Search

English education in Japan has traditionally focused on grammar over communication, and the country has struggled to compete internationally in terms of English proficiency scores. As the country works toward the internationalization of higher education, improving English education is an important issue. One potential solution is the use of topics that elicit students' interest and make them feel like part of the international community. This paper explored the use of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a topic due to their global importance and position, along with English, as a key to furthering the global citizenship of Japan's youth. Because of the substantial number of SDGs, not all goals can be realistically addressed in a single course. Therefore, to find topics tailored to students' interests in sustainability, this study examined the relationship between student interest in sustainability, International Posture (IP), and personal connection to SDGs. A survey was given to 266 first-year university students in general education English classes. A separate multiple regression analysis was conducted for the target variable, "Topic Interest" within English class for each goal, to determine how the effects and significance of variables differed for each SDG. Results showed that the IP subscale, "Intergroup Approach Tendency," was significant for 14 and "Personal Value" was significant for 16 of the goals. For internationally minded students engaged in the study of English as a foreign language, the SDGs could be a useful motivational tool.

Positive outcomes from undergraduate research experiences (UREs) have resulted in calls to broaden and diversify participation in research. However, we have little understanding of what demographics are reported and considered in the analyses of student outcomes from UREs. Without this information, it is impossible to assess whether participation in UREs has been diversified and how outcomes may vary by participant identity. Through a comprehensive literature search, we systematically identified 147 peer-reviewed research articles on student participation in UREs in the natural sciences, published between 2014 and 2020. We coded each paper to document which student demographic variables are reported and considered in analyses. The majority (88%) of articles on UREs reported at least one demographic variable and 62% incorporate demographics into their analyses, but demographics beyond gender and race/ethnicity were infrequently considered. Articles on independent research apprenticeships included demographics in their analyses more frequently than studies on course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). Trends in reporting and analyzing demographics did not change from 2014 to 2020. Future efforts to collect these data will help assess whether goals to diversify UREs are being met and inform how to design UREs to meet the needs of diverse student groups.

Background The Patient Cloud ePRO app was adopted by the National Cancer Institute National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) to facilitate capturing electronic patient-reported (ePRO) outcome data, but use has been low. The study objectives were to test whether a patient-targeted ePRO educational resource (ePRO-E) would increase ePRO intent (number of users) and improve data quality (high quality: ≥80% of the required surveys submitted) within an ongoing NCTN study. Methods The ePRO-E intervention, a patient-targeted educational resource (written material and 6-minute animated YouTube video), was designed to address ePRO barriers. ePRO intent and data quality were compared between 2 groups (N  =   69): a historical control group and a prospectively recruited intervention group exposed to ePRO-E. Covariates included technology attitudes, age, sex, education, socioeconomic status, and comorbidity. Results Intervention group ePRO intent (78.8%) was statistically significantly higher than historical control group intent (47.1%) (P  =  .03). Patients choosing ePRO versus paper surveys had more positive and higher technology attitudes scores (P  =  .03). The odds of choosing ePRO were 4.7 times higher (95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.2 to 17.8) (P  =  .02) among intervention group patients and 5.2 times higher (95% CI = 1.3 to 21.6) (P = .02) among patients with high technology attitudes scores, after controlling for covariates. However, the 80% submission rate (percentage submitting ≥80% of required surveys) in the ePRO group (30.6%) was statistically significantly lower than in the paper group (57.9%) (P  =  .05). Conclusions ePRO-E exposure increased ePRO intent. High technology attitudes scores were associated with ePRO selection. Since the ePRO survey submission rate was low, additional strategies are needed to promote high-quality data submission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, demographers have parsed variation in survivorship into two distinct components: the shape and the pace of ageing. The pace of ageing is defined by measures of longevity such as mean life expectancy or maximum longevity, whereas measures of the shape of ageing attempt to classify different shapes of the survivorship curve. We recently published a paper pointing out that a commonly used discretization of a shape measure, Keyfitz' entropy, does not correctly classify survivorship curves into negatively and positively senescing curves (de Vries et al., 2023). In that paper, we also suggested an alternative, accurate discrete‐time version of Keyfitz' entropy. de Vries et al. (2023) ended with two open questions, both of which have been answered by Giaimo (2024) now: (1) Can a discrete‐time entropy measure of survivorship be generalized beyond age‐based population models? Giaimo (2024) introduce a new formula that achieves this. (2) Will a discretization of Keyfitz' derivation of his measure as the elasticity of lifespan to a uniform change in mortality lead to the same formula as a discretization of Keyfitz' result? Giaimo (2024) answers: no.Here, we briefly discuss the implications of the results obtained by Giaimo (2024), and the implementation of his new formula into the Rpackage Rage, which is widely used for comparative demographic studies.We showcase the strength of the new method by reanalysing a comparison of Keyfitz' entropy to another shape measure. We find that the comparison is significantly altered by using Giaimo's new Keyfitz' formula.This example strengthens Giaimo's (2004) words of warning in approaching discretizations with attentiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In the light of recent concerns about the reliability of scientific research, the open science movement has attracted considerable attention and interest from a variety of sources, including researchers, research institutions, the business sector, intergovernmental organisations, the media, and the public. However, the current extent of openness in demographic research remains unknown. METHODS: All relevant publications in four leading journals of anglophone demography - Demography, Population and Development Review, Population Studies, and Demographic Research - over the last decade are analysed. Using a text-search algorithm, two quantitative metrics of open scientific knowledge are estimated: the share of publications that can be openly accessed, and the share of publications providing open software codes for reproducibility or replicability purposes. RESULTS: Two contrasting patterns emerge from these indicators. Access to demographic research papers is increasingly available to everyone, with more than 90% of open-access publications in 2023. Conversely, the provision of open software codes has been and still remains considerably low, with only small signs of improvement over time. Over the last three years, on average 31% of articles in Demographic Research provided these materials and only about 12% in the other journals. CONTRIBUTION: This reflection provides the first assessment of the adoption of some open science practices in demographic research and their evolution over the last decade. An urgent change is needed in the sharing of software codes (along with the data used, where possible) to contribute to the advancement of demographic research. Some recommendations for promoting this change are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the impact of political stability on corruption by drawing upon a sample encompassing both developed and developing European and Asian countries. Design/methodology/approach: The dataset, sourced from the Refinitiv database, spans from July 2014 to May 2022. Panel data techniques, specifically pooled estimation and dynamic panel data [generalized method of moments (GMM)] are employed. The analysis encompasses both fixed and random effects models to capture country-specific cross-sectional effects. To validate our findings, we perform a robustness test by including in the investigation four control variables, namely poverty, type of governance, economic