University-level Education Research Articles

Teaching Innovation of Core Literacy in Physical Education and Health Courses in Colleges and Universities Based on Multiple Regression Modeling

Currently, the teaching of physical education and health courses in colleges and universities only focuses on whether students have completed physical exercise, but not on the cultivation of students’ physical education core literacy. This paper establishes a coherent teaching framework of “learning-practice-evaluation” for physical education and health courses from the theory of multiple intelligences and the core literacy elements of physical education, aiming to effectively enhance the core literacy of students in colleges and universities. The study was conducted within the scope of University A in Province G. A questionnaire was used to obtain the data related to students’ physical education and health, and a multiple regression model with parameter estimation by the weighted least squares method was used to analyze the role of physical education and health courses in promoting the core literacy of physical education and health. Structural equation modeling was also used to conduct exploratory factor analysis and validation factor analysis of students’ physical education core literacy. It was found that for every 1 percentage point increase in the teaching level of physical education and health courses in colleges and universities, the students’ physical education core literacy would increase by 1.347 percentage points. The path coefficient between students’ factors and physical education discipline factors is 0.853, and the X2/DF of the model is 1.696.Physical education teachers must adopt diversified teaching design under the goal point of core literacy to stimulate students’ interest in physical education learning and exercise consciousness, promote students’ active participation in physical education activities, and enhance students’ core literacy in physical education.

A machine-learning approach to model risk and protective factors of vulnerability to depression

There are multiple risk and protective factors for depression. The association between these factors with vulnerability to depression is unclear. Such knowledge is an important insight into assessing risk for developing depression for precision interventions. Based on the behavioral data of 496 participants (all unmarried and not cohabiting, with a college education level or above), we applied machine-learning approaches to model risk and protective factors in estimating depression and its symptoms. Then, we employed Random Forest to identify important factors which were then used to differentiate participants who had high risk of depression from those who had low risk. Results revealed that risk and protective factors could significantly estimate depression and depressive symptoms. Feature selection revealed four key factors including three risk factors (brooding, perceived loneliness, and perceived stress) and one protective factor (resilience). The classification model built by the four factors achieved an ROC-AUC score of 75.50% to classify the high- and low-risk groups, which was comparable to the classification performance based on all risk and protective factors (ROC-AUC = 77.83%). Based on the selected four factors, we generated a mood vulnerability index useful for identifying people's risk for depression. Our findings provide potential clinical insights for developing quick screening tools for mood disorders and potential targets for intervention programs designed to improve depressive symptoms.

Patient Preferences for Benefit and Risk Associated With High Intensity Focused Ultrasound for the Ablation of Prostate Tissue in Men With Localized Prostate Cancer

IntroductionFood and Drug Administration must make decisions about emerging high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) devices that may lack relevant clinical oncologic data but present with known side effects. This study aims to capture patients’ perspective by quantifying their preferences regarding the available benefit and important side effects associated with HIFU for localized prostate cancer. Materials and methodsPreferences for HIFU outcomes were examined using a discrete choice experiment survey. Participants were asked to choose a preferred treatment option in 9 choice questions. Each included a pair of hypothetical treatment profiles that have similar attributes/outcomes with varying levels. Outcomes included prostate biopsy outcome and treatment-related risks of erectile dysfunction (ED) and urinary incontinence (UI). We calculated the maximum risk of side effect patients were willing to tolerate in exchange for increased benefit. Preferences were further explored via clinical and demographic data. ResultsAbout 223 subjects with a mean age of 64.8 years completed the survey. Respondents were willing to accept a 1.51%-point increase in new ED risk for a 1%-point increase in favorable biopsy outcome. They were also willing to accept a 0.93%-point increase in new UI risk for a 1%-point increase in biopsy outcome. Subjects who perceived their cancer to be more aggressive had higher risk tolerance for UI. Younger men were willing to tolerate less ED risk than older men. Respondents with greater than college level of education had a lower risk tolerance for ED or UI. ConclusionsResults may inform development and regulatory evaluation for future HIFU ablation devices by providing supplemental information from the patient perspective.

