bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habitualne czasowniki wyrażające czystą kauzację w języku bułgarskim: w ujęciu syntaktyczno-leksykograficznym
Authors: Banasiak Jakub Lubomir
Published: December 2021

Habitual Verbs Expressing Pure Causativity in the Bulgarian Language: A Syntactic-Lexicographic ApproachThis article presents the semantics and syntax of habitual verbs expressing pure causativity in Bulgarian. The linguistic data is modelled according to the predicate-argument theory with a particular focus on syntactic condensation processes. The lexical units under investigation are presented in the form of a semantic-syntactic dictionary with examples of different types of formalisations of the two opened argument positions (“cause” and “effect”). The latter of the two positions is less compatible with non-abstract nouns as the only formal exponent of the proposition. The following units were selected for the study: Bul. води, довежда, докарва, идва от (причината), предизвиква, причинява, произлиза, произтича. Habitualne czasowniki wyrażające czystą kauzację w języku bułgarskim: w ujęciu syntaktyczno-leksykograficznymW artykule omówiono semantykę i składnię habitualnych czasowników wyrażających czystą kauzację w języku bułgarskim. Dane językowe zostały wymodelowane w oparciu o teorię predykatowo-argumentową ze szczególnym naciskiem położonym na procesy kondensacji syntaktycznej. Zbadane jednostki zostały zaprezentowane w formie semantyczno-syntaktycznego słownika z przykładami różnych typów formalizacji obu otwartych pozycji argumentowych („przyczyny” i „skutku”). Druga z omawianych pozycji jest mniej kompatybilna z rzeczownikami nieabstrakcyjnymi w funkcji jedynego wykładnika propozycji. Do badania wybrano następujące jednostki: bg. води, довежда, докарва, идва от (причината), предизвиква, причинява, произлиза, произтича.
General Surgery Twitter during COVID-19: Tweets, Trends, and Implications for Recruitment Strategies
Authors: Cox James Shell , Wehrle Chase J. , Mejias Christopher , Devarakonda Aditya K. , McKenzie Jonathan Andrew , Arora Tania K.
Published: December 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional resident recruitment practices, requiring virtual interviews and new forms of outreach. Social media, such as Twitter, is one tool programs can use to connect with applicants. This study sought to assess changes in Twitter use during the COVID-19 pandemic among general surgery programs.

Methods

Twitter and residency program websites were queried for public Twitter accounts related to general surgery residency programs. Publicly available tweets for available accounts were reviewed for all posts for the period March 15, 2019-November 25, 2020. Thematic analysis of each tweet was performed, and engagement was determined by likes and retweets on each tweet.

Results

The number of programs with active Twitter accounts increased after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, as did the number of tweets, likes-, and retweets-per-tweet. There was a significant increase in the number of tweets regarding resident promotion, program promotion, and virtual event promotion. Tweets received more likes-per-tweet if the subject was program promotion and resident promotion than tweets regarding virtual events. All results were statistically significant ( P < .05).

Discussion

Twitter use and engagement with residency programs have increased significantly since pandemic onset. Engagement is highest for tweets regarding program and resident promotion as measured by likes-per-tweet and highest for program promotion and virtual events as measured by retweets-per-tweet. Given the nearly nationwide increase in Twitter engagement after pandemic onset, programs should consider the impact of Twitter as a means of communication with applicants and program branding.
The two faces of power-sharing
Authors: Juon Andreas , Bochsler Daniel
Published: December 2021

Lijphart’s claim that power-sharing spurs democratization in divided societies has strongly influenced ‘institutional engineering’ and is widely accepted among scholars despite the fact that empirical tests of its merits remain rare. This article revisits the democratic effect of power-sharing, arguing that it has two antagonist faces. On the positive side, it provides guarantees of inclusion to political elites, allowing them to commit to democratic rules. On the negative side, it also has an illiberal face, entailing limits on competition and individual rights. In this article, these contrary characteristics are traced back to two institutional types of power-sharing: a more flexible and open, liberal, type and a more rigid, corporate one. Using a novel dataset on power-sharing rules for 138 multi-ethnic countries and the period from 1945 to 2016, their respective democratic merits are tested. Conforming to theoretical expectations, the findings indicate that only liberal forms of power-sharing exhibit strong positive effects on democracy while corporate forms exert mixed or even negative ones. These findings are robust to a series of alternate model specifications and operationalizations as well as to instrumental variable approaches. In conclusion, the article indicates only a partial democratic effect of power-sharing, limited to its liberal subtype.
Intention and Monitoring Influence the Content of Memory Reports
Authors: Barzykowski Krystian , Skopicz-Radkiewicz Ewa , Kabut Radosław , Staugaard Søren Risløv , Mazzoni Giuliana
Published: December 2021

Objectives

While voluntary memories are intended and expected, involuntary memories are retrieved with no intention and are usually unexpected (when one is not waiting for a memory). The present study investigates the effects of retrieval intentionality ( wanting to retrieve a memory) and monitoring processes ( expecting a memory to appear) on the characteristics of autobiographical memories.

