Adoption and feasibility of a communication app to enhance social connectedness amongst frail institutionalized oldest old: an embedded case study

The risks of social isolation and loneliness are becoming emergent issues for older adults (aged 65+) in industrialized countries, particularly for oldest old people (80+) who are frail and institutionalized. Socially isolated and lonely older people are more likely to experience depression, social disengagement, cognitive and physical decline, morbidity, and early mortality. In response to these significant negative health and socioeconomic costs, research suggests using new technologies to enhance opportunities for social connectedness as a strategy to help alleviate both social isolation and loneliness. In this context, following a participatory design method, we developed an accessible communication app with and for frail institutionalized older adults. To test the adoption of this innovative technology and its feasibility to address social isolation and loneliness, we conducted a two-month deployment of the app in a long-term care home with five oldest old and their relatives. Due to access, recruitment, and ethical challenges, the oldest old are a specially understudied group. Using an embedded case study (based on interviews, psychometric scales, field observations, and usability and accessibility testing) and a recursive approach to technology studies, our findings show that technology adoption is based on a complex set of interrelated factors: social, attitudinal, physical, digital literacy, and usability. We also discuss the feasibility of the app to enhance perceived social connectedness amongst our target population, provided that at least one strong tie is involved and communication norms and expectations across generations are considered.     

社区结构变迁与个体生活机遇——欧美的文献与进一步思考

20世纪90年代以来,社区变迁与个体生活机遇建构之间的关系（社区效应）研究重新成为国际学术界的研究热点。在对欧美有关文献述评的基础上,文章认为目前社区效应研究仍然处于相关关系的发现阶段,对社区效应的产生机制仍然有待进一步研究,建议未来研究应当在社区的定义与测量、抽样以及数据处理等方面加以改进。     

高科技新创企业网络中心度、战略隔绝与竞争优势关系研究

从内部机制和外部网络出发,探究了网络中心度、战略隔绝对新创企业竞争优势的影响.基于来自高科技新创企业的187份有效问卷,利用结构方程对假设关系进行了验证.结果表明,网络中心度、战略隔绝对高科技新创企业竞争优势均具有显著的影响,而且战略隔绝在网络中心度与高科技新创企业竞争优势之间存在部分中介效应.     

比例原则在密切接触者隔离规则中的适用——以新冠疫情防控为例

在新冠肺炎疫情防控中,依法对密切接触者实施隔离措施是切断病毒传播途径、保障公民健康安全的重要举措。比例原则作为平衡公权力与私权利的帝王法则,具有合理确定传染病防控措施级别、引导和规制行政应急权形式、多维度完善公民权利保护机制的重要意义。鉴于当前新冠肺炎疫情防控中存在的密切接触者范围界定失序、"指定场所"规制不清、强制措施程序与程度不明等适用困境,应按照比例原则,在制定隔离规范时遵循正当性、适当性、必要性和均衡性原则。通过适用比例原则,可以清晰界定密切接触者、"指定场所"等概念,有利于国家公权力与个人私权利、密切接触者个人权益与社会公众利益的平衡协调。     

果胶的制备及在食品中的应用

本文综述了国内外提取果胶的方法和存在的问题,以及果胶在食品中的应用和发展前景。     

《伤心咖啡馆之歌》的存在主义解读

《伤心咖啡馆之歌》是卡森·麦卡勒斯的重要代表作,它描摹了反复纠结的三角恋故事,揭示了匪夷所思的复杂人性。综观这位美国南方著名女作家的一生,萨特的存在主义对其成长和创作,起着不可忽视的作用。她用这一哲学理念,化解了疾病缠身感情受挫的自我困境,在文学上作出举世瞩目的成就;她更借助这一理论内核,阐明了小说中不可思议的爱恨情仇背后,那宏大叙事下爱和恨的真谛。通过对女主人公爱密利亚小姐性格特征以及作品中人物关系的存在主义解读,读者对人类境遇和普遍人性有了更为深刻的洞察和体会。     

An overview of Middle East public relations practice,education, and research from isolation to globalization

ABSTRACT

Public relations has a critical role in addressing culture difference and enhancing research outreach. An analysis of practice, education and research in Middle East provides an exemplar of the need to move the discipline’s scholarship from global isolation to cultural inclusivity. A review of current scholarship in the discipline's journals documents the preeminence of “Western” theory. Research with culturally collaborative studies of media, culture, technology, and society is needed to provide global perspectives. The paper argues five initiatives are needed next steps for the discipline to achieve global inclusivity: * Enhance research collaboration – Culturally collaborative studies of media, culture, technology, and society are needed to provide global perspectives in our discipline. *Address bilingual scholarship – Public relations theory needs to acknowledge varied traditions and methodologies. Research journals need Middle Eastern faculty editorial board members and need to explore translation options. *Align research with the profession – Globally, public relations research needs qualitative understanding. Cultural differences often regress quantitative analysis to meaningless implications for both theory and practice. *Assess curriculum globalization – Educators need to increase cultural content in courses. Textbooks are needed that reflect the globalization of the field from multiple perspectives. *Develop international accreditation standards – An accreditation model based on bilingual, global, and contemporary careers in the discipline is needed. International accreditation site teams must include bilingual members.     

行政强制隔离制度

强制隔离是传染病防治工作中一种常见的医学性行政强制措施,其实施直接影响着行政相对人的人身权和财产权,应该受到法律的严格规制.现行法律对行政强制隔离的规范与机制设置尚有缺陷.透过对既有层面规则体系的梳理和辨析,基于自由与安全的价值考量,依据利益平衡、规范严密、程序周到的原则,对完善行政强制隔离制度提出构想.     

不能用“闭关自守”评价建国三十年

用“闭关自守”评价建国三十年既不符合历史也十分有害。新中国从未执行一条“闭关自守”政策。建国三十年对外交往与开放实践大致可用“两头比较好而中间比较差”来评价。其中,新中国主动发展与社会主义国家及第三世界国家关系以打破西方封锁,成为新中国逐步开放与走向世界的突出表现。同时努力在西方世界寻找反封锁突破口直至建立正式外交关系,为开创改革开放新时期奠定了基础。当然,建国三十年的开放探索尚未真正解决好怎样开放的问题,留下深刻教训。     

Challenges to Treating the Elderly Latino Substance Abuser

Summary

The Friendly Companion Program was initiated in May of 1999 to enhance social support for VAMC Northport Nursing Home residents who have infrequent or no visitation by family, friends, or significant others. Friendly Companions are adult and youth volunteers who make a commitment to visit residents on a regular basis. The resulting relationship appears to stimulate increased social interaction and maximize quality of life for nursing home residents. The program is considered part of the overall patient clinical care with multi-disciplinary involvement for volunteer training, patient referral, and evaluation by staff and patients. Social Work Performance Improvement measures and outcomes are discussed.