Search

Background: This study aimed to compare the overall prevalence, stratified by sex and age group of global physical activity (GPA), active commuting to school (ACS), and sedentary behavior (SB) among adolescents from ten Latin American countries, and to assess the correlation of Development Index with the indicators. Methods: This research is grounded on data from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (2009–2015) and the 2015 Brazilian National School Health Survey. The prevalence and 95% confidence intervals for GPA (≥5 d/wk), ACS (≥1 d/wk), and SB (>2 h/d) were calculated using the chi-square test to compare the sexes (male; female) and age group (≤13 y; 14 y; 15 y; ≥16 y). We also performed Pearson correlation analysis with the Human Development Index. Results: The prevalence of indicators ranged from 16.1% to 28.2% for GPA, from 56.7% to 71.2% for ACS, and from 20.7% to 62.6% for SB. Boys generally had a higher prevalence of GPA and ACS, and girls had a higher prevalence of SB. The prevalence of the indicators by age group varied between countries, with significant differences observed in some, depending on each indicator. A positive correlation was observed between Human Development Index, GPA, and SB. Conclusion: Health promotion policies must include guidelines that encourage and promote a more active and less sedentary lifestyle among young people in Latin America, considering specific groups, the local socioeconomic context, and differences between countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the evolution of physical activity (PA) research in Africa, examine income and gender inequalities, and discuss future possibilities. Methods: A secondary analyses of the Global Observatory for Physical Activity data on PA research in Africa (1950–2019). Results: We identified 514 PA articles from 47 African countries in the past 70 years. Majority (83.1%) of the articles were published between 2012 and 2019. Fifteen countries had no publications. Six countries (South Africa [n = 156], Nigeria [n = 85], Ethiopia [n = 44], Ghana [n = 41], Kenya [n = 39], and Cameroon [n = 20]) accounted for about 75% of the publications. Most articles were observational (92.4%), single-country studies (78.4%), with male first (58.4%) and last authors (68%), and were classified as surveillance studies (45.1%). Few studies addressed interventions (5.8%) and policy (3.5%) or used device-based PA measurement (14.0%). The number of articles per country was positively related to human population level (r =.552, P =.000) and gross domestic product % spent on research and development (r =.301, P =.040). The publication rate per 100,000 people was positively related with the human development index (r =.349, P =.016) and negatively with the gender inequality index (r = −.360, P =.019). Conclusions: Our results provide an overview and status of PA research in Africa, highlighting country differences and gender inequalities in authorship. The findings may be used to benchmark the evolution of research in the region and to inform areas for improvement. There is an urgent need for more PA interventions and policy studies in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to analyze in depth the relevance of Vygotsky's constructivism learning theory in differentiated learning in elementary schools. Differentiated learning is an effort to adapt the learning process in the classroom to meet the learning needs of each individual. This adjustment is made by considering the interests, learning profiles, and readiness of students to improve learning outcomes. With this adjustment, students can learn according to their respective abilities and find understanding from their own experiences. On the other hand, constructivist learning theory states that learning is a process in which students can build their knowledge. One of the constructivists learning theories was proposed by Vygotsky, known as social constructivism. Vygotsky's constructivism emphasizes the interaction of interpersonal (social), cultural-historical, and individual factors as the key to human development. The constructivist theory has relevance to differentiated learning in terms of meaningful learning and student activity. Differentiated learning applies constructivist theory in learning by considering the individual characteristics of students. In addition, the concept of the zone of proximal development (ZPD) and scaffolding are highly relevant in differentiated learning that accommodates the full potential of students and considers the individual abilities of students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research freshly investigates the effect of business competition on national welfare in Indonesia. This research uses business competition index data obtained from the Indonesia Competition Commission (KPPU) and welfare indicators data collected from the Indonesian Bureau of Central Statistics (BPS) at the economic sectoral and provincial levels for the period 2018–2020. The relationship between business competition and welfare is estimated using pooled regression model combining year, economic sector, and province. This research also uses business competition index applying both same weights for all dimensions of competition and the weights derived from principal component analysis. This research finds that business competition has a positive effect on welfare as represented by gross regional domestic product, regional productivity, productivity growth, wages, and human development index. Furthermore, the regions with high scores on the competition index mostly come from Java Island. Therefore, Indonesian government must encourage the mainstreaming of business competition in all provinces in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While widefield microscopy has long been constrained by out-of-focus scattering, advancements have generated a solution in the form of confocal laser scanning microscopy (cLSM) and optical sectioning microscopy using structured illumination (OSM). In this study, we aim to investigate, using microglia branching, if cLSM and OSM can produce images with comparable morphological characteristics. Results: By imaging the somatosensory microglia from a tissue slice of a 3-week-old mouse and establishing morphological parameters that characterizes the microglial branching pattern, we were able to show that there is no difference in total length of the branch tree, number of branches, mean branch length and number of primary to terminal branches. We did find that area-based parameters such as mean occupied area and mean surveillance area were bigger in cLSM isolated microglia compared to OSM ones. Additionally, by investigating the difference in acquisition time between techniques and personal costs we were able to establish that the amortization could be made in 6.11 ± 2.93 years in the case of countries with a Human Development Index (HDI) = 7–9 and 7.06 ± 3.13 years, respectably, for countries with HDI < 7. As such, OSM systems seem a valid option if one just wants basic histological evaluation, and cLSM should be considered for groups that demand higher resolution or volumetric images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing focus of educational institutions on students' practical abilities beyond theoretical knowledge, the perception that students have of their competencies is crucial for their effective application in professional contexts. Accordingly, this paper reports a study of 435 university students attending ten universities in eight countries in the Americas (Chile, Colombia, Mexico), Asia (Pakistan and the Philippines), and Europe (Spain, Finland, and