Methods

To this end, by applying mixed-method analysis of memory descriptions (i.e. combining qualitative with quantitative analyses) we re-analysed the large pool of involuntary and voluntary memories obtained in one previously published study, asking independent judges to rate all the memories on several dimensions reflecting memory accessibility (i.e. the likelihood that a memory can be retrieved).

Results

When discussing our findings, we speculate that there may be several stages of memory retrieval that might be differently influenced by intention and monitoring.

Conclusions

We discuss the novel hypothesis that there may be two different types of monitoring that operate independently of each other, before and after retrieval, respectively.
Analyzing the Impact on Teacher Preparedness as a Result of Using Mursion as a Risk-free Microteaching Experience for Pre-service Teachers
Authors: Ferguson Sarah , Sutphin Latanya
Published: December 2021

Risk-free micro-teaching affords an opportunity for pre-service teachers (PTs) to practice teaching and student engagement techniques outside of a traditional classroom setting. More time to practice teaching is often an expressed desire of PTs. Orchestrating time to practice teaching techniques learned in pedagogy courses is a difficult undertaking for teacher educators, especially while trying to ensure low-risk or risk-free experiences. As explained through this study, the implementation of a Mursion simulation to offer risk-free micro-teaching experiences for PTs served as a valuable addition to an introductory teaching course. The Mursion experience enhanced PTs’ personal preparation for teaching as well as enhancing their professionalism and lesson quality.
Unpacking the Microdynamics of Multiplex Peer Developmental Relationships: A Mutuality Perspective
Authors: Methot Jessica R. , Cole Michael S.
Published: December 2021

Peer developmental relationships—informal arrangements between pairs of individuals who take an active interest in and concerted action to advance one another's careers—offer a valuable alternative to formal mentorships. Despite recognition that peer developmental relationships have the potential to jointly provide career and psychosocial support (i.e., multiplexity) and that relationships embodying multiple support dimensions are indispensable, a paucity of work investigates what factors contribute to their dynamics and persistence over time. To address this issue, we integrate the microfoundations of network dynamics and mutuality perspectives to identify why and when social processes—specifically, reciprocity, trust, and trust asymmetry—operate to form, strengthen, or maintain multiplex peer developmental relationships. To test our hypotheses, we collected three waves of data over one-and-a-half years from a cohort of individuals participating in a leadership development program. Using variations of the Quadradic Assignment Procedure (QAP) to investigate dyad-level dynamics, our results generally suggest that (over and above demographics and network characteristics) the provision of psychosocial support relatively early in the peer-to-peer relationship is likely to evolve into a more complex, high-quality relationship comprised of both psychosocial support and career support (i.e., a multiplex peer developmental relationship). Perhaps more importantly, the social processes capturing mutuality further increased the likelihood that multiplex developmental relationships would develop and persist over time. Our results demonstrate that mutuality is both generative and resolute in nurturing multiplex developmental relationships.
Sport Fan Attitudes on Alcohol: Insights from a Survey of Football Supporters in Scotland and England
Authors: Purves Richard I. , Critchlow Nathan , Giulianotti Richard , Hunt Kate , Morrow Stephen , Bancroft Angus
Published: December 2021

Availability of alcohol at football matches in the UK is much debated and subject to multiple restrictions, yet there is little understanding of supporters’ attitudes. A cross-sectional survey of football supporters in Scotland and England (n  =  1750) was conducted April–June 2019. Most supporters viewed drinking at matches as acceptable (74.4%) and thought alcohol should be available at grounds (76.0%); around two-fifths thought most supporters consumed alcohol before matches (44.1%); but only a quarter (26.6%) thought disorder at matches was due to alcohol. Attitudes varied by supporter characteristics: supporters who were younger, in England, or more regular match-goers were more favourable towards alcohol consumption and availability at matches. We conclude that alcohol regulations in some nations and sports – where restrictions are based on historical disorder – may no longer be appropriate.
Plastic bronchitis associated with influenza A virus in children with asthma
Authors: Wang Yanyan , An Shuhua
Published: December 2021

Plastic bronchitis (PB) is a rare and potentially fatal disease characterized by acute progressive dyspnea caused by bronchial casts in the bronchial tree. We analyzed two children with asthma and PB who presented with high fever, cough and dyspnea. Both cases showed acute onset and rapid disease progression. Laboratory examination revealed that both children were infected with influenza A virus. Emergency fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed within 20 hours of admission. Immediately after removing the bronchial casts, their dyspnea symptoms improved significantly, and they recovered after comprehensive treatment with antiviral drugs, antibiotics and glucocorticoids. When children with asthma have acute progressive and difficult-to-relieve dyspnea after infection with influenza A virus, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of PB and perform bronchoscopy as soon as possible to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment and improve patient prognosis.
Multiple episodes of postpancreatectomy hemorrhage resolved by endoscopy and ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection into a common hepatic artery aneurysm: a case report
Authors: Lu Jun , Zhou Weijiang , Wang Kai , Wang Chao , Xu Xiao , Zhou Lixin
Published: December 2021

Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the most common complications after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). It mainly includes gastrointestinal hemorrhage and abdominal hemorrhage. With the development of digestive endoscopy and ultrasonic/radiological interventional technology, hemostasis can be effectively performed by minimally invasive methods in many patients with PPH. This report describes the successful treatment of multiple episodes of postoperative hemorrhage after PD. The patient developed anastomotic hemorrhage after PD and was successfully treated by endoscopic hemostasis. However, he also developed intra-abdominal hemorrhage after PD caused by a pseudoaneurysm that had formed next to the common hepatic artery. We effectively performed hemostasis by injecting lyophilized thrombin powder into the pseudoaneurysm with ultrasound guidance, which is a rarely used method. This case indicates that digestive endoscopy provides great advantages in the treatment of gastrointestinal hemorrhage after PD. For patients who develop PPH with a pseudoaneurysm, interventional ultrasonography is an option if transcatheter arterial embolization or covered stenting fails.
Positive parenting in foster care: A video-feedback intervention to promote positive parenting – theory and practice
Authors: West Delphine , Roelands An , Van Hove Lisa , Vanderfaeillie Johan , Gypen Laura , Van Holen Frank
Published: December 2021

Foster children are known to be at high risk for developing attachment problems. Moreover, their associated behavioural problems can be a burden for the foster family and increase the risk of placement breakdown. A sensitive parenting style promotes a secure attachment which, in turn, can reduce the chance of difficulties arising and protect against placement disruption. Interventions using video-feedback of parent–child interactions offer a method of increasing parental sensitivity and improving the quality of the parent–child attachment. The intervention discussed in this article was part of a wider initiative, Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD), fashioned to promote sensitive parenting, secure attachment and a reduction in children’s behavioural problems. Its effectiveness has been shown for a variety of target groups. A variant of the approach was developed specifically for foster and adopted children, Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline – Foster Care/Adoption (VIPP-FC/A). This article discusses the design and delivery of the intervention and illustrates these with case material.
Mental health and behavioural difficulties in adopted children: A systematic review of post-adoption risk and protective factors
Authors: Duncan Morvwen , Woolgar Matt , Ransley Rachel , Fearon Pasco
Published: December 2021

Previous research suggests that adopted children are at a greater risk of experiencing psychological and behavioural difficulties or accessing mental health services than non-adopted peers and that post-adoption variables are significant risk and protective factors producing this situation. This review seeks to summarise the post-adoption variables associated with adopted children’s mental health or behavioural difficulties to inform future research and shape interventions. A search for publications that assess associated risk and protective factors using Web of Science, Psychinfo, Medline and Sociological Abstracts identified 52 studies that met rigorous methodological criteria. Children’s and adolescents’ mental health and behavioural outcomes were associated with parent, parent–child and wider family factors and by contextual variables. The findings highlight the importance of focusing on the multitude of systemic factors surrounding a child following adoption. Clinical implications and direction for future research are discussed.
The Future of Nurse Scholarship: The Ethical Challenges
Authors: Milton Constance L.
Published: December 2021

The advancement of a healthcare discipline is reliant on the disciplines’ ability to produce rigorous scholarship activities and products. The healthcare disciplines, especially nursing, are facing ever-changing priorities as shortages loom and exhaustion permeates the climate. Empirical public health priorities during the pandemic have dominated professional healthcare literature and global health communications. This article shall offer ethical implications for the discipline of nursing as it seeks the advancement of scholarship. Topics include straight-thinking issues surrounding nursing and medicine national policy statements, the big data movement, and evolutionary return of competency-based nurse education.
The Magic of Metaphor
Authors: Schmidt Bunkers Sandra
Published: December 2021

This is an introduction to nurse theorist Rosemarie Rizzo Parse’s manuscript on metaphor.
A Theory of Family Health: A Neuman’s Systems Perspective
Authors: Eustace Rosemary William
Published: December 2021

