bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide analysis of the AREB/ABF gene lineage in land plants and functional analysis of TaABF3 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Fangfang , Mei Fangming , Zhang Yifang , Li Shumin , Kang Zhensheng , Mao Hude
Published: December 2020

Background: Previous studies have shown that ABFs (abscisic acid-responsive transcription factors) are important ABA-signaling components that participate in abiotic stress response. However, little is known about the function of ABFs in Triticum aestivum. In addition, although various ABFs have been identified in other species, the phylogenetic relationship between ABF transcription factors has not been systemically investigated in land plants. Results: In this study, we systemically collected ABFs from land plants and analyzed the phylogenetic relationship of these ABF genes. The ABF genes are present in all the land plants we investigated, including moss, lycophyte, monocots, and eudicots. Furthermore, these ABF genes are phylogenetically divided into seven subgroups, differentiations that are supported by variation in the gene structure, protein properties, and motif patterns. We further demonstrated that the expression of ABF genes varies among different tissues and developmental stages, and are induced by one or more environmental stresses. Furthermore, we found that three wheat ABFs (TaABF1, TaABF2, and TaABF3) were significantly induced by drought stress. Compared with wild-type (WT) plants, transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing TaABF3 displayed enhanced drought tolerance. Conclusions: These results provide important ground work for understanding the phylogenetic relationships between plant ABF genes. Our results also indicate that TaABFs may participate in regulating plant response to abiotic stresses.
Situational judgment test validity: An exploratory model of the participant response process using cognitive and think-aloud interviews.
Authors: Wolcott Michael D. , Lobczowski Nikki G. , Zeeman Jacqueline M. , McLaughlin Jacqueline E.
Published: December 2020

Background: Situational judgment tests (SJTs) are used in health sciences education to measure examinee knowledge using case-based scenarios. Despite their popularity, there is a significant gap in the validity research on the response process that demonstrates how SJTs measure their intended constructs. A model of SJT response processes has been proposed in the literature by Robert Ployhart; however, few studies have explored and expanded the factors. The purpose of this study was to describe the factors involved in cognitive processes that examinees use as they respond to SJT items in a health professions education context.Methods: Thirty participants—15 student pharmacists and 15 practicing pharmacists—completed a 12-item SJT designed to measure empathy. Each participant engaged in a think-aloud interview while completing the SJT, followed by a cognitive interview probing their decision-making processes. Interviews were transcribed and independently coded by three researchers to identify salient factors that contributed to response processes.Results: The findings suggest SJT response processes include all four stages (comprehension, retrieval, judgment, and response selection) as initially proposed by Ployhart. The study showed factors from other published research were present, including job-specific knowledge and experiences, emotional intelligence, and test-taking. The study also identified new factors not yet described, including identifying a task objective in the scenario, assumptions about the scenario, perceptions about the scenario, and the setting of the item.Conclusions: This study provides additional SJT validity evidence by exploring participants’ response processes through cognitive and think-aloud interviews. It also confirmed the four-stage model previously described by Ployhart and identified new factors that may influence SJT response processes. This study contributes to the literature with an expanded SJT response process model in a health professions education context and offers an approach to evaluate SJT response processes in the future.
Effects on applying Micro-Film Case-Based Learning model in pediatrics education
Authors: Pan Yuan , Chen Xiuqi , Wei Qiuwen , Zhao Jinmin , Chen Xun
Published: December 2020

Background: In view of the harsh reality Chinese paediatricians face, the challenge of paediatric education is about instilling not only knowledge and clinical skills but also resilience and beliefs. The aim of the study is to explore a more effective method than the traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) model for optimizing educational outcomes by establishing an innovative, comprehensive, case-based learning (CBL) model combined with the micro-film technique (MF+CBL). This approach has four important components: interests (attraction), knowledge application, competency, and scenario coping skills.Methods: Experimental research was conducted via a controlled parallel group study. The total sample of 104 senior-year students (Chinese) majoring in clinical medicine was randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was exposed to the MF+CBL model and the control group to the LBL model. Overall, the results were assessed after an 8-week course via a student self-assessment questionnaire, a satisfaction survey and the final examination.Results: The experimental group generally performed better than the control group on the student self-assessment (P＜0.05), satisfaction survey (P＜0.05), and final examination (80.02±3.77 vs 73.65±3.69, P = 0.000). The open question at the end of the questionnaire revealed that a small number of students did not favour the MF+CBL model due to its time- and energy-consuming features.Conclusions: Compared with LBL, the MF+CBL model was an innovative teaching method that promoted more comprehensive quality development. It represents an alternative model for optimizing the capacity of future paediatric doctors.
Risk-adapted treatment reduced chemotherapy exposure for clinical stage 1 pediatric testicular cancer
Authors: ye yunlin , Chen Zhuang-fei , Bian Jun , Liang Hai-tao , Qin Zi-ke
Published: December 2020