freedom and inflation. To test heterogeneity, the dataset is further divided into two distinct subsamples based on the countries' locations. Findings: Empirical findings substantiate that political stability (viewed as the risk of government destabilization) has a positive and significant impact on corruption in all analyzed samples of European and Asian countries, though some differences are observed in various subsamples. When we take into account the control variables, these analysis results are robust. Research limitations/implications: This research provided a panel data analysis with GMM, while other empirical methodologies could also be used, like the difference-in-difference approach. However, our results should be validated by extending the time and the sample to a worldwide sample and using alternative measures of corruption and political stability. Moreover, our focus was on a linear and unidirectional relationship between the considered variables, but it would be interesting to test in our further research a non-linear and bidirectional correlation between them. Furthermore, we have introduced in the robustness test only four economic variables, but to consolidate our findings, we plan to include socioeconomic and demographic variables in future studies. Practical implications: These outcomes imply that authorities should be aware of the necessity of implementing anti-corruption policies designed to establish effective agencies and enforcement structures for combating systemic corruption, to improve the political environment and the quality of institutions and to apply coherent economic strategies to accelerate economic growth because higher political stability and sustainable development determine a decrease in levels of corruption. Social implications: At the microeconomic level, the survival of organizations may be in danger from new types of corruption and money laundering. Therefore, in order to prevent financial harm, the top businesses worldwide should respond to instances of corruption through strengthened supervisory procedures. This calls for the creation of a mechanism inside the code of conduct where correct reporting of suspected situations of corruption would have a prompt procedure to be notified of. To avoid corruption in operational procedures, national plans and policies should be developed by government officials, executives and legislators on a national level, as well as by senior management and the board of directors on an organizational level. This might lower organizations' extra corruption-related expenses, assure economic growth and improve global welfare. Originality/value: A novel feature of our research resides in its broad examination of a sizable sample of European and Asian countries regarding the nexus between corruption and political stability. The paper also investigates a less explored topic in economic literature, namely the impact of political stability on corruption. Furthermore, the study depicts policy recommendations, outlining effective and reasonable measures aimed at improving the political landscape and combating corruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the research paper is to analyze the main theoretical approaches to studying the quality of life and identify promising research directions and productive research methodologies for studying the problem using the example of Left-Bank Ukraine of the 18th and 19th centuries. The scientific novelty: methodological studies and theoretical advances related to the issue of quality of life are analyzed. Previous scientific works related to Left-Bank Ukraine in the second half of the 18th - early 20th century are studied. The potentially most important areas for further research and prospective approaches to their implementation are identified. Thus, for the first time, a scientific problem that has not been studied on Ukrainian material is articulated and actualized. Conclusions. As of today, there is practically no historiography that would consider the history of Left-Bank Ukraine in the second half of the 18th - early 20th century through the prism of quality of life (as an interdisciplinary category). Instead, there is a significant body of research devoted to related aspects: economy, demography, development of medicine and sanitation, cultural changes, everyday life, etc. These studies are conducted in different scientific environments; however, they are an important source of factual information for studying the quality of life in this territory. Despite the methodological primacy of sociologists, historians still have the greatest prospects in this field. The need to understand the local specificity, the peculiar features of the era, and critically interpret the sources is essential. In the paper, it is proved that the study of certain economic aspects, the spread of new foodstuffs, medicalization, and educational initiatives alone can provide little insight into the quality of life in the region. The use of some additional markers (for example, demographic) and broader territorial comparisons is inevitable. At the same time, modern quantitative (first of all, sociological) methods will allow to compare and search for dependencies between various aspects and markers. Here, even with the use of already well-known sources, it is possible to study new problematic issues using our documentary material, involving methods tested by foreign colleagues. Funding. The research paper is prepared within the framework of Project No. 2020.20/0237 'Quality of Life and Demographic Characteristics of the Population of Dnipro Ukraine in the Second Half of the 18th -early 20th Century', funded by the National Research Foundation of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the architectural and demographic dynamics of Jerusalem, examining public discourse to determine the presence of neo-colonial ethnic segregation and socio-spatial divisions. Furthermore, it aims to discern the underlying motivations influencing urban architecture and to identify challenges within Jerusalem's demographic and architectural frameworks. Approach of the study encompasses an extensive review of academic publications, news articles, and both qualitative and quantitative data. The study includes documentation and archival research published in both international and national journals. Significant focus is placed on studies from global and regional organizations such as UNESCO, ICOMOS, the UN, IPCC, the EU, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), UNICEF in the State of Palestine, and various urban delineation and conservation projects by TİKA across the Jerusalem (al-Quds) metropolitan region. The paper critically assesses the city's evolution into a space characterized by ethnonational divisions, heightened militarization, and increasing violence, which suggest a shift from an 'ethnocracy' to an 'urban apartheid.' Finally, this paper proposes transitioning from 'ethnocracy' to 'democracy' as a solution for achieving a truly modern and democratic Jerusalem metropolis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a concept and first glimpse at the development of an urban digital twin framework to estimate and forecast the carbon footprints of urban neighbourhoods, with a focus on household consumption choices, specifically in buildings, food, and transportation sectors, as key emission contributors. Despite constituting nearly three-quarters of global carbon emissions, the influence of household consumption choices on a region's carbon footprint is often neglected. While assessments at a regional or city scale may prove too broad for targeted mitigation strategies, estimating carbon emissions at the neighbourhood scale can foster sustainable and resilient urban areas. However, challenges arise in estimating emissions at this scale due to the availability of aggregated data, insufficient cross-sectoral data integration, and a lack of practical visualisation tools, causing policymakers to overlook the impact of household choices on neighbourhood carbon footprints. Therefore, the present article provides insights into the ongoing early-stage development of using urban digital twins to model, simulate, analyse, and visualise the impact of household consumption choices on neighbourhood-scale consumption-based carbon emissions. By exploring "what-if" scenarios, this research also seeks to forecast emission profiles based on how household consumption choices influence a neighbourhood's carbon emissions under future climatic and demographic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study explores the association between self-perceived personal and community changes due to COVID-19 and health among vulnerable primary care patients experiencing multiple chronic conditions. Methods: Between September 2017 and February 2021, we obtained data from 2,426 primary care patients managing multiple chronic conditions from across the United States. We assessed the relationship between self-perceived personal and community changes due to COVID-19 and change in health measured