Expert Perspectives on the Performance of Explosive Detection Canines: Performance Degrading Factors

The explosive detection canine (EDC) team is currently the best available mobile sensor capability in the fight against explosive threats. While the EDC can perform at a high level, the EDC team faces numerous factors during the search process that may degrade performance. Understanding these factors is key to effective selection, training, assessment, deployment, and operationalizable research. A systematic description of these factors is absent from the literature. This qualitative study leveraged the perspectives of expert EDC handlers, trainers, and leaders (n = 17) to determine the factors that degrade EDC performance. The participants revealed factors specific to utilization, the EDC team, and the physical, climate, operational, and explosive odor environments. Key results were the reality of performance degradation, the impact of the handler, and the importance of preparation. This study’s results can help improve EDC selection, training, assessment, and deployment and further research into sustaining EDC performance.

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ПРАГМАТИЧНИЙ ПОТЕНЦІАЛ НАТИВНОЇ РЕКЛАМИ: ФОРМИ, ТРЕНДИ (НА ПРИКЛАДІ НАТИВНОГО КОНТЕНТУ В СОЦІАЛЬНІЙ МЕРЕЖІ FACEBOOK ЩОДО БРЕНДА ФАКУЛЬТЕТУ ЖУРНАЛІСТИКИ ЗНУ)

State and Regions. Series: Social Communications ◽

10.32840/cpu2219-8741/2020.1(41).18 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 113

Author(s):

V. Kovpak ◽

N. Trotsenko

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

Professional Training ◽

Educational Process ◽

Communication Strategy ◽

Student Centered ◽

Teacher Student ◽

The Social ◽

National University ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact

<div>The article analyzes the peculiarities of the format of native advertising in the media space, its pragmatic potential (in particular, on the example of native content in the social network Facebook by the brand of the journalism department of ZNU), highlights the types and trends of native advertising. The following research methods were used to achieve the purpose of intelligence: descriptive (content content, including various examples), comparative (content presentation options) and typological (types, trends of native advertising, in particular, cross-media as an opportunity to submit content in different formats (video, audio, photos, text, infographics, etc.)), content analysis method using Internet services (using Popsters service). And the native code for analytics was the page of the journalism department of Zaporizhzhya National University on the social network Facebook. After all, the brand of the journalism department of Zaporozhye National University in 2019 celebrates its 15th anniversary. The brand vector is its value component and professional training with balanced distribution of theoretical and practical blocks (seven practices), student-centered (democratic interaction and high-level teacher-student dialogue) and integration into Ukrainian and world educational process (participation in grant programs).</div>And advertising on social networks is also a kind of native content, which does not appear in special blocks, and is organically inscribed on one page or another and unobtrusively offers, just remembering the product as if «to the word». Popsters service functionality, which evaluates an account (or linked accounts of one person) for 35 parameters, but the main three areas: reach or influence, or how many users evaluate, comment on the recording; true reach – the number of people affected; network score – an assessment of the audience’s response to the impact, or how far the network information diverges (how many share information on this page).Key words: nativeness, native advertising, branded content, special project, communication strategy.

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THE IMPACT OF UKRAINE'S EXCISE DUTY POLICY ON THE TRANSFORMATION PROCESSES OF THE TOBACCO MARKET

Economy of Ukraine ◽

10.15407/economyukr.2020.10.019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 (10) ◽

pp. 19-33

Author(s):

Nadiia NOVYTSKA ◽

◽

Inna KHLIEBNIKOVA ◽

Keyword(s):

