Single-preference consensus measures based on models of ecological evenness

We investigate the relationship between consensus measures used in different settings depending on how voters or experts express their preferences. We propose some new models for single-preference voting, which we derive from the evenness concept in ecology, and show that some of these can be placed within the framework of existing consensus measures using the discrete distance. Finally, we suggest some generalizations of the single-preference consensus measures allowing the incorporation of more general notions of distance.

Aggregating fuzzy implications to measure group consensus

We approach the problem of measuring consensus for a set of real inputs by aggregating the fuzzy implication degrees between each pair of inputs. We compare our operator with existing consensus measures in terms of their satisfaction of desirable properties. The appeal of such an approach lies in the interpretability and flexibility that results from component-wise construction which we modeled on the Bonferroni mean. We also outline some intentions for future research.

Can indices of ecological evenness be used to measure consensus?

In the context of group decision making with fuzzy preferences, consensus measures are employed to provide feedback and help guide automatic or semi-automatic decision reaching processes. These measures attempt to capture the intuitive notion of how much inputs, individuals or groups agree with one another. Meanwhile, in ecological studies there has been an ongoing research effort to define measures of community evenness based on how evenly the proportional abundances of species are distributed. The question hence arises as to whether there can be any cross-fertilization from developments in these fields given their intuitive similarity. Here we investigate some of the models used in ecology toward their potential use in measuring consensus. We found that although many consensus characteristics are exhibited by evenness indices, lack of reciprocity and a tendency towards a minimum when a single input is non-zero would make them undesirable for inputs expressed on an interval scale. On the other hand, we note that some of the general frameworks could still be useful for other types of inputs like ranking profiles and that in the opposite direction consensus measures have the potential to provide new insights in ecology.

Unifying approaches to consensus across different preference representations

© 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Consensus measures can be useful in group decision making problems both to guide users toward more reasonable judgments and to give an overall indication of the support for the final decision. The level of consensus between decision makers can be measured in contexts where preferences over alternatives are expressed either as evaluations or scores, pairwise preferences, and weak orders, however these different representations often call for different approaches to consensus measurements. In this paper, we look at the distance metrics used to construct consensus measures in each of these settings and how consistent these are for preference profiles when they are converted from one representation to another. We develop some methods for consistent approaches across decision making settings and provide an example to help investigate differences between some of the commonly used distances.

Consensus guidelines for implementation of quality processes to prevent invasive fungal disease and enhanced surveillance measures during hospital building works, 2014

Healthcare-associated fungal outbreaks impose a substantial economic burden on the health system and typically result in high patient morbidity and mortality, particularly in the immunocompromised host. As the population at risk of invasive fungal infection continues to grow due to the increased burden of cancer and related factors, the need for hospitals to employ preventative measures has become increasingly important. These guidelines outline the standard quality processes hospitals need to accommodate into everyday practice and at times of healthcare-associated outbreak, including the role of antifungal stewardship programmes and best practice environmental sampling. Specific recommendations are also provided to help guide the planning and implementation of quality processes and enhanced surveillance before, during and after high-risk activities, such as hospital building works. Areas in which information is still lacking and further research is required are also highlighted.

Measuring worker productivity : frameworks and measures

Worker productivity is a combination of time off work (absenteeism) due to an illness and time at work but with reduced levels of productivity while at work (also known as presenteeism). Both can be gathered with a focus on application as a cost indicator and/or as an outcome state for intervention studies. We review the OMERACT worker productivity groups’ progress in evaluating measures of worker productivity for use in arthritis using the OMERACT filter. Attendees at OMERACT 9 strongly endorsed the importance of work as an outcome in arthritis. Consensus was reached (94% endorsement) for fielding a broader array of indicators of absenteeism. Twenty-one measures of at-work productivity loss, ranging from single item indicators to multidimensional scales, were reviewed for measurement properties. No set of at-work productivity measures was endorsed because of variability in the concepts captured, and the need for a better framework for the measurement of worker productivity that also incorporates contextual issues such as job demands and other paid and unpaid life responsibilities. Progress has been made in this area, revealing an ambivalent set of results that directed us back to the need to further define and then contextualize the measurement of worker productivity.

Psychosocial risk factors for coronary heart disease: a consensus statement from the National Heart Foundation of Australia

In 2003, the National Heart Foundation of Australia published a position statement on psychosocial risk factors and coronary heart disease (CHD). This consensus statement provides an updated review of the literature on psychosocial stressors, including chronic stressors (in particular, work stress), acute individual stressors and acute population stressors, to guide health professionals based on current evidence. It complements a separate updated statement on depression and CHD.

Perceived chronic job strain and shift work are associated with a small absolute increased risk of developing CHD, but there is limited evidence regarding their effect on the prognosis of CHD. Evidence regarding a relationship between CHD and job (in)security, job satisfaction, working hours, effort-reward imbalance and job loss is inconclusive.

Expert consensus is that workplace programs aimed at weight loss, exercise and other standard cardiovascular risk factors may have positive outcomes for these risk factors, but no evidence is available regarding the effect of such programs on the development of CHD.

Social isolation after myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with an adverse prognosis. Expert consensus is that although measures to reduce social isolation are likely to produce positive psychosocial effects, it is unclear whether this would also improve CHD outcomes. Acute emotional stress may trigger MI or takotsubo ("stress") cardiomyopathy, but the absolute increase in transient risk from an individual stressor is low. Psychosocial stressors have an impact on CHD, but clinical significance and prevention require further study.

