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Introduction: South Africa experiences significant levels of alcohol-related harm. Recent research suggests minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol would be an effective policy, but high levels of income inequality raise concerns about equity impacts. This paper quantifies the equity impact of MUP on household health and finances in rich and poor drinkers in South Africa. Methods: We draw from extended cost-effectiveness analysis (ECEA) methods and an epidemiological policy appraisal model of MUP for South Africa to simulate the equity impact of a ZAR 10 MUP over a 20-year time horizon. We estimate the impact across wealth quintiles on: (i) alcohol consumption and expenditures; (ii) mortality; (iii) government healthcare cost savings; (iv) reductions in cases of catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) and household savings linked to reduced health-related workplace absence. Results: We estimate MUP would reduce consumption more among the poorest than the richest drinkers. Expenditure would increase by ZAR 353 000 million (1 US$=13.2 ZAR), the poorest contributing 13% and the richest 28% of the increase, although this remains regressive compared with mean income. Of the 22 600 deaths averted, 56% accrue to the bottom two quintiles; government healthcare cost savings would be substantial (ZAR 3.9 billion). Cases of CHE averted would be 564 700, 46% among the poorest two quintiles. Indirect cost savings amount to ZAR 51.1 billion. Conclusions: A MUP policy in South Africa has the potential to reduce harm and health inequality. Fiscal policies for population health require structured policy appraisal, accounting for the totality of effects using mathematical models in association with ECEA methodology.

Objectives To compare time intervals to diagnosis and treatment, tumor characteristics, and management in patients with primary urinary bladder cancer, diagnosed before and after the implementation of a standardized care pathway (SCP) in Sweden. Materials and methods Data from the Swedish National Register of Urinary Bladder Cancer was studied before (2011-2015) and after (2016-2019) SCP. Data about time from referral to transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), patients and tumor characteristics, and management were analyzed. Subgroup analyses were performed for cT1 and cT2-4 tumors. Results Out of 26,795 patients, median time to TURBT decreased from 37 to 27 days after the implementation of SCP. While the proportion of cT2-T4 tumors decreased slightly (22-21%, p < 0.001), this change was not stable over time and the proportions cN + and cM1 remained unchanged. In the subgroups with cT1 and cT2-4 tumors, the median time to TURBT decreased and the proportions of patients discussed at a multidisciplinary team conference (MDTC) increased after SCP. In neither of these subgroups was a change in the proportions of cN + and cM1 observed, while treatment according to guidelines increased after SCP in the cT1 group. Conclusion After the implementation of SCP, time from referral to TURBT decreased and the proportion of patients discussed at MDTC increased, although not at the levels recommended by guidelines. Thus, our findings point to the need for measures to increase adherence to SCP recommendations and to guidelines. ; Funding Agencies|Swedish government [ALFGBG-873181]; Swedish county councils, the ALF-agreement [ALFGBG-873181]; Department of Research and Development, NU-Hospital GroupNU Hospital Group

Do existing public opinion surveys provide valid and reliable measures of attitudes towards environmental sustainability? This question is critical given the importance of public support for achieving sustainability. Starting with 28 survey items about the environment drawn from the World Values Survey Waves 5 and 6 and the 2010 International Social Survey Program, we assessed reliability by checking for significant correlations between similar or identical items on different surveys. Next, to assess validity, we evaluated correlations between survey items and 22 objective environmental indicators drawn from the Environmental Performance Index (EPI). As the level of economic development is a likely confound, we also performed partial correlation analyses controlling for GDP per capita. From the initial 28 items, we identified 23 sufficiently reliable items, but many of these were found to have low predictive power in the validity analysis. Items about air and water pollution were valid predictors of objective environmental conditions in these areas. Items asking about the relative importance of environmental problems compared to other social issues were also good positive predictors of progress on perceptible environmental issues. Items asking about general sentiment with no clear referent performed poorly. When controlling for GDP, country-level attitudes were more aligned with country-specific environmental conditions. Finally, nearly half of all EPI indicators were associated with few or no survey items, indicating the existence of 'blind spots' in public awareness. Our findings should offer guidance to both survey developers and users, as well as to policy makers responsible for conveying information about environmental sustainability to the wider public.

