bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economics of Health Human Capital in Jammu and Kashmir
Authors: Khan Javid Ahmad , Agrawal Dr Sarita
Published: December 2020

In this paper an attempt has been made to estimate and analysis the growth and performance of the human capital in Jammu and Kashmir. Given different components of the human capital only health human capital is estimated and analyzed. The health human capital as a proxy variable for human capital is analyzed for inputs and outputs. The proxy variables included total expenditure on health, health expenditure as percentage share of total expenditure and GSDP, quality variables like institutional availability and man power, medical attention received, life expectancy average, mortality rates by sex and residence, birth and death rates, natural growth rates, child mortality, total fertility. Both econometrics and non-econometrics methods were used for estimation. The study concludes that health human capital has increased in the state over time but pace and acceleration was low. Following the findings the study recommends the attention of government to increase the standard of health in Jammu and Kashmir. Substantial amount of government budgetary allocation should be directed towards the health sector and minimization of gap of urban rural access to health care is strongly recommended by increasing infrastructure. Â Last but not least the availability of institutions and increase in the man power engaged in health sector must be increased.
Education and Economic Growth in NER States of India: A Panel Cointegration Analysis
Authors: Jaman Md. Samsur
Published: December 2020

The main purpose of this study is examines the long run relationship between social expenditures and economic growth in North-Eastern states of India. The long run impact of expenditures in social sector such as education, health and social welfare on economic growth is investigated by applying the Pedroniâ€™s panel Cointegration using balanced panel data analysis of eight (8) North Eastern states over the period from 2000 to 2014. In this study empirical analysis suggest the existence of dynamic relationship among expenditures on education, health and social welfare and economic growth for all cases of eight sample states. The study concludes that expenditures in the social sector can affect economic growth. Such social expenditures enhance productivity by providing infrastructure, education, health and harmonizing social interests. Thus, expenditure composition can also play an important role in promoting economic growth in North-Eastern region.
Labor Productivity and Phillips Curve in China: Contemporary Investigation
Authors: Kalbasi Anaraki Nahid
Published: December 2020

The Phillips curve on the trade-off between inflation and unemployment has been debated among economists for more than decades. Several studies have found that Phillips curve is dead in advanced economies and does not exist. Among others, Friedman (1968) stated that Phillips curve does not exist in the long-run because the relationship between inflation and unemployment is a temporary and short-term. On the contrary, Fuhrer (1995) found that Phillips curve is still alive in the United Kingdom; and Malinov and Sommers (1997) found that Phillips curve is still alive and stable in several OECD countries. This paper attempts to investigate whether a long-run Philips Curve exists in China. Using data for the period of 1987-2016 the estimated results of this study indicate that the Phillips curve, which existed during the late 1980s through 2000 in China has been gradually transformed to an almost vertical curve since 2000s, with a correlation of 0.8, indicating the importance of other policy variables including monetary policy and exchange rate regimes.
Essence of Trade Facilitation
Authors: Dar Zahid Ul Islam , Kaur Sandeep
Published: December 2020

The global tariffs cutback, particularly in the developed world has been substantial and also the consequent gains appropriated therefrom. This has led to the shift of focus in the contemporary trade policies, having inclinations towards one or more aspects of the trade facilitation. Trade facilitation pertains to simplification, standardisation and synchronisation of trade procedures followed internationally and within the borders of individual economies as well, bearing an enormous impact on the time to trade and otherwise increasing trade transaction costs. The South Asian region on the trade facilitation front lags way behind the other regional groupings. It contrastingly portrays dismal performance in terms of costs, documentation and time taken to export and import. Despite the empirical studies predicting impressive gains to the region from trade facilitation and mention of several trade facilitation measures in various bilateral and regional agreements, the interregional trade primarily out of inaction has been near stagnant since 1980s. The bright spot in the region, India is outdone in several trade facilitation indicators by the small and relatively not well doing South Asian economies. The border compliances contrastingly contribute considerably to the nationâ€™s time to trade and the trade transactions cost. The trade facilitation measures undertaken by the nation have mostly addressed the issues concerning the GATT articles VIII and X and the left out measures are still substantially contributing to the trade time and costs. In this regard, the paper primarily endeavours to dig into Indiaâ€™s accomplishments and deficiencies on the trade facilitation front.
Foreign Institutional Investors in India
Authors: Chellasamy P. , Udhaya Kumar J.
Published: December 2020

With a view to facilitating the operational procedures for foreign institutional investment in India and encouraging the present investment trends, it was decided to increase the role of foreign brokers in transactions of FIIs by allowing them to provide assistance to the FIIs registered with SEBI in their dealings in India. A few foreign broking firms have set up fully owned subsidiaries in India. These broking outfits can deal directly in the Indian stock markets. Custodians approved by SEBI could render further, custodial services. The FIIs have been playing a major role in the Indian capital market with cumulative investments having reached $11.24 billion by March-end 2000. As compared to this, the cumulative amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) since 1991 up to December end 1999 has been estimated at $19.2 billion. The market capitalisation varies depending on share market prices.
Exploitation of Scheduled Caste Women: A Devadasi Cult
Authors: Desai Pratibha
Published: December 2020

