bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the effects of life satisfaction on impulse buying behavior in terms of online buying
Authors: Ata Serhat , Sezer Abdulaziz
Published: April 2021

Consumer behaviours have great importance for marketers. Impulse buying, which is an appearance of consumer behaviour, arises with a sudden stimulus. Different aspects affect impulse buying. Life satisfaction, which is one of these aspects, brings consumers about impulse buying behaviour by influencing them. Moreover, the rapid development of online shopping and the fact that online interaction occurs in virtual environments at all hours of the day affects people's quality of life. This study aimed to investigate how consumers' life satisfaction shapes consumers' impulse buying behaviour and whether there is a difference between the descriptive and main variables in line with this relationship according to consumers' online or offline purchasing behaviour. The methodological base is the questionnaire form as a data collection method in Duzce province (Turkey) between March and May 2018. Participation in the study was conducted by convenience sampling method. In the research purpose line, a model is comprised. In turn, a path diagram was performed according to the confirmatory factor analysis with a Structural Equation Model. The obtained results showed the negative relationship between life satisfaction and sub-dimensions of impulse buying (positive emotions, emotion conflict, unplanned behaviour, and mood management). The authors noted only a positive relationship between life satisfaction and rational behaviour in the study. Thus, that is another sub-dimensions of impulse buying. Besides, comparing the mean, there was a significant difference between positive emotions, unplanned behaviour, type and shopping channels. These findings could help future studies aimed at researching the effect of different variables on impulsive behaviours. This study was carried out in a short period due to time and cost constraints. One of the study's limitations is that the study data were obtained only from the participants in Duzce province (Turkey).
Consumer attitude towards organic food: determinants of healthy behaviour
Authors: Baydas Abdulvahap , Yalman Fuat , Bayat Murat
Published: April 2021

The study's main purpose is to determine the factors affecting individuals’ attitudes towards organic products from the perspective of healthy behaviour. The population of the research is people purchasing organic products from sales points in Istanbul province. The data was gathered with a face-to-face questionnaire with 424 people shopping in organic product markets, one of the quantitative research patterns. The data were analysed and interpreted with SPSS and AMOS programs, frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, explanatory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis techniques. The factors were determined by using explanatory factor analysis. The construct validity revealed by the explanatory factor analysis was also verified by the confirmatory factor analysis. Ensuring validity and reliability shows the existence of a structural relationship between the factors affecting the attitudes of consumers towards organic products. According to the explanatory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis results, the factors affecting consumers' attitudes towards organic products are gathered under 5 different dimensions. These dimensions are «consciousness», «price», «inaccessibility», «negative attitude» and «standardization». It is concluded that the Sisli Organic Market is the best-known point. Additionally, it was concluded that the most frequently used sources of information are friends’ advice, and the most preferred organic products are organic vegetables and fruits. Finally, the majority stated that they had paid attention to the organic certificates. With the increasing awareness of healthy life in recent years, individuals have attached great importance to organic products. The study tries to fill the gap in the literature in terms of Turkish consumers' attitudes towards organic product consumption and their sales point preferences. Another originality of the study is that field research has been conducted at the points where organic products are sold
Employees’ assessment of motivation factors
Authors: Teneqexhi Marinela , Dollija Elda
Published: April 2021

The focus of this present study was the ranking of factors (assessment of importance) by employees and managers. Studying these factors is of special importance in concluding which of internal and external motivators are mostly evaluated by employees. It recommends to managers where to put emphasis to meet employees’ expectations. Factors that are mostly evaluated by public sector employees involved in the study include: good salaries (10), employee loyalty (9), feeling that the job is diverse and interesting (8); and those factors which are less evaluated include: supervistor’s help with personal issues (1) feeling of being included in organization (2). Meanwhile, factors that private sector employees evaluate most include: good salaries (10), feeling of being recognized (9), job guarantee (8), and less evaluated are: supervistor’s help with personal issues (1) diverse and interesing job (2).
Experience of public procurement under COVID 19
Authors: Holtsova Irina , Tsimbalenko Yana
Published: April 2021

2020 has become a global societal challenge for the whole world. The global pandemic, caused by COVID 19 has become threatening to the well-being of society and its sustainable development in virtually all spheres of human activity. The sphere of public procurement is not an exception not only in Ukraine, but also in European countries. The new conditions of social reality set such conditions for the implementation of public procurement, for which the world was not ready, but they required the necessary and urgent transformations. The article examines the experience of Ukraine and the European Union in the formation of public procurement and its operation under COVID 19 and strict quarantine restrictions. The Ukrainian economy was largely unprepared for the new social realities, but it was the sphere of public procurement, the development of which occured in the last 5 years, that surprised with its functional and regulatory security. The author draws attention to the peculiarities of the implementation of the system of electronic public procurement, their gradual formation and transformation. The analysis and qualitative differences of the new system of public procurement, which allowed to ensure the necessary transparency and publicity of the state order in the medical sphere, are given. A comparison of the Ukrainian system of functioning of public procurement and European transformations in this sphere is given. Because the experience of European countries in the difficult transition phase of the society of the pandemic era is very important for the countries of the post-Soviet space, as the countries of the European Union are in many respects the example to follow for such countries. The author cites the key features of the transformation and improvement of the public procurement system in accordance with the critical conditions of society
Battles on the Block: Everyday Conflict in a Diverse Neighbourhood
Authors: Perry Evelyn M.
Published: April 2021

