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The aim of this study was to describe characteristics and content of nurses' handover tools used for handover report and congruence of content shift-to-shift. Nurses use handwritten notes to record information despite recommendations for standardizing content of handover to improve patient safety. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a non-profit hospital in Southern California where a convenience sample of 105 registered nurses voluntarily submitted their paper handover tools. Twenty-seven types of handover tools were collected. Participants customized handover tools with color, writing implement, emphasis markings, and symbols. Content analysis revealed that most handover tools contained the patient's name, birthdate, account number, room number, medical history, allergies, code status, systems review, vital signs, medications, vascular access, test results, plan of care, and tasks. Safety/risk-related information was rarely present. Handover tools were context-specific and individualized with handwritten information that was incongruent shift-to-shift. Safety/risk-related information was rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines pathways from gender-based, racialized violence to health outcomes among formerly incarcerated Black women. We frame violence as gender-based and racialized, with a theoretical stance that we live in a male-dominated society characterized by historic and contemporary race-based oppression. This secondary analysis focused on a subsample of Black women (N = 288) from three U.S. cities (Oakland, CA; Kansas City, KS, MO; and Birmingham, AL) from March 2019 to June 2020 for the Tri-City Cervical Cancer Prevention Study among Women in the Justice System. Confirmatory factor analysis evaluated psychometric properties of hypothesized latent variables—violence victimization, living conditions, and healthcare access—and their observed indicators. Structural equation modeling estimated their relationships with physical, mental, and sexual health, controlling for sampling location. Violence victimization was associated with mental (β = 0.37, p =.000) and sexual health concerns (β = 0.31, p =.000). Healthcare access was associated with physical health concerns (β = 0.45, p =.004). Although there were no direct relationships between living conditions and health concerns, mediation analysis indicated worse living conditions were associated with more violence victimization and less healthcare access, with violence victimization fully mediating a relationship with mental and physical health concerns. Regarding control variables, women in Kansas City reported more sexual health concerns (β = 0.19, p =.005). Findings have important implications for treatment and care for Black women with incarceration and violence victimization histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We conducted a cross-sectional study, examining the mediation effects of depression and anxiety on the association between discrimination and readiness to quit cigarette smoking among African American adult cigarette smokers experiencing homelessness. Using a convenience sample, participants were recruited from a homeless shelter in Southern California. Scores of discrimination, depressive, and anxiety symptoms, and readiness to quit smoking were analyzed using linear regression modeling. We enrolled 100 participants; 58 participants were male. In the final model, discrimination had no association with readiness to quit (b = 0.02; 95% CI [−0.04, 0.08]; p = 0.47). The indirect effects of depression (b = 0.04, [0.01, 0.07]; p = 0.02) and anxiety (b = 0.03; [0.01, 0.05]; p = 0.04) reached statistical significance; the direct effects of depression (b = −0.01; [−0.09, 0.04]; p = 0.70) and anxiety (b = −0.00; [−0.09, 0.06]; p = 0.86) did not. Future studies should explore these associations to enhance smoking cessation programs for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small but growing body of research suggests that adolescents and young adults involved with the child welfare system and those transitioning out of foster care are at heightened risk of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). Understanding the factors that place youth at risk of IPV is central to prevention and treatment of this public health problem. However, questions remain about the prevalence and correlates of IPV among youth in foster care. Additionally, emotional abuse, a particular form of IPV in intimate partnerships, remains an understudied area in this population. This study aimed to address these gaps in research by exploring factors associated with IPV using longitudinal data from a representative sample of older youth in California Foster Care who participated in the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (CalYOUTH). Our IPV outcome measures included victimization, perpetration, bidirectional IPV, and emotional abuse. Findings suggest that approximately one-fifth (20.4%) of CalYOUTH respondents had experienced some form of IPV at age 23, with emotional abuse and bidirectional violence being the most commonly reported types of IPV. Females reported emotional abuse, as well as bidirectional violence, at nearly double the rates of their male counterparts. Self-identified sexual minority youth (SMY; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning) were more likely to report IPV victimization, IPV perpetration, and bidirectional violence than their non-SMY peers. Youth with histories of emotional abuse, caregiver IPV victimization, sexual abuse in foster care, placement instability, substance use, anxiety, and incarceration were also at heightened risk of IPV involvement. Emotional abuse was most prevalent with SMY. The findings contribute to the growing research on IPV among transition-age foster youth with important implications for future research, practice, and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The purpose of this article is to describe a community-based participatory research pilot project conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that Pacific Islanders (PIs) hold toward biospecimen collection, use, and banking, all of which will help drive higher PI participation rates in both medical and behavioral research studies. Method. Academic