scholarly journals Anesthesia guidelines for COVID-19 patients: a narrative review and appraisal

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 486-502
Author(s):  
Sharon Ong ◽  
Wan Yen Lim ◽  
John Ong ◽  
Peter Kam
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Anesthetic Management ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Federation ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Reporting Framework ◽  
Anesthesia Technique ◽  
The Uk ◽  
New Evidence

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged health systems globally and prompted the publication of several guidelines. The experiences of our international colleagues should be utilized to protect patients and healthcare workers. The primary aim of this article is to appraise national guidelines for the perioperative anesthetic management of patients with COVID-19 so that they can be enhanced for the management of any resurgence of the epidemic. PubMed and EMBASE databases were systematically searched for guidelines related to SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, the World Federation Society of Anesthesiologists COVID-19 resource webpage was searched for national guidelines; the search was expanded to include countries with a high incidence of SARS-CoV. The guidelines were evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II tool. Guidelines from Australia, Canada, China, India, Italy, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America were evaluated. All the guidelines focused predominantly on intubation and infection control. The scope and purpose of guidelines from China were the most comprehensive. The UK and South Africa provided the best clarity. Editorial independence, the rigor of development, and applicability scored poorly. Heterogeneity and gaps pertaining to preoperative screening, anesthesia technique, subspecialty anesthesia, and the lack of auditing of guidelines were identified. Evidence supporting the recommendations was weak. Early guidelines for the anesthetic management of COVID-19 patients lacked quality and a robust reporting framework. As new evidence emerges, national guidelines should be updated to enhance rigor, clarity, and applicability.

scholarly journals Increasing Transparency for Consumers Showing Probabilities of Virtual Items in Loot Boxes in Digital Games

2020 ◽  
pp. 22-27
Author(s):  
Philipp Christian Lohse
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
The United States ◽  
Research Field ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk

Purpose of the study: This study is motivated by the increasing public discussions about loot boxes. There are similarities between loot boxes and gambling. Digital games often cross the line between skill-based games and gambling. Methodology: The presented data in this study is based on an online survey from July 2019 in Germany, Hungary, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Main Findings: This paper discusses the public acceptance of a possible loot box regulation. Often, the probabilities of items inside loot boxes are not shown. This paper discusses the acceptance of mandatory showing of loot box probabilities and finds that there is a major agreement to the possible increase of transparency. Research limitations: The presented data only applies to Germany, Hungary, South Africa, Thailand, the UK, and the USA in July 2019. Findings from this study cannot be transferred to other countries. There might be further regional differences in other countries. Further research of consumer preferences for possible regulations can help in determining useful regulations for digital games with loot boxes. Novelty/Originality of this study: Knowledge in this research field is still limited. There are yet adequate studies that explore consumer preferences concerning game design. This applies especially for the field of consumer preferences concerning the showing of probabilities of virtual items inside loot boxes.

Science, Politics, and the Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 119 (820) ◽  
pp. 303-309
Author(s):  
J. Nicholas Ziegler
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Political Leadership ◽  
The United States ◽  
Scientific Advice ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Effective Policy ◽  
Scientific Expertise ◽  
The Uk

Comparing the virus responses in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States shows that in order for scientific expertise to result in effective policy, rational political leadership is required. Each of these three countries is known for advanced biomedical research, yet their experiences in the COVID-19 pandemic diverged widely. Germany’s political leadership carefully followed scientific advice and organized public–private partnerships to scale up testing, resulting in relatively low infection levels. The UK and US political responses were far more erratic and less informed by scientific advice—and proved much less effective.

scholarly journals Social Sensing of Heatwaves

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3717
Author(s):  
James C. Young ◽  
Rudy Arthur ◽  
Michelle Spruce ◽  
Hywel T. P. Williams
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
The United States ◽  
Measured Temperature ◽  
Social Sensing ◽  
Public Response ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Social Reaction ◽  
Twitter Activity ◽  
The Uk