Serbia). The goal was to measure their perceptions of their achievement of complex thinking competency and its sub-competencies. The intention was to identify how cultural, educational, and socioeconomic differences among countries account for the variances in the students' self-assessment of competencies, impacting their professional preparedness. The study focused on the competency of complex thinking, considering its critical importance in solving current environmental problems. The analysis employed the non-parametric Brown–Forsythe statistical test and Bonferroni correction, given the non-normality and heteroscedasticity of the data. It was found that (i) there is no statistically significant difference by gender; (ii) there are statistically significant differences in all types of thinking per country, geographical area (continent), and Human Development Index (HDI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes how ChatGPT characterizes developed and developing countries using a sentiment analysis framework. We selected 10 countries with the highest Human Development Index (HDI) and 10 countries with the lowest. The sentiment analysis provided scores indicating the degree of positivity in the descriptions of these countries provided by ChatGPT. The results revealed that ChatGPT generally expressed positive sentiments about all countries. However, strong evidence emerged showing that countries with high HDI received more positive sentiments compared to those with low HDI. These findings highlight the bias of the model in describing developed versus developing countries. Ultimately, the study highlights the importance of adjusting large language models to ensure fairer representations of countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyse whether tourism destination competitiveness is associated with human development using contingency tables. Also, by means of a cluster analysis, it seeks to identify homogeneous groups of tourists. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis relies on the Travel and Tourism Development Index and Human Development Index for 2021 and is applied to 81 countries with a high/very high level of human progress and 36 countries with a medium/low level. Findings: The results show that infrastructure is the tourism dimension that has the greatest influence on human development for all countries, while conditions for doing business and sustainability are relevant to residents' quality of life only in destinations with a high/very high level of progress. Cluster analysis points to India as a tourist destination that is markedly different from the other countries in its human progress, presenting much higher values for price competitiveness, infrastructure and natural and cultural resources. Originality/value: It analyses the association between each one of the dimensions of tourism development and the Human Development Index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that colorectal cancer incidence is increasing among younger adults (aged <50 years) in multiple high-income western countries in contrast with stabilising or decreasing trends in incidence in older adults (aged ≥50 years). This study aimed to investigate contemporary colorectal cancer incidence trends in younger adults versus older adults. Colorectal cancer incidence data, including year of diagnosis, sex, and 5-year age group for 50 countries and territories, were extracted from the WHO–International Agency for Research on Cancer Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Plus database. The Human Development Index 2022 was retrieved from the United Nations Development Programme and grouped into very high (>0·80), high (0·70–0·79), medium (0·55–0·69), and low (<0·55) categories. Age-standardised incidence rates (ASR) per 100 000 person-years of early-onset (diagnosed between ages 25 to 49 years) and late-onset (diagnosed between ages 50 to 74 years) colorectal cancer (ICD 10th revision, C18–20), diagnosed between 1943–2003 and 2015–17, were calculated using the direct method and Segi–Doll world standard population). The primary study objective was to examine contemporary colorectal cancer incidence trends in younger adults versus older adults using data until 2017 from 50 countries and territories. Temporal trends were visualised and quantified with joinpoint regression, stratified by age at diagnosis (25–49 years or 50–74 years). Average annual percentage changes (AAPC) were estimated. In the most recent 5 years (2013–17 for all countries analysed, except for Japan [2011–15], Spain [2012–16], and Costa Rica [2012–16]), the incidence rate of early-onset colorectal cancer was highest in Australia (ASR 16·5 [95% CI 16·1–16·9]), the USA (Puerto Rico; 15·2 [14·2–16·2]), New Zealand (14·8 [14·0–15·6]), the USA (14·8 [14·7–14·9]), and South Korea (14·3 [14·0–14·5]) and lowest in Uganda (4·4 [3·6–5·2]) and India (3·5 [3·3–3·7]). The highest incidence rates among older adults were found in the Netherlands (168·4 [166·9–170·0]) and Denmark (158·3 [155·8–160·9]) and the lowest were in Uganda (45·9 [38·5–51·4]) and India (23·5 [22·8–24·3]). In terms of AAPC, in the most recent 10 years, incidence rates of early-onset colorectal cancer were stable in 23 countries, but increased in 27 countries with the greatest annual increases in New Zealand (AAPC 3·97% [95% CI 2·44–5·52]), Chile (3·96% [1·26–6·74]), Puerto Rico (3·81% [2·68–4·96]), and England (3·59% [3·12–4·06]). 14 of the 27 countries and territories showed either stable (Argentina, France, Ireland, Norway, and Puerto Rico) or decreasing (Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Slovenia, England, Scotland, and the USA) trends in older adults. For the 13 countries with increasing trends in both age groups, the average annual percentage increase in younger compared to older adults was higher in Chile, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands, Croatia, and Finland; lower in Thailand, France (Martinique), Denmark, and Costa Rica; and similar in Türkiye, Ecuador, and Belarus. The rise in early-onset colorectal cancer was faster among men than women in Chile, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Ecuador, Thailand, Sweden, Israel, and Croatia, whereas faster increase among women compared to men was in England, Norway, Australia, Türkiye, Costa Rica, and Scotland. Early-onset colorectal cancer incidence rates are rising in 27 of 50 countries and territories examined, with the rise either exclusive to early-onset disease or faster than the increase in older adults in 20 of the 27 countries. The findings underscore the need for intensified efforts to identify factors driving these trends and increase awareness to help facilitate early detection. Intramural Research Program of the American Cancer Society, Cancer Grand Challenges, and National Institutes of Health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coeliac disease (CD) is common in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), but prevalence varies globally due to differing screening protocols. There have been substantial changes in screening guidelines over the past two decades. Aim: To evaluate CD prevalence in patients with T1D, focusing on screening studies using antitissue transglutaminase (anti‐tTG) antibody. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus for studies published up to 11 December 2023 using keywords related to CD and diabetes. We used random‐effects models for overall prevalence and all subgroups, with heterogeneity assessed using Cochran's Q test and the I2 statistic performed in STATA 18. Results: We included 106 articles involving 65,102 T1D patients across 40 countries. The pooled CD seroprevalence and confirmed CD prevalence were 9% (95% confidence interval, CI, 8%–10%) and 6% (95% CI 5%–7%), respectively. The prevalence was higher in females and children. Denmark, Saudi Arabia and Libya exhibited the highest prevalence (11%), followed by India and Egypt (10%). Belgium, France, Germany, South Africa and the United States had the lowest prevalence (2%). High‐income countries showed significantly a lower CD prevalence than middle‐income countries (p = 0.03). Meta‐regression based on the Human Development Index (HDI) indicated that countries with higher HDI have lower seroprevalence and confirmed CD prevalence. Conclusion: Approximately 1 in 16 patients globally and 1 in 12 patients in Asia and the Middle East with T1D has CD. We suggest that all patients with T1D should be screened for CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to build a relationship between the quantitative and structural indicators of maqashid sharia studies produced from bibliometric analysis and the conceptual discussion developed through a thorough review of selected key literature. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses bibliometric analysis, collecting information drawn from 219 articles published in 68 journals during the period of 2006–2022. This study uses VOSviewer, RStudio, Microsoft Excel, and an examination of research time periods using the Scopus database to illustrate the citation analysis and keyword map. It is also strengthened by content analysis of selected studies. Findings: The main research theme found in this study is the application of maqashid sharia in Islamic banks, with Islamic banks and Islamic finance among the most frequently used keywords. Meanwhile, the geographical spread of maqashid sharia research has reflected its universal acceptance, as it has spread across both Muslim-dominant and non-Muslim-dominant countries. Besides, maqashid sharia is found to be an extremely important subject for ensuring the ethical dimension of Islamic finance products and services, a more inclusive human development index, and contributing to the international agenda of Sustainable Development Goals. Lastly, future research is expected to broaden it into a multi-dimensional horizon, with several recommendations offered to enrich the understanding of maqashid sharia. Practical implications: The findings of this study can be beneficial to multiple stakeholders in Islamic finance industry, including the management of Islamic banks, who can enhance the values of maqashid sharia in designing their products/services, and the regulators, who can formulate regulatory frameworks which are reflective of maqashid sharia principles. Social implications: This study will assist future scholars in this field to formulate and design exciting research ideas and models to address the deficiencies found in the current implementation of maqashid sharia within Islamic finance industry. Originality/value: The primary contribution of this study is to provide comprehensive review and discussion of selected significant literature on maqashid sharia and give direction for future research. In addition, this study also extends and incorporates the results of bibliometrics using the recent maqashid sharia studies published at the end of 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourist attractions account for a critical component of tourism competitiveness. However, empirical research regarding tourist attraction efficiency is absent from literature. Respectively, this paper explores efficiency levels of tourist attractions and its determinants. 34 provinces of Indonesia were selected as the study setting. We employed the two-stage double bootstrap data envelopment analysis (DEA), an innovative approach that weathers the statistical shortcomings of the more traditional approaches. A 3-year data from 2017 to 2019 served for the analysis. Tourist attraction efficiency in Indonesia was relatively low. We revealed negative effects from population size, human development index (HDI), climate, and crime rate towards tourist attraction efficiency. Positive relationships were found for formal workforce, micro and small enterprises, and transportation. This study extends literature on tourism efficiency, and presents useful insights concerning tourism management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is known that leprosy is a socially determined disease, but most studies using spatial analysis have not considered the vulnerabilities present in these territories. Objectives: To measure the association between social vulnerability and the burden of leprosy in the urban space of Cuiabá. Methods: Ecological study, carried out in Cuiabá, Brazil. Diagnosed cases of leprosy were surveyed through the Notifiable Diseases Information System, from 2008 to 2018. The spatial scan statistics technique of leprosy cases per each Human Development Unit was applied. Social vulnerability was measured based on the Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI), education level and average per capita income. For the spatial correlation between vulnerability and leprosy, Global and local bivariate Moran's index was used. Results: 8389 cases of leprosy were georeferenced, the majority being male (58%), 30% of cases were not evaluated for degree of physical disability. One of the spatial scan clusters had a relative risk (RR) of 6.93 (95% CI 6.49–7.4), and another had 1360 cases with RR 1.71 (95% CI 1.62–1.82). The bivariate global autocorrelation of Moran's index for MHDI was 0.579, observing 1 High-High in the East region and 1 in South, for education the index was 0.429, 2 High-High in the East and 1 in the South, and 0.145 for average per capita income, 1 High-High in the East. Conclusion: There was a spatial association between leprosy cases and territories with low MHDI, having a percentage of the population without schooling and/or with low income. The study advances knowledge by presenting characteristics of territories most affected by leprosy, verifying the spatial correlation of the disease with the recurrent socioeconomic characteristics in these territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tracheal cancer is a rare malignancy with limited research but high mortality rates. This study aims to analyse recent data to understand the global burden, trends, and risk factors for tracheal cancer, facilitating improved prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: We conducted a study on tracheal cancer using data from the Global Cancer Observatory and the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents databases. We collected information on the incidence of tracheal cancer, risk factors, and the Human Development Index (HDI) at the country level. The univariate linear regression was used to explore the relationship between tracheal cancer and the various risk factors. We utilised joinpoint regression analysis to calculate the Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) in tracheal cancer incidence. Results: The global age-standardised rate of incidence of tracheal cancer was 2.9 per 10 million (3,472 cases in total) in 2022, with the highest regional incidence observed in Central and Eastern Europe (ASR = 9.0) and the highest national incidence in Hungary (12.5). Higher incidence was found among the males (3.8) than females (2.0); among the older adults aged 50-74 (11.9) than the younger population aged 15-49 (1.2). A higher tracheal cancer incidence ratio was associated with higher levels of smoking, alcohol drinking, diabetes, lipid disorders, and HDI. Despite the overall decreasing trends for all population groups (highest decrease in Thailand; AAPC: -15.06, 95% CI: -21.76 to -7.78, p = 0.002), there was an increase in some female populations (highest increase in Colombia, AAPC: 19.28, 95% CI: 16.48 to 22.15, p < 0.001) and younger populations (highest increase in Ireland; AAPC: 29.84, 95% CI: 25.74 to 34.06, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of tracheal cancer, focusing on risk factors and population-level trends. There has been an overall decreasing trend in the incidence of tracheal cancer, particularly among males and older adults, while the decline is less pronounced in females and younger individuals. Further research is needed to explore the underlying drivers of these epidemiological trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a key metric for measuring achievement in improving human well-being. Various factors, such as economic growth and household expenditure, can have an impact on education's human development dimension. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of economic expansion on household expenditure and human development in terms of schooling. The data analysis technique employs Multiple Regression with SmartPLS SEM (Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modeling) software. According to the study's findings, economic growth has a significant effect on household spending, but not on human development in the educational dimension, household spending has a significant impact on economic development in the educational dimension, and household spending can mediate the influence of economic growth on human development in the educational dimension in East Kutai. Finally, it is vital to boost economic growth based on the agricultural sector, which can improve the welfare of the community, hence increasing human development in the educational dimension in East Kutai Regency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypopharyngeal cancer (HC) comprises less than 5% of all malignant tumors in the head and neck. They often present at an advanced stage, thereby resulting in high mortalities. We aimed to report the epidemiology of HC globally, regionally, and nationally by age, sex, and socioeconomic status in 2020 and its projection to 2040. Methods: Data on HC incidence and mortality were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2020. Age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) were calculated. We used bivariate correlation test, presenting results through Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) to investigate the correlation between the metrics, human development index (HDI), and current healthcare expenditure (CHE) as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) (CHE/GDP). Results: In 2020, there were 84254 new HC cases globally (ASIR: 0.91 per 100000). Moreover, HC resulted in 38599 mortalities in 2020 (ASMR: 0.41). Furthermore, the global MIR of HC was 0.45. The ASIR and ASMR of HC were higher in men than women. Also, HDI demonstrated significant correlations with HC ASIR (r= 0.249, p<0.01), ASMR (r= 0.185, p<0.05), and MIR (r= -0.449, p<0.001). Moreover, a weak significant correlation was also observed between CHE/GDP and MIR (r= -0.295, p<0.001). The number of new HC cases and mortalities were estimated to increase by 50% and 55% in 2040, respectively. Conclusion: HC is a relatively rare cancer but with a substantial sex and geographic divide in distribution. Key priorities should thus include establishing high-quality cancer registries worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindfulness along with cognitive factors such as metacognition, rumination, and emotion regulation profoundly impact individual mental health and well‐being. The primary goal of this study is to understand the global research trends in mindfulness, mental health, and cognitive factors and to provide a bird's eye view of the research carried out so far, which provides a strong foundation for future research. Bibliometric analysis was carried out using the VOS viewer and RStudio software, using publication data extracted from the Scopus database. The COVID‐19 pandemic triggered researchers to focus more on mental health‐related issues. Developed nations contributed significantly to most of the bibliometric indicators. In developed countries, research on mental health and well‐being emphasizes key determinants such as mindfulness, metacognition, rumination, and emotion regulation more extensively than in developing countries. Significant research gaps are identified in "Mental Health," "Well‐Being," and "Metacognition." A significant share of the research activity is concentrated in the European region. Developing nations need to improve their research and collaborations keeping in view of the potential possibility of improvement of the Human Development Index (HDI) and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, thereby contributing to "Good Health" and "Well‐Being" at a global level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with children and older adults, the burden of cancer in adolescents and young adults (ages 15–39) is understudied. We aimed to quantify the global burden of adolescent and young adult cancer in 2022 and 2050, and explore patterns in incidence, mortality, and case fatality. In this population-based study, we used the GLOBOCAN database to quantify the number of new cases and cancer-related deaths, and corresponding age-standardised incidence and mortality rates (ASRs; per 100 000 people aged 15–39 years), in adolescents and young adults. Estimates were quantified for all cancers combined, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, and 33 specific cancer types. Case fatality was estimated using mortality-to-incidence ratios. Overall and sex-specific estimates were calculated at the world, regional, human development index (HDI), and income level. We estimated the future cancer burden by applying the GLOBOCAN 2022 rates to sex-specific demographic projections for the year 2050 using the UN World Population Prospects 2019 revision. An estimated 1 300 196 cases and 377 621 cancer-related deaths occurred in adolescents and young adults in 2022. Incidence ASRs were 1·9-times higher and mortality ASRs were 1·2-times higher in females than in males (incidence ASR 52·9 vs 28·3; mortality ASR 13·1 vs 10·6). Although the incidence ASR was highest in the high-income countries, the mortality ASR was highest in the low-income countries; as a result, case fatality ranged from 12% in high-income settings to 57% in low-income settings. Of the 33 cancer types included in our analyses, breast or cervical cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancer and cause of cancer-related death in 163 and 93 countries, respectively; incidence and mortality also varied the most by region for these cancers. Finally, the adolescent and young adult cancer burden globally is projected to increase by about 12% from 2022 to 2050, albeit with declines of 10·7% projected in very high HDI countries. The increase is expected to overwhelmingly impact low HDI settings, where the burden of both cancer cases and deaths is projected to double (a 102·3% increase). Although the adolescent and young adult cancer burden incidence is highest in the most developed settings, transitioning countries have the poorest outcomes and will face the greatest increases in burden by 2050. These findings act as a reference to the global adolescent and young adult cancer community to inform cancer control priorities and decrease global inequities. None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper investigates the impact of urban-rural electricity gap on human development index. • Urban-rural electricity gap significantly