Woman carrying a jag (metal mask) in a Pardi (basket) on her head and begging is known as Devadasi, (Servant of God). This ceremonial system is called â€œjogavaâ€ in Marathi. She maintains herself by begging and ends up her life in brothel. We know that religion is a complex phenomenon, which pervades with a vast range of human activities in the society. It emerged with the belief in power, superior to human being and directs him to destiny and controls the nature. Its practical dimensions are expressed through a number of ways in the form of culture of the society. The religious scriptures always play a major role in the development of culture enriching language and literature. In spite of all merits of religion, one cannot overlook number of aberrations, crimes, superstitions and exploitation in the name of religion. In India Devadasi cult is such a religious practice, under which a girl is dedicated to or married not with mortal man but to idol or object of worship or to a temple. The paper attempts to find major reasons behind for persistence and continuity of this cult.
â€œRural Indebtednessâ€: â€˜With Special reference to Sugarcane Growersâ€™
Authors: Desai Pratibha B. , Salawade S.N.
Published: December 2020

Indebtedness, a huge and growing burden in the rural countryside, particularly among the poor farmers is the single factor for agrarian crisis. So rising indebtedness of sugarcane growers in last years lead to suicides of the growers. Hence, proper measures should be undertaken to reduce the burden of indebtedness.
Comparative Analysis of Financial Performance of Private Sector Banks in India: Application of CAMEL Model
Authors: Gupta Sumeet , Verma Renu
Published: December 2020

Banking in India is mature in terms of supply, product range and reach-even in rural India through rural banking and remote banking. In terms of quality of assets and capital adequacy, Indian banks are considered to have clean, strong and transparent balance sheets. The present research work analyses the overall financial performance of major private sector banks in India through application of CAMEL Model. Besides it also attempts to compare the performance of these Banks with the help of Composite Ranking Method.
Mini Milk Revolution: A Case Of Youth Leadership For Village Economy
Authors: Channaveer R.M.
Published: December 2020

Dr. Kurien the father of white revolution in India is not known in this village, but his mission is getting white here.Â  Yelladgundi a remote village in Karnataka is getting white face-lift due to a transformative youth initiative.Â  A handful of youths are striving for the last over two years to transform their village through self-help and milk diary activities. Village is flooded with milky animals, youths are no more wasting time as earlier, women's purse is filled with bounty of rupees, shy educated youths are grazing cattle and working in fields, and lakh of rupee revenue is drawn to the village. And so, the fields are filled with abode of happiness, as youth are working in the fields, once neglected considering it a low dignity work.Â  Responsible youths are now affectionately pushing the elderly engaged in fields to homes for needed rest with a feeling of great sigh.
Organic Farming For Sustainable Agriculture: A Comparative Analysis Of Organic Versus Conventional Rice And Cotton
Authors: Sujatha R.V. , Suhasini K. , Prasad Y. Eswara
Published: December 2020

Organic farming is not new to Indian farming community.Â  Several forms of organic farming are being successfully practiced in diverse climate, particularly in rain-fed, tribal, mountains and hill areas of the country. Among all farming systems, organic farming is gaining wide attention among farmers, entrepreneurs, policy makers and agricultural scientists for varied reasons such asÂ  it minimizes the dependence on chemical inputs (fertilizers; pesticides; herbicides and other agro-chemicals) thus safeguards/ improves quality of resources, and environment. It is labour intensive and provides an opportunity to increase rural employment and achieve long term improvements in the quality of resource base.Organic farming has received considerable attention in India in the recent past. In India, the per cent area under organic farming is only 0.03 per cent of the total area under agriculture when compared to Austria (11.30%), Switzerland (9.70%) and Italy (7.94%) according to SOEL Survey, February 2003. Some of the major organically produced agricultural crops in India include crops like plantation, spices, pulses, fruits, vegetables and oil seeds etc
South â€“East Asian Crisis- An Important Lesson for the Global Economy
Authors: Jain Prerna , Jain Pragati
Published: December 2020

Crises are an intrinsic feature of the marketâ€“oriented credit and financial system. Business cycles showing periods of boom and bust will continue to occur, only the intensity shall matter. An unprecedented crisis that erupted in five Asian economies: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Phillipines, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, in mid 1997-1998 raised concern about the stability of the â€œGlobal Financial Architecture.â€Â  The clear evidence emerged of a rapid and unsustainable buildup of investment in fixed assets financed by excessive borrowing. This investment-spending spree resulted in poor profitability, reflected in low and declining returns on equity and on capital employed. The severity of the crisis in the Asian region was so great that some other countries in the world â€“ Brazil and Russia, in particular also got affected by the contagion.
The Global Financial Crisis And Indiaâ€™s Policy Development For Public Expenditure Management
Authors: Barua Mithun
Published: December 2020

