Search

Aspects of geoheritage have interested the general public for centuries. Since the global growth of geotourism and geoparks, the importance of geoheritage has become more evident, especially from the perspective of the development of (geo)tourism. From the perspective of sustainability, effective geoheritage presentation via geointerpretation and geoeducation is crucial. One of the most common and effective ways of presenting specific information in the field is an interpretive panel. This paper presents an assessment of geoheritage interpretation on interpretive panels in 11 UNESCO Global Geoparks. The proposed assessment methodology consists of six categories which include 39 assessment questions in total. The results show that the strongest feature of the evaluated panels is simplicity and clarity without losing scientific meaning, while minimal or no attention is paid to features increasing visitor’s enjoyment (e.g., questions or activities) and sustainability and conservation aspects. The approach presented in this paper may contribute to discussion and research in effective geoheritage interpretation for general public, fostering sustainable geotourism development and geoheritage management, use and protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Improving vaccine coverage among children is crucial to prevent the long-term consequences of COVID-19 infections and the emergence of resistant COVID-19 variants, especially in resource-scarce settings. This study determined factors influencing the willingness to take and pay for COVID-19 vaccine for children among Vietnamese healthcare professionals and the public. A Theory-Based discrete-choice experiment was focused on a different topic related to vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine for children, Monkeypox, the adult COVID-19 booster, the HIV vaccine, and a potential future pandemic. The recruitment period was from April to August 2022, and a total of 5700 Vietnamese individuals aged 16 and above from various regions of the country participated in the study. The data for the sub-study on the COVID-19 vaccination for children was completed by 891 of these participants. Most participants agreed on vaccination for all children. Among healthcare professionals it was 76.2% and 69.3% for the general population. Healthcare professionals were the main source of vaccine information (70.7%). Payment options of 50%, 100%, and full subsidy were the most popular. Concerns about vaccine characteristics were associated with lower acceptance among healthcare professionals and the general public. The burden of historical medical expenses negatively correlated with willingness to pay for vaccination, while service satisfaction positively correlated with willingness to pay. To develop an effective vaccination program among children in Vietnam, providing accurate information and satisfying vaccine services, primarily through knowledgeable and professional healthcare providers, can improve the willingness to vaccinate and pay for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Background: Chronic exposure to low-level environmental lead (Pb) causes several health effects in humans. Its biomonitoring by non-invasive biomarkers is imperative to identify Pb exposure in the occupationally unexposed general public. Objective: To quantify urinary lead (U-Pb) and urinary δ-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in the general population of West Bengal, India, and identify the impact of routine life activities (smoking habit, traveling, and cooking activities) and sociodemographic factors on U-Pb and U-ALA levels. Method: Urine samples (N = 258) were obtained from urban and rural area residents from November 2021 to February 2022. U-Pb and U-ALA were quantified by atomic absorption (283 nm) and UV-spectrometer (553 nm). A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: About 8% of rural residents, 15% of urban residential area residents, and 35% of urban commercial area residents had U-ALA levels > 5 mg/L permissible limit. Low-income-group (LIG) individuals had two times higher ALA than the middle-income group. ALA was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in smoker traveler males, traveler females, and females who had passive exposure to tobacco smoke. U-Pb was within permissible limits in total study individuals. Conclusion: Pb exposure was higher in urban than rural residents; furthermore, urban commercial residents had Pb exposure higher than urban residential residents. Results are evident that vehicular emissions and tobacco smoke were potential contributors to environmental Pb exposure among study participants. The present work provides data on Pb body burden among the residents of West Bengal that might be useful for policymakers and in pollution abatement strategies too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of virtual and online education in recent years has led to the development and popularization of many online tools, notably three-dimensional (3D) models and augmented reality (AR), for visualizing various structures in chemical sciences. The majority of the developed tools focus on either small molecules or biological systems, as information regarding their structure can be easily accessed from online databases or obtained through relatively quick calculations. As such, due to a lack of crystallographic and theoretical data available for nonbiological macromolecules, there is a noticeable lack of accessible online tools for the visualization of polymers in 3D. Herein, using a few sample polymers, we showcase a workflow for the generation of 3D models using molecular dynamics and Blender. The 3D structures can then be hosted on p3d.in, where AR models can be generated automatically. Furthermore, the hosted 3D models can then be shared via quick response (QR) codes and used in various settings without the need to download any applications.

Rules and ethical considerations regarding research on embryo models have been debated across numerous countries. In this paper, we provide insights from our attitude survey conducted among Japanese researchers, including members of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine, and among the general public residing in Japan, the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. Our survey revealed that many researchers expressed the need for clear guidelines for embryo model research. Furthermore, a minority but significant portion of the general public in each country expressed opposition to research on embryo models but did not oppose research involving real embryos.

