Global Issue Research Articles

Attack Rate, Case Fatality Rate and Predictors of Pertussis Outbreak During Pertussis Outbreak Investigation in Ethiopia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Pertussis, a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis, is a leading global public health issue. Ethiopia is currently conducting multiple pertussis outbreak investigations, but there is a lack of comprehensive information on attack rate, case fatality rate, and infection predictors. This study aimed to measure attack rates, case fatality rates, and factors associated with pertussis outbreak. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished studies on pertussis outbreaks in Ethiopia from 2009 to 2023, using observational study designs, using the guideline Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The study utilized databases like Science Direct, MEDLINE/PubMed, African Journals Online, Google Scholar and registers. The data were collected using an Excel Spreadsheet and then exported to STATA version 17 for analysis. Subgroup analysis was conducted to identify potential disparities. A random effects model was used to consider heterogeneity among studies. I2-squared test statistics were used to assess heterogeneity. The attack rate, case fatality rate, and odds ratio (OR) were presented using forest plots with a 95% confidence interval. Egger's and Begg's tests were used to evaluate the publication bias. Seven pertussis outbreak investigations with a total of 2824 cases and 18 deaths were incorporated. The pooled attack and case fatality rates were 10.78 (95% CI: 8.1-13.5) per 1000 population and 0.8% (95% CI: 0.01-1.58%), respectively. The highest and lowest attack rates were in Oromia (5.57 per 1000 population and in the Amhara region (2.61 per 1000 population), respectively. Predictor of pertussis outbreak were being unvaccinated [odds ratio (OR) = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.83-4.27] and contact history [OR = 3.44, 95% CI: 1.69-5.19]. Higher and notable variations in attack and case fatality rates were reported. Being unvaccinated and having contact history were the predictors of contracting pertussis disease in Ethiopia. Enhancing routine vaccination and contact tracing efforts should be strengthened.

Women on board and business performance

Purpose This study aims to examine the association between women on board and business performance. It also aims to investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and female directors on stock prices, including the function of female directors in moderating the CSR–market performance link that ultimately provides valuable insights into the impact of gender diversity on corporate boards. Design/methodology/approach Data from US publicly listed firms between 2000 and 2018 were collected and analysed using OLS regression, median regression, M-estimator regression and MM-estimator regression at 70% and 95% efficiency. In this study, firm market value was measured through Tobin’s Q, board diversity with ISS database and CSR strength and concern with the KLD database. Findings The results indicated that CSR positively impacts market performance by 3.1%, female board representation positively influences market performance by 4.8% and female board members strengthen the CSR–market performance relationship by 1.0% while playing a moderating role. Overall, these studies demonstrated the significance of female boards of directors for enhancing market performance. Research limitations/implications This study used the data of US-listed firms from 2000 to 2018. The results have contributed to the ongoing discussion about the importance of gender diversity in boards and its influence on firm success. Further research works are suggested to expand the analysis by including other countries or considering additional factors that may influence the association between CSR, board representation of women and market share. Practical implications This study is essential for investors, legislators and CSR institutions in developed countries. The favourable impact of female board presence on market performance and the enhancement of the CSR–market performance relationship highlight the necessity of encouraging gender diversity on boards of directors and CSR activities. Social implications This study emphasises the significance of gender balance on corporate boards in solving important social challenges including climate change, resource scarcity and gender equality. Companies can actively assist in addressing global issues and improving the well-being of stakeholders by promoting gender-diverse boards and encouraging CSR efforts. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first study demonstrating that gender diversity on corporate boards moderates the significant association between CSR performance and profitability in the USA. It has contributed to the expanding body of information regarding the moderating influence of female directors on firm value and stronger evidence for female directors in the governance of businesses.

Carbon nanotubes: a novel innovation as food supplements and biosensing for food safety

Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as an extensively growing field. Several important fabricated products including Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of great importance and hold significance in several industrial sectors, mainly food industry. Recent developments have come up with methodologies for the prevention of health complications like lack of adequate nutrition in our diet. This review delves deeper into the details of the food supplementation techniques and how CNTs function in this regard. This review includes the challenges in using CNTs for food applications and their future prospects in the industry. Food shortage has become a global issue and limiting food resources put an additional burden on the farmers for growing crops. Apart from quantity, quality should also be taken into consideration and new ways should be developed for increasing nutritional value of food items. Food supplementation has several complications due to the biologically active compounds and reaction in the in vivo environment, CNTs can play a crucial role in countering this problem through the supplementation of food by various processes including; nanoencapsulation and nanobiofortification thus stimulating crop growth and seed germination rates. CNTs also hold a key position in biosensing and diagnostic application for either the quality control of the food supplements or the detection of contagions like toxins, chemicals, dyes, pesticides, pathogens, additives, and preservatives. Detection such pathogens can help in attaining global food security goal and better production and provision of food resources. The data used in the current review was collected up to date as of March 31, 2024 and contains the best of our knowledge. Data collection was performed from various reliable and authentic literatures comprising PubMed database, Springer Link, Scopus, Wiley Online, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Research related to commercially available CNTs has been added for the readers seeking additional information on the use of CNTs in various economic sectors.

Take the bull by the horns! The role of spiritual leadership and dark triad toward workplace incivility

Purpose Workplace incivility has become a global issue; therefore, this study aims to investigate how spiritual leadership can help employees to overcome uncivil behaviors in the workplace. Specifically, the authors explored the mediating mechanism between spiritual leadership and workplace incivility through workplace spirituality. The authors further examined how negative personalities (i.e. Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism) moderate workplace spirituality and workplace incivility. Design/methodology/approach This study collected data from 369 employees working in the banking sector on a convenience basis. The authors applied structural equation modeling for hypotheses testing. Findings The authors noted that spiritual leaders help employees to reduce uncivil workplace behaviors and employees’ perception of workplace spirituality intervenes the same. The authors further identified that the negative association between workplace spirituality and workplace incivility is moderated by the dark triad (Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism) such that individuals high in Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism weaken this negative association. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional design may restrict causality. However, our findings not only contribute to social cognitive theory but also suggest management includes civility intervention as an essential part of organizations’ training and development. Originality/value This study not only highlighted the role of spiritual leadership and workplace spirituality toward workplace incivility but also shed light on how negative personalities can ignore workplace spirituality to exhibit uncivil behavior.

Environmental Justice Education in Nepal: Policies and Practices

Environmental justice is fundamental to education and policy, ensuring clean environments and sustainable development. The curriculum and constitution of Nepal focus on this, addressing global gaps and encouraging comprehensive wellbeing measures for educational resilience. This paper analyzes how environmental justice is reflected through equitable treatment and meaningful participation of all people in the creation, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regardless of their race, culture, education, and socioeconomic status. To analyze how environmental justice has been enforced in educational policies, interviews were conducted with five policymakers who have long experience in policymaking in the educational sector. The findings revealed that indigenous knowledge, cultural thought, and belief in environmental justice areas were considered major issues in education policies and practices. This study emphasizes the interconnectedness of local and global environmental issues and the need to bridge the gap. The integration of environmental justice in the national curriculum framework highlights the role of local expertise, indigenous knowledge, and practical application. The study recognizes the significance of environmental consciousness, sustainable development, and equal access to education. This study acknowledges constitutional provisions in Nepal supporting environmentally friendly and sustainable development. It emphasizes the importance of environmental education, equitable treatment, and compensation for environmental injustices to safeguard the environment for future generations.

Near hanging with Multiple Tentative Cuts: A Case Series

Suicide is one of the major global health issues specially in countries having low to medium socioeconomic condition. Hanging is method of choice for adults to commit suicide. Near hanging defined as person who survive a hanging injury for enough time to reach hospital. Tentative cut or self-inflicted injury is an intentional and direct injury to own’s body part. It is also known as self-harm, self-wounding, moderate self-mutilation and parasuicide. Various factors responsible for high mortality in near hanging are low systolic blood pressure (<90), injury severity score (ISS) >15, Glassgow coma scale (GCS) <8, hypoxic brain injury on CT scan. Immediate arrival to hospital and aggressive management of near hanging and its complication can improve the final outcome.

The Impact of Realism on U.S. Foreign Policy during the Trump Presidency

Purpose: This article explored the impact of realism on American foreign policy during the Trump administration, striving to answer whether Trump adopted a realist stance or employed a unique blend of realism to enhance American interests on the global stage. Methodology: Centering on theoretical analysis and historical context, this study investigated the alignment of Trump's controversial personality and his "America First" slogan with the quest for national interests and power dynamics. This paper spotlighted Trump's unorthodox implementation of realism by exploring specific global issues, such as security strategies, trade policies, and diplomatic methods. Findings: This paper underscored Trump's deviation from traditional realism and adopting an unconventional realist approach. Particular emphasis was placed on this approach's implications for global power dynamics and the ethical dimensions of U.S. foreign policy. This study pinpointed noteworthy results from Trump's unique fusion of realism, providing insights into its effects on international relations. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This research contributed to theoretical comprehension and practical implications for future American foreign policy. It illuminated the Trump administration's unorthodox implementation of realism and its ramifications for international cooperation. Moreover, this paper advocated for a balanced approach incorporating strategic pragmatism with ethical leadership to efficiently tackle intricate global challenges and uphold the United States' role in the international arena.

