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Introduction Women comprise nearly 19% of the U.S. military and now serve in almost all operational roles, increasing their risk of combat trauma and injuries.3 Data from the Joint Trauma Registry during Operation Enduring Freedom shows that battle-injured females had a higher case fatality rate at 36% compared to their male counterparts at 17%.1 The Tactical Combat Casualty Care curriculum is used to prepare battlefield medics to provide immediate care to wounded service members, but fails to address differences in the care of female versus male casualties. The students, who are presented with life-threatening injuries in simulated trauma scenarios, may be slower to assess, identify, and treat injuries in female patients as compared with male patients. Materials and Methods This observational program analysis was reviewed by the Uniformed Services University Human Research Protections Program and approved for execution as an exempt protocol under the provision of 32 CFR 219.104(d)(1). The study assessed the performance of male and female Mexican military personnel during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care course, using standardized trauma scenarios. Anatomically, correct male and female manikins were used to compare response time for different gender patients presenting with the same injuries. Results There was a statistically significant increase in time required to complete an initial blood sweep, identify a gunshot wound to the chest, and call for medical evacuation when treating a female patient compared to a male patient. Conclusions A lack of female representation in trauma training may have contributed to the higher case fatality rate of female soldiers compared to male soldiers during Operation Enduring Freedom. Female live actors and Gender Retrofit Kits can augment trauma casualty assessment and treatment training scenarios and better prepare our forces to respond to life-threatening emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of gender bias in the field of cardiothoracic vascular surgery in India and compared women surgeons and trainees in India and abroad. Methods: This was a comparative, cross-sectional analytical study using an online questionnaire. The survey included questions about demographics, career choice, training, academic and leadership opportunities, and the impact of choosing cardiothoracic-vascular surgery as a career on personal life. Results: A total of 203 practicing surgeons and trainees participated in the study and included 121 (59.6%) men and 82 (40.3%) women. Out of the 82 women, 48 (58.5%) were from India, and 34 (41.5%) were from other countries. Satisfaction with the specialty was similar among men and women (105 (86.7%) vs. 68 (82.9%), p = 0.44 respectively). Majority (n = 30, 62.5%) of the female surgeons in India reported being discriminated against, as well as receiving favored treatment 11 (22.9%). Compared to men, women surgeons in India were more frequently advised against pursuing a career in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (p < 0.001) and were more frequently subjected to gender-related references (p < 0.001). In addition, they had fewer presentation opportunities (p = 0.016) at national or regional meetings during their training compared to men. Additionally, 50% (24) of the women in India reported being single, in contrast to 7% (6) of men, and only 15 (31.3%) women reported having a child, compared to 57 (66.3%) of the men. Conclusion: The study revealed significant gender disparities within the field of cardiothoracic vascular surgery in India and highlights the urgent need to address gender disparities and bias in cardiothoracic vascular surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aims Design Methods Data Sources Results Conclusions Impact Reporting Method Patient or Public Contribution What Does This Paper Contribute to the Wider Global Clinical Community To identify the evidence of gender disparities in frailty and explore the factors contributing to male–female differences.A longitudinal study.A total of 24,429 older adults (60+) were enrolled. Frailty was assessed by frailty index and frailty risk based on Rockwood's cumulative deficit frailty index. OLS and logistic regression models were conducted, with Oaxaca–Blinder and Fairlie decomposition methods to further analyse the factors contributing to gender disparities in frailty.The paper used four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study from 2011 to 2018, a nationwide survey organised by the National Development Institute of Peking University.Women had higher frailty status than men, with more pronounced increases. Among the factors, education has the most significant association with frailty gender disparities. The contribution of individual characteristics, particularly education, to gender disparities in frailty appeared to diminish over time, while the contribution of family and regional factors remained relatively stable, and the contribution of institutions was deemed inadequate.The frailty in Chinese older adults is generally on the rise with continuously expanded gender disparities. It is crucial to consider the contributing factors to frailty in older adults for effective prevention and intervention strategies. Additional gender‐specific geriatric care policies are needed in order to address gender inequality in health.The findings of this study highlight the prevalence of increasing gender disparities in frailty and identify that the level of education, per capita annual household income as well as marital status are the most significant factors contributing to the gender gap. Those findings provide policy implications for healthcare nursing service from a gender‐specific perspective in order to achieve health equity.This study has adhered to the STROBE guideline.No Patient or Public Contribution. This study provided implications on gender‐specific geriatric care nursing services. The study highlighted the importance of focusing on frailty and its gender disparities in geriatric clinical nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The escalating prevalence of mental health issues among young adults, set against the backdrop of a global healthcare system under pressure, underscores the necessity for cultivating a resilient medical workforce. This study investigates the influence of socio-economic status (SES) on psychological well-being, with a particular focus on Anxiety Sensitivity (AS) and Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) among first-year medical students. Understanding the psychological dimensions affecting medical students is crucial for fostering a future medical workforce that is both capable and mentally healthy. Methods: This research involved 321 first-year medical students, evaluated using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (UI-18), and the Student Self-Efficacy Scale (SSE), alongside socio-economic categorization. Employing descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and correlation analyses, the study aimed at elucidating the SES impact on AS and IU, among other psychological constructs. Results: The analysis revealed significant SES-related differences, especially in the realms of Anxiety Sensitivity and Intolerance of Uncertainty. Notably, ASI_C (cognitive concerns) exhibited strong positive correlations with both UI_A (reduced ability to act due to IU) (Pearson's r = 0.562, p < 0.001) and UI_B (burden due to IU) (Pearson's r = 0.605, p < 0.001), highlighting the link between cognitive aspects of anxiety and uncertainty intolerance. Furthermore, UI_C (vigilance due to IU) was significantly associated with SES (F(4, 316) = 2.719, p = 0.030, η² = 0.033), pointing to the complex ways in which socio-economic factors modulate responses to uncertainty. Self-efficacy emerged as a significant counterbalance, showing protective associations against the adverse effects of heightened Anxiety Sensitivity and Intolerance of Uncertainty. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that lower socio-economic status is associated with higher levels of Anxiety Sensitivity and Intolerance of Uncertainty, which contribute to increased stress among first-year medical students. Additionally, Self-Efficacy emerged as a significant protective factor, mitigating the expressions of AS and IU. Although medical faculties cannot change SES characteristics within their student body, recognizing its impact allows for the development of tailored support systems to address the unique challenges faced by students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. This study underscores the necessity of considering social diversity, particularly regarding AS and IU characteristics, to foster a supportive and effective medical education environment with an outlook on sustainable mental health in a demanding work context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most theories predict, and most studies demonstrate, that men have a higher sex drive than women do. A spirited debate has emerged surrounding the origins of gender differences in sex drive; Frankenbach et al. (2022) commented on this controversy in the context of their impressive meta-analysis. We provide a different interpretation of these findings: Specifically, women get worse sex than men do. We argue that if the differences between the sex that women get and the sex that men get were accounted for, gender differences in sex drive would be reduced or eliminated completely. We focus more specifically on two factors that should be accounted for in future meta-analyses—narrow definitions of "sex" as penile–vaginal intercourse, and gender disparities in sexual violence—and additional factors that should be acknowledged when interpreting meta-analytic results—gendered cultural messages, respect from heterosexual partners, and sexual stigmatization. Public Significance Statement: Most research finds that men have a somewhat higher sex drive than women do, when sex is defined vaguely. We address potential reasons for the difference: Women and men may be driven toward different types of sex, women experience substantially more sexual violence than men, messages from society are more permissive and positive toward men's sexuality than women's, heterosexual women are more likely to be disrespected by their partners than heterosexual men, and women are stigmatized for wanting sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gender disparities in the field of ophthalmology have been increasingly recognized. Although mentorship has been proposed as a contributing factor, there are limited data on the differences in mentorship experiences by gender among ophthalmologists. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate gender disparities in mentorship experiences among ophthalmologists, and the impact of mentorship disparities on career outcomes. Design: Prospective, cross-sectional study. Setting: Web-based survey distributed through ophthalmology listservs. Participants: Ophthalmologists and ophthalmologists-in-training who completed the survey. Exposure: Training and practicing in the field of ophthalmology. Main Outcome Measures: Mentorship score based on 10 items from a previously published scale of mentorship quality and self-reported career outcomes (income, job satisfaction, achievement of career goals, and support to achieve future career goals). Results: We received survey responses from 202 male and 245 female ophthalmologists. Female ophthalmologists reported significantly lower mentorship satisfaction and worse quality of mentorship (p < 0.03). Female ophthalmologists also reported significantly lower income, worse job satisfaction, and lower rates of goal achievement and support to achieve future goals; all of these career outcomes, except income level, were partly mediated by mentorship score (mediation effect ranged from 29% to 68%, p < 0.014). Conclusions and Relevance: Gender-based inequities in achievement of career goals and job satisfaction are partly mediated by disparities in mentorship. Therefore, focused mentorship of women in ophthalmology at all career stages is imperative to reduce these inequities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of dynamic visualisations, feedback formats and digital tools is characteristic of state-of-the-art digital mathematics textbooks. Although there already is evidence that students can benefit from these technology-based features in their learning, the direct comparison between the use of a comparable digital and printed resource has not yet been sufficiently investigated. We address this research gap by contrasting the use of an enriched digital textbook that includes these features and comparable printed materials without them. To do so, we investigate the achievement of 314 students in a pretest-posttest control group design in a five-hour series of lessons on conditional probability. Using the Rasch model and mixed ANOVA, the results indicate that students can benefit from digital textbook features, especially compared to the use of comparable printed materials. In line with other studies on mathematical achievement and the use of digital resources, our study also shows differences between boys and girls. It seems that particularly girls benefit from the use of the digital textbook, whereas, for the boys, it does not seem to make a difference what kind of resources they use. The group and gender differences are discussed against the background of other studies considering that, especially in Bayesian situations, the way statistical situations are visualised can be decisive for a student's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study documents how sports officials negotiate aggression from cisgender male athletes as a key feature of their occupational role. Through an ethnographic case study of a collegiate intramural athletic organization, sports officials (N = 24) were observed while officiating and interviewed about their experiences with athlete aggression. Utilizing a phronetic iterative approach and positioning theory as an analytic framework, three organizational storylines were identified that contribute to the implicit, often gendered, rules related to the experience and expression of aggression in this context. Findings also indicated that male and female officials differed in their positioning strategies in response to athlete aggression, through (a) confidence positioning, (b) stoic positioning, (c) expert positioning, and (d) coercive positioning. Implications for how aggression work and positioning theory might build on past emotion management literature are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV early detection (CD4 counts ≥350 cells/μL) is correlated with higher life expectancy among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Several factors, including physical, cultural, structural, and financial barriers, may limit early detection of HIV. This is a first-of-its-kind study on population-level differences in early detection of HIV across time within Tajikistan and any country in the Central Asia region. Utilizing the Tajikistan Ministry of Health's national HIV data (N = 10,700) spanning 2010 to 2023, we developed median regression models with the median CD4 cell count as the outcome and with the following predictors: time (years), region, age, gender, and area (urban/rural status). Individuals younger than 19 years old were detected early for HIV, whereas those older than 39 years were detected late. Females were detected earlier compared to their male counterparts regardless of region of residence. Rural populations were detected earlier in most years compared to their urban counterparts. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated HIV early detection in 2021 but most regions have returned to near pre-pandemic levels of detection in 2022 and 2023. There were differences identified among different demographic and geographic groups which warrant further attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the pandemic adversely affected healthcare workers (HCWs) regardless of gender, recent studies suggest that female front-line HCWs experienced substantially more deleterious effects of the pandemic compared to their male counterparts, with higher rates of burnout and psychiatric illness. As a result, turnover and decreased productivity have increased disproportionately among female HCWs, which has substantial economic consequences for the healthcare organizations that employ them. Specific interventions that decrease distress, one form of which is burnout, among female HCWs can reduce turnover and increase productivity. In order to support the wellbeing and retention of female front-line HCWs, we propose an action plan to mitigate work- and home-related stressors among women in the intensive care unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prevailing attention centers on the plight of female scientists in modern academia. However, female contributions and potential remain insufficiently recognized. To unravel this veil, we leverage large-scale cross-disciplinary datasets from SciSciNet to portray female participation over the past 20 years and quantify the female effect on research using bibliometric indicators. Female ratio is utilized to gauge gender composition within teams. Through successive modeling including mixed-effect and multivariate regressions, we disentangle the intricate effects of female presence and extent of female participation on research impact and dual innovation metrics. We find a steady rise in female-inclusive teams and per-team female ratios over time, with variations across disciplines and broad categories. We demonstrate an inverted U-shaped relationship between female ratio and citation counts—gender-balanced teams typically garner peak citations, while highly-cited vertices drift toward male-skewed teams in male-majority areas. Increasing female participation yields significant gains in innovation. In the upstream of knowledge flow, as captured by novelty (z-scores), female-skewed teams tend to combine more unconventional knowledge. For the downstream, as encapsulated through disruption, female-skewed teams' innovation efforts have been recognized by follow-on citations. Notably, the female advantage in innovation becomes more evident in male-dominated fields and intensifies over time. Our study offers insights into the unique academic value and the tremendous scientific contributions of females, providing important visions for institutional and policy reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the gender disparities in the potential creation of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) for China. Using the latest available data, social accounting matrix for 149 