Structural Changes ◽

Tax Avoidance ◽

Transformation Process ◽

State Regulation ◽

Tobacco Products ◽

Excise Duty ◽

Increasing Demand ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact ◽

Transformation Processes

The market of tobacco products in Ukraine is one of the most dynamic and competitive. It develops under the influence of certain factors that cause structural changes, therefore, the aim of the article is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of transformation processes in the market of tobacco and their alternatives in Ukraine and identify the factors that cause them. The high level of tax burden and the proliferation of alternative products with a potentially lower risk to human health, including heating tobacco products and e-cigarettes, are key factors in the market’s transformation process. Their presence leads to an increase in illicit turnover of tobacco products, which accounts for 6.37% of the market, and the gradual replacement of cigarettes with alternative products, which account for 12.95%. The presence on the market of products that are not taxed or taxed at lower rates is one of the reasons for the reduction of excise duty revenues. According to the results of 2019, the planned indicators of revenues were not met by 23.5%. Other reasons for non-fulfillment of excise duty revenues include: declining dynamics of the tobacco products market; reduction in the number of smokers; reorientation of «cheap whites» cigarette flows from Ukraine to neighboring countries; tax avoidance. Prospects for further research are identified, namely the need to develop measures for state regulation and optimization of excise duty taxation of tobacco products and their alternatives, taking into account the risks to public health and increasing demand of illegal products.

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59. General medicine residents' perception of the mini-CEXs

Clinical & Investigative Medicine ◽

10.25011/cim.v30i4.2820 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 61

Author(s):

S. Malhotra ◽

R. Hatala ◽

C.-A. Courneya

Keyword(s):

Internal Medicine ◽

Medical Education ◽

Focus Group ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Focus Groups ◽

General Medicine ◽

Clinical History ◽

Phenomenological Approach ◽

Medical Teacher ◽

The Impact

The mini-CEX is a 30 minute observed clinical encounter. It can be done in the outpatient, inpatient or emergency room setting. It strives to look at several parameters including a clinical history, physical, professionalism and overall clinical competence. Trainees are rated using a 9-point scoring system: 1-3 unsatisfactory, 4-6 satisfactory and 7-9 superior. Eight months after the introduction of the mini-CEX to the core University of British Columbia Internal Medicine Residents, a one hour semi-structured focus group for residents in each of the three years took place. The focus groups were conducted by an independent moderator, audio-recorded and transcribed. Using a phenomenological approach the comments made by the focus groups participants were read independently by three authors, organized into major themes. In doing so, several intriguing common patterns were revealed on how General Medicine Residents perceive their experience in completing a mini-CEX. The themes include Education, Assessment and Preparation for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Internal Medicine exam. Resident learners perceived that the mini-CEX process provided insight into their clinical strengths and weaknesses. Focus group participants favored that the mini-CEX experience will benefit them in preparation, and successful completion of their licensing exam. Daelmans HE, Overmeer RM, van der Hem-Stockroos HH, Scherpbier AJ, Stehouwer CD, van der Vleuten CP. In-training assessment: qualitative study of effects on supervision and feedback in an undergraduate clinical rotation. Medical Education 2006; 40(1):51-8. De Lima AA, Henquin R, Thierer J, Paulin J, Lamari S, Belcastro F, Van der Vleuten CPM. A qualitative study of the impact on learning of the mini clinical evaluation exercise in postgraduate training. Medical Teacher January 2005; 27(1):46-52. DiCicco-Bloom B, Crabtree BF. The Qualitative Research Interview. Medical Education 2006; 40:314-32.

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Role of Credit Rating in determining Capital structure: Evidence from Non-Financial sector of Pakistan

Studies of Applied Economics ◽

10.25115/eea.v38i3.3066 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shoaib Ali ◽

Imran Yousaf ◽

Muhammad Naveed

Keyword(s):

Capital Structure ◽

Credit Rating ◽

Least Square ◽

Annual Data ◽

Leverage Ratio ◽

Financial Decisions ◽

Financial Firms ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact ◽

The Capital Structure

This paper aims to examine the impact of external credit ratings on the financial decisions of the firms in Pakistan. This study uses the annual data of 70 non-financial firms for the period 2012-2018. It uses ordinary least square (OLS) to estimate the impact of credit rating on capital structure. The results show that rated firm has a high level of leverage. Moreover, Profitability and tanagability are also found to be a significantly negative determinant of the capital structure, whereas, size of the firm has a significant positive relationship with the capital structure of the firm. Besides, there exists a non-linear relationship between the credit rating and the capital structure. The rated firms have higher leverage as compared to the non-rated firms. The high and low rated firms have a low level of leverage, while mid rated firms have a higher leverage ratio. The finding of the study have practical implications for the manager; they can have easier access to the financial market by just having a credit rating no matter high or low. Policymakers must stress upon the rating agencies to keep improving themselves as their rating severs as the measure to judge the creditworthiness of the firm by both the investors and management as well.

