Viability of digital subscription in Uganda: an analysis of Chimpreports’ paywall

Digital Media in Uganda is experimenting with subscription-based models as an alternative to the traditional advertising model and as a recovery plan from the effects of COVID-19. The objectives for this study were: to identify critical success factors for subscription-based models in digital media platforms, to analyse audience consumption habits vis-a-vis payment for digital content on ChimpsReports, to establish the effect of paywalls on the financial bottom-line of ChimpReports, and to establish the barriers to subscription uptake among digital media in Uganda. The theoretical framework adopted the political economy of the media and the disruption of innovations theories to investigate the viability of digital subscription. The researcher used a mixed methods approach. The study employed key informant interviews and survey as methods for data collection. The methods were aided by a questionnaire and an interview guide as data generation tools. The researcher sampled 218 respondents. The sample size was achieved through purposively sampling technique and simple random sampling technique. Qualitative data was analysed thematically and presented in form of themes. On the other hand, quantitative data was analysed using Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets and data was presented in form of tables, pie-charts, and graphs. The findings show that the increase in internet penetration in Uganda and the increase in smartphone usage are the biggest enablers of paid-content consumption in Uganda. The quality of content, poor packaging, and unfair prices by publishers were the biggest barriers to uptake of paid news content. The study concluded that digital subscription can be the leading revenue source for digital media and recommended the use of freemium and metered paywalls over hard paywalls. The researcher further suggests that a further investigation into the monetization of instant messaging apps as this is a new phenomenon that this study did not capture

The Claremont Autism Center

The Claremont Autism Center is a 23 minute documentary on the strengths and benefits the Center brings to Claremont McKenna students, as well as children and families from the Inland Empire that deal with Autism on a daily basis

Biodegradable Poly(Ester Urea\u27s) Scaffold Sponges Containing Platelet-Rich Plasma For Targeted Tendon-Bone Fixation

In this report the synthesis and characterization of L-valine and L-isoleucine poly(ester ureas) (PEUs) for future use in the synthesis of biodegradable PEUs sponges will be discussed. The method of monomer and polymer synthesis will be explained along with the characterization of the monomer and polymer products. This characterization will be done by the use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). NMR is a quick and convenient method for determining structure and purity of the monomer and polymer products. SEC gives the number average molecular weight, which is the statistical average molecular weight of all the polymer chains in a sample (Mn), the weight average molecular weight (Mw), and the Polydispersity Index (PDI), which is the Mw/Mn. Further characterization will be performed using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The data from the TGA provides degradation temperature, while the date from the DSC provides glass transition temperature. These values are of great importance since the application of the polymers will be in the body at a temperature of 37 °C. This report is only the first of three steps that will follow and are explained in the introduction

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Token Resistance to Sex amongst Nigerian Undergraduates

It is apparent that existing social conventions unofficially mandates women to refuse sexual advances even when there may be the intention to engage. The adherence to this social script is what is referred to as token resistance or scripted refusal. Some studies have explored the subject of token resistance from a number of perspectives that attempt to identify the underlying reasons why women engaging in token resistance. However, there is very little research on this subject from the Nigerian perspective. This this study sought to explore token resistance further in order to understand the cultural cogency or peculiarity of the concept in the Nigerian context. This is because based on available literature, the conceptualization of token resistance may be different. With the use of purposive sampling technique, four sexually active women and undergraduates, volunteered to participate in the study. They were interviewed to understand their unique experiences and perception about token resistance using the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) It was discovered that factors like personal pride, self-control, emotional security of relationship and the gratification of increased attention were responsible for women’s rejection of sexual advances even when there was the intention to do so. The study also got a better understanding of how women culturally represent this concept in Nigeria. We highlight limitations of the study and suggest areas for further study research

Mr. and Mrs. J. Alex Tinsley to Ross Barnett and Paul Johnson, 27 September 1962

The Tinsleys express support for Barnett and Johnson. They offer to buy a home in Mississippi if the two men are successful.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/west_union_gov/1037/thumbnail.jp

