High Level Research Articles

Counterfactual curiosity in real decisions: The roles of outcome valence and aging.

Non-instrumental counterfactual curiosity (i.e., the search for information about forgone options that is not useful for improving future outcomes) has especially been observed after outcomes perceived as negative and, consequently, attributed to forms of regret management. In three online experiments (N = 620), we extended the study of counterfactual curiosity about economically incentivized decisions in younger and older adults. Participants played independent rounds of a card-drawing game by choosing one of two decks to turn over the top, covered card, which could increase, decrease, or have no effect on an initial endowment. Following that, they could examine the top card of the other deck to see if and how the outcome could have differed. Experiment 1 featured identical decks, making the choice between them random. In Experiment 2, participants made a deliberate choice between a riskier and a safer deck, each varying in the extremity of potential wins and losses. In Experiment 3, the decks were identical to those in Experiment 2, but access to counterfactual information was contingent upon participants forfeiting part of their endowment. Results showed a relevant portion of both younger and older adults displayed curiosity for non-instrumental counterfactual information, especially when it was free and likely to reveal that the forgone option would have been better than the chosen one. Older adults exhibited a higher level of curiosity than younger counterparts only when choices were deliberate and counterfactual information was free. These findings are discussed in relation to current perspectives on the regret-management function of counterfactual curiosity.

Assessing Compliance with Indigenous Self-Determination Standards: A Comparative Analysis of Chile, Colombia, and Mexico

Recent advancements have been observed in the global legal framework, particularly in the recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights, among which the right to self-determination stands out. This right encompasses the ability to define their political status and to pursue economic, social, and cultural development autonomously. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has identified six criteria to evaluate adherence to these rights. This study aims to assess the progress made by Chile, Colombia, and Mexico in meeting these criteria. Employing a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and exploratory research design, the study utilized a questionnaire based on a Likert scale to gather data from residents of Indigenous communities within the three countries under consideration to measure the perception that these individuals have regarding the compliance with the six standards of the IACHR, and specific questions have been designed based on the content of each standard. Once the degree of self-determination is understood, a multivariate analysis technique (Principal Component Analysis) will be used to compare the level of progress by country. The data collection instruments were applied in 2023 (September/November), with the results processed and the final report drafted in early 2024. Findings suggest that the criterion most adequately met is that of cultural identity and non-discrimination, whereas the criterion pertaining to the right to prior, free, and informed consultation and consent is the least fulfilled. Through principal component analysis, it was noted that Colombia exhibits a higher level of compliance with the right to self-determination, followed by Mexico, with Chile demonstrating a divergence and lagging in progress. The study concludes that a significant challenge for these countries lies in continuing efforts to effectively meet these standards and ensure the right to self-determination for Indigenous and tribal peoples.

Low-Carbon Rural Areas: How Are Polish Municipalities Financing the Green Future?