sectors, combined with employment satellite accounts based on China's seventh census published in 2022, we analyse gender disparities in the potential job creation from the RCEP. The results show that the RCEP will potentially create more than 4.08 million jobs in China, with a particularly large increase in low-value-added sectors such as agriculture, light industry and low-end manufacturing. Imports are likely to create more jobs than exports. The potential job creation for females is more than 1.58 million, which is still 910,000 less than for males. While the RCEP may create jobs for females, it may expand the gender and skills disparities. The increased rate of tertiary education for Chinese females has not resulted in significant gains in current female employment. Therefore, measures to reduce taxes on imports and exports, share the cost of childbirth between employer and husband, and upgrade industries to create more high-skilled jobs are important to address the gender disparity in employment in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pandji Irani Fianza,1 Anita Rahmawati,1 Indra Wijaya,1 Amaylia Oehadian,1 Dimmy Prasetya,1 Putri Vidyaniati,1 Gusti Fungani Harti,1 Trinugroho Heri Fadjari,1 Ramdan Panigoro2 1Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran/Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia; 2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, IndonesiaCorrespondence: Pandji Irani Fianza, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran/Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Pasteur Street No. 38, Bandung, Indonesia, Tel +62-22-203-4954, Email pandji.irani.fianza@unpad.ac.idAbstract: Thalassemia is a chronic disease caused by impaired globin chain synthesis, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis, hemolysis, and chronic anemia. The treatment of patients with thalassemia, including blood transfusion combined with chelation therapy has progressed and improved their survival and prognosis. However, thalassemia-related psychological problems and impaired health-related quality of life (QoL) challenges still exist. Gender is one of the factors that has been suggested, to contribute to the disparities in psychological outcomes. This review article examined the evidence for gender differences in psychological disturbances and QoL in adolescent and adult patients with thalassemia. A non-systematic search of the literature was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar for English full-text available from 2013 to 2023. We identified 23 studies with a sample size ≥ 100 that examined gender disparities in anxiety, depression, and QoL in adolescent and adult patients with thalassemia (mean prevalence of female = 53.1%; mean age = 28 years). Our review shows that there are gender disparities in psychological distress and QoL in adolescent and adult patients with thalassemia. Statistically significant gender differences were demonstrated in 62% of the psychological and QoL outcomes from 16 studies. Female patients had a higher prevalence of anxiety, depression, and poorer QoL in some studies. However, further studies with sufficient power and design are necessary to confirm the existence of gender disparities in psychological disturbances and QoL outcomes.Keywords: gender disparities, anxiety, depression, quality of life, thalassemia

This descriptive survey research design aimed to explore gender differences in the impact of social media distractions during reading in the library among undergraduate students. The study included a total of 373 participants who were regular library users and had access to social media platforms. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and the findings indicated that social media, particularly messaging on WhatsApp, was the most distracting activity for students in the library. Males reported more distraction than females for platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram. Reading and responding to social media messages was the most common social media activity among students in the library. The majority of participants perceived social media to harm their reading habits, with a higher number of females perceiving social media as harming their reading habits compared to males. The study recommends that libraries and educational institutions develop clear policies and guidelines on the use of social media in libraries, provide resources aimed at helping students manage social media distraction and improve their reading habits, and offer training to staff members on how to identify and address social media distractions among students.

Women in cardiology experience considerable gender disparities in publications, which hinders their career advancements to higher faculty and senior leadership positions. However, the extent of these disparities across different types of cardiovascular literature is not well understood. We investigated gender differences in authorship across various cardiovascular publications over a decade and examined geographic variations in the representation of women authors. All papers published from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019, in 4 major cardiovascular journals (Journal of the American College of Cardiology , European Heart Journal , Journal of the American Medical Association Cardiology , and Nature Reviews Cardiology) were reviewed. Of the 18,535 papers with 111,562 authors, 20.6% of the authors were women, and 47.7% of the papers had no women authors. Over 10 years, the proportion of women authors remained low (20.7% in 2010 to 21.4% in 2019), with the lowest proportion in editorial papers (14.8%) and the highest in research papers (21.8%). More women as first (34.6%) and last (47.6%) authors were affiliated with institutions in the United States compared with other countries. The proportion of women middle-order authors was higher on papers with women as first authors (29.4% vs 20.5%) or last authors (30.6% vs 21.3%), compared with papers with men as first or last authors, respectively. Over the past decade, the proportion of women authors across all article types in major cardiovascular journals remained low. A call to action is needed to promote women in cardiology and provide them with equitable opportunities. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gender disparities exist in the OBGYN discipline. This study investigates, for the first time, whether gender impacts on the confidence of practical and surgical skills among OBGYN residents, and of being prepared to work as a specialist. Methods: The gynecological societies of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland established a web-based survey of 30 questions that was sent to all registered OBGYN members-in-training from August to September 2020. Data collection, controlling and analysis were performed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH). Results: A total of 422 participants took part in the survey, of which 375 (88.9%) were female, 46 (10.9%) were male, and one (0.2%) was divers. The diverse participant was excluded from further analyses. The gender distribution was comparable in all three countries. Multiple regression analyses showed that gender is an independent variable significantly impacting on the confidence levels in performing standard gynaecological (p = 0.03) and obstetric (p < 0.001) procedures. Similarly, the feeling of confidence in being prepared for working as a specialist in a clinic showed to be gender-dependent (p < 0.001), however, not the feeling of being prepared for working as specialist in an outpatient setting (p = 0.37). The "female factor" significantly decreases the confidence rating for surgical and practical skills and for working in a hospital. Covariates including year of training, country, workload, receiving regular feedback, and implemented simulation training were included in all analyses. Discussion: Improvements of residency programs to promote female doctors to overcome factors reducing their confidence in their own OBGYN skills are highly warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigates gender-based disparities in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes among kidney stone patients and explores potential contributing factors. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records at the University of Rochester Medical Center was conducted on 2199 new urolithiasis patients who completed the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life Questionnaire (WISQOL) standardized on a 0 to 100 scale. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Statistical analyses included univariate tests, chi-squared tests, and multivariate linear regression. Results: Of the 2199 kidney stone patients, 1085 (49.3%) were women. Women reported significantly lower quality of life (QoL) scores compared with men (71.6 vs 80.7; p < 0.001), and this persisted across all domains, including social impact (80.2 vs 86.9; p < 0.001), emotional impact (67.3 vs 77.1; p < 0.001), disease impact (67.3 vs 77.1; p < 0.001), and impact vitality (62.6 vs 72.9; p < 0.001). Female gender was identified as an independent predictor of diminished QoL scores, along with younger age, symptomatic status, number of surgeries, and presence of a psychosocial comorbidity. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that women with kidney stones experience lower HRQOL compared with men, even accounting for clinical and demographic factors. Although this study provides preliminary insights, additional research is needed to validate these findings in broader and more varied populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analysed gender disparities in Pakistan focusing on access to primary education and women's education in light of National Education policies from 1947 to 2017 to achieve universal primary education. This study aimed to trace the evolution of National Education policies (1947–2017) in the attainment of universal primary education and gender disparities in Primary education in Pakistan. A qualitative document analysis technique was employed to extract relevant data related to policy objectives, strategies, and targets of primary education, gender disparities, and women's education. The quantitative data was extracted from the Pakistan Economic Survey 2022–2023, Pakistan Education Statistics 2020–2021, and all National Census 1951, 1961, 1972, 1981, 1998, and 2017. The study found that education policies highlighted the importance of primary education but did not dedicate larger sections to women's education in the first 40 years. The recent education policies addressed the importance of women's education for achieving gender parity. These findings, which stem from a review of national education policies' documents, are in line with the findings drawn from the quantitative data extracted from authoritative reports which stated that significant gender disparities existed in the numbers of primary schools, access to primary education, and students' enrolments throughout the history of Pakistan. The study also found significant gender disparities in the number of primary schools per 100,000 children, with male students comparatively attending schools more than female students. The study found consistent gender disparities in primary education enrolment in Pakistan with notable progress in recent years but have not been able to eliminate these disparities. Gender disparity is evident in literacy rate, gross enrolment rate (GER), and net enrolment rate (NER). The study recommended that the revision of existing policies and formulation of new education policies should be based on comprehensive documentation on women's education and its impact on the economy, literacy rate, and universal primary education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the causes and impacts of unemployment in South Africa using data from the 2022 General Household Survey conducted by STATS SA. Specifically, it seeks to analyze the demographic and socio-economic factors influencing unemployment rates, explore the implications of unemployment on individuals and society, and identify policy implications for addressing this pressing issue. Unemployment remains a significant challenge in South Africa, with persistent high rates that disproportionately affect certain demographic groups. This study addresses the need for an in-depth analysis of unemployment dynamics, providing valuable insights into its causes, consequences, and potential policy interventions. The study utilizes data from the 2022 General Household Survey conducted by STATS SA, encompassing a total population of approximately 18738 households. The dataset offers comprehensive information on employment status, demographic characteristics, education levels, and household income. Employing the statistical software SPSS, employing a combination of descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, and a binary logistic regression model, the research uncovers significant disparities across demographic groups, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals at the household level and advocating for targeted policy interventions. Gender disparities emerge starkly, with female-headed households constituting 44% of the sample yet reporting lower employment rates (34.7%) compared to male-headed households (59.6%). Regression analysis confirms this trend, highlighting the gender-based hurdles in accessing employment opportunities. Furthermore, concerning trends in youth unemployment are revealed, with nearly 40% of individuals under 35 reported as unemployed. Regression analysis demonstrates a negative association between age and unemployment, emphasizing the need for targeted youth employment initiatives. Additionally, the study underscores the critical role of education in enhancing employment prospects, with higher levels of education associated with lower unemployment rates. Racial disparities in unemployment rates are also elucidated, with the Black/African population group facing the highest unemployment rate at 52.3%, significantly higher than the Asian/Indian (37.8%) and White (40.4%) population groups. Regression analysis confirms these disparities, necessitating targeted efforts to address structural barriers and promote racial equity in the labor market. The study recommends, implementing gender-sensitive employment policies, enhancing youth skills development programs, and promoting equitable access to education and training opportunities for all groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The study focuses on the challenges and implications of digital surveillance and privacy issues affecting women. It discusses the gender-based disparities perpetuated by surveillance from government, corporate, and interpersonal sources, leading to psychological, emotional, and physical harassment of women. The collection and misuse of data through apps used for self-care and development contribute to violations of women's social, mental, sexual, and reproductive health. The paper argues for the need for legislative enforcement and policy development by governments and online platforms to support victims, promote women's awareness of their rights, and ensure the safety of digital spaces. It emphasizes the importance of secure communication platforms and encrypted messaging apps, alongside legal and technological measures to foster inclusivity and respect for privacy as a fundamental right. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STEM fields, comprising Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics have been considered for many decades the core preoccupation of male specialists. Yet, beginning with the Second World War, when women started working in military facilities and factories, and took over lots of the masculine responsibilities, but also as a result of the publicity that many women in STEM received due to the simplification of access to communication, these disciplines have increased in interest also because they are associated with the level of inventiveness of a society, but more importantly, with the level of growth in social and economic fields. Once big academic institutions have included in their curriculum gender studies and entrepreneurship for women, more and more girls have started considering the field of STEM as a possible future career. In the case of Romania, career path for women in STEM has been subjected to stereotyping, caused by the cultural and political values that Romania had before the fall of Communism. But today, due to access to information, access to international systems of education and scholarship programs dedicated to women in STEM, more and more girls are engaged in the field, with spectacular results. The present study is an analysis of the most recent statistical data related to women's engagement in the field of STEM, certain comparisons with other countries from the Central and Eastern European region and in the final part offers a set of predictions about the future of girls in STEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to determine what factors affect the time it takes Arusha Technical College graduates to land their first job following graduation. The study examines the length of unemployment for 568 graduates from 15 academic programs using information from a tracer survey carried out in 2022. The effect of academic programs, job search tactics, and demographic traits such as gender and age on graduates’ employment outcomes is investigated through the use of survival analysis techniques, such as the Cox proportional hazards model and the Kaplan-Meier estimator. The results show that the median time to start employment is roughly 10 months, with differences seen depending on the company category, gender, age group, academic degree, and job search tactics. Moreover, it is observed that male graduates are more likely than female graduates to secure employment before their peers, and that some academic programs have higher rates of job placement. The government sector is the most advantageous for early employment, followed by private and self-employment. Furthermore, graduates who use internet-based job search strategies also find employment more quickly than graduates who use other methods. Consequently, age, academic program, and job search strategy all have a substantial impact on graduates’ employment outcomes, which has implications for career development initiatives and industry-academia partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study explores the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and gallstone disease, with a particular focus on gender disparities, comorbid conditions, and cholesterol levels. Methods: A prospective analysis was conducted on 120 patients diagnosed with gallstone disease at the Department of General