Suchergebnisse

This paper examines the problems in the enlargement process of the EU and will point out how these difficulties can be solved so as to achieve a better and more effective functioning Union, and my aim is to deal with basic issues that are seen as problematic in the enlargement. These are namely EU institutions, security, economy -.e. possible costs of the process, revision of the CAP, and allocation of the structural funds-, migration, and transitional period of the applicant states. In each section, after pointing at the functioning of the Union and hinting at problems as such, I give some suggestions and prospects for a better system in the issue. In the conclusion section, I give a summary as to what I have discussed so far.

Emergent volunteer groups play a significant role during disasters. There is a rich literature on the role of volunteer groups in disasters and disaster volunteerism. However, the rapid proliferation of social media platforms in the last decade made a significant impact on human lives, and disaster volunteerism is no exception. This article argues that there is a need for understanding social media's impact on disaster volunteerism. Using Harvey as a case, this article analyzes 74 Facebook groups that were created during the storm. The article compares the emergence and lifespan, structure, and function of online volunteer groups to those of volunteer groups before social media. Findings show important distinctions between online groups and those mentioned in the literature. First, online groups are easier to observe and analyze because of the digital traces they leave. Online groups emerge in different phases of disaster (response, early recovery) depending on people's needs. Their structure can possess elements of hierarchy as opposed to structural characteristics of groups mentioned in the literature. Finally, online groups mostly function as information sharing hubs; however, they also carry out a wide variety of functions, some of which request special attention. The article makes suggestions for future research.

Abstract
Background and Aim Multilevel posterior spinal fusion surgery in adults is associated with significant intra- and postoperative blood loss. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent for reducing blood loss and allogenic blood transfusion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of TXA in reducing blood loss and improving hematologic parameters in adult patients undergoing posterior thoracic/lumbar instrumented spinal fusion surgery.
Patients and Methods This is a retrospective observational study comparing the intra- and postoperative hemodynamic findings of two groups treated with and without TXA. The study included 112 adult patients receiving elective posterior thoracic/lumbar instrumented spinal fusion surgery. The patients were evaluated in terms of age, gender, type of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit values, postoperative systemic anticoagulant use, intra- and postoperative use of blood products, and the volume of the drainage fluid as an indicator of postoperative blood loss. The TXA group received preoperative 10 mg/kg intravenous TXA, another dose of 10 mg/kg/h in isotonic solution during the operation, and local administration of TXA before the closure of the surgical site (1g in patients undergoing surgery in ≤3 segments, and 2g in patients undergoing surgery in ≥4 segment group).
Results Intra- and postoperative blood loss and need for transfusion were significantly lower in the TXA group. Fifty-three of 112 patients required intra- and postoperative transfusion, and postoperative anticoagulants were given to 25/112 patients. The postoperative Hb level was lower, and the difference of pre- and postoperative Hb values was higher in the non-TXA group (not significant).
Conclusion Simultaneous systemic and topical application of TXA is a safe and efficient blood conservation strategy for adult patients undergoing major multilevel spinal surgery.

In this study, countries were analyzed between 1990 and 2011 in order to
determine whether a causal relationship exists among current account deficit,
GDP, foreign direct investment, and total credits of G7. Analysis took into
account the cross-sectional dependence and was applied to test the causality
among the variables form the panel. Firstly, panel unit root tests were used
for determining stationary of variables. As a result of the panel unit root
tests, it was found that GDP and foreign direct investment have a stationary
structure and that total credits and current account deficit contain unit
root. In order to see whether there is a long-term relationship among the
variables or not, the panel co-integration test was used. As a result of the
test, it was concluded that there is a co-integration relationship among the
series. The possibility of a causal relationship was analyzed among the
variables using the causality test developed by Elena Ivona Dumitrescu and
Christophe Hurlin (2012). Results of the analysis showed a unidirectional
causal relationship from current account deficit and foreign direct
investment to GDP. Bidirectional causality was found between current account
deficit and total credits. Finally, a unidirectional relationship was found
from foreign direct investment to current account deficit and total credits.

Background: Only a few studies have tested the effects of social bonding, differential association/social learning, and strain theories on cigarette smoking by adolescents in the West/the U.S. and Türkiye. Objectives: Using data collected from adolescents (N = 1.710) living in central Ankara (the capital of Türkiye) in 2001, this study explored whether social bonding, differential association/social learning, and strain theories had any effect on adolescent cigarette use and whether the link between these theories and cigarette smoking varied by gender. Results: While family supervision was negatively associated with the likelihood of cigarette smoking, substance use by close friends, having delinquent friends, definitions favorable to smoking, school failure and punishment at school were positively related to the likelihood of cigarette smoking. Conclusion: Social bonding, differential association/social learning, and strain theories are generally associated with smoking in the theoretically expected direction. However, the data also indicate that variables from social learning theory have a greater impact on cigarette smoking by adolescents, followed by variables from strain and social bonding theories. Finally, the three theories appear to play more important roles in female than male adolescent smoking behaviors.