reduces human development index. • The nexus between urban-rural electricity gap and human development index is closer in low-income countries. • Urban-rural electricity gap directly affects three dimensions of human development index. • Urban-rural electricity inequality gap affects human development index by enlarging income inequality and deteriorating energy poverty. Based on the Instrumental Variables - Generalized Method of Moments (IV-GMM) model, this paper explores the relationship, heterogeneity, and mechanisms between the urban-rural electricity gap and the human development index for 176 countries during 2000–2020. The key findings are as follows: (1) Urban-rural electricity gap is harmful to the improvement of the human development index; an enlarged gap in electricity accessibility between urban and rural is detrimental to sustainable human development. (2) Urban-rural electricity gap is more harmful to the increase of human development index in low-income countries and low governance efficiency countries. Also, the heterogeneity exists in different quantiles, and their nexus is closer in countries with lower levels of human development index. (3) Income inequality and energy poverty act as mechanisms, which means that the urban-rural electricity gap inhibits the human development index by exacerbating income inequality and energy poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of women's empowerment has been a topic of ongoing discussion in developing countries, considering the complex socio-demographic and cultural factors at play. Women tend to face disadvantages compared to men across various human development indicators. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly examine the different factors that influence women's economic empowerment within the specific context of Ethiopia. This study examines the factors that contribute to the economic empowerment of women in rural areas of Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. The research employed multi-stage probability sampling techniques to achieve its objectives, resulting in a sample of 382 rural women randomly selected from seven selected kebeles. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the collected data. The study found that more than half of the women achieved a medium level of economic empowerment. The results revealed that age, educational status, income contribution, and ownership of property positively influenced rural women's economic empowerment. In addition, opening a savings account, information access, mobile phone accessibility, and membership of women's associations positively and significantly affect women's economic empowerment in the study area. Conversely, marital status, hours spent on unpaid work, and early age at marriage negatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this research was to analyze the relationship between total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the mining and energy sector in human development in Colombia from 1990 to 2021, through the estimation of two Autoregressive Vectors -VAR- that accounted for the causal relationship of the variables. The first vector took into account the total FDI, while the second one dealt with the FDI of the mining and energy sector, which from 2003 to 2010 represented, on average, 55% of the total FDI, with the peak year being 2010, when it reached 76% of it. Also, two Error Correction Vectors -EVC- were estimated as a robustness test that confirmed the results obtained. In the two estimations, the Human Development Index (HDI), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the Real Exchange Rate Index (RERI) were taken into account as endogenous variables, while WTI reference oil prices at 2015 prices were considered exogenous. A result, the HDI caused total FDI, in the Granger sense, while for mining and energy FDI had not significance. Thus, an increase of 1% in HDI generated a rise of 10.15% in total FDI inflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a novel method for ranking items such as countries, individuals, or firms based on two indices. This approach is particularly useful when constructing a composite indicator that combines both dimensions is not feasible. The proposed ranking approach involves an iterative scheme where the Voronoi algorithm is applied in a two-dimensional space at each step. To provide empirical evidence that our approach works satisfactorily, we applied the Voronoi-based iterative scheme to rank 34 European countries based on two dimensions: the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Happiness Index (HI). The correlation coefficient between the rankings based on HDI and HI is lower than the correlation coefficients between the Voronoi-based ranking and HDI, as well as between the Voronoi-based ranking and HI. These results suggest that the new method is capable of better capturing the information from both original indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Monitoring biodiversity is crucial in biogeography. Citizen science and biodiversity platforms have revolutionized data access across taxa, but they struggle to provide robust raw data essential for conservation decisions. Aims: This study addresses data gaps for under‐represented species and locations, observer expertise variability, and the lack of absence data and sampling effort information to improve data representation and suitability for statistical analyses. Materials & Methods: We collected, compared to IUCN‐recognized taxonomic groups, all worldwide living being (animal, plant and fungi) observations held by four major biodiversity platforms: eBird, GBIF, iNaturalist, and Observation.org. We also organized such observations by country of origin and based on their Human Development Index (HDI). Results: We found that, while GBIF, iNaturalist, and Observation.org cover all life forms, birds are the most observed (eBird is a bird‐specific platform), whereas fish, other marine organisms, arthropods, and invertebrates are dramatically underrepresented. Moreover, none of the above‐mentioned biodiversity platforms considered or directly analysed expertise variability among observers and, apart from eBird, the other three biodiversity platforms do not accommodate data on species absence and sampling effort. Discussion and Conclusion: Finally, we found that species observations on biodiversity platforms considered in this study are skewed towards high HDI countries, primarily North America and Europe. By enhancing the effectiveness of biodiversity platforms, this study has the potential to significantly advance the field of biogeography, paving the way for more informed and effective conservation strategies. Overall, our findings underscore the untapped potential of these platforms in contributing to our understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns of biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from 51 populations and combined WGS and array data from 89 populations. Multiple types of polygenic scores (PGS) were employed, derived from multi-ancestry, between-family genome-wide association study (GWAS; MIX-Height), European-ancestry, between-family GWAS (EUR-Height), and European-ancestry siblings GWAS (SIB-Height). Our findings demonstrate that both genetic and environmental factors significantly influence adult body height between populations. Models that included both genetic and environmental predictors best explained population differences in adult body height, with the MIX-Height PGS and environmental factors (Human Development Index [HDI] + per capita caloric intake) achieving an R 2 of.83. Our findings shed light on Deaton's 'African