Background: Different from adult clinical stage I (CS1) testicular cancer, surveillance has been recommended for CS1 pediatric testicular cancer. However, among high-risk children, more than 50% suffer a relapse and progression during surveillance, and adjuvant chemotherapy needs to be administered. Risk-adapted treatment might reduce chemotherapy exposure among these children.Methods: A decision model was designed and calculated using TreeAge Pro 2011 software. Clinical utilities such as the relapse rates of different groups during surveillance or after chemotherapy were collected from the literature. A survey of urologists was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of first-line and second-line chemotherapy. Using the decision analysis model, chemotherapy exposure of the risk-adapted treatment and surveillance strategies were compared based on this series of clinical utilities. One-way and two-way tests were applied to check the feasibility.Results: In the base case decision analysis of CS1 pediatric testicular cancer, risk-adapted treatment resulted in a lower exposure to chemotherapy than surveillance (average: 0.7965 cycles verse 1.3419 cycles). The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that when the relapse rate after primary chemotherapy was ≤0.10 and the relapse rate of the high-risk group was ≥0.40, risk-adapted treatment would result in a lower exposure to chemotherapy, without any association with the proportion of low-risk patients, the relapse rate of the low-risk group, the relapse rate after salvage chemotherapy or the toxicity utility of second-line chemotherapy compared to first-line chemotherapy.Conclusions: Based on the decision analysis, risk-adapted treatment might decrease chemotherapy exposure for these high-risk patients, and an evaluation after orchiectomy was critical to this process. Additional clinical studies are needed to validate this statement.
Frailty Indexed Classification of Bangladeshi Older Adults’ Physio-psychosocial Health and Associated Risk Factors- A Cross-sectional Survey Study
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Meshbahur , Hamiduzzaman Mohammad , Akter Saleha , Farhana Zaki , Hossain Mohammad Kamal , Hasan Mohammad Nayeem , Islam Md. Nazrul
Published: December 2020

Background: Frailty is associated with healthy ageing, and it has been identified as a means of measuring older adults’ physio-psychosocial health. We know about the ageing trends and common diseases of older adults living in South Asia, but literature to date does not widely feature their health status based on frailty, especially in Bangladesh. This study aims to understand the prevalence of frailty in Bangladeshi older adults; classify their health status; and investigate associated risk factors.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the north-eastern region (i.e. Sylhet City Corporation) of Bangladesh. Four hundred participants aged 55 years and above were randomly selected, attended a health assessment session and completed a multi-indicator survey questionnaire. We developed a 30-indicator Frailty Index (FI30) to assess the participant’s health status and categorized: good health (no-frailty/Fit); slightly poor health (mild frailty); poor health (moderate frailty); and very poor health (severe frailty). Pearson chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted.Results: The participants’ mean age was 63.6 years, and 61.6% of them were assessed in poor to very poor health (moderate frailty/36.3% - severe frailty/25.3%). The eldest, female and participants from lower family income were found more frailty than their counterparts. Participants aged 70 years and above were more likely (adjusted OR: 4.23, 95 % CI: 2.26–7.92, p < 0.0001) to experience frailty (medical conditions) than the pre-elderly age group (55-59 years). Female participants were more vulnerable (adjusted OR=1.487, 95% CI: 0.84-2.64, p < 0.0174) to frailty (medical conditions) than male. Also, older adults who had higher family income (Income>$473.3) found a lower risk (adjusted OR: 0.294, 95% CI: 0.11-0.76, p<0.011) of frailty (poor health).Conclusion: Our study results confirm the prevalence of frailty-related disorders in Bangladeshi older adults and highlight the importance of targeted clinical and community-led preventive care programs.
The need for additional mental health support for women in the postpartum period in the times of epidemic crisis
Authors: Chrzan-Dętkoś Magdalena , Walczak-Kozłowska Tamara Zofia , Lipowska Małgorzata
Published: December 2020

Background: This retrospective study aimed to identify possible intensification of mental health difficulties among women seeking support in the postpartum period during the epidemic state in Poland. We assumed that the epidemic crisis, social isolation, and restrictions in hospitals which affect pregnant and postpartum women - lack of family labors, lack of the possibility to be with the newborn when he/she is hospitalized, may increase fear and reduce psychosocial resources of women, hinder their normal process of transition to motherhood and thus contribute to the intensified severity of depressive symptoms.Methods: The study participants were women seeking support at the on-line platform of the project ‘Next Stop: Mum’, which is a part of the postpartum depression prevention’s program implemented by the Ministry of Health in Poland, and enables remote self-screening for the severity of the postpartum depression symptoms with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale developed by Cox and collaborators. The analyzed data in this study were obtained from 139 women: 61 filled forms from October 1 - November 10, 2019 (non-epidemic period), and 78 filled forms from February 20 - March 30 (beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic), 2020.Results: A statistically significant difference in the severity of postpartum depression symptoms were observed among women making a self-assessment with EPDS scale at the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic in Poland (M = 15.71; SD = 6.23), compared to the pre-epidemic neutral period (M = 13.56; SD = 6.46).Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the epidemic crisis may be associated with an increased need for additional caution and support of women's mental health in the postpartum period. We believe that recommendations for medical staff, policy, and families of women struggling with postpartum depression symptoms during crisis should be widespread as the second wave of COVID-19 disease may develop in the autumn-winter 2020 and spring 2021.
Will Virtual Multidisciplinary Team Meetings Become the Norm for Musculoskeletal Oncology Care following the COVID-19 Pandemic? - Experience from a tertiary sarcoma centre
Authors: Rajasekaran Raja Bhaskara , Whitwell Duncan , Cosker Thomas D.A. , Gibbons Christopher L.M.H , Carr Andrew
Published: December 2020

