Socio-economic Crisis Research Articles

Prevalence of class I caries in the second mandibular primary molar in 3-6-year-old children.

Dental caries is the disease of the oral cavity with serious oral health concern. It affects 50% of the schoolchildren worldwide. The consequences affect quality of life and may lead to socioeconomic crisis. The study was undertaken with the aim to understand the prevalence of class I caries in the second mandibular primary molar in 3-6-year-old children. The data were collected from the institutional patient records between September 2020 and February 2021. Of 6828 children, 100 children with class I caries in the mandibular second molar were included in the study. Data analysis was performed to find the association. On analyzing the correlation between age and prevalence of class I caries, all the age groups (i.e., 3-6 years) have almost equal prevalence of class I caries in both left and right second mandibular primary molars. On analyzing the correlation between gender and prevalence of class I caries, male children constitute about 56% of overall prevalence. About 43% of female children constitute class I caries. From the present study, it shows that there is high prevalence of class I caries in the second mandibular primary molar in children of 3-6 years of age. Knowledge on caries pattern on individual teeth and risk factors will help control and reduce dental caries.

Türkiye'de COVID-19 Salgını Nedeniyle Oluşan Acil Durum Sorunları ve Dirençlilik

Çalışmanın temel hedefi COVID-19 salgını nedeniyle Türkiye’de halkın algısına dayalı olarak psikososyal, sosyo-ekonomik ve olası çevresel krizleri analiz etmek, salgın nedeniyle oluşan acil durum sorunlarını ve toplumsal dirençliliği etkileyen unsurları irdelemektir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda COVID-19 Pandemisinin ortaya çıkışı hakkında açıklamalar yapılarak dirençlilik ve acil durum sorunlarından bahsedildikten sonra çalışmanın bulgularına yer verilmiştir. Çalışma kapsamında benzer yapılmış bir başka çalışmadan uyarlanmış ve uzman görüşleri alınmıştır. 333 katılımcıya ulaşılan çalışmada katılımcıların pandemi nedeniyle mental olarak yüksek oranda olumsuz olarak etkilendikleri, ülkemizin sağlık sisteminin kullanımı noktasında sorunlar olduğu, salgına yönelik tedbirlerde devletin daha tutarlı olması gerektiği, pandemi öncesi döneme göre temel ihtiyaç malzemelerinin fiyatlarının çok arttığı, virüsün tespit edilenden fazla kişiye bulaşmış olabileceği ve pandemi devam ederken olabilecek ikincil afetlerin ekonomik etkilerinin ağır olabileceğini düşündükleri sonuçlarına ulaşılmıştır. Yaşanılan bu süreçte ve gelecekte pandemiye dönüşebilecek her türlü salgına karşı tüm yönleriyle hazırlıklı olunması ve politikalar geliştirilmesi, toplumun dirençliliğin tesis edilmesi noktasında oldukça önemli olacaktır.

Food insecurity and eating habits of Lebanese children aged 5–11 years during the COVID-19 pandemic and the socioeconomic crisis: a national study

BackgroundFood insecurity is the lack of access to nutritious healthy food due to economic and financial insufficiencies. Food insecurity is expected to be higher during these difficult times in Lebanon, which is facing many financial, political, economic and health debates. The present study aims to find the prevalence of food insecurity among Lebanese children during the COVID-19 pandemic and its correlates.MethodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled 4001 participants from all Lebanese governorates (March–April 2022). The Ministry of Education and Higher Education randomly disseminated the link to parents of children aged between 5 and 11 years from public and private schools.ResultsThe results showed that 1505 (37.6%) and 1497 (37.4%) had moderate and severe food insecurity. A significantly higher percentage of families with severe food insecurity was reported by fathers compared to mothers. In addition, participants who reported a bad overall health status of their children had a severe food insecurity. Moreover, those with a severe food insecurity had their children’s daily snacking habit between meals decreased, with a decreased quantity of meals, intake of vegetables/fruits, the intake of balanced diet, junk food, sugar-sweetened beverages, consumption of sweets/candies/chocolate, consumption of unhealthy food, intake of immunity-boosting food, intake of nutrition supplements, participation in the house chores, number of sleeping hours and sleep quality, as well as stress/anxiety decreased. Finally, a higher mean financial burden was seen in families with severe food insecurity compared to the other groups.ConclusionThe current study found a high prevalence of moderate to severe food insecurity among Lebanese children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity should be seriously discussed in Lebanon due to its rapid development in the middle of all the crises facing the country in order to avoid short and long term consequences on human’s health.

