Human Development Factor Research Articles

Long COVID prevalence differences across 27 European countries that participated in the 2021 Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant burden in Europe, with over 60% of infected individuals developing Long COVID symptoms. Variations in Long COVID prevalence across countries are linked to individual-level factors, but the influence of population-based country-level characteristics remains unclear. Thus, our objective was to assess how country-level characteristics related to: (i) the way European countries responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, (ii) their population-level health status, (iii) provision and access to healthcare services, (iv) human development, governance, and environmental risk factors, are associated with Long COVID. We used a sample of 4,004 middle-aged and older adults from 27 European countries who, in summer 2021, participated in Corona Survey 2 (from Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) and who reported COVID-19 infection one year prior to the survey. To assess the potential role of country-level characteristics, while controlling for key individual-level factors, we estimated three sequential multilevel random intercept logistic regression models. Approximately 70% of respondents who had COVID-19 also experienced Long COVID symptoms and there were significant cross-country differences in Long COVID rates, ranging from 32% to 89%. About 13% of the total variance in the risk of having Long COVID can be attributed to cross-country differences and the remaining 87% to individual-level factors. The individual-level characteristics also accounted for 6% of the observed cross-country differences in Long COVID rates (compositional effects) while the country-level characteristics further reduced this variance by over 50%. Both individual and country-level factors influence Long COVID occurrence, emphasizing the need for tailored recovery plans, healthcare planning and resource allocation at the national level to address this condition.

BCL11A intellectual developmental disorder: defining the clinical spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlations.

An increasing number of individuals with intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) and heterozygous variants in BCL11A are identified, yet our knowledge of manifestations and mutational spectrum is lacking. To address this, we performed detailed analysis of 42 individuals with BCL11A-related IDD (BCL11A-IDD, a.k.a. Dias-Logan syndrome) ascertained through an international collaborative network, and reviewed 35 additional previously reported patients. Analysis of 77 affected individuals identified 60 unique disease-causing variants (30 frameshift, 7 missense, 6 splice-site, 17 stop-gain) and 8 unique BCL11A microdeletions. We define the most prevalent features of BCL11A-IDD: IDD, postnatal-onset microcephaly, hypotonia, behavioral abnormalities, autism spectrum disorder, and persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HbF), and identify autonomic dysregulation as new feature. BCL11A-IDD is distinguished from 2p16 microdeletion syndrome, which has a higher incidence of congenital anomalies. Our results underscore BCL11A as an important transcription factor in human hindbrain development, identifying a previously underrecognized phenotype of a small brainstem with a reduced pons/medulla ratio. Genotype-phenotype correlation revealed an isoform-dependent trend in severity of truncating variants: those affecting all isoforms are associated with higher frequency of hypotonia, and those affecting the long (BCL11A-L) and extra-long (-XL) isoforms, sparing the short (-S), are associated with higher frequency of postnatal microcephaly. With the largest international cohort to date, this study highlights persistence of fetal hemoglobin as a consistent biomarker and hindbrain abnormalities as a common feature. It contributes significantly to our understanding of BCL11A-IDD through an extensive unbiased multi-center assessment, providing valuable insights for diagnosis, management and counselling, and into BCL11A's role in brain development.

Pengaruh Faktor Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia terhadap Tingkat Produktivitas Kerja Pegawai Negeri Sipil pada Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Daerah Kabupaten Fakfak

Human resource development both those working in the public sector (Civil Servants, SOE Employees, BUMD Employees) and sectors. Talking about organizational problems is inseparable from the element of human resources. The definition of human resources is people in an organization who participate and contribute according to their respective fields of duty. Human resource development will indeed not see results quickly, but in the long term, this investment will yield results that meet the expectations of the organization.In this sense, the term development will include the meaning of training and education, namely as a means of improving skills and general knowledge for human resources, in this case Civil Servants who work at the Fakfak Development Planning Agency. In the work unit at the Fakfak Development Planning Agency, it can be achieved well if there is a Civil Servant development program.This study aims to find out the influence of human resource training and development factors on the productivity of civil servants on the Fakfak Regency BAPPEDA and to find out the most dominant variables of human resource training and development factors affecting the productivity of civil servants in the Fakfak Regency BAPPEDA.The research methods used are quantitative and qualitative research methods. Based on the results of important findings of the Civil Servant Development Method research, there are 2 (two) methods of employee development, namely the on the job training method and the off the job training method.

