Three Essays on Corporate Policies

The amount of digital video content available to users is rapidly increasing. Developments in computer, digital network, and storage technologies all contribute to broaden the offer of digital video. Only users’ attention and time remain scarce resources. Users face the problem of choosing the right content to watch among hundreds of potentially interesting offers. Video and audio have a dynamic nature: they cannot be properly perceived without considering their temporal dimension. This property makes it difficult to get a good idea of what a video item is about without watching it. Video previews aim at solving this issue by providing compact representations of video items that can help users making choices in massive content collections. This thesis is concerned with solving the problem of automatic creation of video previews. To allow fast and convenient content selection, a video preview should take into consideration more than thirty requirements that we have collected by analyzing related literature on video summarization and film production. The list has been completed with additional requirements elicited by interviewing end-users, experts and practitioners in the field of video editing and multimedia. This list represents our collection of user needs with respect to video previews. The requirements, presented from the point of view of the end-users, can be divided into seven categories: duration, continuity, priority, uniqueness, exclusion, structural, and temporal order. Duration requirements deal with the durations of the preview and its subparts. Continuity requirements request video previews to be as continuous as possible. Priority requirements indicate which content should be included in the preview to convey as much information as possible in the shortest time. Uniqueness requirements aim at maximizing the efficiency of the preview by minimizing redundancy. Exclusion requirements indicate which content should not be included in the preview. Structural requirements are concerned with the structural properties of video, while temporal order requirements set the order of the sequences included in the preview. Based on these requirements, we have introduced a formal model of video summarization specialized for the generation of video previews. The basic idea is to translate the requirements into score functions. Each score function is defined to have a non-positive value if a requirement is not met, and to increase depending on the degree of fulfillment of the requirement. A global objective function is then defined that combines all the score functions and the problem of generating a preview is translated into the problem of finding the parts of the initial content that maximize the objective function. Our solution approach is based on two main steps: preparation and selection. In the preparation step, the raw audiovisual data is analyzed and segmented into basic elements that are suitable for being included in a preview. The segmentation of the raw data is based on a shot-cut detection algorithm. In the selection step various content analysis algorithms are used to perform scene segmentation, advertisements detection and to extract numerical descriptors of the content that, introduced in the objective function, allow to estimate the quality of a video preview. The core part of the selection step is the optimization step that consists in searching the set of segments that maximizes the objective function in the space of all possible previews. Instead of solving the optimization problem exactly, an approximate solution is found by means of a local search algorithm using simulated annealing. We have performed a numerical evaluation of the quality of the solutions generated by our algorithm with respect to previews generated randomly or by selecting segments uniformly in time. The results on thirty content items have shown that the local search approach outperforms the other methods. However, based on this evaluation, we cannot conclude that the degree of fulfillment of the requirements achieved by our method satisfies the end-user needs completely. To validate our approach and assess end-user satisfaction, we conducted a user evaluation study in which we compared six aspects of previews generated using our algorithm to human-made previews and to previews generated by subsampling. The results have shown that previews generated using our optimization-based approach are not as good as manually made previews, but have higher quality than previews created using subsample. The differences between the previews are statistically significant.

