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The COVID-19 pandemic drastically affected higher education and higher education students around the world, but few studies of college students' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic have been conducted in Latin America. This study describes the COVID-19-related experiences and perspectives of Peruvian college students. We surveyed 3,427 full-time college students (average age: 23 years) attending a multi-campus Peruvian university in fall 2020. Participants were recruited through the digital platform of the learning management system at their university, email, and social media. We asked participants how they were managing risks related to COVID-19; the continuity of social, educational, and work activities; and the psychological and economic impacts of the pandemic on their lives. Since March 2020, 73.0% of participants reported COVID-19-related symptoms, but only 33.9% were tested for COVID-19. During the national quarantine imposed by the Peruvian government (March 15-June 30, 2020), 64.3% of participants remained in their house. Furthermore, while 44.0% of participants were working in February 2020 (95% CI: [41.7%, 46.4%]), only 23.6% (95% CI: [21.7%, 25.7%]) were working immediately after the pandemic began (i.e., at the end of April 2020). Participants were more stressed about the health and educational implications of COVID-19 for Peruvian society and their families than about themselves. The public health, economic, and educational implications of COVID-19 on college students are continuing to unfold. This study informed Peruvian higher education institutions' continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the progressive return to postpandemic activities, as well as other future pandemics and other crises.

An i-voting system may promote electoral participation by reducing travel cost and time to polling places, especially among youth who are more accustomed to technological changes. We study the linkage between travel costs on election day and voter turnout by comparing past electoral participation with stated voting behavior in a hypothetical i-voting system. We believe that the link between transportation costs, i-voting, and voter-turnout emerges as an interesting opportunity to disentangle the mechanism behind the expected increase in political participation after diversifying voting channels. Data were collected using an online questionnaire that was disseminated among Chilean university students. Binary and bivariate probit estimates show that conventional turnout probability among university students is negatively affected by travel costs on election day. Interestingly, whereas political interest and democracy valuation still augment the probability of voter turnout with i-voting, travel-to-polling-station costs are not statistically relevant.

Mobile shopping (m-shopping) adoption has been significantly touted in the contemporary era; however, the adoption of m-shopping is still under shadow in many developing countries. The aim of this study is to discover the impact of device system quality on m-shopping adoption among university students with the support of UTAUT and UTAUT2 theories. The study employed PLS-SEM (symmetric) and fsQCA (asymmetric) analysis simultaneously using survey data from 530 respondents who are primarily university students. PLS-SEM results found positive significant relation between device system quality and m-shopping adoption. The study contributes with an extension of earlier studies that combine PLS-SEM (symmetric methods) and fsQCA (asymmetric methods). The study is limited among the university students that may affect the generalizability of the study. The casual recipes in this research aid policymakers to achieve their strategic objectives in implementing positive m-shopping behavior among the university students.

This paper comparatively examines residents' attitudes toward the tourism economy across eight rural counties at varying tourism development stages within the Monongahela National Forest region, West Virginia. Nine hypotheses related to attitudes toward sustainable tourism, perceptions of regional collaboration, and perceived strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) are proposed and evaluated with the Social Exchange Theory (SET), Tourism Area Life Cycle model (TALC), and Doxey's Irritation Index as the theoretical foundations. While the nine hypotheses are not consistently supported with mixed findings, it seems that residents from counties at higher levels of development stages are more likely to support tourism development because of its positive economic benefits to communities while disfavoring tourism development for its negative social impacts on communities; to value the importance and benefits of regional collaboration, and to score higher on their communities' strengths in tourism development. Research implications, limitations, and future research needs are discussed.

The popular climbing destination of Lander, Wyoming receives nearly 37,000 climbing visits every year, with 78% of those visits coming from persons living outside of this area. Climbing tourism expenditures result in an estimated $4.5 million in visitor spending each year. Climber demographics indicate these visitors are well-educated with 98% choosing to stay overnight on their visits. The average visit also lasts nearly a week. Climbing tourism expenditures support $1.7 million in wages for local workers, highlighting an opportunity to increase regional tourism and its economic impact amid a rural, transitional economy.

This article looks at the meaning of solidarity as related to the Egyptian uprising of January 2011. Through participant interviews, field notes, and observations, the author examines the role of grassroots theatre in enabling the aspirations of the revolution to live on amongst its players, and despite more stringent state control over the arts and freedom of expression. The author examines how solidarity can take different forms through silence, witnessing, and embodied creative works.

Purpose: The primary aim of this paper is to illuminate the critical issue of the degree awarding gap in the UK, which significantly impacts students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and minority groups. By conducting a systematic review of existing literature following the PRISMA protocol, this study seeks to uncover the complex web of explanatory factors that mediate the relationship between contextual indicators, institutional culture, and degree awarding disparities. Addressing this gap is vital for promoting social justice, enhancing the economy, safeguarding the reputation of UK universities, and adhering to legal responsibilities. This paper endeavours to provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying causes of degree awarding gaps and offer evidence-based recommendations for the higher education sector to mitigate these disparities. Design/methodology/approach: This study employs a systematic review design, adhering to the PRISMA protocol, to meticulously analyse the existing body of literature concerning the degree awarding gap in UK higher education. By systematically gathering, evaluating, and synthesizing relevant studies, the review aims to identify and understand the multifaceted factors mediating the link between contextual indicators, institutional culture, and the disparities observed in degree awarding. This methodological approach ensures a rigorous and transparent examination of the literature, enabling the identification of both the breadth and depth of research on the topic. Through this design, the paper aspires to uncover nuanced insights into the mechanisms driving degree awarding gaps. Findings: The review's findings reveal that degree awarding gaps in UK universities are influenced by a constellation of factors, highlighting the complexity of this issue. Key among these are unconscious bias, limited student engagement opportunities with academic staff, institutional racism, inadequate support systems, and a scarcity of social and cultural capital. These factors collectively contribute to significant disparities in degree outcomes, disproportionately disadvantaging students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and minority groups. The evidence suggests that institutional practices and culture play a pivotal role in either exacerbating or alleviating these disparities, indicating the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of degree awarding gaps. Research limitations/implications: One strength of conducting a systematic review is its rigorous and meticulous nature, which ensures that the process is carefully planned and executed. This comprehensive approach allows for the elimination of biases, as the review systematically gathers and analyses existing literature on the topic. By adhering to a structured methodology, the systematic review enhances the validity and reliability of the findings, providing a robust and unbiased synthesis of the available evidence. This strength lends credibility to the research and reinforces the confidence in the conclusions drawn from the review. Practical implications: The practical implications arising from this information indicate that universities need to address the identified issues directly by implementing supportive strategies and interventions. By doing so, they can create a learning environment that is more inclusive and equitable, allowing all students to unlock their full potential. This may involve measures such as raising awareness about unconscious bias, promoting engagement between academic staff and students, implementing anti-racist policies, establishing comprehensive support systems, and actively fostering social and cultural capital. Such practical actions will contribute to reducing the degree awarding gaps and promoting equal opportunities for all students, ultimately leading to a more equitable and successful educational experience. Social implications: The social implications derived from this information are significant. By implementing supportive strategies and interventions to address the identified issues, universities can contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable learning environment. This has the potential to have a transformative impact on society by providing equal opportunities for all students to unlock their full potential. By raising awareness about unconscious bias and implementing anti-racist policies, universities can foster a more diverse and inclusive community. Promoting engagement between academic staff and students and establishing comprehensive support systems can enhance social cohesion and create a sense of belonging. Ultimately, these efforts can lead to reduced degree awarding gaps and contribute to a more equitable and successful educational experience, positively influencing broader social equality and cohesion. Originality/value: This paper contributes significantly to the literature by offering a comprehensive, systematic review of the factors contributing to the degree awarding gap in UK higher education, highlighting its originality and value. By focusing on the interplay between contextual indicators, institutional culture, and degree awarding disparities, the study provides novel insights into how these dynamics contribute to educational inequities. Furthermore, the evidence-based recommendations for institutional interventions presented in this paper furnish the higher education sector with actionable strategies to foster a more inclusive and equitable learning environment. This work not only advances academic understanding of degree awarding gaps but also offers practical value to policymakers and educational institutions aiming to enhance social justice in higher education.