While mounting evidence demonstrates that tensions and differences in diverse neighbourhoods are managed in ways that largely reproduce existing inequalities, processes of conflict can unsettle spatially embedded power relations. Drawing on a three-year ethnographic study of Riverwest,
a racially and economically mixed neighbourhood in the mid-sized U.S. city of Milwaukee, I examine the role of everyday battles over the uses of space in the production of a dynamic, negotiated social order. While block-level clashes sometimes reinforce oppressive and marginalizing practices,
they also create opportunities for dissent, resistance to assimilation pressures, and challenges to the legitimacy of dominant norms. I argue that a set of material and cultural neighbourhood conditions facilitate the transformative potential of conflict.
Nutritional problems of patients infected with COVID-19 and potential for nutritional management of disorders
Authors: Pilat T. L. , Alekseenko S. N. , Krutova V. A. , Akimov M. Yu. , Radysh I. V. , Umnova T. N. , Istomin A. V. , Gordeeva E. A. , Korosteleva M. M. , Khanferyan R. A.
Published: April 2021

Introduction. One of the most significant issues that require close attention in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with coronovirus infection is the analysis of the nutritional status of patients and the development of approaches to nutritional support for patients.

Aim of study. Analysis of nutritional status of patients infected with COVID-19 and studying the effectiveness of specialized products dietary therapeutic and preventive nutrition during illness and recovery period.

Materials and methods. A survey of 283 patients with mild and moderate severity was conducted. The survey showed a significant change in eating behavior in patients during the disease. To assess the effectiveness of nutritional support during the disease and during the recovery period, 36 individuals took a specialized product of dietary therapeutic and preventive nutrition “Detoxifying Kissel” LEOVIT DETOX daily after the diagnosis of COVID-19, both throughout the entire period of the disease, and within 2 weeks after the disease and going to work.

Results and discussion. The survey showed the presence of a significant range of eating disorders in patients with coronavirus disease. It was found that in 90% of the respondents during the day, the main meal was 3 or more times. During the disease, the number of main meals decreased in 40% of individuals, and only in 4% of patients this figure increased. When using nutritional support with dietary therapeutic and prophylactic foods during the disease, patients noted a significant decrease in weakness and fatigue, temperature fluctuations, fears, anxiety, suspiciousness and other symptoms began to disappear. The continuation of the intake in the post-ovoid period of the use of nutritional support with the dietary therapeutic and preventive food product “Detoxifying Kissel” LEOVIT DETOX, contributes to a faster recovery of patients.

Conclusion. The use of the dietary therapeutic and preventive food product “Detoxifying Kissel” LEOVIT DETOX is an effective method of nutritional support both during the disease and in the post-ovoid period. Long-term use of detoxification products (at least 3–6 months) after the disease is recommended.
To the health of the nation through multi-level educational programs for the population in the field of optimal nutrition
Authors: Pogozheva A. V.
Published: April 2021

Introduction. Healthy nutrition is the most important component of the quality of life, which is understood as an integral indicator of the mental, physical and social functioning of a person. However, the diet of Russians is not enough vegetables and fruits, dairy products, excess sugar, salt, products containing animal fat and trans fats. Violations of the structure of nutrition, nutritional status lead to the development of alimentary-dependent diseases, primarily cardiovascular, and in particular, arterial hypertension.

Goal. Study of alimentary risk factors for arterial hypertension.

Materials and methods. The data of the survey of VTSIOM and the company Gideon Richter “Food habits of Russians”, September 2020”, conducted by telephone survey in at least 80 regions (1,600 respondents over 18 years old), are analyzed.

Results and discussion. The diet of the adult population of Russia is characterized by a high consumption of animal fat (frequent consumption of fatty dairy products-52% of respondents, butter-61%, sausage products-48%), salt (pickles and marinades – 42%), added sugar (confectionery – 47%) with a lack of fruit, fish and seafood. 23% of respondents add salt to ready meals, and 43% use frying when cooking. Arterial hypertension was noted in 52% of respondents, who, compared to normotonics, less often (32-39%) include in their diet foods that are sources of potassium and magnesium (apricots, bananas, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, etc.), and more often-pickles, marinades (47%) and mayonnaise (45%), containing a large amount of salt, as well as add salt to ready meals (24%).

