Cohort profile:The Corona Behavioral Unit cohort, a longitudinal mixed-methods study on COVID-19-related behavior, well-being and policy support in the Netherlands

This 'cohort profile' aims to provide a description of the study design, methodology, and baseline characteristics of the participants in the Corona Behavioral Unit cohort. This cohort was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the regional public health services. The aim was to investigate adherence of and support for COVID-19 prevention measures, psychosocial determinants of COVID-19 behaviors, well-being, COVID-19 vaccination, and media use. The cohort also examined specific motivations and beliefs, such as for vaccination, which were collected through either closed-ended items or open text responses. In April 2020, 89,943 participants aged 16 years and older were recruited from existing nation-wide panels. Between May 2020 and September 2022, 99,676 additional participants were recruited through online social media platforms and mailing lists of higher education organizations. Participants who consented were initially invited every three weeks (5 rounds), then every six weeks (13 rounds), and since the summer of 2022 every 12 weeks (3 rounds). To date, 66% of participants were female, 30% were 39 years and younger, and 54% completed two or more questionnaires, with an average of 9.2 (SD = 5.7) questionnaires. The Corona Behavioral Unit COVID-19 cohort has published detailed insights into longitudinal patterns of COVID-19 related behaviors, support of COVID-19 preventive measures, as well as peoples' mental wellbeing in relation to the stringency of these measures. The results have informed COVID-19 policy making and pandemic communication in the Netherlands throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The cohort data will continuously be used to examine COVID-19 related outcomes for scientific analyses, as well as to inform future pandemic preparedness plans.</p

Frailty is associated with in-hospital mortality in older hospitalised COVID-19 patients in the Netherlands:the COVID-OLD study

BACKGROUND: During the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, older patients had an increased risk of hospitalisation and death. Reports on the association of frailty with poor outcome have been conflicting. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the independent association between frailty and in-hospital mortality in older hospitalised COVID-19 patients in the Netherlands. METHODS: This was a multicentre retrospective cohort study in 15 hospitals in the Netherlands, including all patients aged ≥70 years, who were hospitalised with clinically confirmed COVID-19 between February and May 2020. Data were collected on demographics, co-morbidity, disease severity and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1,376 patients were included (median age 78 years (interquartile range 74-84), 60% male). In total, 499 (38%) patients died during hospital admission. Parameters indicating presence of frailty (CFS 6-9) were associated with more co-morbidities, shorter symptom duration upon presentation (median 4 versus 7 days), lower oxygen demand and lower levels of C-reactive protein. In multivariable analyses, the CFS was independently associated with in-hospital mortality: compared with patients with CFS 1-3, patients with CFS 4-5 had a two times higher risk (odds ratio (OR) 2.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-3.0)) and patients with CFS 6-9 had a three times higher risk of in-hospital mortality (OR 2.8 (95% CI 1.8-4.3)). CONCLUSIONS: The in-hospital mortality of older hospitalised COVID-19 patients in the Netherlands was 38%. Frailty was independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality, even though COVID-19 patients with frailty presented earlier to the hospital with less severe symptoms

Fashion retailing – past, present and future

This issue of Textile Progress reviews the way that fashion retailing has developed as a result of the application of the World Wide Web and information and communications technology (ICT) by fashion-retail companies. The review therefore first considers how fashion retailing has evolved, analysing retail formats, global strategies, emerging and developing economies, and the factors that are threatening and driving growth in the fashion-retail market. The second part of the review considers the emergence of omni-channel retailing, analysing how retail has progressed and developed since the adoption of the Internet and how ICT initiatives such as mobile commerce (m-commerce), digital visualisation online, and in-store and self-service technologies have been proven to support the progression and expansion of fashion retailing. The paper concludes with recommendations on future research opportunities for gaining a better understanding of the impacts of ICT and omni-channel retailing, through which it may be possible to increase and develop knowledge and understanding of the way the sector is developing and provide fresh impetus to an already-innovative and competitive industr

