Study Identification Research Articles

Study on the mechanism of Xinmailong injection against chronic heart failure based on transcriptomics and proteomics

Xinmailong (XML), a traditional Chinese medicine derived from Periplaneta americana, is commonly used in China to treat chronic heart failure (CHF). However, its pharmacological mechanism remains unclear. In our research, we employed Doxorubicin (Dox) to create a CHF animal model and administered XML treatment to investigate the pharmacological effects of XML on CHF rats by combining transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. XML improved dox-induced CHF and improved cardiac function, and a joint multi-omics analysis demonstrated that it reduced cardiomyocyte fibrosis during CHF. There is further evidence that XML may alleviate cardiomyocyte fibrosis through its effects on the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway or by reducing the expression levels of COL1A1, COL3A1, MMP9, and CXCR2. In this study, the effects of XML on rats with CHF are examined at the transcriptional and protein levels, as well as its mechanism and mode of action in treating CHF. There may be novel therapeutic targets or clinical indications for XML-based CHF therapy resulting from the study's identification of significant differential genes and signaling pathways.

Reply to: “Comment on ‘Stratospheric Aerosol Composition Observed by the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Following the 2019 Raikoke Eruption’ by Boone et al.” by Ansmann et al.

AbstractThe question of stratospheric aerosol type following the Raikoke eruption is revisited. Raman lidar measurements suggest the aerosols are predominately smoke, while Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier transform spectrometer (ACE‐FTS) results indicate the aerosols are predominately sulfate aerosols. The suggested mechanism of smoke particles self‐lofting into the stratosphere is inconsistent with observations in 2020, when more severe Siberian fires failed to invoke a response even vaguely similar to 2019. A side‐by side comparison of the Sarychev and Raikoke eruptions invalidates model calculations that suggest sulfate aerosols should be at levels too low to explain the observed aerosol loading. Structure in infrared absorption spectra provides conclusive evidence of composition, a unique fingerprint for identifying aerosol type. Such information cannot be misinterpreted so long as there is sufficient resolution and spectral coverage. ACE‐FTS infrared aerosol spectra often have an order of magnitude stronger absorption than that of background sulfate aerosols. These spectra can be accurately reproduced by laboratory measured sulfate aerosol spectroscopic information, providing unambiguous identification of the aerosols as sulfate. Visual inspection of thousands of infrared aerosol spectra from the period following the Raikoke eruption indicates the aerosols in the lower stratosphere are predominately sulfate, with no indication of smoke. The lidar study's identification of the aerosols as smoke was based primarily on observed lidar ratios that were more consistent with a material that absorbed significantly at the lidar wavelengths, inconsistent with expectations for sulfate aerosols. However, this could indicate the presence of a substance dissolved in the sulfate aerosols absorbing at those wavelengths rather than smoke particles.

2023 Wildfires in Canada: Living in Wildfire Regions in Alberta and Nova Scotia Doubled the Odds for Residents to Experience Likely Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms.

Background: Wildfires have become increasingly prevalent in various regions, resulting in substantial environmental and psychological consequences that have garnered increasing attention. Objective: This study aims to examine the prevalence of likely Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and explore the determinants of likely GAD during the wildfires in Alberta and Nova Scotia. Methods: Data were collected online through a cross-sectional survey from 14 May-23 June 2023. Alberta and Nova Scotia participants self-subscribed to the program by texting 'HopeAB' or 'HopeNS' to a short code, respectively. The GAD-7-validated tool was used to collect information on likely GAD. Results: This study included 298 respondents while one hundred and twelve respondents lived in a region of Alberta/Nova Scotia affected by the wildfires (37.7%). The prevalence of likely GAD among the respondents was 41.9%. Respondents who lived in a region of Alberta/Nova Scotia recently impacted by the wildfires were twice as likely to experience GAD symptoms (OR = 2.4; 95% C.I. 1.3-4.3). Conclusions: The study's identification of a statistically significant relationship between residing in a wildfire-impacted region and likely GAD shows the association between environmental and psychological well-being. However, the relatively small sample size and self-reported assessment of GAD symptoms may limit the generalizability of the findings. Further research involving a larger sample size delving into potential predictors could facilitate strategies for mitigating the mental health consequences of natural disasters.