Surgery, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. The study assessed the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism, its correlation with patient demographics, comorbid conditions such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and total cholesterol levels. Results: Subclinical hypothyroidism was identified in 17.5% of the gallstone patients, with a higher prevalence in females (21%) compared to males (10%), resulting in a statistically significant gender disparity (p < 0.05). Comorbid conditions were present, with hypertension in 14% and diabetes mellitus in 15.8% of the patients. Elevated total cholesterol levels (>160 mg/dL) were observed in 64.2% of the subjects, predominantly among those over 40 years of age. Conclusion: The findings highlight a significant association between subclinical hypothyroidism and gallstone disease, especially in females. The study underscores the necessity of including thyroid function tests in the routine clinical evaluation of gallstone patients, to identify and manage those at increased risk due to thyroid dysfunction. The results advocate for a nuanced understanding of the metabolic and endocrine factors influencing gallstone pathogenesis, aiming for improved patient outcomes through targeted screening and intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to explore behavioral and mental health outcomes among a sample of farmers living in the United States and to compare differences between male and female farmers. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was distributed within the farming community by researchers, farming consultants, and community partners. χ² and analysis or variance analyses were used to explore relationships between variables of interest. Results: Female survey respondents reported significantly higher perceived stress and significantly lower resilience than their male counterparts. A significant interaction effect was observed between gender and farm roles on alcohol consumption patterns, with female farm owners and managers reporting binge drinking behavior most frequently. Conclusions: This study identified distinct differences between respondents in terms of stress, resilience, and alcohol consumption patterns, based on both gender and occupational roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores mothers' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on stressors, parenting roles, and work expectations. Qualitative analysis of open-ended interviews with a diverse group of 44 mothers in the United States generated two main themes: adjusting parenting roles and career concerns for mothers. Findings reveal that mothers have internalized strong intrafamily expectations to shoulder the primary responsibility for domestic labor and child care in addition to completing their work obligations and experienced institutional gender bias in the expectations that employers have for female employees. The interviews highlight lower expectations for fathers' contributions to parenting under pandemic conditions. Implications for research and policy are discussed with a particular focus on critiquing structures that may perpetuate gender disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the discourse of water scarcity and gender discrimination, a feminist political ecological lens offers a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between gender dynamics and water access. Article highlights that historically, despite of bearing multitude water related miseries, women are altogether excluded from national policy formulation processes and there is inequality of women representation in high ranked positions in ministry of water and Irrigation. In this article, mixed methodology has been used. Article has found out that women bearing water burden compounded with domestic violence results into incapability of women to perform their duties, resultantly it encourages the practice of ‘’Water Wives’’ and ‘’Water Laborers’’ . Additionally, on basis of their different biological functioning such as menstruation and pregnancy, water scarcity affect women disproportionately. Article suggests that, in water policy formulation, women role should not be compartmentalized only as beneficiaries. Their contribution should be recognized as water drivers, as only such measures can achieve water security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disability-free life expectancy had been rising continuously in the United States until 2010, suggesting working longer as a solution for those financially unprepared for retirement. However, recent developments suggest improvements in working life expectancy have stalled, especially for minorities and those with less education. This paper uses data from the National Vital Statistics System , the American Community Survey , and the National Health Interview Survey to assess how recent trends, up to 2018, in institutionalization, physical impediments to work, and mortality have affected working life expectancy for men and women age 50, by race and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education is a fundamental human right and a crucial tool for sustainable human capacity development, which can advance the economic growth of a country. Yet for many children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), quality education remains out of reach. This study aimed to identify the barriers and challenges to enacting Sustainable Development Goal 4: "Ensuring Inclusive, Equitable, and Quality Education and the Promotion of Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All". Through a content analysis of the relevant literature, we identified three themes: funding constraints, access and inclusion, and teacher education. Regarding funding, issues of resource allocation, technical capacity, and accountability were identified as primary factors requiring intervention strategies to become fully realized in SSA. When exploring access and inclusion, we found that incorporating students with disabilities, gender disparities, physical barriers, and inadequate curriculum are essential factors limiting quality education in SSA. Finally, teachers' conditions and training emerged as crucial challenges to reach quality pedagogy. Some SSA countries have improved their efforts for quality education, but these barriers and challenges continue to impact education for all children. A new perspective on mitigating these impediments can address several factors responsible for the exclusion of diverse groups from accessing quality education in the SSA region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Procedural training is a required competency in internal medicine (IM) residency, yet limited data exist on residents experience of procedural training. OBJECTIVES: We sought to understand how gender impacts access to procedural training among IM residents. METHODS: A mixed-methods, explanatory sequential study was performed. Procedure volume for IM residents between 2016 and 2020 was assessed at two large academic residencies (Program A and Program B: 399 residents and 4,020 procedures). Procedural rates and actual versus expected procedure volume by gender were compared, with separate analyses by clinical environment (intensive care unit [ICU] or structured procedural service). Semistructured gender-congruent focus groups were conducted. Topics included identity formation as a proceduralist and the resident procedural learning experience, including perceived gender bias in procedure allocation. RESULTS: Compared with men, women residents performed disproportionately fewer ICU procedures per month at Program A (1.4 vs. 2.7; P

BackgroundTobacco usage is a major global public health concern, contributing to millions of deaths annually. This study focuses on security guards, an occupational group facing unique challenges, to investigate tobacco prevalence, usage patterns, and associated oral health risks.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among security guards at a Tertiary Health Care Centre, from October 2022 to February 2023. Data on demographics, tobacco habits, and comorbidities were collected via a structured questionnaire. Clinical oral examinations provisionally diagnosed Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs) based on clinical findings. Appropriate Statistical analyses were employed.ResultsAmong 696 security guards, 40.1% used tobacco, including 15.0% smokers and 74.5% engaging in smokeless tobacco. Additionally, 10.3% reported using both smoking and smokeless forms. Non-tobacco users accounted for 59.9%. Tobacco users showed a higher prevalence of OPMDs (11.4%) compared to non-tobacco users (1.4%).DiscussionSecurity guards demonstrated a higher tobacco prevalence, with smokeless tobacco being predominant. Gender disparities in tobacco use emphasize the need for gender-specific interventions. The study highlights the significant impact of tobacco on oral health, especially the risk of OPMDs.ConclusionA high prevalence of tobacco usage (40.1%), particularly smokeless tobacco, among security guards, emphasizes the importance of targeted interventions within this occupational group. Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs) were significantly more prevalent (11.4%) in tobacco users. The association between tobacco usage and OPMDs reaffirms the well-established association between tobacco and adverse oral health outcomes.