Background: Dementia stigma has adverse effects on people with dementia and their carers. These effects can lead to poor quality of life among other negative impacts. Objective: The aim of this study is to develop and pilot a novel dementia stigma reduction intervention in rural Kenya, leveraging existing Community Health Workers (CHWs) for its delivery. Methods: The pre-post pilot study was conducted, utilizing a parallel mixed-methods design. Ten CHWs were trained to deliver a contextually developed dementia anti-stigma intervention. These CHWs delivered four workshops to 59 members of the general public in Makueni County, with each workshop lasting between 1.5 to 2 hours. Focus group discussions and pre/post surveys were used as measures. Results: The intervention was well received amongst the participants, particularly in terms of its format and accessibility. We observed the largest effects in reducing negative beliefs related to treatment (η2 = 0.34), living well with dementia (η2 = 0.98), and care (η2 = 0.56) for the general public post intervention. Improvements to attitudes were also observed in the CHWs, but the effect sizes were typically smaller. Conclusions: The intervention was accessible and feasible in rural Kenya, while also showing preliminary benefits to stigma related outcomes. The findings indicate that culturally sensitive interventions can be delivered in a pragmatic and context specific manner, thus filling an important knowledge gap in addressing stigma in low-resource settings. Future research is needed to ascertain the intervention's long-term benefits and whether it tackles important behavioral outcomes and beliefs deeply ingrained within communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Explores the representations of truck platooning acceptance on different stakeholders. • Exemplifies how similarly themed representations capture differences in perspective. • Suggests that on-road experiences may potentiate more positive representations. • Points towards the research gap on the impact of platooning in the future of work. Truck platooning, involving two or more automated trucks virtually linked in a convoy through vehicle automation and communication technologies, has become a core topic in the long-haul freight transport industry. Despite its potential benefits – fuel efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, operation cost savings, improved road safety, and alleviated traffic congestion – further research is required to understand the representations of technology acceptance that will mediate its adoption across different stakeholders. This study presents a systematic review of the representations of decision-makers, truck drivers, and the general public on truck platooning acceptance. A total of 35 papers were included in the review and grouped into (i) studies with no platooning experience, (ii) studies with a simulated platooning experience, and (iii) studies with an on-road platooning experience. Representations were extracted using thematic analysis to synthesize the perspectives of each stakeholder and organized in themes. Even when similar themes emerged, representations highlight each stakeholder singular perspective. Although decision-makers have a more positive outlook on the potentialities of the technology, they are concerned about several obstacles related to its implementation and risks that may undermine the promised efficiency benefits of truck platooning. Regarding general public, peripheral drivers are mainly concerned about the reliability and safety of truck platooning and the potential traffic conflicts. Truck drivers denote the potential advantages in driving comfort and road safety, but highlight their concerns about employment, the reliability of the automation, loss of driving pleasure, trust in the platooning systems and their elements, and additional stress associated with the reconfiguration of their activity by the technology. Meanwhile, considering the role of experience, when the technology was experimented on-road, representations became more positive. Still, although these experiments are closer to real-world context, they only focused on basic driver-truck interactions and did not account for multitask driving scenarios, nor explored truck drivers' employment concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper aimed to evaluate awareness of medical exposure to ionizing radiation among the general public in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted. The anonymous electronic questionnaire comprising of 22 questions was classified into three major sections: knowledge, attitudes, and the encountered practices. The questionnaire was distributed to random patients who underwent the medical examinations that involved ionizing radiation. The data were analyzed employing descriptive statistics using SPSS. Results: The questionnaire received 143 completed responses, and the analyzed results of this study suggested that the level of knowledge and awareness of medical ionizing radiation exposure among the general public in Saudi Arabia (Aseer region) is inadequate. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the level of awareness is insufficient and that there is a need for educating the public about the risks associated with medical ionizing radiation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on gender issues and mathematics education is often conducted in classroom settings and/or with teachers, students, and parents. However, perspectives about mathematics from adults beyond teachers and parents can have an impact on students. Thus, we conducted research in Australia and Canada about the general public's views of gender and mathematics. Participants (n = 405) were surveyed using a questionnaire in which all questions were worded in a non-binary manner. In this article, we focus on participants' views about gender and mathematics ability, and the importance of studying mathematics by gender. We report both overall trends and trends by demographic group (country, gender, age, and education level). The majority of participants indicated that there was no relationship between gender and mathematics ability or between gender and the importance of studying mathematics. Participants with gendered views typically felt that boys/men/males are better at mathematics and that it was more important for girls/women/females to study mathematics. Although the findings were generally encouraging, the existence of sexist, stereotyped views highlights the need for additional work to probe people's views of gender and mathematics. Our study is an example of mathematics education research conducted in a gender-inclusive way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesThe phenomenon of self-medication is a noteworthy public health concern that is increasingly prevalent on a global level, particularly in developing nations. This study aims to explore the prevalence of self-medication of over-the-counter (OTC) medications among the general public in Jordan.Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional online survey study was conducted in Jordan between November and December 2022. An online questionnaire link was distributed to the study participants through social media platforms (Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram). The questionnaire tool for this study was adapted from a previously developed questionnaire by Tesfamariam et al. The questionnaire tool comprised four sections that examined participants’ demographic characteristics, knowledge of OTC self-medication, attitudes toward OTC self-medication, and associated practices. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of OTC self-medication practice.ResultsA total of 1,218 individuals participated in this study. More than half of the study participants (56.9%) confirmed that they were currently using or had in the past year used medication(s) not prescribed by a healthcare specialist. Participants’ agreement level on statements that reflected a positive attitude toward self-medication practice ranged between 13.1 and 33.0%. The statement most commonly agreed with was that ‘OTC medications are safe but I would seek a physician’s advice before using them’ (57.7%). Individuals aged 36–40 years and 51 years and over, those who were married or divorced, those who were employed, and those who had chronic diseases were more likely to practice self-medication compared to others (p