Development of Microcontroller Based Water Quality Monitoring and Water Level Control Device

Access to clean and safe water is not only a fundamental human right but also a vital requirement for electronics industries, chemicals industries, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage production, fisheries and aquatic farming. This project addresses the pressing issue of water quality monitoring and efficient water usage within the context of these industries. The study's identification of problem areas for water quality can lead to more efficient interventions and solutions to safeguard the environment, and prevent waterborne diseases. This paper presents the design and implementation of microcontroller-based system for monitoring water quality and water level in the thank, the water in the thank is refilled when it goes beyond a set threshold with the aid of an automatic switch control. The system is a hybrid of 3 subsystems: a Water Level Checker, a Water Quality Monitoring System and an Automatic Switch control system. The Water level checker consists of Ultrasonic sensors. The Water Quality Monitoring system consists of pH sensors, TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) sensors and Turbidity sensors. The continuous (Analog) data from the water quality sensors used would be outputted via an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The Automatic Switch control system consists of 5v Relay modules and a 12v Pump that would automatically switch ON/OFF depending on the level of water in the tank. The values of EC (Electrical Conductivity) and TDS spike drastically to the introduction of salt from as low as 138 -906 for TDS and 0.34 – 2.04 for EC, signifying increase in water capacity of electrical conductivity. Temperature rise in the afternoon also increases TDS values from 142 for clean water to 920 for the salty water while it ranges from 138 for clean water to 906 for salt water at both morning and evening time. Pumping aspects of the system are triggered when water level in the thank falls below 10% and trips off when water level goes above 95% as programmed in the control unit. The developed system marks a significant achievement in water management and automation technology. integration of quality monitoring sensors has enabled real-time evaluation of water parameters that holds potential for applications in environmental monitoring, ensuring safe drinking water, and safeguarding aquatic ecosystems. The automated switch control mechanism responds dynamically to water levels, enabling the system to trigger actions such as pump activation or filling processes based on predefined thresholds.

The Relationship Between Time Spent on Social Media and Adolescent Cigarette, E-cigarette, and Dual Use: A Longitudinal Analysis of the UK Millennium Cohort Study.

To estimate the effect of social media use in 14 year olds on risk of and inequalities in cigarette, e-cigarette, and dual use at 17 years, using the UK-representative Millennium Cohort Study (born 2000-2002). The relationship of time spent on social media (using questionnaires [n = 8987] and time-use-diaries [n = 2520]) with cigarette, e-cigarette, and dual use was estimated using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) or relative risk ratios (ARRRs). Effect modification was examined (using parental education as an indicator for socioeconomic circumstances) by comparing adjusted risk differences within low and high-parental education groups. Analyses accounted for prespecified confounders (identified via directed acyclic graphs), baseline outcome measures (to address reverse causality), sample design, attrition, and item-missingness (through multiple imputation). Time spent on social media was associated with increased risk of cigarette, e-cigarette, and dual use in a dose-response manner. Social media use for ≥2 hours/day (vs. 1-<30 minutes) was associated with increased cigarette (AOR 2.76 [95% confidence interval 2.19 to 3.48]), e-cigarette (3.24 [2.59 to 4.05]), and dual use (ARRR 4.11 [2.77 to 6.08]). The risk of cigarette use among 30 minutes-<1 hour/day users (vs. non-users) were smaller in those with high versus low parental education (ARDs 1.4% vs. 12.4%). Similar findings were observed across the higher time categories. Analyses using time-use-diaries, in complete case samples, and with additional adjustment for baseline outcome measures generally revealed similar findings. After accounting for observed confounders and potential reverse causality, findings suggest social media use increases the risk of cigarette, e-cigarette, and dual use in a dose-response manner. Guidance addressing adolescent online safety should be prioritized. This study's identification of a dose-response relationship and differential effects across socioeconomic groups, could assist in the development of guidance on time spent on social media. The adverse effects of social media use on adolescent cigarette, e-cigarette, and dual use supports legislation aimed at promoting adolescent online safety. Study findings strengthen calls to prohibit social media marketing of nicotine-related products and importantly highlight the need to increase awareness and understanding of the underlying algorithms which drive adolescent exposure to nicotine-related content on social media to ensure they are functioning in a way that best serves the adolescent population.