The main aim of the research was to assess Polish rural municipalities’ investment activity connected with the development of a low-carbon economy, supported with EU funds in the 2007–2013 and 2014–2020 financial frameworks. The empirical study was based on data from Poland’s Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Ministry of Finance, and Statistics Poland, analysed through basic descriptive statistics and a logistic model to identify key factors influencing investment activity. The study showed that the greatest number of agreements on funding were, in fact, signed by rural municipalities in the period under analysis. The predominant measures undertaken during this time were the promotion of renewable energy sources and the improvement in energy efficiency. In the earlier financial framework, low-carbon economy projects in rural areas were more often implemented by municipalities with developing demographic potential, including those characterised by a higher level of enterprise development. In the subsequent financial framework, human capital turned out to be of key importance for the investment activity of rural municipalities. Experience gained from 2007–2013 positively influenced fund absorption in 2014–2020, improving project value, number, and support. The study confirmed that rural municipalities play a vital role in advancing a low-carbon economy, as local actions are key to achieving sustainable development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Prognostic utility of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin and growth differentiation factor 15 in patients undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Risk prediction in patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains an unsolved issue. In addition to classical risk scoring systems, novel circulating biomarkers like mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) may be of value in assessing risk. Consecutive patients undergoing elective transfemoral TAVI were included in this prospective observational study. Baseline information, imaging findings, blood samples, and clinical outcomes were collected. Blood levels of the classical biomarkers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive peptide (hsCRP) and of the novel biomarkers MR-proADM and GDF-15 were measured and their predictive utility for mortality assessed. The study cohort consisted of 92 patients undergoing TAVI. The median age was 80.7years [IQR 77.2;83.3], and 48 (52.2%) were male. Analysis of the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver-operating characteristics showed that the hsCRP levels discriminated poorly (AUC 0.66, 95% CI [0.52;0.8], p = 0.027), whereas all other biomarkers reached a higher level of discrimination (IL-6: AUC 0.76, 95% CI [0.66;0.86], p < 0.001; MR-proADM: AUC 0.73, 95% CI [0.61;0.85], p = 0.002; GDF-15: AUC 0.73, 95% CI [0.61;0.85], p = 0.002). Kaplan-Meier analysis in conjunction with Youden J-statistics yielded the optimal cutoff points for each biomarker to predict survival: IL-6 4.65pg/mL, hsCRP 12.9mg/L, MR-proADM 1.02nmol/L, and GDF-15 2400.1pg/mL. Novel circulating biomarkers like MR-proADM and GDF-15 may provide additional value in predicting survival after TAVI.

Indicators of the cytokine profile and standard immunogram in the controlled and uncontrolled course of bronchial asthma in children

Bronchial asthma in children is a multifactorial disease, but it is based on atopic inflammation, which is the focus of the main methods of research and therapy of this pathology. However, if we evaluate not only the fact of the appearance of bronchial asthma in a particular patient, but also consider its course in more detail, and especially the possibility of achieving control over the disease, then indicators of not only atopic inflammation, but also local inflammation in general, acquire great influence, which is one of the reasons for the continuing high percentage of uncontrolled and partially controlled course bronchial asthma in children. The purpose of this work is to identify changes in cytokine status indicators and immunograms – markers of the risk of uncontrolled bronchial asthma. 167 patients with bronchial asthma were examined, who, based on a standard clinical and instrumental examination, according to the criteria of clinical recommendations, were divided into two groups – controlled (70 people) and partially controlled and uncontrolled (97 children). All of them had their cytokines and IgA, IgM, IgG, IgE levels determined, in blood serum by ELISA, subpopulations of lymphocytes by flow cytometry, indicators of neutrophilic phagocytosis by light microscopy. In the group with uncontrolled asthma, the following significant differences were noted: a decrease in the level of IL-7, IL-9 and an increase in IL-8, there is also a higher level of B lymphocytes, IgE and IgM, and a lower level of IgA, similar changes, but less pronounced, were previously detected in other studies when comparing patients with bronchial asthma and conditionally healthy, as well as mild and severe course diseases. There were no significant differences in the other studied indicators. It is noteworthy that the greater influence on the control of the disease in bronchial asthma is not exerted by atopic cytokines responsible for the very fact of atopic inflammation, but by cytokines of general inflammation, such as IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, regulating the severity of inflammation in general, the role of IL-8 as a cytokine of granulocyte chemotaxis regulating local inflammation is especially interesting.

Phototuning of Multi-Color Emission in PMMA Composite Films for Information Encryption Applications

A strategy centered on dynamically tunable excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) processes is proposed for the design and synthesis of luminescent compounds. An emitter based on guanidine-substituted 1,8-naphthalimide (R-1) with ESPT characteristics has been meticulously engineered. Upon incorporation into poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrices, the tunable ESPT process, transitioning between blue and yellow-green emission within the composite film, can be precisely controlled through irradiation in different pH environments. Moreover, the luminescence of the R-1/PMMA composite film exhibits variations in response to environmental changes, and demonstrates excellent fatigue resistance. Exploiting this characteristic, information such as “2020” can be encoded, and this encoded information automatically manifests in response to fluctuations in external pH. Specifically, employing a designated method is essential for accurately deciphering the information. The pH-dependent nature of this feature imparts a higher level of security to the material and offers new insights into information encryption.

