bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of common symptoms of neonatal illness in Northwest Ethiopia: A repeated measure cross-sectional study
Authors: Delele Tadesse Guadu , Biks Gashaw Andargie , Abebe Solomon Mekonnen , Kebede Zemene Tigabu
Published: March 2021

Background

The neonatal period is the most vulnerable stage of life. In Ethiopia, neonatal illness is common and the reduction in neonatal mortality is not as significant as for under-five mortality.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence and factors associated with neonatal illness symptoms reported by mothers delivering in health facilities in Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A repeated measure cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from 358 randomly selected deliveries in 11 health facilities from November 2018 to March 2019. A pretested and interviewer-administered structured questionnaire adapted from the literature was employed to record neonatal outcomes (illnesses and/or deaths) at birth, 24 hours, 7th, 14th and 28th day from birth. Cleaned data was exported to STATA version 14 software for analysis. Multilevel analysis was used to identify individual and facility-level characteristics associated with neonatal illness symptoms.

Results

The prevalence of neonatal illness symptoms was 27.8% (95% CI; 23.2, 32.8) of the 338 babies born alive and the neonatal mortality rate was 41/1000 live births (14/338). The most common symptoms or conditions of neonatal illness reported by mothers’ in the study area were possible serious bacterial infections (95.8%, 90/94), localized bacterial infections (43.6%, 41/94), low birth weight (23.4%, 22/94), diarrhea (18.1%, 17/94), prematurity (14.9%, 14/94), and jaundice (7.5%, 7/94). Among the babies who died, neonates who had possible serious bacterial infections, low birth weight, localized bacterial infections, and prematurity took the highest proportions with 100% (14/14), 64.3% (9/14), 50% (7/14), and 42.9% (6/14), respectively. Having a maximum of 3 children (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.1–3.6), having twins or triplets during pregnancy (AOR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.1–6.1), and lack of antenatal counseling (AOR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.1–3.3) were among the maternal factors associated with neonatal illness. Having low birth length (AOR = 7.93; 95% CI = 3.6–17.3), and having a poor breastfeeding quality (AOR = 2.37; 95% CI = 1.4–4.0) were found to be the neonatal factors associated with neonatal illness.

Conclusions

This study indicated a high prevalence of neonatal illness symptoms in Northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, early detection, referral and better management of symptoms or conditions with a high mortality, like sepsis and low birth weight are compulsory to save the lives of many neonates. Strengthening the health extension programme to improve antenatal care service utilization and breastfeeding quality of neonates among postpartum women is crucial.
Afrotropical montane birds experience upslope shifts and range contractions along a fragmented elevational gradient in response to global warming
Authors: Neate-Clegg Montague H. C. , Stuart Simon N. , Mtui Devolent , Şekercioğlu Çağan H. , Newmark William D.
Published: March 2021

Global warming is predicted to result in upslope shifts in the elevational ranges of bird species in montane habitats. Yet few studies have examined changes over time in the elevational distribution of species along fragmented gradients in response to global warming. Here, we report on a resurvey of an understory bird community in the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania, along a forested elevational gradient that has been fragmented over the last 200 years. In 2019, we resurveyed seven sites, ranging in elevation from 360 m to 2110 m, that were originally surveyed between 1979 and 1981. We calculated differences in mean elevation and lower and upper range limits for 29 species between the two time periods and corrected for possible differences in elevation due to chance. Over four decades, we documented a significant mean upslope shift across species of 93 m. This shift was smaller than the 125 m expected shift due to local climate warming. Of the 29 focal species, 19 shifted upslope, eight downslope, and two remained unchanged. Mean upslope shifts in species were driven largely by contracting lower range limits which moved significantly upslope on average across species by 183 m, while upper range limits shifted non-significantly upslope by 72 m, leading to a mean range contraction of 114 m across species. Community composition of understory bird species also shifted over time, with current communities resembling communities found historically at lower elevations. Past forest fragmentation in combination with the limited gap-crossing ability of many tropical understory bird species are very likely important contributory factors to the observed asymmetrical shifts in lower and upper elevational range limits. Re-establishing forested linkages among the largest and closest forest fragments in the Eastern Arc Mountains are critical to permitting species to shift upslope and to reduce further elevational range contractions over time.
The effects of first defoliation and previous management intensity on forage quality of a semi-natural species-rich grassland
Authors: Pavlů Klára , Kassahun Teowdroes , Pavlů Vilém V. , Pavlů Lenka , Blažek Petr , Homolka Petr
Published: March 2021