Weaver ants are known for their unique nest-building skills using leaves and larval-silk as a binding agent. The weaver ants, Oecophylla smaragdina are present in large numbers in the Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya. Ri-Bhoi district is a hot and humid place with 22 -30°C. This is the first study from this region to examine the nesting behavior along with the population of these ants from here. It was noted that they build nests in different types of trees but it is more abundant in needlewood trees (Schima wallichi) locally known as 'diengngan.' From the central trunk of the S. wallichi tree, the nearest distance of the nest is about 0.7 m and the farthest up to 3.4 m. The nests of O. smaragdina are somewhat round-oval and use leaves of different sizes ranging from 8-32 cm2. The nests are made at a height ranging from 4-25 m and their average nest size is about 9,483 cm3. They utilize about twenty leaves with a specific number of chambers to keep their broods, the queen, and food. The number of worker ants, pupae, and larvae are variable in different nests because of nest size, location/height of the nests, and the trees. When the nest population increases, they locate a new spot and build a satellite nest where they get the right amount of sunlight and shelter from predators and adverse environmental factors. These weaver ants are also used as medicine, food and fish bait by the indigenous people in Meghalaya.

Purpose We sought to describe leisure-time, aerobic, and muscle strengthening physical activity (PA) patterns in U.S. Asian Indians, in comparison to other races/ethnicities. Design, Setting, and Sample We utilized the 2011–2018 National Health Interview Surveys, a set of cross-sectional, nationally representative surveys of the U.S. noninstitutionalized population. Our study population included 257 652 adults who answered PA questions. Measures PA was classified per 2008 U.S. guidelines and continuously per estimated metabolic equivalents (METs). Race was classified into White, Black, Asian Indian, Other Asian, and American Indian/Alaskan Native/Multiracial. Analysis We used survey design-adjusted, multivariable logistic regression to determine odds of sufficient and highly active physical activity levels, adjusting for predisposing, enabling, need, and health care service factors as guided by the Anderson Model. We also used linear regression to determine racial differences in average MET-minutes/week. Analysis was additionally stratified by comorbidity status. Results While Asian Indians (N = 3049) demonstrated similar odds of sufficient aerobic PA as Whites (aOR [95% CI]: .97 [.88,1.07]), Asian Indians had 22% lower odds of meeting highly active aerobic PA levels (.78 [.71,0.87]) and 18% lower odds of meeting sufficient muscle strengthening PA levels (.82 [.73,0.91]). This translated to an average 172 (95% CI: 45 300) fewer MET-minutes. Furthermore, this decrease in MET-minutes/week was especially apparent in those without hypertension (β[95% CI]: −164 [-314,-15]) without diabetes (−185 [-319,-52]), and low/normal BMI (−422 [-623,-222]). Conclusion Asian Indians, especially those without comorbidities, are less likely to engage in high-intensity physical activity than Whites.

Motivation - The period of manifestation of the COVID-19 pandemic, brought to the fore the need for change, as the only social constant perceived as a necessity in all existential dimensions. Pre-existing social needs and problems stood out and social inequalities sharpened, including those mediated by the educational act. The educational field attracts increased attention, because the directions of action that will be established will generate "our future world" or "future individual worlds", especially in the penitentiary environment that accounts for the failure of institutions that acted before the crime and imprisonment. Answer to a problem - Education and re-education in the penitentiary environment can contribute to increasing the quality of life in the community, not only by separating those who have committed crimes from other members of society, but also by contributing to the destructuring of undesirable social behavior and creating changes. Reference works - The issue of penitentiary education (formal, informal, non-formal) is presented in the reference regulations for the field of social reintegration Research methods - secondary data analysis, documentary analysis, direct/participatory observation Conclusions - The public perception of penitentiaries is a negative one that generates, rather, fears and disapproval. However, a careful analysis of the causal chain up to the time of incarceration, of the recovery assistance interventions in detention and of the concrete modalities of monitoring and assistance in order to reintegrate post-enforcement, could constitute landmarks for the elaboration of multidimensional strategies, starting with the simple citizen, up to the state level. Basic theoretical work - Ilie et al (2020, pp. 22-78)

