Methodological Tools Research Articles

Influence of socio-economic factors on obstetric morbidity in Eastern India: A study based on NFHS 5

Abstract Background Obstetric morbidity encompasses health issues related to pregnancy or childbirth, excluding accidental causes. The whole process of childbearing is not just a biological phenomenon, rather it is governed by personal, social, cultural, and institutional factors. The entire eastern region of India including the four provinces of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal is susceptible to high maternal mortality and morbidity. It presents a strong background to further envisage the factors responsible for such situation. Thus, the study aims to explore regional variations and socio-economic factors associated with obstetric morbidity among women in eastern India. Methods This study uses data from the 2019-2021 National Family and Health Survey (NFHS 5). The explanatory variable, obstetric morbidity, includes issues during pregnancy and delivery- vision difficulties, bleeding, swelling, convulsions, fever, breech presentation, and prolonged labor. Predictor variables include age, age at marriage and first birth, wealth index, residence, toilet facility, caste, working status, media exposure, religion, birth order, and education level. Bivariate and binary logistic regression analyses have been used as a methodological tool. Results In the eastern region, 53.76% women experience obstetric issues. Women belonging to 15-24 years with higher educational attainment increases the prevalence of obstetric morbidity. The probable reason is, with education, awareness about reproductive morbidity increases and in turn the reporting for morbidity increases. Therefore, the findings showed age, educational attainment, wealth quintile, media exposure, residence, work status, birth order and toilet facilities are highly associated with obstetric morbidity among women. Conclusions Implementing of targeted interventions, and awareness campaigns are crucial to reducing obstetric complications and maternal mortality in the eastern region of India Key messages • Socioeconomic correlates impact obstetric morbidity in eastern India in manifolds especially education, age, and wealth quintile of women in eastern India. • Obstetric morbidity is a growing concern in eastern India, thus implementing targeted interventions and awareness campaigns are much needed.

Children with disabilities and inclusive education in general schools: pricipals’ attitudes

Abstract Background As inclusive education is being implemented nationwide in Lithuania, various attitudes towards education of children with disabilities in general schools are observed. We aimed to assess the attitudes of heads of general schools towards the provision of education to children with disabilities in general education schools of Lithuania. Methods Heads of all schools in the Lithuanian capital and its surrounding municipalities implementing general education programmes were invited to take part in this study. 115 persons agreed to participate and completed the questionnaire in spring of 2024. The distribution of the respondents by their answers to the questions about the attitudes towards the provision of inclusive education was compared according to gender, age, education level, work experience, school location (municipality), language of education, type of school, subordination, number of pupils, teachers, teaching assistants and pupils with disabilities. Results The most frequently indicated barriers for inclusive education provision were the lack of specialists, compensatory measures, methodological tools, adaptation of the physical environment, and high number of pupils (87.8%, 84.3%, 78.8% and 76.6% respectively). Attitudes of the respondents were similar in most of the cases when compared according to socio-demographic factors (p more than 0.05). Negative attitudes towards the possibilities for provision of inclusive education were more common among respondents from schools with fewer pupils and higher relative number of teachers, positive attitudes - among those from schools located in municipalities with lower number of residents and schools with more teaching assistants (p less than 0.05). Conclusions While attitudes of heads of general schools towards the provision of inclusive education for children with disabilities are similar in most of the cases, negative attitudes are more common among those from schools with fewer pupils and more teachers. Key messages • While attitudes of heads of general schools towards the inclusive education are similar in most of the cases, negative attitudes are more common among those from smaller schools. • Higher number of teaching assistants and smaller municipalities were associated with positive attitudes towards inclusive education of children with disabilies in general schools.

The multi-dimensionality of citizen satisfaction: A conjoint experimental approach

Current research demonstrated that many factors affect public satisfaction of government services. One central challenge for scholars is that citizen satisfaction is a multi-dimensional concept, yet most empirical tests focus on a small number of factors, and do not account for the simultaneous effects of the many factors. In this study, we present a comprehensive approach that accounts for this multi-dimensionality, and views satisfaction as dependent on two categories of factors: service-specific attributes, and performance comparisons. We assess the multi-dimensional nature of citizen satisfaction with a conjoint experiment, a methodological tool that allows us to test the causal effect of multiple factors operating at the same time. We use the conjoint design to investigate citizen satisfaction from every-day government services. The findings suggest that citizen satisfaction is driven by both groups of variables. Also, we find evidence for a negativity bias in public evaluations when service-specific attributes are involved: individuals' reported satisfaction is more sensitive to negative information like higher costs or unprofessional behavior by service providers compared to positive description of these factors. At the same time, we find that factors in the performance comparisons category create more balanced effects on satisfaction with respect to the information valence. The analysis reveals the drivers of public satisfaction of government services and the importance of key factors. The use of a conjoint design provides a more appropriate tool to tackle the multi-dimensional nature of a central public administration concept of citizen satisfaction.