The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experience of the Spanish-speaking Latino community during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders. A single remote focus group meeting was conducted with nine Spanish-speaking participants to explore how residents living amidst shelter-in-place orders made informed decisions about health, safety, and security during the early months of the pandemic. The focus group meeting lasted about 60-90 minutes, and this meeting was facilitated by bilingual/bicultural Latino research assistants trained in qualitative research methods. Study participants also completed the Household Pulse Survey developed by the U.S. Census Bureau, a 20-minute survey to understand the social, health, and economic impact of COVID-19. The mean age was 33 years [range 21-60, SD = 12.44], and most participants attended some or completed a college degree. The participants self-reported as heterosexual, and five self-reported as single or never married. At least four noted making less than $25,000 annually, and four reported that they were self-employed. Most of the participants resided in New Jersey (n = 6), whereas two were from Michigan and one was from New York. The themes that emerged from the focus group meeting were the following: (1) social media and televised news outlets propagated confusing and harmful public messages; (2) COVID-19 elicited negative feelings of uncertainty; and (3) participants had widespread concerns about the health of their family, others, and self. Public messages on COVID-19 were not only confusing but harmful, as Latino families were highly dependent on them when determining how to protect their families in the early days of the pandemic.

In March 2020, when public health stay home orders began in order to halt the spread of COVID-19, child care as an industry was drastically and abruptly impacted. This public health emergency highlighted the weaknesses in the child care system in the United States. This study investigated the changes in operations cost, child enrollment and attendance, and state and federal support that occurred during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic among both center-based and home-based child care programs. A total of 196 licensed centers and 283 home-based programs across Iowa participated in an online survey as a part of the 2020 Iowa Narrow Costs Analysis. This mixed method study utilizes qualitative analysis of response as well as descriptive statistics and pre- post comparison testing. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a marked impact on child care enrollment, the operational cost of child care, the availability of child care, and a variety of other areas including staff workload and mental health. In many instances, participants shared that state and federal COVID-19 relief funds were critical. Although state and federal COVID-19 relief funds were critical for child care providers in Iowa during the pandemic, results suggest similar financial support will be necessary beyond the pandemic to sustain the workforce. Policy suggestions are made for how to continue to support the child care workforce in the future.

Increasingly higher education institutions are expected to demonstrate their contribution to academia, society, and the economy. This is pertinent for business schools as a key purpose for them is to provide education that enhances management practice, with Doctorates in Business Administration (DBAs) being the highest-level qualification offered in pursuit of this goal. Yet there is scant research that captures the impact of DBAs beyond the individual and academia. This paper focuses on the important role of DBAs in generating and transferring knowledge from academia to practice and in creating wider impact in society and the economy. Based on 36 semi-structured interviews with DBA students and alumni, our research shows how DBA students are able to generate and exchange knowledge between academia and business, enabling a wide range of impacts to be achieved. We show how knowledge transfer is the outcome of a learning process in which DBA students and their supervisors learn to speak each other's language, enabling two-way communication. Facilitated by the power and associated credibility and legitimacy of the DBA students as practicing senior managers, the knowledge can then be transferred. Personal development in the form of analytical skills and increased confidence gained through the learning process results in a personal impact that acts as the precursor to other forms of impact, such as improved organisational performance and broader societal benefits. Research generated by DBAs is thus well-placed to offer opportunities for impact and contribute substantially to the research-practice conversation in higher education.

This study examined the impact of changes in tax codes on voluntary giving to universities and colleges. While higher education institutions have drawn attention to individual gifts and philanthropic donations as supplementary financial resources, the recent introduction of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 in the United States reduced tax incentives for charitable contributions, thus raising concerns regarding considerable declines in charitable giving. By using panel data from the Voluntary Support of Education Survey, this research revealed that changes in tax benefits on charitable giving as a consequence of the new tax policy are associated with an overall decrease in the sum of individual donations and the number of individual donors. This loss of voluntary contribution is notably observed in private colleges and universities with an emphasis on research activities.

This study used the provincial panel data on policy adoption rate of university-affiliated think tanks in China from 2005 to 2017 and built a fixed effects model to explore the impact of the policy adoption rate of university-affiliated think tanks on China's economic growth. The results indicated that China's university-affiliated think tanks developed rapidly and the quality of policy advice improved significantly, but obvious regional imbalance existed. The policy adoption rate of university-affiliated think tanks can significantly affect China's economic growth. The impact was significant in the eastern developed region and western underdeveloped region but not in the moderately developed region in central China. The impact was significant in both the southern developed region and northern underdeveloped region, while the impact in the south was more significant than this in the north. Besides, the policy adoption rate of university-affiliated think tanks had obvious time effect on China's economic growth. As time went by, the effect became stronger, which was significant in eastern and central China but not in the western region. The enhancement of effect was significant in both the southern and northern regions, while the enhancement in the south was higher than this in the north.

Over the past decade, the financial crisis has led to reduced government funding for academic libraries in Greece. Now more than ever, it is imperative for library managers to improve their knowledge and understanding of cost behavior, in order to effectively deliver high quality services at decreasing costs. To do so, they need to apply clearly-defined costing methods, such as Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC), that allow them to identify the various costs involved in the library processes. In our study, we applied the TDABC method at the medium-sized library of the University of Macedonia (UoM), in Thessaloniki, Greece, to evaluate the costs of the Inter-library Loans (ILL) services. Since the library managers did not adopt a cost allocation method, the cost estimation of the UoM ILL services was rather simplistic and rudimentary. Our research provides empirical evidence of the advantages of TDABC in an academic library setting. Namely, the TDABC method can help library administrators decide how to successfully allocate the available resources and improve the efficiency of the library processes.