The global financial crisis started in the USA and then gradually affected the entire world with a major effect on the Euro zone economies. The Asian economies also came under the influence of the global financial crisis. The Indian economy, considered the fastest growing economy of the world was not severely affected by the global financial crisis. The Government of India and various State governments came up with austerity measures in order to manage and curb public expenditure. A new policy initiative and push was witnessed in India with regard to the public expenditure management. But the policy initiatives for public expenditure management would be successful only when these are properly and effectively managed and implemented by the government organizations. In this paper, ten questions/ areas contributing towards public expenditure management are identified. Than the responses of the Financial Advisors & Chief Accounting Officers (FA&CAO) of different organizations of Government of India and nine State governments are collected. The responses of FA&CAO are than analyzed and concluded. It is found that the various orders and circulars of the Government advocated for measures which would bring efficiency and prudence in public expenditure management. But the ground reality of their implementation is still far behind than designed and anticipated.Â
Aile sağlığı merkezi çalışanlarının aşı reddi konusundaki düşünceleri ve davranışlarının değerlendirilmesi
Authors: YAKŞİ Neşe
Published: December 2020

Amaç: Aşı bireysel ve toplumsal sağlık için etkili bir koruyucu yöntem olmanın yanında maliyet etkin bir yöntemdir. Son zamanlarda aşı reddi ve kızamık gibi bulaşıcı hastalıkların sıklıklarındaki artışla aşılama hizmetlerinin gerekliliği daha iyi anlaşılmıştır. Özellikle birinci basamakta aşı uygulayan kişilerin aşının gerekliliğine inanması toplum bağışıklığında oldukça önemlidir. Çalışmamızın amacı aile sağlığı çalışanlarının aşı reddi konusundaki bilgi, tutum ve davranışlarının değerlendirilmesidir. Yöntem: Kesitsel tipteki çalışmamıza Niğde’de görev yapan 146 aile sağlığı çalışanından 125’i (%85) dahil edilmiştir. Kurum izni ve etik kurul izni alındıktan sonra 30 sorudan oluşan bir anket ile veri toplanmıştır. Bulgular: Katılımcıların %3’ünün son çocuğunun tam aşılı olmadığı gösterilmiştir. Aile sağlığı çalışanlarının %69’u aşı tereddüdü yaşayan, %51’i ise aşı yaptırmayan hastaları olduğunu belirtmiştir. Katılımcıların %13’ü mesleki eğitim sırasında, %15’i hizmet içi eğitim olarak aşı reddi konusunda eğitim almıştır. Sağlık Bakanlığı’nın aşılar konusundaki web sitesini bilmeyen katılımcı oranı %38 olup, bilenlerin sadece yarısı web sitesini hastalarıyla paylaştığını belirtmiştir. Her üç katılımcıdan biri aşı reddi karşısında rehberlik etmekte kendini yetersiz hissettiğini belirtmiştir. Aşı reddine sebep olduğu düşünülen en sık sebepler aşının içeriğine güvensizlik (%84), bilgisizlik (%79) ve aşının zarar vereceği düşüncesi (%71) olarak belirtilmiştir. Yüksek öğrenim düzeyi, aşı reddi konusunda eğitim almış olma, meslekte ve birinci basamakta geçirilen sürenin fazla olması aile sağlığı çalışanlarında aşı reddi konusunda bilgi, tutum ve davranışları etkileyen temel faktörler olarak bulunmuştur (p<0.05). Sonuç: Aile sağlığı çalışanlarında aşı reddinin literatürle kıyaslandığında yüksek olmadığı fakat bilgi düzeyinde eksikler olduğu görülmüştür. Mesleki eğitim sırasında ve hizmet içi düzenlenecek bağışıklama ve aşı reddi eğitimlerinin yeterlilik hissini artırarak etkin rehberlik yapılmasını sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.
Justifications for the Modified Opinions and for Other Observations in the Audit Reports
Authors:   Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi, Romania, ISTRATE Costel , BUNGET Ovidiu Constantin ,   West University of TimiSoara, Romania, POPA Irimie Emil ,   Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this paper is to identify and to comment the main justifications of modified audit opinions and the main observations included in the emphasis of matter paragraphs from the audit reports of Romanian companies listed on the regulated market of Bucharest Stock Exchange (BSE). The authors analyze a sample of more than 1,000 observations-year for the 2007-2019 period. They found that 25% of these reports contain a modified opinion and the main explanations relate to the revaluations of fixed tangible assets, to the provisions, to the impairment of the fixed assets, to some legal issues, to items concerning the closing inventory and, to a lesser extent, to the going concern matters. In 30% of the reports analyzed, there was identified emphasis of matter paragraphs; the main observation is by far related to the going concern, followed by the financial and operating difficulties of companies and by the effects of different global crisis (financial or others).
The Evaluation of the Communication of the Romanian Listed Companies with the Investors
Authors:   East European Center for Research in Economics and Business, West University of Timisoara, Romania    a, HATEGAN Camelia-Daniela
Published: December 2020