Taking Law Seriously: The Challenges of Law as Research Data in Socio-legal Scholarship

‘Law-as-data’ is often understood in terms of computational data. This article reframes it around a research-centred notion of data, broadening the methodological possibilities available to empirical legal research. This approach transcends the qualitative/quantitative divide, identifying common challenges that arise when law is treated as research data. Methodological tools from the social sciences and examples from recently published socio-legal scholarship are used to demonstrate how law presents unique challenges at the stages of conceptualisation, operationalisation and coding. These challenges stem from factors such as the non-commensurability of legal texts, the fluidity and contested meaning of legal notions, the difficulty of systematically gathering legal data and the risk of bias towards data-driven research rather than law- or reality-centred inquiry. However, strategies and best practices can be developed to address or mitigate these risks. Legal academics are particularly well suited to this task, given the high level of expertise required to effectively leverage law as research data. The article argues that a true methodological naturalisation of law as research data, which embraces the unique characteristics and limitations of law as a data source, would greatly benefit legal studies by diversifying its methodological toolbox while preserving its specificities.

Natural language processing realises the potential of electronic health records: identifying risk factors for disease progression and major adverse limb events in intermittent claudication

Abstract Background/Introduction Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a common pathology, affecting 4.5% of the UK population. Symptomatic PAD manifests as intermittent claudication (IC). Predictors of IC progression to Chronic-Limb-Threatening Ischaemia (CLTI) and complications including Major Adverse Limb Events (MALE), such as smoking history and diabetes, have been described previously in resource-intensive cohort studies. Novel Natural Language Processing (NLP) approaches transform routinely collected, unstructured health records into datasets for real-world analysis of PAD. Purpose This study leverages NLP based interrogation of electronic health records to efficiently identify risk factors for disease progression and MALE in patients presenting with IC. Methods A retrospective cohort study of patients with PAD at a large, tertiary vascular referral centre identified using the SNOMED terms of IC in the Medcat-NLP-AI toolkit. Demographics, Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), and indicators of disease progression, and revascularisation and amputation (MALE) were analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox Proportional-Hazards analysis. Results 5,027 patients (Mean age 73.7(61.8-85.6), Males 66.1% (n=2,781) were identified. Self-reported population ethnicity was 4.72% Asian, 15.5% Black, 79.7% White. All-cause mortality was 19.5% (n=979) after 10 years of follow-up, with 5.85% of patients progressing to CLTI (n=294). 2.32% of Asian patients, 5.78% of Black patients and 5.04% of White patients progressed to CLTI, respectively. 5.09% of Asian patients, 8.99% of Black patients, and 7.36% of White patients underwent amputation. Multivariate analysis of risk factors for progression to CLTI, demonstrated that diabetes (HR 2.36, 95%CI: 1.22 - 4.48, p = .01) and smoking history (HR 1.76, 95%CI: 1.19 - 2.59, p = .004) independently predicted progression. No risk factors for MALE reached significance. Conclusions Diabetes and smoking behaviour are well-described in the literature as risk factors for progression to CLTI. This study demonstrates the utility of NLP as a resource efficient, validated, methodological tool. Disparities in MALE may exist between patients within a universal healthcare system, although our sample size was insufficient to demonstrate statistical significance. A larger, multicentre analysis is warranted. NLP represents a valuable tool for efficiently identifying and analysing risk factors for PAD progression and holds potential to refine management algorithms.KM curves of CLTI-free survival (DM)

