Related Statements Research Articles

DSD: A Discussion at the Crossroads of Medicine, Human Rights, and Politics.

Over the past years, the topic of “disorder/differences in sex development (DSD)” or “intersex” people has become subject of the international political agenda. In 2017, a resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe argued that the practice of surgically modifying intersex children's genitals without medical necessity and without consent of the person concerned is a human rights violation. This resolution and related statements might impact heavily on pediatric urologists and their practice. While this resolution concerns a form of soft law and is not directly enforceable in member states, it might impact the national debates concerning legislation and medical guidelines on DSD. Consequently, this article reflects on this discussion by elaborating on the importance of human rights in our evolving understanding and legislation on DSD and other gender and sexuality issues in general. It constitutes a plea for a dialogue between medical professionals, lawmakers and human rights scholars which would lead to legislation and medical guidelines that take a holistic and rights-based approach.

Lipids in Parenteral Nutrition: Introduction.

Thank you for reading this supplement, Lipids in Parenteral Nutrition, which is based upon the international summit “Lipids in Parenteral Nutrition” held on November 2–4, 2018 (Miami, FL, USA). A total of 18 international nutrition and metabolism experts participated in the summit, presenting and discussing topics concerning lipid emulsions in parenteral nutrition.1 The purpose of the summit was to bridge the gap between formal guideline recommendations from several nutrition societies and the practical use of lipid emulsions as part of parenteral nutrition in everyday clinical practice. The summit format allowed for the rapid elucidation of practical and clinical issues, with a range of international multidisciplinary experts presenting on a variety of topics, followed by the formulation of related statements that were voted on anonymously using a Likert-type scale. The statements were based on clinical and scientific evidence, and on the practical clinical experience of the experts when evidence was lacking. Thus, the consensus statements complement formal recommendations, and represent the opinion of the experts, not those of a national or international nutrition society or formal guideline committee. The topics covered by the summit encompassed the general role of lipids in parenteral nutrition, and with a particular focus on their clinical use in different patient populations, including adult and pediatric age groups, and various settings (hospitals and home parenteral nutrition). Although all lipid emulsions were discussed, the topic of lipid emulsions containing fish oil was of special interest because of recent popularity of research in this area and its expanded availability in many countries. Other non-clinical presentations at the summit concerned a review of the biological science of lipid emulsions, the practical handling of lipid emulsions in parenteral nutrition, and the pharmacoeconomics of ω-3 fatty-acid containing lipid emulsions. The summary of proceedings and expert consensus statements from the summit forms the first article in this supplement.1 Thereafter, other reviews have been included based on presentations at the summit, including additional information from the literature. These are: lipids in parenteral nutrition: biological aspects,2 lipid use in hospitalized adults requiring parenteral nutrition,3 the use of lipids in adult patients requiring parenteral nutrition in the home setting,4 use of lipids in neonates requiring parenteral nutrition,5 lipid emulsion use in pediatric patients requiring long-term parenteral nutrition,6 pharmacoeconomics of parenteral nutrition with ω-3 fatty acids in hospitalized adults,7 and the use of intravenous lipid emulsions with parenteral nutrition: practical handling aspects.8 It is hoped that reviewing these areas and formulating these recommendations will help to guide international practice regarding the use of lipid emulsions in parenteral nutrition. Although these recommendations complement rather than take the place of formal nutrition guidelines, we trust that this information may help clinicians and other healthcare professionals to improve the safety and effectiveness of parenteral nutrition. Finally, we would like to thank Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH (Bad Homburg, Germany) for their generosity in funding the international summit, Lipids in Parenteral Nutrition.

The Analysis of Chinese Rural Society: Fei Xiaotong Revisited

China’s best-known sociologist, Fei Xiaotong, is widely credited with providing a general statement of guanxi relations underlying Chinese society. Examination of Fei’s celebrated From the Soil and associated publications, as well as the work of contemporary researchers, reveals Fei’s neglected Confucianism and the derivative nature of his conceptualization of “the differential mode of association.” Additionally, limitations of village-centric perspectives and the importance of nonkin relations in rural society are identified and erstwhile neglected aspects of guanxi highlighted. The article contributes to the study of guanxi and Chinese society in general by developing a sociological account of the variety and nature of social connections.

