Mobile medical teams during the Covid‑19 pandemic: legal aspects and implementation experience

During the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection Covid 19, the healthcare system faced serious challenges, one of which is a shortage of qualified personnel. One of the methods for solving this problem was the creation of mobile multidisciplinary mobile teams on the basis of federal medical institutions. In this article, the authors analyze the legal aspects of the functioning of mobile teams, and also give the experience of the employees of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Bashkir State Medical University in the regions of Russia and abroad.

Evaluasi Pembelajaran Daring Bagi Anak Berkebutuhan Khusus (ABK)

During the current pandemic, it is necessary to always stay at home to prevent an increase in virus transmission, so distance learning is one solution that is quite appropriate to do so that educational services, especially for children with special needs, can continue. This research was conducted using a literature study method by reading various reading sources relevant to the research topic. The purpose of this study was to explore the implementation, experience, problems and advantages and disadvantages of distance learning for children with special needs (CSN). The results showed that during the pandemic all learning activities for children with special needs were carried out online. From the implementation of online learning, there are several obstacles experienced such as the lack of learning tools, learning media that cannot be accessed by all CSNs, online learning is more difficult for children with special needs to understand, online learning facilities are incomplete, and CSN parental skills are lacking. It is hoped that after this pandemic, teachers and related parties provide training to parents of children with special needs so that they have good competence and skills in accompanying children when studying, so that later parents will not depend on teachers alone. In addition, related parties are expected to pay more attention to the education of children with special needs by providing the facilities they need in the learning process, especially in distance learning.

Effectiveness of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

<p>I investigate two aspects of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The first issue is the effectiveness of the EITI in mitigating corruption in EITI implementing countries. The second issue is the economic value of extractive companies’ information disclosed under the EITI implementation regime. I address the first issue by examining the influence of EITI implementation experience on the perceived control of corruption in EITI implementing countries. Specifically, I address two questions (i) whether EITI implementation experience is associated with improved control of corruption for all implementing countries taken together, and (ii) whether the effect of EITI implementation experience on the perceived level of corruption varies across implementing countries. Based on the sampled 51 implementing countries over the period 2003-2015, I find that across-the-board, EITI implementation experience is not associated with improved control of corruption. The findings show that the interaction term for EITI implementation experience with Sub-Saharan African countries is positively associated with improved control of corruption. Thus, the negative effect associated with EITI implementation experience is less for Sub-Saharan African countries. I address the second issue by investigating the economic value of extractive companies’ exploration payments information disclosed under the EITI implementation process. Using the United States Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (USEITI), I examine the impact of disclosure of non-tax payments by extractive companies to the US government, as an illustration of the economic value of information disclosed as a result of the EITI. I address two research questions (i) whether investors react to the initial disclosure of the USEITI information and hence whether the information is of value to investors, and (ii) the value relevance of this information over the whole period for which this information has been available. The issue employs two separate but related methods to examine these questions. First, it employs a standard event study methodology, to test for trading volume and price reaction, around the event date of the first-time release of this information. Second, it employs the Collins, Pincus, and Xie, (1999) adaptation of the Ohlson (1995) model to examine the value relevance of USEITI information disclosure over the period 2013-2016. The results show that the USEITI disclosure evoked both trading volume and price reactions, thus suggesting that the disclosure of extractive payments had information content relevant to price setting. The price reaction, as evidenced in the cross-sectional regression, is associated with oil and gas firms, and the working capital and asset turnover of the sample extractive companies. The results also indicate that the continuing disclosure of the USEITI information was value relevant. Taken together, the findings from the thesis suggest that the EITI has been relatively effective in lessening the level of perceived corruption in the countries in dire need of reform and more importantly, the information released under the EITI implementation regime has economic value both at initial release and subsequent continued release. Thus, policymakers and managers of companies operating in countries rich in natural resources need to take note of the impact of EITI implementation.</p>