Semi-natural grasslands occupy large parts of the European landscape but little information exists about seasonal variations in their nutritive value during the growing season. This paper presents results of novel data showing the effect of 13 years of previous contrasting management intensities on herbage nutritional value in relation to different dates of first defoliation (by grazing or haymaking). The treatments were: extensive management and intensive management from previous years (1998–2011). Both treatments were cut in June followed by intensive/extensive grazing for the rest of the grazing season (July–October). To evaluate forage quality in the first defoliation date, biomass sampling was performed in the year 2012 for 23 weeks from May to mid-October, and in 2013 for seven weeks from May to mid-June. Sampling was performed from plots that were not under management during the sampling year. Previous extensive management was associated with significantly reduced forage quality for in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and reduced divalent cations (Ca, Mg) and Na during the first seven weeks of the grazing season and the forage was suitable only for beef cattle. Due to low forage IVOMD, the forage is suitable only for cattle maintenance or for low quality hay when the start of grazing was postponed from seven weeks of vegetative growth to 13 weeks, regardless of the previous intensity. Herbage harvested after 13 weeks of the grazing season was of very low quality and was unsuitable as a forage for cattle when it was the only source of feed. Agri-environmental payments are necessary to help agricultural utilisation to maintain semi-natural grasslands by compensating for deterioration of forage quality, not only for the postponement of the first defoliation (either as cutting or grazing) after mid-June, but also when extensive management is required.
Evaluating citizen science outreach: A case-study with The Peregrine Fund’s American Kestrel Partnership
Authors: Schulwitz Sarah E. , Hill Greg C. , Fry Vanessa , McClure Christopher J. W.
Published: March 2021

Citizen science programs can be powerful drivers of knowledge and scientific understanding and, in recent decades, they have become increasingly popular. Conducting successful research with the aid of citizen scientists often rests on the efficacy of a program’s outreach strategies. Program evaluation is increasingly recognized as a critical practice for citizen science practitioners to ensure that all efforts, including outreach, contribute to the overall goals of the program. The Peregrine Fund’s American Kestrel Partnership (AKP) is one such citizen science program that relies on outreach to engage participants in effective monitoring of a declining falcon species. Here, we examine whether various communication strategies were associated with desired outreach goals of the AKP. We demonstrate how social media, webcams, discussion boards, and newsletters were associated with perception of learning, agreement with our conservation messaging, and participation in our box monitoring program. Our results thus help us to improve our outreach methodology, suggest areas where other citizen science programs might improve their outreach efforts, and highlight future research priorities.
Combustible cigarettes, heated tobacco products, combined product use, and periodontal disease: A cross-sectional JASTIS study
Authors: Yoshioka Takashi , Tabuchi Takahiro
Published: March 2021

Background

Combustible cigarettes have detrimental effects on periodontal disease. However, little evidence is available regarding new heated tobacco product (HTP) use and combined product use (both combustible cigarettes and HTPs). This study aimed to examine the association of combustible cigarettes, HTPs, and combined product use with periodontal disease simultaneously.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2019 arm of the longitudinal Japan “Society and New Tobacco” Internet Survey. Combustible cigarette users, HTP users, combined product users, never-users, and former users’ data were separately obtained. In the present study, the primary outcome was self-reported periodontal disease. We estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) using multivariable modified Poisson regression analysis after adjusting for 12 confounders.

Results

Of the 10,439 JASTIS respondents, the numbers of users of combustible cigarettes only, HTPs only, and both products were 1,304, 437, and 1,049, respectively. Compared with never-users, HTP use was significantly associated with the prevalence of self-reported periodontal diseases (PR 1.43, 95% CI 1.03–1.62). Moreover, former users, combustible cigarette users, and combined product users also showed significant associations (PR 1.56, 95% CI 1.35–1.80; PR 1.29, 95% CI 1.03–1.62; and PR 1.55, 95% CI 1.20–1.99, respectively).

Conclusions

Users of HTPs, combustible cigarettes, and combined products as well as former users were all significantly associated with a higher prevalence of periodontal diseases compared to never-users.
Clinical, immunologic and virologic outcomes of children and adolescents receiving second line anti-retroviral therapy in two referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Tekliye Endashaw , Alemayehu Tinsae , Bacha Tigist
Published: March 2021

Background

Ethiopia launched free access for antiretroviral therapy in 2005. The number of patients on second line antiretroviral treatment has increased with each passing year. The objectives of this study were to describe the clinical, immunological and virologic outcomes of children and adolescents receiving second line anti-retroviral therapy in two referral hospitals, Yekatit 12 and Zewditu Memorial Hospitals, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

This was a hospital based retrospective cohort study conducted among children and adolescents aged 18 years and less and receiving a second line antiretroviral drugs. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. Means and percentages were used for nominal variables. Statistical analysis was made using statistical software–SPSS 23.0. Kaplan Meier analysis, long rank test and multivariate Cox proportion model were used to identify factors affecting survival.

Results

A total of 75 children and adolescents were studied with a mean age of 13.28 years (SD: 4) with a mean treatment period on second line regimens of 35.2 months (SD: 21.8 months). Forty-eight participants were experiencing successful measures (in all three parameters) for their second line anti-retroviral treatment. Ten had virologic treatment failure while seven had died. Both treatment failure and death rates were higher within the first two years of treatment. Poor treatment adherence (Adjusted hazard ratio: 5.1 (95% CI: 1.1–23.2; p-value = 0.02)) and advanced World Health Organization clinical stage at start of the second line antiretrovirals (Adjusted hazard ratio: 7.51 (95% CI: 1.35–18.02; p-value = 0.002)) correlated significantly with survival of children and adolescents receiving treatment.

