General Questions Research Articles

#747 The digital intradialytic health intervention GoodRENal: feasibility and participants’ opinion

Abstract Background and Aims People with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis present many comorbidities, including malnutrition and frailty. These factors contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, cognitive impairment, and decreased emotional well-being. Intradialytic exercise with non-immersive virtual reality may improve health-related quality of life and functional capacity in these individuals. The GoodRENal project was developed to create a digital intradialytic health platform to improve health-related quality of life. This study aimed to test the feasibility of the GoodRENal intradialytic platform and to identify participants’ opinions about the use of the platform. Method People on hemodialysis treatment from Spain, Greece and Sweden were included. Non-immersive virtual reality games were created to educate on food intake aiming to better control potassium, phosphate, sodium and liquids. It also aimed at increasing physical activity during HD sessions, improving cognitive skills and enhancing psychological well-being. An Azure Kinect camera was used to capture the movement and all activities were designed as dual-tasks, so the movement of lower limbs was promoted in every game. During a trial session, patients were asked about their perception of the platform through a questionnaire designed to evaluate their opinion. It consisted of 10 general questions, 6 questions for the Physical Activity games, 4 for the Nutrition games, 6 for the Cognition games and 7 for the Psychology games. Every question was rated with a Likert scale. Answers are presented in three categories ‘agree’ (4 or 5 out of 5), ‘neither agree nor disagree’ (3 out of 5), and ‘disagree’ (1 or 2 out of 5). Results 27 participants were included in this study (Spain n = 9; Greece n = 10; Sweden n = 8). Participants’ mean age was 64.6 years, 9 women, with a hemodialysis vintage, median 27 months (minimum 4- maximum 240). The questions with a higher degree of agreement or disagreement are summarized. In terms of general feedback on the GoodRENal platform, more than 90% of respondents found the instructions easy to follow and that playing the games was a pleasant break during the hemodialysis session. Furthermore, they disagreed with the statement that the back was tiring. The questions related to the physical activity games with the highest rate of agreement related to the ideas that the program provides a good workout (80% agreement), the possibility to have more exercises (70% agreement) and that it was fun (60% agreement). Regarding the nutrition games, more than 70% agreed that they had gained new knowledge about what to eat and about 60% felt motivated to modify what they ate. For the cognition games, more than 80% maintained attention during the games, but only 35% felt motivated to engage in cognitively stimulating activities. Finally, regarding the games aimed at emotional well-being, 30% of the patients indicated that they felt good about the exercises. Conclusion The GoodRENal platform is a feasible strategy to increase physical activity during hemodialysis treatment, as well as to improve nutritional information and cognitive status of patients. As a general impression the platform was easy to follow and it was a nice break. Future studies should take into account participants’ opinion to improve the content of a digital intradialytic health platform.

The solar dynamo begins near the surface

The magnetic dynamo cycle of the Sun features a distinct pattern: a propagating region of sunspot emergence appears around 30° latitude and vanishes near the equator every 11 years (ref. 1). Moreover, longitudinal flows called torsional oscillations closely shadow sunspot migration, undoubtedly sharing a common cause2. Contrary to theories suggesting deep origins of these phenomena, helioseismology pinpoints low-latitude torsional oscillations to the outer 5–10% of the Sun, the near-surface shear layer3,4. Within this zone, inwardly increasing differential rotation coupled with a poloidal magnetic field strongly implicates the magneto-rotational instability5,6, prominent in accretion-disk theory and observed in laboratory experiments7. Together, these two facts prompt the general question: whether the solar dynamo is possibly a near-surface instability. Here we report strong affirmative evidence in stark contrast to traditional models8 focusing on the deeper tachocline. Simple analytic estimates show that the near-surface magneto-rotational instability better explains the spatiotemporal scales of the torsional oscillations and inferred subsurface magnetic field amplitudes9. State-of-the-art numerical simulations corroborate these estimates and reproduce hemispherical magnetic current helicity laws10. The dynamo resulting from a well-understood near-surface phenomenon improves prospects for accurate predictions of full magnetic cycles and space weather, affecting the electromagnetic infrastructure of Earth.