Investor relations and financial communication are an ongoing challenge for a company's governance. Good communication and a close relationship with the investors contribute to strengthening the company's image and confidence of all stakeholders. Research on this topic has identified the requirements underlying the effective communication of companies, namely the existence of a department on investor relations, communication strategy, practices used, the content of the communication and its effects. The purpose of the paper is to make an assessment of the level of communication registered by the Romanian companies listed on the main market at the Bucharest Stock Exchange, starting from the assessment made by the Romanian Investor Relations Association in correlation with factors that may influence communication, respectively the trading category in which the company is listed, profitability, dividends paid, form of ownership of the majority shareholder, existence of non-financial reporting. From the proposed econometric model, it resulted that all the variables tested influence the level of communication, of which the trading category and the existence of non-financial reporting are most closely related. The level of communication with investors of Romanian companies is still low, but it has an upward evolution over time, so that at the next evaluation it will be possible to ascertain the amplitude of this evolution and other influencing factors will be identified.
La literatura infantil y su importancia en el aprendizaje de niños y niñas: de la teoría a la práctica
Authors: Caiceo Escudero Jaime , Socías Muñoz Estela
Published: December 2020

El propósito de esta investigación teórico-práctica es destacar la importancia de la literatura infantil para motivar e involucrar a los niños con la lectura a fin de despertar la creatividad y el desarrollo de la imaginación. Para ello, se plantean tres aspectos fundamentales: (i) Funciones de la literatura infantil; (ii) Papel del docente como promotor de la literatura infantil; y (iii) Estrategias que favorecen el aprendizaje natural de la lectura, relacionadas con la literatura para niños. El análisis se fundamenta en el enfoque constructivista del aprendizaje del lenguaje. Se concluye con la mención de algunas consideraciones prácticas para mejorar el trabajo de la literatura infantil en el aula.
Metamaterials Demonstrating Negative Thermal Capacity
Authors: Bormashenko Edward , Shulzinger Evgeny
Published: December 2020

: One-dimensional chain of core-shell pairs connected by ideal springs enables design of the metamaterial demonstrating the negative effective density and negative specific thermal capacity. We assume that the molar thermal capacity of the reported metamaterial is governed by the Dulong-Petit law in its high temperature limit. The specific thermal capacity depends of the density of the metamaterial; thus, it is expected to be negative, when the effective density of the chain is negative. The range of the frequencies enabling the effect of the negative thermal capacity is established. Dependence of the effective thermal capacity on the exciting frequency for various core/shell mass ratios is elucidated. The effective thermal capacity becomes negative in the vicinity of the local resonance frequency ω0 in the situation when the frequency ω approaches ω0 from above. The effect of the negative effective thermal capacity is expected in metals in the vicinity of the plasma frequency.
Prevalence of Asymptomatic Malaria Infections in the Rural Dzanga Sangha Region, Central African Republic, 2020
Authors: Korzeniewski Krzysztof , Bylicka-Szczepanowska Emilia , Lass Anna
Published: December 2020

According to the World Health Organization 94% of global malaria cases and 94% of global malaria deaths have been reported from Africa. Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine the exact prevalence of disease in some African countries due to a large number of asymptomatic cases. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of malaria infections in seemingly healthy children living in the Central African Republic (CAR). CareStartTM Malaria HRP2 Pf Ag RDT targeting Plasmodium falciparum was used to test a group of 500 asymptomatic children aged 1-15 years old (330 settled Bantu and 170 semi-nomadic BaAka Pygmies) inhabiting the villages in the Dzanga Sangha region (south-west CAR) in March 2020. 32.4% of asymptomatic Bantu and 40.6% of asymptomatic Pygmy children had a positive result of malaria RDT. The mean age of the study participants with RDT (+) was 8.7 in Bantu and 7.0 years in Pygmies; the mean body temperature was 36.8oC in both groups; the mean haemoglobin level was 10.6 g/dL and 10.1 g/dL, respectively. Our findings allowed us to demonstrate the high prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infections in south-west CAR. RDTs seem to be a useful tool for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum in areas with limited possibilities of using other diagnostic methods, such as light microscopy and molecular biology.
Update on the Transmission of Zika Virus Through Breast Milk and Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review of the Evidence
Authors: Centeno-Tablante Elizabeth , Medina-Rivera Melisa , Finkelstein Julia L , Herman Heather , Rayco-Solon Pura , Garcia-Casal Maria Nieves , Rogers Lisa , Ghezzi-Kopel Kate , Zambrano Leal Mildred P , Andrade Velasquez Joyce K , Chang Asinc Juan , Peña-Rosas Juan Pablo , Mehta Saurabh
Published: December 2020