An Examination of the Ways in Which Transdisciplinary Research Could Be Used to Incentivize Local Communities to Combat the Illegal Wildlife Trade

The illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is currently one of the most critical conservation concerns, given its direct impact on biodiversity loss, endangering local ecosystems, and adding pressure to all species at a point when they face dangers like deforestation and mass extinctions. This industry also significantly impacts local communities, many of which are compelled to engage in it as a result of their precarious socioeconomic conditions. While effective countermeasures to this global issue have been identified, successful implementation of these countermeasures require diverse disciplines and collaborators. This paper argues that a transdisciplinary approach that converges knowledge and skills from social and socioecological fields of study is required to develop strategies that effectively incentivize communities to combat the IWT. This is true because A) at the social level, criminal justice is needed for the retraining and participation in law enforcement efforts to mitigate support for poaching; B) at the socio-ecological level, environmental economics and ecosystem management are needed for the validation of community assets and profitable management of local wildlife; and C) ecology and business administration are needed for the implementation of conservation initiatives like ecotourism. This paper not only presents the implementation of a transdisciplinary approach but also details the most important disciplines needed, provides a review of the correlation between this industry and the locals who live in close proximity to wildlife and conservation areas, and proposes workable recommendations to supporting initiatives that combat the IWT and serve as pillars for sustainable action. Without adopting and reinforcing the position argued for in this research, the IWT would continue to pose a threat to local ecosystems, populations, and economies. This is a major risk to global sustainability and will exacerbate the loss of biodiversity that is already recognized as an imminent threat by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In partnership, for partnership

After almost a year of planning an international conference on student partnership for humanitarian action with the UN Refugee Agency, a student-faculty partnership reflect on the learning process they undertook, and how years of working together built a strong foundation for this project. Working in partnership to communicate the importance of partnership to address complex global issues signifies the importance of engaging multi-level stakeholders in new, innovative solutions. This introduction to the special section titled after the conference provides the context for this challenging yet rewarding feat made possible with a community of partnerships.

Assessing the Additional Benefits of Thailand’s Approaches to Reduce Motor Vehicle Emissions

Air pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHGs) represent major challenges in our era, contributing to climate change and global health issues. These problems arise from a variety of well-known sources, including motor vehicles. Almost all nations, Thailand included, have formulated and implemented policies to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with the requirements and commitments of the Paris Agreement. The evaluation of specific air pollutants and GHG emissions originating from road vehicles utilises the Thailand database, referencing the year 2019. Data intersections from 2019 to 2022 are grounded in actual data collected from relevant departments in Thailand, while projections for 2023–2030 are forecasted based on the baseline year. The secondary database used in the International Vehicle Emission model is adjusted according to real-world driving data to accurately reflect country-specific emission factors. Dynamic emission factors for specific air pollutants and GHGs are evaluated and integrated with the average Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKT) for each vehicle category. The Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario is then examined, based on existing policies aimed at reducing air pollutants and GHG emissions in Thailand’s transport sector. These policies include strategies for the adoption of electric vehicles and the promotion of public transport to reduce VKT. Under the BAU scenario, the overall number of road vehicles in Thailand, including passenger cars, motorcycles, pickups, vans, trucks, and buses, is expected to increase by approximately 6.58% by 2030, leading to a rise in specific air pollutants and GHG emissions compared to the 2019 baseline. However, by adhering to Thailand’s strategies and transitioning to new electric passenger cars and buses, greenhouse gas emissions and specific air pollutants from the road transport sector will be significantly reduced.