Conclusions

The study describes clinical, immunological and virologic outcomes of second line antiretroviral treatment in a pediatric cohort under care in two hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Poor adherence and pre-treatment advanced clinical stages were predictors of survival.
The impact of preferential trade agreements on bilateral trade: A structural gravity model analysis
Authors: Yao Xing , Zhang Yongzhong , Yasmeen Rizwana , Cai Zhen
Published: March 2021

Trade agreements are thought to raise trade integration, but existing preferential trade agreements (PTAs) are insufficient in measuring market access of products. This study develops a product-based coverage index of PTAs using the World Trade Organization (WTO) preferential trade agreements and calculates bilateral trade measures using the EORA multi-regional input-output (MRIO) tables covering 189 countries worldwide over the period 1990–2015; the structural gravity model is employed to test how PTAs affect bilateral trade. Our findings show that countries sharing a common PTA could boost the trade volume compared to those without PTAs, supporting the trade creation effect. However, the trade promotion effect of the product-based coverage index of PTAs is significant only if the member countries are low-and middle-income countries. Further, the wide range of product liberalization brought by PTAs can promote global production networks by stimulating the trade of intermediate goods. Our results are important for understanding the market access effect of PTAs with the increasing development of trade integration and global value chains (GVCs).
Dengue in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Hospital-based cross-sectional KAP assessment at Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporation area
Authors: Abir Tanvir , Ekwudu O’mezie , Kalimullah Nazmul Ahsan , Nur-A Yazdani Dewan Muhammad , Al Mamun Abdullah , Basak Palash , Osuagwu Uchechukwu Levi , Permarupan P. Yukthamarani , Milton Abdul Hasnat , Talukder Shamim Hyder , Agho Kingsley E.
Published: March 2021

Dengue, the most important mosquito-borne viral disease of humans is a recurring global health problem. In Bangladesh, dengue outbreaks are on the increase despite the efforts of government and it is not clear what the understanding of the general Dhaka population towards dengue fever is. Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) studies are essential guides in public health interventions. Hence, using KAP, this study aims to assess patient-perspectives with regards to factors associated with dengue, as well as investigate the associated factors between the two corporations in Dhaka. A Hospital-based cross-sectional study of 242 fever patients from two city-corporations in Dhaka (Dhaka North City Corporations, DNCC (n = 91, 37.6%) and Dhaka South City Corporation, DSCC (n = 151, 62.4%) was conducted using pre-tested KAP items. Wilcoxon’s Rank Sum was used to determine the KAP by DNCC, DSCC and both corporations and multivariate Poisson regression analyses. The two corporations were analysed separately due to the differences in income distribution, concentration of slums, hospitals and clinics. The study found that more than half of the study population were knowledgeable about dengue (mean percentage scores was 52%), possess an appropriate and acceptable attitude towards the disease (69.2%), and about two thirds of the respondents (71.4%) engaged in practices towards its prevention. After adjusting for the potential cofounders, the factors associated with KAP about dengue fever varied between DNCC and DSCC; with duration of residency and use of mosquito nets were associated with knowledge in the north while income class and age were associated with knowledge and attitude in the south. In the pooled analysis (combining both corporations), knowledge of dengue was associated with good practice towards dengue fever among the respondents. The duration of residence in Dhaka (10+ years), not using mosquito nets and length of time spent in the hospital (7+ days) due to dengue, and decreased knowledge (Adjusted coefficient (β) = -0.01, 95%CI: -0.02, -0.01) were associated with attitude towards dengue in DNCC. On the other hand, middle-high income class, age (40+ years) and increased knowledge were associated with practice towards dengue in DSCC (β = 0.02, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.03). Efforts to increase knowledge about dengue fever through education by the administrations of both corporations would benefit from targeting these high-risk groups for a more sustainable outcome.
Environmental regulation, green innovation, and international competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises in China: From the perspective of heterogeneous regulatory tools
Authors: Hu Yuanhong , Sun Sheng , Dai Yixin
Published: March 2021

Based on combined data from the China Patent Database, China Industrial Enterprise Database, and China Customs Import and Export Database for the period 2004–2010, this study investigates the impact of heterogeneous environmental regulations on the export technological sophistication of manufacturing enterprises. Given deepening international market segmentation of production and the increasing proportion of intermediate trade, and compared with the traditional method based on exports, the export technological sophistication calculated here, based on value-added, is closer to the true level. Since there has been no in-depth comparative study on the relationship between heterogeneous environmental regulation and export technological sophistication, this study fills the gap. The results show that all three regulation types bear a U-shaped impact on export technological sophistication. Command-control regulation exhibits a restraining effect on mixed trade, eastern, and foreign-funded enterprises. Market-incentive regulation promotes processing and mixed trade enterprises as well as domestic and foreign-funded enterprises. Voluntary-participation regulation promotes all enterprises with different trade patterns and ownership. The mechanism analysis shows that command-control and market-participation environmental regulations affect export technological sophistication through the green invention and green utility innovation channels, while, additionally, market-incentive environmental regulation affects export technological sophistication through the green design innovation channel. Considering the environmental governance issues, the policy implications for enhancing the entire industrial chain and enterprises’ export competitiveness are clear. Due to the unclear functions and powers of competent departments and a rigid threshold, command-control regulation is not conducive to cleaner production technology and the promotion of enterprises’ export competitiveness; it should thus be discouraged. Although both market-incentive and voluntary-participation regulations have promoted cleaner production technology and enterprises’ competitiveness significantly, the environmental tax system requires continuous improvement. The government should continue to raise public involvement in environmental protection to enrich the channels and forms of environmental management.
Why women do not use contraceptives: Exploring the role of male out-migration
Authors: Mukherjee Saradiya , Mahapatra Bidhubhusan , Saggurti Niranjan
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Contextual understanding of reasons for non-use of contraceptives is key to devising family planning (FP) strategies. This study aimed to understand the reasons for non-use of contraceptives among women in the context of male out-migration.