The Visualscape in the Poetry of Sitakant: Space/Place in Rotations of Unending Time

by Arnapurna Rat

Het verbeteren van de beeldvorming aangaande de competentie van minderheden: Een theoretische verkenning

Initiatives aimed at improving the positions of minorities in organizations have yielded mixed results at best. These mixed results are at least in part due to the image of minorities as less competent. In this article we posit that the use of endorsements can improve the image of the competence of minorities in organizations. We present a theoretical exploration that explains how and under what circumstances endorsements can improve the image of the competence of minorities. The core of our theoretical exploration is twofold. First, we posit that the effect of an endorsement is driven by the person making the endorsement: The more positive the status of the endorser, the more positive the effect will be on the image of the competence of the endorsee. Second, we assert that an endorsement has a stronger effect when the endorsement contrasts with a current image. We therefore expect that in particular minorities can benefit from a strategic use of endorsements because it can correct potential negative biases regarding the competence of minorities. Our theoretical exploration offers various opportunities for research, and presents a number of practical ways in which organizations can improve the image of the competence of minorities

A longitudinal analysis of the effects of neuroticism and extraversion on subjective well-being in patients with schizophrenia

One in five patients with a psychotic disorder has persistent low subjective well-being (SWB), which is associated with a poorer prognosis. In schizophrenia patients, personality traits are associated with SWB. The present study aims to evaluate whether neuroticism and extraversion influence SWB in patients with a psychotic disorder and healthy controls over the course of time. In 186 patients and 126 healthy control subjects, SWB was measured with the Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptics-20 (SWN) scale at baseline, three years and six years. We used the Five-Factor Inventory to assess neuroticism and extraversion. Mixed model analyses were conducted to investigate moderating associations of positive, negative and depressive symptoms, cannabis use, illness insight, weak social support and antipsychotic medication in patients. Higher neuroticism and lower extraversion were associated with lower SWB over six years in both groups. Personality traits did not have a differential effect on the course of SWB over time. In patients, a stable low SWB was found in 15.1% of the subjects. This group scored highest on neuroticism and lowest on extraversion compared to subjects with an increase in SWB or a stable high SWB. Our findings underline that personality traits are correlated to subjective well-being regardless of psychotic or depressive symptom

Potential for pharmacist prescribing in primary care:A Dutch citizen perspective

Background: Medication prescribing by pharmacists is a task shifting approach to help ensure quality and accessibility of healthcare. In many countries, like the Netherlands, pharmacist prescribing is not legally ensured, and it is unknown what citizens think of its potential introduction. Objective: To investigate citizen perspectives on the potential role of pharmacists in prescribing in primary care. Methods: A Citizen Platform with citizens (&gt;18 years) from the Netherlands was conducted in October 2022. This consisted of a one-day program in which the participants were engaged in interactive assignments and received expert presentations to foster the development of informed opinions. In the final assignment, 3 participant groups designed their ideal future scenario including preconditions regarding the role of the pharmacist in prescribing in primary care. All assignments were recorded, and notes were taken. The researchers then consolidated the 3 scenarios into one version and categorized the preconditions. The Citizen Platform results were summarized and subsequently discussed in 2 online focus groups with other citizens in February 2023 to investigate the perspectives of less informed citizens. Focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Results: The Citizen Platform (n = 10) resulted in a shared scenario involving a primary care center where general practitioners (GPs) pharmacists and other healthcare professionals collaborate as a team. In this scenario, pharmacists can modify treatment in certain chronic diseases, manage minor ailments and support GPs with the care for patients with complex needs. Preconditions needed to realize this scenario include having shared medical records, the GP retaining the overview of the care for the patient and additional training for pharmacists. The focus groups (n = 6, in total) yielded 5 themes which acknowledge potential pharmacist prescribing but depict a more skeptical view towards pharmacist prescribing and include several concerns, for example pharmacists' potential conflict of interest. Conclusions: Citizens that are informed about opportunities for pharmacy prescribing are capable of sketching potential scenarios for pharmacist prescribing in a collaborative primary care context. Less informed citizens seem more skeptical towards pharmacist prescribing.</p