Abstract Background Mental health literacy (MHL) and help-seeking behaviors are pivotal in managing mental well-being, especially among Egyptian undergraduates. Despite the importance and prevalent psychological distress in this group, limited research has addressed MHL and associated behaviors in Egypt. This study aimed to assess the levels of MHL and help-seeking behavior among Egyptian university students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted across ten Egyptian universities during the academic year 2022–2023. A convenience sample of 1740 students was obtained through online questionnaires distributed via social media platforms. The survey comprised demographic characteristics, the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), and the General Help Seeking Behavior Questionnaire (GHSPQ). Results Among 1740 Egyptian undergraduates, medical students scored higher in recognizing disorders (p

This research explores the intricate nature of self-concept, a pivotal element in human behavior and identity formation, encompassing beliefs, thoughts, and perceptions shaping individuals' understanding of themselves and their environment across physical, psychological, and social dimensions, influencing behavior and self-esteem. Focusing on junior high school students aged 13-18 in Bangka Belitung, the study employs a quantitative descriptive approach with 126 participants, employing Rahmat's theory (2013) to gauge self-concept facets. Outcomes reveal that 34% of students perceive their self-concept as moderate, while 4% hold positive views and 32% exhibit above-average self-concepts. Notably, gender-based disparities accentuate the need for tailored interventions. Identification of areas needing improvement via validity testing led to proposed classical guidance topics aimed at augmenting self-concept, including body care, confidence-building, and social interaction. Implications stress the significance of customized interventions, gender-aware strategies, and nurturing positive self-concept for comprehensive student growth, in alignment with educational experts' viewpoints, advocating self-awareness, constructive perspectives, and individualized assistance. These insights advocate holistic approaches to empower students on their path to self-acceptance, personal development, and holistic growth, echoing broader educational objectives and policies, reaffirming the pivotal role of classical guidance in molding students' self-concept.

Background COVID-19 profoundly and uniquely impacted people with HIV. People with HIV experienced significant psychosocial and socioeconomic impacts, yet a limited amount of research has explored potential differences across gender and racial/ethnic groups of people with HIV. Objective The objective of this study was to examine psychosocial and socioeconomic stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic among a diverse sample of people with HIV in South Florida and to determine if the types of stressors varied across gender and racial/ethnic groups. Methods We analyzed data from a cross-sectional survey with Miami-Dade County, Ryan White Program recipients. Outcomes included mental health, socioeconomic, drug/alcohol, and care responsibility/social support changes. Weighted descriptive analyses provided an overview of stressors by gender and racial/ethnic group and logistic regressions estimated associations between demographics and stressors. Results Among 291 participants, 39% were Non-Hispanic Black, 18% were Haitian, and 43% were Hispanic. Adjusting for age, sex, language, and foreign-born status, Hispanics were more likely to report several worsened mental health (i.e. increased loneliness, anxiety) and socioeconomic stressors (i.e. decreased income). Spanish speakers were more likely to report not getting the social support they needed. Women were more likely to report spending more time caring for children. Conclusions Findings highlight ways in which cultural and gender expectations impacted experiences across people with HIV and suggest strategies to inform interventions and resources during lingering and future public health emergencies. Results suggest that public health emergencies have different impacts on different communities. Without acknowledging and responding to differences, we risk losing strides towards progress in health equity.

AbstractThe study examines perceived tenure security in Burkina Faso, focusing on socio-cultural factors, authority relations, state politics, and gender dynamics. It identifies challenges in tenure security despite legal reforms, emphasising the subjective nature of tenure security and its dependence on individual perceptions. The findings highlight significant disparities in perceived tenure security based on socio-cultural and gender factors, emphasising the need for policies that address these specific challenges and promote equitable access to land and property rights. This study contributes to understanding the complexities of tenure security in Burkina Faso and offers insights for policy formulation and implementation across similar geographical settings.

ABSTRACTGender disparities are prevalent in the neurosurgical field, particularly for female trainees, despite the growing demand for neurosurgeons. The situation is bleaker in low-and middle-income countries, where gender disparities among neurosurgical trainees have not been evaluated. We aimed to gauge the gender differences in opportunities and perceptions of neurosurgery training in Pakistan by comparing responses between males and females. A nationwide web-based survey was conducted in Pakistan, covering 22 College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) accredited neurosurgery training programs. Convenience sampling was used with a pilot-tested questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. A total of 120 trainees participated in our survey. The mean age of the participants was 30.4 ± 4.1 years, with 29.2% females and 70.8% males. Concerns about gender equity were more among females (34.3%) than males (27.1%). Poor work-life balance was reported by more females (34.3%) than males (30.6%). Burnout due to working hours was strongly agreed by more females (54.3%) than males (35.3%). More females (40%) acknowledged sufficient mentorship opportunities versus males (25%). Female respondents (65.7%) worked 50–100 hours per week, less than males (69.4%). Satisfaction with surgical exposure was lower among females (2.9%) compared to males (18.8%). More females reported access to teaching courses (82.9% vs. 77.6% males) and neurosurgical conferences (85.7% vs. 80.0% males), cadaver workshops (17.1% vs. 12.9% males), morbidity and mortality meetings (88.6% vs. 82.4% males), case-based sessions (82.9% vs. 75.3% males), and radiology discussions (82.9% vs. 74.1% males). Our study highlights substantial gender gaps in neurosurgical training, concerns over working hours, burnout, mentorship, work-life balance, and gender equity. These findings underscore the necessity for interventions to rectify these disparities and foster gender equity in neurosurgical training.

AbstractEntrepreneurship has been at the centre of societal advancement and economic development, and the intersectionality of gender within entrepreneurial discourses continues to be a fascinating topic for researchers. In order to explore the complex terrain of gendered entrepreneurial discourses, this study offers a thorough bibliometric analysis. Through synthesis and analysis of n = 2098 selected academic published research papers compiled from the Scopus and WOS databases, this study mapped the intellectual landscape, identified significant topics, and uncovered trends in the field’s progression. This study aims to review the scholarly discourses on gender and entrepreneurship and pave the path for future research in this domain. Advanced bibliometric techniques, such as co-citation analysis, co-occurrence of keywords, and co-word analysis, are included in the methodology. The research’s first perspective helps the researchers understand gender and entrepreneurship and their interlinkages, promoting a more cohesive and supportive academic community. The second perspective this research highlighted is the co-word analysis done in VOS viewer from where the themes were derived. The thematic analysis unveiled four distinct clusters within the gendered entrepreneurship literature, highlighting prevalent themes such as access to finance, the prevalence of gendered inequalities in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, societal perceptions, and policy interventions. Furthermore, the study traces the chronological evolution of these themes, providing insights into how scholarly attention has shifted over time and building the foundations for future research.