Background: Like with all cancers, multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings are the norm in bone and soft tissue tumour (BST) management too. Problem in attendance of specialists due to geographical location is the one of the key barriers to effective functioning of MDTs. To overcome this problem, virtual MDTs involving videoconferencing or telemedicine have been proposed, but however this has been seldom used and tested. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the implementation of virtual MDTs in the Oxford sarcoma service in order to maintain normal service provision. We conducted a survey among the participants to evaluate its efficacy.Methods: An online questionnaire comprising of 24 questions organised into 4 sections was circulated among all participants of the MDT after completion of 8 virtual MDTs. Opinions were sought comparing virtual MDTs to the conventional face-to-face MDTs on various aspects. A total of 36 responses were received and were evaluated.Results: 72.8% were satisfied with the depth of discussion in virtual MDTs and 83.3% felt that the decision-making in diagnosis had not changed following the switch from face-to-face MDTs. About 86% reported to have all essential patient data was available to make decisions and 88.9% were satisfied with the time for discussion of patient issues over virtual platform. Three-fourths of the participants were satisfied (36.1% - highly satisfied; 38.9% - moderately satisfied) with virtual MDTs and 55.6% of them were happy to attend MDTs only by the virtual platform in the future. Regarding future, 77.8% of the participants opined that virtual MDTs would be the future of cancer care and an overwhelming majority (91.7%) felt that the present exercise would serve as a precursor to global MDTs involving specialists from abroad in the future.Conclusion: Our study shows that the forced switch to virtual MDTs in sarcoma care following the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic to be a viable and effective alternative to conventional face-to-face MDTs. With effective and efficient software in place, virtual MDTs would also facilitate in forming extended MDTs in seeking opinions on complex cases from specialists abroad and can expand cancer care globally.
Vagus nerve stimulation ameliorates L-NAME-induced preeclampsia-like symptoms in rats through inhibition of the inflammatory response
Authors: Zheng Linmei , Tang Rong , Shi Lei , Zhong Mei , Zhou Zhongyi
Published: December 2020

Background Preeclampsia is characterized by an excessive inflammatory response. Recent studies have shown that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has anti-inflammatory properties in vivo. This study aims to investigate whether VNS is safe for use during pregnancy and to explore the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of VNS in PE. Methods Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly chosen to receive N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-containing water (preeclampsia-like mouse model) or saline (normal pregnancy control) daily at gestational days 14.5-20.5. VNS and the α7nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine citrate (MLA, 1 mg/kg/d) were given daily at the same time. Results VNS decreased the high systolic blood pressure and urinary protein observed in the PE rats. In addition, VNS mitigated abnormal pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, VNS alleviated the inflammatory response by decreasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines. VNS significantly increased the expression of α7nAChR and attenuated the activation of NF-κB p65 in the placenta. Discussion Our findings indicate that maternal VNS treatment is safe during pregnancy and has a protective effect in a pregnant rat model of preeclampsia induced by L-NAME.
Severity-associated markers and assessment model for predicting the severity of COVID-19: a retrospective study in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Qi Jianjiang , He Di , Yang Dagan , Wang Mengyan , Ma Wenjun , Cui Huaizhong , Ye Fei , Wang Fei , Xu Jinjian , Li Zhijian , Liu Chuntao , Wu Jing , Qi Kexin , Wu Rui , Huang Jinsong , Liu Shourong , Zhu Yimin
Published: December 2020