Risk factors predisposing to foot ulceration in diabetic subjects are multiple. Long duration of diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor, likewise peripheral neuropathy (PN), which globally, is recognized as the commonest risk factor for foot disease in diabetic subjects. To evaluate the effect of duration of diabetes mellitus on peripheral neuropathy using the United Kingdom Screening Test (UKST) Scoring System, Bio-thesiometry and Aesthesiometry, in Nigerian diabetic subjects without current or previous foot ulceration. One hundred and twenty (120) diabetes mellitus (DM) subjects with and without symptoms of peripheral neuropathy receiving care at the medical outpatient department (MOPD) and the diabetic clinic of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria, were recruited consecutively as they presented. Data collected included subjects age (years), gender, age at first diagnosis of DM, duration of DM (years) and baseline fasting venous plasma glucose. The United Kingdom Screening Test (UKST) symptom score was used to separate the participants into two groups those with symptoms of PN and those without and the subjects further assessed by three methods the UKST Signs score, Bio-thesiometry and Aesthesiometry to determine the presence . of PN. Among the 120 diabetic participants, 83(69.2%) had neuropathic symptoms (the symptomatic participants) while 37 (30.8%) were asymptomatic (the asymptomatic participants). The different methods of diagnosing PN increasingly detected PN with increasing duration of diabetes. For the symptomatic group, the UKST method detected PN least in those with duration of DM <5 years (73.9%) and 100.0% in those with duration of DM >15 years while for the asymptomatic group, it detected PN in 25.0% of those with duration of DM <5 years, and 100.0% for those with duration of DM >15 years. For the symptomatic group, Aesthesiometry detected PN in 65.2% of those with duration of DM <5 years and 91.7% in those with duration of DM >15 years. For the asymptomatic group, it detected PN in 29.2% of those with duration of DM <5 years and 100.0% in those with duration of DM >15 years. Likewise, for the symptomatic group, Bio-thesiometry detected PN in 47.8% of those with duration of DM <5 years and 100.0% in those with duration of DM >15 years. For the asymptomatic group, it detected PN in 16.7% of those with duration of DM <5 years and 100.0% in those with duration of DM >15 years. Long duration of diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are risk factors for foot complication in Nigerians with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic subjects with long duration of diabetes (>10 years) almost always have associated peripheral neuropathy, and should be recognized as a special group at high risk for foot disease from DM. Specific preventive programs should target this group to reduce the rate of avoidable loss of limbs to diabetes.

This study aims to determine the ability of better problem solving of mathematics between classes that use the learning model of brain-based learning and the class using direct instruction learning model and to know the difference of mathematical problem solving ability from the category of early mathematical ability (high, medium, and low) As well as to find out the mean student self-efficacy higher between the two classes. This research is a quasi-experimental research with Post-test Only Control Group Design. The study population is all students of class VII MTs Negeri 2 Ciamis academic year 2016/2017. Selection of sample using purposive sampling technique which result is class VII D as a group that learn with a model of brain-based learning and class VIIE as a class which learn with direct instruction model. To get data result of research in the form of problem-solving ability score used an instrument in the form of description problem while to measure self-efficacy of student used questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney test, t-test and 2-way ANOVA test. The results showed: (1) the problem-solving ability of mathematics students using learning model of brain-based learning better than students using direct instruction model. (2) viewed from the ability of early mathematical (KAM) there is the difference of problem-solving ability of student mathematics learning using a model of brain-based learning by using direct instruction model. (3) there is no interaction between learning and KAM on students’ mathematical problem-solving abilities. (4) the average self-efficacy of students in the class who are learning with the higher brain-based learning model than those using the direct instruction model and both are positive.

Objective: To assess the clinical effects of treating elderly degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis suffering from lumbocrural pain by lumbar paravertebral injection of oxygen-ozone combined with lumbar functional exercise. Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried on 77 elderly patients suffering from lumbocrural pain caused by degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis during Mar 2010 to May 2011. All patients were divided with the random number table method into three groups, lumbar paravertebral injection of oxygen-ozone combined with lumbar functional exercise group (ozone-grp), lumbar paravertebral injection of 0.5% lidocaine combined with lumbar functional exercise group(local-blok-grp) and single lumbar functional exercise group (control-grp). All groups performed lumbar functional exercise of rolling and rotating maneuvers with hip and knee flexion. The local-blok-grp also received lumbarparavertebral injection of 0.5% lidocaine at the same period for 4 to 6 times (once a week). The ozone-grp received lumbar paravertebral injection of 0.5% lidocaine and oxygen-ozone at the same period for 4 to 6 times (once a week). The improvement of clinical symptoms were assessed with VAS for waist pain, the lower limb pain VAS and the lumbar JOA score. Results: A total of 68 patients completed the full 1-year follow up. The VAS for ozone-grp were significantly lower than that for control-grp and local-blok-grp at 1 week and 1 month after treatment (P ＜ 0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores at 1 week and 1 month between local-blok-grp and control-grp (P ＞ 0.05). The VAS scores for ozone-grp were significantly lower than for control-grp and local-blok-grp at 1 year after treatment (P ＜ 0.05). For the three groups, the intragroup comparisons of VAS scores at 1 year after treatment and before showed statistically significant differences (P ＜ 0.05). According to the results of lumbar JOA scores after the treatment, the total effective rate for ozone-grp were higher than for control-grp and local-blok-grp(P ＜ 0.05). The average duration of painkiller medicine use for ozone-grp was 5.23±1.78 days, significantly shorter than those for controlgrp (13.68±5.18 days) and local-blok-grp (18.76±7.57 days (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion: The therapy of lumbar paravertebral injection of oxygen-ozone combined with functional exercise for elderly degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is safe, effective, and worthy of clinical promotion.

