scholarly journals Assessing the Readability of Covid-19 Testing Messages on the Internet

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Garcia ◽  
Joseph Fera ◽  
Jan Mohlman ◽  
Corey H. Basch
Keyword(s):  
Text Analysis ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Reading Levels ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Readability Score ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
The Many ◽  
Source Of Information

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic first became evident at the end of 2019, and because of the many unknown aspects of this emerging infectious disease, the internet quickly became a source of information for consumers. It is important for any vital information to be written unambiguously, and at a level that can be understood by all people regardless of education levels. The purpose of this study was to assess the readability of 50 sources of COVID19 testing information online. Only 6 websites out of 50 received an appropriate readability score on more than one assessment. One-sample, one-tailed t-tests (α = 0.05, df = 49) were used to see if the websites with information on COVID-19 testing are being written at appropriate reading levels. The resulting p-values indicate that each p-value recorded is substantially below 0.05, it is very unlikely that websites on this topic are being written at the recommended levels. Even the optimal messages on COVID-19 reflect a confusing and rapidly changing public health crisis, however if messages are kept simple and clear, individuals will have the best possible chance of optimizing behavioral mitigation strategies. These are compelling reasons for informational hosts to take necessary steps to ensure that messages are written in as simple terms as possible. To this end, it is suggested that internet sites dispersing COVID-19 testing information build in text analysis methods for all published messages, particularly those meant to inform best health practices in the time of a pandemic.

scholarly journals Readability of online patient-based information on bariatric surgery

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoë Meleo-Erwin ◽  
Corey Basch ◽  
Joseph Fera ◽  
Danna Ethan ◽  
Philip Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Weight Loss Surgery ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Reading Levels ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Readability Score ◽  
Education Literature ◽  
Patient Comprehension

Background: Web-based patient education literature has been shown to be written at reading levels far above what is recommended. Little is known about the overall readability of current internet-based bariatric surgery information. The purpose of this study was to assess the readability of current bariatric material on the internet. Methods: The term "weight loss surgery" was searched using the Chrome browser on the first 15pages of URLs that appeared with content written in English. Using five readability measures, scores were generated using Readable.io for written content on a sample of 96 websites. Scores were sorted into the readability categories of "easy," "average," and "difficult." Results: Almost 93% of websites, both .com and .org, sampled received an unacceptable readability score on each assessment. Conclusion: Accurate and appropriate information about bariatric procedures is critical for patient comprehension and adherence to recommended protocols.

scholarly journals The state of naloxone: Access amid a public health crisis

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 239920261984763
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Fudin ◽  
Amelia L Persico ◽  
Jeffrey J Bettinger ◽  
Erica L Wegrzyn
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Risk Patients

Over the past decade, opioid use has been at the forefront of a public health crisis throughout the United States. In response to the tremendous negative societal, personal, and economic impacts that the growing opioid crisis has caused, several governmental agencies began to respond. These efforts include declaration of a nationwide public health emergency, increased public health surveillance of the epidemic, research support for pain and addiction, and increased access to overdose-reversing drugs such as naloxone. Naloxone access, in particular, has become a priority. In the United States, pharmacists have had the opportunity to play a crucial role in promoting access to naloxone. Since initial approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1971 as an antidote to opioid agonist overdose, naloxone access has evolved significantly. Today many states have authorized standing orders for naloxone, allowing it to be dispensed by pharmacists without a patient-specific prescription, and all 50 states and the District of Columbia allow medical providers to prescribe take-home naloxone to at-risk patients. While the opioid epidemic itself remains a contentious topic of political, ethical, and medical debate, it is widely acknowledged that mitigation strategies that could lessen morbidity and mortality are essential. Improved access to naloxone is one such strategy which remains at the forefront during this public health crisis.

scholarly journals Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and HIV Spotlight the United States Imperative for Permanent Affordable Housing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise D Riley ◽  
Matthew D Hickey ◽  
Elizabeth Imbert ◽  
Angelo A Clemenzi-Allen ◽  
Monica Gandhi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Job Loss ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Hiv Epidemic ◽  
The Many

Abstract Job loss and evictions tied to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are expected to increase homelessness significantly in the coming months. Reciprocally, homelessness and the many vulnerabilities that inevitably accompany it are driving COVID-19 outbreaks in US shelters and other congregate living situations. Unless we intervene to address homelessness, these co-existing and synergistic situations will make the current public health crisis even worse. Preventing homelessness and providing permanent affordable housing has reduced the ravages of the HIV epidemic. We must take the lessons learned in 40 years of fighting HIV to respond effectively to the COVID-19 crisis. Housing is an investment that will curb the spread of COVID-19 and help protect all of us from future pandemics.