Conclusions. In order to prevent arterial hypertension in Russians, it is necessary to increase their intake of potassium and magnesium, limit the content of table salt in the diet, which will be facilitated by the widespread introduction of educational programs on healthy nutrition.
Latent iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy: effects on maternal and fetal health, possible ways to solve the problem
Authors: Magomedova A. P. , Lomova N. A. , Karapetyan T. Eh. , Amiraslanov E. Yu.
Published: April 2021

Iron deficiency with or without anemia in pregnant women is quite common today. In fact, anemia affects nearly 30% of women of reproductive age, and its prevalence among pregnant women is estimated to be 38% worldwide. Although iron deficiency (IR) is not the only cause of anemia, it is the most prevalent one. Anemia-reduction strategies among pregnant women are often ineffective, and severe anemia can greatly increase the risk of maternal mortality, as reported by WHO. Now therefore, the current guidelines for screening and treatment of ID-anemia (IDA) in pregnant women and new-borns require change. Severe anemia can greatly increase the risk of maternal death and adversely affect a developing fetus and new-born. In this review, we analyse the available data on the epidemiology and the effects of iron deficiency on mothers and infants, current treatment strategies and screening recommendations, as well as examine the treatment of IDA in pregnant women and newborns and the problem of poor compliance in patients with latent iron deficiency. A continuous long-term course of administration of oral iron supplements is one of the components of success in the treatment of IDA, and particularly latent forms of iron deficiency in pregnant women. It is often the case that poor patients’ compliance with therapy leads to poor treatment outcomes and misleading conclusions about the ineffectiveness of oral iron dosage forms in the battle against IDA. The data we have analysed suggest the possibility of increasing compliance with IDA treatment in pregnant women.
Application of MCLP and LINGO methods to optimal design of groundwater monitoring network in an oil refinery site
Authors: Vaezihir Abdorreza , Safari Fatemeh , Tabarmayeh Mehri , Khalafi Ali Asghar
Published: April 2021

Groundwater-monitoring network is a set of boreholes (wells) that is used to monitor the water table fluctuation and to detect groundwater contamination. In this research, the maximal covering location problem (MCLP) method is employed to discretize the area, and the LINGO modeling program is used to optimize the number of boreholes. Tabriz oil refinery at the northwest of Iran with high pollution potential that imposes a serious threat to the beneath multilayered aquifer was chosen to evaluate the feasibility of these techniques in field scale. The location and content of storage tanks, leakage history, groundwater flow direction, contaminated well location and the facilities leakage potential are considered as the weighting factors to calculate the number and location of the optimal wells. As a result of optimization, the initial estimated number of boreholes by the MCLP model for the study area is reduced from 349 to 184. A high density of optimal boreholes is allocated to refining zone and oil storing yard, especially near tanks containing dangerous substances due to their toxicity and potential for contaminating water. A vulnerability zoning map prepared using the analytical hierarchy process method indicates a suitable conformation between locations of the boreholes and the vulnerable areas.
Potency of plant-derived biological nematicides on root-knot disease of tomato, Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) Mill
Authors: T.I Olabiyi
Published: April 2021

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of plant-derived biological nematicides in the management of root-knot nematode disease of tomato. A piece of land measuring 8 m × 54 m was ploughed and raised beds were the experimental plots. The land was divided into 4 blocks, each block comprising 12 treatments and 4 replicates with a total of 48 experimental plots were fitted into randomized complete block design (RCBD). The experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farms, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria (Longitude 40E and Latitude 8010N) during 2018 planting season. 20 g macerated root gall of Celosia was applied to tomato root rhizosphere (inoculation). The plant-derived biological nematicides that were assessed on root-knot nematode disease of tomato, UC8 cultivar, include the leaf water extract of neem, castor, wild sunflower, cleome, siam weed, phyllanthus, nitta, tobacco, lantana and calotropis, mixed with black soap, at rate of 9:1 v/w. The black soap and distilled water served as adjuvant and solvent respectively, and as the control experiments. The results showed that the root galling and soil population of root-knot nematode were significantly reduced with consequent enhanced growth and yield of tomato in the plots treated with plant-derived biological nematicides, compared with the tomato in the control experiments. The study has demonstrated that the use of plant-derived biological nematicides can be effectively explored in the management of root-knot nematode disease. The application of plant-derived biological nematicides is therefore recommended for sustainable management of root-knot nematode disease in tomato production.
Metal bioavailability and distribution in the fish community in a tropical estuary, Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Kütter Vinícius , Moreira Vanessa , Kütter Mateus , Silva-Filho Emmanoel , Marques Eduardo , Garnier Jeremie , Bidone Edison
Published: April 2021