Background and Aim: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. While most people experience mild-to-moderate respiratory illness and recover without special treatment, some, especially older people and those with underlying medical conditions, may become seriously ill. To prevent transmission, it is important to be informed about the disease and how it spreads. This includes staying at least 1 m apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, washing your hands frequently, getting vaccinated, and following local guidance. The virus spreads through small liquid particles from an infected person's mouth or nose when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing, or breathe. Practicing respiratory etiquette and self-isolating when feeling unwell are important measures to take. SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 are genetically similar viruses responsible for global epidemics of different scales. They diverged due to differences in transmission dynamics and clinical presentations. COVID-19 management has evolved with new knowledge, therapeutics, and vaccines. The impact on health care and public health systems has been profound, with lessons learned for future pandemics. A globally fair vaccine distribution system must prevail over vaccine nationalism for the world to return to its prepandemic status. Materials and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care hospital among 272 participants who were selected conveniently. The attitude was assessed using self-structured five-point Likert scale, and acceptance was assessed using self-structured dichotomous questionnaire. Results: About 64.0% of the general public had good attitude, 31.3% of the general public had moderate attitude, and 4.8% of the general public had excellent attitude, none of them had poor attitude. The majority 95.6% of the general public expressed acceptance toward the COVID-19 vaccine and 4.4% of them not. Correlation of attitude and acceptance toward COVID-19 the r = 0.15 was significant at the level of P < 0.01. The association between attitude and demographic variables of the public revealed such as occupation, family monthly income, and any of the family members vaccinated had significant association at the level of P

Introduction Oral cavity is the gateway of our body. So for a health body one's oral cavity should be healthy. Many researchers have proven the fact that unhealthy oral cavity is the cause of many systemic diseases. It is a common observation which came to notice that many people neglect their oral hygiene because of the insufficient knowledge about oral hygiene maintenance. So, being a dental professional it is our prime duty to make aware the people about their oral hygiene and spread the oral health education and awareness about is maintenance among the society. So the present study was designed among the general public of Nagpur city. Aim & Objective To assess the awareness and practices about oral hygiene among general public of Nagpur city accordng to their age, gender and educational status. Material and Methods A cross sectional survey was conducted among the general public of Nagpur city. A pre-validated eleven item questionnaire was distributed among the general public for a period of one month. Results Out of a study population of 400, 202 (50.5%) of them brush their teeth for 1 to 3 minutes, while 205 (51.25%) follow vertical and horizontal types of brushing. About 184 (46%) were unaware of secondary methods of oral hygiene maintenance and, 320 (80%) of them are unaware about connection between oral and systemic health. Conclusion The overall awareness and practices about oral hygiene among the present study population was satisfactory. However, there is a need to increase the awareness about periodic dental visit and relationship between systemic health and oral cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Tackling dementia stigma is a policy priority. In Indonesia, we have little insight into the general public's knowledge and attitudes about dementia. METHODS: Cross‐sectional study of 4430 Indonesian adults recruited from Jakarta and North Sumatra, Indonesia. Measures included dementia knowledge and attitudes. RESULTS: A total of 86.3% (n = 3,803) of adults had not heard of the terms dementia or Alzheimer's disease, and commonly viewed dementia as a normal part of aging. Being older, incorrect knowledge about etiology, not having heard of the terms dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease, having less than primary education, and being from North Sumatra were associated with more negative attitudes (p‐values < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Misconceptions and lack of awareness about dementia are common in Indonesia. Attitudes tended not to be negative, but our research highlights factors associated with dementia attitudes. Future research should use this information to better tailor and target potential anti‐stigma strategies. Highlights: Most Indonesians had not heard of the terms dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease and thought it was caused by normal aging.The majority of participants held mixed or positive attitudes towards dementia.A series of demographic factors alongside poor awareness were associated with negative attitudes towards dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is confusion among members of the general public regarding the role of dietitians in healthcare. Little is known about public attitudes towards dietitians among the general public in Israel. Objectives: The present study aims to identify beliefs and attitudes about dietitians in clinical practice held by a representative sample of Israeli adults. Methods: The present cross-sectional survey was conducted online. Results: A total of 402 Israeli adults participated. The majority of respondents indicated that dietitians perform nutrition consultations and weight loss counselling. More than half of respondents knew that dietitians have at least a bachelor’s degree, but more than one third thought the degree was in alternative medicine. The majority of respondents ranked dietitians as the healthcare professionals with the greatest knowledge of human nutrition. Approximately have of respondents had been previously treated by a dietitian, and these people were more likely indicate the importance of nutrition care in treating chronic disease; further, they stated that dietitians utilize biochemical, anthropometric and other data in order to personalize nutrition care. In logistic regression analyses of specific dietitian roles, prior treatment by a dietitian emerged as a robust predictor of the role of the dietitian in healthcare. Discussion: Respondents identified dietitians as the professionals with the most knowledge of nutrition and the clinicians with whom they would most likely consult if they desired to change their eating habits.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Tackling dementia stigma is a policy priority. In Indonesia, we have little insight into the general public's knowledge and attitudes about dementia. METHODS Cross‐sectional study of 4430 Indonesian adults recruited from Jakarta and North Sumatra, Indonesia. Measures included dementia knowledge and attitudes. RESULTS A total of 86.3% (n = 3,803) of adults had not heard of the terms dementia or Alzheimer's disease, and commonly viewed dementia as a normal part of aging. Being older, incorrect knowledge about etiology, not having heard of the terms dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease, having less than primary education, and being from North Sumatra were associated with more negative attitudes (p‐values