Introduction: Heart failure is a highly complex clinical syndrome in aspects related to pathophysiology and therapy. The implementation of telecare by nurses is a strategy of great importance for the elderly with heart failure; therefore, it provides better adherence to treatment, improved self-care and a better quality of life. Objective: Analyze the effectiveness of telecare performed by nurses in self-care and in the quality of life of elderly with heart failure.Method: A quasi-experimental study, non-randomized selection, applied to the elderly with HF, sample consisted of 35 participants. The project was approved under No. 01380518.2.0000.5243 and No. 01380518.2.3001.5259 after submission to the Ethics and Research Committees of the Fluminense Federal University and a university hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro.The study was developed through face-to-face nursing consultation and telecare; this in turn was applied on a weekly interval in the first month and a biweekly interval in the second month. In order to achieve the proposed outcomes, two nurses collected the data through the nursing consultation instrument, a flowchart instrument to evaluate the outcome. functional classification (NYHA), self-care assessment tool (EHFScBS), Minnesota quality-of-life tool and telecare tool. Data were evaluated using SPSS version 24.0 statistical software. It was performed through mean, median, frequency, paired t test, Pearson correlation and Spearman test. Results: The group consisted of 35 elderly with HF who remained in the study until the end. The sample was characterized by elderly (NYHA I, II and III) and with LVEF 50%, most of them with LVEF <50%. The study showed a difference between the mean self-care scores (p-value = 0.000; 95% CI 2.926 - 6.045) and Minnesota (p-value = 0.000; 95% CI 6.688 - 14.455), before and after the interventions, with The median final score of both scales is lower than the average of the initial score, indicating an improvement of the scores. It also demonstrated a positive and moderate linear correlation (r = 0.34; p-value = 0.046) between self-care scores and quality of life after interventions. Conclusion: The telecare showed positive effects on self-care and quality of life scores, due to the comparison between the mean self-care scores and quality of life, showing an improvement after the intervention. In addition, there is a positive and moderate linear correlation between self-care scores and quality of life after interventions

Bond is one of the alternatives for investment in money market. As another invesment in other instrument (stock), investment in bond also has risk which bond holders need to observemeticulously. As we know from bond theory that the change of interest rate is one of the metioned risk. The bond holders must observe the effect of interest rate and bond profit rate. These two factors have direct link, when there is a change of interest rate, the expected profit by investors also changes. This study to analysis the relation between the change of interest rate with yield using approch of duration and convexity and then compared with the approach is always more accurate than traditional approach by seeing error score yield, if we compare the price of bond prediction with the price of bond in the market, Livingston and Zhou ( 2003). The samples in this study use corporate bonds data with fixed coupons for the period of January – June, 2009 which can be found in Indonesia Stock Exchange. The method of statistics used is Independent Sample t-test for hypothesis test. From statistical calculation it can be concluded that there is a different estimation of bond price using traditional with exponential, whereas the duration plus convexity method is the best method to use because it has a mean squere error (MSE) is the smallest among the traditional methods of duration, the exponential methods of duration, and method of traditional duration plus convexity equal to 65,8696.