Background: The severity of COVID-19 associates with the clinical decision making and the prognosis of COVID-19 patients, therefore, early identification of patients who are likely to develop severe or critical COVID-19 is critical in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to screen severity-associated markers and construct an assessment model for predicting the severity of COVID-19.Methods: 172 confirmed COVID-19 patients were enrolled from two designated hospitals in Hangzhou, China. Ordinal logistic regression was used to screen severity-associated markers. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was performed for further feature selection. Assessment models were constructed using logistic regression, ridge regression, support vector machine and random forest. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the performance of different models. Internal validation was performed by using bootstrap with 500 re-sampling in the training set, and external validation was performed in the validation set for the four models, respectively.Results: Age, comorbidity, fever, and 18 laboratory markers were associated with the severity of COVID-19 (all P values <0.05). By LASSO regression, eight markers were included for the assessment model construction. The ridge regression model had the best performance with AUROCs of 0.930 (95% CI, 0.914-0.943) and 0.827 (95% CI, 0.716-0.921) in the internal and external validations, respectively. A risk score, established based on the ridge regression model, had good discrimination in all patients with an AUROC of 0.897 (95% CI 0.845-0.940), and a well-fitted calibration curve. Using the optimal cutoff value of 71, the sensitivity and specificity were 87.1% and 78.1%, respectively. A web-based assessment system was developed based on the risk score.Conclusions: Eight clinical markers of lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, albumin, comorbidity, electrolyte disturbance, coagulation function, eosinophil and lymphocyte counts were associated with the severity of COVID-19. An assessment model constructed with these eight markers would help the clinician to evaluate the likelihood of developing severity of COVID-19 at admission and early take measures on clinical treatment.
Effects of trees, gardens, and nature trails on heat index and child health: Design and methods of the Green Schoolyards Project
Authors: Lanza Kevin , Alcazar Melody , Hoelscher Deanna M. , Kohl III Harold W.
Published: December 2020

Background: Latinx children in the United States are at high risk for nature-deficit disorder, heat-related illness, and physical inactivity. We developed the Green Schoolyards Project to investigate how green features—trees, gardens, and nature trails—in school parks impact heat index (i.e., air temperature and relative humidity) within parks, and physical activity levels and socioemotional well-being of these children. Herein, we present novel methods for a) observing children’s interaction with green features and b) measuring heat index and children’s behaviors in a natural setting, and a selection of baseline results.Methods: During two September weeks (high temperature) and one November week (moderate temperature) in 2019, we examined three joint-use elementary school parks in Central Texas, United States, serving predominantly low-income Latinx families. To develop thermal profiles for each park, we installed 10 air temperature/relative humidity sensors per park, selecting sites based on land cover, land use, and even spatial coverage. We measured green features within a geographic information system. In a cross-sectional study, we used an adapted version of System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to assess children’s physical activity levels and interactions with green features. In a cohort study, we equipped 30 3rd and 30 4th grade students per school during recess with accelerometers and Global Positioning System devices, and surveyed these students regarding their connection to nature. Baseline analyses included inverse distance weighting for thermal profiles and summing observed counts of children interacting with trees.Results: In September 2019, average daily heat index ranged 2.0°F among park sites, and maximum daily heat index ranged from 103.4°F (air temperature = 33.8°C; relative humidity = 55.2%) under tree canopy to 114.1°F (air temperature = 37.9°C; relative humidity = 45.2%) on an unshaded playground. 10.8% more girls and 25.4% more boys interacted with trees in September than in November.Conclusions: We found extreme heat conditions at select sites within parks, and children positioning themselves under trees during periods of high heat index. These methods can be used by public health researchers and practitioners to inform the redesign of greenspaces in the face of climate change and health inequities.
Оптическое поглощение гибридных молекулярных кластеров С-=SUB=-32-=/SUB=-Н-=SUB=-24-=/SUB=-, С-=SUB=-32-=/SUB=-Н-=SUB=-36-=/SUB=- на основе фрагментов даймондена и графена
Authors: Чекулаев М.С. , Ястребов С.Г.
Published: December 2020

Using the density functional theory (DFT), the geometry optimised for molecular clusters C32H24 and C32H36, constructed with a hybrid of fragments of diamondene and graphene with the dangling bonds passivated with hydrogen. The time-dependent DFT allowed calculating molar extinction spectra of the clusters. The comparison of the calculated spectra with the results of astrophysical observations evidence on a possible contribution of the clusters to the extinction spectrum of light by the carbon-based constituent of the interstellar medium.
Post-mortem 7.0-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Hippocampus in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors:   Unitè 1171 “Degenerative and vascular cognitive disorders”, Université de Lille 2, Lille, France, Reuck Jacques De , Auger Florent , Durieux Nicolas , Maurage Claude-Alain , Deramecourt Vincent , Cordonnier Charlotte , Pasquier Florence , Leys Didier , Bordet Regis
Published: December 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is reported to be probably linked to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Since FTLD is characterized by severe frontotemporal degeneration along with hippocampal atrophy (HA), the present study used post-mortem 7.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging to investigate whether a certain degree of HA occurs in the ALS brains as well. The examined post-mortem brain samples comprised 9 from the ALS cases and 17 from the age-matched controls. The hippocampus samples were examined on the most representative coronal section using T2 and T2* MRI sequences, and the average degree of HA was determined for both groups. The occurrence of hippocampal micro-infarcts (HMIs) and hippocampal micro-bleeds (HMBs), as well as the frequency of cortical micro-infarcts (CoMIs) and cortical micro-bleeds (CoMBs) in the neocortex, were compared between the groups. Considerable HA was observed in the ALS group compared to the control group. The incidence of HMIs and HMBs was low and comparable in the ALS and control groups. Moreover, the frequency of CoMIs and CoMBs in the neocortex was relatively comparable in the two groups. This post-mortem observation of HA is an additional argument in favor of the link between ALS and FTLD. Furthermore, both ALS and FTLD share a low vascular risk profile.
Measuring Adoption of Patient Priorities–Aligned Care Using Natural Language Processing of Electronic Health Records: Development and Validation of the Model
Authors: Razjouyan Javad , Freytag Jennifer , Dindo Lilian , Kiefer Lea , Odom Edward , Halaszynski Jaime , Silva Jennifer W , Naik Aanand D
Published: December 2020