The impact of WeChat online education and care on the mental distress of caregivers and satisfaction of elderly postoperative colorectal cancer patients

ObjectiveWeChat-based nursing interventions alleviate mental distress. This study intended to investigate the effect of WeChat online education and care (WOEC) on the mental health of caregivers and the satisfaction of elderly postoperative colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. MethodsIn total, 92 elderly postoperative CRC patients and 92 caregivers were randomly separated into the WOEC group (46 patients and 46 caregivers) and the control care group (46 patients and 46 caregivers). Caregivers received corresponding intervention for 8 weeks. Beck depression inventory (BDI) and beck anxiety inventory (BAI) of caregivers, and self-report satisfaction (SRS) of patients were assessed. ResultsIn caregivers, BDI scores at 8 weeks after enrollment (W8) (P = 0.024) and BAI score at W8 (P = 0.009), depression severity at W8 (P = 0.036), as well as anxiety severity at 4 weeks after enrollment (W4) (P = 0.028) and W8 (P = 0.047) were declined in the WOEC group versus the control care group. Regarding patients, SRS scores at W4 (P = 0.044) and W8 (P = 0.025), the satisfaction degree at W4 (P = 0.033) and W8 (P = 0.034), as well as the satisfied and very satisfied rates at W4 (P = 0.031) and W8 (P = 0.029) were elevated in the WOEC group versus the control care group. By subgroup analyses, WOEC exhibited favorable effects on reducing mental stress in caregivers of patients with eastern cooperative oncology group performance status at enrollment <3, and in caregivers with an education level of high school & university and above. ConclusionWOEC effectively relieves mental stress in caregivers of elderly postoperative CRC patients, and also elevates satisfaction in these patients.

Determinants of Parental Attitudes towards Children's Vaccination in Lithuania: An Online Survey.

Data from recent years show that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced the scope of child immunisation worldwide. If the numbers continue to fall, we may have a vaccination crisis. In order to understand the local factors of this phenomenon, we studied parents' viewpoint towards childhood vaccination in Lithuania. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the impact of parental attitudes on children's vaccination. A web-based cross-sectional study was made in Lithuania from October 20th to November 3rd, 2020, using Google Forms. An anonymous questionnaire included both quantitative and qualitative questions. The questionnaire was distributed to the general population in Lithuania via social media and a snowball sampling. Only parents who have at least one child under 18 years old were involved in the study. We analysed the parents' attitudes towards vaccination by their socioeconomic and demographic determinants using MS Excel and OpenEpi tools. The respondents were considered vaccine supporters if they vaccinated all their children with state-reimbursed vaccines or only vaccinated some of their children, and vaccine sceptics if they did not vaccinate their children with state-reimbursed vaccines. The population of our research consisted of 775 parents. There were more males against vaccination than females, respectively, 59.6% and 33.2%. 65.0% of all respondents stated that they vaccinated their children with the full course of vaccines, while the remaining 35.0% did not vaccinate. University-level education dominated in both pro-vaccine and anti-vaccine groups. We found that 16.9% of parents who were unvaccinated as children themselves tend not to vaccinate their children. However, in the pro-vaxx group, only 0.7% of parents were unvaccinated during childhood. 50.8% of vaccine sceptics were not fully informed by healthcare professionals about the benefits and risks of vaccination, while only 31.6% of vaccine supporters were not informed. Social environment did not have an impact on the decision whether to vaccinate or not to vaccinate a child among both vaccine advocates and vaccine deniers (accordingly, 51.2% and 42.9%). 29.3% of respondents stated that the cost of paid vaccinations was too high. Open-text survey responses gave us more in-depth insight about the parental decision-making process. Protection of children and society from infectious diseases (31.7%) was mentioned as the main reason for vaccination. Whereas vaccine-hesitant parents were mostly concerned about already-occurring side effects or their risk (43.4%). Our findings confirmed that vaccine hesitancy was associated with not being vaccinated in childhood themselves, lack of information from medical practitioners and male gender. The price of vaccines also had an impact on immunisation rates - more than one-third of the vaccine supporting parents indicated that the cost of paid vaccinations was too high. The main incentive for vaccine compliance was parents' desire to protect their children and society from infectious diseases. Whereas vaccine-hesitant parents were mostly concerned about already occurring side effects or their risk. There was no consensus, whether vaccination of children should be mandatory in Lithuania, as the answers to the question were almost evenly distributed. The formation of parents' attitudes towards children's vaccination is a complex process that is determined by parents' attitudes towards the health care system, lack of trust in doctors, and gaps in communication about the benefits and risks of vaccination. All of this information should be taken into account in health policy-making.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Mortality in Bladder Cancer Patients: A SEER-Based Competing Risk Analysis.