Sepetiba Bay has a wealth of fish species (total 148) as well as a vast area of mangroves and numerous rocky islands, which are important sites of reproduction for marine life. This peculiar environment of the Brazilian coast hosts one of the most important industrial centres of south-eastern Brazil. This site has been impacted for decades by the release of industrial emissions and effluents with high metal loads by the steel industry. The ranges of metal concentrations in fish muscle from the species Micropogonias furnieri, Genidens genidens, Cathorops spixii, Notarius grandicassis, Diapterus rhombeus, Selene vomer, Prionotus punctatus, Citharichthys spilopterus, Achirus lineatus, Trinectes paulistanus, Symphurus tessellatus and Hypanus guttatus were measured (Al: 0.02-555.9 µg g-1 d.w., As: 0.0002-20.1 µg g-1 d.w., Cd: <0.0002-0.2 µg g-1 d.w., Cu: 0.2-2.3 µg g-1 d.w., Fe: <0.02-244.9 µg g-1 d.w., Zn: 0.5-227.3 µg g-1 d.w. and Pb: <0.001-1.3 µg g-1 d.w.). The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in the As, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn contents among fish species. The monitoring of suspended particulate matter during dredging operation revealed the mean metal values for Al (6059±6268 µg g-1), Cd (0.2±0.5 µg g-1), Cu (29±29 µg g-1), Zn (332±892 µg g-1), and Pb (52±70 µg g-1). The results of bioaccumulation in fish calculated from the bioavailable sediment fractions and suspended particulate matter showed lower values than those in fish muscle. Arsenic was found at levels above the maximum limit for human consumption according to Brazilian legislation. However, the estimated probability and risk of metal intake via fish consumption showed that the consumption of all species presented low risk.
SARS-CoV-2 Entry Inhibitors Targeting Virus-ACE2 or Virus-TMPRSS2
Interactions
Authors: Lin Hao , Cherukupalli Srinivasulu , Feng Da , Gao Shenghua , Kang Dongwei , Zhan Peng , Liu Xinyong
Published: April 2021

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The life cycle of
SARS-CoV-2 includes the entry into the target cells, replicase translation, replicating and
transcribing genomes, translating structural proteins, assembling and releasing new virions.
Entering host cells is a crucial stage in the early life cycle of the virus, and blocking
this stage can effectively prevent virus infection. SARS enters the target cells mediated
by the interaction between the viral S protein and the target cell surface receptor angiotensin-
converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as well as the cleavage effect of a type-II transmembrane
serine protease (TMPRSS2) on the S protein. Therefore, the ACE2 receptor
and TMPRSS2 are important targets for SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors. Herein, we provide
a concise report/information on drugs with potential therapeutic value targeting
virus-ACE2 or virus-TMPRSS2 interactions to provide a reference for the design and discovery
of potential entry inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2.
Baru Nut Intake and Resistance Training Practice have Potential to Reduce the Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: da Silva John Sebastião Cardoso , Silva Maria Sebastiana , Naves Maria Margareth Veloso
Published: April 2021

Background:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a disease associated with several
cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF). There is strong evidence about the benefits of oilseeds intake
and the practice of resistance training (RT) in the prevention and treatment of T2DM and its
associated CMRF. However, no study has evaluated the combination of these interventions yet.
Baru nut, an oilseed native to the Brazilian Cerrado, stands out among oilseeds due to its healthy
nutritional composition, which has the potential to reduce CMRF in T2DM. RT, in turn, provides
positive changes in the composition and metabolism of muscle cells, which contributes to improving
cardiometabolic health.

Objective:

This review aimed to summarize the effects and mechanisms related to the intake of
baru nut and the practice of RT in reducing CMRF in T2DM.

Methods:

Literature research was performed using the keywords “type 2 diabetes mellitus”,
“Dipteryx alata Vog”, “nuts”, “physical exercise” and “resistance training”, isolated or associated,
in Web of Science and Pubmed databases.

Results:

Baru nut is oilseed with a high density of nutrients and bioactive compounds with antioxidant
and antihypercholesterolemic properties, and the RT is associated with beneficial effects
on CMRF of individuals with T2DM. Thus, the consumption of baru nut and the RT have the potential
to improve insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, body composition, and serum lipid profile.

Conclusion:

The baru nut consumption and the RT have the potential to reduce the cardiometabolic
risk factors in T2DM. Both interventions are innovative and promising approaches to preserve
the health of individuals with T2DM.
Retinoprotective Effects Of Crocin And Crocetin via Anti-Angiogenic Mechanism in High Glucose-Induced Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells
Authors: Sepahi Samaneh , Soheili Zahra-Soheila , Tavakkol-Afshari Jalil , Mehri Soghra , Hosseini Seyedeh M. , Mohajeri Seyed A. , Khodaverdi Elham
Published: April 2021

Background:

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common side effects of diabetes. We aimed to investigate the effects of crocin and crocetin (as a deglycosylated form of crocin in blood stream) in gene expression or protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor-receptor1 (VEGFR-1), matrix metalloproteinases2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinases9 (MMP-9) and thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2) in high glucose cell culture media.

Methods:

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were exposed to high glucose (HG, 30 mM glucose concentration) and normal glucose (NG, 24.5 mM mannitol + 5.5 mM glucose) for six days. RPE cells were treated in four treatment groups (crocin, crocetin, Bevacizumab, and crocin + Bevacizumab). Gene expressions were measured using quantitative real-time PCR, and proteins level was evaluated by western blot.

