bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health and health status of children in Serbia and the desired Millennium Development Goals
Authors: Jovic-Vranes Aleksandra , Bjegovic-Mikanovic Vesna
Published: May 2023

Aim: Children represent the future, and ensuring their healthy growth and development should be a prime concern of all societies. Better health for all childrenis one of the leading objectives of the National Plan of Action for Children and a keyelement of the tailored Millennium Development Goals for Serbia.
Methods: Our analysis was based on relevant literature and available information from the primary and secondary sources and databases. We analyzed health status of children that can be illustrated by indicators of child and infant mortality, morbidity,and nutritional status.
Results: There has been a significant reduction in the mortality rates at the nationallevel, particularly with regard to infants and children under five years of age. However, the current mortality rate of Roma children is still three times as high as the Millennium Goal set at the national level for Serbia. Most deaths of children under theage of five are due to preterm birth complications, congenital anomalies, birthasphyxia and trauma, pneumonia and sepsis. The rate of malnourished childrenamong the poor and in Roma settlements is twice as high as in the general population of Serbian children. A growing number of obese children was also noted in the Roma population.
Conclusion: Political awareness, commitment and leadership are required to ensurethat child health receives receive the attention and the resources needed to accelerate the progress of Serbia.
Public expenditure and drug policies in Bulgaria in 2014
Authors: Vekov Toni Yonkov , Aleksandrova-Yankulovska Silviya
Published: May 2023

Aim: The objective of this study was to provide an analysis of the factors which have a significant impact on the growth of public expenditure on medical products in Bulgaria.
Methods: This research work consists of a critical analysis of the data reported by theNational Health Insurance Fund in Bulgaria on the stability of the healthcare insurance model and the implementation of the budget for 2014.
Results: The results from the current analysis indicate that the growth of public expenditure is directly proportional to the number of reimbursed medical products and that the pattern of prescriptions including the innovative medical products mainly for the treatment of oncological and rare diseases has a significant impact on it.
Conclusion: The reasons for the increase of public expenditure in Bulgaria include the non-transparent decisions in pricing and reimbursement of the products, the lack of guidelines for presenting pharmacological evidence and the lack of legislatively-defined drug policies for the management and control of the patterns of medical prescriptions.
Reaction to political and socioeconomic transition and self-perceived health status in the adult population of Gjilan region, Kosovo
Authors: Qazimi Musa , Cakerri Luljeta , Tahiri Zejdush , Burazeri Genc
Published: May 2023

Aim: The objective of our study was to assess the association of reaction to political and socioeconomic transition with self-perceived general health status in adult men and women in a region of Kosovo, a post-war country in the Western Balkans which has proclaimed independence in 2008.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in Gjilan region of Kosovo in 2014, including a representative sample of 867 primary health care users aged ≥35 years (419 men aged 54.3±10.9 years and 448 women aged 54.0±10.1 years; overall response rate: 87%). Reaction to political and socioeconomic aspects of transition was assessed by a three-item scale (trichotomized in the analysis into positive attitude, intermediate attitude, and negative attitude towards transition), which was previously used in the neighbouring Albania. Self-reported health status was measured on a 5-point scale which was dichotomized in the analysis into “good” vs. “poor” health. Demographic and socioeconomic data were also collected. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association of reaction to transition with self-rated health status.
Results: In crude/unadjusted models, negative attitude to transition was a “strong” predictor of poor self-perceived health (OR=2.5, 95%CI=1.7-3.8). Upon multivariable adjustment for all the demographic factors and socioeconomic characteristics, the association was attenuated and was only borderline statistically significant (OR=1.6, 95%CI=1.0-2.6, P=0.07).
Conclusion: Our findings indicate an important association between reaction to transition and self-perceived health status in the adult population of the newly independent Kosovo. Policymakers and decision-makers in post-war countries such as Kosovo should be aware of the health effects of attitudes towards political and socioeconomic aspects of transition, which is seemingly an important psychosocial factor.
Growing up the South Eastern European Journal of Public Health
Authors: Burazeri Genc , Laaser Ulrich , M. Martin-Moreno Jose , Schröder-Bäck Peter
Published: May 2023

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Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Moldova and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: The importance of health system governance
Authors: Thomas-Reilly R. Gregory , Tozija Fimka , Soltan Viorel , G. Nikovska Dance , Crudu Valeriu , Atun Rifat , McKee Martin
Published: May 2023

Aim: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) arises where treatment is interrupted or inadequate, when patients are treated inappropriately, or when an individual has impaired immune function, which can lead to a rapid progression from infection with an MDR-strain to disease. This study examines the role of health systems in amplifying or preventing the development of MDR-TB.
Methods: We present two comparative studies, which were undertaken in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (TFYR Macedonia) and Moldova.
Results: The findings reveal several health systems-level factors that contribute to the different rates of MDR-TB observed in these two countries, including: pre-existing burden of disease; organization of the health system, with the existence of parallel systems; power dynamics among policy makers and disease programmes; and the accountability & effectiveness of programme oversight.
Conclusions: The findings do not offer a universal template for health system reform but do identify specific factors that may be contributing to the epidemic and are worthy of further attention in the two countries.
Dietary patterns and physical activity among Palestinian female schoolchildren in East Jerusalem
Authors: Nubani-Husseini Maha , Berry Elliot , Abdeen Ziad , Donchin Milka
Published: May 2023