This paper offers an in-depth examination of the ergonomics of human-centred assembly systems in Industry 4.0, where manual tasks remain essential. The use of advanced technologies such as motion capture (MOCAP) and virtual reality (VR) is analysed as ways to enhance system efficiency and improve worker well-being. The paper highlights the importance of optimising assembly system performance while considering both economic and human factors. Metrics to assess ergonomic risk and productivity are discussed based on human-centred technologies, and existing operational research models are explored to analyse how human factors could be considered in optimising system performance. Additionally, the paper explores potential future directions and how they could play a role in Industry 4.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reflects on the paradigmatic assumptions and ideologies that have shaped algorithmic management research. We identify two sets of assumptions: one about the "ontology of algorithms" (which holds that human resource management [HRM] algorithms are non‐human entities with material agency) and one about the "ontology of management" that HRM algorithms afford (which understands algorithmic management as a form of control for maximizing economic/shareholder value). We explain how these core assumptions underpin existing research of HRM algorithms, causing blind spots that hinder new ways of understanding and studying algorithmic management. After identifying and unpacking the assumptions and blind spots, we offer avenues to overcome these blind spots, allowing for future research based on new ideological assumption grounds that will help move algorithmic management scholarship further in significant ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of short campaigns by hedge funds has dramatically increased over the last two decades. Nearly 80% of campaigns are undertaken by activist hedge funds, particularly those that employ hostile tactics in their long campaigns. Short campaigns are associated with negative abnormal returns of –7%, with aggregate valuation effects similar in magnitude to the gains from long activism campaigns. In contrast to long campaigns, public communication is a critical component of short campaigns. We do not find evidence that such communication is manipulative. Overall, our analysis highlights the importance of short campaigns for understanding the economic impact of activist hedge funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pickleball offers sociopsychological and physical activity benefits for older adults but lacks racial diversity. The purpose of this study was to identify constraints to pickleball participation with Black older adults (65+ years) as well as examine differences based on physical activity and sex. A Qualtrics panel included Black older adults (N = 292) who have heard of pickleball and are physically able to play but have not played. Results found Knowledge, Accessibility, Interpersonal, and Interest were the most salient constraints overall. Multivariate analysis of variance found that those who report low physical activity had significantly higher Interpersonal, Psychological, Costs, and Perceived Racism constraints. Additionally, females report significantly higher Knowledge, Psychological, and Cost constraints compared to males. The results further the theoretical application of constraints to physical activity research and provide insights into practitioner implications to grow the sport of pickleball for Black older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates whether capital account liberalization, a leading characteristic of globalization, is associated with firms' future innovation output. Employing a novel firm-level panel data set covering 41 countries over two decades, we show that capital account liberalization is significantly associated with higher corporate patenting activities, particularly for firms from innovation-intensive industries. Further analyses show that the effect is stronger among firms from economies in a better legal environment, signifying the important role of good institutional quality in facilitating the positive impact of liberalization. The effect is also stronger among firms with higher initial productivity, consistent with the "productivity" hypothesis, according to which bigger and more productive firms generate more innovation after liberalization. Our findings are robust to the use of various measurements, subsamples, and estimation models. This study provides global firm-level evidence of the real economic impact of financial globalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Maintaining physical activity (PA) has significant implications for health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adults aged 18–64 should engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate‐intensity aerobic PA per week. However, urban‐rural disparities and economic geography variations in PA levels have not received enough attention. This study aimed to examine these disparities in the likelihood of meeting PA recommendations by using data from the Study of Community Sports in China. Methods. This is a nationwide cross‐sectional community‐based study. A total of 5,000 participants were randomly selected using a multistage sampling strategy. They were asked to complete a survey including demographics data and PA levels. The data were analyzed using mixed‐effects logistic regression to evaluate the association between urban‐rural residency, economic geography regions, and the likelihood of meeting PA recommendations. Results. A total of 3,779 participants met the eligible criteria, and only 816 (21.6%) met the PA recommendation. The urban participants were more likely to meet the PA recommendation than their rural peers [OR (95% CI) of 1.72 (1.09, 2.71)]. The association remained significant among those aged ≥30 [OR = 2.53 (1.51, 4.24)] and those with the education of high school and below [OR = 1.88 (1.18, 1.77)], but not in their younger, and more‐educated peers (Pinteraction = 0.009 and 0.034, respectively). Compared with the east coastal residents, western ones had a greater chance of meeting the recommendation [OR = 2.68 (1.25, 5.74)]. The association was more prominent among the more‐educated [OR = 3.89 (1.58, 9.57)] than the less‐educated [1.90 (0.83, 4.35)](Pinteraction <0.001), but not modified by age. Conclusion. Urban and western residents were more active than their rural and east coastal counterparts. Studies should carefully consider the interactions between age and education level with urbanization and region while evaluating PA levels. Moreover, policymakers should develop policies and programs according to urban‐rural disparity and regional variations to shorten the gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly expanding field. Given the dynamic nature of AI research, staying up‐to‐date with this evolving landscape is imperative to guide the global race in this field. Using the world's largest bibliometric database (SciVal/Scopus), we analyzed the research output of the top 15 countries in AI research productivity between the years 1998 and 2022. Over the past 25 years, the global research output in AI has increased by 26 folds, with China leading the way in the overall number of AI publications (~281,650 articles). During this period, China and India had the highest fold growth (~240–250) and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) (~25). However, when normalized to population size and gross domestic product (GDP), Singapore (250 AI publications per million capita) and India (7.7 AI publications per billion GDP) were the best performers in 2022, respectively. When normalized to the number of researchers and gross expenditures on research and development (GERD), again, India was the best with 36.8 AI publications per thousand researchers and 0.77 AI publications per million GERD in 2020. When the overall quality of AI publications over the past decade was considered, Hong Kong and Singapore performed the best with respect to publications in higher percentile journals (the top 1%, 5%, and 10% journals), and Switzerland performed the best with respect to citations/publication and field‐weighted citation impact (FWCI). Finally, when the quality measures of publications were normalized to country or research metrics, the three best performers were Hong Kong, Singapore, and Switzerland (although India stood out for citations/GERD). These three countries (along with the United States) also had the highest economic impact as measured by the patent citations per scholarly output, which was aligned with the high FWCI values for these countries. Long‐term strategies to help leading countries gain an advantage in the AI frontier have been discussed at the end of the manuscript. These strategies include government initiatives and financial support, talent creation and networking, public awareness, and mindful considerations of rules, guidelines, and ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: When managed effectively, oil wealth can drive economic development and improve wellbeing. Conversely, as has been the experience in Ogoniland in the Niger Delta, the presence of the oil industry can lead to environmental degradation and social and economic vulnerabilities with negative impacts on health and wellbeing. Few studies have explored the experiences and perceptions of these impacts among residents of host communities themselves. Methods: This qualitative study explored Ogoni residents' experiences and perceptions of oil-industry related economic exclusion and associated impacts on health and wellbeing. In-depth