Expanding the ABCC-tool for osteoarthritis: Development and content validation

ObjectiveOsteoarthritis (OA) care should be more person-centered based on physical, emotional and social aspects, instead of the current stepped-care approach solely based on physical symptoms, according to OA patients. By developing a novel module for OA in the Assessment of Burden of Chronic Condition (ABCC)-tool, a tool based on these three aspects, experienced quality of OA care and shared-decision making are expected to improve. DesignThe development of the novel OA module involved a triangular iterative process, interviewing OA patients and healthcare professionals in the field of OA, an expert panel and a literature search to identify the needs to improve OA care. Patients provided feedback on the first version of the OA module, leading to a second version. This second version was used to evaluate content validity. OA patients and healthcare professionals in the field of OA were asked to evaluate relevance, comprehensiveness and comprehensibility, based on the COSMIN methodology. For healthcare professionals, the item-content validity index (I-CVI) was calculated. ResultsThe module includes questions about pain, kinesiophobia and joint stiffness. For all three questions, 94% of the patients found these questions important for patients with OA. The I-CVI scores of the healthcare professionals ranged from 1.0 (pain, kinesiophobia) to 0.75 (joint stiffness). ConclusionA novel, condition-specific OA module is developed for the ABCC-tool, as a supplement to the generic questions. The module includes three questions, to measure OA specific complaints. This novel module is intended to make the ABCC-tool more elaborate and useable for a larger population.

Inteligencia Artificial en patología de pierna y pie: ¿Pueden los los grandes modelos de lenguaje reemplazar nuestra práctica?

Objective: Determine if large language models (LLMs) provide better or similar information compared to an expert trained in foot and ankle pathology in various aspects of daily practice (definition and treatment of pathology, general questions). Methods: Three experts and two artificial intelligent (AI) models, ChatGPT (GPT-4) and Google Bard, answered 15 specialty-related questions, divided equally among definitions, treatments, and general queries. After coding, responses were redistributed and evaluated by five additional experts, assessing aspects like clarity, factual accuracy, and patient usefulness. The Likert scale was used to score each question, enabling experts to gauge their agreement with the provided information. Results: Using the Likert scale, each question could score between 5 and 25 points, totaling 375 or 75 points for evaluations. Expert 2 led with 69.86%, followed by Expert 1 at 68.53%, ChatGPT at 64.80%, Expert 3 at 58.40%, and Google Bard at 54.93%. Comparing experts, significant differences emerged, especially with Google Bard. The rankings varied in specific sections like definitions and treatments, highlighting GPT-4’s variability across sections. The results emphasize the differences in performance among experts and AI models. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that GPT-4 often performed comparably to or even better than experts, particularly in definition and general question sections. However, both LLMs lagged notably in the treatment section. These results underscore the potential of LLMs as valuable tools in orthopedics but highlight their limitations, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of expert expertise in intricate medical contexts. Evidence Level: III, observational, analytics.

Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of large language models in answering neurophysiology questions

Large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, Google’s Bard, and Anthropic’s Claude, showcase remarkable natural language processing capabilities. Evaluating their proficiency in specialized domains such as neurophysiology is crucial in understanding their utility in research, education, and clinical applications. This study aims to assess and compare the effectiveness of Large Language Models (LLMs) in answering neurophysiology questions in both English and Persian (Farsi) covering a range of topics and cognitive levels. Twenty questions covering four topics (general, sensory system, motor system, and integrative) and two cognitive levels (lower-order and higher-order) were posed to the LLMs. Physiologists scored the essay-style answers on a scale of 0–5 points. Statistical analysis compared the scores across different levels such as model, language, topic, and cognitive levels. Performing qualitative analysis identified reasoning gaps. In general, the models demonstrated good performance (mean score = 3.87/5), with no significant difference between language or cognitive levels. The performance was the strongest in the motor system (mean = 4.41) while the weakest was observed in integrative topics (mean = 3.35). Detailed qualitative analysis uncovered deficiencies in reasoning, discerning priorities, and knowledge integrating. This study offers valuable insights into LLMs’ capabilities and limitations in the field of neurophysiology. The models demonstrate proficiency in general questions but face challenges in advanced reasoning and knowledge integration. Targeted training could address gaps in knowledge and causal reasoning. As LLMs evolve, rigorous domain-specific assessments will be crucial for evaluating advancements in their performance.