Research on Performance Optimization of Web Application System based on JAVA EE

With the development of informatization, the Web application system is being used by more and more enterprises and institutions. With the increase of the user group, the concurrent visits are increasing, which leads to the poor service quality of Web system. Several high-concurrency solutions existed, but they address only one aspect of the performance problem, and small and medium enterprises need to consider the cost. This paper will analyze the performance factors affecting the Web application system through multiple levels, aiming to build a Web application system with high availability, high concurrency, high expansion and less cost. Based on the factors affecting the performance of the Web application system, the project of the online mall system was optimized, and the service support of the Web application system was adjusted to make it more suitable for the system requirements. Besides, related SQL statements were optimized, Java code layer was optimized, user experience layer was optimized, and performance testing and analysis were completed.

Prikupljanje i dokumentovanje revizijskih dokaza

The need for constant control of financial assets and related financial statements is a process that poses significant challenges. They are reflected both in the rules and in the different methodological approach whose implementation depends on many factors, primarily on the knowledge and experience of auditors who transfer their knowledge and experience to others. Once adopted, the report must not have elements of rigidity, because possible corrections in the perspective may indicate the shortcomings of the previous ones. In order for the auditor's reports to be adequate, the auditor's communication with the audited entities, i.e. its representatives, must be adequate. The ways of communication and data collection will be discussed in the paper itself. The reliability of the evidence collected by auditors depends on the method of data collection, which will also be one of the issues considered in the paper. The application of various methods of testing internal control depends on the conditions of their application.

Self-Correction in Writing Skill (A Paragraph)

Abstract: A paragraph is a subject that consists of developed related statements by a writer. In writing a paragraph the students make sure their paragraph is in correct format. This study describes students’ writing development in a paragraph and the impact of self-correction. The participants of the study were the 15 students in basic writing class second semester at English Education Department. This study was a quantitative research and used written test. The tests implemented were pre-test and post-test after 5 meetings treatment. In the treatment the students gave feedback about the paragraph, punctuation, capitalization, simple sentence, compound sentence, complex sentence, and compound complex sentence. The results showed that self-correction benefited students’ writing skill and there was a development in their writing skill. This study suggested that self-correction was an effective method and shown to be the best method for student as a feedback.

Music Therapists’ Goal and Objective Writing Practices

Abstract Maintaining current curricular materials for teaching goal and objective writing can be challenging. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the goal and objective writing practices of music therapists and compare them to the related music therapy literature. A survey was emailed to 6,643 board-certified music therapists asking them to describe their goal and objective writing and to share examples of such statements. Four hundred fifty-seven music therapists responded. Quantitative analysis of the results revealed that the majority of respondents participated in writing goals and objectives as well as nine other types of related statements. Qualitative analysis of the statement examples revealed that the statements were constructed using 15 different components. Comparison of study results and published literature demonstrate alignment with current practice in the descriptions it provides of the basic qualities of goal and objective statements. Data analysis also indicates that current practice encompasses a larger scope and complexity of ideas than those presented in the literature. Clinical and educational implications are discussed.