paradox', which noted the relatively tall stature of African populations despite poor nutrition and childhood health. Contrary to Deaton's hypotheses, we demonstrate that both genetic differences and environmental factors significantly influence body height in countries with high infant mortality rates. This suggests that the observed tall stature in African populations can be attributed, in part, to a high genetic predisposition for body height. Furthermore, tests of divergent selection based on the QST (i.e., standardized measure of the genetic differentiation of a quantitative trait among populations) and FST (neutral marker loci) measures exceeded neutral expectations, reaching statistical significance (p <.01) with the MIX-Height PGS but not with the SIB-Height PGS. This result indicates potential selective pressures on body height-related genetic variants across populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that understanding currently dominant technological change models in low-and-middle income countries is important to addressing challenges to sustainable development with enhanced knowledge and effective policies. Combining such understanding with using systems thinking, as a theoretical framework, helps in illuminating techno-social systems and their overlaps with economic and human development systems, therefore highlighting possible leverage points for interventions to usher technological change towards sustainable development objectives. The proposed conceptual synthesis between technological change models and systems thinking is then critically applied to case studies related to digitalisation in Africa, where challenges to sustainability are amplified by continuous pressure for technological advancement, making local capabilities a central issue. The case studies examine how continental digitalisation indicators are ahead of industrialisation and human development indicators, with similar issues in digitalising agri-food ecosystems. We show that, while Africa is currently increasing in digitalisation, correlations between digitalisation and sustainable development are not as direct, or necessarily positive, as initially assumed. Similar trends are seen in digitalisation and agri-food ecosystems, where farm-raised data is monetised off-farm, thus removing opportunities for farmers to realise return on their knowledge investment. Examining the cases, using the proposed synthesis approach, reveals that digitalisation can contribute to development indicators when coupled with enhancing employment in productive sectors and that the prevailing order of 'technology-push, demand-pull' models suggests more investment in technological improvement. The article contributes to theory by illuminating overlaps between two theoretical/conceptual areas and to praxis by informing alternative policy directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, gender inequality manifests in the form of socially constructed, predefined gender roles for men and women that are deeply embedded in Indian cultural and historical roots. This paper is an attempt to examine the extent of gender inequality among the states of India across the socio-economic and political spheres of the country. To this end, a Gender Inequality Index (GII) is constructed, measuring inequality in six dimensions: health and nutrition, education, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), economic participation, household empowerment, and political participation. The GII incorporates 18 parameters at the sub-national level. For constructing the GII, this study has followed the methodology adopted by UNDP in developing the Human Development Index. The results reveal that Kerala exhibits the lowest level of gender inequality among Indian states, while Bihar fares the worst. Overall, the study advocates for a multi-sectoral, holistic approach to uplift women in all states, particularly those identified as "below average performers." It emphasizes that empowering women and treating them on par with men is not an additional privilege but rather a fundamental human right and a prerequisite for a peaceful and prosperous world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalization is a defining feature of the contemporary world, and its impact on economic growth has been extensively researched. However, the relationship between globalization and economic development, particularly for developing countries, is still heatedly debated. Empirical studies are scarce, and some of them are based on outdated data or have a limited geographical scope. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the impact of globalization on the economic development of 134 developing countries from 2000 to 2019. The results obtained through a fixed effects model confirm that regardless of the proxy used, such as the KOF Globalization Index and its three subdimensions, globalization has a positive relationship with economic development measured by the Human Development Index (HDI). Results also highlight other factors that affect HDI, such as GDP and infant mortality rate. These findings provide valuable insights into the impact of globalization on economic development in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the Human Development Index (HDI), a composite measure developed by the United Nations Development Program to evaluate human development through life expectancy, education, and income. This research aims to assess the health status and services across 17 cities in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran, using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques: TOPSIS, MOORA, ARAS, and COPRAS. Eight health indicators, including primary medical care centers, laboratories, active beds, pharmacies, general practitioners, specialists, subspecialists, and dentists, were used for the ranking. The Shannon entropy method was applied to determine the weights of these indicators. The results reveal significant disparities in health service distribution, with Urmia, Khoy, and Miandoab having the best health services, while Poldasht, Chaldoran, and Chaypareh are the most deprived. The study employs the Spearman rank correlation coefficient to validate the rankings and utilizes the utility interval aggregation method to enhance reliability. Managerial insights suggest that policymakers should prioritize equitable distribution of health services to mitigate disparities and promote balanced regional development. Effective resource allocation and targeted interventions in underserved areas are crucial for improving overall human development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tracheal Bronchus and Lung cancers (TBL) represent one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. This study aimed to examine the disease and economic burden of TBL cancers in 185 countries worldwide in 2022. Methods: The estimates of TBL cancer incidence and mortality (counts and age-standardized rates) were obtained from the GLOBOCAN 2022 data produced by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIR) were utilized as a proxy of 5-year survival rates. Multivariate regression was utilized to examine the association between TBL cancer burden and tobacco use prevalence. Results: Globally, there were 2.48 million incident cases and 1.82 million deaths due to TBL cancers in 2022. Males accounted for 63.4% of incident cases (1.57 million) and 67.85% of TBL deaths (1.23 million) in 2022. For both sexes combined, the age-standardized rate was 23.1 per 100,000, and the age-standardized mortality rate was 16.8/100,000. The Mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) at the global level stood at 