Cactus-inspired moisture harvesting for sustainable and efficient high salinity desalination

Water scarcity has become a global issue that needs to be addressed urgently. Solar steam generation (SSG) is a promising technology to alleviate the water crisis through desalination and condensation. However, the stability and efficiency of SSG can be seriously impacted by salt accumulation after prolonged operation. Common salt rejection schemes are only applicable for low-salinity (<10 wt%) desalination. In this work, inspired by the cactus's fog-capturing feature, the atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) function is integrated by an interlocked braided fibrous framework (IBFF) to absorb moisture for sustainable salt dilution during high salinity (20 wt%) desalination. The loop-pile density/height of IBFF is regulated to mimic the cactus roots/spines with different architectures, thus optimizing the water absorption/moisture harvesting performance. The excellent moisture-induced salt dilution ability ensures efficient and sustainable high salinity desalination performance over cyclic operation, with an exceptional evaporation rate of up to 3.11 kg m−2·h−1 under 1 sun radiation. Overall, this new approach offers a practical possibility for durable and competitive high salinity desalination with a continuous water/moisture supply.

Coastal plastic pollution: A global perspective

Coastal ecosystems have ecological importance worldwide and require control and prevention measures to mitigate human pollution. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review to provide a comprehensive overview of the global issue of coastal plastic pollution. 689 articles were eligible for qualitative synthesis and 31 were considered for quantitative analysis. There was an exponential increase in articles addressing coastal plastic pollution over the past 50 years. Studies were mainly carried out on beaches, and plastic bottles were the most found item, followed by cigarette butts. Polyethylene was the predominant plastic polymer, and white microplastic fragments stood out. China published most articles on the topic and Brazil had the highest number of sites sampled. Meta-analysis had significant effect sizes based on the reported data. These findings carry significant implications for environmental policies, waste management practices, and targeted awareness campaigns aimed at mitigating plastic pollution.

American Presidential Elections 2024: The Core Point of Future Geopolitical Changes

Purpose: This research is focused on the ongoing Russia – Ukraine military conflict, which has already caused some significant changes in foreign policy priorities of major players of international political system. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of U.S. 2024 elections to the Russia – Ukraine military conflict outcomes with the aim of analyzing different foreign policy philosophies the two potential candidates have, that can have an effect not only on current Russo-Ukrainian conflict but on the whole global geopolitical situation in the current world. Theoretical Framework: realism as an international relations theory with the system level analysis is used to explain current global geopolitical issues. Method: The issue of methodology is decided according to the necessities of tasks of this article and is mostly based on data analyses, comparison of similarities or differences and case study. Results and Discussion: the current work claims that the major war on the European continent disrupts the core security arrangements which has a shattering effects of unipolar liberal order and how much will this order be changed, is mainly depended on the dedication to it by the U.S.A, European union countries and their liberal democratic allies around the globe. Research Implications: the research findings contribute in raising awareness of the current Ukraine conflict and accumulate the type of knowledge that enriches the political science with theoretical and practical value.

Evaluation of a real-time PCR assay performance to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis, rifampicin, and isoniazid resistance in sputum specimens: a multicenter study in two major cities of Indonesia

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is one of the major global health issues due to its high mortality rate, especially in low- and middle-income countries. One of the key success points of the TB eradication program is early TB diagnosis, which requires rapid and accurate diagnostic testing. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a newly developed RT-PCR kit (Indigen MTB/DR-TB RT-PCR) in a routine TB clinical setting.MethodA multi-fluorescence RT-PCR assay was designed and developed to detect regions within IS6110, rpoB, katG, and inhA of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) genes. Sputum specimens were obtained from suspected TB patients who visited TB healthcare facilities in two major cities of Indonesia from September 2022 to May 2023. Specimens were assessed using Indigen MTB/DR-TB RT-PCR, acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear microscopy, MTB culture, and drug susceptibility testing (DST) methods. Fisher’s exact test (χ2) was used to analyze the Indigen performance relative to culture methods.ResultThe performance of Indigen MTB/DR-TB RT-PCR to detect MTB was assessed using 610 sputum specimens obtained from suspected patients. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 94.12% (95% CI: 90.86–96.48%) and 98.32% (95% CI: 96.20–99.46%), respectively. When the analysis was performed on AFB smear-negative TB subjects (386 subjects), a lower sensitivity level was found at 78.57% (95% CI: 68.26–86.78%), while the specificity level remained similar at 98.34% (95% CI: 96.18–99.46%). The overall performance of Indigen MTB/DR-TB RT-PCR to detect MTB showed substantial agreement with the MTB culture method (kappa value 0.93). In comparison to DST, the sensitivity and specificity levels of Indigen to detect RIF resistance or INH resistance were 78.2% (95% CI: 61.8–90.2%) and 82.8% (95% CI: 64.2–94.2%), respectively, while the specificity level for both groups was at 100% (95% CI, 87.7–100%).ConclusionIndigen MTB/DR-TB RT-PCR demonstrated reliable performance for TB molecular diagnostic testing and can be implemented in routine TB diagnostic settings.