Los artistas ecuatorianos se esfuerzan por darse a conocer en la industria musical dirigiéndose a los medios tradicionales e invirtiendo grandes sumas de dinero en su promoción, pero cabe resaltar que dichos procesos no se hacen de manera planificada, no lográndose las metas proyectadas en los tiempos estimados. El objetivo de esta investigación fue diseñar estrategias de marketing para el posicionamiento de la marca personal Espartaco. Proyecto factible, abordado bajo el enfoque cualitativo, de tipo descriptivo-explicativo. La muestra estuvo representada por 200 personas, hombres y mujeres con edades comprendidas entre 13 y 25 años. Se empleó la encuesta como técnica de recolección de datos, realizada a través de las redes sociales en las plataformas digitales Instagram y Facebook. Entre los resultados obtenidos: el 63,5% de los encuestados fueron mujeres, 71% personas con edades comprendidas entre 22 y 25 años, un 87% escucha música por Spotify mientras que solo un 13% lo hace por la radio, y el 99% ve los videos musicales por YouTube, mientras que solo un 1% lo ve por televisión, confirmándose que un 95% se informa por las redes sociales de sus artistas preferidos y solo un 5% lo hace por los medios tradicionales. En cuanto al análisis y procesamiento de los datos se utilizó el análisis estadístico descriptivo FODA, cutos resultados corroboran la necesidad de proponer nuevos modelos estratégicos para promover el marketing de un artista. Concluyéndose, que se propone el diseño de estrategias empleando las redes sociales para el posicionamiento de un artista musical.

Los artistas ecuatorianos se esfuerzan por darse a conocer en la industria musical dirigiéndose a los medios tradicionales e invirtiendo grandes sumas de dinero en su promoción, pero cabe resaltar que dichos procesos no se hacen de manera planificada, no lográndose las metas proyectadas en los tiempos estimados. El objetivo de esta investigación fue diseñar estrategias de marketing para el posicionamiento de la marca personal Espartaco. Proyecto factible, abordado bajo el enfoque cualitativo, de tipo descriptivo-explicativo. La muestra estuvo representada por 200 personas, hombres y mujeres con edades comprendidas entre 13 y 25 años. Se empleó la encuesta como técnica de recolección de datos, realizada a través de las redes sociales en las plataformas digitales Instagram y Facebook. Entre los resultados obtenidos: el 63,5% de los encuestados fueron mujeres, 71% personas con edades comprendidas entre 22 y 25 años, un 87% escucha música por Spotify mientras que solo un 13% lo hace por la radio, y el 99% ve los videos musicales por YouTube, mientras que solo un 1% lo ve por televisión, confirmándose que un 95% se informa por las redes sociales de sus artistas preferidos y solo un 5% lo hace por los medios tradicionales. En cuanto al análisis y procesamiento de los datos se utilizó el análisis estadístico descriptivo FODA, cutos resultados corroboran la necesidad de proponer nuevos modelos estratégicos para promover el marketing de un artista. Concluyéndose, que se propone el diseño de estrategias empleando las redes sociales para el posicionamiento de un artista musical.

The mixture of pickled vegetables with tomato juice, known as winter salad, is one of Iranian traditional fermented foods. The present work aimed to identify the predominant bacterial community in winter salad during fermentation, and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of its cell-free supernatant (CFS) against Aspergillus niger IBRC-M 30095, Botrytis cinerea IBRC-M 30162, Aspergillus flavus IBRC-M 30092, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Salmonella typhi PTCC 1609, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 using disc diffusion agar and microdilution assays. The fermentation dynamics of winter salad, changes in pH, acidity, salt, ash, protein, and fat contents, and bacterial composition were analysed during spontaneous fermentation. A total of 120 bacterial isolates were identified using 16S rDNA sequencing. Results showed that the following genera were dominant in the early stage of fermentation: Lactobacillus (Lb. brevis, Lb. japonicus, Lb. pentosus, Lb. senmaizukei, Lb. plantarum, Lb. acidifarinae, Lb. parabrevis, and Lb. alimentarius) (44%); Leuconostoc (Ln. mesenteroides and Ln. palmae) (13%); Pediococcus (Pc. pentosaceus, Pc. parvulus, Pc. cellicola, Pc. argentinicus, and Pc. stilesii) (7%); Acinetobacter (Ab. johnsonii) (4%); Enterobacter (E. soli) (10%); and unclassified isolates (22%). All isolates were identified successively during fermentation for 40 days; however, the species count changed throughout the fermentation. The CFS of winter salad showed inhibitory activity against all tested fungal species. Ps. aeruginosa and Sa. typhi were the most sensitive bacteria, while the minimum inhibitory percentage (MIP) and minimum bactericidal percentage (MBP) showed that St. aureus (MIPCFS-c 75; MBPCFS-c 75) and Ba. cereus (MIPCFS-c 50; MBPCFS-c 75) were the most resistant bacteria.