Background

Patient Priorities Care (PPC) is a model of care that aligns health care recommendations with priorities of older adults who have multiple chronic conditions. Following identification of patient priorities, this information is documented in the patient’s electronic health record (EHR).

Objective

Our goal is to develop and validate a natural language processing (NLP) model that reliably documents when clinicians identify patient priorities (ie, values, outcome goals, and care preferences) within the EHR as a measure of PPC adoption.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of unstructured National Veteran Health Administration EHR free-text notes using an NLP model. The data were sourced from 778 patient notes of 658 patients from encounters with 144 social workers in the primary care setting. Each patient’s free-text clinical note was reviewed by 2 independent reviewers for the presence of PPC language such as priorities, values, and goals. We developed an NLP model that utilized statistical machine learning approaches. The performance of the NLP model in training and validation with 10-fold cross-validation is reported via accuracy, recall, and precision in comparison to the chart review.

Results

Of 778 notes, 589 (75.7%) were identified as containing PPC language (kappa=0.82, P<.001). The NLP model in the training stage had an accuracy of 0.98 (95% CI 0.98-0.99), a recall of 0.98 (95% CI 0.98-0.99), and precision of 0.98 (95% CI 0.97-1.00). The NLP model in the validation stage had an accuracy of 0.92 (95% CI 0.90-0.94), recall of 0.84 (95% CI 0.79-0.89), and precision of 0.84 (95% CI 0.77-0.91). In contrast, an approach using simple search terms for PPC only had a precision of 0.757.

Conclusions

An automated NLP model can reliably measure with high precision, recall, and accuracy when clinicians document patient priorities as a key step in the adoption of PPC.
Effects of Age, Gender, Health Status, and Political Party on COVID-19–Related Concerns and Prevention Behaviors: Results of a Large, Longitudinal Cross-sectional Survey (Preprint)
Authors: Naeim Arash , Baxter-King Ryan , Wenger Neil , Stanton Annette L , Sepucha Karen , Vavreck Lynn
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

With conflicting information about COVID-19, the general public may be uncertain about how to proceed in terms of precautionary behavior and decisions about whether to return to activity.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to determine the factors associated with COVID-19–related concerns, precautionary behaviors, and willingness to return to activity.

METHODS

National survey data were obtained from the Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape Project, an ongoing cross-sectional weekly survey. The sample was provided by Lucid, a web-based market research platform. Three outcomes were evaluated: (1) COVID-19–related concerns, (2) precautionary behaviors, and (3) willingness to return to activity. Key independent variables included age, gender, race or ethnicity, education, household income, political party support, religion, news consumption, number of medication prescriptions, perceived COVID-19 status, and timing of peak COVID-19 infections by state.

RESULTS

The data included 125,508 responses from web-based surveys conducted over 20 consecutive weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic (comprising approximately 6250 adults per week), between March 19 and August 5, 2020, approved by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Institutional Review Board for analysis. A substantial number of participants were not willing to return to activity even after the restrictions were lifted. Weighted multivariate logistic regressions indicated the following groups had different outcomes (all P<.001): individuals aged ≥65 years (COVID-19–related concerns: OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.93-2.18; precautionary behaviors: OR 2.38, 95% CI 2.02-2.80; return to activity: OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.37-0.46 vs 18-40 years); men (COVID-19–related concerns: OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.70-0.75; precautionary behaviors: OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.67-0.81; return to activity: OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.88-2.12 vs women); taking ≥4 medications (COVID-19–related concerns: OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.40-1.54; precautionary behaviors: OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.20-1.555; return to activity: OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.69-0.81 vs <3 medications); Republicans (COVID-19–related concerns: OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.38-0.42; precautionary behaviors: OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.40-0.50; return to activity: OR 2.22, 95% CI 2.09-2.36 vs Democrats); and adults who reported having COVID-19 (COVID-19–related concerns: OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12-1.39; precautionary behaviors: OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.52-0.81; return to activity: OR 3.99, 95% CI 3.48-4.58 vs those who did not).

CONCLUSIONS

Participants’ age, party affiliation, and perceived COVID-19 status were strongly associated with their COVID-19–related concerns, precautionary behaviors, and willingness to return to activity. Future studies need to develop and test targeted messaging approaches and consider political partisanship to encourage preventative behaviors and willingness to return to activities.
Analysis of Social Determinants and the Utilization of Pediatric Tele–Urgent Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Khairat Saif , McDaniel Phillip , Jansen Matthew , Francis Tia , Edson Barbara , Gianforcaro Robert
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

Telehealth is increasingly used to provide specialty consultations to infants and children receiving care. However, there is uncertainty if the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the use of telehealth among vulnerable populations.