Methods

Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted in two high male out-migration districts in Bihar, namely Nawada and Gopalganj. Twenty-five FGDs were conducted with currently married women with migrant husbands, currently married men and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) during April-June 2019. Data were analysed by using a thematic approach through Atlas.ti-6.2.

Results

The reasons for contraceptive non-use in areas with high male out-migration were complex, as this included barriers to contraceptive use unique to high-migration areas and reasons commonly found in other rural settings. Non-use of contraceptives among women with migrant husbands was mostly driven by lack of contraceptive preparedness before husband’s arrival, inability to procure contraceptives due to inaccessibility to health facilities and stigma to procure when husband was away. Other migration environment related factors included low ASHA outreach, myths and side effects of contraceptives, community fertility norms and poor spousal communications around FP.

Conclusion

The reasons for non-use of contraceptives are multifaceted, complex and interlinked. Exploration of these reasons in migration context suggest that FP programs in migration affected areas need to address a range of barriers to contraceptive use at multiple levels.
Differential methylation and expression patterns of microRNAs in relation to breast cancer subtypes among American women of African and European ancestry
Authors: Gong Zhihong , Chen Jianhong , Wang Jie , Liu Song , Ambrosone Christine B. , Higgins Michael J.
Published: March 2021

Aggressive high-grade, estrogen receptor negative (ER-) breast cancer is more common among American women of African ancestry (AA) than those of European ancestry (EA). Epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation and altered microRNA (miRNA) expression, may contribute to racial differences in breast cancer. However, few studies have specifically characterized genome-wide DNA methylation-based modifications at the miRNA level in relation to ER+ and ER- subtype, and their functional role in the regulation of miRNA expression, especially among high risk AA women. In this study, we evaluated DNA methylation patterns of miRNA encoding genes and their effect on expression in breast tumors from both AA and EA women. The genome-wide methylation screen identified a total of 7,191 unique CpGs mapped to 1,292 miRNA genes, corresponding to 2,035 unique mature miRNAs. We identified differentially methylated loci (DMLs: (|delta β|)>0.10, FDR<0.05) between ER- and ER+ tumor subtypes, including 290 DMLs shared in both races, 317 and 136 were specific to AA and EA women, respectively. Integrated analysis identified certain DMLs whose methylation levels were significantly correlated with the expression of relevant miRNAs, such as multiple CpGs withinmiR-190bandmiR-135bhighly negatively correlated with their expression. These results were then validated in the TCGA dataset. Target prediction and pathway analysis showed that these DNA methylation-dysregulated miRNAs are involved in multiple cancer-related pathways, including cell cycle G1-S growth factor regulation, cytoskeleton remodeling, angiogenesis, EMT, and ESR1-mediated signaling pathways. In summary, our results suggest that DNA methylation changes within miRNA genes are associated with altered miRNA expression, which may contribute to the network of subtype- and race-related tumor biological differences in breast cancer. These findings support the involvement of epigenetic regulation of miRNA expression and provide insights into the relations of clinical-relevant miRNAs to their target genes, which may serve as potential preventative and therapeutic targets.
Estimation of leaf water content from hyperspectral data of different plant species by using three new spectral absorption indices
Authors: Li Hong , Yang Wunian , Lei Junjie , She Jinxing , Zhou Xiangshan
Published: March 2021