Aim: This study aims to assess the Palestinian girls’ dietary habits and physical activity patterns as a baseline for intervention.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of grade 4 and 5 pupils (mean age: 11 years) in 14 all-girl schools in East Jerusalem, of four different types of school ownership (overall N=897), was conducted, using self-administered questionnaires and  height and weight measurements. Logistic regressions were conducted to determine predictors of healthy behaviours.
Results: Only 36.6% of the pupils reported eating breakfast daily, with UNRWA schools having the highest rate of daily breakfast consumption (42.6%). About 28% reported eating the recommended daily quantity of five portions of fruits and vegetables. Only 15% of the pupils reported being active at least five days a week and more than one third of the schoolchildren viewed TV for ≥4 hours a day. The  prevalence of overweight and obesity was 22.2% and 7.6%, respectively, with private schools having the highest rates, 29.6% and 12.8% respectively (P=0.001). Additional predictors of overweight and obesity were: being the first child in the family, watching TV for more than four hours a day, always eating while watching TV and being physically active less than five days a week. 
Conclusions: Most Palestinian pupils miss breakfast, eat less fruits and vegetables than recommended and have sedentary behaviours. These findings raise serious concerns and point to the urgent need for tailored interventions.
Source of funding: This study is a part of Ph.D. degree. Maha Nubani-Husseini received a scholarship from Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). She thanks Nutrition and Health Research Institute Al-Quds University for funding part of the research. The Linda Joy Pollin Cardiovascular Wellness Center for Women at the Division of Cardiology of Hadassah University Medical Center, directed by Dr. Donna Zfat funded the mothers’ activities and lectures towards the end of the intervention, as well as the implementation of the programme at the control schools one year after the study ended, as they were promised when they got selected.
Acknowledgments: The authors thank the participating schools, the Palestinian Ministry of Education, the UNRWA Office of Education and Jerusalem Municipality for facilitating fieldwork. Their gratitude also goes to Mr. Radwan Qasrawi (Al-Quds University), Dr. Marrio Baras and Dr. Deena Jaffeh (Hebrew University) for statistical support, and  to Mrs. Suzy Daher for editing.
Towards a Code of Conduct for the European Public Health Profession!
Authors: Laaser Ulrich , Schröder-Bäc Peter
Published: May 2023

Professionalization of public health is important to advance public health education, training, and practice. In our opinion, there is no contradiction that the profession of public health consists of members of different other professions – which also have their own values and conducts. Yet, if professions work under the roof of public health, the pillars – the core values – of the house that is built are the common denominators. Making the guiding norms and values explicit is important for the self-definition of the professional field/profession and giving guidance in pursuing a fair and respectful improvement of population health.
Half century of the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region: A significant contribution to public health education
Authors: Bozikov Jadranka
Published: May 2023

The Association of Institutions Responsible for Advanced Teaching in Public Health and of Schools of Public Health in Europe was established in 1966. It was in response to the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO)Regional Office for Europe as part of a worldwide initiative to set up Regional Associations of Schools in every WHO region as a channel for initiating innovative policies. The Organisation’s name was later changed into Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region(ASPHER). ASPHER has established atradition in terms ofan annual award named Andrija Stampar, whichhasbecome a prestigious European reward for merits in public health.A significant contribution to public health education has been made during half century and the Association is today stronger than ever before
Discrimination of elderly patients in the health care system of Lithuania
Authors: Selli Kristina , Czabanowska Kasia , Danusevičienė Lina , Butkevičienė Rūta , Jurkuvienė Ramunė , Overall Judy
Published: May 2023

Aim: This study aimed to explore and describe the barriers that elderly Lithuanians experience with respect to going to court or other institutions to defend their right not to be discriminated regarding medical care.
Methods: We used a mixed methods approach due to the scarcity of information in Lithuania. First, the review of laws was done using the e-tar database and court cases were searched using the e-teismai database followed by policy analysis. Additional sources of information were identified searching Google Scholar and PubMed, as well as Google for grey literature. The keywords used were: ageism in patient care, discrimination against elderly, elderly and health (English and Lithuanian: 2000-2015). Secondly, we conducted in-depth individual interviews with 27 clients of newly-established integrated home care services: 13 elderly patients, and 14 informal caregivers.
Results:  This study identified five groups of barriers explaining why Lithuanian elderly are hesitant to fight discrimination in the health system. The results of the study disclose the following barriers that the elderly in Lithuania face: i) the lack of recognition of the phenomenon of discrimination against the elderly in patient care; ii) the lack of information for complaining and the fear of consequences of complaining; iii) the deficiencies and uncertainties of laws and regulations devoted to discrimination; iv) the high level of burden of proof in court cases and lack of good practices; v) the lack of a patient (human) rights-based approach in all policies and in education as well as the lack of intersectoral work.
Conclusions:  This study disclosed the need to: encourage training of legists and lawyers in expanding knowledge and skills in human rights in patient care;  encourage training of health care professionals – the burden of leadership for this has to be assumed by universities and public health professionals; incorporate a new article in the ‘Law on the rights of patients and compensation for the damage to their health’, clearly stating where to complain in case of discrimination; create a webpage and brochures with readable and understandable information for elderly persons and their families and caregivers; establish legal consultation and mediation cabinets in health care facilities; establish an older persons’ rights protection service under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health; promote sustainable results by incorporating a human rights-based approach regarding elderly persons in all policies.
An educational initiative for Mexican school-aged children to promote the consumption of fruit, vegetables and physical activity
Authors: Arenas-Monreal Luz , Pacheco-Magana Lilian E , Rueda-Neria Celina , Carrillo-Estrada Josue , Marquez-Serrano Margarita , Magana-Valladares Laura , Rivera-Pasquel Marta
Published: May 2023