Effectiveness of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

<p>I investigate two aspects of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The first issue is the effectiveness of the EITI in mitigating corruption in EITI implementing countries. The second issue is the economic value of extractive companies’ information disclosed under the EITI implementation regime. I address the first issue by examining the influence of EITI implementation experience on the perceived control of corruption in EITI implementing countries. Specifically, I address two questions (i) whether EITI implementation experience is associated with improved control of corruption for all implementing countries taken together, and (ii) whether the effect of EITI implementation experience on the perceived level of corruption varies across implementing countries. Based on the sampled 51 implementing countries over the period 2003-2015, I find that across-the-board, EITI implementation experience is not associated with improved control of corruption. The findings show that the interaction term for EITI implementation experience with Sub-Saharan African countries is positively associated with improved control of corruption. Thus, the negative effect associated with EITI implementation experience is less for Sub-Saharan African countries. I address the second issue by investigating the economic value of extractive companies’ exploration payments information disclosed under the EITI implementation process. Using the United States Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (USEITI), I examine the impact of disclosure of non-tax payments by extractive companies to the US government, as an illustration of the economic value of information disclosed as a result of the EITI. I address two research questions (i) whether investors react to the initial disclosure of the USEITI information and hence whether the information is of value to investors, and (ii) the value relevance of this information over the whole period for which this information has been available. The issue employs two separate but related methods to examine these questions. First, it employs a standard event study methodology, to test for trading volume and price reaction, around the event date of the first-time release of this information. Second, it employs the Collins, Pincus, and Xie, (1999) adaptation of the Ohlson (1995) model to examine the value relevance of USEITI information disclosure over the period 2013-2016. The results show that the USEITI disclosure evoked both trading volume and price reactions, thus suggesting that the disclosure of extractive payments had information content relevant to price setting. The price reaction, as evidenced in the cross-sectional regression, is associated with oil and gas firms, and the working capital and asset turnover of the sample extractive companies. The results also indicate that the continuing disclosure of the USEITI information was value relevant. Taken together, the findings from the thesis suggest that the EITI has been relatively effective in lessening the level of perceived corruption in the countries in dire need of reform and more importantly, the information released under the EITI implementation regime has economic value both at initial release and subsequent continued release. Thus, policymakers and managers of companies operating in countries rich in natural resources need to take note of the impact of EITI implementation.</p>

Teaching the Hidden Curriculum in Political Science

ABSTRACT The “hidden curriculum” in academia represents a set of informal norms and rules, expectations, and skills that inform our “ways of doing” academic practice (Calarco 2020). This article suggests that relying on informal networks to provide access to instruction in these skills can reinforce preexisting inequalities in the discipline. Drawing on a pilot program that we developed and implemented in our own department, we provide a model for formalizing instruction and equalizing access to training in these professionalizing skills. Drawing on the literature on inclusive pedagogy, as well as our own implementation experience, we advance four recommendations for scaling and transporting instruction in the “hidden curriculum” to other departments.

550. Bamlanivimab and Casirivimab/Imdevimab Treatment Outcomes: Results from a Large Healthcare System’s Structured Implementation Experience

