How the refugee crisis and radical right parties shape party competition on immigration

While the structure of party competition evolves slowly, crisis-like events can induce short-term change to the political agenda. This may be facilitated by challenger parties who might benefit from increased attention to issues they own. We study the dynamic of such shifts through mainstream parties’ response to the 2015 refugee crisis, which strongly affected public debate and election outcomes across Europe. Specifically, we analyse how parties changed their issue emphasis and positions regarding immigration before, during, and after the refugee crisis. Our study is based on a corpus of 120,000 press releases between 2013 and 2017 from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. We identify immigration-related press releases using a novel dictionary and estimate party positions. The resulting monthly salience and positions measures allow for studying changes in close time-intervals, providing crucial detail for disentangling the impact of the crisis itself and the contribution of right-wing parties. While we provide evidence that attention to immigration increased drastically for all parties during the crisis, radical right parties drove the attention of mainstream parties. However, the attention of mainstream parties to immigration decreased toward the end of the refugee crisis and there is limited evidence of parties accommodating the positions of the radical right.

Darier’s Disease Flare following COVID-19 Vaccine

Darier’s disease is a rare genodermatosis characterized clinically by dyskeratotic papules in the seborrheic and intertriginous areas and nail abnormalities. Dyskeratosis and acantholysis are typical histological findings. Darier’s disease is not known to be inflammatory by nature as inflammation occurs primarily due to local infections, and it may therefore differ from inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis and cutaneous lupus in response to antigen stimulation. Known triggers of Darier’s disease primarily include exogenous factors such as sun exposure, friction, or infection. We present a case of a 47-year-old white female with a flare of Darier’s disease 2 days following her first vaccination with COVID-19 vaccine (ChAdOx1-s [recombinant]) (Vaxzevria^® [previously known as COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca]). In this case report, we discuss possible mechanisms linking the vaccination and the flare of Darier’s disease. We consider inflammatory mechanisms as well as a random co-occurrence. Due to the close time-related association between the disease flare and the COVID-19 vaccination, we find an urge to make other clinicians aware of a possible association.

A Prototypical Model on Hakka Serial Verb Constructions

This research paper provides a meaning-based account to examining Hakka syntactic constructions that comprise multiple verbs in their scope. The investigation is based on an interdisciplinary approach from the interface of syntax and semantics. The paper is organized into two main parts. The first part of this paper claims that the prototypical construction of the serial verb construction is a syntactic configuration that contains two verbs in the same clause, indicating two interdependent subevents happening at close time intervals. In addition, the paper proposes that greater distance in structural and semantic interdependence between the two verbs forms a gradation deviating from the prototype. In this part, a prototype model, rather than a criterial attribute model, is adopted to define the Hakka serial verb construction (SVC). The second part of paper provides a typological study that classifies the Hakka SVCs into subtypes based on the syntactic structure and the semantic relationship of the component verbs. Syntactic tests are used to test the clausehood of the multi-verb constructions identified in this part.

Evidence on the impacts of business coaching

PurposeBased upon a survey of 87 companies having used the services of business coaches, this paper considers the extent to which coaching is likely to be beneficial to a leader's business success as well as that of the respective company.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology is mixed methods and survey-based combining quantitative Likert scaling with open-ended questions.FindingsAt the 99 percent confidence level, surveyed respondents believe that, on average, the coaching process has provided results above the investment required and has led to progress for them and their organizations. Of the six targeted areas, five showed a very positive relationship between the coaching experience and the results from its clients.Research limitations/implicationsAs the research is based on a convenience sample it has shortcomings relative to probability sampling. However, it is widely recognized that such samples can be attained more easily, more rapidly, and at less cost than probability-based samples. On the other hand, it is understood that inferences to broader populations of interest are limited.Practical implicationsThe results confirm findings from past research such as that reported by the Institute of Coaching (2018), that managers should not undervalue potential contributions to individual and company attributes from coaching.Originality/valueThe motivation for this paper is to bring together both academic and practitioner experience to provide more evidence and understanding related to the coaching definition, its implementation, and effectiveness. While not conclusive in the absolute sense, the original data original collected and analyzed for this research is based on known client contacts in close time proximity to the coaching engagement and delivers added insight to current research.

Feature space of the Atasu type deposits (Сentral Kazakhstan)

Purpose. Studying geological formations of the Atasu type deposits to identify prospecting criteria. Methodology. Analysis of literature and fund materials, comparative analysis of geological factors characteristic of stratiform ores, stage formation and metamorphism. Findings. The main features characteristic of the deposits of the Atasu type have been formed: their belonging to the lower strata of the Upper Famennian, Upper Devonian to the Visean stage of the Lower Carboniferous; complex composition of ferromanganese and polymetallic ores formed in three hydrothermal stages (sedimentary, metasomatic and vein ones), stratiform, lenticular, localized near volcanic edifices. Originality. The main geological criteria have been established that determine the belonging of the Uspensky ore belt in Central Kazakhstan deposits to the stratiform deposits of the Atasu type formed at different depths in continental rift valleys. The criteria include the age interval of the formation of ore deposits of the stratiform type, hydrothermal staging of mineralization (sedimentary, metamorphic, metamorphic (hydrothermal, dislocation multistage and dynamothermal)); localization of folded and post-folded subvolcanic intrusions near former volcanic edifices. Practical value. The main prospecting geological criteria (features) established for the Atasu type deposits can be used to form a feature space for predicting the areas of mineral deposits localization of the Uspensky ore belt of Central Kazakhstan formed in close time periods, in similar geological-geochemical, thermodynamic and geodynamic conditions.

