scenario analysis (MSA). The extent of MSA adoption among corporations varies considerably depending upon respective planning experience and top management's involvement and interest in MSA itself. The gamut of MSA adoption is examined among eight representative large U.S. corporations. It is clear that, while corporate interest is high, current formal scenario generating methodology is too complex or academic for practical corporate use. Instead, planners are using their own informal approaches to scenario generation.     

Social origin,field of study and graduates’ career progression: does social inequality vary across fields?

Research on stratification and mobility has consistently shown that in the UK there is a direct impact of social origin on occupational destination net of educational attainment even for degree‐holders. However, only a few studies applied a longitudinal and dynamic perspective on how intergenerational mobility shapes graduates’ working careers. Using multilevel growth curve modelling and data from the 1970 British cohort study (BCS70), we contribute to this research by looking at the emergence of social inequalities during the first ten years since labour market entry. We further distinguish between graduates of different fields of study as we expect social disparities to develop differently due to differences in initial occupational placement and upward mobility processes. We find that parental class does not affect occupational prestige over and above prior achievement. Separate analyses by the field of study show that initial differences in occupational prestige and career progression do not differ between graduates from different classes of origin in STEM fields, and arts and humanities. It is only in the social sciences that working‐class graduates start with lower occupational prestige but soon catch up with their peers from higher classes. Overall, our results indicate no direct effect of social origin on occupational attainment for degree‐holders once we broaden our focus to a dynamic life course perspective.     

“Moved on”? An exploratory study of the Cashless Debit Card and Indigenous mobility

What is the relationship between the first two trials of the Cashless Debit Card (CDC) and Indigenous mobility? In Ceduna, Vincent conducted ethnographic research into lived experiences of the first CDC trial. In the East Kimberley, Klein conducted 51 structured interviews with people on the card and 37 semi-structured interviews with key informants. Markham used regression analysis of net migration rates at the Statistical Area 2 level to determine whether the CDC trial sites were associated with greater net population loss in 2016 census data than comparable locations. Our exploratory study finds significant local talk of displacement arising from the introduction of the CDC, as well as discussion of short-term trips away from the trial sites being made more difficult. The regression analysis found that the net migration rate was 9.3 per cent points (95% CI: 2.0, 16.5) lower in Ceduna, Wyndham and Kununurra when compared with a group of comparable towns, and 5.2 per cent points (95% CI: 0.9, 9.5) lower when compared with Australia as a whole, meaning that the populations of these towns declined faster than those of comparable towns. Policy effects on mobility should be taken seriously by researchers and policymakers when considering place-based welfare policy.     

Status of personal health requirement for graduation at institutions of higher education in the United States

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the proportion of higher education institutions in the United States that require a personal health course (PHC) for graduation and to describe the nature of such requirements. Participants: This study included a random sample of public and private institutions of higher education (IHE) with undergraduate programs within the United States (N = 310). Data were collected between September 2014 and May 2015. Methods: University catalogs were accessed from the institutions' public Web sites to determine whether a PHC was offered, and whether it was exclusively or optionally required for graduation. Results: The majority (55.8%) of the sample offered at least 1 PHC, with only 10% exclusively requiring the course and an additional 10% optionally required the course. Conclusions: Although the utility of undergraduate students completing a PHC is clear, the majority of institutions do not require such a course for degree conferral.     

Using social support for LGBTQ clients with mental illness to be out of the closet,in treatment,and in the community

ABSTRACT

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) individuals are often faced with societal challenges that can lead to mental health or substance abuse issues. They may be misunderstood or mistreated when seeking services because of a lack of training in offering culturally sensitive treatment by service providers. A program, the Rainbow Heights Club, was developed to support LGBTQ individuals with a mental health diagnosis. All of the members are in treatment for their mental health and/or substance abuse problems, but prior to the development of the program did not have a place to feel accepted, supported, or have a sense of community. Members were surveyed determine if Rainbow Heights was helpful in maintaining themselves in the community. Results indicated that 75% of members are more consistent in following prescribed treatments, keeping them free from inpatient hospitalization, and 79% reported being clean and sober since coming to the Club.     

Agiles Recruiting – Schnelle Entscheidungen im selbstorganisierten Kontext

This article describes the urgency of the need for companies to change and adapt to the requirements of changing world. At least hiring the best talents need a change in thinking and executing. Therefor employees want to be involved and empowered for making decisions, taking responsibilities and improving on processes. High involvement work processes as a theory, explains what is happening in agile and self-organised companies and why this is really helpful. Additional the authors give some example for non-self-organised companies to implement parts of agile processes.