8.M. Skills building seminar: Mental health and substance use in Europe

Abstract The impact of social factors on individual and population mental health are well established (Kirkbride, et al., 2024). The same social factors may trigger the substance use behavior developing into substance use disorders. Mental health disorders can contribute to the substance use and substance use disorders with worsening effects over time (EMCDDA, 2016). This association between substance use, substance use disorders and mental health disorders is a key objective for the scientific consideration and policy development. Respective phenomena are universal and a broader perspective would be useful for a better understanding of how the issue of comorbidities of substance use and mental disorders are addressed on a European level. Identification of the substance use problem, especially among populations in vulnerable situations, like migrants, becomes utterly important. Heterogenous systematic reviews show that there is a need for socially and culturally refugee sensitive instruments to measure the substance use in migrants. Oftentimes substance use is followed by the substance use disorders and drug use related infections. Injecting drug use is also a risk factor for having drug use related infections, such as hepatitis B and C, HIV, tuberculosis. Assessment of risk behaviour patterns among people who inject drugs may contribute to a higher participation in treatment and health programmes, reduce the burden of substance use and tackle comorbidities of substance use and mental health disorders. The skill building seminar aims to increase the knowledge and capacities on substance use and comorbidities, applied methodological approaches and tools in different European contexts. This workshop will support researchers, policy makers, public health planners by providing evidence base to address substance use and mental health issues. The added value of this workshop is based on the structure, content and mode of presentations - presentations will be followed by questions from participants and short discussions. The workshop will start with the general introduction to the topic of comorbidities of substance use and mental health disorders (EUPHA-PMH and EUDA). Then the European level perspective on comorbidities of substance use and mental health disorders will be presented including recent policy developments (1 presentation by Linda Montanari, EUDA). It will be supported with research results from the study conducted in Germany on substance use assessment tool development in migrant population (2 presentation by Kim-Julian Behr, Germany) and behavioural risk factor assessment study among people who inject drugs in Lithuania (3 presentation by Marija Jakubauskiene, Lithuania). Key messages • Participatory approach is useful to address the substance use problem in assessment tool development and further monitoring. • Better understanding of comorbidity of substance use and mental disorders leads to a more effective prevention.

Benefits of hypothetical air pollution reduction interventions on NCDs in Belgium

Abstract Background The adverse health impact of air pollution on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is well documented, yet methodological tools for assessing the potential health benefits of interventions are lacking. This study uses a parametric g-computation approach to evaluate the impact of hypothetical interventions targeting long-term air pollution exposure on reducing NCDs prevalence in Belgium, using data from three national Health Interview Surveys (BHIS 2008-2013-2018). Methods BHIS data (n = 27,536) were linked to environmental data at participants’ residential addresses. A g-computation approach was used to calculate the potential impact fractions of air quality interventions on several NCDs. Regression models were adjusted for socio-economic, environmental and lifestyle factors. The scenarios involved reducing individual long-term air pollution exposure to WHO air quality guideline levels, followed by investigating dose-response functions through various percentage reductions in air pollution exposure. Results Significant associations were found between air pollution and asthma, stroke, and multimorbidity. Adhering to WHO air quality guidelines would substantially reduce stroke risk in Belgium by 0.87% (95% CI:0.38; 1.35) for PM2.5 and 0.32% (95% CI:-0.05; 0.70) for NO2, preventing 63% and 22% of cases, respectively. For asthma, risk reduction was 1.43% (95% CI:-0.53; 3.4) for PM2.5 and 0.83% (95% CI: 0.01; 1.63) for NO2, preventing 27% and 16% of cases, respectively. For multimorbidity, risk reduction was 3.20 % (95% CI: -1.75; 8.16) for PM2.5 and 0.43% (95% CI:-2.03; 2.90) for NO2, preventing 7% and 0.4% of cases, respectively. Results revealed a clear dose-response association between air pollution reduction and the prevalence of stroke, asthma, and multimorbidity in Belgium. Conclusions This study demonstrates that air pollution reduction interventions could effectively decrease the prevalence of asthma, stroke, and multimorbidity in Belgium. Key messages • Air pollution reduction interventions could effectively decrease the prevalence of asthma, stroke, and multimorbidity in Belgium. • The g-computation approach to assess PIF of interventions represents a straightforward approach for drawing causal inferences from observational data.

Quantifiable Cross-cultural Research on Medical Mistrust is Necessary for Effective and Equitable Vaccination in Low- and Middle-income Countries.