OBJECTIVE

This research aims to compare the overall use of tele–urgent care visits for pediatric patients before and after the pandemic, especially among vulnerable populations.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of pediatric tele–urgent care visits at a virtual care center at a southeastern health care center. The main outcome of this study was the use of pediatrics tele–urgent visits across geographical regions with different levels of social disparities and between 2019 and 2020.

RESULTS

Of 584 tele–urgent care visits, 388 (66.4%) visits occurred in 2020 during the pandemic compared to 196 (33.6%) visits in 2019. Among 808 North Carolina zip codes, 181 (22%) consisted of a high concentration of vulnerable populations, where 17.7% (56/317) of the tele–urgent care visits originated from. The majority (215/317, 67.8%) of tele–urgent care visits originated from zip codes with a low concentration of vulnerable populations. There was a significant association between the rate of COVID-19 cases and the concentration level of social factors in a given Zip Code Tabulation Area.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of tele–urgent care visits for pediatric care doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the tele–urgent care visits after COVID-19 originated from regions where there is a low presence of vulnerable populations. In addition, our geospatial analysis found that geographic regions with a high concentration of vulnerable populations had a significantly higher rate of COVID-19–confirmed cases and deaths compared to regions with a low concentration of vulnerable populations.
Understanding the Acceptance of Wearable Healthcare Technology: Does Privacy Matter in the Context of Saudi Arabia? (Preprint)
Authors: Binyamin Dr. Sami , Hoque Md.
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

The use of Wearable healthcare technology (WHT) devices for health tracking is highly associated with privacy concern which is a major challenge for WHT adoption. Saudi Arabia is one of the promising markets for WHT devices. The country has a very high prevalence of chronic diseases which can be managed by using WHTs. However, as yet, no previous studies have conducted any privacy-theory based empirical study to measure how privacy issues are highly associated with the use of WHT.

OBJECTIVE

To test an extended version of Privacy Calculus’ theory concerning WHT adoption in the context of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

Unlike any other study in Saudi Arabia context, this study has extended the Privacy Calculus theory model to explain the variance in WHT adoption intention. The data were collected from participants who used wearable devices at least once. The data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares method, a statistical analysis technique based on Structural Equation Modeling.

RESULTS

The result shows that Perceived Benefits, Social Influence, Self-Efficacy, Personal Innovativeness in IT and Government Health Policy have shown significant influence on the behavior intention (BI) to adopt WHT. The result also shows that perceived privacy risk, privacy concern, health concern and trust are not important for WHT adoption in Saudi Arabia.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study will help for increasing the adoption of WHT for the management of a high prevalence of the chronic disease in Saudi Arabia, and thereby increase the quality of life and help the government to cope up with the limited resource.
Effects and utility of an online forward triage tool during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: patient perspectives (Preprint)
Authors: Michel Janet
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

Background: Online forward triage tools (OFTT) or symptom checkers are being widely used during this COVID-19 pandemic. The effects and utility of such tools however, have not been widely assessed.

OBJECTIVE

Objective: To assess the effects (quantitatively) and the utility (qualitatively) of a COVID-19 OFTT in a pandemic context, exploring patient perspectives as well as eliciting recommendations for tool improvement.

METHODS

Methods: We employed a mixed-method sequential explanatory study design. Quantitative data of all users of the OFTT between March 2nd, 2020 and May 12th, 2020 were collected. A follow-up survey of people who consented to participation was conducted. Secondly, qualitative data was collected through key informant interviews (n=19) to explain the quantitative findings, as well as explore tool utility, user experience and elicit recommendations.

RESULTS

Results: An estimate of the effects, (quantitatively) and the utility (qualitatively) of a COVID-19 OFTT in a pandemic context, and recommendations for tool improvement. In the study period, 6,272 users consulted our OFTT; 560 participants consented to a follow-up survey and provided a valid e-mail address. 176 (31.4%) participants returned a complete follow-up questionnaire. 85.2% followed the recommendations given. 41.5% reported that their fear was allayed after using tool and 41.1% would have contacted the GP or visited a hospital had the tool not existed.
Qualitatively, seven overarching themes emerged namely i) accessibility of tool, ii) user-friendliness of tool, iii) utility of tool as an information source, iv) utility of tool in allaying fear and anxiety, v) utility of tool in decision making (test or not to test), vi) utility of tool in reducing the potential for onward transmissions (preventing cross infection) and vii) utility of tool in reducing health system burden.