Background Neutralizing antibody therapies targeting SARS-CoV-2 have been released for emergency use authorization by the FDA. Little is published on their real-world experience. In this retrospective study we share the results of our early experience on patient outcomes from use of these neutralizing antibodies within a large healthcare system. Methods We retrospectively analyzed results of a healthcare system wide program to pro-actively identify and treat COVID-19 patients with neutralizing antibody therapy. Results The 449 patients identified for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody therapy during the study period were retrospectively classified as falling in one of the three groups: untreated (199), bamlanivimab (87) and casirivimab/indevimab (125) treated patients (Table 1). Reasons identified patients were not treated most commonly were patient declined (n=74), unable to be contacted (n=36), out of treatment window (n=23), asymptomatic and feeling better (n=21) or did not have transportation (n=9). Bamlanivimab infusion did not reduce emergency room (ER) visits or hospitalization compared to untreated patient within 30-days of follow up (Table 2), and among all patients treated with antibody therapy only treatment with bamlanivimab and non-white race were predictors of need for hospitalization (Table 3). Casirivimab/indevimab did reduce subsequent ER visits or hospitalization within 30 days post-infusion when compared to the untreated group. However, patients treated with either antibody therapy had lower acuity of COVID-19 disease as reflected in need for intensive care unit (ICU) stay, mechanical ventilation or death (Table 2). Table 1. Characteristics of infused vs uninfused patients Table 2. Outcomes in treated vs untreated patients Table 3. Risk factors for ED visits or hospitalization in infused patients Conclusion Either neutralizing antibody therapy appears to markedly reduce acuity of COVID-19 disease even if patients do progress to requiring hospitalization. However, casirivimab/indevimab therapy also decreased ER visits and hospitalization suggesting better efficacy in our experience. Disclosures Christopher Polk, MD, Atea (Research Grant or Support)Gilead (Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support)Humanigen (Research Grant or Support)Regeneron (Research Grant or Support) Mindy Sampson, MD, Regeneron (Grant/Research Support)

IMPLEMENTATION OF LOW CARBON CITIES PROJECT IN BANDAR BARU BANGI, SELANGOR

During the United Nations Climate Conference (COP15) in 2009, Malaysia pledged to reduce the country's carbon emissions by up to 40% by 2020 compared to 2005. Meanwhile, in the Paris Agreement in 2015, the pledge was renewed to reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions from Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 45% in 2030. Thus, the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (MEGTW) has launched a low carbon cities framework known as the ‘Low Carbon Cities Framework and Assessment System’ (LCCF) to realize the pledge. Following the launch, the Selangor State Government has determined that the LCCF be adopted in urban planning policies in all Selangor local authorities in order to contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions intensity. Bandar Baru Bangi is a city under the administration of the local authority of Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) which implements the LCCF project to achieve a carbon reduction target of 45%, subsequently emerging as a low carbon city that is sustainable and comfortable to live in by 2035. This article discusses the implementation experience of the LCCF project in the city as well as the achievement of carbon reduction as a result of its implementation.

Adaptation and collaborative CLTS pathways: Experiential learning from mistakes and iterative changes for success

BackgroundThis paper draws learnings and successes based on field implementation experience spanning four years (2016–2019) of implementing CLTS by Prince of Peace Orphans and Widows Vision, a community-based organization located in Kaberamaido district in eastern Uganda.MethodsThe study aimed to document, disseminate and inform from an evidence-based point of view how adaptation and collaborative engagements triggers learning from mistakes to inform iterative changes from improvements and success.This is a descriptive paper that used project documents review based on field implementation experience. Existing project reports were synthesised, collated and curated for evidence. Data were drawn from project reports and records to inform narratives in writing. Implementation of the project was executed in homogenous rural communities occupied by people of the same dialect, cultural and social settings.ResultsWe note that success in CLTS implementation can hardly be achieved by merely following prescriptions in handbooks and guidelines but rather by devising innovative community engagement and other participatory and community-driven techniques that foster adaptive management, promote ownership, and buy-in.Having learned from our failures, we used data to inform decisions and transformatively deviated from traditional CLTS implementation and introduced high impact and innovative approaches such as the use of CLTS helpdesks and Situation room, the Pamoja approach, learning labs and iterative feedback loops, innovatively tackling slippage and carefully introducing the follow-up mandona approach. These enhanced experiential learning and ultimately resulted in sustained sanitation behaviour.ConclusionsThe CLTS approach as outlined in the handbook needs to be flexibly adapted to address contextual needs. Reflective and learning sessions reinforced with routine feedback loops from implementers and beneficiaries yields tremendous results, propagates experiential learning, and ultimately results in a transformative deviation from undesirable to desired sanitation behaviours. These innovative approaches once carefully blended have proved to be sustainable, are adaptable and can work in an even larger scale and in a variety of contexts.