The Potential of Public Policy on Open Access Repositories

To address the potential of public policy on the governance of OARs it is necessary to define what is meant by public policy and the importance of public policy in designing an efficient governance framework. Critical components are the subject matter of public policy and its objectives. Hence, it is useful to consider declarations, policies and statements in relation to open access practice and examine the efficiency of these arrangements towards the improvement of stakeholders’ engagement in governance of OARs. Secondly, policies relating to dissemination of scientific information via OARs should be examined. In this regard, it is relevant to consider the public policy basis for Intellectual Property (IP) laws that concerning the utility of OARs. Therefore, economic theories relevant with the role of IP laws should be examined. Such examination depicts to what extend these laws facilitate the utility of OARs. In order to specify justifications for the desirability of OARs the objectives of social theories should be also considered. Thus, there is consternation that without legal protection against copying the incentive to create intellectual property will be undermined. As scholarly communication infrastructure evolves, it is necessary to recognize the efforts of the relationship between Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and communication technologies in the context of public policy and after engagement with it. After employing such multilevel approach, the paper argues about a socio-economic framework to enhance the governance of OARs through public policy.

Environmental Health Practice Challenges and Research Needs for U.S. Health Departments.

Background:Environmental health (EH) professionals, one of the largest segments of the public health workforce, are responsible for delivery of essential environmental public health services. The challenges facing these professionals and research needs to improve EH practice are not fully understood, but 26% of EH professionals working in health departments of the United States plan to retire in 5 y, while only 6% of public health students are currently pursuing EH concentrations.Objectives:A groundbreaking initiative was recently launched to understand EH practice in health departments of the United States. This commentary article aims to identify priority EH practice challenges and related research needs for health departments.Methods:A horizon scanning approach was conducted in which challenges facing EH professionals were provided by 1,736 respondents working at health departments who responded to a web-based survey fielded in November 2017. Thematic analyses of the responses and determining the frequency at which respondents reported specific issues and opportunities identified primary EH topic areas. These topic areas and related issues informed focus group discussions at an in-person workshop held in Anaheim, California. The purpose of the in-person workshop was to engage each of the topic areas and issues, through facilitated focus groups, leading to the formation of four to five related problem statements for each EH topic.Discussion:EH professionals are strategically positioned to diagnose, intervene, and prevent public health threats. Focus group engagement resulted in 29 priority problem statements partitioned among 6 EH topic areas: a) drinking water quality, b) wastewater management, c) healthy homes, d) food safety, e) vectors and public health pests, and f) emerging issues. This commentary article identifies priority challenges and related research needs to catalyze effective delivery of essential environmental public health services for common EH program areas in health departments. An unprecedented initiative to revitalize EH practice with timely and strategic recommendations for student and professional training, nontraditional partnerships, and basic and translational research activities is recommended. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5161

Evaluate Legal, Operational and Governance Framework Design from Whitepapers for Initial Coins Offer (ICO)

In this 20th Century Digital World, the Initial Coins Offer (ICO) acts as fundraisers for a start-up that is related to technology. There have been many successful ICOs launches over the past several years that have resulted in giving investors good returns for their investments. However, the lack of regulatory framework has resulted in the unregulated position and the unidentified nature of the dealings involved. There is a substantial number of ICOs which were scams and have resulted in multi-million-dollar fraud schemes. Potential Investors of ICOs are presently susceptible to misrepresentations, scam, and exploitation. Unlike the traditional mode of fundraising such as Initial Public Offer (IPO) where investors can access information through the vetted official prospectus of the proposed company which includes past financial performance and projected future operations together with all related financial statements. However, ICO potential investors for proposed ICO projects are only able to access and scrutinize published ICO whitepapers. ICO whitepapers are the only available documents or the source information that investors can access and rely on to make an informed judgment and investment decision. This research paper will highlight the important areas that should be rigorously studied and verified by potential investors when making an investment decision and to identify and distinguish the indicators of scam or fraudulent ICO project. Potential investors should familiarise themselves with the various types of ICO token and property rights attached accordingly as each token possesses a unique bundle of property rights. The property rights of ICO token together with the ERC-20 token standard which consists of six mandatory rules would serve as a useful guide for the potential investor to understand and to evaluate the legal, operational and governance of the framework of ICO projects in order to make an informed and appropriate investment decision.

Picturing ELSI+: a visual representation of ethical, legal, and social issues, and patient experiences in Health Technology Assessment in Canada.