and community partners worked side by side to develop a conceptual model, study measures, and study protocols. PI community partners screened, recruited, and conducted data collection, which consisted of a paper-and-pencil survey and a 1-hour semistructured interview administered by trained community workers. Results. A total of 60 PI adults representing various PI ethnic groups completed the surveys and interviews. Results showed a general support for biospecimen studies that would benefit the community, and many are willing to provide their biospecimen samples if asked. Conclusion. Due to the established level of trust, community partners were able to successfully recruit and collect data for the study. Many of those interviewed also called for more outreach and education about the importance of biospecimen research in their communities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: The present study developed and tested a model of car following by human drivers.Background: Previous models of car following are based on 3-D parameters such as lead vehicle speed and distance information, which are not directly available to a driver. In the present paper we present the driving by visual angle (DVA) model, which is based on the visual information (visual angle and rate of change of visual angle) available to the driver.Method: Two experiments in a driving simulator examined car-following performance in response to speed variations of a lead vehicle defined by a sum of sine wave oscillations and ramp acceleration functions. In addition, the model was applied to six driving events using real world-driving data.Results: The model provided a good fit to car-following performance in the driving simulation studies as well as in real-world driving performance. A comparison with the advanced interactive microscopic simulator for urban and nonurban networks (AIMSUN) model, which is based on 3-D parameters, suggests that the DVA was more predictive of driver behavior in matching lead vehicle speed and distance headway.Conclusion: Car-following behavior can be modeled using only visual information to the driver and can produce performance more predictive of driver performance than models based on 3-D (speed or distance) information.Application: The DVA model has applications to several traffic safety issues, including automated driving systems and traffic flow models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on research works on organization, conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, California. Economist Ichak Adizes will be reporting and analyzing the results in organizations in which he has acted as, or has trained others to be, agents of change in applying his methodology. Economist Kenneth W. Thomas is guest-editing a special issue of the California Management Review whose purpose is to re-examine the collaborative ethic prevalent in the field of organization behavior. Four articles present different perspectives on organization conflict and the functionality/dysfunctionality of collaboration. The papers highlight the importance of recognizing the costs and infeasibility of collaboration in many situations, the value of stimulating optimal levels of conflict in organizations, the role of power tactics and identification of different interest groups in organizations that stand to gain or lose differentially with increase in collaboration. Thomas is also developing a cost-benefit model of organizational conflict. A paper examining the implicit assumptions about the functionality/dysfunctionality of conflict that have been predominant in the literature on organization conflict is in preparation.

Background: Little is known about the genetic characteristics associated with exercise in women undergoing breast cancer surgery. Purpose: In a sample of women who were evaluated prior to breast cancer surgery (n = 310), we evaluated for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between patients who did and did not exercise on a regular basis and evaluated for associations between polymorphisms in genes for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, their receptors, and their transcriptional regulators. Methods: Patients completed an investigator-developed exercise questionnaire. Based on the recommended level of exercise (≥150 minutes/week), survivors were classified into no exercise (NoEx), less exercise (LessEx), or recommended exercise (RecEx) groups. Candidate gene analyses were done to identify relationships between polymorphisms and exercise group membership (i.e., NoEx vs. RecEx). Only 23.5% of the total sample met the recommendations for regular exercise. Results: Compared to the RecEx group (n = 78), patients in the NoEx group (n = 120) had less education; were less likely to report being White or Asia/Pacific Islander; more likely to report a lower household income; had a higher body mass index (BMI), had a poorer functional status; had a higher comorbidity burden; were more likely to self-report high blood pressure; and were more likely to have received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Polymorphisms in IFNGR1 and NFKB1 were associated with membership in the NoEx group. Conclusions: While they warrant replication, our findings suggest that variations in cytokine-related genes may play a role in exercise behavior, and that clinicians need to assess for barriers to regular exercise and educate patients on its benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on studies related to labor and industrial relations by research staff of the Institute of Industrial Relations at the University of California in Los Angeles, California in 1966. The research staff continues work in industrial relations and related areas such as socioeconomic problems of minority groups, unemployment and poverty. Benjamin Aaron is conducting a study that will focus on labor-court systems in England, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden and private labor arbitration in the U.S. Irving Bernstein continues his work on the second volume of "A History of the American Workers As a Successor to the Lean Years." Paul Prasow and Fred Massarik are involved in a research project on automated and non-automated job patterns of skilled workers in the aircraft industry in Los Angeles, California.