Aim: To present the results of a community initiative focused on strengthening physical activity and the consumption of fruits, vegetables and natural water while discouraging the use of highly energetic food and sugary drinks in public schools of Morelos.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study with an educational initiative focused on the school community of two primary schools and two junior high schools. Pre- and-post initiative measurements were made. The study took place in the municipality of Yautepec, Morelos, Mexico, in a rural area and an urban area, from August 2010 to July 2011.  
Results: Water consumption among school-aged children increased from 15.1% to 20.1% and soda consumption decreased from 21.4% to 13.2%. A slight increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables was also measured (oranges, jicamas, bananas, tomatoes, prickly pear pads, lettuces), that are accessible in the region. It was found that the supply of fresh food is limited and that high energy density foods have an oversupply in both study areas. Physical activity increased with actions such as football and dancing, in accordance with the baseline measurement. No changes were observed in the nutritional condition of school-aged children (n=150; 13.3% with overweight and 7.3% with emaciation), or in adults who presented a body mass index higher than normal, 60.2% to 88.4%.
Conclusion: In addition to educational activities, schools need to implement strategies to improve the access and availability of fresh foods while limiting the access of high energy-density foods.
The mark of women’s leadership on solutions to global health problems
Authors: Kalaitzi Valia
Published: May 2023

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The relevance of ethics in the European Union’s second public health programme
Authors: Otenyo Nelly K.
Published: May 2023

Aim: The objective of this paper was to investigate whether ethical values were explicitly identified in the Second Public Health Programme (2008-2013) of the European Commission.
Methods: A qualitative case study methodology of exploratory nature was followed. The data used were the summaries of the project proposals and Public Health Programme objectives and was retrieved from the publicly available Consumers, Health and Food Executive Agency database. Since the PHP was finalized during the study, the study only focused on the summaries of the fifty-five finalized project proposals while excluding the ongoing projects and those projects at the reporting stage. The full proposals for the projects are confidential and thus could not be retrieved. However, the project summaries were inarguably sufficient to conduct the study. Using a table, a content analysis method in addition to the ethical framework, was applied in order to analyze and categorise the project findings.
Results: The results unfold that, out of the seven ethical principles, only ‘equity’ and ‘efficiency’ were explicitly considered in eighteen projects and four projects respectively. Moreover, from the shared health values, eight projects identified aspects pertaining to ‘accessibility to quality health care’ while ‘solidarity’ was only discussed in one project. Lastly, the ethical aspects ‘ethics’ and ‘values’ were identified in three projects and in one project respectively.
Conclusions: From the results, there is a limited consideration of ethical principles within the projects. Therefore, future public health programmes could use this as an opportunity to emphasis on the inclusion and application of ethical principles in public health projects.
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY ON THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SPED ENGLISH TEACHERS IN BARMM REGION
Authors: Gatera Mark Dave , Gallarde Fernando , Buscato Lorenzo , Villaries Paul John
Published: May 2023

This research was conducted in the parameters of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Philippines. In order to determine the lived experiences of the special education teachers in the region, the study used a qualitative research design and a phenomenological approach. The participants of this study were five special education teachers, and the researcher used a semi-structured in-deep-interview in this study. On the other hand, findings revealed that the special education teachers experiences during distance learning were extremely challenging, five themes emerged on the challenges encountered in teaching special education learners; these were mixed disabilities in one classroom, lack of comprehension, poor parental educational attainment, tantrum challenging behavior, and inadequate funding and government support. There were four themes emerged on the coping strategies in addressing the challenges encountered in teaching English language to the special education learners. These were home visitation, K to 12 curriculum integration, educational mainstreaming, and individualized educational plan. The researchers came to the conclusion that teaching English to special education students is difficult, especially in this time of pandemic; it necessitates a significant amount of effort especially that the teacher is dealing with different disabilities in one classroom.
USING GOOGLE JAMBOARD TO TEACH WRITING SKILL
Authors: MARWAH MARWAH, M.Pd
Published: May 2023