Emerging an adult education ecosystem as a human development factor

Emerging an adult education ecosystem as a human development factor

Capitalism, Education and Social Mobility: Critical Approach Based on Scientific Literature

Education is a key factor for human development and social progress. However, in the context of capitalism, education is also influenced by economic inequalities and power structures. Scientific information selected through a critical review has identified the main theories and findings regarding education conceived within the capitalist model and inherent social mobility. The results demonstrate that in more egalitarian states, wage increases associated with education vary only slightly based on socioeconomic status. However, significant class disparities exist in states with moderate to high levels of inequality. While some argue that education can be a tool for upward mobility, others emphasize how capitalism and pre-existing inequalities can limit such mobility. Understanding this relationship is crucial for addressing issues of equity and social justice in capitalist societies.

The Myth (or Folly) of African Debt

Despite past debt relief initiatives, the external debt of Africa is rising again, and it has some new worrying features: diminishing concessionality and a rising private creditor. Sub-Saharan African countries devote a significant portion of their fiscal resources to service the debt, and this prevents them from increasing development expenditures (generally imports of strategic goods that can't be produced domestically). By adding a human development factor to the Geometry of Debt Sustainability model (GDS) (Vaggi and Prizzon 2014) and following the analytical framework of Pasinetti (1998), we assess how external debt sustainability changes when countries increase the foreign currency purchasing of health and education goods and services. Not only these types of human development expenditures are central to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but they have become even more important due to impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on many low income countries (LICs). We evaluate external debt sustainability in two African contexts: Kenya and a composite country, called Ubuntu, which is representative of Sub-Saharan Africa average indebtedness conditions. The results confirm the existence of a trade-off between debt service and human development expenditures. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sub-Saharan African countries were on unsustainable debt trajectories as the debt-to-GDP ratios would stabilize only at extremely high values.

Emergence of the ZNF675 Gene During Primate Evolution-Influenced Human Neurodevelopment Through Changing HES1 Autoregulation.

In this study, we investigated recurrent copy number variations (CNVs) in the 19p12 locus, which are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. The two genes in this locus, ZNF675 and ZNF681, arose via gene duplication in primates, and their presence in several pathological CNVs in the human population suggests that either or both of these genes are required for normal human brain development. ZNF675 and ZNF681 are members of the Krüppel-associated box zinc finger (KZNF) protein family, a class of transcriptional repressors important for epigenetic silencing of specific genomic regions. About 170 primate-specific KZNFs are present in the human genome. Although KZNFs are primarily associated with repressing retrotransposon-derived DNA, evidence is emerging that they can be co-opted for other gene regulatory processes. We show that genetic deletion of ZNF675 causes developmental defects in cortical organoids, and our data suggest that part of the observed neurodevelopmental phenotype is mediated by a gene regulatory role of ZNF675 on the promoter of the neurodevelopmental gene Hes family BHLH transcription factor 1 (HES1). We also find evidence for the recently evolved regulation of genes involved in neurological disorders, microcephalin 1 and sestrin 3. We show that ZNF675 interferes with HES1 auto-inhibition, a process essential for the maintenance of neural progenitors. As a striking example of how some KZNFs have integrated into preexisting gene expression networks, these findings suggest the emergence of ZNF675 has caused a change in the balance of HES1 autoregulation. The association of ZNF675 CNV with human developmental disorders and ZNF675-mediated regulation of neurodevelopmental genes suggests that it evolved into an important factor for human brain development.

Interplay of human capital development and related behavioural factors as panacea for turnover intentions

Interplay of human capital development and related behavioural factors as panacea for turnover intentions

Nexus between ECO-Innovation, Human Development and CO2 Emissions

Climate change and environmental issues have become increasingly acute in recent decades, raising global concerns about environmental sustainability. In this context, eco-innovation has become an indispensable component of the efforts to undertake these challenges and build a more sustainable future. This research focuses on analysing the relationship between the eco-innovation index, the human development index (HDI), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, CO2 emissions per capita in European Union member states, for the period 2013-2021. Adopting statistical analysis, particularly the Pearson correlation coefficient, the research examines the relation between these variables. The findings shed light on the complex dynamics between eco-innovation, human development, economic indicators, and environmental factors, providing valuable insights for policy makers, researchers who want to deal with sustainability challenges and promote inclusive growth.