To gain new insights into the potential of mother-to-child transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) through breast milk or breastfeeding practices, we systematically searched regional and international databases and screened 1,658 non-duplicate records describing women with suspected or confirmed ZIKV infection, intending to breastfeed or give breast milk to an infant. Fourteen studies met our inclusion criteria and inform this analysis. These studies reported on 97 mother-children pairs who provided breast milk for ZIKV assessment. Seventeen breast milk samples from different women were found positive for ZIKV via RT-PCR, and ZIKV replication was found in cell cultures from five out of seven breast milk samples from different women. Only three out of six infants who had ZIKV infection were breastfed, no evidence of clinical complications were found to be associated with ZIKV RNA in breast milk. This review updates our previous report by synthesizing the evidence from 12 new articles and we find no evidence of mother-to-child transmission through breast milk intake or breastfeeding. As the certainty of the present evidence is low, additional studies are still warranted to completely understand any potential of transmission of ZIKV through breastfeeding.
Assessment Urban Transport Service and Pythagorean Fuzzy Sets CODAS Method: A Case of Study of Ciudad Juárez
Authors: Perez-Dominguez Luis , Almeraz Duran Sara Nohemi , Romero Roberto , Pérez-Olguín Iván Juan Carlos , Luviano-Cruz David , Hernandez Gomez Jesus Andres
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this research article is to provide a comprehensive method that allows the evaluation of the public transportation in their different transport lines that offer in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. This study presents a description of the public transport system as part of the literature review that describes an appropriate model based on the more outstanding publications about urban mobility and public transportation for passengers’ as well as success cases published which serves as a starting point to check the actual state of the public transportation system based on the Pythagorean Fuzzy CODAS to analyze and evaluate the alternatives through criteria that defines the general performance. The integration of these methods provides an adequate methodology for decision-making concerning urban planning and mobility to detect and improve the performance of criteria not considered within sustainable urban mobility plans.
IDENTIFIKASI ZONA MINERALISASI EMAS MENGGUNAKAN METODE RESISTIVITAS DAN INDUKSI POLARISASI (IP) DI DESA LINTIDU KAB BUOL
Authors: Amsah La Ode Muh Yazid
Published: December 2020

Berdasarkan proses pembentukannya emas (Au) terdiri atas endapan primer dan endapan plaser. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Desa Lintidu Kabupaten Buol. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui distribusi nilai resistivitas batuan untuk menentukan zona pembentukan endapan emas (Au). Penelitian ini menggunakan metode geolistrik resistivitas dan induksi polarisasi (IP) dengan menggunakan Konfigurasi Wenner. Lintasan pengukuran sebanyak dua buah dengan panjang 288 dan 282 meter dan spasi antara elektroda 6 meter. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa pada lintasan satu menunjukan keberadaan dari endapan emas (Au) dengan nilai resistivitas 100 Ωm – 151 Ωm, begitu pula pada lintasan dua menunjukan keberadaan dari endapan emas (Au) dengan nilai resistivitas 30 Ωm – 60 Ωm.
KARAKTERISASI AIR DAERAH PANAS BUMI PENCONG DENGAN METODE AAS (ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETER) DI KECAMATAN BIRINGBULU, KABUPATEN GOWA PROPINSI SULAWESI SELATAN
Authors: Lolo Agustina , Patandean Candra Febryanto , Ruslan Eko
Published: December 2020

Penelitian ini mengenai karakterisasi air daerah panas bumi Pencong dengan Metode Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui ciri fisik, sifat kimia dan menentukan kelayakan dari cadangan panas bumi. Parameter utama untuk pengembangan daerah prospek panas bumi adalah suhu fluida di reservoir, permeabilitas, batuan reservoir, dan volume (luas dan tebal) dari reservoir. Metode AAS berprinsip pada absorbsi cahaya oleh atom, atom – atom menyerap cahaya tersebut pada panjang gelombang tertentu, tergantung pada sifat unsurnya. Dari hasil analisis laboratorim unsur yang dominan untuk ketiga sampel berturut – turut berupa bikarbonat, sebanyak 116,6 ppm; 120,3 ppm; dan 112,8 ppm, kemudian natrium sebanyak 112,96 ppm; 110,29 ppm; 108,5 ppm, kemudian silika sebanyak 48,46 ppm; 48,46 ppm; 48,33 ppm. Dari hasil laboratorim tersebut diperoleh nilai persentase kandungan ion HCO3- sebanyak 65,75%; 68,51%; 65,72%, Cl- sebanyak 17,44%; 17,61%; 18,02% dan SO42- sebanyak 16,78%; 13,86%; 16,25%, menunjukkan bahwa mata air panas daerah tersebut termasuk tipe air bikarbonat. Perkiraan temperatur bawah permukaan dengan menggunakan geothermometer Na – K pada daerah tersebut di tempat sampel I sampai tempat sampel III adalah 168,45oC, 148oC dan 160,02oC, dan termasuk dalam entalpi sedang dimana mempunyai batas suhu > 125oC, yang sistem pengendali mata air panas yang berada di Desa Pencong berasal dari interaksi batuan yang terjadi secara konveksi.
Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of diabetes mellitus in rural Rwanda: Time to contextualize the interventions? A cross-sectional study
Authors: Munganyinka Charlotte Bavuma , Musafiri Sanctus , Rutayisire Pierre-Claver , Ng’ang’a Loise M , McQuillan Ruth , Wild Sarah H.
Published: December 2020