Heatwaves cause thousands of deaths every year, yet the social impacts of heat are poorly measured. Temperature alone is not sufficient to measure impacts and “heatwaves” are defined differently in different cities/countries. This study used data from the microblogging platform Twitter to detect different scales of response and varying attitudes to heatwaves within the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (US) and Australia. At the country scale, the volume of heat-related Twitter activity increased exponentially as temperature increased. The initial social reaction differed between countries, with a larger response to heatwaves elicited from the UK than from Australia, despite the comparatively milder conditions in the UK. Language analysis reveals that the UK user population typically responds with concern for individual wellbeing and discomfort, whereas Australian and US users typically focus on the environmental consequences. At the city scale, differing responses are seen in London, Sydney and New York on governmentally defined heatwave days; sentiment changes predictably in London and New York over a 24-h period, while sentiment is more constant in Sydney. This study shows that social media data can provide robust observations of public response to heat, suggesting that social sensing of heatwaves might be useful for preparedness and mitigation.

International Sugar Council

1951 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 416-416
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Africa ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Market ◽  
Sugar Production ◽  
Special Committee ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The World ◽  
One Year ◽  
Preliminary Draft

A meeting of the International Sugar Council was held in London, June 26 to July 20, 1950. The meeting was attended by delegates of Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, France, Haiti, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Peru, Philippine Republic, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Yugoslavia, and the United States. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the world situation in sugar and the proposal for a new international sugar agreement. The council adopted a protocol which extended the international sugar agreement of 1937 one year from August 31, 1950. During 1950, the council created a special committee to 1) study the changing sugar situation as it related to the need or desirability for negotiating a new agreement, and 2) report to the council, as occasion might arise, on its findings and recommendations as to the possible basis of a new agreement. The special committee prepared a document which set forth certain proposals in the form of a preliminary draft agreement. The draft agreement included six fundamental bases: 1) the regulation of exports, 2) the stabilization of sugar prices on the world market, 3) a solution to the currency problem, 4) the limitation of sugar production by importing countries, 5) measures to increase consumption of sugar and 6) the treatment of non-signatory countries. The draft was then considered by the council at its meeting on July 20 at which time the council decided to submit it to member and observer governments for comments and to transmit such comments for consideration at a meeting of the special committee.

scholarly journals Where have all the susceptible gonococci gone? A historical review of changes in MIC distribution over the past 75 years

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Kenyon ◽  
Jolein Laumen ◽  
Dorien Van Den Bossche ◽  
Christophe Van Dijck
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Historical Review ◽  
The United States ◽  
Antimicrobial Consumption ◽  
The Past ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Loss Of Susceptibility

Abstract Background Does the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae include the erasure of highly susceptible strains or does it merely involve a stretching of the MIC distribution? If it was the former this would be important to know as it would increase the probability that the loss of susceptibility is irreversible.Methods We conducted a historical analysis based on a literature review of changes of N. gonorrhoeae MIC distribution over the past 75 years for 3 antimicrobials (benzylpenicillin, ceftriaxone and azithromycin) in five countries (Denmark, Japan, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States).Results Changes in MIC distribution were most marked for benzylpenicillin and showed evidence of a right shifting of MIC distribution that was associated with a reduction/elimination of susceptible strains in all countries. In the case of ceftriaxone and azithromycin, where only more recent data was available, right shifting was also found in all countries but the extent of right shifting varied and the evidence for the elimination of susceptible strains was more mixed.Conclusions The finding of right shifting of MIC distribution combined with reduction/elimination of susceptible strains is concerning since it suggests that this shifting may not be reversible. Since excess antimicrobial consumption is likely to be responsible for this right shifting, this insight provides additional impetus to promote antimicrobial stewardship.

scholarly journals A Comparative Survey Of Capital Investment Decision Practices In The United States And The United Kingdom

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Klammer ◽  
Neil Wilner ◽  
Jan Smolarski
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
The United States ◽  
Capital Expenditures ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Comparative Survey ◽  
The Uk