Are Internet Information Sources Helpful for Adult Crohn's Disease Patients Regarding Nutritional Advice?

Background: Adult patients suffering from Crohn's disease (CD) are often dissatisfied with the information they receive from their physicians about nutrition and its impact on CD inflammation activity. Only a few publications are available about patients' internet research on nutrition in CD. The study aim is to elucidate the internet information sources of adult CD patients regarding nutritional advice via a questionnaire. Methods: A questionnaire with 28 (general and specific) questions for outpatients at our tertiary center with CD was created and used for an analysis of their information sources about nutrition in CD. Four CD and/or nutritional medicine experts examined the 21 most relevant websites referring to nutritional advice for CD patients. Results: One hundred and fifty CD patients reported their Internet research behavior for nutritional advice and their dietary habits. Many CD patients prefer to consult the Internet instead of asking their general practitioner (GP) for nutritional recommendations. Most of the websites providing nutritional advice for CD patients are of very poor quality and cannot be recommended. We found significant correlations between (a) nutritional habits of CD patients, (b) their information sources and several demographic or CD-related factors. There is a lack of websites which provide high-quality, good nutritional advice to CD patients. Conclusions: The majority of the examined websites did not provide sufficient information according to the CD guidelines and nutritional medicine guidelines. A higher quality level of website content (e.g., on social media or on university/center websites) provided by experienced physicians is required to secure trustworthy and reliable nutritional information in CD.

Ontario Midwives’ Attitudes About Abortion and Abortion Provision

Objective: In Ontario and across Canada, midwives do not provide pregnancy termination but provide referrals and support for clients. This differs from a number of international jurisdictions where abortion has been added to the midwifery scope of practice, resulting in safe outcomes for women and improved access to services. This study sought to survey Ontario midwives’ general attitudes towards abortion and willingness to incorporate abortion into the midwifery scope of practice. Ethics approval for the study was obtained from the Ryerson University Research Ethics Board. Methods: An Internet-based cross-sectional survey was sent to all registered midwives in Ontario via the Association of Ontario Midwives. The survey consisted of seven sections, with a total of 43 Likert scale questions, 17 general questions, and space for open-ended comments at the end of each section. Comments were coded and analyzed for common themes. Results: The survey was distributed to 523 midwives, all of the midwives registered in Ontario at the time of the study (2011). A total of 359 midwives participated, representing a response rate of 68% of all registered midwives in Ontario. The majority of respondents identified themselves as pro-choice; however, there were “limits to choice” expressed by many participants. Abortion was considered less acceptable at later gestations or for specific reasons such as gender selection or minor fetal anomalies. Study participants were divided over whether abortion should be added to midwifery scope of practice. Comfort with providing abortion services decreased as procedures were perceived to be more invasive or as requiring more medical expertise. The addition of misoprostol to Ontario midwives’ pharmacopoeia for early medical terminations was the most favoured expansion for midwifery scope of practice. Respondents were less willing to add surgical techniques to midwifery scope of practice. Midwives identified the current models of compensation and practice in Ontario, issues related to hospital integration, and opposition from clients as significant barriers to the provision of abortion services. Limited education about abortion during midwifery training and the desire for more learning opportunities were additional themes that emerged in this study. Conclusion: This is the first study in Canada about midwives’ attitudes towards abortion and the inclusion of abortion within midwifery scope of practice. Further research in other Canadian jurisdictions would be useful to examine systemic issues, barriers, and attitudes at a national level. For abortion to be included within the scope of practice of Ontario midwives, issues related to the current model of care, compensation, and supplemental education would need to be addressed. This article has been peer reviewed.