Hand Hygiene Practices among Nurses in South Sulawesi Hospitals

Healthcare professionals’ adherence to hand hygiene protocols is paramount to prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and ensure patient safety. This study evaluates compliance with the World Health Organization's (WHO) "Five-Moment Hand Hygiene" protocol among nurses in two Indonesian hospitals: Regional General Hospital X in Makassar City and Provincial General Hospital Y in South Sulawesi Province. A total of 60 nurses participated, with demographic analysis revealing significant differences between the hospitals. Utilizing a comprehensive observation tool provided by the WHO, data analysis indicated variations in hand hygiene practices, particularly after touching patient surroundings. Despite these differences, the data followed a normal distribution, enhancing the reliability of statistical analyses. Significant disparities in hand hygiene practices were found after touching patient surroundings (p-value = 0.008; α &lt; 0.05), underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions among nurses to improve their compliance and enhance patient safety. This study recommends comprehensive training, resource provision, regular audits, fostering a supportive organizational culture, and integrating robust hand hygiene modules into nursing education. The study also suggests further research to identify barriers and improvement strategies. Addressing these recommendations collectively will bolster patient safety and reduce healthcare-associated infection burdens in Indonesian healthcare settings. The study's identification of specific deficiencies in hand hygiene practices provides actionable insights for healthcare administrators, infection control practitioners, and frontline healthcare workers, emphasizing the urgency of sustained efforts to promote proper hand hygiene practices.

Feasibility of an artificial intelligence phone call for postoperative care following cataract surgery in a diverse population: two phase prospective study protocol

IntroductionArtificial intelligence (AI) development has led to improvements in many areas of medicine. Canada has workforce pressures in delivering cataract care. A potential solution is using AI technology that can...

Development and assessment of biotic stress tolerant cucumber hybrids using land races and commercial varieties

Cucumber growers suffer significant economic losses due to yield reductions caused by pest such as fruit fly and diseases like powdery mildew, and downy mildew. Therefore, one of the greatest ways to reduce losses caused by these pressures is to grow resistant cultivars. The objective of this study was to estimate important genetic parameters to approximate inbred line performance in the F1 generation, and to identify appropriate F1 cross combinations resistant to these biotic stresses. Thirty F1 hybrid combinations were screened, along with 13 parents (ten diverse stable lines and three testers), and a standard check. The genotypes UHF-CUC-11, UHF-CUC-13, UHF-CUC-6, UHF-CUC-15, UHF-CUC-8, Solan Srijan and F1 cross-combinations UHF-CUC-11 × Solan Srijan, UHF-CUC-13 × Solan Srijan, UHF-CUC-6 × K-75, UHF-CUC-15 × Solan Srijan and UHF-CUC-8 × Solan Srijan were found superior for these biotic stresses in the experimental results. Additionally, the predominance of non-additive gene activity due to genetic complementation between parents suggests that heterosis breeding could be helpful in enhancing these features in cucumber. Therefore, the present study's identification of resistant parents and hybrid combinations can be used to introduce the resistance genes into the necessary elite backgrounds of cucumber for the generation of biotic stress resistant varieties/hybrids.

Space-borne Air Quality Monitoring of Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) over Karachi and Lahore using Remote Sensing Tools

In this study, we used Sentinel-5P TROPOMI satellite data to examine the NO2 and gas concentrations in the cities of Lahore and Karachi, Pakistan, and to use environmental valuation methods that focus on air quality problems. Furthermore, the causes and main sources of NO2 are discussed with its effect on the environment and the health of humans. This study examines the correlation between the tropospheric NO2 collected from the recently launched Sentinel-5 Precursor, a low-earth-orbit atmospheric mission dedicated to observing air pollution and outfitted with the spectrometer TROPOMI (Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument). The average amount of NO2 that was gathered between May 2018 and May 2022. The results showed higher levels of NO2 concentrations were recorded in both, Karachi and Lahore. The concentrations exceed the WHO standard levels for NO2 in ambient air. The NO2 concentrations in Karachi ranged from 3.0e-6 mol/m2 being the minimum average concentration to 4.0e-1 mol/m2 being the maximum concentration. However, in Lahore, the minimum average value of NO2 was ranging from 4.0e-5 mol/m2 to 5.5e-1 mol/m2 as the maximum average, which was higher than the minimum and maximum values of Karachi. The study also revealed that the NO2 concentrations measured for both cities were higher than the WHO's yearly limit threshold, which is 53 ppb/year. Thus, it was crucial to take action to address this issue before it poses a severe risk to the local people. This study's identification of the key regions with the greatest NO2 concentrations will aid in understanding the significance of satellite data for monitoring NO2 concentration. Thus, the originality of the study lies in the fact that using the example of Karachi and Lahore, the dynamics of the deterioration of the environmental situation was revealed, and the main reasons for what was happening were also established. In this case, an available tool was used - remote sensing tools. The competent authorities can assist this study in managing and regulating the air quality in the most densely populated areas.