Perceptions of healthcare personnel and institutions substantially impact healthcare behaviors. In the US, minority experiences with racist events like the Tuskegee study, alongside everyday experiences of marginalization and discrimination, drive medical mistrust in populations that are already burdened with health inequalities. However, the concept of medical mistrust is rarely applied outside of industrialized contexts. Histories of colonialism, underfunded healthcare institutions, and the enormous cultural and ethnolinguistic diversity present in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) make medical mistrust a likely contributor to health behavior in these contexts. In the era of COVID-19 and emergent malaria vaccines, there is an urgent need to mitigate factors leading to medical mistrust, which impedes interest in novel vaccines. Doing so requires substantial investment in research that examines the causes of medical mistrust across diverse communities, develops methodological tools that can effectively measure medical mistrust across diverse cultural and ethno-linguistic contexts, and applies this data to policy and public health messaging. This commentary highlights the role of medical mistrust in vaccination and argues for its utility in addressing vaccine decision-making in LMICs.

Enhancing educational efficiency: Generative AI chatbots and DevOps in Education 4.0

AbstractThe emergence of new technologies has developed a new industrial need for engineering graduate students. This modern industry needs a modern educational framework to support further development. This research revolves around developing the learning methodological approach for university courses that aligns with Education 4.0 and can fulfill the essential knowledge requirements for future engineers in Industry 4.0. We used a constructive approach as a baseline methodology already proven in the field of engineering education. On the other hand, we modified this approach by implementing Industry 4.0 standards, such as Agile methodology, DevOps tools, and Artificial intelligence chatbots. In this way, we managed to establish one more step in the digital transformation of education as one of the paramount cornerstones of Industry 4.0. As a result, during the course, Agile methodology and DevOps tools created a learning environment very similar to the real software development environment in companies. The efficiency of the delivery of the learning material also increased by implementation and integration of AI chatbots. This was tracked by the number of projects developed during course implementation. The study showed that in the field of education, the implementation of novel approaches developed in the industry to increase efficiency can be implemented in the educational environment. It also showed that the implementation of those methodologies does not hinder but improves the efficiency of the educational cycle.

Variability of plant transcriptomic responses under stress acclimation: a review from high throughput studies

Plant transcriptomes are complex entities shaped spatially and temporally by a multitude of stressors. The aim of this review was to summarize the most relevant transcriptomic responses to selected abiotic (UV radiation, chemical compounds, drought, suboptimal temperature) and biotic (bacteria, fungi, viruses, viroids) stress conditions in a variety of plant species, including model species, crops, and medicinal plants. Selected basic and applicative studies employing RNA-seq from various sequencing platforms and single-cell RNA-seq were involved. The transcriptomic responsiveness of various plant species and the diversity of affected gene families were discussed. Under stress acclimation, plant transcriptomes respond particularly dynamically. Stress response involved both distinct, but also similar gene families, depending on the species, tissue, and the quality and dosage of the stressor. We also noted the over-representation of transcriptomic data for some plant organs. Studies on plant transcriptomes allow for a better understanding of response strategies to environmental conditions. Functional analyses reveal the multitude of stress-affected genes as well as acclimatory mechanisms and suggest metabolome diversity, particularly among medicinal species. Extensive characterization of transcriptomic responses to stress would result in the development of new cultivars that would cope with stress more efficiently. These actions would include modern methodological tools, including advanced genetic engineering, as well as gene editing, especially for the expression of selected stress proteins in planta and for metabolic modifications that allow more efficient synthesis of secondary metabolites.

GREENCOOL-Case Study of an International MOOC Course’s Green and Communication Content Development

Sustainability and green matters are emerging issues among youth in the 21st century. The European Union (EU) emphasises youth discourse on greener thinking and lifestyle, which aims to build an open-minded, green, and digital future. Therefore it is crucial to provide appropriate education and shape attitudes towards green issues. Regarding this scope, four universities of the European Capitals of Cultures (ECoC), the University of Pannonia (Veszprém, Hungary), University of Tartu (Estonia) Vytautas Magnus University (Kaunas, Lithuania), and West University of Timisoara (Romania), allied to develop a MOOC course interconnecting green related topics and communication skills and methods. The case study summarizes the main findings of the questionnaire (with 701 youth between 18-25 age), the desktop and focus group interviews research that gave the bases of developing the MOOC course material of GreenCool Erasmus projects. First the primary data, reflecting aspects of the involvement of young people in fighting climate crisis was analysed. The ultimate goal was to come up with a well-documented profile of students in tertiary education, reflecting their 'green' and 'communication' profiles as agents in fighting climate change. Second, taking the outcomes into consideration, the 4 universities carried out focus group interviews with 27 participants: influencers, green and communication experts and university students. As a result the green and communication topics were identified. This led to those methodological tools that were appropriate and effective in developing the GreenCool MOOC material and the corresponding blended Greenfluencer course with the provisional title: ‘Attitudes shaping communication techniques and green related topics in the 21st Century’. The case study describes the process and the results.