Navigating an unpredictable environment: the moderating role of perceived environmental unpredictability in the effectiveness of ecological resource scarcity information on pro-environmental behavior

BackgroundThe global issue of ecological resource scarcity, worsened by climate change, necessitates effective methods to promote resource conservation. One commonly used approach is presenting ecological resource scarcity information. However, the effectiveness of this method remains uncertain, particularly in an unpredictable world. This research aims to examine the role of perceived environmental unpredictability in moderating the impact of ecological resource scarcity information on pro-environmental behavior (PEB).MethodsWe conducted three studies to test our hypothesis on moderation. Study 1 (N = 256) measured perceived general environmental unpredictability, perceived resource scarcity and daily PEB frequencies in a cross-sectional survey. Study 2 (N = 107) took it a step further by manipulating resource scarcity. Importantly, to increase ecological validity, Study 3 (N = 135) manipulated the information on both ecological resource scarcity and nature-related environmental unpredictability, and measured real water and paper consumption using a newly developed washing-hands paradigm.ResultsIn Study 1, we discovered that perceived resource scarcity positively predicted PEB, but only when individuals perceive the environment as less unpredictable (interaction effect: 95% CI = [-0.09, -0.01], ΔR2 = 0.018). Furthermore, by manipulating scarcity information, Study 2 revealed that only for individuals with lower levels of environmental unpredictability presenting ecological resource scarcity information could decrease forest resource consumption intention (interaction effect: 95%CI = [-0.025, -0.031], ΔR2 = .04). Moreover, Study 3 found that the negative effect of water resource scarcity information on actual water and (interaction effect: 95%CI = [3.037, 22.097], ηp2 = .050) paper saving behaviors (interaction effect: 95%CI = [0.021, 0.275], ηp2 = .040), as well as hypothetical forest resource consumption (interaction effect: 95%CI = [-0.053, 0.849], ηp2 = .023) emerged only for people who receiving weaker environmental unpredictability information.ConclusionAcross three studies, we provide evidence to support the moderation hypothesis that environmental unpredictability weakens the positive effect of ecological resource scarcity information on PEB, offering important theoretical and practical implications on the optimal use of resource scarcity to enhance PEB.

How Governance Can Contribute to Amazon Biome Conservation?

Forest conservation has transcended environmental concerns and become a determining factor in global social and economic issues. Therefore, setting forest conservation goals, including recovery and/or reforestation, is critical to help mitigate global warming and climate change. Although Amazonian countries have forestry policies for forest conservation, the forest continues to be degraded. The aim of this article is to suggest a regional governance model for the nine countries that share the Amazon rainforest. The thesis of the paper is that the definition of a common legal basis for the nine countries can contribute to forest conservation. Through qualitative analysis of exploratory and descriptive variables, the main topics related to the proposal of a governance model were identified. Multi-level governance contributes to the environmental conservation process by creating an environment to engage local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse groups. As a result of this paper, we suggest the creation of a supranational governance, composed and regulated by each of the nine countries of the Amazon biome and having as reference the AFR100 initiative. The proposition and creation of governance among Amazonian countries are fundamental for achieving the objectives for the conservation of the biome; such governance must take into account existing public policies, institutional mechanisms, and financial commitments. Although the Amazon countries present a framework of policies and commitments that seek to preserve the biome, the reality is that forest degradation through deforestation with negative effects on the climate and on the communities that depend on the standing forest still exists.

Personalized medicine and nutrition in hepatology for preventing chronic liver disease in Mexico

Chronic liver disease is a global health issue. Patients with chronic liver disease require a fresh approach that focuses on the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to disease initiation and progression. Emerging knowledge in the fields of Genomic Medicine and Genomic Nutrition demonstrates differences between countries in terms of genetics and lifestyle risk factors such as diet, physical activity, and mental health in chronic liver disease, which serves as the foundation for the implementation of Personalized Medicine and Nutrition (PerMed-Nut) strategies. Most of the world’s populations have descended from various ethnic groupings. Mexico’s population has a tripartite ancestral background, consisting of Amerindian, European, and African lineages, which is common across Latin America’s regional countries. The purpose of this review is to discuss the genetic and environmental components that could be incorporated into a PerMed-Nut model for metabolic-associated liver disease, viral hepatitis B and C, and hepatocellular carcinoma in Mexico. Additionally, the implementation of the PerMed-Nut approach will require updated medicine and nutrition education curricula. Training and equipping future health professionals and researchers with new clinical and investigative abilities focused on preventing liver illnesses in the field of genomic hepatology globally is a vision that clinicians and nutritionists should be concerned about.