Impact of Resource Planning and Information Management Services based on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - The Eco-Environmental and Economic Behavior for the Chemical Industries in China

The Chinese economy and the global supply chain both heavily rely on the chemical industry. These services strive to optimize resource utilization, decrease environmental contamination, and support environmentally friendly and commercially successful operations in the chemical sector by incorporating sustainable practices and utilizing technical breakthroughs .Sustainable development goals (SDGs) are a necessity that has only lately come to light on a global scale, but they are a dynamic phenomenon that calls for ongoing analysis and is the subject of current study and policy. As more people become aware of environmental issues, businesses are under pressure to manage their supply chains in an environmentally sustainable manner. This quantitative study analyses the effects of resource planning and information management services on eco-environmental and economic behavior in China's chemical industries with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study used a longitudinal research design with data collected at two separate time points due to low response rates. The study employs a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire for data collection, and SPSS Macros is used for statistical analysis. The author has also investigated the moderating effects of resource availability and the use of resource theory. The findings of this study contribute valuable insights to the field of sustainable development and industrial practices. The implications of these research findings are twofold. First, they provide valuable guidance for the chemical industries in China to enhance their eco-environmental and economic performance through efficient resource planning and data-driven information management. Second, the study's identification of key sustainable development factors can assist policymakers in formulating targeted strategies to advance the SDGs within the chemical sector. The findings support sustainable behavior in the chemical industry by offering useful insights into how to include SDGs into resource planning and information management systems.

The Impact of Working Capital Management on Financial Performance, Evidence from Automotive &amp; Components Industry

This study aims to examine and analyze the impact of Working Capital Management by measuring the Days Inventory Oustanding (DIO), Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), and Days Payable Oustanding (DPO) on Return on Assets (ROA) in automotive and component sub-sector firms listed on the IDX from 2011 to 2021. The sampling technique employed was a purposive sample of 11 businesses with 121 observations for 2011-2021 in the IDX-listed automotive and component sub-sectors. Panel data regression using the Common Effect Model is the method of analysis used. The results of this study reveal that the DIO and DPO have a significant negative effect on ROA, whereas the DSO has a positive effect. It is recommended that, while formulating optimal capital budgeting practices, businesses consider Working Capital Management. This paper's findings may help firm managers optimize their working capital management practices. The study's identification of working capital management as a substantial influence on firm profitability can interest policymakers.

Application of genetic algorithm in optimization parallel ensemble-based machine learning algorithms to flood susceptibility mapping using radar satellite imagery

Floods are the natural disaster that occurs most frequently due to the weather and causes the most widespread destruction. The purpose of the proposed research is to analyze flood susceptibility mapping (FSM) in the Sulaymaniyah province of Iraq. This study employed a genetic algorithm (GA) to fine-tune parallel ensemble-based machine learning algorithms (random forest (RF) and bootstrap aggregation (Bagging)). Four machine learning algorithms (RF, Bagging, RF-GA, and Bagging-GA) were used to build FSM in the study area. To provide inputs into parallel ensemble-based machine learning algorithms, we gathered and processed data from meteorological (Rainfall), satellite image (flood inventory, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), aspect, land cover, altitude, stream power index (SPI), plan curvature, topographic wetness index (TWI), slope) and geographic sources (geology). For this research, Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite images were utilized to locate flooded areas and create an inventory map of floods. To train and validate the model, we employed 70 % and 30 % of 160 selected flood locations, respectively. Multicollinearity, frequency ratio (FR), and Geodetector methods were used for data preprocessing. Four metrics were utilized to assess the FSM performance: the root mean square error (RMSE), the area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC-ROC), the Taylor diagram, and the seed cell area index (SCAI). The results exhibited that all the suggested models have high accuracy of prediction, but the performance of Bagging-GA (RMSE (Train = 0.1793, Test = 0.4543)) was slightly better than RF-GA (RMSE (Train = 0.1803, Test = 0.4563)), Bagging (RMSE (Train = 0.2191, Test = 0.4566)), and RF (RMSE (Train = 0.2529, Test = 0.4724)). According to the ROC index, the Bagging-GA model (AUC = 0.935) was the most accurate in flood susceptibility modeling, followed by the RF-GA (AUC = 0.904), the Bagging (AUC = 0.872), and the RF (AUC = 0.847) models. The study's identification of high-risk flood zones and the most significant factors contributing to flooding make it a helpful resource for flood management.