CONCLUSIONS

Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that a COVID-19 OFTT does not only reduce the health system burden, but can also serve as an information source, reduce anxiety and fear, reduce cross infections and facilitate decision making (to test or not to test). Further studies are needed to assess the transferability of these COVID-19 OFTT findings to other contexts as the second wave sweeps across Europe.
Aproximación conceptual del derecho de acceso a la información: una mirada histórica para la consolidación de la democracia en el contexto de la Ciudad de México
Authors: Solazzi Massimiliano
Published: December 2020

El objetivo del artículo es investigar los conceptos, definiciones, así como las características y principios del Derecho de Acceso a la Información (DAI), con una mirada histórica hacia la consolidación de la democracia y una perspectiva constitucional y legal, para llegar a la institucionalización y regulación del DAI en la Ciudad de México, a través de un recorrido legislativo del derecho humano del acceso a la información, con una revisión integral de los avances, retos pendientes y limitaciones para su ejercicio.
Gobernanza: un nuevo modelo de gobernación para la sociedad del Siglo XXI
Authors: Sánchez Jáuregui Christian Miguel
Published: December 2020

A partir de la segunda mitad de la década de los años setenta, a consecuencia de cambios económicos y sociales, la mayor parte de los gobiernos de los estados sociales en todos sus formatos comenzaron a evidenciar problemas y limitaciones económicas, políticas y administrativas que dificultaban su actividad gubernativa. En virtud de ello, en el presente artículo se tiene por objetivo, identificar los principales cambios y ajustes que ha experimentado la organización y ejercicio de la administración pública en las últimas cuatro décadas para dar forma a un proceso o modo efectivo de gobernar y administrar las sociedades contemporáneas y sus cambios. De manera detallada, se analizan las diferentes explicaciones respecto a los factores que han propiciado la aparición del enfoque/concepto de Gobernanza.
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS): psychometric properties of a Venezuelan Spanish version in medical students
Authors: Baptista Trino , Vargas Olga , Colmenares Rosani , Piñero Javier
Published: December 2020

The study of affect covers a wide range of interests in psychiatry and psychology. The PANAS (positive and negative affect scale) is widely used to explore and monitor affect. In this study, the psychometric features of an on¬line, Spanish version of the PANAS in Venezuela are described. The PANAS com¬prises 10 items exploring positive (PA) and 10 exploring negative (NA) pointers of affect. After back translation and content validity by expert opinion, the scale was administered to a probabilistic sample of 100, fifth-year medical students. We assessed factor and internal consistency analysis, 15-day apart test-retest, and concurrent validity with locally validated scales of depression (GE-DEPRE) and anxiety (ANSILET), and the Ryff’s scale of psychological well-being (PWB). The PANAS displayed good content validity (validity ratio = 0.91) and internal consistency (Crochan alfa, PA = 0.89, NA = 0.88). A forced factor analysis produced two, 10-item components of PA and NA each. The PANAS behaved poorly in the test-retest analysis, with marginally significant correlation in the PA dimension only (p = 0.055). The NA subscale positively correlated with the ANSILET scale (p = 0.03) and negatively with the PWB scale (p = 0.049). The PA only showed marginal convergent validity with the “personal relations” dimension of the PWB scale. We confirmed the two dimensions of the PANAS. Its inconsistent repeatability and construct validity support the definition of this scale as a dynamic instrument, relatively independent from depression and anxiety dimensions, and with specific value for monitoring elemental compo¬nents of affect.
Conflictos, controversias y problemas públicos. El caso de los ferrocarriles metropolitanos de Buenos Aires en la prensa (2002-2015)
Authors: Hernández Candela
Published: December 2020

El objetivo del presente artículo es dar cuenta del proceso de construcción del sistema ferroviario de pasajeros de la Región Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (RMBA) como problema público en el período 2002-2015. Dicho análisis se aborda al estudiar la evolución que tuvieron los conflictos desarrollados en el interior del sistema y las controversias en torno a su problematización social en la arena pública, a partir del tratamiento dado a la temática en la prensa. Se implementa una estrategia metodológica cuantitativa y cualitativa que combina el uso de fuentes primarias y secundarias. Se sostiene que las perturbaciones del sistema (conflictos y accidentes) coadyuvaron progresivamente a madurar los debates en torno a la definición del problema ferroviario, hasta consolidarlo asociado a la cuestión de la corrupción.
«China-Vietnam-India» format in the South-China sea in the context of regional security
Authors: Ponka Tatyana I. , Kuklin Nikita S. , Dubrovsky Ivan R.
Published: December 2020

This article is devoted to the role of the territorial dispute in the South China sea in relations between China, Vietnam and India in the regional subsystem of Southeast Asia. The regional space under consideration is characterized by high economic dynamism and active integration processes, including participation of non-regional actors. Particular importance is attached to the positions of the three States on fundamental aspects that have a destructive impact on the development of regional processes. Attention is paid to the conceptualization of the policy of the three States in the waters of this sea. Following consideration of the problems the authors conclude that the intersection of the interests of the three countries in this sea threatens to exacerbate the fragility of the political and strategic landscape of the regional subsystem, registration open, but citizenries order on the space of the SCS. The article notes that the confrontational tone in relations between China, Vietnam and India brings with it many threats, in particular the clash of state interests in the energy plane, the arms race between the three nuclear powers (USA, India, China), which was accompanied by increased military presence of non-regional player (USA) in the region, complicated by territorial and historical conflicts.
German Colonists in the Migration Policy of the Russian Autocracy (Analysis of the Laws of the Russian Empire)
Authors: Erokhina Olga V. , Litzenberger Olga A.
Published: December 2020