Understanding the social contexts of health and healthcare delivery from a multilevel thinking perspective offers nurses an opportunity to prioritize research and interventions that address communicable and noncommunicable diseases across the care continuum. The content of this paper explains the development of a multilevel theory of family health for Sub-Saharan families affected by the burden of breast cancer guided by Neuman’s Systems Model. Implications for knowledge development in family nursing practice and research in the region are discussed.
Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies: State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Almasloukh Khalid Bandar
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this paper is to explore what is known about equine-assisted activities and therapies based on Roy’s adaptation model. Quality of life for vulnerable populations who engage with equine-assisted activities and therapies is considered the main concept here. This state-of-the-art review was conducted from four databases ranging from January 2019 to February 2020. Limited studies examined the effect of equine-assisted activities and therapies on cancer survivors, although preliminary data were promising. The rural context was not extensively examined. Thus, equine-assisted activities and therapies may enhance the quality of life through four adaptation modes.
Ushering in a New Era for King’s Conceptual System and Theory of Goal Attainment
Authors: Fronczek Ann E.
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a new era for nurses and healthcare. King’s conceptual framework continues to provide a practical theoretical underpinning for nurse-client interactions in virtual care spaces that are now a pervasive part of the interacting systems framework. The author in this article discusses the current applications and future opportunities for applications of King’s work in practice, education, and research.
Feeling Ashamed: A Parsesciencing Inquiry
Authors: Shaughnessy Molly J.
Published: December 2021

The universal humanuniverse living experience of feeling ashamed was explored using the Parsesciencing mode of inquiry. The inquiry stance was: What is the discerning extant moment of the universal humanuniverse living experience of feeling ashamed? Historians were 10 adults living in a community in upstate New York. The major discovery of this Parsesciencing inquiry was the discerning extant moment: Feeling ashamed is penetrating encumbrance with isolating concealment emerging with diverse affiliations.
Thermo-diffusion impacts on the flow of an elastico-viscous fluid over an inclined heated plane with magnetized wall
Authors: Singh Jitendra Kumar , Seth Gauri Shenker
Published: December 2021

The focus is in this article is to scrutinize the simultaneous significances of magnetic diffusion, thermo-diffusion and angular location on the hydromagnetic flow of an elastico-viscous fluid over an inclined heated plane with magnetized wall. The flow medium is considered to be uniformly permeable (Darcy-Brinkman porous medium) and the flow of the fluid is considerably affected due to the appearance of a strong magnetic field in the direction normal to the flow surface. The significances of Hall current, induced magnetic field and Coriolis force on flow nature is also included in the study. The leading non-dimensionalized equations are explored by regular perturbation analysis. Ultimately, the expressions for velocity field, induced magnetic field, temperature and concentration are obtained. We further derived the surface skin friction, surface current density, heat and mass fluxes. The computation of results is performed with the aid of Mathematica software and results are presented in graphical and tabular forms for distinct flow impacting parameters. Numerical simulation explores that mass diffusion factor brings growth in the fluid velocity, temperature and normal induced magnetic field while it reduces the main induced magnetic field. Magnetic diffusion develops the primary flow and primary induced magnetic field and lessens the normal flow and normal induced magnetic field. Inclination angle of the heated plane upgrades primary induced magnetic field while downgrading normal induced magnetic field.
The European Union Artificial Intelligence Act: Potential implications for Australia
Authors: Svantesson Dan
Published: December 2021

The European Union (EU) published its proposed Regulation laying down harmonised rules for Artificial Intelligence (the Artificial Intelligence Act) on 21 April 2021. Once it comes into force, this Act will impact upon Australia. It is therefore important that Australians take note of the proposal at this relatively early stage. This article brings attention to the key features of the EU’s proposed Artificial Intelligence Act. However, the main aim is to highlight why it is important for Australia and to examine, in some detail, the rules that will determine when the Act applies to Australians.
A research note: Effect of Hofmeister salts on meat iridescence in cooked pork
Authors: Ruedt Chiara , Gibis Monika , Weiss Jochen
Published: December 2021

The effect of Hofmeister salts (NaCl, NaSCN, Na2SO4, KCl, LiCl, CaCl2) on surface iridescence in cooked pork was investigated. Strongest iridescence occurred in samples treated with NaSCN, NaCl and KCl. Control samples and LiCl, CaCl2 and Na2SO4 treatments showed weaker iridescence. However, differences between KCl and LiCl, CaCl2 and Na2SO4 were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, a tendency of chaotropic salts (NaSCN, NaCl, KCl) to cause stronger iridescence was noted that might be explained with a more effective solubilization of myofibrillar proteins (MPs), reducing incoherent scattering from the myofibrils and thus enhancing multilayer interference.
Physicochemical, structural, and rheological characteristics of corn starch after thermal-ultrasound processing
Authors: Golkar Abdolkhalegh , Milani Jafar Mohammadzadeh , Motamedzadeghan Ali , Kenari Reza Esmaeilzadeh
Published: December 2021