The leaf equivalent water thickness (EWT, g cm−2) and fuel moisture content (FMC, %) are key variables in ecological and environmental monitoring. Although a variety of hyperspectral vegetation indices have been developed to estimate the leaf EWT and FMC, most of these indices are defined considered two or three specific bands for a specific plant species, which limits their applicability. In this study, we proposed three new spectral absorption indices (SAI970, SAI1200, and SAI1660) for various plant types by considering the symmetry of the spectral absorption at 970 nm, 1200 nm and 1660 nm and spectral heterogeneity of different leaves. The indices were calculated considering the absorption peak and shoulder bands of each leaf instead of the same specific bands for all leaves. A pooled dataset of three tree species (camphor (VX), capricorn (VJ), and red-leaf plum (VL)) was used to test the performance of the SAIs in terms of the leaf EWT and FMC estimation. The results indicated that, first, SAI1200 was more suitable for estimating the EWT than FMC, whereas SAI970 and SAI1660 were more suitable for estimating the FMC. Second, SAI1200 achieved the most accurate estimation of the EWT with a cross-validation coefficient of determination (Rcv2) of 0.845 and relative cross-validation root mean square error (rRMSEcv) of 8.90%. Third, SAI1660 outperformed the other indices in estimating the FMC at the leaf level, with an Rcv2 of 0.637 and rRMSEcv of 8.56%. Fourth, SAI970 achieved a moderate accuracy in estimating the EWT (Rcv2 of 0.25 and rRMSEcv of 19.68%) and FMC (Rcv2 of 0.275 and rRMSEcv of 12.10%) at the leaf level. These results can enrich the application of the SAIs and demonstrate the potential of using SAI1200 to determine the leaf EWT and SAI1660 to obtain the leaf FMC among various plant types.
Job loss and mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown: Evidence from South Africa
Authors: Posel Dorrit , Oyenubi Adeola , Kollamparambil Umakrishnan
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Existing literature on how employment loss affects depression has struggled to address potential endogeneity bias caused by reverse causality. The COVID-19 pandemic offers a unique natural experiment because the source of unemployment is very likely to be exogenous to the individual. This study assessed the effect of job loss and job furlough on the mental health of individuals in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data and methods

The data for the study came from the first and second waves of the national survey, the National Income Dynamics-Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM), conducted during May-June and July-August 2020, respectively. The sample for NIDS-CRAM was drawn from an earlier national survey, conducted in 2017, which had collected data on mental health. Questions on depressive symptoms during the lockdown were asked in Wave 2 of NIDS-CRAM, using a 2-question version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2). The PHQ-2 responses (0–6 on the discrete scale) were regrouped into four categories making the ordered logit regression model the most suited for assessing the impact of employment status on depressive symptoms.

Results

The study revealed that adults who retained paid employment during the COVID-19 lockdown had significantly lower depression scores than adults who lost employment. The benefits of employment also accumulated over time, underscoring the effect of unemployment duration on mental health. The analysis revealed no mental health benefits to being furloughed (on unpaid leave), but paid leave had a strong and significant positive effect on the mental health of adults.

Conclusions

The economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented job losses, which impaired mental wellbeing significantly. Health policy responses to the crisis therefore need to focus on both physical and mental health interventions.
Digital inequalities in health information seeking behaviors and experiences in the age of web 2.0: A population-based study in Hong Kong
Authors: Guo Ningyuan , Guo Ziqiu , Zhao Shengzhi , Ho Sai Yin , Fong Daniel Yee Tak , Lai Agnes Yuen Kwan , Chan Sophia Siu-chee , Wang Man Ping , Lam Tai Hing
Published: March 2021

Background

Inequalities in health information seeking behaviors (HISBs) using mass media and internet websites (web 1.0) are well documented. Little is known about web 2.0 such as social networking sites (SNS) and instant messaging (IM) and experiences of HISBs.

Methods

We surveyed representative Hong Kong Chinese adults (N = 10143, 54.9% female; 72.3% aged 25–64 years) on frequency of HISBs using traditional sources, internet websites, SNS (e.g., Facebook, Twitter), and IM (e.g., WhatsApp, WeChat) and experiences measured using Information Seeking Experience Scale. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) for HISBs and experiences by sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were yielded using multivariable Poisson regression with robust variance estimators. aPRs for experiences by HISBs using internet websites, SNS, and IM adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were also yielded.

Results

Being female, higher educational attainment, not smoking, and being physically active were associated with HISBs using any source (all P<0.05). Older age had decreased aPRs for HISBs using traditional sources (P for trend = 0.03), internet websites (P for trend<0.001), and SNS (P for trend<0.001) but not for IM (aged 45–64 years: aPR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.07, 2.03). Lower educational attainment and income were associated with negative experiences including feelings of effort and difficulties in understanding the information (all P for trend<0.05). Older age had increased aPRs for difficulties in understanding the information (P for trend = 0.003). Compared with internet websites, HISBs using IM was associated with feelings of frustration (aPR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.08, 1.79), difficulties in understanding the information (aPR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.12, 1.65), and quality concern (aPR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.08, 1.32).

Conclusions

We identified correlates of web-based health information seeking and experiences in Hong Kong Chinese adults. Providing greater access to and improved information environment of web 2.0 to the target groups may help address digital inequalities.
Statins for major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: De Giorgi Riccardo , De Crescenzo Franco , Rizzo Pesci Nicola , Martens Marieke , Howard Wendy , Cowen Philip J. , Harmer Catherine J.
Published: March 2021

Background

The burden of depressive disorder is large and new treatment approaches are required. Repurposing widely available drugs such as statins may be a time- and cost-effective solution. Statins have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties which have been shown to be relevant to the pathophysiology of depression. This study assesses the efficacy, acceptability, tolerability, and safety of statins in major depressive disorder.