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (HSFO) high blood pressure strategy's hypertension management initiative study protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Achieving control of hypertension prevents target organ damage at both the micro and macrovascular level and is a highly cost effective means of lowering the risk for heart attack and stroke particularly in people with diabetes. Clinical trials demonstrate that blood pressure control can be achieved in a large proportion of people. Translating this knowledge into widespread practice is the focus of the Hypertension Management Initiative, which began in 2004 with the goal of improving the management of this chronic health condition by primary care providers and patients in the community.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study will test the effect of a systems change on the management of high blood pressure in real world practice in primary care in Ontario, Canada. The systems change intervention involves an interprofessional educational program bringing together physicians, nurses and pharmacists with tools for both providers and patients to facilitate blood pressure management. Each of two waves of subjects were enrolled over a 6 month period with the initial enrollment between waves separated by 9 months. Blood pressure will be measured with the BpTru ^®automated blood pressure device. To determine the effectiveness of the intervention, a before and after analysis within all subjects will compare blood pressure at baseline to annual measurements for the three year study. To assess whether the intervention has an impact on blood pressure control independent of community trends, a betwen group comparison of baseline blood pressures in the delayed wave will be made with the immediate wave during the same time period, so that the immediate wave has experienced the intervention for at least 9 months. The total enrollment goal is 5,000 subjects. The practice locations include 10 Family Health Teams (FHTs) and 1 Community Health Centre (CHC) and approximately 49 primary care physicians, 15 nurse practitioners, 37 registered nurses and over 150 community pharmacists across the 11 communities throughout the province of Ontario. The 11 primary care sites will be divided into immediate and delayed groups based on geography and the use of an electronic versus a traditional chart patient record.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Initial consideration was given to randomizing the groups, however, for a number of reasons, this was deemed to not be possible. In order to ensure that the sites in the immediate intervention and delayed intervention groups are not different from each other, the sites will be assigned to the intervention groups manually to ensure a distribution of the variables as evenly as possible.</p> <p>Given that HSFO approached this particular group of health care providers to participate in a program relating to hypertension, this may have heightened their awareness of the issue and affected their management of patients with hypertension. Thus, data will be collected to allow an assessment of previous practice patterns and determine any impact of the Hawthorne Effect.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00425828</p

The prevalence of axial spondyloarthritis in the UK: a cross-sectional cohort study

Background: Accurate prevalence data are important when interpreting diagnostic tests and planning for the health needs of a population, yet no such data exist for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in the UK. In this cross-sectional cohort study we aimed to estimate the prevalence of axSpA in a UK primary care population. Methods: A validated self-completed questionnaire was used to screen primary care patients with low back pain for inflammatory back pain (IBP). Patients with a verifiable pre-existing diagnosis of axSpA were included as positive cases. All other patients meeting the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) IBP criteria were invited to undergo further assessment including MRI scanning, allowing classification according to the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) and ASAS axSpA criteria, and the modified New York (mNY) criteria for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Results: Of 978 questionnaires sent to potential participants 505 were returned (response rate 51.6 %). Six subjects had a prior diagnosis of axSpA, 4 of whom met mNY criteria. Thirty eight of 75 subjects meeting ASAS IBP criteria attended review (mean age 53.5 years, 37 % male). The number of subjects satisfying classification criteria was 23 for ESSG, 3 for ASAS (2 clinical, 1 radiological) and 1 for mNY criteria. This equates to a prevalence of 5.3 % (95 % CI 4.0, 6.8) using ESSG, 1.3 % (95 % CI 0.8, 2.3) using ASAS, 0.66 % (95 % CI 0.28, 1.3) using mNY criteria in chronic back pain patients, and 1.2 % (95 % CI 0.9, 1.4) using ESSG, 0.3 % (95 % CI 0.13, 0.48) using ASAS, 0.15 % (95 % CI 0.02, 0.27) using mNY criteria in the general adult primary care population. Conclusions: These are the first prevalence estimates for axSpA in the UK, and will be of importance in planning for the future healthcare needs of this population. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN7687321

The relationship between structural game characteristics and gambling behavior: a population-level study

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the structural characteristics and gambling behavior among video lottery terminal (VLT) gamblers. The study was ecological valid, because the data consisted of actual gambling behavior registered in the participants natural gambling environment without intrusion by researchers. Online behavioral tracking data from Multix, an eight game video lottery terminal, were supplied by Norsk-Tipping (the state owned gambling company in Norway). The sample comprised the entire population of Multix gamblers (N = 31,109) who had gambled in January 2010. The individual number of bets made across games was defined as the dependent variable, reward characteristics of a game (i.e., payback percentage, hit frequency, size of winnings and size of jackpot) and bet characteristics of a game (i.e., range of betting options and availability of advanced betting options) served as the independent variables. Control variables were age and gender. Two separate cross-classified multilevel random intercepts models were used to analyze the relationship between bets made, reward characteristics and bet characteristics, where the number of bets was nested within both individuals and within games. The results show that the number of bets is positively associated with payback percentage, hit frequency, being female and age, and negatively associated with size of wins and range of available betting options. In summary, the results show that the reward characteristics and betting options explained 27 % and 15 % of the variance in the number of bets made, respectively. It is concluded that structural game characteristics affect gambling behavior. Implications of responsible gambling are discussed