interviews with 22 participants from four Local Government Areas (LGAs) were analyzed with open (inductive) coding. Guided by constructivist philosophy, interpretation of emerging themes was informed by the concept of social exclusion which recognizes that multi-dimensional processes can deprive individuals or groups of resources, rights, goods, and services, thus limiting broader societal participation. Results: Findings highlight the exclusionary impacts of the oil industry at the intersection of i) damaged livelihoods and family income, that increased economic vulnerability and reduced participants' ability to meet basic needs including ability to pay for healthcare; ii) lack of progress on environmental remediation and non-transparent benefit sharing schemes that exacerbate economic displacement and contribute to ongoing exposures to air and water pollution; and iii) insufficient of investment in economic development and essential health services, limiting employment opportunities and ability to access adequate healthcare. Conclusion: Addressing these issues requires integrated policy interventions focusing on equitable resource distribution, environmental restoration, and inclusive economic development to promote sustainable community resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globally, there is increasingly high prevalence of mental disorders across all age groups and social classes with more being projected by 2030, but without commensurate resources for mental health care delivery especially in developing countries. Purpose: This study examined the impacts of clinical psychiatric posting on career choice in psychiatry among nursing students in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Methods: A prospective cohort research design was used and data were collected using attitude towards psychiatry (ATP), mental illness clinician attitude scale (MICA-4) and researcher developed questionnaires on career choice in pre and post clinical posting approach. This study was conducted between November, 2023 to May 2024. A sample size of 400 students (with data collected before posting and after posting) were involved in the study. Data were coded, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 26. McNemar Test was used to determine effects of clinical posting on career choices in psychiatry. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were used to analyze data on determinants of career choices in psychiatry. The hypotheses (Null and alternative hypotheses) were tested at p-value < 0.05. Results: Psychiatric and mental health nursing was one of the least preferred specialty, 21(6%) respondents showed interest before clinical posting and 25(7.1%) after the posting. Commonly preferred specialty was pediatric nursing (20.5%), community health nursing (17.1%) and midwifery (17.7%). McNemer test showed no statistically significant differences in choice of psychiatry before and after clinical posting. Key determinants of career choices were interest in psychiatry (AOR = 16.06(95% CI = 1.10, 14.96) P = 0.009), interest in community services (AOR = 4.01(95% CI = 1.32, 12.20)P = 0.014), family influence(AOR = 13.76(95% CI = 1.74, 108.57)p = 0.013) and job satisfaction(AOR = 0.10(95% CI = 0.03, 0.26)P < 0.001). Conclusion: The researcher therefore concluded that clinical psychiatric posting has no significant impacts on career choices in psychiatry among nursing students in Nigeria. Interest of the students, family influence and job satisfaction were significantly associated with career choices among the respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa began implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 emphasizing on sustainable management and effective use of natural capital to spur economic growth (Goals 12, 14, and 15). This study using World Bank data sets from 46 African countries selected for the years 2000 to 2022, examined the nexus between natural resource endowments and economic growth in Africa. We used the system generalized method of moments (sys-GMM) and dynamic panel threshold regression (DPTR) to analyze the data. The findings of the two-step sys-GMM estimation using 'xtabond2' revealed that when the institutional quality variable is added and excluded from the model, natural resource dependence negatively impacts economic growth, but the impact is greater when the institution is excluded. In the estimation of the interaction variable of natural resource dependence and institutional variable included in the model, natural resource dependence positively impacts economic growth. The results of the DPTR using "xthenreg" showed that when the threshold value of natural resource dependence is ≤ 1.73% of gross domestic product, natural resource dependence has a positive impact on economic growth and a negative impact when the threshold value is above 1.73%. Similarly, when the institutional quality threshold is ≤ 0.277, natural resources dependence impacts economic growth negatively; above the threshold (0.277), the impact is positive. In conclusion, natural resource endowment is a curse with no or low-quality institutions and a blessing with high-quality institutions. Thus, building strong institutions and proper utilization of natural resources helps to minimize the adverse impact of resource endowments on economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meningococcal vaccination in Chinese national immunization program (NIP) includes polysaccharide vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A (MPV-A) and polysaccharide vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A and C(MPV-AC). This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of an alternative strategy using polysaccharide conjugate vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A,C,W,Y(MCV-ACWY) and polysaccharide vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A,C,W,Y(MPV-ACWY). From a societal perspective, we constructed a decision tree-Markov model to simulate the economic and health consequences of meningococcal disease in a 2023 birth cohort with the current meningococcal vaccination strategy and the alternative. Parameters of epidemiology, vaccine efficacy, cost, and utility were extracted from database and previous literatures. The sensitivity analysis was implemented to evaluate the robustness of the model. Compared to the current practice, the alternative strategy could avoid 513 meningococcal disease cases, 53 sequelae and 47 deaths. The ICER was estimated at $16899.81 /QALY, under the threshold of one time of the GDP per capita of Zhejiang province in 2023. The incidence of meningococcemia, the incidence of meningococcal meningitis, the case fatality of meningococcemia, the vaccine efficacy of MCV-ACWY and the price of MCV-ACWY would influence the cost-effectiveness of the meningococcal vaccination strategies. At the threshold, the probability of cost-effectiveness was 14.76% for the current strategy and 55.98% for the alternative strategy, respectively. The current meningococcal vaccination strategy had effectively prevented meningococcal disease at a low cost, but with limited serogroup coverage. Strategy using MCV-ACWY and MPV-ACWY could increase health benefits at a substantial cost at a cost-effective manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change presents a mounting challenge with profound impacts on ocean and marine ecosystems, leading to significant environmental, health, and economic consequences. Microfluidic technologies, with their unique capabilities, play a crucial role in understanding and addressing the marine aspects of the climate crisis. These technologies leverage quantitative, precise, and miniaturized formats that enhance the capabilities of sensing, imaging, and molecular tools. Such advancements are critical for monitoring marine systems under the stress of climate change and elucidating their response mechanisms. This review explores microfluidic technologies employed both in laboratory settings for testing and in the field for monitoring purposes. We delve into the application of miniaturized tools in evaluating ocean-based solutions to climate change, thus offering fresh perspectives from the solution-oriented end of the spectrum. We further aim to synthesize recent developments in technology around critical questions concerning the ocean environment and marine ecosystems, while discussing the potential for future innovations in microfluidic technology. The purpose of this review is to enhance understanding of current capabilities and assist researchers interested in mitigating the effects of climate change to identify new avenues for tackling the pressing issues posed by climate change in marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMaterials and MethodsResultsConclusions\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONDisability experts are often called upon to analyze the economic impact of an injury. Determining future economic loss in cases of disabilities is difficult, particularly when the disabilities are considered partial in nature, and the individuals have some capacity to mitigate their future income losses. This paper examines one possible approach for examining reduced future income capacity in cases of partial disabilities, the use of the Work Ability Index (WAI) and Work Ability Scale (WAS).Empirical data from one-hundred six cases is analyzed using a censored tobit regression to determine the relationship between scores on the WAI/WAS and verified long-term income losses for individuals who suffered disabling events.The study found a high correlation between the scores obtained on both the WAI and WAS measures, and future economic loss. The results