Pioneering Digital Transformation in African: The Path to Maturity Amidst Unique Challenges and Opportunities

This paper employs a scoping review methodology to thoroughly investigate the distinctive challenges and opportunities that define digital transformation in African organizations. By examining critical dimensions, including technological infrastructure, governmental commitment, organizational culture, human capital development, regulatory environments, market dynamics, and economic factors, the study provides an in-depth analysis against the backdrop of Africa's burgeoning economies and the transformative aftermath of COVID-19. The scoping review methodology facilitates a comprehensive and expansive approach to literature examination, aligning key variables and essential terms with relevant literature sources. Drawing insights from a diverse range of materials, the findings illuminate both the transformative potential of digital technologies in Africa and the persistent hurdles, such as the digital divide, skills shortages, and infrastructure deficits. The synthesis of these insights not only underscores the imperative for innovation and widespread adoption but also emphasizes the necessity of societal restructuring to fully realize the impact of digital technologies in Africa. In conclusion, the paper offers recommendations that advocate for holistic, collaborative solutions, bringing together governments, private entities, and educational institutions in strategic alignment with the global discourse on Africa's role in the digital economy.

Work-Related Flow in Contrast to Either Happiness or PERMA Factors for Human Resources Management Development of Career Sustainability

In promoting career sustainability, psychological theories historically have informed human resource management (HRM) development—three assessment directions are among them: work-related flow, happiness promotion, and appraising PERMA (Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment) factors. Csikszentmihalyi’s work-related flow represents an optimally challenging work-related process. Happiness promotion strives to maintain a pleased satisfaction with the current experience. PERMA represents measurable positive psychological factors constituting well-being. Reliable and validated, the experience of flow has been found to determine career sustainability in contrast to the more often investigated happiness ascertainment or identifying PERMA factors. Career sustainability research to inform HRM development is in its infancy. Therefore, publishers’ commitment to sustainability provides integrity. Given MDPI’s uniquely founding sustainability concern, its journal articles were searched with the keywords “flow, Csikszentmihalyi, work”, excluding those pertaining to education, health, leisure, marketing, non-workers, and spirituality, to determine the utilization of work-related flow to achieve career sustainability. Of the 628 returns, 28 reports were included for potential assessment. Current studies on Csikszentmihalyi’s work-related flow ultimately represented three results. These provide insight into successful, positive methods to develop career sustainability. Consequently, HRM is advised to investigate practices for assessing and encouraging employees’ engagement with work-related flow with the aim of ensuring career sustainability.

Assessing the dynamic impacts of climate change adaptation and clean energy innovations on economic growth in OECD countries

AbstractThis paper examines whether accelerating climate change adaptation and clean energy innovations is an effective way to promote sustainable development and mitigate environmental risks. Based on this, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the potential effect of climate change adaptation and clean energy innovations with casual factors of social, political, human development, environmental, and climatic determinants as drivers of economic growth in 38 Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries from 1990 to 2020. Employing the system‐generalized method of moments (GMM) method, this study shows that causal factors of social, political, educational, and environmental development have a positive effect on the economic growth process. Additionally, the interaction between climate change adaptation and temperature has a constant positive impact on economic growth. The findings highlight that policymakers should thoroughly evaluate the potential impacts of the climate change adaptation process and clean energy innovations in all aspects and implement measures and approaches that promote sustainable development, increase the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies, and address the challenges posed by climate change.