Modeling Key Strategies for Reducing Socio-Economic and Health Crisis: Perspective from COVID-19 Pandemic.

The pandemic outbreak has dramatically changed every sector and walk of life. Specifically, the developing countries with scarce resources are facing unprecedented crises that further jeopardize efforts to achieve sustainable life. Considering the case of a developing country, Pakistan, this study empirically identifies the most important strategies to reduce the socio-economic and health challenges during COVID-19. Initially, the study identified 14 key strategies from the prior literature. Later, these strategies were determined with the help of the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach through expert suggestions. The ISM model represents seven levels of pandemic containment strategies based on their significance level. The strategies existing at the top level of ISM model are the least important, while the strategies at the bottom of hierarchy levels are highly significant. Therefore, the study results demonstrated that "strong leadership and control" and "awareness on social media" play significant roles in reducing pandemic challenges, while "promoting online purchase behavior" and "online education" are the least important strategies in tackling pandemic crisis. This study will benefit government authorities and policymakers, enabling them to focus more on significant measures in battling this ongoing crisis.

Intergenerational Social Mobility and Youth Well-Being in the Context of the Greek Socio-Economic Crisis

Intergenerational social mobility and its associations with youth well-being has scarcely been examined in Greece. This study examines educational and income mobility across generations, its relations with emerging adults’ well-being, and the impact of interpersonal and contextual factors on this relationship, such as parental school involvement and the recent severe socio-economic crisis in Greece. 468 female and male University students and graduates completed a questionnaire battery, using two different modes: pen-and-pencil and online. The questionnaire assessed demographics, including information about educational levels for youths, parents and grandparents of both genders, and income (for the former two), flourishing and quality of life, as well as parental involvement, and the impact of the crisis on youths. The results revealed upward educational mobility across three generations. Intergenerational mobility was significantly, and positively associated with youth well-being. Parental involvement mediated the relation between social mobility and flourishing, while the impact of the socio-economic crisis mediated the relationship among mobility, flourishing, and quality of life in emerging adulthood. The implications of these findings on educational, mental health and other types of interventions are discussed. Lastly, the two modes of questionnaire assessment were found to be equivalent, a finding that can facilitate research in other trying times, such as health pandemics.

Actions and Strategies for Coronavirus to Ensure Supply Chain Resilience: A Systemic Review

The COVID-19 outbreak adversely impacted agri-food supply chains and caused a severe socio-economic crisis worldwide. Preventive measures taken by several countries have affected production and distribution. Moreover, producers have had to face difficulties related to changes in local and international export markets, a decrease in the labor force due to the spread of the virus, and challenges in harvesting, processing, and shipment of products. However, despite the extraordinary nature of the disruption, supply chains have demonstrated a fair, resilient, and sustainable crisis recovery. Although a large number of papers deal with supply chains and the pandemic’s impact, a review of measures implemented that comprehensively includes resilience dimensions is still lacking. The scope of this paper is to survey available literature in order to understand whether there are classes of actions and strategies undertaken by meat supply chains in managing the pandemic. Documents were reviewed through a protocol based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) review technique. The survey highlights which actions have enabled supply chain resilience by underling virtuous behaviors and lessons learned. These findings support the need for further investigation of supply chain resilience and offer practitioners guidance toward a greater understanding of impacts and implementable strategies.