Results:

Findings showed that VEGF gene expression and protein level significantly decreased in all treatment groups. In addition, reduction in VEGFR1 gene expression was significantly higher in Bevacizumab and crocin + Bevacizumab groups than other groups. Only, crocin and crocetin could reduce the gene levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9. In addition, TSP-2 protein levels increased when HG cells were exposed crocin or crocin + Bevacizumab groups.

Conclusion:

Our data showed that crocin and crocetin have anti-VEGF function similar to Bevacizumab, act as an anti-angiogenic agent. Also, crocin and crocetin could decrease MMP-2 and MMP-9 gene levels, as inflammatory and angiogenesis factors. As a result, crocin and crocetin have protective effects against angiogenesis and inflammation in DR.
Coenzyme Q10 Supplement Rescues Postovulatory Oocyte Aging by
Regulating SIRT4 Expression
Authors: Su Jianmin , Xing Xupeng , Zhang Jinjing , Zhang Jingcheng , Wang Yongsheng , Wang Jingyi , Kang Jian , Quan Fusheng , Zhang Yong
Published: April 2021

Background:

High-quality of the oocyte is crucial for embryo development and the success
of human-assisted reproduction. The postovulatory aged oocytes lose developmental competence
with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is widely distributed
in the membranes of cells and has an important role in the mitochondrial respiration chain
against oxidative stress and modulation of gene expression.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to investigate the functions and mechanisms of CoQ10 on
delaying postovulatory oocyte aging.

Methods:

Quantitative real-time PCR and Immunofluorescence staining were used to determine
the expression patterns of the biogenesis genes of CoQ10 in postovulatory aged oocytes compared
with fresh oocytes. The mitochondrial function, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation
and spindle abnormalities were investigated after treatment with 10 μM CoQ10 in aged
groups. SIRT4 siRNA or capped RNA was injected into oocytes to investigate the function of
SIRT4 on postovulatory oocyte aging and the relationship between CoQ10 and SIRT4.

Results:

Multiple CoQ10 biosynthesis enzymes are insufficient, and a supplement of CoQ10 can
improve oocyte quality and elevate the development competency of postovulatory aged oocytes.
CoQ10 can attenuate the aging-induced abnormalities, including mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS
accumulation, spindle abnormalities, and apoptosis in postovulatory aged oocytes. Furthermore,
SIRT4, which was first found to be up-regulated in postovulatory aged oocytes, decreased following
CoQ10 treatment. Finally, knockdown of SIRT4 can rescue aging-induced dysfunction of mitochondria,
and the efficiency of CoQ10 rescuing dysfunction of mitochondria can be weakened by
SIRT4 overexpression.

Conclusion:

Supplement of CoQ10 protects oocytes from postovulatory aging by inhibiting SIRT4
increase.
COVID-19
Authors:   CASIS Vancouver
Published: April 2021

On July 16th, 2020, the Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies (CASIS) Vancouver hosted its third digital roundtable event of the year, COVID-19: China’s Foreign Policy in the South China Sea. The presentation was conducted by guest speaker Mr. Brett Witthoeft, senior analyst in N39 International Engagement, at Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) HQ at CFB Esquimalt, Canada’s west coast naval formation. Mr. Witthoeft’s presentation gave an overview of the South China Sea (SCS) and its importance as well as how this fits into the larger picture to the rest of the world. Subsequently, Mr. Witthoeft answered questions submitted by the audience, which focused on the ramifications of the SCS conflicts.

APA Citation

CASIS Vancouver. (2020). COVID-19: China’s foreign policy in the South China Sea. The Journal of Intelligence, Conflict, and Warfare, 3(2), 54-60. https://journals.lib.sfu.ca/index.php/jicw/article/view/2408/1817.
The Protective Power of Behavioural Threat Assessment (& Management) (BTAM)
Authors:   CASIS Vancouver
Published: April 2021

On August 20th, 2020, the Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies (CASIS) Vancouver hosted its fourth digital roundtable event of the year, The Protective Power of Behavioural Threat Assessment (& Management) (BTAM). The presentation was conducted by guest speaker Andrea Ringrose, Director of Campus Public Safety at Simon Fraser University, who is also on the Board of Directors at Canadian Association of Threat Assessment Professionals. Ringrose’s presentation gave an overview on behavioural threat assessment and management, and how public safety and caring for persons of concern are interconnected when assessing threats and risks. Subsequently, Ringrose answered questions submitted by the audience, which focused on the assessment of different offender types, the handling bias during the BTAM process, the role of artificial intelligence, and the possibility of echo chambers accelerating behaviour.