On Conditional Axioms and Associated Inference Rules

In the present paper, we address the following general question in the framework of classical first-order logic. Assume that a certain mathematical principle can be formalized in a first-order language by a set E of conditional formulas of the form α(v)→β(v). Given a base theory T, we can use the set of conditional formulas E to extend the base theory in two natural ways. Either we add to T each formula in E as a new axiom (thus obtaining a theory denoted by T+E) or we extend T by using the formulas in E as instances of an inference rule (thus obtaining a theory denoted by T+E–Rule). The theory T+E will be stronger than T+E–Rule, but how much stronger can T+E be? More specifically, is T+E conservative over T+E–Rule for theorems of some fixed syntactical complexity Γ? Under very general assumptions on the set of conditional formulas E, we obtain two main conservation results in this regard. Firstly, if the formulas in E have low syntactical complexity with respect to some prescribed class of formulas Π and in the applications of E–Rule side formulas from the class Π and can be eliminated (in a certain precise sense), then T+E is ∀B(Π)-conservative over T+E–Rule. Secondly, if, in addition, E is a finite set with m conditional sentences, then nested applications of E–Rule of a depth at most of m suffice to obtain ∀B(Π) conservativity. These conservation results between axioms and inference rules extend well-known conservation theorems for fragments of first-order arithmetics to a general, purely logical framework.

Assessing the Relationship between Physical Health, Mental Health and Students' Success among Universities in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Achieving high academic success is known to be influenced by many factors including, but not limiting to, physical and mental health. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between physical health, mental health, and university students' success, and to explore the associations between these factors and their academic achievement. A cross-sectional, self-administered online survey was used to collect data from college students in three different universities in Lebanon during the Fall 2023 semester. Mental health was evaluated using validated screening tools for depression, anxiety, and stress, specifically the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), respectively. Additionally, general questions regarding physical health and lifestyle factors were incorporated into the questionnaire. Academic achievement was measured using students' grade point average (GPA). A total of 261 students completed the self-administered online survey. The results revealed that approximately 42% and 36% of students were experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively, and 75.1% of students exhibited symptoms of moderate stress. The majority of participants (99.2%) did not report any physical disability. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant association between mental health status (depression, anxiety, and stress) and GPA level (p = 0.03, p = 0.044, p = 0.015, respectively). Multiple logistic regression models identified eight correlates of GPA and highlighted the relationship between physical health and student success. For instance, students who considered themselves moderately active had lower odds of achieving a higher GPA than those who considered themselves active (OR = 0.41, p = 0.045). This is the first investigation into Lebanese university students' academic success in relation to lifestyle and mental health profiles. The findings indicate that implementing public health programs and interventions targeting mental health and lifestyle behaviors is essential for enhancing student success.

The Psychological Impact on Romanian Women Infected with SARS-CoV-2 during Pregnancy.

It is well-known that the uncertainty about the COVID-19 pandemic has an indirect negative impact on pregnant women's mental health, given the fact that pregnant women are more vulnerable emotionally and psychologically than non-pregnant women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the maternal psychological impact on Romanian women who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and their concerns and to determine which are the best measures to prevent negative outcomes. A 40-item questionnaire was created for data collection and was shared on social platforms (Facebook and Instagram) and also with obstetric communities between February 2021 and January 2023. Our cross-sectional survey recruited 317 Romanian pregnant women who suffered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among general questions about their life and pregnancy during the pandemic, the survey included questions about their SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, their concerns and how they perceived this period in order to evaluate their emotional status. Of 317 women recruited, 91% of them had a mild to moderate form of COVID-19, and 2% had serious symptoms. Only 9% of women were hospitalized, 4% of women considered that the SARS-CoV-2 infection affected their physical condition to a great extent, and 8% considered to be affected in terms of mental state to a great extent. The main negative feelings of pregnant women during the COVID-19 disease were the fear regarding the possibility of affecting the pregnancy and the concern for their life (51.4%). These increase the risk of developing anxiety or depression. Pregnant women who contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection faced negative feelings, especially those with a severe form of the disease or who recovered with difficulty after the disease. Patients who required hospitalization reported an impairment of the mental state to a great extent and to a very great extent with a frequency of approximately two times and four times higher than non-hospitalized patients, respectively (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Also, giving birth during SARS-CoV-2 and the difficulty of accessing medical services represented a high level of stress. Also, 47% of patients who reported difficulty accessing medical services during the illness evaluated their mental state significantly less favorably. Preventive measures are essential to minimizing the negative psychological impact of COVID-19 disease during pregnancy among pregnant women. The medical treatment of COVID-19 disease during pregnancy should be prioritized, but emotional and mental health support must also be provided.