Scoring language learners’ writing exams is a difficult task for graders since many task-relevant or irrelevant variables such as the user-friendliness of the rubric, difficulty of the task, students’ handwriting or grader characteristics (being too lenient or harsh) are involved in the process. To be able to gain valid and reliable scores, studying the variables that affect scoring procedures and seeking ways to control and minimize them are crucial concerns for institutions in order to assure their learners that their assigned scores are genuine and given in the least subjective way that could be possible. That is why analysing grader attitudes while scoring and identifying the stringent and lenient graders in the rater-pool is important not only to be able to set the best matches of graders where multiple scorings or cross-marking sessions are applied but for making those raters be aware of their scoring habits. In this exploratory study, 6 writing graders who had more than 10-year-expertise in grading writing voluntarily scored 20 student essays including two separate tasks. MFRM (Many Faceted Rasch Measurement) was used to explore graders’ marking behaviours and discover how those behaviours affect test scores of language learners. Finally, results of the study showed that graders, while they all used the same rubric and had enough expertise in grading, have significant score differences and a significant level of stringency in scoring essays. Article visualizations:

Hypertensive heart disease and cardiac amyloidosis are similar for the increasing of left ventricular mass (LVM) but differ from electrocardiographic aspects. Although in amyloidosis it was observed an increased wall thick-ness, ECG doesn’t show any left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) signs, in particular high QRS voltages. Low spread voltages are often detected, especially in inferior leads due to the composition of electrically inert mate-rial of amyloid fibrils. In patients with hypertension, although rarely, reversion to normal values of pressure, not associated with LVM regression detected by ECG can be sometimes a symptom of cardiac amyloidosis onset. The aim of our study relies on a comparison between a group of 176 first diagnosed patients with hypertension and 137 patients with AL amyloidosis and cardiac involvement. Furthermore, we evaluate the usefulness of simple electrocardiographic criteria (Sokolow-Lyon, peripheral leads QRS score Cornell criteria) by themselves or index linked for LVM, integrated with ecocardiographic data, in order to achieve an earlier identification of a rare disease such as cardiac amyloidosis. Four considered parameters compared through ROC curves have been found useful to discriminate between LVH and cardiac amyloidosis. The less accurate parameter is Cornell criteria related to voltage and voltage- duration (AUC: 0.613 e 0.743; criterion: > 11 e <4.943; sensibility: 45.16% e 55.7%; specificity: 75% e 89.4%, p<0.001). Relating to Sokolow-Lyon criteria we found: AUC of 0.809; criterion <0.0615, sensibility of 74.04%, specificity of 80%, p<0.001; the peripheral QRS score index linked to MVS has been the most accurate diagnos-tic measure (AUC 0.989). We identify a cut-off of 0.17 (sensibility 96% and specificity 97% p<0.001) , likely this value allows to identify patients with cardiac amyloidosis.

Drivers of Departure and Prospecting in Dispersing Juvenile Red Kites (Milvus milvus)

People living with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis are often dependent on some form of catheterisation to manage their urinary incontinence, and this is accompanied by the risk of urinary complications. Nurses’ expertise, based on contemporary evidence about catheter types, purposes and risks, is fundamental to the role nurses play in urinary catheter selection, insertion and care with this client group, and more broadly. Catheter selection choice integrity is influenced by clinical nursing expertise and experience, research evidence, client preference, the availability of appropriate equipment and the capacity of both nurses and clients to use the equipment. Using a quasi-experimental design, this research investigates the extent to which nurses in a speciality context take up and retain complex and technical catheter information to use during catheter selection for clients with neurogenic bladders caused by spinal injury or multiple sclerosis. An education intervention involving a decision support tool is used with pre- and post-intervention testing to determine participant uptake and retention of information. The findings indicate that participants learnt and retained technical information on catheter selection in their practice. However, the findings also indicate that catheter selection knowledge of the registered nurse in this practice context remains a concern, despite improvements detected in catheter selection knowledge following the implementation of tailored education and a decision support tool. Strong correlation was found between uptake and retention of catheter selection knowledge, and overall years of experience as a registered nurse. The evidence also indicates that clinical reasoning and expertise in catheter selection can be quickly learned. The knowledge survey was tested to reveal an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.89 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.46 to 0.98, thereby indicating extremely robust test–retest reliability, and establishing the survey as a useful component of future research in this field. This research is significant because it builds on earlier work by Dobson, Naidu and Johnson (1996) and Fleming, Day and Glanfield (2000), and extends understanding of the support required by nurses in this context for speciality education delivered in ways that meet their learning needs and support practice development. By revealing the effects of knowledge translation on the use of evidence in everyday practice, this study highlights the need for effective assessment and training to aid clinical reasoning and assist in the use of decision support tools and guidelines to facilitate knowledge translation. This is particularly the case in primary care contexts, where specialist nurses provide both episodic and long-term care and practice in relative isolation from other professionals.