suggest that these scales may be very useful in analyzing reduced future income capacity in situations involving partial disabilities.This study assists the rehabilitation and disability expert to better understand the implications of a moderate to severe disability on the future income capacity of an injured person. It also provides additional support for the validity of the WAI/WAS scales.The Workability Scale is a valid measure to examine the effectiveness of rehabilitation programsThe Workability Scale is a good proxy to determine the loss of earnings capacity in cases of moderate to severe partial disability casesThe Workability Scale can be used as a simple cross-check for more complex methods that vocational/occupational experts use for purposes of determining earnings capacity losses.The Workability Scale is a valid measure to examine the effectiveness of rehabilitation programsThe Workability Scale is a good proxy to determine the loss of earnings capacity in cases of moderate to severe partial disability casesThe Workability Scale can be used as a simple cross-check for more complex methods that vocational/occupational experts use for purposes of determining earnings capacity losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the impact of COVID‐19‐related job loss on early retirement withdrawals, highlighting the roles of financial hardships, subjective well‐being, financial knowledge, and emergency savings. Drawing from 2929 respondents, the research identified that job loss increases early withdrawals, both directly and through financial hardships and well‐being perceptions. Notably, individuals with greater financial knowledge and at least 3 months of emergency savings experience less negative impact from job loss. Our findings emphasize the vital role of employers in offering workplace financial education and promoting emergency savings. This aligns with the SECURE 2.0 Act's strategies and underlines the significance of financial readiness in buffering against the economic fallout of unexpected events like the COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bridges enable communications and transportation of goods nationally and internationally, underpinning economic and social activities, and thus they are pylons of our prosperity and mobility. Bridges worldwide are constantly subjected to physical wear, ageing, deterioration, hazards, environmental influences, and increased loading. Loss of performance and functionality of bridge structures would have a crucial impact on overall infrastructural resilience and would cause significant negative economic and social consequences. Monitoring their behaviour for different loading conditions relies on accurate estimations of the stress‐strain state of various critical components and remaining capacities. These activities are of high importance for better planning and lifespan prolongation, that is, the extension of their service life and prevention of unforeseen collapses, in line with sustainability principles of well‐informed maintenance. In many cases, access to the structure is limited or even impossible, which causes the need for the deployment of remote and contactless methods. One such innovative technique, which has recently attracted attention in scientific and practical applications, is the digital image correlation (DIC). DIC is a contactless approach applicable for obtaining the full field of strains and deformations of full‐scale real structures. Although the DIC approach has been widely used in world engineering practice for monitoring bridges and has proved to be a reliable and accurate method, there is a lack of systematic integral review on previous practical applications, revealing limitations and perspectives. This is the main motivation and novelty of this study, which will describe selected case studies in which DIC was used on real full‐scale bridge structures and propose improvements for the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: "The hidden costs of informal caregiving" is an interdisciplinary concept. While caregivers make a significant contribution to the process of caregiving, they sacrifice their leisure time, and incur risks of dropping out of the job, impaired mental and physical health, and decreased well-being within the context of caregiving. Those invisible sacrifices are often overlooked and described as hidden costs of informal caregiving. However, the conceptualisation of hidden costs of informal caregiving has not yet been clarified and scientifically assessed. The research aimed to clarify the concept of hidden costs of informal caregiving and develop an operational definition. Methods: Walker and Avant's concept analysis was conducted. Databases of CBM, CNKI, WanFang, VIP, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Econlit, CINAHL and ProQuest were searched with the term "hidden costs of informal caregiving". Information about the uses of the concept, defining attributes, model cases, antecedents, consequences and empirical referents of hidden costs of informal caregiving was extracted and synthesized. Results: A total of 25 articles were included. The six defining attributes of hidden costs of informal caregiving were identified as including "undertaken by informal caregivers", "the time costs of caregiving", "costs of career development" "physical well-being costs", "mental well-being costs" and "social relationship costs". Personal characteristics of the caregivers and care recipients, along with caregiving attributes, were among the antecedents. The consequences of hidden costs of informal caregiving resulted in negative influences which included poor quality of life, life-altering decisions, options for the type of care, some degree of economic hardship, decreased compliance with treatment plans and monetary value informal caregivers are willing to pay to be replaced. Conclusion: This concept analysis decisively illuminated the hitherto nebulous concept and expanded the contents of hidden costs of informal caregiving, which will foster a deeper appreciation of the invisible cost of caregivers. Moreover, it will provide a reference for the study of the hidden costs of informal caregiving in future, contribute to the development of assessment tools and theoretical models of hidden costs of informal caregiving, and create a basis for designing an evidence-based care program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has attracted attention for its extraordinary pace of economic development and is considered to be leading the way in China's transformation from a manufacturing to an innovation cluster. However, due to rapid economic expansion and rapid urbanization, the Great Bay Area still struggles with low energy efficiency and environmental degradation, which has slowed down the pace of development. Therefore, in order to alleviate energy pressure, promote the country's sustainable development and gain a competitive advantage in the global market, researching energy efficiency and improving energy utilization efficiency is crucial. In this study, macro-level energy efficiency indicators are constructed using energy consumption data from various cities in the Greater Bay Area for the period from 2000 to 2020, and the spatio-temporal evolution of energy efficiency is analysed. The results show that all cities in the Greater Bay Area experienced an increasing trend in energy efficiency from 2000 to 2019, with significant variation in growth rates and magnitudes between cities. Compared to the nine cities in Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macao exhibited significantly superior energy efficiency, with Foshan recording the highest growth rate of 14%. In 2020, most cities experienced a decline in energy efficiency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Macao experiencing the greatest decrease at 57%. Hong Kong and Macao are both in the "low consumption and high efficiency" target region, while Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai are consistently in the "both high" region. Changes in the industrial upgrading index correspond significantly with changes in energy efficiency trajectories, with the transition from primary to secondary and tertiary industries playing a more substantial role. There is no significant association found between the strength of environmental regulation and changes in energy efficiency. The study's findings indicate that the most effective way to achieve economic transformation in the majority of China's regions is to combine adequate environmental legislation with industrial structural adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fundamental characteristic of the iron ore mining industry is clearing land and changing the natural landscape so that it has the potential to have an impact on the environment, social and economic aspects of society. This research was conducted to determine the environmental, social and economic impacts on the people of Taliabu Island Village. This research uses a qualitative method with a case study method. The conclusion of this research is that the environmental impact caused by mining in the Taliabu Island Village area can still be overcome by the company by replanting trees in places where mining has been completed and the company even provides signs along roads and dangerous areas so that the community is protected from these environmental impacts. The company can also overcome the social impacts that arise by providing equal career development opportunities for local employees and migrant employees so that social jealousy does not occur and economic welfare increases for the people of Taliabu Island Village. The community's economy has