APA Citation

CASIS Vancouver. (2020). The protective power of behavioural threat assessment (& management) (BTAM). The Journal of Intelligence, Conflict, and Warfare, 3(2), 77-83. https://journals.lib.sfu.ca/index.php/jicw/article/view/2409/1816.
Leading in a Data Centric Society
Authors: Virk Vincent
Published: April 2021

On November 23, 2020, Lieutenant-Colonel Vincent Virk presented on the topic of Leading in a Data Centric Society at the 2020 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. Key points of discussion included: quality of data, the forms of bias, the gaps in data, verifying the data that one comes across, and finally, the limits of data in the context of leadership.
EU PROPHETS project on policing tools for terrorism
Authors: Sanchez Ortega Anotnio
Published: April 2021

Dr. Antonio Sanchez Ortega presented the findings from the PROPHETS research project on November 26, 2020, at the 2020 CASIS Vancouver West Coast Security Conference. He discussed the factors that lead to radicalization and the incitement of violence and the PROPHETS research project tools that were developed.
Spy watching: Intelligence accountability in the United States
Authors: Johnson Loch K.
Published: April 2021

Dr. Loch K. Johnson presented on intelligence accountability in the United States during the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations at the 2020 CASIS Vancouver West Coast Security Conference. The presentation was followed by a question and answer period with questions from the audience. The key points discussed were the roles of intelligence in different eras; the usage differences of the various Presidential administrations; and the issues that affected the efficiency and autonomy of intelligence agencies.
Intelligence and Risks Posed by Corruption
Authors: Dalip Andrew
Published: April 2021

On November 26, 2020, Andrew Dalip presented at the 2020 CASIS West Coast Security Conference, where he spoke about intelligence and corruption. This presentation was followed by a group panel for questions and answers, whereby conference attendees were provided with an opportunity to engage in discussion with Mr. Dalip and other panel presenters for that day. Primary discussion topics included operational concerns for security in Trinidad and Tobago, corruption related to lack of due diligence and reporting, and the limitations for COVID-19 preparation that resulted from corruption in Trinidad and Tobago.
Potential Correlates of Internet Gaming Disorder Among Indonesian Medical Students: Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Siste Kristiana , Hanafi Enjeline , Sen Lee Thung , Wahjoepramono Petra Octavian Perdana , Kurniawan Andree , Yudistiro Ryan
Published: April 2021

Background

Internet gaming disorder has been a controversial topic for nearly a decade. Although internet addiction has been studied in medical students, there is a paucity of evidence regarding internet gaming disorder. Previous studies in Indonesia explored only the prevalence rate and characteristics.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of internet gaming disorder and correlations between internet gaming disorder, temperament, and psychopathology among Indonesian medical students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed from August 2019 to September 2019 using total and convenience sampling at a private university and a public university, respectively. The study variables were measured using the Indonesian version of the 10-item Internet Gaming Disorder Test, the Temperament and Character Inventory, and the Symptoms Checklist 90. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between demographic factors, temperament, psychopathology, and the presence of internet gaming disorder.

Results

Among the 639 respondents, the prevalence rate of internet gaming disorder was 2.03% (n=13), with a mean age of 20.23 (SD 0.13) years and an average gaming duration of 19.0 (SD 0.96) hours/week. Up to 71.2% respondents played using their mobile phones, and respondents with internet gaming disorder reported experiencing all psychopathologies assessed, except phobic anxiety. Bivariate analysis demonstrated that internet gaming disorder was associated with gender, gaming duration, gaming community affiliation, and 9 out of 10 domains of psychopathology. In a logistic regression model, internet gaming disorder was correlated with weekly gaming hours ≥20 hours (odds ratio [OR] 4.21, 95% CI 1.08-16.38, P=.04).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the prevalence of internet gaming disorder among medical students in Jakarta, Indonesia is similar to that in other populations of Asian countries. The predisposing factor for internet gaming disorder was weekly gaming duration, while other demographic, temperament, and psychopathology variables acted as probable moderators. Strategies should, therefore, be developed and integrated into medical curriculum to screen and aid individuals with these predisposing factors.
Best Practices for Integrating Medical Students Into Telehealth Visits
Authors: Wamsley Maria , Cornejo Laeesha , Kryzhanovskaya Irina , Lin Brian W , Sullivan Joseph , Yoder Jordan , Ziv Tali
Published: April 2021

Telehealth has become an increasingly important part of health care delivery, with a dramatic rise in telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth visits will continue to be a part of care delivery after the pandemic subsides, and it is important that medical students receive training in telehealth skills to meet emerging telehealth competencies. This paper describes strategies for successfully integrating medical students into telehealth visits in the ambulatory setting based on existing literature and the extensive experience of the authors teaching and learning in the telehealth environment.
Peer Review of “Impact of COVID-19 Testing Strategies and Lockdowns on Disease Management Across Europe, South America, and the United States: Analysis Using Skew-Normal Distributions” (Preprint)
Authors: Maia Gabriel
Published: April 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

This is a peer review report.
Authors’ Response to Peer Reviews of “Impact of COVID-19 Testing Strategies and Lockdowns on Disease Management Across Europe, South America, and the United States: Analysis Using Skew-Normal Distributions” (Preprint)
Authors: De Leo Stefano
Published: April 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

This is author responses to peer review.
Validity and Reliability of the Self-administered Psycho-TherApy-SystemS (SELFPASS) Item Pool for the Daily Mood Tracking of Depressive Symptoms: Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey (Preprint)
Authors: Mayer Gwendolyn , Hummel Svenja , Gronewold Nadine , Oetjen Neele , Hilbel Thomas , Schultz Jobst-Hendrik
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

e-Mental health apps targeting depression have gained increased attention in mental health care. Daily self-assessment is an essential part of e-mental health apps. The Self-administered Psycho-TherApy-SystemS (SELFPASS) app is a self-management app to manage depressive and comorbid anxiety symptoms of patients with a depression diagnosis. A self-developed item pool with 40 depression items and 12 anxiety items is included to provide symptom-specific suggestions for interventions. However, the psychometric properties of the item pool have not yet been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the validity and reliability of the SELFPASS item pool.