by the PROMIS-29 mental and physical health summary scores, GAD-7 (anxiety), andPHQ-9 (depression), and DASI (functional capacity) adjusting for relevant demographic, neighborhood characteristics, and county covariates. Results: After adjustment, self-perceived personal and community changes due to COVID-19 were associated with significantly worse mental health summary scores (ß = -0.55; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = -0.72, -0.37), anxiety (ß = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.16, 0.39), depression (ß = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.22, 0.47), and physical health summary scores (ß = -0.44; 95% CI = 0.88, 0.00). There was no association with functional capacity (ß = - 0.05; 95% CI = -0.16, 0.05). Discussion: Among adults managing multiple chronic conditions, self-perceived personal and community changes due to COVID-19 were associated with health. This vulnerable population may be particularly susceptible to the negative effects of COVID-19. As we do not know the long-term health effects of COVID, this paper establishes a baseline of epidemiological data on COVID-19 burden and health among primary care patients with multiple chronic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper briefly describes the basis of the constitution of the Principality of Transylvania, the union of Estates. Among the antecedents, it reviews the late medieval alliances of the Estates that were made by the nations (nationes) living in Transylvania, highlighting that the three 'political nations' were not nations or ethnicities in the modern sense, but rather were separated by their privileges and legal status. Based on Latin and Hungarian sources, the author reveals the covenants as renewed in the Articles of Law and emphasized that the concept of Union was broadened in the seventeenth century so that it no longer served only to support the unity of the state but also guaranteed the maintenance of the privileges of the Estates. The most precise interpretation of the Union was set out in the Approbatae Constitutiones, a collection of laws compiled in 1653. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Western scholarship has studied the mid-fourteenth-century cataclysm of the Black Death for centuries. In contrast, due to the limited number of contemporary narrative sources, in East Central Europe, until recently historians discussed it only marginally. In the past decades, not independent of the emergence of new methods, such as archaeogenetics and palynology, and novel approaches to studying the Black Death such as climate and environmental history, scholars have increasingly turned to the analysis of the multiple waves of the second plague pandemic in this region. Recent studies have drawn attention to the apparent lack of data on the Black Death in the region while pointing to the potential role of the later waves, such as the pestis secunda and tercia, as well as later medieval and early modern recurrences of the epidemic in the historical demography of Bohemia, Poland, and Hungary. The paper provides an overview of the written evidence of the Black Death in Hungary and publishes in extenso some of the most important documentary evidence of the episodes of the epidemic in the Kingdom of Hungary. It argues that, unlike in the case of Bohemia and Poland, the first wave of the plague can be relatively well pursued by a critical analysis of the written evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. It discusses the importance of environmental and genomic strategies for conservation and selection in small ruminants, such as sheep and goats. The editorial highlights the genetic diversity and adaptation of local breeds, as well as the need to preserve their unique traits and genetic variability. The document also mentions several research papers included in the journal's Research Topic, which cover various aspects of genetic differentiation, adaptation, and selection in small ruminants. Overall, the editorial emphasizes the importance of balancing conservation efforts with breeding programs to ensure the sustainability of small ruminant populations. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract In recent years, demographers have parsed variation in survivorship into two distinct components: the shape and the pace of ageing. The pace of ageing is defined by measures of longevity such as mean life expectancy or maximum longevity, whereas measures of the shape of ageing attempt to classify different shapes of the survivorship curve. We recently published a paper pointing out that a commonly used discretization of a shape measure, Keyfitz' entropy, does not correctly classify survivorship curves into negatively and positively senescing curves (de Vries et al., 2023). In that paper, we also suggested an alternative, accurate discrete‐time version of Keyfitz' entropy. de Vries et al. (2023) ended with two open questions, both of which have been answered by Giaimo (2024) now: (1) Can a discrete‐time entropy measure of survivorship be generalized beyond age‐based population models? Giaimo (2024) introduce a new formula that achieves this. (2) Will a discretization of Keyfitz' derivation of his measure as the elasticity of lifespan to a uniform change in mortality lead to the same formula as a discretization of Keyfitz' result? Giaimo (2024) answers: no. Here, we briefly discuss the implications of the results obtained by Giaimo (2024), and the implementation of his new formula into the Rpackage Rage, which is widely used for comparative demographic studies. We showcase the strength of the new method by reanalysing a comparison of Keyfitz' entropy to another shape measure. We find that the comparison is significantly altered by using Giaimo's new Keyfitz' formula. This example strengthens Giaimo's (2004) words of warning in approaching discretizations with attentiveness.

When Austria-Hungary occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina, it brought many social and cultural changes. One of them was suppressing the widespread culture of holding and carrying arms that existed in Ottoman Bosnia. Holding arms was still possible but under strict control. Firearm holders were, therefore, a very tiny, privileged group inside society. In this paper, we analyze the ethnic/religious and social structure of this group in the case of the Tuzla Circle in 1904. How large was this group? Were there differences along ethnic and social lines in terms of firearm holding rates? These are the key questions we are seeking answers to in this paper, with an aim to get the first insight into the broader picture of firearm holding in the entire province under the Monarchy’s control.

Xhosa culture has a strong aversion to breaking familial relationships by placing children in non-parental settings or orphanages, which may lead to limited legal adoption procedures in this cultural context. Their cultural values may also have a significant impact on the adoption process. This study, conducted in Mthatha in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, sought to describe Xhosa cultural attitudes in relation to adoption. The article used a two-pronged sampling approach, combining convenience sampling to easily access respondents and purposeful sampling to deliberately select individuals who met specific criteria relevant to the research objectives, using a cross-sectional descriptive design and a quantitative approach. A closed-ended paper-based questionnaire was used to assess the attitudes of the population to adoption. Descriptive statistics and mean scores were used to analyse the variable distribution and associated demographic characteristics. The article indicated a markedly positive attitude towards adoption among the Xhosa in Mthatha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the specialised literature, we know that divorce is a demographic event of particular importance, which directly affects two other events: the marriage rate by reducing the number of marriages and, implicitly, the birth rate because the family is the social institution that favours children's birth. This demographic phenomena in Romania have aroused the interest of sociologists and psychologists who, in their research, deal with the causes, dynamics and consequences of divorces on divorced partners and the relationship between divorced parents-children-family. The demographic analysis of birth, mortality, marriage and divorce was the subject of some chapters in treatises on general demography, textbooks, and articles based on descriptive statistical analysis or dissemination of statistical data. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of divorces and divorciality in post-communist Romania (1990-2022). Our research is based on data provided by the National Institute of Statistics, population and housing census data (rounds 1992, 2002, 2011 and 2021), and Eurostat data for comparative analysis. We have adopted a sociodemographic perspective, utilizing a complex methodology that includes descriptive statistical analysis, boxplot analysis, cartographic analysis, Pearson correlation, multivariate regression, and analysis of regression residuals. This comprehensive approach ensures the reliability and validity of our findings. A particularity of this research is the appraisal of the weights of certain social groups to determine their territorial influence. Thus, by representing the share of the divorced population in the total resident population of Romania, according to the data from the censuses, a synthesis of the behaviour of people depending on the marital status manifested in space and time is expected. The cartographic analysis of divorciality based on data from the Population and Housing Census - 2021 round describes the dynamic of this demographic phenomena. It is the first research on divorce carried out using data from the population and housing censuses in Romania after 1990. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria, transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes has become a debilitating and burdensome disease in Sub-Saharan Africa and conventional practices such as Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITNs), and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and unconventional practices are usually employed as malaria vector control measures. Hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the interactions that exist between these control practices and demographic parameters in selected communities across Ikwuano, Osisioma and Ohafia Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Abia State, South-East, Nigeria using multi-stage sampling technique with five hundred and ten structured questionnaires. Data obtained reveals that the predominant control practices were IRS (325; 63.7%), although it was used in combination with other control methods. This was followed by screening of windows with net (221; 43.3%), whereas only a few respondents used LLITNs. Respondent’s LGA, level of education, type of dwelling structure and household size had significant relationship with most of the malaria vector control practices/perceptions (P < 0.05). However, gender had no significant relationship with any of the malaria vector control practices/perceptions (P > 0.05). Effectiveness (306; 60.0%) was the major reason behind choice of method practiced. Respondents also chose methods that were cheap (175; 34.3%) and prevented contact with mosquitoes (154; 30.2%), but attested to not being aware of any recent Government/Non-Governmental (NGO) mosquito control intervention (386; 75.7%). Considering the low ownership and usage of LLITNs in Abia, efforts should be made towards more distribution. Control programs are advised to consider LGA, level of education, household size, and type of dwelling structure during the design and deployment of interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining a rural-urban balance is absolutely necessary in the context of the challenges related to food security and environmental protection as well as the perspectives of urban agglomeration. This paper highlighted the impact of the main events from the last 30 years on the rural population. This study used the vector autoregressive model (VAR) to investigate the estimates and analyse the dynamic impact of innovations on the system of variables. Key issues that influenced certain periods in the analyzed interval were highlighted, which clearly show the impact on the analyzed variables using variance decomposition. The cost of living in rural areas is increasing, so more and more inhabitants give up growing certain crops or raising certain animals, thus having to search for food to survive, leading to additional wage income to cover these costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capturing the intricate dynamics of population movements in urban areas holds substantial implications for urban planning and management, particularly in the context of disaster mitigation. There is an attempt to introduce methods for estimating the spatiotemporal distribution of population flows, leveraging demographic data from various kind of sources. In earlier spatiotemporal interpolation methods, some key assumptions were made to obtain data at shorter intervals. In this study, we present an alternative spatiotemporal interpolation method by loosening assumptions and increase its versatility and facilitates flexible application across various contexts and objects. This is achieved by estimating the square root of the movement probability matrix for longer time intervals. The efficacy of our approach is demonstrated through its application to actual data from the Tokyo 23 wards, allowing for the estimation of the spatiotemporal distribution of population flows across various time intervals. Our results not only affirm the accuracy of the estimates but also provide insights into the intricate population flows within the densely populated regions of the Tokyo 23 wards. Moreover, by estimating population data at shorter time intervals, we explore the characteristics of these flows, offering an understanding of the dynamics that shape urban demography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comparative study that investigates the relationship between housing construction rates and demographic development in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The study aims to explore the housing issue as a significant factor influencing demographic processes within the context of the disparate economic development among EAEU member countries. Employing econometric analysis, the study demonstrates a strong correlation between the commissioning of housing facilities and the population dynamics from 2005 to 2022. The findings highlight the interdependence between demographic growth and housing volume, suggesting the potential for developing a unified strategy for demographic and housing policies across EAEU countries and the international association as a whole. It is argued that improving housing conditions can foster demographic development by mitigating housing risks. Conversely, inadequate housing provision negatively impacts population reproduction dynamics. In conclusion, the paper offers recommendations for formulating a unified strategy in housing and demographic policies within the EAEU, based on the principles of housing demography.

The European Marriage Pattern (EMP), in place in NW Europe for perhaps 500 years, substantially limited fertility. But how could such limitation persist when some individuals who deviated from the EMP norm had more children? If their children inherited their deviant behaviors, their descendants would quickly become the majority of later generations. This puzzle has two possible solutions. The first is that all those that deviated actually had lower net fertility over multiple generations. We show, however, no fertility penalty to future generations from higher initial fertility. Instead the EMP survived because even though the EMP persisted at the social level, children did not inherit their parents' individual fertility choices. In the paper we show evidence consistent with lateral, as opposed to vertical, transmission of EMP fertility behaviors. • The European Marriage Pattern (EMP), in place in NW Europe for perhaps 500 years, substantially limited fertility. • We show no fertility penalty to future generations from higher initial fertility in the first generation. • The EMP survived because children did not inherit their parents' individual fertility choices. • We show evidence consistent with lateral, as opposed to vertical, transmission of fertility behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the significance of analyzing historical mortality data to gain insights into current health disparities. It highlights the shift in causes of death from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases over the past century and a half. The article emphasizes the need to contextualize recent events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, within long-term historical trends. It also recognizes the persistence of socio-demographic inequalities in health and the importance of comprehensive population-based studies to address these disparities. The text discusses international initiatives, like the EU COST Action "The Great Leap," which aim to understand the drivers of health inequalities through historical analysis. However, the authors note that additional long-term population-based studies are necessary to tackle the public health challenges of the 21st century. The authors express gratitude to their collaborators and acknowledge financial support from the Swiss National Science Foundation. [Extracted from the article]