Methods

Our study is an update and extension of a previous meta-analysis published in 2016 by Salagre et al. We performed a systematic review (PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, ISI Web of Science, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov until the 1st September 2020) and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials using any statin against placebo or any other statin in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Our primary efficacy outcome measure was the mean value on any standardized scale for depressive symptoms at 8 weeks of treatment. We also calculated outcomes for efficacy, response, and remission at 2, 4, and 12 weeks, as well as acceptability (dropouts for any cause), tolerability (dropouts due to any adverse event), and safety (any adverse event) outcomes at the studies’ endpoints. Furthermore, we conducted an exploratory network meta-analysis for the primary efficacy outcome to identify potential differences between statins.

Results

We retrieved five randomized controlled trials meeting our inclusion criteria: four used a statin in addition to an antidepressant and compared it to placebo plus antidepressant, and one compared two statins alone. and one comparing one statin with another. Statins compared to placebo in addition to antidepressants were efficacious at 8 weeks (N = 255, SMD = -0.48, 95% CI = -0.74 to -0. 22) and 12 weeks (N = 134, SMD = -0.47, 95% CI = -0.89 to -0.05, moderate certainty) with no difference for acceptability, tolerability, and safety (low certainty). An exploratory network meta-analysis suggested that the most lipophilic statins, especially simvastatin, could be more efficacious than less lipophilic or hydrophilic molecules.

Conclusions

This systematic review suggests the efficacy, acceptability, tolerability, and safety of statins in addition to antidepressants in patients with major depressive disorder. Further clinical trials in different settings are required to test this result.

Trial rgistration

PROSPERO registration: CRD42020170938.
Curriculum Alignment After Reforms: A Systematic Review with Considerations for Queensland Pre- and In-service Teachers
Authors:   James Cook University, Johnson Claudia E. , Boon Helen J. ,   James Cook University, Thompson Maree Dinan ,   James Cook University
Published: March 2021

This systematic review synthesises research on curriculum alignment to suggest considerations for the implementation of the Senior secondary curriculum reform in Queensland, Australia. It focuses on the coherence of cognitive skills in the prescribed and enacted curriculum as these are typically the least aligned curriculum components. Search methods, which followed the PRISMA model, resulted in 108 relevant articles for qualitative synthesis. Results show that alignment after curriculum reforms is typically low. The use of educational taxonomies can support curriculum alignment. Marzano and Kendall’s (2007) New Taxonomy of Educational Objectives underpins the new Queensland Senior secondary syllabi which, in line with other Australian policy, encourage the explicit teaching of cognitive skills. Research is needed on the enacted cognitive skills curriculum in Queensland and its alignment with the reformed prescribed curriculum. To promote the successful implementation of the new Queensland Senior system, pre- and in-service teachers could engage with the New Taxonomy and best practice for teaching cognitive skills.
Teachers And Research Practices: Perspectives From English Language Educators In A Philippine University
Authors:   University of Santo Tomas, Manila, the Philippines, Tarrayo Veronico N. , Hernandez Philippe Jose S. ,   University of Santo Tomas, Manila, the Philippines, Claustro Judith Ma. Angelica S. ,   University of Santo Tomas, Manila, the Philippines
Published: March 2021

Given the paucity of studies regarding research practices of teachers, particularly English language teaching (ELT) practitioners in the ASEAN region and in the Philippines, this study explores the research practices of English language teachers in the Philippines. Using purposive-convenience sampling, a total of 49 teachers of English from a Philippine university were asked to answer a survey. To validate the data, pertinent public university documents were examined, and interviews with the university research heads were conducted. Findings suggest that the teachers were cognizant of the link between teaching and their own and their schools’ research practices. This research also reports the teachers’ positive perception towards research, and high receptivity to and interest in it. However, such research engagement was somehow constrained by factors such as crowded teaching timetables or heavy workload, lack of funding or financial support, difficulty in understanding (e.g., the language) published research, and the challenge of contextualising research findings for classroom use. This paper concludes with a note on how a conducive research climate in a school is a requisite in cultivating teachers’ interest in research.
“LEGACY OF GENGHIS KHAN” AS AN ASIAN FACTOR IN THE FORMATION OF THE POLITICAL AND LEGAL DOCTRINE OF EURASIANISM
Authors: Kulikov E.A.
Published: March 2021

The article analyzes the works of representatives of classical Eurasianism. Particular attention is paidto the works of N.S. Trubetskoy, who was one of the first to define the importance of the Asian (Eastern)vector of the development of Russian statehood. The socio-economic and geopolitical substantiation ofthis vector was given by P.N. Savitsky. The manifestations of Asian influence in the idea of monarchy andits implementation in Russia were analyzed by N.N. Alekseev. Finally, G.V. Vernadsky formulated the ideaof a synthesis of Eastern Orthodoxy of Byzantium and the state organization of the Mongol Empire in thefoundation of the Russian state. The Asian factor is formed from the idea-principle, which is the unificationof the inner part of Eurasia, as well as from the mechanism for implementing this idea, based on thesystem of the structure of the great Mongol empire of Genghis Khan. In the political and legal views of the representatives of Eurasianism, this factor can be called the “Legacy of Genghis Khan”. This article is devotedto the influence of this heritage on Russian history, as well as on the formation of the doctrine of Eurasianismand its isolation among other areas of Russian thought.
SOME ASPECTS OF THE PROPERTY OF ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES
Authors: Voskoboynik I.O.
Published: March 2021