Contextual success and pitfalls of mHealth service for maternal and child health in Africa: An Intervention, Context, Actors, Mechanism, and Outcome (ICAMO) framework guided systematic review of qualitative evidence

IntroductionMobile health (mHealth) interventions have shown potential to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Africa, but their effectiveness depends on specific interventions, context, and implementation quality. Challenges such as limited infrastructure, low digital literacy, and sustainability need to be addressed. Further evaluation studies are essential to summarize the impact of mHealth interventions. Thus, this synthesis focuses on qualitative evidence of the impact of mHealth on maternal and child health in Africa to summarize such evidence to help policy decisions.MethodsA qualitative systematic review guided by the concepts of Intervention, Context, Mechanism, and Outcome (ICAMO) was employed in this study. The GRADE CERQual assessment and methodological constraints tools were utilized in the review to ascertain the level of confidence in the evidence and to examine the methodological limitations. The JBI checklist for qualitative research appraisal was also consulted during the review.ResultsThe current review contains 32 eligible studies from databases such as CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, HINARI, and Cochrane Library. The review demonstrated substantial improvements in the HCP-woman relationship, communication system, maternal and child healthcare uptake, health-seeking behavior, and HCP skills. Economic capacities, maternal education, and the low quality of existing services challenged participants.ConclusionmHealth significantly improves maternal and child health outcomes in Africa. This review showed it can improve healthcare access, empower women, and contribute to the region's goal of universal health coverage. However, the challenges such as low partner support, high costs for services, and poor quality of current care as narrated by women need commitment from health authorities in the continent. The evidence from this review suggests that mHealth can be implemented to improve maternal and child health in Africa.Trial registrationPROSPERO: CRD42023461425.

Epigenome Mapping in Quiescent Cells Reveals a Key Role for H3K4me3 in Regulation of RNA Polymerase II Activity.

(1) Background: Quiescent cells are those that have stopped dividing and show strongly reduced levels of gene expression during dormancy. In response to appropriate signals, the cells can wake up and start growing again. Many histone modifications are regulated in quiescence, but their exact functions remain to be determined. (2) Methods: Here, we map the different histone modifications, H3K4me3, H3K9ac, H3K9me2, and H3K9me3, and the histone variant H2A.Z, comparing vegetative and quiescent fission yeast (S. pombe) cells. We also map histone H3 as a control and RNA polymerase II (phosphorylated at S2 and S5) to enable comparisons of their occupancies within genes. We use ChIP-seq methodology and several different bioinformatics tools. (3) Results: The histone modification mapping data show that H3K4me3 changes stand out as being the most significant. Changes in occupancy of histone variant H2A.Z were also significant, consistent with earlier studies. Regarding gene expression changes in quiescence, we found that changes in mRNA levels were associated with changes in occupancy of RNA polymerase II (S2 and S5). Analysis of quiescence genes showed that increased H3K4me3 levels and RNA polymerase II occupancy were super-significant in a small set of core quiescence genes that are continuously upregulated during dormancy. We demonstrate that several of these genes were require Set1C/COMPASS activity for their strong induction during quiescence. (4) Conclusions: Our results imply that regulation of gene expression in quiescent cells involves epigenome changes with a key role for H3K4me3 in regulation of RNA polymerase II activity, and that different gene activation mechanisms control early and core quiescence genes. Thus, our data give further insights into important epigenome changes in quiescence using fission yeast as an experimental model.

Self-Attitude Parameters as Predictors of Psychological Well-Being in Students with Limited Health Capacities.