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is bringing about substantial changes in health care systems, leading to a significant shift toward telemedicine for the delivery of health care services. Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between perceived usefulness and ease of use of telemedicine services and their association with the behavioral intention to use telemedicine. Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted in China. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to determine significant predictors of intention to use telemedicine consultation. Types of illnesses that favored seeking telemedicine consultation, as well as the most preferred platform for conducting telemedicine consultations, were also investigated. Results: In total, 1006 participants completed the survey. A total of 44.3% (n=446) reported being very likely and 49.3% (n=496) reported being likely to seek telemedicine consultation. Overall, the majority of participants expressed strong agreement or agreement regarding the perceived usefulness of telemedicine. Likewise, the majority indicated strong agreement or agreement when it came to their perception of the ease of using telemedicine. In the partial least squares structural equation modeling, perceived usefulness (β=0.322; P <.001) and perceived ease of use (β=0.118; P =.01) were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of seeking telemedicine consultation. A considerable number of participants expressed willingness to use telemedicine services for various medical conditions, particularly respiratory (n=340, 33.8%), skin (n=316, 31.4%), and musculoskeletal issues (n=316, 31.4%) while showing less interest in seeking telemedicine consultations for reproductive health (n=44, 4.4%) and cancer (n=64, 6.4%). The majority preferred video chat (n=443, 44%) and text chat (n=317, 31.5%) as their most preferred platforms for telemedicine consultation, while a smaller proportion preferred telephone (n=193, 19.2%) and email (n=53, 5.3%). Conclusions: Telemedicine has the potential to play a larger role in China's health care system. The preferences for certain platforms over others may influence service design and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial, and relapsing disease, affecting people of all ages worldwide, and is directly related to multiple complications. Understanding public attitudes and perceptions toward obesity is essential for developing effective health policies, prevention strategies, and treatment approaches. Objective: This study investigated the sentiments of the general public, celebrities, and important organizations regarding obesity using social media data, specifically from Twitter (subsequently rebranded as X). Methods: The study analyzes a dataset of 53,414 tweets related to obesity posted on Twitter during the COVID-19 pandemic, from April 2019 to December 2022. Sentiment analysis was performed using the XLM-RoBERTa-base model, and topic modeling was conducted using the BERTopic library. Results: The analysis revealed that tweets regarding obesity were predominantly negative. Spikes in Twitter activity correlated with significant political events, such as the exchange of obesity-related comments between US politicians and criticism of the United Kingdom's obesity campaign. Topic modeling identified 243 clusters representing various obesity-related topics, such as childhood obesity; the US President's obesity struggle; COVID-19 vaccinations; the UK government's obesity campaign; body shaming; racism and high obesity rates among Black American people; smoking, substance abuse, and alcohol consumption among people with obesity; environmental risk factors; and surgical treatments. Conclusions: Twitter serves as a valuable source for understanding obesity-related sentiments and attitudes among the public, celebrities, and influential organizations. Sentiments regarding obesity were predominantly negative. Negative portrayals of obesity by influential politicians and celebrities were shown to contribute to negative public sentiments, which can have adverse effects on public health. It is essential for public figures to be mindful of their impact on public opinion and the potential consequences of their statements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. While most people experience mild-to-moderate respiratory illness and recover without special treatment, some, especially older people and those with underlying medical conditions, may become seriously ill. To prevent transmission, it is important to be informed about the disease and how it spreads. This includes staying at least 1 m apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, washing your hands frequently, getting vaccinated, and following local guidance. The virus spreads through small liquid particles from an infected person's mouth or nose when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing, or breathe. Practicing respiratory etiquette and self-isolating when feeling unwell are important measures to take. SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 are genetically similar viruses responsible for global epidemics of different scales. They diverged due to differences in transmission dynamics and clinical presentations. COVID-19 management has evolved with new knowledge, therapeutics, and vaccines. The impact on health care and public health systems has been profound, with lessons learned for future pandemics. A globally fair vaccine distribution system must prevail over vaccine nationalism for the world to return to its prepandemic status. Materials and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care hospital among 272 participants who were selected conveniently. The attitude was assessed using self-structured five-point Likert scale, and acceptance was assessed using self-structured dichotomous questionnaire. Results: About 64.0% of the general public had good attitude, 31.3% of the general public had moderate attitude, and 4.8% of the general public had excellent attitude, none of them had poor attitude. The majority 95.6% of the general public expressed acceptance toward the COVID-19 vaccine and 4.4% of them not. Correlation of attitude and acceptance toward COVID-19 the r = 0.15 was significant at the level of P < 0.01. The association between attitude and demographic variables of the public revealed such as occupation, family monthly income, and any of the family members vaccinated had significant association at the level of P <0.01. Association between acceptance and demographic variables of the public revealed such as, age, vaccinated participants, and any of the family members vaccinated had significant association with acceptance at the level of P < 0.01. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the attitude and acceptance toward COVID-19 vaccine among general public. These findings can help to inform strategies for increasing vaccination rates and ultimately protecting public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident) is a cause of a significant mortality and morbidity across the world (1) with case fatality of 18% to 42% (2). Many studies have identified lack of knowledge of presenting symptoms of stroke as a main cause for the delay in treatment initiation. Our study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices about stroke among the patients attendants and/or the first respondents of the patient. Aim: 1. To assess the knowledge of general public in identifying the symptoms of stroke. 2. To study the factors affecting the time interval between stroke symptom onset and reaching hospital. Methodology: This is a Cross sectional prospective study. The participants were asked questions in their mother tongue from the study protocol. Results: The study group has 140 participants with average age of 36 years. 55% are females, 60% are urban dwellers and 28% are illiterates. Urban dwellers have more knowledge of stroke. Literate participants could enumerate more symptoms. 50% of the participants said that the patient needs immediate hospitalization. 80% respondents have taken their stroke patient to the nearest hospital within 4 hours. 