Global challenges and scientific research goals

largescalechanges in the global system with unpredictablebut significant political and economic consequences aretaking place in front of our eyes. Europe is situated atthe centre of a political and socio-economic crisis thathas exacerbated the key contradictions of long-termdevelopment, deepening conflict between society andnature. The key concepts of the civilized world – theprinciples of democracy, the rule of law and cultural values– are under threat. The Russian military machine isblackmailing the world with a nuclear disaster, causinglarge-scale pollution of the natural environment anddeliberately destroying infrastructure facilities, and thesocial and humanitarian spheres of my country. Accessto energy resources, water and food products is becomingthe means of pressure. Climate change has becomea problem of particular sharpness.

The impact on education of university students in COVID-19 pandemic period: A factor analysis

The educational sector of Bangladesh is severely affected due to the sudden outbreak of novel Corona virus (COVID-19). Bangladesh which is one of the densely populated countries has a significant improvement in the education sector along with the others in last some decades but this pandemic has played a serious setback to almost all the sectors of this small country. As all the educational institutes of Bangladesh are closed since 17th March 2020 till 30th June 14, 2021 and this may lead to many detrimental effects. To measure these, a survey was conducted and collected data was analyzed by SPSS Statistics v 25.0. This paper highlighted the mental stress, socio-economic crisis of the students that badly affected their education. It is observed in this study that around 80% of the students are going through mental stress particularly for internet facilities and financial crisis in pandemic period.

THE VARIOUS DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY IN RELATION TO VALUE CREATION

This paper aims to understand the relationship between sustainability and value creation by conducting a descriptive and conceptual research from a multidimensional approach, both at microeconomic and macroeconomic level. The research delves into the various characteristics, differences and similarities of the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development, in relation to value creation. The study also examines the different dimensions of sustainability that have evolved over time, such as weak sustainability, strong sustainability, circular economy, corporate social responsibility, and corporate sustainability, and how they relate to the change of economic theories. The research takes into account the current national and global situation, characterized by socio-economic inequalities, health crises, interstate conflicts, and climate change, and how the transition towards sustainability is becoming increasingly important to ensure the well-being of present and future societies. The research methodology includes analyzing specialized literature, including books, articles, and data provided by the European Commission, various institutions/organizations supported by the United Nations, and other relevant data sources. The research aims to answer the main research question of how microeconomics and macroeconomics can interact to achieve the transition towards sustainability and the subsequent creation of sustainable value. The results of this research based on the interdependence of sustainability-value creation are presented in the content of the work through numerous figures, which, through their own approach, aim to highlight the way to achieve the proposed objectives. In addition, the paper concludes that circular economy, as a component part of sustainable development, perhaps it is the most appropriate to the current trends of ensuring and maintaining the sustainability of economic processes, representing a vector in the creation of sustainable value, respecting and combining its own principles, alongside those of weak sustainability and corporate sustainability.

Marine renewable energy perspectives in the Mediterranean region_ planning priorities in a climate neutrality era

In conditions of ongoing climate change, multifaceted socio-economic and health crises and constantly increasing energy needs, the transition to clean energy forms is a crucial priority in the development policies of countries worldwide. The debate, which has been held at scientific and political levels since the 1970s, has as key areas of concern the search for renewable energy sources and the development of new allocation methods and technologies for their optimal use aiming at spatial and social cohesion and justice. With a focus on marine renewable energy sources, and taking Greece as reference area, it is explored whether, and under what conditions, marine energy could support blue economy and climate neutrality. This article seeks to critically discuss contemporary international/European experience with a view to assessing the basic factors that have contributed to the use of blue energy, and identifying the special conditions, constraints and priorities in the management of marine energy potential in coastal countries with geographical and spatial peculiarities and high concentration of protected areas (natural - cultural-historical), as is the case of Mediterranean countries. In this line, a methodology is proposed based on a multifactorial perspective where the geopolitical significance, the local identity and the carrying capacity of the sites gain additional value weight. The aim is to highlight crucial issues that need to be addressed in the energy transition of coastal countries, and embedded as principles/guidelines in the broader framework of their national energy policies in the context of climate neutrality.