This study was designed to evaluate risk of mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients with bladder cancer (BC). Data on patients diagnosed with BC by pathology between 2000 and 2016 were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Based on reference data from the general population, the standardized mortality rate (SMR) is calculated. Nelson-Aalen cumulative hazard curves were used for assessment of the risk of COPD mortality in BC patients. Multivariable competing risk models were conducted. The proportional hazards assumption was tested using Schoenfeld residuals, which were scaled and plotted over time for each risk factor. A total of 237,563 BC patients were identified for further analysis from the SEER database, 5,198 of these patients experienced COPD mortality; the overall SMR for COPD mortality in BC patients was 1.58 (95% CI: 1.54-1.63). Age, race, year of diagnosis, histologic type, summary stage, surgery, marital status, college education level, and median household income independently predicted COPD mortality in BC patients. In comparison to the general population, the risk of COPD mortality is significantly higher in patients with BC. Pre-identification of high-risk groups and respiratory care provisions are important measures to effectively improve survival in this group of patients.

The Extent to Which Applications of Ergonomics are Employed to Improve Students' Skill and Psychological Performance from the Point of View of Teachers of Physical Education

The study aimed to identify the extent to which applications of ergonomics were employed to improve students' skill and psychological performance from the point of view of teachers of physical education, The researcher used the descriptive methodology, The study sample consisted of 55 teachers of physical education in the Third directorate of Amman, who were chosen in probability sampling method. After statistical analysis, the results of the study indicated that the extent to which applications of ergonomics were employed to improve students' skill and psychological performance from the point of view of the physical education teachers under study was at a high level in all fields, and there were no statistically significant differences in the extent to which the applications of ergonomics are employed to improve students' skill and psychological performance from the point of view of teachers of physical education due to the variables of experience and academic level. The researcher recommended the need to identify the extent to which the applications of ergonomics are employed to improve the level of skill and psychological performance of students from the point of view of teachers of physical education in other directorates of education, the need to include the concepts and applications of ergonomics in the courses of physical education at various levels of university education, and the need to include ergonomics in the curricula of physical education.

Use Of Natural And Traditional Medicine In Cuba: Results From The National Health Survey 2018-2019.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of Natural and Traditional Medicine (NTM) use in the last 12 months as per as the report from the National Health Survey (NHS), Cuba 2018-2019. Material-Method: It was an observational, descriptive cross-sectional study that was part of the referred NHS. Socio-demographic characteristics of the survey respondents were collected (living area, gender, age, skin color, marital status, educational level and occupation). The main variable selected for this study was the prevalence of NTM use by the Cuban population in the previous 12 months. Results: More than one out of five Cubans used NTM therapies in the previous 12 months to the NHS, Cuba 2018-2019, with a higher prevalence of use by people living in rural areas, females, the age group of 65-74 years old, a co-habited marital status, university educational level and those in retirement. Phytotherapy was the most reported NTM therapy. Conclusion: This study analyzed for the first time the prevalence of NTM use by the Cuban population. It demonstrated that more than one out of five Cubans used NTM therapies in the previous 12 months to the NHS, Cuba 2018-2019. The characteristics of the CNHS ensure the conditions to facilitate the development of NTM and the information from this study would contribute to strengthen the integration of these treatments with conventional medicine in Cuba.