scholarly journals The attitude of Serbian neo-Nazis towards capitalism: Analysis of neo-Nazi web portals, blogs, forums, Facebook and Twitter

Sociologija ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 380-400
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Markovic
Keyword(s):  
Labor Movement ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Web Portals ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Basic Theme ◽  
The Many ◽  
Source Of Information

The focal point of this paper is to analyze the relation of modern-day Serbian neo-Nazis toward capitalism. Bearing in mind the context and conditions of emerging fascism in Europe of the twentieth century, apart from the fact that it exposes the essence of the basic theme, this research may have a perspective scientific and practical significance. Namely, the fascism is only one of the many forms of capitalism rescue in periods of crisis. At the time when fascism came into the European scene, ruling bourgeoisie was threatened by a growing labor movement, by blocked possibilities of expansion of capital, and by crisis of overproduction which is, due to its essential irrationality and lack of plan, specific only for capitalism. Today, in the case of a renewed national homogenization of capital, which is risky to predict after a crisis that happened back in 2008, it is possible that resurgence of fascist and Nazi forms of advocacy of transformation of capitalism in crisis could happen. The three most significant neo-Nazi organizations in Serbia today are Srbski Obraz, Nacionalni stroj and Srbska akcija. The injunction of the first two organizations and the illegal character of the Nazi organization prevent face to face data collection, which is why the Internet is used as a primary source of information - web portals, blogs, forums and social networks.

Das Internet der Tiere: Natur 4.0 und die conditio humana

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-124
Author(s):  
Alexander Pschera
Keyword(s):  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Industrie 4.0 ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
Digital Culture ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Conditio Humana ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Human Condition

"Neben der Industrie hat die Digitalisierung auch die Natur ergriffen. Die Tatsache, dass Tausende von Tieren mit GPS-Sendern aus- gerüstet und überwacht werden, erlaubt, analog zur Industrie 4.0 auch von einer Natur 4.0 zu sprechen. Dieses Internet der Tiere verändert den Begriff, den der Mensch von der Natur hat. Er transformiert die Wahrnehmung vor allem der Natur als etwas fundamental An- deren. Neben den vielen kulturellen Problematisierungen, die das Internet der Tiere mit sich bringt, lassen sich aber auch die Umrisse einer neuen, ganz und gar nicht esoterischen planetarisch-post-digitalen Kultur aufzeigen, die die conditio humana verändert. In addition to industry, digitalization has also taken hold of nature. The fact that thousands of animals are provided and monitored with GPS transmitters allows to speak of nature 4.0 by way of analogy to industry 4.0. This internet of animals changes our idea of nature. Most of all, it transforms the perception of nature as something fundamentally other. Beside the many cultural problems that the internet of animals implies, it can also outline a new, not at all esoteric planetary post-digital culture that is about to change the human condition. "

OPERATIVE-SEARCH MONITORING THE INTERNET AS AN ELEMENT OF COUNTERING CRIMES OF EXTREMIST DIRECTION

2020 ◽  
pp. 235-241
Author(s):  
Aleksey V. Kutuzov
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Legal Basis ◽  
Main Attention ◽  
Legal Norms ◽  
A Priority ◽  
Use Of Internet ◽  
Source Of Information

The article substantiates the need to use Internet monitoring as a priority source of information in countering extremism. Various approaches to understanding the defi nition of the category of «operational search», «law enforcement» monitoring of the Internet are analysed, the theoretical development of the implementation of this category in the science of operational search is investigated. The goals and subjects of law enforcement monitoring are identifi ed. The main attention is paid to the legal basis for the use of Internet monitoring in the detection and investigation of extremist crimes. In the course of the study hermeneutic, formal-logical, logical-legal and comparative-legal methods were employed, which were used both individually and collectively in the analysis of legal norms, achievements of science and practice, and development of proposals to refi ne the conduct of operational-search measures on the Internet when solving extremist crimes. The author’s defi nition of «operational-search monitoring» of the Internet is provided. Proposals have been made to improve the activities of police units when conducting monitoring of the Internet in the context of the search for relevant information to the disclosure and investigation of crimes of that category.