Capital expenditures can be crucial to firms long-term success, especially in a complex global environment. As companies increasingly compete in the global market place, it is important to study project evaluation processes from an international perspective. Capital investments involve substantial monetary commitments and risks that affect long-term firm profitability and influence capital allocation decisions in the future. Survey research in the area of capital expenditure analysis has been extensively done in both the United States [US] and the United Kingdom [UK]. This research is the first comparative survey of practices in both countries that we are aware of. A direct comparison of the use of project evaluation, management science, and risk management techniques in the two countries is made. The survey instrument used is an adaptation of the Klammer [1970] instrument that has been used repeatedly in surveys of American firms. This is the first time that it has been applied to British firms. The use of a common instrument allows for more meaningful comparisons. The samples consisted of 127 American and 59 British firms with sales of at least $100 million and capital expenditures of at least $10 million. Preliminary results indicate a continued extensive use of discounted cash flow techniques by US firms. Techniques such as payback or urgency continue to be used, but to a lesser degree than discounting. Firms in the UK also make extensive use of discounting but do so to a lesser degree than their American counterparts. Payback is widely used in the UK. Risk management techniques are widely used in both countries, with sensitivity analysis being the most popular technique in both countries. Extensive use of technical and administrative procedures, such as detailed budgets, standardized forms and post-audits, are evidenced in both countries. The paper offers reasons that have to do with organizational structure and form, as well as market differences, to explain our results.

The Global Scholar

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Africa ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Postgraduate Studies ◽  
Globalising World

In our rapidly globalising world, “the global scholar” is a key concept for reimagining the roles of academics at the nexus of the global and the local. This book critically explores the implications of the concept for understanding postgraduate studies and supervision. It uses three conceptual lenses – “horizon”, “currency” and “trajectory” – to organise the thirteen chapters, concluding with a reflection on the implications of Covid-19 for postgraduate studies and supervision. Authors bring their perspectives on the global scholar from a variety of contexts, including South Africa, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Germany, Cyprus, Kenya and Israel. They explore issues around policy, research and practice, sharing a concern with the relation between the local and the global, and a passion for advancing postgraduate studies and supervision.

Association between Somatic Cell Count progeny tests in the United States of America (USA), The Netherlands and the United Kingdom (UK)

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 ◽  
pp. 25-25
Author(s):  
R A Mrode ◽  
G J T Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
The United States ◽  
Clinical Mastitis ◽  
Management Control ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Animal Data ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
The Uk

Mastitis remains a costly health problem to dairy farmers despite a significant reduction in both clinical and sub-clinical mastitis over the last 25 years. This reduction has been due predominantly to the success of management control programmes. The continuing losses have raised the interest in breeding as a means to reduce mastitis incidence. Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) have been used since 1977 as an indirect means of monitoring mastitis within dairy herds. Since 1991 an optional individual cell count service has been offered by Milk Recording Organisations in the UK. The result is that 0.80 of recorded cows have SCC records. The Animal Data Centre has analysed the SCC data to establish genetic parameters and produced preliminary evaluations on bulls and cows (Mrode et al, 1996). As a forerunner to launching SCC evaluations it is important to determine whether SCC evaluations in the UK agree with similar evaluations overseas.

Antitrust Regulation of IT Giants` Activities: Main Trends of Foreign and Russian Legislation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.V. Shram ◽  
Keyword(s):  
House Of Representatives ◽  
Network Effects ◽  
The United States ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Economic Concentration ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Antitrust Regulation

The article is devoted to the antimonopoly regulation of IT giants` activities. The author presents an overview of the main trends in foreign and Russian legislation in this area. The problems the antimonopoly regulation of digital markets faces are the following: the complexity of determining the criteria for the dominant position of economic entities in the digital economy and the criteria for assessing the economic concentration in the commodity digital markets; the identification and suppression of cartels; the relationship between competition law and intellectual property rights in the digital age. Some aspects of these problems are considered through the prism of the main trends in the antimonopoly policy in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Russia. The investigation findings of the USA House of Representatives Antitrust Subcommittee against Apple, Google, Amazon and Facebook are presented. The author justifies the need to separate them, which requires the adoption of appropriate amendments to the antimonopoly legislation. The article analyzes the draft law of the European Commission on the regulation of digital markets – Digital Markets Act, reveals the criteria for classifying IT companies as «gatekeepers», and notes the specific approaches to antimonopoly regulation in the UK and the US. The article describes the concepts «digital platform» and «network effects», presented in the «fifth antimonopoly package of amendments», developed in 2018 by the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation, and gives an overview of the comments of the Ministry of Economic Development regarding these concepts wording in the text of the draft law, which formed the basis for the negative conclusion of the regulator. It is concluded that in the context of the digital markets’ globalization, there is a need for the international legal nature antitrust norms formation, since regional legislation obviously cannot cope with the monopolistic activities of IT giants.

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