Cultural Competency: A Cardinal Force in Social Work Practice and Service-A Cultural Practice Guide for Human Services and the Helping Professions

Culture is a significant factor in human development, sustainability, and societal cohesion. It is greatly cherished and holds universal significance to individuals, groups, families, communities, societies, and nations. Culture affects how a victim, survivor, client, or family responds to life altering experiences such as domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, and trauma. It also influences how a client or family deals with loss and grief, resilience, and recovery. Hence, understanding different cultures and cultural practices, symbols, artifacts, the meaning they hold, and respecting and operating within the confines of a set culture is very important. Cultural competency is a key medium through which this need can be addressed. Cultural competency is a core principle that should undergird a social worker’s service/practice with clients as enshrined in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Failure to execute cultural competency is detrimental to the delivery of appropriate and effective services to clients, and a digression from the code of ethics and professional standard of practice within the profession of social work. The execution of cultural competency in social work practice fosters a positive and enduring therapeutic relationship between the social worker and client, and lays the foundation for productive engagement, interaction, and intervention. From this perspective, this article embodies a review of the research literature on the topic of culture and culturally competent practice from different disciplines. The review and analysis include a study this author conducted in Ghana-Africa that examined the significance of culture and its impact on individuals and their perceptions as well as behaviors within a cultural context. Specifically, the study focused on the cultural effects on learning and the transfer of knowledge, and this paper relates its significant implications for understanding culture and responsiveness to cultural practices within professional practice. The findings from this original study revealed that culture impacts an individual’s perception and behavior significantly. The implications for culturally effective social work practice were discussed and recommendations for cultural competence, responsive, and responsible practices including anti-oppressive intervention strategies at the micro, mezzo and macro levels were put forward. In addition, a cultural conceptual practice model called GACIE was proposed for use in assessing and intervening with culturally diverse ethnic minority clients.

Effectiveness of selected interventions on quality of life and self-efficacy among elderly.

India is one of the world's developing countries, and its population is ageing, that is, increasing, which increases the demand for health care. Ageing is a natural process. Quality of life (QoL) and self-efficacy are two of the most important factors in human development. This is a study to assess the effectiveness of selected interventions on QoL and self-efficacy among elderly. A community-based survey was used to select samples in a rural community. Data were collected between March 25 and April 23, 2022 using a quasi-experimental, one-group pre- and post-test research design. This survey was conducted among the elderly, of whom 60 were selected using simple random sampling techniques. Selected interventions were administered. The WHOQOL BREF (standardized tool) and GSE scales were used to assess the QoL and self-efficacy among the elderly. The study findings revealed that at the baseline level of QoL and self-efficacy, none of the subjects had good QoL and high self-efficacy, whereas after implementation of the selected interventions, the majority of the elderly had average QoL (98.3%) and 81.7% had high self-efficacy. The baseline mean score for QoL was 48.3% and that for self-efficacy was 61.3%, with post-test scores of 65.8% and 80.7%, respectively, and there was a statistical difference at P < 0.001. The study findings evidenced that selected interventions (education, reminiscence therapy, and demonstration of exercise) were effective in improving the QoL and self-efficacy among the elderly. Aged populations need to maintain their active, healthy, and happy living. Studies recommend these interventions are beneficial for elderly populations.

Основные аспекты развития человеческого капитала в России

The article considers the category of human capital as the most important element of national wealth and a factor in the growth of the domestic economy. Various approaches to understanding the essence of human capital are presented. To compare its development at the international level, the results of World Bank research are presented, Russia’s position and the dynamics of the human development index in 2014–2022 are characterized. It is noted that Russia has a high potential for the development of human capital, but for a number of reasons it is not possible to fully realize it at the present stage. Using statistical data, the analysis of key factors of human capital development, which include: demography, education, healthcare, and income of the population, was carried out. The main problems hindering the development of human capital, the main of which is financing, are shown.

Chemopreventive approach of Indian spice “Curcumin” in the treatment of breast cancer

One of the primary concerns for women in good health is breast cancer. The most typical hazardous growth is this one. It spreads easily, and the clinical conditions are terrible. Bosom illness is the second‐most common type of malignant tumor that regularly causes women to pass away in the U.S. bosom malignant growth is the most well‐known disease among women worldwide, with 2.1 million cases reported in 2018 and more than 620,000 fatalities per year. Natural components are viewed as promising alternatives for the development of novel anti‐tumor drugs. Curcumin, also termed diferuloylmethane, is a yellow pigment made by the turmeric plant, Curcuma longa Linn. It is the curcuminoid and polyphenol present in the plant’s root that is most abundant. The antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory qualities of curcumin have been demonstrated, and it is frequently utilized in traditional medicine and cuisine. Due to its sophisticated pharmacological capabilities of chemoprevention and anticancer effects, curcumin, the main component of turmeric, has been linked to the treatment of breast cancer. The morbidity or mortality of the disease have not been significantly decreased by current breast cancer treatment options such as surgery, radiation, adjuvant chemotherapy, or hormone therapy. The expansion, estrogen receptor (trauma center), and human epidermal development factor receptor 2 (HER2) pathways are all involved in the activity of curcumin in illness. In breast cancer cells, curcumin is also known to regulate microRNA, cell stage-related characteristics, and apoptosis. This study reviews recent research on the atomic targets and anticancer effects of curcumin in breast cancer.