Awareness of the potential for increased cardiovascular risk among populations exposed to natural disasters and other conditions of extreme stress may be useful for emergency services response planning. Wider public access to defibrillators should be available where large populations gather, such as sporting venues and airports, and as part of the response to natural and other disasters.

Balancing the risk of injury to gymnasts : how effective are the counter measures?

Background—To minimise injury risk and maximise gymnastics performance, coaches, parents, and health professionals working with young gymnasts need to understand and practise safe gymnastics.

Aims—To (a) identify the various injury counter measures specific to gymnastics, (b) critically review the literature describing each injury prevention measure, and (c) assess, using available risk factor and injury data, the weight of evidence to support each of these counter measures. Specific recommendations for further research and implementation strategies to prevent injury and improve safety are also given.

Methods—The relevant literature was identified through the use of Medline (1966 to May 1998) and SPORT Discus (1975 to May 1998) searches, hand searching of journals and reference lists, and discussions with key Australian gymnastics organisations.

Results—The key gymnastics injury counter measures identified in this review include coaching (physical preparation, education, spotting, and performance technique), equipment, and the health support system (medical screening, treatment, and rehabilitation). Categorisation of the type of evidence for the effectiveness of each of these counter measures in preventing injury showed that most of it is based on informal opinion/anecdotal evidence, uncontrolled data based studies, and several prospective epidemiological studies. There is no evidence from formally controlled trials or specific evaluation studies of counter measures for gymnastics.

Conclusions—Although gymnastics is a sport associated with young participants and frequent high volume, high impact training, there is a paucity of information on injury risk factors and the effectiveness of injury practices. Further controlled trials are needed to examine the extent to which injury prevention counter measures can prevent or reduce the occurrence of injury and re-injury. Particular attention should be devoted to improving training facilities, the design and testing of apparatus and personal equipment used by gymnasts, and coaching and the role of spotting in preventing injury.

The assessment of denial, cognitive distortions and victim empathy among pedophilic sex offenders. An evaluation of the utility of self-report measures.

The modification of denial, defensiveness, and cognitive distortions and the enhancement of victim empathy are central components in the treatment of pedophilic sex offenders (PSOs) and are thus important factors to evaluate. This review of the literature highlights three broad problems with self-report measures of these variables. First, the psychometric properties of measures vary enormously, with some having no established validity or reliability. Second, the purpose of the measure is generally quite transparent, enabling the respondent to easily pick the socially acceptable responses. Finally, it is difficult to determine which are the best measures to use in assessing PSOs. Measures range from those designed for the general public to those designed specifically for PSOs. Also, they range from those that assess broad processes (e.g., general empathy) to those that assess offensespecific variables (e.g., victim empathy). This article argues that these issues need to be addressed to improve both the assessment of these processes among PSOs and the evaluation of treatment programs for PSOs.

Do we need a new classification system for female sexual dysfunction? A comment on the 1999 consensus classification system.

This Article does not have an abstract.

An evaluation of self-report measures of cognitive distortions and empathy among Australian sex offenders

The modification of deviant cognitions and the enhancement of victim empathy are central components in many treatment programs for sex offenders. There appear to be three broad problems with self-report measures of these factors: variations in the psychometric evaluation of measures; the transparency of items and thus the likely influence of social desirability; and the difficulty of determining which measures are specific to particular types of sex offenders. The aim of this study was to investigate these three issues among child molesters (CMs), and men convicted of sex offences against adults (ASOs). Data were collected from 36 CMs and 31 ASOs and from two comparison groups (33 men convicted of nonsexual offences and 40 nonoffenders from the community), to assess the reliability (internal and test-retest) and validity (discriminant, construct, and face) of measures, the influence of sexual social desirability on responding and the specificity of measures to both sex offender groups. Collectively, the results raise issues related to the assessment of sex offenders that require further investigation. They also have theoretical implications about the relationship between cognitive and emotive processes among sex offenders.

Calpain 3 gene expression in skeletal muscle is associated with body fat content and measures of insulin resistance

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether skeletal muscle gene expression of calpain 3 is related to obesity and insulin resistance.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional studies in 27 non-diabetic human subjects and in Psammomys obesus, a polygenic animal model of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

MEASUREMENTS: Expression of CAPN3 in skeletal muscle was measured using Taqman fluorogenic PCR. In the human subjects, body composition was assessed by DEXA and insulin sensitivity was measured by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. In Psammomys obesus, body composition was determined by carcass analysis, and substrate oxidation rates, physical activity and energy expenditure were measured by whole-body indirect calorimetry.

RESULTS: In human subjects, calpain 3 gene expression was negatively correlated with total (P=0.022) and central abdominal fat mass (P=0.034), and with blood glucose concentration in non-obese subjects (P=0.017). In Psammomys obesus, calpain 3 gene expression was negatively correlated with circulating glucose (P=0.013) and insulin (P=0.034), and with body fat mass (P=0.049). Indirect calorimetry revealed associations between calpain 3 gene expression and carbohydrate oxidation (P=0.009) and energy expenditure (P=0.013).

CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Lower levels of expression of calpain 3 in skeletal muscle were associated with reduced carbohydrate oxidation and elevated circulating glucose and insulin concentrations, and also with increased body fat and in particular abdominal fat. Therefore, reduced expression of calpain 3 in both humans and Psammomys obesus was associated with phenotypes related to obesity and insulin resistance.