57% respondents have reached the hospital in an ambulance. Conclusion: Robust awareness programs, improving the literacy rates and establishing a well-coordinated communication network in the health care system will facilitate timely intervention and improved outcomes in stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of non-adherence to antibiotics (NAA) during COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 28 October 2022 to 6 November 2022. A structured questionnaire was widely distributed on an online survey platform. Of the 8664 respondents, 7730 were included in the final analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associated factors of NAA. Of the 7730 participants, 17.83% reported antibiotic use in the past month, of which 53.05% had NAA. Those who aged over 60 years old, perceived their economy as good, had moderate or good antibiotic knowledge, and with high convenience to medical services and medicines were less likely to NAA (p < 0.05); while those with chronic diseases, living in Western or Northeastern China, and those who used non-prescription antibiotics were more likely to NAA (p < 0.05). The prevalence of NAA remains at high levels in the general public. Targeted health education needs to be conducted in communities, pharmacies and health facilities to overcome misconceptions about antibiotics and to encourage people to seek formal medical care when ill, in order to improve public adherence to antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global health concern, posing a greater risk of psychological vulnerabilities for frontline healthcare workers (HCWs), military professionals and the general public around the globe. These psychological issues appear to be long lasting and heighten the risk of mental health disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to identify psychological problems encountered by HCWs, military professionals, and the general public in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken with 367 participants, including frontline HCWs (n = 128), military professionals (n = 102), and the general public (n = 137). Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Peradeniya Depression Scale (PDS) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), respectively. Results Mean (± SD) age of the participants was 35.0 (± 10.6) years. A reasonable proportion of participants experienced depressive symptoms (39.25%, n = 144) and severe anxiety (12.8%, n = 47). Military professionals showed depressive symptoms (73.50%, n = 75) and severe anxiety (32.4%, n = 33) predominantly. Multivariate binary logistic regression revealed that only the level of education and professional engagement affected depressive symptoms and severe anxiety (p

While cheminformatics skills necessary for dealing with an ever-increasing amount of chemical information are considered important for students pursuing STEM careers in the age of big data, many schools do not offer a cheminformatics course or alternative training opportunities. This paper presents the Cheminformatics Online Chemistry Course (OLCC), which is organized and run by the Committee on Computers in Chemical Education (CCCE) of the American Chemical Society (ACS)'s Division of Chemical Education (CHED). The Cheminformatics OLCC is a highly collaborative teaching project involving instructors at multiple schools who teamed up with external chemical information experts recruited across sectors, including government and industry. From 2015 to 2019, three Cheminformatics OLCCs were offered. In each program, the instructors at participating schools would meet face-to-face with the students of a class, while external content experts engaged through online discussions across campuses with both the instructors and students. All the material created in the course has been made available at the open education repositories of LibreTexts and CCCE Web sites for other institutions to adapt to their future needs.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which contribute significantly to global morbidity, are largely preventable through behavioral changes. As with other NCDs, periodontitis is associated with modifiable risk factors such as smoking and stress and is linked to multiple adverse health outcomes through a shared pathway of chronic systemic inflammation. While the health benefits of physical activity have been widely promoted in public health and extensively studied for other systemic conditions, its impact on periodontal health has only recently started to gain attention. This article critically evaluates the current literature on the relationship between physical activity and periodontitis. While cross-sectional studies have shown an inverse association between physical activity levels and periodontitis risk in the general population, clinical oral health surveys of elite athletes with high levels of physical activity have nonetheless revealed poor periodontal conditions. Although causality has not been determined, physical activity could positively impact periodontitis directly, by reducing inflammatory biomarkers, and indirectly, through its modulatory effects on insulin sensitivity, obesity, bone density, stress, and other health promoting behaviors. Given the importance of risk factor control during initial periodontal therapy, understanding the role of physical activity as a potential behavioral risk modifier is paramount. The findings of this review provide an evidence-based overview of how physical activity could influence periodontitis. There is a need for longitudinal cohort studies to verify the temporality of the reported associations and exclude confounders, while interventions are needed to assess the efficacy of physical activity on periodontal treatment outcomes.

To realize policies that benefit the youth and future generations, discussions are being held on how to give the votes of children who are currently ineligible to vote, and even future unborn generations, to their parents or voters of the present generation to vote as their proxies. To examine the effect of proxy voting on future-friendly choices, we conducted a laboratory experiment with the general public, including parents. Participants were assigned the roles of present and future generations, and the present-generation participants voted on allocating payoffs between generations. Proxy votes for future-generation participants were granted to some present-generation participants. We found that proxy voting did not increase the proportion of votes for future-friendly choices compared to the case without proxy votes, which is consistent with previous studies involving university students. We also observed that the older the participants, the more likely they were to vote for future-friendly choices. Once age was controlled for, parents were less likely than non-parents to vote for future-friendly choices. From a consequentialist perspective, these results suggest that we should add a twist to proxy voting, examine non-proxy voting methods, or explore other measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Several extended and newly added pharmacy services were evaluated in different countries. This review aims to provide a summary of studies on attitudes, awareness, or perceptions toward various extended and drive-thru pharmacy services at community settings among pharmacists and the general public. Methods To find qualitative and descriptive quantitative studies, that reported on the attitudes, awareness, or perceptions of the general public and pharmacists toward the practice of any extended community pharmacy service and drive-thru pharmacy services in a community setting and conducted from March 2012 to March 2022. Researchers used databases such as Embase, Medline PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct. The reviewers extracted data independently using the PRISMA checklist. Results There were 55 studies found according to the inclusion criteria. Various extended pharmacy services (EPS) and drive-thru pharmacy services were noted in the community setting. Pharmaceutical care services and healthcare promotion services were the noticeable performed extended services. There were positive perceptions and attitudes toward extended and drive-thru pharmacy services among pharmacists and the public. However, some factors, such as lack of time and shortage of staff, affect the practice of those services. Conclusion Understanding the major concerns toward the provision of extended and drive-thru community pharmacy services and improving pharmacists’ skills through more training programs to provide such services efficiently. In the future, more reviews for EPS practice barriers are recommended to faceup all concerns and find standardized guidelines by stakeholders and organizations for efficient EPS practices.

Solvent-free mechanochemical reactions represent an important path towards sustainable chemistry. The preparation of Prussian blue from solid iron and hexacyanoferrate compounds by the simple use of a mortar and pestle is an easy, inexpensive, and fast method to teach mechanochemical reactions. The course of the reaction can be followed very well visually via the color change of the solid mixture towards blue. With this communication, earlier publications on Prussian blue and mechanochemistry in the field of chemical education are updated and extended.