Thermal-ultrasound treatment is a green technology that can significantly alter the structural and functional properties of starches. This research extend the effect of at different temperatures (25 °C, 45 °C, and 65 °C) and times (30 and 60 min) on the physicochemical, structural, and rheological properties of corn starch was studied. Amylose content, solubility, swelling power, and the least gelling content increased with increasing temperature and time. Starch treated at 45 °C for 30 min had the lowest syneresis among all treatments. Thermal-ultrasound treatment at 25 °C and 65 °C for 60 min caused increasing paste clarity. Microscopic observations demonstrated that the starch granules were agglomerated at 65 °C. Although the crystallinity of samples decreased from 35.42% to 8.94%, the storage modulus was more than the loss modulus during the frequency sweep test. Pasting properties showed that pasting temperatures shifted to higher values after treatment. Nonetheless, the maximum viscosity decreased, and the final viscosity of the treated samples demonstrated that short-term retrogradation could deteriorate. Results showed that thermal-ultrasound is a viable technique for starch modification compared to conventional thermal and ultrasound treatments.
Staffing Levels and COVID-19 Infections and Deaths in Korean Nursing Homes
Authors: Lee Jiyeon , Shin Juh Hyun , Lee Kyeong Hun , Harrington Charlene A. , Jung Sun Ok
Published: December 2021

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread rapidly worldwide. Nursing home (NH) residents are the most vulnerable high-risk population to infection. Professional registered nurses’ (RNs’) infection control is irreplaceable. We used a secondary data analysis method using the government's senior citizen welfare department large data set about all NHs (N = 3,389) across Korea between January 20 and October 20, 2020. Bed size positively associated with the mortality rate (No. of COVID-19 resident deaths / No. of total residents) ( p  = .048). When the proportion of RNs to total nursing staff was higher, the infection rate was 0.626% lower ( p = .049), the mortality rate was 0.088% lower ( p = .076), the proportion of confirmed COVID-19 cases per resident out of the total number of NHs was 44.472% lower ( p = .041), and the proportion of confirmed COVID-19 deaths per resident out of the total number of NHs was 6.456% lower ( p = .055). This study highlighted nurse staffing criteria and suggests that increasing RNs in NHs will reduce infection and mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. We strongly suggest NHs hire at least one RN per day to properly function, and a minimum of four RNs to provide a fully competent RN workforce in long-term care settings in Korean NHs.
Efficiently computing Pareto optimal G-skyline query in wireless sensor network
Authors: Dong Leigang , Liu Guohua , Cui Xiaowei , Yu Quan
Published: December 2021

There are much data transmitted from sensors in wireless sensor network. How to mine vital information from these large amount of data is very important for decision-making. Aiming at mining more interesting information for users, the skyline technology has attracted more attention due to its widespread use for multi-criteria decision-making. The point which is not dominated by any other points can be called skyline point. The skyline consists of all these points which are candidates for users. However, traditional skyline which consists of individual points is not suitable for combinations. To address this gap, we focus on the group skyline query and propose efficient algorithm to computing the Pareto optimal group-based skyline (G-skyline). We propose multiple query windows to compute key skyline layers, then optimize the method to compute directed skyline graph, finally introduce primary points definition and propose a fast algorithm based on it to compute G-skyline groups directly and efficiently. The experiments on the real-world sensor data set and the synthetic data set show that our algorithm performs more efficiently than the existing algorithms.
A position control-based approach to haptic rendering of stiff objects using piece-wise linear model
Authors: Wang Yang , Feng Lei , Andersson Kjell
Published: December 2021

In traditional force rendering approaches, it is quite popular to model a virtual stiff wall as a spring-damper system to compute the interaction force, which can easily lead to unstable behavior. In this paper, we present an approach to ensure no penetration into the wall by position control. The approach approximates the nonlinear model of a 6-DOF parallel-structure haptic device by a piece-wise linear model to improve the performance compared with a controller designed from a one-point linearized model in haptic rendering. A simulation-based performance comparison study shows that the new controller can render higher stiffness than the previous solution.
China's Belt and Road Initiative in Latin America: What has Changed?
Authors: Jenkins Rhys
Published: December 2021

When China invited the Latin American countries to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, it fuelled expectations of a much closer and more productive relationship with the region. In practice, however, there is little evidence that this was happening even before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The article shows that neither the policy statements by China nor the trends in economic relations indicate a substantive change in Sino–Latin American relations and that the Belt and Road Initiative represents a repackaging of existing relations and the continuation of trends that have been underway since the global financial crisis.
Notes from the dome
Authors: Olsson Gunnar
Published: December 2021

A condensed story of how I came to understand how I understand, a perpetual struggle of identity and difference, a deconstruction of the taken-for-granted. An imagination which eventually comes to rest in the sculpture Mappa Mundi Universalis, a glass tetrahedron held together by an updated version of Peirce's trinity of signs: the dialectical symbol (/) of internal relations; the icon of the semiotic fraction line (––); the logical index (=) of ontological transformations. Three projection screens specially prepared to capture the projected messages of religion, the arts, and the sciences. From beginning to end an illustration of Shakespeare's saying that “as imagination bodies forth, the poet's pen gives to airy nothing a local habitation and a name.” Cusanus's Intellectus undressed. In addition, a double self-portrait of David Harvey and myself. Face to face, every day a new wrinkle. A palimpsest of layered meanings, the octogenarians revealing truths about themselves rather than inventing stories about others. Not an ideological manifesto but a Mallarméan Coup de dés. Such is the tain of the mirror, such are the representative figures of a generation still surviving. The precariat waiting in the wings.
Prophylactic management of patients with von Willebrand disease
Authors: Franchini Massimo , Seidizadeh Omid , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio
Published: December 2021