The article reports on the creation of a bilingual research center in California. The agreement between the National Institute of Education and the Southwest Regional Laboratory for Educational Research and Development creates a national center devoted to bilingual education research. The center provides an information center for legislators and educators. It also gives the bilingual experts a chance to conduct research in their field, including ethnic languages, Spanish, Native American, and Asian American.

Rapid proliferation of smartphone ownership and use among Latinos offers a unique opportunity to employ innovative visually enhanced low-text (VELT) mobile health applications (mHealth app) to promote health behavior change for Latinos at risk for lifestyle-related diseases. Using focus groups and in-depth interviews with 16 promotores and 5 health care providers recruited from California clinics, this qualitative study explored perceptions of visuals for a VELT mHealth app promoting physical activity (PA) and limiting sedentary behavior (SB) for Latinos. In this Phase 1 study, participants endorsed visuals portraying PA guidelines and recommended visuals depicting family and socially oriented PA. Overall, participants supported a VELT mHealth app as an alternative to text-based education. Findings will inform the future Phase 2 study development of a culturally appropriate VELT mHealth app to promote PA for Latinos, improve health literacy, and provide an alternative to traditional clinic text-based health education materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the ownership transparency, financial accountability, and quality indicators of a regional for-profit nursing home chain in California, using a case study methodology to analyze data on the chain's ownership and management structure, financial data, staffing levels, deficiencies and complaints, and litigation. Secondary data were obtained from regulatory and cost reports and litigation cases. Qualitative descriptions of ownership and management were presented and quantitative analyses were conducted by comparing financial and quality indicators with other California for-profit chains, for-profit non-chains, and nonprofit nursing home groups in 2011. The chain's complex, interlocking individual and corporate owners and property companies obscured its ownership structure and financial arrangements. Nursing and support services expenditures were lower than nonprofits and administrative costs were higher than for-profit non-chains. The chain's nurse staffing was lower than expected staffing levels; its deficiencies and citations were higher than in nonprofits; and a number of lawsuits resulted in bankruptcy. Profits were hidden in the chain's management fees, lease agreements, interest payments to owners, and purchases from related-party companies. Greater ownership transparency and financial accountability requirements are needed to ensure regulatory oversight and quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research documents that street-involved youth experience rates of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that are significantly higher than their housed counterparts. Trauma and PTSD are of particular concern for homeless youth as they can negatively affect youths’ ability to function adaptively and to transition off the streets. This mixed-methods study investigates the intricacies of trauma experienced by homeless youth across three U.S. cities. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of 145 homeless youth in Los Angeles (n = 50), Denver (n = 50), and Austin (n = 45) to explore youths’ perspectives on the definition of trauma and the contexts associated with victimization. Quantitative standardized assessments investigated youths’ trauma experiences before and after becoming homeless. Trauma screening identified high rates of trauma incidents (78%), with 28% of participants meeting criteria for PTSD. Participants reported various traumatic experiences that occurred before leaving home and while on the streets, and high rates of polyvictimization. Qualitative themes describe particular people and places most vulnerable on the streets. Implications for services to prevent and treat trauma among homeless youth are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which explored the efficacy of tendon needling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in patients with chronic tennis elbow or lateral epicondylar tendinopathy compared with an active control group. The research involved 230 patients with chronic tennis elbow who were treated at 12 centers over 5 years. The study found no significant differences at 12 weeks, but clinically meaningful improvements were found in subjects treated with PRP at 24 weeks.