The Application of Informatization Teaching and Flipped Classroom in the Teaching of Traditional Culture in College Languages

For the teaching of traditional Chinese culture in universities, fully utilizing existing resources for innovation is crucial to its teaching effectiveness. Hence, this study advocates for the utilization of information technology and the flipped classroom methodology in university-level traditional Chinese culture education. By thoroughly examining the fundamental goals of teaching traditional Chinese culture at universities, this paper suggests employing information technology to develop diverse educational scenarios. These scenarios encompass generating cultural contexts, simulating cultural experiences, enhancing interactive exchanges, and broadening the scope of educational materials, all aimed at enriching the pedagogical approach to traditional Chinese culture. In the stage of designing flipped classrooms for traditional Chinese culture teaching in universities, the ARCS theory was introduced. Guided by attention motivation, association motivation, confidence motivation, and satisfaction motivation, research was conducted on course content design, teaching methods and means, learning experience, feedback, and evaluation. Through the integrated application of information technology and flipped classroom strategies, our objective is to diversify the pedagogical approaches for traditional culture. This initiative is designed to boost students' comprehension and learning outcomes regarding traditional culture, foster their enthusiasm and knowledge depth in traditional Chinese cultural studies, and encourage the preservation and evolution of traditional cultural heritage.

Clinical and socioeconomic determinants of survival in biliary tract adenocarcinomas.

Despite advances in detection and treatments, biliary tract cancers continue to have poor survival outcomes. Currently, there is limited data investigating the significance of socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and environmental factors in biliary tract cancer survival. To investigate how socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity are associated with survival. Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database for biliary and gallbladder adenocarcinomas were extracted from 1975 to 2016. Socioeconomic data included smoking, poverty level, education, adjusted household income, and percentage of foreign-born persons and urban population. Survival was calculated with Cox proportional hazards models for death in the 5-year period following diagnosis. Our study included 15883 gallbladder, 11466 intrahepatic biliary, 12869 extrahepatic biliary and 7268 ampulla of Vater adenocarcinoma cases. When analyzing county-specific demographics, patients from counties with higher incomes were associated with higher survival rates [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.97, P <0.05]. Similarly, counties with a higher percentage of patients with a college level education and counties with a higher urban population had higher 5-year survival rates (HR = 0.96, P = 0.002 and HR = 0.97, P = 0.004, respectively). Worse survival outcomes were observed in lower income counties while higher income and education level were associated with higher 5-year overall survival among gallbladder and biliary malignancies.

Post-COVID-19 syndrome, who at risk and why: an insight from Qatar 2022.

Despite the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, many people experience post-COVID-19 syndrome, which negatively impacts their health and function. This condition has become a significant public health problem that requires immediate attention. To study the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and predictors of post-COVID-19 Syndrome in Qatar during 2022. An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted among COVID-19 confirmed cases from January 2022 to July 2022 in Qatar. A simple random sample was employed to include (n = 588) participants from the list of cases and invited to participate in a telephone survey. The World Health Organization's standard case definition for PCS was adopted. Out of 368, the prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome was 43.2% (n = 159). Most PCS cases were females (67.9%; n = 108), married (73.6%; n = 117), and university and higher educational level (83.6%; n = 133). However, 78.7% (n = 125) reported poor to moderate levels of social support. Only 30.2% (n = 48) of PCS patients had a history of chronic diseases, and 5.7% (n = 9) required hospital admission during acute illness. Among PCS cases, the most commonly reported symptoms were fatigue (75.5%), followed by anxiety (49.1%), forgetfulness (46.5%), mood alteration (45.3%), and general weakness (39.6%). The logistic regression revealed that female gender (AOR: 2.58 95%CI: 1.58-4.225, p < 0.0001), university and high educational level (AOR: 2.2, 95%CI: 1.256-3.98, p < 0.006), poor level of social support (AOR: 2.45; 95%CI: 1.55-4.13; p < 0.002), were significant predictors for PCS. Post-COVID-19 syndrome may go under-recognized. More efforts are needed to raise awareness and mobilize the resources to respond to this ongoing public health problem.