0.71. Eastern Asia had the largest burden of TBL cancers among the 21 UN-defined regions, with around 51% of incident cases (1.24 million) and 46.9% of global deaths (851,876), followed by Northern America (incidence: 257,284; deaths: 150,675) and Eastern Europe (incidence: 158,141; deaths: 126,840). At the country level, human development index (HDI) and adult tobacco use prevalence could explain 67% and 64% variation in ASIR and ASMR, respectively. HDI was statistically significantly related to MIR, explaining a 48% variation in MIR. Conclusions: With 1.9 million deaths in 2022, TBL cancer is a significant global cause of mortality. Despite the knowledge and awareness of smoking and lung cancer, adult smoking rates remain high in many countries, including the United States and China. Renewed and sustained global efforts are needed to reduce smoking prevalence and PM2.5 levels, particularly in China and low- and middle-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cirrhosis is a disease that imposes a heavy burden worldwide, but its incidence varies widely by region. Therefore, we analysed data on the incidence and mortality of cirrhosis in 204 countries and territories from 1990-2019 and projected the disease development from 2019-2039. Methods: Data on the incidence and mortality of liver cirrhosis from 1990 to 2019 were acquired from the public Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. In addition, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of the age-standardized rate (ASR) of cirrhosis in different regions were calculated. The estimates of risk factor exposure were summarized, and the proportion of causes and risk factors of liver cirrhosis and their relationship with the human development index (HDI) and socio-demographic index (SDI) were analysed. Trends in the incidence of cirrhosis in 2019-2039 were predicted using Nordpred and BAPC models. Results: Globally, the ASR of cirrhosis incidence decreased by 0.05% per year from 25.7/100,000 in 1990 to 25.3/100,000 in 2019. The mortality risk associated with cirrhosis is notably lower in females than in males (13 per 100,000 vs 25 per 100,000). The leading cause of cirrhosis shifted from hepatitis B to C. Globally, alcohol use increased by 14%. In line, alcohol use contributed to 49.3% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and 48.4% of global deaths from liver cirrhosis. Countries with a low ASR in 1990 experienced a faster increase in cirrhosis, whereas in 2019, the opposite was observed. In countries with high SDI, the ASR of cirrhosis is generally lower. Finally, projections indicate that the number and incidence of cirrhosis will persistently rise from 2019-2039. Conclusions: Cirrhosis poses an increasing health burden. Given the changing etiology, there is an imperative to strengthen the prevention of hepatitis C and alcohol consumption, to achieve early reduce the incidence of cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpouse: This study aimed to assess the influence of the presence of synanthropic flies in food preparation environments on the transmission of potentially zoonotic gastrointestinal protozoa. Methods: Flies were captured using a glass containing water, fruits, and pieces of protein. Results: Approximately 260 flies from four different species were captured: Musca domestica (76.92%; 200/260), Cochliomyia hominivorax (17.31%; 45/260), Lucilia cuprina (3.85%; 10/260), and Hydrotaea aenescens (1.92%; 5/260). Protozoa were identified through microscopic analysis after macerating these arthropods contained in their respective eppendorfs, using two techniques, namely Mini-FLOTAC® and centrifugal sedimentation with Ziehl–Neelsen staining. The analysis revealed a concerning scenario regarding the epidemiological chain of gastrointestinal protozoa in Sergipe, Northeast Brazil. The positivity rate was 26.92% (14/52) of the pools, with 100.00% (5/5) in Aracaju, 30.00% (3/10) in Nossa Senhora do Socorro, 27.27% (3/11) in Nossa Senhora da Glória, 12.50% (2/16) in Carmópolis, and 10.00% (1/10) in Nossa Senhora das Dores. Two species of protozoa were identified, namely Cryptosporidium spp. (23.08%; 12/52) and Entamoeba spp. (9.62%; 5/52). The involvement of two fly species in the maintenance of the life cycle of these protozoa was noticeable, specifically M. domestica (27.50%; 11/40) and C. hominivorax (22.22%; 2/9). Conclusions: Counties analyzed had an human development index (HDI) considered medium; however, they still faced socioeconomic problems such as absence of sanitation systems, waste accumulation in the streets, and illegal waste disposal, which could favor the proliferation of these vectors and the spread of these gastrointestinal protozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, the Human Development Index has become a reference measure of quality of life and well-being. Its growing importance has been accompanied by a lively debate in the literature concerning the pros and cons of this index. Many works have attempted to provide solutions to Human Development Index related problems. In this paper, we will focus on some of these problems, which are typical not only for the measurement of human development, but for the construction of composite indicators. We will try to provide an answer by proposing two new methodological tools, the M i n - B o D interval of synthesis and the mid aggregation point, which present interesting potentialities to be used in empirical analyses and for policy evaluations, not only in the human development measurement. The proposed tool have been applied to the Human Development Index data collected for 189 countries in 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Mughal and colonial periods, Bengal was among the most prosperous regions of the subcontinent. Despite the rapacity of the colonial administration, and despite partition, at independence, West Bengal was one of the most industrialised and developed states of India. However, its performance now is just average among Indian states. This article investigates the causes of this decline, objectively, taking a holistic view and analysing all relevant factors, using available public data and assessing the various views that are offered by scholars over the years. While partition dealt a heavy blow to West Bengal, several other factors aggravated the state's economic problems, including central and state policies. These impinged in areas of industrial and agricultural growth, urban development, human development and the state's resources for growth. In recent years West Bengal has seen better overall growth, including the industrial sector. State finances have improved and have the potential for further consolidation. Kolkata has better urban infrastructure. Increased regional cooperation with Bangladesh can undo the loss of markets and resources that partition had imposed. If managed properly, the state can further improve its overall development performance. This article offers suggestions regarding the priority development interventions that are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Odisha has experienced three distinct growth regimes during 1991-2019, namely, 1991-2002, 2003-10 and 2011-19. Odisha outshone the national economy and the 15 other major states in terms of growth rates in Gross State Domestic Product per capita (GSDPPC) and Human Development Index (HDI) during 2003-10. However, during 2011–2019, Odisha witnessed a significant growth slowdown vis-à-vis the national economy but such downslide in GSDPPC and HDI is not significantly different from the major states. The first Naveen Patnaik decade saw an upsurge which was possibly due to good luck rather than