Studying the X-ray absorption characteristics of Centaurus X-3 using nearly 14 years of MAXI/GSC data

Centaurus X-3 is a persistent high-mass X-ray binary with the long-term light curve from the source exhibiting orbit-to-orbit intensity variations with no apparent superorbital periodicity. We used sim 13.5 years of MAXI /GSC data to study the long-term behaviour of X-ray absorption caused by the stellar wind from the companion star and any absorbing structures present in the binary. We used orbital-phase-resolved spectroscopy to study the variation in the photoelectric absorption along the line of sight of the source for both the intensity-averaged data and intensity-resolved data after dividing all the data binned with orbital period into three intensity levels. We find an asymmetric variation in the photoelectric absorption along the line of sight across an orbit of the source. The orbital-phase-resolved spectra show a clear increase in photoelectric absorption after $ orb 0.5, which deviates from a spherically symmetric stellar wind model. The flux of Cen X-3 shows significant variation between consecutive orbits. An intensity-resolved spectral analysis of the source was performed, followed by an intensity-resolved and orbital-phase-resolved spectral analysis, which showed that at the medium and high intensity levels, the orbital-phase-resolved photoelectric absorption is slightly asymmetric with respect to mid-phase ($ orb =$ 0.5). The asymmetry is very pronounced at the lowest intensity level and cannot be explained by a spherically symmetric wind from the companion star. The differences in the orbital phase-dependence of absorption for different intensity levels suggest that the presence of an accretion wake, photoionization wake, or tidal stream is more prominent at a lower intensity level for Centaurus X-3 than at a higher intensity level.

Time of Energy Intake: Association with Weight Status, Diet Quality, and Sociodemographic Characteristics in Brazil.

This study aimed to estimate the association of time of energy intake with weight status, diet quality, and sociodemographic characteristics in Brazil. This cross-sectional study used data from a nationally representative survey with 44.744 individuals (≥10 years old). Food consumption was assessed by 24 h recall. The evening/morning energy intake ratio was calculated, standardized, and categorized in tertiles. The association between the evening/morning energy intake ratio and weight status was estimated using polynomial logistic regression models, and differences across diet quality and sociodemographic categories were estimated considering the non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals. Men, adolescents, adults, and individuals in the higher income level had greater evening energy intake. Those with a higher evening-to-morning energy intake ratio were 15% more likely to be obese (OR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.28), 21% less likely to be underweight (OR = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.64 to 0.98), and reported greater total energy, protein, and lipid intake, as well as higher consumption of low-quality diet markers. Higher evening energy intake relative to morning intake was associated with obesity, low-quality diet markers, and sociodemographic characteristics. The characterization of the time of energy intake can be useful for tailoring and targeting diet promotion actions and for controlling the obesity epidemic.

Analisis Keterampilan Riset Mahasiswa Melalui Karya Ilmiah Pada Mata Kuliah Bioteknologi Dengan Model Project Base Learning

The 21st century learning trend emphasizes skills, not just knowledge. Among the emerging competencies are learning and innovation, which are very possible to be accommodated at the higher education level. In order to realize this, research skills are an important competency that must be possessed by students and are the outlet of the studies carried out. This study is a quantitative descriptive study that analyzes research skills in students' scientific work which is the output of the biotechnology course. The research skills aspect is based on the Research Skill Development (RSD) developed by Willison and O'Regan which has been modified. Based on the results of the analysis of scientific work which is the output of the biotechnology course, students achieved a score of 81 with a very good category. However, there are several aspects that still need to be strengthened. The lowest aspect of research skills is presenting problems, namely with a score of 2.0 and is categorized as lacking. The aspect that is also categorized as lacking is literature search which strengthens the analysis with a score of 2.2. Students need to strengthen their skills in literature search as an effort to deepen their findings. Further research can be directed at the implementation of problem-based learning combined with science writing heuristic as an effort to strengthen the aspects of problem presentation and literature search in research skills.

Neighborhood Environment and Longitudinal Follow-Up of Glycosylated Hemoglobin for Youth with Overweight or Obesity.