Zipf’s Law for Speech Acts in Spoken English

Statement of Retraction We, the Editors and Publisher of the Journal of Quantitative Linguistics, have retracted the following article: Zipf’s Law for Speech Acts in Spoken English by Da Qi and Hua Wang (DOI: 10.1080/09296174.2023.2202470). Since publication, concerns have been raised about the fact there is significant overlap in the discussion section and references of this article with the following article, published in Springer’s Psychonomic Bulletin & Review: Zipf’s Law Revisited: Spoken Dialog, Linguistic Units, Parameters, and the Principle of Least Effort, by Guido M. Linders and Max M. Louwerse (DOI: 10.3758/s13423-022-02142-9). This overlap has been verified by the journal Editorial team and as this is a breach of our Editorial Policies, we are retracting the article from the journal. However, given the originality of the authors’ core research idea is not in doubt, we have given the authors the option to submit a revised version of their article. The authors have been informed of this and they have agreed to retract the article. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.

University-level entrepreneurship education: a bibliometric review using Tree of Science

Entrepreneurship education helps students build the skills, abilities, attitudes, and aptitudes they need to start a business. Universities play a key role in educating and transforming people. However, the academic literature in this area is fragmented. This article identifies the main areas in this field throughout its history based on a review of the literature. A scientometric study was conducted based on the results of a document search in Scopus. Using Tree of Science software, the most important documents were classified based on a network of citations. The results reveal three main perspectives: the impact of entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurship education methodologies, and new trends in entrepreneurship education. Researchers can use these results to propose ways to strengthen entrepreneurship education

Sleep disorders in patients with bipolar disorder: age and tobacco consumption correlates

IntroductionSleep disruptions are frequently observed in individuals with bipolar disorder and have been linked to various unfavorable consequences, such as an elevated risk of relapse and lower quality of life. Nonetheless, the impact of sociodemographic factors on the development and progression of these disruptions remains largely unexplored. Gaining insight into the relationship between sleep disruptions and sociodemographic factors is essential for designing effective interventions and enhancing clinical outcomes for individuals affected by bipolar disorderObjectivesThe objective of this study is to examine the association between sleep disorders in patients with bipolar disorder II (BDII) and sociodemographic characteristics.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study that was conducted over a one-month period from October 1 to October 31, 2022, with patients attending the follow-up unit of the mental health department at Nabeul Hospital ,Tunisia.The study employed a questionnaire as a tool for data collection, and participants provided voluntary and informed consent before responding. The protection of participant confidentiality and anonymity was carefully observed during all stages of the study.ResultsIn this study, we enrolled patients who satisfied the following eligibility criteria: age range of 18 to 60 years, a confirmed diagnosis of type II bipolar disorder based on DSM V criteria, and psychiatric stability as demonstrated by no hospitalization within the preceding 6-month period.Our study included a sample of 40 male patients diagnosed with type II bipolar disorder. The participants had a mean age of 36 ± 13.2 years, and the majority were unmarried and living with their families or alone. Over two-thirds of the participants had attained a university level of education, while a large proportion of the patients, specifically 80%, reported being regular smokers.The results of the study revealed that the mean global score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was 7.28 ± 3.35, indicating an overall low quality of sleep. The majority of the participants, that is 65% (26), had poor sleep quality scores (&gt; 5), while 45% (18) reported experiencing poor sleep (PSQI ≥ 8).Our analyses further demonstrated that there was a significant association between tobacco consumption and PSQI scores (p=0.003). Additionally, we found that participants who were above 40 years old had a higher likelihood of experiencing sleep disturbances (p=0.0017).ConclusionsAccording to the findings of our study, it appears that patients diagnosed with type II bipolar disorder may experience impaired sleep quality, which can be influenced by age and tobacco consumption. These results underscore the need for a holistic approach to patient care that addresses both the biological and sociodemographic factors that can impact sleep in this population.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Pharmacological Interventions for Hyperpigmentation Disorders in a Saudi Arabian Population: Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Introduction: The conditions that involve hyperpigmentation are widespread dermatological disorders which involve melanin hyperproduction, especially in Saudi Arabia where various phototypes are widespread. The aim of the treatment and the extent to which patients receive this intervention are essential to identifying in any specific clinical context. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and questionnaire-based study designed to identify the effect of pharmacological management on women of Saudi Arabia with Halitosis, with 83.9% of the 2700 respondents being female, aged 18–24 years, 39.4%, with university-level education constituting 65.6%. The survey was conducted online, and data were collected over a period of two months. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 28.0, employing basic data analysis, cross-tabulation, Chi-square test of independence, grouped independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The highest incidence was of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (10.6%), the second highest incidence being melasma (6%). Topical agents were the most frequently used modality (16.7%) because they were the least risky. The varying level of satisfaction and effectiveness depending on dosage as well as the skin type of the students is depicted by the satisfaction ratings below, meaning that individual outcomes of the treatments may vary amongst the students. Conclusion: From this study, the patient involvement in treatment is emphasised to improve the results of surgeries and treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders. Others are pharmacological intervention, screening, follow-up, counselling and skin protection advocacy, respectively. Further research into the treatment issue should be directed to the assessment of the longevity of the treatment approaches and the expansion of non-medicinal approaches to practice.

