The COVID-19 pandemic has strained already struggling health systems in low- and middle-income countries such as Malawi. To slow the spread of the virus, the World Health Organization recommended ...non-pharmaceutical measures including frequent hand washing, wearing of face masks when in groups or social gatherings and maintaining physical distance. To ensure adequate uptake of these preventive measures, many communities intensified engagement, advocacy meetings and health promotion interventions. In this study, we investigated knowledge, practice and adherence towards COVID-19 preventive measures of people living in the rural community of Phalombe District of Malawi.
In this cross-sectional, qualitative study, data were collected in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Participants were selected from six randomly selected villages under traditional authorities, namely Nazombe, Jenala and Nkhumba from Phalombe District. Data were thematically analysed to identify emerging themes.
Most participants knew about and were aware of, but reported poor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. Two major themes emerged, namely, perceived low-risk of COVID-19 and non-adherence to preventive measures. Various sub-themes emerged regarding the use of preventive measures when participating in social gatherings. These sub-themes included knowledge of preventive measures, use of face masks, observing physical distance and hand washing practices.
People living in the rural district of Phalombe District of Malawi were able to identify COVID-19 preventive methods. Participants reported low adherence to preventive methods, which was associated with low perceived risk. Community perceptions and willingness need to be considered when mandating preventive measures for future pandemics.
The recent success of deep learning neural language models such as Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) has brought innovations to computational language research. The ...present study explores the possibility of using a language model in investigating human language processes, based on the case study of negative polarity items (NPIs). We first conducted an experiment with BERT to examine whether the model successfully captures the hierarchical structural relationship between an NPI and its licensor and whether it may lead to an error analogous to the grammatical illusion shown in the psycholinguistic experiment (Experiment 1). We also investigated whether the language model can capture the fine-grained semantic properties of NPI licensors and discriminate their subtle differences on the scale of licensing strengths (Experiment 2). The results of the two experiments suggest that overall, the neural language model is highly sensitive to both syntactic and semantic constraints in NPI processing. The model's processing patterns and sensitivities are shown to be very close to humans, suggesting their role as a research tool or object in the study of language.
PP-Extraposition and Precedence Neeleman, Ad; Koot, Hans van de
Linguistic inquiry,
01/2022, Letnik:
53, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
This squib argues that NPI-licensing and variable binding are subject to a precedence constraint. The argument is based on Dutch, which allows extraposition of PPs. There is substantial evidence that ...when multiple PPs appear after the verb, their order corresponds to reverse c-command (that is, postverbal PPs c-command postverbal PPs to their left). Nonetheless, variable binding and NPI-licensing in the postverbal domain are possible only when the dependent category follows its binder/licenser. We argue that this state of affairs requires (a) Quantifier Raising of the binder/licenser and (b) a precedence constraint on NPI-licensing and variable binding.
The Movement Disorder Society's Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDSUPDRS), Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease-Autonomic (SCOPA-AUT), Mayo Sleep Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness ...Scale, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) are validated instruments for assessing signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD).
We sought to determine whether responses on the MDS-UPDRS correlate with responses to other scales used in patients with PD.
Study subjects were enrolled in the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders (AZSAND). Participants were selected if they had completed all scales within a one-month window. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated.
A total of 96 eligible subjects were identified. High correlation (
-values) was found between the SCOPA-AUT and MDS-UPDRS excessive saliva (0.73;
<0.001), constipation (0.62;
<0.001), and swallowing (0.59;
<0.001) questions. The
-values for the NPI-Q and MDS-UPDRS depression and anxiety questions were 0.53 (
<0.001), and 0.67 (
<0.001).
MDS-UPDRS correlates well with some but not all questions from the SCOPA-AUT and NPI-Q. This work emphasizes the importance of employing multiple methods for assessing nonmotor symptoms in patients with PD.
This article examines the positioning effect of integrated navigation after adding an LEO constellation signal source and a 5G ranging signal source in the context of China's new infrastructure ...construction. The tightly coupled Kalman federal filters are used as the algorithm framework. Each signal source required for integrated navigation is simulated in this article. At the same time, by limiting the range of the azimuth angle and visible height angle, different experimental scenes are simulated to verify the contribution of the new signal source to the traditional satellite navigation, and the positioning results are analyzed. Finally, the article compares the distribution of different federal filtering information factors and reveals the method of assigning information factors when combining navigation with sensors with different precision. The experimental results show that the addition of LEO constellation and 5G ranging signals improves the positioning accuracy of the original INS/GNSS by an order of magnitude and ensures a high degree of positioning continuity. Moreover, the experiment shows that the federated filtering algorithm can adapt to the combined navigation mode in different scenarios by combining different precision sensors for navigation positioning.
Background
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common cognitive disease that can progress at an accelerating rate. Even with early diagnosis, the families might not recognize AD progressing unless ...behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) develop. In many cases, discrepancies could exist between family‐assessed AD stage and diagnosed AD stage. This study explored such discrepancies and potential clinical implications.
Methods
Participants were 161 new outpatients with AD or mild cognitive impairment at four memory clinics whose AD stage was diagnosed using the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS‐R) and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE). We classified patients into four groups according to AD severity. Family members completed the Functional Assessment Staging (FAST) scale during an interview. We then assigned patients to three groups according to discrepancies between family‐assessed and diagnosed AD stage.
Families also completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI‐Q), which assesses 12 neuropsychiatric domains, in order to examine the presence of BPSD in relation to AD stage.
Results
Most families (74%–80%) assessed patients as having milder AD than the diagnosed stage. NPI‐Q scores and duration of education significantly affected discrepancies with HDS‐R and MMSE scores. The NPI‐Q domains of anxiety, apathy/indifference, aberrant motor behaviours, and appetite/eating disturbance significantly affected family‐assessed FAST. Families of patients with more years of education assessed the AD stage as more advanced than the diagnosed stage. Surprisingly, living together did not significantly affect the discrepancy.