Normative study of 500 general-knowledge of true-false questions for Russian young adults.

The main aim of this study was to validate 500 true-false general-knowledge questions in Russian. These norms are valuable to researchers in many fields, as is shown by the impact and relevance of similar norms available in other languages. Although the Russian language is widely spoken, there are no norms available in this language for this type of questions. True-false questions are very useful for measuring semantic memory, among other topics, in neurocognitive studies where there is a trade-off between experimental time and the need for many trials. These types of experimental materials are heavily rooted in cultural background knowledge, making the mere translation from one language to another insufficient. The present research aims to fill this gap. One hundred fifty-five participants answered 500 true-false general knowledge questions split over several consecutive days and three topics: Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Culture & Sport. The participants' task was to indicate whether the statements were true or not, as well as the confidence they had in the correctness of their answer. Despite obtaining questions on each of the topics covering all difficulty levels, grouped analyses showed that Social Science's accuracy was higher than for Natural Science's or Culture & Sport questions. In relation to confidence, the grouped perceived difficulty was higher for questions about Culture & Sports when compared with the other two topics. Thus, this study reports and makes available a large pool of Russian true-false general knowledge questions covering different levels of difficulty.

The Computer-Mediated Online Round Robin (CMORR): An Online Method for Studying Impressions and Social Interactions

Research on impressions and social interactions has predominately examined perceptions of artificial stimuli or those made by convenience samples of undergraduates. In the present work, we introduce and validate a new experimental method, the Computer-Mediated Online Round Robin (CMORR), with the aim of providing researchers a tool to extend the study of interpersonal phenomena to more diverse populations. We describe the method and provide guidance for future CMORR studies. We collected CMORR data from an undergraduate sample ( N = 171), and compared the structure and accuracy of impressions of Big Five personality trait to two in-person studies; one with group interactions ( N = 225), one with dyadic interactions ( N = 511), and meta-analytic estimates from the literature. The results showed a general correspondence between impressions formed in online interactions and in in-person contexts. The findings support using CMORR to study general questions about impressions and social interactions.

Training Methods Used by Dog Guardians in the United States: Prevalence, Sources of Information, and Reasons for Use.

While there has been recent attention in the scientific community on the ethical and welfare implications of different dog training methods, less research has investigated what methods and training tools United States dog guardians use, where they obtain information about dog training, and the reasons they give for their choices of method. We conducted two surveys with nearly 800 Arizona State University undergraduate students to gain a more realistic look into how dog guardians in the United States train their dogs and where they are receiving their training information. Only 5% of respondents reported utilizing a trainer when they had concerns regarding their dog's behavior; 60% would ask a friend or family member or seek advice online. Few reported taking their dog to any training classes; 70% reported either training the dog themselves or not implementing any formal training. When asked general questions, most respondents reported using rewards-based methods but, when asked about specific problem behaviors, 57% of respondents noted that they would use auditory or physical corrections. Respondents who trained with rewards-based methods reported that these methods of training were more effective significantly more frequently than those who trained with mixed methods reported that those methods were most effective (Fisher's Exact Test, p < 0.01).

Complex spherical designs from group orbits

We consider the general question of when all orbits under the unitary action of a finite group give a complex spherical design. Those orbits which have large stabilisers are then good candidates for being optimal complex spherical designs. This is done by developing the general theory of complex designs and associated (harmonic) Molien series for group actions. As an application, we give explicit constructions of some putatively optimal real and complex spherical t-designs.

Social Theory and Transgender: Beyond Polarization

This paper argues that social theory can cast light on some of the main themes in current debates about trans issues. It considers four such themes: social classification and social control; tensions between individual and group rights; access to public spaces; and the relationship between personal pronouns and social identity. In so doing, it seeks to reframe local disagreement and polemic through more general questions about our modes of living together, and concludes that these debates are at bottom about the future of civility.