METHODS

A weblink with the SELFPASS item pool and validated mood assessment scales was distributed to healthy subjects and patients who had received a diagnosis of a depressive disorder within the last year. Two scores were derived from the SELFPASS item pool: SELFPASS depression (SP-D) and SELFPASS anxiety (SP-A). Reliability was examined using Cronbach α. Construct validity was assessed through Pearson correlations with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the General Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7), and the WHO-5-Wellbeing-Scale (WHO-5). Logistic regression analysis was performed as an indicator for concurrent criterion validity of SP-D and SP-A. Factor analysis was performed to provide information about the underlying factor structure of the item pool. Item-scale correlations were calculated in order to determine item quality.

RESULTS

A total of 284 participants were included, with 192 (67.6%) healthy subjects and 92 (32.4%) patients. Cronbach α was set to .94 for SP-D and α=.88 for SP-A. We found significant positive correlations between SP-D and PHQ-9 scores (r=0.87; P<.001) and between SP-A and GAD-7 scores (r=0.80; P<.001), and negative correlations between SP-D and WHO-5 scores (r=–0.80; P<.001) and between SP-A and WHO-5 scores (r=–0.69; P<.001). Increasing scores of SP-D and SP-A led to increased odds of belonging to the patient group (SP-D: odds ratio 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05; P<.001; SP-A: 1.05, 1.05-1.01; P=.01). The item pool yielded 2 factors: one that consisted of mood-related items and another with somatic-related items.

CONCLUSIONS

The SELFPASS item pool showed good psychometric properties in terms of reliability, construct, and criterion validity. The item pool is an appropriate source for daily mood tracking in future e-mental health apps among patients with depression. Our study provides general recommendations for future developments as well as recommendations within the item pool.
Distress and impaired functioning, coping mechanisms and barriers to access mental health services among Syrian refugees and Jordanian adults after eight years of Syrian crisis: a cross-sectional study (Preprint)
Authors: Khader Yousef , Bawaneh Ahmad , Al-Hamdan Zaid
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

The Syrian conflict started in 2011 and resulted ever since in a large displacement of Syrians. Conflict-related violence coupled with displacement related stressors such as poverty, poor access to health services, loss of family support and discrimination had a significant impact on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Syrian refugee

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the perceived symptoms of severe distress and impaired functioning, identify coping mechanisms and identify the barriers to access mental health services among Syrian refugees and Jordanian adults.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study study took place in 14 randomly selected sites in Jordan where Syrian refugees are concentered and from Za’tari refugee camp. A toolkit for humanitarian settings was used for data collection.

RESULTS

Of the 1424 participants, 43.4% had distress; 38.9% among host population, 57.0% among refugees in urban communities, and 23.0% among refugees in camp (p <0.005). Overall, finding comfort in faith and spiritual beliefs was the most common coping mechanism reported by those who perceived to be experiencing distress.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of Syrian refugees had distress symptoms. It is recommended to incorporate mental health services into broad-based community settings, such as schools, primary prevention or case management programs.
Effects of perceived social isolation, fear of social isolation and gratitude during COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety in Malaysia (Preprint)
Authors: Tan Cher Yi , Ng Jia Yi , Lin Mei-Hua , Yong Min Hooi
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled many countries including Malaysia to impose movement restrictions to curb spreading the virus. Evidence shows that prolonged isolation has negative effects on both physical and mental health.

OBJECTIVE

Our aims were to examine (1) the mediating effect of perceived social isolation (SI) and fear of social isolation (FSI) on the relationship between gratitude and anxiety, and (2) to explore the moderating effect of age, education and socioeconomic status on the mediation model.

METHODS

We collected data from 427 participants currently living in Malaysia during the movement restriction order (Mage = 37.90, SD = 16.51, 313 females) from an online survey containing questions pertaining to isolation and gratitude.