improved with the opportunity to work as company employees and the emergence of many food stalls, daily necessities stalls and even entertainment venues where previously the community had a source of income from clove and head plantations. The company also establishes a family relationship between the village head and all members of the community so that the impact, no matter how small, can still be overcome because all levels of society have a sense of ownership of the company and the benefits of the company are greatly felt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial ecosystems play a crucial role in global carbon cycling by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and storing it primarily in living biomass and soil. Monitoring terrestrial carbon stocks is essential for understanding the impacts of changes in land use on carbon sequestration. This study investigates the potential of remote sensing techniques and the Google Earth Engine to map and monitor changes in the forests of Calabria (Italy) over the past two decades. Using satellite-sourced Corine land cover datasets and the InVEST model, changes in Land Use Land Cover (LULC), and carbon concentrations are analyzed, providing insights into the carbon dynamics of the region. Furthermore, cellular automata and Markov chain techniques are used to simulate the future spatial and temporal dynamics of LULC. The results reveal notable fluctuations in LULC; specifically, settlement and bare land have expanded at the expense of forested and grassland areas. These land use and land cover changes significantly declined the overall carbon stocks in Calabria between 2000 and 2024, resulting in notable economic impacts. The region experienced periods of both decline and growth in carbon concentration, with overall losses resulting in economic impacts up to EUR 357.57 million and carbon losses equivalent to 6,558,069.68 Mg of CO   2 emissions during periods of decline. Conversely, during periods of carbon gain, the economic benefit reached EUR 41.26 million, with sequestered carbon equivalent to 756,919.47 Mg of CO   2 emissions. This research aims to highlight the critical role of satellite data in enhancing our understanding and development of comprehensive strategies for managing carbon stocks in terrestrial ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of electric vehicle fleets is an important element of today's economic, social, and ecological development. This multidimensional sustainable process, although not easy, generates many tangible benefits for various stakeholders, ranging from environmental to financial and competence issues. Despite the fact that the phenomenon of transformation toward rational energy management is gaining momentum on a global scale, there is a significant disproportion in terms of development levels depending on the origin of the economy. The aim of this research article is to identify the key factors affecting the development of fleet electrification in the transport, shipping, and logistics (TSL) sector in Poland. Based on a literature review, a fleet development framework was developed using a PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal) analysis and evaluated by TSL companies. According to the conclusions drawn, the most important stimulants are economic factors and technological factors, which limit the development of electrified transport fleets in the TSL industry. Based on this, the authors propose various solutions to improve economic profitability and technological conditions. In addition, it was found that the attitudes of the decision makers at transport companies and cooperation within the TSL sector are also important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does terrorism contribute to the growth of the shadow economy? While extensive literature has delved into the causes and consequences of terrorism, little has been studied on its impact on the shadow economy. Employing data on terrorism and the shadow economies of 116 countries from 1990 to 2017, we demonstrate that terrorism results in an increase in the size of the shadow economy and that the effect is larger in autocracies. We argue that the economic and social impacts of terrorism create environments that reinforce both exit and exclusion factors through the erosion of institutional trust and social capital, ultimately incentivizing or compelling actors to seek alternative methods of economic activities. Furthermore, a lack of free and horizontal information-sharing venues to address public fear and repressive counterterrorism measures in autocracies further hamper the economic pursuits of individuals, businesses, and foreign investors, facilitating their engagement in informal economic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study explores the efficacy and economic benefits of neurosurgical teleconsultations in managing intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), focusing on reducing unnecessary patient transfers and associated costs. We conducted a cost-savings analysis at our institution of a previously published pilot study involving a cohort of patients with ICH who were potential candidates for airlift to our tertiary care center but instead received neurosurgical consultation via teleconsultation to avoid the transfer. Data on patient demographics, distances, and costs were collected and analyzed to assess the economic impact of teleconsultations. The cohort comprised 14 patients; we noted significant cost savings from avoiding interhospital transfers, ranging from $84,346.52 to $120,495.03 per patient. Teleconsultations facilitated immediate, collaborative decision-making between healthcare providers at community hospitals and a tertiary care center, reducing the need for expensive air transportation and unnecessary hospital transfers. Neurosurgical teleconsultations offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional patient transfer methods for ICH management, providing substantial economic benefits while maintaining high physician and patient-family satisfaction levels. This study underscores the potential of our teleneurosurgery program to significantly reduce costs by reducing unnecessary financial burdens on patients' families and healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present analysis has explored the effect of external shocks on the predictability of remittance outflows, by relying on an unbalanced panel of 24 developed countries over the period from 1996 to 2020. The indicator of predictability of remittance outflows for a given country in a given year is the deviation of the remittance outflows (as a share of gross domestic product) from its trend. Results are obtained by means of the within-fixed effects estimator, and indicate that external shocks reduce the predictability of remittance outflows, with a larger negative effect on the positive predictability of these capital outflows than on the negative predictability of these capital outflows. The negative effect of external shocks on the predictability of remittance outflows operates through the economic growth channel, with the magnitude of this negative effect being higher in countries with low economic growth rates. Finally, external shocks reduce the predictability of remittance outflows in countries that experience a decline in migrant inflows. This finding has implications for the economic and development prospects of migrants' countries of origin. JEL Classification: F24, F43, O11 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological innovation is a crucial factor in the technological and economic development of nations today. Ownership and appropriation policies of patents are an important part of innovation processes. The compulsory license is an instrument that in principle aims towards these objectives. However, in Mexico, despite the fact that compulsory licensing was incorporated into patent legislation more than a century ago, it has been exercised very rarely. The overwhelming lack of registration of compulsory licenses has been due, among other factors, to the gaps and insufficiencies in the specifications that patent laws have established to regulate the compulsory licensing process, aspects that have led to contradictions and discretions that erode the propensity to use compulsory licenses by those interested in exploiting patents in national territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The repercussions of internally induced armed conflict appear to vary for different groups of people. The physical and economic consequences of armed conflict have been investigated and documented by researchers. However, the psychosocial impact of IDPs on children has not yet been explored in detail. The main objective of this study was to investigate how internal displacement due to armed conflict affected the psychosocial well‐being of children in Southern Wollo, Ethiopia. A sample of 25 children was purposely selected and interviewed about their psychosocial experience following displacement because of armed conflict. Ten parents/caregivers were also selected purposely to describe the situation of internally displaced children. To explain the study, system and attachment theories were mainly employed. Using qualitative methods of analysis, each child's psychosocial experiences were documented, analyzed, and compared to capture the essence (theme) of the problem. From 35 transcripts and observation checklists, three emerging themes were developed and explained. The findings showed that there existed feelings of separation, lack of hope in schooling, psychological distress, loneliness, insecurity, and depression among children affected by