Perceived Safety of Learning Environment and Associated Anxiety Factors during COVID-19 in Ghana: Evidence from Physical Education Practical-Oriented Program

The outbreak of COVID-19 led to the swift migration to alternate instructional delivery models and pedagogical practices in educational institutions. This study examined the perceived safety of the learning environment and associated anxiety factors among physical education students amidst COVID-19. Using a cross-sectional design, a sample of 638 students drawn purposively and conveniently from a public university in Ghana completed a self-developed questionnaire. Frequency counts, percentages, and ordered logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Findings of the study showed that students perceived the practical lesson environment as unsafe, with self-reported moderate to high levels of anxiety during their practical lessons. The ordered logistic regression results revealed that varied factors such as age, COVID-19 information platforms, certainty about personal safety, and adequacy of preparation to manage COVID-19 cases were associated with anxiety. The study concluded that an unsafe practical physical education learning environment increases the anxiety levels of students. Academic departments/units should provide periodic interventions (e.g., positive self-talk, mental rehearsal, cognitive restructuring) and counseling services for students amidst the ongoing pandemic to help moderate situational-specific anxiety. In addition, key to the management of students’ anxiety is the provision of a safe and supportive school environment, including the provision of adequate personal protective equipment for practical lessons by school authorities.

The transition toward the business formality of the Peruvian MSEs: How does the perception of entrepreneurs and the sector influence?

PurposeThe formalization of a company is a process that requires compliance with standards established by government institutions. In developing countries, many businesses start this process, but do not finish it, with different levels of formality. The objective of this research is to analyze how the perception of entrepreneurs about bureaucratic procedures and the sector determine the level of formality regarding an established company that has taken the first step to formality.Design/methodology/approachThe National Survey of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) is used with a sample of 4,619 Peruvian MSEs with more than three years of operation within the manufacturing and services sector. The data are analyzed with the ordered logistic regression technique.FindingsThe results show that the more favorable the perception of entrepreneurs about the ease of bureaucratic procedures, the higher the level of business formality; and companies in the manufacturing sector are less formal than those in the services sector. In addition, the perceptions of entrepreneurs positively moderate the level of formality in the case of companies in the manufacturing sector.Originality/valueLevels of formality in established companies are analyzed, defined by the compliance degree with the requirements to be a formal company. The literature on business informality in emerging countries is expanded, particularly in Latin America, incorporating the analysis of the formalization process.

The Positive Impact of Having Served as a Danwei Leader on Post-retirement Life Satisfaction: Experiences in China

Relevance deprivation syndrome refers to feelings of incompetence among retired people caused by them leaving their high status or influential jobs. The question then arises: do people in positions of power, like Danwei leaders in China, have a lower life satisfaction post-retirement compared to other groups? This study investigated the influence of serving as a Danwei leader before retirement on retirees’ life satisfaction, as well as differences in this influence and the channels through which they are affected. Based on the data of 5,873 respondents of the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey, ordinary least-squares, ordered logistic regression, and propensity score matching models were used to investigate the influence, differences, and influential mechanisms of serving as a Danwei leader before retirement on retirees’ life satisfaction. We found that Danwei leaders experience a significantly positive impact on their life satisfaction post-retirement. Second, the positive impact of having served in this role on peoples’ post-retirement life satisfaction is related to the resulting higher income, social status, and better living habits. In contrast to the perspective of relevance deprivation syndrome, in China, having been a Danwei leader before retirement has a significantly positive impact on peoples’ life satisfaction post-retirement, with there being a significant difference observed among different types of retired Danwei leaders.

Complications, prognostic factors, and long-term outcomes for dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome that underwent H-pharyngoplasty and ala-vestibuloplasty: 423 cases (2011–2017)

OBJECTIVE To describe the H-pharyngoplasty procedure, report the outcomes of dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) treated with ala-vestibuloplasty and H-pharyngoplasty with a CO2 laser, and identify prognostic factors. ANIMALS 423 dogs. PROCEDURES Medical records of dogs admitted for BOAS from 2011 to 2017 were reviewed. Dogs were included if they were treated with ala-vestibuloplasty and H-pharyngoplasty with a CO2 laser. Signalment, physical examination findings, grades at admission of clinical signs associated with respiratory and digestive systems, diagnostic test results, postoperative treatments, and short-term follow-up results were extracted from medical records. Long-term follow-up of > 12 months was evaluated via questionnaire. Generalized ordered logistic regression was used for bivariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS Overall mortality rate was 2.6%. Median duration of follow-up was 36 months (12 to 91 months), and 341 (80.6%) dog owners completed the questionnaire. Major complications included respiratory distress (2.1%), heatstroke (0.5%), and bronchopneumonia (0.5%). No dogs required revision surgery. Improvement in signs associated with the respiratory and digestive systems was reported in 72% and 34% of the dogs, respectively, and owners’ satisfaction was high (97.1%). Risk of death increased by 29.8% (95% CI, 11.8% to 50.7%) for every 1-year increase in age. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE H-pharyngoplasty was possible in all dogs with BOAS, including those previously treated with conventional surgery and was associated with low morbidity and improved respiratory and digestive signs. H-pharyngoplasty combined with ala-vestibuloplasty may be an alternative treatment for even the most severely affected dogs.