Limited efforts have been made in middle- and low-income countries to raise public awareness of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over the past ten years. We report data from a general population survey exploring the relationship between awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding autism in Malaysia. A questionnaire consisting of items related to awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding ASD was distributed. The scores of knowledge of ASD and attitude towards ASD were 6.87 (SD = 4.17; with a total possible score of 12) and 6.39 (SD = 2.77; with a total possible score of 9), respectively, indicating that, on average, the participants had moderate levels of knowledge and attitude. Structural equation modeling showed that improving awareness and knowledge about ASD will enhance more positive attitudes towards ASD. Efforts should be geared towards disseminating information about ASD, in order to increase acceptance of the disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global health concern, posing a greater risk of psychological vulnerabilities for frontline healthcare workers (HCWs), military professionals and the general public around the globe. These psychological issues appear to be long lasting and heighten the risk of mental health disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to identify psychological problems encountered by HCWs, military professionals, and the general public in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken with 367 participants, including frontline HCWs (n = 128), military professionals (n = 102), and the general public (n = 137). Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Peradeniya Depression Scale (PDS) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), respectively. Results: Mean (± SD) age of the participants was 35.0 (± 10.6) years. A reasonable proportion of participants experienced depressive symptoms (39.25%, n = 144) and severe anxiety (12.8%, n = 47). Military professionals showed depressive symptoms (73.50%, n = 75) and severe anxiety (32.4%, n = 33) predominantly. Multivariate binary logistic regression revealed that only the level of education and professional engagement affected depressive symptoms and severe anxiety (p < 0.01). Having a high level of education was a protective factor for depressive symptoms (Adjusted OR = 0.34) compared to lower-level education, while being a HCW (Adjusted OR = 4.40) and military professional (Adjusted OR = 5.43) were identified as risk factors for depressive symptoms compared to the general public. Similarly, having a high level of education was a protective factor for severe anxiety (Adjusted OR = 0.29) compared to lower-level education, while being a HCW (Adjusted OR = 3.90) and military professional (Adjusted OR = 4.52) were identified as risk factors for severe anxiety compared to the general public. Conclusion: The current study revealed a greater level of anxiety and depressive symptoms among frontline HCWs and military professionals in Sri Lanka during the pandemic of COVID-19 compared to the general public. Therefore, providing psychological first aid for them to better deal with mental problems and an emergency preparedness plan to deal with sudden outbreaks of infectious situations are important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educators play a key role in facilitating interactive learning experiences in informal science education settings, such as science centers and museums. Despite their importance, research around facilitation has generally focused on visitor impacts and not the strategies used by the educators themselves. The ChemAttitudes project studied and characterized facilitation moves used by educators during hands-on chemistry activities with visitors at two science museums. Building on previous research done by the Exploratorium, the project team defined a framework of three overarching categories of facilitation techniques: "Invite participation," "Support exploration," and "Deepen understanding." (referenced in short form as "Invite," "Support," and "Deepen"). Each of these categories also included distinct facilitation moves that educators used throughout an interaction with visitors. Overall, data indicated that educators used Support moves most often, Deepen moves less frequently, and Invite moves the least. Although educators almost always started an interaction with Invite, afterwards, they moved flexibly back and forth between the three types of moves in a non-linear order in response to the visitors. The framework and findings from this project can be used to support training and professional development for other informal educators using hands-on activities with visitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qualitative data on the factors underlying the willingness to receive and barriers to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine were scant in the literature. Therefore, the authors employed a qualitative design with a heterogeneous sample of 60 residents (age range = 18-79 years) in the UK and Nigeria to explore the factors underlying their willingness to receive and barriers to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The thematic analysis was employed to analyze data. The results revealed that only a small number of the participants had received the COVID-19 vaccine; they experienced soreness and itchiness, and their motive for receiving the vaccine was its availability. The participants who had not received the vaccine reported the following as determinants of their willingness to receive the vaccine: "concerns about the side/adverse effect", "the perceived benefit of receiving the vaccine", "mistrust (in the pharmaceutical companies that produced the vaccine, the vaccine itself, or governments)", "the need for clarity of information on the vaccine", and "moral obligation to receive the vaccine". The participants who had not received the vaccine further reported the following as other barriers that limit them from receiving the vaccine: "unavailability of the vaccine in the country of residence", "non-membership to a high-risk group", and "membership to a minority group". In terms of what governments can do to encourage public uptake of the vaccine, many participants reported: "provide clear information on the COVID-19 vaccine", "endorsement by public figures", "make the vaccine free to receive", "introduce rewards and punishments", and "honesty from governments". Implications for practice are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As of August 2021, less than 5% of the total population in Afghanistan has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Concerns remain regarding low uptake of the vaccine due to several factors. This study was conducted to understand the perception of the public on COVID-19 and its vaccines in Afghanistan. This was a formative study using qualitative method that included FGDs with vaccination target groups and KIIs, using interview guides in local languages in 12 provinces with 300 participants during May–June 2021. Verbatim transcripts were created, and a deductive thematic analysis was conducted with transcripts after the key themes and sub-themes were developed and reviewed. Totally 24 FGDs with male and female COVID-19 high-risk groups, 12 KIIs with EPI managers, and 12 KIIs with prison heads were conducted. Key themes included awareness and perception about COVID-19, its vaccination, motivators for getting vaccinated, barriers for not getting vaccinated, and sources of information. Awareness about the COVID-19 was high in urban areas compared to rural areas. Almost 60% of the participants considered the COVID-19 vaccine effective. However, participants expressed their concerns regarding rumors and misconceptions on content, source, effectiveness, and side effects of the vaccine in their communities. Based on the study results, many participants expressed accurate knowledge about the COVID-19 disease and its vaccines. Significant barriers including misinformation, conspiracy theories, and fear of side effects persist. Collaboration between stakeholders and increasing awareness and engagement of communities about the benefits and effectiveness of the vaccines should be considered crucial.

Women and some racial and ethnic groups remain underrepresented in chemistry departments across the United States, and generally, efforts to improve representation have resulted in minimal or no improvements in the last 10 years. Here, we present the outcomes of a graduate-student-led initiative that sought to assess the issues affecting inclusivity, diversity, and wellness within the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. We report how the results of a department-tailored academic climate survey were used to develop a method to foster open, productive discussion among graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty. This event format led to an improved understanding of the challenges facing our community members, as well as the identification of strategies that can be used to make the Department of Chemistry more welcoming for all members. We report the success of this student-led effort to highlight the value of assessing diversity and inclusion at the department-level, as well as the benefits of using community data to stimulate productive, evidence-based discussions. Furthermore, we envision that these methods can be implemented within any research-focused academic community to promote positive cultural change.

Abstract Background During the last 20 years, France has taken important steps to tackle antibiotic resistance. These include national awareness campaigns for the general public, and supporting changes in terms of antibiotic prescription for healthcare practitioners. To prepare the upcoming 2022/2023 campaign, we conducted two surveys to assess (1) the general public’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding antibiotics and (2) the perceptions and practices of general practitioners (GPs). Methods Two quantitative telephone surveys were conducted using the same methodology as that used in 2010 by the National Health Insurance Authority. The first was conducted in 2019 in a national representative quota sample of 1204 persons aged over 15 years living in metropolitan France, including an over-sample of 332 parents of children aged six years or under. The second was conducted in 2020 in a national representative sample of 388 GPs. Results Twenty-seven percent of respondents reported taking antibiotics during the previous year. Sixty-five percent of GPs declared prescribing fewer antibiotics during the previous five years. However, 33% of GPs reported they often had patients who put high pressure to get antibiotics. The pressure from elderly patients, especially those with comorbidities was notable. Three percent of respondent patients reported putting often pressure on their GP. All respondents expressed total trust in their GP irrespective of whether s/he had prescribed them antibiotics. Half knew that antibiotics act only on bacteria, and 38% said they understood precisely what antibiotic resistance is. Conclusion Although antibiotic use is decreasing in France, patient pressure on GPs to prescribe antibiotics is very high. GPs are key ambassadors in reducing antibiotic use. Awareness campaigns must target elderly patients in particular.