Von Willebrand disease, the most common inherited bleeding disorder that affects both males and females, is due to quantitative or qualitative defects of the multimeric glycoprotein von Willebrand factor, which cause mucous membrane bleeding but also soft tissue bleeding owing to the secondary deficiency of factor VIII. The aim of treatment is to correct this dual defect of hemostasis. In addition to the episodic management of bleeding episodes, therapy includes their short- or long-term prevention. Short-term prophylaxis is mainly warranted in order to provide effective hemostatic coverage to patients undergoing surgery or invasive procedures and to affected women at the time of delivery or during menstruations associated with excessive bleeding. The aim of long-term prophylaxis is to prevent bleeding in particular categories of patients at increased risk of frequent and spontaneous bleeding in the joints, nose, and gastrointestinal tract.
A new smartphone application for integrated transmural care of atrial fibrillation, AF-EduApp: Usability and validation study
Authors: Knaepen Lieselotte , Delesie Michiel , Theunis Rik , Vijgen Johan , Dendale Paul , Desteghe Lien , Heidbuchel Hein
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Digital technology creates the opportunity to develop and evaluate new tools, such as smartphone applications, to support integrated atrial fibrillation management. This study aimed to develop, evaluate, and validate a new, integrated care application (AF-EduApp) mainly focusing on targeted atrial fibrillation education to improve patient self-care capabilities and therapy adherence.

Methods

The newly developed AF-EduApp, available for Android and iOS, consists of six different modules. The prototype was validated and optimized for its usability and functionality at Jessa Hospital Hasselt and Antwerp University Hospital in two phases: (1) validity evaluation with interviews of an expert panel with 15 healthcare professionals and 10 atrial fibrillation patients, and (2) a pilot study of 1 month with 20 atrial fibrillation patients.

Results

Both experts and patients found that the application aids atrial fibrillation management. Based on the input of patients and experts, the main optimizations concerned the medication module (patient choice on setting reminder; interactivity of reminders with a “taken” or “snooze” function) and development of a clinical dashboard for the caregivers allowing telemonitoring of measurements and feedback to the patients. After the pilot study ( n = 20), 16 patients indicated they wanted to use the app for a longer period. The measurement (27%) and education (17%) modules were the two most used modules with a significant improvement in knowledge (71.9% to 87.5%; P = 0.013).

Discussion

The AF-EduApp received a positive evaluation from health professionals and atrial fibrillation patients. Further development should be focused on the medication module and improvement of the clinical dashboard.
Early Data on Predictors of COVID-19 Treatment Frequency at Community Health Centers
Authors: Goldstein Evan V. , Seiber Eric E.
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Federally-funded community health centers (CHCs) serve on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing essential COVID-19 testing and care for vulnerable patient populations. Overlooked in the scholarly literature is a description of how different characteristics and vulnerabilities shaped COVID-19 care delivery at CHCs in the first year of the pandemic. Our research objective was to identify organization- and state-level factors associated with more or fewer COVID-19 care and testing visits at CHCs in 2020.

Methods:

Multilevel random intercept regression models examined associations among organization and state-level predictor variables and the frequency of COVID-19 care and testing visits at CHCs in 2020. The study sample included 1267 CHCs across the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Results:

The average CHC provided 932 patient visits for COVID-19-related care in 2020. Yet, the CHC’s role in delivering COVID-19 services proved as diverse as the populations and localities CHCs serve. For example, after adjusting for other factors, each percentage-point increase in a CHC’s Hispanic patient population size was associated with a 1.3% increase in the frequency of patient visits for COVID-19 care in 2020 ( P < .001). Serving a predominantly rural patient population was associated with providing significantly fewer COVID-19-related care visits ( P = .002). Operating in a state that enacted a mask-wearing policy in 2020 was associated with a 26.2% lower frequency of COVID-19 testing visits at CHCs in 2020, compared to CHCs operating in states without mask-wearing policies ( P = .055).