This paper explains about how to use Google Jamboard as a digital media to teach English language with the subject of writing skill. This paper does not use a research methodology because the content of this paper is an explanation of the Google Jamboard, identification of the tools and their use in the Jamboard, and also strategies for displaying the Jamboard when carrying out the learning process both virtual meeting and face to face in the classroom. Google Jamboard is one of digital board where the writer can write, drew and created their ideas with use some tools  in Jamboard application. Through Google Jamboard, teacher will find it easier to collect, correct, and save student’s writing project because in one link all students can write or edit the Jamboard file. So, this is very effective to use as a digital learning media, especially learning English in the form of writing skills lessons.
Uluslararası Kariyer Yapmak: Eşlerin Koordinasyon Stratejileri
Authors: BÜRÜCEK Şule , ZAMANTILI NAYIR Dilek , DEDE Merve Ahter
Published: May 2023

Modernleşme çalışma yaşamında yalnızca mal ve hizmet hareketliliğine değil aynı zamanda insan hareketliliğine de zemin hazırlamıştır. Bu gelişmelerden sadece bekar çalışanlar değil, her ikisi de kariyer sahibi olan eşler de etkilenmiştir. Farklı ülkelere seyahat etmekten çekinmeyen çalışanlar, firmaları için değerli birer insan kaynağı olmuştur. Bu çalışma a) her ikisi de uluslararası kariyer yapan eşlerin kariyer gelişimlerini, b) çift kariyerli eşlerin (ÇKE) karşılaştıkları sorunları çözmek için kullandıkları çözüm stratejilerini ve c) kariyer koordinasyon stratejilerini (KKS) Türkiye bağlamında irdelemektedir. Çalışma Türk kökenli çifte kariyerli eşlerin kariyer koordinasyon stratejilerini ele alan ilk çalışmalardan biri olmasıyla literatüre katkı sağlamaktadır. Veriler, her ikisi de kariyer sahibi olan altı çiftle çevrimiçi görüşmeler yapılarak toplanmıştır. Bu çalışma, çifte kariyerli eşlerin kariyer koordinasyon stratejilerinin daha iyi anlaşılmasını hedeflemiştir. Her ikisi de uluslararası kariyer yapan eşlerin hangi koordinasyon stratejilerini uyguladıkları irdelenmiştir. Kariyer koordinasyon stratejilerinin dinamik özellik sergilediği ve bu stratejilerin, zaman içinde farklı yönlere de evrilebileceği gösterilmiştir.
Long-Term Outcomes of Patients with Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Authors: ERTAN Pelin , AKYOL ONDER Esra Nagehan , BERDELİ Afig Hüseyinov
Published: May 2023

Aim: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is the clinical triad of anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal injury. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disease of alternative complement pathways. It is aimed to evaluate long-term follow-up of patients with aHUS in the present study. Materials and methods: Eleven children diagnosed with aHUS were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data and treatment details were reported. Results: A total of 11 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of patients at aHUS onset was 2.9±6 years. The mean follow-up time was 72 ± 4 months All patients had renal involvement. Extrarenal manifestations of aHUS were present in four patients. All patients had eculizumab treatment. Conclusion: Our study insight into diagnosing and managing aHUS, a very rare disease, in our pediatric patients. Genetic testing is used to improve the diagnosis of aHUS. We demonstrated the long-term efficacy and safety of eculizumab in our aHUS patients. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal time for discontinuation of eculizumab treatment.
Die außerordentliche Handlungsebene der Nachrichtendienste
Authors: Dogan Ali
Published: May 2023

Dieser Artikel bietet einen neuen theoretischen Ansatz für die Nachrichtendienstforschung. Basierend auf der Ideengeschichte der Staatsräson, argumentiere ich, dass außerordentliche nationale und transnationale Aktivitäten der Nachrichtendienste durch den inneren gesetzesfreien Kern des staatlichen Handelns ermöglicht werden. Die Staatsräson bietet einen konzeptionellen Rahmen für die Interpretation der Existenz von Nachrichtendiensten als einer außerordentlichen Regierungstechnik moderner Staaten. Aufgrund der permanent möglichen Begründung auf die Notwendigkeit Ihres Auftrags können Nachrichtendienste paradoxerweise Gesetze ignorieren, um sie zu erhalten. Die Ideengeschichte der Staatsräson erklärt die Existenz dieser außerordentlichen Ebene des staatlichen Handelns, welche ich in diesem Artikel durch die Heranziehung der Konzepte von Schmitt, Meinecke, Foucault, Agamben und Bigo genauer veranschaulichen werde. Die Ideengeschichte der Staatsräson erlaubt uns, die internationalen Operationen und Kooperationen der Nachrichtendienste und das Wesen der Geheimhaltung gegenüber der Öffentlichkeit besser zu verstehen. Hierzu liefere ich sowohl Beispiele aus der Arbeit des Bundesnachrichtendienstes als auch der Zusammenarbeit des BND mit dem irakischen Auslandsnachrichtendienst während des Kalten Kriegs.
„Liebe Liste“ oder doch „bitte abmelden“?
Authors: Lohaus Mathis , Giesen Michael
Published: May 2023