Background: Neighborhood environment, which includes multiple social drivers of health, has been associated with a higher incidence of chronic conditions in adult cohorts. We examine if neighborhood environment is associated with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and body mass index (BMI) as a percentage of the 95th percentile (BMIp95) for youth with overweight and obesity. Methods: Cohort study using electronic health record data from a large Midwestern Children's Hospital. Youth aged 8-16 years qualified for the study with a documented BMI ≥ 85th percentile and two HbA1c test results between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019. Neighborhood environment was measured using area deprivation index (ADI). Results: Of the 1,309 youth that met eligibility, mean age was 14.0 ± 3.2 years, 58% female, 48% Black, and 39% White. At baseline, the average (SD) of BMIp95 was 126.1 (26.14) and HbA1c5.4 (0.46). 670 (51%) lived in a more deprived (MD) area. The median time to follow-up was 15-months. Youth that lived in a MD area had a significantly higher follow-up HbA1c (β = 0.034, p = 0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.00, 0.06]) and BMIp95 (β = 1.283, p = 0.03, 95% CI: [0.13, 2.44]). An increase in BMIp95 was associated with worse HbA1c for most youth that lived in a MD area. Conclusions: Youth that lived in an MD area had a small but statistically significant higher level of HbA1c and BMIp95 at follow-up. Public health surveillance systems should include ADI as a risk factor for longitudinal progression of cardiometabolic diseases.

The effects of the changes in the depression on suicidal ideation among older adults aged 75 and above before and after the COVID-19

BackgroundThe unprecedented pandemic situation of COVID-19 has had a negative impact on the mental health of many people, especially among the "old-old" older adults who are aged 75 or older. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the changes in depression among "old-old" older adults before and after the onset of COVID-19, and the extent to which depression affects suicidal ideations.MethodThe 12th to 16th Korea Welfare Panel Study(KoWePS) conducted from 2017 to 2021 was used for analysis. For this study, 771 older individuals with complete data to estimate the degree of change of depression were selected as the final analysis subjects.ResultA Growth Mixture Modeling(GMM) analysis was conducted, resulting in the classification of two groups: an increasing group and a decreasing group. The study findings showed that "old-old" older individuals with high levels of depression, specifically those in the decreasing group, may be more susceptible to suicidal ideation. Despite this steep change slope, the decreasing group still exhibited a higher level of depression in 2021 compared to the increasing group. As per characteristics, the decreasing group, which showed a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation, had a higher proportion of women and individuals with lower levels of education, those living alone, and a lower household income compared to the increasing group.ConclusionIt is important to note that although the study emphasized the need to prioritize intervention for the decreasing group with consistently high levels of depression, the majority of individuals belong to the increasing group, which exhibited a gradual increase in depression levels over time. Therefore, intervention plans should be developed concurrently for both groups. Also, it is crucial to implement proactive efforts targeting groups with understandings of these characteristics when establishing preventative measures for depression and suicidal ideation among "old-old" older adults.

Full-time education: Assessment of the impact on learning of the Brazilian program Novo Mais Educação

Although there is no consensus on the effectiveness of full-time education in learning, several countries in Latin America have developed programs to extend school hours aiming at a higher level of student performance. In Brazil, the federal government implemented two policies for increasing school hours: Mais Educação Program (PME), from 2008 to 2017, and Novo Mais Educação Program (PNME), in 2018 and 2019. Therefore, this paper assesses the impact of PNME on students’ learning and discusses the effectiveness of the PNME’s design compared to the previous policy PME. Official data from the Brazilian government were used and the methodology combined Difference-in-Differences with propensity score matching for evaluating math and language students test scores. For the initial years of Elementary School, the results show a positive impact on learning, but for the final years the results were ambiguous: a null effect on language students test scores and a negative impact on math tests scores. Yet these results proved to be more promising than those of its predecessor, the PME, which can be assigned to PNME’s design more focused on expanding language and math learning hours.