Health-related Quality of Life of Omani Adult Patients with β-Thalassemia Major at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.

The impact of beta-thalassemia major (β-TM) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Oman is not yet known. Affected individuals suffer from a wide range of physical, mental, and social consequences due to the need for regular hospital visits for blood transfusions and complications related to iron overload. This study aimed to assess the HRQoL of adult patients with β-TM attending a single tertiary care center in Muscat, Oman, to identify factors influencing Omani patients' QoL for improved management and counseling. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients (≥ 18 years) with β-TM at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital between September and November 2022. A validated Arabic version of the self-reported 36-item short-form health survey was used to determine HRQoL. A total of 78 patients with β-TM were enrolled in the study; 53.8% were male and the mean age was 26.0±0.8 years, ranging from 21-53 years. Most patients were from Al Batinah North governorate (n = 21; 26.9%) and Muscat (n = 20; 25.6%), unmarried (n = 44; 56.4%), did not have university-level education (n = 45; 57.7%), and were unemployed (n = 44; 56.4%). The HRQoL domain with the highest score was role limitations due to emotional problems (median score = 100), while general health and vitality received the lowest scores (mean scores were 60.2±15.9 and 59.1±20.5, respectively). Several variables were associated with better HRQoL in certain domains, including being married, having a high level of education, being employed, exercising regularly, and receiving family support (p < 0.05). However, iron overload and having ≥ 3 β-TM-related disease complications were associated with poorer general health scores (p = 0.031 and 0.038, respectively), while a history of mental issues was associated with poorer scores in six out of eight HRQoL domains (p < 0.05). Moreover, negative perceptions regarding the social impact of the disease including delayed marriage, workplace difficulties, and reduced academic achievement were associated with poorer HRQoL in various domains (p < 0.05). Although the studied sample reported generally good QoL, several factors were found to affect HRQoL in various domains. Healthcare providers should prioritize maintaining acceptable iron overload levels in Omani patients with β-TM to help avoid the development of disease-related complications, thereby ensuring better control of their clinical conditions and consequently improving their HRQoL.

Predictors of urinary heavy metal concentrations among pregnant women in Jinan, China

BackgroundToxic heavy metal exposure and insufficiency or excess of essential heavy metals may have negative effects on pregnant women’s health and fetal growth. To date, the predictors of pregnant women’s heavy metal exposure levels remain unclear and vary with different regions. The study intended to explore potential predictors of exposure to heavy metals individually and high co-exposure to heavy metal mixtures. MethodsWe recruited 298 pregnant women in first trimester from prenatal clinics in Jinan, Shandong Province, China, and collected spot urine samples and questionnaire data on their demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, consumption of food and dietary supplement, and residential environment. All urine samples were analyzed for seven heavy metals: cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), strontium (Sr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg). ResultsFactors associated with single heavy metal concentration were as follows: a) urinary As, Sr and Cd increased with women’s age respectively; b) pregnant women with higher monthly household income per capita had lower Sr and Mo levels; c) pregnant women with intermittent folic acid supplementation and those not taking tap water as domestic drinking water had lower Sr concentrations; d) Cd was positively linked with consumption frequency of rice; e) Hg was adversely related to consumption frequency of egg and the women who took purified water as domestic drinking water had lower Hg exposure. In addition, pregnant women’s age was positively associated with odds of high co-exposure to Co, As, Sr, Mo, Cd and Pb; while those with an educational level of college had lower odds of high exposure to such a metal mixture compared with those whose educational levels were lower than high school. ConclusionPredictors of single urinary heavy metal concentration included pregnant women’s age (As, Sr and Cd), monthly household income per capita (Sr and Mo), folic acid supplementation (Sr), rice consumption frequency (Cd), egg consumption frequency (Hg) and the type of domestic drinking water (Sr and Hg). Pregnant women with older age, lower educational level tended to have high co-exposure to Co, As, Sr, Mo, Cd and Pb.