Prevalence of anemia and associated factors among pregnant women at Hargeisa Group Hospital, Somaliland

BackgroundAnemia remains a major global public health issue, affecting around 24.8% of the world’s population in both developing and developed countries. Pregnant women in developing countries are particularly susceptible, with 38.2% affected worldwide. Anemia is also a major contributor to maternal mortality, with 510,000 maternal deaths globally, of which 20% occur in developing countries and are related to anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is the most prevalent form, impacting 1.3 to 2.2 billion individuals, with 50% being women of reproductive age.AimThis study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anemia in pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at Hargeisa Group Hospital (HGH), Somaliland.MethodsA cross-sectional study included 360 pregnant women, who sought ANC at HGH from July 15 to August 6, 2023. The study subjects were selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and participants’ current medical charts, including hemoglobin levels. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 20).ResultsThe study revealed an overall prevalence of anemia among pregnant women at 50.6% (95% CI: 45.40 − 55.72%). Anemia severity was categorized as mild (33.0%), moderate (54.9%), and severe (12.1%). Factors statistically associated with anemia included gestational age in the third trimester (AOR = 3.248, 95% CI: 1.491–7.074), lack of ANC visits (AOR = 6.828, 95% CI: 1.966–23.721), and absence of iron supplementation (AOR = 29.588, 95% CI: 2.922–299.713). Notably, a higher consumption of meat per week was associated with a reduced risk of anemia (AOR = 0.198, 95% CI: 0.104–0.379).ConclusionThe study underscores the severity of anemia in pregnant women within the range considered as severe public health problem by WHO. It is crucial to emphasize effective prenatal care, improve dietary practices, and promote the provision of iron supplements. Enhanced maternal education on Anemia during ANC visits has the potential to reduce Anemia prevalence and mitigate adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Success Attribution and Support for Income Equality: Evidence from the United States and Germany

Income inequality within countries is a pressing global issue, and understanding its determinants is crucial for informing policies aimed at fostering economic fairness. In this paper, we use individual data from World Values Survey (WVS) wave 7 data (2017-2022) to study how the attribution of success to different (luck or effort) factors affects the views on income distribution (specifically, whether to support income equality or inequality). Our main hypothesis is that attributing success to effort rather than luck leads to a larger and statistically significant increase in the acceptance of inequality in the indulgent country – the United States. We indeed find that attributing success to effort is significantly and positively correlated with supporting income inequality in the United States, while this correlation is significantly weaker in Germany. But from the regression results, the country does not significantly change the relationship between success attribution and supporting income equality. Therefore, we reject our main hypothesis and conclude luck rather than effort as the source of success can’t lead to a more substantial and statistically significant increase in support in income equality in indulgent countries.

Exploring the metabolic implications of blue light exposure during daytime in rats

Excessive exposure to light is a global issue. Artificial light pollution has been shown to disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm. To investigate the impacts of light on metabolism, we studied Sprague-Dawley rats chronically exposed to red or blue light during daytime or nighttime. Rats in the experimental group were exposed to extended light for 4 hours during daytime or nighttime to simulate the effects of excessive light usage. Strikingly, we found systemic metabolic alterations only induced by blue light during daytime. Furthermore, we conducted metabolomic analyses of the cerebrospinal fluid, serum, heart, liver, spleen, adrenal, cerebellum, pituitary, prostate, spermatophore, hypothalamus and kidney from rats in the control and blue light exposure during daytime. Significant changes in metabolites have been observed in cerebrospinal fluid, serum, hypothalamus and kidney of rats exposed to blue light during daytime. Metabolic alterations observed in rats encompassing pyruvate metabolism, glutathione metabolism homocysteine degradation, phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis, and phospholipid biosynthesis, exhibit analogous patterns to those inherent in specific physiological processes, notably neurodevelopment, cellular injury, oxidative stress, and autophagic pathways. Our study provides insights into tissue-specific metabolic changes in rats exposed to blue light during the daytime and may help explain potential mechanisms of photopathogenesis.