The effect of high levels of Glycyrrhiza glabra powder on performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, immunity, intestinal microbial flora, intestinal morphology and breast muscle fatty acid profile in broilers

In order to investigate the effect of licorice medicinal plant on performance, carcass characteristics, fatty acid profile of breast muscle, intestinal microbial flora, blood constitutes and immunity of broiler chickens, an experiment using a completely randomized design with 3 treatments, 4 replications, 10 chicks per repetition and a total of 120 pieces of one-day-old male broiler chickens of commercial strain Ross 308 were performed for 42 days. Experimental treatments included three different levels of licorice (0, 300 and 400 mg/kg feed). Data was analyzed using SAS statistical software and averages were compared at the 5% probability level with Duncan's multiple range test. The results showed that although variation in feed consumption, weight gain and feed conversion ratio was not significant in any of the rearing periods (P≥0.05), the highest feed consumption, weight gain and the best feed conversion ratio was observed in the final period of chickens were fed with Diet containing 400mg/kg licorice. Also, according to the data, the best European index was related to this treatment. In addition, the use of two levels of licorice had no significant effect on carcass characteristics or intestinal microbial flora; however, the highest increase in body weight and the lowest number of Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria were observed at the higher level of licorice. However, these high levels did not lead to a decrease in abdominal fat. According to the results obtained, different levels of licorice led to a significant reduction of harmful fats such as cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and LDL (P&lt;0.05). Furthermore, although the level of HDL was not significant (P≥ 0.05), its highest amount was seen at high levels of licorice. In addition, the lowest amount of total protein, albumin and globulin was observed at the level of 400 mg/kg of licorice. According to these results, although the amount of glucose was lowest its level was not significant (P≥0.05), Also, the use of this same level of licorice had no significant effect on the function of the humoral immune system in response to antigen injection (SRBC Antibody against sheep red blood cell) or antibody titer against Newcastle virus and influenza (P≥0.05). Nevertheless, according to the data, the highest antibody titer against Newcastle virus and SRBC antigen was associated with this treatment. These results also showed that high levels of licorice led to an increase in the number of Bifidobacterium. Villi width and crypt depth decreased at the high dose of licorice, but the ratio of villi length to crypt depth increased. In addition, the use of different levels of licorice could not reduce the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids compared to the control group. Therefore, based on the results of this research, it is recommended to use the level of 400 mg/kg of licorice to supplement the diet of broilers of Ross 308 strain.

Assessment of socioeconomic and health vulnerability among urban slum dwellers in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundBangladesh is rapidly urbanizing and approximately half of its urban population resides in deprived slums with limited access to basic needs. However, there is a dearth of information on vulnerability levels among slum dwellers. We aimed to assess the level of vulnerability within and between slums via various socioeconomic and health indicators.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 810 randomly selected households was conducted in two purposively selected slums, Korail and Shyampur, in Dhaka from November to December 2021. Data was collected on various indicators, including demographics, education, employment, access to utility, and healthcare services. Principal component factor analysis was employed to identify the key indicators to construct the socioeconomic and health vulnerability index for the urban slums of Bangladesh (SEHVI-BD). Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin, Bartlett’s test, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient test were used to assess indicators’ suitability. The selected indicators were used to generate an index on a scale of 100, with a higher index value indicating a higher level of vulnerability. The estimated scores were used to categorize the vulnerability status into three levels: mild, moderate, and severe vulnerability. The Mann-Whitney-U test and Kruskal-Wallis test were applied between the generated index and other socioeconomic variables to validate the relationship.ResultsA total of 27 socioeconomic and health indicators were identified that explained 60% of the variance. The indicators were then grouped into six domains on the basis of their relevance. The prevalence of severe vulnerability in the Korail slum was approximately 9% and moderate vulnerability was 30% whereas these values were approximately 58% and 37%, respectively, in the Shyampur slum. The difference in the vulnerability level between the two slums was also evident across the domains. Households in the poorest wealth quintile, with lower education levels of household heads, and having irregular income experienced higher levels of vulnerability.ConclusionsThe SEHVI-BD offers a critical tool for policymakers to identify and address vulnerabilities, facilitating more targeted public health interventions in urban Bangladesh and similar low-income settings. This study further emphasizes the importance of integrating comprehensive vulnerability assessments into public health policies to reduce inequalities and improve well-being, especially for the urban marginalized slum population.