Consideration of ethical, legal, and social issues plus patient values (ELSI+) in health technology assessment (HTA) is challenging because of a lack of conceptual clarity and the multi-disciplinary nature of ELSI+. We used concept mapping to identify key concepts and inter-relationships in the ELSI+ domain and provide a conceptual framework for consideration of ELSI+ in HTA. We conducted a scoping review (Medline and EMBASE, 2000-2016) to identify ELSI+ issues in the HTA literature. Items from the scoping review and an expert brainstorming session were consolidated into eighty ELSI+-related statements, which were entered into Concept Systems® Global MAX™ software. Participants (N = 38; 36 percent worked as researchers, 21 percent as academics; 42 percent self-identified as HTA experts) sorted the statements into thematic groups, and rated them on importance in making decisions about adopting technologies in Canada, from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (extremely important). We used Concept Systems® Global MAX™ software to create and analyze concept maps with four to sixteen clusters. Our final ELSI+ map consisted of five clusters, with each cluster representing a different concept and the statements within each cluster representing the same concept. Based on the concepts, we named these clusters: patient preferences/experiences, patient quality of life/function, patient burden/harm, fairness, and organizational. The highest mean importance ratings were for the statements in the patient burden/harm (3.82) and organizational (3.92) clusters. This study suggests an alternative approach to ELSI+, based on conceptual coherence rather than academic disciplines. This will provide a foundation for incorporating ELSI+ into HTA.

Protumodernost modernoga – pjesnički protusvijet Julija Benešića

This article deals with the poetry of Julije Benešić (his collection Istrgnuti listovi – Torn Pages) in the context of Croatian modernist poetry based on three assumptions: the first, deductive one is that Benešić’s literary, literary-historical, theatrical and public personality is a potential metonymy of the entire Croatian culture of the first two decades of the 20th century; the second, literary-historical assumption is that the choice to use free verse can be read as a counter-modernist gesture against rationalism and structure of rhymed verse of Croatian modernist poetry; third, from the cultural-historical point of view, it is assumed that Benešić’s poetical profile is a reflection of his counter-modernist attitude that was shaped beyond the dominant poetical practices of modernism. The goal of this presentation is as much a cultural-historical as it is a literary-historical one, aimed at proving a thesis by which a small poetical contribution by Julije Benešić is synecdoche for the condition and the atmosphere of Croatian culture of the late modernism and the first interwar years. The notion of counter-modernism is historiographically restricted here and encompasses Benešić’s disputing statements in relation with the dominant paradigm in synchrony with the modernist period. The choice of free verse is understood as a statement of notion about the restraints of the poetics of rhymed verse of Croatian modernism. Since free verse was not part of the canon at the time, Benešić tried to use it to legitimize his own work and democratize the system of poetical competencies.

Influence of Price and Distributive Fairness on Micro Finance Customers’ Relationship Commitment: PLS-SEM Analysis

Bangladeshi Micro Finance Institution (MFI) sector is highly competitive in financial industry. Due to strong multifaceted competition customer drop out (exit/switching) is taking place. In fact, to achieve sustainability, MFIs need to reduce the dropout rate and to retain customer by developing relationship commitment (RC). Hence, the aim of the empirical study is to find out how the clients drop out from the MFI can be prevented through developing relationship commitment in the relational exchange context. The study focuses on the price fairness and distributive fairness as an antecedent of relationship commitment. The PLS-SEM technique is utilized for the analysis of data collected from 409 consumers of different MFI’s of Bangladesh. The study employed survey method for getting responses from MFI consumers about price fairness, distributive fairness and relationship commitment related statement. The study explores that price fairness, distributive fairness, has significant effect on relationship commitment. Hence, the findings of this model may be applied by the policy makers and the practitioners as an approach to enhance relationship commitment in the MFI’s in developing economy context.