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The Strategies and Response of Internalizing Islamic values in English Learning

Prosiding Seminar Nasional Pendidikan KALUNI ◽

10.30998/prokaluni.v2i0.161 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Aswir Aswir ◽

Hasanul Misbah

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Education Program ◽

Role Model ◽

English Education ◽

Moral Values ◽

English Learning ◽

Preparation Process ◽

The Impact ◽

Islamic Values ◽

Descriptive Qualitative

This study is aimed at describing lecturers’ strategies to internalize Islamic values and students’ response toward the strategies. This a descriptive-qualitative study. The participants were 40 students of English education program and 3 English lecturers. All participants were given questionnaire and 3 students and 3 lecturers were interviewed. The data showed that all lecturers did internalize the Islamic values such as aqidah, worship, and moral values in the English learning preparation, process, and evaluation. However, students requested that the lecturers should consistently became the role model, performed positive habit, and gave best learning service so that the impact of internalizing Islamic values would be significantly and positively received.

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IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS ROLE IN MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION DEVELOPMENT

Wiadomości Lekarskie ◽

10.36740/wlek201905111 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 72 (5) ◽

pp. 779-783

Author(s):

Victor A. Ognev ◽

Anna A. Podpriadova ◽

Anna V. Lisova

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Cardiovascular System ◽

Control Group ◽

Biological Factors ◽

Prevention And Treatment ◽

High Level ◽

Social Importance ◽

The Impact

Introduction:The high level of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease is largely due toinsufficient influence on the main risk factors that contribute to the development of myocardial infarction.Therefore, a detailed study and assessment of risk factors is among the most important problems of medical and social importance. The aim: To study and evaluate the impact of biological, social and hygienic, social and economic, psychological, natural and climatic risk factors on the development of myocardial infarction. Materials and methods: A sociological survey was conducted in 500 people aged 34 to 85. They were divided into two groups. The main group consisted of 310 patients with myocardial infarction. The control group consisted of 190 practically healthy people, identical by age, gender and other parameters, without diseases of the cardiovascular system. Results: It was defined that 30 factors have a significant impact on the development of myocardial infarction.Data analysis revealed that the leading risk factors for myocardial infarction were biological and socio-hygienic. The main biological factors were: hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. The man socio-hygienic factor was smoking. Conclusions: Identification of risk factors provides new opportunities for the development of more effective approaches for the prevention and treatment of myocardial infarction.

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A Qualitative Assessment of "The Men's Program:" The Impact of a Rape Prevention Program on Fraternity Men

NASPA Journal ◽

10.2202/0027-6014.1120 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

John D. Foubert ◽

Sharon A. La Voy

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Prevention Program ◽

Qualitative Assessment ◽

Rape Prevention ◽

Male Rape ◽

Rape Survivors ◽

The Impact ◽

Fraternity Men

This qualitative study examined the impact of an all-male rape prevention program on fraternity men. Seven months after participating in The Mens Program, fraternity men were asked whether during the previous year the program impacted their attitude or behavior and if so what about the program led to that change. Results point to the importance of establishing empathy with rape survivors to increase mens awareness and sensitivity to rape.

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Methionine Diet Evoked Hyperhomocysteinemia Causes Hippocampal Alterations, Metabolomics Plasma Changes and Behavioral Pattern in Wild Type Rats

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22094961 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (9) ◽

pp. 4961

Author(s):

Maria Kovalska ◽

Eva Baranovicova ◽

Dagmar Kalenska ◽

Anna Tomascova ◽

Marian Adamkov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Morphological Changes ◽