Purpose
This paper aims to provide an evidence assessment and narrative synthesis of literature regarding the key characteristics of older people living in service-integrated housing (SIH) facilities and their "accommodation journey".


Design/methodology/approach
A rapid evidence assessment was conducted: 22 research publications met the inclusion criteria and were analysed using narrative synthesis.


Findings
The quality of studies in this area is low, but consistency across components of the results of studies included in the review is apparent. Results suggest key characteristics of older people that drive moves into SIH are a decline in health, increased dependency, increased health service use and carer burden. Suggested key characteristics of SIH residents are high levels of health problems, dependency and health service use, but high self-reported health and well-being. Results indicate that the key driver for older people leaving SIH is a lack of workforce competency to manage further declines in health and dependency status.


Research limitations/implications
Current policy may not realise or account for the complex health and care needs of SIH residents. Investment into integrated care, robust community health services and workforce development to facilitate a comprehensive assessment approach may be required to support residents to remain in SIH and live well. Further longitudinal studies are required to map the progression of SIH residents' health status in detail over time to provide an understanding of preventative and enablement support, development of care pathways and workforce planning and development requirements.


Originality/value
This evidence assessment is the first to consider the accommodation journey of older people residing in SIH.

AbstractThis study investigated the relationship between fertilizer nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P) surpluses and economic development on the regional level in China. With a balanced panel dataset covering 30 provinces of mainland China from 1988 to 2019, we employed panel cointegrating polynomial regression (CPR) analysis using fully modified OLS (FM-OLS) estimators. Our results suggested that all provinces exhibit a long-run cointegrated relationship between fertilizer surpluses and real per capita gross regional product (GRP). A total of 22 provinces out of 30 showed a significant inverted U-shaped environmental Kuznets curve (EKC). Among those, 14 provinces are considered to have reached the peak and 8 provinces are considered to be before the peak. The group-mean turning points on the EKC are CNY 7022, CNY 9726, CNY 4697, CNY 3749, and CNY 5588 per capita GRP (1978 = 100) for the Northeast, Northcentral, Middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Southwest and Northwest China, respectively. The overall turning point of China is CNY 6705 per capita real gross domestic product (GDP), which was reached in circa 2012. This shows a general improvement of chemical fertilizer management in China. However, six provinces still exhibit linear growth in fertilizer surpluses when the economy grows. These regions are characterized by high cash-crop ratios and are mostly located along the southeast coast. Therefore, more effort and attention should be given to these regions to promote further fertilizer reduction. At the same time, nutrient use efficiencies should be improved, especially for cash crops such as fruit and vegetables.

This article introduces a thematic issue of Transcultural Psychiatry with selected papers from the McGill Advanced Study Institute in Cultural Psychiatry on "Pluralism and Polarization: Cultural Contexts and Dynamics of Radicalization," which took place June 20–22, 2017. The ASI brought together an interdisciplinary group scholars to consider the role of social dynamics, cultural contexts and psychopathology in radicalization to violent extremism. Papers addressed four broad topics: (1) current meanings and uses of the term radicalization; (2) personal and social determinants of violent radicalization, including individual psychology, interpersonal dynamics, and wider social-historical, community and network processes; (3) social and cultural contexts and trajectories of radicalization including the impact of structural and historical forces associated with colonization and globalization as well as contemporary political, economic and security issues faced by youth and disaffected groups; and (4) approaches to community prevention and clinical intervention to reduce the risk of violent radicalization. In this introductory essay, we revisit these themes, define key terms, and outline some of the theoretical and empirical insights in the contributions to this issue. Efforts to prevent violent radicalization face challenges because social media and the Internet allow the rapid spread of polarizing images and ideas. The escalation of security measures and policies also serves to confirm the worldview of conspiracy theory adherents. In addition to addressing the structural inequities that fuel feelings of anger and resentment, we need to promote solidarity among diverse communities by building a pluralistic civil society that offers a meaningful alternative to the violent rhetorics of us and them.