MICHAŁ KALECKI’S SCIENTIFIC LEGACY AS A MODEL FOR UNDERSTANDING CONTEMPORARY CRISES

Recurring crises slowing down economic activities and the resulting consequences paint the picture of modern economies. Therefore, it seems justified to draw on the achievements of economics with a view to explaining the causes of socio-economic crises. The article uses a descriptive method. The objective of the article is to understand the substance of the phenomenon; therefore, the author seeks certain analogies in the past and refers to the work of the Polish scholar Michał Kalecki. The basic conclusion of the article is: J.M. Keynes built a new macroeconomic theory based on the fundamental proposition that manufacturers’ supply (the levels of national income and employment) depended on aggregate demand. In the mid-1930s, a similar thought was formulated by Poland’s most eminent economist, Michał Kalecki. He constructed his business cycle model based on the aforementioned fundamental proposition. It meant that profits and national income were determined by effective investor and consumer demand. J.M. Keynes’s and M. Kalecki’s stressing the pivotal role of aggregate demand was a revolution in economic thinking. It should be noted that the COVID-19 pandemic is not merely a short-term change in economic activity. As predicted by various international institutions, it will have a lasting impact on the functioning of the global economy.

Housing logic: Rationalities behind housing choice behavior in coping housing market dynamics among urban residents in Sebeta Town, Ethiopia

Urban residents do have rationalities and justifications for the housing situation they are living in. This research is aimed to address the research question that proposed why housing choice behavior is different from person to person and why residents choose the housing type that they are living in given that in the dynamic housing market there are different housing options. The researchers are dedicated to investigating housing logic that guides urban housing choice behavior as a response to housing market dynamics. Understanding the housing logic behind the housing choice behavior of urban residents in a dynamic housing market is a logical basis of this research. This study benefited from both theoretical and empirical analysis because the literature review was supported by empirical observation. To achieve the research objective, the explanatory mixed-method sequential research design was employed where quantitative data were collected from 384 respondents who were randomly selected whereas qualitative data were collected via in-depth interviews and focus group discussion. Urban residents decided to utilize housing type that fits their overall socio-economic capacity and coping abilities. Findings indicated that urban residents shifted their housing choice from formal to informal markets which imply the logic of housing choice behavior. This shifting has happened due to the lowered extent of supportiveness of formal housing market dynamics and the decline of coping abilities that was associated with the socio-economic crisis. The authors came up with the conclusion that the major housing choice logic of urban residents is affordability, accessibility, adequacy, and aptness factors. The authors would like to suggest to the municipality to strengthen the formal housing market given that the informal housing market is likely to aggravate social injustices and inequitable housing development.

The impact of global climate change on migration in the Russian Federation and Central Asian countries

Global climate change has a dramatic impact on the environment, transforming the conditions of human life and economic activities, which affects migration patterns as well. Climatic conditions have always played a crucial role in population distribution in Russia. Today, the impact of severe climatic regime of the Northern Russian territories is becoming increasingly aggravated with the negative effects of the global climate change, spurring up the population outflow from such strategically important regions as the Far North, Siberia, and the Far East. This study aims at estimating the role of environmental factors in this process on the basis of analysis of statistical data on the distribution of migrants by reasons for resettlement. Results of the analysis proved that climatic conditions are a powerful push/pull factor of internal migration in Russia; hence, as the climate change progresses, the population outflow especially from the Russian North is likely to become more intense. On the other hand, the climate change has already become a serious problem for Central Asian countries, creating risks for food security, water supply and energy systems there. Gradual environmental deterioration provokes socio-economic crises which force the population of vulnerable areas to migrate in search of livelihood sustainability. The majority of such migrants resettle within their countries, but a part is likely to move to Russia following the traditional labor migration patterns. Our preliminary estimates show that by 2050Russia is going to get additionally up to 120,000 migrants from Central Asia in total. In the authors' opinion this trend should be considered as positive both from the point of view of a contribution to the population of Russia, and from the point of view of Central Asian population's adaptation to the climate change.