Most people around the world eat meat and billions of animals are slaughtered each year to meet that demand. For many, eating meat is a biocultural activity steeped in tradition and formative in cuisines and identity. Eating meat, however, comes with a myriad of ethical and practical considerations. In tandem with animal rights and environmental sustainability concerns surrounding the impact of animal slaughter for meat, animal welfare science has identified numerous ways animals may suffer on an individual level during various methods of slaughter. Practices of slaughter differ around the world and the degree to which culture and regional interpretations of religion impact consumer expectations and perceptions of suffering at slaughter are relatively unknown. We begin to address some of these gaps by conducting a survey of 4,291 members of the general public to assess knowledge and attitudes around animal welfare at slaughter and religious slaughter, across 14 culturally and religiously diverse countries in local languages; Australia, Philippines, Nigeria, United Kingdom and United States (English), Bangladesh (Bengali), Brazil (Portuguese), Chile (Spanish), China (Traditional Chinese), India (Hindi and English), Malaysia (Bahasa Malay, Chinese and English), Pakistan (Urdu), Sudan (Arabic) and Thailand (Thai). Our results demonstrate that in highly developed countries where exposure to slaughter is low, comfort witnessing slaughter and knowledge about animal welfare at slaughter and the local application of stunning is also low. Cultural and religious differences exist by country, however in all countries except Bangladesh, the majority of participants stated that it mattered to them that animals do not suffer during slaughter, and in most countries, participants would prefer that animals be rendered unconscious before they are slaughtered (preslaughter stunning); including in countries where this practice is not currently widespread. These findings suggest that concern for the reduction of animal suffering during slaughter is a universal human tendency, rather than a cultural development, while opinion of how best to achieve this (i.e., to stun or not to stun) may be cultural and tied to local interpretations of religious slaughter requirements. The findings of this study serve as an indication for meat industries and governments that continual review and improvement of animal welfare processes at slaughter are required to continue to meet evolving general public sentiment.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by altered bowel habits, abdominal pain, or discomfort. It is a highly prevalent disorder that affects patients' quality of life. A workup is usually required to diagnose IBS, as its differential diagnosis includes some serious conditions such as carcinoma of the colon. The present study aimed to assess the awareness and beliefs of the general population regarding IBS. This study was conducted in the Aseer Region, in the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia. It followed a cross-sectional research design that was conducted during the period from January to March 2021 using a structured self-administered questionnaire to assess the demographic variables in addition to questions to assess participants' awareness and beliefs related to IBS. Following a convenience sample, the study included 779 participants, with 43.3% being male, mostly in the age group 21–30 years (36.7%), and 68.7% being university graduates. Most participants (70.5%) were aware of IBS, and had the correct knowledge about its etiology, symptoms, risk factors, prognosis, and management. It is recommended to conduct various awareness-raising programs regarding IBS to improve the public's knowledge and to decrease functional disabilities and their impact on life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many of the cancer cases in Zimbabwe are HIV related, making it a significant health concern in the country. This concern requires innovative ways, such as implementing Value-Added Tax (VAT) to finance cancer management through health insurance. The study explores the general public, cancer patients, and public authorities' perception regarding using the VAT system for financing cancer treatment. Method: A qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the perception of study participants on 'Value Added Tax' as a source of healthcare financing in Harare. This was done through the use of in-depth interview guides. A total of 25 participants took part in the study. Fifteen were members of the general public, 5 were cancer patients, and 5 were key informants representing public authority. Members of the general public and cancer patients were conveniently selected, while key informants were purposively selected. Data were analyzed descriptively and by grounded theory whereby codes were developed by induction. Results: The general public and cancer patients perceived cancer treatment as generally unaffordable and showed readiness to pay for a cancer levy through VAT. Cancer patients expressed disappointment at the low support for cancer treatment compared to HIV treatment concerning the already established AIDS levy. Public authorities also perceived the VAT system as an appropriate programme for health care financing. Conclusion: This preliminary study found that a 'Value-Added-Tax' system could potentially be an acceptable model to finance public healthcare, including cancer treatment in highly informal settings like Zimbabwe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of public awareness and understanding of dementia affects the experiences of people living with dementia and their families. Dementia education and training for the general public have been gradually disseminated. We conducted a systematic scoping review guided by PRISMA-ScR to map existing evidence and identify dementia education and training available to the general public. From the four electronic databases, 41 articles were identified. Dementia education has three main purposes: dementia friendliness (n = 25), early diagnosis/help-seeking (n = 10), and prevention (n = 6). Education aimed at dementia friendliness was delivered in the community (n = 6), schools/universities (n =14), workplaces (n = 2), and online (n = 3). Interventions aimed at early diagnosis and prevention were often conducted in communities with middle-aged and older people or specific ethnic groups. Eleven dementia-friendliness studies reported on the interaction with people living with dementia to reduce stigma. Dementia knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors were assessed as outcomes. Though randomized controlled trials were conducted in early diagnosis and prevention studies via e-learning, they were not performed in dementia-friendliness studies. Therefore, there is a need to further accumulate evidence of dementia education for each of these purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Kampo medicine is traditional Japanese herbal medicine derived from ancient Chinese medicine. In the past, the Japan Kampo Medicines Manufacturers Association conducted surveys and reported on the awareness and experience of Kampo medicines among those participating in Kampo workshops as well as the local community. Here, we investigated the Japanese public's awareness and experience of using Kampo medicines through an online questionnaire. In addition, we analyzed how Kampo medicines are perceived and presented a favorable prospect for Kampo medicines. Methods: In 2020, we conducted an online survey of registered Japanese members (aged over 25 years) of a research company. Results: A total of 2060 respondents answered the questionnaire. Of these, 71% had taken Kampo medicines. Among this group, 63.5% obtained Kampo medicines through a doctor's prescription, 46.3% purchased Kampo medicines through pharmacies, drugstores, over the Internet, or by mail order, and only 11.3% had