EVALUATION OF A TRAINING INTERVENTION FOR PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANTS AND THE EFFECT OF AGE AND EXTRINSIC JOB SATISFACTION: CHANGES IN CAREER COMMITMENT AND JOB SATISFACTION Jason Allan Rachel A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Health Related Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Dissertation Directors: Iris A. Parham, Ph.D. & Constance L. Coogle, Ph.D. Home care is a vital component of the United States healthcare delivery system. The demand for home care has steadily increased over the past decade and it is projected that this increase will continue over the next several decades. Moreover, the utilization of Medicaid waiver home and community-based care services has expanded to provide an alternative to the more costly institutional placement. In order to meet this growing demand while maintaining the cost-savings, the system relies primarily on the minimally trained, healthcare paraprofessionals known as Personal Care Assistants (PCAs). The present study examined the career commitment and job satisfaction of PCAs who provide Medicaid waiver home and community-based care services and participated in a 40-hour training intervention. Specifically, the study evaluated differences in preand post-training levels of career commitment as measured by the Career Commitment Measure (CCM), in terms of overall career commitment and the three subscales: career identity, career planning, and career resilience; and job satisfaction as measured by the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), in terms of overall job satisfaction and the two subscales: extrinsic job satisfaction and intrinsic job satisfaction, between age groups and groups based on extrinsic job satisfaction. Additionally, the study examined the interaction of age and extrinsic job satisfaction as a moderator on the influence of the training intervention to produce a change in career commitment and the three subscales of career commitment, career identity, career planning, and career resilience job satisfaction. The results of analyses were varied across groups and measures. Specifically, there were no statistically significant differences across age group in terms of changes in career commitment or job satisfaction as a consequence of the training; however, posthoc examinations revealed statistically significant within group changes. A decrease in the overall, intrinsic, and extrinsic job satisfaction score from preto post-training for the 40-49 age group was found. Likewise, the 50-59 age group showed a statistically significant decrease in the extrinsic job satisfaction scores from preto post-training. The PCA’s level of extrinsic job satisfaction did have a statistically significant differential effect on changes in overall career commitment and career planning scores as a consequence of the training. The exploration of the interaction of age and extrinsic job satisfaction to influence changes in career commitment as a consequence of the training found statistically significant main effects with respect to levels of extrinsic job satisfaction for overall career commitment, career identity, career planning, and career resilience. However, no main effects for age and no interaction effects were obtained. These study findings have important implications for future research, and the development of training curricula and evaluation. Results provide critical information about this largely overlooked group of healthcare paraprofessionals, which have practical application in more effectively improving job satisfaction through training initiatives, thereby increasing the recruitment and retention of the paraprofessional healthcare workforce.

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a very common dermatological problem during adolescence. It is reported that it has a multifactorial etiology and nutritional attitudes, insufficient and poor-quality sleep may cause increased severity of AV. Aim: We aimed to investigate the sleep, eating attitudes and personality traits, and their effects on acne severity in adolescents with acne. Methods: The study sample was formed of 37 adolescent girls aged 12–18 years who presented at the University Dermatology Clinic and were diagnosed with AV and 37 adolescents without AV-matched age and gender. Eating attitude test, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) Personality Inventory Child Form, and child and parent forms of DSM-5 Level 2 Sleep Disorders were applied to in both groups. The AV severity assessed by using the Global Acne Grading Scale (GAGS). Psychiatric diagnosis was excluded with clinical interview according to the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for school-aged children: Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL-DSM-5-T). Results: The mean age of adolescents with and without AV was 15.3 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.7), 15.4 (SD = 1.8), respectively. The mean disease duration of adolescents with AV was 20.4 (SD = 15.2) months, and the mean GAGS score was 23.24 (SD = 9.4). It was determined that eating attitudes, sleep, and personality characteristics of adolescents were similar in both groups. Eating attitudes, sleep, and personality characteristics had no direct effect on acne severity. Conclusion: Although this study demonstrates that eating attitudes, sleep, and personality characteristics were similar in adolescents with and without AV and these variables had no effect on acne severity, these results may have been obtained because of the severity scores of adolescents with AV were "moderate." There is a need for researches examining these variables in adolescents with "severe" AV.