RESULTS

Our mediation analysis showed that gratitude has a positive effect on overcoming anxiety as it also lowers feelings of SI and FSI (B = -.229, β = .128, bootstrap SE = .049, 95% bootstrap CI = [-.332, -.138]). The moderated mediation analyses revealed the indirect effect of gratitude on anxiety through SI was significant for young adults (B = -.148, β = .083, 95% bootstrap CI [-.274, -.042]) and middle-aged (B = -.099, β = -.055, 95% bootstrap CI [-.177, -.033]) but not for older adults (B = -.026, β = -.015, 95% bootstrap CI [-.129, .047]). Results were similar for FSI in that it was significant for middle aged and not significant for older adults (all CIs does not include zero). However the mediation effect was not significant for young adults (B = -.020, β = -.011, 95% bootstrap CI [-.066, .016]). When we examined the moderating effect of education and SES in the parallel mediation model, results showed that the mediation effect of SI and FSI for those with lower levels of education was significant for all SES levels (all CIs did not contain zero). As for those with medium levels of education, the conditional indirect effect of SI and FSI was significant only for low and medium levels of SES but not for high SES.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the importance of having some coping mechanism and social connection during the pandemic to have higher wellbeing and quality of life, especially for middle-aged sample and people from low education and SES background.

CLINICALTRIAL

None
A Network Analysis of Postwar American Poetry in the Age of Digital Audio Archives
Authors: Basnet Ankit , Lee James Jaehoon
Published: April 2021

From the New American Poetry to New Formalism, publishing networks such as literary magazines and social scenes such as poetry reading series have served as a capacious mod-el for understanding the varied poetic formations in the postwar period. As audio archives of poetry readings have been digitized in large volumes, Charles Bernstein has suggested that open access to digital archives allows readers of American poetry to create mixtapes in different configurations. Digital archives of poetry readings “offer an intriguing and powerful alternative” to organizing practices such as networks and scenes. Placing Bern-stein’s definition of the digital audio archive into contact with more conventional under-standings of poetic community gives us a composite vision of organizing principles in postwar American poetry. To accomplish this, we compared poetry reading venues as well as audio archives — alongside more familiar print networks constituted by poetry an-thologies and magazines — as important and distinct sites of reception for American poet-ry. We used network analysis to visualize the relationships of individual poets to venues where they have read, archives where their readings are stored, and text anthologies where their poetry has been printed. Examining several types of poetic archives offers us a new perspective in how we perceive the relationships between poets and their “networks and scenes,” understood both in terms of print and audio culture, as well as trends and chang-es in the formation of these poetic communities and affiliations. We suggest that this ap-proach may offer new ways of imagining the multiple dimensions contributing to the so-cial formation of contemporary American poetry.
Squatter Regionalism: Postwar Fiction, Geography, and the Program Era
Authors: Kelly Nicholas M. , White Nicole , Glass Loren
Published: April 2021

In this article we use computational methods to establish that the Program Era has altered the traditional understanding that a regionalist writer writes about the region in which they grew up. Using the Iowa Writers’ Workshop as an example, we prove that many writers now write about the region to which they moved to study and/or teach creative writing. Using a database of demographic information about faculty and students alongside computational analysis of place names in a curated corpus of work produced by prominent Iowa-affiliated writers, we map authorial career itineraries onto the geographic locations referenced in their fiction, visualizing the ways in which the relationship between writer and place has been inflected by the Midwestern location of the Workshop. We found that Iowa references are significantly higher than in a comparable corpus of postwar literature. They are also significantly higher in percentage terms than Iowa’s population as a proportion of the US population. Finally, we found that the works in our corpus most centrally focused on Iowa are, overwhelmingly, not authored by Iowa natives. Instead, we have identified a cohort of squatter regionalists, authors whose writings prominently feature the state in which they received their MFA, found faculty employment, or (frequently) both. This trend, we believe, may also be evident in works by authors from other MFA programs, which would confirm our larger hypothesis that the professional itineraries mandated by the Program Era have influenced the regional settings of postwar American fiction.
Introduction: Contemporary Culture After Data Science
Authors: So Richard Jean
Published: April 2021

This essay introduces the articles found in this special joint issue of Post-45 and the Journal of Cultural Analytics, “Post-45 by the Numbers.” It foregrounds the affordances of computational methods for the study of contemporary culture and literature, and offers brief summaries of each of the eight essays that follow in this special issue.
Development Strategy: Rule of Law
Authors: Lane Jan Erik
Published: April 2021

There has been a long debate about which is the best development strategy for a Third world state. My answer is: rule of law. But only a minority of people on Earth live under these blessed rules of government. Instead we find autocracy or rule by law. Autocracy as with military rule is arbitrary and leads to looting. Rule by law is predictable but allows for government to regulate society completely.
Preferences, satisfaction and decision-making processes in osteoporosis treatment: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Canals-Ruiz Laura , Comellas Marta , Lizán Luís
Published: April 2021

Aim:
To synthesize information available in the literature on patients' preferences and satisfaction with osteoporosis treatment and their unmet needs on the treatment decision-making process.
Materials & methods:
Systematic literature review consulting international database and grey literature of articles published between January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2019.
Results:
Nineteen publications were reviewed, 79% of them focused on evaluating the importance that patients attached to the mode and frequency of administration, adverse events and treatment efficacy. 21% of them provided information about treatment satisfaction and 26% regarding unmet needs on treatment-decision making process.
Conclusion:
Aligning treatment with patients' preferences, promoting physician-patient communication and identifying patients' concerns with treatment may contribute to improve treatment satisfaction and adherence and ultimately achieve the treatment goal.