Vor etwas mehr als 20 Jahren gründeten Mitglieder der DVPW-Sektion Internationale Beziehungen eine Mailingliste. Seitdem haben Generationen von Forschenden und Studierenden die ib-liste abonniert (und sicher oft auch wieder abbestellt). Dieser Beitrag nimmt das kürzliche Jubiläum zum Anlass, die Rolle der Liste als digitalem Kommunikationskanal für die deutschsprachige IB-Community zu beleuchten. Dazu haben wir die Absenderadressen und Betreffzeilen von rund 28.000 E-Mails zwischen 2012 und 2020 ausgewertet. Darauf basierend untersuchen wir die Interaktionsmuster der Liste anhand dreier Leitfragen. Erstens: Lässt sich eine Professionalisierung der Kommunikation feststellen? Eine Spitzengruppe aus rund 500 regelmäßigen Nutzer*innen ist für 42,5 Prozent der Nachrichten verantwortlich. Zweitens: Hat sich der Kreis der Aktiven über den ursprünglichen Kern der Wissenschafts-Community hinaus erweitert? Nur rund ein Drittel der Beiträge hat einen direkten Bezug zu Forschung oder Lehre. Es überwiegen Hinweise auf Veranstaltungen für welt- und außenpolitisch Interessierte sowie außeruniversitäre Stellenausschreibungen. Drittens: Ist die Liste moderat internationalisiert, was sich vor allem an der Häufigkeit englischsprachiger Betreffzeilen zeigt? Diese sind bei Nachrichten mit Wissenschaftsbezug in der Überzahl. Insgesamt dient die Liste im untersuchten Zeitraum somit nicht nur einer Kerngemeinschaft für IB-Forschung und Lehre, sondern verzahnt diese mit benachbarten Communitys aus der Zivilgesellschaft.
Die diplomatischen Beziehungen des Heiligen Stuhls
Authors: Barbato Mariano , Löffler Johannes
Published: May 2023

Der Heilige Stuhl dehnte in den Transformationen der internationalen Beziehungen seit dem Ausgang des 19. Jahrhunderts sein diplomatisches Netzwerk kontinuierlich aus. Der Anstieg verlief synchron zur Zunahme souveräner Staaten im Prozess der Dekolonisierung. Retardierende Effekte ergaben sich aus ideologischen Spannungen, die jedoch auch in neuen Allianzbildungen alte Konfliktlinien überwinden ließen. Die Ausweitung erfolgte trotz fortlaufender Säkularisierung und einer Stagnation des katholischen Anteils der Weltbevölkerung unter relativer Neuverteilung regionaler Schwerpunkte des Katholizismus. Die Resilienz des Heiligen Stuhls als internationaler Akteur lässt sich also nicht über die strukturelle Variable einer Rückkehr der Religion in der Weltpolitik erklären. Sie verweist vielmehr auf die Fähigkeit des Heiligen Stuhls, von der Multiplizität auf der Makroebene globaler Diplomatie zu profitieren. Die Hybridität des Heiligen Stuhls erweist sich als Zugangscode zum exklusiven Club der Diplomatie.
Workable Alternatives to Conventional Inputs in Poultry Farming
Authors: Ajide Solomon , Opowoye Ibiyemi , Makinde John , Bello Zainab , Bot Maryam , Ahmadu Afiniki , Adeniran Moji
Published: May 2023

The world’s demand for poultry products is increasing at an alarming rate, therefore the need for innovations to mitigate the required inputs for sustaining this demand. The challenges of poultry farming attributed to their health, and nutritional requirement is vital to successful poultry production either at a subsistence or at a commercial level. Feed accounts for about 70–80% of the overall production costs. Meeting the nutritional requirements of poultry impacts positively on their health performance. Adequate feeding enables the birds attain table weight earlier than their counterpart that are poorly fed, which could be profitable or not as it depends on the costs of inputs in each production cycle. The essence of poultry farming to an investor is to make profit; however, should poultry farmers continuously make profit, they need to apply workable alternatives suitable for the conventional inputs such as protein, energy sources, plant extracts for orthodox medication, and brooding materials.
Social and Economic Developments in Pre-Islamic Somalia: Introducing African-Arabian-Mediterranean Interaction
Authors: M. Shidad Hussein Said
Published: May 2023

Although the history of Somalia is poorly studied, occasional researches show that the nation has a rich, ancient history. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the evolution of Somali society and aspects of their economy throughout circa 3000 BCE–500 CE. During 1960s–1980s, it has been postulated that the Somalis originated from the region of Omo-Tana around 1500 BCE and eventually expanded toward the north until 1400 CE. The chapter reassessed this hypothesis and further used new or less utilized data from linguistic, genetic, archeology, and ancient documentary sources. The integrated data suggest that the ancestral home of the Macro-Somali was the northern part of their Peninsula from about 3000 BCE and in due course, they expanded toward the south and west throughout 1500 BCE–500 CE. The data also explain the nature of their pre-Islamic socioeconomic system and their interaction with the Arabian-Mediterranean region upon which the Greco-Roman geographers of 150 BCE–550 CE elaborated.
The Likely Status of Inland Salt Lake Ecosystems in 2050: Reminiscing and Revisiting Bill Williams
Authors: A. Comín Francisco
Published: May 2023