Characteristics and Determinants of China's Ice-and-Snow Tourism Industrial Cluster

Ice-and-snow tourism (IST) is a booming industry, and the development of its industrial clusters reflects its regional development quality. Taking 1985–2021 data for China's IST enterprises, this study used industrial cluster identification and industrial correlation analysis to explore the development of IST industrial clusters. The following results were obtained: (1) China's IST initially formed hotspot industrial clusters in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Northeast, the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, Chengdu-Chongqing, and Xinjiang regions. (2) Multiple industry forms failed to become deeply integrated into development, indicating a need to optimize the structure of the IST industrial chain. (3) The development environment of IST industrial clusters in each province showed differentiated characteristics. (4) IST industrial clustering was affected by both internal and external factors. External factors were grouped into climate and ice-and-snow resources, government policies and sports events, and economic fundamentals and market conditions. Internal factors included industrial association and industrial integration in the IST industrial cluster. Based on this study's identification of the characteristics of China's IST industrial clusters, countermeasures are proposed for their optimal development.

Using an educational computer program to enhance student performance in financial accounting

We develop an educational computer program, Principles Aren't That Hard (PATH), to enhance intrinsic motivation and performance in accounting education. We include Blackboard and the traditional paper medium as additional system types for comparison purposes. The results show that relative to Blackboard and the traditional paper medium, PATH leads to highest intrinsic motivation, which increases system use. The findings also indicate that the effect of intrinsic motivation on system use is stronger when perceived usefulness is higher than lower. When users perceive a system to be useful for attaining their goals, this form of extrinsic motivation promotes rather than impairs intrinsic motivation which further enhances system use. Additionally, the results suggest that perceived competence fully mediates the impact of system use on performance. This study's identification of perceived competence as a mediator furthers understanding of the inconsistent findings reported in previous research on the effect of system use on performance.

Glucocorticoid therapy of antigen-induced arthritis depends on the dimerized glucocorticoid receptor in T cells

Despite several side effects, glucocorticoids (GCs) have been widely used for 60 y to treat rheumatoid arthritis on the basis of their antiinflammatory effects. However, the cells targeted by GCs and the transcriptional mechanisms underlying their actions through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in steroid therapy remain poorly defined. Using cell type-specific GR-deficient mice subjected to antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) as a model of human rheumatoid arthritis, we show that GC action on T cells but not myeloid cells is critical for therapeutic intervention in AIA. Furthermore, the resistance of mice expressing a DNA binding-defective GR (GR(dim)) to GC treatment reveals that dimerization of the GR is indispensable for the antiinflammatory effects. In these mice, the GC-induced suppression of T(H)1 and T(H)17 cell-derived proinflammatory cytokines is impaired. Our finding that IL-17A(-/-) mice are resistant to GC therapy, whereas IFN-γ(-/-) mice respond as efficiently as WT mice implies that IL-17-producing T cells and not IFN-γ-producing T cells are the most important targets for an efficient GC therapy. The present study's identification of the critical cell type and the mode of GR action in steroid therapy of AIA significantly advances our understanding of steroid therapy and should lead to therapies with greater efficiency and fewer side effects.

Comparing spatial accessibility to conventional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine in Ontario, Canada

Health care investigations rarely consider conventional medicine (CM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) simultaneously and spatial accessibility empirical research that incorporates both CM and CAM locations is novel. In this study, residents within municipalities of the Ontario province of Canada are compared in terms of spatial accessibility to a range of health care supplier ‘destinations’. While areas with larger urban agglomerations generally exhibit superior levels of spatial accessibility to health care and diversity in medical service choice in comparison to more peripheral areas, considerable heterogeneity in accessibility occurs in both urban and rural settings. This study's identification of subtle spatial imbalances appends the literature by more precisely qualifying the typically reported ‘urban-rich, rural-poor’ assessment of health care service condition and also reinforces the need for policy-makers to appraise health care spatial accessibility differentials as a function of both CM and CAM endowment.