To determine gender disparities and potential factors that modify prosthesis prescription practices in veteran patients who have undergone their first major unilateral amputation due to diabetes or peripheral arterial disease. A retrospective cohort study using the VA Corporate Data Warehouse to compare prosthesis prescription rates and time to prescription between men and women veterans. The primary exposure was gender. The primary outcome was a qualifying prosthesis prescription within 12 months of the incident amputation. The secondary outcome was time to prosthesis prescription. Multiple logistic and linear regression was used to control for potential confounders and identify potential effect modification. 2,862 individuals met study criteria, with 1690 (60%) prescribed a qualifying prosthesis. Men were more likely to receive a prosthesis prescription than women (59% versus 45%, respectively; p = 0.03). This difference was observed primarily among those with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. In this subgroup, the odds of men receiving a prosthesis over women was over 3 times (adjusted odds ratio = 3.3; 95% Confidence Interval, 1.5, 7.4). Men had a mean shorter time to prescription compared to women (112 ± 72 versus 136 ± 79 days, respectively, p = 0.08). Depression in women negatively impacts their prosthesis prescription rates and time to prescription compared to men. This disparity may have significant impacts on future function and quality of life. This study found that men more commonly received a prosthesis prescription and received it earlier than women. This disparity was most extreme among women who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Providers should identify at risk patients early and consider targeted interventions to address depression during the preoperative and immediate postoperative phases. Future research should continue to work to identify gender-specific needs that exacerbate disparity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental health literacy (MHL) and help-seeking behaviors are pivotal in managing mental well-being, especially among Egyptian undergraduates. Despite the importance and prevalent psychological distress in this group, limited research has addressed MHL and associated behaviors in Egypt. This study aimed to assess the levels of MHL and help-seeking behavior among Egyptian university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across ten Egyptian universities during the academic year 2022–2023. A convenience sample of 1740 students was obtained through online questionnaires distributed via social media platforms. The survey comprised demographic characteristics, the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), and the General Help Seeking Behavior Questionnaire (GHSPQ). Results: Among 1740 Egyptian undergraduates, medical students scored higher in recognizing disorders (p < 0.05), while non-medical students excelled in attitudes (p < 0.05). A strong correlation was observed between attitudes toward mental illness and total mental health literacy (coefficients of 0.664 and 0.657). Univariate analysis indicated a significant association with professional help-seeking (OR = 1.023). Females, individuals aged 21 or above, and non-medical students were more likely to seek mental health information (OR = 1.42, 1.82, 1.55 respectively). Help-seeking behavior for emotional problems was more inclined towards intimate partners, whereas suicidal thoughts prompted seeking professional help. Conclusion: The findings advocate for comprehensive mental health education, particularly in rural areas, and emphasis on the role of personal relationships in mental well-being. Implementing these insights could foster improved mental health outcomes and reduce related stigma in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vascularized fibula transfer is a well-established technique for extremity reconstruction, but operative planning and patient selection remains crucial. Although recently developed techniques for bone reconstruction, such as bone segment transfer, are becoming increasingly popular, bone defects may still require vascularized bone grafts under certain circumstances. In this study, 41 cases, 28 (68%) men and 13 (32%) women (median age: 40 years), were retrospectively analyzed. Therapy-specific data (flap vascularity [free vs. pedicled] size in cm and configuration [single- vs. double-barrel], mode of fixation [internal/external]) and potential risk factors were ascertained. Indications for reconstruction were osteomyelitis at host site (n = 23, 55%), pseudarthrosis (n = 8, 20%), congenital deformity (n = 6, 15%), traumatic defect, and giant cell tumor of the bone (n = 2, 5% each). Complete healing occurred in 34 (83%) patients after a median time of 6 months. Confounders for prolonged healing were female gender (p = 0.002), reconstruction in the lower limb (p = 0.011), smoking (p = 0.049), and the use of an external fixator (p = 0.009). Six (15%) patients required secondary limb amputation due to reconstruction failure, and one patient had persistent pseudarthrosis at last follow-up. The only risk factor for amputation assessed via logistic regression analysis was preexisting PAOD (peripheral artery occlusive disease; p = 0.008) The free fibula is a reliable tool for extremity reconstruction in various cases, but time to full osseous integration may exceed six months. Patients should be encouraged to cease smoking as it is a modifiable risk factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality in women, necessitating innovative primary prevention strategies. Contemporary guidelines on primary prevention of CVD highlight the increasing prevalence of CVD risk factors and emphasize the significance of female-specific risk enhancers that substantially augment the future risk of CVD. These risk factors occur throughout a woman's life cycle, such as hormonal contraception, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and menopause, all of which confer an added layer of risk in women beyond the conventional risk factors. Despite this, current methods may not fully capture the nuanced vulnerabilities in women that increase their risk of CVD. In this review, we highlight gender-specific risk enhancers and subsequent prevention as well as strategies to improve primary prevention of CVD in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. but have a disproportionate impact on patients based on gender. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to compare gender differences in clinical outcomes between male and female adult trauma patients with moderate and severe TBI. Studies assessing gender differences in outcomes following TBIs on PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and ProQuest were searched. Meta-analysis was performed for outcomes including in-hospital mortality, hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) at 6 mo. Eight studies were included for analysis with 26,408 female and 63,393 male patients. Meta-analysis demonstrated that males had a significantly lower risk of mortality than females (RR: 0.88; 95% CI 0.78, 0.99; P = 0.0001). Females had a shorter hospital length of stay (mean difference −1.4 d; 95% CI - 1.6 d, −1.2 d). No significant differences were identified in intensive care unit length of stay (mean difference −3.0 d; 95% CI -7.0 d, 1.1 d; P = 0.94) or GOS at 6 mo (mean difference 0.2 d; 95% CI -0.9 d, 1.4 d; P = 1). Compared to male patients, female patients with moderate and severe TBI had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality risk. There were no significant differences in long-term outcomes between genders based on GOS at 6 mo. These findings warrant further investigation into the etiology of these gender disparities and their impact on additional clinical outcome measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many areas of medicine, gender equality has not yet been fully adopted despite recent developments. The inequality of gender in various areas of medicine is still debated. In this study, we analysed the gender composition of the editorial boards of toxicology journals in the Science Citation Index‐Expanded (SCI‐E) databases and the factors affecting this composition. The genders of the participants were determined by the data obtained from the official websites of the journals in September 2023. We analysed the journal metrics and publisher properties using Mann–Whitney U, Fisher's exact, Chi‐square tests and Spearman's correlation coefficient. We used logistic regression analysis to reveal the independent factors related to gender parity. The representation rates of women were 28.62% on all editorial boards and 23.33% in editor‐in‐chief positions. The 'Neuroscience' (OR, 2.46 95%CI, 1.68–3.60, p < 0.001), 'Reproductive Biology'(OR, 2.05 95%CI, 1.22–3.42, p = 0.006) and 'Public, Environmental & Occupational Health'(OR, 1.49 95%CI, 1.18–1.88, p = 0.001) as a coverage