Using Reflection Symmetry to Improve the Protection of Radio-Electronic Equipment from Ultrashort Pulses

The paper considers the protection of critical radio-electronic equipment (REE) from ultrashort pulses (USP) by means of modal filters (MFs). A new approach to improve modal filtration by using reflection symmetry is analyzed. The results of a sophisticated research into protective devices based on reflection symmetric MFs are presented: improving the characteristics of four MFs through optimization both by one and simultaneously by several criteria; calculating the per-unit-length time delays matrix of a reflection symmetric MF using the obtained analytical expressions; calculating the time and frequency responses of an MF with and without losses in conductors and dielectric; developing the laboratory evaluation board; analyzing the effect of moisture protection on the characteristics; analyzing the features of reflection symmetry structures; comparing microstrip and reflection symmetric four-conductor MFs. The obtained results allow us to argue that the reflection symmetric MF protects REE from a USP due to its decomposition into a sequence of pulses with pairwise equalized voltage amplitudes and close time intervals between decomposition pulses with an attenuation coefficient of four times with a controlled bandwidth of a useful signal. This research helps take advantage of the possibilities of using the symmetry to improve modal filtering and opens the ways to create a large number of new MF designs, applying only the principles of the symmetry described in the work.

Designing on a Vehicle Body Control Module Performance Tester

To test short-circuits between vehicle body control module (BCM) pins, to measure window glass-frame riser and vehicle central control door lock motors’ working current, working voltage and maximum open and close time, a kind of BCM performance tester is designed. MC9S12XS128 singlechip is used to act as the performance tester CPU. PAB817 photo couplers are used to act as high and low power supply isolated devices. ACS712-30A is used to act as motor working current sensor. One MAX232 is used to act as serial port communication element between the BCM performance tester and the computer. The brand XXX BCM is tested by the BCM performance tester. The results indicate that the BCM performance tester can meet the needs. The detecting results can afford proof for vehicle manufacturers and vehicle parts manufacturers to judge the BCM quality.

Variations in Stapes Surgery Cost within a Multihospital Network

ObjectiveTo identify costs and operative times for stapedotomy and evaluate factors influencing cost variation.Study DesignCase series with cost analysis.SettingMultihospital network.Subjects and MethodsA multihospital network’s standardized activity-based accounting system was used to determine costs and operative times of all patients undergoing stapedotomy from 2013 to 2017. Subjects with additional procedures were excluded. Correlations between variable factors and cost were calculated by Spearman correlation coefficients. Audiometric and cost data were compared with a Mann-Whitney U test.ResultsThe study cohort included 176 stapedotomies performed by 23 surgeons at 10 hospitals. Mean ± SD patient age was 44.3 ± 17.4 years. Mean cut-to-close time was 61.1 ± 23.55 minutes. Mean total encounter cost was $3542.14 ± $1258.78 (US dollars). Significant factors correlating with increased total encounter cost were surgical supply cost ( r = 0.74, P < .0001) and cut-to-close time ( r = 0.66, P < .0001). Laser utilization ($563.37 ± $407.41) was the highest-cost surgical supply, with the carbon dioxide laser being significantly more costly than the potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP; $852.60 vs $230.55, P < .001). Additionally, the carbon dioxide laser was associated with a significantly higher mean total encounter cost than the KTP laser ($4645.43 vs $2903.00, P < .001) and cases where no laser was used ($4645.43 vs $2932.47, P < .001). There was no difference in mean total encounter cost between the KTP laser and cases of no laser use ($2903.00 vs $2932.47, P = .75).ConclusionsSignificant cost variation exists in stapes surgery. Surgical supply cost, specifically laser use, may be associated with significantly increased costs. Reducing variation in costs while maintaining outcomes may improve health care value.

Surgical prophylaxis of bleeding during an the operative delivery in a patient with HELLP syndrome

Background HELLP-syndrome is rare, but it causes serious pregnancy complications with significantly increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. To date there is no agreement on its pathophysiology. The only treatment is an emergent delivery, which in turn increases the number of preterm newborns and does not always improve the patient’s condition in a close-time period with a high-risk of postpartum bleeding. To reduce the risk of uterine bleeding in this group of patients, we proposed to use a preventive application of compression sutures to the uterus during surgical delivery. Case presentation The management of HELLP syndrome in a pregnant woman with a multiple pregnancy (twins) at 34 weeks’ gestation with a favorable outcome is presented. Compression sutures: the B-Lynch and two circular sutures were applied to the uterus to prevent bleeding. Conclusion HELLP syndrome is a dangerous, sudden and rapidly progressive complication that threatens the life of the mother and fetus. Appliance of preventive compression sutures could reduce blood loss. However, for a wider use of the method, multicenter clinical trials are needed.