AbstractBats have been proposed as reliable bioindicators for monitoring bioaccumulation of elements and chemicals in natural and transformed ecosystems. Non-invasive methods are becoming more popular as research moves away from destructive methodologies. We present the first concentrations of 23 elements in Mops condylurus and Tadarida aegyptiaca (Molossidae) fur and blood from an opencast diamond mine and reference area using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of B, K, Rb and Cd in the bats' fur were significantly higher in the mining footprint compared to the reference area (P < 0.05). Other elements such as Zn and Hg were significantly higher in the blood of bats from the mining footprint than the reference area (P < 0.05), whereas Mn was significantly higher in the blood of bats from the reference area than from the mining footprint (P < 0.05). Sixteen of the 22 elements above the limit of detection, with the exception of Ba, were significantly higher in the fur samples than in the blood due to elements being incorporated over time into the fur as it grows, whereas blood reveals short-term exposure to elements. Concentrations of most of the elements were reasonably low except Al, Fe and Zn. In general, the element concentrations particularly in the fur samples were comparable with other international studies reporting elemental fur concentrations from anthropogenically impacted and natural areas. Fur and blood have the potential to be viable indicators of environmental toxicity, but research is required on toxic thresholds and physiological and ecological unknowns around element concentrations in bat tissues and organs.

The aim of this study is to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool that can measure the effectiveness of health management at schools according to teachers' opinions. The study group of the research consists of teachers working in pre-school, primary, secondary and high schools in Çankaya district of Ankara in fall semester 2019. In this study, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to analyze the data. The findings of EFA and CFA were obtained from two different study groups consisted of 387 and 283 people respectively selected by simple random sampling method, which is a probabilistic sampling method. To this end, the scale consisted of 22 items and 4 sub-dimensions was formed. CFA that was conducted to determine the construct validity revealed that the model fit values of the scale were appropriate. The sub-dimensions of the scale were 'Food and Equipment Health, Hygiene Health, Awareness and Physical Space, and Environmental Health'. The scale had four items coded in reverse. A total score was obtained from EHMSS and its dimensions, and the high score obtained from the scale means that the effectiveness level of health management at school is high, and the low score obtained means that the effectiveness level of health management at school is low. Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient of the scale indicated that the scale is a reliable measurement tool. Results and findings overall indicated that 'Effectiveness of Health Management in Schools Scale (EHMSS)' is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used psychometrically.

As Central Asia undergoes a rapid transformation process, political, economic and security developments remain uncertain and difficult to predict. External actors will play a key role in defining the contours of transformation in Central Asia. In recent years, a number of powerful countries—mainly China, the Russian Federation and, to a lesser extent, the United States, Japan and Turkey—have sought to increase their influence in Central Asia. There was a timely initiative proposed by Germany, which presided over the European Union at the time, to launch the process of rethinking EU participation in Central Asia, culminating in the development of a Strategy for Central Asia. Thus, the European Union has reinforced its presence at a strategic moment for Central Asia. The Strategy for a New Partnership, adopted by the European Council on 21-22 June, 2007, became the main document for the significant and decisive strengthening of EU policy in Central Asia. The strategy represents the most ambitious EU project in the region and demonstrates a significant improvement in relations. The EU has the needed resources and, in line with the Strategy, it wants to do its part to transform the region into a secure and well-governed area, which is also in the interests of Central Asians. In 2019, in order to intensify cooperation, the EU updated and launched the new Strategy for Central Asia. It should be noted that security is a particularly important issue. In both the first Strategy 2007 and the updated Strategy 2019, the theme of security is reflected in various EU programs and projects. Thus, the article will provide a general analysis of EU's security programs in Central Asia.