displacement due to war. Children's exposure and witness of the horrifying situation during displacement traumatized and disturbed them a lot. Based on the results, it is possible to imply that government and nongovernment organizations that have a stake in children should design appropriate intervention mechanics to support children affected by internal displacement due to armed conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Succinic acid is recognized as a key component in the production of various commercially important chemical commodities. Technical‐economic analysis can provide valuable insights into the feasibility of large‐scale biochemical production of succinic acid. In this study, the effects of scale on the design of a biorefinery using sugarcane bagasse were evaluated using a detailed process modeling methodology. Four processes were simulated and compared, three based on patents from biosuccinic acid (bio‐SA) manufacturing companies and one based on a process economic program report (PEP). This methodology allowed for the analysis of scale benefits for each technological route. A comprehensive economic evaluation was conducted by comparing the biochemical processes in terms of investment and production costs, as well as the minimum selling price (MSP) of bio‐SA. Results show that the MSP of more promising process designs ranged from 3105 to 2095 $ t−1, which is compatible with the cost of petrochemical‐based succinic acid. Moreover, for capacities above 90 kt year−1, the MSP remains virtually constant, and every process evaluated revealed a breakdown in the project economy of scale. A sensitivity and risk analysis was carried out to evaluate the impacts of several process parameters on the project's technoeconomic analysis, resulting in bio‐SA selling price and investment costs as parameters with the highest impact on economic viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV infection following sexual assault. However, only about half of people offered HIV PEP will initiate the medication. Factors associated with patient readiness for HIV PEP following sexual assault have been attributed to structural and clinical barriers. This study utilized the Theory of Reasoned Action and Planned Behavior to better understand how personal factors, cognitive factors, mental health, barriers and facilitators that could influence a patient's decision to start HIV PEP post sexual assault. A web-based cross sectional survey was conducted from October 2017 to January 2020 and a total of 228 responses were included from participants that had experienced sexual assault in the previous 3 months. Using linear regression modeling fear of HIV, post-traumatic stress symptoms, validating social responses to disclosure, and having someone else pay for HIV PEP were all associated with feeling better prepared for HIV PEP decision making. Results indicate that structural, social, and individual factors impact patient decision making. These findings highlight opportunities for health systems and providers to improve HIV education and the importance of initiating HIV PEP following sexual assault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Trade Organization (WTO) and European Union (EU) have both put forward tax reforms that impact fisheries' fuel costs, which are similar in the object of taxation but quite different in the externalities addressed, goals, scope, exemptions or tax rates, creating an opportunity to compare the effects and discuss the alternatives. These proposals are the result of long and intense debates in political, social and academic spheres. However, certain aspects remain unclear. First of all, the number of empirical studies is still limited, particularly considering that fisheries governance is subject to heterogeneous management systems and institutional contexts creating room for different potential outputs. Second, coastal states have no fiscal competence beyond 12 miles, which limits the scope of the reforms to small scale fleets (SSF). All in all, the economic consequences for the fleets remain unclear. To this end, we will build on the Galician fishing sector (NW Spain) input–output tables to discuss the direct impacts, effects and side effects of these reforms on a representative European fleet. Flaws identified in both initiatives mean that targeted externalities will not be corrected and, moreover, additional ones, such as distributional effects penalising SSF or fuel spillovers, could be boosted. Alternative policy approaches are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rewilding, a concept often defined as an open-ended approach to ecological restoration that aims to establish self-sustaining ecosystems, has gained much interest in recent conservation science and practice. The economic dimensions of rewilding remain understudied, despite repeated calls for research, and we find that synthetic or programmatic contributions to the scientific literature are still missing. Here, we mined Scopus and Web of Science databases through a systematic review, looking for "rewilding" with various economic terms in the peer-reviewed literature, in the English language. We then screened out a 257 references-rich corpus with 14 variables, including the position of rewilding regarding positive and negative economic effects in specific sectors, and geographical or ecological foci. Our corpus amounts to ca. 40% of recent rewilding literature, with a clear emphasis on European study sites and the economic consequences of rewilding initiatives. Rewilding studies often refer to positive economic impacts on tourism and hunting, e.g., through higher income and employment rates, although very few studies properly quantify these. Conversely, most authors find rewilding harms farming, which is threatened by abandonment and damages by wildlife, raising interest in potential EU subsidy regimes. We highlight the surprising paucity of rewilding literature truly focusing on economics and/or providing detailed quantification—with remarkable exceptions. While rewilding's ecological relevance is no longer in question, demonstrating its economic benefits and sustainability will undoubtedly help scaling up. Thus, we advise rewilders to systematically measure and report investments and outcomes of rewilding initiatives, and to adopt common standards for cost and benefit assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economics and biology have long been overlapping and mutually enriching fields. We contribute to this cross-fertilization by spelling out the implications for economic theory of some recent insights from evolutionary neurobiology. We note that dynamic homeostasis, a core feature of life processes, has shaped social interactions at varied stages of evolution – from the patterns of competition and cooperation among early life forms to the complex process of human cultures. The resulting homeostatic perspective is not compatible with several leading economic theories but does provide a biological footing for promising concepts such as ecological rationality, heuristics, heterogeneity of economic agents, and complex, self-organizing dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are relatively common among the general population and have been shown to be associated with eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder. It remains relatively unknown whether ACEs are associated with muscle dysmorphia. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between ACEs and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology among a sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults. A community sample of 912 adolescents and young adults ages 16–30 years across Canada participated in this study. Participants completed a 15-item measure of ACEs (categorized to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 or more) and the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory. Multiple linear regression analyses were utilized to determine the association between the number of ACEs experienced and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology. Participants who experienced five or more ACEs, compared to those who had experienced no ACEs, had more symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, as well as more symptoms related to Appearance Intolerance and Functional Impairment. There was no association between ACEs and Drive for Size symptoms. Participants who experienced five or more ACEs (16.1%), compared to 10.6% who experienced no ACEs, were at clinical risk for muscle dysmorphia (p =.018). Experiencing ACEs, particularly five or more, was significantly associated with muscle dysmorphia symptomatology, expanding prior research on eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder. Social workers should consider screening for symptoms of muscle dysmorphia among adolescents and young adults who experience ACEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between atopic dermatitis in pregnant women and preterm births, accounting for maternal ritodrine hydrochloride administration status. Methods: Data of 83,796 women with singleton pregnancies at and after 22 weeks of gestation (enrolled between 2011 and 2014) were analyzed. These data were obtained from the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Atopic dermatitis was defined based on self-reported questionnaire responses obtained during the first trimester. The primary outcome measures were preterm births before 37, 32, and 28 weeks of gestation. Using a multivariable logistic regression model, odds ratios for preterm births in pregnant women with atopic dermatitis were calculated, with women without atopic dermatitis included in the