Brain Area ◽

Critical Role ◽

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

Behavioral Pattern ◽

Cell Physiology ◽

Male Wistar Rats ◽

High Level ◽

Hippocampal Alterations ◽

The Impact

L-methionine, an essential amino acid, plays a critical role in cell physiology. High intake and/or dysregulation in methionine (Met) metabolism results in accumulation of its intermediate(s) or breakdown products in plasma, including homocysteine (Hcy). High level of Hcy in plasma, hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy), is considered to be an independent risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases, stroke and dementias. To evoke a mild hHcy in adult male Wistar rats we used an enriched Met diet at a dose of 2 g/kg of animal weight/day in duration of 4 weeks. The study contributes to the exploration of the impact of Met enriched diet inducing mild hHcy on nervous tissue by detecting the histo-morphological, metabolomic and behavioural alterations. We found an altered plasma metabolomic profile, modified spatial and learning memory acquisition as well as remarkable histo-morphological changes such as a decrease in neurons’ vitality, alterations in the morphology of neurons in the selective vulnerable hippocampal CA 1 area of animals treated with Met enriched diet. Results of these approaches suggest that the mild hHcy alters plasma metabolome and behavioural and histo-morphological patterns in rats, likely due to the potential Met induced changes in “methylation index” of hippocampal brain area, which eventually aggravates the noxious effect of high methionine intake.

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Risk of Increased Acceptance for Organizational Nepotism and Cronyism during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Risks ◽

10.3390/risks9040059 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 59

Author(s):

Grzegorz Ignatowski ◽

Łukasz Sułkowski ◽

Bartłomiej Stopczyński

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Research Work ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽

Work Related ◽

Social And Economic Development ◽

The Times ◽

The Impact

Nepotism and cronyism are forms of favoritism towards certain people in the workplace. For this reason, they constitute a problem for organization managers, ethicists and psychologists. Identifying the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the increase of nepotism and cronyism may provide a basis for organizations to assess their extent and to take possible measures to prevent their negative effects. At the same time, the research presented in the article may provide a basis for further research work related to nepotism and cronyism at the times of other threats, different from the pandemic. The aim of the article is to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on growing acceptance for nepotism and cronyism in Polish enterprises. Qualitative and quantitative methods have been included in the conducted research. Qualitative study aimed at improving knowledge of nepotism and cronyism and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these phenomena, followed by a quantitative study conducted in order to verify the information obtained in the qualitative study. This research has demonstrated that Nepotism and cronyism in the workplace, are phenomenon that are basically evaluated negatively. They adversely influences social and economic development, but the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on nepotism and cronyism is not significant.

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‘You see the empty bed which means it’s either a transplant or a death’: a qualitative study exploring the impact of death in the haemodialysis community

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046537 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. e046537

Author(s):

Sheera Sutherland ◽

Kirsty E Durley ◽

Kirsty Gillies ◽

Margaret Glogowska ◽

Daniel S Lasserson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Clinical Setting ◽

Support Services ◽

Research Team ◽

Central Importance ◽

Semistructured Interviews ◽

Age Range ◽

The Impact ◽

Community Patients

ObjectiveTo explore the impact of the death of a patient in the haemodialysis unit on fellow patients.MethodsWe interviewed patients on dialysis in a tertiary dialysis centre using semistructured interviews. We purposively sampled patients who had experienced the death of a fellow patient. After interviews were transcribed, they were thematically analysed by independent members of the research team using inductive analysis. Input from the team during analysis ensured the rigour and quality of the findings.Results10 participants completed the interviews (6 females and 4 males with an age range of 42–88 years). The four core themes that emerged from the interviews included: (1) patients’ relationship to haemodialysis, (2) how patients define the haemodialysis community, (3) patients’ views on death and bereavement and (4) patients’ expectations around death in the dialysis community. Patients noticed avoidance behaviour by staff in relation to discussing death in the unit and would prefer a culture of open acknowledgement.ConclusionStaff acknowledgement of death is of central importance to patients on haemodialysis who feel that the staff are part of their community. This should guide the development of appropriate bereavement support services and a framework that promotes the provision of guidance for staff and patients in this unique clinical setting. However, the authors acknowledge the homogenous sample recruited in a single setting may limit the transferability of the study. Further work is needed to understand diverse patient and nurse experiences and perceptions when sharing the knowledge of a patient’s death and how they react to loss.

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