purchased Kampo medicines at Kampo specialty pharmacies. Although many people have taken Kampo medicines, they do not always have an accurate understanding of Kampo medicines as medicines. Especially in the case of Kampo medicines for prescription, people take them passively and do not have a strong awareness of Kampo medicines. In contrast, over‐the‐counter Kampo medicines are widely recognized as drugs. Conclusion: Medical personnel, manufacturers, and pharmacists need to provide accurate information about Kampo medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the attitudes of a particular society on a "good death" is important when it comes to end-of-life decision-making and palliative care. In the Republic of Croatia no systematic research has been done on the attitudes of the general population about the concept of a "good death". This cross sectional survey was conducted on a three-stage random sample, stratified by regions, counties and locations within those counties (N = 1203) during November and December, 2019. ANOVA, to determine differences, factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were used. The most important characteristics of a good death outlined by the respondents were: the absence of pain, the presence and unencumberedness of family and loved ones, the importance of a sense of fulfilment and meaning in life in this regard, reconciliation with God, the presence of awareness and sobriety, and the possibility of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solvent-free mechanochemical reactions represent an important path towards sustainable chemistry. The preparation of Prussian blue from solid iron and hexacyanoferrate compounds by the simple use of a mortar and pestle is an easy, inexpensive, and fast method to teach mechanochemical reactions. The course of the reaction can be followed very well visually via the color change of the solid mixture towards blue. With this communication, earlier publications on Prussian blue and mechanochemistry in the field of chemical education are updated and extended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several extended and newly added pharmacy services were evaluated in different countries. This review aims to provide a summary of studies on attitudes, awareness, or perceptions toward various extended and drive-thru pharmacy services at community settings among pharmacists and the general public. Methods: To find qualitative and descriptive quantitative studies, that reported on the attitudes, awareness, or perceptions of the general public and pharmacists toward the practice of any extended community pharmacy service and drive-thru pharmacy services in a community setting and conducted from March 2012 to March 2022. Researchers used databases such as Embase, Medline PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct. The reviewers extracted data independently using the PRISMA checklist. Results: There were 55 studies found according to the inclusion criteria. Various extended pharmacy services (EPS) and drive-thru pharmacy services were noted in the community setting. Pharmaceutical care services and healthcare promotion services were the noticeable performed extended services. There were positive perceptions and attitudes toward extended and drive-thru pharmacy services among pharmacists and the public. However, some factors, such as lack of time and shortage of staff, affect the practice of those services. Conclusion: Understanding the major concerns toward the provision of extended and drive-thru community pharmacy services and improving pharmacists' skills through more training programs to provide such services efficiently. In the future, more reviews for EPS practice barriers are recommended to faceup all concerns and find standardized guidelines by stakeholders and organizations for efficient EPS practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keloid scars are associated with physical and psychological sequelae. No studies have investigated the general public's understanding of keloids. Targeted, short educational interventions in susceptible individuals may aid understanding of the condition and compliance with treatment. We aimed to identify the population with the highest prevalence and lowest knowledge. We surveyed four countries to determine the public's understanding of keloids. A quantitative, subjective and cross-sectional street survey was designed using the knowledge, attitudes and practice model principles. The target populations were cities in Ghana, Australia, Canada and England. Surveyors used a hybrid stratified/convenience sampling method. Primary outcomes were prevalence, exposure to keloids as an entity and overall keloid knowledge score compared across demographic groups. Study data have been made fully available for reproducibility and education (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/3KZ5E). There were 402 respondents, with a median age of 32 (interquartile range 25–45.25) years, of which 193 were females. The survey was carried out between June 2015 and October 2017. The prevalence of self-identified keloids was 11% in Ghana, 6% in Australia, 2% in Canada and 7% in England. Prevalence, exposure and knowledge were higher in the Ghanaian population. There was association between knowledge, prevalence and the exposure to keloids as an entity. Findings may suggest targeting public health campaigns towards populations where knowledge is lowest, and exposure to and prevalence of keloids are the highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) cause a substantial clinical and economic burden. Spontaneous reporting of ADRs by the public is crucial. In some developed countries like the United States, Canada, consumers have been allowed to directly report ADRs, however, convenient channels for direct ADR reporting by the public are lacking in China. Objective We aimed to compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practice(KAP) regarding monitoring and reporting of adverse drug reaction (ADR) among the general public in eastern and western China. Methods A questionnaire-guided cross-sectional study was administered to participants in Nanjing and Xi’an during April–July 2019. A descriptive statistical analysis was used to describe respondents’ demographic information and other results. The t-test and analysis of variance were used to test the differences in knowledge and attitudes among respondents with different demographic characteristics. P

The Pallas’s squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus) is an invasive alien species in several countries in Europe, but also in Argentina and Japan. The species is a threat to indigenous squirrel species and difficult to eradicate. In 2008 a population of this species was discovered in the south of the Netherlands, close to the Belgian border. The range and number of Pallas’s squirrels in the area was determined using sightings of local citizens, foresters and an extensive inventory with hair tubes and camera traps. The population was successfully eradicated during an eradication campaign with several stages from 2011 till 2015. The population appeared to be larger than expected. In total, 249 individuals were trapped in an area as large as 50 km2. Trapped squirrels were not killed, but sterilized and rehomed in animal parks across Europe. The eradication campaign was successful due to the cooperation and support of the general public, who were informed by flyers, lectures and several appeals in local media and on social media platforms. Both helped in getting support of the general public, but sterilization and rehoming must be properly supervised. The total costs of eradication summed up to at least €330,000. No Pallas’s squirrels were reported after October 2015, however sightings of ‘dark colored’ squirrels from the area are still reported by the general public and verified by an expert of the Dutch Mammal Society until today.