This article discusses the problems of determining the admissibility of information used as evidence incriminal cases, examines the signs of admissibility, and makes a number of suggestions for optimizing lawenforcement practice.
A business schoolok szerepváltozásai Kihívások és változások a menedzserképzésben és az MBA-oktatásban
Authors: Barakonyi Károly
Published: March 2021

Az amerikai üzleti iskolák kialakulásuk után szakiskolákként működtek, az üzlet irányítását szakmának fogva fel. A XX. század közepén a hidegháborús fenyegetettség közepette az oktatás színvonalának növelése a nemzetvédelmi kérdések élvonalába került. Néhány évtized alatt szakiskolákból a menedzsmenttudomány fellegváraivá váltak. Ezzel azonban átestek a ló túlsó oldalára: a tudományos kiválóság vágya, a kutatáscentrikusság, az elmélet és a módszertan fetisizálása mind távolabbra sodorta az üzleti iskolákat az üzleti gyakorlattól. Elméleti folyóiratokban való publikálás, az azokra történő hivatkozás fontosabb lett, mint a gyakorlattal való kapcsolat, az eredmények gyakorlati alkalmazása. A menedzserképzés újabb fordulóponthoz érkezett: olyan átalakulásra van szükség, amely megteremti az egyensúlyt a menedzsment mint szakma és a menedzsment mint tudomány között.
Modellezhető-e az üzleti kapcsolatok teljesítményének értelmezése? Szakirodalmi összefoglalás és modellfejlesztés
Authors: Hetesi Erzsébet , Vilmányi Márton
Published: March 2021

A tanulmány a szervezetközi kapcsolatok teljesítményének mérési problémáit elemzi. A szerzők dolgozatuk első részében áttekintik a releváns szakirodalmi eredményeket, majd azokat a teljesítménymenedzsment megközelítésével ötvözve bemutatják a kapcsolati teljesítmény általános mérésére javasolt modellt. Vizsgálatukban a szerzők vevői-szállítói együttműködések értékalapú megközelítéséből indulnak ki, ahol a kapcsolati érték fogalmát gazdaságilag közvetlenül értékelhető és nem értékelhető elemekre bontják. A kapcsolati teljesítményt többdimenziós fogalomként értelmezik, és megkísérlik azonosítani annak legfontosabb tényezőit. A kapcsolati teljesítményt az eredmények, a folyamatok és a képességek dimenzióival írják le, ahol külön figyelmet szentelnek a hálózati kapcsolatok teljesítményre gyakorolt hatásának. A modell természetesen kísérleti jellegű, annak empirikus tesztelése már megtörtént, de e tanulmány keretei nem teszik lehetővé az eredmények mélyelemzését.
Energiastratégiák a vezetékesgáz-üzletágban
Authors: Virág Attila
Published: March 2021

A tanulmány a vezetékesgáz-üzletágat vizsgálja az Európai Unió és Oroszország viszonylatában. A két gazdasági és világpolitikai szereplő merőben eltérő energiastratégiai felfogások mentén alakítja energiabiztonságra vonatkozó célrendszerét. A két aktor a 2005–2006 fordulóján lezajlott orosz–ukrán gázárvitát követően új taktikai lépések meghozatalára kényszerült. Több európai és orosz gázvezetékprojekt megvalósítása kezdődött meg, illetve gyorsult fel. A Nabucco, valamint az Északi és Déli Áramlat vezetékek megvalósítása körüli stratégiai küzdelem jól megvilágítja az aktuális „erőviszonyokat” az Európai Unió és Oroszország viszonylatában a vizsgált területen.
A hatékonyság növelésének lehetőségei az önkormányzatoknál
Authors: Kiss Lilla Veronika
Published: March 2021

A tanulmány röviden bemutatja a magyar önkormányzati szektor feladatrendszerét és a finanszírozás jelenlegi helyzetét, valamint az Új Közmenedzsment módszer hazai alkalmazása nyújtotta lehetőségeket. A tanulmány ambíciója az önkormányzati szektor szorult gazdasági helyzetének vizsgálata kapcsán a gazdaságfejlesztés és a hatékonyságnövelés lehetőségeinek vizsgálata. A szerző menedzsmentmódszereket ajánl a hivatali vezetés hatékonyságának növeléséhez, kiemelve a különböző módszerek alkalmazásának problémái mellett azok hosszú távú előnyeit, hasznait.
DESCARTE ADEQUADO DE MEDICAMENTOS: UMA ESTRATÉGIA INTEGRADA DE EDUCAÇÃO EM SAÚDE VOLTADA À COMUNIDADE ACADÊMICA
Authors: Neres João Pedro Granjeiro , Dos Santos Maressa Irene , Santos Elizabeth Cristina Gomes dos , Melo Menilla Maria Alves de
Published: March 2021