Background: Existing prevention and treatment strategies target the classic types of diabetes yet this approach might not always be appropriate in some settings where atypical phenotypes exist. This study aims to assess the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of people with diabetes in rural Rwanda compared to those of urban dwellers.Methods: A cross-sectional, clinic-based study was conducted in which individuals with diabetes mellitus were consecutively recruited from April 2015 to April 2016. Demographic and clinical data were collected from patient interviews, medical files and physical examinations. Chi-square tests and T-tests were used to compare proportions and means between rural and urban residents.Results: A total of 472 participants were recruited (mean age 40.2±19.1years), including 295 women and 315 rural residents. Compared to urban residents, rural residents had lower levels of education, were more likely to be employed in low-income work and to have limited access to running water and electricity. Diabetes was diagnosed at a younger age in rural residents (mean ± SD 32±18 vs 41±17 years; p < 0.001). Physical inactivity, family history of diabetes and obesity were significantly less prevalent in rural than in urban individuals (44% vs 66%, 14.9% vs 28.7% and 27.6% vs 54.1%, respectively; p < 0.001). The frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption was lower in rural than in urban participants. High waist circumference was more prevalent in urban than in rural women and men (75.3% vs 45.5% and 30% vs 6%, respectively; p< 0.001). History of childhood under-nutrition was more frequent in rural than in urban individuals (22.5% vs 6.4%; p< 0.001).Conclusions: Characteristics of people with diabetes in rural Rwanda appear to differ from those of individuals with diabetes in urban settings, suggesting that sub-types of diabetes exist in Rwanda. Generic guidelines for diabetes prevention and management may not be appropriate in different populations.
Evaluating probabilistic population forecasts
Authors: Keilman Nico
Published: December 2020

Statisticians have developed scoring rules for evaluating probabilistic forecasts against observations. However, there are very few applications in the literature on population forecasting. A scoring rule measures the distance between the predictive distribution and its outcome. We review scoring rules that reward accuracy (the outcome is close to the expectation of the distribution) and sharpness (the distribution has low variance, which makes it difficult to hit the target). We evaluate probabilistic population forecasts for France, the Netherlands, and Norway. Forecasts for total population size for the Netherlands and for Norway performed quite well. The error in the jump-off population caused a bad score for the French forecast. We evaluate the age and sex composition predicted for the year 2010. The predictions for the Netherlands received the best scores, except for the oldest old. The age pattern for the Norwegian score reflects the under-prediction of immigration after the enlargement of the European Union in 2005. JEL codes: C15, C44, J11,
Protecting public’s wellbeing against COVID-19 infodemic in China: The role of trust in information sources and rapid dissemination and transparency of information
Authors: Wang Junxiu , Zhang Airong , Zhou Yingnan , Liu Xiaoliu , Tan Xuyun , Miao Ruikai
Published: December 2020

Background

While the COVID-19 is rapidly spreading around the world, the information and misinformation about the novel virus has also flooded the social media globally. This led to the declaration by World Health Organisation that the world is not only fighting against epidemic but also fighting an infodemic. How media source and the dissemination of information about COVID-19 affect the public’s wellbeing is, however, yet to be empirically examined. The present study aimed to empirically examine how trust in the information about COVID-19 from social media and official media and how the information was disseminated (i.e., rapidity and transparency) affect public’s wellbeing (i.e., positive response and depressive response).
Methods

At the height of the COVID-19 outbreak in China between 24-Jan to 10-Feb 2020, an online survey of 22,718 participants (Mage = 28.41 years old, SD = 9.90; 47.9% being male) was conducted across China. Key measured variables are trust in official media and social media, dissemination and transparency of COVID-19 related information, perceived safety, and emotional response toward COVID-19. Data analysis includes descriptive statistical analysis, Pearson correlations, and structural equation modelling.
Results

The results that trust in the information about COVID-19 from social media was lower than from official media. Trust in these two media sources played different roles in affecting public’s wellbeing. While trust in social media was predominantly associated with heightened depressive response toward COVID-19 pandemic, trust in official media was linked to reduced depressive response and increased positive response. Rapid dissemination and transparency of information was strongly associated with increased trust in official media as well as contributed to increased positive response and reduced depressive response directly and indirectly through perceived safety.
Conclusion

The findings highlight the important roles of fostering public trust in official media, rapid dissemination and transparency of information in mitigating the negative impact of COVID-19 infodemic on public’s wellbeing.
Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) is a Risk Indicator for eGFR Loss in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Jehn Ulrich , Schütte-Nütgen Katharina , Henke Ute , Pavenstädt Hermann , Suwelack Barbara , Reuter Stefan
Published: December 2020