good policy, and the second one marked a downslide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the critical factors influencing smart city program success through a comprehensive data-driven analysis of 140 urban centers. Advanced machine learning techniques, specifically random forest algorithms, in conjunction with regression analysis, were employed to examine the correlations between 45 distinct attributes and respective smart city rankings. The findings reveal that the human development index (HDI) is a key predictor of smart city performance. Furthermore, the regression analysis revealed that elements such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and digital services significantly enhance achieving higher HDI scores. Similarly, factors like education, sanitation, healthcare, and government transparency are closely associated with successfully implementing sharing platforms. These findings highlight the importance of investing in human capital, developing digital infrastructure, and promoting community engagement to create sustainable and resilient smart cities. Policymakers can utilize these findings to prioritize investments and devise effective strategies to improve their city's ranking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to determine the effect of corruption, using human development index (HDI), and its sub-indices: education, life expectancy and gross national income in 135 developed and developing countries over the period of 2005–2021. A dynamic estimation (sys-GMM) method was employed and the transformation of Prais-Winsten with corrected standard errors for correlated panels (PCSE) and GMM were used for robustness check. The findings show that corruption, in any of the indices, serves as a human development constraint for both the overall country sample, and for the countries grouped by income level. An interesting result is that the education index in the lower-income countries is more sensitive to corruption, while corruption affects the income index to a greater extent in the higher-income countries. The analysis also confirms that democracy, economic freedom, investment, social public spending, as well as, globalisation and information and communication technologies are influencing factors of HDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comparative article reviews the policy interventions framed to achieve human development within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in two emerging economies, namely, India and South Africa. It focuses on the instruments of development and their implications for addressing common macroeconomic challenges such as poverty, inequality, and unemployment by learning from the expertise of each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macro variables and the Human Development Index are among the influential factors affecting the amount ZIS collection in Indonesia. The impact has been that the realization and potential of ZIS collection are not balanced when compared to the number of Muslim populations in Indonesia. This research aims to examine the impact of macroeconomics and human development index on zakat performance in Indonesia. Zakat performance is measured using the natural log of the total receipt of ZIS obtained from 39 zakat management organizations from 2011 to 2022, totaling 206 observations. The independent variables in this study are proxied by macroeconomics (i.e., inflation and number of employed people) and human development index. The data were analyzed using a panel data estimation technique as known pooled least square. The empirical results of this study found that inflation has a negative and insignificant effect on zakat performance. Number of employed people do not affect zakat performance. Meanwhile, human development index has a positive and significant effect on zakat performance. Synergy and coordination among zakat management organizations and the socialization of zakat literacy become essential factors in realizing the potential of zakat that has not been optimally collected. Additionally, the government can create a policy-making zakat mandatory for muslim communities by implementing good governance.

This study aims to analyze the effect of human development index (HDI), income inequality, and consumption on Indonesia’s poverty rate for 2018-2022. The approach used is quantitative with statistical panel data analysis method using 3 model approaches namely CEM, FEM, and REM. The selected model is the Fixed Effect Model as a result of the Chow and Hausman tests. The results showed that HDI and inequality variables had no significant effect on the poverty rate. Meanwhile, the consumption variable has a negative and significant effect on poverty. Simultaneously, all independent variables have a significant effect on the dependent variable. This research is expected to provide input for the government in formulating poverty alleviation policies in Indonesia by focusing more on reducing public consumption. Research limitations on secondary data in aggregate so that the results are less representative for each province.

Abstract Background Malaria continues to be a critical public health concern in India, predominantly driven by complex interplays of ecological, climatic, and socioeconomic factors. Methods This study aimed to assess the association between climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) and malaria incidence across India from 2010 to 2019, utilizing data from the Global Historical Weather and Climate Data for climate metrics and the Global Burden of Disease Study for malaria incidence rates. Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) with a Poisson distribution were employed to analyze the data, adjusting for socio-economic status, as indexed by the Human Development Index (HDI). Results The results indicated a declining trend in both the number of malaria cases and age-specific incidence rates (ASIR) over the study period. In 2010, India reported approximately 20.7 million cases with an ASIR of 1688.86 per 100,000 population, which significantly reduced to 9.8 million cases and an ASIR of 700.80 by 2019. High malaria incidence was consistently observed in the states of Jharkhand and Odisha, whereas Sikkim reported the lowest numbers. Statistical analysis identified significant associations between malaria incidence and both temperature deviations and precipitation levels, with variations also linked to HDI, suggesting better detection and reporting capabilities in more developed areas. Conclusion The study underscores the critical interactions between climatic variables and socio-economic factors in shaping the trends of malaria incidence across India. These findings highlight the necessity for adaptive, localized public health strategies that integrate environmental monitoring with socio-economic data to efficiently predict and manage malaria outbreaks.

ObjectiveTo compare the association of the incidence and mortality of leukemia and the human development index (HDI) in different countries or regions in 2022, and the trend of leukemia incidence and mortality with age in countries with different HDI levels. MethodsGLOBOCAN 2022 data related to leukemia incidence and mortality in different countries or regions worldwide and HDI were evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis and Kruskal–Wallis test. The incidence and mortality rates of each age and the age change trend were analyzed using the Joinpoint Regression model. ResultsAge-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and mortality to incidence ratio (M/I) were statistically significantly different among the four groups of HDI countries (P