O farmacêutico é o profissional responsável por orientar a comunidade sobre o uso racional de medicamentos, por meio da atenção farmacêutica. A prática da automedicação está relacionada ao estoque em domicílio de medicamentos, que favorece à problemática de seu descarte incorreto. Quando vencidos ou fora de uso, os medicamentos são descartados, na maioria das vezes, em locais inapropriados, afetando o meio ambiente. O trabalho teve por objetivo elaborar uma estratégia de descarte consciente de medicamentos durante a semana científica em uma faculdade privada, na cidade de Natal, RN, bem como avaliar o perfil dos medicamentos descartados. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, observacional e descritivo. A coleta dos medicamentos ocorreu em junho de 2019, durante a semana científica. Posteriormente foi realizada a contagem dos medicamentos recolhidos, separando-os por forma farmacêutica e em seguida verificou-se o quantitativo de medicamentos genéricos. Um total de 303 medicamentos vencidos ou fora de uso foram recolhidos, sendo 220 na forma farmacêutica sólida, 66 líquidos, e 17 semissólidos. Do total recolhido, apenas 51 eram genéricos. O estabelecimento de estratégias que facilitem o descarte racional de medicamentos no âmbito acadêmico possibilita uma alternativa para diminuir o acúmulo de medicamentos vencidos ou fora de uso em domicílio, bem como evita que estes sejam descartados em locais inapropriados.
Transdisziplinäre Forschung mit transformativem Anspruch: Zehn Jahre NaWis: Rückblick und Vorausschau
Authors: Lang Daniel J. , Renn Ortwin , Rehm Annika , Ernst Andreas
Published: March 2021

2011 trat der Nawis-Verbund mit dem Vorhaben an, transdisziplinäre Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaft institutionell zu etablieren und einen Wandel im Wissenschaftssystem anzu stoßen. Damit verbunden ist die neu gedachte Wissenschaftspraxis der transformativen Forschung,
die eine analytische Komponente und einen normativen Auftrag umfasst.
The opportunities and risks of digitalisation for sustainable development: a systemic perspective
Authors: Renn Ortwin , Beier Grischa , Schweizer Pia-Johanna
Published: March 2021

Digitalisation can drive the sustainable transformation of society and industry. Many of the opportunities are, however, closely linked with risks. The use of a systemic risk-benefit perspective can help with the review and categorisation of the major impacts and trade-offs regarding
the ecological, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability. The dynamics and uncertainties of digitalisation are complex ‐ to make digitalisation a sustainable success, all involved actors should be engaged in a co-design process to develop a governance structure that is in line
with sustainability.
Exploring learners’ understanding of technical vocabulary in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Lu Cailing , Boers Frank , Coxhead Averil
Published: March 2021

This study explores English for specific purposes learners’ understanding of technical words in a previously-developed technical word list in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The principal aim was to estimate what kind of technical terms pose problems to TCM learners and might therefore merit special attention in instruction. Of particular interest was the question whether there is a divergence in the understanding of technical vocabulary in TCM between Chinese and Western background learners. To achieve these aims, a combination of word association tasks and retrospective interviews was implemented with 11 Chinese and 10 Western background TCM learners. The data showed that both Chinese and Western learners encountered certain difficulties in understanding technical vocabulary in their study. However, their sources of difficulty were different. Comparisons of typical word associations between Chinese and Western learners indicated that there was a degree of divergence in the way these two participant groups understood TCM terms.
Review of English language proficiency assessments for young learners; Editors: Mikyung Kim Wolf, Yuko Goto Butler; Publisher: Routledge, 2017; ISBN: 9781138940369; Pages: 295
Authors: Krajka Jaroslaw
Published: March 2021

Language assessment has recently attracted a great deal of attention of both researchers and practitioners, which is evidenced, among other things, by a number of well-known monographs (Brown & Abeywickrama, 2010; Coombe et al., 2012; Gordon & Rajagopalan, 2016; Gottlieb, 2006; Komorowska, 2002; Tsagari & Banerjee, 2016, to name just a few), as well as a proliferation of journals oriented towards language testing and assessment (e.g., Language Testing, Assessing Writing, Language Assessment Quarterly, International Journal of Language Testing and Assessment, and Educational Assessment). In recent years, great popularity of computers and easy access to the Internet have made it possible to move testing to a new dimension, through enabling Web-based testing (delivered via the internet) as well as computer-adaptive testing (see Krajka, 2016; Malec, 2018; Marczak et al., 2016). The use of computers has enhanced the assessment of not only target language skills and subsystems, which could be easily predicted, but also more complex constructs, such as intercultural communicative competence (Marczak & Krajka, 2014; Wilczyńska et al., 2019). Formative assessment, often referred to as assessment for learning (Black et al., 2003), dynamic assessment (Shohamy, 2015) or alternative assessment (Alismail & McGuire, 2015; Tedesco et al., 2014) is redefining the way school teachers think about assessment, moving them away from testing towards more comprehensive ways of evaluation. At the same time, even though a great number of publications have appeared on teaching young learners, also with a focus on assessment, this does not necessarily translate into widespread awareness of these assessment issues among teachers. The question might arise, then, whether there is a need for a new publication dealing with the complex nature of language assessment, and if yes, what kind of reader to aim at, how to bridge the gap between what is available and what might be desired, and how to structure it to respond to the changing educational reality.