Research on the implementation degree of agile project management methodologies in Russian IT–companies

In the dynamic development context of the information technology sector, especially crucial for Russia at the moment, the adoption of agile project management methodologies becomes a necessary step for companies to effectively respond to changes, enhance product quality, and achieve market success while maintaining competitiveness. Therefore, the aim of this research is to assess the degree of implementation of agile project management methodologies in IT companies in Russia. The study was conducted through online surveys of practicing specialists in the field of managing innovative projects. Specialists were asked a general question about their application of agile methodologies, as well as four questions regarding specific aspects: requirements gathering, planning, communication with clients, and team communication. The article describes which aspects of agile project management methodologies are practiced by surveyed specialists. In conclusion, it is noted that employees tend to use hybrid project management approaches more frequently than pure agile methodologies. Agile principles are more commonly integrated into client communication and team communication, and less so in requirements gathering and planning.

Knowledge and perceptions of infectious disease physicians about epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Q fever in the Republic of Kazakhstan: results of online survey

&lt;b&gt;Background:&lt;/b&gt; Q fever is a significant zoonotic infectious illness triggered by the pathogen known as &lt;i&gt;Coxiella burnetii&lt;/i&gt;, whichcauses severe symptoms when inhaled through the respiratory tract. Serious acute Q fever may cause complications as pneumonia, hepatitis or myocarditis, and some patients may develop chronic Q fever due to incomplete treatment and the topical resistance of &lt;i&gt;C.burnetii&lt;/i&gt;. This often requires surgical intervention and anti-infective treatment up to several years, seriously endangering the health of the patients and resulting in the increase of economic burdens. Poor awareness of clinicians about the disease can be one of the reasons for delay intreatment. In view of the above, a survey has been carried out to collect information on the approach of modern Kazakhstani doctorsto the problem of Q fever.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Methods&lt;b&gt;:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;The electronic survey was conducted among infectious disease physicians from different cities of Kazakhstan, based on convenient sampling through social network platforms. Data were collected anonymously between November 14, 2022 and December 14, 2022 among infectious disease doctors. The data collection form consisted of 24 questions including demographic information, general questions about epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Q fever. Duplicate entries were avoided and standard guidelines for reporting Internet surveys were followed.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/b&gt;The majority of the respondents (91.7%) considered themselves to have knowledge of information, however 80.2% of physicians showed satisfactory level of knowledge. Westudied the relationship between the proficiency level and various socio-demographic features of the respondents.&amp;nbsp; A statistically significant difference was found in relation of work experience and age (&lt;sup&gt;*&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&amp;lt;0.05). When comparing the level of knowledge in terms of age categories, it was found that age groups 50-55 years, above 55 yearsshowed significantly more "good" results than other age groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the knowledge level of the participants according to the level of education, gender, place of residence and type of institution (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&amp;gt; 0.05). According to the domains explored, the weakest knowledge was on routes of transmission (39, 32.2%), risk factors of the disease (24, 19.8%), materials used for diagnosis (33, 27.3%), prevention (53, 43.8%), outcomes and complications (33, 27.3%) of Q fever. While there werehigh indicators on the knowledge of sources of infection (87, 71.9%), about the vector (63, 52.1%) and seasonality of the disease (79, 65.3%), symptoms (63, 52.1%), differential diagnosis (73, 60.3%), diagnostic methods (91, 75.2%) and treatment (93, 76.9%).&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; According to the results of the study, the level of experience of infectious disease physicians about Q fever can be assessed as satisfactory. However, the study revealed gaps, especially among young specialists, in the awareness about transmission, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention, outcomes and complications of the disease. &lt;b&gt;We also found that the level of registration of its’ diagnosis is low due to the lack of diagnostic testing systems and poor knowledge about the disease in Kazakhstan. As a consequence, we consider it advisable to enhance the level of knowledge about Q fever among young specialists by including comprehensive information in training programs, seminars, conferences in the field of infectiology, epidemiology and public health, as well as expanding diagnostic opportunities in Kazakhstan.&lt;/b&gt;

An Analysis of ChatGPT4 to Respond to Glaucoma-Related Questions.