Conclusions:

In response to the pandemic, the federal government legislated funding to help CHCs address challenges associated with COVID-19 and provide services to medically-underserved patient populations. Policymakers will likely need to provide additional support to help CHCs address population-specific vulnerabilities affecting COVID-19 care and testing delivery, especially as highly contagious COVID-19 variants proliferate (eg, Delta and Omicron).
Comparison of Digital Applications and Conventional Equipment in Group and Individual Recreational Activities: Social Psychology, Social Interactions, Emotional Reaction, and Perceived Usability in Middle-Aged and Senior Citizens
Authors: Fang Yu-Min , Huang Sheng-Yi
Published: December 2021

In an aging society, improving quality of life for middle-aged and senior citizens is crucial. In Taiwan, karaoke recreation is a popular event among senior citizens. This study examined the effects of singing on middle-aged and senior citizens via testing such individuals before and after singing. The tested aspects consisted of social psychology, social interaction, emotional reaction, and usability. The experiment design categorized karaoke events into “group singing” and “individual singing.” The tested karaoke equipment consisted of conventional physical karaoke equipment (hereafter referred to as conventional karaoke equipment) and new karaoke software applications. Experiment participants comprised 48 middle-aged and senior citizens from Miaoli, Taiwan, who were divided into three groups, namely individual participant using digital application, individual participant using conventional karaoke equipment, and grouped participants using conventional karaoke equipment. Results revealed that after singing, the participants’ social avoidance and distress levels decreased, their emotions improved and strengthened, and they demonstrated enhanced social interaction behaviors. Furthermore, group singing yielded greater effects than individual singing did, whereas the effects were greater among participants who used conventional karaoke equipment than those who used digital applications. Participants who used conventional karaoke equipment demonstrated enhanced emotions, social interactions, and satisfaction with usability. Despite attempts to enhance competitiveness via integrating online social functions, new karaoke software still has space for improvement.
Do the Securities Analysts Play the Role of Information Competition or Information Supplement? Empirical Analysis Based on Investor Sentiment
Authors: Lu Ping , Li Zhihong , Liu Jianhui , Wang Yunxuan
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this article is to investigate the role of securities analysts in Chinese stock market. Taking the earnings announcements of listed companies, analysts’ earnings forecast and analysts’ recommendations in Chinese stock markets from 2014 to 2018 as the samples, this paper explores the influence mechanism of investor sentiment on the market reaction to announcements, and investigates the influence mechanism of investor sentiment on the role of securities analysts under the framework of behavioral finance theory. On the basis of theoretical analysis, this paper empirically tests the relationship between the information content of analysts’ reports and the information content of the earnings announcements from the perspective of behavioral finance, and discusses the role of securities analysts in the stock market. The results show that during the periods of high investor sentiment, securities analysts do not demonstrate the role of information competition or information supplement. On the other hand, during the periods of low investor sentiment, securities analysts play the role of information competition or information supplement. Furthermore, after excluding the investor sentiment component of the market reaction to announcements, securities analysts do not demonstrate the role of information competition, but play the role of information supplement. The findings of this study offer new insights into the role securities analysts play in Chinese stock market, which is conducive to improving the quality of analysts’ reports, thus enhancing the efficiency of the securities market.
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Surgical Wait Times for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Ontario
Authors: Saggaf Moaath M. , Anastakis Dimitri J.
Published: December 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on surgical wait times for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) in Ontario, Canada. Methods: Ontario's wait time data has fourteen reporting categories for PRS. For each category, the mean wait time for consultation and for surgery were reported. Each category was given a priority ranging from 1 to 4. Two periods, three-month and six-month, were selected and compared to the same calendar months of the previous year. Wait times, surgical volume and percent change to the provincial wait time target were reported and compared to the baseline data. Results: This study reviewed 9563 consults and 15,000 operative cases. There was a 50% reduction in the volume of surgical consults during the study period compared to the baseline period (P = 0.004). The reduction ranged from 46% to 75% based on the reporting category. The volume of surgical cases decreased by 43% during the study period compared to the baseline period (P = 0.005). A statistically significant increase in the mean wait times for surgery was observed, involving priorities 2 to 4 (overall mean = 32 days, P ≤ 0.01). There was a 15% decrease in the percentage of surgeries meeting the provincial target times (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: COVID-19 has caused a significant reduction in the volume of cases performed in the majority of PRS categories with an overall increase in the wait times for consultation and for surgery. Recovery following COVID-19 will require strategies to address the growing volume of cases and wait times for surgery across all PRS categories.
Christians in and from the Middle East: Lessons from the World Christian Encyclopedia
Authors: Ferree Womack Deanna
Published: December 2021

This article considers the history and contemporary reality of Middle Eastern Christianity in light of new demographic information available from the World Christian Encyclopedia. For readers interested in church history and World Christianity, it identifies key lessons to be learned about Christians in and from the Middle East today. It focuses on understanding the region’s Christian diversity, the complexities of recent demographic decline, the relationship between Middle Eastern and global Christianity, and the interreligious realities of Christian life in the region.
The Private Healthcare Insurance sector: A victim of fraud
Authors: Brooks Graham , Stiernstedt Peter
Published: December 2021