Returning to driving following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often a key rehabilitation goal, as the ability to drive enables return to independence and many previous life roles. The ‘gold standard’ assessment of driving after TBI is considered to be the on-road assessment, usually conducted by a specialised occupational therapy driver assessor (OTDA). However there have been few studies investigating the patient characteristics and pre-injury and injury related factors associated with passing or failing the on-road OT driver assessment after TBI. In addition, little is known about the processes and goals of driver rehabilitation provided to those who fail the initial on-road assessment. There has also been limited research into the post-assessment driving behaviour and safety of individuals returning to driving after driver rehabilitation. <br> Accordingly, the main aims of the PhD program of research were to a) examine which patient characteristics and pre-injury and injury-related factors were associated with the outcome of initial on-road driver assessment, b) describe the range of goals, processes, timing and outcomes, including the use of restricted licensing and resources, associated with providing on-road training to those who failed an initial OT driver assessment and c) examine and compare the characteristics and self-reported pre- and post-injury driver safety and patterns of driving behaviour of those drivers who returned to driving after one on-road assessment with those who received on-road training and subsequent reassessments. <br> In Study 1, the results of all on-road driver assessments completed by patients with a TBI (n = 207), in a rehabilitation setting, over an 8-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Two outcome groups were identified: a ‘pass’ group who resumed driving after passing the initial on-road assessment and a <i>‘rehabilitation’</i> group who failed and required on-road training in the form of driving lessons. <br> <b>Key-findings</b>; Post traumatic amnesia (PTA) duration proved to be more strongly associated with driver assessment outcome than Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score. Participants, who were male, had shorter PTA duration, faster reaction time and no physical or visual impairment and were at least 3 months post-injury were more likely to pass the initial on-road assessment. These variables correctly classified 87.6% of the <i>pass</i> group and 71.2% of the <i>rehabilitation</i> group. On-road training, followed by subsequent on-road re-assessments were associated with a high probability of return to driving after TBI. <br> <b>Recommendations</b>; Factors to consider when determining whether to refer for a practical driver assessment include; ensuring that the client is at least 3 months post-injury, evidence of moderate to severe TBI measured by PTA, slowed choice reaction times and presence of physical or visual impairment that may impact on driver capacity. On–road training is an important driver rehabilitation intervention and should be offered to drivers with TBI who fail the initial on-road assessment. <br> From a sample of 340 participants, Study 2 examined the goals, outcomes, timing, use of restricted licenses and number of on-road training lessons and OT driver reassessments provided to the 94 participants who failed the initial on-road assessment. <br> <b>Key-findings</b>; The use of goal directed driving lessons to facilitate compensation for cognitive, physical or visual impairment, improve confidence or enhance previously learned driving skills and restricted licensing were found to be associated with return to driving following moderate/severe TBI. An average of seven driving lessons (range 1 – 35) and 2.5 OT driver reassessments (range 1-6), were provided to participants, resulting in 93% (n=87) of cases resuming driving and 7 (7%) failing to meet licensing standards. An open license was recommended for 42 (45%) cases and 45 (48%) resumed driving with a restricted license. The mean time for referral for driving assessment varied significantly between the pass (7.62 months) and <i>rehabilitation</i> groups (13.31 months). <br> <b>Recommendation</b>; Investment in on-road training lessons addressing individual goals, followed by reassessment and use of restricted licenses, can achieve successful return to driving following TBI. Although delaying driving by at least 3 months appears to be appropriate, a much longer time frame is often required, particularly with severe TBI. <br> Finally, Study 3 examined self-report responses of 106 participants regarding post-injury changes in driving behaviour and number of pre- and post-injury crashes. <br> <b>Key findings</b>: No significant differences were found in pre- and post-injury crash rates or in crash rates between the <i>pass</i> (n= 74) and <i>rehabilitation</i> (n= 32) groups. Many drivers reported changes to their driving behaviour: Compared to pre-injury, 36.8% of drivers reported limiting driving time, 40.6% drove more slowly and 41.5% reported greater difficulty with navigating. The <i>rehabilitation</i> group (with greater injury severity) was significantly more likely to drive less frequently, shorter distances and avoid driving with passengers, in busy traffic, at night and on freeways than the pass group. <br> <b>Recommendation</b>: As most of the study participants resumed driving and were safe to do so in the longer term, the importance of offering driver assessment and rehabilitation following moderate to severe TBI has been emphasized. <br> This PhD program of research, has also highlighted the complexity of the decision-making process required by rehabilitation clinicians in determining fitness to drive after TBI. Factors that were found to contribute to this situation included the wide variation in optimum timing for resuming driving and the range of variables that may impact on the outcome of the on-road assessment, such as injury severity, physical/visual issues, driver confidence, ability to compensate for cognitive issues and driver experience. The findings and recommendations of this PhD program may contribute to development of improved referral criteria and guidelines for resuming driving after TBI.