The equivalence of a high-stakes objective structured clinical exam adapted to suit a virtual delivery format.

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid adaptation of clinical competence assessments, including the transition of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) from in-person to virtual formats. This study investigates the construct equivalence of a high-stakes OSCE, originally designed for in-person delivery, when adapted for a virtual format. A retrospective analysis was conducted using OSCE scores from the Internationally Educated Nurse Competency Assessment Program (IENCAP®). Data were collected from 15 exam administrations between January 2018 and June 2022, encompassing 2021 examinees (1936 in-person, 85 virtual). The Many-Facet Rasch Measurement (MFRM) model was employed to analyze the invariance of examinee ability, case difficulty, and criteria difficulty across in-person and virtual formats. Results revealed overall examinee ability estimates remained invariant regardless of the OSCE format, while invariant violations were identified in only three of the 15 cases (N = 20%) adapted to suit the virtual format. The most significant adaptation, namely the use of a verbal physical examination to suit the virtual context achieved equivalence to its hands-on in-person counterpart given evidence of invariance across criteria estimates. Interestingly, criteria scores in invariant violated cases displayed a higher level of stability or consistency across the virtual OSCE formats versus their in-person counterpart highlighting a potential benefit of the virtual versus in-person format and potentially linked to the verbal physical examination. The study found that while examinee ability and case difficulty estimates exhibited some invariance between in-person and virtual OSCE formats, criteria involving physical assessments faced challenges in maintaining construct equivalence. These findings highlight the need for careful consideration in adapting high-stakes clinical assessments to virtual formats to ensure fairness and reliability.

An exploration of factors leading to readiness for organizational health literacy change in community-based health organizations.

Healthcare systems have a responsibility to improve organizational health literacy (OHL) to increase health equity. This study explored two organizational cultural factors, leadership support and staff buy-in, for organizations planning OHL change. Ten community-based health organizations participated in an OHL program. The study design was mixed methods. The qualitative inquiry was interviews with senior leaders to explore awareness of OHL and: impetus to transform, leadership commitment, staff engagement, alignment to organizational goals, and integration of health literacy change with current practices. The quantitative assessment was the Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change (ORIC) questionnaire to assess staff's perceptions about OHL change readiness. Senior leaders articulated the effects of low health literacy in their patient and client population. Support for OHL change was seen at both leadership and staff levels. Impetus for change was primarily a response to a community need or for quality improvement. Most of the non-clinical organizations had higher ORIC scores than the clinical organizations, indicating a perceived higher level of readiness for OHL change. Leadership commitment and staff buy-in are important factors of readiness for OHL change. A novel finding is that community-based health organizations are able and willing to engage in OHL change.

Allocation of Treatment Slots in Elective Mental Health Care-Are Waiting Lists the Ethically Most Appropriate Option?

Waiting lists are a standard approach to managing excess demand in elective health care. While waiting times are an important policy issue, the ethical validity of the first come, first served (FCFS) principle as such is rarely questioned. Presenting a psychiatric day hospital where all eligible patients have roughly equal claims as a case study, we criticize the reflex use of FCFS for allocation of elective psychiatric care, consider conditions under which this may not be the optimal strategy, and discuss alternatives. We conclude that in our example prioritizing more recent referrals (last come, first served [LCFS]) makes more sense, clinically and ethically. Where several referrals arrive (near-)simultaneously under LCFS, we propose that a higher level of scrutiny be applied to detect possible good reasons for prioritizing one of them. We believe that our observations can be applied to other health care settings that share relevant characteristics with our case.