Prevalence and Predictors of Tobacco Treatment in an Academic Medical Center

Hospitalized smokers are a large and important but undertreated population. Although effective strategies have been developed to enhance smoking cessation, many hospitalized smokers still fail to benefit from these services. A study was conducted to examine the reach of services within a hospital tobacco treatment program and to identify predictors of referral and treatment. Electronic medical records were downloaded for all 3,600 smokers admitted to a 475-bed academic medical center hospital in a one-year period. More than one in four of identified smokers were referred to the specialty service and nearly one in five received treatment. Logistic regression models found that Joint Commission core measure status (heart failure, myocardial infarction, and pneumonia) was the strongest predictor of referral, followed by a history of smoking for more than 10 years. Conversely, smokers admitted for emergency medical services were less likely to be referred compared with those admitted electively. Patients treated on surgical, obstetric, and psychiatric services were less likely to be referred for tobacco treatment than those treated on medical services. Of those referred, smokers with longer lengths of stay and those admitted through the emergency department were more likely to actually receive services. To capitalize on hospitalization as a "teachable moment," other subpopulations, such as psychiatric and obstetric patients, deserve attention. Tobacco treatment services must be fully integrated into hospital systems, configured to deliver care to all smokers, and reimbursed to ensure sustainability. This study's identification of underserved groups, determination of potential roadblocks to delivery of services, and suggestion of ways to disseminate treatment equitably to all smokers should prove helpful to policymakers.

Indirect leadership under severe stress: a qualitative inquiry into the 2004 Kosovo riots

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to develop a theoretical understanding of indirect leadership in a severely stressful peacekeeping context, focusing on the perspective of subordinates. Peacekeeping missions in recent decades have led to increased exposure to acute danger.Design/methodology/approach – Retrospective in-depth interviews were carried out with 17 Norwegian officers and soldiers, who were involved in the handling of a violent riot in Kosovo during a peacekeeping mission. The interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.Findings – A model emerged with three categories: Situational Characteristics, Organizational Characteristics, and the Commander's Intent. A related core category was labelled Subordinates' Appraisal or Sensemaking. During the climax of the riot, a strict following of the ordinary chain of command was impractical. Local initiatives at lower organizational levels were needed, but these, in turn, required competence and a trustful organizational environment.Research limitations/implications – Not representative of the entire population. Given the male-dominated military context under consideration, there could be no meaningful analysis of possible gender-related differences. The results related to a general model of indirect leadership and specific stress. Organizational theory-related additions and limitations are suggested.Practical implications – The proposed model may be a practical tool for management education.Originality/value – The study's identification of key aspects of indirect leadership in severely stressful contexts is a useful addition to the literature.

Teachers and the Gender Gaps in Student Achievement

In the United States, girls outperform boys in measures of reading achievement while generally underperforming in science and mathematics. One major class of explanations for these gaps involves the gender-based interactions between students and teachers (e.g., role-model and Pygmalion effects). However, the evidence on whether these interactions actually matter is limited and contradictory. In this study, I present new empirical evidence on whether assignment to a same-gender teacher influences student achievement, teacher perceptions of student performance, and student engagement. This study's identification strategy exploits a unique matched pairs feature of a major longitudinal survey. Within-student comparisons based on these data indicate that assignment to a same-gender teacher significantly improves the achievement of both girls and boys as well as teacher perceptions of student performance and student engagement with the teacher's subject. For example, assignment to a female science teacher increases the likelihood that a girl views science as useful for her future. However, because the middle-school teachers in most academic subjects are female, these results also suggest that the gender dynamics between teachers and students at this level amplify boys' large underperformance in reading while attenuating the more modest underperformance of girls in math and science.

Empowerment in Rural Viet Nam: Exploring Changes in Mothers and Health Volunteers in the Context of an Integrated Nutrition Project

Empowerment is often cited as a fundamental component of health promotion strategies. Anecdotes suggest that Save the Children's integrated nutrition project empowers local women and health volunteers. The aim of this research was to document the degree to which this is being accomplished. Using qualitative methodologies, we conducted a cross-sectional assessment to compare self-reported changes in identified empowerment domains among 17 program health volunteers and 20 mothers involved in a child nutrition intervention and among five Women's Union leaders and five mothers in a non-intervention comparison commune. Intervention mothers reported increased knowledge, confidence, and information sharing about child-care and feeding, while non-intervention mothers reported minimal changes in these domains. Both intervention health volunteers and non-intervention Women's Union leaders expressed improvements in knowledge, confidence, and relationships with community members. In this study we found that the relative increases in empowerment were greater for mothers than for health volunteers. Intervention mothers reported more sharing of information on child care with neighbors. Health volunteers developed closer relationships with community members than Women's Union leaders. The increased information sharing has positive implications for spread of key messages to families that did not directly participate in intensive feeding and the sustainability of the intervention's impact. Future research should focus on developing culturally specific concepts of empowerment to better understand the effects of empowerment efforts. This study's identification of empowerment domains will inform future empowerment studies in Vietnam.