Effectiveness of Supervised Classification Models for Hate Speech on Twitter

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunal Srivastava ◽  
Ryan Tabrizi ◽  
Ayaan Rahim ◽  
Lauryn Nakamitsu
Keyword(s):  
Supervised Classification ◽  
Hate Speech ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Classification Models ◽  
Personal Attack ◽  
Political Beliefs ◽  
The Many ◽  
Primary Medium ◽  
Offensive Speech

<div> <div> <div> <p>Abstract </p> <p>The ceaseless connectivity imposed by the internet has made many vulnerable to offensive comments, be it their physical appearance, political beliefs, or religion. Some define hate speech as any kind of personal attack on one’s identity or beliefs. Of the many sites that grant the ability to spread such offensive speech, Twitter has arguably become the primary medium for individuals and groups to spread these hurtful comments. Such comments typically fail to be detected by Twitter’s anti-hate system and can linger online for hours before finally being taken down. Through sentiment analysis, this algorithm is able to distinguish hate speech effectively through the classification of sentiment. </p> </div> </div> </div>

Molecular characterization of SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miribane Dërmaku-Sopjani ◽  
Mentor Sopjani
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Virus Genome ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Therapeutic Drugs ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
New Public ◽  
And Function

Abstract:: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a new public health crisis threatening the world. This pandemic disease is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus has been reported to be originated in bats and by yet unknown intermediary animals were transmitted to humans in China 2019. The SARSCoV- 2 spreads faster than its two ancestors the SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERSCoV) but has reduced fatality. At present, the SARS-CoV-2 has caused about a 1.16 million of deaths with more than 43.4 million confirmed cases worldwide, resulting in a serious threat to public health globally with yet uncertain impact. The disease is transmitted by inhalation or direct contact with an infected person. The incubation period ranges from 1 to 14 days. COVID-19 is accompanied by various symptoms, including cough, fatigue. In most people the disease is mild, but in some other people, such as in elderly and people with chronic diseases, it may progress from pneumonia to a multi-organ dysfunction. Many people are reported asymptomatic. The virus genome is sequenced, but new variants are reported. Numerous biochemical aspects of its structure and function are revealed. To date, no clinically approved vaccines and/or specific therapeutic drugs are available to prevent or treat the COVID-19. However, there are reported intensive researches on the SARSCoV- 2 to potentially identify vaccines and/or drug targets, which may help to overcome the disease. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular structure of SARS-CoV-2 and its biochemical characteristics.

Preparation and Antitubercular Activities of Palindromic Hydrazinecarbothioamides and Carbonothioic Dihydrazides

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1202-1210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Joseps Hearn ◽  
Gwendolyn Towers ◽  
Michael Henry Cynamon
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Virulent Strain ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Disc Diffusion ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Zones Of Inhibition ◽  
Diffusion Assay

Background:With approximately one-third of the world’s population infected, tuberculosis continues to be a global public health crisis. The rise of strains that are unusually virulent or highly resistant to current drugs is a cause of special concern, prompting research into new classes of compounds, as well as the re-evaluation of known chemotherapeutic agents.Objectives:The antimycobacterial activities associated with some recently-reported thiocarbonyl compounds kindled our interest in the synthesis of substituted hydrazinecarbothioamides (3) and carbonothioic dihydrazides (4), with the aim of investigating their potential in antitubercular drug design and discovery.Methods:In the present study, the title compounds 3 and 4 were prepared by the condensation of hydrazines with isothiocyanates in reactions readily controlled by stoichiometry, temperature and solvent. The compounds were assessed against Mycobacterium bovis BCG in Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion, and minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined against the virulent strain M. tuberculosis Erdman.Results:The chemical structures of these thermally stable compounds were determined by IR, 1HNMR, 13C-NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. In the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay, some of the compounds showed substantial diameters of inhibition against BCG. In some cases, the zones of inhibition were so large that no growth at all was observed on the assay plates. Against M. tuberculosis Erdman, several of the compounds showed significant activities. Compound 3h was the most active, demonstrating a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.5 µg/mL.Conclusion:We found that the title compounds may be prepared conveniently in excellent purity and good yields. They are readily identified on the basis of their characteristic spectra. Some members of this class showed significant activities against mycobacteria. We conclude that further work will be warranted in exploring the antitubercular properties of these compounds.

Anticipating on a post covid-19 world and the pivotal role of science and technology

Coronaviruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Khan ◽  
Tusha Sharma ◽  
Basu Dev Banerjee ◽  
Scotty Branch ◽  
Shea Harrelson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Pivotal Role ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Outbreak Management ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Future Outbreak

: Currently, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has transformed into a severe public health crisis and wreaking havoc worldwide. The ongoing pandemic has exposed the public healthcare system's weaknesses and highlighted the urgent need for investments in scientific programs and policies. A comprehensive program utilizing the science and technologydriven strategies combined with well-resourced healthcare organizations appears to be essential for current and future outbreak management.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document