Background suPAR is a signaling protein of the Ly6/alpha-neurotoxin family. In the kidney, suPAR contributes to podocyte foot process effacement and glomerular barrier function disruption via activating αvβ3 integrin on the podocyte membrane. Its role in allograft function or transplant-specific outcomes needs clarification. Therefore, we prospectively investigated the prognostic relevance of suPAR in patients before and one year after kidney transplantation (KTx).Methods We included 100 patients who had received a kidney transplantation between 2013 and 2015. The plasma concentration of suPAR was measured using an uPAR ELISA assay.Results In patients who had received a living donation (LD), pre-transplant suPAR levels were significantly lower than those who had received a deceased donation (DD). After KTx, suPAR levels significantly declined in LD and DD recipients, without a detectable difference between LD and DD recipients. Higher suPAR levels in recipients one year after KTx were associated with a more severe eGFR loss in the following three years (n = 82, p = 0.021).Conclusions After KTx, suPAR levels drop significantly. Nevertheless, suPAR-levels above 6,212 pg/ml one year after KTx are independently associated with a nearly twice as fast loss of renal function > 30% (p < 0.001). Therefore, suPAR level at one year mark might be a risk indicator of increased eGFR loss.
Biogenesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Lawsonia Inermis Leafextract and Their Mosquitocidal, Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Andmoderate Toxic Side Effects on Predatory Copepods and Fish
Authors: Amuthavalli Pandiyan , Hwang Jiang-Shiou , Dahms Hans-Uwe , Wang Lan , Anitha Jagannathan , Vasanthakumaran Murugan , Gandhi Arumugam Dhanesh , Murugan Kadarkarai , Subramaniam Jayapal , Paulpandi Manickam , Chandramohan Balamurugan , Singh Shivangi
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives: Microbes or parasites spread vector-borne diseases by mosquitoes without being affected themselves. Insecticides used in vector control produce a substantial problem for human health. Materials and Methods: This study synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Lawsonia inermis L. and were characterized by UV–vis, FT-IR, SEM with EDX, and XRD analysis. Results: Green synthesized ZnO NPs were highly toxic against Anopheles stephensi, whose lethal concentrations values ranged from 5.494 ppm (I instar), 6.801 (II), 9.336 (III), 10.736 (IV), and 12.710 ppm (pupae) in contrast to L. inermis treatment. The predation efficiency of the teleost fish Gambusia affinis and the copepod Mesocyclops aspericornis against A. stephensi was not affected by exposure at sublethal doses of ZnO NPs. The predatory potency for G. affinis was 45 (I) and 25.83 % (IV), copepod M. aspericornis was 40.66 (I) and 10.8 % (IV) while in an ZnO NPs contaminated environment, the predation by the fish G. affinis was boosted to 71.33 and 34.25 %, and predation of the copepod M. aspericornis was 60.35 and 16.75 %, respectively. ZnO NPs inhibited the growth of several microbial pathogens including the bacteria (Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis) and the fungi (Alternaria alternate and Aspergillus flavus), respectively. ZnO NPs decreased the cell viability of Hep-G2 with IC50 value of 21.63 µg/mL (R2=0.942; P<0.001) while the concentration increased from 1.88 to 30 µg/mL. Conclusion: These outcomes support the use of L. inermis mediated ZnO NPs for mosquito control and drug development.
Urinary Tract infection, Drug Resistance Profile and Fetal Outcomes among Pregnant women in Selected Health Facilites of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study design
Authors: zebene Wegayehu , Dessalegn Dawit , Aseffa Abebe , Yitagesu Yohannis , yussuf Hamdiya , Desta Kassu
Published: December 2020

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a commonly encountered health problem among pregnant women. Untreated UTI may result in fetal complications like preterm birth, low birth weight, intra uterine growth retardation and intrauterine fetal death.One of the major problems with bacterial pathogens is their ability to develop drug resistance. Determining drug susceptibility pattern of bacteria from urinary tract helps to identify effective drugs and minimize further adverse perinatal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe the magnitude and drug resistance profile of pregnant women and related fetal outcomes.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2019. Socio-demographic data of the study participants was collected by administering structured questionnaire after obtaining full consent of the participants. Clean catch mid-stream urine was collected from the study participants and the samples were transported to the laboratory with screw-capped container. Blood and MacConkey agar were used to cultivate bacteria from urine sample. Bacterial colonies were isolated and identified using standard biochemical properties. Antibacterial susceptibility test was done on Muller-Hinton agar using antibiotic discs. At the time of delivery, infant’s birth weight and gestational age was recorded on the log book as part of the daily work. Fetal outcome data were recorded from the log book and entered to EPI data management software then transferred to SPSS for analysis.Results: Out of 424 urine samples processed, 63 (14.9%) yielded significant bacteriuria. Fifty-nine out of 63 (93.7%) cases of UTIs were recorded among age group of 15-34 years. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus were the three dominant bacterial isolates.Most of the gram negative bacterial isolates were resistant to ampicillin and ceftazidime (43.2% each) while gram positive was resistant for tetracycline (36.8%). The result of this study showed that UTI had statistical association with the occurrence of Intrauterine Fetal Death (IUFD) and Prerupture of Membrane (PROM) (P<.05).Conclusion: Adverse fetal outcomes are significantly linked with the presence of UTI during pregnancy. The condition can be managed if early diagnosis and treatments are made for the mother.
Novel Hole-Pillar Spacer Design for Improved Hydrodynamics and Biofouling Mitigation in Membrane Filtration
Authors: Qamar Adnan , Kerdi Sarah , Ali Syed Muztuza , Shon Ho Kyong , Vrouwenvelder Johannes , Ghaffour Noreddine
Published: December 2020