Exploring the anti-SARS-CoV-2 main protease potential of FDA approved marine drugs using integrated machine learning templates as predictive tools

Since the inception of COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019, socio-economic crisis begins to rise globally and SARS-CoV-2 was responsible for this outbreak. With this outbreak, currently, world is in need of effective and safe eradication of COVID-19. Hence, in this study anti-SAR-Co-2 potential of FDA approved marine drugs (Biological macromolecules) data set is explored computationally using machine learning algorithm of Flare by Cresset Group, Field template, 3D-QSAR and activity Atlas model was generated against FDA approved M-pro SARS-CoV-2 repurposed drugs including Nafamostat, Hydroxyprogesterone caporate, and Camostat mesylate. Data sets were categorized into active and inactive molecules on the basis of their structural and biological resemblance with repurposed COVID-19 drugs. Then these active compounds were docked against the five different M-pro proteins co-crystal structures. Highest LF VS score of Holichondrin B against all main protease co-crystal structures ranked it as lead drug. Finally, this new technique of drug repurposing remained efficient to explore the anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of FDA approved marine drugs.

Cross-Reactivity of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid-Binding Antibodies and Its Implication for COVID-19 Serology Tests.

The emergence of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 led to the global pandemic COVID-19, causing a profound socioeconomic crisis. Adequate diagnostic tools need to be developed to control the ongoing spread of infection. Virus-specific humoral immunity in COVID-19 patients and those vaccinated with specific vaccines has been characterized in numerous studies, mainly using Spike protein-based serology tests. However, Spike protein and specifically its receptor-binding domain (RBD) are mutation-prone, suggesting the reduced sensitivity of the validated serology tests in detecting antibodies raised to variants of concern (VOC). The viral nucleocapsid (N) protein is more conserved compared to Spike, but little is known about cross-reactivity of the N-specific antibodies between the ancestral B.1 virus and different VOCs. Here, we generated recombinant N phosphoproteins from different SARS-CoV-2 strains and analyzed the magnitude of N-specific antibodies in COVID-19 convalescent sera using an in-house N-based ELISA test system. We found a strong positive correlation in the magnitude of anti-N (B.1) antibodies and antibodies specific to various VOCs in COVID-19-recovered patients, suggesting that the N-binding antibodies are highly cross-reactive, and the most immunogenic epitopes within this protein are not under selective pressure. Overall, our study suggests that the RBD-based serology tests should be timely updated to reflect the constantly evolving nature of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, whereas the validated N-based test systems can be used for the analysis of sera from COVID-19 patients regardless of the strain that caused the infection.

Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) based COVID-19 health impact assessment: A systematic review protocol

COVID-19 is a highly contagious infectious disease that emerged in 2019. This disease is causing devastating health, socio-economic, and economic crises. More specifically COVID-19 is affecting both the quality and length of human life. The overall health impact of this disease is measured by the disability-adjusted life years which is the sum of the life years lost due to disability (the effect on the health quality) and the years life lost due to premature death (effect on the length of life). The purpose of this review is to summarise DALYs-based health impact publications and produce compiled and informative literature that can aid the health regulators to make evidence-based decisions on mitigating COVID-19. The review will be conducted using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The DALYs-based original observational and cross-sectional studies will be collected for assessing the health impact of COVID-19. Both the life quality and length impacts of COVID-19 will be reviewed. The life quality impact of COVID-19 will be measured using the life years lost due to disability (pre-recovery illness, pre-death illness, and post-acute consequences), and its impact on the length of life will be measured with years of life lost due to premature death (shortening of life expectancy). The combined health impact of COVID-19 on the quality and length of life will be measured in disability-adjusted life years. The impacts of COVID-19 on the two health outcomes (quality and length of life) will indicate the level of COVID-19 health burden. The increase or decrease of COVID-19 health impact might be due to the sample size differences of different studies and the omission of years lost due to post-acute consequences in some studies. After having a summarized systematic review health decision-makers will apply an impact-based response to COVID-19. Systematic review registration: This protocol is pre-registered in PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42022324931.