The classical management approach of inland saline lake ecosystems focused on ecological issues, including conserving their biological communities and physical-chemical characteristics. However, the peculiarity of saline lake ecosystems is that they are in a limited watershed, in many cases a closed watershed. So, its management should be planned and performed at watershed scale, which has been frequently neglected. W.D. (Bill) Williams was one of the key persons rising awareness for conservation and promoting their rationale management based on scientific research results. This work shows, through a literature review, that classical management approaches included returning impacted salt lakes to initial conditions through, mostly, eliminating the processes impacting them. At the turn of the century, a wider approach emerged. In addition to focusing on watershed scale management, the integration of social, economic, and environmental issues was incorporated into management proposals by different authors. Lake Gallocanta case study is described and discussed as a paradigm of inland salt lake management. The status of inland salt lakes will improve in the future if land cover reparcelling, and rationale uses of water in the watershed are incorporated, considering adaptive practices to climate change impacts and a balanced provision of ecosystem services.
An Overview of the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Selenium
Authors: Başeğmez Mehmet
Published: May 2023

Selenium, whose name comes from the Greek word for “Selene,” has been a topic of interest as a micronutrient ever since it was described in 1817 as a by-product of sulfuric acid manufacturing. Selenium, the most important micronutrient for both humans and animals, must be consumed daily to support the body’s natural metabolism and homeostasis. The small intestine is responsible for the absorption of selenium in both its organic and inorganic forms. Selenium is then able to be widely distributed throughout the body’s diverse tissues, where it plays an important role in the regulation of the synthesis of selenoproteins. The synthesis of human selenoproteins involves the incorporation of a selenium-containing homolog of cysteine in each of the 25 selenium-containing proteins that make up this series. Many selenoproteins, including glutathione peroxidase (GPX), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and iodothyronine deiodinases (IDD), function as crucial cellular defenses against oxidative stress. Therefore, selenium is extremely important in boosting antioxidant defense. Recent studies have also shown that there is a close relationship between selenium and inflammation, and that selenium has regulatory effects on inflammation by affecting the expression of various cytokines. This chapter’s goal was to thoroughly review the research on how selenium is related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Maximum Power Point Tracking Simulation for Photovoltaic Systems Using Perturb and Observe Algorithm
Authors: Sadick Abubakari
Published: May 2023

This chapter discusses the modeling, analysis, and simulation approaches of a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) using perturb and observe algorithm of a photovoltaic (PV) system. In photovoltaic systems, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is crucial because it maximizes the power production from a PV system under specific conditions, hence increasing array efficiency and lowering system costs. Appropriate algorithms must be used to track the maximum power point (MPP) and maintain the system’s operation in it because the MPP varies depending on the irradiation and cell temperature. This paper presents the mathematical modeling procedures for the PV system and the DC-DC boost converter and also introduces the theories of PV systems and MPPT techniques. A step-by-step procedure, modeling, and analysis of perturb and observe are explained in this paper using MATLAB/Simulink software. A photovoltaic system with the P&O algorithm and a photovoltaic system without the P&O algorithm were simulated and tested around different environmental conditions. Their performance is evaluated and compared through theoretical analysis and digital simulation based on response time and efficiency under varying irradiance and temperature condition using MATLAB/Simulink. The PV with the MPPT algorithm outperforms the PV without MPPT in terms of proficiency and accuracy. Under both stable and changing weather situations, it displays the ideal efficiency and response time.
Common Sleep Problems and Management in Older Adults
Authors: Wing Cheng Pak , Pan Wong Yiu
Published: May 2023

Sleep problems are common among the elderly due to physiological changes and comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions. Sleep architecture changes with age. However, sleep disturbances among older adults should not be seen barely as a result of ageing. Depression and anxiety are important differential diagnoses for elderly patients complaining of sleep disturbance. Dementia and delirium are also common causes of sleep disturbances among older people. Elderly people often carry several medical comorbidities. These medical conditions can both lead to and be exacerbated by sleep problems. Given the frailty, multimorbidity and vulnerability of some of the elderly, the management of sleep problems requires additional considerations compared with younger adult patients. Behavioural modifications and drugs of choice will be discussed.
Action on the Cerebral Vascular Endothelium in the Prevention of Stroke
Authors: J. Ursa Herguedas Andrés , Pellón Olmedo María
Published: May 2023

Stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a frequent, disabling pathology, consumes enormous social and health resources and has high morbidity and mortality. A large part of the resources of the health systems are allocated to the treatment of stroke, which is achieving better results every time, and far fewer resources are allocated to prevention. The objective of this review is to raise awareness in the different states so that they allocate more resources to prevention through awareness programs for health personnel, and implementation of detection tests for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in order to reduce the incidence of stroke. Clients should be insisted on adopting an adequate lifestyle, as well as acting on risk factors. Most strokes can be prevented through health education, blood pressure control, and lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and stopping smoking.
Post-COVID-19 Condition and Its Presence in Mexico
Authors: Navarro-Olivos Efraín , Flores-Vargas Gilberto , Irazú Morales-Reyes Guadalupe , Paola Plascencia-Roldán Jéssica , de Jesús Gallardo-Luna María , Padilla-Raygoza Nicolás
Published: May 2023