Psychological well-being is a system of optimal psychological qualities and states manifested as life strategy and a system of personal attitude to the world and oneself. Self-attitude is an intrapersonal phenomenon of individual projections in the field of self-awareness. In assessing psychological well-being, it acts as a guiding vector for self-development and self-actualization. In case of people with disabilities, psychological well-being largely depends on self-attitude as a predictor. This study featured the effect of self-attitude on psychological well-being in university students with limited health capacities. The study involved 60 students aged 18–25. The list of methodological tools involved Sentence Completion (J. M. Sacks, S. Levy), Subjective Well-Being Scale (adapted by M. V. Sokolova), and Personal Self-Attitude (V. V. Stolin, S. R. Pantileev). The study established differences in the assessment of psychological well-being by students with and without disabilities. Physically challenged students tended to demonstrate low self-esteem, associated with negative emotional and health experience. They also had specific parameters of self-attitude with a vector of positivity and trends towards personal growth. These parameters are a motivating component of social behavior that determines the general perception of psychological well-being by students with disabilities.

Everyday reality of children in rural Catalonia (Spain): experiences and emotions

ABSTRACT The pandemic has been the catalyst for many families with young children to leave the urban environment and settle in rural areas, attracted by discourses that are in tune with the imported and classic ‘ideal of rural childhood’: natural environment, freedom, autonomy, mutual help, peace and quiet. However, we do not know to what extent this ideal construction of childhood in rural areas corresponds nowadays to the everyday reality of children. In this article we analyse the daily experiences and emotions of children in rural areas of Catalonia (Spain). By applying a qualitative methodology that allows children to express themselves, we provide a critical reading of the current rural areas based on children’s lived experiences. The use of the relief map as a methodological tool makes possible to graphically capture children’s emotions related to places. The research fills a gap on the current rural childhood experiences in non-Anglo-Saxon contexts, places the concept of the rural ideal in the Catalan environment and provides insight into the diversity of rural childhoods based on children’s experiences and emotions.

Демографічні втрати балканських країн унаслідок воєн

Looking at the current state in which Ukraine found itself due to the Russian-Ukrainian war, many questions arise regarding the possibility of estimating demographic losses resulting from this war. A study of the demographic losses of the Western Balkan countries during the most recent wars in this region is a useful preparation for approbation of a methodological basis for future calculations. Therefore, it is currently relevant to study the specifics of the use of general methodological approaches for determining losses under the conditions of a specific social disaster; to assess the demographic losses of the republics of the former Yugoslavia resulting from the Balkan wars, taking into account the specifics of the course of the crisis and the available information base; to determine the possibility of applying the used approaches to the assessment of demographic losses resulting from the Russian-Ukrainian war. The purpose of the article is an attempt to estimate the demographic losses of the republics of the former Yugoslavia resulting from the Balkan wars. The tasks are the analysis of available data and research on demographic losses and obtaining authors’ own assessment of them. The scientific novelty is the generalized information from various sources and the study of the specifics of its formation, the authors’ assessment of the excess mortality and the birth deficit in some republics of the former Yugoslavia. For the purposes of the analysis, the authors provided a chronology of events in the Western Balkans of the late 20th and early 21st centuries and identified sources of information on losses for each former Yugoslav republic. However, despite the fact that many sources can be found in open access, they differ in the diversity of data, calculation methodology, and completeness of presentation. The article presents generalized information on the number of dead as a result of military conflicts based on several analytical sites. The authors defined two approaches, according to which demographic losses can be calculated: the first is the assessment of direct and indirect losses; the second is the use of the demographic balance equation, when excess mortality and birth deficit are estimated. In all the resources cited in the article, the determination of losses is carried out according to the first approach, the authors of the article made an attempt to estimate demographic losses according to the second approach. Using this approach, based on Eurostat data, it was possible to determine losses for only three countries: Serbia, Slovenia, and Croatia. For two regions, Eurostat does not provide demographic data for the years of active military operations: for Bosnia and Herzegovina for 1992—1995, for Kosovo for 1998—2001. In Macedonia, the number of casualties was small, which makes it impractical to build a hypothetical model, while Montenegro managed to avoid war altogether. So, both approaches have one common problem — the lack of a reliable information base. However, differences in loss estimates between the two approaches are natural due to the use of different methodological tools. Nevertheless, the magnitude and causes of large differences require additional research. It should be noted that there are quite a lot of estimates of direct losses, but at the time of the study, the authors were not aware of attempts to estimate excess mortality in individual republics of the former Yugoslavia. The obtained estimates require critical analysis and, if necessary, adjustments. The direction is the reconstruction (or clarification) of demographic dynamics (especially for Bosnia and Herzegovina) taking into account long-term demographic trends.

NARRATIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONAL LIFE COMPETENCE

The article addresses the issue of developing personal life competence within the framework of the psychological-hermeneutic, specifically narrative, approach. The feasibility of using narrative technologies in the context of developing personal life competence is substantiated: by constructive problem-solving, effective setting and solving of life tasks, strengthening psychological resilience, enhancing self-awareness and reflection, and building productive adaptive strategies during the prolonged war in Ukraine. The article characterizes the author's narrative technology as "Core Personal Questions," aimed at developing personal life competence through self-reflection, defining personal values, motives, and goals, and forming a holistic self-image. The proposed technology helps individuals understand their own experiences, current resources, beliefs, behavioral strategies, self-presentations, and life and personal projects, which is of significant importance during the war. The narrative technology "Core Personal Questions" is directed towards constructing retrospective, current, and prospective self-narratives, through which the understanding of life and personal experiences, determination of meaningful priorities and prospects, and adaptation to the current crisis conditions occur. The use of this technology involves the development of personal life competence in three dimensions: routine-selective, adaptive, and innovative. The methodological tools are based on key questions, the search for answers to which fosters self-reflection, independent setting, clarification, and redefinition of the main life tasks by the individual. The article illustrates the possibilities of applying the proposed narrative technology in working with vulnerable populations during the war in Ukraine. Keywords: personality, life competence, development, dimensions of development, reflection, narrative, narrative technologies, personal questions, war in Ukraine

Environmental and economic assessment of energy projects.

The energy industry has a significant impact on the scarce fossil hydrocarbon resources and on the environment. The burning of natural energy carriers by traditional energy facilities is one of the factors increasing the content of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that entails serious climate changes. Evaluating the efficiency of energy enterprises and the implementation of energy projects requires an integrated approach that considers not only technical and economic aspects, but also the environmental impact. Such approach is especially important in the context of the energy transition and the implementation of circular economy principles. Despite the attention of scientists to the tasks of scientific, methodological, and practical determination of the economic efficiency and environmental consequences of energy projects, the issue of environmental and economic assessment remains relevant, in particular considering resource and environmental efficiency. The purpose of this study is to improve the methodological tools of environmental and economic assessment of energy projects. The authors propose an approach to the assessment of energy projects using an integral indicator. This indicator is calculated based on a system of specific indicators of the natural resource capacity and the environmental compatibility of energy production at the energy facility, considering the regional environmental conditions. The formed approach can be used for environmental and economic assessment and comparison of energy projects, fast-acting measures, and projects for the development of energy enterprises.

Organizational and pedagogical conditions of self-control education of younger teenagers in the process of practicing martial arts

Self-control, as one of the key moral and volitional qualities, contributes to the formation of a responsible, self-realized personality, which meets the urgent need of society for harmoniously developed citizens who are able to make balanced decisions and actively participate in the life of the state. The relevance of the study of the effects of physical culture and sports and recreational activities on the education of moral and volitional qualities of schoolchildren is determined by the demand of modern pedagogical theory and practice for the development and improvement of appropriate methodological tools. In this context, sports and health activities, in particular martial arts, are an effective tool for the development of a growing personality, which actualizes the definition of appropriate organizational and pedagogical conditions. We can define the organizational and pedagogical conditions for the education of self-control in younger teenagers as a set of factors that ensure the successful achievement of educational goals and contribute to increasing the level of self-control in the process of practicing martial arts. Effective organizational and pedagogical conditions for the self-control education of younger teenagers in the process of martial arts classes are defined as: organization of methodical work with physical education teachers and martial arts trainers regarding the self-control education of younger teenagers; introduction of methodical tools for self-control training of younger teenagers by means of martial arts (freestyle wrestling, horting, aikido, judo, jiu-jitsu) in the educational process of ZZSO (in physical education classes); organization of sports and recreational activities with the aim of motivating younger teenagers to engage in martial arts and develop self-control skills in practice.

Detektív arcképvázlatok egy tabló ürügyén

Aim: The study presents the careers of three detectives who worked in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, mainly in Budapest. Methodology: The present study was based on the analysis of the literature, contemporary news reports and family history records, primarily using the methodological tools of legal history research. Findings: The Hungarian detectives came to the detective corps from completely different social backgrounds and with different qualifications. Despite this, the detectives worked to a high standard and successfully solved contemporary crimes. Value: Research and findings on the detective corps are few and far between, so any information on the subject will enrich the knowledge of the legal history of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.