The Arctic has experienced greatly decreased sea ice and increased ocean temperatures in recent decades but there is a paucity of biological time‐series data allowing assessment of resulting temporal variation in the region's marine ecosystems. Seabirds, as highly mobile and highly visible, upper trophic‐level predators, can be valuable monitors of modifications in marine ecosystems, especially for regions lacking commercial fisheries or regular oceanographic sampling. Since 1975, we have studied annually an Arctic Alaskan colony of Mandt's black guillemot (Cepphus grylle mandtii), an ice‐obligate diving seabird, specializing on Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), the primary forage fish of the ice‐associated cryopelagic ecosystem. Using multi‐state capture–mark–recapture models, matrix population models, and perturbation analysis, we quantified the environmental and demographic drivers of population change from 1980 to 2019 for the individually marked population. The colony increased rapidly, from <20 to >200 breeding pairs from 1975 to 1990 in response to increased availability of nesting cavities, before experiencing intermittent declines to <50 pairs in 2021. Immigration and apparent survival were the primary demographic parameters affecting population growth with sea ice extent in late summer and fall the primary environmental driver. The initial growth occurred during a period of primarily negative winter Arctic Oscillations (WAO) and extensive summer sea ice. The decline began when an extremely positive WAO in 1989/1990 initiated changes in atmospheric and oceanographic circulation causing major reductions in summer sea ice throughout the region. The three‐decade decline in the population saw plateaus or minor growth with increasing frequency of negative WAOs and increasing declines following two previously identified "tipping points" in sea ice loss. Breeding success at the study colony declined with decreased availability of Arctic cod due to sea ice loss and increasing sea surface temperature and is presumed to have occurred at the source colonies for immigrants where similar oceanographic changes were occurring. Quasi‐extinction of the colony (reduction to <25 pairs) is predicted within the next two decades. The sensitivity of Mandt's black guillemot to multi‐decadal changes in the Arctic's cryopelagic ecosystem makes it an excellent sentinel species for the region with its recent collapse having dire implications for the Arctic Ocean's constituent species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the relationship between population dynamics, economic growth, and planetary boundaries. It emphasizes the impact of population size, consumption, and resource intensity on the environment. While consumption growth is the main driver of environmental impact, population growth indirectly contributes as well. The United Nations' stance on population growth and its connection to environmental harm is also discussed. The article concludes that reducing population size and focusing on welfare rather than economic growth is necessary to address the environmental crisis. Additionally, the article examines the different mortality transitions in China and India, with China's population starting to decline and India's population still growing. The need to address the healthcare needs of India's growing older population is highlighted. The global issue of population aging is also discussed, with the proportion of people over 65 expected to increase by 2050. The challenges and concerns of population aging for high-income countries are addressed, and potential solutions such as pronatalist policies and immigration are debated. The article suggests that the growthist paradigm, which prioritizes economic growth, may need to be reevaluated in light of social and environmental problems. [Extracted from the article]

Anaemia in women of reproductive age (WRA) can be effectively addressed if supported by a better understanding of the spatial variations, magnitude, severity and distribution of anaemia. This study aimed to map the subnational spatial distribution of anaemia (any, moderate and severe forms) among WRA in Ethiopia. We identified and mapped (any, moderate and severe) anaemia hotspots in WRA (n = 14,923) at the subnational level and identified risk factors using multilevel logistic regression. Kulldorff scan statistics were used to identify hotspot regions. Ordinary kringing was used to predict the anaemia prevalence in unmeasured areas. The overall anaemia prevalence increased from 16.6% in 2011 to 23.6% in 2016, a rise that was mostly related to the widening of existing hotspot areas. The primary clusters of (any) anaemia were in Somali and Afar regions. The horn of the Somali region represented a cluster of 330 km where 10% of WRA were severely anaemic. The Oromia–Somali border represented a significant cluster covering 247 km, with 9% severe anaemia. Population‐dense areas with low anaemia prevalence had high absolute number of cases. Women education, taking iron‐folic‐acid tablets during pregnancy and birth‐delivery in health facilities reduced the risk of any anaemia (P < 0.05). The local‐level mapping of anaemia helped identify clusters that require attention but also highlighted the urgent need to study the aetiology of anaemia to improve the effectiveness and safety of interventions. Both relative and absolute anaemia estimates are critical to determine where additional attention is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state policy on food security should take into account economic (e.g., expansion of agricultural production following domestic food demand, exports, and imports) and demographic (e.g., adequacy of food reserves and production capacities of the agrosector to the pace of population growth, considering urbanization, migration, and a culture of rational consumption) challenges. Government policy should maintain the balance between the stability of the food system, economic development, and demographic changes. Therefore, this study aims to identify implicit (hidden) structural and functional relationships between these elements. The paper employs structural modeling using STATISTICA; the dataset consists of six food security, eight economic, and seven demographic indicators (using World Bank and Food and Agriculture Organization databases for 2011–2021, targeting 39 countries with different levels of GDP per capita (depending on the availability of statistical data)). The results proved the direct impact of the economic variable on food security and the indirect effect of the demographic variable (demographic changes are the engine that triggers economic transformations that further affect food security). When demographic changes increase by one unit, economic development increases by 0.57 and stability of the food system by 0.454. When economic development increases by one unit, the stability of the food system increases by 0.473.

Patterns of genetic variation reflect interactions among microevolutionary forces that vary in strength with changing demography. Here, patterns of variation within and among samples of the mouthbrooding gafftopsail catfish (Bagre marinus, Family Ariidae) captured in the U.S. Atlantic and throughout the Gulf of Mexico were analyzed using genomics to generate neutral and non‐neutral SNP data sets. Because genomic resources are lacking for ariids, linkage disequilibrium network analysis was used to examine patterns of putatively adaptive variation. Finally, historical demographic parameters were estimated from site frequency spectra. The results show four differentiated groups, corresponding to the (1) U.S. Atlantic, and the (2) northeastern, (3) northwestern, and (4) southern Gulf of Mexico. The non‐neutral data presented two contrasting signals of structure, one due to increases in diversity moving west to east and north to south, and another to increased heterozygosity in the Atlantic. Demographic analysis suggested that recently reduced long‐term effective population size in the Atlantic is likely an important driver of patterns of genetic variation and is consistent with a known reduction in population size potentially due to an epizootic. Overall, patterns of genetic variation resemble that of other fishes that use the same estuarine habitats as nurseries, regardless of the presence/absence of a larval phase, supporting the idea that adult/juvenile behavior and habitat are important predictors of contemporary patterns of genetic structure. Gafftopsail catfish show high levels of genetic structuring across their distribution in the U.S., Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Non‐neutral data present two contrasting signals of structure and historical demography is likely an important driver of patterns of neutral and non‐neutral genetic variation. Results of this study are similar to what is seen in other fishes that use the same estuarine habitats as nurseries, but gafftopsail catfish lack a larval phase, supporting the idea that adult/juvenile behavior and habitat use are important predictors of contemporary patterns of genetic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Ankara Studies / Ankara Araştırmaları Dergisi is the property of Sadberk Hanim Muzesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Developing valid and reliable measures of psychological responses to climate change is of high importance, as