In this chapter, we discuss general information about the post-COVID-19 condition, also known as long COVID. Since it is still under research, many questions remain unanswered. Nevertheless, post-acute complications due to infections have been previously reported for other viruses. Among those complications that remain are anosmia, fatigue, cardiovascular, and pulmonary. The evidence so far suggests that these complications decrease with time. The most worrying persistent symptoms due to COVID-19 are related to neurological damage. Most post-COVID-19 complications can be treated in a standard way, but their impact on life quality is unknown. Finally, we present a rough landscape of long COVID-19 in Mexico and Latin America. More studies are needed to study this condition and its impact on public health.
Hepatoprotective Effects of Biochanin A Against Acetaminophen-induced Liver Toxicity in Mice
Authors: Shirani Maryam , Reisi Nazanin , Kalantar Hadi , Khorsandi Laya Sadat , Khodayar Mohammad Javad
Published: May 2023

Background: Acetaminophen (APAP), a common analgesic agent, is hepatotoxic in overdose. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), as an APAP antidote, shows anaphylactic reactions and has low efficacy in APAP poisoning in high doses. Objectives: This study was designed to examine the hepatoprotective effect of biochanin A (BA) in a mice model of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: To evaluate APAP-induced oxidative stress, the liver tissue level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) and the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Histological analysis was performed. Results: APAP-induced hepatotoxicity was manifested by inflammation, acinar hepatic necrosis, and fatty degeneration, as well as an increase in the levels of ALP, ALT, AST, MDA, and a decrease in the SOD, catalase (CAT), and GSH. Pre-treatment with BA at low doses (10 and 20 mg/kg) reduced ALT, AST, and MDA levels and raised the SOD, GSH, and CAT levels. Moreover, it normalized the structure of liver tissue. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that BA protected the liver from APAP-induced injury. Protection may be due to the inhibition of oxidative stress, which reduces liver inflammation.
Lignes directrices pour l'examen éthique des protocoles de recherche en santé mentale dans une perspective culturellement sensible
Authors: Shitindo Mercury , Nabil Farah
Published: May 2023

Contexte : Dans la majeure partie de l'Afrique, la maladie mentale est considérée comme une épidémie silencieuse en raison d'obstacles structurels et systémiques tels qu'une infrastructure de soins de santé inadéquate, un nombre insuffisant de spécialistes de la santé mentale, la stigmatisation et la discrimination liées à la maladie mentale et le manque d'accès à tous les niveaux de soins. La souffrance et l'invalidité continues dues à la maladie mentale nécessitent de nouveaux traitements et une recherche continue dans le domaine du traitement et de la thérapie de la santé mentale. Les comités d'éthique de la recherche sont conscients de l'importance de cet aspect, mais la route vers cet avenir innovant est semée de dilemmes éthiques ainsi que de questions éthiques, juridiques et des implications sociales. Il y a un besoin urgent d'avoir des lignes directrices qui guident l'éthique de la recherche impliquant des participants en santé mentale. Méthodes : : Des lignes directrices ont été élaborées pour l'examen éthique des protocoles de recherche en santé mentale dans le but d'accroître l'équité et l'accès à la santé en Afrique et dans d'autres pays à faible revenu. Nous avons analysé systématiquement 13 outils d'évaluation de programmes, de recherche et de politiques à la lumière de la santé mentale et des attributs culturels. Résultats: Un outil d'évaluation de 54 items a été créé pour guider le processus d'évaluation du protocole de recherche en santé mentale en tenant compte des facteurs éthiques, de genre et socioculturels en Afrique. Conclusions: Les thèmes émergents, à savoir la gouvernance de la recherche, le contexte et la justification, la méthodologie et l'impact éthique de la recherche qui constituent la base de l'outil d'évaluation, sont liés aux principes bioéthiques de respect de l'autonomie, de bienfaisance, de non-malfaisance et de justice. Lorsqu'ils sont appliqués à l'évaluation d'une étude, ils ne font pas que souligner ces principes, ils améliorent leur application et augmentent l'accès à une santé équitable en Afrique et dans d'autres milieux à faibles ressources, quels que soient les contextes variés. Mots-clés : Bioéthique, Santé mentale, Éthique de la recherche, Examen éthique ; genre
Alumnos que estudian en línea para la obtención del Bachillerato: diferencias por tipo de secundaria de procedencia
Authors: Morfín Otero María , González Quintanilla Claudia Adriana , Rodríguez Gómez Héctor Manuel
Published: May 2023

Estudio descriptivo y correlacional, con enfoque cuantitativo y diseño no experimental, que compara los perfiles de estudiantes del Instituto de Aprendizaje en Línea (INSTAL), que ingresan al programa educativo virtual “Tu Prepa en 4 meses”, que los preparará para el examen nacional para obtener la acreditación del bachillerato. Con la información obtenida de la encuesta que se aplica en el curso de Inducción, y que fue respondida por 3,478 alumnos a lo largo de un año, se determinaron las variables de estudio. Se analizaron características entre los alumnos según su secundaria de procedencia. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre los alumnos que estudiaron en secundaria pública y los que estudiaron en escuela privada. Los estudiantes provenientes de escuelas privadas, en comparación con los de públicas, son más jóvenes, tienen mayor nivel socioeconómico y sus padres tienen mayor escolaridad. Se observó mejor desempeño académico en los alumnos provenientes de escuelas públicas.
Terapia psicológica grupal, ansiedad, depresión y niveles de BDNF en candidatos a trasplante renal
Authors: Huerta-Lépez José Eduardo , De la Roca-Chiapas José María , Murillo-Ortiz Blanca Olivia , Montes-Delgado Roberto , Martínez-Soto Joel
Published: May 2023