The article traces the policy of resettlement of German nationals from German states to the southern outskirts of the Russian empire based on the analysis of legislative material. To analyze the laws of the Russian Empire, the authors use historical-comparative and historical-systemic methods. Analysis. Mostly farmers were invited to Russia. They were to contribute to the transfer of improved European agricultural practices to the Russian peasantry. However, the Russian authorities could not predict the possible consequences of inviting foreigners. Therefore, there was no clear mechanism for organizing and regulating this process. Immigrants were offered significant benefits and privileges, so they agreed to move. Over time, the overpopulation of the colonies due to the high birth rate and lack of land contributed to the beginning of migration movements of the Germans in the second quarter of the XIX century in various regions of Russia from the mother colonies. The geography of the colonists began to expand as new laws were passed that eventually regulated their way of life. They created new colonies in the image of their mothers in the Caucasus and the Don, Siberia and Central Asia. The loss of benefits and privileges led not only to an increase in migration processes among them, but also forced them to emigrate to America and even return to Germany.
The Visit of the Vice-Chief of the Japanese Army’s General Staff Kawakami Sōroku to Priamur Military District (1897)
Authors: Avilov Roman S.
Published: December 2020

In 1897, the Vice-Chief of the Japanese Armys General Staff, Lieutenant General Kawakami Sōroku, visited the Russian Far East. Based on a large body of hitherto unstudied documents from the Russian State Military Historical Archive, this article analyzes the composition of the Japanese delegation as well as that of the Russian administration that hosted the Japanese guests. Among the hosts were Vladimir A. Oranovskiy and Vladimir K. Samoilov, who would later became famous as military orientalists and as the founders of Russias military intelligence in the region. The highest official who met the Japanese mission was the Temporary Chief of Troops of Priamur Military District, Lieutenant-General Nikolay I. Grodekov, widely known at that time as a military man, administrator, and scholar. The article discusses in detail the preparation of the visit by the Russian regional government, including the planned itinerary, preparations for the diet of the guests as well as their accommodation and transport issues. Equally analyzed are the organizational difficulties that occurred during the visit. The main interests of the Japanese delegation were the current condition of the Russian forces in a region, the development of military transport and port infrastructure, the level of regional colonization, issues of military training and combat readiness, new artillery systems, small arms, and winter outfit. The Japanese General Staff was particular interested in the defense condition of Vladivostok Fortress, with one officer in the Japanese delegation being assigned to investigate this particular question. An interesting feature is the cooperation between the General Staff and semi-commercial Japanese organizations for the collection of data about the current state of the Russian Far East. The article also studies the conclusions drawn by the Russian military attach in Japan, which appear to be inaccurate and questionable. While this visit did not arouse much interest in the central administration of the Russian War Ministry, it was of utmost importance to Japan, which already at that time regarded the Russian Empire as a potential threat and enemy.
The banking system of India
Authors: Grigoriev Vladimir N.
Published: December 2020

The article is devoted to the banking system of India. The paper considers and analyzes the structure of the banking system, the history of its formation, its role in the country's economy, key features and main development trends. The specific features that distinguish the banking system of India from the banking systems of other countries are highlighted. The functions of different types of banks in servicing business and the population are considered. The role of the state in the functioning of the banking system is analyzed. The forecast of changes in the banking system in the light of the unfolding global economic crisis is given.
The fintech industry: key technologies and directions of development of the financial digitization
Authors: Romanov Vadim A. , Khubulova Veronika V.
Published: December 2020

Today, new technologies are reshaping the financial services industry, actively displacing traditional players and traditional business models. Integration of new financial solutions allows to change the structure of consumption, reduce the cost of certain functions, improve the efficiency and quality of business, as well as significantly affect the sustainability of the profile business, etc. As a result, the financial technology industry (or fintech) is gradually becoming an independent, rapidly developing sector of the modern economy. The article defines the scheme of integration of financial technologies, identifies groups of innovative technologies. To ensure the effective functioning of the fintech ecosystem, full access to human capital is necessary. It is indicated that the development of the fintech industry requires the introduction of a number of instruments of state regulation. It is revealed that the fintech ecosystem is considered effective when access to key types of capital is provided. The driving factors of the fintech market are identified. The study revealed that the Russian fintech industry is characterized by the concentration of technological competencies directly in the banking system, which explains why the segment of independent fintech projects is still poorly developed compared to other foreign markets. The key reason for this situation is the lack of interest of foreign and Russian investors in domestic startups, and traditional players have a strong resource base.