Feed spacers are the critical components of any spiral-wound filtration module, dictating the filtration performance. Three spacer designs, namely a non-woven commercial spacer (varying filament cross-section), a symmetric pillar spacer, and a novel hole-pillar spacer (constant filament diameter) were studied using Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS), 3-D printed and subsequently experimentally tested in a lab-scale ultrafiltration set-up with high biofouling potential feed water at various feed pressures. Independent of the applied pressure, the novel hole-pillar spacer showed initially the lowest feed channel pressure drop, the lowest shear stress, and the highest permeate flux compared to the commercial and pillar spacers. Furthermore, less biofilm thickness development on membrane surface was visualized by Optical Coherent Tomography (OCT) imaging for the proposed hole-pillar spacer. At higher feed pressure, a thicker biofilm developed on membrane surface for all spacer designs explaining the stronger decrease in permeate flux at high pressure. The findings systematically demonstrated the role of various spacer designs and applied pressure on the performance of pre-treatment process, while identifying specific shear stress distribution guidelines for engineering a new spacer design in different filtration techniques.
Human Bocavirus in Saudi Arabia: Molecular Epidemiology and Co-Infections Among Children With Acute Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Hamed Maaweya , Farrag Mohamed , Amer Haitham , Aziz Ibrahim , Bhat Rauf , Almajhdi Fahad
Published: December 2020

Background During the last few years since HBoV discovery, the virus has attracted less attention and appeared to be one of the most common acute respiratory tract pathogens in children. However, few studies focused on genetic characterization and epidemiology of HBoV in Saudi Arabia, leading us to evaluate the molecular epidemiology of HBoV strains among children with ARI. This study was designed to study the epidemiological, genetic diversity and circulation pattern of HBoV among hospitalized children (< 7 years) due to acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) during two consecutive years. Nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) samples (n=196) were collected. HBoV and co-infection with other respiratory pathogens were identified using qRT-PCR. Positive samples were subsequently subjected to amplify full-length of VP1/VP2 gene, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Results Our data showed that 3.4% (2014/2015) and 11.3% (2015/2016) of children hospitalized due to acute respiratory infections (ARI) were infected by HBoV-1. We have shown that HBoV-1 was detected year-round. HBoV-1 also was co-detected with one or multiple other respiratory viruses. Phylogenetic analysis of complete HBoV VP1/2 sequences showed no nucleotide variation and the circulation of HBoV-1. The multisequence analysis showed complete identity between HBoV isolated from 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, suggesting no genetic variability among the local circulating HBoV-1 genotypes. Our data reveal that genetically conserved HBoV-1 is circulating in Saudi Arabia. Conclusions The multisequence analysis showed complete identity between HBoV-1 isolated from 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, suggesting no genetic variability among the local circulating HBoV-1 genotypes. Our data reveal that genetically conserved HBoV-1 is circulating year-round in Saudi Arabia.
WITHDRAWN: Effect of Health Systems Strengthening in Influencing Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes in Bungoma County, Kenya
Authors: Ochieng Beverly , Lattanzi Giorgia , Choge Milka , Thind Amarddep
Published: December 2020

Kenya is estimated to have a population of 47.6 million people. Its maternal and neo natal health indicators have steadily improved over the years. Despite the progress, many significant challenges remain, including persistent inequities between population subgroups, and a health care system that provides variable quality and inconsistent access to care, especially for women and new-borns. Purpose of this paper was to assess the impact of the maternal and new-born improvement intervention in Bungoma County, with a focus on access and quality of maternal and neonatal care services.Methodology: The study design was quasi-experimental, using household surveys to assess outcomes.Findings: Provision of transport vouchers decreased barriers to accessing care, resulting to an increased number of deliveries in health facilities. The health system strengthening intervention possibly had a role in improving potential and actual access to antenatal care and health facility delivery services for mothers as well as positively impacting quality of care provision in the intervention sub-counties. However, actual access for babies (measured by provision of PNC care within 48 hours of delivery) seemed to worsen in the intervention sub-counties.Conclusion: Our analysis suggests that it is possible to conduct an evaluation of the impact of interventions in messy real-life contexts where data availability is challenging. Key elements of health system strengthening include reducing cost barriers and enhancing the capacity of the health facilities to deliver the high quality care. These can fruitfully be implemented in other regions.
Identification of Co-Existence of Alport Syndrome and C3 Glomerulonephritis in A Proband with Family History
Authors: Ding Yin , Tang Xuanli , Du Yuanyuan , Chen Hongyu , Yu Dongrong , Zhu Bin , Yuan Bohan
Published: December 2020

Background Alport syndrome and C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN) are rare kidney diseases, frequently responsible for familial haematuria, proteinuria, and renal impairment. With the rapid development of molecular genetic testing, Alport syndrome causes have been restricted mostly to variants in the COL4A5 or COL4A3/COL4A4 genes. Moreover, a broad range of genetic contributors in the complement and complement-regulating proteins are definitely implicated in the pathogenesis of C3GN.Methods We sought a family with persistent microscopic haematuria associated with renal failure. Clinicopathologic and follow-up data were obtained, and molecular genetic testing was used to screen for pathogenic variants. Results We describe a three-generation family with Alport syndrome showing a dominant maternal inheritance. Notably, renal biopsy showed the concurrent histological evidence of C3GN in the proband harbouring an uncommon heterozygous variation in CFHR5, c.508G>A. The alteration leads to replacement of a highly conserved residue at position 170 of the β-strand subunit of CFHR5 (p.Val170Met). In silico analysis showed that the variation was predicted to deregulate complement activation by altering the structural properties and enhancing C3b binding capacity to compete with Complement Factor H (CFH), which was in line with experimental data previously published.Conclusions The comorbidity findings between Alport syndrome and C3GN indicate an underlying overlap and require further study.