El objetivo del presente estudio es describir el efecto de una intervención grupal en los niveles de estrés, ansiedad y depresión asociados con el nivel de BDNF y deterioro cognitivo de pacientes candidatos a trasplante renal. Se incluyeron 25 pacientes mayores de edad de ambos géneros y usuarios de una Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad. Se aplicaron los inventarios de depresión de Beck y ansiedad de Golberg y el Mini Examen del Estado Mental de Folstein, al iniciar y finalizar la intervención, se tomaron muestras de sangre y orina para analizar niveles de BDNF. Se realizó una intervención grupal con enfoque cognitivo conductual de orientación breve. Los resultados en las variables de ansiedad (p=0.002) y depresión (p= 0.04) muestran diferencias significativas antes y después de la intervención; En cuanto a los niveles de BDNF y deterioro cognitivo no se encontraron diferencias significativas.
Impacto de los tutoriales para la prevención y combate en contra el hostigamiento y acoso sexual cibernético
Authors: González Jaimes Elvira Ivone , López Chau Asdrúbal , Bautista López Jorge , Trujillo Mora Valentín
Published: May 2023

El objetivo de la investigación es medir el impacto de los tutoriales para la prevención y combate en contra del Hostigamiento y Acoso Sexual Cibernético, delito que ha aumentado de forma exponencial debido al mal uso de los medios digitales. Los tutoriales tienen la función de emitir mensajes de: conductas preventivas, seguridad, identificación del victimario, manejo personal del suceso y denuncia del delito ante autoridades. Se utilizó método cuantitativo, corte transversal y análisis descriptivo del cuestionario de satisfacción en  muestra de 4,104 participantes. Los resultaron fueron: los hombres prefieren visualizar el mensaje de identificación del victimario para evitar ser confundido con éste (61%) y denunciar el delito en medios electrónicos (51%). Las mujeres solicitan atención personalizada, profesional e integral con justicia pronta y expedita (68%) para terminar con la impunidad y erradicar la cultura misógina. Concluyendo con un buen nivel de satisfacción ante la información emitida por los tutoriales (88%).
SELECTION OF SPECIFIC PRIMERS FOR PCR IN BOVINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS
Authors: Kuzhebayeva U. Zh. , Beishova I. S. , Ulyanov V. А. , Ulyanova Т. V. , Kovalchuk А. М. , Ginayatov N. S. , Sidarova А. Zh.
Published: May 2023

the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is widely used to solve various problems. PCR is widely used for the detection of bacterial and viral pathogens. Primers are a very important component of PCR, since the specificity of amplification depends primarily on them. They are necessary for the enzyme to work and are specific to the fragment of interest. Based on the results of the selection of nucleotide sequences of the genome or individual fragments of the virus RNA from the international database on the NCBI website, a large number of sequences for the bovine leukemia virus were identified, which are stored in gene banks and updated daily with new data. The construction of primers in compliance with the necessary parameters is carried out using various computer programs, the main of which are MUSCLE, UGENE V.36.0, Primer-BLAST, Oligo Analyzer and others. The designed primers were then synthesized on the Expedite 8909 oligonucleotide synthesizer, according to the instructions attached to the device. As a result of our experiments, we selected and synthesized specific synthetic oligonucleotides env (g51)_1 and env (g51)_2, for setting up PCR for bovine leukemia.
APPROBATION TRIALS OF A VACCINE AGAINST NEWCASTLE DISEASE FROM THE LA SOTA STRAIN
Authors: Kydyrbayev Zh. , Asanjanova N. N. , Ryskeldinova Sh. Zh. , Kozhamkulov E. M. , Kulbekov E. K. , Myrzakhmetov E. T. , Tursynova Zh. A. , Akmyrzaev N. Zh.
Published: May 2023

the paper presents the results of an approbation test of the physical and biological properties of an experimental series of a vaccine against Newcastle disease from the La-Sota strain in the conditions of the National Reference Center for Veterinary Medicine of the Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan (CVC and SMA RK) and the Research Institute of Biological Problems security (RIBSP). The aim of the study was to test a vaccine against Newcastle disease from the La-Sota strain. When performing the work, general virological and immunological research methods were used. The results of approbation studies showed that the vaccine was free of contaminants and its biological activity was 9,03 ± 0,14 lg EID50/cm3. The vaccine is harmless to chickens of 40 days of age. The vaccine is immunogenic for chickens. The average titers of antibodies to the Newcastle disease virus on the 16th day after vaccination is 1:127,2 in the hemagglutination inhibition test (HITA). The vaccine meets all the required requirements in terms of its physico-biological properties and is suitable for specific prophylaxis of Newcastle disease. Approbation tests of the physical, biological properties of the vaccine were completed with positive results and protocols, research acts were signed by members of the Commission of the CVC and SMA RK. It is recommended to use the vaccine on a large scale in the conditions of poultry farms, private farmsteads for the specific prevention of Newcastle disease.