this facilitates our understanding of people's psychological responses, including their pro-environmental behavior. Recently, the Climate Change Worry Scale (CCWS) was introduced. This study aimed to develop the first Polish version of the CCWS and explore its psychometric properties. Our sample comprised 420 Polish adults aged 18–70, with a mean age of 26.20 (standard deviation = 10.61) years. The CCWS's factor structure was assessed with confirmatory factor analysis. McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were computed to assess internal consistency reliability. Pearson correlations between climate change worry (CCW) and experience of climate change (i.e., an individual's level of perception of being affected by climate change), pro-environmental behavior, ill-being (i.e., anxiety and depression symptoms), and well-being were calculated. Our results support the strong factorial validity of the CCWS, conforming to its intended one-factor solution, with excellent internal consistency reliability for the total scale score (i.e., McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha values of 0.93). We noted large positive correlations between CCW and experiences of climate change, as well as pro-environmental behavior, and medium positive correlations with psychopathology symptoms. CCW scores were not associated with well-being. As the CCWS represents a measure of a specific manifestation of worry, we also examined its discriminant validity against more general psychological distress markers, and it evidenced strong validity in this regard. Overall, the Polish version of the CCWS appears to have strong psychometric properties, and will therefore be a useful tool to use in research on psychological responses to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The future trajectory of global forests is closely intertwined with tree demography, and a major fundamental goal in ecology is to understand the key mechanisms governing spatio‐temporal patterns in tree population dynamics. While previous research has made substantial progress in identifying the mechanisms individually, their relative importance among forests remains unclear mainly due to practical limitations. One approach to overcome these limitations is to group mechanisms according to their shared effects on the variability of tree vital rates and quantify patterns therein. We developed a conceptual and statistical framework (variance partitioning of Bayesian multilevel models) that attributes the variability in tree growth, mortality, and recruitment to variation in species, space, and time, and their interactions – categories we refer to as organising principles (OPs). We applied the framework to data from 21 forest plots covering more than 2.9 million trees of approximately 6500 species. We found that differences among species, the species OP, proved a major source of variability in tree vital rates, explaining 28–33% of demographic variance alone, and 14–17% in interaction with space, totalling 40–43%. Our results support the hypothesis that the range of vital rates is similar across global forests. However, the average variability among species declined with species richness, indicating that diverse forests featured smaller interspecific differences in vital rates. Moreover, decomposing the variance in vital rates into the proposed OPs showed the importance of unexplained variability, which includes individual variation, in tree demography. A focus on how demographic variance is organized in forests can facilitate the construction of more targeted models with clearer expectations of which covariates might drive a vital rate. This study therefore highlights the most promising avenues for future research, both in terms of understanding the relative contributions of groups of mechanisms to forest demography and diversity, and for improving projections of forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The maltreatment of child labourers is a major public health concern. There is a dearth of research in Bangladesh on the intentional maltreatment of child labourers. This study explored the risk factors for the maltreatment of child labourers in rural Bangladesh based on the knowledge and understanding of experts; (2) Methods: Seventeen interviews were conducted with experts who were sampled using a purposeful approach. A thematic analysis was performed to analyse data using NVivo; (3) Results: Child labourers were exposed to maltreatment due to their demographic, their young age, dropping out of school, health complications, and excessive dependency on employers. Socio-cultural adversities such as corporal punishment practices, social stratification, and family disorganization pose risks of experiencing maltreatment. Economic poverty is also a factor. Child labourers were found to be victimized if they worked in violence prone sectors. Significantly, the unregulated market structure and the lack of monitoring has also led to the exploitation of children in the workplace. Gaps in public policies were also identified as risk factor for the maltreatment of child labourers; (4) Conclusion: There is a need for adequate evidence-based research on the determinants of the maltreatment of child labourers to formulate adequate policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The incidence of periprosthetic distal femur fractures (PDFF) is increasing as the number of total knee replacements becomes more common. This study compared the demographics, fracture characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of periprosthetic versus native distal femur fractures (NDFF). Materials and methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients ≥ 18 who underwent surgical fixation of NDFF or PDFF from 2012 to 2020 at a level-1 trauma center. The main variables collected included demographics, AO/OTA fracture classification, fixation construct, concomitant fractures, polytrauma rates, bone density, and reduction quality. Primary outcomes were unexpected return to the operating room (UROR), hospital length of stay, and quality of reduction. T-tests, Fisher's exact tests, and multivariate analyses were used for statistical analysis. Results: 209 patients were identified, including 70 PDFF and 139 NDFF. PDFF patients were elderly females (81%) with isolated (80%) and comminuted (85%) 33 A.3 (71%) fractures. NDFF patients included 53% females, were commonly middle-aged, and displayed comminuted (92%) 33 C.2 fractures. 48% of NDFF patients had concomitant fractures. Intramedullary nailing was the primary fixation for both groups, followed by nail-plate combination (37%) for PDFF and lateral locking plates (21%) for NDFF. NDFF patients experienced significantly longer hospital stays, higher UROR rates, and worse quality of reduction (p < 0.05). PDFF patients had a significantly greater prevalence of low bone density (p < 0.05). Conclusion: PDFF occur as isolated injuries with significant metaphyseal comminution in elderly females with low bone quality. NDFF commonly occurs in younger patients with less metaphyseal comminution and concomitant fractures. Intramedullary nailing was the most common treatment for both groups, although preference for nail-plate combination fixation is increasing. NDFF type 33 C fractures are at greater risk of UROR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is an epidemic of firearm injuries in the United States since the mid-2000s. Thus, we sought to examine whether hospitalization from firearm injuries have increased over time, and to examine temporal changes in patient demographics, firearm injury intent, and injury severity. Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study of patients hospitalized with a traumatic injury to six US level I trauma centers between 1/1/2016 and 6/30/2022. ICD-10-CM cause codes were used to identify and describe firearm injuries. Temporal trends were compared for demographics (age, sex, race, insured status), intent (assault, unintentional, self-harm, legal intervention, and undetermined), and severity (death, ICU admission, severe injury (injury severity score ≥ 16), receipt of blood transfusion, mechanical ventilation, and hospital and ICU LOS (days). Temporal trends were examined over 13 six-month intervals (H1, January–June; H2, July–December) using joinpoint regression and reported as semi-annual percent change (SPC); significance was p < 0.05. Results: Firearm injuries accounted for 2.6% (1908 of 72,474) of trauma hospitalizations. The rate of firearm injuries initially declined from 2016-H1 to 2018-H2 (SPC = − 4.0%, p = 0.002), followed by increased rates from 2018-H2 to 2020-H1 (SPC = 9.0%, p = 0.005), before stabilizing from 2020-H1 to 2022-H1 (0.5%, p = 0.73). NH black patients had the greatest hospitalization rate from firearm injuries (14.0%) and were the only group to demonstrate a temporal increase (SPC = 6.3%, p < 0.001). The proportion of uninsured patients increased (SPC = 2.3%, p = 0.02) but there were no temporal changes by age or sex. ICU admission rates declined (SPC = − 2.2%, p < 0.001), but ICU LOS increased (SPC = 2.8%, p = 0.04). There were no significant changes over time in rates of death (SPC = 0.3%), severe injury (SPC = 1.6%), blood transfusion (SPC = 0.6%), and mechanical ventilation (SPC = 0.6%). When examined by intent, self-harm injuries declined over time (SPC = − 4.1%, p < 0.001), assaults declined through 2019-H2 (SPC = − 5.6%, p = 0.01) before increasing through 2022-H1 (SPC = 6.5%, p = 0.01), while undetermined injuries increased through 2019-H1 (SPC = 24.1%, p = 0.01) then stabilized (SPC = − 4.5%, p = 0.39); there were no temporal changes in unintentional injuries or legal intervention. Conclusions: Hospitalizations from firearm injuries are increasing following a period of declines, driven by increases among NH Black patients. Trauma systems need to consider these changing trends to best address the needs of the injured population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents global cancer statistics by world region for the year 2022 based on updated estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). There were close to 20 million new cases of cancer in the year 2022 (including nonmelanoma skin cancers [NMSCs]) alongside 9.7 million deaths from cancer (including NMSC). The estimates suggest that approximately one in five men or women develop cancer in a lifetime, whereas around one in nine men and one in 12 women die from it. Lung cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancer in 2022, responsible for almost 2.5 million new cases, or one in eight cancers worldwide (12.4% of all cancers globally), followed by cancers of the female breast (11.6%), colorectum (9.6%), prostate (7.3%), and stomach (4.9%). Lung cancer was also the leading cause of cancer death, with an estimated 1.8 million deaths (18.7%), followed by colorectal (9.3%), liver (7.8%), female breast (6.9%), and stomach (6.8%) cancers. Breast cancer and lung cancer were the most frequent cancers in women and men, respectively (both cases and deaths). Incidence rates (including NMSC) varied from four‐fold to five‐fold across world regions, from over 500 in Australia/New Zealand (507.9 per 100,000) to under 100 in Western Africa (97.1 per 100,000) among men, and from over 400 in Australia/New Zealand (410.5 per 100,000) to close to 100 in South‐Central Asia (103.3 per 100,000) among women. The authors examine the geographic variability across 20 world regions for the 10 leading cancer types, discussing recent trends, the underlying determinants, and the prospects for global cancer prevention and control. With demographics‐based predictions indicating that the number of new cases of cancer will reach 35 million by 2050, investments in prevention, including the targeting of key risk factors for cancer (including smoking, overweight and obesity, and infection), could avert millions of future cancer diagnoses and save many lives worldwide, bringing huge economic as well as societal dividends to countries over the forthcoming decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To identify independent factors of cognitive frailty (CF) and construct a nomogram to predict cognitive frailty risk in patients with lung cancer receiving drug therapy. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, patients with lung cancer undergoing drug therapy from October 2022 to July 2023 were enrolled. The data collected includes general demographic characteristics, clinical data characteristics and assessment of tools for cognitive frailty and other factors. Logistic regression was harnessed to determine the influencing factors, R software was used to establish a nomogram model to predict the risk of cognitive frailty. The enhanced bootstrap method was employed for internal verification of the model. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated by using calibration curves, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and decision curve analysis. Results: A total of 372 patients were recruited, with a cognitive frailty prevalence of 56.2%. Age, education background, diabetes mellitus, insomnia, sarcopenia, and nutrition status were identified as independent factors. Then, a nomogram model was constructed and patients were classified into high‐ and low‐risk groups with a cutoff value of 0.552. The internal validation results revealed good concordance, calibration and discrimination. The decision curve analysis presented prominent clinical utility. Conclusions: The prevalence of cognitive frailty was higher in lung cancer patients receiving drug therapy. The nomogram could identify the risk of cognitive frailty intuitively and simply in patients with lung cancer, so as to provide references for early screening and intervention for cognitive frailty at the early phases of drug treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in major inequalities in infection and disease burden between areas of varying socioeconomic deprivation in many countries, including England. Areas of higher deprivation tend to have a diferent population structure—generally younger—which can increase viral transmission due to higher contact rates in school-going children and working-age adults. Higher deprivation is also associated with a higher presence of chronic comorbidities, which were convincingly demonstrated to be risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease. These two major factors need to be combined to better understand and quantify their relative importance in the observed COVID-19 inequalities. Methods We used UK Census data on health status and demography stratifed by decile of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), which is a measure of socioeconomic deprivation. We calculated epidemiological impact using an age-stratifed COVID-19 transmission model, which incorporated diferent contact patterns and clinical health profles by decile. To separate the contribution of each factor, we considered a scenario where the clinical health profle of all deciles was at the level of the least deprived. We also considered the efectiveness of school closures and vaccination of over 65-year-olds in each decile. Results In the modelled epidemics in urban areas, the most deprived decile experienced 9% more infections, 13% more clinical cases, and a 97% larger peak clinical size than the least deprived; we found similar inequalities in rural areas. Twenty-one per cent of clinical cases and 16% of deaths in England observed under the model assumptions would not occur if all deciles experienced the clinical health profle of the least deprived decile. We found that more deaths were prevented in more afuent areas during school closures and vaccination rollouts. Conclusions This study demonstrates that both clinical and demographic factors synergise to generate health inequalities in COVID-19, that improving the clinical health profle of populations would increase health equity, and that some interventions can increase health inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African cities' fast rate of population increase from 4 to 6% per year and the decline of organized public transport systems are the origin of the rapid development of non-conventional means of transport [2]. The city of Lomé, since its creation in 1897, has experienced growing demography and spatial extension apart from its socio-collective and mobility infrastructure [5]. Faced with the inability of public transport services to meet the demand, we are witnessing the emergence of informal transport solutions such as taximotorbikes and taxi-tricycles in response, not only to the demand but also to youth unemployment and the economic crisis. This article focuses on actors in the taxi-tricycle sector. It analyzes the spatial economic and socio-professional dynamics of taxi-tricycle drivers in Lomé. The scientific interest of this article is dual. Firstly, it makes it possible to map the spatial dynamics of taxi-tricycles in Lomé and, secondly, it identifies the problems related to the propagation of the phenomenon of urban taxi-tricycle transport which, until now, has not been apprehended by Togolese researchers. The methodology focuses on the analyses of data (primary and secondary) collected through a literature search, observations, and a survey. A sample of 47 individuals was selected, made up of 40 taxitricycle drivers and seven association leaders. The results show that the diffusion of taxitricycles is supported by the logic of marginality and informality. The sector contributes somewhat to solving the problems of mobility and unemployment as well as the increase in municipal revenues. Given the difficulties raised by this study, it is imperative that the sector be regulated by the State. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active transportation modes such as walking and biking are gaining popularity for their extensive health and environmental benefits, yet scholars know little about how place-based accessibility varies by area sociodemographic composition. This study is among the first to examine sociodemographic disparities (by both race and socioeconomic status) in bikeability while allowing for heterogeneity in disparities. Consideration of bikeability disparities is particularly critical within the framework of urban planning concepts that promote equitable accessibility and reduced dependency on automobiles, such as the 15-minute city. Geographically Weighted Regressions examined associations between census tract-level bikeability (using an index that combines five components), socioeconomic status, and percentage non-White residents (controlling for age of structures in tracts). Findings showed that the strength and directionality of associations between bikeability and race/socioeconomic status varied throughout the county, providing targeted information on where greater concentrations of low socioeconomic status and non-White residents were associated with lower bikeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In children's palliative care, the term "respite" refers to a temporary break offered to primary caregivers of a child with a life-limiting illness. The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of parents who have benefited from respite care services in the Lumina Association, Bacău hospice unit and the benefits it can bring in improving their psycho-emotional state. Methods: The study consisted of quantitative research involving 34 parents/caregivers who responded to a questionnaire with 26 questions, and qualitative research which involved the organization of a focus group with 12 parents who benefited from respite services. Results: The use of respite services was associated with a significant reduction of psycho-emotional distress on the part of primary caregivers; 91% of respondents said that this type of service reduces the level of psycho-emotional stress. Conclusions: All participants in the study confirmed that the most important benefit of respite is the time gained to care for family and health. The development of respite services could reduce the risk of emotional exhaustion and mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nocturnal infant crying is often empirically treated with acid suppressants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants with unexplained persistent crying. Methods: We enrolled all infants (0–12 months) referred for suspected GER disease who underwent esophageal impedance–pH monitoring (MII-pH) for unexplained persistent crying not improved by parental reassurance, dietary modification or alginate. Gastrointestinal malformation/surgery, neurological impairment and infections were exclusion criteria. Demographic and anthropometric parameters, GER symptoms and questionnaires (I-GERQ-R) and MII-pH data were recorded and analyzed. Normal MII-pH was defined when acid exposure was <3%, symptom index was <50% and symptom association probability was <95%. Acid exposure >5% and >10% was also considered. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-Square and univariate and multivariable regression analysis. Results: We included 50 infants (median age 3.5 months) who fulfilled the study criteria: 30 (60%) had normal MII-pH. I-GERQ-R score was abnormal in 33 (66%) infants, and 21/33 (64%) had normal MII-pH (p = 0.47). In the 26 (52%) infants with nocturnal crying, MII-pH was normal in 16 (54%) (p = 0.82). Associated regurgitation (>3 or >10 episodes/die) did not predict abnormal MII-pH (p = 0.74, p = 0.82, respectively). Univariate and multivariable regression analysis did not identify any clinical variable significantly associated with abnormal MII-pH. Conclusions: Infants with persistent unexplained and nocturnal crying should not be empirically treated with acid inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study investigated the correlation between early exposure to maternal depression (from 1 month to Grade 3) and the body mass index (BMI) and potential for overweight in adolescents at age 15. It further examined if the pathway of this correlation was influenced by psychosocial adjustment during mid-childhood (Grade 3 to Grade 6), specifically through internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Methods: Our study utilized data from 844 participants in the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD) to assess the effects of maternal depression, observed from when the children were one month old to Grade 3, on BMI and the likelihood of overweight or obesity in adolescents aged 15. We also explored whether the average scores of internalizing and externalizing behaviors between Grades 3 and 6 mediated the impact of early maternal depressive symptoms on subsequent health outcomes. The analysis was adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Results: Findings revealed that internalizing and externalizing behavioral issues significantly mediated the relationship between prolonged maternal depression exposure and subsequent BMI, as well as the risk of overweight or obesity, in adolescents at age 15. Notably, this mediating effect was predominantly evident in girls. Conclusions: Our research demonstrated that the correlation between prolonged exposure to maternal depressive symptoms in childhood and increased BMI and overweight risk in adolescence was significantly mediated through psychosocial adjustment behaviors. We advocate for further exploration of additional mediating factors in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As female social participation increases, the importance of femininity in leadership also increases. In Korea in 2021, 26.8% of 132,013 doctors and 35.1% of 3,099 medical students were female. However, no research has been conducted on the gender demographics of medical leaders. This study aims to define Korean medical leadership, investigate the gender ratio, and determine whether the proportion of women leaders differs in the academic and non-academic worlds. Methods: Korean medical leaders were defined as those in director or higher-level positions in organizations affiliated with the Korean Medical Association, 34 organizing societies under the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences (KAMS), and those who held dean and vice dean positions in 40 medical schools. Academic societies comprised KAMS, KAMS-affiliated societies, and medical schools; the rest were classified as non-academic organizations. Data were collected through website, e-mail, or telephonic surveys. Differences in the number of women leaders between academics and non-academics were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: In total, 1,863 medical leaders were evaluated, with females accounting for 12.6%. The difference in the ratio of female leaders between academic and non-academic societies was not statistically significant (13.1% academic vs. 11.8% non-academic; P=0.445). Conclusion: The proportion of women leaders in the Korean medical field is relatively low compared with that of female doctors and medical students. The number of women in leadership positions and their effect on medical society will be observed periodically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Guinea pigs are popular as domestic pets but there is limited information on the health of the wider pet population. This study aimed to report demography, commonly diagnosed disorders and mortality of guinea pigs under UK primary veterinary care. Methods: Diagnosis and mortality information on guinea pigs was extracted from anonymised UK primary-care clinical records in VetCompass. Results: From 51,622 guinea pigs under primary veterinary care during 2019, a specific breed was not recorded in 50,098 (97.05%). Of guinea pigs with information recorded, 23,206 (47.33%) were female and 25,828 (52.67%) were male. There were 1,020 (2.08%) neutered and 48,014 (97.92%) entire. Median adult bodyweight overall was 1.05kg (interquartile range [IQR] 0.90–1.19, range 0.40–2.66). From a random sample of 3,785/51,622 (7.33%) guinea pigs, the most prevalent disorders were overgrown nail(s) (n = 1,005, 26.55%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 25.15–27.99), dermatophytosis (228, 6.02%, 95% CI 5.29–6.83) and corneal ulceration (189, 4.99%, 95% CI 4.32–5.74). Among the 30 most common disorders, females showed predisposition for 3 disorders and males showed predisposition for 5 disorders. The disorder with the youngest age of affected animals was dermatophytosis (1.11 years) while weight loss had the oldest age of affected animals (4.64 years). From 757 recorded deaths, the median age at death overall was 4.03 years (IQR 2.56–5.44, range 0.17–10.00). Among deaths with a recorded cause, the most common causes of death were anorexia (n = 82, 13.87%, 95% CI 11.19–16.93), collapsed (58, 9.81%, 95% CI 7.54–12.50) and peri-anaesthetic death (20, 3.38%, 95% CI 2.08–5.18). Conclusions: These results can assist veterinarians and owners by providing demographic, disorder and mortality benchmarks that support improved clinical care and welfare outcomes in guinea pigs. Many common disorders in guinea pigs were husbandry related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]