Regardless of the jurisdiction research has repeatedly highlighted that the ‘public’ see the insurance sector as an acceptable business to defraud. This article builds on this work but is different in that we draw on primary research, of which there is little, into the private healthcare insurance sector as a victim of fraud. We start by highlighting the types and volumes of fraud that the insurance sector encounters. This is followed with an examination of policing private insurance fraud in a neo-liberal context where individuals and organisations are responsible for risks. Then, we consider if the private healthcare insurance sector is precipitating and participating in its own victimisation. The methods used in this research to secure data are then explained. Finally we analyse how the key elements of the data might point to the private healthcare insurance sector potentially precipitating and participating in its own victimisation.
The Positive Influence of the Popular Music Movement
Authors: Nichols Bryan E.
Published: December 2021

The documentation of popular music curricula in K12 schools is used to suggest the secondary ensemble directors in schools can learn more about the role of popular music in the lives of students. Further, ensemble directors are encouraged to consider bridging music-making in school to young adulthood by way of providing encouragement and experience playing solo instruments and developing skills on secondary instruments that may lend themselves to inclusion of popular music styles. A list of suggestions is offered for developing confidence and proficiency in individual performance.
Comparison of hesitancy between COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccinations within the general Hungarian population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dombrádi Viktor , Joó Tamás , Palla Gergely , Pollner Péter , Belicza Éva
Published: December 2021

Background

The willingness to get COVID-19 or seasonal influenza vaccines has not yet been thoroughly investigated together, thus, this study aims to explore this notion within the general adult population.

Methods

The responses of 840 Hungarian participants were analysed who took part in a nationwide computer-assisted telephone interviewing. During the survey questions concerning various demographic characteristics, perceived financial status, and willingness to get the two types of vaccines were asked. Descriptive statistics, comparative statistics and word co-occurrence network analysis were conducted.

Results

48.2% of participants were willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine, while this ratio for the seasonal influenza was only 25.7%. The difference was significant. Regardless of how the participants were grouped, based on demographic data or perceived financial status, the significant difference always persisted. Being older than 59 years significantly increased the willingness to get both vaccines when compared to the middle-aged groups, but not when compared to the younger ones. Having higher education significantly elevated the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in comparison to secondary education. The willingness of getting any type of COVID-19 vaccine correlated with the willingness to get both influenza and COVID-19. Finally, those who were willing to get either vaccine coupled similar words together to describe their thoughts about a COVID-19 vaccination.

Conclusion

The overall results show a clear preference for a COVID-19 vaccine and there are several similarities between the nature of willingness to get either type of vaccine.
Synthesis, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Thiazole-based Schiff base derivatives: a combined experimental and computational study
Authors: Lemilemu Fitsum , Bitew Mamaru , Demissie Taye B. , Eswaramoorthy Rajalakshmanan , Endale Milkyas
Published: December 2021

Background

Thiazole-based Schiff base compounds display significant pharmacological potential with an ability to modulate the activity of many enzymes involved in metabolism. They also demonstrated to have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities. In this work, conventional and green approaches using ZnO nanoparticles as catalyst were used to synthesize thiazole-based Schiff base compounds.

Results

Among the synthesized compounds,11showed good activities towards Gram-negativeE. coli(14.40 ± 0.04), and Gram-positiveS. aureus(15.00 ± 0.01 mm), respectively, at 200 μg/mL compared to amoxicillin (18.00 ± 0.01 mm and 17.00 ± 0.04). Compounds7and9displayed better DPPH radical scavenging potency with IC50values of 3.6 and 3.65 μg/mL, respectively, compared to ascorbic acid (3.91 μg/mL). The binding affinity of the synthesized compounds against DNA gyrase B is within − 7.5 to − 6.0 kcal/mol, compared to amoxicillin (− 6.1 kcal/mol). The highest binding affinity was achieved for compounds9and11(− 6.9, and − 7.5 kcal/mol, respectively). Compounds7and9displayed the binding affinity values of − 5.3 to − 5.2 kcal/mol, respectively, against human peroxiredoxin 5. These values are higher than that of ascorbic acid (− 4.9 kcal/mol), in good agreement with the experimental findings. In silico cytotoxicity predictions showed that the synthesized compounds Lethal Dose (LD50) value are class three (50 ≤ LD50 ≤ 300), indicating that the compounds could be categorized under toxic class. Density functional theory calculations showed that the synthesized compounds have small band gap energies ranging from 1.795 to 2.242 eV, demonstrating that the compounds have good reactivities.

Conclusions

The synthesized compounds showed moderate to high antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The in vitro antibacterial activity and molecular docking analysis showed that compound 11is a promising antibacterial therapeutics agent againstE. coli,whereas compounds7and9were found to be promising antioxidant agents. Moreover, the green synthesis approach using ZnO nanoparticles as catalyst was found to be a very efficient method to synthesize biologically active compounds compared to the conventional method.