category, the United States as a journal country (OR, 1.21, 95%CI, 1.04–1.40, p = 0.001), 5‐year‐IF≥3.6(OR, 1.54, 95%CI, 1.27–1.86, p < 0.001), 5‐year H index≥29 (OR, 1.23, 95%CI, 1.01–1.49, p = 0.037) were the independent factors for gender parity. However, 'Oncology' (OR, 0.08 95%CI, 0.01–0.55, p = 0.011), 'Biochemistry, Molecular Biology' (OR, 0.62 95%CI, 0.44–0.86, p = 0.005) and 'Pharmacology & Pharmacy' (OR, 0.69 95%CI, 0.59–0.82, p < 0.001) as a coverage category, Japan as a publisher country (OR, 0.52 95%CI, 0.35–0.77, p = 0.001), and Switzerland as a journal country (OR, 0.61, 95%CI, 0.46–0.81, p = 0.001) were related to gender disparity. Greater endeavours are needed to reduce gender discrimination in toxicology. Toxicology authorities should continuously improve existing policies by optimising the analysis of objective information to eliminate barriers for toxicologists in terms of gender equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiology remains underrepresented in U.S. medical school clinical curricula, and preconceived opinions about the field may impact whether students pursue elective exposure. A core radiology clerkship at one academic institution presents an opportunity to evaluate students' early preferences for different radiology subspecialties, thus informing curricular design and inspiring student recruitment. At a single allopathic medical school, a required, four-week, clinical-year radiology clerkship that occurs in the second year includes immersive one-week experiences in two subspecialties. Prior to their clerkship, students rank their immersion preferences by distributing 100 points across eight fields, the values of which were analyzed as a proxy for interest. A secondary survey was distributed to active first- and second-year medical students to further investigate the factors drawing them to radiology. Immersive experiences in musculoskeletal, body, and breast imaging were most preferred, earning ≥20 points from 41.6 %, 34.3 %, and 31.9 % of students, respectively. Women were significantly more likely than men to express interest in breast imaging (35.8 % vs. 24.8 %, p = 0.037) and pediatric radiology (28.8 % vs. 12.8 %, p = 0.001). Men were significantly more likely than women to prefer body imaging (41.9 % vs. 30.2 %, p = 0.034), neuroradiology (29.1 % vs. 19.5 %, p = 0.048), and nuclear medicine (11.1 % vs. 5.1 %, p = 0.044). Early in their clinical education, medical students prefer certain subspecialties, especially musculoskeletal, body, and breast imaging. Women expressed significantly stronger interest in breast imaging and pediatric radiology, while men indicated significantly stronger interest in body imaging, neuroradiology, and nuclear medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is destructive and poses a significant threat to Caribbean coral reef ecosystems. Characterized by the acute loss of coral tissue, SCTLD has impacted over 22 stony coral species across the Caribbean region, leading to visible declines in reef health. Based on the duration, lethality, host range, and spread of this disease, SCTLD is considered the most devastating coral disease outbreak ever recorded. Researchers are actively investigating the cause and transmission of SCTLD, but the exact mechanisms, triggers, and etiological agent(s) remain elusive. If left unchecked, SCTLD could have profound implications for the health and resilience of coral reefs worldwide. To summarize what is known about this disease and identify potential knowledge gaps, this review provides a holistic overview of SCTLD research, including species susceptibility, disease transmission, ecological impacts, etiology, diagnostic tools, host defense mechanisms, and treatments. Additionally, future research avenues are highlighted, which are also relevant for other coral diseases. As SCTLD continues to spread, collaborative efforts are necessary to develop effective strategies for mitigating its impacts on critical coral reef ecosystems. These collaborative efforts need to include researchers from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups to provide additional perspectives for a disease that requires creative and urgent solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has revolutionized surgical practices, with robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) significantly advancing. However, the understanding and acceptance of RAS vary, impacting its widespread adoption. This study aims to assess Saudi Arabians’ attitudes and comprehension of RAS, which is crucial for promoting its integration into surgical procedures. A cross-sectional study was conducted in various Saudi Arabian cities. A total of 1449 participants were included, while participants with cognitive issues were excluded. Demographic information, knowledge, technology experience, attitudes, and perceptions about RAS were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Of the participants, 51.1% demonstrated awareness of RAS, mainly through social media (36.9%). Factors influencing awareness included gender, education, income, occupation, computer literacy, and technology comfort. Gender disparities were evident in attitudes and perceptions toward RAS. Concerns about RAS included robot malfunction (62.0%), surgical errors (45.4%), and surgeon competency (44.7%). 36.4% of the participants believe RAS is faster, 29.9% believe RAS is less painful, and 25.3% believe RAS has fewer complications. Positive perceptions encompassed the belief that robot-using surgeons are more skilled (44.5%) and hospitals offering RAS are better (54.3%). Notably, 47.7% expressed willingness to consider RAS as a treatment option. The study underscores the significance of promoting awareness and informed decisions to ensure the successful integration of RAS in surgical practices. Addressing concerns and misconceptions and enhancing public comprehension are pivotal for facilitating informed decision-making and fostering RAS acceptance within Saudi Arabia’s surgical landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate sex‐specific temporal trends in the initiation of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy among patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Finland between 2007 and 2018. Methods: The registry‐linkage Finnish AntiCoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation (FinACAF) Study included all patients with incident AF in Finland from 2007 to 2018. The primary outcome was the initiation of any OAC therapy. Results: We identified 229,565 patients with new‐onset AF (50.0% women; mean age 72.7 years). The initiation of OAC therapy increased continuously during the observation period. While women were more likely to receive OAC therapy overall, after adjusting for age, stroke risk factors and other confounding factors, female sex was associated with a marginally lower initiation of OACs (unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios comparing women to men: 1.08 (1.07–1.10) and 0.97 (0.96–0.98), respectively). Importantly, the gender disparities in OAC use attenuated and reached parity by the end of the observation period. Furthermore, when only patients eligible for OAC therapy according to the contemporary guidelines were included in the analyses, the gender inequalities in OAC initiation appeared minimal. Implementation of direct OACs for stroke prevention was slightly slower among women. Conclusion: This nationwide retrospective cohort study covering all patients with incident AF in Finland from 2007 to 2018 observed that although female sex was initially associated with a lower initiation of OAC therapy, the sex‐related disparities resolved over the course of the study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates gender disparities within the electronics engineering program at a state university in the Philippines from 2020 to 2023. There is a significant gender gap occurring in this area of engineering studies that necessitates further investigation to understand gender-related enrollments. The researchers employed data analysis on enrollment data, which included year, course, and gender. By means of data manipulation and visualization using the Python programming language, it facilitated data analysis with Jupyter Notebook. The findings revealed that despite fluctuations over the specified years, male student enrollees significantly outnumbered female student enrollees in the program. Male enrollees have consistently formed around 70% to 72%, on the one hand, female enrollees covered approximately 28% to 30% over the years. The research outcomes implied that gender differences remain significant, and addressing this issue is necessary. If male dominance continues in this field, significant development will not occur. Diversifying the approach to involve more women in the program is crucial to achieving greatness and fostering advancement and development in this field of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]