Conclusions
Most families assessed AD as milder than the clinically diagnosed AD stage. In addition, high NPI‐Q scores and more years of school education significantly affected the discrepancy. Family‐assessed FAST was significantly affected by the NPI‐Q domains of anxiety, apathy/indifference, aberrant motor behaviours, and appetite/eating disturbance. These results suggest that obvious BPSD are significant factors for Japanese families to recognize AD progress.
PurposeThis study examines the conditions when “managerial perception of the contribution of social media” (SMC) enhances and inhibits entrepreneurially oriented small and medium-size enterprises' ...(SMEs') ability for new product introductions (NPI) to the market. We also propose that while firm proactiveness enhances the rate of NPI, managers' risk-taking attitude hurts the process even when managerial perceptions of social media use are high.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses the survey data collected from 322 SMEs in the US to examine the theoretical model. By adopting the partial least square (PLS-SEM) technique, the direct and moderating effects among the SMC, proactive behavior and risk-taking attitude on NPI are explored under dynamic and stable market conditions.FindingsEmpirical findings show that although SMC has a significant positive influence on the rate of NPI in case of SMEs', if the managers are risk-takers themselves, then social media use can distract them, make them overly adventurous trying to introduce too many products and hurt SMEs' innovation efforts with less NPI. We show that SMEs' entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has a differential impact on SMC-NPI relationship, especially in dynamic market conditions.Practical implicationsThe findings provide practical evidence that SMEs get benefitted when their managers perceive that the contributions from social media are positive for their firm. Contrary to the prior understanding of high risk and high return, managers' risk-taking attitude hurts SMEs innovation efforts. SMEs being resource-constrained, it is practically vital for them to be taking less risk while developing new products.Originality/valueThis research synthesizes the insights of the new and emerging “Strategy-as-practice view” and “Behavioral theory of the firm” to empirically examine how managerial perceptions on social media use shape firms' key strategic activity, NPI. This research also highlights the dark side of firm characteristics, such as managerial risk-taking attitude for SMEs.
Objectives
The effects of masupirdine on the neuropsychiatric symptoms were explored.
Methods
Masupirdine (SUVN‐502) was evaluated for its effects on cognition in patients with moderate AD. The ...prespecified primary outcome showed no drug‐placebo difference. Post hoc analyses of domains of the 12‐item neuropsychiatric inventory scale were carried out.
Results
In a subgroup of patients (placebo, n = 57; masupirdine 50 mg, n = 53; masupirdine 100 mg, n = 48) with baseline agitation/aggression symptoms ≥1, a statistically significant reduction in agitation/aggression scores was observed in masupirdine 50 mg (95% confidence interval (CI), −1.9 to −0.5, p < 0.001) and masupirdine 100 mg (95% CI, −1.7 to −0.3, p = 0.007) treated arms at Week 13 in comparison to placebo and the effect was sustained for trial duration of 26 weeks in the masupirdine 50 mg treatment arm (95% CI, −2.3 to −0.8, p < 0.001). Similar observations were noted in the subgroup of patients (placebo, n = 29; masupirdine 50 mg, n = 30; masupirdine 100 mg, n = 21) with baseline agitation/aggression symptoms ≥3. In the subgroup of patients (placebo, n = 28; masupirdine 50 mg, n = 28; masupirdine 100 mg, n = 28) who had baseline psychosis symptoms and/or symptom emergence, a significant reduction in psychosis scores was observed in the masupirdine 50 mg (Week 4: 95% CI, −2.8 to −1.4, p < 0.001; Week 13: 95% CI, −3.3 to −1.3, p < 0.001) and masupirdine 100 mg (Week 4: 95% CI, −1.4 to 0, p = 0.046; Week 13: 95% CI, −1.9 to 0.1, p = 0.073) treatment arms in comparison to placebo.
Conclusion
Further research is warranted to explore the potential beneficial effects of masupirdine on NPS.
Key points
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with manifestations of cognitive decline, functional impairment, and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), with massive unmet need for the safe and effective treatment of NPS.
Post hoc analyses suggested masupirdine significantly reduced agitation/aggression, and psychosis in subgroup of patients with AD.
Masupirdine is being evaluated in a phase‐3 trial for the treatment of agitation/aggression in patients with AD type dementia.
Brown or dark brown eyes make it difficult to distinguish the contrast between a black pupil and the surrounding iris, which may result in clinical assessment errors. The pupillometer can be used to ...derive an indexed value, the Neurological Pupil index™ (NPi) for pupillary light reflex. However, there are limited data associating the NPi and iris colour. We examine the NPi and eye colour association.
Data were pooled from the Establishing Normative Data for Pupillometer Assessments in Neuroscience Intensive Care (END-PANIC) Registry. The analysis includes 14,168 observations collected from 865 patients with neurological conditions who were admitted to the intensive care unit. Summary statistics and statistical models were developed to examine the association using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) summary procedure.
The mean age of the cohort was 56 years (standard deviation = 17). Eye colour included dark brown (n = 339), blue (n = 234), brown (n = 173), green (n = 82), and other (n = 37). There was significant differences (p < 0.0001) between mean NPi values by eye colour blue = 4.08 (0.92), brown = 3.34 (1.45), dark = 3.71 (1.33), green = 4.08 (0.67), other = 3.76 (1.25). However, a further random-effects mixed model after controlling for confounding variables revealed no significant difference in NPi values among different eye colour groups.
The pupillary light reflex, when assessed using the pupillometer, is not dependent on the eye colour. Practitioners are not required to consider eye colour as a confounder when they perform pupillary assessment for examining patients with neurological conditions.
PDF