Local Identity Based on Villagers’ Vision of Life and Village Dynamics—Evidence from 40 Villages in Yunnan Province, China

Improving local identity is the key to rural sustainable development. Facing the issue of rural hollowing and aging, rural human settlement requires targeted enhancement in conjunction with the living willingness and local identity of villagers. Firstly, this study summarizes the dynamic evolution characteristics of rural human settlement development and population contraction in Yunnan Province from 2001 to 2021, based on the “Production-Living-Ecological” theory. Secondly, the paper selects detailed survey data from 40 administrative villages in Yunnan Province in 2015, analyzes the characteristics of villagers’ living visions in typical villages through questionnaire data, and constructs a comprehensive local identity index model based on multilevel living-visions to quantify the degree of villagers’ identification with rural human settlement construction. Thirdly, the paper analyzes the correlation between the local identity index and the comprehensive human settlement evaluation and analyzes the factors of rural human settlement development that affect the local identity in depth. The results reveal that: (1) rural construction in Yunnan Province cannot adapt to the changing needs of villagers, and the development of rural human settlement is accompanied by a trend of relative shrinkage of the rural population. (2) The local identity index of villagers is weakly correlated with the development of rural human settlements. (3) The rural human settlement factors that influence rural local identity include a dual cohesion–centrifugal trend. The findings suggest that rural development depends on the primary and secondary relationship between cohesion and centrifugal trends, providing a reference for the coupling of rural construction and local identity and promoting the return of rural population to achieve sustainable development.

Reimagining the athlete development pathway: constraints-led, learning-based, life-long

ABSTRACT Athlete Development Pathways (ADP) are used worldwide as guides to optimal athlete development. Existing ADPs tend to centre physical development and competition performance and fail to account for the complex interaction of social, emotional, psychological, cognitive-motor, and physical factors in human development. This article reimagines the ADP as a constraints-led, learning-based framework of lifetime periodisation. Synthesizing contemporary multi-disciplinary research and theory it takes a holistic approach to the complex, multi-factor reality of athlete development. It is proposed that such a framework supports a more human-centred and engaging sport pedagogy and may be more effective at improving both athletic performance and retention of athletes in sport. An ADP based on these concepts is presented.

Human Development Index: A regional perspective

Taking development as a multi-dimensional concept invariably justifies the argument of adopting the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Index (HDI) as a measure of development. Thus, being an attempt thereof to undertake a cross-country comparative study of the trend of Human Development progress in selected countries between 1990 and 2013 and following the UNDP regional classification, a total of 35 countries inclusive of the industrial countries were evaluated. Factors such as continual social unrest, engendered socio-political crisis, adverse income distribution, high depth of food deficit, lack of education and health services amidst others were evident as limiting factors for human development. However based on the progress made in selected economies, it is recommended that priority attention especially by Developing Economies be given to enabling necessary institutional and structural changes in view to foster human development, synonymous to economic development.

The impact of antidepressants and human development measures on the prevalence of sadness, worry and unhappiness: cross-national comparison.

Depression is a major public health concern. Depressed individuals have received increasing treatment with antidepressants in Western countries. In this study, we examine the relationship among individual symptoms (sadness, worry and unhappiness), human development factors and antidepressant use in 29 OECD countries. We report that increased antidepressant prescribing is not associated with decreased prevalence of sadness, worry or unhappiness. However, income, education and life expectancy (measured using the Human Development Index) are associated with lower prevalence of all these symptoms. This suggests that increasing spending on depression treatment may not be as effective as general public health interventions at reducing depression in communities.