Immunology to Immunotherapeutics of SARS-CoV-2: Identification of Immunogenic Epitopes for Vaccine Development.

The emergence of COVID19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus has created a global public health and socio-economic crisis. Immunoinformatics-based approaches to investigate the potential antigens is the fastest way to move towards a multiepitope-based vaccine development. This review encompasses the underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis, innate and adaptive immune signaling along with evasion pathways of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, it compiles the promiscuous peptides from in silico studies which are subjected to prediction of cytokine milieu using web-based servers. Out of the 434 peptides retrieved from all studies, we have identified 33 most promising T cell vaccine candidates. This review presents a list of the most potential epitopes from several proteins of the virus based on their immunogenicity, homology, conservancy and population coverage studies. These epitopes can form a basis of second generation of vaccine development as the first generation vaccines in various stages of trials mostly focus only on Spike protein. We therefore, propose them as most potential candidates which can be taken up immediately for confirmation by experimental studies.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00284-022-03003-3.

Umorismo come strumento di critica all’Occidentalizzazione nel romanzo vietnamita Số Đỏ (Vũ Trọng Phụng, Hanoi, 1936)

Abstract Based on the study of humour and its classical categories (superiority, relief, incongruity), as well as its denunciation function, this paper is going to explore different humour techniques in Số Đỏ (Vũ Trọng Phụng 1936), a masterpiece of contemporary Vietnamese literature. Written during the most intense period of socioeconomic and political changes in colonial Indochina, this novel immediately stood out for its bitter humour, which laid bare the effects of modernization in northern Vietnam during late French colonization. Focusing on ridiculous members of the emergent Francophile bourgeoisie, the mocking of their uncritical imitation of the behaviors and customs of the Western culture, and the ironic description of absurd and incongruous situations, Vũ Trọng Phụng successfully revealed the socioeconomic crisis, the pressure of cultural changes, and the clash—both material and ideological—between East and West, tradition and modernity, which took place in Hanoi in the 1930s. Because of its controversial content, Số Đỏ, together with other works of Vũ Trọng Phụng, was the subject of intense literary and political debates in the ‘30s, during the French protectorate, and in the ‘60s was banned from communist-ruled Vietnam, until its rehabilitation in the late ‘80s. This case represents a rare example of criticism of Westernization seen through the sceptical eyes and humorous tone of a colonized author, and confirms once more the important political and social role of humour, its ability to represent reality, the dual existence of comic and tragic.

The Coronacrisis and Its Impact on Creditors: Frustration of Purpose

French and Belgian law merely offer doctrines that allow for the dislocation of the risk a party bears in its capacity of debtor, namely the risk of impossible or more onerous performance of obligations. Both legal systems are debtor centrist in that regard. In light of the socio-economic crisis following the outbreak of the coronavirus SARS-CoV- 2, this debtor centrist approach appears to be insufficient. The present article argues that this insufficiency is due to the debtor centrist approach and could be resolved by allowing for a doctrine that takes the materialization of the creditor risk, the frustration of purpose, into account. As German law, but also Dutch and English law, provide, such an approach exists and proves more apt to deal with contract cases arising under the current crisis.

Anti-crisis strategy of state governance in the wartime: an example of Ukraine

Russian military invasion of Ukraine became yet another reminder to humanity about how fragile our world is and how it requires unity and partnership to confront global humanitarian challenges and to ensure goals of sustainable development.The article analyzes the historical context of the establishment of Ukrainian statehood, provides situational assessment of the current state of economy and environmental hazards in Ukraine and investigates successful anti-crisis «success stories» of other countries. It is namely on this basis that a strategy of changing an existing system of state governance in Ukraine has been elaborated, taking into account the consequences of the war-induced socio-economic crisis. As conceptual framework for this strategy, provisions of the sustainable development theory were utilized, regarded by the authors as the most implementable «survival guide» for contemporary world.