Participation of different community sectors, including the private business sector, is necessary to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Local businesses may be reluctant to participate in HIV prevention because of fear of negative customer reactions and loss of revenue. This study examines the extent to which residents of two communities in San Diego, California, would support HIV prevention initiatives in local businesses. A population-based household survey (N = 200) is conducted in two communities with higher versus lower risk for HIV. The survey includes questions regarding the acceptability of HIV prevention activities, such as condom and brochure distribution in businesses, and history of exposure to HIV prevention activities in local businesses. Most residents agree that (a) business involvement in prevention activities would reduce HIV (92%), (b) free or low-cost condoms available in businesses could prevent the spread of HIV (90.9%) and increase condom accessibility (87%), and (c) they would prefer to shop at businesses that supported HIV prevention versus those that did not (87.4%). These findings suggest that HIV prevention in local businesses would be supported by residents and would be unlikely to adversely affect business profits. This information could be used to design interventions to engage local businesses in HIV-prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this article we describe our experiences in developing and expanding a philosophy in the schools program in Long Beach, California. We point to similarities and differences between our program and other philosophy for children programs, and describe the concerns and growing pains our program has experienced in its first seven years of existence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organized labor has been largely responsible for the health and safety protections many U.S. workers take for granted. This article provides a brief history of labor's influence on California's health and safety policies—sometimes with ripple effects beyond its borders. Six cases where various successful strategies were used are examined. These gains were achieved with strong support from international health and safety staff, and, on some issues, support from the state labor federation. But in most cases local union staff involvement was key. Now that labor mobilizes to build its shrinking membership—with only 1 out of 12 workers in the private sector organized—resources are being re-directed toward organizing. Understandably, health and safety advocates have expressed concern that worker protections may suffer. Time will tell, but there is evidence that health and safety demands are front and center in a number of current and upcoming organizing campaigns. Now more than ever, it is in health and safety professionals' interest to tie their research and clinical work into these emerging campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many cities, regions and states have sought to replicate the economic success achieved by the high-tech industrial cluster of 'Silicon Valley' in northern California. While Silicon Valley's success is commonly attributed to particular entrepreneurs, firms and institutions, historically-specific political and economic frameworks underpinned its development. Policies and programmes of the US government during the early decades of the Cold War created new economic opportunities for people and organisations engaged in scientific research, yet the influence of public funding streams can be obscured because of the devolved and privatised way in which the programmes were structured and implemented. Exploring these political frameworks, particularly the way in which they altered the fortunes of Silicon Valley's major research institution, Stanford University, helps explain why Silicon Valley grew where it did, and why its economic ecosystem has proved so difficult to replicate elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using an authentic assessment approach, two California State University, Fullerton, faculty members developed instructional strategies in support of an assignment that requires students to situate their families within a historical framework. We describe our efforts to provide students with the research skills to successfully complete the assignment. We used, among other methods, reflective writing assignments to measure the growth of students' intercultural understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of the research on criminal careers has concentrated on the dimensions of prevalence, frequency, specialization, and desistance. One dimension that has not been the focus of research is career length. Knowledge on the distribution of—and correlates associated with—career length is important for matters related to theory and policy. Using data from a sample of parolees from the California Youth Authority, the authors studied the career-length issue and provide important descriptive and etiological information. The authors also present some comparisons across race to determine if race differences emerge in career length and its correlates. Theoretical and empirical directions for future research are also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analysed the design and cost of a picture archiving and communications system (PACS), computerized radiography (CR) and a wide-area network for teleradiology. The Desert Pacific Healthcare Network comprises 10 facilities, including four tertiary medical centres and one small hospital. Data were collected on radiologists' workloads, and patient and image flow within and between these medical centres. These were used to estimate the size and cash flows associated with a system-wide implementation of PACS, CR and teleradiology services. A cost analysis model was used to estimate the potential cost savings in a filmless radiology environment. ATM technology was selected as the communications medium between the medical centres. A strategic plan and business plan were successfully developed. The cost model predicted the cost-effectiveness of the proposed PACS/CR configuration within four to six years, if the base costs were kept low. The experience gained in design and cost analysis of a PACS/teleradiology network will serve as a model for similar projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to assess the prevalence of HIV sexual risk behaviours and substance use among runaway and homeless adolescents in San Francisco, Denver and New York City. Survey data were examined from 775 runaway and homeless adolescents recruited from street settings and youth agencies during 1992/1993. Nearly all (98%) reported having engaged in sexual intercourse, of whom 49% first had intercourse by the age of 13. Condom use during all vaginal intercourse in the previous 3 months was reported by 42%. Among males, 23% indicated that they had exchanged sex for money, as did 14% of the females. Ninety-seven per cent had used alcohol or drugs and 21% had injected drugs. Overall, 75% reported having had sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Systematic epidemiological studies of this population and the development of innovative interventions are essential to reduce the threat of HIV among runaway and homeless youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]