Revealing the essential and sufficient conditions for the energy consumption diversification

To investigate the diversification of energy consumption in 65 countries during 2019, this study utilizes the Shannon-Wiener index (SWI), Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), and Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (FsQCA). According to the NCA model, all variables, except FSI, have the necessary conditions for the energy consumption diversification (ECD). The fsQCA model for high ECD identifies four adequate configurations that involve a combination of high human development, high green growth, global innovation, and either lower levels of urbanization or the presence of fragile states. One notable solution, with a consistency score of 93 %, is that a higher level of global innovation combined with lower levels of urbanization leads to higher ECD. Conversely, the model identifies three configurations sufficient for low ECD, which typically include higher levels of urbanization, fragile states, and lower levels of innovation and green growth. One of the most significant of these, with a consistency score of 81 %, is that increasing urbanization while decreasing green growth and global innovation leads to low ECD. According to the research findings, policymakers should strengthen the innovation ecosystem and focus on developing human capital to enhance energy diversity. Additionally, efforts should be made to combat corruption, stabilize governance, and improve oversight to ensure greater investment in clean energy.

Pre-COVID-19 cognitive social capital trajectories and peri-COVID-19 depression in China, 2014–2020: A longitudinal study

BackgroundSocial capital is dynamic; however, little is known about the association of its dynamics with peri-pandemic health. We examined the longitudinal association of pre-COVID-19 cognitive social capital trajectories with peri-COVID-19 depressive symptoms and the moderating effect of province-level COVID-19 severity on the association in China. MethodsWe employed four-wave data from China Family Panel Studies between 2014 and 2020. Depressive symptoms in 2020 were measured by the 8-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. Pre-COVID-19 cognitive social capital from 2014 to 2018 included dichotomized (high/low) generalized trust, trust in neighbors, trust in local government officials, and reciprocity, each of which included five trajectories: persistently low, decreased, fluctuated, increased, and persistently high. Province-level COVID-19 severity in 2020 was a factor score constructed by the number of provincial COVID-19 cases and deaths. We conducted mixed-effects linear regression to answer our research questions. ResultsPersistently low generalized trust (β: 0.46; 95 % CI: 0.15,0.78), persistently low (β: 0.57; 95 % CI: 0.22, 0.92), decreased (β: 0.36; 95 % CI: 0.07, 0.65) and increased (β: 0.40; 95 % CI: 0.12, 0.68) trust in neighbors, and persistently low (β: 0.39; 95 % CI: 0.02, 0.77) and decreased (β: 0.68; 95 % CI: 0.38, 0.97) reciprocity, compared with their persistently high trajectories, were associated with a higher level of peri-COVID-19 depressive symptoms. We did not find robust evidence to support the moderating effect of province-level COVID-19 severity. ConclusionsLong-term strategies to increase cognitive social capital and prevent cognitive social capital decline are needed to protect mental health against a pandemic.

Влияние на климатичните промени върху хематологичния и биохимичен статус на стадо крави от порода Лимузин в средата на два последователни пасищни сезона

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the status in the red and white blood count, together with the values of some enzymes and metabolites - ALT, AST, ALP, serum iron and glucose in selected animals from a herd of Limousine beef cattle in the middle of two consecutive grazing seasons, with large differences in the average daily temperature, the amount and distribution of precipitation and of the quantity and quality of the grass at the end of its vegetation. The study was conducted in the experimental base “Zlatusha” of the IAS-Kostinbrod with 15 pregnant cows equalized by BCS and age, from which blood samples were taken in July, 2022 and 2023, by venipuncture of the tail vein. The analysis of hematological indicators in whole blood was performed with a 5-Part-Diff Automated Hematology Analyzer URIT-5160, and the analysis of biochemical indicators - in plasma extracted from it with a Semi-automatic Biochemical Analyzer BTS-350. Results are expressed as mean values ± S.E.M. and were analyzed statistically by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method. Although there was almost no difference in the levels of hematocrit and the number of erythrocytes in the middle of two grazing seasons, in July, 2022, the studied cows had a significantly higher level of hemoglobin than in July, 2023 (P&lt;0.001), which reflected also on the significance of the difference in mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) – also at P&lt;0.001. There were no significant differences in leukocyte counts and leukocyte subpopulations and in iron and glucose concentrations in the middle of two consecutive years. ALT and AST enzyme activities were significantly lower (P&lt;0.05), and ALP activity was significantly higher in July, 2022 (P&lt;0.01).