Cardiac drugs and outcome in COVID-19

We read with much interest the article “Are certain drugs associated with enhanced mortality in COVID -19” by Goldstein et al your esteemed Journal. Authors have discussed the theoretical basis of angiotensin receptor blockers, statins in worsening outcome of COVID – 19 patients.(1) We believe that this topic is rapidly evolving and requires further evidence and discussion for understanding the multiple factors which contribute to the pathogenesis and outcome. We have the following comments

Mechanisms of neurological injury in COVID-19

We read with much interest the article “Neurological Impact of Coronavirus Disease (COVID 19): Practical Considerations for the Neuroscience Community” by Werner et al. published in your esteemed Journal. Authors have described the various neurological details of COVID-19 in detail.1 We believe this topic is important and is continuously evolving. We have the following comments as an addition to the article

Explaining the (non) adoption and use of interactive voice response (IVR) among small and medium-sized enterprises

Typically, the penetration of interactive voice response systems (IVRs) is described as being very high especially among large companies. The paper at hand discusses the use and adoption rate of such systems among companies, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The study conducted shows that the penetration of IVRs is far lower (about 12%) than initially thought. The main reason stated for this low penetration level seems to be the incompatibility of the company's business model with an automated telephone answering system. However, the evaluation of results gave evidence that this reason serves as a pretext only and that the real reason(s) for not adopting an interactive voice response system might be far more complicated and profound. It is supposed that the negative historic perception of automated speech system still prevails and that IVR providers and sellers have failed to communicate the system's progress as well as its benefits and its numerous areas of applicatio

The Impact of Public Relations on Supporters of Nebraska\u27s Controversial Low-Level Radioactive Waste Facility

Nebraska\u27s low-level radioactive waste facility has been a controversial issue. In spite of the controversy, and reports of threats and intimidation techniques used against supporters, there is a group of citizens in the host county, Boyd County, who continue to support the facility. The purpose of this study is to determine (1) what activities or tactics supporters and communicators perceive have been used by people opposed to the facility to prevent the facility from being built, (2) what public relations techniques communicators not opposed to the facility have used, and whether these techniques have been used successfully in other controversial situations, (3) which public relations techniques supporters are aware of and which they view most favorably, and (4) how supporters and communicators feel these public relations techniques help offset the techniques supporters and communicators perceive have been used by people opposed to the facility. The four steps used to gather data were face-to-face interviews with key communicators who are not opposed to the project, telephone interviews with supporters in Boyd County, completion by supporters of the Marwell & Schmitt compliance-gaining table, and a content analysis of materials in two of the most widely-read newspapers in Boyd County

Patient reported outcome measures in the recovery of adults hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia: a systematic review

Symptomatic and functional recovery are important patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) that are increasingly used as trial endpoints. This systematic review summarises the literature on PROMs in CAP.Comprehensive searches in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement were conducted to March 2017. Eligible studies included adults discharged from hospital following confirmed CAP and reporting PROMs.Fifteen studies (n=5644 patients) were included; most of moderate quality. Studies used a wide range of PROMs and assessment tools. At 4-6 weeks’ post-discharge, the commonest symptom reported was fatigue (45% to 72.6% of patients, 3 studies), followed by cough (35.3% to 69.7%) and dyspnoea (34.2% to 67.1%), corresponding values from studies restricted by ag

Starting the Cascade: An exploration into the progressive international normalization of gay rights in The Netherlands, South Africa, Argentina, France, and the United States

HonorsUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162610/1/ebiester.pd