Communication of innovation messages via the internet: An example of Turkish exporting firms

In a firm, innovation mainly targets to preserve competitive advantage via commercialization. The objective of this study is to examine the extent of website innovation statements of Turkish firms listed in the top one thousand exporter firms’ ranking of the Turkish Exporters Assembly. To do this, website contents that are closely related to the notion of innovation are examined. Content analysis methodology is used to group websites which contain innovation related statements. The groups consist of values, vision, mission, research and development activities, and topics related to innovative activities. At the end of the study, it was deduced that businesses are gradually increasing in their innovation awareness as a message to stakeholders, especially in the context of their research and development activities.

Formal Verification of Three-Valued Digital Waveforms

We investigate a formal verification problem (mathematically rigorous correctness checking) for digital waveforms used in practical development of digital microelectronic devices (digital circuits) at early design stages. According to modern methodologies, a digital circuit design starts at high abstraction levels provided by hardware description languages (HDLs). One of essential steps of an HDLbased circuit design is an HDL code debug, similar to the same step of program development in means and importance. A popular way of an HDL code debug is based on extraction and analysis of a waveform, which is a collection of plots for digital signals: functional descriptions of value changes related to selected circuit places in real time. We propose mathematical means for automation of correctness checking for such waveforms based on notions and methods of formal verification against temporal logic formulae, and focus on such typical featues of HDL-related digital signals and corresponding (informal) properties, such as real time, three-valuededness, and presence of signal edges. The three-valuededness means that at any given time, besides basic logical values 0 and 1, a signal may have a special undefined value: one of the values 0 and 1, but which one of them is either not known, or not important. An edge point of a signal is a time point at which the signal changes its value. The main results are mathematical notions, propositions, and algorithms which allow to formalize and solve a formal verification problem for considered waveforms, including: definitions for signals and waveforms which the mentioned typical digital signal features; a temporal logic suitable for formalization of waveform correctness properties, and a related verification problem statement; a solution technique for the verification problem, which is based on reduction to signal transfromation and analysis; a corresponding verification algorithm together with its correctness proof and “reasonable” complexity bounds.

Steroid-sparing effects and acceptability of a new skin gel containing the anti-inflammatory medicinal substance-nicotinamide.

Background/aim: Adex gel (DENI) is a leave-on emollient, containing an ancillary anti-inflammatory medicinal substance, nicotinamide, for use in the treatment and management of dry skin conditions prone to inflammation. The aim of the study was to obtain patients’ and a Medical Investigator’s feedback on the clinical performance and acceptability of the product, and to assess the product’s potential for reducing patients’ reliance on topical corticosteroids and immunomodulators.Methods: Forty-eight patients were enrolled with 43 patients completing the study. These patients used the product on its own, or as adjunctive therapy, for two weeks instead of their usual emollient, applying it three times daily or more often if necessary. Using a questionnaire, subjects then indicated whether they were in agreement or not with various statements about the clinical performance and acceptability of the product. In the second part of the study, twenty patients used the product for four weeks, this time using it as often as they liked. The Medical Investigator looked at both the performance and the acceptability of the treatment. Patients completed a questionnaire again to indicate how they used it and whether their use of topical corticosteroids and/or immunomodulator treatments had changed.Results: Patient’s responses were very positive, ranging from 81% to 100% agreement with each performance statement in relation to beneficial effects on the skin. The Medical Investigator considered that for nearly all patients, DENI gel was a helpful and convenient addition to their treatment regime. When questioned on steroid-sparing effects, more than half reported that they needed to use less of their other anti-inflammatory treatments, and nearly 95% reported that they felt their skin condition had benefited from using DENI gel.Conclusion: This new anti-inflammatory emollient appears to be a helpful addition to the treatment armamentarium for eczema and psoriasis that may reduce reliance on topical corticosteroids and immunomodulators.