Risk Factors for Opioid-induced Constipation in Cancer Patients: a Single-institution, Retrospective Analysis

Purpose: To identify risk factors for opioid-induced constipation (OIC).Methods: This study retrospectively analysed 175 advanced cancer patients who were receiving pain treatment with opioids and were newly prescribed laxatives for OIC at Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital between November 2016 and June 2021. For the regression analysis of factors associated with OIC, variables were extracted manually from medical charts. The effect of laxatives was evaluated 3 days after administration. The effect of laxatives was evaluated based on whether the OIC was improved. The OIC was defined based on Rome IV diagnostic criteria. Multivariate ordered logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for OIC. Optimal cut-off thresholds were determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Values of P < 0.05 (two-tailed) were considered significant. Results: Significant factors identified included body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio [OR] = 0.141, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.027–0.733; P = 0.020), chemotherapy with taxane within 1 month of evaluation of laxative effect (OR = 0.255, 95%CI = 0.068–0.958; P = 0.043), use of naldemedine (OR = 2.791, 95%CI = 1.220–6.385; P = 0.015) and addition or switching due to insufficient prior laxatives (OR = 0.339, 95%CI = 0.143–0.800; P = 0.014).Conclusion: High BMI, chemotherapy including a taxane within 1 month of evaluation of laxative effect, no use of naldemedine and addition or switching due to insufficient prior laxatives were identified as risk factors for OIC in advanced cancer patients with cancer pain.

Parent-to-Child Violence: Does Gender Matter in Sentencing Decisions?

The purpose was to examine gender differences (a) in the sentencing severity for parent-to-child violence (PCV); and (b) in severity of PCV patterns. We analyzed 99 verdict cases in Israel. Two models, a logistic regression model and a generalized ordered logistic regression model, were applied. The findings of the first model indicated that being a woman reduced the odds of imprisonment by .106; furthermore, being tried after implementation of the 2012 reform in judicial discretion in sentencing significantly increased the odds of sentence severity by 2.85. The second model indicated that women had lower odds of being involved in severe violent offenses against their minor children compared with men ( OR = 0.31). The findings highlight the source of sentencing differentials.

Asian Americans’ Perception of Intergroup Commonality with Blacks and Latinos: The Roles of Group Consciousness, Ethnic Identity, and Intergroup Contact

This study explores the factors that influence Asian Americans’ perception of interracial commonality with Blacks and Latinos. Using the 2018 Civic Engagement and Political Participation of Asian Americans Survey, this research tests a model of competing theoretical explanations for Asian Americans’ intergroup commonality: group consciousness, group identity, views of discrimination, and intergroup contact. Results from ordered logistic regression analyses suggest that group consciousness, ethnic identity, and intergroup contact via friendship are robust predictors of Asian Americans’ feelings of closeness to Blacks and Latinos. However, Asian Americans’ perceptions of discrimination are unlikely to result in higher levels of the perceived commonality with outgroups. This study provides a valuable addition to the existing literature on interminority relations by identifying opportunities for Asian Americans to join cross-racial alliances. The conclusion of the article points to the important role that community-based organizations can play in bringing specific Asian American ethnic groups into such coalitions and promoting direct interactions between Asian Americans and other racial groups.

Predictors for Development of Oxaliplatin-induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer Patients as Determined by Ordered Logistic Regression Analysis

Purpose This retrospective study aimed to identify predictors for the development of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OXAIPN). Methods Between January 2017 and March 2021, a total 322 cancer patients at our hospital who were receiving oxaliplatin were enrolled. For the regression analysis of factors associated with oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy, variables were extracted manually from medical charts. The level of OXAIPN was evaluated using the National Cancer Institute’s Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 5). Multivariate ordered logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors for the development of OXAIPN. Optimal cut-off thresholds were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Values of P <0.05 (2-tailed) were considered significant. Results Significant factors identified included body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.12; P = 0.046), number of cycles (OR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.05–1.14; P <0.0001), S-1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) regimen (OR = 0.54, 95%CI = 0.32–0.92; P = 0.023), concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (OR = 1.64, 95%CI = 1.05–2.58; P = 0.031) and concomitant use of analgesic adjuvant (OR = 3.30, 95%CI = 1.09–9.97; P = 0.035). Conclusion BMI, number of cycles, SOX regimen, concomitant use of PPIs and concomitant use of analgesic drugs were identified as significant predictors for the development of OXAIPN.

Food Consumption Patterns in Romania during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Food consumption behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed worldwide as a consequence of the restrictions imposed by law and/or due to the fear of contamination. Although some similarities are found among countries, there are still many particularities for each nation. The present study focused on Romanian consumers and their consumption behavior related to four main food categories: fruits and vegetables, meat and meat products, bread and bakery products, and milk and milk products. Frequency of buying, shopping habits, place of purchase, and concerns related to the place of purchasing food products during the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed in comparison with the pre-COVID-19 period using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics regarding an online survey. Three types of behavior were identified as being related to the frequency of buying and to organizing a shopping list (less often, no change, more often). Two groups of consumers were identified as being related to the place of purchasing food: people with the same habits and people with new habits. Concerns related to the location of the stores and to the choice of buying directly from producers were also investigated using the ordered logistic regression. The empirical study revealed the new consumption patterns with a reflection on future trends.

Does Family Separation Affect Children's Educational Performance? -- Analysis Based on Ordered Logistic Regression Model

Improving children’s educational performance is the fundamental goal of education. The factors that affect children’s educational performance are complex. Family factors are one of the key factors affecting children’s educational performance. In order to analyze whether family separation will affect children’s educational performance, there are differences in education performance of migrant, left-behind and migrant left-behind children in terms of family separation. The model analyzes the impact of family separation on the educational performance of three types of children: floating, left-behind and floating left-behind children. Studies have found that family separation has a significant impact on the educational performance of migrant and migrant left-behind children, and family education capital and education investment will also affect children’s educational performance. Therefore, parents should increase the time of children's companionship and participatory learning, improve children's educational performance, strengthen family education capital investment and children's educational investment to improve children's educational performance.