reference group. This analysis considered confounding factors and maternal ritodrine hydrochloride administration. Results: Among pregnant women with atopic dermatitis, the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for preterm births before 37, 32, and 28 weeks of gestation were 0.89 (0.81–0.98), 0.98 (0.74–1.30), and 0.88 (0.50–1.55), respectively. This trend remained consistent after excluding participants who received ritodrine hydrochloride. Conclusions for practice: Atopic dermatitis in pregnant women was significantly associated with a decreased incidence of preterm births before 37 weeks of gestation, even after accounting for the effects of maternal ritodrine hydrochloride administration. Significance: What is already known on this subject?: Atopic dermatitis is among the most prevalent chronic dermatological conditions in pregnant women. The association between atopic dermatitis in pregnant women and obstetric outcomes remains unclear owing to conflicting research findings. What this study adds?: Atopic dermatitis in pregnant women was significantly associated with a decreased incidence of preterm births before 37 weeks of gestation. The trend was the same in participants without maternal ritodrine hydrochloride administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food insecurity (FI) is a major global health challenge despite the actions taken to combat it. Social and economic factors can affect food security. This study aimed to systematically review research evidence to investigate socioeconomic determinants of FI in the healthy Iranian population. Three databases and search engines, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science as well as Iranian scientific search engines, including Scientific Information Database (SID) and Magiran were systematically searched in English and Persian to identify relevant articles from 1990 until October 2022. A total of 6624 studies were identified. After screening, 115 cross-sectional and 6 case–control studies were included. We separated the results based on rural, urban, and suburban areas. Socioeconomic factors which were correlated to FI in both urban and rural areas were family head education level, parent's occupation, family head occupation, occupation diversity, number of working persons in a family, marital status of the family head, family size, number of children, household's economic status, house area, house ownership, and living facilities. Many socioeconomic determinants affect IF in the urban, rural, and suburban areas; so, policymakers should have comprehensive attention on these factors, specifically to improve food security status and support society's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second-hand ship market is one of the main markets of the maritime economy where existing ships are traded, and price volatility is very high. Analyzing the factors that cause price volatility is significant for asset players in the shipping industry. For this reason, this study aims to evaluate the factors affecting the price in the second-hand ship market and to determine the variables that affect the price most in ship valuation. Thus, it is aimed to provide essential insights to market players with the findings obtained. In the study, an application has been made to evaluate the factors affecting the price in the second-hand ship market together and simultaneously. The 25 sub-criteria consisted of Economic Factors, Ship Characteristics, and Buyer and Seller Characteristics main-criteria obtained from the literature were evaluated. The evaluations were carried out using the SWARA technique, one of the MCDM methods. The results provide essential information for ship asset players to hedge their financial risks, manage their cash flows and debts, and make better decisions in the second-hand ship market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the potential cost reduction and environmental friendliness of inland lock waterways, there is a noticeable lack of scientific research on their efficiency and performance. Moreover, empirical insights into the impact of waterway locks on logistics systems are insufficient. Similarly, despite extensive research on data envelopment analysis (DEA) in various logistics contexts, the efficiency of waterway locks remains underexplored. This study addresses these gaps by evaluating inland waterway transposition efficiency based on operational aspects and handling capacity. In this study, data from nine primary inland waterway locks in an emerging economy were examined, comparing their relative efficiency by input-output relationships. Efficiency indices, performance objectives, benchmarks, composite efficiency, and separability conditions were calculated and analyzed. Our results highlight external factors like vessel numbers and volume as efficiency influencers. The study uncovers strategies to enhance efficiency, mainly through operational improvements or leveraging performance indices from other units. Empirical findings present opportunities to optimize maritime logistics operations, especially in countries with expansive territories. This is a novel research that introduces efficiency analysis models for inland waterway locks and offers actionable insights for an underexplored research area. Lastly, the article offers promising research opportunities for maritime logistics systems' performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the last 50 years, the UK has moved from prosecuting male homosexuality to identifying sexual orientation as a protected characteristic. There have been differing explanations for how this change has occurred. In the present study, we investigate how this political and moral change is understood by those who witnessed it, with the aim of gaining new insight into this change process. We elicited accounts from 25 heterosexual UK residents over the age of 65 years. First, we conducted individual semi-structured interviews with 21 participants. Second, we used a memory work method. Specifically, a group of four participants met four times with one of the researchers to share and discuss memories relevant to the research question. The analytic process aimed to reconstruct and make sense of the participants' theorisations based on a thematic reading of the transcripts. Contact with LGBTQ people and increased awareness through the media were construed as central to the shift in societal homophobia. Participants remembered contact with LGBTQ people mediated by friends and family members but accounts show a complex understanding of social change that includes but also transcends direct personal experience and extant psychological theorising. Overall, this was a fragmented story of changing social norms, albeit one embedded within a canonical narrative of tolerance, decency and fairness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of baloxavir marboxil compared with oseltamivir or no antiviral treatment from a US payer perspective using data from a real-world US administrative claims study. Given baloxavir's ability to rapidly stop viral shedding, the potential health economic implications of a baloxavir-induced population-level reduction in viral transmission was also explored. Methods: A decision tree cost-effectiveness model was developed for seasonal influenza (2018–2020) using a lifetime time horizon with 3.0% discounting for costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Patients aged ≥ 12 years could receive baloxavir, oseltamivir or no antiviral treatment. Patient characteristics, complications, and costs were derived from the Merative™ MarketScan® Research Databases including US commercial claims and Medicare and Medicaid Supplemental databases. A scenario analysis explored the impact of reduced viral transmission with baloxavir. Results: In the base case analysis, baloxavir was cost-effective within a willingness-to-pay threshold of US$100,000/QALY compared with oseltamivir [incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), $6813/QALY gained] or no antiviral treatment (ICER, $669/QALY gained). The net monetary benefit (NMB) of baloxavir was $1180 and $6208 compared with oseltamivir and no treatment, respectively. The NMB of baloxavir increased linearly with reductions in viral transmission, where a 5% transmission reduction yielded an NMB of $2592 versus oseltamivir and $7621 versus no treatment. Baloxavir became dominant (more effective and less costly, with ICERs < 0) starting with a 12.0% reduction in viral transmission versus oseltamivir and 6.0% versus no antiviral treatment. Conclusion: Baloxavir was cost-effective compared with oseltamivir or no antiviral treatment. The potential of baloxavir to reduce viral transmission offers a substantial economic benefit from a US payer perspective. Plain Language Summary: Baloxavir is a prescription medicine that reduces the duration of flu symptoms and reduces the likelihood of complications from the flu, including serious complications that may require hospitalization. Baloxavir may reduce the spread of the flu to healthy people by reducing the amount and duration of virus shedding from infected people. We designed a model to estimate the cost benefits of using baloxavir versus another flu treatment, known as oseltamivir, or no flu treatment at all. Using baloxavir led to more cost savings than oseltamivir or no treatment for people in the US who have commercial health insurance. Baloxavir was even more cost-effective in the scenario where it reduced the number of flu cases (transmission benefit). This could ultimately have a meaningful benefit across a large health insurance population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]