Linked balance sheet presentation

Abstract Certain financial statement items are closely related, such as items in hedging relationships. In this paper, we develop theory and conduct two experiments to investigate three different balance sheet presentation formats for related financial statement items. We posit that a linked presentation format rarely used in practice allows financial statement users to better distinguish among firms with different economics. Neither net presentation nor separate presentation of related balance sheet items allows users to make this distinction. The results of two experiments—one in a hedging context and the other in a lending context—support our theory-based predictions.

A Model to Facilitate Authentic Learning in Nursing Education

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article was to describe a process followed in developing and evaluating a model to facilitate authentic learning (AL) in nursing education. 
 
 METHOD: A qualitative and theory generative research designs were used to develop the model. The four steps of theory generative research design namely concept analysis, construction of conceptual relations, the description of a model and the description of the guidelines for operationalisation were employed. The model was then developed and evaluated. 
 
 DISCUSSION: A model development was done based on the following structure: (1) an overview of the model; (2) the purpose of the model; and (3) the structure of the model, which further includes the following: (3.1) the assumptions of the model, (3.2) the concept definitions, (3.3) the relational statements, and (3.4) the nature of the structure; as well as (4) the process description. A schematic presentation, which depicts the six elements of practice theory namely the context, agent, recipient, dynamic, process and procedure, and terminus or outcome of AL in nursing education was shown. 
 
 CONCLUSION: The described model is a framework that can be used to guide nurse educators in educating, training and producing a 21st century graduate who has higher order thinking skills, make astute clinical reasoning, judgment and rational decisions therefore will be able to deliver comprehensive, holistic care in line with the dynamic, highly-demanding interdisciplinary global healthcare system.

Severe neurological impairment: a review of the definition.

Severe neurological impairment (SNI) is a term commonly used in the medical literature, though there is no agreed definition. This limits opportunities for research into healthcare needs, treatment opportunities, resource planning, and outcome. We reviewed the literature to establish consistency of use of the term and to place it in the context of other commonly employed terms used to describe children with severe, complex medical needs. Forty-two articles were included for full-text analysis, with 23 including a definition of SNI. Motor impairment, intellectual disability, communication difficulties, and increased care needs were included in the definition in 80%, 70%, 30%, and 13% of papers respectively. Dependence on others for decision-making, chronicity, and distinction between disorders of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system were less frequently included. There is wide variation in the use of the term SNI. A consensus-based definition of this term would be useful to facilitate future research. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: There is inconsistency in use of the term severe neurological impairment (SNI), limiting research efforts. In defining SNI, considerations are mobility, intellectual disability, communication difficulties, and increased care needs. Distinction between acute and chronic, central and peripheral nervous system disorders, and dependence on others for decision-making were less significant.

Quantitative Easing Effects on Equity Markets – Event Study Evidence from the US

In this paper we examine effects of the QE related statements made by the FED on major equity indices in the US. We consider days, when announcements had been made, as events for the event-study. We approach this methodology with aim to calculate excess returns on particular announcement day for Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard´s & Poor´s 500, NASDAQ and Russell2000. Admitting complexity of those statements, and diffi culty to isolate effects linked only to QE related information, we analysed statements individually, to be able to extrapolate deviations more accurately. Results indicate positive excess returns (above average performance over previous 60 days) on each index from 2008 to 2017 in average, while on some specifi c announcements, excess returns fell to negative range, which could be explained as misunderstanding of reaction function or active portfolio rebalancing towards assets directly infl uenced by the programme mentioned in the particular announcement. Considering also multiplicity, for DJIA, NASDAQ and S&P500 we conclude, that positive reactions follow especially information linked to prolongation or expansion of existing QE programme, while on the other hand initial information about QE cause mentioned portfolio rebalancing from equities towards other assets (RUSSEL2000 did not signal particular direction in line with announcement days’ information). We can also conclude that even if tapering linked information are considered as a part of the QE programmes, we did not fi nd signifi cant evidence of neither positive nor negative reaction on particular tapering-linked announcements. We add on, that the tapering and balance sheet unwinding are unprecedented to some extent, and therefore require further research, especially in current environment where such policy normalization is widely discussed.