In recent years, ChatGPT has been widely used as a source of information. In our study, it was revealed that ChatGPT gives accurate information about glaucoma. We examined the knowledge of ChatGPT about glaucoma. Frequently asked questions about glaucoma found on websites of ophthalmology associations and hospitals, and social media applications were assessed. Evidence-Based Recommendations in the European Glaucoma Society Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma, Fifth Edition were evaluated. Using the ChatGPT-4, each question was asked twice on different computers to assess the reproducibility of answers. The answers provided were recorded and 2 specialist ophthalmologists evaluated them independently, assigning scores ranging from 1 to 4. The answers to all questions about glaucoma resulted in 88.7% completely correct, 7.5% correct but insufficient, and 3.8% misleading information and correct information. No question was answered completely incorrectly. While 85.8% of the general knowledge questions were answered correctly, 91.7%, 86.6%, and 91.7% of questions about diagnosis, treatment, and prevention were answered correctly, respectively. The number of questions prepared based on the European Glaucoma Society Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma was 16. The rate of completely correct answers to these questions was 75.0% (12). While 3 (18.8%) answers were correct but insufficient, 1 response (6.3%) contained false information and correct information. Our study revealed that ChatGPT answered 9 out of 10 questions about general information, diagnosis, treatment, and preventive and follow-up about glaucoma with acceptable and satisfactory accuracy rates. In addition, 3 of 4 answers given by ChatGPT were completely correct according to Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma.

Happy Holidays? Evidence from Chinese Stock Exchanges

Abstract There is a consensus in the finance literature that stock markets generally perform well ahead of holidays. However, I argue that this relationship does not hold in the Chinese context, given that public holidays are associated with increased collective action and repression. I propose two possible mechanisms: (1) Chinese investors take cues from the political environment and will thus act more conservatively in the market prior to public holidays or (2) the government increases intervention to stabilize the stock market during these periods. I test this relationship using daily stock exchange data from Shanghai and Shenzhen. In addition, I corroborate the theoretical mechanism by testing whether there is similar conservatism before focal points on the dissident calendar. This research note contributes to our understanding of the Chinese investment market and raises general questions about the representativeness of the finance literature. In addition, this research speaks to the costs of authoritarianism and preserving social stability in these contexts.

Predisposition and Working Conditions for the Occurrence of Lumbar Syndrome in Medical Workers of the Clinical Center of Montenegro during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Lumbar pain is a condition of discomfort in the lower back caused by numerous factors, lasting for short or longer periods of time. Healthcare professionals, regardless of the type of care they are engaged in, are at risk of lumbar pain. This is the first study that deals with the problem of lumbar syndrome in health workers in Montenegro. Methods: This cross-sectional study included full-time health workers employed in the Clinical Center of Montenegro who were involved in the treatment of COVID-19 patients during 2020 and 2021. The survey consisted of general questions for collecting socio-demographic and COVID-19 engagement data; the Modified Nordic questionnaire was used for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms, and the EQ-5D-questionnaire was used to measure the quality of life associated with health. Results: The one-year prevalence of lumbar pain was 68.1%. Factors associated with lumbar pain were as follows: a higher degree of physical inactivity (each subject with a higher degree of physical inactivity had a 24% higher chance of occurrence of lumbar pain); a higher degree of load and over-engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic (each subject with a higher degree of workload had a nearly 50% higher chance of occurrence of lumbar pain); duration of engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic (subjects engaged up to a month were 4 times more likely to develop lumbar pain, and subjects engaged for 1-3 months were 3.5 times more likely to develop lumbar pain compared to those who were not engaged in COVID-19 treatment). This study also confirms that lumbar syndrome affects the quality of life of health workers. Conclusions: Lumbar syndrome is highly prevalent among healthcare professionals in the Clinical Center of Montenegro, especially in the population of nurses, where evidence-based preventive measures are needed.