Research on the Optimization of Postgraduate Education Management Path from the Perspective of Management by Objectives

With the continuous increase of the total number of graduate students in colleges and universities, optimizing the management of graduate education has become an urgent issue for colleges and universities to solve. Based on the theory of management by objectives, this paper discusses the practical application of management by objectives in the management of graduate education in colleges and universities by studying the current situation of the management path of graduate education in colleges and universities, analyzes the hierarchical goal system of the management of graduate education in colleges and universities, and puts forward targeted measures to optimize the management path of graduate education in colleges and universities from the perspective of management by objectives, so as to provide reference for improving the management level of graduate education in colleges and universities.

Evaluation of Health Literacy and COVID-19 Knowledge Levels of Candidate Soldiers: A Cross-sectional Study from Ankara, Turkey

people’s COVID-19 knowledge and HL levels are thought to be effective in managing the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate candidate soldiers’ HL and COVID-19 knowledge levels in the Altındağ district of Ankara, Turkey.&#x0D; Material and Methods A questionnaire form containing socio-demographic characteristics, 16-item European HL Survey Questionnaire, and propositions about COVID-19 was applied to candidate soldiers Who were referred for COVID-19 PCR sampling to the Altindg District Health Directorate before enlistment between December 2021_April 2022.&#x0D; Results and Discussion The study was completed with 668 candidate soldiers, most of whom were young adults. HL level of 20.5% was inadequate. The frequency of those who had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 was 16.8%. The COVID-19 knowledge level of those vaccinated was higher (p=0.002). The propositions about COVID-19 symptoms and correct mask use were answered correctly at the highest rate in COVID-19 knowledge level questions. The COVID-19 knowledge level score was significantly higher in those with adequate HL levels, aged 25 and over, non-smokers, and who had university or higher education levels. There was a positive correlation between the COVID-19 knowledge level and HL levels (r=0.108; p&lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion This study reveals the determination of HL and COVID-19 knowledge levels of candidate soldiers and related factors and supports the necessity of proactive participation of individuals with immediate action plans to increase HL and COVID-19 knowledge levels in young adults.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 23 No. 02 April’24 Page: 377-387

A Stochastic Production Frontier Analysis of Factors That Affect Productivity and Efficiency of Logging Businesses in Virginia

Abstract Understanding the effect of the relationship between timber harvesting attributes on loggers’ productivity and efficiency is crucial for the feasibility and expansion of sustainable forest management and logging. We applied a stochastic production frontier model to firm-level operational data collected from 202 loggers in Virginia, United States, in 2019. Logging equipment value, physiographic region, tract area, number of workers and crews in the woods, college education level, and harvest type statistically increase harvesting productivity. Harvesting productivity in the Coastal Plain was the greatest of all physiographic regions, and pine clearcut productivity was statistically greater than that of hardwood thinning. On the other hand, manual felling reduces harvesting productivity. We found an average efficiency rate of 67% among firms in our sample, which is similar to that found in the literature. The estimated values can show factors that improve forest harvest productivity through better planning and investments while improving the sustainable use of inputs and resources. Study Implications: We empirically analyzed factors affecting logging productivity and efficiency in the southern US state of Virginia. Increased productivity was associated with working in the Coastal Plain physiographic region, investing in logging equipment, increasing the number of workers and crews in the woods, increasing pine clearcut as opposed to hardwood thinning, choosing optimal harvesting tract size, and having a college education as opposed to no high school degree. Manual felling reduces harvesting productivity, and average BMP implementation time does not affect harvesting productivity. Our results can be used as a guide in planning future decisions to increase logging productivity.