Aim: The present study aims to compare the effect of a short duration postprandial walking and prokinetic medications on bloating reported by healthy individuals Background: Abdominal bloating imposes significant clinical, social and economic burden on the healthcare systems; however, treatment of bloating is limited and not effective in all individuals with this symptom. Prokinetic agents are recommended in the treatment of bloating in individuals without underlying disorders traditionally. Methods: The study participants were randomized into two groups of control and intervention. In the control group, individuals were given daily domperidone plus activated dimethicone as a prokinetic medication, while the subjects in the intervention group were asked to perform a 10-15-minutewalk after each meal. The study duration was 4 weeks, the subjects were re-visited afterwards, and their symptoms was compared before and after the study. Results: This study consists of 94 individuals including 24 men and 70 women with mean age of 44.47±12.25 years with 49 participants in the control group and 45 participants in the intervention group. Both prokinetic medication use and minimal exercise after meals were associated with significant improvements in the GI tract symptoms such as belching, flatus, postprandial epigastric fullness/ bloating, gas incontinency and abdominal discomfort/pain (p-value <0.001). The changes in the score of the gastrointestinal symptoms from beginning to end of study between the two arms of study were not statistically significant except for postprandial epigastric fullness/ bloating symptoms where the intervention was superior to the use of prokinetics (p-value=0.002). Conclusion: This study shows that physical activity could be effective in relieving abdominal bloating symptoms. In contrast to other means of treatment proposed for abdominal bloating and its related symptoms, it needs no materials or equipment and can be easily performed by any individual. Keywords: Abdominal bloating, Abdominal distension, Exercise, Physical activity. (Please cite as: Hosseini-Asl MK, Taherifard E, Mousavi MR. The effect of a short-term physical activity after meals on gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with functional abdominal bloating: A randomized clinical trial. Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench 2021;14(1):59-66).

Algorithmic rankers take a collection of candidates as input and produce a ranking (permutation) of the candidates as output. The simplest kind of ranker is score-based; it computes a score of each candidate independently and returns the candidates in score order. Another common kind of ranker is learning-to-rank, where supervised learning is used to predict the ranking of unseen candidates. For both kinds of rankers, we may output the entire permutation or only the highest scoring k candidates, the top-k. Set selection is a special case of ranking that ignores the relative order among the top-k. In the past few years, there has been much work on incorporating fairness and diversity requirements into algorithmic rankers, with contributions coming from the data management, algorithms, information retrieval, and recommender systems communities. In my talk I will offer a broad perspective that connects formalizations and algorithmic approaches across subfields, grounding them in a common narrative around the value frameworks that motivate specific fairness- and diversity-enhancing interventions. I will discuss some recent and ongoing work, and will outline future research directions where the data management community is well-positioned to make lasting impact, especially if we attack these problems with our rich theory-meets-systems toolkit.