Political Trust and Presidential Voting: a Changing Political Environment Inducing the End of Traditional Politics in the United States

Political climates are undoubtedly changing across the nation and creating volatile fluctuations of attitudes, beliefs, and behavior. In a more entertaining season of presidential primaries, both parties – Democratic and Republican – have nominees that will once again be scrutinized by many across the country. I argue the levels of scrutiny will more likely than not be enhanced to new proportions. Since a consistent reliance on media involvement and attack ads have grown immensely amongst presidential candidates, this will translate into a wider gap in party polarization and subsequently tie into the trust of American citizens. Previous scholars have shown consistent data that political trust has no bearing on the actual turnout of presidential elections (Citrin 1974). But, historic distrustful ratings between major-party candidates may prove to alter political cultures for subsequent years. In this study, I thoroughly examine the growing significance of political trust on presidential voting in the United States

Laparoscopia: um estudo descritivo da sua indicação clínica e seus resultados.

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Tocoginecologia, Curso de Medicina, Florianópolis, 199

Rate constant and reaction coordinate of Trp-cage folding in explicit water

We report rate constant calculations and a reaction coordinate analysis of the rate-limiting folding and unfolding process of the Trp-cage mini-protein in explicit solvent using transition interface sampling. Previous transition path sampling simulations revealed that in this (un)folding process the protein maintains its compact configuration, while a (de)increase of secondary structure is observed. The calculated folding rate agrees reasonably with experiment, while the unfolding rate is 10 times higher. We discuss possible origins for this mismatch. We recomputed the rates with the forward flux sampling method, and found a discrepancy of four orders of magnitude, probably caused by the method's higher sensitivity to the choice of order parameter with respect to transition interface sampling. Finally, we used the previously computed transition path-sampling ensemble to screen combinations of many order parameters for the best model of the reaction coordinate by employing likelihood maximization. We found that a combination of the root mean-square deviation of the helix and of the entire protein was, of the set of tried order parameters, the one that best describes the reaction coordination

Literature-based considerations regarding organizing and performing cardiac surgery against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic

Background: The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic presents challenges for surgeons of all disciplines, including cardiologists. The volume of cardiac surgery cases has to comply with the mandatory constraints of healthcare capacities. The treatment of Covid-19-positive patients must also be considered. Unfortunately, no scientific evidence is available on this issue. Therefore, this study aimed to offer some consensus-based considerations, derived from available scientific papers, regarding the organization and performance of cardiac surgery against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods Key recommendations were extracted from recent literature concerning cardiac surgery. RESULTS: Reducing elective cardiac procedures should be based on frequent clinical assessment of patients on the waiting list (every one or two weeks) and the current local status of the Covid-19 pandemic. Screening tests at admission for every patient are broadly recommended. Where appropriate, alternative treatment methods can be considered, including percutaneous techniques and minimally invasive surgery, if performed by experienced cardiac surgery teams. Conclusions There is little evidence on the strategies to organize cardiac surgery in the Covid-19 pandemic. Most authors agree on reducing elective operations based on patients' clinical condition and the status of the Covid-19 pandemic. Admission screenings and the use of percutaneous or minimally invasive approaches should be preferred to reduce in-hospital stays

Predicting functional performance and locomotion of children with cerebral palsy

The aim of this study was to present the factors affecting prediction of the functioning and locomotion of children with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is one of the most common causes of disability among children. When predicting the future of a child, its functioning mode and locomotion, many factors should be considered, i.e. the degree of brain injury, the moment of implementing therapy, cognitive abilities of the child, level of mental retardation, epileptic seizures, hearing and vision impairment, etc. The goal of the therapy and its effectiveness depends on the appropriate assessment, and this determines the prediction of the patient’s future. The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) can be a useful tool in predicting a child’s functional performance

Early hospital rehabilitation in patients with a performed intestinal stoma

An intestinal stoma is an intentional connection between the light of the small intestine (ileostomy) or the large intestine (colostomy) and the skin surface. The aim of the study was to present the topic of early hospital rehabilitation in patients who had to have a selected stoma as a result of the procedure. Rehabilitation is a supplement to surgical treatment and conditions good functioning of the patient after surgery. The main components of the therapy are: respiratory exercises, exercises of expectoration and effective coughing, wound stabilization, learning to change position from lying to sitting, anticoagulation exercises, general development exercises, verticalisation. More and more often, the rehabilitation is complemented by the use of kinesiology taping. Properly conducted physiotherapy may bring measurable benefits to the patient in the form of functional improvement and return to efficiency before surgery, or reduction of the degree of disability. The patient improvement plan is subject to constant modification by the therapist and is adapted to the physical and mental abilities of the patient on a given day. An important element in the healing process of patients with a performed stoma is the interdisciplinary care provided by all members of the therapeutic team: a doctor, a nurse, a physiotherapist, a psychologist, a nutritionist

Healthcare professionals knowledge of autism spectrum disorders

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a diverse group of neurodevelopmental disorders, which belongs to the most frequent child developmental problems. It characterized by different levels of functioning of persons who has this disorder, showing impaired social interaction, impaired communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior. What is more, there is likelihood of occurring other disorders. Particularity of ASD, the difficulties in diagnosing cause that the person has frequent contact with medical personnel. The patient with ASD is special patient, presenting atypical behaviors and reactions, due to the different reception of the surrounding reality. He requires from health care practitioners to adopt an individual approach and special treatment based on knowledge about the specificities of autism spectrum disorders and professional competence. The aim of a study: Determining the level of knowledge of health care professionals on autism spectrum disorders. The factors which influence on the level of their knowledge were the subject of thorough statistical analysis. In addition, the views of medical personnel on the individual treatment of autistic persons in their work and the impact of the level of knowledge declared on the treatment of ASD patients were analyzed. Material and methods: 122 health workers took part in the study in the Regional Specialist Hospital in Grudziadz: doctors, nurses / midwifes and registrants / medical secretaries. Results: The research shows that the level of knowledge of health care workers on ASD disorders is low. The best performers were doctors, then nurses/midwives and finally medical recorders/ secretaries. Despite low levels of knowledge, medical professionals do not participate in specialist courses and fewer than half of the subjects are knowledgeable about ASD. At the same time they are convinced of the need for special treatment of autistic patients, but not taking them out of que. Conclusions: Improving the knowledge of health professionals on autism spectrum disorders by increasing knowledge, attending conferences and the courses and experience of caregivers and professionals dealing with ASD patients will have a beneficial effect on the health and well-being of patients while providing health services, which will significantly improve the quality of services provided

Bariatric patient from the point of view of a nutritionist

Nowadays obesity is one of the biggest worldwide problem. The predominant factor that may result in obesity is an excesive amount of energy and low physical activity. At the present time there are two overwhelming methods to fight obesity- conservative treatment and bariatric surgery. The second one is regarded as the most effective way to reduce body weight of the people suffering from the morbid obesity. Surgical treatment can only be efficient when it is followed by introducing dietary indications, both before and after the surgery. The bariatric patients have to be monitored by medical staff including the dietician to help them change eating habits. The dietician’s support is also crucial to avoid nutrient deficiency and digestive system ailments